With 10–15 million of people infected with Trypanosoma cruzi (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) and many more exposed to risk of infection, the burden of Chagas disease in Latin America amounts to as much as 2.7 times the combined burden of malaria, schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis, and leprosy in 2002 [1]. Following a short, mostly subclinical acute phase and a very long asymptomatic phase with very low parasitemia, 25%–40% of infected humans develop chronic disease with cardiac, digestive, or neurologic manifestations that leads to a reduced life span [2]. Human transmission of T. cruzi is mediated by nearly a dozen blood-sucking species of triatomine bugs that infest resourcelimited, rural houses and their outbuildings, but it may also occur by blood transfusions and from infected mothers to their children. A series of intergovernmental control initiatives led by the Pan American Health Organization were launched in Latin America during the 1990s with the objectives of eliminating transmission of T. cruzi by blood transfusion and by domestic populations of triatomine bugs by the year 2010 [2,3]. Control actions reduced the geographic range and infestation prevalence of major triatomine vectors and led to the interruption of transmission in Uruguay, Chile, and Brazil, and to significant improvements in Central America and elsewhere [2,3]. However, active vector-borne transmission persists in vast areas of Argentina [3,4], El Salvador, and Colombia, among others; and several countries (Mexico, Peru, Colombia, and Costa Rica) have no national programs for the control of Chagas disease vectors [5]. The growing decentralization of vector control operations to the provincial and municipal levels since the early 1980s added the still-unmet challenge of coordinating efforts among districts differing in infestation, control status, resources, and priorities, and between national, provincial, and municipal public health levels [6]. Large-scale screening of blood donors in Latin America began in the 1980s following the emergence of AIDS, and currently is in place in nearly all countries, though at differing coverage rates. These programs brought about a significant reduction in the prevalence of T. cruzi infection among blood donors in most of the region [7]. Although most advances in the safety of the blood supply since 1993 originated from increased screening coverage for infectious diseases and better quality assurance, it has been estimated that tainted blood may have caused T. cruzi infections in 12 of 17 Latin American countries over the period 2001 to 2002 [7]. With the sustained wave of immigration from Latin America to US, Canada, and Western Europe, transplantand transfusionrelated cases of Chagas disease jointly with congenital cases have been reported more frequently in the target destinations. Chagas disease control programs traditionally have focused on interrupting vectorand blood-borne transmission of T. cruzi rather than on active case detection and specific treatment of infected people. One reason for this is that the only available drugs for specific treatment of T. cruzi infection, nifurtimox (since 1967) and benznidazole (since 1972), were traditionally considered effective only during the acute phase of infection or shortly after it. This notion persisted until two randomized clinical trials, conducted with support from the World Health Organization's Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) and national agencies during the 1990s, demonstrated that most infections treated with benznidazole during the early chronic phase (i.e., in seropositive children aged #12 y with unknown duration of infection) could be cured [8–11]. In the meantime, experimental studies changed the view that Chagas disease is primarily an autoimmune response toward one that the disease is a problem of parasite persistence [12]. In addition, the progress in vector control status achieved during the last decades has paved the way to conceiving the specific treatment of T. cruzi-infected children residing in traditionally endemic rural settings (e.g., Argentina, Bolivia). More recently, specific treatment has been extended to seropositive children aged #15 y in some countries, and is being offered more frequently to adults with longterm chronic infections because it might moderate disease progression [13]. Because individuals in the chronic stage display a long-lasting serological response to T. cruzi infection after specific treatment, in some cases demonstration of cure by means of conventional serological methods may take more than 10 y [9]. The efficacy of anti-trypanosomal drugs apparently decreases with the duration of infection, whereas their adverse effects increase with age and occasionally may be serious if treatment is not discontinued and proper care given [14,15]. As the new study by Levy et al. [16] published in PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases stresses, ''...without timely diagnosis, children infected [with T. cruzi] prior to implementation of vector control often miss the window of opportunity for effective chemotherapy.'' Another important reason for the observed low rates of specific treatment of children seropositive for T. cruzi is that health services and Chagas disease control programs in Latin America lack or do not allocate sufficient resources for comprehensive serological screening and supervised treatment in the most affected endemic areas. There, health services usually are understaffed and


Flue-cured tobacco 'Coker 319' was transplanted in 20 ft (12 plants) × 8 ft (2 rows) plots on 2 May. Treatment plots were arranged in a randomized complete block design replicated 4 times. The test site had a Chesterfield-Mayodan-Bourne sandy loam soil with a 5.8 pH and ca. 2% organic matter. Transplant water treatments were applied in 200 gal of solution/acre (116 ml/plant) using a hand-operated transplanter. Temik 15G was applied in a 12 inch band using a Gandy granular applicator mounted on a Honda FourTrax. The granular applicator was also used to broadcast the Furadan treatment. The broadcast and band treatments of Standak were applied with a CO2-powered backpack sprayer operated at 30 psi and incorporated by double disking on 30 Apr. A single 8004E tip was used to apply the band treatment, while the broadcast treatments were applied with a series of 3 8004 tips spaced at 20 inch on a 40 inch boom. Ten and 30 gal of finished spray/acre were used for the band and broadcast applications, respectively. The wind speed on the application date ranged from 2-8 mph and the temperature ranged from 75-82 degrees F. Insect counts were made once every 1-2 weeks from mid-May to mid-August. On the first 3 dates flea beetle feeding holes were counted on 10 plants/plot. Throughout the study, flea beetles and green peach aphids on 4 upper leaves were counted on 10 plants/plot. Tobacco in 1 row was harvested, cured and graded by a USDA Marketing Service grader to determine yield and market price. Aphid data was transformed to Log1() (counts + 1) and hornworm, flea beetle and flea beetle damage data were transformed to the square root (counts + 0.5) before analysis. Data was analyzed using ANOVA and means were compared using DMRT. Actual means of untransformed data are presented in the tables.


Systematic reviews of high quality randomized trials generally count as the 'best evidence'. However, well-conducted randomized trials are sometimes unavailable, unfeasible, unethical or unnecessary. In such cases other forms of evidence must be considered. Many EBM proponents accept mechanistic reasoning ('pathophysiologic rationale') for generalizability, hypothesis generation, ruling out implausible hypotheses, and for supporting efficacy in the absence of other 'stronger' forms of evidence. Yet because mechanistic reasoning has often led us astray, most EBM proponents are justifiably sceptical about using mechanistic reasoning as evidence for efficacy. We suggest that the scepticism about the value of mechanistic reasoning should not extend to high quality mechanistic reasoning. Just as poor quality randomized trials (that are unblinded, underpowered or biased, that employ unconcealed allocation, or otherwise biased) will not provide high quality evidence for efficacy, so poor quality mechanistic reasoning will be unreliable. In this theoretical exploration we suggest that mechanistic reasoning involving a not incomplete inferential chain and that takes potential complexity into account can and should be used as evidence of efficacy. We support our rules for mechanistic evidence with three examples.


This study aims to examine contribution of Non-Financial Performance Indicator (NFPI) to business performance and their effects on social capital of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in embroidery and weaving craftsmanship in West Sumatra, Indonesia. This research was conducted in eight regions in West Sumatera with a total sample of 235 SMEs. All SMEs owners served as the informants for this study and whose responses to a questionnaire were used the data further analysed using SEM (Structural Equation Modelling) by means of AMOS software. This study found out that NFPI has the greater contribution in building SMEs' business performance as compared to other dimensions. Social capital variables have played positive and significant roles upon the business performance. Nevertheless, this study was disadvantaged from the lack of samples and the use of only quantitative method of analysis. Further studies can expected to fill in the gap by applying qualitative method to a larger size of samples from a variety of respondents, not only from SME owners. Keyword: Business Performance, Social Capital, NFPI, SEM.


Experimental fractional quantum Hall resistivity and quasiparticle energy gaps are reproduced theoretically by considering correlated many-electron dynamics in incompressible strips under nonequilibrium transport. Plateau width and chemical potential are determined as well as plateau positions. Electrostatic confining potential of the incompressible strip causes deformed cycloidal electron motion. The confining potential is replaced by an image electron with the same spin, which gives rise to a composite boson of spin unity as a quasiparticle in describing current ow. Zeeman effect for the total spin of correlated quasiparticles further splits the Landau level, and forms the energy gaps and plateaus in Hall resistivity.


Peripheral dark shadows seen by some intraocular lens patients have led to evaluations of "far peripheral vision". Angular scaling to the second nodal point has been found to be highly linear for the chief ray.


