In recent years, we have seen the arrival of Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDOS) open source bot based attack tools facilitating easy code enhancement, and so resulting in attack tools becoming more powerful. Developing new techniques for detecting and responding to the latest DDOS attacks often entails using attack traces to determine attack signatures and to test the techniques. However, obtaining actual attack traces is difficult, because the high-profile organizations are typically attacked will not release monitored data as it may contain sensitive information. As opposed to the conventional DOS attacks, Low rate DOS attacker injects a short burst of traffic periodically to fill up the bottleneck buffers right before the expiration of the sender's RTO. This forces the sender's TCP connections to timeout with very low throughput. These attacks are hard to detect and prevent, as most of the DOS attack detection systems are triggered by highrate traffic. This paper presents the survey of techniques available for detecting Low rate DOS attacks and compares them using various parameters.


Based on the mechanism of sonic IR imaging and finite-element computation,a finite element model(FEM) of 2D heat conduction was established and used to compute the temperature variety process on the surface of samples excited by ultrasound in the defects.An experiment setup was established to test of microcracks in the samples made of titanium alloy.The results show that sonic IR imaging technique is convenient and effective in qualitative detection of the microcracks in titanium alloy.Result of the computation results fit well with the experiment,which indicates that the FEM is correct.The significance of this study lies in the fact that it is methodologically innovative and empirically valuable for providing a reference for nondestructive evaluation of microcracks in titanium alloy.


GaAs monolithic broad-band low-power-dissipated amplifiers with inductive/resistive load and RC parallel feedback circuits have been developed. An inductive load amplifier provides a gain of 8 dB, a 3-dB bandwidth of 2.5 GHz, and a noise figure of 2.7 dB at 1 GHz with less than + 1-V supply voltage and very low-power dissipation of 20 mW. A resistive load two-stage amplifier provides a gain of 15 dB and a 3-dB bandwidth of 2 GHz. Input and output reflection coefficients at 1 GHz are -13 dB and -21 dB, respectively.


A number of factors ranging from economic conditions to managerial self‐interest have contributed to today's unprecedented merger boom. But the tide may be turning as the public policy debate over mergers heats up. Most scenarios show a long‐range drop in merger activity. However, the need for an informed, rational national policy on mergers remains.


Note: Thesis now published. Guy, L (2002). Worlds in collision : the gay debate in New Zealand, 1960-1986. Wellington [N.Z.]: Victoria University Press, 2002. ISBN 0864734387


For the prevision of delamination a previously defined Damage MesoModeling of composite laminates is used. The interlaminar interfacial deterioration as well as the main inner lyer damage mechanisms are included. Attention is focused herein on the modeling of the interlaminar connection as an elastic interfacial and damageable medium. The connection with Fracture Mechanics and the identification on an interface damage model devoted to the delamination prediction is also addressed possibilities and difficulties are discussed. Examples of comparison between simulation and experiments are included.


Purpose. Investigate the change in indicators of qualitative and quantitative gas composition in coal massifs,when the state of the coal rock massif changes, including in gas-dynamic situations. Methodology. The paper uses traditional structural-geological methods, generalization methods and developed and patented by the authors of the method for determining the gas state of coal massifs on the basis of gas chromatography. Results. The change of the residual gas component in coal massifs is investigated.The stages of change of qualitative and quantitative gas composition in coal massifs at gas – dynamic phenomena are established.The ways of gas migration in coal massifs and technogenic reservoirs are determined.The concept of rate gas saturation of a coal massif, which is controlled by the action of discontinuous tectonics, is introduced. Scientific novelty.For the first time, the conditions for the formation of modern gas-saturated zones in coal massifs due to gas migration and rate gas saturation have been determined.The influence of discontinuous tectonic disturbances on the migration and accumulation of gases in coal massifs has been established. Practical significance. The influence of gas migration on the formation of gas-saturated zones in coal-bearing massifs and man-caused reservoirs of the spent space of operating mines is established,which is important to ensure the safe operation of coal mining enterprises and degassing of coal massifs. Key words: gas-bearing, gas migration, tectonic disturbances, coal massif, man-caused collectors, Donets basin.


Abstract : This document is the Final Report for SBIR # N00014-97-C-0317. This Small Business Innovation Research project was funded by the Office of Naval Research. The effort started on 4 April 1997 and concluded on 28 February 2000. The title of the contract is Casualty Handling Simulation Using the Scenario-based Engineering Process. The goal of the effort was to create a computer-based simulation capable of simulating the flow of casualties through a medical treatment facility. In particular, the effort was focused on the medical space being designed for the LPD-17. During this effort, ScenPro, Inc. developed a Casualty Flow Analysis Tool, CasFlow. CasFlow combines a discrete event simulator with MS VisioTM, MS AccessTM, and MS ExcelTM to enable medical planners to evaluate resource needs using user-specified scenarios. CasFlow "moves" casualties through a Medical Treatment Facility (MTF) and tracks a wide variety of statistical information related to mortality, delays, staff use, and consumption of resources. The movement profiles and resource consumption rates are based on treatment database protocols and materiel use databases developed by the DMSB/JRCAB. CasFlow accepts or creates a casualty stream and tracks treatment times, delays, resource consumption (beds, staff, Class VIII supplies, and evacuation requirements), and casualty movement within the medical system. As different casualty sets are entered into the system, the tool highlights system bottlenecks produced by resource shortfalls. Problems areas are easily visualized using PivotTables and graphical representations produced by CasFlow.


From the angle of performing Chinese songs, this article elaborates the relation,function and methods between the enunciation and affections.It verifies that the studies of the contents and affection of the lyrics are needful,essential and important steps in singing performance.Only when a singer attaches importance to the languageand makes good expressions of it can he/she express his/her feelings more exactly and interpret the works richly in singing,and then be excellent in voice and affection.


In this article I detail the greatest difficulties the realist Spanish authorities encountered —principally, regarding the diplomatic representations at the United States headed by Luis de Onis in Philadelphia— to deal with the constant organization and reorganization of the insurgent expeditions along the coasts and borders of the vast Anglo-American nation, above all in Louisiana and Texas. The period I study is also very important, since it is established as a transition from the great realist victory in Medina (Texas) in 1813 up to the beginning of the preparations for Javier Mina's insurgent expedition in 1816.


Measuring student satisfaction is one of the most important methods of assessment and following-up in educational institutions. It is a step to analyze the strengths and weaknesses, develop concepts for the development, identify areas for improvement. and renewal of the learning process and with the develop of the concept of satisfaction from the amount of information that is taught to the students (quantity) to the efficacy of this information (quality) that explore challenges in the real world to the students, generates the need for learning, grows the ability to analyze and solve problem and boost the critical thinking. This paper presents the experience in measuring the satisfaction of students of two education methods applied separately in teaching digital electronic design subject in YıldırımBeyazıt University on two groups of students learn the subject in order to find a new effective and instructive learning method, the first group learns the subject using the micro-learning method and the other group learns the subject using a project-based learning method. The use of these methods has had a good impact on student learning and the evaluation of this study shows the difference in applying Micro-learning method in teaching the subject in comparison with applying Project-Based Learning method.


direction and  is the relativistic factor. In the expression for e  and in the sequel,-e and me are respectively the charge and the rest mass of an electron. When the cyclotron resonance condition is satisfied by a particular wave-guide mode for a given s = so; the dispersion relation may be reduced to an algebraic equation by retaining only the significant contribution from the so th term of the infinite series. The resulting biquadratic algebraic equation may be solved for the (complex) propagation phase constant as a function of the operating frequency. The works of Edgcombe [17], Chu et al. [18], Fliflet [19] and Chu and Lin [20] may be cited as being specifically directed towards a derivation of the linear dispersion relation for circular cylindrical wave-guide modes. Edgecombe [17] assumes without adequate justification that the r.f. charge and current densities depend linearly on the electric field of the TE mode in the derivation of the dispersion relation. Also, the need for maximizing


Aiming at the hovering control problem of four-rotor UAVs, this paper proposes to use the reinforcement learning method to control the motor speed of UAVs to improve the intellectual control level of four-rotor UAVs. Firstly, two reinforcement learning algorithm models of DDPG (deep deterministic policy gradient) and PPO (proximal policy optimization) are built using the PARL framework, and the super parameters of the algorithm model are set. Secondly, the algorithms are trained and optimized to obtain scores in the RLSchool simulation environment. Finally, the performance differences between the two algorithm models in the same simulation environment are analyzed. The test and analysis results show that the two algorithms can realize the four-axis aircraft suspension control in the simulation environment. Between them, the PPO algorithm features high scores, simple and convenient parameter adjustment, stable control, and good performance.


In primary schools robot programming is fun and may therefore represent an excellent tool both for introducing to ICT and for helping the development of logical and linguistic abilities of schoolchildren. Core of our project is NQCBaby, a Logo-like robot programming language, which – in the tradition of Logo – is child-oriented rather than robot-oriented like NQC. In the early 90's S. Papert had already suggested the educational use of "small robots programmed in Logo" [Papert 1993]. We had robots, of course we had Logo, but we had no Logo for robots. NQCBaby is an Italian version of a Logo-like interface to NQC, so that children used to deal with the Turtle can transfer and adapt their implicit abilities to robots, also discussing the differences. In the kind of activities we consider, schoolchildren start by using a very simple language, the first level of NQCBaby, to interact with the simplest robots RCX; later, as their robot-assembly experience grows, they move on to successively richer versions of the language. As a matter of fact, the constructive pedagogical methodology (and consequently our tools) structures the learning of NQCBaby in several steps, starting with NQCBaby01 up to NQCBaby05, as new hardware components are introduced to build new more sophisticated kinds of robots. In the meanwhile children are also introduced to NQC, the "real" robot language, by looking at how their descriptions of robot behaviors are translated into NQC "in order to be understood by robots". This step-by-step activity of schoolchildren is coordinated with the parallel learning of the basic linguistic abilities in their native language. A software environment, based on a precompiler from NQCBaby to NQC, is currently being developed for supporting the project principles, in a sequence of levels of increasing complexity and abstraction from NQCBaby01 to NQCBaby05. Figure 1. Children assemble a robot, decide behaviour, describe it in NQCBabyh, and look at the resulting specification in NQC; then they enter the next step to learn the next level NQCBabyh+1


The present invention relates to an improved fixture for use in a coil within the injector unit. The improvement comprises a clamp carrier and the clamping shoe, the carrier is fixed to the jig for the chain drive mechanism of the injector unit coil, holding a seat carried by the carrier. The improved carrier and the clamping jig provided seat, which is designed to allow the field in the coil during operation of the injector unit quickly and easily removed and replaced clamping socket.


