One goal of the LIFE project "Del.Ta." (NAT/IT/000163) was the preparation of an Action Plan to protect the bottlenose dolphin community in the Pelagie Archipelago (Sicily, Italy). It stressed the importance of regular monitoring of the spatial and temporal distribution of dolphins in order to evaluate the impact of local activities. This study assesses whether land-based surveys could be an effective alternative to vessel-based surveys. During the summer of 2006, both surveys' methodologies were used at Lampedusa, with 35 sightings recorded from land and 31 from a boat. Comparison was based on the assessment of the type of information they provided in relation to the presence of the animals and their behavior. Both methodologies were applicable, but there were differences in their requirements, potential information generated, costs, and sensitivity to weather conditions. Vessel-based surveys require well trained observers and enable photo-identification and observation of social interaction and morphology. Animal movements, interactions with anthropogenic elements and group dynamics are better collected from land but spatial data can be documented up to 1 nautical mile from the coast. Weather conditions have a significant platform specific effect on sighting frequencies. The high sighting frequency during land surveys provides support for the development of zero-impact land-based dolphins watching activity.


Background: The purpose of the study was to collect information from local population of Sundar Nagar, District Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, to assess their attitude toward replacement of teeth. Materials and Methods: An analytical, cross-sectional, epidemiological survey was conducted on 522 individuals randomly selected from a local population of Sundar Nagar, to determine attitude toward various treatment modalities for the replacement of teeth. A self-designed closed-ended questionnaire was prepared to assess the attitude of the patient, and collected data were analyzed statistically using the Chi-square test at the significance level of P < 0.05. Results: Around 87% of patients showed positive attitude for the replacement of missing teeth. Almost 78.2% of patients liked to replace missing teeth even although it is an expensive treatment. Around 47.1% of patients believed that they socialized less with a removable prosthesis because of poor stability and retention. Eighty-eight percent of patients of 40–59 years showed a positive attitude toward fixed prosthesis as compared to older age, who preferred removable prosthesis due to lack of interest in esthetics and low perceived need of prosthesis. Forty-seven percent of patients showed a positive attitude toward acceptance of implant. Conclusion: It is essential to evaluate attitude toward treatment as treatment expectations may influence treatment planning and perceived value by the patient and its outcome.


This study presents a pioneering approach to designing a Vedic multiplier using full adders and conducts a comprehensive power analysis to assess its energy efficiency. Vedic mathematics, rooted in ancient Indian principles, offers innovative techniques for rapid and precise computations. Leveraging these principles, we propose a Vedic multiplier architecture that exploits full adders as fundamental building blocks, enabling efficient multiplication operations through the Gate Diffusion Input (GDI) method. The thorough power analysis ensures a comprehensive evaluation of its energy-saving potential. This research aims to explore how Vedic mathematics can offer alternative and energy-efficient solutions for modern computational systems, particularly in performing multiplication operations. By embracing this novel methodology, we aspire to unlock new possibilities for efficient and sustainable computing paradigms.


The first enantioselective total synthesis of natural dicerandrol C (1 c) as its enantiomer containing a dimeric tetrahydroxanthenone skeleton is described starting from the enantiopure chromane 6 which was obtained through a Wacker-type cyclization with >99 % ee. For the formation of the dimeric skeleton a palladium-catalyzed Suzuki reaction was used. The synthesis allowed the confirmation of the absolute configuration of the dicerandrols.


As the basis of a society undergoes a fundamental change, such as progression from the industrial age to the knowledge/information age, the massive change affects every aspect of life. Change causes stress in individuals that often manifest itself as anxiety. Using an economic model of the endogenous growth, which includes technology as input, this paper looks at Mobile Computer Anxiety (MCA) aspects of knowledge workers in the knowledge society. The laborer of the knowledge/information society is the knowledge worker. To function effectively within an organization the knowledge worker must collaborate, often using mobile computer devices to communicate. The quantitative correlational study was conducted to determine whether the biases of the industrial age influence the modern knowledge worker with respect to MCA. A .05 Confidence level where any p<.05 is the criteria for acceptance of the null hypotheses as it relates to each question. The result of the study showed by using a multiple regression analysis that MCA could not predict income (p=.888), but could predict age (p=.004). The remaining results used a logistic regression showing that MCA could differentiate for gender (p=.025) between male and female, but could not differentiate minority-status (p=.426) between non-minority and minority.


Annotation. The article deals with the influence of creation of the internal corporate training center on ensuring and improvement of the efficiency of enterprises. Modern concepts of reducing training costs are discussed and differences in the various approaches to staff development are examined. Basic functioning areas of the internal training center are developed with a view to improving company performance and enhancing its competitiveness.


Preliminary evidence suggests that premature immunosenescence is involved in bipolar disorder (BD) pathophysiology. The cellular marker CD69 is expressed in T lymphocyte surface during their activation and its expression is negatively correlated with age. The objective of this study was to assess the moderating effects of obesity on the reduction of expression of CD69, a marker of immunosenescence. Forty euthymic patients with BD type I, aged 18–65 years, were included in this study. The healthy comparison group consisted of 39 volunteers who had no current or lifetime history of mental disorders, no use of psychotropic medications, and no known family history of mood disorders or psychosis. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from BD patients and healthy controls were collected and isolated. The cells were allowed to grow in culture and stimulated for 3 days. CD69 was marked and read in flow cytometry. We found that the lower expression of CD69 in BD patients was moderated by body mass index (BMI) in both CD4+ (RR = 0.977, 95% CI 0.960–0.995, p = 0.013) and CD8+ cells (RR = 0.972, 95% CI 0.954–0.990, p = 0.003). Our findings indicate that BMI could potentially influence the process of premature aging in BD.


Case studies form the basis for the development of what business scholars have termed best practices scenarios. The Harlem Globetrotters International (HGI) is one of the most successful sport franchises in history. In this case study, we trace the development of HGI, from its beginnings in 1926 to its acquisition in 1993 by present owner and CEO, Mannie Jackson. We present a situational analysis of HGI from Jackson's perspective at the time of purchase. Next we outline Jackson's vision, objectives, and competitive strategy. We present Jackson's strategic brand management tactics. Next, we present Jackson's interpretation of the success of HGI's strategy and his interpretation of HGI's strengths, weaknesses, threats, and positive outlook. Appendix H presents relevant financial data that can be used to analyze HGI's success and shortcomings. Appendix I presents discussion questions. This case study is intended to be used as a teaching tool.


Lid for closing an opening (3) in a wall (4), in particular a covering part of a motor vehicle, formed - wherein the wall (4) on its inner side (5) in the region of the opening (3) has a support contour (6) for the cover (2) which makes it possible to set up the in the opening (3) cover (2) between to pivot to a closed position in which the lid (2) the opening (3) closes, and a tilt position about a tilt axis (8), in which the lid (2) is tilted from its closed position and on the outside (9) of the wall (4) from the opening (3) removable and / or in the opening (3) is insertable, - wherein the lid (2) has a wall portion (10) which is substantially complementary to the opening (3) is formed and fills in the closed position substantially - said rear side facing away from the wall portion (10) on its in the closed position from the wall outer sides (9) (13) at least one ...


This article explores the function of the asylum in Italian fantastic literature, considering three examples by Ugo Tarchetti, Matilde Serao, and Giuseppe Tonsi. I argue that the asylum is a space that serves to delegitimize the extraordinary claims of patients and that thus confines the subversive potential of fantastic literature. In this way, the asylum also allows for the fantastic to exist without upsetting the social order. I look at how patient testimonies are framed and at the crimes committed that factor into incarceration. I conclude that the subversive potential of the fantastic is considered more important than the violence that is committed by the patients, but that the fantastic itself is always elsewhere, at a remove from the alleged perpetrators and witnesses who are locked up.


T he day after the Charlie Hebdo killings, I spoke on the phone with a friend in Paris who said that during a bus ride that morning he had been disturbed to see on the faces of young men of Arab appearance expressions that seemed to signal aloofness or even defiance in contrast with the shock and sorrow visible on the faces of majority ethnic passengers. I saw a similar contrast at firsthand a few days later during a Je suis Charlie rally held in the main square in the town of Narbonne, to which I had driven from the nearby village in which I live in southern France. Except for representatives of a local mosque, practically all of those who joined the demonstration were whites, grim-faced and sad. Toward the end of the gathering, I noticed a tall black teenager with a smile on his face standing a few yards away from the demonstrators, toward whom he was looking from the edge of the square. Close by were several men of Arab appearance, probably in their midthirties, standing shoulder to shoulder, exchanging smiles and seemingly lighthearted remarks as they too looked upon the rally from a short distance. The previous day there had been media reports that students in scores of high schools in disadvantaged multiethnic banlieues (outlying urban areas) had refused to observe a nationwide minute of silence in memory of those killed in the attacks. What did that refusal mean? Support for the killers? Resentment over perceived double standards concerning victims of anti-Arab racism for whom no comparable displays of national mourning had been organized in the past? Indifference to calls for displays of national unity in the face of entrenched patterns of discrimination that have excluded large numbers of minority ethnic men and women in the banlieues


In the article the results of labor-force balance forecast in Komi Republik are reflected; wide analyses of the situation on the labor market of this republic from the point of view of perspectives of labor resources is described.


Answers recent calls for scholarly study of organizational culture in a marketing context. Presents a view of the marketing concept as culture based on the organizational symbolism paradigm. Then applies this perspective through techniques for implementing the marketing concept.


It is shown that, for all sufficiently large k, the complete graph Kn can be decomposed into k factors of diameter 2 if and only if n ≥ 6k.


