Optical fiber sensors have been investigated to measure distributed distortion of large buildings, bridges and expressways. We are focusing on a fiber lasing system including sensing elements in the cavity since it has advantages such as higher resolution for wavelength shift and higher signal-to-noise ratio. A multipoint temperature sensor using linear-cavity lasing system consisting of an Erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA), variable optical attenuators, and fiber Bragg grating elements is demonstrated. In order to obtain high-power and multi wavelength operation, an EDFA with appropriate power control is employed. As a result of two-point temperature measurement experiment, two-wavelength lasing and temperature-dependent wavelength change are observed. The sensitivity of 10.5 pm/deg is achieved.


I n v i t r o , c o l l a g e n w i l l a g g r e j a t e p l a t e l e t s and indomethacifl w i l l completely i n h i b i t t h i s aggrega t ion . S i n c e indomethacin p r e v e n t s t h e s y n t h e s i s o f t h e p o t e n t aggrega t ing a g e n t s , p r o s t a g l a n d i n 112 and thromboxane A,, it i s suggested t h a t c o l l a c e n a c t s by inducing t h e s y n t h e s i s of t h e s e s u b s t a n c e s . The Technicon Autocounter i s a n automated system f o r count ing p l a t e l e t s and h a s been modified, t o provide an i n v i v o method f o r t h e s tudy o f i n t r a v a s c u l a r p l a t e l e t aggrega t ion wi thout t h e i n t e r f e r e n c e o f an a n t i c o a g u l a n t (Smith & F r e u l e r , 1973). Nale rats were a n a e s t h e t i s e d w i t h pentobarb i tone (60 mg/kg IP). The t r a c h e a and j u g u l a r v e i n were cannula ted . withdrawn blood t o be c i t r a t e d , w a s i n s e r t e d i n t o t h e c a r o t i d a r t e r y and t h e blood w a s t h e n pumped through t h e Counter t o Give a cont inuous p l a t e l e t count on p r e c a l i b r a t e d c h a r t paper .


The potential for anaerobic metabolism in fish white muscle appears to increase with body size. Larger fish have higher white muscle glycolytic potential (Somero & Childress, 1980) and display both higher rates of lactate production and higher maximum concentrations of lactate following exhaustive exercise (Goolish, in press). The post-exercise elevation in oxygen consumption by fish (' oxygen debt ') is considered to be the result of processes involved in the recovery from anaerobic metabolism (Gaesser & Brooks, 1984; Milligan & McDonald, 1988) and therefore may also be influenced by body size. The present study compares the oxygen debt of small and large rainbow trout following exhaustive exercise. The respirometer consisted of flow-through tubular chambers (75 and 4200 ml) immersed in a constant water bath (15" C). Oxygen consumption rates were calculated from the flow rate and the change in dissolved oxygen as measured with a Camlab $8543 oxygen meter (Cambridge, U.K.). Mean sizes (*s.E.) of the large and small fish were 32.7cmf3.1 (n = 4) and 7.8 cm 0.6 (n = 3), respectively. Individual post-absorptive fish were placed in the respirometer and monitored until stable control levels of oxygen consumption were observed. The fish were then removed, exercised for 6 min, and returned to the respirometer. Maximal burst activity was induced using a net in tanks of approximately the same relative size (3 by 4 body lengths). Rates of oxygen consumption were determined after 1.2,3,4,5,6 and 8 h, and expressed as a percentage of the mean pre-exercise level. The relative increase in oxygen consumption following exhaustive swimming was higher for the larger fish at each sampling time (Fig. I). The duration of the response was also longer for the large fish (8 h) than for the small fish (5 h). The relative increase in oxygen consumption was significantly higher for the larger fish when the data were combined for the duration of the response (P < 0.02), but individual sampling times were not significantly different. The higher relative increase for large fish was partly due to their lower standard metabolic rate; 58.6 and 96.1 mg 0, kg-' h-' for large and small fish, respectively. The area under each curve was used to calculate the total amount of oxygen consumed above pre-exercise levels. Averaged over the duration of the response, the absolute increases in respiration rates following exercise were similar for the large and small fish; 40.4 and 49.5 mg O2 kg- h-', respectively. Post-exercise oxygen consumption expressed per gramme of white muscle was also similar for large (0.69 mg 0, g-') and small fish (0.65 mg Having white muscle lactate production (Goolish, in press) and post-exercise oxygen consumption data from the same group of fish also provides an opportunity to examine the relationship between these variables and the cost of glycogen restoration. The oxygen debt data from the group of large fish (33 cm) are used here because of their lower variability. Lactate production for fish of the length, subtracting the resting level, is 34.7 pmol g-l (Goolish, in press). This is equivalent to energy production of 1.94 J g-l of white muscle tissue, assuming a 2 : 1 ratio between lactate and each glucosyl unit (Stevens & Black, 1966; Wardle, 1978) and that 558 J are obtained per gramme of glycogen (Wardle, 1975). The


Face detection plays a crucial role in developing human-robot interaction (HRI) for Intelligent Educational Robot (IER) to recognize users or speakers. In this paper, we introduce an intelligent vision algorithm that is able to detect human face from complex scene and filter out all the non-face but face-like images. The human face is detected in real time using the approach called AdaBoost-based Haar-Cascade Classifier[1-2], and the real human face detection is improved to implement from single-face detection to multi-face detection. Furthermore, variable head pose is taken into account, such as pitch, roll, yaw, etc. The proposed robot vision algorithm for human detection is tested to be effective and robust through real-time experiments.


This paper presents the H2O Learn (Hybrid and Human-Oriented Learning) project, a coordinated research project funded by the Spanish Research Agency, which just started in 2021 and will last for three years. The main goal of the H2O Learn project is to build Trustworthy and Human-Centered Learning Analytics (TaHCLA) solutions to support human stakeholders when designing, orchestrating and (self-,socially- or co-) regulating learning in Hybrid Learning (HL). The contributions of H2O Learn consider key requirements for trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (AI), as defined by the European Commission: 1) fostering human (i.e., teachers, learners…) agency; 2) enabling transparency of the Learning Analytics (LA) systems; 3) seeking socio-emotional and inclusive wellbeing; and 4) promoting accountability by enabling the assessment of algorithms and design processes.


Test on iron loss and magnetic induction density of two different grade number of no-orientation electric steels was undergone and comparison was made between density values got from chemical method and from currently available one.The results showed that the density of electric steel was inversely proportional to iron loss but proportional to magnetic induction density.While density increased by 0.05 kg/dm3,the iron loss would fall by 0.04~0.05 w/kg and the magnetic induction density would grow by 0.01 T.That meant that every increase of density by 0.05 kg/dm3 would make the electric steel rise half grade number.For test and evaluate magnetic characteristic of electric steels correctly,methods specified in national standard should be adopted to determine the density of electric steels.


Abstract Introduction: A reliable diagnosis of malignant carotid body tumour can only be made in the presence of metastatic disease, because the histological features of the primary tumour do not correlate with clinical behaviour. Case report: We report two cases of malignant carotid body tumour in which regional nodal biopsy at the time of excision of the primary tumour revealed unsuspected metastatic disease. Discussion: Reoperation in the neck for recurrent metastatic carotid body tumour is difficult and potentially hazardous. The presence of occult metastatic disease is easily identified if a selective – or sentinel – nodal dissection is performed routinely in cases of carotid body tumour excision. Such an approach adds very little morbidity, effort or time to the primary surgery, and is recommended. This view has been supported by some other authors but is generally overlooked in clinical practice.


Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is a cytokine with numerous immunological and metabolic activities. To study the role of TNF-α on the pathophysiology of anorexia nervosa and its complications, plasma concentrations of TNF-α, 2 soluble TNF receptors (sTNF-RI and sTNF-RII), and leptin were measured in 20 female patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and 20 age-matched normal women (N). Plasma TNF-α concentrations in AN were significantly higher than those in N (4.1 ± 0.6 pg/mL vs. 1.6 ± 0.1 pg/mL; P < 0.01). Although no significant difference was observed in plasma sTNF-RI concentrations between the two groups, plasma sTNF-RII concentrations in AN were significantly higher than those in N (2094.0 ± 138.5 pg/mL vs. 1569.5 ± 84.0 pg/mL; P < 0.01). Plasma concentrations of TNF-α and sTNF-RII after treatment of 8 anorectic patients were not different from those before treatment, although body fat mass and plasma leptin concentrations significantly increased after treatment. Plasma TNF-α concentrations were not rel...


Dose inhomogeneities in both tumor and normal tissue, inherent to the application of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), can be the result not only of ununiform distribution of /sup 10/B at various levels of biological organization, but also of the distribution of the thermal neutrons and of the energy depositions from more energetic neutrons and other radiations comprising the externally-applied beams. The severity of the problems resulting from such inhomogeneities, and approaches to evaluating them, are illustrated by three examples, at the macro, micro and intermediate levels.


