Objective is to study the role of small mammals, habitant in the Republic of Guinea, in Lyssavirus circulation. Materials and methods. Investigations were conducted using RT-PCR; nucleotide sequence of Lyssavirus cDNA fragments was identified with the help of sequencing with further phylogenetic analysis. Results and conclusions. Tested have been 356 brain samples from small mammals for the presence of Lyssavirus RNA using RT-PCR with genus-specific primers. The animals were caught in the suburbs of Kindia city in 2016. The samples were obtained from wild animals pertaining to Rodentia, Chiroptera, Eulipotyphla, and Carnivora orders. Lyssavirus RNA was detected in 31 samples (8.7 %). For 14 PCR positive samples the appurtenance to Lyssavirus was confirmed through identification and analysis of nucleotide sequences of the collected short cDAN fragments of viral genome. The presence of rabies virus RNA in positive tests was excluded from PCR with the help of species specific primers. The pool of samples from black rats, Rattus rattus, positive for Lyssavirus RNA, contained RNA characteristic of Mokola lyssavirus species. Specified has been nucleotide sequence of matrix protein M gene fragment of Mokola virus. Genetic material of Mokola virus was detected in the Republic of Guinea for the first time ever.


According to Critical Theory, dating websites are considered as an element that 'rationalizes' modern sexual- emotional interactions (logic of "hostile worlds"). Throughout an online survey and interviews, this paper analyzes the criteria selection of Chilean users in dating websites. The aim is to test the hypothesis of 'rationalization'. Despite the criteria variety for choosing a couple, the data shows the fulfillment of two requirements: a) to allow the observation of others' socio- cultural capital; and, b) to do it without tearing the emotional imaginary process.


Abstract The risk of thyroid autoimmunity and thyroid dysfunction among patients with gout and hyperuricemia has not been well defined. This study was undertaken to examine the impact of gout and hyperuricemia on risk of thyroid disorders including thyroid autoimmunity and thyroid dysfunction. A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the risk of thyroid autoimmunity and thyroid dysfunction related to gout and hyperuricemia, which included 115 gout patients, 439 hyperuricemic patients, and 2 254 individuals without gout and hyperuricemia. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 observational studies was also done to systematically evaluate the risk of thyroid dysfunction among patients with gout and hyperuricemia. Findings from the cross-sectional study suggested a significantly increased risk of hypothyroidism among female gout patients (OR=2.44, 95% CI 1.15–5.17, p=0.02). Besides, gout could also substantially increase risk of Hashimoto's thyroiditis in women (OR=3.15, 95% CI 1.53–6.49, p=0.002). The meta-analysis proved a considerably increased risk of hypothyroidism among both gout patients (OR=1.51, 95% CI 1.23–1.85, p<0.001) and hyperuricemic patients (OR=1.34, 95% CI 1.11–1.61, p=0.002). Moreover, this meta-analysis also suggested that gout could also significantly increase the risk of hyperthyroidism (OR=1.25, 95% CI 1.06–1.48, p=0.01). The findings from the study suggest increasing risk of hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's thyroiditis among gout patients. Moreover, gout but not hyperuricemia is linked to increased risk of hyperthyroidism. More studies are warranted to elucidate the influence of gout and hyperuricemia on thyroid disorders.


Spray drying was studied with Elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) juice using a Buchi B-290 spray dryer. Different inlet temperatures ranging from 70°C to 120°C and two feed flow rates of 180 ml/hr and 300 ml/hr were considered for the experiment. The operating parameters were optimized in terms of total phenolic content retention, color, and powder recovery. The inlet temperature of 80°C with feed flow rate of 180 ml/hr gave high phenolic content retention with good color but lower recovery of the dried powder, i.e., less than 50%. To increase the recovery percentage during the drying process, the elderberry juice was spray dried with five different wall materials, i.e., soya milk powder, soya protein powder, isolated soya protein, gum acacia, and maltodextrin. Wall materials were evaluated in terms of total phenolic content retention, color of the powder, and mass recovery percentage. The gum acacia and maltodextrin gave better results and high recovery percentage, i.e., more than 70%. The best three combinations were stored under three different storage conditions in three different packagings to monitor the stability of the phenolic content and color of the powder.


Prominent environmental scholars and activists in India have posited that environmental crises in the Indian Himalayas result primarily from adopting forestry practices that override local communities and argue that the region can be sustained only when the state allows local communities to practice indigenous forest management. This paper challenges those critiques: focusing on the Garhwal Himalayas, it shows that forestry practices involve contestation and negotiation between the state and local communities and argues that environmental scholars fail to recognize how particular classes have shaped forest use and management practices and played a central role in determining environmental sustainability for local communities.


The utility model relates to a non-screw multi-purpose pipe joint, comprising upper and lower semicircle pipes 4 and 7, and bolt 11. The non-screw multi-purpose pipe joint is characterized in that semicircle bosses 3 and 8 which are pressed on the upper sides of radical sealing rings 2 and 5 are respectively arranged at the both ends of the upper and the lower semicircle pipes 4 and 7; two axial sealing gaskets 14 and 15 are arranged at the axial boundary surfaces of the upper and the lower semicircle pipes 4 and 7. The utility model has the advantages that screws do not need to be hinged on pipes which are connected when the pipes are connected; the non-screw multi-purpose pipe joint is convenient to install; the long dimensions of the pipes is conveniently adjusted. The non-screw multi-purpose pipe joint can be used as a pipe joint and a movable joint; the non-screw multi-purpose pipe joint can automatically eliminate the influence of the heat expansion and cold contraction of the pipes; the non-screw multi-purpose pipe joint is safe.


A second-generation apparatus was built and used to inflate heat-softened plastic sheets to shapes from hemispheres to large spheroidal bubbles. Three sheet materials, polystyrene, high-impact polystyrene, and cellulose acetate butyrate, were successfully formed beyond the hemispherical shape at temperatures somewhat below industrial levels. Four others, rigid poly-(vinyl chloride), an acrylic-modified PVC, cast poly(methyl methacrylate), and polycarbonate, could not be deformed beyond the hemispherical shape without rupture. Measurements included bubble profiles, thickness distributions and local extension ratios for the final bubbles; two plots of profile growth measured from high-speed motion pictures; and a continuous record of bubble temperatures and blowing pressure from which the meridional temperature distributions were plotted.

Fifteen bubbles were measured and analyzed. Profiles and extension ratios were compared with those computed from the equations of isotropic, isothermal elasticity, using several different strain-energy functions with constant material parameters. Agreement over all fifteen bubbles on all properties was about ±10.8 percent (absolute) for the best models considered. Bubble growth occurred over periods of 5 to 8 seconds, with about 90 percent of the final area of the larger bubbles being generated in the final 1.5 seconds. The maximum areal elongations obtained were 18,600 percent for clear polystyrene at 238°F, 14,300 percent for high-impact polystyrene at 224°F, and 1,010 percent for cellulose acetate butyrate at 280°F.


Background: Fixed drug combinations (FDCs)have various advantages and disadvantages. In countries like India there are numerous irrational prescriptions as highlighted by the recent banning of FDCs in October 2018. Studying the prescription pattern helps in developing national database which can be used to promote rational use of drugs.Methods: All the Outdoor Patient Department (OPD) prescriptions from department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBG) during the study period were used for the study. The drugs were classified according to Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification. Other data studied were the number of FDCs and the number of currently banned combinations which were used during the study period.Results: The 41% of the drugs prescribed as FDCs. Most FDCs belonged to alimentary system followed by anti-infectives and blood and blood forming organs group. Vitamin D3 and Calcium combination was the most commonly prescribed FDC. Approximately 20% of these prescribed drugs are currently banned.Conclusions: A significant number of drugs are being prescribed as FDCs which also includes various irrational combinations.


Non-antibiotic small molecule-modified gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) show great potential as an alternative of commercialized antibiotics, yet their narrow antibacterial spectrum hinders the wide application in clinics. We observe that co-functionalized Au NPs with both bovine serum albumin (BSA) and 4, 6-Diamino-2-pyrimidinethiol (DAPT) can generate conjugates (Au_DAPT_BSA) with the progressive antimicrobial activities, including the decreased minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) against Gram-negative bacteria and the extended antibacterial spectrum against Gram-positive bacteria compared with DAPT-capped Au NPs (Au_DAPT). Au_DAPT_BSA induce no drug resistance and can significantly decrease the number of bacteria in the biofilms formed by P. aeruginosa and S. aureus. In addition, Au_DAPT_BSA exhibit in vivo healing efficiency for mice with subcutaneous abscesses caused by clinically isolated, multi-drug resistant E. coli or S. aureus, without inducing the detectable toxicity to mammalian cells/animals. Our findings provide a new strategy for strengthening nanomaterials-based bactericides such as Au NPs, especially against the drug-resistant bacterial infection.


Covid-19 occurred at the end of 2019 and, beginning in 2020 to date, is an event, which has not happened in the past, causing seriously negative effects on social and economic life. How to suitably react and survive smoothly with Covid-19 is not a simple issue, which has been raised and gradually looked for solutions to date. This article analyzes the policies and behaviors of resident capital flow under normal and Covid-19 conditions. Based on this analysis, some policies may be implemented. In terms of research methods, qualitative research and frameworks of policy and event analysis are applied in this article. The analyzed events are collected in the phases of 2020 to 02/2022.


Residing from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, punk rock act SCREAMING AT TRAFFIC have joined us here on IDIOTEQ to give you an exclusive first listen of ...


Communication in heterosexual encounters is often problematic, particularly front the perspective of the woman involved. In examining what renders such communication problematic, this article argues that both hegemonic discourses and particular interpersonal contexts need to be taken into account. Communication and negotiation take place in the intersubjective realm, the space where human beings make sense of their experience. An analysis of memories and accounts provided by groups of men and of women shows how the shared meanings which emerge within such encounters (occasioned meanings) are produced with reference to the dominant discourses. Since these discourses are designed to articulate men's interests, the question of gendered intersubjectivity is particularly salient. Intersubjectivity and negotiation are seen to be related in complex ways. Examples are given of occasions when intersubjectivity is either lacking or incomplete, and it is shown that the male sex drive discourse is one which is then often drawn upon in determining what takes place. This is particularly so for the sexually inexperienced, and thus from a feminist perspective a new discourse of heterosexuality becomes essential.


