Cumulus cells provide an interesting biological material to perform analyses to understand the molecular clues determining oocyte competence. The objective of this study was to analyze the transcriptional differences between cumulus cells from oocytes exhibiting different developmental potentials following individual in vitro embryo production by RNA‐seq. Cumulus cells were allocated into three groups according to the developmental potential of the oocyte following fertilization: (1) oocytes developing to blastocysts (Bl+), (2) oocytes cleaving but arresting development before the blastocyst stage (Bl−), and (3) oocytes not cleaving (Cl−). RNAseq was performed on 4 (Cl−) or 5 samples (Bl+ and Bl−) of cumulus cells pooled from 10 cumulus‐oocyte complexes per group. A total of 49, 50, and 18 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected in the comparisons Bl+ versus Bl−, Bl+ versus Cl− and Bl‐ versus Cl−, respectively, showing a fold change greater than 1.5 at an adjusted p value <0.05. Focussing on DEGs in cumulus cells from Bl+ group, 10 DEGs were common to both comparisons (10/49 from Bl+ vs. Bl−, 10/50 from Bl+ vs. Cl−). These DEGs correspond to 6 upregulated genes (HBE1, ITGA1, PAPPA, AKAP12, ITGA5, and SLC1A4), and 4 downregulated genes (GSTA1, PSMB8, FMOD, and SFRP4) in Bl+ compared to the other groups, from which 7 were validated by quantitative PCR (HBE1, ITGA1, PAPPA, AKAP12, ITGA5, PSMB8 and SFRP4). These genes are involved in critical biological functions such as integrin‐mediated cell adhesion, oxygen availability, IGF and Wnt signaling or PKA pathway, highlighting specific biological processes altered in incompetent in vitro maturation oocytes.


The plasma source is provided which comprises a core element 1, along the axis extending from the first end to the second end. A plasma source further comprises a coil disposed around the one or more of the first portion of one of each of the core elements or greater. Plasma source, the plasma ring placed around the second portion of the core element, - the production capacity and at least one partly enclosed by or further comprises a plasma blocks having internal wall of the greater. Annular plasma-generated volume of the first axis with respect to the first point is positioned on, and includes a symmetrical first area around a plurality of vertical-axis is vertical, the first region has a width in the direction parallel to the first axis and it has a depth in a direction perpendicular from the first axis. The first region has at least three times larger width than the depth of the first area.


In this paper, we present blind image restoration algorithms for motion blur caused by a motion between the imaging equipment and the object during the exposure time. We explain the motion degradation analysis and how to estimate parameters using Cepstral analysis, Radon transform and Hough transform.


The effects of heat- and cold stress-induced changes in whole-body mean skin temperature on sensory, cognitive, and motor functions in people with MS


Objective:To explore the characteristic of event-related potentions(ERPs)and P300 in children with mental retardation( MR). Methods: 30 children with MR were selected as experiment group and 30 normal children as control group. All of them were accepted the examination of visual ERPs and P300,analized the results. Results: Compared with the control group,P300 latency in children with MR were apparently longer,P300 amplitude decreased significantly in children with MR,there were significant statistical differences between two groups( P 0. 05). Conclusion: P300 latency and amplitude of ERPs could objectively reflect cognitive function in children with MR,which can be used as an objective electrophysiological index for assisting in the diagnosis of mental retardation of children in clinical.


Background: Tat, an essential HIV-1 replication factor and extracellular toxin acting on immune cells, is an interesting target to develop therapeutic antibodies. Results: mAb 7G12 recognizes a conformational epitope of Tat, cross-neutralizes different Tat variants, and blocks Tat uptake. Conclusion: mAb 7G12 could be used in immunotherapy to restore the immunity of patients. Significance: Development of alternatives to antiretroviral therapy is crucial. The identification of a neutralizing mAb against extracellular HIV-1 transactivator of transcription (Tat) is important for the development of an efficient HIV-1 treatment. Tat plays an essential role in HIV-1 pathogenesis, not only for HIV-1 replication but also as an extracellular toxin able to disrupt the immune system. We showed previously that immunization of rabbits with Tat Oyi, a variant cloned from an African woman who did not develop AIDS following HIV-1 infection, raised antibodies able to recognize different Tat variants. We carried out mice immunization with Tat Oyi and selected a mAb named 7G12, which had the capacity to cross-recognize heterologous Tat variants by a common three-dimensional epitope. These results highlighted that Tat variants were able to acquire a structure, in contrast to a number of studies showing Tat as an unfolded protein. mAb 7G12 also had the capacity to neutralize the biological activities of these Tat variants by blocking the cellular uptake of extracellular Tat. This is the first study using Tat Oyi to produce a mAb able to neutralize effectively activities of extracellular Tats from different HIV-1 subtypes. This mAb has an important potential in therapeutic passive immunization and could help HIV-1 infected patients to restore their immunity.


the problem, the land is frequently most valuable to Anglo newcomers, who often wish to buy it and build or rebuild adobe residences in the currently popular "Santa Fe" style. There are no clear-cut villains in this sometimes drawn-out tale. There is simply a long passage of time (400 years) that takes a transplanted, conservative European peasantry from the late Renaissance to th& nuclear age without a great deal of social evolution. Alongside it exist the Pueblos--the descendants of North America's most accomplished aboriginal civilization, stubbornly pursuing their remarkable thousandyear-old traditions, defending their own land and water, and building, farming, worshipping, and trading in their customary ways. At many times in their history in New Mexico, the Spaniards have had to fall back on these gracious people and their grain, beans, sheltel; and water. A sometimes grudging harmony has built up over the centuries between many Pueblos and many Spaniards. And, of course, the Spanish-Americans have had to contend socially, politically, and economically with the audacious Anglos since the 1830s. The Spanish-American Homeland is not concerned so much with social and political history as it is with demographics, geograph5 and agriculture. In the end, Carlson has to stretch a bit to prove his claim that the Rio Arriba is the true Spanish-American homeland. He leaves out the great central Rio Grande Valley--the Rio Abajo--that reaches from San Antonio and Socorro in the south to the foot of La Bajada hill (a volcanic plateau at the toe of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains) in the north. No New Mexican, regardless of heritage, would be able to imagine a Spanish New Mexico without Albuquerque, Belen, Socorro, and Bernalillo. Carlson also omits Las Vegas and the other towns and villages of San Miguel and Mora counties in his reckoning of the Rio Arriba. The omission is curious, as all the Spanish-American residents of these places do indeed believe that they live in the Rio Arriba--not downstream in the "low country" (altitude about one mile or higher) of the Rio Abajo. The actual Rio Arriba is probably larger than the author may have noted. One of the book's case studies of village development in the Rio Arriba actually concerns a settlement--Corrales--that lies smack in the midst of the Rio Abajo. This is unfortunate, because the description of farming and civic development here are first-rate. The problem could be solved simply by extending the recognition of the Spanish-American homeland to at least some part of the Rio Abajo as well. New Mexicans always consider these two parts of the state together when they think of a traditional Spanish-American region. Despite these drawbacks, The Spanish-American ,Homeland is a highly useful and often exhaustive study of a unique folk culture in American society. I recommend that you read it with William de Buys's River of Traps and Stanley Crawford's Mayordomo, both recent books on other intriguing aspects of the rural Hispanic culture of northern New Mexico. These three works offer quite modern insights into and a thorough appreciation of the oldest continuous European cultural tradition in the United States. Baker H. Morrow, is Principal of Morrow and Company, Ltd., Landscape Architects and Adjunct Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture, School of Architecture and Planning, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131.


Abstract : Evaluation of the combustion stability of a solid-propellant rocket requires information on the dynamic combustion properties of the propellant, particle-size distributions of condensed-phase combustion products, and the mean flow and acoustic behavior in the gas chamber. Analytical methods for estimating the flow on acoustic behavior have been used, but no such methods have been developed to predict either combustion dynamics or the particle size distributions. Hence, a series of laboratory test methods has been explored for obtaining the necessary data. Experimental methods for measuring the dynamic combustion properties (acoustic admittance or response function) or solid-propellant rocket motors are reviewed. The pressure-coupled methods include the T-burner, the rotating valve apparatus, the impedance tube, the microwave burner, and the magnetic flowmeter. The velocity-coupled methods comprise the velocity-coupled T-burner, the dual-rotating apparatus, and the velocity-coupled impedance tube. Also considered are methods for measuring the particle size distribution of condensed-phase combustion products. Keywords: Combustion chambers; Combustion stability.


Introduction Concepts Movement defined The sine-generated curve Moving reference axis Observed modes of movement Theoretical mechanics of movement . Impulse momentum ........_...._.. Channel-forming discharge ....... Page. Al 1 2 2 2 2 3 5 5 6 Concepts Continued Theoretical mechanics of movement Continued Channel-forming discharge redefined ......... Field investigation Study sites Data analysis Interpretive discussion Individual sites General conclusions Summary Selected references Page A6 7 7 9 14 14 15 17 17


Calocedrus macrolepis is a precious timber species in China.The method of stem analysis was used to compare the growth characteristics of C.macrolepis in Mojiang and Changning of Yunnan Province,which are the main distribution of C.macrolepis.The results indicated that:(1) The growth rate was slow in the initial 20 years,and the stand reached quantitative maturity at 70a when the volume increment began to decrease and tend to be stable.(2) C.macrolepis are shade tolerance and heliophilic.The growth vigor of C.macrolepis in Mojiang was better than that in Changning,which was consistent with environmental conditions.(3) According to its growth characteristics,some management measure were put forward including putting up shed in seedling stage,release cutting in sapling stage,thinning in mature age,etc.


