The article elaborates on the attempts of the editors of the Jewish weekly Jevrejski glas (published in Sarajevo in 1928–1941) to support fostering of the Sephardi tradition and Judeo-Spanish language during the period in which an inevitable process of language shift took place among the Sephardi citizens of Bosnia. The column Para noce de sabat, created with the help of the weekly's readers, was one of the means serving that purpose. In the majority of the texts the main characters were Sephardi women, especially of the older generation, the women called tijas (aunts). For that reason, the paper presents how the authors showed female characters in the context of memory of "the true Sephardi spirit and tradition." Additionally, we provide basic information on the gathered texts: linguistics and sociolinguistics of the language of the prose (its condition, lexis and local features), as well as the characteristics of narration.


We prove the SBV regularity of the characteristic speed of the scalar hyperbolic conservation law and SBV-like regularity of the eigenvalue functions of the Jacobian matrix of flux function for general hyperbolic systems of conservation laws. More precisely, for the equation ut + f(u)x = 0, u : R + × R → ⊂ R N , we only assume that the flux f is a C 2 function in the scalar case (N = 1) and Jacobian matrix Df has distinct real eigenvalues in the system case (N ≥ 2). Using a modification of the main decay estimate in (8) and the localization method applied in (17), we show that for the scalar equation f ' (u) belongs to the SBV space, and for system of conservation laws the i-th component of Dxλi(u) has no Cantor part, where λi is the i-th eigenvalue of the matrix Df.


Job-shop scheduling is a difficult problem, both theoretically and practically. The theoretical problems stem from the search for optimal schedules subject to a limited number of constraints, while the complexity of practical problems is due to the number and variety of constraints that are not rigid in the actual situations. Indeed, in real world descriptions there are many vaguely formulated relations and imprecise data. Although the job-shop scheduling problem has often been investigated, very little of this research is concerned with the uncertainty characterized by the imprecision in problem variables. In this paper, we consider a fuzzy job-shop scheduling problem with imprecise processing times. We use fuzzy numbers and level (/spl lambda/, 1) interval-valued fuzzy numbers for the representation of vague processing times. This problem is similar to a fuzzy multiple criteria optimization problem. The primary results obtained from this research are: (1) signed distance ranking fuzzy numbers used to obtain a job-shop scheduling problem in the fuzzy sense and (2) signed distance ranking level (/spl lambda/, 1) interval-valued fuzzy numbers used to obtain another such problem.


The present article is a study of the opportunities and constraints for youth transitions from education to employment vis-a-vi the structural relationships (of compliance and discrepancy) between the sectors of education, training and the labor market. The analysis examines the deficiencies in the coordination of the demand and supply of skills in Bulgaria, which hinder the successful employment integration of the current young generation. The mismatches in the system are highlighted on the national and the regional level where we focus on the contextual cases of Blagoevgrad and Plovdiv functional regions. The paper reveals that there is a discrepancy between labor supply and demand in the skills systems in both regions where less than half of university graduates work in the specialty they have acquired during studies. One of the conclusions of the study is that social changes under way require new strategies and approaches of lifelong learning policies that should go deeper into the regional and local level taking into account both the needs of young people for training throughout their lives and the needs of the regional labor markets.


A new chemical method for the extraction and purification of blood anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) has been applied to the study of the effect of a reduction in extracellular fluid volume on the release of ADH in the dog. The extracellular fluid volume was reduced by peritoneal lavage with a hypertonic solution. This hypertonic solution had an electrolyte composition similar to that of interstitial fluid and a glucose concentration of 10%. Twenty minutes after the start of lavage the concentration of ADH in jugular vein blood had increased six-fold. At this time there was only a relatively small reduction in extracellular fluid volume. The plasma osmolality was increased by 4% as the result of an influx of glucose from the lavage solution. However, the increased blood concentration of ADH was apparently not the result of the increased plasma osmolality. When the plasma osmolality was elevated to a similar extent by the intravenous infusion of a concentrated glucose solution, the concentration of ADH in jugula...


Blockchain is a widely used decentralised infrastructure. Blockchain technology has the decentration of network, the unforgeability of block data, etc. Therefore, blockchain technology has developed rapidly in recent years, and many organisations are involved. Applications are generally optimistic. This paper systematically introduces the background development status of blockchain, and analyses the operation mechanism, characteristics and possible application scenarios of blockchain technology from a technical perspective. Finally, the blockchain technology is applied to the intellectual property protection method as an example to study domestic and foreign examples and analyse existing problems. The review article aims to provide assistance for the application of blockchain technology.


During the fall semester of 2002, students from the Introduction to Materials Class (Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering) and the Facility Management Class (Department of Health and Sport Science) at the University of Dayton (UD) participated in a joint service-learning project with the Buckeye Trails Girl Scout Council. This service-learning project was initiated by the service-learning coordinator at UD. The overall technical goal of this project was to design and repair a climbing wall on a challenge course at a Buckeye Trails Girl Scout camp. The health and sport science students participated in this project as the "prime contractor" to the Girl Scout organization. The mechanical and aerospace engineering students served as the engineering design firms competing to be the subcontractor for this project. Students from the two disciplines were required to communicate with one another throughout the semester. Additionally, students from both disciplines were required to interact with representatives of the Girl Scout organization, retailers, student organizations, faculty members and other professionals to obtain the needed information, seek donations and facilitate construction and/or repair of the wall. This paper will focus on the involvement of the engineering students in this project. A detailed description of the project will be provided. The educational goals of this multi-disciplinary service-learning project will be presented. The techniques used to assess the outcome of this project will be discussed and the results of the assessment will be summarized. Finally, conclusions regarding the overall effectiveness of this project at meeting the academic and technical goals will be presented. Introduction: Recent pedagogical trends in engineering education encourage both experiential learning and interaction with peers and faculty members from other majors and other engineering disciplines. One reason for this trend is that engineering educators as well as professionals from industry have recognized the fact that practicing engineers are required to work with coworkers and clients that have a variety of educational backgrounds. Experiential learning is being encouraged in engineering education because it has been recognized that students engaged in this type of learning have better retention of technical knowledge and are better able to apply what they have learned in college courses to real life situations after graduation . Furthermore, industry and academia have identified the need for the development of soft skills in engineering students. Among these soft skills includes oral and written communication, project management, team skills including collaboration and leadership, an appreciation of different cultures and business practices, engineering ethics and understanding the societal, economic and environmental impacts of engineering decisions . Experiential learning as well as the Proceedings of the 2003 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright © 2003, American Society for Engineering Education P ge 875.1 opportunity to work on multi-disciplinary and multi "major" teams can provide an opportunity for students to develop these soft skills. There are many forms of experiential learning including co-operative education and internships, lab experiences, project based coursework, field trips and service-learning. The concept of service learning has been interpreted in many different ways ranging from a single college course where the students are required to spend one afternoon doing community service (i.e., picking up trash in the neighborhood, giving blood, etc.) to multi-year, service projects that are fully integrated into the curriculum and include opportunities for reflection and interaction with the organization and/or people being served. The former extreme provides limited educational benefits, but is very easy to implement. The latter extreme has significant educational benefits, but implementation of this can be very time consuming and generally requires full support and cooperation of the university, department, faculty members and the community . A compromise between these two extremes provides the more practical and most widely recognized definition of service-learning. This definition of service-learning includes three basic components: course structure, community service and structured reflection. A service-learning course should be structured so that it does not compromise the educational objectives. The project done in the course must provide a definite and needed service to the community or to an organization. A critical component to service learning is reflection. Reflection provides the students with the opportunity to think about the larger social issues associated with the service project. The objectives of structured reflection are to develop a sensitivity in the students to the impact of professional decisions on society and the environment and to provide the students with an opportunity to think about concepts of ethics and sound professional practice . Since the 1980's, service-learning has been formally and successfully implemented in the social sciences and in disciplines in which clinical experiences are required 2, 5, . In 1985, Campus Compact was established to provide support for both service-learning and volunteerism at universities and colleges. Since then, Campus Compact has been able to gain support for service-learning from over 500 universities and colleges and from both public and political organizations and representatives . Although engineering courses often provide opportunities for project-based experiential learning, service-learning is not implemented as frequently in engineering courses as it is in other disciplines. This is unfortunate since most descriptions of engineering careers include service to society or meeting societal needs as a goal or requirement of the profession 2, . Furthermore, service-learning in engineering courses provides the opportunity for experiential learning that can not only help develop technical and soft skills, but can also help establish the skills for practicing engineering in an ethical and civically minded manner . Another pedagogical deficiency that exists in engineering education is the lack of opportunities for engineering students to work on academically or professionally diverse teams. Generally, the idea of multi-disciplinary projects in engineering courses means that students from the various engineering disciplines such as civil, chemical, electrical and mechanical work together on a project. Unfortunately however, most projects do not provide the opportunity for engineering students to work with students from other majors such as art, business or education. The value of being able to work with students from other majors cannot be underemphasized. In Proceedings of the 2003 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright © 2003, American Society for Engineering Education P ge 875.2 the "real world," engineering professionals are often required to work with professionals, workers, vendors and clients from many different fields and areas of interest and expertise. The way in which professionals, workers, vendors and clients from other fields were trained to manage projects, communicate and solve problems can be very different from the way that engineers were trained. Having the opportunity to experience these differences while in college can help to better prepare the students for the real world and give them an appreciation of the different approaches to working on the same project. For the climbing wall service-learning project, a highly unlikely combination of students was teamed together to design and repair a climbing wall on a challenge course at a local Girl Scout camp. This mismatched team included second and third year students from the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) and the Department of Health and Sport Science (HSS) at the University of Dayton (UD). This project was done for the Buckeye Trails Girls Scout Council (BTGSC). This project had the three components required to qualify it as a service-learning project including educational objectives, community identified need and the opportunity for reflection. Furthermore, students were given the opportunity to develop their teamwork, business and communication skills by having to work with students from their own major as well as students from another major. Project Description: The service-learning coordinator at UD in conjunction with representatives from the BTGSC identified the need for the repair or replacement of a climbing wall at a local Girl Scout Camp, Camp Whip-Poor-Will. The existing climbing wall was in a state of disrepair and had been shut down for the past several years for safety reasons. This climbing wall was a major component of an adventure program at Camp Whip-Poor-Will. The challenge course at Camp Whip-Poor-Will was used predominantly by the Girl Scouts from the BTGSC, but was also used by various school groups and outside groups as a fundraiser for the BTGSC. Like all adventure programs, the activities on the challenge course at the Girl Scout Camp were designed to enhance the participants' self esteem and confidence, encourage team building and cooperation, improve physical fitness and skill and provide fun and excitement. Because the climbing wall could not be used, the challenge course was not as attractive or as affective at meeting these goals. The instructors of the Introduction to Materials Class (MAE) and the Facility Management Class (HSS) as well as the service-learning coordinator at UD and representatives from the BTGSC chose this project as a suitable service-learning project because it appeared to be able to meet specific educational goals and it provided a needed service to the community. Both instructor


