The Tang-Toennies potential for the weakly interacting systems H2b(3)Σu (+), H-He (2)Σ(+), and He2 (1)Σg (+) is extended down to the united atom limit of vanishing internuclear distance. A simple analytic expression connects the united atom limiting potential with the Tang-Toennies potential in the well region. The new potential model is compared with the most recent ab initio calculations for all three systems. The agreement is better than 20% (H2 and He2) or comparable with the differences in the available ab initio calculations (H-He) over six orders of magnitude corresponding to the entire range of internuclear distances.


Background Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a chronic inflammatory vasculitis of unknown origin affecting large vessels, predominantly the aorta and its main branches. Early symptoms include systemic inflammation and ischaemia of involved organs. It was thought to be a disorder that affected mostly young Asian females, but TA has now been identified in both sexes and many ethnic and racial groups worldwide. Tocilizumab is a humanised monoclonal antibody inhibitor of IL-6 receptor without a licence for its use in TA. Purpose To assess the safety and efficacy of tocilizumab in a pluripathological patient with TA. Material and methods Observational retrospective study of the use of tocilizumab in a child diagnosed with TA and several pathologies for 1 year. The information was obtained from the electronic clinical history (DIRAYA®) and the pharmacy service managing software (ATHOS-PRISMA®). Results A 12-year-old female was admitted in our tertiary care centre in July 2016 for heart failure secondary to dilated cardiomyopathy, diagnosed with Takayasu Grade V disease (supraortic, thoracic and abdominal-renal OA). In addition she presented, as basic diseases, arterial hypertension and renal failure. The first treatment line was corticosteroid pulses at 30 mg/kg and subsequently cyclophosphamide. On the fourth day, concurring with cyclophosphamide administration, clinical deterioration and increased cardiac dysfunction were presented. It was related to cyclophosphamide administration and was solved after diuretics' optimisation. After receiving four cycles of cyclophosphamide the patient maintained high acute-phase reactants, anaemia, and elevated IL-6 levels, so switching to tocilizumab was decided to stop systemic inflammatory activity and avoid new obstructions. Treatment with tocilizumab 8 mg/kg/biweekly was initiated after being processed by the pharmacy and authorised by the medical director. Concomitant treatment: corticosteroids, antihypertensives and diuretics. Ten months' later, Takayasu disease is inactive and most clinical manifestations have disappeared (she only referred to discrete and eventual pain in the flexion of the left elbow without limitation or associated swelling). The patient continues with the same dosage. Conclusion Tocilizumab has proved to be effective and well tolerated in this patient with TA. Although this is an isolated case, we consider it essential that health professionals share their experiences in rare diseases to improve the therapeutic approach, especially in paediatric patients. No conflict of interest


ABSTRACT Excretory and secretory (ES) products collected from adult worms of Strongyloides ratti stimulated interleukin-3 (IL-3) production with mesenteric lymph node cells from infected C57BL/6 mice, hut not with normal mesenteric lymph node cells. The IL-3 stimulating components were not major IgG binding antigens. Activity of the IL-3 stimulating components was stable by treatment with protease, although reduced by heating in boiling water.


A 0.6mum 1.8V 5mA Miller-compensated SoC LDO regulator uses 60pF of capacitance to achieve a worst-case power-supply rejection of -27dB over 50MHz. The entire regulator is shielded from fluctuations in the supply using an NMOS cascode that is biased using a charge pump, voltage reference, and RC filters to maintain low dropout. The RC filter establishes a stable bias for the cascode without a significant impact on the efficiency or bandwidth of the LDO regulator.


ABSTRACT This paper presents a model of the structure of subjective experience derived from the work of Konstantin Stanislavsky, and demonstrates its usefulness as a functional framework of enacted cognitive embodiment by using it to articulate his approach to the process of acting. Research into Stanislavsky's training exercises reveals that they evoke a spatial adpositional conceptualisation of experience. When reflected back onto the practice from which it emerges, this situates the choices made by actors as contributing towards the construction of a stable attention field with which they enter into relationship during performance. It is suggested that the resulting template might clarify conceptual distinctions between practices at the unconscious level, and a brief illustrative comparison between Stanislavsky's and Meisner's practices is essayed. A parallel is drawn throughout with the basic principles of embodied cognition, and correlations found with aspects of Dynamic Field Theory and Wilson's notions of "on-" and "off-line" processing.


Early Triassic trace fossil assemblages from the northwest margin of Pangea record a diverse suite of postextinction infauna. These ichnofossil assemblages occurred within well-oxygenated, shallow-marine refuges in a Panthalassa Ocean otherwise characterized by widespread anoxia. We propose an environmentally controlled model for their distribution, in which wave aeration, enhanced by frequent storms, gave rise to an optimal zone for benthic colonization. Within this habitable zone extinction pressures were ameliorated and postextinction recovery duration was minimized.


cult task. The aim of this article is to examine the theoretical underpinnings for CEA of IVF-treatment. I argue that at least two theoretical questions must be answered. First, what is the desired outcome of an IVF? It could be to cure biological infertility, or to cure unwanted childlessness. The former may imply the latter, but not vice versa. Curing unwanted childlessness can be achieved by other means than IVF. However, curing biological infertility is also problematic, as many of those who require IVF to become parents do not have infertility issues. Other reasons, such as sexuality or not having a partner, can also be a driving force behind IVF. Depending on how we understand the desired outcomes of IVF, it may lead to different CEA-results. Second, who is the IVF treatment for? IVF treatment is quite different from the majority of medical treatments, given that it entails two lives rather than one. While the IVF-procedure concerns an existing individual or couple, the aim of the procedure is to procreate a new individual. Therefore, one needs to take a stance on whether the benefits of IVFtreatment belong to the pregnant woman, the procreated child– or both. Finally, I show that there is a high elasticity in the chosen philosophical assumptions behind any CEA of IVF-treatment.


We numerically compare some recent Monte Carlo algorithms devoted to the pricing and hedging American options in high dimension. In particular, the comparison concerns the quantization method of Barraquand-Martineau and an algorithm based on Malliavin calculus. The (pure) Malliavin calculus algorithm improves the precision of the computation of the delta but, merely for pricing purposes, is uncompetitive with respect to other Monte Carlo methods in terms of computing time. Here, we propose to suitably combine the Malliavin calculus approach with the Barraquand-Martineau algorithm, using a variance reduction technique based on control variables. Numerical tests for pricing and hedging American options in high dimension are given in order to compare the different methodologies.


Facial expression recognition is a research issue. An Age classification is one of a facial expression recognition system and it is based on facial representation from human face images. In this paper we are using classification system for gray-scale facial images. The present paper proposes procedure for extracting the local texture features on a facial image. In this paper, the Motif Patterns are used for extracting the texture features which are identified on a Local Directional Pattern (LDP) values. The present paper uses seven (7) different motif patterns and the patterns starting from the top left corner pixel and scan is should be related to the incremental order. Based on the patterns count the facial image is classified into one of the five categories. i.e. Child (0 to 10years), Young (11 to 25 years), Adult (26-40), senior (41 to 60 years) and Senior adult Age (>60 years). It shows high rate of classification when compare with the other existing methods.


In this study, it was aimed to detect the botanical origins by palynological analysis and to determine the total pollen numbers of honey samples collected from different locations of Zonguldak, Turkey. In addition, the compatibility of the collected honey samples with the pollen content criterion given for the chestnut honey samples by the Turkish Food Codex Communiqué on Honey (No: 2020/7) has been discussed. As a result of melissopalynological analyzes, honey samples were labeled as chestnut honey (n = 7), mixed flower honey (n = 2) and astragalus honey (n = 1). Total pollen number in 10 g of honey the samples (TPS-10) identified as chestnut honey was detected to be between 41722 - 647312, and it was determined that these honey samples were very good, good, and normal quality honey samples. In addition, the results obtained showed that 33% of honey samples collected as chestnut honey did not provide the minimum pollen content reported for unifloral honey types with chestnut floral origin in the national food codex. These results showed how important it is to make floral origin determination mandatory for unifloral honey types such as chestnut, which is sold at a higher price compared to other polyfloral flower honeys in our country, in terms of preventing unfair competition. For this reason, it is important to determine the pollen content values by conducting melissopalynological studies for different types of unifloral flower honey such as lavender and black seed, which are produced in our country but whose minimum pollen content is not specified in the Turkish Food Codex Communiqué on Honey (No: 2020/7).


Small lesions of the kidney: CT evaluation. Comparison with ultrasound. The main idea of this study is to demonstrate the usefulness, sensitivity and specificity of the CT method for the detection of small lesions of the kidneys. Simple cysts of kidneys were excluded from the study, which is a very frequent finding in patients examined with the new imaging methods of CT and US. Also the cases of small tumors which can add in establishment of diagnosis by CT are analysed. In this report 33 patients were examined with computed tomography (CT) and 36 small renal lesions (less than 4 cm) were found. Ten of these lesions were small angiomyolipomas (0.7-3.2 cm), 9 hemorrhagic renal cysts (0.8-3.5 cm), 5 adenomas of kidneys, 3 small Grawitz, 1 hydatid cyst, 1 lymphomatous deposit, 2 secondary tumors from the intestine, 2 oncocytomas, a small tumor 1.38 cm in size, who was not rendered a diagnosis, and 2 with false positive in ultrasound examination.


Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) from patients with type 2 diabetes (DM2) have generated higher levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that were higher than those in cells from healthy individuals. In the presence of a cAMP-elevating agent, ROS production was significantly activated in PBMNC from DM2 patients but it was inhibited in cells from healthy subjects. Higher levels of IL-6 has been detected in the supernatant of PBMNC cultures from DM2 patients in comparison with healthy controls. When cells were cultured in the presence of a cAMP-elevating agent, the level of IL-6 decreased has by 46% in the supernatant of PBMNC from DM2 patients but it remained unaltered in controls. No correlations between ROS and IL-6 levels in PBMNC from DM2 patients or controls have been observed. Secretions of IL-4 or IFNgamma by PBMNC from patients or controls have not been affected by the elevation of cAMP. cAMP elevating agents have activated the production of harmful reactive oxidant down modulated IL-6 secretion by these cells from DM2 patients, suggesting an alteration in the metabolic response possibly due to hyperglicemia. The results suggest that cAMP may play an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetes.


Telomerase is a eukaryotic reverse transcriptase that adds simple sequence repeats to chromosome ends by copying a template sequence within the RNA component of the enzyme. We describe here the identification of a Tetrahymena telomerase protein with reverse transcriptase motifs, p133. This subunit is associated with the previously identified Tetrahymena telomerase RNA and the telomerase proteins p80 and p95 in immunoprecipitation assays. Therefore, all four known Tetrahymena telomerase components are present in a single complex. Expressed in rabbit reticulocyte lysate, recombinant p133 and telomerase RNA alone catalyze a reverse transcriptase activity with some similarities to and some differences from native Tetrahymena telomerase. These experiments suggest a complexity of telomerase structure and function.


BACKGROUND

The presence of low-level hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA has been demonstrated in some hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)–negative patients. This HBsAg-negative but HBV DNA–positive case has been named occult hepatitis B virus (OHBV) infection. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of OHBV in patients on maintenance hemodialysis.

METHODS

Eighty patients who were on dialysis and were previously detected as HBsAg negative were recruited in the study. Thirty-two patients (40%) were female, and the mean age was 51.56 ± 14.16 years (21–78 years). HBV DNA was searched for by the polymerase chain reaction method in the sera of all patients.

RESULTS

Sixty-eight patients (85%) positive for at least 1 of the serological markers used for hepatitis B, 3 patients (3.75%) positive for only antibody to hepatitis B core antigen, and 33 patients (41.25%) positive for only antibody to HBsAg were identified. The prevalence of OHBV infection was found to be 1.25%.

CONCLUSIONS

Even though the prevalence of OHBV infection was found to be low in patients undergoing dialysis, searching for HBV DNA, if possible, will be useful because there is contagiousness in OHBV infection, and activation of OHBV infection has been known to occur after immunosuppressive treatment.


Inclusion of a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) in a vehicle presents a new design challenge in terms of automotive electrical system integration. This paper examines the dynamic RF signal path characteristics of a TPMS data link operating at 315MHz as a short-range device Electromagnetic modeling results and anechoic chamber measurements provide signal path loss estimates for various system configurations. A qualitative link budget formulation is proposed that accounts for observed dynamic and quasi-static variation of the TPMS signal.


Context: Postoperative pneumonia (POP) is a major cause of morbidity following upper abdominal oncological surgeries. Aims: To estimate the incidence of POP following upper abdominal oncological surgeries and to identify its clinical and microbiologic features and the risk factors for the development of severe pneumonia. Settings and Design: Retrospective analysis of patients with POP at a regional cancer center. Patients and Methods: Patients' preoperative and intraoperative details and data on clinical and radiological features and pathogens isolated were collected. Patients with severe pneumonia were identified on the basis of Infectious Disease Society of America/American Thoracic Society criteria and their predictors were estimated. The types of respiratory support required and their outcomes were analysed. Statistical Analysis Used: Parametric Student's t-independent test was used to compare two groups' means. Categorical data are presented as frequency and percentage values. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Incidence of POP was 15.24% with 48% developing severe pneumonia. There was a significant difference in the mean age (59.5 ± 8.62 vs. 50.15 ± 10.53 years, P = 0.024), duration of surgery (315.77 ± 107.29 vs. 432.92 ± 177.18 min, P = 0.055), blood loss (446.15 ± 260.18 ml vs. 712.5 ± 326.22 ml), time to empiric antibiotic (15.69 ± 5.77 vs. 42 ± 38.12 h, P = 0.022), and symptom resolution ≥3 days (23.1% vs. 72.7%) between patients with nonsevere and severe pneumonia. Patients presenting with cough (odds ratio = 0.06, 95% confidence interval: 0.006–0.618) were more likely to have nonsevere pneumonia. Conclusions: Predictors of severe pneumonia are elderly, prolonged surgical duration, higher blood loss, delayed empiric antibiotic and delayed symptom resolution.


To compare the clinical and bacteriological efficacies of azithromycin and chloramphenicol for treatment of typhoid fever, 77 bacteriologically evaluable adults, with blood cultures positive for Salmonella typhi or Salmonella paratyphi A susceptible to their assigned drugs, were entered into a randomized open trial at four hospitals in India. Forty-two patients were randomized to receive azithromycin 500 mg p.o. od for 7 days and 35 to receive chloramphenicol 2-3 g p.o. od in four divided doses for 14 days. Thirty-seven patients (88%) in the azithromycin group responded with clinical cure or improvement within 8 days and 30 patients (86%) in the chloramphenicol group responded with cure or improvement. By day 14 after the start of treatment, all patients treated with azithromycin and all except two of the patients treated with chloramphenicol (94%) were cured or improved. Blood cultures repeated on day 8 after start of therapy showed eradication of organisms in 100% of patients in the azithromycin group and 94% of patients in the chloramphenicol group. By day 14 the eradication rate in the chloramphenicol group had increased to 97%. Stool cultures on days 21 and 35 after start of treatment showed no prolonged faecal carriage of Salmonella spp. in either group. These results indicate that azithromycin given once daily for 7 days was effective therapy for typhoid fever in a region endemic with chloramphenicol-resistant S. typhi infection and was equivalent in effectiveness to chloramphenicol given to patients with chloramphenicol-susceptible infections.


Cryoglobulinemia is a systemic disorder in which the blood contains inmunoglobulins that reversibly precipitate in the cold, giving rise to immune complex deposition that may cause small vessel vasculitis. A strong association with Hepatitis C has been made in the latest years. We describe a patient with hepatitis C and Cryoglobulinemia who wazzu developed one of the most severe crises with clinical manifestations of gangrene in feet and upper extremities. Patient ended with amputation of the lower limbs. His life was saved with plasmapheresis, use of frozen plasma, steroids, heparin and alfa interferon. In this article we report the case and we do a review of the literature on cryoglobulinemia.


The basic problems of current socio-demographic development of regions in Russia are considered raising the need to formulate and solve the task of maintaining its efficiency. The definition of "effective socio-demographic territory development†concept is suggested and given is the mechanism of its maintenance under conditions of second demographic transition from the systematic approach point of view. The estimation method of how successfully the demographic policy is being carried out in the region is suggested in the framework of the abovementioned mechanism. This method has been approved by the Ural federal district territories.


CONTEXT
Beginning in 1957, patients have been described with localized alopecia characterized histopathologically by mucin deposition within hair follicles (follicular mucinosis [FM]). At least 2 distinct diagnostic entities have been proposed: one occurring in children and young adults without association with other diseases ("idiopathic" FM), the other occurring in elderly patients and associated with mycosis fungoides or Sézary syndrome ("lymphoma-associated" FM).

OBJECTIVE
To determine whether idiopathic and lymphoma-associated FM are distinct or related entities.

DESIGN
Case series.

SETTING
Department of Dermatology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria.

PATIENTS
Forty-four patients with FM were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 comprised 16 patients (mean age, 37.5 years) with no associated mycosis fungoides or Sézary syndrome; group 2 was made up of the other 28 (mean age, 52.2 years), who had clinicopathologic evidence of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

RESULTS
Mean age was lower in patients with idiopathic FM, but a considerable overlapping among the 2 groups was present. Location on the head and neck region was common in both groups, but most patients with lymphoma-associated FM had lesions also on other body sites. In fact, solitary lesions at presentation were common in patients with idiopathic FM (11 [68.8%] of 16 patients), but uncommon in those with lymphoma-associated FM (2 [7.1%] of 28 patients). Histopathologic findings did not allow clear-cut differentiation of the 2 groups. Finally, a monoclonal rearrangement of the T-cell receptor gamma gene was demonstrated by polymerase chain reaction analysis in about 50% of tested cases from each group.

CONCLUSIONS
Criteria previously reported to differentiate idiopathic from lymphoma-associated FM proved ineffective. In analogy to localized pagetoid reticulosis (Woringer-Kolopp disease), small-plaque parapsoriasis, and so-called solitary mycosis fungoides, idiopathic FM may represent a form of localized cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.


Data on the oxidative cleavage of single and double silicon–silicon bonds in inorganic and organic polysilanes with linear and cyclic structures have been summarised. Particular attention has been paid to studies in which the mechanisms of the oxidation are discussed. The nature of the silicon–silicon bond in organopolysilanes and disilenes has been briefly reviewed. The bibliography contains 248 references.


ABSTRACTPT Sagara Asia Technology or better known as Sagara Technology is a company engaged in technology consulting and digital products. Sagara Technology manufactures and provides premium software development, training and talent products. The work done at Sagara Technology focuses on developing website technology and mobile applications. Investment is an option for many groups of people to invest in a company because investment promises long-term benefits. Therefore, PT Lunaria Annua Teknologi decided to create a Bond Coin application to reach all groups of people who want to invest and can take advantage of investment returns according to their wishes.The methodology used during the creation of this application is Scrum. Scrum is used as a framework because this methodology is suitable for small teams, clear application specifications and Scrum allows iteration and incremental of a product requirement that will be found during product development. Bond coins make it easier for investors to conduct checks on Government Securities purchased, including transparency, security and efficiency in transactions.


