Myocardial infarction (MI) is associated with significant loss of cardiomyocytes (CM), which are replaced by a fibrotic scar. Necrotic CM release damage-associated proteins that stimulate innate immune pathways and macrophages (MΦ) tissue infiltration, which drives to the progression of inflammation and myocardial remodeling process. Both, loss of CM and inflammatory response are determinants of the long term ventricle remodeling and heart failure. Circulating inflammatory extracellular vesicles (EV) play a crucial role in the acute and chronic phases of MI, in terms of inflammatory progression. In this study we examined whether reducing the generation of inflammatory EV within few hours from the ischemic event may ameliorate cardiac outcome at short and long time-point in LAD rat model.

 Before coronary artery ligation, rats were injected IP with a chemical inhibitor of neutral sphingomyelinase (nSMase) which is essential for the biogenesis and release of EVs. The number and size profile of plasma-derived EV was assessed by NTA analysis at baseline and 24hrs after MI. Multiple EV cytokine levels were simultaneously determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based protein array technology. Heart global function was assessed by echocardiography and hemodynamic analysis performed at 7, 14 and 28 days after MI. Cytotoxic effects of circulating EV were evaluated ex-vivo in a Langedorff, system by measuring the level of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) in the perfusate. Mechanisms undergoing cytotoxic effects of EV derived from pro-inflammatory MΦ (MΦM1) were studied in vitro into primary rat neonatal CM.

 The induction of MI and the consequent inflammation, dramatically increase the number of circulating EV carrying inflammatory cytokines such as IL1α, ILβ and Rantes. Preventive inhibition nSMase significantly reduced the boost of inflammatory EV and cytokines in treated group as compared to control animals. The reduction of circulating EV post MI results in preserved LV ejection fraction at 7 and 28 days post-MI as compared to control group. Hemodynamic analysis confirmed functional recovery by displaying a higher velocity of LV relaxation and an improved contractility capacity in treated versus control group. The number of infiltrating CD68+ monocytes/macrophages in the infarct area was significantly reduced. Post-MI circulating EV induce cell death in adult CM when added to the perfusate of Langendorff, as assessed by the incresed level of cTnI into media. In vitro MΦM1-EV activated nuclear translocation of NF-kB. Specific inhibition of TLR4 receptor activity abrogated NF-kB translocation and reduced cell death. Indicating that the axis TRL4-NF-kB is essential in EV-mediated CM death.

 Systemic inhibition of EV release during the acute phase of MI preserves heart function in an animal model of LAD. These findings suggest detrimental effects of exosomes in the acute phase of MI.


In this work we have made an inventory of the acts of oral surgery performed in children and adolescents from January 2008 to December 2012. To achieve our objectives, a descriptive retrospective survey of paperwork CCMAT Casablanca was performed. Our main results are as follows: * For patients - 5-year, 337 procedures were performed. Fact that anaverage of about one per week pediatric surgery. - The indication of surgery began frequently from 9 years. An almost-equal distribution between the sexes. About 4 100 children were patients at risk. - -Four out of 100 patients were anxious and difficult to handle - Almost all children have been explored by a dental panoramic X-ray. - The majority of actions for each dental inclusions, germectomies, mucogingival surgery and tumor surgery. - No cases of implant in children in our study were identified. - Surgery complicated extractions practice once three in the age group between 14 and 17 years. * For operators: - Two 3-surgeries were performed by junior practitioners:. Residents, specialists and assistant professors This finding was identical for all three services involved: pediatric dentistry, surgical dentistry and periodontics. - The operating aid was rarely specified, although this position is important in the training of general practitioners,specialists and assistants. * For the patient circuit: - Collaboration between services CDPF was effective while working with the private sector and public care services was rare. A patient-2 followed the normal circuit inter-connection. - In children, surgery on 2 was supported in surgical dentistry service. - The flaps are retracted for orthodontic traction, the most common in the surgical dentistry services closely followed by the service is the same parodontologie. The surgical dentistry service that supports cyst enucleation, marsupialization odontomes and extraction. - 4/100 patients were taken under sedation with nitrous oxide. Activity that is specific to the service pedodontics * Regarding profitability - The activity per year has increased in 2012, it increased from 2.75 acts per month in 2011 to 6.66 acts per month in 2012. The year 2012 sign the inauguration of new services CDPF. An act-3 has been listed on D40, act 3 was listed on D20. A patient-2 is normally paid the bill. Furthermore The second objective of our study was to compare our results to results for 1997: This comparison shows that the pediatric surgery has increased significantly This is justified by the following parameters : - The overall sample in the five years between the first assessment (1991 to 1996) in the second record (2008 to 2012) ranged from 135 A337. The number has almost doubled. - 4 100 children are anxious in our study, while the balance of 1997 there were 18 of 100.C is four times less. - 130 Surgical extractions in our study, while the balance of 1997 there were 33, so four times. - 5 Times more germectomies, 4times more surgical extractions of impacted teeth, three times more surgery muco-gingivale. Les freinectomies and enucleation of cysts have tripled. After references to the literature data we can conclude that in view of these results, the CDPF has all the skills for the management of oral surgery childhood.


Hierarchical MnO2–Ag hollow microspheres (HMs) with sheet-like subunits were facilely prepared through an in situ redox reaction and spontaneously self-assembled orientation via Ostwald ripening in a urea solution under a lower hydrothermal temperature (130 °C), without using any seed, template or capping agent. The as-prepared samples display an excellent electrocatalytic ability by the typical amperometric detection of H2O2 as a model system. The as-formed H2O2 sensor has a wide linear range from 1.31 μM to 36.71 mM (R = 0.9997), low detection limit (1.31 μM), high sensitivity (8.46 μA mM−1), and fast response (<5 s).


This paper makes positive study on long-term Renminbi exchange rate change trend,uses co-integration model to build equilibrium relationship between real exchange rate and productivity and between governmental consumption and trade condition,and uses error-correction model to examine short-term dynamic adjustment process of real exchange rate.The result indicates that productivity change play an important role in Renminbi real exchange rate change irrespective of short-term or long-term and that real exchange direction is reversal of Balassa-Samuelson Effect anticipation.This is because the anticipation is not suitable for economic development period of China,because labor force unlimitedly supplies,because government consumption and trade condition affect Renminbi exchange rate change trend.Balassa-Samuelson Effect anticipation is not suitable even in long-term condition.Government can use financial expenditure to affect real exchange rate to vibrate in short-term and long-term in order to help Chinese product to have price advantage in international market.


This paper reviews the Belgian history of nuclear technology and its use for power generation, from the beginning in 1942 until now. It identifies the main players in the field, and the major milestones of this history, both from the power generation side and the nuclear fuel side. It demonstrates the genuine contribution of Belgium to this technology (typical examples are shown), and the significant role of its engineers and scientists.


We discussed a special and significant topological dynamics 〈βN,N,σ〉 in this paper.We gave the property of non wandering points set in this system, and proved that there was no periodic points in this system. At last we applied the definition of the power ultrafilter, the dipiction of the recurrent points and stable points were given.


ABSTRACTDuring the Mandate period (1920–1948), Haifa attracted thousands of Palestinian rural migrants, who constituted a significant portion of its Arab population. The article examines the experi...


In our study, it is aimed at examining the effects of nutrition with genetically modified organisms on gender hormones and the changes of these effects with stimulants such as auditory and exercise. In the study, eight weeks of 32 female and 32 male Spraque Dawley rats randomly, control, genetically modified organism, auditory stimulus, exercise, the genetically modified organism + auditory stimulus, genetically modified organism + exercise, genetically modified organism + auditory stimulus + exercise groups are divided into eight groups. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) groups were given a mix of 40 ml 50% corn syrup a day, while auditory stimulants (AUDI) groups were played at Segâh and Huseyni's voice height 60 minutes a day, while exercise groups (EXC) were treated as a rough swimming swim in a 80X40 cm pool. After the experimental procedure, changes in the subject's body weight and gender hormones have been reported. All GMOs were found to have significant body weight growth (p˂0,05), while the most remarkable increase was found to be female rats. In examining the lactate levels, male rats observed a significant increase in GDO, EXC + AUDI and GDO + EXC group in the control group, but a decrease in GDO + AUDI group compared to the GDO group, while female rats saw significant increases in blood lactate level (p˂0,055). In examining the testosterone levels, male rats were monitored for a reduction in AUDI group by other groups, while female rats were reduced by the control group IN AUDI+ EXC (p˂0,05). In examining estrogen levels, there is no significant difference in male rats, while there are significant reductions in female rats in exercise groups and in the GDO + AUDI group compared to CONT, while an increase in AUDI + EXC group has been detected in GDO group (p˂0,05). In female rats, there was no statistically significant difference. All of these results show that GMOs are very effective in weight growth and cause hormonal changes. Auditory and exercise stimuli have been found to be able to respond to changes. However, detailed work is needed to fully explain the mechanisms.


A kind of new method of electrochemical deposited calcium phosphate bioceramic coating-electrodeposition bioceramic coating by cathode revolving is introduced.In this craft the cathode used as metal substrate is always placed to revolve.More fine uniformity and small calcium phosphate bioactive coating is fabricated compared with common technics.In this process we can produce the gradient coating which is fine inside and porous outside by the way of controlling rotation velocity.After this we can treat with the coating and make it into HA coating.The characteristics of electrodeposition coating characterized by SEM and XRD.


As business competition gets tougher, there is much pressure on software development projects to become more productive and efficient. Previous research has shown that quality planning is a key factor in enhancing the success of software development projects. The research method selected for this study was design science research (DSR), and the design science research process (DSRP) model was adopted to conduct the study. This research describes the design and development of the quality of planning (QPLAN) tool and the quality of planning evaluation model (QPEM), which are two innovative artefacts that evaluate the quality of project planning and introduce best planning practices, such as providing references from historical data, suggesting how to manage in an appropriate way and including lessons learnt in the software development process. In particular, the QPEM is based on cognitive maps that represent the project manager's know-how, project manager's characteristics and technological expertise, as well as top management support, enterprise environmental factors and the quality of methods and tools in a form that corresponds closely with humans' perceptions. Data were collected from 66 projects undertaken in 12 organisations from eight types of industries in six countries. The results show that the QPLAN tool has been significantly contributing to enhancing the success rate of projects.