We have reported on an alternative way, which is a combination of micro-Raman spectroscopy and high resolution X-ray diffraction (HRXRD) measurements, to evaluate the In and N contents and a corresponding misfit strain in the InGaPN films grown on GaAs (001) substrates by metal organic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE). Firstly, the In content was evaluated by means of micro-Raman scattering to be 56.4±0.8 at%, 55.8±0.8 at%, 55.9±0.9 at% and 55.7±1.1 at%, which were confirmed by HRXRD, for the DMHy flow rates of 0, 300, 700 and 1,100 μmol/min, respectively. Based on HRXRD results, next, the N content was estimated to be 0.9±0.4 at%, 1.4±0.4 at% and 2.1±0.5 at% for the DMHy flow rates of 300, 700 and 1,100 μmol/min, respectively. With increasing N content, misfit strain is also reduced from 0.65% to 0.12%. This suggests that a nearly lattice-matched film, which has the highest N content of 2.1±0.5 at%, exhibits the lowest misfit strain of 0.12%. Our results showed an achievement in a use of micro-Raman spectroscopy as a tool to evaluate the In content, which is a primary parameter using to calculate the N content in the InGaPN film.


Background: Breastfeeding an infant exposed to HIV carries the risk of HIV acquisition whilst not breastfeeding poses higher risk of death from malnutrition, diarrhea, and pneumonia. In Uganda, mothers living with HIV are encouraged to discontinue breastfeeding at 12 months but data are limited. We examined the frequency and factors associated with cessation of breastfeeding at one year among mothers living with HIV at Ndejje Health Center IV, a large peri-urban health facility in Uganda.Methods: This retrospective cohort study involved all mothers living with HIV enrolled in HIV care for ≥12 months between June 2014 and June 2018. We abstracted data from registers, held focus group discussions with mothers living with HIV and key informant interviews with healthcare providers. Cessation of breastfeeding was defined as the proportion of mothers living with HIV who had discontinued breastfeeding at one year. We summarized quantitative data descriptively, tested differences in outcome using Chi-square and t-tests, and established independently associated factors using modified Poisson regression analysis at 5% statistical significance level. We thematically analyzed qualitative data to enrich and triangulate the quantitative results. Results: Of 235 participants, 150 (63.8%) had ceased breastfeeding at one year and this was independently associated with the infant being female (Adjusted risk ratio (aRR): 1.25, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.04, 1.50), the mother being multiparous (aRR, 1.26; 95%CI, 1.04-1.53), and the initiation of breastfeeding being on the same-day as birth (aRR, 0.06; 95%CI, 0.01-0.41).The reasons for ceasing breastfeeding included male infants over breastfeed than females, maternal literacy and knowledge adequacy about breastfeeding, support and reminders from the partner, and boys can bite once they get teeth. Conversely, the reasons for not ceasing to breastfeed encompassed insufficient knowledge about breastfeeding and girls feed a bit less.Conclusion: Suboptimal proportion of infants were ceased from breastfeeding at one year and this might increase the risk of mother to child transmission of HIV. Cessation of breastfeeding was more likely among female infants and multiparous mothers but less likely when breastfeeding was initiated on same-day as birth. Interventions to enhance cessation of breastfeeding should target groups of mothers with lower rates.


The analysis of the electronic structure of La doped SrTiO3 single crystals, Sr1-xLaxTiO3 with x=5 at % (SLTO), shows that additional electrons in the host matrix are accommodated by a change of the valence of Ti ions from Ti+4 to Ti+3. We found, however, no evidence of a metallic peak near the Fermi level by electron spectroscopy. Similarly, electrical characterisation of the material revealed only semiconducting behaviour. This stands in contrast to the general idea of a macroscopic insulator-to-metal transition in SLTO at a doping level of a few percent of La. By means of conducting AFM we found evidence of an inhomogeneity of the in plane conductivity at the nano-scale and the possibility of locally manipulating the electric resistivity by means of an electrical stimuli, i.e. resistive switching. The observed inhomogeneity is attributed to a non-uniform distribution of La doping and a high density of extended defects in SLTO crystal.


Recent lattice QCD results, comparing to a hadron resonance gas model, have shown the need for hundreds of particles in hadronic models. These extra particles influence both the equation of state and hadronic interactions within hadron transport models. Here, we introduce the PDG21+ particle list, which contains the most up-to-date database of particles and their properties. We then convert all particles decays into 2 body decays so that they are compatible with SMASH in order to produce a more consistent description of a heavy-ion collision.


Operations involved with exploration for oil and gas as well as technological processes engaged in preparation for their transport and processing may be the frequent cause of an uncontrolled hydrocarbon spill and pollution of the environment. The spill/leakage can be the result of various damage on technological systems, however, of the human factor as well. Mechanisms involved in hydrocarbon expansion in the soil are very complex processes which are dependent on many factors discussed in this paper. The consequences of hydrocarbon pollution are disastrous for the soil and revitalization of the hydrocarbon polluted soil is a complex and time-consuming process


The osteological development and functional processes in relation to feeding, swimming and flying of the laboratory-reared fiyiTigfish, C)IPselums hetemras doederleini were examined. Ossincation started upon hatch- ing at 5.54 mm SL (standard length) and almost fully ossdied at 15.80 mm SL. Early ossfication of cranial ele- ments suggests the impact of strength on the neurocraniurn, thereby toler.ating pressures from the developing brain, muscle mass, vertebral colum and the trunk region. In the early stage, larvae were actively feeding which was attributable to the early ossfication of the feedmg apparatus. Active swimming and darting above the water surface were attributable to the rudder-iike structure of the hypurals, providing more attachment for muscles re- sulting to sufiicient force, and to the development of the pectoral and the ventral fin rudiments. Generally, the early on-set of osteological development in the early stage and the short peried of ossfication process in C. heternnes cloederleini, suggest an early feeding, higher growth rate and the abruty to escape from predators by darting and swimming, resulting to higher survival rate.


1Yale New Haven Transplant Center, Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT, USA; 2Department of Pharmacy, University of Florida Health Shands Hospital, Gainsville, FL, USA; 3Heart and Vascular Center, Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT, USA; 4Section of Organ Transplantation, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA Background: Medication errors are one of the leading causes of complications and readmissions in healthcare and stem directly from inadequate medication lists. In transplantation, medication discrepancies can lead to fluctuating levels of immunosuppression, resulting in rejection, infection, or drug toxicity. Methods: We implemented a pharmacist-driven intervention designed to improve the accuracy of outpatient kidney transplant patients' medication lists in the electronic medical record (EMR). Baseline medication error rates (Phase 1) were collected, and the intervention was a dedicated pharmacist (Phase 2) who performed medication reconciliation with patients. The primary outcome was the percent of patients with inadequate medication reconciliation determined by any one error in medication reconciliation (Phase 1 vs Phase 2). Secondary outcomes included the number of medication errors, of all medications and high-risk medications, identified per patient sample using statistical process control phase analysis. Results: Pharmacist-driven medication reconciliation significantly reduced medication list discrepancies from 95% to 28% (P<0.05). There were a total of 398 errors in the control group and 49 errors in the intervention group. In addition, there were 73 high-risk medication discrepancies in the control group and three in the intervention group. The total number of medication errors decreased post-intervention with a marked reduction in the variation of control limits (LCL, UCL: phase 1, −34.3, 113.9; phase 2, −7.1, 15.3) and average number of medication errors per sample (phase 1, 39.8; phase 2, 14.1). For high-risk medications, phase analysis demonstrated a marked reduction in control limit variation between phases (LCL, UCL: phase 1, −10.4, 25.0; phase 2, −0.5, 0.7) and average number of medication errors per sample (phase 1, 7.3; phase 2, 0.1). Discussion: A dedicated pharmacist improved medication list accuracy over conventional practice that utilizes transplant nurses and physicians. Further studies into the costeffectiveness of this strategy should further justify this approach.


We hypothesized that CNS tissue has the potential to deactivate invading monocytes/macrophages in order to maintain the immune privilege of the brain, and furthermore, that astrocytes are the cells that initiate monocyte/macrophage deactivation. To test this hypothesis, fluorescent prelabeled rat spleen macrophages with typical amoeboid morphology were transferred into organotypic hip‐pocampal slice cultures (OHSCs), where they gradually developed a ramified morphology similar to the appearance of resting microglial cells. This morphological transformation also occurred if macrophages or monocytes were co‐cultured with mixed glial cultures or with astrocytoma cells, and ramification was accompanied by reduced expression of adhesion molecules leukocyte function antigen (LFA)‐1, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)‐1, and major histocompatibility complex (MHC)‐class‐II molecules. Moreover, treatment of macrophages with astrocyte culture supernatant effectively down‐regulated the LPS‐induced expression of adhesion‐ and MHC‐class‐II‐molecules. Astrocyte supernatant‐induced inhibition of adhesion and MHC‐class‐II‐molecule expression was mimicked by transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1, furthermore, this inhibitory effect was diminished by simultaneous treatment with neutralizing anti‐TGF‐β‐antibodies. In conclusion, our results suggest that astrocyte‐derived, soluble factors that are present in the CNS microenvironment deactivate invading macrophages, thus contributing to the maintenance of CNS immune‐privilege following impairment of blood‐brain‐barrier (BBB) integrity.


