The study looked at the effect of strategic leadership implementation and service quality in manufacturing industries in Nigeria. The population of this study consists of 32 employees of the said industries operating. The sample size covered 32 employees of the industries. The research data was gathered with a structured questionnaire. and the analysis done with the help of SPSS. The study found that Strategic Leadership Implementation (with culture and structure as sub-dimension) aspects of strategic leadership implementation relate positively and significantly with all the measures of service quality which includes, reliability and assurance. Therefore we conclude that; the strategic nature of the strategy implementation must not be downplayed. Hence, managers are expected to create a common interactional platform were views are commonly expressed and shared by all stakeholders to implementation. This will help managers to sufficiently clear ambiguous areas associated with policy or strategy crafting which will also hinder quality service delivery.


Chemical processes use to be non-minimum phase systems. Thereby, they are a challenge for control applications. In this paper, fuzzy state feedback is applied in the Van de Vusse reaction that has an inverse response. The control design has an integrator to enhance the control performance by eliminating the steady-state error when a step reference is applied. An anti-windup action is used to reduce the undershoot in the system response. In practice, it is not possible to have always access to all the state variables. Thus, a fuzzy state observer is implemented via LMIs. Frequently, the papers that show similar applications present some comments about disturbance rejection. To eliminate the steady-state error when a ramp reference is used, in this work, a second integrator is aggregated. Now, the anti-windup also reduces the overshoot generated due to the usage of two integrators in the final application.


Explicit expressions for the scattering of rotational symmetric high-frequency fields by a perfect conducting spherical sheet are obtained by surface currents induced on the cap. The results explain the contribution of surface currents to the scattered field and provide a method of obtaining the configurations of scatterers. The results can be used to describe an object by measurements at different points and check them with each other and analytical results.<<ETX>>


The theories are built on economic analysis of transactions and production and focused on the design of contracts, the way that persons organize such transactions. The contract is the result of a negotiation process among the affected parties. Games and behavioral economics provide the instruments for analyzing these processes. The module analyzes repeated and non repeated games under different information situations as well as non-cooperative and cooperative games. We make special emphasis on the applications of cooperative games to the contract design. The module also analyzes how external constrains (laws and state regulation) affect the design of such contracts.


The paper discribed the project of RTU interface with microcomputer anti mislock device as well as the project meaning and feasibilty.The advantages and disadvantages of the whole process were analyzed in detail.


Scheduling algorithms are very important for the performance and capacity of cellular systems. In this paper, we present an enhanced proportional fair scheduling algorithm for HSDPA. Scheduling performance is evaluated with different network scenarios for streaming of multimedia services. The streaming service model is based on 3GPP protocols.


Objective:To compare the root canal filling density of continuous-wave condensation technique with cold lateral compaction.Methods: Twenty freshly extracted human mandibular premolars with one single canal were selected and divided into two groups,ten teeth each.The root canals were prepared with a rotary system in a crown-down technique and obturated with either cold lateral compaction or continuous-wave condensation with EQ plus system.All roots were horizontally sectioned at 2,4,6,8 mm from the apical foramen using low-speed saw.The cross-sectional area of the canal and gutta-percha were all measured using an image-analysis program.The percentage of gutta-percha-filled area(PGP) was then calculated.Results: With regard to PGP,no significant difference was found at the levels 2,4,6 mm from apex foramen between two groups,and however PGP of continuous-wave condensation group was significantly higher than that of cold lateral compaction group at 8 mm from apical.Conclusion: The density of continuous-wave condensation technique was superior to lateral compaction technique in middle and coronal portions of canals.However,there was no significant difference in the apical portion of canal between two groups.


The order of the radiologic exploration of pulmonary hydatid disease should be as follows: 1) simple radiography; 2) posteroanterior or anteroposterior radiography; 3) lateral radiography; 4) tomography, and 5) oblique radiography, radiographies with contrast or other methods if required.


The ability to rapidly and inexpensively generate terrain databases to replicate actual terrain is critical to insuring correlation between the results from live, virtual, and constructive simulations used in testing and evaluating weapons, sensors, and battlefield command and control systems. In this paper we describe a technique for producing battlefield terrain data sets from oblique aerial photos and other nontraditional data sources using image differencing and 3D terrain editing tools. This technique uses a feedback loop to calculate terrain data parameters from differences between actual sensor imagery and synthetic imagery of replicated terrain created by an image generator. The technique is especially well suited for updating knowledge of battlefield situations from reconnaissance and remotely piloted vehicle sensors. It also holds promise for automation and real-time data reduction of battlefield sensor feeds and improved now-time situational awareness. W e will present the algorithms and approach utilized in the Image Differencing technique. We will also describe the software developed to implement the approach. Lastly we will present the results of experiments and benchmarks conducted to measure the effectiveness and progress made toward real-time terrain database generation.


LNG liquefaction process and selection of equipment which is used in onshore is already quite mature, but deep sea and the harsh marine environment can cause FPSO hull and tank violent sloshing, which will lead to the obviously difference of LNG-FPSO liquefaction process and equipment selection in onshore. In this paper, the requirements of equipment and process during natural gas pre-treatment, liquefaction and storage process were analyzed while the typical pretreatment and liquefaction processes were compared and the processes adapted to the sea were chosen; At the same time, further analysis of effect of marine conditions on the equipment in the process.


This research is part of PURATREAT project, an action taken by the European Commission (EC) to investigate waste water treatment (WWT) issues in the peri urban areas of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries. The main target of this work was to develop the application of, and to determine economic viability of, membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology as an alternative to conventional activated sludge (AS) processes for municipal waste water treatment (WWT). The research particularly focused on the long-term operation of three pilot submerged MBR systems abbreviated as MBR1, MBR2 and MBR3 -, designed and constructed by three different membrane manufacturers. All trials were performed in Tunisia, in the city of Sfax, at the North Sfax "Office National de l' Assainissement" (ONAS) WWT site. ONAS is the country's national sanitation utility. The MBR systems were tested under different combinations of operating conditions, namely solids residence times (SRTs) and hydraulic residence times (HRTs) and conclusions regarding treated permeate quality, membrane performance and energy consumption rates are drawn. First, the capability of the MBR systems to produce treated permeate of the appropriate quality was tested. The treated permeate had to be suitable for reuse in unrestricted irrigation in Tunisia, therefore, chemical oxygen demand (COD) -1 concentration must be equal to or lower than 90 mg L and it has to be free from pathogens. Two different mixed-liquor suspended solids (MLSS) concentrations were applied. Initially, the MBR systems were operated under a low MLSS concentration -1 of about 4 5 g L . Under this low MLSS concentration, MBR1 failed to produce treated permeate of appropriate quality whereas MBR2 and MBR3 were successful. The COD concentration removal efficiency was only 71.4 % for MBR1, but it was 88 % for MBR2 and 87.7 % for MBR3. Then, all MBR systems were operated under a -1 higher MLSS concentration value of about 9 10 g L . Under this MLSS concentration, all MBR systems produced treated permeate of the appropriate quality. COD concentration removal efficiency was 89.4 % for MBR1, 89.7 % for MBR2 and 90.9 % for MBR3. Then, the membrane performance was tested. This experiment was mainly conducted when the MBR systems were operated at the high MLSS concentration of about 9 10 George S. Skouteris i -1 g L . Real/Net membrane permeate fluxes (MPFs) were increased up to values that were no longer sustainable and membrane fouling phenomena appeared to be out of control. An average maximum sustainable net membrane permeate flux (MPF) for each MBR system was then estimated. Application of this net MPF could maximise the daily production of the treated permeate and, at the same time, a reliable long-term membrane performance could be achieved. The maximum sustainable net MPF was -2 -1 -2 -1 found to be equal to 13.77 L m h for MBR1 and 12.81 L m h for MBR2. With respect to MBR3, continual membrane fouling conditions during this experiment did not allow to predict an average maximum sustainable net MPF. Finally, it was attempted to reduce the energy consumption rates below a specific -3 energy demand (SED) value of 3 kWh m , which is the current SED value of the fullscale conventional AS plant and, therefore, the target for this research. Initially, shortterm power-analysis experiments were performed for MBR1 and MBR2. For MBR3 these experiments were not able to be conducted due to its three-phase power supply. The energy consumption rates per component were measured and SED values were calculated. At the same time, longer-term energy-analysis experiments were performed and SED values were re-calculated. By directly comparing the SED values taken by both sets of experiments, the short-term power-analysis experimental data was validated by the longer-term energy-analysis data. Finally, an Excel-based model, which was capable of predicting SED values for MBR1 and MBR2, was built. The model could predict SED values under different sets of operating conditions, e.g. varying SRTs/HRTs, but it was concluded that neither MBR1 nor MBR2 could produce treated permeate of the appropriate quality at SED values equal to or lower -3 than 3 kWh m , whilst simultaneously achieving stable membrane performance. However, a modified version of MBR1 was finally able to achieve the objectives of this research. Namely production of treated permeate of the appropriate quality, at a stable long-term membrane performance, and with SED values equal to or lower than -3 3 kWh m . George S. Skouteris ii


In this thesis, the modelling, analysis and implementation of the delta modulation technique as used in controlled ac-to-dc converters are presented. The proposed modulation scheme, fundamentally differs from conventional PWM techniques, by virtue of its self-carrier generating ability. This intrinsic feature provides the added advantages of ease of implementation, continuous converter voltage control and more importantly, a direct control on the line harmonic contents. -- An analytical model is developed, which provides key information on the maximum converter switching frequency, location of dominant harmonics and the PWM switching instances. Optimization of the delta modulator parameters is also carried out by means of parametric variations on a single-phase converter. -- The delta PWM technique is implemented in both a single-phase and three-phase transistor bridge converter. In each case, theoretical harmonic analysis of the converter waveforms are presented based on the discrete Fourier transform approach. The pertinent converter waveforms are described in terms of generalized switching functions and the harmonic components are evaluated using an FFT algorithm. Attention has been given to the design of the power and logic circuity conforming to the delta modulator switching specifications. Theoretical results are substantiated by experimental results conducted on prototype single-phase and three-phase transistor converters. -- Performance of the three-phase delta modulated converter with typical R-L and dynamic motor loads are also considered. The results indicate the enhanced performance of the delta modulated converter yielding improved power-factor, near sinusoidal line currents and minimum filtering requirements.


