Evaluating the impacts of weather events on the agricultural sector is of high importance. Weather has a huge influence on crop performance and agricultural system management, particularly in those countries where agriculture is mainly rainfed. Climate change is expected to further affect farmers’ incomes since the risk of extreme weather events with a relevant impact on crop yields is predicted to increase.

Appropriate strategies to deal with the economic impacts of agriculture need to be developed, to enable farmers to quickly recover after a disaster. In this context, weather-based index insurance (also known as parametric insurance) plays a key role since it allows farmers to receive financial aid soon after a disaster occurs.

This study evaluates the applicability of crop models run with gridded data in the framework of index-based insurance to assess their added value in providing estimations of crop yield in case of drought events.

At first, the cropland area is identified using satellite data on Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Leaf Area Index (LAI) retrieved from various sources, such as Sentinel and Landsat. Crop Type maps are then produced to identify the location of the different crops grown in a region. Then, weather data coming from stations are exploited to run the AquaCrop crop model and estimate the crop yield for the areas near the weather stations.

Since in many countries weather stations are often missing or do not record continuously, the AquaCrop model is also run with gridded data coming from reanalysis, specifically ERA, which is a product released by the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecast and has the advantage to provide daily estimation of  multiple weather parameters on a 0.25° grid. In addition, ERA5 has a short latency time (in the order of days) and thus allows a near-real time monitoring of the crop growing season. The AquaCrop outputs obtained when the model is run with the station data are then compared to the ones obtained when the model is run with gridded data. The performance of the two model configurations (weather parameters coming from stations or from ERA5) in estimating yield reductions during drought events, previously identified using the Probabilistic Precipitation Vegetation Index (PPVI), are evaluated.

The framework was applied in the context of the Dominican Republic, a Caribbean country in which 52% of the national territory is devoted to agriculture. The Dominican agricultural industry has as main products cocoa, tobacco, sugarcane, coffee, cotton, rice, beans, potatoes, corn and bananas. Results shows that gridded data can be a valuable tool to provide near-real time estimates of the crop growing season and thus help in forecasting final crop yields in near-real time.


Introduction. HIV/AIDS is one of twenty first century's biggest global challenges to mankind with protean manifestations affecting all organs of our body, not even sparing the eyes. The purpose of this study was to determine the pattern of ocular manifestations of HIV/AIDS and their correlation with CD4-count in a rural area of India. Methods. A hospital based observational cross-sectional study was done on 40 HIV-positive patients presenting to ART center with ocular complaints. Data were collected using face-to-face interview, clinical examination, slit lamp examination, fundus examination, and laboratory investigations. Results. Out of 40 patients, 21 were males and 19 were females with mean age of 38.75 ± 13.9 years. HIV retinopathy was the most common HIV-associated ophthalmic lesion while anterior uveitis was the most common anterior segment finding. Posterior segment lesions showed significant association (P < 0.05) with low CD4-count of the patient. CMV retinitis, retinal detachment, tubercular chorioretinitis, and acute retinal necrosis were all seen in patients with CD4-count less than 100 cells/mm3. Conclusions. HIV retinopathy, CMV retinitis, herpes zoster ophthalmicus, and anterior uveitis are common ocular manifestations associated with HIV infection. Low CD4-count is a risk as well as predictor for ocular manifestations. There needs to be awareness of ocular involvement among HIV infected individuals and an increased emphasis on regular ophthalmic examination.


We demonstrate an optical-fiber recirculating loop for experimental simulation of long-haul optical communication systems using cascaded erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFA's) operating in the gain saturation regime. The loop contains sections of dispersion shifted fibers (DSF's), standard fiber, and a set of in-line devices, such as tuning filters, optical amplifiers, polarization controllers, and a variable attenuator. The main results presented here are related to the observation of the effects due to the slow dynamics of the EDFA. We also discuss the validity of using an optical attenuator to simulate an extra length of fiber.


The immediate prognosis (operative risk of a revascularization) and also the long-term prognosis for the patient with arteritis depends on the spreading of the atheroma to other vascular regions (coronary or carotid arteries). Conventionally the initial evaluation is made by cervical Doppler examination, effort ECG and profile aortography. Cervical Doppler examination revealed in the present group of 402 patients significant stenoses on the arterial vessels leading to the brain in 67 cases (16.6%), including 13 asymptomatic stenoses. The effort ECG carried out in 140 cases was assurable in 72% of these, being positive in 19% of the cases in patients with no clinical or ECG history of coronary insufficiency. Profile aortography of 125 patients revealed atheromatous lesions in 39 (31%), in many cases multiple lesions: 13 cases in the coeliac trunk and mesenteric artery. The implications of these discoveries, as they affect therapeutic indications and in particular the justification of multiple revascularizations, have been discussed.


Ionic polymer-metal composites (IPMCs) exhibit a large dynamic bending deformation under exterior electric field. The states and proportions of water within the IPMCs have great effect on the IPMCs deformation properties. This letter investigates the influence of the proportion changes of different types of water on the deformation, which may disclose the working mechanisms of the IPMCs. We give a deformation trend of IPMCs with the reduction of water content firstly. Then by the method of nuclear magnetic resonance, various water types (water bonded to sulfonates, loosely bound water and free water) of IPMCs and their proportions are investigated in the drying process which corresponds to their different deformation states. It is obtained that the deformation properties of IPMCs depend strongly on their water content and the excess free water is responsible for the relaxation deformation.


: It has been established that stelazine administered in the dose corresponding to the therapeutic one is capable of inhibiting the proliferative activity of T lymphocytes and production of IL-2 in experiments in vitro. It is assumed that decrease of these characteristics in schizophrenic patients is related to the systematic intake of neuroleptics.


This paper proposes a new bidirectional three-phase push-pull converter that has the simplest structure and achieves ZVS of switches. The proposed dual asymmetrical PWM (DAPWM) technique offers not only power flow control or output voltage control but reduced circulating current by matching the primary voltage with the secondary voltage referred to the primary. A bidirectional mode change is easy to implement since switching patterns for both forward and reverse operations are identical and the power flow is determined by the difference in the two duty cycles. Experimental results from a 5kW prototype are provided to validate the proposed concept.


Currently, no aerosol optical thickness (AOT) data set over the Arctic snow/ice-covered regions derived from space-borne passive remote sensing is available. The challenge is to develop an accurate and robust technique to derive AOT above highly variable and bright snow/ice surfaces. To extend data coverage of the eXtensible Bremen Aerosol/cloud and surfacE Retrieval (XBAER) AOT data product in the future, we propose a new algorithm for the retrieval of AOT and surface properties over snow/ice simultaneously. The algorithm utilizes the linear perturbation theory and does not use any simplified atmospheric correction techniques. Key issues like the selection of a proper aerosol type and optimal surface parameterization method for the retrieval of AOT over the Arctic have been investigated. The aerosol type is investigated using the aerosol climatology microphysical properties derived from four Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) sites (Barrow, Hornsund, Kangerlussuaq, and Tiksi). The three-parametric Ross-Li linear kernel model is used to describe the snow bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF). The a priori knowledge of wavelength-dependent features of the coefficients in the Ross-Li linear kernel model is derived from Polarization and Directionality of the Earth's Reflectances (POLDER) measurements over the Arctic and utilized as constraints in the retrieval. The studies show that the combination of Ross-Li surface model and weakly absorbing aerosol parameterization provides an optimal way to derive AOT over the Arctic snow/ice-covered regions from passive remote sensing observations. The retrieved AOTs using POLDER show good agreement with AERONET observations.


The main objective of this paper is to make more and more people acquainted with developments in the Flat- Plate Solar Collector technology in the last 10 years. We all know that the conventional sources of energy create a lot of problems for the environment and also for people's pockets. So this has compelled some of the excellent minds on earth to search for the replacement of these conventional sources of energy. Solar energy is the best alternative as it is available to us in huge amounts. The Flat-Plate Solar Collector is basically a device that helps us harness the solar energy to do useful work. Though a huge amount of energy is available to us but only a fraction of this energy is converted to useful work. Over the years scientists have performed a lot of experiments to improve the working efficiency of the Flat- Plate Solar Collector and they have succeeded also. This paper is will give you a review as to what all has been done on the Flat-plate solar collectors.


We emphasize that there is no spin-statistics connection in nonrelativistic quantum mechanics. In several recent papers [including Phys. Rev. A 67, 042102 (2003)], quantum mechanics is modified so as to force a spin-statistics connection, but the resulting theory is quite different from standard physics.


In this study, 19 evaluable patients with epithelial ovarian cancer were treated with amonafide 300 mg/m2 over an hour for 5 consecutive days every 3 weeks. One partial response (5%) was seen. Hematologic toxicity was substantial with grade 3 or 4 toxicity occurring as follows: leukopenia, 10 patients (45%); thrombocytopenia, 6 patients (27%); granulocytopenia, 8 patients (36%). No other unusual or severe toxicity occurred. In view of the low response rate and high toxicity, amonafide does not warrant further investigation in epithelial ovarian cancer.


