The length of stay in emergency departments has been used as a quality indicator to reflect the overall efficiency of emergency care. Identifying characteristics associated with length of stay is critical to monitor overcrowding and improve efficient throughput function of emergency departments. This study examined the level of waiting time for initial assessment by physician and length of stay in emergency departments. Furthermore, we investigated the characteristics of patients" attendance associated with length of stay. An observational study was performed for a sample of 1,526 patients visiting ten nation-wide emergency departments. A structured form was designed to collect information about patients' demographics, route of admission, time and mode of arrival, triage level, cause of attendance, initial assessment time by physician, departure time, and disposition. Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine factors associated with length of stay. The average length of stay was 209.4 minutes (95% confidence interval [CI]=197.1-221.7), with a mean waiting time for initial assessment of 5.9 minutes (95% CI=5.1-6.7). After controlling for emergency department characteristics, increasing age, longer waiting times, attendance due to diseases, higher acuity, multiple diagnoses(≥2) and requiring admission or transfer to other health care facilities were positively associated with length of stay in emergency departments. The findings suggest that both patients" characteristics and the flow between emergency departments and parent hospitals should be taken into account in predicting length of stay in emergency departments.


A honeycomb fibreboard was modeled as a linear material with viscoelastic property,taking its structure and material into account,its relaxation kernel was expressed as a sum of exponential functions.The parameter identification procedure was formulated using the free response data of a honeycomb fibreboard-mass system.Firstly,the signal poles of the free response data were obtained using the modified Prony method,the stiffness coefficient,the damping coefficient and the viscoelastic parameters of the system were identified using the signal poles.The experimental system for recording the free response data of the honeycomb fibreboard-mass system was developed,the parameter identification procedure was applied to the free response data,the stiffness coefficient,the damping coefficient and the viscoelastic parameters under different loading conditions could be obtained.The method to simulate the free response of the honeycomb fibreboard-mass system was deduced,the simulation results indicated the free response of the honeycomb fibreboard-mass system can be accurately predicted using the parameters identified from the dynamic property model proposed here,and the model can provide a design basis for the proper use of honeycomb fibreboard in packaging.


The question of whether stable, active metamaterials can be created is addressed, both through a discussion of absolute instability and an analysis of a transmission-line that produces dispersion analogous to that of the familiar split-ring resonator/wire-based metamaterial. Gain is introduced using negative conductance diodes, and it is shown that the frequency bandwidth controls the window of stable gain. The diodes are located as lumped elements in the unit cell. It is demonstrated that the production of a stable, active, negative phase frequency window is possible.


The average power stability of the synchronously pumped dye laser can be improved by a factor of more than 5 by altering the optical feedback stabilization circuitry of the conventional laser system. Noise fluctuations in dye laser output power which normally occur are largely eliminated by changes in the pumping power of the ion laser. The slight loss in dye laser output power which is incurred by the beam splitter is largely offset by an increase in available ion laser power.


There is a classic problem in ethics of reconciling the moral standing of collectives (e.g. populations, species and ecosystems) with the moral standing of individuals. We briefly survey key issues and make recommendations for positioning viewpoints about practical ethics with particular reference to invasion biology and invasive species eradications, a context in which commitments to collectives and to individuals often come into conflict. We will use 'environmental ethics' as shorthand for holistic views about the moral status of environmental collectives, and 'animal ethics' as shorthand for individualist views about the moral status of non-human animals. Both ethics encompass a range of views, such as in animal ethics from rights to liberation to (relatively weaker) welfare positions. A now-classic debate in environmental ethics centres on varying degrees of optimism or pessimism about the compatibility of environmental and animal ethics (e.g. Callicott, 1980; Katz, 1983; Sober, 1986). More recently, people have proposed ways to reconcile particular views within environmental and animal ethics, or principles for combining elements of both in practice (e.g. Jamieson, 1998; Attfield, 2012; Fraser, 2012). Much of this discussion focuses on compatibility (or lack thereof) at the theoretical level, or through the lens of particular conservation scenarios. Despite now-common acknowledgement of 'blurry margins' between the commitments of environmental and animal ethics (Callicott, 1998), there still exist real challenges in reconciling them in conservation practice. Many of these reconciliation attempts are compelling, and underscore the importance of allowing for nuances in broad ethical positions, especially in application. However, many of them are not obviously action-guiding for conservation, at least not in a generic sense. For example, when concern for ecosystems conflicts with concern for individual animals in a given instance, it will not always be clear how to hold to all four of Fraser's (2012) proposed guiding principles at once (see Box 1). We say this not to criticize any of the reconciliation proposals as such, but to indicate that more work is still needed to consider how to make ethically informed decisions in real conservation scenarios. This issue is particularly acute in the management of invasive species, where harms to native species by invasive species compete against harms to invasive species through their management. These harms can be particularly strong when they manifest as lethal control of invasive animal populations (Russell et al., 2016). If we consider the ecosystem first, and if its health or integrity by some definition is challenged by invasive species, the course of action might seem obvious: remove the invaders. But individualist animal ethics put significant weight on traits which the invasive animals in question, depending on their species membership, often arguably or uncontroversially have (e.g. sentience or the capacity to experience pain). It is not always clear how to take commitment to ecosystems (or species or populations) into account alongside commitment to individual animals, beyond Ethical responsibilities in invasion biology


The paper presents the detailed examination of the mind-mapping technique as one of the educational tools applied to the methodology for Political Translation classes (the aspect of The Political System of the United States of America) in the academic setting of Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO University, Russia). Over the decade there have been numerous disputes on the ways of approaching the problem of second language learning and acquisition within the framework of the key skills of the 21st century. Thus, responding to the emerging issue, the present in-depth analysis defines the skills, the role of motivation, educational context, and digital tools, which predetermine overall educational effectiveness of visual representation of the subject content incorporated into the learning process. By conducting thorough research on the topic this paper aims at bridging the gap between the mind-mapping technique potential in the academic environment and theories on learning within the scope of the present-day skills.


To the Editor. — Recently, Warram et al 1 concluded that intervention with diuretics to reduce hypertension is associated with excess mortality in diabetic patients with and without proteinuria. Until there is a clinical trial showing a beneficial effect of diuretic treatment in diabetic patients, there is urgent need to reconsider its continued usage in this population. These conclusions were based on a retrospective analysis of diabetic patients (mainly insulin users) participating in a multicenter clinical trial of laser therapy. This important sudy of severe diabetic retinopathy was carried out between 1972 and 1979. For a number of reasons, I would like to challenge the conclusion and the recommendation that was made above. First, the authors recognize that they have no information on the specific diuretic or nondiuretic drug applied, the dosage, treatment period, and compliance. Second, indication for diuretic use is lacking— hypertension? heart disease? edemas? Third, the trial


I have just finished my young adult diabetes clinic. During the morning, there were laughter and tears as some went home feeling proud to have achieved their desired glucose or other goal, while others left feeling angry and frustrated. Noone working in diabetes can underestimate the day-to-day challenges faced by people living with diabetes, but what often surprises me is how variable an individual's response to their condition can be. There can be little doubt that better glucose control is needed to reduce the long-term burden of diabetes but, despite much innovation in treatments and technology, this goal seems illusory. There has been considerable attention on the quality of diabetes services, with understandable concern about the variability of achieved HbA1c among clinics. In this issue, however, findings from the 2012–2013 National Paediatric Diabetes Audit, which included data from 21 773 children with Type 1 diabetes attending 176 clinics, showed that differences between clinics accounted for only 4.7% of the total variation in HbA1c, with individual differences within clinics being much more important [1]. The implication is that, if glycaemic improvements are to be achieved, better care is needed in all centres to reduce the average HbA1c and its spread, rather than solely targeting poorly performing centres. This means focusing on the individual. 'In the real world of diabetes care, [achieving glycaemic control] is primarily dependent on the engagement of the person with diabetes, and their motivation and knowledge to adopt and use interventions as directed over time' [2]. In their review, Fisher et al. [2] describe a framework to help clinicians support the person with diabetes to use new treatment and technologies consistently and effectively. There are many motivational and behavioural strategies in diabetes care, but the plethora of interventions can leave the healthcare professional struggling to know which to use and how to incorporate them into clinical practice. The review guides us through the importance of clinician preparation and building strong therapeutic relationships with the person with diabetes, and the utilization of specific behavioural tools. Stigma relating to diabetes is an under-researched barrier to self-management. Yet perceived or experienced stigma may prevent an individual from seeking help with their diabetes and engaging with diabetes services, thereby compounding poor psychological well-being with an increased risk of physical illness. Approximately one-fifth of people with diabetes reported discrimination in the second Diabetes Attitudes Wishes and Needs study [3], feelings that were shared by family members and healthcare professionals [4,5]. More work is needed to understand the breadth and severity of stigma, its determinants, and consequences for people with diabetes. The first step is the development of robust tools to measure stigma and this is the subject of the report by Browne et al. [6]. The 19-item questionnaire is relatively brief and provides a reliable measure of the perceptions and experiences of people with Type 1 diabetes. At the end of the year, I would like to thank all the authors, reviewers, editors and Wiley team who have made 2017 another successful year for Diabetic Medicine. I would also like to thank you, the readers, and hope that we have met our aim by sharing important knowledge about diabetes that has helped you support each individual with diabetes.


Under the framework of constructing a new power system with new energy as the main body, the functional form of power grid will be transformed into "wide-area collaborative support and local supply-demand matching". Micro-grids, as an important form of optimizing the allocation of energy resources in local areas, are of great significance to the nearby utilization and efficient management of distributed new energy and the continuous promotion of supply-side reform. By utilizing the solar energy resources in Tibet, the micro-grid of GX industrial park in Tibet is designed, and the operation mode and control strategy are studied. A set of replicable and extendable application mode of micro-grid in Tibet Industrial Park is put forward.


