1. Into the Abyss: Germany under Allied Occupation, 1945-46 2. Germany is Set on a New Course: the Founding of Two States, 1947-1949 3. The Federal Republic Orientates to the West: Western Integration and the Economic Miracle" in the Adenauer Era, 1949-1963 4. Hegemony against the Will of the People: the German Democratic Republic (GDR) from 1949 to 1961 5. From Stagnation to Take-Off, and from Ludwig Erhard to the Grand Coalition 6. After the Building of the Wall: Stabilisation of the SED State by Means of Force under Walter Ulbricht, 1961-1971 7. The Republic in Transition: the New Policy towards the East and Commitment to Reform in the Brandt Era, 1969-1974 8. The Crisis Years: Political Strains and their Solutions during the Period of the Schmidt/Genscher Government, 1974 to 1982 9. Dictatorship`s Deceptive Facade of Normality: the GDR under Honecker from the 1970`s onwards 10: A Change of Government in Bonn: the Christian Democrat-Liberal Coalition under Helmut Kohl from 1982 11. The Collapse of the SED Dictatorship and the Fall of the Wall in 1989 12. The Unanticipated Reunification: the New Course for Germany and International Reaction to it, 1989-90 13. In Retrospect Bibliography.


Self-arrangement of DNA based structures on clean mica and modied Si surfaces is investigated by means of scanningprobe microscope (SPM) and spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) method. DNA strands are deposited from a colloidal solutionon solid surfaces at room temperature. Surfaces of solid substrates and biomolecular structures are additionally modied byAg nanoparticles. The self-arranged surface structures are visualized by SPM. The effect of the multicomponent structureson the optical response of complex hybrid structures is studied. Changes in the optical response of the hybrid samples arerelated to the contributions of self-assembled DNA-based structures and Ag nanoparticles on the Si surfaces. Binding of Agnanoparticles to the DNA strands and formation of well-ordered structures on the surfaces with DNA are discussed.


Numerical anisotropy is one of the main problems in the design of explicit 3D depth-extrapolation operators. This paper introduces a new method based on constraining the number of independent coefficients for the full 3D extrapolation operator. The extrapolation operator is divided into two regions. The coefficients for the inner part of the extrapolation operator are treated the same as the full 3D extrapolation operator. The coefficients for the outer part of the extrapolation operator are constrained to be constant as a function of azimuth for a given radius. This strategy reduces the number of floating-point operations because, for each extrapolation step, the number of complex multiplications are reduced and replaced by complex additions. The numerical workload of this alternative scheme is comparable to the Hale-McClellan scheme. Impulse responses are compared with finite-difference solutions for the two-way acoustic-wave equation. It is demonstrated that the numerical anisotropy for the proposed sc...


In agricultural equipment, heat exchangers are mainly used for heat exchange and full utilization. Based on the theory of enhanced heat transfer, we establish a reasonable mathematical model and physical model for the multi-degree-of-freedom spiral plate type agricultural machinery heat exchanger, and use the FLUENT numerical simulation software to add the spiral disturbing fluid to the spiral plate heat exchanger flow channel. Numerical simulation and further optimization simulation of the fluid-conducting conditions with poor heat transfer effect were carried out, and an optimal arrangement of two kinds of spiral-shaped turbulent fluids with constant curvature and variable curvature was determined. The heat transfer effect of the fixed-curvature spiral-shaped disturbing fluid is superior. Further optimize the structure of the disturbing fluid. When the diameter of the disturbing fluid increases, the heat transfer can be enhanced; thus, the diameter of the disturbing fluid plays an important role in enhancing the heat transfer effect.


7089 Background: NGR-hTNF exploits the tumor-homing peptide NGR for selectively targeting tumor necrosis factor to tumor blood vessels.

METHODS
Here we report the long-term results of a phase II trial testing NGR-hTNF in 57 MPM patients (pts) who had failed a pemetrexed-based regimen. NGR-hTNF was given as 1-hour infusion at 0.8 µg/m2 every 3 weeks (q3w; n=43) or weekly (q1w; n=14) in a subsequent cohort. Moreover, we assessed the impact on outcome of the systemic neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), an index of the host immune response to tumor. Median baseline NLR was 3 (range 1-23).

RESULTS
In the whole study population (n=57), one grade 3 drug-related toxicity was observed and common grades 1-2 were transient chills (75% of pts). There was no higher toxicity using the q1w schedule. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 2.8 months (95% CI 2.2-3.3). The disease control rate was 46% (26/57 pts; 95% CI 33-60%) and was maintained for a median time of 4.7 months (95% CI 4.0-5.4). With a median follow up of 28.6 months, the overall survival (OS) rates at 1 and 2 years were 47% and 15%, respectively. The 6-month PFS and 2-year OS rates were 11% and 10% in q3w cohort vs 36% and 29% in q1w cohort, respectively. In pts with disease control (n=26), median PFS and 2-year OS rate were 4.4 months and 11% in q3w cohort vs 9.1 months and 57% in q1w cohort, respectively. In a landmark analysis set at 2 months (1st restaging), median OS was longer in pts who had achieved disease control compared with those who had progressed (14.7 vs 6.8 months; p=0.03). By multivariate analyses, a PS of 0 (HR=0.38; p=0.02) and a baseline NLR ≤ 3 (HR=0.40; p=0.005) were associated with longer survival, while no associations were detected between OS and age, sex, histology, EORTC score and treatment-free interval on prior therapy. Median OS were 17.4 vs 8.0 months in pts with PS 0 or PS 1-2 and 15.7 vs 5.6 months in pts with NLR ≤ or > 3, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS
Based on these results, NGR-hTNF 0.8 µg/m2 q1w is currently tested in a placebo-controlled phase II trial as a maintenance treatment in MPM pts who did not progress after 6 cycles of first-line chemotherapy and in a double-blind phase III trial evaluating best investigator's choice ± NGR-hTNF in relapsed MPM.


Objective To establish a method for the isolation and culture of mouse liver sinusoidal endothelial cells(LSEC),and to study their biological characteristics.Methods Liver tissue from mouse was treated with a solution containing 2 U/mL dispase,and then the cell suspension was separated by Percoll density gradient centrifugation.LSEC was purified by culturing in an endothelial cell selective medium and passaged with enzyme discrepancy digestion.LSEC immunophenotypic characteristics were analyzed by using cyto-immunostaining.The ultrastructures of LSEC,the ability of uptaking the acetylated low-density lipoprotein(acetylated LDL),and the vascular structures in vitro were detected.Results The isolated cells showed the typical cobblestone morphology characteristic of endothelial cells.These cells expressed factor Ⅷ but not CD31,CD90,and CK19.They were able to uptake the acetylated low-density lipoprotein and to form vascular structure.The results of electron microscope showed that these cells possessed typical transcellular fenestrations with a sinusoidal origin.Conclusion We develop a method for the isolation and culture of LSEC with typical morphologic and phenotypic characteristics.


Summary. At the planning stage of a community‐oriented and problem‐based learning master's programme in public health it is indispensable to build a network of teachers, experts in specific fields, willing to guide the students in acquiring new competencies and ready to facilitate the experimental learning process. We discuss in this paper the construction and the utilisation of the 'topic tree'. In addition we show how the teaching staff get acquainted with that educational methodology by experimenting with it themselves (prior to the students). About 10 experts, each one a specialist in a given field, have conceptualized their approach in building a topic tree (concept tree); such a tree makes it possible to schematize the topics to be understood in order to solve a given problem and the relationship existing between actions to be undertaken. The experiment, meant to initiate the teaching staff in experimental learning procedures, was appreciated by all the experts, who considered it a creative and stimulating method. It also permitted the construction of a bibliography including key documents concerning each identified priority health problem. We discuss the utility and the relevance of our approach in the perspective of initiating teachers in experiential learning based on problem‐solving.


The current deregulated transportation environment has fostered wider freight rate differentials based on shipping weight. As a result, grouping inventory items for the purpose of consolidating inbound replenishment orders can be cost-effective. The pressure in some industries for just-in-time delivery of small lots has also created new opportunities for consolidation of orders. The objective of this research is to identify inventory-transport conditions where a consolidation strategy has cost-reduction potential. Logistics cost generated by ordering an ensemble of items consolidated into groups is compared to those generated by two independent, item reorder strategies. Using data from 150 ensembles, the cost-reduction potential of consolidating was correlated with characteristics of the individual inventory items in an ensemble, a dominant group of items in the ensemble, and the ensemble itself. Finally, response functions were derived and used to test the external validity of the results. For this purpose we used 25 randomly selected inventory ensembles obtained from a retail merchandising firm.


