Definition 5.2. Suppose one has a nonempty finite set = {C1, . . . ,Cm} of general consequence operators, each defined on a nonempty language Li, 1≤ i≤m. Define the operatorΠCm as follows: for any X ⊂ L1×···×Lm, using the projection pri, 1≤ i≤m, define ΠCm(X)= C1(pr1(X))×···×Cm(prm(X)). Theorem 5.3. The operator ΠCm defined on the subsets of L1 ×···×Lm is a general consequence operator and if, at least, one member of is axiomless, then ΠCm is axiomless. If each member of is finitary and axiomless, then ΠCm is finitary. Proof. (a) Let X ⊂ L1 × ··· × Lm. Then for each i, 1 ≤ i ≤m, pri(X) ⊂ Ci(pri(X)) ⊂ Li. But, X ⊂ pr1(X)× ··· × prm(X) ⊂ C1(pr1(X))× ··· ×Cm(prm(X)) = ΠCm(X) ⊂ L1 × ···×Lm. Suppose that X = ∅. Then∅ =ΠCm(X)= C1(pr1(X))×···×Cm(prm(X))⊂ L1 × ··· × Lm. Hence, ∅ = pri(ΠCm(X)) = Ci(pri(X)), 1 ≤ i ≤ m, implies that Ci(pri (ΠCm(X)))= Ci(Ci(pri(X)))= Ci(pri(X)), 1≤ i≤m. Hence,ΠCm(ΠCm(X))=ΠCm(X). Let X =∅ and assume that no member of is axiomless. Then each pri(X) =∅. But, each Ci(pri(X)) = ∅ implies that ΠCm(X) = ∅. By the previous method, it follows, in this case, that ΠCm(ΠCm(X)) = ΠCm(X). Now suppose that there is some j such that Cj is axiomless. Hence, Cj(prj(X))=∅ implies thatΠCm(X)= C1(pr1(X))×···× Cm(prm(X)) = ∅, which implies that Cj(prj(ΠCm(X))) = ∅. Consequently, C1(pr1 (ΠCm(X)))× ··· ×Cm(prm(ΠCm(X))) = ∅. Thus, ΠCm(ΠCm(X)) = ∅ and axiom (1) holds. Also in the case where at least one member of is axiomless, then ΠCm is axiomless. (b) Let X ⊂ Y ⊂ L1 × ··· × Lm. For each i, 1 ≤ 1 ≤ m, pri(X) ⊂ pri(Y), whether pri(X) is the empty set or not. Hence, Ci(pri(X)) ⊂ Ci(pri(Y)). Therefore, ΠCm(X) =


Reported values for the heat of activation, H, for volume chemical diffusion, as obtained from the slope of the best straight line in a semilogarithmic plot of diffusion data against T−1, may often be greatly in error. These values will be too low whenever diffusion along internal surfaces plays a significant role at the lower temperatures of measurement. A method is presented which attempts to avoid such errors in H by using the calculated values of Zener for the intercept of the straight line. When the data is reconsidered in the light of this method, the widely accepted belief that H for chemical diffusion in dilute solid solutions is generally considerably less than H for self‐diffusion of the solvent is brought to question. In fact, it is found that the chemical diffusion activation energy is generally within 15 percent of that for self‐diffusion. It is further concluded that the process of diffusion under a chemical gradient may itself produce internal surfaces which act as short‐circuiting diffusio...


African Journal of Business Ethics • Vol. 7 • Issue 2 • 2013 Conference Edition Nigeria is perhaps as ideal a place for holding a business ethics conference as one could possibly wish for. Nigeria is a vibrant country, boasting the largest population and the second largest economy on the African continent. The country is rich in energy resources, its financial and communication industries are growing, infrastructural renewal is gaining momentum and the informal sector contributes widely to general economic growth. There is, however, also another side to the story, one that is characterised by extreme poverty, inequality, gender discrimination, poor education, health care challenges and widespread systemic corruption. In the midst of such dynamics and with sprouts of a new age of progress, Nigeria offers a fertile environment for reflections on business ethics, not just for the sake of Nigeria alone, but also for the benefit of other contexts with similar attributes.


To optimize the velocity distribution of AIG inlet,the design for splitters of variable cross-section flue at the AIG upstream was researched in a coal fire plant selective catalytic reaction(SCR) system.The velocity distribution of AIG upstream with variable cross-section flue was simulated by Fluent software,the effect of uniform splitters installation angle and different installation angle in variable cross-section flue on flow field of AIG inlet was researched and the change of flow field distribution was analyzed.The results show that in the condition of uniform installation angle,the guiding effect of splitters makes the velocity distribution at the two walls perform inverse trends,these two conteracting trends nullify the effect of the splitters and make the Cv value lowest,15.4% at installation angle of 64°.However,the velocity distribution near two walls at the Z direction is still not uniform.Then a new optimization design method using different installation angle near two walls is put forward,the results show that the optimization design can improve the uniformity of velocity distribution near two walls and makes the Cv value decrease from 15.4% to 12.4%.


Objective To investigate the fatigue condition of heavy haul locomotive crew.Methods 141in-service attendants on heavy haul locomotive were selected in random and fatigue was investigated before and the operations,respectively.The subjective feeling index was tested by applying "fatigue self-checklist".Psychological physical index was tested with reaction time,dynamic vision,night vision,deep vision,flicker fusion frequency.Results The visual motion of heavy haul locomotive crew delayed after they finished their delivery assignments.Also,their mind and action became slow and 66% workers'reaction time extended.People whose flicker fusion frequency decreased was account for 46.1%,and whose fatigue score increased was account for 26%,which is related with the age increase.Conclusions The assignments obviously increase the fatigue of heavy haul locomotive attendants. We propose an extension of rest time after the assignments to ensure driving safety.


The present invention provides a 1000kV UHV multi-channel non-contact distance electroscope, comprising a signal amplifier module, a signal processing module, alarm module, analog to digital conversion and data processing module, LCD display module, the signal processing module includes a rectifier module and filtering module, the signal acquisition module, a control module and a comparison module ranging signal acquisition module consists of a parallel plate capacitor and a resistor R & lt; field distance values according to the present invention with the operating position of the lead wire and the electric field strength curve and corresponding to change of the field strength obtained as an alarm threshold value electrical inspection, or not reflect the charging wire measured by sound and light alarm signal, effectively excludes interference from neighboring charging device, to solve the charged body proximate to the device under test space interference field strength leads to poor reproducibility electrical inspection result, high accuracy is not the problem.


We discuss the behavior of the thermoelectric coefficients for electron tunneling through a nanocrystal. The distinct features of the conductance, the thermopower and the thermal conductance and the relation between them is discussed. In the quantum regime, the energy spectrum of the nanocrystal determines electron transport. Irregular energy spectrum results to non-periodic sequence of peaks paricularly pronounced in the thermal conductance. Quantum cofinement is responsible for the small vaues of the conductance and the thermal conductance. The effect of increasing thermal energy is condidered. The validity of Wiedermann-Franz law is discussed for energies ranging from the quantum regime up to the classical regime. Motivation and Model The thermoelectric phenomena of mesoscopic systems have been adequately studied in the ballistic and diffusive regime [1-3]. In the recent years, there have been proposed thermoelectric applications of quantum dot superlattices made of different material systems as well as periodic arrays of nanocrystals [4-10]. In all theoretical and experimental studies the crucial role of the values of the electrical and the thermal conductivities in these nanostructures has been pointed out. Reduced thermal conductivity has been found and has been attributed to electron and phonon confinement. So, these structures seem promising for efficient thermoelectric devices and this explains the noticeable growing research interest in their properties. Other device applications are also expected. Moreover, heating effects in nanodevices are crucial in determining their operation characteristics so that this field is the subject of current technological research. The electron conductance, thermopower and thermal conductance of a quantum dot weakly coupled to two electrode leads has been calculated in the sequential tunneling regime within a linear response theory [11-13]. The Coulomb interaction has been treated within the framework of the 'orthodox model' for single-electron tunneling. It has been presented a systematic study of the electron transport coefficients for a wide range of values of the parameters that affect transport so that the effects of the charging energy, the thermal energy, the quantum confinement and the energy spectrum degeneracy become evident. Here, we give emphasis on our results on the effect of an irregular energy spectrum to the thermoelectric transport coefficients of nanocrystals. We consider a nanocrystal (nc) weakly coupled to two electron reservoirs via tunnel barriers. Each reservoir is assumed to be in thermal equilibrium and there are a voltage difference V and a temperature difference ∆Τ between the two reservoirs. A continuum of electron states is assumed in the reservoirs that are occupied according to the Fermi-Dirac distribution. The Fermi energy, EF, in the reservoirs is measured relative to the local conduction band bottom. The nanocrystal is characterized by discrete energy levels Ep (p=1,2,..) that are measured from the bottom of the potential well. Each level can be occupied by either one or zero electrons. It is assumed that the energy spectrum does not change by the number of electrons in the nc. The states in the nc are assumed to be weakly coupled to the states in the electrodes so that the charge of the nc is well defined. We adopt the common assumption in the Coulomb blockade problems for the electrostatic energy U(N) of the nc with charge Q=-Ne: 2 ( ) ( ) / 2 ext U N Ne C Nφ = − , (1) where C is the effective capacitance between the nc and the reservoirs and ext φ is the contribution of external charges. The tunneling rates through the left and right barriers from level p to the left and right reservoirs are denoted by l p Γ and r p Γ , respectively. It is assumed that energy relaxation rates for the electrons are fast enough with respect to the tunneling rates so that we can characterize the state of the nc by a set of occupation numbers, one for each energy level. It is also assumed that inelastic scattering takes place exclusively in the reservoirs not in the nc. The transport through the nc can be described by rate equations. Energy conservation is applied upon tunneling. Due to the voltage difference V and the temperature difference ∆Τ between the two reservoirs, electric and thermal currents pass through the nc. In the regime of linear response, the current I and the heat flux Q are related to the applied voltage difference V and the temperature difference ∆Τ by the equations: I G L V M K Q T ∆ ⎛ ⎞ ⎛ ⎞ ⎛ ⎞ = ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟ ⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠ . (2) The thermoelectric coefficients are related by Onsager relation that in the absence of a magnetic field is: M=-LT . Equation (2) can be re-expressed with the current I rather than the voltage V as an independent variable: V R S Q T Ι Π κ ∆ ⎛ ⎞ ⎛ ⎞ ⎛ ⎞ = ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟ − ⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠ (3) The resistance R is the reciprocal of the isothermal conductance G. The thermopower S is defined as:


Irrigated agricultural lands are prone to salinity problems which may imperil horticultural crops by reducing growth, yield and even qualitative traits. Eco-friendly approaches such as biostimulant application and in particular protein hydrolysates from vegetal origin are implemented to mitigate salinity stress effects on crops. For this reason, a greenhouse experiment on spinach irrigated with increasing concentrations of saline water (EC = 3 dS m−1 (EC3), 6 dS m−1 (EC6) and 9 dS m−1 (EC9), in addition to non-saline treatment (EC0)) was organized, while plants were subjected to foliar applications of a protein hydrolysate from vegetal origin on a weekly basis. The application of this biostimulant helped mitigate the adverse effects of saline stress, by increasing the SPAD index and total chlorophylls of spinach plants. Yield was significantly boosted under biostimulant treatment in saline conditions and reached the value obtained in control treatment (no biostimulants added) × EC0 in the case of EC 3 and 6 dS m−1. In addition, the number of leaves and plants m−1 was increased under biostimulant treatment, and most importantly the hydrophilic antioxidant activity of spinach, thus a qualitative aspect of great importance was also increased. Such results increase the knowledge on the effects of protein hydrolysates application on an important leafy vegetable and may help growers mitigate saline conditions and maintain high crop yield and high quality of the final product when no other source of irrigation water is available.


Jerome McCarthy's 4 P's theory is being appraised in this research paper from a chronological and logical standpoint. McCarthy's theory has been extensively utilized as an instructional device by marketing experts and scholars since its debut in 1960 but despite its advantages, it academic critics have constantly criticized it. The 4 P's paradigm criticisms are reviewed and resolved that it has demonstrated that the theory is strong to be implemented in present day marketing applications. This is to say that McCarthy theory/model is immemorial. Its validity still stands despite being designed decades ago.


Objective To objective the body distribution of HMME in SCID mice model,for investigate its clinical application perspective in psoriasis.Methods After the SCID mice model being established,thirty mice were administered intravenously with the HMME(10mg/kg).Fluorospectrophotometry was applied to measure the tissue distribution of HMME in SCID psoriasis mice model.Results The results showed that HMME distributed in mice immediately after intravenous administration.The maximal levels of photosensitizer concentration in each tissue were achieved at 1~3h post-injection,and the photosensitizer concentration of the liver was the highest among them.At 3h post-injection,the photosensitizer concentrations ratio of psoriasis lesion and skin was maximum.At 24~48h post-injection,the photosensitizer in other tissues had all been cleared except liver and psoriasis lesion remained only lower concentration of photosensitizer.And the clearance speed of photosensitizer in psoriasis lesion was the slowest.Conclusion The clearance speed of the normal tissue of HMME in SCID psoriasis mice model was fast,so the risk of skin's photosensitivity would not be high.HMME didn't diffuse through the blood-brain barrier.At 3h post-injection,the HMME concentrations ratio of psoriasis lesion and skin was maximum,which was the best time to PDT.


Background: The recovery of LV function following STEMI may be highly variable due to resolution of myocardial stunning and other factors. The identification of clinical factors that may be predictive of either recovery or deterioration of LV function would be valuable in identifying patients who may benefit from participation in cell therapy trials. Methods and Results: To determine these clinical metrics, we analyzed patients in the NHLBI TIME (n= 120) and TIME Pilot Trials (n=40). Patients with Recovery of LV function (Age=56) were identified as those patients with baseline LVEF Conclusion: Deterioration of LV function following STEMI is associated with an increased LV mass at baseline and a failure to significantly reduce infarct size over 6 months. In contrast, many patients with reduced LV function at baseline will show significant recovery of LV function by 6 months that is associated with marked reduction in infarct size irrespective of receiving cell therapy.


Abstract This paper presents an experimental investigation of reinforced concrete (RC) beams with double layered longitudinal bars, bond-strengthening hooks and 1300 MPa-class spirals. The hooks made of mild steel increased the bond strength along longitudinal bars. This experiment is aimed at quantification of not only the effectiveness of the spirals and bond-strengthening hooks on the RC members consisting of double layered longitudinal bars but also the influence of cut-off bars in an inner (second) layer. Twelve specimens were prepared and subjected to cyclic shear loads. All the specimens failed because of bond splitting along the longitudinal bars. The hooks, made of mild steel, increased the bond strength along the longitudinal bars.Applying the bond-strengthening hooks was found to improve the shear capacities of the specimens with the cut-off bars. The authors developed a truss mechanism model for members with longitudinal bars in an inner (second) layer. The model showed that the shear strength depends on the span/depth ratio L/D and inner (second) layer bar length Ld.


In order to determine the inhibitory additives concentration influence degree on the corrosion degradation rate, we studied the anode behavior of steel reinforcement made of steel grade St3 in a 10% solution NaCl with and without the inhibitors additives of various concentrations. As inhibitory additives, nitrates of potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium and zinc were introduced into the aggressive environment, since they are often introduced into concrete compositions to accelerate their hardening. Polarization curves have been obtained for steel reinforcement in an aggressive environment, allowing the corrosion rate calculation. It was established that the introduction of potassium and zinc nitrates in an amount of 0.5% into an aggressive environment has the greatest effect on the corrosion processes' inhibition. When nitrates of alkali and alkali-earth metals are introduced into an aggressive environment, the change in the reinforcing bars mass made of St3 steel occurs 7-8 times slower. Increasing the concentration to 1 and 1.5% is shown to be impractical, due to the small difference in the effect on the reinforcing steel anodic dissolution. A study on the effect of combining inhibitory additives on the corrosion resistance of steel reinforcement in a 10% solution NaCl was made. It was found that the combined action of inhibitors is less effective than the single effect of additives on the corrosion rate.


The Ross Mansion Quarter Committee was appointed by President David Roselle of the University of Delaware to review the architecture and historical documentation of the Ross Mansion Quarter and to formulate an historic structures report consisting of recommendations that will assist the Seaford Historical Society in their proposed restoration and interpretation of the structure. Situated on agricultural property held in trust for the University of Delaware, the Ross Mansion Quarter was identified by Claudia Mansion of the Seaford Historical Society. At their request, the Ross Mansion Quarter was donated by the University of Delaware to the Seaford Historical Society. Fieldwork on the Ross Mansion Quarter was supported by a state Historical Preservation fund sub grant awarded to the Center for Historic Architecture and Engineering. University of Delaware graduate students Gabrielle Lanier, Wanda S. Czerwinski, Nancy Van Dolsen, and Robert Koelle assisted with the field documentation of the structure. Reproduction and other aspects of report production were funded by the Seaford Historical Society.


Dear Editor: Residents are expected to have advance care planning (ACP) conversations with patients, but often feel inadequately prepared. Exposure to high-quality ACP conversations increases resident comfort and confidence with these conversations. ACP group visits in primary care settings are feasible and increased ACP conversations among older adults. Here we demonstrate effective education of internal medicine residents through patient ACP group visits. In this clinical demonstration project, we conducted 19 ACP group visits, called the Conversation Group Medical Visits. Groups of 3–11 patients met to discuss ACP in two 2hour sessions facilitated by a geriatrician and a social worker. Internal medicine residents observed at least one session during their geriatrics rotation. Residents were encouraged to actively listen and participate. For example, a patient might directly ask the residents' perspective as a physician. Afterward, residents answered a seven-question survey and two free-text questions evaluating the experience and its effectiveness for ACP education. Two authors performed a thematic analysis of two free-text responses. Thirty-six residents participated in an ACP group visit. Residents positively rated the Conversation Group Medical Visit as an effective way to learn about ACP (94%) and to remember ACP details (86%) (Fig. 1). Participants felt the sessions were not difficult to schedule (89%). They did not


I review CP-violating signals of physics beyond the standard model in the B system. I examine the prospects for finding these effects at future colliders, with an emphasis on hadron machines.


One of the prime-most issues that is faced by the parallel systems in the past and is inherited by the grid systems of today, is the mapping and the execution of jobs on the available machines. Various scheduling approaches that were suggested in classical parallel systems literature are adopted for the grid systems with appropriate modifications. Although these modifications made them suitable for execution in grid environment, these approaches failed to deliver on the performance front. Dynamic availability of resources, data dependence among the tasks and communication latencies are some of the factors that negatively affected the outcome of these scheduling algorithms. Various grid management systems implemented their custom tailored versions of scheduling algorithms for task execution in the grid. These approaches suffer from various shortcomings such as inefficient utilization of the execution queues and/or failure to cater for the dependencies among the tasks in a job. In this paper, we will compare the two prevalent scheduling models in the grid; opportunistic and planned. Opportunistic model is used in DAGMan for scheduling workflow applications, which in-turn is an integral component of Condor and Condor-G. Planned scheduling, on the other hand, is used by the grid management architectures such as GrADS and MARS.


Competencies have become ubiquitous in not only human services administration but also in related contexts. These include the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS), general (primarily for-profit) business, leadership, not-for-profit management and leadership, public administration, and specialized fields including child welfare. Given their growing importance, it seems timely to assess how they apply to social work students and administrators: What are competencies intended to do? Are they doing the right things? Are they getting desired results? This editorial intends to briefly assess the state of the field regarding competencies for administrators in human service organizations (HSOs) and to raise questions which can guide both the use of competencies in education and training and development programs and in research to advance knowledge to increase the competence of administrators and ultimately improve organizational performance and client outcomes. To simplify the terminology here, administration will include both management and leadership; education will refer to formal education, especially in MSW programs and also in certification and continuing education programs; and development will encompass training and development activities with labels such as leadership development, executive development, and management training. There are also distinctions made between leader development and leadership development (McCauley, 2008), with the former more associated with our focus on individual competencies and the latter referring to collective leadership competencies within an organization. Even the term competency needs refinement in its definition. Skills and abilities are probably the words most closely associated with competencies; but even knowledge, behaviors, traits, attributes, attitudes, values, experiences, and emotional intelligence have all been considered as competencies. The term practice behaviors has also been suggested as a better term than competencies.