Leukocytes and the trafficking processes that direct these cells to their tissue sites of function, represent mainstays in the mammalian armamentarium against microbial pathogens. Trafficking processes are equally relevant to recruitment of immune cells which engage in functions that include localized immune response and tissue remodeling activities. The remarkable vigor with which leukocytes seek out and destroy pathogens, pathogen-infected cells, and dead cells and their products has come at a price; evolution has been incompletely successful in elaborating an immune system capable of perfectly discriminating between circumstances where potent destructive powers must be applied, and where restraint must be exercised. Leukocytes and their trafficking processes, for example, are occasionally prone to unleashing their powers in a tissue-destructive manner. Excessive trafficking of leukocytes to extravascular locations can lead to serious tissue injury and destruction in both acute and chronic circumstances (1), as exemplified by neutrophil-dependent myocardial injury that accompanies cardiac reperfusion injury (2) and by leukocyte infiltration into joints in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (3). In the context of this series, "Cell Adhesion in Vascular Biology," we review the conceptual basis for intervention in leukocyte trafficking through blockade of selectin-dependent leukocyte adhesion, discuss selected examples in which these strategies have been applied in vivo, and address novel molecular approaches to the development of selectin antagonists. As reviewed in previous articles in this series (4, 5) and elsewhere (6), neutrophil extravasation is enabled by a multistep process initiated by the selectin family of cell adhesion molecules. P-selectin is expressed by activated vascular endothelium and by activated platelets, whereas E-selectin expression is restricted to activated endothelium. L-selectin, by contrast, is expressed constitutively by neutrophils and by other leukocytes. Each of the three selectins maintains an NH 2 -terminal, extracellular domain with primary sequence similarity to the C-type family of calcium-dependent lectins. This carbohydrate binding domain, or CRD, plays an essential role in glycan-dependent recognition by selectins of their glycoprotein and glycolipid "counter-receptors." (The term counterreceptor in this context is the complementary molecule that binds to an adhesion molecule in a structurally specific manner.) Neutrophil–endothelial cell interactions mediated via the selectins in the context of vascular shear flow are characterized by transient tethering of the neutrophil, followed by rolling of the neutrophil along the endothelial surface of the vessel wall. Studies in vitro and in vivo indicate that selectin-dependent neutrophil rolling is essential to subsequent events in the transmigration process, including exposure to locally high concentrations of endothelial cell-derived IL-8, platelet activating factor, and other neutrophil activating molecules (6). These molecules, in turn, promote activation of neutrophil b 2 integrins, leading to integrin-dependent firm adhesion to the integrin counter-receptor, ICAM-1, and finally, neutrophil extravasation. The selectin-dependent rolling phenomenon relevant to neutrophil recruitment can involve endothelial Eand P-selectin recognition of neutrophil counter-receptors. Eand P-selectin counter-receptor activity has been assigned to several specific neutrophil glycoproteins, including one termed P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1 (PSGL-1), and various neutrophil glycolipids (reviewed in reference 7). These molecules are each posttranslationally modified by specific sialylated, fucosylated lactosamine-type glycans, as represented by the sialyl Lewis x tetrasaccharide molecule and its structural variants. These glycan modifications are essential to functional recognition of these counter-receptors by Eand P-selectin (6, 7) and represent molecular "shapes" with potential for blockade of selectin-dependent leukocyte recruitment. Selectin-dependent rolling phenomenon involving neutrophils also engages neutrophil L-selectin recognition of inducible "endothelial" counter-receptor(s) (7). There is evidence that endothelial cells proper can express such counter-receptors, but their molecular nature remains unclear (7). Recent work also indicates that leukocytes can roll on previously adherent neutrophils in an L-selectin-dependent manner (8). These observations imply that one component of inducible "endothelial" activity for L-selectin evident in vivo may be accounted for by L-selectin counter-receptors displayed by neutrophils previously recruited to the endothelial cell surface through activation-dependent expression of Eand/or P-selectin, and ICAM-1. PSGL-1 may represent one such neutrophilborne counter-receptor for L-selectin (9). Taken together, these considerations imply that L-selectin can promote neutrophil recruitment independent of, or synergistically with, Eor P-selectin. The relative contributions of these two mechanisms Address correspondence to John B. Lowe, M.D., Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, MSRBI, Room 3510, 1150 West Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0650. Phone: 313-6474779; FAX: 313-936-1400; E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com Received for publication 28 January 1997. Therapeutic Inhibition of Carbohydrate–Protein Interactions In Vivo


The aim of this research was to investigate the responses of Amaranthus cruentus L. to deficit irrigation under fertilization, in a 2 by 3 factorial experiment with two levels of irrigation (1.5 litre/week and 0.75 litre/week) corresponding to 2600 and 1300 mm/year respectively and three levels of NPK 20:10:10 (0, 138, 275 kg ha -1 ). This experiment was conducted in a screen house in Cameroon, and lasted for 12 weeks after the nursery phase. Growth parameters and chlorophyll fluorescence were measured weekly for 8 weeks. Destructive sampling was done at 12 WAT to determine biomass partitioning, water use efficiency and the root/shoot ratio. Data were analyzed for variance and relationships in the MINITAB Version 17 statistical package. Within each irrigation level, plant mass decreased as fertilizer rates decreased, while root: Shoot ratio increased instead. Plant mass expressed higher values at the higher irrigation levels while root: Shoot ratio was lower compared to that at lower irrigation levels. This shows a strategy for resource re-allocation to roots under both water and nutrient deficit. Harvest index was statistically similar across irrigation and fertilizer levels. Within the higher irrigation levels, WUE of plants decreased with a decrease in fertilizer rates but not for plants subjected to deficit irrigation. While chlorophyll fluorescence values differed significantly Original Research Article Tabot and Mebong; APRJ, 7(1): 16-25, 2021; Article no.APRJ.64428 17 across treatments, all values were below 0.8, indicative of stress. Factor analysis showed that growth of A. cruentus was highly fertilizer-dependent, while chlorophyll fluorescence was irrigationdependent. This suggest that fertilizer application is essential in ameliorating the effects of deficit irrigation, and will be essential in the production of this crop under deficit irrigation.


The article presents the stages of the alignment technique of inter-territorial differences in the housing and municipal development of the urban agglomeration. Approbation of the technique was implemented within the framework of private purposes (alignment of the population's security in housing and municipal services and alignment of the state system of the city economy) using the example of the Krasnoyarsk agglomeration.


The fathers of the Reformation put an end to the traditional Christian pilgrimage. But metaphoric forms of cult of the martyrs, and even of pilgrimage on the "lieux de memoire" do exist in the small French Protestantism whose history is so painful. The annual meeting at the Musee du Desert, in the Gard, since 1911, and whose assistance accounts from 15 to 20 000 people, is analysed in this paper from the point of view of the metaphorization of pilgrimage. Everything is present, but the real Catholic dimension of pilgrimage...


Largely constant average acquirer returns over the past four decades mask fundamental changes in the takeover market. Controlling for bidder composition, the common component of acquirer returns has increased by as much as five percentage points relative to the 1980s. Offsetting this increase, the average bidder-specific component has declined. The increase in the common component is pervasive and cannot be explained by learning, maturity, industry concentration, or improved corporate governance. However, better advisors may have contributed to this upward trend. Conceptually, the evidence is consistent with a general increase in merger synergies that have become less bidder-specific over time. JEL classification: G14, G34


Port site hernias are a rare complication after laparoscopic and robotic surgery. The current case is an 8-㎜ port site hernia which occurred after robot-assisted colorectal surgery. A 70-year-old female with a BMI (body mass index) of 25.7 was diagnosed as rectosigmoid colon cancer. She underwent a robot-assisted low anterior resection with double-stapled anastomosis for AJCC (American Joint Committee on Cancer) stage IIIB. After the main procedure, fascial defects in the supra-pubic and the supra-umbilical site were closed with a routine procedure (12 ㎜). Thirty two months after surgery, she developed an incisional hernia in the left mid abdomen (8-㎜ port). Recognition of the potential for a port site hernia using an 8-mm bladeless trocar port as well as a 12-㎜ port is essential in robotic surgery. Patients with risk factors for a port site hernia may require complete port site closure.


(57) Abstract: heterocyclic compounds, processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, have been described their use in methods of use, and in pharmaceutical. In particular, the present invention shows a protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor, to quinazoline and pyridopyrimidine derivatives.


Maruyama's manuscript focuses on some wellknown phenomena in academia and the business world and tries to propose alternative solutions for creating greater heterogeneity in ideas, and theories. The author offers analyses of dynamics that make organizations and institutions move towards greater "stability" and "equilibrium" and that prevents them from really becoming innovative and exploring new avenues. It is therefore an important contribution that many scholars (in the first place) will welcome as the manuscript will undoubtedly stimulate them to reinforce their attempts to overcome constraints imposed by institutional practices that prevent them from presenting their new ideas and approaches to the "scientific forum". The basic question seems to be: "how do we make progress in a world and a system that is aimed at favoring stability, equilibrium, lack-of-change" ? The critical analysis of "interbreeding" as one proposed solution to inbreeding clearly shows that no simple solutions can be found for the "inbreeding" problem. This analysis and the analysis of the "inbreeding" phenomena itself suggest that inbreeding can only be overcome by fundamentally rethinking the system properties of institutions and organizations. The main question, which is only partly explored in the manuscript in my opinion, is "why do organizations and institutions behave as they behave and why do organizations and institutions favor inbreeding?" Connected questions are: "under what (system) conditions


The office of regente of the Court Auditors of Mexico neither was contemplated in the Recopilación de las Leyes de Indias, nor in the titles of the designated ones made reference some to the reasons for its creation. With this work we tried to analyze why of its establishment in 1708, the disadvantages of he himself and the swings that its continuity had until its final abolition in 1781, supporting in the correspondence of that Court and the one of the newshispanic viceroys of that period with the Crown and the Council to us of Indians, as well as in the titles sent to these ministers.


Ferromagnetism belongs to the oldest phenomena in solid state physics being, however, even today not yet fully understood. The main shortcoming for an understanding of this basic phenomenon is the lack of a general, unified theory. The different types of magnetic materials need for their description rather different theoretical models, each of them with a fairly restricted range of validity. To avoid misunderstandings it is therefore recommendable to start the discussion with a simple but clear classification of magnetism and to address the respective theoretical models to the appropriate classes of materials (Sect. I). The most prominent models are inspected in detail in the following sections. For an at least qualitative description of ferromagnets with itinerant magnetic moments (bandferromagnets) the single-band Hubbard model is considered a good starting point. It poses a highly non-trivial many-body problem. Basic concepts and methods of many-body theory are therefore shortly introduced (Sect. II) a...


