Complex systems consisting of N agents can be investigated from the aspect of principal fluctuation modes of agents. From the correlations between agents, an N × N correlation matrix C can be obtained. The principal fluctuation modes are defined by the eigenvectors of C. Near the critical point of a complex system, we anticipate that the principal fluctuation modes have the critical behaviors similar to that of the susceptibity. With the Ising model on a two-dimensional square lattice as an example, the critical behaviors of principal fluctuation modes have been studied. The eigenvalues of the first 9 principal fluctuation modes have been invesitigated. Our Monte Carlo data demonstrate that these eigenvalues of the system with size L and the reduced temperature t follow a finite-size scaling form λn (L, t) = Lγ/ν fn(tL1/ν), where γ is critical exponent of susceptibility and ν is the critical exponent of the correlation length. Using eigenvalues λ1, λ2 and λ6, we get the finite-size scaling form of the second moment correlation length . It is shown that the second moment correlation length in the two-dimensional square lattice is anisotropic.


Most researches focused on the analytical stabilized algorithm for the modular simulation of single domain, e.g., pure mechanical systems. Only little work has been performed on the problem of multi-domain simulation stability influenced by algebraic loops. In this paper, the algebraic loop problem is studied by a composite simulation method to reveal the internal relationship between simulation stability and system topologies and simulation unit models. A stability criterion of multi-domain composite simulation is established, and two algebraic loop compensation algorithms are proposed using numerical iteration and approximate function in multi-domain simulation. The numerical stabilized algorithm is the Newton method for the solution of the set of nonlinear equations, and it is used here in simulation of the system composed of mechanical system and hydraulic system. The approximate stabilized algorithm is the construction of response surface for inputs and outputs of unknown unit model, and it is utilized here in simulation of the system composed of forging system, mechanical and hydraulic system. The effectiveness of the algorithms is verified by a case study of multi-domain simulation for forging system composed of thermoplastic deformation of workpieces, mechanical system and hydraulic system of a manipulator. The system dynamics simulation results show that curves of motion and force are continuous and convergent. This paper presents two algorithms, which are applied to virtual reality simulation of forging process in a simulation platform for a manipulator, and play a key role in simulation efficiency and stability.


Background: Hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) has been reported at a rate up to 50% following intensive conditioning regimens used in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT). Studies on the prophylactic effect of defibrotide to prevent hepatic VOD in adults are rare.
Purpose: The research presented here aimed to evaluate whether propylactic defibrotide use can reduce incidence and severity of VOD in adults undergoing AHSCT. Also, we aimed to assess the benefit of defibrotide for treatment of VOD.
Methods: Study population comprised 86 consecutive AHSCT patients transplanted between January 2005 and December 2009. 17 of the patients at high risk of developing VOD could have access to defibrotide and received defibrotide prophylaxis.
Results: Modified Seattle criteria were used for VOD diagnosis. 14 of 86 patients (10 severe, 3 moderate, 1 mild) were diagnosed with VOD (16.2%). VOD incidence was similar between patients transplanted before December 2004 and after January 2005 (9.3% and 16.2%, respectively; p =0.14, HR =1.88, 95% CI 0.82- 4.29). 13 of 14 patients diagnosed with VOD in the study population were treated with defibrotide whereas only 2 of 12 in the control group received defibrotide for treatment (92.8% and 16.6%, respectively; p =0.0002, HR =65 , 95% CI 5.13-823.1). Mortality rate of VOD in the controls was significantly higher than the study population (66.6% and 21.4%, respectively; p =0.044, HR =0.13, 95% CI 0.02-0.78).
Conclusions: Mortality rate related to VOD was lower in the defibrotide group. Therefore, we conclude defibrotide might be beneficial for treatment of VOD in adults.


Vision is the sense we most depend on in our daily lives to interpret our surroundings. Visual information from the world enters the eye and reaches the retina. Ganglion cells in the retina send the information via the lateral geniculate nucleus to the primary visual cortex (V1). Neurons in V1 extract simple local features such as oriented lines and edges, by responding selectively to lines or edges with a particular slope (orientation selectivity). The V1 sends its output to a hierarchical series of higher visual areas, which represent a variety of higher order visual features, including motion, image segmentation, and object recognition. Impairment of the visual pathway at any stage will potentially cause blindness. Thus, modulating the visual pathway could be a therapeutic target of visual impairment. Acetylcholine modulates neuronal activities in various brain regions to control brain functions including attention, memory, and cognition. Here we determined the effect of donepezil, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, on visual recognition by examining the visual detection task and V1 activity in mice.


Hanford RadioactiveWaste materials have been categorized into four envelopes labeled A through D as specified in the Tank Waste Remediation Contract between BNFL and DOE. 1 Envelopes A, B and C contain only solubilized species and are specified as Low-Activity Waste (LAW). Each envelope is defined based on compositional maximums of chemical and radioactive constituents. Envelopes A and B contain low concentrations of organic species and the primary form of technetium is pertechnetate (TcO4-). Envelope C contains higher levels of organic species and technetium which is primarily in the nonpertechnetate form (presumably complexed TcO2). Envelope D is sludge which has been separated from the supernate and is referred to as High Activity Waste. The current plant design utilizes SuperLig ion exchange resins to remove cesium and technetium (the primary radioactive constituents) from the Hanford LAW. The process is designed to produce a decontaminated waste stream and a concentrated eluate waste stream for vitrification into low and high activity glasses, respectively.


The situation described in this case scenario is an unwelcome one and can often lead to a breakdown in the relationship between professional colleagues. Many of these must be handled by scrupulous adherence to basic ethical principles. Where such conflicts do arise, every effort should be made to contain them in a manner which: avoids placing patients at risk; maintains the continuity of patient care and safeguards their rights and the quality of the dental care they receive; avoids bringing the profession into disrepute; maintains public confidence in the profession; treats professional colleagues as we would wish to be treated ourselves.


ABSTRACT The staphylococcal accessory regulator (encoded bysarA) is an important global regulator of virulence factor biosynthesis in Staphylococcus aureus. To further characterize its role in virulence determinant production, ansarA knockout mutant was created by insertion of a kanamycin antibiotic resistance cassette into the sarAgene. N-terminal sequencing of exoproteins down-regulated bysarA identified several putative proteases, including a V8 serine protease and a novel metalloprotease, as the major extracellular proteins repressed by sarA. In kinetic studies, thesarA mutation delays the onset of α-hemolysin (encoded byhla) expression and reduces levels of hla to approximately 40% of the parent strain level. Furthermore, SarA plays a role in signal transduction in response to microaerobic growth since levels of hla were much lower in a microaerobic environment than after aerobic growth in the sarA mutant. An exoprotein exhibiting hemolysin activity on sheep blood, and up-regulated bysarA independently of the accessory gene regulator (encoded by agr), was specifically induced microaerobically. Transcriptional gene fusion and Western analysis revealed thatsarA up-regulates both toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 gene (tst) expression and staphylococcal enterotoxin B production, respectively. This study demonstrates the role ofsarA as a signal transduction regulatory component in response to aeration stimuli and suggests that sarAfunctions as a major repressor of protease activity. The possible role of proteases as regulators of virulence determinant stability is discussed.


Inhibition of amyloid β‐peptide (Aβ) production by blocking γ‐secretase activity is at present one of the most promising therapeutic strategies to slow progression of Alzheimer's disease pathology. γ‐secretase inhibitors apparently block Aβ generation via interference with presenilin (PS) function. Besides being an essential component of the γ‐secretase complex, PS itself may be an aspartyl protease with γ‐secretase activity, which is not only required for Aβ production but also for a similar proteolytic process involved in Notch signaling. Here we demonstrate that treatment of zebrafish embryos with a known γ‐secretase inhibitor affects embryonic development in a manner indistinguishable from Notch signaling deficiencies at morphological, molecular and biochemical levels. This indicates severe side‐effects of γ‐secretase inhibitors in any Notch‐dependent cell fate decision and demonstrates that the zebrafish is an ideal vertebrate system to validate compounds that selectively affect Aβ production, but not Notch signaling, under in vivo conditions.


Therapeutic agents targeting bacterial virulence factors are gaining interest as non-antibiotic alternatives for the treatment of infectious diseases. Clostridium difficile is a Gram-positive pathogen that produces two primary virulence factors, enterotoxins A and B (TcdA and TcdB), which are responsible for Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD) and are targets for CDAD therapy. Antibodies specific for TcdA and TcdB have been shown to effectively treat CDAD and prevent disease relapse in animal models and in humans. This review summarizes the various toxin-specific antibody formats and strategies under development, and discusses future directions for CDAD immunotherapy, including the use of engineered antibody fragments with robust biophysical properties for systemic and oral delivery.


An Analogue to Digital Converter (ADC) implemented in CMOS technology (90nm TSMC) is described in this paper which is based on a binary tree structure and has a configurable 4, 8 or 12-bits resolution. The function performed at the nodes of the binary tree is an integer division by a proper power of 2, that is implemented by a novel circuit. The developed ADC system is an asynchronous circuit operating in current mode needing only a small number of components. This fact in conjunction with the binary tree structure of the ADC architecture, lead to implementations with very low die area and power consumption (0.12mm2 and 72mW respectively for 12-bit resolution). The average sampling rate exceeds 140MS/s for 12-bit resolution. The proposed device can also be used in multi Gbps time-interleaved parallel ADC due to its very low die area and power consumption.


