The in situ martensitic phase transformation of iron, a complex solid-state transition involving collective atomic displacement and interface movement, is studied in real time by means of four-dimensional (4D) electron microscopy. The iron nanofilm specimen is heated at a maximum rate of approximately 10(11) K/s by a single heating pulse, and the evolution of the phase transformation from body-centered cubic to face-centered cubic crystal structure is followed by means of single-pulse, selected-area diffraction and real-space imaging. Two distinct components are revealed in the evolution of the crystal structure. The first, on the nanosecond time scale, is a direct martensitic transformation, which proceeds in regions heated into the temperature range of stability of the fcc phase, 1185-1667 K. The second, on the microsecond time scale, represents an indirect process for the hottest central zone of laser heating, where the temperature is initially above 1667 K and cooling is the rate-determining step. The mechanism of the direct transformation involves two steps, that of (barrier-crossing) nucleation on the reported nanosecond time scale, followed by a rapid grain growth typically in approximately 100 ps for 10 nm crystallites.


Applications of carbon nanotube (CNT) and graphene in thermal management have recently attracted significant attention. However, the lack of efficient prediction formula for heat transfer coefficient between nanomaterials and gas environment limits the further development of this technique. In this work, a kinetic model has been established to predict the heat transfer coefficient of an individual CNT in gas environment. The heat dissipation around the CNT is governed by molecular collisions, and outside the collision layer, the heat conduction is dominant. At nanoscales, the natural convection can be neglected. In order to describe the intermolecular collisions around the CNT quantitatively, a correction factor 1/24 is introduced and agreeswellwith the experimental observation. The prediction of the present model is in good agreement with our experimental results in free molecular regime. Further, a maximum heat transfer coefficient occurs at a critical diameter of several nanometers, providing guidelines on the practical design of CNT-based heat spreaders.


Korean Confucianism has been described as "the enemy of feminism": feminists often argue that Confucianism is the source of the patriarchal society. Feminist scholars have produced significant works about Confucianism's role in preserving the idea of women's subordination to men; they argue that the idea of men's superiority to women is embedded in Confucian philosophy. In this article I will examine whether Confucian philosophy is responsible for women's subordination to men in such Confucian texts as Naehun, The Book of Change, The Book of Poetry , and The Analects . Naehun was written by the mother of King Sǒngjong in 1475, for the purpose of the Confucian education of Korean women; I will look also at other, related, Confucian texts used for Korean women's education. Confucian classics such as The Book of Change, The Book of Poetry and Confucian Analects will be included in the analysis to investigate whether Confucianism legitimizes women's subordination tomen. In the analysis of these Confucian classics, I will focus on the ongoing debate between scholars of Confucianism and feminism in Korea today.


Purpose: The incidence of colorectal neoplasia has increased among patients with longstanding and extensive ulcerative colitis (UC). Therefore, surveillance colonoscopy has been widely recommended. However, there is controversy about the impact of cancer surveillance, and ways to improve its effectiveness are being sought. The estrogen receptor (ER) gene shows age-related methylation in the colorectal epithelium and is frequently methylated in colorectal neoplasia, suggesting that ER methylation occurs early in the process of colorectal tumorigenesis. Experimental Design: To clarify whether methylation analysis of the ER gene in nonneoplastic epithelium can help predict an increased risk for UC-associated neoplasia, a total of 105 nonneoplastic colorectal epithelia from 18 patients with longstanding and extensive UC, including 8 patients with neoplasia and 10 patients without neoplasia, were analyzed. In all patients, multiple samples were taken from six regions of the colorectum. The combined bisulfite restriction analysis method was used to determine the methylation status of the ER gene. Results: The mean methylation level of the ER gene was 25.4% in the nonneoplastic epithelia from UC patients with neoplasia, whereas it was only 4.0% in those without neoplasia (P < 0.001). The methylation level of the ER gene in UC patients with neoplasia was significantly higher than in UC patients without neoplasia throughout the colorectum except for the cecum. In UC patients with neoplasia, the mean ER methylation level in the distal colon (36.1%) was significantly higher than in the proximal colon (14.6%; P < 0.001). Conclusions: These results suggest that the analysis of ER gene methylation in nonneoplastic colorectal epithelium could have the potential to be a useful adjunct for identifying individuals with longstanding and extensive UC who are at increased risk of neoplasia and contribute to more effective cancer surveillance.


The growth of NiO on GaN(00.1) substrates by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy under oxygen rich conditions was investigated at growth temperatures between 100 $^{\circ}$C and 850 $^{\circ}$C. Epitaxial growth of NiO(111) with two rotational domains, with epitaxial relation $\normalsize{}\mathrm{\mathrm{\mathrm{NiO}(1\bar{\mathrm{{1}}}0)}\:||\:\mathrm{\mathrm{GaN}(11.0)}}$ and $\mathrm{\mathrm{\mathrm{NiO}\mathrm{(10\bar{\mathrm{{1}}})}\:||\:\mathrm{GaN(11.0)}}}$, was observed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and confirmed by in-situ reflection high-energy electron diffraction as well as transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electron backscatter diffraction. With respect to the high lattice mismatch of 8.1 % and a measured low residual tensile layer strain, growth by lattice matching epitaxy or domain matching epitaxy is discussed. The morphology measured by atomic force microscopy showed a grainy surface, probably arising from the growth by the columnar rotational domains visible in TEM micrographs. The domain sizes measured by AFM and TEM increase with the growth temperature, indicating an increasing surface diffusion length. Growth at 850 $^{\circ}$C, however, involved local decomposition of the GaN substrate that lead to an interfacial $\mathrm{\beta}$-Ga$\mathrm{_{2}}$O$\mathrm{_{3}}$($\bar{\mathrm{{2}}}$01) layer and a high NiO surface roughness. Raman mesurements of the quasi-forbidden one-phonon peak indicate increasing layer quality (decreasing defect density) with increasing growth temperature. The results above suggest optimum growth temperatures around 700 $^{\circ}$C for high layer and interface quality.


Extensive evidence exists on the multiple physical and psychological benefits of physical activity (PA) across the lifespan. Yet, the vast majority of Americans engage in highly sedentary lifestyles, and most do not meet recommended PA levels that can achieve health benefits. Moreover, nurses and other healthcare providers are highly inconsistent in their PA recommendations to patients in all settings, as well as in achieving their own levels of PA. The consequences are growing obesity and health-related conditions, disability, and mortality. A culture change is sorely needed that reimagines and reintegrates PA into the course of daily life activities. In this article, we present the research on PA benefits, declining PA levels, and healthcare practice deficits and propose designing an inpatient unit of the future with a mission of PA for all that is integrated into the fabric and operations of the unit. Malcolm Gladwell's Tipping Point ideas are used as a change framework to guide strategies recommended in this futuristic unit. These strategies include leadership by clinical nurse specialists, engagement of other key people, resources, and structures. The entire process will require bold leadership and a willingness to think outside existing models of hospital care, which are costly and outdated.


The author describes an architecture and a protocol to solve a number of problems that may arise in a distributed computing setting, including incompatible hardware and software environments, incompatible user interfaces, and customization requirements. The focus is on providing an enabling environment for flexible user interface specification that can provide both common functionality and, if needed, local customization. The overall architecture of the solution is described, and examples of the protocol for specifying user interface functionality are presented. >


Investigations have been conducted to assess the biological efficiency of white muscardine fungus, Beauveria bassiana against Rice Blue Beetle, Leptispa pygamea Baly (Coleoptera : Chrysomelidae) under both laboratory and field conditions, during the period 2004-2006 at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Pattambi, Kerala Agricultural University, India is reported in this communication. Results of the experiment revealed that the fungus had a cumulative adult mortality of 56.67 to 80.00 per cent at 105 to 109 spores / ml and the LC50value was 2.26 x 104 spores / ml under laboratory conditions. Under field conditions, the fungus brought about 61 to 72 % reduction of damage over untreated control and was superior to all tested biopesticides, paraffin oil @ 2%, neem oil @ 2% and azadirachtin 1% @ 0.004% and were on par with efficacy of tested synthetic chemical insecticides, chlorpyriphos @ 0.05 % and carbaryl @0.2 % against the beetle. The persistent toxicity of B. bassiana was on par with other eco-friendly insecticides viz., azadirachtin 1% (Econeem) and neem oil.


An analysis was made of the effectiveness of therapeutic measures undertaken in the fit-for-work male population of Minsk. Significant differences were revealed in the changes of the levels and mean magnitudes of risk factors depending on the attitude towards realization of medical recommendations. The therapeutic measures were recorded to produce the most pronounced effect in respect to the incidence of arterial hypertension, excess body weight, tobacco smoking, and to the number of persons engaged in sports. The beneficial effect of preventive measures primarily tells on a relatively scanty group of persons at high risk as a result of which the significance of differences was disclosed in respect to the incidences and was not disclosed in respect to the mean values of arterial pressure and tobacco smoking.


Abstract Contemporary food production and consumption cannot be regarded as sustainable and raises problems with its wide scope involving diverse actors. Moreover, in the face of demographic change and a growing global population, sustainability problems arising from food systems will likely become more serious in the future. For example, agricultural production must deal with the impacts of climate change, increasingly challenging land-use conflicts, and rising health and social costs on both individual and societal levels. The unsustainability of current arrangements arises from the industrialization and globalization of agriculture and food processing, the shift of consumption patterns toward more dietary animal protein, the emergence of modern food styles that entail heavily processed products, the growing gap on a global scale between rich and poor, and the paradoxical lack of food security amid an abundance of food. These factors are attributable to national and international policies and regulations, as well as to prevalent business practices and, in particular, consumers' values and habits. The most effective ways for affluent societies to reduce the environmental impact of their diets are to reduce consumption of meat and dairy products (especially beef), to favor organic fruits and vegetables, and to avoid goods that have been transported by air on both individual and institutional levels (e.g., public procurement, public catering). In examining the unsustainability of the current food system this article reviews the pertinent literature to derive a working definition of sustainable food consumption, outlines the major issues and impacts of current food-consumption practices, and discusses various policy interventions, including information-based instruments, market-based initiatives, direct regulations, and "nudges." It concludes with a call for integrative, cross-sectoral, and population-wide policies that address the full range of drivers of unsustainable food production and consumption.


