Motivation Ride sourcing companies, such as Uber, Lyft, and Didi, have been able to leverage on internet-based platforms to connect passengers and drivers. These platforms facilitate passengers and drivers' mobility data on smartphones in real time, which enables a convenient matching between demand and supply. The imbalance of demand (i.e., passenger requests) and supply (i.e., drivers) on the platforms causes many unserved passenger requests and empty vehicles with idle drivers to exist at the same time, which poses a challenging problem for the platform. To address these challenges, some platforms display heat maps of surge-pricing multipliers or real-time demand to drivers, and anticipate that such information will induce more idle drivers to self-reposition by cruising to regions with high demand and/or low supply. Some platforms attempt to provide direct repositoning guidance to drivers, by suggesting that drivers cruise to a specific region. In practical terms, drivers are more likely to follow guidance that directs them to a region close to their current location. Therefore, in reality, platforms divide the entire service area into many hexagonal regions, and usually provide repositioning guidance for a driver to relocate from his/her current hexagonal region to an adjacent region. Such repositioning suggestions are normally provided regularly to idle drivers at short intervals (e.g., every 5 minutes). Great effort has been devoted to solving the repositioning problem; see Wallar et al. (2018); Yu et al. (2019); and Braverman et al. (2019). In this paper, we focus on short-term repositioning policy for empty vehicles with idle drivers on ridesourcing platforms. We optimize repositioning guidance that directs drivers to relocate to adjacent regions for a short period. Compared with previous work, we make the following contributions: — We propose a two-stage framework to study short-term repositioning policy; — We provide and prove a closed-form optimal repositioning solution if all regions are connected with unit travel time (stage 1 model); — We provide an optimization formulation for any actual connective topology of regions, and prove some performance bounds for the actual feasible repositioning (stage 2 model); and


Through the analysis of China textile instrumentation industry regarding the throughput,varieties,quality,suggestion is put forth that research work and develempment skills should be reinforced for the products with intellectual property right.Additionally,some measures should be done to revise the calibration regualtion,norm for the order of China textile instrumentation industry and upgrading of the product quality.Conclusion is made that integration of on-line inspection and off-line inspection will be the future development of China textile instrumentation industry.


Mesenteric lipodystrophy is a rare condition characterized by a nonspecific inflammatory process that involves the root of the mesentery in a lipoma-like lesion. We reported a case of sclerosing mesenteritis presenting as recurrent abdominal pain, profound weight loss, dilated cardiomyopathy, malabsorption and a mass on computed tomography scan of the abdomen in a 42 years old man with previous history of lymphoma. Because of the wider differential diagnosis in such cases, the patient underwent an extensive workup culminating in a laparoscopy with biopsy. This case illustrated that mesenteric lipodystrophy should be included in the differential diagnosis of retroperitoneal and mesenteric tumor.


TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction ............................................................................................ 1205 I. Overview of Pre-Dispute Mandatory Arbitration Agreements ....... 1208 A. The Significance of PMAAs ..................................................... 1209 B. The Early Mandatory Arbitration Cases ................................... 1213 C. The Current State of the Law .................................................... 1215 1. Judicial Review of PMAAs ................................................ 1215 a. The Knowing and Voluntary Standard ........................ 1216 b. The Appropriate Standard ............................................ 1218 c. The Contractual Standard ............................................ 1219 2. Executive Response to PMAAs ......................................... 1220 3. Legislative Response to PMAAs ........................................ 1222 II. Barriers to Achieving Knowing and Voluntary Consent ................ 1224 A. The Elusive Meaning of "Knowing and Voluntary". ............... 1224 B. Misconceptions About the Law ................................................ 1225 C. Cognitive Biases ....................................................................... 1228 1. Optimistic Bias and Poor Risk Perception ......................... 1228


Now a day Statistics has become an important component of medical research. All Bio -medical researchers are using the statistical methods and techniques. But if we dont use proper and conceptual statistical application we will not get the correct finding and interpretation of the study. The aim of this article is to discuss some of the important points of use of statistics in bio- medical research.


This paper summarizes the evolution of labor markets and labor market institutions and policies in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe as well as of Central Asia over the last two decades. The main focus is on the evolution of labor market institutions, which are among candidate explanations for the very diverse trajectories of labor markets in the region. We consider recent contributions that attempt to assess the effect of labor market institutions on labor market performance of TEs, including the policy-relevant issue of complementarity of institutions.


Abstract The concepts of dual leg, unileg and transversal oxide thermoelectric harvesting devices were compared with regard to the dimensionless figure of merit calculated from published data on common dual leg oxide thermoelectric generators. The analysis shows that the application of the transversal thermoelectric effect does not significantly reduce the expected electrical output power density of thermoelectric devices utilizing thermoelectric oxides. At the same time, the transversal device layout is simple in comparison to the common dual leg device. A transversal thermoelectric harvester consisting of a tilted multilayer stack La1.97Sr0.03CuO4/Ag was prepared and analyzed in detail. Simulations using the finite elements method were performed to verify the results. Based on this data, the electrical power density of the transversal oxide-metal device is estimated to be in the range of currently published data on oxide dual leg devices, thus allowing energy harvesting for low power applications.


★ 1327 together the testimonies of several hundred infantrymen of the 7th Division during the battle for Kwajalein Atoll, 31 January–5 February 1944. Kwajalein, located in the heart of the Marshall Islands, was the strategic objective of Admiral Raymond Spruance's Central Pacific Force in Operation Flintlock. The campaign receives short shrift in many histories of the Pacific War—a brief, economical operation sandwiched between the bloodbaths of Tarawa and Saipan—which makes this new edition of Marshall's detailed focus on one overlooked battle most welcome. Marshall's style in Island Victory reflects his background as a reporter, a penchant for detail, and a tendency towards favorable propaganda for the folks at home. Sometimes this style produced lapses of objectivity, as in the unabashed claim, "we learned more of the truth of battle through these company interviews on Kwajalein than had ever been learned before in the history of armies and war." Yet Marshall allowed the real story of Kwajalein to be told in the words of those who did the fighting, the enlisted men and junior officers. Nor did Marshall censor the low points of the six-day battle: a unit landing on the wrong island in the darkness, a platoon running away from a surprise Japanese counterattack. In time, the troops adapted to both the jungle and the Japanese, determinedly swept forward against the pillboxes and spider holes, and won a significant victory. This was good news to the American public, still concerned after two years of war whether American fighting men could prevail against the Japanese in close combat. The real value of Island Victory lies in the unadorned words of these soldiers, recorded so openly and methodically by Marshall after the battle. Oral histories are a common resource today, but many tend to be recorded decades after the action, reflect selective memories and the absence of peer corroboration, and originate from senior officers. The Kwajalein victors interviewed so painstakingly by Sam Marshall provide a priceless candor and authenticity, the emotional testimonies of young men still flushed with adrenalin, guilt, and relief.


150 Years of SIG. Not many companies in the plastics business can look back on a comparable history. Any member of this venerable club has already demonstrated a maximum amount of entrepreneurial flexibility and innovativeness.


Cognitive impairment is a common deficit in psychological, neurological, and psychosomatic disorders. Recent studies suggest physical exercise as a new method for enhancing cognition, but not all types of physical exercises are beneficial to cognition. We propose cognition-engaging physical exercises (CEPEs) framework for purposefully and selectively enhancing cognition, which could have promising clinical implications in behavioral medicine. Here, we present results of the CEPE intervention in a patient with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in comparison with a control case who underwent treadmill exercise. Preliminary results show discernible increased accuracy and decreased response time in working memory and response inhibition task performance after CEPE but not treadmill exercise. We discuss the reason why CEPE could be more beneficial as compared to non-CEPE. Moreover, clinical implications of CEPE in behavioral medicine are discussed.


AGAMMAGLOBULINEMIA is an uncommon condition the underlying mechanism of which is fairly well understood in the majority of cases. Congenital agammaglobulinemia is the result of a recessive sex-linked gene, affecting males only, and becomes clinically manifest in early childhood. The acquired form affects previously healthy males and females and is usually secondary to lymphomas, injury to lymphoid tissue by x-rays or nitrogen mustards, multiple myeloma or other diseases characterized by dysproteinemia. In a small proportion of the cases no cause for the protein disturbance can be found, these being designated as cases of "idiopathic acquired agammaglobulinemia." Forty-four such cases have . . .


John B. Fenn, 93, who shared the 2002 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for work that aided the mass spectrometric analysis of proteins and other large biological molecules, died on Dec. 10, 2010, in Richmond, Va. "John was first and foremost a warm human being, willing to discuss passionately science and life with everyone and anyone. He was a friend and mentor to me and countless others," says David C. Muddiman, a chemistry professor at North Carolina State University. "The Nobel Prize did not change John; he was the same man before and after, always showing a strong sense of humility and constantly inspiring others." Fenn is best known for the development of electrospray as an ionization method for mass spectrometry. In electrospray, an electric field disperses a solution into a fine mist of charged droplets. As the solvent evaporates, solute molecules are released as free gas-phase ions. The process is gentle enough that large ...


ABSTRACT This paper examines one explicit and many potential references to James Joyce in Thomas Pynchon's Gravity's Rainbow, and explores evidence that a minor Pynchon character may be read as an amalgamated representation of Joyce and his fictions. First, comparisons and contrasts between Joyce and Pynchon are surveyed. The treatment of archetype (which Pynchon associates with Joyce) in Gravity's Rainbow is then explored, finding that Pynchon consistently interrogates, warps, and rejects the concept of archetype. Evidence that Sir Stephen Dodson-Truck in Gravity's Rainbow somehow portrays Joyce is interpreted in comparison with the portrayal of writers in fiction, anxiety of influence, "patricide" and influence, and the portrayal of Joyce in Flann O'Brien's The Dalkey Archive. As tantalizing as a "clash of the titans" between Joyce and Pynchon would be, what emerges is more subtle: aesthetic opposition by Pynchon to archetypes in fiction, coupled with hints of a critique of Joyce's etymological "blithering".


