When in 1995 the Minister of Defence – a senior member of the African National Congress (ANC) and a veteran of the Freedom Struggle – presented his plans to buy secondhand ships and submarines for the South African Navy, the Joint Standing Committee on Defence (JSCD) politely refused to endorse his plans. The committee not only questioned his decision to buy secondhand ships and submarines, but also declared that the very legitimacy of the defence force needed to be tested before new acquisitions of this scale could be approved. A little later, the language preference of command-and-control became the focus of the South African defence debate. After much deliberation the committee recommended that English be used, as most members of the newly integrated South African National Defence Force (SANDF) could understand it. This was challenged by the Department of Defence and the chief of the SANDF requested the president to overrule Parliament. President Mandela tried to get the chairperson of the JSCD to back down, only to be told that the decision rested with the committee as a whole, and not with the chairperson. Ultimately the president discussed the matter with the committee. The result is that the decision of the JSCD remains unchanged until today. The Minister of Defence and the department learned that Parliament could use its powers, without fear, if it wanted to. These events led to Africa's most comprehensive defence transformation in modern times, culminating in the South African White Paper on Defence (1996) and the Defence Review (1998). Much later, in 2000, when the Conventional Arms Control Bill was tabled in Parliament, the National Convention Arms Control Committee (NCACC) preferred that the bill be discussed by the Foreign Affairs Committee. The Portfolio Committee on Defence considered the matter, studied the rules, and decided that in fact the bill fell directly within its scope of work and therefore invited the Committee on Foreign Affairs to consider the bill together with it. After the first meeting, the committee mandated the chairperson to have discussions with the minister and the chairperson of the NCACC, who sponsored the bill. He was asked to withdraw the bill as it was, in the opinion of


The article presents a mathematical model approach based on the the unascertained rational number of evaluating the design of garments production.


Tube failures in steam plant surface condensers and feedwater heaters are a significant reliability problem for the electric power industry. Tube failures can also result in an increase in replacement power costs. In addition, condenser leaks from failed tubes have potentially harmful effects on major components such as steam generators and turbines. To reduce the number of tube failures and consequent leakage, periodic maintenance programs have used the nondestructive evaluation (NDE) method of eddy-current testing (ET) to inspect the condition of the tubes from the water side. This NDE method can identify tubes that have experienced major degradation and should be plugged to prevent in-service failure. However, the use of NDE methods in plant maintenance of condensers and feedwater heaters is not standard practice and varies significantly throughout the utility industry. Variability of inspection results and difficulty in inspecting some types of tubing (monel, carbon steel) have caused many utility sites to question the value of in-service inspection of heat transfer tubing from the water side. Recognizing the above problem, advanced ET systems have been developed that use multi-frequency, remote field and digital data processing techniques to inspect a wide variety of tubing materials and produce on-site inspection reports. Recentmore » field examination results will be presented.« less


The aim of the study was to determine the association between parental attitudes and saving energy in the perception of young people with autism spectrum (13–17 years old). The character of studies was pilot. The diagnostic survey method was used, along with The Scale of Parental Attitudes by M. Plopa and an authored survey questionnaire. Deliberate random sampling was applied. Statistical analysis showed that an attitude towards autonomy manifested by mothers, as well as an attitude of acceptance in mothers and fathers, turned out to be significant in adolescents with ASD showing a positive attitude towards energy saving, and these correlations were positive, strong and statistically significant. An overly protective attitude of mothers turned out to be significant in shaping a negative attitude towards energy saving among adolescents with ASD with a significant, positive moderate correlation. Regression analysis showed that the perception of the father's parental attitude as accepting was a statistically significant predictor of a positive attitude towards energy saving, and that the perception of the mother's parental attitude as demanding and overly protective was a statistically significant predictor of a negative attitude to energy saving. The achieved results acquire an additional aspect, i.e., a financial dimension in the household budget.


Introduction The Indonesian Ministry of Forestry (MoF), a state agency traditionally responsible to manage around 128 million hectare or two-thirds of the country's land, is challenged to accommodate upcoming claims from both domestic and international levels, especially including political tasks relating to global climate change and REDD+ policy. These new forest-related tasks result in additional competition for competencies, staff and resources between the MoF and other established or newly created state agencies. Since powerful and legitimate actor is needed to govern forest area, it is interesting to know the changing power of the MoF and other related state agencies and impacts of these changings on forest. Hence, the aim of this paper is to analyze the power changing of relevant state agencies in forest-related policies influenced by domestic and international processes. In order to do so, we select the REDD+ Program and One Map Policy as recent political processes related to forest from global and national initiatives. We hypothesise that there has been a decrease and sharing in power of the MoF due to national and international influences, as it globally occurs to those responsible for the forest.


Objective: Report a novel mutation in the ATP1A2 gene in a patient with cognitive delay, febrile seizures, and recurrent hemiparesis with associated transient neuroimaging abnormalities. Background: Conditions causing transient, lateralized neurologic symptoms include stroke/transient ischemic attack, postictal state, alternating hemiplegia of childhood, and hemiplegic migraine, among others. Hemiplegic migraine, a migraine with aura including reversible motor weakness and often associated transient sensory, visual, or speech symptoms, is a rare migraine variant with mean onset in the second decade of life.1 Neuroimaging can show cerebral vasoconstriction or vasodilation and regional perfusion changes during attacks, but classically normalizes between attacks.2 Some familial and sporadic cases have been linked to mutations in genes involved in ion transportation, including ATP1A2, CACNA1A, and SCN1A. ATP1A2 encodes a sodium-potassium ATPase, and its mutations exhibit significant phenotypic heterogeneity but have been associated with hemiplegic migraine and seizures.3,4 Design/Methods: Case study of a patient evaluated at our tertiary medical center. Results: The patient was a 5-year-old right-handed boy with a history of language delay, complex febrile seizures, abnormal electroencephalography (EEG), and transient left-sided weakness. Family history was unremarkable. He presented with acute onset right-sided weakness, expressive aphasia, and dysarthria, without headache. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed to rule-out stroke showed decreased left hemisphere perfusion without restricted diffusion, asymmetric venous prominence on susceptibility-weighted imaging, and pruning of the left hemispheric peripheral arteries on MR angiography. Symptoms resolved within two hours, though the next day left-sided visuospatial neglect transiently developed. Repeat MRI while asymptomatic was normal. The patient was found to have a novel mutation (c.1091C>G) in the ATP1A2 gene predicted to alter the protein's phosphorylation site. Parental testing is pending. Conclusions: This case identifies a novel, potentially pathogenic mutation of the ATP1A2 gene corresponding to a phenotype of a rare migraine variant and contributes to our evolving understanding of migraine molecular genetics and pathophysiology. Study Supported by: Disclosure: Dr. Stredny has nothing to disclose. Dr. Winden has nothing to disclose. Dr. Danehy has nothing to disclose. Dr. Robertson has nothing to disclose. Dr. Trenor has nothing to disclose. Dr. Rivkin has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lehman has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bernson-Leung has nothing to disclose.


Acoustic modules adapted to be worn on the head of a wearer, such as with a headband, or fastened to a hat or eyeglasses, are provided. The modules are situated on opposite sides of the wearer's head, adjacent the ears, and each contains a transducer, an outlet port and a vent port. The audio system is connected to, or in communication with, a conventional source of audio signals, such as a radio, tape player, CD player, cellular telephone, or the like.


Materials and Methods: This randomized double-blind cross-over clinical trial was conducted on 30 patients with chronic periodontitis. The patients underwent surgical procedures on two posterior symmetric sextant with a 4-week interval. The patients were assigned to 2 groups: Group A: 200mg of Celebrex under the brand name, (bid) and group B:200 mg of Celecoxib (bid). The patients reported their pain level using VAS (visual analog scale) 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours after periodontal surgery. Data were analyzed with SPSS 15, using Mann-Whitney and Freidman's tests.


This study analyses the condominium management system in Amhara region in Ethiopia. Bahir Dar, which is the capital city of the Amhara National Regional State, was selected as a case to illustrate the issue under study. The paper used an institutional analysis and development (IAD) framework. The study revealed that post-occupancy management is one of the most pressing challenges that the implementation of Integrated Housing Development Programme faced in Bahir Dar city. It also revealed that, although Ostrom's design principles are incorporated in the institution responsible for condominium management, they are not well configured and practised. Furthermore, the results show that, although Ostrom's design principles are basic, they require proper interpretation in the context of condominium management.


Dofetilide , a new class Ⅲ antiarrhythmic drug , takes effect through blocking I_(kr) and prolonging action potential duration (QT interval). The large-scale clinical trials showed dofetilide is more effective in converting atrial flutter or atrial fibrillation than other antiarrhythniic drugs. The torsades is the main drug adverse realtion of dofetilide.


The effect of gamma radiation with a maximum dose of 180 kGy at a dose rate of 10.15 kGy/hour on both standard Ge-doped fiber Bragg Gratings (Ge-FBG) and femtosecond-laser-inscribed pure-silica-core fiber Bragg Gratings (FL-PS-FBG) have been investigated. In the case of Ge-FBGs, a maximum Bragg wavelength shifts (BWS) of 140 pm and a decrease of the reflection peak power of 16 dB has been observed. The observed large peak power change was resulted from radiation induced loss and do not dependent on the temperature variation which make it a good candidate for radiation dosimetry applications. On the other hand, FL-PS-FBGs exhibit good radiation resistance characteristics and the observed maximum radiation induced BWS and the decrease of the reflection peak power is as small as 40 pm and 1 dB, respectively, which make it suitable for temperature sensing applications in high dose radiation environment.


Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is a ligand activated transcription factor regulating metabolic and vascular function. We previously reported that mice (S‐DN) expressing dominant‐negative PPARγ in smooth muscle cells (SMC) are hypertensive and exhibit impaired vascular relaxation and enhanced contraction due to increased RhoA/Rho kinase (ROCK) activity, and display reduced expression of a novel PPARγ target gene, RhoBTB1. We hypothesized that RhoBTB1 may play a protective role in vascular function that is disrupted in S‐DN mice. We generated transgenic mice (termed R+) with tamoxifen‐inducible, Cre‐dependent expression of RhoBTB1 in SMC. R+ mice were crossed with S‐DN to produce mice (S‐DN/R+) in which tamoxifen‐treatment (75 mg/kg, ip, 5 days) restored the deficiency in RhoBTB1 expression observed in the aorta of S‐DN mice to normal. Thoracic aorta and basilar artery from S‐DN showed impaired acetylcholine (ACh)‐induced endothelial‐dependent relaxation (p<0.01, n=7–9), which was completely reversed by rescue of RhoBTB1 expression in SMC (p<0.01, n=9). On the contrary, S‐DN mice exhibited enhanced contraction to serotonin (5‐HT) and endothelin‐1 (ET1) in aorta (p<0.01, n=6–9), but this was not reversed by replacement of RhoBTB1 in SMC (n=6–9). Importantly, rescue of RhoBTB1 expression reversed the hypertensive phenotype observed in S‐DN mice (p<0.01, n=8–10). To identify the mechanism of RhoBTB1, RhoA/ROCK activity was assessed. A ROCK inhibitor, Y‐27632, completely improved the impaired ACh relaxation and enhanced contraction induced by 5‐HT or ET‐1 in S‐DN aorta (p<0.05, n=4–6), and also reversed the enhanced contraction in S‐DN/R+ (p<0.05, n=4–6). Consistent with this, increase ROCK‐dependent phosphorylation of myosin phosphatase targeting protein (MYPT) was observed in S‐DN and this was preserved S‐DN/R+ aorta, indicating that restoration of RhoBTB1 did not affect increased RhoA/ROCK activity in S‐DN. Since the NOS inhibitor, L‐NAME, abolished ACh relaxation in S‐DN/R+ and phosphorylation and expression of eNOS were not difference in S‐DN/R+ aorta compared to NT and S‐DN, we next examined the SMC‐dependent relaxation pathway. Aorta from S‐DN mice displayed severely decreased sodium nitroprusside (SNP)‐ and soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator, BAY 41‐2722‐induced endothelial‐independent relaxation with a right‐shifted dose‐response (p<0.01, n=7–9), which was reversed in tamoxifen‐treated S‐DN/R+ mice (p<0.01, n=9). Finally, we found that relaxation induced by a cGMP analog, 8‐Bromo‐cGMP, was impaired in S‐DN aorta (p<0.05, n=6), which was reversed in S‐DN/R+ mice (p<0.05, n=7). cGMP‐dependent protein kinase (PKG) 1 expression was not different between genotypes, suggesting RhoBTB1 may affect downstream targets of PKG. We conclude that loss of RhoBTB1 function explains the impaired vasodilation and hypertension observed in response to interference with PPARγ in smooth muscle. Moreover, these studies define RhoBTB1 as a novel PPARγ target gene that plays an important role in selectively facilitating vasodilatation.


The technique of Image Plane Integral (IPI) Holography has been demonstrated as a useful method for providing autostereoscopic three-dimensional viewing for conventional cineangiography. IPI holograms have a bright, high resolution image that presents proper spatial perception and faster comprehension of orientation, shape and distribution of vascular anatomy. The actual holographic conversion can be made routinely, economically and quickly by photographic technicians with a moderate amount of retraining. The format of the hologram is a Mylar film that is easily seen on a modified light viewbox. Holographic techniques previously attempted with angiography and planar imaging modalities have shown many limitations including low S/N ratios, narrow viewing angles, narrow depth-of-field, distorted spatial relations and various optical aberrations. IPI holography offered at a single imaging center could provide a convenient source of three-dimensional hard copy that would enhance various specific modalities such as conventional cineangiography, DSA, X-ray CT, magnetic resonance imaging (NR) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).


* Maps * Preface * Introduction * Part 1 * 1. The Road to Dispossession * 2. Greater Israel's Lure * 3. Dunam after Dunam * 4. Disappearing Palestine * Part 2 * 5. Zionism and its Meanings * 6. Life under Occupation * 7. Compromised Critics * 8. Our Embedded Media * 9. Anti-Semitism and its Abuses * Afterword: Two-State Dreamers * Bibliography


In this paper we find the moment generating function of the total claim with the net premium under both zero interest force and nonzero interest force for a compound Poisson processes with dependent loss amounts and loss inter- arrival times having a generalized Farlie- Gumbel- Morgenstern Copula dependence structure. Finally we obtain the expressions for the Esscher pricing function.


A Language Arts Test of Cognitive Functioning was administered to seventh grade students to estimate levels of cognitive functioning in language arts tasks. The six tasks developed are based on Shayer's curriculum taxonomy: (1) interest and investigation style, (2) reasons for events, (3) relationships, (4) use of a model as a theory, (5) type of categorization, and (6) depth of interpretation. Student responses were analyzed and students were classified as concrete, transitional, or formal thinkers. When compared with results from Bumey's Logical Reasoning Test, students were generally rated lower in cognitive functioning on the LATCF. Of greater importance was the predictability of the LATCF for language arts thinking. Student answers in response to the six tasks elicited specific characteristics of concrete, transitional, and formal thinkers.


Some of the most important scientific studies are associated with either incredibly large dimensions (e.g., the universe) or extremely small proportions (e.g., the cell). While our curriculum may often switch from mega-expanses to minutia, we should question how easily students comprehend the change in sizes. This article addresses the crosscutting concept of scale, focusing on microscopic science. Microfossils for an interdisciplinary approach Microorganisms and pollen, either modern or fossilized, offer students a glimpse into a hidden "micro world." Pollens and microfossils are abundant, readily providing opportunities for student-led inquiry to address concepts in botany, ecology, fossilization, evolution, and environmental change. Palynology is the study of ancient or modern pollen ranging in size from 5 microns ([micro]) to 500[micro] (Figure 1). Pollen helps scientists determine marine versus terrestrial environments, biomes, and geologic ages of rock strata. Modern and ancient pollen are useful in paleoclimatology, taxonomy, and criminal forensics. Several types of pollen and microorganisms can be used in the classroom: * Coccoliths are the calcium carbonate (CaC[O.sub.3]) remains of single-celled algae that can accumulate on the seafloor. The sediments can undergo lithification (i.e., turn to rock) and eventually become exposed on land as chalk (Figure 2). Chalk, used to write on our old-fashioned blackboards, is also used on pool cues and increases the grip for athletes' hands. Heated chalk forms lime, which is used to manufacture steel, aluminum, glass, and paper. * Diatoms are siliceous (Si[O.sub.2]) phytoplankton found in both marine and freshwater environments, as well as in soils. Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is useful as a filtering agent, for insect control, and as an abrasive in toothpaste (Figure 3). * Foraminifera (forams) are single-celled protozoans that secrete a shell, or test. The test can form from calcium carbonate (CaC[O.sub.3]) or an accumulation of small fragments that the foram has cemented together (i.e., "agglutinated"). Forams are useful in paleoecology as depth and temperature markers. Forams provide effective tools for biostratigraphy and were used extensively in petroleum exploration in the mid-1900s (Figure 4). * Radiolarians are siliceous (Si[O.sub.2]) amoeboid protozoans that can accumulate as oozes in the deep ocean. Because calcium carbonate dissolves in cold water below the Carbonate Compensation Depth (CCD), siliceous oozes comprise the majority of microfossils in cold ocean regions. Therefore, scientists also use radiolarians to determine depth and water quality. Their intricate filigree nature has inspired many scientists, including German biologist Ernst Haeckel (Figure 5, p. 56). Crosscutting concepts: The importance of scale "Scale, proportion, and quantity" is identified as one of seven crosscutting concepts in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS Lead States 2013), underscoring its importance in all disciplinary cores. However, the concept of scale is not easy for students to comprehend and apply. Researchers have devised effective classroom methods for addressing extremely large scales using analogies, projects, and Google Earth (Clary and Wandersee 2009a, 2010; Clary, Brzuszek, and Wandersee 2009; Parker 2011). On the other end of the spectrum, researchers document that lessons involving microscopic investigations can significantly increase students' knowledge of the microscale (Jones et al. 2003; Jones et al. 2004). We propose that our MicroWorld project can effectively address crosscutting concepts (patterns as well as scale), science and engineering practices, and disciplinary core ideas in an interdisciplinary unit (Figure 6, p. 57). FIGURE 6 Alignment of MicroWorld to the Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core State Standards. HS-LS2 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics HS-LS4 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity HS-ESS2 Earth's Systems Performance Expectations Students who demonstrate understanding can * HS-LS2-2. …


Objective: Women with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at increased risk of superimposed pre-eclampsia (SPE) and associated adverse pregnancy outcomes. Diagnosis of SPE using blood pressure and proteinuria is of limited use because these may develop in women with CKD even without the condition. Inaccurate diagnosis may result in unnecessary iatrogenic preterm delivery. Plasma and urinary aldosterone concentrations are elevated in patients with CKD, but suppressed in established pre-eclampsia (PE). The aim of the study was to determine plasma active renin, total plasma and urinary angiotensinogen (AGT) and aldosterone availability in women with CKD with and without SPE compared with normotensive controls (NC) and those with PE without CKD. Design and method: NC women (n = 19), women with PE (n = 14), CKD without SPE (n = 6) and with SPE (n = 11) were recruited from two tertiary antenatal clinics (mean ± SD 38 ± 3 weeks). Active renin and total AGT concentrations were measured by ELISA; urinary tetrahydroaldosterone was measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; creatinine was measured using a standard clinical laboratory assay for normalisation. Results: Aldosterone and plasma active renin (Kruskal Wallis, both P < 0.05) were significantly different between groups. Aldosterone: creatinine ratios were significantly lower in both PE and SPE compared to the NC and women with CKD (median [IQR], PE: 6.5 [3, 14.4]; SPE: 10.8 [5.4, 16.4]; NC: 13.8 [9.1, 29.8]; CKD: 24.2 [16.3, 37.9] &mgr;g/mmol creatinine; P < 0.05 for all). Plasma active renin concentrations were also lower in PE, SPE and CKD women compared to NC women (PE: 5.3 [9.7, 21.8]; SPE: 3.4 [2.4, 12]; CKD: 3.9 [3.2, 6.2]; NC: 5.3 [0.2, 8.7] pg/ml; P < 0.05 for all). No differences in either plasma or urinary total AGT were observed between the groups. Conclusions: Women with SPE have lower urinary aldosterone and plasma active renin than women with CKD in keeping with women with PE without pre-existing kidney disease, suggestive of similar pathophysiology. Further exploration of the predictive value of low urinary aldosterone and plasma renin for adverse pregnancy events in women with CKD and its role in cases of diagnostic uncertainty is required.