POINTS: The Soong classification demonstrates only moderate correlation between grades based on radiograph and CT. •Although grade 2 was reliably established on both modalities, grades 1 and 0 have a lower positive predictive value when graded using radiographs. •Radiographs may be less suitable to distinguish between Soong grades 1 and 0, and thus the subsequent risks of volar plate prominence may be underestimated on radiographs compared to CT. •Further study of the value of postoperative CT imaging in predicting plate-related complications is needed.


Recognising the goal of an agent from a trace of observations is an important task with many applications. The state-of-the-art approach to goal recognition (GR) relies on the application of automated planning techniques. We study an alternative approach, called GRNet, where GR is formulated as a classification task addressed by machine learning. GRNet is primarily aimed at solving GR instances more accurately and more quickly by learning how to solve them in a given domain, which is specified by a set of propositions and a set of action names. The goal classification instances in the domain are solved by a Recurrent Neural Network (RNN). The only information required as input of the trained RNN is a trace of action labels, each one indicating just the name of an observed action. A run of the RNN processes a trace of observed actions to compute how likely it is that each domain proposition is part of the agent's goal, for the problem instance under consideration. These predictions are then aggregated to choose one of the candidate goals.
An experimental analysis confirms that GRNet achieves good performance in terms of both goal classification accuracy and runtime, obtaining better results w.r.t. a state-of-the-art GR system over the considered benchmarks. Moreover, such a state-of-the-art system and GRNet can be combined achieving higher performance than with each of the two integrated systems alone.


With the increase of interest in the electrooptical devices using ferroelectric liquid crystals, there has been a considerable amount of efforts in the synthesis and evaluation of many compounds exhibiting Sc* phase. Particularly, the wide range of temperature and the low rotational viscosity are needed for the practical use. In order to solve these problems, it is important to design the liquid crystal that has a properly designed size of molecule and a suitable chiral center. It is particularly effective to introduce methylene chain linkage between a chiral carbon atom and core part. We also study the effect of the substitution of fluorine atoms on the benzene ring and the chiral part. We established the method for the synthesis of these kinds of liquid crystals utilizing the enzymatic method in high optical yield.


The food and beverage industry offers a wide range of organic feedstocks for use in biogas production by means of anaerobic digestion (AD). Microorganisms convert organic compounds—solid, pasty, or liquid ones—within four steps to biogas mainly consisting of CH4 and CO2. Therefore, various conversion technologies are available with several examples worldwide to show for the successful implementation of biogas technologies on site. The food and beverage industry offer a huge potential for biogas technologies due to the sheer amount of process residues and their concurrent requirement for heat and power. The following study analyzes specific industries with respect to their implementation potential based on arising waste and heat and power demand. Due to their chemical composition, several feedstocks are resistant against microbiological degradation to a great extent. A combination of physical-, chemical-, and microbiological pretreatment are used to increase the biological availability of the feedstock. The following examples will discuss how to best implement AD technology in industrial processes. The brewery industry, dairy production, slaughterhouses, and sugar industry will serve as examples.


This paper is part of a larger study examining the role of the nurse practitioner and its potential utility in mental health nursing. Two methods were employed for data collection: a focus group interview with eight RCN qualified nurse practitioners, the result of which informed the development of a postal questionnaire which was distributed to the remaining RCN qualified nurse practitioners (n = 130). Forty seven respondents did not feel adequately equipped to assess a mental health problem, despite nearly a third identifying mental health issues as a primary problem with which their patients presented. Just over 40 per cent of respondents stated that mental health needs were not met within their community and 78.7 per cent of respondents supported the development of a mental health nurse practitioner. In light of these findings the concept of a mental health nurse practitioner is discussed, alongside the need to clarify other advanced nursing roles.


Background: The details of molecular mechanisms underlying the differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) into specific lineages are not well understood. Objectives: We aimed to construct the interactome network and topology analysis of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell of CAGE data. Applying the enrichment results, we wanted to introduce the common genes and hub-microRNA and hub-genes of these giant network. Materials and Methods: In this study, we constructed gene regulatory networks for each non-mesenchymal cell lineage according to their gene expression profiles obtained from FANTOM5 database. The putative interactions of TF-gene and protein-protein were determined using TRED, STRING, HPRD and GeneMANIA servers. In parallel, a regulatory network including corresponding miRNAs and total differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was constructed for each cell lineage. Results: The results indicated that analysis of networks' topology can significantly distinguish the hub regulatory genes and miRNAs involved in the differentiation of MSCs. The functional annotation of identified hub genes and miRNAs revealed that several signal transduction pathways i.e. AKT, WNT and TGFβ and cell proliferation related pathways play a pivotal role in the regulation of MSCs differentiation. We also classified cell lineages into two groups based on their predicted miRNA profiles. Conclusions: In conclusion, we found a number of hub genes and miRNAs which seem to have key regulatory functions during differentiation of MSCs. Our results also introduce a number of new regulatory genes and miRNAs which can be considered as the new candidates for genetic manipulation of MSCs in vitro.


Up to now, the Fields and Weapons of the Competition Model has been publicized as a theoretical framework for many studies and, as such, it has appeared in a fragmented manner. Due to the level of consolidation the model has achieved, now is the time to present it integrally, so as to expose it to the appreciation of the scientific community dedicated to Corporate Strategy. Belonging to the Competitiveness theory and having scientific validity, the model is both qualitative and quantitative, and therefore presents some advantages over Porter's model, as well as over the RBV and the Balanced Scorecard models. A simple idea has originated it: according to the customer's interest, separating the so-called competitive advantages, so as to sort out those that interest him/her from those that do not. The first group consists of the fields of the competition; the latter corresponds to the weapons of the competition. The fields of the competition relate to the business´ competitive strategy, and the weapons of the competition related to the operational competitive strategies. This is the first of a series of three articles.


Abstract We describe a titanocene(III)‐catalyzed deuterosilylation of epoxides that provides β‐deuterated anti‐Markovnikov alcohols with excellent D‐incorporation, in high yield, and often excellent diastereoselectivity after desilylation. The key to the success of the reaction is a novel activation method of Cp2TiCl2 and (tBuC5H4)2TiCl2 with BnMgBr and PhSiD3 to provide [(RC5H4)2Ti(III)D] without isotope scrambling. It was developed after discovering an off‐cycle scrambling with the previously described method. Our precision deuteration can be applied to the synthesis of drug precursors and highlights the power of combining radical chemistry with organometallic catalysis.


This study begins with the questions: why and how corporations take corporate social responsibility. This research gives a special attention to corporate social performance(CSR) and evaluation category of CSR. In particular, the study focuses on developing social report category and its contents with contents analysis. By building the category and its contents of social report, the stakeholder may give evaluations on each corporate social performance. The study develops and finds total 6 category and 42 items of social report category and its contents. These are human rights(11 items), workplace/employees(7 items), accountability(10 items), business conduct(8 items), community involvement(4 items) and corporate governance(2 item). Currently 7 Korean companies including Samsung SDI and POSCO officially registered their reports on GRI(Global Reporting Initiative) and 670 companies from 50 nations also adopted and registered their reports according to GRI guidelines. It implies that identified 6 category and 42 items from this research has already applied to Korean companies as well as multinational companies globally. Thus the findings may suggest directions for Korean companies towards corporate sustainability by conducting corporate social performance.


The results of drilling the Toa Baja hole will help answer some fundamental questions about the evolution of the Puerto Rico area. What is the thermal history of the arc massif, and its relation to deep and shallow fluid circulation, and the cooling effects of the down-going slab? What were the sedimentary environments of Eocene, Oligocene and Miocene time, and what is the origin of the North Coast Tertiary Basin? What is the nature of organic matter and fluids in the borehole, and their relationship to paleoenvironments of deposition, thermal regime, and flow through porous media? What are the stress orientations and fracture characteristics in the North Coast Tertiary Basin, and their relation to regional tectonic motions?


This thesis is concerned with Charles Dickens, David Copperfield, which tells David's life from birth, childhood until adulthood. In David's adolescence, he faces some impressive experiences which concern with the background of his childhood, the existence of his stepfather. His bad background gives such contribution to David's developing character in his youth or in his immaturity. So,the thesis writer is encouraged to know David's character development into a mature man. The thesis writer intends to analyze it by finding out what kinds of character traits that David has before he becomes a mature man, how his relationship with other characters influences his development and how finally he achieves his character change into a mature man. In analyzing the novel she uses theory of characterization, theory of maturity and some critics about Charles Dickens and his novel, especially about undisciplined heart and earnestness. In the analysis , the thesis writer finds out that romantic imaginative and dreamy, vulnerable and lack of confidence indicate David's character traits before his maturity, which are characterized by undisciplined heart. Yet, his relationship with four other characters: Mrs.Strong , Agnes,Dora and Aunt Betsey encourages him to have a character change. His character change is to be a mature man with disciplined heart, earnestness,and firm character: prudence, perseverance,full of confidence.


