were not repeated across different research studies or in different populations. This review also highlighted several problems with the way current scientific studies collected lifestyle information, or how they defined or classified obesity using varied BMI cut-off values. Statistical analyses were also outdated, relied on information found in old European-based GWAS, or were weakened by small numbers of research participants. Future scientific studies in LMICs should therefore focus on improving the quality of their research, by using standardised data-collection methods, updated statistical techniques, and information from GWAS performed in populations of the same ethnicity.


Abstract Anemia in pregnancy is a significant event that often requires treatment to prevent long term effects in the mother and the fetus. Many factors determine which iron preparation to use, including route and ease of administration, patient tolerability, safety, and cost. This case report summarizes two separate patient cases where sodium ferric gluconate complex was administered intravenously to pregnant women, resulting in fetal bradycardia and emergent cesarean procedures.


The goal of this project is to create an end-to-end system able to regress the 6D pose of different objects for industrial automation applications using Deep Learning techniques. In order to solve the task a synthetic generation pipeline and a novel architecture are proposed.


A theory of shock caused by the buffing of railway vehicles is presented. It considers kinematic parameters and forces as response of the mechanical system caused by the vehicles that are effectively taking part in the buffing.


Shrubs have a patchy distribution under natural conditions. Spacing, as a quantitative parameter used to describe shrub distribution, influences the formation of vegetated aeolian landforms and sand trapping in sandy regions. In this study, the morphology and development of shadow dunes were investigated in a wind tunnel at different wind velocities for three pairs of various‐sized artificial shrubs constructed from live branches and with different spacing patterns. The amount of sand trapped by these shrubs was also measured. With decreasing spacing between two adjacent shrubs, independent dunes, separate dunes that mutually curved toward each other, converging dunes, and coalesced dunes were sequentially observed. Two critical thresholds of shrub spacing were determined, for dune deformation (Td) and dune convergence (Tc). Td and Tc represent the spacings between two adjacent shrubs that result in isolated and independent shadow dunes starting to deform and converge in their tail areas, respectively. The spacing thresholds of shrubs increased with shrub size and decreased with wind velocity. The processes of shadow‐dune development for two adjacent shrubs were classified into three types: separate, separate‐converging, and coalesced. The amount of sand trapped by shrubs at spacings of Td. The converging effects of shrubs on shadow‐dune formation and sand trapping decreased with wind velocity and increased with shrub size. The results suggest that the shadow dune morphology and sand trapping capacity of shrubs are governed by both wind regime and distribution pattern and size of shrubs.


Background: Relapse and drug resistance remains the major cause of therapy failure in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) are a family of proteins that suppress proapoptotic signaling and represent attractive targets to overcome chemotherapy resistance. Debio 1143 (a.k.a. AT-406) is an orally-active IAP antagonist able to promote apoptosis alone and/or in combination with chemotherapy. We recently reported the results of a Phase 1 study of Debio 1143 in combination with daunorubicin and cytarabine (araC) in poor-risk AML patients (DiPersio et al. J Clin Oncol 32:5s, 2014, a7029). Although Debio 1143 showed good tolerability and could be safely combined with chemotherapy, 62% (8/13) of patients with complete remissions relapsed within the study period. Here, we used a preclinical AML model to begin examining the effects of BM stroma on the efficacy of Debio 1143 combined with araC or doxorubicin (dox). Methods: We generated murine acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cell lines that are resistant to araC and dox both in vitro and in vivo by chronically exposing APL cells to increasing concentrations of drug in vitro. This APL model was previously generated by knocking in the human PML-RARa cDNA into the cathepsin G locus (Westervelt et al. Blood, 2003). We used WST-1 cell proliferation assays and bioluminescence imaging (BLI) to evaluate the efficacy of Debio 1143 to induce apoptosis alone and in combination with araC or dox in vitro in chemotherapy sensitive and resistant APL cells in the presence and absence of M2-10B4 stromal cells. Dox or araC was provided for (a) a 6h period initiated 24h before Debio 1143 (i.e., with an intervening 18h washout of the chemotherapy), (b) simultaneously with Debio 1143, or (c) 6h after Debio 1143. To assess Debio 1143 in vivo, we injected APL cells into syngeneic mice. In our first experiment, mice (n=5/cohort) were treated with PBS, araC (500 mg/kg, s.c.), dox (50 mg/kg, s.c.), Debio 1143 (100 mg/kg, p.o.) or their combination on days 5, 6, 12, and 13 after APL injection. In our second experiment, mice (n=8/cohort) were treated with PBS, araC (200 mg/kg, s.c.), dox (10 mg/kg, s.c.), Debio 1143 (100 mg/kg, p.o.) or their combination on days 3 to 7 and 10 to 16 after APL injection. In both experiments, Debio 1143 was given 2 hours prior to chemotherapy. Results: Figure 1shows that coculture of APL cells with stromal cells protects them from araC-induced killing (Figure 1A) and that our araC-resistant cells are indeed resistant to araC (Figure 1B). Treatment with Debio 1143 alone has no effect on parental or araC-resistant APL survival in the presence or absence of stroma cells. However, Debio 1143 in combination with araC killed the parental APL cells and overcame the stroma cell-mediated chemotherapy protection (Figure 1A). Although combination therapy partially inhibited araC-resistant APL cell proliferation in the absence of stroma, it had no effect when the cells were cultured in the presence of stroma (Figure 1B). We obtained similar results with dox and dox-resistant cells (data not shown). This in vitro data with the parental APL cell line was confirmed in vivo. Combination therapy with chemotherapy (araC or dox) and Debio 1143 for 4 days (EXP#1) or 10 days (EXP#2) significantly prolonged the overall survival of mice by 4 to 7 days compared to single agent therapy (Debio 1143, araC, or dox) in this aggressive tumor model (Table 1). Preliminary in vitro data suggests that pretreatment of parental or araC-resistant APL cells with chemotherapy (araC or dox) enhances their killing by Debio 1143 compared to simultaneous treatment. Conclusions: Debio 1143 combined with chemotherapy inhibits parental and chemotherapy-resistant APL growth in vitro and in vivo. Future mechanistic studies are required to determine how Debio 1143 can overcome stroma-mediated resistance. Disclosures Rettig:Debiopharm International SA: Research Funding. Vuagniaux:Debiopharm International SA: Employment. Zanna:Debiopharm International SA: Employment. DiPersio:Debiopharm International SA: Research Funding.


Aims: Intra-operative radiotherapy (IORT) is a new alternative way to give radiation therapy. During surgery to remove breast cancer, radiation is given as a single dose directly to the area where the tumor used to be. The aim of the study was to compare the results of IORT as partial breast irradiation and external whole breast irradiation (EBRT) for early breast cancer in elderly patients after breast-conserving surgery. The results were retrospectively analyzed from a single institution. We report 7-year results for local control. Settings and Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods and Material: Between November 2012 and December 2019, 21 Gy partial breast irradiation was applied intra-operatively to 40 selected patients. Two of these patients were excluded from the study, and 38 patients were evaluated. Also, 38 patients who had EBRT and had similar properties to that of IORT patients were selected to compare the treatment results in terms of local control. Statistical Analysis Used: SPSS version 21 was used for statistical analysis. Patient groups undergoing IORT and EBRT were analyzed with the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. The groups were examined in terms of demographic features using t-test, and P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Local recurrence rates were calculated by Kaplan–Meier analysis. Results: The median follow-up time was 58 months (range 20–95 months). The local control was 100% in both groups, and no local recurrences were observed. Conclusion: IORT seems to be a safe and effective alternative to EBRT for early breast cancer in elderly patients.


The performance of a combined solar collection and refrigeration heat recovery system for preheating wash water was monitored over a two month period. A system model was developed to predict year long system performance in various operating modes.


The CoRE Working Group has proposed a resource directory (RD) in the centralized resource discovery of the constrained application protocol (CoAP). This directory contains a description for resources held in the servers, in which the servers register their resources in the RD while the clients are allowed to perform a lookup operation on these resources, and ask for any resource using single request. In order of making the resource directory fully updated, all nodes are periodically sending update messages (after fixed period of time) to the RD contains the latest status of their information, these update messages will result in extra signaling overhead and consume more power from node's battery, this will drain the batteries and reduce the overall network lifetime. We have proposed a dynamic tuning technique to adjust the update message interval in CoAP, the proposed algorithm is depending on the battery level of the sending node, in which the update interval increased as battery level decreased. The results of experiments show that the dynamic approach can extend the network lifetime by 25%.


