The complex control system of the helicopter-type aircraft is considered, its design is described depending on the requirements for the aircraft and interaction with the interfaced onboard equipment. The main elements of the system are the subsystems of remote and automatic control of the helicopter. In the process of developing such a system, much attention is paid to ensuring a high level of reliability and maintaining the functions necessary for the safe completion of the flight. Therefore, the main requirement for an integrated management system is the probability of its failure in backup management with improved stability of the control object is not higher than 10-9. The authors of the article conducted the analysis of the integrated management system on accutanecost in conditions of failure of the elements included in its composition. In the course of the analysis the assessment of fault safety of subsystems of remote and automatic control is carried out. At the same time, for each system, the influence of obvious and not obvious failures on the change in the controllability of the aircraft and the safety of its flight was considered. Also, the analysis of the system in the conditions of failure of the on-Board equipment of the device. Special attention is paid to the study of the dynamics of the Executive mechanism of the system in the conditions of failure of the onboard hydraulic power supply system. The paper presents the results of studies of changes in the force, speed and quality factor of the electrohydraulic drive at various failures of hydraulic power lines on Board the aircraft. The obtained results can be used in the process of designing complex control systems, studies of electrohydraulic drives and development of methods for parrying the consequences of failures of the helicopter's onboard equipment with respect to the complex control system, including the creation of algorithms for reconfiguring the system and the logic of controlling the functioning of its elements.


Problem statement: Tremendous studies have been carried out on organotin(IV) complexes derivatives of carboxylate anions. However, the synthesis and characterization as well as the in vitro antibacterial screening activity of organotin(IV) carboxylate derived of 2-amino-5-nitrobenzoic acid have not been carried out. Approach: Organotin(IV) carboxylate complexes derivative of 2-amino-5-nitrobenzoic acid, 2-NH2-5-NO2-C6H3COOH have been successfully synthesized. The acid and complexes obtained were characterized quantitatively using C, H, N and Sn elemental analysis as well as spectroscopic methods such as infrared (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (1H, 13C, 1H-13C HMQC and 119Sn NMR). Moreover, the complexes obtained were screened for their in vitro antibacterial screening activity. Results: Monomeric R2Sn (2-NH2-5-NO2-C6H3COO)2 (R = methyl 1, butyl 2) and dimeric {[(Bu2Sn(2-NH2-5-NO2-C6H3COO)]2O}2 3 as well as Ph3Sn(2-NH2-5-NO2-C6H3COO) 4 are obtained in solid state. Results of the infrared spectroscopy on the acid and complexes showed that the coordination took place via oxygen atoms from the carboxylate anions. Based on the 119Sn NMR solution study, the tin atom of both complexes 1 and 2 exhibit six-coordination respectively and complex 3 exhibits five- and six-coordination whereas the tin atom of complex 4 exhibits five-coordination. Conclusion: Pure complexes derived of 2-amino-5-nitrobenzoic acid have been successfully obtained. Triphenyltin(IV) are found to possess better in vitro antibacterial screening activity on two gram-positive bacterial compared to the parent acid.


A full-length cDNA, ZFOR1, has been isolated from the teleost zebrafish (Danio rerio) using a probe from rat mu opioid receptor. ZFOR1 encodes a 373 amino acid protein with seven potential transmembrane domains that shows a high degree of homology to mammalian delta opioid receptor. We have also isolated a genomic clone which contains two exons of ZFOR1, homologous to exons 2 and 3 in mouse and human delta opioid receptor. Expression of ZFOR1 appears to be restricted to nervous tissue as assessed by Northern blot. In situ hybridization in zebrafish brain with specific probes revealed several discrete areas of ZFOR1 expression; higher levels are detected in dorsal telencephalic areas, the periventricular layer of the optic tectum, and the granular layer of the cerebellum. This is the first molecular evidence of the presence of the delta opioid receptor in a non-mammalian species and suggests that it has been highly conserved throughout vertebrate evolution.


We examine valuation of interest rate options in multifactor versions of the Cox-Ingersoll-Ross model, including European options on discount bonds, European options on Eurodollar futures, and caps on floating interest rates. Valuation models for options on coupon bonds and coupon bond futures are also discussed. Standard solution techniques for such problems require numerical integration of a joint probability distribution, which becomes exceedingly time-consuming when there are more than two factors. We describe an alternative approach based on Fourier inversion methods that is much more efficient for solving multifactor models. In one example, using a three- factor model to price interest rate caps, our procedure reduces computation time from 2.83 hours to 1.93 seconds. Using this approach, we show that multifactor Cox-Ingersoll- Ross models generate prices for interest rate options that differ significantly from prices generated by Black's model when options with long-term expirations are valued. When a multifactor model is used for hedging, the hedge portfolio requires additional securities, and conventional formulas for hedge ratios must be modified.


This quasi-experimental research aims at revealing (1) the effect of PBL learnings model on physics sciences student¶s learning outcomes (2) the effect of VAK learning styles on physics sciences student¶s learning outcomes (3) the interaction effects between learnings model with learning style on physics sciences student¶s learning outcomes. The population is all students of SMP Negeri 2 Narmada grade VIII consisting of 87 students, and 59 of which were used as samples that were chosen by purposive sampling technique. The research design used 2 x 3 factorial design and data were analysed by using two ways Anova at significant level . of 0.05. The results indicated that: (1) PBL learning¶V model has an effect on the physics science student¶V learning outcomes as shown by a higher Fcount in comparison to Ftable (21.15 and 4.02, respectively); (2) learning styles has an effect on physics sciences student¶s learning outcomes as shown by a higher Fcount in comparison to Ftable (5.39 and 3.17, respectively); (3) an interaction effect does exist between the learning model with learning style on physics sciences student¶s learning outcomes up to 50.2 % as shown by a higher Fcount in comparison to Ftable with values of 16.13 and 3.17, respectively.


Archaeological field work produces vast amounts of three-dimensionally recorded data which can only be analysed using computers. Developments in data-visualization techniques are continually increasing the volume and complexity of data that can be studied meaningfully. In particular, three systems developed at the IBM United Kingdom Scientific Centre have been applied in a wide variety of archaeological situations: a graphics-database system called the Winchester Graphics System (WGS), IBMs IAX (Image Applications eXecutive) image processing system, and the WINchester SOlid Modelling system called WINSOM. It has been shown that these systems not only permit well-known problems to be answered in new and interesting ways but have freed archaeologists to explore previously undiscovered avenues of research. The techniques developed using these systems also have major implications for education and training.


We illustrate the use of heuristic algorithms to improve the verification and validation of software process simulation models. To use this approach, an optimization problem is formulated to guide a heuristic search algorithm that will attempt to locate configurations of the system that yield surprising results. These surprising results often help the modeler to identify flaws in the model logic that would otherwise remain undetected. The general concepts are discussed and a simple example is provided.


