There have been four key figures responsible for Channel 4's film production activities since the Channel's inception in 1982. David Rose, David Aukin, Paul Webster and Tessa Ross have each ensured that Channel 4 retains its key commitment to promoting British film culture, as envisioned by its first chief executive Jeremy Isaacs. They have presided over film and drama through changes within the corporate structure and financing of the Channel, through deregulation of the television industry and the expansion of the independent production sector, through the growth of the digital economy and multi-channel television, and through changes in the funding landscape and the fortunes of the UK film industry. As vital contributors to the film culture they have each expressed their own individual passion for and commitment to British film, have championed establish film-makers and nurtured new talent, and have worked tirelessly to advance British film on the world stage and to broaden its domestic audience base. Occupying a unique position at the interface of the television and film industries, and between the cultural patronage of public service broadcasting and international co-production finance, they share a rare skill above all: an eye for a good script.


Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the correlation between serum butyrylcholinesterase activity, preoperative anxiety and lipid profile in operated patients. Methods: A total of 80 samples were studied. Forty-seven of them were from operated patients and 33 of them were from healthy control volunteers. Fasting blood samples were drawn from patients one hour before the operation and before 11.00 a.m. from controls. Serum cholinesterase activity, triglycerides, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, cholesterol, alanine amino transferase and aspartate amino transferase activities were measured. Anxiety levels were assessed by using the hospital anxiety and depression scale of Beck anxiety inventory. Results: Serum cholinesterase activity was significantly higher in patients who had an operation compared to the healthy control group (6191 ± 1396 and 5379 ± 1552 U/L; p<0.01). There was a positive correlation between serum butyrylcholinesterase activity and triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (r=0.396, p<0.01; r=0.359, p<0,001 and r=0.354, p<0.001). Conclusion: There is no relation between serum butyrylcholinesterase activity and preoperative anxiety, but serum butyrylcholinesterase activity has a positive correlation with triglycerides, total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol.


This study investigates the non-linear features of electroencephalogram signals regarding ADHD and normal adult participants while performing Continuous Performance Test. Three non-linear features were extracted from the EEG signals. ADHD and age-matched normal groups were investigated separately which revealed that there is a significant relation between clinical presentation of the participants and some non-linear features. The accuracy of 88% and 96% were achieved in classification of clinical and non-clinical participants using one and two features respectively. The best classification result was obtained with a combination of two features in Wavelet-Entropy group.


Experimental monitoring of blade vibration in turbomachinery is typically based on blade-mounted strain gauges. Their signals are used to derive vibration amplitudes which are compared to previously determined modal scope limits, including a safety factor. According to industrial guidelines, this factor is chosen conservatively to ensure safe operation of the machine. For the experimental campaign with the open test case fan ECL5, which is representative for modern lightweight UHBR architectures, it is planned to conduct measurements close to the stability limit. These investigations require a close approach to the limit and hence demand for accurate quantification of vibration amplitudes to ensure secure operation without exhaustive safety margins. It is required that the surveillance is possible in real time and not only in post-processing. Historically, short-time Fourier transformations of vibration sensors are used, but the complex nature of coupled phenomena near the stability limit has an influence on the amplitude accuracy, depending on evaluation parameters. This was demonstrated in a previous study using fast response wall pressure transducers. The present study investigates the influence on blade vibration data of a modern composite material transonic fan. Different methods are compared, sensitivity to evaluation parameters is analyzed and guidelines are given for fast and robust surveillance of critical vibration modes.


We present a detailed study of the influence of the form and strength of the interatomic potential on the one-dimensional elastic collision kernel W(v/sub z//sup prime/,v/sub z/), a quantity of interest in the study of the effects of velocity-changing collisions on laser spectroscopic line shapes. We find that the absolute magnitudes of collision kernels are very sensitive while normalized collision kernels are moderately sensitive to the potential form used. This indicates the importance of employing realistic interatomic potentials and reliable differential cross sections in the accurate determination of collision kernels. For the case of the Lennard-Jones (12,6) potential, we found a universal semiclassical Lennard-Jones (SCLJ) analytical model function, which is the combination of a semiclassical expression for small to medium scattering angles and a classical expression for large scattering angles, capable of providing correct average quantum-mechanical behaviors of differential cross sections for all scattering angles. This greatly facilitates the (often time-consuming) numerical evaluation of the collision kernel integrals and exhibits the correct collision kernel line profiles.


In the review, it is reported that skin changes are one of the most important aspects of the psoriasis development. Because of this, psoriasis is diagnosed on the basis of observable skin changes and its treatment is one of the most difficult dermatological challenges [4]. These skin changes could influence on patients' interpersonal relations, because of severity of skin changes which are very often visible. It should be noted that many different research fields have conducted extensive research on the appearance of skin. It is observed especially in the fields of medicine and cosmetology which have been most active in the study of skin appearance [2].


We report on a female infant with partial trisomy 9p (pter-->p13) and partial trisomy 14q (pter-->q22) resulting from a 3:1 segregation of a maternal reciprocal translocation (9;14)(p13;q22). Both trisomy 9p and partial trisomy 14q have been described as recognized phenotypes with characteristic patterns of anomalies. This patient appears to be the first reported with a partial duplication of both 9p and 14q resulting in an overlapping phenotype including minor facial anomalies, cleft palate, and hand-foot anomalies. However, the facial findings were more pronounced than commonly observed in cases with only one or the other duplicated chromosome regions, resulting in a distinctive appearance.


Plasma membrane proteins are extremely important in cell signaling and cellular functions. Protein expression and localization alter in response to various signals in a way that is dependent on cell type and niche. Compartmental quantification of the expression of particular proteins is a very useful means of understanding their role in cellular processes. Immunofluorescence staining is frequently used to investigate the distribution of proteins of interest. Here, we present an imaging method for quantifying the membrane to cytoplasm ratio (MCR) of proteins analyzed at single-cell resolution. This technique provides a robust quantification of membrane proteins and contributes new insights into membrane expression dynamics. We have developed a protocol that uses immunostaining to assess protein expression according to the fluorescent cellular distribution and to compute the MCR. The method was applied to measure the MCR of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) in response to insulin in 3T3-L1 cells, an in-vitro model for adipocyte function and adipogenesis. The results revealed informative changes in the subcellular localization of GLUT4 following insulin induction. MCR analysis is a powerful imaging tool that can be generally applied to membrane proteins to provide a rapid and efficient quantitative analysis of protein distribution and sub-cellular processes in cells.


As we know,Li Minxiu,the last psychologist in the area of Henan province,is very representative among the gentlemen of Central China during the Republic of China.His views on female include managing the household industriously and thriftily,helping the husband and educating the children,abiding by the filial and freeing the poems and articles from vulgarity.In a word,Li Minxiu's views on female are consistent with our traditional virtues.On the base of this,he is unsatisfactory to the reality of the Republic of China concerned with school education in his opinion.Li Minxiu's views on old tradition and Europeanization of the Republic of China are different from others.He argues that we should change the tradition into modernization step by step,but the academic circles haven't agree to his gradual development for a long time because of the restriction of revolution history normal form.In conclusion,Li Minxiu's views on female exist between radicalism and conservation with certain transitivity and Inclusiveness.The soul of his thoughts such as emphasizing excellent tradition virtue is of great meaning for current social evolution.


Practically every case of jacksonian epilepsy should be subjected to an exploratory craniotomy in the hope of finding and removing a lesion causing the attacks. Unfortunately, those performing such exploratory operations are not infrequently disappointed in not finding such removable lesions. The problem under such circumstances is one of grave importance to the patient, and one that causes the neurologic surgeon considerable worry. Many years ago Sir Victor Horsley recommended excision of the so-called "epileptic zone," a procedure, however, of very doubtful value in that the defect is replaced by scar tissue, which, in turn, may give rise to irritative phenomena. In the two cases reported here, the so-called epileptic zone was first mapped out by faradic stimulation and then injected with 95 per cent, alcohol. I have been unable to find in the literature any reference to the clinical use of this method. Koljubakin and Uroda 1 proved that


The aim of research to describe and analyze: (1) the effect of mathematics learning with Discovery Learning model and Discovery Learning model of Assessment for Learning (AfL) based to mathematics achievement, (2) the effect of student's optimism to mathematics achievement, (3) the interaction between learning model and student's optimism to mathematics achievement. The type of the research is experiment with quasi experimental design. The population of the research was all students of XI Grade of SMK Negeri 1 Banyudono of even semester of academic year 2014/2015. The research sample consisted of two classes. The sampling technique use cluster random sampling. Methods of data collection use test, questionnaires and documentation. Data analyzed by analysis of variance with two different cell lines. The results of data analysis with a significance level of 5% was obtained: (1) there is effect of Discovery Learning model and Discovery Learning model of Assessment for Learning (AfL) based to mathematics achievement, with , (2) there is effect of student's optimism for mathematics achievement, with , (3) there is no interaction between Discovery Learning model and Discovery Learning model of Assessment for Learning (AfL) based with student's optimism to mathematics achievement, with , 1 .
Keyword: Discovery Learning, Afl, Optimism, Mathematics Achievement.


The fungal cell wall and secreted exopolysaccharides play an important role in the interactions between fungi and their environment. Despite their central role in fungal biology, ecology, and host‐pathogen interactions, the composition of these polymers and their synthetic pathways are not well understood. The protocols presented in this article describe an approach to isolate fungal cell wall polysaccharides and to identify and quantify the monosaccharide composition of these polymers by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). © 2023 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.


