In nineteenth-century Santiago de Cuba, the island of Cuba's radical cradle, Afro-descendant peasants forged freedom and devised their own formative path to emancipation. Drawing on understudied archives, this pathbreaking work unearths a new history of Black rural geography and popular legalism, and offers a new framework for thinking about nineteenth-century Black freedom. Santiago de Cuba's Afro-descendant peasantries did not rely on liberal-abolitionist ideologies as a primary reference point in their struggle for rights. Instead, they negotiated their freedom and land piecemeal, through colonial legal frameworks that allowed for local custom and manumission. While gradually wearing down the institution of slavery through litigation and self-purchase, they reimagined colonial racial systems before Cuba's intellectuals had their say. Long before residents of Cuba protested for national independence and island-wide emancipation in 1868, it was Santiago's Afro-descendant peasants who, gradually and invisibly, laid the groundwork for emancipation.


In recent years, there has been much interest in the use of so-called automatic balancing devices (ABD) in rotating machinery. Essentially, ABDs or "autobalancers" consists of several freely moving eccentric balancing masses mounted on the rotor, which, at certain operating speeds, act to cancel rotor imbalance at steady-state. This "automatic balancing" phenomena occurs as a result of nonlinear dynamic interactions between the balancer and rotor wherein the balancer masses naturally synchronize with the rotor with appropriate phase and cancel the imbalance. However, due to inherent nonlinearity of the autobalancer, the potential for other, undesirable, non-synchronous limit-cycle behavior exists. In such situations, the balancer masses do not reach their desired synchronous balanced steady-state positions resulting in increased rotor vibration. Such automatic behavior has been widely studied and is well understood for rotor systems on idealized bearings with symmetric supports. This paper presents a comprehensive study into automatic balancing behavior of an imbalanced planar rigid rotor/ABD system mounted in two different widely-used types of hydrodynamic bearings; i) the short journal bearing with asymmetric stiffness, damping and cross-coupling terms and ii) a so-called tilting-pad bearing. In this study the non-dimensional characteristic curves of stiffness and damping of these two fluid film bearings are employed and the rotor/bearing/ABD system autobalancing behavior is studied as a function of rotor speed, bearing eccentricity and bearing journal radial clearance. These two essential bearing parameters in turn are directly determined by the rotor static loading, bearing structure, and oil viscosity. Consequently, this research focuses on the connectivity between the bearing parameters and the corresponding synchronous balancing and non-synchronous limit-cycle behavior of the system. Here, solutions for rotor limit-cycle amplitudes and corresponding autobalancer ball speeds are obtained via a harmonic balance and numerical continuation solution approach. Furthermore, an exact solution for the limit-cycle is obtained for the special case of symmetric support stiffness together with a so-called Alford's force cross-coupling term. In each case, the limit-cycle stability is assessed via a perturbation and Floquet analysis and the coexistence of the stable balanced synchronous limit-cycle and undesired non-synchronous limit-cycle is studied. It is found that for certain combinations of bearing parameters and operating speeds, the non-synchronous limit-cycle can be made unstable thus guaranteeing global asymptotic stability of the synchronous balanced condition. Finally, the analysis is validated through numerical time-domain simulation. The findings in this paper yield important insights for researchers wishing to utilize automatic balancing devices in practical rotor systems.Copyright © 2011 by ASME


Alterations in carbohydrate epitopes present on the cell surface are often hallmark of the transition from normal to neoplastic tissue. The concept of using carbohydrate antigens as cancer marker has thus spurred intense research interests into exploiting TACAs for the development of anticancer vaccines. This study presents a novel carrier protein containing a binding domain to the receptor of antigen presenting cells (APC) and cysteine-rich repeat peptide to serve as docking sites for conjugating tumor associated carbohydrate antigens (TACAs) or haptens. This novel carrier protein after conjugation with Tn, (GalNAcα1-O-Ser/Thr), can effectively elicit high titer of IgG1 antibody rather than IgM against Tn with high specificity in immunized mice. We then performed immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of twenty-six prostate cancer samples by staining with anti-Tn antibody, and we observed that the IHC staining with anti-Tn antibody is proportional to the malignancy of prostate cancer. Furthermore, we have examined the anti-Tn vaccine potency in Transgenic Adenocarcinoma of the Mouse Prostate (TRAMP) mice. TRMAP mice, which were treated with anti-Tn vaccine, showed longer survival rate and delayed tumor growth. We also successfully constructed the cDNA of mouse anti-Tn antibody from hybridoma cell line, and engineer this mouse cDNA as single-chain anti-Tn mouse antibody and anti-Tn immunotoxin. Our preliminary results showed that anti-Tn single-chain antibody can as a diagnostic antibody to distinguish normal prostatic tissue and prostate cancer, and anti-Tn immunotoxin can inhibit tumor cell growth. This study presents that our carrier protein can offer a platform for designing vaccine against tumor-associated weak immunogen and applies a new strategy in cancer immunotherapy in future. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2533. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-2533


The effectiveness of benomyl, chlorothalonil, copper hydroxide, dinocap, sulfur and triadimefon for the control of the fungus Leveillula taurica , causal agent of the powdery mildew of peppers ( Capsicum annuum ), was evaluated under field conditions. Results from two experiments indicate that weekly applications of benomyl and triadimefon reduced disease incidence and increased pepper yield. In the first experiment, plots treated with triadimefon (0.35 L/ha) and benomyl (0.55 kg/ha) produced 20.2 and 17.2 kg fruit/plot, respectively, whereas the nontreated plots yielded 13,9 kg/plot. A similar trend but with higher yields was obtained in the second experiment. Treatments with triadimefon (0.70 L/ha) and benomyl (0.55 kg/ha) produced 41.0 and 41.3 kg of fruit/plot, respectively, as compared with the control treatments which yielded 29.0 kg/plot.


As a global financial service provider, JPMorgan Chase (JPM) is supervised by banking regulatory agencies in different countries. Bruno Iksil, the derivatives trader primarily responsible for the $6 billion trading loss in 2012, was based in JPM's London office. This office was regulated both by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) of the United States and by the Financial Services Authority (FSA), which served as the sole regulator of all financial services in the United Kingdom. Banking regulators in the US and the UK have entered into agreements with one another to define basic parameters for sharing information gathered during bank examinations and even assisting one another with bank inspections under certain circumstances. However, even as JPM sought to stifle OCC and FSA supervision, cooperation between the US and UK regulators was minimal.


Objective Investigate the role of "Perinatal integrated intervention model" in Three Level Prevention of critical pulmonary valve stenosis. Methods Twenty-one infants (age ≤ 60 days at operating day) suffered from critical pulmonary valve stenosis (CPS) were enrolled in this case-control-study with written informed consent. In which there were 7 cases of prenatal diagnosis in our prenatal diagnosis centre (prenatal group, Pre) and 14 cases of referral (Postpartum group, according to the time of operation less or more than 28 days, postpartum group was divided into two groups, postpartum group A and postpartum group B, which were named Post A and Post B). To Pre-group, the integrative interventional protocol was cautiously made by the consultative specialists, including intrauterine diagnosis, perinatal care and urgent percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty (PBPV) soon after birth. To Post-group, emergency PBPV was preformed after the referral. Tei index of right ventricular and Pressure-gradient (PG) between right ventricular and pulmonary artery were measured before and at different time points with one year after PBPV. Results ➀ Seven cases of critical and extremely critical PS were diagnosed by foetal echocardiogram and confirmed by echocardiography after birth during April 2007 to December 2011, and the values of SpO2 ranged from 82%-92%, which was named Pre group. PBPV was successfully preformed within 3–6 days after birth. The values of pre- and post- procedure PG were 86.34 ± 8.77 mmHg and 31.43 ± 8.46 mmHg respectively. Preoperative RV Tei-index was 0.68 ± 0.05, decreased rapidly after procedure, and recovered to normal one month after procedure. Only one case revealed restenosis seven months after procedure and repeated PBPV. ➁ 14 cases of referral (6 cases in Post A group and 8 cases in Post B group), the values of SpO2 ranged from 83%-91%, and the operating time was 10 –57 days after birth. Increased preoperative RV pressure and Tei-index were obviously decreased significantly post-procedure. Only one case revealed restenosis nine months after procedure and repeated PBPV. Conclusions Compared with the referral cases, preoperative condition and postoperative right ventricular function were better, as well as the time of hypoxic exposure was shorter in the infants of Pre group. "Perinatal integrated intervention model" with multidisciplinary cooperation is an efficient strategy in Three Level Prevention to infants suffered from CPS, and can significantly improve the prognosis and quality of life in this patient population.


When overhead lines carry large short-circuit currents, the resulting magnetic forces on the conductors are such as to cause the cables to be repelled to greater distances than the usual spacings. The elementary principles involved are stated. A single-phase short circuit is shown to be the one producing the greatest movements. A theoretical calculation of the forces and actual experience showed the necessity of making tests to study the problem. A description of the tests indicates how photographic records of the movements of relatively large cables were obtained. The results of over 330 tests are shown by pictures and curves. The effects of a variation in each of the five principal variables, cable size, span lengthy spacing, tension and current are discussed. A mathematical expression is derived by means of which the maximum movement of conductors in a horizontal plane can be determined approximately. It has been found possible to set up a miniature test with small wire that very closely duplicates to a small scale the movements of a larger conductor. The results indicate that it is necessary for moderately large systems to take account of these short-circuit forces in the design of their overhead systems. There is a large field for research on this subject and more work should be done.


