Develop towards a knowledge-based economy is extremely important for the ASEAN five plus three countries, since the countries face challenges at the global fronts and technological changes; the rules of competition have changed. A country's competitive advantage is no longer dependent solely on factors such as labor, land and natural resources, but on its potential to produce, acquire, utilize and disseminate knowledge. Thus, this is essentially a shift from economic development based on resources to development based on knowledge where human capital (consequently education) emerges as crucial public policy themes for creating wealth and increasing the quality of life. This paper attempts to identify the determinants of knowledge-based human capital in ASEAN five plus three countries. The empirical findings of the human capital analyses indicate significant economic and demographic variables including the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and fertility rate.


In the last few decades cooperation among fluid dynamicists and geomorphologists has allowed the construction of a rational framework for the quantitative understanding of several geomorphologic processes involved in the shaping of the Earth's surface. Particular emphasis has been given to the dynamics of sedimentary patterns, features arising from the continuous dynamic interaction between the motion of a sediment-carrying fluid and an erodible boundary. It is this interaction which ultimately gives rise to the variety of natural forms, often displaying a high degree of regularity, observed in rivers, estuaries, coasts, as well as in the deep submarine environment. Theoretical analyses and laboratory experiments have shown that the nature of most of the observed patterns is related to fundamental instability mechanisms whose particular character lies in the fact that it is the mobile interface between the fluid and the erodible boundary, rather than the flow itself, that is unstable. Developments have been general enough to reach the status of a distinct branch of fluid mechanics, geomorphological fluid mechanics. This paper concentrates on the mechanics of fluvial meandering. Our aim is to provide the reader with a systematic overview of the fundamental aspects of the subject, assessing, with the help of recent and novel results, settled as well as unsettled issues.


Objectives: To study the prevalence and genotype distribution of hepatitis G virus (HGV) in hemodialysis patients in East Anatolia, Turkey. Subjects and Materials: Eighty-nine hemodialysis patients and 30 healthy individuals were analyzed by using reverse-transcriptase nested polymerase chain reaction with primers specific for 5′ untranslated region. HGV genotyping was performed by PCR and three randomly selected HGV-positive samples were sequenced. Results: Of the 89 hemodialysis patients, HGV RNA was detected in 9 (10.2%). All of our isolates were assigned to genotype 2. Conclusion: Our results showed that hemodialysis patients carry the risk for HGV infection in East Anatolia, Turkey.


Uterine myomas are found in 0.3–2.6% of pregnant women. In one case out of ten they cause complications. Treatment is primarily conservative but in cases of failure, surgery cannot be avoided. We present a case of a pregnant woman with myomas. Because of failure of conservative management and severe abdominal pain, we performed a myomectomy at 18 weeks' gestation with preservation of the pregnancy. We describe a modified surgical technique whereby interrupted sutures are first placed around the myoma for haemostasis. We achieved good pregnancy outcome by caesarean section carried out near term. Incidence, presentation, and challenges associated with the management of myomas during pregnancy are briefly discussed.


RNA interference (RNAi) is heritable in Caenorhabditis elegans; the progeny of C. elegans exposed to dsRNA inherit the ability to silence genes that were targeted by RNAi in the previous generation. Here we investigate the mechanism of RNAi inheritance in C. elegans. We show that exposure of animals to dsRNA results in the heritable expression of siRNAs and the heritable deposition of histone 3 lysine 9 methylation (H3K9me) marks in progeny. siRNAs are detectable before the appearance of H3K9me marks, suggesting that chromatin marks are not directly inherited but, rather, reestablished in inheriting progeny. Interestingly, H3K9me marks appear more prominently in inheriting progeny than in animals directly exposed to dsRNA, suggesting that germ-line transmission of silencing signals may enhance the efficiency of siRNA-directed H3K9me. Finally, we show that the nuclear RNAi (Nrde) pathway maintains heritable RNAi silencing in C. elegans. The Argonaute (Ago) NRDE-3 associates with heritable siRNAs and, acting in conjunction with the nuclear RNAi factors NRDE-1, NRDE-2, and NRDE-4, promotes siRNA expression in inheriting progeny. These results demonstrate that siRNA expression is heritable in C. elegans and define an RNAi pathway that promotes the maintenance of RNAi silencing and siRNA expression in the progeny of animals exposed to dsRNA.


Background: The ongoing pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome by coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to pose several diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Assessing clinical, demographic, biochemical, haematological and inflammatory parameters have thus become important for investigating the COVID-19 cases. Materials and Methods: A total of 505 Covid-19 positive cases were included in this study to compare their haematological, biochemical and inflammatory parameters among mild, moderate and severe cases who were categorized as per ICMR guidelines and Institute guidelines. Results: In our study 54% patients belonged to >50 years of age group. Different Haematological values were studied for statistical significance where White blood cell count (WBC), Neutrophil count, Neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR), Absolute neutrophil count (ANC), Lymphocyte count and Absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) showed statistical significance with p value <0.05. Among inflammatory markers C-reactive protein (CRP), coagulative marker D-Dimer and biochemical parameters such as S.Ferritin and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels showed statistical significance with p value <0.05.There was no significant change in the Hemoglobin, Monocyte, Absolute monocyte count (AMC), Lymphocyte monocyte ratio (LMR) and platelet count. Conclusion: According to the findings of our study, WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte, neutrophil lymphocyte ratio, CRP, D-dimer, LDH and serum ferritin played an essential part in risk stratification models that serves as clinical predictors of severity in COVID-19 patients.


An effort to develop computer programs that can assist or support the design process of manufacturing products having tiling structure is described. The main concept is to have a library of generic graphic programs that generate pictures of repeating patterns independently of their applications and then to modify them according to their given design task. The problem of finding feasible tilings is complex and computationally intensive. Thus, several heuristic approaches have been proposed in the literature. An efficient approach is to store constraints and graphic patterns for all known tilings in a database and use this information to simplify the feasibility problem of a new tiling. A group of constraints specifies the criteria that bound the corresponding tiling pattern. A semantic binary model is chosen to represent the graphic patterns, constraints, and relationships among them. The choice of this model is based on its unambiguous logical representation and its efficient access to data. The authors present a logical schema design to specify the information about known tilings in the database.<<ETX>>


Background: Stem cell mobilization (SCM) with G-CSF is efficient but - although overall safe - inconvenient because of the five-day injection regime and certain contraindications. Side effects, sometimes severe, are frequent. These disadvantages fuel the quest for alternative mobilizing agents. Mobilization with the CXCR4-inhibitor plerixafor is rapid, albeit insufficiently efficacious on its own. POL6326, a potent 2nd generation macrocycle CXCR4 antagonist, has demonstrated rapid mobilization kinetics and efficacy in mice. We herein report the results of a Phase IIa dose escalation trial where SCM in response to POL6326 was compared with G-CSF in healthy volunteer stem cell donors. Methods: In this Phase IIa open label trial, healthy volunteer stem cell donors with average mobilization (121±7 CD34+ cells/μL, MW±SEM)after a five-day course of G-CSF, and a wash-out period of at least 6 weeks, received POL6326 at 500-2500 µg/kg as a single 2-hour i.v. infusion. Safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) were assessed in 3-10 subjects/dose group. Subgroups received two doses of POL6326, 1000 and 2500 µg/kg or 1500 and 2500 µg/kg, at least 2 weeks apart (paired intra-individual analysis). For PK and PD blood samples were collected before (0) and at 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 24 hrs after infusion start. Complete blood count, CD34+, CFU-C count and PK were assessed at all time points. At 0, 4, 8 and 24 hrs extensive phenotyping of mobilized mature and immature leukocyte subsets was performed. Eight to 14 days after treatment volunteers underwent extensive clinical and laboratory follow-up. Results: POL6326 was very well tolerated. Several volunteers experienced a mild urticarial or itchy macular rash which responded well to H1/H2 blockade. Rating of tolerability/adverse events by volunteers (questionnaire) compared favourably with G-CSF administration. Exposure (Cmax, AUC) was dose-linear. At all doses tested POL6326 mobilized CD34+ progenitor cells and colony-forming cells (CFU-C, Figure 1) exceeding reported peak mobilization with plerixafor in donors at all except the lowest dose levels. In this dataset mobilization after doses of 2000 or 2500 µg/kg did not appear meaningfully stronger than after 1500 µg/kg. The SCM response for CD34+ cells to doses ≥1500 µg/kg was 36.9±2.4/µL (mean±SEM), or 1/3 that of G-CSF (y=0.324x). Good SCM with G-CSF was predictive of good SCM with POL6326 (r=0.63). One/5.7 POL6326-mobilized CD34+ cells was clonogenic (G-CSF: 1 CFU-C/3.4 CD34+ cells) possibly indicating a more immature phenotype of CD34+ cells mobilized by POL6326. POL6326 caused mixed leucocytosis with peak values in the mid-20K/µL. B-lymphocytosis was more and neutrophilia and monocytosis were less pronounced after POL6326 than G-CSF. Compared to G-CSF the subset of plasmocytoid dendritic cell progenitors (pDC) was enriched to a distinct population within the CD34+ cells following SCM with POL6326 as previously described for plerixafor. At the 24 h time point, blood values were well on their way towards normal, and at follow-up all laboratory values had normalized. Summary/Conclusions: The novel CXCR4-antagonist POL6326 is safe, well tolerated, and provides efficient mobilization of HSPCs. Based on the number of mobilized CD34+ cells at higher doses in this study, we conclude that a standard dose of 4x10E6 CD34+ cells/kg can be extracted with a single apheresis for most recipients unless their body weight significantly exceeds the donor weight. However, exploration of alternative dosing regimens may provide even higher mobilization responses. POL6326 can be an effective mobilizing agent for allogeneic donors, including subjects with contra-indications to G-CSF. Disclosures Escot:Polyphor Ltd.: Employment. Douglas:Polyphor Ltd.: Employment. Romagnoli:Polyphor Ltd.: Employment. Chevalier:Polyphor Ltd.: Employment. Dembowsky:Polyphor Ltd.: Consultancy. Hooftman:Polyphor Ltd.: Employment. Bonig:Polyphor Ltd.: Research Funding.


