Life: Its Origins and Evolution - PART ONE: THE CELL - Life and Chemistry: Small Molecules - Life and Chemistry: Large Molecules - Cells: The Basic Units of Life - Cellular Membranes - Energy, Enzymes, and Metabolism - Cellular Pathways that Harvest Chemical Energy - Photosynthesis: Energy from the Sun - PART TWO: INFORMATION AND HEREDITY - Chromosomes, the Cell Cycle, and Cell Division - Transmission Genetics: Mendel and Beyond - DNA and its Role in Heredity - From DNA to Protein: Genotype to Phenotype - The Genetics of Viruses and Prokaryotes - The Eukaryotic Genome and its Expression - Cell Signaling and Gene Expression - Recombinant DNA and Biotechnology - Molecular Biology and Medicine - Natural Defenses against Disease - PART THREE: DEVELOPMENT - Differential Gene Expression in Development - Animal Development: From Genes to Organism - Development and Evolutionary Change - PART FOUR: EVOLUTIONARY PROCESSES - The History of Life on Earth - The Mechanisms of Evolution - Species and their Formation - Constructing and Using Phylogenies - Molecular and Genomic Evolution - PART FIVE: THE EVOLUTION OF DIVERSITY - Bacteria and Archaea: The Prokaryotic Domains - Protists and the Dawn of the Eukarya - Plants without Seeds: From Sea to Land - The Evolution of Seed Plants - Fungi: Recyclers, Killers, and Plant Partners - Ancestors and Lophotrochozoans - Ecdysozoans: The Molting Animals - Deuterostomate Animals - PART SIX: THE BIOLOGY OF FLOWERING PLANTS - The Plant Body - Transport in Plants - Plant Nutrition - Plant Growth Regulation - Reproduction in Flowering Plants - Plant Responses to Environmental Challenges - PART SEVEN: THE BIOLOGY OF ANIMALS - Physiology, Homeostasis, and Temperature Regulation - Animal Hormones - Animal Reproduction - Neurons and Nervous Systems - Sensory Systems - The Mammalian Nervous System: Structure and Higher Functions - Effectors - Gas Exchange in Animals - Circulatory Systems - Animal Nutrition - Salt and Water Balance and Nitrogen Excretion - Animal Behavior - PART EIGHT: ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY - Behavioral Ecology - Population Ecology - Community Ecology - Biogeography - Conservation Biology - Earth Systems Science


The invention discloses a bi-motor power synthesis driving device, comprising a first driving motor, a second driving motor and a power synthesis case; the first driving motor and the second driving motor are respectively connected with the power synthesis case; the power synthesis case comprises a power output end, an auxiliary power input end, a case body and a first input wheel, a second input wheel, and an output gear placed in the case body. The invention has simple structure and solves the basic problem of parallel connection of the bi-motor, and provides for various possibilities for the optimization of the power system by adding the auxiliary power input end, and can realize various practical hybrid power system schemes.


In this paper the air temperature changes have been investigated on the base of satellite measurement, in the period from 1979 until 2006. The analysis has shown that there is no temperature amplification with altitude. Data for Serbia have shown negative trend of temperature in the last 20 years of the investigated period. Although it is not statistically significant, the sign is not in accordance with the increasing CO2 concentration. This may mean that the sign of satellite temperature doesn't support hypothesis about domination of anthropogenic greenhouse effects. .


This article summarizes a comprehensive synthesis of experimental intervention studies that have included students with learning disabilities. Effect sizes for 180 intervention studies were analyzed across instructional domains, sample characteristics, intervention parameters, methodological procedures, and article characteristics. The overall mean effect size of instructional intervention was positive and of high magnitude (M = 0.79). Effect sizes were more positive for a combined model that included components of direct and strategy instruction than for competing models. Interventions that included instructional components related to controlling task difficulty, small interactive groups, and directed responses and questioning of students were significant predictors of effect size, and interventions that varied from control conditions in terms of setting, teacher, and number of instructional steps yielded larger effect sizes than studies that failed to control for such variations. The results are supportive of the pervasive influence of cognitive strategy and direct instruction models for remediating the academic difficulties for children with learning disabilities.


Objective To observe the clinical effect of Ya Ning granule for treating patients with hypertension.Method 100 cases with hypertension were randomly divided into two groups.Patients in control group(n=50) were treated only by Benazepril Tablet.And patients in treatment group(n=50) were treated by combination of Benazepril Tablet and Ya Ning granule.The course in both groups was 30 days.The effect,change of blood pressure and improvement of main symptoms were observed before and after treatment in both groups.Result Improvement of blood pressure and symptoms in treatment group were superior to those in control group(P0.05). The total effective rate in treatment group(92.0%) was higher than that in control group(66.0%,P0.05).Conclusion Ya Ning granule has a definite effect on the treatment of hypertension.


A new Ni-catalyzed asymmetric decarboxylative Mannich reaction between (Ss)-N-t-butylsulfinyl-3,3,3-trifluoro-acetaldimine and β-keto-acids was developed, which was carried out at room temperature affording β-trifluoromethyl-β-amino ketones with excellent yields and diastereoselectivities.


Abstract : This study investigates the performance of teams differing in gender composition on a university-developed synthetic task, the Team Interactive Decision Exercise for Teams Incorporating Distributed Expertise (TIDE2). It was predicted that teams of varying gender configuration would differ in communication and coordination patterns, team process, and outcome measures. Gender configuration of teams was manipulated using six unique gender configurations. Predictions relating gender configuration to team effectiveness were made within the theoretical framework of the Multi-level theory (MLT) of team performance (Hollenbeck et al., 1995), because of the hierarchical, distributed structure of the team decision task. Results demonstrated significant differences in performance among the gender groups, with all-male teams performing most accurately, and teams with a male leader and two female subordinates performing least accurately. This variance in team performance was found to be due to differences in efficiency/effectiveness of information exchange, such that team members of low-performing teams did not acquire requisite information for decision making. In addition, it was demonstrated that measures of gender configuration which have been commonly used provided misleading results, which may explain the conflicting results reported in the past. The MLT theoretical propositions were tested and supported.


We recently read the article by Torabi et al published in your journal. Diagnosing methemoglobinemia in the setting of transplantation is challenging, as mostly the transplant patients are on multiple drugs and it is difficult to pinpoint a culprit drug. We aim to reinforce the importance of awareness of adverse effects with various drugs used during transplantation that may lead to methemoglobinemia. Methemoglobinemia is a well-known entity but is challenging if encountered in transplant setting. Dapsone is considered as second-line alternative for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) prophylaxis and is used if either the patient is allergic or not responding to bactrim. Long half-life thereby allowing intermittent dosing and low cost are the 2 major benefits of using dapsone. However, hemolytic anemia, leucopenia, and methemoglobinemia are serious complications of dapsone. Pathologically, N-hydroxylated and hydroxylamine metabolites of dapsone are known to cause methemoglobinemia. Due to high prevalence of dapsone-induced methemoglobinemia (up to 20%), the awareness about this entity is of extreme importance. In an National Health Service (NHS) funded study, Mitsides et al found methemoglobinemia in 12 of 26 transplant recipients on dapsone. Theoretically, renal transplant recipients should have highest prevalence of methemoglobinemia because dapsone is excreted by kidneys. Individuals with methemoglobin percentage >30% have higher chances of requiring ventilatory support. With nonspecific symptoms of breathlessness, cyanosis, and tachycardia, methemoglobinemia can be easily confused with many other conditions such as febrile neutropenia, anemia, pneumonia, and graft-versus-host disease. Esbenshade et al did an excellent study on dapsone-related methemoglobinemia in 167 pediatric oncology patients. Methemoglobinemia was noted in 32 (19.8%) patients. They found a significant observation of 73% risk reduction in methemoglobin percentage with dosing 20% below the target dose of 2 mg/kg/d. Gender, body mass index, age, and cytochrome b5 reductase enzyme activity status (CYB5RA) were not associated with increased risk to develop methemoglobinemia. Apart from dapsone, other agents like cyclophosphamide/ifosfamide (used as preconditioning agent) has also been recently reported to cause methemoglobinemia. The mechanism proposed was 4-thioifosfamide, which is a deactivated ifosfamide metabolite, reacts with glutathione, thereby depleting the cell antioxidant stores. Plotkin et al also reported 2 cases with solid organ transplant developing dapsone-induced methemoglobinemia; both were managed with methylene blue and subsequently started on monthly aerosolized pentamidine therapy for PCP prophylaxis. Note that inhaled pentamidine is 5 to 7 times costlier than dapsone ($125/month vs $17/month). There are various other alternatives for PCP prophylaxis, for example, atovaquone, azithromycin, and so on. Although dapsone is probably more cost-effective than the others, none of the studies have compared them with regard to cost of hospitalization or drug-induced adverse events. Considering the side effect profile, few centers have started measuring MHb levels routinely. Methemoglobinemia is an important entity due to its excellent outcome if treated promptly. Before commencing dapsone, patients should be counseled about risk of methemoglobinemia and must be checked for Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. Regular monitoring of methemoglobin percentage is recommended while using dapsone.


Using mobile learning (m-learning) to study English as a foreign language (EFL) has provided new opportunities for innovative learning, particularly for today's younger generation who have grown up with digital technology. It can effectively promote teaching and learning by maintaining students' engagement. This study aimed to investigate the factors that influence university students' acceptance of m-learning for EFL in Taiwan. A survey questionnaire was administered to 327 participants, and the data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson's correlation. The results indicated that all factors received relatively high scores, with perceived ease of use, attitude toward use receiving the highest scores. This suggests that students widely accept m-learning as a means of studying EFL. The key to creating a successful m-learning experience is for students to accept it as an educational tool and be willing to use it. Therefore, it is recommended that m-learning be considered as a potential tool to improve EFL students' language proficiency.