To the Editor, We read with great interest the article by Long et al., in which the authors reported the association between Klebsiella pneumonia (K. pneumoniae) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS).1 The authors reported that the presence of K. pneumoniae in feces, immunoglobulin (Ig) A (IgA), and IgG against K. pneumoniae were significantly associated with AS when compared with healthy people. To augment those key points, findings from relevant studies were discussed below. In particular, this research emphasizes an important topic in the pathogenesis of AS. It has been found in previous studies that the molecular mimicry between human leukocyte antigen (HLA)B27 (HLAB27) and K. pneumoniaederived antigens plays a key role in the pathogenesis of this autoimmunity disease.2 Evidence from multiple experimental models for immunemediated inflammatory diseases, including multiple sclerosis and arthritis, suggests that T helper cell 17 (Th17) cells are involved in autoimmunity.3 Th17 cells develop from naive T cells under conditions where both transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) and proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)6 (IL6) and IL1β induce the expression of the IL23 receptor.2,48 It has also been found that the peptide binding groove on HLAB27 may play a significant role in the mimicry.2,4,5,9 Therefore, upon pathogen insults, antigenpresenting cells activate phagocytosis and present the domain of the pathogen to the surface of the cell. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes10,11 then identify the binding domain of the antigen of K. pneumoniae and attack the peptide binding groove of HLAB27. As a result, these reactions may cause crossreaction between the antibody (such as IgA) and HLAB27, thus initiating the immune response.2 Furthermore, it has been shown that when triggered, HLAB27 molecules lacking light chain b2microglobulin are transformed into HLAB27 heavy chain homodimers.2 The misfolding of HLAB27 protein results in a change in its 3dimensional structure, leading to an affinity to form a complex with the pathogen. This phenomenon can lead to inflammation or even severe spondylosis and arthropathy.2 The association between other pathogens and AS has also been explored,4,5 which include oral or periodontal pathogens12 and other enteric pathogens.13,14 Periodontal pathogens possess arginine protease (PAD) and research indicates that arginine is crucial for their interactions with HLAB27.4 Thus, it has been provided that if an HLAB27+ individual is infected with Porphyromonas gingivalis PADs,7,12,1520 it can trigger a cytotoxic Tcellmediated autoimmune response that is specific to HLAB27, leading to inflammation in the joints.4 Likewise, it has been demonstrated that the expression of HLAB27 is linked to changes in the gut microbiota, and the difference in the abundance of certain species in gut microbiota between AS patients and healthy individuals is significant.9 Intestinal dysbiosis can trigger activate a Th17mediated immune response in the intestinal lamina propria, causing the rapid release of IL17 in the gut and leading to osteoclastogenesis and inflammatory bone loss.9 Whie some mechanisms are still unclear, recent literature suggests a strong association between gut inflammation and spondylitis, with HLAB27 alleles and the IL17/IL23 immune axis playing central pathogenic roles. These pathogens and K. pneumoniae may share similar mechanisms to induce AS. Lastly, while this research provides valuable insights, it is also clinically relevant to investigate the association between K. pneumoniae and the symptoms of AS. The hallmark pathology of AS is enthesitis,6 which can cause Inflammation and the formation of syndesmophytes that bridge between adjacent vertebrae in the spine, ultimately leading to bony fusion and the characteristic bamboo spine appearance on radiographs.21 As such, future studies are needed to address the relationship between K. pneumoniae and the symptoms of AS. If a link is established, screening for HLA and tests for K. pneumoniaederived antigens may facilitate the diagnosis of AS, as similar to how such approaches are used for various other diseases.10,21,22 Additionally, studies have also demonstrated the association between enteric pathogens and inflammatory arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis,15,2326 psoriatic arthritis,27 and spondyloarthritis.5,21 This underscores the significance of this topic and the need to further elucidate the role of K. pneumoniaein the etiology and pathogenesis of AS.5 Given the multifactorial nature of AS, cohort studies involving larger populations28,29 are needed to generate more evidence and improve patient care and patient education.3032


The technological characteristics for meat extender production by extrusion with high moisture content depend on the extrusion parameters. The aim of this study was to use isolate soy protein (ISP-47 %), vital gluten (VG-47 %) and corn starch (CS-6 %) for meat extender production and evaluate the moisture content (X 1 – 51.6-68.4 %), feed rate(X 2 – 13.3-21.7 Kg.h -1 ), and 3 rd zone temperature (X 3 – 66-134 °C) on the extrusion process through a Central Composite Design. The trials were processed in a intermeshing co-rotational twin screw extruder (model ZSK 30 – Werner Pfleiderer Corp) with 1 st , 2 nd and 4 th zones temperature at 50, 80 and 100 oC, respectively, screw speed (200rpm) and rectangular die (7.5x33.5x450 mm) and dried at 85 °C using a convective heated air dryer until moisture content was below 8 % for further analysis, except for shear force (SF). The dependent variables evaluated were SF, fat absorption index (FAI), water absorption capacity (WAC), specific mechanical energy (SME), and protein dispersibility index (PDI). The values obtained for SF, FAI, WAC, SME and PDI were between 2.57±0.30 and 21.90±1.99 N, 1.71±0.01 and 1.83±0.02, 3.30±0.06 and 3.87±0.07, 9.95±0.37 and 17,83±0.46 KW.Kg -1 , and 4.51±0.12 and 9.88±0.29 %, respectively. Higher moisture content results in low SF and low SME. Higher feed rate result in high SF and SME. Lower 3 rd zone temperature results in high SF and SME. The independent variables did not influence on the FAI, WAC and PDI. For SF and SME, the R 2 value was higher than 0.90 and p-value lower than 0.001. The relationship between F calc /F tab was 16.17 for SF and 9.89 for SME. The results showed that with lower moisture content, higher feed rate and lower 3 rd zone temperature is possible to obtain meat extender with better texture. The texture had a good relationship with the protein bodies fibrous structure.


Nursery‐reared primates do not experience psychological "maternal bonding" or immunological benefits of breast milk, so they are expected to be inferior to mother‐raised monkeys in growth, health, survival, reproduction, and maternal abilities. Studies of nursery‐reared monkeys support aspects of this prediction for infants deprived of social contact or raised in pairs. We present colony record data on 1,187 mother and 506 nursery‐raised monkeys, 2–10 yr of age, living in mixed groups. We found no group differences in survival, growth, clinical treatments for disease or bite wounds, or pregnancy outcome and neonatal deaths. Nursery males given breeding opportunities produced an average of 24 offspring. In addition to 24‐hr personnel present on every day of the year, we believe that three of our procedures account for differences between our results and other reports. Our infants received 1) intensive human handling, 2) daily social interaction in a playroom, and 3) success and failure experience during learning and cognitive testing. We do not advocate rearing primates without mothers, but we conclude that these procedures are sufficient for producing physical health and adaptive juvenile and adult social skills in nursery‐raised monkeys. Am. J. Primatol. 56:165–183, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


With the increasingly serious situation of air pollution, catalytic conversion has become a hot research direction, and the efforts were focused on the preparation of catalysts greenly and effectively. The catalysts were prepared by plasma-assisted method in our work. Different gases were introduced to the plasma system. The catalyst treated by a mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen plasma (PNH) catalyst behaved badly in activity and coke resistance, but the hydrogen plasma (PH) and nitrogen plasma (PN) samples displayed fine activity. The catalyst treated by nitrogen plasma (PN) exhibited high activity compared to the C sample. The amount of coke over PN sample was less than that of the NMA-PH catalyst. Whereas, the PN catalyst presented as good activity and coke resistance in carbon dioxide reforming with methane as the conventional calcined catalyst.


In comparison with hydrodynamics of the swash motion, measurements of sediment load using conventional method can be highly problematic, due to the difficulties, particularly wets and dries, very small water depths, aerated and high velocity, in measurements. For this reason, it is not clear that the sediment transport for each size of particle and sediment sorting in the swash zone. The purpose of this study is to investigate process of grain-size sorting in the swash zone at the time scale of individual waves in laboratory.


This article reflects changes in the field of higher education aimed at creating a unified system of education of students based on traditional spiritual and moral values and social solidarity of the Russian society. Despite the large number of scientific publications and discourse directed by the active activities of public authorities and the university community, there has not been a systematic understanding of professional competencies and personal characteristics of the main participants and initiators of these changes at the level of higher education institutions. It is primarily about the status and role positions of vice-rectors for youth policy and educational activities in the ongoing changes, as well as determining the totality of their personal qualities and competencies for the effective performance of their functions in the higher education. The research is based on the activity-activist approach, which provides theoretical and methodological tools in considering the specifics and content of the activities of actors as the elements of mechanism of change. The results obtained in the course of the study are of interest for optimizing the socio-professional activities of vice-rectors for the youth policy and educational work in the higher education organizations.


Palm-based polyurethane solid polymer electrolyte was prepared via prepolymerization method between palm kernel oil based polyols (PKO-p) and 2,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (2,4'-MDI) in acetone at room temperature with the vary amount of lithium trifuoromethanesulfonate (LiCF3SO3) salt and polyethylene glycol (PEG). The film was analyzed using attenuated total reflection infrared (ATR-IR) spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). EIS result indicated ionic conductivity obtained with 30 wt% LiCF3SO3 increased to 6.55 × 10−6 S cm−1 when 10 wt.% of plasticizer was added into the system. FTIR analysis showed the interaction between lithium ions and amine (-N-H) at 3600–3100 cm−1, carbonyl (-C=O) at 1750–1650 cm−1 and ether (-C-O-C-) at 1150–1000 cm−1 of the polyurethane forming polymer-salt complexes. The XRD result confirmed that LiCF3SO3 salt completely dissociated within the polyurethane film with the absence of crystalline peaks of LiCF3SO3.


In this paper we present a dataflow processor architecture based on [1], which is driven by controlflow generated tokens. We will show the special properties of this architecture with regard to scalability, extensibility, and parallelism. In this context we outline the application scope and compare our approach with related work. Advantages and disadvantages will be discussed and we suggest solutions to solve the disadvantages. Finally an example of the implementation of this architecture will be given and we have a look at further developments. We believe the features of this basic approach predestines the architecture especially for embedded systems and system on chips.


Publishing messages through a local network is widely used in an enterprise. In general messages are published on an internal web server or are mailed to employee's mailboxes. These publishing methods are passive, not suitable for publishing urgent messages. A new method acting as broadcast is discussed and developed. In such a broadcast way any receiver can get the message immediately as soon as the message is sent out as if the receiver has listened a broadcast in time. This method is urgent, agile, active and effective.


Post-transcriptional gene silencing technique (PTGS) using virus-induced gene silencing system (VIGS) is a highly useful gene knockout approach for functional analysis of endogenous genes in plants. Tobacco rattle virus based VIGS vector is a suitable vector for gene silencing in model plants like Nicotiana benthamiana and Lycopersicum esculentum (tomato). The effectiveness of Agroinfection and TRV–VIGS is influenced by environmental conditions. The vector having plant endogenous Phytoene desaturase (PDS) gene cloned either from N. bentha miana or tomato was used for targeted PTGS by Agro -infiltration approach. The extent of PDS RNA silencing was found to be highly temperature-sensitive and silencing was enhanced under low ambient temperature (less than 24°C), low light intensity (250 μmol m –2 s –1 ) and high humidity (85–90%). The efficiency of silencing was better in N. benthamiana than tomato. For examining the functional relevance of genes associated with specific physiological processes or abiotic stress, it is essential to retain the phenotype for longer period under greenhouse condition. N. benthamiana plants that were induced PTGS of PDS in growth room retained the phenotype for 30–35 days in the greenhouse maintained at high temperature 28–30°C) and light intensity (1000 μmol m –2 s –1 ). The silenced plants maintained low PSII quantum yield and did not show any photosynthesis.


