In this paper, we detailed the system (die + package + pcb) electrothermal co-design modeling and silicon validation effort that led to the industry's first, highly accurate, voltage-output current-sense amplifier. By integrating and co-designing the low-Ohmic shunt resistor in the package, along with the current amplifier, key performance design challenges (viz. electrical and thermal) become manageable. The validity of the co-design electrothermal modeling methodology was assessed by comparing directly to silicon measurements made on an evaluation module (EVM). Good correlation between simulation and laboratory measurements on the integrated solution is demonstrated.


properties were covalently bound to polyethylene glycol (PEG) via ester bonds. These PEG-bound intercalators are highly soluble in water and induced the retardation of DNA electrophoresis in agarose gel. The pattern of mobility retardation reflected the binding characteristics of the parent intercalators to DNA. Use of PEG-bound intercalators in the gel electrophoresis is discussed as a simple and convenient method for the characterization of


Children are the most helpless and the most innocent victims of war, but they are also keen observers and incorruptible judges. Their angle of observation is unique, yet if anything is said about children and their suffering during war, it is usually said by adults, in their own language and for their own interests. We wanted to hear the voices of the children Ž rst-hand. In doing this, we hoped Ž rst, to gain a better understanding of children's complex, subjective experience of war and second, to offer children of the war in Serbia a potentially cathartic opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings. We administered a survey to 195 girls and boys, aged between 4 and 13, who came from Belgrade and Subotica. Because we conducted the survey from May 10 to June 9, 1999, when the bombing of our country was at its height, we frequently talked to the children when the terrifying sound of sirens ominously announced an air raid alert. We considered it very important for our research that we commenced and completed our inquiry while the war was still in progress. In that way, even without interpretation, our empirical data would be invaluable material as the testimony of children speaking about war while living through war.


Abstract Disclosure: T. Kwok: None. L.E. Ramage: None. K.J. Suchacki: None. C. Gray: None. K. Alexandra: None. L.D. Boyle: None. R.K. Semple: None. S.I. Semple: None. T. MacGillivray: None. E.J. van Beek: None. S. Wakelin: None. R.H. Stimson: None. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is a promising therapeutic target for obesity. 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET) is the most commonly used imaging modality to quantify human BAT activity. 18F-FDG uptake may be reduced in obesity but insulin resistance has been suggested as a potential confounding factor. Uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) is the key thermogenic protein in BAT and thus serves as a surrogate measure of BAT thermogenic capacity. We quantified UCP1 expression in paired BAT and white adipose tissue (WAT) samples from 141 patients undergoing elective neck surgery. UCP1 mRNA was quantified in whole tissue (n=53) and differentiated pre-adipocytes (n=88). Data are presented as mean ± SEM. Individuals with high UCP1 expression in whole BAT (>2 arbitrary units) were younger (44.2 ± 3.5 vs 55.7 ± 2.0 years) with lower BMI (26.5 ± 1.2 vs 30.1 ± 1.0kg/m2), waist circumference (87.9 ± 2.9 vs 101.1 ± 2.6cm), waist-hip ratio (0.86 ± 0.01 vs 0.92 ± 0.01), fat percentage (29.1 ± 2.6 vs 35.3 ± 1.7%), insulin resistance (HOMA-IR 1.44 ± 0.18 vs 2.69 ± 0.35), systolic (131 ± 6 vs 143 ± 4mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure (79 ± 3 vs 86 ± 2mmHg) (all P<0.05). BAT UCP1 expression was lower in subjects on beta-blockers or with existing hypertension. BAT (but not WAT) UCP1 expression correlated negatively with age (r=−0.305), weight (r=−0.374), waist circumference (r=−0.296), fat mass (r=−0.388) and BMI (r=−0.282) (all P<0.05). However, UCP1 levels in differentiated brown adipocytes were not associated with any of the above measurements. In multiple regression, age was the only independent predictor of high BAT UCP1 expression. Interestingly, BAT UCP1 levels were not reduced in obese subjects aged <40 years. To determine whether BAT activity was preserved in young obese subjects in vivo, we performed 18F-FDG-PET/MR scanning during mild cold exposure (16-17°C) in 6 normal weight (BMI 22 ± 1kg/m2) and 6 obese (BMI 32 ± 1kg/m2) age-matched (22 ± 1 years) subjects. BAT 18F-FDG uptake (standard uptake value 5.1 ± 0.5 vs 4.2 ± 0.6 g/mL) and volume (69 ± 14 vs 72 ± 32 cm3) were similar between weight groups, despite greater insulin resistance in obese subjects (fasting glucose 5.5 ± 0.2 vs 4.3 ± 0.1mmol/L, insulin 11.9 ± 1.3 vs 5.8 ± 0.9mU/L, HOMA-IR 2.9 ± 0.3 vs 1.1 ± 0.2, free fatty acids 465 ± 78 vs 240 ± 34µM, all P<0.05), suggesting that 18F-FDG uptake by BAT is not significantly affected by insulin resistance. In conclusion, BAT UCP1 expression is reduced in individuals with adverse cardiometabolic risk factors, but these subjects retain brown pre-adipocytes with the capacity to form new thermogenic adipocytes after appropriate stimulation. UCP1 expression and cold-induced 18F-FDG uptake by BAT is preserved in young obese subjects. These data highlight the therapeutic potential of BAT mass expansion and activation as a therapeutic strategy to ameliorate the cardiometabolic consequences of obesity. Presentation: Thursday, June 15, 2023


Summary

In this study, we tested the hypothesis that decreased liming of growth medium has a role in the increase of stem lesions and top dying caused by Phytophthora cactorum in containerized silver birch seedlings (Betula pendula) in Finnish forest nurseries. The effect of limestone dose rates on growth and the nutrient status was also monitored. An index based on severity of symptom expression was used to compare the effect of different liming treatments on P. cactorum infection. Limestone amended into the sphagnum peat growth medium increased the amount of calcium in the seedling stems. Liming did not significantly decrease the disease severity although index values in most cases decreased with the increased limestone dose rates. In general, the lesions were restricted after out-planting and the mortality of seedlings was low. Only inoculated seedlings on which the lesions had spread around the stem in the nursery died. Phytophthora cactorum appears to be a nursery pathogen, as it did not survive under conditions present in the field. Four years after out-planting, the tallest birches were those grown in sphagnum peat amended with the highest limestone dose of 8 kg m−3.


Schismatoglottis okadae, a rheophytic species, was investigated on its distribution pattem, habitat, morphology, karyotype and population structure. The species is restricted to a few locations in West Sumatra which are separated from each other. In these places (locations) the species occurs only in the ai'ea near the stream. The stem and leaf show mat-rooted characteristic which is typical to other rheophytes. The chromosome number is 2n==26+O.-8B. But, one structural mutation of chromosome is present and it can be applied for the analysis of colony structurejust as the presence or absence of B-chromosomes. As the results, two kinds of colony structure have been detected: one is composed of homogeneous individuals, which seems to have propagated vegetatively, and the other is heterogeneous which would have developed from seedlings. The speciation of the group in the Barisan range is presumed to occur through the following' processes: the geographical upheaval of the Barisan range provided the new ecological niche, rapid streams, for the rheophytic forms. The ancestral form of this species might have existed near the mild stream of the mountain plateau as to be seen in Airsirah plot site today, from which true rheophytic forms adapted to the rapid stream sides have been produced.


As second‐line therapy, regorafenib has been shown to provide a survival benefit for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who progress on sorafenib. In this retrospective study, we assessed the clinical outcomes of sorafenib treatment failure with regard to second‐line chemotherapy.


that situation; one imagines the external situation and sees how one would respond, rather than imagining one's beliefs and desires and working out what one would do. Jane Heal thinks either situation could be relying on a tacit theory, and that the simulationist's point is that there is no 'theory of thought'—at least, no syntactic one—and that the only way to understand thinking is to do some. I am a little surprised that this discussion takes place without an explanation of 'theory' and without reference to the relation between the 'theory theory' and eliminativism, for the possibility of elimination of 'folk psychology' seems to me to be what is at stake. If simulation is essential that can only be because a first person understanding of the springs of action is essential, and that could be only because in one's own case one is intimately acquainted with the springs of action, whereas one is not so acquainted with the springs of action in others. But if one is intimately acquainted with them, then there is no scope for being radically wrong about the existence and general role of beliefs, desires, etc. Even if one's understanding is a tacit theory, it will be a 'theory' similar to such principles of explanation as that wood floats, pigs cannot fly, and the like, of which no abstruser theory could ever force radical revision. This is surely why the eliminativists Stich and Nichols, quoted by Davies (116), insist that the theory employed must not be involved in one's own decision making, for then there would be no question but that it constituted a generally correct explanation of what one did. Anyway, if this is not the point of the debate, I do not see what it is.


Online learning has got penetration in the system of formal teaching-learning in covid-19 context. It has transformed the teaching methodology from traditional Physical classes to online classes due to the closure of educational institutes. The current study is significant as it aims to explore the perceptions of veterinary University students towards online classes using self-determination theory. The data were gatheredfrom150 above stated English learning students through a questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS. The findings support that learning can happen within online classes, depending on the teacher's methodology and strategies in online classes. The results are effective for higher education institutes in determining the level of motivation and perceptions respondents have while taking English courses online, which can be made interactive by developing outcome-based courses with the integration of technology to fit the needs of modern education in the post-Covid-19 world.


Background and Purpose— Multiple brain infarcts are often seen on diffusion-weighted images in cardioembolic stroke patients. Recently, mobile aortic plaques (MAPs) have been proposed as embolic sources. However, the clinical characteristics of patients with MAPs are unclear. Methods— We prospectively studied patients with acute ischemic stroke who underwent transesophageal echocardiography. The patients were classified into 3 groups based on transesophageal echocardiography findings: atheromatous aortic plaques <4 mm, atheromatous aortic plaques ≥4 mm without mobility, and MAPs. Based on their diffusion-weighted image findings, the patients were divided into 3 subgroups: (1) single lesion; (2) multiple lesions in a single vascular territory; and (3) multiple lesions in multiple vascular territories. We assessed the clinical characteristics and the diffusion-weighted image findings of stroke patients with MAPs. Results— One hundred sixty-seven patients (age, 70±12 years; 98 males) were enrolled; 128 (77%)...


