We aimed to investigate a potentially sexually dimorphic role of Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) in mouse and rat models of pain. Based on findings in migraine where CGRP has a preferential pain-promoting effect in female rodents, we hypothesized that CGRP antagonists and antibodies would attenuate pain sensitization more efficaciously in female than male mice and rats. In hyperalgesic priming induced by activation of interleukin 6 (IL-6) signaling, CGRP receptor antagonists, olcegepant and CGRP8-37, both given intrathecally, blocked and reversed hyperalgesic priming only in females. A monoclonal antibody against CGRP, given systemically, blocked priming specifically in female rodents but failed to reverse it. In the spared nerve injury (SNI) model, there was a transient effect of both CGRP antagonists, given intrathecally, on mechanical hypersensitivity in female mice only. Consistent with these findings, intrathecally applied CGRP caused a long-lasting, dose-dependent mechanical hypersensitivity in female mice but more transient effects in males. This CGRP-induced mechanical hypersensitivity was reversed by the KCC2 activator, CLP257 suggesting a role for anionic plasticity in the dorsal horn in the pain-promoting effects of CGRP in females. In spinal dorsal horn slices, CGRP shifted GABAA reversal potentials to significantly more positive values but, again, only in female mice. Therefore, CGRP may regulate KCC2 expression and/or activity specifically in females. However, KCC2 hypofunction promotes mechanical pain hypersensitivity in both sexes because CLP257 alleviated hyperalgesic priming in male and female mice. We conclude that CGRP promotes pain plasticity in female mice, but has a limited impact in male mice. Significance Statement The majority of patients impacted by chronic pain are women. Mechanistic studies in rodents are creating a clear picture that molecular events promoting chronic pain are different in male and female animals. Far more is known about chronic pain mechanisms in male animals. We sought to build on recent evidence showing that CGRP is a more potent and efficacious promoter of headache pain in female than in male rodents. To test this, we used hyperalgesic priming and the spared nerve injury (SNI) neuropathic pain models in mice. Our findings show a clear sex dimorphism wherein CGRP promotes pain in female but not male mice. Our work suggests that CGRP antagonists could be tested for efficacy in women for a broader variety of pain conditions.


The proposed J-integral calculation technique in the piece-wise linear fatigue crack front has been used investigating SIF in the inhomogeneous cast iron speci-mens with defect and graphite voids. The influence of crack length and front, size and position of voids on SIF have been investigated and the increase of SIF by 15% has been obtained. Stress-strain state analysis of inhomogeneous cast iron specimens was carried out using FE code ANSYS.


In our previous work on the idiotypic network in the rat model of schistosomiasis we showed that immunization with an IgE mAb specific for 26/56-kDa parasitic Ag resulted in the production of anti-anti-Id antibodies of both the IgG and IgE classes. Further studies demonstrated that anti-Ab2 T cell lines, obtained by immunization with Ab2 antibodies, functioned as conventional Th cells; they were MHC-restricted and required APC to proliferate in the presence of the native schistosomula Ag and the Ab2 antibodies. We report the involvement of these anti-Ab2 cells in the regulation of protective immunity. The transfer of long term culture anti-Ab2 T cell lines into LOU/M rats, followed by a challenge infection by Schistosoma mansoni 1 day after the cell transfer led to a slight increase in the worm burden. On the contrary, the transfer of anti-Ab2 T cells 90 days before S. mansoni infection induced a significant reduction of the worm burden (up to 57%). T cells recovered from the protected rats were stimulated by the native schistosomula Ag as well as by tryptic fragments of IgG isolated from the Ab2 sera, in the presence of irradiated thymic cells as APC. We also analyzed the humoral response developed by the rats after transfer with the anti-Ab2 T cell lines. The sera induced various inflammatory cells into cytotoxic effectors against the larvae of S. mansoni, arguing for the presence of functional IgE in the sera. Moreover, when these sera were passively transferred into rats infected 1 day later, a significant reduction of the worm burden was observed. However, antibody-dependent cytotoxic mechanisms efficient 10 days after the anti-Ab2 T cell transfer did not correlate with the protective immunity which required a 90-day delay to be established. These data suggest that the protective immunity induced by the anti-Ab2 cells is supported both by the cellular and humoral components and that in a future vaccinating strategy the idiotypic network may play a crucial role.


Preschool education is very important for children of 5-6 years age group and outdoor landscapes arethe major parts of preschool education. Aiming how children perceive the external spaces and what are the needs of pre-school education institutions considering landscape design tools;perception of childrenon the physical environment were considered and surveys and painting studies were carried out. A visual survey was applied for detecting children's requests for their school garden with outdoor landscape design examples on four preschools which selected from Konyaalti in Antalya region. Also in the same preschools, a painting study called "Schools Gardens in Your Dreams" was carried out with preschool students to detect the ideas which they can imagine, but they can't say.Surveys and interpretation of these images were made, and the results have been presented.


Genetic Programming is a heuristic search algorithm inspired by evolutionary techniques that has been shown to produce satisfactory solutions to problems related to several scientific domains [1]. Presented here is a methodology for the creation of Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) models for the prediction of chemical activity, using Genetic Programming. QSAR analysis is crucial for drug discovery since good QSAR models enable human experts to select compounds with increased chances of being active for further investigations. Our technique has been tested using the Selwood dataset, a benchmark dataset for the QSAR field [2]. The results indicate that the QSAR models created are accurate, reliable and simple and can thus be used to identify molecular descriptors correlated with measured activity and for the prediction of the activity of untested molecules. The QSAR models we generated predict the activity of untested molecules with an error ranging between 0.46 -0.8 on the scale [-1,1]. These results compare favourably with results sited in the literature for the same dataset [3], [4], Our models are constructed using any combination of the arithmetic operators {+, -, /, *}, the descriptors available and constant values.


Rationale Neurological symptoms are a common presentation in primary care and emergency medicine. The acute clinic provides a rapid access service, aimed at reducing unnecessary admissions, outpatient waiting times, inappropriate investigations and achieving a prompt diagnosis. Data on service utilisation will inform future service design and delivery. Aim To evaluate the acute neurology clinic service and training experience in the University Hospital of Wales. Method Data was collected prospectively on acute referrals over 6 months. Results 52 patients were seen; 51% were referred from primary care. The median slots filled per clinic was 3 (range 1–6). Median time from referral to review was 3 days (range 1–7). The most common presenting symptom was headache (38%), followed by limb weakness (25%). The commonest clinical syndrome was a myelopathy (15%) and 62% had abnormal neurological signs. 75% of patients were investigated, 10% admitted and 7% discharged. In retrospect, 56% of patients warranted urgent referral. Conclusion The acute neurology clinic provides a useful service to primary care. This data suggests it is presently under-utilised and that similar clinics and novel strategies could be enlisted to help reduce admissions and waiting times, and help manage patients with neurological symptoms in primary care.


Generalized multi carrier code division multiple access (GMC-CDMA) is a promising technique for achieving high data rate transmission capacity in interference-limited cellular systems. A key challenge in a multirate GMC-CDMA system for video transmission is the optimal power allocation between the sub-channels that maximizes the received video quality subject to a data rate budget. In this paper, we propose a method for joint source and channel coding with optimal power allocation for scalable video transmission over multirate GMC-CDMA wireless links. A GMC-CDMA system offers deterministic elimination of multiple user interference (MUI). A scalable video source codec is used and a multirate setup is assumed i.e., each video user is allowed to occupy more than one GMC-CDMA channels. Each of the GMC-CDMA channels can utilize a different number of subcarriers. The optimal solution selects the set of source and channel coding rates for the user of interest along with the number of sub-carriers and power allocated to each GMC-CDMA channel that minimizes the end to end distortion subject to the rate budget. Universal rate distortion characteristics (URDC) are used along with the channel characteristic plots to obtain the optimal solution. Experimental results are presented and conclusions are drawn.


A general and rigorous quantum method is proposed for studying capture dynamics between two diatomic molecules in full dimensionality. By solving the time-independent Schrödinger equation with proper boundary conditions, this method is ideally suited for studying quantum dynamics of cold and ultracold reactions. To illustrate its applicability, the capture dynamics between ultracold KRb molecules is characterized in full six dimensions for the first time using a first-principles based long-range interaction potential. The calculated capture rates for collisions involving distinguishable and indistinguishable 40K87Rb molecules are in good agreement with the experiment and exhibit clear Wigner threshold behaviors. Predictions for ultracold collisions between internally excited 40K87Rb suggest minor changes in the loss rate, consistent with experimental observations in similar systems.


An optical 3D micro-printing method is presented to directly print polymer whispering-gallery mode (WGM) microlaser with deformed microcavity. It can rapidly and precisely tailor the geometry of optical WMG microcavities for on-chip integrated sensing applications.


We investigate the combined soliton solutions of two-component Bose–Einstein condensates with external potential. The "phase diagram" is obtained for the formation regions of different combined solitons. Our results show that the intraspecies (interspecies) interaction strengths and the external trapped potential clearly affect the formation of dark-dark, bright-bright, and dark–bright soliton solutions in different regions. Especially, we find that the bright–bright (dark–dark) soliton can exist in the case of both repulsive (attractive) intraspecies interaction strengths in the presence of external potential. This novel phenomenon is completely different from the formation of soliton solution of one-component Bose–Einstein condensates without external potential, and it will be useful for the study of two-component Bose–Einstein condensates.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether multisystemic therapy (MST) improved family relationships among youths with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes and whether these changes mediated MST effects on health outcomes. The moderating effect of family demographics on study outcomes was also assessed.

METHODS
A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 127 youths. Changes in general family relationships and caregiver support for diabetes care from baseline to treatment completion were assessed. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test whether changes in family relations mediated improvements in frequency of blood glucose testing (BGT) and metabolic control.

RESULTS
MST increased support for diabetes care from both primary and secondary caregivers in two-parent but not in single-parent families. However, MST had the strongest effects on BGT and metabolic control in single-parent families. SEM did not support family relations as the mediator of improved BGT or metabolic control. Rather, MST had a direct effect on BGT for all participants. BGT mediated improvements in metabolic control among single-parent families.

