Drug-induced immune cytopenias, although infrequently recognized, may cause significant morbidity and mortality as indicated by two reports of severe immune hemolytic anemia (IHA) caused by cefotetan, published in this issue of TRANSFUSION.',2 As emphasized by Garratty et a1.,2 third-generation cephalosporins have been prominent among implicated drugs in recently reported cases of drug-induced IHA; their article documents the third reported fatality. These articles are of particular interest in that the relevant antibodies in both cases were described as reacting by both the immune complex mechanism and the drug absorption mechanism. Moreover, the patient described by Garratty et al. also had an antibody that reacted as a drug-independent autoantibody. The terminology used to describe these serologic reactions is derived from concepts regarding the mechanisms of drug-induced antibody production and the mechanisms by which the druginduced antibodies react with the cellular elements of the blood. These concepts have continued to evolve as new information has become available. Four mechanisms have been proposed. In studying patients with drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia, Ackroyd3 observed that the patients' sera caused agglutination of the patients' own platelets and of compatible normal platelets in vitro in the presence of the drug but not in its absence. Antibody could be demonstrated only when drug was incubated with the antibody-containing serum and cells. Ackroyd also demonstrated that if, after incubation with the drug, the platelets were washed or dialyzed against saline, the drug was readily removed from the platelets. It was clear from such serologic reactions that the antigen could not be the platelet alone and that the drug was loosely bound to the cell membrane. From these and other experiments, Ackroyd proposed that the drug forms a labile combination with cellular proteins and that this drug-cell combination is potentially antigenic, with the drug acting as a hapten. This proposed mechanism has become known as the hapten mechanism. (This is a rather unfortunate choice of terms, because, regardless of the mechanism by which drug antibodies are developed, a prerequisite to the drug's becoming immunogenic is the formation of a haptenic conjugate. What may vary is the identity of the macromolecular carrier protein, the characteristics of the resultant antibody, and the severity of the clinical findings.) Because the early descriptions of drug-induced immune cytopenias involved drugs that bound to the cells very loosely, whereas haptens generally require tight binding to the carrier protein, an alternative hypothesis was pre~ented.~.' This is often referred to as the immune complex hypothesis. This hypothesis suggests that the initiating event in the immune response is the binding of drug with plasma proteins and that the antibody produced first binds with the drug and then these immune complexes are absorbed onto cells. According to this hypothesis, intrinsic cellular components play no role in the development of the antibody. Regardless of the mechanism by which the immune response occurs, the demonstration of the relevant antibody in the earliest reported cases of drug-induced IHA required that free drug be present in the in vitro agglutination reaction. Antibodies demonstrable only in the presence of free drug have been called drug-dependent antibodies. A common clinical finding associated with drug-dependent antibodies is that immune hemolysis is often severe, as is illustrated by the case reports in this


The chief goal of tunnel fire fighting design is to ensure the people's life safety.Cross passage,qua the safety zone of tunnel,its interval is crucial to people's safe escape.A calculate method of cross passage interval in detail using Xuefengshan Tunnel as an object example is described,and the application of the calculate method is also given out briefly.Firstly,typical natural escape process under four fire scenarios is analyzed according to the fire characteristics of super long tunnel from the viewpoint of people's safe escape,the danger times under four fire scenarios with different cross passage intervals are calculated by fire simulation software FDS.Then,compared with escape time which combined with characteristics of people's escape behavior,the optimum cross passage interval is obtained and economical efficiency analyzed.The calculate method and its results would provide theory gist of tunnel fire fighting design,the establishment of the escape direction system and the emergency scheme.


Chart control for drawing dynamic charts based on.NET platform developed by Microsoft Corporation is a powerful, beautiful and practical control.This paper discusses how to use this control to bind data source for the chart, export data of the chart, process the data series and draw all kinds of bar charts, pie charts and radar charts. It provides a good solution to the ASP. NET Web systems to show, statistify and analysize information.


There is a growing interest in applications of embedded and integrated sensors to ensure the reliability of structural components. The results of a panel discussion to elucidate future directions and key issues are presented. Views of three organizations, with different missions and objectives, on needs and opportunities are first presented, followed by a summary of general audience discussion. Emphasis is placed on identifying the commonalities and differences in those needs and opportunities.


Synthetic derivatives of flavins were covalently attached to the surfaces of BiOCl particles as photosensitizers for facilitating the heterogeneous photocatalytic degradation of organic molecules under visible light. The anchored flavins, tethered through their N3 position, were found to significantly (up to more than 6 times) increase the ability of BiOCl to oxidize salicylic acid upon exposure to visible light. The extent of rate enhancement was found to depend on the type of synthetic flavin, where a compound having a conjugated linker was found to be more active than flavins with nonconjugated linkers. Two competing mechanisms are discussed: One is based on flavin photoexcitation followed by charge transport from the excited flavin to the BiOCl solid support phase. A second (parallel) mechanism hinges on BiOCl photoexcitation instead, followed by charge injection in the opposite direction.


With sustained growth of intermittent power supplies connected to grid, the randomness and volatility of intermittent power supplies will bring new challenges to power system optimization dispatch. For dealing with the uncertainty of large-scale intermittent power supply, this paper introduces robust optimization theory into optimization dispatch for hybrid wind/photovoltaic/hydro/thermal power systems. Meanwhile in order to make an ideal compromise between reliability and economy of system dispatch, this paper also introduces concept of uncertainty to cover shortcoming of conventional robust optimization which is conservative. A flexible robust optimization with adjustable uncertainty budget dispatch model is built for hybrid power system to achieve coordination between reliability and economy, and then the uncertainty budget decision methods are studied to reduce blindness of uncertainty budget decisions. Moreover, a new compound differential evolution (CDE) algorithm is designed in this paper. The diversity of individuals and convergence speed are taken into account in process of differential evolution (DE) calculation by introducing a series of operations into DE algorithm, such as individual ranking, population dividing, CDE, and population restructuring. Finally, a sample application is carried out to verify the validity and practicability of the model and the method.


Nowadays smart phones are the basic need of people and its use is increased rapidly. Hence, it can be used for personal security or various other protection purpose. There are various applications which provide security and safety solutions via the phone. This paper basically represent 'Chal': Digital Citizen, an android application for women safety, police complaint and hospital finder. This app is activated with just a single click when facing emergency. Within those three services in women safety by clicking panic button, it identifies the location through Global Positioning System and sends the emergency message with the Uniform Resource Locater (URL) to registered contacts and police portal. In Police service user can complaint regarding any issues. In Hospital service by a single click user can locate nearest hospitals and can navigate through map. This app overcomes the safety problems and mobile acts not as a basic application but also plays vital role with android.


This article, which presents one of the simulations of migrating the general scheme to notional accounts performed by CNAV in 2009, was used as data for the 7th report of France's Pensions Advisory Council (COR). Based on the architecture of the Prisme forecasting model and the 2007 economic scenario for 2050, all the pension entitlements accrued by employees under the general scheme were calculated as notional accounts. The assumptions relating to the current non-contributory elements show that maintaining them is not incompatible with the new system for calculating retirement pensions, according to the conclusions of COR's 7th report. We present two versions of the results, which are both intended to be purely illustrative of the mechanisms at work in the event of a migration: in the first, the retirement age remains constant for both systems, whereas in the second, the retirement dates are altered to enable insurees to qualify for the same pension in notional accounts as the pension they would have received under the current system. The differences found between pensions paid in annuities and in notional accounts illustrate the consequences of changing system, both at individual and macroeconomic level. A microsimulation allows for a detailed breakdown of the effects specific to certain sub-groups of general-scheme insurees, and enhances our understanding of the specific effects of the legislation currently in force.


The three-point function in Fourier space is evaluated for an ensemble of 2D numerical simulations with nine initial power spectra distinguished by spectral index and cutoff. To remove the main dependences on scale and time, results are presented as the reduced amplitude Q in the hierarchical model. To lowest nonvanishing order in perturbation theory, Q is a constant, independent of length scale, of time, and of initial spectrum. The results show that in the nonlinear regime of evolution, normalizing to Q does remove the main variations, but systematic dependences on spectral index and cutoff remain at late times that depend on properties of the initial spectrum. Models with initial power cut off on a scale that has been evolved far into the nonlinear regime are indistinguishable from models with no cutoff.


The aim of this study is to evaluate the analytical performances of the Lp(a) Ultra assay for the immunoturbidimetric quantitative determination of lipoprotein (a) in human serum and plasma on Siemens Healthineers Atellica CH 930 Analyzer.

 Lipoprotein (a) has been found in artery walls and can have atherogenic effects. Because of its structural similarity to plasminogen, it can also inhibit fibrinolysis and hence acts thrombogenically. High Lp(a) concentrations in serum correlate with premature manifestation of atherosclerosis and strokes. In combination with elevated LDL Cholesterol concentrations, the coronary risk increases approximately six-fold.

 Lp(a) Ultra is a latex immunoassay manufactured by Sentinel Diagnostics and developed to measure Lp(a) levels. If the antigen-antibody reaction takes place between Lp(a) in the sample and the anti-Lp(a) antibodies, which have been adsorbed to latex particles, agglutination occurs. This agglutination is detected as an absorbance change, with the magnitude of the change being proportional to the quantity of Lp(a) contained in the sample.

 The Limit of Blank LOB (4 samples × 5 replicates × 3 runs) was ≤2.0 mg/dL. The Limit of Detection LOD (4 samples × 5 replicates × 3 runs) was ≤ 3.0 mg/dL. The Limit of Quantitation LOQ (8 dilution levels × 10 replicates × 3 runs) was ≤5.0 mg/dL at %CV lower than 20%. The Intra Assay (5 samples × 20 replicates × 3 runs) gave the following %CVs: 2.4% at 12.1 mg/dL, 0.8% at 30.3 mg/dL, 0.6% at 47.8 mg/dL, 0.5% at 58.8 mg/dL, 1.7% at 87.1 mg/dL. Total precision study (5 samples × 2 runs × 2 replicates × 20 runs) gave the following %CVs: 4.0% at 11.5 mg/dL, 3.6% at 21.7 mg/dL, 3.0% at 32.0 mg/dL, 2.8% at 42.2 mg/dL, 2.3% at 50.7 mg/dL. The test was linear up to 130 mg/dL. Calibration stability was up to 30 days. Reagent on board stability was up to 30 days. This application (y) was compared with the same test applied on Beckman Coulter AU680 Analyzer (x) and gave the following results: using Passing Bablok analysis: y = 0.8 + 1.0x; correlation coefficient (r) = 0.997; using Deming analysis: y = 1.0 + 1.0x; correlation coefficient (r) = 0.997; number of samples = 120. There is not Hook effect/antigen excess up to 600 mg/dL.