The invention provides a three-cylinder engine balance shaft system. The system comprises a balance shaft and a intermediate shaft, wherein the balance shaft and the intermediate shaft are arranged on the lower side of a crankshaft of an engine and arranged in an oil pan; the balance shaft and the intermediate shaft are arranged in parallel and installed on a supporting frame, and the supporting frame is fixed to the bottom face of an air cylinder block; a intermediate shaft chain wheel is installed at the front end of the intermediate shaft and connected with a crankshaft chain wheel installed at the front end of the crankshaft through a chain; a driving gear is arranged at the rear end of the intermediate shaft, a driven gear is installed on the balance shaft, and the two gears are meshed; a front counterweight and a rear counterweight are installed at the two ends of the balance shaft respectively, and the center of gravity of the front counterweight and the center of gravity of the rear counterweight are arranged with the angle of 180 degrees. According to the three-cylinder engine balance shaft system, the balance shaft is arranged on the lower side of the crankshaft of the engine, and thus the engine is compact in structure; the balance shaft is driven by a chain system, a fixed rail, a tensioning device and the like are arranged on the supporting frame of the balance shaft, the engine is changed slightly when the engine is not provided with the balance shaft system, and the engine is flexible in arrangement; a cover cap is designed at the front end of the supporting frame, and the problem that because the balance shaft system is arranged in the oil pan, oil mist is generated easily is solved.


This paper proposes a planning system for empty container repositioning. It is said that movement of empty containers account for thirty percentage of movement of all containers. Moreover, empty container repositioning cost no less than 234 million dollars in 2010. Therefore, we have developed planning system to reduce the cost of repositioning empty containers. To achieve this purpose, we have developed a planning system for empty container repositioning. This system includes inventory control, and determination of transportation plan. We have developed simulator including these two methods, and carry out the simulation. Then, we applied this system to marine logistics network. We compared current scenario and our system scenario. The result of these simulations suggests that the cost of empty container repositioning can be reduced by our planning system, and empty container repositioning is achieved by our planning system.


The purpose of this clinical trial was to examine whether internal jugular vein compression (JVC)—using an externally worn neck collar—modulated the relationships between differential head impact exposure levels and pre‐ to postseason changes in diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)‐derived diffusivity and anisotropy metrics of white matter following a season of American tackle football. Male high‐school athletes (n = 284) were prospectively assigned to a non‐collar group or a collar group. Magnetic resonance imaging data were collected from participants pre‐ and postseason and head impact exposure was monitored by accelerometers during every practice and game throughout the competitive season. Athletes' accumulated head impact exposure was systematically thresholded based on the frequency of impacts of progressively higher magnitudes (10 g intervals between 20 to 150 g) and modeled with pre‐ to postseason changes in DTI measures of white matter as a function of JVC neck collar wear. The findings revealed that the JVC neck collar modulated the relationships between greater high‐magnitude head impact exposure (110 to 140 g) and longitudinal changes to white matter, with each group showing associations that varied in directionality. Results also revealed that the JVC neck collar group partially preserved longitudinal changes in DTI metrics. Collectively, these data indicate that a JVC neck collar can provide a mechanistic response to the diffusion and anisotropic properties of brain white matter following the highly diverse exposure to repetitive head impacts in American tackle football. Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT# 04068883.


Victoria Carruthers: email@example.com Each of my paintings are steps marked on the same path. I don't see any cuts, any deviations. The same preoccupations are manifest since the beginning. Obsessions come to the surface as marks that can't be erased. My paintings, and lastly my sculptures, are part of the same search, with the same discoveries, the same storms, the same mad laughter, suffering and rebirth.1


Reuse of wastewater in Egypt for irrigation could save scarce water supplies. The objective of this study is to investigate the reuse of wastewater for irrigation by chemically enhanced primary treatment (CEPT), as low-cost technology of wastewater treatment. Aluminum sulphate (alum), cement kiln dust (CKD) and cationic polymer (PAM) were used with jar test to select the most suitable coagulant for effective treatment of municipal wastewater. The results revealed that alum at a dose of 50 mg L could remove about 50% 1 of COD and 60% of BOD. At alum doses above 50 mg L , there was no further appreciable reduction in COD 1 and BOD. The addition of 50 mg L of CKD and of 0.2 mg L PAM could reduce BOD, COD, phosphorous and 1 1 fecal coliform (FC) by about 79%, 85%, 95% and more than 99.9%, respectively. Total dissolved solids (TDS) and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) in the wastewater treated by CKD + PAM ranged from 696 mg L and 1 5.4 to 1702 mg L and 6.0, respectively. Heavy metals, SAR, TDS and pH of the wastewater treated by (CKD 1 + PAM) were within the acceptable range for irrigation. Fecal coliform numbers was 1400 MPN /100 mL for the CEPT effluent, i.e. it exceeded the WHO guideline for FC of 1000 MPN/100 mL. Thus, CEPT (CKD+ PAM) can be used as a simple low-cost technology for municipal wastewater treatment and for improving the efficiency of cement kiln dust disposal.


An automatic speech recognition system (ASR) contains three main parts: an acoustic model, a lexicon and a language model. ASR in noisy environments is still a challenging goal. Indeed, when training and/or testing conditions are corrupted by noisy environments, the audio signal is distorted, and the acoustic model may not be able to compensate for this variability. A better language model gives limited performance improvement, modelling mainly local syntactic information. In this paper, we propose a semantic model to take into account the long-term semantic context information and thus to reduce the acoustic ambiguities of noisy conditions. Proposed semantic model is based on deep neural networks (DNN) and is aimed at selecting hypotheses that have a better semantic consistency and therefore a lower word error rate (WER). This model is applied during the rescoring of N-best recognition hypotheses.


This paper discusses the appropriate modelling of the air pollution from new or modified traffic schemes. The term modelling is used here to mean the simulation process used in obtaining predictions of air quality impact.


The present work is structured under two hypotheses. The first hypothesis claims that corrective justice is the principle that better explains the theory and practice of tort law. The second hypothesis, which shall be called the inseparability thesis, holds it is impossible to separate tort law from the demands of corrective and distributive justice. Both statements are based on its discussion in the Anglo-American literature, although some Chilean will also be discussed. Additionally, it is argued that the two hypotheses are applicable to the practical development of tort law's problems, providing a theoretical framework that allows creating new solutions to these problems that have not been addressed adequately by Chilean legal scholars.


Operating data from eight, full-scale, single-sludge, biological nutrient removal (BNR) wastewater treatment facilities in Florida were collected and evaluated. Three types of BNR facilities were evaluated: A 2 /O Process, 5-stage Bardenpho TM Process, and oxidation ditches preceded with anaerobic/anoxic selectors. One year of operating data were examined for each facility. All facilities met stringent effluent requirements of 5, 5, and 3 mg/L for biochemical oxygen demand (BOD 5 ), total suspended solids (TSS), and total nitrogen (TN). Facilities which had an effluent total phosphorus (TP) limit of 1 mg/L also consistently met the required level of removal. Oxidation ditches preceded with anaerobic/anoxic selectors were found to be as reliable and effective as the conventional BNR systems.


Brain damage caused by oxygen deficiency at birth is one of the main causes of death in newborns worldwide. Using a small animal model, researchers from the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) and DZNE tested treatment with 25 different active agents. Seven substances proved to be more effective than the standard therapy of artificial cooling: caffeine performed best. The results, published in the scientific journal "Scientific Reports", could pave the way for new treatment options for newborns


Sodium-metal-based seawater batteries (SWB) are considered an attractive energy storage system because of the cost-effective nature of Na+ ions. However, the high overpotential and low power output caused by the limitations of the cathode material have impeded their commercialization. To overcome these injurious issues, herein we report the enhanced oxygen reduction reaction (ORR)/oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activities of SWBs using a well-controlled N-doped carbon cloth as a cathode current collector. The resulting electrochemical performance reveals that the presence of pyridinic-N prepared by pyrolysis at 700 °C is related to the enhanced electrocatalytic activity toward the OER and ORR and the improved electrochemical behavior of the SWB. At a current density of 0.25 mA cm–2, the SWB with a pyridinic-N-containing cathode shows a lower overpotential of 0.84 V and a higher power density of 9.66 mW cm–2, which are significantly better than those of graphitic-N-dominated carbon cathodes. Furthermore, ...


Improved career services in postsecondary education are needed if students with disabilities are to experience greater success in acquiring and maintaining employment following college graduation. In this study, postsecondary students with disabilities, faculty members, and student personnel professionals responded to results from a student survey that identified the strengths and weaknesses in career services at colleges and universities. In a series of focus groups, these stakeholders recommended 114 specific strategies clustering in the following five categories of an action agenda: (a) information, (b) research, (c) services and curriculum, (d) self-advocacy and self-determination, and (e) involvement of key stakeholders.


The fibre fractions of oat (Avena sativa L.) hulls, i.e. neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL), were evaluated, using a specifically developed near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) equation model, in a set of cultivars grown in various locations across Italy. The results indicated that the NIRS technique can accurately predict the fibre composition of oat hulls. Statistical analysis of variance underlined the strong impact of cultivar on the accumulation of fibre components, whereas location generally played a minor role. The largest variability among cultivars was observed in ADL content, whereas the range of variation in NDF and ADF contents appeared to be reduced. The description of the chemical characteristics of oat hulls could be helpful in determining the most suitable end-use for specific cultivars. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry


A maximum-likelihood confirmatory factor analysis was performed by applying LISREL VII to the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (D. Wechsler, 1981) results of a normal elderly sample (N = 225). Analyses were designed to determine which of seven hypothesized factor solutions best explained the intellectual ability of older adults. Oblique and orthogonal solutions were tested for each of the factor models. The impact of age, education, and gender was examined. Results indicated that an oblique three-factor model including Verbal, Performance, and Freedom From Distractibility factors fit the best across all sample combinations. A mild gender effect was also evident


The method used is a direct method based on a sparse variant of Gaussian elimination and is discussed further by Duff and Reid, ACM Trans. Math. Software 9 (1983), 302-325. A detailed discussion on the MA57 strategy and performance is given by Duff, ACM Trans. Math. Software 30 (2004), 118-144. Relevant work on pivoting and scaling strategies is given by Duff and Pralet, SIAM Journal Matrix Analysis and Applications 27 (2005), 313-340. More recent work on static pivoting is given by Duff and Pralet, SIAM Journal Matrix Analysis and Applications 29 (2007), 1007-1024.