To investigate the business corruption, the obtainments of the business data such as personnel, manufacture, accounting and distribution etc., is absolutely necessary. Futhermore, the investigator should have the systematic extraction solution from the business data of the enterprise database, because most company manage each business data through the distributed database system, In the general business environment, the database exists in the system with upper layer application and big size file server. Besides, original resource data which input by user are distributed and stored in one or more table following the normalized rule. The earlier researches of the database structure analysis mainly handled the table relation for database's optimization and visualization. But, in the point of the digital forensic, the data, itself analysis is more important than the table relation. This paper suggests the extraction technique from the table relation which already defined in the database. Moreover, by the systematic analysis process based on the domain knowledge, analyzes the original business data structure stored in the database and proposes the solution to extract table which is related incident.


Objectives. To describe the clinical and laboratory characteristics of chronic hepatitis C patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to evaluate the effectiveness of antiviral therapy in these patients. Materials and methods. This is a prospective and retrospective study. Data from 1870 patients with CHC observed in the hepatology clinic in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) for the years 2010–2015 were analyzed. Results. The average age of detection of HCV infection in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma was 63,1±10,0 years, men — 62,3%. HCC was detected in 9% of patients with chronic hepatitis C (159 people). In 58% of cases, HCC and HCV infection were diagnosed at the same time. In 91,8% patients with HCC, HCV infection was first detected at the age of over 50 years. However, in 46,1% of patients, HCC was diagnosed at stages of the disease, when the possibilities of therapy were limited. Analyzing the effectiveness of antiviral therapy, including sofosbuvir and ribavirin (in 24 weeks), showed that of 75 patients with chronic hepatitis C (genotype 6) without a history of HCC, SVR-24 was registered in 98,7% people; of 11 patients with HCC, only 5 patients (45,5%) achieved SVR-24. Conclusion. Presence of HCC, including after chemotherapy or surgical treatment, is a negative predictor of response to therapy, including sofosbuvir and ribavirin. It is necessary to introduce in Vietnam screening programs for HCV infection to identify patients in the early stages of the disease and to expand access to antiviral drugs for HCV therapy.


To the Editor:

Many mutations in the α- and β-spectrin genes are known to be associated with hereditary elliptocytosis (HE). Spectrin abnormalities are detected as abnormal peptides after limited trypsin digestion of spectrin (Sp).[1][1] We had an opportunity to study a Filipino family living in


This study investigates the success rate of pulpotomy using electrosurgery operated on a primary molar in caries. The pulpotomy using electrosurgery was done on 253 primary molars of 111 young patients from 2 to 9 years old during the period of the first day of January 2011 to the last day of December 2015. After the amputation of pulp and hemostasis of primary molar were done using electrosurgery, MTA as pulp capping material was applied to the primary molar and the tooth was restored with the stainless steel crown. The follow up period after the treatment ranged from 4-46 months. The clinical and radiographic success rate ranged from 92.1 94.3%. Which is comparable to formocresol and ferric sulfate pulpotomy. Due to its non-pharmacological characteristic, electrosurgery can minimize harmful effect on the pulp tissue. Its fast bleeding control makes it easy and safe to use in pediatric and disabled patients in comparatively simple manner. Electrosurgery can be an alternative for pulp therapy considering the side effects of pharmacological ways. [J Korean Dis Oral Health Vol.12, No.2: 45-49, December 2016]


Abstract The design of future materials for biotechnological applications via deposition of molecules on surfaces will require not only exquisite control of the deposition procedure, but of equal importance will be our ability to predict the shapes and stability of individual molecules on various surfaces. Furthermore, one will need to be able to predict the structure patterns generated during the self-organization of whole layers of (bio)molecules on the surface. In this review, we present an overview over the current state of the art regarding the prediction and clarification of structures of biomolecules on surfaces using theoretical and computational methods.


RH-0345 (halofenozide) was found to mimic the action of 20-hydroxyecdysone while pyriproxyfen was presented as a juvenile hormone analogue. In this study, RH-0345 (5, 10 micrograms/pupa) and pyriproxyfen (0.10 and 0.20 microgram/pupa), applied topically on newly ecdysed pupae of Tenebrio molitor, were investigated on ecdysteroid titers and hemolymph protein concentrations. During normal pupal development, the ecdysteroid titer measured using an enzyme immunoassay showed a single peak at day 3. The two compounds did not shifted the moment of the pupal ecdysteroid peak. However, RH-0345 at the highest dose (10 micrograms/pupa) increased the ecdysteroid titres recorded from the second day after topical application while pyriproxyfen decreased this hormonal production. In a second series of experiments, the compounds were evaluated on the protein concentrations in the hemolymph. In control pupae, change in protein concentrations showed two peaks. At a 5 micrograms dose, RH-0345 was found to reduce significantly the value of the first peak and at the highest dose, the first peak was not observed and the values recorded following treatment were significantly lower than in controls. Changes in protein concentrations showed that pyriproxyfen suppressed the second peak and the values recorded were either significantly increased at day 2 and 3, either reduced from day 4.


This paper reviews the historical and institutional backgrounds of public- and private-sector unions, internal and external trends involving public-sector unions, union representation in the public sector, union affiliation with citizens, and the relationship between privatization and public unions. Using these characteristics to reflect on the fundamental rationale of public-sector unions as the negotiators for public employees and as the promoters of political affiliation with citizens, the nature of the labor-management relationship emerges as a key factor in determining the effectiveness of unions in these roles.


'Animals + humans = One health' is the slogan of European Veterinary Week – a joint initiative between the European Commission's Directorate General for Health and Consumers and the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE). The aim is to highlight the important roles that veterinarians play in the EU and to promote the concepts of partnership and communication. Following a successful inaugural event last year, this year's European Veterinary Week took place from September 28 to October 4.


Objectives: To compare results for the original version of the threshold equalizing noise [TEN(HL)] test for diagnosis of dead regions (DRs) in the cochlea, using stimuli presented via headphones, with results for an aided version of the test, the ATEN test, in which subjects listened to stimuli presented in free field using their own hearing aids. Design: The test tones were warble tones for both the TEN(HL) and the ATEN test. Twenty-five subjects (12 males and 13 females), aged between 12 and 19 yr, with severe or profound sensorineural hearing loss were tested. For each test, two levels of the TEN were used, chosen to fall within the comfortable range of levels for the individual subject. A DR was considered to be present when the TEN(HL) produced at least 10 dB of masking and when the masked threshold was at least 10 dB above the nominal TEN(HL) level. Measurements of the outputs of the hearing aids in response to the TEN(HL) plus the test tones were obtained using a KEMAR acoustic manikin to assess the extent to which distortion or compression might have influenced the outcomes. Results: For the TEN(HL) test, the results were often inconclusive, because the TEN(HL) could not be made sufficiently intense to give at least 10 dB of masking. The incidence of these inconclusive cases was markedly reduced for the ATEN test. There were more positive diagnoses of DRs for the ATEN test than for the TEN(HL) test. The KEMAR measurements indicated that distortion, compression, and/or feedback cancellation probably influenced the outcomes in some cases, leading to a moderate incidence of false positives for the ATEN test, and also some "missed" cases. Conclusions: The ATEN test leads to a lower incidence of inconclusive results than the TEN(HL) test in the diagnosis of DRs in people with severe to profound hearing loss. However, for some hearing aids the gain changed rapidly as a function of frequency, which undermined the validity of the ATEN test. Also, some hearing aids introduced distortion that probably affected the outcome of the test and gave misleading results. Hence, the ATEN test cannot be recommended for use in the clinic.


The data distribution problem is a critical one that affects the global performance of the distributed database systems because it directly influences the efficiency of the querying process. Due to the complexity of the problem, most of the proposed solutions divide the design process in two parts: the fragmentation and the allocation of the fragments on the different locations in the network. Here we consider the allocation problem with the possibility to replicate fragments, minimizing the total cost, which is in general NP-complete, and propose a method based on Q-learning to solve the allocation of fragments in the design of a distributed database. As a result we obtain for several cases, logical allocation of fragments in a reasonable time.


Abstract In recent decades, there has been a trend in increasing the level of independence of central banks. The key factor that has contributed to a growing interest in this concept is grounded in economic theory that confirms the link between a lower inflation rate and a greater level of central bank independence. For this reason, in many countries, the existing regulations relating to central bank have been modified to protect its position from the absolute influence of the executive power of the state. This trend was particularly prevalent in transition countries, which was conditioned primarily by the EU accession criteria. The aim of this paper is to analyse independence of the Central Bank of Montenegro through the prism of functional, institutional, financial, and personal independence, and to assess the level of its legal independence by using appropriate indices.


: After ingesting carbamazepine, our four patients had elevated serum drug levels but minimal symptoms and were treated conservatively with excellent results. While serum levels may provide the diagnosis, they do not indicate therapy, which depends upon clinical manifestations.


Introduction: Today, team learning is a perfect solution to respond to challenges such as human resource management and competitive challenges and to achieve organizational effectiveness. The aim of research is to study team learning activity of faculty members of health information technology in universities of medical science whole country. Methods: Faculties of Universities of Medical sciences as members of the population and faculty members of the Health Information Technology as the sample were studied. The tool used was a questionnaire which was employed to determine team learning activities of the three components of internal learning activities, proxy learning activities, and context learning activities. Results: Results showed that the extent of team learning activities among the faculty members of the Health Information Technology group in the country's Universities of Medical Sciences has a significant difference; so that internal, proxy, and context activities exist in different and significant levels among the members. Also, the average of women's ratings in many team learning activity groups was higher than the average of men's ratings. Conclusion: The analysis of the findings shows the internal learning activities are at moderate level and the external learning activities are lower than internal learning activities. Citation: Learner Journal 2017; 4(2): 72-80.