We report on progress toward an attenuation model for short-period (10-20 s) Rayleigh waves in Central Asia and surrounding regions. This model will be defined by maps of attenuation across the region of study in the specified period band. The model is designed to calibrate the regional surface-wave magnitude scale and to extend the teleseismic 'surface-wave magnitude–body-wave magnitude' (Ms-mb) discriminant to regional distances (Marshall and Basham, 1971; Bonner et al., 2006; Russell, 2006). Work is progressing in three stages: (1) data accumulation and amplitude measurements, (2) estimation of attenuation coefficients, and (3) tomographic inversion of attenuation data. The first stage in model construction was the measurement of Rayleigh wave spectral amplitudes. To overcome inherent difficulties due to multipathing and scattering of short-period surface waves we applied the Surface Wave Amplitude Measurement Tool (SWAMTOOL) designed at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) (Yang et al., 2005), which incorporates dispersion analysis, phase-matched filtering, and additional means to estimate the quality and reliability of the measurements. We enhanced SWAMTOOL by providing different options for phase-matched filtering of surface wave signals (Levshin et al., 2006). We collected and processed waveform data for 200 earthquakes occurring throughout 2003-2006 inside and around Eurasia. The records of about 140 broadband permanent and temporary stations were used. The existing broadband station distribution and the pattern of seismicity provided sufficient number of spectral amplitude measurements between 12 and 20 s periods for the construction of the two–dimensional (2-D) tomographic maps of attenuation coefficients. Measurements at periods below about 12 s are too scarce for tomographic inversion. At the second stage of the work, spectral attenuation coefficients were estimated using both inter-station measurements and single-station measurements corrected for source and receiver terms. The model-related part of corrections was based on a three-dimensional (3-D) global model of the crust and upper mantle CUB2 by Shapiro and Ritzwoller (2002). Information about source mechanisms of selected events was taken from the Harvard centroid moment tensor catalog CMT (Dziewonski et al., 1981) and the hypocenter information from the catalog EHB by Engdahl et al. (1998). The third stage is now in progress. It includes the refining of source parameters (especially, the depth and the scalar moments), recalculation of attenuation coefficients after this refinement, grooming of resulting coefficients, and the multi-stage tomograhic inversion of data. Preliminary tomographic maps of attenuation for the set of periods from 12 to 20 s have been obtained. 29th Monitoring Research Review: Ground-Based Nuclear Explosion Monitoring Technologies


This report examines the contributions of Telematics Applications Programme (TAP) projects to the aims and objectives established at the outset of the 4 th Framework Programme in 1994. These contributions are also examined in the light of the priorities set for the 5 th Framework Programme Key Actions in areas related to the Research, Technology, Development and Demonstration (RTD&D) carried out in the TAP. This report is based on a self-assessment of project goals and achievements by the participants in the TAP projects. They were asked to complete a questionnaire in a survey in the autumn of 1998. The questionnaire focused on four main areas: 1) the relationship between the projects' aims and objectives and their reported results; 2) the formation of European networks for the generation and distribution of techno-economic knowledge about telematics applications; 3) the contributions of the results of the projects to European industrial competitiveness; and 4) the socioeconomic benefits for the users of applications developed within the TAP. 1 The objectives of the ASSENT (Assessment of Telematics) project which conducted the survey and of the TAP are reviewed in this section together with highlights of the technologies that provide the foundation for telematics applications. The 5 th Framework Programme (1998-2002) Information Society Technologies Programme brings together RTD&D work that was previously undertaken within the Advanced Communication Technologies and Services (ACTS) and the ESPRIT programmes as well as the TAP (1994 to 1998). The new integrated programme reflects the degree of convergence of information processing, communication and media technologies that has occurred over the past few years. The present report offers timely insights into the foundation that TAP project results provide for building toward the greater use of information society technologies in a large number of applications fields. The main strategic objective of the Information Societies Technologies Programme is: to realise the benefits of the information society for Europe both by accelerating its emergence and by ensuring that the needs of individuals and enterprises are met. 2 The results of ASSENT's analysis of key features of the TAP lead to a number of recommendations for actions that could help to ensure that this strategic objective is achieved. 1 The results of the survey are presented in this Part A report mainly at the programme level of the TAP. Part B contains separate reports for each of the TAP sectors.


In order to reduce the undesirable effect of transient process at the beginning of the fault, and enhance the security and dependability of the protection, a new method about floating threshold setting is proposed in this paper, according to the action criterions of distance relay based on sampled values.


Abstract Assessment is an important component of advancing age inclusivity on your campus, and the AFU Principles are a useful guiding framework. Assessment helps move the campus from making a commitment to endorse the principles to actually taking stock of current campus practices and movement toward achieving the vision of an age-friendly institution of higher education. To establish a baseline of campus practices, assessment can be done before or after an institution joins the AFU Global Network. Evaluation also follows periodically to assess how well a campus is adhering to the AFU Principles once measurable goals are established and priorities are integrated within an institution's strategic plan. The toolkit contains examples from multiple campuses of mapping the principles, conducting an audit, doing a photovoice evaluation, holding listening tours, and using the newly developed AFU Inventory and Campus Climate Survey (ICCS).


Wuyi Mountain's Handicrafts show local custom and habit, regional culture feature, and protrude entertainment of travelling, from which tourists can enrich their experience and obtain cultural enjoyment. The study of application of regional culture in developing the handicrafts in the area will help to solve the problems of coarse design and extensive development of the handiwork and to promote the rapid growth of tourist industry.


There are variations in learning styles and approaches among students could explain many differences in students' acquisition of knowledge. Hence, learning approaches, academic achievement are significant factors that influences on students' activities, effort and persistence, and it can help predict their motivation and self efficacy. Aim: The present study was aimed to assess learning styles, learning approaches, academic achievement factors and self-efficacy among nursing students. Methods: The study was conducted at the Faculty of Nursing at Benha University. The total sample 376 nursing students at fourth academic year 2018/2019. Design: Descriptive correlational design was utilized. Tools of data collection: Five tools were employed in this study, Personal Data Questionnaire, Students' Learning Styles Questionnaire, The Revised two-factor Study Process Questionnaire, Academic Achievement Factors Questionnaire and Student Self Efficacy Scale. Result: The major finding of this study that the majority of nursing students reported that they prefer kinesthetic/ tactile learning style that followed by auditory preference and finally visual preference. And 80.3% of nursing students reported for deep learning approach and 65.4% of them reported for surface learning approach. Also, the highest academic achievement factor was Support by family and friends & Support for student's learning in classroom. And (79.2%) of nursing students had high level of self efficacy, while 15.9% of them had moderate level of self efficacy and only 4.9% of them had low level of self efficacy. Conclusion: There was a statistical significant positive correlation between total level of nursing students` self efficacy and learning styles, learning approach, academic achievement factors. Recommendations: The Nursing curriculum should combine leaning activities that support nursing students in developing self-efficacy, which donated the nursing students an opportunity to think more positively and confidently about themselves and It is needed to ascertain the other factors to advance academic achievement and academic performance as affective commitment, motivation, and self-esteem.


Abstract The influence of small addition of ionic surfactant such as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and carboxylate ethoxyle (TDC) to nonionic surfactant hexaethylene glycol mono-n-dodecyl ether (C12E6) on the microemulsions formed in the system water/decane/surfactant was studied. An empirical description of the phase behaviour is presented that permits to determine the PIT, and what efficiency of the surfactants to expect. The investigation showed an expected rise in the temperature at which maximum solubility was observed (PIT), and a pronounced extension of the solubility area was also observed. In addition, the temperature stability of these microemulsions was improved. The structural study of the system water/(C12E6+1% TDC) shows that the liquid crystal phase is lamellar at 45°C. It's structural parameters are determined by small angle X-ray scattering. The study of lamellar phase allows the description of the evolution of the surfactant chains conformation.


The paper explored factors that affect the behavior of using cashback programs by applying the Bayesian algorithm. The payback model is an international commercial strategy that encourages shopping. The US and the UK are where the "cashback" business model first appeared. It is now used in many other nations, including Vietnam. There are four factors behavior of using cashback programs Ease of Use (EU), Perceived Risk (PR), Using Intention of Cashback (UIC), and Personal Capacity (PC). The paper uses quantitative and qualitative methods. With the qualitative method, we implement the group discussion method to discuss with the group members about the survey questionnaire before launching the official survey. After discussing and discussing, the members kept the questionnaire. Quantitative methods were applied and the design of the study was descriptive and explained for this research model. The data collection method is by questionnaire, a survey designed on Google Form Tool, and sending surveys through social networks Facebook and Zalo. The survey is conducted in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam in 2023. Bayesian Algorithm for the Using Behavior of Cashback (UBC) revealed that there is one independent factor. Personal Capacity (PC) has a positive influence on the Using Behavior of Cashback (UBC). Therefore, the implication given to businesses of the cashback program is to put prestige first, implementing policies on customer information security to create a trust for customers. Since this is a financial-related market, reputation is a factor that customers care about, so reputable businesses will attract more customers.


Ideological and political work is a precondition and guarantee for a harmonious campus.It should be innovated,involving adjusting it to the new situation and demands of the higher education in China,focusing on "the three integrations",and exploring new concepts,new contents and new methods as well.