We calculate IR divergent graviton one-loop corrections to scalar correlators in de Sitter space, and show that the leading IR contribution may be reproduced via simple semiclassical consistency relations. One can likewise use such semiclassical relations to calculate leading IR corrections to correlators in slow-roll inflation. The regulated corrections shift the tensor/scalar ratio and consistency relation of single field inflation, and non-gaussianity parameters averaged over very large distances. For inflation of sufficient duration, for example arising from a chaotic inflationary scenario, these corrections become of order unity. First-order corrections of this size indicate a breakdown of the perturbative expansion, and suggest the need for a non-perturbative description of the corresponding regime. This is analogous to a situation argued to arise in black hole evolution, and to interfere with a sharp perturbative calculation of ``missing information'' in Hawking radiation.


Synopsis In [13], Nikaido and Isoda generalised von Neumann's symmetrisation method for matrix games. They showed that N-person noncooperative games can be treated by a minimax method. We apply this method to N-person differential games. Lukes and Russell [11] first studied N-person nonzero sum linear quadratic games in 1971. Here we have reproduced and strengthened their results. The existence and uniqueness of equilibria are completely determined by the invertibility of the decision operator, and the nonuniqueness of equilibrium strategies is only up to a finite dimensional subspace of the space of all admissible strategies. In the constrained case, we have established an existence result for games with a much weaker convexity assumption subject to compact convex constraints. We have also derived certain results for games with noncompact constraints. Several examples of quadratic and non-quadratic games are given to illustrate the theorem. Numerical computations are also possible and are given in the sequel [3].


Calcium phosphate coating films were fabricated on Ti-6Al-4V alloy plates and implants with a blast-treated surface using radiofrequency (RF) magnetron sputtering and were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) and oxyapatite (OAp) films obtained in this study could cover the blast-treated Ti-6Al-4V substrate very efficiently, maintaining the surface roughness. For the in vitro evaluations of the calcium phosphate coating films, bonding strength and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were examined. The bonding strength of the coating films to a blast-treated Ti-6Al-4V plate exceeded 60 MPa, independent of film phases. When compared with an uncoated Ti-6Al-4V plate, the increase in the ALP activity of osteoblastic SaOS-2 cells on a blast-treated Ti-6Al-4V plate coated with the ACP and OAp films was confirmed by a cell culture test. The removal torque of screw type Ti-6Al-4V implants with a blast-treated surface from the femur of a Japanese white rabbit increased with the duration of implantation and it was statistically improved by coating an ACP film two weeks after implantation. The in vitro and vivo studies suggested that the application of the sputtered ACP film as a coating on titanium implants was effective in improving their biocompatibility with the bones.


Endolysins are produced by (bacterio)phages to rapidly degrade the bacterial cell wall and release new viral particles. Despite sharing a common function, endolysins present in phages that infect a specific bacterial species can be highly diverse and vary in types, number, and organization of their catalytic and cell wall binding domains. While much is now known about the biochemistry of phage endolysins, far less is known about the implication of their diversity on phage–host adaptation and evolution. Using CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing, we could genetically exchange a subset of different endolysin genes into distinct lactococcal phage genomes. Regardless of the type and biochemical properties of these endolysins, fitness costs associated to their genetic exchange were marginal if both recipient and donor phages were infecting the same bacterial strain, but gradually increased when taking place between phage that infect different strains or bacterial species. From an evolutionary perspective, we observed that endolysins could be naturally exchanged by homologous recombination between phages coinfecting a same bacterial strain. Furthermore, phage endolysins could adapt to their new phage/host environment by acquiring adaptative mutations. These observations highlight the remarkable ability of phage lytic systems to recombine and adapt and, therefore, explain their large diversity and mosaicism. It also indicates that evolution should be considered to act on functional modules rather than on bacteriophages themselves. Furthermore, the extensive degree of evolvability observed for phage endolysins offers new perspectives for their engineering as antimicrobial agents.


First-principles generalized pseudopotential theory (GPT) provides a fundamental basis for transferable multi-ion interatomic potentials in transition metals and alloys within density-functional quantum mechanics. In the central body-centered cubic (bcc) metals, where multi-ion angular forces are important to materials properties, simplified model GPT (MGPT) potentials have been developed based on canonical d bands to allow analytic forms and large-scale atomistic simulations. Robust, advanced-generation MGPT potentials have now been obtained for Ta and Mo and successfully applied to a wide range of structural, thermodynamic, defect, and mechanical properties at both ambient and extreme conditions. Selected applications to multiscale modeling discussed here include dislocation core structure and mobility, atomistically informed dislocation dynamics simulations of plasticity, and thermoelasticity and high-pressure strength modeling. Recent algorithm improvements have provided a more general matrix representation of MGPT beyond canonical bands, allowing improved accuracy and extension to f -electron actinide metals, an order of magnitude increase in computational speed for dynamic simulations, and the development of temperature-dependent potentials.


Immediate funds transfer (IFT) is a convenient, certain, secure, and low-cost means of electronically transferring money between bank accounts with no or minimal delay in receivers' receipt and use of funds. Yet IFT is not widely available in the U.S. This article summarizes discussions on the potential for IFT in the U.S. held at the Symposium on Immediate Funds Transfer for General-Purpose Payments, sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, on September 7, 2011.


Pneumatic artificial muscles (PAMs) have gained wide use in the field of robotics due to their ability to generate linear forces and motions with a simple mechanism, while remaining lightweight and compact. However, PAMs are limited by their traditional cylindrical form factors, which must increase radially to improve contraction force generation. Additionally, this form factor results in overly complicated fabrication processes when embedded fibers and sensor elements are required to provide efficient actuation and control of the PAMs while minimizing the bulkiness of the overall robotic system. In order to overcome these limitations, a flat twodimensional PAM capable of being fabricated using a simple layered manufacturing process was created. Furthermore, a theoretical model was developed using the von Karman formulation for large deformations and the energy method. Experimental characterizations of two different types of PAMs, a single-cell unit and a multi-cell unit, were performed to measure the maximum contraction lengths and forces at input pressures ranging from 0 to 150 kPa. Experimental data were then used to verify the fidelity of the theoretical model.


Search engines, such as Google, have a considerable impact on society. Therefore, undesirable consequences, such as retrieving incorrect search results, pose a risk to users. Although previous research has reported the adverse outcomes of web search, little is known about how search engine users evaluate those outcomes. In this study, we show which aspects of web search are perceived as risky using a sample (N = 3,884) representative of the German Internet population. We found that many participants are often concerned with adverse consequences immediately appearing on the search engine result page. Moreover, participants' experiences with adverse consequences are directly related to their risk perception. Our results demonstrate that people perceive risks related to web search. In addition to our study, there is a need for more independent research on the possible detrimental outcomes of web search to monitor and mitigate risks. Apart from risks for individuals, search engines with a massive number of users have an extraordinary impact on society; therefore, the acceptable risks of web search should be discussed.


Abstract. The traditional fusion methods are based on the fact that the spectral ranges of the Panchromatic (PAN) and multispectral bands (MS) are almost overlapping. In this paper, we propose a new pan-sharpening method for the fusion of PAN and SWIR (short-wave infrared) bands, whose spectral coverages are not overlapping. This problem is addressed with a convolutional neural network (CNN), which is trained by WorldView-3 dataset. CNN can learn the complex relationship among bands, and thus alleviate spectral distortion. Consequently, in our network, we use the simple three-layer basic architecture with 16 × 16 kernels to conduct the experiment. Every layer use different receptive field. The first two layers compute 512 feature maps by using the 16 × 16 and 1 × 1 receptive field respectively and the third layer with a 8 × 8 receptive field. The fusion results are optimized by continuous training. As for assessment, four evaluation indexes including Entropy, CC, SAM and UIQI are selected built on subjective visual effect and quantitative evaluation. The preliminary experimental results demonstrate that the fusion algorithms can effectively enhance the spatial information. Unfortunately, the fusion image has spectral distortion, it cannot maintain the spectral information of the SWIR image.