Passive stabilization of the saturated loose sandy landfills especially in developed regions was researched recent decades. Aiming to passive stabilization and keeping the soil structure undisturbed, colloidal silica was applied as a suitable stabilizer because of the controllable properties such as low viscosity and gelling time. Due to the existence fine content in natural soil layers and its effect on the mechanical behavior of the soil media, it is necessary to study the influence of silty sand. Bender element test as a nondestructive test was conducted on the grouted samples with 0, 10, 20, and 30% silt fraction. Three different colloidal silica were injected to study the effect of different chemical condition on the results. All samples after small strain tests were loaded uniaxially under the unconfined condition to evaluate the cohesion of the samples. A series of selected samples were prepared again, and the undrained cyclic resistance was measured. All results showed that the samples with 10% fine content have a greater value of shear strength parameter as shear wave velocity at 28 days curing time. Also, cyclic strength was dramatically higher than ungrouted samples. However, after 14 days curing time, there was no clear difference while the fine content change. As a result, comparison of the data shows the shear wave velocity is a suitable index to evaluate the degree of soil improvement the grouted silty sand at the site. Review History:


Sclerophylly is common in evergreen Mediterranean flora, but can also manifest itself in mesophile vegetation: in those cases it is considered an adaptation to conditions of environmental stress. Sclerophylly is the result of tissue thickening and histochemical alterations (lignification of tissues and accumulation of phenolics), and is a xeromorphic adaptation. According to Guray Kutbay and Kilinc (1994) sclerophyllous adaptations occur as a consequence of nutritional deficiencies, especially shortages of nitrogen and potassium. Such alterations can also be induced by low ozone concentrations (Gunthard-Goerg et al, 1993). It has moreover been suggested that tissue lignification is a non-specific reaction in trees subjected to stress (Vance et al, 1980; Mayo et al, 1992). The accumulation of phenolic compounds also plays an important role in the tree's resistance to adversities (Nicholson and Hammerschmidt, 1992).


Internal multiples are more difficult to estimate and attenuate than free-surface multiples. In this paper, our purpose is to illustrate how the inverse scattering internal multiple algorithm is able to attenuate internal multiples without any knowledge of the reflectors that cause the multiples or the medium through which the waves propagate. An analytic example is used to demonstrate the inner workings of the algorithm; and, further understanding is attained though an interpretation of the algorithm in terms of subevents. In this way, we gain a better comprehension of the inverse scattering internal multiple algorithm. To date, this is the only method capable of attenuating internal multiples in a multi-dimensional earth without any information about the medium below the sources and receivers.


The classical role of the AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) is to act as a sensor of the immediate availability of cellular energy, by monitoring the concentrations of AMP and ATP. However, the β subunits of AMPK contain a glycogen‐binding domain, and in this review we develop the hypothesis that this is a regulatory domain that allows AMPK to act as a sensor of the status of cellular reserves of energy in the form of glycogen. We argue that the pool of AMPK that is bound to the glycogen particle is in an active state when glycogen particles are fully synthesized, causing phosphorylation of glycogen synthase at site 2 and providing a feedback inhibition of further extension of the outer chains of glycogen. However, when glycogen becomes depleted, the glycogen‐bound pool of AMPK becomes inhibited due to binding to α1→6‐linked branch points exposed by the action of phosphorylase and/or debranching enzyme. This allows dephosphorylation of site 2 on glycogen synthase by the glycogen‐bound form of protein phosphatase‐1, promoting rapid resynthesis of glycogen and replenishment of glycogen stores. This is an extension of the classical role of AMPK as a 'guardian of cellular energy', in which it ensures that cellular energy reserves are adequate for medium‐term requirements. The literature concerning AMPK, glycogen structure and glycogen‐binding proteins that led us to this concept is reviewed.


Statistical copolymers of styrene (S) and 2-methoxyethyl methacrylate (MEMA) (13–87 mass % of the latter monomer) were investigated by gradient HPLC on columns with either silica or CN-bonded phase packings. The samples were injected in THF solution. The starting eluent was in each case a nonsolvent (isooctane or mixtures of isooctane with THF and methanol). Separation was achieved by increasing the concentration of THF or methanol in the eluent. A calibration mixture of four copolymers (26, 49, 62, and 87% MEMA) was investigated according to the principles of chromatographic cross-fractionation (CCF) by size exclusion chromatography and subsequent gradient HPLC. The influence of molar mass on HPLC retention was small and, for the samples investigated by CCF, independent of copolymer composition. The composition effect on detector signal was also studied. At 230 nm wavelength and with MEMA content in the range between 20 and 40%, the effect was small and caused the average composition calculated from CCF results to deviate from the directly measured value by not more than 0.2 or 0.8% for the two copolymers investigated.


The Icelandic composer Haflidi Hallgrímsson has lived in Edinburgh since 1977. Never to be forgotten: my first meeting with Haflidi Hallgrimsson's music. In 1987 at the Edinburgh Festival the astonishing Helsinki Junior Strings (astonishing because they execute each note as if their lives were at stake) with conductor Géza Silvay played Hallgrimsson's Daydreams in Numbers. Here was a unique aural imagination and intensity of transforming workmanship. Music which stretched its virtuosic young performers to their limits but which was immediately accessible. Physically exciting music, incorporating folkloric elements yet entirely unnostalgic: purged, unsentimental, full of Northern lights and colours of all temperatures. The lullaby was sung at the glacier, the winged horse rose from the sea. These pieces breathed the fresh 'air of other planets'. They moved in fluid dreamtime: utterly strange, entirely new, yet paradoxically familiar and friendly.


Abstract Strong nonlinearity of P-value vs concentration in the system of ferroelectric liquid crystals has been found. The region of the nonlinear behaviour of P correlates with the narrowing of Sm A phase and emergence of the N* phase. It has been shown that P4 in Sm C* phase is proportional to the width of the Sm A range 𝒹(TNA - TAC)/TNA at fixed reduced temperature. Phase diagram features are discussed in terms of the Landau theory considering the interaction of the Sm C* order parameter and orientational and translational order parameters describing N and Sm A phases. It has been shown that for a narrow temperature range of N* phase a tricritical point might appear on the A - C* phase transition line if the latter is near the N*-A phase transition line.


Literature on the performance, control, and management of the central government non-departmental enterprises has been surveyed. A model of the managerial and organizational determinants of enterprise performance is developed and a number of testable hypotheses have been generated.


A volume in UCEA Leadership Series Series Editor: Michelle D. Young, UCEA Executive Director for the UCEA Series The official book series of the University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA) This volume presents the results of a comprehensive study of educational leadership faculty and the departments and programs in which they work. It reports the characteristics, activities, and attitudes of educational leadership faculty members involved in university-based educational leadership preparation programs in 2008 and provides longitudinal comparisons with data from studies conducted since 1972. The findings are compared by type of institution and with respondents grouped by sex, race, administrative experience, type of appointment (tenure-line or clinical), length of time in the professoriate, and affiliation with the University Council for Educational Administration and the National Council of Professors of Educational Administration. Findings indicate that while the number of university-based leadership preparation programs continues to grow, the average faculty size has declined. Among major trends are an increase in female faculty members from 2% of the faculty in 1972 to 45% in 2008 and the reduction in gender differences in activities and attitudes since the mid-1980s. Also, over the past few decades, there has been a significant increase in faculty occupying non-tenure-line positions, having administrative experience, and focusing on leadership in general in contrast to a content specialization. These and other developments have significant implications for leadership preparation programs and for knowledge production in our field.


Silicon resin has become an important binder for structural ceramics joining.The current work about joining SiC and Si_3N_4 ceramics with silicon resin is reviewed,the corresponding research directions are discussed.The work on SiC ceramics and SiC ceramic matrix composite bound with silicon resin YR3370 conducted in author's group is also reported.


