Historic preservation is an idea and a practice, an academic discipline and a field of political and cultural action. For social scientists, a critical approach to historic preservation means to interrogate the underlying assumptions about history, community, and culture that drive preservation contests as well as the sociospatial outcomes: how places are made, branded, and changed as a result of historic preservation. A number of key questions can be raised about any given preservation effort: What kinds of claims are being made when mnemonic activists declare a building or a neighborhood to be "historic"? Whose vision of history is being wielded when monuments and other spaces of consecration are laid down in the urban fabric? What are the cultural frames that are mobilized to socially construct such landscapes as "historic" versus those are simply "historical"? What are the debates that ensnare all kinds of social actors—urban planners and historians, community activists and politicians—in decisions about which historical landscapes to conserve, and which to leave as unprotected commodities? Lastly, what are the spatial scales where preservation and memorialization are enacted, contested, and materialized? This entry considers historic preservation from these many angles, presenting readers with a critical overview of the topic and raising questions and presenting important readings for further consideration.


We applied Zelt's new frequency-dependent traveltime tomography (FDTT) method to 2D crosswell seismic field data from an eastern oil field in China. The FDTT uses the frequency content in the seismic waves in both the forward and inverse modeling steps. Although FDTT only uses a 300 Hz frequency to invert the dataset, the degree of matching between the inverted layers from FDTT and that of a sonic well logging curve is high, which shows that FDTT provides a high resolution reconstruction of subsurface structure through the simple use of the first-arrival traveltime data. The case study demonstrates that the FDTT algorithm is practical and can stand up to the complexities of a real 2D crosswell dataset. Additionally, we show that the FDTT method can create a high resolution long wavelength velocity model.


The phrase "object of criminal-legal protection" is often used in criminal law literature, usually in studies directly or indirectly involving issues of the object of crime. At the same time, many authors do not distinguish between the concepts "object of criminal-legal protection" and "object of crime"; these concepts are combined or replaced. Among those researchers who still consider these phenomena different, the content of the object of criminal-legal protection is directly dependent on the meaning that each of the authors puts into the concept of "object of crime". On the basis of already existing developments on this issue, an attempt was made to search for a new view (approach) on the "object of criminal-legal protection" that meets the modern ideas of the goals and objectives of criminal law.


We propose a novel heightmap-based terrain rendering algorithm that enhances the Persistent Grid Mapping (PGM) method. As in the underlying method, we cache a regular triangulated grid in video memory and use the GPU to project the mesh onto the ground plane each frame anew. Each vertex in the grid is then displaced according to the sampled heightmap value along the ground plane's normal vector. The perspective mapping of the grid results in a view-dependent, continuous level-of-detail approximation of the terrain dataset. PGM is a simple and elegant terrain rendering algorithm, however, as the camera hovers over the terrain, projected vertex positions slide over the terrain. This leads to the underlying static terrain surface changing shape slightly from frame to frame. We address these swimming artifacts by introducing four improvements: tailoring the projected grid, which pushes most otherwise culled vertices back into the view frustum, redistributing grid vertices according to an importance function for more faithful mipmap selection when sampling the heightmap, local terrain edge search for vertices within a certain proximity to the camera, and exploiting temporal coherence between frames. While our algorithm cannot guarantee a maximum screen-space error, it nevertheless reduces PGM's inherent temporal aliasing artifacts considerably.


This paper is concerned with instance complexity introduced by KO, Orponen, Schoning, and Watanabe (1986) as a measure of the complexity of individual instances of a decision problem. They conjectured that for every nonrecursive r.e. set the instance complexity is infinitely often at least as high as the Kolmogorov complexity. We refute this conjecture by constructing a nonrecursive r.e. set with instance complexity logarithmic in the Kolmogorov complexity. This bound is optimal up to a constant. In the other extreme, we show that the conjecture can indeed be established for many classes of complete sets. In addition we consider Kolmogorov complexity of initial segments of r.e. sets and show that the well-known upper bound 2logn is optimal.


The protein folding problem has remained unsolved despite many decades of effort. Motivated by many of the puzzles in this field, we have carried out studies of the zero-temperature geometry of a short tube of non-zero thickness subjected to attractive interactions promoting its compaction. Here we present a review of our recent research on this subject. On varying a parameter, the ratio of the tube thickness to the range of attractive interactions, we find a 'transition' between two highly degenerate phases. The transition region in between is characterized by a marked decrease in the degeneracy—the ground state structures are 'marginally compact' and there is efficient space filling of the core region by the tube. Several classes of structures, especially helices and sheets, emerge as the chosen ground state conformations, many of which are building blocks of biomolecules. We also present results for the temperature–thickness phase diagram of longer tubes. We benchmark our results against experimental observations of proteins.


A Combustion Management System (CMS) is developed for domestic boilers to be able to increase the
modulation range of the appliance and to make the boiler applicable for dierent gas types without
the need to do manual adjustments before installing. The major dierence in comparison to a conventional
boiler is the replacement of the pneumatic gas valve by an electrical one. This electric gas valve
is controlled to maintain stable combustion in the boiler operating at the desired air/fuel-ratio. The
concentration of ions inside the
ame is a measure for this air/fuel-ratio. Therefore an ionisation sensor
is placed inside the
ame which measures the electrical conductivity of the
ame which can again be
related to the ion concentration.
For stable system operation, a reliable signal is needed from the ionisation sensor over the whole
modulation range. To achieve this, the current burner needs to be adjusted. The burner optimisation
for a 30 kW appliance is the main topic of this research. By comparing the performance of previously
developed burner designs on ionisation current at dierent power levels and dierent air/fuel-ratios,
insight has been gained into relations between burner design and ionisation signal. Several design
guidelines have been formulated for the ionisation current, the
ow resistance of the burner and the
sensor sensitivity; all based on the total open area of the burner. Moreover, the in
uence of the
burner perforation and local design modications on CO-emissions and sensor sensitivity have been
investigated as well as the in
uence of the location of the sensor. A burner has been developed which
meets the specications on ionisation current and sensor sensitivity and which will most likely meet the
environmental requirements.


This paper analyzes the usages of mobile phone in rural agricultural marketing function. Now a day"s farmers are more conscious about the usages of mobile phone in agricultural activities. This means mobile phone usages consider as an important and integrate part of agricultural marketing function by the rural farmers and marketers. The research is exploratory in nature and both primary and secondary data will be used. Primary data will be collected by using survey questionnaire and the sample size is 80 and those are collected from Chirirbandar thana of Dinajpur district of Bangladesh. Probability and non probability sampling technique will be used to select the respondents. Both qualitative and quantitative data will be analyzed by statistical tools. This thesis finally shows that the usages of the cell phone in rural Bangladesh is increasing day by day in the field of agricultural marketing. Keyword: Mobile phone, Rural, Agriculture, Marketing and Function


Selection and management of sites are among the most significant elements for the success and sustainability of aquaculture operations. Water quality, water depth and water current are three of the major factors that need to be considered before initiating cage culture in a natural water body. This study was conducted to identify suitable sites for cage farming along the Albert Nile of Uganda by assessing the physical, chemical and topographical characteristics over a three month period. Four bays (Odoi, Fundo, Onere and Isirini) were randomly sampled and the results were compared against the acceptable standards. Basing on the physical and chemical criteria, most of the surveyed points were within the acceptable ranges except for the water depths which were lower and total suspended solids which were higher than the recommended ranges. Regarding topographical characteristics, Odoi and Fundo bays were found to be very prone to floating weeds and submergent macrophytes. All the sampled areas within Odoi, Fundo and Onere fishing bays whose depths were found to be more than 2 m can be manipulated to have Low Volume High Density (LVHD) cages while Isirini, Acaar and Ayilebe fishing bays were found not to be suitable for cage culture because they were very shallow.

 Key words: Albert Nile, cage culture, site selection, Uganda.


Linear-time temporal logic on finite traces (LTLf) is rapidly becoming a de-facto standard to produce specifications in many application domains (e.g., planning, business process management, run-time monitoring, reactive synthesis). Several studies approached the respective satisfiability problem. In this paper, we investigate the problem of extracting the unsatisfiable core in LTLf specifications. We provide four algorithms for extracting an unsatisfiable core leveraging the adaptation of state-of-the-art approaches to LTLf satisfiability checking. We implement the different approaches within the respective tools and carry out an experimental evaluation on a set of reference benchmarks, restricting to the unsatisfiable ones. The results show the feasibility, effectiveness, and complementarities of the different algorithms and tools.


The non-equal-interval direct Verhulst new information GM(1,1) model with two times fitting was built which extended equal interval to non-equal-interval and suited for general data modeling and estimating parameters of direct Verhulst GM(1,1). The new model chooses the nth component of X(0) as the starting conditions of the grey differential model. The new model need not pre-process the primitive data, accumulated generating operation (AGO) and inverse accumulated generating operation (IAGO). It was not only suited for equal interval data modeling, but also for non-equal interval data modeling. As the new information is fully used, the accuracy of fitting is higher. The example shows that the new model is simple and practical. The new model is worth expanding and applying in test data processing or test on-line monitoring.


Set in Edinburgh on New Year's Eve, this book tells the story of Pat McCoy, a compulsive impersonator on the brink of national acclaim from a 5-minute spot on the Hogmanay show. In his quest for love, an audience, and a means to buy his bottle, he's shadowed by another mysterious McCoy.


