The determination of the relationship between a pair of individuals is a fundamental application of genetics. Previously, we and others have demonstrated that identity-by-descent (IBD) information generated from high-density single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data can greatly improve the power and accuracy of genetic relationship detection. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) marks the final step in increasing genetic marker density by assaying all single-nucleotide variants (SNVs), and thus has the potential to further improve relationship detection by enabling more accurate detection of IBD segments and more precise resolution of IBD segment boundaries. However, WGS introduces new complexities that must be addressed in order to achieve these improvements in relationship detection. To evaluate these complexities, we estimated genetic relationships from WGS data for 1490 known pairwise relationships among 258 individuals in 30 families along with 46 population samples as controls. We identified several genomic regions with excess pairwise IBD in both the pedigree and control datasets using three established IBD methods: GERMLINE, fastIBD, and ISCA. These spurious IBD segments produced a 10-fold increase in the rate of detected false-positive relationships among controls compared to high-density microarray datasets. To address this issue, we developed a new method to identify and mask genomic regions with excess IBD. This method, implemented in ERSA 2.0, fully resolved the inflated cryptic relationship detection rates while improving relationship estimation accuracy. ERSA 2.0 detected all 1st through 6th degree relationships, and 55% of 9th through 11th degree relationships in the 30 families. We estimate that WGS data provides a 5% to 15% increase in relationship detection power relative to high-density microarray data for distant relationships. Our results identify regions of the genome that are highly problematic for IBD mapping and introduce new software to accurately detect 1st through 9th degree relationships from whole-genome sequence data.


Fine linear structures represent a severe test of the minimum spatial resolution that is needed for digital chest imaging. We studied the comparative observer performance of storage phosphor digital imaging (1760 X 2140 pixel matrix, 10 bits deep), and conventional radiography (Lanex medium screen, Ortho C film) in the detection of simulated fine pulmonary lines superimposed on the normal chest when exposure factors were identical (20mR skin entrance dose at 141 kVp). Receiver operating characteristics analysis of 2160 observations by six readers found that high frequency edge-enhanced digital images (ROC area: 0.78 +/- 0.06) performed better than unenhanced digital images (ROC area: 0.70 +/- 0.07) (P less than 0.01 for paired t-test), and that edge enhanced digital images performed on a par with conventional radiography (ROC area: 0.78 +/- 0.09). We conclude that for the detection of fine linear structures, storage phosphor digital images can perform on a par with higher resolution conventional chest radiographs when a high frequency edge-enhancement algorithm is employed.


We review the analysis of single and N–component lattice Boltzmann methods for fluid flow simulation. Results are presented for the emergent pressure field of a single phase incompressible liquid flowing over a backward–facing step, at moderate Reynolds Number, which is compared with the experimental data of Denham & Patrick (1974 Trans. IChE 52, 361–367). We then access the potential of the N–component method for transport of high volume fraction suspensions of deformable particles in pressure–driven flow. The latter are modelled as incompressible, closely packed liquid drops. We demonstrate the technique by investigating the particle's transverse migration in a uniform shear ('lift'), and profile blunting and chaining.


A major challenge to the efficacy of student team learning projects occurs when some members of a group are unable to contribute effectively to the collaborative endeavour due to their academic deficits. A graded benchmark for the requisite academic maturity is the setting of admission requirements. Various research studies have shown a positive correlation between student achievement outcomes and prior learning activities. Very few viable solutions, however, have been offered to address the problem of deficient prior learning skills. This empiric study describes an intervention that was designed to furnish at-risk students with the requisite baseline skills to collaborate more effectively with team members who have already attained a higher skills level. The intervention is two-pronged: it involves a close scrutiny of the students' performance in those modules that they are repeating, as well as negotiation between lecturer and students about standards and support in the current module. The structured negotiations resulted in a mutually binding agreement. This article reports on the problems encountered when students lack adequate knowledge and skills upon entering a module. We investigated reasons for this phenomenon in this particular case and describe the process of the design and implementation of our intervention. The findings highlight its overall impact as well as how students experienced the intervention. South African Journal of Higher Education Vol. 22 (3) 2008: pp. 629-643


This study compares the kinetics of hepatic lipase (HL)-mediated phospholipid and triacylglycerol hydrolysis in spherical, reconstituted high-density lipoproteins (rHDL) that contain either apolipoprotein E2 (apoE2), apoE3, apoE4, or apoA-I as the sole apolipoprotein. HL-mediated phospholipid hydrolysis was assessed by incubating various concentrations of rHDL that contained only cholesteryl esters (CE) in their core, (E2/CE)rHDL, (E3/CE)rHDL, (E4/CE)rHDL, and (A-I/CE)rHDL, with a constant amount of HL. The rate of phospholipid hydrolysis was determined as the formation of nonesterified fatty acid mass. HL-mediated triacylglycerol hydrolysis was assessed in rHDL containing CE, unlabeled triacylglycerol, and [(3)H]triacylglycerol in their core, (E2/TG)rHDL, (E3/TG)rHDL, (E4/TG)rHDL, and (A-I/TG)rHDL. Triacylglycerol hydrolysis was determined as the ratio of (3)H-labeled hydrolysis products to (3)H-labeled unhydrolyzed triacylglycerol. The rates of phospholipid hydrolysis in the (E2/CE)rHDL, (E3/CE)rHDL, and (E4/CE)rHDL were significantly greater than that in the (A-I/CE)rHDL. The rates of triacylglycerol hydrolysis were also greater in the (E2/TG)rHDL, (E3/TG)rHDL, and (E4/TG)rHDL compared to the (A-I/TG)rHDL, although to a lesser degree than observed with phospholipid hydrolysis. Furthermore, the rates of both phospholipid and triacylglycerol hydrolyses were greater in the (E2)rHDL than in either the (E3)rHDL or the (E4)rHDL. These results show that apoE increases the rate of HL-mediated phospholipid and triacylglycerol hydrolysis in rHDL and that this influence is isoform dependent.


Precise Point Positioning/Inertial Navigation System (PPP/INS) integrated navigation based on PPP and low-accuracy INS is often used to provide position and attitude information for vehicle-mounted or airborne mobile mapping systems. With proper processing, the position accuracy of PPP/INS is comparable to that of Differential Global Navigation Satellite System (DGNSS)/INS, but the accuracy of the attitude, especially the yaw angle, cannot be guaranteed. However, the yaw angle is crucial for mobile mapping systems. To compensate for the insufficiency of PPP/INS, we have designed a Multi-Antenna GNSS (MAGNSS)/INS integrated navigation system. First, the attitude determination method using MAGNSS is presented in detail. Then, the MAGNSS attitude is combined with the PPP position and velocity as measurements for integration with the INS. Thus, PPP/INS integrated navigation was improved to MAGNSS/INS integrated navigation. Finally, a three-hour car-borne test was conducted to evaluate the performance of the proposed method. The results indicate that the attitude determined from MAGNSS is accurate and stable over time. Compared to PPP/INS, MAGNSS/INS integrated navigation can improve the attitude accuracy significantly because of the inclusion of MAGNSS attitude.


For the original article see ibid., vol.SC-21, no.6, p.1120-2 (1986). Recently, S.L. Wong et al, have described a CMOS four-quadrant analog multiplier based on linearized transconductance stages. The commentator points out that the `linearizing' of the Y-input port is unnecessary and does not offer any advantage over using a simple differential pair for the Y-input. The right approach for improving the Y-input dynamic range would be to try to increase the input signal range of the simple differential pair without altering the nature of its transfer characteristics. The original authors disagree, stating that the commenter's point would be valid if the input voltage (V/SUB Y/) range was only restricted by one of the input transistors entering cutoff, but that this is not so. They claim that since the multiplier requires wide X- and Y-input ranges, the use of the linearized Y-cell is necessary.


The thermal fluctuations in the long-range order of the liquid crystal molecules scatter light strongly. Equations that predict the strength of light scattering under an applied electric field age presented. The field can either decrease or increase the scattering over a large range. The effects of polarization and the direction of light incidence are also considered.


The kinetics of the dehydroxylation of microcrystalline muscovite was studied in vacuo. The data led to the interpretation that the reaction rate is controlled by two-dimensional diffusion in the reacted product. The activation energy for the dehydroxylation was 54 kcal/mole at < 5 × 10–2 mm Hg. Specific heat capacity measurements gave the values of heat content change and entropy change due to dehydroxylation, 10.2 kcal/mole and 25.6 cal/deg. mole, respectively.


The spatial model of voting is a benchmark in theories purporting to explain political behavior. Underlying the spatial model is the assumption that both voters and candidates possess complete information. Despite the fact that much of the survey literature fails to confirm this assumption, few formal theorists have modeled electorates where the voters and candidates lack full information. In large part, spatial theory's failure to illuminate problems of this kind stems from its reliance upon an unrealistic model of human cognition: substantive rationality. This paper returns to Downs' original statement of the importance of information costs in voter decision-making, and extends Down's analysis to include the constraints faced by candidates. In this paper, complexity theory provides the framework to construct computational experiments that explore the use of information by political actors. As in real elections, voters have a finite amount of attention they dedicate to political issues, and candidates possess a fixed budget with which to poll the electorate. The inclusion of the costs of acquiring information for both voters and candidates results in a broader set of electoral outcomes that challenge current formal results.


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A simple, but yet effective application for learning and testing instrument manipulation of available (and future) master-slave control robot-assisted surgical systems has been created. As an example, the paper describes a simple mapping of da Vinci surgical system master-slave control with two haptic devices acts as the master control.