In this paper we report the study of CdZnS thin films grown on the soda-lime glass (SLG) substrates by chemical bath deposition (CBD) process for buffer layer applications in CuGaSe/sub 2/ (CGS) solar cells. Structural, surface morphology, optical, and electrical properties of as-deposited CdZnS films were investigated by XRD, SEM, spectrophotometer, and four probes resistivity measurements as a function of Zn-composition in the solution. The CdZnS films have hexagonal structures. The grain size of CdZnS films was found to increase with increasing Zn-content in the solution. The films with 30% of Zn in the solution showed a better than 80% transmittance for wavelengths longer than 600 nm and film thickness less than 50 nm. The values of energy band gaps obtained are 2.40, 2.55, and 2.70 eV for Zn-content of 0, 30, and 50%, respectively. The resistivity of CdZnS films was found to increase as the Zn content increases.


Background. It has been questioned whether leisure time physical activity (LTPA) during pregnancy is beneficial or deleterious to pregnancy outcome, and whether a sedentary lifestyle during pregnancy has a negative impact on pregnancy. Answers to these questions are of general interest, since some young women are very physically active during leisure time, while others have a sedentary lifestyle. Method. In this review, we analysed the association between LTPA and the selected pregnancy outcomes, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), pre‐eclampsia, preterm delivery, and birth weight. Results. The prevailing literature clearly indicates that LTPA before and/or during pregnancy has a protective effect on the development of GDM and pre‐eclampsia. Furthermore, LTPA does not seem to have a negative impact on the rate of preterm delivery or on birth weight. Conclusion. Thus, it seems relevant that health authorities recommend 30 min of daily physical activity to healthy pregnant women.


There is a great attention towards fulfilling energy requirement via renewable energy sources. Solar energy is one of the uprising renewable energy sources for the planet earth. Dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have been identified as a promising technology to harvest solar energy and to convert that to electricity. In this study, it was attempted to optimize the composition of a gel polymer electrolyte consisting with polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF), ethylene carbonate (EC), propylene carbonate (PC), tetrahexylammonium iodide (Hex 4 NI) and iodide (I 2 ) to be utilized for DSSC application. The composition was fine tuned to get the highest conductivity by varying the salt concentration. The composition, 100 PVdF / 400 EC / 400 PC / 150 Hex 4 NI / 7.3 I 2 exhibited the highest conductivity of 3.43 x 10 -3 Scm -1 at room temperature. Sample was purely an anionic conductor. DSSCs were fabricated in the configuration, FTO / TiO 2 / Dye / GPE / Pt / FTO. The open circuit voltage and short circuit current density were 799 mV and 1.06 mA respectively. The calculated fill factor was 0.62 and the efficiency was 2.08%.


Solvent effects on the reactivity of cycloalkenecarboxylic, cycloalke- neacetic, 2-substituted cyclohex-1-enecarboxylic, 2-substituted benzoic, 2-sub- stituted cyclohex-1-eneacetic, 2-substituted phenylacetic, 2-phenylcyclohex-1- enecarboxylic, 2-phenylbenzoic and 2-phenylacrylic acids with diazodiphe- nylmethane (DDM) were investigated. In order to explain the kinetic results through solvent effects, the second-order rate constants for the reaction of the examined acids with DDM were correlated using the Kamlet-Taft solvato- chromic equation. The correlations of the kinetic data were realized by means of multiple linear regression analysis and the solvent effects on the reaction rates were analyzed in terms of the contributions of the initial and the transition state. The signs of the equation coefficients support the proposed mechanism. Solvation models for all the investigated acids are suggested. The quantitative relationship between the molecular structure and the chemical reactivity is also discussed.


Vedhya Sira means puncturable vein used in the treatment of Vicarchika (eczema). Sirave dh is para surgical procedure in which suitable vein is punctured to release impure blood. Vicarchika is skin disease similar to Eczema in Allopathic medicine. Both are difficult to cure and need long term treatment. In Ayurved especially in Caraka samhita (text book of medicine) the disease is classified as Kshudra Kushtha (minor skin disease). Various remedies have been given to treat this disease. Sushruta has given Siravedh (vene puncture) of sira (blood vessel ) found two finger above of Khsipra Marma (vital sp ot in hand and dorsum of foot) in both limbs to alleviate the severity of disease. The statement is vague and does not indicate the exact structure and site of puncture (i.e. lateral, medial, dorsal or palmer surface of hand/foot). Here there are many structures like dhamani (artery), sira (vessels), strotas (conduits/channels), snayu (ligament) etc. Sharir sthanas (Anatomical Chapters) of Bri hatrayii (three major classical texts, viz Caraka , Sushruta and Vagbhat Samhita) includes basic knowledge o f structures and their clinical importance. Sushruta has explained 700 siras in body in which 100 sira is present in each limbs/shakha in which 4 vein/sira is non puncturable i.e. av edhya sira . Keeping all above points in mind it is necessary to identify a nd confirm the anatomical site of Vedhya sira and their application in Vicarchika by Siravedh (vene puncture) in the context of modern science. Keyword: Vicarchika , eczema, vedhya sira (puncturable vein), Siravedh ( vene puncture), kshipra marma


【Objective】 The research was conducted to quantify the concentrations of airborne microbes(bacteria and fungi) in cow houses and assess health risks.【Method】 Air samples of cow environments were collected by international AGI-30 using sterile saline water as sampling media;the concentrations of airborne microbes were counted by culture counting method and 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole(DAPI)-staining counting method,respectively.The differences between the two methods were compared.【Result】 According to counting grown colonies,the concentrations of cow houses were within a range of 1.14×105-8.32×106 CFU/m3.The direct counting concentrations were between 9.3×105-5.93×107 CFU/m3.The results of DAPI-staining counting method were about 7-733 times higher than those of culture counting method.Based on the concentration of DAPI-staining counting method,the airborne microbes inhaled by a person and a cow were 1.58×105 CFU/min and 3.29×106 CFU/min,respectively.【Conclusion】 DAPI-staining counting method could reflect the accurate concentrations of airborne microbes in the environment,and assess health risks scientifically.


'Filariasis Chemotherapy Unit' (FCU), the lymphatic filariasis (LF) research unit, sponsored by the TDR/WHO and ICMR was established in T. D. Medical College Hospital, Alappuzha in 1989. This centre is now well recognized both at national and international levels being the only one in the world conducting clinical research in Brugian filariasis. Till date, 19 research projects have been completed in this unit successfully, in the span of last 21 years and presently there are two ongoing projects. This unit is recognized by TDR/WHO and NICD for training in LF disability management, because of the pioneering work done here. Keywords: Filariasis, Trials, Treatment protocols, Disability management


We make a comparative analysis of the different methods used for the measurement of field-of-study mismatch. A first part of the paper reviews the literature, detailing and discussing the different approaches (worker assessments, job analysis, realized matches). In the second part, based on a data-set allowing us to use various measures, we investigate whether these different approaches result in differences with respect to the incidence and the determinants of field-of-study mismatch. Since substantial differences do indeed exist, even among variants of similar approaches, we conclude that empirical results with respect to field-of-study mismatch should be interpreted with great caution. While making several recommendations concerning the measurement of field-of-study mismatch, we also make a plea for more focused research on the validity and reliability of field-of-study mismatch measures in order to develop a more generally-accepted and uniform measure.


A new method for the preparation of the phosphonate analogues of phosphatidyl derivatives using a Horner−Mark [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement is described. Phosphonate analogues were prepared in which the sn-3 oxygen of the diacylglyceryl moiety is substituted by -HC=CH- or -CH2CH2- fragments. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2002)


Throughout the years 1925 to 1929 it was our privilege to collaborate in the intimate study of 125 patients addicted to the use of "habit-forming drugs" and to observe others to whom the same drugs were prescribed in the ordinary practice of medicine for the relief of pain and discomfort. This proved to our satisfaction that fewer narcotics would be administered for the alleviation of distress if those who practiced the healing art were more conversant with psychotherapy: that in psychotherapeutic principles there is a substitute for narcotics in many cases, and when there is no alternative but to use habit-forming drugs on account of severe and prolonged pain, the amount prescribed should be kept to a minimum. The data collected from all sources were most convincing that there is no physical basis for the justification of a narcotic addiction: that it is entirely a developmental and psychologic problem, the


Introduction & background Where space is limited and invasive interventions have to be avoided – be it historic buildings in particular or refurbishment projects in general – particular awareness and special solutions for HVAC systems are needed. Within FP7 project 3ENCULT a number of such solutions have been developed and tested at case studies. These and the design approach were presented for discussion at the workshop.


