THE STUDY OF HUMAN BRAIN FUNCTION is arguably one of our society's most important endeavors in this new century. Although there has been an explosive amount of research in basic neurobiology, progress in understanding the integrated functioning of the brain remains a significant scientific problem. It is now clear that even "simple perception" is an act of creation that involves many distributed brain regions, and discovering the network interactions among these regions is important for understanding a range of issues in neuroscience, psychology, neurology, and psychiatry, as well as related fields such as computational intelligence and philosophy. Essential for understanding human brain function is a detailed knowledge of the spatio-temporal dynamics of neuronal populations and their interactions during cognitive function. The conference will explore the dynamics of distributed brain function from multidisciplinary perspectives. It is being organized at Berkeley in honor of Walter Freeman for his contributions to brain dynamics over the past five decades on the occasion of his 80th birthday. The this conference conference The mammalian olfactory bulb receives dense synaptic and neuromodulatory input from many central olfactory and limbic areas. Central input to the olfactory bulb granule cell layer desynchronizes fast oscillatory activity in waking mammals, and when it is temporarily or permanently abolished results in high amplitude narrow band gamma (40-100 Hz) oscillations. In waking animals, the olfactory bulb transitions from high amplitude gamma oscillations and burst firing of mitral cells during slow breathing in waiting or resting behaviors to irregular gamma oscillations and tonic firing of mitral cells during fast directed odorant sniffing. This change in temporal dynamics is correlated with a change in cognitive or attentive state. This suggests switching of the system from a monitoring state to one involved in sensory processing, similar to changes which occur in sensory thalamus and cortex. One mechanism which may effect this state change is a transfer from slow breathing to fast sniffing. Fast sniffing can affect olfactory bulb dynamics by two pathways, the afferent signal from the olfactory nerve and centrifugal input from brainstem or cortical areas. Thus, both central synaptic input and changes in behavior converge on the olfactory bulb and manipulate both fast and slow temporal structure. How does the brain orchestrate perceptions, thoughts and actions from the spiking activity of its neurons? Previous single neuron recording research has regarded spike pattern variability as noise that should be averaged out to reveal the brain's representation of invariant input. An alternatively view is that variability of spikes is centrally coordinated and that this brain-generated ensemble pattern in cortical structures is a potential source of cognition. Large-scale recordings from neuronal ensembles now offer opportunities for challenging and testing these competing theoretical frames. A postulated signature of the cell assembly is that its participants show a higher probability of spiking together than with members of other assemblies, even in the absence of external inputs. Interactions among parallel-recorded hippocampal neurons revealed a consistent temporal structure beyond that predicted from the environmental inputs. We find that prediction of spike times of hippocampal pyramidal neurons is improved using the spike times of simultaneously recorded neurons, over prediction from the animal's trajectory in space, or a spatially-dependent theta phase modulation. Thus, we suggest that the assembly organization arises from the internal dynamics of neuronal circuits. Assemblies are organized most efficiently within 10-30ms, suggesting that cell assemblies are synchronized at this timescale (gamma cycles). Seven to nine cell assemblies form assembly sequences within a theta cycle. The most active assemble occupies the trough of theta representing "here and now", flanked by representation of past and future places on the descending and ascending phase of theta, respectively. The "lifetime" of an assembly in the dorsal hippocampus is 1-2 sec, corresponding to 7 to 14 cycles of theta. The lifetime of oscillating assemblies is internally regulated and can be accelerated by the locomotion speed of the rat and possible other gain factors. The internally generated assemblies can give rise to a perpetually changing composition of assembly membership even in the absence of environmental or idiothetic inputs. We hypothesize that the mechanisms underlying the intrinsically shifting assembly sequences is the substrate of episodic We observed robust coupling between the high- and low-frequency bands of ongoing electrical activity in the human brain. In particular, the phase of the low-frequency theta (4 to 8 hertz) rhythm modulates power in the high gamma (80 to 150 hertz) band of the electrocorticogram, with stronger modulation occurring at higher theta amplitudes. Furthermore, different behavioral tasks evoke distinct patterns of theta/high gamma coupling across the cortex. The results indicate that transient coupling between low- and high-frequency brain rhythms coordinates activity in distributed cortical areas, providing a mechanism for effective communication during cognitive processing in humans. Anatomical, physiological and functional imaging studies have established that mammalian cognitive functions involve the concerted action of populations of interconnected neurons distributed throughout the brain. Although this perspective is widely accepted, we continue to know surprisingly little about the details of distributed neuronal processing, its underlying physiological mechanisms, and its relation to behavior. This lack of understanding stems largely from technical limitations in our ability to make appropriate electrophysiological measurements. To overcome this limitation, we have designed a new class of instrumentation that will enable investigators to simultaneously monitor neuronal activity from hundreds of independently movable microelectrodes that are semi-chronically implanted in widespread regions of the brains of awake, behaving monkeys. I will present this design and discuss its implications, as well as its limitations, for gaining a greater understanding of large scale brain dynamics. It is becoming increasingly clear that the utilization of knowledge by humans and other primates requires the involvement of distributed large-scale networks in the cerebral cortex. The facility with which primates manipulate items of knowledge that are related within a complex cognitive structure suggests that a brain mechanism exists for the flexible creation of cognitive constructs through the dynamic configuration of large-scale cortical networks. Given the functional specialization of cortical areas and their intricate anatomical interconnectivity, it is likely that this mechanism involves the transient establishment of functional interdependency between interconnected areas. A leading candidate as a mechanism for functional interdependency is the temporal coordination of oscillatory population activity. Temporal coordination in the form of partial phase synchronization of oscillatory activity offers several potential advantages to the cortical system. First, it could allow the system to maintain a critical balance between locally independent and large-scale integrative processing. Second, it provides a basis for operation in a metastable regime in which the system dynamics is able to visit global attractor states without becoming trapped in them. Third, it presents a means by which the cortex may rapidly reorganize the functional relations among oscillatory assemblies in distributed areas. These capabilities may be crucial for allowing the brain to create combinatorial arrangements of coordinated cortical areas representing cognitive constructs. The successive manifestation of such constructs may be central to a variety of cognitive functions, including working memory, decision making, and linguistic expression. A major objective for cognitive neuroscience is to elucidate the principles underlying their formation, transition, and, critically, their trajectory to goals such as the solution of problems, the production of decisions, and the articulation of syntactic structure. Dynamic interactions among 20 billion cortical neurons generate, in ways that are still mysterious, phenomena we identify as language, memory and emotion. Alternative models have been proposed for linking the neural substrate of the brain to these mental phenomena. Each model has some merits, though none is perfect. Functional imaging has been particularly fruitful in addressing these issues. I will review some alternative approaches to the localization of function, based on patients with brain lesions, neuroanatomy, and functional imaging. I will focus on spatial attention as a model network and explore the value of the resulting principles for understanding the organization of other large-scale networks in the human brain. The role of the striate cortex (area V1) in shaping our perception of visual patterns and scenes is of fundamental importance in understanding how we see. Visual illusions where a salient stimulus can be temporarily rendered invisible have provided a paradigm by which neuroscientists can isolate neural processes directly involved in perception. This approach has been applied to study electrophysiological activity in monkeys, as well as fMRI activation patterns in humans. Interestingly, the different types of studies have provided divergent results regarding the role of V1 in perceptual processing. Human neuroimaging (fMRI) studies have repeatedly shown that during perceptual suppression there is a marked decrease in the BOLD response in V1. In contrast, single unit studies in monkeys have reported the near absence o


Fourier Ptychography is a computational imaging technique able to decouple high resolution from wide field of view, bypassing the diffraction limit of the microscope. Since it does not rely on high precision mechanics or fluorescent imaging, it is of practical interest for implementation in low scale devices. Despite its gains, realizing a functional low-cost setup working at the theoretical limits is challenging due to many factors causing discrepancies between theory and practice. Misalignment of the light emitting diode array (LED-array), optical system aberrations and use of partial coherent sources are common issues which have been addressed with calibration algorithms. However, physical interpretation of how these factors influence the algorithm and cause mismatches between theory and practice has had little attention so far. This work provides a discussion based on simulation results on the effect of the partial coherence of the source. From obtained results, an optimal set of LEDs for data acquisition is described which avoids degeneracy caused by partial coherence and is based on the numerical aperture (NA) of the objective and source parameters such as bandwidth and size.


Einstein proposed as a part of his theory of relativity the existence of an "equivalence principle'' that predicted an increaas in the energy of electromagnetic radiation when it fell under the influence of a gravitational potential. Experimental evidence is presented in support of this principle. The nuclear resonance absorption of gamma quanta without recoil was utillzed with Fe/sup 57/ as the absorber of the 14.4-kev gamma particle. A change in the frequency of the radiation of DELTA nu / nu = gh/c/sup 2/ under the influence of the gravitational field is expected according to theory, and experimental observations of this Doppler shift hy Pound and Rebka found a change of 98 plus or minus 4% of this quantity. A complete description is given of the experimertal apparatus, the errors involved, the selection of source and absorber, and the theory involved. The increased mass and weight of coherent radiation is consistent with the predictions of the general theory of relativity. (TTT)


Four years stored radish seed,Beijing mantanghong,was selected as material in this experiment.The material was treated with PEG,penicillin,thiophanate-methyl and H2O2in different concentration and water as control for germination experiment in both room and field tests.The results showed that 10 min treatment with mixture of 200 mg/L PEG,200 mg/L penicillin,1.5 g/L thiophanate-methyl and H2O2had the best effect on seeds germination,roots activity,content of chlorophyll and field seedling rate,which was significantly different from control.Thus treatment with appropriate concentration of PEG,penicillin,thiophanate-methyl and H2O2can remedy and promote seeds' metabolic system to make full use of nutrient substance stored in fetus and enable seedling to reach the same standard as normal seeds.