Metformin is the first-line drug for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). It is used as an adjunct to diet and physical activity, especially in obese individuals. Although there are suggestions from the UKPDS (UK Prospective Diabetes Study) that metformin lowers the incidence of macrovascular disease, the extent of this effect has been challenged thereafter. Nevertheless, because of its blood glucose-lowering effects, reduction of appetite, and low price, metformin plays an important role in the T2DM treatment strategy. Metformin has been also used extensively for the treatment of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), in order to improve insulin sensitivity, reduce androgen overproduction, and improve fertility. The metabolic features of metformin make the it an attractive option for the treatment of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), the type of diabetes that presents during pregnancy. In this situation, insulin resistance develops due to the effects of placental hormones, and GDM ensues in those women whose β-cells cannot increase their insulin production to keep up with the higher demands. Indeed, several studies have shown that treatment with metformin may efficiently regulate blood glucose levels in GDM and may delay the use of insulin. However, a recent study reported that women randomized to metformin had higher blood glucose levels throughout pregnancy, and a higher percentage of largefor-gestational age (LGA) babies (21% vs 6%) compared with those on insulin therapy. These results highlight not only the effective use of insulin, but also the reluctance to escalate pharmacologic treatment when blood glucose control is not sufficient. A 2011 study had reported higher subcutaneous fat in children exposed to metformin. In addition, metformin use in PCOS pregnancies is associated with a higher risk for the child of being overweight at the age of 4 years. In obese women, metformin had no significant effect on birth weight percentile. A study in 25 children exposed to metformin during the prenatal period reported higher fasting blood glucose and systolic blood pressure, but lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol than children not exposed to metformin. The question of the safety of metformin for pregnant women and their children then arises, because only few long-term studies have assessed its metabolic effects. However, there are other issues that need our attention too. Briones et al. extensively described the fate of metformin after it leaves our body and how it appears in wastewater and the environment. In this occasion, metformin may act as a real endocrine disruptor. There is evidence that metformin, in a concentration found in the environment, can induce a type of intersex in fish. Metformin can upregulate a number of genes associated with an endocrine-disrupting profile, including those for the androgen receptor, 3βhydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) and 17β-HSD in the male gonads. Further, metformin reduced testicular weight and testosterone production in prepubertal chickens. Metformin treatment during pregnancy caused changes in the sexual behavior of and reduced the sperm count in the male offspring of female Wistar rats. It must be acknowledged that there is still a lot of debate as to whether animal models do predict the effects of endocrine disruptors in humans. However, the number of reports in which the possible endocrinedisrupting effects of metformin have been studied in humans are very limited, because most, still few, studies have focused on anthropometric measures of the offspring. An in vitro study with human testes showed that metformin reduces testosterone production and testicular development. A study from Finland reported no difference in testicular size between boys whose mothers had been treated with metformin during pregnancy and boys whose mothers had been treated with insulin. However, in that study, the mean age of the boys was only 5 years, and specific data on puberty and the post-pubertal period are lacking. In summary, the use of metformin in GDM is gradually increasing. Arguments in favor of its use are the achievement of stable control, and possibly a reduced need to start insulin injections, which by themselves may mitigate the pregnancy-associated weight gain. The long-term effects of metformin use during pregnancy for the offspring are still unknown, and can only be fully assessed when children exposed to metformin in utero are carefully evaluated once they have reached adulthood. Metformin treatment during pregnancy should still be considered as experimental therapy and, until long-term safety data have been obtained, this must only be performed within the situation of a clinical trial. Providers of research funding should consider financing such long-term studies, or to provide funding for short-term studies with the request for long-term follow-up. It would be a good idea to start an doi: 10.1111/1753-0407.12813 Journal of Diabetes 10 (2018), 984–985


Full-featured, power-stingy, and low-cost processors, image sensors, and other system building blocks are poised to make embedded vision the next digital signal processing success story. Fueled by high-volume consumer electronics applications, expanding to a host of other markets, and brought to life by a worldwide alliance of suppliers and system developers, the technology is sure to fulfill its promise in the near future.


Primary leiomyosarcoma of the respiratory tract is a very rare malignancy, especially in childhood, with only 15 cases in patients under 16 years old having been reported. In the present case, the survival period from the onset of symptoms has been over 7 years, despite incomplete resection. Based on the 15 published cases, the prognosis is poorer when the tumor is unresected or incompletely resected, but under favorable circumstances, prolonged survival is possible. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2004; 37:368–374. © 2004 Wiely‐Liss, Inc.


We develop a model of electoral selection and accountability in the presence of mainstream and alternative media outlets. In addition to standard high and low competence types, the incumbent may be an aspiring autocrat, who controls the mainstream media and will cause substantial harm if not removed from office. Alternative media can help voters identify and remove aspiring autocrats and can enable voters to focus on honest mainstream media assessments of incumbents' competence. But malicious alternative media that peddle false conspiracy theories about the incumbent and the mainstream media can induce voters to mistakenly remove nonautocratic incumbents, which in turn demotivates incumbent effort and undermines accountability. The alternative media is most dangerous when it is sufficiently credible that voters pay attention to it, but sufficiently likely to be malicious that it undermines accountability.


In practice teaching of oceanography,some problems in observation of sea water temperature exist such as taking too much time in calculation and hard to preserve data etc.So a system based on Visual Basic to figure out the problems was exploited.This paper described the system from three aspects: background in conceiving it,its application and its predominance.


This is a case study comparison between traditional and VHDL design methods of a small sized logic module (1500 gates). The areas where design cycle improvements and gate count reductions were realized are discussed as well as VHDL development strategies undertaken to reduce the impact of the design tools' limitations.<<ETX>>


This paper presents an innovative RF based biosensor, which allies both RF/microwave detection and a microfluidic network for quick and precise biological analysis. It is composed of a coplanar waveguide with a microfluidic channel placed on top. Thanks to an appropriate de-embedding technique and modeling of the measurements, the relative effective permittivity of HUVEC human cells has been evaluated successfully. Furthermore, the sensor has been experimented for various cells concentrations in suspension, which validates its use for bioengineering and especially cells quantification and counting in solution, without any direct contact or use of labels on the cells, in the contrary to other usual biosensors types (optical, mechanical or DC/low frequency detection based ones).


Immature stages of 73 digenetic trematodes are listed by their families, marine invertebrate hosts, and localities and then cross listed according to their molluscan hosts. The list contains many new host records, and larval stages of 15 digenetic trematodes were newly recorded from gastropods from British Columbia and California. A list of immature stages of 14 cestodes, acanthocephalans, and nematodes is also included.


The invention provides a method and system for achieving mobile terminal screen unlocking through NFC data matching. The method includes the steps that communication connection is established between a mobile terminal and NFC equipment through an NFC communication protocol first; the mobile terminal obtains a second serial number of the NFC equipment, and the second serial number is matched with first serial number information stored in advance and used for unlocking; ultimately, a screen unlocking instruction is generated if matching is successful, and unlocking is carried out on a mobile terminal screen. Thus, under the condition that cost and devices are not increased, connection can be established as long as the NFC equipment and the mobile terminal are in a set range, automatic unlocking can be achieved, and the method is convenient and easy to use.


In this paper, the robust H, observer design problem is studied for a class of nonlinear discrete systems with time-delay and uncertainties. The non-Iinearities are assumed to satisfy global Lipschitz conditions which appear in both dynamics and measured output equation. The problem addressed is to design a nonlinear observer such that, for all the admissible uncertainties, the dynamics of the observer error is globally exponentiaIly stable and has a prescribed H, performance. An linear matrix inequality approach is developed and sufficient condition is obtained to design the nonlinear robust H, observer. Specifically, the convergent rate of error state can be estimated by the initial condition and time-delay of the system. Furthermore, robust H, observer designs €or Iinear (or bilinear) discrete systems with time-delay and uncertainties can be obtained directly. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed observer design is illustrated through a numerical example.


We study some critical elliptic problems involving the difference of two nonlocal operators, or the difference of a local operator and a nonlocal operator. The main result is the existence of two nontrivial weak solutions, one with negative energy and the other with positive energy, for all sufficiently small values of a parameter. The proof is based on an abstract result recently obtained in [20].


We propose a spin interferometer using Rashba spin–orbit interaction. A spin interference effect is demonstrated in small arrays of mesoscopic InGaAs rings. This spin interference is the time reversal Aharonov–Casher (AC) effect. The AC interference oscillations are controlled over several periods. This result shows evidence for electrical manipulation of the spin precession angle in an InGaAs two-dimensional electron gas channel. We control the precession rate in a precise and predictable way with an electrostatic gate.


OF THE DISSERTATION Intergenerational Mobility, Income Inequality and Children's Human Capital Investment by Omayma Elsheniti Dissertation Director: Carolyn Moehling This dissertation focuses on examining the determinants of children's educational attainment in different settings. Specifically, Chapters 2 and 3 examine two key determinants of children's educational attainment in Egypt: parents' levels of education and mother's hours of work. Chapter 4 examines the evolution of common schooling in the nineteenth century in New Jersey. Since New Jersey in the nineteenth century shared many characteristics with developing countries today, having a better understanding of the rapid rise in school attendance in this setting should guide policy-makers in constructing the appropriate policies that may target educational attainment in developing countries. In Chapter 2, I examine the relationship between income inequality and the intergenerational correlation in educational attainment in Egypt. I test whether the correlation between parents' and children's education is stronger or weaker in governorates with high income inequality. My results suggest a nonlinear relationship. School enrollment for children whose fathers are poorly educated is very low regardless of the degree of income inequality, whereas enrollment for children whose fathers are highly educated increases as the degree of income inequality increases. Notably, enrollment for children whose fathers have medium level of education decreases as the degree of income inequality increases.


We present an approach to learning control policies for physical robots that achieves high efficiency by adjusting existing policies that have been learned on similar source systems, such as a similar robot with different physical parameters, or an approximate dynamics model simulator. This can be viewed as calibrating a policy learned on a source system, to match a desired behaviour in similar target systems. Our approach assumes that the trajectories described by the source robot are feasible on the target robot. By making this assumption, we only need to learn a mapping from the source robot state and action spaces to the target robot action space, which we call a policy adjustment model. We demonstrate our approach in simulation in the cart-pole balancing task and a two link double pendulum. We also validate our approach with a physical cart-pole system, where we adjust a learned policy under changes to the weight of the pole.


Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease occurring preferentially in arterial regions exposed to disturbed flow conditions including oscillatory shear stress (OS). OS exposure induces endothelial expression of bone morphogenic protein 4 (BMP4), which in turn may activate intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression and monocyte adhesion. OS is also known to induce monocyte adhesion by producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) from reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidases, raising the possibility that BMP4 may stimulate the inflammatory response by ROS-dependent mechanisms. Here we show that ROS scavengers blocked ICAM-1 expression and monocyte adhesion induced by BMP4 or OS in endothelial cells (ECs). Similar to OS, BMP4 stimulated H2O2 and O2− production in ECs. Next, we used ECs obtained from p47phox−/− mice (MAE-p47−/−), which do not produce ROS in response to OS, to determine the role of NADPH oxidases. Similar to OS, BMP4 failed to induce monocyte adhesion in MAE-p47−/−, but it was restored when the cells were transfected with p47phox plasmid. Moreover, OS-induced O2− production was blocked by noggin (a BMP antagonist), suggesting a role for BMP. Furthermore, OS increased gp91phox (nox2) and nox1 mRNA levels while decreasing nox4. In contrast, BMP4 induced nox1 mRNA expression, whereas nox2 and nox4 were decreased or not affected, respectively. Also, OS-induced monocyte adhesion was blocked by knocking down nox1 with the small interfering RNA (siRNA). Finally, BMP4 siRNA inhibited OS-induced ROS production and monocyte adhesion. Together, these results suggest that BMP4 produced in ECs by OS stimulates ROS release from the nox1-dependent NADPH oxidase leading to inflammation, a critical early atherogenic step.


