Would the use of theophylline have an effect on ICSI outcomes?

 The cumulative pregnancy rate after the transfer of fresh and frozen embryos (FET) becomes more important justifying the addition of theophylline as an efficacy variable.

 Absolute immotile spermatozoa is one of the most important causes of reduced fertilization and pregnancy rates after ICSI, immotility of testicular spermatozoa is a physiological event resulting from metabolic sperm immaturity. Over the years, there have been numerous attempts to resolve this problem by identification of pharmacological agents that might improve sperm motility. In particular, theophylline turned out to be an effective tool in stimulating motility in human semen and identifying viable sperm in testicular sperm extraction sperm (TESE) patients. aim of this study is to evaluate ICSI outcomes after the use of theophylline to select viable spermatozoa

 This prospective, comparative randomised study was conducted in Fertillia ART center in Tunisia, between november 2017 to november 2020. All patients underwent ICSI cycles with testicular sperm were included. The exclusion criteria consist of cycles with female partner age >42 years and/or cycles with no information about pregnancy outcomes. In our study, the cycles were categorized into two groups according to sperm selection method used in ICSI procdure.

 The present study include 678 cycles. This cohort was randomly divided into two groups according to method of spermatozoa selection. Treatements arms were performed by theophylline to improve sperm motility (Group A) and the Hyposmotic swelling (HOS) test to indicate sperm vitality (Group B). Clinical and biological parameters, the duration of sperm selection and ICSI outcomes were compared between the two groups. A statistical significant difference was accepted when the p value was <0.05.

 Baseline clinical parameters were found to be comparable in the two groups. No differences regarding number of oocytes retrieved or MII oocytes were reported . he sperm selection was easier in the group A (time interval : 12±7,2 minutes) than group B (time interval : 22±10 minutes) (p < 0,05). No significative difference was observed between goups in the Fertilization rate (group A : 66% vs group B : 68%) ; Cleavage rate (group A : 76.20% vs. Group B : 75.56%) and Blasulation rate (group A : 63.60% vs. Group B 60.61%) p > 0 ,05. The Cumulative Pregnancy rate for group A (31. 5%) was higher than group B (30%, p > 0 ,05). Indeed, The rate of frozen cycles is significantly higher for group A compared to group B (30% vs. 4.5% p < 0,05).

 Need large sample size.
 Wider implications of the findings: Theophylline reduces significantly the time needed for sperm selection, Which positively affects the ICSI result.

 Not applicable


The paper presents the control system of a numerical control laser carving machine.a monolithic machine is used as the main control chip of the slave microcomputer.The system uses FIFO to achieve the consecutive data transfers.A Motion control card based on the EPP parallel port using WDM device driver is developed.The problems caused by the not real time of Windows operating system are also discussed.


Background. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) is a key feature of asthma, but the measurement of BHR is hampered by the fact that most tests of airway caliber are difficult to conduct at a young age. Methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction is associated with significant hypoxemia, which can be assessed noninvasively by transcutaneous oxygen pressure (tcPO2) and pulse oximetry. Evaluating BHR by monitoring tcPO2 instead of respiratory resistance (Rrs) has been used over a wide age range in childhood. Objective. To investigate whether there is a consistent relationship between changes in arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) and respiratory resistance (Rrs) similar to the relationship between tcPO2 and Rrs during methacholine challenge in young children and to assess the usefulness of SaO2 as a parameter for the indirect measurement of BHR. Method. We performed methacholine inhalation challenge by monitoring SaO2, tcPO2 and Rrs in 37 asthmatic children 5 to 7 years of age. Consecutive doses of methacholine were doubled until a 10% decrease in tcPO2 from the baseline was reached. We recorded the cumulative dose of methacholine (Dmin) at the inflection point of tcPO2 (Dmin-tcPO2), SaO2 (Dmin-SaO2), and Rrs(Dmin-Rrs). Results. The mean value of Dmin-Rrs was 4.27 ± 2.02 units, the mean value of Dmin-tcPO2 was 4.48 ± 2.01 units, and the mean value of Dmin-SaO2 was 4.57 ± 0.20 units. Inhalation of increasing doses of methacholine raised Rrs curvilinearly and depressed tcPO2 and SaO2. There were no significant differences between any of the parameters. There were significant relationships between Dmin-tcPO2 and Dmin-Rrs (r = 0.914, p < 0.001) and between Dmin-SaO2 and Dmin-Rrs (r = 0.905, p < 0.001) and a relationship between Dmin-tcPO2 and Dmin-SaO2 (r = 0.949, p < 0.001). Conclusion. We concluded that measurement of SaO2 and/or tcPO2 during methacholine inhalation challenge may be used to assess bronchial hyperresponsiveness. This study showed that both SaO2 and tcPO2 monitoring are safe, useful, and tolerable for use in children who are too young to cooperate with lung function tests.


The increasing complexity of information technology, attacks on confidential information, and the passing of new laws and regulations have shifted the focus around internal controls in organizations. Particularly, general information technology controls related to change management (i.e., system change controls) are critical in ensuring the integrity, completeness, and reliability of financial information. The literature points to various evaluation methods for these controls to determine which ones to implement. However, these methods do not necessarily consider relevant organization constraints, preventing the inclusion of required controls or the exclusion of unnecessary controls. This paper proposes a novel approach, using Desirability Functions, for evaluating system change controls providing management with a measurement that is representative of the overall quality of each control based solely on organizational goals and objectives. Through a case assessment, the approach is proven successful in providing a way for measuring the quality of system change controls in organizations.


This article examines the basic nature of Confucius' concept of education. It demonstrates that education, essentially, is the cultivation of the true human nature and is orientated towards the training of the social life of the community. His main concern was to find and increase morality through education and thereby to restore the broken human relationships and corrupted social order of the time. This thesis discusses the following themes: the goal of education, the potential and importance of education, the contents of education and the method of education. Firstly, Confucius places the aim of education in the restoration of the true human nature, This is closely related to the chaotic social situation of his day, which was characterized by a loss of respect for human dignity. Secondly, because education enables one to restore his human nature, Confucius believes in the potential of education which leads to the emphasis on the positive role of education. This is supported by the following two facts. The first is, that for him education seeks to play an . important tole in reconstructing the contemporary society. The second is that his passion for learning is interrelated with his faithfulness in teaching others. Thirdly, the fundamental content of education is Jen(ren). For Confucius, true humanity is about moral nature. This morality is centered on ]en(ren), the totality of moral virtues. This leads to the holistic education. Finally, the ideal method of education is about life and is centered on the learner. For Confucius, education is primarily concerned with living out true humanity in real life. This implies the following: First, the personality of the student is to be considered. Second, education is given in a negative way in that a teacher helps and motivates a student to be involved in activities which are based on human nature. Third, education is to be focused on challenging a student to be conscious of his existence, thus leading to his voluntary involvement in practicing true humanity in the realms of life.


Objective To evaluate the incidental coverage dose to the internal mammary nodes (IMN) in patients treated with postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) and its relationship with the treatment plan. Patients and methods We retrospectively analyzed 138 patients undergoing PMRT and divided them into three groups: three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT), field-in-field forward intensity-modulated radiotherapy (F-IMRT), and inverse intensity-modulated radiotherapy (I-IMRT). The IMN were contoured according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group consensus and not included in the planning target volume. We analyzed incidental IMN dose coverage and its relationship with the lung and heart. Results The mean dose (Dmean) to the IMN was 32.85 Gy for all patients, and the dose delivered to the IMN showed no differences in 3D-CRT, F-IMRT, and I-IMRT (33.80, 29.65, and 32.95 Gy, respectively). In addition, 10.42%, 2.04%, and 9.76% of patients achieved ≥45 Gy with 3D-CRT, F-IMRT, and I-IMRT, respectively. No differences were evident among the three treatment plans regarding IMN dose in the first three intercostal spaces (ICS1–3). The Dmean, V20, V30, V40, and V50 of ICS2 and ICS3 were superior to those of ICS1 for all three plans. For 3D-CRT, a moderate positive correlation was evident between the Dmean to the IMN and the Dmean to the heart. For F-IMRT and I-IMRT, positive correlations were evident between the Dmean of the IMN and the Dmean and V20 of the lung. Conclusion The mean incidental dose to the IMN for IMRT (F-IMRT and I-IMRT) and 3D-CRT after modified radical mastectomy was insufficient to treat subclinical disease. A substantial dose was delivered to the IMN in some patients. Higher incidental doses to the IMN were associated with a higher heart mean dose for 3D-CRT and a higher dose to the lung for IMRT. Future prospective studies should further explore subgroups that do not require IMN irradiation.


TROPICAL FORESTS ARE increasingly modified by human activities. Centuries of human–forest interactions have led to a diverse array of forest areas in different phases of succession. In recent decades, forest conversion to cattle pasture or agricultural fields, followed by land abandonment, has led to large areas of second-growth forest in the Amazon. These forests grow rapidly and sequester large amounts of carbon in their biomass, but they tend to be ignored, as most of the debate on the carbon balance of the Amazon basin tends to revolve around old-growth forests.

For example, a recent study has shown that the net carbon uptake of Amazonian old-growth forests has declined by a third per decade from 1990 to 2010 ([ 1 ][1], [ 2 ][2]). When extrapolated over the whole Amazon basin, these results translate into a reduced role of intact tropical forests in climate change mitigation. This alarming conclusion, however, completely ignores the important role of regenerating forests as carbon sinks. For instance, in 2010 about 25% of formerly deforested areas in Para, Brazil, were occupied by second-growth forests. Although re-growing forests have lower carbon stocks (45 to 48% of old growth forest), their net carbon sequestration rate is up to 20 times higher (4.6 to 5.8 Mg carbon ha−1 year−1) ([ 3 ][3]) than old-growth forests ([ 1 ][1]). Additionally, about one-quarter of the forests in the Amazon basin are managed for timber production. Net carbon sequestration rates after timber extraction are high, and the application of reduced-impact logging techniques further increases carbon sequestration rates (2.8 Mg ha−1 year−1 compared with 0.5 for conventionally logged areas) ([ 4 ][4]). Consequently, it is essential to incorporate the carbon sequestration potential of second-growth, logged, and managed forests in future assessments of the Amazon basin as a global carbon sink.