This paper analyzes independence concepts for sets of probability measures associated with directed acyclic graphs. The paper shows that epistemic independence and the standard Markov condition violate desirable separation properties. The adoption of a contraction condition leads to d-separation but still fails to guarantee a belief separation property. To overcome this unsatisfactory situation, a strong Markov condition is proposed, based on epistemic independence. The main result is that the strong Markov condition leads to strong independence and does enforce separation properties; this result implies that (1) separation properties of Bayesian networks do extend to epistemic independence and sets of probability measures, and (2) strong independence has a clear justification based on epistemic independence and the strong Markov condition.


With the trend of economic globalization,the theory and practice of human capital have spreaded promptly in our country.Human capital has become a key resource of enterprise which can gain and maintain competitive advantage.When you seize the human capital,you can control enterprise develop and economic lifelines.To change human resource into human capital's positive role and value;reconsider the adjustment of company's administration structure;enhance training talent person;improve encouragement mechanism;speed up building enterprise culture.


Schwarz, G. 1978. Estimating the dimension of a model. Ann. Stat.6:461–465.Semple, C., and M. Steel. 2003. Phylogenetics. Oxford University Press,Oxford.Sober, E. 1988. Reconstructing the past—Parsimony, evolution, and in-ference. MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts.Sober, E. 2002. Reconstructing ancestral character states—A like-lihood perspective on cladistic parsimony. The Monist 85:156–176.Steel, M., and D. Penny. 2000. Parsimony, likelihood, and the roleof models in molecular phylogenetics. Mol. Biol. Evol. 17:839–850.


BACKGROUND Transfusion of packed red blood cells (PRBCs) is associated with an increased incidence of nosocomial infections and an increased risk of death. The duration of storage before transfusion may influence these outcomes. Here, we explore the association between the age of transfused PRBCs and specific patterns of inflammatory gene expression in severely injured trauma patients. METHODS Severely injured trauma patients requiring intensive care unit treatment and receiving transfusion of PRBCs within 24 hours of the injury were recruited. Blood samples were obtained within 2 hours of the trauma, at 24 hours, and at 72 hours. Messenger RNA was extracted from whole blood, and gene expression was quantified using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The median age of the units of PRBCs transfused to each patient was recorded. The primary outcome measure was the change in candidate gene expression over the initial 72 hours. RESULTS Sixty-four patients were studied. Fifty-three patients (83%) were male, and the median age was 40.5 years (interquartile range [IQR], 31–59). Median Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 31.5 (IQR, 23–43), and 55 patients (86%) experienced a blunt injury. Forty-one patients (64%) developed a nosocomial infection, and 15 patients (23%) died before hospital discharge. Each patient received a median of 5 U of PRBCs (IQR, 4–9.8 U) during the first 24 hours of hospital admission. The median age of the units of PRBCs transfused in each patient was 20 days (IQR, 17–22 days). Older blood was associated with greater decreases in interleukin 12 (IL-12), IL-23, and ROR&ggr;t (all p's < 0.05) gene expression over the initial 24 hours, greater decreases in IL-12 gene expression over 72 hours, and a rise in transforming growth factor &bgr; gene expression over the first 72 hours. A multivariate analysis confirmed the independence of these associations. CONCLUSION Increasing the duration of storage of PRBCs before transfusion is associated with a pattern of gene expression consistent with more severe immunosuppression. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Epidemiologic study, level III.


Peripherally inserted central catheter lines (PICCs) are the "new kids on the block" for intravenous therapy. This paper reports on the development of a protocol and training program for nurses at a 350-bed community hospital. The paper describes the development and implementation of this pilot program in 25 patients over a 1-year period.


High Intensity heavy ion Accelerator Facility (HIAF) aims to provide heavy ion beams with the highest pulse beam intensity in the world, and BRing (Booster Ring) is its main accelerator. Therefore, the HIAF-BRing dipole magnet pulse power supply needs to output fast, high-precision large current and wide range of high voltage. Not only that, the power supply also needs to meet the requirement of long-term stable operation. These requirements mean that the structure and reliability design of power supply are very important. In order to meet these requirements, project team proposes a variable-voltage fast-cycling energy storage pulse power supply and develops a prototype. This paper focuses on the structure and reliability design of power supply. In terms of structure and reliability design, the characteristics of power supply are fully considered and combined. Especially for the H-bridge IGBT, use the FLOTHERM software to perform thermal simulation according to the actual working conditions to obtain important data and optimize the design. The experiment of working principle verified the working principle of power supply, and the feasibility of the structure and reliability design was verified through the 72-hour reliability experiment.


This study considers an optimization problem of intermodal transportation route selection that takes carbon emissions and intermodal transfers into account. An integer linear programming model is built to formulate the problem. The activity-based approach is adopted to estimate the carbon emissions. We present a numerical case with 6 nodes in the intermodal network and then utilize Lingo 11 to generate the best route. We also analyze the results by comparing different time limitation and unit carbon emission cost.


With the purpose of finding a technological change by using the reveled comparative advantage index, the market share index, the balance contribution index and data panel model this paper analyzes Colombia country competitiveness exportations in line to Pavitt classification. According to the major results Colombia country exportations have a positive relationship with the IVCR and CS indexes showing the country capacity to improve its comparative advantages in products of higher added value.


As competition for students, faculty and financial support has increased, so has the application of marketing in the field of higher education. One critical application of marketing all too often neglected, misunderstood and mismanaged in higher education is targeting customers for profitability. The purpose of this paper is to enrich the marketing practices of academic institutions as they face increasing competition for students, faculty and funding by presenting a discussion of 'right,' 'at-risk right' and 'wrong' customers for higher education. This paper reviews marketing paradigms as they have evolved over time, explains the concepts of right, at-risk right and wrong customers as they apply to higher education and identifies managerial implications critical to today's higher education administrators.


In examining ways to alleviate the energy shortage, the private automobile has been singled out as a leading candidate for energy conservation because it uses such large amounts of fuel so inefficiently. The report looks at fuel economy, small car comfort, and new designs.


Abstract The literature suggests association between arousal, general activation, and anxiety on the one hand, and time judgments on the other hand, implying that reported differences in time judgment between nosological groups may be confounded by group differences in arousal-anxiety. Self-report measures of anxiety, as well as magnitude estimates and magnitude productions of standards ranging from 500 to 2000 msec in 250 msec steps and presented in 10 randomized blocks, were obtained from 16 male normals and from 16 male hospitalized patients with a tentative diagnosis of chronic undifferentiated schizophrenia. Only 10 of the 16 patients were later found to have the same confirmed diagnosis. Data from nine normals and from seven chronic undifferentiated schizophrenics met a criterion of linearity of response functions for both time judgment methods and were further analyzed. Magnitude estimates and magnitude productions showed underestimation of elapsed time, both types of judgment exhibited satisfactor...


A method has been developed to measure nanogram per liter amounts of selected volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including dichlorodifluoromethane, trichlorofluoromethane, cis-1,2-dichloroethene, trichloroethene, tetrachloroethene, and the isomers of dichlorobenzene in water. The method uses purge-and-trap techniques on a 100 mL sample, gas chromatography with a megabore capillary column, and electron impact, selected ion monitoring mass spectrometry. Minimum detection levels for these compounds ranged from 1 to 4 ng/L in water. Recoveries from organic-free distilled water and natural groundwater ranged from 70.5% for dichlorodifluoromethane to 107.8% for 1,4-dichlorobenzene. Precision was generally best for cis-1,2-dichloroethene, tetrachloroethene, and the dichlorobenzene isomers and worst for dichlorodifluoromethane and trichlorofluoromethane. Blank data indicated persistent, trace-level introduction of dichlorodifluoromethane, 1,4-dichlorobenzene, and tetrachloroethene to samples during storage and shipment at concentrations less than the method reporting limits. The largest concentrations of the selected VOCs in 27 water samples from the Edwards aquifer near San Antonio, TX, were from confined-zone wells near an abandoned landfill. The results defined a zone of water with no detectable VOCs in nearly all of the aquifer west of San Antonio and from part of the confined zone beneath San Antonio.


Palaeofractures refer to those fractures occurring in metamorphic terrain which were formed contemporaneously with the deformation and metamorphism of the metamorphic strata but prior to the sedimentation of the covering strata. They are important structural features in the Precambrian metamorphic rocks. This paper summarizes the characteristics and the main identification criteria of palaeofractures, discusses their structural properties, and briefly analyzes the implications in palaeo fracture study.


Objective To acclimate An.anthropophagus from different geographical areas of Guangdong and Liaoning provinces so as to reproduce massively them by spontaneous copulation among them in laboratory. Methods Under controlled laboratory conditions and normal mosquito feeding method, artificially compelled copulation were made generation after generation. Results After artificially compelled copulation was carried out for 3 generations in a period of 3.5 months among Guangdong mosquitoes and for 4 generations in a period of 5 months among Liaoning ones, all of mosquitoes could spontaneously copulate in cages and the population size increased progressively. Until now, 12 generations of Guangdong and Liaoning An.anthropophagus have been successfully bred in the laboratory. Conclusion Artificial acclimation of An.anthropophagus from Guangdong and Liaoning provinces is successful.


Under current situations,the new mission of library in China universities should be annotated again,that is,libraries should be brought into full play in supporting teaching re-forms ,supporting scientific researches,participating in the information infrastructure con struc-tion of colleges and universities,and assuring information equality of students,and thus sup-port the development of higher education and personal studies.