Dust coagulation in a protoplanetary disk is the first step in planetesimal formation. However, the pathway from dust aggregates to planetesimals remains unclear. Both numerical simulations and laboratory experiments have suggested the importance of dust structure in planetesimal formation, but it is not well constrained by observations. We study how the dust structure and porosity alter polarimetric images at millimeter wavelengths by performing 3D radiative transfer simulations. Aggregates with different porosities and fractal dimensions are considered. As a result, we find that dust aggregates with lower porosity and/or higher fractal dimension are favored to explain the observed millimeter-wave scattering polarization of disks. Although we cannot rule out the presence of aggregates with extremely high porosity, a population of dust particles with relatively compact structure is at least necessary to explain polarized-scattered waves. In addition, we show that particles with moderate porosity show a weak wavelength dependence of the scattering polarization, indicating that multiwavelength polarimetry is useful to constrain dust porosity. Finally, we discuss implications for dust evolution and planetesimal formation in disks.


This demonstration shows an agent-based model for the electricity power market, in which the optimal power flow is determined in a bottom-up fashion. Here, each agent controls a single electrical node consisting of several power generators, loads (consumer demand), and is connected to neighbouring nodes through transmission lines. Furthermore, each of the components has associated physical constraints, such as the line and generators' capacities. Through a process resembling tatonnement in markets, the optimal system solution which maximises social welfare is reached within a few iterations. The demonstrator visualises this process and also shows how the various constraints affect the system behaviour and how this changes with different settings.


In this paper we have demonstrated that the negative and positive corona discharge in air at atmospheric pressure is a convenient physical method for the initiation of the high-reaction-rate polymerization process of the linseed oil. The different stages of the polymerization process were investigated by infrared (IR) spectroscopy and the formation of the linseed oil polymer was evaluated by the presence of the C-O-C bands.


The effect of metal admixtures on the structure and imperfections of chalcogenide glassy semiconductors is investigated for Ga admixture in GeSe4 glass. Information is obtained by the positron annihilation technique. A microcrystalline phase in glass under doping at low admixture concentrations (about 0.01 at %) is indicated. The characteristic sizes of microinclusions and the amount of admixture atoms they contain are estimated. New aspects of the earlier interpretation (on the basis of the "induction effect") of the doping effect on electrophysical properties of glass are found.


The Langevin stochastic trajectory model used by Hynes, Kapral, and Torrie [J. Chem. Phys. 72, 177 (1980)] to describe secondary recombination of iodine atoms in solution has been generalized to allow for electronically inelastic transitions between the ten I–I potential curves that dissociate to ground state iodine atoms. The electronic transitions are treated via the Miller–George version of the Tully–Preston surface hopping model. The main qualitative result is that electronically inelastic processes substantially slow down the rate (and ultimate probability) of recombination. It is also seen that the electronic inelasticity changes from being strong at large r, where an essentially Boltzmann distribution over the various electronic states is maintained, to being weak at small r, where the distribution is far from Boltzmann.


We study the effect of a Chern-Simons (CS) term in the phase structure of two different Abelian gauge theories. For the compact Maxwell-Chern-Simons theory, with the CS term properly defined, we obtain that for values g = n/2π of the CS coupling with n = ±1, ±2, the theory is equivalent to a gas of closed loops with contact interaction, exhibiting a phase transition in the 3dXY universality class. We also employ Monte Carlo simulations to study the noncompact U(1) Abelian Higgs model with a CS term. Finite-size scaling of the third moment of the action yields critical exponents α and ν that vary continuously with the strength of the CS term, and a comparison with available analytical results is made.


Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is an autoimmune disease that targets the myelin sheaths in peripheral nerves. Primary demyelination can be detected by electrodiagnostic studies or nerve biopsy, but these do not distinguish between demyelination resulting from CIDP or from non‐inflammatory causes such as diabetes or Charcot–Marie–Tooth type I. Consequently, the diagnosis of CIDP in such patients is often missed. Studies are needed to establish electrodiagnostic criteria for CIDP in patients with diabetes, and to identify biomarkers that distinguish between inflammatory and non‐inflammatory causes of demyelinating neuropathy.


The aim of this study was to discuss the need for formal documentary languages as a condition for it to function in the Semantic Web. Based on a bibliographic review, Linked Open Data is presented as na initial condition for the operationalization of the Semantic Web, similar to the movement of Linked Open Vocabularies that aimed to promote interoperability among vocabularies. We highlight the Simple Knowledge Organization System format by analyzing its main characteristics and presenting the new standard ISO 25964-1/2:2011/2012 -Thesauri and interoperability with other vocabularies, that revises previous recommendations, adding requirements for the interoperability and mapping of vocabularies. We discuss conceptual problems in the formalization of vocabularies and the need to invest critically in its operationalization, suggesting alternatives to harness the mapping of vocabularies.Keywords: Documentary languages. Interoperability. Knowledge organization systems. Semantic web. Thesauri. Vocabularies.


Trees in the forest die, and this fact has implications for both forest production and biological diver sity. This thesis deals with different aspects of damaged and dead trees in Swedish forests using data provided by the Swedish National Forest Inventory (NFI). A model system for risk assessment of snow and wind damage to trees on a site, i.e., windthrow and stem breakage, was developed with logistic regression. The models use characteristics of the largest sample tree, together with site and stand characteristics on a plot, to predict the risk. Estimated prob abilities o f the risk can be used to adapt silvicutural treatments to limit damage caused by snow and wind. The method used by the NFI for acquisition of data on dead wood (DW) is described together with estimates based on data collected in 1994-1996. Estimates show that the volume of DW decreases from almost 10 m3 ha'1 in northern Sweden to about 4 m3 ha1 in the south, giving an average on productive forestland of 6 m3 ha-1 for the whole country. Results showing the lack of large dimensions of DW, and the decrease in the volume of DW after logging are also presented. In 1994 and 1996 the NFI included plots within reserves, i.e., national parks, nature reserves, and Forest Service reserves, in the inventory. That data, together with data from 1983 to 1987 for plots on land that were later established as reserves, were used for analyses of the Swedish reserve network in terms o f proportion of forest, stand age, site quality, tree species composition, and tree volumes. The results show that the proportion of productive forest within reserves is 20% compared to 60% o f the land area of non-reserves, and that the volume of dead trees is higher within reserves. In general the distribution of forests within Swedish reserves is skewed towards old low-productivity Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst) forests in Northwest Sweden. This allocation might not meet the demands for protection of the habitats o f endangered species. Tree mortality functions were developed using logistic and linear regression. The 3-step approach consisted of: (I) estimating the probability of mortality on a sample plot, (II) quantifying the mortality in terms o f the proportion of basal area on a sample plot, and (III) distributing the mortality among individual trees on the plot. Independent variables used for steps I and II were specific to site, stand, and plot size. Step III models were specific to tree species, and in addition to site and stand variables tree variables such as diameter and competition indices were included. In summary, this thesis provides tools for inclusion in long-term management planning that would improve the possibilities for analyses of silvicultural treatments and their impact on risk of snow and wind damage, and also for their impact on the conditions for species depending on dead trees. The thesis also presents background data on the state of the forest within reserves, and the volume, structure and dynamics of dead wood on productive forestland in Sweden.


Partial Néel states are generalizations of the ordinary Néel (classical anti-ferromagnet) state that can have arbitrary integer spin. We study overlaps of these states with Bethe states. We first identify this overlap with a partial version of reflecting-boundary domain-wall partition function, and then derive various determinant representations for off-shell and on-shell Bethe states.


Borehole acoustic logging-while-drilling (LWD) for formation evaluation has become an indispensable part of hydrocarbon reservoir assessment (Tang et al., 2002; Citta et al., 2004; Esmersoy et al., 2005). However, the detection of acoustic formation arrivalsover tool mode contamination has been a challenging problem in acoustic LWD technology. This is because the tool mode contamination in LWD is more severe than in wireline tools in most geological environments (Tang et al., 2002; Huang, 2003). In this paper we propose a new method for separating tool waves from formation acoustic waves in acoustic LWD. This method is to measure the seismoelectric signal excited by the LWD acoustic waves. The acoustic waves propagating along the borehole or in the formation can induce electric fields. The generated electric field is localized around the wave pulses and carried along the borehole at the formation acoustic wave velocity. The LWD tool waves which propagate along the rigid tool rim can not excite any electric signal. This is due to the effectively grounding of the drill string during the LWD process makes it impossible to accumulate any excess charge at the conductive tool – borehole fluid interface. Therefore, there should be no contribution by the tool modes to the recorded seismoelectric signals. In this study, we designed the laboratory experiments to collect simulated LWD monopole and dipole acoustic and seismoelectric signals in a borehole in sandstone. By analyzing the acoustic and electric signals, we can observe the difference between them, which are the mainly tool modes and noise. 1 In this paper, acoustic LWD measurement or signal is composed of formation acoustic waves (modes or arrivals) which are the waves propagating along the formation and tool waves (modes) which are waves propagating along the tool. 2 Seismoelectric signal refers to the electric field induced by seismic (acoustic) waves.