1. [↵][5] 1. R. J. W. Brienen 2. et al
 ., Nature 519, 344 (2015).
 [OpenUrl][6][CrossRef][7][GeoRef][8][PubMed][9]

2. [↵][10] , Amazon rainforest ability to soak up carbon dioxide is falling (2015); .

3. [↵][11] 1. Y. Pan 2. et al
 ., Science 333, 988 (2011).
 [OpenUrl][12][Abstract/FREE Full Text][13]

4. [↵][14] 1. T. A. P. West, 2. E. Vidal, 3. F. E. Putz
 , Forest Ecol. Manage. 314, 59 (2014).
 [OpenUrl][15][CrossRef][16]

 [1]: #ref-1
 [2]: #ref-2
 [3]: #ref-3
 [4]: #ref-4
 [5]: #xref-ref-1-1 "View reference 1 in text"
 [6]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DNature%26rft.stitle%253DNature%26rft.issn%253D0028-0836%26rft.aulast%253DBrienen%26rft.auinit1%253DR.%2BJ.%2BW.%26rft.volume%253D519%26rft.issue%253D7543%26rft.spage%253D344%26rft.epage%253D348%26rft.atitle%253DLong-term%2Bdecline%2Bof%2Bthe%2BAmazon%2Bcarbon%2Bsink%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1038%252Fnature14283%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F25788097%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx
 [7]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1038/nature14283&link_type=DOI
 [8]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=2015036225&link_type=GEOREF
 [9]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=25788097&link_type=MED&atom=%2Fsci%2F348%2F6235%2F642.3.atom
 [10]: #xref-ref-2-1 "View reference 2 in text"
 [11]: #xref-ref-3-1 "View reference 3 in text"
 [12]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DScience%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1126%252Fscience.1201609%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F21764754%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx
 [13]: /lookup/ijlink/YTozOntzOjQ6InBhdGgiO3M6MTQ6Ii9sb29rdXAvaWpsaW5rIjtzOjU6InF1ZXJ5IjthOjQ6e3M6ODoibGlua1R5cGUiO3M6NDoiQUJTVCI7czoxMToiam91cm5hbENvZGUiO3M6Mzoic2NpIjtzOjU6InJlc2lkIjtzOjEyOiIzMzMvNjA0NS85ODgiO3M6NDoiYXRvbSI7czoyNDoiL3NjaS8zNDgvNjIzNS82NDIuMy5hdG9tIjt9czo4OiJmcmFnbWVudCI7czowOiIiO30=
 [14]: #xref-ref-4-1 "View reference 4 in text"
 [15]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DForest%2BEcol.%2BManage.%26rft.volume%253D314%26rft.spage%253D59%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1016%252Fj.foreco.2013.11.022%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx
 [16]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1016/j.foreco.2013.11.022&link_type=DOI


The x-ray structure factor of water measured under ambient conditions with synchrotron radiation is compared with those predicted on the basis of partial structure factors describing the nuclear positions obtained by neutron diffraction and of different assumptions for the electron distribution. The comparison indicates that a charge of approximately 0.5 e is transferred from each hydrogen atom to the oxygen on the same molecule, implying an effective dipole moment of 2.9 D, in good agreement with theoretical estimates.


Many significant challenges related to transportation systems have been raised recently, these include the high accidents rate, road congestion, emission of gases, and environment pollution. Furthermore, transportation crashes caused injuries in accident. Researchers investigated virtual methodologies to automate the transportation process that known as Intelligent Transport System (ITS). In the last 20 years, ITS have been employed efficiently to enhance the performance of transportation systems, improve security of travel, and provide several choices for travelers. The idea of virtual technologies integration is a novel in transportation field. Collecting data from multi-sources played a significant improvement in ITS, this can help stakeholders for processing different forms of data. This huge amount of data can significantly help in the revolution of ITS. This paper focused on several Autonomous vehicles (AVs) related technologies that employed efficiently in ITS. This review integrates and synthesizes monitoring AVs using data fusion from different data sources. Furthermore, recent technologies and software toolboxes are presented in this paper to facilitate the researchers job in improving the data and sensor fusion in AVs.


West Africa, prior to the twentieth century, has generally been considered a 'white man's grave'. However, very few statistics have been published to support the generalization. New data on the problem of European mortality in West Africa are published here for the first time. The data, compiled from the records of the Netherlands Second West India Company, include population and death statistics for Europeans employed by the Company on the Gold Coast. Between 1719 and 1760, the mortality rate was just under 20 per cent per year. This number is low in comparison with previously published estimates of mortality in West Africa. The data presented here may be the most extensive for the period of maritime contact which preceded the partition of Africa. The author suggests, on the basis of these statistics, that it may be necessary to consider revising European mortality estimates downward.


As a routine procedure during the examination of modern paintings in the City Museum and Art Gallery, Birmingham, artists were contacted and asked to give technical information relating to materials used and methods of application. Useful information was received from a majority of artists.


A method for launching a program application is provided. Here, configuration instructions are stored in a memory device and the configuration instructions are associated with multiple configurations. A configuration is selected from the multiple configurations when the memory device is coupled to a computing device. Thereafter, a configuration instruction associated with the configuration is retrieved from the memory device. The program application is launched and the configuration instruction is transmitted to the program application. A computing device is also provided. The computing device comprises a processor. The processor is configured to select a configuration from multiple configurations when the computing device is coupled to a memory device. The processor is further configured to retrieve a configuration instruction associated with the configuration from the memory device. In addition, the processor is configured to launch a program application associated with the configuration instruction and transmit the configuration instruction to the program application.


The fish diversity of the Adamawa lakes is among the most undocumented in Northern Cameroon. Faced with this lack of knowledge, an inventory of ichthyofauna and habitats characterization was conducted in nine lakes. Seven lakes (Assom, Gegouba, Massote, Mbalang, Ngaoundaba, Piou and Tizong) are located in the Sanaga Basin and two (Bini and Dang) are located in the Lake Chad Basin. In order to assess the composition and variation in fish assemblage, eight sampling campaigns were carried out seasonally between 2017 and 2018; they revealed 26 species of fish distributed in 6 orders, 9 families and 16 genera. Communities in Lakes Assom (13 species) and Bini (9 species) were the most diverse. Omnivorous (42.3%) and spawners in open water or on substrates of sand, gravel, rock or plants (69.2%) were the most represented. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling, analysis of similarities (ANOSIM), and similarity percentage analysis (SIMPER) revealed that fish species composition differed significantly among lakes. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) identified temperature, pH, TDS, and conductivity as variables explaining the most variation in fish species. The presence of four endemic species in the Sanaga Basin in lakes Assom, Gegouba, Massote and Piou, shows that these lakes stand out as hotspots for conservation due to the uniqueness of their ichthyofauna.


Mesoscopic structures are important for photonics applications. Here we describe the preparation of (sub)micrometer droplet or line patterns of organic semiconductors by a simple casting process. Dewetting during the solvent evaporation leads to the formation of regular structures that are caused by the so-called dissipative structures that develop during nonequilibrium conditions. Controlling the casting conditions (concentration, speed, etc) we were able to tailor the resulting patterns. Examples for the patterns are luminescent or conducting aggregates that can be used as organic transistors. Coating the self-organized structures with metals is an easy process to produce patterend metal surfaces, which can be sued in plasmonics.


In this study, a first-principles investigation of hydrogen storage in the FeTi intermetallic is carried out. The structural and electronic changes due to hydrogen insertion into the FeTi intermetallic are determined using DFT and pseudo-potential calculations through the code SIESTA (Spanish Initiative for Electronic Simulation of Thousand of Atoms). The pseudopotentials are constructed using Troullier and Martins parametrization which describes correctly the ion-electron interactions. To define the real-space grid, necessary for numerical calculations of the electron density, detailed tests were performed in order to choose the appropriate basis set, the energy cutoff and the k-grid cutoff. The exchange-correlation potential is treated with the generalized gradient approximation (GGA). Lattice data, bonding properties and the density of states provide an explanation for the role played by hydrogen in the chemical bond with the Ti and Fe constituents.


Gathering in France, scientists from all over the world recently attended the Second International Conference on Bispecific Antibodies. The meeting confirmed the hopes raised by this new therapeutic concept at the first conference held last year in the United States. The sophisticated technology is now fully developed, and the first clinical trials have demonstrated initial signs of efficacy, notably in cancer treatment. The conference was held at Seillac, in France's Loire Valley, from the 9th to the 13th of October 1990. This meeting, organized by France's 'Centre National de Transfusion Sanguine' (CNTS), America's National Cancer Institute (NCI), the Dartmouth Medical School and sponsored by CNTS and Medarex, Inc., an American biotechnology company, was a great success. More than 140 participants, researchers, physicians and corporate scientists from different parts of the world, evidenced their commitment to this new domain of medical research. The scientific presentations confirmed many researchers' hopes that bispecific antibodies would be promising tools for the treatment of otherwise intractable cancers and infectious diseases. This original therapeutic concept is based upon coupling two monoclonal antibodies, the first one directed toward the target (e.g. a virus, cancer cell), and the second one toward an effector cell (for example, a lymphocyte, macrophage or natural killer cell) to trigger its killing activity. Medical scientists' interest in this novel approach stems from its ability to increase and target the reactivity of the human immune system. ent steps involved in the manufacturing process. Researchers have now mastered the production of bispecific antibodies, and even trispecific antibodies ( M . Glennie and collaborators, Tenovus Research Lab, Southampton, UK). Furthermore, this conference showed accomplishments in the functional characterization of bispecific antibodies by the development of in vitro experiments and new animal models to confirm the antibodies' bispecificity, to check the antibodies affinity for their targets, to determine the optimal effector-target ratio and to measure the cellular activation. These results, taken together with phase I and I1 clinical data, confirmed the predictions made at the 1989 conference: Bispecific antibodies could be used in cancer therapy to eliminate the remaining tumor cells after surgery, irradiation or chemotherapy. The first clinical data obtained in cancer treatment are very promising. At Seillac, five teams presented their results in phase I clinical trials treating cancer patients with lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells armed with bispecific antibodies (0. Mezzanzanica, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy; Reinder Bolhuis, den Hoed Cancer Center, Netherlands; Mike Clark, Cambridge, UK; Lou de Leo, Academic Hospital, Groenigen, Netherlands, J . Donohue, Mayo Clinic, USA). All of these studies were designed primarily to check the tolerance of such therapy, and the results were very favorable. Whereas LAK cells show no specific affinity towards tumor cells, their association with bispecific antibodies caused tumor cell lysis when injected locally.