This book provides a broad survey of past and recent scholarship on mergers and acquisitions. Seminal work on the history, rationales and outcomes of mergers and acquisitions is followed by leading articles on what M&A lawyers do. Major articles by prominent authorities in the field explore how deals are done, defended and terminated. The collection concludes with several eminent selections on private equity deals and international issues.


Infrared thermography has various applications within civil engineering areas. One such application was explored. A survey was carried out to investigate the presence of temperature anomalies that may indicate the existence of delaminations on the underside of a concrete bridge deck. A case study investigating a number of bridge spans from the ground by an infrared survey is reported. The brief required an infrared thermographic survey of Span 5 of the bridge. In the event, however, the technique was so time efficient that infrared and visual images were taken over five spans, with concentration on one span in which there were known areas of delamination. The known areas of delamination were found, as were a number of other areas of possible delamination. The delaminations were found by the infrared thermographic survey despite the worst possible ambient temperature conditions and even though the infrared camera could not be positioned far enough away to survey the entire span at the same time.


We present a refinement of the Coarse Grained PACSAB force field for Discrete Molecular Dynamics (DMD) simulations of proteins in aqueous conditions. As the original version, the refined method provides good representation of the structure and dynamics of folded proteins but provides much better representations of a variety of unfolded proteins, including some very large, impossible to analyze by atomistic simulation methods. The PACSAB/DMD method also reproduces accurately aggregation properties, providing good pictures of the structural ensembles of proteins showing a folded core and an intrinsically disordered region. The combination of accuracy and speed makes the method presented here a good alternative for the exploration of unstructured protein systems.


Evaporative cooling is an attractive energy-efficient technique for producing a comfortable indoor environment. The efficiency and low cost of water spray evaporative cooling systems makes them a good alternative to reduce energy use. Even so, building simulation software does not currently incorporate direct evaporative cooling spray models because, among other reasons, an accurate prediction of spray evaporation performance is difficult to achieve due to the complex physical phenomena. In this work, simulations are carried out to illustrate the capability of the integration between a vaporization spray model and a whole-building hygrothermal model to predict hygrothermal performance of a building with water spray evaporative cooling system. The evaporation and building thermodynamics behavior are examined in a series of parametric tests, which demonstrate that the combined model is consistent and responds qualitatively well to variations in input parameters


Slum dwellers in Nairobi constitute the majority of the city's population, with an estimated 60 per cent of the official
total population of 2.85 million people living in slums and informal settlements. This is a devastating statistic bearing
in mind that this population lacks basic access to water supply and environmental sanitation services and has led to
various environmental problems and high poverty levels. This paper draws the experiences of Maji na Ufanisi (Water
& Development, a Kenyan NGO, in providing these basic services to slum dwellers in the city. This has been through
facilitation of community organizations to undertake provision of these services, by innovative integration of water supply
and environmental sanitation services provision and enterprise development. In experiences drawn from implementation
of this project, it is arguably conclusive that established community groups can sustain provision of WES services as a
way of widening their economic livelihoods.


Reinforced concrete structures are generally affected by degradation phenomena, which results in a time variability in strength and stiffness beyond the baseline conditions which are assumed in structural design, in particular when the concrete is exposed to an aggressive environment. Therefore, structural safety should realistically be considered time-variant. This paper provides a probabilistic approach to predict the time-evolution of the mechanical and geometrical properties of a reinforced concrete structural element (i.e., bridge pier) subjected to corrosion-induced deterioration, due to diffusive attack of chlorides, in order to evaluate its service life. The proposed model is based on Monte Carlo simulations in order to evaluate time variant axial force-bending moment resistance domains, with the aim to estimate the time-variant reliability index. Finally, an application to estimate the expected lifetime of a deteriorating reinforced concrete bridge pile is proposed.


Gammadelta T cells play an important role in innate immunity against infections; however, the regulation of these cells remains largely unknown. In the present study, we show that ESAT-6, an antigen of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, induces IFN-gamma secretion by human gammadelta T cells. In addition, ESAT-6 also induces the activation and proliferation of gammadelta T cells. Phenotypic analysis indicates that IFN-gamma-producing gammadelta T cells are mainly effector memory cells with the surface phenotype of CD45RA(-)CD62L(-)CCR7(-). These results were further confirmed by the fact that naive gammadelta T cells from cord blood did not produce IFN-gamma in response to ESAT-6. Further studies indicated that stimulation with ESAT-6 directly induced purified gammadelta T cells to produce IFN-gamma, independent of both antigen-presenting cells and CD4(+) T cells. Unexpectedly, depletion of CD4(+) T cells markedly enhanced IFN-gamma production by gammadelta T cells, indicating that CD4(+) T cells regulate the response of gammadelta T cells. Importantly, CD4(+)CD25(+) T regulatory (Treg) cells but not CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells significantly inhibited IFN-gamma production by gammadelta T cells. Taken together, these data demonstrate for the first time that Treg cells can play an important role in the regulation of immune responses of antigen-specific human memory gammadelta T cells.


Introduction: Lung transplant (LT) is a therapeutic option for patients with end-stage lung disease. However it is still associated with complications, namely airway complications (AC), which are an important source of morbido-mortality. Objectives: Evaluate the incidence of AC in a consecutive series of patients (pt) submitted to LT at our center between 01/2008 and 02/2013 and identify risk factors. Pts who died in the first month were excluded (6pts). Recipient variables (age, gender, diagnosis, airway colonization), graft variables (isquemic time; microbial isolation) and post-surgical variables (mechanical ventilation time, need of extra-corporeal circulation, need of vasopressor drugs and airway infection) were analyzed using Mann-Whitney and Pearson9s chi-square tests. Results: Sixty pt underwent LT – 24 double LT, 36 single LT, with a total of 84 airway anasthomosis. Main indications for LT were pulmonary fibrosis (48.3%-29pt), cystic fibrosis/other bronchiectasis (31.7%-19pt), COPD/alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency (15%-9pt) and sarcoidosis (5%-3pt). Of the 84 anasthomosis, AC developed in 24 (28.6%), but only 4 needed endobronchial therapy (4.7%). One pt died directly related to AC. Only the graft isquemic time was a significant predictor of AC ( p =0.03), with a mean time of 361min (max. 650, min. 126). The 12 month survival for pt with AC was 75% and 86% for those without complication ( p >0.05). Conclusions: At our center AC after LT are frequent. However, the rate of severe complications is low but can have a clinical impact on pts survival. Also, we found a significant relation between graft isquemic time and development of AC, which ultimately affects LT outcome.


US Military needs during the Cold War induced a mathematical modeling of rational allocation and control processes while simultaneously binding that rationality with computational reality. Modeling strategies to map the optimal to the operational ensued and eventually became a driving force in the development of macroeconomic dynamics. Key features of macroeconomics that originated in US military-funded research on applied mathematics in the 1950s and 1960s included recursive optimization taking uncertainty into account, agents modeled as collections of decision rules, and the certainty equivalent and equilibrium modeling strategies. The modeling strategies that opened the door to economists' agile underpinning of macroeconomics with microfoundations had their own foundation in empirical microeconomics. In the 1950's the United States Air Force Project SCOOP (Scientific Computation of Optimum Programs) and the Office of Naval Research awarded contracts to establish and maintain a research center for the Planning and Control of Industrial Operations at the Graduate School of Industrial Administration of the Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh. Faced with client demands for computable decision rules that would minimize costs in the face of uncertain demand, the Carnegie team reverse engineered effective computational protocols to derive optimal forms and properties. They also developed procedures to narrow the modeling choices in dynamic programming. The formal analysis of the statistical and mathematical properties of bridges connecting the rational with the computable formed a modeling selfconsciousness and channeled a new disciplinary focus on modeling strategies. The rational expectations theorists built on the modeling strategies that had been fabricated for planning in their attempt to bridge aggregative economics with the optimizing behavior of the individual and the clearing capacities of markets. The state-transition models that in the 1970s gave macroeconomists a framework for recursive optimization with uncertainty had similarly transformed control engineering in the 1960s. In both disciplines a "modeling-strategy turn†narrowed the primary analytical focus to the properties of mathematical models with less emphasis on the phenomena being modeled.


Abstract Objective Heterotaxy syndrome (HS) is often associated with complex congenital heart disease (CHD). While fetal echocardiography (FE) permits accurate prenatal identification of most CHD, the high level of disease complexity in HS may pose challenges in predicting postnatal findings and outcomes. This study aimed to define the accuracy of FE in predicting postnatal anatomy, physiology, and surgical management of CHD in the setting of HS. Study Design Retrospective single-center cohort study including all patients with a prenatal diagnosis of HS from 2003 to 2018. Anatomic diagnoses from FE reports were compared with postnatal echocardiogram, catheterization, and operative reports. Prenatal predictions were compared with postnatal outcomes with a focus on ductal dependence, time to first intervention (immediate, neonatal period, 1–6 months, or older than 6 months), and surgical approach (single or biventricular). Results There were 102 pregnancies with fetal HS resulting in 21 terminations, 5 fetal losses, and 76 live births. Of the live births, 55 had significant CHD and available postnatal data for review. Among this group, survival to 1 year was 62% and was no different comparing single versus biventricular surgical approach. FE diagnostic accuracy varied by anatomic feature and was the lowest for diagnosis of venous anatomy. Determination of postnatal care was most accurate for predicting single versus biventricular surgical approach (91%), followed by ductal dependence (75%). Accuracy for predicting time to first intervention was the lowest at 69%. The most common reason for an incorrect prediction was difficulty in assessing the severity of pulmonary stenosis. Conclusion FE permits accurate predictions regarding surgical approach. Characterizing systemic and pulmonary veins is challenging, as is predicting ductal dependence and time to first intervention. These data suggest that despite the high diagnostic accuracy of CHD in HS, a circumspect approach may be reasonable with regard to predicting some anatomic details and postnatal management decisions. Key Points In HS, FE was most accurate for intracardiac anatomy. Diagnostic accuracy of venous anatomy was less reliable. Predicting surgical approach (single ventricle vs. biventricular) was highly accurate. Predicting ductal dependence and time-to-intervention were more challenging in some instances.