Feature selection is a preprocessing technique with the objective of fi nding a subset of attributes that improve the classifi er performance. In this paper, a new algorithm (IRBASIRRED) is presented for the generation of learning rules that uses feature selection to obtain the knowledge model. Also a new method (REDUCTSIM) is presented for the reduct's calculation using the optimization technique, Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). The proposed algorithm was tested on data sets from the UCI Repository and compared with the algorithms: C4.5, LEM2, MODLEM, EXPLORE and IRBASIR. The results obtained showed that IRBASIRRED is a method that generates classifi cation rules using subsets of attributes, obtaining better results than the algorithm where all attributes are used.


Abstract Our basic science knowledge predicates all enlightened discussions of anterior cruciate ligament morbidity and the principles of its reconstruction. To provide a framework for this symposium, the salient anatomy, embryology, and biomechanical functions of this complex structure are presented.


Depletion of bicarbonate (carbon dioxide) from oxygenic cells or organelles not only causes cessation of carbon dioxide fixation, but also a strong decrease in the activity of photosystem II; the photosystem II activity can be restored by readdition of bicarbonate. Effects of bicarbonate exist on both the acceptor as well as on the donor side of photosystem II. The influence on the acceptor side is located between the primary and secondary quinone electron acceptor of photosystem II, and can be demonstrated in intact cells or leaves as well as in isolated thylakoids and reaction center preparations. At physiological pH, bicarbonate ions are suggested to form hydrogen bonds to several amino acids on both D1 and D2 proteins, the reaction center subunits of photosystem II, as well as to form ligands to the non-heme iron between the D1 and D2 proteins. Bicarbonate, at physiological pH, has an important role in the water-plastoquinone oxido-reductase: on the one hand it may stabilize, by conformational means, the reaction center protein of photosystem II that allows efficient electron flow and protonation of certain amino acids near the secondary quinone electron acceptor of photosystem II; and, on the other hand, it akppears to play a significant role in the assembly or functioning of the manganese complex at the donor side. Functional roles of bicarbonate in vivo, including protection against photoinhibition, are also discussed.


Time-resolved measurements of quasiparticle (QP) relaxation dynamics on the femtosecond timescale are reported as a function of temperature and doping in YBa2Cu3O7 − δ for (0.48 < δ < 0.1). In the underdoped state (δ > 0.15), there is no evidence for any changes in the low-energy gap structure at Tc from either photoinduced QP absorption or QP relaxation time data. In combination with the sum rule, this implies the existence of pre-formed pairs up to a much higher temperature T*. Near δ = 0.1 a rapid cross-over is observed, to a state where the QP recombination time diverges and the photoinduced QP density falls to zero at Tc, indicating the existence of a temperature-dependent superconducting gap which closes at Tc.


Bees, both wild and domesticated ones, are hosts to a plethora of viruses, with most of them infecting a wide range of bee species and genera. Although viral discovery and research on bee viruses date back over 50 years, the last decade is marked by a surge of new studies, new virus discoveries, and reports on viral transmission in and between bee species. This steep increase in research on bee viruses was mainly initiated by the global reports on honeybee colony losses and the worldwide wild bee decline, where viruses are regarded as one of the main drivers. While the knowledge gained on bee viruses has significantly progressed in a short amount of time, we believe that integration of host defense strategies and their effect on viral dynamics in the multi-host viral landscape are important aspects that are currently still missing. With the large epidemiological dataset generated over the last two years on the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the role of these defense mechanisms in shaping viral dynamics has become eminent. Integration of these dynamics in a multi-host system would not only greatly aid the understanding of viral dynamics as a driver of wild bee decline, but we believe bee pollinators and their viruses provide an ideal system to study the multi-host viruses and their epidemiology.


Severe liver injury, including 2 cases of acute liver failure leading to liver transplant in patients treated with the medication, has been associated with the use of dronedarone (Multaq), according to an FDA Drug Safety Communication announcement.


An important component in biotechnology, particularly in the area of protein engineering and rational drug design is the knowledge of the precise three-dimensional molecular structure of proteins. The quality of structural information obtained from X-ray diffraction methods is directly dependent on the degree of perfection of the protein crystals. As a consequence, the growth of high quality macromolecular crystals for diffraction analyses has been the central focus for biochemists, biologists, and bioengineers. Macromolecular crystals are obtained from solutions that contain the crystallizing species in equilibrium with higher aggregates, ions, precipitants, other possible phases of the protein, foreign particles, the walls of the container, and a likely host of other impurities. By changing transport modes in general, i.e., reduction of convection and sedimentation, as is achieved in microgravity , we have been able to dramatically affect the movement and distribution of macromolecules in the fluid, and thus their transport, formation of crystal nuclei, and adsorption to the crystal surface. While a limited number of high quality crystals from space flights have been obtained, as the recent National Research Council (NRC) review of the NASA microgravity crystallization program pointed out, the scientific approach and research in crystallization of proteins has been mainly empirical yielding inconclusive results. We postulate that we can reduce convection in ground-based experiments and we can understand the different aspects of convection control through the use of strong magnetic fields and field gradients. We postulate that limited convection in a magnetic field will provide the environment for the growth of high quality crystals. The approach exploits the variation of fluid magnetic susceptibility with concentration for this purpose and the convective damping is realized by appropriately positioning the crystal growth cell so that the magnetic susceptibility force counteracts terrestrial gravity. The general objective is to test the hypothesis of convective control using a strong magnetic field and magnetic field gradient and to understand the nature of the various forces that come into play. Specifically we aim to delineate causative factors and to quantify them through experiments, analysis and numerical modeling. The paper will report on the experimental results using paramagnetic salts and solutions in magnetic fields and compare them to analytical predictions.


Objectives 1 Clinical data: The patient, male, 39 years old, came to our hospital with a symptoms of breathing difficulty for 5 years, being serious for 2 years, systemic oedema for 1 month on 8 June 2011. The patient had no history of hypertension, coronary heart disease, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes, valvular disease of the heart, thyroid disease, and no family history of premature cardiovascular disease. Methods 2 Discussion: Constrictive pericarditis (CP) is so fibrosis or calcification of the pericardium that ventricular diastolic filling is limited to produce a series of symptoms of circulatory disturbance. Most CP came from acute pericarditis and almost half the cases of it in our country are tuberculous in origin. In regions where tuberculosis is common, it is the cause in a large portion of cases. Results From the examination of echocardiography we could see that the pericardium is thickened, regional wall motion is decreased, and the motion of ventricular is paradoxical contraction. Conclusions It is difficult to differentiate artefact from calcification for common Chest CT due to beating heart and slower scanning speed. Compare with the common CT, the 64–128-slice spiral CT possess faster scanning speed and higher resolution to make it more suitable to diagnose constrictive pericarditis.


Endogenous generation of nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in the regulation of cardiovascular and inflammatory responses. This mediator is synthesized by a family of enzymes collectively known as NO synthase. Several isoforms of this enzyme have been identified and can be grouped as constitutive or inducible. Increased production of NO is reported in several inflammatory disorders, such as sepsis, arthritis, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), and antiphospholipid syndrome. In addition, NO upregulates cyclo-oxygenase-2 and synthesis of several other inflammatory cytokines. Inflammation and thrombotic complications are usually associated with malignancy. Earlier reports indicate the upregulation of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), and tissue factor (TF) in patients with malignancy. To determine the relationship between inflammatory cytokines and NO in cancer patients with hypercoagulable states, baseline plasma samples from 160 patients with confirmed malignancy and hypercoagulable state were analyzed for NO levels. A chemical method based on a chemiluminescent reaction between NO and ozone using a highly sensitive gas phase NO analyzer was used. CRP, TF, and TNF-α were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods. Of the 160 patients who were plasma tested, the baseline NO levels ranged from 13.7 to 98.6 μM (63.1±15.9 μM, mean±SD) in contrast to age-matched control, which ranged from 9.1 to 34.6 μM (19.8±6.2 μM, mean±SD, n=138). Cancer patients also showed marked variations in the NO levels. Eighteen of 60 cancer patients exhibited greater than 60 μM NO levels. The CRP, TNF-α and TF were also significantly elevated. A correlation between CRP (r2=0.73) and NO levels was noted in cancer patients with hypercoagulable state. These data suggest that the pathogenesis associated with malignancy/hypercoagulable state is associated with an inflammatory component. In addition, the observed hemodynamic changes in some of the cancer patients may be due to increased NO production.


As the use of computers in our daily lives increases, so has the need for a natural procedure to interact with the computers. The ultimate aim of human computer interaction is to bring the change that there is always a natural way of interacting with computers coupled with ease and flexibility. Printed and textual media such as prescriptions, invoices, receipts, etc. occupies a large segment of our day-to-day activities and given their volume, it is inefficient to manage them physically as there's always an associated risk of fading, damage, misplacing, etc. and hence a medium is required for their digital conversion. In this project, we have developed a robust, cross-platform web application that can process the images using PyTesseract based algorithms that can efficiently extract the textual data to facilitate the storage and retrieval of the same. The extracted text can be downloaded as a text file and can also be translated into the desired language. This is an active field of research and thus this paper also discusses various current implementations of the mentioned concept. The Optical Character Recognition framework finds applications in a variety of fields such as business process activities, number plate recognition, KYC and banking processes to name a few.


We propose a new variable interval (VI) schedule that achieves constant probability of reinforcement in time while using a bounded range of intervals. By sampling each trial duration from a uniform distribution ranging from 0 to 2 T seconds, and then applying a reinforcement rule that depends linearly on trial duration, the schedule alternates reinforced and unreinforced trials, each less than 2 T seconds, while preserving a constant hazard function.


