The potential of UWB breast cancer detection has been demonstrated with simple experiments on homogenous breast phantoms which do not represent the tissue dielectric properties of heterogeneous human breast. This thesis attempts to bridge the gap by conducting experiments on pulse-based UWB microwave breast imaging with realistic tissue mimicking breast phantoms. Experimental issues which are important for the development of pulse-based UWB breast cancer detection prototype and the compensation methods are studied. These includes pulse instability, loss compensation, narrowband frequencies interference, limited dynamic range, phantom positioning error, averaging number and antenna number. Detection capability is shown to be significantly improved by the compensation methods. The breast phantoms used in the experiments are realistic and comparable to human breast in term of dielectric properties. Unlike previously reported experiments that use lower (compared to human breast tissue) dielectric homogeneous materials as the breast medium, the experiments are significantly different in two ways. Firstly, dielectric loss and dielectric constant of the breast phantoms used in our experiments are close to actual human breasts. Secondly, heterogeneous breast phantoms are fabricated by mixing phantom materials of different dielectric constants to simulate the glandular tissue clutters in adipose tissue matrix of the human breast. More realistic experiments are designed based on the new results from large scale dielectric measurements on normal and malignant breast tissues. Extensive experiments are conducted to simulate the wide variability in dielectric properties of human breast. Experiment results show that the experimental setup is capable of detecting 2 mm tumor in breast phantoms. IV ATTENTION: The Singapore Copyright Act applies to the use of this document. Nanyang Technological University Library


This paper proposed a reversible multiple layer data hiding to improve the method proposed by Arham et al. Using the relevance of pixels to modify the block size and change the scan mode can enhance image embedded capacity so that the maximum embedding amount of the original block was increased from 3 bits to 8 bits. For multiple-layer embedding, we modified the multiple-layer embedding method proposed by Alattar by changing the quad permutations for recursive embedding to nine permutations to avoid the distortion and overflow/underflow. The experimental results showed that our method achieves higher hiding capacity and better image quality for stego-images.


The depletion of non-renewable resources is followed by severe ecological and social impacts, and the heavy usage of raw, virgin resources leaves significant, long-lasting footprints. The transition to a more circular economy, where the value of products, materials and resources is maintained and circulated (by recycling activities) in the economy for as long as possible, is an essential contribution to the EU's efforts to develop a sustainable, low carbon, resource efficient and competitive economy. In this context, ecological solutions consisting of materials that help carbon sequestration and necessitate small amounts of energy for production are becoming increasingly popular from a building construction point of view, namely: The raw material is cheap and in large quantities; has low thermal conductivity; are from a renewable source. The paper presents an analysis of IZOMIN an innovative thermal insulating product made from renewable or recycled resources and their main technical properties, the purpose being to inform the market in order to increase the present level of technical knowledge and technologies used to facilitate the implementation of buildings with high energy efficiency.


The article discusses the prospects for developing rural tourism as one of the tools for shaping the country's image during and after the pandemic period. The tourism sphere of Kazakhstan, in which there were noticeable changes during the pandemic, is analyzed. Areas infected with coronavirus infection were shown on the map. Also, separately studied the data of the tourism sector of the Akmola and Karaganda regions during the pandemic. Marketing and sociological surveys were conducted to find determine residents' opinion of holiday destinations during the pandemic. In the example of neighboring regions of Akmola and Karaganda regions, some tourist objects contributing to the formation of the image and development of rural tourism were highlighted and marked on the map.
The key strengths of rural tourism development for the Republic of Kazakhstan, which can contribute to the sustainable formation of the country's image, are identified and recommended. The article compares the effects of COVID-19 and its impact on tourism development. Thus, the pandemic allows the development of domestic tourism in the country, due to which the population began to choose and give preference to tourist sites and routes within the country.


Biotrophic development of fungal plant pathogens requires an intricate control mechanism that triggers morphogenetic transitions and proliferation in planta. In the corn smut fungus, the interactions between key regulators of the unfolded protein response and of the transcriptional network that regulates the pathogenic program define a developmental checkpoint critical for plant infection. The unfolded protein response (UPR) is a conserved eukaryotic signaling pathway regulating endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis during ER stress, which results, for example, from an increased demand for protein secretion. Here, we characterize the homologs of the central UPR regulatory proteins Hac1 (for Homologous to ATF/CREB1) and Inositol Requiring Enzyme1 in the plant pathogenic fungus Ustilago maydis and demonstrate that the UPR is tightly interlinked with the b mating-type-dependent signaling pathway that regulates pathogenic development. Exact timing of UPR is required for virulence, since premature activation interferes with the b-dependent switch from budding to filamentous growth. In addition, we found crosstalk between UPR and the b target Clampless1 (Clp1), which is essential for cell cycle release and proliferation in planta. The unusual C-terminal extension of the U. maydis Hac1 homolog, Cib1 (for Clp1 interacting bZIP1), mediates direct interaction with Clp1. The interaction between Clp1 and Cib1 promotes stabilization of Clp1, resulting in enhanced ER stress tolerance that prevents deleterious UPR hyperactivation. Thus, the interaction between Cib1 and Clp1 constitutes a checkpoint to time developmental progression and increased secretion of effector proteins at the onset of biotrophic development. Crosstalk between UPR and the b mating-type regulated developmental program adapts ER homeostasis to the changing demands during biotrophy.


It introduces concept and features of Zhonghuan CBD in Hongkong, evaluates it from zone bit、scale and grade、function、traffic system、space form、opening and operation, then summarizes five principle should be obeyed in building CBD which is based on analysis.


Success of a region is mostly perceived and measured by its economic or socialeconomic development. At the same time, this economic view is understood as determining in setting of strategic objectives and formulating perspectives of a region. In this article there are outlined bases for a more complex and systematic multidimensional approach to the issue of strategic marketing management in the Spiš region also in the context of current social and economic development of Europe and its surroundings. A system element of strategic management of a region must also be the ethic dimension, culture, history and preferred values or other qualitative factors of people. Only such an approach, which will take into consideration a wide spectrum of relevant system elements, can create a "made-to-measure" control system for a monitored region. Proven Christian values, embodied also in sacral buildings in towns and villages of the region, may be a significant factor of development of tourism in one of the oldest historical regions of Slovakia. The objective of the article is to develop a research model for preparation and usage of sacral cultural monuments in tourism and an educational activity in the Spiš region and justification of this potential for perspective development of the region. The study also offers a review of the main results of sociological research aimed at perception of cultural and spiritual values in the surveyed region.


BACKGROUND
Recently, a dopamine hypothesis of depression was put forward, and several studies have demonstrated that direct and indirect dopamine agonists have antidepressant effects.

METHODS
Using Clinical Global Impressions, we evaluated the efficacy of 4-week treatment of pergolide as an antidepressant adjuvant involving 20 unipolar depressed patients who were refractory to standard treatment with antidepressants.

RESULTS
One patients (5%) were very much improved, seven (35%) much improved, four (20%) minimally improved, six (30%) no change or worse, and two (10%) not assessed. There was no significant difference in any clinical factors between the pergolide responder and non-responder group.

LIMITATIONS
This study was a non-blind open trial, and pergolide was added to tricyclic and heterocyclic antidepressants.

CONCLUSION
Pergolide may be useful as an antidepressant adjuvant, suggesting a potential role for dopamine-2 stimulation in the antidepressant response.


The invention contemplates a unitary clip of ductile sheet metal in the form of a peripherally continuous elongate rectangular frame which is bent at its longitudinal midsection. The frame defines a window between its bent longitudinal legs, such that after inserting a loop-defining fold of cable, dropwire or the like through the window, the longitudinal ends of the frame may in a simple operation be crimped toward each other and into compressionally clamping engagement with adjacent regions of the folded cable, thereby also frictionally engaging to each other the adjacent regions of the folded cable.


In this paper, we examine the importance, theoretical understanding, and empirical measurement of urban accessibility. Drawing on examples from poor, rich, and intermediate-income cities, we argue that accessibility is the main urban quantity to consider from a resource allocation standpoint since it links land use and transportation, the two primary urban consumption goods. Despite the importance of accessibility, a sparsity of empirical knowledge about accessibility and a disconnect between policymaking and accessibility outcomes have led many researchers to retreat into narrow areas of expertise—such as land use, housing, or transportation treated in isolation—and many urban policymakers to ignore accessibility altogether. Even when data are good, the politics of land use and transportation decisions rarely favors accessibility as an important policy outcome. As a result, urban policies often fail to allocate land use or transportation either efficiently or equitably.


The vibratory response of a periodically-forced generic mechanical system undergoing a unilateral contact condition is addressed. The unilateral contact constraint is reformulated as a nonsmooth Lipschitz continuous function. This allows the use of the so-called semismooth Newton method capable of solving the equations governing the dynamics and the unilateral contact constraints simultaneously. The assumed periodic solution and the contact force are approximated by truncated Fourier series before being incorporated in the solver after projection of the equations on the Fourier basis. Continuation of the solution harmonics with respect to the forcing frequency is performed. For a medium size system of 20 degrees-of-freedom, it is shown that convergence is achieved by comparing with the reference time-marching solution.


In recent years there has been much interest in the question of mantle layering induced by
the endothermic phase transition at 670 km depth, and a partially or intermittently layered
mantle characterized by accumulation of downwellings in the transition zone and catastrophic
avalanches into the lower mantle has been indicated by several numerical studies. Now that this
basic pattern has been established, the challenge is to better constrain how the model results
relate to convection with the actual Earth, by (1) improving the realism of numerical models,
including such effects as three-dimensionality (3-D) and temperature-dependent viscosity, and
(2) relating the theoretical results to a wider range of observations. Thus, this talk will focus
on these issues.