Despite the fact that current classical image classification techniques have been widely used to address real-world problems, these applications are frequently hampered by problems including disappointing results, poor classification accuracy, and constrained adaptability. This method separates the mammography image tumour feature extraction and classification processes. The effective way to improve the accuracy of mammography image tumour classification is to integrate the feature extraction and classification processes using the potent deep learning model. The deep structural advantages of multilayer nonlinear mapping and the tumour representation of well-multidimensional data linear decomposition, however, are fully utilised in this paper, which also introduces the idea of tumour representation based on shape-based feature extraction into the architecture of the deep learning network.


Lysophophatidic acid (LPA) is a platelet-enriched low molecular weight lysophospholipid (LPL) with multiple biological functions. These biological activities elicited by LPA are mediated through its binding to a series of G protein-coupled receptors: LPA1, LPA2, and LPA3. IL-1β, a major pro-inflammatory cytokine secreted by multiple cell types, plays an important role in innate immunity, inflammation and tumorigenesis. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are bacteria killing reagents and also act as a mediator in regulation of multiple signaling pathways. The relationship between ROS and inflammatory cytokine is well characterized. OxLDL uptake by macrophages, also known as fatty streak, is an important indicator in atherosclerosis. From our previous studies, we found that LPA induce IL-1β expression in mouse peritoneal macrophages. In this study, we intended to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in LPA-regulated IL-1β expression and elucidate inflammation-related functions regulated by LPA in J774A.1 cells. By calcium imaging analysis, we found that calcium mobilization was induces immediately after 1microM LPA treatment. RT-PCR analysis showed that both LPA1 and LPA2 receptors were expressed in J774A.1 and RAW246.7 cells, another commonly used mouse macrophage cell line. Using specific pharmacological blockers and real-time PCR analysis, we delineated that LPA-induced IL-1β mRNA expression is mediated through Rho-, Gi-, NF-kappaB-, p38 MAPK-, and PI3K-dependent pathways. Furthermore, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in J774A.1 and RAW264.7 cells was increased by LPA dosage-dependently. The LPA-induced ROS production could be partially inhibited by C3 and pertussis toxin (PTx). Furthermore, LPA-induced IL-1β and ROS also play a physiological role by regulating IL-1β expression. Last but not least, fluorescence labeled DiI-OxLDL uptake is also upregulated by LPA in J774A.1 cells. In conclusion, our results elucidated the molecular mechanisms by which LPA-induced IL-1β production and also indicated that LPA is involved in the processes of inflammation and inflammation-related disease, atherosclerosis, in mouse macrophages.


It is broadly accepted that the telecommunications industry is undergoing a fundamental restructuring. This is driven by new customer demands and by changes in the regulatory environment, and is both enabled and encouraged by rapid technological developments. Additionally, the demand for new sophisticated telecommunications services with multimedia characteristics is increasing. These services require more flexible access, management, and charging mechanisms. Thus, it is necessary to assist, in a systematic manner, telecommunications service designers in the development of new services. In this paper, after an examination of important service engineering matters, a service creation methodology is proposed and presented focusing on its essential characteristics. A possible enhancement of this methodology through the use of design patterns and frameworks is then considered.


We demonstrate dissipation dilution engineering techniques for ultralow dissipation mechanical resonators. The Si3N4 nanobeams show quality factors (Q) as high as 800 million and $Q\times f$ exceeding 1015 Hz-both records at room temperature. © 2019 The Author(s)


OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence and distribution of birth defects from 2005 to 2008 in Inner Mongolia,and provide the evidence for the prevention and control of the disease.METHODS The survey,via cluster sampling,investigated the data of children born from 1stOctober 2005 to 30thSeptember 2008.And then calculated the prevalence rate.RESULTS 62 544 cases were observed.The prevalence of birth defects was 156.1 per 10 000 births (95%CI:146.3-165.8).The top three prevalence rates were neural tube defect (20.1per10 000 births),congenital heart disease (17.1per10 000) and cleft lip and palate (16.2per10 000).In defects,the proportion of live births was 69.9%.CONCLUSION Relatively higher prevalence of birth defects is found in Inner Mongolia,especially neural tube defects,congenital heart disease,cleft lip and palate.


We extend the theory of job crafting by proposing that job characteristics, individual differences, and group-level contexts interactively promote employee job crafting. Specifically, drawing on the theories of job characteristics, regulatory focus, and social exchange, we develop a multilevel model involving skill variety, an employee fs promotion focus, and procedural justice climate in predicting job crafting. To test our model, we conducted a survey of 265 employees working in 44 work groups at a state-owned enterprise in China. In support of our hypotheses, skill variety has a direct effect on job crafting, which is moderated by promotion focus. Further, our finding on the cross-level three-way interaction suggests that procedural justice climate is an important group-level context that influences employee job crafting. Implications for job crafting theory and future research directions are discussed.


Energy is an important support for human survival, and the efficient use of energy is directly related to the sustainable development of energy. In energy use, urban architecture is the primary energy consumption unit. To optimize the energy structure of urban buildings is of great practical significance to realize the sustainable development strategy of energy, and improve the quality of urban environment. At the present stage, China's urban planning is still in the stage of functional planning, failing to realize the active combination of concept of energy conservation and rational energy utilization and regional architecture planning. How to integrate energy planning concept into regional architecture planning has become an important research topic of urban planning. For that reason, this paper studies the regional architecture planning model of distributed comprehensive energy based on EnergyPlus energy consumption simulation engine so as to improve the planning of urban areas and achieve the sustainable development goals of urban energy.


A BPDA−pp'ODA polyimide film was formed on the outer surface of a porous alumina support tube (outside diameter, 2.4 mm; inside diameter, 1.8 mm; void fraction, 0.48; and average pore size, 140 nm) and was then carbonized at an optimized temperature of 700 °C. Membranes prepared by repeating this process two and three times respectively exhibited permeances of approximately 1 × 10-8 mol·m-2·s-1·Pa-1 for C2H4 and 2 × 10-9 mol·m-2·s-1·Pa-1 for C2H6 at 100 °C. Permeances to C3H6 and C3H8 at 100 °C were 4 × 10-9 and 1 × 10-10 mol·m-2·s-1·Pa-1, respectively. The selectivities were 4−5 for C2H4/C2H6 systems and 25−29 for C3H6/C3H8 systems. When the permeation temperature was decreased to 65 and 35 °C, permeances decreased and selectivities increased to 5−7 for C2H4/C2H6 systems and 33−56 for C3H6/C3H8 systems. The permeance and selectivity for an equimolar mixture of C3H6 and C3H8 were nearly the same as those for the single-component gases.


Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) strategy for heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF) is controversial. Left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) is an emerging pacing modality and an alternative option to CRT. This analysis aimed to perform a systematic review of the literature and meta‐analysis on the impact of the LBBAP strategy in HFmrEF, with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) between 35% and 50%. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched for full‐text articles on LBBAP from inception to July 17, 2022. The outcomes of interest were QRS duration and LVEF at baseline and follow‐up in mid‐range heart failure. Data were extracted and summarized. A random‐effect model incorporating the potential heterogeneity was used to synthesize the results. Out of 1065 articles, 8 met the inclusion criteria for 211 mid‐range heart failure patients with an implant LBBAP across the 16 centers. The average implant success rate with lumenless pacing lead use was 91.3%, and 19 complications were reported among all 211 enrolled patients. During the average follow‐up of 9.1 months, the average LVEF was 39.8% at baseline and 50.5% at follow‐up (MD: 10.90%, 95% CI: 6.56−15.23, p < .01). Average QRS duration was 152.6 ms at baseline and 119.3 ms at follow‐up (MD: −34.51 ms, 95% CI: −60.00 to −9.02, p < .01). LBBAP could significantly reduce QRS duration and improve systolic function in a patient with LVEF between 35% and 50%. Application of LBBAP as a CRT strategy for HFmrEF may be a viable option.


Vortex turbulence generated by high-amplitude second sound in superfluid /sup 4/He is observed. Features of the transition to turbulence are similar to those seen in dc superfluid flow experiments. The measured frequency dependence of the critical velocity agrees with the predictions of dynamic scaling theory. The measured temperature dependence is similar to that of dc counterflow.


This paper provides a study of carbide dissolution during heating of bearing steel using computational thermodynamics and kinetics. 100Cr6 steel was used for the experimental work and calculations using the Thermo-Calc and DICTRA. Carbide dissolution was calculated at different full and intercritical austenization temperatures from 840 to 1200 °C. The calculations also give the distribution of the alloying elements at carbide and austenite phase boundaries. In experimental work, SEM was used to study microstructures. SEM micrographs were evaluated with line intercept technique and carbide size and quantity were determined. The experimental results were compared with calculations providing good correlation.


To improve the inspection efficiency of free-form surfaces using coordinate measuring machines (CMMs), this paper proposes a free-form CMM inspection path optimization method based on an improved ant colony optimisation algorithm. The inspection path composition and its mathematical model are first analysed, and then the improved ant colony optimisation algorithm is applied to minimize the objective function. To address the problem that the ant colony optimisation algorithm has difficulty jumping out of local optimal solutions, this paper introduces a negative feedback mechanism in the pheromone update rule to improve the probability of the ant colony optimisation algorithm jumping out of the local optimal solution, so as to obtain the global optimal solution with a higher probability. Experiments showed that the inspection path length optimised by the improved ant colony optimisation algorithm was at least 5.2% and 8.6% shorter than those of the traditional ant colony optimisation and simulated annealing algorithms, respectively.


