Modelling microlensing events is a complex job extending far beyond the optimization of a function of adopted model parameters by means of standard techniques. Non-linearity of the underlying models leads to parameter ambiguities and degeneracies, and already the most simple case of a single point-like observed source star and a single point-mass lens as well as a static observer is substantially less trivial than one might think, while a proper treatment of the various microlensing anomalies requires tailored approaches to ensure that all regions in a high-dimensional intricate model parameter space are identified that could provide a suitable description of the nature of the observed event. Catastrophic behaviour leading to caustics results in the need to optimize functions that are not smooth, which causes a significant problem to standard algorithms. As if this were not enough, the photometric measurements frequently show complex statistics, varying amongst different sites, and involving outliers, an increased abundance of larger deviations as compared to a Gaussian distribution, as well as effects depending on the observing conditions. It requires advanced statistical methods and numerical strategies to account for the encountered difficulties. In order to be able to identify deviations from an ordinary light curve of ongoing microlensing events, a real-time modelling is required, and for realizing an optimal monitoring strategy, accurate predictions of model parameters are a valuable ingredient. The bias of maximum-likelihood estimates however frequently leads to substantial mispredictions, whereas maximum a-posteriori estimates with an appropriate prior are doing a better job. Multivariate parameter probability densities of the model parameters for observed events contain all the relevant information from which any interval estimates can be derived. Moreover, by means of Bayes' theorem, these can be converted to yield the probabilistic distributions of any physical properties with the assumption of respective priors. The identification of characteristic features in the observed light curve provides the clue to a successful modelling, and tailored artificial neural networks might replace human intuition, eventually leading to fully-automated real-time modelling systems.


Drunk driving is a serious problem in traffic. This is true even in Scandinavia where the number of drunk drivers in traffic is lower than in most other countries. In Sweden about a drunk driver is involved in about 25 % of all fatal traffic accidents. The risk of traffic accidents is higher for young people that for older drivers. There is ample evidence that a combination of young age and alcohol use is a strong risk factor in traffic. Also male drivers predominate the accident statistics with drunken drivers. This is also the situation in Sweden although the legal BAC is lower than in most other countries (0.02%) and the number of drunk drivers in traffic is comparatively low. Most of the discussion concerning this problem has dealt with drunk drivers. However, passengers riding with a drink drivers are also at risk (Everett et al, 2001) and as passengers they are in a position where they might have some influence on driver decisions. In Sweden attempts are being made to persuade young persons to intervene when they observe their friends that are driving after alcohol consumption. They can show their concern by avoiding riding with a drunk driver or by trying to stop him or her from driving. In the present study the experiences and intentions of young males and females concerning their interventions against drunken driving were investigated. Such situations can be expected to involve social interplay between individuals and especially between friends or family members. Social factors have also been suggested to provide a possible explanation for drunk driving behaviour (Åberg, 1993).


Abstract According to the theory of algebra, this paper confirms that the Mejia and Rousselle model employing the conventional parameter estimation procedure fails to preserve the historical moments as anticipated. The cause of the failure is identified. For each stage of disaggregation, two corrected moment estimates for use in parameter estimation are proposed. The first estimate is derived based on making the parameter estimation equations mathematically consistent; the second estimate, on maintaining the linear relationship between the disaggregated flows and the flows being disaggregated. Using the proposed, corrected parameter estimation procedure, the moments of interest and additivity are preserved exactly in an expected value sense. Applications given also show that the proposed procedure has advantages over the conventional procedure.


The appendix as a sole content in incarcerated inguinal hernia in infant was very rare.Due to the confasion in clinical diagnosis,treatment,there fore was always delayed,and serious results may always the be caused outcome.From the year 1985 to 2001,4 cases of this entity had been analyzed retrospectively,from both clinical characteristics and treatment experiences.The real existence of this diagnosis.In order to high should be emphasized and the importance of the differential diagnosis and treatment should be stressed.


Objective: Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection is the most common sexually transmitted viral infection worldwide. It is the cause of cervical cancer, and also causes many malignant, and benign diseases. Although it has an effectual vaccine, vaccination rates are still at an undesired level. In this cross-sectional study, it was aimed to investigate the knowledge and attitudes of pediatricians about HPV vaccine. Method: A questionnaire consisting of 18 questions about HPV disease and vaccine was applied to pediatricians working in our hospital via face-to-face interviews. Demographic characteristics, duration of their working in the field of pediatrics, and some questions and suggestions about HPV disease and vaccine were included in the questionnaire. Results: Ninety-eight (66.6%) out of 147 pediatricians participated in the questionnaire survey..The median age of the participants was 30.5 years (min-max: 25-66), and they were consisted mostly (70.4%).of female pediatricians. In terms of distribution of their academic positions, 54 (55.1%) of them were working as pediatric residents. Only 15.3% of the participants had received HPV vaccine. When questions about the vaccine were analyzed, 94.9% of the participants knew that the HPV vaccine was not included in the national vaccination schedule, 64.3% knew the recommended vaccination age, and 84.7% knew that application gender of the vaccine. Some ( 60.2%) participants recommended HPV vaccine to their patients. When pediatricians were asked why they did not recommend the vaccine, according to their responses, the most important factor was the fact that had not sufficient knowledge about the vaccine (14.3%) and had not encountered a patient within the indication (14.3%).The vaccine recommendation rates of the vaccinated physicians were statistically significantly higher than unvaccinated physicians (p=0.028).There was no statistically significant difference between medical experience and recommendation for HPV vaccine beforehand and knowing the names of HPV vaccines (p=0.316, p=0.414, respectively). Conclusion: Although the overall attitude towards HPV vaccination was generally positive in our study, additional training should be provided to both pediatricians and healthcare professionals in order to achieve higher HPV vaccination coverage rates in Turkey.


We consider a variant of Dickson lemma, where each entry of a vector can be reseted or incremented by 1 in respect to the previous one. We give an example of non dominating sequence of length $2^{2^{\theta (n)}}$. It perfectly match the previously known upperbound.


.................................................................................................................................. 3 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................... 7 1.1 Purpose of the Study ............................................................................................................. 8 1.2 Preview of Literature ............................................................................................................ 9 1.3 Preview of Methodology..................................................................................................... 11 1.4 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................... 11 CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................................ 13 2.1 Methodology: Search strategy and selection criteria .......................................................... 15 2.2 Artificial Intelligence Landscape in Africa......................................................................... 16 2.3 Inclusive Innovation and Development .............................................................................. 20 2.4 Technological Innovations .................................................................................................. 23 2.4 Factors Attracting Multinational to Invest in the Technology Sector in SSA Region ........ 25 2.5. Conclusion ......................................................................................................................... 32 CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHOD ......................................................... 33 3.1 Theoretical Framework ....................................................................................................... 34 3.2. Design ................................................................................................................................ 38 3.3 Participants .......................................................................................................................... 39 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND INCLUSIVE INNOVATION 5 3.4. Ethics.................................................................................................................................. 42 3.5. Setting ................................................................................................................................ 42 3.6. Instruments ......................................................................................................................... 44 3.7. Procedures .......................................................................................................................... 47 3.8. Analysis.............................................................................................................................. 48 3.9. Summary ............................................................................................................................ 51 CHAPTER 4: FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION ....................................................................... 52 4.1. Data Presentation (Findings).............................................................................................. 54 4.2. Current state of inclusivity in AI initiatives ....................................................................... 56 4.3. Building Capacity of Local AI Initiatives .......................................................................... 59 4.4. Strategies for Improving Inclusion in AI Initiatives .......................................................... 62 4.5. Impact Indicators of Inclusive AI Initiatives ..................................................................... 65 4.6. Data Analysis and Discussion ............................................................................................ 66 4.7. Summary of Findings, Recommendations, & Research Limitations ................................. 76 CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION................................................................................................... 78 5.1. Summary of Findings ......................................................................................................... 79 5.2. Findings in Context ............................................................................................................ 80 5.3. Future Direction ................................................................................................................. 81 5.4. Conclusion ......................................................................................................................... 82 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................ 83 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND INCLUSIVE INNOVATION 6 APPENDICES ............................................................................................................................. 91 Appendix A: Participants Invitation Letter and Consent Form ................................................ 91 Appendix B: Interview Guide ................................................................................................... 95 Appendix C: Qualitative Content Analysis Matrix ................................................................... 97 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND INCLUSIVE INNOVATION 7 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION In Africa, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is among the key enabling technologies that will drive the continent's digital economy. AI provides countless avenues for both the public and the private sectors to optimize solutions to the most crucial problems facing the continent today, especially for struggling industries/sectors such as healthcare and agriculture (Travaly and Muvunyi, 2020). Innovative forms of service delivery and support enabled by AI systems are paramount because of its crucial role in augmenting weak institutions and sectors for the benefit of the society and economy. For example, supporters claim that AI investment in sub-Saharan Africa will help improve human expertise, improve productivity, and enhance early disease detection and surveillance in the health sector (Smith et al. 2018). AI also has the power to transform the way governments deliver public services, as this could significantly improve citizens' experiences of government while reducing cost for people accessing these services from rural and peri-urban communities. There are examples that AI is solving to local problems in Africa from sexual and reproductive health monitoring chatbots in Kenya, to smart farming in Nigeria, and the tracking of illegal fishing in West Africa by AI-powered drones. However, it remains to be seen whether AI tools are used by marginalized groups SMEs and individual developers, and incorporated into, for example, startup companies, locally developed open source tools, and educational uses. There is the risk that unequal design and implementation of AI applications and initiatives could widen inequalities (Miller and Stirling, 2019). In other words, while AI has the potential to solve some critical challenges in society, marginalized groups might not benefit from these innovations. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND INCLUSIVE INNOVATION 8 In this chapter, I will briefly explain the purpose of this research study and share the research question that informed this research. There will also be a preview of the key themes discussed in the literature reviews and inclusion of the research methodology used. 1.1 Purpose of the Study This study examines the extent to which AI initiatives are or could become inclusive to help foster local capacity in leading AI development in sub-Saharan Africa. This research is an exploratory study to help establish a pre-understanding of how AI initiatives are inclusive, contribute to how best to proceed in a further intensive and broader study on the subject, and possible methodology would be useful to apply when gathering information in future research. It also provides a road map for the prospective study and indicates that this subject is feasible to conduct a research study on the future (Streb, 2009). This study aims to provide a comprehensive and relevant framework to help organizations and policymakers to develop active, inclusive AI initiatives for sub-Saharan Africa to address issues of innovation exclusion of marginalized groups.