The use of geotextile sand containers (GSCs) in shoreline protection systems has moderately grown since the first applications in the 1970s and increasingly used as an alternative to natural stone, slag, and concrete. Due to their economical, technical and ecological advantages, the use of geotextiles and geocomposites for filter and drainage functions is increasing worldwide and has a 40 year history already. For coastal protection measures, nonwovens are proven to have long-term resistance against ultraviolet radiation and saltwater. High elongation behavior provides superior properties during loading in coastal protection means, which is determined as being the biggest risk for damaging geotextiles. Such applications require certain functional characteristics in the geotextiles, besides their basic properties, which are required to be engineered by the judicious optimization of the needlepunching process. In this study, the effect of the process parameters including punch density and depth of needle pe...


During transmission of the data, it can be intercepted and modified. Such behavior is called the MITM (Man In The Middle) attack. Despite the usage of encryption in public networks, such attacks may happen because of the botnets. They pose a particular threat to local networks, where the data is usually transmitted in an unencrypted form. During the previous studies, the "chunking" model and method have been developed for payload authentication. They have been proven to have increased performance in comparison to the widely used methods, such as "Buffering to File" or "Buffering to Memory". The support of the ECDSA algorithm has been added to the "chunking" method. The most widespread protocol for data transmission is HTTP, which is used in a wide variety of applications. Previously, the "Chunking" method was implemented for every version of the HTTP protocol. However, because of the structure of the HTTP/1 protocol, not all the benefits of the "chunking" method could be used. The new model of payload authentication for HTTP/2 and HTTP/3 protocols has been developed. The modified method for HTTP/2(3) has been implemented in the software library. The new library has been further tested on the subject of compatibility with the existing HTTP/2 client libraries and web-browsers. The new method may be used in web browsers, but modification of the source code is required.


The present invention discloses an antenna and a radio communication terminal including this antenna, and a metal rod element is connected to the feeding point of the antenna metal plate constituting the antenna element may be connected to the high reliability of the electrical and mechanical the reliable connection. Metal rod comprising an elastic part having shape elasticity and an antenna element having the desired antenna characteristics. The elastic part of the metal wire rod is bent sheet metal part holding the card pressed to contract in its radial direction, thereby achieving stable electrical and mechanical connection between the metal rod and a metal piece.


Not quite half a year after Edison's introduction of projected motion pictures to the American public in 1896, North American Review writer George Parsons Lathrop wondered whether the stage would be revolutionized by filmed scenery. Theatrical entrepreneurs and effects inventors quickly explored the multimedia potential of the new medium, enlarging the scenic scope of the stage and bringing to the theatre a spatial freedom that in some cases transcended the limits of traditional stagecraft, for instance by simulating movement in depth. Prominent Broadway producers featured filmed scenery effects in popular productions for several decades. As projection technology has improved—most recently with digital techniques—designers repeatedly have envisioned a stagecraft of screens and moving images, but practitioners and historians are largely unaware of the origins of this perpetually innovative scenic approach. In this article, Gwendolyn Waltz examines the early history of filmed scenery.


THERE is perhaps no more contentious issue today than that of wetlands protection. There tend to be two views of the Bush Administration's wetlands policy. One is impatient for us to define "no net loss of wetlands," a goal to which President Bush committed himself unequivocally as candidate and now as president. The other view is that we have lost all perspective in our efforts to regulate wetlands, have gone to war over inconsequential resources, arbitrarily encroached upon private property rights, and overreached in defining wetlands subject to our jurisdiction.

I want to respond to both lines of criticism and also to suggest some new elements of an evolving national policy on no net loss of wetlands. But first, I want to recommit the administration to that goal. We do not intend to back off from it. In fact, this administration has probably given more sustained, high-level attention to the formulation of wetlands policy, at the Domestic Policy Council in the White House and the Office of Management and Budget, Environmental Protection Agency, Corps of Engineers, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Soil Conservation …


We are witnessing major developments in sensing, processing, and communications that have led toward an integrated composition of the world, in which physical and digital intertwiningly coexist, environments emanate intelligent presence, and interactions dissolve into human behavior in the form of gestures that manipulate the new physical-digital space. This course explores the ways in which home entertainment systems benefit from such technological advances, in the quest to design highly-interactive smart home entertainment spaces. Attendees will be introduced to the fundamental principles of smart spaces and ambient intelligence, augmented reality, and gesture interface design by falling back on examples of designs and applications for home entertainment. Notions such as context awareness, mixed reality, and naturalness of gesture interaction will be clarified for participants in the context of home entertainment. Practical aspects of augmented reality and gesture sensing and recognition technology will be explained and accompanied by examples from research and industry. It is the my hope that this course will prove a valuable source of inspiration for practitioners interested in prototyping novel, highly-interactive smart spaces toward designing our future home entertainment experience.


The overall objective is to support transparency of decision-making processes in the nuclear waste programmes of the participating organisations, and also of the European Union, by means of a greater degree of public participation. Although the focus has been on nuclear waste, findings are expected to be relevant for decision-making in complex policy issues in a much wider context.


The efforts to reduce NOx pollutants have stimulated a large interest in the understanding of the elementary processes for NO transformation on transition metal surfaces. Periodic density-functional calculations have been performed for the molecular and dissociative chemisorption of NO on Pd and Rh(100) and (111) surfaces, with generalized gradient approximation exchange-correlation functionals. The periodic systems are modeled by two-dimensional palladium or rhodium slabs with frozen geometry, on which a NO, N, O, or (N+O) adlayer is set. On Pd and Rh(100) at a coverage of 0.5 monolayer (ML), the bridge site is the most stable one with respective binding energies of −1.54 and −2.18 eV. On the (111) surfaces, at a coverage of 0.33 ML, the threefold hollow sites are favored with binding energies of −2.0 eV for Pd(111) and −2.18 eV for Rh(111). For the dissociated structures, the mixed coadsorption of N and O is favored in most cases compared to separated domains. The chemisorption of NO, N, or O is stronge...


Objective To investigate the influence of experimental scotoma on multifocal visual evoked potential (mf-VEP). Methods The mf-VEP of 10 healthy individuals (20 eyes) was measured with VERIS Science 4.0. Every eye was measured for 3 times. The right eye was measured with full field stimulation and upper hemi-field or lower hemi-field masked. The left eye was measured with full field stimulation and central three-rings area or lower nasal field masked. The first slice responses of the second order in different field were analyzed and compared by VERIS software. Results The mf-VEP in masked area was undetectable or obviously decreased in all subjects. In most unmasked field, the amplitudes of mf-VEP were not changed, except that in some place decreased slightly with statistically significant difference in comparison to the full field stimulation mode. Conclusion mf-VEP is influenced with experimental scotoma. The mf-VEP changes are consistent with the visual field masked.


In this research, cesium iodide (CsI) optical crystals have been grown for radiation detectors by homemade Bridgman-Stockbarger method. CsI crystals have been innovated for optical properties by applying techniques of Ca doping and multiple doping of Ca and Tl. As a reference; CsI:Tl crystal was also grown in the identical growth system. The crystal growth was processed under argon atmosphere in a quartz crucible. The composition of dopant was kept a constant of 0.35%wt. X-ray diffraction measurements show that CsI:Tl and CsI(Tl,Ca) crystals have the cubic crystal structure with a dominant (110) plane. But CsI:Ca crystal has two dominant planes of (110) and (211). In addition, photoluminescence (PL) measurements were performed to investigate their optical properties: CsI:Ca and CsI(Tl,Ca) crystals emitted the blue light in a range of 420-450 nm wavelength with two dominant peaks but the orange light emission of 590-nm wavelength from CsI:Tl crystal. To evaluate the efficiency and energy resolution of radiation detection by coupling these CsI scintillators with a photomultiplier tube, the results reveal their different radiation performances due to the main difference in their optical properties about the light emission characteristics. In conclusion, the radiation performance of CsI:Ca scintillator has been still challenge to accomplish with the optimized growth condition and the suitable coupling devices.


This essay provides Beckett studies with biographical information, collated from a number of sources, regarding Beckett's friend and initial philosophy mentor, Jean Beaufret. Further, based on the new context these details provide, the essay posits that Beckett was familiar with Heidegger's philosophy and that his post-war aesthetics are, in part, a response to both Beaufret and Heidegger.


Oh Yoon (1946-1986) formed Hyeonsil Dongin, a student association, in 1969 arguing the combination of life with art. Oh Woon opposed the Korea's modernism art that mimics the western art and pursued art that enriches people's lives focusing on tradition and the public. Oh Yoon created the image of workers and the public with rough and clunky but lines full of vitality. The unique art world of Oh Yoon was based on culture movement among the public in the 1960s including mask dance, Pansori (a dramatic song recital), and Madangguk (one of traditional Korean performance). The world where national imagination is restored in the order of human society which applies dynamic principle led by the public! It is ultimate art word dreamt by Oh Yoon. To this end, Oh Yoon was inspired by Namsadang performance and Korean Folk Art (Min-Hwa). Madangguk (one of traditional Korean performance) and vulgar painting in the late Joseon Dynasty enabled the initial art style of Oh Yoon, which started from mural movement in Mexico to be developed into a unique engraving art with sense of humor and comic touch. Ironically, the recognition of information including folklore, play, Min-Hwa and mask dance was the good result of support for Korean traditional music and traditional art led by the nation starting from the late 1950s. In particular, the Cultural Heritage Protection Act announced in 1962 and protection of intangible cultural asset started in 1963 enabled the research and preservation on traditional play and national data. In addition, the nationwide folklore competition contributed to making traditional culture popular among the public. The government support for national traditional culture was part of the national integration policy of the government which took power after the May 16 coup. The national culture movement was expanded and reproduced with the involvement of the private, public and business sectors in the 1960s and 1970s. Therefore, the art of Oh Yoon was looked at in the big picture of Korea's national movement in the 1960s and 1970s that focused on the restoration of tradition.


InAs/ InP quantum dash based mode locked lasers are particularly suited for frequency comb generation. Multi-terabit/s data transmission has been achieved using one single chip.