Hot compression tests over the temperature range from 350 °C to 500 °C and strain rates range from 0.001 s−1 to 1 s−1 for homogenized Al–6.32Zn–2.10Mg alloy were carried out on a Gleeble-3800 thermal simulation machine to characterize its hot deformation behavior. At the same time, a modified Arrhenius constitutive equation was established to describe the flow behavior of the alloy, whose average absolute error is 2.89%, which proved to have an excellent predictive effect on the flow stress of the alloy. The hot processing map of the alloy was established, and the stability processing parameters were 460–500 °C and 0.01–0.08 s−1. Then, the Z parameter processing map and activation energy processing (AEP) maps were established for further optimization. Eventually, the optimal processing parameters of the alloy was 460–500 °C (0.03–0.08 s−1). Then, the microstructure of specimens was observed using electron backscatter diffraction. Based on the findings the reasonability of the AEP map and Z parameter map was verified. Finally, electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) techniques were used to analyze the evolution of the grain structure during the deformation process. It was found that dynamic recovery (DRV) was the main softening mechanism of Al–6.32Zn–2.10Mg. Continuous dynamic recrystallization (CDRX) and discontinuous dynamic recrystallization (DDRX) operated together with the increase of strain, but CDRX was confirmed as the dominant DRX mechanism.


One of the most remarkable features of contemporary oceanic climate change is the warming and contraction of Antarctic Bottom Water over much of global ocean abyss. These signatures represent changes in ventilation mediated by mixing and entrainment processes that may be location-specific. Here we use available data to document, as best possible, those mixing processes as Weddell Sea Deep and Bottom Waters flow along the South Orkney Plateau, exit the Weddell Sea via Orkney Passage and fill the abyssal Scotia Sea. First, we find that an abrupt transition in topography upstream of Orkney Passage delimits the extent of the coldest waters along the Plateau's flanks and may indicate a region of especially intense mixing. Second, we revisit a control volume budget by Heywood et al. (Nature, 2002) for waters trapped within the Scotia Sea after entering through Orkney Passage. This budget requires extremely vigorous water mass transformations with a diapycnal transfer coefficient of 39(±10) × 10-4 m2 s–1. Evidence for such intense diapycnal mixing is not found in the abyssal Scotia Sea interior and, while we do find large rates of diapycnal mixing in conjunction with a downwelling Ekman layer on the western side of Orkney Passage, it is insufficient to close the budget. This leads us to hypothesize that the Heywood budget is closed by a boundary mixing process in which the Ekman layer associated with the Weddell Sea Deep Water boundary current experiences relatively large-vertical-scale overturning associated with tidal forcing along the southern boundary of the Scotia Sea. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.


Abstract We determined how frequently multiple mating occurs in a field population of Anopheles freeborni Aitken. We used enzyme electrophoresis to analyse field collected females and their offspring, and determined the parity rates of females mating in swarms. The genotypes of progeny in one of the 36 families examined showed conclusive evidence of two sires. 4·3% (n═93) of females mating in swarms were parous, as opposed to 33·9% of host seeking females (n═103). We conclude that multiple mating in A. freeborni occurs at low frequency in the field, and may be ascribed to incomplete transfer of sperm or male accessory gland substance, rather than to routine renewal of receptivity by females.


This study designed particularly to identify factors affecting firms' decisions on the purchase of bonds and the amount of their investment on bond purchase for GERD construction. This study used cross-sectional data of enterprise surveys collected by the World Bank in 2015. In addition to descriptive statistics, the Tobit model was estimated to identify the underlying factors that; determine both firms' participation in the purchase of bonds and the amount of their investment for GERD construction. The model result indicates that the expected value of the amount of bond purchase is 2593.71 birr with 50.1% likelihood of the firms to purchase the bond for GERD construction. The results from the Tobit model indicate that; the decision to purchase bonds and the amount of bond purchase for GERD construction was affected by adopting technologies, being local owner, the income of firms, receiving loan, number of employees, the existence of female owner and being large in business size. The result suggests the need to design interventions to increase the access of innovative technologies by offering at a reasonable price and increase the access of a loan by reducing collateral requirements and avoiding complex bureaucratic processes to receive the loan. Besides, it is good if the government and the non-government organization works to empower women to be the owner of firms; and help firms to utilize their potential that leads them to hire more employees, produce high profit and be larger in its size.


Genetic Epilepsy with Febrile Seizures Plus (GEFS+) is an autosomal disorder caused by mutations in α and β subunits of voltage gated sodium channels (VGSC) and gammaaminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor channels. GEFS+ is associated with numerous epilepsy phenotypes, with febrile seizures starting in the first year of life being its most common feature. We predicted that mice with 50% of functional β1 subunits (Scn1b +/) would represent a model for GEFS+ by demonstrating heightened febrile seizure susceptibility compared to wildtypes (Scn1b +/+ ). P15-16 Scn1b +/mice demonstrated seizures of greater severity and seized earlier in the experimental period than Scn1b +/mice, suggesting an age-specific onset of febrile seizure susceptibility. Scn1b +/mice also exhibit a similar phenotype in seizure severity compared to preliminary data of P15-16 Scn1b c/w mice that have a heterozygous knock-in mutation Scn1bC121W.


This intervention aims to investigate the figure of Lina Bo Bardi, an Italian architect who moved to Brazil in 1946, at the end of the Second World War, who during his years of activity in Italy was also collaborating with the architect Gio Ponti. Bo Bardi sacred architecture will be discussed in detail. Among the large number of works by the architect are, in fact, two small but significant churches built in Brazil in the seventies of the last century. What were the Lina Bo Bardi architectural references to the place of worship? How her Italian training has permeated her work and how they have been contaminated by the architecture of the new continent? A few years before, the Second Vatican Council had given new liturgical indications. We can wonder if the liturgical opening was seen in his work as part of the architectural discourse used or if it simply was took as a fact occurred.


The invention relates to a method for rapidly preparing a large-size SiC monocrystal crystal bar. In a first stage, the shape of small-size SiC wafers is processed into a required shape, the wafers after processing are subjected to combined and splice arrangement and are fixed on a graphite seed crystal holder; in a second stage, the seed crystal holder fixed with the small wafer combination is placed in a seed crystal sublimation system, growth conditions suitable for monocrystal lateral growth are selected, gaps between the small-size wafers are filled with the laterally growing monocrystals, and an integral large-size SiC seed crystal is formed; in a third stage, the large-size seed crystal obtained in the second stage is used for growing by a seed crystal sublimation method, a large-size SiC monocrystal crystal ingot is eventually obtained, and the monocrystal crystal ingot is subjected to shape processing to finally obtain the large-size SiC crystal bar. The method has the beneficial effects that the size of the SiC monocrystal crystal bar is rapidly increased, and the time and resources are saved; and the problems of crystal defect proliferation and cracking caused by too large radial temperature gradient in a traditional diameter expanding growth method are solved.


Background Congenital heart disease (CHD) is associated with risk factors for ischemic stroke including cardiac arrhythmias and heart failure. However, few long‐term follow‐up data exist on ischemic stroke risk and associated mortality in adults with CHD. Methods and Results Using Danish nationwide registries, we identified individuals aged ≥18 years diagnosed with CHD, at any age, from 1963 to 2017 and a sex and birth year‐matched (1:10) general population comparison cohort. We computed risks, as well as sex and birth year‐adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) for ischemic stroke and 30‐day post‐stroke mortality in CHD adults compared with the general population. Analyses were stratified according to age <60 years (young) and ≥60 years (older). We identified 16 836 adults with CHD. The risk of ischemic stroke at age 60 years was 7.4% in the CHD cohort and 2.9% in the general population cohort. The adjusted hazard ratios for ischemic stroke compared with the general population was 3.8 (95% CI: 3.3–4.3) in young CHD adults and 1.6 (95% CI: 1.4–1.9) in older CHD adults. The adjusted hazard ratios for post‐stroke mortality compared with the general population was 2.3 (95% CI: 1.2–4.4) in young CHD adults and 1.3 (95% CI: 0.9–1.9) in older CHD adults. Conclusions Both younger and older CHD adults have an increased risk of ischemic stroke and by 60 years of age 7.4% of CHD adults will have had an ischemic stroke. Post‐stroke mortality was also increased in CHD adults compared with the general population.


Atmospheric freeze drying (AFD) is based on the sublimation of ice due to a pressure gradient (convective drying), and is a dehydration process for temperature-sensitive products. Since the process is slow in general, microwave radiation (MW) was applied in order to increase the sublimation in fluid and fixed bed conditions at drying temperatures of −6°C, −3°C, and 0°C. The modified Weibull model was used to describe the drying behavior for all investigations. With 280 Watt power supplied to the magnetrons, it was possible to reduce drying time by approximately 50%. The drying efficiency was approximately 30%, while the SMER was increased by 0.1 to 0.3 kgwaterkWh−1, which gives better energy efficiency for the microwave drying system used in this investigation. The product quality (color reduction and particle size/porosity) was well preserved in fixed bed drying at −6°C and −3°C, while the product quality was reduced significantly in microwave AFD experiments at 0°C and in a fluid bed. The drying rates of AFD in a fluid bed condition were not as high as those in a fixed bed. MW-AFD in a fixed bed condition at temperatures of −6°C and −3°C performed best regarding product quality, drying time, and process control.


Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of nine or more highly homologous Zn++ endopeptidases.[1] They are a family of host-derived proteolytic enzymes that are usually trapped in the mineralized dentin matrix. They can carry out the hydrolyzation of the organic matrix of demineralized dentin. After the resins bond to the dentin, there is slight exposure of the collagen fibrils at the bottom of the hybrid layer owing to imperfect resin impregnation matrix. Exposed collagen fibrils can be affected by MMPs inducing hydrolytic degradation, which might result in a reduction in the bond strength of the restoration. The dentin MMPs are usually synthesized by the odontoblasts as proenzymes. The MMPs can be activated by self-etch and etch-and-rinse adhesives which can lead to the failure of the restorative procedures.[2] Enzymatic degradation in the exposed Research Article


Glucose fuels life. Most cells prefer it as a food source, and have sophisticated mechanisms for sensing it for efficient use. Yeast and tumor cells metabolize glucose in a seemingly foolish way: they eschew its oxidation (forgoing up to 38 ATPs), and choose to ferment it (settling for 2 ATPs). Yeast cells must sense glucose to know when they must utilize it efficiently because levels are low, and when it is plentiful and can be wasted in fermentation. Yeast throttles glucose utilization at the rate‐limiting step: transport. We discovered a novel glucose sensing system that adjusts this throttle by deploying the appropriate glucose transporters through regulation of their HXT genes. This pathway begins with glucose sensors in the membrane (Snf3 and Rgt2), founding members of a novel class of nutrient receptor related to nutrient transporters. The sensors are coupled to a casein kinase I (Yck), that transduces the glucose signal to a transcriptional repressor (Rgt1) of HXT genes, and its regulators (Mth1 and Std1). The fateful step in the pathway is glucose‐induced degradation of Mth1 and Std1, which relieves repression of HXT genes. This glucose sensing pathway enables yeasts' profligate lifestyle by ensuring efficient glucose transport.


While our understanding of eventual consistency for replicated data has improved considerably over the past few years, relatively little work focused on eventually-consistent distributed data structures. By revisiting PL-Gossip, our self-managed, decentralized algorithm for maintaining cluster hierarchies in wireless sensor networks, this paper illustrates sample problems one is likely to encounter when dealing with such structures. Given the growing interest in analyzing huge, dynamic, inter-dependent data sets, we believe that the paper will inspire research to facilitate understanding and devising eventually-consistent distributed data structures.


The 1.0%Au-CuO/Al2O3 catalyst is prepared by incipient wetness impregnation method.The effects of different atom ratio Au to Cu on the activity are investigated by selective oxidation of CO in H2-rich stream.The catalyst can eliminate CO effectively from 1.0 % to 0.005% at the temperature from30 ℃ to 85 ℃.The stability of the catalyst is test at the temperature of 80 ℃;the CO conversion and selectivity are maintained for more than 10 h with very slight loss of activity.The catalysts characterization by BET,XRD,UV-vis DRS show that the smaller gold particle is benefit to this reaction.


A facile and cost-effective electrochemical approach was proposed for the first time to prepare a phosphorus-doped lead dioxide (P-PbO2) electrode on a lead substrate. This was achieved by introducing a pyrophosphate solution containing Cu2+, F− and peptone as essential additives. Such a novel P-PbO2 electrode exhibits a significantly improved electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen evolution reaction as compared to a traditional Pb/PbO2 electrode.


The following study presents an overview of career development needs of blind and visually impaired individuals and discusses results of a 1983–84 survey of school teachers (grades K, 3, 6, 9 and 12), rehabilitation counselors, management staff of rehabilitation agencies and agency administrators that assessed career development needs of severely visually impaired persons and resources available to meet those needs. Individuals surveyed felt that their students or clients need greater accessibility to career development tasks, experiences, and resources, and that none of the resources listed in the survey are readily accessible now, and many are inaccessible. Four basic conclusions are discussed.


The word stress dates back to the 14th century, and until now it has become literally a household word. People view stress differently in terms that are most relevant to their own lives. Increasing evidence suggests that stress, and the ability to cope with it, is one of the important influences on a patient's health status. In scientific discussion, the term stress has been used in at least three major ways Stress as a "stressor", as "distress", and as a "biological response". And the stimulus that evokes a stress response can be determined to psychosocial stressors and biogenic stressors.
The human stress response is perhaps best described within the context of the dynamic "process" it represents. This process may then be delineated from a "systems" perspective, that is, one of interrelated multidimensionality. With a good understanding of this system perspective, we can measure stress and its effects from at least three distinct models the environmental model, the psychological model, and the biological model. The biopsychosocial model probably represents our most reasonable approach to assessing stress in an attempt to understand when and how it affects human disease processes


Dear Sirs, We read with great interest the review article titled 'Hepatitis C virus infection in end-stage renal disease and kidney transplantation' [1]. While this review was quite comprehensive, it failed to address the controversial topic of transplantation options in well-compensated HCV cirrhotics on dialysis. The experience with well-compensated HCV cirrhotics at Einstein Medical Center was recently accepted for publication. We concurred with a previous report indicating that the presence of cirrhosis in HCV-positive patients is not a significant variable affecting either graft or patient survival [2]. In our study, we compared 18 well-compensated HCV cirrhotics versus 103 HCV-positive noncirrhotics. Oneand 3-year patient and death-censored graft survivals were not statistically significantly different. Most of the demographics and other outcome measures were similar. We did note, however, that cancer was statistically more significant in the cirrhotic group. We attributed this to a high number of patients who had undergone previous liver or kidney transplantation. We understand that this is an extremely controversial topic not clearly addressed in the KDIGO guidelines. Additionally, a survey we published indicated an extremely varied approach from different physicians [3]. In summary, kidney transplantation options in wellcompensated cirrhotics are understudied. We hope that this letter may lead to more sophisticated analyses which will benefit potential recipients and minimize organ wastage.


We study the role of purely external kinematical approximations in inclusive deep-inelastic lepton--hadron scattering within QCD factorization, and consider factorization with an exact treatment of the target hadron mass. We discuss how an observed phenomenological improvement obtained by accounting for target mass kinematics could be interpreted in terms of general properties of target structure, and argue that such an improvement implies a hierarchy of nonperturbative scales within the hadron.


Learning Instrument based on animation video is an intermediary tool that may display certain object replica in form of moving animation. The use of properties in learning may stimulate visual of student to work actively absorbing whole material presented. The problems happened continuously on students of XI class in SMKN 2 Garut that do not comprehend the material optimally. The lecture and slide presentation method of learning that still rely on hearing sense tend to be outmoded. As a result, the instrument development is needed in order to overcome with the problems. The development of learning instrument based on animation video goals to improve student comprehension in basic competencies of bathroom/toilet detailed drawing, so that improve the learning outcome. The method used is Borg and Gall research and development method. The result is in form of instrument appropriateness that may be measured by the validation of instrument and material expert. The results are 88.75% for instrument and 92.50% for material in which is in category of "very descent". Further, the usage test was conducted to find out the student response and outcome. The response shows that 24 students claimed "very agree" with an average percentage of 80.68%. Meanwhile, the average score of students' outcome increased from 39.58 to 77.73. In conclusion, the usage test resulted gain index of 0.63 in improvement score of "Medium" range category.


The reaction of butadiene with n-butylsodium or metal alkoxide-modified n-butylsodium was studied. A loss of "live ends" was observed when the polymerization of butadiene-1,3 with n-butylsodium was conducted in hexane solvent. This occurs, presumably, by elimination of NaH or Na metal in the allylic system. Similar results were obtained when the polymerization was carried out in the presence of sodium-tert-butoxide-modified n-butylsodium. However, the modification of n-butylsodium by lithium or potassium tert-butoxide in the butadiene-1,3 polymerization showed no loss of live ends for a period of two weeks. The results and an explanation are discussed.


An extracellular lipase produced by a locally isolated Bacillus stearothermophilus HU1 was recovered and purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation by bringing it to 40% saturation, followed by DEAE-cellulose ion exchange chromatography. This purification resulted in a 9.53 fold purification of lipase with 2.49% recovery yield. The molecular mass of the purified lipase enzyme was estimated to have an approximate value of 35-50 kDa by Sodium dodecyl sulfate - polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The enzyme kinetics study showed that the enzyme has a km and Vmax values of 0.2353 mM and 161.2 nmol/min/mL, respectively.


A male bovine linkage map was constructed using six half-sib families of the Norwegian Cattle population. The family material consisted of six sires and 285 sons, with the number of sons per sire ranging from 32 to 71. Of the 288 markers analysed, 261 were anonymous microsatellites and 27 were coding genes. Eleven of the coding genes were mapped by a two-step procedure involving intron/exon sequencing in the six sires and development of polymerase chain reaction-based methods for efficient genotyping in heterozygous families. Linkage analysis including both informative and non-informative sons was performed in order to obtain unbiased estimates of recombination fractions. The autosomal genome length of the Norwegian Cattle Map (NCM) was estimated as 2682 cM, with an average interval of 12.5 cM. The map provides sufficient marker density for scanning the whole bovine genome to locate quantitative trait loci. The large number of common markers between NCM and previously published maps will contribute to the comparison and integration of bovine maps.


The hadrodynamics of the instantaneous weak interactions (IWI) in Standard Model is considered supposing the resonance nature of the chiral hadronization of quark currents in QCD. Exploiting this supposition and QCD symmetries the IWI mechanism of enhancement of the K → � transition probability is obtained and relations between electroweak meson form factors and the amplitudes of the processes K + → � + e + e − (µ + µ − ,�¯ �) and K + � − → e + e − (µ + µ − ,�¯ �) are established. We estimate possible parameters of the K + → � + e + e − decay rate in NA48/2 CERN experiment using the chiral perturbation theory. Dubna, JINR, E-2006-80


Currently building a good relationship between the company and the social environment is very important, besides the social environment, building good relationships within the company is also very important. This will affect how a company is run, and how well the company's reputation can be formed. This responsibility is carried out by the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of each company, moreover this is a big challenge for a CSR during a pandemic. Many large companies are experiencing a period of crisis, one of which is PT Grab Indonesia, whose company is engaged in online sales, transportation, and so on. Which ultimately limits PT Grab Indonesia in carrying out its duties, due to the emergence of a pandemic that requires people to stay at home. But on the one hand, this pandemic can also be an opportunity to improve the company's reputation through CSR programs. The purpose of this research is to find out how PT Grab Indonesia's CSR strategy in dealing with cuts and capital management during this pandemic, while still paying attention to employees and the surrounding environment so that no one feels disadvantaged and the reputation remains good. This study uses a descriptive-qualitative research approach with case study analysis method of CSR strategy at PT Grab Indonesia. The result of the study is to find out how PT Grab Indonesia's CSR strategy is in dealing with problems related to cutting and managing capital in order to maintain a good reputation.