Diabetes mellitus is a degenerative disease, characterized by an increase in glucose levels in the blood. This causes diabetes patients to experience sleep disturbances. One of the basic human needs that must be fulfilled is sleep. The research objective is to determine the factors that cause sleep disorders in diabetes mellitus patients. Descriptive research design that aims to identify sleep disturbance factors of diabetes mellitus patients at Grandmed Lubuk Pakam Hospital. The sampling technique used purposive sampling method with a total sample of 57 people. This study used a questionnaire of demographic data and sleep disorders. The results of the study of sleep disorders physical factors of BAK at night were 56 people (98%), pain in 43 people (75%), tingling and leg cramps in 39 people (68%), fatigue of 37 people (65%), thirst at night 35 people ( 61%), hungry at night 12 people (21%), snoring 34 people (60%). Sleep disturbance due to environmental factors in the form of environmental factors of respondents based on hot room temperature 48 people (84%), mosquito bites 36 people (63%), noise from home 34 people (60%), outside noise 24 people (42%) . The conclusion is that the factors that influence sleep disorders in diabetes patients are physical and environmental factors.


The linear arboricity la(G) of a graph G is the minimum number of linear forests which partition the edges of G. Akiyama, Exoo and Harary conjectured that la(G) = [△(G)+1/2] for any regular graph G. In this paper, we prove the conjecture for some composition graphs, in particular, for complete multipartite graphs.


In patients who sustain an Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI), Cardiogenic Shock (CS) is the most common cause of inpatient death. Despite significant advances in medical and surgical management, mortality rates approaching 80% have been described in some cohorts. However, the severity of CS and outcomes after AMI vary widely. Management requires a rapid, well-organised response and accurate risk stratification must guide complex decisions on ceilings of therapy in the acute setting. Whilst validated risk scores (e.g. the IABP-SHOCK II score and the CardShock score) are available, as highlighted in the present illustrative case series, their use must be guided by clinical judgement.


Past research consistently indicates that poverty and economic hardship have negative consequences for children. Few studies, however, have examined whether these consequences persist into adulthood. This study addresses this gap by assessing whether economic resources in the family of origin have long-term effects on psychological well-being in adulthood. Specifically, we test two processes-one involving interpersonal processes in the family of origin, and the other involving children's socioeconomic attainment-that may help to explain the link between early economic factors and later well-being. Using 17-year longitudinal data from two generations (N = 589), we find evidence that economic hardship in the family of origin predicts later adult well-being through the parents' marital relationship, the parent-teen relationship, children's educational attainment, and children's earned income. Supplementary analyses suggest that economic hardship is particularly problematic when it is of long duration or when it occurs during adolescence. Key Words: economic hardship, economic resources, marital discord, parent-child relationships, socioeconomic attainment, well-being. Despite fluctuations from year to year, the proportion of families experiencing economic hardship has changed relatively little since 1970. Currently, about one out of seven families in the United States falls below 125% of the poverty threshold (U.S. Census Bureau, 2000, Table 760). Although many children who are poor (or near poor) live with single mothers, children living in two-parent families also are at risk of experiencing economic hardship if their parents have relatively little education, work at minimum wage jobs, experience periods of unemployment, or have work-related disabilities (U.S. Census Bureau, 2000, Tables 761 and 762). The well-being of children in economically disadvantaged homes has been a topic of public and scholarly concern for some time. Reviews of this literature generally conclude that financial hardship increases the risk of a variety of problems for children, including academic failure, impaired cognitive development, behavioral and psychological disorders, and delinquency (Luthar, 1999; McLoyd, 1989; Seccombe, 2000). Few studies, however, have focused on the consequences of growing up in economically disadvantaged homes for the well-being of children after they reach adulthood. A longitudinal study by Axinn, Duncan, and Thornton (1997) found that family income during childhood was associated positively with the self-esteem of daughters (but not sons) at age 23. A second longitudinal study by Hauser and Sweeney (1997) found that experiencing poverty during adolescence was not related to depression in adulthood. Although economic resources in the family of origin may affect psychological adjustment in later life, the small number of studies on this topic makes it impossible to reach conclusions. Our goal in the present study was to estimate the long-term effects of economic hardship in the family of origin on the psychological well-being of children after they have grown and left the parental home. We hypothesized two causal pathways through which economic hardship affects children's later emotional functioning. One pathway focuses on the effects of economic stress on the quality of family relationships, including the amount of discord between parents and the closeness of parent-child relationships. The second pathway focuses on the effects of economic resources on offspring's socioeconomic attainment. Our conceptual model is the first to give attention to both causal processes in linking economic factors in the family of origin to psychological well-being in the early adult years. THEORY Conceptual Model Our study draws on several perspectives: family stress theory (Conger, Elder, Lorenz, Simons, & Whitbeck, 1994), status attainment theory (Blau & Duncan, 1967; Featherman & Hauser, 1978), and empirical work linking socioeconomic attainment with a variety of positive psychological and health outcomes in adulthood (Ross & Huber, 1985; Ross & Wu, 1995). …


In this part of our work about a comparison between Kelly's personal construct theory and phenomenology, we enter the fields of psychotherapy and research. The topic of intersubjectivity, meant as original recognition of the other's subjectivity, provides a backdrop for both phenomenological clinic and Kellyan psychotherapy. Though Kelly never used the term "intersubjectivity", his theory and the corollary of sociality in particular, reveals a view of interpersonal relationships as intercorporeality, which is much closer to phenomenological ideas than to the cognitive ones. Depending on such commonality, in either cases clinical relationship is not viewed as an "aspecific factor" of psychotherapy, but as the essential tool for the care of other. Furthermore, the core role of intersubjectivity in
scientific knowledge implies a radical revision of the criteria of research. Consistently with the intent of a science of experience, it is no more a matter of collecting data, as of accepting meanings. Psychological research has to refound itself in continuity with life and recognize the need for a real involvement and real interaction with the subjects, as far
as to reverse the traditional relation between clinic and research. It is nonsense to conceive clinic as an applicative sector of a pure science because clinic, on the contrary, is the place where one can know, in first-person, those meaningful realities which take shape in the in the intersubjective exchange of ideas, in order to make them comprehensible and controllable.


Violence is a social problem of great dimensions. Its various manifestations are considered one of the problems increasingly affecting the populations health worldwide. Today, the daily review of certificates of first medical assistance to an injured person shows that there are still errors in its completion. Consequently, it is very useful to provide the medical personnel with some essential elements on the proper completion of this medicolegal document, emphasizing on the sections related to the description of the injuries and medicolegal prognosis. This manual has been designed to provide basic methodological guidelines for proper completion of the certificates of first medical assistance to an injured person by health professionals, so as to increase the quality of this important document.


We perform the two$-$point diagnostic for the $Om(z)$ function proposed by Sahni ${\it et al}$ in 2014 for the Starobinsky and Hu & Sawicki models in $f(R)$ gravity. We show that the observed values of the $Omh^2$ function can be explained in $f(R)$ models while in LCDM the $Omh^2$ funticon is expected to be a redshift independent number. We perform the analysis for some particular values of $\Omega_m^0$ founding a cumulative probability ($P(\chi^2 \leq \chi^2_{{\it model}})$) $P \sim 0.16$ or $\sim0.09$ for the better cases versus a cumulative probability of $P \sim 0.98$ in the $\Lambda$CDM scenario. We also show that these models present a characteristic signature around the interval between $z\sim 2$ and $z\sim 4$, that could be confronted with future observations using the same test.


This research note investigates the applicability of the Euler equation to estimate convex adjustment costs for dynamic labor adjustments. It is well established that there are convex adjustment costs for capital investment. However, observations of labor adjustments suggest that there are also convex adjustment costs for labor employments. The objective of this research is to estimate the convex adjustment costs. There are six parameters in a theoretical model, and this study estimates three of them that are associated with the Euler equation. The estimation is actually to solve a system of three nonlinear equations. This research note is primarily based on Dennis and Schnabel (1996) and Kelley (2003). Both books contain detailed discussions of programming as well as mathematics related to numerically solving systems of nonlinear equations.


Contemporary medical education not only demands medical students to master knowledge of medical science and to possess good professional ethics and advanced duty, but also possess comprehensive quality, especially nice humane quality. So it is necessity to medical students for growing them into medical talent of advanced quality.


Abstract Viral suppressors of RNA silencing (VSRs) are encoded by diverse viruses to counteract the RNA silencing‐mediated defence mounted by the virus‐infected host cells. In this study, we identified the NSs protein encoded by tomato zonate spot virus (TZSV) as a potent VSR, and used a potato virus X (PVX)‐based heterologous expression system to demonstrate TZSV NSs as a viral pathogenicity factor that intensified PVX symptoms in Nicotiana benthamiana. We then used a yeast two‐hybrid screen to identify the suppressor of gene silencing 3 protein of N. benthamiana (NbSGS3), a known component of the plant RNA silencing pathway, as an interaction partner of TZSV NSs. We verified this interaction in plant cells with bimolecular fluorescence complementation, subcellular colocalization, and co‐immunoprecipitation. We further revealed that the NSs–NbSGS3 interaction correlated with the VSR activity of TZSV NSs. TZSV NSs reduced the concentration of NbSGS3 protein in plant cells, probably through the ubiquitination and autophagy pathways. Interestingly, TZSV infection, but not NSs overexpression, significantly up‐regulated the NbSGS3 transcript levels. Our data indicate that TZSV NSs suppresses RNA silencing of the host plant and enhances TZSV pathogenicity through its interaction with NbSGS3. This study reveals a novel molecular mechanism of NSs‐mediated suppression of plant host antiviral defence.