She produced photographs of several otlher sons, taken in khaki and broad smiles, which certainly bore out her statement in so far as they all had a very peculiar one-sided smile. -This feature was apparently inherited from their father and grandfather. The boy himself stated that he was always laughed at by his mates for having a lopsided face. The Inother, therefore, would not recognize the paralysis as such, or consent to operation on that account A week later there was a recurrence of the pain and temperature, and the facial paralysis became more complete. Operation Was then agreed to, and a radical mastoid operation performed. The maxillary antra being explored as a routine with WatsonWilliams sinus exploring syringe, thick pus was found in the 'left antrum. This condition had no doubt been instrumental in keeping up the otitis media. zVhe temperature returned -to normal next day, and the patient appeared tp be progressing favourably for the next fortnight, except for attacks of headache, chiefly referred to the frontal region, coming on every tvo or three days but only lasting an hour or so, and a general mental depression, "No, I haven'ta,ny pa%in but I feel so downnhearted," being the uisual information vouchsafed. The boy took his food well, and there was never any vomiting. On the sixteenth day after the mastoid operation, wben the patient was up and about the ward, he was given by a friend visiting him some jam tarts and a cigarette. He contrived to smoke the cigarette unobserved in the batlhroom, after which he became collapsed, and had to be carried to bed. He then lost consciousness, and developed paralysis of the left arm and leg, with conjugate deviation of eyes to the right, the right pupil being widely dilated and inactive to light; the left pupil remaining of normal size and active to light: The right fundus showed arteries very contracted and veins full, but no swelling of disc. The knee-jerlk was lost on-the left side. Extensor plantar reflexes on both sides. I


Cycling is a common leisure time sports in touristic regions. For us it was the question how tourists actually find their paths in the area and what kind of navigation aids might be helpful to them. In a requirements study on a touristic island we learned that tourists rather explore the environment spontaneously than efficiently navigating from on place to another such as the beach or the light house, and just cycle on without much map or navigation aid. While exploring the area, the cyclists however, sometimes lose their orientation which they compensate for by accepting detours. We designed and developed an orientation aid, Tacticycle that does not influence the cycling experience but improve the orientation and awareness of the overall direction. In order to ensure the cyclists' safety two vibrotactile actuators are used to indicate directions and announce the presence of interesting places. In two field studies we showed that despite the accuracy of the indicated direction being rather coarse, the tactile user interface allows cyclists to reach a presented destination easily. The visitor of the demo can experience a virtual cycling tour supported by the Tacticycle demonstrator.


Given the data-hungry nature of Wireless Multimedia Sensor Networks (WMSNs) due to the need for near real-time processing of a large number of multimedia data, it is of significant practical importance to design/develop energy-efficient routing protocols to extend the WMSN's collective lifetime. In this regard and to jointly utilize potential benefits that can be achieved by coupling clustering and image compression, the paper proposes a novel routing methodology referred to as the Energy Efficient Cluster-based Image Transmission (EECIT) scheme. In the proposed EECIT scheme, the multimedia-based sensor network is divided into different clusters depending on the node's density, in which one node is adaptively assigned as the Cluster Head (CH). A key novelty of the proposed EECIT lies in the routing stage where ranking sensor nodes is performed via a new metric named Fair Selection (FS) coefficient, which is designed by considering a combination of mean-deviation and the number of times that nodes involve in routing. As a consequence of the fair distribution of energy consumption across the network, the network's lifetime increases.


Recent advances in anesthetic and microvascular techniques for surgical treatment of saccular intracranial aneurysm have led to a marked reduction in operative morbidity and yet overall disability and death related to subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) from ruptured aneurysm remain unacceptably high.46 Based on an estimated incidence of SAH at 12 per 100,000'.4.6 approximately 30,000 individuals in the United States are affected annually by this disorder, nearly twothirds of whom will die or be permanently disabled by the hemorrhage or its sequelae. In those patients surviving the initial ictus of SAH, surgical therapy is directed at obliterating the aneurysm and eliminating the risk of catastrophic rebleeding, which is fatal in 50% of case^.^,^,^ Several large-scale studies have documented the efficacy of surgical treatment for intracranial aneurysms compared with the natural course of the di~ease .* ,~'~ Yet despite increasing standardization in surgical techniques, controversies remain regarding timing of surgery, treatment of multiple and asymptomatic aneurysms, intraoperative technique, and patient selection. In addition, although rebleeding as a cause of deterioration .after SAH has been diminished, more patients have survived to experience other consequences of SAH, and controversies exist regarding preand postoperative treatment of vasospasm, including fluid management and blood pressure control. Uncertainty also exists concerning the proper approach to seizure prevention and treatment of hydrocephalus. (The efficacy of antifibrinolytic agents for aneurysmal SAH will be addressed by Adams elsewhere in this issue of Seminars.) NATURAL HISTORY OF RUPTURED INTRACRANIAL ANEURYSMS


In this study, we present the development of model scale tribological test methods using the model ring-on-disc. The methods enable the demonstration of processes that occur in sliding materials during operation and subsequent breakdown. Currently, existing test methods are not able to visualise these complex processes to the same extent. We designed adapted test programmes for the visualisation of different material properties. This paper discusses the suitability and the significance of these test programmes. We benchmarked the test methods on selected metal-based and plastic tribomaterials (CuPb22Sn2 and Polytetraflaoroethylene (PTFE) and bronze (Bz)) under lubricated and non-lubricated conditions. We conducted an extensive damage analysis of the surfaces and surface layers. Furthermore, the classification of the damage patterns and the tribometric results are the basis for the development of models that are capable of representing the most important states during operation. The models are of sufficient quality to assist in the further optimisation of the materials. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Abstract Many environmental chemicals are known to disrupt thyroid function. Measurement of thyroid hormones in animal studies provides useful information to understand the effects of environmental chemicals on thyroid hormone metabolism. We report an efficient method, utilizing a protein precipitation followed by ultraperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis, to quantitate total 3,3',5-triiodo-L-thyronine (triiodothyronine, T3) and total 3,3',5,5'-tetraiodo-L-thyronine (thyroxine, T4) in rodent serum. The use of synthetic serum for calibration standards eliminated the interferences from endogenous total T3 and T4 and allowed the experimental lower limits of quantitation (LOQ) to be set at the required concentration (T3, 20 ng/dL; T4, 0.5 µg/dL) to allow quantitation of endogenous concentrations. The method was linear (r > 0.99; range 20.0-600 ng/dL T3, 0.500-15 µg/dL T4) with good assay recoveries (90.4-107%) for both analytes. Intra- and inter-day accuracy, estimated as percent relative error, were ≤ ±7.6% and intra- and inter-day precision, estimated as the relative standard deviation, were ≤ 5.3% for both analytes. The method may easily be adapted to a well-plate format thereby further improving the efficiency. Total T3 and T4 concentrations were stable in male and female rat and mouse serum when stored in the freezer (∼−70 °C) for up to 62 d with determined values within 92.8-111% of day 0 for both analytes. The method can be extended to quantitate total T3 and T4 concentrations in humans or other species with minimal optimization.


The aim of this master thesis is to familiarize readers with the issue regarding to cometabolic degradation of dichloroethenes. It introduces the substances which are ranked into the group of chlorinated ethenes and describes their physicochemical properties. An essay which clarifies the causes of the environmental pollution caused by chlorinated ethenes and their transport in the environment follows. This thesis also provides variety of information about different bacteria and its ability to cometabolically break down various isomers of dichloroethenes. A series of experiments were conducted in the experimental part of this thesis. These experiments were consisted from cometabolic degradation of dichloroethenes in bacteria Comamonas testosteroni strain RF2 and potential toxic effect of dichloroethenes on the bacteria cells was examined after cometabolic degradation was performed. The control assays for dichloroethenes degradation in bacteria RF2 were performed in absence of phenol oxygenase. It has been found that bacteria strain RF2 is able to cometabolically break down various isomers of dichloroethenes with different level of achievement. Among others, it has been proved that bacteria RF2 is able to remove certain amount of cis-1,2-dichloroethene in absence of phenol oxygenase.


The aim of the study was to fabricate and evaluate drug loaded nanosponges for ophthalmic drug delivery in a controlled manner for effective therapy. The nanosponges were formed by anionic polymerization of Besifloxacin hydrochloride with ethyl cellulose as a polymer, in presence of polyvinyl alcohol as surfactant. Besifloxacin HCl loaded ethyl cellulose nanosponges were formulated at different rpm i.e 1000 ,1200, 1500, 1800,2000,3000 & 3500 to check the best outcomes. This change in rpm results in different particle size, entrapment efficiency and in vitro release. The selected formulations were evaluated for their antibacterial effect and due to the sustained property of polymer and surfactant property of polyvinyl alcohol, formulated nanosponges showed enhanced antimicrobial study. Keywords: Nanosponges, Besifloxacin Hydrochloride, Controlled release, Ethyl cellulose, Polyvinyl alcohol.


Endoscopic ultrasound‐guided pancreatic duct drainage (EUS‐PD) has been proposed for pancreatic duct obstruction after failure of endoscopic retrograde pancreatography. We evaluate the long‐term outcomes of EUS‐PD using a fully covered self‐expandable metal stent (FCSEMS) for pancreaticojejunal anastomosis (PJA) strictures following Whipple procedures.


This thesis describes the technique of principle component analysis as applied to determining if a combination of three characteristic vectors would account for an underlying structure in the eight color test objects specified by the CIE for calculation of the color rendering index (CRI). Anticipated was that three vectors would account for 100 A of the variance in the eight test objects; however it was determined that three vectors account for only 96 % of the variance. Since the analysis of the reflectance functions showed no 3 dependence within the functions a 3 factorial experiment was conducted. Its purpose was to determine if the point of maxi mization of CRI in a three component spectral power distribution would be at 610, 540, and 450 run when using metameric gray objects. This was postulated by Mr. Thornton in his paper "Luminosity and the Color Rendering Capability of White Light". The analysis of the resulting response surface indicated that the maximization point was not the same but if a valid point exists it lies outside the experimental boundaries of the experiment.