In this qualitative case study, I explore the organizational processes and policy discourses at one private higher education institution in Mexico. By using a theoretical framework relative to contestations between the global "ideology of privatization" in education (Rizvi, 2006; Rizvi & Lingard, 2009) and the "global public good" of private education (Marginson, 2007; Menashy, 2009), I examine how external forces are influencing a private institution and its opportunities relative to the public/private good. The study provides answers to three main research questions: 1. What are the assumptions, beliefs and knowledge of upper level management of the private education institution with regard to the global and local forces (economic, political, technological, and social) that influence the organization and its opportunities? 2. What are the assumptions, beliefs and knowledge of upper level management in internal processes in response to external pressures relative to the provision of public versus private goods? 3. How does the institution position itself relative to other educational opportunities (public and private) at the local, national, and global levels?


(57) Abstract is a RAID controller that is integrated into the single chip (100). RAID controller chip (100) includes a general-purpose RISC processor (121), a memory interface logic (128), and the PCI bus (150) for the host CPU, at least one back-end I / O interface channels including (130), and at least one direct memory access (DMA) channel (122), and a RAID parity assist (RPA) circuit (126). RAID chip allows more advanced integration of RAID functions within the printed circuit board, in particular, makes it possible to directly integrate the RAID function on a personal computer or workstation motherboard. Backend I / O interface channels are preferably dual SCSI channels. RAID chip is capable of operating in either of two modes. In the first mode, the chip provides a direct pass-through from the host CPU (102) interface to the dual SCSI channels (130). The first operation mode is a SCSI pass-through mode, it possible to use the application to the storage not RAID chip, in the application to chip RAID allows low-level operation of the disk array. The first mode of operation, it is possible to use a chip without any changes to the host application or driver. Rather, the chip is operable in a known available SCSI controller device compatible form. Second mode of operation is a RAID control mode, provides full RAID management features in the attached host CPU. In the preferred embodiment, RAID chip, providing intelligent I / O (I2O) interface to the host CPU, improving the portability and performance of the interaction between the host / RAID.


The standardization work of electric power surrey and design,It should be operated with the manner of general adoption of the market principle,It should be established that a standard system,management system and operational mechanism,it should be adapted the demand of marketing economics.


Virtual human emotional and intelligent teaching system with the function of language,expression and sight interaction has been posed.For acquiring the quantitative description of the effect of emotional virtual human system on the user's emotional experience,the system has been tested according to the emotion scale in Chinese abbreviated edition by means of psychophysics experiments.Then the description for the emotional experience based on the pleasure-arousal-dominance(PAD) emotion space has been obtained.The results show that the emotional and intelligent teaching system will be able to improve the users' positive emotion,arousal and dominance during the process of interaction.


Objective To evaluate the diagnosis,treatment and prevention of ectopic or incarcerated intrauterine devices (IUD).Methods We analyzed the clinical manifestation and treatment of 66 patients diagnosed as ectopic or incarcerated IUDs who admitted in the first affiliated hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2007 to June 2012.Results The common symptoms caused by ectopic or incarcerated IUDs were lower abdominal pain or discomfort and abnormal uterine bleeding. 19 cases occurred after placing IUD after delivery or abortion. 14 cases were postmenopausal women. 2 cases were found after placing Jini ring. 3 cases were diagnosed during surgery of ectopic pregnancy. 2 cases were diagnosed because of IUD disappeared in abortion surgery. 26 cases were confirmed by sonography or hysteroscopy due to difficulty in extracting IUDs. 18 cases of incarcerated IUDs partly in uterine wall were extracted successfully through hysteroscopy or under the surveillance of sonography. 5 cases of incarcerated IUDs were removed by percutaneous nephroscope set after failure by sonography and hysteroscopy. 2 cases of postmenopausal women received hysterectomy. 5 cases of IUDs with vertical arms incarcerated in cervical canal were grasped and taken out by long curly hemostatic forceps. 10 cases of uterine-shape or T-shape IUDs incarcerated out of uterine surface. 2 cases of ectopic IUDs in Douglas cul-de-sac were removed by culdotomy. 17 cases of ectopic IUDs in abdominal or pelvic cavity were taken out by laporoscopy and 3 cases were through laporotomy. 1 case of ectpic IUDs in broad ligament was extracted by laporoscopy, too. 3 cases of ectpic IUDs in bladder were removed by percutaneous nephroscope set. Conclusion Ectopic IUDs can be diagnosed effectively under the help of sonography, hysteroscopy and pelvic X Ray. Hysteroscopy, surveillance of sonography, laparoscopy, and percutaneous nephroscope set are effective means to successfully remove the ectopic or incarcerated IUDs.


This study focuses on how land use policies affect the urban structure and how urban structure affect the travel behavior. The study introduces two indices, "transport energy consumption" to measure the whole society and "transport cost" to measure individuals, and examines the effect of urban land use policies on these two indices, based on the Person Trip Surveys conducted at Sendai Metropolitan Areas in 1992. It is found that the expansion of the inappropriate urban areas not only resulted in the expansion of low-density urban areas but also resulted in the increase of "transport energy consumption" and "transport cost" for the whole metropolitan areas.


The features of intersystemic biometals Na+ and K+ distribiution in plasm, lymph, lymph nodes in rats after stress injuries and during the enterodonorosorbent «Litovit» are studied. The experience showed the concentration Na+ during the prophylactic and medical use of «Litovit». It promoted the deposition of liquid in lymph vessels, prevented the hypervolemia, and decreased the stress on injured myocardium. Prophylactic use of «Litovit» allowed producing some depot of Na+ in lymph nodes. This depot helped to support the osmotic tension.


Physical modelling studies of submarine landslides in a 5° slope were conducted to assess the occurrence of hydroplaning and turbidity currents. The centrifuge modelling did not aim to simulate the...


The paper gives an account of some currently representative design methods of asphalt concrete airport pavement in the world.After studying current specifications for asphalt concrete pavement design of civil airports in our country,the indexes and parameters of these methods are synthetically analyzed and some problems of the present design methods are discussed in detail.Besides,the development of design method in our country is discussed and some advice is put forward for further design code revision.Through research work,the paper can provide some technical groundwork for the improvement of our design theory of asphalt concrete pavement.


The population-based incremental learning (PBIL) algorithm is a combination of evolutionary optimization and competitive learning. Recently, the PBIL algorithm has been applied for dynamic optimization problems. This paper investigates the effect of the learning rate, which is a key parameter of PBIL, on the performance of PBIL in dynamic environments. A hyper-learning scheme is proposed for PBIL, where the learning rate is temporarily raised whenever the environment changes. The hyper-learning scheme can be combined with other approaches, e.g., the restart and hypermutation schemes, for PBIL in dynamic environments. Based on a series of dynamic test problems, experiments are carried out to investigate the effect of different learning rates and the proposed hyper-learning scheme in combination with restart and hypermutation schemes on the performance of PBIL. The experimental results show that the learning rate has a significant impact on the performance of the PBIL algorithm in dynamic environments and that the effect of the proposed hyper-learning scheme depends on the environmental dynamics and other schemes combined in the PBIL algorithm.


The Shepherd of Hermas quotes from a work it calls 'Eldad and Modad', and several later ecclesiastical book lists also name this writing. While this work is otherwise unknown, there are good reasons for inferring not only that the authors of James, 1 Clement, and 2 Clement also knew 'Eldad and Modad', but further that they have preserved a few lines from it. If so, those lines can help us to gain some idea of the nature and shape of this lost apocalypse or pseudepigraphon.


Observed (OH)-O directions in dickite and chlorite are used to formulate models for the orientation of monohydric alcohol molecules on montmorillonite surfaces. The T O-T angle in layer silicates is related to the surface oxygen configuration and may be an important structural parameter. The free swelling of montmorillonites in water and the orientation of the hydroxyl group in muscovite are related to the clay organic complexes.


The corrosion of casing was investigated in the laboratory and oilfield by series methods of EIS, SEM, EDS, well logging, and field coupon test. Data reveal the middle vertical profile along the casing is greatly threatened by localized form rather than generalized corrosion. The pit initiates in the micro‐pore of the corrosion scale on the surface of the steel. The development of pitting depends on the water type classified by geochemist. The calcium chloride water shows highest acceleration to pitting due to the two orders of magnitude higher concentration of chloride ion by comparing sodium sulfate and sodium bicarbonate water types. The element analysis and microstructure observation were used to further describe the pit propagation. It is proposed to get a better understanding of the corrosion damage of casing in the petroleum industry.


BACKGROUND
AIHA is characterised by the destruction of antibody-coated red blood cells, but the mechanism that initiates the production of autoantibodies remains unclear. We have studied the proliferative response and the spontaneous and mitogen-induced (PHA and OKT3) synthesis of IFN-g, IL-2 and IL-4 by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with AIHA before any treatment to investigate the activation of Th1 and Th2 subsets.

METHODS
Thirteen AIHA patients, both idiopathic and associated with other diseases, were studied by ELISA methods and H3 thymidine incorporation to determine in vitro cytokine production and T cell proliferative response, respectively.

RESULTS
Under basal conditions the proliferative response induced in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was enhanced in AIHA patients suggesting a basal state of hyperactivation. This increase in proliferative response can be related to the basal enhanced levels of IL-2 (p<0.04), a key cytokine, that regulates the growth, differentiation and function of lymphocytes. High IL-2 levels in AIHA patients supernatants, with or without OKT3 stimulation, justify the high basal activation of T lymphocytes. Under basal conditions levels of IFN-g are decreased and IL-4 levels are increased.

CONCLUSIONS
AIHA is characterised by the destruction of antibody-coated red blood cells, but the mechanism that initiates the production of autoantibodies remains unclear. But looking to this data it is possible to suppose that there is a prevalent contribution of Th2 lymphocytes to the pathogenesis of AIHA.