The cyanine dye (Cy) was embedded in (or absorbed by) a monolayer on air-water interface and its multilayer samples deposited on glass slides were obtained. The studies of their absorption spectra showed that Cy in LB films formed H-aggregates. Multiple phase conjugate waves induced by third- and higher-order nonlinearity of the LB film were observed. High to third-order diffractions with two-beam-interaction and self-phase modulation phenomena with single-beam-interaction in the LB film were also observed. The exceptionally large third-order susceptibility was measured to 5*10-8 esu for the LB film, which is larger than that deduced from measured third-order byperpolarizability of Cy monomers in bulk solution. The origin of this large third-order susceptibility for the LB film, due to the near-resonant and delocalized exiton enhancement in the aggregates, is duscussed as well.


generally larger beats a a larger deviant-standard N1-P2 better in the solo-tapping task than a generated a deviant-standard N1-P2 magnitude difference. are consistent with results from which report a significant positive correlation between deviant-standard N1-P2 magnitude difference and performance in a solo-tapping task.


Remotely sensed data based land use/cover classification,especially in mountainous areas,is a difficult problem that has long drawn attentions among researchers.This paper presents a synthetic approach using C4.5 algorithm to automatically derive classification knowledge with the purpose of constructing a model of decision tree for the final classification of the image.Statistical relationships of the land-use pattern with DEM were analyzed through spatial analysis function of GIS to provide extra knowledge for the post classification processes,which improves the precision of final classification by enhancing the characteristics of the trial zones in the image.According to a classification experiment on the rugged terrain over the upstream of Hanjiang River Basin where the land use/cover ground survey data are available,the proposed approach is far superior to the traditional maximum likelihood classification method.


We study various properties of polarized vectorial Poisson structures subordinate to polarized k-symplectic manifolds, and also, we study the notion of polarized vectorial Poisson manifold. Some properties and examples are given.


In this paper, lumped models for vias in multilayered PCBs and their extraction are presented. Thereby, the model elements are derived from physics. It is possible to estimate the parameters of the lumped models using analytical formulas, but more precise values can be derived from vector network analyser measurements or 3d-field solver computations of a real via geometry. Two method for the extraction of the via model parameters from these reference data are presented. Thereby, calculations with two-port theory, network theory, a de-embedding algorithm and different optimisation algorithm are used.


Rupture of the diaphragm mostly occurs following major trauma. We report a case of delayed presentation of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia on the left side in a 44-year-old male who presented two weeks after a minor blunt trauma. Left kidney and intestinals coils were found to herniate through the diaphragmatic tear. This case demonstrates the importance of considering the diagnosis in all cases of blunt trauma of the trunk. It also illustrates the rare possibility of herniation of kidney through the diaphragmatic tear.


Provided is a laminate power storage device that does not easily leak electrolyte. First end parts 11c, which are second-end-surface 10f -side end parts of first current collectors 11a, extend further to the inside of insulating bonding parts 15 than first polarizing electrode layers 11b, and second end parts 12c, which are first-end-surface 10e -side end parts of second current collectors 12a, extend further to the inside of insulating bonding parts 15 than second polarizing electrode layers 12b.


Students frequently experience difficulty visualizing complex multidimensional electrodynamics topics, especially those with time variation. The classic stationary illustrations of inherently dynamic concepts can be greatly enhanced via computer animation. Animation significantly improves student comprehension of time dependent functions, and provides a secondary benefit for students by improving computer programming skills.


A novel, quantum mechanism, the in-plane photoelectric effect, which enables a large terahertz (THz) photoresponse in gated two-dimensional electron gases (2DEGs), was recently discovered. To develop the mechanism further, a systematic study is carried out in this work using a dual-gated photoelectric tunable-step (PETS) terahertz detector based on a GaAs-AlGaAs heterojunction. The electric field distribution within the 2DEG channel is simulated and integrated to obtain the radiation-induced ac potential difference as a function of the 2DEG depth and the gap size to investigate the parameter dependence of the THz photoresponse. Based on the simulation results, we design, optimize, and fabricate a dipole-antenna PETS THz detector with 2DEG depth d = 90 nm and gap size b = 190 nm, which shows a strong photoresponse to 1.9 THz radiation.


This thesis addresses empirical ground motion modelling in the context of seismic hazard assessment. In particular, the work focuses on empirical modelling of high frequency ground motions at rock sites. The first section uses data from the Canterbury earthquake sequence to improve understanding of the physical mechanisms behind high frequency Fourier spectral amplitudes and develop robust methods of estimating the high frequency spectral decay parameter, κ. The improved estimation method is then used to calculate the site attenuation parameter κ0, at GeoNet rock sites across New Zealand. This analysis reveals strong variation in site attenuation between the high and low seismicity regions of New Zealand. Using the geostatistical technique of ordinary kriging, a continuous κ0 map of New Zealand is developed. The second half of the thesis utilises the κ0 map to derive an empirical model of the earthquake Fourier amplitude spectrum, using κ0 as a site-specific predictor. The model is derived by fitting previously-recorded New Zealand ground motion data. It is found that using κ0 as a predictor in the empirical model is largely unsuccessful, and the model performs better if κ0 is excluded from the model. A model is instead derived without explicit specification of site attenuation effects. To complement the Fourier amplitude spectrum model, a model for the significant duration of ground motion is derived. These two models are used together in a random vibration theory analysis, to predict response spectra. In deriving the duration model, conceptual improvements are made to random vibration theory calculations in the context of engineering seismology. It is shown that the subsequent empirical model of response spectra is generally unbiased with respect to New Zealand response spectral data, for damping levels of 5% and 20%.


Aquifers beneath big cities are considered a very important resource from an energy and water supply point of view and are increasingly exploited by means of groundwater extraction wells as well as by shallow open- and closed-loop geothermal systems. Moreover, the shallow subsurface of densely populated cities is increasingly hosting underground infrastructures such as tunnels and building foundations. These activities lead to thermal pollution of the shallow urban underground. This phenomenon has already been documented (urban heat island effect) in many cities worldwide with higher ground/groundwater temperatures in the city centers with respect to surrounding rural areas. The local thermal impact of various underground activities has been studied with analytical and local-scale numerical modeling. However, the resulting groundwater thermal regime at the city-scale is yet mostly unexplored.

In this work the effects of anthropogenic heat sources and subsurface infrastructures in the Milan metropolitan area is presented. To this aim a groundwater head/temperature monitoring network was established in 2016. Groundwater temperatures in the city center are up to 3°C higher with respect to less urbanized areas. A correlation between the urban density and the groundwater thermal regime was observed. In order to evaluate the spatial variability of the groundwater temperatures, a detailed analysis based on a 3D FEM groundwater flow and heat transport numerical model was carried out by means of the commercial code FeFlow. First, the variability of hydraulic and thermal properties as from borehole logs was spatialized into the model by means of 3D geostatistical techniques to account for aquifer heterogeneities. Complex thermal boundary conditions were assigned to the model including the effects of different land cover/sealing materials, building foundations, tunnels, shallow geothermal wells and the canal network. The thermal transport model was calibrated against high-resolution time-lapse groundwater temperature profiles and continuous measurements at fixed depth.

The modeling of the current thermal regime of the shallow aquifers was essential to understand the hydrogeological and thermal processes that are relevant at the city scale. The numerical results are a valuable tool to assess the impact of specific heat sources as well as of surface/subsurface infrastructures on the overall thermal regime and to test the long-term thermal potential of ground/groundwater heat exchangers under possible urban development scenarios. Thereby, the proposed approach can support the sustainable development of subsurface infrastructures at the city-scale and the management and assessment of the thermal potential of low enthalpy geothermal resources.


Introduction The plastic nature of bone is not well understood. As a composite material composed of mineral and organic matrix, its nonlinear behavior may be due in part to denaturation of the collagen fibrils of the organic matrix and also cracking and crushing of the more brittle mineral. However the relative contribution of these mechanisms is not known. Stolken and Kinney [1] recently highlighted the sensitivity of Finite Element Modelling (FEM) of bone to the non-linear model used. The predictive capacity of these models is dependent on the material data available and the failure mechanisms upon which they are based. The porous nature of cortical bone at the nano and microscale means it cannot be considered an incompressible material, or pressure independent. The yield criterion and flow rule for a material is dependent on two invariants, defined as the Equivalent Pressure Stress and Mises Equivalent Stress. This means that the response of a material may be both pressure and shear dependent. These dependencies are known as non-associated flow and associated flow respectively. Pile-up, which often occurs during indentation of materials and is a classic sign of flow in metals, is characteristic of associated flow. In this work Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) imaging of nanoindentation impressions was used to quantify the level of pile-up in cortical bone. The nanoindentation process was then modeled using FEM. It was hypothesised that plasticity models only allowing low levels of non-associated flow would overestimate the level of pile up (hp, shown in figure 1) and could therefore not capture the true plastic nature of cortical bone. Two constitutive models that characterise plasticity were used in this work. The first, a "Concreted Damaged Plasticity" (CDP) model assumes the two main failure mechanisms are microcracking in tension and crushing in compression. The second model used was the Drucker-Prager (DP) model, which assumes pressure dependent yield and allows simultaneous inelastic dilatation (volume increase) and inelastic shearing. For both models the ratio of associated to nonassociated flow was varied by varying the angle of dilatation, ψ.