This paper presents the developed parametric 3D model of disk heating. The numerical results reflect the change in the temperature profile of the heated pattern depending on the current value, current frequency, air gap size, workpiece thickness, workpiece diameter, heating time, number of inductor turns used and geometrical position elements of the systems "inductor - disk". The results can be used for parametric studies and setting up the operation mode of installations for various sizes of disks.


Passivating the contacts of crystalline silicon (c‐Si) solar cells with a poly‐crystalline silicon (poly Si) layer on top of a thin silicon oxide (SiOx) film are currently of growing interest to reduce recombination at the interface between the metal electrode and the c‐Si substrate. This study focuses on the development of boron‐doped poly‐Si/SiOx structure to obtain a hole selective passivated contact with a reduced recombination current density and a high photo‐voltage potential. The poly‐Si layer is obtained by depositing a hydrogen‐rich amorphous silicon layer by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) exposed then to an annealing step. Using the PECVD route enables to single side deposit the poly Si layer, however, a blistering of the layer appears due to its high hydrogen content, which leads to the degradation of the poly‐Si layer after annealing. In this study, the deposition temperature and gas flow ratio used during PECVD step are optimized to obtain blister‐free poly‐Si layer. The stability of the surface passivation properties over time is shown to depend on the blister density. The surface passivation properties are further improved thanks to a post process hydrogenation step. As a result, a mean implied photo‐voltage value of 714 mV is obtained.


In the first article, it was noted that there are three overlapping legal duties in relation to confidential data: confidentiality; data protection; and privacy. Additionally there is a professional duty, recognized in law, that may be used to prevent disclosure of data, despite there being no legal obstacle. It was suggested that there has been a tendency to reduce considerations of disclosure to ones of data protection and to focus on the legal issue as to whether the data were personal, defined in the EC Directive and Data Protection Act 1998. However this approach fails to deal with the duties of confidentiality and potential privacy claims and also tends to make decisions into binary ones instead of the more subtle judgments about risk of harm to the individual. This article proposes a systematic risk management approach.


The rise of the Internet has facilitated net activism among many virtual gay communities in Taiwan. The communication role that the Internet plays is in particular vital, because homosexuality is still considered a taboo in Taiwan's society. Cyberspace created by the Internet forms a unique "space" where local homosexuals can share their experience of being gays with each other. The purposes of this chapter are intended to examine how the Internet facilitated the formation, promotion, and success of gay rights movements among homosexual communities in Taiwan. This chapter uses the Chang-Der Street Police Harassment Incident as a case study to elaborate the Internet's communication role in mobilizing local gay populations to pursue their gay rights. It also investigates the Internet's strategic role as a communication medium in gay rights movements. The case analysis and in-depth interviews help identify several key functions that the Internet can play: to exchange and share information, to organize and coordinate gay rights movements, to record and store historical information, and to lead social and value changes in the future. This chapter explores the potential of the Internet in online community mobilization, an early look at virtual community and net activism.


The potential of sustainable development on alfalfa industry in Hexi corridor based on the land resources, adjustment of cropping system, feed and animal industry, economical development and ecological environment were analysed. The way and countermeasure of alfalfa industry development have been proposed.


Chronic atypical neutrophilic dermatosis with lipodystrophy and elevated temperature (CANDLE) syndrome, is an interferonopathy caused by proteasomal dysfunction. Clinical characteristics include early onset inflammation, nodular rashes, hepatosplenomegaly, myositis, panniculitis, lipodystrophy and basal ganglion calcifications. CANDLE and associated syndromes are gouped into the proteasome-associated autoinflammatory syndromes (PRAAS). Our patient presented at age of 3 months with features strongly suggestive of PRAAS. Genetic testing revealed a novel proteasome variant classified as a variant of unknown significance (VUS).Functional testing of the proteasome was undertaken in order to support the suspicion of PRAAS. Our aims are to describe the potential role of this test for aiding in the diagnosis of PRAAS.First, interferon signature was obtained and whole exome sequencing was analyzed for the patient and her parents. Nest, samples of whole blood were taken from the patient, parents and 3 healthy controls. PBMC were lysed using activity preserving methods (active extraction). Samples were normalized using BCA enzymatic assay. Activity of the proteasomal subunits was measured using peptides specific to different subunits (caspase, chymotrypsin and trypsin activity).Interferon signature was abnormally high, suggestive of an interferonopathy. Whole exome sequencing revealed a novel heterozygous variant in a PSMB4, the gene that encodes for β7, a structural non –catalytic subunit of the proteasome classified as a variant of unknown significance (VUS). A pilot analysis of proteasome activity showed a 50% reduction in the catalytic activity of proteasome subunit β1, indicating severe impairment of proteasomal activity, with compensatory hyper-activation of the immunoproteasome subunit β1i (Figure 1). The apparent dysfunction of β1 and hyper activation of β1i suggested a proteasomal assembly dysfunction. Using the above findings, the patient commenced JAK inhibitor (baricitinib) with remarkable clinical improvement (Figure 2).Proteasomal activity testing may serve as a useful tool for the diagnosis of CNDLE/PRASS in suspicious cases. Since JAK inhibitors may provide an adequate therapeutic response, it is of great importance to timely diagnose this disease in cases where the genetic results are equivocal.[1]Brehm A, Liu Y, Sheikh A, Marrero B et al. Additive loss-of-function proteasome subunit mutations in CANDLE/PRAAS patients promote type I IFN production. J Clin Invest. 2015 Nov 2;125(11):4196-211.[2]Kitamura A, Maekawa Y, Uehara H et al. A mutation in the immunoproteasome subunit PSMB8 causes autoinflammation and lipodystrophy in humans. J Clin Invest. 2011 Oct;121(10):4150-60.[3]Torrelo A. CANDLE Syndrome As a Paradigm of Proteasome-Related Autoinflammation. Front Immunol. 2017 Aug 9;8:927.Figure 1.Reduced β1 proteasomal subunit activity as measured by caspase reaction, compared to healthy conrtolsFigure 2.The patient, before (A) and 2 weeks after (B) starting the treatment with JAK inhibitor (baricitinib)NIL.None Declared.


Introduction: Based on ILO data, 2018 shows that every year 13.7% workers die as a result of accidents or diseases, even though employee is one of the most important human capital assets in company. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Factors managed with applicable regulations. ISO 45001 is an International Standard that regulates the requirements for the OHS Management System. In Indonesia we called it OHS. All sub-systems OHS aim to prevent any unwanted incidents. Objective: To determine integration between ISO 45001:2018 and OHS clauses and determine analysis regarding application of OHS on criteria 1.1 and 1.2 at PT. X. Method: Research method uses qualitative research with a gap analysis approach. Result and Discussion: The research results show that ISO 45001:2018 clause that most relevant to the OHS criteria is clause 8 with 16 equal clauses, while least relevant clause is clause 4 with 1 equal clause. As for the results of gap analysis for application of criterion 1.1 at PT.X 60% do not require CAPA while the application of criteria 1.2 80% does not require CAPA. Conclusion: Not all clauses of ISO 45001:2018 and OHS criteria can be integrated. Application of OHS criteria 1.1 and 1.2 at PT. X is good.


The method for optimizing the positions of sensors-actuators in active vibration control of large-span cable structures was proposed.By analyzing from the angle of both external exciting forces and actuating forces and combining external exciting responses,strain energy and actuating responses in the form of weighted products,the total controllable indexes of all candidate units were got.The positions corresponding to the maximum controllable index is the optimal positions to allocate the sensors-actuators.By the proposed theory the position of sensors-actuators in active vibration control of cable structures were derived.Applying the H∞ closed loop control theory,simulation was carried out for control at the designed optimal and general positions.The results show that under external excitation the required time to implement active control at general and optimal positions are respectively 4.3 s and 1.8 s.This proves the correctness of the proposed position optimization method.


The ERP software is the information system of business management and the correct selection is an important content in ERP project administration,establishing the index weight is the key of the ERP project.This paper analyzes the ERP selection process,establishes the ERP index system,sets up the model of index weight analysis based on triangular fuzzy number,and brings this method into practice.


In the paper,we study the problems of k-very extremely convex space,we define the concept of κ-very extremely convex space by κ dimensions volume.Through the concept of κ-very extremely convex,we obtain some properties and characteristics of κ-very extremely convex space,at the same time we generalize the κ-drop convex space.


The authors examine the influence of three molar ratios - SiO sub 2/Al sub 2 0 sub 3, K sub 2 O/Al sub 2 O sub 3, and H sub 2 O/K sub 2 O -, for a total of nine potassium-poly(sialate-siloxo) (K-PSS) geopolymeric cement matrices, on microstructure and mechanical properties in accordance with the orthogonal design principle. That among the three ratios, SiO sub 2/Al sub 2 O sub 3 has the most significant effect on compressive strength is shown by experimental results. When SiO sub 2/Al sub 2 O sub 3= 4.5, K sub 2 O/Al sub 2 O sub 3=0.8 and H sub 2 O/K sub 2 O=5.0, the highest compressive strength (5.04 ksi [34.8MPa]) can be achieved. Comparison of nine K-PSS geopolymeric cement matrices' infrared (IR) spectra also indicates that the most fully-reacted geopolymeric cement matrix is the one with the highest strength and also possesses the largest amount of geopolymeric products. To further characterize the fully-reacted geopolymeric cement matrix's microstructure, magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MAS-NMR), transmission electron microscopy-electron diffraction spectroscopy, environment-scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersion X-ray analysis, and X-ray powder diffraction techniques are employed. Microscopic analysis reveals that structural characteristics are possessed by fully-reacted K-PSS geopolymeric cement matrix similar to gel or glassy substances in having a wide Si endowment range, but predominantly the Si framework molecular chains partially replaced by four-coordinated Al tetrahedral. The authors also propose a three-dimensional molecular structural model based on MAS-NMR spectrum decomposition of the fully-reacted K-PSS geopolymeric cement matrix synthesized from the optimum mixture proportion.


