The difference in solubilization phenomena exhibited when polar and nonpolar oily materials are solubilized by Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) has been investigated by measuring the electrophoresis, the diffusion, and the viscosity. Based on the assumption that the micelle is spherical the effective specific volume, the effective radius, the ζ-potential and the number of effective charges have been calculated. At the limit of solubilization all four quantities were larger for octanoic acid than for octane. The electrophoretic mobility of the micelle, |UM|, increased when octanoic acid was solubilized, in contrast to a decrease observed in the solubilization of octane.


Co-analgesics, besides opioids and non-drug methods, are an indispensable element of evidence-based and guideline-oriented therapy of neuropathic pain. It is not only that they enable a relevant pain reduction up to a maximum of 50 % of the original pain experience; it is also possible to achieve an improvement of sleep and quality of life as well as a preservation of social activities, integration and an ability to work. The group of co-analgesics includes anticonvulsives acting on neuronal calcium and sodium channels, antidepressants and topical therapies. The individual substances differ in their mode of action and in their spectrum of side effects. Hence, optimal medication must be individually determined according to their mode of action besides their contraindications and potential side reactions always in addition to the pain syndrome. It is often necessary to test the effectiveness of the co-analgesics. For example, the necessary dosage is determined individually by means of careful titration. Frequently, therapeutic success is achieved only by means of a possible combined treatment. However, it is only after 2-4 weeks of treatment that we can determine the effectiveness of a co-analgesic.


Abstract : A theoretical study is presented of hypersonic wake with and without contaminants. The nonlinear coupling equations of gas dynamics and chemical kinetics are solved numerically by a finite-difference scheme. Typical calculations of laminar and turbulent non-equilibrium wake are shown for a slender body with square root of (C sub D) (A) approximately equal to 10 cm. The results indicate that the air system and the air-plus-sodium system are in non-equilibrium at the altitude of 100,000 ft. This non-equilibrium characteristic may exist at even lower altitudes. The effects of sodium on the electron concentration are important. Since the deionization processes of sodium are relatively slow, the sodium-contaminated wake has a longer electron trail. (Author)


A device for mechanical dilution and application of specimens and counting microbial colonies was developed. The device consists of a transport apparatus which transports petri dishes from one side of the apparatus to the other in such a way that the plate and lid of petri dishes are entirely separated at a particular stage. A diluting and inoculating system performs 10-fold dilutions of specimens from 10-1 to 10-8 dilutions and inoculation of the diluents. The inoculum is applied to the agar surface of preselected petri plates by an application system. Both a diluting and inoculating system and an application system can be connected to the apparatus. In this way a maximum of 25 agar plates can be handled. This new automatic system for enumeration of colony-forming units by the surface plate method is more accurate and reliable than the customary conventional methods.


A method of measuring the directions of socio-cultural transformations was proposed in the article. The method was proposed on the basis of the established criterion of information systems self-organization, the effectiveness of information acts as this criterion (the result was obtained in the framework of the project RFBR № 11-06-00160). This method was named by the author as "semiotic diagnostics".


The invention relates to a wire cutting machine for non-conductive plates, which is used for cutting the non-conductive plates. The wire cutting machine is composed of a wire supply mechanism, a guide mechanism and a two-dimensional linkage workbench and is controlled through a numerical control device. A wire cylinder of the wire supply mechanism is closely wound with a cutting wire. The cutting wire is sent out from one end of the wire cylinder and enters from the other end of the wire cylinder, and is tensioned through the guide mechanism to form a closed loop. The surface of a high-strength metal wire is coated with high-hardness and high-wearable silicon carbide grains to form the cutting wire, and the cutting wire is used as a cutter. The wire cylinder is driven by a wire cylinder motor to periodically rotate forward and reversely, and the cutting wire does reciprocating rectilinear movement in a Z-axis direction to cut a workpiece. A Y-axis motor and an X-axis motor are controlled through the numerical control device in a linkage mode, so that the movement track of the workbench in the XY plane is realized. The wire cutting machine has the advantages of simple structure, high degree of automation, low production cost and high processing efficiency.


The invention discloses a method of preparing iodine pentafluoride by chemical reaction in a negative pressure container with iodine and fluorine gas as raw materials, and iodine pentafluoride as the carrier. The method includes the following steps: firstly, the iodine is put in a reactor with iodine pentafluoride liquid; the reactor is sealed and evacuated, with pressure of -0.08 to -0.06MPa; cooling water is fed to cool the product. Then fluorine gas is fed into the reactor to have chemical reaction with the iodine, so as to form the three-phase reaction of gas, liquid and solid; the pressure in the reactor is controlled to be less than -0.02MPa and the temperature is controlled to be lower than 85 DEG C. The invention has the advantages of simple process, low reaction temperature, easiness in being controlled, stable and reliable production quality, and high yield.


The aim of this thesis is thermal characterization of selected materials by thermogravimetry. The thesis consist of two parts - theoretical and experimental. The teoretical part describes principles and using of thermogravimetry and the factors influencing the final results. The experimental part is concentrated on validation of used measurement method and on characterization of thermal stability of various modifications of carbon nanotubes.


This work investigates robust asymptotic consensus tracking problems for a group of cloud-connected leader-follower unmanned aerial vehicles with uncertainty. The protocols for attitude and position subsystems dynamics are constructed by using the states of the local and neighboring vehicles provided that they are connected by local area networks. Robust adaptive learning algorithms are also integrated with both protocols to learn and adapt to the modeling errors and external disturbance uncertainties. Lyapunov method and Graph theory use to prove that the proposed protocol allows the vehicles to reach an agreement with follower vehicles and track the states of the leader vehicle asymptotically. Convergence analysis shows that consensus protocol can force the states of the follower MAVs to track the state of the leader MAV asymptotically. The protocol designs are simple and easy to implement as they do not need the exact bound of the uncertainty that appears from external disturbances and the modeling errors. The design does not require the bound of the input of the leader vehicle. The protocol design can ensure faster and robust consensus in the presence of uncertainty as opposed to the convergence of other asymptotic consensus designs.


The Oregon Department of Transportation tested a system to collect a vehicle-based mileage fee as a replacement for the Oregon gas tax. Devices based on the Global Positioning System were installed on participating vehicles to determine the location and time of vehicle travel. The only information collected was vehicle mileage by location and time category. Midway through the study, vehicles were assigned to one of three groups: control, vehicle miles traveled (VMT), and peak hour. The VMT group was charged a flat fee per mile traveled that approximated the amount of the state gas tax then paid by the average vehicle and was given a credit for the amount of gas tax included in the purchase. The peak hour group was charged a higher mileage fee during peak periods and given a discount on the mileage fee outside the peak times or peak zones. The control group continued to pay the price, including gas tax at the pump, as before. The VMT group showed a reduction in total mileage relative to the control group, and survey responses indicated that people did change their behavior even though there was little price differential. However, this change might have developed because of being in an experiment. The peak hour group showed about a 20% reduction in travel during peak periods relative to the VMT group. This reduction appeared to be due to the pricing system, because factors other than the congestion price differential were likely to affect each group similarly.


The paper describes a rigorous and systematic analytical planning procedure that produces an optimal trajectory for a drilled wellbore in R{sup 3}. The investigation assumes that the `steering` is accomplished by changing the angular orientation of the drill bit in the wellbore. The steering angle change at any point is assumed to be bounded. (This reflects the limited bending that can be induced in the drill string when in the wellbore). A system of nonlinear differential equations is first posed to describe the path parameterized wellbore trajectory. The work assumes that the objective of planning is to discover a path of lest length that connects a given kickoff point in the vertical wellbore to a specified pay zone location. The problem is treated using the calculus of variations. The optimal control policy is determined by solving a system of coupled first order necessary conditions, and Pontryagin`s Minimum Principle. Because the solution is non-unique, then all feasible arcs are identified. The minimizing trajectory is shown to consist of an assembly of optimal subarcs. The continuity requirements at the connection between subarcs is established using transversality conditions. The analytical treatment is followed by a numerical case study. This paper demonstrates a rigorousmore » method for wellbore planning that can be implemented in a straightforward manner. Unlike ad hoc methods, the procedure produces an optimal trajectory that requires (as a general rule) no more than two course corrections (alterations of a fixed bent sub) after kickoff to reach any point (with an specificized orientation). The technique produces a smooth trajectory free of doglegs.« less


The adaptive immune system arose 600 million years ago in a cold‐blooded fish. Over countless generations, our antecedents tuned the function of the T‐cell receptor (TCR). The TCR system is arguably the most complex known to science. The TCR evolved hypervariability to fight the hypervariability of pathogens and cancers that look to consume our resources. This review describes the genetics and architecture of the human TCR and highlights surprising new discoveries over the past years that have disproved very old dogmas. The standardization of TCR sequencing data is discussed in preparation for big data bioinformatics and predictive analysis. We next catalogue new signatures and phenomenon discovered by TCR next generation sequencing (NGS) in health and disease and work that remain to be done in this space. Finally, we discuss how TCR NGS can add to immunodiagnostics and integrate with other omics platforms for both a deeper understanding of TCR biology and its use in the clinical setting.


A qualitative research study was conducted to ascertain if a study day on the role of the supervisor, would encourage midwives to actively access supervision on a more regular basis. An audit was conducted prior to the study day, and a second audit 6 months after attendance. The aim was to assess if the acquired knowledge would empower midwives to increase their access to supervision. The sample involved 219 Shropshire midwives and the first audit return rate was 100%, return rate for the second audit was 60%. The data analysis was undertaken by the trust clinical audit department, which enabled independent analysis. The findings indicate that as a result of attending the study day, midwives are now accessing supervision on a more regular basis, rather than just for the annual review. There was also a definite increase in the number of midwives who consider supervision to be effective, and 77% of midwives felt the study day had developed their midwifery practice.