The new experiment-calculated method to determine the optimal ordered structures (multilayered coatings among them) parameters is worked out. It's based on the consequence of the Pontryagin maximum principle, proved in the article: "At a small modulation depth of the material performance's control parameter its variation law is determined by the sign of the inverse Fourier transformation of the material's frequency-performance characteristic (FPC)". The method's advantages are illustrated by the optimization of the superhard TiN/VN multilayered coating's parameters and the frequency variation law to suppress parametric oscillation.


The kernels of maize (cv Sultan) were incubated for seven days in solution culture containing 0, 40, 80 or 120 mol m -3 NaCl. Data for seed germination and fresh and dry weights of plumule, radicle and germinating seed were recorded daily after the inception of germination. Fresh weights of seeds decreased significantly with increase in NaCl concentration of the growth medium whereas seed dry weights remained almost unaffected. However, fresh and dry weights of both shoot axis and radicle increased consistently with time but this increase was considerably higher in non-saline conditions than that in saline substrate. Na + concentrations in the germinating seeds increased with time in all salt treatments except the control treatment and the marked effect of time was observed at the highest salt regime (120 mol NaCl m -3 ). The same pattern of Na + transport was observed in the shoot axis whereas the reverse was true for radicle in which Na + concentrations decreased considerably with time. Saline medium caused a significant increase in Cl- concentration of the seeds, plumule and radicle and the time-course increase in Cl- was also significant in these plant parts. K + concentrations in the germinating seeds and shoot axis decreased with time and a significant reduction in K + level was observed on day 7 of germination in all treatments. Saline growth medium had no effect on K + concentrations of radicles but in contrast, there was a significant time-course reduction in radicle K + concentration regardless of NaCl treatment. Similar effect of salt and time was observed on Ca 2+ concentration of the germinating seeds. No significant effect of salt or time was observed on Ca 2+ concentrations in the radicles but in contrast, the time-course decrease in shoot axis Ca 2+ was observed only at the highest salt level. Soluble proteins of seeds, plumule and radicle decreased significantly with increase in time or external salt regimes whereas no effect of salt or time was observed on free amino acids of the germinating seeds. However, a slight time-course decrease in these biochemicals was found in both plumule and radicle. In contrast, a time-course increase in soluble sugars of seeds, plumule and radicle was significant. Total lipids decreased significantly in the germinating seeds with time but this decrease was more pronounced in the control treatment than that in the saline conditions. The time-course change in lipid content was negligible at the highest salt level. The salt sensitivity of maize at the germination stage was found to be associated with high transport of Na + and Cl - to the growing shoot axis and time-course decrease in K + and Ca 2+ concentration in the embryonic tissues. In addition, the adverse effect of salt on seed germination is partly due to impairment in breakdown of seed lipids so as to supply soluble sugars to the respiratory metabolism of the growing embryo.


The main purpose of the hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV) is reaching of higher efficiency in energy transmission from internal combustion engine (ICE) to the traction wheels of the vehicle and saving the kinetic energy of the vehicle, which usually is wasted as heat during braking. Commercial hybrid car model (Toyota Prius), for splitting energy from ICE uses the planetary gear and separate electrical generator for electrical power supply of the electrical traction motor and charging of the chemical battery. In the HEV system developed on the Czech Technical University (CTU) the power splitting is performed entirely electrically by using the electric power splitter (EPS), which presents a special type of synchronous generator with two rotating parts (a classic permanent magnet rotor and a rotating stator). The rotor is firmly coupled to the drive-shaft of ICE, and the stator is firmly coupled to the transmission that leads to the car wheels. Vehicles that utilises this hybrid propulsion system will consume 35% less fuel on highway drive and even 60% less fuel in urban drive.


The shrimp genera Ephyrina, Meningodora and Notostomus have an unusual carapace strengthened with carinae and a half-serrated mandible, which may suggest a possible monophyly of this group. Here we test this hypothesis and present the first phylogenetic study of these genera based on 95 morphological characters (all valid species coded) and six molecular markers (71% of valid species sequenced). Representatives of all genera of Oplophoridae (sister to Acanthephyridae) were outgroups, 32 species belonging to all genera and potentially different clades of Acanthephyridae were ingroups. Both morphological and molecular analyses retrieve trees with similar topology. Our results reject the hypothesis of a clade formed by Ephyrina + Meningodora + Notostomus. We show that Ephyrina and Notostomus are monophyletic, both on morphological and on molecular trees, Meningodora gains support only on morphological trees. Evolutionary traits in the Ephyrina and Meningodora + Notostomus clades are different. Synapomorphies are mostly linked to adaptations to forward motion in Ephyrina (oar-like meri and ischia of pereopods, stempost-like rostrum) and to progressive strengthening of the carapace and pleon in Meningodora and Notostomus (net of sharp carinae). Unusual mandibles evolved in the clades independently and represent convergent adaptations to feeding on gelatinous organisms.


Through a combination of stringent and deceptive corporate control of sources, as well as an academic blind spot on certain low-brow subcultures, there has been a lack of serious study of the various regional professional wrestling traditions that crossed the United States until the end of the 1980s. An in-depth examination of a wide range of books, newsletters, and interviews shows a rich history with a deep economic, social, and creative diversity that has been largely ignored as the industry has moved towards monopolization under Vincent Kennedy McMahon. The various regions are divided into three groups: those that closed on their own, those that fell in competition with McMahon, and those that survived into the era of national corporate pro wrestling. This organization challenges the narrative that regional pro wrestling came to an end solely due to the business power of McMahon. The first group looks at Northern California, Southern California, Georgia, and North Texas. The second group examines the independent wrestling companies Mid-South Wrestling and the American Wrestling Association, and their attempts to compete with McMahon on a national level. The group also explores how the intense local fan bases in Portland and Memphis buoyed the local pro wrestling promotions for a time from outside competition from McMahon. The third group contains Jim Crockett Productions and the World Wide Wrestling Federation. These two organizations eventually became the two major corporate wrestling entities World Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation, respectively. A glossary of terms is included.


The shaping of 2-D dual-reflector antenna systems to generate a prescribed distribution with uniform phase at the aperture of the second reflector is examined. This method is based on the geometrical nature of Cassegrain and Gregorian dual-reflector antennas. The method of syntheses satisfies the principles of geometrical optics which are the foundations of dual-reflector designs. Instead of setting up differential equations or heuristically designing the subreflector, a set of algebraic equations is formulated and solved numerically to obtain the desired surfaces. The caustics of the reflected rays from the subreflector can be obtained and examined. Several examples of 2-D dual-reflector shaping are shown to validate the study. Geometrical optics and physical optics are used to calculate the scattered fields from the reflectors.


This study updates knowledge on climate evolution in Madagascar from 1950 to 2018. Changes were analyzed using annual and seasonal climate indices at regional and station level. The original daily series of minimum and maximum temperature and precipitation obtained from 28 meteorological stations were quality controlled and homogenized. Thirty‐seven (37) climate indices were obtained from the daily series. The results show that changes in temperature had a higher degree of spatial coherence than changes in precipitation. Trends for temperature indices were mostly significant at 0.05 level and compatible with warming. Changes in minimum temperatures were greater than those for the maximum, leading to a significant decrease in the diurnal temperature range (DTR). Warm nights increased more than warm days, (0.70 days⋅decade–1) and cold nights decreased more than cold days, (0.21 days⋅decade–1). In addition, we found more stations with significant trends for very cold nights (92.60%) than for very warm days (51.80%) but they progressed differently (decrease and increase, respectively). Station‐by‐station precipitation index trends were mostly non‐significant at 0.05 level, and most regional precipitation index showed decreasing trends. A shift in precipitation magnitude was observed around 2000–2018, a period of intensified drying (where 70.40% of stations recorded non‐significant decreasing trends). An analysis of drought characteristics (i.e., intensity, magnitude and duration) highlighted the situation, especially in the south‐east at an annual timescale.


The colliding wind binary WR140 produces dust in its shocked gas every periastron passage. While the infrared light curve is very repeatable, there are noticeable changes every cycle in the optical time-series photometry. In the phases following periastron, there are optical dips in the light curve that were postulated to be caused by localized clumps in the dust produced in our line of sight. We report on the B- and V-band light curves that were recorded by the American Association of Variable Star Observers after the 2016 periastron event and briefly discuss comparisons to geometric models of the dust production to infer that these features are likely caused by localized dust clumps in the new dust shell.


The ab initio calculation of phase diagrams is still in its very early stages. For an outset towards new developments, we have chosen the simple hexagonal system AlB2, which is nevertheless very interesting due to its close relation to the high-temperature superconductor MgB2. Up to now, the synthesis of stoichiometric AlB2 has been impossible. Grown in an aluminium flux, a composition between Al0.9B2 (from X-ray refinement) and Al0.85B2 (from mass-density measurements) has been found [1]. So far, a microscopic explanation for this defect structure has been missing. Here, we present DFT band structure calculations within the local density approximation to investigate the structural stability in the phase equilibrium AlB2 ⇔ Al1 xB2 Alx. The calculations are carried out using a full-potential local-orbital scheme (FPLO) [2]. The defects are treated using the coherent potential approximation (CPA) [3]. Taking into account the full lattice relaxation depending on the defect concentration x, we find a stable energy minimum for the composition Al0.87B2. This is in excellent agreement with the experimental findings and explains the nonstoichiometric composition of present AlB2 samples. In contrast to the complex influence of the defects to the phase diagram, the defect-related electronic properties can be essentially understood within a simple rigid band model.