The electrostatic charge generation that appears when hydrocarbons flow through pipes has been extensively studied over time. This phenomenon is very complex, and the charge generation depends on the nature of the liquid and solid involved in this process. This paper presents a study concerning the electrification phenomenon for different Newtonian and non-Newtonian liquids, with different conductivities and viscosities as well as for various pipe diameters. A detailed methodology, in order to reliably measure the streaming current, and to determine the space charge located at the wall when the double layer is fully developed (pw∞) and effective rate constant (physico-chemical reactions coefficient) (K) is also presented. It was observed that the streaming current increases with the electrical conductivity, and with the oils viscosity. The correlation between the shear stress and the flow electrification phenomenon at the solid/liquid interface is then analyzed.


Inhibition of phosphoinositide 3-kinase δ (PI3Kδ) is an appealing target for several hematological malignancies and inflammatory diseases. Herein, we describe the discovery and optimization of a series of propeller shaped PI3Kδ inhibitors comprising a novel triaminopyrimidine hinge binder. Combinations of electronic and structural strategies were employed to mitigate aldehyde oxidase mediated metabolism. This medicinal chemistry effort culminated in the identification of 52, a potent and highly selective inhibitor of PI3Kδ that demonstrates efficacy in a rat model of arthritis.


This paper describes a 3D geometric modeling method for warship safety assessment. The models are established on the OPENGL foundation. The basic function of this rapid modeling system is to setup ship hull form model, general arrangement model and main longitudinal structure model. The models developed are integrated with other applications used for warship safety assessment, such as hydrostatic calculation, longitudinal strength analysis and so on, to assess the safety of damaged warships.


Introduction Patients with pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) usually have underlying hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), when iron deficiency often develops due to recurrent nasal and gastrointestinal haemorrhage. Iron deficient PAVM/HHT patients have more ischaemic strokes and venous thromboemboli. However, recent UK data indicate that cerebral abscesse are more common in PAVM patients using intravenous iron and/or with high normal transferrin saturation index.1 Furthermore,~1 in 20 HHT patients report that iron treatments exacerbate their nosebleeds.2 The goal of this study was to evaluate clinical patterns of iron treatments in patients with PAVMs and HHT. Methods Iron, red cell and microbiology indices were evaluated as part of routine clinic assessments of patients with PAVMs and/or HHT. With ethical approval, all available patient datasets between 04/2015 and 07/2017 were recorded, categorised according to patient status, and analysed using STATA IC v13 (Statacorp, Texas). Results At first assessment, 72 patients were using oral iron alone, and 21 were using intravenous iron +/-iron tablets. As noted in figure 1, intravenous iron users had lower haemoglobin concentrations than oral iron users, despite higher serum ferritin. None of the 16 selected PAVM patients evaluated had positive blood cultures in the clinic, or developed positive cultures following ex vivo iron treatments. Three of seven selected patients had low serum haptoglobin (0.32–0.36 g/L, reference range 0.5–2.4 g/L) potentially indicative of shortened intravascular red cell survival. 31 patients were commenced on oral or intravenous iron, or recommended a dose increase, but 56 were advised dose reduction. Post assessment, daily iron dosages tended to be lower (elemental iron content 14–130, median 35 mg/day) than at first assessment (elemental iron content 14–260, median 65 mg/day, p=0.08). In two patients, external clinicians advised that iron dose reduction led to at least temporary cessation of blood transfusion requirements. Reported nosebleed improvements were common, though may have also been due to intervening treatment of PAVMs.2 Conclusions Further study on the clinical efficacy and sequelae of iron treatments, and a more personalised approach to therapy, appears warranted in this patient group. References Boother, et al. Clin Infect Dis2017. doi:10.1093/cid/cix373 Shovlin, et al. ERJ Open Res2016;2(2).00035–2016.


Well-established operational practices have determined the evolution of earlier carriage-launched lifeboats. The requirement of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) that all offshore lifeboats be of the fast, self-righting type by 1993, however, motivated the need to reexamine basic design parameters in the context of current launching and recovery practices and possible improved techniques. Conventional model tests were carried out to establish resistance and propulsion data, but the inability to realistically model carriage launching and recovery dictated the need to build an experimental prototype lifeboat. Extensive evaluation covered not only launch and recovery on the beach, but also the usual range of routine prototype trials and seakeeping investigations for a lifeboat. Trials with the prototype craft exposed problems resulting from the increased performance requirements, problems that would not have been highlighted from normal model testing. Notable amongst these was the tendency to broach and the inability to correct this rapidly by rudder in certain conditions. In addition to describing the comparative results of these aspects of the model and full-scale trials, this paper outlines methods used to improve the overall seakeeping potential of this class of lifeboat. Subsequent satisfactory trials of the preproduction craft led to the implementation of comparative seakeeping trials of the three fast offshore lifeboat classes, namely Arun, Tyne and Mersey. Provisional results are presented for discussion. Methods and materials of construction are evaluated, and the results are described.


Resumen en: We discuss 2-D MHD numerical simulations for the interaction of high-velocit y clouds with a magnetized Galactic disk. The initial magnetic field is orie...


Traditionally, the desired successful recovery from alcohol dependence has required complete abstinence, without transgression, for a sustained period, ideally the rest of one's life. This stringent definition marks a goal that is unachievable by a majority of men and women with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) despite sincere efforts to stop drinking. While perhaps ideal, that goal of complete and permanent abstinence puts behavioral and pharmacological treatment at substantial risk for failure. Here we ask, are there acceptable alternatives to abstinence, and how are they established and substantiated?


Many countries has been added into the list of low fertility in the world, a few large cities in China have the extreme low fertility.The phenomenon of widespread low fertility calls for the theories of low fertility.This paper analyzes seven theories related to the low fertility,including demographic transition theory,rational choice theory,Bongaarts low fertility model,low fertility trap theory,diffusion theory,gender equity theory,and cultural explanations.These theories and models provided cross-disciplinary and multi-level interpretations from the disciplines of demography,economics,sociology,women's studies,behavioral and cultural and from the levels of Macro,meso and micro.Demographers cannot rely on a grand theory which includes all theories above to explain the various and complicate phenomena of the low fertility,but demographers can try to explain the parity of low fertility between the developed and developing countries from the regional model.


Up to now, the G20 has supervised the process to revitalize the real economy affected by the Great Recession through fiscal stimuli and a very easy monetary policy, and to rescue the battered financial system by injecting capital into giant banks and firms. The G20 is now turning its attention to financial regulation, with the FSB as its main operational arm. The ideas that are being proposed stress the need for disincentives toward too much risk taking (more capital, higher liquidity, limits to remunerations and bonuses, etc.), particularly by big and complex financial institutions that are likely to entail systemic risks. The paper maintains that, as the disincentive approach is insufficient to deter financial managers looking for power, some kind of segmentation needs to be introduced, as suggested by Paul Volcker.


This paper reports the fundamentals, activity and results achieved by IMAP3D, and acronym for "Imagenes Aereas para la Modelizacion 3D del Patrimonio" (Aerial Images for Heritage 3D Rendering). We are a group of teachers from the Universities of Salamanca, Valladolid, Leon and Santiago concerned on improving the protection of the Cultural Heritage of our community through accessible and reliable cartographic production. Our work aims at taking advantage of the technological and educational possibilities available from the digital era in order to engage the society within protecting, recovering and enjoying the Cultural Heritage. Specifically, we intend to overcome the lack of a methodology to obtain rather easily aerial photogrammetric images, captured from a captive balloon, a microlight aircraft or a kite - both stereoscopic and oblique - which are important in order to improve the surveying of buildings and essential to render archaeological sites.


Abstract In response to Nicholas (1993), it is suggested that more direct confrontation on the response of counsellors to apartheid is needed. The relevance of the debate to counsellors outside South Africa, and the need to deconstruct the implicit political agendas within their own world views, is noted.


Soybean transformation by ovary-drip was improved by optimizing the length of the transformation pathway by cutting the styles. These modifications facilitated soybean transformation manipulation and improved transformation reproducibility and efficiency. Using a linear minimal gus gene cassette as the foreign DNA, a maximum transformation frequency of 11% was obtained in flowers of the soybean cultivar 'Liaodou 14' with their styles mostly removed, whereas removal of only the stigma, partial style cutting and partial ovary cutting gave transformation frequencies of 0%, 1%, and 2%, respectively. An average transformation frequency of 8.2% was obtained when 619 flowers from three soybean cultivars ('Liaodou 14', 'Liaodou 13', and 'Tiefeng 29') were transformed by this optimized method. Southern blotting analysis showed that the gus reporter gene (encoding β-glucuronidase) was stably inherited with a simple pattern. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and GUS staining confirmed the expression of the gus gene in transgenic plants.


In this work, the optical evaluation of a mechanism for space applications under vacuum and temperature controlled conditions at the facilities of the Space Instrumentation Laboratory (LINES) of the Aerospace Technical Nacional Institute of Spain (INTA) is reported. The mechanism was developed by the Spanish company SENER to fulfill the high performance requirements from ESA technology preparatory program for GAIA Astrometric Mission; in particular, a five degrees of freedom (dof), three translations and two rotations positioning mechanism for the secondary mirror of the GAIA instrument. Both interferometric tests and autocollimator measurements have been combined in order to extract the information about the accuracy of the mechanism movements as well as their repeatability under adverse environmental conditions: vacuum and thermal controlled conditions, up to a 10-6mbar and 100K. The scope of this paper will cover the measurements concept selection, the presentation of verification activities, the results of such dedicated optical measurements, the correlation with the mechanical models and a brief description of the design process followed to meet the test requirements.