Automotive radar sensors play a vital role in the development of autonomous driving due to their ability to detect objects even under adverse conditions [1] . Besides that, radar sensors offer long range capability and compact size, which enables the implementation in tight spaces. The environmental sensing task in autonomous vehicles must be validated due the severity of an operational failure that endangers human life. Carrying out these validation tests in the field however, presents a risk to other traffic participants and involves a great effort since distances in the order of several hundred million kilometer have to be covered to ensure the proper functioning of the system [2] . Also, these test are not repeatable. For this reason, a so-called Vehicle-in-the-Loop (ViL) approach is considered using a end-of-line vehicle placed on a steerable chassis dynamometer with the ability to simulate real world test scenarios. Such Radar Target Simulators (RTS) are capable of performing end-of-line, over-the-air validation tests by looping back a received signal and afterwards modified radar signal. It is essential, that these simulated targets are very close to reality and can also be compared to test drive data. However, this requires that all involved phenomena are investigated and implemented correctly. The radar signal is emitted from the sensor, travels through the radar radio channel, is reflected at an object, and travels back through the radio channel to the receiver, which in the case of radar is typically at the same location as the transmitter. Wave propagation must therefore take into account multiple reflections and scattering from objects in addition to free space propagation. To take the scattering or the backscattering into account, the so-called RCS pattern is usually used. However, since modern automotive radars are capable of resolving individual scattering centers well in angle and distance, considering the target as a point scatterer is far from sufficient. Therefore, a measurement system is presented that is able to measure road users with high resolution. This is done by using a mmW FMCW Radar Sensor working in the frequency range from 76-81 GHz which is equipped with a highly-directive lens antenna. Several traffic participants like cars, bikes, motor bikes and vulnerable road users are measured in detail. Also, measurements are compared to different full wave simulations. However, the results of these measurements cannot be implemented into a Radar Target Simulators, since the number of antennas that are necessary to generate the scattering points is limited, e.g. four antennas [3] . For this reason, the measured scattering points must be combined into relevant scattering clusters, which can then also be simulated with the limited number of antennas of the radar target simulator. The used radar target simulators in this approach is capable of generating echoes by using eight antennas. Each of the scattering clusters is consequently implanted in the wave propagation by its specific RCS pattern.


This paper presents a numerical simulation for metal sheet bending with elastic pads made of silicone rubber reinforced with different ratios of very small glass fibers. Experimental tests were performed (traction and compression), in order to determine some characteristics for the materials and the results were used in the simulation program. A correction for the geometry of the punch, a prediction diagram for springback angle and the evolution of the force developed by the punch are also presented


The High Field Test Facility (HFTF) to be built at Lawrence Livermore Laboratories (LLL) consists of a magnet which will be wound with Nb/sub 3/Sn superconductor. Embossed and electroplated copper strip will be soldered to the two broad sides of a rectangular Nb/sub 3/Sn superconductor 5.4 mm x 11.0 mm x approximately 100 m long. It is the purpose of this project to upgrade existing facilities to emboss the copper stabilizer strip, electroplate the strip with 50 Pb-50 Sn solder, and to solder two such strips to the superconductor. This program has been approached in seven separate tasks which are described in this report.


BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
To compare the influence of low-molecular-weight viscoelastics on postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) and corneal endothelial cell loss after phacoemulsification

PATIENTS AND METHODS
Sixty-nine eyes undergoing phacoemulsification surgery were randomized to have either Opegan (Santen Pharmaceuticals, Osaka, Japan) alone or the soft-shell technique using Viscoat (Alcon Surgical, Fort Worth, TX) during phacoemulsification. The IOP was measured preoperatively and at 5 and 24 hours postoperatively. Intraoperative factors and corneal endothelial cell loss were also examined.

RESULTS
Mean IOP was increased at 5 hours after surgery but returned to preoperative levels at 24 hours in the Opegan group, whereas it remained higher at 24 hours than at preoperative levels in the soft-shell group. When comparing groups, IOP at 5 and 24 hours postoperatively in the Opegan group was significantly less than that in the soft-shell group. Corneal endothelial cell loss was approximately the same in the two groups.

CONCLUSION
The increase in IOP following phacoemulsification surgery with the use of Opegan was less than that with the soft-shell technique using Viscoat, although endothelial injury was almost the same.


For a while I taught photography one day a week to girls selected by their middle school. My students were mostly, though not exclusively, young women of color. My efforts were part of a gender specific program run by a non-profit arts organization in a small city upstate. The program was funded by the federal government as part of a study to determine if art can prevent delinquency. The answer seemed obvious to me as an artist. The success of my workshop however, was quite different from what I expected. The stated goals of the program were to present the girls with "options... other than trouble." The goal of the visual arts component was to have them work together on a group project, creating a message for other girls dealing with similar personal issues. How difficult this was for our girls speaks to the painful gap between the goals we set for them and what they need. Though I'm trained neither as an educator nor a therapist, I have confidence in my ability to relate to kids. I enjoy spending time in the South Bronx with my camera and have worked informally with youth groups. I trusted the other workshop leaders to address the more difficult psychological issues. Hired as a photographer, I determined to teach a technical skill and point my students in the right direction. The girls would create and collect images of their lives that dealt with the concerns of the grant. I made a list of subjects for them to choose. They could photograph their family, their daily life and special occasions, places they liked, things that made them happy or sad, a person they admired. I described many ways they could create self-portraits. It was immediately suggested to me that I wouldn't be able to get through much of the list and that I not offer my students a choice of subject, but assign one. Indeed, a list of possibilities did confuse them at first. They weren't sure what I wanted them to do. Not that it got in the way of their seizing disposable cameras and reporters' notebooks like the starving at a banquet. They considered my list of suggested subjects. Some of them even kept it. It soon became apparent however that each girl had her own agenda. Providing independence within a structured environment gave me my first lessons in dealing with the contradictory demands for attention and privacy that alternate unexpectedly in the teenage heart. My students were strongly attracted to the camera--as subjects. When someone photographed them, they said "I took a picture." They were only too happy to pose. When I protested that they were supposed to be taking the pictures, they replied, "But you're the photographer!" True enough. My project became to move them from the subject to the author of the image. Pictures--regardless of who took them--were claimed eagerly by the subjects and disappeared into jealously guarded collections. It was difficult to persuade the girls to give up even one to hang on the wall. The boldest girl relinquished a few of hers "'cause I'm not in them." Duplicates would be bartered for a cupcake or a bag of chips, but displaying their pictures was not easy for them. They liked albums they could close. Frames were something to be taken home. I only got to see their photos when I insisted, which I didn't do often. They shared their work more easily with the other members of my team--a high school student from the community and art therapist Karen Rehm, who volunteered to help me in addition to conducting her own workshops. I was in the teacher's role, from which these girls remained painfully disconnected. I took their overwhelming eagerness to claim the envelope back from the lab as a good enough measure of involvement. I taught each day's lesson--Photo Basics, How To Photograph Kids, How to Take a Group Shot-before I handed them out. My girls were not interested in the mechanics of photography. When books by women photographers lay untouched in the center of the table, I opened them in front of the least recalcitrant student. …


The principle of the rule of law is one of the most important and essential principles for any state and for democratic society. Its fullest realization in everyday life is the best guarantee for the development of democracy and the recognition and enforcement of citizens' fundamental rights and freedoms. To this end, the general principles of the rule of law today occupy a special place and are fixed explicitly in contemporary constitutions and democratic legislation. The well-known countries of Western democracies have long established a rich and valuable legacy in this regard. When exploring the contours and details about establishing the rule of law in the Republic of Kosovo, we must bear in mind that Kosovo has gone through a sad and bloody history until its declaration as a state in 2008. Kosovo independence on 17 February 2008, and its international recognition, poses the immediate need to build a rule of law and democratic state with European values. The Kosovo Constitution reifies concrete efforts and steps to sanction the general principles of the rule of law, which are the core of democracy. This fact is best illustrated in the preamble and constitutional provisions where "the independence of the state and the entirety of its territory, the freedoms and human rights, the rights of communities and their members, social justice, constitutional order, pluralism, religious coexistence, as well as the citizenship state element instead of the national one, are the basis of this state, which has the duty to respect and protect them." In building the rule of law, the Republic of Kosovo has been exploring the experience of other democratic countries, and in particular, the European Union member states. This article aims to introduce the rule of law in the context of Kosovo by identifying the achievements, responsibilities and challenges that the Republic of Kosovo faces in this regard. Through the breakdown of the definition of the rule of law in the context of the existing constitutional-legal system of the Republic of Kosovo, it turns out that the Republic of Kosovo, despite satisfactory achievements, should be engaged more and more strongly in building a functioning, democratic and legal system by addressing also the remaining economic and social challenges as well as additional legislative challenges in term of quality of law.


In this paper, we introduce a slope stability analysis method based on the finite element strength reduction method and discuss the basic principle of this method, physical significance of the safety factor, selection of yield criteria and criteria for slope failure. In the instance, we continuously reduce the slope strength parameter and then substitute it into the finite element program for slope stability calculation until the calculation does not converge. By this point, the reduction factor is the safety factor of the slope. The results show that, when the reduction factor keeps increasing and reaches a certain value, the plastic strain in the slope starts from the bottom to the top, putting the slope under the ultimate state. At this point, the reduction factor is the safety factor. The finite element strength reduction method is very applicable to slope stability analysis.


The lung is the most frequently affected organ in HIVinfected patients. Lung involvement usually appears as pulmonary infiltrates on chest radiographs and is frequently—although not always—associated with clinical respiratory symptoms. Pulmonary diseases represent one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in these patients and remain the first cause of hospital admission in the highly active antiretroviral therapy era. Since earlier studies, important changes in the epidemiology of HIVrelated pulmonary complications have occurred, mostly because of Pneumocystis jirovecii prophylaxis and the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy. Currently, the most frequent diagnosis is bacterial pneumonia, especially pneumococcal pneumonia; the second most frequent cause is Pneumocystis pneumonia; and the third cause is mycobacteriosis, particularly Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Infections are the most frequent cause of pulmonary complications in HIV patients, but noninfectious diseases must be also considered in the etiologic diagnosis of pulmonary infiltrates. Achieving an etiologic diagnosis of pulmonary infiltrates is important because of its prognostic consequences.


Recently the new computer architecture with asymmetric multi-core processor, Cell/B.E., was released. It is very different from the usual sequential single-core CPU. The Cell/B.E. is a very high performance machine for scientific/engineering application and cheap so that it can be used personally or in a small group. But programming strategy to achieve a good performance is different from traditional machines. In this paper we report a possible application of the Cell/B.E. to numerical simulations of lattice QCD (Quantum Chromo Dynamics) using a code which was developed for an open source. It may open new possibility that realistic lattice QCD calculations can be performed in small laboratories without a super computer. The code is designed for PSE, i.e., a high performance programs which can be used by those who are non-specialist of numerical simulations and use the simulation for their research. To our knowledge, this is the first application of PSE to the quantum Monte Carlo simulations.