Its author, Prof. Avi Kober, a former researcher in the IDF Strategic Planning Department and the Defense Ministry's National Security Unit, who is now associated with the Begin-Sadat (BESA) Center for Strategic Studies at BarIlan University, explains how over the years, "the IDF has suffered from a lack of intellectualism, which has sometimes had a detrimental effect on its performance." From the 1990s to 2006, the IDF adopted an American doctrine, the RMA (Revolution in Military Affairs). This concept came at the expense of original Israeli thinking (p. 43). It was not the first time Israel took—or at least attempted to emulate—a foreign military approach. When the state was created, the newborn IDF lacked knowledge and experience. Therefore, its commanding officers had to study the military theories and patterns of foreign forces.


Let D be a positive integer which is not a perfect square,and let α=(u+v)~2,where(u,v) is positive integer solution of the Pell equation u~2-Dv~2=1.It is proved that,for any positive integer n, is an odd integer and +3 is a perfect square,where is the integral part of α~n.


A polar impurity of a commercial sample of tamoxifen (CAS 10540-29-1) was isolated and fully characterised by chemical and spectroscopic methods. The structure of the impurity bears clues of the "history of the sample".


We take 'complex' to mean both a CW (or simplicial) complex in topology and a chain complex in algebra. An 'end' of a complex is a subcomplex with a particular type of infinite behaviour, involving non-compactness in topology and infinite generation in algebra. The ends of manifolds are of greatest interest; we regard the ends of CW and chain complexes as tools in the investigation of manifolds and related spaces, such as stratified sets. The interplay of the topological properties of the ends of manifolds, the homotopy theoretic properties of the ends of CW complexes and the algebraic properties of the ends of chain complexes has been an important theme in the classification theory of high dimensional manifolds for over 35 years. However, the gaps in the literature mean that there are still some loose ends to wrap up! Our aim in this book is to present a systematic exposition of the various types of ends relevant to manifold classification, closing the gaps as well as obtaining new results. The book is intended to serve both as an account of the existing applications of ends to the topology of high dimensional manifolds and as a foundation for future developments.


Clustering analysis is widely used technique in many emerging applications. Assessment of clustering tendency is generally done by Visual Access Tendency (VAT) algorithm. VAT detects the clustering tendency by reordering the indices of objects from the dissimilarity matrix, according to logic of Prim's algorithm. Therefore, VAT demands high computational cost for large datasets. The contribution of proposed work is to develop best sampling technique for obtaining good representative of entire dataset in the form of sub-dissimilarity matrix in VAT, it provides accessing of prior tendency visually by detecting number of square shaped dark blocks along with diagonal in sample based VAT image. This proposed work gives same clustering tendency results when we compare with simple VAT, and it has an advantage of less processing time since it uses only sampled dissimilarity matrix. This sample based VAT (PSVAT) uses set of distinguished features for random selection of progressive sample representatives. Finally, known clustering tendency is used in graph-based clustering technique (Minimum Spanning Tree based clustering) for achieving efficient clustering results. Comparative runtime values of PSVAT and VAT on several datasets are presented in this paper for showing that PSVAT is better than VAT in respect of runtime performance and clustering validity is also tested by Dunn's Index for sampled data.


ABSTRACT This study quantified the seasonal and spatial distribution of algal blooms (defined as chlorophyll a >40 μg L−1) in Lake Okeechobee, based on 13 years of data collected from eight pelagic monitoring stations by the South Florida Water Management District Relationships between bloom frequencies and limnological parameters, including nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) loading rates, in-lake nutrient concentrations, Secchi transparencies, lake stage, and wind velocities, were investigated by rank correlation analyses. Blooms were found to vary both seasonally and spatially; they were most frequent during late spring and autumn, and they generally occurred in the northern and western regions of the pelagic zone. Blooms were least frequent in a central pelagic region where resuspension of soft mud sediments by wind produces frequent light limitation. Lake-wide bloom frequencies were uncorrelated with external loads of phosphorus and nitrogen, but were positively correlated with water temperatures (r ...


[Objective] The research aimed to study the effects of treatments with sub-high temperature for different days on tomato yield and quality and confirm the concrete days with sub-high temperature that caused obvious effects on the production of tomato.[Method] Taking the upper limit(35 ℃) of the suitable temperature for tomato growth as sub-high temperature and using day temperature 25 ℃ as CK,tomato plants were treated with sub-high temperature of daytime for 5,10,15,20,25,30,35 and 40 d when the fist inflorescence bloomed.And the effects of sub-high temperature of daytime for different days on fruit-setting rate,pulp quality and yield of tomato in greenhouse were studied.[Result] After treatment of sub-high temperature(35 ℃) of daytime for 5 d,tomato yield were decreased by 32.62%,the fruit-setting rate was decreased significantly,average weight of single fruit and the ratio of sugar to acid were reduced and the proportion of cavity fruit was increased obviously. The more days the treatment with sub-high temperature were,the lower the yield and quality were.[Conclusion] The research provided the basis for tomato production and management in greater temperature-difference areas.


In this article,we further study a famous open problem relating to Petty's conjectured projection inequality in convex geometry.By using the L_p-Brunn-Minkowski-Firey theory of convex bodies,we establish a number of different precision inequalities relating to L_p-version of the Petty's conjectured projection inequality.Our results are some generalizations in the results of the previous literature.


To investigate the nonlinear interaction of electroencephalograph (EEG signal), bispectral analysis is used for the study of clinical EEG in different brain functions. The parametric bispectral estimation is proposed in the paper for the purpose of extracting the nonlinear information beyond second order statistics or power spectra involved in the EEG. The EEG signal with normal subjects ubder different brain functional states and the abnormal EEG are analyzed in terms of the bispectral structure. The experimental results show that all spontanuous EEG exhibit obvious quadratic nonlinear interactions presence among the rhythms, but the bispectral pattern of the EEG changes with different functional states of brain.


In conventional aesthetic rhinoplasty operations, manual or powered rasps are used to reduce the osseo-cartilagenous nasal dorsum. This tactile method requires palpation of the instrument and the dorsum during surgery to estimate the degree of volume reduction, and often requires forceful manipulation of the dorsum which may illicit pain during surgery and contribute to post-operative edema and echymosis. In this preliminary study, we investigated the use of the Erbium:YAG laser ((lambda) equals294 micrometers ) to reduce bone and cartilage using ex-vivo porcine nasal dorsum and human cadaveric tissues. The short pulsed length and high absorption of this laser in biologic tissues results in minimization of thermal injury which are ideal for non- contact optical contouring of osseous and cartilagenous tissues in the face. Two Erbium:YAG lasers were used to ablate fresh porcine nasal bone and compared for their use. One Erbium:YAG laser, the Fidelis Laser, Fontana Medical Lasers, Ljubljana, Slovenija with variable pulse repetition rates (2 to 50 Hz), pulse energy (80 to 1000 mJ), and pulse duration (100, 300, 750 and 1000 microsecond(s) ) was used and compared to the Ultrafine Erbium:YAG laser, Coherent Inc., Santa Clara California, with variable pulse repetition rate (2 to 10 Hz), pulse energy (2-16 J/cm2), and spot diameter (2-6 mm). Only laser parameters approximating the conditions for thermal confinement were evaluated.


Method and apparatus for indicating SPS deactivation. It discloses a method and apparatus for performing semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) deactivation in a wireless mobile communication system. Station (BS) transmits a downlink control channel to the user equipment (the UE), and when a binary field indicating resource allocation information contained in the downlink control channel is entirely filled with "1" when the SPS deactivation.


Objective - A study by Ernst and Young (2010) found that 84% of public companies believed that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) was an activity that had a positive impact on companies. However, only 11% of those companies disclosed their CSR in their annual reports. This article presents the findings of a study examining the effect of CSR regulation and corporate financial performance, as measured by corporate liquidity, profitability, leverage and firm value, on the disclosure level of the CSR of public companies in Indonesia, and its impact on corporate reputation.
Methodology/Technique - Hypothesis tests with multiple regression were used with nonfinancial corporate categories listed on the Indonesian Stock Exchange between 2010 to 2018. Purposive sampling was used, with results from 217 sampled companies and 1953 datasets used in the model.
Findings - The study reveals that there is a significant difference in the CSR disclosure of all corporate categories after the regulation of CSR was enacted as a mandatory in 2012. Financial performance measured through Cash Flow from Operations (CFO) and Debt to Equity Ratio (DER) had a positive significant influence on CSR disclosure. However, Return on Assets (ROA) and firm value have no influence. Family ownership as a moderating variable had a negative influence and weakened the association between CFO and CSR disclosure, whereas foreign ownership as a moderating variable had a negative influence and weakened the association between ROA and CSR disclosure. CSR disclosure had a positive influence on corporate reputation from the stakeholders' perception in terms of awards received by the company and the individual stock price index as an alternative measurement for reputation.
Novelty - The impact of CSR disclosure on corporate reputation was analysed based on the alternative measurement of reputation. Ownership structure consisting of family ownership and foreign ownership were taken as the moderating variables in the correlation between financial performance and the disclosure of CSR.
Type of Paper: Empirical.
JEL Classification: M14, M41.
Keywords: Corporate Social Responsibility; Regulation; Financial Performance; Moderation; Ownership Structure Corporate Reputation.
Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Wilestari, M.; Syakhroza, A; Djakman, C.D; Diyanty, V. (2021). The Influence of Regulation and Financial Performance on The Disclosure of Corporate Social Responsibility and Corporate Reputation Moderated by Ownership Structure, Accounting and Finance Review, 5(4): 13 – 22. https://doi.org/10.35609/afr.2021.5.4(2)


Th e auth ors in form about the composition and distribution of phytoplanktonic community between the lirst 75 m 01 depth in Bransfiel d Strait y around the Elephant island, during the ANTAR X expedition in the 1999 Austral Summer (22nd-29th January 1999). The higher cellular concentration (500 cel/mL) was given by the autotrophic nanoplankton, with a high density mainly on the bay stations and down the first 25 m of depth. Among the most representative species we have Leucocryptos marina, Phaeocystis antarctica, the Monadas and the pennate diatoms.