Student understanding of the nature of science (NOS) improves in response to focused reflection about its aspects—an explicit, reflective (ER) pedagogy. However, whether this approach is effective within the two most common instructional models of undergraduate science laboratories— expository, which confirms predetermined outcomes, and inquiry, which is student driven and involves undetermined outcomes—is unknown. We manipulated underlying pedagogy (expository or inquiry based) and NOS treatment (ER or no ER) randomly across 31 sections of an introductory biology laboratory (n = 602 students). The students' understanding of several NOS aspects, assessed by their responses on two validated surveys, was significantly affected by the treatment. However, different NOS aspects were promoted by different treatments, which suggests that no single model or pedagogy can increase all aspects of NOS understanding. Instead, the instructional approach should be selected on the basis of the desired NOS learning outcomes.


Sports equipment such as athletic footwear is designed to prevent injury and/or improve performance. There is limited research about the effects of foot orthoses or shoe insoles on performance improvement via enhanced energetics. One possible solution to improve the energy storage and return of athletic footwear is to utilize a carbon fiber shoe insole (CFI) optimally tuned for the human body-footwear system. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a CFI on athletic performance. Thirty-four (15 males, 19 females) collegiate athletes performed a vertical jump, a pro agility test, and a 10-yard sprint while wearing normal athletic footwear and footwear incorporating a CFI. Vertical jump height was measured using a commercial Vertec device; pro agility test and 10-yard sprint times were measured using a laser timing system. The use of a CFI resulted in significant improvements in the vertical jump (+2.5%, p = 0.012) and the 10-yard sprint (+1.5%, p = 0.020), but not in the pro agility test. These results demonstrated a CFI can enhance speed/acceleration and power in collegiate athletes. Individual anatomical and biomechanical differences may influence the appropriate CFI stiffness required for each athlete to achieve maximal performance in sports involving running, jumping, and change-of-direction.


Abstract : The University Nanosat Program (UNP) is a two year small satellite competition held among leading universities across the nation. In the past 12 years UNP has involved 27 universities and over 4000 students in a variety of engineering fields and other disciplines in the process of designing and managing the development of a satellite. The UNP is a partnership between the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). The program's primary purpose is to help train engineering students in satellite design, fabrication, and testing by requiring them to build the satellite themselves with the assistance of their Principle Investigator and industry mentors as well as a series of six program reviews managed by the AFRL Program Office. Each university-built satellite attempts to further a specific technology or perform a scientific mission. Technologies advanced through the program include all aspects of small satellite designs including structures, propulsion, imaging, and navigation and have helped further science payloads such as energetic particle detectors, plasma probes, and photometers. This paper will discuss the educational impact on students involved in a hands-on, hardware focused program, with emphasis given to two UNP satellites relevant to Space Surveillance Technologies. The most recent winner of the UNP competition, Michigan Technological University's Oculus-ASR, is a calibration satellite for AMOS's telescopic non-resolved object characterization program. Another example is the University of Buffalo, which is collaborating with the AFRL MESSA program in the current competition cycle. The University of Buffalo's microsatellite is being designed to collect multi-band photometric data of glinting geostationary space objects.


The utility model discloses a cable drum mechanism of a gantry crane, which comprises a cable (3), a cable drum (1) and a steel rope drum (2). The cable (3) is used for providing power for appliances of the gantry crane, and the steel rope drum (2) is used for lifting the appliances and is connected with the cable drum (1) through a transmission mechanism (4); and the upper end of the cable (3) is wound on the cable drum (1) and the lower end of the cable (3) is connected with the appliances. The cable drum mechanism has a simple structure and can be controlled conveniently, the cable can be prevented from being damaged as a result of friction and collision, the working stability and reliability of the cable can be improved, and the production cost of the cable drum mechanism can be reduced. The utility model also discloses the gantry crane, which comprises a door type framework, a trolley frame, an appliance and the cable drum mechanism, the steel rope drum and the cable drum of the cable drum mechanism are arranged on the trolley frame, and the same effect can be achieved.


Lightfield (also known as integral or plenoptic) microscopy has been introduced successfully in 3D bioimaging. The strongest point of this technique when compared with conventional 3D microscopy arquitectures is its capability of capturing the 3D information of the sample in a single-shot manner. Despite this advantage, lightfield microscopy currently faces some challenges, like improving the resolution and depth of field of the reconstructed specimens or the development and optimization of specially-adapted reconstruction algorithms. In this contribution we review a new paradigm, namely, the Fourier lightfield microscope (FLMic), that improves the capabilities of the technique and we present recent advances and applications of this new architecture. As an example, we describe a protocol that takes profit from FLMic concept for providing, in a single-shot, 3D dark-field images of volumetric transparent samples.


Humanist thought is an idea and its core is people-orientation.In the practice of present mass work of public security,such phenomena as deficiency of humanist thought and humanist concern.Under the harmonious background,it's an effective way to innovate the social efficiency of mass work of public security through fully bringing the leading and educational functions of culture into full play,enhancing humanist quality of individual police,optimizing routine work of mass work as,well as introducing humanist thought as important ideas and running through the whole process.


The mechanisms for the benefits of Angiotensin Receptor Neprilysin inhibitor (ARNi) in heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) are likely beyond blood pressure (BP) reduction. Vascular function, a prognostic marker in HFrEF, improves with ARNi in animal models. Improvements in vascular function may contribute to benefits from ARNi in HFrEF; however, this has yet to be demonstrated in humans. The purpose of the study was to test the hypothesis that arterial stiffness and endothelial function would improve after 12 weeks of ARNi in HFrEF.

 Methods:
 HFrEF participants with NYHA class II-III were enrolled from local cardiology clinics and completed experimental visits at baseline and 12 weeks later: 13 participants were prescribed ARNi by their cardiologist [62±10 years, Men: 10, BMI: 30±5 kg/m
 2
 , EF: 28±6 %; Non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM): 8], 10 participants continued on conventional treatment [CON: 60±7 years, Men: 6, BMI: 31±6 kg/m
 2
 , EF: 31±5 % and NICM: 4; all P=NS]. During each experimental visit, arterial stiffness was assessed via carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV; Sphygmocor PVx system) and endothelial function by brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) using standard techniques. Statistical analyses were performed using 2x2 repeated-measures ANOVA.

 Results:
 Baseline mean BP (MAP) was similar between ARNi (93±14 mmHg) and CON (85 ± 10 mmHg; P=0.13); MAP tended to decrease after 12 weeks of ARNi (88 ± 11 mmHg; P=0.08) but not CON (90 ± 17 mmHg; P=0.14) (ANOVA interaction P=0.03). PWV tended to be higher at baseline in ARNi (8.8 ± 2.5 m/s) compared to CON (7.0 ± 2.5 m/s; P=0.09); PWV decreased after 12 weeks of ARNi (7.0 ± 1.7 m/s; P<0.01) and was unchanged in CON (7.4 ± 2.4 m/s; P=0.33) (ANOVA interaction P<0.01). When controlling for MAP, the effect of ARNi on PWV remained (P<0.01). At baseline, FMD was similar between ARNi (2.81 ± 2.05%) and CON (4.75 ± 3.75%; P=0.13); however, FMD increased after 12 weeks of ARNi (5.73 ± 1.87%; P<0.001) but not in CON (5.37 ± 3.38%; P=0.33) (ANOVA time P<0.001, interaction P=0.01).

 Conclusion:
 ARNi improves arterial stiffness and endothelial function in HFrEF. Understanding the mechanisms of ARNi in HFrEF is crucial as it may pave the way for better interventions in other cardiovascular diseases.


Computer relaying play a major role in power system protection, since they offer many advantages. While DSP based protection systems play a very important role in power systems – namely in Cost efficiency, Functional flexibility, Self checking capability, and Adaptive relaying features – the traditional methods for relay setting co-ordination consist of using standard relay packages supplied by major manufacturers, and to adapt these standard packages to every protection scheme. This has led to compromises – since it is not possible to optimize a standard relaying system to every protection need. With the advantage of generally available hardware and software, having the speed and capability of DSP circuitry necessary for protection application, it has now become possible for the relay engineer to develop and implement custom protection solutions for those applications where standard packages may not provide the necessary flexibility or performance. Open relaying is a concept in which different applications adopt a generic piece of hardware and are capable of implementing all of the relaying functions with a capability to expand as the need arises. Prototype Digital Signal Processor (DSP) based relays have been successfully implemented and are currently called PT relays, for the protection of power transmission lines. Development of Algorithms for the Digital Signal Processor (DSP) based relays, helped design a suitable algorithm for the specific application with more relay hardware to run such an algorithm. In this paper, a Digital Signal Processor based multi-function relay for power system protection is discussed. And design, development, and implementation aspects of DSP based protection are described.


The bronchus-asociated lymphoid tissue(BALT) lymphoma is a low-grade primary malignant lymphoma that originates from bronchus associated lymphoid tissue. A 67-year-old woman was admitted for evaluation of cough, sputum, rhinorrhea which had persisted for one month. Physical examination showed decreased breathing sound on the left upper lung field. High resolution chest computed tomography demonstrated consolidation which showed air-bronchogram and surrounding ground glass opacity in left upper lobe. These findings implicated inactive tuberculosis, organizing pneumonia, or bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma. The histologic findings from percutaneous needle aspiration biopsy revealed aggregated atypical small lymphoid cells with lymphoepithelial lesions. With immunohistochemical staining, the atypical lymphoid cells reacted positively with CD 20 antibody and negatively with CD 3 antibody. Thus, we could diagnosed her as a patient with BALT lymphoma. After left upper lobectomy, she has been well without recurrence of the disease for 14 months. In this country of Republic of Korea, it was the 1st case of BALT lymphoma surgically treated when histological diagnosis had been done. Based on this case, we wanted to demonstrate the importance of early histological diagnosis and treatment of BALT lymphoma.