CONCLUSIONS
MST improved family relationships for youths with diabetes in two-parent but not in single-parent families. Objective outcomes related to diabetes were strongest for single-parent families. Other processes such as increased parental monitoring may have been responsible for improved health outcomes among these families.


BACKGROUND: Sialadenoses are often diagnosed as concomitant with certain human diseases. At the initial disease stage, it is not always possible to establish the causative pathological process. Omega-3 fatty acids have great effects on humans. The most important omega-3 fatty acids are actively involved in the metabolism, are the building materials of cells, and help in the prevention of certain diseases.
AIM: The omega-3 levels in 20 patients were examined. Moreover, levels of omega-3 in 20 patients with sialadenosis were measured before and after treatment with omega-3 to determine the functional activity of the salivary glands depending on the concentrations in the tissues.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acid is the collective name of several fatty acids; although they are not synthesized in the right quantities in humans, they are necessary for maintaining health. The most important omega-3 fatty acids are actively involved in the metabolism and help in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, depression, and impaired tissue microcirculation, substantially affecting the human body.
RESULTS: The omega-3 index before treatment was significantly reduced in all patients with sialadenosis, and it significantly increased (p 0.001) after treatment in both women and men. Moreover, the secretory function of the salivary glands significantly improved, the viscosity decreased, and the pH of the mixed saliva was restored.
CONCLUSION: The results of this study revealed normalization of the omega-3 index level in the erythrocyte membrane after treatment with omega-3, improvement of the secretory activity of the salivary glands, reduction of viscosity, and restoration of the pH of mixed saliva.


The mechanisms whereby tumors reap the pro-growth benefits of an inflammatory context while still evading the immune response are not fully understood. Using phospho-specific flow cytometry, we demonstrate differential biasing of STAT phosphorylation responses within the tumor microenvironment, with B16 and CT26 cancer cells responding preferentially to pro-inflammatory IL-6 and IFN-γ and tumor-infiltrating T cells responding preferentially to anti-inflammatory IL-10. Investigation of cytokine responsiveness biasing within tumor-infiltrating T cells revealed that the intratumoral T cell population is shaped by non antigen-specific accumulation of CD62L − T cells, which lack responsiveness to pro-inflammatory cytokines despite their robust secretion of these factors. The unchecked production of pro-inflammatory factors by antigen-experienced T cells within the tumor suggests a novel role for these cells in supporting tumor growth by contributing to the inflammatory milieu within the tumor microenvironment. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1916.


Tye specific T antigen formation has been demonstrated in primary and secondary chick embryo cells (CEC) infected with adenovirus type 12. The frequency of cells synthesizing T antigen was closely dependent on the multiplicity of infection (MOI). At a MOI of 2.85 TCD50 per cell, T antigen was formed in 50% of cells. Cycloheximide inhibited T antigen formation while cytosine arabinoside had no such effect. CEC infected with adenovirus 12 produced interferon and T antigen, both appearing early and at about the same time of infection Exogenous chick interferon had no inhibitory effect on the formation of T antigen. In adenovirus 12-infected CEC, virus specific structural antigen could not be detected.


We investigated the monthly and daily patterns of boat activities around dugong habitat in Trang Province. We interviewed local fishermen and tourism officers at five coastal villages around Muk and Talibong Islands to investigate when they operate boats. We obtained answers from 103 fishermen and 15 tourism officers. It was found that local fishermen catch crabs, squids, and fishes all the year round. Crab and squid fishing were especially active from July through November. They mostly worked in the daytime (0500h – 1800h), especially in the morning. Guided tour boats were operated in the daytime (0800h – 1700h) and only from November through April. We have also analyzed information on boat noises provided by underwater sound data recorded off the southern coast of Talibong Island in November 2006. A lot of boat noises were detected in the morning. The results show that the daily patterns of local boat activities almost fit with the daily pattern of boat noise as shown by sound data.


Eight years' experience with the two-person technique has revealed further advantages. A glass syringe and extension tubing filled with saline are connected to the epidural needle. A small bubble of air remains in the syringe but not in the tubing. One person concentrates on the advancement of the needle. The second person exerts sufficient pressure on the plunger of the syringe to produce intermittent minimal flow of saline. The effect is that of barbotage. In several instances the saline at needle end of the tubing unexpectedly became opaque or discolored. The advantages are attributable to the small volume of the extension tubing filled with saline.


In modern machine-building the problem of creating highly-efficient technological mechanical machining processes, taking into account the energy and resources-saving and ecological requirements is one of the paramount importance. Throughout the whole period of machine-building technology development there were great difficulties owing to the problems of machining parts with low rigidity and high demands on quality. At creating the technological processes of similar parts' machining, as at creating any technological process, it is necessary to provide realization of the principle of combining technical, economic and organization assignments. But unlike usual technological processes, in this case it is much more difficult to meet all these requirements.


The eX tensible Stylesheet Language Transformation (XSLT ) is a de-facto standard for XML data transforming and extracting . Efficient processing of large amounts of XML data brings challenges to conventional XSLT processors, which are designed to run in a single machine context. To solve these data-intensive problems, MapReduce paradigm in the cloud computing domain has received a comprehensive attention in both academia and IT industry recently. In this paper, a novel MapReduce-based XSLT distributed processing framework named CloudXSLT is proposed to implement efficient and scalable XML data transforming. First, the architecture of CloudXSLT framework is outlined. Subsequently, several XML data and XSLT rule representation models which are suitable for MapReduce paradigm are defined, and several MapReduce-based XSLT distributed processing algorithms are proposed. Finally, an experiment on a simulation environment with real XML datasets shows our framework is more efficient and scalable than conventional XSLT processors when processing large size of XML data.


An algorithm for the wind profile recovery from spatiotemporal spectra of a laser beam reflected in a turbulent atmosphere is presented. The cases of a spherical wave incident on a diffuse reflector of finite size and a spatially limited beam reflected from an infinite random surface are considered.


The goal of this study was to identify the chemical component variables that should be used in irradiation embrittlement prediction and to determine the uncertainty of prediction of irradiation embrittlement of reactor pressure vessel (RPV) steels. To this end, statistical analysis using a Bayesian nonparametric (BNP) method was performed for Japanese pressurized water reactor (PWR) surveillance test data whose neutron fluence ranged from 3 × 1018 to 1.2 × 1020 n/cm2 (E > 1 MeV). The BNP method is a machine learning statistical method that takes the complexity and uncertainty of input variables into account. Statistical analysis using an index to select the most suitable combination of input variables revealed that four variables, namely, neutron fluence and Cu, Ni, and Si contents, were the most effective combination for embrittlement prediction. Cu content had the largest effect on the degree of embrittlement, followed by Ni and Si, in that order. The shift in the reference nil-ductility temperature (ΔRTNDT) was also calculated using the probability distribution obtained by the BNP method. The overall standard deviation of the residuals between the calculated and measured values of ΔRTNDT was 8.4 °C, which was comparable to that of the current Japanese embrittlement correlation method (JEAC4201-2013). The 95% credible interval (CI) of the posterior distribution of ΔRTNDT (i.e., the range in which data can exist when the uncertainty of input data is taken into consideration) calculated by the BNP method was identical to or smaller than the margin in the current Japanese embrittlement correlation method described in JEAC4201-2013. This result indicates that an adequate margin is provided in JEAC4201-2013.


This paper presents the combined effects of high turbulence and film cooling on the dispersion of a simulated hot streak as it passes over a scaled-up nozzle guide vane. Experimental data demonstrates a considerable decay in the strength of a hot streak due to turbulence effects alone. Film cooling further reduces the peak temperature values resulting in a reduction of the peak temperature in the hot streak on the order of 75% relative to the upstream peak temperature in the hot streak. Comparisons are made between high turbulence (Tu = 20%) and moderate turbulence (Tu = 3.5%) as well as between different blowing conditions for the suction side, showerhead, and pressure side film cooling holes on a simulated nozzle guide vane.Copyright © 2003 by ASME


Irradiation of Agaricus bisporus tyrosinase in the presence of citrate at pH 5.6 with 300-420-nm light results in a loss of both catecholase activity and cresolase activity. The light-sensitive species appears to be an enzyme-citrate complex, most likely involving coordination of citrate to the active site copper. One copper ion from each binuclear active site can be removed from the inactivated enzyme, resulting in the formation of a met apo derivative. The electron spin resonance spectrum of met apo tyrosinase resembles that of met apo hemocyanin and half-met Neurospora tyrosinase. It is consistent with a distorted square-planar geometry around the copper and with either nitrogen or nitrogen and oxygen ligands. Amino acid analysis indicates that four histidines on the heavy subunit are destroyed during the inactivation process. Some or all of these histidines may serve as ligands to the copper ion which becomes labile after inactivation. Photoinactivation results in decarboxylation of citrate and does not require the presence of oxygen. The reaction may involve generation of a free radical from the citrate which then attacks nearby histidine residues.


The paper describes a control system for 4-quadrant operation of induction motors with characteristics suitable for crane hoist duty. The control system is based on a combination of stator-voltage control and rotor chopping. A thyristor stator-voltage regulator is used to provide a means of motor-speed closed-loop control. The regulator automatically reverses the phase rotation for plug braking or provides d.c. to the stator for injection braking as determined by load conditions. The rotor chopper operates with a duty cycle that is a predetermined function of rotor speed. Analysis of the chopper action in the rotor is used to determine the optimum function required to develop the maximum possible torque per stator ampere over the operating speed range. Different control functions are found to be necessary for motoring and d.c.-injection modes of operation. Analysis of the system and experimental results are presented showing successful 4-quadrant operation.