Implementation of antibody screening followed by nucleic acid amplification techniques in blood donor screening have significantly reduced transfusion related viral transfusion over the last several years but bacterial contamination still remains a longstanding problem in transfusion medicine. Platelets are especially affected because of favorable conditions for bacterial growth like the storage temperature and the biological composition of platelet concentrates.


Extended State Observer (ESO) and the α β γ − − Tracker are introduced and compared. In comparison, the ESO is found to be more noise resistant. The extended state used for the estimation of the general system dynamics in real time makes it suitable for fault detection. Four control schemes are proposed for self-reconfiguration upon fault detection. These schemes are Active Disturbance Rejection Control, Tracker-based Feedback Control, Fuzzy Logic Control and Tracker-based PID Control. To compare their control performance, these schemes are applied to three different applications namely Active Engine Vibration Isolation System, Three-Tank Dynamic System and MEMS Gyroscope System. The advantages and disadvantages of using the control schemes for each application are presented.


The research is devoted to the study of the life and work of the outstanding Ukrainian astronomer-theoretician Kostyantyn Savchenko (1910–1956), who worked in the field of celestial mechanics and dynamic cosmogony at the Kharkiv and Odesa astronomical observatories in 1930–1950 years. As a result of historio-graphic analysis, we found that till now there is no comprehensive study of his scientific biography besides several publications related to certain facts of his life and activity, mostly in the Odesa period, including the reminiscences by Prof. V.K.Abalakin. Despite this, the vast majority of aspects of the scientist's life, including his scientific and teaching activity in the Kharkiv period in 1930s, remains unexplored. The astronomer's scientific work was devoted to the study of the motion and rotation of celestial bodies with variable masses, the exploration of the perturbations of the planets by geometry methods, research of the physical nature of gravity, and the development of cosmogonic theories. We consistently describe the life and activity of Prof. K.N.Savchenko at the Kharkiv and Odesa astronomical observatories, the scientific and teaching work at the Kharkiv State University, the Kherson State Pedagogical Institute, and the Odesa State University, analyzing the archive documents and his scientific publications.


The second most common cancer among world women is breast cancer. We have many categorize of breast cancer. About 40000 women die for this cause in resent year[1]. We consider the relationship between happiness and life expectancy with death anxiety in patients with breast cancer. In this article we use logistic regression in R. Results show us that by increasing the awareness and understanding of people's beliefs about this disease, they can increase the ways of happiness and life expectancy in these people which reduces the anxiety of death in these patients.


The ways of development of ion chromatography in Ukraine from the eighties of the last century to the present time are shown. The achievements of research institutes, in particular, the Dumansky Institute of Colloid Chemistry and Water Chemistry of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, in the development of ion chromatographic methods for the analysis of organic and inorganic anions in various objects, including natural and drinking waters, are highlighted. Scientists of Ukraine (A.T. Pilipenko, O.V. Zuy, A.V. Terletskaya) compared commercially available sorbents for ion chromatography – HIKS-1, ANIEKS-N and KANK ASt for their use in water analysis. The studies were carried out on an ion chromatograph "Tsvet-3006" with a conductometric detector. It has been shown that ANIEKS-N with a borate eluent is the best sorbent for the determination of organic monocarboxylic acid ions, and KANK ASt with a carbonate-hydrocarbonate eluent – for the determination of inorganic anions. Ion chromatography has been used to solve a number of practical problems: for the separation of oxoanions  iodate, chlorate and bromate in waters, to control the results in the development of chemiluminescent methods for the determination of chloride, nitrite and nitrate, to establish the mechanism of destruction of anionic surfactants under the action of vacuum ultraviolet radiation and corona discharge. The method was applied to the analysis of iodine-containing bottled waters for bromide ions due to the absence of the interference from iodides. The accumulated experience has contributed to the adoption in Ukraine of four state standards for water quality, based on the use of the ion chromatographic method. It is shown that the method of ion chromatography at the present stage is widely used in various sectors of the national economy: to determine the traces of anions in steam condensate of power plants, to control the anionic composition of water at nuclear power plants, to correct water treatment processes at waterworks, in particular, when analyzing chlorite ions in tap water obtained with the use of chlorine dioxide as a disinfectant.


Cordopexy, an operation that has been performed on 75 patients, (98 sides)for undescended testes, is disoussed. It successfully kept the testis in place in the scrotum in 89sides, with a cure rate of 93%.


Keady1 presents some updated guidelines on the drug treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). However, in order to provide clear management guidelines, we believe that the review should have first addressed the definition of GOR (ie, physiological) versus GORD (ie, pathological). In fact, the results of a recent survey on the knowledge, attitudes and practice styles of North American paediatricians …


Age-dependent hearing loss involves pathological changes affecting the peripheral as well as the central auditory system. The Mongolian Gerbil is a rodent with an average life span of 3-4 years, which shows, in contrast to mice and rats, sensitive hearing in the frequency range that is important for human communication. Consequently, gerbils have been used to study structural and functional aspects of age-dependent hearing loss at the level of the cochlea and auditory brain stem nuclei. In addition, age-dependent changes in behavioural performance have been characterised for different auditory tasks. We have also analysed the effect of certain drugs on impaired temporal processing in old gerbils. The data from gerbils contribute to a framework that helps to better understand the mechanisms contributing to age-dependent hearing loss and may lead to new pharmacotherapeutic strategies for the treatment of age-dependent central hearing loss.


Spreadsheets are widely used but subject to various defects. In this paper, we present SGUARD to effectively detect spreadsheet defects. SGUARD learns spreadsheet features to cluster cells with similar computational semantics, and then refines these clusters to recognize anomalous cells as defects. SGUARD well balances the trade-off between the precision (87.8%) and recall rate (71.9%) in the defect detection, and achieves an F-measure of 0.79, exceeding existing spreadsheet defect detection techniques. We introduce the SGUARD implementation and its usage by a video presentation (https://youtu.be/gNPmMvQVf5Q), and provide its public download repository (https://github.com/sheetguard/sguard).


Because of the thermal resistance, high mechanical properties, biocompatibility, PEEK have increasingly extended their application in medicals, aircraft, industrial fields and so on. In FDM, a low crystallinity can be got to limit volume contraction to avoid weak interlaminar bonding, which results in the conflict between high interlaminar bonding and crystallinity. In this study, a CO2 laser device was adopted to improve both the interlaminar shear strength and the crystallinity of PEEK part synchronously in FDM. A series of test was then successively implemented. And after the observation and the analysis of the results, an obvious improvement was got that its interlaminar shear strength could improve over 45%, while its crystallinity could improve over double times for PEEK. Additionally, the process suggests a much potential in developing the gradient distribution of the crystallinity or stiffness in multi-function integration manufacturing for PEEK-like semi-crystalline materials.


The purpose of this study was to analyze the multi-relationships between imagery in sports, self-confidence and body mass index and sporting success of male and female elite futsal athletes. 60 male and 40 female served as subjects for this study. Three questionnaires were used to measure imagery in sports, self-confidence and conceptual sporting success. The psychometric characteristics of these instruments in this study and the studies by others were reported to be successful. Also measuring height and weight were used for determining the body mass index. Multi regression equation was applied to test which predictor variables (imagery in sport, self-confidence, body mass index), could predict criterion variable (sporting success). The results, at significant level (α= 0.05), showed that the variable of imagery in sports in male athletes and self-confidence variable in female athletes could more effectively predict their sporting success in futsal games. It is, therefore, to propose that the coaches should provide such conditions for male elite athletes to improve imagery variable and self-confidence in female elite athletes to achieve success in futsal games


A class of viscoelastic materials is defined by the parametric constitutive equations σ = σ(e,t) and T = T(e,t). It is shown that the creep rates and relaxation rates of such materials are determined by their thermal properties and the ambient temperature, and that the assumptions of constant stress of strain respectively and constant temperature are incompatible.


Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia is the second most common nosocomial infection and the first most common infection in Intensive Care Units .The present study was conducted to investigate the Epidemiology of ventilatorassociated pneumonia in intensive care units of hospitals affiliated to Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. The present descriptive-analytical study was conducted in ICU patients in hospitals in Mazandaran province over a period of 14 months. The research setting consisted of the ICUs of hospitals in Mazandaran province in Iran. The study population consisted of patients over the age of 18 hospitalized in these units and connection to mechanical ventilation. The patients' data were collected on a daily basis by the hospital infection control staff. The statistical analysis of the data was carried out in SPSS version 20 Results: Of the total of 562 patients examined (5965 days), 205 developed VAP (36.5%).The incidence of VAP was reported as 34.367% per each 1000 days of tracheal intubation. The incidence of VAP was directly correlated with reintubation, age, the duration of ventilation, the Glasgow coma score, nasogastric intubation, the use of stress ulcer prophylaxis, the use of mouthwash and tracheostomy. Conclusion: The incidence of VAP was almost twice the global rate in this study. Gram-negative bacteria were the most common cause of VAP and multi-antibiotic resistance was also perceived among the participants. This problem can be solved if changes are made to the empirical treatment of patients based on the careful assessment of multiantibiotic resistant organisms.


An infinite periodic structure is usually modeled using a single span with appropriate periodic conditions. If a large finite periodic structure with N spans behaves like an infinite periodic structure, then, here also a single span model will suffice giving cost savings in computation. This paper is about such a meeting point between infinite and finite periodic structures. The propagation constant of an infinite periodically supported beam is obtained analytically from the response of a finite periodically supported beam. In an infinite periodic beam, e g (g is the complex propagation constant) is the ratio of velocities in any two neighboring spans and is obtained using a single span model. Here, it is shown (analytically and experimentally) that if the finite periodic beam has enough spans, then eg computed from the first two spans will match eg for an infinite periodic beam in the attenuation zones.