Phosphogypsum, as a byproduct of wet-process phosphoric acid reaction, has caused many environmental pollution problems. To improve the property and purity of phosphogypsum in the wet-process phosphoric acid process, a liquid–solid–liquid three-phase acid hydrolysis synergistic extraction reaction system was established by adding a certain amount of extractant in the actual production process. In order to study the extraction effect and residue of impurities in the reaction system, the phase, morphology, and impurity occurrences of phosphogypsum were systematically analyzed. The results showed that when the reaction time was 7 h, the reaction temperature was 80 °C, the reaction speed was 200 r/min, the volume ratio of the extractant to diluent (dilution ratio) was 1:4 and the volume ratio of the oil phase/aqueous phase (O/A ratio) was 1:1, P2O5 conversion was the highest in phosphate rock, and the residual P2O5 content in phosphogypsum was as low as 0.36%. The morphology of the phosphogypsum crystal was uniform and coarse long strip. The main forms of residual impurities were silicate, aluminum fluoride with crystal water, aluminate, phosphate, and fluoride. Meanwhile, the residual amount of main impurities in phosphogypsum was significantly reduced. Through this novel method, the property of phosphogypsum can be improved through the generation process and is greatly beneficial for its utilization and the recycling development of the wet-process phosphoric acid industry.


Introduction We have reported that patients with myeloid malignancies were more responsive to the second dose of mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines than patients with lymphoid malignancies (Mori, et al. Br J Haematol. 2022;197:691.). However, there are very limited data of response for a third vaccine dose in these patients. In this study, we investigated the antibody titers of COVID-19 in patients with myeloid malignancies who received a third mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine dose (booster). Patients and Methods Previously treated, currently treated, and newly diagnosed myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients were included in this study. All patients were vaccinated with at least two doses of mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine, either BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273, and visited the Blood Disorders Center at Aiiku Hospital during the period from Anti-SARS-CoV-2S


Introduction:
Thrombocytopenia is commonly found in patients living in highly endemic areas for Schistosoma mansoni. Recently, different degrees of liver steatosis have also been associated with low platelet counts worldwide. We investigated the association of platelet counts with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis and with liver steatosis in an area of low prevalence of schistosomiasis in Brazil.

Method:
Pains, a city in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, had a population of 8,307 inhabitants and a schistosomiasis prevalence of 8%. Four micro-areas comprising 1,045 inhabitants were selected for this study. Blood sample was collected and a complete blood count (CBC) was performed. Eighty-seven (87) patients had low platelet counts (group 1 - 8.3%) and 94 volunteers presenting normal CBC were randomized (group 2 - 8.9%). They underwent clinical and ultrasound examinations. Liver steatosis was determined as either present or absent using abdominal ultrasound. A spleen > 12 cm in length, measured by ultrasound (US), was considered to be increased. Data collected were analyzed using SPSS software version 19.0.

Results:
Twenty-two patients (22/25.3%) in group 1 had liver steatosis compared with 11 volunteers (11.7%) in group 2 (p=0.02). Hepatosplenic schistosomiasis was diagnosed in two patients (p>0.05).

Conclusion:
Thrombocytopenia was not a good marker of hepatosplenic schistosomiasis mansoni in a low prevalence area in Brazil. Liver steatosis was associated with thrombocytopenia in our study.


Transplantation of normal or ex vivo modified hepatocytes holds promise in therapy of a variety of diseases. In order to investigate hepatocyte trafficking, and specifically to determine whether the route, method of delivery, or other host factors may affect hepatocyte sequestration in the liver, 51chromium- and 111indium-labeled hepatocytes were transplanted into allogeneic hosts. Systemic injection of hepatocytes into the femoral vein resulted in sequestration mainly in the lungs (30 +/- 4%) whereas sequestration in the liver amounted to only 5 +/- 1%. Portal injection resulted in a dramatic increase in the liver sequestration (52 +/- 4%) and a reduction in the lung (2 +/- 1%, P < 0.05 vs systemic injection). Nevertheless, nearly half of portally injected hepatocytes came to rest in other organ sites. Partial hepatectomy prior to transplantation did not change the total hepatocyte sequestration in the liver or the organ specific activity. A remote site of inflammation, in the form of a turpentine abscess, also did not alter the pattern of hepatocyte trafficking. Isolated perfusion of the liver with labeled hepatocyte, however, significantly increased the sequestration of hepatocytes at this organ (control, 52 +/- 4%; isolated perfusion, 71 +/- 9%; P < 0.05). In the delivery of potentially toxic gene products for therapy, isolated perfusion of the target organ appears to provide the greatest likelihood of restricting expression of potentially toxic gene products to the target organ.


Internet of Things (IoT) has already been in the period of rapid development and widespread deployment, while it is still vulnerable to various malicious attacks. Security detection before system installation is not enough to ensure that IoT devices are always secure, because newly emerging vulnerabilities can still be exploited to launch attacks. To address this issue, retrospective detection is often required to trace the security status of IoT systems. Unfortunately, existing centralized detection mechanisms cannot easily provide a comprehensive security analysis. In particular, consumers cannot automatically receive security notification whenever a new vulnerability is uncovered. In this paper, we propose a novel blockchain-powered incentive platform, called SmartRetro, that can incentivize and attract more distributed detectors to participate in retrospective vulnerability detection and contribute their detection results. Leveraging smart contracts, consumers in SmartRetro receive automatic security feedback about their installed IoT systems. We perform the security and theoretical analysis to demonstrate that SmartRetro achieves our desirable security goals.We further implement SmartRetro prototype on Ethereum to evaluate its performance. Our experimental results show SmartRetro is technically feasible and economically beneficial.


Background: Household food insecurity has been associated with increased risk of transmission of HIV infection and poor treatment outcomes. This study therefore determined the prevalence of household food insecurity and its associated factors among people living with HIV in Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out among 244 adult clients accessing care and support at the teaching hospital in Sagamu, Nigeria, selected via systematic sampling. Data was collected with the aid of a semi-structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data was analysed using SPSS 21.0. Relevant descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated. Informed consent was obtained and strict confidentiality was ensured. Results: The mean age of respondents was 38.8 ± 9.2 years; 84% of respondents were female; 69.3% were married, 12.9% had lost their partners. About 12% spent more than three-quarters of the household income on food. The prevalence of household food insecurity was 71.7%. Food insecurity was associated (p < 0.05) with educational status; occupation; type of housing; availability of toilet facilities; benefiting from food assistance; delaying drugs to prevent hunger; skipping drugs; vegetable consumption pattern; and exchanging sex for food. Conclusion: The prevalence of household food insecurity in this study was high. Living conditions were significantly associated with food insecurity. Socio-economic conditions need to be improved, to optimize the health and food security status of people living with HIV in Sagamu.


Abstract : This article describes the legal authorities associated with sole source FMS procurements. Although the article provides an explanation of current U.S. Army Security Assistance Command procedures in processing FMS customer requests for such procurements, the Air Force and the Navy are bound by the same legal authorities, and employ procedures similar to those of the Army. A foreign military sales (FMS) purchaser may lawfully request that a defense article or defense service be obtained from a particular source. The Competition in Contracting Act of 1984, which generally requires that federal agencies obtain full and open competition, exempts procurements in which the "written directions of a foreign government reimbursing the agency for the cost of the procurement of the property or service for such government, have the effect of requiring the use of procedures other than competitive procedures." The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) reiterates this exemption, and provides for its use in circumstances such as "when a contemplated acquisition is to be reimbursed by a foreign country that requires that the product be obtained from a particular firm as specified in the official written direction such as a Letter of Offer and Acceptance." Further, the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) provides that FMS customers may request that a defense article or defense service be obtained from a particular contractor. In such cases, FAR Section 6.302-4 provides authority to contract without full-and-open competition. The FMS customer may also request that a subcontract be placed with a particular firm. The contracting officer shall honor such requests from the FMS customer only if the Letter of Agreement or other written direction sufficiently fulfills the requirements of FAR [Subpart] 6.3.3.


The following case is reported because of the extreme rarity of this type of spheroidal-cell carcinoma (seminoma) in the epididymis.

Case Report

The patient, Louis W., aged forty-eight, was admitted to the Sydenham Hospital (Case No. 19866), to the service of Dr. A. Lightstone,1 on Nov. 5, 1931.

History: One year previously the patient had observed swelling and some pain in the right testicle. There had been no trauma, and no inflammation. Venereal disease was denied. Recently the swelling had increased in size.

Physical Examination: The general condition was normal. The penis and left testicle were normal, but the right testicle showed a hard lump, the size of a hazelnut, at the upper pole, apparently involving the epididymis. It did not involve the skin, and did not transilluminate. A few "shotty" lymph nodes were palpable in the right inguinal region.

Preoperative Diagnosis: Carcinoma of testicle or tuberculosis of the epididymis.

Operation: On Nov. 6, 1931, under local anesthesia, the right testicle and the vas deferens as far as the internal inguinal ring were removed. The patient left the hospital Nov. 11, 1931, and returned later for deep x-ray therapy.


With the development of increasingly advanced airborne sensing systems, there is a growing need to support sensor system design, modeling, and product-algorithm development with explicit 3D structural ground truth commensurate to the scale of acquisition. Terrestrial laser scanning is one such technique which could provide this structural information. Commercial instrumentation to suit this purpose has existed for some time now, but cost can be a prohibitive barrier for some applications. As such we recently developed a unique laser scanning system from readily-available components, supporting low cost, highly portable, and rapid measurement of below-canopy 3D forest structure. Tools were developed to automatically reconstruct tree stem models as an initial step towards virtual forest scene generation. The objective of this paper is to assess the potential of this hardware/algorithm suite to reconstruct 3D stem information for a single scan of a New England hardwood forest site. Detailed tree stem structure (e.g., taper, sweep, and lean) is recovered for trees of varying diameter, species, and range from the sensor. Absolute stem diameter retrieval accuracy is 12.5%, with a 4.5% overestimation bias likely due to the LiDAR beam divergence.