Artificial Intelligence (AI) has gained widespread momentum in today's tech-savvy world. AI is now capable of creating copyright works and inventions without human intervention. Such AI-created works challenge the frontiers of intellectual property rights (IPR), particularly those on patents and copyright. The extant copyright and patent laws in Nigeria (Copyright Act, 1988, and Patent Act, 1970) were drafted when AI authorship and inventorship were not a primary consideration. The international legal framework on IPR has also not addressed this issue conclusively. Using a doctrinal method of legal research, this paper examines the challenge AI poses to authorship and inventorship under copyright and patent laws. It also takes a peek into advanced jurisdictions which have had the opportunity to address these issues, to draw lessons for Nigeria where a National Centre of AI and Robotics has recently been established and these issues are envisaged to arise as the Centre carries out its objectives. This paper finds that under the extant legal framework in Nigeria, an AI system cannot be designated as an author or inventor. Considering the advancement in AI technology, this will exclude AI-created works and inventions from intellectual property protection in Nigeria. While drawing lessons from other jurisdictions, this paper recommends a responsive regulation of AI technology through a legislative amendment that accommodates AI systems as authors or inventors with a presumption of law that allows ownership, rights, and liabilities to be borne by the owners of such systems.


Massive involvement of the skin by a lymphoma occurs infrequently. The following patient is reported because of this interesting manifestation of the disease. Report of a Case A 68-year-old white man was admitted to the hospital on July 30, 1956, with a massive lesion of the face of three weeks' duration and dysphagia of one week's duration. An unknown new growth had been excised from the lower lip about eight years previously. A similar tumor was removed from the same region about four years previously. About two months before admission, a small lesion appeared on the right cheek. The patient was admitted to another hospital, where a biopsy revealed Hodgkin's disease. After a course of mechlorethamine hydrochloride (nitrogen mustard) was given intravenously, he was discharged. Rapid growth of the neoplasm followed. The patient was pale, emaciated, cachetic, and alert. A large nodular lesion covered the right side


This exploratory study examined the impact of physician recommendations and other factors on mammography screening and breast-self examination (BSE) among African American and Hispanic women in public housing communities. We surveyed a randomly selected sample of low-income households from three low-income communities (n = 291), which included both African Americans and Hispanic women. Data for this paper are reported only on women who were 40 years and older head of the households (n = 120 women, including 74 Hispanics and 46 African Americans), since they meet the age criterion for mammography screening. Our analyses indicated that only 46% of women obtained mammography in the previous 12 months, with no significant differences between the Hispanic and African American women in mammography rates. Physicians' recommendations were among the most significant and substantial predictors of obtaining a mammogram or performing BSE. Further, odds were also higher for those who had insurance coverage. In addition, our data also indicated that almost one out of four women, aged 40 and older participants in this study, claimed that their health care providers never told them they needed a mammogram or never told them that they should perform BSE, with no significant differences between Hispanic and African Americans. Our analyses points to an urgent need for intervention to inform and motivate the service providers in underserved communities to motivate breast cancer screening (BCS) among minority women. Additionally, our examination points to the need for urgent interventions targeting minority women, particularly women with no medical insurance for breast cancer screening.


The antimicrobial peptide is one of major effectors of the innate immunity, and is common in the entire multicellular organisms. In mammals, one family of antibacterial peptide named defensins plays a central role in host defense, especially in the epithelial surface such as oral cavity, skin and the intestine. Recently, the importance of the antimicrobial peptides has been widely recognized. The epithelium of the gut is a largest surface that is exposed to various pathogens in the environment. It is the Paneth cells that produce antimicrobial peptides, α-defensins in the small intestine. Paneth cells contribute to mucosal innate immunity by sensing bacteria and releasing microbicidal activities mostly from activated α-defensins. In mice, α-defensins, named cryptdins, consisted of six major isoforms (cryptdin-1 to cryptdin-6), and among those cryptdin-4 is the most microbicidal, suggesting that cryptdin-4 has a pivotal role in innate immunity. Paneth cell α-defensins have selective activities against commensal bacteria which may be associated with compositions of intestinal microbiota in vivo and homeostasis of the entire intestine. In addition, Paneth cell α-defensins appeared to be regulated topographically to control intestinal integrity.


Abstract. Seawater-sediment interaction is a crucial factor in the dynamics of carbon and nutrient cycling on a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. This interaction is mediated not just through geochemistry, but also via biology. Infauna vigorously mix sediment particles, enhance porewater-seawater exchange and consequently facilitate chemical reactions. In turn, the ecology and activity of benthic fauna are impacted by their environment, amplifying the sensitivity of seawater-sediment interaction to environmental change. However, numerical representation of the bioturbation of sediment has often been treated simply as an enhanced diffusion of solutes and solids. Whilst reasonably successful in representing the mixing of bulk and predominantly oxic marine sediments, the diffusional approach to bioturbation is limited by lacking an environmental sensitivity. To better capture the mechanics and effects of sediment bioturbation, we summarize and extend a published bioturbation model (acronym: LABS) that adopts a novel lattice automaton method to simulate the behaviors of infauna that drive sediment mixing. In this new model (eLABS), simulated benthic organism behavior is combined with a deterministic calculation of water flow and oxygen and organic matter concentration fields to better reflect the physicochemical evolution of sediment. The predicted burrow geometry and mixing intensity thus attain a dependence on physicochemical sedimentary conditions. Such an interplay between biology, chemistry and physics can be important to mechanistically explain empirical observations of bioturbation and to account for the impact of environmental changes. As an illustrative example, we show how higher organic rain can drive more intense sediment mixing by luring benthic organisms deeper into sediments, while lower ambient dissolved oxygen restricts the oxic habitat depth and hence tends to reduce bulk mixing rates. Finally, our model, with its oxygen and food availability controls, represents a new tool to interpret the geological record of trace fossils, e.g., burrows, as well as to mechanistically explore biological engineering of early marine environments.


The present study was designed to identify alkaline phosphatases in non-permeabilized hyphal cells of the fungus Neurospora crassa by staining these enzymatic activities with a modified azo dye coupling method. Our strategy allowed the identification of three non-specific alkaline phosphatase activities, one of them possibly being a novel putative enzyme, which is not responsive to either Mg(2+) or EDTA. Another alkaline phosphatase activity, whose location in the hyphal cell is regulated by phosphate, is stimulated by Mg(2+), inhibited by EDTA, and somehow dependent on the expression of the pho-2(+) -encoded Pi-repressible alkaline phosphatase.


The notion of citizens' security has usually been viewed primarily as a binary relationship between the State and the citizen in a Rousseauesque interpretation. This article argues for a broader conception of citizens' security focussing on the right to "blow the whistle" in an employment context. We believe that with the growing importance of global business in society it is imperative that special measures are designed for this important class of citizens. A failure to do so, in our opinion, is likely to harm the maintenance of effective protection, especially in developing countries, to the detriment of citizens' security.