The structure of entrepreneurship education in district colleges and universities should be based on the educational mode of "innovative entrepreneurial course→innovative entrepreneurial practice→cooperation between the university and the enterprise→autonomous entrepreneurship." The course system containing the three progressive modules of average education,skill training and simulated practicing should be established.And on such a basis,a system of entrepreneurship education practicing service with an organic combination of a tutor team of entrepreneurship education,entrepreneur practicing,and a practicing base should be established.A dynamic teaching mode by making use of the dynamic teaching resources should be formed.


VideoCulture was an international research project, which set out to explore the potential of audio-visual media production as a means of intercultural communication. The project investigated the ways in which young people from different countries produce, exchange and interpret video productions. The research aimed to discover whether there are any forms of transcultural audio-visual language in these productions, and how young people's competencies in media production might be developed and enhanced. VideoCulture was an intercultural project in so far as the youth groups involved which came from different countries, language areas and social and cultural backgrounds exchanged video films with young people from other countries and other social and cultural milieux. Their interpretations of these films represented an 'encounter with others' and showed in different ways the need for communication on an aesthetic level as well as on the level of meaning. By focusing on visual and symbolic forms of expression, we hoped to open up new possibilities for young people to express their emotions, moods, experiences and fantasies through images and music. The project, sponsored by the Ministry of Education and the Arts, Baden Wurttemberg, and co-ordinated by Professor Horst Niesyto, began in 1997 with groups in Germany (Horst Niesyto and colleagues), England (David Buckingham et al.), Hungary (Andrea Karpati et al.) and the Czech Republic Qana Hnilicova et al.). In the second phase of the project (1999-2000), colleagues in the United States (JoEllen Fisherkeller, New York, and Gina Lamb, Los Angeles) were also involved. In this introduction, we provide a brief outline of the project, together with a sense of the broader theoretical and methodological issues it raises.


International Documentary Exchange Act of 2009 - Authorizes the Secretary of State to make grants to U.S. nongovernmental organizations that use independently produced documentary films to promote a better understanding of the United States among individuals abroad and, in the United States, a better understanding of global perspectives and of other countries.


Organic mixed ionic-electronic conductors (OMIECs) are a class of conjugated semiconducting polymers with tunable electronic and ionic transport properties enabled through polaron-forming ion insertion redox reactions. The energy to form these conductive polaronic states can be controlled through rational design of the polymer backbone to enable predominantly electron/cation (n-type) or hole/anion (p-type) transport. Simultaneously, electrolyte uptake into the bulk of the electrode can be controlled through incorporation of polar/non-polar sidechains. The ability to tune the energy of the redox-active states, the majority charge carrier, and the local reaction environment offers an opportunity to independently optimize activity and selectivity in electrochemical energy conversion processes with a single-phase electrode.
 In this talk, I will discuss our efforts to develop OMIECs as electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction. The electronic and chemical origins of reactivity are interrogated through pH-dependent electroanalytical characterization, operando spectroscopy, charge-transport measurements, and ab initio/microkinetic simulations. The nature of the polaronic states provide a generalized framework to understand pathway selectivity towards the 2-electron H2O2 or 4-electron H2O product and serve as a design principle in developing this emerging class of metal-free electrocatalysts.


A good knowledge of the evolution process of a crack or cavity is necessary for a better understanding the mechanical behavior of the damage and failure of materials and structural components. Before damage begins, the size of the initial or prescribed cracks and cavities are usually very small. These small cracks and cavities can be conveniently used as the diffraction apertures of the coherent light. By analyzing the diffraction fields, the characteristic parameters of these special diffraction apertures can be obtained and, hence, the deformation fields. Experimental tests are conducted to demonstrate the reliability and accuracy of the laser diffraction technique in detecting the evolution and propagation of a small crack or cavity. The relationships between the coherent diffraction patterns and the crack and cavity geometric parameters are established for the simple shape of the crack or cavity aperture. Moreover, the autocorrelative method and the spectral iterative technique are introduced to retrieve the small crack and cavity apertures for the complex shapes.


ABSTRCT

The nested primers designed to amplify a 222-base pair portion of the hemolysin gene, vvhA, were specific for all V. vulnificus strains tested. The nested PCR amplification, coupled with direct extraction of template DNA, revealed improved sensitivity sufficient for detection of 1 to 10 CFU V. vulnificus in 1 mL of seafood homogenates, and eliminated the need for enrichment culturing. Thereby, the nested PCR method achieved a broader applicability, making it effective for extensive use in identification of the pathogen in natural samples such as raw seafoods, seawater and sediments.


We propose a voice conversion model for estimation of transfer characteristic in auditory feedback. A speaker feels a sense of discomfort when the speaker listens to recorded speaker's speech sound. The phenomenon is caused by the different transfer pathways. The recorded speech sound contains just air conducted (AC) sound from the speaker. On the other hand, the speech sound by the speaker has AC and bone conducted (BC) sounds in auditory feedback. There is a problem that the sound source position and the listening point cannot be underspecified. In this paper, we proposed a voice conversion model of AC and BC voices for estimation of transfer characteristic in auditory feedback. Converted voice was obtained by synthesizing AC and BC voices with time delay, AC/BC ratio, and reverberation time as parameters. BC voice was obtained by filtering from AC voice. The transfer characteristic in auditory feedback was estimated by subtracting spectrum of converted voice from that of AC voice.


ABSTRACT One of the factors determining success in tomato production is plant nutrition. The diagnosis and recommendation integrated system (DRIS) is a tool used to obtain fertilizer recommendations. The objective of this study was to determine DRIS indices using petiole sap analysis (PSA) and compare them with those obtained using leaf analysis in two tomato cultivars grown under greenhouse conditions. A complete randomized design with eight treatments and 60 plants per experimental unit was used. To determine whether employing PSA with the DRIS methodology can provide a reliable diagnosis of fertilization, doses of some elements, such as N, P, or K, were reduced by 30% and supplied to two tomato cultivars, namely, Cid and Moctezuma. The indices for PSA-DRIS and DRIS were estimated. R2 values greater than 0.84 were obtained for the relationships between the leaf concentrations and petiole extract (PE) concentrations of some elements in both tomato cultivars. The PSA-DRIS method detected 62.5% of the cases of deficiency identified via DRIS. The PSA-DRIS method is a low-cost way to rapidly fertilize recommendations in tomato.


The time from the onset of symptoms of acute myocardial infarction to primary coronary angioplasty was 18 ± 23 h in 386 men and 19 ± 24 h in 154 women (p not significant) and 14 ± 19 h in 27 blacks, 19 ± 23 h in 493 whites, and 13 ± 11 h in 20 patients of different races (p not significant). In-hospital mortality was 6% in 144 patients aged ≧70 years and 1% in 396 patients <70 years (p < 0.005). In-hospital mortality was 2% in 386 men and 4% in 154 women (p not significant). In-hospital mortality was 2% in 493 whites, 4% in 27 blacks, and 0% in 20 patients of other races (p not significant). In-hospital mortality was 6% in 143 patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <40% and 1% in 397 patients with a LVEF ≧40% (p < 0.005). In-hospital mortality was 5% in 223 patients with a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <90 ml/min and 1% in 317 patients with a GFR ≧90 ml/min (p < 0.005).


This brief presents the event-triggered control (ETC) for linear parameter varying (LPV) model of boost converters. We examine the nonlinear dynamics of boost converters in the LPV framework. The proposed controller is duty-ratio-dependent and provides better performance while requiring less computation. Using the parameter-dependent Lyapunov function (PDLF), we demonstrate the stability analysis of the proposed approach. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the inter-event time is lower bound by a positive constant, which indicates Zeno behavior free performance. In comparison to earlier time-invariant synthesis techniques, the LPV formulation offers for increased robustness and performance properties. Simulation and experimental results validate the effectiveness of the proposed method.


As part of a wider counterproliferation policy to diminish the threat posed by ballistic missiles, the United States has in recent years allotted substantial resources to active defense measures. With the current Democratic administration and Republicans in Congress at loggerheads over the deployment of a national shield in particular, missile defense issues are causing palpable controversy within the United States. However, although the American debate tends to revolve around opportunity costs, technical feasibility, and potential repercussions for strategic‐arms control, beyond the Atlantic matters are more complex still. Not only do Western European threat perceptions vary, but also, besides the awesome technological and financial challenges involved, missile defense poses interlocking political, moral, legal, operational, and commercial dilemmas, many of which can be resolved only through international consensus. This article seeks to examine this quandary, several aspects of which have been badly neg...


The performance of a lab-scale membrane bioreactor (MBR) was evaluated based on its microbial community as well as the mechanism of membrane fouling. The growth of unwanted microorganisms in the system was observed, affecting effluent water quality. The MBR achieved a total-nitrogen removal of 56%. Nitrification and denitrification processes were most likely affected by the presence of Thiosphaera pantotropha, a bacterium capable of nitrification and denitrification processes. Phosphorus removal of 51% was attained, which is comparably lower than other existing systems. Furthermore, a chemical oxygen demand removal of 98% indicated the presence of active microbial community. However, this does not guarantee the existence of the target microorganisms. It was found that the increase in transmembrane pressure was caused by sludge-cake resistance rather than membrane-pore fouling. This conclusion was made by analyzing particle-size distribution and quantifying extracellular polymeric substances particularly s...


This paper focuses on experiment with the influence of proportion of material to liquid, extract temperature, extract time, extract frequency on extracting the water-soluble polysaccharide from the Amorphallus konjac.The finding indicates the most appropriate conditions as follows: Expect liquid: 1/100,extract temperature: 90℃, extract time: 2 h, extract frequency: 3.


Privatization has become a worldwide trend in public management for reducing the burden on public bureaucracies, ameliorating the fiscal deficits and contributing towards efficiency in service provision. Though the intention of the government carries attractive potentials, it results in unpleasant consequences. Like many governments worldwide, the Hong Kong government has followed this path too. A focus on the privatization launched by Hong Kong Housing Authority (HKHA) demonstrates that the reform failed to achieve its objectives. The article traces the implementation of these changes and assesses their impacts on the government at large.