The association of diabetes mellitus to the coronary heart diseases has attracted the greatest attention of both clinical endocrinologists and cardiologists. However, the endocrine issue of cardiovascular system includes but is not only limited to diabetes, and its significance appears to be far much broader. Heart and vessels are also endocrine organs. Diseases of each axis of endocrine system are actually intimately related with the heart outcomes. Hence the cardiovascular endocrinology, as a special area with common interest of classical endocrinology, emerges and challenges our endocrine clinicians who are in the upstream in managing these diseases as well as in the forefront of active research in this area.


This paper introduces the concept of performance circuits as a means for understanding economic transactions. The concept of the performance circuits emphasizes the script-like sequences and the existing cultural narratives that enable the believable performances of those scripts. The concept of performance circuits allows for Zelizer's concept of relational work to be applied in ethnographic studies of economic life, decomposing the constituent parts that enable the accomplishment of value in the marketplace. The paper opens with a dramaturgical performance at the United States Federal Reserve and then turns to microstudies of handicraft production, modern art markets, and neighborhood branding to demonstrate how one can study market dramas unfolding, sometimes unremarkably, emotions being generated, and background representations making loosely scripted actions understandable.


Ransomware attacks are emerging as a major source of malware intrusion in recent times. While so far ransomware has affected general-purpose adequately resourceful computing systems, there is a visible shift towards low-cost Internet of Things systems which tend to manage critical endpoints in industrial systems. Many ransomware prediction techniques are proposed but there is a need for more suitable ransomware prediction techniques for constrained heterogeneous IoT systems. Using attack context information profiles reduces the use of resources required by resource-constrained IoT systems. This paper presents a context-aware ransomware prediction technique that uses context ontology for extracting information features (connection requests, software updates, etc.) and Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning algorithms for predicting ransomware. The proposed techniques focus and rely on early prediction and detection of ransomware penetration attempts to resource-constrained IoT systems. There is an increase of 60 % of reduction in time taken when using contextaware dataset over the non-context aware data. Keywords—Ransomware; IoT; context-aware; machine learning; ontology


Poverty is a fundamental problem being faced by the entire nations of the world. There is not a single country free from the poverty issues both developed and developing countries particularly in Indonesia. Nowadays, one of the poverty alleviation efforts is empowerment program which is an efficient and effective empowerment of the poor. This research is an extended research from the previous study which led to the social empowerment specifically though productive zakat. This is very important to be done in the context of poverty alleviation itself so that those who are classified as poor with this empowerment effort will become empowered communities so that they, in turn, will become people who empower other poor communities. One program that applies such a model is the Productive Zakat program distributed to LAZ (Amil Zakat Institution) in Pekanbaru City, where the distribution to Mustahiq in the framework of Mustahiq togetherness, but its success is still questioned by various parties. The theory of community empowerment is the basis used in this study, which puts forward the concept of enterprise blessing which is based on the empowerment of productive recipients of zakat and is affected by self and family-guarding. The survey research method was conducted aimed at LAZ productive zakat Mustahiq in Pekanbaru City, collecting data with questionnaires and data were analyzed using path analysis techniques with WarpPls program. The research results showed that the enterprise blessing of Mustahiq productive zakat recipients and Amil Zakat institutions in Pekanbaru city are affected by the empowerment or success in managing the enterprises. Meanwhile, the success in managing an enterprise is affected by an adequate daily self and family-guarding Keywords: self-guard, family-guard, enterprise empowerment, enterprise blessing.


In 2010 Tamilarasi and Manimegalai introduced a new class of algebra called TM-algebra. In this paper we give a characterization for an (r, l) system to be a TM-algebra.


A postmodern perspective deserves no exclusive privilege among Christians, but, to the extent that postmodern thought equips Christians to profess their faith in a way distinct from the legacy of modernity, faithful Christians do well to attend to their postmodern neighbors.


The invention discloses an automatic system for measuring starting and wind speed characteristics of a cup type wind speed sensor. The system includes a miniature wind tunnel generation device and a wind speed calibration instrument. The miniature wind tunnel generation device simulates wind speed of 0 to 10 m/s inside through a direct current fan to measure a starting wind speed characteristic and 0 to 10 m/s wind speed characteristics of the cup type wind speed sensor. The wind speed calibration instrument drives a wind speed sensor shaft to rotate through a driving device inside the wind speed calibration instrument to measure high wind speed section 10 to 40 m/s wind speed characteristics of the sensor. The system design has the characteristics of simple structure, small size, high measurement accuracy, good field use effect, lower measurement cost and the like. On the premise that appearance, rotation performance and a balance characteristic of a wind cup are qualified, through starting wind speed detection, an instrument whose resistance characteristic of the wind cup of the wind speed sensor is unqualified can be eliminated, repair is convenient, and the percent of pass of the instrument is guaranteed. After the starting wind speed detection is qualified, wind speed indicating value calibration is performed, thereby obtaining accurate wind speed characteristics.


The effect of solar wind high‐speed streams (HSSs) on energetic particle precipitation at auroral and subauroral latitudes (L = 3.8–5.7) is studied by using cosmic noise absorption (CNA) data measured by the Finnish riometer chain during 95 HSS events occurring between 2006 and 2008. The data are divided into "long" and "short" HSS events, depending on whether the maximum solar wind speed is reached within 24 h or later after the arrival of the corotating interaction region (CIR) at the bow shock. We find that CNA is more frequent during long events and extends to subauroral latitudes, unlike during short events. CNA is observed for at least 4 days after the CIR arrival during long events, and only 3 days during short events. In addition, CNA is divided into three categories, depending on whether it is associated with local substorm activity, with ultralow frequency (ULF) wave activity, or neither of these. Substorm‐type CNA dominates in the 21–06 magnetic local time (MLT) sector, while ULF‐type CNA dominates from morning to afternoon and follows the daily SYM‐H index variations. This indicates the importance of having energetic (E > 30 keV) electrons available for interacting with the very low frequency (VLF) chorus waves, which may be modulated by ULF waves. Finally, we find a correlation between ULF‐type CNA on the dayside and substorm activity on the nightside with a 30 min delay, suggesting that substorm injections energize electrons, which then drift to the morning and dayside, where they precipitate into the ionosphere.


Mining of medical diagnoses of data is very difficult task in current data mining approach. The heart disease data is collective information of blood pressure, Cholesterol problem, diabetes and another complex disease. The relational of one disease to another is rare so classification task is very difficult. So prediction of heart disease is very critical. Heuristic Approach is a technique used for prediction of Heart Disease. A prediction model which is  capable of predicting  present and  the future is being used in this project. In this project the future problem of  patient is identified and the patients are send to the required doctors for  treatment without any time delay. Using heuristic approach we can compare the diagnostic data of old patients with the new Patients. If there is a match, same set of treatments can be carried for the new patients.


In this paper, we present an approach for human model reconstruction from a set of pictures. We take a set of pictures around the medical human model using a digital camera. Through calibration, we obtain the intrinsic parameters and extrinsic parameters, and compute the projective matrix of each image. After pre-processing the images, we reconstruct the human model from images according to the shape from silhouettes, using marching cubes algorithm to get the mesh model. We the smoothed and simplified mesh model. Finally, we rig the skeleton to the mesh automatically and drive it using motion capture data.


The article analyses the main benefits of a Portuguese programme, launched in 1996, which was designed to support schools in segregated districts (TEIPs). The first part of the article presents a theoretical framework, before moving on to the main features of the TEIP programme in contemporary Portuguese society and education. An explanation of the methodological procedures applied in the research is also included. In the second part of the article, the main results are discussed. In broad terms, the programme succeeded in reducing violence patterns and drop-out rates. On the other hand, an improvement in academic outcomes is slow and the links to local communities and the labour market are variable and, in both cases, highly dependent of local variables. In the conclusion, the authors systematise the opportunities and challenges of such a 'territorial approach' and point out some key factors in enhancing its success.


Four pieces of carries with the same weight but different cell mass and surface areas were used for activation with carrier loading volume 2.5 %~2.5 %(w/v) the same as that in molasses alcohol factory.The results suggested that carrier surface area could make greater contri-bution than carrier cell mass to the activation velocity.Meanwhile,fed-batch constant-volume activation experiments were carried out for each carrier and the results showed that all four carries could afford constant flowing impact and keep stable free yeast numbers in the liquid.


We present direct spectroscopic modelling of 44 Type Iax supernovae (SNe Iax) using spectral synthesis code SYNAPPS. We confirm detections of helium emission in the early-time spectra of two SNe Iax: SNe 2004cs and 2007J. These He i features are better fit by a pure-emission Gaussian than by a P-Cygni profile, indicating that the helium emission originates from the circumstellar environment rather than the SN ejecta. Based on the modelling of the remaining 42 SNe Iax, we find no obvious helium features in other SN Iax spectra. However, ${\approx } 76{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of our sample lack sufficiently deep luminosity limits to detect helium emission with a luminosity of that seen in SNe 2004cs and 2007J. Using the objects with constraining luminosity limits, we calculate that 33 per cent of SNe Iax have detectable helium in their spectra. We examine 11 SNe Iax with late-time spectra and find no hydrogen or helium emission from swept-up material. For late-time spectra, we calculate typical upper limits of stripped hydrogen and helium to be 2 × 10−3 M⊙ and 10−2 M⊙, respectively. While detections of helium in SNe Iax support a white dwarf–He star binary progenitor system (i.e. a single-degenerate [SD] channel), non-detections may be explained by variations in the explosion and ejecta material. The lack of helium in the majority of our sample demonstrates the complexity of SN Iax progenitor systems and the need for further modelling. With strong independent evidence indicating that SNe Iax arise from an SD channel, we caution the common interpretation that the lack of helium or hydrogen emission at late-time in SN Ia spectra rules out SD progenitor scenarios for this class.


