The last century's industrial and technological development has led to the growth of environmental problems such as global warming, climate changes, water, air, and ground pollution. The awareness of modern consumers about these issues is growing, and companies respond by using "green marketing" strategies. Green marketing refers to the development and marketing of products that are considered environmentally safe. Furthermore, the extensive use of the Internet and increasing social media's importance in recent years forced brands to communicate with consumers in this way. In this study, these two mega-trends influencing contemporary consumer behavior were combined: social media and green marketing. Although several studies explored sustainable strategies of brands in the field of social media, this body of research has not been subjected to a review. The primary goal of the research is to determine the main topics covered in the literature. A systematic literature review was conducted to take up this goal, indicating 31 relevant publications from 21 journals published between 2010 and July 2020, for exploring the ways of implementing green marketing strategies through social networks. After analyzing collected data, four main topics covered in the literature body were extracted: general marketing strategies of brands, brand promotion strategies, determinants of consumer's green purchasing behavior, and raising environmental awareness. Based on the performed synthesis, the research gaps and fruitful directions for further research were formulated. JEL classification: M30, M31


This challenging book works towards a redefinition of literature and literary study. The texts the author examines are viewed not as works of art embodying enduring themes, but as attempts to redefine the social order.


Bolzano's proposition in itself into Husserl's work should contribute to a better understanding of the development of Husserl's phenomenology, philosophy of logic, and, generally speaking, of the history of philosophy of the 19 th and 20 th century.


PURPOSE: Provided is a method for displaying air pressure at a multi-meter which displays the change of real altitude by subtracting current air pressure from basic air pressure so that it raises reliability for real altitude. CONSTITUTION: The method for displaying air pressure at the multi-meter comprises the parts of: (i) using a sensor for air pressure to measure air pressure at a current location; (ii) calculating the difference between the basic air pressure and the current air pressure; (iii) terminating display when the calculated value is positive and calculating the change value of altitude in a corresponding to the negative value when the calculated value is negative; and (iv) displaying the change value of altitude.


- Wood is the main factor that really determines the quality of a real estate product that uses wood. The process of creating the properties of wood is carried out in such a way that the desired shape and size can be created with the best quality. The aim of this research is to characterize the best wood from UD Ilham Lestari using a decision support system. The method used to develop this system is the AHP-MAUT method. This method breaks down complex multifactor or multicriteria problems into one hierarchy. The process carried out in the research is data collection, then the data is calculated by normalizing the matrix using the AHP method and determining utility values using the MAUT system method. In the proposed system, the administrator enters the collected data into the system, then stores it in a database and takes decisions. The final result is a ranking based on the highest priority value to the lowest priority value among the previous criteria and alternatives. values. Then the user tests the system. The research results show that Sofa was ranked first among 10 alternative systems with a value of 0.177434. The second position is the kitchen cupboard with a value of 0.1708209, the third position is the kitchen cupboard with a value of 0.135722. Thus, the best wood attribute at UD Ilham Lestari is the sofa attribute with a value of 0.177434.


Objective
To investigate the effect of visual perceptual learning therapy on the postoperative recovery of visual acuity in children with congenital glaucoma.

Methods
68 patients with congenital glaucoma treated at our hospital from January, 2013 to December, 2014 were selected as study objects and randomly divided into a control group(n=34) and an observation group (n=34). During the peri-operative period, the control group were routinely cared and the observation group were intervened with visual perceptual learning therapy. The recovery of visual acuity and quality of life were compared between these two groups.

Results
The proportions of the patients whose visual acuity was from 0.5 to 0.8 or >0.8 three months after operation and the scores of physiological function, physical function, role emotion, social function, bodily pain, activity, mental health, and overall health 3 month after discharge were higher and the incidence of complications was lower in the observation group than in the control group, with statistical differences (allP<0.05).

Conclusions
Visual perceptual learning therapy can effectively promote the postoperative recovery of visual acuity in patients with congenital glaucoma, help reduce postoperative complications, and improve the patients' quality of life.

Key words:
Visual perceptual learning therapy; Congenital glaucoma; Visual acuity; Quality of life


This survey is intended to present a package of algorithms for the computation of exact or approximate GCDs of sets of several polynomials and the evaluation of the quality of the produced solutions. These algorithms are designed to operate in symbolic-numeric computational environments. The key of their effectiveness is the appropriate selection of the right type of operations (symbolic or numeric) for the individual parts of the algorithms. Symbolic processing is used to improve on the conditioning of the input data and handle an ill-conditioned sub-problem and numeric tools are used in accelerating certain parts of an algorithm. A sort description of the basic algorithms of the package is presented by using the symbolic-numeric programming code of Maple.


Allergic sensitization, an important risk factor for allergic diseases such as asthma and rhinitis, has increased worldwide. Almost half of the young adult population is sensitized to common airbor ...


The present invention belongs to the field of wireless communication, specifically relates to a passive Near Field Communication (NFC) communication interface having an independent energy receiving antenna. The passive NFC communication interface comprises a NFC passive communication circuit for passive communication and a radiofrequency energy receiving circuit for NFC radiofrequency energy receiving. A NFC passive receiving circuit comprises a NFC communication antenna, a communication antenna match circuit and a NFC transceiver, wherein the NFC communication antenna is connected with the NFC transceiver through the communication antenna match circuit. According to the invention, the energy received power of the NFC passive communication interface is greatly improved, and a large number of energy is supplied to the device with the passive NFC communication interface. The device is permitted to have more functions, higher performance and better user experience through the extra energy. The application of the NFC passive communication interface provided by the invention is greatly extended at present and in the next few years.


The implantation temperature dependence of dopant solubility and electrical activity was investigated for Sn, Cd and Te ions in GaAs. Implantation doses of 5×10 12 – 5×10 15 cm −2 were performed in the temperature range from LN 2 to 400°C, followed by rapid thermal annealing (950°C) or furnace annealing between 650°C and 850°C. Solubilities above 10 20 cm −3 were obtained for all of the species, with a peak value of 2.5×10 21 cm −3 for Te after 850°C furnace annealing. However essentially no correlation existed between dopant solubility and electrical activity or between electrical activity and the high density of defects remaining after many of the annealing cycles. This emphases the role of fine scale, point defect complexes in controlling the electrical activity of implanted dopants in GaAs.


Herbs are the plants in which aromatic properties that are used as a flavoring & garnishing food, medicinal purposes or for various fragrances. Generally, herbs which are used in before the invention of writing and the documented history of medicine. It is also called as herbalism means which is a plant-based medicine. It is also called as a phytomedicine means which is produce from herbs. Herbal medicine which is produced from herbs is the oldest & still the most widely used systems in the current scenario. It is differing from conventional medicine. Today, herbal medicine is in great demand in developing as well as developed country for healthcare not because they are not costly/inexpensive but because they have wide range of acceptability, better compatibility &less side effects on the human. Hence, people which are from several countries are more attracted towards traditional Indian herbal medicines which is pure plant-based medicine. The herbal industry which shares with the growth of potential worldwide is about US$100 billion1`, the annual growth rate of about 15%. For last decades research efforts have been intensified in both developed and developing countries to evaluate using clinical trials on herbal drugs. In these communities, traditional medical practice is quite important & viewed as an integral part of their culture. So herbal medicines are often viewed as a balanced and moderate approach to healing the disease. Persons who use them as a medicine made with ingredients available at home as well as over-the-counter drugs will spend billions of dollars on herbal products & herbal medicines. They will represent a substantial proportion of the global drug market,to achieve the desired benefit from herbal preparations or the herbal products, an individual must take the required dose over a certain length of time period. So, it is generally believed that most of the herbal preparations which is safe & effective for consumption & some herbs which are most biologically active substances could be toxic with undesirable side effects on human body. Index Terms Herbs, Herbal products, Standardization, Quality control, Evaluation


Combined with actual example of project,it analyzes structural plans of steel bar concrete high architecture,researches form loading situation of high architecture,and puts forward methods of selecting optimum structural plan so as to satisfy different requirements of ~all aspects .


This paper examines the sociolinguistic dimension of the use of the words limpio and poco in the Andean southern speech of the Department of Narino, Colombia; it describes the phonetic, morphosyntactic, lexical-semantic and pragmatic peculiarities of the aforementioned words in different communicative contexts; it explains their conventionality in complex and everyday linguistic structures. To achieve this purpose, the study relies on the ethnography of communication; in this regard , the recollection of information is carried out through direct observation of formal and informal conversations and of the field diary; consensual and anonymous recordings of spontaneous intercom contexts are performed. Finally, a discussion is generated with members of the Research Group in Argumentation- (RGA), with the purpose of triangulating data and confronting the sociolectal structures of the statements analyzed.


The micromachined deformable or adaptive mirrors are being used in modern optical systems for astronomical imaging, laser-based communications and biomedical imaging. Deformable mirror fabricated using MEMS technology is a low cost, compact adaptive optical element for correction of the lower order optical aberrations such as defocus & astigmatism. In this paper, important development aspects of micromachined membrane mirror are discussed. The device has been successfully fabricated and characterized for various applications.


For an analytic function / in the unit disk D we define the semi-convex hull which satisfies / (D) C Q / C co/(D) , where co indicates the convex hull of a set. We characterize those / for which Q¡ φ C, and study the question whether the condition 0 £ Q f implies that / is univalent in D. Our investigation was initiated by and is related to the mean-value theorem earlier obtained by Danikas L· Nestoridis [4], 1991 Mathematics Subject Classification. Primary 30C55; Secondary 30C25


To enhance the antitumor efficacy of IL2 gene therapy, combinations of several other genes, such as p53, a tumor suppressor gene, or lymphotactin, a C‐chemokine, and the IL2 gene are attempted, and synergistic effects are observed. We report here on the enhanced antitumor activity of a fusion protein (mSLC‐IL2) comprised of a newly identified member of the CC‐chemokine family, mouse SLC (mSLC), and mouse IL2 (mIL2).