It is not yet clear whether the Pickwickian syndrome is due solely to impaired pulmonary mechanics consequent on obesity or whether there is in addition decreased sensitivity of the respiratory centre to carbon dioxide. The ventilatory response to carbon dioxide is diminished when the mechanical work of breathing is increased,6 and the range of response to inhaled carbon dioxide in normals is wide; there are normal individuals who underventilate and retain carbon dioxide, despite normal body weight and lung mechanics,7 and it may be it is these people who develop the Pickwickian syndrome if they become obese.8 Paradoxically, in some obese subjects without hypoventilation the ventilatory response to inhaled carbon dioxide is normal or increased; it becomes less after loss of weight, due possibly to a reduction in the oxygen cost of breathing. 9 The dangers of the Pickwickian syndrome are probably not sufficiently realized. Miller and Granada10 found that seven patients with gross obesity died in one hospital in New York during a five-year interval. Deaths were due to hypoventilation, pulmonary embolism, and acute renal failure, probably secondary to renal vein thrombosis. They emphasize the need for the early use of assisted ventilation, the vigorous treatment of congestive cardiac failure with digitalis, diuretics, and venesection, and they recommend that anticoagulants should be used in all such cases. They suggest further that obese patients with heart failure and venous stasis should be placed on anticoagulant therapy before hypoventilation developswhich seems wise advice and is already the practice of many physicians today.


In upsetting forging process of the crank of crankshaft the defects such as lap and caving probably occurs since the bending and upsetting is not in good coordination. In this paper, aiming at 305 crankshaft for marine engine, the coordinative relation between bending and upsetting was thoroughly studied based on 3-step crank upsetting forging approach, i.e. bending-upsetting, upsetting and finish forming. Numerical simulation was carried out to find the reasonable stroke matches of bending and upsetting and physical experiment of using lead sample reduced at the ratio 1:6 in size was conducted to verify the match scheme gained from numerical simulation. The result found from numerical simulation is in good accordance with the one gained through experiment. The work in this paper provides theoretical basis for practice of upsetting forging technique of crank.


THE growth of various health related professions has presented an attending problem in the guidance and selection of students planning to enter one of these professions, such as medical technology, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. The concentrated educational programs for these professions begin, for the most part, a t the junior level in the university. There are, however, some rather general, introductory courses that cut across all of the professions and are required a t the freshman and sophomore levels. It is becoming increasingly important to study characteristics and attributes of these beginning students for examining problems of differential program selection, dropouts, laboratory and clinical performance, and related aspects of students success. The College of Health Related Professions (HRP) a t the University of Florida represents a constellation of educational programs for the health related professions. A majority of the undergraduate students are females who, a t the freshman and sophomore level, plan to cnter occupational therapy, physical therapy, or medical technology. The present study is an investigation of the per-


A comprehensive and challenging look at the significance of the Bible for blacks, and the importance of blacks in the Bible. Timely . . . serious and creative.--The Catholic Journal.


It is a popular criticism of the weighted average formulation of the cost of capital under distortionary taxation that this formulation underestimates the true cost because it does not take account of the endogeneity of the firm's financial decisions. It is argued that, with an interior financial choice, all sources of funds are equally expensive and that, therefore, only the source of funds against which the tax system discriminates most heavily determines the cost of capital. Using an explicit model of intertemporal optimiza- tion with an endogenous financial choice this paper demonstrates the fallacy ofthat view. It is shown that the firm's cost of capital can be expressed as a weighted average of the direct, tax-inclusive costs of the used sources of finance although the financial decisions are endogenous. This content downloaded from 126.96.36.199 on Tue, 28 Jun 2016 06:47:21 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms 36 HansWerner Sinn


Background: Circumcision is a common minor surgical procedure among Muslim and Jews population. Both surgeon and guardian want safe but low-cost anesthesia for this procedure. Sometimes parents do not agree to anesthetize their child for this purpose. Using penile block with IV ketamine and thiopentone sodium (TPS), patients can be managed smoothly without any major complication and it is a cost-effective technique. Objective: This study was designed to perform safe and cost-effective anesthetic management for circumcision of children. Materials and Methods: This is an observational prospective study carried out in Dhaka Shishu Hospital and Dhaka Central Hospital during the period of January to December 2011. Total 336 cases of circumcision were done. Children with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Grades I & II, between 1 and 12 years of age were selected for this study. Patient was sedated using Ketamine 1 mg/kg plus TPS 2.5 mg/kg. Then penile block was given. Close observation and monitoring was done clinically as well as with the help of pulse oximeter and sphygmomanometer. Results: Among 336 patients no cases of laryngospasm, cynanosis, vomiting and convulsion was observed. Cough developed in 7 cases, slight fall of SpO2 in 10 cases and subcutaneous hematoma in 11 cases were noted. Incomplete block occurred in 5 cases, urethral puncture in cases and accidental injection in corpus cavernosum in 2 cases. Approximate average total cost for anesthesia procedure per case was 3.5 USD only. Conclusion: Circumcision with low dose intravenous Ketamine and TPS with penile block is a safe and cost-effective anesthetic technique. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11566/cmoshmcj.v12i1.24 Chatt Maa Shi Hosp Med Coll J 2013; 12(1): 34-37


The paper reviews technologies of computer systems the development of which has led to the emergence of cyber-physical systems – there are embedded computer systems, open systems interconnection model, multilayer computer systems, wireless communications, microelectromechanical systems, data protection technologies. It is noted that there are computer systems exist, whose parameters are close to those of cyber-physical systems ones, there are also groups of developers who have experience of in such systems designing. The satellite scientific data collection and
accumulation system developed in Lviv Center of Institute for Space Research of NAS and SSA of Ukraine with the participation of Lviv Polytechnic National University
Computers department is an example of such systems. In paper The main features of this system are described in the paper. The recommendations are given onf using it as the basis for the creation of advanced cyber-physical systems.


NURBARIAH. Embryo In Vitro Production Using Oocytes Collected from Heterotopic Autografted Mice Ovary. Under the direction of ITA DJUWITA and IMAN SUPRIATNA. The aim of this study was to examine the capability of oocyte collected from heterotopic autografted mice ovary in embryo in vitro production and the influenced of pregnant mare's serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) induction on the number of oocytes collected from heterotopic autografted mice ovary. Ovarian tissue from four weeks old mice were transplanted under the kidney capsules of ovariectomized mice. The grafted mice were grouped into two; group one was mice without induction PMSG (OT) and group two treated with 5 IU PMSG induction (OTP). The third group was mice without grafted ovary and treated with PMSG and human chorionic gonadothropin (hCG) induction (OSO). Induction of PMSG was injected 48 hours before oocytes collection while hCG was injected 14 h before oocytes collection. Tweenty one days after grafting or fourty eight h after PMSG injection, oocytes were collected from the two groups and matured in vitro for 24 h. Matured oocytes were then fertilized in vitro with vas deferens sperm followed by embryo in vitro development. Oocytes in vitro maturation and fertilization and embryo in vitro development were done in kalium simplex optimized medium (KSOM) in 5% CO2 incubator. The results showed that the number of oocytes collected from group OT and OTP were not significantly different, but both showed significantly different with the OSO group. Under in vitro culture conditions, the number of matured oocytes that reached metaphase-II stage in group OT (52.38%) and OTP (53.19%) were not significantly different, but significantly different with those from group OSO (84.85%). Although the oocytes fertilization rate were not significantly different among the three groups, the embryo development rate showed significantly different between OSO (60.19%) with OT (30.43%) and OTP (30%). In conclusion, the oocytes collected from heterotopic grafted ovary can be used in embryo in vitro production after sequential matured and fertilized in vitro. The induction of PMSG on the mice with grafted ovary did not increased the collected number of oocytes.


The whole world is now referred to as a global village because of the technological revolution is taking place especially in the area of information and communication. In this paper, the author started the discussion with definition of communication, highlighted means of communication and purposes of communication, counselling as a form of communication, conceptual frame work for communication in ODL (open and distance education), component of good communication, media selection and combination for effective counselling process in NOUN. The author in his recommendations, advocated that for a counsellor to be effective in discharging his responsibilities, he or she must attain a certain level of competency in communication skills, select appropriate media, and must be efficient in the use of communication devices especially computer. Also the media of counselling must be readily available to both the counsellor and counselees.


This report describes the results of an evaluation of the FEA/EPA gas mileage labeling program, including an assessment of the 1976 Gas Mileage Guide for New Car Buyers. Volume II is a detailed elaboration of the findings as well as a description of the study design, instrumentation, and procedures.


The APEX Low-redshift Legacy Survey for MOlecular Gas (ALLSMOG) is a survey of CO J =2-1 (rest frame frequency, 230.538 GHz) line emission in a sample of 88 galaxies in the local Universe (programme no. E-192.A-0359). This sample is well characterized in terms of several derived and measured physical properties (star-formation rates, stellar masses, gas-phase metallicities, and atomic HI gas masses). The primary goal of ALLSMOG is to add information on the cold molecular gas content of these galaxies derived from the low-J CO line emission in order to determine the impact of the gas content on the inferred galaxy properties. The programme lasted for five semesters (P92 to P96) and consumed 327 hours of APEX observing time. The goal of the survey was to reach a CO J =2-1 line peak-to-rms ratio of, S/N>3 for the detections, and an uniform rms of 0.8 mK (31.2 mJy) per 50 km/s channel for the non-detections. Multi-epoch observations of the same source were merged together to produce a single CO J =2-1 spectrum for each target. This document describes the data release of the final reduced ALLSMOG dataset, including both detections and non-detections. The data release and analysis is described in more detail by Cicone et al. 2017, A&A. Previously published ALLSMOG survey papers include:


Electrostatically stabilized InP quantum dots (QDs) showing a high luminescence yield of 16% without any long alkyl chain coordinating ligands on their surface are demonstrated. This is achieved by UV-etching the QDs in the presence of fluoric and sulfuric acids. Fluoric acid plays a critical role in selectively etching nonradiative sites during the ligand-exchange process and in relieving the acidity of the solution to prevent destruction of the QDs. Given that the InP QDs show high luminescence without any electrical barriers, such as long alkyl ligands or inorganic shells, this method can be applied for QD treatment for application to highly efficient QD-based optoelectronic devices.