This article addresses the obstacle avoidance problem for setpoint stabilization and path-following tasks in complex dynamic 2-D environments that go beyond conventional scenes with isolated convex obstacles. A combined motion planner and controller is proposed for setpoint stabilization that integrates the favorable convergence characteristics of closed-form motion planning techniques with the intuitive representation of system constraints through Model Predictive Control (MPC). The method is analytically proven to accomplish collision avoidance and convergence under soft conditions, and it is extended to path-following control. Various simulation scenarios using a non-holonomic unicycle robot are provided to showcase the efficacy of the control scheme and its improved convergence results compared to standard path-following MPC approaches with obstacle avoidance.


The library building of new century should reflect characteristics of the time. We should not only pay attention to modernized design,but also carry out humanistic idea at all aspects of the library building,including selection of library site,indoor arrangement,environmental layout. This is a new of building design of modern library.


Influence of seed treatment with fungicides, bactericide, hot water and antagonists on the viability of cabbage seeds was assessed. Seeds treated with carbendazim at 2 g per kg, in hot water at 50°C for 30 min and thiram at 2 g per kg resulted in higher germination.


The purpose of this experiment was to determine the effects of granite grit supplementation to broiler diets on performance and carcass characteristics. For this purpose a total of 160 Ross 308 male broiler chicks aged seven day were used. One control group and one treatment group were designed for 5 weeks of experimental period. Each group was divided into 4 replicates of 20 chicks each in pens. Granite grit (Ankara-Turkey) was added at the level of 0 and 0.8% to the basal diets for control and treatment groups, respectively. Granite grit supplementation had no significant effect on final weight, weight gain and feed conversion ratio. However grit improved feed conversion ratio during the experiment at 2.19% (P>0.05). Feed intake during the first period and during the experiment was significantly reduced by grit supplementation (P<0.05). The relative weight of gizzard was increased (P<0.001) and the relative weight of abdominal fat was decreased (P<0.05) with granite grit supplementation to the diets of broilers. Dietary treatments did not affect blood serum total cholesterol and triglyceride. As a conclusion granite grit may be useful supplement in broilers in the field due to having some improvements in performance and in the relative weight of gizzard and reduction in relative weight of abdominal fat.


N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor (NMDAR) signaling is important for neuronal synaptic plasticity, learning and memory. Downstream activation of pro‐survival Src family kinases and ERK1/2 (extracellular‐regulated signal kinase) is initiated by NMDAR activation but little is known about the cellular organization of these kinases in relation to the NMDAR. We hypothesized that caveolin‐1 compartmentalizes protein complexes necessary for NMDAR signaling in discrete microdomains. We found that sub‐lethal ischemia (SLI) or pharmacological preconditioning via NMDA treatment of primary cortical neurons increases phosphorylated caveolin‐1 (P‐caveolin‐1), P‐Src, and P‐ERK1/2. Primary neurons treated with caveolin‐1 siRNA lacked NMDA‐mediated increase in P‐Src and P‐ERK and neuronal preconditioning was not observed. Basally, NMDAR2B (NR2B) was present in both buoyant fractions (BF) and heavy fractions (HF) from wild type (WT) neurons. Exposure of neurons to NMDA redistributed NR2B to HF only. In caveolin‐1−/− neurons, under basal conditions NR2B was only present in HF. Adenoviral expression of caveolin‐1 (Adv‐Cav1) in caveolin‐1−/− neurons resulted in the detection of NR2B in both BF and HF, and exposure of these neurons to NMDA redistributed NR2B to HF only. In caveolin‐1−/− neurons, NMDA treatment failed to increase P‐Src and P‐ERK. Adv‐Cav1 treated neurons from caveolin‐1−/− mice resulted in NMDA‐mediated enhancement of P‐Src and P‐ERK1/2. We conclude that caveolin‐1 protein expression is essential for localization of NR2B to membrane rafts and subsequent NMDAR‐mediated signaling in primary neurons. (Supported by NIH)


The Tarantula region in the Large Magellanic Cloud contains the richest population of spatially resolved massive O-type stars known so far. This unmatched sample offers an opportunity to test models describing their main-sequence evolution and mass-loss properties. Using ground-based optical spectroscopy obtained in the framework of the VLT-FLAMES Tarantula Survey (VFTS), we aim to determine stellar, photospheric and wind properties of 72 presumably single O-type giants, bright giants and supergiants and to confront them with predictions of stellar evolution and of line-driven mass-loss theories. We apply an automated method for quantitative spectroscopic analysis of O stars combining the non-LTE stellar atmosphere model {\sc fastwind} with the genetic fitting algorithm {\sc pikaia} to determine the following stellar properties: effective temperature, surface gravity, mass-loss rate, helium abundance, and projected rotational velocity. We present empirical effective temperature versus spectral subtype calibrations at LMC-metallicity for giants and supergiants. In the spectroscopic and classical Hertzsprung-Russell diagrams, our sample O stars are found to occupy the region predicted to be the core hydrogen-burning phase by Brott et al. (2011) and Kohler et al. (2015). Except for five stars, the helium abundance of our sample stars is in agreement with the initial LMC composition. The aforementioned five stars present moderate projected rotational velocities (i.e., $v_{\mathrm{e}}\,\sin\,i\,<\,200\,\mathrm{km\,s^{-1}}$) and hence do not agree with current predictions of rotational mixing in main-sequence stars. Adopting theoretical results for the wind velocity law, we find modified wind momenta for LMC stars that are $\sim$0.3 dex higher than earlier results. [Due to the limitation of characters, the abstract appearing here is slightly shorter than that in the PDF file.]


Objective To explore methylation and expression of promoter domain in Hint1 gene in patients with glioma. Methods Methylation and expression of promoter domain in Hint1 gene from brain tissue of normal people and patients with glioma were tested by MSP and Western-Blot. mRNA level of Hint1 gene were tested by RT-PCR. Results The promoter domain of Hint1 gene presented unmethylated state both in normal people and in in patients with glioma. mRNA expression of Hint1 in the brain tissue of 83 patients with glioma was 0.5190 ±0.0280, higher than the average expression in 30 cases of normal brain tissue which was 0.2236 ±0.0300 with statistically significant differences (P 0.01) existed. Hint1 mRNA expression level showed no significant correlation with age, gender or other clinical features but was closely related to clinical stage of the patient. Conclusion Promoter domain in Hint1 gene in patients with glioma presents unmethylated state and Hint1 gene expression is closely related to patient's clinical stage.


The objective of this research was to establish and realize a streamlined process from product design to manufacturing. Studies showed that this may be effectively accomplished by synchronizing the product and tooling design processes and incorporating manufacturing specifications during this product design phase. The proposed method entails a detailed tabulation of skills and judgments made by experienced manufacturing engineers onto a check list. These elements are quantified and simplified so that a non-skilled worker may perform the tasks. The parameters were then used to construct 3D CAD models forming collection of 3D data that is referred to as the "check module". Implementing manufacturing specification check sheets and the check modules for a cell phone design resulted in 33% reduction in man-hour compared to existing approach, while the number of tasks requiring judgments and decisions was reduced by 78%. These measures decreased product defects stemming from human error and allowed a streamlined product and mold design.


Many real world systems evolve asynchronously in continuous time, for examplecomputer networks, sensor networks, mobile robots, and cellular metabolisms.Continuous time Bayesian Networks (CTBNs) model such stochastic systems incontinuous time using graphs to represent conditional independencies amongdiscrete-valued processes. Exact inference in a CTBN is often intractable as thestate space of the dynamic system grows exponentially with the number ofvariables.In this dissertation, we first focus on approximate inference in CTBNs. Wepresent an approximate inference algorithm based on importance sampling. Unlikeother approximate inference algorithms for CTBNs, our importance samplingalgorithm does not depend on complex computations, since our sampling procedureonly requires sampling from regular exponential distributions which can be donein constant time. We then extend it to continuous-time particle filtering andsmoothing algorithms. We also develop a Metropolis-Hasting algorithm for CTBNsusing importance sampling. These algorithms can estimate the expectation of anyfunction of a trajectory, conditioned on any evidence set containing the valuesof subsets of the variables over subsets of the time line.We then apply our approximate inference algorithms to learning social networkdynamics. Existing sociology models for social network dynamics require directobservation of the social networks. Furthermore, existing parameter estimationtechnique for these models uses forward sampling without considering the givenobservations, which affects the estimation accuracy. In this dissertation, wedemonstrate that these models can be viewed as CTBNs. Our sampling-basedapproximate inference method for CTBNs can be used as the basis of anexpectation-maximization procedure that achieves better accuracy in estimatingthe parameters of the model than the standard learning algorithm from thesociology literature. We extend the existing social network models to allow forindirect and asynchronous observations of the links. A Markov chain Monte Carlosampling algorithm for this new model permits estimation and inference.Experiments on both synthetic data and real social network data show that ourapproach achieves higher estimation accuracy, and can be applied to varioustypes of social data.