The subject of this research is the phenomenon of loneliness among senior citizens. The goal lies in examination of the problems of loneliness among senior citizens. The article reviews such aspects as alienation from the society, feeling useless and helpless; gives the key characteristics of loneliness – assessment of social status, type of inferiority, type of temporal perspective, models of loneliness. The types of loneliness are divided into situational, chronic, recurrent, as well as emotional and social isolation. Research methodology employs the ideas of phenomenological, systemic, and activity approaches in the context of studying the problems of loneliness among senior citizens and effective ways of their solution. The survey revealed that senior citizens quite often feel lonely, which is reflected in the distorted interaction with other people, experiencing psychological problems, difficulties in self-organization, and the need for assistance of the social workers. The author empirically proves that the developed program "Young at Heart", through creating hobby groups, helps senior citizens to feel needed in the society, improves their psychoemotional state, and allows overcoming loneliness. The article examines the theoretical approaches towards comprehension of the problem of loneliness among senior citizens. The author formulates the original definition of the concept of "loneliness" in the context of socio-psychological aspect, determines the causes of the phenomenon of loneliness among senior citizens within the framework of their interaction with society, develops a questionnaire aimed at studying the factors of socio-psychological loneliness of senior citizens, offers the ways for overcoming loneliness through active social life, such as  creation of the hobby group "Young at Heart", which includes the three types of activity: leisure and creative-applied, health promotion,  and garden therapy. It is substantiated that maintenance of zest for living among senior citizens would be effective by creating a socially favorable, psychoemotional and health-preserving environment in the society.


Recently, outdoor particulate matters have become a serious problem in Korea. Pollutants exhausted from industrial plants and dust transported from adjacent regions contribute to the peaks in fine particle concentration. Indoor air quality is affected by ambient air pollution. Common methods for maintaining good IAQ from harmful outdoor particles are either through the usage of an air purifier (AP) or to install a filter in the heat recovery ventilator (HRV) system. It is important to evaluate the PM10 concentrations in a room using APs and HRVs depending on various system parameters, such as building air-tightness, indoor generation characteristics, and system filter efficiency. The purpose of this study is to compare the performance of AP with that of HRV in reducing PM10 levels in a classroom based on computer simulation. Results show that the filter efficiency of HRV should be increased to over 0.8 under the reference condition in order for the HRV to be compatible with the AP. Increasing the airflow rate of HRV is not an effective way of increasing its filter performance to outperform an AP. We found that HRV performs better as compared to AP in an indoor environment under dusty conditions with the generation rate of over seven times compared to the reference condition.


Early decompressive laminectomy according to the method previously described (Funkquist, 1962b) has been performed during the period 1963-66 on a large number of cases of thoraco-lumbar disc protrusion with paraplegia at the Department of Surgery of the Royal Veterinary College, Stockholm, Sweden. In the author's own cases, twenty-six of the twenty-seven dogs operated on (96%) regained their ability to walk. Corresponding figures for the total number of cases operated on (including those of the author) by specially trained surgeons are seventy-three of eighty-two or 89%. In control cases treated conservatively twenty-one of forty-one dogs (51%) regained walking ability. In the cases operated on as emergencies by operators with mainly a general surgical training, operation results are conspicuously worse (thirty-one of forty-nine dogs or 63% regained walking ability). Relapse incidence was at least as high after laminectomy as conservative treatment, the former, as a rule, should be followed by a prophylactic disc evacuation in a subsequent operation.

Zusammenfassung. Fruhzeitige dekompressive Laminektomie nach der fruher beschriebenen Methode (Funkquist, 1962) wurde wahrend der Periode 1963–1966 an einer grossen Zahl Falle von thoracolumbarem Bandscheibenvorfall mit Paraplegie in der Chirurgischen Abteilung der Koniglichen Tierarztlichen Akademie in Stockholm, Schweden, durchgefuhrt. In den Fallen des Autors erlangten 26 der 27 operierten Hunde (96%) ihre Gehfahigkeit wieder. Die entsprechenden Zahlen (einschliesslich der des Autors) fur die Gesamtzahl der von Chirurgen mit Spezialausbildung durchgefuhrten Operationen sind 73 von 82 oder 89%. In den konservativ behandelten Kontrollfallen erhielten 21 von 41 Hunden (51%) ihre Gehfahigkeit zuruck. Bei solchen Fallen, die als Notoperationen von Chirurgen hauptsachlich mit allgemeiner chirurgischer Ausbildung behandelt wurden, waren die Operationsergebnisse auffallig schlechter (31 von 49 Hunden oder 63% erhielten die Gehfahigkeit zuruck). Da die Ruckfallhaufigkeit nach Laminektomie mindestens so hoch ist wie nach konservativer Behandlung, sollte sich an die erstere in der Regel eine prophylaktische Bandscheibenevakuation in einrr spateren Operation anschliessen.

Resume. Une laminectomie precoce de decompression d'apres la technique decrite anterieurement (Funkquist, 1962b), a ete effectuee au cows de la periode de 1963 a 1966 dans un grand nombre de cas de protrusion des disques thoraco-lombaires avec paraplegie au Departement de Chirurgie, Veterinary College de Stockholm (Suede). Parmi les cas personnels de l'auteur 26 chiens sur 27 (soit 96%) ont pu remarcher. Le nombre correspondant pour la totalite des cas operes (y compris ceux de l'auteur) par des chirurgiens entraines etait de 73 sur 82 chiens, soit 89% des cas. Pour les cas temoins la proportion des animaux traites conservativement et ayant pu remarcher, etait de 21 sur 41 (51%). Dans les cas operes en urgence par des operateurs entraines surtout en chirurgie generale, les resultats de l'operation etaient nettement moins favorables (31 chiens sur 49 seulement on pu remarcher, soit 63%). La frequence des rechutes etant au moins aussi forte apres laminectomie qu'apres le traitement conservateur, on devrait proceder a une ablation du disque a titre prophylactique au cours d'une intervention ulterieure.


The effects of different concentrations of GA 3 (10-250 mg·L-1) and water soaking time (6-36 h),stratification time (5-20 d),ultrasonic wave treatment time(5-25 min)on seed germination of Mentha haplocalyx Briq. were studied. The results show that germination rate and germination energy of M. haplocalyx seeds treated with 100-200 mg·L-1GA 3 for 6 h are obviously higher than those of the control and germination starting time shortens,in which germination rate of seeds treated with 150 mg·L-1GA 3 is the highest (57.3%). After water soaked for 6-36 h,seed germination starting time and lasting time are not significantly different to those of the control,but germination rate of seeds soaked for 12 h are obviously higher than that of the control. After stratificated in 10 ℃ for 5-15 d,germination rate and germination energy of seeds are very obviously higher than those of the control,and germination starting time has significantly different to that of the control. The seeds stratificated for 5-10 d possess higher germination rate with a percentage of 47.8%-52.4%. After ultrasonic wave (50 W,40 kHz ) treated for 5-20 min,seed germination rate is very obviously higher than that of the control,in which with ultrasonic wave treated for 10 min,the seeds possess the highest germination rate with a percentage of 68.3%. It is suggested that the best method for breaking dormancy of M. haplocalyx seed is using 50 W,40 kHz ultrasonic wave treating for 10 min,which can make germination rate of M. haplocalyx seed obviously improving.


Blockchain networks are growing cumulatively day by day in various forms of application domains. It has become the major choice for the present and forthcoming security considerations in the fields of public, private, and economical sectors. Along with these sectors, domains like Cloud Computing, Cyber Security, Internet-of-Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence, Edge Computing, and Data Science etc. are migrating towards blockchain for better security replacements. A blockchain net- work is a distributed digital ledger that creates a sequence of blocks to store enormous data cryptographically. Data Encryptability, Data Transparency, Data Reliability, Data Integrity, and Data Immutability are a few of the important pedestals of blockchain. Apart from these, there exist many tools and API's to establish such networks in a variety of flavors. Our contribution to this paper is twofold: First, to establish blockchain networks using two network models like Ethereum and Hyperledger fabric. Second, to examine the performance of two network models regarding a few domain parameters by running applications with minimum hardware configurations. A conclusion is made about the suitability and sustainability of such models in applications that range from small to larger enterprise scales. Finally, the paper concludes with a brief discussion of difficulties, burden, and risks that annoys the developers of blockchain networks.


MEMBERS OF the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family have been shown experimentally to stimulate angiogenesis through their mitotic and migratory effects on endothelial cells and by promoting endothelial integrity (2, 8). As such, they have been explored as a potential treatment of ischemic disease in several clinical trials (6). In their article in the issue of the American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology, Che et al. (2) report that an overexpression of FGF receptor (FGFR) accelerates the development of atherosclerosis in a transgenic mouse model, casting doubt on using this treatment in patients with preexisting atheromatous disease. In the study by Che et al. (2), FGFR2-overexpressing mice were crossed with atherosclerosis-prone apolipoprotein E (ApoE)-deficient mice. The mice were fed a Western diet, and the vascular end points were compared with those of ApoE-deficient mice (as the control group). After 8 wk of consuming the diet, the FGFR2 mice had double the amount of athero-sclerosis compared with the ApoE-deficient mice. This was associated with an increased arterial expression of adhesion molecules and smooth muscle cell proliferation, with associated concurrent increased PDGF-B and early growth response (Egr)-1 expression. Additionally, an overexpression of FGFR2 was associated with increased serum and in vitro measures of oxidation and inflammation. Interestingly, the knockdown of p21 cip1 (a cell cycle-dependent kinase inhibitor) reversed these effects of FGFR2 expression, implicating FGFR2 in athero-genesis through a p21 cip1 mechanism. The authors then concluded that the clinical use of FGFR2 therapy in promoting angiogenesis for ischemic diseases may be suspect in the presence of atherosclerosis. That FGFR2 may affect atherogenesis has been previously reported. Probably the most direct correlation between FGFR2 and atherogenesis was reported by Raj et al. (9). In this study, ApoE-knockout mice were fed an FGF-2 tyrosine kinase in-hibitor SU-5402. These mice had less atherosclerosis than control ApoE-knockout mice receiving no inhibitor. Unlike the study of Che et al. (2), the study by Raj et al. (9) included evidence that FGFR2 affects plaque inflammation and oxidation processes. This was illustrated by a reduced number of macrophages, a reduced expression of monocyte chemoattrac-tant protein-1, and a reduced expression of cyclooxygenase and CD36 in the SU-5402-treated mice. If FGFR2 modulates plaque inflammation (not just serum measures of inflammation and oxidation), it may have important implications for plaque stability/instability and risk of plaque rupture. FGFR2 has also been implicated in further (but associated) inflammatory pathways. Chan et al. (1) …


eLearning is a term broadly used to describe the process of learning with the use of informational technologies and tools, usually through a web page. Nowadays it is hard to speak about eLearning without implicitly including an eLearning management system and new informational technologies. A learning management system (LMS or LCMS) is used to deliver educational material and manage interaction between students and tutors. LMSs can be open source, commercial or developed in-house by the universities. Tools like audio/ video conferencing, streaming, podcasting, social software, RSS feeds, can be incorporated into the LMS or can be subsequently added to the learning system as individual modules. This present paper seeks to establish the current state of eLearning technologies, both worldwide as well as in Romania.