In this paper,the effects of critical electron density of plasma and the plasma frequency of electron on the refraction, absorption and reflection of the electromagnetic wave are studied. On this basis, the strong ionization discharge with high density and energy of electrons is used to ionize nitrogen and oxygen to form high density of grad plasma layers, which can absorb and reflect the electromagnetic wave and then attenuate the RCS with several thousands times. The plasma generator is a thin groupware weighing several grams and can be attached to the parts that refract electromagnetic wave or to the air intake. It can be utilized to form small airborne plasma generator with wide absorption band, high absorption rate and optional response function.


Objective To identify the relative risk factors of abnormal body mass index and understand the prevalence of overweight and obesity in adulthood in Guangxi,providing basis for making stategies of controlling and treatment.Methods A cross-sectional survey with stratified cluster random sampling method was performed.All residents over 18 years were selected to measure height and weight and waist circumference in the cross-sectioned epidemiological diabetes investigation in 5 cities in Guangxi.34 737 persons were enrolled in this study.Results The rates of overweight,obesity of the general population of Guangxi adults were 31.30%,6.90%,and the standardized rates were 15.98%,3.28%,respectively.Multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that the factors affecting low body weight were the diastolic blood pressure,fasting blood sugar,plasma triglyceride,etc.Influencing factors of overweight were HDL,LDL,smoking,etc.Influencing of obesity were HDL,LDL,HOMA-β etc.Conclusion The rates of overweight and obesity of Guangxi adults increased and kept at a relatively high level over the past.Abnormal factors alter weight conditions.It is very important to strengthen health education,maintain healthy weight in Guangxi population.


Performance of a liquid scintillation method for radioassay of low specific activity tritiated water can be considerably improved by making water sample-scintillation solution ratio optimum and by deoxygenating scintillation solution by ultrasonic degassing. In general, techniques can be applied to radioassay of other water-soluble radioisotopes. (auth)


The existence and stability of stable rotating solutions (spiral waves) in a discrete system of coupled phase models is proven. Monotone methods are used to obtain existence and qualitative features of the solutions. An application of Fenichel's results for singular perturbation implies the existence for a one variable model for excitability. Numerical comparisons with the phase model and a realistic membrane model are made. A numerically computed Hopf bifurcation shows the existence of the "wobbling core" observed in spatially continuous models.


It is generally acknowledged that molecular biology has been enamored with discourses of information theory and cybernetics from its earliest days. Equally common, in critical theory, is the belief that biological science has lost purchase on important dimensions of embodied life as a result. This essay suggests, however, that when we examine the work of 'cyberscience' pioneers such as Edwin Schrödinger, Norbert Wiener, and Claude Shannon, we find an ambiguous embrace of the complexity of embodied life and freedom at the level of the living organism or cybernetic system, counteracted by a underlying desire for order and informatic determinism at the level of code or message. Moreover, these competing tendencies towards organicism and informatics feed into two central and interrelated tensions that inhabit modern biological thought. The first tension concerns the efforts of biologists to dispel vitalism and the specter of God underlying the natural order, while the second involves the concept of (hetero)sexual difference and its substitution for God as guarantor of biological knowledge. This essay makes the argument that sex is often an unrecognized point of articulation in attempts to resolve these tensions and, as such, is central to the potential of bioinformatic bodies.


We read with interest the article by Unal-Cevik et al reporting a case of visual snow (VS) in a patient with a pre-existing migraine with aura (MWA). The authors recorded a subjective improvement of the patient's VS symptoms after treatment with lamotrigine (LTG) and the effect was objectively assessed by the evaluation of repetitive pattern reversal visual evoked potentials (rVEPs). At baseline, the patient showed a potentiation response, defined as an increase in amplitude of rVEPs between the first and the last block of 100 stimuli, which partially recovered after treatment with LTG. In our opinion, the authors proposed a valid and feasible approach to explore the pathophysiology and therapeutic responsiveness of VS, but we feel that there are some methodological concerns that need to be discussed. First, as the authors correctly stated, "the consequences of cortical hyperexcitability due to comorbid migraine cannot be eliminated," and this is a crucial point. Indeed the lack of habituation, or even potentiation, is recognized as a characteristic feature of interictal migraine, especially with aura and in VS a high prevalence migraine (30-60%) has already been reported. Therefore, we believe that the potentiation effect on rVEPs that the authors described cannot be unequivocally attributed to VS but rather seems to be related to the underlying MWA. We suggest that this finding should be more prudently confirmed on a larger number of patients, possibly trying to make a distinction between the subgroups of VS with or without comorbid migraine. If we were able to unveil some differences between those two groups we could ascertain whether a state of cortical hyperexcitability is truly VS related or just migraine related. Second, taking in to account the ongoing controversy about the validity of rVEPs habituation paradigms in migraine, we suggest that in a single subject study design the reduction of the potentiation effect after LTG treatment should be interpreted with caution. Changes of few millivolts (mV) between blocks could be explained, for example, by an intrinsic sampling variability, fluctuations in subject's attention, or concomitant treatments. Perhaps if we were able to demonstrate the restoration of a physiologic habituation response – at a group level – we could have a more solid clue to affirm that a normalization of cortical excitability levels has occurred. Third, LTG has been proven to be effective in the prophylaxis of MWA. Its mechanism of action is still only partially understood and presumably involves the modulation of the glutamatergic transmission, which may be altered in VS as well as in MWA. Some patients with VS reported some improvement of VS after receiving LTG but it is still unclear whether LTG ameliorates VS acting on both VS and migraine pathophysiology or if it has a specific effect on VS. In this specific case, a concomitant effect on MWA should be hypothesized and this observation is supported by the patient's objective reduction of headache attacks and by the evidence of an increased likelihood of having additional visual symptoms and tinnitus in VS with comorbid migraine. We reaffirm that VS should be considered as a distinct clinical entity although the overlaps with migraine pathophysiology are relevant. Neurophysiological investigations are safe, non-invasive, Abbreviations: LTG, lamotrigine; mV, millivolts; MWA, migraine with aura; rVEPs, repetitive visual evoked potentials; VS, visual snow. Conflict of Interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.


In this paper, the performance variations of stretchable Cu electrodes directly deposited on a polydimethly(siloxane) (PDMS) substrate were analyzed for different pre-stretching ratios of 20 and 40%. Compared to the 20% pre-stretched sample, the 40% pre-stretched sample showed better performance (small variation of resistance) for a low strain, while it showed worse performance (large variation of resistance) for a high strain. Based on the optical microscopy images and the atomic force microscopy images, we found that the many lateral cracks along the horizontal directions due to the restoring force from a Poisson contraction was the main cause for the performance variations of the 40% pre-stretched sample. Therefore, optimizing the pre-stretching ratio to obtain the best performance of the stretchable Cu electrode is important.


Due to distributed nature, dynamic topology and resources constraints of tiny sensing nodes in wireless sensor networks (WSNs), the quality of service (QoS) support is a challenging issue. However, satisfying the stringent QoS requirements is an open problem. QoS aware protocols for WSNs have gained recently considerable attention of the researchers. In this paper, we focus on the QoS satisfaction in WSNs, basics of QoS support in WSNs, and more importantly challenge, requirements of QoS at each layer. Furthermore, we review the QoS protocols and categorize the QoS aware protocols and elaborate their pros and cons. We also discuss the QoS parameters with respect to each protocol performance parameters. A survey and comprehensive discussion on the QoS aware protocols of WSNs are presented, including their strengths and limitations. Finally, we also survey some computational intelligence (CI) techniques and find the basic requirements of such techniques. Moreover, we study these CI techniques in the light of QoS management and tabulate the level of each CI technique for QoS management. The paper is concluded with open research issues.


type="main" xml:lang="en"> This paper presents evidence of the existence of a return effect on European stock markets coinciding with New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) holidays, which is particularly marked after positive closing returns on the NYSE the previous day. The effect is large enough to be exploited by trading index futures. This anomaly cannot be explained by seasonal effects, such as the day of the week effect, the January effect or the pre-holiday effect, nor is it consistent with behavioural finance models that predict positive correlation between trading volume and returns. However, examination of factors such as information volume or investor mix provides a reasonable explanation.