We introduce a continuous one-dimensional non-Hermitian matrix gauge potential and study its effect on dynamics of a two-component field. The model is emulated by a system of evanescently coupled nonlinear waveguides with distributed gain and losses. The considered gauge fields lead to a variety of unusual physical phenomena in both linear and nonlinear regimes. In the linear regime, the field may undergo superexponential convective amplification. A total power of an input Gaussian beam may exhibit a finite-distance blowup, which manifests itself in absolute delocalization of the beam at a finite propagation distance, where the amplitude of the field remains finite. The defocusing Kerr nonlinearity initially enhances superexponential amplification, while at larger distances it suppresses the growth of the total power. The focusing nonlinearity at small distances slows down the power growth and eventually leads to the development of the modulational instability. Complex periodic gauge fields lead to the formation of families of stable fundamental and dipole solitons.


In this paper we introduce a new method to produce lower bounds for the Waring rank of symmetric tensors. We also introduce the notion of $e$-computability and we use it to prove that Strassen's Conjecture holds in infinitely many new cases.


This thesis analyzes the precautions of cold recycling in highway construction,explores technical requirements,equipment requirements,material requirements,traffic control and other aspects of the cold recycling.Thus,the cold recycling technology achieves fully use of old material,saves a lot of mineral resources,effectively avoids serious ecological damage resulting from the use of new stone mining ore,such as forest cover reduction and soil erosion and so on.Simultaneously,it avoids the old material impact on the environment,and finally promotes our country more harmonious.


The AC breakdown strength of epoxy/TiO2 nanocomposites (NC) with agglomerate sizes smaller than 50 nm is higher than that of unfilled epoxy. However, the mechanism responsible for this breakdown strength enhancement has not been clarified. Observing the electroluminescence (EL) of these materials may provide insight into insulation deterioration in the early stages. This study investigated the EL characteristics of unfilled epoxy and NC to clarify the mechanism for the enhancement of the breakdown strength. We fabricated NCs with controlled agglomerate sizes using centrifugation. The EL of NC was measured under an AC ramp electric field. The number of EL pulses of the NC is found to be less than that of the unfilled epoxy. The EL inception and extinction electric fields of the NC are higher than those of the unfilled epoxy. These results indicate that the dispersed nanoparticles suppress EL generation.


This article analyses the concept characteristics of enterprise clusters and discusses the basic opinions on complexity science. It plays emphasis on exploring the thoughts of complexity science hidden in enterprise clusters, pointing out complexity characteristics of enterprise clusters in order to suggest the new road to the development of enterprises.


Abstract In this paper we prove that a pairwise Hausdorff bitopological space is quasi-metrizable if and only if for each point x ∈ X and for i, j = 1,2, i ≠ j, one can assign nbd bases { S(n, i; x) | n = 1, 2,… } such that (i) y ∉ S (n − 1, i; x) imples S(n, i; x) ∩ S (n, j; y) = φ, (ii) y ∈ S (n, i; x) implies S (n, i; y) ⊂ S(n − 1, i; x). We derive two further results from this.


In the field of wound healing research non-thermal plasma (NTP) has attracted increasing attention over the last decades. NTP has a complex composition and consists of ions, exited atoms, electrons, ultraviolet (UV) light, visible and infrared radiation, neutral molecules, and free radicals e.g. reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS)1. Next to its well-established antibacterial effects it has potential proliferation promoting properties on eukaryotic cells2. Although a number of studies have been carried out to investigate the impact of NTP on human cells, not much is known about the influences on the molecular level. In order to shed some light in the complex impact NTP has on wound healing, this study analyzed in detail the differential gene expression pattern of human cells involved in this process in response to NTP treatment. Besides the keratinocyte cell line HaCaT, two immune cells lines were studied - the CD4+ T helper cell line Jurkat and the monocyte cell line THP-1.


The observational study was conducted to find out the available Pediatric Radiology Apps for the Smart phones. Both Apple & Google play stores were searched using predefined search key phrases Pediatric Radiology, Pediatric Ultrasonography, Pediatric CT scan, Pediatric MRI, Pediatric MRS and Pediatric X-rays for Apps. The Apps were analyzed for the availability, relevance, cost, rating & the developer. Total availability of four apps on each store, reflected severe paucity and thus indicated necessity of rapid strides in this domain in near future. An Observational Study to Find Out the Available Pediatric Radiology Apps for Smart Phones. Introduction: There is rapid technological advancement and professional interest in the Smart phone based Apps in the field of Medicine.1,2,3,4,5 Some of the branches of medicine are adequately & progressively focused by the Apps. Pediatric Radiology is a very specialized field handling the delicate children and neonates. It is felt important to evaluate that how well is this subspecialty been addressed by the development of Apps. Therefore, the present observational study is designed to address the research question of the current status of Apps in Pediatric Radiology and possibly thus could act as a guide for future development of the needed apps in the subspecialty. Aim: An observational study to find out the available Pediatric Radiology Apps for Smart Phones on Apple Store & Google play station for IOS and Android platforms respectively. Material & Methods: The apps were searched by using key phrases Pediatric Radiology, Pediatric Ultrasonography, Pediatric CT scan, Pediatric MRI, Pediatric MRS and Pediatric X-rays. Search  included both the Apple store and Google play store for IOS & Android platforms respectively, of smartphones. Apps were analyzed about their cost whether free or paid and for their allotted ratings. The data was tabulated & analyzed for possible scope of utility. Observations: The Apps detailed observed data is depicted on Table no. 1 and 2 for Apple store and Goggle play stores respectively. Discussion: The study revealed that the total number of Apps on search of apple store with identified search key phrases were much less but retrieved four relevant apps on Pediatric Radiology, while search of Google play store with same search key phrases revealed much larger numbers of Apps at the initial search but only four apps were relevant and specific to the subject. Relevant Apps on both the stores were free and also paid. Apps were costing with in Rs 1230/-. Apps were covering imaging training, MRI protocols, Journal and MCQ. The Apps on apple store did not have enough scoring reviews while on Google play store, three Apps scored between 3 to 4.3, signifying that users have considered them useful. The Apps developer on both the stores of the specific apps were both medical and nonmedical professionals. Based upon available data the need for creation of more specific apps in the domains of Paediatric Radiology becomes more urgent. Conclusions: This observational study found out the available Apps of Pediatric Radiology for Smart phones on both Apple and Google play stores. The number of apps available are too few for such a specialized field of Pediatric Radiology. It is thus imperative that more Apps are developed in near future addressing various domains of this subspecialty. Table 1: Pediatric Radiology Apps on Apple store Key Phrase No. of Apps Pediatric Apps (specific) Cost Details Ratings Developer Pediatric Radiology 6 Pediatric Radiology Flash card


Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.ric.edu/smolski_text Part of the Civic and Community Engagement Commons, Economic Policy Commons, Finance Commons, Growth and Development Commons, Industrial Organization Commons, Labor Economics Commons, Politics and Social Change Commons, Real Estate Commons, Social Welfare Commons, Urban Studies Commons, Urban Studies and Planning Commons, and the Work, Economy and Organizations Commons


Method and apparatus for soot-free production of synthesis gas from hydrocarbon-containing feed gas and oxygen-containing gas in a multi-stage cascade comprising at least one of the stages catalytic autothermal reforming and / or catalytic partial oxidation, wherein each stage of the cascade oxygen-containing gas and hydrocarbon-containing feed gas is supplied to the respective is converted to a hydrogen-containing process gas in series and all subsequent cascade passes. Alternatively, it is a two-stage series circuit comprising in the first stage an allothermal steam-methane reformer as well as in the second stage to a catalytic autothermal reformer, wherein the second stage, the hydrogen-containing process gas of the first stage is fed and additionally hydrocarbonaceous feed gas, steam, and oxygen-containing gas is supplied, wherein the bilanzierbare H


In this paper, we propose a method to identify and track only a specific player out of a number of players wearing the same jersey in the video sequence of a soccer broadcast to make a summary video focusing on the plays of the specific player. In a soccer broadcast, it is not easy to track a specific player because many players on both teams come and go and move across the field. Therefore, we devised a method to overcome this difficulty by combining multiple machine-learning techniques, such as deep neural networks. Our evaluation was conducted for nine players in three different positions and wearing three different color jerseys, and it is shown that although there is room for improvement on the recall, our proposed method can successfully track specific players with a precision of over 90%.


A novel technology for aligned array carbon nanotubes(CNTs) films reassembled on metal foils is explored.By the technology,CNTs deposited on quartz wafer at high temperature can be transferred on aluminum foils with sticky glue layer by layer.The morphologies and electrical conductance properties of the CNTs reassembled are investigated and characterized via SEM and electrical resistance detection.The results show that the technology can be well used to transfer CNTs to any metal foil with stick glue,perfectly keeping shape of the CNTs in the original CNTs films.The electrical resistance between the CNTs films and metal foils can be adjusted through gas vaporizing post treatment of stick glue. The smallest electrical resistance achieved of the CNTs with metal foil substrates is less than 0.3Ω.


Michelson interferometer is one of the core technologies of time-modulated Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. And the control effect of the interferometer moving mirror has a very important influence on the instrument performance. In this paper, based on the double pendulum interferometer, the control technology of its moving mirror is studied. According to the basic principle of double pendulum interferometer, the general scheme of hardware system design is proposed. And under the guidance of the overall scheme, the modular design of the control system is carried out. There are mainly laser detection modules, main control module, motor drive module, etc. The moving mirror control algorithm is designed in the lower computer software, and the speed of the moving mirror is controlled using the compound control algorithm formed by the combination of incremental PID control and feed-forward control. The control effect of the moving mirror is improved. The upper computer software uses LabVIEW to design and test the control effect of the control system. The test results show that the relative speed error of the moving mirror based on the double pendulum interferometer is better than ±0.35%, and the stability is high, which can meet the requirements of the interference system index.