A series of Sn–Nb binary catalysts have been prepared by using a co-precipitation method and used for CO oxidation. All the catalysts show much higher specific surface areas than the individual oxides, indicating their improved thermal stability. It was found that Nb5+ cations can be doped into the lattice of tetragonal rutile SnO2 to replace a portion of the Sn4+ to form a solid solution structure. Using an XRD extrapolation method, the SnO2 lattice capacity for Nb2O5 has been quantified, which proves that only 25% of the Sn4+ in the SnO2 lattice can be replaced by Nb5+ to form a stable solid solution. For the samples with Nb contents below the capacity, the formed solid solution structure can induce the formation of a large quantity of stable and active surface deficient oxygen species due to charge imbalance and lattice defects, which improve the CO oxidation activity remarkably. For the samples with Nb contents above the capacity, the excess Nb is present as free Nb2O5 in the catalysts, which is harmful to their activity. It is concluded that Nb, as an effective promoter for SnO2, must be incorporated into its lattice as Nb5+ to form a solid solution. A Sn–Nb solid solution without excess Nb2O5 is not only a promising catalyst itself, but also a good support for precious metals to prepare catalysts for CO oxidation.


The application of laser photoacoustics to two different areas is discussed. First, laser-induced spallation and interferometric detection of transient surface displacements is proposed as a powerful noncontact tool for the investigation of adhesion properties of solid surface coatings. Results for nickel and plasma-sprayed ceramic coatings are presented. Delamination processes at the interface between substrate and coating could be detected with excellent spatial and temporal resolution and adhesion strengths in the 0.2 to 2 GPa range be determined. Second, laser photoacoustic spectroscopy is applied to trace gas monitoring. An automated mobile CO 2 laser photoacoustic system is employed for in situ air monitoring with parts per billion sensitivity in industrial, urban, and rural environments. An improvement in detection selectivity for multicomponent gas mixtures is achieved with a continuously tunable highpressure CO 2 laser with a narrow linewidth of 0.017 cm -1 . A CO laser photoacoustic system previously used for the analysis of motor vehicle exhausts is now employed for studying dimerization phenomena in fatty acid vapors. Finally, emphasis is put on the development of widely tunable, narrow-band, mid-IR laser sources based on optical parametric oscillation or difference frequency generation employing tunable diode lasers and AgGaSe 2 as nonlinear material.


The content of gastrointestinal hormones was studied in the blood of 116 patients with rheumatic diseases (rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthrosis deformans). Comparison of obtained data with values of the gastric acid forming function and results of histological examination of the duodenal mucosa allowed to determine some pathogenetic mechanisms developing in gastroduodenal complications which is a basis for rational treatment.


We have developed a simple method for the detection of live spirochaete stages in blood of patients where chronic borreliosis is suspected. Classic techniques involving phase-contrast and fluorescence microscopy are used. The method is also quite sensitive for detecting other bacteria, protists, fungi and other organisms present in blood samples. It is also useful for monitoring the effects of various antibiotics during treatment. We also present a simple hypothesis for explaining the confusion generated through the interpretation of possible stages of Borrelia seen in human blood. We hypothesize that these various stages in the blood stream are derived from secondarily infected tissues and biofilms in the body with low oxygen concentrations. Motile stages transform rapidly into cysts or sometimes penetrate other blood cells including red blood cells (RBCs). The latter are ideal hiding places for less motile stages that take advantage of the host's RBCs blebbing-system. Less motile, morphologically different stages may be passively ejected in the blood plasma from the blebbing RBCs, more or less coated with the host's membrane proteins which prevent detection by immunological methods.


A two-dimensional model is developed to explain the minority-carrier exclusion effect in circular Spreading-Resistance Temperature (SRT) sensor fabricated on thin silicon film. The model can be used to show the relation between minority-carrier exclusion length and maximum operating temperature of the sensor under different bias currents and different doping levels. Comparison is made between the proposed model and the conventional one-dimensional model used for similar sensors with rectangular shape. Experimental results show that the new model is more accurate than the one-dimensional model for predicting the characteristics of the circular SRT sensor.


The worldwide competition and quality standards such as ISO 9000 and QS 9000, demanded tighter tolerance and regular maintenance of all machine tools. Twenty years ago, the largest machine tool positioning errors are lead screw pitch error and thermal expansion error. Now, most of the above errors have been reduced by linear encoder and compensation. The largest machine tool positioning errors become squareness errors and straightness errors. Hence, to achieve higher 3D volumetric positioning accuracy, all 3 displacement errors, 6 straightness errors and 3 squareness errors have to be measured and compensated. Using a conventional laser interferometer to measure these errors is rather difficult and costly. It usually takes days of machine down time and experienced operator to perform these measurements. Optodyne has developed a new laser vector measurement technique for the measurement of these errors in a few hours instead of a few days. The measured errors can be used to generate 3D volumetric compensation files to compensate the volumetric positioning errors and achieve higher volumetric positioning accuracy. To determine the angular errors, 3 displacement measurements along the same axis but at different Abbe offsets can be used. Hence all 18 errors can be determined. Reported here are the basic theory and operation, the hardware, the data collection and analysis, and the test results. Using the laser vector technique the volumetric positioning errors of 4 Deckel Maho Gildemeister 3-axis milling machines with Heidenhain controller have been measured. For each axis, the linear displacement errors were also measured at 3 different locations. Data were collected with 5 bidirectional runs over 4 machines. The averaged linear displacement errors at the center of working volume, the pitch and yaw angular errors, and their statistical deviations can all be calculated. The agreement between all different measurements was within the statistical deviation.


Human resource management is the organizational function that deals with the recruitment, selection, training and development, compensation, employee development, etc. activities of the organization. In the earlier centuries organizations didn't give more importance to HR department of the organization, but now the concept has totally changed. Now a day the Human Resource Management has a strategic and cohesive approach in the organization. Most of the MNCs are having a well stabilized HR department and they are investing a lot on these departments. Due to the globalization and the increased competition for the skills and competent workforce the focus of the HR department has shifted from the administrative functions to the more strategic and critical business functions as employee selection, employee development and employee retention. But few companies still have some doubt in exploring the HR departments as they think that whatever they are investing on HR teams they are not getting the return on this investment because they are not able to calculate the ROI on HRM.


Reverse logistics is still a novelty concept for many companies and professionals that can be defined as the process of managing return process of end-of-life productos from customers to a point for recapturing value or proper disposal. This study is focused on the design and evaluation of a recovery system for packaging materials in a company belonging to an important business group. This reverse logistics system generates economic and environmental advantages, and insights that can be used by other companies.


This slide presentation describes the origin, approach and deliverables of course Org. Dynm.633, on "Leadership from the Middle" (LftM). Course participants were middle managers taking responsibility without authority for producing results in uncertain organizational environments, under high pressure. This course involved students in analyzing their current organizational challenges and realities and then in designing an idealized leadership approach in class. Between classes students adapted the class idealized design to their own opportunities and challenges. The course had two phases; analyzing the current reality followed by the design of an idealized general LftM process. After using the nominal group technique to define class learning objectives; the current reality analysis involved using system thinking tools to analyze, and project a base case of the opportunities and challenges assuming no change in trends. The idealized design involved using group facilitation techniques such as brainstorming, affinity diagramming, process mapping, nominal group technique, prioritization matrices and others to design and validate the version 1.0 LftM process against top priority requirements. Based on the validation results, the class added and dropped elements of the idealized design to produce a version 2.0 idealized LftM process design. The presentation includes a flowchart of the third and final LftM process design and identifies next steps for further development of LftM.


Context: The HGF/c-Met pathway is an hypoxia-inducible pathway involved in tumor-stroma interactions and invasion in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Assessment of c-Met expression is a critical issue as c-Met inhibitors are under clinical development and are suggested to display antitumor activity only in high c-Met tumors. We aimed to assess the prognostic value of c-Met overexpression in PDAC and explore underlying mechanisms (hypoxia, gene amplification, post transcriptional deregulation). Patients and methods: Patients (Pts) with resected PDAC who had received no perioperative chemo/radiotherapy were retrospectively selected. c-Met immunostaining was graded using a simplified score (high c-Met: ≥20% of cancer cells with 3+ staining) and compared to a standard scale combining staining surface and intensity (SI score) and to the MetMab score. Concordance between entire section and tissue microarray (TMA) was assessed and a computer-assisted quantification algorithm was developed (Aperio® software). Hypoxia was assessed by visual grading of HIF-1α/CA9 immunostaining, necrosis, and automated microvascular density (Aperio®). c-Met gene copy number was assessed by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and Taqman® based copy number variation (CNV) assay. c-Met mRNA levels were quantified using reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). c-Met pathway activation was assessed by immunostaining of phospho-c-Met, phospho-GAB1 and downstream signaling (pAKT, pERK, and pSTAT3) and graded visually. Clinical, pathological, and molecular biomarkers were correlated with disease-free (DFS) and overall (OS) survivals. Results: Thirty-seven Pts were analyzed. The simplified c-Met score displayed the best prognostic value and reproducibility vs both the SI score and the MetMab score; using this score: (a) high c-Met (7/37) was associated with shorter DFS (6.3 vs 33.0 months, HR: 3.456, p = 0.0035) and OS (10.8 vs 39.0 months, HR: 4.257, p = 0.0006); and (b) the kappa index was 0.773±0.122. In multivariate analysis, high c-Met was independently associated with both DFS and OS. c-Met expression was concordant on entire section and TMA in 87.9% of cases, and quantifiable using a specific computer-assisted algorithm. There was no correlation between hypoxia-related markers and c-Met expression. FISH and CNV analysis did not show c-Met gene amplification. mRNA quantification and downstream pathway activation data will be presented. Conclusion: c-Met is an independent prognostic marker in resected PDAC that may help identifying Pts at high risk of recurrence and poor survival. High c-Met expression was not associated with hypoxia or gene amplification in this study. The simplified c-Met scale is a robust and reproducible scoring method that could be used for ongoing larger studies on TMA. Citation Format: Cindy Neuzillet, Annemilai Tijeras-Raballand, Jerome Raffenne, Armand de Gramont, Pierre Bedossa, Valerie Paradis, Alain Sauvanet, Jean-Baptiste Bachet, Eric Raymond, Pascal Hammel, Anne Couvelard, Jerome Cros. Prognostic value of high c-Met expression in patients with poor prognosis pancreatic adenocarcinoma following surgical resection: comparison of three c-Met scoring methods and exploration of underlying mechanisms of c-Met overexpression. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 794. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-794