Experiments were conducted in the spring and fall of 1967 and the spring of 1968 to determine harvest indices and to evaluate the rate of fruit development and changing grade sizes for both white- and black-spined cucumbers. White-spined 'Southern Cross' and black-spined 'Piccadilly' were used. Per-acre plant populations in the order of 100,000 in the spring and 70,000 in the fall were established using gynoecious cultivars. The first plots were harvested when only a few marketable fruits were present; subsequent plots were harvested at 2- or 3-day intervals for a total of 8 per experiment. The single deviation from this was the 7-day interval between the seventh and eighth harvests of the fall experiment.
Maximum returns per acre occurred when the proportion of fruit greater than 2 inches in diameter ranged from 14 to 31% of the total weight. It is suggested that plantings should be harvested as soon as fruits larger in diameter than 2 inches are found in the field.
In spring plantings the percentage of plants bearing fruit reached 91 whereas those in the fall trial reached 98. The average number of fruit per plant did not exceed 1.27 in any trial.


After a period of relative impotence, the Hindu-supremacist right in India has rebounded, with the December reelection of Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Narendra Modi as chief minister in Gujarat. Modi's role in the mass murders of Muslims in that state in February 2002 has long been so well documented that he has been denied a visa to enter the United States. Recently, moreover, extensive corroboration of his role was elicited by a hidden-camera inquiry conducted by the news-magazine Tehelka. Despite overwhelming evidence that he is a mass murderer extraordinaire—or perhaps, because of it—Modi defied media predictions, and even exit polls, to win by a landslide, a victory in which fund-raising and politicking by Indians residing in the United States (40 percent of Indian Americans are Gujarati) played a large role. Because the rival Congress Party, which controls the central government in a coalition, understands well the intense hatred of Muslims that animates many Gujarati Hindus, leading politicians tiptoed around the issue of sectarian violence, hoping to defeat the BJP in Gujarat on its weak economic record. Only Sonia Gandhi, courageously and repeatedly, denounced Modi's reign of blood. (American Gujaratis responded with an e-mail campaign denouncing Gandhi in abusive language.) Hitler is revered as a hero in school textbooks in Gujarat. In Modi, those who worship at that shrine seem to have found the type of leader they seek. Let's hope that the nation as a whole does not embrace his charismatic call to hate.


Bibliodiversity is a complex self-sustaining system of storytelling, writing, publishing, and other kinds of production of orature and literature. Writers and producers are comparable to the inhabitants of an ecosystem. Bibliodiversity contributes to a thriving life of culture and a healthy ecosocial system.Global capitalism is destroying the planet and making it increasingly difficult to think differently. When the social habitat is overrun by monocultures of the mind, there is a loss of dynamic balance. Those who do have something new or different to say will be ignored, marginalized, or silenced.


In recent years it has been shown that the micro-mechanics of one-dimensional normal compression of sands can be modelled in three-dimensions within the discrete element method [7]. The compression is displacement driven such that the top platen of the enclosing sample case is allowed to move at a constant or variable velocity. The test has been used to investigate sand behaviour such as compressibility and the evolution of the particle size distribution when particle crushing is permitted. This paper focuses on the findings related to energy dissipation under one-dimensional compression without particle crushing using the LIGGGHTS open source software. Energy tracing is done throughout the simulations by applying the energy conservation principle at every time step. This allows the evolution of energy dissipation to be determined. The relationship between energy dissipation and particle size distribution was investigated and is discussed in this paper. Understanding the relationship between grain scale properties and energy dissipation will help in the formulation of a constitutive relationship based on a hyperplasticity framework [8]. This could potentially lead to a shift in the way that continuum constitutive models are formulated, with numerical models truly being based on the constituents that they represent.


Airborne laser scanning (ALS) has the potential to capture a range vegetation structural metrics, but most studies have focussed on conifer or mixed conifer-deciduous cool-temperate or boreal forests. This study focuses on a warm-temperate eucalypt forest, where two epochs of ALS data, captured approximately 2 years apart, were compared with plot and transect field data collected after the second ALS epoch. Linear regression was used to compare metrics from field and ALS data, and Student's t-tests were used to compare metrics from the two ALS epochs. Statistically significant relationships were found for tree height (R2 = 0.915; SE = 2.08 m; P < 0.01) and canopy cover (R2 = 0.508; SE = 16.4%; P < 0.01). Foliage projective cover was also significantly correlated (R2 = 0.916; SE = 4.5%; P < 0.01) at a 10-m stratification, but not at the typically computed 2-m stratification, because of the presence of a tall scrubby understorey. Statistically significant values were also obtained from ALS data captured 2 years earlier, although correlation was not as strong, most likely because of the greater interval between fieldwork and ALS capture. Importantly, significant agreement was found for all metrics when the two ALS epochs were compared, suggesting that the metrics are robust.


Industrial Ethernet in factory and process automation requires real time capabilities. Therefore, robustness is a key feature in industrial communication. The major source of noise are variable speed drives that generate impulsive noise. In this publication, we propose an application-related classification of the impact of industrial electromagnetic interference on data transmission. This classification is based on the modelling of a specific type of application. We model the application via variable speed drives. The drive profiles are taken from actual applications in intralogistics. We describes and measure noise emitted by frequency inverters. The measurement setup is described. It comprises generation of noise by frequency inverters, coupling noise from mains to communication cabling and measuring the noise and its effect on communication. Single pair Ethernet (SPE) cables, modulation and line coding are used according to 802.3cg. The measurements indicate that the main noise source is the switching of the power electronics. Different rotation speeds and torques have an effect on the time-variant appearance of noise but not on noise level. With the measurements, we analyse the impact of the noise on a 2-PAM-Communication.


Eight new Zn(II) and Cd(II) coordination networks containing N,N′-di(3-pyridyl)adipoamide (L) and polycarboxylate ligands, {[Zn2(2,5-PDC)2(L)(H2O)2]·2H2O}∞ (H2PDC = 2,5-pyridinedicarboxylic acid), 1, [Zn2(2,6-PDC)2(L)]∞, 2, {[Zn2(3,4-PDC)2(L)(H2O)6]·4H2O}∞, 3, {[Cd(2,6-PDC)(L)(H2O)]·4H2O}∞, 4, [Zn(1,3,5-HBTC)()]∞ (H3BTC = benzenetricarboxylic acid), 5, {[Cd(1,2,3-HBTC)(L)(H2O)]·H2O}∞, 6, {[Cd2(1,3,5-HBTC)2(L)(H2O)2]·2H2O}∞, 7, and {[Zn3(1,2,4-BTC)2(L)(H2O)4]·4H2O}∞, 8, have been synthesized by hydrothermal reactions and characterized by single crystal X-ray crystallography. Structural analysis reveals that 1 and 2 form pleated hcb layers with 1D helical chains, in which the layers of 1 interdigitate with each other and those of 2 are linked by the π–π stacking interactions. Complexes 3 and 4 exhibit 1D ladders with single and double rungs, respectively, whereas 5 shows a 2D pleated net with the sql topology, 6 displays a 3D dia coordination network and 7 forms a 2D structure with the (63)(66)-3,4L88 topology. The BTC3− ligands in 8 adopt the μ4-bonding modes, resulting in a 3D coordination network with the rare (65·8)-hxg-d-4-P2/c topology. The various bonding modes, the ligand-isomerism of the polycarboxylate ligands and the identity of the metal center play important roles in determining the structural diversity. Their thermal and luminescent properties are also discussed.