ABSTRACT Liu, F., 2019. Corrosion inhibition performance of composite inhibitors for carbon steel in simulated seawater. In: Guido-Aldana, P.A. and Mulahasan, S. (eds.), Advances in Water Resources and Exploration. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 93, pp. 397–403. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. In this paper, sodium molybdate, sodium tungstate and sodium citrate were selected to compose a series of corrosion inhibitor solutions in different proportions. Their corrosion inhibition effects on standard Q235 carbon steel in simulated seawater were determined by static weightlessness method, polarization curve method and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), and the corrosion inhibitor formula having better synergistic corrosion inhibition effect with molybdate was determined through experiments. The results show that the concentration of tungstate inhibitor was too high, but the inhibition rate was very low when tungstate and molybdate are combined. When sodium citrate and molybdate were combined and tungstate was added, the corrosion inhibition rate of the composite inhibitor increased obviously, but increased first and then decreased, indicating that there was an optimum ratio between sodium tungstate and sodium citrate, which made the inhibitor have a good synergistic effect. At the same time, it was found that: (1) sodium tungstate is an anodic corrosion inhibitor which mainly inhibits the anodic reaction; (2) when the concentration of composite corrosion inhibitor is more than 300 mg/L, it can protect Q235 carbon steel well, and the lower the temperature of sea water is, the better the protection effect is.


A survey was carried out to estimate the frequency and occurrence of potato cyst nematode (PCN) in potato cultivating fields in different districts of Himachal Pradesh. A total of 109 composite soil samples were collected from 5 districts of Himachal Pradesh, India. Nematode cysts were extracted from the soil using standard procedure. The population density and percentage of occurrence of cyst nematode were calculated. According to the results district, Mandi had the highest PCN cyst population density, and the percentage of occurrence is 100%. District Kangra had the least PCN cyst population density and the percentage of occurrence is 66.6%. This survey showed the occurrence Globodera rostochiensis district-wise. The collected cysts were identified by morphological and molecular techniques, up to species level based on nucleotide homology and phylogenetic analysis. According to morphometrics distance between the vulva and anus is very less (65.69 ±22.2) µm. The outcome sequences are showed 95-99.05% similarity with sequence I.D KJ636272.1 from the Netherlands. This survey indicates that PCN Globodera rostochiensis were widely distributed in the potato cultivating fields of Himachal Pradesh. The present study helped determine the distribution of PCN in the soil and species dominance in particular areas. Hence, it helps design different strategies against PCN management.


Language testing at any level is a highly complex undertaking that must be based on theory as well as practice. A language assessment system focusing only on Reading and Writing is outmoded and need to be modified, especially in this electronic era when the oral skills are dominating other skills. This paper analyses various techniques employed in language testing and examines the guiding principles of assessment. It investigates the assessment systems followed at CBSE, SSC, ICSE, IGCSE and the undergraduate levels. It advocates the urgency of assessing all the four skills which will be beneficial for students of different levels of intelligence. The Four Skill Assessment and Alternative Assessments are suggested remedies for improving the standard of English amongst the students.


Background Low serum T3 level is considered as a strong predictor of mortalities and poor prognosis in critical care patients. Few reports, however, focus on neurocritical patients. The application of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in neurocritical patients with low T3 syndrome also remains controversial. We studied the role of low T3 state as a predictor in neurocritical patients and presented our experience of HRT from a single-center perspective.Methods From January 2012 to October 2018, a total of 32 neurocritical patients with low T3 syndrome were admitted to the neuro-intensive care unit (NICU) of Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Among them, 18 (56.25%) patients received HRT (HRT group) since the diagnosis of low T3 syndrome, while the other 14 (43.75%) patients did not (non-HRT group). We collected the clinical baseline and laboratory data of all the patients and conducted follow-up from 3 to 72 months. Overall survival was assessed by the Kaplan-Meier curve and compared by the log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis was applied to estimate the prognostic power of HRT for mortality. We also performed the Mann-Whitney U test or t-test to assess the influence of HRT on the final neurological function.Results The cohort consists of 32 patients, with an average Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of 6.41 (HRT=6.44±3.14, non-HRT=6.36±2.06). The neurocritical events include postoperative complications (n=18), traumatic brain injury (n=8), and spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (n=6). A total of 15 (46.87%) deaths were recorded (HRT=7, non-HRT=8). In the HRT group, the low T3 situation in 5 patients (33.3%) was corrected and 10 (66.7%) were not. It turns out that the overall survival rate of the non-HRT group was significantly lower than that of the HRT group (P=0.034, 16.445 vs. 47.470 months). The non-HRT group has 3.322 times the mortality risk of the HRT group, according to univariate regression analysis, while the multivariate regression analysis showed no significant difference in mortality risk between the two groups (P=0.087, HR=0.340 95%CI 0.099-1.172). There was no significant difference in the short and long-term effects of HRT on neurological function (short-term GCS P=0.587, long-term GCS P=0.419, long-term GOS P=0.419).Conclusion Low T3 syndrome can significantly influence the prognosis of neurocritical patients. Therefore much attention should be paid to the changes in serum T3 level during treatment. Although it is unclear to what extent can HRT improve the short or long-term outcome of neurological function, it can significantly benefit the survival of neurocritical patients.


This thesis consists of three studies in the
economics of higher education. The first two chapters investigate
the impacts of mergers of colleges and universities within US
higher education markets. Chapter 1 is a case study of five recent
consolidations within the University System of Georgia. Using
student-level administrative data, I show that four-semester
student persistence improves by 7 percentage points for cohorts who
matriculate post-consolidation relative to cohorts at similar
non-consolidated institutions. These large and significant gains do
not come at the cost of increases in spending per student, which is
indicative of improved productivity. Moreover, I find no evidence
that USG takes advantage of increased market power to raise tuition
and fees. In Chapter 2, I investigate whether the impacts of the
recent consolidations within the University System of Georgia are
typical of mergers throughout the public and private non-profit
sector. Using institution-level panel data, I find that the average
merger between 2000 and 2013 was not beneficial for students. The
average merger had no impact on retention rates, and merging
institutions raised tuition and fees for students by an average of
7 percent relative to non-merging institutions. To assess whether
market power is the most likely explanation, I investigate and rule
out three alternative explanations for price increases: higher
educational costs, higher quality, and new degree offerings. The
evidence is consistent with the exercise of market power. Chapter 3
evaluates a freshman learning community at MIT featuring smaller
classes, revamped introductory courses, and a high proportion of
female instructors called the Experimental Study Group (ESG). I
exploit the lottery-based admission system to generate causal
treatment effect estimates. Using detailed Registrar data, I find
no statistically significant effects on academic outcomes for ESG
enrollees generally. However, there is marginally significant
evidence that women who participate in the program have higher GPAs
and complete more credits of coursework. An analysis of the effect
of instructor gender suggests that though female students earn
higher grades when courses are taught by female instructors, the
higher proportion of female instructors in ESG cannot fully explain
the academic effects for women.


Life-writing has been central to psychoanalysis, which created its own form of biographical narrative. The psychoanalytic case study draws upon the dreams and reminiscences of patients to reconstruct their stories. Psychoanalysis has also profoundly shaped autobiographical consciousness. While psychoanalytic theories and therapies have led to new ways of thinking and writing about the self, psychoanalytic thought also takes up much earlier models of the mind and identity. Through the works of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung, among others, 'Autobiography and psychoanalysis' explains how psychoanalysis has been a shaping force on 20th-century autobiography. The model of the 'inside out' suggests an exploration of the autobiographer's inner world, which is then turned outwards, through writing and towards a readership.


The objective of this study was to know the response of supplementation of Phaleria macrocarpa (PM) to adriamycin-cyclophosphamide (AC) in the treatment of C3H mice with breast cancer. Twenty-four C3H mice, who were successfully inoculated with breast cancer cells, were randomly allocated into 4 groups: without treatment, treated with AC, treated with AC + PM 0.07 mg/d, and treated with AC + PM 0.14 mg/d. The tumor size was measured using millimeter calipers before and 12 weeks after treatment. The tumor, liver, and kidneys were removed and prepared for pathologic examination using imunohistochemistry staining, and the apoptotic index was counted using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling method. AC reduce the tumor growth significantly (P < 0.001), whereas supplementation of PM, which significantly reduced the tumor growth compared with AC only, was at the 0.14 mg/d dose (P = 0.007). AC increase the apoptotic index significantly (P < 0.001), and supplementation with PM showed that the higher dose increased the apoptotic index. The correlation between the apoptotic index and the diameter of tumor was significantly negative (r = -0.884; P = 0.020). The apoptotic index of the liver and kidney increased significantly in the AC group (P < 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively); supplementation with PM decreased significantly the high apoptotic index caused by AC. We conclude that PM supplementation has a synergic effect to AC treatment in reducing the tumor growth, by increasing apoptosis, and protects the liver and kidney from damage caused by AC.


A system architecture is presented which incorporate both graphics and text into explanations provided by rule based expert systems. This architecture facilitates explanation of the knowledge base content, the control strategies employed by the system, and the conclusions made by the system. The suggested approach combines hypermedia and inference engine capabilities. Advantages include: closer integration of user interface, explanation system, and knowledge base; the ability to embed links to deeper knowledge underlying the compiled knowledge used in the knowledge base; and allowing for more direct control of explanation depth and duration by the user. User models are suggested to control the type, amount, and order of information presented.