The SVDD (support vector data description) is one of the most well-known one-class support vector learning methods, in which one tries the strategy of utilizing balls defined on the feature space in order to distinguish a set of normal data from all other possible abnormal objects. The major concern of this paper is to extend the main idea of the SVDD for the problem of pattern de-noising. Combining the projection onto the spherical decision boundary resulting from the SVDD together with a solver for the pre-image problem, we propose a new method for pattern de-noising. In the proposed method, we first solve the SVDD for the training data, then for each noisy test pattern, perform de-noising by projecting its feature vector onto the decision boundary on the feature space, and finally find the location of the de-noised pattern by obtaining the pre-image of the projection. The applicability of the proposed method is illustrated via an example dealing with noisy handwritten digits.


VLSI constraints affect hardware electronic neural systems. Some architectural modifications are discussed. Hardware implementation of neural networks is required to achieve real-time performance. The architecture is dominated by the size and performance of the synapse, and therefore its design is critical to a dense neural architecture. The major problem in designing an analog synapse is the development of an analog memory. Several possible analog memories have been proposed, but for many applications, dynamic refreshing schemes allow the best overall performance. Dynamic refreshing schemes potentially allow very compact synapses with fast read and write operations. The system presented employs a very dense synapse that allows dynamic refreshing of 8 to 10 bit accuracy with a 1 mu s refresh/read time using a 2-MHz, successive approximation, analog/digital-digital/analog converter. The synapse size is 95 mu m*70 mu m for a 2 mu m process.<<ETX>>


The rise of large data streams introduces new challenges regarding the delivery of relevant content towards an information need. This need can be seen as a broad topic of information. By identifying sub-streams within a broader data stream, we can retrieve relevant content that matches the multiple facets of the topic; thus summarizing information, and matching the initial need. In this paper, we propose to study the generation of sub-streams over time and compare various aggregation methods to summarize information. Our experiments were made using the standard TREC Real-Time Summarization (RTS) 2017 dataset.


Precision measurements of the heat capacity of 1-2-3 thulium cuprates with oxygen content ranging from 6.3 to 6.92 were performed in the temperature range 6–300 K. Analysis of the experimentl data showed anomalies in the temperature dependence of the electronic heat capacity. It is conjectured that the anomalies are due to a transition from the normal metallic into the pseudogap state.


Likelihood-based marginalized models using random efiects have become popular for analyzing longitudinal categorical data. These models permit direct interpretation of marginal mean parameters and characterize the serial dependence of longitudinal outcomes using random efiects (Heagerty [1] and Lee and Daniels [2]). In this paper, we propose a model that expand the use of previous models to accommodate longitudinal nominal data. Random effects using a new covariance matrix with a Kronecker product composition are used to explain serial and categorical dependence. The Quasi-Newton algorithm is developed for estimation. These proposed methods are illustrated with a real dataset and compared with other standard methods.


Background: Australian football is a physically demanding sport. Exposure to multidirectional body contact and the necessity for complex upper body skills can result in significant strain on regions such as the shoulder. Despite the rise in incidence and high recurrence of shoulder injuries reported at the elite Australian Football League (AFL) level there is limited evidence available to determine whether shoulder injuries are also a problem at a community level. The financial ramifications of shoulder injuries for the community AFL player and society can be considerable due to time off work, treatment costs and the high number and expense of emergency department presentations.
Objectives: The aim of this thesis was to evaluate the profile (incidence, severity, mechanisms and clinical management) of shoulder complex injuries in community-level AFL players using automated injury surveillance (SMS text messaging and online survey). The thesis also aimed to investigate whether factors identified during preseason (i.e. musculoskeletal screening, measurement of habitual activity levels, or in-season training workload) were related to shoulder, head or neck time-loss injuries.
Methods: Study 1 and 2 prospectively evaluated a novel, automated method of injury surveillance in community AFL players (during a 20-week season) to assess method feasibility (Chapter 3) and to evaluate the profile of shoulder injuries (Chapter 4). In study 3, video footage of elite AFL players (n = 26) retrospectively examined the biomechanical aetiology of injuries to the shoulder complex (Chapter 5). The final two prospective cohort studies (4 and 5) examined potential risk factors for upper body injuries with similar injury mechanisms. At baseline, community AFL players were assessed using seven screening tests of the upper body, trunk and whole-body function to identify any relationships with in-season injuries to the shoulder, head, or neck (Chapter 6). Screening reference values were also determined. Pre-season habitual activity levels and in-season training workloads were collected to prospectively identify associations with in-season injuries to the upper or lower body regions (Chapter 7).
Results: The automated method of injury surveillance was deemed feasible for reporting injuries in community AFL players. The incidence of injuries to the shoulder complex was reported to be high (2nd highest in matches, 4th overall; 10.4% of all injuries). The severity of these shoulder injuries was mostly mild (<3 games missed), but a substantial number required medical attention (emergency department or doctor). Results also indicated activity mechanisms of injury were body region dependent with the majority of upper body injuries (shoulder, head and neck) due to collision contact. Injuries common to lower body regions (thigh, knee and ankle) were from non-contact/ overuse mechanisms. Video analysis of biomechanical aetiology identified that the majority of shoulder injuries occurred with the arm below 100 degrees flexion/ abduction and were caused by lateral contact (34.6%) and hyperflexion/ abduction (19.2%) mechanisms; potentially unavoidable contact injuries. This study found limited evidence to support the use of the suite of musculoskeletal screening tests selected for the upper body, trunk and whole-body function to identify risk of in-season injuries to the shoulder, head or neck. Furthermore, the results identified the variable nature of total workload characteristics in community AFL players, however, no total workload relationships were identified with common in-season injuries to the upper or lower body.
Conclusions: Shoulder injuries are problematic for community AFL players and the use of feasible methods of injury surveillance may help overcome the challenges associated with collecting shoulder injury data in community team sport. The musculoskeletal screening tests and measures of training and habitual workload selected and investigated in this thesis, however, were unable to adequately detect players 'at-risk' of an in-season injury to the shoulder, head or neck region. Future studies could investigate different intrinsic risk factors to the ones selected in this study and results also suggest that examination of extrinsic factors (such as rule changes) could possibly be indicated with an aim of preventing shoulder injuries. Furthermore, results from video analysis of elite players may suggest that prophylactic strategies should be customised to the positions of shoulder injury and also focus on lateral contact injury prevention in community AFL players. Findings from this thesis may help to inform the development of injury prevention strategies and guide future research directions with an aim of decreasing injuries to the shoulder complex in community AFL players.


In recent years, several proposals have been based on Artificial Intelligence
 techniques for automatically detecting the presence of pests and diseases in
 crops from images usually taken with a camera. By training with pictures of
 affected crops and healthy crops, artificial intelligence techniques learn
 to distinguish one from the other. Furthermore, in the long term, it is
 intended that the tools developed from such approaches will allow the
 automation and increased frequency of plant analysis, thus increasing the
 possibility of determining and predicting crop health and potential biotic
 risks. However, the great diversity of proposed solutions leads us to the
 need to study them, present possible situations for their improvement, such
 as image preprocessing, and analyse the robustness of the proposals examined
 against more realistic pictures than those existing in the datasets
 typically used. Taking all this into account, this paper embarks on a
 comprehensive exploration of various AI techniques leveraging leaf images
 for the autonomous detection of plant diseases. By fostering a deeper
 understanding of the strengths and limitations of these methodologies, this
 research contributes to the vanguard of agricultural disease detection,
 propelling innovation, and fostering the maturation of AI-driven solutions
 in this critical domain.


Thermoacoustic devices have the potential to provide electricity from waste heat to more efficiently use energy resources and to provide new access to electricity for millions of persons around the world. There are many factor influence thermoacoustic performance and this study was focused on a new design of thermoacoustic's heat exchanger and evaluation of its performance in terms of thermal analysis. Through several ideas from researchers in this field, this study was produced with three designs of heat exchangers which are wiretype, fingertype and startype that specifically one of them will be used in experimental test later. Theoretical analysis shows that heat conduction through a full body of heat exchanger are 67.36 W and 39.81 W for both copper and aluminium. Analyzing heat conduction of a fin separately by types of heat exchangers, the highest value of heat conduction through a fin was recorded by startype heat exchanger's fin using copper as material which is 32.84 W. By using ANSYS-CFX software, the heat exchanger's designs were simulated with two thermal conditions which are steady state conduction and transient conduction by substituting material between copper and aluminium to see the engagement between theoretical analysis and numerical analysis. There are three inlet temperatures that are assumed will be supplied by constant waste heat which are 200°C, 350°C and 500°C. The simulation on both steady state and transient condition found the copper is better in thermal or heat conductor than aluminium due to high value of thermal conductivity, k. In terms of design, startype heat exchanger recorded the fastest time to distribute temperature compared to wiretype and fingertype heat exchanger. As a conclusion, the combination between startype design and copper material will produce the best heat exchanger that will be used in experimental test of thermoacoustic system.