Measurements have been made by a light scattering method of the optical turbidity of the waters in some typical British Columbia inIets with depths to 700 m. (The optical turbidity here used is the extinction cocfficicnt or fractional reduction in light intensity per meter length due to scattering. ) The major contribution to the turbidity in the large inlets is the minerogenic material brought in by rivers. Therefore those inlets with rivers originating in glaciers exhibit the highest turbidity values and thcrc is a marked seasonal variation. In the surface layers, values recorded for turbidity range from 0.2 m-l in winter to 35m-1 in summer with a marked decrease from head to mouth of the inlet. The main body of water in an inlet is usually fairly uniform in turbidity at 0.1 to 2m-I. (For comparison, double distilled water has a turbidity of O.O24m-' for light of wavelength 5460 A in air. ) Particle sizes average about 20~ diameter in summer and 8~ in winter, with little material less than 2~ in diamctcr. An increase in turbidity near the bottom is common and may be due to tidal currents but evidence suggests that turbidity currents originating at the inlet head may bc common and contribute to the bottom water turbidity.


TG611 Governors are API-611 compliant, self-contained, mechanical-hydraulic, speed-droop governors for use on small steam turbines driving pumps, compressors, or generators, where isochronous (constant speed) operation is not required.


Abstract This paper presents research on a typical subject in comparative law: doctrinal thinking about (and teaching methods for) administrative law in Brazil and the United States. The paper's initial research hypotheses are as follows: 1) in contrast to the United States, in Brazil, legal scholarship (legal academic writing) has significantly influenced the construction of the theoretical principles that form the basis of the public administration system; 2) the Brazilian understanding of administrative legal scholarship is distinct from that of the United States regarding several specific but representative issues; 3) in Brazil, administrative law textbooks and monographs focus on general principles and direct state intervention, whereas in the United States, administrative law education focuses on regulatory issues; and 4) regulatory (and policy or decision-making) concepts are more complex than they initially appear. These initial hypotheses will either be confirmed or refuted at the end of the study. The methodological research scope is an analysis of the study, teaching, and theoretical approach to the science of administrative law through a comparison of the two systems. The conclusions aim to assist legal researchers in both countries by broadening the understanding of the differences in meaning between apparently similar institutions and expressions while analyzing relevant semiological differences. Therefore, the paper does not represent an analysis of the particular legal systems but instead offers a methodology for understanding the two jurisdictions under consideration.


Polynomial coding has been proposed as a solution to the straggler mitigation problem in distributed matrix multiplication. Previous works in the literature employ univariate polynomials to encode matrix partitions. Such schemes greatly improve the speed of distributed computing systems by making the task completion time to depend only on the fastest workers. However, the work done by the slowest workers, which fails to finish the task assigned to them, is completely ignored. In order to exploit the partial computations of the slower workers, we further decompose the overall matrix multiplication task into even smaller subtasks to better fit workers' storage and computation capacities. In this work, we show that univariate schemes fail to make an efficient use of the storage capacity and we propose bivariate polynomial codes. We show that bivariate polynomial codes are a more natural choice to accommodate the additional decomposition of subtasks, as well as, heterogeneous storage and computation resources at workers. However, in contrast to univariate polynomial decoding, for multivariate interpolation guarantying decodability is much harder. We propose two bivartiate polynomial schemes. The first scheme exploits the fact that bivariate interpolation is always possible for rectangular grid of points. We obtain the rectangular grid of points at the cost of allowing some redundant computations. For the second scheme, we relax the decoding constraint, and require decodability for almost all choices of evaluation points. We present interpolation sets satisfying the almost decodability conditions for certain storage configurations of workers. Our numerical results show that bivariate polynomial coding considerably reduces the completion time of distributed matrix multiplication.


The ability to achieve a long-term stable implant interface is not a significant clinical issue when sufficient uni- or bi-cortical stabilization is available. Clinical outcomes studies suggest that the higher-risk implants are those placed in compromised cortical bone (thin, porous, etc.) in anatomic sites with minimal existing trabecular bone (characterized as type IV bone). In establishing and maintaining an implant interface in such an environment, one needs to consider the impact of masticatory forces. These forces, in turn, have the potential to create localized changes in interfacial stiffness through the viscoelastic properties of bone. Changes in these properties will alter the communication between osteocytes and osteoblasts, leading to an increase in new bone growth, a maintenance of established bone, or a loss (potentially catastrophic) of either cortical or trabecular bone. Therefore, a key to understanding the biomechanical and functional behavior at an implant interface is to control the extent of anticipated modeling and remodeling behavior through an optimal implant design combined with a thorough understanding of how tissues respond to the mechanically active environment.


After giving the highlights on the few surgical indications of biliary cysts, the authors present a film of the resection of the protruding dome with celioscopy for an 80-mm cyst of the 3rd segment of the liver, in association with cholecystectomy for lithiasis. The simple technique and uncomplicated postoperative period emphasize the merits of this procedure, although this should not lead to inappropriate indications.


We explored the effects of introduced trout on primary and secondary producers at 2 spatial scales in 17 Andean stream reaches above 3000 m asl in 3 subbasins of the Guayllabamba watershed in Ecuador. At each stream reach, we measured trout density, biological factors, and environmental factors that might affect distribution and density of trout. We also carried out a field-inclusion experiment along a 105-m section of the Saltana stream (which has no trout), in which we introduced trout in experimental cages to assess their effects on aquatic invertebrate populations and algal biomass. Oncorhynchus mykiss (Rainbow Trout) is widely distributed in streams of the Andean páramo in northeastern Ecuador and was the only fish species found. Trout distribution was correlated with altitude, quality of riparian vegetation, substrate diversity, and conductivity. In the survey, invertebrate community composition did not differ between streams with and without trout, but trout density and invertebrate richness were positively related. Trout density and algal biomass were negatively related. In the experiment, trout reduced the density of invertebrates (predominantly Andesiops [Baetidae], Orthocladiinae, and Simuliidae sp. 1) in drift and benthic samples. Thus, trout appeared to have a significant effect on aquatic invertebrate communities at the local scale via direct predation, which affects the densities of certain taxa, and behavioral responses of certain invertebrates (i.e., reduced drift). However, trout did not appear to affect algal biomass. This result might have been a consequence of the limited time that trout were kept in the enclosures. We conclude that introduced Rainbow Trout in tropical high-altitude streams can strongly affect invertebrate behavior and densities, which in turn, might affect other levels of the food web (as seen in the survey), but their effect on primary producers remains to be tested.


In this paper we introduce a methodology to predict IP traffic in IP-based next generation network (NGN). By using Netflow traffic collecting technology, we've collected some traffic data for the analysis from an NGN operator. To build wavelet basis neural network (NN), we replace Sigmoid function with the wavelet in NN, and use wavelet multiresolution analysis method to decompose the traffic signal and then employ the decomposed component sequences to train the NN. By using the methods, we build a NGN traffic prediction model by which to predict one day's traffic. The experimental results show that the traffic prediction method of wavelet NN (WNN) is more accurate than that without using wavelet in the NGN traffic forecasting.


Visfatin is an adipocytokine that discharge from adipocytes. It is obscure in the case of preparing likewise impacts groupings of visfatin. The reason for this examination was to look at the impacts of 12 weeks of oxygen consuming preparing on visfatin levels in fat ladies. 32 fat ladies (age = 37.8 ± 13.2 years, weight ind ex = of 39.4 ± 6.4 kg/m2 .) elected to take an interest in a 12-wk practice program. They were haphazardly relegated to either a preparation (n = 16) or control (n = 14) gathering. The preparation bunch practiced for 70 minutes for each meeting, 3 days out of every week during the multi week preparing program. The benchmark group was approached to keep up their typical every day exercises. Tests were acquired previously and toward the finish of preparing program. We use t. paire and autonomous, test for information breaks down


Multiple-In-Multiple-Out (MIMO) offers great potential for increasing network capacity by exploiting spatial diversity with multiple antennas. Multiuser MIMO (MU-MIMO) further enables Access Points (APs) with multiple antennas to transmit multiple data streams concurrently to several clients. However, the uplink data transmission (from client to AP) of MU-MIMO is more vulnerable because its wide distribution and diversification. We explore the vulnerability in clients' feedback of estimated CSI to the AP. We then propose two attacks potentially taken by malicious clients and malicious AP respectively: (1) the forging client attack that malicious client report the forged CSI to the AP and (2) forging AP attack that malicious AP transmits wrong training frame to clients. Both of these attacks can lead to incorrect resolving at AP and ruin the whole uplink communication. Correspondingly, we design countermeasures for these attacks, namely CVU and CFU. We evaluate their performance via simulators. Based on our experimental results, we suggest a new CSI feedback scheme to prevent CSI forging, which only requires slight modification at the client side and easy for deployment.