This paper presents the AFRANCI tool for the development of Multi-Strategy learning systems. Designing a Multi-Strategy system using AFRANCI is a two step process. The user interactively designs the structure of the system and then chooses the learning strategies for each module. After providing the datasets all modules as automatically trained. The system is aware and takes into consideration the inter-dependency of the modules. The tool has built-in learning algorithms but can use external programs implementing the learning algorithms.

The tool has the following facilities. It allows any user to design in an interactive and easy fashion the structure of the target system. The structure of the target system is a collection of interconnected modules. The user may then choose the different learning algorithms to construct each module. The tool has several built-in Machine Learning algorithms has interfaces that enables it to use external learning tools like WEKA and CN2. AFRANCI uses the interdependency of the modules to determine the sequence of training. For each module the system uses a wrapper to tune automatically the parameters of the learning algorithm. In the final step of the design sequence AFRANCI generates a compact and legible ready-to-use ANSI C open-source code for the final system.

To illustrate the concept we have empirically evaluated the tool in the context of the RoboCup Rescue domain. We have developed a small system that uses both neural networks, decision trees and rule induction in the same system. The experiment have shown that a very significant speed up is attained in the development of systems when using this tool.


Bioeconomy and environmental issues envisage industrial by-products such as Brewer's spent grain (BSG) as renewable resources for their recycling and reuse within a biorefinery concept. This study aimed to investigate the production of bioethanol from subcritical water (subW) pretreated BSG, following the conversion of the BSG biopolymers cellulose and hemicelluloses. The subW pretreatment was performed in a batch reactor at 174 °C, during 60 min and 5% (w/v) of dry BSG charge. The behavior of BSG biopolymers under subW pretreatment was monitored by evaluating the chemical composition of the liquid and solid streams and the chemical and structural changes caused in the solid residues by scanning electron microscope (SEM), CHNS elemental analysis and water retention value (WRV). The production of bioethanol from subW-pretreated BSG was assessed by separate hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF) and also by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) by using the enzymatic cocktail Celluclast 1.5 L (40 FPU/gsolids) and the yeast Ethanol Red®. The higher bioethanol productivity (1.073 g∙L−1∙h−1) and concentration (32.18 g/L) were achieved by SSF with higher solids' loading (25%) and following a fed-batch strategy. These results suggest that subcritical water pretreatment is a promising technology for the valorization of BSG as a feedstock for second-generation bioethanol production.


This paper deals with system identification for control of linear parameter varying systems. In practical applications, it is often important to be able to identify small plant changes in an incremental manner without shutting down the system and/or disconnecting the controller; unfortunately, closed-loop system identification is more difficult than open loop identification. In this paper we prove that the so-called Hansen Scheme, a technique known from linear time-invariant systems theory for transforming closed-loop system identification problems into open-loop-like problems, can be extended to accommodate linear parameter varying systems as well.


Abstract Recent sex worker-led activism urges the public to consider that those in the sex industry enter it by choice, circumstance, or coercion, but the federal definition of human trafficking is much more broad. Assuming that all prostitution is involuntary, abolitionists are pushing for increased police intervention, without understanding that those in the sex trades often report a lack of trust in the police because of violence they have experienced. This article presents a secondary analysis of mixed-method data I assisted in collecting with 304 adults trading sex. Many of the researchers on the team had prior experience in the sex trades. This article explores how the stigma around the sex industry is damaging an already at-risk population and how therapeutic services offered to sex workers often fall short of meeting their needs. The false dichotomy presented by implying that someone trading sex is either a criminal or a victim ignores the complexities of real life for those working in an illegal industry. Misconceptions and stigma surrounding sex work lead to increases in violence and subpar access to services. It is vital that therapists interacting with this community gain a better understanding of these intricacies to create environments without judgment.


Three sources of soil acidity (bicarbonate leaching; base-cation accumulation in aboveground wood, roots, and forest floor; and acid atmospheric deposition) were evaluated in relation to exchangeable acidity of three forested Udults in Tennessee. The Udults have low effective CEC (CECₑ), from 2.4 to 3.7 cmolc kg⁻¹. In the three soils, H⁺ from bicarbonate leaching averaged 0.60 kmolc ha⁻¹yr⁻¹ over 2 yr. In five forest stands, 30 to 80 yr in age, H⁺ from accumulation of excess base (EB) cations [EB = (Ca + Mg + K) − (P + S)] in aboveground wood, roots, and forest floor averaged 1.11 kmolc ha⁻¹yr⁻¹. Atmospheric H⁺ inputs, estimated from bulk precipitation, averaged 0.67 kmolc ha⁻¹yr⁻¹. Total deposition of atmospheric acidity to these eastern Tennessee forests is on the order of 1 kmolc ha⁻¹yr⁻¹. Variations in H⁺ inputs were caused by annual differences in the hydrologic cycle and by stand differences due to nutrientcycling and soil-chemistry effects. In these forest ecosystems, sources of soil acidity from annual bicarbonate leaching and cation accumulation appeared to exceed atmospheric inputs. Exchangeable acidity in the forested Udults was large compared with annual fluxes of acidity. In the upper 60 cm of the three soils, KCl-exchangeable acidity ranged from 100 to 274 kmolc ha⁻¹, and BaCl₂-TEA (trieth-anolamine) acidity ranged from 505 to 820 kmolc ha⁻¹. Despite low precipitation pH and low soil CECₑ, the additional H⁺ from acid deposition has not caused significant alteration of soil acidity or base solution of these Udults.


Expensive constrained optimization refers to problems where the calculation of the objective and/or constraint functions are computationally intensive due to the involvement of complex physical experiments or numerical simulations. Such expensive problems can be addressed by Gaussian process-assisted evolutionary algorithms. In many problems, the (single) objective and constraints are correlated to some extent. Unfortunately, existing works based on the Gaussian process for expensive constrained optimization treat the objective and multiple constraints as being statistically independent, typically for the ease of computation. To fill this gap, this article investigates the correlation among the objective and constraints. To be specific, we model the correlation amongst the objective and constraint functions using a multitask Gaussian process prior, and then mathematically derive a constrained expected improvement acquisition function that allows the correlation among the objective and constraints. The correlation between the objective and constraints can be captured and leveraged during the optimization process. The performance of the proposed method is examined on a set of benchmark problems and a real-world antenna design problem. On problems with high correlation amongst the objective and constraints, the experimental results show that leveraging the correlation yields improvements in both the optimization speed and the constraint-handling ability compared with the method that assumes the objective and constraints are statistically independent.


In a large number of non-democratic countries, the power of the government rests upon the e↵ective organization of a ruling party. Today, China stands out as a successful party-based authoritarian regime. In contrast to conventional approaches, which emphasize the role of authoritarian parties in controlling elite conflict and electoral-legislative processes, this dissertation demonstrates that the party makes the regime strong at the local level. Thanks to the party, the Chinese government has a strong grip of local societies across its large realm. Since China has "crimson areas", where the party is more present, and "pink areas", where the party is less present, the Chinese case is ideally suited for a subnational comparative analysis of party-based authoritarianism. Subnational analysis, with its strong focus on geography, demonstrates that the party is doing much more than distributing patronage, and that as a result the state is most resilient, best at extracting taxes, and most e↵ective at implementing policy in places


Objective To investigate the expression and significance of VEGF and NF-κB/p65 in the two subtypes of pleomorphic adenoma. Methods Immunohistochemistry was applied to detect the expression of VEGF and NF-κB/p65 in pleomorphic adenoma of 60 patients including 31 cases of cell-rich and 29 cases of stroma-rich as well as normal salivary gland tissues of 30 cases from adjacent tumor. Results VEGF positive staining was mainly found in tumor epithelia,while NF-κB/p65 positive was detected in gland alveolus cell and ductal epithelia. The Mean optical density( MA ) values of VEGF were 955.67 ± 305.79,149. 13 ± 60. 85 and 53.46 ± 9. 66, respectively, in cell-rich adenoma, stroma-rich adenoma and normal control. The difference in VEGF expression between the groups was significant (Ps < 0. 05 ) . The MA values of NF-κB/p65 were 529. 80 ± 164. 81,43.40 ±5.46 and 6. 84 ± 1.91 ,respectively,in three groups mentioned above. The difference in NF-κB/p65 expression between the groups was significant ( Ps < 0. 05 ). In pleomorphic adenoma, the expression level of NF-κB/p65 was positively correlated with VEGF. Conclusion ( 1 ) The angiogenesis and proliferation potential of carcinomas increased with the cell component in pleomorphic adenoma. Stroma-poor adenoma is more frequently subjected to malignant transformation than stroma-rich adenoma. (2) NF-κB/p65 may have effects on angiogenesis by activating VEGF. Detecting the expression of VEGF and NF-κB/p65 may be helpful to predict the biological behavior of pleomorphic adenoma and prognosis of the patients, which couldprovide useful information for future targeted therapy of pleomorphic adenoma.

Key words:
Pleomorphic adenoma; Immunohistochemistry; Vascular endothelial growth factor; NF-κB; p65


The problem of the formation of leukemoid reactions in cattle is considered. It is noted that such changes in the morphological composition of blood are most often characterized by a decrease in the quantitative content of lymphocytes while increasing the concentration of microphages (neutrophils). With the elimination of the cause that caused the manifestation of the leukemoid reaction of the blood, the morphological composition of the peripheral blood is restored to normal.


In reviewing the internal properties of Least-Preferred Co-worker (LPC) measures, Rice (1978a) indicated four major problem areas needing research: scale content, respondent classification, referent person stereotyping, and score stability. This study addressed these issues by constructing three versions of a new LPC measure and comparing their psychometric properties to those of Fiedler's (1967) LPC.


Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a causative agent of gastritis, gastroduodenal ulcers and gastric adenocarcinoma. Improper diagnostic facilities are responsible for the increasing incidence of H. pylori infections in Pakistan. ELISA is a noninvasive, less expensive assay for diagnosis of H. pylori. ELISA performance is mainly based on the H. pylori strain and nature of antigen. In this study, a total of 214 gastritis and ulcer patient's serum samples were screened for anti- H. pylori IgG antibody. A 96-well plate coated with 10 µg/ml sonicate antigen and hundred-fold diluted patient's serum was allowed to react. After extensive washing with buffer, 1:2,000 diluted conjugated secondary antibody was added. Later substrate was added to observe positivity by measuring the intensity of color. Statistical analyses were performed, and p value of <0.01 was taken as significant; 84 % male patients and 96 % female patients, respectively, tested posi- tive for H. pylori, while agewise distribution was 35-45 years males (40 %) and 35-45 years females (73 %) were found highest number of H. pylori infected patients. In-house ELISA based on sonicate whole cell antigen (sELISA) showed a sensitivity of 98 %, specificity of 100 %, accuracy 98 % and κ value 0.906 with significant correlation R—0.956; p < 0.0001. We conclude that ELISA for H. pylori sero-diagnostic infection should be based on the local strain for better sensitivity and specificity. sELISA is better and reliable diagnostic assay for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection in gastric patients of Karachi, Pakistan.


In this paper, the operational principle of the cylinder-sphere ultrasonic motor with multi-degree of freedom is presented. Some critical criterion for the motor design are outlined so as to realize its proper motion and improve its work properties. The effect of some factors on the operational properties is analyzed, these factors include mode of vibration, operating frequency, excitation amplitude, location of piezoelectric ceramic, location of support plate, pre-pressure between the stator and the rotor, interfering modes, etc. The methods for satisfying the design requirements are suggested.


Methods and computer program for determining a model pattern of a diffracting Structure for use in Semiconductor metrology, in which methods a Series of process Steps to be employed in fabrication of a diffracting structure, Such as a diffracting Structure fabricated on a Semiconductor Substrate employing a lithographic process, are Specified, and each Such specified process Step is Successively simulated to produce a model pattern of the diffracting Structure. The methods further provides for generation of libraries of model patterns and Simulated diffraction Signatures based thereon, and optionally further provides for comparing diffraction Signatures of measured diffracting Structures to Simulated diffraction Signatures of members of the Set of model pat terns of the diffracting Structure, Selection of one or more close match Simulated diffraction signatures, and deriving one or more parameters associated with the measured dif fracting Structures.


Applied and basic research on agricultural and horticultural pests can give considerable benefits in terms of reduced insecticide usage and improved pest control. This paper uses examples which illustrate how the correct identification of pest problems, the use of damage asessment and pest threshold studies and improvements in the pest control strategies can all assist in minising problems with insecticide use.


We analyse the scattered light and specific heat data on xenon using the recent nonlinear renormalization group calculations obtained in the ϕ4 theory in three dimensions. The minimal set of free parameters that the theory imposes is sufficient to describe these data even for the case where, in the usual analysis, many correction terms to scaling are needed. We show that it will be very difficult to determine the influence of transients neglected in the ϕ4 model. Furthermore, we obtain the reduction to dimensionless experimental quantities in agreement with two scale factor universality. We show that the asymptotic amplitudes of the singular quantities are also related to the amplitudes of the first confluent corrections according to the critical path considered.


Two and one half years after a lateral wall myocardial infarction, this 75-year-old patient was found to have marked cardiomegaly on chest radiograph. He had no cardiac symptoms. Chest CT with contrast (Fig 1⇓) revealed a …


Using circulating dye and an in vivo freezeexcision and dehydration technique in conjunction with ultrathin sections and light microscopy, the dynamic effects of single and multiple transcleral cryoapplication on the choroid and retina were studied. The essential pathogenetic sequence in the choroid is endothelial damage and vascular spasm followed by stasis and thrombosis most marked in the choriocapillaris. The subretinal exudation arising from the choroidal vessels, in association with the fragmentation of the pigment epithelium, is the prime factor in the initiation of the chorioretinal bond. Exudation occurs through an intact Bruch's membrane. With multiple freeze-thaw cycles, the vascular changes in the choroid are potentiated.


In this study, 2-[2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy]acetic acid (MEEAA) was used to modify the surface of barium titanate nanoparticles (BT NPs) to enhance the compatibility and dispersion of the BT ceramic fillers in polymer matrix. A uniform coating layer with a thickness about 2 nm was formed on the surface of BT after modification. The poly(vinylidene fluoride)-hexafluoropropene [P(VDF-HFP)] composites filled with MEEAA-modified BT NPs achieved higher permittivity(∼13 at 3.0 vol% filler) and discharged energy density than that of the untreated BT filled composite. The maximum discharge energy density of 7.8 J/cm3 was obtained in the nanocomposites with 3 vol% MEEAA-modified BT NPs at electric field of 425 kV/mm, which is 77% higher than that of 4.4 J/cm3 of pure P(VDF-HFP) film at electric field of 420 kV/mm.


The focus of this study was the mentalization capacity of preteens, in the context of a break in ties due to highly conflictive marital separation, and the possibility of developing the capacity of mentalization during the therapeutic process of these youths. These concepts have been conceived, based on the psychoanalytical branch of the attachment theory, contributions of certain object relations theories, especially those of Bion and Winnicott, and on Cognitive Psychology. A study with qualitative research approach was conducted, based on the procedure of Multiple Case Studies. The participants - two preteens and their parents - were treated at a clinic-school in the Southern region of Brazil. The mentalization capacity of these youths was evaluated before and after five months of psychotherapy. The main results pointed out to a limited or absent mentalization capacity at the beginning of psychotherapy and changes in the reflective function and mentalization capacity after the first five months of treatment.


The integration between photovoltaic systems and tradition grid have a lot of challenges. To accurately predict is a key to solve these challenges. Due to complex, non-linear and non-stationary characteristics, it is difficult to accurately predict the power of photovoltaic systems. In this paper, a short-term prediction model based on empirical mode decomposition (EMD)and back propagation neural network(BPNN) was constructed, and use genetic algorithm as the learn algorithm of BPNN. The power data after pre-processing is decomposed into several components, then using prediction model based on BPNN and genetic algorithm to predict each component, and all the component prediction values were aggregated to obtain the ultimate predicted result. The simulation shows the purposed prediction model has higher prediction precision compare with traditional neural network prediction method and it is an effective prediction method of photovoltaic systems.


Context: Vital signs skills should be emphasized in US pharmacy curricula. However, there is no standard method for teaching these skills. Programme: A 3 - hour vital signs skills education programme for first professional year students was provided. After the programme, students completed a survey and demonstrated in an assessment manual blood pressure skills on a programmable mannequin arm. Competence in manual blood pressure assessment was evaluated with the mannequin and associations between confidence, experience, and training with performance were determined. Evaluation: Most students correctly identified the pre - programmed blood pressure on the mannequin within two attempts (102/120, 85%). Most students were confident in their ability to measure blood pressure (98/117, 83.7%). The likelihood of passing trended towards a lower probability of passing among students reporting greater confidence, training, and experience. Implementation. Develop an observed structured clinical exam as an alternative means to verify student competence in blood pressure assessment after participating in a 3 - hour skills programme.


This paper analyzes photovoltaic cell and the output characteristic and comparatively analyzes merits and demerits of constant voltage control method,incremental conductance method and disturbance observation method for maximum power point tracking(MPPT) technology.It proposes a new MPPT algorithm,gradient search method.Simulation on output characteristic of photovoltaic cell by means of Matlab is conducted and the result shows that the algorithm is effective and feasible.


n May 2010, a 27-year-old male was admitted to the emergencyroom 4 days after onset of diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominalpain. He had no other recent medical history and had not takenany medication during the prior 3 months. Physical examinationrevealed that the patient was icteric but afebrile. Palpation of theabdomen was painful in the lower-right quadrant, and a com-putedtomographyscanrevealedlocalizedperitonitissecondarytoa perforated appendicitis. Empirical antimicrobial therapy withintravenousceftriaxone(2gdaily)andmetronidazole(1.5gdaily)was initiated. Surgical resection of the necrotic appendix and gen-erous rinsing of the peritoneal cavity were performed by laparot-omy. Direct examination and culture of the peritoneal liquid col-lected per-operatively remained negative.Blood and biochemical tests revealed a white blood cell countof 10,100/mm


Hemoglobin A2, a tetramer of α‐ and δ‐globin chains, comprises less than 3% of total hemoglobin in normal adults. In northern Europeans, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the HBS1L‐MYB locus on chromosome 6q and the HBB cluster on chromosome 11p were associated with HbA2 levels. We examined the genetic basis of HbA2 variability in sickle cell anemia using genome‐wide association studies. HbA2 levels were associated with SNPs in the HBS1L‐MYB interval and SNPs in BCL11A. These effects are mediated by the association of these loci with γ‐globin gene expression and fetal hemoglobin (HbF) levels. The association of polymorphisms downstream of the β‐globin gene (HBB) cluster on chromosome 11 with HbA2 was not mediated by HbF. In sickle cell anemia, levels of HbA2 appear to be modulated by trans‐acting genes that affect HBG expression and perhaps also elements within the β‐globin gene cluster. HbA2 is expressed pancellularly and can inhibit HbS polymerization. It remains to be seen if genetic regulators of HbA2 can be exploited for therapeutic purposes. Am. J. Hematol. 89:1019–1023, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


A 6½-year-old boy had a benign osteoblastic lesion in the neck of the right scapula. The differential diagnosis of lytic scapular tumors in children rarely includes benign osteoblastoma and osteoid osteoma. A clear distinction cannot always be made between a large osteoid osteoma and a benign osteoblastoma. The presence of a sclerotic rim on roentgenographic examination of this patient favors the diagnosis of an osteoid osteoma while a size of more than 1 cm suggests a benign osteoblastoma. We emphasize that benign osteoblastoma and osteoid osteoma should be considered as part of the differential diagnosis of lytic scapular tumors in children.


The plasma display panel (PDP) is one of the best solutions for TV sets, but its retail price remains higher than that of CRTs. This paper proposes a low-cost PDP data dispatcher which focuses on converting the image signal inputs into the PDP display format and reducing the numbers of components as well as the cost used in the dispatcher module at the same time.