Abstract 2847 Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is frequently complicated by autoimmune disorders, primarily autoimmune hemolytic anemia and immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). In order to investigate biological features related to ITP development, we retrospectively analyzed 463 CLL patients characterized for immunoglobulin heavy-chain variable (IGHV) gene mutational status, cytogenetic features and B-cell receptor (BCR) configuration (HCDR3) at the time of diagnosis. Thirty-six patients (7.7%) had developed ITP, according to our previously reported criteria (Visco et al , Blood 2008): i) an otherwise unexplained rapid ( 9 /L) of the platelet count; ii) normal or augmented number of megakaryocytes in the bone marrow; iii) no or limited (not palpable) splenomegaly and iv) no cytotoxic treatment in the last month. Stereotyped BCR configuration was defined by means of pair-wise alignment with known stereotyped sequences available from different public databases (Stamatopoulos et al , Blood 2007; Bomben et al , Br J Hematol 2009; Murray et al , Blood 2008), specifically excluding pairs of sequences whose length differed more than 3 amino acids and sharing more than 60% identity on alignments showing less than 3 gaps, as described by others and by our group (Stamatopoulos et al , Blood 2007; Maura et al , Plos One, in press ). Our results indicated that the occurrence of ITP was strongly associated with unmutated (UM) IGHV (p P =0.005), and interestingly, the occurrence of stereotyped HCDR3 ( P =0.006). Additionally, the UM IGHV mutational status, unfavorable cytogenetic lesions, or stereotyped BCR were significantly associated with shorter time to ITP development ( P P =0.02 and P =0.005 respectively) compared to other patients. As regards to the most represented HCDR3 subsets, we observed that subsets #1 (IGHV1-5-7/IGHD6-19/IGHJ4; 16/16 UM) and #7 (IGHV1-69 or IGHV3-30/IGHD3-3/IGHJ6; 13/13 UM) were significantly associated with ITP development ( P =0.003 and P =0.001, respectively). Moreover, restricting the analysis to UM patients, subset #7 retained a significant association with the occurrence of ITP ( P =0.02). Time to ITP development was also significantly shorter in subsets #1 and #7 patients than in all others patients ( P =0.0076 and P Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


The magnetic cycle of the Sun, as manifested in the cyclic appearance of sunspots, significantly influences our space environment and space-based technologies by generating what is now termed as space weather. Long-term variation in the Sun's magnetic output also influences planetary atmospheres and climate through modulation of solar irradiance. Here, I summarize the current state of understanding of this magnetic cycle, highlighting important observational constraints, detailing the kinematic dynamo modeling approach and commenting on future prospects.


In order to optimize automotive fuel economy, emissions, performance, and reliability, the More Electric Vehicles (MEV) concept emphasizes the utilization of electrical power systems instead of mechanical and hydraulic power systems. The proposed More Electric Systems facilitate high power loads and enable the introduction of power electronics in a silicon rich environment. On the other hand, there is a growing interest in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) due to environmental concerns. Expansion of MEV concept to HEV leads to More Electric Hybrid Vehicles (MEHV). In MEHV, high power hotel and ancillary loads associated with silicon rich environment present a challenge not only by acting as significant dynamic loads on the traction power system, but also by requiring a power conversion and distribution system of their own. In this paper, conventional automotive power systems, future electrical loads, and advanced MEV and MEHV distribution systems are described. Finally, we conclude with a proposed low voltage electrical system which integrates a common electrical power system for traction as well as other automotive loads for MEHV.


By presenting the main characteristics of the health care systems in Europe, the paper attempts to examine the impact of the economic and social determinants of the health state on certain indicators for the Romanian health care system, by using multiple regression models. The four valid resulted models confirmed our hypothesis regarding expected impact of alcohol consumption on neonatal deaths and life expectancy at age 45, of the number of hospitals on the number of maternal deaths and the impact of the population living in the urban area on life expectancy at age 45 and at age 65. Since no other hypothesis have been confirmed, we consider that the evolution of the Romanian health indicators should not always be attributed to the factors that are conventionally thought to be important. Based on the analysis, we have proposed a set of measures that should be taken into consideration in order to increase the positive outcomes of the health reforms performed in Romania since the fall of the communism.


In a study of time from the psychological viewpoint the development, personal variation, psychodynamics, and psychopathology of the sense of time are considered. On the basis of the evidence presented the suggestion is made that a normal sense of time aids in successful adjustment while a disturbed sense of time may induce symptoms of psychopathy, psychosis, or neurosis. It is hoped that others will test this hypothesis.


Communication between the last-level caches and main memory is one of the main performance bottlenecks of today's computer systems. 3D stacking enables integrating DRAM layers and processor cores on the same chip—improving memory bandwidth and reducing memory access time. We believe the performance increase achieved by 3D systems with on-chip DRAM can lead to high-performance system design without the need for adding more cores, using power-hungry architectures, or increasing the clock frequency. Higher performance, however, increases power densities and may create thermal challenges. Therefore, performance and temperature tradeoffs should be examined thoroughly to enable high-performance and reliable system operation. Prior work has modeled performance in 3D systems with a small number of cores and single-threaded workloads [6]. Temperature management methods for 3D systems include static methods such as thermally-aware floorplanning [4], as well as run-time approaches such as task migration and dynamic voltagefrequency scaling [10]. Detailed performance analysis and thermal optimization for 3D systems have been mostly disjoint so far. This research provides a comprehensive approach to jointly evaluate performance, power, and temperature for 3D systems with on-chip DRAM. We use the evaluation framework to analyze 3D systems running parallel applications that represent future workloads. Our specific contributions are as follows. • We present a model to compute the memory access latency of 3D systems with on-chip DRAM and use the model in architecture-level performance simulation. We integrate the performance simulation with power and thermal models to enable a thorough evaluation. • We analyze the performance, power, and temperature of a 16-core 3D system with on-chip DRAM. We run the PARSEC parallel benchmarks [1], and show that instructions-percycle (IPC) for the applications is on average 72.6% higher in comparison to 2D systems. The performance improvement increases core power by up to 32.7%. • We observe that the peak temperature of the 3D system increases by at most 1.5C with respect to the 2D peak temperature for a high-end system. For most benchmarks, there is a slight decrease in peak temperature, as the DRAM layers have low power density. However, for smaller or lower cost thermal packages as in embedded systems, we demonstrate the need for efficient thermal management strategies.


Abstract Integrated Public Use Microdata Series-International (IPUMS-International) is an effort to inventory, preserve, harmonize, and disseminate census microdata from around the world. IPUMS-International aims to convert census data from five continents into a uniformly coded and fully documented data series. Nearly all countries included in the data series contribute data from multiple census years. The project uses the same principles and methods that underlie the successful IPUMS-USA model. The data are distributed free of charge via a Web-based data extraction system. Use of the data is restricted to scholarly and educational purposes. The project is conceived as part of a larger enterprise to make the world's microdata available to researchers, encouraging cross-national research with a temporal dimension.


An efficient descaling agent with weak acility for industrial boiler and cooling apparatus contains one or more of sulfamic acid, citric acid and acrylic acid, and ammonium salt such as ammonium nitrate or chloride or their mixture, sodium chloride, and non-ionic surfactant, and features high effectiveness and low cost.


The structure and operating principle of InGaAs photocathode in near-IR hybrid photo device are considered. The mechanisms leading to the degradation of the quantum efficiency of the photocathode are being studied. The rate of the quantum efficiency degradation of the photocathode is measured for three hybrid devices. The methods to reduce the degradation of the photocathode sensitivity are suggested.


For the high demand of large aperture optical element, the regular trajectory errors in machining marks of double-side polishing need to be determinately controlled. The mechanism and control method of the regular trajectory errors in machining marks were deeply studied. The process was simulated and compared with the experiment. The method of active translation and pendulum motion and polishing plate correction were proposed, proved to be efficacious on eliminating the regular machining marks by the groove of the polishing pad and local surface figure errors of the polishing plate. The method of dynamic loading and motion combination was adopted, retaining the independence of the original fast convergence process on surface figure. For the optical element with 430mm×430mm×10mm, the surface figure was controlled below 1λ(PV, λ=632.8nm). Meanwhile, the regular machining marks repeatedly produced were eliminated, which provided the essential condition for the intermediate frequency index in the rear stage, small tool precision polishing, and the high efficiency and stable machining of the optical element in the index system was realized.


The deployment flow and personnel division of labor in "Peace Mission 2009" Sino-Russian joint anti-terrorism military exercise are introduced. The deployment of field medical station is also analyzed.


The taxonomy of several neotropical resupinate Perenniporia is discussed. P. xantha is described as new. It is characterized by a bright yellow resupinate basidiocarp, small pores and small ellipsoid, dextrinoid basidiospores in addition to reduced arboriform skeletal hyphae. Two new combinations are proposed, Perreniporia aurantiaca and P, chromatica. Their relation to other Perreniporia species is briefly discussed.


Neonatal septicemia remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in babies admitted into the neonatal units. Prolonged rupture of the membranes is associated with increased risk of neonatal septicemia #opNS#cp. The present study evaluated mother and babies for colonisation and NNS after membranes had ruptured for 24 hours or more. 15.7#pc of the mothers had GBS isolated from high vaginal swabs. 39.6#pc of the babies were already colonised at birth. Three commonest isolates from the babies were E. Coli #op15.1#pc#cp, Group B Streptococcus #opGBS ‐ 11.3#pc#cp and streptococcus faecalis #op9.4#pc#cp. The incidence of blood culture proven septicaemia was 3.8#pc. The two babies with proven septicemia had additional risk factors. It is recommended that all such babies below 34 weeks gestation be continued to be treated for possible sepsis till culture reports are available. Babies above 34 weeks with normal initial blood counts who are otherwise well can be observed till blood culture reports are avai...


Recently, there has been a growing interest in encoding human knowledge using ontologies represented under some formal representation language (e.g. in the Semantic Web). Simply creating an ontology is not enough though; ontologies, just like any structure holding knowledge, need to be updated as well. There are several reasons why an ontology should change: changes could be initiated because of a change in the world being modelled; the users' needs may change, requiring a different conceptualization; knowledge previously unknown, classified or otherwise unavailable may become known; or a design flaw may have been noticed in the original conceptualization. In all these cases, the representation of knowledge in the ontology should be modified so as to form a more accurate or adequate conceptualization of the domain. Such a modification presents several difficulties from both the practical and the theoretical point of view, as it is not always clear what the expected, or desired, result of any particular modification should be, nor how such a result can be determined. In addition, it raises a number of peripheral, but equally important, problems, such as ontology versioning, inconsistency handling, ontology evolution and integration, change propagation, reasoning in the presence of change and others, which can all be considered to be under the umbrella of the ontology dynamics field.