We analysed with landmark-based images morphological differences between four species of Talpa which resemble each other morphologically and are all highly adapted to underground life. Subtle shape differences of the skull and mandibular bones were found between all species. However, there is also broad overlap between all species. Talpa caucasica had the largest skull and mandibles, and Talpa levantis the smallest.


A short total synthesis of (±)-garcinol and (±)-isogarcinol, two endo-type B PPAPs with reported activity against methiciline resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), is presented. The separation of framework-constructing from framework-decorating steps and the application of two highly regio- and stereoselective Pd-catalysed allylations, that is, the Pd-catalysed decarboxylative Tsuji-Trost allylation and the diastereoselective Pd-catalysed allyl-allyl cross-coupling, are key elements that allowed the total synthesis to be accomplished within 13 steps starting from acetylacetone. After separation of the enantiomers the absolute configurations of the four natural products (i.e., (-)-garcinol, (+)-guttiferone E (i.e., ent-garcinol), (-)-isogarcinol, and (+)-isoxanthochymol (i.e., ent-isogarcinol)) were assigned based on ECD spectroscopy.


Pathologic features of IgE-mediated allergic airway diseases include airway infiltration of inflammatory cells (eg, lymphocytes, plasma cells, and eosinophils) and mucous cell metaplasia (MCM) in airway epithelium. CD4+ T lymphocytes, specifically those producing a type 2 (Th2) cytokine profile, are necessary for the induction of IgE-mediated allergic airway responses. Most experimental models of IgE-mediated allergic airway disease use systemic (eg, intraperitoneal) administration of an allergen coupled with an adjuvant to sensitize animals. Cytokine changes are measured in a number of ways including in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) or lymph node cells stimulated ex vivo. The primary objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that intranasal sensitization and challenge of mice with ovalbumin in the absence of an adjuvant will induce the pathologic features that are characteristic of IgE-mediated allergic airway disease. Another objective was to determine if intranasal delivery of this allergen will result in the induction of a profile of cytokine gene expression in the lung and tracheobronchial (TB) lymph node, that is typical of immunologic changes associated with IgE-mediated allergic airway disease. Only mice that were intranasally sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin exhibited pulmonary lesions that included marked MCM in the respiratory epithelium lining the nasal and pulmonary airways, and an associated mixed inflammatory cell influx consisting of lymphocytes, plasma cells and eosinophils. Ovalbumin-treated mice also exhibited enhanced expression of the Th2 cytokine mRNAs IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13 in the lung and IL-4 in the TB lymph node, and concurrent increases in ovalbumin-specific IgE in the serum. The results of this study indicate that A/J mice intranasally instilled with ovalbumin without adjuvant have the hallmark histopathologic and immunologic features of IgE-mediated allergic airway disease of humans.


Case-based reasoning can be used to explain many creative design processes, since much creativity stems from using old solutions in novel ways. To understand the role cases play, we conducted an exploratory study of a seven-week student creative design project. This paper discusses the observations we made and the issues that arise in understanding and modeling creative design processes. We found particularly interesting the role of imagery in reminding and in evaluating design options. This included visualization, mental simulation, gesturing, and even sound effects. An important class of issues we repeatedly encounter in our modeling efforts concerns the focus of the designer. (For example, which problem constraints should be reformulated? Which evaluative issues should be raised?) Cases help to address these focus issues.


The slime production of 46 isolates of Candida parapsilosis from clinic (blood and vaginal) and soil sources was investigated. The cells were grown in liquid broth, testing several concentrations of glucose ranging from 0.9% (w/v) up to 20% in polystyrene tubes, and the presence of biofilm was checked by visual inspection of the internal wall of the tubes, scoring being: 0, no production; 1, weak; 2, moderate; 3, strong production. Each isolate had an identical slime value at the glucose concentration of 0.9% and 2%. All the blood isolates produced slime. Only the 25% of the vaginal isolates, on the other hand, produced slime, the carriage isolates producing more as compared with the isolates from acute vaginitis (20% vs 5%). The soil isolates produced no slime at all. Increasing the glucose concentration from 2% to 8%, 13 isolates increased their slime value. Increasing the glucose concentration up to 20%, no variations of slime value were observed. Isolates representative of all clinical sources and slime values found at 0.9% glucose were selected for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis with or without Concanavalin (Con A) treatment, a lectin specific for mannan or mannoprotein constituents. In slime positive isolates, photomicrographs revealed cells adhering to one another, assembled in clumps, increasing with the increment of the slime value, or in files resembling a pseudohyphal state. An extracellular matrix of flocculent or fibrillar material covered the cells, increasing, surprisingly, with the increments of slime value in blood but not in vaginal isolates. This difference in amount of the extracellular material (perhaps not Con A binding) differentiates the two clinic sources, suggesting different slime depending pathogenic power. Keywords : Candida parapsilosis , slime production, Concanvalin A, scanning electron microscope.


This thesis work is a result of studies done at Saab Surveillance, with the objective to evaluate cooling technologies and find out which of them that are or are not suited to be implemented on a generic house and plug-in units, meeting the higher thermal demands of the future.
This task includes five products, all with their own pros and cons created by Thermacore, a company of advanced cooling technologies with its European head office located in Ashington, England.
First up was to realize under which circumstances these products were supposed to operate. This included application areas like land, sea and air which all have different grades of requirements set for today's generic houses and plug-in units.
To find the answers for these factors a trip to England and Thermacore was made and together with their engineers, hypothetical thermal simulations could be developed but also gather a wide understanding of each technology´s possibilities and limits.
When all the information was assembled an extended evaluation process could be completed. The result showed that the superior cooling technology differed depending on mainly two things. The first one was taken in regard of which application area it was supposed to operate in but also where it is being implemented either in a generic house or on a plug-in unit.
In conclusion of this report it showed that for the plug-in unit the recommended technology for land and sea units was to be a heat pipe assembly. The construction contains four flattened heat pipes encapsulated in an aluminum plate. Regarding air applications and foremost the fighter jets, the most suited technology was the k-Core. It will endure the exposure of both high vibrations and shocks but above all in an effective way cool the system.
For the generic houses and those operating on land and sea it would once again be a heat pipe assembly that is the optimal solution, though those working in air applications the loop heat pipe is the better fit. These results will be discussed and visualized in the report.


The effects of temperature on the inhibitive effect of naturally occurring Acacia senegal gum exudate on the corrosion of mild steel in sulfuric acid was studied between 35 and 70 °C using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and potentiodynamic polarization methods. Findings showed that Acacia senegal gum exudate decreases the corrosion rate of mild steel. The inhibition efficiency declined with raising temperature above 35 °C. The increase in the corrosion rate with increasing temperature was observed for both uninhibited and inhibited systems. Addition of halide ions to the Acacia senegal gum exudate solution enhanced the corrosion inhibition efficiency because of synergistic effects, achieving higher performance with iodide ions as compared to bromide ions. However, the synergistic effects declined above 35 °C up to 70 °C due to temperature effects. It has been observed that increasing temperature adversely affected inhibition efficiencies of both Acacia senegal gum exudate and the synergy between Acacia senegal gum exudate and halide ions. Corrosion rates of mild steel, inhibition efficiencies of Acacia senegal gum exudate and the synergistic effects of halide ions from polarization and impedance measurements were consistent.
Keywords: temperature, corrosion, mild steel, synergistic effects, Acacia senegal, gum exudate.


The growth and development of infrastructure is currently very rapid and the cement production process also produces a lot of carbon dioxide which plays an important role in global warming that is happening in this world. In the last decade, many innovations have been made to conventional concrete so that it has high strength, is durable, cheap and environmentally friendly and easy to apply in the field. Therefore, new sustainable materials are needed to replace cement production, but these materials are also required for the workability required to make concrete. The concept of green concrete, the use of rice husk ash waste, and shellfish waste can be a solution to replace some cement and some fine aggregate. This innovative concrete research was obtained using shellfish waste powder 10%, and rice husk ash 10%, shellfish shell powder waste with the main element calcium oxide (CaO), can be a substitute for fine aggregate and rice husk ash waste which contains (SiO), can be used as an additive or partial replacement of cement in the manufacture of concrete, this innovative material can reach a value of 7 days reaching 35 MPa. And the normal mix design concrete is 30 MPa. With the slump test target according to the 1972-2008 SNI standard, which is 30-60 mm, it can be concluded that it can be a reference source by utilizing waste in Indonesia, easy to obtain, and effective.


The leading problem in passport, driving license, identity card authentication is to authenticate the document for its owner. The captious factor of this authentication procedure is to establish a correspondence between document's photo and its owner. A document contains holder details in supplement to the holder's signature. We put forth an authentication scheme by extracting some details of the holder including number, name, and other relevant details converting them into a watermark and digesting them in a form by applying some techniques that can be hidden in the photo. The computers have revolutionized the document authentication process by using the computer in fixing the photo on the document during the issuing of document and also verifying the document by scanning it. During the issue of any document, a watermark can be created based on the details of the holder full name and unique number and it can be hidden in the photo on the document using watermarking technique. By using this technique, during the document verification process, computer can be used in scanning the photo to check whether the photo has been replaced by comparing the invisible watermark hidden in the photo with the holder's details including the full name and other relevant details. Because this technique has used only one pixel for hiding the watermark, it satisfied the robustness against image compression.


Environmental impact and the high cost of acquiring land seismic data are major factors to consider when designing a seismic survey. We explore means to quickly record seismic data without disturbing, or contacting, the ground surface, while reducing environmental impact and cost. Recent developments in computer vision techniques and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology lead us to propose passively observing ground displacement with a UAV-borne stereo video camera system. The recovered displacement is represented as a time-varying probability density function (PDF) of ground displacement. Using this PDF, we can estimate the uncertainty of the displacement measurements. We conclude that currently available camera and UAVs may be used to measure sub-millimetre ground displacements, with associated uncertainties.