We conducted a survey of all (200) Australian and New Zealand intensive care units to determine the presence and nature of staff employed in a technical support role. Specifically, we attempted to identify staff who are formally employed in a role where they are directly responsible for the equipment used in intensive care. Of 130 returned surveys, 80 units (62%) reported not having any personnel in this role. In these units technical tasks were most commonly performed by registered nurses (79%) but were also performed by a variety of other personnel. Fifty units (38%), consisting of approximately 105 individuals providing a total of 84.3 EFTs and most commonly in public (84%) or metropolitan (70%) hospitals or level 3 (64%) intensive care units, did have one or more staff acting in a formal technical support role. The most common groups filling the technical support role were nurses (42%), technicians (24%), biomedical engineers (10%) and technologists (6%). The most common duties performed were equipment troubleshooting (92%), training (80%), equipment evaluation (80%), ordering supplies (77%), consumable evaluation (75%), equipment cleaning (73%), delivery of supplies (70%), handling product recalls (65%), equipment maintenance (65%) and sitting on hospital committees (52%). This is the first attempt to identify and understand the technical support role in Australian and New Zealand intensive care units. Numerous issues remain and future work will hopefully add to our findings, with the possibility of formal recognition of the role, training and/or accreditation and its extension into other hospital departments.


Objective To assess the economic burden of patients with SLE by disease severity in the USA 1 year before and after diagnosis. Methods Patients aged ≥18 years with a first SLE diagnosis (index date) between January 2005 and December 2014 were identified from administrative commercial claims data linked to electronic medical records (EMRs). Disease severity during the year after diagnosis was classified as mild, moderate, or severe using claims-based algorithms and EMR data. Healthcare resource utilisation (HCRU) and all-cause healthcare costs (2017 US$) were reported for 1 year pre-diagnosis and post-diagnosis. Generalised linear modelling examined all-cause costs over 1 year post-index, adjusting for baseline demographics, clinical characteristics, Charlson Comorbidity Index and 1 year pre-diagnosis costs. Results Among 2227 patients, 26.3% had mild, 51.0% moderate and 22.7% severe SLE. Mean per-patient costs were higher for patients with moderate and severe SLE compared with mild SLE during the year before diagnosis: mild US$12 373, moderate $22 559 and severe US$39 261 (p<0.0001); and 1-year post-diagnosis period: mild US$13 415, moderate US$29 512 and severe US$68 260 (p<0.0001). Leading mean cost drivers were outpatient visits (US$13 566) and hospitalisations (US$10 252). Post-diagnosis inpatient utilisation (≥1 stay) was higher for patients with severe (51.2%) and moderate (22.4%) SLE, compared with mild SLE (12.8%), with longer mean hospital stays: mild 0.47 days, moderate 1.31 days and severe 5.52 days (p<0.0001). Conclusion HCRU and costs increase with disease severity in the year before and after diagnosis; leading cost drivers post-diagnosis were outpatient visits and hospitalisations. Earlier diagnosis and treatment may improve health outcomes and reduce HCRU and costs.


A new photoinitiating system involving electron acceptor dyes, namely, eosin Y and erythrosin B, in conjunction with alkyl halides and amines for photoinduced ATRP of (meth)acrylates and vinyl monomers in the absence of inorganic catalysts is reported. The polymerizations were efficiently activated by the photomediated redox processes to produce polymers with controlled chain end functionality and narrow molecular weight distribution. The dye/amine system was shown to be efficient under various colors of LED and industrially available visible light irradiation. The livingness nature of the polymerization was proved by GC analyses and the irradiation dependency of polymerization was confirmed by light on/off experiments.


The purpose of this paper is to analyze the relationship between foreign aid and economic growth in the context of Pakistan by proposing two key methods. Both of these are complimentary, with the field experiment establishing the existence of an aid delivery problem and the in-depth case studies further expanding on some of the key findings. Section 1 provides a broad situational overview by situating the aid-growth question in the context of Pakistan, contextualizing it within the ongoing theoretical debates on the subject. Section 2 solidifies these assertions by going deeper into literature to arrive at the possible avenues for future research using fresh methods. Section 3 and 4 then propose a field experiment and an in-depth case study respectively, both intended to expose the underlying problems with aid delivery systems in Pakistan. Finally, section 5 offers brief concluding thoughts to reassert the importance of understanding the aid-growth conundrum and to take rectifying measures today.


Based on archival sources and interviews, this article relates the untold story behind several township elections. It shows that these experiments were largely the result of a discursive opening on expanding grassroots democracy, and efforts by local leaders to promote their careers by taking the lead in initiating electoral reforms. It suggests that over two decades of post-Mao reform may have encouraged a belief among some local officials that history is on the reformers' side. It also suggests that the current cadre management system may enable mid-level leaders to introduce political reforms at a lower level without seeking prior approval from their superiors. The article argues that succession politics may re-open the door for further electoral reform and that the international community can offer protection to local initiatives by pressing the Chinese government to improve its human rights record.


The quasi-static evolution of the Jacobi ellipsoid by gravitational radiation is determined by integrating the equation that gives the rate of dissipation of the angular momentum with the constraint that the ellipsoid remains Jacobian at all times. It is found that the evolution is in the direction of increasing angular velocity toward a non-radiating state at the point of bifurcation with the Maclaurin sequence.


We give an integral representation for solutions to the quantized Knizhnik-Zamo-lodchikov equation ( qKZ ) associated with the Lie algebra gl N +1 . Asymptotic solutions to qKZ are constructed. The leading term of an asymptotic solution is the Bethe vector – an eigenvector of the transfer-matrix of a quantum spin chain model. We show that the norm of the Bethe vector is equal to the product of the Hessian of a suitable function and an explicitly written rational function. This formula is a generalization of the Gaudin-Korepin formula for a norm of the Bethe vector. We show that, generically, the Bethe vectors form a base for the gl 2 case.


On the face of it, there are no bright spots in Psalm 88 – no hope at all for the bitterly lamenting psalmist, or seemingly for his readers today either. This intensely individual complaint expresses 'the dark night of the soul … a state of intense spiritual anguish in which the struggling, despairing believer feels he is abandoned by God' (Boice 1996:715–716). So why has this disorienting 'psalm of disorientation' (Brueggemann & Bellinger 2014:7) been included in the Psalter, the penultimate prayer of Book III, and what are we to make of it? One cannot of course provide definitive answers, but several suggestions may be offered based on the opinions of a number of capable Psalms scholars, coupled with some personal observations. After citing the text in Hebrew, along with my own English translation, the poetic structure of the psalm is overviewed and then selected features of its artistry and rhetoric are discussed. This study concludes with an assortment of reflections that speak to the theological importance of this dark psalm and its relevance for all those in particular who wake up in the morning, consider their current situation in life, and wonder: 'Can it get any worse?' Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This study illustrates how a close literary–structural analysis can serve to reveal insights of exegetical and theological significance while at the same time critiquing certain received scholarly positions. In particular, it challenges the prevailing opinion of commentators that Psalm 88 is entirely pessimistic in its outlook on God and life. Keywords: Psalms;literary-structural analysis; Hebrew poetry; OT theology


Evolutionary programming (EP) is an application of the concepts of Darwinian evolution to complex optimisation problems. This is primarily addressed in the literature through the use of genetic algorithms (GAs), but there are problems where a hybrid approach coupling the robustness of GAs with the effectiveness of a heuristic procedure may yield better results. This paper focusses on the development and use of such a hybrid EP algorithm to solve a particular multi-objective spatial object-location problem. The domain knowledge which forms part of the heuristics of the methodology developed is provided by the problem of citing sustainable water management strategies within the urban fabric, taking into account social, economic, technical and cost parameters and constraints.


The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of probiotics association added to piglets diets in lactation and nursery. A total of 144 piglets from birth to 62 days old were raised. The design with two treatments (Control and Probiotic A) was totally randomized in lactation. In the nursery, randomized blocks with factorial arrangement 2x3 were defined: Probiotic A and Probiotic B; Control and Probiotic B; Probiotic A and Probiotic A; Control and Control; Probiotic A with challenged animals; and Control and challenged animals. At 35 days from birth 48 animals of the nursery were orally inoculated with Salmonella Typhimurium. Average weight, feed consumption, average weight gain and feed conversion were assessed. For economic analysis, the costs of diet during the nursery and income of animal's sale were calculated. Feed consumption considered for analysis was the one related to the period of 21 to 62 days of life. No effect was observed on evaluated parameters in the maternity. Positive effect was observed on feed conversion for Probiotic A and Probiotic A treatment in nursery. In economic evaluation, Control and Probiotic B treatment showed lower cost compared to other ones, thus representing a satisfactory alternative.


Summary Acidity is one of the main determinants of fruit organoleptic quality. Here, comparative transcriptome analysis was conducted between two cultivars that showed a significant difference in fruit acidity, but contained homozygous non‐functional alleles at the major gene Ma1 locus controlling apple fruit acidity. A candidate gene for fruit acidity, designated M10, was identified. The M10 gene encodes a P‐type proton pump, P3A‐ATPase, which facilitates malate uptake into the vacuole. The Ma10 gene is significantly associated with fruit malate content, accounting for ~7.5% of the observed phenotypic variation in apple germplasm. Subcellular localization assay showed that the Ma10 is targeted to the tonoplast. Overexpression of the Ma10 gene can complement the defect in proton transport of the mutant YAK2 yeast strain and enhance the accumulation of malic acid in apple callus. Moreover, its ectopic expression in tomato induces a decrease in fruit pH. These results suggest that the Ma10 gene has the capacity for proton pumping and plays an important role in fruit vacuolar acidification in apple. Our study provides useful knowledge towards comprehensive understanding of the complex mechanism regulating apple fruit acidity.