A preliminary experimental study of new concept air hybrid engine, which stores compressed air in the tank during braking and re-use it to propel vehicle during crusing or acceleration, was carried out in this study. A single cylinder engine was modified to realize the concept of air hybrid engine. Independent variable valve lift system was adopted in one of the exhaust valves to store the compressed air into the air tank during compression period. An air injector module was installed in the place of spark plug, and the stored compressed air was supplied during the expansion period to realize air motoring mode. For air compression mode, the tank with volume of 30 liter could be charged up to more than 13 bar. By utilizing this stored compressed air, motoring work of 0.41 bar of IMEP(Indicated mean effective pressure) at maximum can be generated at the 800rpm conditions, which is higher than the case of normal idle condition by 1.1 bar of IMEP.


Fifty wheat genotypes have been sown in northwestern Croatia, in 1994/95 and 1995/96 in order to determine variation for pre-harvest sprouting susceptibility, dormancy and the presence of germination inhibitors in the bracts. 24 genotypes in 1995 and 20 genotypes in 1996 had the same level of sprouting resistance at physiological maturity as the sprouting resistant standard RL.4137. By comparison, a smaller number of genotypes were ranked equal to RL.4137 on the basis of the level of dormancy measured at 4 intervals after harvest. More genotypes appeared similar to RL.4137 on the third than after the seventh day of germination. Compared with RL.4137 large numbers of genotypes showed strong germination inhibition in the presence of bract extracts, especially in 1995. Differences in the sensitivity of seeds of different wheat genotypes to germination inhibitors from common sources of bract extracts were also observed.


While the modeling of QoE has made significant advances over the last couple of years, currently existing models still lack an integration of user behavior aspects and user context factors along with the consideration of appropriate temporal scales. Therefore, the goal of this paper is to present a comprehensive QoE and user behavior model providing a framework which allows joining a multitude of existing modeling approaches under the perspectives of service provider benefit, user well-being and technical system performance. In addition, we discuss the role of a broad range of corresponding influence factors, with a specific emphasis on user and context issues, and illustrate our proposal through a series of related use cases.


Abstract Disclosure: I. Mishra: None. S. Jena: None. A.K. Baliarsinha: None. Turner's Syndrome is a rare genetic disorder caused by complete or partial X chromosome monosomy in a phenotypic female, and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality for cardiovascular diseases, impaired glucose tolerance, liver dysfunction and dyslipidemia. Estrogen therapy was initially focused on pubertal induction and preservation of bone health. Recent longitudinal studies have shown the beneficial effect of estrogen therapy on various metabolic parameters, liver dysfunction and insulin resistance in these patients.To study the effect of estrogen therapy on various metabolic parameters, a cohort of 24 adolescent girls with Turner's Syndrome planned for hormonal replacement therapy were recruited. Baseline data of detailed history, clinical examination, biochemical evaluation including glycemic status, lipid profile, liver function test and fibroscan were collected. At 6 month follow-up of estrogen replacement, repeat biochemical evaluation and fibroscan were done.The data obtained was entered into Microsoft Excel Worksheet and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, IBM Corp. Released 2020. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 27.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.). The normal distribution of data was confirmed with Shapiro-Wilk's test and appropriate parametric tests were employed. Mean and standard deviation were computed for all continuous variables. At baseline visit and 6 month follow up, statistically significant improvement, was found in fasting plasma glucose, post-prandial plasma glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, VLDL and total bilirubin with estrogen therapy. Maximum reduction (p <0.001) was seen in LDL, AST, ALT and fibroscan values .No improvement was seen in triglyceride, HDL, direct bilirubin and ALP levels. Estrogen has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and suppress gluconeogenesis by transcription factor Foxo1(1). Hepatoprotective role of estrogen has been explained by anti-inflammatory effects and protection from oxidative stress, mainly mediated via β estrogen receptor(2). Beneficial effects of estrogen on lipid profile have been verified in several studies. We conclude that the benefits of estrogen therapy in Turner's Syndrome are much beyond the limit of puberty induction and bone health and pleiotropic actions of estrogen still need to be elucidated with further studies. Reference: (1) Yan et al; Estrogen Improves Insulin Sensitivity and Suppresses Gluconeogenesis via the Transcription Factor Foxo1. Diabetes 1 February 2019; 68 (2): 291–304. (2) Koulouri O et al. Liver dysfunction in Turner's syndrome: prevalence, natural history and effect of exogenous oestrogen. ClinEndocrinol (Oxf). 2008 Aug;69(2):306-10. Presentation: Friday, June 16, 2023


The conventional hollow cathode discharge, micro hollow cathode discharge, and the transition between them have been analyzed. The time independent and spatially averaged electron energy distribution function, electron density, mean electron energy, excitation, and ionization rates have been calculated and compared. The direct comparison showed substantial differences between the conventional and micro hollow cathode discharges, particularly in absorbed power per unit volume, degree of ionization, and excitation and ionization rates.


The invention discloses a pistol-type continuous acupuncture needle emitter which comprises a center shaft, an outer sleeve and a rotating stand, wherein the center shaft is connected with a gun belly body; the rotating stand is located between the center shaft and the outer sleeve and can rotate around the center shaft; the rotating stand sleeves the outside of the center shaft through a center through hole; a circle of pipe clamping positions winding the center shaft and arranged in parallel to the center shaft are arranged in the rotating stand; each pipe clamping position is used for embedding a needle support pipe; an axial positioning structure is arranged between the rotating stand and the center shaft; and a driving hammer for stimulating an acupuncture needle and a trigger for controlling the excitation state are arranged in the gun belly body. Alignment of the puncture part and angle through the pistol-type emitter is achieved; the acupuncture needle can be sent out by a simple action of triggering the trigger; the acupuncture needle can be continuously sent; the acupuncture depth can be set through the acupuncture needle with needle bodies with different lengths set in advance; and the acupuncture is stable in quality, fast and easy.


Objective To study the curative effect of the treatment on neonate hypoxia and ischemic encephalopathy (NHIE) with cerebrolysin. Methods 30 cases of such patients were treated with cerebrolysin 3ml and 10% glucose 20ml qd. iv. on the bases of routine treatment for a course of 7 days. The other 30 cases were taken as control for common treatment. Results The total effective rate in test group was 100% and in control group was 63.3%. There was a significant difference between two groups. Conclusion There might be an accuracy curative effect for cerebrolysin to treat NHIE.


The surface quality and material removal rate of NiTi shape memory alloy (NiTi-SMA) wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) are affected by discharge current, pulse width, flushing pressure and other factors. In this paper, a series of univariate experimental analyses were carried out. Based on the theory of heat transfer field and flow field, a numerical model for the machining process of NiTi-SMA WEDM is established. Combining experimental and simulation results, the law that the material removal rate and surface quality are affected by each process parameter is obtained. Discharge current and pulse width are the main factors affecting surface quality and material removal rate. Flushing pressure is the cause of the asymmetric distribution of the discharge pits.


To compare the findings of renal ultrasonography (US) in the evaluation of patients with and with no haematuria. The increased use of cross‐sectional imaging and US has led to a dramatic improvement in the diagnosis of renal masses, such that computed tomography and/or US have been integrated into the diagnostic evaluation of haematuria, and many more incidental renal lesions are now detected. Thus it is possible that the lesions identified during evaluation for haematuria are incidental, i.e. identified serendipitously, and unrelated to the haematuria.


ABSTRACT Large frequency oscillations happen when the unbalanced power is not compensated by Load Frequency Controller (LFC) system. In recent years, the using of electric vehicles (EVs) has increased with renewable generation sources such as solar cells, wind turbines, fuel cells, and so on. The large-scale integration of these new types of generation sources and demand in power grids will have a significant impact on operations, planning and stability control. This work sets out to design an effective PID controller for LFC in an island Micro-grid (MG) and also proposes a model for EVs to contribute to LFC system. To this end, particle swarm optimisation (PSO) based artificial neural network (ANN) technique is considered to tune the parameters of PID controller in MG structure. Simulation results demonstrate that with PSO-based ANN, the system is becoming stable in shortest time. In addition, frequency oscillation magnitude, overshoot and settling time are reduced.


Fei Tong Kou Fu Ye ([symbol: see text]) Fei Tong Oral Liquid) was used to treat 30 cases of interstitial pneumopathy after radio- and/or chemotherapy. In comparison with the control group (15 cases) treated with hormones, the therapeutic effects in improving dyspnea, cough, respiratory rate, cyanosis, findings in X-films and CT examination, partial pressure of oxygen in artery, FVC and VC were found significantly better (P < 0.05). The total effective rate obtained was 83.33%.


Shuffled Leaping Frog Algorithm(SFLA) is characterized by simplicity,few control parameters required,and easily be used,but has the disadvantages of premature convergence and low precision for hard high-dimensional optimization prob- lems,due to its rapid loss of the population diversity and the lack of local refined search abilities at the later stages of generations.In order to overcome the easy premature or early convergence of SFLAs,this paper hybridizes the SFLA and the Differential Evolution(DE) algorithm to form a hybrid optimization algorithm,namely SFL-DE,which borrows the idea from DE/best/1/bin strategy that has the advantages of strong global search ability and better population diversity.Comparisons are presented to test performances of the new algorithm employing 6 benchmark 30-dimensional functions.Compared with SFLA and standard DE(i.e.,DE/best/1/bin and DE/rand/1/bin schemes) algorithms,the experimental results in terms of the global optimization efficiency,the solution accuracy and the computation robustness demonstrate that the SFL-DE algorithm is a better tool for solving some benchmark optimization problems within a few fixed generations,but takes a longer run time.