A power line modem (PLM) which transfers data safely through power lines in houses or small offices is realized in the form of a wall-socket plug. In order to cope with the noisy environment created by uncontrolled AC power lines, a direct sequence (DS) technique is employed. Most of the circuits required for the DS technique are implemented via software programmed inside the system controller, and the complicated synchronized circuit is replaced by a simple circuit using a 60 Hz power signal. The data rate is 60 bps and the PN (pseudonoise) chip rate is 2 kcps. Thus, the process gain of the PLM is about 15 dB. >


An agro-climatic study was conducted at different areas (Bhatiapara, Kashiar Char and Morichar Char) of Mymensingh district with 25 years of climatic data (i.e., temperature, humidity and rainfall) to observe the climatic variability and their impact on the productivity of three types of crops such as Boro, Jute and Wheat. Production of all the three crops were found as increasing. In Boro season, the production increased by 0.057 ton per hectare per year. Jute production increased by 0.029 ton per hectare and Wheat production increased by 0.067 ton per hectare in each year, respectively. Humidity has influence on seasonal Boro production whereas temperature and rainfall didn't influence the production. Temperature has influences on both Jute and Wheat production. From correlation analysis, it was revealed that average humidity has considerable influence on seasonal Boro production than all other crops. However, most of the time the production showed increasing trend with some exceptions. The study recommends that local adaptation practices should be scrutinized, the role of institutional support should be highlighted and national adaptation strategies and resilience should be strengthened.
Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 12(1&2): 51-55, 2019


We report a method of glycosylated enzymes' surface immobilisation and stabilisation. The enzyme is immobilised at the surface of silica nanoparticles through the reversible covalent binding of vicinal diols of the enzyme glycans with a surface-attached boronate derivative. A soft organosilica layer of controlled thickness is grown at the silica surface, entrapping the enzyme and thus avoiding enzyme leaching. We demonstrate that this approach results not only in high and durable activity retention but also enzyme stabilisation.


Visual Abstract Homozygous or heterozygous mutations in the GRN gene, encoding progranulin (PGRN), cause neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL) or frontotemporal dementia (FTD), respectively. NCL and FTD are characterized by lysosome dysfunction and neurodegeneration, indicating PGRN is important for lysosome homeostasis in the brain. PGRN is trafficked to the lysosome where its functional role is unknown. PGRN can be cleaved into seven 6-kDa proteins called granulins (GRNs); however, little is known about how GRNs are produced or if levels of GRNs are altered in FTD-GRN mutation carriers. Here, we report the identification and characterization of antibodies that reliably detect several human GRNs by immunoblot and immunocytochemistry. Using these tools, we find that endogenous GRNs are present within multiple cell lines and are constitutively produced. Further, extracellular PGRN is endocytosed and rapidly processed into stable GRNs within lysosomes. Processing of PGRN into GRNs is conserved between humans and mice and is modulated by sortilin expression and mediated by cysteine proteases (i.e. cathpesin L). Induced lysosome dysfunction caused by alkalizing agents or increased expression of transmembrane protein 106B (TMEM106B) inhibit processing of PGRN into GRNs. Finally, we find that multiple GRNs are haploinsufficient in primary fibroblasts and cortical brain tissue from FTD-GRN patients. Taken together, our findings raise the interesting possibility that GRNs carry out critical lysosomal functions and that loss of GRNs should be explored as an initiating factor in lysosomal dysfunction and neurodegeneration caused by GRN mutations.


The percent work aimed to establish an efficient in vitro propagation and conservation protocol for Brunfelsia pauciflora plant using encapsulation techniques that allow the genetic stability of conserved material. The effect of plant growth regulators types (BAP, Kin, 2ip, and NAA) and concentrations at 0.0, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/l were stud-ied during the establishment phase in comparison with a hormonal-free medium. In vitro proliferated shootlets were encapsulated using various levels of sodium alginate at 1, 2, and 3% (W/V) and calcium chloride at 2.5,5 and 10 %. The regrowth ability of encapsulated explants was evaluated after conservation for 3, 5, and 7 weeks and compared with non-encapsulated buds. The findings of the current study proved that during the establish-ment phase, applying BAP at 2.0 mg/l gave the best results during the three successive subcultures. The best treatment 2ip (2.0mg/l) + BAP (2.0mg/l) + NAA (2.0mg/l) that was considered ideal propagation protocol for shooting and rooting of Brunfelsia. Successful plant recovery from encapsulated explants using low concentra-tions of sodium alginate (1%) and calcium chloride at 2.5% proved that the explants could to survive at the high-est percent (100%) during conservation periods 3, 5, and 7weeks. Increasing calcium chloride to 5% with the same concentration of sodium alginate (1%) caused a gradually reduced percent of survival to 53.33% with an increasing conservations period (from 3 to 7weeks). It is the first paper on the application of the syndetic seed technique on Brunfelsia for the shortest period of conservation and successive renovation of shootlets whose genetic stabilization was evaluated by analysis of RAPD that proved that the genetic similarity ranged from 56.1 to 80%. These results were confirmed by anatomical sections made in Brunfelsia leaf blade.


Initial soils covering archaeological ruins in the southern Levant include fine grain size fractions that may stem from aeolian sediments. Thus, ruins could act as effective dust traps which preserved rare Holocene aeolian records. We assessed physical parameters and chemical composition of initial soils covering archaeological ruins in the Negev and southern Jordan, including clay mineralogy and Sr- and Nd-isotopes, which we compared with modern dust from collectors installed close to the sites. A significant contribution from local weathered rocks could be observed in southern Jordan. In the Negev, the contribution of rocks was negligible, probably due to greater rock hardness and abundant biological crusts sealing surfaces. However, loessial paleosols surrounding the sampled archaeological ruins were "recycled" in the Negev. Compared to modern settled dust, archaeological soils in southern Jordan are enriched with various major and trace elements associated with clays and oxide coatings of fine silt particles. This was not due to in-situ weathering, which was found to be minimal. However, site-specific fixation processes may explain variations of dust records at the studied sites. In addition, modern dust samples associated with precipitation, in particular snow, were found associated with higher amounts of major and trace elements. Initial soils covering ruins in the southern Levant therefore suggest that the formation of soils in desert fringes may less be a function of dust supply, but more of dust deposition and fixation processes. There are multiple, local and regional dust sources and dust-generating processes active in drylands, but deep loessial soils form only when dust fixation is effective.