An operating information and fault recode of train is very important information for safety driving and maintenance. And these information is increased and need high speed as the number of trains is increased. Wireless LAN or CDMA network is efficient to report more complicated and various information from vehicle to server in control center. Existing wireless transmission system has weakness due to transmission system is separated with TDCS and standalone. At first, standalone system needs space to be installed and cost is increased. And data transmission capacity and speed is limited by complicated structure that transmission system receive data thru serial communication like RS232 and then data transmission system send data to server in control center. This article is study to develop embedded & wireless fault code transmission device to be installed in TDCS to overcome weakness of space and to have more cost effective and simple structure. It is adapted 802.11b/g WiFi for wireless communication and OS is used embedded Linux that can easily implement wireless communication environment and ensure TCP/IP communication's security. We also implement simple server to test wireless communication between embedded & wireless fault code transmission device and server in control center.


For high-speed train,speed-up of train is influenced by complete car's modes which is affected by the hanging devices under car bodywork.It is known that complete car's model frequencies will change as the bodywork with some hanging device.However,good layout of the hanging device can effectively improve bodywork's modes.Therefore reasonable layout of hanging device becomes a important issue in design of car bodywork.In this paper taking a car for example,The curves of effect of mass,installation stiffness and installation position of the hanging device on bodywork's modes are given through theoretical analysis and simulation by MATLAB.The results are of value for reference to hanging device design.


We prepared three graphene devices with different levels of disorder in the graphene structure by 1. exfoliation from highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG), 2. chemical vapour deposition (CVD), using Cu foil as a catalyst, and by 3. CVD, using a Ni layer evaporated on a Si/SiO2 substrate as a catalyst. The gate voltage characteristics, quantum Hall effect (QHE) and temperature (T) dependences of the conductivity of these samples were studied. A comparison of the transport features indicates that, unlike the highly ordered crystal of exfoliated graphene, the graphene sample produced by the CVD method on the Ni substrate shows a significant degradation of the QHE signature with a resistivity value three orders of magnitude higher than that in a graphene crystal. In the exfoliated material phonon scattering dominates the electronic transport at high carrier density, thus reducing the conductivity at high T. Thermal assistance plays an important role in the electronic transport of our graphene grown on Ni with more disordered structure, which causes conductivity to increase with rising T. As to graphene grown on Cu foil, it displays many features similar to those of a perfect graphene crystal. This is good news for possible applications of CVD-grown graphene. (© 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)


This paper primarily concerns certain groups of homeomorphisms which are associated in a natural way with a variety of spaces, which satisfy a set of axiomatic conditions put forth in ?1. Let us suppose that X is a space of the type in question and that G is an ap- propriate group of homeomorphisms of X onto itself. In ?2 we demonstrate the existence of a nonvoid subcollection 9, the "topological dilations," of G which is characterized in Theorem 1 in the following fashion: suppose fe 9 and g E G, then g E 9 if and only iff is a G-conjugate of g, that is if and only if there exists an element h of G such that f = hgh-1. We proceed then to show in ?3 that if f and g are nonidentity elements of G, then we may find 6,re-G such that the product (rgr-')(6f6'1)e 9. We then combine this fact with the characterization of 9 mentioned above to conclude that each element of ?9 is a "universal" element of G in the sense that if d E.9, then any element g of G may be represented as the product of two G-conjugates of d. Furthermore we conclude that if g is not the identity element of G, then g can be represented as the product of three G-conjugates of any nonidentity element of G. Finally, we apply the conclusions to groups of homeomorphisms of certain spaces: for example spheres, cells, the Cantor set, etc. 1. Definitions, notation, and axioms. If X is a topological space, A and Bare subsets of X, and f is a mapping of X to itself, then we write 'A c B' for 'A is a subset of B', and 'A c B' for 'A c B and A # B'. The mapping f is said to be supported on A if f(x) = x whenever x E -A. A will be called a perfect subset of X if A # 0 and no open subset of X contains exactly one point of A. Throughout this paper all mappings under consideration will be homeomorphisms of some space X onto itself. Henceforth we suppose that we have given: (a) X: a regular, first countable, Hausdorff space. (b) X': a perfect subspace of X.


Magnetic properties of graphenic nanostructures, relevant for future spintronics applications, depend crucially on doping and on the presence of defects. Here we present a theoretical study using density functional calculations of the structural, electronic and magnetic properties of defects such as: substitutional doping with transition metals[1, 2, 3], vacancies [6, 7], chemical functionalization with organic and inorganic molecules[4, 5], light atoms[4], and polymers[4]. We have found that such defects can be used to create and control magnetism in graphene-based materials. Our main results can be summarized as follows:


Background. Goodpasture (GP) syndrome is denned by the clinical association of pulmonary haemorrhage with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. The disease is caused by pathogenic autoantibodies directed against type IV collagen, which is a major structural component of glomerular basement membranes (GBM). Methods. The non-collagenous domains (NCI) of all six human type IV collagen a chains was produced in E. coli as recombinant fusion proteins with glutathione-S transferase. Sera from 10 patients with different types of anti-GBM nephritis, including GP syndrome, were tested for reactivity with the six proteins using immunoblotting of denatured and reduced proteins and ELISA without reduction. a6(IV) ELISA measurements chain. Conclusion. Autoantibodies in anti-GBM nephritis may not be directed only against the a3(IV) collagen chain and they frequently recognize conformational epitopes.


OBJECTIVE:To investigate the change regularity of the trace elements in different compatibility proportions of drug couple about Gypsum Fibrosum-Anemarrhenae Rhizoma. METHODS:The contents of calcium ion in different compatibility proportion of Gypsum Fibrosum and Anemarrhenae Rhizoma were determined by EDTA titrimetric method. The contents of calcium,magnesium,copper,iron and manganese were determined by flame atomic spectrophotometry. RESULTS:The content of calcium was the highest at the proportion of 3∶1(m/m). The contents of calcium and manganese increased with the increase of Gypsum Fibrosum,while there was no obvious regularity in the change of the contents of magnesium and copper. The content of iron was the highest at the proportion of 3∶1(m/m). CONCLUSIONS:The study can help to probe the relationship of the trace elements with effect of drug couple of Gypsum Fibrosum-Anemarrhenae Rhizoma,and provides scientific basis for clinical syndrome differentiation and treatment.


We study the statistics of the conductance $g$ through one-dimensional disordered systems where electron wavefunctions decay spatially as $|\psi| \sim \exp (-\lambda r^{\alpha})$ for $0 $ and the power $\alpha$. Our theoretical predictions are verified numerically by using a random hopping tight-binding model at zero energy, where due to the presence of chiral symmetry in the lattice there exists anomalous localization; this case corresponds to the particular value $\alpha =1/2$. To test our theory for other values of $\alpha$, we introduce a statistical model for the random hopping in the tight binding Hamiltonian.


This paper explores the relevance of the so-called Chomsky Hierarchy (ChH) when studying I-language phenomena, reinterpreting it in terms of the operation Merge. It is argued that all ChH levels of complexity discussed in Chomsky (1956) (i.e., finite state, phrase structure, and transformations) are present in the Faculty of Language, with (possible) consequences for language variation. RESUMEN


The steady normalized centerline-velocity distribution proximal to an orifice has been used in quantifying valvular regurgitation with color Doppler (CD). However, the presence of pulsitility and constraining walls in a viscous flowfield may influence the centerline flow characteristics. This study utilized computational fluid dynamic (CFD) models of the flow region proximal to an axisymmetric orifice to investigate the combined effects of adjacent wall influence and time dependence on the proximal flowfield. Steady state conditions and time waveforms for flowrate and pressure-gradient were used as input boundary conditions. Results of this study indicate that normalized centerline velocity distributions depend on adjacent wall orientation. However, for a specific wall orientation, the instantaneous, normalized, centerline-velocity distribution showed little deviation from steady state distributions. These results suggest that the steady state proximal centerline velocity distribution is a good approximation the pulsatile centerline distribution for a specific time.


ABSTRACT In this article, we investigate how a process drama can be used in efforts against school bullying in a new digitalised society, specifically, what kinds of initiatives Norwegian adolescents make use of in process drama as anti-bullying prevention and what kinds of attitudes towards this kind of prevention work they emphasise. In the project Drama & Bullying (2017-2020),95 16- year-old 10th-graders participated in different roles, explored the drama conventions, and thus developed a deeper insight into bullying and its prevention. The participants adjusted the original story that was provided to fit their presentday challenges.


Objective:To compare failure rate, wear rate and other aspects of clinical performance of direct composite inlays with conventional composite restorations at 5 year follow-up. Methods:100 matched pairs of restorations were originally selected for the trial. Each pair consisted of a direct composite inlay and a conventional composite restoration made from the same material. During 5 years it was possible to recall 65 pairs. Clinical assessments were made using USPHS criteria. Results:There was a trend of more failures with restoration inlay than conventional composites(17.4%,7.5%), but the difference was not significant. The clinical performance of both types of restoration was similar. Between 3 and 5 years there was some deterioration in colour match, proximal contact, Gingival Index. Wear rates of both types of restoration showed no significant difference and were essentially in linear with time( 33-34 μm per year). Conclusions: In this study the direct inlay technique gave no clinical advantage over conventional, incremental placement.


We report the observation of a novel feature in the pulse emission characteristics of a passively mode-locked fibre ring laser. In both anomalous and normal path-averaged dispersion regimes, we show switching from stationary multisolitons, which comprise a small number of pulses, to large soliton trains. The abrupt transition between the two emission regimes is manifested in both ways.