These criticisms are not new ones. Given the depth and breadth of the scholarship on economic life in Africa at Zeleza's disposal, they might reasonably be expected to provide a starting point from which to construct a different interpretation of African economic history. However, Zeleza declines to engage in such an undertaking, noting only that this study offers no grand theory or interpretation, and that his aims are modest ones born of the belief that economic history is about how people produce and reproduce their daily lives (p. 5). The net result is a work which is limited to providing a narrative summary of recent research on economic life in Africa, to rehashing problems and issues that many African historians disposed of years ago, and to stressing the obvious by emphasizing the varied nature of economic life in pre-colonial Africa. These qualities make for a tiresome work which contributes little to our understanding of 19th century African economic history. The shortcomings which stem from Zeleza's unwillingness to try to expand our interpretative horizons in any meaningful way are compounded by his admitted failure to consult works not published in English, and by his insensitivity to the complexity of some of the issues he addresses. For example, his characterization of studies which exclude North Africa from the mainstream of African history as racist betrays a lack of understanding that this part of the continent can, depending upon the analytical context, be legitimately viewed as more a part of the Mediterranean or Middle Eastern worlds than of a reified Africa. In short, the complexities of 19th century African economic history demand a measured and sensitive consideration of the facts and analyses available to us; a survey of 20th century developments will require an equally careful attention to detail and to the nuances of historical interpretation.


The results of experimental and theoretical researches of defrosting of hydrobionts in oscillating mode of a power supply depending on the reference temperature in the block are presented. Modernization of the existing irrigating defroster is offered; the recommendations about practical realization of the results of the researches are given.


MENSTRUATION is a vascular phenomenon and the reaction of the vessels to hormonal influences is clinically of fundamental significance for the normal menstrual flow. Up to now observations on the reaction of the vessels in the human cndometrium after injection of sex hormones have not been possible, and nothing is known about the actual blood-flow in the human, endometrial, vascular bed under thc influence of sex hormones, although the excellent papers of Markee (1g32a, 1g3zb, 1938) and Daron (1936) gave valuable information about menstruation in intraocular endometrial transplants in the Macacus rhesws. An attempt is made in the following experiments to elucidate the mode of production of the vascular changes in the human endometrium exposed to the immediate action of intravenously injected sex hormones. Two questions arise : (a) Can we produce by injection of sex hormones a sudden change in the blood-flow-vasoconstriction or vasodilatation-of the endometrium ? Only intravenous injection of sex hormones can bring about an effect which can be observed at once. Sex hormones in high dosage for intravenous injection are usually not available. Dr. Hewett of Organon Laboratories has produced for my purpose highly concentrated solutions of sex hormones in Propylene Glycol which can, with no untoward effects be injected intravenously, and which bring about immediately observable clinical effects. B 1 (b) Can we examine and, still more important, can we measure exactly in the human endometrium the mode of production of these vascular changes ?


Abstract Purpose: Cerebral palsy is often associated with prematurity and magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) has been used as a neuroprotector, with favorable results. However, its mechanism of action has not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to evaluate the association between MgSO4 at the imminent premature delivery and neonatal hemodynamic effects. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study involving 94 newborns (NB) between 24 and 32 weeks at a Brazilian hospital was performed. Bivariate analysis between the use or the non-use of MgSO4 and hemodynamic characteristics was performed, using the Chi-square test. Results: NB were evaluated between those who received MgSO4 (27.7) and those who did not (72.3%). Normal heart rate was verified in 62.8% of NB, normal respiratory rate in 70.2%, and normal temperature in 22.3%. Oxygen saturation higher or equal than 95% was evidenced in 85.1% of NB, normal hemoglucotest in 74.5%, and hemoglobin greater or equal than 16.4 g/dL in 30.9%. Non-invasive ventilation was performed in 48.9% of NB, while 51.1% were submitted to endotracheal ventilation. There was no significance relation detected between the use of MgSO4 and the hemodynamic characteristics. Conclusions: MgSO4 does not appear to influence hemodynamic factors as a cause of the neuroprotection in premature NB.


The paper reports an investigation into the forging of solid powder circular disc with large slenderness ratio, between two flat dies. The deformation pattern during the operation is influenced by many factors, which interact with each other in a complex manner. The decisive factors are the interfacial conditions, initial relative density of the preform and the geometry of the preform. An attempt has been made for the determination of the die pressures developed during the forging of a circular disc with large slenderness ratio using an upper bound approach. The results so obtained are discussed critically to illustrate the interaction of various process parameters involved and are presented graphically.


The paper presents the results of post construction monitoring of a caisson wall system used to stabilize a landslide that impacted a roadway on a steep alluvial bank along the Ohio River in eastern Ohio. From the post construction monitoring, a simplified approach for evaluating the spacing of the wall system and estimating current loads on the caissons, within the pre-defined failure surface, has been developed. The approach includes the development of site specific design charts, which can be readily utilized to evaluate the above criteria.


We examine the issues that arise in the definition, deployment, and management of policies related to QoS in an IP network. The article provides an overview of requirements for QoS policies, alternative policy architectures that can be deployed in a network, different protocols that can be used to exchange policy information, and exchange of policy information among different administrative domains. We discuss current issues being examined in IETF and other standards bodies, as well as issues explored in ongoing policy-related research at different universities and research laboratories.


V-notches are the most possible case for initiation of cracks in engineering structure. Cracks on the notch tip can be characterized by opening angle, tip radius, and depth of the V-notch. In this study, the effects of V-notch's opening angle on stress intensity factor and on 𝑇-stress of the crack have been investigated in detail. Our calculation has been performed in a number of opening angles and various crack lengths in mode I loading using photoelasticity method. We show that as opening angle grows at constant crack's length, SIF and 𝑇-stress decrease. Furthermore, as the crack's length increases,
 the V-notch effect diminishes and the crack behavior can be considered as a single-edge crack specimen. Finally, the obtained results were found to be in good agreement with outcome of numerical finite element analysis.


Based on the analysis of the approved Strategy for the development of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation and ensuring national security for the period up to 2035, we propose directions that determine the possibilities of improving the efficiency and quality of economic growth in the regions of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation on the example of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia).


Citizen environmental rights take several forms and are addressed in law in a variety of ways. Oftentimes the words "environmental rights" are no more than the flowery preamble of legislation that fundamentally affects procedural change, not the substantive rights and remedies available to the private individual in environmental and natural resource controversies. Citizen action in the courts has a somewhat narrower focus and is provided for in law through several vehicles. State constitutions may be the source of citizen rights to judicial review of environmentally controversial actions.' The judiciary may itself open state courts to private citizen action through interpretations of specjqc environmental statutes (such as the progeny of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)).2 Congress may provide for citizen suits in environmental law, as under the Clean Air Act. 3 The state courts may develop a liberal standing doctrine (sometimes interpreting, or ignoring, state administrative procedure acts). Or state common law actions (and the codification thereof) may be the basis for citizen involvement in environmental management.


The writer has a questionnaire on English-learning strategies in her own class-teaching and makes an elaborate analysis of students' application to learning strategies and relevant problems. At the same time, certain effective learning methods and suggestions are put forward.


There is a need to introduce innovative approach in an undergraduate medical school to support pathology teaching through integrating pathology with clinical medicine. Medical school at UiTMMalaysia has been decided to deliver clinical museum sessions to clinical year students.This study was carried out at Faculty of Medicine, UiTMMalaysia toascertain the students' opinion and satisfaction on the clinical pathology museum sessions.Quantitative and qualitative survey using self-administered questionnaire was used. A total number of 360 medical students from Year 3, Year 4 and Year 5 participated in this study. The mean age of the participants was 23.04±0.97. Majority of students agreed that these sessions helped them to understand the concepts of basic pathological processes in relation to their clinical findings. These sessions are a great deal and students were satisfied with the integrated structure of pathology as an independent with other subjects in the faculty.


Waveguide slotted antenna arrays (WSAA) are the special class of multibeam microwave antennas, which are widely used both in independent transmitting or receiving devices, and in the elements of complex antenna system. Nowadays WSAA is one of perspective airborne antenna system which has found wide application in radiolocation, radionavigation and radiocommunication devices. Being multiple beam airborne antenna system, WSAA have a number of incontestable advantages: (i) absence of projecting parts; (ii) simple realization of optimum antenna radiation characteristics by means of forming so much of the main lobes and their directivity, width of the main lobes, side radiation level, etc. In Measuring Systems Research Institute (NIIIS) the procedure of scientific research, design and production technology for rectangular multiple beam millimeter WSAA with specified radiation parameters have been introduced. Taking into account specificity of the WSAA as airborne antenna systems, we have studied the case of the round aperture array. Recently the broadband and ultra broadband antenna systems have been designed. The results of bandwidth research are also presented in this paper. Theoretical and experimental studies have demonstrated that: (i) one of the possible ways for WSAA overall dimensions optimization is rounding of its rectangular aperture, that leads to improvement of WSAA radiating properties, namely sidelobe level decreasing; (ii) WSAA can be used for radiation - reception of broadband signals with the bandwidth up to 2 GHz.


The invention relates to an optical tracking and locating neuronavigation device, and belongs to the technical field of medical apparatuses. The optical tracking and locating neuronavigation device comprises an image processing and displaying system and an optical locating system, wherein a display holding platform is arranged on the image processing and displaying system; a fixed abutment is arranged at the upper side of the display holding platform; a master pillar is arranged at the upper side of the fixed abutment; a height regulating knob is arranged on the master pillar; a telescopic supporting pillar is arranged at the upper side of the master pillar; a rotary fixator is arranged on the telescopic supporting pillar; a horizontal supporting rod is arranged at the right side of the rotary fixator; a direction regulator is arranged at the right side of the horizontal supporting rod; a display connecting rod is arranged at the right side of the direction regulator; and a three-dimensional display is arranged at the right side of the display connecting rod. The neuronavigation device disclosed by the invention is complete in function and convenient to use; the neuronavigation device, when used for treating patients with neurological diseases, is flexible to operate; and the neuronavigation device is capable of comprehensively observing an affected part and systematically analyzing data, so that the workload of medical personnel can be greatly reduced.


