The Library Management System using the Laravel framework is a web-based application that points in building up an automated Integrated library system to keep up all day by day work of the library. This undertaking has numerous highlights that are commonly not accessible in typical integrated library system, facilities like separate user interfaces for different users having different priorities. It also has a facility of admin login. Through this, the admin can monitor the whole system. In this system, users can see the list of books they have taken and its issue date, return date and also they can reserve the books online. The fine count is robotized with exactness. The application is intended to assist clients in maintaining and organizing the library. It is easy to use for both beginners and advanced users. It incorporates a recognizable, well-thoroughly considered, and appealing UI joined with solid searching, insertion and reporting capacities. Generally, this task of our own is being created to help students as well as the staff to keep up the library in the most ideal manner conceivable and decrease human endeavors.


We de ne a notion of radical in a BCI-algebra, and some fundamental results concerning this notation are proved. The notion of -ideal is introduced, and we discuss p-ideals in BCI-algebras and their relations with -ideals.


IN searching for a suitable subject for my presidential address, I felt that it ought to deal with the ground-work of orthopaedic practice, should be in some measure an academic thesis reflecting some, at least, of my personal faith derived from over twenty years of orthopaedic work, and might, perhaps, present some of the simplest facts of common experience in a fresh light so as to stimulate thought or provoke investigation by others. The theme I shall try to put before ypu is that (1) Every posture of the body has a definite natural association with respiratory movement. (2) Most, if not all, of the natural purposeful movements of the body which we use in standing, walking, running or working with our hands and arms are most easily made at a definite time in the respiratory cycle of inspiration and expiration. (3) In patients in whom the natural use of the body as a machine has been put out of order by paralysis, injury or disease, the restoration of natural automatic movement is made much more easy if the patient be first taught to make the difficult movement in proper rhythm with respiration. (4) Finally, a correct relation between respiration and posture materially assists the heart's action, helps to support abdominal viscera and promotes the well-being of the whole body. The way in which I now think of movement and respiration as essentially coordinate has been arrived at by the convergence of several distinct lines of observation and thought. 9


This article offers helpful, pragmatic tips for choosing the right contract manufacturing organization for your project and for managing the relationship to provide both parties with a win-win solution. (This article was previously published in Pharm. Technol. Eur. 12 [5], 72-74 [2000].)


Two commercial types of Hydro pericardium Hepatitis Syndrome (HHS) oily inactivated vaccines were evaluated. The first was (Angavac) French in origin (Merial Co.) & the 2 is (Nobilis Hepatitis) Holland in origin (Intervet Co.). A unified program of vaccination had been used for both vaccines. One & ten days old chicks


Case 1I.-Miss C., aged 28, had rheumatic fever at the ages of 13, 18 and 20 years. Following the last attack she was told that her heart was affected. Now she has no symptoms. The pulse is moderately collapsing in quality and the blood pressure is 165/60. At the lower left sternal edge there is a loud high-pitched diastolic murmur separated from the second sound by a gap. The phonocardiogram (Fig. 4) confirms that the main diastolic murmur is late though some vibrations begin immediately after the second sound. The presence of aortic valve disease is supported by left ventricular preponderance in the electrocardiogram and slight left ventricular enlargement on cardioscopy. There is no clinical or radiological evidence of mitral valve disease. The phonocardiogram (Fig. 5) of a man aged 43 with mitral stenosis is shown for comparison with the records of aortic incompetence and unusual diastolic murmurs. At the apex (MA) there is an obvious mid-diastolic murmur; here and at the lower left sternal edge (LSE) there is a loud sound (X) following the second sound, the so-called "opening snap" of the mitral valve. It precedes the mid-diastolic murmur by a short interval. Between the second sound and the "opening snap" are some vibrations which probably represent the early diastolic murmur of aortic incompetence which was just audible on auscultation. In conclusion, it is well known that aortic diastolic murmurs begin immediately after the second sound but graphically this murmur may be shown to be maximal later. In rare cases the late crescendo may create the auscultatory impression that the murmur is separated from the second sound by a gap. This may cause difficulty in diagnosis though the murmur may be otherwise typical of aortic incompetence in its location and high pitch.


The construction of ecological civilization is one of the major strategic objectives of the 18th CPC National Congress and one of the important contents of the "Two Environment Building" in Hebei Province.However,the current situation of the ecological environment in Hebei Province is not optimistic.There exist chiefly three major challenges: first,the fragile ecological environment and serious environmental pollution;second,the irrational industrial structure and greater ecological security risks;third,the prominent ecological poverty and unoptimistic development trend.Therefore,in order to promote ecological civilization construction and build a beautiful Hebei,Hebei Province must achieve three major breakthroughs during the 12th Five-Year Plan period: first,taking areas around Beijing and Tianjin as the focal point to improve the new layout of ecological construction;second,taking the adjustment of the industrial structure as the core to build a new system of eco-industry;third,taking innovation as the driving force to enhance the dynamic of ecological construction.


In order to improve the fertilizer utilization efficient,remove the residue of the former crop and the harmful matter decomposed by root exudate,improve root rapid growth and yield,the application effect of Duowei fertilizer on japonic rice was discussed to provide reference for the extension.Taking Longjiang 26 as material,the effect of common fertilizer adding with Duowei fertilizer on rice growth was conducted.The results showed that there were some promoting effect on tiller of common fertilizer adding with Duowei fertilizer,it was good for the chlorophyll accumulation of flag leaf,was beneficial to growth of panicle characters,although yield-increasing effect was not obvious,the benefit was significant,it could increase the income by 742.65 yuan·hm-2.


Abstract California has a very diverse and productive agricultural industry. We studied the determinants of the exposure to dust, noise, and pesticides and the use of protective equipment among 1947 randomly selected California farm operators. The farm operators completed a telephone interview during 1993 and were asked about work and farm characteristics and use of protective equipment. The median farm size was 60 acres. There were considerable differences in the self-reported percentage of time working in a dusty job and in a noisy job, and in the number of days using pesticides, between types of farming and between regions. Field crop farm operators reported the highest percentages of time in noisy or dusty jobs (median noise 30%, dust 20%) and nursery farmers reported the lowest (median noise 1%, dust 0%). Pesticide use varied among farm categories, with 5.4 percent of the livestock farmers and 37.1 percent of the nursery farmers reporting ten pesticide days or more per year. One of the strongest and ...


Magnetic surveys have been widely used in archaeological field investigations. However, conventional survey methods are often restricted by complicated field conditions and ambiguities in data interpretation. In this study, a novel magnetic survey system was designed for pre-archaeological investigation (preliminary survey prior to the archaeological excavation) based on a modified quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and was successfully applied to an archaeological area with a complex landform in Huizhou, China. Results show that the target anomaly identified by UAV aeromagnetic survey corresponds well to the location of a potential archaeological site. Subsequent soil analyses further confirm the archaeological value of UAV aeromagnetic results and provide strong constraints on the interpretation of target anomalies. This study demonstrates that the newly proposed UAV aeromagnetic system can adapt to the various field conditions with the advantages of flexibility and efficiency, which has great potential for future archaeological investigations.


Abstract
Moral development among children and the youths has been perceived as an integral part of the Nigerian educational system. It is, indeed, very essential for the healthy existence of human society. The inculcation of sound moral values, such as honesty, obedience, fear of God, sexual control, fairness and respect for elders and constituted authorities among children and the youths is sinequanon in this regard since the children and youths are the leaders of tomorrow. Besides, since children and the youths are not fully mature and developed, they therefore constitute a very vital group upon which sound moral values can be built as to ensure the emergency of a just, healthy, harmonious and peaceful society. Hence Nigeria needs to get her children and youths morally prepared to enable them jettison all forms of social vices and criminalities which are inimical to the realization of a just and egalitarian society. This paper discuses the concept of moral development and morality. It also examines the various ways through which sound moral values could be developed in children and the youths. The paper goes further to capture the implications of moral development to the parents/guardians, teachers and the society, the salient factors that influence the development of good moral values in children and youths, the agents of moral development, factors that account for the obvious decline of sound moral values and traditional cultural values in our society as well as their apparent effects. Conclusively, the paper suggests that the teaching of religious and moral instruction and counseling services should be intensified in the school system as to help direct students along the right path. The paper calls on significant persons in the society to serve as good role models to the children and the youths and advocates the provision of meaningful and activity-oriented programmes to them. It further calls on parents to monitor the television programmes their children watch and finally advises all the caregivers to employ reinforcement to help the children and youths internalize sound moral values.