Bring forward three different opinions on Article 64 of Contract Law of China by discussing a civil case,the three different opinions are Statement of Altruism Contract,Statement of Not Really Altruism Contract and General Statement.By analyzing the above-mentioned points of views,this paper concludes that the General Statement is the best explanation.


Purpose: Primary localized amyloidosis of eyelid is a localized type of amyloidosis without evidence of systemic involvement, which is a quite rare clinical condition. Here we report a case of primary localized amyloidosis of eyelid. Case report: A 40-year-old woman presented with a four-month history of swelling of the left upper eyelid resulting in a mechanical ptosis. The mass had a firm bony consistency. Ocular examination revealed a firm mass in upper lid connected to the tarsus. She had no sign or history of ocular inflammation. Homogenous eosinophilic deposits with extensive foci of calcification and ossification were visible In pathologic assessment, which was consistent with amyloidosis. All evaluations were negative for systemic amyloidosis. Conclusion: Primary localized amyloidosis may appear as a calcified and ossified tumoral mass.


Lynton K. Caldwell presented the following article as a paper at the third annual "Dialogues in Biology and Politics" panel co-sponsored by the Association for Politics and the Life Sciences and the American Political Science Association at their 1984 conventions in Washington, D.C. —The Editor Because some of the language that follows is unconventional, it may be useful to clarify terms at the outset. The term biocracy as used here has two meanings, or more accurately, has two aspects to an inclusive meaning. The inclusive meaning is the influence of life forces on human social behavior, notably political behavior. The first, and basic, aspect of biocracy pertains to the actual influence of life forces on human society whether or not perceived or understood. The second aspect refers to the perceived effects on society of the findings and applications of the life sciences. Perceived effects mayor may not be consistent with actual influences; they may nonetheless shape popular attitudes, values, beliefs, and behaviors. To the extent that life forces are deterministic they shape the character of societies. The extent to which human social behavior is biologically determined is largely unknown. At the very least, life forces appear to set limits within which human culture may select various options.


A cosine prioritizing method is presented with respect to the optimization scheme of public traffic network.The mathematical expression for optimum objects and corresponding constraints are set up.Based on the optimization indexes line segment's definition and ideal line segment's definition,the schemes are arranged in simple order according to the cosine value between line segment in each scheme and ideal line segment in ideal scheme,so the decision making model for the optimization of urban traffic network is present by quantum analysis and cosine formula.Applied results indicate that the method accord to the real situation,and solve weight distribute problems for optimum object.It is an effectively prioritizing method for the optimization scheme of public traffic network.


In order to solve the continued deformation problem of the gateway with broken surrounding rock under the high geostress conditions in Zhaozhuang Mine,a study was conducted on the secondary grouting reinforcement with the theoretical analysis,test simulation and site observation means.Based on the loose circle theory,the geological radar detection technology,the in-situ re-grouting technology with shallow borehole and the bolt and grouting reinforcement technology were applied to the full section secondary grouting reinforcement test based on the previous bolt/steel mesh/anchor support of the south air returning gateway in the west wing of the mine.The numerical software similar simulation and the gateway deformation observation were applied to the inspection of the support effect.The results showed that the secondary grouting reinforcement had improved the integrated strength of the surrounding rock,high reduced the plastic zone,formed a complex loading structure,released the joint loading and self loading of the anchoring mass and the broken surrounding rock and could effectively solve the continued deformation problem of the broken surrounding rock.


The detection of broken rotor bar faults based on the common steady-state Fourier transform technique is known to be dependent on the loading condition and the quality of the supply. This paper attempts to minimise these issues by utilising the induced voltage in the stator windings after supply disconnection. When the supply is disconnected, the stator current rapidly drops to zero and the only source of the stator induced voltage an instant after the supply disconnection is due to currents in the rotor. The rotor currents are sensitive to broken rotor bar faults and directly affect the rundown induced voltage in the stator windings. The performance of two different broken rotor bar detection techniques, based on the Fourier transform and the wavelet transform, are investigated over a wide range of loading conditions.


The paper presents an overview on the SEALAB project, a technology platform to develop new concepts in design of high-speed marine vehicles. In particular in this paper the aero-hydro-mechanics of the new vessel is discussed, with the aim of developing analytical and numerical models to describe its response and to optimize the navigation performances.


Background: Brain Trauma Foundation recommends EDH volume of greater than 30 cm3 warrants surgical evacuation irrespective of Glasgow Coma Scale. Often it is observed that Not all cases of acute EDH require immediate surgical evacuation, cases with lesser than 5 mm midline shift, no focal neurological deficits and GCS>8 and can be managed conservatively provided the patients are closely observed for any deterioration in GCS. For EDH with a volume more or less than 30ml in the supratentorial space and, a midline shift 6-10 mm, with a GCS score > 10, was attempted non-surgical management, with close observation and serial CT scanning. Aim: The aim of this study was to discover the most important factors influencing the management strategy and outcome of EDH. Methods: 70 adult patients treated for EDH were included in this retrospective study, 26 cases (37%) underwent urgent surgery, 44 cases (62.8%) were managed conservatively out of which one third of patient required delayed surgery. Results: Our study showed that out of 62 % of the patients who  were conservatively managed, 72 % had a favorable outcome despite the presence of a midline shift of 6- 10 mm and an EDH volume of >30 ml but having a good GCS score. Conservatively managed patients with GCS >10, 77% had Good Recovery. Those with high EDH volume, 61% had a good outcome. 84 % of the patients having a midline shift between 6-10 mm had a good recovery. Patients with GCS < 8 had a poorer outcome than patients in good neurological status, regardless of the therapy. Conclusions: Hence we conclude, EDH must be promptly diagnosed by CT scan and considered as an emergency lest misdiagnosed and should be admitted into a neurosurgical care unit. Close neurological monitoring, appropriate follow up CT scans in the setting of improved GCS score resulting in   good outcome in patient  on conservative management.


Ultrahigh speed spectral / Fourier domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging using a CMOS line scan camera with acquisition rates of 70,000 - 312,500 axial scans per second is investigated. Several design configurations are presented to illustrate trade-offs between acquisition speed, sensitivity, resolution and sensitivity roll-off performance. We demonstrate: extended imaging range and improved sensitivity roll-off at 70,000 axial scans per second , high speed and ultrahigh resolution imaging at 106,382 axial scans per second, and ultrahigh speed imaging at 250,000-312,500 axial scans per second. Each configuration is characterized through optical testing and the trade-offs demonstrated with in vivo imaging of the fovea and optic disk in the human retina. OCT fundus images constructed from 3D-OCT data acquired at 250,000 axial scans per second have no noticeable discontinuity of retinal features and show that there are minimal motion artifacts. The fine structures of the lamina cribrosa can be seen. Long cross sectional scans are acquired at 70,000 axial scans per second for imaging large areas of the retina, including the fovea and optic disk. Rapid repeated imaging of a small volume (4D-OCT) enables time resolved visualization of the capillary network surrounding the INL and may show individual red blood cells. The results of this study suggest that high speed CMOS cameras can achieve a significant improvement in performance for ophthalmic imaging. This promises to have a powerful impact in clinical applications by improving early diagnosis, reproducibility of measurements and enabling more sensitive assessment of disease progression or response to therapy.


To better understand sensitive situations in children's lives, it is important to engage them in research. This article reports the initial findings of a study on children's grief. Grief map data were collected during interviews with 8‐ to 9‐year‐old children (N = 22). The aim was to explore children's perceptions of the family and close relationships that help them in moments of grief, and the relationships related to the cause of these emotions. The grief maps were analysed using content and thematic analyses. The results of the study demonstrate the deeply relational nature of children's grief.


Special power optical cable OPGW accounted for 90% applications of main network optical cable. OPGW directly affect the operation and maintenance management level security and stability,OPGW defect treatment needs to have the appropriate cable spare,but also affect the number of OPGW the operation threshold probability and investment protection effectiveness. Through the statistical analysis of Guangdong Power Grid fault data of OPGW history,this article mainly analysis the probability of failure OPGW with corresponding fault distribution function,and protection by the failure probability distribution function is compared to determine the number of fixed OPGW spare. This approach helps to achieve a reasonable fixed OPGW spare,save investment,improve operation and maintenance management.


Tunable, optical microcavities (MC) gain more and more importance for display, laser or other optical applications. The setup of dielectric elastomer actuators (DEA) enables a simple integration of an optical cavity, since reflective electrodes can confine a cavity that is filled with a transparent elastomer. Applying a voltage to the electrodes leads to squeezing of the elastomer and, due to the cavity thickness decrease, the resonator modes of interfering light changes. In this work we present an electrically tunable, optical MC based on ultra-soft poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS). The PDMS gel is coated on a glass substrate with a distributed Bragg reflector, an ITO bottom electrode and a flexible, highly reflective metal electrode and mirror on top. The usage of an ultra-soft PDMS gel, with a storage modulus of about 1kPa, allows to decrease the operating voltage down to a few hundred or even several ten volts. The critical step of fabrication is the metallization of the PDMS gel layer that requires a previous oxidizing surface activation to gain reflective and conductive silver based layers on top. Therefore, the effects of oxygen plasma and UV/ozone treatment on PDMS and the created metal layer were investigated intensively. The performance of the electrically tunable, optical MC is tremendously dependent from an adequate surface activation and structuring of the top electrodes considering the mirror displacement and activation voltage. Here we could show that tunable MCs based on oxygen plasma activated PDMS show a homogenous and high thickness decrease up to 70% at 200V.