Political parties or candidates that participate in elections with the primary aim of splitting the vote for other parties or candidates are conventionally referred to as "spoilers". In electoral authoritarian regimes, this strategy can be used for maintaining political monopoly. This study identifies institutional and political preconditions for instrumental manipulation of political parties under electoral authoritarianism and empirically examines the efficacy of this strategy during regional legislative elections in Russia from 2012 to 2014. The analysis demonstrates that the use of spoiler parties in Russia brings only modest results due to the lack of strong ideological identifications in the electorate.


Objective To explore the clinical characteristics and treatment of neonatal organic acidemia. Methods The clinical data of 24 patients with neonatal organic acidemia including 20 cases of methylmalonic acidemia(MMA), 3 cases of propionic acidemia(PA) and one case of glutaric academia, were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC/MS). Results The patients consisted of 18 males and 6 females with age of onset ranged from 0 to 23 days. The main clinical manifestations were poor feeding(20 cases), weak reaction(18 cases), vomiting(7 cases), hyperpnea(4 cases), convulsion(7 cases), hypotonia(17 cases). 13 cases were presented with thrombocytopenia. The laboratory findings showed metabolic acidosis in 7 cases. 10 cases with MMA received therapy of vitamin B12 and supplementation of L-carnitine with restricted-protein diet. Two cases died. The follow-up for 2~41 months of the 8 survivals with medical therapy showed a favorable outcome in which there were no symptoms in 4 cases and apparent improvement in 4 cases.Conclusions The clinical manifestations of neonatal organic acidemia are nonspecific. GC/MS can be used to confirm the diagnosis. Early diagnosis and early treatment is the key to improve the prognosis.


The disintegrative agent and the wetting-dispersant for the 80% Phosethyl-Al Water Dispersible Granules(WDG) were studied by examining the disintegrability and the suspension stability.These properties together with the wetting dispersibility before and after the heat storage of the 80% Phosethyl-Al WDG were measured.Based on these experimental results an optimized formula was obtained.The heat storage stability of the resulted preparation was tested.The results were as follows: suspension rate over 90%,wetting time less than 10 s and disintegrative time less than 140 s.All of them satisfied the quality standard of water dispersible granules.The formula proved to be reasonable.The physical and chemical properties of the corresponding preparation were stable.And the manufacture method was simple and economical.


It is argued that many of the consequences that have followed successive Research Assessment Exercises (RAEs) have been unintended and a high proportion of these, particularly the longer term ones, are deleterious or potentially so. Of these, the most serious is almost certainly the competitive, adversarial and punitive spirit evoked by the RAE which is clearly inherent in it. Unfortunately, it is in the nature of long term consequences that, by the time that they become apparent, they are usually beyond remedying. It is therefore essential, now that there is to be a more fundamental review of the RAE, to be aware of potentially deleterious consequences, so as to avoid them before they become apparent, let alone researchable. © 2000 Blackwell Publishers Ltd.


Pretreatment combining with amylase pad-batch desizing and bio-scouring peroxide bleaching process was carried out in interlining production,which solved problem of low desizing percentage of enzyme desizing,reduced damage to fabric,simplified process operation,and decreased burden of wastewater treatment.Finishing was carried out with whitening agent,soil release agent and extra-low formaldehyde shrink-resistant agent in one bath.Effects of different process parameters were analyzed,and finishing process was optimized.Trial production results showed that properties of finished interlining product could meet the demand of customer.


Face recognition is one of the most desirable biometric-based authentication schemes to control access to sensitive information/locations and as a proof of identity to claim entitlement to services. The aim of this paper is to develop block-based mechanisms, to reduce recognition errors that result from varying illumination conditions with emphasis on using error correction codes. We investigate the modelling of error patterns in different parts/blocks of face images as a result of differences in illumination conditions, and we use appropriate error correction codes to deal with the corresponding distortion. We test the performance of our proposed schemes using the Extended Yale-B Face Database, which consists of face images belonging to 5 illumination subsets depending on the direction of light source from the camera. In our experiments each image is divided into three horizontal regions as follows: region1, three rows above the eyebrows, eyebrows and eyes; region2, nose region and region3, mouth and chin region. By estimating statistical parameters for errors in each region we select suitable BCH error correction codes that yield improved recognition accuracy for that particular region in comparison to applying error correction codes to the entire image. Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) to a depth of 3 is used for face feature extraction, followed by global/local binarization of coefficients in each subbands. We shall demonstrate that the use of BCH improves separation of the distribution of Hamming distances of client-client samples from the distribution of Hamming distances of imposter-client samples.


In this study, 1-D Ag nanowires (NWs), 2-D chemically reduced graphene (CRG), and hybrid CRG–Ag NW fillers were investigated for use as conductive epoxy composites. By combining the 2-D CRG with 1-D Ag NWs, the percolation limit of the Ag NWs decreased from 30 wt% to 10 wt% and the electrical conductivity was dramatically enhanced because of the decreased tunneling resistance between the Ag NWs due to the thin 2-D conductive CRGs. Their thermal and mechanical properties were also improved due to the chemical crosslinking effects between CRGs and the hardener in the epoxy matrix as well as the physical crosslinking effects between nano-structures and polymer chains. The break strength of the CRG/Ag-NW/epoxy composite was 50% higher than that of the pure epoxy resin.


The chitosan was purified by alkaline degradation,which is then used to prepare chitosan microspheres by emulsification-cross linking. The effects of deacetylation degree on the shape,size and polydispersion of the microsphere were analyzed. The results showed that with the extension of the purification time,the deacetylation degree of chitosan increased as well. Particle size and zeta potentiometric analysis showed that the purified chitosan can be used to prepare much smaller microsphere with uniform size and higher potential. The microsphere suspension is more stable with less aggregation. In addition,this paper also prepared chitosan nanoparticles with diameter at 300~400 nm. These work set basis for the further study on the use of chitosan as the vector for drugs.


AIM: To investigate the incidence of hypertension after renal transplantation in patients administered with tacrolimus,and the correlation among blood pressure,tacrolimus dosage,plasma concentration and concentration/dose ratio of tacrolimus.METHODS: 200 renal transplant patients treated with tacrolimus were screened in the study,and the blood pressure were measured.Fifty-three hypertensive patients and Fifty-three normotensive patients were randomly enrolled from all screened patients.Tacrolimus was administrated at a stable dose for at least 3 days.Tacrolimus trough level was determined by Microparticle Enzyme Immunoassay(MEIA).The association of blood pressure in tacrolimus dosage and concentration were analyzed.Meanwhile,the dosage,plasmid level and concentration/dose ratio of tacrolimus were compared in the normotensive and hypertensive group.RESULTS:Hypertension was present in 104 post-transplantation patients out of 200 patients(52.0%).Spearman's correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation existed between systolic blood pressure(SBP) and the dose of tacrolimus(r=0.216,P0.05).However,there was no significant correlation between diastolic blood pressure and tacrolimus trough level.The oral dosage of tacrolimus in hypertension group(3.11±1.49) mg/d was higher than that in normotensive group(2.42±1.07) mg/d(P0.05).There was no significant difference in tacrolimus trough level between the two groups P0.05].The concentration/dose ratio of tacrolimus was lower in hypertension group than that in normotensive group [(2.94±1.57) ng·d/mg·mL vs(3.95±3.02) ng·d/mg·mL,P0.05).CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that SBP of renal transplant patients was positively correlated with tacrolimus daily dosage.Administration of tacrolimus with higher dosage may increase the predisposition to hypertension.


This chapter will examine the relationship between the past and the present within the film through a close assessment of the behaviour of the fiend, in particular the relationship between the fiend and the landscape. The chapter will consider the historical and cultural attitudes towards cultural memory and the remembrance or forgetting of unwelcome aspects of the past. The chapter will also place the film into its contemporary screen context through a survey of other British screen texts concerned with malign revenants that upset the present when unearthed or discovered. The chapter will continue by considering the nature of the fiend and the consequences of its influence through a detailed examination of the character of Angel Blake and the abject. The chapter will also make a close study of the influence of Margaret Murray's The Witch-Cult in Western Europe on the film.


Objective The proper time,method and afterwards therapy of thrombolysis with microcatheter in treating thrombosis was in discussion so as to enhance the effects of thrombolysis.Methods Of all 16 cases,internal carotid artery(ICA) thrombosis was found in 5 patients,middle cerebral artery(MCA) in 8,vertebral basilar artery(VBA) thrombosis in 3.10 minutes,4 h,6 h,8 h and 22 h later after the clinical symptoms were detected was the thrombolysis performed on 1 patient,1 patient,7 patients,5 patients,2 patients respectively on the basis of the demonstration of accurate position of the thrombosis through CT scan and selective angiography via femoral artery.The maximum dose of urokinase involved was 600 000 U,while the minimum was 350 000 U.Results In 13 cases with ICA and MCA thrombosis,the complete disappearance of thrombosis was found in 11 cases,whose limb function recovered and muscle strength was upgraded to level IV from level 0.70% recanalization occurred in 2 cases,whose mascalar strength reached up to level Ⅱ compared with the previous level 0.In 3 cases with VBA thrombosis,the complete appearance of thrombosis was found in 2 cases and 40% recanalization in 1 case.Outcome was good in 1 case and 2 died of respiratory failure.Conclusion The earlier the thrombolysis is performed,the better the effect is.Furthermore,thrombolysis will make urokinase thoroughly contact thrombosis,which may shorten the time span of thrombolysis and reduce significantly the use of urkinase.


The onset of the global financial crisis has been widely interpreted as a fundamental challenge to neoliberal governance. The article explores some of the near-term and longer-run consequences of the economic crisis for processes of neoliberalization, suggesting some theoretical references for the adequate understanding of the nature of neoliberalization and its evolving sociospacial manifestations.