A series of eight stereoisomeric N-(tetrahydroxy bicyclo-[5.1.0]oct-2S*-yl)phthalimides were prepared in one to four steps from N-(bicyclo[5.1.0]octa-3,5-dien-2-yl)phthalimide (±)-7, which is readily available from cyclooctatetraene (62 % yield). The structural assignments of the stereoisomers were established by (1) H NMR spectral data as well as X-ray crystal structures for certain members. The outcomes of several epoxydiol hydrolyses, particularly ring contraction and enlargement, are of note. The isomeric phthalimides as well as the free amines did not exhibit β-glucosidase inhibitory activity at a concentration of less than 100 μM.


The present paper describes a spectroscopic method for determining the electron temperature Te and density Ne in argon plasmas on the basis of a collisional-radiative model of argon. We measured Te and Ne in a positive column of an argon dc discharge by the method developed, and compared them with those obtained by a Langmuir probe. The results for Te obtained by the spectroscopic method agreed roughly with those by the probe. However, a limitation of our method for obtaining Ne was found.


There is a wide diversity of bioinformatic tools available for the assembly of next generation sequence and subsequence variant calling to identify genetic markers at scale. Integration of genomics tools such as genomic selection, association studies, pedigree analysis and analysis of genetic diversity, into operational breeding is a goal for New Zealand's most widely planted exotic tree species, Pinus radiata. In the absence of full reference genomes for large megagenomes such as in conifers, RNA sequencing in a range of genotypes and tissue types, offers a rich source of genetic markers for downstream application. We compared nine different assembler and variant calling software combinations in a single transcriptomic library and found that Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNPs) discovery could vary by as much as an order of magnitude (8,061 SNPs up to 86,815 SNPs). The assembler with the best realignment of the packages trialled, Trinity, in combination with several variant callers was then applied to a much larger multi-genotype, multi-tissue transcriptome and identified 683,135 in silico SNPs across a predicted 449,951 exons when mapped to the Pinus taeda ver 1.01e reference.


BACKGROUND
Allium sativum, the active ingredient in garlic, is known to have a beneficial effect on major cardiovascular risk factors, including dyslipidemia, blood pressure, blood glucose and insulin levels. However, the data on the significance of these effects are inconsistent due to methodological limitations, especially the use of whole garlic cloves which does not allow controlled dosing of the active compound.

OBJECTIVES
To study the effects of purified allicin on the cardiovascular system.

METHODS
Spontaneously hypertensive rats treated for 6 weeks with a daily dose of 80 mg/kg/day of purified allicin added to their chow were compared to control rats that were fed regular chow. Weight, systolic blood pressure (SBP), triglycerides, cholesterol, insulin and adiponectin were measured at baseline and at the end of the study.

RESULTS
Allicin had no effect on body weight whereas it reduced SBP significantly from 190 +/- 7.5 mmHg to 168 +/- 5.7 (P < 0.0001) and triglyceride levels from 96 +/- 25 mg/dl to 71 +/- 19 (P = 0.009). Allicin had no effect on plasma cholesterol, insulin and adiponectin levels.

CONCLUSIONS
Allicin lowered blood pressure and triglyceride levels in spontaneously hypertensive rats. This effect was not mediated through weight loss.


Our results presented here suggest that cortical neurons degenerate via two caspase‐mediated apoptotic pathways when challenged with 0.5 μM rotenone. Although these two pathways can be attributed to the loss of mitochondrial integrity, the triggers for these pathways are likely due to two separate subsequent events (the release of cytochrome c and the emergence of mitochondrial permeability transition [MPT]). Despite some reports suggesting that the release of cytochrome c is a consequence of MPT, the results of our time course experiments suggest otherwise. In fact, we observed that the release of cytochrome c occurred much earlier than MPT; hence, the former is unlikely to be a consequence of the latter. In addition, we observed that the presence of an MPT inhibitor did not attenuate the activation of caspase‐3, and that caspase‐1‐mediated cell death did not exhibit nuclear condensation and DNA fragmentation. Taken together, these results suggest that there are two routes by which cortical neurons degenerate during ischemic injury or in neurodegenerative diseases.


Assembling functional materials into one‐dimensional arrays is an efficient method for the integration of devices. However, the complicated assembly methods and poor stability of patterns still restrict their further applications. In this work, the well‐dispersible nanosheets are prepared by introducing a bionic adhesive strategy. The oriented arrays with uniform morphology and precise position are realized by the liquid‐film‐induced capillary bridge assembly method. Owing to the abundant interactions between catechol structure and targeted substrates, the micro‐wires present extraordinary stability in adhesion tests. Field‐effect transistors (FETs) based on these micro‐wires are also fabricated, and enhanced carrier mobility is achieved, exhibiting to be 41 times higher than pristine film‐structured FETs. Micro‐wires have a certain stability and improved electrical properties at the same time, which endows this strategy with practicality and application prospect.


A prospective study of thirty –five individuals with manifest squint was carried out in two tertiary institutions based in Benin City and Irrua in Edo State.
Questionnaires were used to obtain information from them regarding how they felt about having a squint, what they felt was the cause, and previous attempts at finding a solution. They were also asked about the effect of squint on their relationship with the opposite sex as well as the effect on a marriage proposal, if the prospective partner had a squint.
 Many of the patients felt self conscious and embarrassed because of the squint. Several (62.9%) felt that there was prejudice against people with squint by the society and that squint is a major disability. Almost half of them (42.9%) have been called nicknames by their peers. Nonetheless, only 25% of the single respondents said that they would decline a marriage proposal from a prospective partner, as a result of squint.
 The general public needs to be enlightened about the fact that squint is treatable especially when the patient presents early in childhood prior to the full maturation of the visual system.
 Keywords : Squint, Psychosocial Aspects Annals of Biomedical Science Vol. 1 (1) 2002: pp. 57-61


This work concerns a new criterion for hot-tearing evaluation in castings. Algorithm describing the conduction of computer simulations of phenomena accompanying the casting formation, which performing is the preparation stage for using of this criterion, is also described. According to the low recurrence of phenomena occurring during solidification (e.g. grained structure parameters, stresses distribution) the casting's hot-tearing inclination can be estimated only in approximated manner. Because of still following at present rapid computer processors development, and techniques of its programming, enables to suppose that in short time the efficiency of computer simulations will arise so much, the problem of hot-tearing evaluation newly became interesting for the team working on computer simulations at the Institute for Computer and Information Sciences at Czestochowa University of Technology.


The objectives of this study were to evaluate the follicular dynamics (experiment 1) and the effects of the timing of insemination with sexed or nonsexed semen on pregnancy rates (experiment 2) of Jersey heifers detected in heat by a radiotelemetric estrus detection system. In experiment 1, 43 Jersey heifers, around 12 mo old and BCS of 2.68 ± 0.11 (1 to 5 scale) were used. The Heat Watch (HW) system was utilized to detect the onset of estrus and mounting behavior associated with estrus. Ultrasound examinations to monitor follicular dynamics occurred every 12 h from estrus onset for 48 h. Statistical analyses were performed using GLM and GLIMMIX procedure of SAS (SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA). The results of experiment 1 indicated a mean ovulatory follicle diameter of 14.1 ± 0.3 mm, ovulation rate of 86.1% (37/43), and an interval of 31.2 ± 0.9 h from onset of heat to ovulation. In experiment 2, 753 Jersey heifers were allocated in a 2 × 4 factorial with semen (sexed and nonsexed) and AI period (0 to 6, 6 to 12, 12 to 18, and 18 to 24 h after heat onset) as parameters. Semen from 3 bulls was used, with ejaculates divided in 2 fractions: one fraction was submitted to the traditional freezing procedure and the other was submitted to the sexing process and then frozen. The statistical analysis was performed using GLIMMIX procedure of SAS. There was no interaction among the semen, bull, and AI period. There were effects on pregnancy rate by type of semen [sexed 49.5% (189/382) and nonsexed 64.2% (238/371); P = 0.001] and by bull [bull A 53.5% (107/200)b, bull B 50.0% (108/216)b and bull C 63.4% (211/333)a; P = 0.008]. Semen from bull C resulted in a greater pregnancy rate for both sexed and nonsexed semen. Within semen type, there were no differences in pregnancy rates by AI moment [sexed: 0 to 6 h 48.2% (41/85), 6 to 12 h 48.7% (54/111), 12 to 18 h 49.5% (49/99), 18 to 24h 52.4% (44/84) and nonsexed: 0 to 6h 62.8% (49/78), 6 to 12h 60.6% (63/104), 12 to 18h 68.0% (68/100), 18 to 24h 64.8% (57/88); P = 0.77]. We conclude that the use of sexed semen resulted in a lower pregnancy rate than nonsexed semen, and that AI timing does not affect conception rate in Jersey heifers identified in estrus by radiotelemetric estrus detection system. However, there was a bull effect on conception rate. The authors wish to thank Sexing Technologies and Dalhart Jersey Ranch.


