Abstract61 patients with chronic osteomyelitis were admitted to the University Hospital of Lund during a 7-year period. Positive cultures were obtained from 59 cases, all of them showing growth of Staphylococcus aureus. 50 strains were phage-typed, 40 strains tested for lipase activity, and 16 strains investigated on protein A content and α-toxin production. The osteomyelitic strains were compared in these respects and regarding antibiotic resistance patterns with other staphylococcal strains from routine diagnostic work. 13/15 strains from cases of hematogenous osteomyelitis belonged to phage groups I and II; none belonged to group III. This distribution differed significantly from posttraumatic osteomyelitic strains and from strains isolated from cases of septicemia. 90% of the osteomyelitic strains were lipase-positive and did not differ from unselected strains. Among the unselected control strains lipase activity in phage group III was significantly less frequent than in phage groups I and II. All 16 ...


On the basis of the Model Driven Development(MDD),a marine environment data platform is proposed,and its key points both of the data model design and functions design are discussed,and a prototype system which based on the Web Services is also implemented.Taking the data object model as its core,loosely coupling users' business logics with the marine environment data,those problems,such as low efficiency,lack of expansibility and universality,which usually exist in the traditional database design method for the marine environment data storage and management with the characteristics of dynamical changing on spatio-temporal attributes,can be solved by this data platform.By applying this data platform in the management and application for the marine environment data,and the management efficiency and sharing service can be improved.


This study employed survey research to investigate the differential relationships between dimensions of teachers' job satisfaction (e.g. salary) and their turnover intention, after controlling for demographic variables (e.g. school location). Five hundred and ten teachers from a northeastern city of China participated. The results of the hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that (a) teachers were more likely to stay in teaching profession if they worked in urban schools, always wanted to become a teacher or had a realistic view of teaching before they began their career training and (b) a negative relationship existed between teachers' compensation and their turnover intention. This study offered some implications for Chinese educational policy-makers and practitioners regarding how to remain qualified teachers.


This pages consists of details of 1984 macintosh commercial analysis worksheet answers, as well as other about solving equations with variables on both sides worksheet answers 2-4, solving equations with variables on both sides worksheet answers, right triangle word problems worksheet answers, balancing equations worksheet answers chapter 8, balancing equations worksheet answers middle school.


DOI: 10.21276/sjams.2017.5.11.57 Abstract: Sphenoid ridge, paraclinoid region and the surrounding structures are commonly involved in conditions such as meningiomas, carotid aneurysms and fistula. To provide accurate information the current study investigated the measurement of sphenoidal ridge in relation to surrounding structures in three independent parts. An anatomical study was on dry skull formalin fixed cranial cavity and computed tomographic scans of skulls. Hundred adult skulls of unknown sex, thirty adult formalin fixed human cadaveric heads and 100 annonymised CT images were examined for morphometry of sphenoid ridge. The length of the sphenoid ridge on right side was more as compared to left side on cadaveric and osteological specimen. Sphenoid ridge documented as lengthier on radiological examination as compared to osteological and cadaveric examination. The mean distance of crista alaris to foramen ovale on skulls, cadavers and CT images was found to be same on both sides. The anatomical orientation of sphenoid ridge, paraclinoid region and its distances from vital structures help in determining the safety and precision during surgeries in this area.


The Afghan reality and the activities of the international community are diverging more and more. However, NATO's vision for Afghanistan, as adopted at the Bucharest summit, basically sticks to the longstanding assessment of the situation and the related strategy. The following analysis concentrates on the actual state of affairs and structural parameters in Afghanistan. While not denying the relevance of regional factors of influence it is argued that the resolution of the conflict primarily depends on internal Afghan developments. Given the present state of affairs and the mid and longterm development trends of this country, the core conclusion of this article is that there is an urgent need for a comprehensive strategy change.


A new interface,based on the combine of IEEE 1451.2 and IEEE 1451.4,was brought forward.It solves the problem of unified interface in the data collecting system with fix collecting channel,when sensors are plug and removed frequently.All sensors can be plug in any channel in any combining format.Sensors' TEDS was designed based on IEEE 1451.2 Standard.In the end,take the temperature sensor using Pt100 as transducer for example,the designing method of correction engine was presented.Experiment results demonstrated that the correcting engine can improve the precision by 0.1~0.4 centigrade thermometer.


The preparation of actinide-metal research materials is one of many functions of the Isotope Research Materials Laboratory (IRML) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Research samples of uranium, plutonium, americium, and curium, typically from milligram quantities up to approx. 100 g, are prepared as pure metals or alloys to customer specifications. Larger quantities, up to many kilograms, of the lower activity actinides, such as /sup 235/U, /sup 238/U, and /sup 232/Th, are also fabricated into custom research forms. Physical forms of these metals include rolled foils or sheets, castings (ingot, rod, or special shapes), and evaporated or sputtered films. The actinide-metal processing capabilities of the IRML are continuing to be improved and applied to a wide variety of custom material preparations to meet the needs of the world-wide research community.


The paper is devoted to investigation of SO2 emissions in atmospheric air using the OMI space monitoring database for the northern territories of the Krasnoyarsk region in Russia. The highest concentration of SO2 emissions was recorded in April 2019 - 41.2 DU, and the smallest in July 2019 - 0.5 DU. Actual air pollution in populated areas for the northern territories of the Krasnoyarsk Territory corresponds to a high degree of pollution, except for 2013 and 2014 when it was a moderate degree of pollution.


This paper presents a modified control algorithm for Space Vector Modulated (SVM) Z-Source inverters. In traditional control strategies, the Z-Source capacitor voltage is controlled by the shoot through duty ratio and the output voltage is controlled by the modulation index respectively. Proposed algorithm provides a modified voltage vector with single stage controller having one degree of freedom wherein traditional controllers have two degrees of freedom. Through this method of control, the full utilization of the dc link input voltage and keeping the lowest voltage stress across the switches with variable input voltage could be achieved. Further it offers ability of buck-boost operation, low distorted output waveforms, sustainability during voltage sags and reduced line harmonics. The SVM control algorithm presented in this paper is implemented through Matlab/Simulink tool and experimentally verified with Z-source inverter prototype in the laboratory.


PURPOSE: To conform to a wide measuring range by removing the group of digitized digital values between continued basic echo components from the digital value to be processed between continued pulses. CONSTITUTION: An ultrasonic transducer 21 has an ultrasonic probe 23 for transmitting an ultrasonic signal and receiving a reflected echo, and a control circuit 25 for controlling the probe 23 and a clock 25. The digitizer 27 of an A/D converter 26 converts the echo signal from the control circuit 24 to a digital value to be stored in a buffer memory 28. A processor 29 controls the operation of the digitizer 27, the storage of the digital value to the buffer memory 28, and the transfer to a calculating device 22. This ultrasonic measuring device 20 can remove the group of digitized digital values between continued basic echo components from the digital value to be processed between continued pulses. Thus, the number of digital values from each echo signal which is needed to be processed in actual time between continuous ultrasonic pulses can be minimized. COPYRIGHT: (C)1994,JPO


Kind of engagement gate field effect transistor used as a solid state imaging device pixels. In the n-type first semiconductor region (21) of the surface area, the n-type source region (23) and drain region (22) are formed separated from each other. n-type second semiconductor region is connected to the drain region (22) (24) formed in the first semiconductor region (21) surface area. Forming a first semiconductor region (21), and the second semiconductor region (24) electrically connected to the lower portion of the second semiconductor region (24), the p-type signal charge accumulated in the third semiconductor region corresponding to incident light (26) form. A first semiconductor region (21) of the P-type fourth semiconductor region (25) formed in the drain region (22) and the source region (23) between the surface area. Using these source region (23), a drain region (22), the second semiconductor region (24) and the third semiconductor region (26) constituting the pixel, the signal charges accumulated during the pixel signal readout period, and the signal charge discharge different voltages are supplied to the drain region (22) period.


This paper summarizes corrosion experience in crude distillation units processing highly naphthenic California crude oils. Correlations have been developed relating corrosion rates to temperature and total acid number. There is a threshold acid number in the range of 1.5 to 2 mg KOH/g below which corrosion is minimal. High concentrations of hydrogen sulfide may raise this threshold value.


