Abstract. Downdrafts and cold pool characteristics for strong mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) and isolated, unorganized deep precipitating convection are analyzed using multi-instrument data from the DOE Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) GoAmazon2014/5 campaign. Increases in column water vapor (CWV) are observed leading convection, with higher CWV preceding MCSs than for isolated cells. For both MCSs and isolated cells, increases in wind speed, decreases in surface moisture and temperature, and increases in relative humidity occur coincidentally with system passages. Composites of vertical velocity data and radar reflectivity from a radar wind profiler show that the downdrafts associated with the sharpest decreases in surface equivalent potential temperature (θe) have a probability of occurrence that increases with decreasing height below the freezing level. Both MCSs and unorganized convection show similar mean downdraft magnitudes and probabilities with height. Mixing computations suggest that, on average, air originating at heights greater than 3 km must undergo substantial mixing, particularly in the case of isolated cells, to match the observed cold pool θe, implying a low typical origin level. Precipitation conditionally averaged on decreases in surface equivalent potential temperature (Δθe) exhibits a strong relationship because the most negative Δθe values are associated with a high probability of precipitation. The more physically motivated conditional average of Δθe on precipitation shows that decreases in θe level off with increasing precipitation rate, bounded by the maximum difference between surface θe and its minimum in the profile aloft. Robustness of these statistics observed across scales and regions suggests their potential use as model diagnostic tools for the improvement of downdraft parameterizations in climate models.


Abstract. Rainfall is a major driver for dryland wheat yields across Australia. Many authors have covered issues such as rainfall trends in Australia, and much of this information has been reviewed and updated in recent years in relation to the Millennium drought and associated concerns about climate change. However, despite a long history of work relating rainfall to grain yields, there has been no overall historical review of attempts at predictive methods and their reliability. Although many of these attempts have now been abandoned or revised, and science has moved in different directions, a review is useful to identify historical patterns and to recognise recurring themes. This might lead to new science questions and a re-appreciation of older findings. The aim of this study is therefore to review the overall literature on this topic, provide a historical timeline, and summarise the achievements and any remaining research questions. The early use of climatic data in Australia was to categorise existing and likely areas for production, with production, not surprisingly, being the emphasis. The search for a crop or climatic index was possibly initiated in an attempt to understand or simplify the complex relationships between crops and the environment. No single index has proved universally applicable, but some acceptance of early growing-season rains as an indicator seems common. The development of complex climatic models, and the availability of quality data for agricultural systems models, has allowed further quantification of the relationship between crops and climate, especially on a seasonal basis. There is little doubt that the relationship between the climatic southern oscillation phenomenon and seasonal rainfall patterns in Australia is important, but its absolute definition remains elusive. From a producer's perspective, relationships between rainfall at specific (indicator) periods and seasonal or annual rainfall, as appropriate to specific crops, would be useful simple indicators because many farmers already maintain their own rainfall records.


The prevalence of systems development project failures has been well documented. eXtreme Programming (XP) is a software development methodology that seeks to eliminate many of the shortcomings of cumbersome life cycle oriented traditional methodologies. We explore some of the basic tenets of XP and Agile methodologies and present the thoughts of two of the proponents and early participants in the "Agile revolution", Chet Hendrickson and Ron Jeries. We analyze this interview utilizing an interpretive field study employing a hermeneutical circle technique. Our analysis suggests some of the characteristics of XP implementations are more critical than others. We propose a more concrete definition of what XP represents and suggest areas for future research.


Introduction: End-of-Rotation Forms (EORFs) assess resident progress in graduate medical education and are a major component of Clinical Competency Committee (CCC) discussion. Single-institution studies suggest EORFs can detect deficiencies, but both grades and comments skew positive. In this study, we sought to determine whether the EORFs from three programs, including multiple specialties and institutions, produced useful information for residents, program directors, and CCCs. Methods: Evaluations from three programs were included (Program 1, Institution A, Internal Medicine: n = 38; Program 2, Institution A, Anesthesia: n = 9; Program 3, Institution B, Anesthesia: n = 11). Two independent researchers coded each written comment for relevance (specificity and actionability) and orientation (praise or critical) using a standardized rubric. Numeric scores were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: 4869 evaluations were collected from the programs. Of the 77,434 discrete numeric scores, 691 (0.89%) were considered "below expected level." 71.2% (2683/3767) of the total written comments were scored as irrelevant, while 3217 (85.4%) of total comments were scored positive and 550 (14.6%) were critical. When combined, 63.2% (n = 2379) of comments were scored positive and irrelevant while 6.5% (n = 246) were scored critical and relevant. Discussion: <1% of comments indicated below average performance; >70% of comments scored irrelevant. Critical, relevant comments were least frequently observed, consistent across all 3 programs. The low rate of constructive feedback and the high rate of irrelevant comments are inadequate for a CCC to make informed decisions. The consistency of these findings across programs, specialties, and institutions suggests both local and systemic changes should be considered.


This article discusses manufacturers of unmanned aerial vehicles, convex and stochastic programming, quantile optimization in economy are reviewed. Problem of budget allocation for promotion of engineering products is defined and solved in two variants: deterministic formulation, when a company is new and has not its own statistic data, and, otherwise, stochastic formulation. These problems were solved using methods of optimization theory and theory of stochastic systems such as simplex method, successive quadratic programming, and confidence method. Optimization model of budget allocation for promotion of unmanned aerial vehicles has been developed which optimizes budget for innovative engineering products.


Road Engineering Association of Malaysia (REAM) gazetted traffic impact Assessment (TIA) Guidelines in 2011. TIA is a systematic and scientific process used as early identification to analyse the traffic impacts generated by a development and control with necessary mitigation measures. This study aims to identify level of knowledge of the Approving Authority in the practice of TIA report submission by questionnaire distribution and the data collected is analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software. This research study focuses on the Approving Authority because of their involvement in the evaluation of TIA report and approval of planning proposal. Lacking of knowledge in TIA understanding will cause ineffectiveness in the TIA implementation. Hence, the scope for this research is the local authorities and the Public Work Department in the state of Johor, Malaysia. This will contribute to the significant of the understanding of the Approving Authority in the practice of TIA and to determine any improvements required to effectively implementing TIA in all stages. This study shows obvious differences between the level of knowledge state PWD (95%) and the local authority (51%) that hinders the intention to have the local authority to act as the Approving Authority in TIA.


Ultrasound is an imaging modality utilized for early detection and follow-up of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in infants. Traditionally, pediatric orthopedic surgeons have relied on radiologists to perform ultrasound examinations and interpret the imaging. Today, however, many orthopedic surgeons are performing and interpreting ultrasound themselves. The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the reliability of pediatric orthopedic surgeons in interpreting ultrasound imaging of infant hips. This was a prospective observational pilot study. After reading an instructional handout about the Graf method of hip ultrasonography, eight pediatric orthopedic surgeons measured 28 hip ultrasound images to determine the alpha angle and percent femoral head coverage. On the basis of cited intraclass correlation coefficient cutoff values, interrater reliability was found to be 'good' for percent femoral head coverage and 'fair' for alpha angle. These findings are equivalent to findings of similar studies using radiologists as examiners. Pediatric orthopedic surgeons can interpret ultrasound exams for diagnosing DDH.


The purpose of this study is to develop a strategy for investment in power generation technologies in the future given the uncertainties in climate policy and fuel prices. First, such studies are commonly conducted using deterministic methods which assume a given likelihood of the carbon and gas price levels. In this study a probabilistic approach is used to address these uncertainties. Secondly, capacity expansion models conventionally apply average estimates to predict the amount of power that each generator will produce based on the technology chosen. I propose an alternate method which determines the actual generation hour-by-hour of a generator. Using this method, I also capture the variability of wind generation across the year. To accomplish this goal, I used the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) as a case study. I investigated the effect of different scenarios of generation technology investments projected over a period of twenty years. I conducted two sets of analyses; first assuming that Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies will be available after 2020, then assuming that they will not. Using a dispatch model, I simulated the hours of a load duration curve for 2020 and 2030. In the first period 2010-2020, I assumed the price of carbon to either be $0 or $50/ton CO 2. In the second period, I take the carbon price to be at either a low of $25/ton of CO 2 or a high of $100/ton of CO2 . The price of natural gas used was either a high of $15/MMBtu or a low of $3/MMBtu in both periods. Using a Monte Carlo, I sample the wind generation based on the season and the time of day. The system costs with the new investment scenarios were then evaluated in a decision tree to establish the socially optimal solution. I find that the optimal strategy to be taken today depends on the availability of CCS technologies in 2030. Assuming that there is CCS in 2030, the more dominant strategy would be to build natural gas generators today. If we assume that there is no CCS in 2030, the strategy would depend on the probabilities of the levels of gas and carbon prices in 2020. Thesis Supervisor: Mort D. Webster, Assistant Professor, Engineering Systems Division


. Attracting investment is currently a top issue for Vietnam in general and localities in particular, especially attracting capital flows from large firms in high-tech, eco-friendly industries, toward a green economy and sustainable development. So, this research is conducted to attract investment effectively from large firms, based on the determinants that influence business investment decisions. The study carried out 226 survey samples of large non-state firms in Vietnam, using the EFA test and linear regression. The results reveal that investing in Vietnam is the right decision, and supporting services have the largest influence, followed by human resources, geographic infrastructure, input costs, and market, respectively. Based on the findings, some recommendations are proposed for localities to improve their investment environment and efficiency in order to attract strategic investors and meet the province's sustainable development orientation.