This paper reports on the preparation of graphene oxide (GO) modified with hafnium oxide (HO) nanoparticles composites by a simple mixing and their use as efficient electrode in electrochemical supercapacitors. The technique relies on simple mixing the aqueous solutions of hafnium oxide (HO) nanoparticles and graphene oxide (GO) at different ratios of GO content (20, 30 and 40 wt%). The morphological studies, chemical composition and electrochemical behavior of the resulting HO/GO nanocomposites were investigated by using UV/vis spectrometry, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electrochemical respectively. The electrochemical performance, including the capacitive behavior of the HO/GO nanocomposites were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge-discharge curves. The HO/GO nanocomposites (40 wt%) ratio exhibited the best performance with a specific capacitance of 268 Fg -1 at a scan rate 5 mVs -1 in 1 M H 2 SO 4 and it shows excellent long-term cycle stability.

http://jacsdirectory.com/journal-of-nanoscience-and-technology/admin/issues/20180517062029_4-3-04 JNST18118 Hafnium Oxide Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites as Efficient Supercapacitor Electrodes.pdf


In this article, we develop a new measure of earnings surprises – the earnings surprise elasticity (ESE), which is defined as the absolute value of earnings announcement abnormal returns (EARs) scaled by earnings surprises (in percentage). The numerator of the ESE captures all the information released around earnings announcement dates and market reactions to the information; the denominator of the ESE gives special emphasis to earnings surprises. We explore the ESE under four different categories in terms of the signs of earnings surprises (+/-) and the signs of EARs (+/-). We find that: a). Across all four sub-samples, larger firms have smaller earnings surprises and higher EARs (both in absolute values), thus have higher ESE quintiles. b). Firms in the highest ESE quintile usually have much smaller post-earnings-announcement cumulative abnormal returns (CARs) in absolute value than firms in the lowest ESE quintile; c). Against conventional wisdom, for around 36% of total observations, earnings surprises and EARs move in opposite directions. d). More than 11% firms have no surprises; those are larger firms with larger institutional shareholdings and followed by more analysts. It is not wise to invest in this group of firms as evidenced in the negative post-earnings-announcement CARs. e). A trading strategy of taking a long position in firms in the lowest ESE quintile when both earnings surprises and EARs are positive and a short position in firms in the lowest ESE quintile when both are negative can generate 5.19% quarterly abnormal return.


Abstract Pasteurized homogenized milk was analyzed for 2 yr for variations in the noncasein proteins. Milk was chemically fractionated into the principal noncasein fractions, and the concentration of each fraction was determined by Kjeldahl nitrogen and correlated with season. Data were analyzed statistically, employing (as the regression model) the first two terms of a trigonometric series. Results indicate that all of the fractions but one varied with season and the variation was cyclic in character. The total albumin fraction did not vary. Also, with the exception of β -lactoglobulin, all of the fractions were highest in concentration during the summer and lowest in winter months. β -Lactoglobulin concentration followed a reverse variation. The equation for the regression model and appropriate constants for each fraction are included. Also included are the predicted maximum and minimum concentration values for each fraction plus the date these values are expected.


This paper aims to analyse Turkey's anti-corruption policy in the context of the country's integration with the European Union (EU). It examines the major corruption scandal in December 2013 as a case to assess whether Turkey is well equipped to confront the expanding political corruption. It starts by setting the scene of the scandal of last December, arguing that after the revelation of the corruption scandal, the cases essentially got bogged down and had negligible political consequences. The scandal led to the dismissal of certain police and judicial officials, but the charges against the remaining 53 suspects in this major corruption case have been dropped by the Public Prosecutor. The paper seeks to explain this corruption scandal in the context of the current legal anti-corruption framework, assessing the framework's inadequacies and how these could be remedied. As will be underlined, despite the improvement of the legal framework to combat corruption, there has been little or no implementation of a series of administrative measures issued by governments and major anti-corruption treaties signed after the economic crisis of 2001.


A field experiment on sugarcane was conducted in 2012-13 to study the effect of seaweed saps of Kappaphycus alverizii and Gracilaria spp. were tested at different concentrations (2.5%, 5.0%, 6.25%, 7.5% and 10%) on nutrient content in cane, nutrient content in leaves and nutrient uptake by sugarcane. Significant improvement were observed in increasing nutrient content in cane, nutrient content in leaves and uptake by sugarcane at 10 per cent concentration of seaweed saps with recommended dose of fertilizer. Hence, the present study found that 10 per cent seaweed saps with recommended dose showed higher nutrient content in leaves, nutrient content in cane and nutrient uptake compared to other concentration.


The aim of the project is the creation of a web platform for learning IT security through challenges. The platform can be used by people with different technical profiles, since it has been developed having into consideration three levels of knowledge: low level, medium level and advanced level. Challenges are of different typology: • Cryptography / steganography • Web Security (XSS, SQL Injection, etc.) • Vulnerabilities in operating systems (password cracking, elevation of privileges) • Network security, etc.


The effect of temperature on postdiapause eclosion of horn flies, Haematobia irritans (L.), was examined in the laboratory and field. Pupae stored at -5, 0.5, 5. and 10°C completed diapause development after 98, 84, 42, and 56 d. Median time to eclosion of diapause-completed flies was ≤10.5 d at 25°C, Pupae placed under pats in the fall for various periods were retrieved and reared at 15°C, 20, 25, and 30°C, Time to eclosion was significantly influenced by rearing temperature following retrieval from the field, and decreased with length of time outdoors. An equation was developed describing the influence of temperature on the proportion of postdiapause development completed per day. The relationship between cumulative postdiapause physiological age and cumulative proportion eclosion was also determined. These relationships were used to successfully simulate spring emergence using either manure pat temperatures or air temperatures as input variables. Manure pat temperatures during the winter were considerably more stable than air temperatures and may act to intensify diapause in the fall, maximize the rate of diapause development during the winter, and prevent premature eclosion in the spring.


: The question of contemporariness of the contemporary has always tricked the scholars and critics. The paper has tried to investigate the concept, contributing factors and issues of contemporary British Fiction. The paper highlights the social, political and economical issues and factors which has not only affected the British history but has also been a great influence on contemporary fiction. The paper thus attempts to analyze what does contemporary British fiction mean and what has made it so.


A sugary-1 breeding population of maize (Zea mays L.), AS11, has hypersensitive resistance (Rp1d gene) to common leaf rust (CLR) (Puccinia sorghi Schw.) and is resistant to maize dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV) strains A and B. It is released for its potential value in sweet corn improvement.


Determination of Student Learning Interests in English and Mathematics lessons still use a manual work system. The research objective is to design and build a decision support system (SPK) application to determine students' interest in learning English and Mathematics in SMP Negeri 2 Kadatua. The Weighted Product (WP) method is used to calculate and determine student interest in learning, there are three criteria, namely Academic Achievement (Cost), National Examination (Cost), Non Academic Achievement (Benefit). Testing the application using 78 student data with the results of the calculation of 47 students tend to Mathematics while 31 students are interested in English lessons. The conclusion of the research conducted is the existence of a Decision Support System (SPK), can help the school in determining students who are interested in English and Mathematics subjects.


Ex Vivo biomimetic models have emerged as powerful experimental tools for basic science discovery and pre‐clinical drug testing. A challenge for microvascular research is recapitulating the complexity associated with intact networks in real tissue scenarios. To meet this challenge, our laboratory recently introduced the rat mesentery culture model, which enables the real‐time investigation of multicellular interactions during angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis at the same time. The impact of this approach could be increased with the use of analogous transgenic mouse tissue. However, mouse mesentery is normally avascular raising the question: Can we induce microvascular growth into the mouse mesentery? Preliminary observations of mesenteric tissues harvested from mice treated with tamoxifen for conditional knockout studies suggests that vascularization in the mouse mesentery might be possible. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that tamoxifen treatment causes microvascular growth into avascular mouse mesenteric tissue. Female C57BL/6 mice were given a daily IP injection of 0.1 mL for 5 consecutive days containing the following experimental groups: Saline, Sunflower Seed Oil (Oil), and Tamoxifen (Tmx) dissolved in sunflower seed oil (10 mg/mL). Following 21 days post the last injection, mesenteric tissues were harvested and labeled with anti‐mouse platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM), neuron‐glial antigen 2 (NG2), and alpha‐smooth muscle actin (a‐SMA) antibodies to identify endothelial cells, pericytes, and smooth muscle cells, respectively. Zero tissues (0/8) from the Saline group contained a branching microvascular network. In contrast, all tissues from the Oil (8/8) and Tmx (8/8) groups contained networks with arterioles, venules, and capillaries. Smooth muscle cells and pericytes were present in their expected wrapping morphologies and locations along the hierarchy of the networks. In contrast to Saline tissues, Oil and Tmx treated tissues also contained branching LYVE‐positive lymphatic networks. The dramatic increase of vascularized tissue area and the vascularized tissue density were not significantly different between the Oil and Tmx groups (vascular area: Saline = 0.05 ± 0.05 %, Oil = 28.34 ± 8.61 %, Tmx = 35.56 ± 9.47 %; vascular density: Saline = 4.19 ± 4.19 #/mm2, Oil = 290.26 ± 32.00 #/mm2, Tmx = 275.61 ± 31.82 #/mm2; n = 8 tissues from 2 mice per group). The results of this study provide the first evidence that microvascular network growth in mouse mesenteric tissues can be induced and that sunflower seed oil is sufficient for the stimulation. More importantly, the results enable the use of mesentery tissue culture for the novel investigation of microvascular cell dynamics with transgenic mouse strains.


Time-evolution and hence, forecasting the growth profiles of business-centric technoeconomics are ascertained. As an example, the vast telecommunication (telco)-specific business is considered as a complex enterprise depicting a cyberspace of digital ecology (DE) with a backbone of network that supports a host of information sources and destinations facilitating a variety of triple (voice, data and video) services. To specify the temporal trend of evolution of telco economics in a series format, the approach pursued here (and differs from traditional series analyses) takes into account only a selective (and justifiable) set of autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) parameters consistent with the test data. However, this simplified approach yields sufficiently accurate time-series (depicting the business growth) extendable to forecasting regimes. The efficacy of the proposed method is determined via goodness-fit evaluations both in time- and frequency-domains. The data adopted in the computations conform to typical telco service industry.


A description of the VICKSI facility is given with emphasis on the special properties which make VICKSI particularly suitable for measurements of charge exchange losses during cyclotron acceleration. Measurements of these losses for carbon-, neon- and argon-ions at different vacuum levels are reported. At the normal operating pressure of VICKSI, namely 3 . 10-7 mbar, no losses could be observed for carbon and neon ions, while for argon the transmission to extraction radius was 92%.