CO2 sequestration in the reservoir is an important way to reduce the CO2 emission. Many studies at home and abroad are concerned with the CO2 storage capacity and its calculation has a practical significance for China's CO2 emission reduction targets. The correction formula for CO2 storage and the determination of the dissolution coefficients in the formula are analyzed in this paper. The capacity of CO2 storage is mostly in the form of dissolved CO2,which should be carefully considered,and the calculation of this part of the capacity of CO2 storage is closely related to two parameters,that is,the dissolution coefficients Cws and Cos. The solubility calculation models developed by Zhenhao Duan and Haitao Xue were improved to obtain the dissolution coefficient Cws and Cos. Then,the dissolution coefficients were applied to a revised method of calculating the CO2 storage capacity under different conditions of oil reservoirs. The determination of CO2 dissolution coefficients Cws and Cos leads to a more accurate calculation of the CO2 storage capacity in oil reservoirs. Finally,the theoretical and effective CO2 storage capacity in a domestic Oilfield are compared with the evaluation results obtained by the analogy. The result shows that the calculation method is reliable.


Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate a possible adjuvanticity of simultaneous hepatitis A (HAV) vaccination for the development of HBs-specific antibodies and lymphoproliferative responses in prophylactic immunization with hepatitis B (HBV). Methods: Thirty-nine volunteers were vaccinated (schedule: 0/1/6 months) either with a bivalent HAV/HBV (18 individuals) or with HBV (recombinant HBs-antigen) vaccine alone (21 individuals). Anti-HBs antibody titers and lymphoproliferative responses as consequence of stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with HBs were evaluated and compared between the two groups before second vaccination, before and 1 month after booster. Results: Geometric mean titers were higher at all time points in the group treated with the combined vaccine. On the other hand, after the booster injection, HBs-induced stimulation indices in PBMC were higher in the group vaccinated with HBs alone. Neither the difference in antibody titers nor in proliferative responses reached the level of statistical significance. Interestingly, the inverse relation between cellular proliferation and antibodies was significant, indicating that cellular reactivity is not in all cases a useful marker to evaluate the intensity of the induced immunity. Conclusions: The magnitude of the T-lymphocyte response may eventually not be decisive for the subsequent antibody response. Both vaccination strategies led to a cellular and humoral immune response and resulted in protective levels of HBs-specific antibodies.


When a nuclear or radiological accident results in a release of a radioactive plume, AGS (Aerial Gamma Spectrometry) systems used in many countries, equipped with passive detectors, can help in giving quantitative assessment on the radiological situation (land surface contamination level) only when the air contamination due to the passage of the travelling plume has become negligible. To overcome this limitation, the Italian Institute of Health has developed and implemented a multi purpose air sampling system based on a fixed wing aircraft, for time-effective, large areas radiological surveillance (to face radiological emergency and to support homeland security). A fixed wing aircraft (Sky Arrow 650) with the front part of the fuselage properly adapted to house the detection equipment has been equipped with a compact air sampling line where the isokinetic sampling is dynamically maintained. Aerosol is collected on a Teflon® filter positioned along the line and hosted on a rotating 4-filters disk. A complex of detectors allows radionuclide identification in the collected aerosol samples. A correlated analysis of these two detectors data allows a quantitative measurement of air as well as ground surface concentration of gamma emitting radioisotopes. Environmental sensors and a GPS receiver support the characterization of the sampling conditions and the temporal and geolocation of the acquired data. Acquisition and control system based on compact electronics and real time software that operate the sampling line actuators, guarantee the dynamical isokinetic condition, and acquire the detectors and sensor data. The system is also equipped with other sampling lines to provide information on the concentration of other chemical pollutants. Operative flights have been carried out in the last years, and performances and results are presented.


P < 0.05) MiR-133a, and in the at the beginning of the feedlot phase when compared to offspring from MAINT cows. There was no difference ( P ≥ 0.12) in expression of in the between the 2 treatment groups at this phase of growth. at harvest, offspring from cows expressed more ( P < 0.05) and the


An amazing example of uncritical dogmatism in New Testament studies is the belief that the Synoptic Gospels should be dated after the Jewish War of A.D. 66-70 because they contain prophecies eventu of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in the year 70. Usually this chronology is accepted without any discussion, although the prophecies found in Mark 13.1-37 and other places have been dated in very different ways. Scarcely any efforts are made to defend such a post-war date. When such attempts are made, the following passages are referred to, here quoted in the order of the common Synoptic narrative: Luke 19.43-44, Matthew 22.7, and the Synoptic apocalypse in Matthew 24.1-25.46 and parallels. An analysis of these prophecies will have to make it evident that none of them corresponds to what is known about the Jewish war and the destruction of Jerusalem. Keywords: destruction of Jerusalem; Jewish War; Luke 19.43; Mark 13.1; Matthew 22.7; New Testament studies; Synoptic Gospels


Understanding what motivates students while they are learning online has a critical impact on how we help them improve their performance. Unfortunately, there is currently limited research on how to build elearning programs that instigate and maintain adult students' motivation. This paper proposes 10 techniques for capturing and sustaining students' attention, which is considered one of the most important ingredients in achieving motivation while learning online (M. Uguroglu and H. J. Wahlberg, 1979).


Dental professionals are ideally placed to talk to patients about smoking cessation, and dental nurses are able to offer support and advice to increase the smoker's chance of quitting, or refer patients on to specialist smoking clinics.


is A thermoelectric device (10) for arrangement in an exhaust system (5) for temporarily receiving and discharging of a hot flowing exhaust gas stream (12) of an internal combustion engine (2) for driving a motor vehicle (1) is adapted and shaped, wherein the thermoelectric device ( 10) comprising: at least one thermoelectric module (50) for generating electrical energy from the thermal energy of the heated gas (12), wherein the thermoelectric device (10) comprises a high temperature side and a low-temperature side and is disposed around the periphery of a portion of the exhaust gas flow path, wherein the high-temperature side of the thermoelectric device (10) in heat transfer contact with the flowing exhaust gas stream (12), a first body from a first phase change material (16) having a melting point 350-415 ° C, which is coextensive with the thermoelectric module (50) and is arranged around the periphery of the exhaust gas (12) and the high-temperature side of the thermoelectric device (10) , such as a second body of a second phase change material (32) is arranged with a melting point of 10 to 100 ° C, which is coextensive with the thermoelectric module (50) and the low temperature side of the thermoelectric device (10), wherein in said body (second channels 34) for passage of coolant (36) are positioned.


e acceptable PSTH error (|p'-p|/ p range) c confidence (probability) that the error is acceptable Section 3. X(t) CN cell spikes input from AN cells and other CN cells at time t CN(t) spike output value (0 or 1) from a CN cell at time t S(t) CN cells internal state at time t Section 4. T refractory period B PSTH bin length H(i) P(p-spike at t suppressed by q-spike at t-i | p-spike at t & last q-spike at t-i) p(t) P(one or more p-spikes generated during time step t) q(t) P(a single q-spike remains at time step t) R number of time steps within which H(i) > 0 (R ≅ 10 here) rnd random real number between 0 and 1 Section 5. Basic definitions and results from probability theory: * P(A and B) = P(A).P(B|A) * P(A or B) = P(A) + P(B)-P(A and B) * Events A and B are mutually exclusive <=> P(A & B) = 0 * The distribution of the sum of a fair number of random variables, none of which is dominant , is approximately Gaussian. * The mean and variance for a Bernoulli distribution with probability of success p are p and p(1-p) respectively. * The mean and variance of a sum of independent random variables are the sum of the means and the sum of the variances respectively. 9 spike occurring at t-i would necessarily suppress all following spikes within R time steps. Therefore in this case: z(t) =Σ i=1..R q(t-i) => z(1) = 0 & z(t+1) = z(t) + q(t)-q(t-R) providing Algorithm 2, section 4. However, if it is required to model the relative refractory period, then a q-spike at (t-i) does not exclude the possibility that one or more further q-spikes may occur before time t. In this case, if H(i <= 0) = 1, then B(t,i) can be obtained from p(t) and H(dt) as follows: B(t,i) = P(q-spike at t-i & no q-spike at t-i+1) = P(q-spike at t-i).P(no q-spike at t-i+1 | q-spike at t-i) = q(t-i)(1-p(t-i+1)(1-H(1))) = q(t-i)A(t,i,1), where A(t,i,j) = 1-p(t-i+j)(1-H(j)) also: P(q-spike at t-i & no q-spike at t-i+1 or t-i+2) = P(q-spike at t-i & no q-spike at t-r+1)P(no q-spike at t-i+2|q-spike at t-i+1) = q(t-i)A(t,i,1)(1-p(t-i+2)(1-H(2))) = q(t-i)A(t,i,1)A(t,i,2), etc. This gives: B(t,i) = q(t-i)Π j=0..i-1 A(t,i,j) or, if A(t,i,j) is redefined as 1-p(t-j)(1-H(i-j)), then: B(t,i) = q(t-i)Π j=1..i A(t,i,j) Now q(t) can be …


Cervical cancer is one of the most frequent malignancies among women in most developing countries. Cervical cancer is one of the primary causes of female death worldwide. Previous reports have shown that lots of microRNAs (miRNA) are abnormally expressed in cervical cancer. miRNA-203, an epithelial-specific miRNA, is involved in the tumorigenesis and progression of cervical cancer and acts as a tumor suppressor, which plays an important role in the regulation of the proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis of cervical cancer. The mechanism leading to the aberrant expression of miRNA-203 has been a hot spot in the research of miRNA recently. Recent studies have shown that its expression is regulated by DNA methylation, human papillomavirus (HPV) protein, transcription factor and it regulates the expression of target genes. Here is to make a review on the research progress of miRNA-203 in the biological function and the regulation mechanisms of cervical cancer.