The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of gastrointestinal parasites in dairy cattle participants of farm show in western Santa Catarina, in order to know the situation of the animals exposed in these events. In three fairs of great expression of the western region of the state of Santa Catarina, that occurred in the years 2013 and 2014, were collected 153 samples feces of animal exposed, which were analyzed by the McMaster technique to check the number of eggs per gram of feces (EPG). In the tests performed, was diagnosed 69 samples positive for parasites (45%), i.e., helminth eggs, coccidia oocysts, or mixed infections by helminthes (Strongylida order) and coccidia (Eimeria spp). Eggs Strongylidae family were identified as the parasites Trichostrongylus spp., Haemonchus spp., Teladorsagia spp., Cooperia spp., and Oesophagostomun spp. Therefore, cattle present in farm show, despite the required sanitary control and in some cases even with previous treatment, have infection gastrointestinal parasites.


Population genetic structure and genetic diversity of Eleutheronema tetradactylum(Shaw) in East China Sea were evaluated by mitochondrial COⅠ partial sequences.A total of 90 individuals were analyzed,and 23 polymorphic sites(including 14 parsimony informative sites) defined 13 distinct haplotypes.Yueqing(YQ) population had the highest values of both haplotype diversity(h) and nucleotide diversity(π),but the levels of h and π were generally low in all three populations.Neutral evolution test and mismatch distribution indicated historical demographic expansion happened in three populations.NJ phylogenetic tree indicated that haplotypes from XS(Xiangshan population),ND(Ningde population) and part of YQ population pooled together,which had high genetic divergence from other haplotypes in YQ population.Analysis of molecular variance(AMOVA) indicated that variations were mainly within population(79.66%).The present results provide new information for genetic assessment,fishery management and conservation of this species.


The purpose of this research is to identify the impact of the Foreign Direct Investments motivations in Georgia and to study their influence on the country's economy by considering sector and country characteristics. To assess the impact of foreign direct investment motivation on local economies, the author interviewed companies operating in Georgia in 2009-2016.Then, because the measurement scales used in the survey were mainly binary and ordinary, the author used ProbiT Regression and Ordered ProbiT Regression models. Results obtained from surveys and from analyses using regression equations show that natural resource-seeking companies use local goods and services in their production processes; this is expressed in their linkages with local suppliers and distributors.  Conclusions are that foreign direct investments in Georgia have no significant influence on the development of local organizations and innovations. Although the Georgian market is small and the population is quite poor, market-seeking foreign direct investment is predominant.  Multinational Enterprises that are directly engaged in foreign investments in Georgia (except for natural resources-seeking foreign direct investments), are rarely integrated with local markets.


Faculty of Engineering Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering Doctor of Philosophy Growth of GaAsBi pin diodes using MBE by Thomas ROCKETT The incorporation of bismuth into GaAs induces a large decrease in the band gap energy per unit strain. This band engineering ability makes GaAsBi a promising material for near-infrared optoelectronic devices based on GaAs substrates including LEDs and solar cells. The bismuth incorporation into GaAs and the resulting optoelectronic properties of the epilayers are dependent on the growth temperature and the fluxes of all three constituent atoms. In addition, the propensity of the bismuth atoms to segregate out of the bulk and form into droplets on the wafer surface has restricted the development of GaAsBi optoelectronic devices thus far. In this work, a systematic series of GaAsBi bulk pin diodes was grown using molecular beam epitaxy using different growth temperatures and bismuth fluxes. This series allows the influence of the growth conditions on the device properties to be independently studied. The devices grown at higher temperatures show lower bismuth contents, evidence of epilayer inhomogeneity using, brighter luminescence, and lower dark currents. The FWHM of the emitted PL is proportional to the bismuth content of the layer and independent of the growth conditions. GaAsBi multiple quantum well structures studied by other authors have had degraded performance due to strain relaxation. In this work, a series of GaAsBi multiple quantum well structures with different numbers of wells was grown and compared to a complementary set grown previously in Sheffield. The devices grown in this work had a lower strain per period of the MQW and exhibit improved electroluminescence performance for the devices with large numbers of wells. The electroluminescence of the brightest device was compared to a strain-balanced InGaAs/GaAsP device with a similar structure. The GaAsBi device has weaker electroluminscence than the InGaAs device, however, there are significant current spreading issues which obfuscate a proper comparison. The possibility of using GaAsBi based quantum well LEDs as a broadband light source for optical coherence tomography due to the large FWHM displayed by the LEDs is discussed.


(57) a nozzle structure Abstract Foam injection trigger type sprayer (10) (12), a barrel having a perforated wall unit (26), extending longitudinally, liquid vortex liquid spirally and a nozzle device having a structure (24) mounted to the outer end portion of the nose bushing having a structures. Nozzle device (24) has a rear barrel portion (30) forward barrel portion and (28), between them there is an inner wall (32). The inner wall (32) has an orifice (34) to the central axis, and a structure for injecting the liquid to the front barrel portion (28) in after receipt of a spiral liquid from the nose bushing. Perforated wall barrels with devices (26), outside of the hollow cylindrical body (96), and the perforated wall of the mounted transverse to the cylindrical body (96) (132), the perforated wall unit (26) a movable state barrel axially with the and a barrel mounting means for mounting to the front barrel portion (28).


Recent developments on the MicroMegas prototypes built by use of the bulk technology with analog and digital readout electronics are presented. The main test beam results of a stack of several MicroMegas prototypes fully comply with the needs of a hadronic calorimeter for future particle physics experiments. A technical solution for a large scale prototype is also introduced.


This paper presents a convex optimization-based control method for sustainable communities with multiple buildings served by a central cooling plant and with on-site solar generation and batteries. A model predictive control (MPC) approach is used to optimally schedule the energy flows among the different energy sources, on-site battery and building end users to achieve the minimum operation cost. A convex formulation is derived for the MPC problem which is then solved with a convex programming package. With the optimal operation strategy, a 9.4% energy cost savings and a 35.6% demand cost savings were achieved compared to a baseline control strategy, for a case study with three buildings and an on-site PV and battery system.


The distribution of fine roots of individual Salix psammophila and the S.psammophilaforest in MU US sandland was investigated by using root drilling method and the fine root was defined as root with diameter less than 2 mm.The soil moisture was measured in the meantime.The results show that the main distribution of fine roots of S.psammophilais not beyond 1.5 m deep in the soil,and the fine root biomass reduces gradually with the increasing of the soil depth.The maximum of the fine root biomass appears in the surface layer of the soil,mainly in 0—20 cm,which takes about half of the total root biomass.The S.psammophila has developed horizontal roots,mainly distributed within the scope of about three times of that of canopy radius,so that it can get water in the shallow soil by horizontal expansion of roots.The roots biomass of the shrub on the top of the sand dune is less than that in the inter-dune.The biomass and the distribution of fine roots are determined by the quantity and distribution of water in soil.


Human activity is causing irreversible harm to the environment. The level of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere exceeds preindustrial levels by nearly 40 percent and is rising rapidly. This blanket of heat-trapping gases is already largely responsible for increasing the earths average surface temperature by 0.7 degrees Celsius. If current foss?-fuel-consumption trends continue, average surface temperatures could rise by as much ?s 64 degrees by 2100, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Even under the ipcc s most optimistic scenario, temperatures will still rise by 1.1-2.9 degrees before century's end. An increase of more than two degrees could have serious adverse impacts, including the extinction of many plant and animal species or even the collapse of entire ecosystems. The economic costs of unchecked global warming will be severe. Precise quantification is difficult given the myriad uncertainties and subjective judgments involved in making such calculations. In 2007, the ipcc estimated that global warming could lead to continuing global gdp losses of one to five percent and even greater losses at the regional and local levels. Climate change is also beginning to create major security risks. The Age of Consequences, a report released in 2007


This paper compares and analyzes the similarities and the differences between prototype cutting method and proportion cutting method and the complementary factors of the advantages and the disadvantages. It also analyzes and summarizes the combinative application of the two methods with examples.


This paper studies the evolution of disparities in per capita income across Latin American countries between 1950 and 2008 through beta and sigma convergence analysis. We assume a neoclassical production function with technology and apply dynamic data panel methodologies (GMM system estimators). The results show a slow beta convergence process in per capita income up to 1985 across Latin American countries. Since then, the convergence process augment, which together with an increase in the dispersion in per capita income, let us conclude that the process is conditional, to different steady states. The main determinants of this process were the rate of investment and public spending.


This bachelor thesis examines client's satisfaction with nursing in the department of Longterm residential care and the satisfaction of nurses working in this department with the provision of medical care.It detects variol options of care for the elderly, it supports healthy aging, it explains the importace of the quality of care.


Comparison of the somatotypes of male and female international orienteers showed a marked similarity between sexes. A comparison of international orienteers with other international athletes in terms of somatotype and size indicated that male orienteers were very similar to 800/1500-metre men runners and the female orienteers to 400/800-metre women runners.


The Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) presently under construc-tion at Brookhaven National Laboratory will collide polar-ized high energy electron beams with hadron beams with luminosities up to 1 × 10 34 cm − 2 s − 1 in the center mass energy range of 20-140 GeV. We simulated the planned electron-proton collision of flat beams with Particle-In-Cell (PIC) based Poisson solver in strong-strong beam-beam simulation. We observed a much larger proton emittance growth rate than that from weak-strong simulation. To understand the numerical noises further, we calculate the beam size growth rate of macro-particles as function of their initial longitudinal and transverse actions. This method is applied to both strong-strong and weak-strong simulations. The purpose of this study is to identify which group of macro-particles contributes most of the artificial emittance growth in strong-strong beam-beam simulation.