Abstract The contribution of atmospheric discharged 14C to local 14C concentrations was investigated by analysis of 14C in environmental samples collected around the spent nuclear fuel reprocessing plant in Rokkasho, Aomori, Japan. From June 2006 to October 2011, the range of monthly averaged specific activities in atmospheric CO2 collected 2.6 km from the plant was 0.226–0.279 Bq g C−1; at several sampling times, the observed concentrations were higher than the background value. Specific activities of atmospheric 14C simulated with an atmospheric dispersion model coupled with a mesoscale weather model reproduced the measured values fairly well, supporting the idea that the higher measured specific activities were due to 14C discharged from the reprocessing plant. For investigation of the 14C distribution around the facility, samples of Cyperus microiria, wild annual sedge, were collected from nine locations. Plant samples collected east and west of the facility in 2008 showed slightly higher specific activities than samples collected at the other locations, reflecting the prevailing wind direction. The measured 14C specific activities in vegetable, polished rice, pasture, and milk samples collected around the facility did not differ significantly from the background value (except for one polished rice sample, which had a value slightly higher than background). The annual committed effective radiation dose to humans resulting from consumption of the polished rice was estimated as 3.6 × 10−4 mSv, which is negligibly small compared with 1 mSv, an index of the dose limit for the general public.


In order to enhance system efficiency, a method of improving reset of an evolved media access control (MAC-ehs) protocol entity for a user equipment in a wireless communications system is disclosed. The MAC-ehs entity includes a first reset function and a second reset function. The first reset function is activated according to an upper layer request, while the second rest function is activated when any reset timer of the MAC-ehs protocol entity expires. The method includes the steps of activating the first reset function, and stopping all active reset timers of the MAC-ehs protocol entity and setting all reset timers of the MAC-ehs protocol entity to their initial values.


Precision agriculture technologies can be used to manage soil pH. This study compared soil-sampling schemes for pH and evaluated variable-rate (VR) liming for soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and corn (Zea mays L.). Global positioning systems and yield monitors were used in two fields. Soils were Typic Hapludolls, Aquic Hapludolls, and Typic Endoaquolls. Treatments were a control and a fixed-rate (FR) or VR liming based on a 0.2-ha soil-sampling scheme. Soil pH (15-cm depth) ranged from 5.4 to 8.4, and most subsoils were calcareous. Treatments were applied before soybean to long and replicated strips. Grain yield and soil pH were measured during 3 yr in one field and 2 yr in the other. Initial pH; canopy photos; and soil survey, elevation, and electrical-conductivity maps were used to simulate sampling schemes based on larger cells or zones. Liming increased (P ≤ 0.05) corn yield in one site-year (230 kg ha -1 ), and liming methods did not differ. The VR method applied less lime (56-61%) and reduced pH variability in one field. The lack of response was explained by high subsoil pH and high small-scale variation of topsoil pH. Sampling schemes based on 0.7-ha cells or zones identified smaller add and alkaline areas than schemes based on small cells. Results suggest that yield response from lime is not likely when calcareous subsoils are present and topsoil pH is as low as 5.5. A VR liming method would apply less lime than a FR method in soils similar to those in this study.


AIMS
For smokers unmotivated to quit, we assessed the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of behavioural support to reduce smoking and increase physical activity on prolonged abstinence and related outcomes.

DESIGN
A multi-centred pragmatic two-arm parallel randomised controlled trial.

SETTING
Primary care and the community across four United Kingdom sites.

PARTICIPANTS
Nine hundred and fifteen adult smokers (55% female, 85% White), recruited via primary and secondary care and the community, who wished to reduce their smoking but not quit.

INTERVENTIONS
Participants were randomised to support as usual (SAU) (n = 458) versus multi-component community-based behavioural support (n = 457), involving up to eight weekly person-centred face-to-face or phone sessions with additional 6-week support for those wishing to quit.

MEASUREMENTS
Ideally, cessation follows smoking reduction so the primary pre-defined outcome was biochemically verified 6-month prolonged abstinence (from 3-9 months, with a secondary endpoint also considering abstinence between 9 and 15 months). Secondary outcomes included biochemically verified 12-month prolonged abstinence and point prevalent biochemically verified and self-reported abstinence, quit attempts, number of cigarettes smoked, pharmacological aids used, SF12, EQ-5D and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) at 3 and 9 months. Intervention costs were assessed for a cost-effectiveness analysis.

FINDINGS
Assuming missing data at follow-up implied continued smoking, nine (2.0%) intervention participants and four (0.9%) SAU participants achieved the primary outcome (adjusted odds ratio, 2.30; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.70-7.56, P = 0.169). At 3 and 9 months, the proportions self-reporting reducing cigarettes smoked from baseline by ≥50%, for intervention versus SAU, were 18.9% versus 10.5% (P = 0.009) and 14.4% versus 10% (P = 0.044), respectively. Mean difference in weekly MVPA at 3 months was 81.6 minutes in favour of the intervention group (95% CI = 28.75, 134.47: P = 0.003), but there was no significant difference at 9 months (23.70, 95% CI = -33.07, 80.47: P = 0.143). Changes in MVPA did not mediate changes in smoking outcomes. The intervention cost was £239.18 per person, with no evidence of cost-effectiveness.

CONCLUSIONS
For United Kingdom smokers wanting to reduce but not quit smoking, behavioural support to reduce smoking and increase physical activity improved some short-term smoking cessation and reduction outcomes and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, but had no long-term effects on smoking cessation or physical activity.


The stability constants of the 1 : 1 and 2 : 1 ligand–silver complexes of imidazole and tri(hydroxymethyl)methylamine have been determined from pH measurements at a glass electrode over the range 0–50° and 0–60°, respectively, at 10° intervals. A computer program, based on Schwarzenbach, Willi, and Bach's method for the evaluation of equilibrium constants, has been developed and used in the calculations. The program includes a statistical procedure whereby the most consistent values of the constants are selected. Some aspects of the program are discussed. The thermodynamic quantities for the formation of the complexes, together with their probable errors, have been calculated from the temperature coefficients of the stability constants.


In this paper it is presented a music application for people with intellectual disabilities, called "Professor Piano". We created this application to be a solution for music education for this group of people. For that we present the development and implementation of the app. We choose the virtual piano and the mobile devices as the basis for our solution. It was conducted an assessment of the current status and features of mobile applications also using this paradigm, from which we concluded that, currently, there is not a virtual piano application oriented to people with intellectual disabilities so we design, develop and tested a new application, the "Professor Piano". To validate the "Professor Piano" application approach, we evaluated the application usage by a group of people with intellectual disabilities, without having too much user experience with mobile technologies, with the aim to measure the effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction. We registered the following variables: success in a conclusion of a level (effectiveness); the percentage of correct notes played versus all notes of that level (efficiency); and the motivation at the end of the experience (satisfaction). The results obtained shows the interest and motivation of the users in playing with the application. In the four tests, three persons completed and wanted to continue the testing experience. This results also shows the importance of using an intuitive design and also of displaying the score at the end of each level, giving an extra boost to the user to replay or advance to the next level.


Among several single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that correlate with fibrosis progression in chronic HCV, an SNP in the antizyme inhibitor (AzI) gene is most strongly associated with slow fibrosis progression. Our aim was to identify the mechanism(s) underlying this observation by exploring the impact of the AzI SNP on hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activity. Seven novel AZIN1 splice variants ("SV2‐8") were cloned by polymerase chain reaction from the LX2 human HSC line. Expression of a minigene in LX2 containing the AZIN1 slow‐fibrosis SNP yielded a 1.67‐fold increase in AZIN1 splice variant 2 (AZIN1 SV2) messenger RNA (mRNA) (P = 0.05). In healthy human leukocytes, the SNP variant also correlated with significantly increased SV2 mRNA. Cells (293T) transfected with short hairpin RNA (shRNA) complementary to the exonic splicing chaperone SRp40 expressed 30% less SRp40 (P = 0.044) and 43% more AzI SV2 (P = 0.021) than control shRNA‐expressing cells, mimicking the effect of the sequence variant. LX2 cells transfected with AZIN1 full‐length complementary DNA expressed 35% less collagen I mRNA (P = 0.09) and 18% less α‐smooth muscle actin mRNA (P = 0.09). Transient transfection of AZIN1 SV2 complementary DNA into LX2 cells reduced collagen I gene expression by 64% (P = 0.001) and α‐smooth muscle actin by 43% (P = 0.005) compared to vector‐transfected controls, paralleling changes in protein expression. Both AZIN1 and AZIN‐SV2 mRNAs are detectable in normal human liver and reduced in HCV cirrhotic livers. The AZIN1‐SV2 acts via a polyamine‐independent pathway, as it neither interacts with antizyme nor affects the ability of AZIN1 lacking this variant to neutralize antizyme. Conclusion: An SNP variant in the AZIN1 gene leads to enhanced generation of a novel alternative splice form that modifies the fibrogenic potential of HSCs. (HEPATOLOGY 2011)


Not too long ago, the options for treatment of keratoconus were limited to contact lens wear or penetrating keratoplasty. Times have changed, which is reflected in 4 articles in this issue that have some bearing on current investigation and treatment options. One hundred fifty years ago, Dr. John Nottingham provided the first detailed description of keratoconus, with further observations by his contemporary Sir William Bowman. It was then more than 120 years before clinical and laboratory research provided deeper understanding of the disorder. Keratoconus is a noninflammatory condition that results in corneal thinning in central and paracentral areas of affected corneas. As the condition progresses, the inevitable astigmatism invariably changes from regular to irregular. The ultimate degradation is scarring and hydrops. However, modern technology offers therapeutic solutions to stop or at least slow the thinning process by corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) (not yet approved in the United States despite 10 years of research proving its effectiveness in stiffening the cornea in keratoconic and ectatic eyes). Irregularity may be neutralized at least in part by corneal ring insertions, toric phakic intraocular lens (pIOL) implantation, or both. It seemed counterintuitive to apply corneal excimer ablation technology to the treatment ofmild degrees of keratoconus and to eyes believed to be exhibiting forme fruste of the disorder when significant diagnostic efforts were being made to avoid treating such eyes with that technology for fear of causing ectasia. By stiffening the biomechanics of the cornea through collagen fiber crosslinking, a much stronger argument can be posed for pursuit of that stratagem. Corneal CXL is now widely performed internationally, with evidence of its effectiveness in stabilizing the progressive nature of keratoconus. Touboul et al. (pages 1049–1055) continues the discussion by posing the question, Is topography-guided custom photoablation predictable in keratoconic eyes or those with irregular astigmatism? In their study, Placido topography is used to characterize the role of the corneal epithelium in living human keratoconic eyes after epithelial removal. This is based on the potential for corneal epithelial remodeling after photoablation. Their rationale is the increased interest in keratoconus management by photorefractive keratectomy now that corneal CXL is available internationally, as surgeons continue to look for ways to improve the predictability of visual outcomes. Photorefractive keratectomy removes Bowman membrane centrally