 Analytical performances of Lp(a) Ultra assay on Siemens Healthineers Atellica CH 930 Analyzer meet the requirements for its use as immunoturbidimetric quantitative determination of lipoprotein (a) in human serum and plasma and make this assay very suitable for the routine measurement of this analyte.


: Objective: The electric ( ¯ α ) and magnetic ( ¯ β ) pion Compton polarizabilities characterize the pion's defor-mation in the electromagnetic field of the γ during γπ Compton scattering. They depend on the rigidity of the pion's internal structure as a composite particle. The polarizabilities deduced by Antipov et al. in their low statistics Primakoff experiment ( ∼ 7000 events) were ¯ α π = − ¯ β π = 6.8 ± 1.4 ± 1.2, in units of 10 − 43 cm 3 . This value, ignoring the large error bars, is about three times larger than the chiral perturbation theory ( χ PT) prediction. Taking into account the very high beam intensity, fast data acquisition, high acceptance and good resolution of the CERN COMPASS experiment, one can expect from COMPASS statistics a factor 6000 higher, a data sample that includes many tests to control systematic errors, and a significantly reduced total measurement uncertainty for ¯ α π , of order 0.4. Methodology: CERN COMPASS studies of pion-photon interactions, to achieve a unique Primakoff physics program centered on pion polarizability studies. We use 100-200 GeV pion beams and a virtual photon target, and magnetic spectrometers and calorimeters to measure the complete kinematics of pion-photon reactions. COMPASS was set up during 2000/01, including a successful Primakoff test run, and then We of the We achieve a of Primakoff of π − on Lead at a beam energy of 190 GeV at five different pairs of ¯ α and ¯ β polarizability parameters with a total statistics of five times 620,000 events, each sample corresponding to the analyzed events from roughly a day of COMPASS data taking.


VANETs are self-organized networks in which their constituent nodes are vehicles. In general, applications developed for VANETs make use of broadcast information. However, there are many issues to be considered. One of the central problems is the broadcast storm. In this paper a temporal probabilistic protocol based on Game Theory and the Statistic ExponentiallyWeighted Moving Average (EWMA) is proposed, called E-ProbT, used to mitigate the broadcast storm problem. The Game Theory will be used to model rewards and penalties for neighbors, according to their packet forwarding decisions. The Statistic Exponentially Weighted Moving Average will be used to determinate values of threshold that indicate the best forwarders. The E-ProbT performance was measured and compared to the performance of the protocols: blind ooding, Wheighted p-Persistence, AutoCast and Irresponsible Forwarding. The results show that, according to the parameters of the E-ProbT, the delivery and redundancy rate are adjusted to desired levels.


New protein coding genes can emerge from genomic regions that previously did not contain any genes, via a process called de novo gene emergence. To synthesize a protein, DNA must be transcribed as well as translated. Both processes need certain DNA sequence features. Stable transcription requires promoters and a polydenylation signal, while translation requires at least an open reading frame (ORF). We develop mathematical models based on mutation probabilities, and the assumption of neutral evolution, to find out how quickly genes emerge and are lost. We also investigate the effect of the order by which DNA features evolve, and if sequence composition is biased by mutation rate. We rationalize how genes are lost much more rapidly than they emerge, and how genes with long ORFs preferentially arise in regions that are already transcribed. Our study not only answers some fundamental questions on the topic of de novo emergence but also provides a modeling framework for future studies.


In this paper, we firstly introduce the visual feature model of human being. Considering the application of digital color image enhancement, we conclude one digital color image fuzzy enhancement algorithm which uses visual feature model to realize multi-level edge extraction. We also present a fast arithmetic in order to reduce the complexity and improve the performance.


Objective:To study the expression of GLUT1 and GLUT4in placenta tissue of gestational diabetes mellitus patients and its relationship with related miRNAs.Methods:Placental tissues were collected from 30 cases of gestational diabetes mellitus puerperas and 30 healthy puerperas and then fixed by formalin and frozen in liquid nitrogen respectively;then translation levels of GLUT1 and GLUT4were detected by immunohistochemistry method,and transcription levels of GLUT1 and GLUT4as well as expression of miRNA-518 dwere detected by fluorescent quantitative PCR.Results:(1)mRNA contents and the mean optical density of GLUT1 and GLUT4in placental tissue of GDM group were lower than those of control group;(2)expression of miRNA-518 din placental tissue of GDM group was higher than that of control group;(3)target scan software forecast showed that there were binding sites of miRNA-518 din 3'UTR of mRNA of GLUT1 and GLUT4;(4)miR-518 content was negatively correlated with mRNA contents and protein contents of GLUT1 and GLUT4.Conclusion:Expression of GLUT1 and GLUT4decreases but expression of miRNA-518 dincreases in placental tissue of gestational diabetes mellitus;miRNA-518 dmay affect glucose transport and insulin sensitivity by inhibiting the expression of GLUT1 and GLUT4.


1. A method of enhancing plant growth comprising treating a plant seed or plant that germinates from the seed, an effective amount of at least two lipohitooligosaharidov (Lho), wherein after harvesting the plant is characterized by at least one of the following: increased plant yield, measured in units bushel / acre, an increased number of roots, increased root length, enhanced root mass, increased root volume and increased leaf area compared with untreated plants or plants expr osshimi of raw semyan.2. . A method according to claim 1, wherein at least two are Lho Lho having a formula: wherein Roznachaet C14: 0 3OH-C14: 0, iso-C15: 0, C16: 0 3OH-S16-0 iso-C15: 0, C16: 1, C16: 2, C16: 3, iso-C17: 0, iso-C17: 1, C18: 0 3OH-C18: 0, C18: 0/3 OH, C18 1, OH-C18: 1, C18: 2, C18: 3, C18: 4, C19: 1, carbamoyl, C20: 0, C20: 1, 3-OH-C20: 1, C20: 1/3-OH, C20: 2, C20: 3, C22: 1 and S18-26 (ω-1) -OH (including C18, C20, C22, C24, C26 and C16 hydroxylated compounds: 1Δ9, C16: 2 (Δ2,9) and C16: 3 (Δ2,4,9)); Is hydrogen or methyl; Is hydrogen, acetyl, or carbamoyl; Is hydrogen, acetyl ilikarbamoil; Is hydrogen, acetyl, or carbamoyl; Is hydrogen, arabinosyl, fucosyl, acetyl, sulphate, 3-0-S-2-0-MeFuc, 2-0-MeFuc and 4-0-AcFuc; Is hydrogen, mannose, or glycerol; Is hydrogen, methyl or -CHOH; Is hydrogen, fucosyl or arabinosyl; Is hydrogen, acetyl or fucosyl; and n is 0, 1, 2, or 3.3. . A method according to claim 1, wherein at least two Lho Lho represent a formula of: 4. . A method according to claim 1, wherein at least two are Lho Lho having a formula: 5. A method according to Claim. 1, in which at least two are Lho Lho, describing


Time-course patterns of leaf and internode elongation were studied in bean plants. Each leaf started its main elongation period when the leaf below reached half of its final length. The onset of leaf unfolding was nearly synchronous with the initiation of the elongation of the subjacent internode. Excision of young leaves increased the rate of stem elongation as a result of an earlier unfolding of the next upper leaves and the concomitant advancement in the elongation of their subjacent internodes. IAA or NAA (1% in lanolin) suppressed the enhancement effects of leaf excision on leaf and internode elongation. The excision of a young leaf increased the final length of internodes located below it, and at the same time decreased the final length of the internodes located above the excised leaf. The reduction was greater the younger the internode. Differences in internode elongation after leaf excision were related to changes during internode ontogenesis in their relative response to the availability of assimilates on the one hand, and on the other hand to hormonal factors transported acropetally from the young leaves to the growing internodes.


The dementia, is usually associated with other neurological abnor malities, and a definitive diagnosis of most syndromes depends on neuropathological examination. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in children presents neuropathological examination similar to Alpers' disease, which have given attention to the differential diagnosis between these syndromes. The aim of this study was to report a case of progres sive degenerative spongiform encephalopathy in infancy with study of autopsy.


Immobilized cell Pediococcus acidilactici F11 that can produce bacteriocin in calciumalginate gel was studied.  This research was conducted to observe the ability of immobilized cell toproduce bacteriocin in TGE broth with initial pH 6,5 in a shaker waterbath at 100 rpm and 37Cfor 24 hours. The cell was immobilized by dropping the mixed of 3% sodium alginate with microbial cells to0,1 M calcium chloride solution.  More than 99% of cell introduced was successfully immobilized. The cell density in beads was in the range of 1,4 x 109 to 1,6 x 1010 cfu /g beads. The ability of immobilized cell and free cell to produce bacteriocin was similar qualitatively.  Theyalso showed similar pH profile during the time of fermentation. Keywords:  immobilized cell, Pediococcus acidilactici F11, bacteriocin, calcium alginate gel


A soft interconnection gateway system serving as a gateway exchange and an operating method thereof are provided to operate a soft interconnection gateway system as an open gateway exchange by allocating a trunk channel between a call processing control unit and a traffic transmission unit by using the Megaco(Media gateway control) protocol and withdrawing the allocated trunk channel when the call is ended. If an IAM(Initial Address Message) for requesting a relay call connection is transmitted to a call processing control unit from an originating MSC(s301), a relay call control block of the call processing control unit analyzes the prefix of a destination telephone exchange number and judges whether the called subscriber is a mobile phone subscriber(s302). In case the called subscriber is a mobile phone subscriber, the call processing control unit transmits an LOCREQ(Location Request Invoke) message to an HLR in order to confirm the location of a serving MSC, where the mobile phone subscriber is located at present(s303). In response to the LOCREQ message, the HLR delivers a locreq message to the call processing control unit(s304). The call processing control unit transmits an IAM to the serving MSC(s305). The serving MSC transmits an ACM(Address Complete Message) to the call processing control unit(s306). The call processing control unit, receiving the ACM, transmits it to the originating MSC in response to the IAM transmitted from the originating MSC(s307).