The purpose of this study is to determine the efficiency of the seminar periods intended for contributing to the professional development of social studies teachers based on their own perspectives. This study adopts a qualitative approach and is carried out in the form of a case study. Among the purposeful sampling methods, the criteria sample method was used in the study. The sampling consisted of six social studies teachers in Sivas: three males and three females. In the research, semi-structured interview form was used as a data collection tool. As a result of the analysis conducted in the study, two main themes were identified: 1) findings regarding the seminar period and the activities conducted during that period, and 2) findings regarding the factor of efficiency of the seminar period. Based on the study results, seminar periods are found to be unfruitful for social studies teachers.


Many Gram-negative bacteria are characterized by hair-like proteinaceous appendages on their surface known as fimbriae. In uropathogenic strains of Escherichia coli, fimbriae mediate attachment by binding to receptors on the host cell, often contributing to virulence and disease. E. coli PapD-like protein (EcpD) is a periplasmic chaperone that plays an important role in the proper folding and guiding of Yad fimbrial proteins to the outer membrane usher protein in a process known as pilus biogenesis. EcpD is essential for pilus biogenesis in uropathogenic E. coli and plays an important role in virulence. In the present study, EcpD was cloned, overexpressed, purified and crystallized by the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method. The crystals diffracted to 1.67 Å resolution and belonged to the orthorhombic space group C222(1), with unit-cell parameters a = 100.3, b = 127.6, c = 45.9 Å. There was a single molecule in the asymmetric unit and the corresponding Matthews coefficient was calculated to be 3.02 Å(3) Da(-1), with 59% solvent content. Initial phases were determined by molecular replacement.


The mother is typically the primary caregiver for children suffering from cancer. The long-term care responsibilities involved with caring for a cancer-stricken child impacts upon the mother's family role and functions and causes lifestyle changes or imbalances. The aim of this study was to explore social support, health status, and related factors in families of children with cancer. This study adopted a cross-sectional descriptive design. Study subjects consisted of 120 mothers of children with cancer recruited from the outpatient and inpatient departments of two medical centers in southern Taiwan between January and April 2006. Research instruments included demographic characterizations of the children with cancer, their mothers, and families; the Social Support: Personal Resource Questionnaire (PRQ85) part 2, the Duke Health Profile (DUKE), and the Family Assessment Device (FAD). Results showed a mean score of social support for mothers of children with cancer was 131.21 out of a total possible 175. The standard score for social support was 75.0. The standard score for health was 67.15. The mean score of family functioning was 128.48 out of a total possible 240. The standard score of family function was 53.53. Mother's age, marriage, family type, family socioeconomic stage, disease stage, and relapse of child's disease all had a statistically significant relationship to family function. Significant positive relationships were identified between the two variables social support and health status and family function. Mother's health, social support, disease relapse, and mother's age were significant predictors of mother's family function, explaining 42% of variance in family function for mothers of children with cancer. We hope findings will help clinical health professionals identify and implement nursing strategies to increase the health of mothers and their children as well as promote social support to strengthen family functions.


Where oceanic segments of the world rift system are exposed at the surface in Iceland and the Afar Depression of Ethiopia, the neovolcanic zones are observed to die out along their length and are offset en echelon to one side or the other. In Iceland the exposed crust is composed of a lava pile of Late Tertiary to Holocene age which in detail is built up of overlapping lenticular units. These units together with their feeder dike swarms are focused about silicic centers. During crustal growth the units move to one side or the other of the neovolcanic zone where they are preserved intact and only partially covered by later centers. There are two neovolcanic zones in Iceland. The western zone commences at Reykjanes and overlapping sections extend en echelon for 40 km to the east; it continues northeastward to near 64°55′ N. where it changes to a northerly strike and volcanism dies out at 65° 10′ N. The continuation of this line to the north coast is an ancient volcanic line. The eastern volcanic zone overlaps the western one along its southern half and is active across the whole length of Iceland. In the course of crustal growth, volcanic lines have decayed and have been replaced by new lines to one side. Anticlines and synclines are formed by this process within the lava pile and define the location of the ancient axes of crustal growth. A situation similar to that observed in Iceland is found in Ethiopia where the Wonji fault belt within the main Ethiopian rift is formed of en echelon fault lines. In the northern part of the Afar Depression two well-defined neovolcanic lines overlap one another and the ridge axis is further offset to join the Red Sea ridge. These neovolcanic lines are not connected by transform faults and the lengths of the ridge segments are a function of their offsets. They are transient features which during their active lives are accommodated by deformation of the crustal plates.


Introduction: Hydatid disease is a parasitic disease that mainly affects the liver and the lungs. Primary parietal pleural hydatid disease is a rare variant of this uncommon disease and is rarely reported in medical literature. Case Presentation: We report a case of 36-year-old woman presented with chronic cough and chest pain. The blood tests showed high titer of anti-Echinococcus antibodies, and chest x-ray showed a well-defined round homogenous radio-opacity in the right middle and upper zones. A chest computed-tomography scan revealed a cystic lesion in the superior posterior segments of the right lung. However, surgical intervention proved it is a hydatid cyst arising from the parietal pleura; it was removed completely, and the patient improved significantly. Conclusion: Primary pleural hydatid disease is rare. Though it is rare, pleural hydatid disease should be kept in mind, especially in the deferential diagnosis of a mass lesion in the chest. In addition to that, the appropriate surgical precautions should be taken and the en-bloc complete resection of the cyst may prevent recurrence and spreading of hydatid disease.


With sustainability and management of waste as focus of multiple disciplines, there is still a considerable gap in the academic literature in regard to the definition of "waste management". The present research addresses the issue of a substantial lack of an acceptable interdisciplinary definition of waste management by means of synthesizing existing literature on the matter and identifying the most recurrent and relevant waste management concepts by applying the method of text mining. The results allow gaining a deeper understanding of (1) the typical concepts of each scientific discipline that studies waste management, (2) cross-disciplinary concept differences and similarities, and (3) the concept networks that can become potential building blocks of the waste management studies definition. Finally, a number of future research directions and propositions are suggested.


Safeners such as metcamifen and benoxacor are widely used in maize to enhance the selectivity of herbicides through the induction of key detoxifying enzymes, notably cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (CYPs). Using a combination of transcriptomics, proteomics, and functional assays, the safener-inducible CYPs responsible for herbicide metabolism in this globally important crop have been identified. A total of 18 CYPs belonging to clans 71, 72, 74, and 86 were safener-induced, with the respective enzymes expressed in yeast and screened for activity toward thiadiazine (bentazon), sulfonylurea (nicosulfuron), and triketone (mesotrione and tembotrione) chemistries. Herbicide metabolism was largely restricted to family CYP81A members from clan 71, notably CYP81A9, CYP81A16, and CYP81A2. Quantitative transcriptomics and proteomics showed that CYP81A9/CYP81A16 were dominant enzymes in safener-treated field maize, whereas only CYP81A9 was determined in sweet corn. The relationship between CYP81A sequence and activities were investigated by splicing CYP81A2 and CP81A9 together as a series of recombinant chimeras. CYP81A9 showed wide ranging activities toward the three herbicide chemistries, while CYP81A2 uniquely hydroxylated bentazon in multiple positions. The plasticity in substrate specificity of CYP81A9 toward multiple herbicides resided in the second quartile of its N terminal half. Further phylogenetic analysis of CYP81A9 showed that the maize enzyme was related to other CYP81As linked to agrochemical metabolism in cereals and wild grasses, suggesting this clan 71 CYP has a unique function in determining herbicide selectivity in arable crops.


Recent experimental studies of plasma broadening and shifting of non-hydrogenic neutral atom and positive ion spectral lines are reviewed with emphasis on the application for diagnostics of plasma electron density. The comparison between theory and experiments is discussed and a set of data for plasma diagnostic purposes is proposed. Advancements in experimental techniques and procedures are also discussed.


The intercity bus industry in Virginia was examined to obtain information on the status of the industry and to determine the likely impacts of state policy options relating to assistance and deregulation on the industry. The national intercity bus industry and other states' studies of and programs for the industry were also examined. Information concerning Virginia's regulation of the industry, state-imposed fees and taxes on the industry, and operating and financial characteristics of the industry was collected. Conclusions regarding the industry were developed, and recommendations regarding Virginia's response to industry problems and issues were made.


The ITO (indium tin oxide) conductive glass-matrix CuS-GeO2-TiO2 composite coating was generated via EPD (electrophoretic deposition) and followed by a sintering treatment at 450°C for 40 minutes. Characterizations of the CuS-GeO2-TiO2 composite coating were taken by SEM (scanning electron microscope), XRD (X-ray diffraction), EDX (energy dispersive X-ray), UV-Vis DRS (ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflection spectrum), and FT-IR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy). Results showed that CuS and GeO2 had dispersed in this CuS-GeO2-TiO2 composite coating (mass percentages for CuS and GeO2 were 1.23% and 2.79%, respectively). The electrochemical studies (cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and Tafel polarization) of this CuS-GeO2-TiO2 composite coating electrode were performed in pH = 9.51 Na2CO3-NaHCO3 buffer solution containing 0.50 mol/L CH3OH under the conditions of visible light, ultraviolet light (λ = 365 nm), and dark (without light irradiation as control), respectively. Electrochemical studies indicated that this CuS-GeO2-TiO2 composite coating electrode had better photoelectrocatalytic activity than the pure TiO2 electrode in the electrocatalysis of methanol under visible light.