In acromegaly, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and diastolic dysfunction can be revealed by echocardiography. Using new method Color Doppler Myocardial Imaging (CDMI) and by measuring myocardial velocities we can detect changes in myocardial function earlier than conventional echocardiography (PWE). We sought to analyze myocardial relaxation using CDMI in acromegalic patients with and without diastolic dysfunction according to PWE parameters. 26 patients with acromegaly (50.27± ; 11.25 yrs) with normal systolic function and initial LVH present in 23% of pts were distributed in 2 groups according to disease activity. Group A: 14 patients in remission ; group B: 12 patients with active disease. All patients and 11 healthy age matched normals underwent CDMI (E' , A' , AtA' , DtA' ) at the lateral mitral annulus and PWE (IVRT, PFVE, PFVA, DtE, Adur, PVA, PVAdur). The Student' s T-test was used for statistical analysis. P value <0.05  vs. control group and  vs. group A was considered significant. Results: Group A: parameters measured by PWE revealed diastolic dysfunction in 21% of patients, while CDMI revealed mean E' /A' =1, 03± ; 0, 33*, E' = -7, 17± ; 1, 96 cm/s*, A' = -7, 22± ; 1, 62 cm/s*, AtA' = 0, 07± ; 0, 02 s*, DtA' = 0, 08± ; 0, 01s*. Diastolic dysfunction (E' /A' <1) was noticed in 43% patients. Group B: PWE parameters showed diastolic dysfunction in 25% of patients. CDMI values indicated diastolic dysfunction in majority of patients (92%). Mean: E' /A' = 0.76 0.23* , E' = -6, 38± ; 2, 09 cm/s*, A' = -9, 07± ; 2, 11 cm/s* , AtA' = 0, 06± ; 0, 02 s* , DtA' = 0, 08± ; 0, 02s*. Using CDMI in patients with active disease we revealed diastolic dysfunction in the majority of patients, while in patients in remission we found significantly less diastolic dysfunction. CDMI is much more sensitive in detecting diastolic dysfunction in both groups compared to PWE. Therefore, it seems that data obtained by CDMI are the earliest evidence of acromegalic heart disease as there was no hypertrophy in majority of patients. These data might have significant clinical value in diagnosis of subclinical disease and follow up of the treatment.


Ifi the narrow coastal belt extending from Muthukadukuppam to Point
Calimere in Tamil Nadu-Pondicherry region, the flying fish form an important
seasonal fishery. The total landings fluctuate from year to year. The weighted index
of abundance of flyingfish fishery was calculated for the years 1966 to 1970 and
compared with the trends in the yields of the fishery during those years. The
weighted index of abundance was the highest during 1967 and lowest during 1970,
whereas, the landings were higher in 1968 and lower in 1970.


We present a case report of reactive amyloidoma of the neck in a patient with chronic calcaneal osteomyelitis. Localized deposits of amyloid may occur throughout the upper aerodi‐gestive tract, but are rarely observed in the soft tissues of the neck. This is the first report in the literature of localized head and neck amyloidosis secondary to a chronic inflammatory or infectious process. A clinicopathologic review of amyloidosis is presented with particular attention to its head and neck manifestations. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.


Healthcare workers are at increased risk of exposure to COVID-19. The majority of cases are acquired through inhalation of infected respiratory particles, contamination with infected surfaces or whilst performing aerosol-generating procedures. Basic infection prevention measures are essential to protect healthcare workers from contracting the disease when managing patients; consequently global demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) has exceeded supply in many regions. We present a novel, innovative polycarbonate shield designed for ENT clinicians performing tracheostomies. Clinical investigations using the shield demonstrated a sixteen-fold decrease in the number of particles detected at the position of the operating surgeon when the shield was used (particle size 0.3m; with shield 27,000 versus 439,000 without shield). The shield, used with appropriate PPE, could therefore help to minimise exposure to aerosol generated particles such as during tracheostomies on patients with COVID-19.


This is obviously relevant to the NTMA in its role as manager of Ireland's national debt and also to its other business areas (Ireland Strategic Investment Fund; State Claims Agency; NewEra; National Development Finance Agency) and related entities (National Asset Management Agency; Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland; Home Building Finance Ireland). More generally, the real interest rate is at the core of many financial valuation models, while simultaneously acting as a fundamental macroeconomic adjustment mechanism by reconciling desired savings and desired investment patterns.


The word know-how, while not yet gracing the OED, is now transatlantically respectable like the very expressive Canadian adjective uptight. Nevertheless, it came as a shock when my wife suggested that she should give a cooking show-how. I fear that any time our politicians will be explaining the why-how, and sooner or later on opening a new, glossy domestic gadget I am certain to find, not a book of instructions but of how-how. Which brings us naturally to pow-wow, and that is what Canada is all about. With 11 democracies, Federal-Provincial conferences on every subject are a constant feature of Canadian life. At least twice a year the ministers of health may be observed, accompanied by their higher mandarins, flying to their trysting place in the big cross-country jets-first class, of course.


This scientific paper aims to study the corresponding channel configuration
of a voie de fait as invalidate vice of materials proceeding within the
guidelines established by the evidenzetheorie for nullity of administrative
decitions. Disagreeing so, the voie de fait necessarily imply the invalidity
of his prior formal proceeding. That affirmation is a half true. The
invalidity of administrative decitions is a consequence born of the negative
finding of formal proceeding with legal requirements. And the voie de fait is an invalidate vice of material proceedings. The only link between
the two concepts becomes, when the public administration execute an
inconstitutional order which applies an absolute nullity. The voie de fait
as institution is an invalidate vice relevant only with material proceedings
who contradicts the legal system.


The epoch of Renaissance sees the break of the integral connection between engineering and artistic creation, characteristic of the Middle Ages. It is at this point where specialization of vocation education begins. Artists are only taught in "fine arts", while designing becomes a specific "engineering" occupation.


Using an incorrect procedure is a common error displayed by students when operating with fractions. This article examines the techniques of teaching fractions to primary students.


We show that the near degeneracy of the low-lying vector ([ital T][sub 1[ital u]]) and axial-vector ([ital T][sub 1[ital g]]) levels in an isolated C[sub 60][sup [minus]] can provide a simple pairing mechanism in C[sub 60][sup 2[minus]], C[sub 60][sup 3[minus]], and the K[sub [ital n]]C[sub 60] crystal. This gives rise to the possibility of a boson'' band in K[sub [ital n]]C[sub 60], in addition to the usual fermion bands. The implications for superconductivity are discussed.


There is a growing need for scientific synthesis in ecology and evolution. In many cases, meta‐analytic techniques can be used to complement such synthesis. However, missing data are a serious problem for any synthetic efforts and can compromise the integrity of meta‐analyses in these and other disciplines. Currently, the prevalence of missing data in meta‐analytic data sets in ecology and the efficacy of different remedies for this problem have not been adequately quantified. We generated meta‐analytic data sets based on literature reviews of experimental and observational data and found that missing data were prevalent in meta‐analytic ecological data sets. We then tested the performance of complete case removal (a widely used method when data are missing) and multiple imputation (an alternative method for data recovery) and assessed model bias, precision and multimodel rankings under a variety of simulated conditions using published meta‐regression data sets. We found that complete case removal led to biased and imprecise coefficient estimates and yielded poorly specified models. In contrast, multiple imputation provided unbiased parameter estimates with only a small loss in precision. The performance of multiple imputation, however, was dependent on the type of data missing. It performed best when missing values were weighting variables, but performance was mixed when missing values were predictor variables. Multiple imputation performed poorly when imputing raw data which were then used to calculate effect size and the weighting variable. We conclude that complete case removal should not be used in meta‐regression and that multiple imputation has the potential to be an indispensable tool for meta‐regression in ecology and evolution. However, we recommend that users assess the performance of multiple imputation by simulating missing data on a subset of their data before implementing it to recover actual missing data.


Ultrasonic phased arrays based on a monolithic structure have considerable advantages over single transducers in the contact testing of solid materials. This paper studies the radiated field of such an array under pulsed excitation. Two time domain techniques are applied to modelling this situation; the first method takes a steady state solution for a point source on the surface of an elastic half space. Using an inverse fourier transform, the response of the half space to an impulsive point load is determined. The second technique employs a direct transient solution for a step input of stress at the point source. Both methods take these solutions and extend them to determine the field from each array element. Superposition is employed to predict the response of the array. Simulated and experimental rpsults are vresented. I Introduction In this paper the radiation field from a monolithic phased array radiating into an elastic half space is discussed. Due to the transient nature of the transmitted waves, two time domain modelling strategies are described which allow evaluation of shear and compression wave components in the field. These


We prove a lower bound estimate for the first non-zero eigenvalue of the Witten-Laplacian on compact Riemannian manifolds. As an application, we derive a lower bound estimate for the diameter of compact gradient shrinking Ricci solitons. Our results improve some previous estimates which were obtained by the first author and Y. Sano in [12], and by B. Andrews and L. Ni in [1]. Moreover, we extend the diameter estimate to compact self-similar shrinkers of mean curvature flow.


The utility model relates to a device for whirl constant current belongs to water treatment facilities technical field including whirl constant current body, whirl constant current body is including the whirl subtotal water conservancy diversion part that communicates each other, the whirl part is two circular fender faces and the closed cylindrical structure that the cylinder encloses, the water conservancy diversion part is the tubulose, the water conservancy diversion part is connected in the cylinder bottom of whirl part and tangent with the whirl part, open water conservancy diversion part bottom has the water inlet, one of them circular fender face of whirl part is opened along the center has the delivery port, one of them circular fender face of whirl part is equipped with fixing device, the last hoisting device that is equipped with of fixing device. The utility model discloses when the flow was too big, the flow of low reaches pipeline was passed through in volitional check immediately, the interception greasy dirt, floater, prevent pollution and plug the pipe


Summary form only given. A new approach is proposed to solve the blocking artifact problem that results from block transform-based image compression at very low-bit rates. The recasting of the blocking artifact problem into the domain of AWGN reduction allows any algorithm that has been developed for image denoising to now be a candidate solution for the blocky image problem. Furthermore, experimental results that are based on a wavelet-based image denoising technique are reported.