Abstract: Faced with ever-increasing advertising restrictions, sponsorship of sports has been an important promotional avenue for tobacco companies in North America and around the world. This paper examines the corporate sponsorship objectives and strategies of tobacco companies, based primarily on historical documents from the British-American Tobacco Co., which has operations in over 80 countries. The documents are part of the Guildford Depository located in Guildford, England. It contains over six million pages of corporate documents for the British-American Tobacco Company (BAT) from a 40-year span (early 1950s to mid 1990s). Tobacco company sponsorship practices include developing sponsorship evaluation guidelines, extensive pro-promotion and post-promotion of sponsored events, making full use of the event site for sponsorship identification, ensuring that sponsored events are televised, and using an extensive array of public relations practices to ensure news coverage of a sponsored event. Other sponsor s could benefit from emulating the sponsorship practices of tobacco companies. Keywords: Tobacco sponsorship, sports sponsorship, Guildford documents Introduction In North America and around the world, sponsorship of sporting events has become an extremely important form of marketing communication for tobacco companies. A recent study found that during the period 1995-1999, tobacco companies in the USA conducted 47 sports-related sponsorships involving 1,930 events and $226.8 million in sponsorship funding (Rosenberg & Siegel, 2001). Although they are facing ever-increasing marketing restrictions around the world (including loss of sponsorship opportunities in Canada and in the European Union; National Post, 2002), tobacco companies use sponsorship as a distinct competitive advantage, in order to accomplish a host of communication goals that can complement their overall marketing objectives (Amis, Slack, & Berrett, 1999). Much can be learned about the effective use of sponsorship by studying the tactics and techniques used by tobacco companies. Examining tobacco company marketing plans and sponsorship plans is one way to gain this insight. The 1998 Minnesota settlement requires maintenance of web-sites and depositories containing over 33 million pages of the tobacco industry's corporate documents (Rybak & Phelps, 1998). These documents provide extensive information regarding many facets of the tobacco industry, including advertising and sponsorship strategies. One of the major document depositories, the Guildford Depository located in Guildford, England, contains over six million pages of corporate documents for the British-American Tobacco Company (BAT), a multinational corporation with subsidiaries in over 80 countries around the world, including Imperial Tobacco in Canada and Brown & Williamson Tobacco in the United States. Using documents from the Guildford Depository, this paper provides an inside view of tobacco sports sponsorship. Based on studying the documents, a general framework of the major issues and action of tobacco companies was developed and is presented in Figure 1. The rest of the paper will follow closely this framework. In particular, this paper focuses on the innovative and highly-effective sports sponsorship practices of tobacco companies that have developed out of the restricted marketing environments they face in many countries. Tobacco companies have been forced to develop creative methods for maximizing their sponsorship involvement. This provides some valuable lessons that non-tobacco marketers may wish to emulate, in order to gain maximum advantage from sports sponsorship activities. Benefits of Sponsorship: Goodwill and Beyond Not surprisingly, tobacco company sponsorships are perceived more positively among current smokers than among nonsmokers (Kropp et al., 1999). However, both smokers and non-smokers alike are exposed to tobacco sports sponsorships, so tobacco companies attempt to derive the maximum benefit from these sponsorships. …


Aims: This study was initiated to inventory the various haemoparasites and assess their prevalence in animals in this department.
Place and Duration of Study: This work took place from May 2020 to December 2022 in the department of Kounahiri.
Methodology: 400 randomly selected cattle were used for the samples. Using a lancet, the ear was pricked to draw blood while immobilizing the animal. A drop was then placed on a slide and another slide was beveled at an angle of around 30° and brought into contact with the drop of blood. The smear is then taken on clean, dry slides. The smears are fixed in 95% methanol and stained with Giemsa diluted 1:10 in distilled water, then observed under a light microscope.
Results: The results showed that three types of blood parasites were identified through microscopic observations. The respective infection rates were 87.25% for Anaplasma, 64% for Babesia, and 21.75% for Theileria. Among the observed species of blood parasites, Anaplasma marginale was the most widespread with a significant infection prevalence of 77.5% in cattle. Furthermore, within all age groups, this pathogen (Anaplasma marginale) had the highest infection rate. The respective prevalence rates were 73.58% in cattle aged between 01-12 months, 78.90% in those of 13-24 months, and 78.92% in cattle aged more than 25 months. No difference in infection rates was observed based on the age of the animals. Additionally, no difference was detected in the seasonal distribution of Anaplasma marginale. The infection prevalencies during the two seasons were 73% at the beginning of the rainy season and 82% at the beginning of the dry season.
Conclusion: It will be essential to promote training for livestock farmers in terms of livestock health management.


An optical fiber monitoring system was designed and built into the I-25 bridge at the Dona Ana exit in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The bridge is a simple-span, high-performance prestressed concrete girder bridge. The girders are six BT-63 high-performance-concrete girders with a span length of 112.5 ft (34.2 m). Fiber Bragg grating optical fiber deformation sensors along with thermocouples were embedded in the girders during fabrication. Sensors were installed along the top and bottom flanges and at midspan and quarter spans. Pairs of crossed sensors in a rosette configuration were embedded in the webs at the supports. The bridge was monitored for 2 years, from transfer of the prestressing force through service. The sensor data were analyzed to evaluate shear and moment girder distribution factors, in situ material properties, pre-stress losses, camber, dynamic load allowance, and bridge performance under traffic loads. This study focuses on the lateral load distribution in the bridge. Shear and moment girder distribution factors are obtained from a finite element model, sensor measurements under a live load test, as well as regular traffic loading and compared with the values specified by the AASHTO standard specifications (2002) and the AASHTO load and resistance factor design specifications (2007).


It was introduced the theory of SOA,specified the architecture,measure and key technologies to build Dispathing Command System using SOA,brought forward the measure to build service model,defined service inferface and service implementation.


Relapsing nephrotic syndrome is a frustrating and poorly understood childhood condition, and immunologic stimuli are thought to play a role in


Recent developments in computer technology and progress in information science continue to provide powerful information processing technologies for extracting useful information at the maximum extent from an available dataset. They are called data-driven analyses and applied in various natural sciences, engineering fields and industry. In this paper, I briefly explain the concepts of Bayesian estimation and sparse modeling, which are considered as fundamental mathematical schemes of data-driven analysis, and overview the application examples which have been studied by the author's group in geology. For data analysis on rock textures, Bayesian estimation is effective, because it can introduce a priori knowledge about spatiotemporal structure and physicochemical model objectively in inversion analysis. For analysis of geochemical data, sparse modeling is particularly effective, because it can automatically extract essential combination of elements and/or governing earth-scientific processes from a high-dimensional dataset. Collaboration between information scientists and geologists leads to the development of new powerful methods for specific and general problems in geology, and the importance of data-driven analysis will increase in the future.


Genital tract is most important source of infections particularly when membrane is ruptured and also even if membranes are intact, polymicrobial invasion of intrauterine cavity occurs especially with preterm labour. The purpose of prophylactic antibiotic in surgeries is not for sterilisation of tissue but for reducing colonization of microorganisms introduced during operation to a level to overcome by patient's immunity. Broad spectrum antibiotic like cephalosporins are most commonly administered for SSI prophylaxis. The dosage should be adequate to exceed minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for the organism likely to be encountered during the operation. Prophylactic antibiotic during caesarean delivery has usually been given after umbilical cord clamping for apprehension of fetal exposure through placenta if administered earlier. ABSTRACT


Georgia is the largest pecan (Carya illinoinensis) producing state in the United States, accounting for 30% of national production. Georgia's pecan acreage has undergone at least three significant expansions since the industry's establishment in the early 1900s. The most recent expansion was likely a result of recent price increases driven by the export market for pecans. This stimulus also led to the planting of additional pecan acreage throughout the pecan growing regions of the United States. A survey of pecan producers throughout Georgia was conducted from Jan. through Mar. 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2014 regarding the planting of pecan trees. The current survey documents the planting of 391,488 pecan trees and 15,328 additional pecan acres since 2010 in Georgia. New orchard plantings averaged 40, 35, 42, and 62 acres in size for 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2014, respectively. The state's pecan producers planted 14 to 30 different pecan cultivars, depending on the survey year. Aside from nongrafted seedling trees planted in 2010, 'Desirable' and 'Pawnee' accounted for the highest percentage of trees planted annually until 2014, both in percentage of total trees planted and percentage of producers planting trees. The survey also indicates a shift toward the planting of pecan trees at higher density by Georgia pecan producers since 2010.


Synthesis and complexation of the ligand 2,6-bis[ N-(2 ′-pyridylmethyl)carbamyl]pyridine including some helical species have been reported. 1 The situation is very similar with ligands such as ( 1) where the pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide has two similar arms on each side which are formed from 1-(2 ′aminoethyl)piperidine. It is the intention in this section to explore syntheses route to a new examples of symmetrical ligands to complement the detailed study of one system reported. The X-ray crystal structure analysis of this free ligand itself shown a water molecule strongly hydrogen bonded to the two amide N(2) and N(4) and one N(3) from the piperidine group . The structure confirms the proposed connectivity in this molecule, with distances and angle that are typical of these types of systems. The pyridine ring is planar, with the piperidine rings in chair conformations.


A unique team of personnel from federal, private, and international organizations has worked together over the past seven years to locate the remains of the Bonhomme Richard (BHR), one of the original ships of the U.S. Continental Navy commanded by Captain John Paul Jones and lost in the North Sea in 1779. While the team has yet to discover the wreckage, it has demonstrated the effective capabilities and value of state-of-the-art technology to image and survey objects on the bottom of the North Sea. Perhaps, more importantly, it has demonstrated that people from disparate organizations and militaries can work together effectively and efficiently with minimal overhead and bureaucracy. The work to date has paved the way toward eventual location and recovery of the BHR, but it has also demonstrated a partnership model that should be explored in other venues as we seek to increase our knowledge of the changing ocean environment. This paper describes the partnerships, challenges, and value of the search; its applications to Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) education; and its role in advancing the fields of ocean science and exploration.


Bachelor work " CAN Syndrome in connection with the Safety Line'q is concerning with singles forms and expresses of CAN Syndrome: its effects on the children, care of and therapy children the child hit by this syndrome and legal regulations dealing with battering, abusing and depriving of the children. Furthermore are in the work in detail elaborated informations about the Safety Line Association and Children's crisis centre, as one of the possibility for helping children with CAN Syndrome. In theoretic section are explained essential definitions of CAN Syndrome. Practical part is composed with quantitative ques-tionary study oriented to awareness of the Basic schools students about Safety Line. Object of the study is to ascertain knowledge about the possibilities, usage and forms of the Safety Line.


Anterior half of compendium of Homogenous cosmos originated from unique genesis is summary of cosmic demiurgic evolution of sequential homologic multiplication starting at the so-called cosmic genic origin to cosmic status quo, from cosmic evolutional time 0 to cosmic today rooted in essentiality of homogenous cosmos originated from unique genesis.