This review integrates literature on cross-disciplinary quantitative and qualitative studies related to children's reading on screen published between January 2016 and September 2017, with a focus on the researchers' epistemological perspectives on knowledge and learning. Johri's (2011) framework of socio-material assemblages, which synthesises epistemological dualities, is used to examine the ways in which researchers conceptualise children's learning with digital books. The review shows that extant empirical studies map directly onto the social part of Johri's framework (examination of child and adult variables and behavioural characteristics) and onto the material aspects of children's digital books (examination of books' contents and features). Only theoretical studies pay equal attention to social and material aspects in their conceptualisation of children's reading on screen. Overall, it is recommended that in addition to cross-disciplinary and multiple methods, researchers consider socio-material assemblages to advance the field. A socio-material perspective could address time and space shifts in children's reading on screen and might provide a springboard for future epistemological developments within the field.


Helicobacter pylori is a Gram-negative, microaerophilic bacterium adapted to survive in the stomach of humans where it can cause peptide ulcers and gastric cancer. Although effective antibiotic treatment exists, there is a consensus that vaccines are necessary to limit the severity of this infection. Great progress has been made since its discovery 25 years ago in understanding the virulence factors and several aspects of the pathogenesis of the H. pylori gastric diseases. Several key bacterial factors have been identified: urease, vacuolating cytotoxin, cytotoxin-associated antigen, the pathogenicity island, neutrophil-activating protein, and among others. These proteins, in their native or recombinant forms, have been shown to confer protection against infectious challenge with H. pylori in experimental animal models. It is not known, however, through which effector mechanisms this protection is achieved. Nevertheless, a number of clinical trials in healthy volunteers have been conducted using urease given orally as a soluble protein or expressed in bacterial vectors with limited results. Recently, a mixture of H. pylori antigens was reported to be highly immunogenic in H. pylori-negative volunteers following intramuscular administration of the vaccine with aluminium hydroxide as an adjuvant. These data show that vaccination against this pathogen is feasible. More research is required to understand the immunological mechanisms underlying immune-mediate protection.


OBJECTIVE
Overexpression of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene inhibits neointimal hyperplasia after arterial injury. The purpose of this study was to examine the mechanism by which nitric oxide (NO) inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation, specifically focusing on signaling pathways known to be activated by NO, including cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), p53, and p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK).

METHODS AND RESULTS
VSMCs that were subjected to iNOS gene transfer demonstrated a reduction in proliferation (80%) that was associated with a marked increase in p21 expression. The antiproliferative and p21 stimulatory effects of NO were not suppressed by the soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor ODQ, implicating cGMP-independent signaling. The role of p53 in NO-mediated upregulation of p21 and inhibition of proliferation was evaluated using p53 -/- VSMCs. A similar reduction in cellular proliferation and upregulation of p21 expression were achieved with iNOS gene transfer as well as treatment with the NO-donor S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), demonstrating the p53-independent nature of these NO-mediated pathways. The transfer of the iNOS gene activated the p42/44 MAPK, and inhibition of this MAPK pathway with PD98059 partially blocked the antiproliferative effects of NO and completely inhibited the p21 stimulatory effects of NO. For confirmation that iNOS overexpression upregulated p21 in vivo, injured rat carotid arteries were infected with an adenoviral vector carrying the iNOS gene and demonstrated a marked upregulation of p21 expression at three days. However, the ability of NO to inhibit VSMC proliferation does not solely depend on p21 upregulation since the NO-donor SNAP-inhibited VSMC proliferation in p21 -/- VSMCs.

CONCLUSION
Nitric oxide inhibits VSMC proliferation in association with the upregulation of p21; both occur independent of p53 and cGMP while being partially mediated through the p42/44 MAPK signaling cascade. This represents one potential mechanism by which NO inhibits VSMC proliferation.


The authors review radiological and endoscopical data of 30 patients with primary or secondary colonic and rectal non Hodgkin's lymphomatous involvement, and describe the radiologic pattern of this peculiar entity. Confirmation of the diagnosis is based in all cases on the pathological study of surgical specimens or per endoscopical biopsy. Eight patients (26%) presented non specific involvement secondary to small bowel or gastric localisation. The other patients (74%) had intrinsic lesions who may either remain localised (commonly endo-enteric type) or extend to whole of the colon (infiltrating type). After a description of the radiological features of these wide spectrum lesions, the authors consider the differential diagnosis and the respective contribution of colonic endoscopy and barium enema.


A Thesis
submitted to the Faculty of Agriculture,
Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka
in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of
MASTER OF SCIENCE
IN
GENETICS AND PLANT BREEDING
SEMESTER: July-December, 2016


This paper aims to examine the students' attitudes towards E-learning system in one of the Malaysian universities. It has been noted that E-learning initiative is a pivotal alternative learning tool nowadays. Therefore, an examination of students attitude is a cornerstone to successfully and effectively understand how students react towards these initiatives. 30 respondents excluded from the sample were pilot tested to validate the attitude scale used in this study. 139 students agreed to participate in the study as well. The study's results revealed that attitude is not a single domain by itself. Factor analysis suggests that attitude has been divided into two separate socio-psychological constructs. Further investigation considering different geographical site can underline whether the students share the same perspectives or not.


Leading edge roughness is known to influence the aerodynamic performance of wings and airfoil sections. Aerodynamic tests show that these effects vary with the type and texture of the applied roughness. The quantification of the relationship between different types of roughness is not very clear. This makes the comparison of results from different tests difficult. An attempt has been made to find a relationship between randomly distributed roughness using cylinders of different heights and densities, roughness using ballotini, and equivalent sand grain rougnness. A CFD method based on the Cebeci-Chang roughness model was used to generate correlations with experimental data. It is found that the variation of the size and density of individual roughness elements can be represented using one roughness parameter, Rp, which is equivalent to the sand grain roughness parameter used in the Cebeci-Chang model. Numerical predictions using this approach correlate well with two dimensional test results.


In the domain of virtual agents modeling, computationalist approaches tend to predominate. The lack of plausibility of the rules in nature provides models with a low capacity to generalize and a very limited insight into behavioral phenomena. An alternative view is that behavior could emerge as a whole from the basic principles of non‐linear dynamics that underlie such behavior in the environment. This paper presents a dynamic agent endowed with a sensing device, a controller and actuators to interact with the environment. The control architecture is based on ordinary differential equations with the function of modulating the stimulus signals to action signals under a sensory‐motor flow. The parameter values are defined in an evolutionary process depending on the task to be performed. A series of experiments are presented to illustrate certain qualities of our model such as the adaptability to change, a highly intuitive and flexible design methodology, and a high degree of individual autonomy, among others. We think this kind of modeling is useful in the animation world for modeling flocks, crowds, and swarms as a valid alternative to other less parsimonious techniques.


The behaviour of the polyps of eight coral species in the subclass Hexacorallia is described with reference to electrical activity recorded with extracellular suction electrodes. Following repetitive mechanical or electrical stimulation, waves of polyp retraction spread over the colony from the point of stimulation. In response to a single electrical or mechanical stimulus, a single electrical potential was evoked. It is suggested that this pulse represented activity in the colonial nerve net. The pulse was conducted without decrement over large areas of the colony. The conduction velocity was 15-25 cm s-1 at 25°C. There was no evidence for multiple firing following single threshold stimuli. Polyp retraction only occurred after two or more 'nerve net' pulses had impinged upon the neuromuscular junctions of the retractor muscles within a short time interval. Colonial polyp retraction responses occurred, therefore, when a number of nerve net pulses were conducted across the colonial nerve net. A burst of pulses showed a reduction in frequency as it was conducted from the point of stimulation. A new explanation of colonial polyp retraction patterns in response to electrical stimulation is proposed. The different patterns may be explained in terms of the way in which the frequency (but not the number) of the pulses in a burst of nerve net activity changes with the distance conducted. Changes in nerve net pulse frequency affect the degree of facilitation of the neuromuscular junctions which, in turn, affects the size of the muscle contraction evoked. The possibility is considered that 'slow conduction systems' similar to those found in sea anemones may also be present in the colonial Hexacorallia.


The temperature of human body is indicative of critical medical information concerning the whole body. Abnormal rise in total and regional body temperature is a natural symptom in diagnosing many types of diseases. Thermal imaging (Thermography) utilizes infrared beams, which are fast, non-invasive, and non-contact. Generally, the output images by this technique are flexible and useful to monitor the temperature of the human body. The purpose of this study is to determine the diagnostic value of the breast tissue diseases by the help of thermography. In this paper, we used the non-contact infrared camera INFREC R500 for evaluating the capabilities of thermography. This study was conducted on 60 patients suspected of breast tissue disease, which were referred to Imam Khomeini Imaging Center. The overall information was obtained from multiple sources including a predefined medical questionnaire, the performed clinical examinations, diagnostic results obtained from ultrasound images, clinical biopsies and thermography. All of these inputs were analyzed by the respective experts of breast cancer. Medical analysis indicated that the use of Thermography as well as the asymmetry technique is useful in identifying hypo echoic and cystic masses. It should be noted that the patient should not suffer from breast discharge. The Accuracy of the asymmetry identification technique for identifying hypo echoic and cystic masses is 91/89% and 92/30%.In the same manner, the accuracy of identifying the exact location is 61/53% and 75%. This method is also effective in identifying heterogeneous, fibro-adenoma, and Intra-ductal masses. But it is unable to identify Iso-echo and calcified mass. According to the results of the investigation, Thermography is useful in the initial screening and supplementation of diagnostic procedures due to its safety (its non-ionizing radiation property which acts as everyday immersed heat), low cost and the exact recognition of diseases of the breast tissue.