Critical Care Medicine www.ccmjournal.org e1091 The authors reply: We are grateful to Tasker and Akhondi-Asl (1) for the interest they show in our work (2), recent article published in Critical Care Medicine. Their excellent meta-analysis on pediatric data (3) is obviously of interest to us. They point out that our meta-analysis may have included secondary analysis data already included in a larger datasets. We are grateful to them for bringing this to our attention. We have indeed included such data in our analysis, as have other investigators who have performed similar analyses (4). However, for the sake of completeness, we have reanalyzed our data in children and excluded the secondary analyses studies (5, 6). Figure 1 shows the pooled risk ratio (RR) for the complete dataset and finds that children have a better outcome with normothermia (RR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.06–2.59; p = 0.03). Updating Evidence for Using Therapeutic Hypothermia in Pediatric Severe Traumatic Brain Injury


This study examines how target corporate social responsibility affects the economic gains for acquirers, as reflected in market reaction to an acquisition announcement, from two distinct perspectiv...


Mumps is a vaccine-preventable infectious disease, cau sed by mumps virus, member of Rubulavirus genus, Para myxoviridae family, has been classified into 12 confirmed genotypes, designated as A-L and one proposed genoty pe, M. Usually the anti-mumps vaccines are manufactu red using attenuated live virus genotypes and any of these are available as monovalent (mumps) and trivalent (meas lesmumps-rubella). Although vaccination programs implemented by many coun tries, there have been outbreaks of mumps in epide mic form, in which has been detected co-circulation of geno types among vaccinated populations. Possible expla nations are: the primary vaccination failure, loss of high effectiveness and heterologous virus infection. Because of this, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recom mended molecular epidemiological studies, including ge notyping of circulating strains of mumps virus as part of the monitoring program. This information will allow greater dis tribution of genotypes worldwide, contributing to monitor ing and possibly mumps reformulating more effective vac cines. This review shows the importance of molecular cha racterization and genotyping of mumps virus, in order to understand and explain the epidemiological behavior of


The bulk Cu single crystal with the size of 15 mm×60 mm was prepared by Czochralski technique.Cu single crystal wafers were polished by a so-called chemical-mechanical polishing(CMP) method.The surface morphology,uniformity and roughness of as-polished wafer were analyzed by optical microscopes,surface profiler and scanning probe microscopy.The influence of polishing pressure,surface active agent and polishing pad on polishing quality was discussed.The results indicate that there is no macroscopic scratch on the as-polished wafer surface with good uniformity and the Ra value of Cu wafer is 0.921 nm in the final finishing polishing process.


Global Navigation Satellite System-Reflectometry (GNSS-R) is an innovative and rapidly developing approach to Earth Observation that makes use of signals of opportunity from Global Navigation Satellite Systems, which have been reflected off the Earth’s surface. Using GNSS-R data collected by the UK TechDemoSat-1 (TDS-1) between 2014 and 2018, the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) has developed a GNSS-R wind speed retrieval algorithm called the Calibrated Bistatic Radar Equation (C-BRE), which now features updated data quality control mechanisms including flagging of radio frequency interference (RFI) and sea-ice detection based on the GNSS-R waveform. Here we present an assessment of the performance of the latest NOC GNSS-R ocean wind speed and sea-ice products (NOC C-BRE v1.0) using validation data from the ECMWF ERA-5 re-analysis model output. Results show the capability of spaceborne GNSS-R sensors for accurate wind speed retrieval and sea-ice detection. Additionally, ground-processed Galileo returns collected by TDS-1 are examined and the geophysical sensitivity of reflected Galileo data to surface parameters is investigated. Preliminary results demonstrate the feasibility of spaceborne GNSS-R instruments receiving a combination of GNSS signals transmitted by multiple navigation systems, which offers the opportunity for frequent, high-quality ocean wind and sea-ice retrievals at low relative cost. Other advancements in GNSS-R technology are represented by future mission concepts such as HydroGNSS, a proposed ESA Scout mission opportunity by SSTL offering support for enhanced retrieval capabilities exploiting dual polarisation, dual frequency, and coherent reflected signal reception.


Recommender systems (RSs) are used to help users find interesting items. Some problems are present in current RSs, like the cold-start problem and creating language-independent recommendations. The goal of this project is to build a semantic web based RS, that solves these problems by using a Facebook profile as input and information from DBpedia to find related items.
The system is evaluated in two different domains, namely postcards and holiday homes. During the evaluation sessions the system is compared with two different baseline systems. One baseline system was used to evaluate the usefulness of DBpedia and the other was to evaluate the created recommendations.


ABSTRACT The study of 34 medical equipment innovations developed by 11 small and medium sized companies (SME's) in the UK discussed here examined the management of the relationships between activities, resources and actors in the creation, design, manufacture, marketing and re-innovation of these innovations. The strategies of the actors determined the configuration of activities and the resources in the process, especially the "learning by interaction" between functions within the firms and private and public actors in "multi-layer social networks". Crucial to the success of these strategies was the acceptance of the key features of the "chain-linked" model of innovation as a framework for action, "overlapped development" and effective management of "complementary assets", "regimes of appropriability" and the creation of a "dominant design" wherever possible. This evidence suggested networking at differing stages in the innovation process diffused costs, added value through differentiation, developed a f...


In the existing literature, the Redheffer inequality is typically proven using mathematical induction. In this short paper, we present a straightforward proof of this inequality by leveraging trigonometric substitution. We then extend the Redheffer inequality by introducing an exponent factor, aiming for the sharpest possible refinement. Notably, when the exponent is 2, our findings have implications for quantum error correction in the context of quantum phase estimation.


Since the time of Ivan the Terrible, the history of Russia has been a succession of astonishing flights and falls. The sacrifices made by the Russian narod (and by all Russians) on the altar of development are so great, and the achievements so incommensurate with the efforts expended, that a number of questions must arise: Why do things happen this way? Why does Russia not develop "normally"? And what is "normal" development? Is it possible for Russia, and under what conditions? What are the causes of the oddities in Russian development?


The distribution of Fe(II) in euphotic waters of the equatorial Pacific Ocean was examined with novel in situ sampling and analytical methodology. Dissolved Fe(II) was isolated and preconcentrated, at depth, with a ligand-exchange Chromatographic technique and then determined spectrophotometrically. The distribution of Fe(II) in the upper 100 m was both temporally and spatially variable but generally exhibited maxima near the surface and often at depths with higher concentrations of Chl a. The concentration of Fe(II) varied from below the detection limit of 0.12 to 0.53 nmol kg-'. Exposure of equatorial Pacific water to simulated sunlight in the laboratory resulted in similar Fe(II) concentrations, suggesting that photochemical reduction may be an important source for Fe(II) in these waters. Field measurements indicate that Fe(II) may comprise a significant fraction of the Fe present in euphotic ocean waters, which typically contain < 1 .O nmol kg-' of dissolved Fe. The presence of detectable steady state concentrations of Fe(II) is believed to be the result of faster rates of photochemical and(or) biological reduction of Fe(III), relative to rates of Fe(II) oxidation by oxygen, peroxides, and other oxidants.


[1] We investigated, for the first time, long-term (1976–2010) variations in reflection heights of tweek atmospherics based on very low frequency (VLF) observations at Kagoshima, Japan. The results revealed the effects of the solar cycle on the nighttime lower ionosphere at low to middle latitudes. The tweek reflection heights on geomagnetically quiet days were analyzed every month over three solar cycles by using an automated spectral fitting procedure to estimate the cutoff frequency. The average and standard deviation of the reflection height were 95.9 km and ±3.1 km, respectively. Typical periods of time variation for the reflection height were 13.3, 3.2, 1.3, 1.0, 0.6, and 0.5 years. The variations in tweek reflection heights did not show simple anticorrelation with solar activity. The correlation coefficient between tweek reflection height and sunspot number was 0.03 throughout the three solar cycles. Hilbert-Huang transform analysis successfully indicated the presence of 0.5–1.5 year and ∼10 year variations as intrinsic mode functions (IMF). The decomposed IMF with the ∼10 year variation had a positive correlation with sunspot numbers and a negative correlation with galactic cosmic rays (GCRs). We hypothesize that these variations in tweek reflection heights could be caused by coupling of several ionization effects at the D and lower E regions, effects such as geocorona, GCRs, particle precipitation, and variations in neutral density in the lower thermosphere. Among these processes, the geocorona and particle precipitation could show negative correlation, while the GCRs and neutral density could show positive correlation with solar activities.


Article history: Received March 25, 2012 Received in revised format 17 October 2012 Accepted 17 October 2012 Available online October 17 2012 Measuring relative efficiency of various universities has been a subject for years. In fact, when there is a growing competition among educational units, it is important to find facts on each university for making managerial decisions. In this paper, we present an empirical study to measure the relative efficiencies among different private universities in Iran. The proposed study of this paper uses data envelopment analysis along with Malmquist productivity index to measure the relative efficiencies of these units over the period 2004-2007. The method uses three inputs including number of students, number of university professors and the number of employees. The model also includes the number of educated people as well as research outputs for outputs of the DEA model. The results indicate that there are some big gaps among various units in terms of the number of research products and the number of graduated students. © 2013 Growing Science Ltd. All rights reserved.