This paper contains a review of evidence-based studies on disability management, conducted in Italy from 2001 to present day. Ten studies, published between 2007 and 2015, were selected. They were grouped into four areas: recruiting and hiring, return to work and job maintenance, smart working, study-to-work transition. Consistently with previous literature, research in Italy involved different disciplines: management, education, medicine. A limited number of studies were found, mainly due to the delay with which disability management initiatives were launched within italian companies compared with other countries and the little attention paid to disability management, both in the academic and corporate field. Results showed that: training in particular on inclusive organizational culture, ICT and specific disabilities characteristics is very important for business managers, human resource managers, and educational and training professionals; disability management plays an important role in involving not only individuals but also the whole enterprise; good social relations (colleagues, superiors, employers), more than other factors, have a positive influence on job satisfaction; experimental design is very useful in order to evaluate the outcomes. Further studies will be required to validate the results obtained so far.


Two field experiments were initiated to determine the effects of herbicides on turfgrass quality and spring to summer transition from overseeded perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) back to 'Tifway' bermudagrass [Cynodon transvaalensis Burtt-Davy × Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.]. Pendimethalin applied at 3.3 kg·ha−1 in early March hastened the transition from ryegrass to bermudagrass in one of two years, but 1.7 kg·ha−1 applied in each of two applications did not. A single application of pronamide at 0.28 kg·ha−1 hastened the transition of overseeded ryegrass to bermudagrass without severely injuring either turfgrass. Oryzalin, oryzalin + benefin, or paraquat severely reduced the quality of ryegrass, while oxadiazon at 3.3 kg·ha−1, oxadiazon + benefin, glyphosate, metribuzin, or MSMA did not affect transition from overseeded ryegrass to bermudagrass when compared with nontreated turfgrass. This study illustrates the potential for some herbicides to enhance the transition from perennial ryegrass to bermudagrass. Chemical names used: N-butyl-N-ethyl-2,6-dinitro-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzenamine (benefin); dimethyl 2,3,5,6-tetrachloro-1,4-benzenedicarboxylate (DCPA); (±)-2-ethoxy-2,3-dihydro-3,3-dimethyl-5-benzofuranyl methanesulfonate (ethofumesate); N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine (glyphosate); N-[2,4-dimethyl-5-[[(trifluoromethyl) sulfonyl]amino]phenyI]acetamide (mefluidide); 4-amino-6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-(methylthiol)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one (metribuzin); monosodium salt of MAA (MSMA); 4-(dipropylamino)-3,5-dinitrobenzene-sulfonamide (oryzalin); 3-[2,4-dichloro-5-(1-methylethoxy)-phenyl)-5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-(3H)-one-(oxadiazon); 1,1'-dimethyl-4,4'-bipyridinium salts (paraquat); N-(1-ethylpropyl)-3,4-dimethyl-2,6-dinitrobenzamine (pendimethalin); and 3,5-dichloro(N-1,1-dimethyl-2-propynyl)benamide (pronamide).


pedic treatment was based on the method ot Hirakawa et al. whereby a palatal plate is used prior to cheiloplasty. The palatal plates were placed for an average of 99 days. Use of the palatal plate reduced the alveolar cleft in all 10 cases. The major segment and minor segment cleft side stumps were meved toward the alveolar cleft, reducing the distance between the stumps (B-B') significantly. In addition, because the distance between the medial surfaces of both segments (C-C'1) was significantly reduced, it ap-


According to the "Guidance Document on the risk assessment of plant protection products on bees" (EFSA 2013) the Oomen bee brood feeding test (Oomen et al., 1992) is recommended, next to the OECD Guidance Document 75 (2007) as one possibility to refine the risk on honeybee brood, if concern is raised on them. The method proposed in the EFSA GD is based on a rough description given by Oomen. In the past few years the method was adapted to current needs to be in line with more recent methods e.g. OECD GD 75. The major difference of the original paper compared to the EFSA GD is that honeybees should be fed chronically over a period of 9 days. In order to fulfill this requirement a sub-group of the German AG Bienenschutz developed a ring-test protocol for a chronic feeding test under field conditions and subsequently performed ring-tests in 2013 and 2014 (Lückmann and Schmitzer 2015). Beside acute Oomen feeding tests, chronic feeding of bee colonies is possible. The method was adopted accordingly and both scenarios can be performed in order to detect risk of plant protection products on honey bee brood. The poster summarized both, the adapted method for single feeding as well as the method for chronic feeding and describes obligatory assessments and optional evaluations. References EFSA (2013): EFSA Guidance Document on the risk assessment of plant production products on bees (Apis mellifera, Bombus spp. and solitary bees) (published on July 04, 2013, updated on 04 July 2014). EFSA Journal 11 (7), 3295, 268 pp. LÜCKMANN, J., S. SCHMITZER (2015): The effects of fenoxycarb in a chronic Oomen feeding test – results of a ring-test. In: Hazards of pesticides to bees, 12th Internat. Symp. ICP-PR, Ghent, Belgium 2014, ed. by Oomen PA & Pistorius J, Julius-Kühn-Archiv 450, 75-81. OOMEN, P. A., A. DE RUIJTER, and J. VAN DER STEEN 1992: Method for honeybee brood feeding tests with insect growth-regulating insecticides. Bulletin OEPP/EPPO Bulletin 22, 613–616. OECD Guidance Document No. 75 (2007): Guidance document on the honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) brood test under semi-field conditions. Series of testing and assessment, Number 75. ENV/JM/MONO 22, 11-27.


In present day world, arsenic toxicity is posing a great threat to mankind. Arsenic can exist in organic or inorganic form in nature. In general inorganic arsenicals are more toxic than organoarsenicals. It is found that inorganic trivalent arsenic compounds are highest toxic followed by organic trivalent compounds. Channa punctatus were treated with different concentrations of sodium arsenite (NaAsO2) and lethal and sub lethal doses were determined. Effect of arsenite on chromosomes and micronuclei were established. Marker enzymes like GOT and GPT showed significant alteration in their activity indicating arsenic toxicity.


Dimítris Chatzís (1913–1981), one of the most important post-war Greek prose-writers, was deeply concerned with the completion of the Modern Greek Renaissance, i.e. the abandonment of medieval (learned as well as folk) culture (which was rural) in favour of a modern, western society. He viewed the completion of this transition in a socialistic way: in the forties more as a result of people's conversion to communism and of revolution, later on as a result of the gradual, but inescapable inner transformation of Greek society. These views, expressed explicitly in his philological and journalistic writings, also constitute the ideological background of his literary work. In his prose he depicts a series of persons who abandon their traditional (rural etc.) way of life; their loneliness is not a tragic dead-end situation, but a necessary transitional phase on the way to modern (urban) society.


Abstract. A focus of the Arctic Research of the Composition of the Troposphere from Aircraft and Satellites (ARCTAS) mission was examination of bromine photochemistry in the spring time high latitude troposphere based on aircraft and satellite measurements of bromine oxide (BrO) and related species. The NASA DC-8 aircraft utilized a chemical ionization mass spectrometer (CIMS) to measure BrO and a mist chamber (MC) to measure soluble bromide. We have determined that the MC detection efficiency to molecular bromine (Br2), hypobromous acid (HOBr), bromine oxide (BrO), and hydrogen bromide (HBr) as soluble bromide (Br−) was 0.9±0.1, 1.06+0.30/−0.35, 0.4±0.1, and 0.95±0.1, respectively. These efficiency factors were used to estimate soluble bromide levels along the DC-8 flight track of 17 April 2008 from photochemical calculations constrained to in situ BrO measured by CIMS. During this flight, the highest levels of soluble bromide and BrO were observed and atmospheric conditions were ideal for the space-borne observation of BrO. The good agreement (R2 = 0.76; slope = 0.95; intercept = −3.4 pmol mol−1) between modeled and observed soluble bromide, when BrO was above detection limit (>2 pmol mol−1) under unpolluted conditions (NO


Introduction: Pandemics, such as Covid-19, have a large impact on the mental and spiritual health of both patients and healthcare professionals. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate how the organisation of spiritual care during the Covid-19 pandemic affected hospital staff, and which challenges and opportunities were experienced. Method: A qualitative study with individual semi-structured interviews with Danish doctors, nurses and chaplains was conducted. Data were analysed using inductive grounded theory analysis, with iterative coding leading to overall themes. Findings: Doctors, nurses and chaplains found that chaplains constituted an important resource to meet pandemic-related issues such as loneliness during isolation, fear of infection, suffering and powerlessness. Having a chaplain available in the unit increased the quality of spiritual care for patients and staff. Facilitators of and barriers to providing spiritual care were identified. Discussion: Relevant aspects of spiritual care in hospitals during pandemics were described. Funding Information: This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. Conflict of Interests: None. Ethical Approval: The project was reported to and included in the Region of Southern Denmark's record for research projects. Furthermore, a data processing agreement with the Region of Southern Denmark was completed. All participants provided informed consent. According to Danish legislation, the study did not need permission from The Regional Committees on Health Research Ethics.


This paper shows a new approach for continuous recognition and sorting of objects into desired location. Image or colours processing nowadays attract massive attention as it leads to possibility of widening scope of application in different field with the help of modern technology. A colour sorting robot is researched, designed and created with Arduino UNO microcontroller, TCS3200D colour sensor, servo motor and other electronic components. The system has the ability to sort the object according to their colours into respective colour station in minimum time. Specific programming code for this system is written. Keywords— Colour recognition, colour sorting, programming, robot, microcontroller.


Because of the presence of a chamber gas in a particle-beam reactor cavity, non-neutron target debris created from thermonuclear burn will be modified or stopped before it reaches the first reactor wall.The resulting modified spectra and pulse lengths and the cavity overpressure created by the momentum and energy exchange between the debris and gas need to be calculated to determine their effect on the first wall.The purpose of this paper is to present results of the debris-background-gas problem obtained with a one-fluid,two-temperature plasma hydrodynamic computer code model which includes multi-frequency radiation transport.Spherical symmetry, ideal-gas equation-of-state, and LTE for each radiation frequency group were assumed.The transport of debris ions was not included, and all the debris energy was assumed to be in radiation. The calculated X-ray spectra and pulse lengths and the background overpressure are presented. The impact of the initial target spectra on these chamber conditions is discussed.