This study discusses how the Learning Tool Korean education in Korean as a Second Language Curriculum should be addressed in learning materials and actual classes. Learning Tool Korean is set to enhance literacy by utilizing widely-used general knowledge vocabulary, classroom vocabulary, and thinking tool vocabulary. But it is not yet clear how and what these vocabulary materials should aim to embody. Thus, this study presents the direction of embodying Learning Tool Korean in Korean language textbooks for adolescent KSL Learners, and focuses on learning activity, thinking and learning skills regarding the specific contents. This paper explains how the setting of learning activities, the selection of study skills, and the linkage between learning activities and study skills are performed through various examples. (Paichai University Kyung Hee University)


Background A previous retrospective UK study (APEX I) demonstrated omalizumab significantly reduced oral corticosteroid (OCS) use, exacerbations, lung function and quality of life (QoL in severe allergic asthmatic (SAA) patients. Aim This multi-centre observational study was conducted to confirm the observed retrospective findings prospectively. Methods Retrospective data were collected 12 months prior to and prospective data were collected 12 months following omalizumab initiation in SAA patients ≥16 years. The primary endpoint was the change in mean daily oral corticosteroid (OCS) dosage. Secondary endpoints included changes in lung function, ACT and AQLQ scores and missed days in education/work and employment in the 12 months pre and post omalizumab initiation. Results 258 patients were enrolled from 22 UK centres (January 2012–February 2015); mean age 44.7 years (±SD 14.2), 65% females, mean asthma duration 25.1 years (±SD 15.1) For the ITT population (n = 235), 82.4% of patients were classified as responders. At 12 months, mean daily OCS dose significantly decreased by 16% from 10.3 mg/day (±7.1) to 8.7 mg/day (±8.6) (n = 211, p < 0.001) and 61.6% of patients stopped OCS or reduced OCS dose by ≥20%. The mean (±SD) FEV1 significantly increased from 66.9% (±19.35%) to 71.3% (±20.9%) in the 12 months post compared to pre- omalizumab initiation (p < 0.001 n = 118). Comparing the 12 months periods prior to and following initiation of omalizumab, the mean ACT score improved from 9.8 (±4.3) to 14.4 (±5.7) (n = 162, p < 0.001) and the mean AQLQ score improved from 3.2 (±1.3) to 4.4 (±1.5) (n = 161, p < 0.001). There was a significant decrease in missed days from work/education following omalizumab initiation (12 months pre-omalizumab: 14.65 days; 12 months post-omalizumab 6.22 days with p < 0.01; n = 63). For 93 patients unemployed/not in education at the study start, 72 were unemployed/not in education at study end. Conclusions The data prospectively confirm that omalizumab is associated with significant reduction in OCS use, lung function, ACT, AQLQ and days missed from work/education.


ABSTRACT This article synthesizes foundational knowledge from multiple scientific disciplines regarding how humans develop in context. Major constructs that define human development are integrated into a developmental system framework, this includes—epigenetics, neural malleability and plasticity, integrated complex skill development and learning, human variability, relationships and attachment, self-regulation, science of learning, and dynamics of stress, adversity and resilience. Specific attention is given to relational patterns, attunement, cognitive flexibility, executive function, working memory, sociocultural context, constructive development, self-organization, dynamic skill development, neural integration, relational pattern making, and adverse childhood experiences. A companion article focuses on individual-context relations, including the role of human relationships as key drivers of development, how social and cultural contexts support and/or undermine individual development, and the dynamic, idiographic developmental pathways that result from mutually influential individual-context relations across the life span. An understanding of the holistic, self-constructive character of development and interconnectedness between individuals and their physical, social, and cultural contexts offers a transformational opportunity to study and influence the children's trajectories. Woven throughout is the convergence of the science of learning – constructive developmental web, foundational skills, mindsets (sense of belonging, self-efficacy, and growth mindset), prior knowledge and experience, motivational systems (intrinsic motivation, achievement motivation, and the Belief-Control-Expectancy Framework), metacognition, conditions for learning , cultural responsiveness and competence, and instructional and curricular design- and its importance in supporting in integrative framework for children's development. This scientific understanding of development opens pathways for new, creative approaches that have the potential to solve seemingly intractable learning and social problems.


A truncated soluble form of the human interleukin-2 receptor p55 chain (T-S-IL-2R) was expressed to high levels in RODENT (mammalian) cells and affinity-purified. Its biochemical behavior was analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), gel filtration, and sucrose gradient centrifugation. It migrated as a single 40-kDa band on sodium dodecyl sulfate-PAGE (reducing or nonreducing conditions), whereas it ran as a 80-kDa component on native PAGE or as a 86-kDa component on gel filtration. The combination of gel filtration and density gradient sedimentation gave a Stokes radius of 4.0 nm and a sedimentation coefficient of 3.72 S. The deduced molecular mass was 67 kDa, and the fractional ratio was 1.516. These data therefore indicated that the T-S-IL-2R was secreted as an homodimer of two noncovalently associated 40-kDa subunits. Cross-linking experiments using bifunctional reagents enabled the materialization of the dimeric structure on sodium dodecyl sulfate-PAGE. Stoichiometric binding studies using two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs 33B3.1 and 11H2) reacting with separate epitopes on the p55 chain also strongly supported the dimeric structure. Indeed, there was one binding site for the 33B3.1 mAb (and Fab fragment) per T-S-IL-2R 40-kDa subunit, whereas the 11H2 mAb (or Fab fragment) could bind only half a site per subunit, a result which could only be explained when assuming more than one subunit for the native T-S-IL-2R. Soluble interleukin-2 receptor species were also purified from culture supernatants of either L cells transfected with the full-length p55 cDNA or a normal alloreactive T cell clone. Similar biochemical behavior and reactivities with the two mAbs were found. Finally, cell-surface p55 chains expressed either by pgL21 or 4AS cells bound the 33B3.1 and 11H2 mAbs in a 2:1 ratio, suggesting that the p55 chains are also associated as homodimers when imbedded in the membrane.


A hierarchical multiscale framework is proposed to model the mechanical behaviour of granular media. The framework employs a rigorous hierarchical coupling between the FEM and the discrete element method (DEM). To solve a BVP, the FEM is used to discretise the macroscopic geometric domain into an FEM mesh. A DEM assembly with memory of its loading history is embedded at each Gauss integration point of the mesh to serve as the representative volume element (RVE). The DEM assembly receives the global deformation at its Gauss point from the FEM as input boundary conditions and is solved to derive the required constitutive relation at the specific material point to advance the FEM computation. The DEM computation employs simple physically based contact laws in conjunction with Coulomb's friction for interparticle contacts to capture the loading‐history dependence and highly nonlinear dissipative response of a granular material. The hierarchical scheme helps to avoid the phenomenological assumptions on constitutive relation in conventional continuum modelling and retains the computational efficiency of FEM in solving large‐scale BVPs. The hierarchical structure also makes it ideal for distributed parallel computing to fully unleash its predictive power. Importantly, the framework offers rich information on the particle level with direct link to the macroscopic material response, which helps to shed lights on cross‐scale understanding of granular media. The developed framework is first benchmarked by a simulation of single‐element drained test and is then applied to the predictions of strain localisation for sand subject to monotonic biaxial compression, as well as the liquefaction and cyclic mobility of sand in cyclic simple shear tests. It is demonstrated that the proposed method may reproduce interesting experimental observations that are otherwise difficult to be captured by conventional FEM or pure DEM simulations, such as the inception of shear band under smooth symmetric boundary conditions, non‐coaxial granular response, large dilation and rotation at the edges of shear band and critical state reached within the shear band. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


On rice stem-borers, K. Yasumatsu deals with the taxonomy and distribution, ecology, natural and integrated control, and the damage done by these Lepidoptera. P. De Bach and D. Posen, on armoured scales (Diaspididae), deal mainly with the numerous biological control experiments of which these pests have been a prime target. The spider mite problem, clearly induced by the use of chemicals, is dealt with by N. W. Hussey and C. B. Huffaker, whose topics are the biology of spider mites and the biology and ecology of their natural enemies, the roles of the latter in control, and the effects of pesticides on both. In a concluding chapter, M. J. Way sums up the progress achieved in the IBP attack on the chosen groups of pests. He begins with the point that biological control is still in practice a matter of trial and error, but that success 'will depend in large measures on appropriate detailed understanding at all levels from the fundamental to the immediately practical'. The Reference list contains about 800 entries and the Index about 1000. The book is packed with information needed by those working on the pests concerned, and will be valued as a work of reference by many others. Although it would be difficult to decide how much of the research described would have been carried out, or how effectively, if the IBP had not been launched, the efforts of the organizers certainly won new ground for co-operation, promoted many useful advances, and gave a beneficial impetus towards improved pest control in many countries. If biology is to become more co-operative and international, the IBP has pointed the way.