Taking three hundred readers receiving the questionnaire in Yichun University as the example, this paper analyzes on the relationship between their blood group and reading psychology.


Debate of SHEN Yue and LU Jyue reflected their different opinions about the traditional five phonologic system by the Confucianists and the Yongming four phonologic system. The birth of SHEN Yue's 「Four Phonologic System Theory」was closely related to his assimilation of the folk popular culture. SHEN Yue's interests in popular culture reflected characteristics of the Jiangdong new fashion in his culture concepts. His mixed thinking with both refined and popular tastes reflected that SHEN Yue was able to accept much more popular culture than any other else at the same period. This made him to be a leader in applying four phonologic system in poetry creations and other literature new fashions.


AbstractThe following sections are included:IntroductionThe Definition of MoneyThe Microeconomic Theory of a Monetary EconomyThe Aggregation-Theoretic Approach to Money DemandIndex Number TheoryThe Links Between Aggregation Theory, Index Number Theory, and Monetary TheoryUnderstanding the New Divisia AggregatesThe Optimal Level of Monetary SubaggregationEconometric ConsiderationsApproximating the Monetary Services Subutility FunctionAn ExampleEmpirical DimensionsEmpirical Comparisons of Index NumbersEmpirical Results for the Demand System ApproachExtensionsConclusions


Objective
To explore the effects of subcutaneous injection of γ aminobutyric acid(GABA) A receptor agonist gaboxadol for the pain threshold of rats with neuropathological pain(NP) and the activation of spinal astrocytes.

Methods
A NP model was established in rats through chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve. Thirty-six male SD rats were randomized into three groups(n=12): a sham group (group S), a CCI group (group C) and a CCI+gaboxadol group (group G). Then, normal saline or 10 mg/kg gaboxadol was subcutaneously injected in group S, group C or group G respectively, once a day, from Days 10 to 14 after operation. 8 rats were randomly selected in each group, and paw withdrawal mechanical threshold(PWMT) was measured one day before operation and on day 3 and 10 after operation, and 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 h after final injection. 4 rats were selected in each group, and they were killed sacrificed 2 h after final injection and the expression of astrocytes in the spinal cord was measured by immunofluorescence.

Results
Compared with group S, rats in group C started to show decreases in PWMT on day 3 after operation [(13.46±1.67) g vs(4.65±0.46) g], which was maintained until 12 h after injection (P<0.05). Compared with group S, the number of astrocyte cells in group C[(103±7) vs (402±20)] were significantly increased 2 h after injection (P<0.05). Compared with group C, group G showed remarkable increases in PWMT [(2.73±0.57) g vs (7.31±0.55) g] 0.5 h after injection, which was maintained until 8 h after injection (P<0.05). Compared with group C, the number of astrocyte cells in group G(251±20) were significantly decreased 2 h after injection(P<0.05).

Conclusions
Subcutaneous injection of gaboxadol relieves the mechanical pain in rats, which may be associated with inhibited activation of astrocytes in the spinal cord.

Key words:
Neuropathic pain; γaminobutyric acid A receptor; Astrocyte; Spinal cord


Many scientific computing problems can be reduced to Matrix-Matrix Multiplications (MMM), making the General Matrix Multiply (GEMM) kernels in the Basic Linear Algebra Subroutine (BLAS) of interest to the high-performance computing community. However, these workloads have a wide range of numerical requirements. Ill-conditioned linear systems require high-precision arithmetic to ensure correct and reproducible results. In contrast, emerging workloads such as deep neural networks, which can have millions up to billions of parameters, have shown resilience to arithmetic tinkering and precision lowering.


When practitioners select tests for use in early reading assessments, two types of considerations are most relevant. The first set of considerations relates to the technical adequacy or psychometric soundness of a particular measure. Regardless of how attractively packaged, comfortably familiar, or heavily marketed a test may be, it is of no use to practitioners and the children they serve if it does not provide a reliable and valid assessment of the skills it is designed to measure. The first section of this chapter discusses five psychometric characteristics critical to early reading measures and provides recommendations for minimum levels of technical adequacy for these properties: (1) standardization, (2) reliability, (3) test floors, (4) item gradients, and (5) validity. Also included are introductions to item response theory (IRT) and generalizability theory (G theory)—approaches that are becoming increasingly important in the development and validation of psychological and educational tests. The second set of considerations relates to the usability of a test—that is, the degree to which practitioners can actually use a measure in applied settings. Although technical adequacy should be the first consideration in selecting assessment tools, usability also plays a role in the selection process (Goodwin & Goodwin, 1993). The second section of this chapter discusses practical characteristics relevant to early reading measures and offers guidelines for evaluating their usability.


Receiving system pay TV comprising a receiver (A) connected to security means (C, D, F) this receiver (A) receiving information decoding by the security means (C, D, F) wherein at least a portion of the information (4, 6) transmitted by the security means (C, D, F) to the receiver (a) are encrypted by a unique key encryption.


In this interview for the American Bar Association Taxation Section News Quarterly, Eric Toder discusses the relationship between the Social Security trust fund account surplus and budget deficits, prospects for future tax reform, reforms of corporate taxation, and the possible future role of consumption taxes in the federal tax code.


Despite its implication in many environmental processes, Natural Organic Matter (NOM) is only partially characterised, mainly due to its refractory nature. Amide functions have been revealed by spectroscopic studies, but the molecular structure of the concerned units remains unknown. Pyrolysis coupled to Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry (Py-GC-MS), in the presence of Tetra-Methyl-Ammonium Hydroxyde (TMAH) is considered to be a convenient tool to investigate these structures. For a better understanding of the behaviour of nitrogen-containing structures of NOM upon Py-GC-MS/ TMAH, we used this technique to analyse the 20 proteic amino acids, 17 dipeptides, 4 polypeptides and a protein, the Bovin Serum Albumin (BSA). This study allowed highlighting the main pyrolysis mechanisms undergone by the amino acids (direct methylation, cyclisation, dimerisation, homolysis, decarboxylation and deamination) and the influence of the peptidic bond on these mechanisms. Py-GC-MS/TMAH of dipeptides and polypeptides pointed to the importance of cyclisation products, mainly diketopiperazines and more complex compounds based on 3 amino acids, and homolysis products for aromatic amino acids. Morever, this study allowed creating a database for the pyrolysis products arising from amino acids and dipeptides. Finally, pyrolysis of mixtures of BSA with the main two macromolecules of the biomass (lignin and cellulose) showed that response factors are unfavourable to the protein.


.M .M ABSTRACT W ehaveused thezCO SM O S-bright10k sam pletoidentify 3244 Spitzer/M IPS 24 (cid:22) m -selected galaxieswith 0 : 06 < S 24 (cid:22) m < (cid:24) 0 : 50m Jy and I A B < 22 : 5,over1.5 deg 2 ofthe CO SM O S (cid:12)eld,and studied di(cid:11)erentspectralproperties,depending on redshift.At0 : 2 < z < 0 : 3,wefound thatdi(cid:11)erentredden-inglawsofcom m on usein theliteratureexplain thedustextinction propertiesof (cid:24) 80% ofourinfrared (IR)sources,within the errorbars.Forup to 16% ofobjects,instead,the H (cid:11)(cid:21) 6563/H (cid:12)(cid:21) 4861ratios aretoo high fortheirIR/UV attenuations,which isprobably a consequenceofinhom ogenousdustdis-tributions.In only a few ofourgalaxiesat0 : 2 < z < 0 : 3 theIR em ission could bem ainly produced by dustheated by old ratherthan young stars.Besides,the line ratiosof (cid:24)


In the case of oscillatory potentials, we present Lyapunov type inequalities for $n$th order forced differential equations of the form
\begin{eqnarray}
x^{(n)}(t)+\sum_{j=1}^{m}q_j(t)|x(t)|^{\alpha_j-1}x(t)=f(t)
\end{eqnarray}
satisfying the boundary conditions
\begin{eqnarray}
x(a_i)=x'(a_i)=x''(a_i)=\cdots=x^{(k_i)}(a_i)=0;\qquad i=1,2,\ldots,r,
\end{eqnarray}
where $a_1 < a_2 < \cdots < a_r$, $0\leq k_i$ and
\begin{eqnarray}
\sum_{j=1}^{r}k_j+r=n;\qquad r\geq 2.
\end{eqnarray}
No sign restriction is imposed on the forcing term and the nonlinearities satisfy
\begin{eqnarray}
0 < \alpha_1 < \cdots < \alpha_j < 1 < \alpha_{j+1} < \cdots < \alpha_m < 2.
\end{eqnarray}
The obtained inequalities generalize and compliment the existing results in the literature.


Abstract A rotating split ring disc electrode (RSRDE) with a sensitive triple potentiostat was constructed and used for determination of soluble ferrous and ferric species during potentiodynamic polarisation of iron in borate buffer solution (pH 8·4) and in 1 M NaOH at 25°C. The high sensitivity of the RSRDE apparatus enabled determination of these species in both solutions. In the borate solution shielding and blocking effects were observed. The shielding effect on the half ring detecting Fe3+ occurred at high cathodic potentials of the disc and was ascribed mainly to atkalisation of the ring due to hydroxyl ions produced on the disc. The blocking effect on the half ring detecting Fe2+ was caused by the deposition of solid ferric products; methods are proposed to diminish the inaccuracy associated with this effect.


Abstract A novel onoceranoid triterpene, named lamesticumin G (1) along with four known compounds (2–5) were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of the fruit peels of Lansium parasiticum. The structure of lamesticumin G (1) was fully characterised using spectroscopic data. Lamesticumin G (1) inhibited α-glucosidase (maltase) with IC50 value of 2.27 mM, while 2–5 showed no inhibition.