The author dwells on all the aspects concerning the issue brought before the Court. The author's first line of consideration concerns the emergence and rationale of counterclaims in international legal procedure, including their pre-requisites, other characteristics and effects. The author next turns to the question of the admissibility of counter-claims in the case law of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and the question of the admissibility of the Italian counter-claim in the present case. After examining, in sequence, the factual complex of the present case and the arguments submitted by Germany and Italy, the author turns to the following line of consideration concerning the notion of a "continuing situation": its origins in international legal doctrine, its configuration in international litigation and case law (in Public International Law and in International Law of Human Rights), as well as in international legal conceptualization at normative level.Keywords: case law; International Court of Justice (ICJ); International Law of Human Rights; Italian counter-claim; public international law


Thermal conductivity evaluation is important properties in order to enhance the ability of thermal fluid to work in a system. Nanoparticle suspended in a base fluid or known as nanofluids among researcher propagates positive enhancement compare to conventional base fluid. This paper conduct measurement of thermal conductivity using KD2 Pro Thermal properties Analyzer of different base ratio water to ethylene glycol based nanofluids. Nanoparticles Al2O3 is dispersed in 60:40, 50:50 and 40:60 volume percentage ratio of mixture base (water: ethylene glycol). The measurements is conducted for volume concentration range 0.2 < ϕ < 0.8 % at temperature of 30 to 70 oC. It was found that the thermal conductivity of the nanofluids enhanced with increment of volume concentration and temperature for all base ratio. The highest thermal conductivity enhancement of Al2O3 nanofluid is observed at volume concentration of 0.8 % for temperature 70 oC by 14.1 %. This paper concluded by providing equation to estimate thermal conductivity for designated ratio base.


Introduction: Resting state measurements of microvessel density have been found to correlate with cerebral blood flow (CBF) over regions of the rodent brain [1]. This relationship can be studied more extensively in mouse models of neurovascular disease by comparing images of cerebral blood volume (CBV) with images of CBF. We were interested in studying this relationship between CBV and CBF over multiple regions of the entire mouse brain using an efficient imaging protocol that, in future, can be applied to phenotype models of neurovascular disease. As outlined below, we performed a study that compared normative values of CBV and CBF over 13 mouse brain regions and over the cerebral cortex. The CBF was imaged using 3D arterial spin labeling (ASL) and these images were co-registered to CBV images determined by a micro-CT protocol.


The mechanical properties of iron‐epoxy particulate composites were studied from the glasslike state through the transition region to the rubberlike state in dynamic loading applied by a Dynastat and a Dynalizer apparatus. The effect of filler content on the viscoelastic properties was studied by using six distinct filler concentrations. Measurements were carried out at frequencies between 0.1 and 100 Hz and temperatures from 50 to 120 °C. Composite curves for both the storage and the loss moduli along a wide frequency range were made by applying the time‐temperature super‐position principle. Moreover, the Takayanagi model was used for the prediction of the filler contribution on the storage compliance (D′) in the transition region. Finally, the effect of filler content on the relaxation spectra H and the glass transition temperature was examined.


Using data from 2158 young adults who were 1st surveyed as 7th grade students in a random half of the junior high schools in the Independent School District of Houston Texas in 1971 multivariate casual models were tested to predict out-of-wedlock adolescent pregnancy. Among the males having a girlfriend become pregnant is associated with school difficulties low parental socioeconomic status and high popularity. Among females pregnancy risk is related to race (black women more likely than white women to experience early nonmarital pregnancy; Hispanic women are less likely) low socioeconomic status father absence number of siblings school difficulties family stress and popularity. The 1981-83 followup study found 26% of the women but only 15% of the men reporting that they (or their girlfriends) had experienced adolescent pregnancies with most of the sex difference probably explained by the tendency of adolescent girls to date older males. The analyses do not support culture-of-poverty assumptions that culturally transmitted feelings of self-esteem and fatalism cause the disadvantaged to have more unplanned pregnancies. Powerlessness is weakly related to 18 to 20-year-old males involvement in nonmarital pregnancies; surprisingly it was found that powerlessness is inversely related to pregnancy risk for girls in father-present families possibly because girls who feel powerless may be more submissive to parental authority that discourages sexual activity. Further research might explain why family experiences can affect a girls pregnancy risk more than a boys and how school experiences influence pregnancy susceptibility.


Clozapine is a second generation antipsychotic indicated for patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS). TRS is schizophrenia that does not respond fully to conventional schizophrenia treatments, including first-line antipsychotics. According to the Canadian Schizophrenia Guidelines (CSG), treatment-resistance is indicated after failure of two antipsychotics, although definitions of TRS vary among clinical trials. It has been estimated that in patients receiving conventional pharmacotherapy for schizophrenia, 50% of these patients do not respond adequately to prescribed pharmacotherapy (30% may exhibit a partial response, and 20% may exhibit no response).Clozapine is associated with a variety of side-effects, including drowsiness, dizziness, tachycardia (high resting heart rate), constipation, weight gain, lowered white blood cell count, and excess saliva production. Serious side effects include myocarditis, pericarditis, neutropenia, cardiomyopathy, and death. Some side effects, such as myocarditis, can occur relatively quickly (within two weeks) after initiation of the medication.Clozapine must be initiated at a low dose and titrated up to the therapeutic dose over time to avoid side effects. Therapeutic doses can range from 200 mg to 450 mg per day and are generally not exceeding 900 mg per day (although doses of more than 900 mg per day are possible).– Initiation of clozapine may start as low as 12.5 mg per day, titrating upwards until individual effectiveness is seen (for example, resolution of psychosis symptoms).,Initiation on clozapine requires strict monitoring protocols to ensure compliance and to address the side effects associated with the medication. For example, in the United States, the Clozapine Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy requires all prescribers and pharmacies to be certified in order to prescribe or dispense clozapine. Part of the Clozapine Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy program includes regular absolute neutrophil counts for patients on clozapine to monitor for neutropenia. In Canada, after reintroduction of clozapine in 1991 (after removal from the market in 1975 because of reported infections due to low white blood cell counts), patients were required to join a patient registry program (e.g., Sandoz Clozapine Risk Management Program1) to monitor white blood cell counts. When switching to a new brand of clozapine, patients must join the manufacturer-specific registry upon changing medications.Guidelines outlining appropriate use of clozapine are important to ensure timely, safe, and suitable prescribing of clozapine in a variety of settings. The objective of the current review is to summarize clinical effectiveness of clozapine during the initiation phase of treatment in adult patients with schizophrenia and summarize recommendations regarding monitoring of adult patients during this initiation phase.


This essay by Natalie P. Byfield, titled "Fighting in the Core: Questioning the Last Century's Debates over Race, Class, and Gender in Light of the Life and Works of Rod Bush," is a chapter in the anthology Rod Bush: Lessons from a Radical Black Scholar on Liberation, Love, and Justice, edited by Melanie E. L. Bush, and co-edited by Rose M. Brewer, Daniel Douglas, Loretta Chin, and Robert Newby (2019). The chapter explores Rod Bush's intellectual and activist legacy in real terms by a former colleague of his at St. John's University. Through historical notation, anecdote and substantive documentation and in relation to social movements and scholarship, the author articulates many lessons that Rod Bush provided about what is important and how to uphold that in practice. In particular she notes the critical role of radical Black scholars in providing an understanding of the dynamics of a social world designed to negate the humanity of African peoples. Author Natalie P. Byfield, Ph.D., is the author of Savage Portrayals: Race, Media, and the Central Park Jogger Story (2014). She is a cultural sociologist, who has taught in the fields of sociology and media studies. She is an associate professor at St. John's University in Queens, NY, where her research centers on the sociology of knowledge. Dr. Byfield examines how language, media systems, methodologies, and their technologies, such as social media platforms, big data analytics, and artificial intelligence, are used in institutions such as policing, journalism, media, the social sciences, and higher education to create and reproduce inequalities of race, class, and gender. She has worked as a journalist at the New York Daily News and The American Lawyer. She served as a consultant in the documentary, "The Central Park Five." In 1989 she was a member of a reporting team nominated by the Daily News for a Pulitzer Prize. Dr. Byfield is also the recipient of a Charles H. Revson Fellowship at Columbia University and a National Science Foundation Fellowship. Her current book project is titled Minority Report: Place, Race, and Surveillance of Blacks in New York City. Rod Bush: Lessons from a Radical Black Scholar on Liberation, Love, and Justice 167 References Alexander, Michelle. 2010. The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. New York: New Press Bell, D. (1992). Faces at the Bottom of the Well. New York, NY: Basic Books. Bush, R. (2015). The End of White World Supremacy: Black Internationalism and the Problem of the Color Line. Philadelphia, PA: Temple University Press. Bush, R. (2004). "When the Revolution Came." Radical History Review. Vol. 90: 102–11. New York, NY: MARHO: The Radical Historians' Organization, Inc. Bush, R. (2003). "The Civil Rights Movement and the Continuing Struggle for the Redemption of America." Social Justice: A Journal of Crime, Conflict & World Order. Vol. 30:42-66. San Francisco, CA: Global Options. Bush, R. (1999). We are Not What We Seem: Black Nationalism and the Class Struggle in the American Century. New York, NY: New York University Press. Bush, R. (Ed.). (1984). The New Black Vote: Politics and Power in Four American Cities. San Francisco, CA: Synthesis Publications. Bush, M. E. L. and R. Bush. (2015). Tensions in the American Dream: Rhetoric, Reverie, or Reality. Philadelphia, PA: Temple University Press. Brewer, R. M. (2003). "Black Radical Theory and Practice: Gender, Race, and Class." Socialism and Democracy. Vol. 17:1:109-122. http:// sdonline.org/33/black-radical-theory-and-practice-gender-race-andclass/ Retrieved October 25, 2015. Byfield, J. (2010). "Finding Voice, Giving Voice: Gender, Politics, and Social Change." The South Atlantic Quarterly. Vol. 109: 357-368. Byfield, N. (2014). "Targets: The Existential Crisis of Black and Latino Male Youths," in Race and the Lifecourse: Readings from the Intersection of Ethnicity and Age. Edited by Diditi Mitra and Joyce Weil. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Byfield, N. P. (2014). Savage Portrayals: Race, Media & the Central Park Jogger Story. Philadelphia, PA: Temple University Press pp. 68, 122. 168 Fighting in the Core Natalie P. Byfield Byfield, N. P. (1996). "The Crisis of Black Youth in New York City," Race & Reason. New York: Institute for Research in African-American Studies, Columbia University pp. 30-36 Du Bois, W. E. B. [(1920) 2003]. Darkwater: Voices from Within the Veil. New York, NY: Humanity Books. Elbaum, M. (2002). Revolution in the Air: Sixties Radicals Turn to Lenin, Mao and Che. New York and London: Verso Books. Fields, K.E. and B. Fields. (2012). Racecraft: The Soul of Inequality in American Life. New York, NY: Verso. Foucault, M. (1972). The Archaeology of Knowledge And The Discourse on Language. Translated from the French by A. M. Sheridan Smith. New York, NY: Pantheon Books. Hall, S. (2010). "Life And Times Of The First New Left," New Left Review. Vol. 61, January-February 2010. https://newleftreview.org/II/61/stuarthall-life-and-times-of-the-first-new-left . Hochschild, J. 1984., The New American Dilemma: Liberal Democracy and School Desegregation . New Haven, CT: Yale University Press. Jacobs, R. (2006). "It's Not Race or Class—It's Race and Class: An Interview with Roderick Bush." Monthly Review online. http://mrzine. monthlyreview.org/2006/jacobs250906.html. Retrieved 4/26/15. Kelley, R. D. G. (2016). "Black Study, Black Struggle: Opening the Debate." http://bostonreview.net/forum/robin-d-g-kelley-black-study-blackstruggle Kelley, R. D. G. (2016). "Black Study, Black Struggle: Opening the Debate." http://bostonreview.net/forum/robin-d-g-kelley-black-study-blackstruggle King, Jr., M. L. (1957). "Nonviolence and Racial Justice." The Christian Century. February 6. See https://swap.stanford.edu/20141218230453/ http://mlk-kpp01.stanford.edu/kingweb/publications/papers/ vol4/570206.004-Nonviolence_and_Racial_Justice.ht Retrieved January 17, 2016. Malcolm X. (1971). The End of White World Supremacy. New York, NY: Marlin House. Rod Bush: Lessons from a Radical Black Scholar on Liberation, Love, and Justice 169 Muhammad, K. 2011. Condemnation of Blackness: Race, Crime, and the Making of Modern Urban America. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. Murch, D. 2010. Living for the City. Raleigh: University of North Carolina Press. Pager, D. 2007. Marked: Race, Crime, and Finding Work in an Era of Mass Incarceration. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Oden, R. S. (2000). "The Crisis of U.S. Hegemony and the Black Liberation Movement." Social Justice. Vol. 27:1:204-2010. Reed, B. (2008). "Race to the Bottom: How Hillary Clinton's campaign played the race card—and drove a wedge into the feminist movement." The Nation Magazine. May 1. Rodney, W. (1990). Walter Rodney Speaks: The Making of an African Intellectual. Trenton, NJ: African World Press. Saxton, A. (1984). "Problems of Class and Race in the Origins of the Mass Circulation Press." American Quarterly 36:211–234. Ture, K. and C. Hamilton. [1967(1992)]. Black Power: Politics of Liberation in America. New York, NY: Random House. Ulyanovsky, R. (1978). National Liberation: Essays on Theory and Practice. Translated by David Fidlon and Yuri Shirokov. Progress Publishers. Wallerstein, I. (2007). World-Systems Analysis: An Introduction. Durham, NC: Duke University Press. Weber, M. [(1930) 1992]. The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism. Translated by Talcott Parsons. London and New York: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group. Williams, C. (2010), "Defending Progressivism," Dissent, Sept. 7. https:// www.dissentmagazine.org/online_articles/defending-progressivism. Retrieved March 19, 2016. Wolin, S. (1993). "Democracy, Difference, and Re-Cognition." Political Theory. Vol. 21:464-483. Wolin, S. (1994). "Fugitive Democracy." Constellations. Vol. 1:11-25.