The vapor or gas-phase synthesis methods (e.g., CVD) are widely adopted to grow mono and few-layer two-dimensional (2D) materials. However, uncontrolled gas-phase reactions, complex flow dynamics, and limited reproducibility have made the gas phase growth of monolayer TMDCs crystals extremely challenging. Here we introduce a novel laser-assisted synthesis method for the rapid growth of various 2D materials. To produce the atomically-thin crystals, instead of using conventional multi-component precursors, this synthesis method utilizes stoichiometric powders as precursors that are laser vaporized to create the right vapor flux for the controlled growth of mono and few-layer crystals. We demonstrate a successful synthesis of four semiconducting TMDC monolayers such as MoS2, MoSe2, WSe2, and WS2 crystals. This laser vaporization process promises an efficient general synthesis solution for the accelerated growth of a variety of high-quality 2D quantum materials.


Summary

Stress-wave propagation in a composite elastic medium consisting of two homogeneous and isotropic quarter-spaces of different materials, welded together so as to form a half space is considered.

The solution by iteration, for the problem, when one of the quarterspaces is struck along a line on its plane face, is derived by the method of integral transforms. It is found that in addition to the incident surface and body waves in the medium excited there also exist (i) body waves reflected and refracted from the interface into the two media; (ii) body waves radiated into these media from their common corner (edge line); (iii) Rayleigh waves reflected and transmitted into the media from the corner; and (iv) Stoneley waves or the interface waves (under the usual conditions of their existence) transmitted down the common boundary of the two media.

In addition, the occurrence of the 'allied functions' in the solution and their relation to Lamb's functions are pointed out.


The environmental quality has a vital influence on the health expenditure of urban residents. Based on statistical data of 31 provinces in China from 2003 to 2011, in which the per capita health expenditure, per capita income, exhaust emissions and solid waste are selected as study variables, the main factors affecting health expenditure of urban residents in different areas are analyzed and the economical relationship between environmental pollution and health expenditures is explored using cluster analysis method and modeling process. The empirical results show that: health expenditure of residents varies from region to region, and the region with higher per capita income has a higher health expenditure. At the same time, per capita health expenditure and exhaust emissions have a positive correlation and standardized and timely treatment of solid waste will reduce health expenditure.


Energetic-particle-driven geodesic acoustic mode (EGAM) is analytically investigated by adopting the bump-on-tail distribution for energetic particles (EPs), which is created by the fact that the charge exchange time (τcx) is sufficiently shorter than the slowing down time (τsl). The dispersion relation is derived in the use of gyro-kinetic equations. Due to the finite ratio of the critical energy and the initial energy of EPs, defined as τc, the dispersion relation is numerically evaluated and the effect of finite τc is examined. Following relative simulation and experimental work, we specifically considered two cases: τsl/τcx=3.4 and τsl/τcx=20.4. The pitch angle is shown to significantly enhance the growth rate and meanwhile, the real frequency is dramatically decreased with increasing pitch angle. The excitation of high-frequency EGAM is found, and this is consistent with both the experiment and the simulation. The number density effect of energetic particles, represented by ϵh, is checked by fixing the pitch angle to 0.1. It is found that for τsl/τcx=3.4, the growth rate of ϵh scan is not monotonic but the real frequency is monotonically decreased. For τsl/τcx=20.4, the ϵh scan shows the growth rate keeps almost unchange under the condition of low ϵh value. As ϵh increases, the growth rate is rapidly enlarged.


Direct drive mathematical model design and verification procedures and methodology were discussed. The work covers the problems of mathematical model based on state space variables design. While plenty of model design techniques exist, the one which describes the model as a combination of three sub-systems (electrical, magnetic, mechanical) is depicted here. As success of computer simulation of model proposed depends on model's accuracy, verification algorithm is discussed. The obtained high model verification adequacy means that model design method can give good computer simulation results. Ill. 7, bibl. 6 (in English, summaries in English, Russian and Lithuanian).


Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease (PAOD) patients have a limited exercise capacity that is not well understood. Investigation of underlying disease mechanisms, and the evaluation of treatments, relies upon the precise measurement of exercise capacity and related physiological variables. Compared with single-stage treadmill protocols, incremental treadmill protocols are far more precise; however, even the variability of these latter protocols (Coefficient of Variation: 12-13%) (1;2) might obscure small, but important relationships and treatment effects. We hypothesised that as a patient becomes more familiar with an exercise test, the performance variability would decrease. To investigate this, 15 subjects (42-79yrs) with non-diabetic PAOD were recruited and randomly assigned to one of three test protocols: incremental treadmill (T); incremental cycle (C); and plantar flexion (PF) which incorporated an isokinetic strength test (PFs) and an isokinetic incremental test (PFinc) on both legs. Subjects performed their respective exercise protocols once per week for eight weeks. Maximal exercise duration in T and C did not change over the eight weeks. Coefficients of variation over weeks one to three (cv1-3) were 16.1% and 6.9% in T and C respectively. This variability decreased over the eight weeks to 6.2% (cv6-8) in T (ns) and 2.2% in C (p less than 0.05). HRrest, HRpeak and VO2peak in C and T did not change over the eight weeks, nor did the level of variability associated with each. Performance in the PFs test slightly increased (p less than 0.05) over the eight weeks while there was no change in PFinc performance. On both PF tests, performance of the "best leg", ie. that with the greatest ankle systolic pressure, was greater than that for the "worst leg" (p less than 0.05). PFinc variability fell non-significantly from 18% (cv1-3) to 5.2% (cv6-8) in the "best leg" and 16.6% (cv1-3) to 12% (cv6-8) in the "worst leg". PFs variability initially peaked at 7.2% and 10.2% (cv3-5) in the "best" and "worst" legs respectively before gradually decreasing to 3.5% and 2.6% (cv6-8) (p less than 0.05). These results suggest that performance variability is reduced in PAOD patients as they become more familiar with exercise protocols.


By triparental mating,Bacillus megaterium ATCC14581 strain marked by luxAB gene were successfully obtained,then the ATCC14581-L strain was made to microbial inoculant.After it was inoculated on seeds of wheat,the colonizing dynamics and distribution of the luminescent bacteria ATCC14581-L in the rhizosphere of wheat plant in rhizoboxes were studied by the method of X-ray film imaging and enumeration of luminescent colonies on agar media.The results showed that ATCC14581-L successfully colonized in the rhizosphere of wheat.The population reached to the highest level,2.54×10 5 and 8.87×10 4cfu/g root respectively in the sterile soil and unsterile soil after 7 days,with initial inoculant dose of 3.40×10 7 cfu/g root.The population of them trended to be stable and decreased to 4.47×10 3 and 8.57×10 2 cfu/g root respectively after 16 th day.


Objective: Perioperative bleeding volume of posterior spinal surgery is relatively large. This study was aimed to evaluate the hemostatic effect of Hemocoagulase agkistrodon for injection on open lumbar spine surgery. Methods: In this study, a prospective, blinded, randomized, and controlled clinical trial was used to observe the hemostatic effect of 2U intravenous injection of Hemocoagulase agkistrodon 15 minutes before surgery on the posterior lumbar open surgery. A total of 60 cases were included in this experimental study, 30 cases in the study group (2U agkistrodon hemagglutinin for intravenous injection 15 minutes before surgery) and 30 cases in the control group (Inject normal saline 15 minutes before surgery). We use SAS software to simulate and generate random codes. The third-party blinding method is adopted, that is, a specialized nurse is assigned to allocate study drugs in the order of random codes and intravenously according to the plan. We statistically analyzed the bleeding volume and postoperative drainage volume of posterior lumbar spine surgery, and the changes of coagulation indexes in the two groups. Results: All the selected patients successfully completed the operation, their wounds healed and were discharged from the hospital, and no complications such as infection and thrombosis occurred during the hospitalization. The two groups of patients' coagulation function indicators include prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen quantification (FIB), and D2 polymer. The difference was not statistically significant. However, comparing the intraoperative blood loss, 24h postoperative drainage, and postoperative total drainage between the two groups, the experimental group was better than the control group. Conclusion: Intravenous injection of Agkistrodon hemagglutinin 2U 15 minutes before surgery can have a satisfactory hemostatic effect on the posterior lumbar spine surgical incision. It can not only significantly reduce the amount of bleeding from surgical incisions, but also has no significant effect on the body's coagulation function. It is a safe and effective hemostatic drug.


With proper coordinate transformations,certain domains can be transformed into circular or special domains and so does the multiple integrals over these domains.Polar or spherical transforms can then be used to transfer multiple integrals into product of integrals,which simplify the calculation.


Objective
To investigate the application effects of the new restraint tools in the critical patient care.

Methods
A total of 354 critical patients were averagely divided into observation group and control group according to the order number with random number table. The patients in the control group were routinely used ordinary restraint belt with restraint upper limbs or limbs, while the patients underwent the new restraint tools and implemented personalized restraint that emphasize personalized and humanized on restraint of method, site, time and tools selecting.

Results
In the observation group, binding site skin abnormalities (swelling, bruising or injury), unplanned extubation rates were lower than these of the control group (P<0.05).

Conclusions
Personalized application of the new restraint tool can reduce restraint adverse events, ensure patient safety and improve effectiveness of care and safety management.