This paper is a study in historical socio - anthropology, focusing on the political process of Romanian nation building and its corresponding anthropological program of creating the national self. Starting from the assum ption that human being is a "storytelling animal" nested in a (hi)story - telling community pillared upon "narrative traditions," this paper examines the stock of stories told through history schoolbooks about the Romanian past as a means of narrative constr uction of Romanian national identity. Consequently, the paper looks at the nationalizing process launched by Romanian state authorities in the wake of the political union of 1859, arguing that the political building of Romanian nation implied the narrative articulation, followed by the recursive institutional reciting within the public educational system, of a "Romanian master story" as a means of breeding national Romanians out of Orthodox peasants. After detailing the pedagogy of the nation emerged in the second half of the 19th century as establishing the norms of (hi)story telling the national past, the study concludes by highlighting the main themes, or "schematic narrative templates," into which the Romanian master story has been poured out.


Electron energy distribution function (EEDF) of nitrogen-aluminium plasma depending on the applied field value was calculated, transport coefficients and coefficients of electron-induced processes were derived. Impact of the second kind on the EEDF was considered.


A survey is presented of the equipment and techniques used in the ionization method for x-ray structure analysis. 53 references. (J.S.R.)


Prothrombin is a vitamin K-dependent zymogen of thrombin, the enzyme that participates in the final stages of blood coagulation by converting fibrinogen to fibrin (clot). Dicoumarol or dicoumarol-like drugs are antagonists of vitamin K; therefore, these drugs are of therapeutic value against thromboembolic disease as they decrease the bioactivity of vitamin K-dependent factw, viz., prothrombin and factors VII, IX, and X. Early studies, performed two or three decades ago, suggested that the effect of dicoumarol was due to the synthesis of altered prothrombin molecules.1-4 In general, however, inhibition of prothrombin synthesis was accepted as the cause of reduced plasma prothrombin activity produced by dicoumarol. Because of the isolation of dicoumarol-induced prothrombin by several investigators 5-1* during the early seventies, it is now unquestionably established that dicoumarol does induce the production of abnormal molecules which are lacking in their ability to bind calcium-the divalent ion necessary for the physiological generation of thrombin from prothrombin. The difference in calcium-binding was shown to reside in the amino-terminal fragment, prothrombin fragment 1 (Fl), the non-thrombin portion of the molecule. Thus, the atypical prothrombins reported earlier were found to yield thrombin comparable to normal protein in the presence of 25% sodium citrate,15 trypshs snake venoms,*, l6-l8 or staphylocoagulase g t h e reactions that do not depend upon Ca2+. Continued efforts have since resulted in the discovery of a new amino acid, y-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla) ,19-21 which provides the prothrombin molecule with its Caz+-binding ability. The ten glutamyl residues present in the 33-residue NH,-terminal sequence of normal prothrombin 21 are carboxylated at the y-carbon atoms to yield Gla. By adapting our procedures used in the purification of normal bovine prothrombin,22 we isolated and purified dicoumarolized prothrombin from. the plasma of dicoumarol-treated ~ tee r s .~ These initial dicoumarolized preparations were found to contain an admixture of normal and abnormal molecules which were later successfully separated from each other. In 1972, we then reported the isolation of multiple forms of dicoumarol-induced atypical prothrombins.E. In contrast to normal ( IO-Gla) prothrombin, the atypical prothrombins contained 7-, s-, and 2-Gla's, and were adsorbable, respectively, onto barium citrate but not onto barium oxalate, barium oxalate but not onto alumina gel, and alumina gel but not onto the insoluble barium salts.16-*s In addition to these variants, we have further isolated two more variants both adsorbable onto alumina gel and containing 1 and 0-Gla. Thrombin cleaves the Arg158Ser peptide bond of prothrombin to generate


Titanium dioxide, TiO2, nanotubes prepared by sonoelectrochemical anodization method are functionalized with 2,6-dihydroxyantraquinone (anthrafavic acid). The functionalization takes place by chemical condensation of the Ti−OH hydroxyl groups present on the TiO2 nanotubular surface with the phenolic hydroxyl groups of anthrafavic acid forming an inorganic−organic hybrid material. The condensation results in an intramolecular ligand-to-metal charge-transfer transition that leads to an enhancement in absorption, and an absorption band is observed in the visible region. This hybridization is responsible for an increase in the photoelectrochemical generation of hydrogen from water up to 30%.


The launching of Islamic Banking in Nigeria has generated a lot of issues from some eminent Nigerians. Owing to this a research study on the issue is necessary. This paper therefore examines the problems and prospects of Islamic Banking in Nigeria and the likely challenges based on the experiences of other nations. The research method employed was that of personal interviews from Islamic Scholars, Pastors and University students. Lagos state became a focus because it is a state that is highly dominated by Muslims and Christians. Published Public opinions emanating from National Dailies were used.


In the art of reconstructing the regional and local histories the historian faces a social reality that reflects a community or a human group, in a concrete space that has established economic, political, sociocultural and mental bonds among their members, being defined their historical unit. In the study of the microhistory the cultural practices are recognized as essential factor of the local and regional identity that allows the distinction among communities, groups and regions. The development of projects of 1 Doctor en Ciencias Históricas, Profesor Titular. Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Granma. 2 Licenciada. Profesor Auxiliar. Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Granma. 3 Licenciada. Profesor Auxiliar. Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Granma


Since the TD-SCDMA (Time Division-Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access) system is based on TDD (Time Division Duplexing), the uplink and downlink can be allocated asymmetrically according to the traffic e.g. Web browsing. Although this asymmetric allocation can increase the frequency utilization, it may cause time slot opposing, which implies the time slot is assigned in opposing direction between cells. The time slot opposing can generate significant interference between cells, which results in severe performance degradation. In the paper, a novel dynamic channel allocation (DCA) is proposed in the TD-SCDMA system, to mitigate the impact of time slot opposing considering smart antenna. When the smart antenna is applied in the system, the inter-cell interference is largely affected by beam pattern and beam direction between neighboring cells. Therefore, the time slot opposing and smart antenna should be considered together in the DCA. The intensive simulations show that the proposed scheme can improve the system capacity compared to the conventional DCA schemes.


Abstract In this paper, we study the extreme values of the Rankin–Selberg L-functions associated with holomorphic cusp forms in the vertical direction. Assuming the generalised Riemann hypothesis (GRH), we prove that
$$ \begin{align*} \underset{T^{\delta}\leq t\leq T}{\max}\bigg\lvert L\bigg(\frac12+it,f\times f\bigg)\bigg\rvert \geq\exp\bigg(C\sqrt{\frac{\log T\log\log\log T}{\log\log T}}\bigg) \end{align*} $$
 with
$C\leq \mathscr {X}\sqrt {1-\delta }$
 , where
$\mathscr {X}:=({2}/{\pi })\int _{0}^{\pi /3}\sin ^2\xi \,d\xi $
 and
$0\leq \delta <1$
 .


Abstract: The more a person's age will affect the physical change. It may cause a change of cardiovascular system. One of ailments caused by cardiovascular change is hypertension. It is a leading cause of death in the world. One of the hypertension management is Yoga that can cause vasodilation of blood vessels and blood flow thus it can lower blood pressure. The purpose in the study was to identify the effectiveness of Yoga gymnastics compared by Aromatherapy massage using Lavender to decrease blood pressure in Nursing Home of Tresna Werda Puspakarma Mataram. The research used pre-experimental design namely two group pretest-posttest designs with sampling technique was purposive sampling. The sample was 20 respondents in each group that in accordance with criteria which have been set. The instrument was observation guideline and data analysis employed t-test. The result of statistical test on 9 respondents in each treatment group indicated there was a significant change of respondents' blood pressure who were given either Yoga exercises or Aromatherapy massage using Lavender with t-count was higher than t-table (2.26), whereas Aromatherapy massage (t-count = 7.30) was more effective than Yoga activity (t-count = 4.296) to decrease blood pressure in Elderly. It can be concluded that Aromatherapy massage using Lavender is more effective than Yoga activity in decreasing Elderly's blood pressure in Nursing House of Tresna Werda Puspakarma Mataram. This research is expected to be applied as one of therapy to figure out the increasing of blood pressure especially in Elderly.


A process of applying the response surface methodology(RSM) to the acquisition of the function in ultimate state,which is characterized with the quadratic polynomial response surface function,is briefly described.A new method is proposed to analyze the sensitivity of reliability via the function in ultimate state.An example is given to prove that the method proposed is available to the unknown function in ultimate state,with some formulae deduced.The function in ultimate state obtained by RSM,as a simple quadric polynomial,naturally includes the information on linear,quadratic and cross quadratic terms,thus making the sensitivity calculation of reliability easy to do and its accuracy very high.With the cracking due to thermal fatigue exemplified,the reliability without destabilized extension happening is calculated,as well as its sensitivity with different random variables.


