A185 Despite increasing use of chemotherapy in the clinical management of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), outcomes remain poor largely due to the development of chemoresistance. To explore potential mechanisms, we studied the growth characteristics of two human EAC cell lines (Bic-1 and Seg-1) and one normal esophageal epithelial cell line (Het-1A), following repeated intermittent exposure to cisplatin, a chemotherapeutic agent widely used in current clinical practice. The chemosensitivity of surviving clones isolated at various cycles of drug exposure were studied under hypoxic conditions and in the presence of basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2), which is expressed at high levels in Seg-1 but undetectable in Bic-1. Signaling pathways were studied using selective pharmacologic inhibitors. Compared to HET-1A and Seg-1, Bic-1 cells were resistant to cisplatin, which is further enhanced by hypoxia and exogenous FGF-2 (10 ng/ml). The chemoprotective effect of FGF-2 was completely blocked by the specific FGF receptor (FGF-R) inhibitor, PD173074. The less specific FGF-R inhibitor SU5402 showed similar inhibition, but required significantly higher concentrations. Further blockade was achieved by two selective MEK-1 inhibitors (U0126 and PD9809), whereas no effect was seen with inhibitors of p38 Map kinase (SB203580 and SB202190), phospholipase C (U73122) or protein kinase C (chelerythrine chloride). Compared to parent cell lines, surviving clones were not more chemoresistant, but with increasing cycles of treatment, displayed gene expression profiles more similar to that of resistant Bic-1 cells, including a reduction of FGF-2 expression and up-regulation of FGF-R especially FGFR1. We conclude that FGFR signaling through the mitogen-activated protein kinase-extracellular signal regulated kinase (MAPK-ERK) pathway is important in acquire chemoresistance to cisplatin in EAC cell lines, and FGFR1 up-regulation may be a first step towards developing drug resistance. As FGF-2 was recently shown to have prognostic significance in human EAC, the stratification of patients to receive chemotherapy based on tumor FGFR expression, and the potential for modulation of chemotherapeutic efficacy represents a novel therapeutic strategy that warrants exploratory clinical study.


Problem. In smaller churches the quality of the message delivered during the worship service on weeks the pastor is absent, is often reported to be weak and lackluster. Previous testing has determined that video instruction is as effective in teaching as live instruction. Presently, some pastors are reported to be using video in small churches. The purpose of this study was to determine if the videotaped sermon is a viable alternative worship form for small churches. Method. Biblical, Ellen G. White, and contemporary worship literature were reviewed on the nature of preaching and worship. Five videotaped sermons were shown over a period of weeks in two small churches. Surveys before, during, and after this sequence recorded the responses of members toward the videotaped sermon. Results. The literature revealed that a variety of methods, other than live preaching, for gospel presentation have been utilized in the past. The surveys indicate a generally favorable response from the members of the experimental churches in response to the occasional use of the video sermon when more desirable alternatives do not exist. Conclusions. The videotaped sermon may be a legitimate and useful alternative worship form. It should not be regarded as an alternative to quality live preaching. However, it may provide a quality alternative to mediocre preaching or no preaching at all in the context of the worship service.


A simple new way is developed to analyze the correlations of lattice vibrations based on the fundamental recursion method. The applications are significant to the cases of perfect crystalline silicon and the crystals of silicon with dilute impurities, such as substitutional boron and interstitial lithium.


New data from the workers at the Mayak nuclear facility near Chelyabinsk, Russia, apparently show a linear increase in the risk of lung cancer with increasing dose. Furthermore, this increase occurs without a threshold. However, these conclusions are at variance with the results reported by other investigators. A possible cause of these inconsistencies could be the lack of application of microdosimetric considerations when discussing "dose" to the lung.


Adenosine is currently being investigated as a possible mediator of a homeostatic sleep need. Reports from different laboratories suggest that both adenosine A1 agonists and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) increase deep slow wave sleep (SWS-2) after an interval. In this study, the sleep-wake effects of the adenosine A1 agonist N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA) and the SSRI zimeldine are directly compared in the same animals. Since the SWS-2 increase following SSRIs may be secondary to increased adenosine levels during the initially increased waking, it was also investigated whether the adenosine A1 antagonist 8-cyclopentyltheofylline (CPT) would inhibit the SWS-2 increase following the serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Both the adenosine A1 agonist CPA and the SSRI zimeldine increased SWS-2 after an interval. Both drugs increased slow wave activity and decreased 9-20 Hz activity during SWS-2. Both the adenosine A1 antagonist CPT, zimeldine and the two drugs combined initially increased waking and subsequently increased SWS-2 after 2 or 4 h. All treatments increased 2-6 Hz activity in SWS-2 after 2h. Thus, CPT did not antagonize the SWS-2 increase of zimeldine. Based on the sleep and power spectral effects it is suggested that the adenosine A1 antagonist potentiated the zimeldine effect, possibly due to antagonism of adenosine A1 inhibition of serotonin release. The data indicate that the delayed SWS-2 and slow wave activity increases following zimeldine are not due to increased stimulation of adenosine A1 receptors following the initial sleep loss.


This paper evaluates the impact of federally subsidized family planning programs in the United States, from 1969 to 1974, on the reproductive behavior of ever-married women, 15–44 years old. The study began with an experimental design and the random assigment of areas to treatment and control but was completed as a multivariate analysis, treating program input as an interval-scaled independent variable. Using "before" and "after" area sample surveys and patient service data from operating programs, the demographic impact of the program was estimated. The impact detected was nonsignificant; according to our analysis, overall use of physician-administered contraception was not affected by the subsidized programs. The only program-induced change of activity related to reproduction that we recorded was increased use of subsidized services in study areas with high program input and increased use of private physician services where program input was low. These findings need to be interpreted with the caution usually exercised in evaluating imperfect field experiments.


NALM‐6‐M1, one of eight leukemia cell lines cultured from the blood of a 19‐year‐old boy with non‐T, non‐B acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in relapse, was characterized. This cell line was found to be more than 90% cytoplasmic Immuno‐globulin positive (clg+) for both mu heavy and lambda light chains, but surface immunoglobulln (slg) and complement receptor (CR) negative. NALM‐6‐M1 was clg∼ for alpha, delta, and gamma heavy chains and kappa light chain. About 45% of the cells exhibited sheep erythrocyte receptors. Approximately 12% of cells were positive for Fc receptors. Approximately 90% of the cultured cells had a deleted long arm of chromosome 5 (5q−) and a marker Y chromosome. The remaining 10% of cells were found to have some additional chromosomal material on the long arm of chromosome 12, suggesting a partial translocation. No other karyotypic abnormalities were found. The cell line was found to react strongly with anti‐p23, 30, suggesting la‐like activity, but it only weakly stimulated normal lymphocytes in mixed leukocyte culture (MLC). The cells expressed HLA antigens. NALM‐6‐M1 failed to react with anti‐thymocyte serum (ATS), did not possess Epstein‐Barr membrane or nuclear antigens, nor did it exhibit phagocytosis for zymosan. NALM‐6‐M1 reacted positively with oil red O and Sudan black stains. On the basis of the clgM staining, NALM‐6‐M1 seems to be arrested at an early stage in B‐cell development and is considered to be of the pre‐B cell phenotype possessing a chromosomal abnormality.


We study the sampled‐data implementation of extended PID control using delays for the nth‐order stochastic nonlinear systems. The derivatives are approximated by finite differences giving rise to a delayed sampled‐data controller. An appropriate Lyapunov–Krasovskii (L‐K) method is presented to derive linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) for the exponential stability of the resulting closed‐loop system. We show that with appropriately chosen gains, the LMIs are always feasible for small enough sampling period and stochastic perturbation. We further employ an event‐triggering condition that allows to reduce the number of sampled control signals used for stabilization and provide L2 ‐gain analysis. Finally, three numerical examples illustrate the efficiency of the presented approach.


BACKGROUND
The reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) in congenital heart disease has attracted the interest of cardiac surgeons determined to alleviate the anatomic obstruction and restore RV function.

METHODS
From June 1991 to September 2008, 203 consecutive patients (mean, 3.0 years; range, 2 months to 35 years) underwent operations. These patients were classified into 5 groups: group 1, tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary hypoplasia (144 cases, 70.9%); group 2, pulmonary atresia (PA) with ventricular septal defect (VSD) (32 cases, 15.7%); group 3, truncus arteriosus (12 cases, 5.9%); group 4, transposition of the great arteries with left ventricular outflow tract obstructions (8 cases, 3.9%); and group 5, PA with intact ventricular septum (7 cases, 3.4%). Remodeling surgery of the RV consisted of patch closure of the VSD (n = 176), tricuspid valvoplasty repair (n = 25), infundibulum muscle resection, and reconstruction of the RVOT (all patients). The Lecompte procedure was performed in 8 patients in group 4, and the one and a half ventricle technique was performed in 7 patients in group 5.

RESULTS
There were 21 hospital deaths (10.3%); 180 patients (88.6%) survived. Patients were followed up from 4 to 206 months (mean, 98.0 months). Sixteen patients (8.8%) underwent reoperation for prosthesis dysfunction, with 2 in-hospital deaths (12.5%). The rest of the patients (164, 80.7%) remain free of reoperation.

CONCLUSION
Earlier reconstruction of the pulmonary valve and the RVOT may preserve ventricular performance for a long period. Nevertheless, the porcine pulmonary prosthesis has shown satisfactory results when it has been used for the reconstruction of different types of RV obstructions.