Recent research shows that productivity differences are more important than differences in accumulation rates in explaining per capita income differences across countries. So far static differences in productivity have been mainly computed and analyzed in large samples of countries. This paper extends the research by focusing on productivity dynamics . It uses the panel approach to compute productivity indices for a large sample of countries for two time periods, namely an initial period of 1960-75 and a subsequent period of 1975-90. This allows computation of ordinal and cardinal changes in productivity between the two periods. The results show considerable variation in productivity dynamics across countries. The task ahead is to find out what accounts for the observed dynamics. Copyright 2003 by the International Association for Research in Income and Wealth.


In contexts of social exclusion, child-parent attachment relationships can be a potential bridge for the transmission of trauma. On the other hand, when these relationships are secure, they may promote resilience. Therefore, attachment-centered, preventive interventions constitute a fundamental tool of child protection. Primera Alianza is a brief, group intervention program for caregivers of preschool children (1-6 years old), in the context of social exclusion. The aim of Primera Alianza is twofold: to enhance parental sensitivity, on the one hand, and to enhance parental reflective function, on the other. The program makes use of innovative methodology, based on video-feedback and therapeutic use of the group. Core principles and tools of the program are described, as well as some of its preliminary results.


ACP was recently detected in California. Thus far, the insect has been confined to backyard citrus and has not been detected on either nursery or field-grown citrus. HLB has not been detected in ACP insects sampled from find sites. Soil-applied systemic treatments with the neonicotinoid imidacloprid have been used for the management of ACP at find sites. In our research, we are evaluating possible strategies for the use of imidacloprid in commercial citrus. Key issues related to the use of imidacloprid are application rates and the timing of treatments to maximize psyllid control. In addition, concerns about the possible impacts of imidacloprid treatments against honey bees are being addressed. We are conducting extensive studies on the uptake and persistence of imidacloprid in the most important citrus-growing regions in California. Following treatments at different timings during a season, we monitor the concentrations of insecticide in leaf tissue that is most attractive to ACP; and, during the spring bloom, we test for the presence of imidacloprid residues in nectar sampled from flowers on treated trees. In addition to our work on field-grown citrus, we are also working with the citrus nursery industry to develop strategies for optimizing the use of imidacloprid on nursery stock. Imidacloprid treatments are used by nurseries as part of a quarantine mandate that requires that nursery stock be treated before it can be moved within the quarantine zone.


In this paper, I draw on Barfield's theory of the evolution of consciousness and language to argue that William Butler Yeats employs language in his poetry in a way which resembles the older, 'orga...


The diameter of hydraulic tunnels is large,and their geological structure is complex.The parameters of geological background and rock properties are inaccurate.The theoretical calculations cannot precisely reflect their work states,especially during their construction they are disturbed by the construction process.The prototype observation is an effective way to monitor their work states.Based on the water transfer tunnel of underground powerhouse of a hydropower station,a regression model was established to analyze the variation rules of surrounding rock according to the monitoring data,and the spatial distribution of the surrounding rock is studied.The results show the surrounding rock is safe.


To investigate the vertical zonation in the copepod community in relation to stratified water-masses, multi-layer sampling at 1–2-m intervals using a submersible pump was conducted on 6 August 2009 in the inner part of Tokyo Bay, central Japan. Acartia sinjiensis showed a peak of the population density in the surface water, which was influenced by river discharge, and Paracalanus parvus s.l. had a peak contrastingly in the mid layer, which was intruded by coastal water from out of the bay through estuary circulation. Calanus sinicus occurred in the coastal water layer with other oceanic copepods. The most dominant species, Oithona davisae showed a remarkable peak in the pycnocline in the 3–6-m layer. Adults of Labidocera rotunda and Pseudodiaptomus marinus and immature copepodids of Hemicylops japonicus accumulated just above the hypoxic bottom-water (DO 1.0 mg L ). The shallower peak of the bimodally distributed Acartia omorii was very sharp and seemed to be formed by predation by the moon jellyfish Aurelia aurita s.l. on the copepods in the layers above and below the peak. The vertical zonation in the copepod community were reflected by the characteristic environmental conditions in Tokyo Bay in the summer, i.e. estuary circulation, hypoxia in the bottom layer and the distribution of jellyfish.


Vanadium dioxide (VO2) is a well-known phase-changing material that goes from a semiconducting state to a metallic one at a critical temperature of 68 °C, which is the closest to room temperature (25 °C). The electrical transition is also accompanied by structural and optical changes. The optical transition upon heating-also known as thermochromism-makes VO2 a possible coating for "intelligent" windows. In this work, the relationship between the thermochromic performance of VO2 films and the surface morphology was investigated using Temperature-dependent Atomic Force Microscopy (T-AFM) in conjunction with the X-ray Diffraction technique and Scanning Electron Microscopy. In particular, VO2 films were deposited using the rf sputtering technique on Silicon and glass substrates at a substrate temperature of 300 °C, which is one of the lowest for this technique to grow the thermochromic monoclinic phase of VO2. It was found that upon heating (25–100 °C), there was a decrease in RMS roughness for all films independent from the substrate; the value of RMS roughness, however, varied depending on the substrate. Finally, the thermochromic parameters of the VO2 films were correlated with the surface morphology and appeared to be dependent on the kind of substrate used.


Press photography was a tool of propaganda in the Polish People's Republic. However, the period itself was not at all homogeneous, and the introduction of the Leninist model of the press in Poland was preceded by several years of planning. In addition to the propaganda and agitation press, there were also non-Marxist magazines, such as Odra in Katowice. The extent of their liberty shrank over time. This is evidenced by, among other aspects, photographs: next to labor leaders, cartoonish images of Germans were published, being an element of the anti-German discourse serving to justify forced expulsions. In the article, the author investigates the functioning of photography in the pages of a magazine gradually succumbing to the pressure of propaganda.


This paper overviews the undergraduate research and teaching activities at the Cognitive Agency and Robotics Laboratory (CARoL) at Towson University. The lab emerged out of an experiment conducted in a small classroom setting. Today, it can be used as a recipe for building a setting where quality undergraduate (and graduate) research projects in robotics can be conducted on a shoestring.


A series of copper(II) complexes co-ordinated to a chiral heterocyclic diamine 3-aminopiperidine (apip) has been prepared. The complexes obtained from the racemic and optically active forms of apip with BF4– or ClO4– as the counter anions differ significantly in their spectroscopic properties. Such differences are discussed in comparison with those observed in the related copper(II) complexes of 3-aminohexahydroazepine. Mixed-anion complexes Cu(apip)2X(ClO4) have been prepared, and the X-ray crystallographic analysis of [Cu(NCS)(S-apip)2][ClO4] revealed that the thiocyanate occupies the fifth co-ordination site yielding a complex having square-pyramidal geometry. The anion dependency of the reflectance spectra revealed that the spectral change in the apip complexes is caused by steric rather than electronic effects of the anion.


In recent clinical practice, patients presenting with chief
complaint of cervical lymphadenopathy[1] has been progressively
increasing year after year and as a result, the main causes have
been becoming more complicated...


Two efficient algorithms are described for the estimation of dynamic parameters in a tracer kinetic experiment, when a stochastic multicompartmental model is utilized. The first approach is based on the sensitivity method, where the error between the model output and the system output is minimized. Sensitivity functions are calculated and model outputs are simulated by the algorithm at each iteration in order to estimate the optimal values of the model parameters. The concept of a whitening filter is used in the second method to convert the colored output error into a white sequence: the algorithm minimizes the estimated variance of the filtered sequence. Tests performed using simulated as well as real data confirm the effectiveness of both the techniques.


Nucleation field of particles used for magnetic recording increases sharply for large angles between the applied field and the particle easy axis. This effect is shown to be consistent with the magnetization curling mechanism in these particles.


In a wide variety of real-life resource allocation problems such as school choice or assignment of public positions, implementation of affirmative action policies rely on choice rules that balance meritocracy with equity. We study choice rules where meritocracy is attained through reliance on a priority list, and equity is attained through reserved positions for target groups of disadvantaged individuals. Focusing on overlapping reserves, the case where an individual can belong to multiple types of reserved positions, we characterize choice rules that satisfy maximal compliance with reservations, elimination of justified envy, and non-wastefulness. When an individual accommodates only one of the reserved positions, the horizontal envelope choice rule is the only rule to satisfy these three axioms. When an individual accommodates each of the reserved positions she qualifies for, there are complementarities between individuals. Under this alternative convention, and assuming there are only two target groups, such as women and minorities, we show that paired-admission choice rules are the only ones to satisfy the three axioms. Building on these results, we provide improved allocation mechanisms for school choice in Chile, public position allocation in India, and college admissions in Brazil.


Nonfunctionalized carbon nanotubes featuring length over than 500 μm, were mixed with an amino-functionalized sol-gel precursor and a highly volatile solvent in order to obtain a well-dispersed solution. Finally, a thickener was added to the nanotubes dispersion thus obtaining a viscous paste, which was deposited on cotton fabrics through knife-over-roll technique thus achieving a surface coating with high electrical conductivity. The as-prepared conductive cotton fabrics were characterized by different chemical-physical techniques and showed a sheet resistance of about 9.5 • 102 Ω/sq. Developed conductive fabrics can find applications as conductive material or wearable sensors.


A simple dipeptide, (S)-phenylglycyl-(R)-phenylglycine (S,R-1), formed inclusion compounds with a small amide such as formamide, acetamide, N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), or N,N-dimethylacetamide. By single-crystal X-ray analysis, the inclusion compounds were shown to have a wavy layer structure. The molecules of S,R-1 are arranged in parallel via ionic pairing of the carboxyl and amino groups to construct the wavy layers. The guest molecules were accommodated in a channel cavity between the layers by means of hydrogen bonding with (+)NH(3) of S,R-1. The cavity is surrounded by the phenyl groups of S,R-1 that conformationally rotate so as to make the cavity size fit the guest amide.