Abstract : The three-dimensional, compressible Navier-Stokes equations are solved numerically to simulate vortex breakdown in tubes. Time integration is performed with an implicit Beam-Warming algorithm, which uses fourth-order compact operators to discretize spatial derivatives. Initial conditions are obtained by solving the steady, compressible, and axisymmetric form of the Navier-Stokes equations using Newton's method. Stability of the axisymmetric initial conditions is assessed through 3-D time integration. Unique axisymmetric solutions at a Reynolds number of 250 lose stability to 3-D disturbances at a critical value of vortex strength, resulting in 3-D and time-periodic flow. Axisymmetric solutions at a Reynolds number of 1000 contain regions of nonuniqueness. Within this region, 3-D time integration reveals only unique solutions, with nonunique, axisymmetric initial conditions converging to a unique solution that is steady and axisymmetric. Past the primary limit point, which approximately identifies critical flow, the solutions bifurcate into 3-D periodic flows.


Aim: To report the value of adult cadavers for training in minimally invasive surgical (MIS) techniques for pediatric surgery (PS). Materials and Methods: Three teams, each consisting of a board-certified consultant pediatric surgeon (CS), a senior trainee (ST), and a junior trainee (JT), attended a cadaver surgical training (CST) course involving five procedures: thoracoscopic esophagoesophagostomy (TEE), thoracoscopic right lower lobectomy (TRL), laparoscopic fundoplication (LFN), laparoscopic hepaticoduodenostomy (LHD), and laparoscopic ureteroureterostomy (LUU). The same teams also performed LFN on live pigs. Attendees (3 CSs, 3 STs, and 3 JTs) were administered a questionnaire to rate their CST experience according to five criteria (tissue texture, organ size, operative field, "feel," and anatomic relationships) using a 4-point scale with 0 being the worst response. Scores were averaged per procedure per attendee groups and compared. LFN was also compared between a cadaver and a pig. Results: End-point (1): For LFN, cadaver scores were significantly higher than pig scores for anatomic relationships (P = .0001), operative field (P = .0053), and organ size (P = .0481). End-point (2): TRL and LFN were ranked together as being most realistic, followed by TEE and LUU, then LHD. End-point (3): Anatomic relationships and operative field consistently scored highly for all attendee groups. End-point (4): CSs and STs tended to award higher scores than JTs although differences were not statistically significant. Conclusions: CST is a valuable opportunity for PS trainees to experience highly realistic training in minimally invasive surgery. Pig training was inferior. IRB Number: 2019173.


An important achievement is the invention and development of techniques for measurement of velocities in hydraulic engineering
applications.

Knowledge of the technological advances in digital cameras with high
resolution and high speed are extremely useful to measure relevant predictive parameters in the environment. Here we present some
advances in image processing techniques, these can be used in hydraulic hazard predictions therefore, providing a tremendous potential to measure the behavior of the water surface flow.

This technique was performed at the Laboratory of Hydraulics Department of Hydraulic, Maritime and Environmental Universidad Pol
ytechnic de Catalonia, (UPC Barcelona Tech) where we used a
water flow platform with dimensions of 5.5 m long and 4 m wide allowing a zone of useful measurements of 5.5m x 3m, where the width is similar of a typical urban road. The platform allows to modify the slopes longitudinal at angles between 0% and 10% and transversal slopes of between 0% and 4%. And there is also the possibility of a range of flows. In the experiments discussed here we used flow rates up to 200 l/s
[1].
In addition, a camera high resolution 1280 x 1024 pixels with maximum speed of 488 frames per second.

A novel technique using particle image velocimetry to measure surface flow velocities has been developed and validated with the
experiments assays with the grate inlets.

In this case, the Methodology carried out can become a useful tools to understand the hydraulics behavior of the flow approaching the inlet where the traditional measuring equipment have serious problems and limitations.


We introduce the Quantum Holonomy-Diffeomorphism *-algebra, which is generated by holonomy-diffeomorphisms on a 3-dimensional manifold and translations on a space of SU(2)-connections. We show that this algebra encodes the canonical commutation relations of canonical quantum gravity formulated in terms of Ashtekar variables. Furthermore, we show that semi-classical states exist on the holonomy-diffeomorphism part of the algebra but that these states cannot be extended to the full algebra. Via a Dirac type operator we derive a certain class of unbounded operators that act in the GNS construction of the semi-classical states. These unbounded operators are the type of operators, which we have previously shown to entail the spatial 3-dimensional Dirac operator and Dirac Hamiltonian in a semi-classical limit. Finally, we show that the structure of the Hamilton constraint emerges from a Yang-Mills type operator over the space of SU(2)-connections.


Background: Despite improvements in medical care provided during pregnancy to diabetic mothers, the cardiac complications in their infants are still more frequent than in the infants of general population. Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to explore the spectrum of cardiovascular complications in infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs). The study was also aimed at investigating probable relations between infants' heart lesions, the type of maternal diabetes, and the neonatal somatic data. Patients and Methods: Between July 2010 to June 2011, two-dimensional/M-mode and Doppler echocardiography evaluations were performed in IDMs at the out-patient clinic of the pediatric cardiology ward of a University hospital in Tehran. Results: A total of 32 IDMs (18 male and14 female) were studied. Congenital heart disease (CHD) was found in 6 (18.7%) neonates and 3 of them suffered from conotruncal malformations. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) was observed in 15(46.9%) cases. There were 22 (68.8%) large for gestational age (LGA) infants. Gestational diabetes was found in 21(65.6%) mothers. We did not find a significant relation between the types of maternal diabetes and the frequency of CHD (P = 0.9), and the frequency of HCM in their infants (P = 0.9). Also a significant relation could not be found between LGA and the rate of CHD (P = 0.6) or the rate of HCM (P = 0.4). Conclusions: Our data showed a high prevalence of CHD in IDMs in our pediatric cardiology clinic. Neither the types of maternal diabetes nor the somatic findings of newborns were related to the occurrence of cardiac complications.


The paper deals with the predicative attribute (co-predicative) in Russian, its features, and its interrelations with Russian punctuation rules as well as with intonation. It is shown that the word order, the semantics of the attribute and of the corresponding verb are crucial for grammatical interpretation of attributive constructions. It is in many cases important what kind of feature the adjective designates – a permanent or a temporary one. The relation between the appearance of predicative attribute and the separation by punctuation in the written text and through intonation in the oral one all obey controversial rules revealed in the paper. Thus, grammatical division, punctuation and intonation nuances cannot be in oneto-one relation to each other. Intonation and sense shades as well as connections inside the text cannot be rendered by punctuation rules, even by complicated ones.


A 75-year-old man diagnosed as having ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure and mitral regurgitation underwent left ventricle volume reduction operation (Batista), coronary bypass grafting and mitral valve replacement because myocardial infarction had developed at lateral, inferior and small area of apex wall, not at interventricular septum. Left ventricular endodiastolic volume index and left ventricular endosystolic volume index decreased from pre-operative values of 155, and 128 ml/m2 to post-operative values of 113, and 82 ml/m2, respectively. Left ventricular ejection fraction increased from a pre-operative value of 17% to a post-operative value of 27%. This evaluation was performed by myocardial scintigraphy (quantitative gated spect: QGS). This method was bloodless and useful for determination of indication of left ventricle volume reduction surgery including Batista operation and pre- and post-operative evaluation of this type of surgery. Today, Batista operation is, generally speaking, performed for non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy. In this case, however, Batista operation was applied to ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy and was very effective.


We investigated medium noise using spinstand testing and calculation from the view point of head/media integration for 1 Tb/in 2, focusing on two kinds of noise sources: transition noise in the track center and track edge noise. A quantitative relationship between transition noise and magnetic cluster size of media was clarified. This relationship indicates that the transition noise can be reduced by reducing the magnetic cluster. In the track edge noise, there are two noise sources: edge line fluctuation and increase in transition length at the edges. The edge line fluctuation noise degrades low density SNR. We show that a high cross-track field gradient of writer and small magnetic cluster of media are effective to reduce the edge line fluctuation. The increase in transition length at the edges degrades high linear density SNR. The transition length at the edges increases as transition curvature increases. Both increase in transition length at the edges and large transition curvature make the magnetic write width narrow and erase band width wide. Large track edge noise was observed when the transition curvature was large. Therefore reducing the transition curvature is an effective way to reduce track edge noise. In the micromagnetic calculation for 1 Tb/in2 , high 2 T-SNR of 13.7 dB (1 T: 2200 kfci) at magnetic write width of 54 nm was obtained from a combination of graded Hk media with small magnetic cluster and wraparound shielded writer with high cross-track field gradient and small transition curvature.


Endodontic retreatment requires complete removal of the filling material and access to the apical foramen. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Wave One reciprocating system and compare it to the ProTaper D rotarysystem, with or without the use of a solvent, in removing filling material from root canals. The time required for each filling removal technique employed was also determined and compared. Forty extracted human mandibular premolars with a single, straight, flattened canal were prepared and filled. They were divided into four groups (n = 10): Group 1: ProTaper D Ni Ti rotary instruments; Group 2: ProTaper D Ni Tirotary instruments, with a solvent; Group 3: Wave One primary instrument; and Group 4: Wave One primary instrument, with a solvent. The teeth were then split along their long axis and photographed using an operating microscope with 5Xmagnification. The amount of remaining filling material was assessed with Image Tool software. The results were compared using the Kruskal Wallis test (p <0.05). There was no significant difference between groups regarding the amount of residual filling material (p > 0.05). Operative time was significantly longer in Group 3 than in groups 1, 2 and 4 (p <0.05). The Wave One system and the ProTaper D system were equally effective, with or without a solvent. The time required to remove the filling material from the canals was significantly longer in Group 3 than in the other groups.