Purpose
The purpose was to test how best to bring about informal learning in the auditing profession

Design/methodology/approach
The author recruited audit professionals from New England via LinkedIn and asked them to fill in a questionnaire anonymously, which took an average of six minutes and 37 seconds. There were 95 usable responses to the survey, 53% of whom were male and 47% female. A total of 28% were from Big Four firms and 21% were from firms with fewer than 16 audit partners.

Findings
The study revealed the value of access to work resources (time), management support and the relevance of age in developing informal learning. It also confirmed the value of the pyramid structure and a review/feedback process, especially for less experienced auditors.

Originality/value
Researchers have tended to focus on formal learning rather than informal learning.


This article describes preferred places of drinking and ways of obtaining alcohol beverages by 1,480 jewish, Moslem, Christian and Druze adolescent drinkers from 29 schools in 13 locations in the north of Israel in winter 1994. The pub is the primary source of alcohol for Jewish adolescents, whereas the home is the main alcohol source for non-Jewish teenagers. Most Jew and Druze teenagers obtain alcohol by themselves. Most Moslems get their drinks from same-age friends. Most Christians get alcohol from their parents. This article presents gender and grade differences, sa well as cultural-oriented suggestions for preventive initiatives.


Determination of carnitine (l-β-hydroxy-γ-trimethylaminobutyric acid) in biological samples plays an important role in the diagnosis of diseases with carnitine deficiency (1). In the past few years, and also in this Journal, several spectrophotometric methods for assaying carnitine in serum have been described (2)(3)(4)(5)(6). To our knowledge, however, no data have been published on the biological variation of this serum analyte.

For any new test, data on the biological variation generated from the healthy population may be used (a) in setting desirable performance standards or analytical goals, (b) in assessing the utility of conventional population-based reference intervals, and (c) in critically evaluating the significance of changes in serial results from an individual (7).

To investigate the analytical and biological variation of free and total carnitine, as well as of the acyl/free carnitine ratio, we collected blood samples once a week for 4 weeks from each of 14 healthy subjects (7 men and 7 nonpregnant women, ages 21–23 years), students of Mathias Belius University. The subjects agreed to maintain current dietary habits, body weight, and exercise program (if any) for the duration of the study. The criteria of the hospital Ethics Committee were respected in this experiment.

To minimize sources of preanalytical variation, venous blood specimens were drawn between 0800 and 0900 h after ∼12 h of fasting. The subjects …


Effect of 1-methylcyclopropene on 'Royal Gala' apples stored under normal atmosphere . In order to study the evolution of the quality characteristics of apples cv. Royal Gala under refrigerated air storage, 625 ppb of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) were applied to the fruits for 24 h at 0 oC. Fruit samples were analysed after storage and after 7 days at 20 oC (shelf-life) for titratable acidity, pulp firmness, total soluble solids content and skin colour along a 180 days storage period. The storage conditions in the first year were 0 oC and 90-95 % RH in commercial storage rooms, while in the second year the fruits were stored at 2 oC and 90-95 % RH, in experimental storage rooms. The results showed that in the second year the fruits had a higher maturity index at harvest as compared to the first year. In both years, after storage and after the shelf-life period, the fruits treated with 1-MCP showed the same tendency in all the analysed characteristics, with significantly higher ( P < 0,05) titratable acidity and pulp firmness.


In this paper, we examine a resonant capacitor current feedback (RCCF) self-oscillating resonant inverter from nonlinear point of view. By adopting a four-stage equivalent model, we derive the soft-switching dead time from time-domain for the series resonant capacitor linked parallel load circuit. Importantly, we propose a nonlinear model for the current feedback and gate-drive circuit. Based on analyzing the switching transition interval of this model, the determination of feedback parameters is inferred with given input power and resonant elements. Experimental results have been obtained for a RCCF self-oscillating inverter operating at 3 MHz and 300 V bus voltage.


Drawing on a critical perspective stemming from socially informed studies of medicine, we analyze an ongoing effort to establish electronic nursing plans at the university hospital of central Norway (St. Olav's hospital). We argue for an alternative interpretation of the relative lack of success to date of making the nurses use the nursing plans. Rather than a preoccupation with the singular artifact the - plan - we emphasize the process of planning as a collective, ongoing and heterogeneous achievement. Our perspective on plans implies that they should be recognized as more of a network and less a singular artifact.


In this contribution, an initial investigation of t he ignition behavior of large two-stroke marine die sel sprays has been performed. At engine-like conditions, the OH radical was traced with an intensified high speed c amera and a sophisticated optical setup. A series of spectroscopic meas ur ments showed, however, that the soot incandescen ce strongly contributes to the UV signal, superimposing with or ev en masking the chemiluminescence of the OH radical. As the combustion of typical fuels used in large two-stroke e ngines involves the formation of non-negligible amo unts of soot, the signal is almost omnipresent during the oxidation p rocess. A differentiation between the UV-light emit ted by the OH radical and the UV-light emitted by soot incandesce nce is only possible when both signals are measured separately. Therefore, a second high speed camera recorded the light coming from soot incandescence. In addition, t recorded the background illuminated spray plume to make an exact positioning of the OH* signal relative to the spra y possible. A comparison of the two images then allowed the diffe rentiation between the two light sources. In a firs t measurement series, which included a temperature variation, ign itio delay, ignition location and flame lift-off h ave been measured. The results are in accordance with literature, as t hey show a dramatic decrease in ignition delay towa rds higher gas temperature. On the other hand the standard deviati on increases towards lower gas temperatures. The ig nition location and lift-off showed similar behavior: Lower gas tem perature corresponds to an increase of the distance between ignition location/lift-off and nozzle orifice along with inc reased standard deviation. It could be shown that t he applied technique works for the investigation of large marine diesel engine combustion systems. INTRODUCTION The global ecological changes have triggered action s at various levels and big efforts have been made towar ds reducing the environmental impact of human activiti es in many sectors. In recent years, also shipping has co me more and more into the focus of legislative bodies, r sulting in the introduction and further development of he MARPOL Annex VI [1]. This regulation aims at limiti ng the emissions of pollutants such as NO x, SOx and particulate matter as well as at the further enhancement of the efficiency of marine transport in order to minimize the CO2 output. As a consequence, the priorities in the de velopment of power systems in this sector are event ually changing and a considerably more thorough optimizat ion is required. This can only be achieved on the basis of an in-depth understanding and profound knowledge of th e processes related to combustion in marine diesel en gin s. Investigations of the injection process, mixture fo rmation, ignition behavior and combustion characteristics at conditions representative of such combustion systems a re required for establishing the necessary insight int o these highly complex in-cylinder phenomena of large two-stroke marine diesel engines. Finally, this ena bles and expedites the optimization and development of c oncepts and solutions for efficient diesel combustion . Furthermore, the acquisition of fundamental reference data with regard to spray and combustion characteristics is an absolute prerequisite for the further development o f computational fluid dynamic (CFD) tools to assist t he marine diesel engine combustion system design [2]. The Spray Combustion Chamber (SCC) represents a marine diesel engine-like combustion system, which as been developed [3] and operated within the frame wo rk of HERCULES (High-Efficiency R&D on Combustion with Ultra Low Emissions for Ships), a large scale research project [4] funded under the EC's Framework Programs. The experimental setup enables investigat ions and observations of in-cylinder processes at releva nt conditions (up to 20 MPa peak firing pressure) such as fuel spray morphology and evaporation, ignition beh avior, combustion and subsequently, emission formati on. Furthermore, the fuel admission of a variety of dif erent fuels including residual fuel types (heavy fuel oil ) is realized by an engine-like injection system (common ra il, pressure up to 120 MPa). The injected fuel can be o bserved under reactive as well as non-reactive (nitr ogen) chamber conditions [5]. A wide range of combustion diagnostics techniques can be applied, thereby maki ng use of the extensive optical accessibility via sapp hire windows of 100 mm and 150 mm clear diameter. The mixture formation and the ignition process are essential features of combustion and the subsequent pollutant formation in diesel engines. Therefore, afte r xtensive investigations on the spray morphology and the fuel/air mixture [6]-[8] for a wide range of gas co nditions as well as fuel qualities, initial experiments have been performed to better understand the phenomena relate d to the ignition and start of combustion of the injecte d diesel fuel spray. The auto-ignition process in a diesel engine is a highly complex process with physical as well as che mical sub-processes starting with the fuel injection. This can be noticed by a significant rise of the pressur e or emissions of natural light radiation. These light e missions, so called chemiluminescence [9], [10] origin ate from excited states of specific molecules formed by exothermic chemical reactions that occur primarily dur ing stochiometric combustion of typical hydrocarbon fue ls. The OH* chemiluminescence is an excellent marker fo r the temporal and spatial location of the initial co mbustion reactions. During the subsequent combustion, s ot i created whose luminosity arises from the thermal or gray-body emission caused by soot particles heated up almost to the flame temperature of the combustion process [10]. In this contribution we present an initial investig ation of the ignition behavior and the combustion of fuel sprays relevant for large two-stroke marine diesel engines using OH* chemiluminescence and simultaneous back illuminated imaging measurements [10]. The sig nificance of the OH* chemiluminescence measurements is proven by spectroscopic analysis of the emitted fla me light of the combustion. Measurements were made at a variation of temperatures while gas density was kep t constant in order to establish the influence on ign ition delay and ignition. Furthermore, the flame lift-off as the most upstream location of fully established combust ion has been determined. EXPERIMENTAL SETUP Figure 1 shows the schematic principle of the Spray Combustion Chamber. In two high pressure bottles th gas – air or nitrogen – is compressed up to 320 bar . To pressurize the combustion chamber, the inlet valves op n and the cold gas passes the regenerator. Its big su rface heats up the gas before entering the chamber via th e inclined inlet port. As a consequence of the tilted i ntake a strong swirl is generated, as it is typical for lar ge two-stroke engines. After the experiment the outlet valve opens and releases the filling into the exhaust. Fig. 1 Schematic principle of the experimental setu p, exemplifying the operational (filling, heat up, swi rl, njection) and functional aspects (window position, e xhaust valve). The dimension of the optically accessible constant volume chamber is representative for smaller two-stro ke as well as larger four-stroke marine diesel engines (Ø 500 x 150 mm). At start of injection, realistic operating conditions are achieved in terms of cylinder pr essures, gas temperature and swirl [11]. The SCC allo ws large optical access through sapphire windows (Ø 100 150 mm) which can be positioned at several locations to investigate large sprays. For the present work, the following setups have bee n applied to investigate the ignition behavior of lar ge marine diesel sprays. For the spectral investigation of light emitted by the combustion, a spectrometer (ARC Spec traPro-300i) has been combined with a LaVision high speed image intensifier (IRO) and a HSS6 high speed camera. Fig. 2 shows the setup in front of the SCC. A dichroic mirror (UV-guard) in front of the window r eflects the UV light into the spectrometer while the visible and the infrared light are transmitted. With a UV-objective (UV-Nikkor), the light is collected an d focused onto the entrance slit of the spectrometer. Fig. 2 Setup for spectral analysis Based on the results and observations of the spectr al analysis the setup shown in Fig. 3 was built up. Si milar to the previous setup it consists of a UV mirror wh ich separates the UV light from the visible light. The light from the OH* is directed through a narrow band pass filter (313 nm, FWHM 10 nm) and a UV objective, int o the LaVision high speed image intensifier (IRO). Vi sible and infrared light is transmitted through the mirro r and filtered with a narrow band pass filter (689.1 nm, T60%, FWHM 10.6 nm), before recorded with a second HSS6 camera. Fig. 3 Setup for simultaneous investigation of OH* chemiluminescence and back illuminated images / soot incandescence To visualize the spray by means of back illuminatio n [12] the setup was additionally equipped with a Cav ilux laser diode (690 nm) in combination with a diffusin g plate as described in [6]. For both setups the fram e rate of the cameras was set to 16 kHz. The intensifier was driven with 90% gain and a gati ng of 50 μs. For the spectral investigations the image si z was set to 1024 x 368 pixels. For calibration the setup was tested and configured using a mercury arc lamp. Wit h the help of the mercurys distinct spectra, the spectral resolution of the setup was determined. The two local max i at 313.1 nm and 435.8 nm were imaged with a distanc e of 279 pixels what results in a horizontal resoluti n of 0.44 nm/pixel. The vertical axis was left in pixel, it represents the vertical position of the emitting ob ject. For simultaneous measurements of chemiluminescen