Research and development of the online quiz media for learning mathematics using the wordwall platform aims to develop, describe the validity, practicality and effectiveness of using wordwall online quiz media in the process of learning mathematics. This research and development method refers to the RD method using the ADDIE development model. The initial stage of the product will be validated by media experts and material experts and revisions will be carried out, then the product will be tested on small groups of 6 students in class X MIA 2, then it will be tested on large group students of 24 students X MIA 1 using the learning model TGT and research objects in the form of online quiz media using the wordwall platform, the research was conducted located at MAN 1 Lhokseumawe. The results obtained are: 1) validation of the online quiz media using the wordwall platform that has been developed "Very Valid" with a percentage of media experts of 93.52% and a percentage of material experts of 83.3%; 2) the practicality of online quiz media using the wordwall platform which was developed "Very Practical" with the percentage of large group students of 90.3%; 3) the effectiveness of online quiz media using the wordwall platform in the learning process that has been developed with a percentage of 87.5% but is less effective because its effectiveness cannot be measured because there are no written answers, so the media is less effective in seeing student mastery of the material. It was concluded that the online quiz media using a wordwall platform is valid/appropriate, practical but less effective for use in the SMA/MA level mathematics learning process because there are no written answers.


This chapter describes the visualizations provided by the FIELD programming environment. This system, developed between 1986 and 1992, offered a variety of program visualizations ranging from diagrammatic visualizations of the program structure, to user-definable data structure visualizations, to more abstract visualization of program execution. In this chapter we describe some of the techniques we used to make these visualizations effective and to allow them to be used for large systems. These include a variety of browsing and information encoding techniques that were designed to make maximal use of screen space and to let the user focus on the appropriate information of interest. We also provide our prospective on the effectiveness of these visualizations.


The present study was aimed to through light on the status of veterinary surgery and gynecology in the ancient Egypt. Data come from the medical papyri of the ancient Egyptians, tomb scenes and other finds related to the subject. The reviewed and discussed sources include papyrus of Kahun, papyrus of Edwin Smith and papyrus of Ebres while tomb scenes include that of Kom Ombo temple. Kahun papyrus contains informations on veterinary gynecology and surgery. Edwin Smith papyrus illustrates many surgical cases in human such as injuries and traumas. The Ebers papyrus talks about different surgical conditions in human including abscesses, tumors and burns and referred also to surgical instruments. Surgical sutures were mentioned by the three papyri.  It can inferred that awareness of Ancient Egyptians with different surgeries in human and animals, and the occurrence of the same surgical lesion in human and animal may suggest the same dealing.


Objective To study the effects of dibutyltin dilaurate(DBTD)on hepatic system and the activity of enzyme in serum of rats.Methods 28 health rats were chosen to do the experiment,and 7animals in each group.The rats were administrated orally with DBTD at the dose of 0,5,10 and 20?mg/kg respectively,and killed 5 weeks later.Alkaline phosphatases(AKP),glutamic-pyruvic transaminase enzyme(GPT)and gamma glutamy ltransferase(GGT)in serum,and acid phosphatases(ACP),alkaline phosphatases(AKP),lactate dehydrogenase enzyme(LDH),tin content in hepatic tissue were measured.Results The DBTD content of hepatic tissue was higher than that in control group(P0.05),and the activities of ACP,AKP and LDH in hepatic tissue were higher than those in control group(P0.05),at the same time the activities of ALP,GGT and GPT were also obviously higher than those in control group(P0.01).Conclusion DBTD can accumulate in hepatic tissue and has hepatic toxicity,so it can affect the activity of enzymes in liver and the liver's normal function.


The dynamic stress on a partially bonded fiber is analyzed for shear wave incidence, with particular attention given to the stress intensity factor at the neck joining the fiber to the matrix. The problem is formulated in terms of the unknown stress across the neck and the remainder of the fiber-matrix interface is modeled as a curved interfacial crack


Correction for 'Enhanced luminescence and tunable magnetic properties of lanthanide coordination polymers based on fluorine substitution and phenanthroline ligand' by Xun Feng et al., RSC Adv., 2019, 9, 16328–16338.


In natural materials (rocks and soils) spatial variability of geo-engineering properties practically always exists. This variability can be location dependent and/or directional dependent. Lack of this earth science information during reconnaissance phases of road infrastructure development work has hampered the economic and social development of most of the developing nations. The prevailing practices have resulted in poor management over natural resources, high maintenance costs and environmental degradation problems. The main objective of this paper is to introduce an economically feasible and simple approach to integrate the spatially varied geo-engineering properties and non-engineering attributes, so that optimum sites/corridors related to reconnaissance phases of road infrastructure development works could be delineated effectively. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E204151.


AbstractSanitary sewer networks are among the most important and most costly infrastructures in the water resources management field. However, the optimum design of these networks is cumbersome and...


The rapid development of biological and agricultural Sciences because of the need to feed the increasing world population dictates the importance of in-depth study of the structure and function of living systems. Knowledge of these issues allows us to improve plant breeding, sustainable agriculture, improve the life of mankind. In this regard, increasing the need to use research proven in other scientific questions, methods and experimental techniques. Recently there has been increased use of research methods of various characteristics of the optical properties of plants.


Aims: Cage fish farming is an emerging aquaculture technology in India. The successful cage farming demonstrations is the open sea and coastal waters by the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) led to the popularization of the technology in different maritime states of the country. The aim of the study was to analyse  the factors contributing the adoption decisions of cage fish farming in Kerala, Southwest coast of India
Study Design:  The data were collected from 100 respondents consisting of 50 each from adopters and non-adopters of cage fish farming in Ernakulam district of Kerala for analyzing the factors driving the adoption decisions.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Ernakulam district in the Southwest coast of India during October to December, 2019
Methodology: Factors contributing the adoption decisions of cage fish farming was analyzed using logistic regression model
Results: The results of the analysis revealed that access to institutional credit, education of the farmers, off farm income and training received were the key drivers of technology adoption decisions of fish farmers in Kerala. The odds favouring education increased by 5.90 times for the respondents. The access to institutional credit increased the odds of adoption of cage farming by 3.945 times. The availability of off farm income increased the odds of adopting cage farming technology by 3.257 times.
Conclusion: Cage fish farming being an emerging aquaculture technology, the results throw light on the necessity of adequate provisions for credit support and capacity development programmes by the institutional agencies for accelerating the technology adoption process. Since the education of the farmers and trainings were significant factors on adoption decisions, the technology could be effectively utilized and linked with employment generation schemes for the educated youth for augmenting fish production and livelihoods.


age did occasion wider opportunities of industrial training and advancement for women of the upcoming generation than had been available to previous cohorts, but this was a marginal gain in the face of a hierarchical relationship between die sexes that got reinforced rather than undermined by wartime developments in Soviet industry. Conze presages her verdict by a careful attention to the patterns of Soviet propaganda. In the first one or two years of the war, press organs such as Rabotnitsa abounded in heartwarming tales in which women who came in to take up the industrial work stations of their men soon proved tiieir doubters wrong by masterfully overfulfilling output norms. From 1943 on, however, this dieme gave way to celebrations of women who excelled in dieir citizenly duty of mothering children in addition to holding a full-time job. While the earlier story pattern was one where a paternally caring foreman bore witness to the productive trainability and prowess of his new workers, the later one marked a return to the traditional identification of the female sex with reproductive functions. The ideal woman was a resourceful and energetic mother who also held a full-time job to everyone's satisfaction and found the time for socially reproductive voluntary welfare work in her factory collective, too. The propaganda message showed no departure from traditional views of the sexual divisions of labor, putting into question the degree of change in this respect that actually occurred within the industrial workplace.


High strength concrete has become of special significance to be used in special structures, precast concrete and prestressed concrete. In this work about 12 concrete mixes have been investigated using crushed dolomite as coarse aggregate, control mixes for comparison. Various cement contents water/cement ratios, coarse/fine aggregate ratio and different curing methods have been studied to evaluate the potentiality of using this type of coarse aggregate to produce high strength concrete to be used for some special structures erected in Suez Canal area. Plasticizer and early strength admixture with different dosage are used in order to reduce the amount of mixing water to compensate the relatively high water absorption of the crushed dolomite. Fresh and hardened concrete properties are studied and compared with contral mixes having gravel as coarse aggregates. The increase in concrete strength when using crushed dolomite as coarse aggregate is tangible. Analysis, discussions and conclusions for test results of the basic properties and their control in both fresh and hardened stages are presented. (Author/TRRL)


In this study, it was investigated removal of turbidity from Pistachio Processing Industry Wastewater (PPIW) by electrooxidation. Electro-oxidation was established using Ti/Pt anodes and stainless steel cathodes in batch mode. Experimental parameters were selected as stirring speed, initial pH value and supporting electrolyte species. Removal fraction and energy consumption was calculated using experimental results of electro-oxidation of PPIW using Ti/Pt DSA type anode and stainless steel cathodes. The highest removal fraction was obtained as 0.85 at pH: 5.3 (natural), no stirring and 0.5 M NaCl supporting electrolyte concentration. Whereas, energy consumption was obtained as 203.5 kW-h/m at same experimental conditions.


Background: The correct choice for the percutaneous puncture site is key to the success of any percutaneous nephrolithotomy. The ideal puncture should maximize the effectiveness of the procedure in terms of stone-free rate and minimize the risk for complications. It is necessary to correctly choose the calyx to be accessed; in certain cases the upper calyx is the ideal site. Aims: To report our experience with the percutaneous approach to the upper pole with patients in the supine position. Methods: A retrospective, observational, descriptive study was carried out on patients with stones in the renal pelvis or upper calyx treated through percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Results: A total of 17 patients were included in the study, and 17 kidney units were treated. All 17 patients (100%) underwent general anesthesia. Nine (53%) of the patients were men and 8 (47%) were women, with a mean age of 45.8 years (range:18-72). Stone site was the right kidney in 10 (59%) patients and the left in 7 (41%). A total of 13 (76%) patients were symptomatic. The mean body mass index was 27 kg/m 2 (range: 20-34). ASA classification was I in 13 (76.4%) patients, II in 3(17.6%) patients, and III in one (5.8%) patient. eight (47%) patients underwent previous treatments. Procedure success or stonefree rate was achieved in 14 (82.3%) patients with the first treatment and in 17 (100%) with the second treatment. Discussion: Current knowledge of the pleural and diaphragmatic anatomy, the use of real time ultrasound for percutaneous puncture, and the development of new surgical techniques have considerably reduced the risk for intrathoracic complications.