We have studied a sedative tea made of Valerianae radix (Valeriana officinalis L.), Lupuli strobuli (Humulus lupulus L.), Melissae folium (Melissa officinalis L.) and Menthae piperitae folium (Mentha piperita L.). In order to identify the constituent drugs a method was established involving amplification of the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) region of nuclear ribosomal DNA on the basis of restriction analysis and real-time PCR. ITS regions of individual drugs were amplified and sequenced. Restriction analysis was performed with selected restriction endonucleases Nae I, PshA I and Xcm I. Real-time PCR was carried out, using primers specifically designed for each individual herbal drug. Real-time PCR proved to be a method for identifying individual herbal drugs in a tea mixture with a single DNA extraction in a single PCR run, since its limit of detection is lower than that for restriction analysis.


Abstract Background. Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been shown to be more sensitive than current standard microbiological methods and, therefore, may improve the accuracy of microbiological diagnosis for patients with CAP. Methods. Conventional detection techniques and multiplex real-time PCR for atypical bacteria and respiratory viruses were performed on samples collected from 105 adults enrolled in a prospective study. An infiltrate was visible on each patient's chest radiograph, and a pneumonia severity index score was determined for each patient. Results. Microbiological diagnoses were determined for 52 (49.5%) of 105 patients by conventional techniques and for 80 (76%) of 105 patients by real-time PCR. The time to obtain the result of real-time PCR could be reduced to 6 h. PCR methodology was significantly more sensitive for the detection of atypical pathogens and viruses (P ⩽ .001). Respiratory viral infections and mixed infections were detected in 15 (14.2%) and 3 (2.8%) of 105 patients, respectively, by conventional methods, but were detected in 59 (56.2%) and 28 (26.5%) of 105, respectively, by real-time PCR. Presence of a mixed infection was significantly associated with severe pneumonia (P = .002). Human rhinoviruses and coronaviruses, OC43 and 229E, were frequently identified pathogens. Conclusions. The combined real-time PCR assay is more sensitive for diagnosis of the main viruses and atypical bacteria that cause CAP compared with conventional methods, and obtains results in a clinically relevant time period.


In this research a novel generic local adaptive measurement procedure for low noise single and sequential 1-dimensional line scans is developed. This procedure is applied a variety of phenomena including resonance excitations in superconducting resonators and DC transport measurements in proximitized semiconducting nanowires. The adaptive procedure shows improvement over standard equidistant measurements, but performance falls off as the amount of features and noise in the functions to measure increase. Using a more advanced theoretical framework, an early stage of an adaptive measurement procedure that automatically reduces noise when appropriate is also discussed.


Great nations rarely reverse their fundamental historical course overnight. Yet today a constant and well-organized propaganda in the United States and western Europe asks us to believe the farfetched story that the Soviet Union, having vigorously sought international peace for the first thirty years of its existence, has become all at once a nation bent on aggression and plotting the military conquest of other countries.This article can also be found at the Monthly Review website, where most recent articles are published in full.Click here to purchase a PDF version of this article at the Monthly Review website.


The real aim of the programme is an extension of Chinese power and influence. As per an analyst, it is a game where China is steadily placing counters across Asia and Europe. In the Western views, it is easy to interpret comments as a strategy of China, with the aim of extending Chinese influence in a series of carefully planned steps. Around 114 BC by the Han dynasty, the trade routes of Central Asia were expanded largely through the missions and explorations of Chinese imperial envoy Zhang Qian. The world's greatest economic construction and development project ever is being undertaken by China. In the economic map of the world the New Silk Road project is a revolutionary change. The geopolitical conflicts over the project could lead to a new cold war between East and West for dominance in Eurasia as it is becoming clearer every day.


The major role of somatic crossing-over in the aetiology of Wilms' tumour and other forms of cancer is emphasized. A model is proposed to show that tumour development is due to a cis-trans disruptive effect of somatic crossing-over on the maintenance of differential parental imprinting.


Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is safe and effective in improving glycemic control in insulin-treated patients with diabetes. However, the safety of CGM use in legally blind patients with diabetes is unknown. This is a retrospective study of seven legally blind patients with diabetes on intensive insulin therapy who were using Dexcom G6 with voice-enabled Apple's Siri feature. CGM metrics, hemoglobin A1c, and frequency of severe hypoglycemia were measured for 12 months. There was a significant reduction in A1c after 3, 6, and 12 months of Dexcom G6 with Apple Siri use (P < 0.0001). Time-in-range increased at 12 months (50.9% ± 5.5% at 3 months vs. 56.8% ± 5.5% at 12 months, P = 0.029) without increase in time spent in hypoglycemia. There was a significant reduction in severe hypoglycemia requiring medical assistance for 12 months. Voice-enabled CGM use improved glycemic control and reduced severe hypoglycemia in legally blind patients with diabetes on intensive insulin therapy.


This paper presents a comprehensive survey of state-of-the-art intelligent fault detection and diagnosis in district heating systems. Maintaining an efficient district heating system is crucial, as faults can lead to increased heat loss, customer discomfort, and operational cost. Intelligent fault detection and diagnosis can help to identify and diagnose faulty behavior automatically by utilizing artificial intelligence or machine learning. In our survey, we review and discuss 57 papers published in the last 12 years, highlight the recent trends, identify current research gaps, discuss the limitations of current techniques, and provide recommendations for future studies in this area. While there is an increasing interest in the topic, and the past five years have shown much advancement, the absence of open-source high-quality labeled data severely hinders progress. Future research should aim to explore transfer learning, domain adaptation, and semi-supervised learning to improve current performance. Additionally, a researcher should increase knowledge of district heating data using data-centric approaches to establish a solid foundation for future fault detection and diagnosis in district heating.


Although clustered perforations have become a primary choice of completion for horizontal wells in the development of low-permeability reservoirs, downhole measurements and production logging often indicate nonuniform production from the perforation clusters, with some of them not stimulated or not contributing to the production. One of the mechanisms contributing to this is nonuniform/inefficient breakdown of the perforations. However, being able to assess the effectiveness of perforation breakdown because of lateral variation of the formation properties and stresses is challenging, not only because of the lack of the data, but also because of the lack of a practical engineering model to predict the fracture initiation and breakdown pressures for cased and perforated completions due to the complexity of well configuration and perforation geometry. In this paper, an analytical fracture initiation model is presented along with the comparison against 3D numerical simulations and published experimental data. The breakdown pressure data from a Marcellus shale horizontal test well in the US Department of Energy (DOE)–sponsored Marcellus Shale Energy and Environmental Laboratory consortium are analyzed and compared to the model prediction using the high-resolution 1D mechanical earth model derived from high-tier logs.


Photocatalytic H2 evolution has been proven as one of the promising strategies for addressing global energy and environmental issues. Herein, a binary Z-scheme heterostructure of a WO3/ZnIn2S4 photocatalyst was artificially constructed through a simple hydrothermal method. A variety of characterization tests were employed to prove the effective coupling of WO3 nanoparticles and ZnIn2S4 particles for the fabrication of the WO3/ZnIn2S4 heterostructure. It was found that the decoration of WO3 nanoparticles could significantly promote the photocatalytic H2 evolution activity of ZnIn2S4 under visible-light irradiation, and the H2 evolution rate of 5 wt% WO3/ZnIn2S4 composite could reach 1945.88 μmol h−1 g−1, which was 7.9 times that of pristine ZnIn2S4 and could rival that of previously reported ZnIn2S4-based photocatalysts. On the basis of photoelectrochemical results, the direct Z-scheme heterojunction rather than the type-II heterojunction was proposed to explain the significantly enhanced photocatalytic performance of the WO3/ZnIn2S4 photocatalyst. The enhancement of photocatalytic activity could be attributed to the efficient Z-direction charge transfer at the WO3/ZnIn2S4 heterostructure interface, thus reducing the recombination rate of the photogenerated carriers of the system. This work provides new insights into the construction of direct Z-scheme heterostructured ZnIn2S4-based photocatalysts for highly efficient photocatalytic H2 evolution.


The Bernstein-type approximation using the beta-binomial distribution is proposed and studied. Both univariate and multivariate Bernstein-type approximations are studied. The uniform convergence and the degree of approximation are studied. The Bernstein-type estimators of smooth functions of population means are also proposed and studied.


Growth in the world economy is still relatively strong, although US growth has slowed slightly. Inflationary pressures are clearly more visible than previously and the general trend for global monetary policy is for a tighter stance. Prices continue to be driven by energy prices, although there are few signs of this feeding through into wage bargains. Japan and China once again have performed strongly in the East while the Euro Area has shown significant improvements. There is still some concern over the pace of private consumption growth in Germany. The outlook for the world economy is still optimistic over the next two years.


Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is an X-linked genetic defect and the leading monogenic cause of inheritable Intellectual Disability (ID), which is caused by an abnormal expansion in trinucleotides CCG repeats in the Fragile X Mental Retardation 1 (FMR1) gene. Consanguinity has been reported to involve a high risk of inheriting this genetic disorder, while consanguineous marriage in Saudi Arabia is estaimated at 56%. This study aimed to examine the relationship between the FXS prevalence, the prevalence of the FXS associated conditions, and parental consanguinity in the FXS patients in the Eastern Region in Saudi Arabia. We examined 17 patients with positive alteration in FMR1 gene in hospitals in Dammam and Dhahran districts by extracting data from the patients' medical records. The study variables were as follows: level of ID, FXS associated conditions, parental consanguinity, and the number of FXS siblings in the family. We used descriptive statistics to characterize the case relations, and prevalence was expressed in percentages.Data on patients were described in gender (16 males, 1 female), and age was distributed from 1-21 in five aged range categories. 15 cases with FXS and two premutations with ID and associated conditions frequency resulted. The two were excluded from ID and associated condition frequency, along with the female patient with FXS who had no associated condition. Consanguinity was found in 13/17 cases (76.47%), in which 2 cases were premutations, and 7 out of nine families included in this study were consanguineous, with four families having FXS siblings. The associated conditions were found in 14 FXS cases; four cases were observed with hyperactivity (26.57%), two cases with ASD, two with speech delay, two cases with aggressive behavior (14.3%), and one case with Hypertonia, abnormal laughter, epilepsy, and reckless behavior (7.14%). The results of this study suggest a high effect of consanguineous parenting on FXS prevalence. The test for associated conditions showed direct relation with increasing rates in FXS male cases. These findings contradicted with the results of previous studies in Saudi Arabia and other studies around the world. Preselection-based patients on positive cytogenetic test result are likely to have effected the results of this study. Also, the results may be affected by the small number of study participants. Keywords: key words, orkforce sizing, job-shop production, holonic model


Objective The aim of this study was to determine the association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and subjective cognitive decline (SCD) among a representative sample of the adult US population. Methods Data were obtained from the 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (N = 82,688, ≥45 years). Adverse childhood experiences included sexual, physical/psychological and environmental ACEs, and a score. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the association between ACEs and SCD, and SCD-related outcomes. Results Sexual (adjusted OR (aOR: 2.83; 95% CI: 2.42–3.31)), physical/psychological (aOR: 2.05; 95% CI: 1.83–2.29), and environmental (aOR: 1.94; 95% CI: 1.74–2.16) ACEs were associated with SCD in the past year. There was also a dose-response relationship between ACE score and SCD. Conclusion ACEs were associated with SCD. Interventions to maximize cognitive health in aging and prevent future cognitive impairment should consider the potential role of ACEs among affected populations.


Abstract : Precision long-range missile systems will be fabricated using composite materials to meet the desired weight and performance requirements. A fully featured health monitoring system is developed in this paper. Here, the term "health monitoring" is used to refer to both loads and damage identification for assessing the material state and structural performance of the missile casing pressure vessel. The initial component of the system developed in this paper is a passive monitoring system that only requires a single sensor. This passive system is able to detect, locate, and quantify an impact while also being able to use this impact to estimate the amount of damage that the impact caused in the specimen. If further evaluation of the casing is desired, an offline active nondestructive evaluation method utilizing nonlinear vibro-acoustics may be used. This active technique is advantageous because it heightens the measurement?s sensitivity to damage despite widely varying boundary and environmental conditions due to the effects of propellant, temperature, humidity, etc. The passive and active sensing methods described can be combined to provide a full featured health monitoring solution.


The medical and societal impact of arthritis and other rheumatic conditions (AORC) has been characterized with respect to disability, ambulatory care, hospitalization, and economic burden. CDC's estimates of the national and state-specific costs of AORC in the United States in 1997 have been published previously. However, CDC has re-estimated indirect costs by enhancing the statistical methods. This report summarizes the results of that analysis, which indicated that indirect costs were 30.1 billion dollars less than previously estimated. The total cost of AORC in the United States in 1997 was 86.2 billion dollars (including 51.1 billion dollars in direct costs and 35.1 billion dollars in indirect costs), approximately 1% of the U.S. gross domestic product. Total costs attributable to AORC by state ranged from 121 million dollars in Wyoming to 8.4 billion dollars in California. Although indirect costs were lower than estimated previously, costs for arthritis remain high and underscore the need for better interventions to reduce the economic burden of arthritis.


Green valley galaxies represent the population that is likely to transition from star-forming to quiescent phases. To investigate the role of the environment in quenching star formation, we use the wide-field data from the Hyper Suprime-Cam Strategic Subaru Proposal survey to quantify the frequency of green valley galaxies in different environments and their redshift evolution. We find that the green valley fraction, in general, is less than 20% in any redshift and environment. The green valley fraction, when normalized to the total population, is higher in the field than that in groups or clusters and decreases with decreasing redshift and increasing mass. The lower fraction of transitional galaxies in denser environments could be a consequence of the lack of star-forming galaxies, which could be the progenitors of green valley galaxies. To assess the effect of the environment on star formation quenching, we define the effective green valley fraction as the ratio of the number of green valley galaxies to that of nonquiescent galaxies only. The effective green valley fraction for field galaxies is lower than that for group or cluster galaxies, which reveals a strong positive mass dependence and mild redshift evolution. Moreover, the specific star formation rate is reduced by 0.1–0.3 dex in groups or clusters. Our results thus imply that an ongoing slow quenching process has been acting in the dense environment since z ∼ 1.


Scratch damage on magnetic disks is a major problem in the hard drive industry as it affects the reliability. To address this problem, it is therefore necessary to apply advanced detection techniques. To enhance micro-scratch detection, an infrared camera capturing technique based on heat radiation is proposed in this article. Nevertheless, the captured thermal images may be invisible due to the Narcissus effect as a dark region covering the interested areas. An approach of thermal image refinement is also presented by heating the magnetic disk at various angles of magnetic disk and CaF2 external zoom lens. The thermal image and the emissivity ratio are used to indicate suitable angles and heating times at which the scratch can be clearly detected. It is found that the rotation of the CaF2 external zoom lens can assist the detection of a micro-sized scratch and a heating time of 10 s is sufficient to clearly show scratches if the magnetic disk is set to be aligned in parallel with the CaF2 external zoom lens.


The essay aims to reconstruct the birth and the evolution of Hayek's idea of True Individualism from Mandeville to Popper and its relevance for the Hayekian project of a reconstruction of Liberalism by means of a combination of Scottish Enlightenment and Austrian School. Hayek identifies the focus of the Individualist Tradition with the theory of the unintended origins of social institutions. However, regarding this origin, Menger criticizes Smith's theory and thinks that it leads to socialism. Hayek is silent about this critique. To understand the reasons of this silence, the author reconstructs the Hayekian thesis, analyzing all his works, and also through an investigation of: 1. Menger's critique of Smithian theory of change and of price and of its relation with the theory of institutions and with the role played by the Invisible Hand; 2. an analysis of the influence of Burke and Savigny on Menger concerning the concept and the rise of Law and its relationship with Legislation. The thesis maintains that in order to explain the rise and the development of social institutions as unintended result of human actions, Austrian theory does not need any Invisible Hand.


Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) is a sustainable bioplastic produced by bacteria that is a potential replacement for conventional plastics. This study delivers an integrated experimental and computational modeling approach to decipher metabolic factors controlling PHB production and offers engineering design strategies to boost production. In the metabolically robust Rhodopseudomonas palustris CGA009, PHB production significantly increased when grown on the carbon- and electron-rich lignin breakdown product p-coumarate (C9H8O3) compared to acetate when the same amount of carbon was supplied. However, the maximum yield did not improve further when grown on coniferyl alcohol (C10H12O3). In order to obtain a systems-level understanding of factors driving PHB yield, a model-driven investigation was performed. The model yielded several engineering design strategies including utilizing reduced, high molecular weight substrates that bypass the thiolase reaction. Overall, these findings uncover key parameters controlling PHB production and design strategies that can potentially be expanded to any bacterium for optimizing PHB production.


This paper aims to detect multi features of a facial sketch by using a novel approach. The detection of multi features of facial sketch has been conducted by several researchers, but they mainly considered frontal face sketches as object samples. In fact, the detection of multi features of facial sketch with certain angle is very important to assist police for describing the criminal's face, when criminal's face only appears on certain angle. Integration of the maximum line gradient value enhancement and the level set methods was implemented to detect facial features sketches with tilt angle to 15 degrees .  However, these methods tend to move towards non features when there are a lot of graffiti around the shape. To overcome this weakness, the author proposes a novel approach to move the shape by adding a parameter to control the movement based on enhancement of the adaptive shape variants average values with 8 movement directions. The experimental results show that the proposed method can improve the detection accuracy up to 92.74%.


s Dickman, J.D., McHenry, M.Q., and Angelaki, D.E. Vestibular neuron responses to linear motion in alert rhesus monkeys. Soc. NeuroscienceAbst., 1998, 24, 1653. Dickman, J.D. and Angelaki, D.E Convergence of semicircular canal and otolith information to vestibular neurons in alert rhesus monkeys. Association for Research in Otolaryngology A bst., 1999, 22, 103. Haque, A., Dickman, J.D., and Angelaki, D.E. 3D orientation and dynamics of vestibular semicircular canal afferents in rhesus monkeys. Soc. Neuroscience Abst., 1999. Dickman, J.D. and Angelaki, D.E. Properties of afferent convergence for central vestibular neurons in alert rhesus monkeys. Soc. Neuroscience Abst., 1999.