There is one debate in all of constitutional law and constitutional theory even more important than what any particular provision or clause in the Constitution means: who is responsible for interpreting the Constitution, in the first instance. This Article looks anew at the historical interpretive debate between judicial supremacy, on the one hand, and constitutional departmentalism, on the other hand. This debate, focusing on the extent to which the judicial branch's idiosyncratic judgments in a given Article III "case" or "controversy" can more broadly bind the political branches of the federal government, is as old as the United States itself.

Specifically, this Article looks at that debate through the prism of popular constitutional resistance to the landmark same-sex marriage Supreme Court ruling of 2015, Obergefell v. Hodges. This Article traces the history of the judicial supremacy debate and analyzes the legal justifications for popular constitutionalist attempts to undermine the Obergefell decision. It also considers why the judicial supremacy side of the debate has largely prevailed, over time.


We present new results from the VLBA 2 cm Survey, an imaging survey of active galactic nuclei (AGN) at sub-milliarcsecond resolution. We extend the structural variability monitoring program of more than 130 extragalactic parsec-scale radio jets from over 170 AGN to a total of eight years. The sample is explored further in time for all sources, and intensively for individual objects. We report new detailed results on the compact sources III Zw 2, AO 0235+16, and NRAO 512.


Amorphous ribbon is sensitive to magnetic field and has a large tensile strength. By making use of these distinctive features, excellent sensors can be constituted. This paper presents two types of sensors: a magnetic field and a tensile force sensors. On the magnetic sensor, zero flux method is introduced for detection of field level in a ribbon magnetized with external field to be detected. High sensitivity and accuracy is achieved. These performances are not affected with demagnetization effects, sizes and shapes of the ribbon utilized. Applying this technique to dc leak current sensing, the order of 0.0002% of main dc current which flows into a pair of one-turn conductors can be detected. On the tension sensor, the lowest order frequency mode of transverse vibrations in a ribbon is available. The frequency is proportional to a square root of the force. When the ribbon is excited with magnetic force of the same frequency, any position on the ribbon oscillates in-phase with the exciting force. Using this in-phase relation, an adaptive sensing is performed like a PLL (phase locked loop).


ABSTRACT Minuca mordax is a model for studies on ocean acidification and sea-level rise because lives in mangroves and riverbanks with low pH. We investigated the physiology of the crabs exposed to differents pH (6.5 and 5.8) and salinity (25, 30, 35, 40 45S). There was not mortality or alterations in the hypo-osmoregulation, suggesting that the factors did not affect salt absorption/secretion. Reduced pH changed metabolism, ammonia excretion, and hepatosomatic index in relation to the animals kept in control pH. At elevated salinities, metabolism increased when animals were kept in control pH, but it decreased when they were exposed to acidified pH. energy substrate, varied between proteins to a mixture of proteins and lipids. Important physiological parameters, related to the catabolism of amino acids and to the energy demand are changed and the consequences might include alterations in growth and reproduction due to the energy channeling to limiting processes of homeostasis.


Radical anion salts of metal-containing and metal-free phthalocyanines [MPc(3-)](·-), where M = Cu(II), Ni(II), H2, Sn(II), Pb(II), Ti(IV)O, and V(IV)O (1-10) with tetraalkylammonium cations have been obtained as single crystals by phthalocyanine reduction with sodium fluorenone ketyl. Their formation is accompanied by the Pc ligand reduction and affects the molecular structure of metal phthalocyanine radical anions as well as their optical and magnetic properties. Radical anions are characterized by the alternation of short and long C-Nimine bonds in the Pc ligand owing to the disruption of its aromaticity. Salts 1-10 show new bands at 833-1041 nm in the NIR range, whereas the Q- and Soret bands are blue-shifted by 0.13-0.25 eV (38-92 nm) and 0.04-0.07 eV (4-13 nm), respectively. Radical anions with Ni(II), Sn(II), Pb(II), and Ti(IV)O have S = 1/2 spin state, whereas [Cu(II)Pc(3-)](·-) and [V(IV)OPc(3-)](·-) containing paramagnetic Cu(II) and V(IV)O have two S = 1/2 spins per radical anion. Central metal atoms strongly affect EPR spectra of phthalocyanine radical anions. Instead of narrow EPR signals characteristic of metal-free phthalocyanine radical anions [H2Pc(3-)](·-) (linewidth of 0.08-0.24 mT), broad EPR signals are manifested (linewidth of 2-70 mT) with g-factors and linewidths that are strongly temperature-dependent. Salt 11 containing the [Na(I)Pc(2-)](-) anions as well as previously studied [Fe(I)Pc(2-)](-) and [Co(I)Pc(2-)](-) anions that are formed without reduction of the Pc ligand do not show changes in molecular structure or optical and magnetic properties characteristic of [MPc(3-)](·-) in 1-10.


IzhakEnglard argues that Ernest Weinrib's idea of coherence in private law, based solely on corrective justice, must be modified to include distributive justice in order to better fit legal practice. Englard proposes complementarity, a framework accommodating mutually exclusive scientific concepts, as a basis for private law's coherence, based on an analogy between the concepts of light and justice. This analogy is insufficient as an epistemological basis common to science and law upon which complementarity can be applied as Englard suggests. Despite Englard's failure complementarity may yet be applicable to law, based on an epistemological 'problem of observation' that science and law share.


Cardiovascular disorders are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, and coronary artery bypass graft surgery is one of the most effective procedures for coronary artery disease. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) has been shown to offer benefits beyond reducing mortality and morbidity rates, including enhancing patients' quality of life and reducing healthcare costs. Home-based CR programs offer personalized plans tailored to individual needs and availability and have been shown to be more effective in sustaining improvements than center-based CR programs. However, there are challenges associated with providing home care services in developing countries, including personnel shortages, lack of financing and policies, and limited access to end-of-life or hospice services. The use of multidisciplinary telehealth and telecare homecare programs that make use of web-based technologies to monitor postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing cardiac surgery may provide a solution to some of these challenges. This manuscript emphasizes the potential of home health care and CR in improving postoperative outcomes in Pakistan and identifies some of the challenges and potential solutions associated with providing home care services.


ABSTRACT This case study tells the story of two educators at the University of Plymouth (United Kingdom) who reconsidered the fundamental purpose of their curriculum in light of the United Nations Sustainable Development agenda. This resulted in the development of a new community-engaged applied practice module during the final year of the Theatre and Performance degree. Reflection on their innovation process reveals that students engaged in their community benefit from making direct links in the curricula to locally-relevant sustainable development goals. However, it also highlights the interplay of other external forces influencing curriculum design, such as notions of teaching excellence becoming increasingly framed by student employability outcomes. Finding the means to hold these different agendas symbiotically is presented as key to survival within such an educational context.


The effect of cigarette smoke on the histopathological changes of the eustachian tube of Wistar rat Dewi Susilowati1*, Zulfikar Naftali1, Dwi Marliyawati1, Hermawan Istiadi2, Muyassaroh1, Pujo Widodo1, Dian Ayu Ruspita1, Anna Mailasari Kusuma Dewi1 Background: Inflammation due to irritation of cigarette smoke causes metaplasia of the squamous epithelium of the Eustachian tube. Data on the prevalence and incidence of Eustachian tube dysfunction are still limited. The study aims to determine the effect of exposure to a stratified dose of cigarette smoke on the histopathological changes of the Eustachian tubes of Wistar rats. Method: This study was a true experimental study with post-test only control group design using Wistar rats as the subjects. We included 24 Wistar rats in the study and divided them into four groups. The number of Wistar rats in each group was 6. The control group was not exposed to cigarette smoke. The treatment group 1, 2, and 3 were each exposed to four cigarettes, eight cigarettes, twelve cigarettes per day for thirty days, respectively. We assessed the Eustachian tube histopathological changes using four parameters, namely inflammatory cells, cilia, goblet cells, and epithelium. Finally, we analyzed the data using the Kruskal-Wallis test and the Mann-Whitney test. Result: The Eustachian tube's histopathological changes occurred in inflammatory cells, cilia, goblet cells, and epithelial metaplasia. Group 1 showed grade 1 changes in all parameters assessed. Group 2 showed grade 2 changes in all parameters evaluated. Meanwhile, group 3 showed grade 3 changes in all parameters evaluated compared to other groups (p<0.05). There was a significant difference between the treatment group and the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Cigarette smoke with stratified doses affects the histopathological changes of the Eustachian tube.


This paper reviews the theory related to the estimation of damages arising from pricefixing. Our primary objective is to provide an overview of the major issues that arise when estimating these types of damages and we suggest how economists might reasonably proceed when undertaking to provide such estimates. We describe and critique the leading approaches to damage estimation in price-fixing cases with a particular emphasis on reduced-form econometric estimation of the price that would have obtained in the market "but for" the price-fixing. We also consider complications introduced for the estimation of both the magnitude and the distribution of the damages in cases in which the first buyer (a "direct purchaser") of a price-fixed product resells it or incorporates it into a product which is then sold to ("indirect") purchasers further downstream. * The authors are also both Senior Consultants with the Delta Economics Group Inc. They are grateful to the Phelps Centre for the Study of Government and Business in the Sauder School of Business at UBC and to the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada for financial support; and to Ann-Britt Everett and Jennifer Ng for excellent research assistance. As part of their work on cases involving damage assessment, they have also benefited significantly from discussions and communications with John Beyer, J. J. Camp, John Conner, Joe Fiorante, David Jones and Charles Wright.