The agrarian community of North West region of Bundelkhand in Central India is mainly dependent on livestock rearing and related activities. In order to support the livestock-based economy of the area, a number of fodder and pasture development schemes are promoted by government of India. The hypothesis is that various such systems due to change in land management and vegetation pattern; may affect soil structure and native soil biota. This study presents ecological assessment of soil mite communities in selected fodder production systems in this geographical region. Mites, the most diversified among soil biota are considered effective bio-indicators of soil conditions. So, in this study, their community structure, seasonal abundance were closely monitored and analyzed in different fodder-based land utilization schemes viz., natural grasslands, cultivated pastures (Cenchrus ciliaris + Stylosanthes hamata), pure tree stands of Albizia amara, silvipstures (tree + grass) and fodder crop cultivation. Mites were represented by 44 families under 4 suborders. Most dominant groups (families) observed were Tarsenomidae,Caligonellidae, Gamasellus,Dermanyssoidea, Scheloribetidae, Epilohmanniidae, Oppiidae, Galumnidae, Perlohmanniidae, Orobatulidae and Hydrozetidae. Peak population buildup was recorded in the month of August. Diversity was low in annual fodder cultivation system and bare land situations. Perennial fodder production systems namely, open tree stand of Albizia amara, natural grassland, improved pastures and silvipasture systems supported higher diversity of mite fauna. Greater soil mite diversity in such carefully designed perennial systems indicate that such systems might ecologically sound and would achieve long term fodder sustainability for the region.


The mineralogical, morphological, chemical structure, and source of kerogen in the Güvenç shales were investigated. The X-ray diffraction patterns of bulk rock of all specimens indicated that they are mainly composed of chlorite, illite, smectite, quartz, calcite, feldspar, and dolomite minerals. Mixed layer smectite-chlorite and smectite-illite, and shell organism were determined according to scanning electron microscope analyses. Organic matter of Güvenç shales, which is mainly composed of type III kerogen, exhibits a relatively high aromatic character according to pyrolitic and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. Geochemical analyses indicate that organic matter has the potential for gas generation.


Abstract Plants of 24 genotypes of fourBrassicaspecies (B. campestris,B. carinata,B. juncea,B. napus) were grown on stored soil water in a sandy loam soil under field conditions. Water use was recorded throughout the growing season. Leaf water potential (ψw), solute potential (ψs), relative water content (RWC), turgor potential (ψp), osmotic adjustment (reciprocal of slopebwhere lnRWC=a-b.lnψs), leaf diffusive conductance (Kl), the difference between canopy and air temperature (Tc–Ta) and water loss from excised leaves (WLL) were measured at siliqua formation. Genotypes with higher osmotic adjustment maintained higher ψpand Kl, and lower canopy temperatures and WLL, than genotypes with lower osmotic adjustment (when decreasing soil water supply caused a lowering of RWC and ψw). The former genotypes also extracted more water from deeper soil layers (90–180 cm). The decline in ψswith decrease in RWC and ψwwas greater for high osmotic adjustment genotypes than for low osmotic adjustment genotypes. Seed yield was positively associated with Kl, 1/band the degree of leaf cooling, and negatively with WLL. However, since Tc-Taand WLL are easier to measure than 1/band Kl,Tc–Taand WLL measured around mid-day at the siliqua formation stage could be used to screen large numbers of germplasm lines ofBrassicaspecies for drought tolerance under field conditions.


This article presents a Bayesian on-line change detection algorithm for the cases when there are multiple jumps and when there is a trend in the process output parameter. A decision-theory-based method has been formulated to determine the optimum inspec..


Osteoporosis develops in older adults when the normal processes of bone formation and resorption become uncoupled or unbalanced, resulting in bone loss. Fractures are the result of decreased bone mass and strength, and, in the case of wrist and hip fractures, they usually involve a fall. Osteoporosis prevention and treatment programs should therefore focus on strategies that minimize bone resorption and maximize bone formation, as well as on strategies that reduce falls. Optimal treatment and prevention of osteoporosis require modification of risk factors, particularly smoking, physical activity, and diet, in addition to pharmacologic intervention. Osteomalacia, a less common disorder, occurs when bone is inadequately mineralized; the result is a syndrome of bone loss accompanied by bone pain, myopathy, fatigue, and fractures.


The origin of the mineralization at the world-class Las Cuevas (the largest single fluorite deposit in the world) has been historically disputed, essentially between skarn-related and Mississippi Valley Type (MVT) models. A systematic study of fluid inclusions in these deposits revealed that they were formed by low temperature (49 to 177 °C) and low salinity (0 to 1.9 wt % NaCl equiv) fluids. The obtained δ13C (between −2.39 and 0.20‰ VPDB) and δ18O (between −14.03 and −7.37‰ VPDB) data from local host limestones agreed with regionally representative values in the literature. The obtained δ13C (between −15.60 and −12.99‰ VPDB) and δ18O (between −5.56 and −1.84‰ VPDB) data from hydrothermal calcite associated with fluorite mineralization indicated that the isotopic composition of hydrothermal fluids initially reflected buffering by the host rocks, and then recorded the interaction between meteoric water and basinal brines. It is likely that such processes occurred with concurrent maturation of organic matter, and that the obtained compositions may also have recorded a thermal effect on the local limestones. Halogen geochemical studies in inclusion fluids showed a distribution that suggests that solutes in mineralizing fluids were due to scavenging of Na+ and Cl− through water–rock interaction or halite dissolution, and that secondary sources would have been the evaporation or infiltration of seawater. The basinal brines with which the formation of these deposits was associated were massively diluted by deeply evolved meteoric water, thus making a significant fluorine input by basinal brines unlikely. Fluorine would have been provided by local groundwater through its interaction with Oligocene topaz rhyolites and other F-rich volcanic and hypabyssal rocks. Such a possibility is supported by present-day groundwater, which presents a regional endemic case of fluorosis. The precipitation of fluorite is possible at low temperatures (at which the solubility of this mineral is very low) by means of chemical reactions and physical interactions among very diluted F-poor basinal brines, F-rich groundwater, and host carbonate rocks. The latter systematically experienced hydrothermal karstification, which would have provided Ca2+ for reaction with F− and resulted in the precipitation of fluorite. This scenario stands for a depositional model that recalls those proposed for MVT and associated industrial mineral deposits, but is distinct from common models with regard to the primal source for fluorine and the extremely low salinities of inclusion fluids.


Abstract The photo-documentation of Hunters Shelter, a small, obscure shelter high in the Guadalupe Mountains of New Mexico, led to a reexamination of the corpus of miniature, Late Archaic rock art known as the Red Linear style of the Lower Pecos River region of Texas, 400 km to the southeast. Pictographs at Hunters Shelter and White Oaks Spring and at other sites in the Guadalupe Mountains appear to have strong similarities to the Red Linear style. While the temporal relationship between these similar pictograph styles is still unknown, the Pecos River should be considered a likely prehistoric corridor for the movement of people or ideas between the Guadalupe Mountains and the Lower Pecos region.


A thin film transistor comprises a layer of organic semiconductor material comprising a tetracarboxylic diimide naphthalene-based compound having, attached to each of the imide nitrogen atoms, an aromatic moiety, at least one of which moieties is substituted with at least one electron donating group. Such transistors can further comprise spaced apart first and second contact means or electrodes in contact with said material. Further disclosed is a process for fabricating an organic thin-film transistor device, preferably by sublimation deposition onto a substrate, wherein the substrate temperature is no more than 100°C.


No great industry of this country, probably, has been freer from labor troubles throughout its career than that represented by the National Electric Light Association. It should not be understood, therefore, from the title of this article, that the present activities of the association in the field of labor have in mind only the securing or continuance of industrial peace. Rather is the object to provide for the workers of the industry that which, within the scope of modern methods and enlightened public opinion, may be considered