The effects of long acting somatostatin analog SMS 201-995 were examined in vivo on: 1) lymphoid morphostasis and functional reactivity of cells obtained from SMS treated donors, 2) on humoral, and 3) cellular type of immunity; and in vitro on: 1) blastic transformation of lymphocytes stimulated by activators of different transmembrane pathways (CD2 by PHA and CD3/TCR by anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody and by allogeneic cells) and 2) on growth and secretory activity of several hybridoma cell lines. The data have shown that SMS in vivo decreases the proportion of CD4+, CD5+ and Ig+ cells in spleen. The reactivity of these cells to Con A was suppressed, but their spontaneous blastic transformation was increased. SMS suppressed also the plaque forming cells generation and proliferation of cells in popliteal lymph nodes during the local host versus graft reaction. The former immunosuppression was abrogated with the use of growth hormone, while in the latter, the time dependent changes in spleen composition were also noticed. The data obtained in vitro revealed that SMS may inhibit only the CD2-induced blastogenesis (in early and late interval after the use of PHA). SMS inhibited also the spontaneous growth and/or secretion of antibodies in some hybridoma cell lines.


Vaccination is one of the public health measures that has most contributed to decreasing the incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases. However, vaccines can lead to post-vaccination adverse events. This study thus aimed to analyze the prevalence of post-vaccination adverse events in elderly persons, determine the reported post-vaccination adverse events, identify the vaccines that cause post-vaccination adverse events, and verify the post-vaccination adverse events and vaccines that lead to hospitalizations in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, from 2015 to 2017. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach based on notifications of post-vaccination adverse events recorded in the Information System of the National Immunization Program. The results showed that of the 15,196,080 elderly persons that were immunized, there were 207 reports of post-vaccination adverse events, of which 187 (89%) were non-serious adverse events and 15 (8%) due to immunization errors (IE). The majority of the patients were female (86%), white (49%), and from 60 to 69 years of age (70%). Clinical manifestations featured local reactions at the injection site (84%). There were 131 cases (64%) that evolved to cure without sequelae. Two individuals (2%) were hospitalized due to serious adverse events. The first had received adult diphtheria/tetanus (dT), pneumococcal (Pn23), and influenza vaccines, and the second had received Pn23. The post-vaccination adverse events notifications showed incomplete information. In conclusion, notification of post-vaccination adverse events is essential. Health professionals need to be committed to adequate completion of the notification forms, with health surveillance supervision aimed at quality of care for elderly persons with post-vaccination adverse events.


Hedge fund gross U.S. Treasury (UST) exposures doubled from 2018 to February 2020 to $2.4 trillion, primarily driven by relative value arbitrage trading and supported by corresponding increases in repo borrowing. In March 2020, amid unprecedented UST market turmoil, the average UST trading hedge fund had a return of -7% and reduced its UST exposure by close to 20%, despite relatively unchanged bilateral repo volumes and haircuts. Analyzing hedge fund-creditor borrowing data, we find the large, more regulated dealers provided disproportionately more funding during the crisis than other creditors. Overall, the step back in hedge fund UST activity was primarily driven by fund-specific liquidity management rather than dealer regulatory constraints. Hedge funds exited the turmoil with 20% higher cash holdings and smaller, more liquid portfolios, despite low contemporaneous outflows. This precautionary flight to cash was more pronounced among funds exposed to greater redemption risk through shorter share restrictions. Hedge funds predominantly trading the cash-futures basis faced greater margin pressure and reduced UST exposures and repo borrowing the most. After the market turmoil subsided following Fed intervention, hedge fund returns recovered quickly, but UST exposures did not revert to pre-shock levels over the subsequent months.


Calculations of the electronic structure, equilibrium volume Omega e and elastic constants Cij for the disordered Al1-xLix and Al1-xMgx alloys have been performed. The authors use the virtual crystal approximation, first-principles pseudopotentials and the previously discussed method of calculating Cij, based on the density functional approach. The results describe fairly well all the peculiar features of the Cij(x) and Omega e(x) dependences in these alloys and show that the anomalies in these dependences are due to the band structure effects.


The cost of healthcare is significant within Australia where $185.4 billion was spent in the 2017-2018 financial year. This expenditure represents 10% of Australian GDP and grew by a ten-year annual average of 3.9% to 2015-16 financial year. There is limited ability to demonstrate the efficient use of existing healthcare spaces while Capital Works expenditure continues to grow. Executive decision-makers and front-line managers currently lack tools to optimize space utilization, as current techniques are either burdensome, costly, or challenging to implement at scale. There is related literature that demonstrates the feasibility of using Internet of Things (IoT) to understand the utilization of non-clinical healthcare spaces. However, these technologies have not previously been validated as effective in an operational clinical setting. This paper presents findings from the introduction of an IoT-based space management system applied to a multi-disciplinary outpatient clinic in an operational public hospital fulltime across a six-month time period. Preliminary data validates IoT technology is appropriate for operational healthcare environments and is superior when compared to manual data collection methods.


We study radio frequency (RF) wireless power transfer (WPT) using a digital radio transmitter for applications where alternative analog transmit circuits are impractical. An important parameter for assessing the viability of an RF WPT system is its end-to-end efficiency. In this regard, we present a prototype test bed comprising a software-defined radio (SDR) transmitter and an energy-harvesting receiver with a low resistive load; employing an SDR makes our research meaningful for simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT). We analyze the effect of clipping and nonlinear amplification at the SDR on multisine waveforms. Our experiments suggest that when the direct current (dc) input power at the transmitter is constant, high peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) multisines are unsuitable for RF WPT over a flat-fading channel, due to their low average radiated power. The results indicate that the end-to-end efficiency is positively correlated with the average RF power of the waveform and that it reduces with increasing PAPR. Consequently, digital modulations, such as phase shift keying (PSK) and quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), yield better end-to-end efficiency than multisines. Moreover, the end-to-end efficiency of PSK and QAM signals is invariant to the transmission bit rate. An in-depth analysis of the end-to-end efficiency of WPT reveals that the transmitter efficiency is lower than the receiver efficiency. Furthermore, we study the impact of a reflecting surface on the end-to-end efficiency of WPT and assess the transmission quality of the information signals by evaluating their error vector magnitude (EVM) for SWIPT. Overall, the experimental observations of end-to-end efficiency and EVM suggest that, while employing an SDR transmitter with fixed dc input power, a baseband quadrature PSK signal is most suitable for SWIPT at large, among PSK and QAM signals.


India sees a role for itself in shaping Asia's emerging security and economic architecture. The Indian view, stated clearly by Shri Anil Wadhwa, then secretary (east) in the Ministry of External Affairs, is that "the regional security architecture should be open, transparent, inclusive and evolutionary; should respect the diversity of the region; as well as be coterminous with the boundaries of the EAS [East Asia Summit]."1 This essay will first look at the security challenges India perceives in the Asia-Pacific before examining India's cooperation with ASEAN and involvement in the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus). The third section will then discuss India's involvement in other regional forums and make some comparisons with the ADMM-Plus.India's Perception of Its Present Security ChallengesFrom India's perspective, security is a prerequisite for internal cohesion, economic development, and consolidation. According to Secretary Wadhwa, "India's primary interest is to create an enabling external environment for the economic progress of the country." 2 Unless there is regional security, economic development cannot be envisaged.At the 2016 Shangri-La Dialogue, Manohar Parrikar identified three key challenges to India's security: territorial disputes that could degenerate into military conflict, terrorism, and protection of the maritime domain. Emphasizing the third challenge, he went on to state that "by virtue of geographical location, the Indo-Pacific is the crossroads of [the] world's maritime traffic. Over half of the world's commercial shipping passes through these waterways."3 Any adventurism would disrupt the process of economic growth and development not only for India but for the broader region. Earlier, addressing the third ADMM-Plus in Kuala Lumpur, Parrikar referred to the seas and oceans as "critical enablers of our prosperity." 4The maritime challenge affects India directly, as the bulk of its trade is via maritime routes and thus requires freedom of navigation and the security of sea lines of communication. Even though India is not a party to any of the disputes in the South China Sea, it has a significant stake in the stability of the region because any conflict would disrupt the flow of trade and supplies. India is therefore carefully watching to see how the parties will react to the decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Philippines' arbitration case against China's nine-dash line claim, which is still pending at the time of writing. To resolve a maritime dispute between India and Bangladesh, in July 2014 the court awarded Bangladesh 19,467 square kilometers of sea area in the Bay of Bengal, and New Delhi readily accepted the decision. A verdict that re-establishes trust in international law and norms on maritime issues is the best outcome that India can hope to see in the case involving China and the Philippines.To address challenges in the maritime domain, the Indian Navy has stepped up its activities in regional waters. The Indian Navy released its maritime security strategy Ensuring Secure Seas: Indian Maritime Security Strategy at the Naval Commanders' Conference in October 2015, which replaced and updated the 2007 strategy. India was a founding member of the Indian Ocean Rim Association. It also founded the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium in 2009, which provides a forum to discuss issues that have a bearing on maritime security in the Indian Ocean region. The symposium includes 35 countries as members and has become a dialogue partner of the Indian Ocean Rim Association. Moreover, the Indian Navy has adopted a proactive approach to maritime security by organizing the 2016 International Fleet Review (its second ever) and the Milan ("confluence") exercises in the Bay of Bengal.India's Cooperation with ASEAN and Participation in the ADMM-PlusIn conjunction with greater U.S.-India cooperation and the U.S. rebalance to Asia, New Delhi's cooperative approach has served to reduce the distance between India and ASEAN and fostered India's commitment to playing a role in the emerging security architecture in the Asia-Pacific. …


Fused fiber WDMs are being utilized to increase the capacity of fiber-optic systems. The crosstalk of these devices is >16 dB for two discrete wavelengths but degrades to ~10 dB over the wavelength range required by some systems. Thus, to have a WDM system with >30 dB of crosstalk it is necessary to provide at least 20 dB of additional filtration. We report an inline blocking filter (filter with pigtails) that consists of single-mode fibers fused to graded-index fiber lenses, a dielectric interference filter, and an AT&T rotary splice.1