The invention discloses a remote anti-fake authentication system and a remote anti-fake authentication method used for a positioning terminal. The system and the method are used for remotely authenticating the genuineness and falseness of the special positioning terminal, and preventing other positioning terminals from pretending to be the special positioning terminal by an operator, and the system comprises the special positioning terminal with a built-in encryption module, a monitoring device and an authentication device, wherein the monitoring device is used for monitoring the special positioning terminal by the operator; the authentication device is used for storing the special positioning terminal information provided by the operator; the authentication device is provided with a built-in decryption module corresponding to the encryption module; the authentication device, the monitoring device and the special positioning terminal are respectively provided with remote communication modules. According to the remote anti-fake authentication system and the remote anti-fake authentication method used for the positioning terminal, the remote authentication of the special positioning terminal is realized, the authentication efficiency is improved, the authentication loophole is removed, the operator is prevented from adopting other positioning terminals to pretend to be the special positioning terminal, and the security assurance of the special positioning terminal used by the operator or a terminal user is effectively supervised.


In the preceding paper (I), the ability of air twister tube as a substitute for usual twister tube of woollen ring spinning frame was studied.The effects of draft ratio, air pressure and tube dimension on false turns were experimented.The same testing apparatus as in the preceding paper was used in this experiment. The relation between irregularity of sliver and drafting condition-tube position, ratch, thread angle, etc-was investigated. The experimental results suggest the capability of the high drafting of condensed slubbing.The results obtained are as follows.1. The irregularity of slubbing drafted by using air twister tube has the same order as usual false twister. (Figs. 3, 4) These results substantiate the possibility of air twister.2. The tube setting should be decided by fiber length of the condensed slubbing. Each curve of Figs. 5 and 6 has a minimum value at the point of the longest fiber. Getting the ratch short, the irregularity is slightly reformed, and so, the long ratch as the woollen mule spinning is not necessarily reasonable. (Fig. 7)3. Applying air false twister, drafting with 2_??_3 zone is able to draft higher the woollen slubbing than usual single zone. In this case, the draft ratio of each zone should be limited within the range of CVa/CVb<1.


RAYMOND H. WELCH, MD, a Providence dermatologist for almost three decades, testified January 22 at a federal hearing held in Hartford, Conn. It focused almost entirely on UnitedHealthcare's (UHC) termination of physicians from its Medicare Advantage (MA) provider network, which went into effect February 1. Dr. Welch and an estimated onethird of Rhode Island physicians were cut; but he noted that a review of the list of UHC active Ocean State dermatologists "included a doctor who is dead. And one is me, under an old EIN number and different address." R.I. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, a member of the U.S. Senate Special Subcommittee on Aging, which held the field hearing, had invited Dr. Welch to speak. Among its charges,


Introduction. Currently, there is no uniform methodology for assessing student competencies and learning outcomes in Russia. Educational organizations develop these methodologies independently. There are no uniform grade allocation criteria, and there is confusion about the concepts of "indicators" and "evaluation criteria" that challenges the assessment of the quality of educational activities and triggers complaints about biased assessments. In this regard, there is a need to set reasonable rules for evaluating learning outcomes. Materials and methods. The author made a contribution in the development of a methodology for evaluating learning outcomes at NRU MGSU. A comparative analysis of the assessment methods described in the publications made by different authors was carried out to identify the strengths and weaknesses of this methodology. The proposed methodology is compared with Bloom's taxonomy. Results. The analysis has shown that currently used assessment methods are far from being perfect, and a number of problems of their development have been identified. Principles of selecting indicators and evaluation criteria are proposed on the basis of the analysis performed by the author. It is advisable to use such learning outcomes, as knowledge and skills, as assessment indicators. A system of knowledge and skills assessment criteria characterizing their amount and quality is proposed. Conclusions. The proposed assessment method has advantages and disadvantages. Its advantages include clarity and flexibility of the criteria that ensure a comprehensive assessment of knowledge and skills. The disadvantages of the methodology are the complexity of the criterial system and disregard for any personal features of a student in the process of evaluation.


The thyroids from 93 autopsies performed on children and young adults younger than age 40 years, were subserially sectioned at 2‐to 3‐mm intervals. Thirteen thyroids revealed 17 foci of occult papillary carcinoma (OPC), giving a prevalence rate of 14%. The youngest affected patient was a boy aged 18 years. The prevalence rate of individuals between age 18 and 40 years was 27%. The rate appears to be rather constant in adults, although there may be a slight rise in middle age. The prevalence rate was higher for males, but no statistically significant difference was seen. The arise of OPCs after puberty would favor the view that hormonal factors are related to their appearance.Cancer 58:715‐719, 1986.


DOCTOR CLEARY (Closing) .-I would like to say a further word about the selection of transfixion wire. I am not committed to the use of ordinary oil-tempered springsteel wire, although we have found this metal practicable and effective for the average case. Some of the stainless-steel wires, while more expensive and not so easily handled in penetrating the bone, will not snap as the tempered wire sometimes does. I feel that the wire should be selected according to the magnitude and duration of the stress that it is expected to carry. Doctors Fisher and Spiers have emphasized the technical and the limited application of skeletal traction. May we not fully agree with them, and yet face clearly the fact that modern conditions bring serious fracture problems with increasing frequency to a single ordinary doctor, who must assume the responsibility for treating the injury with which he is confronted. I believe that "be prepared" is a better sentiment for us to leave with a colleague who may face such a situation than "beware meddling."


This article examines adverse selection in insurance markets with two‐dimensional information: policyholders' riskiness and degree of risk aversion. We build a theoretical model to make equilibrium predictions on competitive insurance screening. We study several variations on the pattern of information asymmetry. The outcomes range from full separation to partial separation, and complete pooling of risk types. Next, we propose a copula approach to jointly examine policyholders' coverage choice and accident occurrence in the Singapore automobile insurance market. Furthermore, we invoke the theory to identify subgroups of policyholders for whom one may expect the risk–coverage correlation and adverse selection to arise.


The protein kinase RSK-B/MSK2 belongs to the RSK-like family of kinases. It contains two kinase domains in the NH2-terminal and C-terminal region, respectively. MSK1 and RSK-B/MSK2 are activated in response to mitogenic stimuli via the Erk1/2 pathway and also by stress stimuli via the p38 pathway (Deak et al., 1998; Pierrat et al., 1998). Both kinases have a common phosphorylation target: the transcription factor CREB (cAMP response element binding protein) (Deak et al., 1998; Pierrat et al., 1998). In order to generate the RSK-B/MSK2 targeting construct for inactivation of this gene, we screened a 129strain genomic DNA BAC library (Genome Systems) with a mouse cDNA probe coding for the RSK-B/MSK2 gene. From one positive BAC, a DNA fragment containing the sequence encoding NH2-terminal ATP binding domain of the RSK-B/MSK2 gene was isolated. Mapping analysis of the exon/intron structure of the NH2-terminal ATP binding domain showed that it was encoded by two exons separated by a small intron of 91 bp (Fig. 1A). Since a point mutation in lysine 65 of the NH2-terminal ATP binding domain of RSK-B/MSK2 abolishes kinase activity (Deak et al., 1998; Pierrat et al., 1998) and deletion of both exons will create a frameshift that prevents the translation of the rest of the protein, we chose to flank the two exons with loxP sites in order to generate a targeting construct (aa Y44 to K154 in the RSK-B/MSK2 mouse protein). The construct was generated in two rounds of ETcloning (Angrand et al., 1999; Zhang et al., 1998). The 5 upstream loxP site (Fig. 1A) was introduced in the first round of ET-cloning and the PGKtk/neo cassette flanked by two FRT sites and the second loxP site was introduced in the second round. ES cells (E14.1) were electroporated with 20 g of linearized construct and selected in G418 (350 g/ml) (Tronche et al., 1999). From the analysis of 300 clones, 40 had undergone the correct homologous recombination event as determined by Southern blot analysis with 5 and 3 external probes (Fig. 1B, C) as well as with an internal probe (data not shown) to exclude the possibility of multiple integrations into the locus. The presence of the 5 upstream loxP site was confirmed by PCR and Southern blot analysis. The PGKtk/neo cassette flanked by two FRT sites was removed from two correctly targeted ES cell clones by electroporation of the eukaryotic FLPe expression vector pCAGGS-FLPe into the cells (Schaft et al., 2001) (Fig. 1A). From a total of 100 gancyclovir-resistant clones analysed by PCR and Southern blot analyses, two were found to be positive for complete excision of the PGKtk/neo cassette. A third clone was mosaic, indicating that the PGKtk/neo cassette was not completely removed. This phenomenon has also been described by others (Schaft et al., 2001). Positive ES cell clones were used to produce chimeric animals by blastocyst injection and mated to C57BL/6 mice for germ-line transmission. To test the functionality of the loxP sites in vivo and to generate the RSK-B/MSK2 null allele, we crossed RSK-B/ MSK2 mutants with transgenic mice expressing the Cre recombinase under the control of the CMV promoter (Cre deleter) (Schwenk et al., 1995). Analysis of genomic DNA and kidney cDNA from the offspring of double transgenic mice showed the expected pattern of Cre-mediated recombination between the loxP sites (Fig. 2A, B). In summary, we have combined the strategy of ETcloning with the Cre/loxP and FLP/FRT system to generate a mouse harbouring a conditional allele of the RSK-B/MSK2 gene. In addition, we show the functionality of the loxP sites in vivo through the generation of a RSK-B/MSK2 null allele. RSK-B/MSK2 mice will be a valuable tool to investigate the role of RSK-B/MSK2 in specific cell/tissues in vivo.


The invention relates to a bicycle vibration energy conversion mechanism and a bicycle adopting the same. The bicycle vibration energy conversion mechanism comprises a force transfer mechanism and a shell used for being arranged on a fixed frame of the bicycle, wherein one end of the force transfer mechanism is in transmission connection with a swing frame, capable of vertically swinging, of the bicycle; the other end of the force transfer mechanism is in transmission connection with a swing arm which is rotatably matched with the inner wall of the shell and is suitable for the swing arm to carry out reciprocating swinging; an arc-shaped surface tooth at the lower end of the swing arm is in transmission connection with an input gear which is located on the lower part and is rotatably matched with a fixed shaft; the input gear is in transmission connection with the inner end of a clockwork spring at the rear side by a ratchet wheel mechanism; the outer end of the clockwork spring is in transmission connection with a driven gear on a rotating shaft in a matching way by utilizing a bearing and a one-way clutch provided with gear teeth on the outer side face; the driven gear is suitable for being in transmission connection with the rotating shaft; and the end part, stretching out of the shell, on the rotating shaft is suitable for being fixedly connected with a chain wheel used for driving a driving wheel of the bicycle. The bicycle vibration energy conversion mechanism is capable of accumulating vibration energy and then outputting the vibration energy to wheels so as to drive the bicycle to advance.