According to the evaluation method,it can be obtained the following conclusions: the total value of the 7 ecosystem services of Dashimengou Forest Park is 28 075 200 yuan/a,and the unit area value is 56 200 yuan/(hm2·a).The value of carbon fixation releasing oxygen function is 10 271 200 yuan/a,the highest is 36.58% of the total value.The biodiversity conservation function is 10 000 000 yuan/a,the second highest is 35.62% of total value.The lowest is the function of soil and water conservation,with the value of 485 200 yuan/a,only about 1.73%of the total value.The order of ecosystem service value is carbon fixation releasing oxygen function biodiversity conservation function water conservation function air purification function tree nutrient accumulation function forest recreation and ecological culture function the soil and water conservation function.


Multisensor data fusion system is more complicated and the performance of a MSDF system depends very much on the complexity of the problem. This paper presents an approach for evaluating MSDF of ISR that considers the difficulty o f the problem. It is necessary to offer cost effective means to start the design of new systems and facilitate the upgrade of existing capabilities. In respect of MSDF effectiveness evaluation,the author proposes a single-sensor effective n ess analysis model and a general multisensor effectiveness analysis model. We pr esent MOE of fusion level and discuss the MSDF effectiveness evaluation method.


The Artificial vision has become very important in the automation world due to its increasing reliability, capacity and rapid return on investment. The purpose of this research is to implement the algorithms necessary to identify a person through his face described through an image captured in real time, using a camcorder, classifying the facial images according to the person who belongs to you. These algorithms have been implemented in a System of Assistance Control (SCA) through facial recognition in the area of administrative services of the municipal government. It has been used the algorithm of Viola Jones [1] to obtain the region of interest: ROI and the local algorithm binary patterns (LBP) to extract the characteristics and the histograms of local binary patterns (LBPH). They are algorithms used for facial recognition, which are based on the local binary operator. The SCA is developed with the facial recognition algorithms ofthe OpenCV library, Offer the user a system trained in a learning machine with the knowledge base obtained from the photos taken of each of the employees in the area.


It is a wellknown fact that the satisfiability problem (SAT) for Boolean formulas in a conjunctive normal form (CNF) is NP complete, i.e. Σ1 complete. It is also known that the decision version of Boolean minimization for CNF inputs is Σ2 complete. On the other hand there are several subclasses of CNFs (e.g. Horn CNFs) for which SAT is known to be in P = Σ0 while the minimization problem is Σ1 complete. Thus, for both the general case and the above mentioned subclasses the gap between the complexity of SAT and minimization is exactly one level in the polynomial hierarchy. There are also some subclasses (e.g. quadratic CNFs) for which there is no gap because both SAT and minimization are in P = Σ0. In this short note we shall systematically study different classes of Boolean functions with respect to the size of the mentioned gap and show that there also exist classes for which the gap between the complexity of SAT and minimization is the maximum possible (two levels in the polynomial hierarchy). To this end we shall recall a recent result showing that the minimization of the so called matched CNFs is Σ2 complete.


The utility model discloses a device for alkaline residue removes chlorine, including box (1), electric osmose negative pole (2), electric osmose positive pole (3), graduated flask (4), power (5), sample chamber (1.1) and collecting chamber (1.2) are separated into by baffle (6) in box (1), be equipped with the clearance between baffle (6) and box (1) bottom, on baffle (6) in sample chamber (1.1) are located in electric osmose negative pole (2), electric osmose positive pole (3) are just right on the lateral wall of sample chamber (1.1) is located in electric osmose negative pole (2), be equipped with a plurality of wash ports on electric osmose negative pole (2), electric osmose negative pole (2) and electric osmose positive pole (3) all are connected with power (5), collecting chamber (1.2) bottom is equipped with the drain pipe with graduated flask (4) intercommunication, the utility model discloses simple structure, the dechlorination is effectual, can make things convenient for the accurate chlorinity that detects.


Abstract: The hitherto unknown 6,8-dibromo-2-(3,5-dinitrophenyl)-4H-benzo [d] [1,3] oxazin-4-one 1 was constructed and its proclivity with some nitrogen and carbon nucleophiles was studied. Compound 1 was utilized as scaffold for novel quinazolinone derivatives 8-10 and 12. Novel heterocycles 11,13-15 were also constructed from benzoxazinone 1. All the newly synthesized compounds were characterized by physical and chemical tools.(I.R, HNMR and MASS spectra). 1


Compared to offline learners, online learners' attitude during the learning process is relatively poor, and a feeling of loneliness is entailed as they often study alone. This results in a low learning outcome. So far, no examples exist for the design of a learning companion to this end. Herein we present a pioneering work on a co-existing, artificial learning companion capable of improving the learner's attitude through sleepiness detection. We capture, analyze and estimate the level of sleepiness employing a machine learning technique with the pilot study data. Then, we propose a prototype called LearniCube using a sleepiness detection model with an experimental evaluation of LearniCube.


The present work is a numerical study of the shear layer's growth in a turbulent round jet under forced axisymmetric periodic disturbances. The forced oscillation is found to either enhance or reduce the momentum thickness along the jet depending on the forcing Strouhal number St, where St is defined as fd/Ue. Here, f is the frequency in Hertz, d is the nozzle exit diameter, and Ue is the jet exit velocity. At low Strouhal numbers (St<0.5), no subharmonic of the forced fundamental is amplified. The momentum thickness is found to increase monotonically with the forcing level, and the effect is pronounced for forcing levels higher than 0.5% of the jet exit velocity. At forcing Strouhal numbers in the range of 0.6–1.0, the first subharmonic of the fundamental is amplified. The increase in the momentum thickness caused by forcing at this Strouhal number range is proportional to the forcing level and is pronounced at low forcing levels in the range of 0.01%–1% of the jet exit velocity. If the forcing Strouhal ...


Peripheral lymphocytes from cancer patients were tested for immune reactivity against cultured target cells derived from carcinomas of colon, rectum, breast, kidney and lung, and a melanoma by microcytotoxicity in plastic plates. Lymphocytes from colon or rectum carcinoma patients were cytotoxic for allogeneic colon or rectum carcinoma cells in 61% of tests, and no difference in reactivity could be detected between pre‐ or post‐operative patients. Breast carcinoma patients' lymphocytes were cytotoxic for breast carcinoma cells in 50% of cases tested. Autochthonous lymphocytes were reactive against melanoma cells, but no lymphocyte cytotoxicity could be demonstrated on cells of a renal carcinoma or a lung carcinoma. None of the lymphocyte preparations tested reacted positively against cells of a tumour different from that of the lymphocyte donor, and none reacted against cells from normal colon. Complement‐dependent cytotoxic humoral antibody was regularly detected against breast carcinomas, but only one sample of colon carcinoma serum, from a post‐operative patient, was reactive against colon carcinoma cells. Sera from melanoma patients likewise were only reactive against melanoma cells in two post‐operative cases.


The influence of the electromagnetic environment on the dc Josephson current is studied allowing for nonadiabatic motion of the phase difference across a junction. The critical current is evaluated nonperturbatively within mean-field theory, fully taking into account the nonlocal kernels in the Ambegaokar-Eckern-Schoen effective action. It turns out that the adiabatic approximation, which can be justified when the superconducting energy gap exceeds the charging energy, yields [ital qualitatively] correct results even for the opposite case, although [ital quantitative] deviations from the adiabatic approximation are found to be substantial in some experimentally accessible regions.


Throughout their entire global range coral reefs are in decline. Coral bleaching, macroalgal overgrowth and coral diseases — responses signaling the declining health of coral reefs — have occurred with increasing frequency and intensity in recent decades. Decreased calcification may also be affecting coral reefs over longer time scales. Declines in coral reef health have been attributed to various natural and anthropogenic processes, but assignment of causality has proved problematic. Coral bleaching has been observed during extreme climate events such as El Niño; furthermore, there are indications that exposure to UV radiation, air, infectious microbes, and elevated temperature plays a role in the dramatic increase of coral bleaching since the mid-1970s. Macroalgal overgrowth is usually ascribed to eutrophi-cation and coral diseases to weakening of the coral host resistance by anthropogenic pollution. An issue precluding a strict anthropogenic cause of coral reef decline is that both overgrowth and coral diseases are known to occur, although less frequently, on reefs remote from human development. While its causes are still being unraveled, the overall decline in coral reef health sends an unambiguous signal that the coral reef system is losing its ability to withstand sudden or persistent environmental changes.


UC3907 ASIC and TMS320F2407A DSP based control of paralleled buck DC-DC converters are developed and presented in this work to maintain a regulated output voltage under variations in the line and load and to control the output current of each converter so that they share the load current equally. Automatic master slave method is implemented in the present work. UC3907 load share controller and TMS320F2407A DSP based fuzzy logic controller perform linear regulation with satisfactory load current sharing.


Pages H677–H690: Song Y, Coleman L, Shi J, Beppu H, Sato K, Walsh K, Loscalzo J, Zhang YY. Inflammation, endothelial injury, and persistent pulmonary hypertension in heterozygous BMPR2mutant mice. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 295: H677–H690, 2008. First Published June 13, 2008; doi:10.1152/ajpheart.91519.2007 (http://ajpheart.physiology.org/cgi/content/full/295/2/H677).—The published grant number on p. 688 under GRANTS was incomplete: it should read "P01-HL-81587." Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 297: H1544–H1544, 2009; doi:10.1152/ajpheart.zh4-9060-corr.2009.


Nowadays, the Wind Turbine Generator (WTG) system is remarkably increasing as a renewable energy resource in Japan. But in the WTG, the power fluctuations caused by the wind speed fluctuation are the most crucial issue in providing their energy to the utility. It was found that a power compensation system (PCS) of suitable capacity is not yet available. In this paper, the time range and standardized wind speed including fluctuations are discussed. We estimated the storage capacity of PCS at different wind profiles by standardization of wind speed and verified the validity of their capacities using a computer simulation. In this way we determined the suitable capacity of the power compensation system. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 143(4): 64–71, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.10122


Thank you for downloading a flora of southern illinois. As you may know, people have look numerous times for their chosen books like this a flora of southern illinois, but end up in infectious downloads. Rather than reading a good book with a cup of tea in the afternoon, instead they juggled with some infectious virus inside their laptop. a flora of southern illinois is available in our digital library an online access to it is set as public so you can get it instantly. Our books collection hosts in multiple countries, allowing you to get the most less latency time to download any of our books like this one. Kindly say, the a flora of southern illinois is universally compatible with any devices to read.