We describe a quantitative method for detecting RNA alternative splicing variants that combines in situ hybridization of fluorescently labeled peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probes with confocal microscopy Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET). The use of PNA probes complementary to sequences flanking a given splice junction allows to specifically quantify, within the cell, the RNA isoform generating such splice junction by FRET measure. As a proof of concept we analyzed two alternative splicing events originating from lymphocyte antigen 6 (LY6) complex, locus G5B (LY6G5B) pre-mRNA. These are characterized by the removal of the first intron (Fully Spliced Isoform, FSI) or by retention of such intron (Intron-Retained Isoform, IRI). The use of PNA probe pairs labeled with donor (Cy3) and acceptor (Cy5) fluorophores, suitable to FRET, flanking FSI and IRI specific splice junctions specifically detected both mRNA isoforms in HeLa cells. We have observed that the method works efficiently with probes 5–11 nt apart. The data supports that this FRET-based PNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (FP–FISH) method offers a conceptually new approach for characterizing at the subcellular level not only splice variant isoform structure, location and dynamics but also potentially a wide variety of close range RNA–RNA interactions.


Objective: To establish the reference range of high-sensitivity C-Rea ctive Protein (hs-CRP) in SZ
area. Methods: Using latex-enhanced immunonephelometric assays on a BN100 analyzer (Dade Behring) measured 506
healthy adults (238 m ales and 268 females; ages, 20~70 years) in SZ area. Results: The distribution of hs-CRP concen-
tration presented marked skewness. There were significant differences in di fferent ages(P0. 05). There were not sig-
nificant difference in sex (P0. 05). The medians for each age groups (20~29 years; 30~39 years; 40~49 years; 50~70
years) were 0. 27mg/L, 0. 48 mg/L, 0. 57 mg/L, 0. 85 mg/L,respectively. And 95th percentile were 2. 52 mg/L, 2. 75
mg/L, 3. 32 mg/L, 5. 23 mg/L,respectively. Conclusions:The reference ra nges of hs-CRP of healthy adults in SZ area
was primarily established. It also could be used as the standards of hs-CRP in China before no other data was obtained
from a large number of subjects.


The article examines various approaches to defining the concept of state coercion and classifying its measures. An attempt is made to perform a comparative analysis of the views of Russian jurists at the beginning of the 20th century and the ideas of modern Russian scientists about the typology of measures of state coercion; common and distinctive features in the views of modern researchers are considered.


Eggs of the brown alga Fucus are large, sperical cells which lack a cell wall. Previous studies showed that a membrane vesicle preparation derived from Fucus serratus eggs competitively inhibited fertilization. In this paper we report a more complete characterization of these membrane vesicles using enzyme and other assays. The fraction of membranes is enriched in Mg2+K+ stimulated ATPase, a marker for plant plasma membranes, but has little contamination with enzymes characteristic of endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus or mitochondria. Though the intact Fucus egg is full of chloroplasts and vesicles containing polysaccharides and polyphenols, there is very low chlorophyll, carbohydrate and polyphenol contamination of the enriched vescle fraction. Overall the results show that the membrane vesicle preparation is highly enriched in plasma membranes.


This article reviews the literature surrounding possible limitations of the criminal justice system and the child protective services system in the treatment of children who have been sexually abused. In addition, suggestions as to ways the investigation and adjudication systems could be improved to better meet the needs of children are discussed. Finally, implications for practitioners are given to provide suggestions as to how they might support children and families who are going through this difficult and confusing process.


Over the past few decades, the three former Soviet republics of Ukraine, Moldova, and Belarus have continued to be arenas for conflict between the 'old' Soviet and the 'new' Western ideologies. The ruling elites, as well as ordinary citizens, are engaged in the conflict, but a state's leaning towards one ideology today does not necessarily mean that it will inform that state's policy tomorrow: ideologies and identities are subject to constant fluctuation in these Eastern European countries, as described in these two books. The academic contributors to both books observe the historic and continuing processes of identity formation in Ukraine, Moldova, and Belarus. While examining both postSoviet and European components of the relevant identities, the authors show that national distinctiveness correlates with the presence of a robust civil society, as proved by the Orange Revolution in Ukraine at the end of 2004 (Schmidtke and Yekelchyk 2008, p. 25). Despite the precariousness of its current democratic experiment, the authors still see Ukraine as the most promising nation in terms of advancement towards European values. One could, however, question such a conclusion, given that at the end of 2008 Ukraine appeared on the edge of economic collapse as a result of the devastating policies of the 'orange' leaders. Coupled with the 'gas war' between Russia and Ukraine in late 2008 and early 2009, these policies have produced the most severe economic crisis in Ukrainian history. Further events will show whether Ukrainian democracy is strong enough to survive these challenges. Drawing on elaborate studies of the fragile democratic achievements in Ukraine and Moldova and the shortest-lived democracy in Belarus, Europe's Last Frontier? and The New Eastern Europe seek to predict the future paths that these countries will choose for their development. Although European standards have been introduced to Belarusian, Moldavian, and Ukrainian societies, these principles have not yet succeeded in becoming integrated into the public consciousness (Hamilton and Mangott 2007, p. 2). The inherited common burden of the communist past still endures in this part of the world and is reflected in the poor professional performance of the ruling elites and the lack of democratic institutions. Such disadvantages compromise citizens' ideas of democracy and continue to have a debilitating effect on their affiliation with the wider European community (Hamilton and Mangott 2007, p. 372). Thus far, Ukraine, Moldova, and Belarus, now seen as the border zone between liberal Europe and 'a self standing great power' of Russia (Hamilton and Mangott 2007, p. 195) still await alignment with Western Europe as post-communist countries.


Although in existing writings about music the term texture is not always clearly defined, the term is used to describe phenomena relating to the structure of music. Existing concepts fall generally into two categories: (1) polyphonic or homophonic, and (2) light or heavy. Rimsky-Korsakov points out that harmonic texture is common to both polyphonic and homophonic styles [W, 71]. In this concept the vertical relationship of sounds makes up the texture. Rimsky-Korsakov, as are others interested in orchestration, is concerned with the proper scoring of instruments to avoid too heavy or too light sonorities. Students of orchestration are warned that too many gaps will cause thinness in the harmonic structure [ , 86] and that low scoring of the middle parts will cause heaviness [2, 76, 88]. In the consideration of the total structure of music, the exploration and classification of certain vertical relationships are explained in the study of harmony. Our present-day chord classifications are a great simplification over the classifications existing prior to the time of Rameau, e. g. Johann Mattheson's classification of seventy-four chords into three general groups: consonant, dissonant, and less-used dissonant [8, 16]. Yet, with our classifications, there may be something left unsaid with regard to sonority or the total effect of simultaneously sounded tone-combinations. It is believed by some theorists that the first inversion of a triad sounds lighter than the same triad in its root position, that harmony in open position usually sounds less intense than in close position, and that large gaps between inner parts produce a weak effect [, 43-4; 1, 4; a, 68]. With regard to this, Piston makes the following statement:


Battery life of high-end smartphones and tablet PCs is becoming more and more important due to the gap between the rapid increase in power requirements of the electronic components and the slow increase in energy storage capacity of Li-ion batteries. Energy harvesting, on the other hand, is a promising technique that can prolong the battery life without compromising the users' experience with the devices and potentially without the necessity to have access to a wall AC outlet. Such energy harvesting products are available on the market today, but most of them are equipped with only a large battery pack, which exhibits poor capacity utilization during solar energy harvesting. In this paper, we propose and demonstrate that using a supercapacitor instead of a large capacity battery can be beneficial in terms of improving the charging efficiency, and thereby, significantly reducing the charging time. However, this is not a trivial task and gives rise to many problems associated with charging the supercapacitor via the USB charging port. We analyze the USB charging standard and commercial USB charger designs in smartphones to formulate an energy efficiency optimization problem and propose a dynamic programming-based online algorithm to solve the aforesaid problem. Experimental results show up to 34.5% of charging efficiency improvement compared with commercial solar charger designs.


The three basins of Reelfoot Lake, which is located in northwestern Tennessee, were investigated using the Cs-137 tracer technique to determine rates of sediment deposition and to estimate the time before the basins will fill with sediment. Blue Basin, the largest of the three basins with 2,922 ha, had an average annual sedimentation rate of 0.9 cm/yr from 1954 to 1984. The basin will become too shallow for most boating and recreational activities in about 200 years. Buck Basin, the central basin with 774 ha, had an average annual sedimentation rate of 1.1 cm/yr and will become too shallow for most recreational uses in about 100 years. Upper Blue Basin, the most upstream and smallest basin with 439 ha, had an average annual sedimentation rate of 1.7 cm/yr and will become too shallow for most recreational uses in about 60 years. Two important sources of sediment to Reelfoot Lake are erosion from a large number of soybean fields and channelization of many of the streams that flow into the lake. Changes in land management that would reduce erosion could increase the time the lake would remain usable for recreational activities.


Optical fiber systems for dynamic response measurement become an attractive study nowadays especially in the field of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM). This work presents the investigation of an optical fiber sensor system utilizing Near Infra-Red Fiber Bragg Grating (NIR-FBG) sensor for SHM of a thin-walled composite structure. In this study, a comparison between the experimental result and simulation study using finite element analysis has been presented. By comparing both results, the FBG dynamic sensing system was shown to have an excellent capability in acquiring dynamic response due to flexural wave propagations. In the meantime, a signal to noise ratio (SNR) study was also performed to several FBG dynamic sensor systems; particularly to see the comparison between NIR-FBG sensor and 1550 nm FBG sensor. Furthermore, with a proper configuration, an NIR-FBG system was proved to have better performance than the 1550 nm based FBG sensor.