Abstract Background Since 2012, there has been a steady increase in the number of reported mumps cases and outbreaks in the United States, primarily affecting young, two-dose vaccinated adults. We analyzed epidemiologic characteristics of mumps cases reported nationally from 2016 to 2018. Methods We included confirmed and probable mumps cases transmitted from January 2016 to April 2018 by 52 health department jurisdictions (50 states, DC and NYC) that report cases to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS). We calculated overall and age-specific incidence rates (IR) by dividing the annual number of mumps cases by the corresponding US Census Bureau's Bridged Race population estimates. Cases were reported as outbreak-related or non-related in NNDSS by the submitting jurisdiction. Results Between January 1, 2016–April 21, 2018, 13,348 mumps cases (n = 6,369 in 2016, n = 6,056 in 2017 and n = 923 in 2018) were reported to NNDSS. IRs were 20, 19, and 2.9/million population in 2016, 2017, and January–April 2018, respectively. Young adults (18–22 years) had the highest IR: 88, 76, and 7.3/million population in 2016, 2017, and 2018, respectively. During January–April timeframe, 348 more cases were reported in 2016 (IR = 3.8/million) and almost four times as many cases were reported in 2017 (n = 3,376, IR = 10.5/million) compared with 2018 (P < 0.0001). The number of jurisdictions that reported cases in the first 4 months of each year was 39, 44, and 47 in 2016, 2017, and 2018, respectively. During the same timeframe, the number of outbreak-related cases reported was lower in 2018 (n = 523) vs. 2017 (n = 2,350) and 2016 (n = 1,271) (P < 0.0001), and the number of jurisdictions reporting outbreak-related cases was lower in 2018 (n = 16) vs. 2017 (n = 32, P = 0.002) and 2016 (n = 22, P = 0.23). Conclusion Preliminary data suggest that the overall and outbreak-related mumps cases may be decreasing in 2018 after 2 years of increased reports. However, the number of jurisdictions reporting mumps cases has not decreased. Thorough investigations of sporadic cases may lead to improved identification of epidemiologic linkages and earlier identification of outbreaks. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.


The frequency of an oscillator operating just on the threshold of the oscillation generation is determined-as is well known-by the constants of the circuit only; i.e., it does not depend on the operative conditions (supply voltages) of the system. The operation in this critical state for an ordinary dynatron oscillator as well as for a dynatron with back coupling can be continuously secured by means of an arrangement working automatically. Its principle is as follows: The oscillating circuit of the dynatron feeds a rectifier which, in turn, supplies the rectified voltage to the inner grid circuit of the dynatron tube (tetrode) in such a way that its bias becomes more and more negative when the oscillation amplitude increases. Owing to this arrangement the amplitude maintains itself continuously in the critical region for which the frequency stability is very high.


Using our previously developed method for calculating parameter-free potential-energy surfaces for ionic molecular crystals, specifically sulfates, we study phase transitions in RbLiSO 4 by means of lattice and molecular dynamics. We found that the high-temperature phase I ( Pnam ) is highly unstable and transforms to the observed lower temperature phase VI ( P 112 1 / n ) at about 475–525 K. Compared with isomorphous CsLiSO 4 , there are more branches of unstable modes in the Pnam phase for RbLiSO 4 . The maximum instability of these modes occurs away from the zone center, q=(0.118a * ,0,0), which implies that a high-order incommensurate phase could form during the phase transformation. The driving mechanism of these phase transitions is directly related to the rotational ordering of tetrahedral SO 42- groups. The rms values of the deviations of the S-O bonds from their orientations in the Pnam phase to those in the P 112 1 / n phase were found to be approximately ±23–25°. Using our previously developed method for calculating parameter-free potential-energy surfaces for ionic molecular crystals, specifically sulfates, we study phase transitions in RbLiS04 by means of lattice and molecular dynamics. We found that the high-temperature phase I (Pnarn) is highly unstable and transforms to the observed lower temperature phase VI (P1121/n) at about 475-525 K. Compared with isomorphous CsLiS04, there are more branches of unstable modes in the Pnam phase for RbLiS04. The maximum instability of these modes occurs away from the zone center, q=(O. 118a*,0,0), which implies that a high-order incommensurate phase could form during the phase transformation. The driving mechanism of these phase transitions is directly related to the rotational ordering of tetrahedral SO:-groups. The rms values of the deviations of the S-0 bonds from their orientations in the Pnam phase to those in the P112,/n phase were found to be approximately k23-25'.


We show how the quantum potential arises in various ways and trace its connection to quantum fluctuations and Fisher information along with its realization in terms of Weyl curvature. It represents a genuine quantization factor for certain classical systems as well as an expression for quantum matter in gravity theories of Weyl-Dirac type. Many of the facts and examples are extracted from the literature (with references cited) and we mainly provide connections and interpretation, with a few new observations. We deliberately avoid ontological and epistemological discussion and resort to a collection of contexts where the quantum potential plays a visibly significant role. In particular we sketch some recent results of F. and A. Shojai on Dirac-Weyl action and Bohmian mechanics which connects quantum mass to the Weyl geometry. Connections à la Santamato of the quantum potential with Weyl curvature arising from a stochastic geometry, are also indicated for the Schrödinger equation (SE) and KleinGordon (KG) equation. Quantum fluctuations and quantum geometry are linked with the quantum potential via Fisher information. Derivations of SE and KG from Nottale's scale relativity are sketched along with a variety of approaches to the KG equation. Finally connections of geometry and mass generation via Weyl-Dirac geometry with many cosmological implications are indicated, following M. Israelit and N. Rosen. 1 The Schr̈odinger Equation The quantum potential seems to have achieved prominence via the work of L. deBroglie and D. Bohm plus many others on what is often now called Bohmian mechanics. There have been many significant contributions here and we refer to [40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 47, 50, 54] E-mail address: email@example.com


Telepresence combines computer imaging and visualization technologies to produce highly interactive virtual environments. The Argus system was designed as a testbed for this technology, allowing remote users to interact and experience local events as if they were physically located in the environment. This is achieved through the use of a dense camera array, which is capable of capturing information from all angles around the imaging space. Each camera is attached to a node in a computational cluster, effectively producing an array of sensor-processors. We have developed two distinct approaches to achieve the goal of telepresence. In our model-based approach we use a tomographic algorithm to generate complete threedimensional models of the physical environment. Remote users can experience the imaging space by viewing these models. In the view-based approach, the remote user interacts directly with the Argus imaging environment. Instead of generating views based on a representation of the space, we have developed algorithms that generate only the requested view for the user. Since both algorithms are implemented on the same system, we can compare the performance of these two techniques.


Objective To investigate the value of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity(baPWV) in the early diagnosis of type 2 diabetic macroangiopathy.Methods One hundred and thirty-five patients with type 2 diabetes were divided into two groups:64 diabetic patients without macroangiopathy(macroangiopathy group) and 71 diabetic patients with macroangiopathy(non-macroangiopathy group).Meantime baPWV and biochemical indicators were examined.Results Patients in macroangiopathy group showed higher baPWV than that in non-macroangiopathy group[(1 826.3±369.0)cm/s vs(1602.7±360.3)cm/s,P0.01].baPWV was positively correlated with macroangiopathy risk factors such as age,blood pressure,blood glucose and C-peptide(P0.05).Conclusion baPWV is significantly correlated with type 2 diabetic macroangiopathy,which is of important value for the early diagnosis of type 2 diabetic macroangiopathy.


The primary aim of this study is to assess the impact of gender and gender traits on selfgifting behaviour. The secondary aim is to examine whether certain variables predict differences: neuroticism, impulsivity and locus of control. An online sample of convenience was used consisting of 156 participants. A multiple regression returned a non-significant result on the impact of gender and gender traits on self-gifting behaviour. Independent sample t-tests were carried out on the three variables. These indicated statistically significant differences in Neuroticism scores and Therapy scores between females who plan and who impulse purchase. There were no significant differences in therapy scores between females with an internal and an external Locus of Control. Results indicate that consumers are not accessing specific gender traits when they self gift and that gender may not play as key a role in self-gifting behaviour as personality traits and impulsivity.


The morphology of the fracture surfaces of a bulk metallic glass (BMG) tested under compression was systematically studied. Experimental results showed that the fracture surface always comprises two kinds of zones, starting with a relatively smooth zone followed by the second zone with vein patterns. It implies strongly that the plastic deformation of BMGs always starts with a cooperative shear. The following catastrophic fracture characterized by the vein patterns may or may not occur, depending on the magnitude of this shear, which is controlled by the sample size and machine stiffness. This phenomenon was interpreted based on the temperature rise resulting from the work done during the cooperative shear. It revealed that for small samples, the shear is so small that the temperature increase is insignificant, accounting for the extensive serrated flow, while the temperature increase in samples beyond a critical size is sufficiently high so that the temperatures are higher than the glass transition temperature or even the melting temperature, leading to catastrophic fracture.


We study the momentum distribution function [ital n]([bold k]) for the two-dimensional [ital t]-[ital J] model by high-temperature expansions. Starting with a [ital k]-independent [ital n]([bold k]) at [ital T]=[infinity], we observe the buildup of a sharp Fermi-surface-like feature as the temperature is lowered. For very small density of electrons, our results are clearly consistent with Luttinger's theorem. At all fillings the contours of constant [ital n]([bold k]) closely resemble those of the tight-binding model. No evidence for pocketlike Fermi surfaces is seen. Far from the Fermi surface [ital n]([bold k]) has a particle-hole asymmetry similar to that found in the one-dimensional, [ital U]=[infinity] Hubbard model.