In the study the possibility of growing of calves of young growth of the lactation period at moderate-ly low temperatures in the conditions of Eastern Siberia was considered. In recent years production tests and pilot studies of the method of growing of calves in the conditions of moderately low adjusta-ble temperatures were carried out. New energy saving technological solutions of cultivation of new-born calves which are most satisfying to physiologi-cal requirements and zoo-hygienic reasonable temperature condition for calves from 4to 180-days of age during winter period were fulfilled at the temperature of -5 °C with fluctuations from -2° C to -8°C. The essence of the method of growing calves is that keeping newborn calves up to 15-days of age in not heated rooms in individual cages, with 15-to the 120-day in calf houses groups up to 20 heads, and from 4-months age groups up to 40-50 of the heads on technology free pasture keeping. The adaptation peculiarities of young calves of lac-tation period to low temperatures in the farms are in fact that the adaptation of a calf to the cold begins with the antenatal (prenatal) period. Calves grown according to this technology of keeping and feeding rarely get sick, and the live weight gain in the first 2 months of growth was 750-850 grams a day. It was established that calves grown in the conditions of moderately low regulated temperatures from 4-days of age to 60 days most vigorously had the formation of cardiovascular, respiratory, ther-moregulatory, digestive, and hematopoietic and immune systems. All these had beneficial effect on the productive performance, i.e. the average daily gain in live weight. The calves of experimental groups of all ages had a larger increase in body weight compared to the growth rates of young calves grown according to traditional technology: in calves up to 60 days by 20.4 %, and in calves in 60-180 days by 10.8 %.


Objective: Studies on psychosocial interventions for perinatal mental health and wellbeing are mostly limited to the postpartum period. However, the physiological changes associated with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy predisposes women to severe psychological distress and adverse birth outcomes. This review investigated the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. Methods: Cochrane CENTRAL, Embase, MEDLINE, MIDIRS, CINAHL, PsycINFO, PsycArticles, and Web of Science were searched up to 22nd August 2021. Effect sizes on relevant health outcomes were pooled in a meta-analysis using STATA software. Results: Eight randomised trials involving 460 participants met the inclusion criteria. Included studies adopted several interventions ranging from music, exercise, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), spiritual care education and psychoeducation. The pooled effect showed a significant reduction in anxiety (d= -0.35 [-0.58, -0.11], p=0.004) and depression (d= -0.37 [-0.57, -0.17], p=0.0003). Spiritual care education significantly reduced postpartum stress disorder (d= -62.00 [-93.10, -30.90], p= 0.0001). However, CBT showed no effect on gestational stress (d= -2.20 [-4.89, 0.48], p= 0.11). Conclusion: This study provides satisfactory evidence that psychosocial interventions may likely reduce anxiety and depression associated with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. However, the evidence is very uncertain about its effect on neonatal outcomes.


Aims Phosphorus (P) is generally considered to be th e important limiting element for forest ecosystem productivity. The availability of soil P depends on the existing fractions of P and their transformation processes. Many researches showed that warming increases soil available P concentration. However, it is still uncertain that how warming increases soil available P concentration through regulating the P cycle processes. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of warming on concentration of different soil P fractions and to explore the relationships between different soil P fractions and available P concentration, thus identifying the important P fractions contributing to the increased available P concentration and its corresponding mechanisms under warming. Methods A field warming experiment was conducted by translocating model forest ecosystems from 300 m to 30 m in south subtropical area. Soils with different treatments at 0–10, 10–20 and 20–40 cm depth were collected, respectively, and then different soil P fractions were separated by continuous extraction method applied in acid soils. The correlation analysis and path analysis were performed to explore the relationships between different soil P fractions and available P concentration in the soils. The results showed that warming significantly increased the concentrations of inorganic P associated with calcium (Ca-Pi) at 0–10 cm depth and inorganic P concentration associated with iron (Fe-Pi) and total inorganic P concentration at 20–40 cm depth by 65.5%, 17.9% and 18.5%, respectively. However, it had no significant effects on total organic P and all organic P fractions. The correlation analysis results showed that available P concentration was significantly positively correlated with all inorganic P fractions and organic P associated with aluminum and iron. Furthermore, the correlation between available P and Fe-Pi concentration was the strongest. In addition, the path analysis highlights that inorganic P associated with aluminum and Fe-Pi were the important intermediate transitional P fractions in the conversion process of soil P, and Fe-Pi was the greatest direct contributor to the increased available P. Based on the results of previous studies, we propose that warming proba-bly not only increased the input of plant litter P to soil P, but also strengthened desorption and dissolution processes, facilitating more dissolved P converted to moderately available P fractions including Fe-Pi and Ca-Pi. Fur-thermore, Fe-Pi may become the most important contributor of available P in south subtropical forests under warming.


In this paper, we have used the Dupire's equation to derive the volatility model when the asset price follows logistic Brownian motion. We have used the analysis of Brownian motion, logistic Brownian motion, derivation of Black-Scholes Merton differential equation using It^o process and It^o's lemma and stochastic processes. We have also reviewed derivation of Dupire Volatility equation and used it's concept to derive a volatility model when the asset price follows logistic Brownian motion.


The separation of infrastructure from train operations and the introduction of competition on the rails has introduced various charging mechanisms for the infrastructure. The likely effects of these are briefly examined in the cases of France, Germany, Great Britain, The Netherlands and Sweden. Part of the commercialization, and eventual privatization, of the railways includes the need for the companies involved to break even, and loss making services could therefore disappear. The new arrangements for subsidization are compared in the different countries. All these processes are driven by the problems of central governments whose fiscal crises force limits to be put on subsidies to the railroads, and the desire of the Commission of the European Union to ensure that the railways develop beyond their original boundaries. The proposals to facilitate this and the extent to which these are compatible with the privatization proposals and the subsidization of local services form the final section of the article.


The present study uses accessible online and emic material as a window to approach the assessment of tourists' experiences at a small themed tourist attraction. The research adopts the approach of seeing experiences as an orchestrated model of interacting elements that are linked to expressive and instrumental components. The study then seeks to identify the dominant concepts and phrases used by tourists in reporting their attraction visit. Further aims include examining how tourists with different overall evaluations of their experiences and from different origins respond to the attraction. Using Leximancer analysis, the work explores the linkages among 167 tourists' reviews of the site in terms of reacting to the theme and reporting expressive and instrumental evaluations. The work confirms the value of the approach, establishes the power of the attraction's theme, and builds a pathway for experience evaluation studies linked to expressive and instrumental attributes.


We present the design of a lens for CCD or CMOS sensors using a new generation of lenses with electrically controlled focal length. These new elements made out of liquids (a drop of oil in water) work according to the principle of electro-wetting: the spreading of a drop of water on an electrically insulating surface can be modified by creating an accumulation of charges at the base of the drop. The densities of the two liquid phases are matched in order to keep the phases in place whatever the position of the lens. This new lens can be used in small devices to achieve auto-focus camera modules. There are several ways to integrate our adaptive optic in a fixed camera module lens, classically made up of plastic lenses. We will discuss three different configurations for a VGA system with 4 mm focal length, f/3 aperture, 60° field. The optical resolution is excellent, for object distance going from 50 mm to infinity.


The present invention provides a lactobacillus rhamnosus strain SLR0406, which can survive for 30-60 days at 37 degrees Celsius. The invention also provides a drug combination with the lactobacillus rhamnosus strain SLR0406. The lactobacillus rhamnosus strain SLR0406 CCTCC-M206023 can be stored for long time and can effectively treat diarrhea and related symptoms caused by antibiotics and chemotherapy drugs.


Software-defined networking (SDN) is expected to simplify network management and offer efficient and flexible supports to diverse user services. To meet the demanding transmission requirements of various SDN switches, the optimal deployment of controllers has become an important problem. In this paper, the capacitated controller deployment problem is studied for SDN where a number of candidate controllers with given constrained capacity can be deployed to enable centralized management in the control plane of SDN. Considering both transmission time and cost of the controllers, we formulate the capacitated controller deployment problem as a network cost minimization problem. To solve the optimization problem, we propose a two-stage heuristic algorithm which first tackles the controller deployment problem under the unlimited capacity constraint, and then solves the controller-capacity matching problem. Specifically, in the first stage, we study uncapacitated controller deployment problem and propose a minimum eccentricity-based controller deployment strategy to determine the number and location of controllers. In the second stage, considering the capacity constraint and cost of candidate controllers, we propose an iterative Kuhn-Munkres (K-M) algorithm to solve the controller matching problem. Simulation results verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.


We observe far infrared broadband emission from the hot two‐dimensional electron plasma in GaAs/AlGaAs single heterostructures grown by molecular beam epitaxy. The radiation is analyzed in two different frequency regimes (around 35 and 100 cm−1). From the relative dependence of the intensities on the applied longitudinal electric field the hot‐electron temperatures are determined. From the absolute emission intensities values of the free‐carrier absorption coefficient (down to 10−5 in ultrahigh mobility samples) are measured.


The purpose of this study is to analyze cross-functional integration processes and their respective impacts on resilience capabilities, with particular emphasis on collaboration, in an automotive supply chain.,A case study was conducted in an automotive supply chain through 18 in-depth interviews with managers from six different companies, namely, two suppliers, one focal manufacturer and three customers. The automotive industry is one of the most vital industries in the Brazilian economy and is still recovering from the 2015 financial crisis, making it an interesting case for this research.,The findings reveal several links between resilience and cross-functional integration literatures through the analysis of three basic categories, namely, disruptions (lack of product, interruption of production, delivery delay, organizational bankruptcy and sales loss); capabilities (redundancy, flexibility, adaptability, collaboration, visibility and agility); and integration factors (cross-functional meetings, adequate communication, longevity of relationships, cross-functional training, recognition of interdependence and the consideration given to informal groups).,This research addresses several implications for practitioners. Managers should pay attention to the cross-functional teams, which may provide internal collaboration, and hence collaboration in the supply chain.,This paper suggests a new concept for the collaboration capability. According to the results, collaboration is the capability of dealing with formal and informal factors to integrate both the internal functions and supply chain members, which can provide visibility, agility and adaptability toward supply chain resilience.


A focused electron beam has been used to selectively decompose thin films of palladium acetate, (Pd–Ac), resulting in the formation of ≤50 nm wide conductive Pd‐rich features. The formation of features from various film thicknesses of Pd–Ac has been investigated using a wide range of electron energies. Monte Carlo simulations of electron energy loss distributions in Pd–Ac films were calculated over a wide range of film thicknesses and electron energies. The Monte Carlo calculations were used to predict the volume over which the energy of the electron beam is deposited within the films. Thin conductive wires having profiles from high aspect ratio to almost circular cross sections produced by varying the electron beam energy were in agreement with the Monte Carlo predictions. Complex multilayer Pd–Ac features were then fabricated by performing overlapping exposures of Pd–Ac films with differing electron beam energies.