Key words:
Innovation and extension; Critical patient; New type of restriction tool; Unplanned extubation


II категории, а импульсной сушки к I категории.For the defining of the effectiveness of the impulse drying of timber with the universal experimental drying tunnel for 1,5 m 3 of conventional timber fitting two experimental cycles of drying of square-sawn timber with crosscut measurment of 50x160 mm. The first cycle was or impulse drying, the second seaseless on standard regimes with the same amount of heat energy. For this reason the medium temperature was defined during the cycle and the same temperature was cept during seaseless drying. The power economy during the impulse drying was up to 53%. The analysis of the normal numbers of the quality of drying lets us say that the quality of standard drying goes to the II category, and the impulse drying to the first category


Title of Dissertation: USE OF MOLECULAR TECHNIQUES TO ADDRESS THE EVOLUTION OF DISPLAY TRAITS IN THE PTILONORHYNCHIDAE AND OTHER PASSERIFORM SPECIES Paul Berton Zwiers, Doctor of Philosophy, 2009 Dissertation directed by: Dr. Gerald Borgia Professor, Department of Biology, University of Maryland Dr. Robert Fleischer Center Head, Center for Conservation and Evolutionary Genetics, Smithsonian Institution Adjunct Professor, Department of Biology, University of Maryland Tests of hypotheses addressing the evolution of complex traits have greatly benefited from advances in the field of molecular genetics. Current molecular techniques allow for the identification of genetic variability, useful in estimating genetic relatedness and potentially explaining phenotypic variation. Here I use molecular data to address the evolution of complex traits within the Ptilonorhynchidae and other Passeriformes. My estimation of a bowerbird molecular phylogeny suggests two highly unlikely scenarios of complex trait evolution (i.e. polygyny, bower construction, decoration use, etc.); either polygyny and complex display traits evolved in parallel, or monogamy evolved from non-resource based polygyny, a transition for which no unambiguous examples could be found, and complex traits evolved once and were lost. Molecular evidence also supports the existence of four Sericulus species, dating the radiation to coincide with the upheaval of the central New Guinea mountain range, and suggests plumage coloration may be a labile trait within this group and therefore a poor indicator of species relatedness. Use of ultraviolet (UV) signals in birds is hypothesized to associate with the ability to see UV wavelengths, a trait with a well-documented genetic basis (replacements at key amino acid positions in the short-wavelength-sensitive 1 (SWS1) opsin pigment influence pigment sensitivity and potentially color discrimination). UV signal use may alternatively evolve to match the local light environment. Results from bowerbirds suggest extreme differences in UV reflectance are due to light availability and not differences in UV vision because amino acid sequences in the bowerbirds were nearly identical. Expanding upon this study, I compared SWS1 opsin gene sequences from 134 passeriform species and plumage UV reflectance measurements from 91 of these species. Results from the molecular data are unprecedented; replacements at five amino acid positions are predicted to have occurred nearly simultaneously, suggesting a constraint on UV vision evolution. Additionally, species reflect most intensely in wavelengths to which they are predicted to be sensitive. These results suggest a constraint on UV vision may also constrain the evolution of UV signals in the Passeriformes. These studies highlight the usefulness of molecular data when testing hypothesis of species and trait evolution. USE OF MOLECULAR TECHNIQUES TO ADDRESS THE EVOLUTION OF DISPLAY TRAITS IN THE PTILONORHYNCHIDAE AND OTHER PASSERIFORM SPECIES


In order to avoid lots of overlap space among mature detectors for random search strategy and slow convergence speed for evolutionary search method in real-valued detector generation algorithm,a co-evolution of the detection algorithm is proposed based on co-evolution algorithm mechanisms among the nature of species.The experimental tests demonstrate that the algorithm can not only achieve a more precise coverage of the nonself space with fewer detectors but also show a higher convergence speed.


In order to achieve, not only a competitive advantage in their markets, but to meet customer expectations and make a higher profit, manufacturing and assembly organisations strive to improve their performance, by reducing tact time and eliminating wastes and defects. Recent research results suggest that, if implemented appropriately, Lean tools and Six Sigma can have a positive impact on organisational performance. However, lack of top management commitment, communication, training, education and limited resources, are just a few factors of failure, usually underlined by the majority of academics in the field. Thus, it could be argued that many gaps and limitations regarding the implementation of Lean and Six Sigma tools still exist, and that there is a need for future research on how they affect organisational performance. To make a contribution to the relevant subject, this paper synthesizes previous studies and research results. The following research is based on a literature review of relevant papers that were published on Lean, Six Sigma and organisational performance, in the period of ten years. Consequently, relevant gaps in literature are discussed, along with research limitations and guidelines for future research.


The Center for Imaging Human Structures (CIH) was established in December 2002 to develop new diagnostic imaging techniques and to make them available to the greater community of biomedical and clinical researchers at Sungkyunkwan University. CIH has been involved in 5 specific activities to provide solutions for early diagnosis and improved treatment of human diseases. The five area goals include: 1) development of a digital mammography system with computer aided diagnosis (CAD); 2) development of digital radiological imaging techniques; 3) development of unified medical solutions using 3D image fusion; 4) development of multi-purpose digital endoscopy; and, 5) evaluation of new imaging systems for clinical application


Orthoptera (hereinafter termed 'grasshoppers') are of great functional significance since they are the main arthropod consumers in grasslands and an important food source for medium‐sized insectivorous vertebrates. However, research investigating the effects of extreme weather events on the abundance of grasshoppers has lacked thus far. Here, we studied the effects of summer drought on grasshopper abundance in temperate semi‐natural grasslands with low land‐use intensity. We considered calcareous and mesic grasslands; per type, we randomly selected 27 plots. Our study revealed distinct differences in habitat characteristics between plots of calcareous and mesic grasslands. Overall, calcareous grasslands had a more heterogeneous and shorter vegetation than mesic grasslands. Consequently, species richness was higher in calcareous grasslands. By contrast, grasshopper abundance did not differ between the two types. Summer temperature was the key driver of grasshopper abundance. Abundance was lowest in grasslands that were situated at lower elevations with higher summer temperatures and that were characterised by the strongest effects of summer drought. Its influence even overrode the differences in habitat characteristics between calcareous and mesic grasslands. Extreme weather events, such as summer droughts, are expected to become more frequent due to global warming. Accordingly, suitable conservation strategies that increase the resistance and resilience of temperate semi‐natural grasslands and their insect assemblages against summer drought are highly needed. Based on our study, increasing habitat heterogeneity seems to be the most effective way to mitigate the negative effects of summer drought.


With the safeguard measure and the
extension of the same in 2016, in this
investigation, it resulted that in the
automotive industry most affected
sectors are importers and marketers of
light vehicles and parts and marketers
trucks and buses; as customers by the
current economic situation does not
wish to invest in a vehicle and if people
have a vehicle not buy spare parts or
original tires but buy alternative parts
or domestic tires by the lowest price,
also customers prefer the maintenance
service a retail shop as labor at a
dealership is more expensive.


Background: We have previously reported the successful integration and safety of bioengineered materials as corneal substitutes in human models. Despite the promising results as corneal implants, m ...


Recently we have introduced the microscopic response method (MRM) to compute the conductivity and Hall mobility for complex system with topological and thermal disorder, which is more convenient than the Kubo formula. We prove that for a canonical ensemble the MRM leads to the same expression as the Kubo formula. When the gradient of carrier density is small, the MRM reduces to the widely used Kubo-Greenwood formula.


This article is an analysis of how is displayed in the governance of the period of the period 1900 to 2000, the normative component implemented the function of planning. The approach used was the epistemological, the hermeneutic, the analytical and colloquial. The General techniques used during the investigation were documentary analysis (bibliographic, norms, institutional arrangements, etc.,) consultation, testing, travel, among others. The analysis to the normatively in general related to the functions of the administrative process, evidence of the need to incorporate the business management unit approach to the state, administrative theoretical concepts and management functions to the public administration. This document constitutes a contribution to the new paradigm and delimitation of the perspective and scope of planning applied to management in public administration for the twenty-first century, which will be articulated the normative component with management theory and the consideration of the citizen as the central axis of the fulfillment of the public service, in his role as direct recipient of the goods and services of the stateaimed at the improvement of their quality of life and social well-being increased


For small gas turbines a recuperator is mandatory to achieve high thermal efficiencies, 30 percent and higher. As the recuperator represents 25–30 percent of the overall machine cost, efforts are now being focused on establishing new low cost recuperator concepts for gas turbine engines. In this paper a comparison of four different heat transfer surfaces is performed for a recuperator for a representative 50 kW micro turbine. Two standard methods of comparison, the so-called volume goodness factor and the flow area goodness factor, were used to choose several promising heat transfer surfaces for design calculations of a recuperator heat transfer matrix. Thus a direct comparison of recuperator matrix dimensions, volume and weight is possible for the selected surfaces. The hydraulic diameter is equal for all surfaces thus only their thermohydraulic performances are compared. In this paper details of the heat transfer surface geometries as well as the resulting recuperator matrix dimensions, volumes and weights are presented.Copyright © 2001 by ASME


A blend system of hexa-(4-carboxyl-phenoxy)-cyclotriphosphazene (HCPCP) and bisphenol A aniline benzoxazine (BA-a) was prepared, and its curing reaction mechanism and heat resistance properties were studied. The curing reaction mechanism of the blend was explored by differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and modeling software using model compounds Ar-COOH and hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene (HCCP). The heat resistance properties of the cured blends were studied by thermogravimetric analysis and dynamic mechanical analysis. The polymerization of benzoxazine was catalyzed by HCPCP through phosphazene ring and acid groups, and phosphazene played a predominant role. Compared with the materials with a single functional group (Ar-COOH and HCCP), HCPCP containing two functional groups (phosphazene ring and acid) exhibited weaker catalytic effects, mainly due to the high molecular weight of HCPCP obstructing movement and causing steric hindrance. In addition, HCPCP had a positive effect on the thermal stability of polybenzoxazine from 250 °C to 400 °C. When the HCPCP content reached 3%, the cured blend had the highest glass-transition temperature (222.2 °C), which is higher by 20 °C than that of cured benzoxazine. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46389.