Diary covers period Sep 1914-Jun 1915 and describes daily activities, with accompanying photographs. Three letters written from England and France, 1915-1917.
Folder 3 contains copy prints of photographs taken in Gallipoli, from an original album.
Source of title - Supplied title
Relationship complexity - A second diary, 11 Aug 1915 - 11 Feb 1916, is held at MS-Papers-1419. Unlike MS-Papers-2350 it is an original diary, not a photocopy. See also background material about Bollinger and partial transcript in Nicholas Boyack's papers at MS-Papers-4457 and 97-148-3/09
Bollinger left New Zealand in Oct 1914 with the Wellington Infantry Battalion and saw action at Gallipoli. He was commissioned as an officer in New Zealand in 1916 and then sailed for France where he was killed in action in June 1917
Quantity: 3 folder(s) (81 leaves, 19 photographs). 0.03 Linear Metres.
Physical Description: Holographs and typed transcript (photocopies), photographs


My research study explored how principals allocated their time, their perceptions of success, and whether their actions were consistent with their definition of success. Findings revealed participants spent time performing three primary behaviors including communicating with school stakeholders, completing managerial practices, and serving as instructional leaders. Additionally, participants conceptualized success as more than performance on state accountability assessments including components such as academic and behavioral growth, appreciation for education and lifelong learning, the belief in future school and societal success, maturing higher-level thinking skills, and an individualized view of success specific to children. Finally, the significant majority of principals carried out actions that were consistent with their opinions of success. Conversely, the participants who did not perform a majority of practices associated with their perceptions of success were influenced by moderating factors, which emphasized the relationship between contextual and individual characteristics and principals' time allotment.


With competition intensified,the human resources management demand is raised to a new level by enterprises.The higher professional colleges and universities are the important bases for the talented person,which had to face the human resources management market and social demand.The production must be suitable for selling "the product",and displays its proper function for promoting our country's enterprise human resources management possible to continue to develop.


Summary form only given, as follows. We describe a first year required course in engineering design, initiated at ASU in the Fall'94 semester. The organizing thread and philosophy for the course is the process of engineering, utilizing teaming and continuous improvement, based on Deming's fourteen points. Process is defined as a collection of interrelated tasks that take one from input to output in the engineering environment. The course has three components: Process Concepts, Design Laboratory, and Computer Modeling. In the concepts section, the emphasis is on a problem solving heuristic similar to the Deming Plan-Do-Check-Act process or the Boeing Seven Step problem solving process. The concepts section meets once a week for two hours in a large, multimedia classroom with a center podium and tables for teams of four students. The capacity of the concepts class is 120 students. The design laboratory component of the class has two main portions: (1) A Mechanical Dissection and Reassembly of an Artifact, in which the reassembly process is developed, documented, and evaluated using community volunteers for testing, and (2) An Artifact Design for Reproducible Performance in which an object is designed, constructed, and evaluated. In the Fall '94 semester students dissected a telephone for the reassembly process and constructed a mouse trap powered model airplane launcher for the artifact design process. In the computer modeling component of the course, students learn how to develop models conceptually and then evaluate these models with Excel spreadsheets and TKSolver. Nine different computer models are generated and evaluated in this portion of the course, which meets in a computer classroom which contains approximately 25 computers. The class combines active learning and technology enhanced education. More details of the course content and the assessment and evaluation of the student performance will be described in the talk.


The performance of ceramic flatpack enclosed quartz crystal resonators is discussed. Fundamental mode 20 Wiz AT-cut crystals are capable of surviving shocks in excess of 30,OOOg. The same crystals ty ically age 5 x lo-' during the first AT-cut crystals, at 9OoC to 100°C, reaches the parts in 10" per day range in several days. same crystals can warm up over a loooc range, to within 2 x than one minute. SC-cut crystals are caDable of year, at 65 g C. The aging of 5 MHz fundamental mode The of the final frequency, in less warmup over the same ran The vibration sensitivit and SC-cut crystals are 6 x lo-'' per g, respect tions. When two AT-cu in series, with the crys antiparallel, a factor o tion resistance is obta tion. e jn less than 30 seconds. es of fydamental mode AT1 x 10- per g and vely, along the worst direccrystals are connected allographic axes aligned 17 improvement in vibraned along the worst direc


Search Sadness is a Great Pain for the Body: The Emotional Trauma and Embodied Impacts of Migration from Mexico to Tucson, Arizona


The capability and effect of quantum dots on the detection of DNA concentration were investigated in this paper. The results showed that coating and conjugation procedure would not affect the electrical and optical properties of quantum dots. However, the optical property of quantum dots was altered under high and varied temperatures.


The purpose of the study is to contribute to knowledge about how preschool teachers work with inclusion with newcomers, who do not know the Swedish language.The study is based on the special educat ...


The Zhiqing literature writings have started to introspect themselves from the narcissism.However it does not get the expected social effect because it lacks the sincere self-examination of their own soul.People who care about Zhiqing literature hope it to open their mind in the future.


tially at risk mothers will be influenced to have their babies at home. The number of women previously selected for consultant deliveries who have their babies at home will increase, and the perinatal mortality will rise. Sadly we are now witnessing some of the consequences of the pressure for home deliveries which has put babies' lives at risk and resulted in brain damage. It will take some time before these individual tragedies are reflected in large studies such as this one, which is published five years in arrears. JAMEs APPLEYARD Canterbury CT2 7HT


A growing stream of research has examined emotions and decision-making based on the appraisal tendencies associated with emotions. This paper outlines two general approaches that can lead to further our understanding of the variety of ways emotions affect decision-making and information processing. Specifically, future research can examine the nature of emotional appraisals or investigate the nature of decision contexts and underlying psychological processes influenced by emotions. To understand the nature of emotional appraisals, scholars could examine the interaction of two appraisal dimensions or identify novel appraisal tendencies. To understand the decision-making contexts and psychological processes influenced by emotions, scholars could examine how emotions interact with contextual influences to shape judgments through a variety of processes such as providing information, priming goals, or activating mindsets. These approaches to the study of emotions and decision-making will contribute to more nuanced theory development around emotions, nurture new empirical work, and encourage interest in exploring a broader set of emotions. © 2015 Society for Consumer Psychology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.


We developed the Utrecht Scale for Evaluation of Rehabilitation-Participation (USER-Participation) to fulfill the need for a generic measurement instrument to assess outcomes of outpatient rehabilitation programmes. The USER-Participation assesses three aspects of participation, thereby measuring both objective and subjective participation. The reproducibility of the USER-Participation was assessed in the heterogeneous sample, with generally satisfactory results. ICC values were good for the Restrictions and Satisfaction scales, and close to satisfactory for the Frequency scale. The SEM values and the SDC/SD at group level were good for all three USER-Participation scales. However, the SDC/SD ratio was not satisfactory at the individual level, which means that at the individual level large score differences are necessary to exceed chance. Responsiveness figures of the USER-Participation were presented for our heterogeneous sample and in another sample, mainly consisting of persons with brain injury or neuromuscular disease, recruited from the outpatient clinic of the University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU). For the heterogeneous sample, changes of USER-Participation scores between start and completion outpatient rehabilitation were moderate. However, compared to three other participation instruments the USER-Participation Restrictions scale showed similar, the USER-Participation Satisfaction scale showed higher, and the USER-Participation Frequency scale showed less responsiveness. Unravelling these responsiveness outcomes for the different diagnostic groups, we saw major differences between these groups. The UMCU sample showed smaller responsiveness values for both the USER-Participation and the Impact on Participation and Autonomy (IPA) in the UMCU sample. High correlation coefficients between the Satisfaction scale of the USER-Participation and the IPA showed that the concept of autonomy in participation is highly correlated with satisfaction in participation. Furthermore,the USER-Participation showed its applicability as a measure of participation in the persons with stroke. Even though most participants showed relatively good physical recovery, most experienced participation problems.


Introduction: We have previously reported that perfusion by oxygenated warm buffer prior to cold preservation (pre-perfusion) improved the viability and function of liver grafts from non-heartbeating donors (NHBDs) by restoring energy charge and ATP content in liver tissue and reducing apoptotic cell death. The aim of this study was to evaluate various mitochondrial functions on pre-perfusion as well as the effect of addition of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) to pre-perfusion. Methods: Rat livers were harvested after 30 minutes warm ischemia and perfused for one hour after cold preservation in UW solution for 6 hours (NHB group). Livers in pre-perfusion group (PRE group) were perfused for 30 minutes before cold preservation by oxygenated Krebs-Henseleit buffer at 37 oC. In PG group, PGE1 (10ng/ml) added to pre-perfusion buffer. Mitochondria were extracted from livers after one hour reperfusion freshly and applied to functional analysis. Results: Portal flow and bile production in PRE and PG groups were higher than that in NHB group. In particular bile production in PG group was significantly increased. ALT and TNF-α in the perfusate significantly decreased in PG group. Mitochondrial proton ATPase activity tended to be higher in PRE and PG groups compared to NHB group. In PG group, mitochondrial swelling was significantly suppressed and total amount of cytochrome c in mitochondria was significantly maintained. Table1.Poral Flow and Bile production During Reperfusion, ALT and TNF-α in the Perfusate ; Data were shown as the mean ± SD.(n=5).*P<0.05 vs NHB


Objective: Comparison of fracture resistance of different ceramic restorations. Methodology: 64 ceramic crowns were fabricated. They were divided into 4 equal groups according to the type of ceramic used (16 each). Group I: lithium disilicate, Group II: Zirconia reinforced lithium silicate, Group III: monolithic zirconia and Group IV: bilayered zirconia. Models of prepared teeth #14 were used as abutments. Eight sample specimens from each group were thermocycled between 55° C and 5° C. Fracture resistance was tested for the specimens. The load to fracture was recorded. Mean value for each group was calculated and differences between groups were tested for statistical significance. One fractured specimen from each group was scanned by scanning electron microscopy to determine the failure mode. Results: it was found that the highest fracture resistance mean value was recorded with monolithic zirconia group followed by lithium disilicate group then bilayered zirconia group while the lowest fracture resistance mean value was recorded for zirconia reinforced lithium silicate group and this was statistically significant. The four tested groups showed lower fracture resistance mean values after thermocycling. The fractography showed that surface defects were the origin of fracture in glass ceramic groups. While monolithic zirconia showed internal surface cracks. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, the following conclusions can be drawn: monolithic zirconia has the highest fracture resistance among the tested groups, while zirconia reinforced lithium silicate group has the lowest fracture resistance. Thermal aging significantly reduces the fracture resistance in the four tested groups.