The high temperature superconducting air-core transformer, which has a large magnetizing current, has been proposed as a possible type of future power transformer having a function as a shunt reactor. In this paper, based on the theoretical analysis of air-core transformerpsilas volt-ampere character, the performance of an designed air-core transformer in the model cable transmission system is analyzed. Magnetic field is calculated with a HTS single phase air-core transformer model for experiment. Short circuit test and load test are done with the experimental HTS air-core transformer. From the results of these investigations, it is confirmed that the HTS air-core transformer can function as a shunt reactor in addition to its principal function as a power transformer, and other merits of the HTS air-core transformer are clarified.


Quenched steel 4Kh14N14V2M is deformed at room temperature by rolling or torsion under quasihydrostatic pressure (true logarithmic deformation 0•07−7) and then heated at temperatures 923, 1023 and 1073 K with between 1 min and 50 hr holding. The substructure that forms causes accelerated precipitation of chromium carbides during ageing and a change in the actual precipitation mechanism. Recrystallization of the moderately worked steel develops after lengthy holding (50 hr) when ageing processes are complete. After large amounts of working, recrystallization and precipitation are simultaneous and very rapid. A microduplex structure with austenite grains smaller than 1 μm and chromium carbide gains ∼0•1 μm is formed


The crystal structure and electrical properties of CeAlO3 ceramics prepared by the mixed oxide route have been investigated. X-ray and electron diffraction data show the room temperature structure to be described by the tetragonal I4∕mcm space group [a=5.3253(5)A and c=7.5860(9)A; Z=4, and theoretical density, Dx=6.64g∕cm3]. CeAlO3 ceramics sintered at 1500°C under flowing 5%H2–95%N2 gas for 4h reach ∼94% of Dx with a microstructure of randomly distributed equiaxed grains of average grain size ∼2μm. Conventional transmission electron microscopy reveals needle-shaped ferroelastic domains in some grains. The relative permittivity er of CeAlO3 ceramics is ∼18–20 in the range of ∼10–300K. At room temperature and microwave frequencies, CeAlO3 ceramics exhibit er∼20.7, Qfr∼40117GHz (at 9.5GHz), and τf∼−57ppm∕K. The ion polarizability for Ce3+ is calculated to be 4.46A3. Revised dielectric polarizabilities for rare-earth lanthanides are also presented.


Development of materials for submerged nozzle was introduced.The characteristics of fused-quartz,Al2O3-C and compounded submerged nozzle was discussed.The clogging mechanism of submerged nozzle and development of anti-clogging technology were analyzed.


Here, the backward flight of a dragonfly was investigated. In this flight, the insect took off from a platform and flew backward and upward for about 3 wingbeats (WB) traveling a distance of over 3 body lengths with an advance ratio of 0.41. The dragonfly initiated flight with a body pitch angle of 87o and continued to pitch up to about 95o as it flew. The stroke planes of the wings were tilted backward towards the body, thus, reducing the stroke plane angle when compared to forward flight by 15o. Due to the global reorientation of the stroke plane owing to the vertical body posture, the aerodynamic roles of the downstroke and upstroke were switched, with the downstroke generating the propulsive force and upstroke generating the lift force. Unlike forward and hovering flight, a stronger leading edge vortex (LEV) was present during the upstroke when compared to downstroke, resulting in generation of larger aerodynamic forces in the upstroke necessary for weight support.


Sunday morning found me out in the field with a stalwart group of Gettysburg devotees: the Gettysburg Discussion Group's annual spring Muster. When the coordinator of this year's Muster put out the call for something a bit different, perhaps something in town for Sunday, my ears perked up. I've been looking for groups to test out the nuggets of the College's Civil War story on and the GDG seemed like the perfect group of guinea pigs. [excerpt]


This article explores recent controversies over human cloning, stem cell research and the potential applications of both. Much of the fear of human reproductive cloning has been escalated by media calling on scare stories from Aldous Huxley's Brave New World and Ira Levin's The Boys from Brazil, which both stimulates public fear and clouds debate. Is it possible to take a detached view about whether the risks are worth taking? While technologies now offer new dilemmas and possibilities, this article moves beyond the current impasse between technically optimistic market individualism and traditional (often religious) forms of moral collectivism. This critical theory and the concept of alienation offer useful points of departure, in addressing the body as site of both social anxiety and of nature-social boundary disputes.


Carbon fiber/epoxy resin composites have been widely used in many fields. However, they hardly melt at high temperatures or dissolve in any regular solvents. The recycling of carbon fiber/epoxy resin composites is one of the top research priorities. Carbon fiber/epoxy resin composite laminates consist of layers which are made of different materials. In near critical water, layers experience different forces, which result in the separation of layers and then accelerate the decomposition. In order to reach our final goal, decomposition of carbon fiber/epoxy resin composite laminates in near critical water, the characteristics of stress and strain of carbon fiber/epoxy resin laminates are necessary to know to guide the further study of decomposition. In this project, the stress and strain of carbon fiber/epoxy resin laminates in nearly critical water were analyzed using the ANSYS software. The results showed that temperature and pressure affected stress and strain of laminates differently in X and Y directions. In addition, the increased number of layers of laminates will increase the interlaminar shear stress, peeling stress, and the strain in Y direction, but will decrease the strain in X direction.


Multilevel inverter can effectively reduce the voltage distortions of each switching operation to reduce the switching loss and increase power efficiency. The multilevel inverter has been aroused due to its advantages of better power efficiency, lower switching harmonics, and a smaller filter inductor compared with the conventional half-bridge and full-bridge inverters. A five-level inverter is developed and applied for injecting the real power of the renewable power into the grid. This five-level inverter is configured by two dc capacitors, a dual-buck converter, a full-bridge inverter, and a filter. The five-level inverter generates an output voltage with five levels and applies in the output stage of the renewable power generation system to generate a sinusoidal current in phase with the utility voltage to inject into the grid. The power electronic switches of the dual- buck converter are switched in high frequency to generate a three-level voltage and balance the two input dc voltages. The power electronic switches of the full-bridge inverter are switched in low frequency synchronous with the utility to convert the output voltage of the dual-buck converter to a five-level ac voltage. It shows that the developed renewable power generation system reaches the expected performance. The performance of the five-level inverter for the renewable power generation system through extensive simulations using MATLAB/Simulink simulation studies.


The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method for selecting an iPS cell clone with which tumor formation is less likely even when caused to differentiate, and a method for selecting a gene used in the method for selecting the same. As one embodiment, the expression level is examined with regards to at least one gene in any gene group from among first through tenth gene groups in an iPS cell clone in an undifferentiated state, whereby there is selected an iPS cell clone in which tumor formation is less likely even when caused to differentiate. Also, the expression level of a gene belonging to a candidate gene group including one or more genes is examined in each iPS clone in an undifferentiated state in relation to a plurality of first iPS cell clones that cannot differentiate normally or that are likely to form a tumor when differentiated and a plurality of second iPS cell clones that are less likely to form a tumor, whereby there is selected a gene used in the method for selecting an iPS cell clone with which tumor formation is less likely even when caused to differentiate.


A novel open-circuit fault diagnostic method for dual-winding fault-tolerant permanent magnet (DFPM) motor drive system is proposed and investigated. The proposed open-circuit fault diagnostic method uses the normalized currents' average values and average absolute values to formulate the diagnostic variables and incorporates the merits of them. Due to the normalized diagnostic variables and the introduction of currents' average absolute values, the false alarms are avoided effectively and the open-circuit fault can be detected and located more accurately and real-timely. The simulation results prove the reliability and effectiveness of the proposed open-circuit fault diagnostic method.


Abstract. For successful lens implantation, the quality of the cataract extraction needed to be improved. The debate whether to perform extracapsular or intracapsular extraction has not yet come to an end. For better understanding a classification of lenses is necessary in view of the clinical consequences. The contact of the lens with the eye (read: the site of lens support) determines the long‐term fate of an eye with a lens. All lenses in contact with uveal tissue may cause symptoms that together constitute the uvea‐touch syndrome. Capsular support is to be preferred over uvea‐support. The all‐in‐the‐bag position of a lens is superior. This can be achieved with so‐called inter‐capsular surgery. A new lens design that is adapted to inter‐capsular surgery is presented and its use described in detail (the 'Moustache' lens). There are few restrictions to its use.


As an independent grammatical category,the measure words don′t exist in English,but the partitive constructions occur constantly in English. Cognitive subjects' different perspectives and profiling will have an effect on the collocation between the unit nouns and objects in this construction. Various kinds of imagery and contextual meanings will be sensed. Thus, cognitive motivation and meaning relations are the key research points.


Genetic diversity plays an important role because hybrids between lines of diverse origin generally, display a greater heterosis than those between closely related parents. Genetic diversity arises due to geographical separation or due to genetic barriers to crossability. In this study, genetic diversity of twenty two genotypes of wheat was evaluated for fourteen characters using Mahalanobis D2 statistics. The wheat genotypes were grouped into three clusters. The cluster III was the largest group which consist of 9 genotypes followed by cluster II (7 genotypes) and cluster I (6 genotypes). From the clustering pattern, it was found that the wheat genotypes were genetically diverse to each other. Hence, the genotypes studied are reliable enough for selection of parents making crosses. The maximum intra cluster distances were observed in cluster III (2.945) followed by cluster I (2.463) and cluster II (2.324). The selection of divergent genotype from above clusters would produce a broad spectrum of variability for quantitative traits studied, which enable further for selection and improvement. The maximum inter cluster distance was observed in between cluster I and cluster III (4.987) followed by between clusters II and cluster III (4.355) and cluster I and cluster II (3.717). This suggested that the hybridization programme involving parents from these clusters is expected to give higher frequency of better segregantes or desirable combination for development of useful genetic stocks or varieties.


