INTRODUCTION: More than 900,000 Americans suffer articular cartilage injuries each year. Patients under 40 years of age with full-thickness defects account for up to 5% of arthroscopies. Treatment options include autologous chondrocyte implantation, osteochondral (autograft and allograft) grafting, microfracture, and arthroplasty. Osteochondral allografts are frequently used, either after being frozen or while relatively fresh following storage at 4C in tissue culture conditions, in the management of large (greater than 2 cm) osteochondral defects. Recently, a prolonged-fresh preservation process has been developed (14-28 day storage) to extend the availability and viability of fresh allografts; but limited data exists outside of cell viability staining. Furthermore, there are a number of questions that must be answered in order to optimize the technique and increase the use of osteochondral grafting as a procedure to improve cartilage repair and delay the development of post-traumatic osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of proinflammatory cytokines on the metabolism and survival of chondrocytes obtained from prolonged-fresh osteochondral allografts as compared to fresh chondrocytes obtained from age-matched human organ donors. Our hypotheses were: 1) the metabolism of refrigerated prolonged-fresh osteochondral allografts will be lower than that of the fresh cartilage obtained from organ and tissue donors and 2) cell survival within the graft is compromised by exposure to acute inflammatory mediators (modeling the biology present at the time of surgery) potentially impairing metabolic activity of graft chondrocytes. METHODS: Nine prolonged-fresh osteochondral allograft specimens previously refrigerated for 14-28 days were collected at the time of osteochondral allograft surgery and six fresh hemicondyles were obtained from normal donors within 24 hours of death through the Gift of Hope Organ and Tissue Donor Network. Cartilage was shaved off the bone and 4mm tissue explants were removed by a standard 4mm biopsy punch. Samples were then cultured in media containing 10% fetal bovine serum and divided into the following treatment groups: 1) Culture control (serum only), 2) IL-1β (0.1ng/ml), 3) IL-6 (3ng/ml), 4) IL-1β (0.1ng/ml) + IL-6 (3ng/ml), 5) IL-1β (10ng/ml), 6) IL-1β (10ng/ml) + IL-6 (3ng/ml). IL-6 soluble receptor (5ng/ml) was added to all cultures containing IL-6. Doses of cytokines were determined based on their levels in synovial fluid at the time of surgery of patients undergoing allograft transplantation. Treatment was administered every other day. Prior to initiation of treatment, all explants were kept in culture media for 5 days to allow cells to adapt to the culture and reach a steady state. Tissue and media samples were collected on days 0, 2, 7, and 14. Cell viability (live/dead assay), apoptosis (Tunel assay), histological appearance with Safranin O staining and modified Mankin score, proteoglycan (PG) synthesis and content (normalized to wet weight) were used to analyze cartilage survival and metabolism. Allograft and fresh samples were compared using a paired t-test. Results were considered significant if the p value was less than 0.05. RESULTS: At day zero, the viability of prolonged-fresh allograft chondrocytes was 24% lower and they contained 29% more apoptotic cells than fresh chondrocytes (p<0.05) (Fig. 1) Treatment with cytokines did not further induce significant cell death or apoptosis in prolonged-fresh allograft cartilage. However, in fresh cartilage, treatment with high dose IL-1 (10ng/ml) alone or in combination with IL-6 showed a significant decrease in chondrocyte viability by day 14 (decreases of 34% and 43% respectively, p<0.05 and p=0.05) as well as a significant increase in the percentage of apoptotic cells (increases of 38% and 43% respectively, p=0.05 and p<0.05), when compared to day 0 control. (Fig. 2) Fresh chondrocytes showed 2.5 times greater PG synthesis (p<0.05) and only half as much release of PGs into the media (p<0.01) when compared to prolonged-fresh allograft chondrocytes at day 0. However, fresh chondrocytes were more susceptible to cytokine treatments: by day 14 high dose IL-1 alone or combined with IL-6 inhibited PG synthesis by more than 8-fold (p<0.02) vs 4-fold in allograft cells (p<0.02) and induced higher PG release, which resulted in higher Mankin score for fresh cartilage (1.3 vs 3.0, p<0.04). Treatment with lower doses of cytokines did not significantly alter cartilage metabolism in either the fresh or allograft tissue. DISCUSSION: The primary purpose of this study was to determine the effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines on the viability and metabolism of chondrocytes obtained from prolonged-fresh osteochondral allografts as compared to fresh chondrocytes. Two-week cultures of prolonged-fresh allograft cartilage in the presence of 10% serum did not enhance cell death, apoptosis, or matrix depletion. It also did not inhibit PG synthesis suggesting that allograft tissue may survive additional storage time without further significant impairment of its viability, structural integrity, and metabolic activity. Treatment with IL-6 or low dose IL-1, mimicking a mild inflammatory environment did not cause additional stress to prolonged-fresh allograft tissue and did not induce cell death, apoptosis, matrix depletion, or inhibition of PG synthesis. Only high levels of IL-1 alone or in combination with IL-6 induced cell death, apoptosis, matrix degradation, enhanced depletion of PGs, and strongly inhibited PG synthesis. However, these changes were less dramatic than in fresh cartilage suggesting that the prolonged-fresh osteochondral allograft process may provide some degree of protection against the catabolic effects of the inflammatory process. The main limitations of our studies are the variability amongst human cartilage samples and an in vitro approach which may not directly mirror in vivo animal studies with longer-term follow-up. In conclusion, osteochondral allografts remain the best treatment option for young patients with larger cartilage defects (greater than 2 cm). Higher concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines have less impact on prolonged-fresh osteochondral allograft tissue compared to fresh cartilage tissue in terms of cartilage metabolism and survival. This supports the ongoing use of prolonged-fresh osteochondral allograft tissue despite initially lower amounts of cell viability compared to fresh allograft tissue. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: A special thanks to the tissue and donor organ network, joint restoration foundation, and Dr. Arkady Margulis for tissue procurement. REFERENCES: 1) Allen et al. Am J Sports Med. 2005; 33:1479-84. 2) Ball et al. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2004;418:246-52. 3) Curl et al. Arthroscopy 1997;13:456-60. 4) Williams et al. J Orthop Res 2005;23:831-7. 5) Williams et al. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2003;85:2111-20. Poster No. 1975 • ORS 2011 Annual Meeting


The public economic policy debate often touches on the issue of the federal budget deficit. Proposals for legal budget-balancing measures often make the stage. But the proponents often fail to account for the economic policy consequences of their proposals. A constitutional amendment to mandate a balanced budget could easily become a vehicle for tax increases, even if states, run by fiscal conservatives, are given a say in the federal budget process.


We have fabricated a novel 8 kV light-triggered power thyristor with integrated overvoltage self-protection. The light-sensitivity was improved by a special groove structure. Four amplifying gate-stages together with an integrated currentlimiting resistor guarantee a safe and homogeneous turn-on behavior. An improvement of the dynamic and static power losses could be obtained by a local lifetime reduction and by a decrease of the penetration depths of the blocking pn-junctions.


ABSTRACT Shellfish poaching is an act of noncompliance with the laws that regulate fisheries governance. In this paper we explored if compliance with shellfishing laws among Galician licensed shellfish-gatherers (NW Spain) is voluntary or motivated by coercive factors. The results reveal that in those communities with a greater degree of compliance, licensed shellfish-gatherers do not poach and comply with the rules voluntarily. The conditions in these communities favor the co-management of resources in such a way that the participation of gatherers in the governance processes, internal cooperation, self-government capacity or participation in enforcement are significantly greater than in communities where there is no compliance. Furthermore, we have explored the perception of the shellfish-gatherers to minimize poaching in their communities. The interviewees distinguished two types of poachers, depending on whether they belong to the shellfishing industry or not. We made recommendations regarding policy to reduce poaching, which combine coercive and normative strategies.


Older adults are assumed to change their affect states in reaction to positive and negative stimuli across the life span. However, little is known about the impact of success and failure events on age-related changes in affect states and, particularly, in self-esteem levels. To fill this gap in the literature, in the present study changes in affect and self-esteem in 100 young (19–30 years) and 102 older adults (65–81 years) were assessed after participants experienced success and failure in a demanding cognitive task. Overall, the success-failure manipulation induced changes on affect states and on state self-esteem, not on trait self-esteem. Regarding age differences, older and young adults were affected to the same extent by experiences of successes and failures. Theoretical considerations of the empirical findings are provided in the general discussion.


As the field of peace-building has moved away from top-down models of intervention, there has been renewed interest in the subject of knowledge production. Engaging with questions about what is mea...


A group of psychiatrists and mental health staff from many of the new entrants to the European Community and from candidate countries as well as from the UK met in Luton, Bedfordshire on 17 and 18 September 2004 to discuss early intervention in psychotic illness. At the end of the conference, the


Mortality from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) has reduced by 50%‐85% globally. Despite improvements from 1990 to 2009, the Irish SIDS rate has plateaued. Reasons for this are unclear, but may be related to a reduced parental SIDS awareness. Our study aimed to assess intentions regarding infant sleeping practices in mothers in Ireland.


Abstract : Air-pollution regulations in California are requiring the U.S. Navy and the private sector to develop new types of coating specifications and paints to meet California Air-Pollution regulations and volatile organic compounds (VOC) requirements. The progress made in these areas and the impact of these regulations upon Navy operations are discussed.