Trichoderma has gained immense importance since last few decades due to its biological control ability against several plant pathogens. Twenty isolates of T. aureoviride were collected from different geographical locations of Chhattisgarh. Molecular characterization of isolates of T. aureoviride revealed homogeneity with ITS primer (internal transcribed spacer). In the present study the genetic relatedness among twenty isolates of Trichoderma aureoviride was analyzed by using sixteen gene specific markers. PCR amplification with ITS primers showed homogeneity of all T. aureoviride isolates indicating that they belong to the same species. Six different chitinase gene specific primers produced amplification of chitinase genes in almost all T. aureoviride isolates except one of the exochitinase encoding gene (Nacetyl-glucosaminidase), nag70 based primer Nag70F-R and two endochitinase encoding gene specific primers Ech42-2F-R and Ech42-3F-R that could not amplify any of the isolates of T. aureoviride. PCR amplification of fragments of cellulase gene using CBH1 primer amplified a nucleotide fragment of the expected size from some isolates while PR808-PRegl4 primer pair amplified 340, 140 & 100 bp bands in all the isolates. Primer pair fRPB2-5F2fRPB2-7cR2 generated major band above 1000 bp confirming the amplification of a 1.2-kb fragment of subunit 2 of the RNA polymerase B gene (RPB2) containing an ITS-like region. Almost all the isolates showed the presence of endochitinase and cellulose gene fragments which proves their ability to antagonize phytopathogens.


Purpose

Cities are both at risk and the cause of risk. The interconnectedness of urban features and systems increases the likelihood of complex disasters and a cascade or "domino" effect from related impacts. However, the lack of research means that our knowledge of urban risk is both scarce and fragmented. Against this background, the purpose of this paper is to examine the unique dynamics of risk in urban settings.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on literal reading, grounded theory and systems analysis, this conceptual paper presents a framework for understanding and addressing urban risk. It conceptualizes how interdependent, interconnected risk is shaped by urban characteristics and exemplifies its particularities with data and analysis of specific cases. From this, it identifies improvements both in the content and the indicators of the successor to the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA2) that will be adopted in 2015.

Findings

While it is common to see disasters as "causes", and the destruction of the built environment as "effects", this paper highlights that the intricate links between cities and disasters cannot be described by a unidirectional cause-and-effect relationship. The city–disasters nexus is a bidirectional relationship, which constantly shapes, and is shaped by, other processes (such as climate change).

Practical implications

This paper argues that in-depth knowledge of the links between cities' characteristic features, related systems and disasters is indispensable for addressing root causes and mainstreaming risk reduction into urban sector work. It enables city authorities and other urban actors to improve and adapt their work without negatively influencing the interconnectedness of urban risk.

Originality/value

This paper presents a framework for understanding and addressing urban risk and further demonstrates how the characteristics of the urban fabric (physical/spatial, environmental, social, economic and political/institutional) and related systems increase risk by: intensifying hazards or creating new ones, exacerbating vulnerabilities and negatively affecting existing response and recovery mechanisms.


This paper investigates the evolution of a streamwise aligned columnar vortex with vorticity &ohgr; ?> in an axial background shear of magnitude Ω by means of linear stability analysis and numerical simulations. A long wave mode of vorticity normal to the plane spanned by the background shear vector &OHgr; ?> and the vorticity of the vortex are excited by an instability. The stationary wave modes of the vertical and lateral vorticity are amplified. In order to form a helical vortex, the lateral and vertical vorticity can be phase shifted by half a wavelength. The linear and nonlinear evolutions of the vortex in the shear flow are studied numerically. Linearized simulations confirm the results of the stability analysis. The nonlinear simulations reveal further evolution of the helix in the shear flow. The linearly excited mode persists in co-existence with evolving smaller scale instabilities until the flow becomes fully turbulent at the time of  ( 100 &OHgr; − 1 ) ?> . Turbulent mixing dampens the amplifying mode. The described phenomenon of vortex meandering may serve as an alternative explanation for the excitation of wind turbine wake meandering in the atmospheric boundary layer.


Whether or not international trade exposes workers to economic insecurity depends on the nature of the trade exposure of the firm, or industry, in which the worker is employed. Import-competing industries experience higher levels of risk to workers' incomes and employment, while firms that import intermediate production stages ("offshoring") display bigger employment responses to small changes in workers' wages, and are more likely to shut down home factories. But offshoring also helps firms weather economic shocks. Offshoring firms are more likely to survive and provide greater employment stability to their workers.


Calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPPD) is a crystal deposition arthropathy involving the synovial and periarticular tissues. Its clinical presentation may range from being asymptomatic to acute or chronic inflammatory arthritis.Different terms are used to describe the varied phenotypes of calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease. Acute calcium pyrophosphate (CPP) deposition arthritis, frequently referred to as "pseudogout," presents as an acute flare of synovitis that resembles acute urate arthropathy (gout). Chronic CPP deposition arthritis informally referred to as pseudo-rheumatoid arthritis may present with a waxing and waning clinical course that may last for several months and resemble rheumatoid arthritis involving the wrists and metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints. The term chondrocalcinosis describes the characteristic radiological finding of intraarticular fibrocartilage calcification.The crystals involved in calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease are composed of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate and commonly affect larger and weight-bearing joints, including the hips, knees, or shoulders. A large number of patients present with underlying joint disease or metabolic abnormalities predisposing to CPP deposition, including osteoarthritis, trauma, surgery, or rheumatoid arthritis.


Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) is a gaseous ethylene-binding inhibitor used to control or delay ethylene-related postharvest effects in a range of horticultural commodities. The potential for preharvest applications of 1-MCP to prevent unwanted defoliation using ethephon to loosen mature citrus fruit is presented. Although there was no difference in mature fruit loosening by ethephon + 1-MCP treatments, 1-MCP reduced defoliation caused by ethephon. The gaseous nature of 1-MCP is an impediment to uniform application and consistent efficacy. A sprayable 1-MCP formulation would be of great value for preharvest use in many horticultural crops.


EDITORS, We read with interest the article published by Lin et al.1 This study evaluated the relationship between pre‐operative anti‐tu‐ mour necrosis factor (TNF) therapy and 30‐day post‐operative complication rates amongst patients with Crohn's disease (CD) undergoing abdominal surgery. After adjustment for confound‐ ers, pre‐operative anti‐TNF therapy was found to be significantly associated with increased rates of both total complications (ad‐ justed OR 1.53; 95% CI 1.11‐2.09) and infectious complications (adjusted OR 2.09, 95% CI 1.19‐3.65). The authors conclude that pre‐operative use of anti‐TNF agents in CD is independently asso‐ ciated with post‐operative complications, including infection, and recommend either postponing elective surgery or careful post‐ operative monitoring. While Lin et al adjusted for several clinically relevant variables, we feel that their results may be confounded because the authors did not account for whether the surgical procedure was emergent or elective. Complication rates after emergency surgery are likely to be inherently confounded by indication, and therefore may be higher compared to those observed after elective surgery. To explore this hypothesis, we conducted an independent literature search and only included studies of patients undergoing elective surgery. For com‐ parative purposes, we also analysed studies of elective surgery in ulcerative colitis (UC) and mixed UC/CD studies. We identified 14 studies that reported on post‐operative infec‐ tious complication rates following elective surgery in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients receiving pre‐operative anti‐TNF ther‐ apy. Six studies included patients with CD, five studies included pa‐ tients with UC and three studies involved a mixed population. The overall pooled OR demonstrated no statistically significant differ‐ ence in post‐operative infectious complications amongst patients who received pre‐operative anti‐TNF therapy vs those who did not (OR 1.31, 95% CI 0.914‐1.89, P = 0.14). We found moderate, statisti‐ cally significant heterogeneity for this comparison (χ2 (13) = 30.04, P = 0.0047; τ2 = 0.219). To place this comparison in context, the corresponding pooled risk difference (RD) was 3.1% (95% CI −2.2%, 8.4%, P = 0.25). No single study had undue influence on the overall results. When stratified by disease type (CD, UC, mixed), no sub‐ group differences were observed (χ2(2) = 2.10, P = 0.35), and the point estimates remained similar and nonsignificant. With respect to CD, our analyses revealed a pooled OR of 1.43 (95% 0.81‐2.55, P = 0.22) and a pooled RD of 4.5% (95% CI −2.8%, 11.7%, P = 0.22). When the 14 studies of emergency or mixed emergency/elective surgery reported by Lin et al were ex‐ cluded—leaving only the five elective surgery studies—the pooled OR was 2.03 (95% CI 1.21, 3.42, P = 0.0074). However, including the study by Kasparek, which the authors excluded, reduces the OR which then becomes nonsignificant (OR 1.65, 95% CI 0.91, 3.00, P = 0.10). In conclusion, our results fail to show an association between pre‐operative anti‐TNF therapy and increased risk of infectious com‐ plication in IBD patients who have had elective surgery. This is con‐ sistent with studies performed in other surgical contexts that have concluded that elective surgery in patients receiving pre‐operative anti‐TNF therapy is safe.2,3 However, further research is required to provide definitive evidence regarding the safety of anti‐TNF drugs and other biologic medications in this setting.