One of the most decisive challenges for modern society is to improve the present supply of energy and to develop alternatives for the future. The fossil fuel age is coming to an end because of two main issues: the rapid decrease in confirmed reserves and the emission of greenhouse gases (e. g. , carbon dioxide) associated with global warming. The replacement of fossil fuels by more sustainable and environmentally friendly techniques is required in the near future. Among various other approaches, the hydrogen economy has been envisaged as a promising alternative. Advantageously, hydrogen as a secondary energy source leads only to water as an unproblematic side product. A variety of problems, however, remain unsolved. For instance, the production of hydrogen is currently based on the decreasing fossil fuel resources: natural gas, coal, and crude oil, which evidently have negative impacts on the environment. Moreover, intermediate steps (e. g. , packaging, distribution, storage, and transfer) are needed to supply gaseous hydrogen, which has a low volumetric energy density. The storage and the release of hydrogen are particularly challenging tasks and a few possibilities have been established to store hydrogen (e. g. , high pressure and cryogenic storage systems, metal hydrides, metal organic frameworks, polymers, amino boranes, and biomass). Most of these techniques store or release only low amounts of molecular hydrogen, hence, improved or novel strategies are needed. Recently, the application of carbon dioxide/formic acid (HCOOH) as a hydrogen carrier material was reported (Figure 1). 3] HCOOH can be accessed easily by the catalytic reduction of carbon dioxide with molecular hydrogen. No industrial process that applies this method has been established, however, and formic acid is produced currently from the synthesis and hydrolysis of methyl formate. Formic acid is a liquid at room temperature and can, therefore, be handled and transported (including refuelling) more easily than hydrogen. The straightforward catalytic decomposition of formic acid produces hydrogen with gaseous carbon dioxide as the only side product. In addition, the generated carbon dioxide can be easily recycled, independently of the point of evolution, by reduction to formic acid. The combination of CO2 reduction and HCOOH decomposition under mild conditions gives an overall environmentally benign system. This system has considerable advantages over other liquid organic hydrogen carriers: Hydrogen delivery proceeds under ambient conditions, compared to the dehydrogenation of, for example, methylcyclohexane and similar compounds. Furthermore, a hydrogen incorporation rate of 100 % is feasible for the carbon dioxide hydrogenation to formic acid, in contrast to the hydrogenation of carbon dioxide to methanol or methane, which has been also envisaged as a hydrogen storage material. More recently, the hydrogen evolution process has been extensively studied by various research groups. In particular, homogeneous noble metal-based catalysts in combination with a base have proved highly efficient in the production of hydrogen using formic acid. Excellent performance was realized with ruthenium precursors such as [RuCl2(NH3)6] , resulting in turnover frequencies of up to 18 000 h , which is so far the highest reported value for this reaction. As most of the noble metal catalysts (e. g. , Ru, Pt, Ir, Rh) are very expensive, toxic, or both, today's research focuses on their replacement by cheaper and less toxic (preferably nontoxic) metals. The use of iron is here of great interest, owing to its abundance and biological relevance. In particular, numerous enzymes are capable of producing significant amounts of molecular hydrogen under anaerobic biological conditions. In [FeFe]-, [FeNi]-, and [Fe]hydrogenases iron plays a fundamental role in the catalytically active compartments. The active centre of [FeFe]-hydrogenase, especially, has been studied for hydrogen evolution, the main challenge being its sensitivity to oxygen. It would, therefore, be worthwhile to establish an artificial methodology inspired by nature that overcomes the limitations of both the noble metal systems and enzymes to fulfil various requirements for large scale applications, such as simplicity, efficiency, high activity, selectivity, and stability at ambient conditions. Figure 1. Carbon dioxide/formic acid as a hydrogen storage system.


In the recent years, building and maintaining the sustainable competitive advantage across various sectors has become important for businesses. In the case of Hospitals, quality has been proven as one of the important parameters for differentiating and thereby developing a competitive advantage over others. With the advent of more nos. of private players in the industry along with the wholehearted support by the Government through initiatives like Make in India campaigns, the demand has begun for transformation from the basic healthcare provider to wellness provider. In this time, we can take lessons from the hotel industry which shares many characteristics with the hospital sector. In the hotel industry, after years of research and implications of quality standards widespread innovations and improvements for customer service has derived. Now it is the time to transform the hospital industry on the same line with the hotel sector. With this in the background, our study is an effort for measuring the level of satisfaction and getting feedbacks from the patients for improving the quality standards in hospitals. Our article has tried to reduce the gap between both the sectors so that the hospital can leverage from the successful advancements made in the hotel industry.


The paper presents a pilot case of scientific revision and inventory process in the zoological collection of the Georgian National
Museum (Tbilisi). By the special decree of the President of Georgia, the Georgian National Museum was established in 2004.
Unifying fifteen museums, the National Gallery and two scientific centers it is the largest museum complex in the country. Its zoological collection is one of the oldest in Caucasia. Among them are endemic, relict, and other rare species protected by international conventions, and many are listed as endangered or deleted species in Georgia. Considering their importance, age and overall condition of the objects and documentation the reorganization of zoological collections was started as a pilot case in rehabilitation and cataloguing of GNM collections. Complete collections of Arachnidae (Opiliones) were studied and organized; Species of the family of Trogulidae, Nemastomatidae, Sclerosomatidae, Phalangiidae, order Harvestmen (Opiliones) from the class Arachnida, have been identified. There were in total 31 Harvestmen species from 4 families (Trogulidae, Nemastomatidae, Sclerosomatidae, and Phalangiidae) identified. One species of which - Odiellus zacariensis Mkheidze, 1952, is new for Azerbaijan fauna and four species: Trogulus rossicus Silhavy, 1968, Opilio sylvestris Snegovaya 2010, Opilio caucasicus Snegovaya 2010, Opilio nabozhenkoi Snegovaya 2010 are new for the fauna of Georgia. Also two new species: Rilaena kelbajarica Snegovaya et Pkhakadze, 2014 and Phalangium mcheidzeae, Snegovaya, 2014 [5-6] have been described. Museums today aim to become a platform for developing and spreading scientific knowledge. Based on different collections: art, anthropology, archaeology, natural history etc. � they become unique catalysers for interdisciplinary studies. Object-based scientific collections can open new areas of research across different disciplines. In this regard management of museum collections, information about them and making it accessible for scholars of different research fields and countries is a main task for a modern museum. Therefore, it is crucial to systematize the objects and collections, create new knowledge in collaboration with the academia and museum professionals internationally and promote the scientific knowledge for broader audience. The outcomes of the study will enhance the process of integration of GNM collections in international museum system and academia.


Utilization of cattle lungs is not only served in the form of side dishes or lung empal. But in the hands of Yasmin women groups located in Kacongan Village and violet women groups located in Parsanga Village, cow lungs are transformed into savory and high economic value snacks so they can provide income in the family. These crackers are not only tasty and of high economic value, but also contain high protein which is very beneficial for the body. This is because protein is essential to play a role in the growth and formation of body tissues. Expected outputs are as follows: (1) The creation of a distinctive taste of cow's lung crackers, which is spicy and cheese-flavored, (2) The packaging of cow lung crackers that is more interesting and unique, (3) Making brands of cow lung crackers produced, and (4) Increased sales of cow lung crackers. The results of the activities showed the enthusiasm of the participants, so this indicated that this activity was exciting.


Introduction Protein is an essential constituent of all tissues of animal body and has major effect on growth performance of the bird. A better understanding of the nutritional requirements of amino acids allows a more precise nutrition, offering the possibility for the formulator to optimize the requirement of at least minimum levels of crude protein by essential amino acids requirements, generating better result and lower costs for the producer. Methionine + Cystine (total sulfur amino acid = TSSA) perform a number of functions in enzyme reactions and protein synthesis.
Methionine is an essential amino acid for poultry and has an important role as a precursor of Cystine. Methionine is usually the first limiting amino acid in most of the practical diets for broiler chicken. The efficiency of utilization of dietary nutrients partly depends on the development of the gastro intestinal tract.
Material and methods A 2×3 factorial arrangement in a CRD experiment was conducted to study the effect of digestible protein (DP) and sulfur amino acids (DSAA) during the starter period on performance and small intestinal (jejunum) villous morphology.
A total number of 300 day-old Ross 308 male broiler chicks were randomly distributed to 30 groups with 10 chicks each. Treatments consisted of two dietary levels of DP (19.5 and 21.5%) and three dietary levels of DSAA (0.94, 1.02 and 1.1%) that were fed for 10 days.
For Each group and treatment, Feed Intake (FI), Weight Gain (WG) and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) were calculated and all the data were statistically analyzed by the SAS software.
Results and Discussions The effects of different levels of protein and digestible sulfur amino acids on the mean feed intake, feed conversion ratio and daily weight gain are shown in the Table 3.
Increase in the percentage of digestible sulfur amino acids, increased the levels of feed intake and feed conversion ratio in the starter period but, had no effect on the WG. Adding the DSAA amount, higher than the recommended levels by Ross in the starter period, had no significant increase in the WG, FI and FCR. Increasing DSAA in the starter diet, although did not improve the FCR, but significantly increased daily weight gain and feed intake at the end of the period. With a decrease of 10 percent in digestible protein of the starter diet and its counter-action with digestible sulfur amino acids had no effect on WG, FI and FCR in any experimental periods. By taking the use of the diets of 20% Crude Protein (CP) and 0.641% and 0.926% of Total Sulfur Amino Acids (TSAA) or the 22% of CP and 0.705% and 0.926% of TSAA, no weight gain difference was observed from 1 to 7 days of age. Also, a 2% reduction of CP in diet of the starter period was not effective on the WG. The results of the present experiment showed that in the starter diets containing 3025 kCal/kg of metabolism energy, the levels of the digestible protein could be increased 20 gr per every kg of diet, without observing any negative effect on the performance of the broilers and in this situation extra amino acids are added to the diet.
Results of the effects of different levels of the digestible protein and digestible sulfur amino acids on the carcass parts and the gastro intestinal tract are presented in the table 4.
Increasing the DSAA, had no significant effect on carcass parts and relative weight of the gastro intestinal tract in the day 42, but the abdominal fat decreased (P<0.05). Similar levels for the methionine are needed to improve the output of the diet and the breast yield among the range of 3 to 6 weeks age.
The morphology of the jejunum of the broilers of 10 days age, are shown in the table 5.
With an increase of 8.5% in DSAA of the diet, length and width of the villous of the jejunum were increased in the day 10. By decreasing 10% of the digestible protein of the starter diet, muscle thickness of the jejunum was lessen in the age of 10 days. In the starter period, the levels of the digestible lysine had no effect on the length of the duodenum and jejunum villous. Relative lengths of the gastro intestinal tracts are accessible in table 6.
Conclusion Increasing the percentage of the digestible sulfur amino acids in the starter diet, improved the FI and FCR but had no effect on the WG. Increasing the DSAA in the starter period, daily weight gain and feed intake were significantly increased in the final total periods but not for the FCR. 10% decrease in the DP and it's interaction with digestible sulfur amino acids of the starter diet, had no effect on any of the parameters in any periods. With an 8.5% increase in DSAA of the starter diet, the abdominal fat in the 42 days age was decreased. 10% decrease in digestible protein of the starter diet, decreased the muscle thickness in the age of 10 days.