Simple Summary Stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system results in the secretion of saliva. Previous studies have demonstrated acetylcholine content in homogenate obtained from salivary glands. Acetylcholine in homogenate, however, includes that stored in the cells, as well as that released in the interstitial fluid. The activity of the parasympathetic nervous system is mainly determined by the amount of acetylcholine released. We established an in vivo microdialysis method for monitoring the acetylcholine released from nerve endings in the salivary glands in rats. The results of the present study demonstrated that acetylcholine levels in the dialysate reflect acetylcholine levels in the interstitial fluid of the submandibular gland, and that an increase in the acetylcholine level in the dialysate depends predominantly on the release of acetylcholine from the parasympathetic nerve endings. Abstract A microdialysis technique was used to monitor acetylcholine levels in the local interstitial fluid in rat submandibular glands, with the aim of determining parasympathetic nerve activity in vivo. The dialysis probe housed a 10 × 0.22 mm semipermeable membrane (molecular weight cutoffs: 50,000 Da). When the probe was perfused at 2 μL/min in vitro, the mean relative recovery of acetylcholine was 41.7% ± 2.5%. The dialysis probes were implanted in the submandibular glands of anesthetized rats and perfusion with Ringer's solution, at 2 μL/min, was performed. Acetylcholine concentrations in the dialysate were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography and electrochemical detection. The results revealed the following: (1) that mixing Eserine with Ringer's solution allowed acetylcholine in the salivary glands to be quantified; (2) that acetylcholine concentrations in the dialysate were highly variable and unstable over the first 120 min after probe implantation, but reached a nearly stable level (4.8 ± 2.7 nM) thereafter in the presence of 100 µM of Eserine; and (3) that electrical stimulation of the chorda tympani nerve, or perfusion with high potassium Ringer's solution, significantly increased acetylcholine concentrations in the dialysate. These results indicate that the present microdialysis technique offers a powerful tool for detecting changes in parasympathetic activity within the salivary glands.


The South African schooling system does not sufficiently prepare students for the demands raised by higher education institutions (HEIs). This study investigates the important role that self-efficacy and attitude play in determining pre-service teachers' performance within research modules at private HEIs. Almost 90% of final year education students (n = 128) at private HEIs, emphasise their dislike for research. They also express their struggle in understanding research modules and how they relate to the teaching profession. This concurrent mixed-method study uses qualitative research to help explain quantitative findings regarding pre-service teachers' challenges and concerns with regard to research modules. The study also determines pre-service teachers' self-efficacy and attitude by administering a survey before the module and qualitative questionnaire upon completion of the research module. By determining pre-service teachers' self-efficacy and attitude, the effectiveness of the research modules is also determined. The relationship between pre-service teachers' self-efficacy, attitude and research module performance as part of the B.Ed. curriculum is established. The generic nature of undergraduate research modules allows for this case study's purpose to be transferred to any other discipline or HEI. This study contributes to the advancement of institutional research across HEIs and stimulates interdisciplinary engagement within the field of research modules in South Africa.


'dynabook dream') and serves as a handy introduction to a display of the great opportunities offered to us by the Internet. From Nielsen's large database of information and statistics on the Net (chapters 7-9), we should perhaps conclude that the Net will bring us and our students closer to our target foreign country, to its people and so to its language and culture through the use of Bulletin Board Systems, newsgroups, Multi-User Dungeons, Internet Relay Chat, distance-learning, listservers, websites and transferable shareware. And so finally the real world may enter our research and our class and seminar rooms. Hypertext, as Nielsen readily admits, may not be the single answer to all our problems, but like the Internet, it can go a long way in helping us to solve many of them. This is a comprehensive and very useful reference book with a large and annotated bibliography attached.


The series arrangement of identical electrolytic cells having copper anodes and chloride electrolyte is found to demonstrate an extremely asymmetric and reciprocally oscillating voltage drop across the series of these coupled cells. The origin of this phenomenon is attributed to the presence of different extents of cuprous oxide phase on surfaces of the anodes of different cells, in the series. Such series arrangement of multiple electrolytic cells introduces a novel phenomenon of the non-linear temporal behaviour of coupled cells. Most importantly, such configuration proves the very existence of adsorbed Cu 2 O on surface of copper anode, in acidic chloride media. And hence, it signifies the important role of Cu 2 O in the electro-dissolution mechanism of copper anode, even at lower pH values.


The thesis focuses on the equity valuation using multiples. Based on the notion of stochastic dominance, a relative valuation framework for comparing accuracy is developed and employed in the thesis. In the first paper, we investigate the feasibility of a relative valuation framework for tracking developments of value relevance of earnings and book values across time. The second paper focuses on the performance of EV/EBITDA, a multiple that gained in popularity with practitioners during the last decade, relative to that of the traditional multiple P/E. The last paper explores the possibility of applying non-linear methods to improve the precision of multiple valuation.


A four-arm conical spiral antenna is designed to operate in Mode 1 over a 2 to 8 GHz instantaneous bandwidth. The antenna has stable unidirectional radiation with high front-to-back ratio, axial ratio $< 2\mathbf{dB}$ within $\pm 30^{\circ}$ from the main beam, and radiation efficiency greater than 80%. Modifications to the metal-to-slot ratio are found to provide a simple means to control the impedance match. The final design includes a hollow conical shaped ground plane where receiver electronics can be integrated for a highly compact system.


Early exploration of the North Slope yielded information that led to an intensive effort in Naval Petroleum Reserve No. 4. This, in turn, led to industry exploration which resulted in the discovery of Prudhoe Bay in 1968. Special methods are utilized in exploration, production, and transportation operations in the North Slope province. Economics of producing and transporting crude oil to markets, compared with similar operations in the Lower 48, indicate that exploration activity must continue in order to provide economic health and national security for the country. The risks of tariffs and subsequently higher imports and the risks of curtailing domestic exploration and production are too severe for the U.S. to embark on such programs in the 1970's.


In summary, a novel external-cavity tunable semiconductor quantum well laser is demonstrated. Diffraction-limited output powers up to 1.0 W CW have been achieved, and a tuning bandwidth of 200 nm has been accessed by interchanging gain elements within a common external cavity.<<ETX>>


Measurement results on the cavitating vortex shedding behind sharp-edged rectangular bodies are presented, intended to provide benchmark cases for the validation of unsteady cavitation models of CFD codes. Rectangular bodies of increasing aspect ratio (1, 2, 3 and 4) were used with a constant 25mm height (12.5% blockage ratio). The water velocity in the 0.2x0.05m test section of the channel was varied between 1 and 12 m/s resulting in a Reynolds number in the range of (0.4-3.5)x105. Pressure signals were measured at several locations, notably in the wake. Dominant frequencies and Strouhal numbers are reported from cavitation-free flow (classic von Kármán vortex shedding) up to supercavitation as a function of the free-stream Reynolds number. The results are in good agreement with the literature in case of the square cylinder. We experienced a slight increase of the dominant Strouhal number with increasing aspect ratio. This result is somewhat inconsistent with the literature, in which a fall of the Strouhal number can be observed at side ratio 2. This may be the consequence of the different ranges of Reynolds numbers. It was also found that between the inception of cavitation and the formation of supercavitation the Strouhal number is not affected by cavitation.


This paper addresses the aerodynamics of insect-based, biomimetic, flapping wings in hover. An experimental apparatus, with a biomimetic flapping mechanism, was used to measure the thrust generated by a number of wing designs at different wing pitch settings. To quantify the large inertial loads acting on the wings, vacuum chamber tests were conducted. Results were obtained for several high-frequency tests conducted on lightweight aluminum and composite wings. The wing mass was found to have a significant influence on the maximum frequency of the mechanism because of a high inertial power requirement. All the wings tested showed a decrease in thrust at high frequencies. In contrast, for a wing held at 90-deg pitch angle, flapping in a horizontal stroke plane with passive pitching caused by aerodynamic and inertial forces, the thrust was found to be larger. To study the effect of passive pitching, the biomimetic flapping mechanism was modified with a passive torsion spring on the flapping shaft. Results of some tests conducted with different wings and different torsion spring stiffnesses are shown. A soft torsion spring led to a greater range of pitch variation and produced more thrust at slightly lower power than with the stiff torsion spring. The lightweight and highly flexible wings used in this study had significant aeroelastic effects which need to be investigated. A finite element based structural analysis of the wing is described, along with an unsteady aerodynamic analysis based on indicial functions. The analysis was validated with experimental data available in literature, and also with experimental tests conducted on the biomimetic flapping-pitching mechanism. Results for both elastic and rigid wing analyses are compared with the thrust measured on the biomimetic flapping-pitching mechanism.