Remdesivir exhibits in vitro activity against SARS-CoV-2 and was granted approval for Emergency Use. To maximize delivery to the lungs, we formulated remdesivir as a dry powder for inhalation using thin film freezing (TFF). TFF produces brittle matrix nanostructured aggregates that are sheared into respirable low-density microparticles upon aerosolization from a passive dry powder inhaler. In vitro aerodynamic testing demonstrated that drug loading and excipient type affected the aerosol performance of remdesivir. Remdesivir combined with optimal excipients exhibited desirable aerosol performance (up to 93.0% FPF; 0.82μm MMAD). Remdesivir was amorphous after the TFF process, which benefitted drug dissolution in simulated lung fluid. TFF remdesivir formulations are stable after one-month storage at 25 °C/60%RH. In vivo pharmacokinetic evaluation showed that TFF-remdesivir-leucine was poorly absorbed into systemic circulation while TFF-remdesivir-Captisol® demonstrated increased systemic uptake compared to leucine. Remdesivir was hydrolyzed to the nucleoside analog GS-441524 in lung, and levels of GS-441524 were greater in lung with the leucine formulation compared to Captisol®. In conclusion, TFF technology produces high potency remdesivir dry powder formulations for inhalation suitable to treat patients with COVID-19 on an outpatient basis and earlier in the disease course where effective antiviral therapy can reduce related morbidity and mortality.


Hybridoma AR1-28 [Chin and Miller, Cancer Res 45:1723-1729, 1985] was produced using splenocytes from BALB/c mice which had been immunized with human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell line RWP-1 [Dexter et al, Cancer Res 42:2705-2714, 1982]. This antibody cross reacted with the RWP-2 cell line. AR1-28, an IgG1 antibody, stained the membranes of five (RWP-1, RWP-2, BxPC-3, HPAF-2, and T3M4) out of ten human pancreatic tumor cell lines by immunofluorescence techniques. Electron microscopy on RWP-2 cells, stained by indirect immunoperoxidase, confirmed a membrane location for the AR1-28 antigen. Twenty-three of the 27 clinical specimens (83%) of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded pancreatic cancers tested were positive. Varying intensities of staining were observed and were related to the degree of differentiation achieved by the tumor: poorly differentiated tumors showing the least staining while well-differentiated tumors showed the greatest intensity of staining in a predominantly apical location. Immunoblotting showed that AR1-28 reacts with a 200,000-dalton antigen present in extracts of RWP-1 and RWP-2 cells. This monoclonal antibody may be useful in the classification of pancreatic tumor cells.


Purpose: The clinical advantages of end-to-end (ETE) anastomosis have not been clear despite its biomechanical advantage over end-to-side (ETS) anastomosis. We compared the histomorphometric features of intimal remodeling after ETE and ETS anastomosis in a rabbit aortic bypass model. Methods: Thirty-two bypass operations, 16 with ETS and 16 with ETE anastomoses, were performed using aortic allografts of donor rabbits (15 per group) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts (1 per group). To minimize bias from the immunologic response to aortic allografts or graft size, a long aortic tissue obtained from one donor was divided into 2 pieces and shared between each ETE and ETS bypass. PTFE graft bypasses, which are commonly used in clinical practice, were performed to provide comparison results for an allograft with a different compliance. Vessels were harvested at 1 day (1 per group), 5 days (1 per group), and 4 weeks (14 per group, including the PTFE bypass group) after surgery. Intimal thickening was evaluated with hematoxylin-eosin, van Gieson, immunohistochemical staining and Western blot analysis of TNF-α and proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression. Results: Mean intimal thickness and volume (0.721±0.047 ㎜, 5.734±0.387 ㎣ vs. 0.883±0.048 mm, 9.068±0.462 ㎣) and intima/media volume ratio (0.70±0.05 vs 1.08±0.06) were significantly smaller in ETE (P<0.05). Western blotting showed a marked increase in TNF-α (203.15±5.29 vs. 494.49±6.11) and PCNA concentrations (152.66±7.37 vs. 175.53±4.36) in the ETS group. Conclusion: ETE anastomosis results showed significantly decreased inflammatory reaction and volume of intimal hyperplasia, and therefore seemed to be associated with better long-term graft patency.


The work presented here derives an approximate lower bound (ALB) for the error variance of direction-finding using a single acoustic vector sensor subject to random breakdown in its sensors. This ALB equals a weighted sum of Cramer-Rao bounds (CRBs), conditioned on disjoint events of sensor breakdown, that together define the overall phenomenon of random sensor breakdown. Its tightness is verified by Monte Carlo simulation of a maximum likelihood estimator.


This paper proposes a novel approach to health monitoring and multifault detection in permanent magnet synchronous machines using direct flux measurement with search coils. Unlike other spectrum-based fault detection schemes, only the fundamental frequency component of the measured voltage is utilized for fault detection. Therefore, the performance of the proposed scheme is not affected by nonstationary speed or harmonics introduced by the power supply. In addition, location of interturn short circuits and direction of static eccentricity can be detected, which have never been done by any other scheme. In spite of the invasive nature of the technique, it is very suitable for mission-critical applications and emerging applications such as off-shore wind turbines, hybrid vehicle technology, and military applications, where early detection of faults is of paramount importance. 2-D simulations using finite element analysis have been presented to validate the proposed method under different operating conditions. Experimental introduction of stator interturn short circuit, demagnetization, and static eccentricity has been discussed, and the proposed scheme is experimentally implemented to examine its effectiveness.


The Committee on Drugs of the American Academy of Pediatrics, originally known as the Committee on Drug Dosage, was established by action of the Executive Board in 1950. Its original purpose was to survey the problem of drug dosage in children. In October 1963 the Executive Board recognized the need for a broader orientation, changed the name of the Committee to its present form, and directed that the Committee become more active in the areas of drug testing and safety of drugs for children. This action resulted in part from several unforeseen events associated with the use (and misapplication) of pharmacologic agents in children. It has become evident to the Executive Board that there should be an authoritative body concerned with the science and practice of therapeutics as it relates to the pediatric patient (infant, child, and pregnant woman). It is proposed that, through the Committee on Drugs, attention also be focused on the variations in drug response occurring during pre- and postnatal development. Included should be consideration of three factors–genetics, environment, and development–which may alter drug effects in all age groups. The Committee also feels it is desirable to expand its functions in the area of education and make available to Academy members, and all others concerned with the welfare of children, scientific facts pertinent to drug usage in children. To achieve this, the Committee will need the aid of those persons capable of objectively gathering and appraising data in the field. Liaison will be established with government agencies, the pharmaceutical industry, and all physicians who, be they pediatricians or not, prescribe drugs to infants and children.


Peking Temple Survey Schedule in Capital Library of China recorded the saying of "nine dragons, two tigers and one stele", this legend still spread in the old residents in Xizhimen Street 西直门大街. Through the history research and fieldwork, this essay finds out the exact meaning of nine dragons and two tigers and the relationship with the temples, wells in Xizhimen Street. We find three characteristics of the temples in Beijing inner city through the legend: First, the temples have complicated responsibilities, clear objects and class attributes, which is the important reason for the great number of temples in Beijing. Second, the people have their own view and imagination towards the city landscape, this kind of special sense has some difference with the upper class. Finally, temples are not only served for the diverse religious and social needs of the residents, but also the basement of constructing their urban spatial aesthetics, the temples communicates the secular and gods, they are also the junction of city and universe. Based on the understanding and arrangement of the real temples, citizens construct their unique cosmic order.


Presenilin 1 (PS1) plays a critical role in neurogenesis both during development and in the adult. We recently reported that ubiquitous expression of familial, early-onset Alzheimer's disease-linked PS1 mutants impairs enrichment-induced proliferation and neurogenesis of hippocampal neural progenitor cells (NPCs) in a non-cell autonomous manner. The impairments in proliferation and neurogenesis are, at least in part, due to alterations in the levels of specific chemokines and growth factors secreted from microglia expressing familial Alzheimer's disease-linked PS1 variants. To test our hypothesis that the fate of hippocampal NPCs in PS1 mutant mice is largely determined by cellular factors produced within the niche itself, we are examining the fate of NPCs from hippocampi of wild-type human PS1 or PS1 mutant mice that are marked with green fluorescent protein and BrdU following transplantation into heterologous hosts. In parallel, we have generated transgenic mice that harbor a transgene encoding the PS1ΔE9 variant flanked with loxP sites that can be conditionally deleted in a temporal and/or spatial manner using specific cre driver lines. These studies will allow us to assess the contributions of varying cell types within the hippocampal stem cell niche that express mutant PS1 to NPC proliferation and differentiation.


The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM), a well-renowned metabolic diseases that comes under Top-10 lethal and incurable disease of the world, is increasing day by day. It is well-reported that the mortality rate of diabetic patients due to comorbidities is higher. Diabetic patients suffer from several cardiovascular events and such risk increases with an intermediate metabolite HbA1c. Control in HbA1c and lowering it does not appear to yield the same benefit on macrovascular endpoints, as observed for microvascular endpoints. Moreover, secondary diseases caused by diabetes mellitus are many and diabetic patients have been found to be more susceptible to diseases like cardiac injury. For instance, rosiglitazone has been found to cause myocardial infarction and ultimately leads to heart failure. Glucagon like Peptide -1 (GLP-1) agonists and sodium- glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors causes several cardiac side effects like myocardial infarction and stroke. In this concern, USFDA officially announced in2008 that all new glucose-lowering agents should be tested for its cardiac safety. However, Metformin which is a biguanide has been very safe and useful for obese diabetic patients. It has shown minimal cardiovascular abnormality and has been considered as one of the safest drugs to be given diabetic patients. In this paper published scientific articles of antidiabetic drugs for their impact on cardiovascular anatomy and physiology have been summarized along with the conclusion of relevant studies.