Retention policies in higher education institutions in India are formulated on the basis of performance of faculty members of the institutions. Till date, academic credentials of faculty members are the basis of their recruitment and selection. But for retaining high performers in the institutions, intelligence beyond cognitive should be inculcated in performance measurement systems of the institutions. This study explores the impact of emotional and spiritual intelligence on performance of faculty members for retention using structural equation modeling. The study reveals that there is significant impact of emotional and spiritual intelligence on faculty performance. Therefore, these forms of intelligence must be included and implemented for performance assessment in higher education systems while framing retention policies.


In this paper, we propose extensions of affine classical linear algebra(ACL-algebra) and many-valued algebra(MV-algebra), the emphasis is being on the latter. MV-algebras are algebraic models of à Lukasiewicz א0-valued logic(à Lא0) and that was established long back in 1958 by C.C. Chang. MV-algebra is recently studied from the angle of fuzzy set theory. Also it is investigated in connection with substructural logics. CL-algebras are algebraic models of multiplicative additive fragment of linear logic(MALL). Linear logic was introduced by J. -Y. Girard and in A.S. Troelstra's terms 'is interesting from a logical point of view, and potentially of considerable interest for computer science'. Affine CL-algebra is a special case of CL-algebra. Logic corresponding to this algebra is MALL with one structural rule weakening. Interconnection between à Lukasiewicz logic, linear logic and other substructural logics has been an important topic of research in recent years [1].


In recent years, several studies focused on developing processes aimed at recovering nutrients such as nitrogen. In this paper, a real plant for ammonia stripping has been tested on a real aqueous waste in order to optimize the process conditions (air flow rate and pH). The results of a finite element mathematical model were compared with the ones of experimental tests. The results showed that 500 Nm/h was the minimum flow rate necessary to allow reaching ammonia nitrogen removals close to 80% in 9 hours of stripping (reactor operating in semibatch mode). Moreover, the tests showed the possibility of increasing the pH value by exploiting the alkalinity that characterizes the digestates without the dosage of reagents for basification (e.g. NaOH).


Traditionally, state and local governments have responsibility for the implementation of federal highway programs and policies. The effectiveness and outcomes of these programs, therefore, largely depend on the complex relations between federal and state highway agencies and policies that are directly affected by individual differences in state political and socioeconomic conditions. To investigate differences in state highway policy implementation, data on political and economic conditions, highway revenue and expenditures, federal aid, and highway program development were compiled and analyzed. The relations among these variables are examined using factor and path analyses methods. The findings of this research suggest that the implementation of highway policy is weakened by inflexibility and internal contradictions between federal and state policies casused by differences in state and local transportation needs nad categorical federal aid policy. In particular, the Interstate highway program depended on attractive federal aid matching incentives that were not necessarily responsive to or appropriate for state and local transportation requirements. A transportation trust fund that is subdivided into a hierarchy of separate interstate, regional, and urban transportation funds is recommended. The trust funds would promote the integration of the different transportation networks and would permit transportation agencies to draw on these funds as needed to match their individual problems to appropriate solutions, unhindered by categorical or model restrictions. Future policy decisions should include provisions for testing and evaluating results and performance. /Author/


Pounded blastemas of regeneration favour RNA synthesis is neoblasts of posterior parts of Dendrocoelum lacteum, cut behind the pharynx, which normally fail to regenerate a head; and induce excrescences. Fixed parenchyma cells and other differentiated tissues do not synthesize RNA with pounded blastemas.


Rpt3 (regulatory particle triple-A ATPase3) is a subunit of the proteasome 19S regulatory particle (RP). The primary functions of 19S RP include recognition of ubiquitinated target proteins, unfolding and translocation of target proteins into the catalytic cavity of the 20S core particle. In our previous study, Rpt3 was found to be SUMOylated by SUMO2 in COS7 cells. In this study, the strong SUMOylation of Rpt3 by SUMO1 and SUMO2 was clearly observed in HEK293T cells. However, the exact SUMOylation site of Rpt3 was not determined by expression of truncated Rpt3 and Rpt3 mutants containing K62R, K69R and K408R mutations within the Ψ-K-x-D/E SUMOylation consensus motifs. Nonetheless, the SUMO-interacting motif SIM3 on Rpt3 may be involved in modulating Rpt3 SUMOylation, as mutation of SIM3 reduced the SUMOylation level of Rpt3 in HEK293T cells. By using the live cell imaging to analyze the expression of GFP-Rpt3 fusion protein in HEK293T cells, the data showed that GFP-Rpt3 was primarily distributed in the cytoplasm, and a small population of cells containing GFP-Rpt3 in the nucleus. However, the cell population containing nuclear GFP-Rpt3 only slightly increased after treatment of proteasome inhibitor MG132. This study suggests that Rpt3 is SUMOylated by SUMO1 and SUMO2 in HEK293T cells. However, the detailed SUMOylation mechanism and the SUMOylation sites of Rpt3 remain elusive.


Continuous Positive Air Pressure (CPAP) devices are used to generate pressurized airflow to relieve upper airways and allow Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) patients to breathe comfortably and easily. The airflow path in these devices consists of several components including but is not limited to inlet and outlet ducts, a centrifugal fan, a humidifier and a human interface. These components contribute significantly to the noise generated by the airflow.This research paper present a numerical study of a centrifugal fan performed with commercial ANSYS software package to predict the sound and vibration produced by the centrifugal fan. The methodologies are following: first, the unsteady flow field is computed using the CFD model to obtain aerodynamic quantities and sound sources. Then, the finite element method (FEM) is used to predict the flow-induced vibration using the predicted aerodynamic quantities. Finally, the Ffowcs-William and Hawkings's (FW-H) acoustic analogy is used to predict the acoustic pressure at the far-field using the sound sources from the unsteady simulation.Copyright © 2013 by ASME


Abstract : The conductivity of alkaline-haloid salts in aliphatic alcohols has still been studied very weakly. The present literature data relate basically to lower alcohols. The work reported is devoted to the study of the electrical conductivity of solutions of sodium iodide in higher aliphatic alcohols for the purpose of studying the properties of maximally diluted solutions. (Author)


Being used for many years, the existing structure differs from original design in performance and load-appearance. According to the realities, this paper presents the method of serial connection analysis to calculate structural collapse probability. We achieve the maintenance design for existing structural reliability by direct adjusting the failure probability of a structural system. Therefore, we can assess the safety of the structure and provide a theoretical basis for maintenance of existing frame structure.