The geographic distribution, systematics and general biology of the South American Solifugae are poorly known (Rocha and Cancello, 2002). Knowledge of the order in the Neotropical region is scarce especially in Brazil, which includes distinctive environments such as Caatinga and Cerrado that occupy a large portion of this country (Xavier and Rocha, 2001). In the last five years only 3 studies have been carried out focusing on Solpugida in Brazil: Xavier and Rocha (2001) described Mummucia mauryi as the first Solifugae from the Caatinga; Martins et al. (2004) reported the occurrence of M. coaraciandu in three cerrado phytophysiognomies; and Rocha and Cancello (2002) recently redescribed Metacleobis fulvipes (Rower, 1934) and reported new records for this species: in the Serra da Mesa (Goiás State) and in the Chapada dos Guimarães (Mato Grosso State), both in the Central Brazil cerrado. According to Rocha and Cancello (2002) this species exhibited a diurnal activity, walking and burrowing, and during the night remains inactive under pieces of wood. This study reports a new occurrence of Metacleobis fulvipes in the cerrado of Central Brazil, which amplifies the distribution of this species and also reinforces the necessity for more studies of arachnofauna in the cerrado. During the period of August and September/2004, in a region of Brasilia called São Sebastião, seven live specimens of M. fulvipes were collected using pitfall traps. Ten grids were set in three lines of six pitfalls traps. Each was put in three different cerrado phytophysiognomies: "cerradão", "cerrado Sensu strictu" and "campo sujo". Only in the grids localized in the "campo sujo" the presence of M. fulvipes were observed (GRID 1, 15° 57' 57.7" S and 47° 49' 41.4" W, Altitude 1133 m; GRID 2, 15° 58' 09.8" S, 47° 49' 43.6" W Altitude 1137 m). The animals were fixed in ethanol 80% and deposited in the Laboratório de Aracnídeos at Brasilia University and in the Museum de Zoologia at São Paulo University. The specimens were identified by Dr. Ricardo Pinto-daRocha and are characterized by a brown chelicerae and three longitudinal pale brown stripes on the ectal face joined dorsally above the fondal teeth (Rocha and Cancello, 2002). The area of São Sebastião, a cerrado area which has been rapidly transformed into residential areas, is a grassland landscape characterized by an open area with sandy soil, Vellozia flavicans (Velloziaceae) and termites. The specimens were found only at this time in the area, and no other was found in any locality of Brasilia, but some more collections are necessary.


The undesirable outcomes linked to high levels of income inequality are numerous. The existing literature argues that negative effects of inequality are channelled by low levels of trust. This study gives evidence that trust in government organisations diminishes in an environment of high inequality. With the introduction of a subjective measure of how individuals perceive income inequality, past limitations in quantifying the underlying mechanism between inequality and trust are addressed. A significant negative association between perceived inequality and trust in political institutions, like the government and the EU, is found using a sample of 27 European countries. Additionally, the negative interaction effect of perceived and actual income inequality with institutional trust appears to be stronger for individuals with previously low levels of trust and is weakened for citizens with a predicted high level of confidence in government institutions.


The development background,technical and structural characteristics of Linda large horizontal water-cooling methanol synthesis reactor were presented.One practical application example of this reactor was described,and the industrial prospect of this reactor was analyzed.


We read with great interest the article by Tran et al. (1) on the prevalence of thyroid autoantibodies before interferon therapy in French patients with chronic hepatitis C. The high prevalence (31%) in female patients is particularly impressive. This group of investigators also demonstrated that the prevalence of antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) in patients with antithyroid autoantibodies is 10 times that of blood donors (Quaranta JF et al., J Hepatol1993;18:136-138). They therefore speculated that HCV might be involved in autoimmune thyroid disorders. Another study, also from France, showed a fairly high prevalence of antithyroid autoantibodies (14%) and increased levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) (9%) before interferon therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C (2; Pateron D et al., J Hepatol 1993;17:417-419). We conducted a similarly designed study using methods similar to those described by Tran et al. (1) except that serum specimens were assayed retrospectively. Stored ( 20" C) serum specimens collected before randomization for interferon therapy were available in 140 patients with chronic HBV infection (3) and 79 patients with chronic HCV infection (4). In these trials, patients with associated medical illness, including thyroid disorders, and those seropositive for smooth muscle antibody (SMA) or antinuclear antibody (ANA) were excluded. These serum specimens were assayed for antimicrosomal antibody (AMA), antithyroglobulin antibody (ATA), free T, (normal range, 0.73 to about 1.95 ng/dl) and TSH (normal range, 0.3 to about 3.25 pJU/ml). As shown in Table 1, only 5 (6.3%) of the 79 patients with chronic HCV infection were seropositive for AMA, compared with 4 (2.9%) of the 140 patients with chronic HBV infection and 7 (10.7%) of 65 seronegative "healthy" controls (p > 0.05). Nine (four HBV, two HCV and three controls) of those 16 patients seropositive for AMA had titers of 1: 100 only. The remaining three HCV patients (two males and one female)


Bletia catenulata is a native Brazilian orchid whose populations have suffered from predatory collection. Aiming at elucidating aspects of its reproductive biology and the relation with seed germination, pollination tests were carried out in flowers of plants cultivated in a greenhouse. Manual cross and self-pollination resulted in high percentage of fructification (76.7-86.7 %), being only 26.7 % for natural pollination, in which the absence of pollinators, due to flower isolation, resulted in absence of fruits. In vitro seed germination for all fruits from the different pollination processes was low, being 8.6 % the highest percentage for protocorms. Thus, B. catenulata is self-compatible, resulting in viable seeds, but pollinator-dependent for sexual reproduction.


This project presents the design and analysis of a miniaturizedwaveguide slot antenna with a center frequency of 2.4GHz and a Bandwidth of 258MHz. The miniaturization of waveguide slot antenna takes into the considerations on the design specifications and performances available in the market. The research compares simulation results and lab test results. The initial antenna design was simulated using CST Microwave Studio software. The fabrication of the miniaturized waveguide slot antenna was realized using the FR4 dielectric substance with a feeder probe as antenna input.The miniaturized waveguide slot antenna provides a bandwidth of 228 MHz with a return loss of – 27.953 dB and gain of 3.528 dB operating at 2.4GHz.With this research, smaller waveguide slot antenna can be used in applications stated in IEEE 802.11 specifications for wireless application in the future.


Thirty‐one young female athletes and 13 age‐matched sedentary controls were studied throughout one menstrual cycle or over a 6 week period. Blood was sampled on 5 days per week. Episodic gonadotrophin secretion was measured in the early follicular phase and in the late luteal phase by blood sampling over a 12‐h period at 15‐min intervals. Eight athletes had anovulatory cycles, nine had impaired progesterone (P4) secretion during the luteal phase and 14 had normal cycles as judged from oestradiol (E2) and P4 plasma levels. Athletes with normal cycles had shorter cycles, lower E2 maxima at midcycle, and lower E2 and P4 concentrations during the luteal phase than had sedentary controls. Episodic luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion in the early follicular phase was significantly impaired in the anovulatory athletes: the average LH values over 12 h and the number of secretion episodes were significantly reduced. No significant changes were seen in follicle stimulating hormone secretion.


Prior to hardware implementation, simulation is an important step in the study of systems such as Direct Sequence Code Division Multiple Access (DS-CDMA). A useful technique is presented, allowing to model and simulate Linear Feedback Shift Register (LFSR) for CDMA. It uses the Scilab package and its modeling tool for dynamical systems Xcos. PN-Generators are designed for the quadrature-phase modulation and the Gold Code Generator for Global Positioning System (GPS). This study gives a great flexibility in the conception of LFSR and the analysis of Maximum Length Sequences (MLS) used by spread spectrum systems. Interesting results have been obtained, which allow the verification of generated sequences and their exploitation by signal processing tools.


We create a novel measure of market-nurtured optimism in that managers become more optimistic if the market had responded more favorably, and to a larger extent to positive earnings surprises, than to negative earnings surprises. These market-nurtured managers are prone to engage in value-destructive mergers. The inclination is further reinforced by abundant internal cash. In contrast, a good governance structure mitigates the odds of engaging in mergers and the detrimental effect associated with mergers. The acquisitions launched by overconfident managers are associated with lower market value.


Betbuadahari reserve is a 121 hectare man-made deer sanctuary. A recent floristic survey in this forest recorded 193 species of angiosperms covering 51 dicotyledonous and 11 monocotyledonous families of which 49.2% are herbs. 11.9% climbers, 124% shrubs and 26.4% are trees, 23 species of plants were found to grow only within the grazing free fenced area. Out of 52 species of trees atleast 24 are basically introduced. Polyalthia suherosa Benth is the dominant shrub in the under-storey and in open areas Vitex negundo L, Lantana camara L. Chromolaena odorata (L) King et Robia and Glycomis arborea L.) DC. are common. The poor representation of Chamaephytes, Hemicryptophytes and Cryptophytes are due to the excessive pressure of grazing. Altogether 90 species were seen to be eaten by deer of which 35 species are of very good fodder value. Necessary measures to improve the structure of its vegetation, fodder content and beauty has been suggested.


Automation is pervading all areas of academic library work. Librarians must be adequately trained in order to exploit the new technology. The literature recognizes that there are certain prerequisites for successful training. Libraries in developing countries face additional problems in the area of training for information technology. There are special circumstances at the University of Botswana Library. The University of Botswana Library automation training programmes aim to tackle these special circumstances and the problems unique to developing countries, and at the same time fulfil the recognized conditions needed for successful training. Gives a detailed outline of several University of Botswana Library automation training programmes.