Abstract Background Degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (DLSS) is an important cause of pain and disability among the elderly and common indication for spinal surgery. However, due to age-related comorbidities, it becomes difficult for elderly patients of DLSS to immediately go for operative treatment. Caudal epidural steroid injection (CESI) can be an effective procedure for a selected group of patients who have chronic function-limiting lower back and lower extremity pain secondary to DLSS. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of CESI with physical therapy in patients afflicted with DLSS. Materials and Methods It is a single center, open-label randomized controlled trial conducted in department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at a tertiary care center of northern India from January 2016 to August 2017 among DLSS patients. Trial was registered under the clinical trial registry of India. Patients were randomized in two groups–32 in intervention group A (CESI with local anesthetic and physical therapy) and 32 in control group B (physical therapy alone). Outcome measures were numerical pain rating scale (NPRS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), and mean claudication distance (MCD) at 3, 6, 12, and 24 weeks. Results NPRS and ODI showed significant improvement at 3, 6, 12, and 24 weeks (group A >> group B). Improvement in MCD was seen at each follow-up from baseline (group A >> group B). Conclusion Caudal epidural steroid administration can ameliorate pain, disability and claudication distance in DLSS patients, which provides them a window period for further definitive management.


Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT) are ideally suited to agnostic genome-wide association methods because of their known high heritability and homogeneous cell of origin. Here we report the most updated results from the international Testicular Cancer Consortium (TECAC) that extends published findings from our recent meta-analysis, which included 3,558 cases and 13,970 controls from five centers. To these existing samples, we added summary statistics from 300 cases and 151,991 controls provided by deCODE combined with imputed genotypes from an additional 5,602 cases and 5,006 controls assembled from 15 TECAC centers, almost all (97%) of which were centrally genotyped using the Illumina Human Core array. A total of 9,458 TGCT cases were included in our current meta-analysis, representing a 66% increase since our last publication. We identified 14 new and confirmed 41 previously reported loci that surpassed genome-wide significance (5 × 10-8). Fifteen previously reported loci did not reach this threshold, although one did so in subgroup analysis. In addition, 57 new loci attained nominal significance (5 × 10-8 ≤ p ≤ 1 × 10-5). As expected, a substantial proportion of top hits continue to map to genetic regions belonging to biological pathways essential to male germ cell development, sex determination, and chromosomal segregation. For example, newly identified genes include anaphase promoting complex subunit 2 (ANAPC2), BCL2 like 11 (BCL211), anti-Mullerian hormone receptor type 2 (AMHR2), and DEP domain containing mTOR interacting protein (DEPTOR). Our findings also further implicate genes located on the X chromosome, specifically the androgen receptor (AR). In analyses stratified by tumor subtype, we identified GATA-binding protein 4 (GATA4) as a susceptibility locus among men diagnosed with seminoma. Despite a similar effect size observed among men diagnosed solely with non-seminoma (i.e. excluding cases with a mixture of both seminoma and non-seminoma tumors), this marker did not surpass genome-wide significance in this subtype likely because of the smaller case sample size. GATA4 previously has been associated with overall risk of TGCT (Litchfield et al., Nat Genet. 2017). Biological mechanisms for all genome-wide significant loci are currently being explored using publicly available data sets, ATAC-seq of four TGCT cell lines, and SPATIaL-Seq (a novel high-resolution chromatin conformation capture (3C) assay) of the NTERA2 pluripotent human embryonal carcinoma cell line. Additional genotyping of top hits in an independent sample set of 1,103 TGCT cases and 1,210 controls is currently ongoing. Citation Format: Louise C. Pyle, John Pluta, Kevin T. Nead, Nandita Mitra, Javier Benitez, D. Timothy Bishop, Victoria Cortessis, Alberto Ferlin, Jourik Gietema, Mark Greene, Tom Grotmol, Ramneek Gupta, Rob Hamilton, Michelle A. Hildebrandt, Trine B. Haugen, Lambertus Kiemeney, Christian Kubisch, Davor Lessel, Paloma Martin, Thorunn Rafnar, Lorenzo Richiardi, Rolf Skotheim, Clare Turnbull, Fredrik Wiklund, Tongzhang Zheng, Ewa Rajpert-De Meyts, Stephen M. Schwartz, Katherine A. McGlynn, Peter A. Kanetsky, Katherine L. Nathanson, Testicular Cancer Consortium (TECAC). Identification of 14 novel genetic loci for testicular germ cell tumor susceptibility [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2684.


This paper presents main parameters, technical specifications and characteristics of the DQJ point-line meshing gear series reducer. It feafures one fo two class higher in load power, 5 to 10 dB(A) lower in noise, one time higher in speed ratio and higher repeat use rate than the QJ reducer. With easy manufacture and no increase in cost, the DQJ reducer can substitute the ZQ and QJ reducers.


SINCE Schilder's description of "Encephalitis periaxialis diffusa," the study of a fairly great number of cases has led to the general acceptance of this histologically well-characterized picture as an early stage of diffuse sclerosis. It is evident that for elucidation of the pathogenesis of this disease knowledge of its early stages is required. So far only a single case with a fulminating course and fatal outcome has been described (Case 3 of Stewart, Greenfield, and Blandy 1 ). The case to be reported here was characterized also by a fulminating course and seems important to the general aspect of the pathogenesis and classification of Schilder's disease. REPORT OF A CASE A. K., a woman born Sept. 12, 1929, a tailor's apprentice, was admitted to the department of neurology and psychiatry on Jan. 31, 1950. The family history, taken from her brother-in-law, revealed nothing relevant to her present illness. Her somatic and


The present invention discloses a kind of Chinese medicine composition for treating acute and chronic pharyngitis, laryngitis, stomatitis and oral ulcer. The Chinese medicine composition is prepared with nine kinds of Chinese medicinal materials, including pearl powder, figwort, phellodendron bark, natural indigo, gallnut, etc. It has obvious curative effect, few toxic side effect and convenient use. It has the functions of nourishing Yin, eliminating fire, promoting the secretion of saliva, cooling blood, detoxicating, etc.


The present invention provides an allotrope particles with an organic compound, some form of storage stability. Particles of the invention may have a specific shape according to the desired purpose. The preferred form of these fine particles are spherical fine sphere, in particular a diameter of about 1 to 1000 ㎛. Particles of the present invention having a certain type are especially suitable for stable production of pharmaceutical formulations which require sustained release and uniform bioavailability. Storage stable particles are made by a solid state crystallization of the organic compound allotropes. Without loss or degradation of the original dimension of the solid state crystallization process of the present invention particles, it provides a means for obtaining a storage stable crystalline form of the compound allotropes. Save determining particle stability, fine spherical allotropes organic compounds


Professionals with knowledge of industrial processes to ensure the best performance of the companies arisen in order to response to the needs of a society that constantly adapts and changes facing nature. This paper intended to show a vision of engineering through a literature review from its birth to what could be in its future; particularly the role of industrial engineering in education, based on articles from authors who have already researched and written on this subject, whose main conclusion is that the Industrial Engineering must be more participative regarding the institutionalism represented by universities, the company with its determining factor in society and the welfare of the population.


A new reconstruction algorithm for Moire tomography is applied to the measurements of complex density distributions.The algorithm is derived from the basic deflection formula and based on a modified discrete element reconstructioin technique.The deflected angles are revised directly in iteraction,which is completely different from the transform methods and the existing series expansion methods.The new algorithm is used for the tomographic reconstructions of the density distributions in rocket exhausted jet and hypersonic flow,and some errors of the reconstruction result are discussed.


II. THE DISPUTE: U.S. AND CANADIAN POSrIONS ON AGRICULTURAL TRADE ............ 349 A. Agricultural Protectionism in Canada and the United States ................. 349 B. Negotiations to Reduce Agricultural Protectionism ....................... 350 1. Multilateral Trade Liberalization: The GATT 1947 ................... 350 2. Bilateral Trade Liberalization: The FTA .......................... 352 3. The Uruguay Round and the Concept of Tariffication ................. 354 4. The North American Free Trade Agreement ....................... 357 5. The Conclusion of the Uruguay Round ........................... 359


100 MW pulsed power supply system introduced from America by Wuhan National High Magnetic Field Center(WHMFC)induces can be used for various energy storage tests for that designed woking rated frequency of asynchronistic motor of this system is 60 Hz and its synchronized speed is 720 r/min,but while its power supply frequency is 50 Hz,the rated rotating speed can not reach to designed value and the energy storage of coaxial generator flywheel with the motor rotator can not reach to designed rated value which is 185 MJ.Aiming at this problem,this paper designs a set of doulbe-loop decounpling controlled doubly-fed timing scheme which is to stablize the operation rotating speed under an super synchronized working condition at 720 r/min for the motor.It uses MATLAB for establishing an super synchronized doubly-fed timing system model of 100 MW pulsed power supply system and combines related practical parameters to carry out simulating aiming at super synchronized operation conditions.The result proves correction of settings of the doubly-fed timing system


An iron-based metal–organic framework, MIL-53(Fe), was synthesized via the simple sonochemical method, which is a facial and fast strategy, and their adsorption performance for organic contaminants removal from aqueous solutions was studied. The crystal structure and morphology analysis indicate that the sonochemical synthesis of MIL-53(Fe) particles was faster than the solvothermal preparation method, showing high crystallinity with a downsized hexagonal bipyramid shape. Furthermore, the prepared MIL-53(Fe) exhibited enhanced adsorption capability for the organic dyes compared to metal–organic framework prepared via the solvothermal method and showed excellent maximum adsorption capability for the methyl orange removal from aqueous solutions. Based on the superior adsorption properties and facile synthesis, MIL-53(Fe) prepared by ultrasound irradiation has a potential application for an efficient, economic, and ecofriendly wastewater purification process.


On 25 September 1997, the Security Council convened at the level of Foreign Ministers to consider the need for a concerted international effort to promote peace and security in Africa. The Council observed that despite the progress achieved by some African States the number and intensity of armed conflicts on the continent remained a matter of grave concern, requiring a comprehensive response. The Council requested that I submit a report regarding the sources of conflict in Africa, ways to prevent and address those conflicts, and how to lay the foundation for durable peace and economic growth following their resolution. In accordance with the wishes of the Council, and because the scope of the challenge extends beyond the purview of the Security Council alone, I hereby submit this report not only to the Security Council but also to the General Assembly and other components of the United Nations system that have responsibilities in Africa, including the Bretton Woods institutions.