Essential hypertension, obesity and non-insulin-dependent diabetes are associated with resistance to insulin-induced glucose disposal. Because physiological concentrations of insulin inhibit vascular smooth muscle (VSM) contraction in vivo, it has been proposed that resistance to insulin-induced inhibition of VSM contraction might be partly responsible for the elevated vascular resistance found in these clinical conditions. Nevertheless, it is not known how insulin inhibits contraction of normal VSM. Several workers have demonstrated that insulin attenuates the agonist-induced intracellular Ca 2+ (Ca 2+ i ) transient in VSM, although the identity of the sarcolemmal and/or sarcoplasmic reticular Ca 2+ transport systems that are affected by insulin is controversial. Our laboratory has examined the effects of a physiological concentration of insulin on contraction and Ca 2+ transport in cultured VSM cells from canine femoral artery. We have found that insulin inhibits agonist-induced contraction and attenuates the agonist-induced Ca 2+ i transient by inhibiting Ca 2+ influx, but not by increasing Ca 2+ efflux or inhibiting Ca 2+ release from internal stores. Insulin also stimulates ouabain-sensitive 86 Rb + uptake (Na + -K + pump activity) and does not inhibit VSM contraction in the presence of ouabain. Our data support the hypothesis that insulin stimulates Na + -K + pump activity, resulting in hyperpolarization of the cell and decreased Ca 2+ influx via voltage-operated channels


This paper traces the early beginnings of Burmese nationalism and its contacts with the Indian national movement. Between 1910 and 1940, the people of Burma employed a similar repertoire of methods against colonialism like their Indian counterparts though attuned to Burmese circumstances and culture. Inspired by Gandhian methods U Ottama, a key member of the General Conference of Burmese Associations championed the cause of making and wearing pinni, the native homespun cloth of central Burma, in parallel to the khadi campaign, and was in communication with Gandhi. However, unlike in India, the students and workers in Burma played a more significant role in the nationalist campaigns.


The saddle parts constitute the aerodynamic configuration of the airplane and the shape of the stretching part needs higher precision, so it is necessary to have a precise control of the springback. In this paper, the dynamic explicit method was performed to simulate the forming process of multi-point stretching, and the process of springback was simulated with the implicit algorithm. In the end, taking the cylindrical surface for example, the numerical analysis on the multi-point stretching was carried out, which predicted the trend and the distribution of the springback. The analysis results can provide the important basis on playing the flexible characteristics of the multi-point and the springback compensation.


An attack of acute otitis and mastoiditis in a deformed ear brought the patient to the hospital and permitted study of an interesting group of congenital deformities. REPORT OF A CASE A pleasant though mentally sluggish little girl of 8 years came to the outpatient department with a history of cold in the head and pain in the left ear of three days' duration. Fever and dizziness had been noted for twenty-four hours. The child looked ill, cried, held her hand to the deformed ear and complained of pain and fulness. Her temperature was 103.2 F. and her pulse rate 96. There was obvious acute nasopharyngitis. Nystagmus and vertigo were absent. The left ear was microtic, with no external canal. However, the mastoid process and the region of the buried cartilaginous canal were tender. While the child was under care in the hospital the acute symptoms quickly subsided, and the


In this paper a new type of multi-objective differential evolution employing dynamically tunable mutation factor is used to optimally design non-linear vehicle model. In this way, non-dominated sorting algorithm with crowding distance criterion are combined to fuziified mutation differential evolution to construct multi-objective algorithm to solve the problem. In order to achieve fuzzified mutation factor, two inputs as generation number and population diversity and one output as the mutation factor are used in the fuzzy inference system. The objective functions optimized simultaneously are namely, vertical acceleration of sprung mass, relative displacement between sprung mass and unsprung mass and control force. Optimization processes have been done in two biand three objective areas. Comparison of the obtained results with those in the literature has shown the superiority of the proposed method of this work. Further, it has been shown that the results of 3-objective optimization include those of bi-objective one, and therefore it gives more optimum options to the designer.


Despite implementing democratic multiparty-system in Guinea over two decades, governance has barely improved; the hope to eradicate poverty and provide security was dashed when people involved in politics for the wrong reasons. Great effort is spent on economic and social marginalisation through ethnic politics that is selective in dealing with economic empowerment. This study postulates that genuine changes are needed to address the malice that affect Guinean society. There is pressing need to expand human resource development. This requires adequate investments in various industrial activities. Failure in these would only add to the woe of Guinea and shall undermine its own security.


This research undertakes a carefully designed and detailed empirical study to gain insights into (1) the extent of price differentials between wealthy and poor neighborhoods; (2) what induces such differentials, especially the nature and intensity of competitive environments, including mass merchandisers like Wal-Mart; and (3) their relative impacts. It finds a price differential of about 10%-15% for everyday items. Even after controlling for store size and competition, prices are found to be 2%-5% higher in poor areas. It also finds that it is not the poverty level per se but access to cars that acts as a key determinant of consumers' price search patterns. (c) 2008 by JOURNAL OF CONSUMER RESEARCH, Inc..


Differential scanning calorimetry was used to study glasses and crystals whose compositions correspond to congruently melting compounds: B 2 O 3 , Rb 2 O . nB 2 O 3 (n = 2, 3, 5); CS 2 O . nB 2 O 3 (n = 3, 5, 9); M 2 O . 2B 2 O 3 (M = Li, Na); and K 2 O . 4SiO 2 . The fictive glass-transition temperature T f , the excess of the entropy of glass over that of the crystal at T f for various prehistories of the glasses (the rate of melt cooling was varied from 0.5 to 10 6 K/min), and the activation energies of glass transition Δh* were evaluated. Based on the data obtained, the thermodynamic (the ratio of the excess of the entropy of glass over the entropy of the corresponding crystal at T f to the entropy of the melting of the crystal) and kinetic (fragility m = f(Δh*, T f )) parameters were compared for alkali-borate and alkali-silicate melts. The thermodynamic parameter alone is insufficient to describe the process of glass transition; both parameters should be used simultaneously.


Using a novel approach, we investigate the shape of the average spectrum and the spectral fluctuations of the k–body embedded unitary ensemble in the limit of large matrix dimension. We identify the transition point between semicircle and Gaussian shape. The transition also affects the spectral fluctuations which deviate from Wigner–Dyson form and become Poissonian in the limit k ≪ m ≪ l. Here m is the number of Fermions and l the number of degenerate single– particle states. Introduction. The stochastic behavior displayed by spectra and wave functions of quantum many–body systems (atoms, molecules, atomic nuclei, quantum dots) is usually and successfully modelled in terms of canonical random–matrix theory (RMT) [1,2]. However, this type of modelling is not completely realistic: All the above– mentioned many–body systems are effectively governed by one– and two–body forces, while canonical RMT is tantamount to assuming many–body forces between the constituents. Thus, a stochastic modelling of the one– and two–body interaction would yield a much smaller number of independent random variables than used in RMT. For instance, the number of independent two– body matrix elements in a shell–model calculation in atoms or nuclei is typically much smaller than the dimension N of the matrices involved, while the number of independent random variables in RMT is of order N 2. This difference poses the question whether a more realistic stochastic modelling of many–body systems might yield results which differ from RMT predictions. The question was addressed in the 1970's with the help of numerical simulations using matrices of fairly small dimensions. The main results were: In a certain limit, the average level density does not have the shape of a semicircle but is Gaussian; the ensembles are neither stationary nor ergodic; unfolding of the spectra yields Wigner–Dyson spectral fluctuation properties, see Refs. [3]. Interest in model Hamiltonians with random two–body interactions has resurged in recent years in several areas of many– body physics (see Ref. [4] and further references therein), and the question of possible further differences between such models and RMT has resurfaced. It is the purpose of this letter to shed new light on this question. In particular , we will show that for certain parameter values,


English translation © 2007 M.E. Sharpe, Inc., from the Russian text © 2005 "Rossiiskaia gazeta." "Razvedchiku neobkhodimo prikrytie. Glava SVR RF pobyval na 'Delovom zavtrake' v 'RG,'" Rossiiskaia gazeta, December 8, 2005; available at www.rg.ru/2005/12/08/lebedev.html. Translated by Sarah J. Reynolds. Note: The term "agent" used in the title and in the body of the article is the Russian word razvedchik. This could also be rendered as "spy," but the word "spy" is more often used as a translation for the word shpion, which always has a negative connotation.—Ed. Statutes and Decisions, vol. 42, no. 1, January–February 2007, pp. 25–26. © 2007 M.E. Sharpe, Inc. All rights reserved. ISSN 1061–0014/2007 $9.50 + 0.00. DOI 10.2753/RSD1061-0014420103


A leek (Allium porrum L.) rot was observed in almost all plants of a field in Megara, Attiki, in August 2000. Small, oily, individual, irregular or longitudinal spots without halo, were initially observed on the leaves. Later the spots enlarged and spread to the whole leaf blade. Subsequently, the leaves showed a chlorosis at the tips, wilted and collapsed. Spread of the infection to the base of the leaves caused their shrinkage and necrosis. Severely infected plants remained small and unsuitable for the market. The bacterium Pseudomonas syringae pv. porri was isolated and identified as the causal agent of the disease, according to cultural, physiological, biochemical, serological, pathogenicity tests and electrophoresis of whole cell proteins. This is the first report of this pathogen in Greece.


The National Weather Service is currently implementing an Interactive Forecast Preparation System (IFPS) that assists forecasters in creating a digital database consisting of gridded weather elements. With IFPS, forecasters interact with a gridded database by using a variety of techniques as described by Ruth, et al. (1998). The forecaster then generates a suite of forecast products as described by Peroutka, et al. (1998). This paper describes one of the important steps in IFPS in which values in the gridded database are transformed so that text and tabular products can be generated.