Excess molar volumes of binary liquid mixtures of (heptane or octane or dodecane +n-hexylamine or diethylamine or di-n-propylamine) atT= 298.15 K, measured with a tilting dilution dilatometer, are reported. The excess volumes are positive over the entire concentration range for all mixtures and increase with increasing length of then-alkane molecule for mixtures containingn-hexylamine and di-n-propylamine, while the maximum is observed for mixtures of (n-alkane + diethylamine).


A new six-dimensional analytical potential energy surface for the hydrogen bonded dimer (HF)2 is presented. It is based on the ab initio study by Kofranek et al., and uses 1070 points with energies up to 500 kJ mol-1 as well as recent correlated dispersion coefficients from a perturbation treatment by Rijks and Wormer, and the experimental Morse parameters for the HF monomer. The fit to the ab initio points contains 29 free and several constrained parameters and has a weighted standard deviation of 29·5 cm-1. A brief description of some properties of the new surface is given. Preliminary results of a diffusion quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) study for vibrational energy levels on the new surface as well as on a surface published by Bunker et al. are given. An interesting anharmonic isotope effect in the v 6 fundamental is discussed and explained.


Using a robot, we show that hydrodynamic feedback loops and redundancy of peripheral and central mechanisms produce robust swimming. Undulatory swimming represents an ideal behavior to investigate locomotion control and the role of the underlying central and peripheral components in the spinal cord. Many vertebrate swimmers have central pattern generators and local pressure-sensitive receptors that provide information about the surrounding fluid. However, it remains difficult to study experimentally how these sensors influence motor commands in these animals. Here, using a specifically designed robot that captures the essential components of the animal neuromechanical system and using simulations, we tested the hypothesis that sensed hydrodynamic pressure forces can entrain body actuation through local feedback loops. We found evidence that this peripheral mechanism leads to self-organized undulatory swimming by providing intersegmental coordination and body oscillations. Swimming can be redundantly induced by central mechanisms, and we show that, therefore, a combination of both central and peripheral mechanisms offers a higher robustness against neural disruptions than any of them alone, which potentially explains how some vertebrates retain locomotor capabilities after spinal cord lesions. These results broaden our understanding of animal locomotion and expand our knowledge for the design of robust and modular robots that physically interact with the environment.


We examine the effects of a compulsory schooling reform on child labor in Turkey, which extended the duration of schooling from 5 to 8 years while substantially improving the schooling infrastructure. We employ three rounds of child labor surveys with a very rich set of outcomes. The reform reduces child labor by 4.6 percentage points (24%) for 12- to 17-year-olds. For girls, the probability of spending long hours on household chores also reduces. We find that school enrollment and child labor are highly substitutable in rural areas but not as much in urban areas. In addition, the policy effect is stronger for low-income families.


researchers and agencies reconcile the push from funding bodies and the pull from communities?Am J Public Health. 2001;91(12): 1926-1929. 10. Franks AL, Simoes EJ, Singh R, Sajor Gray B. Assessing prevention research impact: a bibliometric analysis. Am J Prev Med. 2006; 30(3):211-216. 11. Gopalakrishnan S, Ganeshkumar P. Systematic reviews and metaanalysis: understanding the best evidence in primary healthcare. J Family Med Prim Care. 2013;2(1):9-14. 12. Livingood W, Allegrante JP, Airhihenbuwa CO, et al. Applied social and behavioral science to address complex health problems. Am J Prev Med. 2011;41(5):525-531. 13. Mabry PL, Milstein B, Abraido-Lanza A, Livingood WC, Allegrante JP. Opening a window on systems science research in health promotion and public health. Health Educ Behav. 2013; 40(Suppl 1):5S-8S. 14. Chatterji M, Green LW, Kumanyika SLEAD. A framework for evidence gathering and use for the prevention of obesity and other complex public health problems. Health Educ Behav. 2014;41(1): 85-99. 15. Green LW, Nasser M. Furthering dissemination and implementation research: the need for more attention to external validity (chapter 15). In: Brownson R, Colditz G, Parker E, (eds.) Dissemination and Implementation Research: Translating Science to Practice. 2nd ed. Oxford University Press; 2018:305-326.


South Coast Area Transit operates over thirty-five (35) full sized Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) transit buses, SCAT owns and operates its own CNG fueling station at the maintenance and operating (M&O) facility in Oxnard, CA. The fueling facility construction cost was $1.625 million and built by A&A Associates of Santa Fe Springs, CA. With the operation of the CNG fueling station, it was found that certain hazardous substances were by-products of the fueling process. These hazardous substances wee discharged as a result of the natural gas drying process, primarily in the form of a liquid. The liquid was initially discharged into a plastic bucket and thought to be treated as used lubricating oil. However, upon analysis by a testing laboratory, it was found that this liquid contained Methyl Mercaptan, 1,1,1-Trichloroethane, and Total Xylenes. These then fell into the category of hazardous substances which required special handling. It was then determined we needed to obtain the services of a hazardous materials consultant and a trainer to train mechanical employees and supervisory employees relative to the proper handling of such hazardous substances. The determination to provide for 8 hours of Haz-Mat training with specific emphasis on compressed natural gas and its by-products led to the development of a training program and subsequent training of all mechanical personnel. Additionally, SCAT offered this training program to other California transit operators and subsequently established a California state CNG User's Group. Presently, this User's Group has twenty-seven transit systems participating.


【Purpose: To evaluate the safety and prognostic factors of intramedullary nailing of distal tibia fractures in terms of function and symptoms of the ankle joint. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 22 distal tibial fractures with intramedullary nailing. The mean duration of follow-up was 43 months. We reviewed medical records to describe each case. We measured radiographic parameters such as fracture configuration, arthritic change of the ankle joint and status of reduction. We also assessed clinical results by AOFAS ankle hind foot scoring system, degree of pain by VAS and range of motion to find out prognostic factors for functional result of the ankle joint. Results: Bone healing was obtained in all cases without any wound complications. Mean AOFAS ankle score was 94. There were 4 cases with mild (VAS】


The 3 composition Sn-2.5Ag-0.7Cu-XGe lead-free solders were studied by scanning electron microscope and differential scanning calorimetry equipments. The result indicates that the microstructure is cobblestone-like pro-eutectic grain and scattered long narrow piece and small pellet eutectic mixture. With 0.5% or 1.0% element Ge, the microstructure morphology does not change. But the intermetallic compounds of Ag3Sn and Cu6Sn5 tend to be fine, and their dispersion tends to be well-distributed, and Ag3Sn phase tends to be fine needle from long narrow piece. By adding element Ge, the temperatures of the melting beginning, the melting peak and the melting finish all reduce correspondingly. And in the melting curve, the endothermic peak changes is narrow, and the melting finish part is long, but the melting temperature zone varies a little.


Constrictive pericarditis is a rare disease with a challenging diagnosis and treatment. Tuberculous pericarditis accounts to 1-2% of the cases in the United States, but is the most common cause in other countries. We report a 17-year-old male presenting with right heart failure. His initial work up that included an Electrocardiogram, chest roentgenogram and echocardiogram suspected constrictive pericarditis. Right heart catheterization and cardiac MRI confirmed the diagnosis. Total Pericardiectomy was performed. Tissue PCR showed tuberculous pericarditis and the patient was treated with anti-tuberculous drugs for 9 months. Tuberculosis is a common cause of constrictive pericarditis especially in developing countries, whereas in developed countries most cases are idiopathic. To note that the diagnosis of tuberculous pericarditis can be difficult especially in negative PPD patients However It remains a common cause of constrictive pericarditis in some parts of the world where a high index of suspicion is requested. The treatment is curative and thus an aggressive approach in diagnosis and treatment is indicated.