The Associação Acredita Portugal is a non-profit organization that promotes entrepeneurship and helps thousands of entrepreneurs every year in launching their projects (Associação Acredita Portugal, 2018; João Wengorovius Meneses et al., 2012; Jornal Económico, 2016; PME Magazine, 2018). Dreamshaper is one of the information systems that the organization uses to support entrepreneurs in a more scalable way (Dreamshaper, 2020; Laranjeiro, 2019; Macias de Castro, 2017). Despite initially considering the implementation of Dreamshaper in Acredita Portugal a success, it had never been developed an analysis to determine the real impact of the information system to its users (Acredita Portugal, 2020). As a way to understand the impact of the information system to the supported entrepreneurs, this is, if the impact has diminished or if updating the information system and its contents would lead to a greater impact to the entrepreneurs, the survey method and the framework CCP to develop a study that used the answers annually to the questionnaires of satisfaction given by the participants of the entrepreneurship competition of Acredita Portugal (Fowler Jr., 2014; Roberts, 1999; Stockdale & Standing, 2006). It was verified that despite the existence of an increase of satisfaction and learning experience in the year posterior to the implementation of Dreamshaper, both decreased gradually as the years passed. Therefore, complementing this information with the analysis of other data, the impact on the entrepreneurs by the information system Dreamshaper has a positive impact the use it, however the information system should suffer an update to maintain its usefulness to the target-audience. Besides being used as the basis of this study, the results and analysis we're also published has a dashboard that shall be used by the Associação Acredita Portugal in a updates, impact and evolution of the information system.


GLOSSARY OF HYDROLOGY, 1992 by Shuh-shiaw Lo Printed and bound by Sheng Te Printers Ltd, Taipei, Taiwan, China. Distributed by Water Resources Publications, P.O. Box 2841, Littleton, Colorado 80161, USA. ISBN Number 0-918334-74-8


The galbanic acid (1) is a sesquiterpene coumarin ether occurred in the resin of Ferula assa-foetida L. (Umbelliferae) and also found in various species of the Ferula genus. It had been isolated for the first time from the gum resin of F. microloba in 19721 and its structure (2) was postulated by Borisov et al. in 1973.2 However, the proposed structure was completely revised as 1 in 1980 by an analysis of 300 MHz 'H NMR spectrum? On the other hand, Kajimoto and his co-worker had isolated a compound named asacoumarin B (3) from F. assa-foetida in 1989, and suggested a struc ture which had been quite different from that of I.4 They had proposed the structure of asacoumarin B particularly by the investigation of the ozonolysis product. However, the asacoumarin B was revealed recently to be a galbanic acid (1) by Appendino et al.5 They had investigated the structure of 3 by the aid of 2-D NMR techniques, which was not dep icted in detail in literature, and confirmed the structure of galbanic acid as 1 suggested by Bagirov et al. in 1980? In the process of searching for new compounds from the gum resin of F. assafoetida, we found the presumed same compound as 1 at least on the basis of the patterns and 나lemical 아)ifts of and 13C NMR. Although there are numerous indirect ways6 to elucidate the carbon skeleton of organic molecules, indirect approach fails and some ambig uities remain further in the assignment of carbon resonances when the proton spectra do not exhibit well resolved signals. All of these limitations could be solved if we could meas ure the direct carbon-carbon correlations. Because the importance of correct chemical shifts as signments even can never be overstated to unlock all the in formation present in the spectrum, it is worth reinvestigat ing the controversial structure of galbanic acid (1). Consequently, we reinvestigate the structure of 1 by 2D NMR techniques including 2D INADEQUATE and herein report the unambiguous results and correct stereochemistry of 1.


This paper describes the main challenges faced by asset intensive industries on achieving the operational goals related to reliability and maintainability, as well as how to overcome them using a simple yet powerful systematic approach within the framework of the right asset management strategy. In addition, this paper describes several examples of typical outcomes expected when Reliability Programs are properly defined and implemented as part of a customized Asset Management strategy.


approved: aie6,4 0/41 Corey V. Ransom and Carol Mallory-Smith Field studies were conducted in 1998 and 1999, to evaluate glyphosate and glufosinate for control of redroot pigweed, common lambsquarters, hairy nightshade, and barnyardgrass in herbicide-resistant sugarbeets. Treatments that included two or three applications of glyphosate, regardless of rate, or glyphosate applied once in combination with BAS 656 07 H or ethofumesate, resulted in 83 to 100 percent redroot pigweed, common lambsquarters and hairy nightshade control. Redroot pigweed and barnyardgrass control was lower when glyphosate was applied to cotyledon sugarbeets, with sequential applications one and two weeks later, than when glyphosate was applied to two to four leaf sugarbeets. Sugarbeet yield with glyphosate treatments was greater than or equal to the standard herbicide program used in sugarbeets. Glufosinate applied earlypostemergence or mid-postemergence resulted in 78 to 100 percent redroot pigweed, common lambsquarters, and hairy nightshade control. Glufosinate following ethofumesate applied preplant incorporated or ethofumesate applied postemergence in combination with glufosinate provided weed control similar to the standard herbicide program. Barnyardgrass control was lowest with glufosinate applied postemergence in combination with ethofumesate. Glufosinate treatments that were applied in combination with ethofumesate postemergence resulted in lower sugarbeet yields. Slight sugarbeet injury was observed early in the growing season when ethofumesate was applied postemergence. However, weed control was the main factor that affected sugarbeet yield. Treatments did not affect sugarbeet sucrose content. Field dodder control, with glyphosate, ranged from 98 to 100 percent, 42 days after treatment. Glyphosate treatments reduced dodder dry weight compared to a conventional, herbicide program of the commercial premix of desmedipham and phenmedipham, tank mixed with triflusulfuron, and clopyralid. Sugarbeet dry weight was greater, and dodder dry weight was lower with the conventional program compared to the untreated control and a single application of glufosinate. Three applications of glufosinate, at 0.40 and 0.80 kg ai/ha with 3.4 kg ai/ha of AMS resulted in a lower dodder dry weight than three applications of glufosinate at 0.30 kg/ha with AMS and the untreated control. Glyphosate reduced dodder growth in some cases when applied before dodder attachment to glyphosate-resistant sugarbeets. Glufosinate applied before attachment to glufosinate-resistant sugarbeets had no effect on dodder growth. Dipping a single leaf from a dodder infested sugarbeet in a glyphosate solution reduced the growth of dodder that was attached to other sugarbeet leaves on the same plant. Since glyphosate was not in contact with dodder surface, the glyphosate that caused the dodder growth reduction translocated from the treated leaf to the leaves in which dodder was attached. Weed Control with Glyphosate and Glufosinate in Herbicide-Resistant Sugarbeets (Beta vulgaris L.) by Corey J. Guza A THESIS submitted to Oregon State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Presented April 26, 2000 Commencement June 2001 Master of Science thesis of Corey J. Guza presented on April 26, 2000.


Currently most resource allocation algorithms used in wireless communication networks arrange each user's transmission rate based on the type of user data, while neglecting the quality of the users' communication channels. In this study, the relationship between the target SINR (interference plus noise ratio) and the BER (bit error rate) requirement was established with consideration of both the communication channel decay and the error control mechanism. A minimum-power constraint was proposed to satisfy the requirement generated by the quality change in communication channels on transmission power. This algorithm analyzes the requirement of each time slot on the maximum transmission capacity, determines the variable capacity and the available channels of each time slot, and decides the transmission priority of data packets based on QoS requirements of various services. Ultimately, the proposed algorithm increases system capacity to satisfy the BER requirements and QoS requirements of various services by the simulation.


BACKGROUND
Efforts have been made for 25 years to develop asbestos risk assessments that provide valid information about workplace and community cancer risks. Mathematical models have been applied to a group of workplace epidemiology studies to describe the relationships between exposure and risk. EPA's most recent proposed method was presented at a public meeting in July 2008.

METHODS
Risk assessments prepared by USEPA, OSHA, and NIOSH since 1972 were reviewed, along with related literature.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS
None of the efforts to use statistical models to characterize relative cancer potencies for asbestos fiber types and sizes have been able to overcome limitations of the exposure data. Resulting uncertainties have been so great that these estimates should not be used to drive occupational and environmental health policy. The EPA has now rejected and discontinued work on its proposed methods for estimating potency factors. Future efforts will require new methods and more precise and reliable exposure assessments. However, while there may be genuine need for such work, a more pressing priority with regard to the six regulated forms of asbestos and other asbestiform fibers is to ban their production and use.


The aim of class teaching is comprehending by analogy;the teaching content should involve a comprehensive study of the subject;applying various teaching methods in order to empathy with students.The author introduced the class teaching of ancient medical literature as an example,which may be followed by other disciplines.


The smart grid and micro-grid technologies are playing necessary role in power system due to their benefi ts over traditional utility grid system. In micro grid, control and management has many functions to keep up stability and to boost power quality of the system. In this paper, a hierarchical control is presented which incorporates primary, secondary and tertiary control levels are planned for micro-grids. The primary control level consists of DG's local controllers. Every DG local controller contains active/reactive power droop controllers, voltage and current controllers, virtual impedance loop. The secondary control level is intended to manage the compensation of voltage unbalance at PCC in an islanded micro-grid. Voltage unbalance compensation is achieved by sending proper control signals to the DG's local controllers from secondary controller. This can be achieved by proper control of distributed generators(DG's)interface converters. The design procedure of the system for compensating the voltage unbalance is mentioned thoroughly and also the simulation is done by using MATLAB/SIMULINK.