Within a narrow region of the transonic flight regime, shockwave/boundary layer interactions yield large amplitude, selfsustained shock oscillations that are detrimental to both platform handling quality and structural integrity. In this study, the aeroelastic interactions between this transonic buffet instability and a spring-suspended aerofoil are investigated by means of Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes simulations. Two degree-offreedom simulations of a supercritical aerofoil subject to a discrete gust excitation are performed at a flow state in the vicinity of the buffet instability boundary. The results show that for a small perturbation in heave, the system crosses the instability boundary and the aerodynamic and heave modes synchronise with the pitch mode. This so-called lock-in phenomenon acts a mechanism for large amplitude Limit Cycle Oscillation in aircraft structures within the transonic flow regime.


Herein, we aimed to characterize the communicative intentions between children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the early stage of language development and their mothers. The participants included six children with ASD and their mothers, and six typically developing and language-age matched children and their mothers. Spontaneous speech during free play was collected. Therefore, (1) types of communicative intentions, mode of communication, and types of turn-taking showed a significant difference between the children's groups, (2) The types of communicative intentions and number of turn-takings demonstrated a significant difference between the mothers' groups. Our results will aid us in understanding the characteristics of the communicative acts performed by children with ASD in the early language development stage and their mothers.


In this article, the author argues that the reluctance of the Australian courts to recognise the enforceability of comfort letters is predominantly due to the restrictions imposed on the use of the unconscionability principles and more particularly the promissory estoppel doctrine. This article explains the current position in the United States, where its law with respect to comfort letters is more settled and suggests that the approaches of the Unites States courts be adopted to expand the concept.


Due to their compact structure and high reliability, high-speed switched reluctance motors (SRM) are being paid more and more attention in applications such as aerospace and electric vehicles. Because of the strong nonlinear of SRM, it is difficult to achieve very ideal control effect when the motor rotates at high speed using traditional control method. In addition, at high speed, the control cycle of the motor is very short, and a high speed switched reluctance motor control algorithm with little computation and high control accuracy, which is one of the research priorities of high speed switched reluctance motor control technology. In this paper, a combined control method is proposed, which is mainly used in high speed SRM working in the low voltage and high current state of battery-powered. The combined control method combines the advantages of current chopper control and voltage PWM control, and has good controllability and reduces switching loss.


The distribution of the disabled in China exists obvious regional difference and difference between town and country,regional industrial structure and labour market between town and country are also conspicuously different.This article analyses the employment capacity of the disabled in regional approach,according to the distribution of the disabled and difference of market demand,it supplies some ways and relevant measures for labour shift of the disabled,so as to promote the employment rate and income and living condition of the disabled.


In view of the accept data error of figure communication system which bring about in transmission process.We discuss the data recording method,These data get change through the interleaving matrix.Under Max+PlusⅡ software roof garden,We apply the embedded dual port memory of FPGA device and macro model black through VHDL program design to realize interleaving coder.It can decrease error code rat,increase the communication efficiency,with the interleaving technique.


The Marmul inverted five-spot pilot was successfully completed in 2016, demonstrating the effectiveness of Alkaline Surfactant Polymer (ASP) flooding in improving oil recovery from Al khalata reservoir. Earlier studies including core flood experiments, single well chemical tracer tests and small scale models indicated a potential of >10% of ASP incremental recovery over polymer flood and >20% over water flood. The pilot included a custom-built ASP facility, a first of its kind of scale squeeze treatment for high pH, state-of-the-art nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technology for vertical saturation estimates and very extensive sampling and surveillance programme. Overall, the pilot operation was very smooth and stable, achieving high facility uptime, good injectivity, accurate chemical dosing and met the surveillance target.
 The estimated ASP incremental recovery from the pilot was over 30%, which increased the interest in a field-wide ASP injection. The acquired pilot results and operation experience were used to scale up the facilities design and assess the impact of key uncertainties observed in the field and the lab. Major factors influencing the recovery factor and project efficiency were analysed including chemicals formulation, facilities design and water treatment technologies. A mind-shift on the formulation cocktail and facilities design was proposed to improve the economic attractiveness of the process on large scale implementations. A phased development is proposed to de-risk subsurface and surface concepts which are different from those in the pilot.
 This paper discusses in brief the pilot operation & performance, scaling up the results to full field implementation and key design considerations for a cost effective ASP project.


Objective We attempt to probe into the correlation of short-latency somatosensory evoked potentials(SLSEP)and flash evoked potentials(F-VEP)in 48hours after onset with the early outcome of cerebral hemorrhage.Method In 81patients with cerebral hemorrh age ,SLSEP and F-VEP were respected withi n 48hours after onset of cerebral hem orrhage.Meantime,patients were graded with GCS.When leaving hospital or dying,the patie nts were graded with Glascow outcome scale(GOS).Result There was a closed correlation betwe en SLSEP,F-VEP and outcome of cerebral hemorrhage.Conclusion It is concluded that SLSEP and F-VEP c an be valuable for the early prognosis of cerebral hemorrhage.


The problem of planning and scheduling the production of test facilities to maximize throughput and minimize cost has, therefore, been gaining importance for semiconductor manufacturers. In this paper, a classification scheme for semiconductor device testing environments is presented and various testing environments are described in detail. The mathematical models describing these test environments, and software packages intended to provide scheduling solutions for semiconductor device testing are mentioned.


As an aid to securing increased efficiency in range cattle production, this bulletin presents some of the latest results of investigations made in Colorado by the Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. These results have been obtained on short-grass ranges and on ponderosa pine-bunchgrass ranges and are applicable in general to most of the plains and mountainous areas of the State. In addition to these research results, some of the important items in ranch operation which should be checked periodically are discussed.


Passiflora caerulea L., P. alata Curtis and P. incarnata L. (synonym for P. edulis Sims), are the most popular representatives of the Passiflora genus in South America. In recent years, a growing attention is paid to the biological activity and phytochemical profiles of crude extracts from various species of Passiflora in worldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate and to compare of anti-leukemic activity of the dry crude extracts from leaves of three Passiflora species from greenhouse of Poland in two human acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell lines: CCRF-CEM and its multidrug resistant variant. Two systems of liquid chromatography in order to assessment of phytochemical composition of extracts were applied. Extracts of P. alata and P. incarnata showed the potent inhibitory activity against human acute lymphoblastic leukemia CCRF-CEM, while P. caerulea not showed activity (or activity was poor). Despite similarities in quality phytochemical profile of extracts from P. caerulea and P. incarnata, differences in quantity of nti-leukemic activity chemical compounds may determine their various pharmacological potency. For the activity of P. alata extract the highest content of terpenoids and a lack of flavones C-glycosides are believed to be crucial. Summarizing, the crude extract from P. alata leaves may be considered as a substance for complementary therapy for cancer patients. © 2018 Sociedade Brasileira de Farmacognosia. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. This is an open he CC access article under t


We present the influence of local ordering on the electronic and magnetic properties of Heusler-type alloys. The band structure and magnetic moments are calculated by ab initio spin-polarized tight binding linear muffin-tin orbital method. The calculated electronic density of states for Pd2TiAl alloy is similar to ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy measurements. The self-consistent band calculations showed that the density of states at the Fermi level in Ni2(Nb(1_x)Tix)Sn and Ni2(Nb(1_ x)Tax)Sn alloys decreased with the increase in Ti or Ta concentration. The total and local magnetic moments in ordered Rh2TMSn (TM = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu) and Rh2MnX (X = Al, Ga, In, Ge, Sb, Pb) Heusler-type alloys are calculated. The difference between theoretical and experimental results can be connected to the partial disorder in the samples.


A novel resonantly excited 2D-Micro-Scanning-Mirror is presented which makes use of an electrostatic driving principle allowing to locate the driving electrodes in the chip plane. The mechanical elements and the mirror plate consist of a 30 /spl mu/m thick single crystal silicon layer. The mirror plate is suspended by a gimbal mounting and can therefore be deflected along two axes. It is shown that a special isolation technique is suitable to separate the electrical potentials on the movable elements and therefore allows to excite the two oscillations independently. The isolation technique is based on the oxidation and polysilicon filling of 1 /spl mu/m wide trenches in the 30 /spl mu/m thick layer of silicon. The influence of the surrounding gas on the coupling of the oscillations is examined. No significant influence is observed. The performance of the novel 2D-Micro-Scanning-Mirror is demonstrated by the generation of various Lissajous patterns by the reflected laser beam. Frequency ratios of 1:1 up to 13:1 are obtained with the presented devices.


10 patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus were interviewed in depth to identify psychological factors which might influence their adherence to the diet. All patients were evaluated for adherence 6 mo. after an initial interview. Factors which appeared to influence adherence negatively were an established pattern of over-eating, life stress prior to diagnosis of diabetes, depression prior to diagnosis of diabetes, denial of anxiety or depression in reaction to the diagnosis, and denial of future difficulty in adhering to diet. The occurrence of starvation fantasies prior to diagnosis and following institution of the diabetic diet was noted as well as the known similarity of the metabolic state of diabetes to starvation. An intimate relationship between psychology of starvation, onset of diabetes, and adherence to diet is postulatd.


ABSTRACT The study examines the perceptions adolescents have of their leisure behavior. It was motivated by a need to understand the increasing prevalence of what Curtis (1988) terms "Purple Recreation" or negative leisure in this age group. Two hundred and fifty two adolescents from a high school in southwestern Ontario responded to a computerized instrument that prompted them to indicate the degree of similarity of all possible pairs of a list of 20 leisure activities. The combined similarity matrix for all subjects was submitted to the algorithms for Multidimensional Scaling (MDS). A cross validation supported the existence of a three dimensional solution with the following labels: Simple versus Difficult, Exciting versus Dull and Enjoyment from Activity versus Enjoyment from Atmosphere. A comparison with past studies revealed that adolescents may have a different structure of leisure than female homemakers (Ritchie, 1975), and university students (Russell and Hultsman, 1988).