Background: Dental trauma is a frequent finding in children or adolescents that commonly leads to pulp necrosis. As a consequence, the root stops its development and managing these immature teeth are challenging due to a presence of an open apex. Aim: To systematically review the literature available to elucidate if there is a best endodontic treatment for immature necrotic permanent teeth. Methods: The literature was screened via PubMed/MEDLINE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and ClinicalTrials databases until August 2015 to select randomized clinical trials that compared at least two different treatments regarding immature necrotic permanent teeth comprising clinical and radiographic success as outcome. A total of 648 studies were retrieved from the databases, in which only 14 were selected to full-text analysis by appliance of inclusion criteria. After exclusion criteria, the remaining 7 studies had their data extracted and assessed for bias risk. Two reviewers independently performed the screening and evaluation of the articles. Pooled-effect estimates were obtained comparing clinical and radiographic success rates among MTA vs other treatments and Blood Clot vs other regenerative procedures. Results: MTA showed statistically significant better results when compared to other endodontic treatments (p < 0.05) regarding clinical and radiographic outcomes. On


We present a new computational algorithm for complex frequency domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT) that can effectively suppress artifacts, which are caused by uncertainty in phase shift due to errors in reference phases. The algorithm treats the phase shifting values as additional unknowns and we can determine their exact values by analyzing interference fringes using numerical least square technique. A series of simulation and experiments prove that this algorithm can effectively remove strong mirror image artifacts because it is unaffected by random phase fluctuation.


The invention relates to a method for detecting a manipulation of performance (M) during operation of an internal combustion engine having intake manifold injection and direct injection, wherein a respective actual value


Due to the intricate relationship between different dimensions of high-dimensional data, subspace analysis is often conducted to decompose dimensions and give prominence to certain subsets of dimensions, i.e. subspaces. Exploring and comparing subspaces are important to reveal the underlying features of subspaces, as well as to portray the characteristics of individual dimensions. To date, most of the existing high-dimensional data exploration and analysis approaches rely on dimensionality reduction algorithms (e.g. principal component analysis and multi-dimensional scaling) to project high-dimensional data, or their subspaces, to two-dimensional space and employ scatterplots for visualization. However, the dimensionality reduction algorithms are sometimes difficult to fine-tune and scatterplots are not effective for comparative visualization, making subspace comparison hard to perform. In this article, we aggregate high-dimensional data or their subspaces by computing pair-wise distances between all data items and showing the distances with matrix visualizations to present the original high-dimensional data or subspaces. Our approach enables effective visual comparisons among subspaces, which allows users to further investigate the characteristics of individual dimensions by studying their behaviors in similar subspaces. Through subspace comparisons, we identify dominant, similar, and conforming dimensions in different subspace contexts of synthetic and real-world high-dimensional data sets. Additionally, we present a prototype that integrates parallel coordinates plot and matrix visualization for high-dimensional data exploration and incremental dimensionality analysis, which also allows users to further validate the dimension characterization results derived from the subspace comparisons.


This article discusses an investigation carried out with a group learners of English in a Brazilian language school aiming at the individuals' development of critical thinking and their involvem de-naturalization process of gender dualism. The study, which in an educational context witnessing important changes at bot and micro levels, has its theoretical foundation in multicultura identity studies as well as in Goffman's (1974, 1981) notions of and participant status and in Wood, Bruner, and Ross's (1976) scaffolding. By re-defining the EFL classroom as a multicultur which essentialist and stereotypical social identities are constan challenged, participants in this three-semester long research pr engaged in pedagogical practices moving away from a teacherpattern towards a pattern in which participants, reconfiguring of power in the classroom, could take on different alignments w engaging in the development of critical thinking concerning gen These debates, together with this dynamic participation structu enabled students to revisit some taken-for-granted assumption concerning gender. They also stimulated changes in the roles tr played by the teacher and by students: the former performed va footings other than those of controller, transmitter, or facilitat provided scaffolding characterized by both support and challen latter could perform the role of the more knowledgeable partic


This study was conducted to determine the effects of different nitrogen (N) fertilizer levels on botanical composition, dry matter (DM) yield, chemical composition, in situ ruminal DM and NDF degradability and net energy lactation (NEL) of a native legume-grass mixture pasture. Field and degradability trials were arranged in a Complete Randomized Block Design with three replicates. Pasture was fertilized at six levels of N fertilizer (ammonium nitrate, N0, N50, N100, N150, N200 and N250 kg/ha). Three rumen cannulated Holstein Friesian heifers (3-4 year old) were used. Feed samples were incubated for 0, 8, 12, 24, 36, 48, 72 and 96 h. Application of nitrogen fertilizer results indicated that nitrogen fertilizer decreased the legumes ratio (LR) of pasture, approximately 22.4%, Although N fertilizer increased the grass ratio (GR) of pasture approximately 55.8%. Dry matter (DM), Net energy lactation (NEL, Mcal/kg) and ash contents of pasture were increased by increasing N fertilizer level. However, when N fertilizer level increased acid detergent fiber (ADF) concentration of pasture decreased. Application of the different rate of nitrogen fertilizer had no effect on in situ rumen degradability of DM and NDF of pasture. It was also found that there was the significant positive relationship between effective NDF degradability at 48 h. rumen incubation period and different level of N fertilizer. In addition, it was determined that there was a linear and quadratic positive relationship between DM yield and different nitrogen doses. In conclusion, different rates of nitrogen application changed botanical composition, decreased ADF content and increased NEL and effective rumen degradability of neutral detergent fiber (EDNDF 48 h.) of pasture.


It is a well-known fact that intonation proper can change the meaning of a phrase. In this paper we have examined whether syntax on a more general level is signalled or marked intonationally, or, t ...


Key Points Question Was myopia development in children reversed or worsened after the COVID-19 lockdown in Hong Kong? Findings In this cross-sectional study of 20 587 children, after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, myopia prevalence was still high, and time spent outdoors, near-work time, and screen time did not return to pre–COVID-19 levels. Younger children and children from low-income families were at a higher risk of myopia during the pandemic. Meaning The study's findings suggested that increasing time spent outdoors and reducing screen and near-work time may prevent burgeoning postpandemic myopia, particularly among younger children and children from low-income families.


Milk is a highest quality source of well-balanced nutrients and also displays a range of biological activities that affects digestion, metabolic responses to absorbed nutrients, growth and development of specific organs, and resistance to disease. Bioactive peptides have been identified within the amino acid sequences of native milk proteins. Hydrolytic reactions, such as those catalyzed by digestive enzymes, result in their release. These peptides directly influence numerous biological processes evoking behavioral, gastrointestinal, hormonal, immunological, neurological, and nutritional responses.. The size of active sequences may vary from two to twenty amino acid residues. The total antimicrobial effect in milk is greater than the sum of the individual contributions of immunoglobulin and nonimmunoglobulin defense proteins such as lactoferrin, lactoferricin , and other peptides. A variety of naturally formed bioactive peptides have been found in fermented dairy products, such as yoghurt, sour milk and cheese. Bioactive peptides have the potential to be used in the formulation of health-enhancing nutraceuticals, and as potent drugs with well defined pharmacological effects


In this paper, we introduce a new quantum bit commitment protocol which is secure against entanglement attacks. Some cheating strategies are discussed and shown to be ineffective against the proposed approach.


In the deregulating electricity market, many private sector power producers areparticipating actively. With growing number of the wind mills and solar power generation, the reactive power production will be more because of induction generator and inductive type load. Many blackouts havehappenedin the past decades due to more reactive power which lead to a decrease in the magnitude of real power. It is very essential to control and compensate the reactive power, increase the real power flow in the transmission line, increase the transmission efficiency, improve the system stability andbe in a safer place to save the fossil fuels for the future.
In this paper the importance of reactive power and its various compensation and control techniques are applied to a five bus deregulated test case model. The simulations were done using Matlabsimulink, for various FACT controllers such as STATCOM,SVC,SSSCand UPFC compensationand the results were tabulated and compared.


Scenes of busy metropolises, thriving stock markets, jam-packed tourist resorts, blue swimming pools came to a standstill with the COVID-19 pandemic. The then existing economic slowdown in terms of unemployment and underemployment was further aggravated by the pandemic. The increased layoffs, burden of bank loans and nonpayment of rents placed tremendous stress on people, especially youth. This paper is an attempt to critically reflect on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth. The paper makes an attempt to generate learnings and policy recommendations for professional social workers in times of pandemics like these.


The paper focuses on mitigating the noise coupling effects induced by through-silicon via (TSV) during clock tree synthesis (CTS) of 3D ICs and minimizing TSV count and wire length. Firstly, we utilize a density-based clustering method on the clock sinks, and then construct a local topology for each cluster with MMM+DME method. In this step, we use K-DIST algorithm to improve DBSCAN clustering method. Secondly, we construct global tree topology for unsorted sinks and root nodes of clusters with our improved NNG-based method, with consideration of delay induced by TSV. In the end, we finish routing and buffering with DME-3D method. The results of the experiments shows that our approach can achieve a balanced distribution of TSVs and ensure few sinks located near TSVs by density-based clustering, which mean the goal of mitigation of TSV coupling effects is reached. Compared with related work with similar CTS flows, our method significantly reduces TSV count and total wire length.


Abstract The bluemouth, Helicolenus dactylopterus dactylopterus (Pisces: Sebastidae), is a zygoparous species with internal fertilization that stores the spermatozoa in crypts within the female ovaries. It spawns gelatinous egg masses that were investigated in this study. Histological analysis confirmed that the ovarian wall and peduncular epithelia play an important role in the production of this gelatinous matrix that contained both oocytes and embryos. Cleavage and blastulae were the most frequent embryonic development stages observed and the tail bud was the latest stage reached. The chemical composition of the matrix was also investigated, revealing that water and proteins are the major components of this substance. This is the first study exclusively dedicated to the investigation of the composition, function and importance of the gelatinous matrix of H. d. dactylopterus in the context of its reproductive strategy.


The characteristics of MEMS based electrochemical seismic sensors (EC seismic sensors) are presented in this paper. A numerical model is set up, and a series of vibration test is established. The numerical simulation and vibration test results are illustrated and the difference between them is discussed.


A 9-year-old Caucasian girl succumbed to septicemia due to Chromobacterium violaceum after 5 days of illness. The causative agent is a common soil saprophyte and could readily be considered a laboratory contaminant. Proper use of the specific name C. violaceum designating the mesophilic strain of this genus is reviewed. Prompt identification and antibiotic sensitivity studies are essential for appropriate therapy. This is the sixth case of human infection with C. violaceum to be reported in the United States.