These are the 29 files that are used for the analysis in the submitted manuscript entitled: An Important Error in a Recent Paper: gazeNet: End-to-end eye-movement event detection with deep neural Networks (Zemblys, Niehorster(Zemblys, Niehorster, & Holmqvist, 2019)


Abstract : Some people believe that America has had no real grand strategy since the end of the Cold War. Critics argue that the Bush Doctrine and America's "War on Terrorism" is not a true grand strategy because it lacks a coherent unifying framework, is highly resource intensive, and is unsustainable over the long term. America is at the pinnacle of its global power and influence, but it will not last forever. Many recommend that America use this valuable time to develop a grand strategy that will place it in a favorable future position. A well-thought-out and articulated grand strategy should result in national security, economic prosperity, fulfilled national interests, and favorable political outcomes. Ultimately, for the sake of America's grand destiny, it is important that we get our next grand strategy right. This project examines the definition of grand strategy, provides an example of good grand strategy, and analyzes the nation's current grand strategy and strategic environment. The paper concludes with a recommendation for which of several proposed grand strategies should become America's next post-9/11 grand strategy for the 21st Century.


This paper presents a fuzzy controller with turbidity feedback for washing machines.After detecting fiber type and washing load with a load transducer, the comtroller will choos the washing parameters, such as water level, and motor rotate speed.Gratifying results are obtained by mears of on turbidity real time detecting and fuzzy logic controlling.


The thesis focuses on piano teaching for the elderly people.It analyzes the characteristics of the elderly as piano students as well as their physical and psychological advantages and disadvantages.Thus,it considers that piano teaching for the elderly should conform to the character of the elderly education.With appropriate teaching arrangements and teaching methods as well as suitable teaching materials,we could achieve good effects through changing our teaching methods in accordance with the elderly students' aptitude and forming a unique system of piano teaching process for them gradually.


This paper presents results of abundance field research, distribution and habitat and phytocoenotic preferences of Trisetum sibiricum on the Gutowo Meadows (Urszulewo Plain, NE Poland), in a locality outside the continuous range of distribution. The species grown in wet, not used meadows, in places overflooded by beavers, partially afforested. The research was carried out in 2013 and the results were compared with analogical data from 2000–2002. Currently a higher abundance of species (circa 1600 tufts), a larger area of the locality (circa 2.5 ha), larger phytosociological spectrum and a larger share of hygrophilous species in species composition of the examined phytocoenoses was revealed. In 2013 a share of Trisetum sibiricum was noted in 12 plant communities from seven classes (Phragmitetea australis, ScheuchzerioCaricetea nigrae, Bidentetea tripartiti, MolinioArrhenatheretea, Artemisietea vulgaris, Alnetea glutinosae and QuercoFagetea), and in 2000–2002 – only in seven plant communities from three classes (ScheuchzerioCaricetea nigrae, Mo linioArrhenatheretea and Artemisietea vulgaris). Formerly the species was listed mainly in phytocoenoses of AngelicoCirsietum oleracei and currently most often in phytocoenoses of JuncoMolinietum. key words: population resources, dynamic tendencies, meadow vegetation, phytocoenotic preferences, moisture changes, Ellenberg's indicator values, afforestation of meadows, Gorzno-Lidzbark Landscape Park


Featuring micro mass, volume, power consumption and high accuracy, micro star tracker gains broad application in microsatellites. Conventional ground-based test system which requires complicated and expensive equipments is inappropriate for such mission. The design and realization of a simple low-cost laboratory test system are reported. The relationship of design parameter to emulation accuracy is analyzed. And the design principles are given. With this system, the test of a micro star tracker designed by Tsinghua University has been performed successfully. Experiment results meet design requirement of the star tracker. It is concluded that this system is capable of validation of micro star tracker in short time with low cost. Thus it's naturally suitable for the rapid prototyping of micro star tracker.


Objectives: This study evaluated the outcomes of continuing professional education in implant dentistry using Kirkpatrick"s four-level evaluation model. Material and methods: The study was carried out through a questionnaire distributed to dentists who attended a continuing professional education in implant dentistry, 2008~2012. They were asked to fill out questionnaires at least 6 months after its completion. Results: Mean ages of total 23 dentist was 44.8°ae8.2. Mean period after completion of education was 2.7°ae1.2. Knowledge (level 2) (r=0.71, p Conclusion: Reaction affects on knowledge, behavior and result in order.


Simple Summary In primates, prolactin (PRL) is expressed in the pituitary gland; however, the extra-pituitary expression has been reported, including in the eye. The baboon is an excellent animal model for understanding the possible role of this hormone in the eye. The objective of this study was to detect PRL and its receptor expression in the eye tissues of fetal and adult baboons. Moreover, we performed PRL gene sequencing and a phylogenetic analysis to identify the evolutionary divergence in human and primate genes of PRL. We detected PRL and PRLR expression in all retinal cell lineages in fetal and adult baboons. No expression of these genes was detected in the cornea, lens, sclera, and iris. PRL and PRLR fit the hypothesis of evolutionary purifying gene selection. According to our findings, PRL has a role in prenatal and post-natal homeostasis of the baboon eye. We suggest that the hormone triggers autocrine and paracrine-specific functions in eye development. Abstract Prolactin (PRL) is a hormone expressed in lactotrophs cells of the pituitary gland in primates. Extra pituitary expression of PRL has been reported, including the eye; however, expression in the developing eye of primates is limited. The aim of the study was determining the expression of PRL and PRL receptor (PRLR) (mRNAs and proteins) in adult and fetal baboon (Papio hamadryas) ocular tissues. Methods: We analyzed PRL and PRLR in baboon eyes tissues by immunofluorescence. The mRNAs of PRL and PRLR were detected by RT-PCR, cDNA was cloned, and sequenced. Furthermore, we performed a phylogenetic analysis to identify the evolutionary forces that underlie the divergence of PRL and PRLR primate genes. Results: We observed the expression of PRL and PRLR (mRNAs and proteins) in all retinal cell lineages of fetal and adult baboon. PRL and PRLR fit the hypothesis of evolutionary purifying gene selection. Conclusions: mRNA and protein of PRL and PRLR are expressed in fetal and adult baboon retinal tissue. PRL may trigger autocrine and paracrine-specific actions in retinal cell lines.


The requirements on today's telecommunications equipment are very hard. Most of the signal processing is done in the digital domain, but the information has to be transferred with analog signals, and therefore analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) and digital-to-analog converters (DACs) are crucial building blocks. In this report we concentrate on the matching properties of current-steering DACs. Because transistor-level simulations are time demanding, we need to approach the problems on a higher level of abstraction. A mathematical model of so called linearly graded mismatch has been developed and analyzed for a particular DAC structure. A DAC structure that will reduce the influence of linearly graded mismatch has been developed, and two sets of DAC chips with different types of current switches has been implemented. Some design issues for mixed mode applications in general, and especially DACs, are also discussed.


In the last decade of the century XX, the main integration enterprises with that Brazil was involved was the Market Common of the South (MERCOSUL) and the negotiations around the formation of the Area of free trade of America (FTTA). The regional integration with the commercial liberalization benefitted the Brazilian agricultural section deeply and today the country comes in the scenery of the FTTA as the second largest exporter of agricultural products of the block. The effects suffered by trade are directly related to early trade restrictions, which were imposed to the partners and the volume of trade first verified amongst them. Considering such aspect, this study intends to capture the probable effects of the Brazilian adhesion to FTAA in relation to the exportation of coffee, cacao, soy, sugar, orange juice and meat the period of 1999-2002. That analysis is made under the optics of the partial equilibrium developed through equations proposed by Laid and Yeats (1986) so as to estimate the first order effect, i.e., the reduction of trade restrictions through the elasticities approach. The conclusion to draw in relation to the simulations made for the period 1999-2002 - in the case of total liberalization of the trade restrictions imposed to Brazil by the FTAA member-countries - is that, for the group of products studied the effect trade creation turns out to be superior to the effect trade diversion, showing Brazilian agrobusiness as competitive inside FTAA.


In practice reservoir planning and operations, irrigation design and water balance studies require estimates of reliable evaporation. The universal standard models of the Penman E 0 and the Penman-Monteith ET 0 are used to estimate open water evaporation and evapotranspiration respectively. The models rely on accurate measurements of climatic elements such as temperature, humidity, wind speed, and solar energy with good spatial and temporal coverage. However, practicing hydrologists, irrigation engineers and planners face challenge of reliable estimate of evaporation when only temperature data are available as the case in many study areas of Ethiopia and elsewhere. To overcome this challenge, a number of simplified temperature-based evaporation models notably the Priestley-Taylor, Blaney-Criddle and Hargreaves have been developed. Their applicability is, nevertheless, subject to rigorous local calibrations and without calibration they have limited validity to tropical areas. There is a need, thus, to precise estimate of E 0 and ET 0 based on only temperature data for Ethiopia. This paper presents locally calibrated coefficients α for the Priestley-Taylor model applicable for Ethiopia to estimate open water evaporation E o and Reference Evapotranspiration ET 0 based on maximum and minimum temperature as well as readily derivable elevation and radiation data. In order to calibrate α, regression is done between the Priestley- Taylor model estimate (independent variable) and E o Penman model estimate as dependent variable for each month of the 167 Class I stations. Similarly, regression is done between the Priestley- Taylor estimate (independent variable) and ET o Penman-Monteith model estimate (dependent variable). It is found that the Priestley-Taylor coefficients α applicable over Ethiopia to estimate monthly E 0 is 1.11 and to estimate ET 0 is 0.96. Keywords: Ethiopia, Irrigation-water - requirement, Open water Evaporation, Priestley-Taylor, Penman-Monteith


The intestinal mucosal barrier consists of multiple elements including mucus, epithelial layer, and immune defense; nonetheless, barrier dysfunction occurs commonly in various disorders. Goblet cells secrete mucin proteins that form surface mucus layer to act as the first physical defense in the barrier, but the exact mechanism underlying the control of Goblet cell function remains largely unknown. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) modulate a variety of biological functions by controlling gene expression at different levels. The lncRNA H19 is transcribed from the conserved imprinted H19/igf2 gene cluster and implicated in many aspects of gut mucosal pathophysiology. In this study, we examined if H19 regulates Goblet cell function and further investigated its impact in intestinal barrier function.