A method for rapid, mass-efficient deposition of highly crystalline organic films under near ambient conditions of pressure and temperature is reported based on delivery of an organic precursor via an impinging gas jet to a substrate coated by a thin liquid solvent layer. Films of the organic semiconductor tetracene were deposited by sublimation into a flow of argon carrier gas directed at an indium-tin-oxide/glass substrate coated by a thin layer of bis(2-ethylhexyl)sebecate, and growth was followed in situ with optical microscopy. A fluid dynamics model is applied to account for the gas phase transport and aggregation, and the results compared to experiment. The combination of gas jet delivery with an organic-vapor-liquid-solid growth mechanism leads to larger crystals and lower nucleation densities than on bare surfaces, with markedly different nucleation and growth kinetics. An explanation based on enhanced solution-phase diffusivity and a larger critical nucleus size in the liquid layer is proposed t...


In this stimulating volume, Stephen M. Krason considers whether the Founding Fathers' vision of the American democratic republic has been transformed and if so, in what ways. He looks to the basic principles of the Founding Fathers, then discusses the changes that resulted from evolving contemporary expectations about government. Referencing philosophical principles and the work of great Western thinkers, Krason then explores a variety of proposals that could forge a foundation for restoration. Acknowledging that any attempt to revive the Founders' views on a democratic republic must start in the public sphere, Krason focuses on concerned citizens who are aware of the extent to which our current political structures deviate from the Founders' vision and want to take action. Ultimately, a democratic republic can exist, be sustained, and flourish only when there is a deep commitment to it in the minds and norms of its people. Written by a foremost authority in the field of US Constitutional law, this book will appeal to those interested in American history, society, and politics.


The results of surgical treatment of 79 children with supraventricular and ventricular tachyarrhythmias refractory to medical therapy gained at the Bakulev Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery are presented in this paper. In some patients tachycardia was associated with congenital heart disease. The goal of this study was: 1. To analyse surgical results in children with different variants of such congenital cardiac pathology as pre-excitation syndrome. 2. To substantiate possible radical elimination of uncommon variants of tachyarrhythmias.


Twenty‐nine patients with stage II endometrial carcinoma were reviewed and the possible risk factors involved in stage II disease are presented. Twenty‐four patients received external irradiation as part of their treatment with or without intracavitary or intravaginal radium and/or TAH BSO. The 5‐year actuarial survival in our series was 81.4%. The data showed that preoperative external irradiation can be effectively administered without undue complication. A strong argument against the traditional use of preoperative intracavitary radium is presented. Preoperative external irradiation administered with a 4‐field box technique to deliver a minimum dose of 5000 rad in 5–6 weeks to all of the structures at risk is the recommended treatment for stage II endometrial carcinoma.


Abstract Fulminant myocarditis is a severe cardiac emergency that may lead to death if effective cardiopulmonary supports are not provided. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic predictors in patients with fulminant myocarditis. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics, complications, laboratory findings, treatments, as well as electrocardiographic and echocardiographic data of 73 consecutive subjects diagnosed with fulminant myocarditis from June 2012 to June 2016. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent predictive factors of nonsurvivor fulminant myocarditis. Ten patients and 63 patients were assigned to the nonsurvivor and survivor fulminant myocarditis groups, respectively. Patients in the nonsurvivor fulminant myocarditis group had higher heart rates; were more likely to develop clinical complications and supraventricular tachycardia (SVT); and had higher serum creatinine (Scr) level, and had higher white blood cell (WBC) counts, and lower abbreviated estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) than the patients in the survivor fulminant myocarditis group. Moreover, we observed larger left atrium dimension (LAd), larger left ventricular end systolic dimensions, and lower left ventricular ejection fraction in the patients from the nonsurvivor fulminant myocarditis group than in those from the other group. A logistic regression model was constructed and demonstrated that eGFR and LAd were 2 independent predictors of mortality in patients with fulminant myocarditis. Higher heart rates, higher incidences of clinical complication, SVT, higher admission levels of Scr and eGFR, higher WBC counts, higher Scr and eGFR at stage of most severe renal damage, and abnormal echocardiographic findings were associated with high risk of mortality in patients with fulminant myocarditis. The major finding was that eGFR and LAd were independent predictors for in-hospital mortality in patients with fulminant myocarditis.


Here, we report by first-principles calculations one new stable 2D Dirac material, Ta2Se3 monolayer. For this system, stable layered bulk phase exists, and exfoliation should be possible. Ta2Se3 monolayer is demonstrated to support two Dirac points close to the Fermi level, achieving the exotic 2D double Dirac semimetal. And like 2D single Dirac and 2D node-line semimetals, spin-orbit coupling could introduce an insulating state in this new class of 2D Dirac semimetals. Moreover, the Dirac feature in this system is layer-dependent and a metal-to-insulator transition is identified in Ta2Se3 when reducing the layer-thickness from bilayer to monolayer. These findings are of fundamental interests and of great importance for nanoscale device applications.


British traveller S(usannah) H(enrietta) Kent's travelogues Gath to the Cedars (1874) and Within the Arctic Circle (1877) depict both spatial and figurative peripheries, constructed from a centre which enforces power over what is seen and reported. Kent's position as an imperial subject is visible in both texts in processes of Othering, and a further similarity between the travelogues is found in instances of reciprocity; when the encountered people gaze back, Kent takes recourse to both textual and physical strategies to regain control. Other representations of acts of seeing, however, reveal differences in how the destinations are discursively constructed. Itineraries and depictions of the East are determined by the Bible as a textual filter, and elevated views indicate the traveller's figurative control. The North is presented as an example of progressive modernity and despite following discursive practices when narrating sublime, picturesque and contained views, Kent's aim is to present the area as welcome to all. The oscillation between traveller and tourist, evident in Kent's descriptions as well as in her travelling persona, sheds light on both opportunities for and limitations to the writing of a travelogue towards the end of the nineteenth century.


Malaria has remained one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in most developing countries. Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) had been adopted for the management of the disease. This study evaluated the effects of therapeutic doses of artesunate + amodiaquine and dihydroartemisnin + piperaquine on the liver, kidney and spleen of mice infected with Plasmodium berghei. Sixty adult mice of eight weeks old with average weight of 22.5 ± 5.5 g were randomly divided into six groups of ten animals each. Plasmodium berghei was inoculated into the mice and observed for seven days, followed by three days oral administration of therapeutic doses of artesunate + amodiaquine (AA periportal inflammatory cells, haemopoietic precursor cells, haemozoin pigmentation in the liver of the infected untreated and treated groups. The spleen showed haemozoin pigments, loss of the typical structure of the germinal centre, apoptotic lymphocytes with tinged macrophages, megakaryocytes and haemopoietic precursor cells in the infected untreated and treated groups. Inflammation of the renal pelvis was found in the kidney of the infected untreated group and the group treated with dihydroartemisinin + piperaquine. Cytoplasmic vacuolation was found in the liver after 28 days follow-up. Malaria infection and treatment with artesunate + amodiaquine (A&A) and dihydroartemisinin + piperaquine caused reversible damages to the liver, spleen and kidney. Keywords : Malaria, Artemisinin, Liver, Spleen, Kidney, Plasmodium berghei


The paper analyses access to documents in cartel- based damages cases from the EU and Croatian perspective. It considers all relevant EU and Croatian legislation and case-law primarily focusing on the expected impact of the newly enacted Damages Directive. It is argued that the new rules on access to documents provided by the Directive will not necessarily have a significant impact on damages proceedings following cartel decisions issued by the Commission. This is due to the introduction of an absolute ban on the disclosure of leniency statements and settlement submissions via a 'maximum harmonization' rule. This conclusion is drawn from statistic figures showing that EU cartel enforcement rests solely on the leniency and settlement procedures. With that in mind, it is concluded that the Directive's general, permissive rules on access to documents (other than leniency and settlement procedures) will not be applicable in most damages cases following the cartel infringement decision issued by the Commission. However, it is also observed that the Damages Directive's new rules on access to documents may have the opposite impact on private enforcement in cases following infringement decisions issued by National Competition Authorities (NCAs) which do not rely as much on leniency in their fight against cartels as the Commission. The Directive's general rule on access to documents will apply in urisdictions such as Croatia, where all of its cartel decisions so far have been reached within the regular procedure. It is argued that the general access rule, coupled with other rules strengthening the position of claimants in antitrust damages proceedings, might actually be beneficial for both public and private enforcement in such jurisdictions.


Endothelin-1 (ET-1), a potent vasoactive peptide, was first isolated from cultured porcine endothelial cells. Subsequent studies revealed the existence of two additional related peptides, ET-2 and ET-3, and at least two distinct ET-receptor subtypes, ETA (selective for ET-1) and ETB (nonselective for ET isopeptides). These isopeptides and receptors are widely distributed in many tissues and are involved in numerous biological responses. The aim of this study was to identify the eventual distribution of the two distinct endothelin-receptor subtypes in isolated endothelium-denuded rat portal vein rings (PVRs) and strips (PVSs). BQ-123 (0.6, 1, and 6 microM) and PD-145065 (0.06, 0.1, 0.6, and 6 microM) were used to differentiate the subtypes because they are selective antagonists for ETA and nonselective antagonists for ETA-ETB receptors, respectively. To characterize the ET receptors further, sarafotoxin-S6c (a selective ETB-receptor agonist) and IRL-1038 (a selective ETB-receptor antagonist) were used. In PVRs, cumulative additions of ET-1 (0.1-100 nM) caused graded and slow contractions and potentiated spontaneous rhythmic contractions. The EC50 values and maximal response to 100 nM of ET-1 were 2.72 nM and 0.75 g, respectively (n = 7). PVSs showed ET-1 EC50 values very similar to those of PVRs, but Emax values to 100 nM of ET-1 were significantly lower (Emax = 0.33 g; n = 7). Moreover, ET-1 clearly increased the amplitude and frequency of spontaneous contractions in both types of specimens, although these were greater in the PVSs. Thirty-minute incubation with the selective ETA-receptor antagonist BQ-123 blunted ET-1-induced effects in PVS specimens but only weakly antagonized ET-1-induced contractions in PVRs. In contrast, the nonselective ETA-ETB-receptor antagonist PD-145065 significantly shifted the ET-1 concentration-response curve to the right in PVRs and partially inhibited ET-1 effects in PVSs. Moreover, sarafotoxin-S6c (0.1-100 nM) contracted PVRs and PVSs in a similar manner to ET-1; its effects were antagonized by IRL-1038 only at the PVR level. The differences observed in PVR and PVS specimens in response to agonists and antagonists of ET confirmed the great heterogeneity of endothelin-sarafotoxin receptors. In our experimental models, functionally ETB-like (or non-ETA) receptors seem mostly to mediate vasoconstriction.