In this paper, we describe a novel stereo vision-based approach of cycle lane detection. Bicycle lanes are important components of road scenes. Therefore, how to verdict the existence of bicycle lanes existence and to fix their positions is worthy of research. However, there is little research focusing on this topic. This approach combines lane lines detection with binocular stereo vision's advantage. The approach can judge whether there are bicycle ways or not, mark cycle lanes through cycle lane lines detection. Besides, for stereo vision has advantages at three-dimensional reconstruction, using binocular stereo vision can help us get cycle lane's position relative to cameras through binocular stereo vision more easily. Almost 200 sets of binocular pictures of different kinds of cycle lanes are collected to verify the feasibility of this approach. Experiments shows that this method can detect cycle lanes and gain its spatial location effectively.


This paper proposes and analyzes a new cooperative diversity technique that combines users pairing and interference exploitation for enhancing the uplink transmission performance in uplink OFDMA systems suitable for 4G technology. The underlying principle is to pair users on the basis of best interuser channel by utilizing low transmit power communication in the unlicensed band to exchange data symbols. Then, each pair remap their combined symbols according to a predefined rule such that they transmit the same constellation using single dimensional OFDMA to ensure that the signals of each pair combine constructively at the destination. As well as achieving a diversity order of two, the proposed technique attains further performance enhancements by exploiting co-channel interference. The impact of the proposed technique on various modulation orders is considered in this paper. The performance is assessed through Monte Carlo simulation and accurate mathematical analysis. It will be shown that the results from both models closely match and demonstrate that significant BER reduction as well as throughput enhancement are obtained relative to other uplink OFDMA transmission techniques.


Genetic causes of developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE) have been rapidly uncovered from mid-2010s. The mutations of gene enconding calcium channel, voltage-dependent, P/Q type, alpha 1A subunit (CACNA1A) are recently detected in DEE, which gene is already known well in familial hemiplegic migrine type 1 or episodic ataxia type 2. Ketogenic diet therapy (KDT) is effective in some DEE, which data is short in CACNA1A encephalopathy. A 3-month-old male with global developmental delay and multidrug-resistant focal seizures was diagnosed as epilepsy of infancy with migrating focal seizures (EIMFS). Brain magnetic resonance imaging and metabolic screening were all normal. Whole exome sequencing revealed two variants of CACNA1A: c.899A>C, and c.2808del that is from his mother. His seizures disappeared within 3 days whenever on KDT, which recurred without it. To our knowledge, this rare case of EIMFS with novel mutations of CACNA1A, is the first report in CACNA1A encephalopathy becoming seizure-free on KDT.


This paper presents a study of the strength of the truck rim robot gripper structure using the finite element analysis system Solidworks Simulation. The developed CAD model of the gripper was adapted to the research by Solidworks Simulation system, which was used to evaluate the strength and stiffness of the structure. Construction optimization was performed, the obtained results were compared.


Using water extraction and alcohol precipitation method,polysaccharide was extracted from fruit of Momordica charantia L..The effects of extraction temperature,treatment time,mass ratio of material to water and Vextraction solvent∶Vethanol on polysaccharide yield were studied by single factor tests,based on which orthogonal design was conducted to optimize the extraction technology.The anti-oxidation activity of obtained polysaccharide was detected.The results showed that the optimal extracting conditions were extracting at 90 ℃ for 2 h with mass ratio of material to water at 1∶35 and Vextraction solvent∶Vethanol=1∶4.0.Polysaccharide extracted from M.charantia L.could scavenging DPPH· and O2-· efficiently;and the scavenging rate increase with the increasing of polysaccharide dose.


Abstract Observational learning of a successive visual discrimination problem by pigeons was studied using conspecifics as models performing at proficient or at nonproficient levels. During the observational period, observers were confined without response opportunity and were subsequently trained in the model's discriminative task. Significantly better performance in subsequent learning was found for observers of nonproficient models. In contrast, no significant differences in learning of the visual discrimination task were found between pigeons that observed proficient models and pigeons that had undergone only confinement in the observation apparatus or those trained without prior observation or confinement experience. The apparent paradox of less proficient models producing better learners may be related to the consequences of observing additional negative-stimulus responding per se or to observation of models' behavior changing from less proficient to more proficient with consequent improvement in re...


The steady state optimization structure for the PAFC stack in the overall hierarchical optimization and control scheme is proposed in this paper. An easy to implement, low CPU time-consuming reduced order steady state PAFC stack model, that maps the PAFC performance satisfactorily, is used as the equality constraint equation block and variable bounds are used as inequality constraints. Functional dependence of the operating variables namely hydrogen and oxygen/air flow rates, humidifier, and cell temperature on the stack power generation are simulated. Electrolyte concentration, inferentially predicted by the model aids to identify acid drying and dilution during operation. For optimization two variables namely load current and electrolyte (phosphoric acid) concentration are considered as the optimization variables; the optimized values of which are communicated as set points for gas flow rates and humidifier temperature at the advanced control level. In the present paper steady state optimization is carr...


The learning-service is an innovative didactic strategy that facilitates the student's participation in proposals of social intervention, in those that it is...


Abstract:Judith Weisenfeld makes extensive use of government records in New World A-Coming, her study of Black religion during the Great Migration. In combination with archival materials, these records allow Weisenfeld to offer a more complete description of the lives of individual members and to understand how they expressed religio-racial identities.


The reliability-based design of tuned mass damper considering system parameters uncertainties is noteworthy. However, the same is not the case for liquid dampers. The present study deals with the reliability-based design of tuned liquid column dampers under random earthquake considering system parameters uncertainties. Using the conditional second-order information of response quantities, the total probability concept is applied to evaluate the unconditional failure probability which is subsequently used as the objective function to obtain the damping parameters. A numerical study elucidates the effect of system parameters uncertainties on the damper parameters optimization and safety of the structure.


Based on the long-term soil research, the database "Agricultural Soils of the foothills of the Western Sayan of Khakassia" with a wide range of soil characteristics for various purposes and uses was formed and registered. The database contains attribute information about the current state of arable and postagrogenic soils in the foothills of the Western Sayan of the Republic of Khakassia. The set of independent materials is presented in the form of tables, queries, forms, reports and catalogues of text files (docx), photos (JPEG), which contain information about soil forming factors, soil classification and distribution by natural and climatic zones on the research territory. Currently, the database includes a description of 17 representative soil profiles with an optimal set of indicators, a detailed description of each pedologic horizon, an accurate geographical reference and a digital photography of each reference soil profile. It contains the taxonomic attribute of the dominant and codominant soils in various classification systems (SC RF; WRB, 2006; FAO, 1988). The main information object is the type (subtype) of soil, which includes systematized factors of soil criteria (a list of 18 sets): morphological description of the soil profile, indicators of pedological property, chemical, physical and chemical, agrophysical, hydrophysical and other indicators.


This paper deals with the automatic compensation of analog data measured by the circular test method developed by one of authors. In the circular test method, a 2-dimensional displacement probe, a master disk and an analog XY recorder are needed. The trajectory recorded on the XY recorder does not coincide with the actual trajectory. In this paper, at first, the analog data detected by the 2-dimensional probe is precisely observed, and some problems to be solved are investigated. In addition, a new trigger method to acquire the digital data automatically is proposed. Through the experiments, it is found that-there are some problems to be considered in the acquired data digitally; those are the effects of trigger method, friction between a stylus and a master disk and acceleration of axis. These effects are automatically compensated in the computer and the trajectory processed by the proposed method is compatible to the other method such as the rθ method.


Even after a nearly lethal dose of pesticide from a crop-dusting plane left her permanently disabled, Maria Elena Lucas has been a tireless activist for the plight of migrant workers in the United States. Forged under the Sun/Forjada bajo el sol provides the rich oral history of this remarkable Chicana woman and recalls her struggle to survive poverty, hardship, and violence to become an outspoken champion of the Farm Labor Organizing Committee.


Organising their own learning processes is a hard challenge for students. This is especially pronounced in self-regulated, collaborative and constructionist learning situations where students are supposed to jointly create artefacts, plan their work and learn how to learn together. In this paper we present our work on the support of the planning activities. The support happens both at the syntactic level, i.e. how to make correct plans, and the semantic level, i.e. how to make meaningful plans. We describe our concept of a visual language to specify plans, our different support functionalities and demonstrate its use with an extended practical example as well as some empirical evidence and consequences for experimentation plans gained from practical classroom experimentation.


Page kidney is a rare phenomenon which present as uncontrolled hypertension and hypertensive emergencies. Here we bring to notice a case presenting with anuria and rapid progressive renal failure. We have also tried to focus on the use of imaging for diagnosis and benefits of prompt and effective therapy causing complete recovery of the kidneys.


KWH meter system of Automatic Meter Reading or hereafter will be referred to the kWH meter AMR is a recording system of electric energy meter is done automatically and remotely.Communication data sent by the kWH meter AMR of PT PLN (Persero) Jakarta and Tangerang Distribution using SMS modem which interfacing kWHmeterselectronic withwireless telecommunications networks. kWH meter AMR have features other than noting the energy used, also noting the voltage, electric current, power factor(cos ϕ), and as well as the use of electricity meters in record-keeping more quickly. Thus the PT PLN (Persero) Distribution can perform distribution network management (DNM) that makes it easier in terms of channeling energy into customers and monitoring the electric energy usage by customers. The results of the analysis of kWh meter AMR system can reduce losses caused by abnormalities in the distribution network system. SMS telemetry signal communication with the modem is unstable and often fail withdrawal data. To overcome the problem of the use of the old modem, the modem needs to be replaced with GPRS / LTE user ready. However, the use of power line communication (PLC) as a data transmission network to reduce reliance on mobile telecommunications networks.