In recent years, an explosion of research related to the cellular and vascular accompaniments of the metabolic syndrome has generated intense interest and controversy. Attention has focused on the vascular endothelium, where heightened, low-grade inflammatory processes lead to a continuum of vascular insults ranging from early endothelial derangements to advanced atherosclerosis. Inflammatory biocytokines, such as C-reactive protein, have been speculated to be both markers and mediators of oxidative stress and endovascular toxicity. Adipocytokines originating from fatty tissue have reinforced the concept that fat is a metabolically active organ rather than inert tissue. To fully elucidate its complex pathogenetic mechanisms, further inquiry into the inflammatory components of the metabolic syndrome is warranted. Unraveling the role of emerging proinflammatory markers has the promising potential to shed light into the underlying pathophysiology of the epidemic of obesity and the metabolic syndrome and thus help devise effective therapies.


Abstract The neutral counterpart assumption is widely accepted in the study of slurs. It provides a simple and effective explanation for the meaning of slurs. Slurring terms are coextensional with their neutral counterparts. However, Lauren Ashwell (2016) has questioned this assumption. She argues that gendered slurs refer to a subset of their neutral counterparts. Hence, slurs are not coextensional with their counterparts. She goes on to present a view that is not based on the counterpart assumption. Still, her view is a unifying view of slurs as it also applies to ethnic and racial slurs. In this paper, I defend the counterpart assumption with a generic view of slurs. While being a unifying view, it accommodates the subset argument with its eponymous feature that the meaning of slurs involves a generic component.


Mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) produce some of the most intense rainfall on the planet, and their response to climate variability and change is rather uncertain. Under global warming, increased water vapor is expected to intensify the most extreme rain events and enhance flood frequency. However, MCS dynamics are also sensitive to other atmospheric variables, most notably, wind shear. Here we build on a recent study showing strong MCS intensification in the African Sahel, and examine evidence of similar trends elsewhere in tropical Africa. Using satellite data, we find a remarkable increase post‐1999 in intense MCS frequency over the Congo Basin during the month of February. This earlier onset of the spring rainy season has been accompanied by strong increases in the February meridional temperature gradient and associated wind shear. This supports the hypothesis that contrasts in warming across the continent can drive important decadal‐scale trends in storm intensity.


Background Research on prevalence of cognitive frailty phenotypes in community-dwelling older adults in different countries is important to estimate their prevalence and to determine the influence of cognitive reserve and mental health in order to prevent frailty. The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence of reversible and potentially reversible cognitive frailty (R-CF, PR-CF) in a Portuguese sample of old adults and explore the associations between these phenotypes and demographic, comorbidity, social support, cognitive reserve and mental health factors. Methods We assessed frailty (Fried criteria) in 250 community-dwelling older adults (179 women) aged 60 years or over (mean 71.04 years) without dementia, neurological or psychiatric disorders. Subjective cognitive decline and Mild cognitive impairment were diagnosed according to standard criteria. The questionnaires Charlson Index, Medical Outcomes Study Social Support, Cognitive Reserve Index and General Health were used for assessing comorbidity, social support, cognitive reserve and mental health, respectively. Results Prevalence of R-CF was 14%, and that of PR-CF, 15.2%. Cognitive frailty profiles differed significantly in relation to education, comorbidity, mental health, and cognitive reserve, but not in age or sex. Multivariate logistic regression showed that age, sex, comorbidity, social support, mental health, and cognitive reserve together predicted R-CF and PR-CF (90% specificity 75% sensitivity) with significant OR for mental health and cognitive reserve. Discussion Cognitive reserve and mental health are important factors predicting R-CF and PR-CF. We recommend assessing these factors for early detection of cognitive frailty and promoting psychological well-being and lifestyles that increase cognitive reserve in adults.


Problem solving is an integral part of the learning process especially in mathematics and plays an important role because most of the learning is part of the problem-solving process; therefore, the problem solving is not only as a learning objective but also as a way to conduct the learning process. In fact, the mathematics learning process in schools gives less chance for students to solve problems in developing their ability. It is indicated by the result of the study evaluation particularly in the mathematics problemsolving test, which was still uneven and categorized as in low category. The low ability of mathematical problem solving requires innovations in the mathematics learning process. One of which is the implementation of Problem Posing and solving (PPS) learning model, this model allows students to connect their knowledge with their experiences or real-world concepts so that it creates a better conceptual understanding and ultimately motivates them to study. This study scientifically aims at encouraging students' thinking ability in order to improve their mathematical problem-solving ability in junior high school. This study is a quasi-experimental design with two experimental classes without any control class. The data collecting method is used to measure students' mathematical problem-solving abilities using test instruments. From the result of the Wilcoxon test, it was obtained that the result of the two experimental classes as p <0.05 and the first class N-gain was 0.47 increased to 0.52 in the second-class test. The effect size test from 2.207 in the first class test became 2.272 in the second or both class tests, which is included in the big effect category. It means that the implementation of the PPS learning model is effective in improving students' mathematical problem-solving ability. Keywords—learning model, problem posing, problem-solving


The IEEE has gone to ballot on a "Standard for Medical Device Communications", IEEE P1073. The lower layer, hardware portions of the standard are expected to be approved by the IEEE Standards Board at their December 11-13, 1994 meeting. Other portions of the standard are in the initial stages of the IEEE ballot process. The intent of the standard is to allow hospitals and other users to interface medical electronic devices to host computer systems in a standard, interchangeable manner. The standard is optimized for acute care environments such as ICU's, operating rooms, and emergency rooms. [1] IEEE General Committee and Subcommittee work has been on-going since 1984. Significant amounts of work have been done to discover and meet the needs of the patient care setting. Surveys performed in 1989 identified the following four key user requirements for medical device communications: 1) Frequent reconfiguration of the network. 2) Allow "plug and play" operation by users. 3) Associate devices with a specific bed and patient. 4) Support a wide range of hospital computer system topologies. Additionally, the most critical difference in the acute care setting is patient safety, which has an overall effect on the standard. The standard that went to ballot meets these requirements. The standard is based on existing ISO standards. P1073 is compliant with the OSI seven layer model. P1073 specifies the entire communication stack, from object-oriented software to hospital unique connectors. The standard will be able to be put forward as a true international standard, much in the way that the IEEE 802.x family of standards (like Ethernet) were presented as draft ISO standards.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Nowadays design and construction of flying devices is very widely spread in amateur enthusiasts, and also in professional applications. This article focuses on the use of two different embedded platform for the collecting and processing data from sensors to provide a autonomy of a two types of flying vehicles such a classic helicopter and quadrocopter. This thesis serves many kinds of problems in field of mobile robotics, especially in problematic of UAV's. The field of interest is practical experience in automatic control, programming, communication, processing data from sensors.


Experimental infections and lethal dose 50% (LD 50) evaluation were conducted in rainbow trout fingerlings, using a virulent strain of Flavobacterium psychrophilum processed and stored or maintained in different ways; lyophilisation, freezing at -80 degrees C, maintenance in enriched Anacker and Ordal (EAO) medium at 4 degrees C, revival and subsequent in vivo passages in fish. Experiments were performed 1, 8 and 23 months after storing the bacteria. Out of a total of 12 cultures revived for experimentation, one failed to grow and another was found to express modified properties including decreased virulence in spite of in vivo passages. In all other cases, whatever the conditions of preservation, virulence was fairly well maintained after 1 and 8 months of storage. In the last test, after 23 months, the bacteria maintained in the EAO medium at 4 degrees C were found significantly attenuated. Conversely, lyophilised and frozen bacteria only expressed a slight increase in LD0. It was concluded that virulent strains of F. psychrophilum were likely to retain their properties without special provisions within limited periods of time, and that both lyophilisation and freezing at -80 degrees C were reliable methods for long-term preservation of virulence.


ABSTRACT Has_circ_0008583 is reported to be involved in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), while its biological role in HCC remains unclear. Here, the qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of has_circ_0008583. The CCK-8 kit was performed to measure cell proliferation. The cell migration and invasion were evaluated by Transwell. A dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to confirm the target combination between the genes in has_circ_0008583/miR-1301-3p/METTL3 axis. The in vivo role of has_circ_0008583 was verified by murine xenograft assay. Our data showed that hsa_circ_0008583 was upregulated in HCC tissues and cells. Hsa_circ_0008583 overexpression promoted Hep3B cell proliferation, migration and invasion, but hsa_circ_0008583 silencing had an opposing influence. MiR-1301-3p is directly bound to hsa_circ_0008583 and METTL3. MiR-1301-3p overexpression or METTL3 knockdown could partially counteract hsa_circ_0008583 overexpression-mediated influence on HCC cell behaviors. In addition, hsa_circ_0008583 depletion inhibits HCC tumor growth in vivo. In conclusion, hsa_circ_0008583 promotes HCC progression through the miR-1301-3p/METTL3 axis.