More and more power supply companies use Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) for power line inspection. UAVs allow almost immediate inspection of power lines after extreme weather events. However, the current UAV vision based damage assessments have still been performed manually, which is time-consuming, poor efficient, and low accurate. In this work, a fast CPU-based detection model is presented for detecting normal and abnormal power line poles from the UAV vision data after typhoon striking. Three types of poles including two types of normal poles and one type of abnormal poles are considered. The detection process is designed in two stages. The first stage is to generate candidate boxes of poles based on the YOLO-Lite model, and the second stage is to filter the background candidate boxes based on the classification model of the SPP (Spatial Pyramid Pooling) network structure. The combined model achieves a detection precision of 75.80%, an increase of 26.85% compared to the YOLO-Lite model alone, and reaches a recall of 57.33%. The combined poles detection model runs at 9 FPS (Frames Per Second) on a CPU-only computer.


Abstrcat This paper mainly focuses on controlling accounts receivable risks of enterprises at different stages .The author is trying to establish a perfect risks management system to resist the risks of accounts receivable in all-around way, thus guarantee enterprises to manage their business safely.


The importance of providing accurate and timely traffic information to the traveling public is widely recognized, and has become an increasingly important function for the traffic management authorities. This paper proposes an urban travel time estimation model derived by incorporating System Recognition into K Nearest Neighbor models. Since the K Nearest Neighbor models ignore causal relationship between travel time and traffic demand, this paper attempts to use System Recognition to explore the inherent nature of urban travel time. The proposed model is evaluated by the data collected from single loop inductive detectors installed on Kruithuisweg, the Netherlands, by Regiolab Delft. Results generated by this hybrid model and their accuracy are compared with two existing models. The experimental results reveal that the proposed model gives promising performance.


The network is ubiquitous in our daily life. It has become an indispensable part of our daily life to use the network to spread and transmit various kinds of information. The use of neural networks for public opinion monitoring has become a current research hotspot. Ian order to improve the performance of the public opinion monitoring platform, we need to use multimodal neural network for in-depth research. This paper mainly uses experimental design and data comparison to make statistical analysis of public opinion monitoring data under different working conditions. The experimental data shows that when the number of concurrent is less than 100, the system in this paper can respond well and obtain more accurate public opinion data.


Rising costs will likely be the focus of our healthcare debate for the foreseeable future1. Orthopaedic implants and procedures are a major cost contributor2. Recent evidence shows that the numbers of hip and especially knee arthroplasties are increasing in the United States3,4. If orthopaedic implant device companies followed usual economies-of-scale principles, the cost of implants would decrease with the increasing number of procedures every year. However, implant costs remain high, which is one of the reasons that arthroplasty is an expensive procedure.

Robinson et al. analyzed 10,155 patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty and 5013 patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty from sixty-one hospitals that participated in a value-based purchasing initiative. The authors based their analysis on hospital and implant costs—data that are often difficult to obtain. Implants were major contributors to variation in joint replacement surgery costs across hospitals. Most medical device cost variation (36% for hip replacement and 61% for knee replacement) was attributable to hospital characteristics, and only …


This paper discusses the dynamic calibration technique for a new kind of thin-film manganin piezore-sistance gauge by means of planar impact.The calibration experiments were carried out on aΦ130 mm gas-gun, with PMMA,Cu,and W as the materials of flyers and targets.The compact pressure was obtained in the range from 0.66 GPa to 25.4 GPa by the planar impact in different velocities.The experimental data are correlated by two kinds of methods,that is,geometry relation calibration and D-u relation calibration.The dynamic calibration and relation curves are obtained.


Disclosed are a system and a method for providing a push service, comprising: a client for receiving a push message provided by a service-providing apparatus and providing a push service; and a push-service apparatus for transmitting to the client the push message provided by the service-providing apparatus, wherein in case of an abnormal termination of connection between the client and the push service apparatus, reciprocal reconnection attempts are made on the basis of a predetermined standard, thereby having the effect of reducing the network load resulting from reconnection attempts.


The Multimedia traffic of continuous video and audio data via streaming service accounts for a significant and expanding partition of Internet traffic. Amongst them multimedia streaming service such as AOD(Audio on Demand), VOD(Video on Demand) had been recognized. This paper proposes new TCP-friendly transmission method for enhancing QoS(Quality of Service) in changing network condition for MPEG video streaming using composite scaling method.


Family B G protein‐coupled receptors play important physiological roles and possess large extracellular domains (ECDs) that aid in binding the long polypeptide hormones that are their natural agonists. We have previously shown that agonist analogues in which subsets of native α‐amino acid residues are replaced with β‐amino acid residues can retain activity while avoiding proteolytic degradation. This study focuses on eight new α/β analogues of glucagon‐like peptide 1 (GLP‐1) that each contain five α‐to‐β replacements in the C‐terminal half of the peptide. This portion of GLP‐1 is known to adopt an α‐helical conformation and contact the ECD. All four registries of the αααβ backbone pattern were evaluated; previous work has shown that the αααβ pattern supports adoption of an α‐helix‐like conformation. Two α‐to‐β replacement formats were employed, one involving β3 homologues of the native residues replaced and the other involving a cyclic β residue. GLP‐1R response was characterized in terms of stimulation of cAMP production and β‐arrestin recruitment. Some of the backbone‐modified GLP‐1 analogues display biased agonism of the GLP‐1R. This study helps to establish the scope of the α→β backbone modification strategy.


serious damage to the central nervous and to cognitive-behavioral deficits. This s tudy evaluates the effect of Hesperidin (HES) on cognitive and behavioral deficits in rats following perinatal seizures. Materials and Method: 30 Wis tar pregnant rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: control, pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) + NS, PTZ + HES 25, PTZ + HES50, and PTZ + HES 100. Animals were treated with repeated PTZ adminis tration (40 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) from ges tation day 14 for 5 consecutive days. Two hours before PTZ injection, the PTZ+NS group and the PTZ+HES groups were gavaged with either normal saline or HES (25, 50, or 100 mg/kg), respectively. The severity of seizure, delay in onset of a seizure in mothers, working and avoidance memory, and anxiety-like behaviors were assessed in one-month-old male infants. Results: A significant increase in seizure severity and a decrease in seizure delay were seen in PTZ-treated mothers. On the other hand, a significant decrease in behavior changes, avoidance memory, and hippocampal cell density was observed with increased anxiety levels in the infant of the PTZ+NS group compared to the control rats. However, HES-treated groups showed a significant increase in working and passive avoidance memory with a decreasing level of anxiety compared to the PTZ+NS group. Conclusion: HES has anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, and memory-enhancing effects in the perinatal seizures in rats.


By using meteorological station data, the inter‐annual variability of haze days and its trends are re‐evaluated in the urban areas of Beijing during a recent 36‐year period. Observations from station 54,511, which is a national reference climatological station in the urban area of Beijing, are not suitable for representing the whole urban area, since it trends oppositely to the surrounding stations. Instead, averaged haze days according to five stations in the urban area of Beijing were selected representatively, illustrating that haze days have a positive trend during the period 1980–2015, and haze occurs more often in autumn and winter than in spring and summer. Notably, the number of haze days has increased more rapidly in summer than in the other three seasons. Severe and persistent haze days exhibit positive trends of 4.1 and 13 days/decade, respectively, during the investigation period, while the corresponding ratios to the total haze days have also increased gradually. The haze in Beijing has also become more severe and drier. Under the weakening East Asian monsoon in winter, there has been a reduction in days of locally strong wind speeds and rain, and an increase in days of weak wind speeds. This has directly contributed to the weakening of the diffusion of pollutants, which would otherwise act to maintain the haze, thus prolonging the duration of haze pollution days in urban areas of Beijing.


Adenosine has been recommended as a first‐line treatment for stable supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). Standard guidelines recommend 6‐mg of adenosine administered intravenously (IV) with an immediate 20‐ml IV bolus of normal saline solution (NSS; double syringe technique [DST]). However, a newly proposed single‐syringe technique (SST), in which adenosine is diluted with an up to 20 ml IV bolus of NSS, was found to be beneficial.


Should an organization modify its ordering policies when a supplier announces an impending price increase for an item? Announced price increases are a common economic phenomenon. This article develops the optimal stock replenishment strategies in response to a price change. It is shown that the optimal response depends on the number of order cycles before the price change becomes effective. The potential cost savings can be substantial. The familiar model for determining the optimal stock replenishment strategy for an impending price increase assumes a buyer has limited replenishment opportunities before the increase. This paper extends the model to include multiple replenishment opportunities. Optimal replenishment strategies are developed for any length of notification period and cost savings are identified.


Background: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) accounts for significant morbidity (chronic ulcers, gangrene and leg amputation) and mortality among hemodialysis patients but has not been extensively studied as other atherosclerotic diseases in this population.
Aim: Determine the prevalence and factors associated with peripheral artery disease in patients on chronic hemodialysis.
Materials and methods: In a cross-sectional study, we consecutively recruited 91 patients on maintenance hemodialysis for more than 3 months. The ankle-brachial index (ABI) was measured and PAD defined by an ABI value less than 0.9. The mean values of relevant biological tests (Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, serum calcium and serum phosphorus) obtained within 6 months before the ABI measurements were recorded. We examined the association between PAD and potent risk factors.