A healthy diet is an important factor in the prevention of many acute and chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Probably the most important dietary contribution to cancer prevention is maintaining a healthy body weight. While dietary composition may play a role for cancer etiology, only a few foods and nutrients have been consistently linked to some specific cancers. The general lack of association between specific dietary components and cancer identified in epidemiologic studies is likely due to modest true associations in our study populations that we are unable to detect because of measurement error in diet assessment and to a lack of data on more extreme dietary choices. In their commentary, Drs. Rudolf Kaaks and Elio Riboli agree with my observation elucidated in my recent review that energy balance may be the most important nutritional predictor for cancer development. They also agree with my assertion that the frequently cited estimation by Doll and Peto that 10–70% of cancer deaths in the United States might be attributable to diet may be overestimated; however, if we consider energy balance as part of the equation, Doll and Peto's evaluation may not be so far off. Kaaks and Riboli, both employees of the nutrition branch of the WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), cite support for a recent relative weakening of the evidence from their own institution regarding the potentially cancer-preventing properties of fruit and vegetable consumption. In their attempt to unearth remaining dietary candidates for cancer prevention, they focus largely on the same examples referenced in my review: red meat consumption and colorectal cancer and alcohol consumption and a number of cancers. Kaaks and Riboli turn to descriptive studies and case-control studies in their hunt for dietary associations. These types of studies, however, do not lend themselves to causal inference about diet and cancer. International correlations are confounded by a variety of factors, including the gross national product, behavioral factors such as sedentary lifestyle and obesity, as well as levels of environmental toxins, to name a few. Migrant studies suffer from a similar potential for confounding by changes in many aspects of lifestyle and environmental exposures. Case-control studies of diet are susceptible to selection and recall bias that renders them largely uninterpretable. In their defense of case-control studies of diet and cancer, Kaaks and Riboli argue that the results of prospective cohort studies and retrospective case-control studies are not always inconsistent, citing the example of fat intake and the risk of breast cancer. It is interesting that early case-control studies indicated a considerable positive link between high fat intake and the risk of breast cancer, whereas a recent meta-analysis including 45 studies could not confirm these results and was largely compatible with the pooled analysis of cohort studies. This variation in results from case-control studies on diet confirms the need to exercise caution in interpreting them. So, is there a baby in the bath water? Kaaks and Riboli argue that I may not have done justice to the evidence on diet and cancer incidence from prospective cohort studies. They support their claim for an inverse association between fiber intake and colorectal cancer incidence with one study on fat intake and breast cancer incidence and another study on fiber intake and adenomas—an entirely different pair of shoes. Any support for a link between fiber intake and colorectal cancer incidence and between fat intake and breast cancer incidence remains elusive despite what Kaaks and Riboli may want us to believe. Finally, the charge put forth by Kaaks and Riboli that prospective studies often employ less accurate diet assessment questionnaires than case-control studies has been disputed previously. If there are other important associations between dietary choices and cancer incidence, why are we not able to identify them? Kaaks and Riboli argue that relative risk estimates are ''generally grossly underestimated'' due to measurement error. Indeed, although the currently used diet assessment instruments are crude, they were able to identify associations between nutrition and cardiovascular disease and diabetes. While the role of diet may be even more important for the etiology of these diseases than quantified in observational research, our tools seem to be sufficient to identify important associations if they exist. In cancer epidemiology the yield has been meager. The generally small or modest associations between diet and cancer that we do observe could be the result of confounding by other lifestyle factors. Although we might indeed underestimate associations obtained in observational studies due to nondifferential measurement error in the assessment of diet, confounding can create spurious associations and is a possible explanation for modest associations that we should not too readily dismiss. Individuals who consume an abundance of fruits and vegetables, choose whole grains and avoid animal products likely follow a healthy lifestyle in general and thus differ in many other aspects from individuals whose diet consists largely of meat, saturated and trans fats, refined carbohydrates and sugars. The suggestion put forth by Kaaks and Riboli that more heterogeneous study populations may provide more valid answers in nutritional cancer epidemiology is a mixed blessing: while we might increase variation in dietary choices, we also enhance the probability of confounding by other lifestyle factors. Small associations that are easily compatible with confounding or other biases do not lend themselves to public health interventions. I am hardly disenchanted with the area of nutritional cancer epidemiology, as Kaaks and Riboli claim. In fact, I have pointed out a number of areas that remain little explored and that hold promise for further research. These include studies of more extreme nutrition regimens, such as diets consisting of largely raw foods and freshly ground whole grains, explorations of the effects of nutrition throughout the entire lifespan, and dietary modifications of gene expression. Finally, we may want to explore reasons beyond measurement error for our inability to confirm an important cancer-preventive effect of some foods that we previously assumed on the basis of their chemical or biologic properties. Currently used methods to assess dietary intake in observational studies allow only limited explorations of the role of diet to maintain or regain health. Diet assessment instruments such as the FFQ, the 7-day diary, or the 24-hour recall focus on the type of foods consumed, maybe the frequency of consumption and the serving size, but they generally do not capture


The high-speed data collection system is introduced.The high-speed DSP TMS320F2812 of TI and MAX1308 of MAXIM is used to collect eight channels simultaneous signal,the USB chip CH372 is used to send the data to computer real-time,the computer is used to control the progress of data collection and display.When collect the signal channel data,the max collection rate is 800kSPS,when collect the eight channels data and real-time transmission,the max collection rate is 800kSPS.


'You cannot treat what you cannot define' is an age-old adage that suggests defining disease is an essential step in seeking a cure. It is not entirely true, for one can indeed treat illness without recognising what it is, if one learns from trial and error. For example, an historical report of a patient who cured his angina by chopping wood (regular exercise) lead to the recognition of an effective treatment (exercise training) for a condition, angina, centuries before atherosclerotic coronary disease was understood. This example aside, it is however useful to be able to define diseases, because recognising groups of patients with the same disease makes it far more likely that we can find treatments, for two main reasons:


In the present article, fractional-order telegraph equations are solved by using the Laplace-Adomian decomposition method. The Caputo operator is used to define the fractional derivative. Series form solutions are obtained for fractional-order telegraph equations by using the proposed method. Some numerical examples are presented to understand the procedure of the Laplace-Adomian decomposition method. As the Laplace-Adomian decomposition procedure has shown the least volume of calculations and high rate of convergence compared to other analytical techniques, the Laplace-Adomian decomposition method is considered to be one of the best analytical techniques for solving fractional-order, non-linear partial differential equations—particularly the fractional-order telegraph equation.


The effects of heavy metals mercury on the cell proliferation and collagen synthesis from Musmuscullus tissue had the results. This research used laboratory animals Musmucullus as objects of the research. The skin of test animals would exposure to mercury. Mercury material will be included in a pharmaceutical skin cream and placebo treated to control group of test animals. From the description of the dangers of mercury that can cause the tissue damaged. The texture of cross sectional slices the skin of the test animals were exposed to mercury than control is different. The skin animals with mercury exposed has a number of muscle tissue less than control, epidermis and dermis are thinner and fragile than control. While the fat tissue of mercury exposed group had a thicker than the control. The skin animals exposed to mercury had a number of skin fibroblast cells which is smaller than the control at each area. Similarly, percent area collagen of test animals exposed to mercury which is smaller


A relationship between anthocyanin content and root formation in red maple cuttings has been described earlier (Bachelard and Stowe 1962, 1963). Gibberellic acid inhibits rooting of cuttings, including those of red maple (Bachelard and Stowe 1963), and Furuya and Thimann (1964) have recently shown that anthocyanin synthesis in two species of Spirodela is inhibited by gibberellic acid, which in one of the species is active at extremely low concentrations. It was, therefore, of interest to study the effect of gibberellic acid on anthocyanin formation in the leaves of red maple cuttings.


The historical evolution of manufacturing value chains (VCs) has evolved in parallel with the opportunities offered by automation and communication technologies. Since the mid-1980s, advances in telecommunications simplified the coordination of production and related activities, resulting in organizational specialization on single VC activities, while being geographically dispersed. A new wave of innovation is impacting business and society today; the "Industry 4.0". The impact on VC configuration is not yet clear. Some trajectories are taking shape. This paper focuses on the potential for Industry 4.0 for integration—activities to internalize or externalize—and scale advantages. Using an extensive literature review of academic and industry studies, complemented with insights gathered through expert workshops with managers and entrepreneurs, we present a set of five possible future trajectories supported by some practical examples.


Once one draws a distinction between loyal non-existent items, which do not exist in a non-universal sense of the first-order existence predicate, and non-items, which fail to exist in a universal sense of that predicate, one may allow for the former but not for the latter in the overall ontological domain, so as to adopt a form of soft Parmenideanism. There are both theoretical and empirical reasons for this distinction.


Three new families of compounds were obtained as pure phases, with different lanthanide cations and the 3,5-disulfobenzoic acid (3,5-DSB). The hydrothermal synthesis conditions' influence on structural type obtained was studied. The structural type RPF-21 corresponds to the compound [Ln(3,5-DSB)(H2O)5] (Ln = La, Pr, Nd); RPF-22 to the compound [Ln(3,5-DSB)(H2O)3] (Ln = La, Pr, Nd, Sm, and Eu), and RPF-23 to the compound [Ln3(3,5-DSB)2(OH)3(H2O)3] (Ln = Pr, Nd, and Eu). The dimensionality and the topology of the compounds are determined by the sulfonate group coordination modes; RPF-23 presents a new type of topology. Computational studies have determined the relative energies for those compounds that coexist under certain hydrothermal conditions, and they have brought some light to the thermodynamic or kinetic control that drives each reaction. The new materials were tested as catalysts in cyanosilylation reaction (CSR) of aldehydes under solvent-free conditions. The three of them catalyze the CSRs within...


Objective:To inquire into the curative effect of artificial liver treating severe hepatitis combined with hepatic encephalopathy.Methods:25 cases were randomly divided into treatment and control group.Patients in two groups were therapied with the same medical basic treatment,but patients in treatment group were also cured with plasma exchange method.The indexes about liver function,blood ammonia and PTA were examined.Results:Total effetive rate of two groups was 92.3% and 41.7% respectively.There was significant difference between that of two groups(P0.02).Conclusion:Treating severe hepatitis combined with hepatic encephalopathy with artificial liver is safe and reliable.The key to increasing effective rate is early application.


Takotsubo (stress) cardiomyopathy is an acute reversible heart failure syndrome initially described in Japanese patients, but now well characterized in Caucasians patients in Europe or of European descent. An initial observation has suggested a lower incidence of Takotsubo in non-Caucasian subjects, particularly in the African-American (AA) population in the United States of America. The purpose of this study was to assess whether epidemiologic and clinical differences were present in Takotsubo in a large urban hospital in Virginia, USA.

 We used an informatics-based system to query electronic health records (TriNetX, Cambridge, MA, USA) to search for cases of Takotsubo between 2010 and 2018 and a corresponding cohort of patients with non-ST segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). We then performed a chart-level review of 160 cases and obtained additional clinical information including symptoms, risk factors, co-morbidities, and in-hospital outcomes. This retrospective study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of our institution.

 We identified 260 cases of Takotsubo and 6,270 of NSTEMI in the same time period (1:24, 4.2%). Being AA was associated with an odds ratio of Takotsubo versus NSTEMI of 0.38 [0.29–0.50] (P=0.0001). With further evaluation of patients with Takotsubo (N=160), AA (N=44, 27.2%) and Non-Hispanic Caucasian (C) (N=110, 67.9%) had no differences in age and sex. AA patients with Takotsubo however were more likely than C patients to be affected by type II diabetes mellitus (38.6% versus 14.5%, P=0.002, OR 3.70 [1.65–8.28]), have history of drug abuse (27.3% versus 9.1%, P=0.009, OR 3.75 [1.48–9.49]) and of cocaine use in particular (9.1% versus 0.9%, P=0.024, OR 11.0 [1.19–101.4]). The pattern of wall motion abnormality was not different between the 2 groups. AA patients presented with a lower ratio of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) to troponin I (41.9 [12.7–258] pg./ml versus 281 [42–890] pg/ml, P=0.022). There was no significant difference of in-hospital mortality between the AA and C groups (9.1% versus 25%, respectively, OR 0.40 [0.13–1.24], P=0.11).