Human body central temperature is an important monitored value for anesthesiology and intensive care practice. Present anesthetic agents influence on the central temperature regulation and lead to its decrease in the perioperative period. Inadvertent perioperative hypothermia accompanies various surgeries with general and regional anaesthesia. It considerably increases the risk of cardiac and infectious postoperative complications, and against its background blood loss and necessity for blood transfusions also increase. Patients with hypothermia wake up slower and the postoperative shivering may often occur. Perioperative hypothermia increases the length of hospital stay and the nosocomial mortality. In this regard, prevention of inadvertent perioperative hypothermia is an important part of anaesthesia assistance in all fields of surgery. Maintenance of normal temperature during the surgery is an important component of all programs of patient's early postoperative activation.


High resolution point clouds provide excellent data sources for examining change over time in above-ground features such as buildings and trees. Of particular interest is the identification of illegal construction activity or damage incurred during earthquakes and other disasters. By using multi-date point cloud layers, these types of change can be efficiently identified and mapped. Such analysis is generally not as simple as differencing imagery from the two dates. Variations between the images can be caused by slight geometric mismatches between images from different acquisition dates, errors in the data returns, or natural differences caused by vegetation growth or wind direction. The factors can contribute to the detection of large amounts of inconsequential change throughout the area of interest, resulting in too many false positives for the analysis to be of any practical use. However, by conducting object-based analysis of the data – analysing meaningful objects rather than working point by point – software algorithms can be used to rapidly and accurately detect and map only the changes of interest to the customer.


The effect of graphene-nanosheets (GNs) on the mechanical properties and microstructure of the S390 HSS alloy was investigated. The S390 HSS sample reinforced with 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75 wt.% GNS. Powder metallurgy technique was used to prepare all samples. The elemental powders of the alloy were milled in a planetary ball mill by 10:1 ball to powder ratio with speed 350 rpm for 48 hours, and the mixed powders were warm compacted by the uni-axial press at 550C under 500 MPa and then sintered in a vacuum furnace at 1370C for 1 hour. X-ray diffraction shows the formation of secondary carbide phases and martensite. The density result indicates the decreasing of density values by GNS additions. The mechanical properties show an increase in the hardness and wear resistance by increasing the graphene content. The specimens are metallographically examining using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and also the electron backscatter diffraction shows a good distribution of GNS in the HSS matrix.


Most item selection in computerized adaptive testing is based on Fisher information (or item information). At each stage, an item is selected to maximize the Fisher information at the currently estimated trait level (θ). However, this application of Fisher information could be much less efficient than assumed if the estimators are not close to the true θ, especially at early stages of an adaptive test when the test length (number of items) is too short to provide an accurate estimate for true θ. It is argued here that selection procedures based on global information should be used, at least at early stages of a test when θ estimates are not likely to be close to the true θ. For this purpose, an item selection procedure based on average global information is proposed. Re sults from pilot simulation studies comparing the usual maximum item information item selection with the pro posed global information approach are reported, indicat ing that the new method leads to improvement in terms of bias and mean squared error reduction under many circumstances. Index terms: computerized adaptive testing, Fisher information, global information, infor mation surface, item information, item response theory, Kullback-Leibler information, local information, test in formation.


For series of compounds with activity against multiple targets, the resulting multi‐target structure–activity relationships (mtSARs) are usually difficult to analyze. However, rationalizing mtSARs is of great importance for the development of compounds that are selective for one target over closely related ones. Herein we present a methodological framework for the study of mtSARs and identification of substitution sites in analogue series that are selectivity determinants. Active analogues are subjected to uniform R‐group decomposition, compared on the basis of pharmacophore feature edit distances, and organized in previously reported tree‐like structures that we adapted for mtSAR analysis. These data structures represent a substitution site hierarchy, capture potency variations, and reflect patterns of SAR discontinuity. Generating this data structure for multiple targets makes it possible to determine preference orders for chemical modifications to improve target selectivity. Accordingly, high emphasis is put on the derivation of simple rules to design substitutions that are likely to yield target‐selective compounds. Furthermore, the analysis is applicable to identify both additive and non‐additive effects on compound activity and selectivity as a consequence of multi‐site substitutions.


evidence indicates . . . that under the circumstances of their use by millions of people the occasional reports of possible habituation or untoward reaction are extremely insignificant." The amphetamines are described as "slightly more powerful in their pharmacological effect than caffeine": perhaps, then, the public's indignation over the use of these drugs to dope racehorses is slightly ridiculous when no one would be shocked by the poor beasts being given a drink of coffee. With much of the book I profoundly disagree, but the author points out that "the whole matter of the possibility of addiction from any drug is a highly emotionally-charged subject . . . and offers an opportunity for publicity seekers, whether professional journalists or writers or professional scientists or physicians, to win public interest and attention." Perhaps I am one of these. D. M. DUNLOP.


Before you buy a blood glucose meter (also known as a blood glucose monitor), check with your doctor and diabetes educator. Make sure the one you choose is well suited to your particular needs. You might want to have one at home and one for use at school or the office.


WordPress includes a plugin mechanism that allows user-provided code to be executed in response to specific system events and input/output requests. The large number of extension points provided by WordPress makes it challenging for new plugin developers to understand which extension points they should use, while the thousands of existing plugins make it hard to find existing extension point handler implementations for use as examples when creating a new plugin. In this paper, we present a lightweight analysis, supplemented with information mined from source comments and the Web pages hosted by WordPress for each plugin, that guides developers to the right extension points and to existing implementations of handlers for these extension points. We also present empirical information about how plugins are used in practice, providing guidance to both tool and prospective plugin developers.


We consider a nonlinear difference equation with a time delay which represents the simplest possible discretely updated neural network. We show that provided that the integral time delay is large enough, this self feedback system exhibits a huge number of asymptotically stable periodic orbits. Therefore, such a network has potential for associative memory and pattern recognition.


Article history: Received 20 July 2020 Reviewed 5 October 2020 Received in revised form 2 November 2020 Accepted 3 November 2020 In this paper, the hydraulic jump length on a slope rough floor is simulated through the extreme learning machine (ELM). Then, the parameters affecting the hydraulic jump on the slope rough bed are detected. After that, five different ELM model are developed so as to determine the influenced factor. Next, the results obtained from different ELM models are analyzed. The comparison of the results with the experimental data proves the acceptable accuracy of the mentioned numerical models. Regarding the results from the numerical method, the superior ELM model estimates the hydraulic jump length in terms of the flow Froude number, the ratio of bed roughness, the ratio of sequent depths and bed slope. The values of the root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute percent error (MAPE), scatter index (SI) and correlation coefficient (R) for the superior model are respectively obtained 0.657, 3.507, 0.052 and 0.985. Based on the simulation, the flow Froude number at upstream is introduced as the most effective parameter in predicting the jump length on the sloping rough floor.


A method with new instrumental variables of the IV (instrumental-variable) identification algorithm is proposed to estimate the unknown parameters of linear time-invariant single-input single-output systems with the output variables contaminated by noise. Since only the noisy observation and input signals are needed to obtain the instrumental variables and the knowledge of the measurement noise is not necessary, the algorithm is more easily to implement. The measurement noise may be colored Gaussian or independent and identically nonGaussian distributed. Strong consistency of the proposed method is proved under certain sufficient conditions. The limiting distribution of the parameter estimates is shown to be Gaussian asymptotically. An explicit expression of the covariance matrix for the parameter estimates is also given. Simulation results show that the unknown system is not restricted to be minimum phase and is allowed to contain all-pass components in its transfer function.<<ETX>>


We document the design and development of a modular blockchain IT artefact, affording stakeholders in emerging economies the ability to deploy and collectively govern resilient financial infrastructure. The artefact comprises a smart contract system implementing an iterative policy framework through which stakeholders engage in collective deliberation on the compilation, redistribution and inflation of a native asset class. Stakeholders submit and elect 'schemes' implementing policy measures, such as taxation, through voting sessions weighted by 'reputation scoring'. We aim to contribute towards the emerging discourse on the utility of blockchain technology in emerging economies.


The rapid advancement in new Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) has transformed the ways people take care of their health. The significant role of new media in health-related behaviors at both macro and micro levels is a recognized fact. mHealth apps are amongst the advancements which are benefiting human health at an individual level. This increased usage of mHA led the researchers to explore the ways youth consumes these Apps and the benefits they perceive to attain for their physical and psychological health. The data on consumption patterns and perceived usefulness were measured on a five-point Likert scale. The finding of the study suggested that most of the users reported having one to three health apps on their mobile phones on average and found them useful to get both PHI (Prevent Health Information) and CHI (Curative Health Information). The study concluded that these apps were creating awareness among youth and benefiting them by gratifying both their physical as well as their psychological health related needs. Keywords: mHealth apps, Youth, Perceived Usefulness.


: Nowadays, fishing boats are the most vulnerable to danger in the sea. The success rate of rescue after the accident is also lower than the average success rate of national maritime search and rescue. According to incomplete statistics, the direct economic loss of 290,000 marine motor fishing vessels per year is nearly 1 billion yuan. Every year about 600 fishermen die or disappear and more than 1,000 ships sink. According to the statistics of the total number of Chinese Fishing Vessel Owners Mutual Insurance Association in recent 10 years, the Chinese Fishing Vessel Owners Mutual Insurance Association has insured 1.77 million fishing crew members in recent 10 years, with a mortality rate of 2.110 per 100,000 people. Considering other factors, the mortality rate of Chinese marine fishermen can be set at 162 per 100,000 people per year. It is estimated that China has 2 million seafarers and the annual death toll should reach 3235. Fishing vessels in distress at sea are often unable to save themselves. The only way to survive is to call a nearby ship and equip it with communication equipment. However, coastal fishing vessels mainly rely on short-wave or ultra-short-wave intercom equipment for communication. Channels are divided by frequency, and they interfere with each other at the same frequency. Analog technology can only communicate with similar products, but can not connect to public communication networks (such as wired networks, mobile networks). It is imminent to study the communication support technology of ocean fishing vessel in distress.