This article focuses on polyelectrolyte microcapsules which are prepared by layer-by-layer method.As a completely new type of drug delivery system,its distinguished advantage is that the size,composition,structure,shape and wall thickness of the microcapsule could be well-controlled in nano-scale.Meanwhile,the microcapsules composed by different materials could be used to prepare several kinds of drug delivery systems that are responsive to stimuli,such as pH,salt,light,magnetic,glucose-responsive and biodegradable types.They will play an important role in the controlled release system of drugs in the near future.In this article,we reviewed related literature about different kinds of stimuli responsive polyelectrolyte microcapsules.


daily for 10 months. This resulted in shrinkage of the tumor by more than 80% of the externally visible lesion. Adverse events occurred in the form of alopecia, muscle cramps and dysgeusia, all known side effects of vismodegib therapy [6]. One of the goals of surgery was to get the patient off the drug that apparently cured him from the BCC, but caused side effects and did not spare him of daily dressing changes of the oozing scar. Surgery was indicated because of the patient's complaints, clinical appearance, and presumption that cancer activity could still be present. We excised the area including the irradiated volume for the best chance of a relapse-free outcome, for best healing potential and also because in this case there were no functional consequences in doing that. Interestingly, the pathology report indicated no signs of BCC. Vismodegib treatment in this locally advanced BCC therefore had complete response, as seen in the 21% from the phase 2 trial. During the total six years the patient was followed, his mental illness stabilized allowing treatment with vismodegib. Vismodegib not only stopped the progression of the BCC, but cured the patient of his cancer. Patient involvement and the regression of the ulcer facilitated trust between patient and his physician leading to surgery. This case highlights the role of vismodegib treatment not only as efficient drug, but also as opening for treating an otherwise reluctant patient. The effect of vismodegib treatment should be further examined, especially its role as a neoadjuvant drug and its longterm risk of tumor recurrence. Disclosure statement


Recently, deep learning (DL) is of great interest in hyperspectral image (HSI) classification. Although many effective frameworks exist in the literature, the generally limited availability of training samples poses great challenges in applying DL to HSI classification. In this paper, we present a novel DL framework, namely, semisupervised stacked autoencoders (Semi-SAEs) with cotraining, for HSI classification. First, two SAEs are pretrained based on the hyperspectral features and the spatial features, respectively. Second, fine-tuning is alternatively conducted for the two SAEs in a semisupervised cotraining fashion, where the initial training set is enlarged by designing an effective region growing method. Finally, the classification probabilities obtained by the two SAEs are fused using a Markov random field model solved by iterated conditional modes. Experimental results based on three popular hyperspectral data sets demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms other state-of-the-art DL methods.


The detection of the Crab Nebula via the Cherenkov imaging technique places TeV astronomy on a secure observational footing. The motivation for TeV observations, a discussion of the atmospheric Cherenkov technique, the experimental details of the Crab Nebula detection, and its scientific implications are presented. The present dilemma of VHE/UHE astronomy is that the Crab appears to be the only source whose showers match theoretical expectations. The situation will be clarified as improved ground-based detectors come on-line with sensitivities matching those of the GRO (Gamma Ray Observatory) instruments.


The research in this article aimed to present the possibilities of wastewater treatment coming from the confectionery plant in the nanofiltration (NF) process and the use of photooxidation to mitigate membrane fouling. The process was carried out initially in a dead-end flow system, where the most favorable membrane was selected. Next, the purification efficiency and blocking intensity of this membrane in the system were compared with cross flow. The next research involved the use of a photolytic oxidation process to pretreat sugar wastewater. UV radiation was emitted by a medium pressure mercury UV lamp model TQ 150 V. The effectiveness of the process was also evaluated based on the degree of pollutant load removal. The evaluation of the efficiency of a treatment process was based on the change of wastewater quality indicators before and after the membrane process. The following parameters were controlled: color, COD (chemical oxygen demand), TOC (total organic carbon), absorbance of UV254, nitrate, phosphate, ammonium, conductivity, and pH. During the course of pressure filtration, the following properties of the membrane were determined: the dependence of the volumetric flux of the permeate on the process duration, the permeability of the membrane, as well as the contact angle of the membranes. It was found that the use of UV reduced the phenomenon of fouling of nanofiltration membranes. The value of the permeate volumetric flow after the hour of running the process increased by 17%. However, no impact of UV on the efficiency of wastewater treatment was found. However, the NF process provided the required quality of treated wastewater that can be reused in industrial applications. The NF process resulted in a total decrease in absorbance, 99% TOC removal, and 98% color removal.


With the establishment of an independent Zimbabwean state in April 1980, the conditions for black writing in this country changed decisively. New publishing houses emerged, existing ones opened up to black writers. A vast expansion of secondary and higher education facilitated the acquisition of writing skills, which also meant more language competence and a freer choice of language for writing. Access became possible to the international book market,l to international writers' conferences and various other forms of information and discussion. The Zimbabwe International Book Fair in Harare combined with international writers' workshops, have been held there since 1983 (initially annually, then biennially), and have turned the Zimbabwean capital into a regional centre for literary exchange and debate. Towards the end of the first decade, broad movements of new aspiring writers emerged, especially among very young Zimbabweans, high school and university students, and among groups so far underprivileged, such as women. As they did not want to rely on publishing houses which worked slowly and government agencies which imposed restraints (such as the Literature Bureau), they founded their own writers' organizations: the "Budding Writers' Association of Zimbabwe" (BWAZ) and the "Zimbabwe Women Writers" (ZWW), both in 1990. These organizations have involved a large number of people in writing workshops, readings and discussions and have attracted much public attention. They are affiliated to the Zimbabwe Writers' Union (ZIWU), founded in 1984, and provide a forum for public presentations and discussion of literary ventures.


and so universally adopted that no one questions the wisdom, or even the necessity, of their use in practice. Of later date we have the laryngoscope, the ophthalmoscope, and the otoscope. Utilised at first for limited and specialised branches of practice, experience has gradually but conclusively shown that they are frequently able to throw light upon the larger and more general questions which confront the practitioner. Much the same may be said of the more


A significant proportion of patients that access the services of Penny Brohn Cancer Care are at the palliative care stage of their illness. They come to the centre to access support and information for themselves and for their carers. The centre's approach, developed by a multidisciplinary team, including cancer sufferers, is a unique combination of complementary therapies …


Social networks provide researchers with the opportunity to obtain an array of text data for further analysis within a certain subject area. Each subject area has its own specific professional vocabulary and writing style. When defining the subject area of text material there is a big problem with building dictionaries, thesauri, and ontologies. In this article a linguistic ontology is considered under ontology and which is aimed to determine the subject area of text material. An algorithm for the automatic construction of an ontology based on the Wikidata knowledge graph is presented. The task is to map a set of objects of the Wikidata knowledge graph to a set of entities of a linguistic ontology. The article pro-poses an algorithm for determining the degree of belonging of the text material to the subject area. Experiments on assessing the time of building an ontology and the applicability of the obtained linguistic ontologies to the problem of determining the degree of belonging of text materials in the subject area have shown: the running time of the algorithm and the number of terms in the formed ontology are directly proportional to the number of analyzed properties and Wikidata objects; the formed linguistic ontology is applicable to the problem of determining the degree of belonging of a text to a subject area


$^{*}$ This research was supported by the Air Force Systems Command, United States Air Force. $^{1}$ R. G. Boyd, A. C. Larson and J. T. Waber, Phys. Rev. 129, 1629 (1963).


Current robot calibration schemes usually employ calibration models with constant error parameters. Consequently, they are inevitably subject to a certain degree of locality, i.e., the calibrated error parameters (CEPs) will produce the desired accuracy only in certain regions of the robot workspace. This is mainly because of incomplete modeling of errors, resulting in imprecision, and because only a limited amount of measured data are available for identifying CEPs. To deal with the locality phenomenon, CEPs that vary in different regions of the robot workspace may be more appropriate. Hence, we propose a variable D-H (Denavit and Hartenberg, 1955) parameter model to formulate variations of CEPs. Simulations and experiments that verify the effectiveness of the proposed calibration system are described.


The utility model relates to a chair, which belongs to a furniture manufacturing technology field, in particular to a seat with a pedal, which comprises a seat, a support frame and a pedal, and is characterized in that a group of guides are arranged on the support frame, a fixed rail of the guide is arranged on the support frame, and a sliding bar is connected with the pedal, a link span is arranged on the pedal, the two outer sides of the link span is fixedly connected an inner screw of the sliding bar, and an antislip strip is arranged on the pedal. The chair which uses the structure has the advantages of simple structure, and the position of the pedal is capable of being adjusted.


The largest member of the PT6 turboprop engine family, the PT6A-65, was developed in the early 1980's and went into production in September 1982. The compressor for this engine consisted of four new axial stages combined with an existing centrifugal stage on a single shaft. This paper gives a brief description of the studies leading up to the choice of the compressor configuration and a more detailed examination of the development of the chosen compressor to the required performance level.The development of this compressor presented a two-fold technical challenge. Firstly, the limited space in the small compressor gas path did not permit the effective use of conventional total pressure and temperature probes for performance evaluation. Secondly, the short time available for development excluded some attractive corrective measures such as the redesign of some of the axial blade rows because the time required would have jeopardized the meeting of the tight development deadline. The first problem was overcome by a combination of limited wall static pressure measurements and an extensive use of numberical flow analysis codes. This approach proved to be quite cost-effective. The second was solved by the adaptation of an existing fully analytically-designed research axial stage to the first stage position in the axial compressor.Copyright © 1985 by ASME


Abstract As an important factor affecting the structure of microbial communities, salinity has traditionally been a focus of exploratory studies of microorganisms. Here, we defined a salinity gradient with reference to the degree of natural salinization in a lake and withdrew the influence of irrelevant factors to explore the impacts of changes in salinity on the biological community. With the gradual increase in salinity, we found that Firmicutes replaced Bacteroidetes as the dominant flora. Through a network diagram, we found that Bacteroidetes had a weaker taxonomic correlation with the bacterial community in the saline environment, which indicated that the increase of salinity did play a role in filtering the bacterial community. In addition, we also found the typical freshwater bacteria GKS98 in a higher salinity environment, which supports the idea proposed by previous researchers that salinity creates a wider niche. However, our functional prediction results show that salinity is not the main factor affecting the functional characteristics of bacterial communities. Moreover, through a network diagram, we found that the symbiotic relationship between GKS98 and other strains also changed with increasing salinity. This suggests that the effects of salinity on microorganisms may involve additional ecological mechanisms such as niche occupation and functional interdependence within the community.