This paper examines activity‐based costing (ABC) as a tool for organizational learning. More specifically, it is suggested that ABC can help business organizations engage in adaptive as well as generative learning. ABC facilitates adaptive learning by supporting continuous improvement and the management of existing knowledge. It facilitates generative learning by supporting the development of a learning culture and the social context in which new mental models can be developed. Important guidelines for implementing ABC to enhance organizational learning are distilled from a mini case study of a health care services provider.


cell lines and paired ibrutinb resistant patients primary cells. Resistant MEC-1 cell line was cultured in RPMI 1640 without ibrutinib for 48hrs before transfection, siRNA targeting with PTBP1 mRNA and nontargeting siRNA were transfected into cells by using lipofectamine 3000. The transfection efficiency was verified by Western blot after 24 h and ibrutinib was added into resistant cell line. Apoptosis was then analyzed using flow cytometry (FCM) after 24 hrs. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) and area under the ROC curve (AUC) were established to verify the best cut-off value in differentiating the high or low expression of PTBP1 mRNA. Time-to-first-treatment (TTFT) interval was defined as interval from diagnosis to first treatment. All statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS software program. Results: The expression of PTBP1 in CLL primary patients was significantly increased than 5 healthy donors (p < 0.01)(A). Patients with IGHV-mutated had higher level of PTBP1 as compared with patients with IGHV-unmutated (p < 0.05). Furthermore, Higher level of PTBP1 was associated with shorter TTFT in whole cohort, also in IGHVmutated and unmutated subgroup (p < 0.05)(B). We further demonstrated that PTBP1 was aberrant expressed in ibrutinib resistant MEC-1 cell line or ibrutinib resistant primary patients' samples, as compared with parent cell line or patients' baseline samples. We also found the dysregulation of alternative splicing of MCL-1 in ibrutinib resistant models, presented with increased anti-apoptotic MCL-1L and decreased pro-apoptotic MCL-1S(C). Moreover, knocking down of PTBP1 sensitized CLL to ibrutinib via switching alternative splicing of MCL-1 to its pro-apoptotic isform MCL-1S(D). Conclusions: The splicing factor PTBP1 is involved in the pathogenesis of CLL. Its aberrant expression may lead to the dysregulation of alternative splicing of MCL-1, resulted in increased MCL-1L/s ratio. PTBP1 can be as a promising target for the treatment of CLL patients progressed on ibrutinib.


The vibration-isolating rate of vibration isolating slot under buried pipe subjected to blasting seismic waves can been investigated by using the numerical method. For achieving a good vibration isolating effect, the depth of the vibration-isolating slot needs to be larger with the increase of the depth of the pore. The difference of the super-depth h leads to the difference in the trend of vibration isolating. The depth of the vibration-isolating slot is larger than the depth of the hole, which can improve the vibration-isolating rate. The different type of rock and soil medium is a significant effect on the vibration-isolating rate. To obtain ideal vibration-isolating effect, vibration-isolating slot depth compared with pipeline buried depth is greater than a certain value.


This study was the first to establish Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV; American Psychiatric Association, 1994) prevalence rates for eating disorders by targeting an entire sample of African American college women. Participants were 413 African American women enrolled at a large, predominantly Caucasian public university in the midwestern United States. Participants were given the Questionnaire for Eating Disorder Diagnoses (L. B. Mintz, M. S. O'Halloran, A. M. Mulholland, & P. A. Schneider, 1997). No respondents were classified as having anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, and 2% were classified as having an eating disorder not otherwise specified. Twenty-three percent were classified as symptomatic. Although there is some evidence that these prevalence rates may be underestimated, they are nevertheless in the same range as those obtained for comparative Caucasian samples. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.


This article questions the traditional accounts that see nationalism and imperialism as being mutually opposed phenomena. The author engages critically with the influential theories of Ernest Gellner and Andreas Wimmer and argues that the rise of nation-states owes more to the political actions of imperial rulers and less to the behavior of nationalist movements. The essay specifies three mechanisms inside nationalizing empires that matter for nationalism: elite actions, the politicization of minorities and the feelings of those who are politically excluded. In so doing it expands the category of those considered to be nationalist actors. The general idea is that nationalism has a great deal to do with the way empires behave.


【Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of Boheo-tang (B) and Boheo-tang plus cervi pantotrichum cornu (B+CP) on lactation in postpartum C57BL/6N mice. Methods: Normal saline(control), Band B+CP (8 mu l/g$ ) were administerd p.o. twice a day for 20 days. Lactating mammary gland tissues were examined through light microscope by the way of HE staining and immunohistochemical assay. Milk producing associated gene expression were accessed by RT-PCR. Results: In mammary gland, amount of adipose tissues were decreased in both Band B+CP treated group. And the ductal branches and alveolar tissues increased in both treated group. Immunoreactivity of prolactin receptors was increased both treated group, and immunoreactivity of oxytocin receptors was increased in the B+CP treated group. In both treated group, IGF-l mRNA expression was increased and TGF- $\beta$ mRNA expression was decreased. And PRL mRNA expression was increased in the B+CP treated group. PL-l mRNA expression was decreased in the B treated group but increased in the B+CP treated group. Conclusion: This study shows that treatment of Boheo-tang and Boheo-tang plus cervi pantotrichum cornu can improve postpartum lactation in C57BL/6N mice.】


Abstract Microlensing observations may give us the first nano-arcsecond scale information about the structure of quasars. I review what is currently known about quasars on these scales, highlighting the principal uncertainties. I cover both the continuum emission and the broad line region. I conclude that little is firmly known about the structure of quasars.


This paper explores the clinical value of high intensity focused ultrasound in the treatment of primary liver cancer. Compared with the control group (82.67%), the total effective rate of the observation group (94.67%) was higher (P < 0.05); compared with the control group (18.67%), the complication rate of the observation group (6.67%) was lower (P < 0.05); compared with the control group, the VAS pain score of the observation group (4.22 ± 1.18) was lower (P < 0.05); at the same time, after the treatment, the observation group's mental health, energy, general situation, body The scores of body function, physiological function, social function, emotional function and physiological function were significantly higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05). After the treatment of primary liver cancer patients with high-intensity focused ultrasound, it can not only improve the treatment effect and reduce the incidence of complications, but also promote the degree of cancer pain to reduce significantly, and make the quality of life of patients significantly improved.


Although bicytopenia or pancytopenia is an uncommon presentation in the neonatal intensive care units setup, it still carries a wide range of differential diagnoses ranging from simple benign to complex malignant etiologies. We report an unusual etiology of a neonatal bicytopenia and discuss our approach of management.


In order to describe the real shape of ship hull, a method of three - dimensional triangle grid auto -generation of the ship surface with the accumulative chord length cubic parameter spline is presented in this paper. This algorithm can finish the equal chords length of every station of the ship body plan and can also complete the station interpolation and sophistication at any arbitrary position along the ship length direction. Based on above, a simulation software is developed. The practical result illustrate that the software can provide many plans with rapid and nicety such as lashing and cushion.


One kind of floating-point addition / subtraction, multiplication, and division operations execution controller, it includes a floating point operand arithmetic control module configuration, the pulse generation control module; application execution controller FPGA design the hardwired control circuit for generating a pulse occurs in the control module independent control of the timing pulse arranged to complete the selection, the operator selects two operands involved in computing, the timing adjustment time period of the control pulses, timing control pulse is applied to the latch operation result, the system does not require arithmetic processing. The execution controller capable of performing two operands from both the system data bus operation, it is possible to perform an operand is the result of the last operation, each instruction to avoid the end of the calculation procedure needs to be written back the calculation result of division there are four processes, and during the floating-point operations, the system can be read in parallel from the result of the last operation of the execution controller, increasing the speed of operation of the system to perform floating-point instruction sequence addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.


In Korea, the hospital is classified as essential welfare business. The employees in Korea are given the right to organize the union, to bargain collectively and to engage in strike. In the past, the employees in the essential welfare business should undergo mandatory arbitration before they resorted to strike. The labor union had argued that this mandatory arbitration might undermine the right to strike. Accordingly, the Korea Government amended the relevant statute to the effect that mandatory arbitration was repealed and 「essential maintenance service」 was newly adopted. Under the new law, the union in essential welfare business may engage in strike without mandatory arbitration procedure. But, the union cannot stop providing the 「essential maintenance service」 even during the strike. This may harmonize the union's constitutional right of strike and the public welfare. In hospital, since the strike is usually accompanied by the sit-down in the facilities, it may violate the law that prohibits the taking of major facilities of the company. Also, the striker may not stop the maintenance of facilities relating to the security and safety. The medical law prescribes the duty of medicare people not to deny the medical care, and this may influence the right of union to engage in strike. In this context, this thesis will discuss the right of union in the hospital to engage in strike.


A method of enabling efficient wireless power delivery for a mobile receiver in a 3-D space is proposed. A reconfigurable planar array of coupled resonator (relay) coils is designed, and a method of choosing the optimal array configuration for a particular receiver position is proposed. Experimental results are obtained with a PCB implementation of the proposed planar relay array system operating near 13.56 MHz. Coverage improvements over conventional planar relay arrays are demonstrated.


Abstract We design and fabricate ultra-broadband achromatic metalenses operating from the visible into the short-wave infrared, 450–1700 nm, with diffraction-limited performance. A hybrid 3D architecture, which combines nanoholes with a phase plate, allows realization in low refractive index materials. As a result, two-photon lithography can be used for prototyping while molding can be used for mass production. Experimentally, a 0.27 numerical aperture (NA) metalens exhibits 60% average focusing efficiency and 6% maximum focal length error over the entire bandwidth. In addition, a 200 μm diameter, 0.04 NA metalens was used to demonstrate achromatic imaging over the same broad spectral range. These results show that 3D metalens architectures yield excellent performance even using low-refractive index materials, and that two-photon lithography can produce metalenses operating at visible wavelengths.


In this paper a SPICE model of bi-layer and bipolar metal oxide resistive random access memory (RRAM) is proposed. Stepped reset phenomenon in bipolar RRAM is included and the impact of buffer layer thickness on Ireset is reproduced. The model is verified by experimental results from AlOx/WOx based RRAM [1,2]. This model is useful for multi bits storage circuit design, read reference circuit design and other RRAM circuit.


Journal of Neuroanaesthesiology and Critical Care Vol. 07 Suppl. S1/2020 S100B levels, MRS at discharge, and extended Glasgow outcome scale (GOSE) at 1 and 3 months were observed. Results: No statistically significant difference was found with respect to jugular venous oxygen saturation in either group. However, intraoperative hemodynamic parameters were better maintained in patients receiving ketofol compared with those receiving propofol (p < 0.05) with decreased requirement of phenylephrine or mephentermine in ketofol group. There was no statistically significant difference in quality of brain relaxation, preoperative and postoperative ONSD, MRS, GOSE at 1 month and 3 months, SB100 levels, and number of ventilator days in the either group. Conclusions: Ketofol (combination of ketamine and propofol in the ratio 1:5) and propofol similarly maintain cerebral oxygenation. However, hemodynamics appears to be better maintained with ketofol as the maintenance agent.