Plastics-based materials have a high carbon footprint, and their disposal is a considerable problem for the environment. Biodegradable bioplastics represent an alternative on which most countries have focused their attention to replace of conventional plastics in various sectors, among which food packaging is the most significant one. The evaluation of the optimal end-of-life process for bioplastic waste is of great importance for their sustainable use. In this review, the advantages and limits of different waste management routes—biodegradation, mechanical recycling and thermal degradation processes—are presented for the most common categories of biopolymers on the market, including starch-based bioplastics, PLA and PBAT. The analysis outlines that starch-based bioplastics, unless blended with other biopolymers, exhibit good biodegradation rates and are suitable for disposal by composting, while PLA and PBAT are incompatible with this process and require alternative strategies. The thermal degradation process is very promising for chemical recycling, enabling building blocks and the recovery of valuable chemicals from bioplastic waste, according to the principles of a sustainable and circular economy. Nevertheless, only a few articles have focused on this recycling process, highlighting the need for research to fully exploit the potentiality of this waste management route.


The practice of Gerontic Occupational Therapy is a rapidly growing field. The clinical challenges are in a state of flux due to changing demographics, technology and treatments. As therapists, we are constantly searching through our repertoire of skills and developing new ones to solve pressing and often complex therapeutic needs. The second edition of Aging: The Health Care Challenge aims to present an interdisciplinary approach to the assessment and rehabilitation of the elderly. The text is divided into three sections: (1) theories and psychosocial needs, (2) physical aspects and (3) external variables. The various facets of aging are examined separately in eighteen chapters each describing the most common treatment concerns. Although an interdisciplinary approach is emphasized, the majority of the chapters are written by physical therapists. As a result, the physical aspects of aging are dealt with in a more comprehensive fashion than other areas such as psychogeriatrics. The chapters vary in terms of their relevance to occupational therapy. Of particular interest are the


This article highlights the influence of ternary material combination of thermoelectric 0.5Bi2Te3 (BT), ferroelectric 0.5(PLZT9/65/35) (PLZT) nanopowders dispersed in polymer PVDF matrix to form a 0.5Bi2Te30.5[Pb0.91La0.09(Zr0.65Ti0.35)0.9775O3]-PVDF nanocomposite thin film. BT and PLZT were prepared by using simple precipitation method to form 0.5BT-0.5PLZT-PVDF nanocomposite thin film. As heat treated BT and PLZT were characterized for phase analysis by powder X-ray diffraction, and microstructure studies by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Nanocomposite thin films were characterized for room temperature dielectric, thermoelectric and ferroelectric studies. XRD patterns attested clear crystalline mixture of Bi2Te3 trigonal showing rhombohedral structure and perovskite PLZT showing ternary FERH, FETET, and FECUBIC structures at the morphotrophic phase boundary. SEM with EDS and TEM results of thermoelectric Bi2Te3, ferroelectric (PLZT:9/65/35) and 0.5Bi2Te3-0.5[Pb0.91La0.09(Zr0.65Ti0.35)0.9775O3] are reported. The nanoparticles of this system ranged between 17 nm and 82 nm. Dielectric, thermoelectric and ferroelectric results of the 0.5Bi2Te30.5[Pb0.91La0.09(Zr0.65Ti0.35)0.9775O3]-PVDF nanocomposite thin film was discussed. The remanent and spontaneous polarization and coercive field of BT-PLZT-PVDF film are observed as 2.52 µC/cm2, 3.28 µC/cm and 196.63 kV/cm, respectively that could be interesting candidate for possible futuristic energy harvesting, biomedical and smart applications.


The intraventricular injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (200 mug) blocked a previously learned conditioned avoidance response (CAR) in rats. The administration of NE, DOPA, amphetamine, phenelzine, desipramine and clonidine induced the reappearance of the CAR. These results are in agreement with current hypotheses on the mechanism of action of 6-hydroxydopamine on the central nervous system.


This paper addresses nine open issues in the historical phonology of Mojeno, an Arawakan language of Bolivia. We propose solutions to these problems by postulating reconstructed forms for Proto-Mojeno based on a comparison of the two extant varieties of the language, Ignaciano and Trinitario, and on 17th century sources on Old Mojeno. Contrarily to a recent claim, we argue that the contrast between *n and *ɲ can be straightforwardly reconstructed for Proto-Mojeno. We suggest that the marginally contrastive opposition between s and ʃ in Ignaciano derives from sound symbolism. We argue for a contrast between *a and *o in Proto-Mojeno that was later lost in Ignaciano. We reconstruct the accentual system of Proto-Mojeno, as a basis for explaining diachronic rhythmic syncope in Trinitario. Syncope of vowels in weak metrical positions accounts for the emergence of consonant clusters and morphophonological alternations in Trinitario. Besides, hiatus resolution has led to the phonologization of the consonant /c/, while the vowel /əe / emerged from a process of monophthongization. Indirect consequences of Trinitario rhythmic syncope are the phonologization of the consonant /c/, consonant loss and the development of phonological vowel length. An appendix presents 190 Proto-Mojeno reconstructions and cognate sets.


Mirrors grown in the crystalline structure ease manufacture of vertical-cavity lasers, which emit collimated circular beams and can form large two-dimensional arrays. The authors discuss the fabrication of the surface emitting laser mirrors. By means of techniques such as molecular beam epitaxy and metal-organic vapor phase epitaxy, hundreds of layers of semiconductor materials can be grown one on top of the other. By mixing and matching the materials to create "designer" alloys, it is possible to grow a crystalline structure with all the electrical and optical properties desired for its various parts. This method of tailoring semiconductor structures is called bandgap engineering. The principles of the mirrors and their applications are discussed.<<ETX>>


A 54-year-old woman presented with a 3-month-history of blurred vision and refractory headache. Examination revealed severe bilateral visual acuity compromise, normal campimetry and bilateral papilledema. As a mean to investigate raised intracranial pressure, neuroimaging studies were performed and showed extensive sellar mass (Figure). Patient underwent transsphenoidal approach for resection of pituitary mass which disclosed metastasis of neuroendocrine lung tumor. Chest CT showed a mass in the anterior segment of right lower lobe of lung. Although symptomatic pituitary gland tumors are common in clinical practice, metastatic disease represent a rare cause of sellar tumors, mainly of breast and lung primary origin.


Many countries are working on the realization of a new sort of public management, which is less governmental and more market oriented. As a consequence the role of health-care managers is changing. They are increasingly addressed as (social) entrepreneurs. This article is based on the results of a survey sent to Dutch health-care executives. The aim of the survey was to explore how the new discourse affects the practice of management. The results show that entrepreneurship is a construction and a contested concept. Nevertheless, executives are very sensitive to the concept. It certainly confuses them and can make them feel more vulnerable. However, new expectations can also perform an important function as a catalyst for executives to rethink their role and their position. From that point of view the phase of multi-interpretable expectations and vague discourse can be seen as a necessary phase in realizing health-care reform.


Cavern stability analysis was carried out, using the FLAC model - a two- dimensional explicit finite-difference code. For the case with unlimited thickness (for example: Dead Sea rock salt group - Sdom Formation) a cylindrical cavem geometry was analyzed. The creep deformation of the rock salt can be approximated by a steady-state model The behavior of rock salt was analyzed by a power law equation. Data for prediction of rock salt fracture in a creep model were obtained


This article empirically investigates regional differences in the performance of funds of hedge funds (FHFs). It uses descriptive variables and time series for 533 FHFs from the Lipper TASS Hedge Fund Database and segregates them into regional peer groups. The article shows that fees are generally higher in Europe than in the U.S., that redemption periods are longer in the U.S. than in Europe, and that assets under management tend to be higher in Europe. Additionally, we find that European-based FHFs exhibit a stronger home bias than their U.S. counterparts and that U.S.-based FHFs appear to invest more heavily in emerging hedge fund managers.


Walking robot is one type of mobile platform that has locomotion type "walking." DOF (Degree of Freedom) is one of essential character for the design of robot mechanism based on its models. Legs are the critical parts of the walking robot structure. The legged robot is the walking robot biologically adopted from animal or insect behavior, especially in their walking routine. The hexapod robot is one of the most statically stable legged robots and has high flexibility when standing or moving which supported by six legs that can be easily manipulated. For modeling needs and its validation, it is desirable to control each DOF in the space of Cartesian coordinate although motor system needs the reference inputs in the joint space. In this case, it needs to know the conversion between Cartesian and joint space, inverse, and forward kinematics. This study presents a kinematic model of the 2-DOF hexapod leg. This study aimed to build a kinematic model of the 2-DOF hexapod leg using an analytical approach. Analytically, the working mechanism of the robot can be modeled using forward and inverse kinematic models. In this method, this modeling is derived mathematically from the projection analysis of the movement in a certain coordinate space. The model validation was performed using the MATLAB tool and the Robotic Toolbox. The results of this study showed that the results of the inverse kinematic process have the same output signal pattern compare to the input signal pattern of the forward kinematic process. Keywords— Degree of Freedom, 2-DOF hexapod leg, kinematic model analytical approach


Students at the Department of Scandinavian Studies begin their studies without prior knowledge of Danish / Norwegian / Swedish, so intensive emphasis is given to language acquisition in the first year. Our research is based on the processing of results of a written basic exam in Norwegian (A2 language level) from the last eight years.
The aim of the research is to find an answer to the questions which areas cause the greatest challenges and what methods can be used to overcome the given language difficulties. The impact of Hungarian as a mother tongue and the already known foreign languages (English, German) on learning Norwegian is also investigated. Effective development of language skills, especially in this first year, is essential for students 'successful future studies.
The present research is supported by CAF theories (Complexity, Accuracy, Fluency) in investigating syntactic complexity (see Skehan 1998; Ellis 2009; Berggreen, H.; Sørland, K. 2016).