The influence of the solvent on the degree of counterion binding of dextran sulfate and dextran phosphate is studied by activity measurements, dye-spectroscopy, and static light scattering. The solvents used are binary mixtures of water and organic solvents such as acetone, alcohol, and formamide. The mixing ratio is varied over a wide range in order to obtain different solvent dielectric constants. The results of investigations are as follows. First of all, in pure water the alkali ions are bound by dextran sulfate in the order Cs+>K+>Na+>Li+, i.e., the degree of counterion binding for Li+ is lowest while that for Cs+ is largest. The inverse ion sequence is observed for dextran phosphate. In mixed solvents the ion sequence depends on the mixture used. Secondly, there exists no universal correlation between the dielectric constant of the solvent and the degree of counterion binding. However, it is common to all aqueous/organic solvent mixtures that the degree of counterion binding decreases as the fraction of the organic compound in the solvent increases. Thirdly, condensation theory is not valid in mixed solvents, while the Poisson-Boltzmann approach may be applied. Taking into account the size of the solvated small ions we find that the type of counterion binding of a divalent counterion, such as Mg2+, depends on the kind of the univalent counterions added in excess. For water/n-propanol it seems that in the presence of Li+, Mg2+ is bound delocalized, while in the presence of K+, Mg2+ is bound by site binding. Fourthly, in water/formamide and water/dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) the organic solvents are adsorbed preferably by dextran sulfate. As a consequence, the dielectric constant at the polyion surface differs from that of the bulk solvent. Nevertheless, if these changes are taken into account, the predictions of condensation theory remain contradictory to the results of measurements.


The equivalent conicity is widely used to characterise the wheel/rail contact geometry; however, it does not consider the contact nonlinearity. There is a need for an improved but still simple description, which accounts for the most important effect of the contact nonlinearity on the running dynamics of railway vehicles. This article demonstrates the influence of the contact nonlinearities on the behaviour of railway vehicles at the stability limit and presents a description of wheel/rail contact geometry using two parameters. The proposed characteristic parameters are compared with the examples of wheelset/track pairs and the correlation between the proposed parameters and the vehicle behaviour presented.


We introduce a methodology to calculate the effects of frictional heating associated with geomagnetic activity using simultaneous incoherent scatter radar and Fabry-Perot interferometer measurements. Vector measurements of ion drift from radar backscatter and neutral wind from optical shifts in the atomic oxygen red line over Millstone Hill, Massachusetts (43°N) for the nights of March 7–10, 1989 are presented and are characterized by the magnetic storm activity which prevailed. We combine these measurements to calculate differences in the ion and neutral velocity fields which approach 350 m/s during the most geomagnetically active period that we monitored near 01 UT on March 9. This velocity difference results in a 110°K heating of the ion gas at that time.


Jo ur na l o f Abstract The emergence of various needs theories demonstrates man's constant interest in understanding his own human nature more and better. These theories have some overlaps, while each one contains diverse sub-categories. However, with a closer look, we find out that all these theories primarily intend to satisfy one certain need which is the "need for stability". Stability may be defined as the absence of constant and repetitive occurrence of events, behaviors or stimuli that can otherwise disrupt the function and equilibrium of individual and social systems. Therefore, when stability is present, equilibrium prevails over the system. Since stability bears stages, any human or organizational system may have higher aspirations to satisfy their needs by moving to higher stages. As a result, they temporarily disrupt their stability in order to achieve stability advantage. This is comparable to an investor who temporarily puts his economic stability at risk in a project only to achieve higher growth. This theoretical paper has tries to round up needs and stability theories so it might make a new contribution to the administrative and behavioral sciences


While much research points to mechanical injury of the cervical facet joint and its capsular ligament as a likely mechanism for whiplash injury, findings remain speculative for the potential of such injuries to initiate and/or maintain pain. Mechanical injury of the cervical facet joint has been suggested during whiplash kinematics in experimental studies. However, determining a relationship between these mechanical conditions and pain requires simultaneous incorporation of controlled injury conditions, relevant biomechanical measurements, and methods for evaluating physiologic and clinical outcomes of pain. Therefore, this study presents the development of such an in vivo model in the rat. To this end, we provide a summary of preliminary findings characterizing the relationship between facet joint distraction and pain symptoms. A newly developed model of in vivo facet joint loading using controlled distraction across the C6/C7 joint is presented. Preliminary findings of a common clinical measure of behavioral hypersensitivity (mechanical allodynia) are presented as a quantifiable gauge of pain symptoms for imposed facet injury. In addition to data supporting the accuracy, reproducibility, and validity of these methods, preliminary biomechanical data are provided to quantify facet joint injury in the context of associated behavioral outcomes for long-term outcome studies. Pilot findings with this model of facet distraction point to the cervical facet capsule's ability to produce pain symptoms. Results provide a mechanical context for facet joint injury as a mechanism of pain and suggest this in vivo model may be a useful tool for examining neck pain associated with whiplash injuries and for characterizing injury mechanisms leading to these syndromes.


Apply telemetry in biomedical signal monitoring allows to control parameters continuously patients preventing future health complications and increasing the efficiency of the medical staff, through these systems, can serve more patients at a time. This article discusses the importance of telemetry in biomedical signal monitoring and designing a prototype with a Bluetooth transmission module electrocardiographic signal (ECG). The design presented ranging from the digitization of the signal and its transmission via bluetooth to your reception and visualization software implemented in Android supervisor. In testing apparatus is employed for amplifying the ECG signal (which is in the order of millivolts) to a voltage range suitable for scanning. Emphasizes not cover the acquisition stage of the signal it is assumed that the signal is amplified.


Social Networking platforms are regarded as being the reliable and valued communication medium for transferring information and communicating, used by the millions throughout the world. Users' reliance on these social networking sites is growing to seek perspectives, updates, alerts, news etc. While it is evident that the online social networks have become a way for information sharing, at the same instant they have rapidly become a medium for spreading misinformation, rumors, unsolicited messages, propaganda, fake news, and so on. It can indeed be said that a social networking platform consists of the two types of users, namely Spammers and Non-Spammers. Spammers typically spread misinformation or share undesirable content on social networking websites, out of malicious intents. In this work, a model is proposed to identify Spammers in Twitter network. This work is based on the user behavior-based and content-basedfeatures like Hashtags, URLs, Mentions, Replies, and Retweets. In this work, the Recursive Feature Elimination is used along with Support Vector Machine, Random Forest, Logistic Regression, Adaptive Boosting, and XGBoost. For data pre-processing, Weka is used, and implemented the five classifiers mentioned with Recursive Feature Elimination using sklearn in Python. Performance measures such as TP Rate, FP Rate, Precision, F-Measure and Accuracy are used for evaluating the performance of the proposed model


Talk by Andrea Luka Zimmerman on the collaboration with John Berger on her film Taskafa, Stories of the street.

Born in Stoke Newington in 1926, John Berger was one of the most influential artists, critics and writers of his generation. Ways of Seeing changed our understanding of art and made us question everything from the public ownership of art to the male gaze. Tom Overton, who curated Berger's archive at the British Library and is working on his biography, discusses his life and work with Andrea Luka Zimmerman, who worked with Berger on her film Estate, A Reverie, based in Haggerston.


Abstract The paper deals with the effect of thermal cycling (TC) upon the microstructure and the fcc-hcp martensitic transformation (MT) in Fe-Mn alloys. Binary alloys with 34.0 and 25.9 wt% Mn are studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the latter before and after the TC process. It is shown that the TC introduces dislocations mainly in the fcc Phase, which explains why the observed effects of TC upon the M s and A s temperatures are qualitatively similar to those of plastic deformation of the austenite phase. Measurements of the M s and A s as a function of the number of cycles reveal first a promotion effect and then an inhibition effect, which were explained in the first part of this study by Baruj et al. (1996, Z. Metallkde.87, 765) by invoking the interplay between stacking faults and total dislocations. These ideas are supported by the present TEM observations, which provide a new basis for understanding the microstructural evolution upon TC.


In this paper, we propose an algorithm to estimate the true values of saturated pixels in color images. Pixel saturation occurs when at least one color channel is clipped at some value below the full dynamic range of the scene, resulting in a loss in image fidelity. The proposed algorithm is based on the assumptions that images are nearly sparse in an appropriate transform domain, and that saturated pixels can be inferred from the structure of non-saturated neighboring pixels. Consequently, we use a hierarchical windowing algorithm which selects image regions containing relatively few saturated pixels for processing. Starting with small sized regions, and progressively increasing the size, we solve a sparsity promoting constrained ℓ1 minimization problem for each selected region to recover the saturated pixels. Moreover, we provide simulation results to show the effectiveness of our algorithm.


The need for fast computation of digital signal processing algorithms and the development of VLSI techniques of fabrication have motivated the development of efficient hardware implementations of Residue Number System (RNS) arithmetic. In this paper the architecture and implementation details of a core capable to perform both addition and multiplication operations over the moduli set <2, 2-1 and 2+1> is presented. The core accepts its input operands in either residue or straight binary forms. Heavy pipelining of the multiplication modules is used to achieve a 200 MHz operating frequency in a 0.6 um implementation technology. .


This chapter addresses the potential use of the Socratic method and andragogical teaching methods in adult Bible classes in parish education. There exist many correlations between Socratic teaching strategies and andragogical philosophy, most notably the assumption that adult learners trend towards thinking of themselves as self-directed learners with a variety of experiences and the capacity to learn through dialogue with facilitators and each other. This chapter first outlines adult Bible classes in the isolated context of Christian parish education as community or non-formal education. Then, the chapter highlights the methods of a particular study in which pastors were trained in Socratic and andragogical methods and then observed for an extended period of time. Conclusions from the study include how Socratic and andragogical methods potentially help to increase learner self-reflection and engagement in similar contexts to the featured study.