 The incidence and clinical characteristics of Takotsubo (stress) cardiomyopathy appear to be different between African-American and Non-Hispanic Caucasian patients. African-American patients are more likely to have diabetes and illicit drug usage, but have a lower BNP/troponin I ratio. Both AA and Non-Hispanic Caucasian patients have similar in-hospital mortality.


Literature guiding clinicians on appropriate prescribing as death nears is scarce. The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate medication changes implemented after palliative care consultations at two VA (veterans affairs) end-of-life care units. Analysis focused on the change in analgesic and chronic disease medication regimens, including administration route. Sixty patients who received an inpatient palliative care consult and subsequently passed away on the either VA end-of-life care unit between June 30, 2010 and June 30, 2011 were included for analysis. Opioid and non-opioid analgesic medications were distinguished in this study. Medication name and route of administration were documented from inpatient electronic medication profiles up to one week prior to the inpatient palliative care consult (Tprior), the day after consult (T+1), and the day of death (Tdeath). Opioid analgesic medications prescribed increased from 0.95 per patient prior to consult to 1.87 at death. Investigators observed a shift away from oral opioid analgesic formulations to intravenous and subcutaneous push as the preferred routes of administration at time of death. Chronic medications decreased from 5.15 per patient prior to consult to 1.23 at death. The overall increase in analgesic medications at time of death reflects a focus on symptom management and comfort care in this special population. Trimming of non-essential medications is a patient-specific art and continued efforts should be made to reduce pill burden by removing medications that are not directly related to comfort-care in the palliative patient as death approaches.


THE doctrinal standards for Methodist preachers in Great Britain are John Wesley's Notes upon the New Testament and some of his sermons. At present the question of authority in matters of doctrine is one of great interest in many churches, so that even the precise wording of the phrases which refer to a doctrinal standard is often of importance, and the history of Methodism illustrates several interesting points of this kind. Fresh religious bodies in their youthful vigour often feel no need to define their doctrines, until they are forced to do so by the legal issues arising from the possession of property. Thus in 1763 John Wesley published a model deed for his


The authors present financial aspects of the lives of the disabled living in the Lubelskie Voivodship in the context of age. All the data included are a result of empirical studies conducted in the rural areas. From the presented findings it ensues that the younger the age category of the respondents, the stronger the sense of the material wealth and higher economic status. The above attitudes are a result of better adaptation of the youth to the realities of everyday life and diversified sources of income. Taking this into consideration, it needs to be said that despite major economic problems the rural disabled face, we can observe systematic change in the awareness of this social group.


The Fim-C-S typhi recombinant protein is a protein developed from the surface of the Salmonella typhi bacteria. This protein has been known to cause a good immune response. The protein has the potential as a raw material for immuno chromatography-based with gold nano particles as rapid detection kits. Various alternatives are taken to obtain pure protein with the maximum amount. Previous studies have succeeded in purifying the Fim-C-S. typhi recombinant protein with the Ni/NTA approach. This study aims to obtain information on optimum conditions for Fim-C-S. typhi recombinant protein purification with Co/NTA resin as raw material for rapid detection kit, because Co/NTA resin is also known to have good specifications for purification of recombinant proteins with Histidine tagging. There are three main stages in the purification process in this system, namely binding, washing, and elution. The binding and washing processes in this study were carried out 2, 4 and 6 times. Furthermore, the elution process was carried out at an imidazole concentration of 200 mM, 250 mM, and 300 mM. The results of the analysis using ImageJ gel analysis software on the results of the characterization using SDSPAGE showed that the purification in the binding process four and six times showed almost the same intensity of the band with size 31 KDa. The calculation of the yield of purification results showed the highest number of 42.75% in the six times washing process and imidazole concentration of 300 mM. Based on the data, it can be concluded purification of Fim-C-S. typhi recombinant proteins with Co-NTA resin give good results in the binding process four times, washing six times and 300 mM elution concentration. This purified Fim-C-S. typhi recombinant protein will then be used as an antigen in the development of a typhoid fever detection rapid kits.


Bertrand and Burchfield proposed that the equilibrium constants K and the (standard) enthalpies ΔH of isotopic exchange reactions are related by the equation K = Kstatexp(-ΔH/RT) in which Kstat is the statistical (random) equilibrium constant. The application of this equation to deuterium exchange reactions for which experimental K and ΔH values are available suggests that it is a good approximation at 298 K. In this paper we present a statistical mechanical analysis to account for the success of the equation and to point out its limitations.


OBJECTIVE To synthesize the derivatives of substituted flavone-8-acetic acid and evaluate their biological activities. METHOD The target was prepared by acylating,Fries rearrangement reaction , chloromethylating, cyanating, condensation reaction , and hydrolyzing reaction.RESULTS The products, such as the flavone and the flavone-8-acetic acid showed significant anti-inflammatory activity.CONCLUSION Being compared with other synthetic methods of flavone-8- acetic acids , this method is character by the short reaction time, the simple operation process and the good yield.


In 1957 the occurrence of many human cases of illness diagnosed clinically as leptospirosis or viral hepatitis stimulated a search for leptospires in rats in Manila. During the following 18 months, 945 rats from 4 areas were examined and leptospires were isolated from 77 (8%) of them. Of 33 isolates sent to the National Leptospirosis Reference Laboratory, Communicable Disease Center, Atlanta, Georgia, for study, 4 cultures obtained from Rattus norve-


Partial D status is a major concern for transfusion and pregnancy, due to the possibility of carriers becoming immunized. When known carriers of a D variant have never been exposed to complete D, they are assumed to have D partial status based on the position of the amino acid substituted. New approaches for predicting immunization risk are required. We built a three‐dimensional (3D) structural model to investigate the consequences of substitutions of Amino Acid 223 involved in a large number of D variants.


A structural composite is a material system consisting of two or more phases on a macroscopic scale, whose mechanical performance and properties are designed to be superior to those of constituent materials acting independently. Fiber reinforced composites (FRP) are slowly emerging from the realm of advanced materials and are replacing conventional materials in a variety of applications. However, the mechanics of FRPs are complex owing to their anisotropic and heterogeneous characteristics. In this paper a representative volume model has been considered and a finite element model incorporating the necessary boundary conditions is developed using available FEA package ANSYS to predict the elastic property of the composite. For verification, the numerical results of elastic properties are compared with the analytical solution and it is found that there is a good agreement between these results.


BACKGROUND:Cholangiocarcinoma,a type of malignant tumor,originates from epithelial cells of the bile duct.Perineural invasion is common path for cholangiocarcinoma metastasis,and it is highly correlated with postoperative recurrence and poor prognosis.It has been reported that muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M3(mAChR M3) is widely expressed in digestive tract cancer,and may play an important role in the proliferation,differentiation,transformation and carcinogenesis of tumors.This study was to explore the effect of mAChR M3 on the growth of cholangiocarcinoma cells in vitro and provide a new approach to the pathogenesis and treatment of cholangiocarcinoma.METHODS:Streptavidin-biotin complex immunohistochemistry was carried out to assess the expression of mAChR M3 in surgical specimens of cholangiocarcinomas(40 cases) and normal bile duct tissues(9),as well as to investigate nerve infiltration.The cholangiocarcinoma cells were treated with different concentrations of selective M-receptor agonist pilocarpine and M-receptor blocker atropine sulfate to induce changes in cell proliferation.The experimental data were analyzed by the Chi-square test.RESULTS:The strongly-positive expression rate of mAChR M3 was much higher in poorly-differentiated(69%,9/13) than in well-and moderately-differentiated cholangiocarcinomas(30%,8/27)(χ 2 =5.631,P<0.05).The strongly-positive mAChR M3 expression rate in hilar cholangiocarcinoma(50%,14/28) was higher than that in cholangiocarcinomas from the middle and lower common bile duct(25%,3/12)(χ 2 =2.148,P<0.05).Cholangiocarcinomas with distant metastasis had a stronglypositive expression rate(75%,9/12),which was much higher than those without distant metastasis(29%,8/28)(χ 2 =7.410,P<0.01).The absorbance value in the pilocarpine+atropine group was significantly higher than the corresponding value in the pilocarpine group.CONCLUSIONS:The expression of mAChR M3 is influenced by the extent of differentiation,distant metastasis and the site of cholangiocarcinoma.It also plays


Organic carbon production, respiration, and calcification alter the CO:! content of water crossing the Eniwctok windward reef flat. Changes in pII and total alkalinity can be used to partition the CO, chnngcs into those due to production-respiration and those due to calcification. Gas transfer across the air-sea intcrfnce is minor. Both a transect visually dominated by a mixture of corals and algae and a transect dominated by an algal turf calcified at an avcragc rate of 4,000 g CnCO,, n-" yr-', with no apparent day-to-night difference. Although nighttime rcspirntion on both transects was 0.12 g C m-" hr-', the algal transect exhibited a much higher daytime net production rate than did the coral-algal transect ( 0.72 vs. 0.25 g C m-' hr-' ) . Although little particulate &CO.: was removed From the reef flat during these stuclics, thcrc has been virtually no net C&O:, accumulation there over the last several thousand years.