Changjiang-Yellow Rivers Source Region is an important strategic plac e of eco-environment protection in China.Sheep and yak fatteni ng in shed for sh ortening the duration of livestock on hand can mitigate the grazing stress,prote ct the natural grassland,improve the herdsman capability of safeguarding livesto ck and living through the cold winter and increase their net income.The economic and ecological benefits of yak and sheep fattening in shed in Changjiang-Yello w Rivers Source Region are calculated and the results show that the net incomes of yak and sheep fattening in RMB are 256.5 yuan/yak and 34.25 yuan/sheep,and the economic values of ecological b enefits in RMB are 15953.31 yuan/yak and 5301.85 yuan/sheep per year respectively.


Mobile cloud computing has the alternatives of support constraints, directness and uncertainty that ends up in the excessive uncertainty on its Quality of Service (QoS) provision and Serious security dangers. Therefore, whilst confronted with the complex service desires, partner costefficient and reliable provider composition technique is very important. Additionally, desire studying is additionally a key difficulty to decorate user experiences. So as to deal with them, this paper introduces a 3-layered accept as true withenabled service composition model for the mobile cloud computing systems. Supported fuzzy complete evaluation methodology, we generally tend to fashion a totally particular and incorporated trust management version. Service brokers are prepared with a getting to know module authorizing them to higher analyze customers' provider possibilities specifically in instances as soon as the primary points of a carrier request aren't complete disclosed. As an end result of historic techniques cannot complete reflect the self-sustaining collaboration among the cell cloud entities, a version system supported the multi-agent platform JADE is enforced to assess the potency of the projected ways. The experimental outcomes show that our method improves the dealing fulfillment fee and user satisfaction.


Myoglobinuria was proved in four patients in coma after drug ingestion or injection and was suspected in four others because of the very high serum enzyme concentrations, including creatine phosphokinase, and renal insufficiency. The variety of drugs used suggests that this is not a direct effect of specific drugs but is due to several effects of coma. Pressure upon dependent muscles in immobile individuals is probably primarily responsible, but ischemia, anoxia, hypotension, hypothermia, and acidosis contribute. In five patients there was residual evidence of pressure or traction injury to ulnar, peroneal, and sciatic nerves or to the brachial plexus. The syndrome can be recognized in comatose individuals if dependent limbs are swollen and indurated. In any comatose patient, routine determination of serum enzymes and evaluation of the urine for myoglobin would permit early recognition of this syndrome; forced diuresis might decrease the incidence of renal damage, the most threatening complication of myoglobinuria.


ABSTRACT In recent years, citizenship revocation has become synonymous with terrorism, regarded as a practice reserved for the most dangerous of citizens. Yet in the UK revocation has a much longer history, spanning over 100 years, with a narrative that extends beyond the nation-state and into Empire. This paper asks what may be learned from a historical account of citizenship revocation? Exploring its emergence as part of the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act 1914, this account suggests that revocation should not be analyzed in isolation but as a practice embedded in polices of immigration, naturalization, and emigration. This paper illustrates the ways in which these policies code subjects based on race, class and gender in order to govern their mobility. From this study, it argues that citizenship revocation cannot be explained solely through security claims and suggests that the 2018 cases should be considered in the context of revocation's history.


We report the results of a complex Kohn variational calculation of the low-energy electron scattering from ethylene, C{sub 2}H{sub 4}. Our calculations are the first to confirm the existence of the Ramsauer-Townsend effect in a molecule which possesses a permanent quadrupole moment and suggest that such minima may be found in electron-scattering cross sections for many nonpolar molecules. The calculations also reveal a low-energy shape resonance in {sup 2}{ital B}{sub 2{ital g}} symmetry at 1.83 eV, in excellent agreement with both beam and swarm measurements.


The use of 3D tissue models is an emerging branch of cell-based in vitro assays. However, the advancement of appropriate readout techniques capable of reaching into the center of those cell aggregates proceeds rather slowly.
This thesis addresses the characterization and testing of a new impedance-based device to analyze 3D multicellular spheroids non-invasively and label-free. The new device consists of a flow channel with a central aperture that is sealed by the spheroid. ITO electrodes positioned at the bottom of the two channel reservoires enable the EIS analysis of the trapped spheroid in the flow channel. The channel and the electrode layout are made of transparent material and therefore allow spheroid imaging within the channel.
The flow channel can be cleaned easily and re-used several times. Spheroid introduction into the channel and positioning in front of the central aperture by fluid flow is straightforward. Upon spheroid introduction and subsequent sealing of the aperture the impedance of the channel is significantly increased compared to the impedance of a spheroid-free channel. The overall impedance of the setup is dominated by the dielectric properties of the spheroid and allows for its detailed analysis. Spheroids with the same age and formed from the same seeding density as well as repositioned spheroids showed reproducible impedance characteristics. By implementation of a transfer function in a LabView-based software describing the equivalent circuit model of a spheroid in the EIS device it is possible to quantify the dielectric properties of spheroids. These are described by the three spheroid parameters: (i) Rext, reflecting the extracellular resistance caused by the current flow around cellular bodies and through the extracellular matrix, (ii) the intracellular resistance Rint caused by the resistivity of the cytoplasm and (iii) the non-ideal total capacitance Asph of the cell membranes.
For proof-of-concept studies MCF-7 tumor spheroids, P19 embryonic bodies and Cor.At® cardiospheres were prepared preferentially by cell aggregation on a non-adhesive surface in a 96-well plate, as it reproducibly generates spheroids of defined size. The tumor spheroids were used to study their morphological alterations upon exposure to invasive stimuli (PFA, saponin, osmotic pressure, cytochalasin D, hyperthermia, irradiation after CaAM or C-dot loading of spheroids). Spheroid injury or death is reflected by a decrease in micromotion (V32), overall impedance and the spheroid parameters Rext and Rint, whereas Asph shows individually different changes. Cardiospheres were investigated based on their beating behavior. Their response to well-known contraction enhancing or inhibiting substances was measured successfully and along physiological mechanisms. Embryonic bodies were used to study their differentiation into cardiomyocytes and neurons. However, due to inefficient differentiation, no distinct changes in impedance were observed.
In summary, the impedance-based flow channel is a label-free, non-invasive and time resolved new readout technique to monitor 3D tissue models and their changes within biomedical experiments.


A device includes a first package component, and a second package component underlying the first package component. The second package component includes a first electrical connector at a top surface of the second package component, wherein the first electrical connector is bonded to the first package component. The second package component further includes a second electrical connector at the top surface of the second package component, wherein no package component is overlying and bonded to the second electrical connector.


Capillarization, lack of liver sinusoidal endothelial cell (LSEC) fenestration, and formation of an organized basement membrane not only precedes fibrosis, but is also permissive for hepatic stellate cell activation and fibrosis. Thus, dysregulation of the LSEC phenotype is a critical step in the fibrotic process. Both a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)‐stimulated, nitric oxide (NO)‐independent pathway and a VEGF‐stimulated NO‐dependent pathway are necessary to maintain the differentiated LSEC phenotype. The NO‐dependent pathway is impaired in capillarization and activation of this pathway downstream from NO restores LSEC differentiation in vivo. Restoration of LSEC differentiation in vivo promotes HSC quiescence, enhances regression of fibrosis, and prevents progression of cirrhosis. (Hepatology 2015;61:1740–1746)


The complexity of VMAT delivery requires new methods and potentially new tools for the commissioning of these systems. It appears that great consideration is needed for quality assurance (QA) of these treatments since there are limited devices that are dedicated to the QA of rotational delivery. In this present study, we have evaluated the consistency and reproducibility of one prostate and one lung VMAT plans for 31 consecutive days using three different approaches: 1) MLC DynaLog files, 2) in vivo measurements using the multiwire ionization chamber DAVID, and 3) using PTWseven29 2D ARRAY with the OCTAVIUS phantom at our Varian Clinac linear accelerator. Overall, the three methods of testing the reproducibility and consistency of the VMAT delivery were in agreement with each other. All methods showed minimal daily deviations that contributed to clinically insignificant dose variations from day to day. Based on our results, we conclude that the VMAT delivery using a Varian 2100CD linear accelerator equipped with 120 MLC is highly reproducible. PACS numbers: 87.55.Qr and 87.56.Fc


The CGNET Swara (India) and Mobile Voices (United States) demonstrate that dedicated citizen journalism outlets can effectively combine journalism and activism to mobilize communities for positive social impact. Few studies have compared citizen journalism effects in the area of mobilization across countries, in multi-cultural settings, especially in the developed and developing world. This paper compares and contrasts conceptual frames employed and approaches pursued in fundamentally different settings to examine how citizen media works for progressive change.


The increased sensitivity of the genomes uncoupled mutants to norflurazon indicates that they are probably deficient in plastid-to-nucleus signaling and are unequivocally not resistant to norflurazon.


A collaborative research project is currently in progress which aims to develop a fire zone model that deals with the uncertainty and variability associated with the modelling of design fires and design fire scenarios in buildings. As part of this research, a simple submodel has been developed which simulates the radiation received by secondary fuel items from both remote burning objects and enclosure surfaces and determines when secondary items ignite. An experimental programme was carried out to validate both the radiation and ignition predictions of the submodel, with good agreement being achieved between the theoretical model and actual intermediate-scale experiments in the laboratory. The experimental programme also serves to demonstrate the use of different radiation measuring devices.


Based on the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission we look at magnetic field fluctuations in the Earth's magnetosheath. We apply the statistical analysis using a Fokker-Planck equation to investigate processes responsible for stochastic fluctuations in space plasmas. As already known, turbulence in the inertial range of hydromagnetic scales exhibits Markovian features. We have extended the statistical approach to much smaller scales in space, where kinetic theory should be applied. Here we study in detail and compare the characteristics of magnetic fluctuations behind the bow shock, inside the magnetosheath, and near the magnetopause. It appears that the first Kramers- Moyal coefficient is linear and the second term is quadratic function of magnetic increments, which describe drift and diffusion, correspondingly, in the entire magnetosheath. This should correspond to a generalization of Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process. We demonstrate that the second order approximation of the Fokker-Planck equation leads to non-Gaussian kappa distributions of the probability density functions. In all cases in the magnetosheath, the approximate power-law distributions are recovered. For some moderate scales we have the kappa distributions described by various peaked shapes with heavy tails. In particular, for large values of the kappa parameter this shape is reduced to the normal Gaussian distribution. It is worth noting that for smaller kinetic scales the rescaled distributions exhibit a universal global scale-invariance, consistently with the stationary solution of the Fokker-Planck equation. These results, especially on kinetic scales, could be important for a better understanding of the physical mechanism governing turbulent systems in space and astrophysical plasmas.