The article is devoted to an empirical analysis of the relationship between objective and subjective assessment of inequality in income distribution. Identifying the relationship between these indicators is a topical issue and requires research to verify the relationship between statistical, graphical and correlation-regression analysis. The objective level of income inequality is represented by the value of the Gini index, and the subjective assessment is the result of a survey of respondents in the World Values Survey project, namely the weighted average perception of inequality on a 10-point scale. The analysis of a sample of 36 countries as a whole and separately in Ukraine was carried out. The results on the nature of the relationship between the selected indicators of inequality in income distribution were obtained.


Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate various irregular wave parameters to determine which provides the best match for the regular wave parameter used to develop design guidance. The tests were conducted using fine sand as the model sediment and results were judged based on best bottom profile matches. Uniform regular waves were used to displace sand initially placed at a 1:4 slope in front of a concrete structure which had a similar 1:4 slope. Typical irregular wave parameters were used to generate irregular wave trains to displace sand molded to the same initial conditions used in the regular wave tests. Results indicated that significant wave height is the best irregular wave design parameter for matching results based on uniform regular wave tests. This suggests that the highest 1/3 of the waves in a given distribution are probably the most important for sediment transport.


Abstract : During a period of six months from February to July 1964, the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, area was repeatedly exposed to sonic booms generated to simulate overpressure levels that are expected for supersonic transport overflights. The schedule provided for eight sonic booms per day. During the six-month period, almost 3,000 local residents were interviewed three times to determine the nature and extent of their reactions to the sonic booms. This report contains a detailed description of the overall study design including the selection of households, selection of respondents, training and selection of interviewers and samples of questionnaires used during the interviews. Among the findings it was determined that ordinary living activities were often interrupted by sonic booms, but that a majority of the residents felt they could learn to live with the interruptions. A substantial number of residents felt they had sustained damages from the booms, although detailed engineering observations of structures in the area did not confirm most of these reports. As the intensity of the booms increased, acceptance of the booms by residents was reduced. Residents who felt that the development of a commercial supersonic airplane was important were more likely to accept the exposures to the sonic booms.


Abstract The focus of the paper is on tourism culture as it operates where commercial hospitality is on offer, especially at hotels and resorts in developing countries. It is suggested that three quite distinct perspectives can assist in helping us understand this aspect of tourism culture, which emerges where worker and tourist roles inevitably converge and interact. In themselves, such perspectives are not new, but they rarely seem to have been applied in the context of hotels and resorts. The first perspective, derived from the work of Homi Bhabha (1994), conceives of tourism culture as hybrid in nature, operating in a 'third space' between tourist and 'host,' and directs attention to the uncertain and negotiated aspects of tourism culture. In the second, that of the socio-technical system, tourism culture is seen as an interface between, on the one hand, the formal operational rules and procedures designed to deliver an organization's mission and, on the other hand, the on-going and lived-in cultures brought into the 'system' by tourists and the hospitality providers. The third perspective, that of the total institution, derived from Goffman (1968), focuses on the social and physical boundaries that separate the hotel or resort from the outside world and on the cultural practices that serve to further differentiate it and its population from the outside. It is suggested that use of these perspectives can further our understanding of the nature of tourism at different destinations and the ways hotels and similar institutions impact on both staff members and holidaymakers. As a consequence, they are theoretically and empirically relevant and politically important.


Protein synthesis is the ultimate outcome of gene expression which, in turn, is regulated by several translation factors. We attempted to identify substances that can inhibit the translation process in vitro when the outcome protein is luciferase. To this end, we developed a sensitive cell-free protein synthesis assay using luciferase as the reporter. The synthesis of luciferase increased proportionately as mRNA was added to a 15-μl reaction medium in concentrations ranging from 5 ng to 500 ng. The maximum amount of luciferase was synthesized when the media were incubated at 25°C for 40 min. The concentration of each compound that inhibited luciferase production by 50% (IC 50 ) was calculated. Hygromycin, puromycin, and cycloheximide yielded an IC 50 of 0.008, 0.8, and 0.7 μg/ml, respectively. A filtrate of Streptomyces spp. isolates inhibited protein synthesis up to 5-fold when added to the in vitro translation assay mixture.


This study elucidates the combination of an oscillator circuit with a high-frequency amplifier, a matching network, and a layered surface acoustic wave device for detecting ultraviolet (UV) light. The oscillator circuit shows an excellent performance with the resonance frequency of 109.34MHz and phase noise of −107.137dB at 100kHz. The frequency shift that is caused by the interaction between the acoustic wave and carriers upon excitation by UV light in the ZnO thin film is discussed. The frequency variation of the oscillator steadily increases with the intensity of the UV light. An extreme frequency shift of 63.75kHz was observed as the UV light intensity reached 1250μW∕cm2.


New surgical techniques and advances in intensive care and medical treatment have significantly decreased mortality rates for children and adolescents with complex congenital heart disease (CHD). Survivors are at risk for neurodevelopmental and neuropsychological morbidity caused by both genetic and environmental risk factors, which causes a distinctive pattern of developmental and neuropsychology impairment characterized by mild cognitive impairment, executive functions impaired social interaction, and impairments in core communication skills, including pragmatic language, as well as attention, impulsive behavior, and impaired executive functions among children affected with congenital heart disease. In view of this, the present study reviews the neurodevelopmental and neuropsychological impairment with an objective of insisting the importance in developing and implementing a neuropsychological intervention program for children with congenital heart defect to retrain neuropsychological and neuro-developmental functions. With increased survival rates, the focus of clinical research in the pediatric cardiac population has paralleled the population shift and transitioned from short term surgical survival to the assessment of longterm morbidity.


This paper proposes a novel lip reading framework, especially for low-resource languages, which has not been well addressed in the previous literature. Since low-resource languages do not have enough video-text paired data to train the model to have sufficient power to model lip movements and language, it is regarded as challenging to develop lip reading models for low-resource languages. In order to mitigate the challenge, we try to learn general speech knowledge, the ability to model lip movements, from a high-resource language through the prediction of speech units. It is known that different languages partially share common phonemes, thus general speech knowledge learned from one language can be extended to other languages. Then, we try to learn language-specific knowledge, the ability to model language, by proposing Language-specific Memory-augmented Decoder (LMDecoder). LMDecoder saves language-specific audio features into memory banks and can be trained on audio-text paired data which is more easily accessible than video-text paired data. Therefore, with LMDecoder, we can transform the input speech units into language-specific audio features and translate them into texts by utilizing the learned rich language knowledge. Finally, by combining general speech knowledge and language-specific knowledge, we can efficiently develop lip reading models even for low-resource languages. Through extensive experiments using five languages, English, Spanish, French, Italian, and Portuguese, the effectiveness of the proposed method is evaluated.


The book probes the worlds of the social histories of medicine and culture as pivotal entry points into what constitutes madness and deviancy in the asylum records. It will also be the first one to bring together institutional and non-institutional histories of insanity by focussing on Hindi medical literature. Psychiatric repertoire found its way in the Hindi vernacular wherein the meaning and context differed dramatically. Therefore, the study traces the emergence of 'mind sciences' in Hindi during the period of high nationalism. The book unmasks the irrationalities of colonialism and nationalism by contextualizing the social, cultural, and political frames in which racial, primordial, psychical, spiritual, and psychiatric understanding of madness enmeshed resulting to a peculiar milieu.


We report on a new species of the neopterygian genus Sangiorgioichthys Tintori and Lombardo, 2007, from middle Anisian (Pelsonian) deposits in South China (Luoping County, Yunnan Province). Sangiorgioichthys was previously known from a single species, S. aldae, from the late Ladinian of the Monte San Giorgio (Italy and Switzerland). The recognition of the new species helped to improve the diagnosis of the genus, which is mainly characterized by the presence of broad posttemporal and supracleithral bones, one or two suborbital bones occupying a triangular area ventral to the infraorbital bones and lateral to the quadrate, and elongate supramaxilla fitting in a an excavation of the dorsal border of the maxilla. Sangiorgioichthys sui n. sp. differs from the type species in having two pairs of extrascapular bones, the medial pair usually fused to the parietals, maxilla with a complete row of small conical teeth, long supramaxilla, more than half of the length of the maxilla, only two large suborbital bones posterior to the orbit, and flank scales with finely serrated posterior borders. With the discovery of S. sui n. sp., the number of fish genera shared by the Anisian/Ladinian deposits in the Alps and the Anisian deposits in South China increases, including not only the cosmopolitan Birgeria and Saurichthys, but also, among others, the subholosteans Colobodus (so far only in Panxian), Luopingichthys (so far only in Luoping), Peltopleurus, Habroichthys, and the very specialized neopterygians Placopleurus and Marcopoloichthys (only in Luoping). Therefore, although several fish taxa remain to be studied in the Chinese faunas, the so far available evidence indicates close biogeographic relationship between the Middle Triassic marine faunas of the Western Tethys region.


During operations using biodegradable oil for lubrication, the chemical structure of the biolubricant changes and, as a consequence, its biodegradability tends to decrease. Despite the fact that the biodegradability of most of the fresh biodegradable oils has been well determined, the monitoring of the biodegradability of oil during its aging has not been studied. Thus, the development of a monitoring method for on-line measuring of lubricant biodegradability could provide a significant advance in lubrication and environmental management. In the present paper, the prediction of the biodegradability of a lubricant by means of near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy combined with advanced statistical techniques like PLS is presented. Three fully formulated ester oils and a biodegradable base oil without additives were selected for performing laboratory oxidation in a batch reactor at 140°C using an air flux and aided by mechanical stirring. During the aging process of the oils, 35 aliquots were sampled at different degradation times, in order to build a mathematical model which allowed the biodegradability of oil to be predicted.