Monetarism, economic crisis and the Third World - an introduction, Karel Jansen the origins and evolution of monetarism, Robert Mundell what is wrong with monetarism?, Francis Cripps monetarism - is the debate closed?, Arnold Heertje world crisis and the monetarist answer, Ernest Mandel monetarism and the state socialist world, Michael Ellman structuralism vs. monetarism in Latin America - a reappraisal of a great debate, with lessons for Europe in the 1980s, Dudley Seers the IMF prescription for structural adjustment in Tanzania, Brian Van Arkadie international Keynesianism - a solution to the world crisis?, Lal Jayawardena monetarist policies on a world scale, Jacques Polak.


The care of in-hospital patients has substantially increased in complexity. Fragile inpatients are at risk for unanticipated clinical deterioration resulting in unplanned admission to the intensive care unit, cardiac arrest, and death. Although these deteriorations are perceived as sudden, observational studies establish that many events are preceded by recognizable warning signs. Rapid response systems (RRS) evolved from the perception that death from foreseeable cardiopulmonary deterioration is potentially preventable. These systems are designed to educate general inpatient unit staff to recognize early warning signs and symptoms and then mobilize personnel with the knowledge, skills, experience, and equipment to intervene and prevent deterioration toward cardiac arrest and death. However, translating common sense into evidence for a complex intervention like RRS poses enormous challenges. This review summarizes the infrastructure necessary to achieve a successful RRS and the obstacles encountered by each component. Published studies of RRS are reviewed, including limitations and criticisms that may explain variable success rates for the intervention. Finally, the motivation for implementation of such a system is explored given the context of ongoing controversy.


We present color–magnitude diagrams in the V and I bands for 15 star clusters in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) based on data taken with the Very Large Telescope (VLT, Chile). We selected these clusters from our previous work, wherein we derived cluster radial velocities and metallicities from calcium II infrared triplet (CaT) spectra also taken with the VLT. We discovered that the ages of six of our clusters have been appreciably underestimated by previous studies, which used comparatively small telescopes, graphically illustrating the need for large apertures to obtain reliable ages of old and intermediate-age SMC star clusters. In particular, three of these clusters, L4, L6, and L110, turn out to be among the oldest SMC clusters known, with ages of 7.9 ± 1.1, 8.7 ± 1.2, and 7.6 ± 1.0 Gyr, respectively, helping to fill a possible "SMC cluster age gap." Using the current ages and metallicities from Parisi et al., we analyze the age distribution, age gradient, and age–metallicity relation (AMR) of a sample of SMC clusters measured homogeneously. There is a suggestion of bimodality in the age distribution but it does not show a constant slope for the first 4 Gyr, and we find no evidence for an age gradient. Due to the improved ages of our cluster sample, we find that our AMR is now better represented in the intermediate/old period than we had derived in Parisi et al., where we simply took ages available in the literature. Additionally, clusters younger than ∼4 Gyr now show better agreement with the bursting model of Pagel & Tautvaišienė, but we confirm that this model is not a good representation of the AMR during the intermediate/old period. A more complicated model is needed to explain the SMC chemical evolution in that period.


In this paper, the averaging approximation scheme for linear retarded functional differential equations with delays in control and observation is considered in the context of the state space theory developed by Pritchard and Salamon [SIAM J. Control Optim., 25 (1987), pp.~121--144]. Using known results from linear semigroup theory, convergence and estimate of convergence rate of the approximating semigroups are established. These extend results due to Banks and Burns [SIAM J. Control Optim., 16 (1978), pp.~169--208] and Lasiecka and Manitius [SIAM J. Numer. Anal., 25 (1988), pp.~883--907] on hereditary systems with delays in state, to the case when delays in control and observation are included. The main difference from the case when delays in input and output are excluded is that unbounded input and output operators must be dealt with in the abstract formulation. Moreover, in the presence of the unboundedness of the input and output operators, new convergence results of the state solutions and the output are also obtained.


The organizations around the world have integrated information technology into their processes with anticipation in the increase in productivity. Importantly, they have considered business value as a measure of productivity generated through the adoption of information technology. Carrying this forward, several information technology practitioners have tried to examine the relationships between business value and adoption of information technology. Business value aspects (employee value, customer value, economic value, and managerial value) have been examined in multiple research studies for adopting and implementing information technology. Some of the research studies have found a positive correlation between business value (as a measure of productivity) and the implementation of information technology. This research paper has attempted to examine whether business value can be safely associated with productivity through information technology.


Traffic planners and designers are daily confronted by theproblems of traffic flow. Finding a solution for the optimal organisationof the traffic system in the wider (at the state level)and the narrower sense (cities, towns), requires accurate planningand adequate financing. With Croatia being a developingcountry that has higher investments into the traffic system, thematerial means need to be rati01~t~lised and the human andland resources cautiously managed. With the development andimplementation of the traffic studies, an improvement of thetraffic in cities can be expected. The work describes the trafficmeasures which provide higher quality traffic flow, with low investments.They can be used as guidelines in planning the trafficand as the first implementations of solutions from the trafficstudies.


In order to improve the combat efficiency of future military combat aircraft,early in the design process the damage tolerance of the aircraft must be considered,and the aircraft is designed in full integration. This paper discusses future military combat survivability design requirements and design methods of the aircraft that possesses combat damage tolerance and very strong survivability.


Technostress and information overload are serious challenges of the Information Age. An alarming number of people exhibit excessive media consumption, while Internet addiction seems to be an increasingly widespread phenomenon (Christakis et al., 2011). Although there is evidence for technostress and information overload in a range of studies (Bawden & Robinson, 2009; Eppler & Mengis, 2004; Shenk, 1997; Wang et al., 2008), little is known about how young people feel about overexposure to technology and new media (Akin, 1998). In order to address this gap, we present findings from a survey addressing the social media usage and perceptions of individuals, collected at the Museum for Communication in Bern, Switzerland. Based on a sample including 1915 children and 6989 adolescents and through a quantitative approach (OLS regressions) we explore the impact of cultural background, age and social status on differences in technostress.


Pertinent literature search about changes or effects of prosthodontic treatment on nutritional status was performed. The articles were electronically and hand searched in all available journals including research works, reviews, randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews. The information were obtained to answer the question whether denture therapy has a role in altering nutritional intake or not. Most articles agreed that the risk of malnutrition is elevated by being edentulous. However, there were contrasting results about improvement of nutrition by providing prosthodontic treatment. Thus, many authors have emphasized the role of nutritional counseling along with denture therapy for the benefits of geriatric patients who undergo the inevitable process of being edentulous.BJHS 2018;3(1)5 : 385 - 389


Achieving this goal requires the use of participative teaching methods and the development of self-directed learning (SDL) curricula that help the student consolidate the skills that will be useful in his or her professional life. Objectives: to identify the degree of SDL perceived by students and determinate if their perception changed as a function of the teaching methods they experienced as they progressed through their university education. Methodology: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out, involving 1.190 students enrolled in the nursing, physiotherapy, medicine and psychology degree programs at the University of Girona.

Our results suggest a need to train both students and teachers in SDL as a teaching-learning methodology and to improve its use in the university setting. Instructors should be offered programs related to teaching methodols to improve their understanding how SDL works and help them identify objectives that would help to promote autonomy and prepare health professionals to be lifelong learners –and thus continuously improve their professional skills


Competition that is increasingly sharply this claims company asurance that be able to maintain and takes care of the client loyality. One of strategy needed to by the thing is strategy Costumer Relationship Marketing. This research done to know influence Costumer Relationship Marketing to Client Loyality. This research done to the clients by using sampling pusphosive technique. Sample measure taken is 40. Data is collected by through interview by using questionaire and hereinafter processing data by using descriptive analysis and Kuantitative analysis. The result of a value of R Square, 0.78 or 78% positively affect customer loyaltyResult of analysis indicates hat Costumer Relationship Marketing influential signifikan to Client Loyality. Key words: Costumer Relationship Marketing, Client Loyalty


Fin-tube evaporator for carbon dioxide has been investigated both by experiment and simulation. Inside refrigerant heat transfer and outside heat and mass transfer of a wet surface heat exchanger were modeled using appropriate correlations. The results estimated by the calculation were in good agreement with the experimental results. The simulation errors were less than 7.9% for estimating capacity, 0.6℃ for air exit temperature, 1.2% for air exit humidity and 17% for CO₂ exit pressure. The simulation program was used to study the effect of air flow direction, number of rows and refrigerant circuits. For a 2-row evaporator, parallel flow showed better performance for low air velocity but for high air velocity, counterflow was better. Refrigerant circuits, however, showed insignificant effect on the performance.


In recent years the terms ''distance learning'' and ''web-based instruction'' have become almost synonymous with one another. With the advent of new and sophisticated forms of Internet technology, the delivery of online instruction has become easier and more widely available to community colleges. In particular, web-based instruction gives community colleges the opportunity to serve students who may not necessarily benefit from classroom-based instruction or have access to educational resources. For many students living in rural areas, distance learning is the only option for access to higher education. Like classroom-based instruction, distance learning courses that use online instruction often encounter the same problems of student retention as well as meeting the educational needs of a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, and multi-lingual student population. For these reasons, it is difficult for community colleges to assess whether webbased instruction and their distance learning programs are effectively serving the needs of their students. The following citations address many of the issues that face online distance learning programs. Specifically, the material addresses the topics of retention, student demographics, technology, learning styles, and funding issues. For community colleges that are actively engaged in web-based instruction and distance learning, the following articles are an ideal starting point for further specialized research. ERIC documents (references with ''ED'' numbers) may be read on microfiche at approximately 900 libraries worldwide. In addition, the full text of many documents is available online at http:==www. eric.ed.gov. Journal articles may be acquired through regular library channels, from the originating journal publisher, or for a fee from the following article reproduction vendor, Ingenta; email: ushelp@ ingenta.com, phone (617) 395-4046, toll-free 1-800-296-2221, URL: http:==www.ingenta.com=. Community College Journal of Research and Practice, 29: 671–678, 2005 Copyright # Taylor & Francis Inc.