The aim of the research was to study the effects of synchronization index in the sugarcane bagasse based ration on acetate, propionate and butirate production of sheep. Two permanent cannulated male local sheep was 2 years old for sampling rumens fluids. They were feed a complete feed based on bagasse with a level of synchrony index 0,37; 0,50; 0,63 were design isoprotein and isoenergy. Each experimental diet was offered to each sheep three times randomly for 7 days, with 7 days interval between feeding period of each experimental diet. About 10 ml of rumen fluid sample were collected before feeding and 3 hour after feeding at the 7th day of each feeding trial period. The alteration of synchronization indexs did not affect acetate, propionate, butirate and ratio acetate/propionate (C2/C3) in rumen before feeding and 3 hour after feeding.

Key words : acetate, butirat, propionate, synchrony index


Non-isothermal kinetics studies of the reduction phenomenon of electric arc furnace (EAF) dust generated in stainless steelmaking have been carried out. The dust was mixed with carbon as a reducing agent and dolomite as a binder to form pellets. A Thermo-Gravimetric Analyzer (TGA) was used to determine the weight loss of pellets heated at an average rate of 40 K/min. up to a temperature of 1500°C. The degree of metal reduction was calculated by considering the pellet weight loss, and evaporation of moisture, dust, zinc and lead at high temperature. The reduction process was divided into three different steps. The first covers the 300°C to 760°C temperature range (from 7 to 18 min.), the second step ranges between 760°C and 980°C (18 to 24 min.), and the third covers temperatures above 980°C. Each step is characterized by different chemical reactions. Non-isothermal reduction kinetics equations were set up to describe each step. The kinetics parameters such as apparent activation energies and frequency factors were established. It was found that the first step was chemically controlled, while the second step was diffusion-controlled. Reduction behaviour in the third step was strongly dependent on the initial carbon content in the pellet. Chromium oxide (CrO) could only be reduced in this last step. High temperatures and higher initial carbon content favoured the reduction of CrO.


Abstract It had been previously observed that at temparatures above 70°C alterations can occur in the specificity of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. The effect of several agents on this specificity has now been tested. Anomalous aminoacylation has been observed in the presence of 3M urea and 1095 ethanol. The realationship between the loss of secondary structure of tRNA in the presence of these agents and anomalous aminoacylation is briefly discussed.


Abstract : This report describes the work performed to predict dynamic response and stress limits for quartz tubes for the NASP prototype facility. The specific objective was to evaluate the responses of several flat plate, curved plate, and tube configurations when subjected to a given level of overall sound pressure level. The RMS stress values were obtained at several locations and the maximum value for each case is reported in this report. The objective of this study was to identify concepts with the RMS stress response that does not exceed the recommended design tensile stress level. Three concepts were investigated: the flat plate, curved plate; and cylindrical tube. The flat plate concept results in a high level of response. Several curved plates met the design criteria.


Formal total synthesis of isodelphinine (1) was achieved. Isodelphonine (3), an alkamine of (1), was synthesized from chasmanine (2), the key intermediates being olefines (8), (13), 15-β-alcohols (10), (14) and 15-ketones (11), (15). And then isodelphonine (3) was converted to isodelphinine (1) by the selective O-acylations.


SCIRun is a shared memory problem solving environment PSE that provides the ability t o guide or steer a running computation. Extending such a tightly-integrated, performance-critical framework to enable pieces of the computation to run on diierent memory architectures all within the same computation would prove v ery useful. In this way, many diierent machines could execute this framework, as well as permitting conngurations of heterogeneous machines to work synergis-tically on computations, farming oo compute-intensive pieces to the big iron." In this paper, we describe a distributed version of the SCIRun problem solving environment.


E xploiting knowledge in health sciences is a book written by and for healthcare librarians, clinical librarians, information specialists, knowledge managers, and the professionals who train them directly or who work developing healthcare e-learning programmes.

The editors, Graham Walton and Andrew Booth, as well as various contributors of the book, have considerable experience in knowledge in health services. They have developed or taken part in several projects described in the book (for instance, the chapter written by Alison Turner "The National electronic Library for Health").

In 2000, the same editors published …


White BA, Chang Y, Grabowski B G. Using Lean-Based Systems Engineering to Increase Capacity in the Emergency Department. West J Emerg Med. 2014;15(7):770–776.

To the editor:

We read with interest the article by White et al., "Using Lean-Based Systems Engineering to Increase Capacity in the Emergency Department," in which the authors conclude that Lean could improve emergency department (ED) throughput and capacity.

A number of other studies have also suggested that Lean is beneficial in addressing the problem of ED wait times. As in White et al., the vast majority of these studies have been conducted in single centers and/or as before-after evaluations.1–6 Moreover, publication bias likely also plays a role in the consistency of these findings since positive evaluations are more likely to be published.7 Although White et al. compared changes in ED length of stay with a concurrent population in their own center, it is not possible to generalize beyond this particular ED.

We recently published a large multi-center controlled study of Lean in Ontario, Canada, (http://www.annemergmed.com/article/S0196-0644%2814%2900516-2/fulltext) and found that while there were reductions in ED length of stay among the 36 hospitals that participated in the Lean program, similar reductions were observed among the 63 matched control hospitals over the same period. In our study, context was also important. Because Lean was part of a broader ED wait time strategy, including wait time targets, public reporting, and targeted financial incentives, it was clear that a wide array of incentives had an effect on wait times in all EDs across the region.

Our conclusion is that single-center and before-after studies do not provide rigorous or generalizable evidence that Lean is effective in reducing ED length of stay. Decisions to implement should be based on solid evidence, since Lean initiatives typically require the engagement of external consultants and/or the dedication of significant internal resources for their development and implementation.


Background: CD14 is an important pattern recognition receptor having innate immune function and has antibacterial activity. It binds with LPS of gram-negative bacteria, arachidonic acid, and lipoteichoic acid. Being a receptor, it binds with the pathogen with the help of other cytokines. Mutations in CD14 affect the binding ability which in turn affects the biological potentiality. Method: The present study was conducted on 228 nos. of buffaloes pertaining to four different breeds as Murrah, Mehsana, Surti and Bhadawari. CD14 gene was characterized and polymorphism was detected through Single nucleotide conformation polymorphism. Association study was conducted for different variants of CD14 with mastitis in buffalo, detected through somatic cell count, california mastitis test.Result:Eight variants of CD14 were detected and mutational hotspots were detected in bubaline CD14 with 58 number of non-synonymous SNP, out of which 18 were observed to be deleterious and 34 as thermodynamically unstable. In the present study, we had detected the mutations in CD14 gene and its association with the somatic cell score and other indicators for mastitis. In-silico studies were conducted to understand the molecular mechanism how the mutations affect the biological potentiality by analyzing different domains and structural analysis along with various post-translational modification sites.Conclusion: Deleterious mutations were observed in CD14 gene which have significant effect on mastitis of buffalo. It may be employed for marker assisted selection, therapeutic application of recombinant CD14, gene therapy, transgenic or gene edited animal production with wild type CD14 resistant to mastitis as future strategy.


This paper focuses on the problem of state estimation for linear discrete stochastic systems with steady-state and transient performance constraints. The purpose of this problem is to design filter gains such that the steady-state value of the estimation error variance of each state is less than or equal to the prespecified value,and the poles of the filter matrix lie within the prespecified circular region. It is shown that the enforcement of above requirements is related to an algebraic matrix equation. Based on the equation,the existence conditions and the explicit expression of the expected filter gain are given. Finally,a numerical example is provided to demonstrate the directness and efficientness of the design method presented in this paper.


Africa's rural areas are confronted with an increasing need for quality healthcare. Whilst cities attract the economically active, the rural areas are increasingly a place where young children, women, the elderly, the sick and people with disabilities remain. Financial resources for healthcare to rural areas are stagnating. Mobile phones and mobile money (mMoney) link rural communities with relatives in the diaspora in cities and overseas. Rural communities stretch across borders. The links established constitute, amongst others, information and finance. The hypothesis of this paper is that remittances constitute a means to access and quality of health care services. The hypothesis is researched through a literature review linking remittances to quality of health care in underserved areas and observations in a health care facility in Zimbabwe. It is found that remittances link positively to quality of health care. This article argues that remittances have the potential to facilitate the access and availability of health services in rural areas and can improve the quality of rural health facilities. It is concluded that healthcare remittance may constitute a sustainable source of financing to increase quality of rural healthcare in Africa.


Many real-world applications are complex, involving many user "choices", such as different functionalities, different ways to achieve a goal, etc. Conventional automated service composition models do not consider such potential choices, or simply consider them independently. Also, existing service composition models do not model exceptions and automated composition approaches require that after an exception, the original system goal should still be achieved. This may not be feasible for some exceptions. Thus, the service composition model should also consider alternate goals after exceptions occur. In this paper, we first define the concept of multi-functionality and develop a holistic service composition model. Since most existing composition reasoning techniques can only handle a single functionality, we extend them and develop new algorithms for automated holistic service composition. A case study system is used to illustrate how our approach automatically generates a holistic workflow for a system with multiple functionalities.