Background This study aims to identify any effect of frailty in altering the risk of death or poor outcome already associated with receipt of organ support on ICU. It also aims to assess the performance of mortality prediction models in frail patients. Methods All admissions to a single ICU over 1-year were prospectively allocated a Clinical Frailty Score (CFS). Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the effect of frailty on death or poor outcome (death/discharge to a medical facility). Logistic regression analysis, area under the Receiver Operator Curve (AUROC) and Brier scores were used to investigate the ability of two mortality prediction models, ICNARC and APACHE II, to predict mortality in frail patients. Results Of 849 patients, 700 (82%) patients were not frail, and 149 (18%) were frail. Frailty was associated with a stepwise increase in the odds of death or poor outcome (OR for each point rise of CFS = 1.23 ([1.03–1.47]; p = .024) and 1.32 ([1.17–1.48]; p = <.001) respectively). Renal support conferred the greatest odds of death and poor outcome, followed by respiratory support, then cardiovascular support (which increased the odds of death but not poor outcome). Frailty did not modify the odds already associated with organ support. The mortality prediction models were not modified by frailty (AUROC p = .220 and .437 respectively). Inclusion of frailty into both models improved their accuracy. Conclusions Frailty was associated with increased odds of death and poor outcome, but did not modify the risk already associated with organ support. Inclusion of frailty improved mortality prediction models.


We present a physics-based prediction of the progressive VTH shift on fabricated Si:HfO2-FeFETs during Incremental Step Pulse Programming, with the help of our in-house, hardware-validated FeFET compact model. Our study confirms that the depolarization field across the FE layer strongly constrains the retained polarization in the gate stack after the programming waveform stops, which constitutes a fundamental, self-limiting effect on the attainable memory window in multidomain FeFETs. An extensive sensitivity study based on the model suggests that for a 9.5 nm-thick FE layer, decreasing the mean negative coercive field from −1.0 MV/cm to −1.5 MV/cm improves the MW from 0.75 V to 1.07 V, thus effectively alleviating detrimental impact of the depolarization field.


The mode of action of i.v. injected ketanserin, LY 53857 and other 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT2) receptor antagonists in lowering blood pressure was examined in anesthetized and pithed spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). In pithed SHR, LY 53857 (1 mg kg-1) had no effect on alpha-1 or alpha-2 adrenoceptors, but ketanserin (1 mg kg-1) had some potency as an alpha-1 adrenoceptor antagonist, being approximately 100 times less potent than prazosin. Both ketanserin and LY 53857 (0.01 mg kg-1) markedly antagonized the pressor response to 5-HT. In pentobarbitone-anesthetized SHR, ketanserin and LY 53857 (1 mg kg-1) were equieffective at lowering diastolic blood pressure (DBP) subsequent to prazosin (1 mg kg-1), although ketanserin (1 mg kg-1) was more effective at lowering DBP in the absence of prazosin. The blood pressure lowering effects of LY 53857 were unaffected by the peripherally acting 5-HT2 receptor antagonist BW 501C. Neither LY 53857 nor ketanserin lowered DBP in pithed rats. It is concluded that ketanserin in high doses lowers DBP in anesthetized SHR partly by alpha-1 adrenoceptor blockade, but that ketanserin and LY 53857 in high doses have additional blood pressure lowering properties, unrelated to peripheral 5-HT2 receptor blockade.


Aim: The most important mission of Healthcare systems is to deliver safe, efficient, and high-quality patient care. Manpower is the key pillar in achieving this goal. Studies show that newly graduated nurses do not have sufficient clinical competence to care for patients. This study aimed to explore the reasons for inadequate competence of newly graduated nurses. Method: The present study is a qualitative study. Participants in this study were 30 individuals, including nursing students, newly graduates nurses, nursing faculties, clinical nurses, nursing managers and deputies for the education of nursing schools who were selected by purposeful sampling method. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The data collection continued to data saturation. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis in MAXQDA 10 software. Results: Three main categories emerged as reasons for the inadequate clinical competency in the newly graduated nurses i.e. inefficient mechanism of student recruitment, ineffective education, and gloomy outlook for the nursing profession. Conclusion: Training qualified clinical nurses is a dynamic process that requires enrolling the appropriate individuals, preparing a suitable infrastructure to train, training them effectively, providing in-service training, and providing the necessary motivation for professional development in the health care settings.


The effect of applying a high-frequency small-volume sinusoidal oscillation at the airway was investigated in anesthetized apneic beagle dogs (mean wt 11 kg, mean VDphys 6.6 +/- 0.6 ml/kg). Oscillations generated by a piston in a cylinder were transmitter to the lungs through an uncuffed endotracheal tube (4.5 mm ID, 6.0 mm OD), which allowed a substantial leak back through the vocal cords. A bias flow of fresh gas presented inspired air to the midtracheal level. The minimum distal airway pressure (measured at the end of the endotracheal tube) was maintained between 0 and 2 cmH2O. Peak airway pressures were 4-8 cmH2O. The optimal frequency for CO2 elimination was 15 Hz. Using volumes of 1.9 ml/kg (range 1.7-2.3) at this frequency the mean PaCO2 was 33.1 +/- 0.5 Torr. In four dogs breathing 100% O2 the PaO2 was 594 +/- 9 Torr during spontaneous ventilation and 580 +/- 9 Torr after 5 h of uninterrupted oscillation. In four experiments using room air the PaO2 was 95 +/- 5 Torr during spontaneous respiration and 106 +/- 1 Torr after 5 h of oscillation. In an additional seven studies there was no difference in mean cardiac output between oscillation and conventional mechanical ventilation. This study demonstrates that high-frequency small-volume oscillations can maintain gas exchange for many hours presumably by markedly enhancing the diffusivity of gases in the lung.


Background and purpose: Establishing multi-professional, interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral teams are presently regarded as a preferred strategy to address complex problems within person-centred services in health and social care. In Norway, successive governments have initiated the establishment of teams locally. However, despite national support for establishing teams, the local implementation remains a challenge. The purpose of this paper is to cast light on the piloting of two team organisations recently proposed by national health authorities to ease the co-work taking place in local multi-professional and inter-sectoral teams in health and social services. The analytical model used is presented by Reeves et al, (2009) and is a generic approach to factors that promote/prevent successful teamwork. Theory/Methods: National policies are developed within silos and local governments and are designed as solutions to the inherent tensions of often inconsistent demands from users, services and health authorities. The analyses, thus, will use organisation theory to address the question of firstly, why teams are implemented locally (e.g. Thompson, 1964, Stabell and Fjeldstad, 1996). Secondly, the question of how teams are organised (e.g. Axelsson and Axelsson, 2009; Berlin et al, 2009; Reeves et al 2009, Ovretveit, 1996). The paper is based on mixed methods; document studies, a survey and interviews are reanalysed to synthesise findings about contextual, organisational, processual and relational factors determining the implementation of teams locally. Findings and discussion: Findings indicate that it is difficult to establish generalised knowledge about factors determining the success of teams. Contextual factors are important especially in the matrix type of organisation, which create challenges of authority and autonomy. Teams may be "wedged" into a crowded service field, adding to the coordination problems they are supposed to reduce. Organisational factors separate particularly between cross-functional teams (members working mostly in their mother services) and multidisciplinary teams (members working full time in teams), the latter being more efficient in their internal work. Processual factors are particularly about the number of tasks and degree of complexity in work tasks: a high number of tasks and the more complex these tasks are, the less likely it is that the team manage to reach their goals. Relational factors deal mostly with the cooperation between representatives from different professions.  The intention to work in non-hierarchical work settings is important, especially for the development of new roles and knowledge about team work.       Conclusions: In the context of Norwegian local health and welfare system, the "wedging" of teams into crowded service fields calls for clear leadership roles in teams as well as mother organisations. Routines for devolving authority for team members to actually engage in teamwork should be established, and knowledge about teamwork should be developed and distributed among relevant staff and team members to create roles efficient for teamwork. Limitations/suggestions for future research: Data reanalysed for the purpose of this paper does not capture the whole picture of teamwork.  Future research should use an explorative design and more ethnographic methods.