Since the particle size of coal can affect the features of coal water slurry, in order to find out the effect of grading size on the features of C.W.M of Huainan Coal, three grading size schemes are used to compare the features of coal water slurry of Huainan single coal and blended coal with different grading sizes. The result indicates that is predominant the coal with good grading size may lead to a superior slurry preparation. When the concentration of single coal and blended coal is improved by 3%~5%, good fluidity and stability are achieved, and viscosity is reduced with equal concentration, which can be better applied in industry.


Calcium‐ and integrin‐binding protein (CIB) binds to the 20‐residue αIIb cytoplasmic domain of platelet αIIbβ3 integrin. Amino acid sequence similarities with calmodulin (CaM) and calcineurin B (CnB) allowed the construction of homology‐based models of calcium‐saturated CIB as well as apo‐CIB. In addition, the solution structure of the αIIb cytoplasmic domain in 45% aqueous trifluoroethanol was solved by conventional two‐dimensional NMR methods. The models indicate that the N‐terminal domain of CIB possesses a number of positively charged residues in its binding site that could interact with the acidic carboxy‐terminal LEEDDEEGE sequence of αIIb. The C‐terminal domain of CIB seems well‐suited to bind the sequence WKVGFFKR, which forms a well‐structured alpha helix; this is analogous to calmodulin and calcineurin B, which also bind alpha helices. Similarities between the C‐terminal domains of CIB and calmodulin suggest that binding of CIB to the cytoplasmic domain of αIIb may be affected by fluctuations in the intracellular calcium concentration. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


In his contribution, the author shows the reasons why, starting from the end of the 1980s, the external dimension of the autonomy of social law in Europe has gradually experienced a seemingly irreversible crisis due to a deep transformation of the political economy of the European integration process and, following the Treaty on European Union, of the economic constitution of the European Union. In the concluding section it is argued that, inasmuch as it is impossible to have a common set of fundamental social standards and a unitary welfare state at European level, an almost unavoidable response to the legitimacy crisis affecting the EU consists in giving back to Member States a higher degree of autonomy and 'social sovereignty'.


The effects of input device and latency during training to manually pilot a simulated micro-unmanned aerial vehicle (MAV) were investigated. In our prior simulation research, MAV missions were completed more quickly when trainees used a game controller than when they used a mouse. This experiment investigated whether this difference would persist when participants were tested in a novel environment and when some realistic latency was imposed between input command and MAV response. Fifty-six participants were trained to operate a MAV in one simulated environment and then tested in a novel environment. Four between-group conditions were examined, formed by crossing two 2-level factors: input device (mouse vs. game controller) and latency period (no time delay vs. 500 ms delay). The effects of input device replicated our prior research and also transferred to the novel environment; no substantial effects of delay were found.


Nowadays,the teaching process of solid waste treatment and disposal face many problems such as the obsolete teaching content,single teaching method,fixed teaching means and incomplete examination mechanism.Based on theses problems,a series of reform measures were put forward to optimize teaching content,enrich teaching method and means,and improve the examination mechanism,so as to optimize teaching process and achieve better teaching effects.


Based on the amino acid sequence of protein,27class protein fold patterns are recognized by using "ensemble classifier" strategy.Five scoring matrixes are use for recognition,but the result turns out to be not quite desirable.Then,for better predicting 27-class protein fold patterns,an algorithm of increment of diversity is proposed,whose parameters include not only the value of scoring matrixes but also the amino acid dipeptide composition.The overall prediction accuracy of 27 protein fold patterns reaches 45.43%.


The previous l ist 1 endeavoured to bring down tho bibliography of Christian Egypt from 1918 to 1922. Unfortunately there were several omissions which are however rectified in the present pages which endeavour to carry on the bibliography into 1923. In various cases periodicals have not actually appeared until some time after the date given as that of issue, and in many cases there has been con siderable delay before copies could be procured. I t is pleasant to note that the Byzantinische Zeitschrift appears again, though the new number does not contain any material with direct bearing upon Egypt. Again, my sincere thanks are due to Mr W. E . C R U M and to others who have assisted me in the prepa ration of this bibliography. I . B I B L I C A L .


The Sun's position by the azimuth and elevation angles and its rate of change at any time of day are determined to design 2 axis tracking mechanisms of solar concentrators. The Sun's angles and their rates for selected months of the year (March, June, September and December) and for seven selected atitudes (0, + or - 30, + or - 60, + or - 90) covering both the northern and southern hemispheres were studied. The development of the angle and angle rate analytical expressions for any month, hour of day, and latitude provides the solar concentrator designer with a quantitative determination of the limiting Sun's position and angle rates for an accurate automatic tracking mechanism.


Dried press residue of cloudberry [Rubus chamaemorus (Rosaceae)] was extracted with carbon dioxide at pressures of 90−300 bar and at a temperature of 40 or 60 °C using a pilot-scale or a production-scale plant. The yield of the extract at the highest pressure was approximately 15% less than that obtained with Soxhlet extraction using diethyl ether as solvent. The extracts were either solids or viscous oils depending on the amount of neutral lipids, which increased with increasing pressure. No significant differences in the composition of the major constituent fatty acids in any of the extracts were found. The color of the extracts was clearly dependent on the amount of carotenes, which consisted mainly of β-carotene. The content of carotenes in the extracts did not increase at pressures higher than 150 bar. The amount of tocopherols in the extracts obtained at highest pressure was found to be approximately 3 times less than that at lower pressures. Countercurrent CO2 extraction of the cloudberry oil extra...


Introduction Various strategies have been used to extend the half-life of therapeutic proteins, including genetic fusion with carrier proteins. One such carrier protein is human serum albumin (HSA), a benign protein with minimal intrinsic biologic activity that is naturally present in the circulation at a high concentration. It has a long half-life (≈19 days in humans) and is highly soluble. Recombinant HSA produced from yeast retains the beneficial stabilizing properties of HSA while minimizing the potential disadvantages of a serum-derived product. Balugrastim, a novel, long-acting recombinant protein composed of HSA and human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), was developed for once-per-cycle subcutaneous (SC) administration to provide a novel option for the prevention of severe neutropenia in patients with cancer receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy. The rational design of balugrastim, differences in its protein chemistry compared with pegfilgrastim, and the clinical and practical implications are presented here. Methods During the design phase of balugrastim, HSA was deemed an ideal candidate as a carrier protein because of its wide distribution in the body, long half-life, and low potential for affecting biological activity of G-CSF. A highly engineered proprietary yeast strain was chosen to achieve high levels of expression and quality. Balugrastim is manufactured using recombinant DNA technology in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae in contrast to pegfilgrastim, which is a PEGylated form of a G-CSF expressed in the bacterium Escherichia coli and then modified by chemical conjugation to polyethylene glycol. Balugrastim was purified using a combination of ion exchange and affinity and chromatography techniques. For clinical testing, sensitive immunogenicity and serum concentration assays were developed for the product. Results The manufacturing process produces balugrastim, a 759-amino-acid monomeric protein with a molecular mass of ≈85 kDa. It is a single continuous polypeptide chain in which residues 1–585 correspond to HSA and residues 586–759 correspond to the amino acid sequence of human G-CSF, connected via a peptide bond. The purified protein is >95% pure as determined by N-terminal sequencing. The result is a highly homogeneous product. The manufacturing process is straightforward, requiring no reformulations, additional chemical modifications, or secondary manufacturing, and is a scalable, modular production system. Balugrastim has a pharmacodynamic profile comparable to that of pegfilgrastim. In a clinical trial comparing balugrastim with pegfilgrastim in patients with breast cancer, the half-life of balugrastim 40 mg SC administered once per cycle was 37.7 hours, maximum plasma concentration was 875 ng/mL, and mean area under the concentration–time curve over 144 hours was 60321 h•ng/mL, providing sustained activity in the therapeutic window and stable blood levels (Pukac, MASCC/ISOO, 2012). Corresponding values for pegfilgrastim 6 mg SC were 47.1 hours, 164 ng/mL, and 11554 h•ng/mL, respectively. In this study, and in a randomized phase III trial in patients with breast cancer, balugrastim was noninferior to pegfilgrastim, with a safety profile similar to that of pegfilgrastim and low incidence of immunogenicity (Gladkov, ASCO, 2011). Conclusions Albumin partnering is an established technology used to generate innovative, half-life extended products. This technology formed the basis for the rational design for balugrastim, a novel once-per-cycle G-CSF for the prevention of severe neutropenia in patients with cancer receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy. The technology provides balugrastim with several advantages, including a consistent, high-quality product with low immunogenic potential and an extended half-life that permits once-per-chemotherapy cycle administration. The low viscosity of balugrastim permits small needle size (29 gauge). Balugrastim, developed as an alternative to pegfilgrastim, has been shown to be noninferior to pegfilgrastim in clinical trials. Disclosures: Avisar:Teva Pharmaceuticals, Inc: Employment. Pukac:Teva Pharmaceuticals, Inc: Employment. Adar:Teva Pharmaceuticals, Inc: Employment. Barash:Teva Pharmaceuticals, Inc: Employment. Clark:Teva Pharmaceuticals, Inc: Employment. Liu:Teva Pharmaceuticals, Inc: Employment. Bock:Teva Pharmaceuticals, Inc: Employment. Shen:Teva Pharmaceuticals, Inc: Employment.


Chief Scientist: Holly Wagner. Geological Sampling data (dartcore, dredge, bathymetry) of field activity K-6-73-SC in Southern California from 06/16/1973 to 06/20/1973, http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/infobank/k/k673sc/html/k-6-73-sc.meta.html.