Evidence is presented supporting the technical and economic possibilities of giant barnacle Austromegabalanus psittacus (Molina, 1782) culture, one of the main alternatives for diversifying aquaculture in Chile. Spat collection from the wild varied between different sites in the north and south of the country and according to type of artificial collector. Growth also varied between sites (greater in the north), technological systems (greater in tubular systems) and depths (greater at 4 m). Average commercial size in the national market was reached over a period between 18 and 24 months. A long-line can produce between 7 to 10 gross ton during this period, therefore average annual fisheries production can be reached with only 10 to 30 longlines, in an area of 1 to 3 ha. There is demand for this resource in the external market, particularly in the Japanese market, either as product similar to "fujit subo" ( Balanus rostratus ), or as a new resource; the relationship between production costs and price determines that giant barnacle culture has commercial potential. Economic indicators for cultured giant barnacle were as follows: net present value ( NPV ): US$ 490,000; internal rate of return ( IRR ): 32%; discounted payback period ( DPBP ): 4 years. Results obtained suggest the natural bank repopulation option, and the development of mass cultures. Giant barnacle culture is based on biological characteristics that differentiate it from other crustaceans species, as well as simple and economic production technologies and favourable economic projections on external markets.


The effects of computer-mediated communication on social loafing in brainstorming tasks and social compensation in decision-making tasks are examined. In the first experiment, subjects performed a brainstorming task in either nominal, face-to-face or computer-mediated brainstorming group conditions. Production blocking, in which brainstorming group members interfere with each other's output, was minimised, but the nominal group still out-performed the other groups. In the second experiment, subjects performed a group decision task in face-to-face and computer mediated communication conditions. Social compensation in the presence of social loafing was seen to occur in the first condition, but not in the second. The paper concludes by discussing some of the consequences of both experiments for the future role of computer-mediated communication in group work.


Abstract Investment in the innovation of environmental sustainability in construction has been encouraged due to the industry's resource-intensity. However, it remains unclear how to convince shareholders and construction companies to invest in environmental innovations. This research used the event study method with a sample of 129 announcements in the construction industry from 2011 to 2017 to investigate the relationship between incremental environmental sustainability innovation and the stock market reactions of construction firms. The research finds evidence that the stock market reaction has a strong positive relationship with these announcements. There is also evidence for a relationship between strategic alliance, capital turnover, and the project start date with the stock market reaction. The results provide insight into the benefits of incremental innovations in the construction industry and extend the literature of environmental sustainability innovation by considering contributing factors that affect the relationship between environmental sustainability innovation and firm performance. They provide a useful reference for shareholders to integrate environmental sustainability innovation into their business strategies and allocate their resources more efficiently.


Introduction
The nutritional requirements of haustorial mycoparasites remain uncertain, even though extensive axenic growth of certain mycoparasites has been obtained following the addition of a growth factor, mycotrophein, to an appropriate basal medium (Barnett & Lilly, 1958; Whaley & Barnett, 1963; Gain & Barnett, 1970; Calderone & Barnett, 1972). Limited growth of mycoparasites in the absence of host extracts has been reported for Syncephalis (Ellis, 1966) and Dispira parvispora (Brunk & Barnett, 1966). Barnett (1970) successfully cultured four haustorial mycoparasites including Dispira cornuta on a glycerol-casein hydrolysate medium, and Binder & Barnett (1974) reported excellent axenic growth of Tieghenzionzyces parasiticus on a glycerol-casein hydrolysate or amino acid medium,
There are different reports regarding the nutrition of D. cornuta. Ayers (1933) reported abundant axenic growth on natural media such as meat, fish and eggs. However, Kurtzman (1968) was unable to confirm Ayers' results. Out of five isolates of D. cornuta studied by Kurtzman only three made fair axenic growth on glycerol or acetate media in the presence of host extract, and these three isolates failed to utilize glucose. Using Kurtzman's isolate I, Barker & Barnett (1973) reported that, in a medium containing glycerol, increasing amounts of casein hydrolysate, L-glutamic acid and L-aspartic acid supported correspondingly increasing amounts of growth, with an optimum at 40g/l. L-Aspartic acid was the best nitrogen source. How such large amounts of L-aspartic acid and L-glutamic acid were kept in solution when the solubilities of these amino acids at 25 °C are 5 and 8-64 g/1 respectively was not explained. It is therefore doubtful whether either of these amino acids was completely dissolved at the optimum concentration for the growth of the fungus (40 g/l).


Syk kinase is essential for FcεRI-mediated signaling and release of inflammatory mediators from mast cells. We now show that activation of rat peritoneal mast cells by the nonimmunological, Gi-mediated pathway also results in the activation of Syk. We show that compound 48/80 (c48/80), a receptor analogue that activates directly G proteins, activates Syk in a pertussis toxin-sensitive fashion. We further show that Syk activation by c48/80 is blocked by the protein kinase C inhibitor GF109203X, by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitors, wortmannin and LY294002, by EGTA, and by the selective src-like kinase inhibitor PP1. These results suggest that in the nonimmunological, Gi-mediated pathway, Syk is located downstream from phospholipase C and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. However, in common with the FcεRI-mediated pathway, activation of Syk by c48/80 is dependent on a src-like protein tyrosine kinase. Finally, we show that in the nonimmunological pathway, Syk plays a central role in the release of arachidonic acid/eicosanoid metabolites, but not in the release of prestored mediators such as histamine.


Descriptions of 380 species include size, weight, color, markings, number of teeth, habitat, habits, and comparisons with similar species. Superb color illustrations and line drawings show 230 animals. Range maps as well as photos of skulls and drawings of animal tracks, dens, nests, and burrows round out the wealth of information given in "the best general guide to all of North America" (Peter Warshall, Whole Earth Review).


Using Langevin simulations, we study numerically the directional mode-locking of the dynamics of two-dimensional superparamagnetic colloidal system in a periodic pinning array. When the colloidal particles are initially commensurate with the pinning sites, there appear mode-locking steps in the average velocity of colloidal particles along certain directions of the external driving force. With an increase in the pinning strength, the width of the step increases linearly but the velocity at the step decreases parabolically.


In an age when digital technology is becoming central to communication, writing is increasingly important, with messaging and emailing often replacing phone calls [1]. As written communication shifts to the digital modality, technology poses both challenges and opportunities to people with aphasia. The cognitive and linguistic demands of using technology present potential barriers [2], but recent research has also explored the potential of technology to facilitate writing. This mini-review will describe the evidence base for using technology to support writing in aphasia therapy. It will describe a variety of applications, designed to remediate the impairment, facilitate functional writing skills and compensatory approaches which aim to bypass impaired writing skills. It will explore the role of the speech and language therapist in selecting the most suitable technology for an individual's needs and in training people with aphasia to use the technology. In addition, it will discuss methods of assessing people with aphasia's technology proficiency and functional writing skills, and the challenges inherent in these.


Previous research reported that healthcare professionals rate the physical work environment more negatively than other characteristics of the environment. This study investigated salient dimensions of employees' perceptions of healthcare facilities and differences across demographic groups. A total of 496 healthcare professionals from eight acute care hospitals participated in this cross-sectional study. Employees' perceptions of 27 different architectural and physical features in patient areas, work spaces, and staff areas were measured. Common factors were extracted through principal component analysis, levels of association between employees' perceptions and each architectural and physical feature were determined through confirmatory factor analysis, and differences across demographic groups were defined through invariance analysis. Findings of this study highlight the importance of attention to caregiver needs for a safe and comfortable work environment via finishing materials, indoor air quality, and furniture design. In comparison, features that address the visual quality of the work environment, such as window views and artwork, were found to have smaller associations with positive evaluations by employees. However, in non-clinical staff areas, employees appreciate features improving the visual quality of their rest area. The study also found that younger employees and those newer to the facility would appreciate improvements in the architectural/physical features to a greater extent.


ABSTRACT Equisetales represents a diverse and abundant group of articulate plants with a wide geographical distribution that had their greatest development in late Palaeozoic and early Mesozoic times. The order is represented by 12 families, composed mostly by extinct families of late Palaeozoic age, with only a unique living family, the Equisetaceae. Here we describe the new equisetalean fossil-genus and species Iberisetum wegeneri gen. nov., sp. nov. from the lower Stephanian C (Gzhelian, Upper Pennsylvanian) of intramontane Douro Basin, in northwestern Portugal. This new fossil taxon represents another endemic species for the Douro Basin. Iberisetum wegeneri consists of a leafy articulated stem that shows a unique combination of macro-morphological features that are common in various fossil-genera of different equisetalean families, and that includes exclusive (autapomorphic) characters. The singular morphology of foliar sheaths of Iberisetum wegeneri represents an evolutionary novelty into the Equisetales and suggests a heliotropic organisation (heliotropism) of the plant during its lifetime. Such functional morphology is the result of an evolutionary adaptation to the climatic and ecological conditions restricted to intramontane environments of Douro Basin.


Abstract The composite parts bonded with embedded single lap joint (SLJ) subjected to tensile load were analyzed previously. The embedded adhesive was applied between two composite parts and the mechanical behavior of the joint was examined. In this study, composite parts bonded with single-lap joint (SLJ) and double-lap joint (DLJ) subjected to tensile load were analyzed by using 3D finite element method (FEM). The advantages of two different joint methods were investigated. In the analysis, the composite parts were carbon/epoxy (AS4/3501-6) with different fiber orientation angles and the adhesive was DP 410. The models for the numerical analyses were generated by using the ANSYS software package. The finite element analyses (FEA) were carried out to predict the failure loads. Stress in x-, y-, z-directions, shear stresses and the von-Mises stresses on adhesive were obtained at time of failure for predetermined parameters. Consequently, the effects of orientation angles, overlap dimensions and joining methods were examined. The most effective parameters and joining process were determined for composite parts with single-lap and double-lap joints.