ABSTRACT As the utilization of cloud computing service rapidly increases to meet demands for various forms of service recently, the virtualization technology has made a rapid rise, further leadin g to some issues related to security, such as safety and reliability. As a system to provide environments what multiple virtual opera ting systems can be loaded, hypervisors may be a target of various attacks, such as control loss and authority seizure, si nce all the agents fcan be damaged by a malicious access to the virtualization layer. Therefore, this paper was conducted to investigate the access control for agents and suggest a plan to control malicious accesses to the cloud virtualization internal environment. The suggested technique was verified not to have effect on the performance of the system and environment through an analysis of its performance. Keywords: Access Control, Cloud Virtualization, Agent Management, Hyper visor I.서 론 클라우드 서비스는 자동화의 편리성을 제공하고 동적 확장성에 용이 함으로써 자원의 공동이용, 인터넷을 이용한 정보서비스, 정보시스템의 아웃소싱, 다양한 디바이스 환경 등에 사용되고 있다. 최근 가상화 내부 공간의 하드웨어 가상화(INTEL VT, AMD-V 등)와 같은 새로운 기술들이 개발됨에


The public healthcare system in Romania has been declining during the past decade: underfunded, lacking solid infrastructure and thus unable to keep professional medical staff in the country. At the heart of reform in the years to come will be a shift from a system nourished largely by out-of-pocket payments to a model based more on voluntary health insurance. However, we do not expect this to happen early enough to render Romanian market more similar to western counterparts by 2012. Despite this we expect the market to grow on average to about 12% of its potential between now and 2012.


Background: Videothoracoscopy (VT) is the procedure that achieves the greatest diagnostic yield in thoracic surgery. General anesthesia is the standard practice, in cases of debilitated patients, the proposal arose to perform VT under local anesthesia and sedation. This study evaluates the feasibility, safety and effectiveness of VT under local anesthesia and sedation. Methods: A prospective study, whereas 48 patients underwent a VT under local anesthesia and sedation. Patients were previously sedated. After this, oxygen saturation (O2 Sat), blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) where registered. Then, fentanyl was administered, and this moment was standardized as time "0". Intercostal block was performed at the insertion point of the trocars. Vital signs were measured every three minutes and registered, until the end of the procedure. Sedation level assessed every nine minutes and applied to the Ramsay Sedation Scale (RSS). Changes in vital signs during the course of the surgery were compared to time "0". Results: No patients had any memory of discomfort or pain from the operation, no tracheal intubation or postoperative in the ICU was required. VT achieved its diagnostic or therapeutic purposes in all cases. Conclusions: VT under local anesthesia and sedation is feasible and safe. Procedure was successfully performed on all analyzed patients. The process achieved its goal in all the patients, attaining the diagnosis or treatment of illness that led to the indication for VT, making it the best option in the selected patients.


SUMMARY The heavy fall of dust, probably of Saharan origin, that occurred during early November 1984 was the most recent of a number of such events in Britain. Analysis of a sample of dust from north-east England produced results similar to those obtained for previous falls. The dust displayed a median particle size of 9 μ m, which, though not diagnostic, is emerging as characteristic of such material; much larger 'aggregate' grains were also encountered. The predominance of illite clays and iron-stained quartz grains is also consistent with earlier findings.


The article discussed the main environmental problems caused by the coal exploitation,and analyzed the main reasons;on this basis,it put forward a number of countermeasures in order to strengthen the management of coal mine environment.


I suggest that the quasi-periodic ultrasoft X-ray eruptions recently observed from the galaxy GSN 069 may result from accretion from a low-mass white dwarf in a highly eccentric orbit about its central black hole. At $0.21\,\rm M-{\odot }$, this star was probably the core of a captured red giant. Such events should occur in significant numbers as less extreme outcomes of whatever process leads to tidal disruption events. I show that gravitational radiation losses can drive the observed mass-transfer rate, and that the precession of the white dwarf orbit may be detectable in X-rays as a superorbital quasi-period $P-{\rm super} \simeq 2\,{\rm d}$. The very short lifetime of the current event, and the likelihood that similar ones involving more massive stars would be less observable, together suggest that stars may transfer mass to the low-mass SMBH in this and similar galaxies at a total rate, potentially making a significant contribution to their masses. A similar or even much greater inflow rate would be unobservable in most galaxies. I discuss the implications for SMBH mass growth.


Submerged floating tunnels with suspension supports (SFTSS) resemble to suspension bridges on lands, which are installed a number of hangers on the main tower and main cables to support the girder. On the other hand, as the SFTSS installed underwater has to resist the buoyancy and the forces in an offshore environment, the main cable was installed at the bottom of the tunnel body and connected with a hanger. The concept of the SFTSS was first proposed by Won et al (2019, 2022). It was found that the SFTSS was generated itself a tuned mass damper (TMD) effect due to the interaction between the body and the main cable. This can induce the vibration of the body to be attenuated according to the offshore environment conditions such as waves and currents, and had a feature that the length between the main towers can be longer than 3 km (Won et al., 2022). The body of the SFTSS was supported by main cables and hangers as aforementioned. In case of the hanger was down by failures, the behavior characteristics of the SFTSS would be changed and be greatly reduced the structure safety. In this study, the behavioral characteristics of the SFTSS were analyzed according to five scenarios on the cable failure.


Expansionary macroeconomic policies were adopted worldwide in response to the financial crisis. These policies aimed at stabilising financial conditions and fostering the economic recovery. However, the abundant global liquidity, together with the improvement in economic prospects in emerging markets, have led to a two-speed recovery in which emerging economies are growing faster than advanced economies, and the former are experiencing large capital inflows.


Aiming at problems existed in the original inside welding vehicle of LSAW pipe production line,the improving design was carried out from mechanical and electrical control system.It introduced mechanical and electrical control system characteristics of improved welding cart,especially introduced the structure of rising up and down convey roller and additional length of run-on(off) tab,data exchange with inside welding machine control system and welding speed closed loop control.The practice indicated that the improved welding cart solved the former problems and met the application requirements.


Over the last 20 years, shotcrete has increasingly become an alternative to mesh. For many mining operations, implementation of shotcrete is a strategic decision predicated on enhanced productivity and safer working environments, while additionally providing an improved ability to overcome difficult ground conditions. However, the poor tactical aspects of implementation, including management, engineering and production operations, have undermined the success of shotcrete for many operators. This paper discusses the implementation of a shotcrete system on a mine site, from both strategic and tactical approaches.


The effect of removal of the liver has been noted in fishes, frogs, and turtles. As in the higher vertebrates, removal of the liver produced a fall in blood sugar and a loss in muscular tone. The lower vertebrates failed to respond to intravenous injections of glucose, as do the birds and mammals. They also fail to respond to maltose or levulose. The liver maintained the blood‐sugar level in the lower vertebrates, which is necessary for the maintenance of life.


The well-known stock market adage "sell in May and go away" arose from long-term stock market seasonality in major financial markets around the globe. Kamastra, Kramer and Levy (2003) present evidence that Seasonal Affective Disorder causes this seasonality, as this condition has a profound effect on people's mood and makes people increasingly risk averse as daylight diminishes with the onset of winter. In this paper, we present evidence that change in market mood is reflected in the prospect statement in the news text. We employ a text-mining technique to analyze a large quantity of newspaper articles for the period 1986–2010 and created our market mood proxy. We find investor psychology is skewed to optimism in the first half of the calendar year and pessimism in the latter. We also find that semi-annual mood fluctuation is synchronous with market seasonality.


The article contains a brief analysis of integrative approach formation, its growing importance in the realization of a new educational concept based on humanization and values. The author defines child's competences needed to master the cultural space and self-actualization. Arts were identified as the most effective means of aesthetic education. The author also analyzes preschool educational programs aimed at development of children's creativity and aesthetic attitude towards the surrounding world. The article reveals the importance of integration, singles out the stages of integration as an organizational principle of the educational activities, singles out the stages of integration process as well as different integrative links between the objects. The role of the attendant factors and basic prerequisites were identified. The author describes the results of the educational process aimed at formation of preschoolers' aesthetic attitude towards the outer world on the basis of arts integration. The integration proves effectiveness of this approach – preschoolers demonstrate new integrative abilities characteristic to a creative person.


BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
The epithelial cell barrier is the first line of host defense against bacterial aggression in periodontal sites. In view of the fact that oral epithelial cells do not express membrane CD14 and that high levels of the soluble form of the CD14 receptor have been detected in the gingival crevicular fluid of patients with periodontitis, we investigated the effects of recombinant soluble CD14 (rsCD14), alone and in combination with Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the inflammatory response of human oral epithelial cells.

MATERIAL AND METHODS
The oral epithelial cell line GMSM-K was stimulated with rsCD14, alone or in combination with A. actinomycetemcomitans LPS, and the levels of the inflammatory mediators interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5 (CCL5) were determined using ELISAs. Activation of the transcription factors nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and activator protein-1 was also monitored using ELISAs.

RESULTS
rsCD14 significantly induced the secretion of IL-6, IL-8 and CCL5 by oral epithelial cells. The combination of rsCD14 and A. actinomycetemcomitans LPS augmented this effect. Activation of the NF-κB pathway was significantly increased in epithelial cells treated with rsCD14 compared with a nonstimulated control, whereas there was no effect on the activation of activator protein-1.

CONCLUSION
rsCD14 stimulated the inflammation cascade in oral epithelial cells, both alone or when associated with bacterial LPS, through an NF-κB-dependent pathway. This suggests that the presence of soluble CD14 in periodontitis lesions may contribute to the inflammatory process of periodontal disease.


Experiments show that, atter ultimate load, sheeting may fail by three distinct postfailure modes. In this paper, three finite element models are presented, one for each post-failure mode. One of the finite element models was difficult to develop. A spring model explains this. The finite element models show that, at ultimate load, only two difTerent ultimate failure modes exist. This is important for the development of mechanical models for sheeting failure.