This paper investigates the efficiency of time-frequency analysis in locating transients in power systems signals. Two experimental cases were simulated by the Matlab software. The first case is a linear system and the second is a three-phase synchronous generator. The transient analysis was performed by a Fourier technique called variable short-time Fourier transform, which uses a varying window size over time that is adjusted by local kurtosis given by the fourth normalized cumulant. The results obtained have evidenced the changes in frequency regime in both cases. The kurtosis defined by the fourth normalized cumulant effectively captures the nonlinearities present in both scenarios. The technique used proved to be able to identify and classify transients over time.


A design, based on student performance, is presented that allows evaluators to judge the suitability of gifted curricula against two criteria: the curriculum should be unique from the regular classroom and it should be beyond the capability of the normal ability learner. To illustrate the design, a study is reported that evaluates two curricula units: higher level thinking (HLT) and independent learning (IL). Six pullout gifted classes and one class of normal ability students participated in the study. All students (N=61) were third graders with 48% male and 52% female. Results showed the gifted receiving the HLT curriculum scored significantly higher than both the gifted and normal comparison groups on an achievement measure developed for the study. When three subtests of the Ross test, were used as the dependent measure of cognitive ability, there was no difference between gifted groups; however, both gifted groups outperformed the normal ability students who received the HLT curriculum. These results suggest that the HLT curriculum was successful in teaching new concepts to the gifted but unsuccessful in developing higher levels of thought. Possible explanations for this finding are given. Group differences may have been greater in the IL curriculum but the comparison group was apparently influenced by the John Henry effect, i.e., the control group perceived itself to be in competition with the treatment group and performed above its usual capability. An explanation for the John Henry effect and means of avoiding it are discussed.


Inaccurate cost estimation of painting works often leaves a client dissatisfied and mars the professional expertise of the quantity surveyor. This is because either excess quantity of paint is left behind after completion of the work or the paints purchased and budget allotted for the project is unable to finish the work. To this end, this study developed algorithmic equations for estimating the cost (material and labour) of painting works using the common types of paints in Anambra and Enugu state of south-east Nigeria and also validated them using current market rates. This was achieved via identifying the types and peculiar features of the common paints used in the study area, determination of the average quantity of paint needed per square meter (to assess the material constant for the paints identified) and assessing the labour constant for the paints identified. Dulux, Homepride, Intercolour, Sharon (Vineyard) and Fine coat were among the common paint brands identified through market survey, interviews with the paint manufacturers, suppliers, painters and construction professionals and physical observation. Dulux was adjudged Method Article Ugochukwu et al.; ACRI, 20(1): 29-39, 2020; Article no.ACRI.55109 30 the most durable. Though quite expensive, it allows for creativity and flexibility and has an aesthetically pleasing outlook. The materials and labour constants were generated by physical observation, via a work study. The algorithmic equations developed are as follows: Up = Mc+ Lc; Mc = YAm x Cp; Lc = Y x Lp (thus: Up = YAm x Cp + YLp), where: Up = painting cost, Mc = Material cost, Lc = Labour cost, Y = Area of building to be painted, Am = Average quantity of the material per square meter (material constant), Cp = Cost of material per meter square, Lp = Cost of labour per square meter (labour constant). Validation of the model using current market rates of the last quarter of 2019 in the study area indicates that painting a wall of total area= 115.29 m using Sharon texcote paint for instance will cost N64,500. These equations not only have time saving potentials, they are also reliable when used for costing painting works involving the brand of paints surveyed. However, their efficacy relies heavily on accurate measurement of area of walls to be painted. These models are recommended for use by practicing quantity surveyors to generate feasibility cost estimates for painting works and shorten pre-contract time for both private and public clients.


According to one embodiment, for forming a three-dimensional (3D) nanoparticles assembly method may include surface-enhanced spectroscopy (SES) is deposited onto the nano element refers to corresponding tips, wherein nano-fingers arranged in a close enough proximity to each other, such that the nano-tip plurality sets of adjacent fingers can be nano-fingers close enough proximity to each other, so that on the tip member SES nano refers to binding together the partial collapse. The method further comprises the nano-fingers toward the fingers of the adjacent nano nano refers to partial collapse, so that the corresponding plurality of sets of the plurality of nano-elements SES refers opposite and in close proximity to one another than the corresponding cluster SES element is formed, to be connected additional particles are introduced into the tuft element SES, SES and the nano cluster separation element fingers.


The fundamental advantage of the reprogrammable general-purpose digital computers is their ability to perform accurately and repeatably calculations of any complexity. In practical terms, the computing task determines the size of program memory required and the run time of the calculations. The former affects cost; the latter affects the real-time performance for control applications. This paper discusses how and to what extent these advantages can be implemented assuming that the "digital computer" is a microprocessor plus semiconductor memory and that the applications are naval and industrial gas turbines. Examples are drawn from engine tests that have used a medium-speed microprocessor.Copyright © 1976 by ASME


This paper investigates the role and function of digital technologies within firms, widely believed to make them much more sustainable and promote the social inclusion of people with disability (PWD) at the workplace, especially those with cognitive disability or autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In the last thirty years, and more recently due to the COVID-19 pandemic, technological change related to digital transformation, hence the adoption and diffusion of digital technologies, has impacted every field and sector in private and professional life, both positively and negatively. Undoubtedly, our ways of working and quality of life have been improved by digital technologies which are able to overcome geographical, physical, and social barriers. Yet there are negative effects in some domains and for certain categories of people, like those with disabilities or special needs. Within the well-known phenomenon of digital divide, people may be totally excluded due to their limited digital skills or lack of access to technological tools. After a brief review of the literature on the topic, adopting a multiple case study method, we investigate several firms operating in different economic sectors in one specific country, namely Italy, where there is a significant presence of PWD, mostly with ASD, who face challenges in being recruited and working within organizations. Our qualitative research, investigating the role and function of digital technologies in supporting and promoting the inclusion of PWD at workplace, provides some stimulating insights for future studies.


In this paper,a new scheme using virtual zero sequence current of non-fault line is presented.This scheme can solve the problem that the ground distance relay can not measure the accurate fault distance.Because busbar voltage is influenced by zero current of neighborhood line when ground fault happened in one line of parallel double circuit line or double circuit line on the same tower.Under the condition of no using neighborhood current and extra AC input and connect line,the paper analyzes that this scheme is more adaptive in different faults than the neighboring zero current compensation scheme.The digital simulation result indicates that the scheme can be correctly used in high voltage transmission lines of parallel double circuit line and double circuit line on the same tower.


MSc Sociology graduand, Mira Buerger, offers a summary of the research she conducted for her dissertation exploring the role algorithms play in alternative credit scoring.


Dear editor First of all, we want to congratulate Ye et al, for publishing the manuscript entitled "Serum Levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in the Subtypes of Clinical High Risk Individuals: A Prospective Cohort Study". We consider that this scientific work is important and providing facts that inflammation processes are also involved in mental illness pathophysiology. Their work highlighted the role of TNF-α and VEGF in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders, especially in schizophrenia. Subclinical inflammation has been associated with psychosis, and the elevation of microglial activity as a sign of neuroinflammation was confirmed in patients with schizophrenia and in persons with subclinical symptoms who had psychosis high-risk. TNF-α is one of the well-studied proinflammatory cytokines, which actually has a wide and multifunctional role in immunological and physiological processes. TNF-α is mainly produced by immune cells such as Th1 cells and macrophages. In recent years, TNF has also been known as adipokine because of the increase of production in adipose tissues in obesity. Because there is a link between obesity and TNF-α, it would be better if the subject or patients' body mass index (BMI) data were also analyzed. In addition, schizophrenia is often accompanied by metabolic syndrome or obesity, due to lifestyle, or effect of the therapy. For the following discussion, we also want to clarify the aim of this study. It was written that the aim of the study was to compare the serum levels of TNF-α and VEGF in patients at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis or schizophrenia at baseline and one year after treatment, therefore the study design was determined as a prospective cohort study. Unfortunately, in the results and discussion section, the shown results were emphasizing the gained inflammation and angioneurin profiles among the CHR groups and different subtypes that were categorized based on positive and negative symptoms. We did not recognize any comparisons between the baseline and one-year follow-up of TNF-α and VEGF measurements. Repeated measure ANOVA and GEE (Generalized Estimating Equation) method can be applied for timeseries data analysis. Another part needs clarification is the assay method to asses the TNF-α and VEGF serum level. In this study, the instrument used to measure TNF-α and VEGF level was Luminex 200 System. Luminex incorporates the principle of sandwich ELISA and flowcytometri. This method applies multiplex bead immunoassay instead of 96-well plate assay. The reagents used here were MILLIPLEX MAP Human Complement Magnetic Bead Panel 2 that was actually designed to measure the level of human complement instead of cytokines, and the analyte mentioned in the product information


Argentina's economy has seen rapid changes and economic growth, but the divide between the poor and the rich was and still is significant. 3.8 Million inhabitants aged 64 and over generally have limited access to health care in a number of provinces. The National Institute of Industrial Technology started a gerontechnology centre in 2004, mainly oriented at assistive technology. It consists of two engineers, a rehabilitation physician, an electronics technician, an architect, a sociologist / gerontologist, an industrial designer and a secretary. A survey of actual needs in the older population is being worked on.