Results: The prevalence of peripheral artery disease was 33%. In univariate analysis, PAD was found to be associated with Hypertension (96.7% versus 80.3%; p=0.031), pre-existing cardiovascular disease (13.3% versus 1.6%; p=0.021), advanced age, longer duration on dialysis and anemia (93.3% versus 57.4%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis, however, revealed that PAD was associated with advanced age (OR; 8.37, 95% CI 1.54-13.48, P-value=0.019), longer duration on dialysis (OR; 5.54, 95% CI 1.13-18.58 P-value=0.035) and anemia (OR; 15.28, 95% CI 2.88-2.04, P-value < 0.001).

Conclusion: Peripheral artery disease is common in patients on chronic hemodialysis. Advanced age, long duration on dialysis and anemia were independently associated with peripheral artery disease in this population. These findings provide new insights into a subgroup of patients on hemodialysis who may need special medical care.

Key words: Peripheral artery disease, hemodialysis, factors associated


An increasing proportion of intensive care units use extended or continuous infusion when administering broad spectrum beta-lactam antibiotics. Extended or continuous infusions increase pharmacokin...


Osteochondroma is a benign bone tumor that mostly develops in children and adolescents. Osteochondromas are more likely to develop during the growth spurt period between the ages of 13 and 15 years, but tumor development stops when the patient stops growing. Based on research conducted to diagnose Osteochondroma disease is still carried out directly by doctors, there is no system that helps diagnose patients who have symptoms of Osteochondroma disease. As a result, steps to diagnose Osteochondroma cannot be done if a doctor is not available. With these problems, an expert system was created to diagnose Osteochondroma disease with the aim of assisting the polyclinic in diagnosing Osteochondroma disease. An expert system is an application system that has the ability to think like an expert in solving problems related to Osteochondroma so that it can produce a conclusion or solution. The results of this study get an output in the form of diseases experienced by patients and solutions for handling diseases experienced by these patients using the Certainty Factor method, so that they can help the polyclinic in dealing with Osteochondroma disease


A key distinguishing characteristic of human beings is our use of tools, including extensive use of communications technologies. From plows to mills to books and radios, we have used technology to create tools and means of communicating. Drawing upon those engineering feats, we have built extensive social and societal structures that made possible ever-increasingly healthy and interconnected lives. Major advances have come from mechanical engineering , organizational techniques, biological engineering , and more. Over time, these and other disciplines will advance in waves, with periodic improvements followed by plateaus. The area I've had the most experience with— information technology—moved slowly until the invention of electronics made complex and speedy systems practical. This has been followed by a crescendo of improvements that are helping us realize the potential of computation, electronic control, and electromagnetic communication. Like spoken language, written language, construction of shelter, cultivation of food, and other human endeavors, I believe IT will eventually reach a special point where its products become part of what it means to be human and live in a human society. After that point, advances will be incremental, and more driven by specific needs, a sense of art and fashion, advances in other fields, and other factors. Instead of focusing on IT advances, the results caused by reaching that special point will be more important to us. Indeed, other new technologies will capture our interest and societal investment. Today, we are lucky to live in a time where we can glimpse at that special point, even though it may be decades in the future. Current tools and interfaces are surely primitive compared to where we'll end up. However, I believe that in hindsight, some of what we are building today will be seen like the early wheels, windows, and written scrolls—basic tools and ideas that help define and extend what it means to be human. It is clear we will use these technologies both to augment our abilities to create and affect the world as well as to keep us in social connection with other people—especially those dear to us. The most popular IT tools have been general-purpose tools we can use to meet our personal needs and desires. I think we will see more of the same. We use IT because of what it can do for us, not for its inherent qualities. Its benefit to society is that today's people can use it …


phlebitis, as described by Korner, receives confirmation in several ways from this case. The occurrence with acute otitis, the favourable course without operative interference, the localization of metastasis in the joints, especially in those mentioned by Korner as the favourite ones, namely, the shoulder and the sterno-clavicular joint, fit perfectly well in the above stated scheme. The course of the affection demonstrated that the mastoid process and the sinus were free from pus, and that the operation, if it had been carried out, would have exposed normal parts. It is a matter of congratulation that Korner by his work has placed more clearly before the eyes of his colleagues this particular form of " osteo-phlebitic pyaemia." The cases are, perhaps, not so extremely rare, but they seem at times to run a very mild course, and only to be recognized by one or perhaps a few transient metastases which appear neither to impress the memory nor to be worthy of publication. To this class belongs my case, No. 17, published in "the Arch, fur Ohrenkheilkunde, Vol. XXX., page 62. A still milder course was followed in a third case observed by me. After acute middle-ear catarrh, which cleared up within a few days without any pains worth mentioning, or implications of the mastoid process, there supervened shortly after the closing of the perforation, redness, pain, and swelling in several of the finger joints, which passed away without developing into abscess. The resident medical officer recognized this as metastasis arising from the ear. I was inclined to contradict this opinion because the inflammatory manifestations in the ear had already diasppeared when the joint became inflamed. To-day I also would be inclined to reckon this as an instance of osteo-phlebitic pyaemia. Dundas Grant {Trans.).


The study of glass components influence on the physical and chemical properties of As–S–Se–I glasses has the potential to help design glasses with the required properties. A change of certain glass properties upon the introduction of selenium into AsSI glass was demonstrated. Non-stoichiometric compounds along the As2S3-AsI3-Se diagram section were investigated by differential thermal analysis, ultrasonic measurements, dilatometric measurements. It has been shown that the introduction of selenium decreases the glass solubility in water. Change in the glass properties with the change in the short-range structure studied by Raman spectroscopy was shown. These glasses can be used for creation of immersion lenses and optical adhesives which change radiation characteristics of mid-IR LEDs.


[Objective] To analyze the prevention and control effect of TB/HIV co-infection in an area during 2007-2009,and explore the control strategy.[Methods]The control data of TB/HIV co-infection in an area during 2007-2009 was analyzed. The key indicators were checked statistically.[Results]A total of 67 patients with TB/HIV co-infection were diagnosed. Among which 7 HIV/AIDS cases were identified from TB patients,the detection rate was 0.60%; 60 TB cases were identified from HIV/AIDS patients,the average detection rate of 3 years was 5.67%. Of 67 patients,after anti-TB treatment,4 were cured,44 finished the whole treatment process and 19 died; Out of 44 patients who finished the whole treatment,significant improvements were observed in 26 of them,occupying 59.1%; some improvements were observed in 18 cases,occupying 40.9%;These measures of controlling TB/HIV co-infections had brought very positive consequences over time,such as a reduced death rate,a higher ratio of finished treatment among survived patients,symptoms of TB diminished in a noticeable way and a tendency of steady improvement.[Conclusion]Those measures of controlling TB/HIV co-infection applied in this area are proved to be effective. It is advisable to apply those measures on even larger scale.


This new edition of Gilroy's Atlas of Anatomy has made several important corrections to the first one and has many additions. It is hence slightly expanded from the original, now with 694 pages, including nearly 2500 full-colour schematic diagrams and occasional X-ray, CT or MRI scans of topographical anatomy. The authors have done a remarkable job in improving the layout and flow to the chapters, compared to the previous edition and compared to similar atlases. Each chapter starts with surface anatomy, which is then followed by the osteology, musculature, organs, vasculature, nerves and sectional anatomy. It is a layout which is easy to navigate, and logical in its organisation.


Objective To investigate influences of Jinlida oral liquid on markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant reserve in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods A total of 40 male Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus were randomly divided into diabetes model group(group A,n=20) and Jinlida therapy group(group B,n=20),and other 20 normal male SD rats were recruited as control group.Group B was treated with 5 ml/kg lavage orally(2 times/d),while group A and control group were given the same dose of 0.5% sodium carboxmethylcellulose solution.After 8 weeks,rats were sacrificed,and body weight,blood glucose,triglyceride(TG),total cholesterol(TC),glomerular cross-sectional area and superoxide dismutase(SOD),glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px),malondialdehyde(MDA) and advanced glycosylation end product were detected.At the end of 4th and 8th week,SOD,GSH-Px,MDA,nitric oxide(NO),nitric oxide synthase(NOS) and AGE in blood of rats′ tails were detected respectively.Results Body weight in group A and group B were significantly lower than that in control group at the end of 8th week(P0.05);Levels of fasting blood glucose,TC and TG in group B were significantly lower than those in group A(P0.05),and there was no statistically significance in indexes compared with those in control group(P0.05),except the fasting blood glucose index(P0.05).The glomerular cross-sectional area,AGE and MDA in nephridial tissue in group B were significantly lower than those in group A(P0.05),while activities of SOD and GSH-Px in renal tissue were significantly higher(P0.05).At medication for 4 weeks and 8 weeks,serum concentrations of SOD,GSH-Px and NO,and NOS in group B were higher than those in group A(P0.05),and levels of MDA and AGE-P were lower than those in group A(P0.05).In group A and B,the GSH-Px level at the end of 8th week was significantly higher than that at the end of 4th week in the same group(P0.05).Conclusion Jinlida oral liquid may effectively improve expression of oxidative stress marker in type 2 diabetic in rats.


In the process of continuous improvement in the quality of vocal music teaching, new opportunities and challenges are ushered in. Teachers need to actively develop innovative and creative teaching activities in line with the teaching objectives and tasks of the new curriculum reform, enhance students' application and mastery of knowledge points, and provide a boost to students' high-quality practical learning activities. This paper proposes a method for recommending vocal teaching brands based on review mining and multicriteria decision-making. Firstly, a large number of student reviews are crawled from various university platforms in China, matching student views to lexical combinations of course opinions. The weight of each opinion indicator was calculated by using hierarchical analysis in multicriteria decision-making, and 35 teachers and students were asked to do paired comparison and scoring for the indicators. The results of the experiment suggest improvements to the recommended vocal teaching brands, with practical implications for the design and improvement of vocal music teaching.