The concept of relative word frequency (RWF) is presented for evaluating the strength of word collocation. Based on RWF, Context Calculation Model is put forward to resolute word sense ambiguity in Chinese text. Three frequently used polysemous words are selected in the experiment, and the results show that the approach is promising.


The number of studies devoted to the development of key competencies for sustainable development in higher education has been growing in recent years. The relevance of the topic of the formation of supra-professional competencies of future specialists with an emphasis on achieving sustainable development prompted this review study. The purpose of this study is to analyze approaches to terminology and the formation of a number of key competencies of university graduates in the field of sustainable development and to analyze thematic research trends in this area in 2017-2020. The results of this review form the basis for further discussion of approaches, tools and pedagogical technologies for the formation of university students' competencies in the field of sustainable development to meet the current and future needs of countries and society as a whole.


Transient thermal analysis (TTA) is widely used to measure the transient thermal impedance (Zth) and the thermal resistance of LEDs because reliability and lifetime of LED depends critically on junction temperature. To predict up-front in the product development process the lifetime of LED modules, calibrated finite element (FE) models are used. In this paper a FE-model for a family of high power LED is developed, i.e. different number of LED dies on ceramic sub-mounts of different sizes and calibrated to the Zth measurements. Based on the CAD data for the selected LED module (two LED dies on ceramic carrier), different modern FE tools (ANSYS, Comsol and Flo-EFD) are used for transient FE simulation and benchmarked. All tools deliver appropriate results when best practice FE modeling is applied i.e. mesh quality, correct boundary condition, material data and contact resistances. To model the Zth (t) measurement correctly, the suited approach of thermal boundary condition is investigated and a temperature boundary condition is proven as correct, practical and numerical efficient approach. The specific effect of heat generated in the converter of white LEDs on the transient impedance curve is revealed and investigated. Afterwards one FE-tool is coupled with the commercial optimizer OptiSLang. Based on available material data the FE model of the 2-chip LED module is calibrated to the experimental measured transient impedance curve. The calibrated model parameters are used to simulate the Zth (t) curves of another high power LED module of this family. It was found that the simulated curves matched the experimental Zth (t) curves of the LED modules. This validates the calibrated material properties for this entire LED family.


The dynamic properties, including the dynamic mechanical properties, flex fatigue properties, dynamic compression properties, and rolling loss properties, of star-shaped solution-polymerized styrene–butadiene rubber (SSBR) and organically modified nanosilica powder/star-shaped styrene–butadiene rubber cocoagulated rubber (N-SSBR), both filled with silica/carbon black (CB), were studied. N-SSBR was characterized by 1H-NMR, gel permeation chromatography, energy dispersive spectrometry, and transmission electron microscopy. The results show that the silica particles were homogeneously dispersed in the N-SSBR matrix. In addition, the N-SSBR/SiO2/CB–rubber compounds' high bound rubber contents implied good filler–polymer interactions. Compared with SSBR filled with silica/CB, the N-SSBR filled with these fillers exhibited better flex fatigue resistance and a lower Payne effect, internal friction loss, compression permanent set, compression heat buildup, and power loss. The nanocomposites with excellent flex fatigue resistance showed several characteristics of branched, thick, rough, homogeneously distributed cross-sectional cracks, tortuous flex crack paths, few stress concentration points, and obscure interfaces with the matrix. Accordingly, N-SSBR would be an ideal matrix for applications in the tread of green tires. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40348.


With the marketing theory "regarding customer as the center" deepened in the hearts of the people,customer equity management develops quickly.The operation model of customer equity management inherits the basic thought of customer relationship management.It focuses on the foundation,core and the goal of customer equity management.By analyzing the process of customer equity management thoroughly,it sets up the basic operation process frame of customer equity management.


A routine method is described for quantitative determination of 4-nonylphenol (NP), 4-nonylphenol monoethoxylate (NP1EO) and 4-nonylphenol diethoxylate (NP2EO) in sludge samples. A Soxtec extraction procedure was used to enrich target compounds from the solid matrix. Quantitative determinations were performed by high speed gas chromatography/mass spectrometry using a short apolar fused silica column. Derivitization allows NP1EO and NP2EO to be analyzed by gas chromatography. The relative standard deviation was close to 5% for the analysis of 10 different sludges analyzed seven times each. Recoveries were determined for a sludge reference material and were higher than 90%. The experimental limits of quantification were 2, 5, and 5 μg/g of dry matter (μg/g DM), respectively, for NP, NP1EO, and NP2EO. Determination of Alkylphenols and Alkylphenol Monoand Diethoxylates in Sewage Sludge by High Speed Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry Application Good agreement was observed between results obtained with this method and those obtained by our previous method, which used normal-phase liquid chromatography with an aminosilica column. This method was applied to different kinds of sludge collected in France and showed the persistence of these contaminants.


Objective To screen the HBV core promoter binding protein, and to investigate their potential role in the replication of HBV DNA. Methods By using HBV core promoter being used as a selective molecule, the T7select human liver cDNA library was biopanned and the positive clones were selected. Results After phage display screening, the positive plaques was amplified and then cloned into the pGEM-Teasy vector. Six positive plaques were chosen for DNA sequencing. The binding protein of HBV core promoter was identified as caboxypeptidase N(CPN) by BLAST. Conclusion The results suggest that phage display screening of binding protein of HBV core protein provides a new approach to study the replication mechanism of HBV DNA.


A method has been proposed for the structural functional-cost modeling of a complex hierarchical system. The initial data for carrying out calculations directly based on the functional-cost model have been determined. We have proposed and substantiated the cost description of a complex system and its components by using analytical approximating dependences. An example of the functional-cost algorithm has been given that employs a Lagrange multiplier method for complex systems with a serial combination of its separate parts. The solution to the example is the distribution among the desired probabilities of the effective operation of individual parts in terms of the minimum cost. Deriving such distribution does not require absolute values of the cost of both parts and the entire system. The issues addressed in the cost rationalization include the following: ensuring the predefined level of the functional perfection of a system at its minimum cost; determining the minimum required level of functional excellence in a single link at the known levels of functional excellence of the system and all other links except the one under investigation; determining the required number of parallel operating links for the same purpose; clarification of the required level of the functional perfection of links (information sensors, information processing links, communication channels) that have parallel communication; the structural improvement of a complex system by selecting a link within the system for which the improvement of functional perfection can be realized at minimum cost. We have proposed rules for the structural rationalization of a complex system. The first of them is the rule of the rational structural structure of a complex system. That makes it possible to receive a sufficient benefit from the complex system at minimum cost. The second rule is the expediency of complicating a complex system. According to it, complicating a complex system is advisable only if it improves the functional perfection of the entire complex system. The third rule, a rule of the proper structure, shows that there are no unnecessary links in the complex system, that is, those links that do not perform any activities that are not functionally required by a given system


A radioactivity measurement was carried out in sediments of Zobe Dam. Samples of sediments from Zobe Dam were collected, prepared and analyzed using NaI(Tl) gamma ray spectrometer for the activity concentrations of the primordial Ra, Th and K. The results obtained show average activity concentrations of 49.67±3.07 (35.89-75.75), 127.29±4.42 (47.21-112.91) and 443.43±9.51 (338.88-638.40) in Bq/kg for Ra, Th and K respectively. To assess the radiological hazard of Dam sediments, the radiological hazard indices such as absorbed dose rate, annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE), hazard indices (Hex and Hin) were calculated and found to be comparable with the world average values. The mean absorbed dose rate obtained is124.52 nGy/ h, and is higher than the world average of 55 nGy/h. The measured average annual effective dose rate 0.152mSv/y is lower than the world average value of 1 mSv/y [7]. The measured average values of external and internal hazard index is 0.717 and 0.851 and are lower than unity set by [6], which indicate that the sediments in all the sampling sites can be used for safety construction of buildings.


Incomplete vagotomy is the most important cause of recurrent ulcer disease. Despite this, intraoperative vagotomy testing has not gained widespread acceptance. We used a technique with Congo red, a nontoxic azine dye that turns black (pH, 3.0) intraoperatively. The vagolytic effects of various general anesthetics has been shown. We found that halothane, used as a general anesthetic, combined with pentagastrin administration as a vagally synergistic stimulant, produced the most reliable, safe, and reproducible result when using Congo red intraoperatively.


Medical images are very important in the field of medicine. Every year, terabytes of medical image data are generated through advance imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT), digital subtraction angiography (DSA), digital flurography (DF), positron emission tomography (PET), X-rays and many more recent techniques of medical imaging. But storing and transferring these enormous voluminous data could be a tedious job. All these medical images are need to be stored for future reference of the patients and their hospital findings .So to reduce transmission time and storage costs, economical image compression schemes, without degradation of image quality are needed. Many latest techniques have been discovered to help in adequate compression of these massive images. Generally, compression algorithms can be categorized into two main categories: one is the lossless category and the other is the lossy category. This paper explores some of the medical image compression techniques that are existing as of today. A comparison of these image compression techniques has been made on the basis of performance parameters like compression ratio, MSE and PSNR for various medical image ..