In today's world, actual record of fuel filled and fuel consumption in vehicles is not maintained. It results in a financial loss. To avoid this we are implementing for sensing the amount of fuel filled in the vehicle. So as soon as agent starts filling petrol in your bike/car, using the Loadcell. The basic Objective of this project is to know exact amount of the petrol remaining in the fuel tank and how much distance it can travel .Also we can find near by petrol pumps and also it will indicate that the petrol pumps are out of petrol or not .The graphical display will show how much fuel is there and how much was added as well and total amount of fuel in the fuel tank this will be evidence of any kind of cheating is done by the ones fillings the fuel. this will nearly eradicate any kind of tricks pulled off by the petrol pumps. This flow sensor will be active till flow ends. Once flow ends it will calculate the amount of fuel filled and directly notify on your Dashboard an IOT fuel monitoring system and the Many a times while travelling, people get stuck in the middle of nowhere due to an empty fuel tank. Our project aims at eliminating this problem by searching and showing the nearest petrol pump to the user. We have developed an android application


The effects of the preparation method on the properties of Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalysts for L-phenylalanine methyl ester hydrogenation to L-phenylalaninol were investigated in detail, including the precipitation method and conditions (the aging time, calcination temperature and so on), with the help of ICP-OES, N2 and N2O adsorption, XRD, H2-TPR and TEM techniques. The results show that physicochemical properties of the catalysts are greatly affected by the preparation method and conditions. The uniform size distribution of CuO species can be obtained by fractional co-precipitation. The appropriate aging time is 2 h, and the catalyst aged for 2 h has the largest metallic copper surface area (SCu) and surface copper amount and the smallest CuO crystallites. The lower calcination temperature is favorable for increasing the surface area and metallic copper surface area of the catalyst. The spinel structure CuAl2O4 phase can form after calcination at 550 °C. The turnover frequency (TOF) values of L-phenylalaninol formed using different catalysts indicate the structurally sensitive character of the title reaction, and SCu is not the sole cause affecting the catalytic activities of the catalysts. B-TOF on the basis of the active sites (Cu0) in the boundary between CuO and ZnO or Al2O3 was proposed; the relationships of B-TOF with dCuO (particle size of CuO) and SCu were established. Using the Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst prepared by fractional co-precipitation with aging at 70 °C for 2 h and calcination at 450 °C for 4 h, 83.6% selectivity to L-phenylalaninol without racemization was achieved.


A hierarchical approach for nesting two-dimensional shapes based on genetic algorithms is described. For the higher-level search, a representation that facilitates genetic search based on recombination is developed. An alternatiye to overlap computation based on assembly of polygons is used at the lower level of search. Two implementations to find minimum-area enclosures for polygons, with and without a cohstraint on the width of stock, are discussed. Sample output illustrating the effectiveness of the approach is provided.


We investigate various analytical and numerical techniques for the coupling of nonlinear hyperbolic systems and, in particular, we introduce an augmented formulation that allows for the modelling of the dynamics of interfaces between fluid flows. The main technical difficulty to be overcome lies in the possible resonance effect when wave speeds coincide and global hyperbolicity is lost. As a consequence, non-uniqueness of weak solutions is observed for the initial-value problem, and these solutions need to be supplemented with further admissibility conditions. This paper is devoted to investigating these issues in the setting of self-similar vanishing viscosity approximations to the Riemann problem for general hyperbolic systems. Following earlier works by Joseph, LeFloch and Tzavaras, we establish an existence theorem for the Riemann problem under fairly general structural assumptions on the nonlinear hyperbolic system and its regularization. Our main contribution consists of nonlinear wave interaction estimates for solutions that apply to resonant wave patterns.


PURPOSE
To assess how patients' underlying anxiety affects their experience of distress, use of resources, and responsiveness toward nonpharmacologic analgesia adjunct therapies during invasive procedures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Two hundred thirty-six patients undergoing vascular and renal interventions, who had been randomized to receive during standard care treatment, structured empathic attention, or self-hypnotic relaxation, were divided into two groups: those with low state anxiety scores on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI, scores < 43; n = 116) and those with high state anxiety scores (> or = 43; n = 120). All had access to patient-controlled analgesia with fentanyl and midazolam. Every 15 minutes during the procedure, patients rated their anxiety and pain on a scale of 0-10 (0, no pain/anxiety at all; 10, worst possible pain/anxiety). Effects were assessed by analysis of variance and repeated-measures analysis.

RESULTS
Patients with high state anxiety levels required significantly greater procedure time and medication. Empathic attention as well as hypnosis treatment reduced procedure time and medication use for all patients. These nonpharmacologic analgesia adjunct treatments also provided significantly better pain control than standard care for patients with low anxiety levels. Anxiety decreased over the time of the procedure; patients with high state anxiety levels experienced the most significant decreases in anxiety with nonpharmacologic adjuncts whereas patients with low state anxiety levels coped relatively well under all conditions.

CONCLUSION
Patients' state anxiety level is a predictor of trends in procedural pain and anxiety, need for medication, and procedure duration. Low and high state anxiety groups profit from the use of nonpharmacologic analgesia adjuncts but those with high state anxiety levels have the most to gain.


Lipofibromatosis is a slow-growing, childhood soft-tissue neoplasm that is often confused with other conditions. We report a patient with lipofibromatosis causing extremity enlargement at birth. The lesion initially was thought to be a vascular anomaly or lipedema on clinical and MRI examination. When involving the lower extremity, diffuse lipofibromatosis must be differentiated from more common causes of lower limb enlargement in children: lymphatic malformation, lymphedema, or lipedema. Compared with these more frequent conditions, lipofibromatosis usually causes less morbidity. Management of the tumor includes observation or excision. Because complete extirpation of the lesion is difficult, the recurrence rate is high.


Plant-derived carbohydrates are an abundant renewable resource. Transformation of carbohydrates into new products, including amine-functionalized building blocks for biomaterials applications, can lower reliance on fossil resources. Herein, biocatalytic production routes to amino carbohydrates, including oligosaccharides, are demonstrated. In each case, two-step biocatalysis was performed to functionalize d-galactose-containing carbohydrates by employing the galactose oxidase from Fusarium graminearum or a pyranose dehydrogenase from Agaricus bisporus followed by the ω-transaminase from Chromobacterium violaceum (Cvi-ω-TA). Formation of 6-amino-6-deoxy-d-galactose, 2-amino-2-deoxy-d-galactose, and 2-amino-2-deoxy-6-aldo-d-galactose was confirmed by mass spectrometry. The activity of Cvi-ω-TA was highest towards 6-aldo-d-galactose, for which the highest yield of 6-amino-6-deoxy-d-galactose (67 %) was achieved in reactions permitting simultaneous oxidation of d-galactose and transamination of the resulting 6-aldo-d-galactose.


Background Psoriasis is a common, immune-mediated, inflammatory disease that can affect all aspects of a person's life including esthetic appearance, relationships with others, and psychological, social, and physical functioning. Objective This study was conducted to investigate the therapeutic benefits of calcipotriol plus betamethasone dipropionate gel (Dovobet gel) phonophoresis in the treatment of plaque psoriasis. Patients and methods Forty patients with a moderate degree of psoriasis (localized psoriasis) were included, and their age ranged from 25 to 45 years. Patients were randomly assigned into two groups: the study group underwent calcipotriol plus betamethasone dipropionate gel phonophoresis and the control group underwent calcipotriol plus betamethasone dipropionate gel. All treatment interventions were applied at a frequency of three sessions per week for 8 weeks. Outcome measures were performed through ultrasound imaging system that was used to measure the thickness of the skin. The assessment was done before treatment and after 8 weeks of the treatment. Results There was a significant decrease in the skin thickness after treatment in the study group compared with that of control group (P<0.0001). Conclusion Calcipotriol plus betamethasone diproprionate phonophoresis is a useful therapeutic procedure in the treatment of plaque psoriasis.


ABSTRACT We describe the growth of the Cortes geoduck Panopea globosa (Dall 1898) in the Central Gulf of California using a multimodel approach. Geoducks were collected from November 2008 to February 2010 as part of an experimental fishery off Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico. Their age was established using the acetate peel method. Individual growth was estimated by means of 4 models: von Bertalanffy, logistic, Gompertz, and Schnute. The parameters in each model and their confidence intervals (CIs) were computed using the maximum likelihood method. The best-fitting model was selected using Akaike's information criterion (AIC). According to the AIC, the logistic growth model best describes the growth of P. globosa in this region. We recomputed the CIs of the best model through bootstrapping the model 1,000 times. We found that the asymptotic length of the shell of P. globosa off Guaymas (located in the Central Gulf of California) was 122.2 mm (95% CI, 116.3–128.1) by averaging the asymptotic length estimated in the 3 candidate models (Schnute was not supported). After bootstrapping, the values for the parameters and the first-order corrected 95% CI of the logistic model were L∞ = 122.16 (118.2–124.94), K = 0.497 (0.36–0.614), and t0 = 2.26 (1.599–2.571). We concluded that using a multimodel approach and the AIC represent the most robust method for growth parameter estimation, at least in the studied species.


Avulsion is one of the most severe types of traumatic injuries seen during childhood and adolescence. Apart from physical trauma, it also causes psychological trauma to the affected child. Immediate replantation is very essential for the long-term survival of teeth. However, when immediate replantation cannot be accomplished, the medium in which the tooth is stored becomes very important. The life of the avulsed tooth may be extended by the prevention of desiccation of periodontal ligament fibers by the usage of appropriate storage media. The choice of an ideal storage medium is essential for maximum preservation of traumatized periodontal ligament fibers of avulsed teeth; this also decides the success of the replanted tooth and long-term prognosis. A number of natural and synthetic storage mediums have been studied till date. This review discusses some recent additions in storage media for avulsed teeth. It reviews the characteristics of some less discussed storage media, which would help us to increase awareness among the health-care workers and broaden their horizon. This would, in turn, help them in reducing extraoral dry time of the avulsed tooth in case of emergencies. This review mainly focuses on less commonly discussed storage media for avulsed teeth and the effect of different properties of these media on their efficacy.