Abstract. In South and Southeast Asia, postharvest loss causes material waste of up to 66% in fruits and vegetables, 30% in oilseeds and pulses, and 49% in roots and tubers. The efficiency of postharvest equipment directly affects industrial-scale food production. To enhance current processing methods and devices, it is essential to analyze the responses of food materials under loading operations. Food materials undergo different types of mechanical loading during postharvest and processing stages. Therefore, it is important to determine the properties of these materials under different types of loads, such as tensile, compression, and indentation. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the available literature on the tensile properties of different food samples. The aim of this review was to categorize the available methods of tensile testing for agricultural crops and food materials to investigate an appropriate sample size and tensile test method. The results were then applied to perform tensile tests on pumpkin flesh and peel samples, in particular on arc-sided samples at a constant loading rate of 20 mm min -1 . The results showed the maximum tensile stress of pumpkin flesh and peel samples to be 0.535 and 1.45 MPa, respectively. The elastic modulus of the flesh and peel samples was 6.82 and 25.2 MPa, respectively, while the failure modulus values were 14.51 and 30.88 MPa, respectively. The results of the tensile tests were also used to develop a finite element model of mechanical peeling of tough-skinned vegetables. However, to study the effects of deformation rate, moisture content, and texture of the tissue on the tensile responses of food materials, more investigation needs to be done in the future.


THIS essay was stimulated by Aubouin's Geosynclines 1 which is already established as an important work. While the title is general, Aubouin's main contribution is to study the tectonic development of the Alpine system in Europe, with special reference to the Hellenides. In this respect an important synthesis has been provided, relating the sedimentation and structure of the Alps proper to the Apennines and especially the Dinarides. From this basis the author generalizes on geosyncllnes and their tectonic significance. Since one object of the study appears to be to establish or re-establish the Alps as the type geosyncline, it may be useful to attempt a resume of the author's thesis as it concerns Europe, before discussing the wider implications raised. The book is certainly an invaluable survey of alpine literature.


ABSTRACT Approximately 5%–10% of common bile duct (CBD) stones cannot be removed by conventional methods because of altered anatomy. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotomy has been cited as a viable alternative. A 69-year-old woman with a history of Roux-en-Y was found to have a lesion obstructing the CBD. A cholangioscope was advanced through a percutaneous transhepatic sheath and demonstrated an obstructing stone in the CBD that was removed with lithotripsy. The rate of successful stone removal with percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotomy is 90%, with complication rates similar to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and is an option in patients with altered surgical anatomy.


The idea that ideologies present to us a rationality for making decisions, for getting things done, allows us to avoid the agony of choosing one world or another as a finite being, allows us to forget that it is we ourselves who must do and thus who are also to be done. Due to the work of having to live a human life with others who do not agree with us and will never be our servants, we are all ready to give up responsibilities to the political saviour; already this one presents to ourselves the One and only. By examining our private and picayune dogmatisms, we might gain some insight into why we are ever so often willing to become public fascists. We might well object to being objected to. Along with this, we are also objects in a world of objects. This is routine when compared to the dialectical intersubjectivity of voicing an objection in a throng of objections, of questioning the objectionable in a questionable politics. It is the very mundanity of acquiescence that dulls us to the danger pedestal-dwelling ideologies still represent.


In experiments with rats and mice irradiated with doses of 5 and 8.5 Gy respectively, the radioprotective properties of a coordination combination Co(III) with bioactive ligands have been investigated by the results of the hematological analysis, the indices of erythrocyte and leucocyte electric conductivity, average life, survival rate, and beta coefficient showing a probability of protecting the organism against fatal effect of ionizing radiation. The preparation has either therapeutic or protective action depending on the animal species and radiation dose.


Two consecutive analytical tools are presented here: MaPA ( Map of Audiovisual Performance) and EdiPA ( Audiovisual Performance Edition ). I introduce these tools as a possible way of organizing and representing the content of music videos as primary sources of analysis. Both tools aim at understanding the interrelationsof the trinomial text-sound-image which is fundamental to the interaction between musical performance and its context. The construction of a MaPA begins with the selection of isolated photograms or a sequence of photograms extracted from a video with the intention to show the relationships between music and staging elements (facial expressions, larger body gestures, props, lighting, camera effects, image manipulation, filming techniques etc.). The EdiPA is built to graphically highlight fundamental sound elements which are transcribed from the video with some kind of music notation (such as the traditional score, lead sheets, graphics, spectrograms etc.) over which photograms from MaPAs are overlaid with its respective video timings (in minutes and seconds) and a succinct textual information to facilitate the comprehension of the text-sound-image trinomial. The use of both analytical tools is illustrated here with various types of MaPAs and EdiPAs samples, from simple ones to more complex ones. I also propose the recognition of three types of music video recordings (illustrated here with performances of Brazilian singer Elis Regina and singer-composer Caetano Veloso), which consider the interference of the video direction and the levels of freedom and planning of the  musicians' performance: (1) non-spontaneous performances, (2) quasi-spontaneous performances (3) spontaneous performances.


As the cloud platform becomes a promising alternative to traditional HPC (high performance computing) centers or in-house clusters, the I/O bottleneck problem is highlighted in this new environment, typically with top-of-the-line compute instances but sub-par communication and I/O facilities. It has been observed that changing the cloud I/O system configurations, such as choices of file systems, number of I/O servers and their placement strategies, etc., will lead to a considerable variation in the performance and cost efficiency of I/O intensive parallel applications. However, storage system configuration is tedious and error-prone to do manually, even for expert users, leading to solutions that are grossly over-provisioned (low cost inefficiency), substantially under-performing (poor performance) or, in the worst case, both. This paper proposes ACIC, a system which automatically searches for optimized I/O system configurations from many candidates for each individual application running on a given cloud platform. ACIC takes advantage of machine learning models to perform performance/cost predictions. To tackle the high-dimensional parameter exploration space, we enable affordable, reusable, and incremental training on cloud platforms, guided by the Plackett and Burman Matrices for experiment design. Our evaluation results with four representative parallel applications indicate that ACIC consistently identifies optimal or near-optimal configurations among a large group of candidate settings. The top ACIC-recommended configuration is capable of improving the applications' performance by a factor of up to 10.5 (3.1 on average), and cost saving of up to 89 percent (51 percent on average), compared with a commonly used baseline I/O configuration. In addition, we carried out a small-scale user study for one of the test applications, which found that ACIC consistently beat the user and even the application's developer, often by a significant margin, in selecting optimized configurations.


The principal objective of this paper is the investigate of experimental and theoretical flexural behavior reinforced height strength concrete one-way slabs strengthened or repaired with externally bonded carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets. The experimental work includes testing of nine reinforced concrete slab specimens with dimensions (1700mmx300mmx100mm), six of these slabs were strengthened, two slabs were repaired with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) strips and one specimen was tested without strengthening as reference (control) slab for comparing the performance of CFRP strengthened or repaired slabs. The experimental variables considered in the test program include the location, quantity, shape and dimensions of CFRP sheets. All the reinforced concrete slab specimens were designed of the same dimensions and reinforced identically to fail in flexure. All slabs had been tested in simply supported conditions subjected to central concentrated load. The experimental results show that the ultimate loads are increased by about (8-64%) for the slabs strengthened with bonded CFRP sheets with respect to the unstrengthened reinforced concrete slab (control slab). Three-dimensional nonlinear finite element analysis has been used to conduct the numerical investigation of the general behavior of strengthened slabs. ANSYS (Version 13.0) computer program was used in this work. Eight-node brick elements (SOLID65) are used to represent the concrete and three dimensional shell elements (SHELL 41) are used to represent the CFRP strips in the finite element analysis model. Perfect bond between the concrete surface and the bonded CFRP sheets is assumed.


This article presents the results of observations of selected fluxes of the
radiation balance in north-western Spitsbergen in the years from 2010 to 2014. Measurements
were taken in Ny-Alesund and in the area of Kaffioyra, on different surface
types occurring in the Polar zone: moraine, tundra, snow and ice. Substantial differences
in the radiation balance among the various types of surface were observed. The
observations carried out in the summer seasons of 2010–2014 in the area of Kaffioyra
demonstrated that the considerable reflection of solar radiation on the Waldemar Glacier
(albedo 55%) resulted in a smaller solar energy net income. During the polar day,
a diurnal course of the components of the radiation balance was apparently related to
the solar elevation angle. When the sun was low over the horizon, the radiation balance
became negative, especially on the glacier. Diurnal, annual and multi-annual variations
in the radiation balance have a significant influence on the functioning of the environment
in polar conditions.


Abstract:This article compares village, national, and provincial forestry policy in early-twentieth-century China, with a focus on Yunnan, making three important observations. First, by identifying villages as key arenas for the production of forestry policy, it highlights the importance of rethinking the political geography of forestry policy during this period, to establish a proper comparative baseline for evaluating policy implementation. Second, its comparisons reveal diverging interests in forestry at these three levels, ranging from village reforestation for ecological conservation to provincial afforestation for economic development. Third, it shows that policymakers in these three arenas deployed distinctive cultural and political resources to promote their policies. The localized formats and objectives of village policies may have rendered them relatively invisible to national policymakers, who promoted more general and systematic forestry frameworks as novel interventions into a seemingly neglected policy arena that demanded comprehensive and intensive political intervention.


With participation in many competitions related to automation majors, research has found that existing related teaching problems in the teaching process of automation majors can be improved and solved by means of competitions. Therefore, the school has set up a competition research group, combined with the characteristics of various competitions, to carry out discussion and research on teaching reform, revise and formulate student training programs, reform teaching methods and assessment indicators, and promote students' autonomy in the learning process of automation and innovation. The scores of the students' design competitions have become an important indicator to measure students' learning effectiveness and teachers' teaching level. In recent years, the students' comprehensive ability and the number of awards during the competition show the preliminary teaching reform achievements of our school's automation major to promote learning through competition.