Sorting of paper into compatible grades is a necessary step prior to recycling. Current method of manually sorting is tedious, slow, and expensive. Hence, significant part of the waste paper stream is sent to the landfill. High speed automation of the sorting process will improve the cost efficiency and increase the amount of paper recycled significantly. There have been recent developments in automation of this process. Mechanisms for the distribution of the papers from a bale onto a moving conveyor and the pneumatic actuation to deflect papers into different streams are well established. Correct identification of the sample in real-time before the sample reaches the actuation station still remains a challenge since different types of paper and board samples are mixed in a waste stream, and has a lot of variation in terms of color, chemical composition, coating, and prints in black and white and color to different degrees. This is primarily due to the lack of satisfactory sensors and sensor fusion algorithms for sample identification in real-time. In this paper, we identify key parameters that must be measured, sensor design, and integration of the output from sensors to interpret the type of sample using a fuzzy inference system. Results show that the sensor system proposed is capable of identifying the samples at 90% accuracy. The sensor system can be integrated onto a conveyor and actuation system for automated sorting.


Construction projects are composed of a large number of contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers that comprise the project supply chain. Construction supply chain management as a field of study concerns itself with improving the coordination of these firms to improve project performance along various metrics such as speed, cost, reliability, quality, etc. In order to link the construction supply chain well, information sharing is a basic requirement and function in the supply chain management system. Without the information sharing, the supply chain partners cannot communicate each other and connect construction operation to synchronize and streamline all communications among the company. However, the rise of the interconnectivity between different information systems over the Internet impacts construction processes, thus the defective characteristics of the construction industry can be overcome by an assistance of technology. This paper describes the prototype and system of e-Hub Construction Supply Chain Management (eHub-ConSCM) System for information shared service in executing the construction projects. The information needs for eHubConSCM System are illustrated, a general system architecture is describe and the implementation of eHubConSCM system is presented.


The range of geographical distribution of Anthalona acuta Van Damme, Sinev & Dumont 2011 and Anthalona brandorffi (Sinev & Hollwedel, 2002) in Brazil has increased by almost 2000 km to the south. New records of Anthalona verrucosa verrucosa (Sars, 1901) were also added. Populations of Anthalona brandorffi from Central Brazil showed a peculiar morphological variation, with some individuals having only a single denticle on the labral keel. A new species of the simplex-branch, Anthalona neotropica sp. nov., was described based on Brazilian material, and this is the first taxon of this branch registered in the Neotropics. It differs from Anthalona simplex Van Damme, Sinev & Dumont 2011, a Central African species, in the morphology of underneath sack of the lateral head pores, length of IDL setae and armature of first flaming-torch seta of limb IV. It could be distinguished from Anthalona sanoamuangae Sinev & Kotov, 2012 (distributed through the South- East Asia) by the morphology of the main head pores, length of IDL setae and armature of the pecten of postabdominal claw. Anthalona neotropica sp. nov. seems to have a benthic/hyporheic habit. All studied species have a wide geographical distribution and could be confused with Anthalona verrucosa Sars, 1901, thus at least some if not all previous records of this species on the continent must be revised.


Background: The ultimate goal of intestinal failure (IF) management is to maintain optimal nutritional status, improve the quality of life (QoL), and promote intestinal adaptation. Enteral nutrition support is safe and effective in patients with IF and plays a central role in the management of patients with IF. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of home enteral nutrition on nutritional status, body composition (BC), QoL and other clinical outcomes in malnourished patients with intestinal failure. Methods: This prospective observational study included 166 malnourished patients with intestinal failure presented to Jinling Hospital from January 2016 to October 2018. All patients were supported with home enteral nutrition after discharge. We evaluated clinical outcomes, including nutritional status, BC, phase angle (PhA), QoL, mortality, gastrointestinal complications related to enteral feeding, and other clinical outcomes at 1, 3, and 6 months after discharge. Results: Body weight, BC, and other nutritional parameters were maintained or significantly increased during the period of home enteral nutrition after discharge (p < 0.01). Especially, the quality of skeletal muscle mass in body composition was significantly improved (p < 0.01). SF-36 quality of life scores was significantly improved (discharged at 6 months: reported health transition 40.7 ± 12.1 vs. 69.3 ± 16.3, p < 0.01). There were no differences between hospital and out of hospital with respect to tube-related or gastrointestinal complications. Advanced age, disease type, and poor nutritional status were risk factors for poor clinical outcomes. Conclusions: Home enteral nutrition support is effective for malnourished patients with intestinal failure. It improves nutritional status, BC, PhA, and QoL. Clinical Trial Registration: identifier: ChiCTR2000035145.


We use an optically dense, anisotropic magneto-optical trap to study recoil-induced resonances (RIRs) in the transient, high-gain regime. We find that two distinct mechanisms govern the atomic dynamics: the finite, frequency-dependent atomic response time, and momentum-space population redistribution. At low input probe intensities, the residual Doppler width of the atoms, combined with the finite atomic response time, result in a linear, transient hysteretic effect that modifies the locations, widths, and magnitudes of the resulting gain spectra depending on the sign of the scan chirp. When larger intensities (\textit{i.e.}, greater than a few $\mu$W/cm$^2$) are incident on the atomic sample for several $\mu$s, hole-burning in the atomic sample's momentum distribution leads to a coherent population redistribution that persists for approximately 100 $\mu$s. We propose using RIRs to engineer the atomic momentum distribution to enhance the nonlinear atom-photon coupling. We present a numerical model, and compare the calculated and experimental results to verify our interpretation.


In existing network teaching systems, deficiencies of the resource sharing and management are analyzed. An intelligent network teaching system based on knowledge grid is constructed to provide a uniform platform of intelligent information for teaching. The global sharing of knowledge resource will be realized by this platform. A course domain knowledge representation method based on the topic map in grid environment was put forward. Meanwhile, the domain knowledge model was built. Aiming at the problem about the knowledge resource deficiency in the present answering systems, an intelligent answering subsystem based on knowledge grid was studied and designed. By expanding the answering resource base to the Internet, this subsystem will fully mine the Internet knowledge resources by use of knowledge mining technology to complete the answering task. Details are provided about the architecture's design and main techniques of the system in this paper, including the constructing of domain knowledge structure model, intelligent answering, personalized knowledge service and so on.


Information on shear stress acting on soil particles is necessary to quantify potential soil erosion. Movement of
water across a rough surface generates a resistive force, part of which acts on the large–scale roughness elements while the
remainder acts on the intervening soil surface. An important large–scale roughness element is vegetation, which acts to
reduce shear stresses on the soil and thereby reduces potential erosion. Insight into the drag force acting on individual
vegetative elements is necessary for understanding this dynamic. An instrumentation system was developed to measure the
drag force on individual elements representative of vegetation. Vegetative elements were modeled in a hydraulic flume using
rigid circular cylinders and idealized shapes to account for differences in the rate of change in upstream frontal area with
flow depth. Data were gathered for a horizontal flume and for a 1% flume slope. Flow rates ranged from 0.004 to 0.028 m3s–1
with average flow depths ranging from 1.9 to 9.8 cm and average flow velocities ranging from 0.41 to 1.02 m s–1. Sixteen
element shapes were considered, resulting in a total of 80 test scenarios. The test conditions resulted in both partial and
complete submergence of the elements. Results are presented as actual drag force and dimensionless drag coefficient. The
relationship between drag force divided by velocity squared and upstream projected area is well represented by a straight line
for cylinders and all other elements. Drag coefficient is a function of element shape and is represented by an average value
over the range of flow depths investigated. The overall error in the estimated drag coefficient is 7.3%.