The spike (S) protein and its receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 have been continually evolving, yielding the majority of significant missense mutations and new variants of concern. In this study, we examined how monoclonal antibodies against RBD (mAbs-SCoV2-RBD) and polyclonal antibodies present in convalescent human serum specifically interact with the S protein of wild-type and SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) in real time and how this can be reflected through surface mass density. Moreover, we combined two distinct, label-free measurement techniques: one based on changes in surface electromagnetic waves after reflection from the surface, and the other on changes in acoustic waves. The results demonstrated that dry surface mass density (ΓSE) of mAbs-SCoV2-RBD attached to the RBD of the S protein decreases three-fold, from 148 ng/cm2 to 46 ng/cm2, due to the B.1.351 or so-called beta mutation of coronavirus and its S protein (SCoV2-β). Consequently, the obtained wet mass ΓQCM-D resulted in values two times lower, from 319 ng/cm2 to 158 ng/cm2, and the hydration of mAbs-SCoV2-RBD/SCoV2-β immune complex was 70.88%. Conversely, when polyclonal antibodies present in convalescent human serum form immune complexes with the S protein of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, the ΓSE decreased from 279 ng/cm2 to 249 ng/cm2, and ΓQCM-D from 1545 ng/cm2 to 1366 ng/cm2. These results can give insights into the differences between the interaction of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies with SARS-CoV-2 VOCs.


: Globba is one of the largest genera in the primarily tropical Zingiberaceae. The number of anther appendages is highly diagnostic and has been used along with molecular characters to define subgenera and sections. Four main types of anther morphology are recognized: without appendages and with two, four and six appendages. The six-appendaged anthers are reported here for the first time. Appendages arise from two dorsal ledges that flank the broad connective. Development of two-appendaged and four-appendaged species differs from inception. Previous suggestions that either the proximal or distal appendages of four-appendaged anthers have been lost in two-appendaged species are thus not supported. Early development of six-appendaged anthers is similar to that of four-appendaged species, but two additional, small appendages develop on the ledges between the first-formed appendages. This yields three appendages on each side (six overall). The four appendages of G. geoffrayi differ from all other species in having distal appendages that are much smaller and develop later than the proximal appendages. Development thus suggests that the state in G. geoffrayi evolved from a two-appendaged ancestor. Incorporating this information into a phylogenetic character plot of the number of appendages shows that the possession of two appendages is the most likely plesiomorphic state of the genus, although support for this hypothesis is weak. Our study clarifies the origin and complexity in the development of anther appendages in Globba and highlights their significance in infrageneric relationships in Globba . Two appendages have probably likely arisen at the base of Globba , linked with the presence of a prominent ledge, with variable extensions and reductions of the number of appendages in the various subgenera and sections.


Whole blood flow cytometry was performed among donors with various clinical forms of coccidioidomycosis using T27K, a coccidioidal antigen preparation protective in mice but not previously studied in humans. The median percent of CD3+ lymphocytes (CD3+) producing intracellular interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) among healthy immune donors was 0.43%, significantly above that for non-immune donors (0.01%) and greater than that for subjects with other forms of coccidioidomycosis, including chronic pulmonary (0.11%), disseminated (0.09%) and concomitant human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection (0.07%) (P < or =0.002 for all). No increase in intracellular interleukin (IL)-10 production or apoptosis was noted in samples incubated with T27K. Among 14 HIV-infected patients with concomitant coccidioidomycosis, seven of eight patients whose peripheral blood CD4 concentration was > 200 cells microl(-1) had > 0.06% of CD3+ produce intracellular IFN-gamma, compared to none of six whose peripheral blood CD4+ lymphocyte concentration was < or =200 cells microl(-1) (P = 0.005). These data indicate that there is a specific human cellular immune response to T27K as a coccidioidal antigen and that this response can be categorized based on the clinical status of the coccidioidally infected patient.


CONTEXT
Physicians and clinicians need portable, efficient, and cost-effective assessment tools to determine the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs after knee injury. Progress in rehabilitation should be evaluated using valid and reliable measurement methods.

OBJECTIVE
To examine the test-retest reliability of portable fixed dynamometry (PFD), handheld dynamometry (HHD), and isokinetic dynamometry (IKD). In addition, the authors sought to examine the validity of PFD and HHD by comparing differences in peak torque of the knee flexors and extensors to that of the "gold standard" IKD.

DESIGN
Repeated measures.

PARTICIPANTS
16 healthy subjects (age 29.3 ± 7.2 y, height 167.4 ± 8.04 cm, mass 73.7 ± 20.0 kg).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
The dependent variables were peak torque (normalized to body weight) of the knee flexors and extensors; the independent variables were trial (trial 1, trial 2) and instrument (IKD, PFD, and HHD).

RESULTS
Test-retest reliability was high for both PFD and IKD. However, fair to poor reliability was found for HHD. There were no differences in peak torque (Nm) between IKD and PFD. However, significant differences in peak torque were observed between IKD and HHD and between PFD and HHD.

CONCLUSIONS
PFD provides reliable measures of strength and also demonstrates similar output measures as IKD. Its portability, ease of use, and cost provide clinicians an effective means of measuring strength.


High vacuum, containerless, electrostatic levitation process has been used to study the undercooling and crystallization kinetics of a bulk glass forming Zr-Ti-Cu-Ni-Al alloy. The oxygen impurity level in the alloy has been found to play a crucial role in the crystallization kinetics of the undercooled melt. Overheating the melt above a critical threshold temperature results in enhancement subsequent undercooling. This crucial threshold temperature is found to be a function of the overall oxygen content of the alloy direct measurement of the time-temperature-transformation (TTT) diagram for crystallization of the undercooled melt made following initial overheating above the threshold temperature show a strong dependence on overall oxygen concentration. An explanation of these observations is proposed.


In vivo measurement of actinides activity in human skull is a valuable technique of internal dosimetry. Many articles were published on calibrations and some new facts were found. The most important finding was that the relation of measured head size and size of a calibration phantom has notable effect on measured activity; however real impact depends on the detectors geometry. Still opened and never studied issue is: How variation in the head shape influences measured activity. Current study tries to provide answer to this question by the means of Monte Carlo simulation and voxel phantoms.


The hands of nuclear medicine (NM) personnel involved in radiopharmaceutical preparation and administration can receive significant radiation doses. The dose distribution across the hand is nonuniform and the Hp(0.07) doses obtained by an individual passive ring dosimeter do not always present a real situation. The aim of this study was to assess the extremity exposure of NM workers working with 99mTc-labelled radiopharmaceuticals and with an automatic IRIDE (COMECER, Italy) 18F-FDG injection system. Hp(0.07) doses were measured using calibrated thermoluminescent dosimeters-100 (TLD-100) and were read by a RIALTO TLD (NE Technology) reader. It was found that the most exposed parts of the hand during work with 18F and 99mTc radionuclides are the fingertips of the thumb, index finger and middle finger. The maximum fingertip doses were 1.3–2.4 times higher compared with the doses from the typical monitoring position (base of the middle finger of the dominant hand). When working with 99mTc, the average hand doses were relatively high, i.e. 0.17 ± 0.04 and 0.37 ± 0.13 mSv Gbq−1 for the left and the right hand, respectively, during preparation, and 58 ± 20 and 53 ± 13 µSv GBq−1 for the left and the right hand, respectively, during administration of 99mTc labelled radiopharmaceuticals. Meanwhile, the lowest doses were found for hands during administration of 18F-FDG (average hand dose 28 ± 13 µSv GBq−1 for the left hand and 28 ± 7 µSv GBq−1 for the right hand), which shows the advantages of automated injection/infusion systems, thus implementation of automatic infusion/injection in hospitals could be an expedient way to optimize Hp(0.07) doses to NM workers.


Kimelfeld and Sagiv [Kimelfeld and Sagiv, PODS 2006], [Kimelfeld and Sagiv, Inf. Syst. 2008] pointed out that the problem of enumerating K-fragments is of great importance in a keyword search on data graphs. In a graph-theoretic term, the problem corresponds to enumerating minimal Steiner trees in (directed) graphs. In this paper, we propose a linear-delay and polynomial-space algorithm for enumerating all minimal Steiner trees, improving on a previous result in [Kimelfeld and Sagiv, Inf. Syst. 2008]. Our enumeration algorithm can be extended to other Steiner problems, such as minimal Steiner forests, minimal terminal Steiner trees, and minimal directed Steiner trees. As another variant of the minimal Steiner tree enumeration problem, we study the problem of enumerating minimal induced Steiner subgraphs. We propose a polynomial-delay and exponential-space enumeration algorithm of minimal induced Steiner subgraphs on claw-free graphs. Contrary to these tractable results, we show that the problem of enumerating minimal group Steiner trees is at least as hard as the minimal transversal enumeration problem on hypergraphs.


The electrical breakdown of polymers with saturated bonds is considered as a consequence of formation of low-density regions in the bulk of the polymers. These regions form due to the dissociation of chemical bonds initiated by the ionization of macromolecules in a high electric field. It was shown that the electrical lifetime of a polymer can be estimated based on this approach.


We study the mean-field static solution of the Blume-Emery-Griffiths-Capel model with quenched disorder, an Ising-spin lattice gas with random magnetic interaction. The thermodynamics is worked out in the full replica symmetry breaking scheme. The model exhibits a high temperature/low density paramagnetic phase. As temperature decreases or density increases, a phase transition to a full replica symmetry breaking spin-glass phase occurs. The nature of the transition can be either of the second order or, at temperature below a given critical value, of the first order in the Ehrenfest sense, with a discontinuous jump of the order parameter, a latent heat, and coexistence of phases.


The main target of this study is identification of the constitutive model of a soft tissue. For such a purpose a robotic tactile device (Robo-Tac-BMI) was used for breast tissue examinations and stress versus strain was collected for every test point during loading and unloading processes. Utilizing accurate experimental dataset for mechanical modeling of the tissue in conjunction with an optimization algorithm provides a reliable constitutive model of tissue's mechanical behavior. Eight major hyperelastic models were adapted to the stress-strain data to find the most compatible constitutive equation applicable to the soft tissue mechanical behavior. For this purpose, a new optimization algorithm called imperialist competitive algorithm which is based on social and political strategy was used. The novelty of the present study is producing a realistic mathematical model with high accuracy of the soft tissue based on experimental data. The achieved hyperelastic model can be used for prediction of mechanical behavior of the breast tissue in surgery simulation for assistance and educational purposes. Other application of this model is clustering of healthy and cancerous tissue which facilitates the surgeon's task in the diagnosis procedure. This application also makes the diagnosis procedure almost independent of using imaging techniques or performing biopsies. This model is useful in distinguishing cases where the soft tissue has altered from normal situation like tumors and cancer attacks. Review History: Received: 21 July 2015 Revised: 13 October 2015 Accepted: 17 July 2016 Available Online: 8 November 2016


Numerical prediction if propeller performance plays an important role in a marine propeller design process. Program developers are consistently trying to improve diminish predicted mars, and program users need to keep up with the latest ones with minimum expenditure of time and money. V\k have developed an internet based design system in which clients can design propellers with remote access. In this paper, optimized Internet based Propeller Design and Analysis System (iProDAS) for transferences of the massive data is presented, and a sample design using iProDAS is examined.