This paper examines the causality of economic growth and financial institutions with reference to Nepalese economy and determines whether financial institutions supports for economic growth or not. The empirical analysis shows that there is existence of long run association among the variables of gross domestic product (GDP), broad money (M2) and domestic credit to private sectors (DCPS). Moreover, vector error correction model (VECM) also suggests for the validity of the long run association among variables. The Granger causality and Wald statistics test do not find any short run causal relationship. The empirical result shows that there is a long-run association between financial institutions and economic growth of Nepal. Thus, a sound financial system helps to promote financial institutions in the country that supports for economic growth of the nation in the long run. The regulatory authority and financial institutions should accelerate financial reforms to improve the efficiency of financial system that helps to stimulate adequate capital formation and investment in the productive sectors. Economic Literature Vol.12 2014: 56-68


Using digitonin-permeabilized Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells that were transfected with intact human insulin receptors (CHO/HIRc cells), we examined insulin receptor phosphorylation and dephosphorylation using pulse-chase techniques. Insulin activated receptor autophosphorylation on tyrosyl residues to a level severalfold over basal, reaching maximal levels after 2, 5, and 10 min of stimulation at 34, 18, and 6 degrees C, respectively. Phosphopeptide analysis revealed that the triply phosphorylated form of the 1146-kinase domain of the insulin receptor was the major species, which is characteristic of the fully active tyrosine kinase function. The dephosphorylation reaction was time- and temperature-dependent with t1/2 values of 0.67 and 2 min at 18 and 6 degrees C, respectively. Vanadate completely inhibited dephosphorylation. Under similar permeabilization conditions when compared with CHO/HIRc cells, CHO/delta CT cells (CHO cells overexpressing a mutated form of the receptor with a 43 amino acid deletion at the C-terminus) stimulated with insulin exhibited larger increases in receptor autophosphorylation levels and in tyrosine kinase activity toward a synthetic peptide substrate; the rate of CHO/delta CT receptor dephosphorylation was not reduced. There was near-complete absence of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) in the cell ghosts after permeabilization. We therefore examined the pattern of tyrosine phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of residual cellular proteins in permeabilized CHO/HIRc cells by Western blot analysis. In addition to the 95-kDa receptor beta-subunit, we detected the phosphorylation of two glycoproteins which included the commonly found 120-kDa protein and a novel 195-kDa protein whose dephosphorylation rate is slower than that of receptor beta-subunit.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


A parametric cycle analysis and a preliminary recuperator design study were conducted for a 500-hp intermediate rated power (IRP) recuperative helicopter engine. The U-tube recuperator with airflow inside the tubes and single cross flow gas path was found to be the lightest design in the .6 - .8 effectiveness range considered for the cycle analysis.


In SPECT imaging of the chest, non-uniform attenuation correction requires use of a patient specific attenuation map. Such a map can be obtained by estimating the regions occupied by (1) the lungs and (2) the soft tissue and bones, and then assigning values of the attenuation coefficient to each region. The authors propose a method to segment such regions from the Compton scatter and photopeak window SPECT slices of Tc-99m Sestamibi studies. The Compton scatter slices are used to segment the body outline, and to estimate the region of the lungs with the anatomic information on the back bone and sternum locations from the photopeak window slices. To investigate the accuracy of using Compton scatter slices in estimating the regions of the body and the lungs, a Monte Carlo SPECT simulation of an anthropomorphic phantom with an activity distribution and noise characteristics similar to patient data was performed. Different activities were simulated in the lungs to study the influence of lung uptake. Energy windows of various widths were simulated for use in locating a suitable Compton scatter window for imaging. In a separate simulation, the map of the probability of scatter interactions (up to third order) from photons originating at a point within the heart was recorded to allow investigation of the contrast provided by the difference in density between the lungs and surrounding bones and soft tissue. The results demonstrated that (1) sufficient contrast can be derived from Compton scatter data for segmentation of the lungs; (2) accuracy of determination of body and lung regions of about 99% and 89%, respectively, can be achieved and (3) a wide energy window away from the photopeak window for recording the scattered events is preferred for the segmentation of lungs.<<ETX>>


When the water flowing inside of the heat transfer equipments such as heat exchangers, condensers, and boilers is heated, calcium, magnesium sulfate, and other minerals in the water are deposited and built up for scales on the heat transfer surfaces. When those scales accumulate on the heat transfer surfaces, their performance of the heat transfer become progressively reduced due to the increase of the heat transfer resistance. The mechanism of this reduced heat transfer is called fouling. This study investigated the formation of the fouling in a heat exchanger with river and tap water flowed inside of it as a coolant. In order to visualize the formation of the fouling and to measure the fouling coefficients, a lab-scale heat exchanging system was used. Based on the experimental results, it was found that the formation of fouling for river water was quite different with the formation for tap water.


This thesis covers the dynamic modelling of un-cracked and cracked rotating beams. Accordingly, a new model of a rotating cracked beam is developed using the finite element and the Rayleigh-Ritz method to characterise and analyse its dynamic behaviour. The effect of various parameters are investigated, such as rotational speed, hub ratio and slenderness ratio. In addition, the critical speed, buckling speed and veering phenomena are identified. The numerical results produced are shown to be in good agreement with models based on finite element representations. In addition to the theoretical investigations, experimental validation is presented. A test rig was designed and manufactured with a changeable rotating hub mount for different test requirements. Moreover, the rig was conceived to incorporate capabilities such as applying variable rotational speed using a variable frequency driver and provide vertical base excitation input to the centre of rotation of the hub. The tests were performed using random excitation at the root of the rotating cantilever beam to excite the flapwise modes of the beam. The responses were then measured optically using a high-speed camera, and the images were post-processed using a digital image correlation (DIC) method. This non-invasive optical method was used to extract the temporal deflection of the beam. The frequency response functions are then obtained from the measured responses. The estimated modal frequencies were compared with numerical simulations to validate the Rayleigh-Ritz and FE numerical models at various rotational speeds. Furthermore, an experimental crack detection was implemented and the results showed a good match to the introduced actual crack location and depth. The crack detection approach on the rotating cracked beam uses the fundamental and second natural frequencies. For vibration control of the rotating beam, a real-time velocity feedback control was applied using a remote single optical high-speed camera. An electromagnetic actuator was designed and mounted on the rotating hub to apply a feedback force on the rotating beam. The results for vibration control of the rotating beam show significant active damping and reduction in the amplitude of the first resonance over a wide range of rotational speeds.


A sensitive liquid chromatography-fluorescence detection method, combined with one-step solid-phase extraction, was established for detecting the residual levels of the four typical fluoroquinolone antibiotics (ofloxacin, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and enrofloxacin) in influent, effluent, and surface waters from Hangzhou, China. For the various environmental water matrices, the overall recoveries were from 76.8 to 122%, and no obvious interferences of matrix effect were observed. The limit of quantitation of this method was estimated to be 17 ng/L for ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin, 20 ng/L for ofloxacin, and 27 ng/L for enrofloxacin. All of the four typical fluoroquinolone antibiotics were found in the wastewaters and surface waters. The residual contents of the four typical fluoroquinolone antibiotics in influent, effluent, and surface water samples are 108-1405, 54-429, and 7.0-51.6 ng/L, respectively. The removal rates of the selected fluoroquinolone antibiotics were 69.5 (ofloxacin), 61.3 (norfloxacin), and 50% (enrofloxacin), indicating that activated sludge treatment is effective except for ciprofloxacin and necessary to remove these fluoroquinolone antibiotics in municipal sewage. The risk to the aquatic environment was estimated by a ratio of measured environmental concentration and predicted no-effect concentration. At the concentrations, these fluoroquinolone antibiotics were found in influent, effluent, and surface waters, and they should not pose a risk for the aquatic environment.


The near field plum of a 1 kW class arcjet thruster was investigated using electrostatic probes of various geometries. The electron number densities and temperatures were determined in a simulated hydrazine plume at axial distances between 3 cm (1.2 in) and 15 cm (5.9 in) and radial distances extending to 10 cm (3.9 in) off centerline. Values of electron number densities obtained using cylindrical and spherical probes of different geometries agreed very well. The electron density on centerline followed a source flow approximation for axial distances as near as 3 cm (1.2 in) from the nozzle exit plane. The model agreed well with previously obtained data in the far field. The effects of propellant mass flow rate and input power level were also studied. Cylindrical probes were used to obtain ion streamlines by changing the probe orientation with respect to the flow. The effects of electrical configuration on the plasma characteristics of the plume were also investigated by using a segmented anode/nozzle thruster. The results showed that the electrical configuration in the nozzle affected the distribution of electrons in the plume.


Segmentation of the brain internal structures is an important and a challenging task due to their small size, partial volume effects, and anatomical variability. In this paper we propose a method that segments automatically the deep brain internal structures from brain MRI images. It uses a combination of local affine transformation and optical flow based non-rigid registration, which has the advantages of modifying the larger geometric deformation and intensity differences simultaneously. Meanwhile the residual subtle differences decrease due to the high degree of freedom. Both simulated data and real data are used to validate the proposed method and the results are encouraging. It can be concluded that the image gray level of the corresponding structures plays an important role in registration based segmentation using intensity metric.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the changes in the bacterial ecology and to analyze the bacterial resistance to antibiotics in a burn ward in Nanning district during the past 15 years, so as to provide reference to the clinical management of burn infection under subtropical climate.

METHODS
Five thousand eight hundred and fifty-five strains of bacteria were isolated from the wounds and blood of 2269 burn patients admitted to our hospital from April of 1989 to March of 2004. Kiry-Bauer method was employed for the detection of antibiotic sensitivity test. The bacterial examination and bacterial resistance were analyzed in spans of every five years.

RESULTS
Burn patients in our district were mainly infected by the gram negative bacilli (3559 strains, accounting for 60.79%), among which Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter cloacae and Nitrate negative bacilli were major ones in every period. Gram positive cocci accounted for 33.99% (1990 strains), which ranked the second, among which Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Coagulase negative staphylococci (MRCNS) were the most predominant ones. The bacterial resistance to multiple antibiotics, such as Gentamicin, third generation of Cephalosporin, and Norfloxacin showed a tendency of increase or maintained at high level while the incidence of resistance to Imipenem and Vancomycin was very low.