The study examined the effects of participation of the Integrated Tamale Fruit Company (ITFC) Organic Mango Outgrower Scheme (OMOS) on farmers' livelihood capitals. A descriptive research approach was employed using a semi-structured questionnaire and a checklist for data collection. Purposive and stratified sampling techniques were used to select 158 outgrowers and 10 key informants for the study. Farmers generally benefited from the scheme, though not as much as they expected. For instance, participation in the scheme was offering employment opportunities for majority of farmers (81.6%), and 95.6% of the farmers had applied the good agricultural practices learned under the scheme to the cultivation of food crops in the area. Similarly, the household income level of 65.2% of the respondents had increased; average annual income from mango production had increased by 34.5% from GHC650.00 to GHC900.00 per acre. Also, 52.5% said participation in the scheme had helped to improve the educational infrastructure in their communities and that had facilitated access to education. Furthermore, 64.6% of farmers thought participation in the scheme had generally encouraged cooperation among farmer group members. Lastly, in terms of farmers' use of natural resources, 99.5% indicated a positive change. Some of the major challenges were disease and pest attacks, low yields, bushfire outbreaks, lack of cash credit, inadequate inputs, lack of irrigation, no flexible contract terms and delayed payment. It is recommended that additional facilities such as cash credit, cutlasses, pruning sharks, spraying equipment, weeding machines, and irrigation facilities that were initially not envisaged should be provided for increased crop yields. Keywords : ITFC, Organic Mango, Outgrower Scheme, Northern Region, Ghana


PURPOSE: Systems including gas supply conduits coated with silicon and coating methods thereof are provided to minimize a processing gas leakage in the gas supply conduits. CONSTITUTION: A gas supply conduit includes a structure with a corrosion resistant layer with an inner recipe contact surface(12) and an outer environment contact surface. The structure with the corrosion resistant layer includes a protection silicon layer(20), a passivation combination layer(22), and a stainless steel layer(24). The inner recipe contact surface is formed by the protection silicon layer. The passivation combination layer is arranged between the protection silicon layer and the stainless steel layer and includes chrome oxide and iron oxide. The chrome oxide is richer than the iron oxide in the passivation combination layer.


External islands of the Gulf of Finland are an archipelago of relatively small islands located in central-eastern parts of the gulf. These islands are unique natural environments that represent an informative model for the evaluation of former agricultural soil dynamics in abandoned agricultural landscapes. Soils of these islands have been in a fallow state for about 70 years, although before that, they were arable vegetable soils of Finnish settlements for a long time. The morphological pedodiversity of external islands of the Gulf of Finland was studied during a complex expedition that took place within the framework of the program "My Region" in 2019 and was supported by Nord Stream 2 AG. The determination of main soil characteristics was carried out using standard analysis procedures. The unique soils of these areas could be used for the evaluation of the long-term evolution of anthropogenically developed soils after being in an abandoned (fallow) state. Data on soil morphology, taxonomy state and agrochemical soil characteristics are discussed, as are current soil pollution processes of these remote areas based on trace elements. Lands of external islands of the Gulf of Finland are characterised by a wide diversity of soil patterns at different stages of development.


Abstract Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is common among children. However, their caregivers' knowledge and understanding of symptoms may influence how the injury is managed. Primary objective: To investigate the knowledge of New Zealand (NZ) parents about TBI and concussion. Method and procedures: Parents (n = 205) of children aged 5–13 years completed a pen-and-paper or online survey containing questions examining their knowledge of TBI terminology, TBI symptoms and knowledge about concussion management. Main outcomes and results: A high proportion (61%) of parents did not think that a concussion was the same as a brain injury. Loss of consciousness (LOC) was the most endorsed symptom of TBI. However, 69% of participants were aware that TBI could occur without LOC. On average, parents correctly identified 19.5 (67.3%) of the 29 symptoms of TBI, but also identified 2.0 (11.9%) of the 17 distractor symptoms as being TBI related. Demographic factors and experience of TBI/concussion were associated with TBI symptom identification accuracy and concussion knowledge. Conclusions: Further education of parents is needed to ensure they recognise the signs and symptoms of concussion/mild TBI so that they can make informed decisions on how best to manage their child's injury.


The Kent1.Jck·� �}oil�; [1.;3ta s���s tem Technical Report Documentation Page 3. Recipient's Cotolog No. 5. Report Dote April 1981 6. PerfiHming Orgonizotion Code 8. Performing Organization Report No. UKTRP-81-4 10. Work Unit No. (TRAI5) 11. Contract or Grant No. KYP-fi4.11 13. Type of Report and Period Covered Interim 14. Sponsoring Agency Code i ·;:; an e;.:t .. t::-ns :i. Vi� data file o f the F-h�:lsical Pi"Q}':..8Ptii·?S .snd chB racte I' :i. ::.tics;; of SC):i.ls as dete rn,int::od bs f:Ltdd .snd J. a�: ro rat.o r� t.�-::o�:;t:in�" Site locations a ri=:o a· ..... ·ailable for riiOSt ·:;amPl(· �·;:;-��::1ince Kent .. uck s r·� as bet?n 11ii:1PPed seolosicalls (scale 1 !:24}'0()0) ' t.hE-� b(7!d T'DCk i? t each of thest? ��amr-:1 i-? locaticJns can (J(� detE'rmin(�d? Pf'OVidin:3 bc�t te r Cl?P(Jrtuni ties ·r·o r· stud��in.s� so:il-··t"Jedrock (r: .. arent mat.ei''ii::: l ) reJ.ation��'hir�;;+ ,, CD,".'t? 1 i H1ent.a T'� J'f� PO r-t .. cover::;. dat.G� inrut-�·rhis J'�:-?PO Y't. is divicied into two :�ections; data ava:llab:ll:lt�" and d.:�ta I't·:•t.I'ii:?\1-31 • The fir-st ·:�-Hct ion i '" . � desisned to Sd'tOV..I the, (7tuant :i. ts anc.i t.�JPE'Si 0 -r:· data avail able and how the data 3i"(0 cli:�tr:ibut�::(J !:.���o��rar--h:i .c-i:: �11•,.3 � The ::;econd section consists of G:>�(;11YIP 1 (.:0 )':.. J'DblE;ritS �5-hot.,_l :i. ns� ho �� the data 1113�� be retrievE:!d in the fo !'Ill of var-inus J.:i.st.�:;. or tables+


An explicit scheme of Saul'yev for parabolic equations has been used to solve the time-dependent parabolic equation of the mild-slope equation. Theoretical analysis has been presented for stability and consistency of the explicit scheme applied to the mild-slope equation. The explicit scheme is simpler than most existing numerical schemes for solving the mild-slope equation, including elliptical, hyperbolic and parabolic (time-dependent) types and it is faster than the generalised conjugate gradient (GCG) scheme. It has about the same convergent speed as the alternating direction implicit (ADI) scheme for the parabolic equation, but the scheme is simpler. Experimental data obtained by Berkhoff et al. have been used to test the model. A comparison of present model results, for the case of an elliptic shoal, against the results of the GCG model and ADI model has been made and good agreement has been achieved. A nested grid method has also been combined with the present explicit scheme for solving the mild-s...


The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a multi-layers of fiber fabric for further processing into a fiber-reinforced plastic component, comprising the following, automatically executed steps: - Ready for holding a plurality of fiber reinforced thermoplastic semi-finished product formed blanks (10, 20, 30, 40); - laying and stacking the blanks (10, 20, 30, 40) on a tray (200), including a gripping device (100) receives repeating at least one blank (30), transported to the tray (200) and there into one for the each blank (30) defined position and bears in particular with a defined fiber orientation; and - thermal adhering the blank to be deposited in each case (30), to which are fused with the help of this the gripping device (100) selectively and when depositing to the previously stored blanks (10, 40) is pressed. The invention further relates to a gripping device (100) for carrying out a respective process.


CFD results are discussed for jet flows through a straight square duct, which is an interesting configuration in the context of air curtain flows for smoke and heat control in buildings in case of fire. The CFD package Fire Dynamics Simulator, Version 6.0.1, is used. Special focus is given to the impact of the inlet boundary condition on the flow field in the near-field region. Investigation of different orifice configurations (W = 2 cm width, variable span-wise length), including calculations inside a straight square duct (2 cm 9 2 cm, with variable length) ahead of the air orifice, reveals a small vena contracta effect when the orifice is flush with a solid boundary, leading to an acceleration of the flow in the symmetry plane in the near-field region. The vena contracta effect disappears if the co-flow at the nozzle exit is aligned with the jet. More important is the effect of the duct length (precursor domain length, serving as method to generate inflow turbulent conditions for the main computation): imposing a top hat velocity profile, a sufficiently long duct (i.e., L = 20W) is required for the flow to become fully developed at the orifice. The CFD results confirm an analytical correlation for the ratio of the entrance length to the hydraulic diameter of the duct as function of the Reynolds number, provided the duct width is used as characteristic length scale. Using a sufficiently fine mesh, i.e., 10 cells across the characteristic dimension of the nozzle, the evolution of the mean and RMS stream-wise velocity along the centerline, as well as their profiles across the nozzle width, are shown to be captured accurately in the CFD results.