In the last two decades inkjet printing has grown to a major topic in scientific research, especially drop-on-demand (DOD) inkjet printing systems. DOD inkjet printing has progressed from printing text and graphics, where it started originally, to a tool for (rapid) manufacturing technology. During the last years, the fabrication of narrow conductive tracks by methods of inkjet printing has been investigated extensively. Printing of flexible electronics and minimizing their feature size dramatically lowers the production costs of electronic devices, because material can be positioned on-demand, which reduces the amount of necessary material. The main bottleneck in inkjet-printed features on flexible (polymeric) substrates is the low softening point (Tg) of the substrate, which limits the processing temperature. The Tg of commonly used polymeric substrates, like poly(ethylene terephtalate) (PET) or polycarbonate (PC), is below 150 °C. Typically, colloidal suspensions of conductive materials need a sintering temperature of > 200 °C, which is, hence, not compatible with most polymeric substrates. Feasible products of flexible electronics include, for example, interconnections for circuitry on a printed-circuit board (PCB), electrodes for thin-film transistor (TFT) circuits, organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), or disposable displays and radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. Furthermore, printing largearea displays is also a possibility. The typical dimensions of inkjet-printed features depend on the nozzle diameter, and are usually not below 100 lm. The most obvious way to minimize the feature size, that is, line width, is by reducing the nozzle diameter. However, this introduces a narrow window with respect to surface tension and viscosity of the inks, and thereby limits the choice of inks that can be printed. Furthermore, when printing suspensions the particles should be sufficiently smaller than the nozzle diameter; otherwise nozzle clogging occurs. When using piezoelectric-based DOD inkjet printers, smaller droplets can also be produced by modifying the waveform. Much research has been done to predefined (surface energy) patterns on a substrate that forces material to remain in a preferred area on the surface. These techniques rely on the use of expensive masks and conventional photolithography, which increases production costs. Here we present a method to produce narrow conductive silver tracks without prepatterning or modifying the surface energy of the substrate. Preferably, the surface energy should not be too low, because printing on such foils introduces bulges into the printed features, for example with poly(tetrafluorethylene) (PTFE) foils. Line-bulging is an unwanted mechanism that locally broadens the printed structures, as can be seen on the left-hand side of Figure 1. Commonly used polymeric substrates, like PET or polyimide (PI), have a high surface energy, shown on the right-hand side in Figure 1. Although printing on these substrates leads to continuous and straight lines, broad lines are obtained over the whole printed feature, owing to the relatively good wetting of the solvent with the substrate. Clearly, an optimum between surface enerC O M M U N IC A IO N


Abstract Objective To configure an immunoabsorption column for hepatitis B virus. Methods Being activated by epichlorohydrin, the human antibody HBsAb-IgG was bound to the carrier of agarose gel. The configuration process was as follows: the synthesis of epoxide matrix, the synthesis and activation of amino matrix, the synthesis of aldehydic matrix, the synthesis of immunoabsorption matrix, the end capping and reduction of unbound aldehydic, the blocking of unbound mass and the filling of the column. Results The bound rate of activated agarose gel and antibody HBsAb-IgG is 85.07%. By plasma adsorption experiment, it is revealed that the immunoabsorption column can absorb and eliminate 58.97% of HBsAg and 53.1% of hepatitis B virus particles in extracorporeal plasma. Conclusions The immunoabsorption column for hepatitis B virus can absorb and eliminate HBsAg and hepatitis B virus particles in extracorporeal plasma.


There are numerous applications for which is advantageous to obtain X-ray transmission data necessary for 3D computed tomography (CT) within seconds or faster. The required high frame rates for data acquisition became available during the last decade due to intensive synchrotron radiation sources together with appropriate X-ray imaging detectors. It will be shown in this work that sub-second recording of the full CT data set can be reached even in laboratory conditions employing high power microfocus tubes together with a semiconductor pixelated detector. As an example, bubbles nucleation and evolution during dissolving of a pill in the water, releasing carbon dioxide will be shown in 3D with 2 Hz time resolution.


FIELD: medicine. SUBSTANCE: group of inventions refers to medical equipment. When implementing the method, the pathology is exposed to ionising and thermal radiation simultaneously or sequentially through an output window of a radiation source, which is placed close to or on the surface of the pathology. A radiation flux is limited to a diameter of no more than the maximum size of the pathology; a radiation energy is specified depending on the pathology thickness as shown by the relation E~Kf(d), wherein d is the pathology thickness, K is a coefficient including the radiation penetration within the human body radiation area depending on the radiation energy. The pathology is exposed to the radiation for the pre-set period of time with the source thereafter cooled down, while a cooling intensity varies depending on a temperature of the output window of the radiation source. The versions of the device design represent an enclosed probe in the form of at least two coaxial gapped thin-walled tubes having distal and proximal ends. The probe accommodates the radiation source with a cathode or an anode consisting of a base and a target, an anode cooling system and a power supply unit. The anode is placed on the distal end of the probe. According to the first version of the device, the tube gap comprises the cooling system with a heat carrier, while the cavity formed by an internal tube accommodates the cathode enclosed in an electrical insulation layer. According to the other version of the device, the tube gap accommodates the cathode in the electrical insulation layer, while the cavity formed by the internal tube comprises the cooling system. EFFECT: group of inventions enables increasing clinical effectiveness considerably in malignant and non-malignant tumours and other diseases that are sensitive to the ionising and heat radiation by the combined and simultaneous exposure to different fluxes, as well as a power up of an X-ray source. 25 cl, 4 dwg


The utility model discloses a minitype welding assembly clamp for the inner skin of the side body top of a coach; and the minitype welding assembly clamp comprises a base, a positioning device I and a positioning device II, wherein the positioning device I and the positioning device II respectively comprise a clamp structure formed by a support and a compression frame which are hinged, the supports are fixedly arranged on the base, a locking device is arranged between the support and the compression frame, and a positioning piece used for positioning a corresponding clamped workpiece is arranged on the positioning device I and the positioning device II. The minitype welding assembly clamp for the inner skin of the side body of the coach can reliably position all parts needing to be welded into a whole, so that the product structure is stable, the product quality can be improved, and the rejection rate is reduced.


Abstract:
 Anxi is the largest producing area of Tie Guanyin tea in China. "The cultural system of Tie Guanyin tea in Anxi" was selected as "Nationally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems" (China-NIAHS) in 2014. Tea gardens in this region are organic, ecological or non-ecological. After sampling the soil in these three kinds of tea gardens, we compared soil properties and nutrient content at different soil depths using physical and chemical analyses. Our aim was to provide a scientific basis for the management of tea plantations. We measured and analyzed soil in two organic, three ecological and one non-ecological tea gardens at depths of 0–10 cm and 10–20 cm in Anxi County. According to Duncan multiple comparisons and t tests, soil nutrients differed between organic and ecological or non-ecological tea gardens at 0–10 cm. Organic matter and total nitrogen differed between organic and nonecological tea garden soils at 10–20 cm. In organic tea gardens, soil bulk density, porosity, relative water content, soil organic matter, total nitrogen and total phosphorus were advantageous for tea tree growth. In ecological tea gardens, the indicators were appropriate and relatively advantageous for tea tree growth at a soil depth of 0–10 cm. For non-ecological tea garden, the nutrients were at a compact level and negatively affect tea growth. These results show that soil properties and nutrient content in organic and ecological tea gardens are superior to non-ecological tea garden. The development of organic tea gardens is the most suitable strategy for the growth of tea trees.


The results of the Eleventh Annual Conference of the Joint Russian-American Working Group on the Earth Sciences, held in Washington, DC in April 2001, are presented. The results of work conducted over the period 1998-2001 were discussed at the conference, as were plans for cooperation during the period 2001-2002 in five scientific fields: atmospheric chemistry and physics, the Earth's solid shell, land biosphere, hydrology, and ocean biosphere.


Mansonic neuroschistosomiasis (MN) is not only the most common but also the most serious ectopic presentation of the infection by Schistosoma mansoni1 which is a digenetic trematode and the only natural inhabitant of the mesenteric veins of human beings. Both, brain and spinal cord can be independently affected by the infection. The involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) can occur at any time from the beginning of the egg spawn and can be symptomatic or asymptomatic. The involvement of the spinal cord is more frequent. In patients with mild forms of the infection by S. man soni, it means the intestinal and the hepatointestinal forms, the anomalous migration of worms in copula to sites next to the CNS promoting the deposition of many eggs into an restrict area of the CNS, or followed by egg spawn in situ2 (when the worms themselves reach the CNS), or the occurrence of massive embolization of eggs from the mesenteric portal venous system to the CNS are the most important mechanisms for the establishment of symptomatic MN. In both cases the worms or the eggs reach the CNS through the retrograde venous flux in the Batson's venous plexus, which has no valves and links the portal venous system and the inferior caval vein to the veins of the spinal cord as well as of the brain. Concomitantly or right after the acute or toxemic form of schistosomiasis (Katayama Syndrome), although rarely, encephalitis3 or encephalomyelitis can occur as part of the acute manifestation of the infection. At this phase, vasculitis of the CNS can also occur. Brain MN by itself is due to the presence of eggs and/or adult worms in situ. As aforementioned it can be symptomatic or asymptomatic. The presence of clinical symptoms depend upon the amount of eggs in an delimited region of the brain, the intensity of the inflammatory reaction surrounding the eggs and/or worms, the location of the lesion and whether there is mass effect or not. Seizures (partial or generalized), signs and symptoms of intracranial hypertension, focal signs (in the pseudotumoral form), acute headache, visual disturbances, as well as brain and meningeal hemorrhage can also occur. Headache, ataxia, nystagmus, nausea and vomiting are present in the pseudotumoral forms of the cerebellum. The asymptomatic form of brain MN is more frequently


The model of buffer gas effect on optically pumped submillimeter wave laser was established. And the deactivation rate of buffer gas was deduced by quantum theory, so that the buffer gas effect could be calculated quantificationally. The CO2-9(R30) laser pumping NH3 67.2um line was calculated theoretically and measured experimentally. The experiment results agree with the theoretical calculation. This work would be in favor of finding high-efficient buffer gas of optically pumped submillimeter wave laser.