CONCLUSION
The climate and the way of using antibiotics exerted direct effects on the status of the bacterial ecology and change in bacterial resistance to various antibiotics.


Abstract The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between attitudes towards problem based learning (PBL) and motivated strategies for learning of students studying in school of physical education and sport. 333 of students in school of physical education and sport participated in this study. Turkish form of motivated strategies for learning questionnaire and the attitude scale towards Problem-based learning was used to collect data. Collected data was analyzed in SPSS 22.0. Two different models were hypothesized and models' fit indices were analyzed in AMOS. Two models were hypothesized in this study and both models were accepted. Consequently, these two examined factor can be effective in teaching and learning.


This paper proposed a novel training pattern design algorithm for canceling multi-access interference (MAI) in the orthogonal frequency division multi-access (OFDM) system. This proposed algorithm firstly analyzed the MAI induce performance distortion in the carrier frequency offset (CFO) estimation using signal to interference ratio (SIR), then present a novel training sequence design algorithm to improve the SIR and CFO estimation performance. The numeric results show that the performance of CFO estimation for multi user or multi-access in the frequency selective fading channel based on OFDM uplink may decrease the inter-carrier interference ICI as well as single user case.


Marginal otolith increment width analysis was performed on field-collected larval and juvenile spring-spawned herring Clupea harengus that experienced variable feeding conditions and high temperatures that were above the optimum for growth. Although drastic zooplankton biomass reduction had a significant effect on increment width, a delay of a few days in the otolith response was observed. More importantly, a very clear, positive temperature effect on marginal increment width was demonstrated in fish characterized by temperature independent somatic growth. These results indicate that under natural conditions it may be impossible to distinguish increment width changes related to variation in feeding conditions from changes caused by temperature fluctuations. Therefore, it was concluded that marginal otolith increment width analysis could not be used as a recent growth index (IG) for herring larvae and juveniles exposed to drastic temperature fluctuations. The implication of these results is significant not only for the use of marginal increments as a recent growth index, but also if growth rate backcalculation is to be used as a research method.


Peritoneal dialysis catheter-related peritonitis is typically related to catheter insertion or hygiene. Organisms usually manifest as gram positive organisms typically Staphylococci or gram negative bacilli that typically colonize aqueous environments such as Pseudomonas spp. as well as other unusual mycobacterial or fungal pathogens. The authors present a unique case of peritoneal dialysis catheter-related peritonitis manifesting after the patient's cat bit the proximal aspect of the catheter attachment tubing. After failure to clinically improve after outpatient treatment of Staphylococcus hemolyticus and Staphylococcus capitis catheter related-peritonitis with intraperitoneal Vancomycin and empiric Gentamicin, repeat peritoneal cultures were sent that demonstrated growth of Rhizobium radiobacter. The patient was admitted inpatient and treatment was tailored to intraperitoneal Cefepime with clearance of peritoneal cultures and rapid improvement in peritoneal white blood cell count and the patient's clinical condition. The patient was subsequently discharged on oral Ciprofloxacin with complete recovery and catheter salvage.


Announcement of diagnosis is a critical step in establishing a trust-based relationship of quality between patient and physician. Disclosing "bad news" is a difficult and sensitive task which has direct consequences on psychological, emotional and relational levels, as well as on therapeutic management. This is a potentially traumatic experience which requires a long process of integration and psychological adaptation. The hematologist-oncologist occupies a central position: He introduces the framework for a multidisciplinary care, while taking into account the personality and behavior of the teenager or young adult. We propose an analysis of doctor-patient interaction; an overview of psychological issues associate with diagnosis disclosure; suggestions to build and manage communication with patients; and a clarification of the role of the psychologist and of the psychological adjustment at the time of disclosure.


Strychnos spinosa Lam., commonly known as green monkey orange, is a highly valued indigenous fruit tree in South Africa with potential for domestication and commercialization. However, no study has reported on the molecular diversity of Strychnos spinosa morphotypes. Therefore, this study aimed to determine genetic variation among 32 Strychnos spinosa morphotypes using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Fourteen amplified SSR markers produced 159 alleles, with a mean of 5.68 per locus. The polymorphic information content (PIC) values ranged from 0.22 (Ssp_1) to 0.84 (Ssp_6). Morphotypes were clustered in a biplot based on their genetic distances. The dendrogram chiefly discriminated morphotypes according to variation of pericarp texture. The population structure had the highest delta value K = 3, thus the 32 morphotypes were divided into three subpopulations based on the Bayesian approach. The affinities produced by the population structure agreed with the genetic distance of closely related morphotypes. This study is the first to report on SSR marker development and their successful use for genetic diversity and population structure studies of Strychnos spinosa. It provides insights into the molecular characterisation of Strychnos spinosa. This can lead to breeding programs and crop improvement programs, particularly in varietal developmental programs, which can contribute to alleviating food security challenges.


The EPF family of plant TFIIIA-type zinc-finger (ZF) proteins (ZPTs) is characterized by long linkers separating ZF motifs. We previously reported that two-fingered ZPTs bind to two tandem core sites that are separated by several base pairs, each ZF making contact with one core site. Here we report further characterization of DNA-binding activities of ZPTs using four family members, ZPT2-14, ZPT2-7, ZPT2-8, and ZPT2-2, having inter-ZF linkers of different lengths and sequences, to investigate the correlation of the length and/or sequence of the linker with preference for the spacing between core sites in target DNAs. Selected and amplified binding site (SAAB)-imprinting assays and gel mobility shift assays prompted three conclusions. (1) The four ZPTs have common specificity for core binding sites—two AGT(G)/(C)ACTs separated by several nucleotides. (2) The four ZPTs prefer a spacing of 10 bases between the core sites, but each ZPT has its own preference for suboptimal spacing. (3) At a particular spacing, two zinc fingers may bind to the core sites on both strands. The results provide new information about how the diversity in linker length/sequence affects DNA-sequence recognition in this protein family.


Spatial information is now increasing continuously and is available via the Internet. But facing the abundant spatial information, people recognize many agonizing problems, such as how can spatial information cooperate with each other to solve users' task and how do users know where spatial information is located, what kinds of spatial information can be used, and the way of how to use them. The only way to remedy those problems is to use spatial metadata. Spatial metadata is the description of spatial information and its associated information, which give a semantic expatiation for spatial information. Spatial metadata is now developed as an indispensable and powerful tool for data finding, data exchanging, data managing and data utilization. Currently, there are some standards for spatial metadata such as FGDC and ISO/TC211. But the existing spatial metadata is largely for people to use, and only describes spatial information itself. In this paper, spatial metadata is extended to describe the relations among different spatial information and the distribution of spatial information on the Internet. Based on the extensive spatial metadata, a semantic network model for massive spatial information is presented to support the collaboration among spatial information and make the navigation of spatial information more fast and exact. At last, XML technology is adopted to represent the semantic network for spatial information.


The impacts of equivalence ratio on the flow structure and flame dynamics in a model gas turbine combustor are investigated using large eddy simulation(LES). Dynamic k-equation model and G-equation flamelet model are employed as LES subgrid model for flow and combustion, respectively. As a result of mean flow field for each equivalence ratio, the increase of equivalence ratio brings about the decrease of swirl intensity through the modification of thermal effect and viscosity, although the same swirl intensity is imposed at inlet. The changes of vortical structure and turbulent intensity etc. near flame surface are occurred consequently. That is, the decrease of equivalence ratio can leads to the increase of heat release fluctuation by the more increased turbulent intensity and fluctuation of recirculation flow. In addition, the effect of inner vortex generated from vortex breakdown on the heat release fluctuation is increased gradually with the decrease of equivalence ratio. Finally, it can be identified that the variations of vortical structure play an important' role in combustion instability, even though the small change of equivalence ratio is occurred.


Peritoneal inflammation induced by sterile irritants led to accumulation of macrophages that were more responsive to lymphokines than macrophages from resident cell populations of untreated mice. Lymphokine responsiveness was quantitated by measurement of macrophage-mediated tumor cytotoxicity induced by supernatants from antigen-stimulated immune spleen cell cultures. Tumor cytotoxicity by lymphokine-activated inflammatory macrophages was about 10-fold greater than that by equal numbers of lymphokine-treated resident cells. Analysis of the time course of activation and of lymphokine dose-response demonstrated that the increased responsiveness of inflammatory cells was a consequence of quantitative changes. Lymphokine-responsive cells in both resident and inflammatory populations were identical; the numbers of responsive cells increased with inflammation. Changes in numbers of lymphokine-responsive cells during acute inflammation were coincident with similar changes in numbers of peroxidase-positive macrophages. This finding suggested that the increased lymphokine responsiveness of inflammatory cells was dependent upon influx of young peroxidase-positive mononuclear phagocytes rather than stimulation of resident macrophages. This concept was further strengthened by the finding that whole body x-irradiation diminished the numbers of both peroxidase-positive and of lymphokine-responsive macrophages in inflammatory and resident cell populations. These data suggest that the lymphokine-responsive precursor for the activated tumoricidal macrophage during both steady-state and acute inflammatory conditions was the newly formed blood-derived mononuclear phagocyte. The 10-fold increase in numbers of lymphokine responsive macrophages in peritoneal exudate over resident cell populations reflected a similar increase in macrophage turnover induced by inflammation.