Background: Amid the COVID-19 period and lockdowns, medical education has witnessed major changes. Shifting from face-to-face offline education to online education in such an important branch of education dealing with human lives and serving mankind is really very challenging. In this distance learning process, student satisfaction is important and prediction of their satisfaction and other important parameters will help in improving the online system of medical education. Objective: To evaluate students' perception about distance learning education based on different domains given in the Distance learning Education Environment survey scale. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among first-year and final-year MBBS students of the Institute of Medical Sciences, BHU. The total number of students who participated in the study was 123. The Distance Education Learning Environments Survey (DELES) scale which was validated for higher education by Scott L was used. The domain represents instructor support (D1), student interaction and collaboration (D2), personal relevance (D3), authentic learning (D4), active learning (D5), student autonomy (D6), and student satisfaction in distance learning process (D7). Results: The mean and standard deviation for each domain of the DELES were calculated. For instructor support, the mean was 25.9 for first-year students and 21.3 for final-year students. For the domain of authentic learning, the mean score was low, i.e. 15.7, for the first year and 13.3 for the final year. In the learning domain for the question about students satisfaction, the mean score was 19.8 for first-year students and 17.9 for final-year students. Conclusion: The finding of this study indicated that the majority of students were satisfied with instructor's support and personal relevance of the online learning classes, but were unsatisfied with opportunities of student interaction and group discussion, which is essential in medical education.


Shear driven patterning is seen in many soft matter systems. We use rheology and optical microscopy to probe the structures formed when we shear a colloid-polymer mixture containing temperature-sensitive microgel particles. By increasing the temperature, we can increase the particle attraction and transition from liquid-like to gel-like behavior. And by applying shear flow to the sample as the temperature and, hence, state of the system changes, we can affect the morphology of mesoscopic colloidal clusters. We can produce gels comprised of fibrous, elongated colloid-dense clusters, or we can form more isotropic clusters. The rheology is measured and shear-induced flocculation observed for colloid-polymer systems with different cluster morphologies. At shear rates high enough to produce elongated clusters but low enough to not break clusters apart, we observe log-like flocs that are aligned with the vorticity direction and roll between the parallel plates of our rheometer.


Despite the recent proliferation of trans representation in popular culture, transmasculine individuals have not received the same level of representation as transfeminine persons. Through a critical discourse analysis of selected media, this paper aims to highlight the dearth of positive, intersectional transmasculine representation in Western media and culture. The ways in which transmasculine individuals may both benefit from and be subjected by the patriarchal structure of Western society will be explored alongside a critique of how transmasculine persons are constructed by popular media. This paper will explore the ways in which the dominant culture of hegemonic masculinity affects the visibility of transmasculine identities and how they fit within these gendered systems of power. This work seeks to problematize these popular constructions and identify ways in which transmasculinity is systematically delegitimized, allowing for the identification of notable gaps in the provision of social and support services.


IoT connects billions of devices with each other in the smart world. In order to exchange very large amount of information amongst billions of devices massive energy is required. Green IoT is inspired by reducing the energy consumption of IoT devices achieving a sustainable IoT environment. The UAE government wants to ensure a highly sustainable development also preserving the environment, and achieve a perfect balance between social and economic development. In order to do this the UAE Vision 2021 tells that the main agenda is to focus on improving the quality of air, preserving water resources, increasing the contribution of clean energy and implementing green growth plans [14]. In this research paper, an overview of Green IoT is discussed, followed by the statistical analysis of IoT and sustainability in the U.A.E., Green IoT technologies and the challenges faced.


ABSTRACT Among 40 Escherichia coli urine isolates from renal transplant recipients (Galveston, TX, 2003 to 2005), sequence type ST131 (O25:H4) was highly prevalent (representing 35% of isolates overall and 60% of fluoroquinolone-resistant isolates), virulent appearing, antimicrobial resistant (but extended-spectrum-cephalosporin susceptible), and associated with black race. Pulsotypes were diverse; some were linked to other locales. ST131 emerged significantly during the study period. These findings suggest that E. coli ST131 may constitute an important new multidrug-resistant threat to renal transplant recipients.


Use of compounds derived from bis-benzamidinios as fluorogenic agents for signaling specific sequences of dsDNA. The present invention relates to the use of a group of compounds derived from propamidinapentamidina, possessing 4-aminobenzamidinios groups in its structure, as fluorogenic agents recognizing DNA sequences due to its ability to bind the minor groove of DNA.


Abstract Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodias) typically prey upon fish and other aquatic organisms, and they occasionally take small mammals and birds. We observed a Great Blue Heron attack, kill, and attempt to consume an Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis). The heron was unable to swallow the grebe, and it abandoned the carcass after approximately 30 min. An examination of the carcass showed that the grebe lacked obvious physical deformities. Our observation, coupled with a similar one nearby, indicates that Great Blue Herons attack and kill birds larger than reported previously.


Through analysis for the performance features of laser crystal end-pumped by a diode laser, a quadrate laser crystal thermal model is established. In the thermal model, some characteristics, such as axially symmetrical heated crystal with a fixed boundary temperature, are considered. Based on thermal conductive equation, the analytical solutions for the interior temperature field of laser crystal and the thermal distortion field of pump-face are obtained. The study shows that when the pump power is 18W and the diameter of pump spot is 0.4mm, the pump-face of 0.5 % concentration Nd:YVO4 crystal can obtain 267.6℃ maximal temperature raise and has 6.2μm maximal thermal distortion. The study for temperature fields and pump-face thermal distortions will offer a theoretical direction for solving thermal lens effect of laser crystal to improve laser performance.


The sacred grove at Igbo Olokun, located in Ile-Ife, Southwestern Nigeria, has long been known for the massive quantities of glass beads (fig. 1-4) present on the surface and in subsurface deposits. Overshadowed by the bravura terracotta and copper alloy sculptures of human heads that characterize the so-called Classic period (12th-15th century A.D.) of Ife's history, the glass materials at Igbo Olokun have received relatively cursory attention. Few of these materials have been described in ...


Severe dengue virus (DENV) infection is characterized by exacerbated inflammatory responses that lead to endothelial dysfunction and plasma leakage. We have recently demonstrated that Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) on blood monocytes senses DENV infection leading to endothelial activation. Here, we report that non-infectious immature DENV particles, which are released in large numbers by DENV-infected cells, drive endothelial activation via the TLR2 axis. We show that fully immature DENV particles induce a rapid, within 6 hours post-infection, inflammatory response in PBMCs. Furthermore, pharmacological blocking of TLR2/TLR6/CD14 and/or NF-kB prior to exposure of PBMCs to immature DENV reduces the initial production of inter alia TNF-α and IL-1β by monocytes and prevents endothelial activation. However, prolonged TLR2 block induces TNF-α production and leads to exacerbated endothelial activation, indicating that TLR2-mediated responses play an important role not only in the initiation but also the resolution of inflammation. Altogether, these data indicate that the maturation status of the virus has the potential to influence the kinetics and extent of inflammatory responses during DENV infection. Author Summary Severe dengue virus (DENV) infection is characterized by endothelial dysfunction leading to vascular permeability and plasma leakage. This is thought to be mediated by the exacerbated production of inflammatory mediators from cells of the innate immune system. We have previously demonstrated that Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), a pattern recognition receptor present on the surface of human monocytes, can sense DENV infection leading to the activation of the endothelium. Importantly, a large proportion of DENV particles is immature and are not readily infectious. Here we aimed to elucidate if and how these non-infectious immature DENV particles contribute to systemic inflammation. We evaluated if monocytes sense immature DENV and found that sensing of immature DENV induced early inflammatory responses in PBMCs. Pharmacological inhibition of TLR2/TLR6/CD14 and/or NF-κB prior to exposure to immature DENV demonstrates that this is the pathway leading to the early production inflammatory mediators and endothelial activation. However, prolonged inhibition of TLR2 induced the production of TNF-α and the subsequent activation of the endothelium, suggesting that TLR2-mediated responses play an important tole during both, initiation and resolution of inflammation. We propose that the maturation status of DENV in the human host can influence the extent and kinetics of the inflammatory responses during DENV infection.


The increasing acceptance of video games as learning tools has promoted new studies on how to include them in the teaching-learning process. An interesting trend is the use of modern webbased Learning Management Systems (LMS) as a delivery platform for games and the integration of the information that can be extracted from the game-play sessions into the already existing tracking and assessment tools of the LMS. However, while LMS are increasingly supporting advanced tracking and assessment features, current LMS and standards are not ready to track the students' activity in highly interactive content such as games. In this paper we present the integration of games created with the  educational gaming platform into Learning Activity Management System (LAMS). This integration allows teachers to use the information gathered during a game-play session to conduct the student through different activities of the learning plan or simply to collect more information that can be used for further assessment and tracking purposes.


Obtaining telemetry data from the optical signal without demodulation at intermediate nodes of optical networks can be achieved using optical spectrum analyzers. The information gained from the spectrum analysis can be further used for different applications, which include quality of transmission estimation (QoT). Accurate QoT estimation allows to maximize network capacity and minimize margins either through reconfiguration or during the deployment. Analytical solutions for QoT estimation require exact knowledge of the parameters (e.g. fiber lengths, attenuation, non-linearity coefficients), which are not always exactly known in practice especially in multi-vendor networks. Machine learning has shown to be able to handle such parameter-agnostic scenarios. In this paper, we experimentally compare different machine learning based QoT estimators to our developed spectral data driven estimators as well as comparing it to a new approach of using automated feature extraction from the spectrum by a variational autoencoder (VAE). The VAE-based estimation approach is experimentally validated and the required optical spectrum analyzer (OSA) resolutions are investigated. The spectral data driven estimators show to be superior regarding both R$^{2}$-score and mean absolute error. Furthermore, the automated feature extraction using the VAE is shown to be a suitable option for accurate optical performance monitoring without demodulation and QoT estimation.


An LFG treatment is proposed for the ?Big Mess? construction in English, in which under certain circumstances adjectival expressions appear before the determiner (as in ?that big a mess?), rather than in the normal position between the determiner and noun (?a very big mess?, compare ?*a that big mess?). Empirically, the analysis is superior in coverage to existing treatments.