An inquiry has concluded that prescribing methadone to drug users should remain a central part of treatment in Scotland, despite claims that the policy had proved a failure.

It said that the evidence of the benefits of replacement therapy was strong, but it recommended that the therapy should be part of a full range of treatment options aimed at promoting recovery. It also recommended a greater role for family doctors and pharmacists in deciding how drug treatment services should be delivered locally.

The review was ordered after political and media opposition to the methadone programme, which has …


The body of string instruments, such as the acoustic guitar, is a good example of systems with the characteristics described above. In this paper we show how the transfer function of such bodies can be formulated in terms of warped digital filters. First we analyze typical body responses to show their properties both in the time and the frequency domain. Next the principle of warped filters is introduced and some interesting filter structures are discussed. Based on this approach, body filters can be designed and implemented directly in the warped frequency domain. Computational efficiency of warped filters is compared with unwarped ones which shows that warped filters are more optimal for the purpose.


Cyclocondensation of 2-aminothiophenol and aryl/heteryl aldehydes has been carried using biomimetic catalyst, β- Cyclodextrin in water and obtained 2-aryl/heteryl benzothiazoles with better to excellent yields. This biomimetic catalyzed route is simple, economic, and environmentally benign.


Transcription and analysis on uncovered documents from the State Archives in Venice for the exhibit held at Palazzo Mocenigo in spring 2014.


Data literacy education for graduate students can take place in many contexts. One-shot instruction sessions and credit-bearing courses are a common mode of instruction for the graduate student audience, but both share limitations regarding best practices for adult learning theory. This case study explores the benefits of data literacy education in a research lab setting and highlights the collaborations among data librarians, a liaison librarian, and research faculty that enable effective learning experiences in labs or other applied settings. The authors share the design of the curriculum, facilitation of the instruction, and the assessment of student learning, as well as their approach to collaboration as an essential component


During the Late Paleolithic empty continents saw range expansion by anatomically modern humans while occupied ones witnessed human groups undergo range contractions and demographic shifts. To understand what effects these different types of population movements had on the archaeological record, this paper compares the records of two allopatric Late Paleolithic hunter-gatherer groups: those who left behind the Clovis and the Willendorf-Pavlov-Kostenki -Avdeevo inventories. Ecological theory as well as insights from migration theory are used to generate specific archaeological correlates which are then identified in the archaeological records. These records show the existence of very diverse phenomena including colonization, abandonment, refuging, and demographic shifts. The resultant consequences differ depending on both social and environmental realities of the Late Pleistocene landscapes.


Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most important cereal crops in the world which is mostly grown in the climatic zone. Rice is the staple food source for more than two-third of the world's population (Sasaki and Burr, 2000), especially in Southeast Asia (Nwugo and Huerta, 2011; Wang et al., 2011). The crop is planted about one-third of the world area mostly in Asia and provides 35-60% of the total calories intakes by the people. Rice has relatively lower protein content compared to other cereals but has higher protein quality due to its higher ratio of glutelin/prolamin (Kaul and Raghaviah, 1975). As a source of protein, rice is assumed to be less important than some other grains but, it is significant for the people whose daily food consumption is dominated by rice especially in South and Southeast Asia where people depend on rice as their main source of protein. Rice contributing approximately 29.1% of the dietary protein for human consumption in developing countries as an important source of protein for half the world Integrating UAV Remote Sensing with GIS for Predicting Rice Grain Protein


This study goals is to produce an e-learning to help students understand chemistry lesson eventough they can't study in class or study in a normal condition. This research is focused development of content learning system e-learning on corossion topic based on project-based learning model using flipped classroom. This study is a research and development (R&D) method to produce a particular product, and test the effectiveness of the product. The data collection techniques used is questionnaire of product evaluation. The e-learning product validation conducted by postgraduates students of educational chemistry from Universitas Negeri Padang. The validation analysis was carried out using V aiken index. The validation of 3 aspects of content validity shows is Guide and information, this components show the average result of V about 0.833, it means this component is valid. The average result of V for material content is 0.838 and for evaluation is 0.84.For the construct validity for guide and information, which the V average result is 0.796. For the program performance the v result is 0.83 and in the design principles shows 0.777 of v result. This result conclude that the e-learning product is valid, and can be use for learning process in Senior High School.


This report describes what research over the past decade has revealed about the impact of heroin use on public health and public order in Australia. It summarises what is known about: the prevalence of heroin use and dependent heroin use in Australia; the major health risks that heroin injection poses to users, their families and the community; and the connection between heroin use and property and drugrelated crime. The report argues that effective forms of treatment for heroin dependence exist, which can reduce the adverse impact that heroin use has on the health of heroin users while improving public health and public order.


1. Abstract Hall-effect sensors functioning is based on the tension developed in a conductor when this is submitted simultaneously to an electric current and a magnetic field perpendicular to the direction of the current flow. The tension developed is perpendicular to both variables. The Hall tension is a function of the current density, of the magnetic field strength and of the properties of the conductor (load density and mobility of the carriers). In control systems, hall-effect sensors are used to measure tension, current, displacement, etc. In this work, the variable to be monitored is tension. In the stage of specification of the controller(s), mathematical models are used to simulate the functioning of the plant, so that they meet the desired specifications. Thus, it is necessary that each component of the plant or subsystem possesses optimized representations, so that interferences among components are minimum. This work proposes a discrete model to simulate the interactions of the hall-effect sensor in control system. In order to obtain the input and output data, experiments were carried out using three distinct input signals (square wave, sine wave and PWM), with different frequencies, so as to obtain a general model. The technique used to set the parameters of the model proposed was the Memetic Algorithms. We used the black box model, in which the system content is inferred by processing experimental input and output data statistically. Based on the previous knowledge one has about the sensor model and the experimental input and output data, it is possible to recursively identify the plant. The problem of identification of systems is a matter of optimization, because it estimates the model parameters that minimize the difference between the prediction of the output and the input, at every instant.


The change of the Greek aspirates into the voiceless spirants of the modern language was already beginning to appear in some of the ancient dialects. The intermediate stage in this development is naturally that of affricates, ph, th, kh, becoming pf, tp, kx respectively, a stage seen in such spellings as μετνλλακχóτα. The evidence of the inscriptions shows that the change was not readily effected in Attic, and the clearest mark of this conservatism is the interchange of aspirates and tenues.


This research was developed in order to determine the impact of marketing
strategies to improve sales of the company World Book.
For this report the descriptive research design was used, and the following
methods: inductive; interview and survey: and finally the following research
techniques were applied. Of which surveyed a sample of 62 clients and the
respective interview the manager of the company World Book.
From research primary information of customers who showed us their needs
and provided its recommendations for the company to take into account when
developing their marketing mix and can make a differentiation from its current
competition was obtained, it will be reflected in a higher sales level.
Once completed the process of research and analyzed the two variables,
I conclude that a proper marketing strategy if it influences the
improvement of the level of sales as long as the focus is directed to
establish prices and offering attractive promotions for purchases made.


In order to investigate the size dependence of the magnetic properties in superparamagnetic nanoparticles, we synthesized four di erent-sized superparamagnetic zinc-ferrite nanoparticles between 9.8 and 13.4 nm and investigated them by using X-ray di ractometry and superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometry. The lattice constant for each sample was slightly bigger than that of the zinc-ferrite bulk and tended to increase with decreasing particle size of the sample. As the particle size decreased, the magnetization and the blocking temperature, suggesting the appearance of superparamagnetic relaxation, also increased. These tendencies may be ascribed to the surface e ect, the size e ect and the variation of the site distribution with decreasing particle size in nanoparticle systems.


This paper uses the method of surrogate data to analyze the dynamics of financial time signals suggesting a hierarchy of hypotheses where irregular fluctuations: (i) are independently distributed, (ii) are generated by a linear system, and (iii) are generated by a stationary linear system. These hypotheses are tested with a battery of non-linear statistical: (i) Autocorrelation (AC), (ii) Average Mutual Information (AMI) and (iii) the complexity of Lempel-Ziv. In this work, we have compared the behavior of the original signal with a set of surrogate data generated, which satisfies the assumptions of the non-linear statistics. The result is useful for understanding the nature of the data and to formulate models that best fit the dynamics of systems that generate measurements. Computational experiments on the commodity gold show that the series could follow a dynamic different to the "white noise" with nonlinearity characteristics and non-stationary condition. Therefore, it is possible to determine that in modeling the price of the gold could be possible to exclude several proposed mathematical models, which no consider these characteristics


The purpose of the current study was to find novel rheumatoid arthritis (RA)‐specific gene expression by simultaneously comparing the expression profiles of the synovial tissues from patients with RA, osteoarthritis (OA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The Illumina Human HT‐12 v4 Expression BeadChip was used to investigate the global gene expression profiles in synovial tissues from RA (n = 12), OA (n = 14) and AS (n = 7) patients. By comparing the profiles in synovial tissues from RA, OA and AS, we identified the CD38, ankyrin repeat domain 38 (ANKRD38), E2F transcription factor 2 (E2F2), craniofacial development protein 1 (CFDP1), cluster of differentiation (CD)7, interferon‐stimulated exonuclease gene 20 kDa (ISG20) and interleukin‐2 receptor gamma (IL)‐2RG genes as differentially expressed gene expression in RA synovial tissues. The increased expression of CD38, E2F2 and IL‐2RG, as revealed using real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with synovial tissues from RA (n = 30), OA (n = 26) and AS patients (n = 20), was in agreement with the microarray data. Immunohistochemistry revealed significant CD38 expression and E2F2 in synovial membranes from RA patients (n = 5). The CD38+ cells had high a percentage in the RA patients' blood (n = 103) and in the CD3+ and CD56+ subsets. The CD38+ cell percentage was correlated significantly with RF level (P = 0·026) in RA patients. The IL‐1α and IL‐β levels were depressed significantly in the culture medium of RA synovial fibroblast cells (n = 5) following treatment with siRNAs targeting the E2F2 or CD38 genes. This study suggests that the uniquely increased expression of CD38 and E2F2 in RA synovial tissues contribute to the immunoactivation of the disease.