Object detection is a rapidly evolving field, but there remains a challenge that the requirement of a significant amount of labeled data. In the recent five years, several active learning strategies have been proposed to achieve improved performance with reduced annotation cost on object detection tasks. However, these approaches have some limitations, including the incomplete utilization of epistemic uncertainty and bounding box information. To address these limitations, this paper proposes a novel active learning method named Multi-Level Evidence Active Learning (MLEAL) for water surface object detection. We propose to utilize Evidence Deep Learning (EDL) for uncertainty estimation and designed an Evidence Optimization Head (EOH) to adapt EDL for water surface object detection. To compute the information of an image by considering the multi-level information of the bounding box, we introduce to the utilization of Multi-Level Uncertainty Aggregation (MLUA) to represent the information over an image. The proposed MLEAL is valid on the Water Surface Object Detection Dataset (WSODD). The results demonstrate that the MLEAL outperforms existing active learning methods.


The effects of diazepam and GABA on intestinal motility were investigated in fasted dogs fitted with strain‐gauge transducers. Injected intravenously at 9.00 and 16.00 h, diazepam (0·5 mg kg−1) affected intestinal motility only during darkness i.e. from 19.00 to 7.00 h. These jejunal motor effects which were mimicked by GABA, (0·3 mg kg−1 i.v.) corresponded to a disruption of the migrating myoelectric complex (MMC) with an increased contractile activity. These results demonstrate that benzodiazepines affect the intestinal motility in dog and suggest that the effects are related to sleep‐stages.


This paper describes a platform that aims to design, build, and validate a new generation of cloud robotic platforms that enable agent-based intelligent control of robots deployed in unknown and dynamic environments. The platform will consider: (1) novel techniques for programming reactive plans and robotic behaviours through missions and novel mechanisms for building new behaviours from existing ones, both for experienced and non-expert users; (2) novel multi-layered cloud platform as the infrastructure to maintain a continuous link between the robots acting on a physical environment and their agent counterparts, to provide sensor data from robots to agents, and to provide high-level autonomous decisions from agents to robots.


We study classes of five-dimensional cosmological solutions with negative curvature, which are obtained from static solutions by an exchange of a spatial and temporal coordinate and, in some cases, by an analytic continuation. Such solutions provide a suitable laboratory to address the time-dependent AdS/CFT correspondence. For a specific example we address in detail the calculation of the boundary stress energy and the Wilson line and find disagreement with the standard AdS/CFT correspondence. We trace these discrepancies to time-dependent effects, such as particle creation, which we further study for specific backgrounds. We also identify specific time-dependent backgrounds that reproduce the correct conformal anomaly. For such backgrounds the calculation of the Wilson line in the adiabatic approximation indicates only a Coulomb repulsion.


Mucormycosis is an opportunistic mycosis common in poorly-controlled insulin dependent diabetic patients particularly with ketoacidosis. It often begins as a nasal and paranasal sinus infection with inhalation of spores into the paranasal sinuses of a susceptible host. In this case report we review the clinical symptoms, relevant imaging, and management of a diabetic patient with mucormycosis threatening his better seeing eye. This case report offers the clinician a review of important clinical and diagnostic findings that can help direct the need for orbital exenteration. In addition, various reconstruction options are considered to help guide


This essay examines nineteenth-century Native resistance to the American Indian removal policy as a strategy of decolonization. Attention focuses in particular on the tactics of decolonization employed in the rhetoric of the Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, and Seminole nations as it functioned to expose the dilemmas and hypocrisies of U.S. government justifications for Native removal as animated by discourses of territoriality, republicanism, paternalism, and godly authority. This analysis of the rhetorical strategy and tactics of decolonization helps to reassess the agency of nineteenth-century American Native voices and to gauge in general how rhetorics of resistance can be articulated in colonial contexts.


Aiming at the problem that thermocouples used in different parts of aeroengines need a lot of repeated design work in application and the high precision requirements as special test sensors, a parameterized optimization method for a thermocouple shape combined with a numerical simulation method is proposed. The performance of a dual-screen thermocouple (DST), single-screen thermocouple (SST), and no-screen thermocouple (NST) is tested by a numerical simulation method, and is represented by the velocity error σV and the restitution coefficient r. The dual-screen thermocouple (DST) is the best one, and it is selected as the object to parametric optimization, and the parametric optimization methods based on it, geometrically modeled parametrically, adaptive mesh generation and parametric numerical simulation, are proposed. For a dual-screen thermocouple (DST), eight design structural parameters and four environment parameters are suggested for geometrically modeled parametrically and parametric numerical simulation, respectively. The dichotomy method is used to find the optimal length of the screen L, which is considered the most relevant parameter for thermocouple performance. It can be found that the length of the screen L corresponding to the optimal restitution coefficient r ranges from 56.25 to 62.5 mm.


If C is a small category, then a right C–module is a contravariant functor from C into abelian groups. The abelian category ModC of right C–modules has enough projective and injective objects, and the groups ExtnModC .B;A/ provide the basic cohomology theory for C–modules. We introduce, for each integer r 1 , an approach for a level–r cohomology theory for C–modules by defining cohomology groups H n C;r.B;A/ , n 0 , which are the focus of this article. Applications to the homotopy classification of braided and symmetric C–fibred categorical groups and their homomorphisms are given.


Models and methods of traffic distribution are being developed by researchers all over the world. The development of this scientific field contributes to both theory and practice. In this article, the non-linear optimization of traffic flow re-assignment is examined in order to solve continuously the travel demand estimation problem. An approach has been developed in the form of computational methodology to cope with the network optimization problem. A uniqueness theorem is proved for a certain type of road network. Explicit relations between travel demand and traffic flow are obtained for a single-commodity network of non-intersecting routes with special polynomial travel time functions. The obtained findings contribute to the theory and provide a fresh perspective on the problem for transportation engineers.


The ability to follow separate lines of melody is an important factor in music appreciation. This ability relies on effective auditory streaming, which is much reduced in people with hearing impairment, contributing to their reported difficulties in music appreciation. The aim of this study was to assess whether visual cues could reduce the difficulty of segregating a melody from background notes for 1] people with normal hearing and extensive musical training, 2] people with normal hearing and no musical training, and 3] musically untrained cochlear implant users. Normalhearing musicians (N=18), normal-hearing non-musicians (N=19), and cochlear implant (CI) users (N=12) were asked to rate the difficulty of segregating a four-note repeating melody from random interleaved distracter notes. Visual cues were provided on half the blocks; and difficulty ratings for blocks with and without visual cues were compared between groups. When no visual cues were present, musicians rated the task as less difficult than nonmusicians, with CI users reporting the most difficulty. For normal-hearing listeners, visual cues and musical training both reduced the difficulty of extracting the melody from the distracter notes. However, musical training was not required for the visual cue to be effective, with musically untrained listeners showing the largest reduction in difficulty. CI users also reported significantly reduced difficulty extracting the melody when using the visual cue, reporting similar difficulty ratings to normal-hearing listeners without the aid of the visual cue. These results suggest that visual cues may be an effective means of improving the enjoyment of music for cochlear implant users. Further research is required to optimise the design of the display and to determine the most useful acoustic features for the display to encode.


Although in Northern Uganda the same as in Sierra Leone and Rwanda applies regarding multilateral and bilateral donors, there have been important donor interventions before the official transitional justice policy was developed including interventions that reinforced traditional leadership.


Martin James Wigginton was born on the 2nd September 1944 in Luton and died on the 22nd August 2019. His primary school education was at Denbigh Road primary school. His father, who worked for Laporte Titanium, was asked to move to a new factory in Grimsby, so as a young teenager, Martin moved to Wintringham Grammar School in Grimsby for his secondary education. Here, he took an early interest in geology, cycling to a nearby Lincolnshire quarry to collect fossils. Martin then went to the University of Hull, where he gained a BSc in Botany, followed closely by an MSc at Bangor. Soon afterwards, he started a job as a plant physiologist with the Agricultural and Food Research Institute in Norwich, where he stayed from 1969 to 1975. However, his true vocation as a field botanist was satisfied by taking a job with the Nature Conservancy Council (NCC) at their Newcastle office in 1976, with a move soon afterwards to the National Vegetation Classification project, based at the University of Lancaster, where he stayed until 1979 and was an important contributor to the publications on British Plant Communities (Rodwell 1991–2001). Of his time with the NVC team, John Rodwell writes,


Abstract New series of ferroelectric liquid crystals with neighbouring chiral carbons or a chiral carbon with C—CI binding next to the molecular dipole moment (C=O) are synthesized utilizing isoleucine, valine, leucine, amylalchol and 2-amino butanoic acid as starting materials and are found to possess extremely large spontaneous polarization exceeding 3 × 10−7C/cm2 and dielectric constants larger than 7000. These compounds are found to exhibit a novel dielectric behaviour such as hysteresis in the temperature dependence due to the strong molecular interaction with surfaces. The response of electro-optic elements prepared with these ferroelectric liquid crystals is found to be very fast, in the μsec range, even at room temperature.


tive in preventing SMC hypertrophy and hyperploidy than hyperplasia suggest that the signals for SMC hypertrophy are different from those for hyperplasia. However, the specific factors that stimulate aortic SMC hypertrophy and hyperploidy in the SHR are unclear. Three lines of indirect evidence indicate that SMC hypertrophy represents a response to increased blood pressure or wall stress: 1) Our laboratory-and others have consistently observed a high degree of correlation between the level of blood pressure and the frequency of polyploidism in a variety of hypertensive models. 2) Development of SMC hypertrophy and hyperploidy in aortas of SHR occurs predominantly after blood pressure has increased to its maximal level.' 6 3) Normalization of blood pressure in SHR with antihypertensive drug treatment is effective in preventing further development of SMC hypertrophy and hyperploidy, as well as in reversing some of the hypertrophic changes that have already occurred. Results of our drug treatment studies support a role for elevated blood pressure in the hypertrophic response of SMCs. However, this evidence is not compelling, since treatment was with a combination of three drugs (reserpine, chlorothiazide, and hydralazine), and it is not clear whether the effects of drugs were the direct result of lowering of blood pressure or due to some specific effect of one or more of the drugs on cellular growth. Thus, in the present investigation, we explored the role of elevated blood pressure on the development of SMC hypertrophy and hyperploidy in the SHR by examining the effects of various single antihypertensive drugs that have different primary mechanisms of action. We used captopril, a converting enzyme inhibitor"; hydralazine, a direct smooth muscle relaxant; and propranolol, a /3-adrenergic blocker. Our rationale was that if each of these drugs influences hypertrophy in proportion to its blood pressure-lowering effects, additional support would be provided for the hypothesis that hypertrophic vascular changes were secondary to elevated pressure. If, however, blood pressure effects and indices of hypertrophy were dissociated, the studies would suggest that factors other than or in addition to blood pressure were important and perhaps provide insight as to what those factors might be.