The development of technology and information today is in a very rapid development. The existence of information technology proved to have been able to integrate every detail of information that was previously thought to be impossible to achieve, such as speed, efficiency and effectiveness. The Ries Carpet which is located at Jl. Pleret No. 1 is one of the large carpet shops in Bantul Regency that sells a variety of Carpets. As one of the long-running businesses, the store always tries to be able to compete and expand its sales market. IN fact, because the information media used were only in the forms of brochures, pamphlets, and banners, it made the information of the goods offered in detail not reach the broad consumers. It became an obstacle to meet sales and revenue targets. The transaction process running on The Ries Carpet at this time was that the customer personally came to get detailed product information before making a purchase transaction. After getting detailed product information customers purchased. After a purchase and payment transaction, the administration staff will record the transaction data and make a payment note for the customer.

Keywords: Information Systems, Sales, Carpeting, Website Based


Purpose. Perform numerical analysis of the station structure. Take into account in the process of mathematical modeling the process of construction of station tunnels of a three-vaulted station. Obtain the regularities of the stress-strain state of the linings, which is influenced by the processes of soil excavation and lining construction. Methodology. To achieve this goal, a series of numerical calculations of models of the deep contour interval metro pylon station was performed. Three finite-element models have been developed, which reflect the stages of construction of a three-vaulted pylon station. Numerical analysis was performed on the basis of the finite element method, implemented in the calculation complex Lira for Windows. Modeling of the stress-strain state of the station tunnel linings and the soil massif was performed using rectangular, universal quadrangular and triangular finite elements, which take into account the special properties of the soil massif. Station tunnel linings are modeled by means of rod finite elements. Findings. Isofields of the stress-strain state in finite-element models reflecting the stages of construction are obtained. The vertical displacements and horizontal stresses that are characteristic of a three-vaulted pylon station are analyzed. The analysis of horizontal stresses proved that at the stage of opening of the middle tunnel the scheme of pylon operation is rather disadvantageous. The analysis of bending moments and normal forces was also carried out and the asymmetry of their distribution was noted. Originality. Based on the obtained patterns of distribution of stress-strain state and force factors, it is proved that numerical analysis of the station structure during construction is necessary to take measures to prevent or reduce deformation of frames that are in unfavorable conditions. Practical value. In the course of research, the regularities of changes in stresses, displacements, bending moments and normal forces in the models of the pylon station, which reflect the sequence of its construction, were obtained.


During the 1990's infant sleep bags were seen as a logical solution to thermo regulation concerns arising in studies reviewing sudden infant death and the use of duvets and blankets 2-3 . A 2008 UK study on sleeping bags and thermo regulation, confirmed this logic, finding that a 2.5 tog rated sleep bag (the most commonly used bag in the United Kingdom), when used with light clothing on a firm infant mattress at room temperatures of between 18-22 o C provided thermoneutral conditions for babies aged 3 weeks to 5 months of age 4 . Infant sleep bags were also seen as a logical way to avoid tangling in bedding. An earlier study by L'Hoir 5 in The Netherlands suggested that sleeping bags may prevent infants from moving downwards and getting caught in blankets. Many countries including Australia 6 , Germany 7 , and The United Kingdom 8 recommend sleep bags to reduce head covering risks. In New Zealand there are many retailers selling cotton and/or merino sleeping bags costing between ($60- $160), making them mostly unaffordable for lower socio-economic parents. Given that infants in deciles 9-10 have a 6 fold increase in SUDI compared to deciles 1-2, and that teenager mothers have an almost 3 fold increase compared to older parents, an approach to target safer sleep for older babies in these vulnerable groups was agreed upon. Discussions with an online retailer "The Sleep Store' resulted in the initiation of the project of recycling sleeping bags and passing on education within more vulnerable communities as a way to initiate discussions about ways to protect the older more mobile baby.


In this study, the ammonia gas adsorptivity was evaluated by carbide of coffee beans residue. Ammonia gas was used as a test gas. When organic compounds included some nitrogen atoms are rotted, ammonia gas breaks out. It has irritating smell. And, it shows corrosion effect for metal plating, copper and aluminum. 10 to 1000ppm ammonia gas concentrations were prepared in globe bags with the carbide samples. After 15min, 1h and 24h gas concentration in each glove bags were measured by gas detector tubes. The carbide samples of the coffee bean residue showed excellent ammonia gas adsorptivity.


A total of 215 serum samples of clinically suspected dengue patients who presented to the tertiary care hospitals over a period of July-November 2011 were analyzed for the detection of dengue NS1 antigen, dengue IgM and IgG antibodies and 180 (83.7%) samples were found positive by one or more than one testing parameters. Of the 180 samples, 98 (54.4%) were positive to NS1, 168 (93.3%) were positive to IgM and 93 (51.6%) cases were positive to IgG only. Similarly, 93 (51.6%) were positive to both NS1 and IgM, 48 (26.6%) to NS1 and IgG, and 83 (46.1%) were positive to both IgM and IgG and 48(26%) were positive for NS1, IgM and IgG.

 A randomly selected subset of 50 serology positive samples were tested by, one step TaqMan real time fourplex RT-PCR assay. A total of 35/50 (70%) samples were found positive by PCR. Positive rates of dengue serotypes were 15/35 (42.8%), 11/35 (31.4%) and 9/35 (25.7%) for DENV-1, DENV-2 and DENV-3 respectively. No DENV-4 serotype was detected.


The article is devoted to the peculiarities of teaching business correspondence to future economists in the cross-cultural context. Specific features of English business letters and the importance of taking cultural peculiarities into account in the process of international business communication are also examined.


[Abstract]: When an IP network is unable to provide users with demanded services, it usually outsources to other networks. Outsourcing will involve the process of authenticating users for services over IP networks. The process can become complex when different networks have different authentication schemes, in which users are required to provide varying sets of information for service authentication. In this paper, we propose a new service authentication protocol by means of which many networks are linked together forming an ad hoc network system. This ad hoc network system will provide an aggregated range of services to users. Individual networks within the system retain their own authentication schemes and the result of user authentication can be relayed to other networks within the system. We argue that with this protocol, the burden of collecting authentication information and obtaining authentication for each outsourced service is alleviated. We also demonstrate how to construct a service authentication framework and apply the protocol in two case studies.


McArdle's disease (MD) is well known as a metabolic myopathy due to myophosphorylase deficiency. We examined monocarboxylate transporters (MCT) and creatine kinase (CK) protein content in skeletal muscle from 12 patients with MD and 12 age‐matched controls, to evaluate potential cellular adaptations to compensate for the loss of glycogenolysis. MD muscle had higher protein content of MCT1 and mitochondrial CK (mt‐CK), with no changes in the activities of citrate synthase (CS) and cytochrome c oxidase (COX) and voltage‐dependent anion channel (VDAC) protein, as compared to controls. These results suggest that lactate uptake via MCT1 could be important to increase the pyruvate availability, and that mt‐CK could be important to maintain phosphocreatine concentration and thus local ATP availability for MD patients, under conditions of reduced energy flux due to inborn errors of metabolism. Collectively, the above data suggest that the proteins related to extra‐muscular fuel uptake and intra‐muscular energy transduction are up‐regulated without change in mitochondrial mass in MD muscle. Additionally, our findings support the effectiveness of carbohydrate for MD patients, and also highlight a potential role for creatine supplementation in the treatment of this population.


For a bounded metric space $ X $ one can consider the quantity $ \delta(X) := \text{inf\rule[-0.5ex]{0em}{1ex}}_{\,p\in X}\; \text{sup}_{q \in X} \; d(p,q) $. This purely metric invariant is known from approximation theory as the relative Chebyshev radius of $ X $ w.r.t. $ X $ itself. Despite its obvious meaning, $ \delta(X) $ seems rather untouched in the geometric literature. In this paper we discuss, for plane convex curves $ X $, an isoperimetric type inequality, relating $ \delta(X) $ to the perimeter of the curve. Due to the minimax character of $ \delta(X) $, its handling resists the usual principles for extremal questions. It will be shown that the smooth case of the inequality can be reduced to the polygonal case by approximation. However, for polygons, there is the additional problem of the high dimensionality of the set of vertices. So, in general, we only can offer conjectures. Definite solutions are possible for restricted classes of curves. Even for short polygons, there already arises a sort of `magic kites' which show that squares are definitely not the extremal figures.


We have investigated the magnetic state of iron in siderite FeCO3 under high pressure using Kβ x-ray emission spectroscopy. Pressure induced changes in the shape of the iron Kβ emission lines indicate that the iron ground state changes from a low pressure magnetic state to a high pressure non-magnetic state. This transition takes place roughly at 50 GPa. This conclusion is supported by charge transfer multiplet calculations of the iron Kβ emission line.


Ideologies of national belonging and related perceptions of the need to secure the boundedness of the national entity prevail in the design of migration policy in the western world. The same ideologies also account for discourses and policies questioning the belongingness of immigrants after settlement. Prolonged stays by migrants, especially those of low class standing, are seen as a threat to the social cohesion and cultural homogeneity of the nation, and the acceptance of newcomers is provisional upon their compliance with a set of norms and behaviours, dispelling impressions of their perceived dangerous character. Such ideologies are not only macro-structural forces produced through the workings of state institutions but, equally, are enacted and contested through the practices of 'ordinary people' in different fields of everyday social life. Elias and Scotson's established–outsiders model provides an appropriate theory to understand these everyday dynamics allowing for a relational perspective that situates processes of domination and resistance at the heart of the inquiry. Expanding on this model and the literature on 'whiteness' and everyday nationhood, this paper puts forward an intersectional theoretical framework that views immigrant–native relations as unequal configurations unfolding through a symbolic struggle over defining the nation and who belongs to it. In so doing, it brings in the dimension of power in the study of immigrant integration.