The fundamentality of jurisprudence is that it is the knowledge that makes people lead good life. Modern jurisprudence gradually approaches science, being vague and covering the basic cognition of jurisprudence. In China, it is embodied in the compilation of textbook of jurisprudence and the basic cognition thereof. Two coursebooks are compared with respect to their dealing with the history of law, standpoint of law and legal skills to show the phenomena clearly. Then, the knowledge view of jurisprudence in making textbook of jurisprudence is pointed out.


Taking the development of new HIS for Guangzhou 12th People's Hospital as the turning point,builds the platform for data sharing and exchange,constructs new generation financial management system,builds Initial period cost accounting system,realizes the docking between various financial system and HIS,establishes a true finance service integration platform.


Voltage sags are a common power system disturbance, usually associated with power system faults. Voltage and current measurements are often expressed in RMS values. RMS assumes periodicity of the signal over some period of time, which is usually an integer number of cycles. The RMS value loses its conventional meaning if the periodicity of the signal is lost. Although RMS computations are widely used for classifying voltage sags in terms of depth and duration, its inadequacy to property quantify nonstationary (nonsinusoidal and aperiodic) waveforms results in a loss of information about the waveform (phase shift, deviation amount from the desired sine waveshape, etc.). Instead of evaluating the distorted waveform itself, utilizing the "missing voltage" (the difference between the transient waveform and the desired sine-wave) may be useful in evaluating the voltage disturbance waveforms in real time on an instantaneous basis. Using various examples of simulated and actual measurements, the advantages of utilizing the missing voltage technique in evaluation of voltage disturbances is shown.


In this presentation, we will see what school-based approaches to moral education are operated in Oklahoma, a state in south central US. In order to obtain the relevant data, the researcher designed a qualitative interview with teachers and other educational practitioners. As a result, various ideas and episodes, which are insightful and/or unique, emerged from the participants' responses, and the researcher classified them under two large groups: (1) forms of moral education; and, (2) challenges. Selected transcripts will show distinctive characteristics of Oklahoma moral education.


Significance: Ikariya and colleagues report the use of N-heterocyclic carbenes as catalysts for incorporating CO2 into electrophilic acceptors. Their previous work revealed that phosphane CO2 adducts formed in supercritical CO2 generated carbonates 3 from propargylic alcohols 2. Now, the authors report that the same transformation can be catalyzed by NHC compounds under milder conditions. Optimizing the structure of the NHC, the authors could obtain carbonates 3 in good to excellent yields, and extended the methodology to epoxides 4. The reaction is proposed to be initiated by the nucleophilic addition of imidazolium-2-carboxylate to the electrophile followed by an intramolecular cyclization of the alkoxide intermediate which regenerates the NHC catalyst. Comment: Imidazolium carboxylates, prepared by the reaction of CO2 with NHCs, are well established as carbene transfer agents and used in the synthesis of NHC metal complexes. However, only recently this process has been utilized to chemically transform carbon dioxide. Zhang, Ying and colleagues (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2009, 48, 3322) reported the reduction of NHC-activated carbon dioxide to methanol. In this work, Ikariya and co-workers demonstrated that CO2 can also be activated as a nucleophilic fragment. The solvent-free carbonate synthesis is perfectly atomeconomical. Excessive pressures and temperatures are a drawback of the method. However, the NHC catalysis reported in this work offers significantly milder reaction conditions compared to previous methods. R1 OH CO2 (4.5 MPa)


In this paper, the iterative learning control (ILC) is applied to the networked control system (NCS) with iterative varying references and time-delayed states. A robust PD type ILC learning law is discussed including both feedback and feedforward terms. And a P type reference updating law is applied to improve the convergence speed. The convergence conditions are derived in both frequency and time domains. The learning gains in the updating law guarantee the convergence of the control strategy, and can be adjusted to improve the convergence speed to a large extent. A number of simulation results are provided to validate the concepts and the tuning rules are summarized as well.


Agro-ecological tourism was a new type of tourism item.And it was the inevitable outcome of current travel demand.Based on the analysis of the status and the existing problems of agro-ecological tourism in Shaanxi Province,the great potential market of agro-ecological tourism in Shaanxi Province was analyzed from the aspects of tourism market demand,market advantage etc.


ABSTRACT Research was initiated to measure antioxidant activity of extracts from oat (Avena sativa L.) groats and hulls and the concentrations of phenolic substances that may contribute to antioxidant activity. Antioxidant activity of ethanolic extracts of four cultivars was evaluated by an in vitro assay that measures the inhibition of coupled autoxidation of linoleic acid and β-carotene. Total phenolic content was determined using Folin and Ciocalteau's phenol reagent and was expressed as gallic acid equivalents. Phenolic compounds were separated by reversed-phase HPLC and detected at 290 nm. Peaks were identified by comparing retention times and spectra with known standards and verified with internal standards. Groats had significantly higher antioxidant activity than hulls. For two cultivars, total phenolic content was similar in groats and hulls, whereas one cultivar had higher and another lower total phenolic content in groats than hulls. Ten phenolic compounds were separated and identified in extra...


Based on the TELEPERM XP distributed control system,an incident review method via logs for coal fired power plant is realized.The effectiveness and usefulness have been illustrated by some applications and detailed analysis.


In Japan, Quarter-million crossing collisions at intersections accounted for one-fourth of the total accidents in 2005. Three-fourths of collisions took place at urban intersections, more than half of them occurred at uncontrolled intersections. Risks of crossing collisions depend on the quality of visual environment at intersection. This study aimed to assess the legibility and effectiveness of 23 traffic convex mirrors installed at 10 urban intersections, after the road management authority inspected and repaired. The legibility of mirror was assessed by means of the photographs of each mirror taken from the drivers' viewpoint at a legal stop line, entering from the lower priority direction. "Three ergonomics requirements" suggested by the authors were used as the criteria of legibility assessment; (1) Position of road lane, (2) Blind area and (3) Road surface markings. Combining these 3 criteria, the comprehensive assessment of mirror was indicated in 2-grade scale, such as "Good" or "Poor", namely so dangerous to be improved. A field assessment revealed that 11 among 23 mirrors were still improperly installed. However, simulation analysis showed that 7 among 11 poor mirrors could be improved by adjusting the angle of mirror plate or displacing mirror plate/poles. In conclusion, the present official guideline in regard with installing mirror should be revised to add newly "three ergonomics requirements" for preventive safety. Application of these new guidelines in practice, a typical low-cost and low technology-oriented improvement to reduce crossing collisions, was highly recommended.


The dynamics of appearance and disappearance of the isoenzymes of lactate-dehydrogenase (LDR) during the embryonal development of the chickens were studied. Depending on the age of the embryos 2 to 4 anode and one cathode isoenzyme (LDH/sub 5/) are determined. On the 12th day after the beginning of the incubation the activity of the anode isoenzyme decreases rapidly and the activity of LDR/sub 5/ increases. During the first days after hatching LDH/sub 5/ is retained only in the liver and the muscles. In front of the most fast moving anode isoenzyme appear additional poles, which disappear after the 15th day of the embryonic development. At irradiation with 1000 rad of 6-day-old embryos a third anode isoenzyme appears in the 6th hour after irradiation and in the 72nd hour in the brain of chickens irradiated with 3 rad and in the skeletal muscles of chickens irradiated with 1000 rad the cathode isoenzyme (LDH/sub 5/early differentiated. In 21-day-old embryos irradiated with 1000 rad in the 24th hour after irradiation in the liver appears LDH/sub 5/ which is absent in the controls and in embryos irradiated with 3 rad. In the blood serum of irradiated 21-day- old embryos strongly increased activity of themore » most active enzyme is observed which diminishes significantly in the 24th hour after the irradiation while the activity of the cathode isoenzyme (LDH/sub 5/) increases in the later hours after irradiation as well. This is most strongly expressed in embryos irradiated with 3 rad. The results obtained show that the radiosensitivity of the embryos is not constant and undergoes fluctuation in the process of the embryogenesis. Most significant changes in the isoenzymic spectrum are observed in the period of the organ formation, i.e. in the moment of the most intensive cellular differentiation. (auth)« less


Since the first reports on X-ray crystallographic determination of the 3 D structure of two lipases in 1990, 3 D structures of many other lipases and their complexes with inhibitors have been clarified to elucidate the lipase reaction mechanism. An approach through protein engineering has also been playing an important role in such studies. Recent development of lipase applications in industry have created demand for new lipases having superior and specific functions, leading to the improvement or alteration of lipase functions by a tool of protein engineering. In this article, recent progress in protein engineering on lipases is reviewed, focusing on four wellstudied families of lipase, i.e.. pancreatic lipase, Rhizomucor miehei lipase from filamentous fungi, Geotrichum candidum lipase and lipases from Pseudomonas sp. An understanding of the molecular basis for the broad substrate specificity of lipases as well as the reaction mechanisms may lead to the design and manufacture of protein-engineered lipases having improved properties for industrial use.


Real-time passenger information is becoming common in European cities. For public transport, this relies on the ability to trace where vehicles are at any time. Examples are given of passenger information systems on the railways, which are based on data from the signalling system. For buses and tramways, tracing the vehicle position is more complicated and satellite global positioning systems are often used. The real-time data information system in Helsinki's HELMI Public Transport Telematic System in Finland is described. Methods for disseminating information to the public are outlined: visual displays at bus and tram stops, on-board displays and audible information on trams and buses, information via the internet and mobile telephones.