Excessive sodium intake is a serious public health problem that is amenable to intervention. Despite campaigns that often target individuals to encourage lower sodium intake, consumption is far in excess of recommendations. There is increasing recognition of the importance of the food environment in shaping dietary behavior and the need for strategies that focus on changing community-level environmental factors that support a shift in behavior toward more healthful eating. Practice-based evidence should be coupled with evidence from well-conducted clinical studies of sodium and health to build the foundation for public health interventions that achieve and sustain sodium reduction in the general population. This article discusses the importance of moving beyond the clinic and engaging communities in this important public health effort.


The transformation of dislocation cores from the shuffle to the glide set of {111} glide planes in Si is examined in this work. The transformation is thermally activated and is favored by a resolved shear stress which applies no force on the original perfect shuffle dislocation. A resolved shear stress driving dislocation motion in the glide plane is not observed to promote the transition. The stress-dependent activation energy for the described shuffle-glide transformation mechanism is evaluated using a statistical analysis. It is observed that the transformation is not associated with an intermediate metastable state, as has been previously suggested in the literature. VC 2013 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4793635]


The chronic form of primary hepatitis occurs commonly in dogs, and the etiology is rarely found. Metallothionein (MT) is a heavy metal–binding protein found in many organs, including the liver. MT was recently shown to enhance liver regeneration and decrease hepatic fibrosis in human beings. This study examined the expression of MT in 24 cases of chronic hepatitis in dogs using immunohistochemistry. To understand the role of MT as a determinant of hepatic inflammation, fibrosis, bile duct proliferation, and regeneration, we correlated its expression with histologic lesions of chronic hepatitis, such as hepatic inflammation, fibrosis, and bile duct proliferation, as well as hepatocellular growth fraction as measured by Ki67 immunolabeling. Hepatocellular growth fraction was used as a measure of hepatic regeneration. Regression analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between MT labeling intensity and growth fraction (r2 = 0.29, P < .05). The percentage of MT-positive cells and the overall MT expression were both positively correlated with growth fraction (r2 = 0.25 and 0.26, respectively; P < .05). A negative correlation was found between the overall MT labeling and fibrosis (r2 = 0.18, P < .05). A similar trend of negative correlation was also found between the percentage of MT-positive cells and fibrosis, but the P value was not statistically significant (r2 = 0.14, P = .0684). These findings suggest a protective role of MT in dogs affected by chronic hepatitis, similar to its role in human beings. These dogs may respond to treatment modules focusing on enhancing the expression of MT.


The formation of nanocrystalline nickel particles has been investigated via a chemical reduction method. The powder XRD study confirms that the average size of the particle is 12nm.The quantum size confinement of the crystallites is evident from the blue-shift of the absorption edge in the UV-visible absorption spectrum. Result of the thermo gravimetric analysis(TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) indicate that the thermal stability of nickel nanoparticles.


The relations of the Russia and Britain with the self-declared state of Yettishar was a striking example of different approaches of two empires to the states and peoples of the Central Asian regions within so called Great Game, i.e. Russo-English rivalry in the 19th c. The trade treaties of Yattishar with the Russian Empire of 1872 and with the British Empire in 1874 became a legal reflection of these approaches and are of great interest within the context of the historical experience of the legal status of unrecognized states and positions of the rival world powers towards such states. The purpose of the article is a historical-legal analysis of above-mentioned treaties and comparative-legal analysis of them with the similar treaties signed by Russia and England with other Central Asian states during the same period. Author attempts to clarify if treaties of 1872 and 1874 confirmed recognition by both empires of Yettishar as a subject of international relations and how these legal documents reflected confrontation of Russia and England in the region. The study is mainly based on the formal-legal, historical legal and comparative-legal methods. Also author used the methods of legal anthropology and general history. The results of the research to a certain extant correlate with modern approaches in the policy of Russian and western powers in Central Asia in terms of political situation in the region as well as political, legal and cultural traditions of Central Asian states and peoples.


Amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling are tests for the prenatal diagnosis of cytogenetic abnormalities. We calculated the incremental costs per abnormal birth averted, and the incremental costs per quality-adjusted outcome, of amniocentisis and chorionic villus sampling performed for the indication of maternal age. Probabilities were obtained from the literature, and direct medical costs from hospital charges deflated to reflect aggregated contracted care reimbursements. Utilities were used to quality-adjust prenatal testing outcomes. Based on costs per abnormal birth averted, at all maternal ages from 30 to 43 years, amniocentesis was more cost-effective than chorionic villus sampling; at ages 44 and 45, chorionic villus sampling was more cost-effective. However, if the anxiety reduction provided by first-trimester diagnosis was equivalent to a 0.2% risk of anabnormal child, chorionic villus sampling was more cost-effective than amniocentesis at all maternal ages. Based on data from the 1988 United States natality cohort, the current policy of testing women aged 35 and older would cost $103,329 and $111,184 per abnormal birth averted for amniocentesis and chorionic villus samplig, respectively. Testing women aged 30 and older would almost double these costs. For either prenatal test, targeting high risk women for testing, and striving for utilization rates of 50% or higher, appeared to be the most cost-effective policy.


The mirine plant bug fauna of the genus Stenotus Jakovlev in Japan, Korea, East China, and Russian Far East is reviewed. Seven species are recognized in the study area; of these, two new species are herein described, namely S. hasegawai
sp.n., restricted to cool-temperate climate zones in Japan and Sakhalin, Russia and S. takaii
sp.n. assumed to be endemic to Amami-Oshima Island of the Japanese Ryukyus. The Taiwanese species, S. insularis Poppius, is reported from the Ryukyus for the first time and redescribed; the other taxon, S. viridis (Shiraki), is regarded as a nomen dubium, lacking any type series. An additional new species from Nepal, S. ramduwalae
sp.n., is described. A checklist of East Asia and Oriental species and a key to all known East Asian species are provided. Stenotus longiceps Poppius is transferred to Zalmunna Distant. The zoogeography of these East Asian Stenotus species is discussed.


A component of licorice polysaccharide (GPS-1) was extracted from licorice, its primary structure was identified and characterized for the first time, and its immunomodulatory activity was studied. Crude licorice polysaccharide was isolated and purified by DEAE sepharose FF ion-exchange column chromatography and Chromdex 200 PG gel filtration column chromatography to obtain a purified Glycyrrhiza polysaccharide named GPS-1. NMR and methylation analysis revealed that GPS-1 is composed of homogalacturonan (HG)-type pectin with 4)-D-GalpA-(1 as the backbone. This study of GPS-1 also examined its significant role in regulating immune activity in vitro and in vivo. As a result, GPS-1 promoted the secretion of IFN-γ and IL-4 in mice and increased the proportion of CD3+CD4+ and CD3+CD8+ T lymphocytes in their spleens. Dendritic cells (DCs) treated with GPS-1 showed promotion of DC maturation, antigen presentation, and phagocytic capacity. The results suggest that GPS-1 is a potential immunomodulator that stimulates the immune system by regulating multiple signaling pathways. Combined with our characterization of the primary structure of GPS-1, the present investigation provides the basis for future study of the form-function relationship of polysaccharides.


An important element in roadside slope management is the preservation and encouragement of the natural vegetation. However, the effects of road construction on erosion can often extend well beyond the right of way. In mountainous terrain, road construction itself often facilitates access to areas of forest that then become logged for timber as development takes place within the wider road corridor. The gradual depletion of forest cover can lead to increased runoff, causing slope erosion, gullying and downcutting in stream channels, which eventually increases the incidence of landslides. This process may be exacerbated by the indiscriminate dumping of excavation spoil during construction, creating debris hazards downstream (e.g. Kojan 1978; Hearn 1987; Zurick & Karan 1999; Hart et al. 2002; Campos et al. 2010 with respect to road corridors in Nepal, the Philippines and Brazil).

However, even where these effects are minimized through good land use planning and engineering management practices, there is usually a significant potential for erosion to occur on unprotected cut and fill slopes, in stream channels and at other drainage discharge points (Section C6). Erosion on roadside slopes is sporadic and difficult to predict since it is related to rainfall events, slope drainage patterns and the characteristics of the ground. The largest volumes of erosion are usually generated from short-duration, intense rainfall events. Methods used to combat this erosion are described and discussed below in the context of slopes and streams.

### C7.2.1 Options

Broadly, there are two main options for erosion control:

A combination of the two is also often used. On low-cost roads, the desire to minimize costs may lead to an emphasis on the use of bio-engineering (Section C7.2.4). However, planting schemes can take some time to establish and should …


Any new building will, with occasional exceptions, require new furnishings and equipment. In principle the organisation of this is straightforward. In practice it is a complicated exercise, full of snags. Phillip Simons discusses some of the problems.


Abstract. Biomass burning in southwestern Africa produces smoke plumes that are transported over the Atlantic Ocean and overlie vast regions of stratocumulus clouds. This aerosol layer contributes to direct and indirect radiative forcing of the atmosphere in this region, particularly during the months of August, September and October. There was a multi-year international campaign to study this aerosol and its interactions with clouds. Here we report on the evolution of aerosol distributions and properties as measured by the airborne high spectral resolution lidar (HSRL) during the ORACLES (Observations of Aerosols above Clouds and their intEractionS) campaign in September 2016. The NASA Langley HSRL-2 instrument was flown on the NASA ER-2 aircraft for several days in September 2016. Data were aggregated at two pairs of 2° × 2° grid boxes to examine the evolution of the vertical profile of aerosol properties during transport over the ocean. Results showed that the structure of the profile of aerosol extinction and microphysical properties is maintained over a one to two-day time scale. The fraction of aerosol in the fine mode between 50 and 500 nm remained above 0.95 and the effective radius of this fine mode was 0.16 μm from 3 to 5 km in altitude. This indicates that there is essentially no scavenging or dry deposition at these altitudes. Moreover, there is very little day to day variation in these properties, such that time sampling as happens in such campaigns, may be representative of longer periods such as monthly means. Below 3 km there is considerable mixing with larger aerosol, most likely continental source near land. Furthermore, these measurements indicated that there was a distinct gap between the bottom of the aerosol layer and cloud tops at the selected locations as evidenced by a layer of several hundred meters that contained relatively low aerosol extinction values above the clouds.