Dr.Heba Mustafa Abdullah TEFL Lecturer ,Curriculum & EFL Instruction , Faculty of Graduate Studies for Education, Cairo University The current study aimed at examining the use of shadowing technique on developing oral reading fluency, comprehension and attitude towards reading of fifth primary school students. The study adopted a quasiexperimental research design. Participants in this study were a group of thirty-five (n=35) primary stage .Tools of the study were designed by the researcher, namely, oral reading fluency and comprehension test and reading attitude survey. Based on the study results, there is an evidence that the use of shadowing technique had a positive effect on developing oral reading fluency reading fluency (t value was 17.227) and comprehension ( t value was 18.773) of fifth primary school students. Moreover, the students' attitude towards reading has been developed positively. Furthermore , the correlation between oral reading fluency and comprehension was found ( r=0.873).


researchers a low-resolution glimpse of the principles behind host–virus protein interactions. Now, Eric Franzosa and Yu Xia (pp. 10538– 10543) have overlaid established network models with atomic resolution, 3D structural models of protein interactions to better understand how host–virus protein interfaces differ from the interfaces between host proteins. The authors assembled a high-resolution network that modeled more than 3,000 human–human protein interactions and more than 50 interactions between human and viral proteins. The network revealed that viral proteins tend to bind to and mimic human protein interfaces, possibly helping viruses evade the host immune system and hijack cellular machinery. The authors also found that viral proteins tend to evolve interface simi-


This paper summaries the types and characteristics of evaluation metho ds on national competition ability.The author comments and compares IMD with WEF ,the two evaluation method of authority organizations and comments on Porter's theory of the national competitive advantage.


The behavior model using traditional Finite State Machine (FSM) method often has the bad readability. In addition, it's difficult to expand and cut out the system function. So a new modeling approach based on Quantum Framework (QF) was put forward for heavy truck mechanical Automated Mechanical Transmission (AMT) development. The essential features and movement mechanism of QF were introduced firstly; then the work process of heavy truck AMT was analyzed in detail. The overall AMT system was decomposed into four independent active objects mutually, and the state machine model based on Quantum Framework (QF) was established individually. Finally, the system was tested in an actual vehicle. The result shows that the application of QF technology in AMT system development can significantly increase the efficiency of design, code readability and maintainability of the system.


We review the eeective temperature scale of hot (10kK) stars, including results from direct, continuum and ionization equilibrium techniques. We discuss the impact of recent developments in theoretical model atmospheres for OB subdwarfs, dwarfs and supergiants, white dwarfs and Wolf Rayet stars and present a revised T ee scale for OB stars. Direct techniques coupled with Kurucz model atmospheres allow Strr omgren photome-try to be used as a sensitive T ee indicator for normal stars with T ee 25kK. Reliable T ee determinations for hotter, low surface gravity and H-deecient stars require sophisticated ionization equilibrium techniques, generally considering non-LTE and line-blanketing eeects. 1. Continuum techniques 1.1. DIRECT METHODS The eeective temperature of a star { providing the essential link between observed properties and results of theoretical stellar structure and atmosphere models { can be directly obtained from measurements of its angular diameter together with the total absolute ux at the Earth, integrated over the entire spectrum The prime source in this eld remains the seminal work of Code et al. (1976), who combined angular diameters measured by the Narrabri stellar intensity interferometer with UV, visual and IR observations for 32 hot stars, corrected for interstellar extinction. Smalley & Dworetsky (1995) repeated their analysis using more recent observational and theoretical results, and obtained values on average only one percent lower for stars with T ee 25kK.


The relevance of the topic of the study stems from the fact that modern digital technology has a negative impact on consumer behaviour and makes it difficult to distinguish between real and fake media. The latter, in turn, are detrimental to society. One of the developments contributing to institutional media problems has been the emergence of deepfakes, which are hyper-realistic "fake content" videos that use artificial intelligence. Combined with the reach and speed of social media, persuasive deepfakes are reaching millions of people in a short period of time and have a negative impact on our society. The paper analyzes the technology of creating and using deepfakes, describes the results of its impact on consumer behaviour, identifies types of deepfakes and groups of producers, and identifies advantages and threats of this technology.


High strength fibre reinforced concrete is envisaged to exhibit high compressive and tensile strength under loadings. In this study, experimental studies are conducted to assess the mechanical behavior of fibre reinforced mortar and comparing them with normal concrete. For this experiment, the aspect ratio of fibre (polypropylene) volume inclusion is fixed to 33. Palm Oil Fuel Ash (POFA) is also included as partial cement replacement. The compressive strength and split tensile strength tests are conducted. This paper presents the results of mechanical strength for fibre reinforced mortar mixed with POFA. It is indicated that the volume of fibre inclusion in concrete have significant impact in compressive and tensile strength. In this study, the optimum fibre dosage inclusion is 20 kg/m3 that exhibit 82.4MPa and 78.7 MPa stresses at 56 days of curing for both 100% OPC and 40%POFA inclusion samples, respectively. The findings of this study can be applied to construction in coastal areas


MEASUREMENT OF POLARIZED PROTON PROTON ELASTIC SCATTERING AT THE RELATIVISTIC HEAVY ION COLLIDER (RHIC) Ivan Koralt Old Dominion University, 2013 Director: Dr. Stephen Biiltmann Elastic proton-proton (pp) scattering is one of the most fundamental processes in nature and yet, it is one of the most difficult to describe. There are two interactions involved in this process: electromagnetic (Coulomb) and hadronic (strong) interactions. Underlying exchange mechanisms of these two interactions are the virtual photon and the Pomeron exchange, respectively. The difficulty of elastic pp scattering arises from the fact th a t the nature of the Pomeron and its exchange are not well understood and need a theoretical approach, which is still under development. At the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) a t Brookhaven National Lab (BNL) we are studying the hadronic interaction via the dynamics of high-energy pp collisions using the Solenoidal Tracker At RHIC (STAR) detector. The "Physics W ith Tagged Forward Protons At STAR" experiment, formerly known as the "pp2pp" experiment, is a part of STAR and it successfully conducted measurements of elastic scattering observables by the use of its forward particle detectors, known as Roman pots. In this dissertation I present the measurement of polarized pp elastic scattering a t RHIC. I describe the app2pp a t STAR" experiment focusing on elastic scattering observables from the data taken in Run9. I report the result of the experimental slope param eter B of the diffractive peak of the elastic cross-section at the center-of-mass energy y/s = 200 GeV in the four-momentum transfer squared t range 0.006 < |t| < 0.02 (G eV/c)2. I also present d a ta analysis techniques and Monte Carlo simulations developed for the analysis and improvement of the detector performance, correction of the recorded experimental data and an estim ate of systematic errors of this measurement. Copyright, 2013, by Ivan Koralt, All Rights Reserved.


Timely data dissemination to vehicles is a core function in VANETs, and the use of Road Side Unit (RSU) has been proposed by researchers to augment vehicle to vehicle communication. RSU can serve as data buffer point from which vehicles can request to access data items. When scheduling vehicle-RSU data access, the mobility pattern of vehicles can be used to facilitate multi-RSU data dissemination. In this paper, we propose a motion prediction based scheduling scheme for vehicle-RSU data access which enables cooperative work among a set of road side units. Data requests can be transferred and thus balanced among a group of road side units, which helps to result in better scheduling performance. Simulation results show that our scheme outperforms simple scheduling schemes under various conditions. Keywords-Vehicular Ad-Hoc Networks, Mobility Model, Road Side Unit, Scheduling, Simulation


In this article, we have searched by means of the documentation, which was found in the Minister of Overseas' personal files, the currency exchanges and the monetary policy that was carried out in Cuba and Puerto Rico between 1895 and 1898. We have first of all analysed how the operation of exchange was made in Puerto Rico, which consisted of replacing Mexican currency by "insular" pesos coined in Spain, the official
justifications, the critics that this fact got and the final repercussions of the measure. We have finally gone deeply into the frustrated attempt to a currency exchange in Cuba, into the intention to resort to the inconvertible and compulsory circulation notes in order to satisfy the necessities of the Treasury in war time and into the mistrust that those notes created among the native population.


Resilience of Pakistan's economy in the face of unforeseen global and multiple domestic shocks has been a subject of debate – proponents of outgoing Government arguing that it has strengthened, while opponents criticize the state of the economy. In these circumstances, I propose to provide a neutral, unbiased and economic reasoning for why and where we stand today? I encourage Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) to further investigate and provide a professional economic perspective on the economy with the objective of feeding properly into policy advice. In providing my perspectives, I propose to highlight the emerging challenges posed by the weak global economic scenario, its consequent impact on the domestic economy which was already under strain, and then discuss the policy options and solutions, especially the structural changes that are required to put Pakistan on the road to sustainable economic recovery.


 Distribute list of students who will be attending the school trip to all faculty (including attendance office) and include the times you are leaving/returning.  Notify Health Office of students participating and review medication needs. Will a nurse be attending your trip?  Verify that trip is on the school field trip calendar.  Notify cafeteria of the number of students going on the trip.  Submit copies of signed permission slips to school office.  Submit copies of volunteer/chaperone form to school office for all non-faculty members attending the trip.