Hemp was treated with high temperature lye in the thesis.It discussed the effect of the dosage of sodium hydroxide and the assisting impregnant on the quality of hemp pectin removing.It compared the ratio of the long hemp fiber and the quality of hemp pectin removing.While the other factors keep the same,the optimum craftwork is that the dosage of sodium hydroxide is 14.05 g/L,assisting impregnant is 5.25 g/L.


FIELD: information technology. SUBSTANCE: management region contains intermediate information on defects and intermediate information on defect management. The intermediate information on defects contains information on location of the defect region in the data region and information on location of a replacement region for the defect region, and intermediate information on defect management includes information on location of intermediate information on defects. The management region further contains a defect management region. The latest intermediate information on defects and the latest intermediate information on defect management, which are recorded last in the intermediate defect management region, are recorded as defect information and defect management information in the defect management region. EFFECT: shorter time for accessing a disc. 3 cl, 9 dwg


Potentiometric equilibrium measurements have been performed at (25.0 ± 0.1) °C and ionic strength I = 0.1 mol dm-3 KNO3 for the interaction of the purine nucleotides adenosine 5'-mono, 5'-di, and 5'-triphosphate and Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Mn(II), Zn(II), Ca(II), and Mg(II) with the biologically important secondary ligand zwitterionic buffers 3-(N-morpholino)propanesulfonic acid, 3-[(1,1-dimethyl-2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-2-hydroxypropanesulfonic acid, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazine-N'-2-hydroxypropanesulfonic acid, piperazine-N,N'-bis(2-ethanesulfonic acid), and piperazine-N,N'-bis(2-hydroxypropanesulfonic acid) in a 1:1:1 ratio and the formation of various 1:1:1 normal and protonated mixed-ligand complex species was inferred from the potentiometric pH titration curves. The experimental conditions were selected such that self-association of the purine nucleotides and their complexes was negligibly small; i.e., the monomeric normal and protonated ternary complexes were studied. Initial estimates of the formatio...


The porous properties of self-assembled waveguides made up of nanoparticles are characterised. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) reveals predominantly hcp or fcc packing suggesting a remarkably well ordered and distributed porous structure. N2 adsorption studies estimate a surface area SA ~ 101 m2/g, a total interstitial volume Vi ~ 1.7 mL/g and a pore size distribution of r ~ (2 - 6) nm. This distribution is in excellent agreement with the idealised values for identically sized particles obtained for the octahedral and tetrahedral pores of the hcp and fcc lattices, estimated to lie within and rtet ~ (2.2 – 3.3) nm and roct ~ (4.2 – 6.2) nm for particles varying in size over 20 to 30 nm. Optical transmission based percolation studies reveal rapid penetration of Rhodamine dye (< 5 s) with very little percolation of larger molecules such as ZnTPP observed under similar loading conditions. In the latter case, laser ablation was used to determine the transport of hydrated Zn2+ to be D ~ 3 x 10-4 nm2s-1. By comparison, ZnTPP was not able to percolate into the wire over the time of exposure, t = 10 mins, effectively demonstrating the self-assembled structure acting as a molecular sieve. We discuss the potential of such structures more broadly and conclude that the controllable distribution of such nano-chambers offers the possibility of amplifying, or up-scaling, an otherwise local interaction or nanoreactions to make detection and diagnostics much simpler; it also opens up a new approach to material engineering making new composites with periodic nanoscale variability. These and other unique aspects of these structures are embodied in an overall concept of lab-in-wire, or similar self-assembled structures, extending our previous concept of lab-in-fibre from the micro domain into the nano domain.


Due to their fast responsiveness, energy storage units such as batteries can provide fast frequency control to power systems. However, when the control signal is biased or substantially autocorrelated, they cannot provide services for extended periods of time because they have limited energy capacities. To improve the ability of batteries to provide frequency control, we can offset their frequency response so that they only respond to fast and zero-mean frequency deviations, while passing slower and biased deviations to other resources. We propose two new heuristics to offset frequency control signals, and a method to compare these heuristics to previously developed heuristics. This method allows us to quantify the heuristics from the point of view of both the storage unit operator (return on investment, ROI) and the transmission system operator (impact on the power system). Considering battery degradation, the new heuristics yield better ROIs, and we find that our results are not very sensitive to the battery's energy-to-power ratio around its optimum. We also find that the best choice of heuristic depends on what impact matters most to the transmission system operator.


A cohort of patients with breast cancer HER2 positive are exposed to chemotherapy with cardiotoxic drugs like anthracyclines (A) and trastuzumab (T). The decrease in longitudinal strain is a helpful tool to predict clinical cardiotoxicity. The purpose of this paper is to determine if echocardiographic parameters like longitudinal strain with speckle tracking predict subclinical cardiotoxicity compared to conventional echocardiographic parameters.
 This was a retrospective, observational cohort study that involved 20 patients with breast cancer HER2+ who were treated with a chemotherapy reverse sequence (TH-A). We made a basal echocardiogram, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after chemotherapy with a cumulative dose of 240mg/m2 of doxorrubicin. Cardiotoxicity was defined as a decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction of 10% below 53%, and subclinical cardiotoxicity as a decline of >15% of longitudinal strain.
 5 patients (25%) developed decline in longitudinal strain (subclinical cardiotoxicity) 3 months after initiation of chemotherapy, despite 2 of them had normal LVEF (p = 0.01), with the use of heart failure medication they showed partial reversibility. Lineal regression analysis showed that patients with GLS >-19% at baseline did not present cardiotoxicity during the follow up (p = 0.03). Changes in GLS were independent of left ventricular mass, E/A and peak s' wave velocity (p = 0.01).
 The diagnosis of subclinical cardiotoxicity by the decrease of GLS is a useful tool with possible therapeutic implications and possible reversibility of cardiotoxicity in patients with reverse chemotherapy sequence.
 Significant results Binary analysis of echocardiographic variables Value LVEF p GLS p Basal 62.4 ± 6.7 -19.8 ± 1.8 3 months 59.4 ± 11.1 0.615 -18.1 ± 3.9 0.01 6 months 60.2 ± 8.7 0.354 -18.9 ± 3.3 0.185 9 months 61.6 ± 6.0 0.862 -19.65± 1.9 0.408 12 months 61.1 ± 5.7 0.379 -19.8 ± 1.9 0.859 Binary analysis of echocardiographic variables
 Abstract P1773 Figure. Sequence of chemotherapy


The reflectivity of nano-powder and the permeability of nano-membrane at the ultraviolet wave band are tested. The cotton fabric is treated with adhesives contained zinc oxide or titanium dioxide nano-powder, and the ability of anti-ultraviolet can meet the practical requirements. The result show that acrylic acid resin has more absorption at the UVA band than others. As the same thick membrane, the more the dimethylbenzene contains, the better the property of anti-ultraviolet. The effect of anti-ultraviolet is getting better with the increase of nano-powder. The ultraviolet permeability has inversed correlation with the amount of nano-powder at 320nm wave band for zinc oxide or titanium dioxide nano-powder. When the zinc oxide or titanium dioxide is added to 4%, the permeability is less than 0.4%.


Characteristics of MD matriculation in American universities lie in cooperation
between Association of American Medical Colleges and Medical Schools on campus.
AAMC highlights its role in three aspects, arranging Medical College Admission
Test, providing American Medical College Application Service, entrusting to
conduct Criminal Background Check. Medical School takes its part by proclaiming
premedical courses and identifying applicants with attributes essential for
medical education. The outcome of cooperation is having satisfying
matriculants. The essence underlying is the professionalism permeated in
medicine profession.


The decadal variation of precipitation in March over South China and its relationship with PDO(Pacific Decadal Oscillation)are analyzed by using the observational rainfall data,PDO index,and NCEP reanalysis data.The Mann-Kendall test performed on precipitation in March over South China shows that the turning year for decadal change in about 1978,precipitation experienced a notable low to high transition.In the decadal period of low rainfall,PDO is in negative phase(high sea surface temperature in the North Pacific,low sea surface temperature in the middle-East Pacific),sea level pressure and height at 500 hPa in North Pacific are high,sea level pressure and height at 500 hPa on the Asian continent are low,the troposphere atmosphere in East Asia is warm,the western Pacific subtropical high is easterly,East Asian upper-tropospheric jet stream is northerly,Hadley circulation in East Asian is weak.In the decadal period of high rainfall,PDO is in positive phase,the situation is completely the opposite.The variability of the precipitation in March has a very significant correlation with PDO index in February and March,the correlation coefficients between them were positive at 99% confidence level.It can be summed up the changes of precipitation in March over South China is closely related to the changes of sea surface temperature in the North Pacific Ocean on decadal time scales,and a possible mechanism is proposed about how the PDO influences the precipitation anomaly over South China in March.


THE modification of the Kjeldahl method for the determination of nitrogen described herein is adapted to the requirements of the research work of Pacific Mills Research Laboratory for testing the treatment of fabrics with different nitrogen compounds. This method has the advantage of being simple to handle and easy to adjust for different samples containing varying amounts of nitrogen. It yields satisfactory results when the content of nitrogen is low or when its distribution is not uniform. The determination


Let $A,B\subset M$ be inclusions of $\sigma$-finite von Neumann algebras such that $A$ and $B$ are images of faithful normal conditional expectations. In this article, we investigate Popa's intertwining condition $A\preceq_MB$ using their modular actions. In the main theorem, we prove that if $A\preceq_MB$ holds, then an intertwining element for $A\preceq_MB$ also intertwines some modular flows of $A$ and $B$. As a result, we deduce a new characterization of $A\preceq_MB$ in terms of their continuous cores. Using this new characterization, we prove the first W$^*$-superrigidity type result for group actions on amenable factors. As another application, we characterize stable strong solidity for free product factors in terms of their free product components.