Metal-based pharmaceutical agents are composed of one or more metal ions and at least one ligand. Additional molecular substituents may include targeting moieties, linking groups, antioxidants, or pendant carbohydrates, or some combination of these. There are two main applications of metal-based pharmaceutical agents: diagnostic and therapeutic. Ligand requirements for the two streams of development differ in some important ways, but are still based on the same basic principles for molecular design, including consideration of thermodynamic and hydrolytic stability, pharmacokinetics, molecular weight and charge, lipophilicity and hydrophilicity, aqueous solubility, functional groups, and ligand nontoxicity (sometimes achieved by using naturally occurring binding groups). Examples of the principles that are discussed in this article include Gd(III)-based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents, Cu(II)-clotrimazole, proposed as an antiparasitic agent, 67 Ga-citrate for tumor imaging, and 99 mTc(I)-sestamibi for cardiac imaging.

Keywords:

ligand;
chelation;
metallodiagnostic;
metallotherapeutic;
lanthanide;
gallium citrate;
membrane permeability;
oxidation state;
lipophilicity;
multifunctionality;
synergy


Chemical mechanical polished Al (CMP-Al) films deposited at various temperatures were explored as the gate electrodes of amorphous-silicon (a-Si:H) inverted-staggered thin-film transistors (TFTs) for the first time. Although the surface roughness of the asdeposited Al films increased with increasing deposition temperature, Al films deposited at higher temperature were more robust to hillock formation during subsequent annealing. To take advantage of the better hillock suppression properties, CMP is employed to reduce the inherently large surface roughness of these high-temperature-deposited Al films. Our results show that the electrical characteristics of the TFTs are significantly improved. Specifically, the threshold voltage is reduced from 2.37 to 1.43 V, the mobility is improved from 0.32 to 1.36 cm2/V s, and the subthreshold swing is improved from 0.72 to 0.58 V/decade as the Al deposition temperature is increased from 25 to 400°C. © 2000 The Electrochemical Society. S1099-0062(99)10-107-X. All rights reserved.


Spontaneous triploid hybrids (2n = 49) were discovered between Amaranthus spinosus L. (2n = 34), a diploid species, and A. dubius Mart. ex Thellung (2n = 64) which was found to be a tetraploid. Meiosis in the hybrids was irregular and 15 univalents were most frequently found along with the bivalents pairing apparently allosyndetically (15 I's + 17 II's = 2n = 49) at metaphase I. Univalents were excluded from the telophase nuclei in both meiotic divisions resulting in supernumerary microspores and in a reduction in the mean size of the microspores. Consequently, the triploids were largely sterile and the few undersized seeds produced failed to germinate. Seed weight, seed volume, stomatal size, and pollen grain size were proportional to chromosome number in the parents only, not in their hybrids. Since A. dubius exhibits typical bivalent behavior in synapsis, it is considered to be an allotetraploid in which A. spinosus has been one progenitor. It is suggested that the diploid A. quitensis H. B. K. (2n = 3...


This paper is focused on the use of carrier phase measurements and parity space methodology to investigate the limits of high-integrity and high-continuity satellite-based navigation performance. In this regard, a new algorithm for receiver autonomous fault detection and removal is developed with the specific goal of attaining the high levels of integrity and continuity required for aircraft precision approach and landing applications. Fault detection and removal algorithm performance is demonstrated through analysis and simulation, and the results of tests using deliberately induced failures in raw night data are presented.


Source Mask Optimization (SMO) technique is an advanced RET with the goal of extending optical lithography lifetime by enabling low k1 imaging [1,2]. Most of the literature concerning SMO has so far focused on PV (process variation) band, MEEF and PW (process window) aspects to judge the performance of the optimization as in traditional OPC [3]. In analogy to MEEF impact for low k1 imaging we investigate the source error impact as SMO sources can have rather complicated forms depending on the degree of freedom allowed during optimization. For this study we use Tachyon SMO tool on a 22nm metal design test case. A free form and parametric source solutions are obtained using MEEF and PW requirements as main criteria. For each type of source, a source perturbation is introduced to study the impact on lithography performance. Based on the findings we conclude on the choice of freeform or parametric as a source and the importance of source error in the optimization process.


Abstract A second law analysis for an engine using fuels produced by Al-Doura Oil Refinery. The fuels used were the enhanced pool formulae (called S1 to S4). The engine performance and emission characteristics were studied both from first and second law point of view. Results showed improvement in most of the fuel properties like calorific value, sulfur content, ON, gum content and energy density. On the engine side, the brake power, thermal efficiency (and specific fuel consumption) and sulfur dioxide levels improved, while heat loss and NOx emissions increased. From second law analysis, it is clear that S1 grade showed the highest fuel and indicated work availability compared with others but at the cost of exergy destroyed as heat and entropy generation.


The rpoB gene has been known to be a surrogate marker for detection of Multidrug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Mutations of rpoB gene were associated with rifampicin (RMP) resistance occur in 81 bp region called Rifampin Resistance-Determining Region (RRDR). This study was aimed to determine the types of mutations and amino acid differences in isolates of M.tuberculosis MDR compared to M.tuberculosis H37Rv. Amplification of rpoB gene fragments was carried out using nested Polymerase Chain Reaction ( nested PCR). Analysis of mutation using MEGA4 showed two amino acid changes namely, E418D and H526L. The type of mutations determined in isolate was missense mutations. Keywords : MDR-TB, mutation, nested PCR, rpoB


Recently, machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) techniques have been extensively studied in database systems including cardinality/selectivity estimation for optimizing queries with selections and joins. However, the issue of how to support complex cyclic join queries by ML/DL has not yet been well studied. An important research issue in optimizing complex cyclic join queries is how to decompose complex cyclic joins into a join tree where a node in the join tree may represent a subquery with cyclic joins. The main application of complex cyclic join queries is to support subgraph matching queries, which find matches of a user-given pattern graph in a large node/edge-labeled graph by subgraph isomorphism, when a graph is stored in a relational database system. Here, when a graph is stored in an edge table, the joins will be mainly self-joins. In the existing work, such decomposition is done by estimation with AGM bound. In this work, we demonstrate how ML/DL can support such complex cyclic self-joins by providing a more accurate estimation. We build a prototyped system, LSSMatch, based on ML/DL techniques, with a GUI to provide insights to observe how ML/DL-based techniques contribute to query optimization for complex cyclic self-join queries.


The relationship between the crystal structure and the crystal field (CF) effect was studied in the hexagonal samarium oxyfluoride (SmOF). The crystal structure of SmOF was refined with the Rietvel...


Objective: To compare the effects of three different antihypertensive drugs consisting of angiotensinⅡreceptor antagonist losartan,dihydropyridine calcium antagonist amlodipine besylate and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors perindopril on cell apoptosis in mesenteric artery of spontaneously hypertensive rat.Methods: The 11-week old male SHR were randomly divided into losartan intervention group(SHR-los),amlodipine besylate intervention group(SHR-nor),perindopril intervention group(SHR-per)and the blank control group(SHR).The sex and age matched WKY were used as normal control group.Systolic blood pressure was measured by a tail-cuff method before and every four weeks after experiment.8 weeks later,the level of Bax,bcl-2 and P53 expression and caspase-3 activity were measured.The mesenteric artery cell apoptosis was observed.Results: Losartan,amlodipine besylate and perinopril lowered systolic blood pressure of SHR significantly(P 0.01)and no significant difference was found among the three drug-treated groups(P 0.05).Bax,bcl-2 and P53 genes expressed in each group of mesenteric artery,drug-treated groups displayed that they could inhibit cell apoptosis by expression of some related genes such as Bax,bcl-2 and P53 genes,especially in SHR-nor group(P 0.05).Caspase-3 activity of SHR group was the highest and that of WKY group was the lowest.Caspase-3 activity was lower in the three drug-treated groups than that in the SHR group and higher than that in the WKY group(P 0.01).No significant difference was found between SHR-los and SHR-per group.Caspase-3 activity in SHR-nor group was lower than that of the other two drug-treated groups(P 0.01).Conclusion: Besides lowering blood pressure,Losartan,amlodipine besylate.and perindopril may have cardiovascular protective effect by preventing cell apoptosis.amlodipine besylate has better effect on protecting cell apoptosis in mesenteric artery.


The recent paper by Treloar et al. examines the interesting subject of iron status in the psychogeriatric population. The authors discuss the difficulties in diagnosis of iron deficiency, the possible benefits of treatment and also the cost effectiveness of these measures. In addition the need for attention to patients' dietary intake and physical condition is emphasised. A similar study of psychogeriatric patients attending a day hospital was undertaken. At the time of the study, 53 patients attended the unit. Of these patients 35 were suffering from organic brain disorder and 18 were suffering from functional psychiatric disorders, (using the ICD 9 classification). On admission to the day hospital a physical examination and blood tests were performed. Of the 53 patients attending at the time of the study (comprising 18 males and 35 females) 6 patients were excluded on the basis of either refusing consent to blood tests or where case notes were not available. The remaining 47 patients (16 males and 3 1 females) had the following results: -


In this paper, we demonstrate that a collaborative relationship between the operating system and applications can be used to meet user-specified goals for battery duration. We first show how applications can dynamically modify their behavior to conserve energy. We then show how the Linux operating system can guide such adaptation to yield a battery-life of desired duration. By monitoring energy supply and demand, it is able to select the correct tradeoff between energy conservation and application quality. Our evaluation shows that this approach can meet goals that extend battery life by as much as 30%.


Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) communications have received increasing attention in both military and civilian applications due to low cost and ease of deployment. Security is an unavoidable yet challenging issue during the data transmission process of communication networks. In this paper, we concentrate on the resource allocation in secure relay network assisted by a UAV in the presence of multiple eavesdroppers. Our target is to maximize the secrecy rate by jointly designing the transmit beamformer and artificial noise subject to the transmit power constraint of UAV. The resulting optimization problem is highly intractable and the key observation is that the original optimization problem can be equivalently transformed into a two- level problem. In particular, the inner-level problem can be solved by exploiting Semi-Definite Relaxation (SDR) and Charnes-Cooper transformation techniques, and the outer-level problem is handled by performing one-dimensional algorithm. Also, the tightness of the rank-relaxation is analyzed. Finally, simulation results are provided to validate the performance of our proposed scheme.


purpose:To discuss the DSA imaging of patients with diabetic foot and corresponding treatment,and evaluate the clinical effect of interventional treatment for diabetic foot.Method:5 patient with 2 types of diabetic foot underwent ultrasonography and angiography of lower limbs.Multiple stenosis and occlusion were found in the target arteries.Interventional therapy were done in 7 target arteries of 5cases(5 vessels in 5 cases were treated with angioplasty through balloon dilation,and 6 vessels in 5 cases received stent implantation).The patients were followed up with DSA or ultrasound at 3~6 months.Result:The symptoms of 6 target limbs were relieved after treatment,and 1 limb was amputated after embolectomy.Conclusion:DSA can provide an excellent view of occlusive site and extent of target artery.Interventional treatment can improve the perfusion of diabetic foot,and the short-term effect is satisfied combined with controlling blood sugar and improving the blood circulation.


This is a paper about the beauty of the permutation method. New and shorter proofs are given for the theorem [P. L. Erdos and G. O. H. Katona, J. Combin. Theory. Ser. A, 43 (1986), pp. 58--69; S. Shahriari, Discrete Math., 162 (1996), pp. 229--238] determining all extremal two-part Sperner families and for the uniqueness of k-Sperner families of maximum size [P. Erdos, Bull. Amer. Math. Soc., 51 (1945), pp. 898--902].


Design basis accidents and the General Design Criteria are used by regulators and designers to analyze potential design options. As implemented, Criterion 35 treats the double-ended break of the largest pipe in the reactor coolant system with concurrent loss of offsite power and a single failure in the most critical place as the design basis accident for the emergency core cooling system. Our case study involves a proposed Gas-Cooled Fast Reactor emergency core cooling system design that violates this design basis accident. Using PRA techniques, we find that the mean frequency of this accident is 3.03x10{sup -7} per reactor year. This frequency is very low, thus indicating that deterministic criteria, such as Criterion 35, may lead to a more complicated, time-consuming, and not as comprehensive regulatory process than would be the case in a risk-informed environment. (authors)


In this demonstration, we present X-Wing, a force feedback device using ducted fans attached to a Virtual Reality (VR) Head Mounted Display (HMD). Applying haptic technologies to VR has become a standard solution to enhance the immersive experience. It is also essential for virtual interactions where user experience and performance are crucial. This research focuses on a head-based, wearable device that provides forces to the VR user using exertion force by electric thrusters with controllable strengths and directions. Our system allows the user to experience forces based on their virtual momentum and velocity. It enables a VR user to receive force feedback based on different thrust power converted into translational and rotational force for a unique VR experience such as virtual aerial simulation. We present the prototype to the attendees of SIGGRAPH Asia 2021 through a live demonstration.


The invention discloses a user plane transmission channel establishing method for a multicast broadcasting multimedia service, which comprises the following steps: a multicast broadcasting multimedia service gateway obtains a tunnel endpoint identification TEID and an IP multicast address, and establishes a GPRS tunnel protocol user plane transmission channel based on the TEID; and an evolution base station obtains the TEID and the IP multicast address, and establishes the GPRS tunnel protocol user plane transmission channel based on the TEID. A SAE/LTE evolution network is also disclosed at the same time and comprises the multicast broadcasting multimedia service gateway, a multicast coordination entity and the evolution base station. By using the user plane transmission channel establishing method, the processing of a user plane data packet can be simplified, and the processing load of the system can be reduced.


Single-crystalline silicon (sc-Si) complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) circuits were fabricated on a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate using meniscus force-mediated layer transfer. The introduction of a two-step tapered SiO2 structure formed using low-dose and high-energy pillar shaping ion implantation (I/I) and self-limited SiO2 pillar etching were crucial for obtaining a high transfer yield of 99.86% and simultaneous transfer of both n- and p-channel sc-Si islands to the PET substrate. The fabricated MOS field-effect transistors exhibited a high field effect mobility of 603 cm2 V−1 s−1 (n) and 172 cm2 V−1 s−1 (p), respectively. The CMOS inverters exhibited clear input/output characteristics under a supply voltage of 2.0 V, and high-speed operation of a five-stage ring oscillator (RO) with an operating frequency of 14.6 MHz was realized. Moreover, the oscillation frequency of the RO transferred onto the PET was 3.5 times that of the non-transferred RO owing to the reduction in the parasitic capacitance.


Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections are a mainstay of treatment for retinal vascular diseases such as neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), diabetic macular oedema (DMO) and retinal vein occlusion. While anti-VEGF monotherapy has helped improve visual outcomes in patients with these conditions, the need for frequent injections and follow-up visits, as well as the varying response to therapy are notable shortcomings. To address this, novel therapies have been investigated as adjuncts or alternatives to anti-VEGF monotherapy. One such therapy is faricimab, the first US Food and Drug Administration-approved intravitreal injection designed to target both VEGF-A and angiopoietin-Tie-2 for the treatment of nAMD and DMO. Clinical trial data thus far support that faricimab produces non-inferior visual and anatomical outcomes to standard anti-VEGF therapy, with longer durability, in these diseases. In this review, details regarding faricimab's molecular development, clinical trial outcomes, and its prospect as the newest drug in the treatment landscape for retinal diseases will be discussed.


Modern Constructivism learning theory emphasizes that students are the active constructors of learning and advocates that learning should be student-centered under the guidance of teachers.Under the teaching mode of constructivism learning environment,teachers,students,teaching materials and media are all interacted among themselves.This provides enlightening significance to Chinese education and teaching.In the teaching process of Chinese Teaching Theory for students of education major in normal universities,much better teaching results have been achieved by applying teaching modes developed by constructors such as Anchored Instruction,Scaffolding Instruction,Random Access Instruction and Cognitive Apprenticeship.


Perovskite material has been widely researched for illumination. Since its shorter PL lifetime (nanosecond), compared with the traditional illumination phosphor (microsecond), perovskite has been considered as a promising material for communication. In this work, by ultrasonication, we synthesized the CsPbBr3 perovskite quantum dots and found that liquid perovskite quantum dots (LPQDs) presents shorter luminescence lifetime of 24ns than solid state perovskite (SPQDs). We demonstrated a white visible light communication (VLC) system by using the LPQDs as a color converter. The LD-based white lighting VLC system can reach a 1Gbps data rate at a receivable BER. Our study indicates that LPQDs has great potential in communication performance.


Pharmacy Education is a priority area for the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), the global federation representing pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists worldwide that is spearheading the Global Pharmacy Education Taskforce. This paper describes the work of the Taskforce that was established in March 2008, explores key issues in pharmacy education development, and describes the Global Pharmacy Action Plan 2008-2010.

Given the significance of pharmacy education to the diverse practice of contemporary pharmacists and pharmacy support personnel, there is a need for pharmacy education to attain greater visibility on the global human resources for health agenda. From this perspective, FIP is steering the development of holistic and comprehensive pharmacy education and pharmacy workforce action to support and strengthen regional, national, and local efforts.

The role of a global organization such as FIP is to facilitate, catalyze, and share efforts to maximize pharmacy education development and stimulate international research to develop guidance, tools, and better understanding of key issues. To achieve this goal, FIP has (1) established a formal collaborative partnership with the 2 United Nations agencies representing the education and health sectors, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the World Health Organization (WHO); and (2) established the Global Pharmacy Education Taskforce to serve as the coordinating body of these efforts. The initial effort will serve to leverage strategic leadership and maximize the impact of collective actions at global, regional, and national levels. Three project teams have been convened to conduct research, consultations and develop guidance in the domains of vision for pharmacy education, competency, quality assurance, academic workforce, and institutional capacity.


ABSTRACT Through an analysis of an Airbnb Experience called 'Paint a graffiti with Havana Street Art' in San Isidro, a majority non-white and economically marginalized neighborhood in the southern part of Havana's colonial city, I interrogate how whiteness is transforming San Isidro in the image of Wynwood, Miami. I do so by tracing the mobility and barriers to movement of international graffiti artists, tour guides, tourists, and hosts, showing how whiteness works as an economic, social, and historical structure that marks people by neighborhood of origin, family inheritance, proximity to foreign capital, and ability to move seamlessly between multiple local and international geographies. I argue that outside protagonists in San Isidro understand the neighborhood through this structure of whiteness, viewing the neighborhood as a settler frontier of capital extraction but also as a site of emotional and artistic self-discovery where they can 'make their mark.'


The accuracy and credibility of the GDP statistics in China have been questioned by some scholars.One of the most notable manifestations in Chinese GDP statistics is the inconformity of the sum of the local GDP statistics and national GDP statistics.The paper testifies the severity of this issue after analyzing historical statistics,points that there is no consensus on the accuracy of national GDP statistics,and then concluds four widely acknowledged causes of the inconformity in GDP statistics and several solutions by literature review.On the basis of existing research,the paper finds the orientation and path to solve the connection problem between local and national GDP statistics.