Oral diseases, including dental caries, periodontal disease and malocclusion because of their frequency, local discomfort and aesthetic impact on the overall health cause, justifying their attention as a public health problem. Given this, we conducted a study of quantitative, descriptive and transversal, whose aim was to make the diagnosis of oral health and risk factors in the Education Unit Manuel Jose Rodriguez, of the parish of the canton Malacatos Loja 2013, examined 241 students, collecting information through dental and medical history survey. The results were : 84.6 % dental caries , gingival inflammation 32.7 % malocclusion in permanent dentition class III was 55.3%, the risk factors were not brushing 76.3 % , visit the dentist once a year for 42.7 % of consumption of cariogenic food once a day to 45.6 %. The prevalence of certain diseases indicates that the study population pays little attention to oral health care, adhering to ignorance of how to maintain it.
Keywords: caries risk factors, gingival inflammation malocclusion


OBJECTIVE To explore the expression and significance of α-SMA and type Ⅳ collagen in renal interstitial fibrosis(RIF)induced by adenine in rats.METHODS The rats in control group were performed 10 mL/kg normal saline,and in the model group were induced by intragastric administration with adenine(250 mg/kg per day)for 24 days.The serum contents of BUN,Scr,and levels of Ca2+ and phosphorus were determined.The pathological changes and proliferative degree of fibrotic tissue were observed under light microscope after HE and Sirus red staining.Expression of α-SMA and type Ⅳ collagen were determined by immunohistochemical methods.RESULTS The serum contents of BUN and Scr was significantly increased,the level of serum Ca2+ was decreased and phosphorus was increased in model group than in control group.The areas density of fibrous tissue,α-SMA and type Ⅳ collagen were markedly increased in model group than in control group.CONCLUSION The activation and proliferation of myofibroblasts and type Ⅳ collagen play an important role in development of adenine-induced RIF model in rats.


Public schools, like other public institutions, continue to wrestle with difficult problems posed by potential proselytizing in publicly-sponsored activities. The fundamental First Amendment question is whether particular religious-oriented speech or conduct is protected by the Free Speech Clause or prohibited by the Establishment Clause. Proselytizing is unquestionably expressive activity. Be it verbal or written, a proselytizing religious message would be protected First Amendment speech if the religious content did not raise Establishment Clause concerns. Indeed, the position has been successfully argued in several federal court cases that religious expression is precisely that form of speech the "viewpoint discrimination" doctrine, set forth in Rosenberger v. Rector and its progeny, was designed to protect. As this article will show, the term "proselytizing" weaves its way through U.S. Supreme


The purpose of this study was to determine differences in activity patterns and social behavior of two groups of endangered Mexican wolves maintained at two quite different facilities and to determine some of the variables that should be considered when making specific behavioral comparisons among wolves in this binational captive breeding program. Quantitative measurements of an Activity Index and social behaviors were obtained for three individuals in each pack. Within each age/sex category, activity, aggression, and play were more frequent in the pack at a zoo facility, compared to the pack at a field station facility. Frequency of courtship interactions and scent marking were significantly higher in the field station pack. The packs were similar in the frequency of active submission, but differed significantly in the pattern of this behavior. Given the large number of interacting variables and small number of individuals in this study, we recommend caution in generalizing results to other packs or facilities. Zoo Biol 16:435‐443, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.


At the end of the Seven Years' War, Jamaican planters were in an extremely strong position within the British Empire. Immensely wealthy, geopolitically important and constitutionally assertive, Jamaican planters used their strong position to win a series of political battles against colonial governors in the 1750s and 1760s. In doing so, they justified their self-asserted claims to being entitled to British rights and privileges. Nevertheless, contemporaneous developments in metropolitan thinking about empire and white people's place in empire undermined planters' fond estimation of their position within empire. British thinkers came to see British West Indians, especially during and after the American Revolution, not as fellow citizens but as imperial subjects. The result was a cultural and ideological crisis for Jamaican planters as abolitionism emerged as a powerful political force, in which their insistence that they were British and entitled to the rights and privileges of Britons was not accepted. Thus, white Jamaicans became the first in a long line of settler peoples of British descent to have their claims to Britishness denied by metropolitan opinion. This article thus contributes to a developing discussion about settler constitutional rights within the eighteenth- and nineteenth-century British Empire.


Internet worms have been a severe threat to the Internet infrastructure and hosts recently. However, because of its outbreak of a sudden and massive make the worm's research facing enormous challenges. This article describes a simulation system based on NS2 worm - WSS. First, by processing BGP routing table information to the Internet used for simulation of the abstract network, then the model-based epidemiological model of worm propagation, and finally in the two in NS2 combination to achieve the simulation of worm propagation. Experiments show that, WSS can get in a lab environment similar to actual worm outbreak statistics, in understanding the macroscopic behavior of the worm, the worm flow forecasting, transmission speed and damage have a wide range of applications.


In order to account for new observations, an intelligent agent must change those beliefs when they have become inconsistent due to these new data. In particular, scientists are often forced to revise theories when the beliefs they are based on conflict with new experimental evidence. For automated discovery systems to exhibit this ability, they must also have mechanisms for revising their beliefs in order to regain a globally consistent database. To this end, we have developed a framework for integrating the processes of discovery and revision, and instantiated the framework in a computer program named REVOLVER. This system employs general rules for scientific discovery and belief revision, and works in domains where knowledge can be codified as reactions among objects. When inconsistencies arise, the program employs a form of heuristic search known as hill climbing in order to find a new consistent theory (set of beliefs).
In this thesis, we first discuss the motivation for our research, along with the goals and tasks addressed by REVOLVER. Next, we discuss previous work in discovery and revision which directly influenced our design of the system. We then describe the program itself, illustrating its representation, its basic rules and inference process, and its method for belief revision. Next, we show the system's generality through its replication of discoveries in historical domains. We then provide a more detailed analysis, discussing experiments that illustrate REVOLVER's robustness when faced with various artificial domains. After discussing related work, we present a concluding chapter that discusses the contributions and limitations of this work, ideas for future enhancements, and final thoughts.


Abstract : Norwegian Special Operations Forces (NORSOF) are national strategic assets that require certain conditions in order to optimize their strategic utilization. Based on the 2008 NATO SOF Study, and case studies of "lessons learned" from the creation of the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command and the Polish Special Operations Command, a "world-class SOF" for Norway requires a national-level joint SOF command. This command can provide coherent, long-term stewardship, authority, and direction over all aspects of Norwegian special operations. Evaluating governing documents and policy, Norway's relationship with NATO, the security environment, and different types of national SOF leadership, this thesis recommends organizational changes to optimize the strategic utilization of NORSOF.


In a company,the establishment of many projects always follows the development of a large-scale product,so that it makes the working procedure ever-changing and project management in disorder.As for this kind of problems,this paper presents a method for the project working procedure management based on feature matching.The method is used,first of all,to construct an object-oriented feature model of the project,and then represent the rules of project business process and create the rule database.Based on the model and rule database,the rule is selected by matching search to set up the relationship between the project and working procedure,thus the working procedure is achieved automatically for the project.With the method above,the project management system is developed,which is applied in a certain aircraft design and research institute.The cost of project management is reduced significantly and the working efficiency is improved.


The field assisted sintering technique (FAST) is a high-amperage, low-voltage, powder consolidation technique that employs pulsed direct current and uniaxial pressure. Over the past several years, FAST has been successfully used to produce a variety of different materials including metals, composites, and ceramics. In this paper we present a transient finite element model of aluminum oxide sintering that incorporates a coupled electrical, thermal, and mechanical analysis that closely resembles the procedures used in physical experiments. Within this context, we outline the governing equations that pertain to a balanced energy equation and include the effects of thermal and electrical contact forces, radiation, and Joule heating. We couple this with the relevant equations pertaining to mechanical displacements and prescribe the necessary initial and boundary conditions for a complete solution. As part of our transient analysis, we also present our implementation of a proportional integral derivative controller, which (similar to actual experimental conditions) affords the use of a predetermined heating rate conditioned upon a variable voltage. Finally, we discuss implications relating to the temperature and stress fields and suggest possible avenues for improvement.


Lighting design is one of the fastest changing areas in building engineering. It has evolved significantly in recent years due to changing technology and demands for improved quality, better control, reduced energy and sustainability. This paper is an overview of what is happening in Europe and elsewhere and examines the literature to find that latest recommendations in the Code for Lighting issued by the SLL (Society of Light and Lighting) in the UK change previous demands for equal illuminance across a working plane to more specific and demanding criteria. There are recommendations for qualitative metrics and better distribution of light so as to enhance the visual appearance of interiors. European standards are also examined and the LENI (lighting energy numerical indicator) has been found to be a better way of reducing energy than installed load. New LED (light-emitting diode) lamp technology is examined and daylight is discussed in the context of these changing demands. It is found that lighting standards and design are changing for the better but that standards will need to evolve further if they are to ensure good quality lighting.


The rhythm and the swiftness with which number of Islamic Banks are coming up across the world have astonished many banking experts. Many international banks like Citi Bank, HSBC Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, etc. have already opened Islamic Banking divisions across the world especially in several West Asian countries, Europe and USA.