The separation of small molecule gases by membrane technologies can help performance enhancement and process intensification for emerging advanced fossil energy systems with CO2 capture capacity. This paper reports the demonstration of controlled modification of zeolitic channel size for the MFI-type zeolite membranes to enhance the separation of small molecule gases such as O2 and N2. Pure-silica MFI-type zeolite membranes were synthesized on porous α-alumina disc substrates with and without an aluminum-containing thin skin on the outer surface of zeolite membrane. The membranes were subsequently modified by on-stream catalytic cracking deposition (CCD) of molecular silica to reduce the effective openings of the zeolitic channels. Such a pore modification caused the transition of gas permeation from the N2-selective gaseous diffusion mechanism in the pristine membrane to the O2-selective activated diffusion mechanism in the modified membrane. The experimental results indicated that the pore modification could be effectively limited within the aluminum-containing surface of the MFI zeolite membrane to minimize the mass transport resistance for O2 permeation while maintaining its selectivity. The implications of pore modification on the size-exclusion-enabled gas selectivity were discussed based on the kinetic molecular theory. In light of the theoretical analysis, experimental investigation was performed to further enhance the membrane separation selectivity by chemical liquid deposition of silica into the undesirable intercrystalline spaces.


We consider the problem of linear regression where the ℓ2n norm loss (i.e., the usual least squares loss) is replaced by the ℓpn norm. We show how to solve such problems up to machine precision in Õp(n|1/2 − 1/p|) (dense) matrix-vector products and Õp(1) matrix inversions, or alternatively in Õp(n|1/2 − 1/p|) calls to a (sparse) linear system solver. This improves the state of the art for any p∉{1,2,+∞}. Furthermore we also propose a randomized algorithm solving such problems in input sparsity time, i.e., Õp(N + poly(d)) where N is the size of the input and d is the number of variables. Such a result was only known for p=2. Finally we prove that these results lie outside the scope of the Nesterov-Nemirovski's theory of interior point methods by showing that any symmetric self-concordant barrier on the ℓpn unit ball has self-concordance parameter Ω(n).


The article describes the main problems of engineering reinforced wooden structures associated with the justification of their reliability. Tasks to study the operation of a wooden reinforced beam taking into account the nonlinear operation of wood have been set and solved. A girder structure reinforced in the compressed and tensile zones by plate elements was used as the object of the research. To achieve the aims, the authors carried out an experimental study using strain-gauge equipment, numerical simulation of the structure in the ANSYS PC and analytical calculations. Based on the results, conclusions about the effectiveness of steel plate reinforcement in wooden beams have been made. The results can be applied in the engineering, and the developed structure can be used as the elements of the frame structures and as floor beams.


During the first aid process, when patients are threatened by poor medical conditions, ambulance paramedics are required to administer emergency treatment based on instructions provided by a remote emergency doctor through voice communication. However, such voice communication is always limited in expressing abundant detailed information for the patient. This thesis presents a framework for a stereoscopic and intelligent telemedicine system that can provide 3D live video communication between paramedics and emergency doctors. The proposed system captures 3D video from the paramedic headset carried by the paramedics, transmits the video through wireless live streaming, and displays the video with a 3D effect for emergency doctors in the hospital. The video can be analyzed to extract information about the patient through embedded algorithm such as face detection algorithm. In this thesis, the hardware, functional mechanism and face detection algorithm are introduced separately. The hardware of the system consists of a paramedic headset, a server box and a 3D PC, which are used to capture 3D video, transmit video through live streaming and display video with a stereo effect, respectively. The functional mechanism includes two subsystems, which work for pushing the stereo video to multiple live streams and displaying the 3D video from the live stream. In order to detect the patient information from the video, a multi-task face detection algorithm is applied to analyze the stereo video using deep learning technology. We improved the neural networks of face detection by utilizing 1 × 1 convolutional layers and retrain the network based on the transfer learning to achieve better and faster performance. This system has achieved good and stable performance in network delay (0.0489ms) and objective video quality evaluations. The face detection algorithm has achieved notable accuracy (91.78% In FDDB dataset) and efficiency (19.71 ms/frame).


In this paper we proposed an adaptive secure client-side Look-Up-Table (LUT) based digital audio watermarking, which adaptively choose an optimal embedding strength for individual segment of host signal according to specific properties of each segment. It is clear that different segments of host signal featured different characteristics, so using the embedding strength adaptively would definitely improve the inaudibility of watermarking while maintaining the robustness level nearly unchanged. Consequently, the proposed approach features the combination properties of both security property derived from Secure Client-side Embedding and better robustness and inaudibility from the adaptive embedding strength of individual segment. Simulation results show that the watermark in this scheme can survive robustly after being subjected to various common audio attacks, such as filtering, resample and so on.


The adsorption behavior of cationic organic molecules was examined on a clay surface. Systematically chosen pyridinium salts and artificially synthesized anionic clay were used. The adsorption equi...


This paper analyzes contemporary conceptual approaches to the investigation of adolescent development in the family. As a way of clarifying the current conceptual disarray in the field, a framework developed by philosopher Stephen Pepper is presented of four fundamental metaphors that have formed the basis for scientific investigation. Research on adolescent development in the family exemplifying each metaphor is used to illustrate its distinctive contributions and limitations. Possibilities for reconciliation among the metaphors are then considered. Investigators are encouraged to see the implications of their choices in the context of this wider conceptual perspective.


An inaudible watermarking technique for audio single is developed.The audio signal watermarking method is modeled based on MPEGAudio psychoacoustic model.It can preserve the quality of audio signal while embedded the watermark signal.Furthermore,the original audio signal is not necessary at the detect edge.


The original Kuz-Ram fragmentation model contains an error. A correction is derived and it is shown that for uniformity indices in the Kuz-Ram model between 0.8 and 2.2, the characteristic sizes of the original model are in error by approximately 179% and 105%, respectively. Thus, the correction may explain, in part, the observation of an underestimation of fines by the original model.


A gastric evacuation curve expresses how fast prey disappear from the stomach, and empirical models are used generally for the relationship between weight of prey remaining (Wt) and time (t) after a meal. Unfortunately, empirical models are likely to have restricted applicability because their parameters often represent limited biological mechanisms. This paper develops a simple digestion model. The simplest form of the model has four parameters; the digestion velocity (expressing enzymatic breakdown of prey), prey length, initial prey radius and the density of the prey. Two more parameters are included in an extended version; a time-delay before digestion starts and environmental temperature. The approach is based on the assumption that prey digestion is a surface process in that digestive enzymes attack progressively deeper into a prey of known size and shape so that the average digestion rate is proportional to the prey radius r (m). This process is characterized by the digestion velocity ds (m s "1 ). Unknown parameters are estimated with uncertainty using the maximum likelihood technique. Model evaluation using published data sets demonstrated that the new model is flexible. Prey geometry is incorporated into the model and temperature eVects upon gastric evacuation are linked directly to the digestion velocity. ? 1995 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles


more effectively in the laboratory training group. Then, through a transfer of learning process, it is expected that the quality of their functioning in such natural groups as family, work, and play will improve as newly acquired insights and skills are applied. This, in turn, should enable them to enjoy more satisfying interpersonal relationships. The present study focuses on social sensitivity and selfawareness in groups assembled for help with personal problems.


Abstract : The principal objective of this study was to determine the mechanical properties, tensile yield, ultimate strength, and Young's modulus of elasticity of a silica fabric reinforced phenolic composite at temperatures above the cure level. The proposed application for this class of material as an ablative liner of a rocket nozzle skirt extension requires such engineering data for temperatures ranging up to 3000F so that design safety margins can be based on a thermostructural analysis.


A published version of this paper is available in Economic Papers 6 (2), June 1987, 1-6. (This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)


The result showed that there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the carcass percentage but had the significant difference (p<0.05) in the abdominal fat percentage. It could be concluded that fermented rumen content meal added with Spirulina sp. did not influence the carcass percentage but decreased the abdominal fat percentage from 0.97% (T0-) to
0.25% (T3).


College students' nutritional health is a widespread concern.By means of literature data and mathematical statistics,the authors propose the nutritional situation of contemporary college students,and analysis deep reasons.To improve college students' dietary structure and health,the authors provide some measures and advice.


Structural classification of edges is investigated by interpretation of visual motion from uncalibrated stereo views. Local surface patches close to edges are modeled by a planar description to simplify the determination of their associated mappings between the two projected views. The projectivity between the corresponding patches in the stereo images is parameterized under epipolar constraints and optimized by correlation scoring. From the differences in the resulting mappings of the two patches at the side of the edge a rule base is outlined under statistical estimation of the uncertainty in the classifier. Three types of edges are successfully discriminated: surface markings, face junctions, and occluding object boundaries.


Background: Subarachnoid block achieved a wide spread popularity as a simple and effective method of anesthesia for elective cesarean sections. Among the local anesthetics, bupivacaine is the most commonly used drug for subarachnoid block.Aim of the Work: This study was conducted to evaluate and compare the effects of intrathecal midazolam and fentanyl as additives to intrathecal hyperbaric bupivacaine with regards to onset and duration of sensory block, duration of complete and effective analgesia and side effects associated with the drug.Patients and Methods: This study included 90 women aged between 18-35 years scheduled to undergo elective cesarean section under spinal anesthesia. Patients were subdivided randomly into 3 groups (30 patients each) on the basis of the adjuvant added to the anesthetic used; group A (Fentanyl + bupivacaine), group B (Midazolam + bupivacaine) and group C (Bupivacaine).Results: Demographic data did not differ between the three study groups (p > 0.05). Group A showed a significantly earlier onset of sensory block (p =0.005), motor block (p = 0.009), as well as late regression to L1 sensory level (p 0.05). Also, the state of the neonates didn't show significant difference between the three groups.Conclusion: Intrathecal adjuvants are associated with improving out comes after CS as revealed by delayed onset and longer duration of sensory and motor block in addition to longer duration of complete and effective analgesia. Intrathecal fentanyl revealed better outcomes in terms of delayed onset and longer duration of sensory and motor block in addition to longer duration of complete and effective analgesia as compared with midazolam.