An experimental investigation was conducted to control an interaction induced by a 24 deg compression ramp in a Mach 2 flow. An array of steady microjets of six different configurations is placed 6...


Quantum control over scattering states has potentially important applications in the future quantum technologies. However, a rigorous theoretical study is difficult due to the nonlocal nature of scattering states. This paper introduces a mathematical framework to deal with general quantum control systems that allow noncompact and infinite dimensional controllability Lie algebras, within which the generated infinite dimensional Lie groups are used to represent flows of scattering states. Then we present the concept of smooth controllability on infinite dimensional manifolds, and a criterion for approximate smooth strong controllability. This is a nontrivial extension of the existing results of controllability based on the analysis over finite dimensional vector spaces to analysis over infinite dimensional manifolds. It also opens up many interesting problems for future studies.


The input-to-state stability for a class of nonlinear switched descriptor systems is considered for two cases.Based on the average dwell time approach,sufficient conditions are derived to guarantee that the whole system is input-tostate stable through designing an appropriate switching rule.Compared with the existing methods,it is more convenient to design the controller for each subsystem,because it does not require to construct the input-to-state stable control Lyapunov function and to design the specific structure of the control inputs.Finally,two numerical examples show that the results obtained in this paper are feasible and effective.


Introduction. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common heart rhythm disorders. The risk of developing thromboembolic complications, including ischemic stroke, in patients with AF is 5 times higher than that in patients with sinus rhythm; therefore, one of the main directions in the treatment of patients with this rhythm disorder is the prevention of thromboembolic complications. Objective: to study the markers of monitoring the blood coagulation system in the blood serum of patients with non-valvular AF receiving anticoagulant therapy and having a history of thrombotic and thromboembolic complications. Materials and methods. The study included 31 healthy volunteers (without a history of AF, thrombosis) and 31 patients over 18 years of age with a diagnosis of AF (mean age 66.2±8.1), receiving anticoagulant therapy and having a history of thrombotic and thromboembolic events. complications. Therapy taken by patients at the time of inclusion in the study was in line with current recommendations and included standard conventional antiarrhythmic and anticoagulant therapy, as well as therapy for the underlying cardiovascular disease. Biomarkers of thrombus formation and pro-inflammatory activation (L-selectin, thrombomodulin) were determined by enzyme immunoassay using diagnostic kits from BiomedicaGmbH, Austria. Results. During the screening of 2820 patients treated in the Department of CHLSRS&EX for the nosology of AF in the period 01.2020-01.2023, 31 patients were included in the study, who were diagnosed with thrombotic and thromboembolic complications (0.01% of the total number of screened patients) against the background of regular anticoagulant therapy . Among all patients included in the study, thrombotic complications in AF were as follows: thrombosis of the left atrial appendage was noted in 17 patients (54%), spontaneous echo contrast of grade II or more in 5 patients (16%), cardioembolic stroke - in 3 patients (10%) , thrombosis of peripheral arteries (2 (6%)), thrombosis on EKS electrodes (2 (6%)). The concentration of soluble thrombomodulin in the blood serum of patients with thrombotic and thromboembolic complications was reduced compared with the group of healthy volunteers (2073.0±548.6 vs. 2845.3±726.4 pg/ml; p=0.004). Serum levels of L-selectin in patients with thrombotic and thromboembolic complications were reduced compared to healthy volunteers (1.5±0.6 vs. 2.4±1.3 µg/mL; p=0.04). Conclusion. In patients with thrombotic and thromboembolic complications that occurred against the background of adequate anticoagulant therapy, there was a decrease in serum soluble thrombomodulin and L-selectin, which may indicate damage to the endothelium, activation of thrombus formation and inflammation.


Glucosides attached to proteins and lipids have been shown to modulate the activity of signal transduction pathways regulating growth and patterning processes during animal development. In particular, O-linked glycans such as glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) have been implicated in modulation of growth factor signaling pathways. GAGs are unbranched polysaccharide chains composed of repeating disaccharide units that are covalently attached to various core proteins in the ER/Golgi. In Drosophila, genetic analyses have identified several genes required for the biosynthesis of GAGs, which have been demonstrated to modulate signaling of the Wnt/Wg, Hh, TGF-?/Dpp and FGF pathways. Moreover, genes involved in the O-glycosylation of the Notch receptor have been shown to be essential for the modulation of Notch specificity. This thesis is focused on the identification of genes involved in the synthesis and modification of O-linked saccharides and the characterization of their role in signaling events during Drosophila development. We have identified slalom (sll), a Drosophila gene essential for GAG biosynthesis. Molecular characterization of sll mutants suggests that sll encodes a putative transmembrane transporter. We show that sll is required for the transfer of adenosine 3'-phosphate 5'-phosphosulfate (PAPS) from the cytosol into the Golgi lumen. PAPS provides the sulfate donor substrate essential for the sulfation of macromolecules such as GAGs by sulfotransferases in the Golgi. Our observations suggest that lack of GAG sulfation is responsible for the defects in Wg, Hh and Dpp signaling observed in sll mutants. We also demonstrate that sll-dependent sulfation of an as yet unknown factor is essential for the establishment of the dorsal-ventral axis of the Drosophila embryo. In addition, we have identified and functionally characterized another gene in Drosophila, named CG7440. CG7440 encodes a putative ?1,3-galactosyltransferase that may be involved in O-glycan biosynthesis. We show that RNAi-mediated down-regulation of CG7440 expression in the embryo leads to morphogenetic defects during development of the intestinal tract. When CG7440 expression is down-regulated by RNAi in the developing wing primordia, Wg-dependent patterning and growth of the wings is compromised. We show that CG7440 function is not required for HSPG synthesis. Thus, our results suggest that non-GAG-O-glycans may play a role in Wg signaling. Taken together, our data underscore the important function of glycans in the modulation of growth factor signaling pathways during development. (Less)


Cellular fatty acid composition of 50 strains of the genus Pseudomonas was determined by gas-liquid chromatography. Straight-chain saturated acid of C16:0 and straight-chain unsaturated acids of C16:1 and C18:1 with a double bond were commonly found in all the strains tested. The presence of hydroxy acids, cyclopropane acids, and branched-chain acids showed the characteristics for the groups and species in the genus Pseudomonas. Similarity values calculated on the basis of fatty acids exhibited a clear correlation to the taxonomic groups of this genus. Bacterial fatty acid composition was considered to be useful for the study of interrelation and for rapid identification of the bacteria. Taxonomic studies on bacteria have been mainly carried out on the basis of morphological, biochemical, and physiological characteristics. Recently, chemical constituents of bacterial cells have become of interest from the point of taxonomy, and DNA base composition, cell wall composition, and type of co-enzyme Q have been used for taxonomic criteria in some taxa. The progress of instrumental analyses has contributed to the development of chemotaxonomy, and the results involved have been useful not only for the bacterial classification, but also for rapid identification of the bacteria.


The rules of grammar allow us to reconstruct arguments even from limited linguistic form. Such is the case of ellipsis. This very common device of language requires adults and children to exercise pragmatic inference by connecting what they hear either to discourse or context. A sentence like "put it there" requires us to compute where "there" is. Almost every sentence or dialogue contains elliptical reference. If you ask "do you want that" and get the answer "yes", it must mean "yes I want that" not "yes I'm going outside". This paper investigates whether children rely on pragmatic inference or language discourse to interpret elliptical utterances. The analyses herein, and the new data presented, suggest that children move from a pragmatic approach to a linguistic one during the course of development. If we say: "here's cake, want some" the child might fix "some" the way he determines the meaning of "there" by just looking around, while the adult does it by sticking in cake after some to get some cake. Put differently, suppose the child understands "want something" for "want some" and guesses that the topic is the cake she sees and says "yes." She would have the right answer obtained through the wrong means. These two totally different strategies divide the world's languages. In Huang (1982)'s terms the "hot" languages refer to context, where "cool" languages require reference back to discourse. These are broad terms that refer to how easily a particular language allows reference to


The governing equations of multibody systems are, in general, formulated in the form of differential algebraic equations (DAEs) involving the Lagrange multipliers. For efficient and accurate analysis, it is desirable to eliminate the Lagrange multipliers and dependent variables. Methods called null space method and Maggi's method eliminate the Lagrange multipliers by using the null space matrix for the coefficient matrix which appears in the constraint equation in velocity level. In a previous report, the author presented a method to obtain a time differentiable null space matrix for scleronomic systems, whose constraint does not depend on time explicitly. In this report, the method is generalized to rheonomic systems, whose constraint depends on time explicitly. Finally, the presented method is applied to four-bar linkages.Copyright © 2013 by ASME


Abstract : Acoustic intensity measurements were conducted on a simple spur gear transmission in a welded steel housing. The radiation efficiency of the housing was computed from the intensity data for the first three harmonics of mesh frequency. Finite element and boundary element methods (FEM/BEM) were used jointly to model acoustics and dynamics of the top plate of the housing. For a simply supported elastic plate, reasonable agreement was achieved between experimental radiation efficiencies and those predicted with FEM/BEM. However, predictions of the housing characteristics were only partially successful. Four simple analytical models were examined to judge their ability to predict the radiation efficiency. These models do not simulate the modal characteristics of a gearbox; therefore their predictions yield only general trends. Discrepancies are believed to be related to inaccurate modeling of the excitation of the structure as well as to interactions between modes of vibration.