Abstract While rarely used alone for quantification of nitric oxide synthesis, bioassay remains an important and sensitive tool for demonstrating the release of biologically active nitric oxide from isolated cells or tissues and is an inexpensive, readily accessible technique. In this article, we have reviewed the use of the platelet aggregation bioassay for detection of nitric oxide release. The preparation of rabbit and human platelets, the principle of the bioassay, and the various control studies that are required for the use of this assay are also described in detail. Examples of the potential application of this method to the study of modulators of nitric oxide synthesis and altered nitric oxide synthesis in disease states are also provided.


The growth response and biological activity of the cyanobacterium Oscillatoria sancta were investigated in starvation conditions. Oscillatoria sancta growth potential was examined on BG11 and Zarrouk's media. Zarrouk's medium supported the maximum growth of the test cyanobacterium. Zarrouk's medium composition was modified by excluding CaCl2·2H2O, NaCl, EDTA (Na), micronutrients, and replacing sodium nitrate with urea. Using Zarrouk's medium and three different concentrations of modified Zarrouk's media (Treatments 1–3), the growth response of Oscillatoria sancta (MZ366482) was examined and compared. Zarrouk's medium and modified Zarrouk's medium at 12.5% nutrient concentration had non-significant differences in both the dry weight biomass and total protein of Oscillatoria sancta. Oscillatoria sancta crude biomass extracts grown on Zarrouk's and modified Zarrouk's media (T3) inhibited human breast cancer, pathogenic bacteria, and acetylcholinesterase activity. Oscillatoria sancta grown on T3 showed the most potency against MDA-MB-231 cells with an IC50 of 165.2 µg mL−1, antibacterial activity only against Bacillus cereus (17.2 mm) and Staphylococcus aureus (15.3 mm), and acetylcholinesterase inhibition activity by 60.7%. Thus, it is advisable to use the 12.5% nutrient concentration of modified Zarrouk's medium as a reduced-cost medium for mass cultivation of Oscillatoria sancta with potential anticancer, antibacterial diseases, and anti-Alzheimer purposes.


Constructing online information literacy education platform with using web technology and developing information literacy education for students are mainstream teaching methods utilized by universities of the world in information literacy education.Compared with foreign universities,the domestic universities still have many problems in online information literacy education at present.This paper analyses this problems and constructs a platform model of online information literacy education of university library on the basis of Web2.0.


A new model, which is more precise but easy-to-use, is developed for analyzing silicide nanoparticle growth in thermal plasma processing. The model successfully reveals the growth mechanism that has not been predicted by any other models. The majority of the produced Ti-Si nanoparticles have a near-stoichiometric composition. On the other hand, the Mo-Si nanoparticles have widely ranging diameters and compositions.


In order to enhance the utilization of solar energy in photovoltaic greenhouse, this paper takes the optimization strategy of photovoltaic array's maximum power point tracking algorithm as research object. According to the changing rule of the slope of photovoltaic array's output P-U curve, this paper proposes a new variable-step conductance increment method to track the maximum power point. When the working point is located on the left side of maximum power point, the logarithmic function value of curve's slope is adopted as the voltage step to adjust the position of working point. When the working point is located on the right side of maximum power point, the exponential function value of curve's slope is adopted as the voltage step to adjust the position of working point. Through the MPPT modelling and simulation in MATLAB/Simulink and the corresponding circuit test, the result shows that comparing with the traditional variable-step conductance increment method, the proposed algorithm can find the maximum power point faster, and it can effectively reduce the power loss caused by step oscillation in the searching process, which achieves the goal of enhancing conversion efficiency of photovoltaic power generation.


The trend for 'servitization' reflects manufacturers' increasing efforts to offer services along with their physical goods. Organizations establish smart service systems with digitally networked products—e.g., cars, industrial machinery, or home appliances—as boundary objects that connect the organization with customers, offering them digital channels for communication and interaction. While anecdotal evidence indicates that many manufacturers fail to establish profitable services, few studies have traced the underlying causes for failure. We perform a revelatory case study at a global white-goods manufacturer to identify pitfalls and derive guidelines for establishing smart service systems. Based on interpreting qualitative data from interviews and additional organizational resources, we analyze how and why the manufacturer's efforts to establish pay-per-use services based on a smart laundry machine failed. While we provide insights that can guide management in establishing smart service systems, our findings also motivate updating concepts and methods currently discussed in service science.


Over the last several years there have been consistent calls for a consensus definition and classification system for the syndrome now known as acute kidney injury (AKI) [1,2]. The major aim of such a system, it was argued, would be to bring this major intensive care syndrome to a standard of definition and a level of classification similar to that achieved by other common ICU syndromes (e.g. sepsis and acute lung injury). Following such advocacy and through the persistent work of the Acute Dialysis Quality Initiative (ADQI) group, such a system was developed through a broad consensus of experts [3]. The classification system that resulted is the RIFLE criteria, an acronym for three levels of severity: risk, injury and failure, and two outcomes: persistent acute renal failure termed loss and end-stage kidney disease. RIFLE was initially greeted with skepticism by both the critical care and nephrology communities. Concern was raised over the use of very small alterations in the serum creatinine and urine output and some objected to the use of an acronym instead of the numerical stages used in chronic kidney disease. Interestingly, others were concerned that a 50% increase in serum creatinine was too conservative and sought to demonstrate that even smaller changes were important [4]. However, the original publication of the RIFLE criteria has now been accessed more than 100 000 times [5] and RIFLE has become the most widely used definition of acute renal failure in both the critical care and nephrology literature [6–10]. The total number of patients included in studies validating RIFLE now exceeds 200 000. Thus, the goal of standardizing a definition and classification system for one of the most common ICU syndromes would appear to have been realized. However, standards do


Introduction: Biological monitoring is highly recommended to assess occupational and environmental exposures to toxic chemicals. In this context, blood and urine are conventional matrices for lead poisoning biotoxicological assessment. Blood and urine analysis are more contributive for recent lead exposure. Chronic lead exposure may have different characteristics. long-term exposure could be responsible of insidious poisoning which cannot always be assessed by these usual matrices. The aim of this study is to demonstrate that human hair can be used as an alternative matrix to detect chronic toxic exposure among occupationally and non-occupationally leadexposed subjects.

Material and Method: This case-control study analyzed blood, urine and hair sampled from 40 exposed workers versus a control group of 30. Particulate matters of lead are collected from different workplace ambient air. Analysis is realized using the graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Correlations are studied between the different matrices in both groups and between seniority and lead concentrations in biological samples.