Most existing forecasting systems are memory-based methods, which attempt to mimic human forecasting ability by employing various memory mechanisms and have progressed in temporal modeling for memory dependency. Nevertheless, an obvious weakness of this paradigm is that it can only model limited historical dependence and can not transcend the past. In this paper, we rethink the temporal dependence of event evolution and propose a novel memory-anticipation-based paradigm to model an entire temporal structure, including the past, present, and future. Based on this idea, we present Memory-and-Anticipation Transformer (MAT), a memory-anticipation-based approach, to address the online action detection and anticipation tasks. In addition, owing to the inherent superiority of MAT, it can process online action detection and anticipation tasks in a unified manner. The proposed MAT model is tested on four challenging benchmarks TVSeries, THUMOS'14, HDD, and EPIC-Kitchens-100, for online action detection and anticipation tasks, and it significantly outperforms all existing methods. Code is available at https://github.com/Echo0125/Memory-and-Anticipation-Transformer.


Variable message signs (VMS) are programmable traffic control devices that convey nonpersonalized real-time information on network traffic conditions to drivers encountering them. Especially useful under incidents, VMS aim to influence driver routing decisions to enhance network performance. This study investigates the effect of different message contents on driver response under VMS. Presumably, if the message content is a significant factor in driver response, the traffic controller can use it as a control variable to influence network traffic conditions positively without compromising the integrity of information. This issue is addressed through an on-site stated preference user survey. Logit models are developed for drivers' diversion decisions. The analysis suggests that content in terms of the level of detail of relevant information significantly affects drivers' willingness to divert. Other significant factors include socio-economic characteristics, network spatial knowledge, and confidence in the displayed information. Results also indicate differences in the response attitudes of semitrailer truck drivers compared to other travelers. They provide substantive insights for the design and operation of VMS-based information systems.


SUMMARY:The article describes repeated attempts by Russian authorities to establish a well-ordered administration of the imperial universities in the first half of the nineteenth century. There were several reasons for the government's discontent with the state of affairs in education: the recently founded Russian universities were a far cry from the ultimate benchmark – the old German universities – in terms of teaching and research results, while being equally suspicious as breeding grounds for subversive ideas. Since Alexander I's accession to the throne, his reformist government was busy trying to introduce firm state control over universities simultaneously with taking the very first steps in laying the grounds for a modern bureaucratic regime of governance. Universities were a hotbed of producing modern knowledge and training future bureaucrats, and thus the modern state was created in Russia in the process of rationalizing the administration of universities.


A reduced description for spectral line shapes in isolated ultracold polyatomic molecules is developed. The vibrational degrees of freedom are partitioned into a system and a bath. The system modes are treated using a Green function eigenstate‐free procedure. The bath modes induce intramolecular vibrational redistribution (IVR) and in addition are responsible for intramolecular dephasing resulting from their thermal fluctuations. The effects of the bath are introduced statistically via correlation functions. Application is made to the dispersed fluorescence of ultracold anthracene in a supersonic beam, which shows progression of narrow lines (Raman) and broad redistributed fluorescence. The observed red shift (with respect to the absorption) and line broadening in the emission indicate that the frequencies of the bath modes are on the average 6.4% lower in the electronically excited state compared with the ground state. We further obtain the IVR rates in the high energy region.


Abstract Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) among geothermal system types enables to produce sustainable energy evenin non-volcanic region while conventional geothermal energy has been restricted to obtain only from hot and permeable formationsuch as in volcanic regions. Successful EGS project in terms of economy, however, can be expected only when the project is managed effectively considering most of influencing factors (e.g., tangible and intangible resources, cost, time, risks, etc.). In particular, well construction is of the utmost importance in geothermal project as it dominantly influences on time and cost in the whole project. Therefore, when it comes to viable geothermal project without abundant experience, managing drilling economically and efficiently is inevitable. In this study, a project management system for well construction in geothermal project based on project control system including work breakdown structure and cost account was developed to predict and assess the performance of drilling and to visualize the progress.


Treatment of rats for 5 days with cortisone acetate reduced synthesis of skeletal muscle protein by 56% compared to untreated controls, but had no effect on protein synthesis in heart. The reduction in synthesis in skeletal muscle was accounted for by both a loss of tissue RNA and development of a block in peptide-chain initiation. Activity of an eIF-2-like initiation factor decreased in psoas muscle of hormone-treated rats in proportion to the loss of RNA. Peptide-chain initiation, RNA content, and initiation factor activity were unaffected in heart muscle. In skeletal muscle of rats treated for 4 hr with dexamethasone, peptide-chain initiation was inhibited, whereas tissue RNA content and initiation factor activity were unchanged. These experiments suggested that total activity of eIF-2 did not always correlate with the rate of initiation, but that there did appear to be a relationship between initiation factor activity and tissue RNA content. Purification of eIF-2 from bovine heart muscle was undertaken in order to directly investigate the mechanism by which glucocorticoids modify eIF-2-activity and control peptide-chain initiation.


It is often claimed by midwives that they have an unique role which is complementary to but different from the roles of other health care professionals. Most of the studies done in midwifery so far lack clarity of definition and distinction with regard to process as well as contents. It is important to describe the functions of a midwife clearly, because the absence of a clearly defined sphere of practice creates problems in the development of an appropriate curriculum. The aim of this study is to describe the unique functional activities of midwives and compare it with those of the nurse.


We present an alternative derivation of Coleman's expression for cosmological constant by summing over topologies of space-time in the wormhole dominance approximation. It is pointed out that the correlation between disconnected spaces, if any, vanishes by Coleman's mechanism.


The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conducted field experiments to understand the transport of sediments and associated contaminants in the Hudson Shelf Valley, offshore of New York. The valley is a sink and potential conduit for the movement of sediments and associated contaminants across the shelf. A winter experiment (1999-2000) investigated the role of winter storms in transporting sediments in the valley. A spring experiment (2006) explored transport during the period of spring runoff from the Hudson River. The spring experiment was carried out in cooperation with the Lagrangian Transport and Tracer Experiment (LATTE). The original metadata had a link (marine.rutgers.edu/cool/latte/latte2006.htm) that is no longer valid. A substitute link was not found. For more information on the USGS field operations associated with data collection: http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=99006 http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=00054 http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=06013 http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/ia/public_ds_info.php?fa=06023


We discuss the ways in which deception can be used to protect privacy, as well as the ways in which claims to privacy can provide the latitude to lie. In their attempts to maintain their own privacy and their secrets, people can be assisted by others who overlook their lies. Habits of honoring other people's verbal and nonverbal claims about themselves, even when they are not totally convincing, and expectations of similar indulgences from others can keep interactions from getting derailed by small interpersonal bumps. But they also enable exploitation in the form of frauds and scams.


ABSTRACT Introduction The Multiple Sclerosis Neuropsychological Questionnaire (MSNQ) is a self-report measure used to assess cognitive difficulties in people with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS). The aim of this systematic review was to determine the associations between the MSNQ and: objective measures of cognition, measures of mood, and quality of life measures. Method A comprehensive search was done across three databases (PsycINFO, MEDLINE, and CINAHL). A total of 15 studies, including 1992 participants, were selected for final inclusion. Meta-analyses were conducted to determine the pooled effect size of associations. Where data were not available for meta-analyses, a narrative synthesis approach was taken. Results Significant, but small (r = −0.17), associations were found between the MSNQ and objective measures of cognition. Significant, moderate associations (r = 0.47) were found between the MSNQ and measures of mood. Conclusions The small association between the MSNQ and objective measures of cognition shows that the measures do not converge well. However, their divergence may be important to map the broad construct of "cognitive ability" more fully. Limitations include a lack of reporting of non-significant effect sizes in individual studies. Clinical implications include the potential for the MSNQ to be used beyond being solely a proxy measure for objective cognition. Future research should investigate the associations between the informant version of the MSNQ and objective measures.


The malignant fibrous histiocytomas reported to the Department of Pathology of the University Cantonal Hospital of Geneva between 1971 and 1978 are reviewed and a clinico-histological study is conducted in 21 out of 27 cases. An attempt is made to correlate some histological features (i.e. mitoses, atypical figures, inflammatory cells, necrotic areas, stroma, cellular morphology) with clinical course (i.e. local recurrence and metastases). No clinico-histological correlation was found and the result is thus comparable to the literature, which suggests that factors influencing prognosis are size, localization and depth of the tumor: the prognosis of small, distal and superficial tumors is better. Furthermore, using the peroxidase bridge technique for lysozyme, 3 positive reactions were found in 17 assays. The authors' immunohistochemical findings together with other histological features of the tumors and results reported in the literature suggest that the malignant fibrous histiocytoma is derived from an undifferentiated mesenchymal cell rather than from "histiocytes" as its name would suggest.


The natural history of a deep vein thrombus in any individual (assuming it does not embolize) is determined by competition between fibrinolysis and the slower process of organization and recanalization. When plasmin activity is high and the clot small, complete dissolution is possible. However, if there is time for organization of the thrombus, permanent anatomic narrowing of the lumen of the vein ensues. Whether clinically recognizable dysfunction results from this anatomic narrowing depends on which vein is affected, and over how great a length. One common clinical manifestation is edematous swelling of the entire lower limb, associated with venous outflow obstruction at the level of the iliac, common femoral, or superficial femoral veins. Subcutaneous collateral veins are usually visible, running from the groin of the affected limb across to the other groin, or onto the abdominal wall. Phlebography will clearly delineate the site of the obstruction (and also the collateral


In this work, the conjugation of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) to quantum dots (QDs) was successfully applied in the assembly of an imprinted cellulose membrane [hydroxy ethyl cellulose (HEC)/MIP@QDs] for the specific recognition of the cardiac biomarker myoglobin (Myo) as a sensitive, user-friendly, and portable system with the potential for point-of-care (POC) applications. The concept is to use the MIPs as biorecognition elements, previously prepared on the surface of semiconductor cadmium telluride QDs as detection particles. The fluorescent quenching of the membrane occurred with increasing concentrations of Myo, showing linearity in the interval range of 7.39-291.3 pg/mL in a1000-fold diluted human serum. The best membrane showed a linear response below the cutoff values for myocardial infarction (23 ng/mL), a limit of detection of 3.08 pg/mL, and an imprinting factor of 1.65. The incorporation of the biorecognition element MIPs on the cellulose substrate brings an approach toward a portable and user-friendly device in a sustainable manner. Overall, the imprinted membranes display good stability and selectivity toward Myo when compared with the nonimprinted membranes (HEC/NIP@QDs) and have the potential to be applied as a sensitive system for Myo detection in the presence of other proteins. Moreover, the conjugation of MIPs to QDs increases the sensitivity of the system for an optical label-free detection method, reaching concentration levels with clinical significance.