Erythropoietin (EPO) level of serum and bone marrow of patients with liver cirrhosis was detected by radio -immune assay. The serum EPO level of cirrhotic patients is higher than that of control group. It shows that there is a blunt EPO response in the patients, which causes anemia. While the bone marrow EPO level of patients is lower than that of control group. It can be concluded that the hematopoietic function of bone marrow in cirrhotic patients is depressed.


The U022+ ion is peculiar in its coordination behaviour, because of its inherent capacity of forming compounds with higher coordination number. In the present work we describe the synthesis of a series of eight, nine and ten coordinated compounds of dioxouranium(VI) with 4[N-(2'-nitrobenzalidene)amino] antipyrinethiosemicarbazone (2'-N02BAAPT) and 4[N-(3'-nitrobenzalidene) amino] antipyrinethiosemicarbazone (3'-N02BAAPT) with the general composition U02X2.nL (X = Br, I, NCS or CI04, n=2; X = N03 or CH3COO, n = I; L = 2'-N02BAAPT or 3'-N02BAAPT). These compounds were synthesized in non-aqueous solvents, and were characterized by various physico-chemical techniques. The ligands behave as tridentate N2S-donors. Wilson's G-F matrix mehtod was used to determine the stretching and interaction force constants from which the U-0 bond distances were calculated. Thermal stabilities of these complexes were also investigated.


Contemporary societies, in many of which it is more apt to talk of nine rather than of seven Shakespearean ages, are prone to chronic, disabling disorders that are 'life-shortening' rather than 'life-threatening'. These conditions, triggered by environmental agents but set against a background of inherited susceptibility, were 'rheumatism'; they are now the systemic connective tissue diseases. Although the agents causing the most important of these abnormalities-rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthrosis (OA), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-are not yet known, there have been substantial advances in their molecular and cellular pathology, and in their genetics and pharmacodynamics. The present account, in which some of the most frequent connective tissue diseases are brought together by decade, draws attention to selected aspects of this new knowledge.


Reactions of arylacetic acids bearing an amino group at the para-position in the benzene ring with alkenes in the presence of a catalytic amount of transition metal polypyridyl complexes as photocatalysts under visible light illumination proceed smoothly to give the corresponding benzylated products via oxidative decarboxylation in good to high yields.


The characteristics of interdecadal variability of summer precipitation and its possible cause are analyzed by using the observed data of summer precipitation for recent 50 years from 1951 to 2000 and the observed data of surface temperature(T_(s)) and surface air temperature(T_(a)) for forty one years from 1960 to 2000.The results analyzed from summer precipitation in China show that the interdecadal variability of climate in China is very obvious during recent 50 years.The abrupt change of climate in China occurred in 1976.From 1977 to 2000,summer precipitation obviously decreased and the persistent droughts occurred in North China and the Yellow River basin.Moreover,the analyzed results also show that evolution trend of summer precipitation anomalies in Northwest China is about 5-8 years earlier than that of in North China.In order to investigate cause of the interdecadal variability of climate in China,the difference between surface temperature(T_(s)) and surface air-temperature(T_(a)),i.e.,T_(s)-T_(a) in the arid and semi-arid region of Northwest China are analyzed.The analyzed results show that the T_(s)-T_(a) also appeared an obvious interdecadal variability.Before the late 1970s,T_(s)-T_(a) anomalies were negative,but its anomalies became largely positive from the late 1970s to 2000.the largest positive anomaly value are in the western of Xinjiang Province.The correlations between summer precipitation in whole China and the T_(s)-T_(a) in the western of Xinjiang Province in spring from 1960 to 2000 show that positive correlation regions is in Northwest China,Northeast China and the Yangtze River basin respectively,but negative correlation region is in east of North China and Southwest China respectively.Therefore,the interdecadal variability of T_(s)T_(a) in arid and semi-arid region of Northwest China in spring may are one of some causes of interdecadal variability of summer precipitation in North China.


Abstract Due to pressure on urban water supplies, stormwater has increasingly been considered as a resource. This view provides opportunities to use stormwater within urban areas. However, there is still limited understanding of how a stormwater use scheme can be implemented, particularly in existing urban areas. A decision making framework to investigate the viability of potential stormwater use scheme options was developed. This framework examines the feasibility of stormwater use in urban areas at a cluster or neighbourhood scale. This paper describes how the decision making framework was adapted to a case study in the suburb of Sunshine in Melbourne, Victoria, and demonstrates how this framework can be applied to a residential urban area. Comparison of all stormwater use scheme options determined that, while one scheme option was the most effective option in terms of cost, reliability, quantity of stormwater used and end uses met, several other options could also be examined further for detailed analysis. As the decision making framework is developed further, additional issues such as environmental, social and economic could be examined.


Objective: Workers with asthma are one of the risk working groups. Being exposed to indoorair pollutants in the workplace makes it difficult to control asthma and can lead to asthma attacks.This study was carried out in 2012 by the Department Of Chest Diseases of the State Hospitalapplied by the workers in a textile factory in Kahramanmaras to get a medical board report andasthmatic workers' conditions and whether they were affected by the working environment wereexamined. Material and Method: Some data about health/diseases status and individual characteristicsof 30 workers who had previously been diagnosed with asthma were collected. Spirometricmeasurements were made. PEF (peak expiratory flow) meters recordings were made 4 times aday during 4 weeks to indicate the effects of the workplace. PEF rates were calculated usingthe measurements before and after the shift.Results: There were 1210 workers in the factory and 30 of them had asthma (2.4%). Asthmaticpatients, 18 female and 12 male. Nearly half of the workers with asthma were smokers. PFT(pulmonary function test) measurements were found low in workers with asthma. Themeasurements were lower in smoker workers.. When the Peak Flow Meter measurements wereevaluated, there was found almost 14,5% decrease in PEF value at the end of the shift comparedto the start of the shift. In 32% of the measurements, daily PEFR variability is20% and more.Almost half of the PFT results of the asthmatic workers were within normal limits. Whenexamined in terms of PEFR variability, finding the PEFR variability above than 20% in 32%of all measurements raised doubts that the workplace was carrying some risks. In addition,finding smoking anamnesis in 66.7% of male and 53.3% of female workers with asthma andthe existence of smoking anamnesis in all workers having PEFRvariability more than 20% all indicate that another problem issmoking.Conclusion: As a result, it seems highly significant to raiseawaraness among the people with asthma working in textile sectorabout their diseases and to teach them proper protection methodsand also to encourage smokers with asthma to quit smoking


Mg-PSZ samples prepared in the as-fired condition were strong (550 to 600 MPa) but had poor thermal up-shock resistance in that they shattered during a standard test. However, ageing at 1100 ~ C enabled 70% of their original strength to be retained after thermal up-shock damage. This marked improvement in thermal shock resistance was attributed to the conversion of tetragonal precipitates to the monoclinic state by a process other than particle growth. It is proposed that the precipitate/matrix interface which governs the crystal structure of a precipitate at room temperature was altered by a type of solid state reaction, not previously reported, which occurs during ageing at 1100 ~ C.


In 2015 my PhD thesis investigating the control of infectious diseases in Australia and the design of the government's vaccination policies was accepted by the University of Wollongong (UOW). The thesis was published in open repository on the UOW website in January 2016. It rapidly came under attack from organised lobby groups and within one week of publication these lobby groups were calling for the thesis to be disapproved. However, the University of Wollongong responded saying that it stood by this research.


Some recent publications have extended the emulating capabilities of mode-stirred reverberation chambers, which are now able to emulate Ricean-fading and non-isotropic environments. Either the need to physically modify existing chambers or multiple sets of measurements is required for these enhancements. In this paper a novel post-processing hybrid tool is presented for the transformation of a Rayleigh-fading emulated environment into a Rician one. The model is tested and compared to outdoor measurements and simulations through the K-factor, correlation, diversity gain and MIMO capacity. Results show an excellent matching performance with no hardware modifications of mode-stirred chambers with just one set of measurements. The method is patent protected by EMITE Ing.


A 3D transient heat transfer model is developed by ABAQUS software to study the temperature distribution during friction stir welding process at different rotational speeds. Furthermore, AA 5083-O plates were joined by FSW technique. For this purpose, a universal milling machine was used to perform the welding process and a mechanical vice was used to fix the work pieces in the proper position. The joints were friction stir welded at a constant travel speed 50 mm/min and two rotational speed values; 400 rpm and 630 rpm using two types of tools; cylindrical threaded pin and tapered smooth one. At each welding condition the temperature was measured using infra-red thermal image camera to verify the simulated temperature distribution. The welded joints were visually inspected as well as by macro- and microstructure evolutions. In addition, the welded joints were mechanically tested for hardness and tensile strength. The maximum peak temperature obtained was at higher rotational speed using the threaded tool pin profile. The results showed that the rotational speed affects the peak temperature, defects formation and sizes, and the mechanical properties of friction stir welded joints. Moreover, the threaded tool gives superior mechanical properties than the tapered one at lower rotational speed.


The purpose of this study was to identity characteristics of traditional nursing in Chosun Dynasty. Various health care activities introduced in the classic works have been examined for the identification of major characteristics of nursing in traditional society. A study of the classical works revealed the following aspects of nursing care were evident : environment, diet, exercise, beside care, medication and fetal discipline. In their treatment, it became clear that the most salient feature of traditional nursing in Chosun dynasty is the humanistic nature of care. Another distinctive feature of traditional nursing is its notion of empathic care. Loyalty is another key principle of traditional nursing in Chosun dynasty. However, the empathic principle was always practiced in keeping with the principle of loyalty. The principle of mean and confirmity with nature appear to have been a basic guideline for nursing practices in traditional society. Some nursing activities in traditional society are shamanistic, particularly the prayers offered for the recovery of a family member`s illness and the protection of all family members from evil spirits. These shamanistic rituals imply considerable measures of empathy, loyalty, and filial piety according to Confucian tenets.