We describe the pulse detection algorithms used by the most recent versions of SETI@home. The first is a modified folding algorithm with an optimal threshold function. It is designed to efficiently search for repeating pulses over a 15+ octave period range with constant false alarm rate per period searched. This algorithm is potentially useful for other applications where detection of faint pulsed emission is desired (i.e. pulsar searches). The second is a triplet detector, which searches for sets of three evenly spaced pulses that exceed a power threshold. It is useful for detecting pulsed emission that has total duration less than the searched exposure. We describe the first results of the use of these algorithms in SETI@home and discuss the pulsed radio frequency interference (RFI) environment of the Arecibo observatory.


Good cleaning degreaser invention can save energy, to shorten the cleaning time, show excellent degreasing cleaning properties without changing the existing system is used, the raw materials are not impaired. The present invention is also adapted to contain the best cleaning alkaline degreasers, it can be used according to the characteristics of each process, but is not limited within the effective temperature range. Surfactant and basic auxiliaries such as the following chemical formulas 1-4 of the present invention comprises: Chemical Formula 1, R-O- (CH


By combining the artificial neural network with the rule reasoning expert system, an expert diagnosing system for a rotation mechanism was established. This expert system takes advantage of both a neural network and a rule reasoning expert system; it can also make use of all kinds of knowledge in the repository to diagnose the fault with the positive and negative mixing reasoning mode. The binary system was adopted to denote all kinds of fault in a rotation mechanism. The neural networks were trained with a random parallel algorithm (Alopex). The expert system overcomes the self learning difficulty of the rule reasoning expert system and the shortcoming of poor system control of the neural network. The expert system developed in this paper has powerful diagnosing ability.


Comparison is a basic strategy in anthropology for analysing social and cultural organisation and for revealing similarities and differences by unexpected juxtapositions. Here I use it in two ways. First, by treating Terra matta as a cultural valuable, I explore how its value, history and mythology are created in the course of its passage through different hands, taking the classic ethnography of the kula as a model. Second, I compare Vincenzo Rabito's original typescript with surviving fragments of his other writings to suggest that Terra matta is an even more remarkable creation than we have hitherto taken it to be.


One of the largest analyses in this country of the need for sound absorptive treatment on highway noise barriers was conducted on the Interstate 440 project in Nashville, Tennessee. Special considerations had to be made of potential multiple reflection problems between noise barriers on both sides of the highway, and between vertical rock faces in deep-cut sections. This paper presents a detailed discussion of the analysis process and the resultant design of nearly 1/2 mile of sound absorptive barriers. The purpose is to provide information to noise analysts on potential analysis techniques and on problems and pitfalls that may occur. The use of one analysis tool, a computer program developed at Vanderbilt University, will also be described briefly.


This report presents 27 storage assessment units (SAUs) within the United States (U.S.) Gulf Coast. The U.S. Gulf Coast contains a regionally extensive, thick succession of clastics, carbonates, salts, and other evaporites that were deposited in a highly cyclic depositional environment that was subjected to a fluctuating siliciclastic sediment supply and transgressive and regressive sea levels. At least nine major depositional packages contain porous strata that are potentially suitable for geologic carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration within the region. For each SAU identified within these packages, the areal distribution of porous rock that is suitable for geologic CO2 sequestration is discussed, along with a description of the geologic characteristics that influence the potential CO2 storage volume and reservoir performance. These characteristics include reservoir depth, gross thickness, net-porous thickness, porosity, permeability, and groundwater salinity. Additionally, a characterization of the overlying regional seal for each SAU is presented. On a case-by-case basis, strategies for estimating the pore volume existing within structurally and (or) stratigraphically closed traps are also presented. Geologic information presented in this report has been employed to calculate potential storage capacities for CO2 sequestration in the SAUs that are assessed herein, although complete assessment results are not contained in this report.


In the recently designed and implemented test specification language FQL, relevant test goals are specified as regular expressions over program locations. To transition from single test goals to test suites, FQL describes suites as regular expressions over finite alphabets where each symbol corresponds to a regular expression over program locations. Hence, each word in a test suite expression yields a test goal specification. Such test suite specifications are in fact rational sets of regular languages (RSRLs). We show closure properties of general and finite RSRLs under common set theoretic operations. We also prove complexity results for checking equivalence and inclusion of star-free RSRLs and for checking whether a regular language is a member of a general or star-free RSRL. As the star-free (and thus finite) case underlies FQL specifications, the closure and complexity results provide a systematic foundation for FQL test specifications.


The glutenin patterns of multispikelet wheat line 10-A and its recombinants were analyzed by using sodium dodeeyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoric (SDS-PAGE). From the glutenin patterns, 10-A, 88-1643 and Chuanyu 12 could be identified by each other. In the 56 lines derived from triple cross 10-A/88-1643/Chuanyu 12, Six HMW-glutenin patterns are observed, including the same patterns with 88-1643 and Chuanyu 12 and the patterns among 3 parents. There are eight lines with good glutenin subunits 2~(*), 7+8, 5+10 (14.3%) and eleven lines with good glutenin subunits 1, 7+8, 5+10 (19.6%).


The present study aims to determine the nutrient content on Maize (Zea mays L.) affected by different levels of organic and inorganic fertilizers. A field experiment was conducted at a research farm, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab during kharif season 2017-18 on sandy loam soil. The experiment carried out with eight treatments viz. T1(Control), T2(100% RDF), T3(50% RDF + 50% vermicompost), T4(100% Vermicompost), T5(100% FYM), T6(50% RDF + 50% FYM), T7(50% RDF + 25% FYM + 25% vermicompost ) and T8( 50% RDF + 50% FYM + 50% vermicompost) with three replications laid out by randomized block design. The result revealed that the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content in the plant were significantly higher with the application of 50% RDF + 50% FYM + 50% vermicompost as compared to other treatments as well as control. The two treatments were helpful for more removal of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium from the soil and achieving a greater yield of maize.


Objective To accumulate experience of community prevention and treatment of hypertension by investigating the prevalence,awareness,treatment and control of hypertension in people,who worked in our bureau of Zhongshan Mausoleum Authority.Methods 1 873 employees with hypertensive and normotensive were investigated.The health records of every employee in annual physical examination were analyzed.Results 586 people got primary hypertension.The prevalence of hypertension was 31.3%.The rates of awareness,treatment and control of hypertensive were 76.3%,91.2% and 90.4%,respectively.These figures were higher than those of the national average percentage.Conclusion The rates of awareness,treatment and control of patients with hypertension can be improved significantly by system management on health of employees.


Pressure-based methods represent a class of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) algorithms in which pressure, rather than density, is used as a principal variable. This paper presents a review of segregated pressure-based methods and reports on a newly developed fully coupled method for the solution of multi-fluid flow problems. Results indicate the superiority of the coupled solver over the segregated approach.


Studies have been performed on the use of the transthoracic impedance measuring tech‐nique on newborn infants. The method permits the examination of the ratio air/blood in the lungs and the analysis of these changes by combination with measurements of variations in the air volume. To make this possible, certain testing conditions must be fulfilled. With the technique used for this investigation, studies should not be started until the electrodes have been applied for fully five minutes and, further‐more, the infant to be examined should be in a quiet state.


The purpose of this paper is to consider the interaction between many parallel dislocations and a wedge-shaped crack and their collective response to the external applied generalized stress in one-dimensional hexagonal piezoelectric quasicrystal, employing the complex variable function theory and the conformal transformation method; the problem for the crack is reduced to the solution of singular integral equations, which can be further reduced to solving Riemann–Hilbert boundary value problems. The analytical solutions of the generalized stress field are obtained. The dislocations are subjected to the phonon field line force, phason field line force, and line charge at the core. The positions of the dislocations are arbitrary, but the dislocation distribution is additive. The dislocation is not only subjected to the external stress and the internal stress generated by the crack, but also to the force exerted on it by other dislocations. The closed-form solutions are obtained for field intensity factors and the image force on a screw dislocation in the presence of a wedge-shaped crack and a collection of other dislocations. Numerical examples are provided to show the effects of wedge angle, dislocation position, dislocation distribution containing symmetric configurations and dislocation quantities on the field intensity factors, energy release rate, and image force acting on the dislocation. The principal new physical results obtained here are (1) the phonon stress, phason stress, and electric displacement singularity occur at the crack tip and dislocations cores, (2) the increasing number of dislocations always accelerates the crack propagation, (3) the effect of wedge angle on crack propagation is related to the distribution of dislocations, and (4) the results of the image force on the dislocation indicate that the dislocations can either be attracted or rejected and reach stable positions eventually.


This paper introduces the model of fuzzy cluster to forecast the next year annual maximum flood in the Hanjiang River by using the antecedent index of almospheric circulation and meteorological factors, and satisfactory results have been obtained. The method will provide a new idea for long-term flood forecasting.


In this work we present (e,2e) fully differential cross sections of the ionization of H+2 in its ground state. We consider fast electron impact and different geometries of the internuclear vector,the incidence direction, the momentum transfer and the momentum of the slow ejected electron.


In this application a thick-film tilt sensor has been developed based on heat transfer by natural convection. The device measures internal changes in heat transfer due to the inclination caused by the force of gravity as an input. The device is functionally equivalent to traditional proof-mass accelerometer. The proof mass in the new thick-film sensor is a gas. The gaseous proof-mass provides great advantages over the use of the traditional solid proof mass. A conditioning electronics amplifies the signal variation induced by the inclination compensating the deviation due to the initial asymmetrical values of the bridge arms and their slow variations Preliminary tests on the first prototypes show an accuracy of about 2% full scale output, repeatability of about 0.2° and resolution better than 0.1 ° over a ± 20° range.