The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of two weeks of physical detraining (PD) on energy balance components, white adipose tissue (WAT) metabolism, body weight (BW) and adiposity. Male C57BL/6J mice were assigned into groups sedentary (S, n = 20) and trained (T, n = 18). Physical training (PT) consisted of two 1.5 h daily sessions of swimming, 5 times/week for 4 weeks. After the PT, some of the S (S4, n = 10) and T (T4, n = 8) animals were sacrificed, and the others were kept sedentary (S6, n = 10) or detrained for two weeks (D, n = 10). After PT, the T group showed lower BW compared with S group, but PD reversed this response. The BW gains were 4%, 3% and 6.3% in S, S6 and D groups, respectively, however the T group decreased by 1.7%. T4 and D groups showed lower visceral fat depots and larger heart and left ventricle weights compared with S4 and S6 groups. Food intake, oxygen consumption at rest and fasting-induced weight loss were higher in T4 group compared with S4, and this was reversed by PD. Serum concentration of insulin, the activity of enzyme FAS and mean blood pressure did not differ among groups, but the concentration of leptin and resting heart rate were lower in T4 and D groups compared with S4 and S6 groups. T4 group increased lipolytic activity stimulated by isoproterenol and citrate synthase activity, which were reversed by PD. In conclusion, PD reversed the components of energy balance by reducing food intake and resting metabolism, and impaired WAT lipolytic activity, but not lipogenic activity. These changes resulted in remodeling of BW, but not adiposity.


Given a set of polynomials {P£,(#), • • • > PoU)}j with coefficients in an integral domain I, we can generate a sequence of sets of remainders {P^(x)9 ..., Pf U)}, x=l ,2 v .., through /^Pffi^'P^-a^h', deg(Pffi)<deg (?<*•>), 0=1,.. . , *,-!, * + !,..., ra, y,e {!,..., TO}, with ap°, #*>e=7. We call the sequence of sets {PJ U C«) , . . . , P,(*)}, f=l , 2, . . . , multiple polynomial remainder sequence (multi-PRS). This paper proves that, for each polynomial Pj">, there exists a matrix M%\ Q^j<i, such that Pj^^lM^I, each nonzero element of the first column of MO? is x'P^ with / a nonnegative integer and &e {!,..., m}, and each of the other nonzero elements is a coefficient of P$. Furthermore, three algorithms for calculating multi-PRS over I are given.


Abstract The study examines the asymmetric impact of oil price and electricity consumption on economic growth in Nigeria between 1981 and 2018 using the Non-Linear Autoregressive Distributed Lag (NARDL) model. Results reveal that falling and increasing oil prices as well as gross capital formation affect economic growth in Nigeria negatively and significantly in the short-run, while electricity consumption affects economic growth positively and significantly in the short-run. In the long-run, the impact on economic growth of negative changes in oil price is negative and insignificant, while positive changes in oil price have a positive but insignificant impact on economic growth. The impact on the economic growth of electricity consumption remains positive but insignificant while that of gross capital formation is positive and significant. The results suggest that both in the short and the long run positive changes in oil price have greater impact on the economic growth than negative oil price changes. Capital formation is a significant determinant of Nigerian economic growth both in the short and the long run.


High-quality silicon dioxide films have been deposited at 130 °C by a sputtering technique using an electron cyclotron resonance microwave plasma. Film properties have been studied as a function of O2 flow rate in the range of 2–8 sccm with a constant Ar flow rate of 8 sccm when other plasma conditions were a microwave power of 700 W, and a radio frequency power of 700 W supplied to a target for sputtering. Dielectric breakdown characteristics have been investigated by ramp current–voltage measurements. Films deposited with an O2 flow rate of 5.3 sccm have a dielectric breakdown field of 10 MV/cm, which is close to that of thermally grown silicon dioxide film. The deposition rate was as high as 23 nm/min. Structural properties of films have also been characterized by ellipsometry and infrared absorption spectroscopy, showing that films with O2 flow rates above 4 sccm have near-stoichiometric composition.


The rise of the accommodation duty, and particularly the accommodation rights of employees with disabilities, has been the greatest single innovation within Canadian labour law over the past twenty years. High Law principles on disability accommodation have been developed through a series of Supreme Court of Canada rulings, and these principles have been applied through the voluminous Low Law decisions of labour arbitrators and human rights tribunals. This article examines the dismal employment status of employees with disabilities in Canada, traces the emergence of the Supreme Court of Canada rulings, and critically examines the caselaw on disability accommodation from labour arbitrators, human rights tribunals and the common law courts. Although Canadian labour law transplanted the accommodation duty from the early civil rights jurisprudence in the United States, recent Canadian law on disability accommodation has headed in a much different direction than its American progenitor.


Ecological functioning of the intensive, homogeneous agroecosystems in the Chippewa River Watershed (CRW), MN, USA, can be improved by reducing soil erosion, runoff, and nutrient leaching. These ecosystem services can be achieved through increased perennials in crop rotations to diversify land use and sustain carbon sequestration. We calibrated, validated, and used APSIM software to simulate the effect of 100 yrs each of historical and future climate change scenario (IPCC-A2) on biophysical processes in representative soil types of the predominant farming systems in CRW. The interrelationships between crop rotations, soil types, climate variables, and ecosystem services indicated that not all objectives of sustainable agro-ecosystem are compatible, and tradeoffs among them are necessary. Site-specific and diversified crop rotations that comply with the environmental constraints of climate and soils could lead to more efficient implementation of strategies to improve ecosystem services in the watershed if current management practices of high external inputs and tillage persisted.


есте-Abstract Introduction. Despite the availability of general principles and regimens for ovarian stimulation on the assisted reproductive technology (ART) programs, an individual situational modification is required in each specific case. Objective. To optimize the ovarian stimulation protocols on the ART program based on the clinical and medical history records of the married couple. Materials and methods. The clinical and medical history records, as well as the stimulation cycle parameters of 60 married couples were analysed. The married couples enrolled in this study were diagnosed with infertility caused by tubo-peritoneal (44 married couples), male (5 married couples), combined factor (6 married couples), as well as external genital endometriosis combined with a male factor (3 married couples), and tubo-peritoneal factor (2 married couples). All married couples underwent IVF/ICSI procedures under the gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist (GnRH-ant) protocol and ovarian stimulation on day 2 or 3 of the menstrual cycle. Results. All married couples were divided into two groups: 38 couples with a negative implantation result and 20 married couples with positive implantation results. The surgical removal of fallopian tubes has been shown to be inversely correlated with the duration of infertility. The use of hCG positively correlates to the ratio of mature oocytes and oocyte-cumulus complexes (OCC) and the onset of pregnancy. A reduced percentage of morphologically healthy sperm with an overall high concentration of sperm in the ejaculate can be interpreted as fertile sperm. Conclusions. During ovarian stimulation on the ART program, special attention should be paid to the duration of stimulation, the types of interventions for triggering final oocyte maturation and the total gonadotropin dose. A differentiated approach to con-ducting the surgical removal of fallopian tubes is required. The reduced percentage of morphologically healthy sperm with an overall high concentration of sperm in the ejaculate serves as a favourable prognostic factor for the outcome of ART programs.


Lately it has been reported that calcitonin is effective for the treatment of hypercalcemia and for the relief of pain caused by osteolytic bone metastasis. Thus we have studied the analgesic effect of synthetic eel calcitonin (ECT) on 8 breast cancer patients with bone metastases. ECT was administered in the dose of 20 or 40 I.U. twice a day intramuscularly for 7 days without other antineoplastic treatment, and the laboratory data of its analgesic effect and change has been examined. An analgesic effect was obtained on all 8 patients who had received ECT. However, an improvement of radiological findings of metastatic osteolysis and a decrease in urine hydroxyproline were not found after short term (7 days) treatment with calcitonin. These results suggest that the effect of ECT on the relief from pain due to bone metastasis is not caused by an improvement of the osteolytic metastatic lesions.


Renewable distributed resources, energy storage systems, and improved load control options are introducing new challenges in electric power distribution. It is necessary to integrate such smart grid concepts into formal power engineering curricula. To help meet this need, solar microgrid experiments are being developed at Drexel University. This work presents: first, an overview of the laboratory-scale microgrid equipment at Drexel; second, upgrades to the distribution energy management system in the Reconfigurable Distribution Automation and Control Laboratory; third, a detailed educational microgrid experiment; and fourth, corresponding pre- and post-laboratory assignments. In the experiment, students analyze a microgrid network in grid-powered, grid-interactive, and island modes with a renewable source that is not electrically (or physically) co-located with the utility supply. Students will observe power flow characteristics in each mode. In island mode, students will make network or load control decisions in order to satisfy the operating constraints, and then connect the renewable source to the node of their choice.