Doris Lessing was a British woman writer who won the Nobel Prize for literature in 2007. To Room Nineteen is the representative short novel that features her writing style. In this short novel, Doris Lessing narrates with exquisite style and literary languages an inexplicable tragic story of a female character Susan Rowling, a middle-aged full-time housewife from an affluent middle-class family. Many critics claim that Susan's suicide is a reflection of women's struggle in a patriarchal society, and Susan herself is the victim in the male-dominated society and culture. The purpose of this paper is to have a stylistic analysis of To Room Nineteen, and therefore to substantiate the above-mentioned literature critics' opinions on it. Through careful reading, studying and analyzing of this short novel's lexical features, we have drawn two conclusions: 1. a careful stylistic analysis on lexical features could help readers understand and evaluate a literary works' theme; here, in this short novel, the stylistic analysis has provided evidences to illustrate why the culprit of Susan's suicide is the patriarchal society, rather than the so-called "failure in intelligence"; 2. our stylistic analysis suggests that the influence of male-dominated society and culture is universal, broad, and deep, no matter whether the impacted subjects (especially females) are well-educated or not, intelligent or not, affluent or not. Susan in To Room Nineteen, a well-educated intelligent woman from an affluent family, could be considered as an epitome of millions of other women who, like Susan, suffer from the patriarchal control and who struggle to fight against it with their lives.


The aim of the present study was to develop and to evaluate a guide to communicate the presence and treatment of Papanicolaou alterations that suggest dysplasia or cervical cancer. Method: A sample of 97 women with abnormal smear test referred to diagnosis and treatment at a third level hospital were interviewed pre and post an informative session systematized in the proposed guide, to compare the degree of information about their condition and treatment and their perception of emotional support from health professionals. Results: The communication guide were developed according evidence based treatment model. We documented a pre-post clinical and statistical difference in the level of information about their condition and treatment (3.97 + 3.15 vs. 8.15 + 2.65; t= -7.27, df= 53, p≤.0001), and a tendency of increment in the percentage of patients that perceived emotional support from health professionals (62.3% vs. 100%; chi square=31.18, df=1, p=.07). Conclusions: The guide presented here constitutes a useful material to improve communication of these conditions and its treatment among Hispanic women with low level of education.


In the framework of fully cooperative multi-agent systems, independent agents learning by reinforcement must overcome several difficulties as the coordination or the impact of exploration. The study of these issues allows first to synthesize the characteristics of existing reinforcement learning decentralized methods for independent learners in cooperative Markov games. Then, given the difficulties encountered by these approaches, we focus on two main skills: optimistic agents, which manage the coordination in deterministic environments, and the detection of the stochasticity of a game. Indeed, the key difficulty in stochastic environment is to distinguish between various causes of noise. The SOoN algorithm is so introduced, standing for "Swing between Optimistic or Neutral", in which independent learners can adapt automatically to the environment stochasticity. Empirical results on various cooperative Markov games notably show that SOoN overcomes the main factors of non-coordination and is robust face to the exploration of other agents.


From a comparative perspective, I will study two anti-Islamic Castilian writings produced during the period of the transition between the Middle Ages and the Early Modern Era: Alonso de Espina's Fortalitium fidei (1460) and Gonzalo de Arredondo's Castillo inexpugnable defensorio de la fe (1528). This study compares the terms in which each of these works addresses (a) the confrontation with Islam, (b) dissensions within Christianity, and (c) the king's role in the midst of those conflicts. The contrastive approach to these analogous works, which were written almost seven decades apart, will allow an analysis of two different articulations of anti-Saracen Christian discourse in Spain, both before and after some key milestones in European history. These different perceptions of Islam had an impact on the conception of Christianity and Europe itself at the very beginning of the early modern period.


Oxidative stress plays a key role in the pathophysiologic process of acute and chronic renal diseases. Intracellular component such as lipids, proteins and nucleic acids are easily and rapidly oxidized by excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), and such reactions lead to increased levels of lipid peroxide. The present study examined the antioxidant effects of Wen-Pi-Tang and its component crude drugs on 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH)- or 2,2'-azobis(2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile) (AMVN)-induced ROS generation and lipid peroxidation of linoleic acid. As a result, Wen-Pi-Tang significantly decreased AAPH or AMVN-induced ROS in renal mitochondrial particles. For the components in Wen-Pi-Tang's prescription, Rhei Rhizoma and Glycyrrhizae Radix extracts strongly inhibited peroxide levels, but Ginseng Radix, Aconiti Tuber and Zingiberis Rhizoma extracts were comparably low. Rhei Rhizoma extract showed the strongest inhibitory activity on oxidative injury, and two of its tannin compounds, (-)-epicatechin 3-O-gallate and procyanidin B-2 3,3'-di-O-gallate, inhibited AAPH or AMVN-induced ROS significantly. Thus, the present data suggest that Wen-Pi-Tang and its component crude drugs effectively prevent biological toxicity on oxidative stress through potent antioxidant and anti-lipid peroxidation activities.


Gamma-Polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA) was produced from fermentation processes by inoculating the bacterium Bacillus licheniformis on different substrates. In submerged fermentation (SmF), glycerol and glucose were used as the main carbon substrates while ammonium sulfate served to provide nitrogen. In solid-state fermentation (SSF), soybean was used as the main substrate. Tests carried out in an airlift bioreactor with B. licheniformis showed a maximum productivity of 0.789 g L–1 h–1 and a yield of 0.4 g g–1. Different soybean cultivars from the 2015 and 2016 crops were used in the SSF. The BRS 1001IPRO cultivar, from the 2016 crop, showed the highest production, i.e., 1.2 g L–1 of γ-PGA. This cultivar was subjected to different levels of milling (fine, intermediate and coarse). Coarsely milled grains increased γ-PGA production to 2.7 g L–1. Moreover, coarse milling made the internal nutrients of the grains available for fermentation and this particle size did not compromise aeration during fermentation.


According to theory, a radial component of magnetic field in the driving region of a vacuum arc centrifuge should increase the force and the angular velocity. Experiments with different magnetic field configurations of a vacuum arc centrifuge have been carried out. Langmuir probe measurements have been made as well as cross-correlation measurements of angular velocities. Based on correlation measurements, the column angular velocity increased in the presence of a radial field. This increase was accompanied by a reduction in column radius and ion density. It is concluded that vacuum arc centrifuge designs with a radial magnetic field component should have an improved separative performance.


Patients with Barrett's oesophagus have an increased risk of developing oesophageal adenocarcinoma; surveillance is therefore recommended for these patients. However, it has never been proven that Barrett surveillance is actually effective. A recent article in The American Journal of Gastroenterology shows that patients with Barrett's oesophagus with high-grade dysplasia had a lower risk of developing oesophageal adenocarcinoma when they had previous surveillance or endoscopic therapy. These results suggest that surveillance may improve survival of patients with Barrett's oesophagus. However, there is no convincing evidence that surveillance has an effect on mortality due to oesophageal adenocarcinoma. Although the absolute overall risk of developing oesophageal adenocarcinoma in Barrett's oesophagus is low, surveillance is important in the small group of patients with a high risk of neoplastic progression.


With a rapidly growing elderly human population, the incidence of age-related lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) continues to rise. It is widely believed that reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in ageing and in age-related disease, and approaches of antioxidant supplementation have been touted as useful strategies to mitigate age-related disease progression, although success of such strategies has been very limited to date. Involvement of ROS in ageing is largely attributed to mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired adaptive antioxidant responses. NADPH oxidase (NOX) enzymes represent an important enzyme family that generates ROS in a regulated fashion for purposes of oxidative host defense and redox-based signalling, however, the associations of NOX enzymes with lung ageing or age-related lung disease have to date only been minimally addressed. The present review will focus on our current understanding of the impact of ageing on NOX biology and its consequences for age-related lung disease, particularly COPD, and will also discuss the implications of altered NOX biology for current and future antioxidant-based strategies aimed at treating these diseases.


Does living in a neighborhood with high-quality public transit influence travel behavior later in life, even if you move to a neighborhood with worse transit service? To test this, we construct residential histories of individuals using decades of data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics. We find that past experiences shape transportation futures. Exposure to transit during young adulthood in particular is associated with an auto-light lifestyle and greater transit usage later in life. This research suggests a long-term benefit for encouraging transit at younger ages to foster a "transit habit."


OBJECTIVE
To determine the therapeutic effects of pre-admission ticagrelor in acute ST elevation myocardial infarction after primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

METHODS
The meta analysis was conducted at the period from the establishment of the database to the February 2018 period, and comprised earlier studies that were selected after comprehensive search of PubMed, Medline, Excerpta Medica dataBASE and Cochrane databases. The studies compared the pre-treatment group (pre-hospital ticagrelor) with the control group (in-hospital ticagrelor) and found differences in primary percutaneous coronary intervention outcomes for sick individuals suffering from acute ST elevation myocardial infarction.