In this paper we expounded the principle of spin-transition between a low-spin and a high spin state on some 3d n(4≤n≤7)transition metal compounds, and recommended the characterization methods of the spin-transition behaviors.Also we discussed the conditions of the polymers which can become memory materials and briefed the present situation and prospect in this area.


ABSTRACT A simple and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method has been developed for the determination of valproic acid in human plasma. The method is based on pre-column derivatization using a new fluorescent reagent, N-(7-methoxy-4-methyl-2-oxo-2H-6-chromenyl)-2-bromoacetamide. The internal standard for the assay procedure was cyclohexanecarboxylic acid. The optimum monitoring conditions and the stability of the derivatives were investigated. The derivatization reaction proceeds in acetone in the presence of potassium carbonate and the crown ether, 18-crown-6 at 30C with a reaction time of 30 min. The resulting derivatives were separated under isocratic conditions (acetonitrile–water, 60 : 40, v/v) on a LiChrospher RP-18 column (125 × 4.0 mm, i.d. 5 μm) and were detected fluorimetrically at a wavelength of 435 nm with an excitation of 345 nm. All chromatographic experiments were carried out at a flow rate 1.0 mL/min at ambient temperature. The method was fully validated and applied for the determination of valproic acid over the concentration range of 6.0–150.0 mg/mL. The detection limit for valproic acid added to plasma sample was 0.13 μg/mL plasma (3 pg on column). The recovery of valproic acid averaged 100.4%. The accuracy of the assay ranged from −0.5% to 1.3%. The method was shown to be highly reproducible and it seems to be adequate for routine therapeutic drug monitoring.


The present specification discloses a method for generating a block by a node device, comprising the steps of: obtaining one or more transactions that are not stored in a block chain; determining whether a new hash function for the one or more transactions is needed; preparing the new hash function; generating block data for the one or more transactions; calculating a hash value for the block data by the new hash function; generating a block including the hash value and the block data; and transmitting the block for storage in the block chain.


Applications of flax fiber composites already abound but are still limited due to their low performances. Various ways to improve the performance have been studied. Numerous studies dealt with the effect of retting, physical modification and chemical pre-treatments of fiber on composite properties. However, there are only a limited number of investigations on extrusion of natural fiber and polymer matrix and the parameters involved. Extrusion compounding addresses such problems as non-homogeneous mixture and separation of fiber from polymer during rotational molding which consequently affect mechanical and physical properties. Using vinyltrimethoxysilane as chemical pre-treatment on flax fibers mixed with high density polyethylene (HDPE) and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) as polymer matrices, this study focuses on the effects of flax fiber content (0%, 12.5% and 25% loading) and extrusion parameters such as screw speed (110 and 150 rpm) and barrel zone temperatures (75,110,120,130,140oC and 75,120,130,140,150oC) on the mechanical and physical properties of the composites. The mixture of chemically pre-treated flax fibers and polyethylene matrices underwent extrusion compounding using a twin-screw extruder. Physical properties of the extrudates from different treatments were measured and compared. Results of the extrudate density test and the SEM image analysis showed that there is a relationship between the deviation of the actual density from the ideal density and the porosity of the extrudate. The negative deviations signified that there were a lot of pores while positive deviations and minimal deviations signified that there were minimal pores. Results of the color analysis showed that the color index ∆E was dependent only on the fiber content and not on the temperatures and screw speeds which means that the extruded materials did not undergo degradation as would have been evidenced by a change in color.


This study offers an approach for understanding factors influencing employees' acceptance and usage of Facebook as an assisted learning tool in Problem-based Learning (PBL). Based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the objectives of this study are to explore behavioral intention and the factors (perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEU), social influence (SI), perceived enjoyment (PE), concentration (C) and computer self-efficacy (CSE) affecting Facebook use for assisted PBL. A survey was distributed to 377 employees in a Taiwanese manufacturing company. Among the factors explored, perceived ease of use (PEU) is a stronger predictor of user influence compared to others. The study concludes with implications for researchers, educators and policy makers who are interested in using social software to support learning.

 Key words: Facebook, technology acceptance model, problem-based learning, social influence, employees in a Taiwanese manufacturing company.


To the Editor: Tranexamic acid (TXA) has recently become popular for use in orthopedic surgeries owing to its ef fi cacy in reducing blood loss, transfusion rates, and mortality without increasing the risk of deep venous thrombosis. [1] Although the ideal dosage and route for TXA administration remain unclear, it has become one of the most important parts of the perioperative blood conservation strategy. However, it remains controversial to prescribe TXA to patients with cardiovascular diseases, because of prothrombotic and proconvulsant effects, which potentially increases cardiovascular risk. Atrial fi brillation (AF), being the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia, affects over 33 million individuals worldwide and is associated with a fi vefold increase in the risk of stroke. [2] Oral anticoagulants are administered to these patients toward preventing stroke and systemic embolism, and anticoagulant therapy would increase the perioperative blood loss during total joint arthroplasty. Although a previous study demonstrated no detrimental effect of TXA on the risk of cardiovascular events and death following total hip arthroplasty, the population investigat-ed in that study included patients without cardiovascular diseases, which might cover up the real incidence of postoperative cardiovascular complication in these patients and thereby lead to statistical bias. [1] Therefore, the retrospective cohort study aimed to assess the effects of perioperative TXA administration on cardiovascular occlusive events, perioperative resuscitation in patients with AF undergoing total joint arthroplasty. This study was conducted


Large language models (LLMs) excel in many tasks in NLP and beyond, but most open models have very limited coverage of smaller languages and LLM work tends to focus on languages where nearly unlimited data is available for pretraining. In this work, we study the challenges of creating LLMs for Finnish, a language spoken by less than 0.1% of the world population. We compile an extensive dataset of Finnish combining web crawls, news, social media and eBooks. We pursue two approaches to pretrain models: 1) we train seven monolingual models from scratch (186M to 13B parameters) dubbed FinGPT, 2) we continue the pretraining of the multilingual BLOOM model on a mix of its original training data and Finnish, resulting in a 176 billion parameter model we call BLUUMI. For model evaluation, we introduce FIN-bench, a version of BIG-bench with Finnish tasks. We also assess other model qualities such as toxicity and bias. Our models and tools are openly available at https://turkunlp.org/gpt3-finnish.


Previous studies have reported psychological disorders experienced by health workers such as anxiety, stress and depression during a pandemic will leave trauma that can last 1 - 3 years afterward. The systematic review study of the causes of depression from various countries can be an effort to determine prevention, treatment and rehabilitation measures for medical personnel who experience depression due to COVID-19 in Indonesia. Systematic searches were carried out in June - July 2020 through PubMed, Google Scholar, NIH, CDC, and Science Direct. Keywords: "COVID 19 and depression and Health workers" and "COVID 19 and depression", "COVID 19 and depression and Health workers and factors associated" and "COVID 19 and depression and review". The critical assessment of the article is carried out by the authors of all authors. There were 8 articles that met the inclusion criteria involving 16,107 health workers from around the world. Most of depression is caused by changes in work patterns that are increasingly busy, dense, risky, and also draining the mind and energy of health workers, especially those working on the front lines. Fear of contagion also dominates the factors that cause depression.


The nature of the ON-NO bonding in the NO dimer still remains a challenge for currently available theoretical and experimental methods. Most of the theoretical studies reported so far predict a singlet cis ground state. However, the fully optimized geometry of the NO dimer may favor a triplet ground state, depending on the approximate method used. In this work we explore in detail the electronic structure of the fully optimized trans- and cis-NO dimer including a vibrational analysis in different electronic states, using several exchange-correlation functionals within the Kohn-Sham DFT method. The recently developed LAP exchange-correlation schemes that use the Laplacian of the density and the self-consistent kinetic energy density, improves significantly the results. The N-N bond distance is in better agreement with the experimental results, and the triplet/singlet gap is smaller, however, still predicting a triplet ground state. The nature of the electronic ground state is discussed in detail. We explor...


The Kohayakawa–Nagle–Rödl‐Schacht conjecture roughly states that every sufficiently large locally d‐dense graph G on n vertices must contain at least (1 − o(1))d|E(H )|n|V (H )| copies of a fixed graph H. Despite its important connections to both quasirandomness and Ramsey theory, there are very few examples known to satisfy the conjecture. We provide various new classes of graphs that satisfy the conjecture. First, we prove that adding an edge to a cycle or a tree produces graphs that satisfy the conjecture. Second, we prove that a class of graphs obtained by gluing complete multipartite graphs in a tree‐like way satisfies the conjecture. We also prove an analogous result with odd cycles replacing complete multipartite graphs.


at: B ES 2 0 1 8 Carcinoid heart disease as the Presentation of Ovarian Neuroendocrine Tumour in the absence of Liver Metastases Arambewela MH1, Al-Mukhtar A2, Macdonald M3, Dennis A4, O'Toole L5, Howarth G6, Munir A1 Department of Endocrinology1, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery2, Department of Gynaecology3, Department of Anaesthesiology4, and Department of Cardiology5 Department of Histopathology 6Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.