Recent publication by Noboru Karashima A new article by Noboru Karashima  "Epigraphical Study of Ancient and Medieval Villages in the Tamil Country" was recently published in Review of Agrarian Studies, Volume 1, Number 2 (July-December, 2011). Abstract: Inscriptions on stones or copper-plates, which occur in substantial numbers, are the basic source-material for the ancient and medieval history of India, as much of India lacks history books compiled in these periods. For pre-...


DURING the past 15 years and particularly in the past ten years, there have been many major developments in excitation systems for synchronous condensers and generators. These changes and improvements were stimulated in 1928 by the introduction of the hydrogen-cooled synchronous condenser which necessitated a reconsideration of the excitation arrangement and brought about a change from a direct-connected exciter to separate excitation. This, together with the desire to obtain maximum speed of response and to eliminate maintenance caused by moving parts associated with rotating exciters and with mechanical regulators, led to the trial of electronic applications on the systems of the American Gas and Electric Company A development program along these lines was carried on over a period of approximately 15 years and included specifically 15 exciter applications on large generators and condensers. About six years ago a review of the performance and operating experience on the machines involved in this plan resulted in the design and trial of a system using a direct-connected exciter with amplidyne control for excitation of a large synchronous condenser. Following this, four similar installations were provided. Thus there has been obtained a wide variety of experience with excitation systems and associated equipment. It is the purpose of this paper to recount these developments, describe typical installations, and discuss the operating results obtained with them.


The relevance of Van Der Pijl's classic volume lies in its potential to provide an extensible conceptual framework that accentuates the territoriality of capitalist-imperialism. The arguments provided in the new preface are influenced by the author's later work, which associates capitalist globalization with the rise of masonic "transnational cosmopolitanism." Such an assumption, however, seems to contradict the book's original argument about the territoriality of imperialism and the state's central role in manufactory hegemony.


I interpret $\ensuremath{\psi}(3095)$ and ${\ensuremath{\psi}}^{\ensuremath{'}}(3684)$ as space and color excitations in a model in which a quark is a composite of a Fermi, spin-\textonehalf{}, ordinary SU(3) object and a Bose, spin-0, color SU(3) object, and a meson is a four-body object. Color conservation and the absence of dipole transitions from the space mode make these two $\ensuremath{\psi}'\mathrm{s}$ narrow for nonradiative and for radiative decays, respectively, to the usual hadrons.


Cocoa breeding and selection programmes in Ghana and other West African countries have been based largely on existing cultivated populations or on few collections of wild cocoa. The most widely used cocoa germplasm derives from the material collected by F. J. Pound during the periods 1937-1938 and 1942-1943 and distributed as the Iquitos Mixed Calabacillos (IMC), Nanay, Parinari, Scavina, and the Pound series of clones. This material collected in the Upper Amazon region has been particularly successful, suggesting that cacao would be greatly improved if more germplasm material were provided for use by breeders. Maintaining adequate genetic variability in cocoa germplasm collection, essential for sustainable cocoa production, can be realised through active and conscious germplasm acquisition. Because there is the risk of accidentally introducing diseases and pests along with cocoa germplasm material, effective indexing procedures, together with the availability of final quarantine houses in individual producing countries, are essential to ensure that introduced materials are free of diseases and pests. To be successful as breeding material for producing improved varieties for farmers, the introductions must have some desirable characteristics acceptable to chocolate manufacturers and farmers. Les programmes de reproduction et de selection de cacao au Ghana et dans d'autres pays de l'Afrique occidentale ont ete fonde en grande partie sur les populations de cultures existantes ou sur un tous petit nombre de collections de cacao sauvage. Le germeplasme de cacao le plus utilise sur une grande etendue vient de matieres ramassees par F. J. Pound en 1937-1938 et en 1942-1943 et distribuees sous les noms d'Iquitos Mixed Calabacillos (IMC), Nanay, Parinari, Scavina et Pound comme des series de clones. Une succes particulier a ete realise avec cette matiere ramassee de la region de Haute Amazone. Ce succes suggere que meme de plus grandes ameliorations en cacao pourraient etre possible si beaucoup auraient ete disponible pour utilisation par les phytogeticiens. Le maintien de variabilite genetique adequate en collection de germeplasme de cacao est essentiel pour la production durable de cacao et ceci pourrait etre realise par acquisition active et consciente de germeplasme. Puisqu'il y a le risque d'introduire par hasard les maladies et les insectes nuisibles avec la matiere de germeplasme du cacao, les procedures efficaces d'indexation, ainsi que la disponibilite de salles de quarantaine finale dans chaque pay producteur sont essentiel pour assurer que les matietes introduietes sont sans maladies et insectes nuisibles. Pour reussir comme matiere de reproduction pour la production de varietes ameliores pour les agriculteurs, les introductions devraient avoir quelques caracteristiques desirables er acceptables aux fabriquants de chocolat et aux agriculteurs.

 Ghana Journal of Agricultural Science Vol. 39 (2) 2006: pp. 227


Triassic is the most promisingtarget for oil/gas exploration in block A,Algeria.The research on its hydrocarbon accumulation conditions and enrichment controlling factors is of great significance for oil/gas exploration within the block.Based on the comprehensive study on evaluation of Silurian source rock,characteristics of Triassic reservoir and such basic petroleum geologic conditions as trap condition,cap rock as well as preservation condition and time and space conditions ofhydrocarbon accumulation,it is pointed out that the factors controlling hydrocarbon accumulation in block A,Algeria are hydrocarbon source conditions,the difference in the quality of reservoirs and the effectiveness of gas migration.Oil/gas exploration in block A,Algeria should adhere to the principle of near hydrocarbon source and deal with the two key factors of reservoirs and traps on the basis of fine logging interpretation,reservoir inversion and micro-fracture prediction.


The metabolism of *-3-oxosteroids in rat liver Summary: The enzymatic reactions are described by which A4-3-oxosteroids, specially testosterone, are inactivated in rat liver. The A4-3-oxosteroid-5 -reductase in liver microsomes was studied intensively and it was found that it is an enzyme system. The 5 -reduction of testosterone with NADPH or with NADH depends upon different enzymes or enzyme systems.


This research aims to review the effect and eligibility a mixture of Pertamina Dex fuel with jatropha oil on the performance of diesel engine four stroke single cylinder. Mixture fuel tested be conducted by comparing the performance of diesel engine four stroke that uses mixture of Pertamina Dex fuel and pure jatropha oil which have gone through the degumming process with variable compositions JO 0%, JO 10% and JO 20%. Engine performance testing conducted to obtain comparison of torque, power, fuel consumption and thermal efficiency of any fuel variation. The research result show that jatropha oil mixture get effect to the diesel engine performance. On 3000 watts load, Pertamina Dex with mixture of 20% jatropha oil (JO 20%) capable produce greater torque and the lowest fuel consumption value produced by pure Pertamina Dex (JO 0%).


We present an etch-aware optical proximity correction (OPC) flow that is intended to optimize post-etch patterns on wafer. We take advantage of resource efficient empirical etch models and a model based retargeting scheme to determine post-develop in-plane resist targets required to achieve post-etch critical dimensions. The goal of this flow is to optimize final patterns on wafer rather than two independent patterns from lithography and etch. As part of this flow, we cover important aspects of etch process variability implications for etch aware OPC. Metrics for total pattern transfer are developed and explored with an eye toward optimizing pattern transfer. We present results from a 45 nm poly-silicon and 32 nm shallow trench isolation levels where etch aware OPC has been applied and compare these results with conventional resist based OPC schemes. Finally, implications of this flow for unit process developers in lithography and reactive ion etch are explored. We present a process optimization flow that incorporates model based retargeting into resolution enhancement technology selection, materials selection as well as lithographic and reactive ion etch process development.


Many existing job analysis tools for ergonomics have concentrated on the potential adverse effects of force, posture, and repetition, as these appear to be traditionally recognized risk factors in the workplace. Recent investigations have indicated that this pragmatic approach may be overly simplistic, and thus miss prediction of risk factors associated with certain motions.


The boundary value problem for the mean first passage time is transformed here into an initial value problem by the shooting method of adjoints. Dichotomous fluctuations between two potentials ${V}_{1}(z)$ and ${V}_{2}(z)$ are assumed. The activation rate is given by an integral equation whose solutions may be computed iteratively with arbitrary precision. Model calculations are carried out for potentials of the form ${V}_{i}(z)=(\ensuremath{-}{1)}^{i}\ensuremath{\omega}{z}^{\ensuremath{\rho}}, \ensuremath{\rho}g~0$, and the strongest resonance of the activation rate is found in the linear case of $\ensuremath{\rho}=1$.


key members of the Academia. Between 1636 and 1645 the congregation met no fewer than eighty-two times. This much narrower but more systematic initiative to refurbish the daily cult of the Italian peninsula's Greek rite Roman Catholics undoubtedly distracted the Academia's principal patron from the far more ambitious cultural agenda promoted by the latter, which was nothing less than the religious unification of east and west. Now, thanks to Herklotz's patient research and prodigious learning it is possible, once again, to appreciate the significance of this hitherto largely invisible chapter in the history of ecclesiastical scholarship during the age of confessionalisation.