Results This study concerned 70 male subjects: forty battery manufacturing factory workers and thirty controls (non-exposed to lead in their workplaces). The results showed a significant correlation between lead levels in the three matrices and the intensity of exposure among both groups (Pb hair-blood P=0.017;Pb hair-urine<0.000). Hair lead concentrations study among cases in function of occupational seniority confirmed the stability of this matrix (Pb>3000 µg/g of hair at 20 years). The study of hair lead concentration according to workplace showed a significantly higher exposure for the station of assemblers.

Conclusion Hair is an efficient biological sample to assess lead poisoning especially for chronic exposure. Hair is easy to collect, to handle and gives reproducible results that may be useful in monitoring of exposed workers.

Key words Lead poisoning, monitoring, exposure, hair samples.


Surveillance Radar System for naval vessels is a primary core sensor for command and fire control, and provides CFCS(Command and Fire Control System) information for 3-D surveillance and fire control. It's composed of Antenna, Transmitter/Receiver, Signal Processor, and Air drier, which are installed on and under deck. They should be designed and produced in order to endure at any operating circumstances. This paper analyzes load of a driving part for driving the antenna considering factors under external operating circumstances, and proposes a condition of load for maintaining fixed RPM through analyzing internal load of the driving part, and how to reduce the load to meet the condition. This paper is verified through experimental studies.


As the gap between memory and processor performance continues to grow, it becomes increasingly important to exploit cache memory eeectively. Both hardware and software techniques can be used to better utilize the cache. Many software solutions produce new programs layouts to better utilize the available memory and cache address space. In this paper we present a new link-time code reordering algorithm targeted at reducing the frequency of misses in all levels in a cache hierarchy. In past work we focused solely on eliminating cache connicts in the rst level cache using either local (the calling frequency between procedures) or global (an approximation of the worst-case number of connict misses that can occur between two procedures) temporal information. We employed cache line coloring to guide the placement of procedures in the rst-level cache address space. In this work we propose exploiting temporal-based procedure and intraprocedural basic block reordering to avoid misses in a multi-level cache hierarchy. We use global temporal information to reposition procedures and use visitation counts to restructure a procedure's body so that the most frequently visited sequences of basic blocks lie at the beginning of the executable. We then propose a modiied cache line coloring algorithm which attempts to nd a connict-free mapping between two procedures in a given multi-level cache hierarchy. Currently, our implementation targets two levels of cache but can be easily extended to additional levels. We also perform memory-based procedure placement to keep executable images compact. Using both C and C++ applications, we explore the eeectiveness of reodering code when considering multiple cache levels. Using a modiied version of the Simplescalar toolset, we have found that our new placement algorithms can reduce the total cycle count by as much as 18%. We also discuss why multi-level cache reordering does not provide an advantage in all cases, and suggest how to remedy this situation.


The present study was designed to investigate the effect of Fenofibrate, a sctivator of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-α (PPAR-α), on ischemia-reperfusion (I/R)-induced myocardial injury. The isolated Langendorff-perfused rat hearts were subjected to global ischemia for 30 min followed by reperfusion for 120 min. Myocardial infarct size was assessed by volume methods using triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. Coronary effluent was analyzed for the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) to assess the degree of cardiac injury. Moreover, oxidative stress in the heart was assessed by measuring lipid peroxidation, superoxide anion generation and reduced glutathione. I/R were noted to produce myocardial injury, as assessed in terms of increase in myocardial infarct size, LDH and CK in coronary effluent. Moreover, oxidative stress was noted to be increased due to I/R injury as assessed in terms of decreased TBARS (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance) and superoxide anion generation levels alongwith increase in reduced glutathione levels in the heart. Fenofibrate afforded cardioprotection against I/R-induced myocardial injury in rat hearts as assessed in terms of reductions in myocardial infarct size, LDH and CK levels in coronary effluent. Moreover, I/Rinduced oxidative stress was noted to be reduced by Fenofibrate treatment. It may be concluded that the observed cardioprotective potential of Fenofibrate against I/R-induced myocardial injury was due to the reductions in infarct size and oxidative stress.


According to Article 77 of the Constitution of Peru, "The economic and financial management of the State is governed by the budget approved annually by Congress. The structure of public sector budget contains two sections: the central government and decentralized agencies. The budget allocates public resources equitably. The programming and implementation meet the criteria of efficiency, basic social needs and decentralization". As you can see, the State manages cash flow, called "Public Funds", the same which is the quantitative support the institutional budget. Try a budget of income and other expenses, is also inextricably linked to the existence of a qualitative budget. That is, there are objectives and goals to achieve public entities, but these could not be met without the existence of a quantitative budget. This article has as objetive to roise certain difficulties and to propose solutions to the issue of quantitative budget.


This study is to evaluate the effect of log transformation on ultrasound data records on the genetic evaluation of Hanwoo (Korean native cattle) proven bulls. Three different scenarios were established: genetic evaluations using (A) only yearling weights (YW; n = 15,665) and carcass traits (CT); (B) YW, CT and raw ultrasound data at 12 and 24 months of age; and (C) YW, CT and log transformed data of raw ultrasound data records in (B). Carcass traits include carcass weight (CW; n = 6,526), loin muscle area (LMA; n = 6,820), backfat thickness (BFT; n = 6,723), and intramuscular fat (IMF; n = 5,037). Ultrasound traits include LMA, BFT, and fat content (FC; %), which were measured with Aquila Vet (Pie Medical) between the 12th and 13th rib. REMLF90 was used to estimate genetic parameters such as heritability and genetic correlations. Rank correlations of breeding values were analyzed using SAS 9.2. The heritability of YW was the highest at (B) and reduced by 0.2% at (C). The heritability of CW was higher at (B) and (C) than at (A) by 0.6%. In the case of BFT and IMF, (B) and (C) was 0.5% and 0.6% higher than (A) and -1.0% and -0.8% lower than (A), respectively. The heritabilities regarding ultrasound traits at 12 months of age were higher for LMA and FC in (C) than (B), and higher for BFT in (B) than (C). In the case of 24 months of age, (C) was higher in all ultrasound traits than (B). The rank correlations of (B) and (C) at 12 months were 0.995 in ultrasound LMA and 0.991 in ultrasound BFT. For 24 months, the correlations were 0.989 and 0.986, respectively. In conclusion, the results didn't provide us with evidence of a significant difference in genetic evaluations among different scenarios regarding log transformation on ultrasound data records of carcass traits.


Subtropical plains of northern India having great potentiality for growing low chilling cultivars of different temperate fruits as these area receives sufficient amount of low temperature every year, require to meet the minimum chilling requirement of those cultivars. But the main problems of these cultivars in subtropical area are shy bearing habit including poor flowering and fruit setting, resulting low yield. Plant bio-regulators have great potentiality to boost up vegetative and reproductive growth which can result better yield of quality fruits. So, a field experiment was carried out to study whether different plant bio-regulators (PBRs) having significant effects to improve vegetative growth, flowering and yield of quality fruits in low chill pear cv Gola. Fifteen-yearsold gola trees spaced at 5 × 5 meter were foliar sprayed and soil drenched with different PBRs at different stages like petal fall (PF) followed by two and four weeks after PF and at late fall, respectively. The results indicated that vegetative growth was minimized by soil applied paclobutrazol (PP 333 ) followed by foliar spray of PP 333 . Apart from this, maximum flowering, fruit setting and yield was also recorded in foliar and soil application of PP 333 . Based on the results, it can be said that the foliar and the soil application of PP 333 are highly effective for controlling shy bearing problem with higher percentage of flowering and fruit setting resulting higher yield of marketable fruits. Hence, these two treatments can be commercially used in the farmer's field of north India to fetch higher economic returns from low chill pear cultivation.


We study the equation u = k ∗ g(u) with k such that ln k is convex or concave and g is monotonic. Some necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of nontrivial continuous solutions u of this equation are given.


In wireless sensor networks, most existing works on region coverage mainly concentrate on the omnidirectional sensor based full coverage, which ensures that all points in the sensor-deployed region are covered. In contrast, this paper studies the problem of exposure-path prevention for the region coverage in directional sensor networks. Because the exposure paths are prevented as long as no moving objects or phenomena can go through a sensor-deployed region without being detected, exposure-path prevention does not require full coverage, and instead it only needs the partial coverage. Towards this end, we apply the percolation theory to solve the exposure path problem for directional sensor networks. In particular, we map the exposure path problem into a sector based percolation model, and then derive the bounds of critical density where directional sensors are deployed according to a 2-dimensional Poisson process. Also conducted is a set of extensive simulations to validate and evaluate our developed models and schemes.


Public agencies in construction increasingly involve the private sector in the provision of various public goods and services. With the extension of private sector involvement, public agencies are confronted with the need to acquire new capabilities. The results of two comparative case studies from the UK and the Netherlands show that the level and focus of capability learning change over time. Public agencies follow different learning trajectories and need to address the dynamic character of the learning in order to successfully employ (a) contractual and (b) relational capabilities in their exchange relationships.


Continuous expansion of power demands and lack of supply have led the study on Flexible Alternating Current Transmission System (FACTS) devices, a fascinated area for research. Considering the benefits and applications of FACTS devices, it aims to investigate the optimal placement of Static Synchronous Compensators (STATCOMs) to enhance voltage stability limits and to reduce the transmission losses. An objective function is modeled to minimize the total line losses in the power system by placing STATCOM. Using this objective function, the best location for placement of STATCOM is achieved by using Crow Search Algorithm (CSA) optimization technique. IEEE 14, IEEE 30 and IEEE 57 standard bus systems are used to vaUdate the proposed method.


The method sets up each VLAN field and relevant ID in advance, assigns CM in network to each VLAN field, and configures up going output interface at network side of each VLAN field. The method further includes (1) after receiving message from user side, CMTS determines whether CM of sending the message belong s to VLAN field set in advance; if no, carrying out forwarding according to normal forwarding flow, and ending the process flow; otherwise, executing step (2); (2) CMTS determines output interface in use for forwarding the message, and adds ID of VLAN field, which the CM of sending the message belongs to, to head of the message; through the output interface, the method forwards the message. The invention also disclosed another method for forwarding message. Forwarding up going and down going messages, the invention also realizes distribution of different VLAN field based on CM, i.e. distributing VLAN ID corresponding to CM intelligently.