When Gary Snyder visited Lawrence, Kansas, in the late 1970s, I remember him comparing a community of poets to compost. All of them create the nurturing conditions needed for the great poets of the generation. His implied point was: Poets do not exist in isolation. They sustain friendships; they exchange letters, poems, and books; they listen to each other read; and collectively, they reflect on poetic traditions. In the 1970s I also met Ted Kooser and William Kloefkorn for the first time, when they visited from Nebraska, and even though I did not see them again for decades, I knew they were nearby, writing and editing and publishing. Their existence encouraged me. I also met Jonathan Holden in the late 1970s, and he is an important aspect of my writing education. He is one of the first nationally known Kansas poets who made himself available to aspiring local poets like myself. At that time, the Kansas Writers Association (KWA) was a state-wide organization of mostly college creative writing faculty, students, and some professional writers. We were modeled after the national Associated Writing Programs (AWP) organization. The KWA hosted conferences at colleges around the state where members and allies listened to each other's work, mentored each other, drank some, gossiped, and told stories. I remember reading my own poetry at a KWA event, at Washburn University in the building dedicated to international students and, on occasion, writers. The elegant living room was paneled in dark wood, and we sat in upholstered chairs and deep sofas. Jonathan and others read, and then it was my tuna. I remember being nervous as I read a poem about my son, "Looking for Your Blue Spot." As I returned to my seat, feeling exposed, Holden congratulated me on the poem. He only may have been exercising good manners. I demurred, and he again affirmed his appreciation of the poem. This was a turning point for me, the validation I needed to sustain me through the apprenticeship years ahead. His comments made me feel like training wheels could come off my two-wheeler. I felt I could continue writing and engage in the life-sustaining dialogue of contemporary poetry. In the next years I saw Holden at AWP meetings and occasionally at Kansas State University events. He moved in a privileged realm, it seemed, but one that occasionally dropped to ground level, where I lived. I knew he was writing well, publishing in good places, and teaching. I knew Scott Cairns had moved to Manhattan to work with him and went on to his own substantial career. I knew I had a lot to learn from him. I bought Holden's books and studied them, both poetry and criticism. I chose some poems for Kansas-related anthologies that I edited through Cottonwood Review Press at the University of Kansas, including "On a Mild October Evening" and "Tornado Symptoms," which begins: "As you step outdoors you'll enter a hot barn/ with a moist haystack inside" (Kansas 38). Here he chooses the metaphor "hot barn," which is so close to the Midwestern landscape that it amplifies the realism. He is not just inventive; he is precise. I learn about sensory imagery from these poems. And Holden instructs me how to use verbs, as in "How To Throw Apples": "Choose a rotting orchard/where crabapples clot/the grass" (Kansas 39). I was buying raw milk in the country during these years and churning my own butter, so I knew exactly how a "clot" formed its irregular fractals, both in milk and in blood. I corresponded with Holden on occasion, and even though he was not a mentor, he shaped how I thought about poetry. I remember the first time I heard him use the term "po-biz'" in reference to the business-like careers of some academic poets. I remember his astonishing ability to recite from memory pages and pages of poetry, mimicking authors' accents as well. I remember his long poems "River Time" and "Lust" from The Names of the Rapids. I remember his Kansas poems and his math poems and poems about trying to be a decent, or "moral," human being. …


The observation that the excessive consumption of ethyl alcohol (ethanol) is associated with high blood pressure is nearing its centennial mark. Mechanisms linking ethanol consumption and hypertension are complex and not fully understood. It is established that chronic ethanol consumption leads to hypertension and that this process is a multimediated event involving increased sympathetic activity, stimulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system with a subsequent increase in vascular oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction. Under physiological conditions, reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role as a signaling molecule in the control of vascular tone and endothelial function. Increased ROS bioavailability is associated with important processes underlying vascular injury in cardiovascular disease such as endothelial dysfunction, vascular remodeling, and inflammation. Studies focusing on molecular mechanisms showed a link between overproduction of ROS in the vasculature and ethanol-induced hypertension. Of the ROS generated in vascular cells, superoxide anion (O2(-)) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) appear to be especially important. Ethanol-mediated generation of O2(-) and H2O2 in vascular tissues is associated with elevations in intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)]i), reduced nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability, endothelial dysfunction and vasoconstriction. O2(-) can also act as a vascular signaling molecule regulating signaling pathways that lead to vascular contraction. Thus, through increased generation of ROS and activation of redox-sensitive pathways, ethanol induces vascular dysfunction, a response that might contribute to the hypertension associated with ethanol consumption. The present article reviews the role of ROS in vascular (patho)biology of ethanol.


The implementation of a multilevel algorithm for the accurate method-of-moments (MoM) solution of the electric-field integral-equation (EFIE) formulation of electromagnetic-wave scattering by arbitrarily shaped objects is described. The technique makes use of the fast far-field algorithm. The Rao–Wilton–Glisson basis set is employed to represent the surface current induced on the scatterer. Numerical results are presented to demonstrate the accuracy which can be achieved with the technique. Despite the use of the far-field approximation, the method presented is a general one and, because of its simplicity, possesses advantages over currently available accelerated numerical iterative solvers for the EFIE.


Nonapoptotic ferroptosis has been a novel form of programmed cell death, which provides a new solution to enrich the anticancer treatment efficacy of traditional apoptotic therapeutic modality. Herein, a novel nanohybrid is designed by loading the PEG‐encapsulated Artemisinin (denoted as A@P) on the ultrathin MgFe‐LDH nanosheets (denoted as uLDHs) for improved chemodynamic therapy (CDT). The A@P/uLDHs cannot only realize the self‐assembly between the Art and carrier but also be regarded as free radical generator. A comprehensive mechanistic study suggests that this unique A@P/uLDHs is able to in situ activate Art and self‐cycling generate toxic C‐centered free radical inside the cancer cells, without depending on abundant H2O2, accompanied with diminished cancerous antioxidation by depleting glutathione (GSH). The accumulation of ROS and depletion of GSH can further oxidize unsaturated fatty acid to generate lipid peroxide, whose overexpression can induce cell ferroptosis accompanied by cellular iron homeostasis turbulence. Both in vitro and in vivo results exhibit that A@P/uLDHs are an efficient nanoagent for highly efficient ferroptosis‐enhanced CDT treatment. This work imparts the promising new visions about the ferroptosis‐enhanced CDT via fine regulation of material design for improved cancer treatments.


In this paper we address the problem of automatically parsing the fashion images with weak supervision from the user-generated color-category tags such as "red jeans" and "white T-shirt". This problem is very challenging due to the large diversity of fashion items and the absence of pixel-level tags, which make the traditional fully supervised algorithms inapplicable. To solve the problem, we propose to combine the human pose estimation module, the MRF-based color and category inference module and the (super)pixel-level category classifier learning module to generate multiple well-performing category classifiers, which can be directly applied to parse the fashion items in the images. Besides, all the training images are parsed with color-category labels and the human poses of the images are estimated during the model learning phase in this work. We also construct a new fashion image dataset called Colorful-Fashion, in which all 2,682 images are labeled with pixel-level color-category labels. Extensive experiments on this dataset clearly show the effectiveness of the proposed method for the weakly supervised fashion parsing task.


Proton cyclotron echoes and spurs observed on the topside sounder ionograms on the Canadian Alouette and ISIS satellites are phenomena related to the proton cyclotron frequency. They appear on the ionograms at apparent ranges which lead to a frequency close to the proton cyclotron frequency; the frequency is calculated by taking the reciprocal of the time elapsed between the transmission of the sounder pulse and the reception of the signal at the satellite. Most proton cyclotron echoes and spurs occur at frequencies below the electron plasma frequency, ƒN; the echoes occur predominantly at frequencies slightly above the electron cyclotron frequency, ƒH, while the spurs occur predominantly when a harmonic of ƒH is near ƒN. Over 1000 ionograms exhibiting proton cyclotron echoes and/or spurs were examined and were classified depending on apparent range and shape of the echoes or spurs. The major classifications were echoes only, spurs only, and spur-echo combinations. The subclassifications include one new type of spur which occurs at frequencies above ƒN. The classifications also reveal the absence of echoes with apparent ranges less than those corresponding to the calculated proton gyroperiod in the vicinity of the satellite. These results are compared with theories for the generation mechanism for proton cyclotron echoes and spurs.


Bismuth containing compounds are of particular interest for optical or photo-luminescent applications in sensing, bio-imaging, telecommunications, and opto-electronics and as components in non-toxic extremely dense liquids. Bismuth(III) halometallates form highly colored novel ionic liquid based solvents for which experimental characterization and fundamental understanding are limited. In this work, Bismuth(III) halometallates incorporating chloride, bromide, and iodide have been studied via density functional theory employing B3LYP-D3BJ/aug-cc-pVDZ. Lone anions, and anions in clusters with sufficient 1-ethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium [C2C1Im]+ counter-cations to balance the charge, have been investigated in the gas- phase, and with polarizable continuum solvation. Evaluation of speciation profiles indicates that dimeric or trimeric anions are prevalent. In contrast to analogous Al systems, anions of higher charge (-2, -3) are present. Speciation profiles are similar, but not identical with respect to the halide. The Bi based anions [BimXn]x- in the gas phase and generalized solvation environment produce multiple low energy conformers; moreover, key structural interaction patterns emerge from an analysis of ion-pair and neutral-cluster structures (BimXn)x-(C2C1Im)x + for x = 1, 2, and 3. Cation-anion interactions are weak; with Coulombic and dispersion forces predominating, anion-π structures are favored, while significant hydrogen bonding does not occur. Anion to cation charge transfer is minimal, but mutual polarization is significant, leading to local positive regions in the anion electrostatic potential surface. The key features of experimental x-ray photoelectron, UV-Vis spectra, and Raman spectra are reproduced, validating the computational results and facilitating rationalization of key features.


ABSTRACT The minimal replication region of the mycobacterial plasmid pAL5000 encompasses the replication origin (ori) and two tandemly organized replication genes, repA and repB, the functions of which are not clearly known. It was observed that when the repA and repB genes were expressed in Escherichia coli, a strong ori binding activity was generated in the host cells. Inactivation of repB led to a complete loss of activity, whereas inactivation of repA had a partial effect, indicating that while repB plays an important role in the process, its activity is stimulated through coexpression of repA. However, this stimulatory effect could be demonstrated only when expression of repA and that of repB were coupled. At a relatively high concentration (1,000 nM), the purified RepB protein was found to form an ori complex with low specificity, which was sensitive to high salt concentrations and challenge by a nonspecific competitor. In contrast, the complex formed by an extract of repA-repB-expressing cells was highly specific and was resistant to both types of challenges. At a 10-fold-lower concentration, RepB did not exhibit ori binding activity, but it could nevertheless form a salt-resistant ori complex in vitro, provided that host factors were present. Antibody supershift experiments indicated that RepB is a key component of the specific complex formed by extracts prepared from E. coli cells expressing the repA and repB genes and also from mycobacterial cells harboring pAL5000-derived vectors. The results indicate that in vivo RepB interacts with host factors and forms an ori complex, but this activity is maximal only when there is coupled expression of repA.