Background: The recent COVID-19 outbreak has generated an unprecedented public health crisis, with millions of infections and hundreds of thousands of deaths worldwide. Using hospital-based or mortality data, several COVID-19 risk factors have been identified, but these may be confounded or biased. Methods: Using SARS-CoV-2 infection test data (n1⁄4 4509 tests; 1325 positive) from Public Health England, linked to the UK Biobank study, we explored the contribution of demographic, social, health risk, medical and environmental factors to COVID-19 risk. We used multivariable and penalized logistic regression models for the risk of (i) being tested, (ii) testing positive/negative in the study population and, adopting a test negative design, (iii) the risk of testing positive within the tested population. Results: In the fully adjusted model, variables independently associated with the risk of being tested for COVID-19 with odds ratio >1.05 were: male sex; Black ethnicity; social disadvantage (as measured by education, housing and income); occupation (healthcare worker, retired, unemployed); ever smoker; severely obese; comorbidities; and greater exposure to particulate matter (PM) 2.5 absorbance. Of these, only male sex, non-White ethnicity and lower educational attainment, and none of the comorbidities or health risk factors, were associated with testing positive among tested individuals. VC The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the International Epidemiological Association. 1 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted reuse, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. IEA International Epidemiological Association International Journal of Epidemiology, 2020, 1–14 doi: 10.1093/ije/dyaa134


This study examines the impact of involvement in the selection of a strategic
initiaves and strategic feedback consist of correlation analysis between strategic
initiatives and performance measures in the Balanced Scorecard on the evaluation of
the initiatives effectiveness and the division manager performance in the evaluation
using BSC. It is argued that managers� involvement in the selection of strategic
initiatives will increase the tendency to arrive at conclusions that are consistent with
their preference especially when they received complex information. Strategic
feedback is expected to reduce the impact of motivated reasoning by providing strong
evidence about strategic initiative�s effectiveness which appears in the correlation
between the inititives as the driver and the performance measures as the outcomes.
Using the 2A�2 between subjects experiment involving 63 undergraduate
students, I examine the arguments. The results show that the involvement has no
significat effect on both the evaluation of strategic initiative effectiveness and
division manager�s performance. The strategic feedback has only effect on division
manager�s performance but at the unexpected order. The study also failed to obtain
evidence about the interaction effect of two independent variables above. In other
words, there is no significant difference of the evaluation of strategic initiative and
division manager�s performance between score given by whom were involved in the
initiative selection and whom was not involved. The strategic feedback also does not
make difference as expected on both evaluation.


DFNA9 is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by late‐onset, non‐syndromic hearing loss, and vestibular dysfunction. Mutations in the COCH (coagulation factor C homology) gene encoding cochlin are etiologically linked to DFNA9. Previous studies have shown that cochlin is cleaved by aggrecanase‐1 during inflammation in the spleen and that the cleaved LCCL domain functions as an innate immune mediator. However, the physiological role of cochlin in the inner ear is not completely understood. Here, we report that cochlins containing DFNA9‐linked mutations (p.P51S, p.V66G, p.G88E, p.I109T, p.W117R, p.V123E, and p.C162Y) demonstrate reduced cleavage by aggrecanase. Notably, in families affected with DFNA9, we found a novel COCH mutation causing p.V123E substitution in cochlin, which significantly reduced protein susceptibility to cleavage by aggrecanase (to about 20.5% of the wild‐type). These results suggest that the impaired post‐translational cleavage of cochlin mutants may be associated with pathological mechanisms underlying DFNA9‐related sensorineural hearing loss.


Summary Introduction: Condylomata acuminata are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus Types 6 and 11. This sexually transferred disease is one of the most widespread diseases in the world and its incidence is growing. Many different treatments exist, but the results are not satisfactory because of the high relapse rate. Patients and methods:During the past five years we treated 437 patients with genital warts with either a CO2 laser or a Nd:YAG laser, depending on the localisation. A detailed examination preceded every treatment. In cases where the lesions could not be clearly recognised as condomylata, we carried out an ALA-D-Light diagnosis and took biopsies. Results:We treated 280 males and 157 females. 80% of the males and 30% of the females suffered from intraanal lesions. Three males and one female had deep internal urethral lesions and 22% of all patients displayed genital warts at the urethral ostium. 12% of the women had portio lesions and in 4% of the females and in three men we detected dysplasias using the ALA-D-Light diagnosis system. The total relapse rate was of 7%. Discussion:The widespread nature and high infection rate of genital warts together with their possible complications make a reliable and adequate treatment essential. Because of the many phenotypes of condylomata, diseases like dysplasias have to be excluded. Summary:The use of lasers in the treatment of genital warts has helped to reduce the rate of relapse. Appropriate and discriminatory diagnostics prior to treatment lead to better results. Patient's acceptance is high because they often can be treated as outpatients, suffer only minor inconvenience and good cosmetic results are achieved.


ABSTRACT Reduced physiological efficiency as well as low and irregular germination rate under environmental stress conditions (e.g., salinity) are among the major factors affecting the propagation of numerous plants, in particular medicinal ones. A factorial experiment using a completely randomized design was employed to evaluate the effect of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on hopbush seed germination and seedling growth under salinity stress. After the seeds were inoculated with the Azospirillum lipoferum, Azotobacter chroococcum, and Azospirillum + Azotobacter and exposed to salinity stress at six levels, they were placed into a germinator at 20°C temperature and 65% relative humidity with a photoperiodic regime of 16 h light/8 h dark at 1,000 lux fluorescent light. The seeds inoculated with the bacterial strains could tolerate salinity levels of up to 50 dS/m and germinate. The combined treatment of Azospirillum + Azotobacter increased germination percentage at 20 and 50 dS/m levels by 21.67 and 10%, respectively. Also, A. chroococcum at 15 and 20 dS/m and Azospirillum + Azotobacter at 50 dS/m stress levels increased germination rate by 88, 316, and 155%, respectively, compared with the control. Furthermore, plant growth parameters—e.g., root and stem length, root and stem dry and fresh weights, as well as the ratios of root length and weight to the stem counterparts—were considerably enhanced by Azotobacter chroococcum treatment under elevated salinity stress (15 and 20 dS/m), relative to the control. Inoculation with A. chroococcum more favorably affected on and was also more compatible with Dodonaea viscosa seedlings leading to considerably improved seedlings growth parameters as well as seed germination under salinity stress.


Background: Loss of muscle mass and muscle function is a common side effect from androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer (PCa). Here, we explored effects of heavy-load resistance training (RT) on lean body mass and muscle strength changes reported in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) among PCa patients on ADT and in healthy elderly men (HEM), by comparison of results in separate meta-analysis. Methods: RCTs were identified through databases and reference lists. Results: Seven RCTs in PCa patients (n = 449), and nine in HEM (n = 305) were included. The effects of RT in lean body mass change were similar among PCa patients (Standardized mean difference (SMD): 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2, 0.7) and HEM (SMD: 0.5, 95% CI: 0.2, 0.7). It is noteworthy that the within group changes showed different patterns in PCa patients (intervention: 0.2 kg; control: −0.6 kg) and HEM (intervention: 1.2 kg; control: 0.2 kg). The effects of RT on change in muscle strength (measured as 1 RM) were similar between PCa patients and HEM, both for lower body- (PCa: SMD: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.2, 2.5; HEM: SMD: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.0, 3.4), and for upper body exercises (PCa: SMD: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.3, 2.7; HEM: SMD: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.3, 2.6). Conclusions: The effects of RT on lean body mass and 1 RM were similar in PCa patients on ADT and HEM, but the mechanism for the intervention effect might differ between groups. It seems that RT counteracts loss of lean body mass during ADT in PCa patients, as opposed to increasing lean body mass in HEM.


Microbial identification is a critical process aiming at identifying the species contained in a biological sample, with applications in healthcare, industry or even national security. Traditionally, this process relies either on MALDI-TOF mass spectroscopy, on biochemical tests and on the observation of the morphology of colonies after growth on a Petri dish. Here is presented an innovative method for label-free optical identification of pathogens, based on the multispectral infrared imaging of colonies. This lensless imaging technique enables a high-throughput analysis and wide-field analysis of agar plates. It could yield very high correct identification rates as it relies on an optical fingerprint gathering both spectroscopic and morphologic features. The setup consists of a Quantum Cascade Lasers light source and an imager, a square 2.72 by 2.72 mm uncooled bolometer array. Microorganisms to be analyzed are streaked on a porous growth support compatible with infrared imaging, laid on top of an agar plate for incubation. When imaging is performed, growth support is put in close contact with the imaging sensor and illuminated at different wavelengths. After acquisition, an image descriptor based on spectral and morphological features is extracted for each microbial colony. Supervised classification is finally performed with a Support Vector Machine algorithm and tested with tenfold cross-validation. A first database collecting 1012 multispectral images of colonies belonging to five different species has already been acquired with this system, resulting in a correct identification rate of 92%. For these experiments, multispectral images are acquired at nine different wavelengths, between 5.6 and 8 µm. Considering the optimization possibilities of the image descriptors currently used and the ongoing development of the uncooled bolometers technology, these very first results are promising and could be dramatically improved with further experiments. Thereby, mid-infrared multispectral lensless imaging has the potential to become a fast and precise Petri dish analysis technology.


Objective To explore the diagnostic value of ultrasound and radionuclide imaging in subacute thyroiditis.Methods We retrospectively analysed the ultrosound and radionuclide imaging of 52 patients with subacute thyroiditis in our hospital.Results The ultrasound diagnostic rate was 86.5%,the radionuclide imaging diagnosis was 76.9%,the combination of ultrasound and radionuclide imaging diagnosis rate was 94.2%.Conclusion Ultrasonography should be preferred method of examination.If combined with radionuclide imaging,it can significantly improve the diagnostic rate.