H orner syndrome is characterized by the presence of a lesion at any location along the oculosympathetic pathway. It is clinically characterized by ipsilateral pupillary miosis, facial anhidrosis, ipsilateral upper eyelid ptosis, and mild lower eyelid elevation. The course of sympathetic fibers destined for Muller's muscle in the upper eyelid is divided into first-, second-, and third-order segments. After leaving the area of the innominate artery on the right and the subclavian artery on the left just above the lung apex (around the level of the first and second thoracic spinal cord segments, T1/T2), postsynaptic second-order fibers pass through the inferior and middle cervical ganglia to terminate in the superior cervical ganglion at the level of the angle of the jaw (cervical spinal cord level C2) and carotid artery bifurcation. Postganglionic third-order fibers then ascend superiorly in the wall of the bifurcated carotid arteries, continue along the internal carotid artery (ICA) entering the cranium through the carotid canal into the cavernous sinus. Here, fibers leave the ICA to join the oculomotor nerve and course forward with the superior division of the oculomotor nerve as it passes through the orbital apex. The fibers then reach their final destination to innervate Muller's muscle. This muscle provides 1–3 mm of upper eyelid elevation (1). The use of selective alpha-2 agonists for improvement of Muller's muscle-related ptosis has been reported in the past with the use of apraclonidine (2,3). It is believed that, due to its mechanism of action, brimonidine cannot have this same effect as apraclonidine. However, here, we present a case of Horner syndrome– induced ptosis after anterior laminectomy; the signs improved with the instillation of brimonidine tartrate.


This paper generalizes and analyzes the common quality problems in transmission line construction such as types,causes and preventive treatment.These frequent defects have become a major obstacle to improve the quality of engineering.Therefore,to prevent and treat the various factors afffecting the construction quality of transmission lines is one of the main research topics in continuous construction quality improvement.


In this paper, the term "basic adhesion" is used to signify the summation of all interfacial intermolecular interactions, whereas the term "practical adhesion" is used to represent the forces or the work required for the disruption-either at the interface or in the interfacial region-of the adhering system. There are many factors which influence practical adhesion, and these are discussed in detail. The relationship between practical adhesion and basic adhesion is discussed. Basic adhesion cannot be determined by the commonly used techniques for measuring practical adhesion. The virtues of an ideal practical adhesion test are outlined. Some of the techniques for adhesion measurement of thin films, thick films, and coatings are discussed briefly, and references are made to the recent reviews on this topic. For a given adhering system, different techniques yield different practical adhesion values. The difficulties involved in adhesion measurement are highlighted, and the unresolved problems are brought into sharper focus. The failure surfaces should be examined using surface analytical tools to ascertain the locus of failure, which is important in understanding the mechanism of failure.


The shortcomings existing in DCS system control logic configuration of Jingmen Thermal Power Plant of State Power Generation Group 600 MW units were introduced.The revealed logic configuration problem at present was analysis and discussed.


Managing variation in carcass weight and composition is an enormous challenge for the pig producer. A means of improving growth performance and reducing back fat is porcine exogenous somatotropin (pST) treatment. It is possible that this technology may also reduce variation in these important growth and carcass parameters. This study was conducted to provide data on the effect of sex and pST on variation in growth and carcass characteristics. Sixteen on-farm studies involving 1495 pigs were conducted in various states within Australia. On each farm, groups of pigs were randomly assigned within sex to one of 2 management regimes (control or pST regime). The control regime consisted of feeding the typical finisher diet used on that farm while the pST regime involved feeding the typical grower diet used on the farm combined with daily injections of pST (5 mg/day). Data from individual pigs were collated and the summary descriptive statistics derived for each treatment group on each farm were then analysed. Daily liveweight gain was lower and feed conversion ratio (FCR) and back fat at the P2 site were higher in gilts than in boars. The pST regime increased average mean daily gain and reduced feed intake, FCR and back fat at the P2 site. The coefficient of variation (CV) around live daily gain was lower in gilts than in boars (19.3 v 22.3% for gilts and boars, respectively, P<0.001) and in pigs treated with the pST regime (22.1 v. 19.9% for the control and pST regimes, respectively, P<0.001). The CV around liveweight was higher in the control boars than in any of the other treatment groups as indicated by the main (P<0.001) and interactive (P<0.001) effects of both sex and pST regime. The coefficient of variation around P2 was reduced by pST (16.2 v. 14.2%, P<0.001) but was not different between gilts and boars. There was an interaction (P = 0.025) between pST regime and sex with the average kurtosis for the P2 distribution positive in gilts treated with pST but slightly negative in all the other groups. The distributions were on average skewed to the right, particularly in gilts (P = 0.017) and in pigs treated with pST (P<0.001). In conclusion, these data demonstrate that as well as improving mean final liveweight and P2 back fat, pST treatment can also reduce variation in these key production parameters that form the basis for economic returns to the producer.


Although a method for making or coating a fluorine alkyl is treated with water repellent treatment of substrates in an atmospheric pressure or vacuum to fluorine plasma, deulmyeo the product, the foreign object is attached. Irradiated with ultraviolet rays sloppy a fluoride-containing gas to the substrate surface is treated to hydration. Also by this method, a thin film formed in the partition wall, or to produce an organic EL device according to a liquid phase method. Specifically, when performing the friction cleaning, UV ozone cleaning, UV fluorination treatment, an organic film-forming layer, a cathode film forming, sealing by the ink jet method. Repellent treatment method, a thin film forming method, a method of manufacturing an organic EL device, the organic EL device, an electronic apparatus


The technique of vertical slicing was introduced as a mechanism to combat our agile software development teams developing tendency toward building software in horizontal layers, building one service at a time, or grouping stories then breaking them down into layers. Those practices resulted in sprint reviews where no functionality could be demonstrated to the users and several iterations before all of the pieces were working together with useful functionality to show to users. Those habits continued when the next wave of projects with user interfaces came along. In this paper, we highlight the stories of four of our agile teams who tried vertical slicing, the challenges they faced, the victories, and the lessons learned.


This paper aims to highlight the failures and inequities of the current Spanish pension system and to assess whether the pension reform, adopted in 2011, has improved the equity of the system. The paper also tries to distinguish which measures have a political content and what configuration the reform had had in the case of taking the actuarial point of view into account, in order to achieve a higher level of contribution.


The Parkinson's disease (PD) associated protein, alpha-synuclein (α-syn/SNCA), is highly expressed in aggressive melanomas, which raises the possibility that α-syn has a pro-survival function in melanoma. Herein, we asked whether α-syn modulates the expression of the pro-oncogenic adhesion molecules L1CAM and N-cadherin. We used two human melanoma cell lines (SK-MEL-28, SK-MEL-29), SNCA-knockout (KO) clones, and two human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell lines. In the melanoma lines, loss of α-syn expression resulted in significant decreases in the expression of L1CAM and N-cadherin and concomitant significant decreases in motility. On average, there was a 75% reduction in motility in the four SNCA-KOs tested compared to control cells. Strikingly, comparing neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells that have no detectable α-syn to SH-SY5Y cells that stably express α-syn (SH/+αS), we found that expressing α-syn increased L1CAM and single-cell motility by 54% and 597%, respectively. The reduction in L1CAM level in SNCA-KO clones was not due to a transcriptional effect, rather we found that L1CAM is more efficiently degraded in the lysosome in SNCA-KO clones than in control cells. We propose that α-syn is pro-survival to melanoma (and possibly neuroblastoma) because it promotes the intracellular trafficking of L1CAM.


A system of magnetic moments is studied which possesses electric exchange and weak magnetic dipoledipole interactions and is located in an external magnetic field H/sub 0/ + h(t). The equation of motion of the magnetization vector is derived with an accuracy to second order terms in perturbation theory for weak variable fields, h(t) << H/sub 0/. The limits of applicability of the equations obtained are discussed. (tr-auth)


In this study, the effect of ground boundary conditions on the evaluation of blast resistance performance of precast arch structures was evaluated by a numerical analysis method. Two types of boundary conditions, namely, fixed boundary conditions and a perfectly matched layer (PML) were applied to numerical models. Blast loads that were much higher than the design load of the target structure were applied to compare the effects of the boundary conditions. The distribution and path of the ground explosion pressure, structural displacement, fracture of concrete, stress of concrete, and reinforcing bars were compared according to the ground boundary condition settings. As a result, the reflecting pressure shock wave at the ground boundaries could be effectively eliminated using PML elements; furthermore, the displacement of the foundation was reduced. However, no distinct difference could be observed in the overall structural behavior including the fracture and stress of the concrete and rebar. Therefore, when blast simulations are performed in the design of protective structures, it is rational to apply the fixed boundary condition on the ground boundaries as conservative design results can be achieved with relatively short computation times.


In U.S. Army policy, chaplains and chaplain assistants (CAs) are explicitly identified as primary gatekeepers; however, research on their perceptions about their roles identifying, caring for, and referring soldiers in suicidal distress is scant. In this study, we estimate perceptions of Army chaplains and CAs in domains relevant to gatekeeping, including intervention efficacy, reluctance to intervene, stigma, and past intervention behavior. We do so using an online survey that was administered to all chaplains and CAs in the Army's Active Component and Reserves in 2012. Response rates ranged from 41% of all chaplains in the Active Component to 19% of chaplains and CAs in the Reserves. Almost half of all chaplains and CAs thought they could use more suicide prevention training. Although chaplains reported greater perceived ability to intervene with individuals at risk for suicide relative to civilian samples, they also reported more reluctance to intervene. This reluctance may be explained in part by high reports of stigma regarding mental health treatment. These findings suggest that the Army should implement specific suicide prevention training for chaplains and CAs that focuses on providing acute behavioral health treatment, reducing mental health stigma, and encouraging chaplains to collaborate with other behavioral health resources.