Abstract. The ambition of the Swiss radioactive waste program is to store waste at the
best-suited, safest site in Switzerland. In September 2022 the announcement
of Nördlich Lägern as the best-suited site was a major milestone of
this site selection process. The full documentation of the site selection
and the safety assessment will be submitted with the general license
application at the end of 2024. The total time of the site selection process
from its formal initiation in 2008 until submission of the general license
application will be 16 years. The three-phase site selection process consisted of (1) initial screening, (2)
de-selection of less favourable sites and (3) identification of the best-suited region. The database was refined for each selection step, but
detailed site characterization was restricted to the final phase. The
selection criteria were kept unchanged in the entire process. Four groups
were used: (1) properties of the host rock; (2) long-term evolution of the
geological situation; (3) quality of the geological findings; (4) engineering
feasibility. The requirements for the criteria were re-adjusted in each phase
to honour the available data and to adopt the requirements to the increasing
quality of the sites as less-suited regions were continuously screened out.
Initial estimates for the duration of the site selection were in the range
of 8–10 years. Soon it became clear that the technical work and the
decision-making process for each phase would take additional time. To
minimize phases of low activity, NAGRA started data collection campaigns for each step as soon as possible. This led to overlapping of regulator reviews
and decision-making by the government for the previous step and data
collection by NAGRA for the next step. Step-1 data collection started as
soon as enough information about the process was available. This allowed the
proposal of the initial selection of sites a few months later. Data collection
for step 2 with seismic data reprocessing, outcrop work, investigations of
third-party boreholes, regional seismic and geodetic monitoring and 2D fill-in lines began in 2009/10, well before the decision on step 1 by the
federal government in 2011. This overlap allowed the proposal for the detailed sited investigations in 2014 to be prepared. Step 3 data collection with
3D seismic campaigns started in 2015. To minimize the delay between the
3D seismic investigations and the start of deep drillings, drill sites were
planned on available 2D seismic information. In 2017 initial 3D seismic data
became available, the drilling sequence was adopted accordingly and the
first applications for the drill sites were handed in. The licensing of the
drill sites was continuously adjusted together with the involved
authorities. The decision of the federal government on completion of the
second phase, confirming three sites for the third and last phase, was taken in
2018. The data collection in the third and final step was completed with the
ninth deep borehole in early 2022. Close monitoring of the incoming data
allowed the announcement of the best-suited site in September of the same year.


Microbial sulfate reduction is central to the global carbon cycle and the redox evolution of Earth's surface. Tracking the activity of sulfate reducing microorganisms over space and time relies on a nuanced understanding of stable sulfur isotope fractionation in the context of the biochemical machinery of the metabolism. Here we link the magnitude of stable sulfur isotopic fractionation to proteomic and metabolite profiles under different cellular energetic regimes. When energy availability is limited, cell specific sulfate respiration rates and net sulfur isotope fractionation inversely co-vary. Beyond net S isotope fractionation values, we also quantified shifts in protein expression, abundances and isotopic composition of intracellular S metabolites, and lipid structures and lipid/water H isotope fractionation values. These coupled approaches reveal which protein abundances shift directly as a function of energy flux, those that vary minimally, and those that may vary independent of energy flux and likely do not contribute to shifts in S-isotope fractionation. By coupling the bulk S-isotope observations with quantitative proteomics, we provide novel constraints for metabolic isotope models. Together, these results lay the foundation for more predictive metabolic fractionation models, alongside interpretations of environmental sulfur and sulfate reducer lipid-H isotope data.


Purpose The Paul glaucoma implant (PGI, Advanced Ophthalmic Innovations, Singapore, Republic of Singapore) is a recently developed novel non-valved glaucoma drainage device (GDD) designed to effectively reduce the intraocular pressure (IOP) in glaucoma patients with a theoretically reduced risk of postoperative complications such as hypotony, endothelial cell loss, strabismus, and diplopia. Limited literature has evaluated its use in adult glaucoma; however, its use in pediatric glaucoma has not been reported to date. We present our early experience with PGI in refractory childhood glaucoma. Patients and Methods This study was retrospective single-surgeon case series in a single tertiary center. Results Three eyes of 3 patients with childhood glaucoma were enrolled in the study. During nine months of follow-up, postoperative IOP and number of glaucoma medications were significantly lower than preoperative values in all the enrolled patients. None of the patients developed postoperative complications including postoperative hypotony, choroidal detachment, endophthalmitis, or corneal decompensation. Conclusion PGI is an efficient and relatively safe surgical treatment option in patients with refractory childhood glaucoma. Further studies with larger number of participants and longer follow-up period are required to confirm our encouraging results.


The purposes of this paper were to identify and compare goals and objectives addressed by music therapists that are contained in the SCERTS Model, for use with children at risk or diagnosed with a communication impartment including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). A video analysis of music therapists working with clients at risk or diagnosed with ASD (N = 33) was conducted to: (a) identify the areas of the SCERTS assessment model that music therapists are currently addressing within their sessions for clients with ASD, and (b) compare the frequency of SCERTS domains and goals addressed by music therapists within sessions. Results of the analysis revealed that all three domains of social communication, emotional regulation, and transactional support were addressed within music therapy sessions. Within each domain both broad goals were all addressed including joint attention and symbol use for social communication, self-regulation and mutual regulation for emotional regulation, and interpersonal support and learning support for transactional support. Overall, music therapists addressed transactional support goals and subgoals more often than social communication and emotional regulation goals and subgoals. The highest frequency goal area addressed was interpersonal support (73.96%) and the lowest goal area addressed was joint attention (35.96%). For the social partner and language partner language stages, 58 of the 320 possible subgoals were addressed with 90% frequency or higher, while 13 of the same subgoals were never addressed. The SCERTS Model is designed for use by a multidisciplinary team of professionals and family members throughout a client's treatment and contains an ongoing assessment tool with resulting goals and objectives. This analysis indicates that many SCERTS goals and objectives can be addressed in music therapy interventions. Additionally, goals and subgoals not previously recognized in music therapy treatment can be generated by the use of the SCERTS Model.


This paper investigates the energy management problem in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) focusing on the minimization of the operating cost of an HEV, including both fuel and battery replacement cost. More precisely, the paper presents a nested learning framework in which both the optimal actions (which include the gear ratio selection and the use of internal combustion engine versus the electric motor to drive the vehicle) and limits on the range of the state-of-charge of the battery are learned on the fly. The inner-loop learning process is the key to minimization of the fuel usage whereas the outer-loop learning process is critical to minimization of the amortized battery replacement cost. Experimental results demonstrate a maximum of 48% operating cost reduction by the proposed HEV energy management policy.


The implementation of learning in SD Muhammadiyah 5 Batu is still new in implementing the 2013 curriculum. Related is also related to learning tools. The tools used by the teacher have not yet reached the level of HOTS (Higher of Order Thinking Skills) thinking ability as evidenced from the learning objectives in the RPP that are made only at the level 1 level (C1 - C2). Where the learning kit announces HOTS (Higher Level Thinking Skills) asking for learning activities in it to be synonymous with cognitive level 3 learning activities, namely at C4 - C6. The initial conditions in the field indicate that learning activities in the RPP are only cooperative learning and group discussions or class discussions, learning activities are less varied. Seeing the conditions that have been described, it is deemed necessary to further improve the analysis of HOTS-based device installation needs in K13. The analysis of the needs of the preparation of HOTS-based tools discusses curriculum analysis, student analysis, and analysis of field considerations. Analysis of some aspects that need to be done to study the description of the need to be developed in a learning application in the form of RPP based on HOTS that suits the needs of students, curriculum, and also the field. In addition, in order to obtain a complete and complete picture related to learning and learning tools in SD Muhammadiyah 5 Batu.


Background The evidence indicated breast cancer was a cancer with high survival rate. However, there were still some breast cancer patients delaying or refusing therapy. So we conducted a cohort study to explore the relationship between characteristics of breast cancer patients and delay or refusal of therapy within four months after cancer diagnosed. Methods This was a retrospective national population-based study from 2004 to 2010 in Taiwan. This study included 35,095 patients with new diagnosis breast cancer from Taiwan Cancer Registry Database. Several analysis methods, including t test, Chi-square test, generalized estimating equations of logistic regression analysis, and Cox proportional hazards model, were performed to explore the characteristics of these patients and the relative risk of mortality with delay or refusal of therapy. Results Our study showed that the overall survival rates were significantly different (p <0.05) between the breast cancer patients who delayed or refused therapy and those with treatment. The patients who delayed or refused therapy had lower 5-year overall survival rate compared with the treated group. The related factors included age, Charlson comorbidity index, cancer staging (OR = 1.30–19.69; p <0.05), other catastrophic illnesses or injuries and the level of diagnostic hospitals. However, the patients with different income levels and degree of urbanization in living area were not statistically significant factors. Conclusion Our results demonstrated that age and cancer staging were the main patient characteristics affecting whether the patients delayed or refused therapy. The delay or refusal of treatment was associated with the level of diagnosing hospital.