: We have established a simulation optimization model of bicycle time trial based on genetic algorithm. By using the algorithm, we can not only get the best force of different sections, but also get personalized analysis of different players. These two sets of data can directly help us find the shortest time for a particular rider to finish a particular race. In this paper, we expanded the model biased towards the six-person team time trial, and successfully combined the genetic algorithm to find out the best time duration and the best order for everyone in the team to break the wind. First of all, we built a basic physical simulation model of bicycle individual time trial. The two resistances can be obtained by the basic laws of physics. Then we consider different terrain factors. Based on this, we also built the corresponding topographic map in combination with the actual road conditions. Finally, we consider the physical strength change of the players, and establish a dynamic physical strength change model combined with related papers. After building the basic physical model, we first need to consider the riding ability of a rider. In order to quantitatively describe how much power players should use in different places, we introduce the road cognition coefficient and terrain difficulty degree. Therefore, an optimal power table of a specific rider for a specific track is obtained.


The logistics management system based on mobile terminal has the functions of real-time information updating, online inquiry, real-time subscriber. The core of it is database access technology of mobile terminal. The system uses Microsoft SQL Server Mobile 2005 database, utilizes merge replication, RDA technology to set up remote access model. Internet cable networks and GSM wireless networks are adopted, full play is given to the potential of mobile terminal, and thus the real-time of logistics and the management efficiency are improved.


Objective. To examine the effects of the size of the mother and the newborn, including placental weight and gestational age at delivery, on the risk for young adult‐onset type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Design. Case‐control study. Setting. Finland. Population. Subjects with T1DM and T2DM aged 15–39 at diagnosis between the years 1992 and 1996. The number of case‐control pairs was 858 for T1DM and 355 for T2DM. Methods. Diabetic subjects were identified from the Finnish national healthcare registers and reports from diabetes nurses. Control subjects were obtained from the population register. Data on perinatal factors were obtained from the original healthcare records. The odds ratios (ORs) for both types of diabetes were estimated using conditional logistic regression. Results. The risk for early‐onset T2DM decreased with increasing birthweight until 4.2 kg (OR 0.49 (95% confidence interval 0.37–0.66) per 1 kg), but with birthweight above 4.2 kg the risk increased (OR 4.8 (1.3–17.6) per 1 kg). The risk for T2DM decreased also with increasing birth length (OR 0.88 (0.81–0.95) per 1 cm), body mass index at birth (OR 0.81 (0.73–0.90) per 1 kg/m2), and placental weight (OR 0.77 (0.61–0.98) per 100 g). The latter was not significant when adjusted for birthweight. The examined perinatal factors did not affect the risk for T1DM in young adults. Conclusions. Birth size significantly affects the risk for T2DM diagnosed in young adulthood but no evidence was found of an association between late‐onset T1DM and perinatal factors.


The use of the method of high-temperature incineration in the USA is considered at the realization of the International Convention on chemical weapon. High efficiency of the application of the method for destruction of different types of chemical ammunition is shown. The comparison with methods of neutralization of chemical weapon with the use of reagents is made. It is shown, that in relation to a number of indices the method of high-temperature incineration takes priority over reagent methods of neutralization of chemical weapons. It concerns the destruction of chemical weapons with explosives, the destruction of emergency ammunition, as well as the destruction of reactionary masses. In the technology of high-temperature incineration all kinds of destruction mentioned above are included into one industrial process. Also the question about the objects' restructuring due to the universality of this technology for the destruction of some dangerous industrial wastes is being solved. The application of the method of high-temperature incineration has resulted in the destruction of 90 % of the national stock of chemical weapons in the USA in 2012.


Ramsay Hunt syndrome is an uncommon cause of otalgia and is described as a triad of otalgia, ipsilateral peripheral facial paralysis and vesicular rash in the external ear or oropharynx, caused by the reactivation of the Varicella-Zoster Virus.We report the case of a 21-year-old man who attended a consultation with his family doctor with a one-week history of right sided otalgia, being diagnosed with otitis externa and treated with topical antibiotics. Two days later, he developed right peripheral facial paralysis, and was diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt Syndrome.This syndrome is an emerging and potentially serious medical condition that requires an early approach and treatment. Its diagnosis is clinical and its treatment includes antiviral drugs and corticosteroids. The treatment is often postponed, associated with a worse prognosis and possible complications, such as post-herpetic neuralgia, corneal exposure ulcers and neurological sequelae.


The topic of my bachelor thesis is ?Strategy of the development of the microregion of Olomoucko.? The development of the microregion of Olomoucko is quite dynamic. Due to the fact that I have been living here for the whole life, I know it very well. The thesis is divided into two parts, theoretical and practical one. The theoretical part defines basic no-tions concerning regional development. The practical part includes a socioeconomic analy-sis, followed by SWOT analysis. In the next part of the thesis I specified the priorities and strategic goals of the development. Based on them I defined several projects that could support further development. In sum, the aim of the thesis is to specify the problems of the microregion of Olomoucko and to propose particular measures to support the development of this region.


SummarySerotonin 1A receptors are being targeted by a variety of drugs, including par & agonists, full agonists, antagonists. Some serotonin 1A receptors are presynaptic autoreceptors, and others are postsynaptic. Drug actions on serotonin IA receptors of one type do not necessarily parallel those at another type. Thus, it may be that the balance of drug actions at pre- versus postsynaptic serotonin 1A receptors explains the therapeutic potential of such agents in anxiety and depression. This article reviews the pharmacological concepts underlying the actions of serotonin 1A full agonists, partial agonists and antagonists on both presynaptic and postsynaptic serotonin 1A receptors. The theoretical applications of each type of agent in a variety of clinical applications are also discussed, including anxiety, depression, and other novel uses including memo y and alcohol abuse. The potential clinical relevance of interactions between serotonin 1A receptors and other serotonin receptors, particularly serotoni...


Two kinds of Brφnsted acid ionic liquids(HSO4,PTSA) were synthesized and characterized;their catalytic activity in the synthesis of poly(oxymethylene) dimethyl ethers(DMMn,n 1) by the condensation of dimethoxy methane(DMM) and paraformaldehyde(PF) were also investigated.The results showed that the catalytic activity of ionic liquid was related to its acidity,HSO4 has higher catalytic activity;the optimum reaction conditions were found as HSO4 amount of 2.0%(mass fraction),feed mass ratio m(DMM)/m(PF) of 2.00,temperature 110 ℃ and reaction time 6 h,the conversion of DMM and selectivity to DMM3~8 reached 52.28% and 49.18%,respectively.The ionic liquid HSO4 can be naturally separated from product phase and exhibits high stability upon reusage;it still remained highly active even after being reused for five times.


The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Center for Building Technology (CBT) and the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) have joined in sponsoring Conferences on Roofing Technology on a biennial basis since 1969. In 1977, NIST and NRCA co-sponsored the First International Symposium on Roofing Technology, and in 1985, they were joined by RILEM' in co-sponsoring the Second International Symposium on Roofing Technology. These Conferences are the major industry forum for the discussion and dissemination of research results and the presentation of the latest advances in roofing technology. Papers in the Conferences and Symposia address roof performance from fundamental and practical viewpoints.


Study of application of «pumping wells» when mining of uranium deposits by in-situ leaching (ISL) to the mine "Karatau" under conditions of high pressure of groundwater character was performed. The operating «Karatau» mine is located in a deserted, inaccessible, sparsely populated area in the southwestern part of the Shu-Sarysuy depression in the territory of the Suzaksky district, Turkestan oblast. The «Karatau» deposit differs from other deposits in that self-pouring of geotechnological wells with a statistical level of +20 m is observed at all sites. The use of traditional technology for such deposit leads to excessive material and labor costs. Therefore, the technology of "pumping wells" is proposed. It is shown that the use of "pumping wells" procedure leads to achieving a uniform flow rate of extraction wells, reduction in the purchase of the cable production costs for the purchase of submersible pumps and wells in the end cap.


In the context of digital transformation and use of Industry 4.0 technology in companies, machines and other objects are increasingly being equipped with sensors. Normally, these machines are monitored 24/7, so that data streams are continuously generated by sensors. These data has to be stored in a database. In order to facilitate a fast data mining process and the use of machine learning algorithms, a performant and robust data store for the vast amount of sensor data is necessary. These raw time series sensor data has typical structures that are difficult to model with traditional database management systems. Here, column-oriented In-Memory databases like SAP HANA or Gorilla are better suited. However, SAP HANA have not been developed to store relational data, so that it contains components like transaction and concurrency control, which are unnecessary for the named range of application, because machine learning algorithms only need reading access. By reducing this concept to the essentials, a specialized, lightweight In-Memory database management system can be developed, which perfectly fits to the characteristics of time series sensor data. For that concept the benefits of the In-Memory data structure of SAP HANA and Facebook Gorilla are merged and combined with additional meta information like limits for minimum and maximum warning for each sensor, special user specified column fields or rules for sampling and replenishment values. The evaluation of the implemented prototype shows on the one hand that the time series sensor data can be stored efficiently using a new table structure and an intelligent combination of the ZFP compression method with a block orientated data structure, which results in a good insert performance. On the other hand, this storage logic leads to an efficient data access of the compressed in-memory data structure, thus every reporting or analyzing tasks access the data efficiently and fast.


Oospores of downy mildew fungus, Peronospora manshurica, of soybean, Glycine max, were well formed when the lesions were immersed in water or under humid condition. Oospores were not formed when the lesions were submerged in water or kept under dry condition. In the immersion treatment at 5 C neither oogonium nor oospore was formed and at 25C only a few oogonia were formed. At 10 C oogonia and oospores were formed, but in small number. At 15 and 20 C abundant oogonia and oospores were formed. At 15 C oogonia were abundantly formed after 3 day-immersion and reached the maximum number after 4 day-immersion. Oospores developed after 2 days following oogonium formation. At 20 C oogonia were formed after 3 day-immersion and reached the maximum number after 4 day-immersion, as well at 15 C. Oospore development at 20 C was, however, 1 day earlier than that at 15 C. Size of oogonium thus obtained was 36.0×40.2 μm, and that of oospore was 27.6 μm in diameter on the average.