Discrete-time quantum walks with position-dependent coin operators have numerous applications. For a position dependence that is sufficiently smooth, it has been provided in Ref. [1] an approximate quantum-circuit implementation of the coin operator that is efficient. If we want the quantum-circuit implementation to be exact (e.g., either, in the case of a smooth position dependence, to have a perfect precision, or in order to treat a non-smooth position dependence), but the depth of the circuit not to scale exponentially, then we can use the linear-depth circuit of Ref. [1], which achieves a depth that is linear at the cost of introducing an exponential number of ancillas. In this paper, we provide an adjustable-depth quantum circuit for the exact implementation of the position-dependent coin operator. This adjustable-depth circuit consists in (i) applying in parallel, with a linear-depth circuit, only certain packs of coin operators (rather than all of them as in the original linear-depth circuit [1]), each pack contributing linearly to the depth, and in (ii) applying sequentially these packs, which contributes exponentially to the depth.


We present a patient with idiopathic intracranial calcifications with simultaneous involvement of sclera, choroid, optic nerve, and trochlear apparatus. A 70-year-old woman with bilateral decreased vision was referred to our hospital. Ocular examinations revealed sclerochoroidal mass beneath superotemporal vascular arcade in macular area. Orbital CT scan shows bilateral calcification of dural optic nerve sheath and posterior wall of the globe as well as calcification in the trochlear apparatus and brain. Ultrasound showed highly reflective echogenic lesion with shadowing. OCT revealed rolling topography with thinning of the overlying choroid and outer nuclear layer as well as absence of the external limiting membrane and inner segment-outer segment junction. Slight irregular thickening of the retinal pigment epithelium is present. It is the first case of simultaneous bilateral dural optic nerve sheath and sclerochoroidal calcification.


The making of new things at an incredibly small "nano" scale (100,000 times smaller than the human hair) is called nanotechnology and it is one of the most exciting and fast-moving technology in today's world. Scientists and engineers have been working hard to make the maximum utilization of this knowledge towards applications like cure for certain diseases, to create certain renewable sources of energy and to bring human race safety into next millennium, thus nanomedicine being one of the most important evolution of nanotechnology.
In this research, we have done a cross sectional observation, knowledge, perception and attitude study among 56 residents of various clinical departments of Datta Meghe Medical College. According to our survey, it was evident that only 48.21% of the residents were aware of the science of nanotechnology. Television was the source for most of them to know about it. Approximately 35.71% knew the size of nanoparticles which is really low. Of all the residence who knew about nanotechnology, most of the (42.86%) them knew about its application in healthcare whereas comparatively less (28.57%) were aware of its applications in areas besides healthcare. As expected very few (14.29%) had practically used this advanced science in health care. And hardly any knew about limitations or long-term side effects of nanotechnology in health care but most of them supported it.
With our limited analysis and discussion, we could conclude that awareness and knowledge about nanotechnology among residents who are our upcoming clinicians, was deficient in more than half of them and inadequate among those who had. Universities need to add this subject in their curriculums and have an interdisplinary approach towards this recent advance so that all the medical students and upcoming clinicians have awareness and adequate knowledge regarding nanotechnology & nanomedicine which is going to be the future of medicine having significant impact on our health, comfort and lifestyle.


This paper examines an unusual type of nominal predication in Emerillon, a Tupi-Guarani language spoken in French Guiana. This construction, exactly parallel to that of a possessed noun, is made of a person marker plus a noun. However, it is used as a predicate with a possessive meaning. Thus the form "my hammock" by itself can mean "I have a hammock". We hypothesize that this type of nominal predicates is in fact an existential construction. This is confirmed by the optional presence of the existential copula. However, in absence of the copula, the nominal predicate takes on all the predicative morphology (negation, TAM...), just like a verb does. This makes it more difficult to think in terms of a zero existential copula.


The role of water in the development of the martian surface remains a fundamental scientific question. Did Mars have one or more "warm and wet" climatic episodes where liquid water was stable at the surface? If so, the mineral phases present in the soils should be consistent with a history of aqueous weathering. More generally, the formation of hydrated mineral phases on Mars is a strong indicator of past habitable surface environments. The primary purpose of this investigation is to help resolve the question of whether such aqueous indicators are present on Mars by probing the upper meter for diagnostic mineral species. According to Burns [1993], the formation of the ferric oxides responsible for the visible color of Mars are the result of dissolution of Fe (+2) phases from basalts followed by aqueous oxidation and precipitation of Fe" mineral assemblages. These precipitates likely included iron oxyhydroxides such as goethite (a-FeOOH) and lepidocrocite (g-FeOOH), but convincing evidence for these phases at the surface is still absent. The stability of these minerals is enhanced beneath the surface, and thus we propose a subsurface search for hydroxylated iron species as a test for a large-scale chemical weathering process based on interactions with liquid water. It is also possible that the ferric minerals on Mars are not aqueous alteration products of the rocks. A chemical study of the Pathfinder landing site concluded that the soils are not directly derived from the surrounding rocks and are enhanced in Mg and Fe. The additional source of these elements might be from other regions of Mars and transported by winds, or alternatively, from exogenic sources. Gibson [1970] proposed that the spectral reflectivity of Mars is consistent with oxidized meteoritic material. Yen and Murray [1998] further extend Gibson's idea and show, in the laboratory, that metallic iron can be readily oxidized to maghemite and hematite under present-day martian surface conditions (in the absence of liquid water). A test for a meteoritic component of the soil can be conducted, as described below, by searching for the presence of Ni at the martian surface. The average abundance of nickel in an Fe-Ni meteorite is about 7% and, if present at measurable levels in the soil, would be indicative of an exogenic contribution. In addition, it may be possible to directly search for mineral phases common in meteorites. An understanding of the formation and evolution of the martian soil would not be complete without addressing the unusual reactivity discovered by the Viking Landers The presence of an inorganic oxidant, possibly one produced as a results of photochemical processes, is the most widely accepted explanation of the Viking results. Are these chemical species simply adsorbed on soil grains, or have they reacted with the metal oxide substrates and altered the mineral structures? Could a completely different (non-photochemical) process be responsible for the soil reactivity? The various ideas for the nature of this putative oxidant could be constrained by a measurement of the change in reactivity with depth. Different compositions will have different lifetimes and mobilities and thus will have different vertical profiles. Because the oxidizing compounds are believed to actively destroy organic molecules, determination of the reactivity gradient also has significant implications for the search for life on Mars. A DS2-based microprobe system can be instrumented for a 2003 micromission to investigate the origin and reactivity of the martian soil. These measurements would provide invaluable information regarding the climate history and exobiological potential of the planet. The NMR, X ray and chemiresistor measurement approach described embodies a highly synergistic and general set of soil interrogation methods for elements, compounds, and crystal structures and can also be applied to other geologic questions of interest. For example, if the capability for precise targeting of the probes is available, then in-situ investigations of suspected evaporite and hydrothermal deposits would be possible with the same set of instruments. Additional information is contained in the original.


We measured the concentration of immunoreactive trypsin and the enzymic activity of pancreatic isoamylase in sera from 103 patients with pancreatic diseases and 29 other subjects serving as a reference group. Almost all patients with pancreatic diseases had abnormal values for both enzymes. A strong positive correlation between these two variables over a 1000-fold range was observed.


Both anterograde (autoradiographic) and retrograde (horseradish peroxidase) tracing techniques were used to identify and characterize projections from the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (DLG) of the thalamus to the subdivisions of occipital prestriate cortex (generally defined by areas 18 and 19) in macaque monkeys. It was found that the DLG projects to area 19 and the anterior portion of area 18 located on the lateral, ventral, and ventromedial surfaces of the hemisphere. There is a general topographical organization such that the medial portion of the DLG projects to dorsal prestriate located between the lunate and superior temporal sulci, while the lateral portion of the DLG projects to ventral prestriate extending from the inferior occipitotemporal sulcus. In contrast DLG inputs to the lunate, superior temporal, and inferior occipital sulci are limited in extent, and involve only a portion of the bank or shoulder of each sulcus which is continuous with the cortex located on the surfaces of the surrounding preoccipital gyri. The projection to the inferior occipital sulcus is more extensive than the ones to the lunate and superior temporal sulci and involves the floor as well as the ventral bank. This means that there are certain functional subdivisions, such as those located within the lunate (eg, visual area 2) and superior temporal sulici which do not receive DLG input. Regardless of the location of these projections the terminal pattern was the same and occurred in horizontally segregated "patches" which were restricted to layer V and the lower, adjacent portion of layer IV. In contrast, the projections from the nearby pulvinar to cortical layers IV, III, and I of the same prestriate areas do not overlap with those from the DLG. An attempt was made to identify possible afferent inputs to these DLG‐prestriate paths. The HRP experiments reveal that the DL‐Gprestriate cells are concentrated in the DLG interlaminar zones and that their distribution overlaps the distribution of terminals from the superior colliculus and, as shown previously, prestriate cortex. Intraocular injections of radioactive precursors demonstrated transsynaptic transport to a number of structures except prestriate cortex. While the latter result does not prove that the DLG‐prestriate cells do not receive retinal input, one conclusion is that the DLG‐prestriate projection could be organized like pulvino‐prestriate systems which receive their inputs from the midbrain and cortex.


Abstract Museums have been increasingly investing in their digital presence. This became more pressing during the COVID-19 pandemic since heritage institutions had, on the one hand, to temporarily close their doors to visitors while, on the other, find ways to communicate their collections to the public. Virtual tours, revamped websites, and 3D models of cultural artefacts were only a few of the means that museums devised to create alternative ways of digital engagement and counteract the physical and social distancing measures. Although 3D models and collections provide novel ways to interact, visualise, and comprehend the materiality and sensoriality of physical objects, their mediation in digital forms misses essential elements that contribute to (virtual) visitor/user experience. This article explores three-dimensional digitisations of museum artefacts, particularly problematising their aura and authenticity in comparison to their physical counterparts. Building on several studies that have problematised these two concepts, this article establishes an exploratory framework aimed at evaluating the experience of aura and authenticity in 3D digitisations. This exploration allowed us to conclude that even though some aspects of aura and authenticity are intrinsically related to the physicality and materiality of the original, 3D models can still manifest aura and authenticity, as long as a series of parameters, including multimodal contextualisation, interactivity, and affective experiences are facilitated.