Under the globalization,the theory of free trade is the main stream while the theory of trade protection is existing in the meantime.Each country carries out the theory which initiates both free trade and trade protection.Based on the content and difference starting point of on the theoies of free trade and trade protection and from the fairness and efficiency,this paper provides an angle of view which is different from the traditional one.


Ag-TiO2/CNTs nanopartical composites were synthesized by sol-gel method,and then obtained samples were thermally treated at 450℃. The crystal morphology and the micro-surface structures were characterized by XRD,SEM and low temperature N2 adsorption-desorption. Absorbency of composites was analyzed by UV-vis diffuse reflection spectra. Under artificial UV-light irradiation,the degradation of methylorange was used to evaluate the photo-catalytic activity of Ag-TiO2/CNTs nanopartical composites. E.coli and bacillus subtilis were used to characterize antiseptic property by bacteriostatic circle method. The result showed that the photocatalytic activity of Ag-TiO2/CNTs nanopartical composites was higher than that of pure TiO2,and Ag-TiO2/CNTs nanoparticles with 1%(mass fraction) CNTs showed the best photocatalytic activity. The degradation rate is 76.5% exposuring to ultraviolet light about 150 min. Ag-TiO2/CNTs nanopartical had much better antiseptic property than TiO2 nanopartical,Ag nanoparticles,CNTs(purified),and Ag-TiO2/CNTs nanopartical with10%(mass fraction) CNTs showed the best antiseptic property among samples. The largest diameter of inhibition zone is 25.8mm.


Species-rich Nardus stricta grasslands host a higher vascular plant diversity on calcareous than on siliceous bedrock / Marco, Pittarello; Michele, Lonati; Alessandra, Gorlier; Massimiliano, Probo; Giampiero, Lombardi. In: PLANT ECOLOGY & DIVERSITY. ISSN 1755-0874. (2017), pp. 9-343. Original Citation: Species-rich Nardus stricta grasslands host a higher vascular plant diversity on calcareous than on siliceous bedrock


The paper corrects a few errors occurring in the calculations of CALLAWAY J on the average potential of a Wigner solid. With respect to the monoatomic bcc and fcc metals, a theory of calculating the average potentials of them is established, and the theoretical results demonstrate that the average potential is directly proportional to the reciprocal of the lattice constant of the crystal. Moreover, the paper performs a great deal of calculations of the average potentials of various bcc and fcc metals, and obtains a lot of numerical results which are valuable for applications.


INTRODUCTION: The community containment measures imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in restrictions on daily life and, consequently, changes in lifestyle. Knowing the effect of these measures on eating habits and physical activity will be important to define adjusted and timely responses of Public Health. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of social restraint period on the perception of changes in lifestyle factors related to food and physical activity. METHODOLOGY: Observational, cross-sectional and descriptive study, with a quantitative approach. The sample consisted of 407 participants between 5-84 years of age. A questionnaire was applied through a computer-assisted telephone interview, between May 22nd and 29th. When comparing data by age group and municipality of residence, the Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests were applied. RESULTS: In comparison with the pre-community restraint period, 52.1% of the respondents considered having decreased physical activity, 51.8% increased sitting time and 33.7% changed their diet. The increased snacking behavior was reported by 63.6% of participants aged 5-10 years and by 50.0% aged 10-17 years. Among the youngest, there is an increase in water and fruit intake and a reduction in takeaway/home delivery and pre-prepared meals. CONCLUSIONS: Community containment measures caused a decrease in physical activity and altered eating habits and behaviors, especially among youngers.


Abstract : It is well known that stress can have an adverse effect on performance and that individual differences in responses to stress are varied. This research explores the potential of developing an objective measure of stress resistance and the possibility of developing a laboratory model of the effects of stress on performance. The paradigm developed reveals that (1) emotional stimuli disrupt performance, (2) the disruption is exacerbated by time pressure and task difficulty, (3) repetition of the emotional stimuli (habituation) eliminates the disruptive effect, (4) it is not the emotionality of the stimulus, but rather the threat component that is critical to the disruptive effect. These results parallel effects in everyday life and suggest that the paradigm shows great promise for developing a measure of stress resistance and a laboratory model of the effects of stress.


Over the past decade, the US has carried out hundreds of strikes against terrorist targets using unmanned aerial vehicles, known as drones. The use of these drones has accelerated under the Obama Administration, which has led to growing protests over civilian casualties stemming from their operations. Natalie Allen argues that drones are in fact one of the most effective forms of warfare to prevent civilian casualties, and that whether the war itself is justified is an entirely different matter. She writes that the debate over the use of drones needs to move on from the technology used, towards how the 'War on Terror' is being conducted as a whole.


The development of assisted reproductive techniques poses important challenges to the work of clinical psychologists. Due to its singularity, posthumous assisted reproduction, exponentially increases these challenges and engages the assisted reproduction team with social representations related to the process, bringing out ethical, important legal and moral issues. There are few studies related to this subject in Portuguese. The authors present data from some research that explore either the opinions about posthumous assisted reproduction or the difficulties inherent to this process, which is inscribed in a serious grief process. The risks related to the process are also presented. They discuss data they collected in a survey developed in social media (Facebook) and among students of a face to face assisted reproduction course, in order to get a grip on society's perceptions on the subject. They suggest guidelines to support the psychologist's work in this context with candidates to posthumous reproduction. *Correspondence to: Julieta Quayle, Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Brazil, E-mail: email@example.com


This research was the preliminary study analysis for the mental workload for creative industries. There were issues of productivity during the work performed by the employee. This paper aimed to measure the mental workload based on three job positions for two batik creative industries. The method that used is NASA-TLX, which involved 6 employees. There are variations based on three job positions (production, administrative and packaging) in both industries. The mental workload obtained during the research is 41.67 for UKM Batik 1 and 70.44 for UKM Batik 2. In overall, both batik industries having high mental workload, only in small portion is in medium position. The highest mental workload was for production process in UKM Batik 2. The further research should be conducted on improving the work system design for all positions, especially on production process.


Using functional integral method for the Heisenberg antiferromagnetic spin chain with the added Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya Interaction in the presence of the longitudinal magnetic field, we find out expression for free energy of the spin chain via spin fluctuations, from which quantities characterize the antiferromagnetic order and phase transition such as staggered and total magnetizations derived. From that, we deduce the significant effect of the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction on the reduction of the antiferromagnetic order and show that the total magnetization can be deviated from the initial one under the influence of canting of the spins due to a combination of the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction and the magnetic field. Besides, the remarkable role of the transverse spin fluctuations due to the above factors on the antiferromagnetic behaviours of the spin chain is also indicated.


The state of modern preschool education in Russia and Mongolia is discussed in this paper. It is pointed out that preschool education is an integral and full-fledged part of the state general education system in both countries. This paper notes that preschool education aims not only to prepare five- to six-year-old children for school education but also, more importantly, to develop a healthy personality and self-esteem in preschool children. It is concluded that the system of preschool education in Mongolia is still at a developing stage, while Russia has enough experience to expand and enrich the education system as a whole.


This study focused on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the livelihood of urban refugees in Arua City, Uganda. The research design adopted in this study was qualitative interview study, underpinned on the interpretivism philosophy. Data were sourced through 10 to 15 minutes face to face in-depth interviews consisting of 12 Urban refugee homesteads registered with the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Arua branch. The Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Thematic analysis is an accessible and flexible approach to qualitative data analysis, which is based on coding (Braun & Clarke, 2006). Results have shown that urban refugees have been hit hard by the COVID-19 Pandemic and will continue to face tough and difficult times in the future.


The main purpose of this paper is to give some common fixed point theorems of mappings and set-valued mappings of a symmetric space with some applications to probabilistic spaces. In order to get these results, we define the concept of E-weak compatibility between set-valued and single-valued mappings of a symmetric space.


Two nonlinear optical ytterbium(III) complexes with vildagliptin have been synthesized and their ground state geometries have been predicted by semi-empirical quantum chemistry methods: [Yb(vilda)3(acac)] and [Yb(vilda)2(acac)(bipy)], where vilda = vildagliptin, acac = acetylacetonate and bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine. ATR-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectral studies have been carried out to identify the functional groups of the novel complexes. The third order nonlinear optical response has been experimentally studied using Z-scan and P-scan methods, and static and frequency dependent second hyperpolarizabilities have been theoretically investigated using the Sparkle/PM6 model. The novel materials in diluted solutions have nonlinear refractive indices comparable to that of carbon disulphide.


ABSTRACT:  Two new collagen‐based lidocaine‐containing dermal fillers, ArteSense™/ArteFill™ (Artes Medical, San Diego, CA) and Evolence® (Colbar LifeScience Ltd., Herzliya, Israel), have proved to be of particular interest to men, many of whom seek a long‐lasting or permanent correction. ArteFill™ has been available in the United States since 2006, and it is expected that Evolence® will reach the American market in 2008. The properties of the two products will be described, and experience based on the administration of many hundreds of syringes of both products by a Canadian dermatologist will be detailed here, with tips and precautions to optimize patient outcomes.


The welding joint of Ni47Ti44Nb9 shape memory alloy with thickness of 200 μm was achieved by Nd:YAG laser, and the laser process parameters were investigated by orthogonal experiment. The welding joint microstructure was observed by optical microscopy, the strength of extension of the joint was tested by precision stretcher, and the micro-hardness of the welding joint was tested with the precision hardmeter. The results shows that the best laser parameters of jointing Ni47Ti44Nb9 shape memory alloy with thickness of 200 μm are that the average power is 16.8 W, the width of pulse is 4.5 ms and the frequency is 4.5Hz. At this time, the tensile strength is 880 MPa, reaching 95% strength of the base metal. The horizontal surfaces appear uniform scales striate. And there is a phenomenon of layering on the cross-section, the center of the welding joint is ultrafine axis crystal. The heat affected zone is the column structure. The longitudinal section is exchange distribution of equiaxed grains and pseudoeutectic of NiTi-βNb. The average hardness of the welding joint is greater than that of the base metal.