Abstract The age range of the major intra-plate volcanic event that affected the northern Indian margin in the Early Cretaceous is here defined precisely by detrital zircon geochronology. U–Pb ages of Early Cretaceous detrital zircons found in the Cretaceous to the Paleocene sandstones cluster mainly between 142 Ma and 123 Ma in the northern Tethys Himalayan unit, and between 140 Ma and 116 Ma in the southern Tethys Himalayan unit. The youngest and oldest detrital zircons within this group indicate that volcanism in the source areas started in the latest Jurassic and ended by the early Albian. Stratigraphic data indicate that volcaniclastic sedimentation began significantly earlier in southern Tibet (Tithonian) than in Nepal (Valanginian), and considerably later in Spiti and Zanskar (Aptian/Albian) to the west. This apparent westward migration of magmatism was explained with progressive westward propagation of extensional/transtensional tectonic activity and development of fractures cutting deeply across the Indian continental margin crust. However, detrital zircon geochronology provides no indication of heterochroneity in magmatic activity in the source areas from east to west, and thus lends little support to such a scenario. Westward migration of volcaniclastic sedimentation may thus reflect instead the westward progradation of major drainage systems supplying volcanic detritus sourced from the same volcanic centers in the east. Development of multiple radial drainage away from the domal surface uplift associated with magmatic upwelling, as observed for most large igneous provinces around the world, may also explain why U–Pb ages of detrital zircons tend to cluster around 133–132 Ma (the age of the Comei igneous province) in Tethys Himalayan units, but around 118–117 Ma (the age of the Rajmahal igneous province) in Lesser Himalayan units.


Abstract 1029

With almost 130.000 entries in PubMed by today, the kinase family represents one of the gene families with the best documented history in malignant diseases.

Acute myeloid leukemias account for 4.7% of all childhood cancers and 13.7% of all childhood leukemias. Recent german statistics (Kinderkrebsregister Mainz) indicate a 5-year survival rate of only 66%, emphasizing the need to discover novel therapeutic targets and prognostic markers. Here we present an adaptable workflow to detect mutations in kinase family members on genomic and expression level as well as in silico assessment of their functional consequences.

To undertake the venture of resequencing the human kinome of leukemia patients, we constructed a custom SequenceCapture microarray (NimbleGen) based on all exons of all 518 members of the kinase family previously reported by Greenman and colleagues (Greenman et al, Nature, 2007) as well as a set of TaqMan® low density arrays (Life Technologies) to confirm the expression of potential candidates in tumor material. Genomic DNA from the initial tumor sample and germline material from a 16 year old female patient diagnosed with a AML FAB1 with Auer bodies, 93% blasts, CD33+ CD117+ CD38+ and partial CD15+ and from a 16 year old female patient with a bilinear CD22+ CD33+ leukemia was enriched on SequenceCapture arrays and sequenced on the Roche GS FLX Titanium platform. Acquired sequences were mapped against the current human reference (hg19/GRCh37). RNA derived from the initial leukemic blasts was used for kinome-wide expression profiling on TaqMan low density arrays.

From sequencing the enriched DNA, we recieved between 85 and 129 megabases of tumor and germline sequence, of which 97.7–99.4% mapped to the human reference. About 90% of the targeted regions were covered at least once. Mapping and comparison to the germline material led to 28 and 46 tumor specific non-synonymous single nucleotide variants sequenced at a depth of ≥10x that were not previously reported as SNPs (dbSNP130). Analyzing these candidates with UniProt revealed that 6 and 12 were located in or very close to important functional domains of their respective protein. Structural protein models of one patients remaining mutations underscore the potential influence of detected mutations on the protein function. TaqMan® expression profiling of all kinases present on the SequenceCapture Array identified 3 and 4 of the remaining genes to be expressed in the tumor on mRNA level. In conclusion, starting from 518 candidates, we present a powerful workflow for high throughput analysis of the whole kinome in leukemic samples as well as CDK4 , DYRK1B , GSG2 (pt1) and MASTL , MARK3 , RP6KA5 , CLK4 (pt2) as potential targets for further functional analysis.

Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Although the precision of existing calculation methods of the dynamic security region can reach a high level, the heavy calculation and large time-consuming become the bottleneck of its online application. Based on the fact that fault location can affect the transfer of boundary hyper-plane, a method of real-time DSR rapid calculation - the angle uniform rotation method is proposed. By calculating angles of DSR hyper-planes in different fault locations, using the law that angles change in approximate linear, a new dynamic security region in another fault location is obtained. With the help of IEEE 4-generator 11-bus system, an acceptable error is obtained, which proves that the proposed method can improve the speed and accuracy of calculation of dynamic security region.


Heart failure (HF) is a common cardiovascular cause of hospitalizations in the United States and the most frequent reason among patients aged 65 years and older.1 A recent report by the National Hospital Discharge Survey showed an increase in the number of hospital admissions with a diagnosis of HF from ≈1.3 million in 1979 to 3.9 million in 2004, with 30% to 35% of these carrying a primary diagnosis of HF.2 Recent data from several large registries of HF hospitalizations have demonstrated in-hospital mortality as high as 4% to 7%.3,4 Contributing to this is a significant incidence of VTE among hospitalized patients with HF.5 In addition, VTE is associated with thromboembolic complications, which are associated with long-term sequelae including postthrombotic syndromes, venous stasis, venous ulcers, chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, and pulmonary embolism (PE).6–8 These conditions are often associated with edema and chronic pain, which can have a significant impact on mobility and quality of life. Recurrent VTE and PE are also common complications reported in as many as 30% of patients.9

Published information suggests that despite availability of effective therapy and existence of practice guidelines,10,11 there is a significant underutilization of VTE prophylaxis in hospitalized patients with HF.12–15 Analysis of the Acute Decompensated Heart Failure National Registry revealed that of 71 376 patients eligible for VTE prophylaxis only 21 847 (31%) received prophylactic regimen.16 An analysis of the PREMIER database showed that although 79% of 34 286 patients admitted with HF received an order for VTE prophylaxis, only 15.8% received recommended appropriate prophylactic regimen in terms of the type of medications, dose, and duration of therapy.17 These data clearly demonstrate the need for increased awareness of prevention of VTE in hospitalized patients with HF. Therefore, the purpose of this article …


Each and every palladium sample loaded/reloaded either with hydrogen or deuterium was observed to fog radiographic films kept in its close proximity in air. Strangely, even with ten layers of black paper (thickness ≃63 mg/cm 2 ) as a filter between film and sample, fogging was observed. On the other hand, no fogging could be observed even when thin beryllium foil (≃1.4 mg/ cm 2 ), three layers of transparent polyester foils (≃10 mg/ cm 2 ), or thin aluminized polycarbonate (0.3 mg/cm 2 ) were employed as filters. Several experiments have been performed to identify the phenomenon responsible for fogging. These experiments appear to rule out any of the known mechanisms, suggesting a new, strange, and unknown phenomena.


One dimensional multiferroic systems with spin-charge coupling at room temperature are highly useful in future multifunctional devices. A facile protocol was used to process one dimensional multiferroic heterostructures of Ni–BaTiO3 (Ni@BTO) by adopting the wet chemical reduction of hierarchical Ni nanowires, followed by controlled addition of barium titanate nanoparticles. The magnetic and electric properties of hierarchical Ni nanowires decorated with BaTiO3 (BTO) nanoparticles suggest that their magnetic and electric transport mechanisms are influenced by ferroelectric BaTiO3 coating. The surface between the prickles in the hierarchical Ni nanowires is visibly covered with BTO nanoparticles, forming a partial core–shell magnetoelectric system. In the typical Ni@BTO, improved coercivity was achieved and the magnetoelectric coupling coefficient of 517 μV cm−1 Oe−1 was obtained. Since ferromagnetic metals are conducting, Ni-based multiferroic composite structures were difficult to realize. Nevertheless, this is the first report on the encapsulation of nickel-based nanowires with barium titanate, where the former is synthesized without the aid of templates, external magnetic field, or pressure. Hence, the suggested protocol has the potential to develop leakage-free, tailor-made magnetoelectric nanostructures for memory applications.


Objective: As paediatric and adolescent gynaecology (PAG) falls within the remit of paediatrics and gynaecology, training in both specialties is underdeveloped. There is a paucity of research investigating trainee knowledge of PAG, while postgraduate paediatric training demonstrates little focus in the field. Compounding this, a finite number of PAG specialists means clinical training is limited. We hypothesize that knowledge deficits exist among paediatric and GP trainees and that this has future implications for increased morbidity in girls. Design, Setting and Participants: A structured questionnaire assessing PAG was distributed to forty paediatric and GP trainees in October 2019 in a tertiary paediatric hospital. Results: 60% (24) incorrectly identified vulvovaginitis as candidal infection. 80% (32) were unable to identify labial adhesions. 62% (25) were unable to define menorrhagia. 100% (9) of GP trainees said they would prescribe the OCP compared with 51% (16) of paediatric trainees. 52% (21) did not consider STI screening when appropriate. 75% (30) believed genital warts invariably warrant referral to child sexual assault clinic. 70% (28) could not identify female genital mutilation. 60% (24) did not consider imperforate hymen as a cause of primary amenorrhoea. 67% (27) misdiagnosed lichen sclerosis. Conclusions: A knowledge deficit among trainees was evident in relation to PAG conditions. Misdiagnosis and delayed treatment could lead to considerable increased morbidity for girls and we postulate that a key intervention which may prove effective in improving trainee competency in PAG lies in the introduction of a structured training curriculum for all clinicians involved in PAG practice.


Discussion on decolonising European Studies (ES) curriculum has gained traction in academic and activist circles, partly responding to calls to decolonise curricula that have brought attention to the 'whitewashing' of history and the critical lack of BIPOC scholarship taught in higher education syllabi. Current efforts to decolonise ES as a field of study have largely relied on these aspects. While this is undoubtedly an important step, many ES scholars have expressed a lack of clarity as to how this rhetoric can be practically adopted in their courses without compromising the central subject matter – Europe. This paper responds to calls to decolonise ES, by introducing different theoretical and practical approaches that educational practitioners within the field can draw from in the building of curricula


The shortcomings of the public lighting in current buildings are analyzed and expounded,they should be totally changed in urgent.The existing electricity-saving measures are of many hidden troubles,and the model programs'practical values are lower.It is hopefully considered that the high-efficiency distribution can be widely applied.The disordered market constrains the advancement of technology,the new EPM plan will become the foreground of photovoltaic application.