I. STARTING OUT. 1. Introduction to SQL. What Is SQL? SQL Parts. Example of an SQL Command. SQL and the Relational Model. Relationa l Model. Definition of Terms. Relational Database Vendors. Summary. 2. Database Design. Approaching Database Design. Steps of Database Design. Creation of a Logical Model. Normalization. Database Diagram. Logical Data Modeling Tools. Summary. II. RAPID TUTORIAL. 3. Creation of a Database. Physical Database Creation. Exercises: Creation of a Database. Data Types. Data Type Guidelines. Indexes and Primary and Foreign Keys. Exercises Summary. 4. Insert, Update, and Delete. INSERT Command. Exercises: Using the INSERT Command. UPDATE Command. Search Conditions with the UPDATE Command. Predicates with the UPDATE Command. Exercises: The UPDATE Command. DELETE Command. Exercises: The DELETE Command. Summary. 5. Retrieving Data: The SELECT Statement. SELECT Command. Using Expressions. Exercises with the SELECT Command. Examples: Using the SELECT Commands with UPDATE and DELETE. Exercises with INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE with SELECT. Summary 5-25. 6. Functions and the Clauses ORDER BY, GROUP BY, and HAVING. ORDER BY Clause. Functions. Aggregate Functions. GROUP BY, HAVING, and Aggregate Functions. Exercises with the SELECT Command. Summary. 7. Joins and Unions Joins. Unions. Exercises with SELECT and Joins and Unions. Summary. 8. Complex Queries and Performance. Subqueries. Performance Considerations. Database Design and Performance. Exercises with Complex Queries. Summary. 9. Views. Introduction to Views. CREATE VIEW and DROP VIEW Command Diagrams. Creation of an External Schema. Exercises with Views. Summary. 10. Privileges and Use of GRANT and REVOKE. Privileges and the GRANT Command. GRANT Command Diagrams. Privileges and the REVOKE Command. REVOKE Command Diagrams. Exercises with GRANT and REVOKE. Summary. 11. System Tables and Stored Procedures. Introduction to System Tables. How Vendors Vary System Tables. Exercises with System Tables. Stored Procedures and Triggers. Summary. 12. Data Integrity and Constraints. Data Integrity. Foreign Keys: More on Delete Rules. Foreign Key Guidelines. Implications for SQL Operations. Transaction Analysis and Integrity. Summary. 13. SQL Variations. Differences in SQL. Differences in Database Systems. SQL Language Variations. SQL Statement Elements. Summary. III. EMBEDDED SQL. 14. Writing Applications Using SQL. Introduction to Embedded SQL. Definition of Terms. Examples of Embedded SQL Using SQL API. ODBC Overview. Using ODBC with Embedded SQL. Summary. 15. Fourth Generation Languages. Past, Present, Future. 4GL (Rapid Application Development) Vendors. 4GL Checklist. Exercises. Summary. 16. Database Middleware. Overview of Database Middleware. Direct, Proprietary Access to RDBMS. Multidatabase Connectivity. Gateways and Vendors. Extended Middleware Connectivity. Summary. IV. EXPANDING HORIZONS. 17. A Look at Query Tools. Query Tools. End-User Query Vendors. Checklist. EIS Systems. Exercises. Summary. 18. Report Writers. Report Writers. Report Generation Vendors. Report Writer Checklist. Exercises with Report Writers. Summary. 19. Database Directions. Data Warehousing. Parallel Databases. Object-Oriented Databases (OODBMS). Replication Strategies. Performance and the 64-bit OS. Relational Technology and the Internet. Summary. A. SQL Vendors. Relational Database Players. Logical Modeling Vendors. Data Translation Tool Vendors. 4GL Vendors. Connectivity: Direct Access Solution Vendors. Connectivity: Vendors with ODBC Drivers. Connectivity: Vendors with Multidatabase APIs. Connectivity: Gateways. Connectivity: Vendors with Middleware Products. End-User Query Vendors. EIS Players. Report Generation Vendors. Data Warehousing Vendors. Parallel Database Vendors. Object-Oriented Databases with SQL Extensions. Decentralized Replication Vendors. Database Internet Vendors. B. Installing SQL Solo. Installing CD-ROM Software. Installing SQL Solo on Windows 95. C. The LEAD Toolkit: A Demonstration. Index.


In Cuba, universities have a great commitment to society, consisting in the generation and communication of scientific and technological results that contribute to their sustainable development. However, in the Municipal University Centers the divulgation of scientific-technological results is still insufficient in function of the promotion of local development. The present work has the objective of presenting a strategy of management of scientific divulgation for local development aimed at professors of Cuban Municipal University Centers, which is based on important theoretical and methodological references of this theme. The implementation of the strategy, in the Municipal University Centers of Oriente University, plans ahead to channel the aforementioned management towards qualitatively higher levels, increasing the effectiveness of the actions of scientific disclosure in favor of local development.


The Center, now known as the Mcnight Legal Resource Centre, was established at the University of Malawi and designed to provide information support for the efficient and effective performance of the law faculty and staff, students and researchers and institutions and organizations associated with the University, including related government departments and research centers.


Objectives The association between sleep duration and serum lipid profile in the middle-aged and the elderly is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate and evaluate the relationships between sleep duration and levels of serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides in these populations. Design Cross-sectional observational study. Setting Community-based investigation in Guishan Township of northern Taiwan. Participants A total of 400 community-dwelling middle-aged and elderly individuals were enrolled. All participants underwent a baseline assessment in 2014, which included anthropometrics, blood samples and self-administered questionnaires. Participants were classified into three groups based on their sleep duration. Outcome measures Multivariate logistic regression was used to obtain ORs and 95% CIs to assess the relationship between sleep duration and lipid profiles. Results Participant mean age was 64.5 years and 35.3% were men. Subjects with longer (>7 hours) and shorter (<6 hours) nightly sleep duration had a higher prevalence of low HDL-C levels (HDL <40 mg/dL) than those with moderate sleep duration (6–7 hours). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that, compared with individuals with sleep duration of 6–7 hours, the ORs of having low HDL-C were 3.68 (95% CI 1.59 to 8.49) greater for individuals with sleep duration of <6 hours and 2.89 (95% CI 1.10 to 7.61) greater for individuals with sleep duration of >7 hours. Conclusions There was a U-shaped relationship between sleep duration and HDL-C levels. Sleep duration >7 hours or <6 hours increased the risk of low serum HDL-C levels.


Methemoglobinemias Physiology and Pathophysiology of the Hemiglobin Metabolism By Otmar Tonz University Children's Hospital of Berne With 28 figures and 6 tables BASEL (Switzerland) S. KARGER NEW YORK Published simultaneously as Bibliotheca Haematologica, No. 28 Redactor: A. Hassig, Berne At a reduced price for subscribers to "Acta Haematologica" and "Vox Sanguinis" S. Karger AG, Amold-Bocklin-Strasse 25, 4000 Basel (Switzerland) All rights, including that of translation into other languages, reserved. Photomechanic reproduction (photocopy, microcopy) of this book or part of it without special permission of the publishers is prohibited. © Copyright 1968 by S. Karger AG, Basel Printed in Switzerland by Schellenbcrg-Druck, Pfafukon ZH Cliches: Aberegg-Steiner Sc Ge. AG, Bern


The invention relates to health-care tea and a preparation method thereof. The health-care tea is prepared from the following raw materials in part by weight: 90 to 95 parts of tea, 4 to 5 parts of carnation, 1 to 2 parts of forget-me-not and 2 to 5 parts of lavender. The preparation method of the health-care tea comprises the following steps of: (1) mixing flowers and plants, namely mixing the carnation, the forget-me-not and the lavender; (2) adding water into the mixed flowers and plants according to the weight ratio of the mixed flowers and plants to the water of 1:(10-15), heating the materials to 98 to 100 DEG C, and extracting active ingredients of the mixed flowers and plants under stirring; (3) performing vacuum concentration on the obtained flower and plant extracting liquid at the temperature of between 50 and 60 DEG C into flower and plant concentrated liquid with baume degree of 25 to 35 degrees; (4) spraying the flower and plant concentrated liquid on the tea and mixing uniformly; and (5) drying the tea sprayed with the flower and plant concentrated liquid at the temperature of between 100 and 110 DEG C until the water content is less than or equal to 10 weight percent. The health-care tea has unique mouthfeel and certain effects of beautifying skin and keeping young, reducing fat and losing weight, and eliminating wrinkles and black spots of human skin.


A mesh regularization method is newly proposed in order to enhance the efficiency of finite element analyses in sheet metal forming. The mesh regularization method automatically finds out distorted elements with searching criteria proposed and composes patches to be modified. Each patch is, then, extended to three‐dimensional surfaces in order to obtain the information of the continuous coordinates. The surface enclosing each patch is described as a three‐dimensional free surface with the use of NURBS(Non‐Uniform rational B Spline). On the basis of the constructed surface, each node is properly arranged to compose regular elements that have almost same length of sides and near right angles at the corner. Various numerical analyses have been carried out to confirm the efficiency of the mesh regularization method proposed and the accuracy of the result. It is also noted that the present method is effective in the structural or crash analyses of sheet metal members obtained from the forming simulation. The p...


In situ vitrification (ISV) is a promising technology for remediating buried waste and contaminated soil sites. Concerns exit, however, that low soil permeabilities may limit vapor transport away from the advancing ISV melt front, causing a melt expulsion that breaches ISV containment. A potential solution may be the use of a graphite rod placed vertically through the area being processed, which acts as a preferred pathway in venting generated vapors through the ISV melt. To evaluate this engineering solution, two ISV lab tests were conducted at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, using a low permeability clay material. One of the tests used the graphite rod concept, while the other did not. Test results found that the graphite rod is effective in preventing the buildup of pressures beneath the ISV melt. The graphite rod may also limit the amount of entrained particulate released to the offgas system during ISV processing.