A quantum private comparison is a primitive protocol of secure multiparty quantum computation that enables two parties to privately decide whether x = y or not, given two integers x and y, that are held as private inputs by the two parties, respectively. However, many existing quantum private comparison schemes may not be efficient enough, especially applied in big-data and large-scale network environments, because of low efficiency bit-by-bit comparisons. In this paper, we present a novel and efficient quantum private comparison scheme. The proposed scheme provides higher communication efficiency because a secret-by-secret comparison instead of a bit-by-bit comparison is used.


Little is known about the impact of combination HIV prevention interventions for men who have sex with men (MSM) and the impacts on the wider epidemics. Modelling analyses of MSM-specific interventions across varied HIV epidemics may inform evidence-based responses. The Goals model was adapted to project the impacts of providing HIV interventions for MSM and access to expanded coverage of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for adults to measure the effects on the MSM and adult epidemics in Peru, Ukraine, Kenya and Thailand. Positive impacts were observed in all four countries. Across epidemics, 14–25% of infections among MSM may be averted between 2012 and 2016 when MSM interventions are brought to scale and MSM have equal access to expanded ART for adults. Among adults, MSM interventions may avert up to 4000 new infections, in addition to the benefits associated with increased ART. Greatest impacts from expanded interventions were observed in countries where same sex transmission contributes significantly to the HIV epidemic. While significant benefits are observed among the adult and MSM populations with expansion of ART, consideration should be given to the synergies of combining ART expansion with targeted interventions to reach hidden, high-risk populations for HIV testing and counselling and linkages to care.


The risk of neuraxial block in patients treated with antiplatelet drugs are uncertain. Elderly patients often have low physiological reserve, delaying surgery can lead to a high rate of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this paper is to present a case of a patient with 99 years using clopidogrel undergoing regional anesthesia for surgical treatment of hip fracture without complications.


Network management is one of the most discussed topics in the networking fraternity. The efficiency of the network management suit is measured by the number of parameters/components handled by the application while making a decision. In the case of Internet enabled aircrafts, along with network security, even the aircraft safety needs to be considered as a factor while designing the network management suit. This requires the network management suit to monitor/analyze the aircraft related data (avionics data, physical security parameters, etc.) while determining the proper functioning of the overall system. In this paper, the authors present a framework for network management suit that, along with network health, monitors inputs from avionics, video surveillance system, weather monitoring system, and manual pilot alarms and based on the situation, reconfigures the onboard networking devices to stream appropriate flight critical data to the ground station. The proposed framework attempts to provide a comprehensive user interface for the flight health monitoring crew with all the relevant data.


During the First International Conference of the Journal of Information Systems in Taiwan, a panel was formed to discuss the development of digital transformation with panelists from the US, Singapore, and New Zealand. This paper is a summary of the panelists' viewpoints and the participants' interactions during the session. The discussion demonstrates the trends and the key differences of the process of digital transformation in different countries.


Introduction: Prolapsed intervertebral disc is a condition that can occur anywhere along the spine, but most often occurs in the lower back. It is sometimes called a bulging, protruding or ruptured disc. It is one of the most common causes of lower back pain as well as leg pain or sciatica.
Objective: To study the demographic characteristics of prolapsed lumbar intervertebral disc by age, gender, clinical presentation, levels of spinal column involvement, treatment options and post operative complications for lumbar disc prolapse.
Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in Rangpur and Saidpur Combined Military Hospital from September2017 to December 2018. A Total of 223 Cases was studied and data were collected by semi-structured questionnaire by face to face interview and medical documents.
Results: Most commonly affected disc spaces were L5/S1(35.87%)followed by L4/L5 (33.18%) and L4/L5,L5/S1(14.28%). Males were mostly affected and commonest among 30-39 years' age group (45.29%). Chi-square test is done and result is statistically significant (p<0.01). Most of the cases given conservative treatment 202(90.58%), surgical treatment given 21(9.41%). Mechanical backache wasthe most common (14.29%) post operative complications.
Conclusion: In this study prolapsed intervertebral disc was common in the lower lumbar region at the level of L4/L5 and L5/S1.
JAFMC Bangladesh. Vol 15, No 2 (December) 2019: 221-223


This examination of labor mobility between the formal and informal sectors in Mexico provides a critique of existing models of intersectoral articulation, analyzes the flows between the formal and informal sectors of a group of small entrepreneurs in the informal sector, and assesses the consequences of existing mobility strategies for the economic performance of the informal sector. Works of economists interested in dual models of economies in developing countries do not deal directly with questions of intersectoral mobility, but they implicitly suggest a labor force with 2 closed compartments. But empirical studies in Latin America have demonstrated a strong rotation of workers between the 2 sectors. The functional theory proposed by H. Lopez is one of the most developed among a group that assert that movement between the modern and informal sectors is massive. The Lopez theory suggests that very young workers gain experience in small enterprises in the informal sector, become wage earners in the modern sector sometime in their 20s, and retire after 30 or 40 years to new employment in the informal sector. Very few studies on mobility between sectors have been done in Mexico. But a simulation model demonstrates that when age-related variations in total labor force participation are factored in, the life cycle model of intersectoral mobility is not valid, despite apparent support when the sectoral composition of the labor force is examined cross-sectionally and the results interpreted longitudinally. The National Survey of the Informal Economy was conducted among 2748 units employing fewer than 6 persons in Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Puebla, Leon, Juarez, and Tijuana. The objective was not to study intersectoral mobility, and questions were asked only on the 2 most recent jobs rather than the entire work history. Only the "micro-entrepreneurs" themselves were interviewed, with the 33% of the work force comprising hired workers and unpaid family labor excluded. 24% of the respondents had never had other employment before creating their current business in the informal sector. The survey results confirmed that the labor market is not strictly segmented into formal and informal compartments. The mobility trajectories between the sectors did not, however, follow a 3-stage pattern. Significant proportions spend their entire working lives in the informal sector, where they develop skills and possibilities of social advancement. Opportunities for putting training acquired in the formal sector to use in the informal sector were limited, but a significant proportion of workers were able to save part of their earnings in the formal sector to establish themselves in an enterprise in the informal sector.


This study assessed the anxiolytic and antidepressant activities of a methanol leaves extract of Cnesmone javanica (CV) in Swiss albino mice. The study found a significant increase in the percentage of time spent in the open arms of an elevated plus maze and in the incidence of head dipping in hole-board tests following the administration of 400 mg/kg of CV or 1 mg/kg diazepam. Moreover, a significant (p < 0.001) dose-dependent reduction was observed in the immobility time following CV (200 and 400 mg/kg) and fluoxetine (20 mg/kg) administration for forced swimming and tail suspension tests. Gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC–MS) analysis identified 62 compounds in CV, consisting primarily of phenols, terpenoids, esters, and other organic compounds. A molecular docking study was performed to assess the anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of 45 selected compounds against human serotonin transporter and potassium channels receptors. Network pharmacology was performed to predict the pathways involved in these neuropharmacological effects. Overall, CV demonstrated significant and dose-dependent anxiolytic and antidepressant effects due to the presence of several bioactive phytoconstituents, which should be further explored using more advanced and in-depth mechanistic research.


A framework is presented for exploiting the frequency stability of non-GNSS signals to extend the coherence time of inexpensive GNSS receiver clocks. This is accomplished by leveraging stable ambient radio frequency signals, called "signals of opportunity," to compensate for the frequency instability of the reference oscillators typically used in inexpensive handheld GNSS receivers. Adequate compensation for this frequency instability permits the long coherent integration intervals required to acquire and track GNSS signals with low carrier-to-noise ratios. The goal of this work is to push the use of GNSS deeper indoors or into environments where GNSS may be subject to interference.


This work aimed to evaluate, under greenhouse conditions, the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on the nutrient uptake of Acacia mangium, Sesbania virgata and Eucalyptus camaldulensis, as well as, the influence of these fungi on the shoot nutrient content of these plant species, when cultivated in single and intercropping systems, under field conditions in an area of clay extraction. Under greenhouse conditions, AMF inoculation increased N, P and Zn content of A. mangium by 22, 71 and 67%, respectively, and in S. virgata the increase of N, P, Ca, Mg, Mn and Zn was of 39, 49, 56, 24, 105 and 54%, respectively. Under field conditions, A. mangium,when cultivated together with S. virgata, presented lowest Ca content in shoots. AMF inoculation increased the Mg content in A. mangium by 36%,when the plants were grown together with E. camaldulensis. S. virgata plants in intercrop with A. mangium and/or E. camaldulensis presented lower Mg content than when cultivated in single system. On the other hand, E. camaldulensis plants without AMF inoculation cultivated together with A. mangium and/or S. virgata presented lower N content than the plants grown in single system. No nutritional improvement was observed in E. camaldulensis plants due to intercropping systems.


Background Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of adult deaths in our country. In clinical practice, an adequate level of secondary prevention towards CAD primarily requires full recognition of the distribution of risk factors. The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of coronary risk factors and the use of prophylactic drugs among patients who have an angiographically proven CAD in our centre, and to compare it with those of the EUROASPIRE I and II studies. Design Cross-sectional, observational study. Methods Our patients comprise 617 subjects (516 male, mean age 57.2 ± 10.8 years) who underwent an angiography between January 2000 and May 2000 for the first time and in whom significant coronary lesions were detected. Age, gender, family history of premature CAD (FH), diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HT), lipid profile, smoking, body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference and physical activity data were recorded prior to angiography. The medical treatments received by these cases at discharge from hospital were investigated. Data thus obtained were compared with the results of the EUROASPIRE I and II trials, which studied the frequency of existing risk factors and prophylactic drug use among CAD patients in European countries. Results Hyperlipidaemia, FH, DM, HT, smoking, obesity, central obesity were found in 52, 26, 20, 41, 65, 18 and 29% of patients, respectively. The use of antiplatelets, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, statins and calcium antagonists were 99, 86, 40, 63 and 16%, respectively. Conclusion Upon comparison of the risk factors, prevalence of obesity and DM was found to be similar to the average of nine European countries among our subjects. Smoking was found to be considerably higher, whereas HT, hyperlipidaemia and family history of premature CAD were lower than the European average within our subjects. In our cases the frequency of prophylactic drug usage at discharge was higher than the European means.