A new process for one-step extraction of antimony in low temperature from stibnite concentrate by reductive sulfur-fixation smelting in sodium molten salt, using iron oxide as sulfur-fixing agent, was presented. The influences of molten salt addition and composition, ferric oxide dosage, smelting temperature and duration on extraction efficiency of antimony were investigated in details, respectively. The optimum conditions were determined as follows: 1.0 time stoichiometric requirement (α) of mixed sodium salt (αsalt = 1.0), WNaCl:Wsalt = 40%, αFe2O3 = 1.0, Wcoke:Wstibnite = 40%, where W represents weight, smelting at 850 °C (1123 K) for 60 min. Under the optimum conditions, the direct recovery rate of antimony can reach 91.48%, and crude antimony with a purity of 96.00% has been achieved. 95.31% of sulfur is fixed in form of FeS in the presence of iron oxide. Meanwhile, precious metals contained in stibnite concentrate are enriched and recovered comprehensively in crude antimony. In comparison to traditional antimony pyrometallurgical process, the smelting temperature of present process is reduced from 1150–1200 °C (1423–1473 K) to 850–900 °C (1123–1173 K). Sulfur obtained in stibnite is fixed in FeS which avoids SO2 emission owing to the sulfur-fixing agent. Sodium salt can be regenerated and recycled in smelting system when the molten slag is operated to filter solid residue. The solid residue is subjected to mineral dressing operation to obtain iron sulfide concentrate which can be sold directly or roasted to regenerate into iron oxide.


Bedaquiline was recommended by WHO as the preferred option in treatment of MDR-TB patients with long regimen. However, no recommendation was given for the short MDR-TB regimen. Data from our small cohort of patients who switched injectable dug to bedaquiline suggest that bedaquiline based short regimen is effective and safe.


Data provided by accelerometric networks are important for seismic hazard assessment. They are key to derive Ground Motion Prediction Equations (GMPEs). The correct use of accelerometric signal is also linked to the station site metadata that include reliable information about site class (VS30), velocity profiles, and other relevant information that can help to quantify the site effect associated to stations. In France, the permanent accelerometric network consists of about 150 stations. A recent project led to the characterization of around 30 stations, especially in South East of France. This characterization project was performed using surface-wave based methods that allow the derivation of velocity profiles from dispersion curves of Rayleigh and Love waves. We implemented both active acquisitions (Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves) along lines from 50 to 100 m length and passive acquisitions (Ambient Vibration Array) using multiple circle arrays (apertures from 10 to 1000 m). The computation of dispersion curves, then their inversion in terms of shear wave velocity profiles (taking into account the non-uniqueness issue of such inversion) allowed the estimations of VS30 values and the designation of soil classes including the corresponding uncertainties. From a methodological point of view, this survey leads to the following recommendations: (1) Perform both active and passive measurements in order to derive dispersion curves for an adequate frequency range; (2) perform active acquisitions for both vertical (Rayleigh wave) and horizontal (Love wave) polarities, which reduces the risk of misattribution of modes and thus, mitigates errors when modeling velocity profiles. Even when logistical contexts are sometimes difficult, the use of surface-wave based methods are suitable for station site characterizations, even on rock sites (where the applicability of these methods was sometimes disputed). Typically, it is possible to achieve a complete survey for one station in one working day, by 5 to 6 motivated operators. Conversely, the processing is time consuming (one working week for one geophysicist) and the inversion procedure has to be supervised by an expert in surface wave methods.


In recent time much attention is payed to the computer analysis of the optic disc (OD) images, aimed at extracting the objective statistical characteristics of the OD image. In the present paper we describe a computer program that allows the determination of the mean colour indices, their variance, etc., for different regions of the OD. The total colour space in the RGB model is divided into subdomains in correspondence with the values of the mask that determines the subdomain boundaries. A simple method of determining the domain of the OD physiological excavation by the value of the variability coefficient is proposed.


This paper reports a fully differential frequency modulated (FM) gyroscope where the superposed clockwise (CW) and counter clockwise (CCW) modes are independently controlled on a single resonator. The CW and CCW mode detectors were developed to control both modes simultaneously on the resonator. A frequency and quality factor mismatch compensation method was developed to perfectly orthogonalize these two modes. A FM gyroscope operation with excellent linearity between applied angular rate and frequency difference was demonstrated. The temperature coefficient of scale factor was as small as −52 ± 136 ppm/°C. The scale factor and bias were stable over 700 hours with the drift less than 0.062 ± 0.100 ppm/hr and 31 ± 121 ppm/hr, respectively. [2018-0103]


LiM(M=Ca, Sr, Ba)BO3:Re(superscript 3+) (Re=Eu, Sm) phosphors were synthesized by solid state reaction, and their luminescence characteristics were investigated. The emission spectra of LiM(M=Ca, Sr, Ba)-BO3:Eu(上标 3+) phosphors show several bands, and the main emission peaks correspond to the 5D0→7 F1 (590, 595 and 594 nm), 5D0→7F2(610, 615 and 613 nm) and 5D0→7F3(654, 651 and 651 nm) typical transitions of Eu3 . The excitation spectra show that these phosphors can be effectively excited by 369, 400 and 470 nm. The emission spectra of LiM(M=Ca, Sr, Ba) BO3:Sm(superscript 3+) exhibit several bands, corresponding to 4G5/2→6H5/2 (561, 563 and 560 nm), 4G5/2→6H7/2(602, 599 and 597 nm) and 4G5/2→6H9/2(651, 647 and 644 nm) typical transitions of Sm(superscript 3+) The excitation spectra show that these phosphors can be effectively excited by 374 and 405 nm. Therefore, the two kinds of phosphors are promising red phosphors for white LEDs. Effects of activation and charge compensation on the luminescence intensities of LiM(M=Ca, Sr, Ba) BO3: Re(superscript 3+) (Re, Eu, Sm) phosphors were studied, and the results show that the intensities were obviously influenced. Under the conditions of charge compensator Li(superscript +), Na(superscript +) or K(superscript +) incorporated in these phosphors, the emission intensities of these phosphors were enhanced. The all results illuminate that LiM(M=Ca, Sr, Ba) BO3: Re3 (Re=Eu, Sm) phosphors are promising red phosphors for white LEDs.


Nonlinear behaviours of low frequency acoustic-gravity waves are studied in this paper. The atmosphere is considered to be imcompressible and isothermal, and the gravitational acceleration is independent of the height. The nonlinear wave equations are obtained by using the technique of multiple time and space scales. It is shown that the acoustic-gravity waves propagating parallel to the earth's surface satisfy the nonlinear Schrodinger equation which has solutions of soliton-envelopes of wave trains.


In many disease models, the dynamics are described by a system of differential equations. When the spread of the disease is controlled by a treatment strategy, an obvious challenge is to find the best treatment possible. Mathematically, this problem is known as optimal control, or dynamic optimization. To solve these problems, researchers are increasingly turning to evolutionary optimization methods. Evolutionary computation, however, operates on discrete, n-dimensional vectors, not on continuous functions, and becomes computationally unmanageable for large n. Thus a parameterization technique is required, that can represent arbitrary functions with a small number of parameters. The typical approach to parameterization in epidemiological and biomedical models is to approximate the control functions as piecewise constant. We show the limitations of this approach, and demonstrate a recently developed method, Bézier Control Parameterization (BCP). With relatively few parameters, BCP can represent continuous control functions, and provides an efficient and effective parameterization method for evolutionary control of disease models.


As the digital TV time is coming and the audience need more on-site news,some of our TV programs need to change the forms.This article bases on the design thought and technical debug,discusses some alteration issues of mini type digital news studio and gives the particular explain for the debugging.


Hand eczema, which is frequently caused by delayed‐type allergy, is treated with 9‐cis‐retinoic acid (9cisRA). However, knowledge on how 9cisRA modulates skin immunity is sparse.


Primary nasopharyngeal (NP) lymphoma is a very rare tumor. Burkitt lymphoma is a subtype of non-Hodgkin's B cell lymphoma. It is rare in the Waldeyer's ring (3-5%). It is a highly aggressive, highly chemo sensitive lymphoma seen predominantly in childhood. Presenting a unique case of an 11 year old, male child presented to us with the chief complaints of bilateral nasal obstruction since 1 month, 6-7 episodes of nasal bleed since 1 week. Radiologically, a large soft tissue density mass lesion was seen in the region of nasopharynx, extending into the para/retro pharyngeal space. Excisional biopsy of the mass lesion histopathologic evaluation was suggestive of small round blue cell tumor, later confirmed to be Burkitt lymphoma after a bone marrow biopsy. Nasopharyngeal NHL should be kept in mind as a differential diagnosis, apart from inflammatory adenoid hypertrophy and benign tumors such as JNA while evaluating a nasopharyngeal mass in children. Nasopharyngeal NHL are highly chemo sensitive, therefore, an early diagnosis can aid timely commencement of chemotherapy and prevent progression and complications of the disease.


CF3 group of o-alkenyl-α,α,α-trifluorotoluenes underwent intramolecular coupling reaction with the alkene C–H bond under NbCl5/LiAlH4 system. Substituted indenes were obtained in good yields.


By ab initiomolecular dynamics simulations, we unraveled the unique network structure of amorphous Ge 1 Sb 2 Te 4 , which shows high rank of ordering and mostly consists of distorted defective octahedrons with a small portion of distorted tetrahedrons. The phase transition from amorphous to cubic Ge 1 Sb 2 Te 4 would be mainly a process of angle rearrangements of tetrahedrons to octahedrons and vice versa.


Oliver Broadbent and James Norman call for a rethink of engineering education to meet the needs of an industry adapting to the demands of the climate emergency.