Field assisted electron emission from carbon based materials is of great interest for wide range of vacuum
nanoelectronics applications. Reported here discussions of
varying structures of nanodiamond and nanocluster films. The
nanodiamond material was prepared under different conditions
of temperature, methane and hydrogen ratio using a Hot
Filament Chemical Vapor Deposition process, where as the self aligned nanocluster was grown at near room temperature using cathodic arc system. Morphology, Field emission response of the films were studied. The parameters derived from the Raman response were correlated with the parameters derived from the field emission, and along with SEM. Effort were made to study the correlation and to understanding of the nanodiamond and nanoluster carbon This indicates possibility of nanocarbon for future vacuum based application.


This essay discusses the question of whether the physical parts of a substance per se can still be substances after being separated from whole substances. This paper finds that within his corpus Aristotle gives two contrary answers to that question. To avoid this inconsistency, this essay claims that Aristotle puts forward dual models of analysis when it comes to substances, namely the Artifact Model and the Living Being Model. According to the Artifact Model, the physical parts of a substance per se are still substances after being separated from the whole substance; but according to the Living Being Model, the physical parts of a substance per se are not substances after separation. In addition, this paper also holds that there is a kind of evolutionary relationship of research methodology between the dual models, i.e. the dual models correspond to what is "better known to us" to what is "better known by nature."


The purpose of this paper is to investigate the performance of existing adaptation strategies against climate change impacts in the Semi-Arid Guinea Savanna of Ghana. The trend of rainfall (1985-2014) is declining. Rainfall pattern is erratic throwing farming calendar into disarray. Temperature trend for the same period is rising. This paper answers the question: how are existing adaptation measures to climate change influencing crop farming? The paper uses mixed method approach. Rainfall, temperature and crop production data are analysed quantitatively. Crop production data are correlated and regressed with rainfall and temperature data. Qualitative data are gathered through the use of questionnaire administered to 148 farmers, eight focus group discussions and five key informant interviews. The effects of variable rainfall and temperature (climate change) include reduced water availability for farming, increased difficulty in deciding when to begin planting of seeds, reduced number of local crop landraces, low crop production/output as well as dwindling farm sizes. Farmers identified loss of crop biodiversity, especially, crops used in producing spices. The prospects of extensive irrigation farming during the dry season and small gardening have reduced as the main adaptation strategies. Improving resilience of small-scale irrigation and hand dug well support for gardens is warranted.


This paper analyzes the conventional segmental baffle heat exchanger using the Kern method with varied shell side flow rates and volume flow rate. This method used in design of heat exchangers with a baffle cut of 25%. It predicts heat transfer coefficient, pressure drop of single segmental and helical baffle heat exchanger. This method gives us clear idea that the rate of heat transfer coefficient is maximum in segmental baffle heat exchanger and it decreases as the helical angle increases. This decides the optimum helix angle for helical baffle heat exchanger. The helical baffle angle in the heat exchanger eliminates principle shortcomings caused by shell side zigzag flow induced by conventional baffle arrangement. The flow pattern in the shell side of the heat exchanger with continuous helical baffle was forced to rotational & helical due to geometry of continuous helical baffles, which results in significance increase in heat transfer coefficient per unit pressure drop in the heat exchanger. The pressure drop varies drastically with baffle inclination angle and shell-side Reynolds number. The variation of the pressure drop is large for small inclination angle and it is increases as the helical angle increases.


Passive safety is supported by structural features on the chassis (such as main chassis beams, cross-members, reinforces, high-strength steels), by safety glass, use of all available restraint systems (seat belts, air bags, child seats, deformation elements), correct setting of the head-rest height or corresponding passive systems, pedals with predetermined breaking points, which will not place additional loads on lower extremities in the case of the crash, safety steering column, which will only protrude a little into the cockpit, in the case of a crash, deformable, energy-absorbing steering wheels. The AnyBody Modeling System is a commercial software dedicated to modeling the human body. It allows the development of musculoskeletal structures according to the user's wishes. This software modifies an existing model or it can design a completely new model, but simulating with this software new data can be obtained (data about the muscle activity that takes place at the level of the studied muscle groups).


Objective
To investigate the expression change of osteopontin (OPN) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in brain cortex of rats.

Methods
76 rats were randomly assigned to 3 groups: 6 rats in normal control group, 28 rats in sham group (4 rats in each group that corresponded with the time points of 6, 12, 24, 48 h, 3, 5 and 7 d). 42 rats with SAH were correspondingly assigned with the previous time spots with 6 rats in each group. The mRNA expression of OPN was measured by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and OPN expression by Western blotting analysis. And neurological scores were assessed for each group.

Results
The mortality and morbidity in the prechiasmatic injection model were close to the clinical incidence and the neurological scale was severe at 24 h (7.3 ±2.2, t=7.45, P=0.002). The whole mortality of the first part was 7.3%. The expressions of the total and active protein and mRNA of OPN increased dramatically at 12 h and reached the peak at 3 day (mRNA: 30.5±8.6, t=5.891, P=0.004; OPN: 16.2±4.1, t=6.320, P=0.003), then decreased gradually after 72 h which were still higher than that of sham group.

Conclusion
The prechiasmatic SAH model is suitable for study of the pathophysiological mechanisms of SAH due to the high reproducibility and stability. OPN may be involved in the pathological process of SAH, and was up-regulated significantly to the peak at 3 day after SAH.

Key words:
Subarachnoid hemorrhage; Osteopontin; Model, animal; Cerebral vasospasm


Digital era deficiencies traditionally exist in healthcare applications because of the unbalanced distribution of medical resources, especially in rural areas globally. Cognitive data intelligence, which constitute the integration of cognitive computing, massive data analytics, and tiny artificial intelligence, especially tiny machine learning, can be used to palpate a patient's health status, physiologically and psychologically transforming the current healthcare system. To remotely detect patients' emotional state of diagnosing diseases, the integration of 6G enabled Tactile Internet, cognitive data intelligence, and Internet of Healthcare Everything is proposed to form the 6GCIoHE system that aims at achieving global ubiquitous accessibility, extremely low latency, high reliability, and elevated performance in cognitive healthcare in real time to ensure patients receive prompt treatment, especially for the haptic actions. Judiciously, a model-driven methodology is proffered to facilitate the 6GCIoHE system design and development that adopts different refinement levels to incorporate the cognitive healthcare requirements through the interactions of semantic management, process management, cognitive intelligence capabilities, and knowledge sources. Based on the 6GCIoHE system architecture, applications, and challenges, the aim of this study was accomplished by developing a novel theoretical framework to captivate further research within the cognitive healthcare field.


The lockdown after COVID-19 outbreak not only harmed the economy but also shut down all educational activity, resulting in a significant gap in learning and understanding among students worldwide. This mixed method study was conducted to know the media used by the teachers to teach online classes and challenges faced by the teachers' during online teaching in pandemic, which has hampered continued/online education due to interviews from the ten government teachers. Data was transcribed, coding was done, and five themes were analysed. The study showed that teachers mostly use WhatsApp and zoom meeting for online classes. Skype, Voov meeting and smart school is also use as a media for online teaching and learning purpose. Qualitative data revealed that teachers faced numerous problems during online classes, the biggest obstacle was the lack of electric power and low internet speed, along with that the parents and students' non-serious behaviour also affects the online education system. along with that lack of proper online forum, adversely affect the students' concepts, knowledge, and communication with their teachers while using the internet as a learning tool. Teachers are overburdened due to the large number of online classes being offered, affecting the quality of education.


Heart transplantation (HTx) is considered the best available treatment for patients with end stage heart failure. Candidate evaluation with right heart catheterization (RHC) is fundamental in order to exclude pulmonary hypertension with irreversible high pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), which is associated with elevated post-HTx mortality. PVR, rather than directly measured, is derived by cardiac output and pulmonary artery pressures, which are strictly dependent on right ventricular (RV) function. The pulmonary artery pulsatility index (PAPi) is a hemodynamic parameter integrating the information of RV function and of pulmonary circulation, which could be useful in pre-HTx evaluation.

 We designed this study to evaluate the potential predictive influence of pre-HTx PAPi on post-HTx survival and to assess whether this index could add useful information in the pre-HTx evaluation of patients with advanced heart failure.

 Consecutive adult HTx recipient at two medium-large tranplant centers between 2000 and 2017 with available data on pre-HTx RHC were retrospectively included. PAPi was calculated as the ratio of pulmonary artery pulse pressure to right atrial pressure. PAPi values in the lowest quartile were defined as reduced (PAPi<1.67). The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality at 1-year post-HTx. The association of reduced PAPi with the primary endpoint was evaluated. Cox regression was used to adjust for clinical and hemodynamic variables. Analyses stratified by PVR status (≥3 WU vs. <3 WU) were also performed.

 Among 655 HTx recipients (female 20,8%, age 53±11 years), median pre-HTx PAPi was 3.0 (interquartile range 1.67–5.32). Patients in the lowest versus the remaining PAPi quartiles had significantly reduced 1-year survival (78.0% vs 87.2%, p=0.006), also after adjusting for age, estimated glomerular filtration rate, total bilirubin, high PVR and urgent transplantation (adj-hazard ratio: 0.64; 95% confidence interval 0.51–0.82). When stratifying patients by estimated PVR status, reduced PAPi was associated with worse 1-year survival among patients with normal PVR (78.3% vs. 88.3% p=0.011), but not in those with increased PVR (78.0% vs. 82.6%, p=0.36) (Figure 1).