NanoFS is a novel file system for embedded systems and storage-class memories (like flash) and is specially designed to be directly implemented in hardware. NanoFS is based on an original internal layout intended to achieve an optimal hardware implementation of the file system's file lookup and data fetch operations. File system specification on a sample reader module completely implemented in a programmable device is introduced.


Offset Quaternary deposits, measurements of fault scarps, and the excavation of two trenches along the eastern Sierra Nevada range front provide information on the rate and style of active faulting in Antelope Valley, California, and Reno, Nevada. Structural, stratigraphic, and pedogenic relations exposed in a trench in Antelope Valley (![Graphic][1] latitude) record two Holocene surface-rupturing earthquakes. Radiocarbon dates place the most recent and penultimate events at about 1350 calibrated years before present (cal B.P.) and older than about 6250 cal B.P., respectively. An approximate fault-slip rate of ∼0.7 mm/yr is calculated by dividing the 3.6-m offset that occurred in the most recent event by the time between the two radiocarbon ages (∼5000 years). A second trench excavated across the Carson Range frontal fault in Reno, Nevada (![Graphic][2] latitude) revealed a sharp, planar, low-angle failure surface dipping 33° E, lending to the possibility that the active normal fault is characterized by a dip much lower than expected from standard frictional considerations.

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 [2]: /embed/inline-graphic-2.gif


Soybean [(Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is the most important grain legumes in the world in terms of total production. But only a fraction of its accessions has been characterizedbased on origin, morphometric traits, agronomic performance and seed composition. This crop is now cultivated to a very limited extent in twenty one sub-Saharan African countries. The main objective of the present study is to characterize morphologically and agronomically the soybean accessions from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR-Congo) gene pool. The results of the present study highlight the high level of variability in the soybean gene pool in the DR-Congo. In general 41% of soybean accessions from this collection have lanceolate leaves, 35.3% rhomboid-lanceolate, 14.7% oval, and 8.8% rhomboid. More than 65% of accessions have pod color that fit in within a variation of light brown. Almost 62% of accessions have seed with light beige color, 27% curry, and 12% pink beige. There were significant differences among accessions for all the quantitative traits analyzed. In the DR-Congo collection, all the accessions were less than 0.5 m tall with 75% shorter than 0.4 m. In general, plant height, stem diameter at first internodes and number of leaves per plant were significantly correlated to each other. Significant correlation was also observed between leaflet length and plant height. Grain yields were highly and significantly correlated to the number of pods and seeds per plant. Based on grain yield and disease resistance over the two years of trials at different locations, ten accessions have been identified as adapted to the local conditions of the main growing soybean region in the DR-Congo.

 Key words: Glycine max, soybean collection, morphometric traits, Democratic Republic of Congo (DR-Congo), in situ conservation, agronomic performance.


This study purposes to explore curriculum innovation and PAI teaching at SDIT Ahmad Yani in Malang. This research used qualitative approach with four research questions: How does the curriculum innovation, strategy, and media of PAI learning in SDIT Ahmad Yani Malang?  Data collection was ended through interviews, observation and documentation. The results of the study are: The Learning used 2013 curriculum with a scientific-based approach, and KTSP curriculum. The model of learning is a goal-oriented, but the majority has lifted towards the process and achievement of competence, although not total. Applied learning methods have also experienced innovation in order to support a smooth learning. Media was used fairly well, but in order to support a smooth and achievement of learning in line with the principles alive in the curriculum applied, this fact needs to be improved towards better, both in terms of accuracy, presentation and materials used.


Based on experimental dictator games with probabilistic prospects, Brock, Lange, and Ozbay (2013) conclude that neither ex post nor ex ante comparisons can fully account for observed behavior. We argue that their conclusion that ex ante comparisons cannot explain the data is at best weakly supported by their results, and do so on three grounds: (i ) the absence of significant differences between the most relevant treatments, (ii ) the implicit assumption of subjects' risk neutrality, and (iii ) the asymmetry of treatments regarding the disclosure of dictators' choice. (JEL C72, D63, D64, D81)


This article contextualizes the rise of "early religious studies in China" with its apex in the 1920s within the heated debates on the role of religion in a modern Chinese society. While the most recent development of religious studies (zongjiaoxue) in China (including Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan) is well known, its early emergence in the late Qing and Republican periods (ca. 1890–1949) has been a neglected topic. The author demonstrates first how antagonistic anti-religious and affirmative positions, received from Western modernization discourse and informed by the contested character of the concept of religion itself, led to the emergence of this new discipline in Republican China as a product of broader discourses on modernization. Secondly, the article evaluates the limited institutionalization of religious studies as a distinct "full" discipline in relation to the broader interdisciplinary "field" of research and public debates on religion. While the interdisciplinary character is typical of the field in general (also in the West), the limited degree of "full disciplinarity" depended on specific, local discursive and political factors of its time. As "religion" appears as an important modern discourse in East Asia, the early emergence of religious studies in China thereby reflects social, political, and intellectual transitions from Imperial to Republican China, and offers a unique perspective on Asian discourses on religious and secular modernities.


This paper discusses some trends outlined in my talk at the XII ESCAMPIG. Among them are: (a) the generalization of the concept of diffusion along the energy axis, (b) the reasons for the Maxwellian-like electron distribution in low-pressure discharges (the Langmuir paradox), (c) the strong electron distribution function anisotropy caused by the wall escape of fast electrons in low-pressure discharges, (d) the formation of a cold electron population in various discharges, etc. The possible development of the diagnostic techniques is discussed.


Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are promising vectors for the intracellular delivery of a variety of membrane-impermeable bioactive compounds. The mechanisms by which CPPs cross the cell membrane, and the effects that CPPs may have on cell function, still remain to be fully clarified. In this work, we employed confocal Raman microscopy (CRM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) to study the infiltration and physiological effects of the amphipathic CPP transportan (Tp) on the metastatic melanoma cell line SK-Mel-2. CRM enabled the detection of label-free Tp within the cells. Raman maps of live cells revealed rapid entry (within 5 min) and widespread distribution of the peptide throughout the cytoplasm and the presence of the peptide within the nucleus after ∼20 min. Principal component analysis of the CRM data collected from Tp-treated and untreated cells showed that Tp Raman bands were not positively correlated with lipid Raman bands, indicating that Tp entered the cells via a nonendocytic mechanism. Analysis of intracellularly recovered Tp by mass spectrometry showed that Tp remained intact in SK-Mel-2 cells for up to 24 h. The Raman spectroscopic data also showed that, although Tp was predominantly unstructured (random coil) in aqueous solution, it accumulated to high densities within the cells with mostly β-sheet and α-helical structures. AFM was employed to measure the effect of Tp treatment on cell stiffness. These data showed that Tp induced a significant increase in cell stiffness within the first hour of treatment, which was partially abated after 2 h. It is hypothesized that the increase in cell stiffness was the result of cytoskeletal changes triggered by Tp.


The nonnegligible time it takes to sample voltages and currents, and to perform some signal processing on the digitized signals to calculate the reference current for a PWM-converter based dynamic filter, results in a time lag of this reference. The consequence of this normally neglected effect is a surprising distortion of the ideal compensated line current. This paper investigates and evaluates this error, proposes a model for studying and analyzing this effect, and presents experimental results to substantiate the analysis.


Nuclear membranes of cardiac muscle cells were studied in 134 patients with cardiac hypertrophy of various causes. Abnormalities observed consisted of: a) increased foldings and convolutions; b) nuclear pseudoinclusions formed by cytoplasmic organelles protruding into saccular invaginations of the nuclear membranes, and c) intranuclear tubules. The increased foldings and convolutions of the nuclear membranes and the nuclear pseudoinclusions appear to result from synthesis of nuclear membranes in excess of that needed to accommodate the increase in nuclear volume which occurs in hypertrophy. Intranuclear tubules were found in 6 patients and consisted of tubular invaginations, 400 to 650 A in diameter, of the inner nuclear membranes into the nucleoplasm. Some of these tubules were straight and cylindrical, and were associated with a peripheral layer of marginated chromatin; others were not associated with chromatin, appeared coiled and followed irregular courses. Intranuclear tubules in cardiac muscle cells probably represent an extreme cellular response to the stimulus of hypertrophy.


According to previous studies, the tactile roughness perception of an object surface tends to be affected by the sounds produced by rubbing it with the finger or a probe. Recent fMRI studies report that the discriminations of tactile roughness and length activate different cortical regions. This study investigated whether auditory stimuli would differentially modify the tactile estimation of roughness and length. Experiment 1 used white noises that changed with regard to loudness (53 dB-69 dB) or short beeps (50 msec); Experiment 2 employed pure tones that changed with regard to loudness. Participants touched abrasive paper, synchronizing their touch with changes in the sounds' loudness or the onset of the beep, and judged tactile roughness or length by using the magnitude estimation method. Although the white noise significantly increased the roughness estimation of a smooth surface, it did not modify the length estimation. Both pure tones and beeps affected neither the roughness nor the length. Our results revealed that complex sounds like white noise selectively affect tactile roughness, even when they are seemingly irrelevant to touch. Thus, it is concluded that tactile information processing of roughness and auditory information processing of complex sounds may contain a common basis.