Objective: Cetrotide®, a GnRH-antagonist in comparison to GnRH-agonists leads to immediate LH-suppression of the endogenous pituitary LH-release without a so-called flare-up effect of the GnRH-agonist. Cetrotide® is the first GnRH-antagonist in Germany launched in May 1999 available for single dose protocol (3 mg) and multiple dose protocol (0.25mg). However, so far there is only little experience with the single dose protocol (3 mg) under everyday circumstances. In a post-surveillance study 100 cycles with the single dose protocol (3 mg) will be documented. Methods: The experiences of an open, prospective non-randomised study in superovulation cycles in 100 patients treated using a single dose protocol with 3 mg are reported. Results: Out of the 100 cycles 46% first and 54% follow-up cycles (78% IVF and 22% ICSI) have been documented. During a mean of 11.2 stimulation days 8.2 follicles ≥10 mm developed with serum estradiol concentration of 1049.4 pg/ml (3851 pmol/l) on the day of hCG injection. A mean of 6.1 oocytes were retrieved in 87 cycles. 72 patients had an embryotransfer with a biochemical pregnancy rate (hCG > 100 I.U./I) of 34.7% and a clinical pregnancy rate of 25.0%. OHSS II° was reported in 2.8% of the cycles, no OHSS III° was reported.


Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation can lead to oesophageal thermal injury (ETI) and atrio-oesophageal fistulas can be fatal. Although temperature probes are widely utilized in AF ablations worldwide, in the United Kingdom, AF ablation procedures are performed under local anaesthesia and sedation and not all centres have adopted routine use of temperature probes. This may be due to comparative studies to detect the role of oesophageal temperature monitoring (ETM) in AF ablation showing mixed results. Clinical utility of ETM-guided AF ablation remains debatable, and studies have reported pulmonary vein recurrences in the areas of limited radiofrequency application due to cautious ETM-guided ablation. Purpose This meta-analysis aims to determine the utility of ETM in preventing ETI in the context of radiofrequency catheter ablation of AF. Methods A systematic search of PubMed, Embase databases and Cochrane registry was performed comparing ETI between ETM and non-ETM-guided strategies in AF ablation. Primary outcome was endoscopically detected ETI. Secondary outcomes were AF recurrence, procedure time and ablation time. Statistical analyses including subgroup and covariate analyses were performed using random effect model. Results Baseline: 12 studies (one randomized study, 7 from Germany) satisfied the inclusion criteria; only two studies had patients undergoing AF ablation under GA; 9 studies utilized multi-sensor temperature probes; temperature cut-off ranged from 38.5 ℃ to 42 ℃; posterior wall power setting ranged from 15W to 35W (Figure 1). Primary outcome: ETI were similar in both ETM (n=864) and non- ETM groups (n=639) (RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.34-3.23, I2 =72%) (Figure 2A). Temperature cut-offs, posterior wall power setting, additional linear ablations or body mass index (BMI) had no significant effect on ETI in bivariate or multivariate analysis. Secondary outcome: AF recurrence was statistically similar in both groups (IRR 0.92, 95% CI 0.73-1.17, I2 =0%) but showed a lower trend in non-ETM group (Figure 2B). Ablation time (SMD -0.08, 95% CI -0.37- 0.21, I2 =65%) was numerically lower in the ETM group but was not statistically significant (Figure 2C). Procedure time (SMD 0.96, 95% CI 0.69- 2.61, I2 =97%) was statistically similar across both groups but showed a higher trend in the ETM group (Figure 2D). Major complications of both ETM and non-ETM groups, including atrio-oesophageal fistula, were extremely rare. Conclusion ETM did not make statistically significant difference in the resultant ETI during AF ablation. There was a trend towards longer procedures with marginally lower RF application time. While use of temperature probes continues to be limited in the UK centres, the clinical utility of oesophageal temperature remains questionable and need to be addressed in randomized studies. However our analyses cannot be generalized to high power ablation settings (e.g. 50W or 90W) or RF balloons. Baseline characteristics Primary and secondary outcomes


Kanyakumari, a popular tourist destination in India, attracts tourists from around the world with its scenic beauty, cultural heritage, and historical significance. However, tourists often face challenges in finding accurate information, making bookings, and planning their itinerary, leading to a less-than-optimal experience. In this technology intervention, we propose the development of a chatbot using JavaScript to address these challenges and provide a seamless and memorable tourism experience in Kanyakumari. The chatbot will be designed to engage with tourists in a conversational manner, providing information about tourist attractions answering frequently asked questions, assisting with bookings for accommodations and tours, and offering personalized recommendations based on user preferences. The chatbot will leverage JavaScript libraries for natural language processing (NLP) to understand user inputs, integrate with relevant APIs to fetch real-time data about Kanyakumari's tourist offerings, and implement backend functionality for managing user sessions and storing data. We anticipate that the development of a chatbot as a technology intervention will enhance the tourism experience in Kanyakumari making it hassle-free and memorable for tourists. The chatbot will provide accurate information, streamline bookings, and offer personalized recommendations resulting in improved tourist satisfaction and increased engagement with the destinatio


In this paper, we introduce and study  a mapping from the collection of all  intermediate rings of $C(X)$ to the collection of all  realcompactifications of $X$ contained in $beta X$. By establishing the relations between this mapping and its converse,  we give a different approach to the main statements of De et. al. Using these, we provide different answers to the   four basic questions raised in Acharyya et.al. Finally, we give some notes on the realcompactifications  generated  by ideals.


Disclosed are protein ligands comprising an immunoglobulin heavy chain variable (VH) domain and an immunoglobulin light chain variable (VL) domain, wherein the proteins bind a complex comprising an MHC and a peptide, do not substantially bind the MHC in the absence of the bound peptide, and do not substantially bind the peptide in the absence of the MHC, and the peptide is a peptide fragment of gp100, MUC1, TAX, or hTERT. Also disclosed are methods of using and identifying such ligands.


This report describes the purposes and design of the scholarship program, the first-year implementation activities that generated 1,848 eligible applicants and 58 participating private schools, the process of awarding scholarships to 1,366 student applicants, and the characteristics of both applicants and scholarship users.


This article discusses the role of race as it intersects with religion, gender, and class in Dutch public spaces through an ethnography of Moroccan‐Dutch Muslim girls playing soccer. Racialized Muslim girls are "othered" and portrayed as unemancipated and inactive in Dutch society, not in the least by politicians such as Geert Wilders. Yet, racialized girls resist their "othering" by appropriating public sports spaces for their own girls' soccer competition. I show how soccer players deal with racist comments in sports and how they respond to right‐wing nationalism and racist populism by playing soccer. I argue that the girls' embodied knowledge of such experiences is crucial for scholarly understandings of race, racialization, public space, and sports. This article demonstrates how race works in Dutch public sports spaces, and how gender, religion, and class are produced through racialization in sports.


Eating habits of young people are changing and developing along the time due to cultural and social patterns established in the context. The acquisition of good habits is very important because it largely determines our health and can prevent the occurrence of multiple health problems, in which we found obesity. This research attempts to identify the factors that determine and define the dietary patterns of young people according to the literature review. Consequently, questionnaires to youth people of 15-16 years old of Pamplona were executed, during a period of two months, in order to obtain information about food trends in the sample selected, for further analysis.


Data, covering a range of pH and temperature, were obtained for the anodic oxidation of electropolished silver and the results compared with electrodes which had undergone repeated oxidation and reduction cycles. The behavior of the electrode is, in the main, complex, showing, for example, autopotential cycling under certain galvanostatic conditions (∼3 μA/cm2, 25 °C, 0.7 N NaOH), the period of oscillation being about . Several other hitherto unreported phenomena were also observed. The main conclusions reached are (i) that 2 different mechanisms are involved in the anodic formation of Ag2O on silver electrodes in basic electrolytes resulting in 2 types of film, 1 mechanism involves a dissolution–precipitation process, the other possibly a direct interfacial reaction; (ii) that the reduction of anodically formed Ag2O films either electrochemically or in hydrogen at 800 °C leaves behind a highly porous layer of silver metal; and (iii) that the limiting Ag2O film thickness is probably determined by a diffus...


Purpose:  To evaluate the prevalence of correctable and non‐correctable visual impairment in a representative sample of young males commissioned for Military Service in Poland.