RESULTS
The two studies selected together had 1915 subjects. The rate of stent thrombosis in the control group was higher than in the pre-treatment group (p<0.01), but there were no significant differences in all-cause mortality (p=0.88), myocardial infarction (p=0.17) and stroke (p=0.49).

CONCLUSIONS
Pre-hospital ticagrelor decreased the incidence of stent thrombosis in patients with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention.


Hypothetical case histories were used to investigate judgements to operate or to refer. Six procedures (cholecystectomy, colectomy, inguinal herniorrhaphy, tonsillectomy, cesarean section and hysterectomy) were selected and four cases were developed for each procedure. Control cases were those on which surgeons agreed and test cases were those on which there was disagreement regarding surgical or nonsurgical treatment. The case histories were mailed to 131 surgeons and referring physicians in one Ontario county. Among the 98 respondents 75% indicated that the cases were typical of problems seen in practice. This paper reviews the case histories and results for cholecystectomy and hysterectomy. Two of the cholecystectomy cases were controls with 83% of the surgeons opting for nonsurgical treatment in one and 94% opting for surgery in the other. For hysterectomy there was one control case with 90% agreement among gynecologists to operate; in the three test cases from 25% to 75% of the gynecologists favoured surgery. The combined results of all test cases indicated that younger surgeons were less likely to select operation than older surgeons. No consistent sociodemographic associations with the referral decision could be determined for referring physicians, possibly owing to the small sample size.


The total cross sections for positron and electron collisions with rubidium are calculated in the energy range 15-1000 eV, employing the modified Glauber approximation. The MG total cross sections are found to be in reasonably good agreement with experimental data at energies below 100 eV, and consistent with the total cross sections calculated at energies below 30 eV in the close-coupling approximations.


ADCI is an NMDA antagonist and a sodium channel antagonist which is under development by Neurogen and Wyeth-Ayerst as a potential treatment for epilepsy, seizures and stroke. Wyeth-Ayerst filed an IND with the US FDA on 24 June 1998 in preparation for phase II human clinical trials of ADCI, which are planned to begin in the US later in the year. A phase I study, conducted by Wyeth-Ayerst in France, found ADCI to be well tolerated across a broad dose range, with an acceptable pharmacokinetic profile. Further phase I testing in the US is expected in 1998 [267290]. Neurogen in-licensed ADCI from the National Institutes of Health in 1992, and subsequently out-licensed the compound to Wyeth in November 1996 [195049,226807]. ADCI is a mild NMDA antagonist and a use-dependent blocker of voltage-gated sodium channels, the combined effect of which, in preclinical studies, has been improved efficacy in the treatment of epileptic seizures. In animal models, ADCI has demonstrated a broad spectrum of anticonvulsant activity, coupled with a low incidence of side-effects [226807].


Sexual dimorphism of the adult brain regulates sex-dependent functions including reproductive and neuroendocrine activities in rodents. It is determined by sex steroid hormones during a critical perinatal period in female and male rodents. Sex steroids act on each nuclear receptor in the brain and control different physiological and neuroendocrine functions and behaviors. Several regions of the brain show evident morphological sex differences that are involved in their physiological functions. This review addresses and focuses largely on the role of sex-dependent differences in the brain, and their crucial functions in animal models. Particularly, recent intriguing data concerning the diversity of neuronal functions and sexual dimorphism are discussed.


Congenital melanocytic naevi (CMN) appear in approximately 2.6% of Caucasians. There is a major demand for treatment but no vital indication. Laser therapy, curettage and excision are available treatment modalities, but there is no ideal treatment with documented long-term effect and without side effects, and the level of evidence for the treatment options is generally low. The risk of malignancy has probably been overestimated, and furthermore new research shows that untreated CMN often show spontaneous lightening. We review the literature for pros and cons of different treatments.


Human motion transfer refers to synthesizing photo-realistic and temporally coherent videos that enable one person to imitate the motion of others. However, current synthetic videos suffer from the temporal inconsistency in sequential frames that significantly degrades the video quality, yet is far from solved by existing methods in the pixel domain. Recently, some works on DeepFake detection try to distinguish the natural and synthetic images in the frequency domain because of the frequency insufficiency of image synthesizing methods. Nonetheless, there is no work to study the temporal inconsistency of synthetic videos from the aspects of the frequency-domain gap between natural and synthetic videos. Therefore, in this paper, we propose to delve into the frequency space for temporally consistent human motion transfer. First of all, we make the first comprehensive analysis of natural and synthetic videos in the frequency domain to reveal the frequency gap in both the spatial dimension of individual frames and the temporal dimension of the video. To close the frequency gap between the natural and synthetic videos, we propose a novel Frequency-based human MOtion TRansfer framework, named FreMOTR, which can effectively mitigate the spatial artifacts and the temporal inconsistency of the synthesized videos. FreMOTR explores two novel frequency-based regularization modules: 1) the Frequency-domain Appearance Regularization (FAR) to improve the appearance of the person in individual frames and 2) Temporal Frequency Regularization (TFR) to guarantee the temporal consistency between adjacent frames. Finally, comprehensive experiments demonstrate that the FreMOTR not only yields superior performance in temporal consistency metrics but also improves the frame-level visual quality of synthetic videos. In particular, the temporal consistency metrics are improved by nearly 30% than the state-of-the-art model.


Campus Card is an important part in the digital campus life. However, due to the problems of current network design, in the course of card using, the signal channels are seized by a large number of communication tags, which leads to the phenomena of blocked communication process and unsmooth communication. In order to solve this problem, the communication module of card system has been optimized in this paper. The module consists of two parts, which are writing system and reading system. A multi-tasking multi-point mapping decomposition technique was introduced to the designation of communication module. Using the method based on the combination of Map and Reduce function to make the task decomposition which is from a sudden increase of network traffic characteristics and database, obtain a large number of sub-tasks, and accomplish the management of mutation network traffic. Experimental results show that in the task scheduling of optimized module, the solution time is short and response is fast. It can solve the communication blocked problems in the process of card using. Furthermore, it provides theoretical references for the improvement of communication system design of smart card, and promotes the construction of digital campus evolving.


The use of natural textures provides a richly diverse set of possibilities for the visualization of flow data. In this paper, we present methods that utilize the qualities and attributes of natural textures to visualize multiple scalar distributions and multiple vector fields obtained across a 2D domain in a turbulent boundary layer flow. First, we illustrate how different attributes of textures can represent scalar quantities along streamlines. We then present a technique that allows for the perception of two separate vector fields within the same image by utilizing different textures. Finally, we illustrate how textures have the ability to indicate specific regions of interest within flow images.


Neuroblastoma is an aggressive childhood disease of the sympathetic nervous system. Treatments are often ineffective and have serious side effects. Conventional therapy of neuroblastoma includes the differentiation agents. Unlike chemo-radiotherapy, differentiation therapy shows minimal side effects on normal cells, because normal non-malignant cells are already differentiated. Keeping in view the limited toxicity of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha), the current study was aimed to investigate the efficacy of Ashwagandha water extract (ASH-WEX) for anti-proliferative potential in neuroblastoma and its underlying signalling mechanisms. ASH-WEX significantly reduced cell proliferation and induced cell differentiation as indicated by morphological changes and NF200 expression in human IMR-32 neuroblastoma cells. The induction of differentiation was accompanied by HSP70 and mortalin induction as well as pancytoplasmic translocation of the mortalin in ASH-WEX treated cells. Furthermore, the ASH-WEX treatment lead to induction of neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) expression and reduction in its polysialylation, thus elucidating its anti-migratory potential, which was also supported by downregulation of MMP 2 and 9 activity. ASH-WEX treatment led to cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase and increase in early apoptotic population. Modulation of cell cycle marker Cyclin D1, anti-apoptotic marker bcl-xl and Akt-P provide evidence that ASH-WEX may prove to be a promising phytotherapeutic intervention in neuroblatoma related malignancies.


This paper proposes a new rule base reduction method for Takagi-Sugeno type fuzzy logic controller. This method is cell state space based. First, the controller inputs are fuzzified and a generic rule base is built. This rule base includes all the possible combinations of input values. A search algorithm called Incremental Best Estimate Directed Search (IBEDS) is invoked to find the parameters in rule output functions. IBEDS starts with an initial training set. Each point inside the training set represents a currently best estimate control command for a cell center. Then another random FLC is trained in an iterative procedure by a Least Mean Square (LMS) algorithm. In each iteration, the cell state space based global and local performance of the trained FLC are evaluated, the training set is then updated based on the evaluation. When IBEDS converges, the final training set contains the maximal number of cells that a single FLC can control. At this stage, for each rule in the rule base, the firing strength or weight of the rule is calculated with every point from the training set. All the weights are added up to get a final Importance Index for that rule. A designer can cut off the rules with smallest importance indexes. A designer can cut as many rules as wanted according to the importance indexes. An FLC with reduced rule base is optimized by IBEDS again to achieve optimal performance. A 4D inverted pendulum is tested to justify the method. Each of the four inputs is fuzzified into 3 fuzzy values. A generic controller with 81 rules is built. After the optimization, the rule base is reduced to 40, 28, 17, and 5 respectively. The performances of the controllers with different rule bases are compared. It is shown that a controller with only 5 rules can perform comparably well with a controller of 81 rules.