The Clementine RRELAX radiation monitor chip consists of a p-FET total dose monitor and a 4-Kbit SRAM particle spectrometer. Eight of these chips were included in the RRELAX and used to detect the passage of the Clementine (S/C) and the innerstage adapter (ISA) through the Earth's radiation belts and the 21-Feb 1994 solar flare. This is the first space flight for this 1.2-/spl mu/m rad-soft custom CMOS radiation monitor. This paper emphasizes results from the SRAM particle detector which showed that it (a) has a detection range of five orders of magnitude relative to the 21-Feb solar flare, (b) is not affected by electrons, and (c) detected microflares occurring with a 26.5 day period. >


Polarization splitters are important functions in integrated-optic devices for managing polarization diversity. We present the fabrication and characterization of polymer waveguide couplers with localized anisotropic segments in the coupling region. The core of the waveguide is made up of a polymerizable liquid crystal that is thermally patterned into isotropic and anisotropic regions before etching. For an appropriate coupling length, the coupler behaves as a polarization splitter: the horizontal polarization remains on the direct waveguide, while the vertical polarization is totally transferred to the coupled waveguide. This fabrication technique and the resulting couplers are useful elements for the development of polymer integrated-optic devices.


In this paper we report on the discovery of the universal law of the scientific productivity distribution in academic institutions.We are giving a mathematical model for the function describing the (aggregated) scientific productivity of a research institution. The mathematical model uses the function based on the modified ellipse. The empirical data used in the paper are taken from a very high quality database run by the Czech government describing the scientific productivity distributions in Charles university in Prague and in their faculties. These data are used to show a high accuracy coincidence between empirical data and their mathematical model (correlation bigger than 0.99). We think that this is (probably) the first case of a high-accuracy social law and we believe that this discovery could be a starting point for the discovery of other high-accuracy social laws. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Date of Submission: 06-04-2018 Date of acceptance: 21-04-2018 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The influence of surface nitridation on the diffusion of tin in silicon at 1100°C has been investigated. Nitridation, which is associated with vacancy generation, has been found to enhance tin diffusion. This is expected since the large tin atoms should prefer to diffuse via vacancies. Based on the value of the vacancy supersaturation generated by nitridation of bare silicon reported in the literature, it is estimated that 33% of tin diffuses via vacancies. However, the actual percentage may be higher, since the high tin concentration may influence the nitridation-induced vacancy generation. The influence of oxidation, also studied, did not yield meaningful results.


In many star-planet systems discovered so far, the innermost planet orbits within only a few stellar radii. In these systems, planets could become in-situ probes of the extended stellar magnetic field. Because they disturb the field as they move, they are expected to trigger flares in the corona. Potential differences to the energies and morphologies of intrinsic stellar flares are poorly constrained. However, as we expect planet-induced flares to correlate with the planet's orbital period, we can identify them from a clustering of flares in phase with the planet's orbit. We used the excellent phase coverage from Kepler and the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite to find flaring star-planet systems, compile a catalog of all their flares, and measure how much they cluster in orbital phase. In the 1811 searched systems, we found 25 single stars with three or more flares each. We quantified the significance of the clustering in each system, and compared it against the theoretically expected power of magnetic interaction that leads to planet-induced flaring. Most systems do not show any clustering, consistent with low expected power. Those we expect to show clustering fall on two branches. An inactive one, without any signs of clustering, and a tentative active one, where the clustering becomes more pronounced as the expected power of interaction increases. The flares in HIP 67522 are prominently clustered (p<0.006). This young Hot Jupiter system is the most promising candidate for magnetic star-planet interaction in our sample.


Contemporary hermeneutics has largely focused itself on the interpretations of the Bible and the development of the biblical traditions in the context of postmodern cultural and critical discourses.Wisdom Literature,however,has long been marginalized in Kethuvim(The Writings) of the Hebrew Bible through insufficient attention on the part of many critics in the perspective of postmodern theories.This essay presents an analysis on the dialectical method used by the author of Ecclesiastes in the light of Jacques Derrida's theory of deconstruction.Qoheleth employed a new dichotomy(profit/debit) to deconstruct the old one(wisdom/folly),which was over-simplified and resulted in hidden prejudices.Rather than a deconstruction to the binary structure of wisdom theology,his new dialectics(profit/ultimate debit) offers once again the idea of an unstable meaning that can only be infinitely deferred.It corresponds to Jacques Derrida's idea of differance that meaning is always ″deferred″ to the point of an endless supplementarity by the play of signification.This essay is not interested in defining Qoheleth as a deconstructionist,but in suggesting that,if Derrida's deconstruction seeks to identify and undermine such logocentric paradigms as dichotomies,the idea of binary opposites,etc.,the dialectics of language of Ecclesiastes reveals an ultimate impasse of thought engendered by a rhetoric that always insinuates its own textual workings into the truth claims of philosophy or theology.There runs a theme of utopian longing for the textual free play which would finally break with the instituted wisdom of language. In a summary,when traditional wisdom becomes insufficient in describing the diversity and multitudes of real life,Qoheleth offers a deconstructing dialectics of language to rationalize human's relations with God and his acceptance of a self-contradictory world.


Objective
To investigate the changes of T lymphocyte subsets in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD). To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Xuebijing injection in the treatment of AECOPD and its influence on T lymphocyte subsets.

Methods
From October 2016 to October 2017, 58 AECOPD patients and 20 healthy subjects at the same period in the First People's Hospital of Luoyang were selected.The levels of T-lymphocyte subsets were detected in healthy subjects and AECOPD patients.The 58 cases patients were divided into observation group(n=28) and control group(n=30) using random number table.The control group was treated with conventional therapy.The observation group was treated with Xuebijing injection on the basis of the control group.The scores of CAT, APACHE Ⅱ in both two groups before and after treatment were evaluatedThe levels of C-reactive protein(CRP), procalcitonin(PCT) and T lymphocyte subsets were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.

Results
The levels of CD3+ , CD4+ and CD4+ /CD8+ in the peripheral blood of patients with AECOPD were (0.64±0.10)%, (0.33±0.14)% and (0.95±0.48), respectively, which of the healthy controls were (0.70±0.10)%, (0.41±0.17)%, (1.25±0.51), respectively.There were statistically significant differences between the two groups(t=2.09, 7.19, 2.32, all P<0.05). After treatment, the scores of CAT and APACHE Ⅱ in the observation group were (13.2±3.6)points and (14.1±3.8)points, those in the control group were (16.6±4.1)points and (16.9±4.2)points.The scores of CAT and APACHE Ⅱ in the two groups after treatment were lower than those before treatment(observation group: t=3.08, 13.25, control group: t=2.94, 11.31, all P<0.05). There were significant differences in CAT and APACHE Ⅱ scores between the two groups after treatment(t=8.90, 3.27, all P<0.05). The levels of CRP, PCT, CD3+ , CD4+ and CD4+ /CD8+ in the control group were (22.4±8.8)mg/L, (0.9±0.6)μg/L, (0.67±0.09)%, (0.36±0.13)%, (1.12±0.50), respectively, which in the observation group were (15.6±6.3)mg/L, (0.5±0.6)μg/L, (0.72±0.82)%, (0.43±0.13)%, (1.43±0.47), respectively.The differences between the two groups were statistically significant(t=2.75, 6.16, 2.03, 2.69, 4.90, all P<0.05).

Conclusion
Patients with AECOPD have immune dysfunction.Xuebijing injection is effective in the treatment of patients with AECOPD.The mechanism may be related to the regulation of immune function.

Key words:
Pulmonary disease, chronic obstructive; Xuebijing injection; T lymphocytes; C reactive protein; Calcitonin; Immune function; Controlled clinical trial


All corrosion of steel in soil or water is electro-chemical in its origin and nature. There are certain condition which must be met before a corrosion cell can function. They are: 1. there must be anodes (which are at higher potential) and cathodes (which are at higher potential). 2. There must be an electrical potential can result from a variety of conditions of pipelines. 3. There must be an electrical metallic path connecting the anode and cathode. Normally, this will be the pipe itself. The anode and the cathode must be immersed in an electrically conductive electrolyte, which is ion meaning that of the water molecule "H2O" are broken down into positively charged Hydrogen ions "H" and negatively charged hydroxyl ions "OH" (The usual soil moisture or water surrounding pipelines normally fulfills these conditions). Once these condition are met, an electric current will flow an metals will be consumed at the anode. Ref. To fig. (A) In such cells an electric current flow from the cathodic or higher potential areas, through the steel of the structure or pipeline to the anodic or lower potential areas, and hence bake through the surrounding soil or water to cathodic areas. At the anodes, where the current leaves the steel and enters the soil or water, iron ions pass into the surrounding electrolyte, thus giving rise to corrosion. The distribution of anodic areas cathodic areas depends upon the physical and metallurgical properties of the steel surface and upon the properties of the surrounding medium.


We address the issue of energy and charge dependence of global polarization of $\Lambda$ hyperons in peripheral $Au-Au$ collisions recently observed by the STAR collaboration at RHIC. We compare different contributions to the anomalous mechanism relating polarization to vorticity and hydrodynamic helicity in QCD matter. We stress that the suppression of the gravitational anomaly contribution in strongly correlated matter observed in lattice simulations confirms our earlier prediction of rapid decrease of polarization with increasing collision energy. Our mechanism leads to polarization of $\bar \Lambda$ of the same sign and larger magnitude than the polarization of $\Lambda$. The energy and charge dependence of polarization is suggested as a sensitive probe of fine details of QCD matter structure.