Growing world trade puts forward the importance of trade liberalization and facilitation issues. As trade liberalization efforts of both governments and international organizations have mostly been successful, the importance of bureaucratic and informal impediments to international trade has been increased. An important part of these impediments is generally composed of complicated customs procedures and documentation requirements that generate the principal part of customs-related transaction costs. In this study, we examine the role of several factors in the determination of customsrelated transaction costs, especially the waiting time to clear the cargo already in some Turkish ports. We evaluate the following determinants of customs-related transaction costs such as complexity of customs procedures, customs personnel, obtaining certificates of conformity/approval or laboratory analysis, firm size, implementation and integration of computerized systems, and country of origin. We find that these six factors exert their effects on customs-related transaction costs either through affecting customs risk analysis or through affecting the clearance time (even in the same line).


In this paper, the asymptotical p-moment stability of stochastic impulsive differential equations is studied, and a comparison theory to ensure the asymptotical p-moment stability for trivial solution of this system is established, from which we can find out whether a stochastic impulsive differential system is stable just from a deterministic comparison system. As an application of this theory, we control the chaos of stochastic Chen system using impulsive method, and a stable region is deduced too. Finally, numerical simulations verify the feasibility of our method.


A fundamental dilemma confronts retailers with stand-alone sites on the World Wide Web and those attempting to build electronic malls for delivery via the Internet, online services, or interactive television Alba et al. 1997. For consumers, the main potential advantage of electronic shopping over other channels is a reduction in search costs for products and product-related information. Retailers, however, fear that such lowering of consumers' search costs will intensify competition and lower margins by expanding the scope of competition from local to national and international. Some retailers' electronic offerings have been constructed to thwart comparison shopping and to ward off price competition, dimming the appeal of many initial electronic shopping services. Ceteris paribus, if electronic shopping lowers the cost of acquiring price information, it should increase price sensitivity, just as is the case for price advertising. In a similar vein, though, electronic shopping can lower the cost of search for quality information. Most analyses ignore the offsetting potential of the latter effect to lower price sensitivity in the current period. They also ignore the potential of maximally transparent shopping systems to produce welfare gains that give consumers a long-term reason to give repeat business to electronic merchants cf. Alba et al. 1997, Bakos 1997.

We test conditions under which lowered search costs should increase or decrease price sensitivity. We conducted an experiment in which we varied independently three different search costs via electronic shopping: search cost for price information, search cost for quality information within a given store, and search cost for comparing across two competing electronic wine stores. Consumers spent their own money purchasing wines from two competing electronic merchants selling some overlapping and some unique wines.

We show four primary empirical results. First, for differentiated products like wines, lowering the cost of search for quality information reduced price sensitivity. Second, price sensitivity for wines common to both stores increased when cross-store comparison was made easy, as many analysts have assumed. However, easy cross-store comparison had no effect on price sensitivity for unique wines. Third, making information environments more transparent by lowering all three search costs produced welfare gains for consumers. They liked the shopping experience more, selected wines they liked more in subsequent tasting, and their retention probability was higher when they were contacted two months later and invited to continue using the electronic shopping service from home. Fourth, we examined the implications of these results for manufacturers and examined how market shares of wines sold by two stores or one were affected by search costs. When store comparison was difficult, results showed that the market share of common wines was proportional to share of distribution; but when store comparison was made easy, the market share returns to distribution decreased signi.cantly. All these results suggest incentives for retailers carrying differentiated goods to make information environments maximally transparent, but to avoid price competition by carrying more unique merchandise.


Empirical evidence shows that secrecy in science has increased over the past decades, partly as a result of the commercialization of science. There is a good prima facie case against secrecy in science. It is part of the traditional ethos of science that it is a collective and open truth-seeking endeavor. In this paper, I will investigate whether secrecy in science can ever be epistemically justied. To answer this question, I rst distinguish between different sorts of secrecy. Next, I propose an account of what it is for a practice to be epistemically justied, with the help of work by Alvin Goldman and Philip Kitcher. I then discuss motivations for secrecy in science that are found in the literature to see whether they amount to, or can be turned into, epistemic justications for secrecy. The conclusion is that, although some forms of secrecy – particularly those motivated by universal moral concerns – are epistemically justied, secrecy that arises from special, often commercial, interests is not.


We examined the influence of reward structures on team adaptation. We collected data from Chinese university students, whom we assigned to 62 teams of 3 members. They took part in a team-based card game in a laboratory setting to test if a cooperative structure promotes team adaptation
 by facilitating shared mental model updating, and if a competitive structure harms team adaptation by preventing shared mental model updating. This proposition was supported by the results of the between-group factorial design experiment: The efficiency of the shared mental model was lost
 when predicting team performance in an uncertain environment. Teams with a cooperative structure outperformed teams with a competitive structure in the task changes, and this effect was mediated by shared mental model updating. Thus, team managers should adopt a cooperative-based structure
 in an uncertain environment to achieve team adaptation, as well as training team members to understand the changed situation.


Pump thrombosis (PT) is a serious complication after continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. To detect PT, echocardiographic ramp test using left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) is known to be useful. However, this method has several limitations. In this study, we propose an alternative novel ramp test using the flow velocity of outflow graft (OG). A 46-year-old man underwent continuous-flow LVAD (HeartMate II, Abbott Laboratories, Lake Forest, IL, USA) implantation for advanced heart failure due to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. About 2 years after implantation, he suffered from hemolysis and symptoms of heart failure, and PT was strongly suspected. The change in LVEDD was minimal with increase in pump speed (-0.06 cm/400 rotations per minute (rpm)), suggesting PT. The systolic to diastolic velocity (S/D) ratio of OG flow, which we proposed as a new indicator of PT, also showed minimal change (-0.07/400 rpm). His clinical symptoms improved with anticoagulation therapy, and the changing slope of the S/D ratio dramatically improved to -0.92/400 rpm. Although its consistency should be verified in many other cases, this novel method can be useful for detecting PT and evaluating its clinical course.


We propose a novel camera setup in which both the lens and the sensor are perturbed during the exposure. We analyze the defocus effects produced by such a setup, and use it to demonstrate new methods for simulating a lens with a larger effective aperture size (i.e., shallower depth of field) and methods for achieving approximately depth-independent defocus blur size. We achieve exaggerated, programmable, and pleasing bokeh with relatively small aperture sizes such as those found on cell phone cameras. Destabilizing the standard alignment of the sensor and lens allows us to introduce programmable defocus effects and achieve greater flexibility in the image capture process.


A new technique is proposed in this paper to measure Rayleigh and Lamb wave speeds in solid half‐spaces and plates. In this technique two transducers are positioned above the specimen in a pitch‐catch orientation. The time of flight of the signal from the transmitter to the receiver is recorded. Then the rate of change of this time as the distance between the reflector and the transducer varies is experimentally determined. This rate remains constant when leaky Rayleigh of Lamb waves are generated but it varies when these waves are not generated. Thus surface waves are detected in an indirect manner. An expression is derived to relate the surface wave speed to the signal flight time change rate with the transducer specimen distance. Using this expression Rayleigh and Lamb wave speeds have been accurately determined in isotropic metals and anisotropic composites.


All categories of farmers need information to be productive. Such information is on climatic change. This research work seeks to examine climatic change information needs of agro-pastoralists in Southeast, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to ascertain agro- pastoralists 'awareness of climatic change, identity sources of information on climate change, examine areas climatic change information is needed, and to describe agro-pastoralists responses to climatic change information received. Questionnaire was used to elicit information from 120 agro pastoralists purposively selected from their various camps in 3 Southeast States of Nigeria (Imo, Abia and Enugu). Data collected were analyzed descriptively using percentages and presented in frequency tables. Results showed that all the agro pastoralists were aware of climate change as seen in their response such as occurrence of heavy, but erratic rainfall(95.5%), drought occurrence(81.68%), high temperature(64.2%), flooding(87.5%), water shortage(84.2%), crop failures(100%) among others. Sources of information on climatic change were personal experiences, (80%), fellow farmers(75.3%), Miyetti Allah(100%), Hausa radio program(100%) and many more. They need information on livestock diseases, pasture availability, safe places to go, livestock prices, passable/impassable roads, when to sell their animals. To cope, they sell their animals (90.8%), dig water holes/wells, take animals for vaccination, receive training on animal vaccination, buy veterinary drugs and many more.


The organization of actin-containing microfilaments and vimentin-containing intermediate filaments has been investigated in B chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL), hairy cell leukemia (HCL), and normal B cells cultured in vitro under basal conditions and after induction with 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA). In uninduced B-CLL cells, F-actin was predominantly associated with dot-shaped structures scattered over the ventral membrane representing spotty close contact adhesion sites analogous to "podosomes" described in other cell types. On TPA induction, podosomes became clustered in sharply defined areas sitting in the cell center beneath the nucleus. In some cells, long actin-containing protrusions appeared. In HCL cells, F-actin was associated with thin microvilli responsible for the "hairy" appearance; occasional cells showed scattered podosomes. On TPA induction, HCL cells sprouted long dendritic processes rich in submembraneous F-actin, which made intertwined networks. Therefore, in both B-CLL and HCL cells, adhesion structures were present and the capacity for adhesion in vitro was marked, which might explain some peculiar clinical features of the diseases. Adhesion structures and adhesive properties never appeared in normal B cells. These data further support the notion that B-CLL and HCL, although clinically different, may share common biological features and suggest that in these disorders, cytoskeleton modifications may represent a hallmark of transformation.