Mistletoe generally is categorized as American mistletoe or European mistletoe. Despite its well-known potential for toxicity, mistletoe continues to be used as an herbal remedy and recently has received a great deal of media attention. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration classified mistletoe as a food additive that cannot be marketed unless proven safe for consumption (DerMarderosian, 1992). Several components of the plant have been found to possess antineoplastic activity and warrant further investigation for their clinical potential. At this time, however, mistletoe as a single-agent therapy has not been scientifically validated in the treatment of breast cancer.


In her book, Politics of Piety, Saba Mahmood (1) challenges liberal views about agency, and (2) offers her own account of agency. This article argues that Mahmood's characterization of liberal agency is a caricature. Contrary to her view, liberalism isn't merely procedural but rather espouses stringent commitments toward protecting people's basic rights and liberties. This article then argues that her account of agency may entail practices decried by liberal and some feminist theorists. Specifically, practices that override one's status in moral and political communities cannot be defended on the grounds that they are necessary for particular forms of human flourishing.


The article is devoted to the consideration of the nature and characteristics of Russian national identity. The research focus is concentrated on the youth state and civic identity study. State and civic identity was defined through its spatial embodiment. The spatial identity of Russians is largely subject to cognitive processes, and is associated with knowing, or not knowing the names of the cities of the residence country and ideas about their territorial location in the geographical space. Students of Moscow universities acted as carriers of information on the problem. A survey technique was used. The author assumed that the representatives of Russian youth adequately perceive the geography of the country. In particular, it had to be expressed in a relatively correct idea of the location of large cities in Russia. The hypothesis was based on the knowledge that the citizens of Russia socialized in the socio-cultural conditions of Russian society, took on the formative influence of educational and upbringing institutions, and therefore have a formed Russian identity. It was found that socialization in the current socio-cultural conditions does not lead to the formation of an adequate state-civil identity of young people. Based on the quantitative and qualitative analysis of empirical data, the article discusses the reasons that determine the current state of affairs. Considerations are expressed about the potential negative consequences of such a state of identity for the national security and territorial integrity of the Russian Federation.


The power production of a photovoltaic (PV) system can be maximized by applying a global maximum power point tracking (MPPT) method for ensuring that the PV array operates at the global MPP where its power production is maximized and, simultaneously, by dynamically maximizing the efficiency of the power converter that interfaces the PV-generated energy to the energy storage devices or the electric grid. In this paper, a new control method has been presented for the real-time maximization of the power production of PV systems by modifying in real time the duty cycle and switching frequency of the power converter PWM control signal. The proposed method has the advantage that it can be applied in PV systems operating under partial shading conditions. Also, knowledge of either the operational characteristics and configuration of the PV modules within the PV array or the power converter operational characteristics, is not required for its application. The experimental results validated that by using the proposed method, the power production of the PV system is increased significantly compared to the case that only the power production of the PV array is maximized by using a global MPPT technique without tracking the optimal value of the power converter efficiency.


The isolation of recombinant cDNA clones expressing antigens found in Onchocerca volvulus infective larvae is described. To isolate such clones, an expression cDNA library constructed from adult O. volvulus RNA was screened with antiserum raised against infective larvae. One clone, designated lambda RAL-1 was characterized further. The recombinant antigen produced by lambda RAL-1 stimulates proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from O. volvulus infected humans. Lambda RAL-1 is derived from a 1450 bases message that encodes a protein with an apparent molecular weight of 42,000 in adult O. volvulus. The inserted DNA of lambda RAL-1 contains an open reading frame of 1008 bp. The amino acid sequence predicted by this open reading frame contains three repeats of the sequence KKPEDWD. The identification of clones such as lambda RAL-1 will provide quantities of purified antigens sufficient to begin to study the immune response to and explore the development of immunity against the infectious form of the parasite.


The content of antioxidant compounds in lentil sprouts is related to the prevention and treatment of degenerative diseases. This type of compounds could be increased by the application of elicitors such as citric acid, which promotes the synthesis of compounds derived from phenylpropanoids and activates signaling cascade that increase antioxidant activity. The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the effect of the spray application of citric acid (0, 10, 10, 10 and 10 M) on the content of total phenolic compounds, total flavonoids, capacity total antioxidant of lentil sprouts. A completely randomized design with six repetitions of treatment was used. The results showed that citric acid significantly increased phenolic compounds and total flavonoids. The highest value of phenolic compounds and flavonoids was obtained with the 10 M treatment of citric acid with 185.5, 150 mg 100 g fresh weight respectively. Likewise, the antioxidant capacity was greater with the same treatment (10 M), which agrees with the correlation results obtained that indicate that the antioxidant capacity is due in 86 and 78% to the phenolic and flavonoid compounds, respectively. It is concluded that the application of molar concentrations of molecules that induce secondary metabolism during the stage of germinating development is a useful and effective method to stimulate the biosynthesis of bioactive phytochemicals and improve the antioxidant capacity of this type of food.


We present a general methodology, for computing the worst mean detection delay of the CUSUM test for detecting changes in continuous time processes. The proposed method is applied to the problem of detecting changes in the constant drift of a Brownian motion and in the rate of a homogeneous Poisson process. Closed form expressions obtained for the latter case are completely novel.


Regional-Owned Enterprises, including the Regional Water Company, other than as a source of local revenue also has a function to serve the needs of the community, so it is necessary to measure its performance with a concept that not only consider the financial aspect, but also the non-financial aspects, namely the Balanced Scorecard . This study discussed the performance of the PDAM Buleleng based on the perspectives of the Balanced Scorecard, such as the perspective of the customers, finance, internal business process, and learning and growth. Based on the analysis,  the performance of PDAM Buleleng in the  perspective of customer based on Customer Satisfaction Index showed a very good performance. In the perspective of finance, the analysis based on the leverage ratio and growth rate showed a good performance, while based on the activity and profitability ratios showed a good enough performance. In perspective of internal business process, the analysis based on the Service Cycle Efficiency on the new connection installation process showed a not good enough performance, while the customer complaints handling process showed a good performance. In the perspective of learning and growth, the analysis based on the productivity of the employees showed a good performance, and based on the Employee Satisfaction Index showed a good performance.


Abstract Prior literature reports mixed results relative to the performance outcomes of different types of conflict in top management teams. These conflicting results may stem from the complex interactions between different types of conflict. To address this gap in existing knowledge, we set out to explore the interactions between task, process, and affective conflict in entrepreneurial teams of venture-backed firms. Our data are based on a survey among 240 firms that received investment from Norwegian venture capital funds with a response rate of 25% (59 firms). Our results show that task conflict is positively related to affective conflict and that this relationship is partially mediated by process conflict. Furthermore, we find that team size moderates the relationship between task and process conflict. Our results provide a potential explanation for the previously reported inconsistent results on the outcomes of different types of conflict and suggest that especially nascent entrepreneurs with small management teams should be wary of all types of conflict – also those labeled as 'functional' by the prior literature.


Introduction. The simplicity of the sclerotherapy procedure, its high efficiency and low cost along with the possibility of performing the procedure on an outpatient basis stimulate the widespread use of the method. Objective of the study. Examine the current state of actual clinical practice regarding the treatment of patients with varicose veins using the sclerotherapy procedure. Materials and methods. An anonymous survey of 162 doctors, members of the professional community of specialists engaged in the treatment of venous diseases was performed. It comprised 15 questions concerning the features of the sclerotherapy procedure and following up of the patients. Results and discussion. The lack of clear-cut standardization for sclerotherapy in the regulatory documents contributes to the significant heterogeneity in the approaches of specialists to the performance of the procedure. The views on the use of sclerotherapy to remove perineal varicose veins (routinely performed only by 25.3% of physicians) and the upper extremity veins (less than 4%) turned out to be controversial. There were significant differences in the therapeutic approaches to the administration of anticoagulants by the patients (refusal in the procedure – 26.3% of respondents, discontinuation of drugs during sclerotherapy – 7.5%). Approximately a third of the respondents regularly exceed recommended 10 ml-volume of foam per session, there is no consensus on the choice of the needle diameter, drug concentration even in the similar clinical situations. About half of them have experience in using glucose as the sclerosant, every third – in using a transcutaneous laser, 5.6% – in using the mechanochemical obliteration techniques that are not currently certified in the Russian Federation. The use of compression therapy after sclerotherapy is not standardized; the regulatory documents provide contradictory durations of its use, which is due to the weakness of clinical research data on this issue. Up to 99% of physicians observe pigmentation, 83.2% – development of secondary telangiectasias and 60.2% – superficial necrosis in their practice. These circumstances arouse legal suspicion in relation to this type of treatment and the legal vulnerability of physicians. At the same time, physicians need to be more informed about the current requirements for some issues. Conclusion. The current legislation regulating the practical aspects of the sclerotherapy considers it largely through the lens of medicine, ignoring a significant cosmetic component. It is necessary to work out the provisions describing the specifics of cosmetic manipulations performed by the phlebologists, and the need for more detailed familiarization with the regular updates of the guidelines.