performance concrete (HPC) have been first developed in Japan in 1986. The development of SCC has made casting of dense reinforcement and mass concrete convenient, has minimized noise. Fresh self-compacting concrete (SCC) flows into formwork and around obstructions under its own weight to fill it completely and self-compact (without any need for vibration), without any segregation and blocking. The elimination of the need for compaction leads to better quality concrete and substantial improvement of working conditions. SCC mixes generally have a much higher content of fine fillers, including cement, and produce excessively high compressive strength concrete, which restricts its field of application to special concrete only. To use SCC mixes in general concrete construction practice, requires low cost materials to make inexpensive concrete. Rice husk ash (RHA) has been used as a highly reactive pozzolanic material to improve the microstructure of the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) between the cement paste and the aggregate in self compacting concrete. Mechanical experiments of RHA blended Portland cement concretes revealed that in addition to the pozzolanic reactivity of RHA (chemical aspect), the particle grading (physical aspect) of cement and RHA mixtures also exerted significant influences on the blending efficiency. The scope of this research was to determine the usefulness of Rice husk ash (RHA) in the development of economical self compacting concrete (SCC). The cost of materials will be decreased by reducing the cement content by using waste material like rice husk ash instead of. This paper presents a study on the development of Mechanical properties up to 180 days of self compacting and ordinary concretes with rice-husk ash (RHA), from a rice paddy milling industry in Rasht (Iran). Two different replacement percentages of cement by RHA, 10%, and 20%, and two different water/cementicious material ratios (0.40 and 0.35), were used for both of self compacting and normal concrete specimens. The results are compared with those of the self compacting concrete without RHA, with compressive, flexural strength and modulus of elasticity. It is concluded that RHA provides a positive effect on the Mechanical properties at age after 60 days. Base of the result self compacting concrete specimens have higher value than normal concrete specimens in all test except modulus of elasticity. Also specimens with 20% replacement of cement by RHA have the best performance.


Perineal rehabilitation is an appropriate alternative to surgery in the treatment of urinary female incontinence. The most important factors influencing the success of this technique is the ability of the patient to identify correctly the muscles of the pelvic floor, to strengthen this muscles using exercises, electrical stimulation and biofeedback, to contract voluntarily the pelvic floor musculature during stress or sensation of voiding for having a preventive effect on loss of urine, and also to change, if necessary, the micturitional and drinking customs. Some conditions are required to complete a good result: strong motivation of the woman, ability of the physiotherapist or the midwife, quality of care and follow-up of the physician who must clearly know the place of this conservative treatment in selected patients, particularly in moderate stress incontinence, without important prolapse, urge incontinence, pregnancy and post-partum, two conditions in which this technique must have a preventive and curative efficiency.


Background
New tools for diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) or compromised cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) are urgently needed to improve outcomes after brain injury. Previous success in applying advanced data analytics to build precision monitors based on large, noisy sensor datasets suggested applying the same approach to monitor cerebrovascular status. In these experiments, a new algorithm was developed to estimate ICP and CPP using the arterial pressure waveform.

Methods
Sixty-five porcine subjects were subjected to a focal brain injury to simulate a mass lesion with elevated ICP. The arterial pressure waveform and the measured ICP from these subjects during injury and treatment were then utilized to develop and calibrate an ICP and CPP estimation algorithm. These estimation algorithms were then subsequently evaluated on 14 new subjects.

Results
The root mean square difference between actual ICP and estimated ICP was 2.0961 mmHg. The root mean square difference between the actual CPP and the estimated CPP was 2.6828 mmHg.

Conclusion
A novel ICP or CPP monitor based on the arterial pressure signal produced a very close approximation to actual measured ICP and CPP and warrants further evaluation.


AIM
The most common causes of variability in drug response include differences in drug metabolism, especially when the hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes are involved. The current study was conducted to assess the differences in CYP activities in human liver microsomes (HLM) of Chinese or Caucasian origin.

METHODS
The metabolic capabilities of CYP enzymes in 30 Chinese liver microsomal samples were compared with those of 30 Caucasian samples utilizing enzyme kinetics. Phenacetin O-deethylation, coumarin 7-hydroxylation, bupropion hydroxylation, amodiaquine N-desethylation, diclofenac 4'-hydroxylation (S)-mephenytoin 4'-hydroxylation, dextromethorphan O-demethylation, chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylation and midazolam 1'-hydroxylation/testosterone 6β-hydroxylation were used as probes for activities of CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2E1 and CYP3A, respectively. Mann-Whitney U test was used to assess the differences.

RESULTS
The samples of the two ethnic groups were not significantly different in cytochrome-b(5) concentrations but were significantly different in total CYP concentrations and NADPH-P450 reductase activity (P < 0.05). Significant ethnic differences in intrinsic clearance were observed for CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19 and CYP2E1; the median values of the Chinese group were 54, 58, 26, and 35% of the corresponding values of the Caucasian group, respectively. These differences were associated with differences in Michaelis constant or maximum velocity. Despite negligible difference in intrinsic clearance, the Michaelis constant of CYP2B6 appeared to have a significant ethnic difference. No ethnic difference was observed for CYP2A6, CYP2C8, CYP2D6 and CYP3A.

CONCLUSIONS
These data extend our knowledge on the ethnic differences in CYP enzymes and will have implications for drug discovery and drug therapy for patients from different ethnic origins.


Although known for whole brain, values are lacking for solubilities of modern volatile anesthetics in specific brain regions. Some regions should differ from others (e.g., gray matter versus white matter) because they differ in lipid content and because potent inhaled anesthetics are lipophilic. In the present report, we examined this issue in bovine brain, finding that white matter/gas partition coefficients are 1.6 (desflurane) to 2.4 (halothane) times larger than gray matter/gas partition coefficients, with values for isoflurane and sevoflurane lying between these at 1.9. Values for thalamus/gas, hypothalamic area/gas, and hippocampal/gas partition coefficients lie between those for gray and white matter. These data may be useful in defining the parts of the brain involved with return to consciousness during recovery from anesthesia.


Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) on ovulation and restoration of menstrual cycles andpregnancy.  Materials and m ethods : This cross sectional study was conducted on 81 consecutive Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCO) patients whom were referred to  Avesina Infertility clinic during 2003-2006. Exclusion criteria were tubal and male factor infertility, hyperprolactinemia, thyroid disease and diabetes mellitus. Patients with the age range of 20-35, body mass index of less than 35 kg/m 2 , failure to ovulate during at least three cycles of Clomiphene Citrate (CC) consumption and more than 12 months of ovulatory factor infertility entered the study. Metformin was used for at least 8 weeks in combination with CC. Forty four PCO women who had not ovulated after medical therapy with combination of CC and Metformin were selected for LOD. The data was analyzed with SPSS software using t- test and logistic regression analysis. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Patients aged 28.9±2.3 years with infertility duration of 4.8±2.3years and BMI of 28±3.3 kg/m 2 . Effectiveness of medical therapy significantly was related to BMI (P<0.001). After LOD, ovulation occurred in 14 cases (31.8%), restoration of menstrual cycle in 18 women (40.9%), and spontaneous pregnancy in 5 cases (11.3%). Conclusion : LOD is a good method for restoration of ovulatory cycles in anovulatory PCOS women who were resistant to the combination of CC and Metformin. LOD may avoid or reduce the need to gonadotropins for ovulation induction.


This paper presents a practical optimal planning of solar photovoltaic (SPV) and battery storage system (BSS) for electric vehicle (EV) owner households with time of use (TOU) electricity pricing. The main aim of the optimisation problem is to minimize the Cost of Electricity (COE) while satisfying the design constraints over 20-year project lifespan. Novel rule-based home energy management systems are created to investigate the optimal sizing of two system configurations: (1) SPV-EV, and (2) SPV-BSS-EV. The arrival and departure times of the EV's availability, as well as its initial state-of-charge are incorporated into the energy management system via stochastic functions. Sensitivity analyses of the feed in tariff, grid constraint, electricity demand, and available rooftop area are provided to investigate the variations of cost of electricity and capacities of SPV and BSS. From the study results, practical guidelines for grid-connected households, based on TOU energy pricing, are provided to select the optimal capacity of SPV and BSS to accommodate the existing EV. The optimisation method is general and applicable to any household owning EV; however, in this study realistic data of solar insolation and temperature as well as household electricity demand and electricity prices are implemented for South Australia. Uncertainty analysis is investigated based on 10-year real and stochastic data to prove the optimal results. It is found that the optimal configuration for a typical SA household utilising TOU pricing with an EV requires a 10-kW SPV with a 10-kWh capacity of BSS.


Protein-protein interactions between G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) can augment their functionality and increase the repertoire of signaling pathways they regulate. New therapeutics designed to modulate such interactions may allow for targeting of a specific GPCR activity, thus reducing potential for side effects. Dopamine receptor (DR) heteromers are promising candidates for targeted therapy of neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease since current treatments can have severe side effects. To facilitate development of such therapies, it is necessary to identify the various DR binding partners. We report here a new interaction partner for DRD2 and DRD3, the orphan receptor G protein-coupled receptor 143 (GPR143), an atypical GPCR that plays multiple roles in pigment cells and is expressed in several regions of the brain. We previously demonstrated that the DRD2/ DRD3 antagonist pimozide also modulates GPR143 activity. Using confocal microscopy and two FRET methods, we observed that the DRs and GPR143 colocalize and interact at intracellular membranes. Furthermore, co-expression of wildtype GPR143 resulted in a 57% and 67% decrease in DRD2 and DRD3 activity, respectively, as determined by β-Arrestin recruitment assay. GPR143-DR dimerization may negatively modulate DR activity by changing affinity for dopamine or delaying delivery of the DRs to the plasma membrane.