In order to improve the efficiency of the Voltage Source Rectifier(VSR) and suppress the influence of the switch dead-zone on the performance of VSR,it is necessary to investigate issues about switching losses and dead-zone effects.Based on Space Vector PWM algorithm,a minimum switching losses algorithm are presented,which effectively reduce the system losses.A scheme to optimize dead-zone setting method is proposed to avoid the formation of dead-zone distorted voltage,which needs no compensation for the dead-zone effect.Simulation analyses on VSR are carried out with MATLAB/SIMULINK software,and the simulation results prove that the methods above are correct and effective.


Christianity presupposes that we are degenerated creatures and the story of Adam and Eve is the story of ours,yet it calls on us to surmount it.In the modern ages,human spiritual world develops with the physical world in an expansive manner.The disintegration of our society results in separated roles and identities of each individual and there aries a need for selfidentification.Whereas human beings,confused and frustrated by the reality,are again sent back to their departure point.Seeking support from the nature and pursuing a destination in the future become the interface of western literature and religion,which actually share the same origin.Neither Humanism,nor Enlightenment movement or technological revolution had changed the westerners beliefs in God.From NotreDame de Paris,The Scarlet Letter to The Thorn Birds,following the course of the development of modernism,well discover the relationship between western religious beliefs and clergy characters.Well find that the western religious traditions remain unchanged,nor is the spiritual pursuit.What has changed is only the infinity form representations.


Abstract The Holocaust is now part of the history curriculum for all 11‐14‐year olds in maintained schools in England and Wales. In this paper it is argued that for the Holocaust to be taught effectively, teachers will need to have some idea of how children within this age group perceive Jewish culture and identity. The empirical core of the paper attempts to go some way towards meeting this need. Seventy‐two children aged between 12 and 14 were interviewed in order to explore their knowledge of Judaism, the nature of any misconceptions they may have about the faith, the extent to which they appreciate the commonalities between Judaism and Christianity and their awareness of anti‐Semitism. The paper concludes with a discussion of the policy implications of the findings.


Water is the most precious gift of nature, most crucial for sustaining life and is required in almost all the activities of living beings. The scarcity of water increases day by day due to the rapid development of urbanization, natural calamity etc. This paper mainly deals with the integrated approach of Remote sensing and Geographical Information System (GIS) to delineate groundwater potential zones of Bengaluru urban District, Karnataka. The various thematic maps generated for delineating groundwater potential zones are geomorphology, geology, lineament density, drainage density, slope ,NDVI, and landuse/landcover (LULC) were generated using the resource sat (IRS P6 LISS IV FMX)data and survey of India (SOI) toposheets of scale 1:50000. All these themes and their individual features were then assigned weights according to their relative importance in groundwater occurrence and the corresponding normalized weights were obtained based on the Composite Suitability Index (CSI) "importance matrix" has been calculated for each composite unit by multiplying weightages with rank of each parameter and summing up the values of all the parameters. The thematic layers will be integrated using ARCGIS-10 software to identifying the overlay analysis & yield of the ground water potential zone map of the study area. From the overlay analyses of landuse Pattern ,Thus the different ground water potential zones are identified in to 5 classes namely 'good', 'good-moderate', 'moderate' , 'moderate-poor' and 'poor'.


Objective\ To study the inhibitory effect of beta peptides on nude mice liver cancer metastasis and recurrence. Methods\ The nude mice liver cancer was resected after tumor implantation. After operation, beta peptides were subcutaneously injected for 9 days successively. 35 days after implantation, the mice were killed. The tumor recurrence at incisal margin, intrahepatic metastasis and long distance metastasis were recorded. Results\ Body weight (g), intrahepatic metastasis nodes, metastasis involved hepatic lobe and tumor diameter (cm) were 24.2±1.6, 7.2±2.3, 3.7±0.6, 1.1±0.2 in the control group and 25.4±1.1( P 0.05), 0( P 0.01), 0( P 0.01), 0.9±0.6( P 0.05) in the beta peptide group respectively after early hepatectomy; 21.2±1.5, 8.6±8.2, 4.6±1.5, 0.9±0.4 in the control group and 26.7±1.7 ( P 0.05) , 4.2±5.0( P 0.05), 2.2±1.3( P 0.05), 0.7±0.1( P 0.05) in the peptide group respectively after hepatectomy of advanced stage. Lung metastasis nodes and metastasis involved organs were 2.8±2.5, 6.8±0.5 in the control group and 0( P 0.05), 1.0±1.7( P 0.01) in the beta peptide group after early hepatectomy, 63.8±28.1, 6.8±3.0 in the control group and 6.8±11.9( P 0.01), 3.8±0.8( P 0.05) in the beta peptide group after hepatectomy of advanced stage. Conclusion\ Beta peptides can inhibit nude mice liver cancer metastasis and recurrence after both the early stage and the advanced stage hepatectomy.\;


Background: Epilepsy has affected over sixty million people around the globe. Traditionally, communities have opted for complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) to help in the treatment of epilepsy which has worked for them and with minimal side effects. Methodology: A literature search was conducted from PubMed, Science Direct, Elsevier, Google Scholar, and many other sites that had studied on traditional approaches and medicinal plants which have been used commonly in west and east African communities and whose anticonvulsant or antiepileptic activities have been experimentally studied. Results: A total number of five traditional approaches for healing and nineteen medicinal plants were identified as the most commonly used by communities in west and east Africa, based on the literature which was available in ethnobotanical surveys and had experimental studies on anticonvulsant or antiepileptic conducted. Conclusion: In this study, twenty-four traditional approaches and medicinal plants were found in west and east Africa for the treatment of epilepsy. Further study on the phytoconstituents present in the medicinal plants should be carried out to isolate the active principles and to prove their pharmacological activities. Inclusion of the other well approved healing approaches and techniques recommended in epilepsy treatment in health settings. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Introduction: Epilepsy is a chronic non-communicable condition characterized by recurrent seizures consisting of brain changes that occur in more than twenty-four hours. Globally, according to the recent World Health Organization (WHO) records, fifty million 122 NEUROPHARMAC JOURNAL 5 (2020) 121-130 people with at least eighty percent being diagnosed in lowand middle-income countries.1 Epilepsy has continued to cause impaired physical, psychological and social misfit or functioning of those suffering from it, and more social and economic effects among families which have been affected, furthermore, there is a lot of stigmatization and discrimination among people with epilepsy which has discouraged them to seek proper diagnosis and care, the discrimination has rendered the able-bodied epileptic people become unemployed and underemployed.2 However, in conventional medicine, epilepsy is being described as a chronic brain syndrome possessing unknown etiology characterized by recurrent seizures and usually associated with loss of consciousness and also convulsions.3 The International League Against Epilepsy has classified epileptic seizures into four major types; firstly, absence seizures which are characterized by blinking of the eye and nodding syndrome accompanied by a person's ability to stare at anyone close to them without responding to them, the second subtype is called generalized tonicclonic, it comprises of bilateral symmetric convulsive movements of all limbs with impairment of consciousness, the third type is known as myoclonic seizures, which consist of sudden and brief movements associated with consciousness which affect several muscles, the last subtype is known as atonic seizures, it involves the loss of body tone, often resulting in a head drop.4 In many developing African countries, epilepsy has been termed as a sickness caused by supernatural powers, a curse or caused by gods and then treated by incantation, herbs, rituals, visitation by evil spirits, or effect of witchcraft and magic to a modern scientific way of perception.5,6 In contrast to developed countries that use a sophisticated system of science-based medicine, developing countries especially those in Africa have traditional systems of medical care that compete with the recently introduced western-type scientific medicine.7 Drugs commonly known as anticonvulsants have been used for the treatment of epilepsy, which has shown up to unpredicted and undesired side effects, chronic toxicity, and defects in giving birth due to the long-time therapy exposed to patients with epileptic conditions and still patients remain unwell.8-10 Traditional Medicine has been in existence before any other modern medicine approach in the treatment used in the treatment of epilepsy. This has joined together knowledge, beliefs, phytomedicines, animal and mineral-based medicines, spiritual treatment and many more others to maintain well-being among the people with epileptic conditions.11 Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) techniques in the treatment of epilepsy include spiritual and religious healing techniques and the use of medicinal plants or herbs.12 In spiritual and religious healing of epilepsy, it is believed that the human brain is programmed to experience and explain parts of existence in spiritual terms. This method depends on two theories that are the religion of an individual or patient with epilepsy and the original experiences which the individual has been passing through.13 Religious or spiritual healing techniques in the management and treatment of epilepsy are: Incantations /Prayer formulas (Ruqyah/Ruqya): This treatment involves the use of prayers, magic charms or taboos, and ceremonies to move the spirit back to where it came from in case epilepsy has all things and effects whose causes and origin are unknown and believed to be superstitious, the reciter of Ruqyah normally does it behind curtains if he is recognized for his religiousness, trustworthiness and faith.14 Ruqyah may be accompanied by other medicinal prescriptions which altogether lead to the cure of epilepsy. So, the combination makes up the total treatment regime, and the omission of any element may abort the whole procedure and render it useless.15,16 For Ruqyah to occur, some guidelines and conditions must be followed, these include a patient's understanding of the message from the Quran and 123 NEUROPHARMAC JOURNAL 5 (2020) 121-130 also believe that its Allah who cures.17 It also helps in alleviating epileptic patients who have anxiety and depression, in a study carried out in Saudi Arabia, a given number of spiritual or faith healers appreciated and documented the use of Ruqyah in the treatment of epilepsy.18 Spitting cure (Al-Azima): In this method of treatment, a person doing it normally lays his hand on the patient's head and spits at the patient after each verse to transfer blessings by mumbling of selected verses from the Quran. Recovery of the epileptic patient is always manifested by frequent and violent sneezing. So sneezing is believed to be the expulsion of harm from the body, thus one should be grateful when one sneezes.19 Ritual incensing (al-takhriga and al-bakhra): This is used for the treatment of a large number of sicknesses including epilepsy. This treatment technique uses a white paper which is written on by the person offering the treatment with mostly holy verses from the Quran, the paper is then folded and given to the patient. The paper is then burnt as the patient bends over the burner enveloped in a cloth through which he inhales the fumes. The altakhriga involves assorting of herbs which are burnt to mainly expel away the evil eye and subsequently protect against its influence. It (altakhriga) contains the following herbs, Abrus precatorius, Coriander, Turmeric, Commiphora pedunculata, Salicornia sp. among others.20 Erasure (al-mihaya): This type of treatment involves the use of a drink called mihaya by Muslim healers and they do this writing verses in the Quran which are later washed and erased so this drink is termed as holy which is later given to the patient with epilepsy to take and drink. In some cases, the writing is made on the roots of a medicinal herb, which is boiled and the decoction taken as a drink or burnt as an incense. However, its effects are short and have limited potency.21 Phylacteries (hijab): This treatment method consists of recommended verses from the Quran which are written on a white paper, and in addition to the verses, other supplementary materials include at least one or more of the 99 names of God, archangels, angels, jinn, some astrological formulas, magical numbers, and seals. The white sheet of paper is then folded and placed on metal and hang around the neck or waist of the patient with epilepsy. it is effective depending on the reputation of the patient and also should be used by a person who is only affected by epilepsy, not any other.20-21 Numerous herbal drug medicines have been used for the treatment of patients being affected by epilepsy, they do this by reducing the frequency of seizures, reducing the violence of seizures, and tolerance in treatment. This is due to their anticonvulsant activities which have proved them to be promising in phytotherapy of epileptic conditions.22 Medicinal plants used in the management and treatment of epilepsy are: Moringa oleifera: It belongs to family Moringaceae has been reported in folk medicine for the treatment of epilepsy. Normally leaves are used to make a paste which is later used to massage the elbow, knees, and feet of the epileptic patient until he or she recovers through topical administration.23 A study carried out against maximal electroshock and picrotoxin induced convulsion in mice, demonstrated that fresh fruit juice of Moringa oleifera at a dose of 50 ml/kg and 100ml/kg can be used in the treatment of epilepsy since it showed a decrease in the serum malondialdehyde activity.24 Dried leaves extracted with 90% methanol and aqueous extract of fresh leaves showed anticonvulsant activity carried out in adult albino mice against maximal electroshock induced seizures and pentylenetetrazole induced seizures.25,26 Centella asiatica: It belongs to the Apiaceae family and traditionally, leaves of Centella asiatica are used in the treatment of epilepsy by squeezing them, and then the extract is drunk twice a day until the patient recov