In some applications, e.g. circulating fluidized beds (CFB), cyclones are usually operated at high solid loadings. Under high inlet solid concentration, most of the particles are collected at the wall and form a dense particle spiral band because of high separation efficiency. As a result, gas-solid reactions should occur mostly in the near-wall region. To understand the gas-solid reaction mechanism in the cyclone, an experimental study was conducted in a plexiglass CFB cold apparatus, with a riser of 0.2m I.D. and 5m high, and a standard Lapple cyclone. Fiber optical probe was used to measure the characteristics of solid flow in the cyclone, including particle velocity and volumetric solid concentration, especially in the near-wall region of the cyclone. Based on the experiment results, the combustion of carbon particles in the cyclone of a CFB boiler was estimated with group combustion theory. The calculated results show that combustion effectiveness factor ηeff of near-wall particle cloud is smaller than 1/25, which means the combustion rate of a carbon particle in the near-wall region is greatly restricted by other particles in the cloud.


The shrub, Myrica cerifera , and the nitrogen-fixing bacterium, Frankia , form a symbiotic relationship that is important for seedling establishment on nutrient poor coastal soils. To determine potential interdependence, the spatial distribution of host plant seedlings was examined in relation to the root symbiont on a Virginia barrier island. Spatial patterns for both species were related to microtopography and soil chlorides. Myrica cerifera seedlings were more commonin the swale region than on the dune crests or slopes. Abioassay quantified the extent of Frankia distribution within a recently formed swale where the shrub seedlings were invading. Frankia occurred throughout the swale, but was absent within 20 m of the high tide line. Frankia was found in areas devoid of the host plant; M. cerifera did not occur at ~43% of the locations where Frankia was present. In contrast, the host plant seedlings were limited to areas that contained Frankia . Soil chlorides where M. cerifera seedlings occurred were lower than locations devoid of the host plant. Similarly, soil chlorides where Frankia was present were lower when compared to areas without the root symbiont. Although influenced by microtopography and soil chlorides, the successful establishment and small-scale distribution of M. cerifera seedlings in coastal soils depends on the presence of Frankia .


Thirty isolates of the entomophthotalean fungus, Conidiobolus coronatus, derived fromnaturally infected rice planthoppers were investigated for the achvihes of their alkaline protease.Culturing in sabouraud broth for 48h at 26℃, the isolates yield a dry mycelium biomass of 29.2mg / ml with a maximum of 32mg / ml. The activity of the alkaline protease in supemabot variedgreahy among the isolates, ranging 232-1410u / ml. The specific acihvity was high and venous:11000u / mg for 2 of the isolates tested, 8000-10000u / mg for 4 isolates, 5000-8000u / mg for 9isolates, and 2000-5000u / mg for 14 isolates. It is suggested that the alkaline protease is a highlyeffective achvator for vacuous prachcal pUIPOses.


Herein, we report the first redox-neutral and transition-metal-free β-C(sp3)-H functionalization of cyclic amines via a consecutive intermolecular hydride transfer process. A series of N-aryl pyrrolidines and N-aryl 1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyridines decorated with CF3 and carboxylic ester functionalities are directly accessed in good yields from pyrrolidines and piperidines. This work pushes forward the application of the intermolecular hydride transfer strategy in one-step assembly of molecular complexity.


This article is to investigate how space is structured in Russian motional verbal phrases. The study adopts a cognitive linguistic approach to deal with how we perceive an event in space and make a linguistic representation of it. It is characteristic of Russian verbal phrases that the cognitive aspect of spatial elements in events is structured. We assume that events occur in a spatial continuum of path which consists of a starting point, intermediate points and an ending point. In Gestalt psychology, events are perceived in a saliency relationship between the participants of figure and ground, where an agent or theme stands as figure with regard to a reference object as ground. Now the spatial structural framework of events is postulated as follows: [event V ([ X ], [path PREF [place PREP [ Y ] ] ] ) ] where X refers to the cognitive ontological category of agent or theme, Y to the ontological category of reference object and V is the head of the verbal phrase, the quintessential element of the predicate, PREF is prefix and PREP is preposition. Events are organized as a path along a spatial continuum in which the figure moves to or towards the ground. The path involves primarily an overall spatial view of the whole event and then within it a partial view of the event, where the figure is in contact or noncontact with the ground. We call the overall view of the event headed by PREF a macro-spatial perspective and the partial view headed by PREP a micro-spatial perspective. In this spatial framework, the event is organized so that the macro- perspective of prefixes functions as an overall view of path from the starting point to the ending point and the micro perspective of prepositions as a detailed view of the culminating point of the path. The macro-perspective is relatively more encompassing inasmuch as it includes a variety of micro-perspectives, while the micro-perspective is a concrete representation of the event at the culminating point. This shows the functional distribution and structuring of the spatial perspectives representing the spatial continuum of the event. The parameter of macro-perspective is orientation in terms of which macro-perspectives are classified into horizontal, vertical or circular ones. The parameter of micro-perspective is contact or noncontact of the figure with the ground, where prepositions represent a dimensional character of the reference object or a relative location of the figure with regard to the object. The two spatial perspectives are organized in a structural hierarchy to represent four classes of event paths: route path, origin path, goal path and direction path.


Disaster recovery provides an opportunity to build healthier and more resilient communities. However, opportunities and challenges encountered by local health departments (LHDs) when integrating health considerations into recovery have yet to be explored. Following Hurricane Harvey, 17 local health and emergency management officials from 10 agencies in impacted Texas, USA jurisdictions were interviewed to describe the types and level of LHD engagement in disaster recovery planning and implementation and the extent to which communities leveraged recovery to build healthier, more resilient communities. Interviews were conducted between December 2017 and January 2018 and focused on if and how their communities were incorporating public health considerations into the visioning, planning, implementation, and assessment phases of disaster recovery. Using a combined inductive and deductive approach, we thematically analyzed interview notes and/or transcripts. LHDs reported varied levels of engagement and participation in activities to support their community's recovery. However, we found that LHDs rarely articulated or informed decision makers about the health impacts of recovery activities undertaken by other sectors. LHDs would benefit from additional resources, support, and technical assistance designed to facilitate working across sectors and building resilience during recovery.


Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is involved in development and maintenance of malignant phenotypes of several human cancers and therefore represent an attractive therapeutic target. Trastuzumab is currently the only anti-HER2 antibody approved for treatment of human cancers and although succesful more efficacious treatments are warranted. Mixtures of recombinant monoclonal antibodies are promising candidates as the next generation of antibody therapeutics due to their multipotent activities.

The aim of the present study was to identify mixtures of anti-HER2 antibodies with superior activity to existing monoclonal antibodies. Anti-HER2 antibodies were raised in mice by immunizations with HER-2 in different antigen presenting formats. A large antibody repertoire consisting of approximately 150 unique anti-HER-2 antibodies was cloned from the mice using the mSymplex™ technology. Based on a thorough sequence and binding analysis, 40 antibodies were selected for functional evaluation. The 40 antibodies were tested as individual antibodies and in mixtures of two and three for the ability to inhibit the growth of four human cancer cell lines using a standard viability assay. In total, more than 1300 mixtures were evaluated for ability to inhibit growth of the four cell lines. The 20 mixtures with the highest levels of growth inhibition were further characterized with regard to potency (IC50) and ability to engage in ADCC and CDC. The results demonstrated that HER2 mixtures were superior to trastuzumab, pertuzumab and the mixture of the two at inhibiting the growth of seven of the 10 cell lines investigated. Interestingly, the mixtures also inhibited the growth of the trastuzumab resistant breast cancer cell line HCC202, reflecting the differentiated mechanisms of anti-HER2 antibody mixtures. In vivo, anti-HER2 mixtures had superior activity compared to the monoclonal anti-HER2 antibody trastuzumab in two models of human gastric cancer. Based on these results, a candidate mixture was selected and referred to as Sym005.

In conclusion, these data demonstrate that the novel antibody mixture Sym005 has a unique set of HER2 inhibitory mechanisms, which translates into superior anti-cancer activity in HER2-positive tumor xenografts. Furthermore, the results provide a clear rationale for evaluation of Sym005 in clinical trials on patients with HER2 positive tumors.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4562. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-4562


Dear editors and reviewers, Thank you for your valuable comments and thoughtful suggestions on our manuscript. Following your comments on the manuscript, we made careful revisions, and the point-to-point response (in red) of the comments (in black) is listed below. We hope these revisions would make this manuscript more acceptable for publication. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Many thanks again. With best wishes. Sincerely yours, Jingyun Zheng


This paper reports on a numerical algorithm for quasi-static dynamic modeling of highly nonlinear electrostatic actuators with single-side clamped moving elements, such as curved-electrode actuators or zipper-like touch-mode actuators. The algorithm is capable of simulating pre-stressed materials and touching surfaces with complex geometries of the moving and the rigid structures, including stoppers and thickness variations of the moving parts. In contrast to conventional, very time-consuming simulation methods, the proposed algorithm takes only a fraction of a second which makes it a very powerful design tool for parameter-optimization of the actuator geometry. The paper describes the algorithm, implemented in MATLAB, and reports on its performance evaluation, comparing its simulation results with those obtained by other methods such as simplified analytical models, FEM/BEM/FCM/BCM simulations and measurements of fabricated structures, including laterally moving MEMS switches and vertically closing pre-stressed thin-film zipper-actuators. The algorithm shows good agreement with measurements and results obtained by these methods.