Key words:
microRNA-203; Uterine cervical neoplasm; Regulation


ABSTRACT In Brazil, common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is cultivated in different growing seasons and environments, with different genotypes responses due to the genotype x environment interaction. This study aimed to identify common bean genotypes with a better production stability in each growing environment. The trials were conducted in a randomized block design, with three replications, involving three growing years, nine common bean genotypes and four environments (first and second growing seasons with high and low levels of technological input, such as fertilizers and pest and disease control). Biplot analyses were performed using the GGE Biplot software. The use of high levels of technological input results in an average increase of 14.4 % for yield and is more representative in the crop environments, as well as more adequate for genotype selection. IPR Campos Gerais, BRS Esplendor and BRS Campeiro showed a high stability and presented the best productive performance under both technological levels.


In this paper, we identify trends about, benefits from, and barriers to performing user evaluations in software engineering research. From a corpus of over 3,000 papers spanning ten years, we report on various subtypes of user evaluations (e.g., coding tasks vs. questionnaires) and relate user evaluations to paper topics (e.g., debugging vs. technology transfer). We identify the external measures of impact, such as best paper awards and citation counts, that are correlated with the presence of user evaluations. We complement this with a survey of over 100 researchers from over 40 different universities and labs in which we identify a set of perceived barriers to performing user evaluations.


Research showed that sub-national governments were imbalanced from 1994 to 2005.Vertical fiscal imbalance(VFI)was widespread on the sub-national level after the tax sharing reform in 1994.The lower the administrative rank,the wider the fiscal gap.The imbalance tends to decrease on the provincial level and increase on the sub-provincial level.To eliminate the imbalance,the financial relations between various levels of governments need to be adjusted by legislation;major reform ought to be carried out on transfer payment system and well-balanced financial relations can thus be constructed.


Although the development of watermarking techniques has enabled designers to tackle normal processing attacks (e.g., amplitude scaling, noise addition, re-compression), robustness against malicious attacks remains a challenge. The discordant size content replacement attack is an attack against watermarking schemes which performs content replacement that increases or reduces the number of samples in the signal. This attack modifies the content and length of the signal, as well as desynchronizes the position of the watermark and its removal. In this paper, a source-channel coding approach for protecting an audio signal against this attack was applied. Before applying the source-channel encoding, a decimation technique was performed to reduce by one-half the number of samples in the original signal. This technique allowed compressing at a bit rate of 64 kbps and obtaining a watermarked audio signal with an excellent quality scale. In the watermark restoration, an interpolation was applied after the source-channel decoding to recover the content and the length. The procedure of decimation–interpolation was taken because it is a linear and time-invariant operation and is useful in digital audio. A synchronization strategy was designed to detect the positions where the number of samples in the signal was increased or reduced. The restoration ability of the proposed scheme was tested with a mathematical model of the discordant size content replacement attack. The attack model confirmed that it is necessary to design a synchronizing strategy to correctly extract the watermark and to recover the tampered signal. Experimental results show that the scheme has better restoration ability than state-of-the-art schemes. The scheme was able to restore a tampered area of around 20% with very good quality, and up to 58.3% with acceptable quality. The robustness against the discordant size content replacement attack was achieved with a transparency threshold above −2.


Faced with shrinking profit margins, operating companies in the Chemical Processing Industry are continuing to search for ways to improve bottom line profitability and operability. Control engineers faced with designing advanced control strategies must have a clear understanding of the "process" itself, especially when applying techniques such as Relative Gain Analysis (RGA). Steady-state simulation and RGA have evolved in parallel during the past 20 years. Now, the incorporation of this well-known method into a leading commercial steady-state simulator gives the process control engineer the calculational tools required to design more effective systems. Possible applications are extensive and additional features of the computer simulation program, such as Flowsheet Optimization and Sensitivity Analysis, combine with RGA to allow for advanced process design and control of complex systems. Thus, the foundation is prepared for RGA and other computational techniques to enter a new generation of applications.


The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) catalyzes the conversion of angiotensin I (Ang I) to the vasoconstrictor angiotensin II (Ang II) and the hydrolysis of bradykinin (BK). Human somatic ACE (sACE) has two homologous domains (N and C) that show 60% identity. Although these two regions have high homology, the catalytic site of the C-domain exhibits three times more activity than that of the N-domain in the hydrolysis of Ang I in vivo. This fact necessitates the development of new inhibitors or the improvement of existing ones. This study aimed to obtain the Ala to Ser catalytic region of C-domain of sACE (c-sACE) in a structural conformation that resembles the native structure. We amplified the 324-bp sequence corresponding to the catalytic site of c-sACE and cloned this sequence into a pET28a(+) vector. The segment (named pET28_c-sACE) was expressed in a bacterial system. The expressed protein segment was soluble, and its purification was performed in one step using a His-tag affinity column. Structural analysis by circular dichroism and fluorescence confirmed that the purified protein is correctly folded, and an activity assay showed that c-sACE possesses enzymatic activity and is inhibited by lisinopril. LISTA DE ABREVIATURAS E SIGLAS aas aminoácidos D.O Densidade Óptica DNA Ácido desoxirribonucléico cDNA DNA complementar dNTPs Desoxirribonucleotídeos fosfatados ECA Enzima Conversora de Angiotensina EDTA Ácido etilenodiamino tetra-acético IPTG Isopropil β-D-tiogalactopiranosídeo LB Meio Luria-Bertani MM Massa molecular OMS Organização Mundial da Saúde pb pares de base PBS Tampão Fosfato Salino PMSF Fluoreto fenil metano sulfonil PCR Reação de polimerização em cadeia PI Ponto isoelétrico RNA Ácido ribonucléico RNAm Ácido ribonucléico mensageiro RPM Rotações por minuto SDS-PAGE Gel de poliacrilamida – dodecil sulfato de sódio sECA Enzima Conversora de Angiotensina Somática SOC Meio super ótimo com repressão de Metabólitos tECA Enzima Conversora de Angiotensina Testicular μL Microlitros μM Micromolar μg Microgramas


Commission Continues Approving Telehealth Funding During Coronavirus Pandemic -WASHINGTON, June 3, 2020—The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau today approved an additional 53 funding applications for the COVID-19 Telehealth Program. Health care providers in both urban and rural areas of the country will use this $16.46 million in funding to provide telehealth services during the coronavirus pandemic. To date, the FCC's COVID-19 Telehealth Program, which was authorized by the CARES Act, has approved funding for 238 health care providers in 41 states plus Washington, D.C. for a total of $84.96 million in funding.


I N T R O D U C T I O N To account for nonelectrolyte permeability, 1 physiologists have generally accepted Collander and B~irlund's view of the plasma membrane as a "lipoidal sieve" (see H6ber , 1945). This concept was developed to reconcile the permeability increase occurr ing in homologous series of lipophilic molecules (such as alcohols and weak acids) upon addit ion o f each methyl g roup , with the permeability decrease of small hydrophil ic molecules (such as urea, acetamide, and ethylene glycol) with increasing molecular weight. The plasma membrane was viewed as a lipoidal matrix (nowadays a lipid bilayer), t h rough which molecules pass via a solubility-diffusion mechanism, and in which are sprinkled aqueous pores that select a m o n g nonelectrolytes according to size. Recently, this "accepted" view has been challenged by Lieb and Stein (1971), I exclude in these considerations obviously specialized t ransport processes that, for example, discriminate between L and D amino acids or recognize subtle structural differences among sugars. THE JOURNAL OF GENERAL PHYSIOLOGY " VOLUME 68, 1976 " pages 127-135 127 on July 19, 2018 jgp.rupress.org Downloaded from http://doi.org/10.1085/jgp.68.2.127 Published Online: 1 August, 1976 | Supp Info:


polar and other extreme environments [4]. However, the potential timescales of survival have largely not been examined, and evidence is only available confirming durations of up to about two decades [1,5]. Microbial viability in permafrost or ice over tens of thousands of years (and possibly much longer) has been described (e.g. [6]), but no previous reports on entire plants or other multicellular organisms over such timescales exist. Moss banks up to three metres deep are a striking feature of the vegetation in the maritime Antarctic [3] (Supplemental Figure S1B). The banks are permanently frozen below the active layer. Cores from banks at various locations in this region have been radio-carbon dated, with the oldest basal 14 C dates obtained being 4801 ± 300 yr BP in a 1.25 m deep bank on Signy Island (South Orkney Islands) and 5350 ± 60 yr BP in a 1.5 m deep bank on Elephant Island (South Shetland Islands) [3,7]. These banks show continued growth at the surface while retaining good preservation of shoot and cell morphological features throughout their profile, which becomes progressively incorporated in the permafrost. Thus, there is potential for regeneration from much greater depths than the growing surface, as recently reported from the Canadian Arctic [2]. A core was therefore obtained from Signy Island in the maritime Antarctic and returned to the University of Reading for further study (see Supplemental Experimental Procedures). C. aciphyllum was the only species present at the surface of the core, and the only distinct gametophyte within the core material. The core down to 121 cm consisted primarily of clearly-defined gametophyte shoots in a vertical orientation, with no evidence visible of any hiatus or discontinuity in growth. The surface 1–3 cm green layer was underlain by an unfrozen light brown band that extended to 23 cm (Figure S1C). Within the permafrost, the core was coloured very dark brown to almost black (Figure S1D). The shoots at all depths consisted of intact stems bearing complete leaves and occasional rhizoids. The cell walls were intact in all leaves examined microscopically. The basal section of the core, from 121−138 cm, consisted primarily of dark brown micro-schist and small quartz particles permeated by moss rhizoids. Mosses, dominant elements in the vegetation of polar and alpine regions, have well-developed stress tolerance features permitting cryptobiosis. However, direct regeneration after longer periods of cryptobiosis has been demonstrated only from herbarium and frozen material …


This article proposes a pigmented nevi classification methodology such to early detect melanoma. This is a deadly type of skin cancer with continuous growth in incidence. The strategy that we propose is based on chromatic descriptors of the skin lesions and uses support vector machines for classification. On a 604 images database (138 of melanomas), we obtain a sensitivity and specificity of 78% and, respectively, 82%. Out of 19 images of melanoma in situ, only one was misclassified as benign.