Health institutions, according with occupational health's perspective, are the most unsafe environment  to work, due to the frequency and multiple exposure to work risks and work demands arising from its labor process, that together with healthcare and workplace flexibility private models inclusion in Mexico, working conditions and all oriented resource towards workspaces prevention are infringed. A cross-sectional and descriptive research at a National Health Institution in Mexico City was conducted. This study aimed to examine, at first in three medical areas, the applied strategies' effectiveness to minimize the outcome of working noxiousness and to develop an intervention program. To identify demographics and occupational characteristics, labor process risks and demands recognition and the effectiveness level from workplace health and safety's state, PROVERIFICA model was utilized. Total population from studied services was 131; hazardous wastes, chemical substances, noise, unacceptable ventilation, poor lighting, heat, awkward postures, physical overexertion, fast-paced work, strict overseeing and repetitive job are the work risks and work demands which workers were exposed to. From effectiveness weighting, it's clear that total values are less than 60%, which points out a very bad level of compliance in occupational health issues and a high extent of risk, precisely to several detected failures and inconsistencies in the evaluated services.


We calculate the spectrum of internal vibrations of a single ferrocene Fe(C5H5)2 molecule using ab initio density functional theory (without free parameters) and compare this with inelastic neutron scattering data on ferrocene in the solid state at 28 K. Due to the good agreement, we can assign each vibrational mode to each observed peak in the neutron spectrum and so remove ambiguities existing in the literature. There is also consistency between the calculated potential energy of a single ferrocene molecule for different orientations, φ, of the two cyclopentadienyl C5H5 rings with respect to each other, which shows a potential barrier of 0.9 kcal/mol, and electron diffraction, and between the calculated shallow minimum at φ=9 deg and x-ray diffraction.


Climate phenomena that significantly affect Indonesian rainfall to be lower (positive) and higher (negative) than normal conditions are ENSO and IOD. The other phenomenon with different time scale with ENSO and IOD is MCC that rainfall until causing storms. This study was conducted to determine the influence of ENSO and IOD during MCC to rainfall in Indonesia. The data used are monthly data of rainfall, Nino3.4-IOD index, and hourly MCC data derived from Tbb data of Himawari Satellite, year 2001-2015 observation. The study focused on 4 occurrence phenomena: Nino3.4 (+) IOD (+), Nino3.4 (-) IOD (-), Nino3.4 (+) IOD (-), and Nino3.4 (-) IOD (+) with the distribution of 3 longitude regions (90-105E, 106-125E, and 126-140E). The results showed that the distribution of rainfall during MCC were higher when the events of negative IOD compared to other events, especially in the western maritime of Sumatra until Kalimantan. While, in the Nusa Tenggara region there is no rainfall when positive Nino3.4 events due to positive ENSO influence from the Pacific Ocean. The MCC also give effect on interior cloud size and duration of life cycle when negative IOD events on 3 longitude regions. The effect includes the size of the interior of the cloud becomes larger and the duration of the life cycle is longer. Eccentricity interior is close to 1, means the contribution of MCC is high enough to Indonesian rainfall on negative IOD events.


INTRODUCTION: Bortezomib (B) is the first proteasome inhibitor to be used in clinical practice and has been recently approved for second line treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) patients(pts). Several trials demonstrated that Bortezomib is relatively well tolerated; however, manageable non-hematologic and hematologic toxicity has been reported. The dose limiting toxicity is peripheral neuropathy (PN), reported up to 35% of the patient population. AIM: We evaluated the incidence and severity of PN in 179 MM patients that received B as single agent or in combination. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients characteristics were as follows: median age was 66.7 years (range: 32–82) with 52% male; 55 patients were at the onset of the disease, 124 were pre-treated. Median time from diagnosis to treatment with B was 25.4 months (range 0–111), median value of β2-microglobulin was 3.02 (0.2–20). Risk factors for PN included prior use of thalidomide in 68 patients (38%), vincristine in 75 patients (41.8%) and 15 patients (8.8%) had diabetes mellitus. RESULTS: Patients received bortezomib alone (?) or in combination with either dexamethasone (n=52), or chemotherapy (n=114) or thalidomide (n=38). Overall, the response rate (≥PR) was 86%. PN of grade ≥2 was observed in 73 pts (41%); grade 3–4 occurred in 32 (18%). Median time to the onset of bortezomib-related PN was 84 days (range, 10–449) after bortezomib initiation. In most cases (93%), patients had sensory symptoms, while 5 patients (7%) experienced both sensory and motor symptoms. Bortezomib-related PN led to therapy discontinuation in 31 pts (17%). For PN treatment, pts received mostly supportive therapy (analgesics, gabapentin, pregabalin, amitriptyline and vitamin supplements). Of the 31 patients with bortezomib-related PN that required discontinuation, resolution or improvement occurred in 16 (51.6%), at a median time of 140 days (range, 27–346) from B discontinuation. Data analysis of the PN risk factors (age, diabetes, sex, β2M, neurotoxic pre-treatment) showed a significant association with age >75 years (p CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, PN is a relatively frequent side effect of bortezomib treatment, generally manegeable by dose reduction or discontinuation and reversible in the majority of pts. Patients with advanced age can be considered at higher risk, while the combination of thalidomide and bortezomib did not increase the risk of PN. Further studies are needed to better define the PN pathogenesis and develop optimal strategies to improve the B related PN management.


In order to enhance the information literacy education and improve the information consciousness and ability,it is important for the library of Sichuan College of Education to play a positive and leading role in the reformation period.By the survey of the students,there are some striking problems at present.For these,the library should construct the good contact with administrative units,departments,teachers and students,strengthen the construction of itself,to build good communication ways,keep in touch with departments closely to build smooth propagate channels,focus on the scientific and continued aspects of the information literacy education.Regard the library as the centre,based on it influence the departments and students,form good education communication atmosphere,in this way,it is hope to obtain better education effects.


Information extraction is part of natural language processing, aiming to find, retrieve, or process information. The data source for information extraction is text. Text cannot be separated from people's daily lives. Through text, a lot of confidential information can be obtained. To produce information, the unstructured text will be converted into structured data. There are many approaches that researchers take to this process. Most of the studies are in English. Therefore, this paper will present current research trends, challenges, and information extraction opportunities using Indonesian.


A new facile solid phase synthesis of 2-oxo-1,4-piperazines is described. α-N-Boc-amino aldehydes, which were generated in situ by oxidation of commercially available α-amino alcohols promoted by a polymer supported bromite, were used for the reductive amination of Merrifield-resin bound amino acids. N-substitutions of the resulting secondary amine followed by Boc removal and finally, basic promoted cyclative cleavage affords trisubstituted 2-oxo-1,4-piperazines in good yields and excellent purity. The procedure utilizes readily available building blocks and is amenable to generate large libraries in a discrete manner.


Sixteen sites were surveyed from August to September 2013 along the Bulgarian part of the Danube River. Fishes were sampled by electricity using portable fishing device, and by seine net. A total of 22 fish species were found. Basic physical and chemical parameters (water temperature, dissolved oxygen and saturation, pH, COD, conductivity, concentrations of ammonium, nitrate and nitrite nitrogen, phosphate phosphorus, and total nitrogen and phosphorus) in both the water and sediments were measured. Some other abiotic (composition of the substrate) and biotic factors (percent macrophyte coverage) were also used. The concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Mn, Cu, Pb, Zn, and Ni) and of As in both the water and sediments were also examined according to the standardised methods. Statistical packages Canoco 4.5 and Primer v 6 were used for analyses of the raw data. The percent coverage of macrophytes, water temperature, substrate features, concentration of As, Ni, Mn, and the content of nitrates in the sediments were identified as the main statistically significant factors for the distribution of fish according to the Monte Carlo test. The analysis of the number-biomass ratio suggests significant pressure on the fish community. These preliminary results contribute to the studies of the ichthyofauna of the riparian area of the Bulgarian Danube River section under anthropogenic pressure and impact. Further studies on the community are necessary regarding the high importance of the habitats in the riparian zone for the surviving and growing of the young fishes.


The methods,items of precautionary test for the electric equipments of Geheyan Hydropower Plant and the test results are summarized briefly.


Angular Domain Imaging (ADI) is a high resolution, ballistic imaging method that utilizes the angular spectrum of photons to filter multiply-scattered photons which have a wide distribution of angles from ballistic and quasi-ballistic photons which exit a scattering medium with a small distribution of angles around their original trajectory. An advantage of the ADI method is that it is suitable with a wide variety of light sources, as it is not sensitive to coherence or wavelength and does not require a pulsed source or a highly collimated beam. We extend the ADI method to transmissive imaging of scattering media using incoherent, collimated sources with a spatial filter comprised of a converging lens (focal distance of 50 to 100 mm) and pinhole aperture (diameter of 100 to 500 μm) giving acceptances angles of 0.06 to 0.6° to produce wide-beam, full-field images of planar, high contrast, phantom test objects through 5 cm thick scattering media at optical depths of up to 14.6 (scattered to ballistic photon ratio ≈ 2×106). Experimental images, obtained using a 12 mm diameter beam produced by a quartz-halogen incandescent source (beam divergence angle 0.52°, beam power < 10 mW), demonstrate the advantages of this combination of broadband, incoherent source and spatial filter: lack of interference artifacts seen with laser sources, ease of changing image magnification, simple correlation between system geometry and resolution, and ease of spectral filtration to obtain multispectral images. Monte Carlo simulation with angular tracking is used to validate the experimental results and determine system tradeoffs.