The invention is a supporting shifting method and supporting system for hoisting components. And the method includes the following steps of: installing combined support frame of hoisting equipment on the surface of floor slab in some storey of a building; the hoisting equipment completes moving, spotting, and hoisting on the combined support frame; transmitting the construction loads through the support frame to construction capitals or beams; after hoisting in this work station, self-moving from split combined support frame to adjacent split combined support frame and hoisting and assembling the parts of the support frame at the next construction station. The supporting system has its primary beam erected and fixed on prefabricated steel plates on building columns, and its secondary beam provided with waling steel plate or orbit and connected and locked with its primary beam. The invention realizes the translation of the hoisting work station.


AbstractIn agroclimatology, the rainy season onset and cessation dates are often defined from a combination of several empirical rainfall thresholds. For example, the onset may be the first wet day of N consecutive days receiving at least P millimeters without a dry spell lasting n days and receiving less than p millimeters in the following C days. These thresholds are parameterized empirically in order to fit the requirements of a given crop and to account for local-scale climatic conditions. Such local-scale agroclimatic definition is rigid because each threshold may not be necessarily transposable to other crops and other climate environments. A new approach is developed to define onset/cessation dates and monitor their interannual variability at the regional scale. This new approach is less sensitive to parameterization and local-scale contingencies but still has some significance at the local scale. The approach considers multiple combinations of rainfall thresholds in a principal component analysis ...


ISO 45001 is a standard that provides a framework for an organization to manage risks and opportunities to help prevent work-related injury and ill-health to workers. There is also an injury in the campus area, and ill-health possibilities happened to the student, lecturer, laboratory assistant, or other academic staff, especially in laboratories. This work proposes developing an occupational health and safety management system in the Engineering Faculty of Diponegoro University. The methodology used is Scrum Model. The Test Case is also used to make sure the application meets the Client expectation. The result showed that the method leads to an application that meets Client expectations.


We study a class of dynamical systems given by measure preserving actions of the group $Z^d$ or $R^d$ and generating a set of spectral measures with an extremal rate of the Fourier coefficient decay: $\Hat\sigma(n) = O(|n|^{-1/2+\epsilon})$ for any $\epsilon > 0$. Singular measures with this property are investigated in works due to Wiener and Wintner, Schaeffer, Salem, Ivashev-Musatov, Zygmund et al. Thus, the discovered effect provides a new construction of singular distributions of Schaeffer-Salem type on the torus $T^d$ and in the space $R^d$.


Objective: To assess degree, type and cause of hearing loss in children under 12 years of age in preschool for hearing impaired children. Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out in children of integrated preschool for hearing impaired children (IPSHIC) of SAHIC, Mohakhali, Dhaka, from September 2010 to March 2011. 50 deaf children were included with age 3-12 years and clinically detected hearing impairment. Data were collected by detailed history, clinical examination and audiometric findings and result were expressed in table form. Results: Most of the children presented with bilateral profound hearing loss and majority of patients presented with sensorineural type of hearing loss. Family history positive in 36% cases and consanguineous marriage were found in 34%.Commonest causes of deafness was infection. Conclusion: Early detection with universal neonatal screening should be practiced in our country and early rehabilitation reveals better out come.


In this letter, we propose a virtual channel (VC) optimization approach with a closed-loop and adaptive scheme for overloaded MIMO systems. With this approach, each input data stream goes through a VC which is generated at the transmitter; then it is transmitted to a receiver through the actual wireless channels. The VCs are concatenated with the actual wireless channels. Through VC optimization, the values of which can be adjusted to reduce the channel correlation, leading to a much improved system performance. Compared to the conventional overloaded MIMO systems, the overloaded MIMO systems with this approach can achieve significantly better performances in terms of the system capacity and symbol error rate (SER). The method that uses genetic algorithm (GA) for finding the optimal VC vector is described. Simulation results illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.


The relationship between the military power of a state and its diplomatic influence in arms control negotiations is not always clear cut. While beyond any doubt the major powers remain the primary actors in this field, the voices of lesser states have been heard and, at times, even heeded. This has been particularly true in the multilateral debates over nuclear arms, the weapons which have most clearly distinguished the great powers from all the rest. On a number of occasions Canada has exercised an influence


Inchoative denominal verbs represent a verb class which has yet to be studied in depth, even though it is of relevant interest in linguistics. From a morphological perspective, these verbs are configured by processes like suffixation and parasynthesis through affixation. From a semantic point of view, inchoative denominal verbs are characterized by denoting a change of a physical or psychological state suffered by an experiencer. This kind of inchoativity is conditioned by the meaning of the noun that serves as the origin for the verbal formation. In this sense, a classification can be made depending on whether the nominal base shows state strictly speaking or if it expresses state through processes of meaning extension (metaphor, metonymy, and so on). Moreover, it is important to take into account both the meaning of that nominal base and the argument structure of the verb concerning the configuration of the paraphrases or analytical structure that the resulting verbal unit carries out. Therefore, the noun base plays an essential role in the semantic, as well as morphological, formation of inchoative denominal verbs.


Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF) X-ray optics testing is conducted by VETA-I, which consists of six nested Wolter type I grazing-incidence mirrors; VETA''s X-ray Detection System (VXDS) in turn measures the imaging properties of VETA-I, yielding FWHM and encircled energy of the X-ray image obtained, as well as its effective area. VXDS contains a high resolution microchannel plate imaging X-ray detector and a pinhole scanning system in front of proportional-counter detectors. VETA-I''s X-ray optics departs from the AXAF flight configuration in that it uses a temporary holding fixture; its mirror elements are not cut to final length, and are not coated with the metal film used to maximize high-energy reflection.


Cllr Carol Bower, the Mayor of King's Lynn & West Norfolk presented a representative of the King's Lynn branch of MNDA (Motor Neurone Disease Association) with a cheque for £5,000 on Tuesday 21 November 2017 at Mintlyn Crematorium.


Laser based metrology systems become more and more attractive for space applications and are the core elements of planned missions such as LISA (NGO, eLISA) or NGGM where laser interferometry is used for distance measurements between satellites. The GRACE-FO mission will for the first time demonstrate a Laser Ranging Instrument (LRI) in space, starting 2017. Laser based metrology also includes optical clocks/references, either as ultra-stable light source for high sensitivity interferometry or as scientific payload e.g. proposed in fundamental physics missions such as mSTAR (mini SpaceTime Asymmetry Research), a mission dedicated to perform a Kennedy-Thorndike experiment on a satellite in a low-Earth orbit. To enable the use of existing optical laboratory setups, optimization with respect to power consumption, weight and dimensions is necessary. At the same time the thermal and structural stability must be increased. Over the last few years we investigated adhesive bonding of optical components to thermally highly stable glass ceramics as an easy-to-handle assembly integration technology. Several setups were implemented and tested for potential later use in space applications. We realized a heterodyne LISA related interferometer with demonstrated noise levels in the pm-range for translation measurement and nano-radiant-range for tilt measurements and two iodine frequency references on Elegant Breadboard (EBB) and Engineering Model (EM) level with frequency stabilities in the 10-15 range for longer integration times. The EM setup was thermally cycled and vibration tested.


The anxiolytic effect of a new series of C2 ,C3 -quinoxaline derivatives was studied using the "Anxious-phobic state" and "Light/Dark chamber" techniques in comparison with diazepam. It was noted that the presence of a phenyl substituent at the C3 position, which did not contain elements with a distinct electronegativity, as well as 2-methyl- (4,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-methylethane-1-amine at the C2 position, had a positive effect on the manifestation of the antianxiety activity of new derivatives of C2 ,C3 -quinoxaline. For the most active compound under the code ZDM-4, the conflict method "Vogel Conflict test" was additionally carried out to confirm the anxiolytic effect of the substance. The tranquilizing potential of the ZDM-4 compound is of interest for further study.