This paper examines some conflicts between freedmen and their former owners in Bahia in the months following the abolition of slavery on May 13th, 1888. Some of these conflicts arose from the actions of former slave masters who refused to release their former slaves from captivity, in defiance of the law. Other conflicts are related to actions attributed to those who were emancipated by the Law of May 13th, including the looting and burning of plantations. The tensions that emerged around freedmen and the question of emancipation are interpreted as the expression of different expectations generated by the unconditional and sudden abolition of slavery. They are also understood as part of the disputes over the meaning of freedom in post-abolition Bahia


During the past five years scores of lawyers, political scientists, and news reporters have tried their hands at analysis of what we call, for want of a more accurate term, the Burger Court. More frequently than not, what comes through is an angry and apocalyptic tone. For many of the commentators, no news from the Burger Court is good news.' Judicial decision making, for the contemporary critics, is akin to sailing in a boundless and bottomless sea; there is neither harbor for shelter nor floor for anchorage, neither starting place nor appointed destination.2 Essentially, current literature is concerned with measuring the degree of erosion that the new cases inflict upon the edifice erected in the Warren years, as if the Warren construct were the ideal and should not be sullied by the tainted hands of Burger, Blackmun, Rehnquist, and Powell-and a Stevens come lately. We now have about 700 full opinions to view since Earl Warren retired, and although the professional and popular journals run to more than a million words on the subject, one can still take refuge in the advice of Justice Holmes who said that "we frequently need better understanding of the obvious rather than further investigation of the obscure." First, the Burger Court is more like than unlike the Warren Court; second,


This paper analyzes how producer cooperatives may bene t households in rural environments. In particular, it explores if cooperatives help poor households to exit poverty through three mechanisms: increases in prices, total factor productivity, and relaxation of credit constraints. In a multi-period model I characterize the conditions that must hold so that the always poor can exit poverty when participating in cooperatives. I test the implications of the model using the Ethiopian Rural Household Surveys (ERHS) from 1997, 1999, 2004 and 2009. Preliminary results indicate that although cooperatives have a positive impact increasing household's productivity, they have a negative e ect on the access to higher technologies.


ABSTRACT Pencak Silat is one of the traditional martial arts that originated from Indonesia. The parent of Pencak Silat organization in Indonesia is INDONESIAN PENCAK SILAT ASSOCIATION (IPSI). Pencak Silat is one of the most reliable sports branches at the International-scale Olympics. Proven at the ASEAN GAMES 2018 Olympics and then the Pencak Silat Sports Branch is one of the sports branch of the most gold medal with a total of 14 medals. With the increasingly tight competition of Pencak Silat Sports, the trainer desperately needs athletes who fit certain criteria in order to be reliable in a tournament. In this study aims to assist the trainer in selecting athletes that correspond to the criteria. Therefore, a decision support system is required to assist the trainer in selecting qualified athletes. In this research, using the Technique for Other Preference by Similarity To Ideal Solution method is used to advise athletes who are eligible to be contested according to the calculation result. Result system of decision support system with Topsis method of this research has been tested by Pencak Silat Trainer and produce the results of the selection that is expected by the trainer.


Eyewitnesses have a profound impact on jury verdicts. Although the testimony that eyewitnesses provide can be powerful, their identifications can be inaccurate, and such mistakes contribute to wrongful convictions. Two categories of variable affect the accuracy of eyewitness identifications: estimator and system variables. Estimator variables include characteristics of the witness, perpetrator, or witnessing conditions that are not under the control of the criminal justice system. System variables include characteristics of the investigation that may be controlled by the criminal justice system. This entry reviews the empirical evidence on the effects of both estimator and system variables on eyewitness accuracy.

Keywords:

eyewitnesses;
lineup administration;
social influence;
witness memory;
wrongful convictions;
eyewitness testimony;
memory


Purpose: A major obstacle in chemotherapy is treatment failure due to anticancer drug resistance. The emergence of acquired resistance results from host factors and genetic or epigenetic changes in the cancer cells. The purpose of this study was to identify differentially expressed genes associated with acquisition of resistance in human gastric cancer cells. Experimental Design: We performed global gene expression analysis in the acquired drug-resistant gastric cancer cell lines to the commonly used drugs 5-fluorouracil, doxorubicin, and cisplatin using Affymetrix HG-U133A microarray. The gene expression patterns of 10 chemoresistant gastric cancer cell lines were compared with those of four parent cell lines using fold-change and Wilcoxon's test for data analysis. Results: We identified over 250 genes differentially expressed in 5-fluorouracil-, cisplatin-, or doxorubicin-resistant gastric cancer cell lines. Our expression analysis also identified eight multidrug resistance candidate genes that were associated with resistance to two or more of the tested chemotherapeutic agents. Among these, midkine (MDK), a heparin-binding growth factor, was overexpressed in all drug-resistant cell lines, strongly suggesting that MDK might contribute to multidrug resistance in gastric cancer cells. Conclusions: Our investigation provides comprehensive gene information associated with acquired resistance to anticancer drugs in gastric cancer cells and a basis for additional functional studies.


Relationship between chemical composition of cast iron and properties of flake graphite occurring in hypoeutectic and eutectic nickelmanganese-copper cast iron was determined. The research covered over 60 alloys of cast iron containing 1.6 to 4.1 % C, 1.3 to 2.8 % Si, 2.4 to 10.5 % Ni, 0.2 to 8.2 % Mn, 0.1 to 3.5 % Cu, 0.14 to 0.17 % P and 0.02 to 0.04 % S. Evolution of graphite properties with changing eutecticity degree of the examined cast iron is presented. For selected castings, histograms of eutectic graphite colonies are presented, showing numbers of graphite precipitates in individual size ranges and their shape described by the coefficient [, defined as the ratio of a graphite precipitate area to square of its circumference. Statistical evaluation of individual elements influence on graphite properties will be presented in part 2 of the work.


The electronic structure of ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{\mathrm{x}}$O (x\ensuremath{\simeq}0.95) has been studied by photoemission spectroscopy using synchrotron radiation. Fe 3d character in the valence band is found to extend over a wide energy range from the top of the valence band to the satellite region, \ensuremath{\sim}15 eV below it. On the basis of resonant photoemission results, the main band is assigned to ${d}^{6}$L screened final states (L represents a ligand hole) while the satellite is assigned to ${d}^{5}$-like final states, though hybridization or overlap between these two groups of final states is stronger than in the case of ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$.


A systematic study on importance of image processing and its applications to the field of computer vision is carried out in this paper. An image is defined as an array, or a matrix, of square pixels (elements of picture) arranged in rows and columns. Image processing is a procedure of converting an image into digital form and carry out some operation on it, in order to get an improved image and take out several helpful information from it. Mathematically image processing is defined as the processing of a two dimensional picture by a computer i.e., an image is defined as a function of two real variables, like t(x, y) with an amplitude such as brightness of an image at the coordinate point (a, b). The outcome of image processing can be an image or a set of features or characteristics related to the image. Most image processing methods treats an image as a two-dimensional signal and implementing standard signalprocessing techniques to it. The goal of this operation can be divided into 3 categories. Firstly image processing in which input is an image and output is also an image; secondly image analysis in which input is an image and output are the dimensions or measurements. Finally image understanding in which input is an image and output is the standard description of an image. Some of the important applications of image processing in the field of science and technology include computer vision, remote sensing, feature extraction, face detection, forecasting, optical character recognition, finger-print detection, optical sorting, argument reality, microscope imaging, lane departure caution system, Non-photorealistic representation, medical image processing, and morphological imaging.


Platelets store more than 20 growth factors in their granules. Their secretion promotes wound healing and repair. The intricate wound healing process involve...


Some patients spend too long with ambulance crews before being handed over to emergency department staff, and others experience delays in being seen by a doctor or nurse in the department, a survey of nearly 40 000 users has found.

The 2014 survey of emergency departments in England1 found some improvements in how patients rated their experiences. For example, 77% said that staff "definitely" listened to them, up from 75% in 2012; 75% "definitely" had confidence and trust in doctors and nurses, up from 73%; and 44% said that staff fully informed them about danger signals to watch …


Geophysical logging application was incorporated for the perusal of the groundwater analysis. The study area involves the parts of the Saket area, situated in the Indian capital Delhi. For the purpose of study VES(vertical electrical sounding) method was adopted to reach to desired analysis. The study carries the objective of an analysis of the condition of groundwater along with the investigation of the geological situation. Abem Terrameter SAS-300c system with the with Geomac II, ABEM SAS log200 system with Geomac III were used in the study to perform the VES of the Schlumberger configuration along with the tubewell geophysical logging. Lithological investigation of the tubewell depicts the presence of alluvial topsoil, Badarpur sand, fractured and weathered rock along with the sandy silt and silty sand for subsurface of soil. Also, the presence of four geoelectric layer found. In these layers the fourth layer that is observed at a depth range from 15 ft to 450 ft, were found with the aquifer and 50 to 2000 Ωm resistivity were observed for this layer consisting aquifer. Geophysical logging analysis depicts the observation results for total dissolved solid in aquifer as 430 ppm. the obtained limit of TDS is found to be in standard limits, as the standard limit is 500 ppm set for the potable water by standard organization of India. Ground water development is found to be feasible for the fourth layer, since the layer is observed as potential non-conductive zone in the study area.


Membrane technology has long been applied for waste water treatment industries due to its numerous advantages compared to other conventional processes. However, the biggest challenge in pressure driven membrane process is membrane fouling. Fouling decreases the productivity and efficiency of the filtration, reduces the lifespan of the membrane and reduces the overall efficiency of water treatment processes. In this study, a novel membrane material is developed for water filtration. The developed membrane incorporates silica nanoparticles mainly to improve its structural properties. Membranes with different loadings of silica nanoparticles were applied in this study. The result shows an increase in clean water permeability and filterability of the membrane for treating activated sludge, microalgae solution, secondary effluent and raw sewage as feed. Adding silica into the membrane matrix does not significantly alter contact angle and membrane pore size. We believe that silica acts as an effective pore forming agent that increases the number of pores without significantly altering the pore sizes. A higher number of small pores on the surface of the membrane could reduce membrane fouling because of a low specific loading imposed to individual pores.Membrane technology has long been applied for waste water treatment industries due to its numerous advantages compared to other conventional processes. However, the biggest challenge in pressure driven membrane process is membrane fouling. Fouling decreases the productivity and efficiency of the filtration, reduces the lifespan of the membrane and reduces the overall efficiency of water treatment processes. In this study, a novel membrane material is developed for water filtration. The developed membrane incorporates silica nanoparticles mainly to improve its structural properties. Membranes with different loadings of silica nanoparticles were applied in this study. The result shows an increase in clean water permeability and filterability of the membrane for treating activated sludge, microalgae solution, secondary effluent and raw sewage as feed. Adding silica into the membrane matrix does not significantly alter contact angle and membrane pore size. We believe that silica acts as an effective pore form...