The frame frequency and to test the failure of a display panel according to the variable, to the drive module at a voltage higher than the normal operating voltage of the display device testing system capable of testing whether or not a normal operation. The present invention for testing the drive modules, the driving module comprising a gate driver for sequentially supplying the gate power to the plurality of gate lines according to the display panel, a test vertical sync start signal having a plurality of gate lines the test method is disclosed for a display device and a display device using the same test system comprising a test module, which vertical synchronization start signal supply. Check module, the test vertical sync start signal, and the test voltage, high-voltage, variable-frequency signal generator for


Objective:To explore whether stem cell was expressed in rabbit endometrium.Methods: The markers of epithelial cell and stromal cell were detected by fluorescence activated cell sorter(FACS);Endometrial cells were cultured in stem cell culture medium;Sox2 and Oct4 expression in the colonies and the differentiated cells were characterized by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR);Apoptosis and cell proliferation were detected by FACS and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide(MTT) method,respectively.Results: Rabbit endometrium contains epithelial cells and stromal cells,stem cells colonies can be cultured in stem cell culture medium,and the colonies with Oct4 and Sox2 expression showed higher proliferation potential and lower apoptosis than differentiated cells.Conclusion: The colonies with stem cell properties indicated the existence of endometrial stem cell in rabbit endometrium


In 1942, the U.S. Marine Corps activated the Marine Raider battalions, the first American special forces units of World War II. However, the introduction of an elite subculture within the ranks of the Marine Corps, which already prided itself on being the nation's elite fighting force, resulted in conflicting cultures and competing identities. Many Marines felt that the creation of an elite within the ranks of the elite was superfluous and undesirable. The preferential treatment and widespread publicity accorded to the Raiders, combined with the Raiders' sense of exceptionalism and claims to superiority, garnered resentment among other Marines. Ultimately, the leadership of the Corps concluded that the Raider battalions were a detriment to the morale and esprit of the Marine Corps. Such resentment, in conjunction with the changing realities of the Pacific War in 1944, led to the end of the Raider program in early 1944. As an elite organization operating within the culture of a recognized corps d'elite, the Raiders present a unique case study in the nature of elitism in military cultures. This thesis examines the unique circumstances surrounding the creation of the Raiders, their rise to fame, and sudden fall from grace, concluding that the operational necessities of the late war period converged with the ongoing cultural unrest within the elitist culture of the Corps to spell the end of the Raiders.


The BMJ reports on Gaza's post-conflict health infrastructure.1 Since 30 March 2018, Palestinians civilians who have been living as refugees in Gaza since 1948 have been gathering in mass, unarmed demonstrations about their political predicament and the ongoing effects of the 12 year long Israeli siege. Since 2014 Israel has further tightened the passage of essential medicines and equipment into Gaza, where hospitals are depleted of …


ALOHA is one of the most basic Medium Access Control (MAC) protocols and represents a foundation for other more sophisticated distributed and asynchronous MAC protocols, e.g., CSMA. In this paper, unlike in the traditional work that focused on mean value analysis, we study the distributional properties of packet transmission delays over an ALOHA channel. We discover a new phenomenon showing that a basic finite population ALOHA model with variable size (exponential) packets is characterized by power law transmission delays, possibly even resulting in zero throughput. These results are in contrast to the classical work that shows exponential delays and positive throughput for finite population ALOHA with fixed packets. Furthermore, we characterize a new stability condition that is entirely derived from the tail behavior of the packet and backoff distributions that may not be determined by mean values. The power law effects and the possible instability might be diminished, or perhaps eliminated, by reducing the variability of packets. However, we show that even a slotted (synchronized) ALOHA with packets of constant size can exhibit power law delays when the number of active users is random. From an engineering perspective, our results imply that the variability of packet sizes and number of active users need to be taken into consideration when designing robust MAC protocols, especially for ad-hoc/sensor networks where other factors, such as link failures and mobility, might further compound the problem.


Abstract: In Meru, Tanzania, technological and institutional change has turned milk into one of the most reliable and important sources of income for smallholder households. Decades of increased population density have caused land scarcity, leading smallholders to intensity their fanning methods and land use, including introducing stall-fed exotic breeds of dairy cows. Meanwhile, a growing urban and rural demand has resulted in a significant market expansion for milk and increasing cash incomes for smallholders. Both farm intensification and market expansion are bottom-up processes of change driven primarily by smallholders. These factors make the livestock sector in Meru an interesting example of broad-based agricultural development.


We report single-shot transient absorption (SSTA) measurements of an organic film of 3,3'-Diethyloxatricarbocyanine iodide (DOTCI). In SSTA, the pump-probe time delay is spatially encoded by using a tilted pump pulse. Translation of the sample during SSTA measurements averages over any spatial heterogeneity in the film. We demonstrate that exciton dynamics measured with the single-shot technique agrees with traditional transient absorption measurements of the same film. A signal-to-noise ratio of ~40 is achieved in 10 s. The ability to measure exciton dynamics in organic films will enable future SSTA measurements of exciton dynamics during the molecular aggregation events that result in film formation.


ABSTRACT Reflection is, no doubt, useful for shifting thinking, knowing, and doing. Indeed, many have felt its benefits. In this article, we wonder how reconceptualizing reflection with poststructural theories of subjectivity might disrupt some of the long-held assumptions that can produce resistance to reflective practices. We caution readers, though, that the ideas that we offer here are not to be taken up as solutions or prescriptions to improve reflection but as generative, incomplete, and always-in-process practices. We hope that readers leave this piece with questions about how reflection functions and how they might imagine different (unthought) ways to reflect.


In an old result due to A. Erdelyi, asymptotic expansions of os- cillatory integrals are given with explicit error estimates for one integration variable. In addition, this method covers the case of L 1 singularities of the amplitude. We slightly improve these results and apply them to obtain asymp- totic expansions of the solution of the free Schrodinger equation in one space variable, with certain initial conditions having a singu- lar Fourier transform. We obtain informations on the localisation and motion of wave packets, as well as optimal L 1 -time decay estimates in certain regions in space-time. where ˜ 2C N (p 1 ; p 2 );R is positive, with N2 Nnf0g. The points p j (j = 1;2) are called stationary points of of order j 1. The amplitude assumption (A 1 ; 2 ;N ) For 1 ; 2 2 (0;1), let U : (p 1 ; p 2 )! C be a function defined by U(p) = (p p 1 ) 1 1 (p 2 p) 2 1 ˜ u(p) ; where ˜ u 2 C N (p 1 ; p 2 );C , with N 2 Nnf0g, and ˜ u(p j ) , 0 if j , 1 (j = 1;2). The points p j are called singularities of U. Theorem 2.1 Let N 2 Nnf0g, let 1 ; 2 > 1 and 1 ; 2 2 (0;1). Suppose that the functions : (p 1 ; p 2 ) ! R and U : (p 1 ; p 2 ) ! C satisfy Assumption (P 1 ; 2 ;N ) and Assump- tion (A 1 ; 2 ;N ), respectively. Then for j = 1;2, there are functions A (j) , R (j) 1 , R (j) 2 : (0; +1)! C such that: 8 > > > > > > > > Z p 2 p 1 U(p)e i! (p) dp = X j=1;2 A (j) (!) + R (j) 1 (!;q) + R (j) 2 (!;q) ; R (j) 1 (!;q) 6 1 j 1 j ! Z s j 0 s j 1 (k j ) 0 (s) ds ! 1 j ; R (j) Then for all(t; x)2 C " 1 ;" 2 (p 1 ; p 2 ), there exist K (t; x;u 0 );H(t; x;u 0 )2 C and a constant c(u 0 ;" 1 ;" 2 ; ) > 0 satisfying u(t; x) H(t; x;u 0 )t 1 2 K (t; x;u 0 )t 6 c(u 0 ;" 1 ;" 2 ; ) t 1 + t : Explicit formulas for H(t; x;u 0 );K (t; x;u 0 );c(u 0 ;" 1 ;" 2 ; ) are available. Moreover a similar work shows that the solution be- haves asymptotically as t outside the cone C 0;0 (p 1 ; p 2 ).


We address the challenging issue of deformable registration that robustly and efficiently builds dense correspondences between images. Traditional approaches upon iterative energy optimization typically invoke expensive computational load. Recent learning-based methods are able to efficiently predict deformation maps by incorporating learnable deep networks. Unfortunately, these deep networks are designated to learn deterministic features for classification tasks, which are not necessarily optimal for registration. In this paper, we propose a novel bi-level optimization model that enables jointly learning deformation maps and features for image registration. The bi-level model takes the energy for deformation computation as the upperlevel optimization while formulates the maximum a posterior (MAP) for features as the lower-level optimization. Further, we design learnable deep networks to simultaneously optimize the cooperative bi-level model, yielding robust and efficient registration. These deep networks derived from our bilevel optimization constitute an unsupervised endto-end framework for learning both features and deformations. Extensive experiments of imageto-atlas and image-to-image deformable registration on 3D brain MR datasets demonstrate that we achieve state-of-the-art performance in terms of accuracy, efficiency, and robustness.


A possible way of generating nonclassical states of light, especially non-Gaussian states, is via the truncation of a given state in the Fock basis. In recent work, we presented an alternative scheme for such quantum scissors [Phys. Rev. A, 104 , 033715 (2021)], employing a nondegenerate parametric amplifier, a beam splitter and photodetectors. An advantage of this setup is that it does not require the generation of Fock states beforehand, as in previous proposals. Here we extend this treatment to mixed input states. We show the possibilities of generating truncated states with either a maximum Fock number N or states having a minimum Fock number N . We discuss two specific examples of states to be truncated: i) the thermal state, and ii) the phase-diffused coherent state. In both cases, we show that the generated states can have significant sub-Poissonian statistics as well as non-Gaussian character. The degree of such nonclassical properties, as well as the success probabilities, can be changed by adjusting the parametric amplifier strength and the beam splitter transmittance.