Kinetics of Rulll/Os vm/Ru 111 + Os VIII catalyzed oxidation of allyl alcohol (AA) by period ate (104) in aqueous alkaline medium have been studied. The oxidation products are identified as acrolein and iodate in all cases. The order of [104] is found to be unity in all cases. The order of [AA] is found to be less than unity in all cases except in case of Os VIII catalyzed reaction which is zero. Rate increases with increase in [Oir] in all cases. The orders of [Rum] and [Os VIII] are unity in each case and less than unity each in case of Rum + Os VIII catalyzed reaction. The catalytic efficiency follows the order : Ru 111 < Os VIII < Rulli + Os VIII. The probable mechanisms are discussed and reaction constants evaluated.


V Abstract If an object becomes perceived as one's own possession, even through arbitrary assignment, it is more likely to be remembered in a subsequent memory test than an object that belongs to someone else (Cunningham et al., 2008). Importantly, the ownership task does not require conscious reflection on the stimuli or their relationship to the self, as is the case for the well-established self-reference effect (Rogers, Kuiper & Kirker, 1977). This memory advantage produced by self-referential encoding is typically interpreted in terms of the levels of processing framework (Craik & Lockhart, 1972) – namely, as a result of "deeper" and more elaborate semantic processing during encoding. A question of theoretical interest is whether this mere ownership effect can be accounted for in similar terms as the self-reference effect (Rogers, Kuiper & Kirker, 1977). This memory advantage produced by self-referential encoding is typically interpreted in terms of the levels of processing framework (Craik & Lockhart, 1972) . In a series of eight experiments, we investigated the mere ownership effect more closely, testing some of its boundary conditions, as well as points of similarity and divergence between the mere ownership effect and the self-reference effect. The main focus was the role of semantic processing in producing the mere ownership effect, especially with regards to its components of semantic elaboration and semantic organization (Einstein & Hunt, 1981). Following successful replication (Experiments 1 & 2, but see the pilot study for a failed replication), we investigated whether the mere ownership effect was contingent upon semantic processing (Experiment 3). For meaningless pseudo objects, there was no mere ownership effect. Testing for a potential role of semantic elaboration using meaningful stimuli in an encoding task without verbal labels, we found evidence of spontaneous semantic processing irrespective of selfor other-assignment (Experiment 4). When semantic organization was manipulated, the mere ownership effect vanished if a semantic classification task was added to the self/other assignment but persisted for a perceptual classification task (Experiment 5). Testing for semantic organization once more, we found greater clustering of self-assigned than of other-assigned items in free recall (Experiment 6). In a final experiment, we addressed the additional question of whether a more implicit, indirect connection to the self could produce a mere ownership effect-like memory advantage. To this end, we presented to-be-learned objects in the context of the perceptual matching task known to lead to selfprioritization (Sui, He & Humphreys, 2012; Experiment 7). Despite a clear self-prioritization effect, a subsequent memory test revealed no advantage for objects consistently paired with a self-associated shape. Taken together, these results suggest that the mereIf an object becomes perceived as one's own possession, even through arbitrary assignment, it is more likely to be remembered in a subsequent memory test than an object that belongs to someone else (Cunningham et al., 2008). Importantly, the ownership task does not require conscious reflection on the stimuli or their relationship to the self, as is the case for the well-established self-reference effect (Rogers, Kuiper & Kirker, 1977). This memory advantage produced by self-referential encoding is typically interpreted in terms of the levels of processing framework (Craik & Lockhart, 1972) – namely, as a result of "deeper" and more elaborate semantic processing during encoding. A question of theoretical interest is whether this mere ownership effect can be accounted for in similar terms as the self-reference effect (Rogers, Kuiper & Kirker, 1977). This memory advantage produced by self-referential encoding is typically interpreted in terms of the levels of processing framework (Craik & Lockhart, 1972) . In a series of eight experiments, we investigated the mere ownership effect more closely, testing some of its boundary conditions, as well as points of similarity and divergence between the mere ownership effect and the self-reference effect. The main focus was the role of semantic processing in producing the mere ownership effect, especially with regards to its components of semantic elaboration and semantic organization (Einstein & Hunt, 1981). Following successful replication (Experiments 1 & 2, but see the pilot study for a failed replication), we investigated whether the mere ownership effect was contingent upon semantic processing (Experiment 3). For meaningless pseudo objects, there was no mere ownership effect. Testing for a potential role of semantic elaboration using meaningful stimuli in an encoding task without verbal labels, we found evidence of spontaneous semantic processing irrespective of selfor other-assignment (Experiment 4). When semantic organization was manipulated, the mere ownership effect vanished if a semantic classification task was added to the self/other assignment but persisted for a perceptual classification task (Experiment 5). Testing for semantic organization once more, we found greater clustering of self-assigned than of other-assigned items in free recall (Experiment 6). In a final experiment, we addressed the additional question of whether a more implicit, indirect connection to the self could produce a mere ownership effect-like memory advantage. To this end, we presented to-be-learned objects in the context of the perceptual matching task known to lead to selfprioritization (Sui, He & Humphreys, 2012; Experiment 7). Despite a clear self-prioritization effect, a subsequent memory test revealed no advantage for objects consistently paired with a self-associated shape. Taken together, these results suggest that the mere


We present a low-leakage graphene nano-ribbon transistors (GNRFETs)-based static random access memory (SRAM) cell in 16nm technology that operates near the sub-threshold region in this study. In comparison to conventional Si-CMOS technology, the proposed cell improves read stability and writeability by <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$2.67\mathbf {\times }$ </tex-math></inline-formula> and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$4.14\mathbf {\times }$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, respectively. The proposed cell considerably outperforms the existing 9T SRAMs cell in terms of power consumption, latency, read stability, and write-ability, according to the HSPICE simulation. In addition, at the low supply voltage of 325mV, the multi-threshold approach and transistor optimizations are used to improve the read static noise margin (RSNM). The proposed cell's overall power consumption is lowered by <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$4161\mathbf {\times }$ </tex-math></inline-formula> when compared to a conventional 6T SRAM cell while using the multi-threshold approach in the write port. Device optimization and the multi-threshold approach, which enhances read and write performance, can considerably minimize read and write delays.


Abstract: A class of rational square trigonometric spline is presented, which shares the same properties of normal cubic Hermite interpolation spline. The given spline can more approximate the interpolated curve than the ordinary polynomial cubic spline. Key words: Hermite spline curve; C2 continuous; Faultage area; Precision


Enrique Dussel is one of the forgers of the philosophy of liberation whose imprint is to deploy a radical anti-capitalist critique. Given that in his broad and rich work are several references to aboriginals in America, it seemed to me appropriate to systematize his thoughts on that matter. Two works so establish: his doctoral thesis in the decade of the sixties and other text in the decade of the nineties, which appeared with two different titles. In their approach are embroidered topics to build an explanation of the genesis of the problem of the indigenous people in Latin America, their status as colonized and possibilities about the necessary improvement of that situation.


The invention discloses a low-irritation and high-foaminess fancy soap formula, which is composed of the following components by mass percentage: 2%-10% of alpha-lauryl betaine ampholytic surfactant, 20%-30% of coconut oil sodium salt, 50%-70% of sodium palmitate, 2%-5% of sorbic alcohol, 0.1%-1.5% of antioxidant, 0.05%-0.15% of Kathon, 0.05%-0.2% of chelant, 0.5%-1% of titanium white powder, 0.5%-1.0% of essence and water (the rest). In the fancy soap, the alpha-lauryl betaine ampholytic surfactant is used as additive, which can reduce the irritation of the fancy soap taking the normal sodium soap as the soap base and improve the foaminess of the fancy soap.


It is shown that one of the reasons for the failure of the SSHNU is the wear of the connecting rods with the crank, due to uneven loads on the connecting rods, due to the inaccuracy of the manufacture of elements of kinematic pairs, leading to elastic deformation and an increase in friction forces. The replacement of connecting rods with a crank and a traverse with spherical plain bearings corresponding to kinematic pairs of class IV, which exclude elastic deformations of the links, due to the appearance of an additional degree of freedom, is proposed. Calculations show an increase in the service life of spherical plain bearings by 15-17%.