Objective To explore the effect of lysophosphatidic acid(LPA)on blood-brain barrier(BBB) permeability and its possible mechanism.Methods LPA or LPA+suramin(L+S)were stereotaxically injected into the right eaudate nucleus in SD rats in vivo.Evans blue(EB)was used to quantitatively measure the permeability of BBB at different time points.The expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 was detected by immunohistochemistry technique.The pathological ultrastruetural changes of BBB were assessed by transmission electron microscopy.Results The BBB permeability began to increase after LPA administered into ipsilateral eaudate nucleus,and reached the peak at 24h.Then the permeability of BBB gradually lowered after 48h.In comparison with the same time points of control group,there were quite significant differences(P<0.01).After L+S was injected,the change of BBB permeability had differences in comparison with those of LPA group in the same time points,(P<0.05).MMP-9 positive cells were mainly vascular endothelial cells.The numbers of MMP-9 positive blood vessels grew at 6h in LPA group,and the expression of it reached maximum at 24h,then the number of it decreased at 48h,showing significant statistical differences in comparison with the L+S group(P<0.01),It was observed microscopically that ultrastrueture of BBB of the LPA group was changed sharply,such as basement membrane roughed and fragmented,astroeyte end-feet swolled markedly and perivaseular space enlarged obviously.But there were no remarkable changes in BBB in L+S group.Conclusion LPA can induce increase of BBB permeability and its possible mechanism is the strong expression of MMP-9 protein produeted by endothelial cells through the mediation of LPA receptor,leading to degradation of basement membrane.


We theoretically propose a family of structurally stable monolayer halide perovskite A 3 B 2 C 9 (A = Rb, Cs; B = Pd, Pt; C = Cl, Br) with easy magnetization planes. The family materials are all half metals with large spin gaps beyond 1 eV accompanying a single spin Dirac point located at K point. When the spin-orbit coupling is switched on, we further show that Rb 3 Pt 2 Cl 9 , Cs 3 Pd 2 Cl 9 , and Cs 3 Pt 2 Cl 9 monolayers can open up large band gaps from 63 to 103 meV to harbor quantum anomalous Hall effect with Chern numbers of C = ± 1 whenever the mirror symmetry is broken by the in-plane magnetization, and the corresponding Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless transition temperatures are over 248 K. Our findings provide a potentially realizable platform to explore quantum anomalous Hall effect and spintronic applications at high temperatures.


Selenoprotein is an essential micro-element in human and mammal.Its biological functions are mainly performed by selenoenzyme.In recent years,there are many reports on the feed additive-selenoprotein.This article mainly previews the general situation of selenoprotein,classification,some kinds of important selenoprotein and biological function,selenoprotein analytical methods and regulation.


In this Monte Carlo simulation study, the performance of six different propensity score methods implemented through weighting cases was investigated: inverse probability of treatment weighting, truncated inverse probability of treatment weighting, propensity score stratification, marginal mean weighting through propensity score stratification, optimal full propensity score matching, and marginal mean weighting through optimal full propensity score matching. These methods aim to reduce selection bias in estimates of the average treatment effect (ATE) in observational studies. For the estimation of standard errors of the ATE with weights, three methods were compared: weighted least squares (WLS), Taylor series linearization (TSL), and jackknife (JK). Results indicated that covariance adjustment extensions of the investigated propensity score methods, in combination with TSL and JK standard error estimation methods, remove the selection bias appropriately and provide the most accurate standard errors under the simulated conditions.


One of the first decisions to make when a new roll forming line is designed is the number of forming steps needed to produce a profile. This is dependent on the material properties, the cross-secti ...


An electromagnetic model for coaxial cavity filter is theoretically analyzed in this paper. Based on this model, the calculation expressions of cavity coupling factors are derived, and the eigenmode value of each resonator unit is obtained, which are significant parameters to filter design. The 3D electromagnetic simulation software is used to analysis and optimization for the narrow-band cavity filter. Finally, the filter is fabricated and tested. The experiment and simulation results are in coincidence. In comparison with the traditional C-band cavity or waveguide narrow-band band-pass filters, the designed coaxial cavity filter is minimized in size.


In this emerging world, diseases are increased besides treatment for those diseases also improved. At the same time, diagnosis of disease can lead more time consumption for experts because of its wide range of data. The data mining is the effective technology which can handle numerous amounts of data and extract hidden information from it. It is the emerging area in the field of medical diagnosis.Diabetes also referred as diabetes mellitus, defines group of metabolic diseases in which the person experiences high blood sugar level, because shorter insulin production or body cell's improper response to the insulin. Three major types of diabetes are type 1 diabetes, type 2diabetes and gestational diabetes. Among various data mining approaches, classification algorithms perform more efficient for the diagnosis of disease. In this paper, we have considered 10 classification algorithms like Naïve Bayes, Multilayer Perceptron, Adaboost, Logiboost, Decision Table, OneR, PART, J48, Random Forest, Random Tree, REPT and comparative analysis are performed. Finally, the best algorithm for diabetes diagnosis is keyed out based on its accuracy and error rate.


Abstract As a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, governments even in consolidated democracies have adopted drastic measures, temporarily constraining individual freedoms and expanding executive political decision making. In light of this trade-off between public health measures and democratic norms, it becomes crucial to assess the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on public support for democratic versus authoritarian regimes. Following insights of the affective intelligence theory, emotions, and not only rational considerations, are key to understanding behavioural and attitudinal responses to crises. In the article it is argued that the pandemic threat of COVID-19 affects regime preferences by evoking distinct negative emotions, in particular anger and fear. Using original survey data in six European countries, it is shown that COVID-19-induced anger and fear have divergent effects on regime preferences. While democratic regime preference has declined for angry respondents, there is also a message of hope: fearful respondents display increased support for a democratic regime.


With the development of science and technology, the shortage of human resources in the labor market and the increase of human costs, intelligence, intelligence and unmanned logistics have become the mainstream development trend. This paper introduces a new type of space ground coordinated unmanned transportation system, which aims to solve the problems of liberating labor, reducing the operating costs of logistics enterprises, reducing the contact between people, and impeding the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic. This paper introduces the research background and advantages of the system, and describes the selection and working principle of the system in detail


Aim: To investigate the effect of carvedilol on liver fi brosis and hepatic sinusoidal capillarization in mice with carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 )-induced fi brosis. Methods: A liver fi brosis mouse model was induced by intraperitoneal CCl 4 injection for 8 weeks. The mice were divided into fi ve experimental groups: the normal group, the oil group, the CCl 4 group, the CCl 4 +carvedilol (5 mg/kg/d) group, and the CCl 4 +carvedilol (10 mg/kg/d) group. The extent of liver fi brosis was evaluated by histopathological staining, and the changes in fenestrations of hepatic sinus endothelial cells were observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The expression of α -smooth muscle actin ( α -SMA) and vascular endothelial markers was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot assays. The effect of carvedilol on cell apoptosis was studied via Terminal deoxynucleotidyl Transferase Mediated dUTP Nick End Labeling (TUNEL) assay, and the serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and angiopoietin-2 were detected through a Luminex assay. Results: Liver fi brosis in CCl 4 -treated mice was attenuated by reduced accumulation of collagen and the reaction of in fl ammation with carvedilol treatment. Carvedilol reduced the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and increased the number of apoptotic cells. The expression of α -SMA, CD31, CD34 and VWF (von Willebrand factor) was signi fi cantly decreased after carvedilol treatment. In addition, the number of fenestrae in the hepatic sinusoid showed notable differences between the groups, and the serum levels of MMP-8, VEGF and angiopoietin-2 were increased in the mice with liver fi brosis and reduced by carvedilol treatment. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that carvedilol could prevent further development of liver fi brosis and hepatic sinusoidal capillarization in mice with CCl 4 -induced fi brosis.


We calculated the radiative decay rate A r of 3d-nf(n=4,5,6) for Ni-like, Cu-like, Zn-like (Xe,Gd,Dy,Au) plasmas in the SOSA model. The results show that A r varies regularly because of the effect of spectator electron and nuclear charge. At the same time, we compare A r of Ta 45+ with that of relative parameter potential method, and the agreement is good.


Within the framework of item response theory (IRT), there are two recent lines of work on the estimation of classification accuracy (CA) rate. One approach estimates CA when decisions are made based on total sum scores, the other based on latent trait estimates. The former is referred to as the Lee approach, and the latter, the Rudner approach, each after its representative contributor. In this article, the two approaches are delineated in the same framework to highlight their similarities and differences. In addition, a simulation study manipulating IRT model, sample size, test length, and cut score location was conducted. The study investigated the empirical CA that can be achieved using either the total scores or the latent trait estimates. It also evaluated the performances of the two approaches in estimating their respective empirical CAs. Results on the empirical CA suggest that when the model fits, classifications made with the latent trait estimate shall be equally or more accurate than classifications made with total score. The magnitude of difference was governed by divergence from the one-parameter logistic (1PL) model. Both Lee and Rudner approaches provided good estimates of their respective empirical CAs for every condition that was simulated. Practical implications of the simulation results are discussed.


All veterinarians are under a moral and ethical duty to safeguard and promote good animal welfare. This places upon them the duty to avoid causing unnecessary pain and to provide pain relief wherever possible in conditions where pain may occur.