Bandung is located about 200 kms from Jakarta, and easily reached by using train, bus, or private vehicle within 2.5 hours during the weekdays and 1.5 hours during the workdays. Unfortunately during the weekends and long holidays there are long and tedious queues of traffic. To solve the problem, the Provincial Government of West Java plans a toll road network system as part of Greater Bandung Intra Urban Toll Road. This paper describes an important combination in analysing both LANDSAT TM and SPOT satellite imageres by using GIS (Geographical Information System) and DTM (Digital Terrain Modelling) for the purpose of selecting route location. Maps can be produced such as contour maps, morphology maps, angle of slope maps, drainage pattern maps, land use maps, infrastructure and human settlement maps, shaded ridge maps, and 3D maps showing potential landslide hazards. Furthermore, when the alternative route locations can be seen, by using an animation model the best alternative may be seleeted depending on the specific requirements adopted. This method will ensure efficiency, flexibility and adaptability as well. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E214938.


Mobility-aware quality of service (QoS) signaling is crucial to provide seamless multimedia services in the ambient environment where mobile nodes may move frequently between different wireless access networks. The mobility of an IP-based node in ambient networks affects routing paths, and as a result, can have a significant impact on the operation and state management of QoS signaling protocols. In this paper, we first analyze the impact of mobility on QoS signaling protocols and how the protocols operate in mobility scenarios. We then propose an efficient mobility-aware QoS signaling protocol which can operate adaptively in ambient networks. The key features of the protocol include the fast discovery of a crossover node where the old and new paths converge or diverge due to handover and the localized state management for seamless services. Our analytical and simulation/experimental results show that the proposed/implemented protocol works better than existing protocols in the IP-based mobile environment.


Abstract This research describes the influence that farm size has on gendered involvement in crop cultivation and decision making about what crops to grow where, irrigation and marketing among small and medium-sized farmers in Moldova. Findings reveal that overall crop cultivation is characterized by gendered patterns that vary according to farm size. Overall men have much more input into decision making than do women but women on small farms have more input in decisions than do the women on medium-sized farms. However, women on medium-sized farms are more involved in the diverse range of cultivation activities in terms of labour.


Thank you very much for reading progress report of forest administration in the central provinces 1863 64. Maybe you have knowledge that, people have look hundreds times for their favorite books like this progress report of forest administration in the central provinces 1863 64, but end up in malicious downloads. Rather than reading a good book with a cup of tea in the afternoon, instead they juggled with some malicious bugs inside their desktop computer.


Background: Head and neck malignancies are common among males in India. The age adjusted incidence rate of head and neck cancer in India in males is 16.4/100,000 and in females it is 8.8/100,000.In All India Institute of Medical Science head and neck cancer represents 25% of all malignancies registered
Methods: This prospective randomized study was conducted in the Department of Radiation Therapy & Oncology, Regional Cancer Centre, IGMC, Shimla and patients were enrolled for a period of one year, from July 2012 to July 2013.It included all the eligible, previously untreated patients of squamous cell carcinoma of Head and Neck with histologically confirmed diagnosis and no evidence of distant metastasis. The sites included were oro-pharynx, hypo-pharynx and larynx with stages III, IV A and IV B.
Results: Grade 3 and grade 4 skin toxicities were higher in CRT arm but without statistically significant difference from that in ART arm. G3 & G4 mucositis was higher in the Concomitant CRT arm however the difference was not statistically significant. G2 and G3 Laryngeal Toxicities were higher in Concomitant CRT arm as compared to Accelerated arm but the difference was not statistically significant. G2 & G3 haematological toxicities were significantly (combined p value = 0.002) higher in the concomitant CRT arm (32.4%) as compared to Accelerated RT arm (2.9%). Only one patient in accelerated arm had any hematological toxicity.
Conclusion: Higher peak incidence of toxicities was seen in concomitant CRT arm as compared to accelerated arm.
Keywords: Toxocity, six fraction, chemoradiation, Local control


Background: Sleep pattern is one of the most important issues which can affect mental development in adolescents. Objectives: This study was designed to asses sleep pattern and its relationship with depression in order to obtain information for planning interventional programs and health promotion in adolescents. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on high school students in Hamadan, Iran in 2019. Mean age of the students was 16.53 ± 0.69 years (Min - Max: 15 - 19), and 290 (50.3%) students were girls. Samples were selected by multiple cluster sampling method in which 576 students were enrolled in the study. Two standard, valid and reliable self-reported questionnaire was used for recording sleep pattern (PSQ) and depression (Beck). After data collection, SPSS was used for data analysis. All P values less than 0.05 were considered as significant. Results: Nearly 70% of the adolescents had problems in some subscales of sleep disorder included in mental quality of sleep, delay in falling asleep and daily dysfunction. Among them in 10% sleep duration was less than 5 hours and in 69% usual bedtime was after midnight (24 o'clock). Severe sleep problem in boys and students with fine educational status was more than others (P value < 0.001) and there was a statically significant correlation between sleep disorder and depression score (Pearson correlation: r = 0.42; P < 0.001) and in students with severe sleep disorder, 48.9% were severely depressed. Conclusions: Problems in mental quality of sleep was notable in Iranian adolescents, almost half of them had some degree of depression symptoms. Being boy and having severe problem in sleep pattern were predictors for depression. This information might be applied for well-being as well as physical and mental development interventional programs such as sleep health screening and adolescents and their parents' educational programs in adolescents' health promotion sector.


Acetosolv is an enhancement organosolv technique utilising acetic acid as solvent and produces high purity of lignin. However, the limitation of this technique in the conventional heating method is the high energy consumption during a long reaction time. Therefore, the employment of microwave is used to overcome this limitation with the expectation of a lower power consumption and short reaction time. In this study, three types of catalysts, sulphuric acid (H 2 SO 4 ), aluminium choride (AlCl 3 ), and chromium nitrate [Cr(NO 3 ) 3 ] were used to investigate the lignin extraction performance and its properties from microwave-assisted (MWA) acetosolv treatment of oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB). The highest yields of lignin (76.98%) were obtained using an aqueous solution of acetic acid combined with 3.0% of H 2 SO 4 under 110°C for 30 min. Meanwhile, AlCl 3 performed almost similar to H 2 SO 4 , providing lignin yield of 71.57% at the highest temperature of 110°C. The usage of microwave-assisted technique also produces a high yield and high purity of lignin. It is also proven that AlCl 3 can be a substitute to Bronsted acid for lignin extraction. However, Cr(NO 3 ) 3 was found not suitable for the lignin's extraction despite having a high potential for cellulose extraction.


Much of the material is new to this edition: A chapter has been added on science in the treatment of substance abuse, in which the authors discuss the history of scientific intervention in substance abuse and explore what happens to the ...


From the Publisher:
A complex series of extensions to the World Wide Web, the Semantic Web's purpose is to make data and services far more accessible to computers and far more useful for people than the web we know today. Written for developers and programmers, this guide seeks to acquaint these users with the basic technologies and their interrelations that will be likely to play key roles in the Semantic Web. Covered are key technology areas such as knowledge modeling (RDF, Topic Maps), agents (DAML, FIPA), and Trust and Authentication. A basic conceptual approach is taken so that developers and programmers with a wide range of backgrounds and interests come to understand the essential nature of these areas, how they work, and something about some specific technologies that are being used or proposed. Important points are illustrated with diagrams and code fragments to help develop a familiarity with these Semantic Web initiatives.
Author Biography: Thomas B. Passin is principal systems engineer at Mitretek Systems, a nonprofit systems and information engineering firm. He has been involved in data modeling and created several complex database-backed web sites and has also became engaged in a range of conceptual modeling approaches and graphical modeling technologies. He was a key member of a team that developed several demonstration XML-based web service applications, and worked on creating XML versions of draft standards originally written in ASN.1. He is the coauthor of Signal Processing in C. He lives in Reston, Virginia.


spine care providers use language and concepts that float over the heads of their patients—particularly in terms of written educational materials available to millions of individuals at Internet websites. In a recent study, Michael Vives, MD, and colleagues assessed the readability of patient educational resources at the websites of the North American Spine Society (NASS), the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS)—as well as the sites of 10 individual spine care practices. (See Vives et al., 2009.) A general rule of thumb in medicine is that patient educational materials should be comprehensible to someone with a 6th grade reading level or below. (Members of the U.S. population, on average, read at the 8thto 9th-grade level.)Yet of the 121 articles available at these websites, only three (2.5%) met that reading standard. And the majority of the articles required 12th-grade reading abilities. "Our findings suggest that most of the spine-related patient education materials on professional society and practice-based websites have readability scores that may be too high, making comprehension difficult for a substantial proportion of the United States adult population," according to the authors. "This is a major issue," says Colin Nelson of the Foundation for Informed Medical Decision Making in Boston. "Back pain causes huge social and medical problems. If people with back pain can't understand what health care providers are saying about it, and can't communicate effectively with them, then there is very little chance of improving outcomes. "In a field with many treatments and no single best treatment approach, patients have to fully understand their options to choose the right approach for them—the one that reflects their own goals, their lifestyle, their tolerance for risk, and other considerations," says Nelson. "If health care providers don't communicate in language the general public and patients understand, this becomes impossible."


Abstract With a view to studying the optical, structural and magnetoelectric properties, single crystals of the hausmannite CuCr2O4 have been grown by a high temperature solution method, based on the thermal decomposition of K2Cr2O7 in the presence of CuO. X-ray powder refinements at room temperature indicate that the crystal structure of CuCr2O7 can be accurately described by the centrosymmetric space group I41/amd. Crystal cuts have been examined by means of polarized light microscopy in reflection, revealing ferroelastic domain structures consistent with the tetragonal symmetry. The phase transitions in the copper chromite have been studied both by in situ optical domain observations and by DTA and DSC measurements. The ferroelastic phase transition from the tetragonal to the cubic phase has been found to take place at 853 K and to be of first order. The magnetic phase transition has been revealed by a DSC peak at 157 K with a small enthalpy of 0.2 J/g.