The paper presents application of the Bayesian inversion methodology to construction of 3-D resistivity model of the Minamikayabe geothermal area by magnetotelluric (MT) data. In order to obtain an initial image of the geoelectric structure of the survey area, Bostick transformation of the determinant apparent resistivity is used. Further refinement of the model is accomplished by full-range 3-D inversion of all elements of the impedance tensor. Two-stage procedure results in 3-D geoelectrical model of the studied area, from which a highly conductive zone associated with geothermal reservoir is picked out.


A position sensitive device (PSD) is frequently used in laser beam deviation measurement. However, it lacks the capability to retrieve the power distribution information of a laser beam. A charge-coupled device (CCD) gives much more information of a laser beam than a PSD. The requirement of a multifunctional sensor makes the replacement of a PSD with a CCD in measuring laser beam deviation to be a reasonable topic. In this paper a performance comparison between a PSD and a CCD combined with a centroid algorithm are discussed with special attention paid to the CCD-based system. According to the operating principle of the CCD-based system, several experiments were carried out to evaluate five factors of the CCD-based system: image window size, number of processed images, threshold, binning, and saturation. By applying the optimized parameters, several experiments were made to compare the CCD-based system with the state-of-the-art PSD-based system in terms of two performance indicators, namely resolution and speed. It is shown that, by applying the optimized parameters, the performance of a CCD-based system is comparable to that of a PSD-based system in measuring laser beam deviation.


Over the next few decades the percentage of population of individuals 65 years and older in the United States is projected to increase from 13% to 25% of the total population [1]. These older adults are thought to be an at-risk population for psychoactive drug use [2]. Available evidence indicates that approximately one in four older adults has used a psychoactive medication with an abuse potential and it is postulated that by 2020 there will be approximately 2 million older adults with substance use disorders [3,4].


ABSTRACT

To establish an accurate finite element model of high-speed train wheels and provide a basis for further analysis, the finite element model of the wheels is updated according to the wheels' frequency response. Firstly, a finite element model of wheel is established according to the wheel parameters. The initial sample points are designed with Latin hypercube sampling, and corresponding frequency responses are analyzed by finite element software according to the sample points. Secondly, the Kriging model is constructed with wheel parameters to be updated as the inputs and the frequency response corresponding to sample points as the outputs, and the correlation coefficient of the Kriging model is optimized by water cycle algorithm. Finally, the Kriging model is constructed instead of the finite element model for iterative optimization to obtain the updated parameters of the wheel. The updating results show that the updating method is effective, and the updated finite element model of high-speed train wheels is more accurate.


This study researches variables related to the childbirth intention of college students. The general ideal number of children of the college students is 2.4±0.8 persons and the average hope number of children appears 2.3±1.0 persons. In general variables, the higher subjective economic level is and the happier the family members are, the intention appears high. Also, in the case that the father has a job, the childbirth intention is high. In the variables related to study stress, the more the major study stress is, the higher the intention is. The childbirth hope of each average grade appears that grades C, A and B are higher than a grade D. The variables related to employment stress and the recognition about child-care environment and birth policy do not show significant differences from the childbirth intention. In the variables of marriage and hope of having children, the case of wanting to marry, the case of thinking of need of children, the case that general ideal number of children is more than 2, the case that the number of children they hope is more than 2, show that the intention of childbirth is high. The result of this study investigates the variables that influence on low birth rate and can be used for the basic data to understand the national crisis that the society with low birth rate can cause. In addition, it can be useful for the development and implement of public health education to increase the birthrate of college students and for the establishment of effective policy to encourage childbirth.


In order to make up the shortcoming in the traditional teaching of football at college,by means of literature and computer programming design,the author designs the MCAI (Multi-media Computer Assisted Instruction) courseware in which abstract theory instruction can be transferred into simple demonstration by merging multi-media technology into teaching.In the test of the courseware with pedagogic experiment and mechanics theory,it proves to be helpful to the traditional teaching of football.


Kenneth Neville's case raises the question whether we should teach general practitioners and medical students about functional oesophageal disorders.1 This question is particularly important now that most medical schools are implementing a problem based or case based curriculum. The philosophy of these courses is to focus on key concepts and reduce detail in the subject matter. Conditions such as rumination syndrome will not be considered important and will be omitted.

Interestingly, major medical textbooks also show a deficiency in this area. For example, the last editions of Harrison's Principles of …


The effects of medium, carbon and nitrogen source, p H, temperature and illumination were tested by mycelium growth rate for 6 Eriobotrya japonica endophyte strains significantly antagonized pathogen of fruit dry rot of pomegranate. The results showed that the proper growth medium of PGSC8 strain was PDA. PGSC9 strain was PDA and CA. The other 4strains was PSA. In the tested carbon sources, the proper carbon source of 2 strains including PGSC5 and PGSC6 was the maltose. The other 4 strains was the soluble starch. In the tested nitrogen sources, the proper nitrogen source of 2 strains including PGSC6 and PGSC9 was the beef extract, and PGSC7 strain was the yeast extract and the beef extract. The other 3strains was the peptone. And the proper p H of all the tested strains was neutral or alkaline, the proper temperature of PGSC7 was 25 ℃. The other 5 strains was 30 ℃.


Heat shock factor-1 (HSF-1), the transcriptional activator of heat shock genes has recently been shown to play a role in the repression of acute phase genes. We have further explored the role of HSF-1 in inflammatory processes in human monocytes. HSF-1 was activated in these cells by a wide range of classes of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) while being strongly repressed by pro-inflammatory stimuli. The experiments indicate reciprocal regulation of the acute phase and heat shock responses and suggest a novel target for the NSAID family of drugs.


The TiO2-geopolymer paste had been prepared by dry-mixing of the fly ash with various concentration (wt%) of TiO2 nanoparticles (2.5%, 5.0%, 10.0% and 15.0%). Those powder mixtures were then mixed with the alkali activator with the ratio of 2.5 and were cured at room temperature for 28 and 640 days. The phase and chemical bonding analysis revealed that the incorporation of TiO2 nanoparticles did not create any additional phase or functional group, but only physical interaction might have occurred in between the TiO2 and geopolymer matrix. However, the physical properties were depending on the TiO2 nanoparticles content where setting time of the geopolymer can be shortened by the addition of certain amount of TiO2 nanoparticles (up to 5.0 wt%). The water absorption also increased as a function of TiO2 content, due to the formation of the micro cracks as a result from the agglomeration of TiO2 nanoparticles. The compressive strength reaches its maximum value, 85.9 MPa with 5.0 wt% of TiO2 nanoparticles. Beyond 5wt%, the strength decreased almost half of the maximum value, where agglomeration becomes a main factor. While for 640 days of ageing, sample with 15.0 wt% shows triple increment from 30.6 MPa to 95.3 MPa.


To the Editor:Dr. Ripp and colleagues' recent call to action on well-being in graduate medical education emphasizes the importance of multilevel interventions in addressing well-being.1 We concur with these recommendations, but want to emphasize the importance of considering residents' voices when a


In this paper, We studied the case of growth of kinds of fungi when blend two kinds of hyphal anastomosis and Dichotomous branched with a hyphal death. These species consume all energy. We use mathematical models as partial differential equations (PDEs) which illustrate phenomena biological for each kind. we need Some time, that's true for the growth of fungi. To get an approximate solution for this system, we will rely on the numerical solution. For this, we need Some of the steps in this solution are stationary, phase, and traveling states Solution And to determine the initial condition. we will use the code and Thus we recognize the behavior of the kinds.


The invention provides a disc type double-rotor generator for electric automobile range extenders, which comprises a rotary shaft, a stator, a front end cover, a rear end cover and an electronic voltage regulation controller. The disc type double-rotor generator is characterized in that: the stator comprises a disc-shaped stator holder and a plurality of cores, the stator holder is sleeved on the rotary shaft in a clearance fit manner, the cores are embedded in the stator holder, armature windings are wound on the cores, the turn numbers of all the armature windings are equal, the output ends of the armature windings are connected with the electronic voltage regulation controller, two disc type rotors are respectively added at both sides of the stator holder, each disc type rotor comprises a rotor disc and a plurality of rotor steel magnets, the rotor disc is firmly sleeved on the rotary shaft, the rotor steel magnets are fixed on the rotor disc, all the rotor steel magnets fixed on the same rotor disc are fixed on the end surface of the disc type rotor, which is close to the stator holder, the polarities of the end surfaces of neighboring rotor steel magnets facing the stator holder are opposite, and a certain axial gap is arranged between each of the two disc type rotors and the stator. The two disc type rotors of the disc type double-rotor generator share the same group of armature windings, the generated magnetic fields are superposed in the air gap of the motor, consequently, the magnetic field intensity is high, and the output power is high.


PURPOSE: An LED flat lighting device is provided to improve brightness efficiency by adhering a plurality of LEDs to the side of a light guide plate. CONSTITUTION: A border frame has an inner wall and a supporting protrusion. A light guide plate unit(20) has a light guide plate, a reflection plate, and a diffusion plate. The reflection plate is arranged on the rear of the light guide plate. The diffusion plate is arranged on the front of the light guide plate. An LED module(30) has a plurality of LEDs and a PCB(Printed Circuit Board). A heatproof bar(40) is closely adhered to the PCB. A spring(50) closely adheres the plurality of LEDs to the PCB. A separation preventing unit presses the edge of the light guide plate unit.