The design of a novel wavefront sensor is presented. The wavefront sensor is an extension of the classical Hartmann wavefront sensor. Analogous to the operation of the classical Hartmann wavefront sensor, each lenslet forms an image of the object, but shifted by an amount proportional to the average tilt across its subaperture. An optical information processor system is used to compute the location of each image relative to each other formed by the lenslets.


Through the analysis of two properties of smoothing and fitting, this paper puts forward a new graduated method: the mixed moving average method of weighted-arithmetic-mean and median. Compare four methods of Weighted-Moving-Average, Exponential-Smoothing, Bayesian Graduation and the New Graduated Method, the new graduated method would generate a new series of varieties with a good smoothing and excel- lent fitting.


Abstract The IAU Symposium No. 176 on the topic "Stellar Surface Structure" was held between October 9–13th 1995 in Vienna. Five scientific Sessions - Stellar Surface Mapping Techniques, Direct Mapping: The Last Frontier, Photospheric Phenomena: Results, Outer Atmosphere Structures, Next Generation Model Atmospheres with more than 200 participants presenting 55 talks and 105 poster papers cook place at the premises of the famous Vienna University. The Vienna symposium was carefully prepared and organized by the LOC (the head of the LOC Professor K. G. Strassmeier). The Abstracts of all the scientific contributions as well as the volume of Poster Proceedings have been published by the hosts and were distributed among the participants of the Symposium. The attendees and their accompanying guests could enjoy several sightseeing tours of the Austrian capital and a rich cultural program including a reception by the Mayor of Vienna Dr M. Haupl in the Rathaus. Symposium No. 176 was sponsored by several instituti...


This study presents landform evolution within the lake Khuvsgul basin (also known as Hovsgol and Khubsugul) in northern Mongolia during the Holocene: beach bars, spits, lake terraces and fluvial processes (sediment and organic components) in the River Borsog which flows into the lake. Lake Borsog, an eastern former bay of Lake Khuvsgul, separated from Lake Khuvsgul during its post-glacial transgression and possesses high-resolution record of the Holocene landscape evolution. Sedimentary sequence of a 13 m long core BB03 from Lake Borsog shows three short-term events of higher-sedimentation rate at 7.4-7.1 ka cal. BP, 4.8-4.5 ka cal. BP and 1.0-0.9 ka cal. BP, which are possibly related to drops in lake level, reductions of lake area, progradation of the delta of the Borsog River and erosion of the exposed lake shores. The drops in the lake level match the previously documented drops of the level of Lake Khuvsgul at ca. 7.2-7.0, 4.5-4.1 and 2.1-0.5 ka cal. BP, suggesting continued mutually-related and climatically-controlled evolutions of both lakes after their separation.


As is well known, a variable quantity of liquid collects in nutrient agar slant tubes,-a condition which does not occur in the case of nutrient gelatin slants. For many years this liquid has been known as the water of condensation, and-it is so called in a recent laboratory manual.' As many microbes grow more freely in this so-called water of condensation than they do on the surface of the agar slant or in nutrient broth, it seemed desirable to determine its composition. For this purpose 340 grams of nutrient agar containing 1.5 per cent agar and with a CH of pH 8.2 were prepared, cut into small pieces, and placed on a large Biichner funnel at 9°C. for four days; during this period, the nutrient agar yielded about 50 cc. of exudate, or water of condensation. This exudate and a sample of nutrient broth were analyzed with the results shown in table 1. Heat and acetic acid, 1-10, were used to determine the presence of albumen. Of each sample, 29.5044 grams were evaporated and the residue dried at 105°C. to constant weight for total solids. The residue was burned at a red heat for ash. The ash was dissolved in 1 to 1 HCl and the solution tested for calcium with ammonia and ammonium oxalate; for magnesium with ammonia and sodium phosphate; for phosphorus with ammonia, nitric acid, and ammonium molybdate; for sulfates with barium chloride, and for iron with ferrocyanide solution.


One of the most important sources of stress in life is job that is caused every year hundreds loss of work days. In this study, 288 medical personnel Shohada hospital in the city of Khorramabad to a stratified random sampling method were studied. Data collection was 10 dimensions job stress questionnaire to assess stress in hospital. Results showed that 90.2% of the samples were at the moderate level, 2.5% and 5.3% were classified at mild and severe stress levels, respectively occupational stress was higher in laboratory personnel (80.6 ± 7.2) and midwives (87.3 ± 5.7). So it seems that effective strategies for improving working conditions and reducing occupational stress are essential in hospital personals. Keyword: Occupational stress, educational, hospital


Allergic type I reactions to medicines range in their clinical presentation from rhinitis and urticaria to severe bronchoconstriction and anaphylactic shock. We examined all cases of suspected drug induced reactions classified as anaphylactic reactions or shock reported in Sweden between 1972 and 1995 with regard to patient characteristics and drug(s) suspected. Some comparisons with drug sales and prescription data were also made. During the study period of a total of 1338 reports concerned anaphylactic/oid shock or reactions with at least a possible causal relation to medicine giving an overall reporting rate of seven cases per million inhabitants per year of drug‐induced anaphylaxis. Of these 1338 patients 51 (3·8%) died from their reactions. Among the non‐fatal cases, 460 (34·4%) were diagnosed as shock and 827 (61·8%) as anaphylactic reactions. In total 46·3% of all reports concerned men but men were over‐represented among the older patients and among the fatal cases (65%). There were 201 different drugs reported as 'suspected' them most common of which were dextrans (418 reports), X‐ray contrast media (161 reports) and antibiotics (153 reports).


Named murine origin ST3232 / 10 antibody of anti -EpCAM exhibits characteristics suitable for therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Which exhibit high affinity and good selectivity for tumor native antigen.


In this article there are presented the developments on the crystal growth by the Czochralski method of uoride laser materials at the Center for Lasers and Applications from Institute of Nuclear and Energy Research, IPEN, Brazil. A brief report of the Czochralski furnace preparation for uorides growth regarding to its construction materials, in uence of the heating assemblies in the thermal pro les and the bene ts of using a suitable atmosphere is provided. Moreover, to demonstrate the importance of this technique to the advances on laser systems over the last years there are described the speci c growth conditions established to obtain uoride crystals with suitable properties for practical application as laser hosts. LiREF4 (RE = rare earth) scheelite crystals have been studied to compare LiYF4 (YLF) with its isomorphs, including solid solutions of the type-LiY1−xLnxF4 (Ln = Gd or Lu) and LiGd1−xLuxF4, relating to their optical quality, spectroscopic and laser properties. Some results regarding the development of new laser hosts of these materials doped with Nd, Er, Pr and co-doped Yb, Nd and Tm are also presented. The growth particularities of transition metals doped uoride crystals such as BaLiF3:TM (TM = Ni and Co) and LiSrAlF6:Cr are also reported.


Safely old age is an important problem Safely old age is a whole concept about economic security, medical security , rights and interests security , ideological security of the elderly At the same time, it is also a study on social value of the elderly The theory of safely old age shows the relation between the safely old age and social development To bring about the safely old age in ageing society needs to perfect a multidimensional system of social support and advance socialization level of the elderly


An experiment was carried out in order to reveal the infection species of trematode and the infection demage in the marine bivalves.
 Metacercaria of...


Abstract Today, arguably the most common assertion against mandatory vaccinations comes from parents using the Due Process Clause to challenge mandatory vaccinations, claiming the mandates violate their children's substantive due process rights. Ordinarily, schools allow certain exemptions to tenderly avoid violating the children's constitutional rights. Many children may have parents advocating for their exemption from these vaccinations, but what about those who have less sway in an argument for exemption? What is at stake for children is their admission into a specific school, and even if they are denied admittance, their parents always have the option to homeschool them if they truly feel so passionately against mandatory vaccinations. However, a healthcare worker who is seeking employment, or who is already employed, does not have as much sway or alternatives when it comes to opposing a mandatory immunization policy. Employers have begun implementing mandatory influenza immunization programs, but even the employers who grant accommodations exempting certain healthcare employees impose some form of additional infection-control practice (e.g. requiring exempt healthcare workers to wear facemasks while on duty, wear different color badges, or placing them in alternative positions during flu season). These mandatory influenza immunization programs, and the alternatives required if healthcare workers acquire exemptions, strike a critical balance between the workers' constitutional rights and the overarching public safety issues.


(partial) Artificial intelligence in banking and finance. Ceramics industry: modelling and control of thermal processes. Civil engineering structures: active damping control. Computer systems: reliability. Computer-aided control design: workstation environment. Computer systems: reliability. Control systems reliability. Decision support systems for strategic decision making. Distillation: control structures. Expert database systems. Expert systems for managers: design issues. Fault diagnosis: model-based techniques. Fuzzy relational equations: knowledge engineering applications. Group decision support systems. Knowledge analysis in power plants. pH processes: adaptive control. Reservoir systems: operational flood control. Robot force control. Servomechanisms theory and design: early history. Simulation languages. Synthetic biology and osmotic growths. Trentowski's Cybernetyka. Vehicle control through computer vision. 1000 lit. refs. approx., 337 illus.


The authors describe the process for manufacturing DC superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) using both step junctions and 45 degrees -rotated grain boundaries. An assessment of the noise performance and flux-to-voltage ratio for fourteen devices of various inductances, operating temperatures, and junction technologies is given. Systematic experiments on the technology steps required to construct fully integrated magnetometers and gradiometers are described. These include crossovers, superconducting interconnects, and film growth on undulating surfaces. For each of these, test structures have been constructed, and their properties have been measured. A simplified three-layer fully integrated DC SQUID magnetometer design is described. The authors highlight the need for improved reproducibility and demonstrate that, for a number of devices, there is no obvious relation between the temperature and the magnetic flux noise. The process for constructing interlayer superconducting contacts is shown to work, and the insulator has sufficient resistance for flux transformer applications.<<ETX>>


The mission of ConnectUis to support those who work with children, youth and families in southwestern Minnesota.
Coordinated by the Southwest Research and Outreach Center (SWROC) and University of Minnesota Extension, ConnectUoffers busy service providers easy access to excellent professional development face to face opportunitieswithout leaving the region, saves agencies and institutions time and expense, and minimizes any interruption of services to families in southwestern Minnesota.
Each year since the year 2000, 80‐100 participants from a wide range of disciplines have brought their questions and experience to the ConnectUdiscussion. They consistently give ConnectUprograms high marks for increasing their understanding and providing a new idea or practice they can adopt in their ongoing work with children and families. Since 2006, ConnectUhas focused onstrengthening professional networks throughout the region.