As ships increase in size, the formulas previously used to describe ships' vibrations are being found to contain errors which are leading to expensive repairs and lost time. The article describes the various differences between the previous calculations used and the vibrations which are actually being found to occur. An analogy is made to electrical resonant circuits when dealing with mechanical vibrations. This analogy is used throughout the rest of the article to explain the various vibrations. The authors then describe the various resonators of forced vibrations appearing in the ship. The entire range of forced vibrations of the hull is then related to the free vibration of the ship when excited by the sea, with special regard to the effect of slamming on the hull girder. The fact that a calm sea can also cause damaging vibrations is also mentioned. In all cases the phenomena are illustrated by graphs and diagrams related to the electrical analogy, and methods for damping or eliminating the vibrations are suggested. The conclusion reached by the authors is that, as ships increase in size and speed the consideration of vibratory phenomena becomes increasingly important.


To help the enterprises to make quantitative evaluation for rapid increasing of enterprise knowledge effectively,and to mining the valuable information and knowledge,the user behavior analysis was applied to the evaluation of enterprise knowledge,and the automatic enterprise knowledge evaluation was realized according to statistical analysis of actual user's behavior reports of knowledge usage.The evaluation algorithm was designed and a case was analyzed to verify the effectiveness of evaluation method.


The European Community (EC) grain exports increased significantly over the last three decades. The EC's Project 1992 will abolish internal trade barriers to facilitate the movement of goods, persons, services, and capital between member countries. One aspect of the program is elimination of border taxes and subsidies (called MCAs) on agricultural commodities. Coupled with internal pressures to reduce agricultural budget expenditures, the EC-1992 program has affected agricultural policy by weakening the role of the price intervention system. Baseline projections indicate that total EC10 grain production will continue to increase as average yields increase 2% to 2.5% a year. Eliminating MCAs and continuing stabilizers (scenario 1) would slightly increase grain production above baseline as member countries'exchange rate policies adjust. Total EC10 grain production will increase 2% a year over baseline in 1995-2000, but eliminating the CAP and returning to a pre-CAP growth path for yields (scenario 2) would produce a decline in grain production below baseline in 2000. Under scenario 1, developing countries'net import costs for grains fall slightly and imports rise. By 2000, the cost of grain imports for all developing countries fall US$153 (constant 1985 dollars). Asian and Middle Eastern countries save the most. Under scenario 2, the return to historical yields increases developing countries'cost for grain imports by an estimated US$906 million.


In order to obtain acceptable cycle efficiency,current helium gas turbine power cycle technology needs high cycle temperature which means that the cycle needs high core-out temperature.The technology has high requirements on reactor structure and fuel elements materials,and also on turbine manufacture.While utilizing CO2as cycle working fluid,it can guarantee to lower the cycle temperature and turbo machine volume but achieve the same cycle efficiency,so as to enhance the safety and economy of reactor.According to the laws of thermodynamics,a calculation model of supercritical CO2power cycle was established to analyze the feature,and the decisive parameters of the cycle and also investigate the effect of each parameter on the cycle efficiency in detail were obtained.The results show that supercritical CO2power cycle can achieve quite satisfied efficiency at a lower cycle highest temperature than helium cycle,and CO2is a promising working fluid.


Employee management system is an application based system, having two applications developed, one for
employers to manage employee details and another for employees to mark their attendance. Every
organisation whether government or private uses an information system[2.] to store data of their staff.
However, in India it is found that many small scale industries use pen and paper to keep a record. However,
there are many advanced technology systems available that can do this work but they all are costly for these
low level industries. This paper discusses making a system for solving problems for them at a cheaper cost.
This system will mark attendance of each employee and calculate the salary of them at the end of month. It
also calculates overtime and total working hours of each employee. As in small scale each company has their
own holidays preference and variable week off for employees, so all this power is given to the employer to
manage holidays and week days of each employee separately.
It saves lots of time and has no error in pay calculation hence preventing clashes between HR Team and
employees. So that both employer and employee can focus on their work to develop their company.


This study aims to analyze audience comments on the great teacher issues contained in William Gibson's The Miracle Worker (1962). This research is a qualitative research. To analyze audience comments, researchers used reader's response theory from Richard's Beach. The main data source is audience comments about The Miracle Worker movie on IMDb (Internet Movie Database) website. Meanwhile, the second data source obtained from other data such as journals and articles related to the main data. The results of this study provide some conclusions. First, there are fourteen comments about the great teacher grouped into ten characteristics of the audience, they are idealistic, upstanding, competent, talented, brilliant, educated, precious, sensible, skillful, and encouraging. Secondly, there are eight great teacher illustrations that are explained through the scenes in The Miracle Worker, they are showing professionalism, teaching the result of action, giving example, giving great support, giving attention more, spreading the positivity, sharing knowledge, having passion. Third, the reason of the audience to take the issue of great teachers is because they are concerned about the number of people suffering from encephalitis disease.


Introduction Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive, irreversible inflammatory disease caused by excess neutrophilic inflammation resulting in an enhanced inflammatory response in the airways. It is widely accepted that the inflammation and tissue damage relates to a proteinase/anti-proteinase imbalance with both neutrophil elastase (NE) and proteinase 3 (PR3) implicated.1 2 PR3 may be more important especially in alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency (AATD), where mutations in SERPINA1 results in little/no production of the anti-proteinase AAT preventing effective inhibition of both NE and especially PR3.3 The relationship of the SZ form of AAT to increase susceptibility to develop COPD remains uncertain. We hypothesised that patients with non-deficient COPD would have increased PR3 activity compared to healthy smokers, but similar to patients with the intermediate PiSZ AATD indicating no increased susceptibility. Methods PR3 activity was measured using a novel indirect ELISA based on a specific fibrinogen cleavage product (Aα–Val541). Plasma samples from patients with non-deficient COPD (n=31) and PiSZ AATD (n=95) were tested alongside healthy smoking controls (n=52) for the presence of this marker. Results Patients with usual COPD had an average FEV1/FCV ratio of 0.47 (SD ±0.17), compared to 0.63 (±0.21) in PiSZ AATD patients, and 0.77 (±0.07) in healthy patients. The Aα-Val541 concentration was increased (p<0.0001) in both non-deficient COPD (median=86.69 nM; IQR=59.37–107.7 nM) and PiSZ AATD (median=78.46 nM; (IQR=51.91–115.2 nM) compared to healthy controls (median=36.35 nM; IQR=19.4–56.02 nM). However there was no difference between the PiSZ AATD and non-deficient COPD groups (p>0.99). Conclusions These findings build a proteolytic enzyme activity profile in COPD patients, supporting the role of the proteinase/anti-proteinase imbalance in the pathophysiology of COPD. The data does not provide evidence to support an increased role in patients with PiSZ AATD. References Sinden NJ, et al. ERJ2013. Sinden NJ, et al. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol2015. Zorzetto M, et al. Clin Chem2008.


This paper draws together two traditionally distinct discourses that have dominated debates over urban policy responses to economic restructuring, deindustrialisation, major plant closures and the rise of the service and knowledge-based economy over the past 20 years. It investigates the case of Birmingham, where the policy drive of city centre regeneration, flagship development and the re-making of central urban space for new economic activities has been accompanied by much acclaim and 'boosterist' hype. At the same time, the socio-spatial impact of economic restructuring and the resulting policy response has been extremely uneven. The economic difficulties and wider disadvantage experienced by much of the city's population and many of its neighbourhoods, especially those inner city areas with large ethnic minority populations, have endured and even deepened since the early 1990s despite the efforts of numerous area-based regeneration programmes funded by central government. The paper reflects upon this dual narrative by asking the question whose urban renaissance? From this study it clear that the dominance of the 'boosterist' discourse is significantly tempered by the uneven and enduring socio-economic divides within the city and the partial nature of the city's overall recovery, particularly in terms of providing employment for its residents. In this sense, significant policy challenges remain despite the clear achievements of the past 20 years. The paper concludes by considering new spatial policy approaches that could bind together the dual imperatives of creating new economic opportunities, and addressing aspects of acute need among the local population.


In this paper, the flow characteristics of underfill material driven by capillary action between flip-chip and substrate were investigated. Also, the effects of viscosity level and dispensing point of underfill on flow characteristics were investigated. Flip chip package size was , the diameter of solder bump was 100 , and the pitch was 150 . It was full grid area-array type with 1024 I/Os. The glass substrate was used and the gap between the chip and substrate was 50 . For the experimental study, three different underfills with different viscous properties( cps), and two different types of dispensing methods(center dot and edge dot) were used. The flow characteristics and filling time of underfill were investigated by using CCD camera. The results show that the edge flow was faster than center flow due to the edge effect, which was caused by the resistance of solder bumps. In case of edge dot dispensing type, the filling time was faster due to the large edge effect, compared to center dot dispensing type. Also, it was found that the underfill flow was faster and the filling time decreased as the viscosity level of underfill was decreased.