The N-S trending Cofradia fault is a 40 km-long normal fault, which bounds the Managua graben to the East. This fault is seismically active and has been associated to the 1865 and 1866 earthquakes that modified the topography of the Tipitapa River. A paleoseismological study has been carried out in its southern sector with five trenches in three different sites. The Cocal trench allowed us to identify 3 seismic events. Radiocarbon datings are not available yet, but the presence of ceramic fragments belonging to the Bagaces and Sapoa periods yield by different layers allows us to conclude that these events occurred during the last 1700 years, with a recurrence period in the order of 500 years, being possible that the last event could correspond to the earthquakes of 1865 and 1866.


The results of analytical solution of time-dependent two-dimensional full-wave equation are presented here for the case of fluctuation reflectometry. We consider a family of plasma density profiles with cylindrical symmetry, which allow for an integration of the microwave scattering equation. Based on the results of analytical modelling, Doppler reflectometry as a method of plasma velocity measurements is investigated. It is shown that the accuracy of Doppler shift measurements is sensitive to the spectral content of the broadband turbulence, as well as to the curvature of the plasma cut-off layer. Addressing the problem of fluctuation amplitude measurements, it is suggested that a power-related parameter of the microwave signal, called fluctuation index, is suitable to quantify the plasma turbulence level provided that the fluctuation spectrum is a priori estimated. As an illustration, we apply our model to estimate the density fluctuation level in the edge plasma of the JT-60U tokamak.


Bahrain was among the first Arab Spring countries in which mass protests arose in February 2011. The authoritarian monarchy, which excludes vast segments of society from fair political and economic participation, opted for the use of force to suppress the mainly peaceful demonstrations, but it could not expunge the protests by a popular movement that continues to exist to this day. The power struggle is occurring along a Sunna-Shia divide that interconnects with regional sectarian tensions. This article investigates power-sharing arrangements as an option to deal with such deep divisions. It outlines the historical background of the sectarian tensions in Bahrain and the rudimentary forms of power-sharing that have existed there in the past. It then analyses the current debate between the regime and the opposition regarding the distribution of political power. While the reality still seems to be far removed from a power-sharing solution, we nevertheless recommend power-sharing as a feasible way out of the current stalemate.


To assess the significance of recovery time (RT) dispersion measured by body surface mapping, we investigated body surface RT isochrone maps of 40 patients with anterior old myocardial infarction (OMI), 40 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and 40 controls. Among the OMI and DCM groups, 20 patients per group had sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT). The dispersion of corrected recovery time (RTc) by Bazett's formula significantly increased in OMI patients (169 +/- 38 ms) and DCM patients (163 +/- 22 ms) compared with controls (147 +/- 10 ms) (P <.01). RTc dispersion was greater in OMI patients with sustained VT than in those without sustained VT [184 +/- 43 ms vs. 155 +/- 24 ms (P <.05)], as well as in DCM patients with sustained VT compared with those without sustained VT [170 +/- 25 ms vs. 156 +/- 17 ms (P <.05)]. The results suggest that RTc dispersion determined by body surface mapping can be useful for assessing vulnerability to sustained VT.


Objective: This study aims to compare outcomes of supine percutaneous nephrolithotomy to prone percutaneous nephrolithotomy as a traditional approach in Hasan Sadikin Hospital Bandung. Material & Methods: Data was taken from urology's database between 2003-2012, which contain data of prone position (2003-2007), and supine position (20082012). Three hundred forty-nine patients were included in this study. We reviewed data on demography, stone burden, operating time, stone-free rate, transfusion rate, hospital stay, and major complications. Results: Of 174 patients underwent prone position, and 175 patients were part of the supine position. Age means of prone position was 51.0 years old, the supine position was 50.5 years old. The number of male patients was 65.5% for prone, and 66.1% for supine. The mean stone's largest diameter of prone was 23.87 mm, supine was 22.36 mm. The operating time of prone was 107 minutes; supine was 90 minutes. The stone-free rate of prone was 94.7%; supine was 91.3%. The mean hospital stays of prone was 14.3 days; supine was 9.6 days. The transfusion rate of prone position was 8.9%, supine was 7.2%. No major complications were recorded. Conclusion: Higher stone-free rates are achieved with patients in the prone position during PCNL. Supine position has shorter operating time, and hospital stay, lower blood transfusion rates. The complication rate is not different between the two positions.


Flame-retardant, flexible polymer thin film and coating materials are in large demand for various applications. Three approaches have been attempted: inherently fire-retardant polymers; chemically modified polymers; and the addition of fire retardants as additives for polymers. The first two approaches are based on specific polymers, limiting their wide applications. The last approach provides great flexibility in designing materials with multifunctional properties. Herein, we report the fabrication of a flexible vermiculite–polymer hybrid film with very low flammability through photo-cross-linking of polyethylene glycol network incorporating micronized vermiculite particles. Vermiculite is a thermally insulating agent that can withstand flame up to about 1200 °C. The film fabrication process is very simple, time-efficient, and thickness-controllable. Despite quick processing of the film, vermiculite particles are uniformly distributed within the polymer network. Direct fire testing proves that, at a vermiculite concentration of about 75 wt%, the films of 20 μm thick can withstand actual fire for more than a minute. Without vermiculite, the polymer film is burnt out immediately when in contact with flame. This study demonstrates that a vermiculite–polymer hybrid film, though it is relatively thin and highly flexible, can suppress the heat flow without decomposition for more than just a brief moment when in direct contact with flame.


There is continuing controversy about whether total hip arthroplasty or bipolar hemiarthroplasty should be used for the management of displaced subcapital hip fractures or advanced avascular necrosis of the femoral head, especially in patients with normal-appearing acetabular cartilage. The decision regarding which procedure to perform may be influenced by several factors, including the underlying disease process, perioperative risks 1,2, likelihood of revision 3-5, and economic considerations 6-8. Published reports are difficult to interpret because the series differ with regard to the surgeons performing the operations, surgical approaches, methods of fixation, postoperative protocols, patient mix, and duration of follow-up 3,5,9-18. In our retrospective review, we compared the clinical and radiographic results and patient-reported outcomes of the two procedures in nine patients who had undergone a bipolar hemiarthroplasty on one side and a total hip arthroplasty on the other.

We conducted a retrospective review of the records on 750 consecutive hip arthroplasties performed between 1988 and 1995, and we identified seventy-five patients (10%) who had undergone bilateral hip replacement. Of these, nine had undergone total hip arthroplasty on one side and bipolar hemiarthroplasty on the other. There were eight women and one man.

The mean age (and standard deviation) at the time of the bipolar hemiarthroplasty was 74 ± 19 years (range, twenty-eight to eighty-seven years), and the mean age at the time of the total hip arthroplasty was 74 ± 18 years (range, twenty-seven to eighty-seven years). Eight bipolar hemiarthroplasties were performed because of a displaced subcapital hip fracture and one, because of avascular necrosis. Five total hip arthroplasties were performed because of a subcapital hip fracture; two, because of avascular necrosis; and two, because of osteoarthritis.

All patients underwent staged bilateral hip replacement. A …


Background : There is lack of studies on the effects of the bag-carrying style on the shoulder muscles and body alignment in adults with rounded shoulder posture (RSP). Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of various bag-carrying styles on muscle tone, muscle stiffness and spinal alignment in 20 adults with RSP as they were walking on a treadmill. Design : Crossover Study Design. Methods: A subject performed treadmill walking for 15 minutes at a speed of 4 ㎞/h while carrying three different types of bags: a backpack, a cross bag, and a shoulder bag. Results : The results showed that the main effect of timing was observed in the muscle tone for all the variables and in muscle stiffness only for the upper and lower trapezius muscles. As for the main effect of timing, the muscle tone of the upper trapezius and the pectoralis major significantly increased in all conditions, while the muscle tone of the lower trapezius significantly decreased in all conditions. The muscle stiffness of the upper trapezius significantly increased in all conditions, while the muscle stiffness of the lower trapezius significantly decreased in all conditions. As for the spinal alignment, the dimple distance data values significantly decreased for the cross-bag style. Conclusions : This study demonstrated that walking with a heavy bag, regardless of the bag-carrying style, increased muscle stiffness around the shoulders in adults with rounded shoulder posture, and walking with a crossbag also induced changes in spinal alignment.


This article concerns a systemic manifestation of small scale in- terfacial heterogeneities in large scale quantities of interest to a variety of diverse applications spanning the earth, biological and ecological sciences. Beginning with formulations in terms of partial differential equations gov- erning the conservative, advective-dispersive transport of mass concentra- tions in divergence form, the specific interfacial heterogeneities are intro- duced in terms of (spatial) discontinuities in the diffusion coefficient across a lower-dimensional hypersurface. A pathway to an equivalent stochastic for- mulation is then developed with special attention to the interfacial effects in various functionals such as first passage times, occupation times and local times. That an appreciable theory is achievable within a framework of ap- plications involving one-dimensional models having piecewise constant co- efficients greatly facilitates our goal of a gentle introduction to some rather dramatic mathematical consequences of interfacial effects that can be used to predict structure and to inform modeling.