The International Relations Committee of the US House of Representatives handed the Bush administration a defeat last week when it voted by 26 to 22 to overturn his executive order denying federal funds to overseas groups performing or promoting abortions.

The committee won enough support from Republican supporters of a …


The instantaneous local heat flux was determined under knocking conditions in a square position engine simulator to investigate the relationship for the phase and magnitude between the heat flux and the knock intensity. Pressure oscillations of about 5 kHz occurred after autoignition. Oscillations of the heat flux were at the same frequency and in phase with the pressure oscillations. The maximum heat flux increased almost linearly with the maximum amplitude of the pressure oscillations for pressure oscillations greater than 0.5 MPa. The rate of increase is not uniform spatially. Near the knocking zone, the maximum wall heat flux is 20 MW/m2 for a pressure oscillation of 3 MPa. This is about five times larger than for the non-knocking case. The time-integrated heat transfer at the wall near the knocking zone also increases almost linearly with the amplitude of the pressure oscillations. Heat fluxes away form the knocking zone were less than the values in the region near the knocking zone.


The invention provides, more particularly, to a highly efficient organic electroluminescent device comprising a first capping layer thickness is different on the two electrodes of the pixel region, and a method of producing relates to an organic electroluminescent device. The present invention is a unit pixel by the capable to the upper portion of the first electrode to form a capping layer having a different thickness improving the color reproducibility and the light emission efficiency by a simple process, the organic electroluminescent device and a method of producing by a laser induced thermal imaging to provide. The organic electroluminescent device, a capping layer, a laser induced thermal imaging


Using a simple two-region model with the positive and negative effects of labor heterogeneity, we investigate the agglomeration pattern of entrepreneurs and the commuting pattern of heterogeneous workers. Labor heterogeneity is a source of productivity for e.g. high-tech industries as well as is an obstacle to e.g. mass production. As a result, we show that entrepreneurs tend to concentrate to a region hence regional labor markets are united with interregional commuting when (i) the commuting cost or (ii) the adjustment cost of labor heterogeneity is low, and when (iii) the input of heterogeneous labor is large. These results explain: the progress of urbanization with the decrease in commuting costs; the difference in the agglomeration tendency of industries.


Purpose: Up to 26% of patients with pathologically organ confined prostate cancer will experience clinical progression after radical prostatectomy. We attempted to identify patients at greatest risk for future clinical failure despite a favorable pathological outcome. Materials and Methods: The study group included 904 patients treated with bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy and radical retropubic prostatectomy for disease confined to the prostate gland. Preoperative serum prostate specific antigen (PSA), clinical stage, pathological grade and stage, and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) ploidy were evaluated by multivariate analysis to determine relative value in predicting treatment failure. A prognostic scoring system was created using the regression coefficients from the Cox multivariate model to classify patients further according to risk of progression. Results: Preoperative PSA concentration, clinical stage, grade and DNA ploidy were significant univariate predictors of progression (p <0.0001), whereas pathological stage was not (p = 0.2). Multivariate analysis identified pathological grade (p <0.0001), preoperative serum PSA concentration (p = 0.0006) and DNA ploidy (p = 0.0089) as independent predictors of progression. The prognostic scoring system separated the patients into 5 distinct groups. Patients with the lowest score had a 92% progression-free survival rate at 5 years, compared to only 39% of those with the highest scores. Conclusions: Patients believed to be at higher risk for cancer progression despite having organ confined disease might be targeted for adjuvant therapy and closer surveillance, while those at low risk may be followed less often. Radical prostatectomy is an effective form of therapy for prostate cancer, especially when the tumor is organ confined at final pathological analysis.'-4 However, it is apparent that 10 to 26% of patients will experience clinical recurrences even when lesions are confined pathologically to the prostak4-7 Thus, the natural history of prostate cancer can be variable following definitive therapy. Although 10 to 15-year followup is necessary to quantify clinical progression rates definitively, the availability of serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) as a marker of persistent or recurrent disease has telescoped the time to disease progression, thus allowing for interim evaluation of disease status in patients followed for shorter intervals. An increase in serum PSA after the patient had achieved undetectable levels may precede clinical evidence of local recurrence or distant metastases by several months or years, although the long-term clinical relevance of such postoperative elevations is not yet entirely Nonetheless, PSA is presently the most sensitive and specific marker available to monitor patients after radical prostatectomy. To identify patients at greatest risk for future clinical failure despite pathologically confined tumors, we studied 904 patients who underwent bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy and radical retropubic prostatectomy, and who had


Fibers of poly(lactic acid) produced by two-step melt spinning have been studied. The morphology is elucidated with respect to the thermal and mechanical properties of fibers produced at cold-draw ratios of 1–8. With atomic force microscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering, a fibrillar morphology is found, with microfibril diameters ranging from 30 to 60 nm. Shrinkage properties indicate that, with increasing draw ratio, the fibers undergo a transition from class 2 to class 1 within the classification proposed by Keller. A supramolecular model for the morphology of the fibers is presented that entails a highly oriented skin with a core consisting of microfibrils. The orientation of the crystalline blocks within the microfibrils is similar to what has been reported for nylon fibers. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 2828–2838, 2002


Abstract The optimisation of combined built-in self-test (BIST) and automatic test equipment (ATE) is desirable for complex fabricated chip testing to meet the high fault coverage while preserving acceptable costs. The fault coverage of BIST and ATE plays a significant role, because it can affect the area overhead in BIST and the test time in BIST/ATE. In this paper, a test circuit system (TCS) employing the hybrid technique (combined BIST/ATE) of test pattern generation is presented. The very large scale integration (VLSI) circuit testing features of the hybrid technique overcome the requirements for expensive ATE, as well as extra silicon area in BIST applications. The extendable input/output bus and I DDQ features for the TCS are also shown to enhance the testing capacity corresponding to recent VLSI circuit and system-on-chip requirements.


Abstract A new bachelor course of study started at 01.10.2018. It's an online offer for competence development in interprofessional cooperation. The target group are professionally experienced health professionals from therapy and care. By the end of July 2020, the extra-occupational study format, the media didactic online-based concept and the contents will be tested and evaluated. The continuing development of technology-supported learning/teaching scenarios will be incorporated into the further development of the online study ofering, as will the evaluation results from the pilot phase of the course.


This paper describes our efforts to add resolution proof generation, a feature currently only available in some conflict-driven SAT solvers, to the existing look-ahead SAT solver satz. We demonstrate this is feasible, although our current implementation adds considerable overhead. The resolution proof is generated while backtracking, which provides runtime information that can be used to reduce execution time. We present the results of our solver on a variety of CNF formulas and compare our extended solver with minisat, a conflict-driven solver, showing the resolution proof size of our look-ahead solver is often considerably shorter than minisat's. The proof can be used to extract an UNSAT core of the CNF formula. The UNSAT core of the proof generated by our enhanced version of satz is generally shorter than the one by minisat. With a different implementation of the resolution proof generation even shorter UNSAT cores can be extracted, although with increased overhead.


SUS430 is one of ferrite stainless steel grades.Because of its inherent characteristics,its processing defects are prone to appear on the hot rolling production line.In order to avoid these defects,the SUS430's characteristics have been fully studied.In view of this situation,appropriate rolling techniques and effective precautions have been worked out so as to produce high quality SUS430 hot strips.


The essential oil in Chrysanthemum indium L was extracted by simultaneous distillation and solvent extraction(SDE).The volatile constituents in the oil were analyzed by GC-MS.The oil was added into unblended cigarettes as a flavor.The results showed that 89 volatile constituents were identified in the oil,and most of them were monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes,inclued caryophyllene,δ-cadinene,β-bisabolene,n-decanoic acid and camphor.The essential oil could improve and modify the flavor of unblended cigarette smoke,enhance the notes of fresh aroma,and reduce its irritation.The essential oil in Chrysanthemum indium L can be used as an unblended cigarette flavoring with the suitable recruitment ratio of 1.0‰.


Appendicitis is the most common cause of abdominal pain requiring surgical intervention. The lifetime risk of appendicitis is approximately 7%, with a current incidence of 86 per 100,000 patients per year. Rates of appendicitis are highest in the second decade of life, with a slightly higher incidence of appendicitis occurring in males (ratio 1.4:1). Appendiceal perforation rates also vary; patients at extremes of age are more likely to have perforated at their time of diagnosis. Early diagnosis of appendicitis is paramount, because patient morbidity is increased once appendicitis becomes complicated by abscess and perforation.


Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating is a tool used in Quaternary Geology for assessing ages of depositional mineral grains such as quartz, feldspars and zircons. In particular, OSL showed to be exceptionally robust and reliable for dating quartz samples. Such a technique has been successfully applied in the age range of 1.000 up to 150.000 years, but optical dating below and beyond these limits remains a challenge. OSL dating relies on the assumption that the luminescence signal of grains is fully reset to zero by sunlight exposure before deposition. If this requirement is not fulfilled (i.e. grains were "poorly-bleached"), ages may be grossly overestimated. In particular, poor-bleaching can significantly affect age estimations of young sediments, for which the remnant signal may be large relative to the signal built up during burial. Standard procedures for estimating the burial dose of a sediment make use of a large number of grains (aliquot) that is measured simultaneously. This approach has been shown to work well on homogeneously bleached sediments, but to fail if heterogeneous bleaching occurred. An alternative way to investigate poor-bleaching within a sample is to measure the OSL signal from individual grains rather than from aliquots made up of several thousands of grains. The advantage is that individual grains with large doses (possibly due to poorbleaching) can be identified and dealt with. However, the single grain approach is not without problems. Drawbacks are that only a small percentage of the measured grains produce detectable signals and luminescence responses are weak. The aim of this thesis it to determine the feasibility of applying dating techniques to individual grains of quartz from deposits formed within the last 300 years.


ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to express my great appreciation for my major professor Dr. James E. Miller for giving me the opportunity to learn and pursue this degree under his mentorship. I cannot thank him enough for all that he taught me in the field of veterinary parasitology as well as research in general. Also, my thanks go to my other committee members Dr. Larry Lomax and Dr. Phil Elzer for their guidance and invaluable advice. Many thanks also go to Dr. David Smith and Ms. Aileen Halliday for welcoming me into their laboratory at the Moredun Research Institute in Edinburgh, Scotland to teach me the techniques used to prepare the antigens for the vaccine for this study. Their gracious hospitality will never be forgotten. Sandoval were critical to the ELISA portion of this study. They shared not only their equipment but also their understanding of the methodology and advice in achieving successful assays. Mr. Mike Kearney and Dr. Karen Gruszynski are much appreciated for their assistance in the statistical portion of the trial. Their expedient, thorough attention as well as patience while processing data and explaining output was tremendous. My thanks also go to Mrs. Susan Pourciau and Ms. Ginger Robertson for their assistance in laboratory techniques while preparing the vaccine. They were always willing to answer my many questions with a smile. I am truly indebted to Mr. Brandon Weeks for his constant assistance that I could not have done without. His laboratory skills, dedication and willingness to go above and beyond when I needed him were completely remarkable. Dr. Krishna Shakya was also iii constantly there to help in all aspects of the trial. His input and assistance despite his busy schedule was invaluable. Student workers Verret were all very helpful from the field to the laboratory and their steady enthusiasm made working with them all a joy. I cannot neglect to express my gratitude to my husband Bruce Olcott for his constant support throughout the years while I worked on this degree. His understanding and patience while I attempted to balance so many endeavors at once was unshakable.


Objective
To verify the infantile amnesia phenomenon and discuss the effect of rapamycin injection on infantile amnesia and hippocampal neurogenesis.

Methods
(1) In experiment one, 17-day-old (P17) and 60-day-old(P60) male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=84) were trained in a passive-avoidance task (they were randomly sub-divided into the shocked group and non-shocked group);all rats were tested immediately, 2 and 7 days after training for memory retention. (2) In experiment two, P17 rats (n=84) were randomly divided into three groups: vehicle group, 20 mg/kg rapamycin group and 40 mg/kg rapamycin group(they were sub-divided into the shocked group and non-shocked group); P17 rats were immediately injected with either vehicle or rapamycin after passive-avoidance training, and memory retention was evaluated 2 and 7 days after training. (3) In experiment three, P17 rats (n=48) were randomly divided into four groups: normal group, vehicle group, 20 mg/kg rapamycin group and 40 mg/kg rapamycin group; immunofluorescence staining of BrdU/DCX was detected to observe the hippocampal neurogenesis at post-natal day 19 (P19) and post-natal day 24 (P24) after vehicle or rapamycin injection at P17 rats.

Results
In experiment one, P17 and P60 shocked rats exhibited comparable levels of crossing latencies when being tested immediately (P>0.05), when being tested after 2 days and 7 days, P17 rats forgot more rapidly than P60 rats (P 0.05). In experiment two, three shocked groups exhibited comparable levels of crossing latencies when being tested 2 days after training (P>0.05), however, administration of rapamycin could enhance the memory retention 7 days after training; significant differences were noted between the vehicle group and each of the rapamycin treated groups (P 0.05). In experiment three, less BrdU-positive and BrdU/DCX-positive cells were found in the DG of the hippocampus at 20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg rapamycin groups as compared with those in the vehicle group at P19 and P24 rats(P<0.05).

Conclusion
The infantile amnesia phenomenon is verified, and rapamycin may enhance the memory retention in infant rats by reducing the hippocampal neurogenesis.

Key words:
Infantile amnesia; Rapamycin; Neurogenesis


A method for agricultural applications heat delivery system, the system comprising: a pipe section having alternating insulating sections and heat transfer, the conduit is configured to have a fluid flow path extending through the adiabatic segment and alternating segments of heat transfer; and a fluid propulsion device, which is configured to push the heat receiving fluid flowing within the fluid flow path.


The invention provides a vacuum switch tube comprising an insulated case, an upper end cover, a lower end cover, a fixed conductive base, a first movable conducting rod and a second movable conducting rod, wherein the upper end cover is hermetically arranged at the upper end of the insulated case; the lower end cover is hermetically arranged at the lower end of the insulated case; the fixed conductive base comprises at least one joint and is fixedly arranged in the insulated case; the joints penetrate through the insulated case; the fixed conductive base is electrically and fixedly connected with a first fixed contact and a second fixed contact respectively; the first movable conducting rod penetrates through the upper end cover and first corrugated pipes connected with the inner sides of the upper end cover and is electrically and fixedly connected with a first movable contact arranged in a first vacuum chamber; and the second movable conducting rod penetrates through the lower end cover and second corrugated pipes connected with the inner sides of the lower end cover and is electrically and fixedly connected with a second movable contact arranged in a second vacuum chamber. The vacuum switch tube provided by the invention can realize three positions, thus improving the versatility.


Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasingly recognized as the most common cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. NAFLD represents a wide spectrum of conditions, ranging from simple benign steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, which sometimes progresses to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The pivotal issue in the management of patients with NAFLD is the diagnosis of steatohepatitis and fibrosis at an early stage. In this review we present recent data on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease evaluation. Although liver biopsy is regarded as the gold standard for assessment of hepatic steatosis and steatohepatitis, its use has several limitations, including the potential risk of sampling errors, intra- and interobserver variability, invasiveness and the stress it causes to patients, the high cost and the potential for complications. In this review a simple and reliable non-invasive alternative with indicated sensitivity and specificity is described. Non-invasive markers should aim ; in primary care settings, to identify the risk of developing NAFLD among individuals with increased metabolic risk; in secondary and tertiary care settings, to identify those with a worse prognosis, e.g. severe steatohepatitis; monitor disease progression; predict response to therapeutic interventions. Achieving these objectives could reduce the need for liver biopsy. Thus, according to the natural history of NAFLD, all patients with a low risk of developing advanced disease, eventually diagnosed by one of above non-invasive parameters, could be referred to primary care, whereas subjects at high risk of developing advanced disease should be sent to specialists for the evaluation of the degree of fibrosis and the choice of specific management. According to the Clinical Practice Guidelines for the management of NAFLD, ultrasound is the preferred first-line diagnostic procedure for imaging of NAFLD, as it provides additional diagnostic information. Whenever imaging tools are not available or feasible (e.g. large epidemiological studies), serum biomarkers and scores are an acceptable alternative for the diagnosis of steatosis. The combination of biomarkers/scores and transient elastography might confer additional diagnostic accuracy. At the same time, the identification of advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis by serum biomarkers/scores and/or elastography is less accurate and needs to be confirmed by liver biopsy, according to the clinical context. Аlthough there are a range of controversial issues regarding the use of non-invasive methods for the assessment of NAFLD, these methods are being actively developed, researched and introduced into clinical practice as an equivalent and substitute for liver biopsy.


This study the legal status and legal consequences of patients returning home at their request in cases of Emerging diseases who are under Covid 19 isolation treatment in Indonesia. The type of research used is normative legal research. The approaches used in this legal research are the comparative approach, statute approach) and conceptual approach. The results of the study show that the patient's return at his request is the right of the patient with medical risks and legal consequences will be borne by the patient and or the patient's family. The legal consequences of a patient returning home from his request do not cause legal consequences, but the legal consequences arise when the patient is proven to be suffering from an infectious disease including an epidemic, he can be charged with the criminal provisions stipulated in the Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 04 of 1984 concerning Infectious Plagues and State Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 06 of 2018 concerning Quarantine.


The objective of this study was to characterize the thermal environment and evaluate the behavior of finishing pigs housed in deep bedding and conventional systems. The work was carried out in the Department of Animal Science of the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Southeast Minas Gerais, Rio Pomba campus. Three pens were used in an installation for breeding pigs in their finishing phase. Two pens contained deep bedding, with wood shavings and rice husks. The remaining pen was a conventional system. The behavior of the piglets was observed from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., noting the behaviors with the use of an ethogram, while data relating to the thermal environment in the stalls were automatically collected using data loggers. Thermal environment data for all systems presented thermal stress conditions. Regarding behavioral variables, animals in conventional systems had a higher frequency of visits to feeders, while animals in the deep bedding system were more active and visited the drinking fountains more frequently. Despite the higher level of activity of the animals in the deep bedding system, it is not possible to confirm that the deep bedding provides a better degree of well-being for the animals under thermal stress conditions.


Previous studies have revealed that the Neoproterozoic continental collision took place in the core of the Qinling orogen. The timing, however, remains questionable. This paper, based on mineral compositions, geochemistry, isotopic compositions, S→I→A-type granitic evolution, strong deformation, regional metamorphism and geological evolution, proves that the peraluminous S-type gneissic granites are syn-collisional granites with the Niujiaoshan pluton being the oldest and representative one. 15 Zircon-SHRIMP data yields a 206Pb/ 238U age of 955±13 Ma, consistent with the zircon age we previously determined by the TIMS method. This is the oldest age of the plutons in the core of the Qinling orogen, which may reflect the timing of the collisional thickening. Additionally, zircon SHRIMP dating of a weakly deformed granitic veins intruded into the Niujiaoshan pluton gives an age of 929±25 Ma. This, combined with strain partitioning, suggests that the syn-collisional deformation recorded by the plutons occurred mainly between 955 and 929 Ma, providing strong evidence for the Neoproterozoic collisional orogeny and continental-block collision. Therefore, the Neoproterozoic collision and continental-bock assemblages in the Qinling are appear to be later than the Grenville orogeny (1300~1000 Ma), but consistent with the collision and continental-bock assemblages of the South China block. The evolution feature of the granitic magmatism further suggests that this event might be an accretion collision along the south margin of the North China block, or the north margin of the South China block.