While most humans live in a world surrounded by concrete, few truly know and understand what it is. Even though it both literally and figuratively makes up much of modern civilization's built environment, it is taken or granted. This book delves into the history of concrete, describing how some of the most famous personalities of history, such as King Herod, Roman emperor Hadrian, Thomas Edison and Frank Lloyd Wright, became involved in its development and use. While initially viewed as a novelty or only useful for a narrow range of applications when rediscovered (after the fall of the Roman Empire when it was popular) in the late 18th century, it wasn't until the end of the 19th century that the use of concrete exploded. At that time, industry lobbyists tried to hide the fact that modern concrete was subject to critical shortcomings and defects, which, unlike its Roman predecessor, it did, in fact, possess. Unfortunately, it is known to disintegrate with age, and the it is a major contributor to global warming in its manufacture. The infrastructure upon which modern civilization depends lends itself in this book to a variety of stories, characters, surprising facts and insights.


This thesis addresses the kernelization properties of generic problems, defined via syntactical restrictions or by a problem framework. Polynomial kernelization is a formalization of data reduction, aimed at combinatorially hard problems, which allows a rigorous study of this important and fundamental concept. The thesis is organized into two main parts. In the first part we prove that all problems from two syntactically defined classes of constant-factor approximable problems admit polynomial kernelizations. The problems must be expressible via optimization over first-order formulas with restricted quantification; when relaxing these restrictions we find problems that do not admit polynomial kernelizations. Next, we consider edge modification problems, and we show that they do not generally admit polynomial kernelizations. In the second part we consider three types of Boolean constraint satisfaction problems. We completely characterize whether these problems admit polynomial kernelizations, i.e., given such a problem our results either provide a polynomial kernelization, or they show that the problem does not admit a polynomial kernelization. These dichotomies are characterized by properties of the permitted constraints. The thesis is written in English.


Heat capacity curves as functions of temperature were calculated using Monte Carlo methods for the series of Ar13−n Kr n clusters (0≤n≤13). The clusters were modeled classically using pairwise additive Lennard‐Jones potentials. J‐walking (or jump‐walking) was used to overcome convergence difficulties due to quasiergodicity present in the solid–liquid transition regions, as well as in the very low temperature regions where heat capacity anomalies arising from permutational isomers were observed. Substantial discrepancies between the J‐walking results and the results obtained using standard Metropolis Monte Carlo methods were found. Results obtained using the atom‐exchange method, another Monte Carlo variant designed for multicomponent systems, were mostly similar to the J‐walker results. Quench studies were also done to investigate the clusters' potential energy surfaces; in each case, the lowest energy isomer had an icosahedral‐like symmetry typical of homogeneous 13‐atom rare gas clusters, with an Ar atom being the central atom.


The anti-pollution flashover performance of superhydrophobic coatings is one of the key factors that determine whether it can be further applied and promoted in the field of external insulation of power systems. However, there is a lack of theoretical and experimental research on the anti-pollution flashover durability of the superhydrophobic coating surface. This paper introduces the influence of corrosion on the anti-pollution flashover performance of the superhydrophobic coating surface, comprehensively analyzes the corrosion resistance mechanism of the coatings from both physical structure and chemical properties, and proposes a method to improve the anti-pollution flashover durability of the coatings. Furthermore, the anti-pollution flashover durability of the superhydrophobic coating surface was evaluated through experiments. The results show that the leakage current of the corroded superhydrophobic coating surface is still far less than that of the RTV coating and uncoated surface.


Endodontics often challenges the clinicians with aberrant canal congurations which not only makes arriving at the
accurate diagnosis puzzling but also alters the treatment approach. To achieve success after root canal treatment, a
thorough knowledge of the usual root canal anatomy and its variations pertaining to each tooth with adjunctive diagnostic aids is of paramount
importance. This is one such case report presenting two unique examples of varied canal anatomy. One is a mandibular rst premolar displaying
Vertucci Type III canal conguration and other is a mandibular second premolar with Vertucci Type V canal conguration. This report further
describes in detail the complete treatment strategy from diagnosis to 3 – dimensional obturation.


Quality has become a strategic element of organisations' management, as it is at the basis of product and services competitiveness domestically and internationally. Quality must be understood by the superlative of excellence, signifying the maximum possible satisfaction of the customer's needs in a dynamic context. Services represent one of the sectors of modern economy that register significant dynamics. Achieving customer satisfaction is essential to developing or maintaining business. Thus, current trends in quality management lead to integrated solutions for quality insurance. We notice the direction towards adopting the concept of total quality management, in which the emphasis is on the participation of the entire staff to achieving and improving the quality of tourism services. In all tourist service companies we notice the need to align with the EU requirements on quality.


The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently issued an Exploratory Investigational NewDrug (IND) guidance that provides a platform for the evaluation of targeted anticancer agents in small, early-phase human clinical trials that can be used to establish the feasibility of proof-of-principle target modulation assays, as well as the preliminary pharmacokinetics and molecular imaging potential of new anticancer molecules. The exploratory IND allows for reduced requirements for manufacturing and toxicologic assessment. Early clinical trials done in this fashion have no therapeutic intent. In this series of articles in CCR Focus, the development of this new IND mechanism, its effect on clinical trial design and clinical pharmacodynamics, the ethical implications of nontherapeutic clinical investigations, and the perspective of the pharmaceutical industry on this approach are examined. The focus of oncologic drug discovery has changed markedly over the past 5 years, based on the initial success of the first generation of molecularly targeted therapeutic agents and the dramatic increase in our knowledge of the potential signal transduction sites available for therapeutic interference. Despite this remarkable increase in the breadth of our insights into basic tumor cell biology, however, the increase in the number of new therapeutic molecules expected to follow from those insights has not fully materialized. Attention, therefore, has been focused recently on the serious challenges facing oncologic drug development. The leading cause of attrition in clinical trials of novel oncologic therapeutics is now a lack of clinical activity (rather than toxicity), and unfortunately, only 5% to 10% of the molecules that are subjects of Investigational New Drug (IND) applications progress beyond early phases of development (1). Furthermore, an increase in development timelines, as well as the lack of predictability of toxicity and effectiveness testing when traditional animal models are used, have led to increased costs, and risk aversion by a pharmaceutical industry that is undergoing major consolidation (2, 3). Oncologic drug development has also been challenged by a paucity of biomarkers that could permit regulatory approvals to advance more rapidly based on validated molecular signals that predict early clinical end points (4). It is remarkable to consider that the basic clinical trial structure for oncologic new drug development, progressing from studies of safety, to efficacy, to comparative therapeutic benefit has been largely unchanged for >35 years (5). Furthermore, despite numerous advances in the biostatistical design of phase I clinical trials over this time frame (6, 7), most early-phase clinical investigations still do not effectively take advantage of the tools of modern molecular biology to confirm the mechanism(s) of action of the agents under study (8, 9). Despite, or perhaps because of, this broad range of obstacles, there is a pressing need to shorten cancer drug development timelines, to enhance molecular drug discovery, to streamline procedures to assess oncologic drug effects (toxicity, effectiveness, and mechanism of action) very much earlier in the development cycle thus preventing therapeutic failures during phase III studies, and to provide a rigorous scientific base for a wide range of potential indications for new cancer drugs (10, 11). Ultimately, there is a critical requirement to more effectively apply currently available scientific tools to the cancer drug development process to enhance productivity and innovation, speeding up the delivery of new anticancer agents to patients. It is in this context that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued its call to change the focus of drug development in 2004; the aim of the Critical Path Report was to provide new opportunities for the translation of basic discovery into novel diagnostic and therapeutic products. At the same time, the FDA commenced work on a series of new 3 http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d0749.pdf 4 http://www.fda.gov/oc/initiatives/criticalpath/whitepaper.pdf Authors' Affiliations: Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, and the Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland; and Laboratory of Human Toxicology and Pharmacology, Applied/Developmental Research Support Directorate, Science Applications International Corporation-Frederick, Inc., National Cancer Institute-Frederick, Frederick, Maryland Received 4/14/08; accepted 4/14/08. Grant support:National Cancer Institute, NIHunder contract N01-CO-12400. The costs of publication of this article were defrayed in part by the payment of page charges.This article must therefore be hereby marked advertisement in accordance with18 U.S.C. Section1734 solely to indicate this fact. Note:This article was written with the support of the Division of CancerTreatment and Diagnosis and the Center for Cancer Research of the National Cancer Institute. The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of Health and Human Services, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Requests for reprints: James H. Doroshow, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, Building 31, Room 3A-44, 31Center Drive, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892. Phone: 301-496-4291; Fax: 301-496-0826; E-mail: email@example.com. F2008 American Association for Cancer Research. doi:10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-07-4562 www.aacrjournals.org Clin Cancer Res 2008;14(12) June15, 2008 3658 CCR FOCUS Research. on May 3, 2017. © 2008 American Association for Cancer clincancerres.aacrjournals.org Downloaded from guidance documents designed to speed up the development of novel therapeutic agents. These guidelines focused on manufacturing practices for novel small molecules, as well as new approaches to early-phase clinical investigations. Working with investigators from academic centers, the National Cancer Institute, and the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, the FDA promulgated the final form of a new guidance for exploratory IND (ExpIND) studies developed to speed up the completion of early-phase clinical trials in February of 2006. This document was meant to stimulate earlier human testing of novel imaging agents and therapeutics, as well as the concomitant biomarker discovery that is a critical component of the development of targeted anticancer agents (12). Over the past 2 years, there has been substantial discussion regarding the potential value to oncologic therapeutics of the so-called phase 0 (in contrast to phase I) clinical trials described in the ExpIND guidance (13–17). Because the initial first-in-human phase 0 clinical studies done under the ExpIND are only now coming to fruition, however, there will be a considerable lapse before sufficient data will become available from which to assess the real value of this approach for oncologic drug development (18, 19). Thus, although a definitive assessment of this methodology is not currently possible, we are now in a position to examine the progress of the ExpIND approach and, in particular, the use of the ExpIND to perform proof-of-principle, pharmacodynamically driven phase 0 trials, as the concept moves into the clinic.