Targeted allocation of EU support in Lithuania can help resolving a number of problems and achieving significant results in a variety of areas. However, rush to absorb support may lead to a little, zero or even negative impact on national economy. In addition, EU support opportunities may distort investment motivation. This paper deals with issues related to the impact of EU support and problems of its absorption. The impact of EU support on the national economy has been established in three areas: attraction of foreign direct investment state investments into capital formation, and experience of companies, which are EU support beneficiaries. The paper proposes using regression analysis in search and evaluation of relations while obtaining more information about programmes, priorities and the impact of structural support on different indicators. In addition, it focuses on ascertaining the effectiveness of governmental and company spending. Furthermore, as companies – EU support beneficiaries – are engaged in different economic activities, their experience cannot be ascertained from statistical data; consequently, findings of an expert survey are presented to demonstrate the experience acquired by business companies as well as problems they face. Limitation of research was a short period of time to evaluate (only four years of the current funding period)


The reliable and resilient operation of the smart grid necessitates a clear understanding of the intra-and-inter dependencies of its power and communication systems. This understanding can only be achieved by accurately depicting the interactions between the different components of these two systems. This paper presents a model, called modified implicative interdependency model (MIIM), for capturing these interactions. Data obtained from a power utility in the U.S. Southwest is used to ensure the validity of the model. The performance of the model for a specific power system application namely, state estimation, is demonstrated using the IEEE 118-bus system. The results indicate that the proposed model is more accurate than its predecessor, the implicative interdependency model (IIM) [1], in predicting the system state in case of failures in the power and/or communication systems.


ARECREATION program, with the aim of providing recreation all the year round for young and for old, was instituted not long ago in a small eastern city. Soon after, an evening center meeting was held in the school building to discuss some of the problems which had arisen. The president of the School Board made the first speech, after which the janitor unexpectedly arose from the back of the room and addressed the assembly thus:


We discuss currency volatility as a measure of currency instability using 15 currencies from developed and emerging economies. The IMF and others have recorded how countries manage their exchange rates to promote sustainable economic growth by designing exchange rate regimes as a pillar within economic policy. The findings herein show how to track currency instability using a given currency's volatility against the volatility of a benchmark currency of importance to the given currency. This is termed relative volatility. The study proceeds to test whether the parity factors and country risk factor are significantly correlated with exchange rate relative volatility.


HORVATH, M., HARASZTHY, L., BAGYURA, J. & KOVACS, A. (2002): Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) populations in Europe. Aquila 107-108, p. 193204. Based on the most recent information available from countries with existing populations, the European Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) population is estimated to be between 1000 and 1600 breeding pairs, a much higher number than previous estimates. These data suggest that about half of the Imperial Eagle's world population is found in Europe and underline the importance of the conservation of European populations of this globally threatened species. Approximately 10% of the European breeding pairs had been located between 1996 and 2000. The recent European populations of the Imperial Eagle can be divided into three groups: (1) The compact and well-known Hungarian and Slovakian population in the northern part of the Carpathian basin is currently increasing. (2) The formerly abundant population on the Balkans declined dramatically during the 20 th century and by now it is very small and fragmented. Luckily, this heavy decline seems to have stopped before the complete extinction of this species from the Balkans. (3) The East-European areas (in Russia, Ukraine and in the Caucasus) support the largest segment of the European Imperial Eagle population. Despite the exciting results of recent researches, only a fraction of these populations have been properly investigated, similarly to the most important factors threatening them.


In this paper, five of six samples of 2,3-allenoic acid enantiomers were separated by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) using hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP-beta-CD) and hydroxypropyl-gamma-cyclodextrin (HP-gamma-CD) as chiral selectors. Using HP-beta-CD for chiral separation, three of the six enantiomers were separated. Five experimental conditions including HP-beta-CD concentration, pH, buffer concentration, temperature, and running voltage were investigated for their influence on separation and migration using enantiomers of 2-methyl-4-phenyl-2,3-butadienoic acid (A) and 2-(n-propyl)-4-phenyl-2,3-butadienoic acid (B) as samples. Good separation results were observed when [HP-beta-CD] = 3-12 mmol/L and pH = 7-9 for samples A and B. The temperature range of 15-25 degrees C can be selected for convenience. According to the chiral separation results, HP-beta-CD and HP-gamma-CD should be valuable selectors to separate 2,3-allenoic acids and HP-gamma-CD was suggested to separate the 2,3-allenoic acid samples with a group at 4-position bulkier than phenyl.


The need of corrosion protection for metals in aggressive environments is an issue of prime importance for widespread applications. In this article, we demonstrate the properties of oxide coatings prepared in molybdate/silicate and aluminate/silicate composite electrolytes via plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) on Mg–Li alloy. To understand the nature of the two coatings, the surface and cross‐sectional morphologies, phase composition, and chemical composition of the coatings are studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron dispersion X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The corrosion resistances of oxide films are evaluated using potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution. In contrast to Mg–Li alloy substrate, the anti‐corrosion properties of the two coated alloys are both remarkably improved. Furthermore, molybdate instead of aluminate as an additive in the electrolyte brings forth a denser and compact coating, which can provide longer corrosion protection for Mg–Li alloys. Thereby a surface protection method based on PEO in molybdate/silicate electrolyte is a promising means for producing a dark brown ceramic coating on the surface of Mg–Li alloys with the capability to corrosion protection.


【The purpose of this study is to propose 3D art make-up design process by reproducing real objects through preliminary digital drawing with Photoshop (Photo Shop CS4.0, Adobe, USA) and using special make-up that has never been done previously, and produce creative problem solving plan to make concrete expanding thoughts and ideas. As for this study method, this study was composed of preliminary study, literature study by book examination and positive study on design process that performed preparatory work and reproduced real objects. Real case study by art make-up design process can improve effective design expressing ability by utilizing special make-up, diversify techniques, extend expression areas by materials, and create unique design. In addition, preliminary work by digital drawing, a process to predict real object work in advance, could reduce time and cost while improving work skill for work production, raise design accuracy and make easy the modification of idea. This study is anticipated to activate digital make-up by various digital techniques including Photoshop.】


The issue of state estimation is considered for an SIR-SI epidemiological model describing a vector-borne disease such as dengue fever, subject to seasonal variations. Assuming continuous measurement of the incidence rate (that is the number of new infectives in the host population per unit time), a class of interval observers with estimate-dependent gain is constructed, and asymptotic error bounds are provided. The synthesis method is based on the search for a common linear Lyapunov function for monotone systems that represent the evolution of the estimation errors.


It has been widely thought that the use of wavefunctions with full electronic correlation would involve integrals of 3N dimensions, where N is the number of electrons. Here it is shown that by a method similar to that of variation theory a set of equations which determine the orbitals and correlation function can be derived so that they only involve integrals of up to nine dimensions. Even these nine-dimensional integrals have some special characteristics which make them equivalent to six-dimensional integrals in some methods of integration. The method is formulated for the particular canonical choice of correlation function that has been previously investigated by the authors and is based on a particular trans-correlated kind of wave equation and on some particular convergence properties recently shown for bi-variational problems. This appears to provide a solution to the problem of including all rij- quantities in wavefunctions: a problem which has been variously discussed for the last thirty years.


This article investigates the nature of policy path dependence through analysis of climate policy formation in the United States. In 2008 the US Congress attempted to pass the Lieberman–Warner bill, a comprehensive climate and energy package that would have capped greenhouse emissions and established a nationwide cap and trade program. In the same year, California successfully enacted the Global Warming Solutions Act. This article explores the circumstances of both cases and raises the question of why legislation at the state level was successful and took such a divergent form from legislation at the federal level. The divergence of these cases is used to highlight the nature of coalition formation and policy path dependence in the legislative process. Explanations of policy tend to gravitate toward either the generalizability of game theoretic approaches or the empirical depth of case studies. This article suggests a combined approach that uses case studies to analyze the positions and motivations of actors and to then model policy development over time. The approach examines policy through the formation and negotiation of policy coalitions. Drawing on the Advocacy Coalition Framework and omnibus analysis, the approach expands these coalition theories first by analysing legislative development at the interface of legislators and constituent interest groups, and second by adding temporal dimension to the analysis. The findings suggest that policy is path dependent in that it is negotiated between coalitions that in turn create stability in the policy process and insulate policy fields from external shocks. Policy path dependence suggests that theory alone is insufficient to predict policy outcomes; policy results depend strongly on prior policy efforts, historically and socially contingent coalitions, and the resulting framing of policy possibilities.


Norovirus (NoV) and sapovirus (SaV) are recognized as the causative agents of acute gastroenteritis, and NoV is one of the leading pathogens reported worldwide. This study reports on the distribution of NoV and SaV genotypes in children hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis in Chiang Mai, Thailand, from January 2015 to February 2017. From a total of 843 stool samples, 170 (20.2%) and 16 (1.9%) were identified as having NoV and SaV infections, respectively. Two samples (0.2%) were positive for both NoV and SaV. Of these, NoV GII.4 (57.2%) was the dominant genotype, followed by GII.2, GII.3, GII.17, GII.6, GII.7, GII.13, GII.14, GII.15, GII.21, GI.6, and GI.5. Among the NoV GII.4 variants, Sydney 2012 was the dominant variant during the period 2015‐2016, while the other variants detected in this study were Asia 2003 and New Orleans 2009. Interestingly, an increase of NoV GII.2 was observed in 2016 and 2017. Characterization of partial RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase and VP1 nucleotide sequences of GII.2 strains revealed that more than half of the GII.2 strains circulating in 2016 and 2017 were recombinant strains of GII.P16/GII.2. For SaV, the majority of strains belonged to GI.1 (55.6%) and GI.2 (33.3%), while GII.5 accounted for 11.1%. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the diversity of NoV and SaV, and the emergence of NoV GII.P16/GII.2 recombinant strains in 2016 and 2017 in Chiang Mai, Thailand.