In the beginning of the paper, the main issues of the previous chapters from the author's series of studies in the field of the black limit related to the subject, studied in the paper were briefly considered.By considering the nature of cold fusion, it was assumed that the main stumbling block lies in the Coulomb's law, in the need to overcome the force of electric charge. For this purpose, the conditions were studied, when the rate of charge at the transition from one density to another is more than the light speed in this medium, and the charge "grows bald". As a result, the Coulomb forces cease to affect and conditions for cold fusion are created.Similar processes proceed at the chemical catalytic reactions, and lead to the acceleration of chemical reactions. Catalytic reactions are of the physical nature and are based on the change in the charge by the different medium density. This process is similar to the change in the charge distribution at V→ Slight and, in this case, the Coulomb's law is broken since the charge remains constant, but its effect in different ways is different that can be interpreted as the charge change in different directions. Anyway, all these processes are associated with the change in the charge effect in different directions (with respect to the charge in different directions), and breaking of the Coulomb forces (or their relativity).


Seven cases of moyamoya disease accompanied by an aneurysm were studied. The patients, two males and five females, were 13 to 57 years old (average, 32). The cases were classified into two groups: Group A (five cases), in which the aneurysm was located within the moyamoya vessels, and Group B (two cases), in which the aneurysm was located within the circle of Willis and remote from the moyamoya vessels. In all Group A cases, the presenting episode was intracerebral and intraventricular hemorrhage due to rupture of the aneurysm. One patient suffered two separate attacks. In this case, the aneurysm disappeared spontaneously. In one of the two Group B cases, there was hemorrhage from an anterior communicating artery aneurysm. In the other case, with a basilar-superior cerebellar artery aneurysm, there was hemorrhage from the moyamoya vessels.


Poly(4-methyl-1-pentene) casting films with row-nucleated lamellar structure were extruded through a slit die followed by stretching using a chill roll. The influences of melt draw ratio, annealing temperature, annealing time and supplied strain level on the crystalline morphology and orientation of the poly(4-methyl-1-pentene) casting films were carefully investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry and X-ray diffraction. It was found that the crystalline morphology and the degree of orientation were greatly influenced by the melt draw ratio. In addition, both the changes of crystallinity and orientation degree exhibited similar tendencies (firstly increasing and then decreasing) upon increasing the free annealing temperature and time. The use of an appropriate temperature and time meant that molecular chains of the amorphous region could rearrange into a crystal lattice and defects could be removed, while an excessive annealing temperature and time could lead to partial imperfect crystals melting and recrystallizing or even disorientation phenomena. In contrast to the free annealing method, it was surprisingly discovered that annealing under supplied strain was really helpful in improving the crystalline structure and orientation of casting films.


The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between systems of Revised Gray's model of personality, attribution styles and coping strategies. The survey was conducted on a sample of 274 students at the University of Novi Sad. The instruments that were used are: Coping Strategy Indicator (CSI), Reinforcement Sensitivity Questionnaire (UOP) and Attribution Style Questionnaire (ASQ). Three stress coping strategies – Problem solving, Seeking Support and Avoidance were the criterion variables in the multiple analysis of covariance which investigated the contribution of attribution styles in both positive and negative situations and their interactions, controlling the contribution of the Revised reinforcement sensitivity theory systems. The results showed that significant predictors of Avoidance as coping strategy were the systems of Behavioral Activation and Freezing. Also, Avoidance was related to internal, stable and global attribution of negative events, as well as to interaction of attribution of positive and negative events that can be described as a pessimistic attribution style. Seeking Support as a coping strategy was predicted by Freezing system. Further, Seeking Support was associated with a tendency toward external, unstable and specific attribution of negative events. The Problem solving strategy was not determined neither by Systems of Revised reinforcement sensitivity theory, nor by attribution styles. The research results are in accordance with the Revised reinforcement sensitivity theory and with the findings that support the Reformulated learned helplessness model.


Leadership philosophy is explored through gender and other demographic characteristics in the Australian Public Service (APS), at the federal government level. Leadership philosophy is conceptualised as the leader's attitudes, values and behaviour. Gender differences in characteristics of leaders (executives and middle managers) are examined in terms of strategic behaviour, management style, work‐related values, adoption of information technology, perceived organisational morale, family/work conflict and personal, work and family satisfaction. The gender differences are investigated using questionnaire responses from a sample of 750 respondents, of which 569 were male and 145 female. The APS findings are compared with a Cranfield study conducted in the UK's National Health Service (NHS), where gender differences are explored in terms of management and strategic orientation. A sample of 515 chief executives, medical, clinical, HR and financial directors, chairpersons and other non‐executive directors, consists of 406 male and 108 female respondents. The APS study reveals that there are no significant gender differences in the majority of measured characteristics. Similarly in the NHS Trusts study, no significant gender differences are found in terms of management and strategic orientation. The conclusion reached is that other demographic characteristics are influential in forming leadership philosophies, namely job and organisational tenure and experience of senior management responsibilities, thus highlighting the importance of organisational demographics and their impact on leadership attitudes and practice.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the association between ambient air pollution and hospital emergency admissions in Beijing.

METHODS
In this study, a semi-parametric generalized additive model (GAM) was used to evaluate the specific influences of air pollutants (PM10, SO2, and NO2) on hospital emergency admissions with different lag structures from 2009 to 2011, the sex and age specific influences of air pollution and the modifying effect of seasons on air pollution to analyze the possible interaction.

RESULTS
It was found that a 10 μg/m3 increase in concentration of PM10 at lag 03 day, SO2 and NO2 at lag 0 day were associated with an increase of 0.88%, 0.76%, and 1.82% respectively in overall emergency admissions. A 10 μg/m3 increase in concentration of PM10, SO2 and NO2 at lag 5 day were associated with an increase of 1.39%, 1.56%, and 1.18% respectively in cardiovascular disease emergency admissions. For lag 02, a 10 μg/m3 increase in concentration of PM10, SO2 and NO2 were associated with 1.72%, 1.34%, and 2.57% increases respectively in respiratory disease emergency admissions.

CONCLUSION
This study further confirmed that short-term exposure to ambient air pollution was associated with increased risk of hospital emergency admissions in Beijing.


Although the liver is the major organ responsible for ethanol metabolism, such metabolism also occurs in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. However, compared to the liver, GI metabolism of ethanol is quantitatively much lower. Various enzyme systems have been characterized in GI mucosal cells including various isozymes of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP 2E1) and catalase. Gastric ADH activity is one factor by which first pass metabolism (FPM) is influenced and its activity is modulated by genetics, gender, age, drugs and gastric morphology. Another important factor in FPM of ethanol is the speed of gastric emptying. In addition to mucosal ethanol metabolism, ethanol can also be oxidized by many bacterial species in the upper GI tract including oropharynx and stomach as well as in the large intestine. GI metabolism of ethanol may influence systemic bioavailability of ethanol and may lead to local toxicity most likely mediated by acetaldehyde. Such toxicity could be of importance in ethanol-associated carcinogenesis.


We correlated percentage of occurrence (local occupancy) of 1069 plant species and 155 bird species across 16 non-reclaimed mining sites in a brown coal district of eastern Germany to regional range size and life history traits. To control for possible confounding effects of phylogeny we used a cross-species as well as a phylogenetically controlled approach. Although life history traits showed significant correlations to local occupancy in univariate analyses, hierarchical partitioning suggested that these variables were only of minor importance to explain local occupancy across non-reclaimed mining sites. The most robust and consistent relationship, however, was found between local occupancy and regional range size. A greater proportion of bird species than plant species from the available species pool colonized the mining sites, possibly due to the active search for suitable habitats by birds. Thus, although the two groups have different ways of colonizing a habitat, the general importance of regional distribution is the same. Overall, the results of our study underline the importance of regional patterns to understand local community composition.


This paper presents a two-step interactive satisfactory optimization method for fuzzy multiple objective optimization with preemptive priorities. In contrast to previous works, this proposed approach guarantees the order of satisfactory degrees consistent with priorities. The decision-maker not only acquires satisfactory solution of all the objectives, but also realizes the preemptive priority requirement among them. The originally complex optimization problem is simplified and divided into two subproblems that are solved in sequence. Numerical examples and actual application show the proposed method's effectiveness, flexibility and efficiency in comparison with results from the literature.


The focus of this research centres on how the use of narrative (story telling) was used to locate and challenge/shift pre service teachers' bodies in health and physical education (HPE). Following the work of Evans, Davies & Rich (2009); Garrett & Wrench (2012); lisahunter (2011), who have attempted to locate bodies in teaching, this paper brings to the fore the pre service teachers' bodies along with their various voices. This project builds upon previous research that has highlighted the sustained impact of pedagogy and more specifically, body pedagogies (Lee & Macdonald, 2010; McMahon, Penney & Dinan-Thompson, 2012), and recognition of the potential that narrative may offer as a tool to shift and/or challenge thinking (Douglas & Careless, 2008; McMahon & Penney, 2011; Moon, 2010).