Laser beam spot-welding is widely applied to join sheet metals for automotive components especially for thinsheet components in automotive industries. The spot welds in such metallic structures contribute a lot to the integrated strength and fatigue life for the whole structures and they are responsible for their damage or collapse in some loading cases. In this paper, the 2-D hybrid special finite elements each containing an edge crack are employed to study the fracture behaviors of laser beam spot-welds. Hence the calculation accuracy in the vicinity of crack tips is ensured, and a better description of stress singularity with only one hybrid element surrounding one crack is provided. The numerical modeling for laser beam spot-welds subjected to three typical modes ofloadings including tension-lap, shear-lap and angle-clip can be greatly simplified with the applications of such elements. Three specimens under lap-shear, lap-tension and angle clip are devised and analyzed respectively, and main fracture parameters such as stress intensity factors and the initial direction of crack growth are obtained through tinite element analyses. The computed results ti'om numerical examples demonstrate the validity and versatility of the proposed modeling.


Using a recently described technique for direct expansion of human T-lymphocytes isolated from small intestine biopsies, we have investigated the local cellular immune response in six patients with B-cell lymphomas of various subtypes. T-cell lines (TCL) were established by seeding tumor-infiltrating T-lymphocytes (T1TL) at limiting dilution in the presence of irradiated feeder cells in culture medium containing rIl-2 and phytohemagglutinin (PHA). About 1/50 T-cells gave rise to a TCL; they all were CD3+. The CD4/CD8 ratio was 3.8:1 before and after cloning. Of 45 TCLs analysed so far from one patient with B-cell lymphoma of the lung, 4 were cytotoxic as shown by their ability to exert lectin-dependent cytotoxicity against allogeneic target cells. Of these, 3 demonstrated specificity for the autologous malignant B-cells. Five TCLs lysed the NK-sensitive K562 cell line in a HLA-unrestricted manner. When tested for antigen-specific proliferative activity, 4 TCLS only responded to the autologous lymphoma cells, but 5 TCLs reacted to the autoantigenic ganglioside GM1. Southern Blot analyses did not show a clonal pattern of T-cell receptor gene rearrangement within all TITL populations. The peripheral T-lymphocytes of the lymphoma patients showed a drastically reduced response to the mitogens PHA. Concanavalin A, and pokeweed mitogen. The present report demonstrates that it is possible to analyze TITL at clonal level. This technique may be the only means of investigating the specificity of the TITL and may help us to identify the relevant tumor-associated autoantigens if tumor-induced autoimmunization is indeed one of the mechanisms that control the growth of tumors and metastases.


The aim of the study is to highlight the interaction relation between Crowdfunding platforms sponsors and entrepreneurship in Arabic region.

Population consists of members in (12) Crowdfunding Arabic platforms which are working with all models and online at (2018). Descriptive approach and a questionnaire used as a tool for this research.

The results showed that Crowdfunding sponsors play an important role to attract investors and entrepreneurs. Also the diversity of sponsors (companies, incubators, banks, universities, etc..) is an important matter in Crowdfunding platforms. The sponsors influence positively on entrepreneurship. Sponsors as part of those platforms give more trust for members, and the type of services that provided through the platforms is and added value for customers.

The study recommended more support to Crowdfunding platforms in Arabic region by including more sponsors in Crowdfunding platforms. The services in each Crowdfunding platform must be attractive and rescannable. The level of guarantees, security, money transfer and disclosure are essentials factors for the success of the Crowdfunding platforms especially in the Arabic region as the culture of trust in e-transaction is still extremely low.


This special focus section celebrates the twenty-fifth anniversary of Charles Hallisey's groundbreaking 1995 essay, "Roads Taken and Not Taken in the Study of Theravāda Buddhism," which offered both an incisive reassessment of the history of Theravada studies and a generative blueprint for its future. Hallisey's introduction of the term "intercultural mimesis" and his emphasis on the local production of meaning resonated across Buddhist studies and beyond, shaping an entire generation of scholarship on South and Southeast Asia. This introductory essay first surveys "Roads Taken and Not Taken" and its impact on Theravada studies over the past quarter-century. We then explore how junior scholars, including the three authors whose essays are featured in this section, take Hallisey's prescriptions in new directions. In closing, we reflect on emerging themes and voices in Theravada studies not represented here and where the field may be headed over the next quarter century.


The purpose of this study is to examine the use of artificial intelligence to improve audit quality, combined with the competence and skepticism of auditors on client satisfaction. The unit of analysis in this study was selected as a sample based on the purposive sampling method which was chosen deliberately with certain criteria that have been determined by the researcher. The main source of data used in this study comes from primary data, namely questionnaires distributed directly via email to each respondent. Respondents in this study were middle level management, who were directly related to auditors at the time of the audit of companies listed on the Jakarta Stock Exchange. The sample in this study numbered 229 respondents who were processed and analyzed using SEM PLS. This research is based on the Society 5.0 era where data connects and moves everything; a system that connects the virtual world and the real world. The era of the fourth industrial revolution, where the discovery of the internet of things allows the interconnection between machines, big data, acquisition, machine learning, smart factories and others, and financial reports to be made using a computerized system. The global Covid-19 pandemic has had an impact on almost all sectors and restrictions on activities. As a result of the corona virus, most activities or work are carried out from home. The results of this study prove that the effect of the application of artificial intelligence combined with auditor competence and auditor professional skepticism creates client satisfaction.


Brain monoamines – such as noradrenaline (NA), dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) – regulate several important physiological functions, including the circadian rhythm. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in NA, DA and 5-HT levels in various brain regions and their effect on core body temperature (Tc), heart rate (HR) and locomotor activity (Act) in rats following exposure to an artificial light/dark (LD) cycle. For this, male Wistar rats were housed at an ambient temperature (Ta) of 23 °C and 50% relative humidity with free access to food and water. Rats were exposed to either natural (12 h:12 h) or artificial (6 h:6 h) LD cycles for 1 month, after which each brain region was immediately extracted and homogenized to quantify the amounts of NA, DA and 5-HT by high-performance liquid chromatography. Behavioural changes were also monitored by the ambulatory activity test (AAT). Notably, we found that artificial LD cycles disrupted the physiological circadian rhythms of Tc, HR and Act. Although the 5-HT levels of rats with a disrupted circadian rhythm decreased in cell bodies (dorsal and median raphe nuclei) and projection areas (frontal cortex, caudate putamen, preoptic area and suprachiasmatic nucleus) relative to the control group, NA levels increased both in the cell body (locus coeruleus) and projection area (paraventricular hypothalamus). No significant changes were found with respect to DA. Moreover, circadian rhythm-disrupted rats also showed anxious behaviours in AAT. Collectively, the results of this study suggest that the serotonergic and noradrenergic systems, but not the dopaminergic system, are affected by artificial LD cycles in brain regions that control several neural and physiological functions, including the regulation of physiological circadian rhythms, stress responses and behaviour.


Feeding is not an isolated concept; it is linked to biological, psychological, cultural, political and economic determinants. Physiologically the meeting of the biological need is very important, but when a group is subjected to a diet that only satisfies hunger and does not provide for nutrients, chronic deficient nutritional stages appear that impact social welfare and health. In this paper, we present three instances of nutritional problems that affect the Mexican population: child malnourishment, obesity and food security. This article exposes some of its social determinants and public policies that address them considering the collective health and its sociology, in the context of social inequality. We highlight the need for public policies that consider social inclusion, for the collective food security, and not merely the pursuit of satisfying hunger, but also to have an accessible, nutritious, and varied diet to prevent alterations in the health of the people.


This paper presents a probability density function formula for predicting the polarization dependent loss (PDL) in an optical transmission system composed of passive devices and connecting fibers. A new calculation technique, which enables the probability density function formula to be obtained theoretically, is used instead of the most complicated part of the Muller-matrix or Jones-matrix calculations, which has been thought to be necessary for analyzing PDL. This technique involves calculation of the transmission coefficients of the transmission system and its devices from their PDLs. In the theoretical development, the central limit theorem is used as the sole approximation. A Monte Carlo numerical simulation was done to verify the validity of the analytical theory. Very good agreement between simulation and analytical theory is obtained when the number of devices having PDL is four or more. An experiment also demonstrated the validity of the analytical theory. The theory can also explain some phenomena that occur in systems composed of optical amplifiers, even though it had originally been developed to explain PDL-related phenomena in systems composed of passive devices only.


A 445 cM long genetic linkage map consisting of seven linkage groups was constructed for the diploid (2n = 2x = 14) strawberry, Fragaria vesca. Segregation data used for linkage analysis were obtained from the F2 generation of a cross between Baron Solemacher (BS), an Alpine F. vesca variety, and WC6, an F. vesca clone collected from the wild in New Hampshire. Segregation ratios were systematically skewed in five linkage groups, in all cases favoring the BS alleles over the WC6 alleles. The marker map includes 64 dominant and 11 codominant randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers, an alcohol dehydrogenase locus detected as a PCR-based sequence tagged site, the phosphoglucose isomerase and shikimate dehydrogenase isozyme loci, and the runnering and fruit color loci. A notable feature of the map is the unusually large number of codominant RAPD markers, the detection of which was due in part to the use of template mixing methods for primer testing and marker analysis. Alternate alleles of a maternally inherited RAPD marker were also detected using these methods.