The question of authenticity in art appears historically and directly linked to the question of art's place and the modalities of its placement. The protracted practice of removal and collection of authentic works of art in a sequestered place, of which the art museum is the modern manifestation, is directly linked, in turn, to Western ideational trepidations about art and representation. To trace these links, I will begin with an overview of the history of the place and the placement of art, beginning with the cabinet of curiosities, to the founding of the art museum as a building type in Berlin during the third decade of the 19th century. The elaborate spacing and the experiential journey of disjointure that were codified in Berlin and since have been the persistent measures of success in art museum design are, I contend, a humanist institutional response to the enigmatic place of art and its inherent supplemental and paradoxical character as a mode of representation. The fabrication of the art museum as a disjoined space is, persistent as it has been, a cultural substitute for what is fundamentally missing and missed: an outside to representation. As an institution and a building type, the art museum effectively fabricates an outside to representation. It substitutes a formal, spatial, and experiential clarity of place for the very spatial and temporal dimensions that painting and sculpture fundamentally put in question. The institution of the art museum is, I contend, an instituted resistance to representation. Spacing is authenticity's indispensable alibi. The museum is its incessant realization.


Sociological theories of intimate partner violence seek to explain violent behavior as a function of social structures rather than individual pathology. This review examines the major theories used by sociologists to understand intimate partner violence, categorizing them by their respective views regarding the role of gender in intimate partner violence. Family violence theories (including systems theory, ecological theory, exchange/social control theory, resource theory, and the subculture-of-violence theory) view intimate partner violence as an expression of conflict within the family that can best be understood through examination of social structures contributing to the use of violence. Feminist theory sees intimate partner violence as an expression of gender-based domination of women by men. This review also discusses some integrative theories that seek to bridge the polarized views of the traditional perspectives in relation to gender.


He is circumcised and has normal genitalia; the testicles are of normal size and nontender. Moist, reddish brown patches, with irregular borders that extend to the skin fold edges, are noted on the bilateral inguinal skin folds and scrotum. Maceration of the skin is also evident in these areas (Figure 1). A complete blood cell count reveals no leukocytosis; electrolyte levels are normal. Results of a potassium hydroxide (KOH) preparation of skin scrapings show no fungal forms. Wood's light examination of the inguinal rash reveals coral-red fluorescence, which is consistent with the diagnosis of erythrasma (Figure 2). A course of oral erythromycin, 250 mg qid for 14 days, is prescribed. The rash resolves within a month. The patient is counseled on preventive measures.ERYTHRASMA: A COMMONLY MISSED DIAGNOSIS Superficial infection of the stratum corneum with the Gram-positive rod Corynebacterium minutissimum leads to the cutaneous eruption known as erythrasma. The eruption commonly occurs in occluded, moist skin folds, such as the axillae; inframammary regions; toe interspaces; and skin folds in the abdominal, intergluteal, and groin regions.1,2 Intertrigo refers to a nonspecific inflammatory process that occurs in these regions when the stratum corneum becomes eroded.3 Erythrasma is common in adults with diabetes.4 However, colonization with C minutissimum appears to be a frequent phenomenon in the general population; it was documented in more than 50% of Danish military recruits in one study.5 In addition to diabetes, other predisposing factors are obesity, poor hygiene, maceration of tissues, and a warm and humid climate.1,2,4 Skin lesions appear as reddish brown macules or patches with sharp margins, which may have associated scaling and inflammatory hyperpigmentation.1,6 Patients may complain of burning and pruritus in affected areas. The differential diagnosis of erythrasma includes candidiasis, psoriasis, dermatophytosis, seborrheic dermatitis, and acanthosis nigricans.1 It is plausible that erythrasma may coexist with other intertriginous infections. MAKING THE DIAGNOSIS Often, the diagnosis of erythrasma is not considered until after a trial of antifungal therapy has failed.7 A Wood's light examination can be used to diagnose erythrasma; the characteristic coral-red fluorescence of C minutissimum results from coproporphyrin III produced by the organism. The Wood's lamp has a glass filter that only allows long-wave ultraviolet light greater than 365 nm to


Volume C1 of the DNAG's Geology of North America, this 387-page bok contains a description of the geology and mineral deposits of the Superior Province of the Canadian Shield, an overview of Grenville Province geology, and a synopsis of Precambrian fossil occurrences in North America. Six large plates include a geological map of Canada, geological map of the Grenville Province, lithotectonic map of the Superior Province, Archean mineral deposit map of the Superior Province, and more.


Several works have presented the Hadith on different digital platforms, ranging from websites to mobile apps. These works were successful in presenting the text of the Hadith to users, but this does not help them to answer any particular questions about religious matters. Therefore, in this work we propose a question-answering system that was built on a Hadith knowledge graph. To interpret the user questions correctly, we used the Levenshtein distance function, and for storing the Hadith in graph format we used Neo4J as the graph database. Our main findings were: (i) a knowledge graph is suitable for representing the Hadith and also for doing the reasoning task, and (ii) our proposed approach achieved 95% for top-1 accuracy.


With the increasing number of tracking targets, how to solve the complex interactions and occlusions becomes a very important issue in the visual tracking. In this paper, we present a boosted Joint Probabilistic Data Association (JPDA) particle filter framework for multiple targets tracking. For each target, our approach uses all the possible associated Adaboost detections and dynamic model to construct proposal distribution for the particle filter. The weights of these detections and dynamic model are determined using joint association probability. Our method not only can obtain a good approximation for each target, but also deal with the interactions and occlusions between targets. Moreover, our methods can adjust the weights of detections and dynamic information automatically to adapt to the tracking situations (including crossovers, collisions and occlusions). ACM CLASSIFICATION


This article contributes to the study of union revitalization efforts by exploring the strategic underpinnings of and consideration for a restructured grievance system in a large Service Employees International Union (SEIU) local based in Chicago (hereinafter Local 1). This case study provides for a unique opportunity to examine the role that the structure and process of handling grievances plays in union efforts to mobilize members, increase membership, and pursue broader political objectives that go beyond the traditional-workplace-centered role of unions. Based on this case study, we argue that, irrespective of the associated outcome, the considerations and objectives guiding the facilitation of employee voice and workplace fairness by unions through grievance systems can be broader and more complex than existing research would suggest. More specifically, our case study documents the extent to which the rethinking of the traditional role and structure of contract enforcement is seen by union leadership as offering a potential route for broader revitalization of local unions in the United States.


Two stage aerobic composting process is that thermophiles and mesophiles are separately kept at the temperature and atmosphere suitable for their own activities in order to decompose different materials of municipal refuse. Based on the microorganism kinetic model and material balance, some design formulas for the two stage aerobic composting process are developed. As for the formula of the biodegradation of the first stage fermentation, the reaction rate is first order reaction for biodegradable volatile solids and the rate constant k d is 0.119 d -1 ; as for the formula for the loss of compost weight of the first stage fermentation,the loss of compost weight is positively correlated with the amount of biodegradable volatile solids and water vapor; in the formulas for the volume of the first stage fermentation dynamic reactor and for the effective area of secondary fermentation facility, the effects of the loss of compost weight, density change and the quantity of compost recycle are considered; in the formula for the theory ventilation quantity of the first stage fermentation,the ventilation quantity is determined from the amount of organic decomposition and output of water vapor.


Long Term Evolution (LTE) network planning is a very important and challenging task. It requires careful attention from all service providers since it affects the cost and the performance of the network and its services. In order to be able to plan a good network, the traffic provided for network planning has to include as many realistic parameters as possible. Previous network planning approaches tend to collect measurements regardless of how time consuming it is considered, while others find it easier to assume or predict values. The main objective of this paper is to introduce a traffic model that considers different realistic parameters that can be used for the planning of LTE networks. To that end, a set of equations is proposed to generate reasonable traffic profiles while considering various practical aspects such as signaling, bandwidth, busy hour session attempts and number of simultaneous bearers.


A multi-angle lensfree holographic imaging platform capable of resolving the depth location of cells or microparticles on a chip, with an accuracy much greater than that allowed by the detection numerical aperture is presented. This multi-angle holographic imaging approach could be especially useful for improving the throughput of on-chip imaging and characterization of cells within microfluidic systems.


Background: We analyzed the role of colour doppler ultrasound (CDDUS) method for detection of sacroiliac (SI) inflammation in psoriasis patients with no rheumatic symptoms. Material and Methods: Thirty-four consecutive psoriasis patients who had no joint symptoms and who were being followed up at our Dermatology clinic were included into the study. The control consisted of 32 ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and 18 healthy controls. Clinical data of psoriasis patients were recorded down from hospital files and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores were evaluated. All patients were questionned for the presence of back pain; pelvic x-rays were obtained. Subjects who admitted having arthritis, enthesitis and inflammatory back pain were excluded. In all study groups, vessels in SI joints were investigated by CDDUS. When the artery was found, the resistive index (RI) was measured by CDDUS. Results: The mean SI joint RI scores in psoriasis (0.83±0.07) and AS (0.81±0.06) groups were significantly lower than in the control group (0.88±0.05) (p values, 0.03 and 0.001). The RI values in psoriasis patients were lower than in AS patients; however the difference was not significant (p>0.05). Psoriasis patients with PASI score >5 were compared to others. The mean SI RI scores in patients with PASI >5 were significantly lower than in others (0.796±0.08 vs. 0.85±0.05, p=0.021). Conclusions: Our findings make us consider that there might be asymptomatic SI involvement in psoriasis patients without arthritis and inflammatory back pain. It might prove useful to follow up these patients and to compare our results to more sensitive methods.