Cultar (paclobutrazol:(3-[(4-chlorophenyl) methyl)]a-(l,l dimethylethyl-lH-1,2,4r-triazole-l-ethanol)r a gibberellin biosynthesis inhibitor, was applied as a soil drench to 12 year old 'Cape Fear' and 'Desirable' pecan [Carya #7linoensis (Wagenh. ) C. Koch] trees on 7 February 1986. Cul tar applied at 0.65 g a.i./cm2 trunk cross-sectional area (TCA) to 'Cape Fear' had no effect on vegetative growth during 1986, but reduced trunk diameter growth and shoot growth during 1987. Yield, nut wt. and percentage kernel were not significantly altered during 1986 or 1987. Yield was ex tremely variable from tree to tree whereas nut wt. and per centage kernel were fairly consistent among treatments dur ing both 1986 and 1987. The effects of Cultar at 0, 0.33, 0.65 and 1.29 g a.i./cm2 TCA on 'Desirable' pecan were analyzed by regression. The only significant effects associated with Cul tar were a linear or quadratic decline in yield during 1986 and linear reduction in percentage kernel during 1987. Lack of a method for tree size control is a major imped iment toward achieving an efficient culture and manage ment system of pecan orchards. The majority of the pecans from the souheastern United States are produced on large, old trees (> 50 years) planted at relatively low densities (15 x 15 m or greater). Maximum production per hectare at these spacings often requires 20 to 30 years. Pecan trees even atal5xl5m density may eventually fill the allotted space with a concomitant decline in yield (9). Growers are setting trees at increasingly higher densi ties (6 x 6 m to 15 x 15 m) to expedite a return on invest ments. Dwarfing rootstocks are not currently available, thus alternate tree removal or yearly pruning may become necessary in as little as 8 to 15 years. Alternate tree removal or pruning are expensive and are associated with at least a short-term decline in yield (2, 14). Paclobutrazol, a potent inhibitor of gibberellin biosyn thesis (5), has been reported to reduce shoot growth and internode length of many fruit tree species including apple (10), cherry (6), nectarine (4), pear (7), and pecan (1, 11, 12, 13). Other vegetative responses include reduced leaf area (1, 3, 10), increased leaf chlorophyll content (11), and increased root/shoot ratio (1, 10). Shearing and Jones (8) concluded that paclobutrazol reduces vegetative growth and enhances flower bud induction, yield and fruit quality of deciduous fruit trees. Although paclobutrazol has often increased flowering, fruit set, fruit size and yield of decidu ous fruit trees (4, 6, 7), the effects on reproductive growth of pecan have not been consistent (1, 12, 13). Florida Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Series No. 9223. •Asst. Prof. (Hort.) 254 The objective of this study was to test the effect of Cul tar (a formulation of paclobutrazol) on tree growth and yield of 'Cape Fear' and 'Desirable' pecan trees. Materials and Methods Cultar (2SC) (ICI Americas, Goldsboro, N.C.), was applied 7 February 1986 to 12-year-old 'Cape Fear' and 'Desirable' pecans. Cultar was mixed in 1.5 liters of water and was applied to the soil in a 4 to 6 cm deep trench ca. 40-80 cm away from the trunk. Significant precipitation subsequent to Cultar application occurred on the following dates: 8 February, 4.3 cm; 9 February, 0.8 cm; 10 Feb ruary, 6.1 cm; 11 February, 3.12 cm. Rainfall between 12 February and 31 March was 14.2 cm. Rainfall between 1 April and 30 June was 6.7 cm, but was abundant between 1 July and 1 Sept. (49.2 cm). The 'Cape Fear' pecan trees were spaced 12.1 and 7.6 m, within and between rows, respectively on a diagonal. Pretreatment tree cross-sectional area (TCA) was 454.4 ± 48.9 cm2. Four trees were treated with Cultar at 0.65 g a.i./cm2 TCA (7.08 g a.i. per tree), and 4 trees were treated with water. 'Desirable' pecan trees were spaced 12.1 m within and between rows. Pretreatment TCA was 364.5 ± 50.8 cm2. Four trees were treated at each of the following concentra tions: 0 g a.i./cm2 TCA (0 g a.i. per tree); 0.33 g a.i./cm2 TCA (2.85 g a.i./tree); 0.65 g a.i./cm2 TCA (5.69 a.i./tree); 1.29 g a.i./cm2 TCA (11.38 g a.i./tree). Trunk diameter growth, shoot growth, yield, average nut wt. and percentage kernel were determined for all treatments during November 1986 and 1987. February trunk diameter (ca. 60 cm above the soil) was subtracted from trunk diameter the following November to yield trunk diameter growth. Current seasons limb growth was measured on 4 shoots around the periphery of each tree. Harvest was accomplished with a mechanical shaker and nuts were collected on a tarp. Average nut wt. was calcu lated from a representative 100 nut sample from each tree. Perentage kernel was measured on a 10 nut subsample by weighing nuts before and after extracting the kernels. Vegetative growth and yield data of 'Cape Fear' were analyzed as a completely randomized design. Means were compared by a t-test (P < 0.05). Data of 'Desirable' were analyzed by regression. Significance of a linear or a quad ratic component was assessed at (P < 0.05). Results and Discussion The trees in this study were planted in a high density orchard system and were beginning to encroach upon one another (i.e. 'Cape Fear', 12.1 x 7.6 m within and between rows, respectively on a diagonal; 'Desirable' 12.1 m on a square). It has been suggested that paclobutrazol should be applied shortly before trees reach desired size and be fore encroachment (1, 12, 13, 14). The timing of Cultar application was therefore appropriate. No significant treatment effect occurred for 'Cape Fear' the growing season following the 0.65 g a.i./cm2 TCA Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 101: 1988.


In this paper, two implementation methods to optimize a 1024-bit RSA processor are presented. The Montgomery algorithm is used and modified considering large bit modular multiplication. We propose two architectures for 1024-bit RSA processing in order to reduce the required hardware resources and to achieve speed improvement. One reduces the hardware resources using the L-R (left to right) binary method, and the other achieves speed improvement using the R-L (right to left) binary method. We have implemented two single-chip 1024-bit RSA processors based on the proposed architectures in 0.5-/spl mu/m SOG technology using Verilog-HDL. As a result, it is shown that each architecture contributes to speed improvement and area saving.


The present study aimed at determining elemental composition, anticariogenic, insecticidal and anthelmintic efficacy of Anaphalis lawii (Hook.f) Gamble (Asteraceae). Elemental composition of powdered leaf material was estimated by ICP-OES technique after microwave digestion. Anticariogenic activity of methanol extract was tested against 13 clinical isolates of Streptococcus mutans by Agar well diffusion method. Insecticidal activity of methanol extract in terms of larvicidal efficacy was tested against second instar larvae of Aedes aegypti. Anthelmintic activity of methanol extract was determined using adult Indian earthworm Pheretima posthuma. The contents of potassium and iron were high among macro and microelements respectively. The leaf extract showed dose dependent inhibition of all S. mutans. The larvicidal effect of the extract was found to be dose dependent and the mortality of larvae of A. aegypti was recorded as 100% at 1.5mg/ml and higher concentrations of extract. The leaf extract resulted in paralysis and death of worms in a dose dependent manner. The A. lawii leaf can be used as a source of various elements which play key role in the normal physiology of an individual. The plant can be used to treat dental caries and worm infections and to control insect vectors. The bioactivities of extract observed in this study might be related to the presence of phytochemicals. Further studies concerning fractionation of leaf extract and bioactivities of fractions are to be carried out.


The essay to follow is one in good, old-fashioned Metaphysics. I wish to take a fresh look at an old principle which has had a venerable history in the philosophic tradition. Partly, this is because in this century that old principle has received some newer formulations, thanks to developments in logic, and these newer formulations deserve some comment. It is partly because old metaphysical issues have thus reappeared in new guises that it will be instructive to point out some of the connections between the new and the old. This examination is itself a part of a program in metaphysics.1 For the sake of having a formulation before us, let us begin, as is customary, with that due to Leibniz: no two substances are completely similar, or differ solely numerically.2 Later on, we shall be interested in ways in which this statement may be reformulated so as to be susceptible of more precise analysis. For the moment, however, I wish to draw attention to a battery of concepts and distinctions which form the context in which all discussions of this principle take place. To begin with, there is the grammatical distinction between subject and predicate. A subject is that to which many predicates may apply, in particular the identity predicate, but which is itself not predicated of anything else. Predicates, on the other hand, qualify a subject as being of a certain kind, as belonging to a particular class or classes. Corresponding to this distinction, although not exactly, is that between substance and property. Substance is that which may be referred to, or named, by a subject term, while its properties are that which characterize it as a certain kind of entity. Properties are what predicates designate.3 A proper subset of subject terms are singular terms-those referring to exactly one substance (whether contingently or necessarily). The remainder of the subject terms I shall call, for want of a better name, plural terms. The correspondence between subject and predicate terms on the one side, and substances and properties on the


Study Design. A prospective case control study design was conducted. Objectives. The purpose of the current study was to determine the intraoperative radiation hazard to spine surgeons by occupational radiation exposure during percutaneous vertebroplasty and possible consequences with respect to radiation protection. Summary of Background Data. The development of minimally invasive surgery techniques has led to an increasing number of fluoroscopically guided procedures being done percutaneously such as vertebroplasty, which is the percutaneous cement augmentation of vertebral bodies. Methods. Three months of occupational dose data for two spine surgeons was evaluated measuring the radiation doses to the thyroid gland, the upper extremities, and the eyes during vertebroplasty. Results. The annual risk of developing a fatal cancer of the thyroid is 0.0025%, which means a very small to small risk. The annual morbidity (the risk of developing a cancer including nonfatal ones) is 0.025%, which already means a small to medium risk. The dose for the eye lens was about 8% of the threshold dose to develop a radiation induced cataract (150 mSv); therefore, the risk is very low but not negligible. The doses measured for the skin are 10% of the annual effective dose limit (500 mSv) recommended by the ICRP (International Commission on Radiologic Protection); therefore, the annual risk for developing a fatal skin cancer is very low. Conclusion. While performing percutaneous vertebroplasty, the surgeon is exposed to a significant amount of radiation. Proper surgical technique and shielding devices to decrease potentially high morbidity are mandatory. Training in radiation protection should be an integral part of the education for all surgeons using minimally invasive radiologic-guided interventional techniques.


An efficient chiral phosphine-catalyzed asymmetric substitution reaction of MBH carbonates with 3-substituted benzofuran-2(3H)-ones or 3-substituted oxindoles has been described in this context, giving the corresponding allylic alkylation products bearing adjacent quaternary and tertiary stereogenic centers in high yields, moderate diastereoselectivities and high enantioselectivities under mild conditions.


Objective:To improve the diagnosis rate of acute myeloid leukemia with t(8;21),Morphologic?Immunologic?Cytogenetic and Molecular biologic(MICM)classification were used.Methods:We regard 45 AML cases as studying subjects.Tranditional morphologic and cytochemical methods for FAB classification,standard cytogenetic analysis for t(8;21),flow cytometry for immunotyping and nested reverse transcript polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) for AML1-ETO mRNA were performed in patients we collected.Results:Characteristic morphologic alteration were discovered in more than 47.1 % cases of t(8;21) AML,at least 93 % myeloperoxidase positive in blast cells were observed in all t(8;21) + patients.Of the 17 cases with t(8;21) AML,14 cases were classified as M 2.80 % cases of t(8;21)AML contained detected typical t(8;21) translocation by cytogenetic analysing.AML1-ETO fusion transcripts were found in all AML patients with t(8;21).Higher expression of both CD 19 and CD 34 antigens in t(8;21) AML patients were demonstrated when compared to AML without t(8;21).Co-expression rate of CD 19 with CD 34 in t(8;21) + AML group was found to be significantly higher than that in negative control group.Conclusion:AML patients with t(8;21) have distinct morphologic?cytogenetic?immunologic and mocleular biologic characteristics.Combination with MICM classification can improve the diagnosis rate and accurate rate of t(8;21) AML.In these four methods,the detection of AML1-ETO fusion gene by RT-PCR plays a key role.