However, accurate recognition of pain in animals is a challenge. Pain in human beings is defined by the International Association for the Study of Pain1 as 'an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage' – that is, it is defined in terms of self-reporting. In animals it is defined primarily in terms of the animal's responses; for example, 'Pain in animals is an aversive sensory experience caused by actual or potential injury that elicits protective motor and vegetative reactions, results in learned avoidance behaviour, and may modify species-specific behaviour including social behaviour'.2

These are two very contrasting definitions. Recognising pain in people is relatively easy: the patient can describe the feelings to their physician who can then medicate accordingly, or the patient may self-medicate. In animals, the situation is far less clear since animals have no clear communication channel with us. There is evidence that changes in facial expression may offer a means for recognising pain in animals3,4 and there are also some …


FIELD: process engineering. SUBSTANCE: first- and second-kind particles 22, 23 are fed jointly with carrier gas into stagnation chamber 15 and accelerated via nozzle 14 arranged thereon on substrate 25 to be coated. Note here that first-kind particles 22 are fed in first zone 20 of said stagnation chamber located closer to nozzle 14 than second zone 21 wherein second-kind particles 23 are fed that feature higher hardness and/or lower ductility than first-kind particles 22. Proposed device comprises stagnation chamber 15 with gas carrier entry opening 17, first line 19 to feed first-kind particles, second line 18a, 18b to feed second-kind particles, and nozzle 14 arranged downstream of stagnation chamber 15. Note also that first line 19 extends into stagnation chamber first zone 20 located closer to nozzle than second zone 21 wherein second line extends. EFFECT: higher degree of second-kind fragile particle implantation into ductile matrix of first-kind particles. 9 cl, 2 dwg


Ac susceptibility at 140 Hz, coercivity at 0.3 Hz, dc magnetization and Mossbauer spectroscopy on77Fe were measured in the temperature range between 4.2 and 300 K for amorphous (Fe 1-x Mn x ) 77 Si 10 B 13 ( 0.2 \leq x \leq 0.8 ) alloys. The magnetic phase diagram is obtained based on the χ ac -T data. A steep increase in average hyperfine field is observed below T. This temperature is lower than the freezing temperature T g obtained from χ ac -T data for reentrant spin-glass ( 0.2 \leq x \leq 0.36 ) and coincides with T g for classical spin-glass ( x \leq 0.4 ). The experimental results are discussed by an inhomogeneity model.


This perspectives article offers an overview of the Programa Facultad Abierta (Open Faculty Program) written by its faculty protagonists. Through the creation and continuation of this program the authors describe the evolution of the program that emerged from the socio-political context of Argentina's 2001-2002 economic crisis. As a university extension program associated with the University of Buenos Aires's Faculty of Philosophy and Letters, the Programa Facultad Abierta is both socially committed and community-focused. The Programa Facultad Abierta serves as an illustrative case study of the possibilities still available to the public university for not only engaging in continuing adult education, but also for playing a key role in supporting broader proposals for social change against and beyond social exclusion and strictly capitalist prerogatives. Indeed, the experiences of the Programa Facultad Abierta shows that the public university has an important role in an academic–political project which both co-creates knowledge and collaborates with otherwise marginalized communities and working people in forging alternative socio-economic destinies together. Cet article offre un apercu du Programa Facultad Abierta (Programme d'etudes libres) ecrit par les acteurs cles de la faculte. Les auteurs decrivent l'evolution de ce programme, de sa creation decoulant du contexte sociopolitique de la crise economique de l'Argentine en 2001-2002 jusqu'a son maintien de nos jours. En tant que programme d'education permanente lie a la faculte de philosophie et des lettres de l'Universite de Buenos Aires, le Programa Facultad Abierta est a la fois engage socialement et axe sur la communaute. Il sert de cas d'etude pour illustrer les possibilites qu'ont encore les universites publiques de non seulement s'impliquer dans le maintien de l'education des adultes, mais egalement de jouer un role cle dans l'appui des propositions plus larges visant le changement social pour eliminer l'exclusion sociale et les prerogatives strictement capitalistes. Effectivement, les experiences du Programa Facultad Abierta indiquent que l'universite publique a un role important a jouer dans un projet academique-politique qui contribue a la creation des connaissances et collabore avec des communautes marginalisees et des travailleurs pour creer ensemble des destins socioeconomiques alternatifs. Mots cles : programme d'education permanente; universite publique; mouvements sociaux; autogestion des travailleurs; Argentine


In recent decades, industrialized economies have significantly increased their R&D efforts while economic growth rates have been relatively stable. This goes against the conclusions of most previous economic models of endogenous growth. In this paper, an endogenous growth model has been created in which technology is treated as an income-compensated factor of production. The purpose is to create a theoretical model in which economies must increase their research intensity in order to maintain economic growth rates. The model is able to predict the growth rate and level of GDP per capita to the correct order of magnitude, although not with a remarkable degree of accuracy. However, the model seems to necessitate continuous increases in research intensity in order to maintain the economic growth rate. (Less)


It is important that staff and contractors inspecting and maintaining Queensland's state-controlled road network are able to reference various points on the network accurately and consistently. A GPS Tripmeter was developed by Main Roads to translate GPS map coordinates into commonly understood Main Roads location references such as road name and road chainage. This paper discusses the technical issues that arose during the development of the GPS tripmeter.


We focused on the difference between the photographic sensitivities of nuclear emulsion films by the electronic stopping power (ESP) and nuclear stopping power (NSP) of charged particles. The effects of high-velocity particles, in which ESP was dominant, and of low-velocity particles, where both ESP and NSP were effective, were compared. Low-velocity Kr ions formed internal latent images by the interaction with NSP. This may be due to the formation of crystal defects by atomic collisions along the route of these ions in silver halide crystals, and such defects are detected only by internal development. On the other hand, high-velocity ions like α-rays did not form internal latent images in the emulsion with Au+S sensitization, because sensitization centers on the surface of crystals accumulated excited electrons by ESP and only surface latent images were formed. It is demonstrated that internal latent images are characteristic signals by NSP. Low-velocity ions are selectively detectable by the internal development, even in high background fields like γ-rays, β-rays, or other high-velocity ions.


Establishment of protective forest belts is the most efficient means for stabilization of desertification processes in the steppe zones; as this takes place, one of the major trees should be larch distinguished by its longevity and modesty to soil-climatic conditions.


This study investigated the correlation between listening comprehension and students' listening preference at the first year of English Study Program of Halu Oleo University. It aimed of finding out the correlation of listening comprehension and listening preference in between and the correlation between listening preference and students' gender. Samples were 44 students drawn using a random sampling technique. Instrument of the study were multiple choices tests of IELTS and TOEFL consisting of 20 items each of them, which was used to measure students' listening comprehension, and a questionnaire featuring 14 items to gauge students' listening preference towards British and American English. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistic and correlation analysis. Results showed that listening comprehension has a positive correlation toward listening preference and there is no correlation between students' listening preference and their gender because both male and female have high score in TOEFL test and they prefer American to British English. Since the study did not investigating the most influence factor of listening comprehension, the researcher recommended that future researchers to investigate the factor.


The commercial antiseptic solution samples containing hydrogen peroxide were analyzed in relation to the hydrogen peroxide content, using the various plant pigments, red rose petals, red wine, purple cabbage, azalea petals with spectronic 20 and home-made LED colorimeter. The results suggest that any anthocyanine-containing plants can be used in hydrogen peroxide determination. The negative sign in the slope of the analytical curves represents the decrease in the absorbance, resistance caused by the discoloring reaction. This study could easily determinate about H2O2 containing commercial hydrogen peroxide water with calibration curve from spectronic 20 and home-made LED colorimeter. It avail student`s determinative understanding about oxidation-reduction chapter.


Shear wave optical coherence elastography (SW-OCE) is a quantitative approach to assess tissue structures and elasticity with high resolution, based on OCT. Shear wave imaging (SWI) is the foundation of shear wave elasticity imaging (SWEI), which is a quantitative approach to assess tissue structures and pathological status. In order to enhance elastography resolution to micron scale, the shear waves needs to be highly localized, with short wavelength and high frequency (second order of kHz), which also places stricter requirement on the temporal resolution requirements of SWI device. In this paper, we introduced two approaches to remotely induce high frequency shear waves within tissue samples: ultrasound acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI), and high energy nanosecond pulsed laser. The maximum frequency of pulsed laser induced shear waves in tissue-mimicking phantoms can go up to 25 kHz, which is not possible to be captured and tracked by other SWI modalities. We use a custom-built SWI-OCT system to visualize and capture the nanometer scale shear waves, achieving a spatial resolution up to 15 um and frame rate of up to 92 kHz. The dynamic wave propagation data was then used for the reconstruction of localized wave velocity and elasticity. This study demonstrates the non-contact shear wave generation with pulsed laser source, and ultra-fast, high-resolution sectional acoustical wave tracking with remarkable sensitivity, promising a future clinical application for a high-resolution quantitative mapping of elasticity in vivo, non-contact and real time in OCT-accessible tissue, especially in ocular tissues.


Adaptive resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to polymyxin B, a drug of last resort, is an emerging problem worldwide. The purpose of this study was to better understand the mechanism of transcriptional regulation of polymyxin B resistance in P. aeruginosa. One proposed regulatory pathway involved RpoS-activated PmrA which then activates ArnT, a lipid membrane modifier. We assessed the contribution of this regulatory circuit to antibiotic resistance at log phase, early stationary phase and late stationary phase by comparing plating results. Here we report that expression of rpoS and pmrA were highly correlated, supporting previous findings by other researchers that pmrA is indeed a downstream target of rpoS. Furthermore, upregulation of both rpoS and pmrA led to increased growth in the presence of sub-inhibiotry levels of polymyxin B. In contrast, arnT expression correlated poorly with expression of rpoS/pmrA suggesting the presence of other regulatory pathways. In addition, arnT expression did not lead to increased survival at the level of polymyxin B that was used. Thus, our results suggested that RpoS and PmrA induced resistance to polymyxin B occurred independently of ArnT. The direct effects of these genes on survival require further investigation.


The history of retinoblastoma (RB) goes back to 1597 when Pieter Pawius of Amsterdam described a tumor that resembled retinoblastoma. "Fungus haematodes" was the first term used to describe retinoblastoma. Later, the American Ophthalmological Society approved the term retinoblastoma in 1926. The retinoblastoma protein is encoded by the RB1 gene located at 13q14. The functioning model of the tumor suppressor genes was first proposed by Alfred Knudson in the 1970s who precisely explained the hereditary mechanism of retinoblastoma. If both alleles of this gene are mutated, the protein is inactivated and this results in the development of retinoblastoma. One mutation can be either germline or somatic and the second one is always somatic. Differentiation between sporadic and germline retinoblastoma variants requires the identification of the RB1 germline status of the patient. This identification is important for assessing the risk of additional tumors in the same eye, the other eye, and the risk of secondary tumors. Thus, genetic testing is an important component of the management of all children diagnosed with retinoblastoma. In this chapter, we will go over the history, genetics, and counseling for patients with retinoblastoma.