PURPOSE: To reduce the rate of generating excess sludge to a minimum without causing deterioration of treatment effect by applying a technique featuring parallel arrangement of non-woven plate in the aeration tank excellent in treatment effect selected from among contact oxidation methods. COPYRIGHT: (C)1978,JPO&Japio


Hydroxylamine, NH2OH, is one of the already detected interstellar molecules with the highest prebiotic potential. Yet, the abundance of this molecule found by astronomical observations is rather low for a relatively simple molecule, ∼ 10−10 relative to H2. This seemingly low abundance can be rationalized by destruction routes operating on interstellar dust grains. In this work, we tested the viability of this hypothesis under several prisms, finding that the origin of a lower abundance of NH2OH can be explained by two chemical processes, one operating at low temperature (10 K) and the other at intermediate temperature (20 K). At low temperatures, enabling the hydrogen abstraction reaction HNO + H -> NO + H2, even in small amounts, partially inhibits the formation of NH2OH through successive hydrogenation of NO, and reduces its abundance on the grains. We found that enabling a 15–30% of binding sites for this reaction results in reductions of NH2OH abundance of ∼ 1-2 orders of magnitude. At warmer temperatures (20 K, in our study), the reaction NH2OH + H -> HNOH + H2, which was found to be fast (k∼106 s−1) in this work, followed by further abstractions by adsorbates that are immobile at 10 K (O, N) are the main route of NH2OH destruction. Our results shed light on the abundance of hydroxylamine in space and pave the way to constraining the subsequent chemistry experienced by this molecule and its derivatives in the interstellar prebiotic chemistry canvas.


Inception patterns of rotating stall at two stagger-angle settings for the highly loaded rotor blades were experimentally investigated in a low-speed axial-flow fan. Rotor-tip flow fields were also numerically investigated to clarify the mechanism behind the rotating stall inception. The stall inception patterns depended on the rotor stagger-angle settings. The stall inception from a rotating instability was confirmed at the design stagger-angle settings. The stall inception from a short length-scale stall cell (spike) was also confirmed at the small stagger-angle setting. The spillage of tip-leakage flow and the tip-leakage vortex breakdown influence the rotating stall inception. An air-separator has been developed based on the clarified inception mechanism of rotating stall. The rotating stall was suppressed by the developed air-separator, and the operating range of fan was extended towards low flow rate. The effect of developed air-separator was also confirmed by application to a primary air fan used in a coal fired power plant. It is concluded from these results that the developed air-separator can provide a wide operating range for an axial-flow fan.


Mobile light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensors used in car navigation and robotics, such as the Velodyne's VLP-16 and HDL-32E, allow for sensing the surroundings of the platform with high temporal resolution to detect obstacles, tracking objects and support path planning. This study investigates the feasibility of using LiDAR sensors for tracking taxiing or landing aircraft close to the ground to improve airport safety. A prototype system was developed and installed at an airfield to capture point clouds to monitor aircraft operations. One of the challenges of accurate object tracking using the Velodyne sensors is the relatively small vertical field of view (30°, 41.3°) and angular resolution (1.33°, 2°), resulting in a small number of points of the tracked object. The point density decreases with the object–sensor distance, and is already sparse at a moderate range of 30–40 m. The paper introduces our model-based tracking algorithms, including volume minimization and cube trajectories, to address the optimal estimation of object motion and tracking based on sparse point clouds. Using a network of sensors, multiple tests were conducted at an airport to assess the performance of the demonstration system and the algorithms developed. The investigation was focused on monitoring small aircraft moving on runways and taxiways, and the results indicate less than 0.7 m/s and 17 cm velocity and positioning accuracy achieved, respectively. Overall, based on our findings, this technology is promising not only for aircraft monitoring but for airport applications.


The author Louis Pergaud (1882-1915) lived during a fascinating and complex period in the development of the French national identity. It was a time when various forms of nationalism, many fed by lingering memories of the disastrous defeat of 1870/71, came to exert an enormous influence on the evolution of political, social and artistic expression in France. La Guerre des boutons is an example of a literary work deeply marked by the nationalistic tendencies prevalent in Belle Epoque France. Without being a nationalist manifesto, nor an allegory of the Franco-Prussian war, Pergaud's novel is founded in a popular nationalism which developed within an intellectual and political context shaped by the memory of the "annee terrible" (1870/71), and which promoted an attachment to a so-called ancestral homeland, in-group/out-group rivalry, as well as the policies of "revenge" and "national defense". The research that went into supporting this thesis was firmly anchored in the belief that, though La Guerre des boutons may be appreciated as a text in isolate, it is best understood when viewed within a broad setting. Therefore, in addition to analyzing structural, thematic, textual and paratexual aspects of Pergaud's novel, the present study draws heavily from the works of eminent historians, sociologists and linguists, as well as literary sources, in order to better understand the relationship between La Guerre des boutons and its context. In demonstrating the depth and sincerity of the nationalism underlying Louis Pergaud's novel, this thesis challenges the notion that La Guerre des boutons is simply a "coming of age" story. It also questions the validity of interpretations that identify La Guerre des boutons as primarily a satirical tale whose message is strongly anti-war. The recognition of the work's nationalist underpinnings leads to the realization of a need for an in-depth reexamination of the character of this novel, as well as of its place within the literary spectrum.


Many research papers have been published on RED (random early detection) and variants of RED. Recently many articles have been presented on modeling a transmission control protocol (TCP) flow in an active queue management (AQM) of a bottlenecked network link (Dong Lin and R. Morris, 1997), (V. Misra, et al., 2000), (C. Hollot, et al., 2001). Classical control theories have also been applied to achieve or improve stability of the network flow (C. Hollot, et al., 2001). In this paper we present a neural network (NN) model predictive control (MPC) of TCP flows. We show the robust adaptive behavior of the MPC optimal controller under modeling errors and system dynamic changes. We also show the superior transient and steady state behavior as well as general stability of MPC as compared to the classical PI controller


The 1969–2000 Major League Baseball Attendance dataset contains Runs Scored, Runs Allowed, Wins, Losses, Number of Games Behind the Division Leader, and Home Game Attendance of each major league franchise for the 1969 through 2000 seasons. Also included for each franchise are its location, league affiliation (National or American), and division affiliation (East, Central, or West). These data have been used in a project-based modeling course to instruct students in basic data management, the use of exploratory data analysis to "clean" data, and construction of regression models. The dataset, which is both cross-sectional and time-series, is of a manageable size and easily understood. Furthermore, it provides a useful, interesting, and realistic classroom example for discussing many important statistical concepts.


The purpose of this study was to examine the Polish language of immigrants who came to the United States during or after World War II and to test two related hypotheses: 1. Speakers of Polish use a number of lexical intrusions. 2. Lexical intrusions differ in scope depending on whether those speakers had immigrated with minimal education or they received at least 12 years of schooling prior to their immigration. The study was conducted in the Dallas-Fort Worth area in January and February of 1990. The sample consisted of 16 informants whose interviews were recorded and analyzed in terms of lexical borrowings, cultural branches, and parts of speech. Findings supported the two hypotheses.


-1Abstract— A conceptual scheme is described for specifying utility objective functions within both multi-objective and multidisciplinary numerical optimisation frameworks, for application to the design of transgenerational accessible products, i.e., those which address optimally the functional and aspirational requirements of older people. A combinatorial, multicriteria objective function, comprising a weighted linear sum of single-effector objective functions (biomechanical, sensory, and cognitive), is formulated within a model framework of activities of daily living (ADL) performance scales and age-indexed anthropometric constraints. The aggregate objective function for accessibility must be parameterised in terms of physical design variables to render it amenable to computational optimisation. Candidate optimised solutions of the aggregate objective function in design variable space can then be found through a synthesis of analytical and stochastic techniques.


The two major mucoprotein components (s025,w= 18.7 S and 4.9 S, respectively) of a watersoluble extract of hog-gastric mucus have been investigated as to their behaviour in aqueous KCl solutions of differing concentrations. The values of viscosity for the unfractionated, watersoluble mucus extract undergo two sharp changes, one between 0 and 0.05 M KCl which is attributed to a polyelectrolyte charge-shielding phenomenon, and one between 0.5 and 1.5 M KCl. The isolated 18.7 S and 4.9 S mucoprotein components of the mucus show no change in molecular weight when measured in 0.2 M KCl and 2.5 M KCl, but both undergo a marked change in hydrodynamic properties in this range of salt concentration.

A large decrease in the ratio Ks/[η], (where Ks= (1/s0) (ds/dc) and [η] is the intrinsic viscosity at zero shear stress) is interpreted in terms of a marked increase in asymmetry accompanied by reduced solvation of the mucoproteins. This transition is only partially reversible, indicating the occurrence of definite structural changes within the molecule. The viscosity at zero shear of the 18.7 S mucoprotein becomes anomalously high at concentrations above 3 mg ml−1, reflecting the ability of mucus to form a gel structure under physiological conditions.


Lease-purchase plans are the only way for some owner-operators to buy a truck. Use a wary eye to assess contract terms and do the math to see if it's really a smart deal.


Genetic studies in humans have implicated a number of genes in alcoholism and the behavioral effects of ethanol. Genetically modified mice have been used to evaluate, under more controlled conditions than are possible in humans, whether modifications of these genes influence responses to ethanol or alcoholism-related phenotypes, in particular ethanol consumption. The genetic architectural of alcoholism, and drug abuse in general, appears to be both polygenic and heterogeneous [1]. Therefore, it is likely that variation in these genes contributes differentially to such phenotypes. A number of methods are used to assess differences in ethanol consumption in studies with genetically modified mice. However, when a particular gene is being investigated in such a context it is common only to examine a limited number of consumption conditions and to base evaluations of the role of that gene overall in ethanol consumption on that basis alone. Increasingly, research suggests that differences in ethanol consumption in genetically modified mice are not apparent under all experimental conditions. Thus, caution should be made when evaluating the results of such experiments. Looking forward, a broader range of conditions should be studied in order to prevent erroneous conclusions that a gene has no role in ethanol consumption.