This study investigates an improvement in memory characteristics through depositing an In2O3 layer as an oxygen ion reservoir in the switching layer (SL) of resistive random access memory (RRAM). The deposition of In2O3, denoted as Pt/HfO2/In2O3/TiN device, provides better memory characteristics including lower forming voltage (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${V}_{F}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>), set/reset voltage (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${V}_{\mathrm {SET}}/{V}_{\mathrm {RESET}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>), larger memory window, and higher resistances with higher uniformity at low resistance state (LRS) and high resistance state (HRS), compared to the devices without the In2O3 deposition, denoted as Pt/HfO2/TiN device. The conduction mechanisms, verified through fitting current–voltage (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${I} - {V}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) curves, are consistent with the results of a varied temperature <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${I} - {V}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> experiment. Finally, a physical model is proposed to explain our observations.


Cadmium is an important occupational and environmental pollutant that damages various organs, especially renal proximal tubular cells. We examined the effect of aqueous extract of Buddleja officinalis (ABO) on cadmium chloride (CdCl2)-induced cytotoxicity in HK-2 human renal proximal tubular cells. HK-2 cells were preincubated with ABO (50, 100, 200 and 400 μg/ml) for 3 hr and then treated with 10 μM CdCl2 for 24 hr. The effect of ABO on CdCl2-induced cytotoxicity in HK-2 cells was investigated by using MTT assay, morphological observation, flow cytometric analysis and Western blot. The results of the MTT assay and morphological observation indicated that CdCl2-induced cytotoxicity was prevented by pretreatment with ABO. In flow cytometric analysis, ABO reduced sub-G1 peak (apoptotic peak) in CdCl2-treated cells. CdCl2-induced procaspase-3 proteolysis and PARP cleavage reduced by pretreatment with ABO. These results suggest that ABO effectively inhibited CdCl2-induced cytotoxicity in HK-2 cells.


The rapid growth of science and technology in energy and environmental fields has enlightened the substantial importance of the conducting polymer and metal composite materials engineered at nano-scale. This is particularly manifested in the design and synthe- sis of novel sensor materials to achieve the desired morphology and property. Here, a brief review is presented about the recent works and advances on tailoring nano-scale architectures of the nanostructured conducting polymer and metal composite materials towards en- hanced sensing activity and durability for the gas vapor, chemical reagent and biochemical reagent. The representative synthesis strate- gies and sensor prototypes are highlighted with the focus placed on synthesis, characterization and sensor property development.


The fork call allows a process (or running program) to create new processes. On multiprocessor systems, these processes can run concurrently in parallel. Since its birth 50 years ago, the fork has remained a central element of modern computing, both with regard to software development principles and, by extension, to hardware design, which increasingly accommodates parallelism in process execution. This article looks back at the birth of the fork system call to share, as remembered by its pioneers.


Through the analysis of the present situation of Chinese and world gymnastic level reflected by the 37th World Gymnastics Tournament, the paper points out the existing problems in Chinese gymnastics and provides some theoretical proposals for the gymnastic coaches and the preparatory training aiming at 2004?Olympic Games so as to further improve the technological level of Chinese gymnastics.


This review describes the effect of lifestyle change or metformin compared to standard care on incident diabetes and cardiometabolic risk factors in the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) and its Outcome Study. The DPP was a randomized, controlled clinical trial of intensive lifestyle and metformin treatments versus standard care in 3234 subjects at high risk for diabetes. At baseline, hypertension was present in 28%, and 53% had the metabolic syndrome, with considerable variation in risk factors by age, gender and race. Over 2.8 years, diabetes incidence fell by 58% and 31% in the lifestyle and metformin groups respectively, and metabolic syndrome prevalence fell by a third with lifestyle change but was not reduced by metformin. In placebo- and metformin-treated subjects the prevalence of hypertension and dyslipidemia increased during the DPP, while lifestyle intervention slowed these increases significantly. During long term follow up using modified interventions, diabetes incidence decreased to about 5% per year in all groups. This was accompanied by significant improvement in CVD risk factors over time in all treatment groups, in part associated with increasing use of lipid lowering and antihypertensive medications. Thus a program of lifestyle change significantly reduced diabetes incidence and metabolic syndrome prevalence in subjects at high risk for diabetes. Metformin had more modest effects. Publisher's Disclaimer: This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final citable form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. Disclosures: None.


In a dedicated machine tool, the box is one of the most important parts of the multi axle box, its deformation will directly affect the position accuracy of the parts in the multi axle box, and then affect the accuracy and reliability of the entire multi axle box. The finite element analysis of the deformation of the box is usually based on certain parameters. Considering the randomness of the modulus of elasticity, the density and the cutting force in practice, the finite element model of the box is established in the finite element analysis software ANSYS, the modulus of elasticity, the density and the cutting force are regarded as random input variable, and the maximum deformation is regarded as output variable, uses Monte Carlo method to analyze the reliability of the box, and gets the reliability of the box under allowable deformation. A feasible analysis method is provided for reliability design of box and similar parts.


In this work six psychophilic and psychrotrophic bacterial strains were screened for the presence of different glycosidase activities (α-galactosidase, α-glucosidase, β-glucosidase, α-mannosidase and β-glucuronidase). Nine enzymes were found and their elementary characteristics were measured (t o p t i m u m , pH o p t i m u m , K m , V l i m ). Two enzymes with the highest activities at low temperatures were chosen for the next study, i.e. α-glucosidase and β-glucosidase from the psychrotrophic strain Arthrobacter sp. C2-2. These enzymes were purified by ammonium sulphate precipitation, by chromatography with hydrophobic interaction, and by ion-exchange chromatography. Their molecular weights (a-glucosidase - 76 kDa, β-glucosidase - 93 kDa) were determined by gel chromatography. In addition to this, it was verified that both of these enzymes are able to catalyse the transglycosylation reaction with the saccharidic donor and acceptor.


The fluorescence of aminobenzonitrile clusters with solvent molecules under supersonic jet conditions is studied. The cluster size distribution is determined by time-of-flight mass spectrometry with an experimental setup that allows for mass analysis and dispersed emission spectroscopy quasi-simultaneously. For
 4-dimethylaminobenzonitrile (DMABN) dual fluorescence is observed for the monomer when complexed with a minimum of five acetonitrile molecules. The single emission bands of the 4-aminobenzonitrile (ABN) and 1-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-indole-5-carbonitrile (EIN) solvent complexes are red-shifted with respect to the uncomplexed chromophores. The difference
 between DMABN and ABN/EIN is attributed
 to the population of the CT state in DMABN.


This lhesis presents II research study that investigated student learning in a mentor supported design office situation, using n cognitive apprcntic:cship learning, nppronch that utilised nuthentic design project tasks. In thi� study, 29 final year Technical And Further Education (TAFE) building design students undertook authentic building design projects with expert building designers, who acted a'! mentors, in commercial design office situations. The mentors guided student lenming by using a cognilivc apprenticeship approach to learning, implemented with authentic design projects designed lo replicate the everyday culture of practice activities typical or commercial design office operations. This study follows the progress or these students as they worked in collaboration with their mentors in the design and presentation of design solutions developed for the projects, Data about the students' learning experiences in this setting were collected and analysed to determine their learning outcomes, the kinds of knowledge acquired and the means through which knowledge was transferred in the


This paper presents an interactive illustrated storybook for PCs and tablets, which can impart virtual actions to the characters and phenomena (e.g., "raining," "flowers swaying") in a story on the basis of onomatopoeias (e.g., "Para Para," "ByuByu-.") input by the user. In order to create a knowledge base for this system, we investigate the correspondence between the onomatopoeias and the characters/phenomena using tweets containing onomatopoeias. This paper describes the proposed system and the method for obtaining the above mentioned correspondence.


This paper proposes to apply data mining techniques to predict school failure and drop out. We use real data on 670 middle-school students from Zacatecas, Mexico and employ white-box classification methods such as induction rules and decision trees. Experiments attempt to improve their accuracy for predicting which students might fail or drop out by: firstly, using all the available attributes; next, selecting the best attributes; and finally, rebalancing data, and using cost sensitive classification. The outcomes have been compared and the best resulting models are shown.


Chronic glomerulonephritis is currently a serious medical problem because it is a serious illness and is characterized by widespread. The article discusses the basic concepts of cell-molecular mechanisms of the nephrotoxic effect of proteinuria. Analyzed the role in the progression of chronic glomerulonephritis and formulated routes of exposure.


It is now well established that molecular clouds are an important part of the interstellar medium, containing much or most of the dense, cold component of the gas, and producing the massive stars and supernovae responsible for the diffuse, hot component. It would therefore appear essential in formulating a complete picture of the local interstellar medium to have some knowledge of the distribution and properties of nearly molecular clouds. The Goddard-Columbia 1.2 meter telescope was used to carry out a wide latitude, low angular resolution survey of CO along most of the first galactic quadrant and a small part of the second. A plane-of-the-sky map, which resulted from numerically integrating the survey over radial velocity, is presented. The Great Rift and the Aquila Rift molecular clouds of the Milky Way are discussed.