In Brazil, plant-available micronutrients in the soil can be determined by several chemical extractants, the most common of which are dilute acid and chelating solutions. The purpose of this study was to assess the extractants 0.1 mol L-1 HCl, Mehlich-1, Mehlich-3 and DTPA for analysis of the micronutrients Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn in soils from the state of Parana. In samples from 12 soils (0-20 cm layer), wheat was planted (Triticum aestivum), grown for 42 days after emergence, and then bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) for 38 days. At the end of each planting period, the soil was sampled again. All extractants tested to assess the availability of Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn correlated with each other. The efficiency of the extractants HCl, Mehlich-3 and DTPA in assessing plant-available Cu was similar, unlike Mehlich-1, which proved less efficient. The extractants HCl, Mehlich-1 and Mehlich-3 were less efficient in estimating plant-available Zn and Fe, and the most indicated extractant is DTPA. The efficiency of the extractants HCl, Mehlich-1, Mehlich-3 and DTPA in assessing plant-available Mn in soils from Parana was similar.


Online learning has been running in Indonesian universities due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Online learning has become a challenge to both parties, lecturers, and students with special needs. The use of several online platforms for learning has not provided accessibility for students who are blind and deaf. To pursue friendly learning in inclusive classrooms for blind and deaf students, then we need a facility that supports learning for blind and deaf students. The purpose of the study is to develop a learning model that can be used for online learning using an interactive website. The interactive Web-Based Learning Model is an innovative learning model which is designed for special needs students to access online learning more effectively. The procedure used in this interactive web-based learning model is that every blind and deaf student can access learning through various devices connected to their cell phone or laptop to make the learning process two-way and effective. The research was conducted using the research & development method which consists of the stages of producing a model product and then validating and testing the model. The result of this study is an online learning model using a website that can present learning material from lecturers in the form of pages that all the menus can be read directly by blind students through a screen reader on their devices (user friendly) and they can send assignments via voice note options. The website is equipped with videos accompanied by subtitles so that it has accessibility to deaf students. This model consists of the following stages: 1) Planning which includes needs analysis and content analysis, 2) The learning process through an interactive website containing structured learning material, interactive learning through video and discussion features, 3) Evaluation includes test and non-test in the form of process and result in analysis.


Peter van inwagen's attempt to explain the nature of fiction makes use of Quine's program in meta-ontology.1 This program comprises four basic theses: (i) that being is the same as existence, (ii) that being is univocal, (iii) that this univocal sense is best captured, for the purposes of formalization, by die existential quantifier, and (iv) that deciding what to believe about what there is comes to a decision about what theories we should accept. As the aim of formalization is explicitness, then theories should be rendered into canonicalese and their commitments identified through those sentences which are prefaced with the existential quantifier. For Inwagen, as for his mentor Quine, acceptance of theory expressed in this canonical form entails acceptance of the ontology expressed in those quantified sentences. Bringing these considerations to bear on fiction, Inwagen asks, "What are theories about fiction?" and replies that they are "theories that treat stories as having an internal structure" (p. 72). The upshot of this is that such theories contain sentences which, when formally rendered, revead commitments to fictional objects. It is further claimed that such sentences can be vehicles of objective truth. Thus Inwagen finds he cannot wholeheartedly dismiss Sarah Gamp as a nonentity. In this respect, his view contrasts with two contemporary accounts, the "reductivist" one which denies Sarah Gamp's existence and her possession of any properties whatever, and the more recent "Meinongian" view which would agree that Sarah Gamp does not exist, but would nonetheless strenuously maintain that she is a nurse, fat, old, and decidedly the worse for drink. Inwagen's Sarah is neither of these: pace both these positions, she exists all right, but with properties such as being a theoretical entity of criticism, being a satiric villainess, not being a woman, and not being fond of gin. Inwagen's attempt to steer what seems to be a middle course has yielded, if anything, a more counterintuitive result than either of the other views. What is die explanation for this?


A new poroid wood-inhabiting fungal species, Skeletocutis mopanshanensis sp. nov., is proposed based on morphological and molecular characters. The species is characterized by resupinate, white to cream basidiocarps, a dimitic hyphal system with unbranched generative hyphae and big, ellipsoid basidiospores measuring 4.7–6.6 × 3.2–4.5 μm. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and the large subunit (LSU) regions of nuclear ribosomal RNA gene sequences of the studied samples were generated, and phylogenetic analyses were performed with maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony and bayesian inference methods. The phylogenetic analysis based on molecular data of ITS+nLSU sequences showed that Skeletocutis mopanshanensis belonged to the tyromyces clade, formed a monophyletic lineage with a strong support (100% BS, 100% BP, 1.00 BPP) and was closely related to S. yunnanensis, and then grouped with S. portcrosensis and S. sp with a lower support. Both morphological and molecular characters confirmed the placement of the new species in Skeletocutis.


Selected strains of the bacterium Pseudomonas putida(previously shown to effect dioxygenase-catalysed asymmetric cis-dihydroxylation of alkenes) have been found to yield chiral sulfoxides from the corresponding sulfides with a strong preference for the (R)- or (S)-configurations but without evidence of sulfone formation; similar results obtained using an Escherichia coli clone (pKST11, containing the Tod C1 C2 B and A genes encoding toluene dioxygenase from P. putida NCIMB 11767) are again consistent with a stereoselective dioxygenase-catalysed sulfoxidation.


The invention discloses a method for planting spinach and relates to the field of vegetable planting. The method comprises the following steps: (1) carrying out seed treatment; (2) carrying out air-curing; (3) carrying out seed soaking; (4) carrying out germination hastening; (5) carrying out planting; and (6) carrying out insect prevention and harvesting. According to the method for planting the spinach, disclosed by the invention, the germination rate of spinach seeds can be effectively increased, and seed seedlings can be uniform and regular and are high in survival rate; no chemical fertilizer and pesticide is added during planting, so that cultivated spinach is adequate in nutrient and high in practical value and is environment-friendly and healthy; and the planting method is simple, timesaving and laborsaving and is easy in operation, low in planting cost, high in yield and good in economic benefit.


ABSTRACT Librarians at universities continue to seek new ways to engage and partner with researchers in order to enhance and enrich the way that they work. This article looks at some of the ways that libraries have been doing this in recent years, what has worked, and what needs to be done to continue to develop these important partnerships. These recommendations will be based on the experiences of Monash University Library, in particular its recent implementation of Figshare for Institutions. The article includes discussion of such topics where libraries have sought partnerships with researchers, such as Open Access, research data management, and capability building, and will focus on the importance of working with researchers to understand their needs.


In order to reduce the channel errors influence on the decoding quality, the H.264/AVC uses a series of effective error- handling mechanism. This paper introduces error control technology in H.264/AVC, and focused on the FMO. On this basis, error pattern are used to simulate of the FMO, and the quantificational performance of the FMO will be given out.


Efforts to understand the formation characteristics of molecular toxins and particulate matter from various combustion systems, has gained intense attention in the recent past. Accordingly, this work investigates the evolution of organic toxins and particulate matter from a goat meat sample at various pyrolysis temperatures. To simulate cooking conditions, 10 mg of meat sample was heated under atmospheric conditions in an air depleted environment in a thermal degradation reactor and the smoke effluent passed through a transfer column and collected over 10.0 mL dichloromethane for GC-MS analysis. The major selected toxins reported in this study include indole, 2-(1-methyl) quinoline, phenol, 2ethylthiophenol, 2,3-dimethylhydroquinone, and 1,1'-biphenyl. At the highest pyrolysis temperature (700  ̊C), the mean particle size of particulate emissions was estimated to be 7.72 ± 0.61 μm while at 500  ̊C, the particle size of emissions was found to be 3.52 ± 0.31 μm. The decomposition profile of meat was monitored between 300 and 525  ̊C, and the highest mass loss was recorded between 300 and 450 ̊ C (~ 36%). Most of the organic toxins from high temperature cooking of goat meat were mainly phenolics whereas the particulate emissions at 500  ̊C and 700  ̊Cwere approximately PM2.5 and PM10 respectively.


Introduction: In India, like in other developing countries, the most susceptible time for the initiation of tobacco is during youth, i.e., in the age group of 15–24 years. Therefore, the current study was conducted with an objective to assess the knowledge of harmful effects of tobacco consumption and tobacco control laws among male youths in a resettlement colony of Delhi. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2010–2011 in Kalyanpuri, a resettlement colony in Delhi, India. The study included males aged 15–24 years residing in the study area at the time of survey. A semi-structured interview schedule was designed in Hindi to elicit the information on tobacco use, knowledge about its harmful effects, and tobacco control laws. Data were collected from 811 youths using systematic random sampling methods. Results: Current tobacco users were significantly (P < 0.05) more aware about the harmful effects of tobacco, i.e., weakness (30.7% users vs. 18.7% nonusers), addiction (12.9% users vs. 7.5% nonusers), and asthma (16.0% users vs. 39% nonuser) as compared to tobacco nonusers. Current tobacco users were also more aware about all tobacco control laws, i.e., health warning written on packets (97.8 users vs. 93.5% nonusers), tobacco could not be sold to <18 years of age (67.1% users vs. 32.3% nonusers), smoking is banned in public places (57.8% users vs. 19.7% nonusers), tobacco should be sold 100 yards away from schools (9.8% users vs. 1.8% nonusers), and pictorial health warnings on packets as compared to tobacco nonusers (4.9% users vs. 1.6% nonusers). All these results were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Most current users were having more knowledge about most of the harmful effects of tobacco on health as compared to nonusers. Likewise, current tobacco users were more aware about tobacco control laws as compared to nonusers.


Background: The aim of this paper was to investigate the role of SLPI in patients with allergic rhinitis. From this point of view, we also examined leukocyte elastase, α1‐antitrypsin, and albumin.


KOVAC, Pavol, Bc.: The payment cards and their offer by selected banks in SR. [Graduation theses]. Bank institute of the University of Prague, a foreign university Banska Bystrica, Department of banking and insurance system. Acting supervisor: Ing. Adriana Slajfercikova, PhD. Answer year: 2013. Number of pages: 83 The graduation theses pays attention to payments cards and their offer by selected banks in an enviroment of SR. The first part is focused on a history, characterization, clasification, using, and safety of the payments cards. In the second part we analyze an offer of the selected kind of the payments cards in selected banks in SR. The final part compares the selected kind of the payment card in the selected banks of SR, recommendetions for a client in the course of the selecting of the payments cards, and the recommendation for the bank to improve a detected state.