Fabrication technologies on the micro and nanometer scale are becoming more and more important from the viewpoint of industrial applications, for example: high-resolution lithography for manufacturing high-density recording media, high-resolution displays, and high sensitivity biomolecule sensor arrays. Electron-beam lithography, interferometric lithography, electron-beam evaporation of constituent materials and lift-off procedures were used to fabricate negative refractive-index metamaterials at the near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths (Zhang et al., 2005; Dolling et al., 2006; Dolling et al., 2007). Due to its capability for large-area fabrication, conventional photo-lithography is a wide-spread fabrication technology. Because the minimum feature size is limited by optical diffraction, sub-micrometer structures can be created by deep ultra-violet (DUV) at hundred-nanometer wavelengths or extreme ultra-violet (EUV) at ten-nanometer wavelengths lithography techniques (Gwyn et al., 1998). Because these technologies require complex vacuum optics, their cost remains prohibitive. Ultrashort pulsed lasers, particularly femtosecond lasers, could offer an alternative to currently used micro and nanostructuring methods (Nishiyama et al., 2008; Qi et al., 2009; Allsop et al., 2010; Sugioka et al., 2010). High peak power can be reached for femtosecond pulses at relatively low energy per pulse. Due to the high radiation intensity, nonlinear effects dominate the interaction of tightly focused femtosecond laser beams with materials. Pulsed laser micromachining involves the removal of material through the ablation process which consists in some consecutive physical processes: laser energy absorption, material heating, material expelling, and material cooling (Liu et al., 1997; Stuart et al., 1996). The first step in laser ablation is the absorption of laser energy by the target material. The absorption mechanism depends on laser intensity (laser fluence and pulsewidth) and can be accomplished by linear and nonlinear processes. For opaque materials at laser radiation wavelength, linear absorption is the main mechanism at long pulsewidths with low intensity, whereas the nonlinear absorption becomes dominant at ultrashort pulsewidths with high intensity. For transparent materials, absorption comes from nonlinear processes through laser-induced optical breakdown. It is a process where a normally transparent material is first transformed in absorbing plasma by avalanche ionization and multiphoton


Introduction: Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) constitute the diverse group of infections with varied clinical presentation and severity. SSTI's are the most common infections treated in hospital today posing diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Natural herbs have been widely used as a potential source of therapeutic substances all over the world. A study was conducted to determine the antimicrobial effect of some natural extracts on important SSTI causing pathogens. Materials and methods: In this study the antimicrobial potential of essential oil of Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Eugenia caryophyllata, oil of Cymbopogon citratus, Melaleuca alternifolia, Mentha piperita, Ocimum sanctum and extracts of Curcuma longa, Azadirachta indica and Cassia fistula were analysed against common skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) causing microorganisms. The organisms include methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus agalactiae, Cutibacterium acnes, E.coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacteroides fragilis. The antimicrobial assay was performed by agar punch well method with different concentrations of essential oil and extracts. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was performed in order to identify the active constituents present in the extracts. Further a formulation was made, with the powdered extract (neem, turmeric, bark of golden shower) and cinnamon oil as the chief component to look for any probable synergetic activity. Results and discussion: In this study all the essential oils showed good antimicrobial activity than the crude extracts. Significant activity against the Gram negative organisms was exhibited by all the products used in the study. Cinnamon and Clove oil had an excellent activity against all the organism whereas tea tree, mint and Tulsi oil showed better results against the Gram positive organisms including acne vulgaris causing organisms. HPLC results emphasised the presence of eugenol and cinnamaldehyde in clove and cinnamon oil respectively. A significant zone of inhibition was observed from the formulation prepared. Hence we indicate that the natural products used in this study have therapeutic properties and therefore could be considered as an alternative medication in treatment of SSTIs.


Teenage pregnancy and low birth weight infants in Gunungkidul Purpose This study aimed to determine any association between teenage pregnancy and low birth weight in Gunungkidul district. Method The study used a retrospective cohort design. Samples were 394 people consisting of 197 people in the case group and 197 people in the control group. Case group subjects were teenage pregnant women (<20 years), while control group subjects were adult pregnant women (≥20 years) and both groups delivered a live birth. Case group were taken from all health centers that had complete record and control group were taken using systematic random sampling. Results Teenage pregnancy increases the risk of low birth weight babies. Related external factors consist of chronic energy deficiency, anemia and antenatal care visits, while the level of education and hypertension were not related. Conclusion Mothers suffering from less chronic energy and anemia increase the risk of giving birth to low birth weight babies, especially in teenage mothers.


WTO was established in 1995 and as many as 36 new members joined WTO until December 2017. Thus it would be interesting to see if new members have committed higher or lower levels of market opening compared to the original members. In this regard, a sophisticated scoring scheme is needed to quantify market opening commitments. After proper econometric model is established for the original members, same model can be applied to the new members for comparison. It was found that new members committed a much higher level of commitment than the original members. In addition, it was also found that transition economies committed higher levels than the non-transition economies. More interesting finding is that among the new members, the larger the economies or the larger the trading volume are, the closer was the level of commitment to the predicted level. Then the question is whether this difference was due to benign neglect by the new members or due to malign select by the original members.


The microscopic structure of animal hair is species-specific. This allows not only the identification of species but also discrimination among breeds. Trichology is widely used for species identification in taxonomy, ecology, paleontology, archaeology and even forensic sciences and food quality control. However, its use in livestock production is still incipient. Getting to know this methodology and to disseminate this technique in livestock investigation opens perspectives for research concerning animal genetic resources (AnGRs). Many advantages are listed such as the facility of sampling and processing, a great reliability of the results and a low cost. Therefore, trichology is an important tool for local breed studies in Brazil considering that characterization may help elucidate characteristics such as hardiness, prolificity, resistance, that warrant conservation and breeding efforts of local breeds. This review was carried out to discuss the use, the application and the potential use of microscopic analysis of mammal hair in livestock research and production.


Epitaxial CdTe has been shown by others to have a radiative recombination rate approaching unity, high carrier concentration, and low defect density. It has, therefore, become an attractive candidate for high-efficiency solar cells, perhaps becoming competitive with GaAs. The choice of substrate is a key design feature for epitaxial CdTe solar cells, and several possibilities (CdTe, Si, GaAs, and InSb) have been investigated by others. All have challenges, and these have generally been addressed through the addition of intermediate layers between the substrate and CdTe absorber. InSb is an attractive substrate choice for CdTe devices, because it has a close lattice match with CdTe, it has low resistivity, and it is easy to contact. However, the valence-band alignment between InSb and p-type CdTe, which can both impede hole current and enhance forward electron current, is not favorable. Three strategies to address the band-offset problem are investigated by numerical simulation: heavy doping of the back part of the CdTe layer, incorporation of an intermediate CdMgTe or CdZnTe layer, and the formation of an InSb tunnel junction. Each of these strategies is predicted to be helpful for higher cell performance, but a combination of the first two should be most effective.


Beginning around 1559 and continuing through 1642, writers in England, Scotland, and France found themselves pre-occupied with an unusual sort of crime, a crime without a name which today we call 'terrorism'. These crimes were especially dangerous because they were aimed at violating not just the law but the fabric of law itself; and yet they were also, from an opposite point of view, especially hopeful, for they seemed to have the power of unmaking a systematic injustice and restoring a nation to its 'ancient liberty'. The Bible and the annals of classical history were full of examples: Ehud assassinating King Eglon of Moab; Samson bringing down the temple in Gaza; Catiline arousing a conspiracy of terror in republican Rome; Marcus Brutus leading a conspiracy against the life of Julius Caesar. More recent history provided examples too: legends about Mehmed II and his concubine Irene; the assassination in Florence of Duke Alessandro de 'Medici, by his cousin Lorenzino. Terrorism Before the Letter recounts how these stories came together in the imaginations of writers to provide a system of 'enabling fictions', in other words a 'mythography', that made it possible for people of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries to think (with and about) terrorism, to engage in it or react against it, to compose stories and devise theories in response to it, even before the word and the concept were born. Terrorist violence could be condoned or condemned, glorified or demonised. But it was a legacy of political history and for a while an especially menacing form of aggression, breaking out in assassinations, abductions, riots, and massacres, and becoming a spectacle of horror and hope on the French and British stage, as well as the main theme of numerous narratives and lyrical poems.


Soluble extracts of adenovirus-infected HeLa cell nuclei support DNA replication on exogenous adenovirus DNA templates. Conditions of synthesis using both wild-type and temperature-sensitive extracts have been defined. Nuclear extracts prepared from cells permissively infected with the adenovirus mutant H5ts125 expressed the temperature-sensitive phenotype and could be inactivated at 37 degrees C in vitro. These extracts were completely complemented by the addition of wild-type adenovirus DNA binding protein but not by H5ts125 DNA binding protein. Enhancement by binding protein in the mutant extracts represents replication, as demonstrated by the production of full-sized products and orderly chain elongation originating, as in vivo, at both ends of the linear DNA. Replicative synthesis required the 5'-terminal protein bound covalently to template DNA and could be inhibited by denaturation of this 55,000-dalton protein. Various inhibitors of eukaryotic DNA polymerases, such as aphidicolin and 2',3'-dideoxythymidine triphosphate, inhibited replication of exogenous adenovirus templates in this system as they do in previously reported systems that only elongate endogenous replicating intermediates.