There may not have been a revolution in the Kingdom of Morocco, but it has not been left untouched by the "Arab Spring". Like many of its neighbours, Morocco has seen the growth of a protest movement demanding dignity, democracy and an end to corruption. Since 20 February 2011 – the date that gave the alliance of students, leftwing activists and non-parliamentary Islamists leading the protests its name – demonstrations have taken place in several Moroccan cities. The demand for social and political change is likely to continue to grow louder still as the internet, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and even rap music spread the demonstrators' message to a much wider audience.


Abstract Bi-doped CaO–Al2O3–SiO2 glass microspheres with Ca2Al2SiO7 (gehlenite) composition were prepared by combination of solid-state reaction and flame synthesis. The concentration of Bi was 0.0, 0.5, 1 and 3 mol%. The chemical composition of prepared glass microspheres was determined by X-ray fluorescence (XRF). The structural and magnetic properties of prepared glass microspheres and their polycrystalline analogues were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy and SQUID magnetometry. The closer inspection of glass microspheres surface by SEM confirmed smooth surface and revealed no features indicating presence of crystalline phases. All Bi-doped microspheres are X-ray amorphous, however in case of undoped microspheres XRD detected traces of crystalline gehlenite. XRD analysis of samples crystallized at 1273 K for 10 h revealed the presence of gehlenite as the main crystalline phase. The presence of gehlenite in crystallized samples were also confirmed by Raman spectroscopy. All samples (glass microspheres and their crystalline analogues) showed diamagnetic or weak ferromagnetic behavior at room temperature, whereas paramagnetic or weak ferromagnetic behavior was observed at 2 K.


It is stated that the effect of digitalis on the heart can simulate almost every type of electrocardiographic abnormality due to cardiac disorders with the exception of intraventricular conduction defects.1As far as the normal electrocardiogram is concerned, this statement is undoubtedly true. The observations of Hart,2however, have been widely cited in the literature as indicating that digitalis may occasionally cause a delay in intraventricular conduction and a consequent widening of the QRS complex. In this study prolongation of the QRS time was produced by digitalis in the course of a clinical experiment. The observations were made in a case of so-called "bundle branch block with short PR interval," a syndrome first observed by Wilson3and subsequently described by Wolff, Parkinson and White.4Bishop5more recently reviewed 45 cases of this syndrome reported in the literature, but as far as we are able to


Heap leach pads constitute a common practice in the mining industry. In the design and management it is not common to take into account criteria based on coupled hydro-mechanical-chemical processes, and these are of paramount importance for two main reasons: (1) they could play an important role on the physical stability of the pad and; (2) they are keys for the metallurgical efficiency, especially in the mid-long term. As an example of the relevance of such a complex coupled phenomena it could be mentioned that geotechnical stability of the heap is related to the distribution of liquid pressures which, at the same time, is related to the permeability through the Darcy's law. In its turn, permeability will be affected by porosity changes, which depends on the compaction state and the dissolution/precipitation of minerals. Obviously, hydrometallurgical performance of the heap ore is also strongly linked with the abovementioned coupled processes. In this work, we present a numerical model to solve the hydromechanical- chemical coupled processes, developed with COMSOL-PHREEQC, a java interface developed for combining COMSOL Multiphysics - a well-known commercial FEM platform - with PHREEQC, the open-software geochemical simulator developed at USGS and used worldwide. The resulting numerical tool is able to solve simultaneously unsaturated liquid flow, soil behaviour and geochemical dissolution and precipitation. Geochemical changes affecting porosity and permeability are coupled explicitly in the hydraulic and geomechanical calculations. In this paper we provide a demonstrative simulation of a synthetic copper heap leach pad case in order to show the relevance of the coupling, as well as the capabilities of the numerical tool.


The fungi were isolated from two groups of samples of Aquilaria sinensis at Dianbai,Guangdong province,including the trauma group and agarwood group.Ten fungi species were identified by DNA sequence of ITS regions.It was found that the pathogenic fungi species increased quickly in the short time after the trunk hurted.It was shown that the pathogenic fungi were correlative with agar formation,in another word,the pathogenic fungal infection would induce agar formation after the trunk hurted.Moreover,the fungi species were analyzed based on agarwood group,which was divided into three parts including no-agar wood,little-agar wood and agar wood,it was found that the pathogenic fungi species number was?the maximum in the no-agar wood part,and the pathogenic fungi species numbers were fewer in the little-agar wood and agar wood.Most of fungi in the little-agar wood part and agar wood part were the same.The fungi and Rhizomucor variabilis,Fusarium proliferatum,and Hypocrea lixii played an important role in agar formation.


The essays that comprise this collection examine the development and influence of the British General Staff from the late Victorian period until the eve of World War II. They trace the changes in the staff that influenced British military strategy and subsequent operations on the battlefield.


A main controller for use in a security system having a sensor or camera performs wireless communication with a sensor or camera for controlling a sensor or camera. The main controller using a radio system having a different communication speed has a plurality of communication unit to perform wireless communication. The camera transmits and receives information by performing wireless communication with the main controller. The camera of claim 1, the camera communication unit and the second camera communication section, and the camera communication controller for selecting a first camera communication unit and the second camera communication unit according to transmission and received information to perform the wireless communication using a communication system having a different communication speed is, there is provided a communication unit for performing communication. Sensor, a camera, a main controller, the communication speed, the security system


Abstract Background and purpose: The hepatocyte asialoglycoprotein receptor mediates uptake of desiaylated glycoproteins by receptor-mediated endocytosis. This work explores a hepatocyte-specific targeting strategy using asialofetuin (AF) covalently coupled to pegylated liposomes. Methods: AF was conjugated to the distal end of polyethylene glycol–functionalized phospholipids. Chemical modification of AF did not interfere with its receptor interaction. AF-liposomes had a size of less than 130 nm, were judged to be monodisperse and were labelled with fluorescent organic dyes or loaded with quantum dots. Results: In vitro, binding and cellular uptake of fluorescent AF-liposomes by HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells were reduced at low temperature and could be competitively inhibited by an excess of unbound AF. Hepatocyte-specific targeting and internalization of AF-liposomes in vivo was confirmed in the rat and could be competitively inhibited by co-injection of unbound AF. In contrast, non-pegylated liposomes accumulated in cells of the reticuloendothelial system such as hepatic Kupffer cells and spleen after intravenous administration. Conclusion: We conclude that the use of AF-conjugated, pegylated liposomes is a promising strategy to avoid the reticuloendothelial system and specifically target hepatocytes via the asialoglycoprotein receptor in vitro as well as in vivo.


In line with the resource based view (RBV) of the firm and with strategic human capital research, we provide and test theory demonstrating how star performers affect important organizational outcom...


The dose effect relationship for the leakage of molecules of plasma protein size, i.e. of P.V.P. into the intestine, after single doses of X rays and neutrons and after fractionated doses of X rays is established. It is suggested that the relationship between this functional test of damage and the morphological damage induced in the intestinal epithelium is not close.


The study aims to describe the relationship existing between electronic commerce and business logistics, highlighting the impact that such a branch of the new economy will have on the logistics structures, in the next future. The purpose of this paper is also to identify the organizational model characterizing the outbound logistics process and that will most likely be implemented by those companies that will be succesful in the electronic commerce (B2C) of "physical products". In order to provide further design advices, a specific section of this paper has been dedicated to the identification of the critical variables that may influence the design of the logistics network, with specific reference to the logistics "last mile" issue. The analysis of the combination of such variables has allowed the formulation of a reference framework which can easily be used to evaluate the main distribution alternatives: direct (home) delivery to final customer vs. delivery through a logistics platform (sales outlet, cross docking point, local distribution center, etc.).With this framework it is possible to more accurately understand the relationships among customer service requirements and cost levels, variables that can be managed by the network designer and choices of the most effective way to perform the physiacal delivery service.


In order to effectively manipulate indoor mobile robots, it is important to localize their positions precisely. Although a number of different ways using ultrasonic beacons have been developed, these methods are restricted to a relatively small area because all the beacons should be localized before any actual measurement. In this paper, a new methodology is developed to improve the accuracy of the auto-calibration process in the localization method. The new three-point-extraction algorithm is used in conjunction with existing trilateration and auto-calibration algorithms to compose a new localization method. Validity of the new algorithm is verified through experiments for two and three triangular areas, where the localized path error is confirmed to be significantly small in average. In addition, the path error turns out not to accumulate to a considerable extent. The result enables the robot to autonomously localize its path by recognizing the accurate positions of newly appearing beacons.


Advanced and effective collaborative filtering methods based on explicit feedback assume that unknown ratings do not follow the same model as the observed ones not missing at random). In this work, we build on this assumption, and introduce a novel dynamic matrix factorization framework that allows to set an explicit prior on unknown values. When new ratings, users, or items enter the system, we can update the factorization in time independent of the size of data (number of users, items and ratings). Hence, we can quickly recommend items even to very recent users. We test our methods on three large datasets, including two very sparse ones, in static and dynamic conditions. In each case, we outrank state-of-the-art matrix factorization methods that do not use a prior on unknown ratings.


The nuclear quadrupole interaction (NQI) at the site of 181Ta in HfD2 has been investigated by time differential perturbed angular correlation measurements. Below 290 K the NQI is static within a 300 nanosecond time window. Above 290 K dynamic effects related to the diffusion of deuterium atoms start to appear, which have been analyzed in terms of a 3-state stochastic model. Between 345 K and 500 K the jump diffusion of deuterium has an activation energy Ea = (0 .3 3-0.4+0.9 ) eV. At higher temperatures the relaxation spectra suggest that transitions occur, first to the δ-phase, then to the α-phase of the hafnium-deuterium system. At 600 K the mean residence time between jumps is of the order of 2 nanoseconds. First measurements with HfH2 show an isotope effect compatible with the prediction of the classical rate theory for over-barrier diffusion.