Androgen receptor splice variants (AR-Vs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of castration-resistant prostate cancer after androgen-directed therapies. Approximately 20 AR-Vs have been identified to date. When expressed alone in cells, some AR-Vs (e.g., AR-V7 and ARv567es) localize primarily to the nucleus, whereas some others (e.g., AR-V4 and AR-V6) distribute equally between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. Significantly, the latter is often co-expressed with the nucleus-localized AR-Vs and the full-length AR (AR-FL). Thus, an important question that needs to be addressed is whether these different types of AR-Vs interact with each other as well as with AR-FL and the consequence of the interactions. In the present study, we used the bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) assay to show that both AR-V6 and AR-V4 can heterodimerize with AR-V7 and AR-FL. Consequently, AR-V7 and androgen-bound AR-FL induced nuclear localization of AR-V6 and AR-V4, leading to an increased ability of AR-V6 and AR-V4 to transactivate target genes and to confer castration-resistant cell growth. On the other hand, neither AR-V6 nor AR-V4 affected the subcellular localization of AR-V7 or AR-FL. These findings support the ability of AR-V7 and androgen-bound AR-FL to activate AR-V6 and AR-V4. Since AR-FL and nucleus-localized AR-Vs are the predominant forms of AR expressed in clinical specimens, it is likely that most of the AR-Vs in these cells are in the nucleus and are transcriptionally active. Our data therefore highlight the importance of the complex interactions among different AR-Vs and AR-FL in mediating castration resistance. Citation Format: Yang Zhan, Guanyi Zhang, Xiaojie Wang, Yanfeng Qi, Haitao Zhang, Yan Dong. Complex interactions among different types of androgen receptor splice variants and the full-length androgen receptor in mediating castration resistance. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 4573.


This study empirically tests whether there are differences in the employee satisfaction premium among people- and possession-processing service firms, information-processing service firms, and goods-producing firms. The employee satisfaction premium is measured using the long-run abnormal returns of firms with high employee satisfaction ratings, adjusted for industry and size effects. Results show that the employee satisfaction premium is higher for information-processing services than for people- and possession-processing services. There is no significant difference between people- and possession-processing service firms and goods-producing firms. This finding suggests that employee satisfaction may create higher value for shareholders when it is realised through information-processing services rather than people- and possession-processing services.


Films of poly(benzo[c]thiophene)[poly(isothianaphthene)] have been grown from a solution of the monomer in acetonitrile by two methods. First, anionic polymerisation onto a platinum electrode in the presence of tetrafluoroborate affords a stable polymer (type I film). Secondly, oxidative polymerisation with Br2 as an electrochemically generated intermediate gives a rather different material (type II film). Films of type I are found by ellipsometry to be relatively dense, containing very little solvent in the neutral form. On switching from the neutral to the oxidised form, the film swells as solvent and counter anions are absorbed. Type II films are found to have a much more open form and estimates from ellipsometry and coulometry are consistent with a factor of four greater solvent content. Potential cycling of these films appears to have little effect on their thickness. The in situ i.r. measurements, carried out on a type I film, are consistent with absorption of solvent in the oxidised form, but the spectra are dominated by the development of a strong electronic absorption centred above 4000 cm–1 that shifts towards lower frequency at higher potentials. This electronic band is accompanied by the appearance of strong absorption bands between 1000 and 1400 cm–1 associated with the five-membered S-containing ring and correlating with the shift in electronic absorption maximum. The enhanced vibrational peaks are due to 'amplitude-mode' effects arising from the coupling of the quinonoid vibrations to the mobile charge defect. The evolution of the i.r. spectra with potential can then be associated with the changing character of the charge carriers.


Research has found that more aggressive cartoons are perceived as funnier. The current study (N = 106; 16 cartoons) examined this finding in more detail by additionally including painfulness and cleverness rankings of cartoons, and by examining possible moderating effects of different humor styles, self-esteem (explicit, implicit), and social desirability. Aggressive or painful cartoons were not perceived to be funnier, but were rated as having a cleverer punch line. Effects were only weakly correlated with participants' humor styles, but were independent of self-esteem and social desirability. This suggests that aggressive cartoons are not in general perceived to be funnier than non-aggressive ones, and that there may be other moderators influencing this effect (e.g., the type of cartoons, definition of aggression and funniness, cultural aspects).


Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text Abstract Nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer. This study aimed to categorize the microvessels in advanced NSCLC and determine the relationship between intratumoral microvascular density (MVD) and the efficacy of anlotinib for NSCLC. The clinical data of 68 patients receiving anlotinib as third-line treatment or beyond for advanced NSCLC were retrospectively collected. Microvessels were stained for CD31 and CD34 by using immunohistochemical staining and were classified as undifferentiated (CD31+ CD34−) and differentiated vessels (CD31+ CD34+). The relationship between MVD and anlotinib efficacy and patient prognosis was analyzed. Patients were divided into the high or low MVD groups according to the median MVD of differentiated (9.4 vessels/field) and undifferentiated microvessels (6.5 vessels/field). There were significantly more patients with high undifferentiated-vessel MVD in the disease control group than in the disease progression group (72.7% vs 16.7%, P < .001). Patients with high undifferentiated-vessel MVD had significantly longer median progression-free survival than those with low undifferentiated-vessel MVD (7.1 vs 3.7 months, P < .001). Anlotinib as third- or beyond line therapy is safe and effective for advanced NSCLC. Patients with a higher density of undifferentiated microvessels have better response to anlotinib and longer progression-free survival.


Introduction Meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) results from the passage of fetal colonic contents into the amniotic cavity. It is noted in 12% of pregnancies. Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) is noted in 5% of these infants. The delivery room management of infants born through (MSAF) remains an issue for debate among neonatologist and obstetricians. Setting Neonatal Unit of Aljahra Hospital. Subjects 1610 consecutive deliveries, over a 15 month period. Interventions: in all babies born through MSAF, thorough oropharyngeal suction as soon as the head was delivered followed by immediate intratracheal intubation and suctioning in infants depressed at birth. Results 93 (5.77%) deliveries had MSAF other studies have reported incidence varying between 7–22% of live births. Fetal distress during labor and intrauterine growth retardation were observed with MSAF. 15 (16.1%) babies developed MAS needed intubations and ventilation The consistency of meconium did not have a direct bearing on the neonatal outcome. no deaths were observed, however, morbidities i.e. convulsions, DIC, needing HFOV were observed in 4 babies. Conclusions A selective approach can be adopted for babies with MSAF reserving intratracheal suctioning at birth for depressed neonate or evidence of fetal distress in utero. Other neonates only need careful observation after thorough oronasopharyngeal suctioning.


Experiments were conducted to examine the effect on layer performance of dietary calcium source, particle size (average United States Screen Numbers 6, 8, 12, 18, 35, and 100) and calcium intake level (2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, and 4.5 g/day). Egg production and egg weight were not affected by any of the treatments. Size and calcium intake level significantly affected shell weight, shell weight per unit surface area, specific gravity, and shell thickness. Bone ash expressed as a percentage of fat-free dry weight was not affected by calcium intake level, but bone ash concentration (bone ash per unit volume) and bone-breaking strength were linearly related to calcium intake level. Regressed shell quality traits and various bone parameters related to solubility instead of particle size produced a better fitted line.


Abstract A vertical finite-difference scheme for the primitive equations in sigma coordinates is obtained by requiring that the discrete equations retain some important properties of the continuous equations. A family of schemes is derived whose members conserve total energy, maintain an integral constraint on the vertically integrated pressure gradient force, have a local differencing of the hydrostatic equation, and give exact forms of the hydrostatic equation and the pressure gradient force for particular atmospheres. The proposed scheme is a member of this family that in addition conserves the global mass integral of the potential temperature under abiabatic processes.


The past decade has witnessed substantial growth in the study of religiosity/spirituality and its relationship with various indicators of health. Most of these studies found positive relationships between religion, spirituality and health (both mental and physical health). However, various studies in this field are criticized specially for not clearly and operationally defining the constructs religion and spirituality and for their poor design. This paper discuses major issue associated with concepts, norms, and assessments of religiosity and spirituality. Finally, various suggestions to surpass these limitations are also addressed.


Explicit methods, such as the central difference operator, rely on the economical evaluation of internal forces at each time step of a transient dynamic problem. One-point quadrature applied to the spatial discretization provides the greatest efficiency, but hourglass control is required to eliminate spurious zero energy modes. Computationally practical hourglass control methods involve considerable approximation in evaluating the internal force. Thus, a small additional approximation due to an alternative temporal integration of the hourglass force may not seriously affect the accuracy of the analysis. In particular, the possibility of evaluating the hourglass terms on a larger time interval than the usual stable time step could provide significant efficiencies. The proposed approach of subcycling the hourglass terms is examined in detail with respect to stability and accuracy. Implementation into an explicit finite element program is demonstrated on a three-dimensional example that involves several hourglass modes, and the new method proves to be beneficial for noninertial problems where artificial damping is used.Copyright © 2002 by ASME


Self-driving vehicles have attracted a lot of interest due to their potential to significantly reduce traffic fatalities and transform people's lives. The reducing costs of advanced sensing technologies and the increasing capabilities of embedded computing hardware have enabled the commercialization of highly automated driving features. However, the reliable operation of autonomous vehicles is still a challenge and a major barrier in the large scale acceptance and deployment of the technology.This dissertation focuses on the challenges of designing safe control strategies for self-driving vehicles due to the presence of uncertainty arising from the non-deterministic forecasts of the driving scene. The overall goal is to unify elements from the fields of vehicle dynamics modeling, machine learning, real-time optimization and control design under uncertainty to enable the safe operation of self-driving vehicles. We propose a systematic framework based on Model Predictive Control (MPC) for the controller design, the effectiveness of which is demonstrated via applications such as lateral stability control, autonomous cruise control and autonomous overtaking on highways. Data collected from our experimental vehicles is used to build predictive models of the vehicle and the environment, and characterize the uncertainty therein. Several approaches for the control design are presented based on a worst-case or probabilistic view of the uncertain forecasts, depending on the application. The proposed control methodologies are validated by experiments performed on prototype passenger vehicles and are executed in real-time on embedded hardware with limited computational power. The experiments show the ability of the proposed framework to handle a variety of driving scenarios including aggressive maneuvers on low-friction surfaces such as snow and navigation in the presence of multiple vehicles.