This research is a type of descriptive research with a quantitative approach. The purpose of this study is to determine the user satisfaction of TIX ID application in terms of e-service quality which consists of seven dimensions, namely efficiency, fulfillment, system availability, privacy, responsiveness, compensation, and contact which will be seen based on the level of importance and level of performance that has been given. The data analysis method used in this study is Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA). This study was conducted with all Indonesian citizens with a minimum age of 18 years old that have used or using the TIX ID application, with a total sample of 413 respondents. Based on the Cartesian Diagram of Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA), the TIX ID application does not have attributes that are in the main improvement priority (Quadrant I), seven attributes that must be maintained (Quadrant II), seven attributes with low priority (Quadrant III), seven attributes with low priority (Quadrant III), and two attributes with a level of performance that exceeds the level of importance (Quadrant IV). The satisfaction level of users of the TIX ID application based on e-service quality is 95.26%. Based on the result of descriptive analysis, it is shown that the value of the user expectations (importance) is greater with 88.67% compared to the value of perceptions/reality (performance) with a percentage of 84.58%. There are seven attributes that have the highest gaps that are included in Quadrant III. In addition, all 16 attributes on the dimensions of the e-service quality variable in this study all have negative value gaps, so that all attributes still do not fully meet user expectations.


A procedure is described for the simultaneous determination of methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol in biologic samples, using a low-cost gas chromatograph. A combination of the use of anhydrous calcium sulfate (Drierite) absorption of most of the water in the sample followed by an n -butanol extraction of the alcohols from the solid absorbent is employed. This extraction technic is efficient and affords good sensitivity while eliminating the need for hydrogen flame detection and sample-port clean-out.


Many therapies had been proposed for acute stroke, a few of them had been proved useful for cHnical practice. It is possible that the therapeutic window for stroke is narrow, whichever treatment being tested. This study aims to assess if time delay for medical care is associated to prognosis in acute stroke patients. Patients with acute stroke admitted to a private tertiary hospital in Salvador, Bahia, northeastern Brazil were followed up to hospital discharge. Prognosis were measured by the modified Rankin Scale, as good prognosis for scores 0-2 and poor for scores 3-6. Time delay for first medical attention was analyzed as a categorical variable, cut points in 3, 6 and 12 hours, and delay for neurologist consultation with cut points in 6 and 12 hours after hospital admission. Median time for first care was compared among good and poor prognosis patients using the Mann-Whitney test. 88 patients fulfilled the criteria, 61% were female, 74% were over 60 years age, mean time for first care was 6.9h, median time in 3.3h, interquartile from 1 to 9h, mean time for neurologist was 11.2h, median time in 7h, interquartile 2.3 to 18h. Good prognosis frequencies were the same among patients receiving first care before and after 6 hours (40%), similar for patients receiving first care before and after 3 hours (44% versus 38%), and for neurologist before and after 6 hours (46% versus 43%>) and 12 hours (41%) versus 48%). A multivariable analysis with logistic regression model using stroke severity as co-variable showed non significant effects of the time interval for first care on the prognosis. Mann-Whitney test revealed similar mean time for first care among patients with good or poor prognosis. Other variables were significantly associated with a poor prognosis: neurological severity, motor disturbances, non-neurological complications, pneumonia. ICU admission was related with a good prognosis. In conclusion: time delay for acute care was not related with significant differences in stroke prognosis.


The NOAA/NULS-1 underwater habitat facility at St . Croix was utilized during July 1982 for a study of the temporal patterns of migration into the water column by reef zooplankton . Samples were collected for 6 days at 9 daily time intervals using mesh emergence traps, diver pushed plankton nets, and surface plankton net tows . This is the first study to sample such finely spaced time intervals . Preliminary analysis from 2 days indicated that there was migration throughout the night, with increased activity found prior to sunrise as well as following sunset . This is the first time a predawn rise of zooplankton has been documented . The cyclopoid copepod, Oithona colcarva, dominated most time intervals, although it was not nearly as abundant n an earlier Caribbean reef zooplankton study . Most zooplankton taxa followed the same general pattern of activity, and the relative abundance of the common taxa generally remained the same throughout the 24 hours . The time intervals around sunset were an exception, however . For example, during the hour following sunset, calanoids, harpacticoids, polychaetes, and pagurid larvae were relatively more abundant than during the hour prior to sunset, while copepod nauplii and amphipods were less abundant during this postsunset time interval . Significantly more taxa were captured during the first hour of darkness than during any other time interval . The effects of different trap designs and types of reef substrata on zooplankton samples also were examined . There was no significant difference in the number of individuals collected between treatments using sealed and unsealed traps or between those using unsealed traps over coral and sand substrata . This is in contrast to other studies ; two possible explanations for these discrepancies relate to the types of substrata over which sealed and unsealed traps are compared and to differences in trap sealing efficiency when different substrata types are being compared . INTRODUCTION The zooplankton that reside within or near coral reef ecosystems have only recently begun to receive the attention of researchers . Zooplankton have been studied from various ricific reef communities primarily by using various modifications of emergence traps (Alldredge and King, 1977, 1980 ; Porter and Porter, 1977 ; Porter, et al ., 1977 ; Hobson and Chess, 1979 ; Birkeland and Smalley, 1981 ; McWilliam, et al . , 1981 ; and Walter, et al . , 1982) . Fewer studies of reef zooplanktonfrom the Caribbean have been conducted (Ohlhorst, 1980, 1982, 1985 ; Robichaux, et al . , 1981 ; and Youngbluth, 1982) . While the diel migration patterns of these zooplankton have been shown to influence the behavior of nocturnal planktivorous fish (Hobson, 1974 ; Hobson and Chess, 1978 ; Robertson and Howard, 1978) and might affect the behavior of other reef planktivores (Porter, 1974 ; Sebens, 1977 ; Liddell, 1982), few studies have investigated the diel migration patterns of reef zooplankton in detail (Alldredge and King, 1980 ; Ohlhorst, 1982 ; Walter, et al . , 1982) . The only study of migration by Caribbean reef zooplankton Tconducted at Jamaica by Ohlhorst, 1982) suggests that there is no single pulse of migratory activity ; rather zooplankton rise into the water column at variable rates throughout the night with a peak of activity during the second hour after sunset . Also, different taxa were shown to exhibit differing migratory patterns . While these observations are consistent with those from the Pacific, it is important to determine whether or not such patterns occur elsewhere in the Caribbean . Additionally, more frequent sampling than previously conducted would be of value in refining the patterns of zooplankton migration . One of the reasons for the paucity of detailed studies addressing this question is the physiological limitation placed upon safely conducting the repeated sampling dives which are necessary for such studies . Previous studies which have addressed the question of migratory patterns of reef zooplankton have been restricted to sampling widely spaced time intervals or sampling very shallow (< 5 m) sites . Data from Ohlhorst (1985) suggests that caution should be used when extrapolating data from shallow sites to greater depths . The present study examines the migratory patterns of reef zooplankton at an intermediate (15 m) depth at St . Croix through repeated sampling of finely spaced time intervals. This sampling was made possible by saturation diving from the NOAA/NULS-1 Underwater Habitat, HYDROLAB .


The technological advancement have aided in the dramatic growth in solving payment risks through the E-Commerce Applications. While blockchain technology was first developed to underpin Bitcoin, its potential uses outside that digital currency are also being investigated. Blockchain technology can be used to speed up the process in transactions, offered secured platform and resolve payment risks. Earlier to this development, the organization and companies are on huge demand of a finding a right solution to solve the payment risks, have to travel across border in search of it. This challenge is overcome with the technological advancement with blockchain. In this research, cross border based DTA-KNN model. KNN is utilized to perform the analysis in comparison with the neighbor countries and DTA performs choosing the right payment gateway  through cross-borders. The proposed model is compared with the existing algorithms such as DTA and KNN for the entire processes. The results show that the hybrid model has achieved higher accuracy of 99.89%.


A comparative functin-structure study was made on chlrpast CF1 of spinach and brad bean. It was shown that the activity of photophosphorylation and Mg2+-ATPase of chloroplasts activated by methanl from brad bean were higher than thse frm spinach (Table 1, Fig. 2 ). Hwever, the Mg2+- ATPase activity of spinach chloroplasts activated by DTT and light, and the Ca2+-ATPase activity of those by methanl or trypsin were both higher than thse of broad bean (Tables 2, 3, Fig. 2). The same was true for the Ca2+-ATPase activity of soluble CF1 (Table 4 ). The SDS-PAGE map showed that the mlecular weight of e subunit of broad bean CF1 was smaller than that of spinach CF1, and the mlecular weight difference between α and β subunits in brad bean CF1 was als smaller than that of spinach CF1 (Fig. 3).Above results indicate that the functional differences between the chloroplast CF1 of spinach and brad bean are a reflectin of their structural differences, but not caused by the difference in the physilogical cndition of their chlrplasts.


To study drivers' driving behaviour in dilemma zones at signalized intersections, dilemma zones at signalized intersections are taken as the research objects. Based on analyzing the driving characteristics of motor vehicles. And collect the driving behavior parameters of video observations and road parameters of field observations, take these parameters as the factors which influence the drivers' decision, conduct the significance analysis with SPSS(Statistical Product Service Solutions) for significant influencing factors, and then take these factors as the input value of BP(Back Propagation) neural network model, BP neural network model is set up and tested based on TensorFlow in Python. The prediction model of drivers' decision-making in dilemma zone of signalized intersections under different speed limits is obtained, the research shows that the lower the speed limit, the better the accuracy of the intersection prediction. Further verified by comparison with the prediction model of drivers' decision-making based on binary logistic, the accuracy of different prediction models is analyzed based on actual driver decisions.