This study was performed to elucidate the expression of the Notch signaling pathway and its correlations to clinicopathological factors of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs). It is incontrovertible that regulatory T cells (Tregs) play an important role in tumor immunity. However, the whole mechanism of control of peripheral Tregs remains unclear. It is also known that the Notch signaling pathway is involved in Treg suppressor function. Moreover, IPMNs have a high malignant potential.


Purpose – The aim of this study is to validate the Korean version of the work‐family enrichment (WFE) scale and identify the current status of work‐family enrichment of workers within the Korean cultural context.Design/methodology/approach – The authors performed a forward and backward translation procedure to develop the Korean version of the WFE scale, which contains the linguistic equivalence between the two language versions of the WFE scale (English and Korean). Also, both exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were utilized to test the psychometric fit of the underlying structure of the Korean WFE scale compared with the English version.Findings – The results indicate that the Korean version of the WFE indicates psychometric properties parallel to the English version of the WFE. The findings also include differences in the WFE mean scores for Korean workers based on demographic and work‐related variables.Originality/value – As in the USA, improving the work‐family balance is perceived as a soc...


Previous research in the fields of Critical Race Theory, Tribal Critical Race Theory, education, and identity formation suggests that one's educational experiences influence the construction and formation of a Native American identity. An examination of this literature leads to the question: how do educational experiences influence the construction and formation of Native American Identity? I propose that scholastic influences of peers, teachers and curriculum can have positive and negative influences on one's identity formation. Using snowball sampling I conducted seven semi-structured qualitative interviews with individuals aged 18-65 to examine the relationship between educational experiences and identity formation. Preliminary analyses indicate that familial socialization has a strong effect on identity formation. Individuals who attended nonreservation public schools, reservation schools and off-reservation boarding schools all explain that the interplay between family and education is a primary factor in enabling their positive attitudes towards Native American identity formation. Those who expressed negative feelings towards their identity developed this perspective through negative interactions within the classroom setting. Participants spoke of the negative light that Native American history is cast under in a scholastic setting, and ignorant or rude comments made by their peers. The results support the theory that the interplay between educational experiences and familial influence shape the construction and formation of Native American identity. Document Type Capstone Project Degree Name Bachelor of Arts Department Sociology, Anthropology, Social Work and Public Health First Advisor Daniel B. Eisen Second Advisor John Reid-Hresko Subject Categories Social and Behavioral Sciences Rights Terms of use for work posted in CommonKnowledge. This capstone project is available at CommonKnowledge: http://commons.pacificu.edu/cassoc/28 Comments Honorable Mention, 2014 CommonKnowledge Senior Project Writing Award This capstone project is available at CommonKnowledge: http://commons.pacificu.edu/cassoc/28 NATIVE AMERICAN IDENTITY FORMATION IN RELATION TO EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SOCIOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF PACIFIC UNIVERSITY IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF ARTS IN SOCIOLOGY


The authors propose a new hybrid control system for digital implementation of a positive buck-boost DC-DC converter, based on DSP controller, high voltage regulating, and current integral loop controller for elimination of ripple inductor. This method is predicated on the theory of integrated dynamic system in which the inputs (Vin&Iin) and high loads of positive DC-DC converter is continuous and output as a discontinuous mode in lower loads. Therefore the system of the converter is accomplished by combination of two different characteristics of a dynamic modeling: a) Proper selection of the converter state variables, b) Average of inductor current and output errors that correspond to design and implementation of experimental system. Different load and input voltage variation conditions are simulated in MATLAB/SIMULINK and implemented in DSP controller and all of the results indicate the controller to verify the suitability designed controller. The simulation and experimental result on positive buck-boost DC-DC converter is found to be satisfactory.


Aiming at improving the diagnostic accuracy not to overlook irreversible cholecystitis such as gangrenous cholecystitis, 21 cases operated on for acute cholecystitis at the hospital in a recent 6-year period were studied for each histological finding of the excised specimens in terms of diagnostic accuracy.The results were: In judging the degree of inflammation in acute cholecystitis leukocytes counts at the first visit, characteristics of the gallbladder wall by ultrasonography and serial-ultrasonography, swelling of the gallbladder by serial-ultrasonography, and observation of debris changes were useful. Such a case, in which gallbladder swelling increases, debris in the gallbladder does not disappear, and irregular gallbladder wall is observed, is strongly indicated to be of gangrenous cholecystitis.


ABSTRACT Natural disasters have caused substantial economic losses and numerous casualties. The demand analysis of relief supplies is the premise and basis for efficient relief operations after disasters. With the widespread use of social media, it has become a vital channel for people to report their demand for relief supplies and provides a way to obtain information on disaster areas. Therefore, we present a topic model-based framework and establish a demand dictionary and a gazetteer that aims to identify the spatial distribution of the demand for relief supplies by using social media data. Taking the 2013 Typhoon Haiyan (also called Yolanda) as a case study, we identify the potential topics of tweets with the biterm topic model, screen the tweets related to demands, and obtain the demand and location information from tweets to study the distribution of the relief supplies needs. The results show that, based on the demand dictionary, a gazetteer and the biterm topic model, the effective demand for relief supplies can be extracted from tweets. The proposed framework is feasible for the identification of accurate demand information and its distribution. Further, this framework can be applied to other types of disaster responses and can facilitate relief operations.


. While subglacial hydrology is known to play a role in glacial dynamics on sub-annual to decadal scales, it remains unclear whether subglacial hydrology plays a critical role in ice sheet evolution on centennial or longer time-scales. Furthermore, several drainage topologies have been inferred but it is unclear which drainage topology is most applicable at the continental/glacial scale. More fundamentally, it is even unclear if the structural choice of subglacial hydrology truly matters for this context. 5 Here we compare three subglacial hydrology topologies as to their contribution to surge behaviour for an idealized Hudson Strait like ice stream. We use the newly updated model BraHms2.0 and provide model verification tests. BraHms2.0 incorporates each of these systems: two process-based forms dominant in the literature (linked-cavity and poro-elastic) and a non-mass conserving zero-dimensional form (herein termed leaky-bucket) coupled to an ice sheet systems model (the G lacial S ystems M odel ,GSM). 10 We also assess the likely bounds on poorly constrained subglacial hydrology parameters and adopt an ensemble approach to study their impact and interactions within those bounds. We find that subglacial hydrology is an important system inductance for realistic ice stream surging but that the three formulations all exhibit similar surge behaviour. Even a detail as fundamental as mass conserving transport of subglacial water is not necessary for simulating a full range of surge frequency and amplitude. However, one difference is apparent: the 15 combined positive and negative feedbacks of the linked-cavity system yields longer duration surges and a broader range of effective pressures than its poro-elastic and leaky-bucket counterparts.


Background: Fear, worry, and stress are normal responses to perceived or real threats, and at times when we are faced with uncertainty or the unknown. So, it is normal and understandable that people are experiencing fear in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Aim: This study aimed to assess and compare psychological impact and perceived mental health care needs during COVID 19 pandemic among health care professionals and general population in East District, Delhi, India. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional online survey was conducted by using Google forms. Psychological impact was assessed by using Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale. Result showed that average GAD-7 score for anxiety was 10.6 (M = 10.6; SD = 1.71) for health care professionals and 10.8 (M = 10.8; SD = 1.49) for general population. Using a cut-off score of 10 for GAD-7, researcher found 74% health care professionals and 87% general population with moderated or severe symptoms of GAD. A total of 84.3% health care professionals and 92% general population require mental health care need in current crisis. Conclusion: Researcher concluded that or severe symptoms of anxiety. On comparison it was found that general population is more anxious and worried regarding COVID-19 pandemic in India and need to deal with their mental health difficulties which they are having in the current situation.


Third-party punishment (TPP) provides a theoretical explanation to the extensive cooperation among genetically unrelated individuals but also raises a second-order free-riding problem. To solve this challenge, some researchers have proposed the reputational benefits of TPP as a potential explanation. That is, given the positive reputation derived from the punishment, the probability that the punisher would be helped in the future is enhanced. However, a growing body of literature has suggested that punishers' reputation (PR) is not necessarily positive. Three reasons underlying the contradictory findings regarding PR may exist in the existing literature


Through summarizing the unique characteristics of Chinese folk pattern color,from the artistic ecology to discuss folk color and expound the importance of "Past serve the present" principle as the art innovative guidance.Based on this,it discussed that tradition was the foundation of culture as well as folk color "source" and "flow" relationship.Then it drew the conclusion,respect for tradition,lay foundation,inheritance essence,in the course of globalization,the Chinese national culture and art need to be inherited and developed,and national is the worlds'.


A wireless energy transfer system for delivering power to the mobile portable devices in confined space using an optical antenna, a GaAs solar cell, and a DCDC converter is presented in this paper. The optical antenna fabricated with the solar cell, which can be embedded in the mobile device, will expedite the charging process due to the plasmonic electric field enhancement effect. DC-DC conversion circuits are designed to generate a required DC voltage from the solar cell. This system will achieve the safe and efficient wireless power transfer system in confined space. In this paper, the result is estimated to have 40 times more efficient energy transfer than the optical wireless energy transfer system without the optical antenna array.


The article discusses semiotics of the suburban "dacha" space in D. Bobyleva's horror novel "Vyurki".  Bobyleva constructs the closed world of a country village in accordance with the provisions of Yu.M. Lotman on the semiotics of artistic space and time. The typology of the novel's heroes in essential aspects coincides with his teaching about the hero of the "path" and hero of the "steppe". The paper outlines the connection of the modern Russian horror genre with the concept of "post-folklore" by S.Yu. Neklyudov. It is an intermediate modern subculture, blurring the traditional boundaries of town and village and complicating the classical "nature/culture" dichotomy. The space of a discrete, fragmented dacha settlement into separate sections corresponds to the border status of the post-folklore with its polycentricity. This work examines the connection between modern Russian horror and post-folklore genre. It also explores a complex model of crossing the borders of the cultural zones in the other world and in this world through the movement of characters, and how this collision provides the horror effect.