Sir, Teppo et al.'s article compared saline-soaked versus racemic adrenaline-soaked (RA) packs, concluding that 'the use of RA diminished significantly the surgeons' subjective assessment of the amount of intraoperative bleeding, the use of electrocautery and the number of postoperative packs needed'. The senior author witnessed a presentation given by Mr Ashok Das Gupta at a meeting of the British Association for Paediatric Otolaryngology, about 10 years ago, in which he reiterated a technique, initially published by Smith & Dowaliby, of passing a stitch through the posterior pharyngeal mucosa and superior constrictor to control persistent post-adenoidectomy haemorrhage. The authors and presenter both stated that, in using this technique, they had never needed to leave a postnasal tampon in situ overnight. From an anatomical point of view, this makes sense: the arterial supply of the nasopharyngeal tonsil is derived from the ascending pharyngeal and ascending palatine arteries, together with the tonsillar branches of the facial artery, the pharyngeal branch of the maxillary artery and the artery of the pterygoid canal. The ascending pharyngeal artery, the smallest branch of the external carotid artery, ascends bilaterally between the internal carotid artery and the pharynx to the base of the cranium under the posterior pharyngeal wall mucosa. It anastomoses with the ascending palatine branch of the facial artery (this having pierced the superior constrictor muscle) and the ascending cervical branch of the vertebral artery. Therefore a stitch, such as 3/0 Vicryl, encompassing the posterior pharyngeal mucosa and superior constrictor muscle, would control the majority of feeding vessels to the nasopharyngeal bed. The suture is passed at the level of the soft palate just below the adenoid bed, (for the righthanded surgeon) from the right lateral aspect of the nasopharynx to the midline and tied, and a second passed from the midline towards the left lateral wall and secured. In over 10 years of clinical practice of using this technique, the senior author has never had to employ a postnasal pack, adrenaline soaked tampons, or electrocautery to control a persistent post-adenoidectomy bleed. This highlights the importance of thorough knowledge of patients' anatomy – important in all branches of surgery.


APL is often presented as a notation that is independent of national language because of its symbolic nature. Paradoxically its unique character set has led to APL being treated as if it were itself a national language. This has meant, in many practical situations, that the APL character set is incompatible with national language character sets.IBM's APL2 attempted to avoid these problems by defining a set of extended (31 bit) characters, and this has indeed been helpful in handling Asian languages such as Kanji. But the character mappings adopted have not been adequate to support all European and Middle Eastern language characters, nor have they been consistent across platforms.With the advent of international standards for character assignment, there is an opportunity to create APL systems that handle the character sets of the world in an efficient and elegant manner. While at first the solution appears to require only a recitation of code point assignments, an analysis of the problem leads to interesting and disturbing questions about a number of APL system functions, system variables, commands, and file facilities. This paper explores problems with internal conversions, external representations, migration, compatibility, and interplatform portability.


In a simulation-based design process developed for the Rapid Prototyping of Application-Specific Signal Processors program (RASSP), an abstract VHDL performance model forms a virtual prototype of a full DSP system that is timing- and data-faithful. Full-system models provide early design verification by simulating application software and hardware in an integrated co-design development. This paper describes the process of applying Omniview's PMW tool suite to the design of an image-classification system. The Performance Modeling Workbench (PMW) tool suite lets engineers create high-fidelity performance models of multiprocessor systems. The design process uses performance models for trade-off analyses among designs with different hardware/software architectures. The tool helps designers determine if the candidate design could satisfy performance requirements, identify bottlenecks and over-design, and optimize system performance.


The survey provides an overview of the work done in the last 10 years to characterise solutions to equations in groups in terms of formal languages. We begin with the work of Ciobanu, Diekert and Elder, who showed that solutions to systems of equations in free groups in terms of reduced words are expressible as EDT0L languages. We provide a sketch of their algorithm, and describe how the free group results extend to hyperbolic groups. The characterisation of solutions as EDT0L languages is very robust, and many group constructions preserve this, as shown by Levine. The most recent progress in the area has been made for groups without negative curvature, such as virtually abelian, the integral Heisenberg group, or the soluble Baumslag-Solitar groups, where the approaches to describing the solutions are different from the negative curvature groups. In virtually abelian groups the solutions sets are in fact rational, and one can obtain them as $m$-regular sets. In the Heisenberg group producing the solutions to a single equation reduces to understanding the solutions to quadratic Diophantine equations and uses number theoretic techniques. In the Baumslag-Solitar groups the methods are combinatorial, and focus on the interplay of normal forms to solve particular classes of equations. In conclusion, EDT0L languages give an effective and simple combinatorial characterisation of sets of seemingly high complexity in many important classes of groups.


We examine the behaviour of typical orbits in the Harper map, a quasiperiodically driven skew-product dynamical system in two dimensions. When the map is critical, namely when all Lyapunov exponents vanish, the dynamics is parabolic.


The current study investigated whether the reflective reading of fiction can provide an experiential definition of empathy to supplement more traditional concept analyses. A secondary aim was to look at the rates of absorption (loss of time and space) relative to the rate of reported empathic engagement. Based on earlier studies on reading fiction as an engagement in a social simulation, it was predicted that because fiction is a controlled experience, reading and talking about fiction could provide a forum in which to examine actual experiences of empathy elicitation in relation to an evolving situation. A survey was conducted with 210 student participants over a three-year period. The results show that the empathetic response to narrative is affected in a variety of ways by the presence or absence of an initial sense of affinity and by cognitive input over time, that is, the changing perception of characters and the situations with which they are confronted. Adept readers are more likely to experience absorption, and those who experience absorption are more likely to be empathetically responsive to input and changes in a situation. Empathetic emotions and cognitive empathy can be experienced for multiple objects simultaneously in one situation and relate to past events and potential futures, but they also shift from object to object.


A novel planar resonant tunneling transistor is demonstrated. The growth structure is similar to that of a double-barrier resonant tunneling diode (RTD), except for a fully two-dimensional (2D) emitter formed by a quantum well. Current is fed laterally into the emitter, and the 2D--2D resonant tunneling current is controlled by a surface gate. This unique device structure achieves figures-of-merit, i.e. peak current densities and peak voltages, approaching that of state-of-the-art RTDs. Most importantly, sensitive control of the peak current and voltage is achieved by gating of the emitter quantum well subband energy. This quantum tunneling transistor shows exceptional promise for ultra-high speed and multifunctional operation at room temperature.


Framing the banning order debate As we have seen, the disorder in Marseille and Charleroi brought the debate about hooliganism by English fans abroad back to the front pages of the newspapers--and to the front benches of the House of Commons. However, the rhetoric had not evolved at all from that of the late 1980s, following the disorder in Germany and Sweden. No one appeared ready to tackle what, for us, was the central issue: why was it that some England away matches would pass off peacefully, while others resulted in major disorder? Why was it that England fans were involved in a large-scale riot in Marseille at the 1998 World Cup, but that the same fans did not fight at the following match in Toulouse? How could sixty thousand Manchester United fans, including many identified by the police as 'troublemakers', descend on Barcelona in 1999 with barely a single arrest? In short, our contention is that, despite its widespread popularity the theory that wide-scale disorder was caused by individuals who travelled with the intention of 'kicking it off ' could not explain the wildly different outcomes when large numbers of English football supporters followed their team in Europe. But despite its limitations as a theory, it was this account that still dominated media and political debates about the subject. Most significantly, it was felt that if the hooligans could be identified and prevented from travelling, then the problem could be solved. The argument that removing known troublemakers from a crowd would stop hooliganism was the same proposal that gained popularity in the late 1980s, and led to the introduction of the National Identity Card Scheme in Part One of the Football Spectators Act 1989.1 The ID Card Scheme was conceived and introduced as an attempt by the then Conservative government to 'break the link' between football and hooliganism, by excluding hooligans from all football grounds in the UK (although the scheme was never actually implemented). Attempts to ban fans by the football authorities Football banning orders in their current form arise from legislation (the Football Spectators Act 1989, as amended by the Football [Disorder] Act 2000) but the idea of excluding those identified as troublemakers from matches, or from travelling to a country hosting a match, is not a new one. The first attempts to ban English supporters from travelling abroad came from the football clubs and authorities themselves, following notable early incidents of disorder involving Manchester United supporters at St. Etienne and Tottenham Hotspur fans in Rotterdam. Manchester United, for example, banned its own supporters from attending European away ties in the early 1980s, although Buford documents that many United fans travelled to a key 1984 European Cup-Winners' Cup tie in Turin anyway. (2) Following Heysel, of course, the ultimate sanction was imposed when all English clubs were banned front European club competitions by UEFA. However, given that it was only club sides that faced the ban, many fans simply started to follow the national side abroad instead. During this time, the Football Association also made attempts to stop England fans travelling--for example, by refusing to take up their ticket allocation for a key World Cup qualifier in Sweden in 1989. The subsequent disorder that occurred was almost certainly escalated by the confusion and frustration among those hundreds of England fans who travelled anyway, to try to gain entry to the ground without official tickets. So attempts by clubs and governing bodies to stop English fans travelling were largely unsuccessful at tackling the English disease. The simple fact is that fans were willing to travel to matches without tickets, independently of their club or the FA, the clubs and authorities having no legal power to prevent them travelling or even attending games. Furthermore, there is evidence to suggest these bans may even have exacerbated trouble, with fans purchasing tickets for the home sections of foreign grounds in the absence of an official away allocation, or 'mobbing up' and marching to the ground in the often quite valid hope that the authorities may allow them entry to avoid disorder (as occurred in Sweden, 1989). …