Minimally invasive surgical techniques, especially endoscopy and laparoscopy, possess many advantages over conventional methods. These include accelerated patient recovery and reduced rate of complications. However, limitations of current operating instruments create difficulties for the surgeon. In this article, we present a design for an improved polypectomy snare for the endoscope, several rotary actuator designs for endoscopic tools, and a prototype endo-platform, which provides fine motion control for endoscopic tools. We also present several prototypes of more dextrous laparo-scopic tools based on the human hand. Finally, we present a sensory glove designed as a natural and dextrous human interface. © 2995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.


Antarctic Peninsula (AP) ice core records indicate significant accumulation increase 8 since 1855, and any resultant ice mass increase has the potential to contribute substantially to 9 present-day Glacial Isostatic Adjustment (GIA). We derive empirical orthogonal functions from 10 climate model output to infer typical spatial patterns of accumulation over the AP and, by 11 combining with ice core records, estimate annual accumulation for the period 1855-2010. In 12 response to this accumulation history, high resolution ice-sheet modeling predicts ice thickness 13 increases of up to 45 m, with the greatest thickening in the northern and western AP. Whilst this 14 thickening is predicted to affect GRACE estimates by no more than 6.2 Gt/yr, it may contribute 15 up to -7 mm/yr to the present-day GIA uplift rate, depending on the chosen Earth model, with a 16 strong east-west gradient across the AP. Its consideration is therefore critical to the interpretation 17 of observed GPS velocities in the AP. 18


The field of global Internet Regulation serves as a prime example for the rise of global 'a‐centric' and 'self regulatory' governance structures. The most prominent private organisation in this field is the Internet Corporation of Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). ICANN was founded as a private non‐profit organisation comprising private and public actors that run the Internet domain name system, a crucial part of the Internet technical infrastructure. It claims to be a participatory network that enables deliberation among the 'relevant' commercial and non‐profit actors in the Internet field. This normative aspiration of a legitimate sectoral polity beyond governmental and intergovernmental policymaking can also be isolated as the driving force behind a certain strand within the literature on global governance. The paper undertakes a critical analysis of this claim within the ICANN context.


Exposure of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) to oxygen plasma creates a thin, stiff surface-modified layer that reaches a submicron depth. Due to a significant modulus mismatch between the stiff surface-modified layer and the compliant bulk PDMS the surface-modified layer forms intricate patterns of surface buckles when under compressive stress and nano-cracks when under tensile stress. It is desirable to be able to design patterns of nano-cracks, or at least to have an understanding of them. Among the properties necessary to do this are the thickness and elastic modulus of the surface-modified layer. Due to the very small length scale of the surface-modified layer, it is a significant challenge to measure these properties. In this proceedings paper, a two-step method is described for determining the thickness and elastic modulus of the surface-modified layer using the atomic force microscope (AFM). First, nanoindentation is performed from which the bending stiffness of the surface-modified layer is calculated. Second, the surface-modified layer thickness is determined by using phase imaging on the cross-section of oxidized PDMS to map the region of the relatively stiffer surface-modified layer.


Quartz is an important gangue, as well as a main gold-hosting mineral in the in Ciweigou deposit. The quartz is studied using an electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), infrared spectrum (IR) and the electrical conductible degree of ore-bearing fluids. The results show that the absorption of EPR and electrical conductible degree and D_(CO_2) of IR of quartz has a positive relation to its Au content. That quartz's electrical conductible degree is over 35.7 μS, and D_(CO_2) is greater than 0.2 would indicate intense gold mineralization. This information of quartz is significant to the prospecting and evaluation of gold deposits in the area.


Pumps and valves are primary power and control devices in water supply piping systems. A collaborative operational scheme is very important for a series pump–valve system to decrease the transient pressure during the startup process. In order to analyze the influence of the operational time differences between the pump and the valve on the transient process, a complicated pump system was numerically simulated using the method of characteristics (MOC). The boundary conditions of the pump and the valve were separately established by equating an auxiliary element in the discrete mesh. The transient pressure, pump speed, and flow were studied for various time differences and the valve opening process for the series pump–valve startup process. Furthermore, an optimal collaborative scheme was presented to prevent inverse rotation and overpressure during the startup process. The results show that a reasonable time-lapse and fast opening can prevent the backward flow and reverse rotation, as well as control the transient maximal pressure during the system startup process.


In real-life vehicle platoon systems, vehicle aerodynamics parameters and unknown disturbance are usually hard to measure or estimate accurately, which may reduce the safety and comfort of the platoon system. To this end, an extended state observer (ESO) based on super twisting algorithm (STA) is proposed to estimate the lumped disturbance accurately in finite time. On this basis, a continuous super twisting controller (STC) is designed to ensure the string stability of the platoon system. Compared with the traditional sliding mode control (SMC) method, the predominant control performance of the STC guarantees faster convergence rate and smaller transient response of the closed-loop interconnected vehicular systems. In addition, the continuous control signal can alleviate the chattering caused by the discontinuous switching item, which can improve the driving comfort of the vehicle platoon. Finally, simulations verify the effectiveness of the proposed observer and control method.


The phonon transport properties and the lattice thermal conductivity of silicon germanium alloy crystals have been investigated based on phonon gas model by using classical molecular dynamics simulations. The attenuation of the mode-dependent phonon relaxation time due to alloying and its dependence on the alloy fraction were quantified by projecting the molecular dynamics phase space trajectory onto the normal mode of the alloyed crystal. By empirically approximating the group velocities from the extended dispersion relations, the lattice thermal conductivity was calculated based on the phonon gas model under relaxation time approximation. The obtained reduction in the lattice thermal conductivity caused by alloying agrees well with that of the experiment and direct non-equilibrium molecular dynamics calculations. The phonon-mean-free-path dependent contribution to thermal conductivity suggests that the effect of nanostructuring can have non-monotonic dependence on the alloy fraction.


This paper examines specific state departments of transportation projects that are relevant to pedestrian and bicycle related planning. It provides residents of states the tools with which to evaluate what an agency has actually done to accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians in recent state highway projects.


Main constituents of ginkgo biloba extracts are flavonoids、terpenoid lactones,and organic acid、 alkylphenol and alkyl phenolic acids、steroidal compounds、anthocyanidin and trace elements and so on. Various components own different pharmacological effects,e.g. anti-oxidant, lipid-lowering,thrombolysis,protection for heart,brain,liver and central nervous system,treatment to cognitive dysfunction,deafness,and antitumor.


Depression has its own complex and it's variety of shape and reactions. Psychology researcher yet could not come up with an absolute discovery of causes, treatment, and recovery of disease. The study focused on to find out the depression level among the tribal and non-tribal football players of Tripura. To fulfil the purpose two hundred (200) male soccer players from different community i.e., 100 tribal and 100 non-tribal players were randomly selected. Depression was measured by Goldberg Depression Questionnaire (GDQ) constructed by Ivan Goldberg and used it to collect the data. To see the differences between the groups, independent t-test was employed and level of significance was chosen at 0.05. The mean value of tribal soccer players' on depression has been found 25.6 whereas the non-tribal players mean value has been found 30.37 respectively. The result of t-test demonstrated that the difference between the mean values of depression of tribal and non-tribal soccer players was found significant. The individual differences and experiences are important structure to tolerate the stress level. Keyword: Depression, Sports Psychology, Soccer and Competition Introduction Depression is prolonged and persistent mood which can colour and interfere with many aspects of one's life. It is a reaction to stress and may afflict any person (Md. Rezaei Barmi, 2011). An athlete's mental state has long been thought to play a crucial role in the ability to perform sportspecific tasks. Players who are evenly matched in physical skills often rely upon their psychological skills to gain an advantage over their opponents (Covassin T. in 2004). S. Cascua (2002) International Journal of Social Science and Economic Research ISSN: 2455-8834 Volume:03, Issue:12 "December 2018" www.ijsser.org Copyright © IJSSER 2018, All rights reserved Page 7533 highlighted on the mechanisms through which the sport has a positive effect on recovery from depression. Regular exercise in some sports counteracts the harmful physiological effects produced by the accumulated negative stress which, if protracted, can stimulate endogenous changes that support the development of neuro-chemical depression, linked to low levels of some neurotransmitters. During the practice of moderate endurance sports, however, the brain undergoes an unstressed, or positive stress, thus it activates the production of a complex molecule that, subsequently, generates the production of two important types of neurotransmitters: acetylcholine and endorphins. These are the molecules that produce the sensations of analgesia and a sense of well-being, properties that have often led to them being defined "happiness hormones". Blumenthal J.A. et al., in 2000 studied on aerobic exercise programme three times per week, a medication treatment or a combined treatment of medicine and exercise. Results revealed that after 16 weeks of intervention, all three groups significantly reduced depression symptoms, with exercise as effective as other two treatments. Finally a series of studies revealed that physical activity interventions were successful to reducing depression among adolescent. These results demonstrate, from a sequencing perspective, that exercise precedes changes in depression (Robert S. Weingberg and Daniel Gould, 2007). Babyak et al. (2000) aimed at examining the situation of 156 patients who suffered severe depression. These patients were randomly chosen to participate in four-month courses, including aerobic exercises and psychotherapy or both. The research showed the patients in the three groups engaged in physical exercises showed much less affliction with depression as compared to the groups that underwent only drug-therapy. It was shown that there is a direct relation between proper exercises and the treatment of the depression, especially if the exercises are performed regularly and continuously. Lawlor and Hopker (2001) studied the effect of physical exercises as an important tool to control depression. Reviewing researches and their results published in journals and magazines, they come to the conclusion that any therapy combined with physical activities is much effective than treatments without physical exercises (Mohammad Rezaei Barmi, 2011). The state of Tripura has been a predominantly tribal state. Only after the 1971 war between India and Pakistan, the refugees from East Pakistan i.e., Bangladesh, mostly consisting of the Bengali people infiltrated into this part of India. Thus Tripura became a melting-pot of both the tribal and non-tribal people. Additional, in India various tribal communities are in different stages of psychological development, but they are still backward in comparison to those who are so called civilized people. These tribal's are aborigines of our country. They have been studied from a number of angles. The active life with a lot of physical activities to earn their daily bread and butter is contributory to their physical development as well as their psychological development. The genetic potentiality in performing vigorous physical activity can be useful to excel in certain International Journal of Social Science and Economic Research ISSN: 2455-8834 Volume:03, Issue:12 "December 2018" www.ijsser.org Copyright © IJSSER 2018, All rights reserved Page 7534 sports and games especially in endurance based sports. The functional aspects based on the specific structure and physical and motor fitness components which are also considered to be prerequisite factors for successful sports performance. Objective of the Study The purpose of the study was to find the prevalence of depression in state level tribal and nontribal football players of Tripura. Selection of Subjects The study was carried out on two hundred (n=200) male football players from the state of Tripura and divided into two groups Viz hundred tribal and hundred non-tribal players were selected and the age ranged from 18-28 years. The Random sampling method was employed in drawing the samples.