Crayfish are aggressive animals that compete to acquire resources such as shelters, food, and mates. Shelters are a primary resource that crayfish use for protection from conspecifics and predators. Despite the importance of this resource, no field research has been performed that studies the acquisition and control of this resource. The present study examines shelter use in a natural habitat and the impact that shelter ownership has on the intensity and outcome of agonistic encounters. A stationary underwater camera was used to observe crayfish, Orconectes rusticus, shelter use and agonistic interactions in a natural lake environment. These shelters were formed naturally in iron outcroppings found on the limestone and detritus benthos. Crayfish activity and shelter use was found to be dependent upon a circadian cycle with most of the shelter use occurring during the morning to early afternoon (05:00–13:00 hours). Agonistic encounters in the presence of shelters resulted in short, low intensity interactions. Interestingly, fight outcomes were not significantly affected by shelter ownership, but were primarily determined by size differential of combatants. This outcome may be due to the prevalence of shelters within this habitat. Contrary to laboratory studies, these results indicate that shelter ownership may not be an important factor in determining resource-holding potential in some habitats.


response was compared with that in a control group of five non-myasthenic patients. In the myasthenic patient, cisatracurium resulted in a rapid onset of complete (97-98%) neuromuscular block, while a slow onset of partial (80-90%) block was achieved in the control group. Also, administration of 0.05 mg-k,g -~ neostigmine at the end of surgery reversed the neuromuscular block of cisatracurium in the non-myasthenic patients, but did not change the rate of spontaneous recovery in the myasthenic patient. Conclusion: The myasthenic patient is sensitive to cisatracurium, as evidenced by a more rapid onset and more marked neuromuscularblock compared with the control non-myasthenic patients. This may be attributed to the decreased number of functional endplate acetylcholine receptors in the myasthenic patient, with a consequent decrease of the safety margin of neuromuscular transmission. Also, in contrast with the control group, the rate of recovery from neuromuscular block in the myasthenic patient was not enhanced by neostigmine at the end of surgery. This may be attributed to the prior inhibition of acetylcholinesterase by the preoperative pyridostigmine, as well as by possible desensitization of the cholinergic receptors secondary to prolonged pyridostigmine therapy.


Global warming represents a substantial challenge on a broad range of organisms with diverse life-history traits and geographical distributions. Up till now several studies correlated global warming to changes in body mass, growth rate or fat content, whereas the effects on immune function and microbiota composition remained almost unexplored. On the contrary, some pioneering studies are showing that increased temperature may influence the insect immune function and the microbiota composition, making global warming in a pivotal position influencing insect survival and adaptation to a warming planet.


Suppression of marrow function may be one of the most serious effects of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) infection in marrow transplant patients. In this study, normal bone marrow mononuclear cells were infected in vitro with HHV-6, and a methylcellulose-based colony formation assay was used to evaluate the impact of the infection on marrow cell differentiation and proliferation. Results demonstrated that the outgrowth of colony-forming units of granulocyte and macrophage lineages (cfu-GM) was decreased by approximately 43%, that growth of cfu of granulocyte, erythrocyte, macrophage, and megakaryocyte lineages (cfu-GEMM) was inhibited by an average of 71%, and that the erythroid burst-forming unit (bfu-E) was decreased by approximately 73%. Further, outgrowth of the marrow stromal layer was reduced 74%. Direct infection of bone marrow monocytes was observed, although cell-free virus could not be detected in infected culture supernatants. Addition of a neutralizing monoclonal antibody specific for interferon-alpha to the infected cultures resulted in an almost complete reversal of the viral suppressive effects.


Knowledge networks are now recognised as a crucial element underlying the economic success and competitiveness of geographic locations, in particular regions. The aim of this paper is to assess the types of knowledge networks utilised and formed by knowledge-based small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the relatively uncompetitive regional setting of Yorkshire and Humberside in the UK. It explores the relationship between knowledge networking activity and the levels of innovation and growth achieved by these SMEs. It is found that SMEs tend to utilise and value more knowledge networks with actors outside the region. However, more innovative SMEs possess a balance of inside and outside the region knowledge networks. Knowledge networking activity is sometimes negatively associated with growth, suggesting that networks with certain actors, such as public sector support agencies, may be formed by SMEs when they are facing competitive pressures. In terms of policy implications, the paper recommends a shift from the cluster policies implemented by many regional authorities to a regional innovation systems approach, focusing equally on the regional and more global dimensions of knowledge networks. It is concluded that regional public policy makers need to renew their efforts to support SMEs in creating and sustaining their knowledge networks.


This work addresses the design of polymers with optimal levels of macroscopic properties through the use of topological indices. Specifically, two zeroth-order and two first-order connectivity indices are for the first time employed as descriptors in structure-property correlations in an optimization study. Based on these descriptors, a set of new correlations for heat capacity, cohesive energy, glass transition temperature, refractive index, and dielectric constant are proposed. These correlations are incorporated into an optimization framework. The proposed mathematical description, utilizing the concept of a basic group, accounts fully for molecular interconnectivity. When the nonconvex terms are appropriately recast in the formulation as convex inequalities, a convex mixed-integer nonlinear (MINLP) representation is obtained. Three example problems highlight the proposed molecular description, structure-property correlations, convex MINLP optimization formulation, and solution technique.


The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics of scientific argumentation and its development in the process of mutual discussion activities by elementary school students in the 5th grade. The results of this study can be summarized as below: First, students used diversity argumentation components for solving the given argumentation theme, however, most students used the assertion or the basis of a simple expression of their own thoughts as a high ratio, and components of a one directional explanatory argumentation process rather than components of a mutual communicative argumentation process. Second, an asymmetric group showed a high-use ratio of communicative argumentation components and achieved argumentation activities harmoniously between a symmetric group and an asymmetric group in organization of groups for solving argumentation themes. It was found that students in the transitional period showed the highest rate of participation within the discussion process. Moreover, they also showed the highest rate of development of discussion skills whilst in the process of using scientific problems. In conclusion, this phenomenon is caused by highlighting the mutual action between the teacher and the student rather than placing an emphasis on the mutual action among students during field instructions.


Fifty-two stroke patients, 43 with cerebral ischemia and nine with cerebral hemorrhage, underwent continuous cardiac monitoring in an Intensive Stroke Care Unit shortly after the onset of the acute cerebrovascular accident. In the group of patients with no evidence of pre-existing heart disease, eight of 18 with cerebral ischemia and five of seven with hemorrhage developed ECG abnormalities. Additional ECG changes were noted in 21 of 25 patients with cerebral ischemia and two of two with hemorrhage who were known to have previous heart disease. Both disturbances in rhythm and conduction and "ischemic" ST-T alterations were detected and the frequency of the former exceeded that of the latter. The ECG alterations were transient in 32 patients and permanent in four. New electrocardiographical abnormalities in patients without evidence of heart disease prior to the stroke were associated with poorer prognosis. The pathogenetic mechanisms leading to the appearance of cardiac abnormalities in stroke patients are considered.


This paper has a discussion and research on building a new economics model for manufacturing grid (MG) based on beneficial drive. It firstly introduces the economics roles into manufacturing gird to express the economic attributes of the resources of MG. It also analyses the relationship between different roles. And paper focuses on building a new economics architecture supporting multi economics models. It adopts the MGeQoS to indicate how to deal with the selection of economics modes, and does the WSDI expression to describe MGeQoS attributes. And paper puts forward a matching service negotiation mechanism of economics model to realize the selection of economics model and do the management and scheduling of resource via the user MGeQoS. Based on these techniques, we present the conception model of MG economics architecture, and finally we build an effective and complete MG economics architecture which can support multi economics models.


Despite the amount of published material available, particularly in the pediatric literature, there remains a scarcity of information putting asthma into a clear and meaningful framework. The purpose of this textbook is clearly stated in the preface: "to assemble and integrate in one volume information about the latest information in this field, with an analysis and critique of clinical and basic approaches to the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of variable or 'reactive' airway disease." Despite this lofty aim, the editors have done an excellent job in selecting a group of contributors to assemble a series of articles that blend subjects of basic scientific and clinical importance. The result is an informative and practical volume. It is reflective of the quality of this text, and of the basic philosophy of the editors, that they chose Dr Elliot Ellis to write the foreword. Recognized as a premiere pediatric allergist, Dr Ellis is,


Within the past year, the subject of disruption of abdominal wounds has enjoyed a belated prominence in the writings and at the meetings of surgeons. Sporadic papers had been published in the leading journals, but on Nov. 8, 1933, an entire evening's symposium by five leading surgeons of New York 1 was presented by the New York Surgical Society. Therein it was revealed that the incidence of this postoperative disaster was as high as 2 per cent, with a mortality rate ranging from 28 to 53 per cent. Several of the participants in the aforementioned symposium contended that the incidence was undoubtedly higher because of the failure to recognize or record many of the cases. Similarly, Dr. Allen O. Whipple, who took part in the discussion, pointed out the inadequacy of statistics obtained from the record room as compared to those based on an accurate study of a series of


Embryonic development is strongly affected by incubation temperature in most animals, and the effects of incubation temperature continue after partition. However, relatively little is known about the effects of incubation temperature on the development of morphological features in reptiles. As a result, whether developmental rates of different traits change uniquely in response to incubation temperature remains unknown. In this study, we compared embryonic development of an Australian turtle incubated at different temperatures. We examined 43 internal and external morphological features of embryos at each week of development and compared presence and absence of each feature within and across weeks and temperature treatments, using a multivariate statistical approach. We identified morphological features that develop at different rates in turtle embryos incubated at different temperatures. Embryos incubated at 30°C hatched 3 weeks earlier, grew to hatchling size faster, and developed advanced morphological features earlier than those incubated at 26°C. Furthermore, embryonic features that appear late in development appeared progressively earlier in embryos incubated at 30°C. Embryos incubated at 26°C also retained some early embryonic features for longer periods of time during development, especially from weeks 2–4. Despite temperature effects, some traits appeared at the same week of development in embryos from both treatments, including a clearly distinguishable carapace and distinct gut villi at week 3. Variation in appearance and retention of features means that not all external features consistently appear in the same order, depending on incubation temperature. From a practical perspective, cool- and warm-incubated embryos may exhibit different sets of embryological features, which may not be captured by previously published embryological staging guides.