This study explored ways to manage financial risk and also risk management in a case of merger and acquisitions. The goals of this study is to 1.) To conduct a critical examination of financial risk management in the field of merger and acquisition, which contains assets calculation, financial analysis, market analysis, and project profitability, as well as the connections between these aspects towards the succession of undergoing a merger and acquisition process. 2.) Review the outcomes of the data analysis in order to reach conclusions and suggestions in the context of successability of mergers and acquisitions.  The research strategy that is included in this paper are quantitative research and case study. One of the research strategy is by using a method by David S. Clifton & David E Fyfe from "Project Feasibility Analysis"  . Another research strategy that will be used in this paper is the Failure Mode and Effects Analysis. The data collected by the researcher will mainly be coming from PT Indo Kaya Energi in a form of archival method, other than that, some secondary sources from articles and journals on the internet will be used in this research.  The study demonstrates that the process of merger and acquisitions needs to be  carefully examined, the reason behind this is because the researcher needed to analyze not only the  financial statement from the company, but also analyze the market, assets and future project forecast cashflow as stated in "Project Feasibility Analysis"


Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a seasonal epidemic disease with a 50-year recorded history in China. Its characteristics can be summarized as follows: (i) it is a seasonal epidemic disease; approximately 90% of cases are recorded in July, August, and September each year. The peak of JE onset is 1 month earlier in South China than in the north of the country; (ii) the disease is highly sporadic. It is rare for more than two cases to appear simultaneously in one family; (iii) most affected children are under 15 years old; (iv) the disease is widely distributed in all areas of the nation except Qinghai Province, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous, and Tibet. Due to widespread application of the JE vaccine, the number of JE cases has decreased significantly nationwide, from 174,932 cases of morbidity in 1971 to 5,097 cases in 2005.


Alzheimer's disease is associated with genetic risk factors, of which the allele E4 of apolipoprotein E (apoE4) is the most prevalent, and it is also affected by environmental factors such as early life education. We have recently shown, utilizing apoE‐deficient and apoE transgenic mice, that synaptogenesis in the hippocampus following environmental stimulation is affected by apoE. In view of the pivotal role of cholesterol in synaptic plasticity, and of its suggested role in synaptogenesis, we presently examined the effects of apoE and environmental stimulation on brain cholesterol homeostasis. The hippocampal levels of cholesterol and its precursors and metabolites in control mice were not affected by exposure to environmental stimulation. In contrast, the hippocampal levels of cholesterol and its precursors lathosterol and desmosterol and metabolite 24S‐hydroxycholesterol were lower in apoE‐deficient mice that were maintained in a regular environmental than those of corresponding control mice, whereas they were markedly elevated following environmental stimulation. Histological and immunohistochemical experiments revealed that the combined stimulatory effects of apoE deficiency and environmental stimulation on cholesterol metabolism were associated with marked activation of hippocampal astrocytes and with the abnormal accumulation of cholesterol in neurons and astrocytes. These effects were rescued similarly in apoE3 and apoE4 transgenic mice. These findings suggest that apoE plays an important role in the translocation of cholesterol from astrocytes to neurons in vivo and in the regulation and homeostasis of this process.


Various investigators (2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 15) have demonstrated that the toxic effects produced in certain plants grown on acid soil are caused primarily by the presence of aluminum in the soil. Poor growth of the plants has been attributed to a phosphorus deficiency caused by the precipitation of phosphorus in the soil by aluminum (3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14). On the other hand, some research (4, 13, 17) has indicated that aluminum may precipitate phosphorus within the plant, and thus make it unavailable for metabolic processes. As recorded in an earlier publication (20), the writer grew barley in drip culture solutions wherein the root system was divided, each half being placed in separate containers, and receiving different culture solutions. By this method a plant could have access both to aluminum and to phosphorus, and precipitation in the culture solution could be avoided. Analyses for phosphorus and for aluminum in the various plant fractions revealed that the internal precipitation of phosphorus by aluminum evidently plays an important role in the poor development of plants grown in contact with aluminum. The findings reported in this paper further support the thesis that aluminum toxicity may in part be caused by the precipitation of phosphorus internally, thus inactivating phosphorus.


A specification of concurrent communicating processes represents a causal relationship of the events contained in the specification. It is very simple to model this as a finite partial order over the set of events when the specification contains no iteration (e.g. for an MSC with no loop constructs). When there is iteration it is far more complex to express the causal relationships between the events within a mathematical setting. This paper first explores, in section 2, how to describe all total extensions of a partial order as a finite state automaton (FSA). These total extensions represent the test scripts for a specification when there is no iteration. Then, in section 3 we extend these ideas to specifications which contain complex iterations. For MSC this means the inline loop construct. Section 3.2 describes the algorithm for characterising an iterative specification as a FSA.


by him "rtulti-net growth." The tip growth of cells in a pavement type of tissue would indeed be difficult to reconcile with the findings of Sinnott and Bloch2 on cell interrelationships in the roots of grasses. Summary.-Study of CuO markers on the surface of epidermal cells of the Avena coleoptile indicates that during growth each cell is increasing in length at a rate that is rather uniformly distributed along the cell. No evidence is found for the idea that such cells grow exclusively at their tips or ends.


Increasing competitive pressure from global markets and technological developments has resulted in the continual demand for business improvement philosophies and methodologies to address this challenge. The LSS approach to business improvement has emerged in both the practitioner and academic literature as having a significant role in this area. In 2006, The Valspar Corporation embarked on a LSS initiative as a way to improve the business globally, to achieve sustained profitable growth and to enhance customer value. Valspar (SA) found the implementation of LSS a challenge because the organisation could not afford the appointment of a full-time Black Belt to manage the programme locally. Green Belts were appointed to lead LSS projects part-time. Management wanted to know if they have applied the LSS methodology correctly within the scope of the business, especially since not all organisations were successful in the implementation of LSS. The objective of this study was to determine the critical factors that affect the successful implementation of LSS at Valspar (SA) and to assess the degree to which these critical factors exist at Valspar (SA). In a census, the researcher used the questionnaire to gain information about the current views of employees on the LSS programme at Valspar (SA). The research highlighted the critical success factors for LSS implementation and the results of the evaluation revealed both the positive and negative aspects of the LSS programme at Valspar (SA).


OBJECTIVES
Antifungal monotherapy with polyenes, azoles or echinocandins is not always effective for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA). The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a combination of micafungin and amphotericin B for the primary treatment of IPA in an immunocompromised mouse model.

METHODS
Female ICR mice were used in all experiments. An immunosuppressive state was induced in mice by an intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide. Mice were intratracheally inoculated with Aspergillus fumigatus conidia, treated with micafungin, amphotericin B or both for 7 days, and were tested for their survival 20 days after the Aspergillus inoculation. Fungal burden in lungs, serum galactomannan index (GMI) and histopathology of lungs, spleen and kidneys were also evaluated.

RESULTS
Combination therapy with micafungin and amphotericin B gave excellent survival of infected mice compared with monotherapy with micafungin or amphotericin B alone. Combined therapy reduced the fungal burden in the lungs and the serum GM levels compared with monotherapy or untreated controls, resulting in a significant histological improvement with disappearance of fungi in the lungs.

CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that combination therapy with micafungin and amphotericin B is more effective compared with monotherapy with either of them alone for IPA treatment.


Different low-latency unidentified communication systems such as Tor and Anonymizer have been deliberate to make available anonymity service for users. In order to hide from view the communication of users, most of the secrecy systems pack the application data into equal-sized cells. Through extensive experiments on Tor, we originate that the size of IP packets in the Tor network can be very active because a cell is an application concept and the IP layer may repack cells. Based on that, we consider a new cellcounting-based attack against Tor, which allows the attacker to substantiate anonymous communication association among users very quickly. In this attack, by slightly unreliable the number of cells in the target traffic at the malicious exit onion router, the attacker can embed a furtive signal into the dissimilarity of cell counter of the target traffic. The entrenched signal will be carried along with the target traffic and reach your destination at the malicious entry onion router. Then, an accessory of the attacker at the malicious entry onion router will identify the surrounded signal based on the received cells and confirm the communication connection among users. We have executed this attack against Tor, and our investigational data validate its possibility and effectiveness. There are several exclusive features of this attack. First, this attack is extremely efficient and can confirm very short communication sessions with only tens of cells. Second, the attack is effective, and its detection rate approaches 100% with a very low fake positive rate. Third, it is feasible to implement the attack in a way that comes into view to be very tricky for honest participants to detect.


Abstract Nonchemical quarantine treatments, using a combination of short-duration high temperatures under low oxygen, elevated carbon dioxide atmospheric environment were developed to control codling moth in sweet cherries, Prunus avium (L.). The two treatments developed are a chamber temperature of 45°C for 45 min and a chamber temperature of 47°C for 25 min under a 1% oxygen, 15% carbon dioxide, −2°C dew point environment. Both these treatments have been shown to provide control of all life stages of codling moth while preserving commodity market quality. The third and fourth instars of codling moth are equally tolerant to CATTS treatments and are the most tolerant immature stages to these treatments. We determined that low levels of oxygen are more important than elevated carbon dioxide in achieving high levels of insect mortality. Efficacy tests of both treatments resulted in 100% mortality of 5,000 third instars of codling moth in each treatment. These treatments may be used to provide quarantine security in exported sweet cherries where codling moth is a quarantine concern and fumigation with methyl bromide is not desired.


Communication is a much misunderstood word. It means more than just sending messages; proper communication consists of achieving a fully reciprocal understanding between two (or more) people, and this is a very complicated process. One person (the sender) has to turn his thoughts or intentions into words (written or oral) which he intends to communicate to the other. Some senders take a great deal of trouble to prepare and polish what they are going to say in an attempt to achieve a perfectly clear message. Others do not — they say or write the first thing that comes into their heads.