An instrument is described for measuring differential pressyres in the range to 1.0 in. water with high accuracy. Minimum reliable indication of in. water has been obtained in calibration. The instrument is null reading for extreme accuracy, but is also designed for direct recording and portability.


In this article we show the results of the application of an architecture based on Internet of things for the production of vermicompost through an interface that allows to monitor and collect temperature, humidity, and pH data through intelligent sensors that use the cloud computing service. The methodology used for the construction of the architecture was based on a search of the state of the art in open databases. For the implementation of the same, a pure experiment with a dependent variable and two independent ones was built. The results obtained by the measurements made during a period of four months, allowed to create grapHs where the constant temperature changes are observed in a range of 19 to 27 ° C, humidity in the range of 41% to 85% and the pH of 5 to 8.4 in the acid of the substrate. This information obtained in a ubiquitous way, helped the user to generate a weekly plan for irrigation, aeration, and mixing of the vermicompost, in order to reduce time, costs and human effort. It also helped maintain optimal environmental conditions for the reproduction of earthworms.


Objective To investigate the prognosis of patients with primary liver cancer in different pathological types after hepatectomy,and to analyze the effects of clinicopathological factors on the survival.Methods The clinical data of 567 patients with primary liver cancer who received hepatectomy at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from January 1997 to December 2008 were retrospectively analyzed.All patients were divided into hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) group,cholangiocarcinoma (CC) group and combined hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CC) group.The survival and risk factors of the patients were analyzed.All data were analyzed by using the chi-square test,t test,analysis of variance.The survival curve was drawn by the Kaplan-Meier method and the survival of the 3 groups was compared by the Log-rank test.The risk factors were analyzed by the one-way analysis of variance and COX regression model.Results The results of pathological examination confirmed that 92.9% (527/567) patients were with HCC,4.6% (26/576) with CC and 2.5% (14/567)with cHCC-CC.The median cumulative survival time of patients with HCC was 48 months,which was significantly longer than 19 months of patients with CC and 14 months of patients with cHCC-CC (Log-rank value =4.354,8.847,P < 0.05).The median tumor-free survival time of patients with HCC was 26 months,which was significantly longer than 9 months of patients with CC and 9 months of patients with cHCC-CC (Log-rank value =6.479,7.708,P < 0.05).The tumor recurrence rate within 1 year of patients with HCC was 28.8% (152/527),which was significantly lower than 57.7% (15/26) of patients with CC or 9/14 of patients with cHCC-CC (F =17.046,P < 0.05).No vascular thrombosis was detected in patients with CC,but the regional lymph node metastasis rate was 19.2% (5/26),which was significantly higher than 2.8% (15/527) of patients with HCC (x2 =19.082,P < 0.05).Level of alpha-fetoprotein,TNM staging,tumor diameter,multiple foci,liver capsule invasion,satellite foci and lymph node metastasis were risk factors for the survivals of patients with primary liver cancer after hepateetomy (x2 =8.648,118.786,59.548,7.639,13.200,43.842,15.540,P < 0.05).Vascular tumor thrombosis and Child-Pugh classification were the risk factors for the survivals of patients with HCC or cHCC-CC (x2 =70.446,6.230,P < 0.05).TNM staging,tumor diameter,satellite foci and vascular tumor thrombusis were the independent risk factors for the survivals of patients with primary liver cancer (RR =1.420,1.050,1.513,1.899,P < 0.05) ; TNM staging,tumor diameter and vascular tumor thrombosis were the independent risk factors for the survivals of patients with HCC (RR =1.432,1.888,1.052,P < 0.05).TNM staging and tumor diameter were the independent risk factors for the survivals patients with CC (RR =1.473,1.503,P < 0.05).Conclusion Although CC and cHCC-CC take small proportion in the primary liver cancer,the tumor recurrence rate is higher and the survival rate is lower when compared with patients with HCC.

Key words:
Liver neoplasms, primary;  Hepatectomy ;  Pathology ;  Prognosis


Water-related hazards occur where natural systems meet social ones. To assess the disaster preparedness of societies correctly, it is essential to know the relationship of and interactions between the two systems. From the viewpoint of hazard mitigation, the relationship between natural and social systems can be simplified as in Fig. 1. Natural disasters are defined as situations in which phenomena which occur in natural systems result in unfavorable effects on social systems. Social systems can be grouped in two categories; residents who suffer mainly from a natural phenomenon; and public agencies responsible for damage mitigation work. Residents also attempt to mitigate damage caused by a natural phenomenon, and occasionally governmental agencies may be seriously damaged. Therefore, to manage flood risk events of low frequency but high impact, it is not sufficient to adopt only structured mitigation measures such as dams and dikes. Emergency responses such as on-site mitigation work and evacuation are crucial in preventing loss from becoming catastrophic. Estimations of the disaster mitigation potential of social systems require the quantitative measurement of the extent to which damage caused by natural hazards can be mitigated by emergency preparedness work undertaken by social systems. Therefore, it is necessary to know how elements of disaster prevention systems can or cannot act against disasters. To organize non-facility-based countermeasures well, however, is difficult. The reasons why are as follows: 1. Countermeasures comprise evacuation, and emergency responses by residents and disaster prevention agencies. All include some type of action by people. Designing a system, the performance of which is strongly affected by people's reactions, is always difficult as those actions depend on various factors and their mechanisms are difficult to express quantitatively. 2. A catastrophic flood hazard is caused by low frequency, severe rainfall events, therefore people seldom experience the actual phenomena. Because those events occur with very low probability, our knowledge of them inherently contains much uncertainty.


The photoionization cross section of cadmium has been measured in the range 1150 A to 1400 A. The cross section at the series limit was found to be 0 32 ± 0 03 Mbn and the f-number contribution for the range investigated is 2 4 × 10-3.


At Yasutomi in the vicinity of the central part of the Yamasaki fault, a sequence of earth-quakes, the magnitude of the main shock being 3.7, occurred during a period from March to October,1977. These earthquakes have a focal depths of 16-20 km, which are deeper than those of otherregions along the Yamasaki fault by more than 3 km. Wadachi-diagrams for these events showsuch an average value of Vp/Vs as 1.63 which is lower than those of other region around Yasutomiby 5%. This is true with a level of significance 5% in t-statistics. Such regional difference canbe also confirmed by random simulation for determination of Vp/Vs. Temporal variation, how-ever, cannot be detected.


Objective: We explored the hypothesis that marked decline in plasma zinc concentrations among critically ill children is related to shifts in metallothionein expression and inflammation. Design: Prospective pilot study. Setting: Intensive care unit of tertiary care children's hospital. Patients: All children (<18 yrs) with unadjusted Pediatric Risk of Mortality III score >5 or at least one organ failure admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit from March through August 2006 were eligible for enrollment. Interventions: After consent, blood samples were collected on days 1 and 3 of illness and analyzed for serum chemistries, plasma zinc and copper levels, metallothionein isoform expression, and cytokine levels. Measurements and Main Results: Twenty patients were enrolled, with median age of 2.9 yrs (interquartile range, 0.7–10.1). Male to female ratio was 1.2:1. All patients had low zinc levels (mean, 0.43; range, 0.26–0.66 &mgr;g/dL) on day 1 of pediatric intensive care unit admission, and remained low (mean, 0.51; range, 0.26–0.81 &mgr;g/dL) on day 3, even when corrected for hypoalbuminemia. In comparison, serum copper levels were normal. On day 1, there was a positive correlation between zinc levels and expression of MT-1A (p < 0.01), MT-1G (p = 0.02), and MT-1H (p = 0.03). Plasma zinc levels correlated inversely with C-reactive protein levels (r = −.75, p = 0.01) and interleukin-6 levels (r = −.53, p = 0.04) on day 3. On day 3, patients with two or more organ failures had significantly lower plasma zinc concentrations compared with patients with ≤1 organ failure (p = 0.03). Conclusions: Plasma zinc concentrations are low in critically ill children. Plasma zinc correlated with measures of inflammation (C-reactive protein and interleukin-6) on day 3; low plasma zinc concentrations were associated with the degree of organ failure on day 3. These data serve as the basis for a larger study of shifts in plasma zinc concentrations in critically children to potentially identify patients who might benefit from zinc supplementation.


The Lightning Attachment Procedure Optimization (LAPO) approach, a physical-based metaheuristic optimization tool, is used in this study to demonstrate the design of a digital finite impulse response (FIR) 20th order band pass filter (BPF). In order to achieve the required ideal band pass filter response, the design aims to find such optimal filter coefficients that minimize their magnitude and phase errors. The simultaneous minimizing of pass band ripples and stop band ripples is a key component of filter design's objective function. The extensive simulation results and Wilcoxon rank-sum test at 99% level of confidence show how well the LAPO algorithm works in finding the optimal coefficients of the digital FIR BPF in comparison to the Cuckoo Search Algorithm (CSA) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). For this design issue, the LAPO method achieves faster convergence than the CSA and PSO algorithms since it has no parameter adjustment.


Diffusion MRI (dMRI) allows for non-invasive investigation of brain tissue microstructure. By fitting a model to the dMRI signal, various quantitative measures can be derived from the data, such as fractional anisotropy, neurite density and axonal radii maps. The uncertainty in these dMRI measures is often ignored, while previous work in functional MRI has shown that incorporating uncertainty estimates can lead to group statistics with a higher statistical power. We propose the Fisher Information Matrix (FIM) as a generally applicable method for quantifying the parameter uncertainties in non-linear diffusion MRI models. In direct comparison with Markov Chain Monte Carlo sampling, the FIM produces similar uncertainty estimates at lower computational cost. Using acquired and simulated data, we then list several characteristics that influence the parameter variances, like data complexity and signal-to-noise ratio. In individual subjects, the parameter standard deviations can help in detecting white matter artifacts as patches of relatively large standard deviations. In group statistics, we recommend using the parameter standard deviations by means of variance weighted averaging. Doing so can reduce the overall variance in group statistics and reduce the effect of data artifacts without discarding data from the analysis. Both these effects can lead to a higher statistical power in group studies.