ABSTRACT A better understanding of how to support resource (foster, kinship, and adoptive caregivers) is needed to ensure high-quality home-based care for children who cannot reside safely in their homes. Using the Caregiver Strain Questionnaire, this study examined factors that predicted the extent to which caregivers experienced Objective Strain (the disruption of family routines and financial burden) and Subjective Strain (feelings of guilt, anxiety, and fatigue). Regression analyses suggest that resource parents who are caring for children who need mental health services experience higher levels of stress than other parents. Factors that mitigate strain include access to quality mental health services provided by child welfare and mental health professionals who are adoption-competent and trauma-informed, and the provision of adequate financial support. Findings suggest that supports from skilled service providers are critical for preventing stress and burnout in resource parents.


Phosphorus (P) is critical to our food production systems with many crop systems dependent on continual inputs to meet yield demands. However, a consequence of the widespread application of P to agricultural soils in the past 60 years has led to concerns about the long-term sustainability of P fertiliser supply and to P being transferred from soil systems to watercourses, causing diffuse pollution. This highlights the multi-scaled and interdisciplinary nature of the past, present and future of P management.

The aim of this research is to define a starting framework to consider the best ways to develop a model that addresses the contemporary understanding of P processes, integrating the needs of the crop, with biogeochemical and hydrological modelling considerations, going beyond P transfer to the role of P in both food and water challenges.

So, this review explores some of the current P models and the future opportunities for expanding their representation of P processes in agricultural systems. This goes beyond nesting existing models and reshapes approaches to posing research and modelling questions to achieve P models that cross disciplinary boundaries and have meaning and usability in practice. As part of this contribution, we welcome modellers and P scientists to come forward and help drive this complex issue of P in agriculture.


In the natural realization of the next-to-minimal supersymmetric Standard Model, Higgsinos tend to be lighter than about several hundred GeVs, which can induce detectable leptonic signals at the LHC as well as large dark matter (DM)-nucleon scattering cross section. We explore the constraints from the direct searches for electroweakino and slepton at the LHC Run II and the latest DM direct detection experiments on the scenario with low fine tuning indicator ΔZ/h≤50. We find that these experiments are complementary to each other in excluding the scenario, and as far as each kind of experiment is concerned, it is strong enough to exclude a large portion of the parameter space. As a result, the scenario with bino- or Higgsino-dominated DM is disfavored, and that with singlino-dominated DM is tightly limited. There are two regions in natural next-to-minimal supersymmetric standard model parameter space surviving in the current experimental limits. One is featured with a decoupled singlino-dominated lightest supersymmetric particle with μ≃mχ˜10, which cannot be explored by neither DM detections or collider searches. The other parameter space region is featured by 10-47  cm2≲σχ˜-pSI≲10−46  cm2 and the correlation μ≃mχ˜10, which will be explored by near future DM detection experiments.


Abstract The Border Collie is an officially recognised dog breed world wide spread used for sheep herding. This breed is part of the 1st group of the FCI official classification: "Sheepdogs and Cattle Dog (except Swiss cattle Dogs)". The first subjects were imported in Italy in 1985. Dog breeding is based on the conservation and improvement of morphological and behavioural traits, in order to perceive these goals and to maintain breed homogeneity breeding programmes based on related dams and sires mating are applied. Inbreeding allow the breeder to quickly reach type and correspondence to breed standard descriptions. On the other hand homozygosis increases the risk of recessive and negative genes expression; these genes are already present in the breed genetic make-up but hidden when in heterozygous status; inbreeding depression and fertility reduction are other aspect linked to inbreeding. The aim of this work is to statistically analyse the annual entries recorded in the Italian Kennel Club (ENCI) studbooks focusing on the inbreeding coefficient trend in order to monitor the genetic variability of the Border Collie Italian population. The annual entries recorded in the Italian Kennel Club (ENCI) studbooks were analysed from 1985 to 2004 with a total number of 9056 subjects considering all the available generations (14). Dog entered in the studbook can have complete pedigrees (LOI) or be founder (LIR). Data were analysed and inbreeding coefficients (F) were calculated using SAS® statistic package. 1327 sires and 1718 dams were recorded. Mean and maximum F values are 0 from 1985 to 1993 (1990 N of entries=17), (few unrelated dogs imported mainly for working activities, breed not well known by the public). In 1996 (N entries=201) mean F value reaches his maximum peak in the breed history in Italy (0.15): this could be due to the high selection level applied by breeders and to their aim to settle particular traits through the mating of related breeding subjects (2000 N of entries=698, 2004 N of entries=978). Average F and maximum F per year were calculated and alternate trends were observed, a clear tendency to decrease after the 1996 peak was recorded (mean F=0.05 in 2004). When considering the studbooks origins of the dogs (LIR, LOI and ES) mean F values was higher in ES dogs (0.086) than in LIR and LOI dogs (0.070; 0.064), they mainly are breeders imported for reproductive purpose and so selected to perceive type and homogeneity through generations.


Herein, we report a novel type of functionalized hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) materials as vehicles for the delivery of volatile tea tree oil (TTO) to address the challenges in bacterial infection by killing germs without using antibiotics. For the sake of improving aqueous dispersity, biocompatibility and effective utilization, h-BN was simultaneously exfoliated and functionalized via mixed ball milling with polysaccharide (carboxymethyl cellulose, CMC) and soy protein isolate (SPI). The CMC-SPI-assisted mechanical-induced method endowed the resultant good and stable aqueous dispersity. And the mechanical force-induced exfoliation and non-covalent bonding between CMC and SPI incorporated into boron nitride nanosheets (BNNS) promoted the curling and peeling of BNNS surfaces, and formed orderly layered nanochannels, which provided the nanoconfinement effect as vehicles for TTO retention and transportation. Such vehicles achieved a high loading capacity for TTO with a value of 359 mg·g-1 and exhibited a long-term sustained release behavior fitting with Korsmeryer-Peppas release kinetics model indicative of Fick diffusion mechanism, owing to hydrogen bond, π-π stacking and hydrophobic interactions as well as strong interfacial interaction between vehicles and essential oils. Furthermore, we also demonstrated the proof of concept for the antibacterial activity of TTO-loaded CMC-SPI-BNNS vehicles through larger inhibition zones and higher minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) value against Escherichia coli (E. coli) compared to pure TTO, indicating CMC-SPI-BNNS protects active ingredient and exhibits more excellent effect. Overall, this study provides a facile method for simultaneously exfoliation and functionalization of boron nitride materials with intriguing properties that can be an effective and promising approach for the delivery of volatile essential oils for antibacterial infection.


The authors report the first case of lethal cerebral embolism complicating thrombolytic therapy administered for thrombosis of a mitral valve prosthesis. The incidence of systemic embolism during this form of therapy appears to be at least one in five cases. It may be underestimated and should lead to further discussion as to the indications of thrombolytic therapy and surgery for thrombosis of a left heart valve prosthesis.


The invention relates to an electric power device, in particular to a power battery pack. The power battery pack comprises a box body and battery units which are fixed in the box body, wherein the battery units are obliquely arranged between the inner walls of the box body to form a non-equant first buffering cavity. The invention relates to a power battery pack group with the power battery pack and a car. By adopting the technical scheme, on the premise of slightly changing the structure of the existing battery pack, the collision force can be more efficiently buffered and absorbed, the heat radiation effect is also improved, and the overall structure is simple.


Abstract:This paper investigates the long first decade of reform in China (1978–1992) to show that Mises became relevant to the reconfiguration of China's political economy in this period. Mises's critique of socialism came to be debated throughout the 1980s and Chinese economists developed their own reading of Mises and the socialist calculation debate. When Deng Xiaoping reinstated market reforms in the early 1990s, a history of thought review of the possibility of rational socialism and socialist markets helped to justify the Socialist Market Economy with Chinese Characteristics as the official designation of China's economic system to this day.


ABSTRACT Research related to autonomous vehicles and to their implications for human-machine interactions is on the rise. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems have become increasingly popular in vehicles currently deployed on the market, making researchers wonder about potential risks in case of technology failures for drivers that become accustomed to the use of such technology. To further our understanding of such concern, this work looks at the currently available data from autonomous vehicles field testing that has been carried out in California from 2014 to 2017. Our examination includes both qualitative and quantitative analyses, respectively, based on (i) the type of response in terms of control takeover in off-nominal scenarios that led to collisions involving autonomous vehicles; and (ii) the time to takeover after disengagements of the autonomous technology that acts as "brain" of the vehicle, with the request to the human driver to regain control of the vehicle. Our findings include expected values for the response time, discussion of factors that affect dispersion, presentation of how to determine trust and experience effects in the data, as well as a careful comparison with state-of-the-art literature on the topic.