In this paper, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's administrator discusses NHTSA's activities and future agenda. It is noted that the actual time taken to make rules has been reduced to 20 months, and the need is noted for retraining of elderly drivers for relicensing or help aids. Problems with automatic safety belts are noted, and the projected implementation of a standardized traffic data reporting system is announced. Vehicle design and its effect on verhicle rollover is discussed. The number of alcohol-related deaths has decreased every year since 1982. NHTSA is investigating complaints about the failure of anti-lock brakes in trucks and vans, and a Federal Highway Administration study on driver fatigue and alertness is described. Random tests for alcohol and drug use among safety sensitive workers in air, rail, trucking and mass transit will be implemented, and the installation of reflective patterns on large truck trailers to improve their visibility has been proposed. FHWA-funded hi-tech traffic control programs in the Washington, D.C. area are noted.


Micro-fishing is an emerging form of predominantly catch-and-release recreational angling with 19 the main target being diverse small-bodied non-game fish species and the early life stages of 20 traditional game fish. While there has been an apparent increase in interest in micro-fishing, 21 little is known about its impacts on fish and fisheries. Here we compared the effects of two hook 22 sizes (i.e., a 22 sized hook [herein "small"] and a somewhat larger, yet still smaller than normal 23 sized 12 hook [herein "large"]) on aspects of injury, handling, and mortality for juvenile Bluegill 24 ( Lepomis macrochirus; size range of 69 to 141 mm; n=54 for each hook size). Hook size was 25 determined to have a significant influence upon injury and mortality. The smaller hooks resulted 26 in longer handling time, more extensive tissue damage arising from challenges of hook removal, 27 and higher levels of short-term mortality than the larger hooks. Additional research is needed to 28 develop best practices for this emerging form of recreational angling on a wider range of species.


Taking Jilin Province as a case,this article analyzes the current situation of rural compulsory education,makes clear the primary reasons for the unbalanced development of rural compulsory education,clarifies the problems which must be solved to promote the balanced development of rural compulsory education.The author thinks that it is a powerful measure for improving the farmer quality,transferring rural surplus labors,increasing the farmers' income and realizing harmonious development in Jilin Province to promote a well-balanced development of rural compulsory education.


A recent proposal to associate 60~TeV to 2~PeV IceCube neutrino events with gamma-ray bursts~(GRBs) indicates the Lorentz violation of cosmic neutrinos and leads further to the $CPT$ symmetry violation between neutrinos and antineutrinos. Here we find that another 12 northern hemisphere track events possibly correlated with GRBs from three-year IceCube data satisfy the same regularity at a lower energy scale around 1~TeV. The combined fitting indicates a Lorentz violation scale ${E}_{\rm LV}=(6.4\pm 1.5)\times10^{17}~{ \rm GeV}$ and an intrinsic time difference ${\Delta {t}_{\rm in}=(-2.8\pm 0.7)\times10^2~{\rm s}}$, from which we find an earlier emission of neutrinos than photons at the GRB source. We also suggest analyzing neutrino events detected a few minutes before the GRB trigger time to test the $CPT$ violation of ultrahigh-energy neutrinos.


To assess the drivers of plant functional group richness and beta diversity in fire‐maintained North American Coastal Plain (NACP) savannas.


Objective: To explore the clinical value of transthoracic needle biopsy of peripheral pulmonary solitary nodules and diffuse lesions under CT-guided. Methods: 72 paitents(from July 2009 to July 2010)with peripheral pulmonary solitary nodules were and diffuse lesions collected,which were performed by percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy under CT,clinical therapy or follow up survey were given after pathologic diagnosed. Results: The 64 cases were diagnosed to be 50 cases of pulmonary carcinoma,8 cases of tuberculoma,6 cases of inflammatory pseudotumor by percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy under CT-guided,which were proved to be 52 cases of pulmonary carcinoma,8 cases of tuberculoma,4 cases of inflammatory pseudotumor.Pulmonary diffuse lesions 8 cases.Lung biopsy results for normal tissue 3 cases,alveolar carcinoma 3 cases,chronic fibre tissue 2 cases The complications were 7 cases of pneumothorax,3cases of hemoptysis,5 cases of sput-um containing blood. Conclusion: Percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy under CT-guided provided a safe and efficient diagnostic method for peripheral pulmona-ry solitary nodules and diffuse lesions with few conplications.


Lithium-ion supercapacitors have been attracting tremendous research interest due to significantly increased energy density. However, the power density and cycling stability are often sacrificed by poor conductivity and sluggish kinetics of transition metal oxide-based electrodes. Herein, we report a composite material based on Nb2O5 nanocrystals in situ grown on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with a unique architecture exhibiting superior rate capability and long cycling stability. Even at 100 C-rate with charge/discharge time of 12 s, the composite still possesses a capacitance of ∼160 C g−1. A prototype of an asymmetric lithium-ion supercapacitor composed of an activated carbon cathode and a CNT–Nb2O5 composite anode shows significantly improved energy density of ∼50 W h kg−1 with a power of 86.46 W kg−1. Such composite materials with unique architecture hold great promise for future practical applications.


PREPARATION OF HYDROXYAPATITE POWDERS FOR MEDICALAPPLICATIONS VIA SOL-GEL TECHNIQUE . Hydroxyapatite (HA) powders have been prepared via sol-gel procedure using calcium nitrate tetrahydrate and di-ammonium hydrogen phosphate as the precursors for calcium and phosphorus, respectively. An ammoniacal solution of the monomers was heated at 100°C for about 3 –4 h until a white gel of hydroxyapatite mixture were obtained. The obtained gel was then dried at 340°C for 7 h and subsequently subjected to an 820°C calcination for 2 h. The yield of the powder mixture ranged between 50 to 53 g. XRD measurement shown that the powder contained hydroxyapatite crystal with b-TCP ( 15-20%) and calcium oxide (4-6%) as secondary phases. Further treatment was conducted to gain hydroxyapatite powder of higher purity, thus the correct Ca/P ratio, by adding an appropriate amount of di-ammonium hydrogen phosphate and heated while stirring at 90°C for 4 h. Good purity (almost 100%) of the obtained hydroxyapatite was confirmed by XRD analysis.This result proved that our HA powder meets the medical prerequisite: a HA purity of above 95%. Morphological evaluation by SEM measurement shows that the particles of the HA agglomerate are globular in shape with an average size of 1-2 mm in diameter. Meanwhile, the primary particles have a diameter of 70-150 nm in average. Surface area of the powder is 7 m 2 /g and the mean particle size as measured using X ray sedimentation method is ca. 1 mm. The measurements are not in good agreement with the morphological investigation. We consider, accordingly, that the particles presumably have high surface potentials, thus forming very tightly bonded agglomerates


Graphene-based non-volatile charge-trap memory devices were fabricated and characterized to investigate the implementation effect of both 2-dimensional graphene and the 3-dimensional memory structure. The single-layer-graphene (SLG) channel devices exhibit larger memory windows compared to the multi-layer-graphene (MLG) channel devices. This originates from the gate-coupling strength being larger in SLG devices than in MLG devices. Namely, the electrostatic charge screening effect becomes enhanced upon increasing the number of graphene layers; therefore, the gate tunability is reduced in MLG compared to SLG. The results suggest that SLG is more desirable for memory applications than MLG.


BACKGROUND
Glycine is a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the adult central nervous system (CNS), and its receptors (GlyRs) are well known for their effects in the spinal cord and the lower brainstem. Accumulating evidence indicates that GlyRs are more widely distributed in the CNS, including many supraspinal regions. Previous in vitro studies have demonstrated that ethanol potentiates the function of these brain GlyRs, yet the behavioral role of the brain GlyRs has not been well explored.

METHODS
Experiments were conducted in rats. The loss of righting reflex (LORR) was used as a marker of the hypnotic state. We compared the LORR induced by systematic administration of ethanol and of ketamine in the absence and presence of the selective glycine receptor antagonist strychnine. Ketamine is a general anesthetic that does not affect GlyRs.

RESULTS
Systemically administered (by intraperitoneal injection) ethanol and ketamine dose-dependently induced LORR in rats. Furthermore, systemically administered (by subcutaneous injection) strychnine dose-dependently reduced the percentage of rats exhibiting LORR induced by ethanol, increased the onset time, and decreased the duration of LORR. Strychnine had no effect, however, on the LORR induced by ketamine.

CONCLUSIONS
Given that hypnosis is caused by neuronal depression in upper brain areas, we therefore conclude that brain GlyRs contribute at least in part to the hypnosis induced by ethanol.


Thirty-six outpatients aged 20 to 51 with RDC primary major depressive disorder (MUD) completed a 5-week trial of desipramine following a week of single-blind placebo. Five had a past history of hypomanic disorder. For all but one patient, daily dosage at bedtime was constant for the final 4 weeks, with a mean (S.D,) of 168.1 (46.5) mg, Plasma samples drawn at the three final weekly visits were assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography for 2-hydroxydesipramine (2-OH-DMI) and desipramine. Mean (S.D.) plasma levels were 59.8 (30.0) ng/ml for 2-OH-DMI and 142.9 (138.6) ng/ml for desipramine. Thirteen patients (36%) had a final 17-item Hamilton depression rating ≤ 6 and were classified as responders. According to receiver operating characteristics analysis, patients with plasma 2-OH-DMI levels ≥ 58 and <92 ng/ml had a greater likelihood of responding than those with lower or higher levels (p = 0.005, Fisher's exact test), while patients with plasma desipramine levels ≥ 64 ng/ml were more likely to respond than those with lower levels (/> = 0.032, Fisher's exact test). Results using an alternate response criterion were similar. These findings suggest that in desipramine-treated outpatients with primary MDD the relationship between therapeutic response and plasma levels is curvilinear for 2-OH-DMI and linear for desipramine.


. Currently, the Indonesian government is actively encouraging regions to cooperate abroad. This is evidenced by the Regional Government Law and the Job Creation Act. However, this cooperation cannot be carried out immediately by the Regional Government itself, but the role of the state is needed. Foreign cooperation carried out by the regions is needed in order to increase regional development from various sectors. The method used in this study is a qualitative normative method. The data used are secondary data obtained by reading, recording, quoting, and reviewing primary legal materials, secondary legal materials and tertiary legal materials. The data collection technique used is library research. The legal basis and mechanism for implementing local government relations and cooperation with foreign parties are Law Number 37 of 1999 concerning Foreign Relations, Law Number 24 of 2000 concerning International Agreements, and Law Number 23 of 2014 concerning Governance Area.