This research has thus acknowledged that the body is a site through which lived experience can be perpetuated and explored whether narrative (story writing) may be able to enhance the ability to engage, locate and acknowledge pre service teachers' 'lived bodies' and how they might be influencing their 'living bodies' in regard to what health and physical education is and how it should be taught. The concepts of lived and living bodies will be discussed and pre service teachers' narratives presented with the intention that the audience can reflect on the impact of the use of narrative in teacher education. The pre service teacher stories presented in this research resonate with Foucault's contention (1997, p. 232) where the act of telling is a practice that enables individuals "to effect...operation on their bodies and souls, thoughts, conduct and way of being so as to transform themselves in order to attain a certain state of happiness, purity, wisdom, perfection or immortality." I contend that locating, acknowledging and positioning the pre service teacher bodies is important for all educators to assist in moving students beyond what they experienced as school students


Abstract Pearn et al. (Kotz and Johnson, Journal of Quality Technology 24: 216–233, 1992) proposed the process capability index Cpmk , and investigated the statistical properties of the natural estimator for stable normal processes with constant mean μ. Chen and Hsu (Communications in Statistics: Theory and Methods 24: 1279–1291, 1995) showed that under general conditions the asymptotic distribution of the natural estimator is normal if μ ≠ m, and is a linear combination of the normal and the folded-normal distributions if μ = m, where m is the mid-point between the upper and the lower specification limits. Write (Theory & Methods 27: 1781–1789; 1998) derived the probability density function of the natural estimator under normality assumption. In this paper, we consider a new estimator for stable processes under a more general and realistic condition in which the information P(μ ≥ m) = p, 0 ≤ p ≤ 1, is given. We investigate the statistical properties of the new estimator. We obtain the exact distribution, the cumulative distribution function, and the probability density function under normality assumption. We also calculate the expected value and the mean square error of the new estimator for some commonly used parameters.


The Pgk-1 gene encodes the housekeeping enzyme, 3-phosphoglycerate kinase, and is ubiquitously expressed. This gene resides on the X chromosome in mammals and is always expressed except where it is silenced along with most other genes on the inactive X chromosome of female somatic cells or male germ cells. The Pgk-1 promoter is in a region rich in nucleotides G and C. This promoter can efficiently drive high levels of expression of reporter genes such as E. coli lacZ and neo. We have determined that the 120 bp upstream of the transcription start site functions as a core promoter. Upstream of this is a 320 bp region which enhances transcription from the core promoter in an orientation and position independent fashion. This 320 bp region does not enhance transcription from the core promoter of the SV40 early region. Nuclear proteins bind to this 320 bp fragment although the restricted regions to which binding can be demonstrated with gel mobility shift assays suggests that the activity of the enhancer may be mediated by factors which bind at multiple sites each with low affinity.


Due to the vanishing of both electron emission and capture rates, the DX centre shows a non-equilibrium occupancy at low temperature. It is shown that this effect results in a non-uniform free-electron density profile that can be controlled by biasing the junction during cooling. Preliminary results are reported showing that the I-V characteristics of Schottky barriers on AlGaAs (x=0.25) are affected by the DX centre occupation.


Abstract This is the first study to determine the class of seed dormancy (or non-dormancy) of a large number of native tree species in a tropical forest, the seasonal moist tropical forest of the Panama Canal Watershed (PCW), or to test the relationships between class of dormancy (or non-dormancy) and various seed and ecological characteristics of the constituent species. Fresh seeds of 49 of 94 tree species were non-dormant (ND), and 45 were dormant (D). Seeds of 23 species had physiological dormancy (PD), 13 physical dormancy (PY), two morphological dormancy (MD), 7 morphophysiological dormancy (MPD) and none combinational dormancy (PY+PD). Seeds with PY were significantly smaller ( < 0.1 g) and drier (moisture content < 16%) at maturity than those that were ND or in the other D classes. Seeds of 62, 42 and 53% of species dispersed in the early rainy, late rainy (LRS) and dry seasons, respectively, were ND. The majority (61%) of species with PD seeds, but only 17% of those with PY seeds, were dispersed in the LRS. The proportion of species with ND seeds was higher in large-size (63%) than in mid-size (35%) and understorey (17%) trees, but differed only slightly between non-pioneers (58%) and pioneers (54%). The proportion of species with D seeds increased only slightly through a precipitation gradient of about 3100 to 1900 mm in the PCW; however, PY increased from 19 to 32% and PD decreased from 63 to 44%.


This paper contributes a theoretical framework informed by historical, philosophical and ethnographic studies of science practice to argue that data should be considered to be actively produced, rather than passively collected. We further argue that traditional school science laboratory investigations misconstrue the nature of data and overly constrain student agency in their production. We use our "Data Production" framework to analyze activity of and interviews with high school students who created data using sensors and software in a ninth-grade integrated science class. To understand the opportunities for students to develop act with and perceive agency in data production, we analyze in detail the case of one student as she came to use unfamiliar technologies to produce data for her own personally relevant purposes. We find that her purposes for producing data emerged as she worked, and that resistances to her purposes were opportunities to act with and perceive her own agency, and to see data in new ways. We discuss implications for designing science learning experiences in which students act as agents in producing and using data.


In this article, I argue that criminology and criminal justice programs exhibit racial "tokenism," in that the majority of such programs employ no more than one Black tenured/tenure track professor. This tokenism creates a plethora of problems that undermine the contributions of Black faculty and prevent them from achieving their full potential. I use my own experiences to illustrate these issues. I conclude with potential solutions to the problems identified.


The main purpose of the present research is to study the effective factors on increasing visits of international tourists to a recognized cultural or natural heritage in UNESCO World Heritage List. The method of this research is quantitative approach using attributive technique. Date gathering was done based on information and statistics recorded by statistical centers and organizations in Iran including Cultural heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization, Iran Travel and Tourism Organization …. After gathering information, research data was analyzed by Eviews7 software. The main hypothesis of the research was conformed and the value of statistic t for the research variables, (i.e. recognition the heritage in UNESCO List, improving services, geographical distance of the countries, changes of the exchange rate on the part of visiting country, social security, economic development of the visiting country, the number of attractions in Zanjan, and the population of the tourist country), showed that except for social security, distance and exchange fluctuations, all of them are placed in the realm of rejecting null hypothesis. It means that all variable are significant in the model. Determination coefficient equals 0.77, which means that 77 percent of the changes of dependent variable were explained by independent variables. This would be a significant percentage.


New U/Pb zircon and Th/Pb monazite ages are presented from the giant Sulu ultrahigh‐pressure (UHP) terrane. Combined with Sm/Nd ages, Rb/Sr ages, inclusion relationships, and geologic relationships, they help define the timing of peak recrystallization, the timing of subsequent amphibolite‐facies metamorphism, and the architecture of the Dabie‐Sulu suture zone between the collided Sino‐Korean and Yangtze cratons. The data indicate a ∼15 Myr record of UHP recrystallization, the first clearly documented for a giant UHP terrane; this requires that continental subduction in the Dabie‐Sulu orogen involved multiple UHP tectonic or recrystallization events. A 244–236 Ma "precursor" UHP event, seen only in the Dabie Shan, was followed by a second, ∼230–220 Ma "main" UHP event, which was itself terminated by a 220–205 Ma amphibolite‐facies overprint. Older eclogite‐facies events seen in the Qinling segment of this orogenic belt raise the possibility that these rocks have undergone (U)HP metamorphism three or four times, but at present, there is no geochronological evidence in the Dabie‐Sulu area to support this. The subduction of the lower, Yangtze plate did not proceed in a simple fashion: The ages of inherited zircon cores demonstrate that a ribbon continent of Yangtze affinity escaped subduction and became wedged against the Sino‐Korean plate hanging wall.


This paper addresses denial of service vulnerabilities (DOS) in 802.11 wireless LANs that arise from the 802.11 distributed coordination function (DCF). We demonstrate that the DCF is vulnerable to equivalent DOS attacks at both the MAC and PHY layers. Denial of service attacks against the DCF are easily staged by a single adversary and affect both infrastructure and mobile ad hoc networks. These attacks are very effective and there are no workable counter-measures when using the standard MAC protocol. When staged by a shrewd adversary these denial of service attacks reveal little information about the attacker and provide almost no forensic evidence. We have demonstrated that 802.11 wireless LANs are particularly vulnerable to denial of service attacks and should not be used where availability is essential.


Itenberg and Shustin's pseudoholomorphic curve patchworking is in principle more flexible than Viro's original algebraic one. It was natural to wonder if the former method allows one to construct non-algebraic objects. In this paper we construct the first examples of patchworked real pseudoholomorphic curves in $\Sigma_n$ whose position with respect to the pencil of lines cannot be realised by any homologous real algebraic curve.


3237 The purpose of this work was to determine whether or how reversal of the morphological properties of cultured cells relates to the therapeutic effect of inhibitor combinations. The phenotype of single cells can be deconstructed using computerized morphometry classification. In experiments, such phenotypes can be solved by comparison with a database of normal and oncogenically transformed cells. Previously, a combination of microtubule-depolymerizing and -polymerizing agents, colchicine and paclitaxel, was found to lead to reversal of phenotype. The suggestion that such combinations might be effective clinically was rapidly followed by clinical trials employing docetaxel and microtubule-depolymerizing agent, vinorelbine (D + V). Classification of cells based on principal components, called latent factors, was used to learn whether all combinations had similar effects as of paclitaxel and colchicine on cell features. Reports of delivery schedule and drug ratio in D + V clinical trials were subjected to statistical analysis. Microtubule arrangement and cell cycle were studied by indirect immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry, respectively. Paclitaxel in combination with any microtubule-depolymerizing agent (podophyllotoxin, nocodazole, or vinblastine) reverted the cells to a normal phenotype. Cell features represented by a total of six latent factors were significantly affected by at least one of the combinations. The factor accounting for the single largest difference between normal and transformed cells (#4 filopodia) was only affected by combinations containing colchicine or podophyllotoxin. Its values were changed in the direction expected of a more normal phenotype. Another factor for cell edge features, #7, was altered in most of the combination treatments but in the direction expected of a more transformed cell. In reviewing the clinical studies, we found that the highest efficacy of D + V is observed when the two inhibitors are administered together, not interspersed with a single agent. The treated cells showed several differences in microtubule arrangement, including straighter microtubules, and suppression of the microtubule-organizing center. A perpendicular arrangement of microtubules to the cell edge may be a morphological indicator of reversal. The results suggested a novel mechanism of the inhibitor combination as chemotherapy.