Railway noise is excited by irregularities on the running surfaces of wheels and rails, with rails being more significant for most of the wavelength and frequency range of interest. Measurements are presented that demonstrate the significance of irregularities in the 100–1000 mm wavelength range (corresponding roughly to 25–250 Hz) on ground-borne noise, and show that a reprofiling specification to address reductions in low frequency noise should address these longer wavelengths. Differences are demonstrated between irregularities in the 6.3–2000 mm wavelength range on a dedicated high speed line, and on heavy haul, mixed traffic, metro and light rail systems. Although the sample size is small for the high speed and heavy haul systems, the lowest levels of irregularity were nevertheless found on the high speed line. Heavy haul systems also have low levels of irregularity, which are below the limit specified in the acoustic standard ISO 3095. Metro systems are distinguished by corrugation, higher levels of short wavelength roughness corresponding perhaps to roughening from consistently high traction and braking, and significant differences between high and low rails in some curves. In one case shown here the high rail is amongst the smoothest in an entire sample of dozens of rails whereas the corresponding low rail is by far the most heavily corrugated and irregular. Light rail systems have relatively high levels of irregularity, particularly at short wavelengths. This may result from sanding to enhance adhesion. Reprofiling in general reduces irregularities below the level stated in ISO 3095, except at wavelengths of less than 30 mm for which irregularities are consistently greater after reprofiling than before. Reprofiling is particularly effective in reducing irregularities in the 30–500 mm wavelength range, in which irregularities are typically reduced by 10 dB but in some cases by 20–30 dB. Irregularities to the ISO 3095 limit spectrum exist immediately after some forms of grinding. The best results are obtained from reprofiling that is undertaken to an appropriate specification that is conscientiously monitored.


This report discusses President Bush's 2002 requests for new funding and additional authority to provide assistance to Colombia and six regional neighbors in a continuation of the Andean Regional Initiative (ARI) launched in 2001.


Abstract Peptic ulcer disease causes abdominal discomfort and pain. Helicobacter pylori bacteria, infection and long-term use of anti-inflammatory drugs are the most common causes of peptic ulcers. Untreated ulcers can lead to other more serious health complications. Gastric cancer is the second commonest cause of death from malignant disease. Speed performance is always quietly essential in detecting and treating peptic ulcer. Combining artificial intelligence with medical knowledge provides a faster and more accurate diagnosis. The main purpose of this study is to design a novel, inexpensive, reliable and quick Fuzzy Expert System for diagnosis of peptic ulcer disease. A data set of 101 Male adult Wistar rats with a weight range of 200–250 g were obtained from the Pasteur institute. Peptic ulcer induced by Indomethacin (50 mg/kg, 2 ml). A computational approach based on a Fuzzy Inference System (FIS) is suggested in this study for the evaluation of peptic ulcer. The Fuzzy Inference System was produced with Fuzzy C-Means and tuned using the Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System model (ANFIS). In order to compare the two methods, the performance of the FIS was evaluated with a ROC curve that prepares the FCM accuracy of 90% and ANFIS accuracy of 85%. In conclusion, the Fuzzy Expert System can potentially increase the accuracy and efficiency of medical practices for peptic ulcer diseases to move towards more precision medicine and treatment. This applicable Fuzzy system may impact hospitals and health systems in improving efficiency and productivity, while reducing the cost of care. It can also be considered in medicine to reduce manual tasks and human error.


A cross-sectional, descriptive type of study was designed to find out the difference in weight of the ovary of Bangladeshi women in relation to age and to compare with the previous studies. This study was done in the Department of Anatomy, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka, from January to December 2009. The study was performed on 140 post mortem human ovaries collected from 70 unclaimed female dead bodies which were in the morgue under examination in the Department of Forensic Medicine, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka. The samples were divided into three age-groups including group A (10-13 years), group B (14-45 years) & group C (46-52 years) and the weight of the ovaries were measured and recorded. The difference in mean weight between the right ovary and the left ovary was statistically significant in all age group (P <0.001). The difference in mean weight of the ovary between group A & group B, group A & group C and group B & group C were statistically significant (P <0.001) DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/medtoday.v26i1.21304 Medicine Today 2014 Vol.26(1): 12-14


This paper reports on a study investigating code switching (CS henceforth) attempts of fifth grade EFL young learners in their interactive changes from English to Turkish in three classrooms in two different private schools. In accordance with this aim, three intermediate level EFL classes were recorded via a video camera, each for two class hours. The class recordings were transcribed and analysed to identify when learners attempted to switch codes; what types of CS took place; what functions these CSs embodied and if these CSs by learners were of any contributions to the learning environment. Face-toface semi-structured interviews were carried out with 20 students for triangulation purposes. The analyses revealed that students used CS while greeting, doing warm-up, using student's book, checking homework, announcing exam results, reviewing homework and a grammar topic, playing games, practicing vocabulary and a new topic, working on notebook, doing worksheet activities, assigning homework and closing-up. The most frequently used type of CS was found to be inter-sentential CS. Moreover, students made use of CS mainly for meta-language, giving equivalence, asking for clarification, unofficial talks and translation. The analyses of interviews demonstrated that students regard CS as useful strategy for learning English. The study provided essential pedagogical implications regarding the use of native language and the need to encourage target language use in the language classrooms.


This article describes the bibliographic structure of the interdisciplinary field of bibliotherapy. After an introduction to the terminology and theory of bibliotherapy, the substantial role of periodical and other serial articles is discussed Bibliographies, indexes, dissertations, and the problems in searching the literature of such a diversified field are explored. The article concludes with a brief explanation of the value of journals for the bibliotherapy practitioner and a plea for better bibliographic control in the future.


In this study, our main goal was to determine the factors that take part in the decision of subjects to desert the Brief Treatment for Users of Cocaine (TBUC). Twenty four users (x: 27.4 years old) participated; desertion began following first session. We evaluated 6 areas related to general aspects of the therapy. In order to pursue the research, we have contacted the participants by phone. We explained to them the study with the intention of planning a meeting. We have analyzed the percentages of responses and we have applied the R of Pearson with the purpose of obtaining a correlation among the variables in each area. The percentages show that the desertion occurs most frequently after the fourth session. The principal factors that lead to desertion were: the need for time to feel the improvement, continuing consumption of the substance, the lack of results and observing that the problem was not diminishing. All of these factors, and the way in which they're combined, are implicated in a probable desertion of the treatment.


Objective: The mechanism of preventing ulcerative colitis associated carcinogenesis( UCAC)by Jianpi Qingre Huoxue decoction was discussed by observing the changes of β-catenin and T cell factor-4( TCF-4) in colon mucosa. Method: One hundred and twenty BALB / c rats were randomly divided into six groups:normal group,model group,positive control group,low dosage,mild dosage and high dosage groups of Jianpi Qingre Huoxue,20 rats in each group. Except normal group,the other groups were intraperitoneal injected with0. 4% dimethylhydrazine( DMH) 20 mg·kg- 1by skin and peritoneal once a week. After intraperitoneal injection of DMH,those groups were given orally 3% dextran sulfacte sodium( DSS) for one week. The model group was treated with normal saline by intragastric administration for sixteen weeks. The positive control group was treated with mesalazine decoction for sixteen weeks. The intervention group was treated with different dosage of Jianpi Qingre Huoxuo decoction by intragastric administration for sixteen weeks. The colon histomorphology was assayed by naked eyes and light microscope. The ultra microstructure was checked by electron microscope. The expression of β-catenin and TCF-4 was detected by immunohistochemistry and western-blot and Real-time PCR. Result: The changes of high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia and partical carcinogenesis were found in model group by electron microscope,Meanwhile,a lot of epithelial cell of specimen size and arranged in disorder were found in colon mucosa of blank group,at same time,the irregular cell mucleus and the mucleolued of increasment and upward displacement appeared. However,the colon mucosa damage obviously improved in intervention group compared withmodel group. Colon mucosa is characterized by hyperemia and swelling by light microscope,small amout mild atypical hyperplasia and lymphoid follicle could be found,but the ulceration and carcinogenesis could not be found. By electron microscope,epithelial cell became smaller,at the same time,condensation of the nuclear chromatin,shrinkage and nucleus membrane and apoptofic bodies were found in intervention groups. The colonic mucosa damage was improved obiviously in intervention groups,compared with the black group( P 0. 05). The expression of β-catenin and TCF-4 was increased in model group,meanwhile,the expression of β-catenin and TCF-4 was declined in intervention groups,compared with the model group( P 0. 05). Conclusion: The Jianpi Qingre Huoxue decoction may exert a preventing effect on ulcerative colitis associated carcinogenesis through promoting inflammation laxation,inducing cell apoptosis,regulating the expression of β-catenin and TCF-4.


It was a tribute to his character and popularity in the city which he loved that the prefix " Mr." was hardly ever used by his colleagues in speaking of him. He was plain 'John Patrick' to everyone who knew him. His popularity extended over a wide area and it is probable that during the last two or three decades he was the Glasgow surgeon best known in England and abroad. This was largely due to the fact that he considered it an essential part of his work to visit hospitals and clinics abroad and in Great Britain outside of his own area.


HEALTH educators anticipate a future of dynamic changes in medical care. They must be flexible and adaptive to meet the challenges and responsibilities of applying the many principles and practices of health education. The manner of delivering health care is important; the public is increasingly demanding top-quality service and striving to receive it. Educational elements exist in every aspect of medical and health care services. This basic tenet is accepted by all health professionals but seldom fully implemented. The Medicare and Medicaid programs specify Government standards for participating institutions related to the facility, its management, and the manner in which it provides care. The tasks of health educators are increased because of these standards; they help to educate the staffs of the institutions that are surveyed for certification. Additional responsibilities for health educators are posed by Public Law 90-248, which requires the licensing of administrators of extended care facilities by 1970. Courses are needed to upgrade the skills of many persons niow serving as administrators and formal courses of study for those who will administer the extended care facilities of the future. Public health agencies need continuing education in surveying, licensure, and consultation. Surveyor training is a top priority in many public health agencies. Nursing homes have received the greatest impac,t from the standards set under Medicare and AMedicaid because basic changes are required in the nature and scope of their services to certify them as extended care facilities. Health educators worked with the staffs of nursing homes that were surveyed in Montgomery County, Md., to correct deficiencies.