Objective Abstract Objective To probe into the relationship of the expression level of VEGF and MMP-2 and the shaping of tumor incursion metastasis and malignant phenotype for non-small cell.Methods 60 patients were diagnosed as primary non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with clear-cut pathologic diagnosis and competed pathological data and visited for 6-64 months and whose postoperative lung cancer tissue paraffin section and near cancer part normal lung tissue paraffin section were determined for the expression level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) with immunohistochemistry SP.Results The positive rates of VEGF and MMP-2 were 68.3% and 65.0%,respectively.Comparing with the cancer side normal tissue,there was significant difference (P0.01).The positive expression rate of VEGF and MMP-2 had positive correlation with clinical pathological stage and the size of the tumor (P0.01),and was both significantly higher in patients with lymph node metastasis and recurred cancer than in those without (P0.01).VEGF and MMP-2 were found of no relationship with age,gender,histological and habit of smoking (P0.05).An obviously positive linear correlation was found between expression of VEGF and MMP-2 (P0.01).Conclusion The expression of VEGF and MMP-2 is related to the tumor size,clinical pathological stage,lymph node metastasis and reoccurred cancer.VEGF and MMP-2 is closely related with characterization of the invasion and metastasis of NSCLC.VEGF and MMP-2 is also valuable for judging the malignant degree for tumor.


The control of feeding behaviour or, in other words, onset and ending of appetite, takes place at brain level in two different pathways. One of the pathways ensures a long term stability of the peripheric adipose tissue throughout a balance between caloric intake and energy expenditure. There are two hormones that may access brain tissue from blood and play a crucial role in this process, leptin, secreted by adipocytes from the white adipose tissue, and insulin, secreted by the endocrine pancreas. The other pathway regulates the short term onset of appetite and end of food intake and, on this pathway, the recently reported peptinergic brain-intestines axis plays a central role. Orexins, first reported in 1998 and secreted by the lateral hypothalamus, neurons and secretory cells from intestines, stomach and pancreas, seem to play a role in the integration of both pathway since they are involved in transferring the intestinal responses to the brain.


The clay mineral distributions in sufrace sediments from the Chukchi Sea and adjacent arctic deep sea are controlled by the sediment source and marine circulation structure. The sediments in the northeastern and northern study area are affected greatly by the kaolinite- and illite-rich sediments from the Canadian Makenzie River, the offshore sediments along the northwest Alaska coast are affected significantly by the sediments from the northwest Alaska rivers and coast, which are rich in chlorite and have variable kaolinite contents, and the sediments in the western study area are affected significantly by the chlorite-rich Siberian materials. The Pacific water passing through the Bering Strait brings in the Yukon River materials rich in smectite to spread northward to result in the high content of smectite in the central Chukchi Sea sediments, and the differential sorting of clay minerals also promotes the enrichment of smectite in the central Chukchi Sea.


Objective To construct a lentiviral miR-30a expression vector for the study of the mechanism of miR-30a in chronic myeloid leukemia and the impact to imatinib resistance.Methods Human bone marrow genomic DNA was extracted,miR-30a precursor sequence was amplificated and cloned into the lentivirus expression vector pIVTHM,then sended sequencing.The recombinant vector was packaged in 293T cells and tittered in K562cells.GFP-positive K562 cells with green fluorescence were sorted by flow cytometry,miR-30a expression level in sorted cells was further detected by RT-PCR.The proliferation of different cells was detected by CCK-8 assay.Results Sequencing of the recombinant lentiviral expression vector was completely correct;viral titer was6×10~6 TU/mL;160 μL virus solution /1mL medium was selected to infect K562 cells;the expression level of miR-30a in infected K562 cells was significantly enhanced(P 0.05);the proliferation levels of cells overexpressed miR-30a decreased significantly(P 0.05).Conclusions miR-30a lentivirus vector is successfully constructed and miR-30a is stably expressed in K562 cells,and miR-30a may inhibit the proliferation level of K562 cells.


Optimal product selection is a multi-criteria decision making problem since product's quality properties can be considered from different perspectives. Among various product's quality properties, technical, exploitational, functional, structural, aesthetic, market, and environmental can be identified as most important. Considering that the environmental properties are well recognized quality feature of a modern product, an emphasis on product's environmental properties are nowadays mandatory. This paper uses multi-criteria decision making model in order to select the optimal product considering the product's quality and environmental properties. The model for optimal product selection uses performance and environmental perspectives for assignment of criteria weights in order to obtain comprehensive evaluation in multi-criteria decision making. The proposed model was verified on the selection of optimal industrial centrifugal fan. Power, maximum airflow, level of noise and weight are defined as criteria for multi-criteria decision making and evaluation of industrial centrifugal fan alternatives. Six models of industrial centrifugal fans were compared and evaluated. Ranking obtained from multi-criteria decision making identified the optimal product from product's quality and environmental aspect.


TITLEThe effect of apple and guava chewing to debris indexABSTRACTDebris is food accumulation contained in the oral cavity, if not promptly cleaned will cause dental caries disease. Debris can be cleaned mechanically or chemically.  One of the way to clean debris by chewing apples and guava, fibrous texture and juicy fruit, so it can clean teeth naturally. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of chewing an apple and red guava against debris index.This research method is quasy experimental with pre and post test design. Population were students aged 8-10 years. Samples are 40 students who were divided into 2 groups: 20 students as treatment group chewing apples and 20 students chewing guava as control group. Sampling using total sampling techniques. Independent variables was munching apples and guava red while dependent variable was debris index,Results: from paired T test showed the results of p = 0.000, mean p 0.05, while the independent T test showed the results of p = 0,001, meaning p Value of 0.05. Conclusion: Chewing apples and guava red effect on the index debris. Chewing apples are more effective than chewing guava in decreasing debris index. Key words : apple, guava red, debris index


In this paper we report the measurement of the birefringence of a range of metallo-mesogens, the metals incorporated being palladium, silver and iridium. The birefringences are determined by two methods: approximate values are determined from a wedge cell, and accurate values are measured using a modulated optical interference method. The materials investigated were found to have high birefringences, in some cases greater than 0.3, and supercooling to lower temperatures could lead to materials of even higher optical anisotropy.


This investigation was carried out the development and implementation of a business plan applied to the administrative management of the company "RIO BG Distributions" with the purpose of improving the positioning of the brand within the local market of Riobamba city. In the first phase of the stage, a diagnosis was made of the initial situation of the company regarding the standing of the market to verify the points of advance in the business administration. In the second stage, the business plan was developed and implemented within the company. Subsequently, a revaluation of the market positioning of the brand was approved out in order to determine the influence of the business plan on the positioning of the company in the local market. To determine this impact, the DAFO indexes were valued, showing that there were significant differences between the index means before the execution of the business plan (-0.22 points) and the averages of the index after the application of the business strategy (0.53) points) which shows that the request of the business plan improves the positioning of the company's market. In addition, it was verified that the volume of sales differs statistically in the two previous months and two months after the application of the business plan ($ 60,252.70 and $ 64,689.19 per week respectively), which shows that the proposal of the business improves the economic profitability of the company as a result of a better positioning within the market


In this paper, the envelope of unmatched beam in the periodic focusing system is analyzed and the expression of beam cross section is given. We find that, by using the commonly used methods, we can't get the real emittance of the beam in the ring accelerators, but can only get the acceptance of the accelerator corresponding to the maximum aperature filled by the beam.In this paper, we propose to measure the beam envelope by a thin plastic scintillation filament. And from the measured data we can get the real emittanee of the beam. At the same time, we can get the tune values, the coherent oscillation amplitude and its frequency and the closed orbit distortion.


In order to improve the workability of 1420K-Li alloy, the effect of quenched rate to the microstructure and tensile properties of the alloy was studied by the tensile test and TEM .The results show that the quenched rate has apparent effect on the plasticity. The optimum mechanical properties of the alloy can be gained around a certain rate. The quenched rate has also effect on the volume and location of δ'precipitation, the size of subgrain and the density of dislocation in grain.


In this paper, we present the fabrication, testing and numerical frequency analysis of 2-beam and 4-beam SU-8 single axis accelerometer with two different beam thicknesses: 4.475 µm and 8.216 µm. Polymer accelerometer structures are simple to fabricate and highly sensitive piezoresistive material can be easily implemented for performance improvement. The dynamic characterization of the devices was performed to measure resonant frequency using Lazer Doppler Vibrometer (LDV). Using extracted dimensions of the prototypes from experimental characterization, dynamic FEM analysis is performed to investigate the frequency response of the devices. Resonant frequency values from experimental study are in good agreement with those obtained from simulation with a maximum error of 18% and 9% for the 2-beam and 4-beam structures, respectively.


As readers of Shakespeare Quarterly will be aware, the months between April 2001 and August 2002 were notable in Stratford for turmoil in and about the Royal Shakespeare Company, with upheaval in the company's organization, speculation about its policies and plans, the sudden resignation of Adrian Noble as artistic director and the announcement of Michael Boyd as his successor. The upheavals of the past eighteen months, with their strain on resources, company morale, and public goodwill, may be followed by a period of stabilization. There are signs of a return to older policies and to a reinforced sense of the company's identity. The Stratford schedule for 2003, announced in January, suggests that the new regime will reverse many of the decisions taken by the old. This will be a longer season, ending in early November, and will feature a single company working in both the Swan and the main house. There is as yet no word on the Other Place, but the major development initiatives—demolition, rebuilding, and a "theatre village"—and the organizational restructuring of Project Fleet seem to be at least on hold. The quality of many of the Shakespeare productions during this period should not be overshadowed by these momentous doings. The summer Festival Season of 2001 included a fine Hamlet, an enjoyable Twelfth Night, and a challenging Julius Caesar. Greg Doran's King John opened the season in the Swan, where Peter Barnes's somewhat jumbled Jubilee provided another Shakespearean element in its satire on David Garrick's inauguration of the Shakespeare industry.1 No plays by Shakespeare were performed by the RSC at the Other Place in the period under review, although an engaging and vigorous Japanese production of The Merchant of Venice was seen there in October, and Theatre for a New Audience (TFANA) from New York brought its eclectic Cymbeline —with Samurai Britons, Renaissance Europeans, and cowboys hiding in Wales—for a short season in November and early December. For the time being, it seemed as though this was to be the studio theater's last bow as a public performance space in its present form. On the last night of Cymbeline the director, Bart Sher, made a curtain speech thanking three individuals—all women—for their contribution to the experience. These were Cicely Berry, who had been instrumental in TFANA's coming to Stratford; the theater's administrator Bronwen Robertson; and Buzz Goodbody, the founder of the Other Place in its first incarnation as a tin shed. None of the company Shakespeare Performed


The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a resin-extended isoprene rubber, obtained by the method comprising stretching a resin rubber, isoprene rubber composition and a pneumatic member for use in a tread rubber composition obtained by the tires, natural rubber and / or synthetic isoprene rubber and resin, and the resin is highly dispersed resin formed by extending a method for producing isoprene rubber, comprising a fracture properties ensure extended rubber obtained by this method with a resin or the like a rubber composition and a pneumatic tire, the method using the rubber composition is formed comprising (a) comprises natural rubber and / or synthetic isoprene rubber and rubber component (B) thermoplastic resin stretched resin iso a method of producing isoprene rubber, after the component (B) is dispersed in water together with a slurry of the resin (a) latex of a mixed rubber component, coagulation, drying treatment.