ABSTRACT This paper presents the surface modification of WC-Co alloy with the use of aluminum and silicon powder in wire electric discharge machining (WEDM) process. A separate attachment with the stirrer is used to mix the metal powder in the dielectric, which is further supplied by a pump at the workplace continuously. The effects of different process parameters like peak current, pulse on-time, pulse off-time and servo-voltage are investigated on the material transfer, crack formation and white-layer formation with the help of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. It was observed that silicon powder enhances the surface quality (4 µm white layer) compared with aluminum (6 µm white layer) powder. The white-layer thickness without the use of metal powder was around 14 µm. The cracks density after the addition powders reduces significantly.


Now,humanism is widely used to many areas of modern administration,especially,to education.The passage elavorates the essence,reasons and ways to implement humanism in teaching staff construction in local high education.


In this paper, we propose a distributed secondary voltage control for microgrids. First, the communication network of the distributed generators (DGs) in a microgrid is modeled by a fixed directed graph with nonuniform time-varying delays. Next, the nonlinear dynamics of the DGs is transformed to a second-order linear system through an input-output linearization technique. A distributed controller is proposed for each generator to ensure its voltage magnitude to converge to a reference voltage. Moreover, the stability of the closed-loop system is analyzed with a Lyapunov-Razumikhin function method. Finally, some simulation results are given to verify our results.


The influence of seven different stabilizers i.e. pectin, guargum, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), carrageenan, sodium alginate, corn starch and gelatin was studied at 0.4% levels in buffalo milk with 16.6% total solids, cow milk with13.5% total solids and mixture (1:1) of both having 15.0% on syneresis, body/texture, flavor, acidity and color in yoghurt. Results showed that corn starch gave best results in controlling synerises in yoghurt followed by gelatin, pectin, sodium alginate, carageenan, guargum and CMC in buffalo milk as compare to mixture and cow milk. Treatment (T 1 9 ) having 0.4% corn starch and 16.6% total solids got maximum scores in flavor, body/texture, acidity and appearance than all other six stabilizers. This sample had firm coagulum, less separating whey, good aroma, pleasant taste and rheologically superior to all other samples. Statistical analysis showed that the treatments, storage intervals and total solids had a significant effect (P<0.05) on syneresis, body/texture, flavor, acidity and color of the yoghurt samples.


In this paper, we investigate the existence of multiple solutions of boundary value problems for higher order impulsive equations. By using variational and perturbative methods, we show the existence of infinitely many solutions in the non-symmetric case.


Cotton occupies prime location between the Egyptian agricultural exports since a long time, and the importance of this crop in the national economy of Egypt for his contribution in getting foreign exchange to finance economic and social development in Egypt, as it is the raw material which needed for many industries as an industry ginning and spinning and weaving cotton, oil industry and soap and feed industry, research problem is that in a time when targeting policy of economic reform, opening up to the outside world and the expansion in the cultivation of crops with comparative advantage, but it was noted with respect to harvest cotton a decline in acreage and quantities exported, down cultivated area of 1.08 million acres in 1985 to 520.1 thousand acres in 2011, and also the exported quantities dropped of 143.8 thousand tons in 1985 to 38.49 thousand tons in 2011, which could lead to Egypt out of the field of global competition and the loss of an important source of access to foreign exchange. The research aims to assess the impact of economic reform policies on cotton crop by using a matrix of agricultural policy analysis and by analyzing the evolution of space, productivity and output, and estimate the elasticity of supply the results indicated the following: There is a trend in decreasing significant statistically for both acreage and total production of cotton crop amounted to about 25.5 thousand acres, 191.2 thousand quintals for both of them, respectively, which means the failure of politics productivity at work to increase production or at least maintain production rates high, which was have been achieved before. It also indicates no increase in productivity Akaddanah on the lack of technical development of the crop. J. Agric. Econom. and Social Sci., Mansoura Univ., Vol.5 (1), January, 2014 101 Cultivated areas and focus productivity Alfdanah and total production provinces of Lower Egypt and was the province of the lake initial maritime provinces face with respect to cultivated space and total production for both of them, respectively, while Western Province came 24.7%, 29.7% in the first place with regard to productivity Alfdanah increased by 122.5%. Elasticity of supply amounted to about 0.257 cotton crop. This reflects the view is flexible for this crop as a result of lack of storage places have farmers, in addition to that Shawn cotton storage government unprepared for storing cotton well. Nominal Protection Coefficient for cotton products reached 0.67, which shows that cotton farmers bear implicit taxes estimated at 33% Coefficient stretcher nominal Supplies productivity amounted to about 0.93, which means that the cotton farmers in the process of economic liberalization are still receiving support amounted to about 7%, but the value of taxes on production is greater than the value of input subsidies, and thus the final outcome that there is a tax on producers of Egyptian cotton through years of study.. ثحبلا ميكحتب ماق أ . د / ىبرغملا ربج دمحم ةعارزلا ةيلك – ةروصنملا ةعماج أ . د / رقص دمحم دمحا زكرم لا ثوحب ا هيعارزل


This article at fi rst analyzes the current situation about junk short messages, and digs deeply the sending source of junk numbers, then based on the healthy development of web market and as much data for reference, this article studies the development effi ciency of web market business which exist at the back of junk messages sending behaviors, as well as proposes series of management thoughts and strategies depending on the new tendency of bad information control.


Healthcare is a scarce resource. There can never be enough funding to allow doctors to do everything that is medically possible or for patients to receive everything they want. Inevitably, this leads to difficult decisions about what to provide and who is entitled to receive it. An essay in the Lancet questions these assumptions and rejects an economic model of medicine rooted in notions of scarcity and consumerism (Lancet doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(19)31556-9). It argues against judging the quality of medical care in monetary terms and wants us to substitute criteria that include kindness, understanding, and communication.


The objective of this work was to study the feasibility of using coal slurry for the removal of SO2 from simulated flue gas stream (air, SO2). The effect of gas rate, temperature, and initial SO2 concentration on the overall removal efficiency was investigated at wet and dry bed conditions. The results indicated that the optimum gas rate was 60 l /min. The SO2 removal efficiency was highly temperature sensitive, and increases with increasing the bed temperature especially at wet bed conditions and decreases with increasing SO 2 initial concentration. A mathematical model for the desulfurization process was proposed based on the material balance for gaseous and solid phase streams. The model was found to give a very good description of the experimental data with 95% confidence level.words: SO2 Removal, Coal Slurry Reactor, FGD, Modeling


The thermal decomposition of ammonium nitrate and associated mixtures in the range 170 to 200 °C has been studied by measuring the rate of evolution of nitrous oxide using a flow system in conjunction with a gas chromatograph enabling measurements to be made at temperatures of practical importance not covered in most previous investigations. The rate constant calculated from the data for pure ammonium nitrate was compared with the values of other workers.

The effects of water and of monoammonium phosphate on the decomposition rate were studied. The effect of several metal ions on the decomposition rate was also studied, but no clear pattern emerged from the results.


Near-infrared (NIR) responsive nanoparticles (NPs) like gold nanorods (GNRs) are important in biomedical fields because of their transparency for biological tissues. Although GNRs are sought after as contrast agents for theranostics in cancer studies, capping ligands like cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) used for the GNR synthesis are toxic for biological tissues. This work aimed to develop a physical method as an alternative to toxic GNR chemical process. The synthesis process, using colloidal citrate capped gold as model NP, was simple, cost-effective, and did not require the use of a toxic chemical like CTAB. The inertial (g-) force-driven synthesis of nanosphere composites (NSCs) resulted in composites of two NPs combined together with little or no gaps between them. The formed NSCs showed rod-like characteristics, which are typified by the evolution of absorption spectra from the transverse to longitudinal mode, similar to GNRs. The new nanomaterials by the g-force-driven technique showed high potential to be an effective alternative to many existing toxic NPs, particularly GNRs.


In the present study qualitative and quantitative distribution of phytoplankton with regional and seasonal variations in the coastal waters of east coast of India are presented out of the pooled data of 292 stations sampled during 12 cruises of FORV Sagar Sampada from 1999 to 2002. The study recorded 131 species of dinoflagellates, 111 species of diatoms and 7 species of Cyanophyta. Southeast coastal region has more endemic forms (34 species) than the northeast region (29 species). Quantitatively very low mean densities (1 to 367 nos l -1 ) are observed. Regionally, 143 species are present at all the latitudes between 11°N and 20°N. Seasonally, monsoon season recorded more number of phytoplankton (193) species. The study indicates the high diversity and low production of phytoplankton in the coastal waters of east coast of India.


Accumulating evidence indicates that electrophysiologically distinct subsets of sympathetic neurons selectively innervate different classes of targets. The organization of this system may therefore be reflected in the sympathetic fiber contents of peripheral nerves. To test this possibility, we have mapped the pathways followed by three groups of postganglionic sympathetic axons in the bullfrog by recording compound action potentials and by retrograde tracing with horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The axons that were studied arise from fast B, slow B, and C‐type neurons in ganglia 9 and 10 at the lumbar end of the paravertebral sympathetic chain. They project to peripheral targets primarily by way of the sciatic nerve and can be distinguished by the velocities with which they conduct action potentials.


This study investigates to find out optimum inoculum percentage for anaerobic treatment of Food industry wastewater in ambient environmental conditions. The effluent of Britannia food industry was selected for this study. Source of inoculum was the digested slurry from the active cow dung biogas plant. The inoculum concentrations were varied from 10-40% in effluent. It was found that 30% inoculum concentration was most suitable for anaerobic treatment of this effluent. Results reveals that biogas production was higher with 30% inoculum concentration as compared to 10, 20 and 40% inoculum concentration in ambient environmental conditions.


New ideas on molar ratio of urea with formaldehydes, process of reinforced urea, pH control, and usage of additive are presented by means of study on reaction mechanism of UF. The molar ratio was adopted 1:1.1-1.3, urea was reinforced three times, pH of condensation polymerization was controled at 4.4 - 5.0,PVA was used on additive. The content of free formaldehyde in the UF glue may be reduced below 0.8% , much less than 2.5% of the National Standard. Its initial strength was higher and pliable with tough were excellent. Every index is accorded with the Standard HG-1233-79.