The aromatics have widespread uses across the chemical industries. Where, the monocyclic aromatics (e.g. BTX) and phenolics compounds are important basic raw materials for several industrial petrochemical processes such as synthetic polymers, detergents, biocides, resins, explosives, etc. Traditional production of these valuable chemicals has been dependent on fossil resources for more than half a century. So, it requires strategies for alternative chemical production from renewable sources especially from nonedible biomass. This chapter presents a review of the recent literature on the fast pyrolysis process for the production of aromatic hydrocarbons using mesoporous catalysts. We focus on the factors that can enhance the yield of aromatics and the lifetime of the catalyst used. Background information on catalyst deactivation during the pyrolysis process was described. The role of mesoporous catalyst's acidity and textural and topological properties of lignin to aromatics conversion was also discussed in detail.


The study aimed to map different ethical positions regarding the way in which 107 adolescent athletes (Mage = 13.64, SD = 1.64) and 157 adults including 44 non-athletes (Mage = 20.56, SD = 2.98), 94 amateur athletes (Mage = 20.61, SD = 2.77), and 19 professional athletes (Mage = 20.52, SD = 2.52) used different informational cues (the consequences for health, the level of detectability, the short-term outcome, and the Coach's attitude (CA)) for judging how acceptable it is to use a nutritional supplement in sport. The participants indicated their judgment of acceptability in 36 scenarios constructed from the combination of these information cues. Cluster analyses, ANOVAs, and chi-square tests were done. From the total number of participants, two different ethical positions were found according to the age. The adolescents (61%) judged that using a nutritional supplement is acceptable when the negative consequences for health are low, the coach's attitude is favourable, and the expectation of short-term success is high. The adults (70%) judged that the use of a nutritional supplement is acceptable only when the negative consequences for health are low. Among the adults, different ethical positions were found but they were not linked with the involvement in sport.


OBJECTIVES
Unilateral and bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients were compared with respect to static and dynamic balance in the postoperative sixth and 12th months.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
Eighty TKA patients 35 unilateral, 45 bilateral were assessed for static and dynamic balance using the balance master test device in sixth and 12th months after surgery. Patients were also measured with respect to Hospital for Special Surgery knee score and range of motions. Differences between groups were statistically evaluated using independent t-tests. Within-group time differences were statistically examined using paired t-tests. Correlation between the measurements was evaluated by the Pearson,s analysis.

RESULTS
Sensory interaction balance and unilateral stance test of static balance assessment were similar in unilateral and bilateral TKA (p>0.05). Patients with bilateral TKA had statistically significantly better performance at the limits of stability of dynamic balance evaluations (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between rhythmic weight shift tests in the sixth and 12th months after surgery (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION
In our study we concluded that while dynamic balance parameters in the daily activities of patients with bilateral TKA were expected to be better than patients with unilateral TKA, there was no significant difference between static balance parameters between the two groups.


Abstract Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects the lives of millions of patients worldwide. Patients with advanced COPD may require non‐invasive ventilation (NIV) to support the resultant deficiencies of the respiratory system. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of varying the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and oxygen supplementation components of NIV on simulated COPD patients by using an established and detailed model of the human respiratory system. The model used in the study simulates features of advanced COPD including the effects on the changes in ventilation control, increases in respiratory dead space and airway resistance, and the acid–base shifts in the blood seen in these patients over time. The results of the study have been compared with and found to be in general agreement with available clinical data. Our results demonstrate that under non‐emergency conditions, low levels of oxygen supplementation combined with low levels of CPAP therapy seem to improve hypoxemia and hypercapnia in the model, whereas prolonged high‐level CPAP and moderate‐to‐high levels of oxygen supplementation do not. The authors conclude that such modelling may be useful to help guide beneficial interventions for COPD patients using NIV.


6 W diffraction-limited pico-second pulses from a diode-pumped Nd:YVO/sub 4/ slab amplifier with a photorefractive phase-conjugate mirror are demonstrated. The corresponding energy extraction efficiency of 26% was achieved.


Endothelium-derived nitric oxide is beneficial in experimental stroke. We assessed plasma NO levels in patients with acute stroke and their association with both severity and outcome. Plasma nitric oxide (NO), assessed as nitrate/nitrite (NOx), cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP, second messenger to NO), L-arginine (substrate for NO) and L-citrulline (co-product with NO) levels were measured in 228 patients with acute ischemic stroke, 49 patients with acute hemorrhagic stroke, and 38 age and gender-matched normal volunteers. Stroke severity was assessed using the Glasgow Coma Scale, and the outcome was judged by discharge destination (home, institution, or dead). In our study, stroke patients had low levels of NOx (micromol/l): ischemic 49.9 (26.1); hemorrhage 41.7 (19.5); and control 64.0 (36.3) (P < .001); L-arginine (micromol/l): ischemic 85.1 (32.3); hemorrhage 69.9 (24.4); and control 104.0 (30.0) (P < .001); and L-citrulline (micromol/l): ischemic 30.5 (12.3); hemorrhage 26.7 (12.1); and control 39.4 (13.5) (P < .001). Cyclic GMP levels were elevated in stroke: ischemic 21.2 (16.1); hemorrhage 24.7 (17.5); and control 15.8 (9.2) (P = .024). Patients who died or became institutionalized had lower NOx, L-arginine, and L-citrulline levels, and higher cyclic GMP levels, than patients who were discharged home. NOx levels were not associated with feeding status in patients. Low levels of NOx are present in stroke and are associated with severity and outcome. Because endothelium-derived NO is beneficial in acute stroke, administering NO might be beneficial in acute stroke.


This paper investigates the application of capacitive voltage transformers (CVTs) for harmonic distortion measurements. Measured and simulated frequency responses are given for the voltage transformation ratio and the transconductance ratio of the capacitive divider ground return current and the high voltage input signal of a 400 kV CVT. The frequency response of the transconductance ratio is shown to be linear and easily predictable for the harmonic frequency band, i.e. from the rated frequency of the device to approximately 2.5 kHz. This is explained with reference to the reactance of the intermediate voltage capacitor and the input impedance of the electromagnetic unit. The results are verified by simulations for a 138 kV CVT, using the equivalent circuit model and parameter values presented in a recent EPRI study. Practical application of the results for the measurement of voltage harmonic distortion is subsequently discussed.


A fusion protein has been expressed from the relevant genes in mammalian cells consisting of the photoprotein aequorin and an anti-4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenacetyl antibody gene. This chimeric antibody has allowed the development of a sensitive luminescent immunoassay. Initially the cDNA of the photoprotein aequorin from Aequorea victoria was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The gene was expressed as apoaequorin and, by using luciferin isolated from Renilla reniformis, its activity was found essentially identical to native aequorin. The aequorin gene was subcloned into a mammalian expression vector to produce a fusion protein directing secretion of apoaequorin; the aequorin gene was fused to the 3' terminus of an immunoglobulin heavy-chain gene that directed expression of an anti-4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenacetyl antibody. The gene fusion contained the variable region, the constant region domain 1, and part of domain 2 for the IgG2b mouse immunoglobulin, followed by the aequorin gene. Transfection of the chimeric gene into a cell line expressing the complementary lambda 1 light chain, J558L, allowed recovery of a chimeric antibody with binding specificity for the 4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenacetyl group and the related 4-hydroxy-3-iodo-5-nitrophenacetyl hapten. The Ca2(+)-dependent bioluminescent activity of aequorin was also recovered.


Cyanide exposure from several sources may cause chronic diseases or acute lethal intoxication in humans. Accurate and specific methods for determination of cyanide and its metabolite thiocyanate are therefore needed for clinical and epidemiological purposes. An improved method for determination of thiocyanate in serum and urine was developed by adsorption of thiocyanate on a weakly basic anion-exchange resin by a chaotropic effect, followed by colorimetrical determination by a modified Konig reaction. Dietary intake of cyanide and sulfur was estimated by determination of urinary thiocyanate and inorganic sulfate in a Mozambican population affected by the paralytic disease konzo. Konzo was found to be associated with a high cyanide and low sulfur intake from a diet dominated by cassava roots that were consumed without removal of the naturally occurring cyanogen compounds. A low intake of sulfur containing proteins was supposed to enhance toxic effects of cyanide by reducing cyanide to thiocyanate conversion.For determination of blood cyanide in field studies an analytical method that enabled transport of samples was developed. Cyanide was stabilized in blood by adding silver ions and after distillation determined by the Konig reaction. A 30-fold increase in sensitivity was obtained by fluorometric determination of the Konig chromogen, which enabled determination of physiological blood cyanide levels 0.117 ± 0.038 J..Ullol/L (mean± SD), and blood cyanide after smoking a cigarette 0.424 ± 0.173 f.tmol/L. A rapid method for determination of toxic blood cyanide levels could be developed by separating the cyanide containing erythrocytes from thiocyanate containing plasma by washing with saline and thereafter protein precipitation followed by direct spectrophotometric determination of the Konig chromogen.Measurement of hydrogen cyanide in breath showed no correlation with blood levels of cyanide. Experiments revealed that most of the hydrogen cyanide found in breath from normal human beings originates from oxidation of thiocyanate by salivary peroxidase in the oropharynx.In a study of fire casualties 9 out of 18 victims had toxic blood cyanide levels (> 40 J..Ullol/L) and one had a blood cyanide level of 101 J..UllOI/L but a nontoxic blood carboxyhemoglobin, which suggests a lethal effect of cyanide exposure. Blood cyanide levels in two suicidal intoxications were found to be 105 and 139 J..UllOl/L. A lethal outcome in one of the cases that received insufficient antidotal treatment indicates that immediate laboratory verification of cyanide intoxication may be life-saving.