Previous studies on climate change in Taraba State concentrated on the evidence of climate change in the state, awareness of climate change among students of tertiary institutions in the state and farmers perception and adaptation to climate change in northern Taraba. There is need to have a state wide research that examines climate change awareness and perception among rural farmers in Taraba State. This will greatly reduce the failures in measures to develop a state wide effective monitoring, adaptation and mitigation measures to climate change in the study state. Questionnaires were used to solicit for information from the famers in twelve LGAs of the state. The question ranges from the farmers knowledge of climate change, and how this has affected them over the years. The farmers were asked what they think about the trend of rainfall variables such as total rainfall, onset, cessation, length of rainy season and changes in temperature in the last 10 – 20 years in their area. The farmers were also asked what they think about the trend of incidence of flooding and dry spell in their areas and how this has affected them. Despite the farmers' awareness and adaptation to climate change in the state, lack of information and capital hinders them from getting the necessary resources and technologies that facilitate adapting to climate change.


i?·i? i? i? i? i? Master wini??win techniques for managing outsourced and offshore projects, from procurement and risk mitigation to maintenancei?·i? i? i? i? i? Use RUP to implement best-practice project management throughout the software development lifecyclei?·i? i? i? i? i? Overcome key management challenges, from changing requirements to managing user expectationsThe Hands-On, Start-to-Finish Guide to Managing Software Projects with the IBM® Rational Unified Process®This is the definitive guide to managing software development projects with the IBM Rational Unified Process (RUP®). Drawing on his extensive experience managing projects with the RUP, R. Dennis Gibbs covers the entire development lifecycle, from planning and requirements to post-mortems and system maintenance. Gibbs offers especially valuable insights into using the RUP to manage outsourced projects and any project relying on distributed development teams-outsourced, insourced, or both.This "from the trenches" guidebook is invaluable for anyone interested in best practices for managing software development: project managers, team leaders, procurement and contracting specialists, quality assurance and software process professionals, consultants, and developers. If you're already using the RUP, Gibbs will help you more effectively use it. Whatever your role or the RUP experience, you'll learn ways toi?·i? i? i? i? i? Simplify and streamline the management of any large-scale or outsourced projecti?·i? i? i? i? i? Overcome the challenges of using the RUP in software project managementi?·i? i? i? i? i? Optimize software procurement and supplier relationships, from Request for Proposals (RFPs) and contracts to deliveryi?·i? i? i? i? i? Staff high-performance project teams and project management officesi?·i? i? i? i? i? Establish productive, consistent development environmentsi?·i? i? i? i? i? Run effective project kickoffsi?·i? i? i? i? i? Systematically identify and mitigate project risksi?·i? i? i? i? i? Manage the technical and business challenges of changing requirementsi?·i? i? i? i? i? Organize iterations and testing in incremental development processesi?·i? i? i? i? i? Transition new systems into service: from managing expectations to migrating datai?·i? i? i? i? i? Plan system maintenance and implement effective change controli?·i? i? i? i? i? Learn all you can from project post-mortems-and put those lessons into practice


This paper describes an investigation into a possible reduction in visual acuity (VA) and contrast sensitivity from oblique and tinted windscreens. Visual problems in reduced lighting conditions (driving at dusk and at night or in fog) are caused by a reduced contrast in the visual object. In this test subjects with normal vision were tested, together with drivers who already had reduced VA and are only just fit for driving under normal conditions. Test results show that the mean contrast sensitivity of the test persons with VA=0.5 is 3% at the maximum level of luminance used, i.e. already one unit below that of normal persons (4%). A reduction in luminance entails a marked reduction in contrast sensitivity for both groups. There is a clear indication that at a low level of luminance the blue glass causes a greater reduction in contrast sensitivity than the green. For the covering abstract, see IRRD 892069.


Dear Editor, Metaphyseal dysplasia without hypotrichosis (MDWH, OMIM #250460), a rare phenotype of cartilage-hair hypoplasia (CHH, OMIM #250250) anauxetic dysplasia (AD, OMIM #607095) spectrum disorders, is described as an isolated skeletal dysplasia with no extra skeletal manifestations including hypoplastic hair and defective immunity [1]. Pathogenic variants in RNA component of the mitochondrial RNA-processing endoribonuclease (RMRP) gene cause CHH-AD spectrum disorders with autosomal recessive inheritance [2]. We report the first case in Korea of a girl with compound heterozygous RMRP variants, n.81G>A and n.100C>T, that were diagnosed as MDWH. The Catholic University of Korea St. Vincent's Hospital Institutional Review Board, Seoul, Korea, approved this study (number: VC20ZASE0064). A girl aged five years and 10 months was referred to the pediatric endocrine clinic at St. Vincent Hospital for short stature. She was the only child of non-consanguineous parents, born at 40 weeks and one day of gestation by spontaneous vaginal delivery, with a birth weight of 2.85 kg (10th–25th percentile), height of 45 cm (3th–5th percentile), and normal head circumference. The mid-parental height (maternal height, 166 cm; paternal height, 180 cm) was 166.5 cm. Her medical history did not reveal any immunodeficiency warning signs, and she had normal psychomotor development. On physical examination, her weight, measured using a CAS scale (CAS, Seoul, Korea), was 15.9 kg (-2.1 standard deviation score [SDS]) and her height, measured using a Harpenden Stadiometer (Holtain Ltd., Crymych, UK), was 96.4 cm (-4.2 SDS). The upper:lower segment ratio (1.3:1) was higher than the normal range for her age (Fig. 1). The patient's radiographic features revealed subtle cupping and widening at the metaphysis of both metacarpal bones, phalanges, and ulnae, as well as an expanded and irregular costochondral junction in her chest. The chest X-ray revealed a normal thymus. The peripheral blood examination results were as follows: leukocyte count, 5.79×10/L (neutrophils 49.8%, lymphocytes 39.9%); hemoglobin, 135 g/L (mean corpuscular volume [MCV] 85.4 fL); platelet count, 307×10/L; and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, 7 mm/h (normal range 0–20 mm/hr). The patient's karyotype was 46,XX. The serum levels of calcium


Romania promotes sustainable development, according to the conclusions of the European Council from Cardiff (1998), European Strategy for Sustainable Development (Gothenburg 2001), of the sixth Action Plan for Environment and EU directives concerning domestic waste, packages and their manipulation, urban domestic water treatment, water quality for human consumption and air quality.


In this present work, the geometric structures and electronic transport properties of (InAs)n (n = 2, 3, 4) molecule cluster junctions are comparatively investigated using NEGF combined with DFT. Results indicate that all (InAs)n molecule cluster junctions present metallic behavior at the low applied biases ([−2V, 2V]), while NDR appears at a certain high bias range. Our calculation shows that the current of (InAs)4 molecule cluster–based junction is almost the largest at any bias. The mechanisms of the current–voltage characteristics of all the three molecule cluster junctions are proposed.


This paper introduces the idea that aging inclines us naturally toward an ironic stance on life. The conscious cultivation of that stance through some form of narrative reflection is linked to the development of wisdom, where wisdom is understood in terms of deepened knowledge of the "stories" of our lives. Such reflection heightens our awareness of the inherently ironic nature of our inner world—a complex, quasi-literary world toward which we occupy multiple points of view. In exploring these ideas, the concept of narrative foreclosure is discussed, as is that of "positive aging."


Exchange rate regimes do not operate in an institutional vacuum, even when the scope for exercising policy discretion is distinctly limited. The Hong Kong linked exchange rate system is no exception. An interesting feature of the institutional environment in this case, not highlighted previously, is the apparent divergence in the assumptions of policymakers and market players regarding the merits of this mechanism in particular and currency boards in general. The corollary is that the Hong Kong monetary authorities need to intensify their efforts to disseminate relevant information, focusing especially on targets in the financial sector.


We consider high-harmonic generation (HHG) in the Rice-Mele model to study the role of the intraband current originating from the change of the intraband dipole via interband transition. This contribution, which has been often neglected in previous works, is necessary for the consistent theoretical formulation of the light-matter coupling. We demonstrate that the contribution becomes crucial when the gap is smaller than or comparable to the excitation frequency and the system is close to the half filling.


Using the narrative of Ellen and William Craft's escape from slavery, together with a database of 2260 runaway slave advertisements published in antebellum South Carolina newspapers, this article examines the ways in which runaways exploited whites' notions of race and freedom to pass as free. Acculturated women and men engaged in intricate performances in which they exploited colour, dress, language, and employment skills to transcend lines of race and class, in order to assume free identities. Recognising that freedom could be performed, if not legally attained, the majority of runaways did not strike out for free territory. Instead, many remained in the South where they created free identities that enabled them to secure employment, enjoy mobility, and maintain kinship ties, if only temporarily.


Abstract A simple model of a nematic guest-host display is presented in which the limiting "on" and "off" states are considered to be uniform arrays of molecules oriented perpendicular and parallel (or at a small tilt angle), respectively, to the plane of the display. Calculated contrast ratio and brightness curves are presented for several angles of view and of all planes of view as functions of dye order parameter, pretilt andploarizer efficiency. The effects of host refractive index and front surface reflectivity are discussed.


The crystal structures of two mononuclear Cu(II) NH2trz complexes [Cu(NH2trz)4(H2O)](AsF6)2 (I) and [Cu(NH2trz)4(H2O)](PF6)2 (II) as well as two coordination polymers [Cu(μ2-NH2trz)2Cl]Cl·H2O (III) and [Cu(μ2-NH2trz)2Cl] (SiF6)0.5·1.5H2O (IV) are presented. Cationic 1D chains with bridging bis-monodentate μ2-coordinated NH2trz and bridging μ2-coordinated chloride ligands are present in III and IV. In these coordination polymers, the Cu(II) ions are strongly antiferromagnetically coupled with J = −128.4 cm−1 for III and J = −143 cm−1 for IV (H = −J∑SiSi+1), due to the nature of the bridges between spin centers. Inter-chain interactions present in the crystal structures were taken into consideration, as well as g factors, which were determined experimentally, for the quantitative modeling of their magnetic properties.


Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a type of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) closely associated with intestinal homeostasis dysregulation. At present, clinical treatment options for UC are highly limited. Interleukin-22 (IL-22) treatment is regarded as an effective therapeutic strategy for the treatment of UC. The abnormal expression of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) has been detected in many inflammatory diseases, including UC. In this study, we aimed to investigate the function of IL-22 and the function of lncRNAs in the UC on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice.

Methods: The mice were intraperitoneally injected with IL-22 or PBS and then DSS was used to induce colitis. The histopathological parameters of the mice were determined using histological and molecular detection approaches. Then, RNA-sequencing was performed to screen the differential lncRNAs expression profile compared with the control group, before and after IL-22 treatment of the mice. Quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) and lentivirus identified lncRNA-Ulcerative Colitis LncRNA (lncRNA-UCL) as the molecular regulator of the colitis mice. RNA-pulldown was performed to validate the interaction between lncRNA-UCL and mmu-miR-568. Meanwhile, claudin-1 was predicted and confirmed as the target molecule of mmu-miR-568 using dual luciferase assay.