Analysis of the hydraulic conditions of a multi-pressure zone water system serving portions of two counties in a mountainous region of Southwest Virginia was performed using computerized modeling techniques. The model was calibrated by performing selected system operations tests. Problems revealed in the calibration process led to system improvements resulting in savings in both operation and maintenance costs.


The paper gives a new filter-SQP algorithm of the semidefinite programming through combining the sequence nonlinear algorithm of solving the semidefinite programming, low rank conversion, and filter method, which, under certain conditions, proves that the algorithm is global convergence.


The special newsletter edition features two articles on accessibility for the disabled. The first article, "Building Non-Handicapping Environments: CIB W84 Newsletter," by Adolph Ratzka, excerpts sections from the CIB W84 Newsletter of the International Council for Building Research, Working Commission for Disabilities. It is noted that CIB W84 places the highest priority on addressing accessibility issues in developing countries and on involving organizations of Cisabled people in its work. The article concludes by citing the text of 16 resolutions adopted by participants at a Prague (Czechoslovakia) seminar concerning the following roles: national and local governments; planners, builders and educators; researchers; consumer organizations; and supportive services. The second article, by Joseph Kwan, is titled "Examining Accessibility: The View From Hong Kong." It describes the successes and failures involved in atterepting to implement standards for architectural and travel accessibility in the city of Hong Kong. Sections cover: Hong Kong architecture, rehabilitation initiatives, reasons building access is often not considered, early awareness of accessibility needs, the first code on building accessibility, the codP as legislation, the situation today, access to transport, alternative modes of transport, and highway facilities. ,DB) Ititti***********************************************************$******** * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * * from the original document. * *********************************************************************** U.S. OSPARTMEWT OF EVOCATION Mee ci Eduction.) Reirsaitil an Iftwovement EDU ATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERICI This document has been reproduCed Is recewed from the person or orparHist,on or9nating it 1' Minor chsnre save been made to Improve repnxtuctioirtluelsty Ppm!, of viewer oponmesstat 50 in In IS (i0C U MOM do not necessarily represent offic.si OERf positaon 04 policy "PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED SY 70 THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)."


In this paper we present a classification of the possible upper ramification jumps for an elementary abelian p-extension of a p-adic field. The fundamental step for the proof of the main result is the computation of the ramification filtration for the maximal elementary abelian p-extension of the base field K. This is a generalization of a previous work of the second author and Dvornicich where the same result is proved under the assumption that K contains a primitive p-th root of unity. Using the class field theory and the explicit relations between the normic group of an extension and its ramification jumps, it is fairly simple to recover necessary and sufficient conditions for the upper ramification jumps of an elementary abelian p-extension of K.


Developing and newly industrialized countries that have experienced the sharpest increases in wage inequality are those whose export shares have shifted towards more skill-intensive goods. We argue that this can be explained by technological catch-up. We develop this insight using a model that features both Ricardian and endowmentsbased comparative advantage. In this model Southern catch-up causes production of the least skill-intensive Northern goods to migrate South (where they become the most skill-intensive Southern goods). This raises wage inequality in both the South and the North. We provide empirical evidence that strongly supports this causal mechanism: Southern catch-up exacerbates Southern inequality by redirecting Southern export shares towards more skill-intensive goods


We will demonstrate a distributed recursive method, i.e., Lexical Link Analysis (LLA) and an infrastructure, i.e., Collaborative Learning Agents (CLA) to discover high-value information. The combined system is a unified methodology of discovering high-value information from structured and unstructured heterogeneous data sources. We will demonstrate the LLA/CLA system using a crowdsourcing data source and show how it can be used to discover new knowledge for a widening range of applications and heterogeneous data types.


Assessment of tracheal fluid flow was obtained in 47 healthy human fetuses (GA 20-40 weeks) in which FBM were seen by B-Mode scan. Color Doppler was applied to visualise the tracheal fluid flow, followed by spectral Doppler to record the velocity waveforms. The breathing rate, the inspiration and expiration time and the volume obtained by integration of the tracheal fluid flow displaced during fetal breathing were calculated. The fetal breathing rate was not different between the groups. Both the time of inspiration and expiration showed a significant increase at 24 weeks followed by a constant course until Term. The volume of tracheal fluid flow moved during inspiration (Vi) and expiration (Ve) increased until 35 weeks followed by a flattening until term suggesting either a reduction of lung liquid production or a diminished lung liquid volume. The median difference between Vi and Ve was positive in the first four age groups and negative in the last one, suggesting that mature fetuses have the tendency to expire more than to inspire. We furthermore showed that in the ovine fetus at mid-gestation shows that optimal views of the fetal trachea allowing accurate measurements can be obtained in almost all the cases.


The navigation messages broadcasted by the navigation satellites are the time and space benchmark for user navigation and positioning. The developing status of the COMPASS is discussed firstly in this paper. Then, the broadcast signal characteristics, information contents, and the differences of time and space benchmark between COMPASS and GPS are introduced. Afterward, the definition and method of the COMPASS basic navigation messages, including satellite clock offset parameters, TGD parameters, satellite ephemeris parameters, ionosphere delay model parameters, are given in details. At last, some special attention problems for using the COMPASS navigation messages are also provided with the practical application.


In this paper,a monitoring system which is based on ARM7 technologies is introduced. Then introduce the design and im-plementation of an embedded network video service and remote console. By using the elf-defined protocols, the system realizes reli-able signal transfer, sends MPEG-4videostreams smoothly, and accords with the design requirements.


Experimental studies were carried out on the separation of unburned carbon in fly ash powder using a special louver separator. The optimum operating conditions and the effects of the inlet flow rectifier, blade shape, and number of separators on both the separation performance and unburned carbon content were examined. Fly ash powder with a median size of about 44.7 μm and average unburned carbon content of about 20.9% was used as the feed powder. The study showed that there was an optimum velocity corresponding to the best separation performance in terms of the particle size and unburned carbon content. It was found that a louver separator with an inlet rectifier and additional inclined wall shows better separation performance and unburned carbon content separation compared to a conventional separator. When a special blade was used, the separation performance improved in comparison to typical flat blade. The separation performance and unburned carbon content of two louver separators connected in series were better than those of a single separator. In the case of two louver separators, the unburned carbon content of the fine side was reduced to as low as 8% while about 78% of carbon yield was achieved; therefore it is recommended the use of two special louver separators connected in series. A model of louver separator, based on the unburned carbon profile of feed powders and the data of partial separation efficiency was developed and the calculated results were compared to the experimental results. Calculated result by using the model showed qualitative agreement with the experimental results, and the optimum operating conditions required to maximize the unburned carbon separation were determined.


Substantial improvements have taken place in the employment and schooling of children in Turkey. Decomposition analysis based on data from two time periods shows that a substantial part of the drop in child labour and over half of the increase in school enrolment can be attributed to the changing cost and benefit structures of work and schooling rather than to changing population characteristics. This paper establishes that work and schooling are incompatible activities and that the negative association between them has increased over time. The observed changes are attributed to the extension of compulsory schooling and the ban on child labour.


Objective To provide the evidence for treatment and evaluation of prognosis of the ventricular septal rupture after acute myocardial infarction by analyzing clinical characteristics.Methods Clinical data of seventeen patients with ventricular septal rupture complicating acute myocardial infarction in our hospital between 1994 and 2006 were analyzed retrospectively.Results Of 2 027 patients with acute myocardial infarction,17 were proved to have ventricular septal rupture.The incidence of ventricular septal rupture after AMI was 0.84%.Nine patients had hypertension and 12 patients were diagnosed as acute anterior wall infarction.Coronary arteriography and ventriculography were done in 11 patients and two coronary arteries at least were found to have stenosis.Total occlusion of infarct-related arteries was found in 10 of 11 patients.The average size of left ventricle was 54.1±6.2 mm.Average ejection fraction was 40.4%±10.8%.The sites of septal rupture mostly were located at the septum adjacent to cardiac apex.The average size of rupture was 9.5±3.9 mm.In addition,the fatality rate was high in patients receiving conservative medical treatment(82.35%).Conclusion The septal rupture after acute myocardial infarction mostly happened in aged patients with anterior wall infarction.The fatality rate was high in patients who received conservative medical treatment.


In the following article, the author analyzed the main motivational theories in commercial structures and public administration. In addition to this the non-monetary mechanisms of motivation in public administration was examined.


This article examines Somali refugee women's participation in the French public sphere. Drawing on interviews, focus groups and participant observation with Somali refugee women and local actors, the article argues that representations of 'Muslim women's needs' in French debates over the headscarf do not correspond to Somali women's definitions of their needs and priorities. A 'logic of separation' is at work through which a hierarchy of needs is imposed with Islam as the focal point. Claims based on interconnected need definitions cannot be voiced, or only with great difficulty. The ability to contest dominant norms and practices, an important feature of citizenship and democratic participation, is therefore restricted.


This paper presents an active release method of microobject for the improvement of the position accuracy after releasing by using 3D high speed motions of an end effector. In the micro manipulation, the release task is the challenge work due to adhesion forces. To overcome the adhesion force and to place microobject accurately on the desired location, in this paper, we propose a high speed motion by analyzing dynamic model of manipulated end effector and attached microbeads. Two fingered microhand driven by DC motors and PZT actuators is utilized for this paper. Parallel mecahnism with three PZT actuators was used for making 3D motion at high speed. To generatge high acceleration of end effector, many researchers applied simple vibration by using an additional PZT actuator. In our research, 3D high speed motion with large amplitude was achieved by only using a compacted parallel mechanism. To verify the advantage of the proposed motion, we compare five motions, 1D motions (X, Y, and Z direction) and circular motions (clockwise and counterclockwise direction), by changing the frequency and moving distance of the end effector. From these results of experiments, we conclude that the circular motion can detach microobjects with high placing accuracy after release.