The PCR products from mitochondrial Cytochrome-b gene were sequenced for seven River Nile teleost species. A threenucleotides cytochrome-b gene deletion existed in Siluformes catfishs sequences which may accounts for species adaptation and monophyletic evolution need. Analyzed Cytochrome-b gene sequences showed similar nucleotide composition to actinopterygian fishes, also high variation at nucleic level which supported the gene's suitability as DNA genetic marker in fish phylogentic studies. Results indicate closer genetic relationship between teleost actinopterygian River Nile fish species which reflected shared ancestry. Also, data confirm the close genetic and evolutionary relation of early divergent orders; Acipenseriforms (Sturgeons) and Semionotiformes (Alligator gars). These new sequence data perhaps is useful for successful fish managing, conservancy and aquaculture objectives. Additional DNA sequences from other River Nile telesot family representatives utilising the cytochrome-b gene primers used in this study, possibly provide contribution to future fish molecular phylogeny studies in this area. Keyword: Phylogeny, Actinopterygii, Genome, Variance , Cytochrome-b, River Nile, Qena


The present invention relate to a soluble and thermosetting liquid crystal oligomer with polysilsesquioxane (POSS) bonded with a main chain of the soluble and thermosetting liquid crystal oligomer; an insulative layer composition including the same; and a substrate including the insulative layer using the insulative layer composition. In accordance with the present invention, a coefficient of thermal expansion can be effectively lowered by adding a material of a hybrid structure, in which polysilsesquioxane and a derivative thereof are introduced to the main chain of the solution and thermosetting liquid crystal oligomer, to the insulative layer composition. The present invention can also make a substrate with enhanced thermal stability and minimizing dimensional deformation by heat, using the insulative layer composition as an insulative material of the substrate.


ABSTRACT In order to recover difficult-to-float fine coal, flotation rates of full-size coal are tested using electrochemical oxidized kerosene as a collector. The flotation rate of coal using oxidized kerosene is higher than that of adopting conventional kerosene. However, its flotation product contained more ash due to poor selectivity of oxidized kerosene. The maximum recovery and flotation rate constant of the model were calculated by Curve Fitting Tool in MATLAB software, and the correlation coefficient R2 of each model is obtained. It is found that the classic first-order kinetic model is the most suitable model for the flotation of kerosene and oxidized kerosene.


In object tracking and state estimation problems, ambiguous evidence such as imprecise measurements and the absence of detections can contain valuable information and thus be leveraged to further refine the probabilistic belief state. In particular, knowledge of a sensor's bounded field-of-view can be exploited to incorporate evidence of where an object was not observed. This paper presents a systematic approach for incorporating knowledge of the field-of-view geometry and position and object inclusion/exclusion evidence into object state densities and random finite set multi-object cardinality distributions. The resulting state estimation problem is nonlinear and solved using a new Gaussian mixture approximation based on recursive component splitting. Based on this approximation, a novel Gaussian mixture Bernoulli filter for imprecise measurements is derived and demonstrated in a tracking problem using only natural language statements as inputs. This paper also considers the relationship between bounded fields-of-view and cardinality distributions for a representative selection of multi-object distributions, which can be used for sensor planning, as is demonstrated through a problem involving a multi-Bernoulli process with up to one-hundred potential objects.


Objective:To learn the pollution status of organic chemicals in water from a water plant in Yinchuan and provide scientific basis for supervision and management.Methods:The organic pollutants in drinking water were concentrated on XAD-2 resins and analyzed by GC-MS.Results:Different organic contaminants were detected in the source water,treated water and peripheral water.The benzene series,straight-chain paraffin and polyaromatic hydrocarbon were main pollutants in source water,the ketones,phthalate and straight-chain paraffin were main pollutants in treated water,while chloride,straight-chain hydrocarbon,phthalate and aromatic hydrocarbon were main pollutants in peripheral water.Conclusion:The source water and the drinking water were polluted by the organic compound,so the water plants should enhance the management and adopt advanced treatment technology to remove the pollutants and improve the quality of the drinking water.


Pilonidal sinus is a blind-end tract lined with granulation tissue, which leads to a cystic cavity lined with epithelial tissue. This case report aims to present a case of pilonidal sinus presenting in an unusual location – the intermammary region, in a 16-year-old female patient who presented with complaints of serous discharge mixed with pus intermittently from the intermammary region for 5 months. Although a pilonidal sinus is most commonly seen at the sacrococcygeal region, the presence of one such entity in the intermammary region of a female represents a rare occurrence with very few cases reported worldwide – more so in young females with large, heavy, and pendulous breasts. A proper surgical repair in terms of its excision and closure remains the mainstay in management.


Objective
To investigate the sensitivity and specificity of ELISA in detecting lymphatic filariasis patients and evaluate the application value.

Methods
Using double-blind assay, microfilaria positive patients′ serum, serum of patients with other worms, advanced filariasis patients′ filter paper blood, primary hyperlipidemia microfilaria and the elimination of filariasis patients filter paper blood were detected by filarial specific IgG4 ELISA test kits.

Results
Eighty-six serum of microfilaria positive patients in total.The results of filarial specific IgG4 ELISA was eighty-one cases, the coincidence rate was 94.19%(81/86). Four patients′ of serum and filter were specific IgG4 positive, the antibody level of serum-positive patients was higher than that of paper blood positive patients′.Seropositive patients′ OD values were higher than that of filter paper blood positive patients′, there was no significant difference (Z=-1.826, P>0.05). Serum of ninety-seven patients with other worms, filter paper blood of fourty-eight advanced filariasis patients and filter paper blood of seventy-six microfilaria positive patients who had turnd negative were negative.Furthermore, filter paper bood of three hundred and twelve children who were born in filariasis elimination areas after 1983, and eight hundred cases of three high endemic area were detected negative.Filter paper blood and serum samples in Zaozhuang, Jining, Tai′an where former high degree detections of endemic filariasis elimination were 2744 copies, 2243 copies and 800 copies separately, all samples were negative.

Conclusions
The filarial specific IgG4 kit is high sensitivity and specificity.The ELISA is suitable for diagnosis and evaluation of filariasis in endemic region, and the filarial specific IgG4 ELISA test kit is simple, fast, and easy to judge the results.

Key words:
Filariasis; IgG; Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay; Diagnosis


Recent years have witnessed a burgeoning of interest and re search studies of temperament by developmental psychologists and psychiatrists. As summarized in a recent review by Rutter (1982), it is clear that infants and children differ strikingly in their behavioral char acteristics, that these temperamental characteristics can be measured reliably by various techniques, and that temperament plays a func tionally significant role in the course of normal and deviant psycho logical development.


This article contains results of an experimental study on the efficiency of the brown coal drying process in a fluidized bed conducted by means of warm air. It also presents results of a study on mathematical modelling of a fluidized bed of different dryer construction. The modelling results allowed for the determination of the optimal construction of the dryer (i.e., its shape and size), taking into consideration the intensity of mass and heat exchange. On the basis of the results of mathematical modelling research, the laboratorial fluidized bed dryer was constructed. Next, several experimental drying tests were carried out using two brown coals of different particle sizes and different air temperatures, one from the Belchatow mine and the other earthy coal from the Turow mine. Drying rates and energy consumption during drying were established on the basis of experimental results. Optimal parameters of drying due to minimal energy usage were then determined.


Thank you for reading consequential strangers the power of people who dont seem to matter but really do. Maybe you have knowledge that, people have search numerous times for their chosen books like this consequential strangers the power of people who dont seem to matter but really do, but end up in malicious downloads. Rather than reading a good book with a cup of coffee in the afternoon, instead they cope with some malicious virus inside their laptop.


The dynamic activities of dislocations and the mechanical properties of various III-V compound semiconductors with a sphalerite structure are reviewed, including current results. Macroscopic stress-strain characteristics and yield strength are described quantitatively in terms of dislocation dynamics on the basis of knowledge of the dynamic behaviour of individual dislocations in these compounds. Various impurities in the compounds affect the mechanical strength through two kinds of effects on individual dislocations: one is the modification of dislocation mobility in glide motion and the other is the immobilization of dislocations. The velocities of rate controlling dislocations during deformation are deduced from analysis of the dynamic state of dislocations.


Because the influences of the moisture in hydrocarbon or oil on the apparent thermodynamic behavior is small in each unit in refining company, hydrocarbon-water phase balance is focused and vapor-liquid is neglected in design.Hydrocarbon-water balance calculation was discussed and the deviation between calculated results and experiment data was obtained by Aspenplus for accuracy confirmation. The moisture control of gas fractionation and diesel hydrogenation in refinery were calculated and compared with industrial operation data.The results show that Aspenplus calculation as a calculation basis in design and process has directive significance to control moisture in hydrocarbon and explain moisture"abnormal"behavior.


This paper is on the improvement of the oil pump assembly for preventing low oil pressure symptoms of the K9 Self-Propelled howitzer engine. Although the TBO(Time Between Overhauls) of K9 self-propelled howitzer engine is 1,500 engine operating hours, 13.37 % of K9 Self-Propelled howitzer engines which were operated for only hundreds of hours suffered low oil pressure symptoms and failed to operate normally. Detailed investigation into the engine was conducted to establish the cause and generation mechanism of the symptoms and it was found that oil leakage due to abrasive wear of pressure relief valve piston housing occurred in the oil pump assembly. To prevent abrasive wear of piston housing, new design concept and design parameters of pressure relief valve have been proposed. Performance, durability and system installation test on the prototype based on the proposed design were followed and results validated the proposed design. Oil pump assembly based on this study is applied to mass production.


As main users of the network,juveniles are facing a variety of practical problems and network problems.It is particularly important to create methods of youth work in the internet age.The article analyzes principles and approaches of innovative methods of youth work and treatment of several relationships in innovating working methods.