Findings: IL-22 treatment could significantly improve the histopathological features and decrease pro-inflammatory cytokine production in DSS-induced colitis mice by enhancing the expressions of tight and adherent junction proteins, and promoting the proliferation and suppressing the apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells. LncRNA-UCL expression was significantly downregulated in DSS-induced colitis mice, while IL-22 treatment effectively reversed this effect. In terms of mechanism, lncRNA-UCL regulates intestinal epithelial homeostasis by sequestering mmu-miR-568 and maintaining the expression of the tight junction protein, claudin-1.

Interpretation: Our results implied that IL-22 can alleviate symptoms of DSS-induced colitis via enhancing lncRNA-UCL expression by maintaining the expression levels of tight junction and adherent junction proteins. Therefore, the lncRNA/miR-568/claudin-1 axis plays a pivotal role in regulating intestinal epithelial cell homeostasis under the effect of IL-22.

Funding: This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.
81800489). We are grateful to the collaboration of all fellows at Department of
Gastroenterology, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Jinan University.

Declaration of Interest: The authors have declared that no competing interest exists.

Ethical Approval: All experiments performed on animals were approved by the Medical Ethics
Committee of Shenzhen People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China.


A cavitation thermodynamics model based on phase change, which is suitable for prediction of cavitation with thermal effects is developed. The cavitation characteristic at different temperature and cavitation number is investigated and analyzed. The initial cavitation of turbine flow meter generally occurs in the blade suction side. With the development of cavitation, the cavitation zone will appear on the front and the back end of the conditioner. In order to avoid the gather of cavitation, the design of the optimizing the blade structure should be adapted, and at the same time, the back pressure should be limited on the installation requirements. Expanding the measurement range and preventing cavitation occurs are the goal of the design and installation. The temperature effects on the cavitation of turbine flow meter is quite obvious and the increase of the temperature will delay the occurrence of cavitation. Pressure difference and the impeller torque will change obviously with the decrease of the cavitation number, which will cause the measurement error of the turbine meter.


Previous research in the area of tourism demand modeling and forecasting has paid little attention to business tourism. This study provides the most comprehensive comparison to date of the accuracy of modern forecasting methods in the context of international business tourism demand forecasting. Seven forecasting models are examined, including the error correction model and various structural time-series and autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models. The empirical results show that relative forecasting performance is highly dependent on the length of forecasting horizon, that adding explanatory variables to the structural time-series model does not improve forecasting performance, and that testing for unit roots is likely to yield reasonably accurate results under certain conditions.


This paper is not intended to be a theoretical discussion of the principles of unipolar machines; neither is it a purely descriptive article. It is rather a record of engineering experiences obtained, and difficulties overcome, in the practical development of a large machine of the unipolar type. For those who are interested in the designs and development of electrical machinery there may be many points of very considerable interest in this record. Some of the conditions of operation, with their attendant difficulties, proved to be so unusual that it is believed that a straightforward story of these troubles, and the methods for correcting them, will be of some value as a published record.


FIFA has a Medical and Research Centre (F‐MARC) which has designed a comprehensive program targeting muscle strength, kinesthetic awareness, and neuromuscular control during static and dynamic movements to decrease injury risk for soccer players. A number of meta‐analyses now exist on how effective FIFA's programs to prevent and reduce injury actually are, with various degrees of injury reduction reported. This research aimed to carry out a systematic review and to meta‐analyse the existing meta‐analyses so that a conclusion can be drawn on how effective the injury programs are. Relevant studies were identified by searching five databases for the period January 1990 till 1 July 2018. Results of each meta‐analysis were combined together using risk ratios (RR) in a summary meta‐analysis. QUOROM checklist and AMSTAR 2 assessment were used to assess the quality of reporting and methodology in the meta‐analyses. Four meta‐analyses met the inclusion criteria covering fifteen primary studies. All four meta‐analyses scored quite highly on QUOROM, but two were rated by AMSTAR 2 as moderate quality, and two were found to be of critically low quality. An overall risk reduction in 34% (RR = 0.66 [0.60‐0.73]) for all injuries and a reduction in 29% (RR = 0.71 [0.63‐0.81]) for injuries to the lower limbs were revealed by this meta‐analysis of meta‐analyses. Combining every previous meta‐analysis into a single source in this paper produced decisive evidence that the risk of injuries while playing soccer is reduced as a result of FIFA's injury prevention programs.


Nonspecific ¡mmunocompetencein VX2 tumor-bearing rabbits was assessed by skin response to dinitrochlorobenzene and development of antibody titer to bovine serum albumin. Skin reactivity to a 3 M KCI extract of the VX2 and antitumor antibody titer were used to monitor host immunocompetence against the tumor. Rabbits bearing a 15to 20-ml i.m. VX2 tumor in the hind limb were treated by local and total-body heating after established métastaseswere present in regional and aor tic lymph nodes and lungs. Following local heating of the VX2 (intratumor tempera ture, 47-50/30 min) achieved by radiofrequency current at 13.56 MHz, there was tumor regression and host cure in 9 of 13 (70%) rabbits. Tumor regression was accompanied by a marked and sustained increase in skin reactivity to both tumor extract and dinitrochlorobenzene, and there was a 100-fold increase in serum levels of antitumor and anti-bovine serum albumin antibody. The animals are alive 2 years after heating and are immune to inoculation of 30 x 10" VX2 cells; 1 x 106 tumor cells led to a 100% death rate in 72 ±7 (S.D.) days in untreated rabbits. In the 4 rabbits that did not respond to heating, unrestrained tumor growth was accompanied by a progressive de crease in host response to skin tests and antibody titers of 1:10 or less, findings similar to those in untreated tumor-bearing hosts. Eight rabbits were subjected to total-body hyperthermia (42/60 min on 3 successive days) 7 days after radiofre quency treatment. In 7 of the animals (88%), temporary restraint of tumor growth was followed by return to expo nential increase in tumor volume and rapid death. This was accompanied by abrogation of the enhanced cellular and humoral immune responsiveness that followed local heating; in the single animal that was cured there was a sustained increase in skin response to dinitrochloroben zene and tumor extract and in serum levels of antitumor and anti-bovine serum albumin antibody. Necrotic material removed from regressing VX2 carci nomas up to 17 days after radiofrequency heating pro duced tumors on inoculation into rabbits. It is concluded that the immune response generated following curative local heating of the VX2 carcinoma is involved in regression of the primary tumor as well as in the destruction of métastases.The abrogation of such enhanced immunocompetence by total-body heating sup1 Work was supported by the North of England Council of the Cancer Research Campaign. Received January 18, 1978; accepted July 11, 1978. ports the concept that in this animal tumor system wholebody hyperthermia is hazardous for the host.


John Farey was a pioneer British geologist whose work has been too long overlooked. His only major geological publication was concealed in what appears to be a local report on the agriculture and minerals of Derbyshire, commissioned by the Board of Agriculture and published in three volumes between 1811 and 1817. Farey also published an extraordinary amount in periodicals and prepared a remarkable series of geological maps and cross‐sections which were never published, although a number of hand‐drawn copies circulated and undoubtedly influenced the rise of stratigraphical geology.


This article reports on the use of electronic mail and an electronic conferencing system to conduct group projects in three Educational Psychology courses. Modifying the traditional group project by incorporating electronic communication has a number of advantages. 1) By "meeting" electronically, groups can communicate without space or time restrictions, creating potentially continuous dialogues. 2) Coordinating the groups electronically allows the professor to "sit-in" on these dialogues. The professor can be an unobtrusive observer, instantly available to answer questions, or give advice if the group seems to need it. 3) Monitoring the groups at work also allows the instructor to accurately assess the participation and contributions of each individual in the group, and assign appropriate grades. 4) Finally, the project introduces the students to electronic networking, and gives them a realistic opportunity to practice using it.


We construct a marginally stable linear switching system in continuous time, in four dimensions and with three switching states, which is exponentially stable with respect to constant switching laws and which has a unique Barabanov norm, but such that the Barabanov norm fails to be strictly convex. This resolves a question of Y. Chitour, M. Gaye and P. Mason.


CR geometry originated from the study of real hypersurfaces in complex manifolds. It has now become an independent subject with fascinating connections with complex analysis, Riemannian and sub-Riemannian geometry and other areas of mathematics. We will only consider oriented strictly pseudoconvex CR manifolds. If we …x a pseudohermitian structure, i.e. a contact form, there is a natural connection introduced …rst by Tanaka and Webster. Then one may try to develop a whole theory parallel to Riemannian geometry. There are many di¤erent directions. On the more analytic side, one can study the fundamental operators, the subLaplacian and the Kohn Laplacian on functions, and their spectrum. One would hope that this study will be as fruitful as the study of the spectrum of the Laplacian in Riemannian geometry. These operators are not elliptic. The sub-Laplacian is hypo-elliptic and the Kohn Laplacian is even not hypo-elliptic, therefore their analysis involves new analytic challenges. Another major new complication is that the Tanaka-Webster connection has nontrivial torsion. In this paper we discuss some recent results in this direction. In Section 2 we give a quick summary of the basics in CR geometry. We take the opportunity to discuss a basic classi…cation result which seems missing from the literature. In Section 3 we discuss some estimates on the eigenvalues of the fundamental operators. In Section 4 we discuss some Obata-type results in CR geometry and address the rigidity question in the sharp eigenvalue estimate. The last Section, in which we discuss a problem on the CR structure on circle bundles over compact Kahler manifolds, is in some sense independent of the previous sections. There are some new results and complete proofs are given.