Introduction There is accumulating evidence on the beneficial effect of exercise intervention in the management of metabolic disorders; however, the molecular mechanism is still unclear. Here, the current study aimed to compare the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and continuous endurance training (CET) on serum and adipose-tissue markers of M1/M2 macrophage polarization. Methods A total of 45 healthy male Wistar rats were divided into groups of normal chow (n=10) and high-fat diet (HFD) (n=35). Then, rats receiving the HFD were randomly divided into four groups. Training programs were performed for 5 days/week over 10 weeks. The CET protocol included 30 minutes running at 50%–60% of VO2max. The HIIT protocol consisted of five repeated intervals of 2-minute sprints on the treadmill at 80%–90% VO2max workload with 1 minute's 30%–35% VO2max interval for each rat. Then, biochemical parameters were assessed. Macrophage-polarization markers were assessed at mRNA and protein levels by real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Results Both exercise-training programs, especially HIIT, reversed increased serum biochemical parameters (glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance, and hsCRP), M1-polarization markers (circulating IL6, TNFα, and adipose-tissue mRNA expression of IL6, TNFα and iNOS), M2 markers (CD206, CD163, and IL10 expression), as well as pIκKB, pNFκB, and NICD expression in HFD-induced diabetes. Conclusion Our findings suggest that despite devoting less time, the HIIT workout is a more effective intervention for diabetes management. Moreover, HIIT reverses HFD-induced macrophage polarization by targeting the NFκB and NOTCH signaling pathways.


Introduction The pathophysiology of pulmonary embolism (PE) represents complex, multifactorial processes involving blood cells, vascular endothelium, and the activation of inflammatory pathways. Platelet (P), endothelial (E), and leukocyte (L)-selectin molecules may play an important role in PE pathophysiology. We aimed to profile the biomarkers of inflammation, including selectins in PE patients, and compare them to healthy individuals. Materials and methods 100 acute PE patients and 50 controls were included in this case control study. ELISA methods were used to quantify levels of selectins, inflammatory, and hemostatic biomarkers. Results In PE patients, levels of selectin molecules as compared to controls convey increased P-selectin levels (95 ng/mL vs 40 ng/mL, p < .0001) and decreased L-selectin levels (1468 ng/mL vs 1934 ng/mL, p < .0001). Significant correlations were found between selectins and Plasminogen Activating Inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), Tumor Necrosis Factor-a (TNFa), and D-dimer. Fold change between selectins and controls is compared to other biomarkers, illustrating degrees of change comparable to TNFa, alpha-2-antiplasmin, and microparticles. L-selectin levels are inversely associated with all-cause-mortality in PE patients, (p = .040). Conclusion These studies suggest that various thrombo-inflammatory biomarkers are elevated in PE patients. Furthermore, L-selectin levels are inversely associated with mortality outcomes.


This paper reports a study on mice and human to check the theory of Stolkowski which hypothesizes that mineral (Na, K, Ca) imbalance in the diet of the female before fertilization affects the sex ratio of the progeny. For this aim, total 40 female and 16 male 2 months age white mice used; which were separated into 8 groups, each of them consisted of 5 female and 2 male animals. Group 1 was a control, group 2-3-4-5-6-7 and 8 were treated as experimental groups. (0.5 g Na/kg feed, 2,0 g K/kg feed and 5,0 g Ca/kg feed); feed was given to group 1 while group 2-3-4-5-6-7 and 8 received in their feed 1.5 g Na/kg feed, 6,0 g K/kg feed and 15,0 g Ca/kg feed during 30 days before mating. K had the highest male ratio in their litter followed by those given Ca+K. Population of Canakkale was evaluated by traditional nutrition of habits and no found statistical differences in sex both m/f (P>0.10).


Objective: Green dentistry is an emerging concept necessary to address the worsening climatic changes. It is essential to compile the existing literature on knowledge, attitude, and practice on green dentistry that can be accomplished by conducting a literature review. The objective of this literature review was to summarize and present the existing knowledge that dentists have regarding green dental practices, their attitude about this shift towards sustainability, and steps that they have taken in their personal practice to adhere towards an eco-friendlier dental approach.
Methods: Three months of effective research and review development from March 2022 to June 2022. Design using keywords, a literature search was performed in PubMed, Google scholar and Web of Science databases. A total of 13 articles of 45, fulfilling the inclusion criteria were selected, of which two were excluded as these were not in English.
Results: Dental practitioners have good knowledge about green dentistry and positive attitudes towards environment conservation, but implementation in their practice is not adequate. Most common themes of knowledge, attitude and practice assessment in green dentistry are amalgam management, radiographic management, infection control, waste management, water, and electricity management.
Conclusion: The absence of adequate literature on eco-friendly practices in dentistry makes it difficult to validate the findings of most of these studies. Dental professionals are familiar with environmentally friendly dental practices and have a positive outlook on their role in environmental protection, but its application in practice is far from adequate.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.1.7606
How to cite this: Zia N, Doss JG, John J, Panezai J. Sustainability in Dentistry: Assessing knowledge, attitude, and practices of dental practitioners about green dentistry. Pak J Med Sci. 2024;40(1):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.40.1.7606
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.


The design of a reflectarray antenna is presented when the radiated field is focused in the near-zone of the array aperture. In particular, the reflectarray antenna is implemented for RFID reader applications at 2.4 GHz. Numerical investigations on the radiation characteristics of this reflectarray, as well as an experimental validation, are presented to demonstrate its feasibility.


Quetiapine fumerate (QTF) (bis [2-(2-[4-(dibenzo [b, f][1,4]thiazepin-11-yl]ethoxy) ethanol]fumarate) is the most recent agent introduced on the drug market for the treatment of psychotic disorders. Spectrophotometric analytical methods for the quality control of Quetiapine Fumarate in two different commercial marketed tablet dosage form (BRAND A & BRAND B) of same strength 25 mg have been developed. The absorbance data was obtained by the measurements at selected wavelength of 290 nm by using Methanol: water in the ratio 50:50v/v as solvent. Beers Lambert's law obeyed at concentration range 15.99 - 24.09 μg/mL concentration range of Quetiapine for spectrophotometric methods at selected wavelength. Proposed method gave satisfactory results in terms of precision and repeatability for both the brands i.e. 100.41% and 99.77% respectively. Also accuracy values were very good for both brands i.e.100 % and 99.83 % resp. which is drawn out by recovery studies, were found satisfactory. The spectroscopic method have excellent linearity and range (r2 =/0.9997). The procedures do not require any separation step. These methods were successfully applied to any solid dosage form containing same drug and was found to be utter, swift, simple, fast, reliable, sensitive, specific and efficient for their estimation from pharmaceuticals


Indonesia's tax revenue in 2012 is still under the budget. The increase of the number of taxpayers each year is still not able to cover the deficit. E-commerce, which the amounts are increasing each year, can be one right solution to resolve the issue.One of the factors that could affect e-commerce is Indonesia internet user which also increases every year. Unfortunately, Directorate General of Taxes still has not decided the perfect regulations for e-commerce transaction in Indonesia. Indonesia needs to define which transactions should be taxed.  This research aims to know the potential tax revenue from e-commerce transaction in Indonesia, especially income taxes and Value Added Taxes (VAT). Key words: tax, e-commerce, income taxes, Value Added Taxes (VAT)


Studies in comparative penology still lack English writings about penal cultures in non-Anglo-European countries, particularly those that steer their focus away from imprisonment. This article fills this gap by giving accounts of penal control in Thailand and how its criminal justice practices differ from the Western models by which they were inspired. Although quite similar in forms, Thai court routines diverge from the West in the tightness of procedural control over defendants. This is the legacy of a selective importation of Western knowledge in response to Western colonial pressures in the past. With its own version of the rule of law and judicial culture of conformity, order is prioritised and control is emphasised arguably to the detriment of proportionality and due protection of defendants' rights. Such contrast to the liberal rights-based spirits of the Western-styled rule of law reflects cultural and socio-political differences which influence local adaptations of the Western-originated concepts. Although the propensity for crime control is defensibly prominent in many Western jurisdictions nowadays, this paper explains the Thai divergence in the underpinning legal mentality and intensity of control.


Vitamin E homologs (tocopherols and tocotrienols) and γ-oryzanol have gained significant attention because of their proposed health benefits and ability to increase vegetable oil stability. Changes in the levels of these phytochemicals were examined during seed development. Rapid accumulation of tocopherols, tocotrienols, and γ-oryzanol occurred during early seed development. During the middle stage of seed development, the levels of tocopherols decreased sharply, and the levels of tocotrienols either stayed the same or decreased slightly, whereas γ-oryzanol continued to accumulate until maturity. The levels of these compounds remained constant from maturity to 15 days postmaturity. In conclusion, rice grain for nutraceutical and functional food applications should be harvested during its immature stage to obtain the highest amount of tocopherols, whereas the amounts of the other phytochemicals that were studied can be optimized by harvesting grain at maturity.


The Haldane phase for antiferromagnetic spin-1 chains is a celebrated topological state of matter, featuring gapped excitations and fractional spin-1/2 edge states. Here, we provide numerical evidence that this phase can be realized with a Hubbard model at half filling, where each $s=1$ spin is stored in a four-site fermionic structure. We find that the noninteracting limit of our proposed model describes a one-dimensional topological insulator, and we conjecture it to be adiabatically connected to the Haldane phase. Our work suggests a route to build spin-1 networks using Hubbard model quantum simulators.


The importance of using quality aggregates with specific gradation and shape properties in asphalt concrete has been recognized by the Strategic Highway Research Program under a set of developed consensus aggregate properties. The flat and elongated ratio and angularity of the aggregate particles are those properties that directly influence the rutting potential of an asphalt pavement. Along with a need to develop rapid and automated methods for determining flat and elongated ratios of individual aggregate particles, there is also a need to develop an accurate and repeatable experimental technique. A new aggregate image analyzer has been recently developed at the University of Illinois that uses three video cameras for accurately determining the volume of each aggregate and for automating the determination of flat and elongated particles, angularity, and gradation. A new image-analysis approach determines the percentage by weight of the flat and elongated particles providing results comparable to the manual results from ASTM D4791 by presenting the results as ratios of weights. The significance of making such accurate volume computations of an individual aggregate using images is discussed. The computed aggregate volumes and the percentages by weight of flat and elongated ratios obtained for two bag samples were in very good agreement with the manual measurements, thus validating the correctness of the imaging technique and the effectiveness of the new aggregate image analyzer.