Two of the key tasks in providing for the maintenance and upgrade of aging industrial facilities are the establishment of criteria for use in evaluating the conditions/safety of various elements of a facility, and the development of a prioritization scheme for accomplishing repairs and improvements. This paper briefly presents some methods seeing increased usage in the dam safety community for accomplishing these tasks. An overview is presented of the decision framework used by the Washington State dam safety program for selecting probabilistic design/performance goals for critical project elements. An overview is also given of schemes used by some Federal and State dam safety programs for setting priorities in allocating resources for repairs and improvements. 14 refs., 3 figs., 2 tabs.


AbstractMass deacidification treatments are used as a preventive measure against deterioration of paper-based cultural property. There are many criteria for the selection of a good mass deacidification method, for example, pH or alkaline reserve level, toxicity, odour, cost and so on. One of the criteria discussed in this paper is the homogeneity of mass deacidification treatments in current use. Since the acidification of books does not occur in a homogeneous manner, can homogeneity be considered a good criterion? What are the differences, from this point of view, between a vapour phase method (diethyl zinc) and liquid methods such as methoxy ethoxy methyl magnesium carbonate or the FMC process? The authors show the results of measurements by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) of the concentration levels of magnesium or zinc found in different locations on sheets of paper treated by these three methods.


Today, countries such as Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands require compliance under the standard EN 12642-XL to load and unload trucks, semi-trailers and curtainsiders in their territory. Compliance under these regulations is a problem for manufacturers of semi-trailers and trucks due to the difficulty of modifying their models to the standard requirements. This paper shows the process developed in collaboration with the semi-trailers and semi-curtainsiders LECINENA S.A. and the research group 'New Technologies Applied on Vehicles and Road Safety' (VEHIVIAL), in the numerical and experimental analysis of a semi-curtainsiders, which has obtained an optimal model of a semi-curtainsider under the standard EN 12642-XL.


[Objective]The purpose of this research was to isolate and identify fucoidanase freshwater bacterium.[Method]A fucoidanase freshwater bacterium was got from soil,the morphology,physiological and biochemical characteristics and 16S rRNA of fucoidanase freshwater bacterium were identified.[Result]The results indicated that the enzyme activity of strain was 2.57 IU.According to identification result of morphology,physiological,biochemical characteristics and 16S rRNA of strain,fucoidanase freshwater bacterium was identified to be Pseudomona fluoreslens.[Conclusion]This study will provide the preconditions for producing enzyme preparation.


A large number of people today suffer from disabilities where a rheumatic disorder is a common cause. A rheumatic disorder is a disease which affects joints, muscles, bones causing pain and stiffness in the joints. Rehabilitation is often required in form of physical activity in order to regain the normal function. The hand is one of the body parts that are often affected by a rheumatic disorder. With various measuring instruments occurs the evaluation and diagnosis by tests of the grip strength. These instruments are often expensive and sometimes complicated and do not take into account of all the joints of the fingers and applies no special ergonomic guidelines.The purpose of the project was to improve the conditions for people with rheumatism to measure their grip strength by giving suggestions on how accessibility, awareness of the effects with training and increase encouragement for further continued training could be solved. The goal was to develop an ergonomic formed concept of a measuring instrument and generate a prototype that demonstrates both design and function. With pre and post values the user would be able to follow their progress towards a better hand function in terms of grip strength. A survey was done which was an important part of the project to ensure that the users were involved, since the project occurred dynamical. The survey showed a great interest to be able to make measurements at home. The project resulted in a concept with a CAD assembly with accompanying sketches and a prototype which only demonstrated on design. The concept was designed with the help of scientific articles and ergonomic guidelines, and by this the purpose was achieved. Since the prototype does not show any functions, one part of the goal was not reached. Even though the goal wasn't fully reached, the concept is based on scientific evidence and the group predicts a bright future for further development towards a finished product.


This study describes the children's way of developing their word awareness from their teachers and peers at school. The data were obtained from 30 young children, aged 5-6, of a class in a preschool in Banda Aceh. The instruments used to collect data were observations and documents from teachers' anecdotal records and children's language achievement reports. The observations were conducted for one semester of about 5 months. The results show that the teachers use the motherese register to speak with the children. They speak more slowly, clearly, with a higher pitch, and with exaggerated intonation. Children develop their word awareness from teachers with facilitation from the multimedia, things around them and social environment at the school. These assistances support the children's phonological and semantic awareness by highlighting their teachers as models. Meanwhile, the children's interaction with their peers tends to produce some errors in words usage and pronunciation. The paper further provides discussions on the results. Keyword s : Young Children, Word Awareness, Development, Teachers, Peers, Preschool


Abstract We explore miR‐150‐5p in atherosclerosis (AS). The AS model was constructed using Apo E−/− mice with an injection of the miR-150-5p mimic or an inhibitor. Pathological characteristics were assessed using Oil red O staining and Masson staining. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot were used to analyze the expressions of microRNA-150-5p (miR-150-5p), STAT1, α-SMA (α-smooth muscle actin) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Targetscan and dual-luciferase reporter assay were used to analyze the interaction between miR-150-5p and STAT1. The viability, migration, cell cycle and α-SMA and PCNA expressions in oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-stimulated primary human aortic smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) were assessed using molecular experiments. miR-150-5p was reduced in both AS mice and ox-LDL-stimulated human aortic smooth muscle cells but STAT1 had the opposite effect. The miR‐150‐5p inhibitor alleviated the increase of lipid plaque and reduced collagen accumulation in the aortas during AS. Upregulation of α-SMA and PCNA was reversed by miR-150-5p upregulation. STAT1 was targeted by miR‐150‐5p, and overexpressed miR-150-5p weakened the ox-LDL-induced increase of viability and migration abilities and blocked cell cycle in ASMCs, but overexpressed STAT1 blocked the effect of the miR‐150‐5p mimic. This paper demonstrates that miR-150-5p has potential as a therapeutic target in AS, with plaque stabilization by regulating ASMC proliferation and migration via STAT1.


Stream profile analysis has been used extensively in the field of tectonic geomorphology. In the past, exploration of stream profiles, including χ-elevation profiles, has required downloading and processing Digital Elevation Models for specific areas, which limits the scope of exploratory analysis. Presented here is a web application designed to analyze stream profiles at 90m resolution at a near-global scale. Based on the Hydrosheds (Wickel et al., 2007) 90m drainage direction, as well as computed d8 drainage direction and void-filled DEMs, the app allows users to quickly query downstream from selected points anywhere within ±60 degrees latitude, in order to interactively analyze corresponding stream profiles in both distance and χ space, where χ is a metric that is proportional to the presumed steady-state shape of the stream profile (Perron and Royden, 2013). QuickChi is open source, and although currently it is designed as an exploratory tool, more functions can be easily added via community contributions and/or from existing toolsets.


The Merit-Based Incentive Payment System will go into effect in about a year. Here is what you have to know.


Cucurbit leaf crumple virus (CuLCrV) is a geminivirus transmitted by Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) biotype B (SPW-B) and common in melons (Cucumis melo L.) planted from July through September in the desert southwestern United States. Symptoms include chlorotic leaf spots, leaf curling and crumpling, and interveinal yellowing, and plants may be stunted. Melon breeding line MR-1, and six plant introductions (PIs; PI 124111, PI 124112, PI 179901, PI 234607, PI 313970, and PI 414723) exhibited partial resistance to CuLCrV in naturally infected field tests and controlled inoculation greenhouse tests. PI 236355 was completely resistant in two greenhouse tests. Partially resistant plants exhibited chlorotic spots, or mild expression of other typical CuLCrV symptoms; all such plants were positive for presence of virus using polymerase chain reaction analysis with a CuLCrV-specific primer pair from the BC1 region. Genetic resistance to CuLCrV in melon was recessive. Field and greenhouse data from F 1 , F 2 , and backcrosses of the F 1 to 'Top Mark' and PI 313970 demonstrated a single, recessive gene for resistance to CuLCrV. Progenies from crosses of four partially resistant cultigens with 'Top Mark' were susceptible. Resistance in PI 313970 appeared to be allelic, with resistance in the other six cultigens based on F 1 data. The name cucurbit leaf crumple virus and symbol culcrv are proposed for this gene.


The bachelor thesis describes the integrated rescue system and fire protection. Mainly describes the security of blanket coverage in the Pardubice region by fire protection units. It analyzes the konwledge learned in the section of coverage by fire protection units in the Pardubice region and draws conclusions.


Theoretical concepts and history of venture capital. Criteria used by VC firms in investing. Factors affecting cross border investments. Cultural geographical factors. Advantages of syndication.


Fine-scale classification in form of object extraction or segmentation for high resolution SAR images is a challenging task due to the existing local noises, object deformation and part missing. A novel SAR classification method based on CRFs which combines low-level features, label context and object structure priors is presented in this paper. Local label pattern is proposed in this paper to model the object structures by measuring the local label configuration on the grid layer of SAR images. We build a new CRFs model with label context and object structure priors for image classification. Besides, we adopt Mean Field approximation for efficient inference of our CRFs model. This work intends to implement an efficient classification framework by integrating high-level label context and object priors and apply it to fine-scale object extraction of SAR images. The framework demonstrates good performance in both accuracy and efficiency for object extraction or segmentation of simulated images and high resolution SAR images.