Large space antennae will play an important role in space utilization in the coming decades. In this paper, a control design study of a large space-deployable antenna is presented. For comparative analysis, three controller-estimators were designed and optimized based on requirements of focused communications missions, disturbances, and hardware configurations. One of the major issues investigated is the effect of model error sensitivity. Stability margins, surface accuracy, and pointing errors have been obtained over a wide range of model parameter variations. The results show that structural uncertainties and model errors can cause serious control deterioration. Performance can be improved by strengthening certain structural elements. Flight experiments and in-flight system identification are imperative measures for reducing mission risk and enhancing performance. ARGE space antennae and other large space structures will play an important role in the coming decades as :ommercial applications of space become feasible, especially n the area of communication s. Structures of 10-120 m and arger have been considered by NASA and other government igencies for future missions.1 As the structural size and mass distribution change drastically from those of conventional spacecraft, many difficult control problems arise. The basic Droblem, however, comes in modeling highly flexible structures. Structures of this type are known to have a large lumber of packed modes at very low frequencies. Mode shapes and frequencies cannot be accurately predicted or measured for even a small number of modes at preflight time. This means model uncertainties. Model uncertainties in the :otnrol loop can cause serious consequences, including the Dossibility of making the system unstable. Model order is mother problem having great impact on control design. Using :oday's in-flight computer capability, one can expect to have Dnly a modest-order controller—which often means model ;runcation and which will further performance deterioration. Dynamics and control problems for specific configurations nust be characterized and evaluated in terms of incomplete knowledge of the system dynamics so that the required performance can be insured and the risk reduced. In this paper, the structural dynamics and the control properties for a 64-m-diam mesh deployable antenna are investigated. Some interesting results are presented on the effects of model parameter uncertainties to the system stability, surface accuracy, and pointing accuracy. Critical :ontrol problems are identified and potential solutions recommended. In Sec. II the antenna configuration and the structural dynamic properties are briefly described. The :ontrol design, disturbance assessment, hardware sizing, and instruction of weighting matrices are summarized in Sec. [II. Numerical results are presented in Sec. IV and control design issues relevant to rf (radio frequency) beam pointing in Sec. V. Conclusions are drawn in Sec. VI.


Face Recognition (FR) is one the most active and widely investigated techniques in computer vision. It is used in a variety of problems like image and film processing, human-computer interaction, criminal identification and so on. The scheme is based on an information theory approach that decomposes face images into a small set of characteristic feature images called `eigenfaces', which are essentially the principal components of the initial training set of face images. We perform FR using the popular dimensionality reduction technique, the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and conduct extensive investigations on the ORL database to compare the three prominent distance classifiers: Euclidean, Mahalanobis and Cosine to determine which measure is more effective by stringently comparing them on the basis of the training set.


To the Editor: I read with great interest the article by Tsukamoto and Ohara who reported the temporal worsening of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).1 The authors stated that SDB in the acute phase of myocardial infarction (MI) has not been well analyzed before and that there are no previous reports documenting changes in the severity of SDB during the acute phase of MI as analyzed by polysomnography (PSG). Additionally, I noticed that the authors did not exclude some of the conditions that may increase the severity of SDB in the acute phase of MI, such as being on sedation or narcotics or decreased level of consciousness, which may account for the temporary worsening in the acute phase of MI. In a recently published paper, we have already reported the prevalence and time-course of SDB in 50 consecutive patients with ACS using full overnight PSG within 3 days of the acute event and 6 months later after excluding the above conditions that may affect SDB.2 The body mass index of our group was comparable to that of Tsukamoto and Ohara's patients (ie, 26.9±0.8kg/m2). 1,2 Fifty-six percent of the studied group had an apena/hypopnea index (AHI) >10h, 44% had an AHI >20 /h and 34% had an AHI >30h. AHI was 23.1±3.6 /h. AHI was divided into the obstructive apnea index (OAI) and central apnea index (CAI). OAI was 20.3±3.2 and CAI was 3.9±0.8. Cheyne-Stoke respiration (CSR) lasting more than 10% of total sleep time was documented in 6 patients. Ejection fraction was significantly lower in the group that had CSR compared with those who did not. Interestingly, AHI, OAI and the mean duration of obstructive apneas did not change significantly over the 6 months. On the other hand, CAI and central apnea duration were significantly lower in the second assessment. A few possible explanations may clarify the differences between our results and those of Tsukamoto and Ohara. A possible confounder is the administration of drugs that may affect respiration, such as narcotics and hypnotics. Although we used a drug-free period of at least 48 h, Tsukamoto and Ohara did not address this point in their methodology. Additionally, studies such as ours may have a risk of "regression towards the mean" phenomenon,3 which means that if a subgroup with a higher AHI is tested a second time, it is likely that the AHI may be lower at the second investigation. Obviously, more studies with larger number of patients and stringent control for possible confounders are required to clarify the relationship between ACS and SDB.


Biscuits are ready-to-eat nutritious baked snacks that are available in different shapes and sizes. One of the problems that militate against food security in developing countries such as Nigeria is postharvest loss and underutilization of locally cultivated food crops. This study aimed at evaluating the quality of biscuits produced from wheat, tiger nut and orange fleshed sweet potato flours. Wheat flour was substituted with tiger nut and orange fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) flours for the production of biscuits. While constant 10% tiger nut flour was used in each of the six formulations, the OFSP flour portions were increased from 5 to 30%. A 100% wheat flour served as control. The functional properties of the flours, proximate composition, energy value, vitamin contents, physical and sensory properties of the biscuits were determined using standard methods. The result of the functional properties showed no significant differences (p>0.05) in the bulk densities and gelatinization temperatures of the flour blends. There was significant (p<0.05) reduction in the moisture content of the biscuit samples made from the composite flours compared to the control biscuit sample. Inclusion of tiger nut and sweet potato flour led to increase in the fat, fibre, carbohydrate content and energy values of the biscuit samples. The pro-vitamin A and vitamin C increased as the proportion of orange sweet potato increased and in all the composite biscuits containing tiger nut flour. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in the thickness, spread ratio and volume of the biscuits. The results of the sensory properties


This work reports a novel and efficient protocol for the synthesis of 2-phenylnaphthalenes from styrene oxides using a recyclable ionic liquid. The ionic liquid N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone hydrogensulfate [HNMP]+HSO4− played the dual role of a catalyst and a solvent. It efficiently constructs 2-phenylnaphthalene and its derivatives in excellent yields with much simplicity in the operation. The present protocol has higher atom efficiency and wider substrate applicability. The [HNMP]+HSO4− has been effectively recycled for up to five consecutive cycles without appreciable loss in its activity.


For complexity, randomness and dynamic characteristics, job scheduling problem is well known as NP-hard, and a lot of research about scheduling algorithms was conducted in the past. In this paper, the definition and classification of job scheduling problem are firstly given, and then a systematic and complete comparative analysis of job scheduling algorithms is carried out from the aspects of origin, characteristics, computation and application. Finally, some development trends and characteristics of job scheduling algorithms are proposed.


Efficient face descriptors require a careful equilibration between accuracy and feature dimension. In recent years Histogram of Oriented Gradient (HOG) starts to be used in the face recognition task. However the best recognition rate for HOG requires a high dimensional feature. In this paper, we will incorporate fuzzy concept to HOG aiming to achieve a good recognition rate with a low feature vector dimension. The proposed Histogram of Fuzzy Oriented Gradient is applied to the face recognition task. Experimental results on ORL database have demonstrated that HFOG outperforms the original HOG with a lower dimensional vector.


Abstract The effects of in situ fluorination on the hydrodenitrogenation of methylcyclohexylamine have been studied at 310–350°C and 5.0 MPa in a continuous microflow reactor over sulfided and fluorinated sulfided NiMo catalysts supported on alumina and silica–alumina. The silica–alumina-supported catalysts exhibit higher hydrodenitrogenation activity than their alumina-supported counterparts. In situ fluorination promotes hydrodenitrogenation activity mainly by enhancing the elimination of NH 3 from methylcyclohexylamine, while less of an effect is observed for the direct reaction of methylcyclohexylamine to methylcyclohexane. Kinetic parameters were obtained for the reaction network by fitting the experimental results with Langmuir–Hinshelwood equations. After fluorination, the reaction rate constants of all catalysts increase substantially for the elimination step, but only slightly for the direct reaction. The activation energies and the heat of adsorption are about the same over all catalysts. This indicates that the intrinsic activity of the active sites is not influenced by the in situ fluorination or by the support, and only the number of sites active for hydrodenitrogenation is increased by a change of the dispersion of the active phase.


A 46-year-old man presented with a small keratoacanthoma-like lesion on the neck. A second, similar lesion was removed from the left preauricular area (Fig. 1). Lesions mimicking sebaceous hyperplasia were present on his temple (Fig. 2). He had two facial basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) removed 10 years previously: review of the histology verified that both lesions truly were BCCs. There was a strong family history of cancer. Of eight identifiable blood relatives who had died, five had at least one internal malignancy, with two of these having at least two separate primaries.