The relationship between terrorism and migration is currently an international issue. This paper studies the impact of the total number of victims and the total number of attacks on migration flows. Moreover, I estimate the impact of terrorism on migration flows according to countries' level of development. The main hypothesis is that terrorism can decrease freedom of movement in the poorest countries, and increase migration costs due to higher adaptation costs. At the world level, I find that the number of victims has a positive and significant effect on international emigration, while this is not true for the number of attacks. Interestingly, South-South migration is not affected by terrorism, while the South-North corridor is influenced by both the number of victims and the number of attacks. However, when the development gap between origin and destination increases, these effects tend to shade off.


Funding information: This work was supported by the Medical Research Council (UK). I.H. is supported by GlaxoSmithKline. A.D.S. and D.A.L. are supported by the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and University College London. G.L.R. was the recipient of a Smith College "Praxis: The Liberal Arts at Work" summer internship. N.M. was supported by a Marie Curie Fellowship. Page 1 of 287 AJRCMB Articles in Press. Published on 19-June-2015 as 10.1165/rcmb.2015-0154OC


Moment redistribution in FRP flexurally strengthened continuous reinforced concrete structures is often not allowed (or is limited) in design guidance documents. This is due to the elastic-brittle nature of CFRP composite materials and their propensity to prematurely debond from the concrete surface, resulting in a reduction in the associated ductility of the strengthened concrete section. However, there is still a possibility that some redistribution can occur if sufficient rotation capacity can develop. In this study, the moment redistribution capacity of FRP strengthened RC T-beams was examined by testing 6 two-span continuous specimens. The specimens were designed to have 30% redistribution capacity before FRP strengthening. Different internal steel arrangements as well as various FRP strengthening configurations and anchoring schemes were investigated for each specimen. The experimental results demonstrated that a high amount of moment redistribution could be achieved into FRP-strengthened zones, with little restriction, while the degree of moment redistribution out of FRP-strengthened zones is highly dependent on the quantity and anchorage of the CFRP composite materials, although some limited but significant moment redistribution is generally still possible.


A nonparametric technique for the cleaning and enhancement of the chronic old age Modi document images is presented here. The technique is based on the dynamic thresholding and connected component analysis. The automatic fixation of the Niblack factor k is proposed as per the document degradation type. The dynamic thresholding algorithm is used to segment the noisy pixels from the text area and background of the document image. To eliminate some sort of noise like clutter, marginal and blobs, connected components are calculated and analyzed. To improve the quality of the document image filtering techniques, and morphological operations are employed. The performance of the approach is tested and verified on the variety of old age degraded noisy Modi script documents. To evaluate the performance of the proposed approach, it is compared with benchmarking techniques illustrated in literature.


The shadow limit is a versatile tool used to study the reduction of reaction-diffusion systems into simpler PDE-ODE models by letting one of the diffusion coefficients tend to infinity. This reduction has been used to understand different qualitative properties and their interplay between the original model and its reduced version. The aim of this work is to extend previous results about the controllability of linear reaction-diffusion equations and how this property is inherited by the corresponding shadow model. Defining a suitable class of nonlinearities and improving some uniform Carleman estimates, we extend the results to the semilinear case and prove that the original model is null-controllable and that the shadow limit preserves this important feature.


Elisabeth Aldstedt and what she learns through her experienced of years in being a leader for a public library. Also, this article explains what it means by leaders in library as visionary, successful manager and also as role model for the people in the library organization.


A method of constructing difference schemes with different time-steps in subdomains is suggested. It is associated with interpolation of a flux on a boundary of subdomains. In the case of a parabolic equation, it is proved that a solution of a difference problem converges to that of a differential problem with the order Ο (τ). In [1] Laevskiy and the author of the present paper suggested and justified an algorithm for solving a onedimensional parabolic equation with different time-steps in subdomains. This algorithm can be used to essentially decrease the computing time when modelling such important processes as motion of a flame front, sharpening regimes, etc. A moving front with large gradients is typical of these processes. To describe such a solution, it is necessary to substantially decrease the spatial step, which in turn requires an abrupt decrease in the time-step. At the same time, the solution is smooth in the greater part of the domain, where a larger time-step can be used. The method in [1] is based on interpolation of formulas of the sweeping algorithm at boundary points separating subdomains. However, since the method is rigidly connected with an algorithm for solving a system of difference equations, it cannot be extended to include the case of multidimensional problems. Matus [2] simultaneously and independently suggested a similar idea, namely he suggested not to perform backward sweep when solving difference equations in one subdomain but calculate sweeping coefficients of the method at each small time-step in the whole domain. Since this algorithm is also rigidly connected with formulas of the sweeping algorithm, Matus [3] succeeded in generalizing it to only several schemes of splitting for the solution of the parabolic problem in a two-dimensional domain. In this paper, we suggest a new principle of constructing a system of difference equations which is based on interpolation of fluxes on the boundary of subdomains. The systems obtained by this method can be solved using any algorithm, including the sweeping algorithm for a one-dimensional problem. This approach can easily be extended to include the case of a multidimensional domain. We construct a system of difference equations, describe the solution algorithm and investigate convergence of the solution of the difference problem to that of the differential problem both for one-dimensional and multidimensional cases. ' Computing Center, the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia 430 V. I. Drobyshevich 1. DESCRIPTION OF THE ALGORITHM Let us consider the one-dimensional parabolic equation u(0,0=w0> "(M = K L > 0 < ί < Γ (1.1) w(x,0)=u°(;t), 0 < x < L . We assume that for all t e [Ο,Γ] there exist constants Mp M2, and M4 such that a« dt du dx* , l(t)


The communication is devoted to the problem of thermo-elastic effect in solids. This effect is connected with a small decreasing (or increasing) of temperature in a mechanically loaded solid. Recently it was shown, that this effect has cornpletely anharmonic nature. In our work the explanation of thermo-elastic effect was obtained in the consideration of the energy balance in the dynamics of an adiabatically loaded anharrnonic oscillator. In this communication a generating function method is proposed for the energy balance calculation. As a result we calculated mean values of kinetic and potential energy.


Learning is a relatively permanent change in behavior as a result of experience or practice. Experience during learning should be a pleasant experience, without any compulsion and indeed the desire of the learners to learn. Learning Sanskrit has less interest in learners. Some students feel compelled to learn Sanskrit, so the results are not maximal. It is necessary to implement humanist Sanskrit learning which is a learning that causes learners to be eager, motivated and happy in the learning process. Humanist Sanskrit Learning will be more effective if coupled with brain-based learning, which is designed based on the principles of constructivism learning. The combination of knowledge and experience and effective time will stimulate students ' knowledge in better direction, so as to shift students ' knowledge from short-term memory to the long-term memory of the students


An 8-year-old intact male Yorkshire cross dog (7.5 ㎏ of body weight) was referred with the primary complaint of exercise intolerance and occasional syncope. Initial cardiological examination could not identify any abnormalities except mild mitral regurgitation. Exercise stress test revealed chronotrophic incompetence. Furthermore the 1 hr-digital event recording found the sudden onset of paroxysmal sinus tachycaridas (156-172 bpm) lasting few minutes and stopping abruptly. In addition, the tachycardia terminated by vagal maneuver and verapamil administration. Based on this finding, the case was diagnosed as sinoatrial reentrant tachycardia (SART). The dog was treated with diltiazem and enalapril. Although the dog still has exercise intolerance, no syncope has been observed after medication.


Situational awareness (SA) describes the accuracy of a person's knowledge and understanding of a situation. It directly impacts the quality of decisions made by personnel. SA can be severely compromised when personnel are overloaded with complex and dynamic information, as experienced during simultaneous operations (SIMOPS) management in many offshore fields. When conducting seismic acquisition, poor SA can result in an increase in risk exposure, inefficiency and expense.


The paper introduces features and mechanism of autoclaved aerated concrete block material,and it also states detailed about it's process flows and management essentials.Combining specific projects,it makes the conclusion that the autoclaved aerated concrete block material has superior performance and the set of dry construction skill is advanced,they could be used extensively.


Within quantum field theory on a global monopole spacetime, we study thermal effects on a naked singularity and its relation with boundary conditions. We first obtain the two-points functions for the ground state and for thermal states of a massive, arbitrarily-coupled, free scalar field compatible with Robin boundary conditions at the singularity. We then probe these states using a static Unruh-Dewitt particle detector. The transition rate is analyzed for the particular cases of massless minimally or conformally coupled fields at finite temperature. To interpret the detector's behavior, we compute the thermal contribution to the ground-state fluctuations and to the energy density. We verify that the behavior of the transition rate, the fluctuations and the energy density are closely intertwined. In addition, we find that these renormalized quantities remain finite at the singularity for, and only for, Dirichlet boundary condition.


Several approaches can be found in the literature to describe the transformation of companies into data-driven enterprises. A comparative framework was set up to objectively evaluate such transformation models As an additional result, a new model was derived, in which six steps were finally included: Research and Preparation, Digital Maturity Level Assessment, Target Definition, Gap Analysis, Identifying Measures and Implementation. This paper concentrates on the validation of the proposed model by an expert panel. Through the responses of 20 experts, potential strengths and weaknesses were revealed and analyzed using statistical methods. In summary, the expert attitude towards the proposed model was supportive throughout all evaluation dimensions. Thus, this work provides executives of manufacturing companies with a roadmap to plan and to perform a transformation into a data-driven enterprise. A direction for further research would be an adaptation of the proposed general model to the specific needs of manufacturing companies.