This study aims to examine reserve ratio (GWM), and capital buffer toward credit growth; the impact of macroeconomic variables and micro-banking specific factors toward credit growth in Islamic and Conventional Bank. This research using Vector Error Correction Model (VECM). This research finds that macroprudential policy based on GWM instrument positively influence the credit growth of conventional and Islamic banks. From macroeconomic, the credit growth is positively affected by GDP and negatively affected by BI Rate and inflation. Also, credit also affected by deposit funds and default rate ratio. Interestingly, there is a different impact of capital buffer instrument toward credit growth. Capital buffer instrument has negatively affected the financing growth of Islamic banks in Indonesia. DOI:  10.15408/aiq.v10i1.5446


As distribution networks become increasingly variable and generation becomes increasingly decentralised, voltage standards are becoming more liable to violation. Accordingly, intelligent voltage management strategies are required to enable standards compliance without unduly increasing network maintenance or infrastructure costs. The relationship between network power and voltages, however, is complex, non-linear and interdependent, and thus is difficult to conceptualise and use for decision-making and control purposes. This paper introduces a software toolkit that simplifies the development of voltage management strategies by the application of sensitivity analysis. Sensitivity analysis reduces complex network P - Q - |V| relationships to simple linear equations, and thus enables easy and comprehensive conceptualisation of the effect of network modifications. Sensitivity data is obtained through a unique `perturb-and-observe' algorithm built on top of an open-source simulation package. The toolkit enables the rapid development of sensitivity-driven network experimentation and is highly extensible. A number of applications that demonstrate the usefulness of these techniques are presented, including the development of a reactive power control algorithm for the mitigation of inverter-based, distributed generation (DG)-induced voltage rise, and the verification of voltage-support-capacitor-bank placement for a real Australian semi-rural network. Finally, this paper presents some suggestions for possible future applications of data-driven, simulator-augmented sensitivity analysis techniques.


Many medical organizations have passed resolutions banning participation of psychiatrists in legal executions, such as the Madrid Declaration of World Psychiatric Association. The Criminal Procedure Act of Japan prohibits the execution of the insane. Although the USA and Japan are both among the few so-called developed countries that have a system of capital punishment, many disputes about psychiatrists' participation in death penalty cases have occurred in the US, but few in Japan. This author has reviewed papers addressing this issue. The U.S. Supreme Court decided in Ford v. Wainwright that the execution of an "insane" inmate was not constitutional. The rationale for excluding the mentally incompetent from execution, however, is not completely clear. The most compelling reason is that execution does not satisfy the requirement for "effective retribution," since the insane criminal is not capable of understanding the implications of the death penalty. Nonetheless, there are those who dispute this interpretation and offer other explanations. Psychiatrists may be called upon to assess a criminal's competency for execution. Some find no problem with this practice, while others object to it stating that it conflicts with the ethical tenet to "first do no harm." Those who argue from a middle position insist on assessing competency while recognizing the existence of problems in making such an assessment. Furthermore, there is controversy over which factors exactly constitutes "competency to be executed." Usually, it is thought to be one's capacity to understand the nature of the death penalty and the reasons why the penalty is to be inflicted, but other arguments exist, including the capacity to assist legal counsel in last minute appeals. The question of whether to offer treatment to death row inmates who have been found incompetent to be executed is also under debate. The first position argues that they should "never be treated", because such prisoners would be executed when treatment restores competency. The second, always-treat-position, asserts that psychiatrists are responsible for treating severe mental illness whenever possible. The third, intermediate position, insists upon treatment with several conditions, which entail, for example, respecting the prisoner's autonomy and/or selecting forms of treatment that are unlikely to restore competency. When treatment is given, assessment as to whether competency has been restored is then required. This is still a troublesome issue. The decision in Perry v. Louisiana dealt with the question of whether the state may forcibly treat prisoners incompetent for execution. There were reports about ambivalence and anger among the staff of a psychiatric hospital where an inmate found incompetent for execution was treated. More than a few disputes insist that the ethical dilemma can only be resolved by commuting the sentences of incompetent death row prisoners to life imprisonment. This author further asserts that the secretiveness with which the Ministry of Justice of Japan handles these types of cases should be abolished as soon as possible.


The presence of fumonisin has not been regulated in the legislation of the Republic of Serbia. Therefore, the data on contamination of cereals, especially corn, which is highly susceptible to contamination by this toxin, are not sufficient. This paper presents the results of testing the corn samples collected in the autumn 2009 on the territory of Bačka. Samples were analyzed for the contents of fumonisins and it was determined whether there is a correlation between the moisture content, total number and class of fungi, as well as the content of aflatoxin, ochratoxin and zearalenone. Using enzymatic immunoaffinity method it was discovered that the highest percentage of samples were contaminated with fumonisins, which was probably due to the presence of Fusarium molds as the most abundant ones. The positive samples contained fumonisin in the concentrations from 0.030 to 1.52 mg kg−1. The influence of the climate and moisture content of grain on fungal contamination and mycotoxin production was analyzed in order to investigate the predictability of the presence of mycotoxins.


BACKGROUND
Giant cell tumor (GCT) of the bone has historically been regarded as an extremely unpredictable bone tumor. The anatomical characteristics of spinal GCT still present challenges to surgeons. Controversy remains regarding the proper treatment of patients with grade III tumors.

METHODS
Eleven patients with grade III GCT of the thoracolumbar spine were treated between 1992 and 2002 at a medical center by the authors. Three patients were initially treated at other institutions. Adjuvant radiotherapy was employed for local recurrence in these three patients. The other eight patients were initially treated with marginal excision. The site, size, and extent of each lesion dictated the surgical approach.

RESULTS
Five patients had tumor recurrence. One patient, who received radiotherapy, had local relapse with malignant transformation and finally died due to disease-related complications. One patient had a recurrent tumor with multiple metastases throughout the lung. Neurological status, measured using the American Spinal Injury Association scale, of one patient was worse after undergoing the procedure than preoperatively and three patients showed improvement. The other seven patients were classified as with the same grade postoperatively.

CONCLUSION
Wide excision of GCT of the thoracolumbar spine is difficult and there is a risk of neurological deficit and spinal instability. Meticulous marginal excision with associated reconstruction may obtain good local control and preserve functional spine. Early detection of recurrent GCT during intensive follow-up can allow for treatment using en bloc excision which has achieved favorable prognoses.


Serum concentrations of inhibin, FSH and LH were measured in 39 normal men and 127 men with testicular disorders resulting in infertility. The infertile men were divided into groups on the basis of their mean sperm count, FSH levels and karyotype. The mean (+/- S.D) serum concentrations of inhibin in the normal men was 554 +/- 156 U/l and did not differ significantly from those groups with oligospermia, azoospermia or Klinefelter's syndrome. Combined analyses of all groups did not reveal any significant correlation between serum concentrations of inhibin and FSH or with any other parameter measured. Serum concentrations of FSH and LH were positively correlated, and Leydig cell dysfunction, as evidenced by increased serum LH levels, low testosterone levels or a declining testosterone/LH ratio were found with severe spermatogenic damage. The failure of serum concentrations of inhibin to correlate with those of FSH levels or the degree of testicular damage raise questions as to the clinical value of this parameter alone.


Purpose

The paper aims to discuss problems of power and energy losses in a double-circuit overhead transmission line. It was observed from energy meters' readings, that in such a line, active power losses can be measured as "negative". The "negative" active power losses appear when the active power injected to the circuit is lower than the active power received at the circuit end. The purpose of this paper is to explain this phenomenon.

Design/methodology/approach

Theoretical considerations based on mathematical model of the transmission line of π-type confirming that effect are presented. Power losses related to series impedance of the line and to shunt admittance are calculated. The theoretical considerations are confirmed by measurements done on the real transmission line.

Findings

The calculations allow to indicate components of the active power losses, i.e. related to electromagnetic coupling among wires of a given circuit, related to electromagnetic coupling between circuits and related to shunt capacitance asymmetry. The authors indicate the influence of the line/wires geometry on the active power losses in a double-circuit overhead transmission line.

Originality/value

Explanation of the effect of "negative" active power losses' measurement in a double-circuit overhead transmission line is provided in this paper.


Pulmonary complications are major causes of morbidity and mortality for patients with severe expiratory muscle weakness. The purpose of this study was to compare peak cough expiratory flows (PCEFs) during unassisted and assisted coughing and review the long-term use of mechanical insufflation-exsufflation (MI-E) for 46 neuromuscular ventilator users. These individuals used noninvasive methods of ventilatory support for a mean of 21.1 h/d for 17.3±15.5 years. They relied on manually assisted coughing and/or MI-E during periods of productive airway secretion. They reported a mean of 0.7±1.2 cases of pneumonia and other serious pulmonary complications and 2.8±5.6 hospitalizations during the 16.4-year period and no complications of MI-E. A sample of 21 of these patients with a mean forced vital capacity of 490±370 ml had a mean maximum insufflation capacity (MIC) achieved by a combination of air stacking of ventilator insufflations and glossopharyngeal breathing of 1,670±540 ml. The PCEFs for this sample were: following an unassisted inspiration, 1.81 ± 1.03 L/s; following a MIC maneuver, 3.37±1.07 L/s; with manual assistance by abdominal compression following a MIC maneuver, 4.27±1.29 L/s; and with MI-E, 7.47±1.02 L/s. Each PCEF was significantly greater than the preceding, respectively (p


The transmission spectra of inversionless amplification are investigated. Propagation of a weak probe optical beam through a three-level medium pumped with a microwave strong beam is numerically modeled. Three various schemes of transitions under the conditions providing the amplification of the probe field without inversion are taken to calculate the atomic polarization, which enters the paraxial wave equations. Diffraction and self-action ofbeams due to nonlinear absorption and refraction are properly taken into account. These effects together with linear absorption and refraction form a complex distribution of gain across the beams. As a result the amplified beam acquires ring transverse patterns and slight asymmetry in the frequency characteristics.