Observations and experiments on the behaviour of shore rocklings have shown that the modified and vibratile anterior dorsal fin can be involved in the detection of food but is not essential to foraging by the fish. The epidermis of the vibratile fin rays contains numerous chemosensory cells, of similar cytology in the two species studied. These chemosensory cells are compared with the gustatory cells of the taste buds borne on other fin rays. Synaptic modifications in both cases consist of densities on the apposed membranes, with a dense layer under the membrane of the neurite more distinct than that in the cell. Vesicles are not a feature of these synapses, although some of the sensory cell bases are vesicular. Denervation experiments have shown that the chemosensory cells of the vibratile rays are supplied by a facial nerve component. After denervation a small proportion of the sensory cells were found to have an association with spinal nerve fibres. The present status of solitary chemosensory cells in fishes is discussed.


Careful observations on the natural history of infectious diseases have been the inspiration behind many successful vaccines, including Jenner's successful demonstration of protection against smallpox. Many "experiments of nature" provide powerful data on the key components of protective immunity. An understanding of the basis of protective immunity in absolute terms or, more realistically, through the proxy of surrogates of immunity, lies at the heart of clinical trials of vaccines. An understanding of infectious disease pathogenesis is also critical in defining and distinguishing immunisation strategies that aim to prevent infection (e.g. measles vaccine) as distinct from prevention of disease (e.g. tetanus toxoid). Coupled to classical epidemiology and the careful analysis of clinical data, the tools of molecular and cell biology have revolutionised the tools available for vaccine research, including clinical trials. Molecular techniques have provided tools for investigating the population structure of pathogens. The importance of population diversity and its associated antigenic variation is a key factor in designing and carrying out clinical trials of vaccines.


Water is one of the most essential elements for survival of living organism. Water consumption of a person is 135l/c/day. In current scenario, due to increase in population leads to occupy the rivers space. Nowa days due to deteriorating natural water bodies, human depends upon sub surface water and ground water to meet their daily needs. In future these subsurface water source also become deteriorate due to over exploitation. In future it leads to subsurface and surface water scarcity so, many researchers finding alternate sources, sustainable water management techniques for proper monitoring the present sources to reduce water demand. There are 400 small and big lakes available in Hyderabad City. Out of which 169 lakes were notified by Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) for protection and conservation of water spread area. We have selected Himayath Sagar, Osman Sagar, Peerzadiguda in Hyderabad City of Telangana state for conducting a study on assessing groundwater quality. Thirteen parameters were chosen for the analysis such as pH, EC, Total dissolved solids, Turbidity, Alkanlinity, Chlorine, Sodium, Potassium, Total hardness, BOD, COD, Fluorine, Sulphate. Finally, results of the analysis were compared with water quality standards such as BIS 10500 (1991) of water sample. From this study, it was observed that EC exceeded the Permissible limit which impacts of more ion presence in the samples, E.Coli, Coliforms, TBC, Alkalinity, Sodium is higher than the permissible limit in Himayath Sagar and Peerzadiguda. The high content of EC, E.Coli, Coliforms, TBC, Alkalinity in water results in formation of chemical scale or precipitate which would clog piping or form a scale on filter, These parameters were higher in few sampling stations of study area while other parameters were within the permissible limits


INTRODUCTION
The Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) Member Health Survey (MHS) is used to describe sociodemographic and health-related characteristics of the adult membership of this large, integrated health care delivery system to monitor trends over time, identify health disparities, and conduct research.

OBJECTIVE
To provide an overview of the KPNC MHS and share findings that illustrate how survey statistics and data have been and can be used for research and programmatic purposes.

METHODS
The MHS is a large-scale, institutional review board-approved survey of English-speaking KPNC adult members. The confidential survey has been conducted by mail triennially starting in 1993 with independent age-sex and geographically stratified random samples, with an option for online completion starting in 2005. The full survey sample and survey data are linkable at the individual level to Health Plan and geocoded data. Respondents are assigned weighting factors for their survey year and additional weighting factors for analysis of pooled survey data.

RESULTS
Statistics from the 1999, 2002, 2005, 2008, and 2011 surveys show trends in sociodemographic and health-related characteristics and access to the Internet and e-mail for the adult membership aged 25 to 79 years and for 6 age-sex subgroups. Pooled data from the 2008 and 2011 surveys show many significant differences in these characteristics across the 5 largest race/ethnic groups in KPNC (non-Hispanic whites, blacks, Latinos, Filipinos, and Chinese).

CONCLUSION
The KPNC MHS has yielded unique insights and provides an opportunity for researchers and public health organizations outside of KPNC to leverage our survey-generated statistics and collaborate on epidemiologic and health services research studies.


Since natural distribution power generation systems such as wind energy contain electric power fluctuation, flywheel energy storage (FWES) equipment for power compensation is used. Fuzzy-logic-based V/f control of the induction motor is proposed for the speed sensorless power-leveling system in this paper. Only two sensors, including one DC voltage sensor and one DC current sensor, are utilized. The flywheel is composed of two modes, namely, the speed picking-up control mode and the power control mode. According to the DC-link average current of an inverter, the rotating speed of the flywheel in the speed picking-up control mode is detected by regulating the output frequency and the output voltage based on fuzzy logic control. The power control mode consists of the outer voltage loop and the inner current loop. Although the outer loop is also realized by fuzzy logic control, the inner loop is the key object in this paper, i.e., the proportional and integral gains of a proportional-integral regulator are optimized by means of fuzzy logic reasoning for the purpose of the reliability and rapid response of leveling power. The experiments are carried out with the FWES equipment of 40-kJ energy, and the results verify that the proposed method is reliable, and better dynamic and static performance is demonstrated.


A virtual testing tool has been created in the FEDEM software by the supervisor, together with MXRR, which enables integrity analysis of the combustion engine, including the connecting rod. However, this test bench does not include contact analysis of the connecting rod. Such an analysis is therefore desired in order to establish the big and small end ovality, thus take strategic steps towards increasing the integrity and performance of the part. This master thesis describes the approach and results of performing such an contact analysis of the connecting rod. It explores the different simulations methods for this problem, and aims at quantifying the occurrence of ovality, as well as comparing the simulation methods. One linear and one nonlinear solver have been used to perform the analyzes. Necessary and desirable simplifications has been made to improve the analysis efficiency, such as a simplified bearing model. The contact parameters has been carefully investigated to ensure a comprehensive and accurate analysis. Further, a FEA template has been created in the Product Template Studios module in NX. This template aims to streamline the production process of the connecting rod, by making an intuitive GUI for easy simulation set-up. After the template analysis is performed, valuable feedback is given to the user, such as contact pressure and deformation plots.


In this paper we propose Multi-objective Distributed Power Control Algorithm for Spectrum-sharing Cognitive Radios (MODPCCR). As we know that for spectrum sharing cognitive radios the most important factor is the strict limited interference caused to the primary users. Our proposed MODPCCR algorithm is able to achieve certain SINR under the strict interference power constraint to primary users, where we assume that there is no perfect channel state information (CSI) of the secondary-primary links to be provided to secondary transmitters. Implementing MODPCCR algorithm on secondary users could protect primary users and achieve certain signal to noise and interference ratio (SINR) for secondary users as well.