The present invention relates to a soluble and stable anti-VEGF immunobinder comprising CDRs from rabbit monoclonal antibodies. Said antibodies are designed for the diagnosis and / or treatment of VEGF-mediated disorders. Also disclosed are hybridomas, nucleic acids, vectors, and host cells for expressing the recombinant antibodies of the invention, methods for isolating them, and the use of said antibodies in medicine. In one aspect, the present invention provides an immunobinder suitable for binding to VEGF and thus blocking the function of VEGF in vivo. The CDRs of these immunobinders are derived from rabbit anti-VEGF monoclonal antibodies obtained from rabbits immunized with human VEGF and / or fragments thereof (SEQ ID NO: 1).


Ledum glandulosum extends northward from Western United States into southern British Columbia in and east of the Cascade Range and into extreme SE British Columbia and SW Alberta in the Rocky Mts. Further north, within the range of L. groenlandicum but beyond that of L. glandulosum, hybrids between the two species occur, notably in and near Banff National Park, indicating that L. glandulosum formerly extended further north. The hybrids form an irregular swarm among typical L. groenlandicum rather than a cline; for this reason, and because of numerous morphological and other distinctions, the taxa are maintained as species. L. groenlandicum and L. palustre ssp. decumbens overlap in Alaska, Yukon, and Mackenzie in a belt up to 700 miles wide. Six definite hybrids were detected out of ca. 300 specimens from the sympatric zone, and ca. 30 specimens showed signs of probable minor introgression. The marked sympatry with minimal hybridization makes it necessary to maintain L. groenlandicum at specific rank. A ru...


This special issue explores novel concepts and practices with a long-term goal of fully automated life-style fostered by the technological advances of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in wide spectrum of applications. We invite authors from both industry and academia to submit original research and review articles that cover the design, implementation, and optimization with the specific focus on models, protocols, and optimization algorithms in the following topics (but not limited to):


In this article we wish to report on the commissioning of the SU5 undulator-based beamline, whose primary scientific goal deals with high-resolution spectroscopy and photon-induced dynamics in the vacuum ultraviolet range on dilute species. In order to achieve such a scientific program, we have conceived an original optical design, centered around a 6.65 m off-plane Eagle monochromator equipped with two gratings (2400 and 4300 l/mm) illuminated by an astigmatic prefocusing optical system. The different components of the actual beamline, such as the optical elements, their holders/manipulators and the monochromator are described, with a special emphasis on critical aspects such as the mechanical resolution and stability, the vibrations limitations, and the thermal stability. Then, a spectral calibration procedure of the monochromator is described, followed by the presentation of the measured performances of the beamline in terms of ultimate resolution and flux. Owing to a gas phase ion yield experiment on rare gases, we have been able to measure a raw linewidth of 184 µeV at 21.61 eV (18s line of Ne) corresponding to a resolving power of 117 000 and a raw (respectively, lifetime-deconvoluted) linewidth of 119 µeV (respectively, 76 µeV) at 15.82 eV (13s line of Ar) corresponding to a raw resolving power of 133 000 (respectively, 208 000). The ultimate targeted 105 resolving power is therefore observed on most of the VUV range, which corresponds to an unprecedented performance. The measured photon flux in a 1/50 000 bandwidth is in reasonable agreement with the expected values lying in the 1010–109 photon/s range over the VUV range. These very satisfactory performances, with a slit-limited resolution down to about 15 µm slits aperture, are due to the special care which has been paid at both the conception and construction stages concerning critical issues such as the optical and mechanical design, the vibrations, the driving/encoding system, and the slope errors of the gratings.


In feeds recommendation, users are able to constantly browse items generated by never-ending feeds using mobile phones. The implicit feedback from users is an important resource for learning to rank, however, building ranking functions from such observed data is recognized to be biased. The presentation of the items will influence the user's judgements and therefore introduces biases. Most previous works in the unbiased learning to rank literature focus on position bias (i.e., an item ranked higher has more chances of being examined and interacted with). By analyzing user behaviors in product feeds recommendation, in this paper, we identify and introduce context bias, which refers to the probability that a user interacting with an item is biased by its surroundings, to unbiased learning to rank. We propose an Unbiased Learning to Rank with Combinational Propensity (ULTR-CP) framework to remove the inherent biases jointly caused by multiple factors. Under this framework, a context-aware position bias model is instantiated to estimate the unified bias considering both position and context biases. In addition to evaluating propensity score estimation approaches by the ranking metrics, we also discuss the evaluation of the propensities directly by checking their balancing properties. Extensive experiments performed on a real e-commerce data set collected from JD.com verify the effectiveness of context bias and illustrate the superiority of ULTR-CP against the state-of-the-art methods.


The United States Armed Forces have been a major source of Mechanics/AMTs (Aviation Maintenance Technicians) for the civil aviation industry from its beginnings. There is a need to provide more A&P (Airframe and Powerplant) certificated AMTs to meet the growing shortage in civil aviation. In recent years, the process of qualifying military personnel to become FAA A&P certificated has not been maintained nor updated. The FAA did not always have current Military Occupation Specialty Code (MOS, AFSC, Rate) information. This made it increasingly difficult for the Flight Standards District Offices (FSDOs) to issue authorization for military personnel to take certification testing based upon their military experience. The perception of both the FAA and the civilian aviation community was that military aviation maintenance had become very specialized in both training and personnel assignments. None of the military services had taken definitive action to change this impression or to provide current occupational code information for the FAA. Though attempts were made in the past to remedy the situation by developing an all branch military experience/qualification process for A&P certification, none were successful.


The content of this thesis report is based on the bounds of the base size of affine type primitive permutation groups, the bound was conjectured by Pyber and later was proved by Akos Seress. The the primary focus of this thesis is to understand the basic idea and the proof given by Akos Seress.


A S-adenosyl-L-methionine:eriodictyol 4'-O-methyltransferase (4'-OMT) was partially purified from Citrus aurantium by precipitation with ammonium sulfate and gel permeation chromatography. The molecular mass of the OMT was estimated to 52 kDa. The optimum pH was about 7.5. The enzyme was activated by Mg 2+ and by EDTA. The activation by Mg 2+ is saturable with a Ka of 18 μM. The Km for eriodictyol and S-adenosylmethionine were 141 and 86 μM, respectively. S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine inhibits the methylation of eriodictyol by S-adenosyl-L-methionine. This inhibition is non competitive for eriodictyol and S-adenosyl-L-methionine. Furthermore, the evolution of 4'-OMT activity during the development of leaves, flower buds and fruits of C. aurantium was studied and compared with the accumulation of total and 4'-methoxyflavonoids


Magnesium (Mg) is the most essential element constituent in chlorophyll molecules that regulates photosynthesis processes. The physiological response of 'Superior Seedless' grapes was evaluated under different foliar magnesium fertilization such as sulfate magnesium (MgSO4·7 H2O), magnesium disodium EDTA (Mg-EDTA), and magnesium nanoparticles (Mg-NPs) during the berry development stages (flowering, fruit set, veraison, and harvest). In general, the 'Superior Seedless' vine had a higher performance in photosynthesis with Mg-NPs application than other forms. The Fy/Fm ratio declined rapidly after the fruit set stage; then, it decreased gradually up until the harvesting stage. However, both MgSO4 and Mg-EDTA forms showed slight differences in Fv/Fm ratio during the berry development stages. The outcomes of this research suggest that the Fv/Fm ratio during the growth season of the 'Superior Seedless' vine may be a good tool to assess magnesium fertilization effects before visible deficiency symptoms appear. Mg-NPs are more effective at improving 'Superior Seedless' berry development than the other magnesium forms. These findings suggest that applying foliar Mg-NPs to vines grown on salinity-sandy soil alleviates the potential Mg deficiency in 'Superior Seedless' vines and improves bunches quality.


The modifications of radial temperature profile for the Te-Solvent crystal growing furnace, improved growing liquid-solid interface, then obtained the high compositional uniformity single crystal of Hg1 - xCdxTe. The radial compositional uniformity achieved±0.003 mol.CdTe, and can meet the requirements of Infrared Focus Panel Array Detectors. This result is tested by Slice Evaluation Spectrometer.


A limiting factor in the production of cultivated rubber can be attributed to leaf disease. High technology in application is required to the control of foliar diseases of rubber (South American Leaf Blight caused by Microcyc/us ulei, Leaf Wither caused by Phytophthora spp. and Target Leaf Spot caused by Thanatephorus cucumeris). This is doe to the fact that large areas need to be treated within a period of one week (10 or more applications per season) to trees of about 20 meters in height and where access to ground machinery is very difficult. Either aerial spraying with rotary wing aircraft or thermal fogging, in principie, appears to offer a practical solution. However, the availibility of helicopters and then high operational costs limit its use. Whereas thermal fogging, a new technique for disease control still needs to be proveneffective. From 1974 several papers have been published about thermal fogging and its performance. However. they did not prove that thennal fogging is suitable for leaf disease control. Some aspects interfere in thennal fogging operations: varying wind speed, weather, small droplet size and inadequate target position (leaf 14 days old). Because of these application by thermal fogging in field conditions and under controled conditions gave inconstant results suggesting ineffective control. Key-words: Hevea spp., disease, chemical control, thermal fogging.