Inadequate investment in mental health care by the governments of both high- and low-income countries contributes to recurrent challenges of uneven distribution of and access to mental health services between urban and non-urban communities. While recent research has acknowledged the role of mental health in well-being and the cost of failure to invest in the sector, prioritising mental health to the same degree as physical health remains a challenge. This article highlights the unequal distribution of mental health services, and psychological services in particular, in KwaZulu-Natal. This is achieved by considering the background of psychology in South Africa and KwaZulu-Natal and then examining the ratio of clinical psychologists to the KwaZulu-Natal population. Furthermore, the article explores the geographical distribution of psychological services in KwaZulu-Natal and concludes with a discussion of the impact of uneven mental health service distribution on service provision and utilisation in non-urban areas of KwaZulu-Natal.


The crisis we are going through has revealed serious systemic inconsistencies and risks. Insistently from different perspectives, a change in the economic model isrequested, in its values and functioning principles. An urgent need to introduce,among others, new dimensions: ethics, social responsibility, sustainability and a wellunderstood long term approach, is demanded. Social Economy and Cooperativism have been proposing for a long time a different business model which stimulates asustainable, more balanced and fair development, based on social and environmental values.


AbstractIn William Barrow's classic study (1974) of historical paper specimens, he examined a number of factors that affect the stability of naturally aged papers, including cellulose fiber purity, alum content, amount of alkaline carbonate reserve, and pH. Barrow did not, however, investigate the effect of gelatin levels in his papers, and others have undertaken only limited research on the topic. In the study reported here, 40 historical paper specimens were analyzed to determine their gelatin content. Data from measurements of L* light-to-dark values, surface pH, and calcium content were compared with gelatin content. The data provided by these analyses show that both the appearance and the permanence of the papers may be affected by their gelatin content; avenues of further investigation in this area are outlined.


This paper overviews the entire landscape of Bitcoin-like cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin has not emerged out of cryptocurrency competition, but rather became a dominant currency as the first broad market based cryptocurrency. But there are more than a hundred of cryptocurrencies in the market, and some are catching up to Bitcoin. This is a healthy sign of currency competition a la Hayek. Through this competition new technological and security innovations may emerge. In this paper, we point out potential problems with Bitcoin and propose some ideas for an alternative cryptocurrency.


Who's Who for 19348 contains some 40,000 pemmican biographies nreatly printed on 3,650 double-columned pages. It is no small achievement on the part of the publishers, Messrs. A. and C. Black, Ltd., to assemble so vast an array of personal facts within the covers of a thick but not unwieldy volume weighing under 4j lb. As a work of reference it is invaluable in newspaper offices, libraries, clubs, etc. * and to some people with time on their hands it is a never-failing quarry of unconscious humour. Here and there will be found, even on casual inspection, a " living notability "-the phrase is Messrs. Black's, not ours-with a pretty turn for exhibitionism.


The objective of the study was to identify the perception of the chronic patient on the functionality of his own family and know the way he perceives this context. It is a descriptive study of qualitative nature, accomplished with 12 chronically ill individuals. Data was collected from April to November 2010, through semi-structured interview, based on the instrument APGAR of family evaluation. The results showed four functional families, five moderately dysfunctional and three severely dysfunctional. It was observed, throughout the patient's statements, feelings of autonomy loss, decrease on the participation of family decisions, changes of roles, loss of freedom of choice to accomplish new tasks, isolation desire and the fact of considering themselves a burden for the family. It is concluded that the chronic diseases, which require family care, are followed by the need of family readjustment and reorganization. These factors can trigger conflicts and dissatisfaction by the patient and hinder the family relationships. DESCRIPTORS: Chronic disease. Family relations. Family. Nursing.


a) Harvesting of cells: The coelomic fluid containing the erythrocytes was collected by forcing the fluid to the cephalic portion, incising the body wall and draining the fluid from the worm. The resulting cellular suspension was then filtered through gauze or glass wool to remove filamentous, non-erythrocytic ele ments. b) Preparation of cells for electron microscopy: An aliquot of cell suspen sion was mixed with an equal volume of Karnovsky's (formaldehyde-glutaraldehyde) fixative (1965), diluted 1:1 with 0.1M cacodylate buffer at pH 7.4. The cell suspen sion was fixed for 4 hours at room temperature before washing in 0.1M sodium cacodylate at 4•‹ overnight. After each washing, the specimens were centrifuged. Post fixation was carried out in cold Palade's osmium-veronal solution (Palade 1952 and Caulfield 1956) for 2 hours after which the specimens were dehydrated in alcohol, placed in a 50% propylene oxide and Epon mixture for 2 hours, and em bedded in Epon 812. Blocks were cut with a diamond knife on an LKB-2 ultra microtome, stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate, and examined with an RCA EMU-3H electron microscope under a 50KV beam. Some cells were also incubated for 30 mins at 4•‹ with filtered India ink (Pelikan Spezialtusche c/1 1731a Gunther Wagner, Hannover, Germany) prior to fixation.


As we experience the global growth of social media in our daily lives, we also encounter more visual content are being displayed on those platforms. Visual content often referred to the roots of interpreting visual objects uncovered in Susan Sontag's work (1964). According to her, the result of a series of considerations that touch upon the visual object's history, its symbolism, its manifestation, and realisation is in the eyes of the beholder. "Visual content also refers to the innovative use of images and interactive technology to explore large, high-density data sets." (Remondino et al., 2014). While visual content has many benefits, it also brings new challenges, and one of the greatest is in education. Researchers, teachers, and students alike routinely weigh the potential benefits of using visual content in education against its risks and consequences. An additional challenge is founded on social media messages that are changing what counts as truth and lies. As instructors' experiment with incorporating visual content into their classes, they also need to consider how students can be taught to ascertain the veracity and credibility of this visual content. To meet this need, researchers have called for more accountability view of visual literacy education. With the growing use of social media in all aspects of our life, students are constantly exposed to visual content. Their literacy practices within this environment are embedded visually including photo and video creation, video chatting, and use of visual iconic characteristics they shared, according to KeRdra & Zakevi ci ut _ e (2019). Research has found that teaching writing visually helps improve the creativity of students and thus new learning opportunities (Torrance, 1977). One of the major benefits of using images during the learning process is the enhancement of students' memory (Alesandrini, 1984). In education, image-based writing helps students to express their thoughts and opinions and improve student interaction (Whitley, 2013). And yet, with all this progress, we have little knowledge of the role and the pedagogy of visual literacy education in teaching students to recognize visual content contains lies and truth. More specifically, what do theories, technical tools, and instructions tell us about image manipulation occurring in the classroom? This special edition will explore the emerging visual literacy of truth and lies across three major questions: Can a theoretical survey examining students' comprehension of text and visual narrative reveal false beliefs? How can we support our students to investigate visual cultural and historical objects? And how Photoshop tools help build awareness of image manipulation in the classroom.


The present work shows the main results of the analysis of AERONET inversion algorithm's products of a sun‐photometer installed at the Atmospheric Sounding Station "El Arenosillo." This station belongs to INTA (Instituto Nacional de Tecnica Aerosoespacial) and is located in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula (37.1 N—6.7 W). The aim of this work is the study of the optical aerosol properties of a long data series (August 2002–December 2005) that are products of the AERONET inversion algorithm: volume size distribution (VSD) and complex refractive index (REF), and a wide set of derived parameters: volume concentration (VolCon), asymmetry parameter (g), single scattering albedo (SSA), etc. Version 2 of the AERONET algorithm inversion is used here. A general statistic is carried out which includes the interannual monthly behaviour of the aerosol microphysical parameters. Aerosol volume concentration shows a good correlation with the aerosol optical depth (AOD) and also the fine mode volume fraction (Vf/Vt...


Microsensors often do not have the selectivity to chemical species available in large laboratory instruments. A new type of pattern recognition algorithm is used to classify mixtures of H/sub 2/ with NO/sub 2/ and O/sub 2/. The microsensors used are thin film catalytic metal field effect transistors and chemiresistors on the Sandia Robust Sensor platform. For this study pure Pd thin films and Pd/Ni alloys are shown to provide good classification of mixtures containing NO/sub 2/ from those containing O/sub 2/ or no oxidant.


Nondestructive method to predict buckling load for the propellant tank of launch vehicle should be evaluated. Vibration correlation technique can predict the global buckling load of unstiffened cylindrical structure with geometric initial imperfection using correlation of natural frequency and compressive load from compressive test below the buckling load. In this study, vibration and buckling tests of a thin metal unstiffened propellant tank model subjected to internal pressure and compressive loads were performed and the test results were used for VCT to predict global buckling load. For the vibration test of thin structure, non-contact excitation method using a speaker was used. The response was measured with piezoelectric polymer(PVDF) sensor. Prediction results of VCT were compared with the measured buckling load in the test and the nondestructive global buckling load prediction method was verified.


Transportation has always been a major source of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions all over the world. From 1990 to 2007, GHG emissions from the transportation sector increased significantly, reaching around 15% of the overall GHG emissions in 2010 (1). This global trend was further exceeded in North America. In 2008, transportation accounted for 27% of the total GHG emissions in the United States (2). In Canada, transportation was the second largest source of GHG emissions in 2012, accounting for 28% of total emissions nationwide (3). At the provincial level, 37.9% of British Columbia's GHG emissions came from the transportation sector (4). Such high levels of GHG emissions can be attributed to the large expansion of the urban road network and automobile dependency in many North American cities. In Canada, GHG emissions from private vehicles in 2007 were 14% higher than that of 1990 levels (5).