The prostate is a small gland that lies beneath the bladder and is present only in men. Prostate cancer, one of the most common malignancies that occurs in men over 50 years old. More than 95% of prostatic tumors are adenocarcinomas. For the purposes of this paper was used data from the Institute for Public Health –Shtip, Republic of North Macedonia in the period of 2014 to 2018. The results shows that the total number of patients with prostate cancer for this period of 5 years is 1578. The most common age of prostate changes is between the ages of 65 - 74, but a large number of individuals are also noticed between the ages of 45 and 64. In 2014 most of the cases are at age group of 55 to 65 with 121patients, also in 2015 this age group is most affected with 135 patients. In 2016 there is a large percentage of new cases between the ages of 65-74 or 166. Analysis of the newly discovered cases in 2017 shows the highest number of new cases between the ages of 65-74. In 2018 there is no significant difference, 166 newly discovered between the ages of 65-74 which is also the age group with the most cases in the entire 5 year study period. In Macedonia, about 1250 new cases of prostate cancer are discovered per year.


The current study investigated the psychological well-being and coping mechanisms of care home staff during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown. Among 147 staff members, 21.8%, 24.5%, and 12.9% reported depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. The results of structural equation modeling showed that self-efficacy and coping strategies had direct effects on psychological well-being. In the paths from self-perceived caregiving to psychological well-being, self-efficacy and positive coping strategies played mediating roles independently and together, and social support played a mediating role together with coping strategies. Care home staff's psychological well-being was undermined during the COVID-19 lockdown. Interventions aimed at improving staff's self-efficacy, adoption of positive coping strategies, and avoidance of negative coping strategies or considerations of social support along with coping strategies are suggested to decrease exhibited symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. [Research in Gerontological Nursing, 14(4), 180-190.].


The research design is qualitative research design. The instruments of data collection are voice recorder to record the data, camcorder to interview then observe the subject and a camera is used to capture some photographs to show the real situation in conducting as part of field research method. The findings of the study are drawn. (1) The types of phraseology used by ATC in this study are five; they are General Phraseology (GP), Radar Control Phraseology (RCP), Area Control Phraseology (Area CP), Approach Control Phraseology (App CP), and Aerodrome Control Phraseology (Aerodrome CP) as standard phraseology, and also Non – standard phraseology . (2) The patterns of phraseology used by ATC in communication with pilot are commonly systemized but sometimes it depends on the situation faced by controllers, there is no certain patterns used. (3) ATC commonly use standard phraseology which has been standardized by ICAO. ATC may combine the types of phraseology based on the condition and situation needed. In another case and situation, ATC sometimes used non – standard phraseology in communication with pilot, that's why phraseology is the unique language used by ATC in their daily job, interact with pilots in a communication in order to prevent collisions, organize and expedite the flow of traffic, and provide information and other support for  pilots . Key words: phraseology, air traffic controller, communication


We discuss a hybrid scheme that is based on flux exchange between a particle and a continuum system which reside in two slightly overlapping volumes in space. The scheme ensures conservation of mass, momentum and energy between a system of Lennard–Jones particles and a continuum description given by the compressible Navier–Stokes equations. An implementation in two dimensions employing the compressible Navier—Stokes equations to describe the continuum, and the Lennard–Jones potential to describe the particles, is discussed. The accuracy of the coupling scheme is tested successfully for the case of homogeneous flow and discussed for the more general case.


Significant resources are required to maintain and keep up-to-date scientific resources such as ontologies. One way to prioritize the work of curators is to harness the contributions of the crowd. Wikidata is an openly-accessible knowledge base that is editable by anyone and has a large, active community of users. Here, we describe a new system to monitor, filter, and prioritize changes made by Wikidata contributors to items, for review by biomedical curators, and eventual update in primary sources. We seeded Wikidata with a semantic network linking several types of biomedical items, and then retrospectively examined and cataloged Wikidata community edits with particular emphasis on disease items. This effort led to thousands of proposed changes to the Disease Ontology, the primary source for the initial creation of the disease items in Wikidata.


The study reveals the possibilities of using the words' cloud in the literary education of primary school children. The authors consider the possibility of using a cloud of words to visualize the keywords of the text for the translation of the work of art, the interpretation of the main idea and the characteristics of the artistic image. The words' cloud can also be used as a reference summary to answer questions about the content of the work or to present the results of a school project by students. Moreover, in reading lessons, this tool can be used as a tool to identify the topic of the lesson. The study reveals the possibilities of the didactic tool of the words' cloud for the development of speech of primary school children, in particular, in composing their own texts and editing them, the ability to explore words that the student uses too often and avoid tautology. Using the method of a problem situation and visually demonstrating information through a cloud of words, the teacher pro-motes the activation of students' mental activity, the development of creative abilities and critical thinking.The study tested the use of the electronic resource WordArt in primary school – a website for creating a "word's cloud" and proved its effectiveness in reflection, as well as creating an image of the main idea of the lesson, general conversation, its use as didactic material. The authors used the technology of learning using a cloud office package Google Drive to write a draft of their own statement of primary school children. The authors investigated the use of the service in the lesson of literary reading during the organization of reading activities in the following areas: in the "cloud of words" to encrypt the topic of the lesson; using the cloud as visual material or as basic information to explain new material; encrypt certain words from the text in the cloud, students' task to guess the work; create a cloud of words of positive and negative characters of the work; write a story on the topic; create an "encrypted postcard" to the writer or hero of the work. In the course of experimental work, the effectiveness of the use of this didactic tool in the lessons of literary reading in primary school during the analysis of texts in order to identify the most important associations of students was confirmed.


This study conceptualizes a model of chinese consumers' purchase decision for the gM foods by empirically testing the interrelationship among the gM food purchase decision determinants with a multi-attribute model. The purpose of this study is to explore what underlying factors affect the chinese consumer choice behavior for the gM food. A clear understanding of the determinants of consumers' gM food choice may enable policy makers and marketers to build effective policies and marketing strategies and to establish market position of the gM food. The results show that consumers' perceived concern toward the subjects such as limited information availability, environmental hazard as well as ethical issues of the gM food are strong indicators of consumers' gM food purchase decision.


RBBB, a pattern seen on the 12-lead ECG, results when normal electrical activity in the His-Purkinje system is interrupted for some reason. The normal sequence of activation is altered in RBBB, with a resultant characteristic appearance on the ECG manifest by a widened QRS complex and changes in the directional vectors of the R and S waves. This ECG pattern is often seen in clinical practice and generally regarded as benign. The anatomy, epidemiology, causes, symptoms, ECG findings and diagnosis, differential diagnosis in ECG, treatment, complications, prognosis, with respect to RBBB are outlined here, demonstrating some typical ECGs of RBBB.


The objective of this work is to sense seismic particle motion by recovering the Doppler shift of a laser beam that is directed to various ground spots from a remote location. This paper presents results from two field tests using experimental, laser‐based, data acquisition systems. In the first test, strong ground‐roll vibrations were detected at an 800-m range by reflecting the beam directly from various terrain targets. The weaker, seismic‐reflection events were inundated by a noise associated with propagation of the laser beam through the atmosphere. The second test used a novel optical interferometer that cancelled the turbulence noise. A reflector apparatus is needed at the ground target position to cancel the turbulence effects in this system.


The Visible/Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) collects radiometric and imagery data in 22 spectral bands within the visible and infrared spectrum ranging from 0.4 to 12.5 μm. This paper describes the radiometric uncertainty requirements for the 7 VIIRS thermal emissive bands and the calibration methodology employed to meet these requirements, including the on-board calibration subsystems and the retrieval algorithm for generating calibrated radiance from instrument data. The instrument characteristics contributing to uncertainties in retrieved radiance are presented based on results from the recently completed pre-launch test program. The final roll-up of these uncertainties relative to the absolute radiometric requirements are shown, and compared against the results obtained from the radiance retrieval algorithm exercised during thermal-vacuum testing for a NIST traceable Blackbody Calibration Source.


OBJECTIVE
This study aims to assess diaphragmatic excursion and measure pulmonary functions as measures of the degree to which the phrenic nerve is blocked after ISB with two different concentrations of ropivacaine: 0.2% and 0.1%.

DESIGN
Randomized, double-blinded study.

SETTING AND PATIENTS
Ambulatory surgical facility.

SUBJECTS
Fifty patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopy for rotator cuff repair.

METHODS
Patients were randomized to receive ultrasound-guided ISB with 20 mL of either 0.2% or 0.1% ropivacaine. Diaphragmatic excursion was measured using M-mode ultrasound. Pulmonary functions were assessed by portable spirometer. Additional outcome data included oxygen saturation in post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), pain scores, quality of recovery scores (QOR), and opioid consumption over 72 hour period after surgery.

RESULTS
Forced vital capacity (FVC) was significantly reduced 30 minutes after block placement and in PACU in the 0.2% group when compared with the 0.1% group (P = 0.04,P = 0.03, respectively). Forced expiratory volume (FEV1) was also significantly decreased in the 0.2% group in PACU when compared with the 0.1% group (P = 0.04). There were no significant differences in pain scores, length of stay, and total opioid consumption in PACU. Patients who received 0.2% ropivacaine had a longer block duration (18 vs 11.9 hours,P = 0.04) and used less opioid in the 72 hours after surgery (55 mg vs 102 mg codeine equivalents,P = 0.02), when they were compared to their counterparts who received 0.1% for their block.

CONCLUSION
0.1% ropivacaine may impair pulmonary function less than 0.2% ropivacaine. The clinical significance of these differences needs to be further studied.


As huge amount of personal data collected into databases of service providers increase, so does the risk of private information disclosure. Recently, a number of privacy-preserving techniques have been proposed, however, they are either pre-controls or post-controls and limited in protection of privacy without information loss or distortion, quite a few techniques can be seen among literatures for detecting information disclosure in the process of data transmission. In this paper, we focus on disclosure detection related to database publishing, and present a novel approach of detecting privacy leakages over data streams on querying databases by using dynamic pattern matching and data stream processing techniques. Experimental results via Cayuga system verified the feasibility of our proposal.