In the research the characteristics of sexual offender focused on the analysis of personality traits in the area of their neuroticism was discussed. The study assumed that neuroticism is correlated with the commission of sexual offenses and its level may be a risk factor and a predictor of committing such offenses. The analysis of correlation and logistic regression was performed on the results of the respondents in prison for sexual offenses and the results of the control group of neuroticism scales measured with the NEO-PI-R Personality Inventory. The results of the analyzes led to the conclusion about the relationship between neuroticism and its individual dimensions with committing sexual crimes, as well as a significant prediction of committing such crimes by the level of neuroticism. The additional analysis showed that sex offenders were characterized by higher results of neuroticism than the control group of not convicted men. Key words:


The invention relates to the field of tunnel grouting, in particular to a tunnel information tracing accurate grouting method, which solves the problems of thick reinforcing ring, large number of drilled holes, long construction period and the like of the traditional curtain grouting method adopted in current tunnel grouting. The method comprises the processes of grout stopping wall building, arrangement of orifice tubes and grouting tubes, measurement of the water burst of a drill hole, packer test, hole arrangement, drilling operation and grouting, wherein the hole arrangement and the grouting are performed according to the sequence from an advance geological drill hole to other outer ring holes to an inner ring hole to a working surface stabilizing hole to an access hole to a pipe-shed hole; and steps such as advance big pipe-shed construction of a working chamber and working surface stabilization by using a glass fiber anchor rod are saved. In the invention, a break through is made in the conventional construction philosophy, grouting design and geological change are tightly combined together, a grouting mechanism of 'crack blocking, water reduction, surrounding rock fixation and stratum stabilization' is adopted, the grouting holes are reduced by 30 to 40 percent, grouting quality is improved, the safe and quick construction is guaranteed, major water burst and mud burst accidents are eliminated, and the environment is protected maximally.


Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) has been categorized in the diagnostic classification of the World Health Organization1 together with other conditions with similar pathologic and clinical findings like pulmonary hypertension associated with connective tissue diseases, HIV infection, portal hypertension, and congenital systemic-topulmonary shunts2. All these conditions, defined as pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), share a similar therapeutic strategy that is aimed at two related pathophysiologic targets: a) the progression of the pulmonary vascular disease, and b) the progression of right heart failure. The therapeutic options available for PAH patients are: 1) oral anticoagulation, 2) Ca++ channel blockers, 3) diuretics and digoxin, 4) prostanoids, 5) balloon atrial septostomy, 6) transplantation. In general, the first two resources are indicated in NYHA functional class I-II patients while the resources 3) to 6) are progressively utilized in the more advanced cases (NYHA functional class IIIIV). Oral anticoagulation is the first treatment that has proved to increase survival in PPH patients in both retrospective and prospective clinical trials3,4. The suggested INR is in the range of 1.5 to 3.0. All patients with PAH should start oral anticoagulation as soon as the diagnosis is made provided the exclusion of the usual contraindications. In particular, oral anticoagulation is contraindicated in the case of a low platelet count (< 100 000/mm3), frequent and uncontrollable hemoptysis and advanced esophageal varices. Ca++ channel blocker drugs are indicated only in the minority of patients with PAH (15-30%) that show a positive response to acute pharmacological challenge. This test should be performed in all PAH patients to identify subjects with residual pulmonary vasoreactivity5 assessed by a reduction of 1520% of mean pulmonary artery pressure. Tests should be performed in experienced centers by the administration of increasing doses of one of the following compounds: adenosine, prostacyclin, nitric oxide. Chronic treatment with high doses of Ca++ channel blockers has proven to be effective only in acute vasoreactive patients4 while it may be harmful in the other cases (70-85% of all patients). Diuretics are indicated in the presence of increased jugular venous pressure that is usually associated with liver tenderness and enlargement and sometimes with ascitis and ankle edema. The dose of loop diuretics should be titrated to maintain an ideal body weight; the addition of an antialdosteronic drug can reduce the rate of ipokaliemia occurrence. Digoxin improves hemodynamics and neurohormonal activation in PPH patients6 and it is usually indicated in the presence of sinus tachycardia, supraventricular arrhythmias and concomitant use of Ca++ channel blockers. Oxygen treatment is indicated in cases of hypoxemia at rest, on exercise or during sleep. The use of prostanoids in PPH patients started almost 20 years ago but only in 1996 the results of a randomized clinical trial were published, showing an improvement of survival after 12 weeks in NYHA functional class III-IV patients treated with continuous intravenous administration of epoprostenol added to conventional treatment7. The survival benefit is persistent even after 3 years8 and it is accompanied by an improvement of hemodynamics, quality of life and functional capacity7,8. Also the comparison with lung transplantation seems to Address: Dr. Nazzareno Galiè Istituto di Cardiologia Università degli Studi Via Massarenti, 9 40138 Bologna Medical therapy of pulmonary arterial hypertension


In previous chapters, we introduced an intelligent control method for autonomous navigation and path planning. The decision system mainly uses local information, and as a result, the actions learned by the intelligent controller are not globally optimal; the vehicles can survive, but may not be able to reach some of their goals. To overcome this problem, we visualize the interaction between vehicles as sequences of games played between pairs of automata. Every game corresponds to a "state" of the physical environment (the highway and the vehicles) as described in Section 7.3. By evaluating these games, it is possible to design new decision rules, and analyze the interactions by predicting the behavior and the position of each vehicle. Some of the additional modules in Chapter 5 are actually the result of the approach described in detail here.


METHODS

To identify high-risk driving behaviors and risk factors for impaired driving in 186 chronic dialysis patients, a questionnaire was presented to patients that included questions regarding medical and driving history and medication use.

RESULTS

We demonstrated a significant difference in the subjective perception of dialysis patients of their driving capabilities and the objective data identifying the conditions that make their driving unsafe. This was supported by the higher incidence of accidents in these patients. Of greater concern was the non-recognition of the problem by the patients themselves, with the majority of them continuing to drive. Results also demonstrated a statistically significant association between use of sedatives and driving impairment in these patients (59.1% versus 37.4%, p = .005).

DISCUSSION

Motor vehicle injuries are among the leading cause of injury-related deaths in the elderly population. Individuals with end-stage renal disease often experience a significant decline in their ability to drive safely due to musculoskeletal, neurologic, and cognitive impairments which may not improve with dialysis. Presently, no guidelines exist for assessing the safety of driving for individuals on chronic dialysis. The study provides data to recommend development of safe driving guidelines in dialysis patients and education of the dialysis patient care providers in identifying high-risk patients.


Aim: This study aims to investigate the effect of a calcium phosphate-based desensitizer paste on reduction of dentin hypersensitivity (DH). Materials and methods: This crossover study was designed as randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled trial. Teethmate AP paste (TAP), containing tetracalcium phosphate (TTCP) and dicalcium phosphate anhydrous (DCPA) dispersed in a glycerol/polyethylene glycol paste, was compared with placebo (PLA), a calcium phosphate-free analog paste. A total of 45 patients with one hypersensitive cervical lesion in each of two contralateral quadrants were allocated to the trial when baseline sensitivity (pretreatment sensitivity score, PRE) on air-blast (AB) stimulation and probe scratching (PS) measured on a visual analog scale (VAS; 0–10) was ≥6. Patients were recalled after 1 day, 1 week, and 1, 3, and 6 months. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Tukey's post hoc test, and pairwise comparisons between TAP and PLA were conducted at all time points (α < 0.05). Results: Both treatments reduced DH significantly during the 6-month course. Immediately after treatment (posttreatment sensitivity score, POST), TAP sensitivity on AB was reduced to 63%, after 6 months to 39% of the PRE score, and PS to 60 and 54% respectively. Application of PLA reduced AB sensitivity at POST and 6 months to 79 and 60%, and on PS stimulation to 79 and 67% respectively. At all time points, TAP and PLA were significantly different (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Teethmate AP paste is a biocompatible and effective desensitizing agent when used for the treatment of moderately severe DH. Clinical significance: Calcium phosphate-based desensitizers are one of the most effective desensitizing agents and are expected to play an important role in the treatment of DH. ORIGINAL RESEARCH 1,2Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, KLE Society's Institute of Dental Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka India 3Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics Vokkaligara Sangha Dental College and Hospital, Bengaluru Karnataka, India 4Liaison Center for Innovative Dentistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Japan 5Division of Advanced Prosthetic Dentistry, Department of Oral Function and Morphology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Japan Corresponding Author: Deepak Mehta, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Vokkaligara Sangha Dental College and Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India Phone: +919845140082, e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com 10.5005/jp-journals-10015-1483


The previous study showed that the microbial flocculant contained Sphingomonas paucimobilis could discolor mordant black T dye wastewater efficiently.In this study,single factor tests and orthogonal tests were used to determine the optimized decolorization.The study demonstrated that the decolorization rate of mordant black T dye wastewater(1 000 mg/L) reached up to 95%,when pH was 4.0,the content of flocculation liquid was 2%,and that of CaCl2 was added to 0.16%.


There has been great interest in finding sets of $m$ mutually unbiased bases which are compatible with a given space $\mathbb{C}^d$, specially in physics due to their interesting applications in quantum information theory. Several general results have been obtained so far, but surprising results may occur for definite $(m,d)$-values. One such case that has remained an open question (the simplest case) is the one regarding the existence of $m=4$ mutually orthogonal bases for $d=6$. In the present work we introduce a new approach to the problem by translating it into an optimization procedure for a given pair $(m,d)$.