Employing an intense laser field coupling to the degenerate two-level system of cesium 6 2S_ 1/2(F=4)- 6 2P_ 3/2(F′=5) transition in a cesium vapor cell, electromagnetically induced absorption (EIA) has been demonstrated via probe absorption spectra, at the same time, electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) of V-type three-level scheme has been demonstrated on the F=4-F′=3 and F=4-F′=4 transition frequency. The EIA is affected by the intensity and detuning of the coupling laser. By analyzing the effect of optical pumping between Zeeman sub-levels on the EIA and the coherent interactions between multiple degenerate two-level atoms, it is shown that the optical pumping affects the population of different Zeeman sub-levels and the number of the involved two-level atoms, the coherent time between the sub-levels is then changed and the linewidth and intensity of the EIA are affected accordingly.


Periodico di Mineralogia (2011), 80, 2, 287-307 - DOI:10.2451/2011 PM0021 Volcanic geology and petrology of the Val Calanna succession (Mt. Etna, Southern Italy): discovery of a new eruptive center Eugenio Nicotra, Carmelo Ferlito, Marco Viccaro* and Renato Cristofolini Dipartimento di Scienze Geologiche, Universita di Catania, Corso Italia 57, I-95129, Catania, Italy *Corresponding Author:  email@example.com Abstract A new geological survey of the Val Calanna area at Mt. Etna (the southeastern extension of Valle del Bove, hereafter VdB), along with petrographic and geochemical data, highlighted some differences in the volcanic succession with respect to that previously reported in literature. Our study confirms that the most ancient volcano-stratigraphic Unit of the VdB crops out at Mt. Calanna, recently interpreted as a dyke swarm. The Mt. Calanna Unit is overlain by the 80-m-thick lava succession of the Salto della Giumenta Unit, one of the Ancient Alkaline Centers. Above this, volcanics of the Mt. Zoccolaro Unit constitute the frame of the present-day homonymous ridge. Mt. Zoccolaro lavas are benmoreites characterized by amphibole megacrysts, showing features similar to those of the Trifoglietto phase (100-60 ka). The eastern portion of the Mt. Zoccolaro edifice is overlain by the volcanic succession of a newly recognized small-sized eruptive Center: the Fior di Cosimo (FdC). The FdC Unit is constituted of a sequence of alternating lavas and pyroclastic deposits which dip radially away from an inferred vent hypothetically located in the middle of Val Calanna. Relationships between major oxides of FdC lavas and their stratigraphic position show an increasing degree of differentiation through time, from basalts to benmoreites. Simulations of crystal fractionation through MELTS revealed that the most evolved FdC lavas can be derived by subtraction of 32% of ~An66-82 plagioclase, 8% of augitic clinopyroxene, 8 wt% of spinel, 4% of ~Fo68-72 olivine and traces (< 1%) of apatite from a basaltic composition (54% of total solid fractionated). The proposed model for the FdC magmatic evolution is therefore the intrusion of a slightly differentiated magma at shallow crustal levels. Magma supply should have then ceased forming a reservoir that allowed differentiation by crystal fractionation, gradually leading to an increase of the volatile pressure of the system. This favored amphibole crystallization, as observed in the last-emitted products. The available data suggest that FdC can be attributed to a pre-Ellittico eruptive phase. Key words : Valle del Bove; geological survey; magma differentiation; crystal fractionation; shallow feeding system.


Relaxor-based single crystals of complex perovskite solid solutions, Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O_3–PbTiO_3 [PMN–PT] and Pb(Zn_1/3Nb_2/3)O_3–PbTiO_3 [PZN–PT], exhibit extraordinary piezoelectric performance, with extremely high piezoelectric coefficients, very large electromechanical coupling factors, and exceptionally high strain levels. These materials outperform the currently used Pb(Zr_1– x Ti_ x )O_3 [PZT] ceramics, making them the materials of choice for the next generation of electromechanical transducers for a broad range of advanced applications. In this article, recent major advances in the development of piezocrystals are reviewed in terms of crystal growth, piezoelectric properties, crystal chemistry, domain structure, and device applications.


Myeloid sarcoma is a rare hematological neoplasm that may develop de novo or concurrently with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), or represent the initial manifestation of relapse in a previously treated AML in remission. A 44-year-old man was diagnosed with testis MS in his local hospital. A month later, November 2010, our department confirmed the clinical diagnosis of AML through his bone marrow biopsy and aspirate. The patient underwent allogeneic hematological stem cell transplantation from his sister and achieved complete remission. Five months later, however, a mass in his adrenal was revealed by Positron Emission Tomography-Computer Tomography (PET-CT). After a multidisciplinary team diagnosis, radiotherapy for this lesion was performed. As of the follow up conducted until March 2013, the patient remains healthy and shows no evidence of recurrent MS or leukemia.


BACKGROUND
The associations between sleep characteristics and cognition are complicated. Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathologies have been proven to be associated with sleep characteristics.

OBJECTIVE
We aimed to investigate the associations between sleep characteristics and cognitive function and examine the roles of AD pathologies in modulating the association of sleep duration with cognition.

METHODS
A total of 974 participants who had measurements of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) amyloid-β (Aβ), phosphorylated tau (P-tau), total tau proteins (T-tau), cognitive function, and sleep characteristics were included from the Chinese Alzheimer's Biomarker and Lifestyle (CABLE) study. Linear regression analyses were utilized to explore the associations of sleep characteristics with cognition. Non-linear regression analyses were utilized to explore the associations of sleep habits with cognition. Causal mediation analyses were conducted to explore the mediation effects of AD pathologies on cognition.

RESULTS
The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) total score was significantly negatively correlated with Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score (p = 0.0176). Long latency (p = 0.0054) and low efficiency (p = 0.0273) were associated with cognitive impairment. Habitual nap behavior was associated with lower MoCA scores (p = 0.0045). U-shaped associations were observed between sleep habits (bedtime and nocturnal sleep duration) and cognition. A causal mediation analysis indicated that P-tau/Aβ 42 mediated the association of sleep duration with cognition.

CONCLUSION
These findings showed sleep characteristics were associated with cognitive functions. Sleep habits (duration, bedtime) had U-shaped associations with cognition. AD core pathologies might partially mediate the influence of sleep duration on cognitive impairments.


Introduction In computed tomography (CT) technology, an optimal radiation dose can be achieved via changing radiation parameters such as mA, pitch factor, rotation time and tube voltage (kVp) for diagnostic images. Materials and Methods In this study, the brain, abdomen, and thorax scaning was performed using Toshiba 16-slice scannerand standard AAPM and CTDI phantoms. AAPM phantom was used for the measurement of image-related parameters and CTDI phantom was utilized for the calculation of absorbed dose to patients. Imaging parameters including mA (50-400 mA), pitch factor (1 and 1.5) and rotation time (range of 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5 and 2 seconds) were considered as independent variables. The brain, abdomen and chest imaging was performed multi-slice and spiral modes. Changes in image quality parameters including contrast resolution (CR) and spatial resolution (SR) in each condition were measured and determined by MATLAB software. Results After normalizing data by plotting the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of point spread function (PSF) in each condition, it was observed that image quality was not noticeably affected by each cases. Therefore, in brain scan, the lowest patient dose was in 150 mA and rotation time of 1.5 seconds. Based on results of scanning of the abdomen and chest, the lowest patient dose was obtained by 100 mA and pitch factors of 1 and 1.5. Conclusion It was found that images with acceptable quality and reliable detection ability could be obtained using smaller doses of radiation, compared to protocols commonly used by operators.


ABSTRACT The bilayered ciliary epithelium transfers solute, and secondarily water, from the underlying stroma� to the aqueous humor. Luminal Cl--channel activity probably limits the rate of secreti...


The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted a range of health services for children across the United States. Autistic children have well-documented deficits in health-related services compared to nonautistic children. Parents of autistic children reported an increase in mental health and behavior problems with the onset of the pandemic, increasing the need for supportive services. The current study used data from the National Survey of Children's Health from 2019 and 2020 to conduct logistic regressions predicting the likelihood of having unmet service needs before and after the onset of the pandemic. Results suggested that autistic children were more likely to have unmet medical, dental, and mental health service needs across years compared to nonautistic children, but there were no interactions by year. All children experienced an increased likelihood of having unmet needs from pre- to post-pandemic. Results suggest that although the pandemic disrupted services across the board, autistic children lacked health services regardless of the pandemic, pointing to persisting disparities in service receipt. A discussion of ongoing barriers to services and issues related to virtual services is included. Future research should further investigate the feasibility of virtual services as well as ways of reducing barriers to all services for autistic children. Lay abstract The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted doctor's and dental visits, mental health treatments, and other special therapies for children across the United States. Prior research has found that autistic children were more likely to lack these services even before the pandemic, but they experienced more mental health and behavior problems with the onset of the pandemic, increasing the need for these services. This study analyzed data from before (2019) and after (2020) the onset of the pandemic to determine whether autistic children had even more severe disruptions in services after the pandemic started compared to nonautistic children. We found that autistic children were more likely to have unmet medical, dental, and mental health needs in both 2019 and 2020. Overall, children experienced increased disruptions from 2019 to 2020, but this did not differ by diagnosis. Our results suggest that there are persisting gaps in autistic children's healthcare regardless of the pandemic. We discuss issues surrounding barriers to services for autistic children and issues surrounding virtual services, such as teletherapy. Future research should further explore how to reduce barriers to services for autistic children, including virtual and in-person services.


The purpose of this retrospective study was to examine whether computed tomography (CT)-determined staging of esophageal cancer (EC) has prognostic correlation. The results showed a strong relevance of staging of EC by CT to survival (p<0.01).