Purpose
This paper aims to study the effect of the new modified dispersing agent, milling time of the properties and particle size distribution (PSD) of inkjet ink formulation for polyester fabric printing.

Design/methodology/approach
The study's methods include preparation of different formulations of textile inkjet inks based on different types of dispersing agents, then applying and evaluating the prepared formulations on the polyester fabric. The properties of the prepared ink formulations were analyzed by measuring viscosity, surface tension and particle size. The current work is including the study of the effect of using different doses of different dispersing agents and the milling time on their characteristics. Also, the study was extended to evaluate the printed polyester by using the prepared inks according to light fastness, washing fastness, alkali perspiration fastness and crock fastness.

Findings
The results showed that the used dispersing agents and the different milling time enhanced the viscosity and dynamic surface tension in the accepted range, but it was largely cleared in the PSD which tends to perform the inks on the printhead and prevent clogging of nozzles. Light fastness, washing fastness, alkali perspiration fastness and crock fastness gave good results in agreement with this type of inkjet inks for textile printing.

Research limitations/implications
In this work, good results were obtained with this type of dispersing agent for inkjet ink formulations, but for other dispersing agents, other tests could be performed. The inkjet ink could also be formulated with other additives to prevent clogging of nozzles on the printhead.

Practical implications
These ink formulations could be used for printing on polyester fabric by the inkjet printing.

Originality/value
Recently, there was a considerable interest in the study of the effect of PSD on the inkjet inks to prevent clogging of nozzles on the printhead and to improve the print quality on the textile fiber.


An N-methyl derivative of the antineoplastic antibiotic mitomycin C isolated from the bacterium Streptomyces ardus and other Streptomyces bacterial species. Bioreduced porfiromycin generates oxygen radicals and alkylates DNA, producing interstrand cross-links and single-strand breaks, thereby inhibiting DNA synthesis. Porfiromycin is preferentially toxic to hypoxic cells. (NCI04)


The wave-form correlation technique (Hart, 1975) for determining precise teleseismic shear-wave travel times is extended to two large earthquakes with well-constrained source mechanisms, the 1968 Borrego Mountain, California earthquake and the 1973 Hawaii earthquake. A total of 87 SH travel times in the distance range of 30° to 92° were obtained through analysis of WWSSN and Canadian Network seismograms from these two events. Major features of the travel-time data include a trend toward faster travel times at a distance of about 40° (previously noted by Ibrahim and Nuttli, 1967; Hart, 1975); another somewhat less pronounced trend toward faster times at about 75°; a +6 sec base line shift, with respect to the Jeffreys-Bullen Table, for the Borrego Mountain data; and large azimuthally-dependent scatter for the Hawaiian data, probably reflecting dramatic lateral variations in the near-source region. When azimuthal variations in the Hawaii data are removed, the travel times from both events show very low scatter. The correlations were also used to investigate SH amplitudes for possible distance dependence in the data and variations in tβ*. The Borrego Mountain data show very low scatter and no discernible distance dependence. All of the data are compatible with a value of tβ* = 5.2 ± 0.5. The amplitudes from the Hawaii earthquake show the same azimuthal variations found in the travel-time data. When those effects are removed, the Hawaii data satisfies a value of tβ* equal to 4.0 ± 0.5 and, as with the other data set, no distance dependence is apparent.


Taking into consideration that ancient Greece is highly correlated to the democratic public space, the aim of the present thesis is to regain public space in modern Greece, by having as a testing location a medium-sized city, Chania. Public space was an important part of Greek people's lives in the different chronological periods of its history. Starting from antiquity, the ancient agora and the Greek polis were considered as prototypes of democratic public spaces. In more modern years though, the relationship between Greek people and public space was gradually lost, leading to the present-day function of the Greek public spaces. Nowadays, most Greek people spend their free time in cafeterias and bars, neglecting so public spaces, such as squares, parks etc. Even though it is undeniable that cafeterias play an important role in the sociability, liveability and the economic vitality of an area, the way they function in Greece leads to the extreme privatization of public space due to coffee tables, the absence of people in areas where there are no cafes or the occupation of the empty public spaces by marginalized groups. Hence, the present thesis is dealing with the problematic use and the poor quality of public space in the Greek context, and especially in the city of Chania, as a case study. Many of the public spaces are extreme privatized, causing problems of accessibility and walkability, while others are not used at all or used by specific social groups developing urban voids or ghettos in the city. This existing defective Greek reality results in social exclusion and poor social interaction among different demographics, questioning the serving of needs of the different users. Taking into consideration the above-mentioned problem statement and the results by the different research methods used, it is concluded that the enhancement of sense of security, social interaction and inclusion are the main goals to be achieved in the project. Since these three concepts are more social than spatial related, design patterns are used as a method for their translation into space and urban environment. Moreover, they function as a bridge between research and design. In the end, to avoid generic solutions the definition of the patterns is a forth and backwards procedure between research and design.


A search for the flavor-changing neutral-current decay Λc+→pμ+μ- is reported using a data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0 fb-1 collected by the LHCb Collaboration. No significant signal is observed outside of the dimuon mass regions around the φ and ω resonances, and an upper limit is placed on the branching fraction of B(Λc+→pμ+μ-)<7.7(9.6)×10-8 at 90%(95%) confidence level. A significant signal is observed in the ω dimuon mass region for the first time.


Cardiac output studied on the 3rd-5th days of adaptation to 3200 m altitude in dogs born at the 760 m and 1800 m altitudes revealed that the adaptation led to the right ventricle hyperfunction in former group of dogs whereas in the latter group of dogs it was followed by the left ventricle hyperfunction with higher end-diastolic pressure in both ventricles, at that. It seems that when the balance of the ventricles is mechanically disturbed, hyperfunction of one heart's part leads to dysfunction of the opposite part.


Digital predistortion of a baseband signal is a well-known method of power amplifier (PA) linearization used to reduce adjacent channel interference (ACI) in a non constant envelope modulation system. This paper discusses the application of adaptive digital baseband predistortion linearization to radio frequency (RF) power amplifiers (PAs) that exhibit memory effects. This technique is a highly cost- effective way to linearize Power amplifiers (PAs), but most existing architectures assume that the PA has a memoryless nonlinearity. For wider bandwidth applications such as wideband code-division multiple access (WCDMA) or wideband orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (W- OFDM), PA memory effects can no longer be ignored. In this paper a new technique for adaptation of digital predistorter that considers memory effects in power amplifiers is proposed. This method is a combination of two techniques, memory polynomial predistortion and slope-dependent method. This new technique is validated by using a 1.9 GHz 60 W LDMOS power amplifier and various signals such as 2- carrier CDMA and 3-carrier CDMA.


Condensed-phase effects on the structure and bonding of C(6)H(5)CN-BF(3) and (CH(3))(3)CCN-BF(3) are illustrated by a variety of results, and these are compared to analogous data for the closely related complex CH(3)CN-BF(3). For the most part, the structural properties of C(6)H(5)CN-BF(3) and (CH(3))(3)CCN-BF(3) are quite similar, not only in the gas phase but also in the solid state and in argon matrices. However, the structures do change significantly from medium to medium, and these changes are reflected in the data presented below. Specifically, the measured crystallographic structure of C(6)H(5)CN-BF(3) (s) has a B-N distance that is 0.17 A shorter than that in the equilibrium gas-phase structure obtained via B3LYP calculations. Notable differences between calculated gas-phase frequencies and measured solid-state frequencies for both C(6)H(5)CN-BF(3) and (CH(3))(3)CCN-BF(3) were also observed, and in the case of (CH(3))(3)CCN-BF(3), these data implicate a comparable difference between solid-state and gas-phase structure, even in the absence of crystallographic results. Frequencies measured in argon matrices were found to be quite similar for both complexes and also very near those measured previously for CH(3)CN-BF(3), suggesting that all three complexes adopt similar structures in solid argon. For C(6)H(5)CN-BF(3) and (CH(3))(3)CCN-BF(3), matrix IR frequencies differ only slightly from the computed gas-phase values, but do suggest a slight compression of the B-N bond. Ultimately, it appears that the varying degree to which these systems respond to condensed phases stems from subtle differences in the gas-phase species, which are highlighted through an examination of B-N distance potentials from B3LYP calculations. The larger organic substituents appear to stabilize the potential near 1.8 A, so that the structures are more localized in that region prior to any condensed-phase interactions. As a result, the condensed-phase effects on the structural properties of C(6)H(5)CN-BF(3) and (CH(3))(3)CCN-BF(3) are much less pronounced than those for CH(3)CN-BF(3).


This qualitative study explores how people assess and manage being identified as potentially 'at risk' when levels of risk are currently unknown or contested. It uses breast implants as a case study. Their safety has been the subject of much recent controversy. Using a qualitative approach, 23 women were interviewed about their experience of having breast implants. In this article we present three themes pertaining to personal risk assessments and management. Findings highlight powerful contextual issues, which influenced how these women thought about risk. Participants used various strategies to manage uncertainty in their lives and derived their interpretations of new information from their own experience and beliefs. A process is proposed for the way people formulate and reformulate risk perceptions over time, as new and sometimes conflicting information becomes available.