Problem Solving Environments (PSEs) are a very useful tool which combines simulation and visualization into a single package. The consequential benefit of such a system is that it facilitates experimentation with minimal additional effort from the user. The integration of Grid technology with PSEs is a natural step in this evolution. Finally, the idea of "workflow" in Grid terminology correspond very closely with how PSEs are generally constructed within e-Science environments. Indeed, workflows are needed for the simulation of complex experiments because they integrate several applications and data that often are distributed and that need careful orchestration. These were the main reasons for adopting the Grid PSE technology inside the LIBI virtual laboratory. The goal of this project is setting up an advanced Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Laboratory, focusing on basic and applied research in modern Biology and Biotechnologies. This paper describes the technological solution proposed by the LIBI project with a case study.


Flunarizine, a piperazine derivative, is a selective Ca++ channel blocker coupled with its
antihistaminic property claimed to be effective in prophylaxis of migraine. Oral bioavailability
of flunarizine is very low (less then 18%) due to poor water solubility and extensive first pass
metabolism. The aim of the investigation was to design and develop microemulsion of
Flunarizine for enhancing its solubility hence the oral bioavailability. Solubility of flunarizine
was determined in various vehicles. Pseudo-ternary phase diagrams were constructed to identify
the microemulsion existing zone. Optimization of formulation was done by process and
formulation optimization. Optimized microemulsion was characterized for its transparency,
droplet size, zeta potential, viscosity, % assay, and stability study etc. Particle size and zeta
potential of optimized microemulsion were found to be 12.3 nm, -6.34 mV respectively. Drug
content of the microemulsion formulation was 98.29±0.91. The viscosity data indicated the
microemulsion to be O/W type. 78.49% and 71.53% of the drug was found to be released in 8hrs
in the in-vitro and ex-vivo studies respectively. Solubility of flunarizine was successfully
enhanced by 123 times by Capmul MCM microemulsion compared with distilled water
(pH=7.4). Hence, by formulating into microemulsion, the solubility of Flunarizine was
significantly enhanced which may increase its bioavailability.


This paper attacks the problem of drug particles modeling in their delivery process for better predictions of solubility and absorption rate. Most of the current models treat the particles to be spheres which may not be accurate. The drug particles formed by grinding and milling are usually not spheres but are irregular or spindles in shape. As such, in this paper modeling of drug particles as cylinders is proposed to rigorously study the impact on its solubility. Along the same line, we also delve into the effect on solubility of changing the aspect ratio of a cylindrical drug particle having a constant mass as well as the diffusion coefficient of the solute which dominates the control on the kinetics of drug release. Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation is employed to calculate the diffusion coefficient of a given particle using one of Einstein's fluctuation-dissipation equations that relates transport properties to time. The MD approach makes it possible to deal with parameters that are too difficult to be physically measured in a human body. The solubility analysis of a cylindrical drug particle is done using the Noyes-Whitney equation. The rates of change of radius and of mass are analyzed graphically for drug particles of different weights and sizes. Finally the solubility of a sphere versus that of a cylinder for the same mass is investigated. The data reveal that with the same given mass, the solubility of a spherical particle is less than that of the cylindrical shape. As to the effect of the diffusion coefficient, δ on the solubility of a particle, it is found that the increase in δ for a particle with fixed mass increases its solubility. However, the solubility decreases while δ is increased for a particle with fixed radius.Copyright © 2009 by ASME


Emissions resulted from transportation activities may lead to dangerous effects on the whole environment and human health. According to sustainability principles, in recent years researchers attempt to consider the environmental burden of logistics activities in traditional logistics problems such as vehicle routing problems (VRPs). The pollution-routing problem (PRP) is an extension of the VRP which consists of routing a number of vehicles to serve a set of customers and determining their speed on each route segment so as to minimize a function of comprising fuel, emissions and driver costs. This paper proposes an adaptive large neighborhood search for the robust PRP (RPRP) under demand uncertainty. The achieved results indicate a premium performance of the solutions obtained by the proposed robust models.


CENTRAL ASIA AND THE CAUCASUS No. 6(54), 200855tor that strongly affects Russia's strategy. NATO's active involvement in the region forces Moscowto step up it efforts designed to limit the scope of NATO's regional activities.Cooperation between Kazakhstan and NATO is assessed as favorable for the former's geopolit-ical and military interests while a detailed analysis of the answers demonstrated that the expert com-munity on the whole is fairly optimistic about potentially closer cooperation. This is confirmed inparticular by the high share of positive answers to the question of possible correlation of NATO andCSTO standards in Kazakhstan's army. The expert community also agrees that closer military-polit-ical cooperation with the United States and NATO will hardly create risks for Kazakhstan; even ifthey do emerge Astana, according to the widely shared opinion, will be able to settle any disagree-ments by diplomatic means. The fact that over half of the polled pointed out that NATO membershipwould promote Kazakhstan's national interests came as a surprise even though in real life this thesisremains ambiguous.Today the sides find the current level of cooperation satisfactory: they can address their taskswithout irritating either Russia or China. Under the present conditions the Alliance could have ex-panded its regional involvement in the most effective and least conflicting way by establishing con-tacts with the CSTO and SCO. This would have allowed NATO, on the one hand, to reduce the Rus-sian-Chinese pressure on the Alliance and to address many of its problems more successfully, includ-ing those in Afghanistan. On the other hand, NATO would have been able to deepen its cooperationwith the Central Asian states in their capacity as CSTO and SCO members without irritating the Rus-sia-China tandem.


The Industrial Revolution and the Demographic Transition are the two great forces that explain the upward march of modern economy. What is the general effect of increase in Human Capital Intensity (HCI) on major demographic factors? Despite the universal agreement on socio-economic return of Human Capital (HC), much less is known about the demographic return of HC. This study attempts to explore major demographic externalities of overall increase in HCI. This paper mainly utilizes the published data of International Labor Organization and United Nations. In this study, both bivariate and multivariate analyses have been performed. From this study, It is observed that, HCI is robustly associated with the productivity of the country. Our findings reveal that, a negative relation exists between HCI (PWSI) and Population Growth Rate, Total Fertility Rate, Crude Birth Rate and Crude Death Rate, and a positive correlation appears between HCI and Net Migration Rate. Formation of HC is very important in different aspects for a nation, as well as the individual. Every nation should emphasize HC formation for prosperity of the nation. Besides this, HC formation should also be stressed as an indirect measure of population control, which is very important for well-being of all nations.


This thesis consists of three chapters, in which I examine recent developments in the area of international finance. In Chapter 2, I introduce a new class of hybrid exchange rate models that combine macroeconomic variables with information from a foreign exchange interdealer trading platform. Building upon the work by Chinn and Moore (2011), I examine the power of hybrid models to explain and forecast exchange rate dynamics. I provide compelling evidence that hybrid models produce more accurate in-sample predictions than a conventional macroeconomic Taylor rule and well-established market microstructure models.

Chapter 3 provides an analysis of recent developments in the commodity trading advisor (CTA) industry, a growing alternative investment class, in which fund managers primarily take long and short positions in derivative markets. Based on the largest and cleanest cross-sectional CTA dataset employed in the literature to date, I assess the highly debated performance of CTAs (Bhardwaj et al. (2014), Gregoriou et al. (2010)) and discuss different characteristics of their return dynamics. Furthermore, I provide empirical evidence for a robust link between manager skill, manager compensation, and future fund performance. The results are consistent with a rational market where investors compete to invest with successful CTA managers who set their fee structure to signal their skills to investors.

In Chapter 4, I examine liquidity dynamics of FX spot and swap instruments. While trading volume of FX derivatives has been growing in the post-financial crisis period (BIS (2016)), knowledge about these instruments' liquidity dynamics is still limited. In this essay, I show that market and funding liquidity are inherently linked. In particular, I find that changes of dealers' quoting activity in the FX spot market has a significant impact on liquidity conditions in FX derivative markets. Further, FX dealers' quoting activity exhibits distinct seasonal up- and down-swings around quarter-end months. In these periods, small-volume and less-informed dealers appear to substitute large dealers as market makers. This change in the composition of the dealer ecosystem leads to a decline in market liquidity and to an increase in funding costs of FX derivative instruments. In line with Brunnermeier and Pedersen (2009), the increased funding costs seem to induce liquidity spirals at the end of the year, whereby a worsening of funding conditions is associated with lower levels of market liquidity in currency spot and swap markets.


To evaluate the direct effects of a barbiturate on cerebral functions without its influence on brain perfusion pressure, circulatory hormones and metabolites, the electroencephalogram (EEG) was studied in the isolated rat head. Male Wistar rats were anesthetized, and EEG electrodes were inserted into the cranium. A Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer solution containing heparinized rat whole blood, 20 mmol/l glucose, 200 mmol/l mannitol and 0.1 mg/ml dexamethasone was used for the perfusate. The bilateral common carotid arteries were cannulated, pumped at a rate of 6 ml/min and the head was isolated. The venous effluent was reoxygenated and recirculated into the brain. Twenty-five min after isolation of the heads pentobarbital was added to the perfusate at concentrations of 0.1, 0.5 and 2.5 mg/ml. EEG was recorded before and during perfusion. EEG activity could be recorded for more than 25 min after the beginning of perfusion. EEG activity gradually declined from 42+/-5 microV before perfusion (in vivo) to 4+/-1 microV at 25 min after the beginning of perfusion. Then, 3 min after the addition of pentobarbital, the EEG activity became significantly higher in the high dose groups; 12+/-3 microV in the 0.5 mg/ml group (p<0.05) and 12+/-1 microV in 2.5 mg/ml group (p<0.05) compared with the group without pentobarbital (2+/-2 microV). The present study suggests that a barbiturate has mitigating effects on the brain damage induced by the in vitro brain perfusion.