Simple Summary Rumen microbes play an important role in the health and production of ruminants, and they are influenced by dietary changes. In our study, we investigated the change of rumen bacteria under the four treatments of dietary non-fibrous carbohydrate (NFC) to neutral detergent fiber (NDF) ratios in sheep using three generations of full-length amplifiers sequencing. As rumen is a complex organ, and the effects of dietary NFC/NDF ratio change on ruminal bacteria might change over time, thus the study was conducted for four periods of 72 d in total. The results showed that the composition of rumen bacteria changed with different dietary NFC/NDF ratio during the experimental periods. Rumen bacterial diversity was decreased in dietary NFC/NDF ratio of 1.90 with the prolong of experimental periods. The main dominant phyla in Karakul sheep rumen didn't change, while their relative abundance changed with dietary NFC/NDF ratio and experimental periods. The relative abundance of unidentified-Lachnospiraceae and main cellulose-degrading bacteria was higher in dietary NFC/NDF ratio of 1.37 than other groups (NFC/NDF ratio of 0.54, 0.96 and 1.90). Abstract The study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary NFC/NDF ratio change on rumen bacteria in sheep. Twelve Karakul sheep were assigned randomly into four groups fed with four dietary NFC/NDF ratios of 0.54, 0.96, 1.37, and 1.90 and they were assigned into groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The experiment was divided into four periods: I (1–18 d), II (19–36 d), III (37–54 d), and IV (55–72 d). In each period, the first 15 d were used for adaption, and then rumen fluid was collected for 3 d from each sheep before morning feeding. The fluid was analyzed with three generations of full-length amplifiers sequencing. Results showed that the bacterial diversity of group 4 was decreased in period III and IV. At the phylum level, Bacteroidetes (37–60%) and Firmicutes (26–51%) were the most dominant bacteria over the four periods. The relative abundance of Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Tenericutes, and Spirochaete changed with dietary NFC/NDF ratio change over the four periods, but there was no difference among groups over the four periods (p > 0.05). At the genus level, unidentified-Lachnospiraceae was the dominant genus, and its relative abundance in group 3 was high during the period I and III (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of Mycoplasma in group 4 was high in the period I and II (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of Succiniclasticum was high in group 2 of period II (p < 0.05). At the species level, the relative abundance of Butyrivibrio-fibrisolvens was found to be high in group 3 during periods I and III (p < 0.05). The main semi-cellulose-degrading bacteria and starch-degrading bacteria were low, and there was no significant difference among groups over four periods (p > 0.05). Taken together, the dietary NFC/NDF ratio of 1.90 decreased the diversity of bacteria as a period changed from I to IV. While the main phylum bacteria didn't change, their relative abundance changed with the dietary NFC/NDF ratio change over the four periods. The most prevalent genus was unidentified-Lachnospiraceae, and its relative abundance was higher in dietary NFC/NDF ratio of 1.37 than other groups. Similarly, the main cellulose-degrading species was higher in the treatment of dietary NFC/NDF ratio of 1.37 than other groups.


We present an adaptive numerical scheme for computing the nonlinear partial diierential equations arising in 3D image multiscale analysis. The scheme is based on a semi-implicit scale discretization and on an adaptive nite element method in 3D-space. Successive coarsening of the computational grid is used for increasing the eeciency of the numerical procedure. L 1-stability of the suggested numerical method is presented and computational results related to 3D nonlinear image ltering are discussed.


The present paper aims to suggest some ways of functional and aesthetic rehabilitation of lands affected by mining activity within the western part of Petroșani Depression and especially of Lupeni town. The study wants to show the great potential of these anthropic landforms which can be used for tourism development the area. The landscape is an important resource, being a remarkable natural and cultural heritage that is appreciated for its beauty and aesthetics, but also its contribution to the identity of a region. Beyond how the landscape sheds light on ways of looking at the world, it also confronts us with the issues of nature and how we relate to it. On the other hand, the urban and industrial development forces us to talk about urban landscape, industrial landscape, or technological landscape. The mining landscape from the periphery of Lupeni town can be a subject of touristic development, taking into account the economic problems of the area and the environmental issues made by the the mining activities through time.


Given the significant dangers of LHC operations, access control to the accelerator controls system is required. This paper describes the requirements, design, and implementation of Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) for the LHC & injectors controls systems. It is an overview of the two main components of RBAC: authentication (also called A1) and authorization (A2), and the tools needed to manage access control data. We begin by stating the main requirements of RBAC and then describe the architecture and its implementation. RBAC is developed by LAFS, a collaboration between CERN and Fermilab. The technology used for authentication and authorization are discussed in separate papers also in these proceedings [1][2].


Abstract- With the growing pursuit of leisure and health in life, the goods and services of the traditional beauty industry produce a great impact due to the aromatherapy has different levels of approach to cosmetology and health protection. In response to the typical industrial styles of aesthetic economy and experience economy times, Spa industry not only requires high-quality service system, but also relies on the aromatherapist to provide the skills of cure for body and soul. The professional performance of aromatherapist is the core competence for establishing the brand image. It is different from the traditional beauty industry which is performance-oriented for job performance. aromatherapist must bear a high degree of physical and mental labor. In addition to providing technical services, they also have to meet the customers' demands for the knowledge of commodities in a consultative way. Behind these reasons, the higher work threshold, adaptation and movement of persons have become the major problems for the Spa industry. This research discusses the diversity of organizational commitment of aromatherapist with different background, and analyses the relationships among their organizational commitment and job performance. The presented result may serve as a reference for aromatherapy organization in developing human resource management and development. The population of research is the Spa aromatherapist in Taipei city. Of the 300 questionnaires the researcher took out 198 responded which is with the response rate of 66%. All the data for this research was analyzed by using the methods of t-test, product-moment correlation, and multiple regression analyses. The results indicate that there is a significant relationship between the aspects of organizational commitment and job performance for aromatherapist. The degrees of organizational commitment of aromatherapist whose ages up to 31 is higher than the age less than 30 has significant difference in the aspects of retention commitment; the aspects of citizen morality in job performance also show the significant differences. The degrees of organizational commitment of aromatherapist with different backgrounds have significant differences in the aspects of value commitment and effort commitment; the aromatherapist whose education background is college level above the high school level. In addition, the overall aspects in organizational commitment could forecast the job performance.


Abstract Objectives: Given that tricho-rhino-phalangeal syndrome (TRPS) and pseudohypoparathyroidism/pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP/PPHP) are very rare monogenic disorders that share some features (distinctive facies, short stature, brachydactyly and, in some patients, intellectual disability) that lead to their misdiagnosis in some cases, our objective was to identify clinical, biochemical or radiological signs that could help to distinguish these two syndromes. Methods and results: We report on two cases, which were referred to the Endocrinology and Pediatric Endocrinology Services for obesity. Clinical evaluation initially suggested the diagnosis of PHP-Ia [phenotype suggestive of Albright hereditary osteodystrophy (AHO) with parathyroid hormone (PTH) resistance] and PPHP (phenotype resembling AHO, without PTH resistance), but (epi)genetic analysis of the GNAS locus ruled out the suspected diagnosis. Further clinical re-evaluation prompted us to suspect TRPS, and this was confirmed genetically. Conclusion: TRPS was mistakenly identified as PHP/PPHP because of the coexistence of obesity and brachydactyly, with PTH resistance in one of the cases. Specific traits such as sparse scalp hair and a pear-shaped nose, present in both cases, can be considered pathognomonic signs of TRPS, which could help us to reach a correct diagnosis.


AIM: To investigate the anticoagulant effect of pravastatin and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), as well as their combination, over time, in a rat model of experimental nephrotic syndrome. METHODS: Healthy SD male rats were chosen randomly to perform nephrotic syndrome models by single injection of adriamycin via tail vein, the matched normal control rats received single injection of equivalent 0.9% sodium chloride instead. After 14 days, the models were set up and randomized into model control group, pravastatin group (pravastatin 2 mg·kg^(-1)·d^(-1) gavage once a day), LMWH group (LMWH 200U·kg^(-1)·d^(-1) intraperitoneal injection once a day) and combined treatment group (pravastatin 2mg·kg^(-1)·d^(-1) gavage + LMWH 200µ·kg^(-1)·d^(-1) intraperitoneal injection), then all rats underwent measuring proteinuria every two weeks and fibrinogen, antithrombin Ⅲ (ATⅢ), D-dimer, platelet count, serum total protein and serum albumin after 4 weeks of treatment. RESIJLTS: The concentration of fibrinogen and D-dimer in model group was higher significantly than that in control group, and the level of ATⅢ was lower remarkably than that in control group, but platelet count had no obvious change; Compared with model group, pravastatin could increase the level of ATⅢ and decrease the concentration of D-dimer, but the concentration of fibrinogen and platelet count did not change obviously; LMWH and combined treatment could also decrease level of D-dimer, but had no great effects on ATⅢ, fibrinogen and platelet count; all treatment group had no obvious change of serum total protein and serum albumin. CONCLUSION: Adriamycin-induced nephrotic syndrome rat models have hypercoagulability and pravastatin can increase the level of ATⅢ.


Patient G., 44 years old, married, the wife of a mechanical plant worker, entered the therapeutic department of the Zlatoust city hospital on March 10, 31 (case history No. 1442) with complaints of pain in the left side, weakness, lack of appetite and poor sleep. In December 1930, the patient fell on her left side, there was a fracture of the eleventh rib, after which she began to notice progressively worsening pain in the left side.


For blind people, it is generally very hard if not impossible to notice the obstacles which exist around them except by touching the objects and by hearing the information from around them. Especially the obstruction which is existed at upper level of body. The issue becomes more severe when a blind person also has multiple sensory problems such as impaired hearing. Conventionally, they rely on white canes or guide dogs to assist them in order to reach their desired destination safely. However, the conventional method is beneficial only if the obstructions are existed at below level of body. They could not sense and hear the surrounding and cannot recognize their locations. It is very hard for them to travel independently from one destination to another without the proper navigation tools. In this paper, the performance analyses of a wireless vibration warning device in order to sense the obstructions at upper level of body for deaf-blind people is described. Four pieces of vibrator are used in order to give warning signals when obstacles are detected by ultrasonic sensors which are mounted to detect the obstacle at four directions such as front, down, left and right. From the experiment which is conducted, the configuration of the vibrators in order to warn the user when the obstacles are detected is confirmed. The location and the response of the user are acquired from the experiment which has been done. By using the developed wireless vibration warning device, the upper body level obstacles can be detected without touching the object and the effective wireless vibration warning device functions successfully.