The Prison Litigation Reform Act was passed by Congress in 1996. It had a two-fold purpose: reduce the amount of prisoner litigation and curtail the involvement of the federal courts in the operations of state prison systems. Since its passage, the U.S. Supreme Court and numerous lower federal courts have had the opportunity to interpret several of its complicated and controversial provisions. This article looks at what the courts have decided thus far and predicts future court opinions.


In allusion to the West-to-East Gas Transmission Project and Sinopec Tabamiao--Ji' nan Gas Trans- mission Project,the study on site selection for underground gas storage with the current gas reservoir in Zhongyuan Area is made. The standard for establishing underground gas storage with the current gas reservoir is presented, and a comprehensive geological evaluation on 4 selected sites is carried out. Aimed at underground natural gas storage target, the systemic feasibility analysis, such as gas entrapment ,geological structure, capping formation, reservoir characteristic, natural gas property, original gas reserves, gas pro- ductivity and gas recovery efficiency, are made. The authors consider Gas Reservoir-96 as a first-selected site as underground gas storage in Zhongyuan Area.


The dynamics of everyday living was always directly
connected with orientation of man in space.
The image of man in the living space was formed
with a certain emotional certainty, orientation of
space, while the environment was formed with the
dwellings in the settlement. Every leaving creature in
the living space has to feel spiritual protection, suitable
condition for creating his world.
The traditional form of dwelling throughout evolution
created an order of the living space, with the
environment, thus connecting the natural living space
with the setting and the human activity. Additionally,
the building was position on the ground, while the
recession in the vertical course was a need of man to
release into space, and to define space.
Man always had the tendency to create the interior
of the space with natural materials, creating a worm
and welcoming atmosphere.
The interior as a totality was the place where
man, cattle, foods, and all the activities of the family
took place, as a primary living space, which lasted
throughout a long period of time, even for centuries,
up to the beginning of the 20th century.
The interior of the Macedonian house had very
little useful space, mainly to the basic human needs.
The kitchen or the home, as a difference to the
room, was a space isolated for the primary function
of cooking.
The appearance of tower as a building form had
an influence in the segmenting of the function of living
space in the home, modifying village house to
expand into height.
Simply the development of space was based on
the adjustment to the family, the economics, and social
conditions, as understanding of the milieu and
the community in the division of space, furthermore
in keeping the ethologic tradition. According to the
size, and the number of hearths inside the home, the
size of the family community was determined.
The village home in the Middle Ages, to the beginning
of the 20th century were constructed of natural
materials, unbaked earth, branches, wood, creating
a structure of firm materials, with a building technique
and investment and for greater permanence.
The family was secured, psychologically and substantially,
it was made safer from low temperatures
or the winds. Hence, the family was connected and
identified with private space of the home. This tendency
was more emphasized and developed till the
beginning of the 20th century.
The improvement of living within the private
space of the home had greater influence in the human
relations, further on the mentality, economics and the
social life as a whole.


This paper introduced a new solution that recording conference by network monitoring.This solution is flexible and doesn't take up the CPU of the MCU(multipoint control unit) system;moreover,it can record several conference at the same time.Its operation is easy and reliable,and it can be widely used at video conference recording and appointed media play.


The physical process of oxygen transfer from atmosphere acts to replenish the used oxygen. This process is termed aeration. Hydraulic structures can increase dissolved oxygen levels by creating turbulent conditions where small air bubbles are carried into the bulk of the flow. Chute aeration is a particular instance of this process. A chute is characterized by a steep bed slope associated with torrential flow. This chute flow may be either smooth or stepped. This paper seeks smooth and stepped chutes and how they affect the aeration efficiency. It is demonstrated that stepped chutes are very efficient at oxygen transfer because of the strong turbulent mixing associated with substantial air bubble entrainment and that this advantage becomes more pronounced in nappe flow regime.


OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices toward added sugar intake among Cypriot university students. METHODS: This cross- sectional study was conducted among 200 students enrolled in public and private universities in Cyprus. Knowledge, attitudes and practices toward added sugar consumption was evaluated using self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Only 8.5% of the students were able to accurately report the recommended values of sugar consumption. Most of the participants (76% ) were aware of the health consequences of excessive sugar consumption, whereas 63.5% were aware of the existence of hidden sources of sugar and 88% of students stated that they read the nutrition declaration of the products that they are considering consuming. About 67% of students stated that they are actively trying to reduce their sugar consumption and the majority consume sugary beverages less than 1 day per week. CONCLUSIONS: Results support that although students read the nutrition facts label there is a limited awareness of sugar intake recommendations. Tailored-made strategies targeting students in order to improve sugar-related knowledge could be warranted.


Memory significantly affects the power consumption of embedded systems as well as performance. CPU frequency scaling for power management could fail in optimizing the energy efficiency without considering the memory access. In this paper, we analyze the power consumption and energy efficiency of an embedded system that supports dynamic scaling of frequency for both CPU and memory access. The power consumption of the CPU and the memory is modeled to show that the memory access rate affects the energy efficiency and the CPU frequency selection. Based on the power model, a method for frequency selection is presented to optimize the power efficiency which is measured using Energy-Delay Product (EDP). The proposed method is implemented and tested on a commercial smartphone to achieve about 3.3% - 7.6% enhancement comparing with the power management policy provided by the manufacturer in terms of EDP.


The emergence of the cryptocurrency as an investment vehicle has brought the phenomenon of Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) into the spotlight, since they provide rapid access to capital for new ventures, but suffer from drawbacks relating to regulation and accountability. In that regard, this chapter provides a review of the recent literature on ICOs before proceeding with a discussion of the regulatory and other risks that ICOs pose for market participants, thereby encouraging a broader discussion about where such a novel capital-raising mechanism may lie in the investment universe, and how the weaknesses of ICOs may be addressed so as to better leverage its strengths towards value creation and innovation.


There are many factors which affect the acoustical properties of a micro-speaker. Among the factors, the shape of the diaphragm is considered in this study. As an investigating method, the finite element methods and measurement techniques applied to study the acoustical properties according to diaphragm shape. In order to vary the stiffness of the diaphragm, the some patterns of comb teeth, such as the angle and the number of comb teeth, are applied to diaphragm. We can confirm that the change of the stiffness by the changing diaphragm shape affects the vibration and sound properties of the speaker. As a result, the reduction of the angle of the comb teeth increases the diaphragm stiffness and shifts the resonance frequency to a higher frequency range. The number of the comb teeth is related to the stiffness of the edge part.


INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: It has been demonstrated that nitrate administration enhances the detection of myocardial viability in thallium-201 and technetium-99m sestamibi myocardial perfusion studies. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of nitrate administration on technetium-99m tetrofosmin myocardial uptake in patients with coronary artery disease and left ventricular dysfunction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty eight patients with coronary artery disease, previous myocardial infarction and left ventricular ejection fraction or = 50% of peak activity. RESULTS: The percentage of peak activity at rest or after nitrate administration of technetium-99m tetrofosmin correlated, with that of thallium-201, at rest and after redistribution or reinjection (r = 0.8; p < 0.001). On resting technetium-99m tetrofosmin studies 167 of the 420 segments that were analysed had < 50% of peak activity. 14.5% of these segments showed reversibility after nitrate administration, with an increase in 99mTc-tetrofosmin uptake from 45 +/- 5% to 55 +/- 4% of peak activity (p = 0.001), in the first group, and from 40 +/- 9% to 57 +/- 9% of peak activity (p = 0.003), in the second group. Overall agreement between rest/postnitroglycerin technetium-99m tetrofosmin SPET studies and rest/redistribution or rest/reinjection thallium-201 SPET studies, regarding the presence of myocardial viability, was 87% and 90%, respectively. All except one reversible segments on tetrofosmin studies after nitrates had viability criteria on thallium studies. CONCLUSIONS: Nitrate administration at rest enhances the detection of myocardial viability using technetium-99m tetrofosmin SPET, correlating with viability criteria observed on thallium studies. It represents a simple and useful technique in the assessment of myocardial viability.


This paper reviews the recent advances in developing automatic control algorithms for the numerical integration of ordinary di erential equations (ODEs) and di erential-algebraic equations (DAEs). By varying the stepsize, the error committed in a single step of the discretization method can be a ected. Modern time-stepping methods provide an estimate of this error, and by comparing the estimate to a speci ed accuracy requirement a control algorithm selects the next stepsize. To construct e cient controllers it is necessary to analyze the dynamic behaviour of the discretization method together with the controller. Based on feedback control theory, this systematic approach has replaced earlier heuristics and resulted in a more consistent and robust performance. Other quantities affected by the stepsize are convergence rates of xed-point and Newton iterations, and we therefore also review new techniques for the coordination of nonlinear equation solvers with the primary stepsize controller. Taken together, the recent development provides principles and guidelines for constructing ODE/DAE software where heuristics and tuning parameters have largely been eliminated.


A "Quasi-MOF" nanosphere is introduced by Yongguang Zhang, Xin Wang, Zhongwei Chen, and co-workers in article number 2105541 as an efficient and durable sulfur electrocatalyst toward accelerated sulfur reduction reaction. The reversible deligandation/ligandation of this Quasi-MOF over the course of the electrochemical process endows its with excellent catalytic activity and remarkable durability. Attributed to these structural advantages, the Quasi-MOF delivers a decent discharge capacity and low-capacity fading rate over long-term cycling.


Power scaling of nanosecond fiber laser pulses with narrow linewidth has been demonstrated by using a new single-mode (SM) large-core polarization maintaining (PM) highly Er/Yb co-doped phosphate glass fiber (EYPhF). We used an optimized length of 12 cm of the EYPhF fiber in the power amplifier of the all-fiber MOPA chain. The pulse energy can reach 0.11 mJ for the amplified pulsed fiber laser, which corresponds to a peak power of 51.5 KW with pulse duration of 2.1 ns and repetition rate of 5 KHz. This high power pulsed fiber laser has an estimated linewidth of < 500 MHz.