Claims from both educational and industry sides about what journalism students should be learning are not new, and not confined to Australia. European debates on the nexus between practical training and theoretical capacity extend to those by American journalism educators, who share concerns about how journalism schools can accommodate both theory and practice (Adam 2001; Bjork 1996; Bromley & Servaes 2006; Dickenson & Brandon 2000; O'Donnell 2001-02; Rosenbaum 2002; Ricketson 2005). These discussions merge coherently with initiatives undertaken by Australian universities to ensure graduates from any discipline are equipped with a set of measurable skills (or attributes)appropriate to the international context of higher education. The paper explores this tension through the lens of assessment in journalism education, and does so by drawing mostly upon education theory. It suggests some possible ways to cater for media industry pressure on universities to cut theory and concentrate on practice, while accounting for the educator's responsibility to promote learning in line with graduate attributes such as the capacity to function as a global citizen, a capacity for critical evaluation, and a deep knowledge of the field of study.


Unbalanced geometric structure caused by variations with deformations, rotations and outliers is a critical issue that hinders correspondence establishment between image pairs in existing graph matching methods. To deal with this problem, in this work, we propose a dual calibration mechanism (DCM) for establishing feature points correspondence in graph matching. In specific, we embed two types of calibration modules in the graph matching, which model the correspondence relationship in point and edge respectively. The point calibration module performs unary alignment over points and the edge calibration module performs local structure alignment over edges. By performing the dual calibration, the feature points correspondence between two images with deformations and rotations variations can be obtained. To enhance the robustness of correspondence establishment, the <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$L_{2,p}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-norm is employed as the similarity metric in the proposed model, which is a flexible metric due to setting the different <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$p$ </tex-math></inline-formula> values. Finally, we incorporate the dual calibration and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$L_{2,p}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-norm based similarity metric into the graph matching model which can be optimized by an effective algorithm, and theoretically prove the convergence of the presented algorithm. Experimental results in the variety of graph matching tasks such as deformations, rotations and outliers evidence the competitive performance of the presented DCM model over the state-of-the-art approaches.


Only a small number of different sizes are known for which there exist two-dimensional perfect binary arrays. Construction methods are given which generate new two-dimensional perfect binary arrays, four of which are larger than any previously reported.


Mycoplasma Pneumonia of swine (MPS) decreases the daily growth of pigs, and, co-infection with a virus sometimes causes severe pneumonia. Genetic selection of pigs resistant to the pulmonary MPS lesion might solve the economic loss due to MPS in animal production. Here, we examined the immunophenotype of Landrace line (Miyagino L2), genetically selected to reduce the incidence of pulmonary MPS lesion for 5 generations in Miyagi Prefecture Animal Industry Experiment Station. Although this line is expected to be resistant to the pulmonary MPS lesion, the biological characteristics of its immune function are not clear. We investigated details of the immunorelated phenotype of Miyagino L2 at the hematological and molecular biological level, including cytokine expression, and compared the results with that of non-genetically selected Landrace. Miyagino L2 showed decreased antigen-specific IgG and IgM production and increased CD8-positive T-cell population, and high levels of cortisol concentration, suggesting that the MPS-resistant phenotype is associated these immunological differences. Additionally, T-cell CD4 expression was highly correlated with the MPS expected breeding value. Although the detailed mechanisms underlying this high correlation remain unknown, our result suggested that the genetic selection of the expression level of CD4 might be useful to improve MPS resistance in pig production.


In this work, we report the use of a low-frequency circular ultrasonic stage to form a circular spot of silver nanowires (AgNWs) at the stage center and to align AgNWs on the stage surface radially. The manipulations are implemented within aAgNW suspension droplet at the center of the ultrasonic stage. The operating frequency of the ultrasonic stage is 21.3 kHz and the AgNWs have diameter of 100 nm and length of 30 μm approximately. The spot diameter and thickness are several hundred microns to several microns, respectively. After the droplet dries out by natural evaporation without ultrasound, the spot and radial alignment have little change in the size and pattern. Principle analyses show that the spot formation and radial alignment of AgNWs are caused by the acoustic streaming in the radial direction in the droplet.


With kiln temperatures of over 1100°C the usual air preheating temperatures of up to approx. 450°C in the central heat exchanger result in only partial exploitation of the savings potential. Air preheating can be increased to considerably higher temperatures through installing the ceramic recuperator or regenerator inside the burner. Indirect heating up to 1300°C with ceramic radiant tubes is a cost-effective alternative to electrical heating. By switching to the combustion mode of Flameless Oxidation at high temperatures, thermal NO-formation can be largely suppressed (figures well below the German TA-Luft) even at high preheat temperatures.


Abstract Democratic states often claim that their authority rests upon the "will of the people" as expressed through representative institutions. However, there is an irresolvable conundrum that undermines that claim: the "opening dilemma" that invariably attends the founding of democratic states during which those representative institutions are created. While familiar to democratic theorists, the "opening dilemma" has many hitherto unexplored dimensions, among them its actual occurrence in democratic politics. Using the 1869 Illinois Constitutional Convention as a case study, the article demonstrates why individual preferences cannot effect a founding without the intervention of arbitrary and thus undemocratic authority. The conclusion suggests why the opening dilemma might become a serious threat to American democracy if the nation were to attempt to convene a new constitutional convention.


This paper examines how socio-demographic and health-lifestyle factors determine participation and duration of leisure-time physical activity in Malaysia. Based on the Malaysia Non-Communicable Disease Surveillance-1 data, Heckman's sample selection model is employed to estimate the probability to participate and duration on physical activity. Results indicate that gender, age, years of education and family illness history are significant in explaining participation probability in leisure-time physical activity. Gender, income level, smoking-status and years of education are significant in explaining the weekly duration conditional on participation, whereas smoking-status and years of education are significant in determining the unconditional level of leisure-time physical activity.


This study deals with family addressing male and female in Batak Toba Language. The aim of this study to analyse the addresse of Batak Toba people in their social life. This study used descriptive qualitative as a method of reserach. This study was analyse the result of interview of Batak Toba people. The result, there were tweenty male and female addresses that was used by Batak Toba people in family interaction. This adresse is used to show the level of satus and to show respect to the oldest and love to the youngest family member.


Federal Power, States' Rights and Nuclear Waste: What Is A Just Solution?, analyzes the issue regarding the right of the federal government to construct a high level nuclear waste storage facility on federal land within a state that is opposed to a storage facility within state boundaries. Within the thesis is an overview of federalism followed by a history of the Tenth Amendment and a case analysis. An examination of the ethical considerations of the issue is considered. Finally, an analysis of the current laws regarding nuclear waste storage is presented, followed by policy recommendations for the use of nuclear energy and the storage of nuclear waste. Current policy is revised to achieve a more just solution with regard to the rights of states.


Abstract In this paper, in terms of the Fréchet normal cone, we establish exact separation results for finitely many disjoint closed sets in an Asplund space, which supplement the extremal principle and some fuzzy separation theorems. As an application, we provide a new optimality condition for a constraint optimization problem in terms of Fréchet subdifferential and Fréchet normal cone.


This paper is a tutorial which examines the three major models of computation-the Turing Machine, Combinators, and Lambda Calculus-with respect to their usefulness to practical engineering of computing machines. W'hile the classical von Neumann architecture can be deduced from the Turing Machine model, and Combinator machines have been built on an experimental basis, no serious attempts have been made to construct a Lambda Calculus machine. This paper gives a basic outline of how to incorporate a Lambda Calculus capabi 1 ity into a von Neumann type architecture, maintaining full backward compatibility and at the same time making optimal use of its advantages and technological maturity for the Lambda Calculus capability. School of Computer and Information Science Sutte 4-1 16 Center for Science and Technology Syracuse University Syracuse, NY I 3244-4 I 00


Objective:To explore the potential association between HLA DQB1 allele polymorphism and type 2 diabetes (non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus,NIDDM) in Chinese north Han people. Methods:PCR restrictive fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) typing was used to identify HLA DQB1 alleles in the group of patients with NIDDM ( n =49) and health controls ( n =55). Results: Compared with normal controls, the allelic frequency of HLA DQB1 mutation was no significantly different in NIDDM group with 0.827 relative risk (RR) ( χ 2=0.36, P 0.05), and the frequencies of the three HLA DQB1 genotypes were not significantly different between the case and the control. The relative risk suffering from NIDDM of GC genotype was 1.02 times of the CC genotype, and the GG genotype was 0.43 times of the CC genotype. Conclusion: These results showed that susceptibility to NIDDM is not correlated with HLA DQB1 gene. The mutant gene did not increase the risk of suffering from NIDDM.


There exist situations in which people who perceive themselves exposed to a technological risk feel uninformed but, at the same time, refuse to absorb new information about the said risk. With the objective of understanding this paradoxical situation, in this text, we are going to compare some empirical


Objective: The study provides epidemiological analysis of autopsy record onasphyxial deaths and different methods used to carry it out. Methodology: It was a retrospective (descriptive) study done at the Department ofForensic Medicine and Toxicology, Khyber Medical College Peshawar. Analysisof autopsy record was done and cases of asphyxial deaths and the cause ofasphyxia was noted. The data covers a period from January 2009 to June 2012. Results: A total of 3,265 (males n=2839, Females n= 426) cases were presentedfor autopsy to Forensic Medicine and Toxicology Department of Khybermedical college Peshawar and 130 deaths were due to asphyxia comparedwith 2370 deaths due to firearm. Homicide was the most common mannerof death. 89 cases were males and 41 were females. Approximate ages of theautopsies conducted were 0-19 years n= (18.2%), 20-40 years n= (64.5%), 41-60 years n= (13%) and 61 or above n=4 (3.0%). Strangulation was found to bethe most common method used. Conclusion: Asphyxial deaths are not as common as firearm deaths in Peshawar.Homicide is the most common method of death. The findings may behelpful for the security agencies in investigation of asphyxial deaths.