Sports facilities have been shown to have a positive impact on local biodiversity, quality of life, and the economy. Their impact on global carbon balances is less clearly understood. Increased concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) have been linked with global climate change. Currently there is a debate as to whether amenity turf is a net source or a net sink for atmospheric CO2. The turf grass of a natural sports pitch will sequester carbon through photosynthesis, but there are numerous emission sources associated with the management of turf which release CO2 into the atmosphere. These include the engines used to power mechanized operations such as mowing and spraying, the application of agrochemicals, including fertilizers, and the disposal of waste. In order to determine whether a real-world example of a sports facility was a source or sink of carbon a mechanistic mass balance model was developed. Analysis indicated that the areas of the golf course that received the most management attention were a net source of carbon emissions. The magnitude of these releases was significantly different on an equal-area basis (p < 0.01). The net carbon budget for turf grass areas across the whole golf course accounting for the sequestration by the turfgrass was −33.01 MgC/year. The mature trees that formed an integral part of the landscape of the modelled course had a significant impact on the net carbon balance, resulting in overall net sequestration of −177.3 MgC/year for the whole golf course, equivalent to −1.93 MgC/ha/year. The variability in the size, shape, and vegetation composition of different golf courses has a considerable impact on their net carbon balance, and the resultant environmental impact of sports facilities must be assessed on an individual basis.


Introduction: Mesenteric cysts are rare benign intra-abdominal vesicles with various clinical presentations. They almost located in the mesentery of the small intestine. The selective therapeutic method is complete surgical excision, however more than half need resection and bowel anastomosis. Case presentation: Here, we presented a 5-year-old girl with a huge mesenteric cyst (15×14cm2) mesenteric cyst that was excised surgically., which the diagnosis confirmed by computed tomography scan and managed through surgical excision. Conclusion: Acute abdominal pain may be due to the presence of mesenteric cysts, but it is not always possible to differentiate and diagnose it preoperatively, and this challenge especially exists in the case of bulky masses. it is recommended to choose primary radical, surgical treatment in case of intra-abdominal cystic mass in the pediatric age.


First experimental evidence of the high sensitivity of interferometric-probe based aberration targets on phaseshifting masks is presented. Measurements were made on an AIMS tool modified for NA = 0.2 with 150 μm imaging and 300 μm illumination pinholes to match an inadvertent 4× oversizing of the layout dimensions. Calibration of the actual NA (= 0.18) was accomplished through known phase-edge distances and comparison of images of isolated probes and large features with aerial image simulation. Even though only two-ring versions of the targets were measured the peak of the 90o central probe in the defocus target increased linearly with focus at a rate of 47% of the clear field per Rayleigh unit (RU) of defocus when measured over a ±1⁄2 RU interval about best focus. The focal position can be measured to within 1/40 RU and the prediction of best focus on an absolute basis agrees with that determined by the Strehl ratio to within 1/35 of a Rayleigh focal length. The two-ring spherical and higher-order spherical targets showed decent orthogonality to focus with changes in their central peak intensities of only 0.47 and 0.37 of that of the defocus target even when viewed at an NA 10% smaller than their design.


Eugene J. Aubert has been appointed U.S. Director of the IFYGL by the new U.S. lead agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the Department of Commerce. Aubert was formerly Director of Atmospheric Resources Management at the Center for Environment and Man in Hartford, Connecticut. Before that, he served as a Vice President of the Travelers Research Center, Inc., in Hartford.


Ensuring health care services for populations outside the mainstream health care system is challenging for all providers. But developing the health care infrastructure to better serve such unconnected individuals is critical to their health care status, to third-party payers, to overall cost savings in public health, and to reducing health disparities. Our increasingly sophisticated electronic technologies offer promising ways to more effectively engage this difficult to reach group and increase its access to health care resources. This process requires developing not only newer technologies but also collaboration between community leaders and health care providers to bring unconnected individuals into formal health care systems. We present three strategies to reach vulnerable groups, outline benefits and challenges, and provide examples of successful programs.


ABSTRACT This study examines the effect of controlled groundwater flow paths induced by hydraulic barriers on the removal of NAPL constituent. An aqueous solution of thickener [0.05% (w/v) sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, SCMC] was continuously injected into a horizontally set two-dimensional physical model (sand-packed), forming aqueous plume(s) of high viscosity. The water flux at the down gradient of the model was measured using a flux tracer (n-octanol) and passive flux meter (PFM, packs of granular activated carbon). A non-reactive tracer (pentafluorobenzoic acid, PFBA) was used to identify the plume of high viscosity (hydraulic barrier) and ambient groundwater. When the barrier of high viscosity was formed, the plume was separated from the background water with little mixing, which was confirmed by the concentration profile of PFBA; whereas, the measured flux of ambient groundwater showed a distinctive distribution, due to the hydraulic barrier. When two barriers were set, the ambient water flux was enhanced in the middle, and the removal rate of PCE from the non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL), measured by PFM, was found to improve by 26% during three hours of water flushing. When an aqueous solution of surfactant [0.37% (w/v), sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS] was applied instead of water into the domain with two barriers set around the NAPL-contaminated spot, the removal of PCE from the NAPL increased by 101% for a three-hour time period. Based on the observations made in this study, hydraulic barriers formed by continuous injection of thickener solution change the flow direction of groundwater, and may increase the flux of groundwater (or aqueous solution of remediation agent) through a NAPL-contaminated region, improving the removal of NAPL.


Fast pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass is considered to be a promising thermochemical route for the production of drop‐in fuels and valuable chemicals. During the past decades, a comprehensive understanding of feedstock structure, fast pyrolysis kinetics, product distribution, and transport effects that govern the process has allowed to design better pyrolysis reactors and/or catalysts. A variety of lignocellulosic biomass feedstocks, like corn stover, pinewood, poplar, and model compounds like glucose, xylan, monolignols have been utilized to study the thermal decomposition at or close to fast pyrolysis conditions. Significant progress has been made in understanding the kinetics by developing unique setups such as drop‐tube, PHASR, and micropyrolyzer reactors in combination with the use of advanced analytical techniques such as comprehensive gas and liquid chromatography (GC, LC) with time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer (TOF‐MS). This has led to initial intrinsic kinetic models for biomass and its main components, namely cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, validated using experimental setups where the effects of heat and mass transfer on the performance of the process, expressed using Biot and pyrolysis numbers, are adequately negligible. Yet, not all aspects of fast pyrolysis kinetics of biomass components are equally well understood. The use of time‐resolved or multiplexed experimental techniques can further improve our understanding of reaction intermediates and their corresponding kinetic mechanisms. The novel experimental data combined with first principles based multiscale models can reshape biomass pyrolysis models and transform biomass fast pyrolysis to a more selective and energy efficient process.


"Analyzing Opera: Verdi and Wagner" explores the latest developments in opera analysis by considering, side by side, the works of the two greatest opera composers of the nineteenth century. Although the juxtaposition is not new, comparative studies have tended to view these masters as radically different both as musicians and as musical dramatists. Wagner and his "symphonic opera" set against Verdi "the melodist" is one of many familiar antitheses, and it serves to highlight the particular terms from which comparisons are often made. In this book some of the leading and most innovative music scholars challenge this view, suggesting that as we become more distant from the nineteenth century, we may see that Verdi and Wagner confronted largely similar problems, and even on occasion found similar solutions.But more than this, "Analyzing Opera" sets out to demonstrate the richness and variety of modern analytical approaches to the genre. As the editors point out in their introduction, today's musical scholars increasingly question the usefulness of organicist theories in analytical studies, and, as they do so, opera seems to become an ever more central area of investigation. Opera is peculiar: its clash of verbal, musical, and visual systems can produce incongruities and extravagant miscalculations. It invites a multiplicity of approaches, challenges orthodoxy, and embraces ambiguity. The sheer variety of essays presented here is witness to this fact and suggests that analyzing opera is one of the liveliest (and most polemical) areas in modern-day musical scholarship.In addition to the editors, the contributors to the volume are Philip Gossett, John Deathridge, James A. Hepokoski, Joseph Kerman, Thomas S. Grey, Matthew Brown, Anthony Newcomb, Martin Chusid, David Lawton, and Patrick McCreless.


Hagel and Armstrong, in their 1997 book Net.gain, proclaim an approach for transforming people into avid and loyal customers who generate continuous revenue streams through the "power" of online community. However, current economic realities suggest that implementing commercially based online communities is not the economic savior for Internet businesses as suggested. More over, commercial online communities may be fraught with issues not encountered in the early years of online community development. This paper explores two of the issues, audience characteristics and business model alternatives, that must be considered before attempting to use online community as a customer loyalty and revenue building feature.


Regional soil moisture monitoring has always been a difficult point in many researches. The traditional point measurement and the large scale remote sensing monitoring are always unable to obtain information of medium and small scale regional soil moisture. As a new type of mesoscale soil moisture condition monitoring method, the cosmic ray neutron method can obtain the soil moisture information within 300 m radius of the source region, which covers the shortage of the point measuring method and remote sensing method. This study utilized cosmic ray neutron instrument (CRS) to constantly monitor soil moisture, and conducted the applicability research of cosmic ray neutron method in soil moisture monitoring. Results show high consistency of CRS and time domain reflectometer (TDR) measurements, the fitting degree is 0.847, the root mean square error is 0.020 kg/kg. Also, CRS is sensitive to precipitation, it can clearly show the increase of soil moisture under different conditions, while the sensitivity of TDR is relatively poor. This research can provide a reference for dynamic change monitoring of regional mesoscale soil moisture.