This research has a purpose about using a movie to improve the learners', especially English Young Learners', writing skills. Movie, as a part of the development of technology, can be used to improve the learners' writing skill. The participants of this research are English Young Learners (EYL) in of the English Course at Gading Serpong, Tangerang. Descriptive qualitative was used as the method of the research and the English Young Learners' (EYL) story paper are used as the instruments of the research. The results of the research are: (1) Most learners were excited when they are asked to watch a movie; (2) Learners who have good writing skill could retell the story well, and (3) Learners who are not really master in writing, got some difficulties in retelling the story in written.


To delineate clinical significance of TBII in Graves'' disease and to determine whether thyroid gland is the main site of TBII production, the author performed TBII assay by radioreceptor assay method in 48 patients with Graves'' disease, 8 patients with Hashimoto''s thyroiditis, 13 patients with nontoxic goiter and 21 normal controls. And to find the evidence that the thyroid gland might be source of TBII in Graves'' disease, TBII assay were performed in blood obtained from thyroid vein and a peripheral vein during the operation in 11 patients with Graves'' disease and 3 patients with thyroid cancer. The results were as follows:1) In normal control the mean TBII index was 2.32±3.16. Two standard deviation above mean was approximately 10, so 10 was regarded as the cut-off value of TBII positivity. 2) The positive rate of TBII was 60.42% in patients with Graves'' disease and 12.5% in patieints with Hashimoto''s thyroiditis. There was no detectable case in patients with nontoxic goiter. 3) In Graves'' disease group positive rate of TBII and mean TBII index tend to be decreased with treatment. In untreated group, TBII was positive in 72.72% and mean TBII index was 24.38±23.25, and treated but still active hyperthyroidism group, mean TBII index was 18.67±15.1 and positive in 63.32%, In euthyroid treated group, mean TBII index was decreased to 12.06±5.29 and positive in 38.46%. In group of recurrent Graves'' disease, the mean TBII index was 42.7±24.95. 4) There were no significant correlation between TBII index and serum T3, T4, TSH concentration in patients with Graves'' disease.5) The mean TBII index of thyroid vein of Graves'' disease was 39.1±17.5 and was significantly higher than that of peripheral vein 22.49±19.83. In 2 cases, the TBII were not detectable in peripheral blood but were high level in thyroid vein. Ther were no detectable TBII in peripheral vein and thyroid vein of thyroid cancer.These data reconfirmed are contributed to the pathogenesis of Graves'' disease, and the levels of antibody tend to reflect the activites of underlying disease. Detection of TBII in hypothyroid patients with Hashimoto''s thyroiditis indicated the presence of heterogenous TBII such as blocking antibodies. The TBII index of thyroid vein was higher than that of peripheral which suggested that thyroid gland is the main site of antibody production.


Most of the Iranian oil and gas wells in the Persian Gulf region are producing through their natural productivity and, in the near future, the use of stimulation methods will be undoubtedly necessary. Hydraulic fracturing as a popular technique can be a stimulation candidate. Due to the absence of adequate research in this field, numerical simulation can be an appropriate method to investigate the effectiveness of hydraulic fracturing. In the current study, the hydraulic fracturing process is simulated for a wellbore in the Persian Gulf region with Abaqus software. The main parameters that are necessary for the simulation are collected through wellbore logs and core tests. Fracturing process is studied with more emphasis on the pressure of fracturing fluid and fracture opening. Finally, several 3D fluid-solid coupling finite element models are generated and the main obtained results are compared.


Valley International Airport in Harlingen, Texas, was one of six southwestern airports invited to participate in Federal Aviation Administration Airports-Geographic Information System (AGIS) and electronic Airport Layout Plan (e-ALP) pilot programs in October 2008. AGIS and e-ALP data will be used in developing satellite-based approach procedures and better managing the national airspace system, in addition to systematizing airport information. The article provides an overview of the activities at Valley International Airport over the 23 months of the pilot program. The author concludes that airfield best management practices are going to change to take advantage of technology making safer and more efficient operations possible as higher quality data with continuous updates in accessible formats becomes available through AGIS. The Spatial Asset Management Systems (SAAMS), a platform blending FAA, GIS, and other data, is discussed.


According to the development of the current automobile electronic control technology and the employer to the talented person specification demand, this article explores the project-based teaching method in the higher vocational education curriculum Automobile Electronic Control Technology. Furthermore, encompassing curriculum module, this article proposes the project-based teaching overall solution, the implementation way and the overall effect. By using the project-based teaching method, the students' independent learning capability and the actual ability of elimination malfuction have enhanced obviously.


This study aimed to analyze the sustainability of the malaria control policy in El Bagre during 2011. An exploratory mix-methods research QUAL→quan was made. 14 interviews and a documentary research were carried out in order to identify social-ecological processes related to malaria dynamics. This study found that processes such as mining, migrations, social practices and cultural beliefs, armed conflict, and climatic variations were related to the disease behavior, and that the policy structure revealed a scarce capacity of actors to adapt control actions to such processes. Even though the malaria control policy has been effective, this is scarcely sustainable.


In conventional approaches to support planning of software development processes, the project plan has to be completely specified ahead of the process enactment. These approaches ignore two main characteristics of software development processes. Firstly, many planning decisions can only be made on base of knowledge resulting from the development process itself. Therefore the project planner must be able to extend and adapt the plan during enactment on basis of the current project data. Secondly, plan changes have to be taken into account. Considering these observations, the planner can be supported effectively, only if planning and enactment steps are alternated. In this contribution we identify the main requirements on a "dynamic" planning of software development processes and present methods and techniques which meet them.


In this note, we report a general perturbational formulation of the renormalization group approach (RGA) to critical relaxation phenomena and report some results obtained for a generalized Fokker-Planck equation. Since Di Castro and Jona-Lasino1l introduced RGA to critical phenomena and Wilson2• 3l succeeded in a substantial forllJ.ulation of it· through constructing recursion formulae, a great advance has been made in static critical phenomena. However, investigations4l~ 6 l of dynamic critical phe· nomena along this line. have just started. It will be very useful to give a simple perturbational RGA to critical dynamics. We start with the following general (not necessarily Markoffia~). master equation:


Based upon strategic analysis model building the contents of "space","earth" and " man" in strategic cost management in enterprises are analyzed; at the same time practical management methods are proposed for enterprises to conform to get favorable climate and geographical position and support of the people.


The Mackenzie Delta-Beaufort Sea region hosts an immense proven and potential petroleum resource, of strategic importance for the North American gas supply and with great potential for the territorial and national economies. The total energy resource endowment includes 52 conventional crude oil and natural gas fields found by 263 wells, including four gas hydrate research wells. The discovered quantities of conventional crude oil and natural gas are expected to be 183.44 X 106m3 (1.16 X 109 bbls.) recoverable crude oil and condensate and 254.67 X 109m3 (9 Tcf) marketable natural gas. The same region is estimated to have an expected undiscovered conventional petroleum potential of 856.0 X 106m3 (5.39 X 109 bbls.) recoverable crude oil and 1.51 X 1012m3 (53.3 Tcf) recoverable natural gas. The conventional resources are co-located with an immense potential petroleum hydrate resource that is estimated to be between 2.4 X1012 and 87 X1012 m3 (84.7 Tcf and 3,071 Tcf) raw natural gas in place. The gas hydrate resources are estimated using data gathered during exploration for deep conventional resources, which generally treated gas hydrates as a drilling hazard, and which, as a result, may have negatively biased indications for gas hydrates in wells. Development of the, often co-located, gas hydrate petroleum resource could augment the conventional petroleum province significantly within the production life-span of the conventional onshore fields. The specific impact and effect of three candidate Marine Protected Area (MPA) sites identified by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) in the southern Canadian Beaufort Sea on the exploration, development and transportation of existing regional petroleum reserves and resources cannot be appropriately determined using the available sources of data and inference. Much important new industrial data is not considered in these estimates. Since, the proven conventional petroleum reserves indicate that the Mackenzie Delta-Beaufort Sea has a potential to be a prolific producer of conventional natural gas and light oil, probably towards the end of this decade, it is recommended that a detailed and comprehensive revision and review of existing and new data be undertaken to reevaluate the conventional and non-conventional petroleum potential of this region AAPG Datapages/Search and Discovery Article #90213 CSPG© 2015 CSPG/CSEG/CWLS Convention 2004, Innovation, Collaboration, Exploration: Building to the Future, Calgary, AB, Canada, May 31-June 4, 2004


diphtheria toxoid titre to 0.2 IU/ml (protective), tetanus toxoid titre to 0.4 IU/ml (protective), andH. influenzae type b to 0.43 lg/ml [not protective (Table 1)]. One pneumococcal serotype antibody level remained protective. IVIG replacement therapy (400mg/kg) was begun after blood for antibody titres had been obtained and was given monthly thereafter. The child responded to the IVIG infusion with progressive increases in total IgG, and many of his specific antibodies showed progressive increases in titre. This opportunity to study serum IgG and specific antibody decline in an infant with known XLA has been instructive. That is, although serum IgG levels may be used as a surrogate marker for the infant's protection, measurements of specific antibody levels appear more sensitive. A case in point is the fall in this patient's anti-H. influenzae type b antibody level to a less than protective level at 3 months of age, a time in which the serum IgG level was normal. These observations are in agreement with those of other investigators who studied vertical transmission rate of several of the same antibodies in nonimmunized/nonrelevant antigenimmunized controls at birth and their persistence at 2 months of age of the infant (4, 5). Thus, in addition to serum IgG levels in XLA infants, measurement of specific antibody levels may prove helpful in deciding when to begin IgG replacement in XLA infants. We thank the parents of this patient for their outstanding adherence to therapy which has made the early treatment of their child uneventful. This study was supported by the David Fund of Texas Children's Hospital. Janelle Allen provided secretarial assistance with the manuscript.