Lost River Winder Riders is a project designed to provide students with a challenging hands-on exercise in relational database design. It is extensive enough to provide a stimulating exercise, but not so large as to be overwhelming. This case can be used as an individual or team project in a database design course. It is sufficiently detailed to challenge students as they apply design concepts to a problem that closely simulates a real-world situation.


Photodynamic therapy (PDT) of tumors relies on the delivery of a photosensitizer to the tumor site followed by external laser activation. The effectiveness of the therapy is determined by the fluence and irradiation of the laser, intratumoral photosensitizer retention, and availability of molecular oxygen. We hypothesized that retention and resulting therapeutic response may be improved with local hyperthermia. Tumors were grown in the rear limb then locally heated for 1 hour at 42.5 °C immediately following i.v. injection of the photosensitizer in an immunocompetent murine model. Laser exposure was applied at 2 h or 24 h after the heating session. Administration of heating caused a significant growth delay when a single laser treatment was applied only 2 hours following injection. However, in animals given photosensitizer only and irradiated 2 h later there was no measurable anti-tumor effect observed. The marked anti-tumor effects obtained with prior local hyperthermia were observed even as the dose was lowered from 10 mg/kg to 1.3 mg/kg. Additionally, histological analysis of our intial studies revealed that the majority of the tumor tissue (~75%) was necrotic after two days when heat was combined with PDT, while PDT alone resulted in only ~25% necrotic tissue. Additionally, a significant, though less notable, increase in the efficacy was observed if the laser treatment was applied 24 hours after hyperthermia and photosensitizer administration. This increase is in part ascribed to the increased retention of the photosensitizer in the tumor tissue and likely lasting effects on tumor blood flow and oxygenation in the heated vs. control groups.


Deafness and defective hearing have always been one of the irritating thorns in the halo of medical practice. We, as otolaryngologists, have had no effective therapeutic methods with which to cure these conditions, and we have had neither the apparatus nor the time to embark on extensive programs of substitution therapy. Both the doctor and the handicapped individual had come to regard deafness with a sensation of utter frustration. Many doctors have never demonstrated sincere interest in this physical deficiency and as a result the patient has been allowed to drift aimlessly, desperately seeking help from anyone who could offer the slightest encouragement. He is regarded as eccentric and boring, sometimes mentally deficient, and usually psychologically maladjusted. Even the doctor is frequently convinced of these traits and prefers other types of cases in his daily practice.


Increasing incidence and severity of postpartum haemorrhage, together with postpartum haemorrhage‐associated morbidities, have been reported in many high‐resource countries. In‐depth analysis of such factors in Victorian births since 2002 was lacking.


Diagnostic accuracy in regard to biliary and pancreatic diseases has improved markedly since the introduction of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)(1,2), but detection of small bile duct cancers and small pancreatic cancers is difficult even by those modalities. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) remains the most accurate and reliable procedure for cytodiagnosis and precise staging of biliary and pancreatic neoplasms, and it is indispensable to the endoscopic treatment of biliary and pancreatic diseases.


This document includes 23 composite data products (CDPs) produced for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) fuel cell material handling equipment, with data through the third quarter of 2014.


There are many education and training packages in marine technologies around Malaysia. According to usual practice, it takes about four months for each training package to be assessed. So if it is not up to the minimum requirement, it is difficult for the provider or the students to make changes in the middle of the course. In this study, a fuzzy expert system was designed to provide an alternative way to assess a marine technology training program. This method incorporated fuzzy method with expert system and multi-criteria decision making technique. The entire process was programmed using FORTRAN and Microsoft Excel. Three marine programs from three different education providers were tested. Set of data inserted and the outcomes were analyzed. The results showed that the fuzzy expert system developed is reliable, user friendly and flexible.


This is a document presenting guidelines for preparation and execution of studies on the social and economic impact of HIV/AIDS intended for those charged with carrying out such studies and for anyone planning to commission such work. It provides basic concepts to assist thinking about socioeconomic implications together with ideas and techniques for planning responses to the medium and longer-term socioeconomic impact.


Virtually the corporate governance structure is a kind of equilibrium institution arrangements formed by the owners of productive factors who participate in an enterprise contract seeking for the way to maximize their own benefit The precondition of equilibrium institution arrangements is the mechanism of dynamic equilibrium of the owners benefit, Therefore, in order to perfect corporate governance structure of state owned enterprise, we must not only promote the development of factors market system and substantially make use of market mechanism on the macro level, but also substantiate and improve on the factor and the structure and the function of SOE corporate governance structure (based on) the basic structure of "the new three committees


Infrared non-destructive testing method (IRNDT) is suitable supplement to classic non-destructive testing methods (NDT). The advantage of IRNDT method is fast and non-contact measurement and evaluation that is available to various industrial and research applications. The method is suitable for both production process inspection (material inhomogeneities, inner structure of multilayer parts, cracks, ...) and subsequent component inspection during service (cracks, layers delamination, etc.) The possibility of defects detection is influenced by IRNDT method parameters, geometric orientation of defects and by physical properties of material. The influence of material thermal properties on the detectability of defects is discussed. Infrared thermography can be classified as passive or active. Passive thermography means infrared measurement of object under natural conditions while active thermography involves infrared measurement after prior thermal excitation of the analyzed object. Infrared non-destructive testing method [1-3] belongs to the active thermography. It is used for defects detection in the material. The detectable defects are only those influencing the heat transfer in the object – material inhomogeneities, voids in the material, cracks or delaminated layers for example. Thus the infrared non-destructive testing method can be used for input and output inspection of products during the manufacturing process. The IRNDT method is also usable for identification of internal structure of non-homogeneous materials. The efficiency of defect detection depends on their geometrical orientation, on the parameters of thermal excitation (pulse power, pulse length and number of pulses) and on thermal properties of the tested material. The advantages of IRNDT method are non-destructive non-contact testing, speed of inspection, wide range of in dustrial and research applications and the usability for wide range of materials. The necessary conditions for IRNDT testing method are homogeneous thermal excitation of whole inspected surface, limited inspection depth combined with defects size and elimination of reflections from surrounding and/or thermal excitation source directly to the detector of IR camera. According to the application, a suitable combination of excitation method, analysis method and evaluation method including their parameters has to be found [4-7]. This work is concerned on the influence of thermal properties of basic material on the ability of defects detection, i.e. on the size and depth of distinguishable defects.


With the specified designed service life,the design details of vehicle structure are determined,the analytic expression of a inverse problem of fatigue life estimation of the freight carbody welded structure under multi-load spectrums is derived on the basis of AAR Standard.With the carbody of an exported freight car as an example,the whole process of analyzing the inverse problem in fatigue life estimation of the welded structure on the basis of AAR Standard is given.The analysis result shows that,with the method in this paper,the design stress of the welded structure under the specified designed service life can be obtained efficiently,and can provide theoretical basis for improving the design scheme of vehicles and realize equivalent life design.


In the near future all the coal-fired boilers in the Netherlands are likely to be equipped with SCR to reduce NOx emissions. The co-firing of secondary fuels will be extended. At the moment the knowledge about deactivation of catalysts in a high-dust SCR installation as a consequence of co-firing large amounts of secondary fuels in a coal-fired boiler is limited. In 2003 KEMA has started a research programme to obtain information about how the co-firing of secondary fuels affects the activity of SCR catalysts.


Abstract Canada and Australia, as Westminster parliamentary federal systems, share many institutional similarities. However, there are key divergences in the exercise of institutional practices within their judiciaries and legislatures. In spite of these divergences, there has been a policy convergence in the area of same-sex unions. The causes of this convergence are twofold: first, the institutional arrangements under federalism provided the mechanisms for addressing same-sex unions; and second, it was the constituent units that utilised these institutional mechanisms in order to pursue the recognition of same-sex unions. Both the constituent units within Canada and Australia generated an 'upward' pressure on their respective federal governments (specifically the legislatures) to address the question of same-sex marriage.


Speculative execution side-channel vulnerabilities such as Spectre reveal that conventional architecture designs lack security consideration. This article proposes a software transparent defense framework, named as Conditional Speculation, against Spectre vulnerabilities found on traditional out-of-order microprocessors. It introduces the concept of security dependence to mark speculative memory instructions which could leak information with potential security risks. More specifically, security-dependent instructions are detected and marked with suspect speculation flags in the Issue Queue. All the instructions can be speculatively issued for execution in accordance with the classic out-of-order pipeline. For those instructions with suspect speculation flags, they are considered as safe instructions if their speculative execution dose not refill new cache lines with unauthorized privilege data. Otherwise, they are considered as unsafe instructions and thus not allowed to execute speculatively. To pursue a balance of performance and security, we investigate two filtering mechanisms, Cache-hit-based Hazard Filter and Trusted Page Buffer-based Hazard Filter to filter out false security hazards. As for true security hazards, we have two approaches to prevent them from changing cache states. One is to block all unsafe access, the other is to fetch them from lower-level caches or memory to a speculative buffer temporarily, and refill them after confirming that they are on the correct execution path. Our design philosophy is to speculatively execute safe instructions to maintain the performance benefits of out-of-order execution while delaying the cache updates for speculative execution of unsafe instructions for security consideration. We evaluate Conditional Speculation in terms of performance, security, and area. The experimental results show that the hardware overhead is marginal and the performance overhead is minimal.


In this paper I test the hypothesis according to which the Quantal Response Equilibrium (QRE) solution concept significantly outperforms the Mixed Strategy Nash Equilibrium (MSNE) in experimental situations. The testing ground for the hypothesis is an experiment with variations of the RPS game applied in June 2013 to students from various universities in Bucharest. The results of the experiment show that the QRE solution does not perform substantially better than the Nash Equilibrium for two of the three games studied and that it does represent a slight improvement in only one of the games. This result lies in stark contrast to the bulk of the literature developed thusfar on the QRE solution.