United States governmental agencies, departments, and affiliates, are increasingly making 3D printable models available to the general public online. On March 20, 2014, a memorandum was sent out to United States executive departments and agencies about improving access to the government's scientific collections (Holdren, 2014). This memorandum, from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), not only addressed physical collections, but specifically mentioned digital 3D models. On the White House's blog, several reasons were given for making these collections more accessible including the idea that these collections are "... treasure troves of information ripe for exploration and learning" (Stebbins & Lieberman, 2014). Several areas of the United States government have begun making 3D models available to the general public or were already doing so at the time the memorandum was released. Three of the largest collections are from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Smithsonian Institution, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Two of these, the NIH and NASA, are government agencies while the Smithsonian Institution is a Trust Instrumentality of the United States (Legal Nature, 2016). These sites offer downADVISOR REVIEWS—COMPARATIVE REVIEW A Comparison of Three Emerging Online Government 3D Printing Resources NASA 3D Resources, Smithsonian X3D, and the NIH 3D Print Exchange doi:10.5260/chara.18.2.5 Date of Review: July 1, 2016 NASA 3D Composite Score: HHH 1/4 Smithsonian X3D Composite Score: HHH 3/4 NIH 3D Print Exchange Composite Score: HHHH Reviewed by: Jennifer Horton <firstname.lastname@example.com> Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL Jian Anna Xiong <firstname.lastname@example.com> Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 6 Advisor Reviews / The Charleston Advisor / October 2016 www.charlestonco.com Center, Johnson Space Center, and Goddard Space Flight Center. In addition, Ball Aerospace and the California Institute of Technology are primary authors of some models. The models found through NASA are free and without copyright. There are special guidelines, though, when using the NASA insignia found on some models. Models on the site include such varied subject matter as topographic Apollo landing sites; models of satellites, telescopes, and rovers; models of hurricanes; models of asteroids; and NASA insignia and medallions. Also included are 3D models that were actually printed by astronauts aboard the International Space Station, including a jar and a wrench. The site is geared to the public. Much of the website is focused on education and includes news articles, worksheets, and other educational resources relating to the various objects and images. The files that are 3D printable include a 3D Model Viewer rendered by GitHub where users can view and manipulate the file. For some of the 3D visualizations, there are specific system and browser requirements. These requirements can be found under the individual visualization's description. All of the 3D models available for printing are made available in STL file format. Some can also be found as OBJ models or in a format to use with the open source software Blender.


Varying material particle sizes represent a common contributing factor to the batch‐to‐batch variation of extraction yields. To increase the batch‐to‐batch quality consistency of extracts, a method was proposed to adjust the extraction conditions for different material particle sizes, taking the hydrodistillation extraction process of Radix Curcumae and Fructus Gardeniae as a case study. Statistical models were built for five sesquiterpenes including curcumenone, curcumenol, curdione, curzerenone and furanodienone, to quantitatively describe the effects of particle size and process parameters on their extraction yields. An increase in sodium chloride concentration remarkably increased the yields of curcumenone and curcumenol, and a larger solvent‐to‐solid ratio increased the yields of five sesquiterpenes. Under the adjusted process parameters for two different particle sizes, the yield for each compound was controlled to fall in the 90–110% target range. The proposed method can be applied to various extraction processes of foods and herbal medicines.


Enterprise transformations pose inertia and alignment risks at the enterprise, organization, business unit, and individual team levels. Transformation differs from internal change in that the risks escalate significantly given the complex interrelationships between diverse stakeholders across the enterprise and related organizations (e.g., functional units, partners, suppliers, customers, etc.). In this chapter, we review and blend multiple frameworks to provide a more structured approach to understanding and managing large-scale enterprise transformation, focusing on the inertia and alignment challenges in complex socio-technical systems. We illustrate the use and utility of the approach by applying the concepts to a global manufacturer undergoing a disruptive business transformation.


The volatile compounds of bitter orange (Citrus aurantium L.) products, essential oil (EO) and the heart cut (HC) of the distillate were detected and quantified using gas chromatography (GC) coupled with a mass spectrometer and flame ion- ization detector. The flavour compounds were characterized using GC-olfactometry by nine trained panellists by the fre- quency of detection method. In total, 53 molecules were detected in the EO and 40 in the HC. The EO was characterized by 19 major odour compounds (frequency of detection from 6/9 to 9/9) with different aromatic notes among which a-pinene (floral), octanal (green), limonene (citrus), linalool (floral), a-terpineol (indeterminate: 'ND', green), linalyl acetate (floral), (E,E) or (E,Z)-2,4-decadienal (frying), dodecanal (ND), caryophyllene (green) and an unknown compound (I T =1678, plastic note). The HC presented a complex mixture of several molecules in low concentrations, which characterize the bitter orange flavour. The HC was characterized by seven high FD odour compounds, three of them (myrcene, a-phellandrene, and limonene) with citrus and mint aromatic notes, and the other four ((Z)-linalool oxide, a-terpinolene, linalool and neral) with floral notes. The comparison of these two products brought to light that the overall process of maceration/distillation could induce the loss of 15 strong odours previously found in simple essential oil and characterized by plastic and metal notes. These results show that macerating-distilling bitter orange peels and EO makes it possible to select the most pleasant odour compounds while eliminating some off-odours present in the EO. This is the first time that the characterization of odour-active compounds has been carried out on bitter orange products. This valuable information could help for further investigation on process/product optimization. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Several studies detail the composition of the volatile part of bitter orange oil. The percentage content of monoterpene hydrocarbons varies from 97.3% to 97.8%, while sesquiterpene hydrocarbons have a percentage of about 0.2%. Oxygenated compounds have a percentage between 1.8% and 2.2%. Esters are the main oxygenated class. Their content ranges from 0.8% to 1.4%, carbonyl compounds from 0.35% to 0.63% and alcohols from 0.33% to 0.46%. The main component of bitter orange es- sential oil (EO) is limonene, its content being more than 93%. Among the minor monoterpene hydrocarbons, only myrcene al- ways exceeds 1%. Its content ranges from 1.7% to 1.8%, and b- pinene has a percentage of about 1%. Linalyl acetate is the main oxygenated compound and it represents the major part of the esters. Linalool is the main alcohol and octanal and decanal the main carbonyl compounds. (4-13)


Formamide of low water content (0·008–0·01M) and very low specific conductance (2 × 10–7 ohm–1 cm.–1) has been prepared by treating it with 3A molecular sieve and then with a mixed bed of ion-exchange resins loaded, respectively, with H+ and HCO·NH– ions. The success of the method depends in part upon knowledge of the rates of the solvolysis reaction between formamide and small quantities of water dissolved in it, and the kinetics of this reaction were studied with sodium formamide and with sulphuric acid as catalysts. The pseudo-first-order rate constants (with respect to water), although proportional to the amount of catalyst at low catalyst concentrations, decreased at higher ones and actually passed through a maximum at ca. 4M-sulphuric acid. This behaviour closely parallels that of the hydrolysis of small quantities of formamide dissolved in water.


In order to aquire a comprehensive knowledge of the normal development of infant EEG, in particular its intra‐ and interindividual variations, a selected material of 29 full term healthy infants was studied longitudinally from birth to 1 year of age with EEG, neuropediatrie examinations and developmental tests. The program contained 2 examinations during the first 7 days, one at three weeks, and from 2 months an examination every second month. At follow‐up examinations at the age of 31/2–6 years all children were normally developed and without signs of neurological disease. The waking EEG:s have been described earlier. The present report gives an account of the neonatal records and the sleep records from the first year.


We examined vacuolar H+‐ATPase (V‐ATPase) structure, enzymatic properties, and protein and mRNA expression from mouse marrow cultured in the presence or absence of 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3), which stimulates formation of bone‐resorptive osteoclasts. V‐ATPases from osteoclast‐containing cultures were similar in ion and inhibitor sensitivities to the enzyme from kidney‐derived sources. Immunopurified V‐ATPase from 1,25(OH)2D3‐stimulated cultures exhibited 20‐fold greater ATPase activity than the enzyme from unstimulated cultures, which do not contain osteoclasts. In contrast, 1,25(OH)2D3‐treated cultures contained only 2‐fold more assembled V‐ATPase, as determined by immunoprecipitation. Quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and immunoblot analysis similarly showed ∼2‐fold increases of V‐ATPase mRNA and protein levels in 1,25(OH)2D3‐treated cultures. The bulk of the relative difference in V‐ATPase activity between the two cultures was due to a 10‐fold difference in enzyme specific activity. Quantitative RT‐PCR also revealed that expression levels of V‐ATPase mRNAs reflected the stoichiometry of enzyme subunits in the assembled complex. These data indicate that in mouse bone marrow cultures, V‐ATPase expression is controlled at the level of mRNA, and that increases in subunit expression and assembly cannot account for the 20‐fold difference in enzyme activity in osteoclast‐containing cultures. Therefore, osteoclast V‐ATPase activity may be regulated by subtle alterations in enzyme structure or associated factors.


Does inhibiting nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB) signaling by aloe-emodin (AE) or aspirin (Asp), as anti-inflammatory compounds, suppress the invasive activity of stage IV human endometriotic stromal cells?

 Eutopic endometriotic stromal cells (EuESCs) seem to have a semi-invasive activity which is largely suppressed by AE or Asp.

 Inflammation and its master regulator, NF-kB, have been implicated in the development of endometriosis. Inhibition of NF-kB pathway using small molecules ameliorated disease progression and reduced the lesion size; nevertheless, underlying mechanism is not fully understood.

 In this cross-sectional study, a total of 8 infertile patients with proven endometriosis and 8 women without endometriosis (Control group) undergoing infertility treatment cycles, were enrolled between October 2018 and December 2019. The invasiveness of collected endometriotic stromal cells before and after treatment with AE or Asp, was analyzed and compared with the control group.

 The eutopic endometriotic and healthy endometrial biopsies were digested and the single cells were cultured. Gene and protein expression of proliferation, adhesion, and invasion markers of eutopic endometriotic stromal cells (EuESCs) with and without treatment with AE or Asp, as well as control endometrial stromal cells (CESCs) were analyzed using q-PCR and immunofluorescence staining, respectively. Cell migration capacity was assessed by wound closure assay.

 We observed an association between NF-kB overexpression and higher proliferation/adhesion capacity in EuESCs. TNF-α, as a known NF-kB inducer, further potentiated this association. EuESCs at stage IV, displayed silent invasive and migratory behaviors. Pretreatment of EuESCs with AE or Asp significantly attenuated NF-kB expression and reduced proliferative, adhesive, invasive and migratory activity.