A fluid capacitor for liquid use is described comprising a cylinder-piston/spring arrangement where the spring constant is made to vary as the viscosity of a fluid, so that a temperature independent RC time constant can be achieved in the systems forced to operate at constant Reynolds number. In one embodiment of the invention a piston containing chamber is allowed to fill with fluid. The pressure of fluid on the movable piston is transmitted in the form of a normal force acting upon a beam which is rigidly supported at both ends, the beam consisting of a flexible material having a high thermal expansion coefficient and being supported by a rigid frame having a low thermal expansion coefficient such that the deflection of the beam is a function of both temperature as well as the applied force.


Abstract Averages of functionals along trajectories are studied by evaluating the averages along chains. This yields results for the possible limits and, in particular, for ergodic limits. Applications to Lyapunov exponents and to concepts of rotation numbers of linear Hamiltonian flows and of general linear flows are given.


AbstractThis study presents a novel modal parameter identification method enabling approximation of the mode shapes of linear systems using white-noise or earthquake inputs. The majority of well-es...


The concept of "sustainability" is at the forefront of many research concerns and is at an increasing rate being incorporated into the activities of post-secondary institutions. Sustainability has become such an important issue that it has become part of the "marketing" of an institution. Sustainability self-assessment tools have been developed to guide sustainable developments and allow institutions to display their performances across a range of sustainability measures. Given the growing use of these indices among institutions of higher education, this thesis investigates to what extent "sustainability" practices are adopted in a university-wide setting, and how conscious university administrators are that such practices may translate into higher enrolments; or, serve to attract those prospective students seeking a more "green" learning environment.
Using Concordia University as an example, this case study asks a sample of university administrators how sustainability in higher education impacts the university's reputation, prestige, and rank, and then examines how Concordia University plans to pursue sustainable development. The research reported here shows that about 54% of Concordia's research centres and 61% of Senate-recognized centres have a sustainable research focus. Interestingly, all of Concordia's "sustainability-centric" research centres have been developed since 2009. From 2012 to 2014, 80% of the main advertisement campaign focused on sustainable research developments. In terms of the future, results of this research show that the university is mapping its student activities and sustainable assets for more effective developments, while continuing to improve its position in its sustainability self-assessment, and its attempt to create a sustainable minded culture. It is clear from this research, the thesis concludes, that Concordia University definitely believes investing in its sustainability will empower its mission and vision, and is pursuing it through unique ways.


A 3D hybrid microfluidic platform with integrated polycarbonate track-etched membranes has been developed. The platform enables cell culture and screening of chemotoxic reagents whilst the cell viability analysis has been carried out off-chip. Diffusive and convective modes of cross-membrane drug transfer have been established. In either mode, we successfully demonstrated on-chip incubation of HL60 myeloid leukemia cells and investigation after exposure to toxic mitomycin C (MMC) in the range of concentrations from 0 to 50 mM. The results of the viability assay on-a-chip were found to be consistent with a standard curve obtained off-chip and indicated ca. 40 % cell survival at MMC concentration of 50 mM.


A group of 205 postgraduate students were studied to see if there were any relationships between self-efficacy, self-recognition, previous successes, and academic achievement. At the start of the 24-week course, participants filled out questionnaires about their previous successes, self-esteem, and self-efficacy. As a success metric, the average rating of each student on the modules studied was used. The findings revealed significant connections between self-efficacy and self-esteem. Multiple regressions revealed that automatic efficacy influenced the connection between academic achievement and success.


Announcement of the sharia bonds issuance give a signal to investors in making investment decisions to buy or sell a stock. Actions of investors in making decisions to buy or sell a stock will affect the demand and supply on the company's stock issuer of the sharia bonds so that it is possible the abnormal return of the increase or decrease in the stock price. This study used event study to determine whether there is stock market reaction around the announcement date of the sharia bonds issuance in Indonesia Stock Exchange. The results of these hypothesis with paired sample t-test showed that there was no difference before the announcement date and after the announcement date of the sharia bonds issuance. In conclusion, there is no stock market reaction to the announcement of the sharia bonds issuance in Indonesia Stock Exchange. Keywords: Stock Market Reaction, Sharia Bonds Issuance, Event Study.


Background & Aims: Posttraumatic growth (PTG) refers to positive changes resulting from trauma. As a traumatic stressor, COVID-19 can affect various aspects of one's life. The present study aimed to investigate the mediating role of coping strategies and defense mechanisms in the relationship of PTG and mental health, resilience, and perceived social support in COVID-19 survivors. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted using a path analysis method from the correlation matrix. The research population included all COVID-19 recovered patients in Golestan province, Iran. Using the convenience sampling method, 300 patients who recovered from COVID-19 were selected. The participants were given questionnaires online. The research instruments included the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), the Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ), and the Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WOC). The data were analyzed through structural equation modeling (SEM) using SPSS and AMOS version 25. Results: The findings of SEM revealed that the model fits the data. The relationship between problem-focused coping strategies and PTG, mental health, and perceived social support, the relationship between PTG and perceived social support, resilience, and mental health, and the relationship between mature defense mechanisms and PTG, mental health, resilience, and perceived social support were positive and significant (P<0.01). The relationship between emotion-focused strategies and PTG, resilience, and perceived social support, the relationship between neurotic defense mechanisms and mental health, resilience, PTG, and perceived social support, and the relationship between immature defense mechanisms and mental health, resilience, and PTG were negative and significant (P<0.01). Furthermore, the direct path analysis revealed that the relationships between mental health and emotion-focused strategies and between perceived social support and immature defense mechanisms were not significant. Conclusion: The study results suggested that mental health, resilience, perceived social support, as well as problem-focused coping strategies played a crucial role in increasing PTG in COVID-19 patients. Therefore, they can be utilized to reduce the mental damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.


For investigation, technical fibres extracted from flax Linum usitatissimum L. fibre variety planted in Croatia and from Slovenian autochthonous variety from Bela Krajina were used. Flax steams of fibre variety were subjected to water retting for 72 hours, but flax steams of seed variety were dew retted for 4 weeks. Dried retted stems were passed through a mechanical process of breaking and scotching, which were followed by heckling and combing, where the fibres were separated in four length groups. Moisture regain, length, fineness and tensile properties were determined for each length group of both varieties. The properties of investigated flax varieties were different but comparable, as well as the properties of individual fibre's length groups within the same variety. It was concluded that flax fibres from seed and fibre varieties have adequate morphological and mechanical properties for reinforcing polymer matrix composites.


Objectives: Competing risk models were used in this study. The purpose of this study was to assess the predictive usefulness of lymph node characteristics in elderly patients with stage III serous ovarian cancer. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis on 148,598 patients from 2010 to 2016 using the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results database. Lymph node characteristics were collected and examined, including the number of lymph nodes retrieved the number of lymph nodes examined (ELN) and the number of positive lymph nodes (PN). Using competing risk models, we evaluated the connection between these variables and overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS). Results: This study included a total of 3457 ovarian cancer patients. Multivariate analysis using the COX proportional hazards model found that ELN>22 was an independent predictive factor for both OS (hazard ratio [HR] [95% CI]=0.688 [0.553 to 0.856], P<0.05) and DSS (HR [95% CI]=0.65 [0.512 to 0.826], P<0.001), PN>8 was identified as a significant risk factor for both OS (HR [95% CI]=0.908 [0.688 to 1.199], P=0.497) and DSS (HR [95% CI]=0.926 [0.684 to 1.254], P=0.62). Subsequently, using the competing risk model, ELN>22 was found to be an independent protective factor for DSS (HR [95% CI]=0.738 [0.574 to 0.949], P=0.018), while PN>8 was identified as a risk factor for DSS (HR [95% CI]=0.999 [0.731 to 1.366], P=1). Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate the robustness of the competing risk model to evaluate the results of the COX proportional hazards model analysis.


Hyperthyroidism is associated with increase in concentration of thyroid hormones and increase thespeed of basal metabolism, accompanied by an increase in the total consumption of oxygen. In untreated patients, hyperthyroidism increases the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) leading to oxidative damage to biomembrane lipids. To evaluate the antioxidanteffect of melatonin to improve the clinical and biochemical parameters in Iraqi patients with hyperthyroidism, 60 patients with newly diagnosed and untreated hyperthyroidism were enrolled in this study. 20 volunteers were served as control with n ormal TSH. The patients were divided into two groups randomly first group treated withmelatonin + carbimazole, the second group treated with carbimazole. Enzyme activity (SOD), (GPx ),(CAT), and (were measured inplasma.A clinical score was establis hed according to the most common symptoms and signs of hyperthyroidism .The result showed that hyperthyroid patients had increased (MDA) content significantly , (CAT) and (SOD) activityalso increased but not significantly while Gpx3 decreased significantly compared to controls (p<0.05) . Patients who received extra supplementation with Melatonin (group A, n = 30) attained euthyroidism and improvement in antioxidativestatus faster thanthe patients treated only with carbimazole (group B, n = 30). Most signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism might be related to an increase in free radicals. Melatonin as antioxidant could be an effective adjuvant therapeutic tool to improve the clinical man ifestation of this illness.