This paper describes a series of open-ended project classes called Junior/Senior Engineering Clinics as part of the curriculum at the Department of Civil Engineering at Rowan University. The emphasis of this paper is on projects that prepare graduate school-bound students who would benefit from a research-oriented project versus a industry-oriented project. These projects involve multi-disciplinary teams composed of undergraduate students with mixed Junior and Senior status. The purpose of this paper is to share our experiences in undergraduate research and to promote similar efforts in providing undergraduate students with graduate-school type research. Two main projects will be described in this paper. One project involves intelligent surveillance in transportation engineering by using pattern recognition techniques and video image processing. Another project involves the modeling and analysis of truss and suspension bridges in the Delaware Valley region. Both projects involve graduate-level mathematics and modeling techniques such as Linear Predictive Coding, multi-objective optimization, finite element analysis, and frequency domain analysis. In addition to the technical aspects of projects, students also experience practical aspects of research-oriented projects such as proposal drafting, project management, research report submission, conference paper writing, and weekly research meetings. The Junior/Senior Engineering Clinics provide the structure for open-ended projects to occur regularly as part of the undergraduate course study.


We have obtained accurate ab initio Σ+4 quartet potentials for the diatomic metastable triplet helium+alkali-metal (Li, Na, K, Rb) systems, using all-electron restricted open-shell coupled cluster singles and doubles with noniterative triples corrections CCSD(T) calculations and accurate calculations of the long-range C6 coefficients. These potentials provide accurate ab initio quartet scattering lengths, which for these many-electron systems is possible, because of the small reduced masses and shallow potentials that result in a small amount of bound states. Our results are relevant for ultracold metastable triplet helium+alkali-metal mixture experiments.


Machine-to-machine (M2M) communication is one of the leading facilitators of the Internet of Things environment by offering ubiquitous applications and services. Using cellular networks for providing M2M connectivity brings several advan-tages such as extended coverage, security, robust management, and lower deployment costs; however, coexistence with a large number of M2M devices is still an essential challenge in LTE-A networks, in part due to the difficulty in allowing simultaneous access. Although the random access procedure in LTE-A is ade-quate for human-to-human (H2H) communications, when M2M communications are involved congestion control is required. One of the congestion control schemes suggested by the 3GPP is Access Class Barring (ACB), which can reduce the number of simultaneous users contending for access. However, it is still not clear how to adapt ACB parameters in bursty and heavy-loaded scenarios, such as those that appear in M2M communications. We propose a dynamic ACB scheme in which an estimate of the current number of M2M devices in backoff state is used to adjust in real-time the barring rate parameter. We evaluate the key performance indicators (KPIs) of dynamic ACB in several scenarios with different degrees of traffic load and compare them with those of a static ACB with optimal parameters. We show that the dynamic ACB outperforms the static one offering shorter access delay and higher successful access probability, while its impact on H2H communications KPIs is negligible. Besides, our proposed scheme conforms with the LTE-A specification so that it can be included as a viable solution.


Advanced imaging techniques, including diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI), and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) can provide more information than that regarding anatomy. These techniques have been commonly used in the clinical field and recently been shown useful in diagnosing brain tumors, especially in cases difficult to specify using conventional imaging. Differentiation requires more than attention to each advanced image. Diagnostic accuracy improves by combining information from MRS with that from other sequences, such as maps of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) generated from DTI and of cerebral blood volume (CBV) generated from PWI. We show clinical applications of advanced imaging techniques, combined MRS, for brain tumor.


Ageing of automotive catalysts is associated to a loss of their functionality and ultimately to a waste of precious resources. For this reason, understanding catalyst ageing phenomena is necessary for the design of long lasting efficient catalysts. The present work has the purpose of studying in depth all the phenomena that occur during ageing, in terms of morphological modification and deactivation of the active materials: precious metal particles and oxidic support. The topic was deeply investigated using specific methodologies (FT-IR, CO chemisorption, FE-SEM) in order to understand the behavior of metals and support, in terms of their surface properties, morphology and dispersion in the washcoat material. A series of commercial catalysts, aged in different conditions, have been analyzed, in order to find correlations between real and simulated ageing conditions. The characterization highlights a series of phenomena linked to the deactivation of the catalysts. Pd nanoparticles undergo a rapid agglomeration, exhibiting a quick loss of dispersion and of active sites with an increase of particles size. The evolution of the support allows highlighting also the contribution of chemical ageing effects. These results were also correlated with performance tests executed on synthetic gas bench, underlining a good correspondence between vehicle and laboratory aged samples and the contribution of chemical poisoning to vehicle aged ones. The collected data are crucial for the development of accelerated laboratory ageing protocols, which are instrumental for the development and testing of long lasting abatement systems.


The purpose of this study was to investigate the antibacterial activity of calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2] combined with chitosan solutions against Enterococcus faecalis-infected root canal dentin and the effect of this new intracanal medicament on the bond strength of RealSeal sealer to radicular dentin. An experimental intracanal medicament was prepared by mixing different concentrations of chitosan solution (25%, 50%, and 100%, W/V) to Ca(OH)2 powder. Antibacterial activity was evaluated and the total numbers of colony forming units were determined. Bonding ability of RealSeal sealer to radicular dentin was evaluated using push-out bond strength test. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's multiple comparison tests. We found that Ca(OH)2 combined with different concentrations of chitosan solutions showed better antibacterial activity than Ca(OH)2 mixed with saline, without significantly affecting the bond strength of RealSeal sealer to radicular dentin (P > 0.05). The findings suggest that Ca(OH)2 combined with chitosan is a promising intracanal medicament and may be effective in endodontic therapy.


The COSvd Ciphers has been proposed by Filiol and others (2004). It is a strengthened version of COS stream cipher family denoted COSvd that has been adopted for at least one commercial standard. We propose a distinguish attack on this version, and prove that, it is distinguishable from a random stream. In the COSvd Cipher used one S-Box (10×8) on the final part of cipher. We focus on S-Box and use weakness this S-Box for distinguish attack. In addition, found a leak on HNLL that the sub s-boxes don't select uniformly. We use this property for an Improve distinguish attack. Keywords—Stream cipher, COSvd cipher, distinguish attack, nonlinear feedback shift registers, chaotic layer.


The European MIAMM-project (Multidimensional Information Access using Multiple Modalities) develops new concepts and techniques for multimodal dialogs that allow for fast and natural mobile access to multimedia databases. In an experiment we investigated different modality combinations (haptic-tactile, non-speech audio and a redundant combination) for conveying information on the size of a data-set. The results show that users perform better in the condition with redundant non-speech audio and haptic-tactile feedback and also prefer this condition. The knowledge gained in this experiment will be extended in the course of the MIAMM-project to possibly cover other contexts, tasks and to do testing in realistic environments.


Introduction: The co–infection of Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Hepatitis B and C viruses remains a public health problem particularly in resource limited setting like Nigeria. Studies on these co–infections have been done principally among adult and pregnant women with limited information on the pediatric population. The study aims at documenting the burden and the patterns of HIV/HBV, HIV/HCV and HIV/HBV/HCV co–infections in children in Lagos, Nigeria. Methods: A cross–sectional study carried out at the Virology Research Laboratory, College of Medicine of the University of Lagos between December 2008 and January 2014. A total of 393 confirmed HIV infected children aged between <1 to 15 years were screened from two tertiary health facilities; Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH, n=272) and Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH, n=121), Lagos. Plasma samples were screened for markers for HBV (HBsAg, HBeAg, HBeAb, HBcIgM) and HCV (anti–HCV) using a fourth generation enzyme–linked immunosorbent assay (DIA. PRO. Diagnostic Bioprobes Srl., Italy). Results: Out of the 393 samples analyzed, 40 (10.2%) were sero–positive for dual HIV/HBV co–infection, comprising 21 (52.5%) females and 19 (47.5%) males, while 15 (3.8%) had detectable antibodies to HCV consisting of 7 (46.7%) females and 8 (53.3%) males without any statistical significance. On the overall, two (0.5%) of the participants were seropositive for triple HIV, HBV and HCV co–infections. HIV/HBV co–infection was detected among all the age groups, whereas, HIV/HCV co–infection was not seen among children <1 to 5 years. Conclusion: This analysis confirmed a high prevalence of HBV, low prevalence of HCV and suggests that chronic hepatitis may be prevalent among our HIV–infected children. Thus, routine screening and early detections are therefore necessary for an appropriate treatment plan for children co–infected with HIV/HBV and or with HCV.


Less than a month after a US Justice Department memo urged prosecutors to target individual executives in corporate wrongdoing cases,1 the former president of the drug company Warner Chilcott has been arrested and charged, accused of masterminding a kickback scheme that funded lavish entertainments for physicians who agreed to prescribe the company's products.

Carl Reichel, 57, of New Jersey, pleaded not guilty in a Massachusetts district court to a charge under the federal Anti-Kickback Statute, which prohibits the offer or acceptance of inducements to refer treatment paid by federal health programs. Also charged were a regional sales director and two district managers, who pleaded guilty, and one physician accused of accepting kickbacks, the Massachusetts gynecologist Rita Luthra, 64, who entered a not guilty plea.

At the same time the company itself pleaded guilty to felony healthcare fraud and paid $22.9m (£15m; €21m) in criminal fines and $102m to settle a civil suit making similar allegations that was brought by two former sales employees but later joined by the federal government.