 Due to some adverse effects observed following treatment with AE or Asp on the normal activity of EuESCs, more investigations on possible toxicity of the treatment, must be considered.
 Wider implications of the findings: We suggest that both Asp and AE (as potent NF-kB inhibitors) may be useful as a supplement to conventional endometriosis treatments.

 Not applicable


Part 1 Introduction: performance of the community's regions in the 1980s - the main challenges for the 1990s, Van de Wee and Hall (DGXVI) shifts in Europe and their impact on the European spatial structure, Albrechts economic reforms in Central and Eastern Europe - implications for the EC. Part 2 EC issues: regional impact of the achievement of the European Internal Market, Quevit European integration and public finance - the political economy of regional support, MacKay economics of regional government in the EC, Newlands regulating European financial capital 1 - the global context, Leyshon and Thrift regulating European financial capital 2 - financial regulation and the Single European Market, Leyshon and Thrift spatial impact of completion of the EC internal market for financial services, Begg assessing the additionality or otherwise of EC structural finds, Barnett and Borooah the impact of 1992 on local and regional development, Hart and Roberts regional dimensions of the social contract - towards social cohesion, Danson EC's RECHAR programme - an adequate response to the problems of coal areas?, Fothergill. Part 3 Eastern European issues: regional policy and regional structure in the Soviet Union, Dmitrieva spatial inequality in the Gorbachev era, Ozornoy the regional dimension in Hungary - aspects of transformation in 1991, De Souza and Korompai labour mobility between Eastern and Western Europe, Nikas. Part 4 Peripheral regions: urban and regional restructuring in Northern Greece and the SEM, Tsoulouvis local economic development in peripheral areas - the case of Portugal, Syrett regional and local implications of European integration for the Republic of Ireland rural development in a peripheral region of the European community - the Northern Ireland experience, Walsh, Murray and Greer. Part 5 Conclusion: policy agenda for the decade.


Bobola previews work from the Schulte laboratory showing that the atypical homeodomain protein MEIS2 facilitates chromatin accessibility of transcriptionally inactive genes in neuronal differentiation.


The Minimum Livelihood Guarantee System is one of the important programs dealing with urban poverty of China,and has played an important role in ensuring the basic livelihood of the poor people in urban areas.This thesis analyzes the prominent questions in process of its implementation,for instance,how to recognize the poor people,how to calculate the social assistance standard,how to participate into social assistance,classified social assistance and administrative cost.The thesis also gives some suggestions to improve the Minimum Livelihood Guarantee System,including establishing urban poverty supervision system,strengthening declaration of income and personal property and standardizing classified social assistance,and so on.


John Stott (1921–2011) had a unique influence in the global church despite being associated with only one church (All Souls, Langham Place) and never moving far from central London throughout his life. This article explores the contributory factors behind his reach and influence. KEYWORDS: Evangelicalism, Anglicanism, Lausanne Movement, International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES), integral mission, preaching


Academic Book Week presentation (23 January 2017) of research highlighting the special role of the Commissioning Editor in the publishing "ecosystem" – the part they have to play in the development of academic book projects, and the value they can add.


The results of a study of the content of heavy metals in the soil, underground and elevated parts of three varieties of rapeseed grown on soil samples from reference and anthropogenically disturbed sites are presented. Under the conditions of increasing chemical pollution, a decrease in the level of accumulation and transition of heavy metals has been established, which indicates the presence of protective mechanisms that begin to work in the area with high content of toxicants in the soil. According to a set of indicators characterizing the phytoremediation potential (resistance to loads, accumulating abilities), the Highlight variety is preferable for phytostabilization of sites contaminated with heavy metals.


This paper investigates how autonomous vehicles (AV) affect passengers, for-hire human drivers, and the platform on a ride-sourcing network. We consider a ride-sourcing market where a mixture of AVs and human drivers is deployed by the platform to provide mobility-on-demand services under labor regulations. In this market, the ride-sourcing platform determines the spatial prices, fleet size, human driver payments, and vehicle relocation strategies to maximize its profit, while individual passengers choose between different transport modes to minimize their travel costs. A market equilibrium model is proposed to capture the interactions among passengers, human drivers, AVs, and the ride-sourcing platform over the network. The overall problem is formulated as a non-convex program with network constraints, and an algorithm is developed to derive its approximate solution with performance guarantee. Our study shows that ride-sourcing platform prioritizes AV deployment in high-demand areas to make a higher profit. As AVs flood into these high-demand areas, they compete with human drivers in the urban core and push them to relocate to suburbs. This leads to reduced earning opportunities for human drivers and increased spatial inequity for passengers. We also show that placing a wage floor may protect drivers from the negative impact of AVs, and meanwhile the total vehicle supply and passenger demand are almost unaffected. However, there exists a threshold beyond which the minimum wage will trigger a paradigm shift of labor supply where the platform will completely replace all human drivers with AVs. This indicates that the minimum wage should be carefully designed in the mixed environment to avoid the loss of job opportunities for human drivers. These results are validated with realistic case studies for San Francisco.


This research examines the effects of combining existing stress measures into one psychometric hybrid assessment tool. This process uses the severity of experienced life events and individual perception of those events to assess an individual's current stress level. This stress level is reflected globally in a Total Change Scale and delimited by three scales-Negative Change, Positive Change, and Impact. The psychometric hybrid significantly predicts measures of stress. Age and gender mediating variables are discussed.


Objective To study the characteristics of choline acetyltransferase in neuron of hippocampus in mice with vascular dementia (VD) and its role in the development of VD. Methods The mice were subjected for ischemia and reperfusion repeatedly by the ligation of bilateral common carotid arteries to establish the VD models. The behavioral abnormalities were investigated by step-down test and water maze test. The mRNA expression of choline acetyltransferase was observed with in situ hybridization. Results The ability of learning and memory in VD mice was worse than that in sham group (P0.01), and the mRNA expression of choline acetyltransferase in VD mice was also lower than that in sham group (P0.01). Conclusion The poor grade of learning and memory in VD mice was related to the decreased mRNA expression of choline acetyltransferase in neuron of hippocampus.


As information systems transform our world, computer scientists design affordances that influence the uses and impacts of these technological objects. This article describes how the practices of design affect the social values materialized in emerging technologies, and explores how design practices can encourage ethical reflection and action. The article presents an ethnography of a laboratory that engineered software for mobile phones to track users' locations, habits, and behaviors. This technical work raised a number of ethical challenges, particularly around questions of data use and surveillance. The ethnography suggests that particular activities within laboratories can help engineers agree on social values as important to design. It characterizes these activities as values levers: practices that open new conversations about social values and encourage consensus around those values as design criteria. Laboratory leaders and advocates can enable and strengthen these levers to encourage ethical reflection and action as an explicit part of design practice.


This report contains a description of the elaborated curatorship and exposition of the "Artist's Book" by Luiz Henrique Schwanke, that occured with the author's master thesis. The curatorship was based on a study about the artist's production, the analysis of this work and ist's context, leading this expositive assembly to be the  establishment of a dialogue between the art work and the audience, influencing ist's own perception.


The author presents a look at printed copies of maps in preparing a collection as well as the limitations inherent to them. To explain these limitations, the author cites examples of maps in the National Map Collection of the Public Archives of Canada.


A mitogen model for unresponsiveness has been studied. In 72-hr cultures the lowest supraoptimal dose of Concanavalin (Con A) showing no stimulation of rat thymocytes above background was 160 µg/ml. This dose was also found to inhibit substantially (50%) the high spontaneous DNA synthesis by thymocytes during the first 24 hr of culture. This effect was most significant 12 to 24 hr after addition of high-dose Con A. It was not necessary for the cells to remain continuously with high-dose Con A, since washing out unbound Con A after 1 hr still led to reduced 3H-thymidine incorporation at 24 or 72 hr. Furthermore, high-dose Con A treatment suppressed DNA synthesis when added at 48 hr to cultures optimally stimulated with Con A. Interaction with high-dose Con A appears to inhibit the ability of cells to initiate new rounds of DNA synthesis without blocking ongoing DNA replication. Removal of Con A with α-methyl-D-mannopyranoside (mannose) led to only partial reversal of these effects after 1 hr although "unresponsiveness" was reversible at 15 min. Suppression was not due to cytotoxic or agglutinating effects of the high-dose Con A. Two × 106 thymocytes exposed to 160 µg of Con A for 1 hr bound 1.7 µg, 86% of which was elutable with mannose. There was no reduction in the ability of high-dose treated cells to bind a subsequent optimal dose of Con A. Since Con A binds to essentially all thymocytes, this system is useful in following early events in the induction of lectin "unresponsiveness" as a model for immunologic tolerance.


amorphous alloys in the rvLjSimB,,, system with high thermal stability produced by melt spinning; magnetic properties of amorphous ultrafine Fe-B and Co-B powders prepared by sputter ing; structural analyses of quasicrystalline alloys in Al-Ge-Mn and Al-Si-Mn transi tion metal systems; fundamental proper ties (amorphization mechanism, tensile strength, fatigue strength, corrosion resist ance, crystallization kinetics, structural re laxation, and electrical magnetic and superconducting properties) for amor in and by rapid rare earth metal-Ba-Cu oxide su perconductors produced by oxidation of multilayered films; microstructure and mechanical, and magnetic properties of rap alloys in and and solidifica mechanism of and alloys.


Epithelioma cuniculatum is a rare, low‐grade squamous cell carcinoma, belonging to the group of verrucous carcinomas. Evidence is presented that suggests that human papilloma virus type‐11 may be involved in the pathogenesis of epithelioma cuniculatum. HPV‐DNA was detected by dot‐blot hybridization with 32P‐labelled probe DNA. Plasmids containing HPV‐DNA were isolated by the benzoylated naphthoylated DEAE cellulose method (BND‐method), an improved procedure for routine detection of HPV‐DNA.


It introduces the styles,setting and using situation of Cangling super-long road tunnel digging construction mechanism,analyses the problems existed in the course and execution of the setting plan.According to these problems,it elaborates the solving measures,in order to elaborate the mechanizing level of the construction,meantime,to achieve a good quality and high efficiency of the construction.