Rhizoctonia solani is a soil borne fungus found worldwide. It can attack roots, stem and leaves. The fungus cause significant damage of many crops. The fungus was isolated from the germinating tea seeds. After verification of Koch's postulates, the pathogenicity of the fungus was tested in seven tea seed varieties (TS 520, TS462, TS 463, TS 449, TS 464, TS 491 and TS 506). Variety (TS 520) was most susceptible and TS-449 was most resistant variety among the tested varieties. The present study deals with optimization of culture media, carbon source, nitrogen source, temperature and pH on mycelial growth and sclerotia formation. Among the several liquid and solid media tested, oat meal agar and potato dextrose broth were found most suitable for growth and sclerotia formation. Optimum pH and temperature was found to be 6.5 and 28o C respectively for growth and sclerotia formation. Mannitol supplemented media showed maximum growth among the tested carbon sources while beef extract produced maximum growth among the tested nitrogen sources.


To support advanced driving and vehicle safety applications such as semi-autonomous and autonomous vehicle modes, a growing variety of high performance sensors for object detection are under development. These sensors include millimeter-wave radars. To extend the performance of passenger vehicle radars to true volume scan capability, end fire antenna arrays are explored. In this paper, we present a planar 76–81 GHz corrugated tapered slot antenna array. Over all designs, return loss within 76–81 GHz is better than −15 dB, and gain is 19 dB with a beamwidth of 8.5° when used in an 8-element array. Results of simulation and pattern measurement in anechoic chamber are shown. Additionally, integration of this end fire design into possible packages for automotive radar with true volume scan are presented.


The present invention discloses a method and apparatus issued policy rules; the method comprising: S101, generate multiple policies are based on the first information policy rules to be issued, the policy information includes the first policy rule, issued policy information and associated attributes, configuration attributes and issued related policy information for each policy information; S102, for the plurality of policy information generated, respectively, which determine the policy information exists not issued policy information associated with successful ; if there is step S103, if it does not exist to step S104; step after S103, which issued the policy information that is not issued by the success of related policy information, issued the success S104; S104, according to which the information under the policy send article send information policy attributes. The present invention can avoid policy conflicts IOT.


We apply institutional economics and human capital perspectives to advance research on the influence of institutional factors predicting entrepreneurial growth aspirations. We use data that combine...


An E-left ideal quasi-regular semigroup is defined,and some characterizations of this kind of semigroups are given.Furthermore,a structure theorem of such semigroups is established.


In Adeyeye v. Heartland Sweeteners, LLC ("Adeyeye"), an employer denied an employee's request for a five-week leave of absence for the employee to participate in his father's funeral ceremonies in Nigeria. 1 This case exemplified the potential conflicts surrounding religious accommodation in the workplace. Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act ("Title VII"), an employer must reasonably accommodate an employee's request regarding a religious practice or observance, as long as that request does not impose an undue hardship on the employer. 2 Courts look to previous Title VII jurisprudence and commentary to evaluate an employer's obligation to accommodate an employee's request for a leave of absence rooted in that employee's religious practices or observances. In Adeyeye, the Seventh Circuit


The effects of alkali promoters on the activity stability and selectivity of copper-based carbon monoxide low-temperature shift(LTS) catalysts under low steam/gas condition were investigated by XRD,BET and activity test.It was found that doping of appropriate amount of an alkali oxide promoter inhibited methanol formation over the catalyst under low steam/gas condition.Behaviors of the catalysts for LTS reaction and methanol formation kept steady in a certain range of the amount of the alkali promoter.The alkali promoter had considerable influence on surface area and strength of the(catalyst.)


Small Aviation Business Success Strategies for Profitability by Christina Hiers MBA, Northcentral University, 2010 BS, Middle Tennessee State University, 2008 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University September 2016 Abstract Ninety-five percent of all aviation businesses are small businesses; from 2009-2012, small aviation business operations decreased by 10.2% and resulted in a loss of $4.4 billion in revenue. The purpose for this multiunit case study was to explore what strategies small aviation businesses leaders used to reduce or control operating expenses for profitability. The sample comprised 3 small aviation businesses located in Middle Tennessee. The conceptual framework for this study built upon systems theory and sustainability theory. The data were collected through semistructured interviews and company documents. Member checking was completed to strengthen creditability and trustworthiness. Based on the methodological triangulation of the data sources collected, 5 emergent themes were identified after completing the 5 stages of data analysis: buying or purchasing power, being customer focused, having the right employees, having the right equipment, and leadership. When small aviation business owners incorporate these themes into their business model, they may increase the prosperity of their companies, the employees, their families, the surrounding communities, and the local economy. The findings from the study may contribute to social change by providing insights and strategies for small aviation business leaders in reducing operating costs for profitability. The data from this study may contribute to the prosperity of the small aviation business leaders, their employees, their families, the surrounding community, the local airport, and the local economy. By reducing operating expenses, small aviation business leaders will have more money to invest in the local community and the economy.Ninety-five percent of all aviation businesses are small businesses; from 2009-2012, small aviation business operations decreased by 10.2% and resulted in a loss of $4.4 billion in revenue. The purpose for this multiunit case study was to explore what strategies small aviation businesses leaders used to reduce or control operating expenses for profitability. The sample comprised 3 small aviation businesses located in Middle Tennessee. The conceptual framework for this study built upon systems theory and sustainability theory. The data were collected through semistructured interviews and company documents. Member checking was completed to strengthen creditability and trustworthiness. Based on the methodological triangulation of the data sources collected, 5 emergent themes were identified after completing the 5 stages of data analysis: buying or purchasing power, being customer focused, having the right employees, having the right equipment, and leadership. When small aviation business owners incorporate these themes into their business model, they may increase the prosperity of their companies, the employees, their families, the surrounding communities, and the local economy. The findings from the study may contribute to social change by providing insights and strategies for small aviation business leaders in reducing operating costs for profitability. The data from this study may contribute to the prosperity of the small aviation business leaders, their employees, their families, the surrounding community, the local airport, and the local economy. By reducing operating expenses, small aviation business leaders will have more money to invest in the local community and the economy. Small Aviation Business Success Strategies for Profitability by Christina Hiers MBA, Northcentral University, 2010 BS, Middle Tennessee State University, 2008 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University September 2016 Dedication This is study is dedicated to my family. Thank you for all of your love, patience, and encouragement throughout my doctoral journey. To my husband Nic, thank you for putting up with the long hours and late nights of writing and researching. To my dad, thank you for the phone calls and encouraging words. I would also like to dedicate this study to all of the students, scholars, and doctors that led the way for people like myself to stand on their shoulders. Per Angusta Ad Augusta. Acknowledgments This doctoral journey would not have been possible without the patience and hard work of my chair, Dr. Patricia Fusch. I would also like to thank my second committee member, Dr. Janet Booker, and my URR, Dr. Carol-Anne Faint. Thank you for your guidance and mentorship through this process. Last, but not least, I would like to thank Dr. Freda Turner and Fred Walker for their guidance and inspiration.


The scarcity of fresh water, which is aggravated by rapid economic development and population growth, is a major threat to the modern world. Solar-driven interfacial desalination and steam generation is a promising strategy that localizes heat at the air-water interface through appropriate thermal management and demonstrates efficient photothermal performance. In the current study, Ag, black TiO2, and nitrogen-doped 3D reduced graphene oxide (3D black TiO2/Ag/N@rGO) hierarchical evaporator was fabricated, and its morphology, elemental composition, porosity, broadband solar absorption potential, photothermal performance, and interfacial desalination potential were assessed. The 3D solar evaporator showed efficient solar absorption over the entire broadband UV-visible near-infrared (UV-Vis NIR) region and demonstrated 99% photothermal conversion efficiency and potential freshwater generation of 1.43 kg·m−2 h−1. The specific surface area and porosity analyses demonstrated an ultrahigh specific surface area, high pore volume, and a mesoporous structure, with a predominant pore diameter of 4 nm. The strong photothermal performance can be attributed to the nitrogen doping of the rGO, which boosted the electrocatalytic and photothermal activity of the graphene through the activation of the excess free-flowing π electrons of the sp2 configuration of the graphene; the broadband solar absorption potential of the black TiO2; and the localized surface plasmon resonance effect of the AgNPs, which induced hot electron generation and enhanced photothermal conversion. Hence, the high photothermal conversion efficiency attained can be attributed to the synergistic photothermal performances of the individual components and the high interfacial surface area, abundant heat, and mass transfer microcavities of the 3D hierarchical porous solar absorber, offering multiple reflections of light and enhanced solar absorption. The study highlights the promising potential of the 3D evaporator for real-word interfacial desalination of seawater, helping to solve the water shortage problem sustainably.


For a long time,people have studied more "Hu Shi"、"Feng You-lan"、"Jin Yue-lin"、"He-Lin"、"Zhang Dong-sun"、"Zhang Jun-mai"and so on,but less "Xie You-wei".In fact,he import the west academic and the Chinese traditional philosophy interpret,especially the west and traditional philosophy fuse synthesize and bring forth new ones,impel the Chinese traditional academic to modern,and accomplish the morer contribution.Xie You-wei think the Chinese traditional philosopher had four stamps immarterialism;practice;instinct methodology;religion manner.He think the west philosoper also had some stamps quitting dualism;adoptting monism,claim avatar;claim value studying;claim history and time concept analyse,and so on.