Intraoperative floppy iris syndrome is a well-known risk factor for complications during cataract extraction in patients who are on or who have previously used tamsulosin, the most commonly prescribed α-1 adrenergic blocker for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. It is important that both ophthalmologists and physicians appreciate the association as it occurs in a significant number of patients, and favorable visual outcome can be achieved if tamsulosin use is known before surgery and the operation is undertaken by an experienced surgeon. This article evaluates the current literature on intraoperative floppy iris syndrome and includes discussion on epidemiology, underlying mechanisms and management strategies.


The expediency of developing expressions for mutual inductance of rectangular and square coplanar contours is caused by configuration of frame antennas typical for RFID-technologies. Expressions presented in this article are aimed at simplifying calculation of induction coefficients when designing loop antennas. Expressions for mutual inductance of rectangular coplanar contours with symmetrical internal arrangement are obtained on the basis of the method of sections. It is shown that under certain conditions the expressions obtained can be reduced to intrinsic inductances of the square and rectangular frames encountered in antenna configurations. The analysis allows to estimate regions of resonance frequencies of frame receiving antennas. Simultaneously, a comparative analysis of a number of expressions for the intrinsic inductance of rectangular and square frames is performed, and attention is drawn to the difference in estimates. Recommendations for clarifying square contour external inductance are provided.


Advanced technology made us to live sedentary lifestyle, due to this kind of lifestyle we all are in high risk to develop heart diseases in our life time. CVDs are the number [1] cause of death globally: more people die annually from cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) than from any other cause. An estimated 17.7 million people died from CVDs in 2015, representing 31% of all global deaths. Of these deaths, an estimated 7.4 million were due to coronary heart disease and 6.7 million were due to stroke. >75%of CVD deaths occur in low-income and middle-income countries. 80%of all CVD deaths are due to heart attacks and strokes. Important warning signs includes: lightheadedness, Nausea, extreme fatigue, fainting, and dizziness, Pressure in the upper back and shortness of breath and Sweating etc.


This paper is an attempt to trace how the concepts of intuition and duration as formulated by the philosopher Henri Bergson have permeated areas of film studies where he is not typically considered to be an important figure, such as film criticism. After the publication of the English language version of Henri Bergson's Creative Evolution in 1911, the analytic philosopher Bertrand Russell published a polemic attack against him. This disagreement between the two can be seen to focus on the proper role of analysis. Where Bergson believed that through intuition we can come to see something of the wholeness of a thing, Russell believed this to be a preposterous claim. I examine how this fissure between the two concerning the importance of intuition and analysis has reoccurred in the debate between David Bordwell and V.F. Perkins concerning the former's book, Making Meaning: Inference and Rhetoric in the Interpretation of Cinema (1989), as well as how Bergson's concept of duration has influenced the early film theorist and film-maker Jean Epstein. Interestingly, this influence has again come under attack by another analytic thinker: Malcolm Turvey.


]. Mechanical properties of polymeric nanofi brous material and its biocompatibility and, in some cases biodegradability, make it highly preferable material for bone sub-stitution applications. However, the chemical composition of most of the commonly used polymers does not promote bone mineralization. To overcome this obstacle, the fi brous nanocomposite structure of poly-meric/nanohydroxyapatite materials was proposed [


Background:In 2000, WHO/UNAIDS recommended co-trimoxazole prophylaxis for persons at early stages of HIV infection (WHO stage ≥ 2) in sub-Saharan Africa. Objective:To assess the cost-effectiveness of alternative strategies for initiation of co-trimoxazole in Côte d'Ivoire. Design:Cost-effectiveness analysis with an HIV simulation model using clinical and cost data from a randomized trial of co-trimoxazole in HIV-infected adults. Methods:The study included HIV-infected patients in Côte d'Ivoire, with median age 33 years. Thirty-four percent were classified as WHO stage 2, 59% as stage 3, and 7% as stage 4. The mean CD4 cell count was 331 × 106 cells/l. The interventions were no prophylaxis, clinical criteria-based co-trimoxazole initiation (early: WHO stage ≥ 2; late: WHO stage ≥ 3), CD4-based co-trimoxazole initiation (< 500, < 200, < 50 × 106 CD4 cells/l). The outcome measures were life expectancy, lifetime costs, and incremental cost-effectiveness. Results:The most effective strategy, initiation of co-trimoxazole prophylaxis at WHO stage ≥ 2, increased undiscounted life expectancy by 5.2 months, discounted life expectancy by 4.4 months, and lifetime costs by US$ 60, compared with no prophylaxis. Delaying prophylaxis initiation until WHO stage ≥ 3 was less costly and less effective. All CD4-based strategies were dominated. The incremental cost-effectiveness of early versus late co-trimoxazole prophylaxis initiation was US$ 200/year of life gained. Results were stable despite wide variations in plausible assumptions about bacterial resistance and the prophylaxis efficacy on co-trimoxazole-resistant strains. Conclusions:For HIV-infected adults in Côte d'Ivoire, co-trimoxazole prophylaxis is reasonably cost-effective and most effective if initiated when WHO stage ≥ 2. Early co-trimoxazole prophylaxis will prevent complications prior to antiretroviral therapy initiation and should be considered an essential component of care for early HIV in sub-Saharan Africa.


The South Caucasus has been part of many countries for centuries, and the peoples living here have had many independent states. This beautiful region of the world has always been in the center of attention in terms of geostrategic importance. Located on the historic Silk Road, the South Caucasus has long been in the geopolitical interests of major powers, and over the past two centuries, the region's natural resources, such as oil and gas, have increased the region's importance. In different historical periods in the South Caucasus, kingdoms, sultanates, kingdoms, principalities, empires, khanates, principalities, etc. state structures existed. Many of the material and cultural monuments created by these traditions of public administration still exist today. It discusses the legal status of modern administrative structures of the South Caucasus republics, the content of their existing forms and methods. The article proposes a number of political reforms based on experience, relevant normative material, legal and other social literature, the implementation of which in a strategic plan has a role in further improving the organizational and legal activities of the administrative bodies of the republics. The article can serve as a source for a comparative study of scientific research centers interested in the study of political and administrative management in the South Caucasus.


In that double-figure which haunted the moment of the enlightenment in its relation to the otherness of the Other, you can see the historical formation of the time-lag of modernity. Homi Bhabha, The Location of Culture Can there ever be anything other than a distorting and manipulating orientalism, trading nostalgically on its own past, perhaps, but mortally wounded by the very deconstructive instruments that it has helpedto forge. J.J. Clarke, Oriental Enlightenment In an essay on Algeria found at the end of a recent issue of Le Nouvel Observateur bearing the title "La France, c'est l'Algerie," Bernard Frank laments the impossiblities of a dispassionate French interest in Algeria in the postcolonial era, an interest that would be somehow untainted by the specters of French orientalist and colonial history. Evoking the recent history of Algerian immigration and the suspect nature of postcolonial French desire for cultural exchange with Algeria, Frank expresses the wish of many French to visit the former colony: "Pas en conquerants, pas en civilateurs, pas en touristes, pas en medecins sans frontiers [...]pour le plaisir. [...] Je n'ai jamais de ma vie en Algerie. J'aimerais bien enfin y aller. Sans idee derriere la tete. [...] C'etait, parait-il, si beau l'Algerie. C'est curieux, on en parle toujours au passe. Ou comme s'il s'agissait d'un fait divers" (66). Referring to the phantom heritage of the colonial era accompanied by what Edward Said terms an underlying "imaginat ive geography," those orientalist impulses that generated phantasmic images and desires of Algeria. Frank's observations on the predicament of contemporary Franco-Algerian relations point, in many ways, to dilemmas one finds in many of the attempts of those working in the field of postcolonial studies to approach the "Orient" and, in particular, Algeria, innocuously and with contemporaneity (Reflections 199). As an oppositional practice seeking to unveil the repressed histories of colonialism and to return them to the realm of postcolonial consciousness, postcolonial studies performs a belated exercise of recovery that presents knowledge of Europe's guilty past. In bringing repressed colonial histories to light, much of this work rightly suggests a collaboration among the ghosts of colonial and orientalist domination in contemporary cultural division, particularly in Algeria and France. Yet, little critical attention has been paid to the theorization of postcolonial studies as an effective oppositional practice in relation to the edification or reinscription of what one might term, following Pierre Nora, an orientalist lieu de memoire, within a postcolonial context marked by European guilt and Algerian victimization (23). Given its own present conflicts and the prominent role it played and continues to play in orientalist history and in France's imperialist heritage, Algeria presents a particularly important case study. With the influx of thousands of Algerian immigrants in France and the specters of French colonialism lingering in Algeria, discussion of postcolonial Franco-Algerian relations seems to remain inevitably linked to the colonial past, confirming Ella Shohat's observations that "the postcolonial implies a narrative of progression in which colonialism remains the central point of reference" (133). As a driving discourse of colonial culture, orientalism, too, remains a fixed point of reference in postcolonial criticism, reappearing in the form of past images and fantasies to haunt the contemporary cultural scene. The motif of haunting and spectrality evoked here is particularly relevant to contemporary notions of postcolonial and Franco-Algerian cultural relations because the invisible yet perceived persistence of a colonial past and desire linked to orientalist practice continues to condition both postcolonial and Franco-Algerian relations as well as critical responses to them. …


The invention provides an electromagnetic vibrating screen for selecting short grained matter. The electromagnetic vibrating screen for selecting the short grained matter comprises a base and a supporting frame, wherein an electromagnetic vibrator is arranged on the base, the supporting frame is provided with a left screening cavity and a right screening cavity, and the electromagnetic vibrator is connected with the left screening cavity and the right screening cavity. The entire screening cavities vibrate through the electromagnetic vibrator, and short grains in the screening cavities are screened out. The electromagnetic vibrating screen for selecting the short grained matter is simple and effective, small, easy to carry, and quite convenient to produce.