 Pre-HTx PAPi, integrating information of RV function and pulmonary circulation, provides incremental prognostic value over traditional clinical and hemodynamic parameters among HTx recipient. The prognostic value appears important among patients with normal estimated PVR, possibly due to an underestimation of PVR in patients with impaired RV function. The integration of PAPi in the pre-HTx evaluation may lead to better patient selection and post-HTx survival.
 Figure 1. 1 year survival stratified by PVR status

 Type of funding source: None


The false positive rate and false negative rate in the biological data have a negative impact on prediction of essential proteins by computational methods. In this work, a new method called CNC is developed to detect essential proteins. First, subcellular localisation information is used to evaluate the importance of interactions in the protein networks and the interactions are weighted for the first time. Meanwhile the edge clustering coefficients between the interacting proteins are calculated and serve as the second weighted value. Next, the two weighted technologies are integrated to construct a new weighted protein networks. Finally, each protein in the PPI networks is scored in terms of the weighted interactions between the protein and its direct neighbours. The results show that the new centrality measure CNC is more effective in discovering essential protein compared with other familiar methods.


Canine transmissible venereal tumor (CTVT) is a histiocytic tumor of the dog that mainly affects the external genitalia, commonly found at tropical and subtropical zones. In the present investigation, we undertook this work mainly to perform a computational analysis of snSNP in the BTNL2 to identify the possible mutations and proposed the model structure of the mutant protein. Four deleterious mutations were identified in BTNL2 in 109 and 319 residual positions. Moreover, we constructed the homolgus structure of native and mutant proteins to predicate the stability. I-Mutant was used for routine analysis of protein stability and for the single site mutation analysis. It was found that mutation of L to S at residual position 109 and A to T at 319 residue position has shown maximum negative effect on the protein stability and considered for further analysis. The mutational effect on the protein function was analyzed by project HOPE. It was found that the wild-type residue is very conserved, but a few other residue types have been observed at this position too. Based on conservation scores this mutation is probably damaging to the protein. The present investigation was further used for molecular expect of the CTVT infection which might be useful in diagnosis and prevention of CTVT in canine.


This paper builds a case that large-scale systems (LSS) are the building blocks of cyber-physical systems (CPS) or system of systems (SoS). Large-scale systems, often with high dimensions, nonlinear interconnections and stochastic parameters, are those that can be decomposed into subsystems or their constituencies are not centrally located together. LSS can be integrated to form complex systems called a system of systems or cyber-physical systems. This new class of systems has created new challenges for systems engineering (SE) to extend theoretical foundations of SE to SoS Engineering (SoSE). Therefore an opportunity may exist now to start a new engineering field may be on the horizon -- System of Systems Engineering (SoSE) or CPS Engineering. A SoS or a CPS is a collection of individual, possibly heterogeneous, but are functional, wirelessly integrated together to enhance the overall robustness, lower the cost of operation, and increase reliability of the complex system. Many key issues like architecture, modeling, simulation, identification, emergence, standards, net-centricity, control, etc. are all begging for attention. In this paper, we will be going through one key issue -- control.


AbstractCross-weld creep specimens have been widely studied in order to aid in the understanding of the creep behaviour of real, welded structures. The studies published to date have been of an analytical, numerical, or experimental nature. This review describes the analytical methods used to predict the creep behaviour of cross-weld specimens with simple geometries. For both simple and more complex geometries, use of the finite element (FE) method to obtain stationary state stresses and strains has been made, and the solutions contrasted with those of the simpler analytical methods. Use of the creep continuum damage constitutive equations in FE analyses to predict the failure times of, and rupture positions in, cross-weld specimens has been described. The effect of various features, defined by the analysis methods, is highlighted. Problems with the experimental validation of these effects are considered and selected experimental data from creep tests on cross-weld creep specimens for various materials an...


This case highlights a rare presentation of cystic adventitial disease (CAD) of the popliteal artery in a 72-year-old gentleman with symptoms mimicking atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease. Rarer still in this already uncommon case of CAD, there was subsequent spontaneous resolution clinically and radiologically. The patient presented to the vascular department for opinion on his lower limb pain. Upon review, the patient described gradual onset of classical claudication symptoms over the preceding 12 months which had spontaneously resolved 1 week prior to his appointment. The aforementioned pain had affected his right calf and limited him to 50 m. He had previously undergone contrastenhanced computed tomography (CT) imaging 18 months prior to presentation with normal appearance of the vessels on that scan. There was no prior history of trauma. Dyslipidaemia was his sole modifiable vascular risk factor. Following the development of claudication symptoms, a further CT scan was performed, which demonstrated a segment of highgrade stenosis in the right popliteal artery with extrinsic compression from a cystic structure. This pattern is named Scimitar sign and is demonstrated in Figure 1. Scimitar sign is pathognomonic for CAD. Given the recent resolution of symptoms, the patient was sent for updated imaging in the form of an ultrasound (US) duplex. This demonstrated a widely patent popliteal artery with a surrounding cystic structure (Fig. 2), but without evidence of luminal narrowing as was previously demonstrated on CT. Given the spontaneous regression of the cyst and resultant resolution of symptoms, the patient was managed conservatively and followed up with US surveillance to monitor for recurrence. This case provides a fascinating visual representation of CAD of the popliteal artery, demonstrating the high-grade stenosis and lateral displacement of the vessel (Scimitar sign) whilst the patient had claudication and then the resolution of luminal compression on the US just weeks later. CAD is a rare non-atherosclerotic cause of peripheral vascular disease and accounts for just 0.1% of presentations with peripheral vascular disease. The popliteal artery is predominantly affected (85%), although CAD has been reported to occur in the iliac, femoral, radial and ulnar arteries. The disease typically affects male subjects in the fourth to fifth decade of life. The condition involves a build-up of colloid-like substance consisting of mucin and hyaluronic acid in the adventitia, which can cause extrinsic compression of the vessel lumen as described in this case. The aetiology of this condition remains unclear. There are several well-documented theories regarding the development of CAD. These include development as a result of repetitive trauma leading to degeneration of the adventitia, changes in the mesenchymal cells of the adventitia which occur during embryogenesis and development of synovial cysts near joints which track via vascular branches into the adventitia. The natural history of CAD is also unclear. Reports range from symptoms which wax and wane to rapid progression with subsequent occlusion of the affected vessel. Documented treatment options include aspiration of cystic contents, surgical evacuation of


In the polymerization of water-soluble vinyl monomers, such as acrylamide, sodium p-sty-renesulfonate, acrylic acid, and methacrylic acid, using water-insoluble free radical initiators such as azo or peroxide compounds in the two-phase system consisting of water and an organic solvent (chloroform/ligroin, volume ratio 1:4), the addition of a small amount of a methylated β-cyclodextrin, heptakis(2,6-O-dimethyl)-β-cyclodextrin (DM-β-CD) or heptakis(2,3,6-O-trimethyl)-β-cyclodextrin (TM-β-CD), was found to cause a marked increase in conversion of the polymerization. Based on this finding, it may be suggested that the methylated β-cyclodextrins act as initiator-carriers which transport the water-insoluble initiators from the organic phase to the aqueous phase to initiate the polymerization of water-soluble vinyl monomers.


OBJECTIVES The aim of this study, undertaken in patients who underwent mitral valve (MV) repair surgery, was to evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of 3-dimensional (3D) transthoracic (TTE) and transesophageal (TEE) echocardiography in the evaluation of MV pathology. BACKGROUND A pre-operative assessment of MV anatomy is essential to surgical design in patients undergoing MV repair. Although 2-dimensional (2D) echocardiography provides precise information regarding MV anatomy, 3D TTE and 3D TEE could increase the understanding of MV apparatus and individual scallop identification. METHODS One-hundred-twelve consecutive patients with severe mitral regurgitation due to MV prolapse underwent a complete 2D and 3D TTE the day before surgery and a complete 2D and 3D TEE in the operating room. Echocardiographic data obtained by the different techniques were compared with surgical inspection. RESULTS Three-dimensional techniques were feasible in a relatively short time (3D TTE: 7 4 min; 3D TEE: 8 3 min), with good (3D TTE 55%; 3D TEE 35%) and optimal (3D TTE 21%; 3D TEE 45%) imaging quality in the majority of cases. Three-dimensional TEE allowed more accurate identification (95.6% accuracy) of all MV lesions in comparison with other techniques. Three-dimensional TTE and 2D TEE had similar accuracies (90% and 87%, respectively), whereas the accuracy of 2D TTE (77%) was significantly lower. CONCLUSIONS Three-dimensional TTE and TEE are feasible and useful methods in identifying the location of MV prolapse. They were superior in the description of pathology in comparison with the corresponding 2D techniques and should be regarded as an important adjunct to standard 2D examinations in decisions regarding MV repair. (J Am Coll Cardiol 2006;48:2524–30) ublished by Elsevier Inc. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2006.02.079


Utility Management in a library is the programmatic tool with the synthetic mental program ability, along with Artificial Intelligence capacities, headed to manage a high volume of books, articles, and assignments, which help to ease the manual significance of librarians. This computerized machine code helps librarians to deal with various databases of the library management system. This framework keeps the records of all the resource details in an optimized manner. It uses a utility management software code with an optimized search classifier that helps to deal with the resource of the library. In this work, the Heuristic Utility Management Algorithm (HUMA) has been used to keep track of resources in the library using mathematical modeling and standardized programmatic computation on tags, which relates the decode scanner to parse the input information. HUMA helps to reduce the manual routine work done by the librarians, and it has been analyzed in this research with prominent survey outcomes based on experimental validation.


We analyze the long-distance contribution to the {ital B}{r_arrow}{ital X}{sub {ital s}}l{sup +}l{sup {minus}} differential decay rate when the momentum dependence of the {psi} and {psi}{sup {prime}}-{gamma} conversion strength is taken into account. The results indicate that the resonance to nonresonance interference in the dilepton invariant mass distribution is substantially reduced. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}