We have studied the effect of low-dose heparin on GVHD, marrow engraftment and graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effects in an experimental murine model. Recipient (C57BL/6 x BALB/c) F1 mice were transplanted with C57BL/6 marrow and/or spleen cells and treated with daily sc injection of 5 micrograms heparin for 30 days. We have shown that heparin in low doses attenuates the severity of acute GVHD and reduces the mortality rate from 69 to 37.5% without abrogating the GVL effect induced by the allograft and without impairing marrow engraftment.


Pain is one of the most common and distressing symptoms experienced by children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Pain is known to negatively affect all aspects of healthrelated quality of life, including physical, emotional, social, and role functioning. The valid and reliable assessment of pain is the first critical step to developing an effective plan for pain management. This chapter will address the following key questions: (1) What is the prevalence and impact of pain in children and adolescents with arthritis? (2) Why is it important for clinicians to assess the multidimensional nature of pain and what are the practical issues that should be considered? (3) What tools are available to help clinicians to assess pain? (4) How can Internet and mobile technologies be used to improve the assessment of pain? (5) What are the recommended strategies for clinically managing pain, including pharmacological, physical, and psychological approaches? © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. o), firstname.lastname@example.com (J.N. Stinson).


We present a comparison of Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2) geolocated photon heights and operational ice charts from the Finnish Ice Service in the Bay of Bothnia in spring 2019. We show that ICESat-2 (IS2) retrievals from ice areas with different ridging characteristics, more precisely the degree of ice ridging (DIR), differ significantly. DIR is a particularly useful parameter for ice navigators, as it provides information on how difficult it is to navigate through an area based on e.g. sail heights and distribution of sea ice ridges. DIR estimates are included in ice charts of the Baltic Sea and are based primarily on in situ observations from an active icebreaker fleet. We show that DIR may potentially be estimated from IS2. We also present a comparison of IS2 measurements and Sentinel-1 synthetic aperture radar frames, discussing several individual cases of IS2 photon elevation behaviour over Baltic sea ice. We suggest that IS2 data can be of benefit to international ice services, especially if a time-critical photon height product were to be made available. Furthermore, we show that the difference between highest and mean photon elevations (elevation anomalies) of IS2 correspond to expected ridge sail heights in our study area. Our study is one of the first steps in creating sea ice applications beyond the traditional goal of freeboard and thickness retrieval for IS2.


The fissures of lungs are embryologically separating the bronchopulmonary segments, which later on persist in interlobar planes of fully developed lung. Fifty lungs (23 right side and 27 left side), obtained during routine dissection and preserved in formalin constituted the material for present study. In them, variations in fissures and lobes of lung were observed and compared with the previous studies. Seven right sided and 14 left sided lungs showed incomplete oblique fissure. Incomplete horizontal fissure of right lung was observed in eight lungs while it was completely missing in three specimens. A right lung with "lobe of the azygos vein" separated by a supernumerary fissure in medial surface was found. One of the right lung had both superior accessory fissure and inferior accessory fissure and four other right lungs and one left lung presented only with inferior accessory fissure. A vertical notch was found in middle lobe of one right lung. Eight left lungs exhibited with left minor fissure among them two lungs had lingula appearing as a separate lobe. Knowledge of variations in fissures and lobes is of interest to all medical professionals to exactly interpret radiographs, computed tomography scans, to diagnose, plan and modify a surgical procedure depending on the merit of the case and also in certain classical clinical cases pertaining to lung pathologies.


Of late road traffic becomes congested and unmanageable. Notwithstanding the fact that government takes all steps to reduce congestion, in view of increasing two wheelers, four wheelers not to speak of autos, all important roads are abound with vehicles. Further, many persons do not drive with diligent-neither they think of themselves nor of others. In the circumstances, it is of dire need that with the available infrastructure we should do something for the benefit of the society as a whole. In this context we have developed a mechanism of fuzzy logic which reduces the accidents and also helps for physically/visually challenged persons. The proposed system will reduce the accidents by neighboring vehicle detection, obstacle detection, controlling the vehicle speed, traffic light detection and signboard detections. All these above mentioned facilities are automated (i.e.) with out any human interventions. One of the main advantages of our system is that we don't need to replace the existing vehicles, placing the circuit in speedometer is enough. Another main advantage is that the same circuit that we have designed can also be extended to defence, space research, wheel chairs etc..


The pathogenesis of murine T-cell lymphomas, induced by radiation, chemical carcinogens or lymphomagenic retroviruses, implicates such multiple factors as the derangement of T-cell differentiation, intervention of the endogenous retroviruses, the expression of the cellular oncogenes, and so on. The application of virological, immunobiological and molecular biological techniques has opened an avenue to gaining an insight into the mechanism of the disease. Among recent achievements, data on the following aspects are presented in this review. 1) Unequivocal demonstration of the "indirect induction mechanism" of lymphoma using Thy. 1 congenic mice, 2) the presence of preleukemic cells and their evolution to leukemic cells by virtue of the thymic microenvironment, 3) search for the expression or rearrangement of v-onc and c-onc with molecular hybridization techniques, and 4) generation of lymphomagenic retrovirus from non-producer T-cell lymphoma cell lines infected with non-oncogenic endogenous ecotropic virus, which may represent the emergence of a lymphomagenic virus following leukemogenic treatments through the genetic recombination of viral genomes.


With seemingly greater frequency, linguists today are working as consultants in "forensic" linguistics, employed by attorneys to prepare reports and testimony based on their linguistic research. Their work is generally beneficial to the side (litigant; prosecutor or defender) that employs them.
 Linguistic research that is conducted for purposes other than academic publishing raises a number of serious ethical issues. This introduction addresses a number of ethical questions within the framework of forensic linguistics.
1. To what extent should a scholar disclose the relationship between forensic linguistic case-driven research and later scholarly publication?
2. What are the implications of the adversarial nature of legal proceedings vis-a-vis (a) the scholar's supposed devotion to "truth" and (b) the legal requirement of telling not only the truth and nothing but the truth, but also the whole truth.
3. What are the appropriate scholarly credentials for forensic linguistic consulting? To what extent can proper credentialing be enforced? By what authority?
4. Should organizations such as the Linguistic Society of America and the International Association of Forensic Linguists take an official position on any of these issues?
5. What does an attorney expect of a linguistic expert? What sort of training would the legal profession find especially helpful?


In this paper, a new concept for damage detection and long-term health monitoring of structures is presented. The Precursor Transformation Method (PTM) is based on determining the causes (precursors) of change in the measured state of the structure under non-variable loading conditions (e.g., dead loads in bridges). The PTM concept addresses the inability of the current structural monitoring methods to discriminate, in structural behavior terms, the meaning of voluminous measured sensor data on a timely and cost effective basis. This method offers advantages in sensitivity and cost efficiency when compared to conventional vibration-based or parameter estimation methods. PTM was developed as part of a research project sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration on bridge stay cable condition assessment. Measured changes in the state of a structure (displacements, strains, internal forces) can be related to precursors through a transformation matrix. This matrix is formed by determining the patterns of change in the state of structure associated with externally imposed strains (temperatures) or displacements representing possible damage scenarios. A finite element model of the undamaged structure is used to calculate these patterns. The use of an undamaged model of the structure in determining damage patterns simplifies the calculation process significantly, while introducing some approximation in results. Theoretical derivations and special case studies indicate that these approximations are limited to second order effects, and in many cases well within measurement and calculation accuracies. Examples using simulated damages on two truss structures and a cable-stayed bridge are also presented.


A chemoenzymatic approach for the asymmetric total synthesis of the title compounds is described that employs an enantioselective oxidative C–C bond formation catalyzed by berberine bridge enzyme (BBE) in the asymmetric key step. This unique reaction yielded enantiomerically pure (R)-benzylisoquinoline derivatives and (S)-berbines such as the natural product (S)-scoulerine, a sedative and muscle relaxing agent. The racemic substrates rac-1 required for the biotransformation were prepared in 4–8 linear steps using either a Bischler–Napieralski cyclization or a C1–Cα alkylation approach. The chemoenzymatic synthesis was applied to the preparation of fourteen enantiomerically pure alkaloids, including the natural products (S)-scoulerine and (R)-reticuline, and gave overall yields of up to 20% over 5–9 linear steps.


[Abstract] Objective: To explore the effect of cinepazide maleate combined with promethazine hydrochloride in the treatment of emergency vertigo. Methods: 48 cases of emergency vertigo patients in our hospital from November 2017 to November 2019 were divided into experimental group (24 cases, treated with cinepazide maleate combined with promethazine hydrochloride) and control group (24 cases, treated with cinepazide maleate). The clinical efficacy, symptom relief time, adverse reactions and quality of life were compared. Results: The total effective rate of the experimental group (95.83%, 23 / 24) was higher than that of the control group (75.00%), The remission time of nausea and vomiting (1.75 ± 0.22) d, vertigo (3.54 ± 0.63) d, deafness and tinnitus (3.47 ± 0.58) d, night sweats (3.05 ± 0.33) d in the experimental group were shorter than those in the control group, P < 0.05; the incidence of adverse reactions in the experimental group (8.33%, 2 / 24) was lower than that in the control group (33.33%, The scores of social function, material life attitude, physical health and psychological function in the experimental group were 59.14 ± 7.23, 54.05 ± 8.04, 53.58 ± 8.86 and 60.11 ± 8.44 respectively, P < 0.05. Conclusion: In the process of clinical treatment of emergency vertigo patients, the combined application of cinepazide maleate and promethazine hydrochloride has definite curative effect, can relieve clinical symptoms in a short time, has less adverse reactions, and improves the quality of life of patients to a certain extent, which is worthy of promotion.