Iodides and bromides have long been known to cause acneform eruptions in persons susceptible to these salts. The appearance of acne in a patient past the age of 25 immediately evokes from the dermatologist an interrogation concerning the use of these drugs. The more meticulous physician will also question his patients regarding the ingestion of iron and cod liver oil; the excessive use of cold creams and other oily cosmetics; their occupations (tar, oils, paraffin, chlorine), and the presence of diseased teeth and tonsils. In this day of fads, he should also inquire as to the ingestion of medicine taken for the prevention or treatment of goiter, such as chocolate tablets containing organic iodine, compound solution of iodine, pepto-iodine, calcidin and the many other proprietary "sure cures" for goiter. Several errors in diagnosis will prompt me, in the future, also to question my acne patients concerning the


The Advanced Launch System is a joint NASA - Air Force program originally directed to define the concept for a modular family of launch vehicles, to continue development programs and preliminary design activities focused primarily on low cost to orbit, and to offer maturing technologies to existing systems. The program was restructed in the spring of 1990 as a result of funding reductions and renamed the Advanced Launch Development Program. This paper addresses the program's status following that restructuring and as NASA and the Air Force commence a period of deliberation over future space launch needs and the budgetary resources available to meet those needs. The program is currently poised to protect a full-scale development decision in the mid-1990's through the appropriate application of program resources. These resources are concentrated upon maintaining the phase II system contractor teams, continuing the Space Transportation Engine development activity, and refocusing the Advanced Development Program demonstrated activities.


In this study, temporal variations of pan evaporation (PE) and its optimal combination of controlling factors are investigated in the subregions of Yangtze River Basin (YRB) by using multiple wavelet coherence (MWC). For this purpose, the YRB is firstly divided into nine relatively homogeneous PE subregions by combining empirical orthogonal functions with fuzzy C‐means clustering. After regionalization, temporal variations of regional PE are analysed in each of subregions. Results reveal that regional annual PE has an upward trend in all subregions, and seasonal PE in almost the subregions for four different seasons. The wavelet transform coherence (WTC) analysis shows that vapour pressure deficit (VPD) is the primary controlling factor of PE variations in all subregions. In single factor analysis, VPD, sunshine duration (SSD) and 0 cm ground temperature (ZGT) have a higher covariance with PE than other influencing factors. For two‐factor analysis, the APS (air pressure)‐VPD combination, and for three‐factor analysis, the AWS (average wind speed)‐ ZGT‐VPD combination are the most common best explanatory variables on PE variations. A comparison of the results from the WTC and MWC indicates that PE variations can be explained more accurately by one, two, or three controlling factors. The combination of factors that optimally explains PE variations largely varies with subregions but with VPD as a dominant factor either alone or in combination for all subregions. Moreover, the optimal factor combination for a subregion is not necessarily combined by the first, second and/or third dominant factors for that subregion. Our results can provide useful insights into how multiple temporal dependency of PE is linked with meteorological factors in subregions of the YRB, particularly for PE modelling under changing climate conditions.


The KFA programme to gather the necessary dosimetric and biophysical information to develop optimal dose calculation routines for conformal proton radiation therapy is introduced. First experiments in a water phantom and with a plastic phantom are presented for incident protons of 175.5 MeV. Furthermore, the first detailed biophysical investigations on the RBE dependence of monoenergetic and energetically spread out proton beams is described and the results are discussed.


What is the shared mental model or the transactive memory of a team? While extant methods to measure and represent team knowledge have been quite effective for small teams where knowledge is evenly...


This paper initiates a research program to determine whether, and in what situations, quantum field theory enforces averaged energy conditions on the renormalized stress-energy tensors of quantum fields. This program is motivated by the important roles of averaged energy conditions in general-relativistic singularity theorems, and in preventing the existence of classical, traversable wormholes and wormhole-induced closed timelike curves. As a first step in this research program, this paper shows that a quantized, free scalar field in Minkowski spacetime has the following properties: The weak energy condition is satisfied for a wide class of states when averaged along a complete null geodesic, but it can be violated when averaged along a nongeodesic curve


Digital transformation of agriculture raises high hopes and is seen as one of the key factors in developing a modern agriculture. Some, like Khanna (Khanna et al. 2021), see it even as "Imperative for sustainable agricultural production". The EIP-Agri site lists nearly 200 projects that deal with one or the other aspect of digital transformation. Google scholar lists 28.000 publications for the keyword "Digital Transformation in agriculture" in 2021. It seems every field of agriculture will be affected by digital transformation: 1. mechanization 2. work force organization 3. animal and plant health 4. production 5. stock management 6. distribution logistics 7. marketing A bunch of new technologies is at hand to support or change each of these fields: the most recent field is the "Internet of Things", a domain that in itself comprises several new technologies like cheaper and better sensors, low-energy radio transmission, and communication protocols for efficient data distribution. But not only new technologies shape the digital change in agriculture. There is also a considerable development in "classical" IT, like better farm management systems, open data strategies from governmental bodies, cheaper hardware and so on. On the other hand, even recent studies show a relatively limited use of digital technologies in agriculture (Gabriel 2020). Many think the problem is the lack of business efficiency of digital products (e.g. Gandorfer 2017). We would like to point out, however, that digital value creation in agriculture is in principle significantly lower than in industry.


The comparatively specific consanguinity in the Chinese remote antiquity came into being in the New Stone Age and then relatively intact family systems had formed just before the dawn of civilization.Family was the basic social and economic unit in primitive tribes.The social and productive division of labor among families and polarization of property and poverty among families are the prominent features of Chinese primitive families and also the important original dynamics of the budding of early Chinese civilization.And thus came the earliest social political relationships which bore the characteristics of distinctions among families and one family's dominance and ownership over another family,and this directly influenced the formation of the early Chinese civilization.


A general dynamical process model of psychiatric disorders is proposed that specifies the basic cognitive processes involved in the transition from beliefs about self, others and world that are normal and adaptive, to beliefs that are rigid, extreme, and maladaptive. The relevant thought trajectories are self-confirming, and are considered to underlie the corresponding trajectories in symptoms. In contrast with previous work, the model focuses on underlying mechanisms, and it provides an evolutionary basis for the widespread susceptibility to psychiatric symptoms and disorders without the problematic claim that such disorders were selected by evolutionary forces. The model thereby incorporates both normality and abnormality in the same framework.


Mu Zhai's research on Nineteen Ancient Poems revealed the secrets and revised the fallacies from three aspects: the original perspective of poetic noumenon,three- dimensional interpretation of the poetic object,and overall discussion of the poetic subject. His research also formed a kind of flexible mechanism through grafting,mixing,digesting,boundary crossing,and horizon expanding in multidisciplinary study. The accumulation of Mu Zhai's previous research nourishes his new academic breakthrough in finding out the writer and the writing time for Nineteen Ancient Poems. His interpretation on the ancient poems possesses significance of the methodology in theory,enlightenment,and guidance.


Abstract For almost two years now the COVID-19 pandemic impacted in most different forms habits, models of organization, socio-political dynamics and economic assets. Arrangements and orders taking decades to reach stabilization have demonstrated an unsuspected precarity, demanding a profound reorganization of dynamics we had been long accustomed to. As the distant, sanitized character of interaction, transmission, fruition and creation processes has turned from a contingent measure into the unamenable norm of these days' routine, every aspect of social interaction is changing accordingly. "Contact", "contagion", "proximity" and "distance" are not features of a transient period anymore: they are keywords of today's experience. Indeed, while these concepts were already at stake in masscommunication and social media, it was not before nowadays that their precipitate on art forms could be taken into account more pristinely, for especially performative arts never had to amend their "familiar ground" in order to pursue their goals. Hence, how did artforms adjust themselves to wholly new forms of participation? What are we supposed to expect next? The main aim of this paper is to sketch out, relying on some classical loci of the history of Western aesthetics such as Plato, Aloïs Riegl, Walter Benjamin, this new, re-configured notion of aesthetic and artistic experience in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.


Background Saudi Arabia has a non-Saudi workers population. We investigated the differences and similarities of expatriate non-Saudi patients (NS) and Saudi nationals (SN) presenting with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) with respect to therapies and clinical outcomes. Methods The study evaluated 2031 of the 5055 ACS patients enrolled in the Saudi Project for Assessment of Acute Coronary Syndrome (SPACE) from 2005 to 2007. Propensity score matching and logistic regression analysis were performed to account for major imbalances in age and sex in the two groups. Results The mean patient age was 56.2±9.8, and 83.5% of the study cohort were male. SN were more likely to have risk factors of atherosclerosis. ST-elevation MI (STEMI) was the most common ACS presentation in NS, while non-ST ACS was more common in SN. The median symptom-to-door time was significantly greater in NS patients (Median 175 min (197) vs. 130 min (167), p=0.027). The only difference in pharmacological therapies between the two groups was that NS were more likely to receive fibrinolytic therapy. NS were less likely than SN to undergo percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI; 32.6% vs. 42.8%, p=0.0001) or primary PCI (7.8% vs. 22.8%, p<0.001). Hospital mortality, cardiogenic shock, and heart failure were significantly higher in NS compared to SN. After adjusting for baseline variables and therapies, the odds ratios for hospital mortality and cardiogenic shock in NS were 2.9 (95% CI 1.5–6.2, p=0.004) and 2.8 (95% CI 1.5–4.9, p<0.001), respectively. Conclusion Our findings indicate disparities in hospital care between NS and SN ACS patients. NS patients had worse hospital outcomes, which may reflect unequal health coverage and access-to-care issues.


BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the incidence of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia in diabetic patients on the morning of eye surgery scheduled under local anesthesia in an ambulatory surgery facility.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
A retrospective analysis of fasting blood glucose levels in 216 diabetic patients on 326 admissions.

RESULTS
The fasting blood glucose level was 80 mg/dL or lower in 10 patient admissions (3%). Hyperglycemia (fasting blood glucose level of greater than 300 mg/dL) was present on 8 admissions (2.4%).

CONCLUSIONS
Blood glucose levels need to be monitored in diabetic patients undergoing even short surgical procedures. The dosage of long-acting insulins or oral hypoglycemics given the night prior to surgery may have to be reduced to prevent hypoglycemia on the morning of surgery.


First,this paper shows that when || β|| α1 the Cartan torsion of the complex Randers metric has a upper bound.Next,we derive that this constructed 3-parameter family of the complex Randers metrics is either a non-weakly Khler Finsler metric or β b0|0+β b0|0≠0.Meanwhile,it has the uniform upper bounded for Cartan torsion.At last some examples are given to indicate that their holomorphic curvatures are non-positive if ρ2+λe=0.