Background. Chlamydophila pneumoniae infections seem to be associated with many non-infectious diseases. Objectives. To determine whether Chlamydophila pneumoniae antibodies are connected with chronic airway infections and obstructive pulmonary disease, and to establish whether there is any correlation between the presence of IL-10 and bronchial asthma in patients infected with Chlamydophila pneumoniae. Material and Methods. The study involved two groups of subjects. The first consisted of 97 adults: 46 with bronchial asthma and bronchial asthma exacerbation, 19 with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and a control group of 32 adults without any signs of respiratory problems. The second group consisted of 92 children: 15 with bronchial asthma, 26 with pneumonia, 17 with recurrent respiratory tract infections and a control group of 34 children without any respiratory symptoms. The materials for the study were blood samples to evaluate the concentrations of specific IgM, IgG and IgA antibodies and IL-10. Serological studies were performed using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results. In adults with bronchial asthma, C. pneumoniae-specific IgM antibodies occurred more frequently than in patients with COPD. In patients with bronchial asthma, IL-10 was detected in serum in 44.3%. IL-10 was not detected in either the adult or the juvenile control group. Conclusions. A high percentage of positive results for specific antibodies may suggest that Chlamydophila pneumoniae plays a role in obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations (Adv Clin Exp Med 2010, 19, 5, 579–584).


Continuous-wave radiation of 5 W at 532 nm was produced with an Nd:YVO4/KTP intracavity frequency-doubled laser end-pumped by a diode-laser-array at pump power of 17.2 W, giving optical conversion efficiency of 29.1%. The output power stability was measured to be better than 1.5% in short term operation. The pump-induced thermal lensing was also measured, showing good agreement with the performance of the laser.


A case of high‐grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the breast with a dominantly epidermoid component is presented. The tumour was biochemically oestrogen and progesterone receptor negative. Though the primary tumour was small (1 cm) and without axillary lymph node metastases at mastectomy, the clinical course was rapid. Despite radio‐, chemo‐ and hormonal therapy the patient died 25 months after mastectomy with widespread systemic disease. The metastatic pattern was that of typical breast carcinoma despite the unusual histological appearance of both primary and metastatic tumour tissue.


In both normal and abnormal vascular biology, platelet-leukocyte-RBC-EC adhesive and functional interactions appear to play a significant role. The clinical hallmarks of the TTP/HUS syndromes, including prominent platelet aggregation and thrombi without prominent soluble coagulation system activation along with microangiopathic hemolysis, suggest that such interactions may help to bring a common theme of explanation to this disorder. However, a final unifying physiological pathway remains elusive.


Fabric printing is a bottleneck in the textile-apparel supply pipeline. It is commonly believed that digital printing systems will replace the current methods of printing textiles. Xerography is one of the digital printing technologies being investigated for textile printing at the Georgia Institute of Technology. The research reported in this paper has focused on developing polymer-based xerographic toners giving required printed fabric properties. The suitability of toners produced through mechanical grinding processes for xerographic textile printing is discussed. Three classes of polymeric binders (amorphous polyester, three thermosets, and five polyamides) were studied. The potential of these binders was evaluated using crockfastness (rub fastness) and fabric flexural rigidity tests. Materials that could be ground to the required particle size were too rigid. Thus the printed fabrics had high flexural rigidities and, in many cases, unacceptable wet crockfastness ratings. The potential of a more flexible resin, which could not be ground to the required particle size, was assessed by applying toners via a solvent medium. The flexible resin gave the required textile properties.


Water quality is a critical factor affecting human health and welfare. Ethiopia is one of the countries with worst health status in the world water quality problems where only 52%of its population has access to safe water. For this reason, 60-80% of the population suffers from water-borne and water-related diseases. Shambu town is not out of this problem. Since people are still using unprotected wells and springs for their domestic water supply. Therefore this research was aimed to evaluate the bacteriological and physico-chemical quality of water in Shambu Town. Two rounds of water samples were taken from each site with A total of 48 water samples. From water sources (n=4), from reservoir(n=1)from tap water (n=4) and from household containers (n=15) were considered for physico-chemical and bacteriological drinking water quality determination. A the Samples were analyzed for phisico chemical parameters like Temperature, Turbidity, PH, TDS, EC and the presence of indicator bacteria such as Total coliformes (TC) and fecal coli form (FC).The method of sample collection at each sampling point was according to the WHO Guidelines for drinking water quality assessment. Water samples were collected using systematic random sampling method. The result showed that Highest counts of TC,and FC were detected in the house hold water containers, followed by unprotected well, unprotected springs protected well and protected spring. All raw water samples were positive for TTC and FC. High bacteriological load were found in the household water containers. This research concluded that the water quality of shambu town at household storage were very poor and were not free from free from contaminates. Thus, deliberate awareness creation of the community about sanitation and hygienic practices is crucial. The water sources should be protected from entry of animals, human excretes and it should be treated before used for drinking.


The Australian pseudoscorpionid fauna, as now known, includes representatives of 7 families and 24 genera, of which Austrohorus (Olpiidae, type species exsul mihi, Western Australia) and Paraustrochernes (Chernetidae, type species victorianus mihi, Victoria) are described as new. Tubbichthonius Hoff (Chthoniidae) is considered to be a synonym of Pseudotyrannochthonius Beier. Of the 53 Australian species, to which a key is given, 12 are described as new, namely-Chthoniidae : Sathrochthonius crassidens, Tyrannochthonius (Tyrannochthonius) laevis, T. (Lagynochthonius) australicus, Pseudotyrannochthonius bornemisszai, P. australiensis; Olpiidae: Austrohorus exsul, Xenolpium squalidum, X. bornemisszai; Garypidae: Synsphyronus (Maorigarypus) fallaciosus; Chernetidae: Nesidiochernes australicus, Paraustrochernes victorianus; Cheliferidae: Protochelifer victorianus. No new specific synonymy is recorded.


Chelating agents are used to improve the detergency power of cleaners and detergents. AkzoNobel (Amsterdam, the Netherlands) has conducted an Eco-Efficiency Analysis (EEA) of the alternative chelating agents GLDA (tetrasodium L-glutamic acid, N,N-diacetic acid); EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid); NTA (nitrilotriacetic acid); and STPP (sodium tripolyphosphate). An EEA integrates and assesses the ecological and economic profiles of alternative systems delivering the same customer benefit. This paper gives an account of the main results of the environmental dimension of the chelate study and provides an in-depth description of the EEA methodology currently practiced within AkzoNobel. It is concluded that GLDA is the most environmentally benign chelating agent, and that the main reasons for this are that it is biodegradable, phosphorus free, and based on a renewable raw material.


This research tests the efficiency of the ownership structure and the debt policy as mechanism of resolution of agency conflicts between shareholders and managers due to the problem of overinvestment, in the limitation of the problem of the free cash flow, by estimating three stage least square simultaneous model and on the basis of a sample of 35 non financial Tunisian listed companies selected for the period 1999–2008. Our results are in favour of the theory of free cash flows of Jensen (1986) that stipulates that the debt policy represents the principal governance mechanism that can limit the risk of free cash flow. However, the ownership concentration and managerial ownership increase the risk of the free cash flow.


Objective: experimental study of the influence of neuropeptides on the psychoemotional state of white male rats exposed to "social" stress. Materials and methods. A study of the psychomodulatory effect of neuropeptides (Semax, Selank, ACTH(6-9)-Pro-Gly-Pro, Pro-Gly-Pro, Pro-Gly-Pro-Leu) under conditions of experimental "social" stress was performed on white non-linear male rats. The studied neuropeptides were synthesized at the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the National Research Center "Kurchatov Institute". The study of the effect of neuropeptides on the behavior of male white rats was carried out on the model of "social" stress, the methodological reception of which is the constant residence of animals under conditions of sensory contact in order to form aggressive and submissive types of behavior. The effect of neuropeptides on the psychoemotional state of white rats under conditions of "social" stress was assessed on the basis of studying the behavior of animals in the tests "Elevated сruciform maze" and "Porsolt". The "Elevated cruciform maze" test makes it possible to study the behavior of animals under conditions of variable stress (with a free choice of comfortable conditions) and allows assessing: the level of anxiety of the animal; symptoms of neurological deficiency. The test "Porsolt" provides an assessment of changes in the motor activity of animals and allows you to study the severity of the depressive state. Results. It was found that the effect of "social" stress on the behavior of male rats contributed to an increase in situational anxiety and the appearance of depressive-like behavioral reactions. It has been proven that the introduction of neuropeptides (Semax, Selank, ACTH(6-9)-Pro-Gly-Pro, Pro-Gly-Pro, Pro-Gly-Pro-Leu) helps to reduce increased anxiety in animals, both with aggressive and submissive types of behavior under conditions of "social" stress thereby providing a psychomodulatory effect. Conclusion. This study expands the understanding of the regulatory role of neuropeptides in the body, demonstrating the possibility of their influence on the psychoemotional state.