We consider the sequential sampling problem of Wald (1945). The static cost of attaining any experiment is equal to the expectation of the log likelihood ratio. This equivalence between sequential sampling generalizes to settings where the flow cost depends on the current posterior. The induced cost of any sampling strategy can be represented as a posterior separable cost function. Conversely any posterior separable cost function corresponds to some sequential sampling model with posterior dependent flow cost. As a special case we obtain that Entropy cost (Sims, 2010) corresponds to a flow cost which vanishes when the agent is close to certain about the state. The two most common approaches to modelling information acquisition is the dynamic approach proposed in Wald (1945) and the static approach of Sims (2003; 2010). In Wald's model, a decision maker sequentially observes signals at a cost and dynamically decides when to stop acquiring information. In an alternative static approach widely used in economics, the information cost is simply a function of the decision maker's prior and posterior belief, most commonly relative entropy. Sims (2003) proposed the relative entropy cost function to model attention costs, reflecting the capacity necessary to transmit the information; but the same functional form has also been widely used to represent the cost of information acquisition. In the sequential sampling problem of Wald (1945) (with two states), any stopping rule gives rise to a probability distribution over posteriors, and we show that any distribution over posteriors can be induced by some stopping rule. The static cost of acquiring information can then be identified with the expected stopping time. We show that the static cost of information, corresponding to the Wald model, is the expectation of the log likelihood ratio q ln ( q 1−q ) +(1−q) ln ( 1−q q ) .


The development of ICT media made way for a new form of folklore communication. Newly developed media, such as mobile phones, make it possible for their users to participate in electronically mediated communication, thus approaching the form of oral communication. The exchange of special type of SMS text messages represents a new way of transmitting contemporary folklore short forms. These messages use poetic language, they have standard style themes, patterns and formulas, and they form different genres and categories corresponding with already existing familiar folklore forms. The communication process that happens during the exchange of these messages also has folklore's characteristics: it takes place within small groups, the communication is informal, the texts circulate in chain style, and undergo different transformation which generates the making of variants, etc. This form of electronic folklore is especially popular among teenagers, where it's social functions and meanings are also most emphasized. Within this population, it adds to an older tradition of children's written folklore poetry albums. Like poetry albums, SMS exchange influences the development of girls' gender identity, providing also a socially defined channel for contacts between the sexes. It also functions as a mechanism of socialization and stratification within the group. At the same time, it creates a new field of meaning, which derives from the very media's novelty and significance. In this sense, the exchange of SMS represents a symbolic act of acknowledging one's belonging to the group of mobile telephone users. In this way, a new phenomenon is being symbolically processed through a new form of folklore.


The first transmission experiment at 10 Gbit/s over 75 km G652 fibre in the linear power regime is reported for a MQW DBR laser-electroabsorption modulator. The device has been realised using the identical active layer approach.


development of a bile duct stricture at the site of injury is an additional concern. The intraoperative discovery of a bile duct transection or excision should always prompt immediate conversion to an open procedure to repair the injury. In most instances of transection, and in all excisional injuries, a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy must be used to restore biliaryenteric continuity. If the required surgical expertise is not immediately available, wide external drainage and rapid referral to an appropriate center is the safest course to follow. Patients with major ductal injuries discovered postoperatively by cholangiography should also undergo open surgery for definitive repair. If biliary fistulas, cholangitis, and intra-abdominal sepsis cannot be controlled by means of endoscopic or percutaneous drainage techniques, emergency laparotomy may be required. The management of bile duct strictures that derive from injuries incurred at laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a complex and challenging problem. Recently endoscopic stenting has been studied as a less invasive alternative to surgical repair. It is crucial to visualize the biliary stricture's exact location, length, patency, and the presence of any associated fistulas or calculi. Both endoscopic retrograde and transhepatic antegrade cholangiography may be required to do so. The approach will depend on the presence or absence of ductal continuity and the location of the stricture. Strictures not amenable to endoscopic dilation and stenting and those failing such therapy should be referred to surgeons with specific expertise in their operative management. A recent analysis of the mortality financial effect of laparoscopic cholecystectomy-related bile duct injuries has identified a mean cost of over $51,000 for care to repair the injuries. Approximately one-half of the total charges are for diagnostic and interventional radiology services. The mean cost for immediately recognized and repaired injuries was less than $23,000, while that for reoperation after failed earlier repair was more than $130,000. The overall 4% short-term mortality rate for iatrogenic bile duct injury was typical for this morbid and costly complication. Although laparoscopic cholecystectomy has established its place as the treatment of choice for the majority of patients with symptomatic gallbladder disease, the complications of bile duct injury continue to claim young and productive lives and cost millions of dollars each year. Proper training and experience, routine use of intraoperative cholangiography, and a low threshold for conversion to open operation are the best preventions currently available. Immediate recognition and initial repair by an expert biliary surgeon offers the patient the best chance for an optimal recovery.


Abstract Background and Objectives We developed a new group practice using strength- and meaning-based narrative therapy (NT) for older Chinese living in Hong Kong (HK), to enhance their life wisdom. This paper reports on the intervention and its short- and longer-term effectiveness. Research Design and Methods A randomized waitlist-controlled trial was conducted. A total of 157 older adults were randomly recruited, of whom 75 were randomly assigned to the intervention group which received four 2-hr biweekly NT sessions using the "Tree of Life" metaphor. The others were placed on a waitlist. Perceived wisdom was assessed using the Brief Self-Assessed Wisdom Scale. Assessment occurred at baseline (T0), end of treatment (T1), and 4 (T2) and 8 months later (T3). Overtime effects of NT on wisdom scores were assessed using latent growth curve models with time-invariant covariates for impact. Results The intervention (NT) group showed significant, sustainable overtime within-group improvement in perceived wisdom. Furthermore, when compared to the control group, the NT group showed significant immediate improvements in perceived wisdom [F(2.726, p = .041)], which were maintained at all follow-up points. This effect remained after controlling for age, gender, and educational level (TML(11) = 17.306, p = .098, root mean square error of approximation = 0.079, comparative fit index = 0.960). No adverse reaction was recorded. Discussion and Implications NT underpinned by a ToL methodology offers a new theory to understand, promote, and appreciate perceived wisdom in older Chinese living in HK. It contributes to psychotherapy and professional social work practice for older Chinese.


Abstract Patients with malassimilation suffer from disturbed exploitation of available nutrients, which can affect macro- and micronutrients. Malassimilation can be subdivided in maldigestion and malabsorption. Many different disorders, especially gastrointestinal diseases, can lead to malassimilation. The wide variety of differential diagnoses necessitates big diagnostic as well as financial efforts in order to assure good clinical care. This review provides an overview on diagnostic as well as therapeutic processes of patients with malassimilation and gives practical advice for their physicians and therapists.


Introduction: Leucas aspera (family-Lamiaceae) has great therapeutic significance in the Indian system of medicine due to its rich antioxidant activity. The main objective of the present work was to evaluate physicochemical, phytochemical, qualitative high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC), and antioxidant study of L. aspera in-house mother tincture (alcoholic extract) and 2 market samples of reputed brands. Materials and methods: Three samples of mother tincture were used for the study, in-house-mother tincture (A) of L. aspera and market samples (B and C). For qualitative HPTLC studies, precoated silica gel 60 F254plate was used, mobile phase used was toluene: ethyl acetate: formic acid (7:3:0.3, v/v/v), and UV detection was performed at 254 and 366 nm. For derivatization,anisaldehyde-sulphuric acid reagent was used. In the antioxidant study, total phenolic content (TPC), DPPH, and ABTS assay were studied. Results and discussion: Result shows that the mother tinctures prepared by authenticated plant sample showed maximum active constituents and prominent antioxidant activity as compared to the mother tinctures procured from the market. Conclusions: The present physicochemical, phytochemical, HPTLC, and antioxidant study justify L. aspera medicinal usage in Homeopathy. This is the reason for the cure and healing property of L. aspera whole plant extract.
HIGHLIGHTS

Physicochemical and phytochemical investigation of Leucas asperaplant extract justifies its medicinal usage, its healing properties, and usage in Homeopathy
 aspera mother tincture prepared from authenticated sample showed maximum active constituents and prominent antioxidant activity as compared to the mother tinctures procured from the market
The physicochemical, HPTLC, and the antioxidant study revealed the presence of major phytochemical compounds including triterpenes ursolic acid and oleanolic acid responsible for  asperaoverall antioxidant activity

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT


The intersection of a convex particle set of particle density N V and a pair of parallel test lines at a distance λ is characterised by the chord pair density function N L (λ). For a system of spheres, -a stereological equation was derived which satisfies the parameter N V -estimation by counting measurements is proposed. An example of application for a Fe 3 C dispersion in steel is given.


Abstract
Since the beginning of the second Intifada, the Middle East conflict has had a major impact in France, leading to growing tensions on the social scale and among communities. As a consequence, anyone daring to emit a viewpoint on this subject is inevitably perceived as suspicious, especially if his opinion differs from the usual dualistic cliche. However, this supposedly identification to one or the other party which are opposed in this faraway conflict, the support of religious fundamentalism, the idea that the world is being "Islamized" and the isolation of the Jewish community are nothing more than a smokescreen meant to hide the increasing inequalities, the dismantling of the social benefits and the State's failures in front of its responsibility.