This study was designed to identify variables related to Internet information search and shopping intentions for apparel products among computer users residing in major metropolitan cities across the nation. Stepwise multiple regression analysis, multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA), and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were employed to analyze the national data (n = 684) collected through a mail survey. Internet information search intention was the most significant variable related to Internet shopping intention for apparel products. Certain attitudes toward Internet shopping were significantly related to computer users' information search intention for apparel information and shopping intention for apparel products through the Internet. Main effects and interaction effects of a limited number of demographic characteristics were also identified.


The paper presents our experience using the formal description technique Estelle for the protocol development cycle in the area of real time industrial communication systems. As a real world application, the PROFIBUS parts FMS and DP of the European fieldbus standard were completely implemented using formal models. These implementations are successfully used in industrial applications and embedded systems. Our development method, results, and experiences during the development process are discussed. A closed, tool based method is the overall aim concerning the development life cycle to support the requirement definition as well as the implementation of the product code with final testing. To meet these needs, our approach defines some assumptions and constraints using the syntactic and semantic model of the specification language Estelle, aspects of the modelling process concerning the architecture, handling data abstraction and encapsulation of the specification language vs. real time data flow in the product code implementation, synchronous vs. asynchronous communications to local interfaces (e.g. physical layer or partly data link layer ASIC) and dealing with special local events like timeouts and interrupts in the specification and in the real time execution environment. The paper discusses advantages and also critical points using the formal way of the protocol development cycle. In theory, it is quite clear that formal description techniques enhance quality. Therefore, we discuss this approach from the user's point of view.


Three species of oysters from the middle Eocene Cubitostrea lineage are used for local and regional correlation and zonation of sediments in the Gulf coastal plain. However, oysters from the middle Eocene Piney Point Formation in Virginia also include the co-occurrence of specimens that exhibit the morphologic characteristics of these 3 Gulf Coast species. Examination of approximately 150 specimens from 8 bulk samples collected in a vertical sequence along the Pamunkey River revealed that, in addition to co-occurring, a continium exists from one form to the next. The general shape of the forms is related to size, with juvenile oysters characterized by a triangular shape and prominent ribs, whereas the adults are oval with large auricles and a saddle-shaped form. Results indicate that the morphologic variation of oysters in the middle Eocene sediments of Virginia does not represent an evolutionary lineage with each form a species, as proposed for the Gulf coastal plain. Rather, the forms are related to the growth stages of the species C. sellaeformis. Therefore, the Gulf model is not applicable to the middle Eocene sediments of Virginia and possibly not to other depositional areas. Oysters from the underlying Nanjemoy Formation (lower Eocene) previously included within the species C. sellaeformis should not be so designated. This distinction is based on the coarser and fewer number of ribs on the Nanjemoy oyster as compared to C. sellaeformis from the Piney Point Formation. End_of_Article - Last_Page 290------------


Fully automated method for QT interval measurement is presented. It includes ours: QRS detection algorithm and ECG signals preprocessing allowing suppression of power-line interference, electromyographic noise and baseline drift guaranteeing accurate preservation of the QRS-onset and T-end locality. Representative heart beat is automatically selected at the smallest difference between two consecutive RR intervals. Our method for automatic detection of QRS-onset and T-end is based on the minimum value of the angle between two segments having a common mid point and equal lengths of 10 ms. The minimum of the angle is searched in defined time intervals delineated separately for the Q and T. The method is developed with a feedback to published experts' markings for Q and T. The mean and standard deviations of the QT differences between our method and the experts' markings are 3.86 + 12.52 ms. The score 25.19 for the Challenge 2006 is the second best in Division 3.


When looking at international trade and investment, there is a quite remarkable gap between the commercial power companies gain through international bilateral and regional trade agreements (Free Trade Agreements or FTAs) and investment treaties that facilitate their access to foreign markets and the norms of these agreements which address corporate behaviours in order to align them with sustainable development objectives. For instance, there is a strong perception by the public opinion that the recent Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations, harshly criticized for lack of transparency, would favour multinational corporations and other business operators at the expenses of the protection of public interests. Recently negotiated FTAs contain dedicated chapters to social, labour and environmental protection issues, including corporate social responsibility (CSR) norms. The opening of FTAs and their investment chapters to sustainable development concerns is – or should be – a way to rebalance the level playing field in these interstate agreements by envisaging public interest standards applicable to business operators. Disagreements between the Parties regarding these provisions may be solved through implementation mechanisms where non-state actors can actively participate. Notwithstanding this shift towards the inclusion of non-trade and non-state actors consideration, the provisions of bilateral and regional FTAs remain of an intergovernmental nature and do not provide for direct obligations for corporations. Despite the lack of vertical effects and the consequent limited implications on enterprises, the presence of CSR clauses testifies the recognition of the crucial role that these actors play as potential promoters, on the one hand, but also of potential infringers, on the other hand, of human and labour rights and of environmental protection. This contribution first examines the approach and the provisions of selected bilateral and regional FTAs that are relevant for the protection of human and social rights and the environment. It then analyses one of the latest developments in this decade-long normative evolution, which are the CSR clauses included in the more recent FTAs concluded by the European Union. While these clauses, for the time being, are rather programmatic and are coupled with soft implementation mechanisms, some reflections are proposed de lege ferenda on how they could 'harden' and become more stringent.


Captopril is an inhibitor of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) used against arterial hypertension in mammals. The aim of this study was to evaluate captopril in the mealworm Tenebio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). The drug was diluted in acetone and administered topically (10 microg/3microl) on newly emerged adult females. The biochemical composition (proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, nucleic acids) and the ecdysteroid amounts of ovaries were determined at day 4 following treatment corresponding to the end of the vitellogenesis process. Biochemical analyses revealed that captopril applied in vivo reduced both total protein, lipid and carbohydrate amounts of ovaries, respectively. In addition, measurement of ecdysteroids by an enzyme-immunoassay indicated a significant decrease in ovarian ecdysteroid amounts. As a consequence, the reduction of reproductive capacity is possibly related to ecdysteroid production. Further experiments are needed to determine the action mechanism of captopril and the functions of ACE in insects.


Abstract The experiment was performed on the test loop HRTL-5, which simulates the geometry and system design of the 5-MW nuclear heating reactor developed by the Institute of Nuclear Energy Technology, Tsinghua University. The flow behavior for a wide range of inlet subcoolings, in which the flow experience varies from single- to two-phase, is described in a natural circulation system at different pressures (p = 0.1, 0.24, and 1.5 MPa). Several kinds of flow instability are investigated, including geysering, flashing-related flow instability, and high-frequency flow oscillation at p = 0.1 and 0.24 MPa, as well as low steam quality density wave oscillation at p = 1.5 MPa. The mechanisms of geysering, which has new features, and flashing-related flow instability, which has never been studied well enough in this field, are particularly interpreted. The experimental results show the following: First, for a low-pressure natural circulation system, the two-phase flow is unstable in most inlet subcooling conditions, and the two-phase stable flow can be reached only with very low inlet subcoolings. Second, at high inlet subcoolings, the flow instability is dominated by subcooling boiling in the heated section, and at intermediate inlet subcoolings, it is dominated by void flashing in the adiabatic long riser. Third, in the two-phase stable flow region, the conditions for boiling out of the core, namely, single-phase flow in the heated section and two-phase flow in the riser due to vapor flashing, can be realized. The experimental results are of significance for the design and accident analysis of vessel and swimming pool–type natural circulation nuclear heating reactors.


Photoactive polymer and quantum dots (QDs)/nanocrystals (NCs)-based bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells have the combined positivity of organic semiconductors and inorganic components, which can enable a high carrier mobility and absorption coefficient. Additionally, the NCs also provide the opportunity to tune the band gap to obtain enhanced absorption in a broad solar spectrum. Among the semiconductors, lead chalcogenide NCs are of particular interest due to their good photosensitivity in the near-infrared (NIR) region of the solar spectrum. These NCs have large exciton Bohr radii (18, 46, and 150 nm for PbS, PbSe, and PbTe, respectively) and tunable sizes depending on the optical bandgaps between 0.3 and 1.5 eV. Independently, lead chalcogenide NCs have been studied extensively for different applications; however, uses in polymer–NC-based bulk heterojunction solar cells are limited. This Review has been structured on the lead chalcogenide NCs incorporated in polymer composite-based bulk heterojunction solar cells covering the material, properties, and solar cell performance to find the issues and explore future opportunities.