Two apparently opposite phenomena happened in South America after the third wave of democratization: Instable leadership, characterized the anticipated end of presidential mandates (as Carlos A. Perez, Fernando de la Rua, Gonzalo S. de Lozada) and hegemonic leadership, with personal use of presidential powers (As Carlos Menem, Hugo Chavez, Alvaro Uribe). This article explains these extreme alternatives conceptualizing political regime as inverted democracy. In order to create an operational concept, the first step is an analysis of the president's political institutional position in some socio-economic context. This approach helps enables the study of different kinds of presidential regimes, mixing an institutional dimension with political attitudes and behavior of leaders and relevant social actors in the political game.


Synthesis and Absolute Configuration of Clemastine and its Isomers.

Condensation of 4-chloro-α-methylbenzhydrylalkohol (1) with 2-(2-chloroethyl)-1-methylpyrrolidine (2) gave an isomeric mixture of 2-[2-(p-chloro-α-methyl-=-phenylbenzyloxy)ethyl]-1-methylpyrrolidine (3) and 4-(p-chloro-=-phenylbenzyloxy)-1-methyl-hexahydroazepin (4). The separation of the four possible optically active isomers of 3 is described and their absolute configuration established by degradation to (R)- and (S)-1-methyl-2-pyrrolidineethanol (6), respectively, and by an X-ray cristallographic analysis of the quarternary methiodide of the isomer 3-A. Clemastine (3-A) is (+)-(2R)-2-[2-((αR)-(p-chloro-α-methyl-α-phenylbenzyloxy)ethyl)]-1-methylpyrrolidine.


The research presented in this article examines the effects of implementing a prevention program for bullying and aggressive behaviors to sixth graders in 14 Florida middle schools. The evaluation was conducted as a control/experimental design. The primary goals of this manuscript are to determine: (a) the change from baseline student habits of thought related to violence prevention, (b) student habits of thought related to attitudes and physical behaviors related to violence, and (c) teacher perceptions of student attitudes and behaviors related to violence. Equally important, this study adds to our understanding of bullying prevention programs by examining the impact of an Aggressors,' Victims' and Bystanders' program in terms of three dimensions: (1) teacher perceptions of student thoughts and behaviors related to their ability to solve conflict, (2) middle school student habits of thought about violence prevention, and (3) middle school student attitudes about behaviors associated with the prevention of violence, including aggressor behaviors and actions and bystander behaviors and actions.


The Heavy Element Facility, Building 251, contains a series of underground storage vaults which are used for long term storage of nuclear materials. A storage rack with shelves is suspended from the top of each storage vault. The stainless steel containers enclosing the nuclear materials are stored on the shelves. A Hazard & Accident assessment analyzed the vulnerability of this storage system to assaults resulting from natural phenomena and accidents within the building. The assessment considered all racks and their containers to be stored underground and secured in their static, long-term configuration. Moving beyond the static, long-term hazard assessment, the structural analyses were performed to evaluate the storage container against a rare, short duration event. An accidental free drop of a container may occur in a combination of two events: a rare, short-duration earthquake concurrent with an operation of raising the storage rack to a maximum height that the crane is capable of. This hypothetical free drop may occur only to the container in the uppermost shelf of the storage rack. The analyses were the structural evaluation of the storage container to determine the material containment integrity of the storage container after the accident. The evaluation was performed simulating amore » free drop from the storage rack, with a maximum load in the container, striking/an unyielding surface in the worst orientation. The analyses revealed that, in the very unlikely event of a container drop, the integrity of the hermetic seal of the storage container could be compromised due to plastic deformation of the lid and mating flange. Simple engineering and administrative controls can prevent that from occurring.« less


Acetaldehyde, acetaldehyde diethyl acetal (acetal), ethylene, hydrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide were produced from neat ethanol over TiO2 powder without metal in an Ar atmosphere under light irradiation. The yields of these products decreased in the above order. The following observation was obtained by using a filter which cut light at wavelengths below 390 nm. The yield of carbon dioxide was slightly decreased. The yield of acetaldehyde was greatly decreased at the initial irradiation, while it was slightly decreased with continuing of irradiation. The yield of acetal somewhat decreased, and that of ethylene, methane, and hydrogen roughly decreased to 1/2, 1/5, and 1/10, respectively.


This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of skeletal muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance among community-dwelling older women. Data were collected from 306 older adults, and the data of 214 older women were included in the final analysis. Participants' calcaneus bone mass was measured using ultrasonography. Based on their T-scores, participants were divided into the following three groups: normal (T-score > −1), low (−2.5 < T-score ≤ −1), and very low (T-score ≤ −2.5) bone mass. Further, participants' skeletal muscle mass, muscle strength (grip and knee extension strength), and physical performance [gait speed and timed up and go (TUG)] were measured. Arm skeletal muscle index (SMI, skeletal muscle mass/height2), leg SMI, and appendicular SMI in the very low bone mass group were low compared to those of the low bone mass group (p = 0.034, p = 0.011, and p = 0.009, respectively). Grip and knee extension strength, gait speed, and TUG were not significantly different between the groups. These findings suggest that older women with low bone density had decreased skeletal muscle mass. Therefore, maintaining or improving skeletal muscle mass may prevent low bone mass.


This paper is a continuation of our previous paper [Part I, ibidem]. In this study we present many new results in the subject of minimal cycles (including the fixed points) of the so called Kaprekar's transformations. We formulate also some conjectures. Moreover, we discuss here all minimal cycles of the first 18 Kaprekar's transformations (and present but only of the first 15) with emphasis of the new, introduced by us, characteristics of this cycles.


the size and direction of prior and succeeding saccades. The question is an important one since it bears on the amount of text processing that can take place out of central vision. The results suggest a degree of peripheral pre-processing, at least for meaningful text, but the experimental approach to the topic is rathef indirect and makes use of visual angle rather than character spaces as a measure of saccade size. When translated into these more conventional terms, the results can be seen to mirror the earlier findings of Rayner and McConkie, which are well known in the literature. The second paper, by Shebilske and Fisher, gives an interim account of a large-scale study of reading, involving text 3000 words in length and using over lo00 subjects. The methodological problems of making sense of the vast amount of data generated by each subject are discussed. Research workers keen to possess a complete set of Erlbaum texts on eye movements will probably buy this book. It is not something for the general reader.


Drought stress is one of the most destructive environmental stresses which affect the performance of soybean photosynthetic apparatus and can reduce plant productivity. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs), Piriformospora indica and drought effects on gas exchange, sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) and acid phosphatase (ASP) activities. Treatments included inoculation and non-inoculation of P. indica, NPs (0, 0.5 and 0.75 gL-1 ) and three irrigation regimes (control, irrigation after 50% and 75% depleting of soil water content). This study showed that drought stress reduced SPAD values and increased membrane electrolyte leakage. It also had negative effect on photosynthetic functional parameters. Nevertheless, inoculation of soybean with P. indica can provide drought-tolerance by improving the net photosynthesis, carboxylation efficiency, P, SPS and ASP parameters, keeping membrane stability and raising chlorophyll content. In addition, similar to P. indica, NPs treatment alleviated the negative effects of drought stress on gas exchange by altering physical biochemical responses, which caused a low internal CO2 concentration, sucrose and leaf damage. The above findings show that, P. indica and NPs can mitigate the photosynthetic limitations through promoting photosynthetic capacity under drought stress in soybean.


Product Name Company Indication Development Status Product Name Company Indication Development Status New Medicines in Development for Cancer, Part 3 This table (Parts 1 and 2 appeared in the September issues) is adapted and excerpted from the latest Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America survey of New Medicines in Development for Cancer. As of the time of the report in May, there were 395 cancer-related medicines in the pipeline, with research being conducted by 181 companies as well as the NCI. Shown for each item are the name of the product, the company/organization involved, the cancer indication, the development status, and a contact telephone number when available to request further information.


This study was conducted in order to define the main physical and chemical properties of the soil, data on the accumulation as well as transfer of 137Cs and 90Sr radionuclides in the main components of the forest biocenosis of the Drevlyansky Nature Reserve, which is located in the area affected by radiation from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant catastrophy. The processes of radionuclide migration by the soil profile have been studied, the highest level of pollution density in the upper soil layers has been noted in the layers of 0-2, 2-4 cm. The analysis of the main agrophysical indicators of soils is carried out in the main forest types of for the territory of the Drevlyansky Nature Reserve. The process of radionuclides migration from soil to plants was also studied by determining the coefficient of soil to plant transfer factor (TF) and accumulation (A) of such radionuclides as 137Cs and 90Sr. The maximum transition coefficient was recorded during migration to Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hill., – 33,38 for 137Cs and 34,97 for 90Sr and the lowest to Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. – 2,38 for 137Cs and 9,27 for 90Sr An increase in the transition coefficient was observed with increasing of soil moisture.


The self-decomposition of AgO electrode materials in KOH is studied by a multi-technique approach (involving direct gas evolution measurements, TG, and electrical resistivity measurements) in order to investigate the effects of trace elements, processing procedures, and surface treatment on the stability of the electrode.


This study aims to investigate whether the assassin snail Anentome helena may serve as a biological control agent of Bithynia siamensis goniomphalos, the 1st intermediate host of Opisthorchis viverrini. Experiments were carried out in the laboratory, and the results found that A. helena showed the variation and selection of mollusc prey. A. helena can consume B. siamensis goniomphalos, which is remarkable because this snail can compete with other snails and could be used as a biological control. The consumption rate of the predator was compared, and it was found that A. helena prefers to consume Indoplanorbis exustus, followed by Pomacea canaliculata, Melanoides tuberculata, Filopaludina sumatrensis speciosa, Lymnaea sp., and B. siamensis goniomphalos. This is the first report of an experimental study controlling B. siamensis goniomphalos using A. helena. Our data imply that A. helena can control the B. siamensis goniomphalos population with good results, especially in the absence of other snail species.