The government, for the upliftment of the standard of living of citizens, simultaneously runs various campaigns. These campaigns exhibit the conducts of the government and also act as 'goodwill' ambassador! Government extensively advertises such campaigns to disseminate information and create awareness. The present study is an attempt to explore the impact of government campaign commercials on government's brand equity in India. This study not only reveals the perception of the public to the government but also establishes the relevance of campaign advertisements by government. The foundation of the present study is based on extensive review of existing literature by authors. Findings of this study can further be used by professional agencies involved in designing effective campaign commercials for the government. The study provides a new dimension to understand the relevance of 'campaign commercials' for forming brand image of the Government in India. In this space, it is one of the initial attempts.


This study compares the fluid geochemical signatures between the hydrothermal areas of Bouillante and Soufrière, obtained from our geochemical data and numerous existing literature works. The thermal springs emerging from the Bouillante area can be divided into two groups following their salinity and chemistry:


When suitable catalysts are molecularly dispersed in polymers, the polymers can be modified without added solvent. This paper describes studies on the morphology of samples of trans-1,4-polybutadiene and syn-1,2-polybutadiene which have been partially deuterated in the bulk. The development of a peak in the SANS data for the 1,2-polybutadiene suggests the formation of small domains upon deuteration. Possible explanations for this observation, including chemical and physical heterogeneity, are evaluated. Results of SAXS and thermal measurements are also considered. 11 refs., 3 figs., 1 tab.


Finite element analysis has become an essential tool to support virtual product development. However, a lot of uncertainty exists in the modelling of physical structures, and in the effects on their performance of variability in manufacturing and usage of products. To successfully make the move to digital prototyping, and thereby reduce the number of physical prototypes, predictions of performance should be provided with a measure of confidence and validated against experimental data. This requires quantifying the physical and numerical uncertainty. Current FE model validation and updating practice is based on nominal values for input parameters and test results. The consequences of using random updating parameters that represent uncertainty and statistical test data are described. Scenarios for how to incorporate probabilistic simulation tools like Monte Carlo Simulation in model validation and updating procedures are outlined.


By using near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM), patterning of pure refractive-index contrast on a transparent polymer film has been demonstrated. A thin film of poly(methyl methacrylate) doped with 3-phenyl-2,5-norbornadiene-2-carboxylic acid is irradiated with 325 nm UV light from an NSOM probe, resulting in a refractive-index decrease without changes in complete transparency in the visible region and surface flatness. The transmission NSOM image was obtained by the same probe at an incident wavelength of 442 nm. The relative change of the transmission signal is in agreement with the value deduced from a simple model based on the Rayleigh scattering theory of dielectric media.


Lauha bhasma, an iron-based herbo-metallic preparation, is an Ayurvedic medicine prescribed for the treatment of ailments due to iron deficiency. The preparation of Lauha bhasma involves a rigorous procedure meant to convert the metal in to a fine, non-toxic and bio-available form. The physico-chemical properties of a commercially available Lauha bhasma have been studied based on classical parameters and through the use of modern analytical techniques. Lauha bhasma sample was found to conform to few of AYUSH specifications, while deviations were found in other. A core-shell structure has been proposed for chemical nature of Lauha bhasma using information obtained from various complimentary characterization tools.


This study provides a new way for preventing the oxidation of sesame oil by ionic gelation method, where SO can be encapsulated in sodium alginate-nopal mucilage hydrogel beads as wall material. The SA-NM hydrogel beads had heterogeneous surface morphologies, where el NM acted as structural support and controlling fractures in the beads after drying process, making the gel matrix more flexible. SA-NM hydrogel beads after the drying process leads to an irregular spherical shape that the SA beads. SA-NM hydrogel beads is characterized by high yield (>83.34%) and encapsulation efficiency (> 75.44%), and limited surface oil (< 6.20%). The greatest effect of protection against oxidation of SO was reached as the proportion of NM increases in the mixtures, due to the strong electrostatic interaction that occurs between the NM and the SA during the ionic gelation process, promoting the formation of a robust complex on the surface of the hydrogel beads. Finally, the ionic gelation method turned out to be a competitive option to encapsulate and protect sesame oil in comparison to most common methods such as spray drying, lyophilization, fluidized bed drying and coacervation. It is an easy to implement technology, does not operate at high or low temperatures that affect the deterioration of the encapsulated agent and does not require pretreatment of the encapsulating agents to be used. However, it does not offer a great diversity of biopolymers as encapsulating agents with respect to those that can be used in other encapsulation technologies. In addition, the particle sizes obtained by ion gelation are significantly larger compared to techniques such as spray drying and complex coacervation, although the size will ultimately depend on the product that needs to be produced and marketed.


Thank you for reading modern methods of reflector antenna analysis and design. Maybe you have knowledge that, people have look numerous times for their chosen novels like this modern methods of reflector antenna analysis and design, but end up in harmful downloads. Rather than reading a good book with a cup of coffee in the afternoon, instead they juggled with some malicious virus inside their desktop computer.


The Malay verbal prefix meNis widely assumed to be an active voice marker, but in recent years Soh and Nomoto have demonstrated that it exhibits aspectual effects. As a result, questions have been raised about the extent to which meNshould be analysed as an active voice marker. In this paper, I argue against treating meNas a voice marker and show how the properties of meNthat have been attributed to its active voice status can be given alternative accounts. While the aspectual effects of meNdo not support its treatment as a voice marker, they are compatible with current syntactic analyses treating meNas heading vP (more specifically v*P) or VoiceP, to the extent that these projections are associated with the existence of an external argument. The analysis thus implies that the syntactic projections of v*P or VoiceP are not necessarily tied to grammatical voice, and they may have aspectual properties.1


This research aims to explore social entrepreneur intention that is affected by empathy and moral obligation. This research was done on young entrepreneurs who start social-oriented businesses (start-ups) in Indonesia. This research shows that empathy, moral obligation, and social support influence the intention of social entrepreneurs. Empathy and moral obligation can mediate previous experience with social entrepreneurial intentions so that all hypotheses proposed in this study are accepted. This research used respondent surveys through the internet and social media. The number of respondents in this research is 246. Data analysis techniques used in this research is Structural Equation Modelling. The analytical result shows that entrepreneurs who have high empathy and moral obligation effect on high social entrepreneur intention as well. Prior experience by young entrepreneurs could increase the intention to start doing business in the field of social. This paper is important because researches about social-oriented start-up entrepreneurs are still rarely done. Besides that, start-up businesses in Indonesia could be the main supporters of the national economy.


Abstract—This paper is an investigation of the comovement in the form of return and volatility spillover across financial market participants of Bangladesh. This study uses daily price data of commercial banks, non-bank financial institutions (NBFI), and insurance companies traded in the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) for the period spanning 2009 to 2016. Bayesian Vector Autoregressive (VAR) model has been used in the conditional mean equations of EGARCH and GJR-GARCH models have been used to test the return spillover effects whereas lagged squared residuals and lagged conditional variances have been used as variance regressors in conditional variance equations to test the spillover effects of historical volatility and innovations transmitting in the form of shock to other participants operating in the same market. Bayesian VAR output reveals a highly significant bi-directional return spillover between bank-insurance pair and also between NBFIs-insurance pair. However, return spillover between commercial banks and NBFIs is unidirectional; only bank returns are affecting returns from NBFIs. Conditional volatility of NBFIs exhibit a highly significant asymmetric effect implying that bad news increases volatility of NBFIs to a greater degree than good news. Both GJR-GARCH and EGARCH output reveal bidirectional volatility spillover in the form of historical volatility and innovations among commercial banks, NBFIs and insurance companies.


We present the first cw Ho:KLuW laser operating at room temperature. It is resonantly pumped by a diode-pumped Tm:KLuW laser and emits at 2060 nm in E//Nm polarization with a slope efficiency of 22%.


Execution to creditor's rights of the executed person has been expressly provided in judicial interpretation of the supreme people's court. While these regulations are short of feasibility in practice and these regulation are deviations in theory. Thus it is necessary to amend these regulations.


The two policies refer to "plan for each family and assigning responsibility to each person".Doing well the policies is an important measure of narrowing the gap between the urban and rural areas and promoting the regional development.And it is also a great subject of scientific development and harmony and stability in Guangdong Province.In the recent one year,each level government and supporting units have conscientiously implemented the policies and provincial government's decision of poverty alleviation.They have successfully accomplished the first phase task.In order to better promote the work of the second phase,based on the poverty alleviation practice of X village in Z city,this paper attempts to make in-depth research on barrier factors existing in the mode of poverty alleviation policies and puts forward the corresponding countermeasures and suggestions.


Conflicting evidence exists supporting linear and nonlinear density‐dependent population growth when species have slow life histories. The Ricker (linear) and θ‐logistic (nonlinear) models are commonly used to analyze survey data for these species, but no evaluation has examined whether these hypotheses can be differentiated with field data. We conducted a simulation exploring effects from shape of density dependence and variation in vital rates on the fit of these models. When vital rates had moderate to high variation, the models had similar fit. The θ‐logistic model differed from the Ricker model and was biologically realistic (θ > 1) when variation in vital rates was low and the growth response was nonlinear. Furthermore, the θ‐logistic model has issues with model convergence when using vague priors and when variation in vital rates as high. These results indicate that the Ricker model is appropriate for population survey data of species with slow life histories.


The substantial importance and complexity of oil spill emergency management have been confirmed by the massive, disastrous oil spill accidents that have occurred in recent years. The goal of this study is to research and develop an effective new model to accurately respond to oil spill emergencies for the purpose of disaster risk reduction. In this model, firstly, grey relational analysis is used to treat the variable and complex environment of an oil spill. Secondly, a revised grey relational analysis method based on the concept of angle between two vectors is presented to optimize assessment accuracy by measuring the similarity between the reference series and alternative series. Thirdly, by incorporating expected utility theory, a revised grey relational analysis for facilitating consensus is developed for multicriteria group decision-making. Finally, an empirical study on oil spill emergency management is discussed to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed model for oil spill emergency management in a complex environment to reduce disaster risk.