The authors report the case of a 69-year-old woman suffering from paroxysmal hemicrania (PH), intolerant to indomethacin and resistant to multiple therapies, in which sphenopalatine endoscopic ganglion block (SPG) dramatically modified the clinical outcome. SPG blockade could be considered a reasonable alternative in drug-resistant PH cases where indomethacin is contraindicated.


59Co NMR chemical shifts are reported for complexes of the type [(CH3)3M]n[tC4H9]3-nP(CO)-2(NO)Co (M = Si, Ge, Sn; n = 1, 2, 3) and related to some IR and UV spectral data of the same compounds.


This study aims to analyze the model of the influence organizational climate and work engagement on Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB) through work motivation as a mediator variable. This study examines the direct and indirect influence of organizational climate and work engagement on OCB, with work motivation as a mediator variable for special school teachers. The data analysis used is SEM-PLS validity and reliability of measuring instruments using reflective measurement models, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and second order. Hypothesis testing is done by looking at R2, Q2, and GoF values. The results showed that work motivation as a mediator variable functioned partially. The model in this study has good predictive relevance with a hypothesis test result of 0.084.


School administrators continue to use zero-tolerance policies as a one-size-fits-all, quick-fix solution to curbing discipline problems with students. Originally intended to address serious offenses such as possession of firearms, zero-tolerance policies are also now meant to address fighting and disrespect. Despite the seeming popularity of zero-tolerance policies, the evidence base is lacking. The literature suggests that zero-tolerance has flaws and school districts and administrators have misused it. When implemented, it typically equates to exclusion through suspension and expulsion: two disciplinary actions that have well-documented side effects. Researchers have indicated that there are alternatives to zero-tolerance that school administrators can use to curb discipline problems. The author discusses the history of zero-tolerance policies, its effectiveness, and alternatives.


We propose a reliable and efficient computational method for predicting elastic and thermal expansion properties in crystals, particularly complex anisotropic molecular solids, and we apply it to the room-temperature orthorhombic $Pnma$ phase of ${\mathrm{LiBH}}_{4}$. Using density-functional theory, we find thermal expansion coefficients at finite temperature, and we confirm them by temperature-dependent, in situ x-ray diffraction measurements. We also consider the effects of volume and pressure, as well as energy barriers for ${\mathrm{BH}}_{4}$${}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ rotations and collective motions. Our combined study validates the theory and provides a better understanding of the structural behavior of ${\mathrm{LiBH}}_{4}$.


In this paper, we present an interference problem due to the synchronization sequence collision between adjacent nodes in heterogeneous network environment. One of the possible solutions for the synchronization sequence collision is to newly define some kinds of synchronization sequences in system configuration. From this point of view, we propose an effective sequence generation method and suggest simple correlation output calculation method for the newly defined sequence.


Prior studies examining beta‐cell preservation in type 1 diabetes have predominantly assessed stimulated C‐peptide concentrations approximately 10 wk after diagnosis. We examined whether earlier assessments might aid in prediction of beta cell function over time.


AIM: To explore the effect of antimalarial artemisinin on Lewis lung carcimoma (LLC) growth and tumor lymphangiogenesis. METHODS: The models of LLC in C57BL/6 mice were established via subcutaneous injection of mouse LLC cells. After mice were orally administered with artemisinin at 50 mg/kg body weight, once 2 d for 2 weeks, tumors were measured with calipers twice weekly. Mice were sacrificed 30 d following tumor cell injection, and Lewis tumors and lungs were harvested and weighted. Lewis tumors and lungs were processed for immunohistochemical analysis for lymphangiogenesis using VEGFR-3 and LYVE-1 staining or for micrometastasis using HE staining. Lymphatic microvessel density (LMVD) was evaluated by LYVE-1 positive lymphatic vessel count. Furthermore, mice were monitored for survival studies. RESULTS: LMVD, wet weight of lungs and number of lung metastasis in artemisinin-treated group were significantly lower as compared with control group (P0.05). However there was not statistically significant difference in tumor growth between artemisinin-treated mice and control mice (P0.05). In addition, artemisinin-treated mice lived significantly longer than the control mice did (P0.01). CONCLUSION: Antimalarial artemisinin effectively inhibits the lymphangiogenesis and lung metastasis, and enhances the survival of mice bearing LLC.


A literature review was conducted to investigate current budget cutting strategies used in routine roadway maintenance planning, including methods and techniques that are employed by other state and international transportation organizations. Methods that quantify impact and increased risk factors from the reduction of routine maintenance activities were investigated. Methods developed based upon previous research were tabulated and evaluated by objective criteria such as cost savings, resource savings, and road user/stakeholder satisfaction. The researchers reviewed the data and identified the most effective risk analysis techniques, which served as the basis for the maintenance risk modeling under this project.


Simulating pp collisions at LHC energies in the framework of the SUGRA model and the detection of the produced leptons and jets by ATLAS we demonstrate that a clean signature of SUSY can be obtained over a large domain of the parameter space in the case of L-violating R parity breaking ($\lambda$ couplings). The obtained signal allows the reconstruction of the SUSY particles and thereby the precise determination of the model parameters $m_0, m_{1/2}, tan\beta$ and sign $\mu$.


Article history: Results: In the present cross -section study serum lipocalin-2, leptin, insulin, HOMA-IR blood pressure, triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-c) and cholesterol were significantly higher in obese children than non-obese, whereas high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) was significantly lower. After adjustment of lipocalin-2 levels for BMI, age and gender, the correlation between serum lipocalin-2 with weight, waist circumference, body fat % and metabolic variables such as fasting insulin; glucose and HOMA-IR triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL-C and HDL-C remained significant. The stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that lipocalin-2 levels were independently associated with LDL-c, total cholesterol, triglycerides and HOMA-IR. Conclusions: lipocalin-2 was significantly elevated in prepubertal obese children and was independently associated with adiposity parameters and its related metabolic complications. The present findings suggest that the measurement of this biomarker may be useful for evaluating metabolic syndrome in Egyptian obese children.


We derive a sharp, localized version of elliptic type gradient estimates for positive solutions (bounded or not) to the heat equation. These estimates are related to the Cheng–Yau estimate for the Laplace equation and Hamilton's estimate for bounded solutions to the heat equation on compact manifolds. As applications, we generalize Yau's celebrated Liouville theorem for positive harmonic functions to positive ancient (including eternal) solutions of the heat equation, under certain growth conditions. Surprisingly this Liouville theorem for the heat equation does not hold even in Rn without such a condition. We also prove a sharpened long‐time gradient estimate for the log of the heat kernel on noncompact manifolds. 2000 Mathematics Subject Classification 35K05, 58J35.


Objective: To explore the quality of life in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma and the factors related to the QOL of patients with Nasopharyngeal carcinoma.Method: A convenience sample of 100 patients with Nasopharyngeal carcinoma was interviewed in our hospitals in Dongguan city.FACT,Self-rating anxiety scale(SAS),Self-rating depression scale(SDS),Simplified coping style scale and social support questionnaire were used in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.Correlation and multiple regression analysis were applied in data analysis to identify the factors which were related to the QOL of Nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients.Result: The mean core of quality of life were 128.25±20.54,The quality of life with nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients dropped remarkably(P0.05).The factors affecting their quality of life consisted of disease condition,age,coping style and medical expense.The nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients had lower quality of life,especially those severely diseases.Conclusion: The pertinent nursing intervention should be carried out based on those factors affecting the quality of life with nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients,especially for those patients at on set and with severity of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.


The LHC Collimator Survey Train has already shown that automated survey measurements in the LHC are technically feasible [1]. Nevertheless many constraints apply when making automated measurements in an accelerator environment. The research of adapted measurements techniques and strategies is an essential part in the development process of a new generation survey train. From the automation point of view, the measurements in the vertical plane are particularly challenging and one solution would be the use of a Hydrostatic Levelling System. They are frequently used in high precision monitoring applications but with a few compromises a mobile and very flexible version can be build. This paper describes the approach, development and tests of a mobile HLS which is able to cope with the constraints and boundary conditions given by the LHC.


amino-6-nitrobenzyl alcohol (2A6NB) are produced in the secondary metabolism of 2,4-DNB-G and 2,6-DNB-G. Data from HPLC indicated that 2,4-DNBAl (about 1%), in addition to 2,4-DNB-G (about 8.6%), 2,4-dinitrobenzyl alcohol (2,4-DNB, about 0.1%), two aminonitrotoluenes (about 0.2%), two aminonitrobenzyl alcohols (about 0.1%), 4-acetylamino-2-nitrobenzoic acid (4AA2NBA, about 7.4%) and 4-acetylamino-2-aminobenzoic acid (4AA2ABA, about 1.8%) was excreted in the urine or bile after dosing 2,4-DNB-G. This result, together with previous findings, indicates that 2,4-DNBAl is produced not only by oxidation of 2,4-DNB formed from 2,4-DNT, but by oxidation of 2,4-DNB formed from 2,4-DNB-G excreted in bile. In addition, the formation of carcinogenic 2,4-diaminotoluene (2,4-DAT) was ascertained from the metabolic pathway of 2,4-DNB-G based on the metabolites detected. No 2A6NB was found in the urine and bile after dosing 2,6-DNB-G. However, 2-amino-6-nitrobenzoic acid (2A6NBA, about 0.2%), in addition to 2,6-dinitrobenzyl alcohol (2,6-DNB, < 0.1%) and 2,6-DNB-G (about 18%), was detected in the urine or bile after dosing 2,6-DNB-G. This result, together with previous findings, indicates that 2A6NB is an intermediate in the production of 2A6NBA from 2,6-DNB, and further suggests that the production of 2A6NB in the metabolism of 2,6-DNT is coupled to the enterohepatic circulation of 2,6-DNB. The results of this investigation suggest that the production of 2,4-DNBAl and 2,4-DAT, and 2A6NB from 2,4-DNB-G and 2,6-DNB-G may play a role in the hepatocarcinogenicities of 2,4-DNT and 2,6-DNT.