The severe accidents suffered by bridges during recent earthquake show that more careful analysis are needed to guarantee their behaviour. In particular simplified non-linear analysis could be useful to bridge the gap between theoretical research and practical applications. This paper presents one of those simplified methods that can be applied for frrst designs or to retrofitting of groups of bridges.


Purpose:To assess the value of whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), for the initial staging of malignant lymphoma, compared with computed tomography (CT). Materials and Methods:Thirty-one consecutive patients with newly diagnosed malignant lymphoma prospectively underwent whole-body MRI (T1-weighted and short inversion time inversion recovery [n = 31], and DWI [n = 28]) and CT. Ann Arbor stages were assigned by 1 radiologist according to whole-body MRI findings, and by another radiologist according to CT findings. Differences in staging between whole-body MRI (without and with DWI) and CT were resolved using other (imaging) studies (including 18F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography and bone marrow biopsy) and follow-up studies as reference standard. Results:Staging results of whole-body MRI without DWI were equal to those of CT in 74% (23/31), higher in 26% (8/31), and lower in 0% (0/31) of patients, with correct/incorrect/unresolved overstaging relative to CT in 3, 2, and 2 patients, respectively, and incorrect staging of both modalities in 1 patient. Staging results of whole-body MRI with DWI were equal to those of CT in 75% (21/28), higher in 25% (7/28), and lower in 0% (0/28) of patients, with correct/incorrect overstaging relative to CT in 6 and 1 patient(s), respectively. Conclusion:Our results suggest that initial staging of malignant lymphoma using whole-body MRI (without DWI and with DWI) equals staging using CT in the majority of patients, whereas whole-body MRI never understaged relative to CT. Furthermore, whole-body MRI mostly correctly overstaged relative to CT, with a possible advantage of using DWI.


by Seyoum Yami Gebremariam (MS) Washington State University December 2010 Chair: Marc W. Beutel: Nitrate removal rates via denitrification and dissolved oxygen (DO) levels were evaluated in small batch-mode wetland mesocosms with two different plant species, cattail (Typha spp.) and bulrush (Scirpus spp.), and associated mineral-dominated sediment collected from a mature treatment wetland. Nitrate loss in both cattail and bulrush mesocosms was first-order. First order volumetric rate constants (kv) were 0.30 d−1 for cattail and 0.21 d−1 for bulrush and rates of nitrate loss were significantly different between plant treatments (p < 0.005). On an areal basis, maximum rates of nitrate removal were around 500 mg N/(md) early in the experiment when nitrate levels were high (> 15 mg N/L). Areal removal rates were on average 25% higher in cattail versus bulrush mesocosms. DO in mesocosm water was significantly higher in bulrush versus cattail (p < 0.001). DO in bulrush generally ranged between 0.5 and 2 mg/L, while DO in cattail mesocosms was consistently below 0.3 mg/L. Based on cumulative frequency analysis, DO exceeded 1 mg/L around 50% of the time in bulrush, but only 2% of the time in cattail. DO in bulrush exhibited a statistically significant diel cycle with DO peaks in the late iv afternoon and DO minimums in the early morning hours. Difference in nitrate removal rates between wetland plant treatments may have been due to differing plant carbon quality. Cattail litter, which has been shown in other studies to exhibit superior biodegradability, may have enhanced biological denitrification by fueling heterotrophic microbial activity, which in turn may have depressed DO levels, a prerequisite for denitrification. The results of this study show that cattail is more effective than bulrush for treating nitrate-dominant wastewaters.


While competition authorities often take countervailing buyer power into account when assessing the competitive impact of a merger between sellers, they have so far been more reluctant to consider positively the creation or strengthening of buyer power resulting from a merger. This paper summarises the main economic mechanisms underlying the existence of market power, distinguishing between anonymous market interfaces and markets characterized by bilateral bargaining. It then draws implications for merger control, considering both buyer mergers and seller mergers.


Purpose The crayfish neuromuscular junction (NMJ) has been used as a model for central nervous system synaptic transmission due to its dual innervation by excitatory (glutamate) and inhibitory (GABA) neurons to each muscle fiber. Local application of 5HT has demonstrated the ability to enhanced excitatory junction potential (EJP) amplitudes with excitatory nerve stimulation and can produce spontaneous, repetitive depolarizations of the post-synaptic membrane. The original purpose of this study was to (1) examine the phenomena of histeresis associated with automatic EJPs. Secondarily, we observed changes in responsiveness to 5HT near the end of local crayfish season, which has been studied and demonstrated by others. Methods The excitatory nerve innervating the dactylopodite opener muscle was isolated in first or second walking limbs of locally obtained crayfish (Oncogenes rusticus). Standard intracellular electrophysiological recording techniques were used to study amplitudes of EJPs evoked at 30 Hz. Control EJPs were recorded in Van Herreveld's solution and averaged over 10 seconds following the start of stimulus onset. The limb was bathed in concentrations of 5HT ranging from 0.5 to 500 μM. EJPs were obtained within 30 seconds of application and then again at 5 minutes. Recordings were made of automatic EJPs to characterize frequency and amplitude changes. When assessing for histeresis, the exchange of the bath was done by aspirating out the bath and replacing it with the next lower concentration. Results 1. Histeresis was assessable only in one instance, and was not present in a drop from a threshold level of 1.1 μM to subthreshold 1.05 μM. 2. A significant change in responsiveness to 5HT was demonstrated over the last two weeks of locally available crayfish, in comparison to results 2-6 weeks prior. Threshold for automatic EJPs was seen at 1.0 to 1.3 μM from July 9 to Aug 19, all bathing in 5-HT approximately 2-3 minutes before onset. Thereafter, a transition of increasing threshold and onset to automaticity occurred until 8-25-04, at which point no automatic EJP spiking occurred in the presence of 5HT in the range of 1-500 μM. Conclusion (1) Histeresis was not seen in the study when decreasing from a threshold level of 1.1 μM 5HT to 1.05 μM 5HT. (2) The species of crayfish studied demonstrated a change in responsiveness to 5HT in regard to ability to elicit automatic EJPs in the range of 1.0 to 500 μM, which correlates with known seasonal variability in 5HT sensitivity.


Objective: To examine whether sexual assault prospectively predicts unhealthy weight management behaviors in college women. Method: Participants were female college students (N = 483) with monthly assessments across the first year, including the frequency and severity of sexual assault and unhealthy weight management behaviors. Results: Frequency of sexual assault prior to college predicted dieting, purging, and diet pill use, over the first year. Severity of those experiences predicted dieting and diet pill use. Frequency of sexual assault during the first semester predicted purging and diet pill use during the second semester. Severity predicted all three unhealthy weight management behaviors. Findings held consistently when controlling for socioeconomic status (SES), race/ethnicity, body mass index (BMI), and pre-college mood, anxiety, and eating disorders, as well as unhealthy weight management behaviors during the first semester in longitudinal analyses. Reverse models were non-significant. Conclusions: This research documents the detrimental effects of sexual assault on unhealthy weight management behaviors in college women, and highlights the importance of prevention and intervention.


Context: The term media on a whole pertain to the main method of mass communication. The chief aim of the media is communication, with the objective of educating, informing, and entertaining the audience. It is unknown how accurately the media reports the topics related to mental health issues. Aims: The aim of this study is to explore the extent and nature of coverage of mental health issues in printed media. Settings and Design: Data collection for the present study was conducted at the Library Gian Sagar College of Nursing, Ram Nagar, District Patiala, Punjab, in January 2017. A quantitative research approach with exploratory research design was adopted to explore the extent and nature of coverage of mental health issues in printed media. Subjects and Methods: By purposive sampling technique, 923 printed media from which a sample of 839 articles was drawn, i.e., N = 839 (N1for newspapers, N1= 827 and N2for magazines, N2= 12) with the help of search terms which consisted of 32 general and diagnostic terms covering the full range of mental disorders. Statistical Analysis Used: Descriptive statistics were used. Results: One hundred and ninety-three (23%) articles on mental health issues appeared in the city/region section. Two hundred and one (32%) articles in newspapers did not mention the author. The most common theme of articles in newspapers was suicide 169 (25%) followed by substance abuse 209 (20%). The neutral description was used by 589 (71%) of all articles. Conclusions: Majority of the articles appeared in the city/region section with neutral/nature.


The reduced nutritional state of cancer patients can be influenced by a purposeful feeding, which decreases the rate of complicating factors and diminishes side effects resulting from the often aggressive cancer therapy. Multimorbidity, a change in the need for nutritive substances in advanced age and senile functional changes in numerous organs make it a necessity to adapt elderly cancer patients trophotherapy to these conditions.


Abstract The facies architecture, sedimentary dynamics and palaeogeographic evolution were reconstructed for a number of middle-late Frasnian carbonate mounds from the south side of the Dinant Synclinorium (Belgium). Nine facies were recognized in the buildups, each characterized by a specific range of textures and assemblage of organisms: spiculitic wackestone with stromatactis (facies Pm1), which becomes progressively enriched in crinoids and corals (Pm2); grey or pinkish limestone with stromatactis, corals and stromatoporoids (A3–L3, Pm3); grey limestone with corals, peloids and dasycladales (A4–L4, Pm4); grey, microbial limestone (A5–L5, Pm5); grey limestone with dendroid stromatoporoids (A6–L6); grey, laminar fenestral limestone, (A7–L7); and grey, bioturbated limestone (A8–L8). Sedimentological evidence suggests that facies Pm1 and Pm2 correspond to iron bacteria-sponge-dominated communities, developing in a quiet aphotic and hypoxic environment. A3–L3 developed between storm and fair-weather wave base, in an oligophotic environment. Facies A5–L5 developed close to fair-weather wave base. Facies A6–L6 and the fenestral limestone A7–L7 correspond to an environment with slightly restricted water circulation. Facies A8–L8 developed at subtidal depths in a quiet, lagoonal environment. The main differences between the middle and late Frasnian mounds concern facies architecture, and are a consequence of different palaeoceanographic settings. The large flattened middle Frasnian Arche and Lion buildups show limited vertical differentiation, large-scale progradation features, extensive exportation of material towards off-reef environment and development of inner lagoonal facies. They grew offshore from a well-developed carbonate platform with a healthy carbonate factory. Middle Frasnian sea-level fluctuations were relatively mild, and sedimentation was able to keep up with sea-level rise. At the opposite extreme, during the late Frasnian, severe eustatic rises, together with rising oceanic hypoxic conditions, were responsible for frequent collapses of the carbonate factory, drowning of the middle Frasnian carbonate platform, and development of buildups with relatively limited lateral extension, high vertical facies differentiation, low potential for material exportation and high content in microaerophilic iron bacteria.