Critical geographical studies of neoliberalism have emphasised how local spatialities complicate the implementation and theorisation of top-down, idealised versions of the ideology. The central assumption is that local circumstances autonomously contradict or disrupt such deployments of neoliberalism. This paper explores the deployment of 'defiant neoliberalism', and the use of Detroit as a vehicle to promote and 'prove' its veracity. Some geographers have suggested that such defiant ideologies are unworthy of serious critique because they are so self-evidently contradicted by local circumstances. The case calls into question the assumption that local circumstance naturally challenges ideological framings such as neoliberalism. Many local details contradict the veracity of idealised neoliberalism, yet its promoters are able to actively morph them (or elide them) into a narrative that supports the wider ideology.


T he aim of unclear carrying is to discover the smallest amount carrying cost of some property through a capacitated set of connections at what time the supply and authority of nodes and the ability and cost of boundaries are stand for as unclear numbers. Arithmetic operations, alpha level and straightforward position by operation. to conclude everyone these investigate papers present the solutions of FTP by alpha level, simple ranking method and alpha level standard value. In this paper we are presenting a ranking technique with alpha optimal solution for solving fuzzy transportation problem, where fuzzy demand and supply all are in the form of triangular fuzzy numbers.


Crane accidents have occurred with some frequency since the invention of lifting machinery. Recent accidents that have involved the loss of lives have focused industry attention on cranes. Contrary to popular belief, there is no central repository of crane loss data. US crane accidents that cause a loss of life to workers, or injuries to multiple workers must be reported to OSHA. Other than that, and a few local ordinances, most accidents are not reported. Many crane operators carry large insurance deductibles. Smaller losses may not be reported to insurance carriers. There has been some discussion about national loss reporting requirements, but workable solutions are not imminent.


The Carboniferous cephalopods are abundantly recognized at "Barite Mine", northern part of Loei-city, northern Thailand. The fauna of "Barite Mine" consists of various taxa such as cephalopods, brachiopods, corals, bivalves and gastropods etc. More than three hundreds specimens of cephalopods consisting of ammonoids, nautiloids and orthoceratids are collected and are replaced by barite minerals. Five genera of ammonoids and five genera of nautiloids are identified at present. In addition to these, one new genus and two new species of ammonoid are included. The identified cephalopod species are as follow s; Branneroceras branneri, Diaboloceras inuolutum, Syngastrioceras sp., Neogastrioceras sp. , Bisatoceras sp., Catastroboceras subsulcatifomae, Epidomatoce ras doohylense, Gzheloceras sp, Temnocheilus sp., and Epistroboceras sp. These cephalopod fauna indicates the age from Namurian to Moscovian of the Middle Carboniferous. This fauna is very important to construct the biostratigraphy based upon the Paleozoic ammonoid zones in Southeast Asia.


Critiques of Strategic Environmental Assessment have noted it is not just a technical process, but has political and cultural dimensions. This paper argues the cultural dimension in these critiques needs to be more fully explored. While the broad field of Environmental Assessment began with various environmental crises, its causes were societal or cultural. SEA is itself a cultural artifact. Each country and region is distinguished by particularities of history, beliefs, values, attitudes, political and legal traditions, and different socio-economic patterns. Therefore, SEA has to be understood and practiced differently depending on institutional settings and cultural contexts. When creating a new generation of SEA for a specific region, we need to describe the specific cultural contexts and concepts with which SEA will be embedded and operated. Using Islamic states as an example, this paper outlines the case for developing a culturising model to be applied to a culture-specific form of SEA.


Abstract Lateral type poly‐silicon field emitters were fabricated by utilizing the LOCOS (Local Oxidation of Silicon) process. For the implementation of an ideal field emission device with quasi‐zero tunneling barrier, a new and fundamental approach has used conducted by introducing an intelligent carbon‐based thin layer on the cathode tip surface via a field‐assisted self‐aligning of carbon (FASAC) process. Fundamental lowering of the turn‐on field for the electron emission was feasible through the control of both the tip shape and surface barrier height.


ABSTRACT The publically documented decline in health of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) has led to its labelling, in media and academic literature, as a last chance tourism destination. That is, a place tourists travel to experience before it is gone. While the GBR has been labelled as such, no empirical evidence has identified that this is actually occurring. This article explores if tourists are motivated to visit the GBR to see it before it's gone, and examines the level of concern tourists have about the range of issues that are threatening the GBR. Drawing on 235 questionnaires with on-site tourists, the results indicate that tourists are seeking travel to the GBR in a bid to see the reef before it's too late. These tourists – identified as "seeking a last chance experience" – were also found to be more environmentally conscious, and have a higher level of concern about the overall health of the GBR. In terms of threats to the GBR, respondents indicated that they were mainly concerned about coral bleaching/disease and climate change, with tourism only considered as a moderate to low concern. The implications of this are discussed.


ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical characteristics of nodular goiter in Changchun area. Methods An retrospective analysis was made on 4 453 cases of nodular goiter proved by pathology in a period of 39 years. Results Surgery performed for nodular goiter accounted for 44.48% of all thyroid operations, with a rate of male to female of 1∶4.95. The male patients were significantly older than female. The correct diagnosis rate of nodular goiter was 71.95%, thyroid adenoma and thyroid cyst were common misdiagnosis. The right lobe was more subject to thyroid goiter than the left one, and canceration developed in 3.66% of all nodular goiter. Conclusions Changchun is an area of iodine deficiency. There are close relations between pregnancy, lactation, menses and the development of nodular goiter. Nodular thyroid goiter is subject to canceration.goit


Although pressure, temperature and composition dependent data of the surface tension in gas/water systems are of great theoretical and practical interest, they are scarce in literature. And especially for systems containing gaseous alkanes and water these data are extremly inconsistent. A fact which can be seen as indication of the difficulties connected with such experiments. This paper gives a short revision about values of the surface tension between methane and water as they are known in literature. Also it reports about results of our first investigations with the pendent-drop method «rising-bubble» concerning the surface tension in the ultrapure system methane/water the fundamental model for natural gas/brine. Included in these investigations was a more detailed evaluation of principal and experimental parameters, which determine the absolute (0.3%) and relative error of the achieved surface tension data. Some important details of this estimation of error are presented here. Nearly all of the published surface tension data in the system methane/water seem to be extremely inaccurate or even wrong. This arises from their inconsistent temperature characteristics and from their dependence on the methane mole-faction in the aqueous phase. Accordingly we found only poor correspondence with our results within the experimental frame of 0.3 MPA ≤ P ≤ 66 MPa and 25°C ≤ T ≤ 125°C. But both, the temperature dependence and the relation to the mole-fraction of dissolved methane, underline the reliability of our surface tension data


global incidence of diseases and the geographical and social environmental factors influencing each of them, there is a small amount of historical data in some of the sections. Tropical and infectious diseases, industrial lung disease, drug abuse, cardio-vascular disease, mental disorders and mental subnormality, malignant and deficiency diseases are discussed in twenty chapters, but there are no sections on neurological or rheumatic disorders. Thus, although intended for those concerned with present-day medical problems, it will be of value to the historian who wishes to read an authoritative review of the geography of a specific disease. For this it can be strongly recommended. The author explores the relations between parent and child in the nineteenth century and their origins, by examining the literature of the period. He shows that everyday thought about children consisted eventually of a "Romantic" perspective, detectable in adult and children's books. By "Romantic" he means the attitude that romanti-cized the child as incapable of doing evil. Gradually the child was able to emancipate itself with the decline in parental control, despite the traditional view of the dictatorial Victorian father still held today. doubt critics will contest this selection and the other authors he draws upon, or does not. He cites extensively, but unfortunately does not document his quotations. Nevertheless, his book can be recommended as another useful contribution to Victorian life, against which the history of medicine must be cast. Dr Bryan Gandevia's contributions to the history of Australian medicine will be known to readers of this journal, since his articles have sometimes appeared in Medical History. Many of his publications, however, have come out in various Australian medical journals not routinely read by medical historians, so this present monograph will be particularly welcome. Most of Gandevia's historical work has been concerned with health and disease in their broadest manifestations, and the same generous approach characterizes this history of child health and welfare in Australia from the landing of the First Fleet in Botany Bay, January 1788, until the very recent past. Although Australia was primarily a convict colony until the middle of the nineteenth century, from the very beginning there were both convict children and the offspring of deported adults. During this period Australia acquired a reputation as a healthy place for children. Statistics are not completely reliable, but some figures for settlements in the western part of the colony suggest that, between 1842 and 1848, …


This article is based on the compulsory presentation given in connection with a doctoral course in theory of science and ethics, delivered on 22 August 2012 at NHH Norwegian School of Economics.


Linear relationships between logarithms of octan‐1‐ol/water partition coefficients (Kd,oct), aqueous activity coefficients (yaq) and extrapolated RP HPLC capacity factors (k'w) are found for four types of aromatic hydrocarbons (alkylbenzenes and poly‐chlorinated benzenes, ‐naphthalenes and ‐biphenyls). Both log K,d,oct and logk'w increase with the increasing number of chlorine or methyl‐ene substituents. These increases of log K,d,oct and log k'w are proportional and almost independent of the parent compound. In addition, these increases are linear to increases of logyaq. The slopes of logk'w‐logyaq and log K,d,oct‐logvaq relationships deviate significantly from 1.0. This suggests that the activity coefficients of the test compounds in both octan‐1‐ol and in the stationary phase of the RP column increase after substitution of aromatic compounds with methylene or chlorine.


This work deals with an evidential approach to intelligent control. Control decisions are determined by analogy to the most "similar"' rules (prototypical decisions) in the knowledge base. These rules map control situations (represented by belief functions) into appropriate control actions. The main focus of this paper is on the derivation of a measure of dissimilarity, or distance, between belief functions corresponding to control situations. The proposed methodology is illustrated by simple examples from an application to the grip control of a multifingered robot hand.