6 In the present paper we focus our research on calculating minors of weighing matrices of order n 7 and weight n − k, denoted by W(n, n − k). We provide analytical determinant computations, counting 8 techniques for specifying the existence of certain submatrices inside a W(n, n − k) and an algorithm for 9 computing the (n − j) × (n − j) minors of a W(n, n − k), which is realized with the notion of symbolic 10 manipulation. These results are valid of general n. The ideas presented in this work can be used as the 11 fundamental basis, on which the calculation of minors of other weighing matrices, and in general of 12 orthogonal matrices, can be developed. An application of the derived formulas to an interesting problem of 13 Numerical Analysis, the growth problem, is also presented. 14 © 2007 Published by Elsevier Inc. 15 AMS classification: 15A15; 05B20; 65F40; 65F05; 65G50 16


Chemical analysis and physical analysis methods are used to analyze in detail the pyrophoric materials in gas pipeline of oil factory.Reasons for spontaneous combustion are explained based on analysis results and relative literatures home and abroad, and control measures are suggested to prevent similar accidents.


It has been known for a long time that hyperons produced in hadronic collisions are polarized perpendicular to the production plane of the reaction. This effect cannot be described by using twist-2 collinear parton correlators only. Here we compute the contribution of twist-3 fragmentation functions to the production of transversely polarized hyperons in unpolarized proton-proton collisions in the framework of collinear factorization. By taking into account the relations among the relevant twist-3 fragmentation functions which follow from the QCD equation of motion and the Lorentz invariance property of the correlators, we present the leading-order cross section for this term.


Life science research relies heavily on observation and exploration of the microscopic world of cells.Microscopic imaging technology has been advancing throughout the development of cell biology, which is one of the mainsprings of the life sciences field. The X-ray imaging technique based on synchrotron radiation has some advantages, such as high-resolution, simple sample preparation and three-dimensional display of the fine structure of the cells closed to the natural state, which is considered to be a class of imaging technology complemented of optical imaging and electron microscopy imaging. This paper briefly introduces the basic situation of the synchrotron radiation X-ray microscopy, and focuses on the latest research advances in cell morphology and structure, intracellular distribution of elements using the synchrotron radiation X-ray microscopy technology. And at last, the focused direction of development in further studies is pointed out.


The aim of this study was to identify a yutI gene in Bacillus subtilis strain TU-Orga1 that was critical for nitrogen fixation. Its potentials to enhanced suitable nitrogen utilization on rice and suppressed Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola (Xoc) caused bacterial leaf streak compared with Bacillus sp. Strains which yutI gene variants did not appeared including TU-44 and TU-60 and bacteriocide, bacbicure (Canoron) were characterized. We found that 330 bp DNA fragments of the yutI gene from TU-Orga1 was positively hybridized with specific primer. Seed treatment with TUOrga1 (10cfu/ml) 1 ml/ 1 kg seeds increased highest indole-3-acetic acid accumulation in Jasmine105 cultivar of rice with 1.78 μg ml and promoted seedling growth (14-day old) with increased root and shoot length and fresh weight by 5.2 cm, 8.7 cm and 28.3 mg respectively. Moreover, TU-Orga1 was significantly greater in competition and antibiosis mechanisms in Xoc inhibition with 15.6 and 13.3 mm inhibition diameter where bacbicure showed Xoc antibiosis suppression with 8.4 mm inhibition diameter. Greenhouse and field experiments using seed treatment (10 cfu/ml) 1 ml/ 1 kg seeds and foliar sprayed (10 cfu/ml) 3 ml/ 1 L of water were conducted to test the effectiveness of TU-Orga1 for nitrogen fixation and protecting rice (cv. Jasmine105) against Xoc compared with Bacillus sp. strain TU-44 and TU-60 that do not carry the yutI gene and conventional organic rice production. The result showed the best decrease disease severity by 89.6 and 82.8 percent respectively and related increased the total nitrogen fixation activity 37.1 percent that better than Bacillus sp. strain TU-44 and TU-60 and conventional practice (P=0.05). Furthermore, TU-Orga1 yutI mutant altered the efficiency of nitrogen fixation and bacterial leaf streak disease control in the field condition. Results suggested that B. subtilis TU-Orga1 carry the yutI gene had the potential for nitrogen fixation against bacterial leaf streak and used as alternative control to replaced synthesis fertilizer and pesticides in organic commercial field


A preliminary thiopropynylic rearrangement (by analogy with the thioallylic shift in allyl phenyl sulphides) occurs in prop-2-ynyl phenyl sulphides; both the starting substances and the allenyl phenyl sulphides which result from this thermal reorganization reaction must be separately capable of subsequent thio-Claisen rearrangement to account for the cyclic products (benzo[b]thiophens and 2H-thiachromenes) observed.


Based on the "larger probability is priory to pick up" principle in savage attack, the best algorithm with computational complexity of O(n) is given to solve the equivalent problem of (X+K)mod2n and X ⊕ K, which improving the Guess and Determine attack on SNOW1.0 of Hawkes, the data complexity of our attack decrease to 1/32 of Hawkes's and the computational complexity keeps the same as before.


The aim of this paper was to study, from a developmental perspective, the transient phase of gait during the period between the standing posture and the achievement of steady state gait, using temporal and biochemical parameters. Eight children who had been walking autonomously for 90 to 200 days were observed. A total of 64 sequences of steps were analyzed. A sequence of steps began with the child standing still and was executed on a large force plate. From the determination of the instantaneous velocity of center of gravity results establish that, unlike adults, progression velocity in children end of the first step, but after two to four steps. The gait initiation process does not depend on the steady state velocity, but results from an initial fall. The duration of the movement up to the end of the first step is independent of the progression velocity but depends only upon the body mass and moment of inertia of the children.


Due to the special weather such as haze and strong light, the air visibility will be reduced, which will affect the target capture by the computer vision system. In order to solve the interference with from fog of moving target detection, this design proposes a moving target detection method based on gray channels in complex weather, which can be applied to the embedded systems. In this design, the original image data captured by the camera is defogged, and the moving target is extracted by using an adaptive threshold gray frame difference method of the gray image. Finally, the defogged video is obtained by combining the morphological method and the bounding box method, and the moving target is labeled more accurately, The results show that the design can effectively output clear fog-free images and detect moving targets in haze weather.


Abstract  Coronary artery disease remains a major cause of mortality and morbidity with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We report two cases of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) associated with SLE. The first patient (a 45‐year‐old woman) underwent CABG operation for left main and two‐vessel coronary disease using cardiopulmonary bypass. Successful CABG was done using off‐pump technique in the second patient (a 39‐year‐old woman) under hemodialysis therapy. Both patients showed good postoperative outcome without complications.


A general solution to the antiplane problem of an elliptical inhomogeneity in an isotropic elastic medium is provided. The proposed analysis is based upon the use of conformal mapping and Laurent series expansion of the corresponding complex potentials. The general expressions of the complex potentials are derived explicitly in both the elliptical inhomogeneity and the surrounding matrix. Several specific solutions are provided in closed form which are verified by comparison with existing ones. The effect of material and geometrical parameters upon the change of the elastic energy, due to the presence of an elliptical inhomogeneity, has also been considered.


Cycle slips are a common error source in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) carrier phase measurements. In this paper, the cycle slip problem is approached using Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (RAIM) methodology. Carrier phase measurements are used here in a single-receiver time-differential positioning method where integer ambiguities are canceled, but any cycle slips remain. The performance of the method was assessed by comparing the detection results to a Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) solution and by manual data examination. Postprocessing results obtained using authentic Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements logged by low-cost single-frequency receivers show that the method is able to reliably detect and identify single errors but fails in an exemplary multiple outlier scenario. As no reference receiver is needed, the method is a potential means to produce cycle-slip-corrected data usable in any postprocessing application.