An interface metaphor is proposed for developing a 3-D cursor for volume rendering applications. The metaphor, luminous gel, is a material for molding a 3-D cursor. It has been demonstrated that such a cursor's location and spatial relationships with volume-rendered 3-D objects are readily perceivable. Editing tools made in luminous gel have also been developed, which are useful as effective positioning tools for functional operations and inspecting devices for feature exploration and scene understanding by enabling immediate depth perception and object highlighting. The editing tools have also be further elaborated for performing planar and curved sectioning directly and naturally.<<ETX>>


In order to explore the thermal history of enstatite chondrites, we examined the cathodoluminescence (CL) and thermoluminescence (TL) properties of 15 EH chondrites and 21 EL chondrites, including all available petrographic types, both textural types 3-6 and mineralogical types alpha-delta. The CL properties of EL3(alpha) and EH3(alpha) chondrites are similar. Enstatite grains high in Mn and other transition metals display red CL, while enstatite with low concentrations of these elements show blue CL. A few enstatite grains with greater than 5 wt% FeO display no CL. In contrast, the luminescent properties of the metamorphosed EH chondrites are very different from those of metamorphosed EL chondrites. While the enstatites in metamorphosed EH chondrites display predominantly blue CL, the enstatites in metamorphosed EL chondrites display a distinctive magenta CL with blue and red peaks of approximately equal intensity in their spectra. The TL sensitivities of the enstatite chondrites correlate with the intensity of the blue CL and, unlike other meteorite classes, are not simply related to metamorphism. The different luminescent properties of metamorphosed EH and EL chondrites cannot readily be attributed to compositional differences. But x-ray diffraction data suggests that the enstatite in EH5(gamma),(delta) chondrites is predominantly disordered orthopyroxene, while enstatite in EL6(beta) chondrites is predominantly ordered orthopyroxene. The difference in thermal history of metamorphosed EL and EH chondrites is so marked that the use of single 'petrographic' types is misleading, and separate textural and mineralogical types are preferable. Our data confirm earlier suggestions that metamorphosed EH chondrites underwent relatively rapid cooling, and the metamorphosed EL chondrites cooled more slowly and experienced prolonged heating in the orthopyroxene field.


We measure the links between store attribute perceptions and customer satisfaction, and between customer satisfaction and sales performance, in the food retail sector. Our data set consists of six waves of customer satisfaction and sales information for about 250 stores over the period 1998-2001 for a publicly held supermarket company. We construct a statistical model to address nonlinearities and asymmetries in the satisfaction-sales performance links, and we illustrate how food retailers can affect store revenues by managing customer satisfaction. Contributions of our study include the analysis of behavioral consequences of customer satisfaction in the food retail sector, the measurement of complexities of the satisfaction-sales performance links based on an empirical model of first differences, and a discussion of how managers can use such results for customer satisfaction policies.


One hundred and eighty, six weeks old broiler birds which were obtained from a previous experiment (starter phase) were used for this study. The birds were retained in their former groupings (5 groups). Each of the groups comprised of 3 replicates made up of 12 birds per replicate. The birds were managed on deep litter and fed a standard containing the optimal diet (20% CP and 2,800 Kcal/kg ME). Both the feed and water were served ad libitum . The nutrient levels in the feed were confirmed by laboratory analysis using standard methods as stipulated by the Association of Analytical Chemists. At the 9 th week, blood was collected for analysis while birds cut up parts were measured. The result from this experiment showed that most of the cut up parts measured were not significantly different (P>0.05) across the treatment diets ,except for neck weight, % LW and chest weight % LW. Furthermore, except for glucose level and serum total protein, other blood metabolites and haematological parameters across the treatments were not significantly different. In conclusion, birds subjected to treatments in Tables 3 and 4 were found to have their blood metabolites and haematological parameters to be normal while their carcass proportions were adequate. Key Words: Carcass proportion, Blood parameters, Energy protein diets, Broilers.


Background . Despite the style of Taekwon-Do taught by the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) being founded in the Republic of Korea (ROK; South Korea), it is known predominately as "North Korean Taekwon-Do." Problem and Aim . Taekwon-Do was introduced to the People's Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK; North Korea) in 1980, but since then no studies have reported how it is practiced in that country due to the DPRK government's restricting access to its populace. This research aims to begin establishing if there are differences in pedagogical purpose and praxis in DPRK Taekwon-Do. Methodology . An internet search for individuals who traveled to the DPRK to practice Taekwon-Do specifically was conducted. A systematic literature of ITF pedagogical materials was performed, and a multipurpose, qualitative questionnaire was implemented. Out of the seven individuals who were identified and contacted, two agreed to participate in the current study; however, one of those two were disqualified due to incorrectly completing the questionnaire. A descriptive, non-experimental case study of one subject (Singaporean female aged 36 yr.) was then conducted. A qualitative analysis of the data resulting from the questionnaire and follow-up interviews was performed. Results . All five areas of the ITF's curriculum (i.e., fundamental techniques, tul [forms], sparring, dallyon [forging or conditioning of the body], and self-defense) and the three levels of Taekwon-do's pedagogy (i.e., musul [martial technique], muyae [martial artistry], and mudo [martial way]) were found in DPRK Taekwon-Do. Discussion and Conclusions . Despite the severe limitations of being unable to interview DPRK Taekwon-Do practitioners directly and the smallest small sample group possible, it was learned that DPRK instructors most likely teach all aspects of General Choi's Composition of Taekwon-Do, and the stratified Taekwon-Do pedagogy theory was found in the subject's practice in the DPRK.


Intrauterine sinechiae is one of the unsolved problems of gynecology. Progress in a field of endoscopy gives possibility to overcome bottle neck of the traditional technologies like invasiveness anesthesia necessity, blindness of the procedure and usage of the big diameter instruments. A clinical case and literature review of the 3 rd stage of the intrauterine sinechiae (Asherman's syndrome) is presented.


Homeobox genes are regulators of place-dependent morphogenesis and play important roles in controlling the expression patterns of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs). To identify proteins that bind to a regulatory element common to the genes for two neural CAMs, Ng-CAM and L1, we screened a mouse cDNA expression library with a concatamer of the sequence CCATTAGPyGA and found a new homeobox gene, which we have called Barx2. The homeodomain encoded by Barx2 is 87% identical to that of Barx1, and both genes are related to genes at the Bar locus of Drosophila melanogaster. Barx1 and Barx2 also encode an identical stretch of 17 residues downstream of the homeobox; otherwise, they share no appreciable homology. In vitro, Barx2 stimulated activity of an L1 promoter construct containing the CCATTAGPyGA motif but repressed activity when this sequence was deleted. Localization studies showed that expression of Barx1 and Barx2 overlap in the nervous system, particularly in the telencephalon, spinal cord, and dorsal root ganglia. Barx2 was also prominently expressed in the floor plate and in Rathke's pouch. During craniofacial development, Barx1 and Barx2 showed complementary patterns of expression: whereas Barx1 appeared in the mesenchyme of the mandibular and maxillary processes, Barx2 was observed in the ectodermal lining of these tissues. Intense expression of Barx2 was observed in small groups of cells undergoing tissue remodeling, such as ectodermal cells within indentations surrounding the eye and maxillo-nasal groove and in the first branchial pouch, lung buds, precartilagenous condensations, and mesenchyme of the limb. The localization data, combined with Barx2's dual function as activator and repressor, suggest that Barx2 may differentially control the expression of L1 and other target genes during embryonic development.


The crystal growth of Y-Ba-Cu-O is explored by means of laser-heated pedestal growth (LHPG), which is a new crucible-free floating zone technology for growing oxide crystals from the melt. The result shows that the superconducting phase of YBa2Cu3O7-x melts incongruently, and is separated into two phases of (Y2BaCuO5 and BaCuO2) because of a peritectic reaction at 1010 degrees C during solidification. However, an oriented crystal in which the two phases coexist can be obtained by controlling the growth rate, and then may be transformed into superconductor with Tc above 90 K; such a crystal presents certain textural features following suitable heat treatment. The crystal structure and orientation after solidification and heat treatment are studied with the help of X-rays on electron microprobe and on optical microscope.


In this thesis I have designed a search engine prototype to study 3D visualization of search results. The prototype is made up of a crawler, a search engine server, and a client for visualizing the search results. The search engine is designed to use the crawler for automatic downloading, indexing, and retrieval on document collections retrieved from the World Wide Web. For document retrieval the search engine incorporates both the vector model and the latent semantic indexing model. The client application is based on SimVis, the 3D concept map visualization program developed by Ole Kristian Hvaale. There are two hypothesis presented in this thesis: 1.A search engine utilizing 3D visualization is an effective way to automatically organize documents. 2.3D visualization is superior to linear list representation since relationships between documents can be seen. Both have been verified by tests performed on small document collections. The prototype implemented have it's limitations when it comes to collections which are larger than approximately 300 documents. But it is sufficiently good as proof of concept and for small scale usage. A live demo of the system can be found at http://cubix.idi.ntnu.no/simvis/SimVis.html and http://ldata.bjorli.com/simvis/SimVis.html


In this paper, we propose a method of free viewpoint image generation with super resolution. In the conventional approaches, such as nearest neighbor and linear interpolation, the synthetic image on zoomed virtual view tends to have low resolution, because the reference images do not have enough textures. To overcome this problem, we reconstruct the image with super resolution. Super resolution can generate higher image resolution than the input image one, and then we combine super resolution with free viewpoint image generation. In the experiment, we use a camera array which contains 11 x 11 aligned cameras and use 4 x 4 cameras subset per pixel to reconstruct image by means of super resolution. The experimental results show that synthesized image in the effective range has about 4.5 dB higher PSNR than ones created by the nearest neighbor and 2.5 dB higher than ones created by the linear interpolation.