The medicinal plant Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) produces a large palette of Monoterpenoid Indole Alkaloids (MIAs). These compounds originate from the universal precursor strictosidine and some of them exhibit precious therapeutic values. Dimeric MIAs such as vinblastine and vincristine are used in cancer chemotherapy while monomeric heteroyohimbine MIAs display various pharmacological activities. The synthesis of these molecules in planta is a very complex process. Significant progresses in the field of C. roseus omics were accomplished only very recently. Indeed, the recent expansion of transcriptomic resources, combined with the development of efficient approaches of virus-induced gene silencing and other technical approaches used for functional validation, have propelled the C. roseus model in the phytochemical genomics era, thus offering new possibilities for deciphering the whole MIA biosynthetic pathway [1, 2]. This also opens new perspectives towards MIA production by the development of synthetic biology platforms as illustrated by the reconstruction of segments of the pathway in yeast. We demonstrated first the de novo production of strictosidine in a Saccharomyces cerevisiae host from 14 known MIA pathway genes, along with an additional 7 genes and 3 gene deletions [3]. A second engineered yeast strain containing a segment of 7 genes was generated and capable of converting tabersonine into vindoline, one of the two final precursors of the dimeric alkaloids. In the future, completion of the intermediate branch of the alkaloid pathway may lead to the total biosynthesis of MIAs in microbial platforms. References : Courdavault et al. (2014) Curr Opin Plant Biol, 19:43-50. ∗Speaker †Corresponding author: email@example.com sciencesconf.org:biosynsys2016:114924 Dugé de Bernonville et al. (2015) Phytochemistry, 113:9-23. Brown et al. (2015) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 112:3205-10.


The crankshaft is the part of an engine which translates reciprocating linear piston motion into rotation. Automobile crankshaft failure, apart from poor maintenance culture, is caused by age and distance covered. These attributes which caused crankshaft failure were investigated using questionnaire administration and oral interviews of the maintenance expert and experienced personnel in the three selected crankshaft maintenance shops in Akure, Nigeria based on six popular crankshaft brands. Information/data on failure rate and failure consequence thresholds were established and served as a decision rule on the basis at which optimal reconditioning process, replacement and interchangeability system of the crankshaft components were identified on the occurrence of failure rate (R1) and failure consequence (β1). Computer algorithm was developed for the software package, using Microsoft Visual C# computer language. The software was tested to determine their level of performance. The results generated from the application of these systems were categorised into six scenarios whereby the MC230 Class gave the best result. The software will be veritable tools in predicting crankshaft failure in automobile, manufacturing, and machine tools industries, for prompt solution.


With the popularization of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) applications and the continuous development of the power grid network, identifying power line scenarios in advance is very important for the safety of low-altitude flight. The power line scene recognition (PLSR) under complex background environments is particularly important. The complex background environment of power lines is usually mixed by forests, rivers, mountains, buildings, and so on. In these environments, the detection of slender power lines is particularly difficult. In this paper, a PLSR method of complex backgrounds based on the convolutional capsule network with image enhancement is proposed. The enhancement edge features of power line scenes based on the guided filter are fused with the convolutional capsule network framework. First, the guided filter is used to enhance the power line features in order to improve the recognition of the power line in the complex background. Second, the convolutional capsule network is used to extract the depth hierarchical features of the scene image of power lines. Finally, the output layer of the convolutional capsule network identifies the power line and non-power line scenes, and through the decoding layer, the power lines are reconstructed in the power line scene. Experimental results show that the accuracy of the proposed method obtains 97.43% on the public dataset. Robustness and generalization test results show that it has a good application prospect. Furthermore, the power lines can be accurately extracted from the complex backgrounds based on the reconstructed module.


Significance Macroautophagy is essential for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis and physiology in mammals, and relies on vesicle fusion between the autophagosome and the lysosome, forming the autolysosome to degrade unwanted cytosolic contents for recycling. The membrane fusion between the autophagosome and lysosome requires ATG8 family proteins and autophagy-related SNARE proteins including Syntaxin17, VAMP8, and SNAP29, but with poorly understood mechanisms. In this study, through systemic biochemical and structural characterizations, we reveal three different states of the key autophagosomal SNARE protein Syntaxin17 and provide mechanistic insights into the autoinhibited state of Syntaxin17 as well as its interactions with ATG8 family proteins, SNAP29 and VAMP8. Our findings are valuable for further understanding the functions of Syntaxin17 in the autophagosome–lysosome fusion process. Syntaxin17, a key autophagosomal N-ethylmaleimide–sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) protein, can associate with ATG8 family proteins SNAP29 and VAMP8 to facilitate the membrane fusion process between the double-membraned autophagosome and single-membraned lysosome in mammalian macroautophagy. However, the inherent properties of Syntaxin17 and the mechanistic basis underlying the interactions of Syntaxin17 with its binding proteins remain largely unknown. Here, using biochemical, NMR, and structural approaches, we systemically characterized Syntaxin17 as well as its interactions with ATG8 family proteins, SNAP29 and VAMP8. We discovered that Syntaxin17 alone adopts an autoinhibited conformation mediated by a direct interaction between its Habc domain and the Qa-SNARE motif. In addition, we revealed that the Qa-SNARE region of Syntaxin17 contains one LC3-interacting region (LIR) motif, which preferentially binds to GABARAP subfamily members. Importantly, the GABARAP binding of Syntaxin17 can release its autoinhibited state. The determined crystal structure of the Syntaxin17 LIR–GABARAP complex not only provides mechanistic insights into the interaction between Syntaxin17 and GABARAP but also reveals an unconventional LIR motif with a C-terminally extended 310 helix for selectively binding to ATG8 family proteins. Finally, we also elucidated structural arrangements of the autophagic Syntaxin17–SNAP29–VAMP8 SNARE core complex, and uncovered its conserved biochemical and structural characteristics common to all other SNAREs. In all, our findings reveal three distinct states of Syntaxin17, and provide mechanistic insights into the Syntaxin17-mediated autophagosome–lysosome fusion process.


An 8-year-old girl with placement of a long-term tracheostomy tube presented with a chest-wall mass. Imaging studies revealed a soft-tissue mass, a pleural effusion, and pulmonary consolidation. A diagnostic procedure was performed.


Problem definition. On the Railways of Ukraine is very large number of slab tracks operated with cracks, which leads to significant reduction of term of their service. The main causes of defects are unsatisfactory operation of the way and insufficient physical-mechanical characteristics of concrete and low quality raw materials. It is therefore necessary to develop the optimum structure of concrete for manufacturing these concrete products. Purpose: to identify the main defects slab tracks on the Railways of Ukraine and give reasons for their possible development. Put the results of implementation of the planned experiment and to provide recommendations for improving the technology of manufacturing these concrete products. Analysis of recent research: a lot of scientific works of the previous years it is dedicated to the improvement of the design of slab tracks. But very little attention is paid to quality of materials, improving the technology of manufacturing of these structures.Results: to develop optimal composition of concrete was conducted planned experiment using quality materials that meet all the requirements of normative documents. As a result it was established that to increase the strength necessary introduction of chemical additives in the structure of concrete that allows reducing water-cement ratio and reducing consumption of cement. It also has a positive effect on the structure of a cement stone, which leads to increased strength, frost resistance and water resistance of concrete. Conclusion. On the basis of the received results it is necessary to conduct the second of the planned experiment. This will allow more carefully choose such a composition of the concrete mixture that will meet all the requirements and have very high physical-mechanical characteristics. But the task should be approached very carefully, because most of the existing defects in structures of slab tracks appear because of infringement of technology of their manufacture.


SINCE the first reports by Lehmann 1 in 1946 on the use of paraaminosalicylic acid in tuberculosis, there have been an increasing number of reports on its value in experimental and human tuberculosis, both alone and in combination with streptomycin. The subject has recently been reviewed. 2 There have been a number of recent reports on the use of paraaminosalicylic acid in experimental ocular tuberculosis, as well as in cases diagnosed as ocular tuberculosis in humans. 3 The following studies were undertaken to determine the effect of paraaminosalicylic acid, both alone and in combination with streptomycin, on experimental ocular tuberculosis in the normal rabbit. At the same time, these effects were compared with the effect of streptomycin and thiazolsulfone (promizole®; 4, 2′-diaminophenyl-5′-thiazolylsulfone) on experimental ocular tuberculosis in the normal rabbit. EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES Sixty-four healthy, normal adult rabbits, of mixed sex, averaging approximately 2,500 Gm. in weight, and of the same


The analysis of a state of the petrochemical and oil refining complex of Bashkortostan in an ecological section is lead.
 The ecological programs, working in republics directed on enriching to a situation in range guarding of an enclosing environment are considered. Some of the fulfilled measures on enriching a bionomics of Bashkortostan are reduced.


Abstract The US's ability to project power in Eurasia has been declining for some time. With the pandemic accelerating that decline, reviving international institutions of conflict management becomes urgent. Enhancing the UN and other atrophied international organizations, and negotiating treaties on nuclear arms issues, cyber warfare, space warfare, and new weapons are measures that have become necessary for minimizing the chance of nuclear catastrophe as well as reducing the likelihood of other wars.


Language is an indispensable element in the constitution of human cognition. Rhetorical language, parody, as a kind of linguistic phenomena and a communicative action, also demonstrates a cognitive process. With the detailed case study, this paper aims to probe into the cognitive process of a parody in the context of network media, including the the Construction Process and the Acceptance Process, in hope of exploring the acadamic research and education of parody.