Loads on the suspensory ligament, deep digital flexor tendon, superficial digital flexor tendon, and long digital extensor tendon of the equine hind limb were determined in ponies by use of implanted strain gauges consisting of silicone rubber tubes filled with mercury. Recordings were made simultaneously with force plate measurements and high-speed film recordings while the ponies were walking. The relationship between strain gauge signals and tendon loads was obtained from tension-strain tests performed after death of the ponies. The suspensory ligament and the 2 digital flexor tendons were loaded during the stance phase, and the extensor tendon was loaded mainly during the swing phase. The loading pattern of the suspensory ligament, with peak loads of 4.6 N/kg of body weight, correlated well with the vertical component of the ground reaction force. Maximal loading of the deep digital flexor tendon was observed during the second half of the stance phase, with peak values of 6.7 N/kg. The superficial digital flexor tendon was loaded maximally at the beginning of the stance phase, with a peak load of 4.1 N/kg, and the long digital extensor tendon was loaded maximally during the swing phase, with a peak load of 0.3 N/kg. Recordings made from this procedure for calibration of the strain gauge signals to tendon load and tendon strain, in combination with the force plate measurements, enabled verification of the results by torque analysis of the lower portion of the hind limb, using the vector of the ground reaction force, limb conformation, and limb geometric configuration. Torque analysis of the lower extremity indicated that the determined tendon loads were in agreement with the recorded ground reaction forces.


Background This study investigates possible circularity in mechanisms of change in participants of Master Your Mood (MYM), a cognitive-based, online intervention for young adults with depressive symptoms. A previous study showed that MYM effectively reduced depression and anxiety and strengthened mastery. Method We randomized 244 participants with depressive symptoms into MYM or a wait-list control condition. We explored the circularity hypothesis by several analyses. Correlations were computed to determine the association between (change in) depression and anxiety. Path analysis mediation models were used to explore whether change in anxiety and mastery mediated the intervention effect on depression, whether depression and mastery mediated the effect on anxiety and whether depression and anxiety mediated the effect on mastery. We used linear regression to explore whether early changes in anxiety predicted later changes in depression, and whether early changes in depression predicted later changes in anxiety. Results Co-morbidity between depression and anxiety was high (69.2%) and the association between depression and anxiety change was strong (r = 0.677, p < 0.01). Changes in anxiety and mastery mediated change in depression (mediation proportion 44%); changes in depression mediated change in anxiety (79%) and mastery (75%). We did not find an early change in anxiety predictive for a late change in depression, and vice versa. Conclusions This study appears to confirm the hypothesized circularity in the recovery process. We found high co-morbidity and strong correlation between depression and anxiety levels and bi-directional relationships between potential mediators and outcomes. Early anxiety change scores were not predictive of late depression change scores, and vice versa.


According to increase in use frequency of computer simulation, the system is needed that classifies a large amount of these results into database and retrieves it. To classifies and retrieves simulation data, it is necessary to evaluate the similarity between characters of data. It has been reported that a method using "critical point graph (CPG)" as an index of data is effective in evaluating. However, a past method using CPG has a question of not corresponding to affine transformation of data. In this paper, we propose the evaluation method corresponding to affine transformation using CPG in two dimensional data. In proposal method, we normalize datasets by using principal component analysis. Actually using the proposal method, we evaluated the similarity between several data. From the result, one can safety state that this method is corresponding to affine transformation


At large-scale urban earthquake disaster, human search is the most important process in rescue activities. This research develops a parallel cable-driven robot focusing on information acquisition from sky at crushed structures at landslide caused by huge earthquake. This robot is driven by multiple cables to move a sensor head with 6 degrees of freedom. This paper proposes the concept of this new search system, and illustrates usefulness of the human body searching strategy by several experimental results.


This article examines the effect which the evolving system of European Economic government is having on national corporatist type deals. This is done by first outlining the institutional formation of European Economic government and second examining two case studies—one from Finland and one from Ireland.


The aim of this research was to improve the questioning skills of student using guided inquiry on reproductive system at class XI MIA 3 SMA Negeri 2 Surakarta. The research was class room action research that consist of 3 cycle s during March until May . Data was collected through observation, interviews, and documentation. V alidation was done by triangulation method and data analyze was describe qualitatively. The result of the research show s that the learning model significantly increased the posing question skills of student . Posing question skill s of student was measured by mapping the quantity of questions that student asked during the learning process. The quality of questions was determined based of revised Bloom Taxonomy. Quantity of student's question at cycle I, II, and III respectively was 275, 159, and 199 questions. Quality of student's question at cycle I, II, and III was identified at cognitive process dimension C1 until C6 of factual, conceptual, procedural, and metacognitive knowledge dimension. Student's question was still categorized in low order thinking skill (C1 and C2). However, during the cycle a few HOTS's questions (C3, C4, C5, C6) were also identified. Most of the questions were factual, conceptual, and procedural of Bloom's cognitive process dimension. Keywords: guided inquiry model, questioning skill , biology SMA


This paper analyzed the current situation of Anji Baicha Tea industry development and proposed corresponding measures for comprehensive scientific survey, the implementation of tea plantation certificate system,construction of ecological tea plantation and beautiful countryside, promoting the intensive research and development,promoting high quality and efficiency, enhancing the administration awareness, supervision of quality and safety management, organization of brand marketing and establishing the public brand. Based on the constraints like market irregularities, limited marketing and cultural brand building, it put forward some strategies and suggestions for the sustainable development of Anji Baicha Tea industry, such as improving market constructing, accelerating the development of e-commerce, promoting the standardization of the whole process, improving the certifying of agricultural practices and strengthening the public brandto promote the sustainable development of the Anji Baicha Tea industry.


The relationship between physicians and nurses in the delivery of anesthesia care is politically and financially charged, and hotly debated. Against this backdrop, federal regulators have proposed dropping a Medicare requirement that nurse anesthetists be supervised by a physician. Proponents note that the new regulations would resolve inconsistencies between Medicare supervisory requirements and state law, while opponents voice concerns for patient safety. This Issue Brief describes the current controversy, and summarizes a newly published study that suggests differences in patient outcomes depending on the nature and level of anesthesiologist involvement in surgical care.


Researchers introduced a constant center of mass walking, mainly to solve the ZMP equations analytically for center of mass trajectories in the x and y directions (case 1). In this paper, case 2 proposes that if pelvis is made constant instead, energy usage could be reduced particularly at the leg joints. CoM-based kinematics methods are used to realize each case. Walking simulations of 0.22km/h are utilized for observations. In the simulation results, case 2 consumed almost 12% less in total energy consumption (electrical and mechanical) compared to case 1.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the mandibular foramen (MF) position in relation to other bony landmarks on the mandibular ramus (MR) to better understand the anatomical landmark during the ramus surgery.

MATERIAL AND METHOD
Ninety-two adult mandibles were studied by measuring four linear parameters: AB, the distance from the posterior limit of the MF (point A) to the posterior border of the MR (point B), BC, the MR width (Point C was located at the anterior border of the MR), DE, the distance from the lingula tip (the highest and the most anterior limit of the MF) (point D) to the mandibular notch (point E), and the MR height (EF, point F was located at the mandibular inferior border). Lines BC and EF were drawn through points A and D and parallel to the inferior and posterior borders of the mandible, respectively. These measurements were analyzed to determine the mean parameters related to the MF location.

RESULTS
The mean lengths of AB, BC, DE, and EF were 12.7 ± 2.3, 35.0 ± 4.0, 17.5 ± 3.5, and 52.7 ± 5.2 mm, respectively. The ratios between AB/BC and DE/EF were 0.36 ± 0.05 and 0.33 ± 0.05, respectively. This study indicated that the MF located slightly anterior to the posterior third of the MR width and at the superior third of the MR height.

CONCLUSION
Anatomical consideration of this area is useful to prevent neurovascular injury when performing the bony cut made in a ramus osteotomy; however, pre-operative examinations with appropriate radiographic analysis are also recommended.


Both co-cultivation and co-substrate addition strategies have exhibited massive potential in microalgae-based antibiotic bioremediation. In this study, glucose and sodium acetate were employed as co-substrate in the cultivation of microalgae-bacteria consortium for enhanced sulfadiazine (SDZ) and sulfamethoxazole (SMX) removal. Glucose demonstrated a two-fold increase in biomass production with a maximum specific growth rate of 0.63±0.01 d-1 compared with sodium acetate. The supplementation of co-substrate enhanced the degradation of SDZ significantly up to 703±18% for sodium acetate and 290±22% for glucose, but had almost no effect on SMX. The activities of antioxidant enzymes, including peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase decreased with co-substrate supplementation. Chlorophyll a was associated with protection against sulfonamides and chlorophyll b might contribute to SDZ degradation. The addition of co-substrates influenced bacterial community structure greatly. Glucose enhanced the relative abundance of Proteobacteria, while sodium acetate improved the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes significantly.


Let P(t) be an n × n (complex) exponentially parameterized pentadiagonal matrix. In this article, using a theorem of Akian, Bapat, and Gaubert, we present explicit formulas for asymptotics of the moduli of the eigenvalues of P(t) as t → ∞. Our approach is based on exploiting the relation with tropical algebra and the weighted digraphs of matrices. We prove that this asymptotics tends to a unique limit or two limits. Also, for n − 2 largest magnitude eigenvalues of P(t) we compute the asymptotics as n → ∞, in addition to t. When P(t) is also symmetric, these formulas allow us to compute the asymptotics of the 2‐norm condition number. The number of arithmetic operations involved, does not depend on n. We illustrate our results by some numerical tests.