The corrosion resistance of magnesium alloys depends on their microstructure, especially the presence of different intermetallic phases and precipitates. In this paper, the electrochemical behaviour of Mg1Ca and Mg1Ca1Si magnesium alloys has been investigated in the Ringer's solution at 37 °C. In order to improve the corrosion resistance of these magnesium alloys composite coatings were fabricated by modification of a chitosan layer. The coatings were prepared by dip-coating in a chitosan solution and then modified by electrochemical deposition of a layer from a solution containing fluorine ions and water glass. The electrochemical performance of chitosan and chitosan modified coated alloys was evaluated by linear sweep voltamperometry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The coated magnesium alloys possess suitable corrosion behaviour for the application as biodegradable implant material.


Food policy is in crisis, assert Tim Lang and Michael Heasman, authors of Food Wars: the Global Battle for Mouths, Minds and Markets. Their book reflects the authors' frustration with public policies that have either not addressed links between current health and environmental problems and our food supply-consumption patterns, or else have addressed these problems but only piecemeal. This ambitious book sets out to explain the state of the dominant food supply system at the start of the twenty-first century, the rise of two alternative, competing food systems, and how policy decisions regarding food production, commerce, marketing, and consumption have had and will continue to have far-reaching consequences. Since the mid-twentieth century, a production-driven food economy, fueled by technological innovations in farming, transportation, food chemistry, and processing, has dominated the food supply. This "Productionist paradigm" largely succeeded in increasing the quantity of food available worldwide, as evidenced by the Green Revolution. Yet today, a growing part of the world suffers from chronic disease and obesity associated with diets ample in calories but of poor quality. Society has begun to acknowledge the environmental externalities of producing "cheap" food via chemically intensive monoculture farming. Two emerging models seek to remedy this. The Life-Sciences Integrated paradigm


Dithiolthiones are a family of compounds which have a great current interest for their properties especially as anti carcinogens. The problem for the use of this type of compounds is that they are quite water insoluble and this represents a problem for their bioavalability. We have studied the interaction of 5-RS-3H-1,2-dithiole-3-thiones (R= ethyl, butyl, hexyl and octyl) with cyclodextrins and we report here that the ethyl and butyl derivatives form inclusion complexes with β-cyclodextrin with 1:1 stoichiometry. The complexes are characterized by Uv-vis, circular dichroism spectroscopy and by DSC analysis of the solid complexes. The solubility of the butyl derivative in water increases about two times in a solution of β-cyclodextrin 0.01M. The hexyl and octyl derivatives are aggregated in water even at 4-5x10 M and in the presence of 0.001 M β-CD they are associated with destruction of the aggregates. The spectroscopic behavior indicates that these derivatives form complexes of higher stoichiometry probably 1:2.


After inputting via the local keyboard or telephone set the rice kind, rice amount, taste and time, the intelligent rice cooking machine cooks rice in required time through feeding rice, washing and heating automatically. It has monochip computer and computer program as its kernel parts and consists of feeding drum assembly, rice port, water, electric and gas controller assembly and cooker. It has simple structure, small volume and easy use.


Background:Fatal asthma remains a serious problem, and patient self-management of asthma is important to prevent exacerbation. To reduce the asthma mortality rate, we analyzed the characteristics of patients who visited an emergency care unit with exacerbation of asthma. Methods:Subjects were 317 patients(135 men, 182 women;mean age, 47 .0 years)who visited the emergency room at Dokkyo Medical University Hospital or Dokkyo Medical University Koshigaya Hospital for exacerbation of asthma between April 2010 and March 2011. When categorized by severity, 41.3% of patients were step 1, 8.2% were step 2, 18.9% were step 3, 30.9% were step 4, and 0.6% were unknown. When categorized by primary care physician, 60.3% of patients had a primary care physician at Dokkyo Medical University, 13.6% had one at another hospital, and 26.2% had no primary care physician. When categorized by recovery from exacerbation, control was achieved within 1 day in 63.1% of cases, after more than 1 day in 30.6% of cases, and required admission in 6.3% of cases. Results:The rate of admissions was highest for cases with step 1 severity(step 1, 55.0%;step 2, 20.0%; step 3, 0.0%;and step 4, 25.0%). The rate of admissions did not differ significantly by age(age 15-39 years, 40.0%;40-65 years, 25.0%;>65 years, 35.0%). Initial value of oxyhemoglobin saturation(SpO2) measured by pulse oximetry was significantly lower in the admission group(SpO2 92.4%)than in the nonadmission group(SpO2 95.2%, p<0.01). Conclusion:Patients with step 1 severity who visit an emergency unit with exacerbation of asthma may need regular treatment for asthma. When initial SpO2 is less than 92%, we should consider hospitalization for treatment of asthma.


Asthma, a ubiquitous chronic respiratory ailment, stands as a formidable global health concern, affecting millions of individuals across the world. This widespread condition, marked by airway inflammation and heightened reactivity, has captured the attention of researchers and healthcare professionals alike for decades. Its intricate etiology, influenced by a myriad of factors, has fueled the curiosity of the scientific community. As we delve deeper into the annals of medical research, an increasingly compelling narrative emerges—one that underscores the pivotal role played by environmental factors in the development and exacerbation of asthma. At its core, asthma represents a complex interplay between genetic predisposition and environmental exposures. While genetics undoubtedly confer a degree of susceptibility, the multifactorial nature of this condition beckons us to explore the environmental determinants that often act as catalysts for its onset. This comprehensive research paper, therefore, seeks to unravel the multifaceted relationship between asthma and the environment. In doing so, it endeavors to provide valuable insights into the mechanisms by which environmental exposures may contribute to the susceptibility, prevalence, and severity of asthma, ultimately influencing the health and well-being of countless individuals worldwide. Asthma, in its clinical presentation, reflects a state of heightened airway reactivity and inflammation. These hallmark features result in recurrent episodes of wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. These symptoms, while variable in intensity and duration, can significantly disrupt the lives of those afflicted. Yet, beyond its clinical manifestations, asthma's origins lie embedded in the intricate web of environmental exposures that individuals encounter throughout their lives. Air quality emerges as a paramount concern in the context of asthma. Airborne pollutants, including fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), are pervasive in urban and industrialized settings. Substantial evidence from epidemiological studies and clinical research has underscored their association with asthma incidence and symptom exacerbation. These pollutants infiltrate the respiratory system, provoking inflammation and airway hyper responsiveness, thus serving as key triggers for asthma attacks. Furthermore, the indoor environment, where individuals spend a significant portion of their lives, carries its own set of challenges. Allergen exposure, particularly to house dust mites, pet dander, and mold, constitutes a prominent risk factor for asthma. In genetically predisposed individuals, exposure to these allergens can initiate and perpetuate chronic airway inflammation, leading to the characteristic symptoms of asthma. Notably, the interplay between genetic susceptibility and environmental exposures becomes apparent in the variable responses observed among individuals exposed to the same allergenic triggers. The relationship between asthma and environmental factors extends beyond pollutants and allergens. Climate and weather patterns play a noteworthy role, influencing the prevalence and severity of asthma symptoms. Changes in temperature, humidity levels, and pollen counts can lead to fluctuations in asthma exacerbations. For many asthma sufferers, specific seasons bring heightened risks, as increased pollen levels during spring or summer can trigger allergic responses and exacerbate airway inflammation. The influence of environmental tobacco smoke, both in utero and during childhood, looms large as well. Exposure to tobacco smoke is known to augment the risk of developing asthma and exacerbate symptoms in those already afflicted. The harmful constituents of tobacco smoke exert detrimental effects on lung development, immune function, and airway reactivity, further entwining environmental exposures with asthma pathogenesis. In the quest to understand the intricate relationship between asthma and the environment, the paper recognize the heterogeneity of asthma. This condition manifests in various phenotypes, each characterized by unique clinical features and underlying mechanisms. Environmental factors do not exert a uniform influence; rather, they interact with an individual's genetic makeup to produce a nuanced clinical profile. This diversity underscores the complexity of asthma research and the need for personalized approaches to prevention and management.


The Hamiltonian describing a composite fermion system is usually presented in a phenomenological way. By using a classical nonrelativistic U(1) × U(1) gauge field model for the electromagnetic interaction of electrons, we show how to obtain the mean-field Hamiltonian describing composite fermions in 2 + 1 dimensions. In order to achieve this goal, the Dirac Hamiltonian formalism for constrained systems is used. Furthermore, we compare these results with the ones corresponding to the inclusion of a topological mass term for the electromagnetic field in the Lagrangian.


Existing approaches to image captioning usually generate the sentence word-by-word from left to right, with the constraint of conditioned on local context including the given image and history generated words. There have been many studies target to make use of global information during decoding, e.g., iterative refinement. However, it is still under-explored how to effectively and efficiently incorporate the future context. To respond to this issue, inspired by that Non-Autoregressive Image Captioning (NAIC) can leverage two-side relation with modified mask operation, we aim to graft this advance to the conventional Autoregressive Image Captioning (AIC) model while maintaining the inference efficiency without extra time cost. Specifically, AIC and NAIC models are first trained combined with shared visual encoders, forcing the visual encoder to contain sufficient and valid future context; then the AIC model is encouraged to capture the causal dynamics of cross-layer interchanging from NAIC model on its unconfident words, which follows a teacher-student paradigm and optimized with the distribution calibration training objective. Empirical evidences demonstrate that our proposed approach clearly surpass the state-of-the-art baselines in both automatic metrics and human evaluations on the MS COCO benchmark. The source code is available at: https://github.com/feizc/Future-Caption.