Legislation recently passed by the House would modify the licensing process for hydropower facilities in a bid to promote development of this renewable energy source.


Objective To observe clinical efficiency of the uterine arterial embolization in treatment of postpartum placenta accrete and to summarize its clinical value.Methods The retrospective analysis has been done on 18cases of postpartum placenta accreta treated with bilateral uterine artery embolization to determine the therapeutic effect and the adverse reaction of the procedure.Results The effective hemostasis was achieved in time for all the 18patients.Among those,8 cases of placenta discharged from the 3rd to 7th day after operation.Curettage of uterus had been done on 10cases at the 8th day after uterine artery embolization,with removal of the placenta tissue and less hemorrhage.18cases all retained their uterus' successfully with little if any side effects.Conclusion Uterine artery embolization for treatment of postpartum placenta accreta,with the superiorities of minimal invasion,less adverse reaction,good curative effect,and retaining the uterus,has high value of clinical application.


Background: Copanlisib is a novel pan-Class I phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor with potent preclinical inhibitory activity against both PI3K-δ and PI3K-α isoforms. Results from a phase II study of copanlisib in 67 patients with relapsed/refractory indolent or aggressive lymphoma have been reported, with a promising overall response rate for 53% seen for patients in the indolent lymphoma group (Dreyling et al., ASH 2014; Dreyling et al., ENA 2014). Enrollment in an expansion cohort of 120 patients with indolent lymphoma has been initiated. The objective of the study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of copanlisib in patients with indolent B-cell NHL relapsed after or refractory to standard therapy. Methods: In this study (NCT01660451), patients meeting the following criteria will be eligible for enrollment: histologically confirmed diagnosis of indolent B-cell NHL, with follicular lymphoma (FL) grade 1-2-3a, marginal zone lymphoma (MZL; splenic, nodal, or extra-nodal), small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) with absolute lymphocyte count The trial is currently enrolling patients. Citation Format: Martin Dreyling, Marius Giurescu, Julia Grunert, Felipe Fittipaldi, Lisa Cupit, Barrett H. Childs. CHRONOS-1: Open-label, uncontrolled phase II trial of intravenous phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase alpha/delta inhibitor copanlisib in patients with relapsed, indolent Non-Hodgkin9s lymphomas (iNHL). [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr CT215. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-CT215


BACKGROUND
Intradermal testing (IDT) most often requires sedation. Topical lidocaine offers an adjunct or alternative to sedation.

HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES
We hypothesized that topical lidocaine would significantly reduce reactions to intradermal injections and that atopic dogs treated with topical lidocaine would have similar results with IDT to atopic dogs tested without topical lidocaine.

ANIMALS
Fifteen client-owned atopic dogs.

METHODS
In Part I, a 5% lidocaine patch, 5% lidocaine cream and a control with no active ingredients were compared. The lowest pain score during intradermal injection was established in six atopic dogs. Fifteen atopic dogs were enrolled in Part II, and lidocaine cream (found to be most effective in Part 1) was applied randomly to a single side of the thorax. An IDT was performed on each side of the chest. Subjective and objective scores of the control and lidocaine treatment sides were compared 15 and 30 min post-injection.

RESULTS
The 5% lidocaine cream had the greatest reduction in pain score associated with intradermal injection. There were no significant differences in mean wheal diameter for any evaluated allergen at any time point between the control and lidocaine-treated sides. There was high agreement between the two groups when assessing the subjective score for all but one allergen.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE
Topical lidocaine may be used as adjunctive analgesia during IDT with caution in interpretation of subjective house dust scoring. Lidocaine cream appeared to reduce pain score and may allow reduction in concurrent sedation.


In this article, we consider the recent Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) decision of Chief Executive, Department of Justice and Attorney General v Halmarn Pty Ltd [2014] QCAT 099 in which it was held that a resident letting agent had committed 1,135 separate breaches of section 117 of the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act 2000 (Qld) (Act).


I Von Peter Utting n recent decades there has been a considerable rethink concerning the ways and means of improving the social and environmental performance of transnational corporations (TNCs) (1). In response to criticism of company codes of conduct and other recent self-regulatory initiatives, attention has been directed at new forms of "coregulation" or "multistakeholder initiatives" (MSIs). In MSIs business is regulated by institutions and organizations involving a combination of actors associated with business, NGOs, trade unions, governmental and multilateral organizations. Such schemes encourage companies to adhere to sets of principles, guidelines or codes that address economic, social and environmental dimensions of corporate responsibility. They also promote various forms of monitoring, social and environmental reporting and auditing, certification of good practice, stakeholder dialogues and public-private partnerships. Examples of MSIs include AA1000, the Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC), the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI), the Fair Labor Association (FLA), the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), the Global Alliance for Workers and Communities, the United Nations Global Compact, Global Framework Agreements between international trade union organizations and TNCs, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), ISO 14001, the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), SA8000, Worldwide Responsible Apparel Production (WRAP) and the Worker Rights Consortium (WRC). Although many such schemes are still in their infancy, this paper attempts to identify some of the strengths and weaknesses, and considers whether MSIs are likely to constitute an effective model of global corporate regulation. scale and Quality


The effect of online brand communities' value creation practices on brand identification and community identification was examined using social identity theory as a theoretical background of this study. In examining their relationship, this study defined the practices that relate to the focal brand as both brand use and impression management whereas the practices that relate to the community were defined as both social networking and community engagement. The effects of the two identification constructs (brand and community identification) on participation and their impact on brand awareness were also tested. The effects of frequency as a moderating variable on the relationship between brand identification community identification and participation were also revealed. Structural equations modeling was used to analyze the data collected after an online survey was done. Among the value creation practices, this study revealed that the impression management practice had a significant effect on brand identification and the community engagement practice had a significant effect on community identification. Test results have also shown that community identification has a significant effect on participation. Frequency moderated the relationship between brand identification and participation. In the high frequency group, brand identification had a significant effect on participation whereas in the low frequency group, the effect was not significant.


Although the study of social networks enjoys a long and rich tradition, particularly in the fields of sociology and anthropology, it has only recently grown in popularity among information systems (IS) researchers interested in applying established social network theories to online environments. Social network theory is built on the premise that social behaviour cannot be fully understood without considering the underlying structure (i.e. the pattern of connections) of the network in which an actor is embedded. Although seminal studies have shown that social network structure explainswhy peoplemake certain political voting choices (Lazarsfeld et al., 1948), adopt particular innovations (Rogers, 1995), or get promoted faster than others (Burt 1992), the field has always struggled to validate its legitimacy due to data collection issues. Due to the increasing availability of 'trace data', i.e. electronic records of who interacts with whom through digitally enabled platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Second Life as well email, phone and wiki communications, IS researchers are now being drawn to the social network tradition. The accessibility and sheer volume of trace data sets offers the potential for deep insights into the causes and results of social behaviour that were previously not possible (Watts 2007). In response to the growing interest in digitally enabled social networks and the research advantages they afford, a number of prominent IS journals and conferences have dedicated special issues and tracks to expanding our knowledge of these platforms. The majority of studies emanating from these outlets have tended to investigate digitally enabled social networks with a positivist philosophy employing quantitative methods. As such, much of our current understanding of the dynamics of these online social structures stems from methods that measure the overall network structure and/or position of individuals within the network and that then relate these structural variables to a variety of other variables. Yet, there is still much to be understood about social networks constructed through digital platforms, and interpretative studies offer great promise in expanding our knowledge by providing rich and deep insights into the inner workings of these organising forms. The aim of this Information Systems Journal special issue is to advance the state of social network research within the IS field by disseminating empirical results gained through interpretative studies. This special issue includes four articles that were selected from the 24 initial submissions. They have proceeded through three rounds of peer review and editorial feedback from the special issue guest editors before receiving final acceptance. Our hope is that this special issue will encourage IS researchers to make greater use of qualitative data, multimethod approaches, and interpretive methods for describing and analysing social networks. A brief summary of these papers follows.


Results for forward masking and numerical estimation of pitch were compared in a group of 6 adult subjects implanted with cochlear prostheses manufactured by Cochlear Limited. Data were collected for bipolar + I stimulation in all subjects, and for stimulation in one other mode, either common ground or monopolar, for all subjects but one. The pitch data show various irregularities and in each case can be seen to be broad ly consistent with the corresponding forward masking data. It is shown that a 'centre of gravity' of the forward masking dis tribution varies with masker electrode in a manner that is qualitatively very similar to the variation of pitch estimate. It is suggested that, while pitch estimation results are consistent with those from forward masking, the latter contain more detailed information that may be useful in understanding intersubject variations in speech comprehension. Multiple-channel speech-processing strate gies for cochlear implants [1-6] make usc of the variation of pitch percept with place of Port ions uf this \\ ork were presenled at the t ~5l h Conli:r ,'nce of the .·\eoustieal Soeidy of America, Ollawa, May 1993, and at the Inlernational Coehkar Implant. Speech and IIear lllg Symposium. \1elbourne. t 9<)4. electrical stimulation within the cochlea [5,7 13]. Place pitch representation may be stud ied psychophysically by obtaining subjective pitch estimates and by forward masking mea surements, which may be indicative of the distribution of neural excitation, This study considers forward masking and numerical es timation of pitch, and the relationship be tween the data produced by these techniques, A companion paper [14] considers numerical tralia om the ra timated, in wall func lam. relative to consistent ed tempo ith experi ) the radi rincipally, bands ofa 1 of corre : Cochlear