It is shown how deviations of neutrino flavor mix from the canonical 1 : 1 : 1 in high energy astrophysical neutrinos can provide evidence for neutrino decays with lifetimes as long as $10^4 s/eV$.


It has been found that, for linear networks, both Thevenin's and Norton's theorems are special cases of the compensation theorem. To illustrate the interdependence of these network theorems, Thevenin's theorem is proved using the compensation theorem. Norton's theorem can be derived by using a dual form of the compensation theorem.


Rapid increase of large-scale high-rise structures results in three-dimensional distribution of wireless traffic, and thus raises a new demand of three-dimensional coverage of the common control signals in cellular mobile communication networks. The control approach of three-dimensional coverage is investigated in this paper, based on planar array of macro basestation and three-dimensional beamforming technology. A novel algorithm is proposed for obtaining the excitation weight matrix of planar array. Coverage requirement is extracted according to the target coverage distances and the actual landforms in different directions, and then mapped into an anisotropic desired array pattern. The optimization model is established as a joint minimization of array pattern design error and transmission power. An approximately optimal tradeoff coefficient and the corresponding weight matrix are solved through iteration. Numerical results validate that the proposed algorithm has the advantages of excellent coverage performance, considerable saving of transmission power and effective suppression of inter-cell interference.


The distribution of variants and three-dimensional (3D) configurations of the heterogeneously formed S (Al2CuMg) precipitates at dislocations, grain boundaries and the Al20Cu2Mn3 dispersoid/Al interfaces were studied in this research. By means of high resolution transmission electron microscopy, we systematically investigated the orientation relationships (ORs) between these heterogeneously formed S precipitates and the Al matrix, and further unraveled that the preferred orientation of S variants at grain boundaries and at dispersoid/Al interfaces are respectively associated with the OR between the precipitate habit plane and the grain boundary plane, and the OR between the precipitate habit plane and the interface plane. The inherent characteristic of the crystal structure of the S phase, i.e. the symmetry of the pentagonal subunit, was considered to be the fundamental factor determining the preference of the variant pair. By using high angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy tomography, we successively obtained the 3D reconstruction of the S precipitates at these defects. Both the morphology of an individual S precipitate and the overall configuration of the S precipitates nucleated at these defects can be clearly observed without misunderstandings induced by the overlap and projection effects of the conventional two-dimensional methods.


Abstract The purpose of this study is to show that financial management in the firm is a tool for achieving stable firm growth and long-term firm stability while problems in firm financial management lead to the inability of firms to ensure sustainable growth of their value. This problem is relevant for firms in all countries. The main objectives of this paper are: to analyse dynamics of value of the largest Latvian firms, to determine the drivers of these dynamics and to establish the main problems slowing the growth of firm value, which are related to the drawbacks in financial management, and to provide suggestions for solving these problems. This study analyses financial management processes and identifies several key problems in financial management.


Akiva Trattner, MD, Department of Dermatology, Beilinson Medical Center, Petah Tiqva and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv (Israel) To the Editor, We read with great interest the case of primary infection by human parvovirus B19 presented by Veraldi et al. [1] and their review of the cutaneous manifestation caused by this virus. They omitted a recently des-ribed entity, namely papular-purpuric 'gloves and socks' syndrome, which has been related to parvovirus B19 by some authors. Eight patients with this uniqe dermatosis have been described to date [2-6]. It is characterized by a pruritic erythema and edema of the hands and feet in a gloves-and-socks distribution and associated oral lesions and flu-like features. Petechial purpura occurs rapidly in the same distribution; lesions clear within 1-2 weeks. Two patients [3, 4] had seroconversion to parvovirus B19 during the course of the disorder, suggesting parvovirus B19 as the cause References Veraldi S, Rizzitelli G, Lunghi G, Cardone R: Primary infection by human parvovirus B19. Dermatology 1993;186:72-74. Harms M, Feldmann R, Saurat J-H: Papular-purpuric 'gloves and socks' syndrome. J Am Acad Dermatoi 1990;23:850-854. Bagot M, Revuz J: Papular-purpuric 'gloves and socks' syndrome: Primary infection by parvovirus B19? J Am Acad Dermatoi 1991; 25:341. by Human for this dermatosis. However, the serology in 3 other cases contradicts this hypothesis [5, 6]. Thus, parvovirus B19 may be considered as one possible etiologic factor, but other viral or infectious agents should be sought as well. Halasz CLG. Cormier D, Den M: Petechial glove and sock syndrome caused by parvovirus B19. J Am Acad Dermatoi 1992;27:835-838. Harms M, Feldmann R. Saurat J-H: Papular purpuric 'gloves and socks' syndrome: Primary infection with parvovirus B19? J Am Acad Dermatoi 1991;25:341-342. Trattner A, David M: Purpuric 'gloves and socks' syndrome: Histologic, immunofluores-cence and polymerase chain reaction study. J Am Acad Dermatoi, in press.


The certificate in Building Construction Technology is a one-year program that prepares students for entry-level positions within the growing construction industry. Affording much hands-on participation, the curriculum includes safety, basic math skills, blueprint reading, use of hand and power tools, basic surveying, wood building materials, concrete work, masonry skills, painting, and communication skills. This competencyand performance-based program follows nationally recognized NCCER certification standards.


The passage concerning the heroic lifestyle, surviving in the Epitome version of Athenaeus' Deipnosophistae, is an area full of controversy. Scholars debate over the source(s) used by Athenaeus here and speculate about the relationship of the summarized version of the text to its original unepitomized form, which is lost to us. These two modern approaches to this part of the first book of the Deipnosophistae aim at general clarification of the content and the structure of the discussion of the Homeric lifestyle. I shall instead pay attention to one, relatively short, piece of the text preserved by the epitomator, namely the passage in which the question of the position and functions of archaic singers is addressed (1.14a–d). This passage as a self-contained whole has not yet received serious attention from scholars, although a more detailed analysis of some of its components has occasionally been offered. It seems that a closer examination of individual segments of this text as well as of the linkage between them allows us to elucidate some points of ancient Homeric scholarship and to detect traces of the structural devices used by the author of the Deipnosophistae. The topic is, then, worthy of consideration. The passage is a part of the discussion in which Athenaeus pursues the question of the simplicity of the life of the ancients and shares with other intellectuals an interest in the customs connected with feasting. Drawing illustrations of the ancient way of life from Homer's poems was commonplace in many works written by critics from the Alexandrian age onwards.1 After the publication of Malcolm Heath's important article,2 Isaac Casaubon's assumption3 (widely accepted by scholars of the nineteenth century4 and still adhered to by some modern classicists5) that the only source for Athenaeus' description of feasting activities of Homeric heroes was Dioscorides,6 the author of an exclusively 231


With the aim of establishing a protocol for evaluating the efficacy of antifouling paints on different organisms, a flow-through laboratory test using triangular boxes was developed for cyprids of the barnacle Amphibalanus (=Balanus) amphitrite. Six different formulations of antifouling paints were prepared in increasing content (0 to 40 wt.%) of Cu2O, which is the most commonly used antifouling substance, and each formulation of paint was coated on one surface of each test plate. The test plates were aged for 45 days by rotating them at a speed of 10 knots inside a cylinder drum with continuously flowing seawater. The settlement behavior of 3-day-old cyprids released inside triangular boxes made from the test plates was observed. A decreasing number of juveniles settled on surfaces of test plates that were coated with paint containing more than 30 wt.% of Cu2O. Results of the laboratory bioassays were consistent with those from the field experiments.


The present invention provides an excellent acid resistance and lightweight, suitable for use in means of exhaust gas through the EGR polyamide resin composition. The polyamide resin composition of the present invention contains the polyamide resin (A) and the glass (C), and may further contain or may not contain a styrene-based polymer (B1) and modified PPE (B2); in the composition, a, B1 and B2 of the total amount of 40 to 95 wt%, of C 60 to 5 wt%; in a, the total amount of 100% by weight of B1 and B2, a is 50 to 100 wt%, the total of B1 and B2 an amount of 50 to 0 wt%; C when the glass is free of boron oxide (C1), the composition C1 is 60 to 5 wt%; C, when free of C1, a is a polyoxamide resin, or a, B1, and B2 in the total amount of 100 wt%, a 50 to 90 wt%, the total amount of B1 and B2 is from 50 to 10 wt%, B1 deflection temperature under load is 140 ~ 280 ℃.


As a great revolutionary pioneer and political activist,Sun Yat-sen has a broader and deeper understanding towards Shanghai than local residents,who always learn their knowledge about shanghai from everyday life or their neighborhoods.