78 zfv 2/2017 142. Jg. Summary In recent years, the ecological effect has already become one of the fundamental objectives for land consolidation (LC) projects in China which also conforms with the country's new development strategy of "promoting ecological progress". Meanwhile, as China determinates in reducing its Green House Gases (GHG) or carbon emissions to combat climate change, the GHG emissions due to land consolidation draws growing attentions. Presently, limited researches address the GHG emission effects during land consolidation processes; fewer addressed the issue from an ecological land consolidation perspective. This paper, hence, studies on the GHG emission effects of a pilot land consolidation project in China which featured by many ecological designs and engineering measures applied. According to findings from the case study, we argue that, in comparison to the conventional engineering measures applied in typical land consolidation projects of the region, most of the ecological engineering measures can not only enhanced the ecological effects in the project area, but also reduce GHG emissions due to savings in material use, transportation and energy consumption during the land consolidation process with additional advantages in cost efficiency.


Cytotoxic effector cells mediating natural killing (NK), antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), and lectin-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (LDCC) were studied in patients with leukemia or aplastic anemia before and/or after marrow transplantation. Before transplantation, about one-third to one-half of the patients were deficient in cytotoxic activity. In patients with leukemia, this was most likely due to large numbers of circulating blast cells diluting or replacing the effector cells. In patients with aplastic anemia there was an apparent absence of the effector cells in a proportion of the patients. After marrow transplantation, cytotoxic activity in all three systems returned to normal rapidly, by 30 days, and remained so through 100 days. However, about 20% of patients studied beyond 1 year were deficient in these functions. There were no significant associations between cytotoxic activity and important clinical parameters including infections, graft-vs-host disease, and recurrence of leukemia. Our findings do not support an immunosurveillance role for NK against leukemia after marrow transplantation. Furthermore, they point out the need for new in vitro approaches for meaningful monitoring of marrow transplant patients. Finally, our results showed a significant discordance between NK, ADCC, and LDCC activities in these immunologically perturbed individuals, indicating that either different cell populations or different cellular mechanisms are involved in these cytotoxic functions.


In anticipation of elective premature delivery (32 to 34 weeks of gestation), five Rh-sensitized pregnant women were given hydrocortisone succinate for enhancement of fetal lung maturation. Serial amniocenteses were performed and an abrupt drop in the optical density at 450 millimicron (OD450) was observed in all cases immediately after administration of the steroid. Two infants in whom the OD450 remained low were followed safely to term. The others were delivered prematurely. All infants were Rh-sensitized and required one or more exchange transfusions, and all survived. It is tempting to speculate that glucocorticoids alter the antigen-antibody affinity and inhibit splenic macrophage sequestration, thus reducing erythrocyte destruction. Maternal steroid administration may prove to be therapeutic in the management of Rh-sensitization, but until its mechanisms are further delineated, extreme caution must be used in the interpretation of OD450 changes.


Introduction: Oral hygiene is one of important determinant for health as oral hygiene could affect various important functions such as speech, masticatory function and aesthetic. Students of dentistry in particular should able to apply the knowledge and behavior of maintaining healthy teeth and mouth of their own. The purpose of this study is to know the relation between knowledge and behaviour of maintaining dental health with oral hygiene of Dentistry Student at Medical Faculty of Udayana University.
Method: Research method was analytical observational using cross sectional design. The subject of research was selected by total sampling method on Dentistry Student at Medical Faculty of Udayana University, thus 100 students were selected through inclusion and exclusion criterias. This research was conducted by giving questionnaire covering questions about knowledge and behavior and Oral Hygiene Index Smplified (OHI-S) was used as examination tool and as an indicator in asessing oral hygiene.
Result: Significance correlation was documented for relationship between knowledge and oral hygiene using Chi-square test (p=0.026) and similar result also documented between oral hygiene and behavior of maintaining oral hygiene (p=0.006).
Conclusion: From those results in this study, could be concluded that there is a relationship between knowledge and behaviour of maintaining dental health with oral hygiene on Dentistry Student at Medical Faculty of Udayana University.


knowledge and involvement of the people, as well as an understanding of the consequences of individual actions. Construction industry has long been associated with the detrimental effects to our mother earth. In Malaysia, the government, professional bodies and private companies are beginning to take heed in the necessity to reduce this environmental problem without restraining the need for development. This paper focuses on the actions undertaken by the Malaysian government, non-government organizations and construction players in promoting sustainability in construction. To ensure that those concerted efforts are not only skin deep in its impact, a survey was conducted to investigate the awareness of the developers regarding this issue and whether those developers has absorb the concept of sustainable construction in their current practices. The survey revealed that although the developers are aware of the rising issues on sustainability, little efforts are generated from them in implementing it. More effort is necessary to boost this application and further stimulate actions and strategies towards a sustainable built environment.


slides, a tape recording and tape script describing the slides, ,a test tape, a teacher's set of tests and extra test papers for students. As each slide is shown, the instructor reads the script slowly, repeating and explaining (in German) difficult words and phrases. He maximizes the visual-aid function by pointing to objects on the screen as he says and/or repeats their names. He continually checks student comprehension by asking pertinent questions about the slides. Before leaving each slide, the instructor rereads the script at normal speed and solicits questions. The entire set of slides can be covered in this manner during one class session. At the next class meeting, the instructor plays the commercially-prepared tape along with the slides. Should he then wish to evaluate the comprehension of his students, he may elect to give one or both of the tests provided with the set.


Microbial inulinases are an important class of industrial enzymes, which are used for the production of fructooligosaccharides and high-fructose syrup. Endoinulinase producing bacterial strains were isolated from soil samples taken from the vicinity of Asparagus sp. root tubers. All the bacterial strains were screened for inulinase activity. The primary screening was carried out based on hydrolytic zone on agar plates containing inulin-based medium and Lugol's iodine solution. Thus 30 inulinase producing bacterial strains were isolated. Out of 30 strains, 5 bacterial strains were found endoinulolytic, whereas 25 were exoinulolytic on the basis of action pattern of the enzyme. In tertiary screening, the bacterial isolate AS-08 was found to be most efficient for inulinase activity. Morphological, biochemical and physiological characteristics of the bacterial isolate AS-08 confirmed it as Bacillus sp. Furthermore, species-specific identification by 16S rDNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed the isolate as Bacillus safensis. Bacillus pumilus SH-B30 was found to be the nearest homolog. The strain showed maximum inulinase activity (12.56 U/mL) after 20 h of incubation at 37°C.


Existing literature suggest that conservatism is to related to ownership structure. The Portuguese governance structure is characterized by the dominance of the largest shareholder who typically exercises significant influences on management decisions directly or indirectly. Therefore, for a sample of 26 non-financial listed Portuguese firms-year from 2002 to 2016, we examine the association between accounting conservatism and ownership concentration. The study's results suggest that ownership concentration demand for more conservatism. The results also suggest that higher leverage and large firms have a greater demand for conservative accounting.


We characterize the kinematics, morphology, stellar populations and star formation histories of a sample of massive compact galaxies in the nearby Universe, which might provide a closer look at the nature of their high-redshift (z  >rsim 1.0) massive counterparts. We find that nearby compact massive objects show elongated morphologies and are fast rotators. New high-quality long-slit spectra show that they have young mean luminosity-weighted ages (2 Gyr) and metallicities solar or above ([Z/H] >rsim 0.0). No significant stellar population gradients are found. The analysis of their star formation histories suggests that these objects have experienced recently enormous bursts which, in some cases, represent unprecedented large fractions of their total stellar mass. These galaxies seem to be truly unique, as they do not follow the characteristic kinematical and stellar population patterns of present-day massive ellipticals, spirals or even dwarfs.


Even though, it is mostly used by process control engineers, the temperature control remains an important task for researchers. This paper addressed two separate issues concerning model optimization and control. Firstly, the linear models for the three different operating points of the heat flow system were found. From these identified models a Takagi-Sugeno model is obtained using fixed membership functions in the premises of the rules. According to the chosen objective function, parameters in the premise part of Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy model were optimized using the grey wolf algorithm. Furthermore, by using the parallel distributed compensation a fuzzy controller is developed via the fuzzy blending of three proportional + sum controllers designed for each of the operating points. In order to evaluate performance, a comparison is made between the fuzzy controller and local linear controllers. Moreover, the fuzzy controllers from the optimized and initial Takagi-Sugeno plant models are compared. The experimental results on a heat flow platform are presented to validate efficiency of the proposed method.


Introducing openings in existing reinforced concrete (RC) slabs can severely weaken the slabs because of the cut out of the concrete and reinforcing steel. This paper reports field tests on the use of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite strengthening techniques to restore the flexural capacity of RC slabs after having openings cut out in the positive moment region. The uniqueness of this study is that the tests were performed on an existing multistory RC building that was scheduled for demolition. Five tests on five different slabs were conducted using three different strengthening techniques—namely, externally bonded (EB) CFRP plates, EB CFRP plates with CFRP anchors, and near-surface mounted (NSM) CFRP strips—to determine the most effective system for strengthening. Test results showed that the three strengthening techniques increased the load-carrying capacity of the slabs with openings, with the NSM technique being more effective than the EB technique. However, the use of CFRP anchors to mechanically anchor the EB plates prevented complete detachment, and hence enabled the restoration of the slab to its full flexural capacity.