The beta-oxidation of stearic acid and of alpha- and gamma-methyl isoprenoid-derived fatty acids (pristanic and tetramethylheptadecanoic acids, respectively) was investigated in normal skin fibroblasts and in fibroblasts from patients with inherited defects in peroxisomal biogenesis. Stearic acid beta-oxidation by normal fibroblast homogenates was several-fold greater compared to the oxidation of the two branched chain fatty acids. The effect of phosphatidylcholine, alpha-cyclodextrin, and bovine serum albumin on the three activities suggests that different enzymes are involved in the beta-oxidation of straight chain and branched chain fatty acids. Homogenates of fibroblasts from patients with a deficiency in peroxisomes (Zellweger syndrome and infantile Refsum's disease) showed a normal ability to beta-oxidize stearic acid, but the oxidation of pristanic and tetramethylheptadecanoic acid was decreased. Concomitantly, 14CO2 production from the branched chain fatty acids by Zellweger fibroblasts in culture (but not from stearic acid) was greatly diminished. The Zellweger fibroblasts also showed a marked reduction in the amount of water-soluble metabolites from the radiolabeled branched chain fatty acids that are released into the culture medium. The data presented indicate that the oxidation of alpha- and gamma-methyl isoprenoid-derived fatty acids takes place largely in peroxisomes in human skin fibroblasts.


Cluster headache is a primary headache with a male predominance that presents in two forms: episodic and chronic, occurring at 45-to 60-day intervals with one to three headaches a day lasting 45 min to 2 h. An attack starts by a violent unilateral retro-ocular pain with sympathetic signs such as tearing and rhinorrhea. Diagnosis is made by questioning and therefore requires no complementary tests. Treatment for the attack consists of injectable sumatriptan or oxygen therapy, with long-term treatment with verapamil, lithium salts, or Topiramate; in certain cases in which the number of attacks is greater than two, injections of corticosteroids at the emergence of the Arnold nerve can be used, or in cases of attacks resistant to all treatments, hypothalamus stimulation surgery can be useful.


In this study, cervico-vaginal smears taken from 500 patients were examined cytologically using the Papanicolaou technique. Seventeen of the 500 were classified as having bacterial vaginosis. Lytic enzymatic activity of the organisms on clue cells were determined at light microscopic level. The integrity of the cell and the smoothness of the cell membrane were disrupted. Small cavities on the cell membrane and hollows in the cytoplasm were observed. Due to the loss of cytoplasm, very narrow and thin tracks around the nucleus and in the cytoplasm resembling a cobweb were seen. It is suggested that these lytic cellular changes might be formed by the organisms on clue cells.


The medical records of 23 dogs with laryngeal paralysis were reviewed. Although the condition developed mainly in old, large- or giant-breed dogs, a wide range of breeds was involved. The age of affected animals ranged from 7 months to 14 years. Respiratory distress, exercise intolerance, noisy breathing, and hoarse bark were common signs of the paralysis. Laboratory evaluations for hypothyroidism were performed on 11 dogs; only 3 were judged to have primary hypothyroidism. Males, particularly if castrated, were more frequently affected than females. A neurologic examination was performed on 6 dogs; 4 of them were found to have generalized neuromuscular disease.


This research examined nocturnal and diurnal bird migration using an automated marine radar system during three autumn (August 15 to November 17) and three spring (March 15 to June 1) periods in 2007–2010 along the lower Texas coast. We quantified migration timing, magnitude, and flight altitudes for over 14 million targets during 16,360 h of radar operation. Autumn migration was prolonged in contrast to spring migration, which was concentrated within a four-week period in mid–April to mid–May. Mean migration traffic rate in autumn averaged 1,186 targets km-1 h-1 and was 46% greater than spring. Migration traffic rates at our northern site were at least 62% higher than at our southern site. We found bird passage to be similar between diurnal and nocturnal periods in autumn, but predominately nocturnal (68% of targets) in spring. Mean flight altitudes were 10-33% higher in spring than autumn. Our results confirm that the lower Gulf coast of Texas is a significant migration corridor concentrating millions of birds during migration. This new information on temporal and spatial dynamics of migration provides guidance for the placement and operation of wind power developments to reduce the risk to migratory birds along the lower Texas coast.

 Key words: Bird migration, coast, flight altitude, marine radar, migration traffic rates, Texas, wind power.


In recent years, nuclear waste management has become a fundamental issue in the nuclear energy production cycle. Tomographic Gamma Scanner (TGS) is an essential tool for nuclear waste characterization. It is crucial to rely on local support and cost effective solutions; for this reasons, we are designing our TGS system based on local technology. In this work, we present a study of different geometries and instrumentation chain parameters to design a TGS. A set of Monte Carlo simulations were performed to evaluate energy and spatial resolution limitations of scintillator, CZT (Cadmium Zinc Telluride), and HPGe (high purity germanium) detectors. Collimator and detector geometries were studied to maximize the characteristics of the system. In this study, a phantom of Cs and Co was utilized to evaluate the overall performance of the proposed TGS system. In addition, the impact of electronic instrumentation chain and image reconstruction algorithms was taken into account.


This paper presents a compressive introduction to the development of a simulation platform for smart multi-terminal DC micro-grid (sMTdc), this tool will facilitate the development of DC network to support a low-carbon sustainable electricity supply system. The simulation platform uses a compressive set of high-resolution (1-min) sub-models: generation (photovoltaic, wind power), demand (individual appliances) and battery energy storage system (BESS). A Quasi-dynamic simulation approach using optimal power flow (OPF) to minimize the system losses is used to obtain the voltage profile, power losses and state of charge of the BESS. The simulation platform has been used to shows the performance of an illustrative/demonstrative sMTdc based on 3 DC-Houses.


In two separate experiments, the response rates of rats with septal lesions were compared with those of control rats when response-independent food was presented while subjects were responding on a differential-reinforcement-of-low-rate schedule of reinforcement (Experiment 1) or according to a conjunctive differential-reinforcement-of-high-rate, fixed-ratio schedule (Experiment 2). Free-food deliveries resulted in acceleration of responding of subjects working on the low-rate schedule and in suppression of responding of those animals working on the high-rate schedule. Both of these effects were localized to a brief time period immediately following the free-food deliveries, and baseline rates of responding were not altered. The acceleration and suppression of responding that occurred on the respective schedules were greatly enhanced in rats with septal lesions. This finding supports the suggestion that these animals are hyperreactive to the reinforcing and/or eliciting properties of discrete stimulus events.


This study attempted to address the problem of stress and burnout in hospital nurses by exploring factors which affect job satisfaction and the relationship between these and absence rates. Fifty nurses working in the elderly care unit of a district general hospital were asked to complete a job satisfaction questionnaire, specifically developed to include factors appropriate to the study, together with Maslach's burnout inventory and Beck's hopelessness scale. The hypothesis that job satisfaction is related to absenteeism was not supported. However, significant correlations between some variables were isolated. These correlations were tested using Spearmans risk correlation co-efficient. It is hoped that the job satisfaction questionnaire will become a useful instrument in screening those at risk of burnout, and a diagnostic aid to help consider the factors which affect job satisfaction. The implications of the study point to the need for the prevention of stress from environmental factors by the adoption of organizational strategies to promote positive working conditions, and the development of coping strategies in the form of stress awareness seminars, regular staff support groups and counselling services.


The generation of the steady state fourth-order squeezing and squared amplitude squeezing in a micromaser by the coherent trapping approach is investigated. The results show that if two-level atoms injected into the cavity are initially in coherent state and the flight time of the atoms inside the cavity satisfies the trapping condition, the field can evolve into a coherent trapping state which exhibits steady state fourth-order squeezing and squared amplitude squeezing in the cavity as long as the flux of the atoms is moderately large.


The inelastic differential scattering cross-section of 80 keV electrons from amorphous carbon has been calculated for energy losses from 100 eV to the K-shell threshold using a model based upon single excitations from LCAO states to OPW states. Agreement with experiment is obtained at energy losses approaching the K-shell threshold. It is concluded that the model will allow accurate subtraction of the valence background and hence improved microanalysis.


This study sought to investigate the influence of mother`s marital conflict and avoidance coping strategies with marital conflict on school aged child-rearing stress, on the focus of interaction mother`s marital conflict and avoidance coping strategies with marital conflict. The subjects comprised 234 mothers of school aged children in Daegu and Keoungbok. The collected data were analyzed by mean of t-test, Pearson Correlation, and Hierarchical regression using SPSS Win 19.0. The results were as follows. (1) Mother`s marital conflict significantly influenced on school aged child-rearing stress. However mother`s avoidance coping strategies with marital conflict on school aged child-rearing stress did not. (2) The interaction effects of mother`s marital conflict and avoidance coping strategies with marital conflict on school aged child-rearing stress was observed.