The case will send shockwaves through the industry, …


Groff, Christopher John. M.S., Purdue University, May 2015. Impact of Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds on Peroxyacetyl Nitrate Production in the Southeast United States. Major Professor: Paul B. Shepson. Our atmosphere is arguably the fundamental entity that has made life on Earth possible. Knowledge of the delicate nature of our atmosphere continues to spread as "green" initiatives promote awareness of human influence on the environment. However, many climate scientists fear that unless immediate mitigation occurs, the reversal of human impact on our planet will be impossible, leading to unknown consequence. Perturbations to natural processes are likely to cause drastic change to the planet as we know it and ultimately result in significant health issues. It is important to push the boundaries of our understanding of atmospheric processes with intent to reduce the impact human activity has already imposed. This work focuses on the production of peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN), a compound known for its adverse effects on plant life and human health, in two parts; (1) using relative production ratios to calculate relative PAN production using a chemical tracer, and (2) application of an explicit chemical model in simulating relative production of PAN in a southeastern US forest environment. Chapter two examines our current understanding of the isoprene photo-oxidation mechanism particularly in regards to the formation of two peroxyacyl nitrates: PAN and xi MPAN. A relationship when production is greater than loss processes between MPAN and PAN was found to be relatively constant throughout the experiment with a ratio of MPAN/PAN of 1.5 19% RSD. This relationship can be used in ambient conditions to approximate isoprene contribution to PAN production, since MPAN is formed solely through isoprene oxidation. Absolute concentrations of isoprene nitrates and APNs are found to be significantly oversimulated. This shows an incomplete understanding of the isoprene oxidation mechanism and begs for continued studies to further our understanding of this chemical system. Chapter three applied the observed ratio of MPAN/PAN within the chamber experiment to an ambient calculation to approximate isoprene contribution to PAN production in the SOAS campaign. Results show that an average of 44% ± 16% of PAN production results from the oxidation of isoprene. Further analysis using a 0-D ambient model show isoprene contributes 50-70% to PAN production, which statistically is not different from calculations using MPAN/PAN ratio from chamber experimentation. Chapter four reflects on the results of this study to provide insight to the future of the field. Suggestions for future studies to improve understanding of the PAN mechanism are presented, as well as suggestions for future ambient modeling with a


Pathology plays a critical role in every step in the management of endometrial carcinoma patients. In this review, we describe the state of the art of pathological examination, including examination of endometrium biopsy; intra-operative evaluation with gross examination and frozen section; and grossing of hysterectomy specimen and its histological and immunohistochemistry study. The main pathologic findings in each step are described, as well as limitations and difficulties that may ensue. We highlight the important pathologic parameters that determine treatment options and prognosis of endometrial cancer patients.


This study aims to discuss the description of cash waqf management in Indonesia, from regulations to concepts and strategies for developing cash waqf in Indonesia. This type of research uses a qualitative descriptive method using literature study data. The result of this research is that the implementation of regulations on cash waqf management institutions has been stated in Law number 41 of 2004, part 10, article 28 and Government Regulation (PP) Number 25 of 2018 and Regulation of the Indonesian Waqf Board (BWI) Number 20 of 2020. As for the concepts and strategies that must be carried out by nadzir waqf money, it is regulated that they must pay attention to 2 aspects. First, the security aspect, the second aspect of usability. Problems in managing cash waqf include the large number of nadzir cash waqf which is not transparent and accountability. The finding of cash waqf so that the potential and realization of cash waqf in Indonesia is still not as expected


The search for Earth-abundant and efficient electrode materials is significant for advanced supercapacitors. Here we introduce a facile strategy for one-step synthesis of Ni0.85Se nanowires via a composite alkali salt method. When used as an electrode material in supercapacitors, the as-prepared Ni0.85Se nanowires exhibit a high specific capacitance of 1354 F g-1 at a current density of 1 A g-1, and still retain 671 F g-1 at 30 A g-1. The superior electrochemical performance of the Ni0.85Se electrode can be attributed to the metallic conductivity of nickel selenides and fast electrical transport along the axial direction due to the nanowire morphology. For practical applications, an asymmetric supercapacitor was assembled by using Ni0.85Se and activated carbon, which delivered a high energy density of 40.7 W h kg-1 at a power density of 800 W kg-1 and 12.1 W h kg-1 at 16 kW kg-1. Moreover, the device retained 92.4% specific capacitance after 20 000 cycles at a high current density of 5 A g-1, showing its promising application prospects.


This paper proposes a Power factor Corrected (PFC) Bridgeless Buck-Boost converter fed BLDC motor drive. The Bridgeless configuration eliminates the Diode Bridge Rectifier in order to reduce the number of components and the conduction loss. The position sensors used in BLDC drives have drawbacks of additional cost, mechanical alignment problems. These bottle necks results in sensorless technique. The Sensorless technique mostly relies on measurement of Back EMF to determine relative positions of stator and rotor for the correct coil energising sequence can be implemented. This paper introduces the offline Finite Element method for sensorless operation. The proposed sensorless scheme estimates the motor position at standstill and running condition. The obtained Power Factor is within the acceptable limits IEC 61000-3-2. The proposed drive is simulated in MATLAB/Simulink the obtained results are validated experimentally on a developed prototype of the drive. Full Text: PDF DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11591/ijpeds.v5.i3.pp415-423


By integrating sensing and computing capabilities into the traditional radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, the wireless identification and sensing platform (WISP) opens up a new research area referred to as wireless rechargeable sensor networks (WRSNs). Since WISPs need to be fully charged and then can start communication with the reader, thus the energy charging and transmission collision of WISPs are different from those of RFID tags. If the reader power is large, WISPs will be charged fast and start data transmission almost at the same time, which results in heavy transmission collision and the communication delay would be extremely large. However, if the reader power is small, WISPs will be charged slow and start data transmission one by one even without collisionh between any two WISPs, but the charging period of the whole network would be extremely large. Therefore, this paper aims at determining an optimal reader power towards balanced energy charging and transmission collision, such that the total duration for all WISPs to be fully charged and completely communicated is minimized. Firstly, we investigate on dynamic reader power with transmission collision avoidance, and static reader power towards balanced energy charging and transmission collision. Then, we derive the optimal reader power in three cases: (i) One reader and ray-uniformly distributed WISPs; (ii) one reader and randomly distributed WISPs; and (iii) multiple readers and randomly distributed WISPs. Finally, the theoretical analysis is verified through extensive evaluations.


One of a hand-picked selection of some of the most popular and cult-worthy titles on Faber and Faber's extensive list of film scripts.


A biochemical characterization and antimicrobial drugs susceptibility study was conducted in four breeding kennel which was canine abortion caused by Brucella canis in Gyeongbuk province in 2003-2006. Total of 267 dogs domesticated in the four kennel were examination. Among them, 143(53.6%) dogs were sero-positive and 25 of blood samples were isolated to Brucella canis. At amplification of 35KDa-BCSP gene using PCR, 711bp DNA fragment was same visible in 25 isolates and B canis RM6/66. Biochemical characterization of B canis isolated was non-hemolytic, no production of H2S, no fermentation of carbohydrates, catalase-positive, oxidase-positive, indol-negative, hydrolyzation of urea, reduction of nitrate and development of thionin dye medium. Using disk-diffusion method, all of 25 strains tested were found to be highly susceptible to tetracycline, aminoglycoside, quinolone, macrolide antibiotics, rifampin and ampicillin in vitro. Using PFGE with restriction enzyme SmiⅠ, 25 isolates tested were typed to 2 pattern, S1 and S2.


In the insertional pattern of codeswitching described in a number of EuropeanAfrican language pairs, the African language is the matrix language that provides the morphosyntactic frame into which elements of the (embedded) European language are inserted. Morphosyntactic integration, especially of inserted verbs and verbal expressions, is a defining feature of such codeswitching. The study describes insertional codeswitching in which Igbo, a West-Congo language, is the matrix language, and English, the embedded language. It notes two major phonological differences (segmental and suprasegmental) between Igbo and English, namely, a harmony vs. nonharmony vowel system and a tone vs. stress system. As a result of such disparity, English verbs often lack the requisite phonological features for morphosyntactic integration into Igbo. This necessitates the phonological adaptation of English vowel segments to fit into the Igbo vowel system, and of English syllable stress to fit into the Igbo tonal system. English verbs with phonologically adapted features are thus enabled to achieve full morphosyntactic integration into Igbo and to function like Igbo verbs in terms of ability to select inflectional affixes and subject pronouns on the basis of tone and vowel harmony. Phonological adaptation is therefore observed to precede and to form the basis of the morphosyntactic integration of embedded language (English) verbs inserted into a matrix language (Igbo) frame. The patterns of phonological adaptation necessary for the morphosyntactic integration of English verbs into Igbo are described in the study and it is concluded that Igbo-English insertional codeswitching is a highly rule-governed linguistic phenomenon.


The deformation behavior and shape recovery of an Fe-added AuCuAl shape memory alloy micropillar were investigated. XRD analysis revealed that Au-28Cu-22Al-2Fe (at.%) alloy contained a second phase which was evaluated to be α-Fe (bcc). SEM observation also confirmed the second phase at the surface of the micropillar specimen. A polycrystalline micropillar with 20 × 20 × 40µm rectangular was fabricated by a focused ion beam (FIB) system, and micro compress test was performed at room temperature. It was found that the yield stress of micropillar showed 50MPa, which must correspond to stress for inducing martensite. After the heating of the compressed micropillar, 1.75% shape recovery was recognized which is comparable to the transformation strain. Then, the Fe-added AuCuAl micropillar was concluded to possess good shape memory property, and thus this alloy may be suitable for small endovascular treatment which requires good X-ray radiography.


The cusp electrons for electron capture to the continuum (ECC) of H+ ions impacting on He, Ne and Ar at 30, 50, 70 keV were measured. The double differential cross sections were analysed by Legendre polynomials to obtain the multipole moments of the cusp electron distribution. The results indicated that for k>1, the tendencies of mod B10/B00 mod and mod B20/B00 mod respectively decrease and increase smoothly with decreasing energy of ions H+ as in the results of Knudsen, Andersen and Jensen (1986) and with increasing mass of target as in the results of Yu and Lapicki (1987). However, the cross point of the curves for the tendencies of mod B10/B00 mod and mod B20/B00 mod is at k approximately=1.3, different from k approximately=2 for Knudsen et al. The values of mod B20/B00 mod show a dependence on the target.