The study aims to define strategic orientations and examine the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation activities and firm performance. For this purpose, the concepts of strategic orientation, entrepreneurial orientation and firm performance are explained in the relevant sections based on the research in the literature. The study used international examples that associate the entrepreneurial orientation of family and non-family companies with firm performance. One of the most important results of the study is that the entrepreneurial orientation of family firms has a weak or non-existent relationship with firm performance. Family businesses tend to be less involved in entrepreneurial orientation activities than non-family companies. Another important result is that entrepreneurial orientation has a more positive effect on the performance of non-family firms than family firms. This study is likely to positively contribute to the literature by providing a new perspective to scientists and administrators and summarizing important resources in one place. The study differs from similar studies as it deals with the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and firm performance by including family and non-family companies in the process with a holistic approach. Since the samples subject to the study were selected without making any distinction between country, sector and size in this research, the scope is limited. The relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and firm performance could not be determined statistically since the study is qualitative.


Target Canada Co. announced that it will close all its 133 Canadian retail locations on April 12, completing its inventory liquidation, according to a company statement.


A 3 year old boy is admitted to a paediatric intensive care unit with a history of fever, non-blanching petechial rash, decreased conscious level, and grunting; capillary refill is poor. After screening for sepsis, antibiotics are started. He is intubated, receives fluid resuscitation (total of 100 ml/kg), and a central catheter is placed, showing a central venous pressure of 12 mm Hg. Despite dopamine infusion the attending physician is unable to stabilise his blood pressure, and he requires noradrenaline infusion to achieve and maintain his haemodynamic state.

In a child with meningococcal shock [patient group] does steroid replacement therapy [intervention] decrease mortality [outcome]?

Secondary (Cochrane library, 2004) and primary (Medline, Embase, Scielo) sources were included in the search. MeSH terms were used in Medline and Embase.

Search strategies: "meningococcal" AND "steroid replacement"; …


A kudzu vine root cleaning device comprises a cleaning device outer shell, a cleaning barrel, a water spraying rod, bearings and a driving device. The cleaning barrel is connected with the cleaning device outer shell through the bearings on the left side and the right side. Water leaking holes are formed in the surface of the cleaning device. The driving device can drive one of the bearings on the left side and the right side to rotate and drive the cleaning device outer shell to rotate through the bearing. The water spraying rod is connected into the cleaning barrel through the bearings, and water spraying nozzles are arranged on the water spraying rod. The kudzu vine root cleaning device has the advantage of saving water.


The provision of clinical services as part of a university medical school appointment is commonplace in North America and Asia. In many other parts of the world the university is separate from the hospital, with the latter employing clinicians, whereas the former employs academics. In many cases, one doctor is shared between the two institutions in order to have a blended academic or clinical role. Having medical school faculty members responsible for both patient care and academic duties, however, allows comparison of their satisfaction with all aspects of the job. This is what Chung and colleagues have done with a web-based satisfaction survey of the nearly 2000 medical faculty members of the University of Michigan Medical School.


A method of changing transportation package size according to container size was put forward to solve the layout problem of solar components packaging reasonably loaded in the container.A reasonable solar components packaging model was obtained through calculation of the relationship among transportation package size,components loading number,and container loading efficiency,in order to maximize the efficiency of container loading and optimize of the packaging.The purpose was to provide theoretical basis and reference for industry product packaging.


Abstract Virgin Branch Anasazi settlement pattern data are examined to determine the extent to which agricultural practices may have been intensified along the Muddy and Virgin rivers of southern Nevada between A.C. 100 and 1150. It is argued that as population levels increase among arid-land hunters and gatherers there is an inevitable decline in the ratio between the quantities of wild resources and a region's human population. In response to such imbalances a progressive shift towards a greater reliance upon domesticated crops, storage, and trade occurs, promoting yet further demographic increases and still greater demands for food production.Analyses of Periods III, IV and V settlement data derived from new, intensive archaeological surveys for this regionof the Great Basin support the notion that in response to population growth the Virgin Branch Anasazi did intensify agricultural productivity and did so by means of check-dams and canal-ditch irrigation. Change reflected in agricultural practices and...


Cities are exposed to many security threats in urban areas due to crime and violence, insecurity of tenure and forced eviction, and natural and human-made disasters. Cities have witnessed many challenges and problems, such as: increasing population numbers, housing density, migration to cities, unemployment, poverty, deteriorating infrastructure, unhealthy environment, wars, terrorism and political conflicts. The purpose of this study is to define safe cities and clarify the role of urban planning and design and their elements on safe cities. This paper analyses the role of urban planning and urban design to increase security in safe cities. The research provides an overview of the theories that explain the relationship between urban planning and design and their elements on crime, in addition, it describes the most important planning and design elements that reduce the opportunities for crime like: street planning, land use, building density, and role of management and good governance, in addition to urban design concepts: defensible space, territoriality, access control, surveillance, target hardening, building Image, activity support, and maintenance.


The oscillations of a capillary jet of finite electrical conductivity in the presence of a uniform axial magnetic field are investigated for general perturbations. The dispersion relation is obtained and examined under various limiting cases of electrical conductivity; in particular, for the case of high resistivity an approximate formula for the frequency of oscillations of the jet is obtained. It is found that for nonaxisymmetric perturbations, the modes of oscillation of the jet are always stable and damped. The damping constant of the oscillations for different values of the wavenumber are tabulated for the case m = 1.


Grain sorghum panicles were collected and examined for Heliothis zea (Boddie) eggs and larvae and Celama sorghiella (Riley) eggs during 1986–1988 in seven sorghum fields along the Red River in southwestern Arkansas, northeastern Texas, and southeastern Oklahoma. Trichogramma exiguum (Pinto and Planter) and T. pretiosum Riley were the predominant parasites attacking H. zea and C. sorghiella eggs. Trichogramma spp. appeared to be an important mortality factor of H. zea and C. sorghiella eggs on grain sorghum panicles, particularly if H. zea or C. sorghiella eggs were available through the season for Trichogramma spp. to build up on. Seven species of parasites were reared from H. zea larvae; one eulophid, three tachinids, and three braconids. The incidence of larval parasitism was low, less than 2%, for the three-year study and appeared to have a minimal effect on larval numbers.


The article considers the personnel (class and non-class officials) of the Ministry of State Property of Nizhny Novgorod province in the period of elimination of the Nizhny Novgorod Chamber of State Properties and the creation of the Nizhny Novgorod Regional Administration of State Property.


Soft tissue Intravenous drug abuse is known to be associated with significant health problems including soft tissue infections. Our department observed a concerning increase in the level of admissions of drug users presenting with severe soft tissue infections after injecting "Legal Highs". These findings contributed to the body of evidence which led to the introduction of a Temporary Banning Order on these agents in Scotland in April 2015. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of banning orders on reducing patients presenting with soft tissue infections associated with intravenous drug abuse. All admissions to the Orthopaedic trauma unit with soft tissue infections over three six-month periods in 2013, 2014 and 2015 were investigated. Those associated with intravenous drug usage were identified. Cases were reviewed to assess patient demographics, co-morbidities, infection characteristics and management. There was a three-fold increase in hospital admissions for soft tissue infections resulting from intravenous drug use between 2013 and 2014. In 2013, 9.1% of admissions were related to use of "Legal Highs", whilst in 2014 this had increased to 68.8%. After April 2015 there was a 28% reduction in admissions of intravenous drug use related soft tissue infections with "Legal High" associated admissions reduced to 39%. "Legal Highs" were responsible for the dramatic increase in admissions associated with soft tissue infections resulting from intravenous drug abuse seen between 2013 and 2014. Introduction of Temporary Banning Orders for "Legal Highs" in April 2015 has been instrumental in reducing these admissions.


This study was carried out with the aim of investigating the possibility of detection of subclinical mastitis in the number of Somatic Cell Count and Electrical Conductivity by using fuzzy logic method in Holstein cows raised in a private operation in the Karapinar district of Konya. As a result of the analysis, mean of somatic cell count was 348153 ± 52340 and average of electrical conductivity was 4.23 ± 0.18. Linear regression of electrical conductivity and milk oil to somatic cell count were found to be very important (P <0.01), while the parity was insignificant to the somatic cells count. For the electric conductivity, the effect of the parity, animal group and the protein group was very important (P <0.001) and the effect of the milk fat group was significant (P<0.05). In the analysis according to the fuzzy logic method, the accuracy ratio between the number of somatic cells count and the electrical conductivity was determined as 92.45%. As a result, 92% of subclinical mastitis can be correctly detected using the number of somatic cells and electrical conductivity values.


Mycothiol (MSH), a low molecular antioxidant thiol compound, was purified and analyzed from Streptomyns coelicolor A[3]2 by the monobromobimane fluorescence detection method modified by this lab. Through HPLC chromatpgram, MSH fraction was obtained following the elution time of standard MSH (donated by Dr. Robert C. Fahey). That MSH showed the highest concentration among the thiol compounds contained in the cell indicated that MSH was the key thiol compound having antioxidant activity. To understand the role of gene of inositol monophosphatase (I-1-Pase) involved in the MSH biosynthesis, it was isolated from S. coelicolor A(3)2 and cloned and overexpressed in the Escherichia coli. The expressed I-1-Pase was purified through Ni-NTA column. The soluble protein consisted of 281 amino acids, and the molecular weight was 32 kDa. I-1-Pase of S. coelicolor A(3)2 had the sequence homology with those of human and E. coli by 24 and , respectively, and had two conserved domains (mofif A and motif B) which were typical of I-1-Pase.