A survey has been made of the effects on junctional transmission of the complete series of polymethylene bis-trimethylammonium (BTM) and bis-triethylammonium (BTE) salts from the decamethylene compounds (BTM 10 and BTE 10) to those with twenty-one methylene groups in the chain. These were tested for their ability to cause contracture of the isolated chick biventer cervicis preparation, and for their ability to block the twitch responses of this preparation, those of the rat isolated diaphragm preparation, and those of the cat tibialis anterior preparation. They were also tested for their ability to block transmission in the cat superior cervical ganglion, to block the actions of acetylcholine on the guinea-pig isolated ileum, and for ability to inhibit the hydrolysis of acetylcholine by acetylcholinesterase. Their electrical conductivity has been measured in aqueous solution. Ability to cause contracture of the chick biventer cervicis is confined to the compounds BTM 10 to 15; BTE 10, 11 and 12 have some weak activity but the other BTE compounds, and the BTM compounds with more than fifteen methylene groups, have virtually no activity. In the BTE series both neuromuscular blocking and ganglion-blocking activities increase with chain length up to a maximum in the region of BTE 15 to 17 and then decline. In the BTM series ganglion-blocking activity increases with chain length in much the same way as in the BTE series, though the maximum activity is at a slightly longer chain length. At the neuromuscular junction an increase in chain length beyond BTM 10 leads to a decline in activity but this returns to some extent at longer chain lengths, reaching a second maximum at BTM 18, above which it declines further. At the ganglion BTE 16 is only slightly more active than BTM 16 and about five-times as active as hexamethonium; at the neuromuscular junction in the cat BTE 16 is about five-times as active as BTM 16 and about eight-times as active as (+)-tubocurarine. The affinity of the BTE compounds for the postganglionic acetylcholine receptors of the guinea-pig ileum reaches a maximum at BTE 14 but does not decline significantly with further increase in chain length. Anticholinesterase activity, likewise, does not alter significantly between BTM 12 and BTM 21 and the activity of the compounds in the BTE series appears to be similar. This property could conceivably be modifying the actions of some of the intermediate compounds but is not likely to be affecting those of the more active ones. The conductivity experiments indicate that micelle formation could be limiting the actions of the compounds with 20 or 21 methylene groups, but is not likely to be affecting those of the other compounds. The results suggest that there is a regular increase with chain length of the affinity of these compounds for the receptors in the ganglia and at the neuromuscular junction but that efficacy in causing contracture is limited to compounds with three methyl groups in the cationic head and a chain of about ten methylene groups. The connexion between this ability to depolarize and the ability to block transmission by desensitization is discussed.


Because the collapse of complex systems can have severe consequences, vulnerability is often seen as the core problem of complex systems. Multilayer networks are powerful tools to analyze complex systems, but complex networks may not be the best choice to mimic subsystems. In this work, a cellular graph (CG) model is proposed within the framework of multilayer networks to analyze the vulnerability of complex systems. Specifically, cellular automata are considered the vertices of a dynamic graph-based model at the microlevel, and their links are modeled by graph edges governed by a stochastic model at the macrolevel. A Markov chain is introduced to illustrate the evolution of the graph-based model and to obtain the details of the vulnerability evolution with low-cost inferences. This CG model is proven to describe complex systems precisely. The CG model is implemented with two actual organizational systems, which are used on behalf of the typical flat structure and the typical pyramid structure, respectively. The computational results show that the pyramid structure is initially more robust, while the flat structure eventually outperforms it when being exposed to multiple-rounds strike. Finally, the sensitivity analysis results verify and strengthen the reliability of the conclusions.


In the upstream oil and gas production sector, unplanned production deferment (UPD) is defined as the conduit production flow deviation from technical potential due to unscheduled interruptions. Low UPD is a key indicator of a facility's operational excellence. High UPD reflects that a facility is facing frequent downtime of critical equipment, poor work schedule planning and execution, under-performing producer wells, inability to meet the facility's production targets, increased expenditure, as well as possible additional work-related stress among the employees. In this case study, UPD of a Malaysian upstream brownfield production facility is mostly affected by wells-related (33%), process-related (31%), and rotating equipment (25%). A clear framework has to be in place to resolve and address the UPD, with improvement recommendations detailed out for deliberation. The outcomes of UPD reduction efforts heavily depend on the integration as well as collaboration of people, processes and technology.


The dissertation is dedicated to the analysis existing and justifying the new approaches to formation of a system of parameters of service life of technical means with the purpose of control of techno-logical advance.
The dissertation covers value and reference directions of control of technological advance, the role of optimization of service life of engineering in this process is justified, is updated concepts «controls research progress management», the existing methodical approaches to the count physical and obsolescence are classified at definition of optimum service life of engineering and moment of its replacement, outgoing from a level of their influencing on stimulation research progress management.
The multi-level system of parameters of effective lives of technical means is designed, which one actuates "turnover cycle", "service life" and "effective life", the parameters of mutuality between parameters of all levels are detected, the scientific - methodical approaches to their optimization are advanced, the applicability(feasibility) of the given system as tool of control research progress management is justified.
The dissertation contains the practical check of the offered methodical approaches to calculation of parameters "turnover cycle", "service life" and "effective life" is carried out, the comparative analysis of methods of charge of amortization outgoing from a degree of their influencing on rates of growth of firm and on intensification research progress management is conducted, the guidelines on modification in the legislation are designed, which one adjusts amortization policy in Ukraine.


An algal–bacterial culture and an activated sludge culture were cultivated for simulating wastewater treatment in an algal pond and an aerated pond, respectively. Linear alkyl benzene sulfonates (LAS) and caffeine were selected as model pollutants. In 7 - day batch treatment of synthetic wastewater (dissolved organic carbon (DOC) 106 mg/L, dissolved nitrogen (DN) 57 mg/L, dissolved phosphorous (DP) 6.7 mg/L, LAS 16 mg/L, caffeine 0.03 mg/L ), the degradation kinetics for LAS and sulfophenyl carboxylic acids as the intermediates, and caffeine suggested that the bacterial species and population in the activated sludge culture and the algal–bacterial culture were quite different from each other. Finally, the algal–bacterial culture showed balanced removals for the pollutants ( DOC 82%, DN 32%, DP 72%, LAS 100%, caffeine 50% ). The activated sludge culture showed rapid degradation of LAS and caffeine but it only insufficiently removed nutrients ( DOC 73%, DN - 20%, DP 23%, LAS 100%, caffeine 63% ). These results suggest that the algal pond is a promising technology for simple and low-cost wastewater treatment in warm countries.


In order to meet the needs of automotive electronics,intelligence,an increasing number of MEMS(Micro Electro Mechanical System) sensors are applied to the car.In this paper,the present application and the current research of several major automotive MEMS sensors are introduced,and the design flows of micro pressure sensor and accelerometer are studied.Meanwhile,combining the characteristics of MEMS sensors and the requirements of vehicle sensors,a few suggestions and prospects on the development of the automotive MEMS sensors are offered.


Accepts that resistance to change by individuals in organizations is a natural phenomenon and is an essential element in understanding any change process. Holds that resistance has its origins in both the personality and the individual′s interaction with the environment and is a dynamic activity with both cognitive and emotional elements. Understanding and dealing with individuals who are resisting change requires that they be taken seriously, listened to and understood. Discusses how the person‐centred approach of Carl Rogers, with its philosophy and emphasis on individual self‐direction in a facilitative climate, provides a valid and useful way for consultants to work with clients in this context. Anything less than a person‐centred approach leads to increased alienation and resistance.


The need to generate high-quality conceptual models ofmanufacturing components and limited application functional components has driven the development ofRapid Prototyping (RP) in the last fifteen years. Recently, however, it has become increasingly obvious that an RP system that can produce fully functional components in materials other than polymers would be beneficial. In order to fulfill the requirements for the direct production ofmetallic and ceramic components for functional testing and application, the development ofnew processes and materials are key development areas at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Materials Research (IFAM) and the Fraunhofer Resource Center-Delaware (FRC-DE). For the free-form fabrication ofceramic and metal parts, the Multiphase Jet Solidification (MJS) process has been developed for producing metal and ceramic components. The MJS process extrudes metal and ceramic based binder systems (such as A120 3, SiC, stainless steel, and Ti), forming the desired component layer by layer. As in powder injection molding, after a part is formed by MJS, the binder phase is removed chemically or thermally and the remaining powder compact is sintered to final density. This paper presents the MJS technique and outlines a variety ofpotential applications.


A broad spectrum of assisted reproductive technologies has become available for couples with fertility problems. Follow-up studies of children born as a result of assisted reproduction have shown that neonatal outcome and malformation rates are not different from those of the general population, except for a low birthweight and a slight increase in chromosomal abnormalities. The safety aspect of assisted reproduction at the epigenetic level has not been well studied. Epigenetics refers to phenomena where modifications of DNA methylation and/or chromatin structure underlie changes in gene expression and phenotype characteristics. This article intends to analyse epigenetic risks related to assisted reproduction on the basis of an overview of epigenetic reprogramming events in the gamete and early embryo. Two epigenetic modifications, methylation and imprinting, are considered in more detail. The interference of in-vitro embryo culture, immature sperm cells and nuclear transfer with epigenetic reprogramming is discussed, as well as the possibility of epigenetic inheritance.