Customer churn creates a huge anxiety in highly competitive service sectors especially the telecommunications sector. The objective of this research was to develop a predictive churn model to predict the customers that will be to churn; this is the first step to construct a retention management plan. The dataset was extracted from the data warehouse of the mobile telecommunication company in Thailand. The system generated the customer list, to implement a retention campaign to manage the customers with tendency to leave the company. WEKA software was used to implement the followings techniques: C4.5 decision trees algorithm, the logistic regression algorithm and the neural network algorithm. The C4.5 algorithm of decision trees proved optimal among the models. The findings are unequivocally beneficial to industry and other partners.


The synchronization phenomenon in non-linear oscillating system is studied by means of examination of the coupled pendulums. Dependence of the phase shift between pendulum states on system parameters and initial conditions is studied both analytically and numerically. The harmonic linearization technique is applied for analytical examinations. 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.


ABSTRACT Manganese (Mn) release in 18 soil–water suspensions after their equilibration for 24 and 240 h periods at 25°C was studied in a laboratory experiment. Total dissolved Mn released into the soil solution was observed to increase from a range of 0.03–0.41 mg L−1 (mean = 0.13 mg L−1) to a range of 0.45–44.44 mg L−1 (mean = 22.40 mg L−1) with the increase in incubation periods from 24 to 240 h, respectively. The increase in Mn released was observed to be related with the redox potential (pe) induced by incubation conditions. After 24 h of equilibration period, pe of soil–water suspension ranged from −1.75 to 0.77 (mean = −0.24). Increasing the incubation period to 240 h, pe of soil–water suspensions declined in the range of −4.49 to −2.74 (mean = −3.29). Laboratory results of redox pe and corresponding dissolved manganese concentrations of some soil–water equilibrated systems were compared with the leaf Mn content in wheat and rice plants grown in the fields, from where soil samples were collected for laboratory experiment. These results demonstrated that decline in pe due to longer equilibration period (240 h) of soil–water systems in the laboratory experiment or keeping standing water for a couple of weeks in the fields for cultivation of rice crop results in higher release of Mn and eventually its higher uptake in rice than in wheat plants. Leaf manganese content in rice ranged from 94 to 185 mg kg−1, which was markedly higher than its range from 25 to 62 mg kg−1 found in the wheat grown at 10 different sites. Pourbaix diagrams were drawn for different soil–water systems containing carbonate, phosphate, or sulfate along with manganese. The presence of carbonate and phosphate anions along with manganese oxides minerals in the soil–water systems of all soils results in its precipitation as MnCO3 and MnHPO4, respectively, in both oxidized and reduced soil field environment. In Punjab, wheat and rice crops are generally cultivated on soils heavily fertilized with P fertilizers. The presence of phosphate anion with manganese oxides minerals in the soil–water systems of all soils results in the precipitation MnHPO4 in both oxidized and reduced soil field environment. Thus, in P-fertilized soil, MnHPO4 compound is even more predominant than aqueous Mn2+ and its solubility actually controlled the availability of Mn2+ to plants.


Virtual fitting rooms are a very important tool in on-line shopping, which can save time, promote products, increase sales, and reduce number of returns. The main objective of this paper is to design an interactive virtual clothes try-on system that would make the on-line shopping process much easier, and affordable at the lowest cost possible in the local country of Jordan, which we consider as a case study of this work. The novelty of our work is that we use a cost effective RGB-D sensor, simple 3D cloth textures, and alignment/fusion procedure to build robust and interactive virtual fitting room targeted for the local market. Microsoft Kinect V2 sensor what was used in implementing the proposed system. Experimentations supported by real data from the Kinect sensor demonstrate its effectiveness and robustness. A user study was conducted among 65 Jordanian university students to evaluate the effectiveness and attitude toward using the proposed system. The study results indicate the importance and usefulness of the proposed system.


Abstract Aneurysmal anomalies of the internal jugular vein are very uncommon. We report two cases of internal jugular vein aneurysm and discuss the clinical pattern, pathology, aetiology and management.


The accumulation of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) by microorganisms usually occurs in response to environmental stress conditions. Therefore, it is advantageous to choose two-step cultivation. The first phase is aimed at maximizing biomass production, and only in the second phase, after setting the suitable conditions, PHA production starts. The aim of this work was to optimize the composition of the minimal propagation medium used for biomass production of Cupriavidus necator DSM 545 using the response surface methodology (RSM). Based on the results from the search for optimization limits, the glucose concentration, the ammonium sulfate concentration and the phosphate buffer molarity were chosen as independent variables. The optimal values were found as follows: the glucose concentration 10.8 g/L; the ammonium sulfate concentration 0.95 g/L; and the phosphate buffer molarity 60.2 mmol/L. The predicted biomass concentration was 4.54 g/L, and the verified value was at 4.84 g/L. Although this work was primarily focused on determining the optimal composition of the propagation medium, we also evaluated the optimal composition of the production medium and found that the optimal glucose concentration was 6.7 g/L; the ammonium sulfate concentration 0.60 g/L; and the phosphate buffer molarity 20 mmol/L. The predicted PHB yield was 54.7% (w/w) of dry biomass, and the verified value was 49.1%.


Objective To research the expression and biological significance of methallothionein(MT) in different thyroid diseases(TDs).Methods The expression of MT was observed by immunohistochemical stain and the difference among TDs was compared.Results MT was completely expressed in all TDs. Expression of MT was 87.60±9.20 in thyroid carcinoma,significantly higher than that(62.20±12.40) in thyroid adenoma, that(61.10±13.20) in Graves′ disease and that(58.50±10.60) in Hashimoto′ thyroiditis (P0.05).Conclusion MT is closely related to thyroid malignancy, it maybe thyroid carcinoma if MT expression in thyroid tissue is higher than 80.


Whereas the assessment of complex problem solving (CPS) has received increasing attention in the context of international large-scale assessments, its fairness in regard to students' cultural background has gone largely unexplored. On the basis of a student sample of 9th-graders (N = 299), including a representative number of immigrant students (N = 127), the present study evaluated (a) whether CPS can be assessed fairly among students with or without immigration background and (b) whether achievement differences between these groups exist. Results showed that fair assessment of CPS is possible using the Genetics Lab, a computer-based microworld that incorporates game-like characteristics and multilingual-friendly features. Immigrant students were generally outperformed by their nonimmigrant peers, but performance differences can largely be explained by differential enrollment in lower academic tracks. Interestingly, CPS scales were less affected by students' educational background than a traditional paper-pencil-based reasoning scale. Moreover, a fine-grained analysis of different facets of CPS showed that irrespective of the academic track, immigrant students demonstrated a more efficient task exploration behavior than their native peers (d = 0.26). In sum, this might point to the potential of computer-based assessment of CPS to identify otherwise hidden cognitive potential in immigrant students.


evolve in sophistication, accuracy, reliability and cost-effectiveness, consequent to efforts described by Mischak et al. [11]. Concurrently. evaluation approaches to renal biopsy tissue will also expand beyond mere histological assessment [12]. However, for the foreseeable future 'liquid' biopsy will be complementary to rather than substitutes for 'needle' kidney biopsy in many diseases confronted by clinical nephrologists.


The paradigm of consumer purchase decisions has been altered by the digital marketing landscape. Presently, consumers actively seek reliable and truthful information to assist them in their purchasing decisions. A noteworthy group in this regard is the Millennial generation, who dedicate a substantial amount of their time to online activities, with a particular focus on social media platforms. This generation, often referred to as "technology savvy," demonstrates their reliance on technology and employs it for various decisions that impact them, including their purchasing intentions. Prior to making a purchase, Millennial extensively research product information and align it with their individual needs and interests. The objective of this research was to examine the impact of user-generated content (UGC) on the purchasing intentions of Millennials in Tasikmalaya city. The investigation was conducted utilizing the prominent social media platform, YouTube. The primary aims of this research were to identify the factors that influence purchasing intentions and to comprehend the attitudes of Millennials towards purchasing after watching product-related videos on YouTube.To achieve these goals, the researcher administered an online questionnaire to individuals who had viewed smartphone product videos on YouTube. The questionnaire, comprising 350 valid responses, served as the means to test the hypotheses using the Structural Equation Modelling approach. The research yielded significant findings, that factors such as video quality, duration, and the adeptness and delivery of the presentation are crucial in influencing the purchase decisions of Millennial consumers. In summary, these findings imply that those aspects play a substantial and positive role in heightening the purchase intentions of Millennials in Tasikmalaya City.


The underrepresentation of paranoids-a group that manifests less psychological deficit-in hospitalized chronic schizophrenic cohorts has been cited as a source of sampling bias in behavioral studies comparing acute and chronic schizophrenics. The sampling bias hypothesis assumes this underrepresenta


In the paper I analyze two features of the genre of the pedagogical. First is a particular usage of "should" statements (which I call postulational rhetoric) where one can identify an effect of erasing present normative behavior, while that which is postulated is turned into an unattainable ideal, or a value. Second, I analyze "presumptive tautologies" in the discourse of aims of education. I focus on negative dimensions of these two features and, using theoretical insights from Laclau and Rancière, I connect them to the work of negativity in political ontology so that the relation between the pedagogical and the political can thus be re-articulated.


Steep X-ray spectral slopes, X-ray excesses and preferred spectral energy breaks in the 0.1–0.3 MeV range are discussed as the possible consequences of the photospheric component of the GRB relativistic outflow, and of pair breakdown in internal shocks leading to Comptonization on semi-relativistic electrons or MHD waves. We also discuss the X-ray and UV spectra of GRB afterglows occurring in a dense environment characteristic of massive stellar progenitors, including their ability to produce detectable Fe or other metallic line features.