On the beginning of 1920's,Lu zuofu carried out the "new education" experiment in Luzhou,Sichuan Province.He established the popular education center to improve the overall quality of the people.He reorganized the southern Sichuan province Normal school,and completely changed the education condition of the region.There were popular education center,library,reading-room.The experiment was successful."New South Sichuan,new education,a new trend" was spread throughout the whole Sichuan,even the whole country.


Rosmarinus officinalis L. is an aromatic plant which is widely used as an ornamental plant is used in the pharmaceutical and food industries, mainly due to its essential oil content. A lack of detailed characterisation of rosemary cultivars has stimulated this research on the evaluation of 15 selections of the Sardinian germplasm. After a preliminary phase (1996/1997) of identification, description and evaluation of 31 mother plants of the Sardinian territory, selected rosemary clones were planted in a repository located at the Experiment Station of the University of Sassari, in Oristano (Sardinia). In this paper, 15 selections of the repository are characterised in terms of morphological (plant habitus and vigour, leaf size) and phenological characters and of essential oil composition. The 15 selections evaluated in the repository had a high variability for plant habitus (compact, intermediate and upright) and vigour (low, medium and high), leaf size, and plant phenology. For instance, the selection CAG5 is compact, vigorous and blooms several times throughout the year, while ORS3 has an upright shape, medium vigour and blooms once a year. Essential oil content varied from 1.18% (VIG12) to 4.07% (ORS1). In addition, the essential oil composition was quite variable. INTRODUCTION The increasing interest for rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) as an aromatic plant and its multi-purpose utilisation have stimulated the cultivation of this species (Bardi, 1951). Only recently, a reasonable level of cultivation has been achieved mainly for the commercialisation of fresh shoots for seasoning uses. However, the availability of well-characterised cultivars for various cultivation requirements is still limited (Magherini, 1988). In order to enlarge the available rosemary cultivars by selecting new lines, it is very important to study the characteristics and diversity of the spontaneous germplasm. The wide distribution of this species in the Sardinian territory represents an important source of natural variability to be explored for the selection of types adapted to specific cultivation and market requirements (Camarda and Valsecchi, 1983). Some years ago (1996-1997), a research program on the analysis and characterisation of the spontaneous rosemary ecotypes present in the Mediterranean maquis started (Mulas et al., 1997, Mulas and Deidda, 1998). In the first phase of the research, about 31 mother plants which showed a considerable phenotypical variability were identified, sampled and characterised for their main morphological characteristics. As a result of this work, some promising selections were identified, propagated vegetatively and planted in a clone repository at the Experiment Station of the University of Sassari in Oristano, Sardinia (Mulas et al., 1998). Recent biometric observations of the clonal selections have been made, aiming mainly at studying some qualitative characteristics of the biomass produced by rosemary plants. The most important parameters to be considered for rosemary cultivation regard Proc. Int. Conf. on MAP Eds. J. Bernáth et al. Acta Hort. 576, ISHS 2002 164 the general characteristics of the plant (vigour, habitus) and of the shoots, especially of its leaves. The latter represent the organs effectively used for the extraction of essential oil. It is also important to characterise each selection for its essential oil composition, in order to identify valuable selections. The main objective of this paper is to characterise and compare various rosemary clones for various parameters, in order to identify the clones that have the best characteristics for their various potential uses. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifteen clonal selections present at a repository of the Experiment Station of the University of Sassari in Fenosu (OR) (Central-Western Sardinia) were examined. The field was established in 1998, by planting fifteen plants of each clone, originated from spontaneous mother plants previously selected. Row-orientation was North-South. Plant spacing was 1 x 3 m and the cultivation system is shrub-type. During summer plants were drip-irrigated with 1500 m/ha. Some general plant characteristics such as vigour and habitus were determined for each clone. In addition, during summer, when spring-shoot growth was very slow due to high temperatures, shoots were sampled from the plants of each clone and brought to laboratory. After leaf removal from the shoots, leaf length and width were determined, using three replicates of twenty leaves each per clone. Data were submitted to analysis of variance using MSTAT-C software and means were separated by Duncan's Multiple Range Test at 1% of significance level. Since 1999, phenological observations have been taken every two weeks. The presence or absence of the main phenological stages such as shoot growth, bloom and fruit ripening were recorded. In July, 2000, spring shoots were sampled from each rosemary clone, put in plastic bags, and brought to laboratory for essential oil extraction and characterisation. In the lab, fresh leaves were removed from the shoots manually and submitted to water vapourdistillation for about 45 minutes. A Clevenger-type distillator was used, using 300 g of leaves and one liter of distilled water for each distillation (three distillations per clone). At the end of each distillation, after determining the amount of essential oil extracted, the oil was put in glass flasks and kept in freezer. In addition, leaf dry weight of each clone was determined by weighing fresh leaf samples and then drying them in the oven at 105 °C for 24 hours (until constant weight). The analysis of essential oil composition of all fifteen clones was performed at the Department of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology of the University of Torino, by gas-chromatography. Data were submitted to analysis of variance and mean separation as reported above. RESULTS Since the general characteristics of the 15 rosemary clones observed in the repository were quite variable, important differences among the selections were found (Table 1). In fact, plant habitus was upright in the clone ORS3, open in SAT11 and CAG1, prostrate in ORS 1, and intermediate in the remaining clones. Plant vigour was low in ORS1 e VIG 14A, high in CAG5, SAT11, SAT14 e CAG4, and medium in the other clones. Leaf dimensions were also quite variable, with leaf length values ranging from 1.20 cm (VIG14B) to 1.76 cm (ORS1) (Fig. 1), and leaf width ones varying from 0.10 cm (ORS1) to 0.18 cm (SAT11) (Fig. 2). Based on the phenological observations made in 1999 and 2000, rosemary plants tend to sprout all year round, at a lower intensity during winter, except for SAT10 that showed only one brief vegetative stasis during the two years of observation. The flowering periods were very frequent during the year, showing brief pauses at the beginning of summer, except for SAT13 and VIG10 that did not show any interruption throughout the second year of observation. As a consequence of the frequent bloom


The addition of an adjoint Polyakov loop term to the action of a pure gauge theory at finite temperature leads to new phases of SU(N) gauge theories. For SU(3), a new phase is found which breaks Z(3) symmetry in a novel way; for SU(4), the new phase exhibits spontaneous symmetry breaking of Z(4) to Z(2), representing a partially-confined phase in which quarks are confined, but diquarks are not. The overall phase structure and thermodynamics is consistent with a theoretical model of the effective potential for the Polyakov loop based on perturbation theory.


Abstract The dominant thought of the Pre-Reformation Church was based on Neo-Platonic and Aristotelian philosophy. This classical tradition was concerned with the active and contemplative lives. The great theologians of the West, Augustine, Gregory the Great and Aquinas, adapted this perspective when seeing the Christian minister as one who blends these two experiences in his or her prayer and pastoral ministry. Jacob was seen as an ideal who married both the active Lea and contemplative Rachel. This was done in the rhythmic life of prayer and service achieved by Benedict and the friars in the latter Middle Ages.


Principle and method of measuring freezing point of high-density hydrocarbon fuels by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) are introduced, and the main influence factors during testing are discussed. The result shows that DSC method has good repeatability and reproducibility, can be used as an routine measuring method for the low freezing point fuels such as high-density hydrocarbon and so on when the freezing point of high-density hydrocarbon fuels is below -80℃.


There is some evidence to indicate that the incidence of gastric and oesophageal carcinoma is changing rapidly in the West. However, to study the true magnitude of the problem (to help in planning health and cancer strategies over the next decades), this epidemiological study was performed.


Resolving the long-term, population-level consequences of changes in pertussis epidemiology, arising from bacterial evolution, shifts in vaccine-induced immunity, or changes in surveillance, are key challenges for devising effective control strategies. This chapter reviews some of the key features of pertussis epidemiology, together with the underlying epidemiological principles that set the context for their interpretation. These include the relationship between the age distribution of cases and pertussis transmission potential, the impact of vaccine uptake on incidence, periodicity and age incidence, as well as spatially explicit recurrent pertussis epidemics and associated extinction frequency. This review highlights some of the predictable and consistent aspects of pertussis epidemiology (e.g. the systematic increase in the inter-epidemic period with the introduction of whole-cell vaccines) and a number of important heterogeneities, including variations in contemporary patterns of incidence and geographic spread.


We have demonstrated electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in an inhomogeneously broadened spectral hole-burning system of Pr(3+)-doped Y(2)SiO(5) at 6 K. We have also shown enhancement of four-wave mixing under conditions of reduced absorption. This demonstration opens the possibilities of pursuing EIT applications such as high-resolution optical image processing and optical data storage in solids.


This paper is based on an experiment of protocol analysis. In order to investigate the differences in models designed under various circumstances, the paper attempts to find out how expert and novice designers develop their designs with computer media. It also compares expert designers with their novice counterparts by analyzing and generalizing some cases in their thinking and designing process. Thus a designer who is very familiar with software and have expertise in design must apply different strategies to their design. This is indeed the cause of changes in the process of promoting from a novice to an expert designer. Therefore, the differences between novices and experts can be one of the foci of educating novice designers.


The main objective of this paper is to establish explicit bounds on certain integral inequalities on time scales, which can be used as tools in the study of certain classes of integral equations on time scales. Some applications of our results are also given.


This study,investigates the intercultural sensitivity of 317 college non-English major students in Ji Ning University. The results show that the general level of the intercultural sensitivity is bit higher than the intermediate. The mean of Respect for Cultural Differences is relatively high,which is followed in order by those of Interaction Engagement,Interaction Attentiveness,Interaction Enjoyment,and Interaction Confidence. Pearson Correlation analysis shows that many variables are positively correlated. Partial Correlations shows that Interaction Engagement and Interaction Attentiveness have a strong positive correlation.