TO an outsider historians must sometimes seem perversely obsessed with decline. Certainly when it comes to dealing with empires, his-torians betray a fascination with decay that is almost pathological—and often not simply with the nature and causes of decline but with the exact moment when it began—a somewhat futile enterprise if an enjoyable parlour game. Of course the appeal of decay to the his-torical imagination is not simply the outgrowth of contemporary nostalgia for lost worlds and past times. In the later nineteenth and earlier twentieth centuries the intellectual habit of 'historical-mindedness' and the particular tendency to search for a pattern of origins, growth, maturity, decline and fall were extremely influential over a wide range of intellectual disciplines and we might suppose helped to shape the world-view of those who managed the external affairs of Britain and the other powers. The search for historical laws of civilisation and decay was a characteristically Victorian intellectual preoccupation and an essential part of the way in which Europeans tried to make sense of the other civilisations into which they crashed during the nineteenth century. But how far were the leaders of the European imperial states and the circles of informed opinion in which they moved willing to turn on their own empires the analysis of growth and decay they had fashioned for the states and cultures they had overthrown? To what extent should we see the makers of British policy in the first half of this century as (in Gibbon's famous phrase) 'musing in the ruins of the Capitol'? Was the Marquess of Lothian's remark that 'sooner or later empires decay partly because they become rigid and rotten at the centre…' a recognition that if history was the graveyard of empires, British imperialism had certainly reached retiring age? Or did Lothian and others like him assume that Britain's peculiarities made her exempt from such generalizations?


The objective of this paper is to analyze which are the relevant attributes of organic food that influence consumer's choice and also affect the premium price that consumers are willing to pay for them.


multiplier can be directly reconfigured to produce an A novel run-time reconfiguable array of multipliers array of the products in four different input forms. architecture is presented. The processor can be For example, it can produce an array of 64 16-bit easily reconfigured to trade bitwidth for array size, items (products) in 1 pipeline cycle, an array of 16 thus maximizing the utilization of available 32-bit products in 2 pipeline cycles, an array of 4 hardware.


With the ever increasing complexity of the user queries in a multi-domain based task-oriented dialogue system, it is imperative to facilitate robust Spoken Language Understanding (SLU) modules that perform multiple tasks in an unified way. In this paper, we present a novel multi-task approach for the joint modelling of three tasks together, namely, Domain Classification, Intent Detection and Slot-Filling. We hypothesize with the intuition that the cross dependencies of all these three tasks mutually help each other towards their representations and classifications which further simplify the SLU module in a multi-domain scenario. Towards this end, we propose a BERT language model based multi-task framework utilizing capsule networks and conditional random fields for addressing the classification and sequence labeling problems, respectively, for different tasks. Experimental results indicate that the proposed multi-task model outperformed several strong baselines and its single task counterparts on three benchmark datasets of different domains and attained state-of-the-art results on different tasks.


Value of locking force have important influence on firing safety and firing accuracy of the rocket launchers,thus they must be tested before fire.By means of study on structure and principle of a type of rocket launcher lock mechanism,using hydraulic technique,transducer and microelectronic technique,a kind of portable test equipment was developed to carry out undisassembly test of the locking force in the rocket launcher lock mechanism.The method is better than former method in the ranges of actuality,accuracy and reliability.Fishtail simulated reference toggle was designed to avoid the closing spring to strongly release after fishtail reference toggle passing through the lock mechanism,and therefore the acting face damage of the lock mechanism could be decreased,at the same time the noise could be reduced.


A coarse compactification of a proper metric space X is any compactification of X that is dominated by its Higson compactification. In this paper we describe the maximal coarse compactification of X whose corona is of dimension 0. In case of geodesic spaces X, it coincides with the Freundenthal compactification of X. As an application we provide an alternative way of extending the concept of the number of ends from finitely generated groups to arbitrary countable groups. We present a geometric proof of a generalization of Stallings' theorem by showing that any countable group of two ends contains an infinite cyclic subgroup of finite index. Finally, we define ends of arbitrary coarse spaces.


Ultra-short pulse, high power mode-locking is demonstrated in InGaAs quantum dot lasers using a flared waveguide design. 24 GHz mode-locking with 790 fs wide pulses and 500 mW peak powers suitable for telecommunications applications are presented. (2 pages)


Tallulah Harvey discusses the nature of dementia and its impact upon the patient, and how understanding this may help the eye care professional best best communicate with them.


CLL results from the accumulation of monoclonal B lymphocytes that derive from a small fraction of cells with proliferative activity. Because expression of the DNA mutator, activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) is restricted to these dividing cells, they can develop new DNA abnormalities leading to more lethal disease. Hence, such cells are important targets for therapy. Our previous study indicated that the B-cell subset with low levels of CXCR4 and high levels of CD5 (CXCR4 Dim CD5 Bright ) is enriched in these cells ("proliferative fraction", PF), whereas the less vital, resting cells exhibit a CXCR4 Bright CD5 Dim phenotype ("resting fraction", RF). In this study, we focused on analyzing the significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between PF and RF. PF and RF were isolated from 26 CLL (13 U-CLL and 13 M-CLL) and microarrays (llumina HT12) were performed. Selected DEGs between PF and RF were confirmed by rtQ-PCR and/or by flow cytometry. Array data were interpreted using Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). First, focusing on the Immunologic Signature of B lymphocytes with GSEA, we found the PF was enriched in gene sets shared with IgM memory cells and pre-germinal center B cells, whereas RF was enriched in gene sets in common with naive, IgD + B cells. Notably, the PF also shared gene sets with myeloid dendritic cells and monocytes. Protein expression of 10 myeloid markers (CD68, CD1c, CD11a, CD11b, CD11c, CD13, CD31, CD205, CXCR3 and CLECL1) was documented in PF B cells from 11 U-CLL and 11 M-CLL patients, and each was more highly expressed in the PF than RF. No difference in myeloid markers was observed between U-CLL and M-CLL, suggesting that this expression is independent of IGHV mutation status. DEGs were also determined based on expression ratios for PF and RF for each patient; t tests were performed using R. With a fold change cutoff of > 1.5 or P Next, comparing PF and RF expression ratios for U-CLL vs. M-CLL revealed 502 DEGs in U-CLL and 179 in M-CLL; 144 genes were shared by both U-CLL and M-CLL. IPA analysis of the latter genes correlated best with integrin signaling, and the potential upstream regulators of these were IFNg, IL1, F2 and IFNa. The Rho Family GTPases signaling pathway was significant (10 genes) for DEGs unique to U-CLL. No significant pathway or bio-function relationship was observed in DEGs only in M-CLL. Finally, IPA analysis showed IL4 as an upstream regulator of DEGs unique to the PF of U-CLL based on upregulation of 12 IL4 target genes (APRT, CCL5, CDKN1A, DECR1, IL17RB, ITGAL, ITGB1, LTA, MAPKAPK3, PIGR, SAMSN1, TIMP1). Three other IL-4 targeted genes were paradoxically under-represented in the U-CLL PF (BCL2, CCR7 and VIPR1). The upregulated findings are consistent with PF B cells inducing T cells to produce IL-4 via co-receptors on B/myeloid cells that foster a Th2 response (e.g., CLECL1). In conclusion, gene expression profiling indicates that cells of the PF display a dual activated B cell/myeloid cell phenotype suggesting enhanced antigen-presentation capacities. Integrin signaling appears to be a key pathway for these cells which could foster cell proliferation, survival, and migration, especially in U-CLL clones where integrin activation can lead to Rho GTPases activation. Finally, genes regulated by IL-4 in the PF could be induced by interactions of autologous T cells with CLL B cells. These findings suggest antigen-presentation and integrin and IL-4 signaling pathways as therapeutic targets in CLL, particularly for U-CLL. Disclosures Barrientos: AbbVie: Consultancy, Research Funding; Gilead: Consultancy, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy.


The kinetics of the photoisomerization of hexafluorobenzene to its ``Dewar'' isomer has been investigated in the gas phase at 2652, 2482, 2288, and 2120 A. The addition of gases capable of removing vibrational excitation enhances the quantum yield of isomerization indicating that the vibrationally ``hot'' isomer is formed in a rapid reaction. The intrinsic quantum yields of the isomerization process, obtained by extrapolating the observed yields to infinite pressure, are 0.0207±0.0013, 0.0463±0.0031, and 0.081±0.014 at 2652, 2482, and 2288 A, respectively. These results are in qualitative agreement with predictions of the correlation between the symmetry of the excited state and the direction of photochemical isomerization.


Assessment of rice genetic diversity is critical step for trait specific varietal development program. In the present study, a collection of 281 Indian germplasm accessions were evaluated for genetic diversity study using 30 agro-morphological characters and grain iron and zinc contents in brown and polished rice. To identify the pattern of relatedness and associations, cluster analysis and principal component analysis coupled with correlation were used. Cluster analysis grouped 281 accessions into six main groups. Cluster 4 is the largest and had accessions with higher yield, zinc and iron content. Six components of principal component analysis indicated 76.4% of the total variation. The Principal Component (PC)1 showed 19.05%, while, PC2, PC3, PC4, PC5 and PC6 exhibited 14.23%, 13.61%, 11.58%, 7.59%, and 6.71% variability, respectively. Among the germplasm, three accessions IC145407, IC145357 and IC248034 have shown significant iron and zinc content in polished rice along with desirable grain yield. The information presented here will be useful in the development of rice varieties with high yield and micronutrient content.


The advent of the Web has brought us widespread connectivity, shared protocols, and software languages that can migrate between platforms, and enabled the development of client-server systems for delivery of advance functionality as well as material, on a variety of platforms. The client-server systems provide the Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS) community with more viable options for getting systems delivered in the "real world". The paper discusses the three different client-server architecture models supporting the web-based ITSs, and how to extend the client-server approach to improve student model's effectiveness and efficiency in the TILE project, which aims to provide an integrated system for the management, authoring, delivery and monitoring of education at a distance. Mobile agents technology is being used in the implementation of the TILE adaptation mechanism.


In this article we investigate online community platforms and associated offline meetings that cater to highly skilled (re-)migrants. To do so we draw on a case study of the Ruckkehrerstammtisch in Istanbul, which is aimed especially at highly skilled (re-)migrants of Turkish origin, who have moved or plan to move from Germany to Turkey. The Ruckkehrerstammtisch mainly consists of an online community platform on the professionally oriented social networking site Xing and regular offline community meetings in Istanbul. Based on a mixed-method case study approach using netnography and qualitative interviews, this article shows that the Ruckkehrerstammtisch enables highly skilled persons of Turkish origin the access to migration related information and social networks that are often not available through their pre-existing family and friendship networks in Turkey. Our research thus contributes to the debate about social networks within the migration process of highly skilled persons.