As children with long‐term conditions (LTCs) mature, they are usually expected to assume responsibility from their parents for self‐management of their condition. Little is known about what supports families with this handover of responsibility, including the role of healthcare professionals (HCPs). This study aimed to explore what supports young people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) to assume self‐management responsibility and parents to relinquish control.


Sciatic hernia is extremely rare. AP Krymov in his monograph "The Teaching of Hernias" provides data on 30 cases of sciatic hernia. After A.P. Krymov, Russian literature describes 4 cases of sciatic hernia in adults. Our observation concerns a newborn boy who was born on 31 / X-58 with a weight of 3250 g from healthy parents, and on 31 / XI-58 to the children's surgical department. As it turned out, immediately after the birth, no visible deformities were found, and only a certain general lethargy of the child paid attention. On the second day, the child's condition worsened, the temperature rose to 38 , bloating, abdominal muscle tension, and vomiting appeared. Stool and urination were normal. On close examination, the pediatrician discovered a swelling in the area of the right buttock, mistook it for an inflammatory infiltrate, and prescribed an ointment compress and intramuscular penicillin.


Promotion of the rule of law: what does it mean? The rule of law in post-conflict scenarios. The peace building commission. Country specific analysis: Burundi and Sierra Leone.


An integrated distributed watershed model with channel network for rainfall—runoff simulation is presented. Interception is estimated by an exponential model based on leaf area index (LAI). The Green-Ampt Mein Larson (GAML) model is used for the estimation of infiltration in the watershed. For runoff estimation, diffusion wave equations are solved using the finite element method (FEM), together with application of the channel network concept. Interflow is simulated using the FEM-based model. A geographic information system (GIS) was used to prepare the input data required for the distributed model. The developed channel network based distributed model was applied to Peacheater Creek watershed, USA. The model performed well on some validation events, but not on all of them. The problems may be due to topographic complexities, or to differences in the characteristics between the calibration storms and those in the validation data set. The developed model has to be further verified for watersheds at different geographic locations for better validation.


The so-called "TV White Spaces" (TVWS) are locally underutilized portions of the terrestrial TV bands and occur as a by-product of the Digital Switchover taking place in most countries across the globe. Thanks to the very good characteristics of the TV bands in terrestrial radio communications, the exploitation of TVWS for localor regional-area wireless license-exempt networking, under a carefully established regulatory framework, is a very attractive perspective. This paper presents a generic methodology for determining the actual capacity of white spaces using a geolocation-based approach i.e. dynamic assignment of radio resources to TVWS networks according to their geographical location. This methodology is applied in a case study investigating a sample area in southeastern Europe and unveils a significant amount of access capacity which can be unleashed via TVWS exploitation.


The links between excessive internet game play and depressive symptoms are well-established [1,2]. Many of the problematic and dysfunctional tendencies often defined by loss of impulse control that are linked with internet/video gaming and the diagnosis of internet gaming disorder (IGD) have been shown to have connections also with other conditions, including emotional, cognitive, motivational and somatic disruptions expressed in anhedonia, anxiety, sleep disturbance and depressive states and various types of social and generalized anxiety, psychological distress, lower levels of psychological resilience and symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder [3-7]. IGD exerts a negative impact upon physical, psychological, social, and occupational functioning within several domains of the affected individual, which often leading to severe consequences [8]. Users combining computer-games and smart phone-games were observed to exhibit a higher prevalence of IGD, depression and anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders [9]. Unsurprisingly, 89 percent of IGDdiagnosed and 92 percent of IGD-diagnosed, respectively, presented symptoms of depression and anxiety [10]. Patients presenting IGD were shown to be of younger age, with a greater likelihood of being single and unemployed, as well as presenting also a lower age-level for disorder onset [11]. Additionally, these patients expressed a lower level of somatization and depressiveness scores together with lower prevalence of tobacco use but higher food addiction scores accompanied by a higher mean body mass index. Furthermore, they evidenced lower novelty-seeking and persistence traits. Thus, the consensus of several clinical and non-clinical studies establishes that in IGD depressiveness and other affective problems, including gender, problematic alcohol use, anxiety, and a past history of psychiatric counselling or treatment due to internet gaming use, are common comorbidities [12]. These issues serve to underline the problematic nature of IGD [13,14].


The primary objective of this research is to locate the source of the vortex-induced vibrations (VIV) for long flexible cylinders at high-mode number and to help determine the source region for future predictions. The two Gulf Stream tests were conducted to collect data on a scale-model pipe that was excited at high-mode numbers. The high density of the sensors on the pipe allowed for analysis that had not previously been done. Two methodologies are presented to locate the area of the region that is the source of the vibration. In VIV, the current which causes the vibrations is important, because the speed of the current will determine the frequency of the vibration. Therefore, one important question is which section of the pipe will be the source of the vibrations for a known current profile. This source region is known as the power-in region. Regions on the pipe that are not a source of power instead damp the structural vibrations. Once the region where the vibration originated has been found, the different phenomena that effect the location of the power-in region that were discovered are shown. Four different factors are presented that effect the locations of the power-in region: the angle of the pipe with respect to the vertical, the gradient of the current direction, the current profile, and the end effects at high mode number. A dimensionless parameter is presented which help in the prediction of VIV given a current profile. The power-in factor predicts the region where the source of the vibration occurs using a combination of the current velocity and the source region length.© 2007 ASME


Mutant Prevention Concentration (MPC) concept provides in vitro justification of a dosing regimen of antimicrobial agent that can prevent the emergence of least susceptible resistant mutant. This study evaluates the MPC of cephalexin, cefuroxime, ceftazidime and cefepime under two different temperature conditions for E. coli isolated from stool of patients. The study also investigates effect of temperature on the selection of resistance mutants. A total of fifty (50) isolates of E. coli was isolated and identified by standard procedure from stool of patients attending Nasarawa State University Health Centre Keffi, Nigeria. MPCs and mutant recovery were determined at 37 ° C and 41 ° C by standard methods. MPC at both 37 ° C and 41 ° C were the same for each of the drugs. MPCs for 50% of the isolates (MPC50) were: cephalexin (421.4 µg/ml[6.2 x MIC]), cefuroxime (209.0 µg/ml[3.3 x MIC]), ceftazidime (81.0 µg/ml[2.2 x MIC]) and cefepime (30.6 µg/ml[1.4 x MIC]); MPC for 90% of the isolates (MPC90) were: cephalexin (471.8 µg/ml[3.9 x MIC]), cefuroxime (465.0 µg/ml[3.8 x MIC]), ceftazidime (454.8 µg/ml[4 x MIC]) and cefepime (438.4 µg/ml[7.2 x MIC]). The MPC50/MIC50 ratios at both 37 ° C and 41 ° C were in the order: cephalexin>cefuroxime>ceftazidime>cefepime; but MPC90/MIC90 ratios were in the reverse order. The mutant recovery at MPC50 at both 37 ° C and 41 ° C were insignificantly


The traditional aeroengine residual life prediction method assumes that all aeroengines have the same performance deterioration pattern in a fleet,which leads to a low prediction accuracy.On the basis that the aeroengine exhaust gas temperature margin(EGTM) is analyzed,the aeroengine residual life prediction method based on performance deterioration pattern is proposed.The gross error removal of aeroengine EGTM time series data is studied.The distance measure of aeroengine EGTM time series data is defined,and performance deterioration pattern mining steps are given.Finally,the CFM56-5B aeroengine EGTM time series data is adopted to verify the proposed method.The results show that the average absolute relative error of the proposed method is reduced by 2.5% compared to the method of average EGTM deterioration pattern in a fleet.Thus,the aeroengine residual life prediction method based on performance deterioration pattern can supply reliable support for predicting aeroengine removal deadline and making maintenance plan.


This article is a study about scientific literacy that aims to form critical, questioners and logical citizens, through the teaching proposals developed by the Institutional Scholarship Program (PIBID), a multidisciplinary subproject in Federal Institute of Paraná (IFPR), Paranaguá campus, using interventions applied in the first and second year high school classes in IFPR for 1 Licenciando em Física, Instituto Federal do Paraná, firstname.lastname@example.com 2 Licenciando em Física, Instituto Federal do Paraná, email@example.com 3 Licencianda em Física, Instituto Federal do Paraná, firstname.lastname@example.com 4 Licenciando em Física, Instituto Federal do Paraná, email@example.com 5 Mestre em Engenharia Mecânica, Instituto Federal do Paraná, email@example.com 6 Mestre em Educação, Instituto Federal do Paraná, email@example.com


Abstract : This thesis studies the impact that imperfect preventive maintenance has on the availability of aircraft and, as a result, the decrease in operational effectiveness. We further consider the practicality of using an imperfect preventive maintenance model for determining preventive maintenance scheduling. Simulation was used to recreate the operational environment in order to study the effects that levels of imperfect preventive maintenance have on the aircraft during execution of an actual fleet tactic.


This study was conducted at three different locations in the highland area of Northern Thailand. Two of the locations, Huai Luek (greenhouse production) and Mae Tha Nuea (field production), are in the main cucumber growing areas and the third location, Thung Roeng (field production), had not been previously cropped with cucumber. The research was carried out to investigate seed transmission of CGMMV and detection of the virus at different crop growth stages (seedling, flowering and 1 month after fruit-set). Polyclonal antibodies (ELISA kits, Agdia Inc., Elkhart IN., USA) were used to detect the virus. CGMMV was not detected in whole ground cucumber seeds, endosperm, seed coat, cotyledons or leaves in 1600 seeds from the seed lot tested. The virus was also not detected in any of the growth stages of cucumber at Thung Roeng where the crop had never been grown before. However, CGMMV was detected in each of the three stages at the other two sites at incidences ranging from 7.3 to 30%, except in the seedling stage at Mae Tha Nuea. Total marketable cucumber yield was significantly higher at Thung Roeng (21.25 kg) than at Huai Luek (16.75 kg) and Mae Tha Nuea (15.87 kg). These results suggest that soil transmission of CGMMV was likely and that the virus played a role in the reduction of cucumber yields.