s from the 38th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Neuroimaging, Jan. 15–18, 2015, Carefree, Arizona, USA 1. Unilateral moyamoya disease with contralateral ICA hypoplasia Ahmed Itrat, Ken Uchino Cerebrovascular Center/Cleveland Clinic Cleveland, OH, USA Background & Purpose: Moyamoya disease (MMD) is characterized by progressive occlusion of terminal portions of internal carotid artery (ICA) and formation of collateral vessels. We report a unilateral moyamoya pattern with contralateral agenesis of internal carotid artery. Methods: Case report, neuroimaging and literature review Results: A 19 year old African-American male with no past medical history presented after a brief generalized tonic-clonic activity while working at a construction site. His evaluation did not reveal a clear seizure etiology. MRI brain with contrast showed no evidence of ischemia or abnormal enhancement. His CT angiogram showed absence of the proximal right middle cerebral artery with moyamoya-like collateral vessesl and and left ICA occlusion, along with an absence of carotid canal in the petrous temporal bone on the same side (Fig 1). A cerebral angiogram confirmed the left ICA occlusion extending distally from the origin with only a trickle flow to the skull base, and right MCA occlusion at its origin along with extensive neovascularization (Fig 2). The left MCA was being supplied by collaterals from the contralateral anterior cerebral artery (ACA). Conclusions: We demonstrate a unique case of ICA occlusion which was likely congenital in association with contralateral MCA occlusion with extensive unilateral neovascularization suggestive of MMD on that side. 2. Neuroimaging of Varicella Zoster virus vasculitis mimicking giant cell arteritis Ahmed Itrat, Ken Uchino Cerebrovascular Center/Cleveland Clinic Cleveland, OH, USA Background & Purpose: Determining the etiology of central nervous system (CNS) vasculitis can be challenging. We present an interesting case where a patient with CNS vasculitis and biopsy consistent with Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) was found to have positive titers of Varicella Zoster virus (VZV) immunoglobulins (IgG) in the CSF. Methods: Case report, neuroimaging and literature review Results: A 53 year old caucasian male with history of smoking presented with headaches, ataxia and mild dysarthria. MRI/MRA brain showed bilateral thalamic infarcts and a mild left posterior circulation artery stenosis. Further workup showed no clear etiology of stroke, but a CSF analysis showed elevated proteins. He was discharged but was readmitted two months later with worsening cognition. A CT head showed new infarcts in left parieto-occipital region and right inferior temporal region. A high resolution MRI was performed which showed multi-vessel enhancement concerning for vascular inflammation (Fig 1). A cerebral angiogram also revealed multi-vessel narrowing (Fig 2). Repeat CSF showed persistently elevated proteins. A brain biopsy was performed while awaiting the remaining CSF studies, which revealed vascular penetration by epithelioid histiocytes and multinucleated giant cells. A diagnosis of GCA was made. He was started on high-dose IV steroids followed by taper, as well as IV cyclophosphamide. However, his subsequent CSF results tested positive for VZV IgG, and a decision was made to add IV acyclovir to his treatment regimen. Conclusions: VZV vasculitis can mimic GCA clinically and pathologically. Caution must be exercised on concluding from imaging and biopsy specimen until CSF studies have ruled out VZV. 3. Carotid web resulting in large vessel stroke Joseph Petrsoric, Lauren DeNiro, Daniel Labovitz Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine/ Neurology Bronx, NY, USA Background & Purpose: A carotid web is a rare form of fibromuscular dysplasia with few reported cases. Usually near the carotid bifurcation, a semi-annular flap of tissue results in turbulent flow behind the flap leading to clot formation, then artery to artery embolism. Methods: This is a case of a 43-year-old female who presented with acute left hemiplegia and extinction to double simultaneous stimulation. tPA was administered. In preparation for endovascular thrombectomy, patient had cerebral angiogram which showed spontaneous recanalization of the MCA with improvement of symptoms. Carotid web was visualized on CT angiography and carotid angiogram. Carotid endarterectomy was performed to remove this tissue. Stroke work up, including hypercoaguability panel, echocardiogram, holter monitor, lipid panel and hemoglobin A1c, provided no other explanation for the infarction. Results: The patient was found to have acute right MCA stroke on DWI sequence of MRI (figure 1). CT angiogram demonstrates right internal carotid web near the carotid bulb (figure 2). Cerebral angiogram demonstrates the carotid web near the bifurcation of the common carotid with turbulent flow and delayed filling in the area behind the web (figure 3). Carotid endarterectomy was then completed with intraoperative photograph illustrating carotid web in situ (figure 4). Conclusions: Carotid webs create turbulent flow leading to increased stroke risk. Since this is a developmental error, stroke risk is present in the young. Lifelong anticoagulation as an alternative therapy would decrease risk, but place a large burden on a young patient with increased lifetime risk of bleeding. Carotid endarterectomy removes the focus of thrombosis and decreases stroke risk without need for anticoagulation. 4. Combined carotid embolectomy and endovascular thrombectomy in ischemic stroke from aortic dissection Ather M Taqui, Andrew Bauer, Muhammad S Hussain Cleveland Clinic Cerebrovascular Center Cleveland, OH, USA Background & Purpose: Ischemic stroke secondary to thromboembolism from aortic dissection is uncommon. We report a successful case of combined carotid embolectomy and endovascular thrombectomy in a patient with this presentation. Methods: Case report Results: A 47 year old male presented with one day of headache and blurred vision. He developed right sided weakness, severe global aphasia and became progressively less responsive. Initial NIHSS was 7 which worsened to 13. A CT head revealed early ischemic change in left posterior cerebral artery (PCA) territory. A CT angiogram revealed left ICA occlusion with thrombus in distal common carotid artery (CCA) and thrombus in left proximal fetal PCA. Also noted was a 2cm thrombus in the mid-aortic arch. Urgent MRI revealed a large left PCA infarct and small scattered infarcts in the left MCA territory. MR-perfusion imaging was also conducted. It was determined that the patient had a significant left ICA territory penumbra based on diffusion-clinical as well as diffusion-perfusion mismatch. Given the thrombus in the aortic arch, endovascular therapy alone was deemed very high risk so he underwent an emergent carotid embolectomy where some clot was removed from CCA and ICA. A sheath was placed in the ICA and a 5MaxAce catheter was used to aspirate the remainder of the clot resulting in a Thrombolysis-In-Cerebral-Infarction (TICI)-3 flow. During the hospital stay, he regained full motor strength. His NIHSS at 90-day visit was 1. Conclusions: Advanced carotid revascularization techniques can be successful in acute treatment of patients with ischemic stroke secondary to thromboembolism from aortic dissection. 5. Endovascular intervention in chronic idiopathic intracranial hypertension Muhammad-Atif Zubairi1, Andrew Carlson2 1University of New Mexico/Department of Neurology Albuquerque, NM, USA, 2University of New Mexico/Department of Neurosurgery Albuquerque, NM, USA Background & Purpose: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is characterized by increased intracranial pressure (ICP) in the absence of any known causative factor. Severe headache and visual field disturbance are usually the primary symptoms. If high ICP is left untreated, there is a high risk of continued visual deterioration with risk of blindness. IIH is primarily managed medically. Surgery is reserved for patients who have failed medical therapy (20%). Endovascular stenting of the dural venous sinus stenosis in cases of documented venous pressure gradient has shown significant promise in a select subgroup of patients. Methods: Correlation of clinical presentation, imaging with procedural technique and preliminary response by means of a case report. Results: A 34-year old female presented with severe headache, worsening vision and bilateral papilledema. MRI brain evidenced empty sella. MR venography showed focal area of stenosis in the left dominant transverse-sigmoid (TS) sinus. Lumbar puncture (LP) performed showed elevated opening pressure of 47 mm Hg. Cerebral angiography with venous sinus manometry showed a pressure gradient of greater than 20 mm Hg across the left TS sinus. Stenting of the left TS sinus was performed with pressure normalization across the stented segment. She went home on aspirin and clopidogrel. She later reported significant improvement in headache. Post-stenting LP showed an opening pressure of 18 mm Hg. Follow-up cerebral angiogram in 3 months showed patent left TS sinus stent. Clopidogrel was subsequently discontinued. Conclusions: Stenting of dural venous sinuses is the newer and safe alternative for the refractory cases of IIH, although limited clinical data is available about the long term procedural benefit. 6. Sneddon's syndrome associated with cardiac involvement and antiphospholipid syndrome Syed Amer1, Mohammed Muqeetadnan2 1Mayo Clinic / Internal Medicine Phoenix, AZ, USA, 2University of Oklahoma Health Sciences / Internal Medicine Oklahoma, OK, USA Background & Purpose: We describe a rare case of stroke and myocardial infarction in a 56 year old female with Sneddon's syndrome and antiphospholipid syndrome. Methods: Case report Results: 56 year old female with past history of hypertension, hepatitis C, livedo reticularis presente


The microstructure developed during the T5 treatment of squeeze cast magnesium alloys containing rare earth (Gd, Y, or Ce, ≈ 3–10 wt.%), Sc (< 1 wt.%) and Mn (< 1.5 wt.%) is responsible for a reasonable age hardening in MgGdScMn alloys. Moderate age hardening is only possible in MgY4Sc1Mn1 or MgCe3Sc1Mn1 alloys. The c‐based centred orthorhombic phase precipitating as fine prismatic plates in a triangular arrangement is the most effective hardening phase. The stability of yield strength up to 250°C–300°C was confirmed in T5 treated MgGdScMn and MgY4Sc1Mn1 alloys. All alloys exhibit a reasonable ductility at room temperature. The precipitation of very fine basal discs of Mn2Sc phase observed in all T5 treated alloys investigated does not contribute considerably to the hardness, but it is very effective in restricting creep. The creep resistance of all alloys investigated is superior to that of commercial WE54 alloy up to 350°C.


Environmental organizations have raised concerns about the environmental, health, and safety (EHS) implications of the hundreds of products containing nanomaterials that are now on the market. In the process they have drawn attention to the 'undone science' of EHS research and called for changes in both research and regulatory policy. Environmental and other advocacy organizations have been active in three policy fields in the United States: funding levels for EHS research, moratoria on the production of new nanomaterials largely based on the precautionary principle, and negotiations over definitions of safe or responsible nanotechnology with the private sector and the federal government. During the administration of President George W. Bush, calls for more research and industry guidelines met with greater success than those that called for moratoria and enhanced mandatory regulation. The more successful strategies tend to reproduce scientistic politics associated with risk assessment, whereas the less successful strategies would open up a broader public debate on the extent to which nanotechnology is needed or socially desirable.


The paper addresses the problem of improving the estimate of a covariance matrix from one set of multivariate random processes when there exist nonzero crosscorrelations with another set of random processes. The improvement is obtained by linearly combining the first set's sample covariance matrix with covariance matrices predicted via the crosscorrelations. The superiority of the proposed method is demonstrated by an application to spatial smoothing for the direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation of coherent narrowband signals using a uniform linear array.


For the most part, biblical scholarship has treated Paul as a distant creature of the past. With his legendary death in Rome, Paul's hope for the future suffered a more inglorious fate. Ever since F. C. Baur broke up the dogmatic glacier over Romans, there has been constant debate about the historical situation and purpose of the last extant letter of Paul. This chapter discusses the third leg on Paul's journey: Spain. The question of why Paul would go to Spain is linked to the usual assumption that there were Jewish communities in Spain which Paul customarily would use for his initial base of operations. In 24 BCE Augustus returned to Rome to celebrate a triumphal campaign of northwestern Spain. The pacification of Spain was brought about not simply by Roman military success. Keywords: Augustus; Jewish communities; Paul; Rome; Spain