Skeletal muscle tissue engineering demonstrates a promising tool for the creation of mature muscle tissue constructs in vitro and in vivo. The aim of engineering mature muscle-like constructs ranges from substituting lost tissue after traumata, cancer ablation to conduct research on in vitro muscle disease models. Therefore the interplay of three key factors is crucial, which constitute of the right biomaterial, myogenic cells moreover mechanical stimulation. In our 3D studies we were using fibrin based hydrogels with C2C12 mouse myoblasts incorporated, as fibrin constitutes a biomaterial suitable for skeletal muscle tissue engineering. The novel bioreactor system (MagneTissue) was used to apply mechanical stimuli to our ring shaped fibrin constructs. We were able to engineer skeletal muscle-like tissue constructs via parallel alignment of fibrin fibers and cells due to the applied strain causing them to differentate into myofibers. Static strain resulted in a positive effect on myogenic differentiation with an increase in the gene expression levels of myogenic markers such as MyoD, Myogenin and Troponin T. In more recent studies 10 % cyclic strain also seems to have a positive effect on gene expression levels of muscle markers for maturity like myosin heavy chain (MHC) and Troponin T. The MagneTissue bioreactor system provides a versatile tool for testing various training parameters, for engineering mature skeletal muscle-like tissue. A future goal is; to examine different mechanical stimulation protocols, also over a longer period of time, to achieve more mature skeletal muscle tissue constructs for putative transplantation. Fibrin, skeletal muscle tissue engineering, myogenic cells, MagneTissue bioreactor system, mechanical stimulation Introduction Skeletal muscle tissue accounts for approximately 40 % of the whole body weight and is the largest organ in the human body (Juhas, Ye, & Bursac, 2015, Juhas et al 2015, Frontera W.R. & Ochala J. 2015). The functionality of the muscle contraction is inevitable for proper locomotion (Juhas et al 2015 104 – Biomedizin Innovativ – patientInnenfokussierte, anwendungs-orientierte sowie interdisziplinäre Forschung am Puls der Zeit


This study aims to develop a learning device-oriented model of eliciting activities (MEA) tested the validity and effectiveness to improve mathematical problem solving ability junior high school students of class VII. This type of research is the development of learning devices with 4-D models of Thiagarajan which consists of four phases: 1) define; 2) design; 3) develop; and 4) disseminate. The subjects were students of SMPN 17 Medan. The results showed that the learning device classified both criteria that meets the requirements of validity and effective. MEA implementation-oriented learning device can improve students' mathematical problem solving ability SMPN 17.


THE use of this group of drugs is not new, and no originality is claimed in this paper for their use as a local remedy. C. C. Maloof (1955), of Massachusetts, appears to have been the flrst to suggest the local application of these substances. It may be useful to review briefly the group of substances called chelating agents. They all have in common the feature that they have a greater aflBnity for certain metallic ions than the body fluids. Their use is widespread, and various members of the group difEer in their affinity for different ions. Calcium sodium versenate, which is also known as Edathamil calcium, Versene, Sequestrene and Nullapon, is the calcium disodium salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. This was flrst used parenterally in the treatment of lead poisoning and has a special tendency to appropriate lead, cadmium, chromium, nickel and thallium ions. Calcium sodium versenate will be referred to in the rest of this paper as c.s.v. At the time Maloof published his article, I was being harried by an industrial problem well known, I imagine, to you all, in a small chrome-plating shop where the ordinary measures to prevent skin damage were regarded as superfluous, both by management and employees. This attitude is quite common in small establishments, both here and abroad, and is responsible for their high incidence of chrome ulcers and nasal perforation (Schwarz, Tulipan and Peck, 1947). The insurance company, who were flnding this flrm a most unprofltable proposition, asked me to flnd a substitute for the usual safety measures. As you know, these ulcers are formed largely by the affinity of the chrome salts for protein in the flrst instance and the continued deepening necrosis seems to be due to the chrome moving from tissue it has recently killed to deeper areas. The chromium ion appears to have a greater affinity for new protein than that with which it has already combined. The C.S.V. was used in two ways. Firstly, as a 2-5% cream in soft white paraffin as a local application to the hands and forearms as a barrier cream, to prevent damage to the skin by chrome. Secondly, as a 10% cream usually in Ungt. emulsiflcans aquosum (B.P. 1948) as treatment for the established chrome ulcers. The barrier cream certainly tended to cause some mild irritation, but this could be controlled by a simple zinc ointment used at night. I was impressed by the more rapid healing of the chrome ulcers. I t was only necessary to use the cream for two or three days, after which the slough at the base separated and healing occurred rapidly. I have not used this preparation in the treatment of true sensitization dermatitis due to contact with nickel and chrome-plated metal articles which are part of clothing or jewellery. I t seems that it would be worth a trial as a 0-5% wet compress in the early stages. The only disadvantage was that the management complained that the substance effectively prevented deposition of the plating if it was transferred from the workers' fingers to the articles to be l


Electrical resistivity surveys (1‐D) were carried out at selected sites in the region between the confluent rivers (Ravi and Jhelum) of Punjab, Pakistan, to audit tubewell placement and depth in order to minimize the amount of salt applied to the soil through irrigation. The Schlumberger electrode configuration was employed to collect the resistivity data and the resultant resistivity vs depth models for each site were estimated. From the interpretation of vertical electrical sounding (VES) data, the sites had one to three aquifer layers of different salinity levels and fitness for irrigation (FFI) classes ranging from good groundwater quality (FFI1) to highly saline up to 6.4 dS m−1 (FFI3). Twenty‐one tubewells were investigated and it was found that not only were most wells theoretically suboptimally placed (57%) with respect to the best water quality available but also 33% were sunk at too deep a level, bypassing aquifer layers of better water quality [FFI1]. From the cost–benefit analysis, it was estimated that a total of 64 000 Pakistan rupees could have been saved on five wells through installation costs due to suboptimal depths. It is concluded that VES is an effective method for the evaluation of existing wells and aquifer systems. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


The quantitative determination method of seven organic phosphate esters (OPEs) in urine by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was established and optimized by changing the derivative reaction procedure, the different sample doses and the different extraction reagents. The results showed that the best recovery ratio was obtained by filtration, HC-C18 column separation and purification, ethyl acetate: acetone (V:V=3:2) elution and GC-MS determination process. The concentrations of 7OPEs in human urine were in the range of 44.41ng/L~644.73ng/L. This method is feasible. Different socio-economic development levels led to significant differences of the sources and degrees of OPEs pollution in human urine.


Objective To investingate the clincal value of applying three-dimensional(3D) reconstruction of 64-slice helical CT on diagnosis and surgical treatment the skull base tumor.Methods Consecutive 109 cases with skull base tumors were examined with 64-slice helical CT and 3D reconstruction.Among all the cases,there were reported 40 cases with meningioma,18 cases with myoschwannoma,17 cases with aneurysm,8 cases with cholesteatoma, 22 cases with pituitary tumor and 4 cases with hemangioblastomas.The techniques of volume rendering(VR) and maximum intensity project(MIP) were used to reconstruct the 3D images in all cases and the approach of operation was simulated.Results 64-slice helical CT clearly demonstrated the location,size and contour of skull base tumors. It displayed the 3D shapes of the neoplasms and their relationship with adjacent vessels and the skull base,which were approximately the same as intra-operative and pathological finding.Conclusion 64-slice helical CT with 3D reconstruction could clearly display the correlations of tumor,blood vessel and the peripheral constructions.It may play an important value in diagnosis,differential diagnosis and preoperative evaluation of operative approach in skull base tumors.


The inflammatory mediator, bradykinin, when given into the renal artery elicits renal nerve dependent increases in renal vascular resistance. This study examined how renal interstitial bradykinin infusion regulated contralateral renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) and the contribution of TRP channels in the response. Groups of chloralose/urethane anaesthetised male Wistar rats (n=6) were prepared for renal interstitial infusion at 1ml/h of bradykinin, 3×10−9 g/L, 6×10−9 g/L and 1.2×10−8g/L, into the ipsilateral kidney and measurement of RSNA to the contralateral kidney. Data, means±SEM were subject to two‐way ANOVA and significance taken at P<0.05. Bradykinin infusion had no effect on blood pressure, at 103±3mmHg, but increased RSNA from a basal value, 2.2±0.3mV/s, to 2.7±0.5, 3.1±0.6 and 4.0±0.6mV/s at the highest dose. The RSNA responses to bradykinin were abolished by denervation of the ipsilateral kidney and by co‐infusion of the TRP channel blocker, capsazepine, 5 μg/ml, with the bradykinin. These data demonstrate that bradykinin, which is associated with renal injury and failure, can activate sensory nerves within the kidney to elicit a renal sympatho‐excitation.


The incidence of dengue has grown dramatically around the world in recent decades. The disease is now endemic in more than 100 countries. But whenever there is large dengue outbreak in any region around the world, many of these cases are misdiagnosed as other febrile illness and many a times it has mislead the surgeons of some acute or other surgical conditions. Thus it is of utmost importance for a medical professional to consider and exclude dengue fever as one of the differential diagnosis for a patient in an endemic zone or in an area with an epidemic outbreak of dengue fever and direct himself towards getting the right diagnosis and providing pompt treatment which is the key for the patient.


Abstract The Beautiful Firetail (Stagonopleura bella) is an uncommon, granivorous finch from coastal south-eastern Australia, with a distribution extending from mid-coastal New South Wales to south-eastern South Australia, including Tasmania. This paper presents a quantitative assessment of habitat use by the Beautiful Firetail based on data collected from 30 paired riparian and non-riparian sites in the foothill forests of the Victorian Highlands, Australia. The Beautiful Firetail occurred in two of the three forest blocks surveyed and was found almost exclusively at riparian sites. The Beautiful Firetail was most likely to occur at riparian sites on the coastal fall of the ranges at sites with high sedge cover and low cover of shrubs and bare ground. The species occurred at low densities (0.10–0.19 individuals ha−1) throughout the year. Records from the Atlas of Victorian Wildlife were used to describe the distribution of Beautiful Firetails in Victoria. Notable observations inland of the Great Dividing Range were recorded during the present study. Further study is required to understand the ecological requirements of the Beautiful Firetail throughout its range.