Wire-shaped quantum dots-sensitized solar cells (WS-QDSCs) based on nanosheets and nanowires were fabricated and investigated for this paper. The nanosheets grown on stainless steel (SS) wire by electrodeposition were mainly composed of Zn5(OH)8Cl2·H2O and most of the Zn5(OH)8Cl2·H2O was converted to ZnO by post-treatment, and ZnO nanowires were directly grown on SS wire by the hydrothermal method. CdS QDs were deposited on nanosheets and nanowires by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction method. The results of photoelectrochemical performance indicated that WS-QDSCs showed a similar conversion efficiency in polysulfide and Na2SO4 electrolytes, while the WS-QDSCs based on the Cu2S counter electrode achieved much higher performance than those based on SS and Cu counter electrodes. By optimizing electrodeposition duration, the WS-QDSCs based on nanosheets presented the highest conversion efficiency of 0.60% for the duration of 20 min. Performance comparison indicated that the WS-QDSC based on nanosheets showed very superior performance to that based on the nanowires with similar film thickness.


therefore, E/e (cid:3) fails to correlate with left atrial pressure. Hence, the poor performance of E/e (cid:3) as a measure of left atrial pressure during treatment of heart failure with reduced LV ejection fraction patients relates to the pathophysiology of eccentric LV remodeling and not to technical issues involving resynchronization therapy, comparison with pulmonary wedge capillary pressure, or quality of Doppler recordings. The search for a widely applicable and reliable noninvasive estimate of left atrial pressure is therefore far from over. Q uantification of left ventricular (LV) diastolic function is necessary to diagnose heart failure (HF) when LV systolic function is normal. 1–4 Furthermore, repetitive assessment of LV filling pressures is an important guide for titration of diuretic treatment and can predict survival of HF patients. 5 Because of patient discomfort and the risks involved in invasive procedures, a noninvasive estimate of diastolic LV function and pressures is highly desirable. In current cardio-logical practice, noninvasive evaluation of diastolic LV function is based on Doppler echocardiographic visualization of LV inflow and/or LV tissue reextension. LV inflow and LV tissue reextension, however, are only indirectly related to LV filling pressures through laws of physics such as the Bernoulli principle and Laplace law. Noninvasive estimates of LV filling pressures can therefore be offset not only by limitations of the imaging technique but also by shortcomings inherent to derivation of pressures from inflow or reextension signals. As a result of these problems with noninvasive estimates of LV diastolic function and pressures, the cardio-logical community has witnessed over the past 20 years repetitive cycles in which a Doppler echocardiographic index was first proposed as robust and shortly thereafter discredited by contradictory evidence. The latest of such cycles involved the ratio of early transmitral velocity to tissue Doppler mitral annular early diastolic velocity (E/E (cid:1) ). The value of the E/E (cid:1) ratio as a reliable estimate of LV filling pressures was demonstrated in a variety of cardiac diseases 6–10 and endorsed by European and American consensus statements on diastolic HF 4 and diastolic LV dysfunction 11 before being seriously questioned both in hypertrophic 12 and dilated cardiomyopathy. 13 This continuing uncertainty 14 surrounding Tscho¨pe and Paulus review potential limitations of the assessment of left ventricular (LV) diastolic pressures by Doppler echocardiography. Their elegant review of myocardial muscle physiology does not alter the demonstrated clinical utility of Doppler echocardiography. They remind us that in normal subjects, e (cid:1) is not a pure measure of LV relaxation and that E/e (cid:1) does not reflect increases in left atrial pressures. However, normal subjects rarely have markedly elevated left atrial pressures. When LV relaxation is impaired, e (cid:1) is reduced and delayed, occurring after termination of the pressure gradient that drives filling. Thus, reductions in e (cid:1) reflect impaired LV relaxation, and increased E/e (cid:1) indicates elevated left atrial pressure. LV filling dynamics are altered in many elderly subjects without apparent cardiac disease. However, abnormal filling indicates a high risk of subsequently developing heart failure. Tscho¨pe and Paulus consider it a weakness that the optimal evaluation of left atrial pressure requires integration of multiple echocardiographic Doppler parameters, especially when the E/e (cid:1) ratio is intermediate. However, as in all clinical practice, the best diagnosis is made from all of the available information. They propose a low threshold for the invasive measurement of LV filling pressure, but this has been found to be of no benefit in randomized trials. In contrast, echocardiography provides important information noninvasively. The excellent review by Tscho¨pe and Paulus provides balance but does not change the fact that echocardiographic Doppler evaluation of LV filling determines whether a cardiac abnormality is present in patients who may have heart failure, can guide therapy, and assesses prognosis.


This principally conceptual paper explores how, in conjunction with its market orientation, a firm's internal and external strategic relationships may be used in implementing corporate venturing to achieve its strategic intent. Conceptually, the paper begins by exploring work on strategic corporate venturing. Building on this analysis, a dichotomy between internally sustained and externally partnered strategic relationships is discussed, as is the role of market orientation. From this discussion, a conceptual framework is developed and applied to an examination of three longitudinal case studies of multinational organizations. In light of these cases, the paper explores how strategic relationships may be used in corporate ventures to counter adverse market forces or to exploit market opportunities. The paper concludes by showing how organizational strategic intent, realized through market orientation and strategic relationships, may develop dynamically in response to external and internal influences.


Chronic dacryocystitis which is an inflammation and infection of lacrimal sac is an important cause of epiphora leading to ocular morbidity in India. Out of many etiological factors of chronic dacryocystitis, poor hygiene and allergy have a major contribution to the disease development. The aim is to find out occurrence of dacryocystitis in patients belonging to various socioeconomic groups and to correlate dacryocystitis with socioeconomic status. The present study is cross sectional hospital based study from June 2016 to Aug 2016 in a tertiary health care centre of central India. The result shows the maximum number of patients belonging to the age groups of 61-70 years (47.32%). Females outnumbered males 69(61.61%) female patients. In this study of 112 patients who underwent surgery for Chronic Dacryocystitis, there were more patients belonging to class III, IV, V of modified B.G Prasad classification. To conclude with, we found that there were greater number of patients belonging to class III of modified B.G. Prasad classification 2014 and maximum patients fell into Class III, IV and V of socioeconomic status criteria indicating that there may be some co-relation between dacryocystitis and poor socioeconomic status. Keywords : Dacryocystitis, Socioeconomic status, Nasolacrimal duct


Case series Patients: Male, 71-year-old • Female, 91-year-old Final Diagnosis: Piriformis syndrome Symptoms: Buttock pain • difficulty in walking Medication: — Clinical Procedure: Flexion • adduction • internal rotation test tenderness of the piriformis muscle Specialty: Anesthesiology • Family Medicine • General and Internal Medicine Objective: Rare disease Background: Piriformis syndrome causes severe buttock and low back pain and numbness of the lower limbs, leading to difficulty in walking. The lack of unified diagnostic criteria for piriformis syndrome until 2018 made it difficult to diagnose; therefore, it is often underestimated, and some patients do not receive appropriate treatment. Treatment methods include local anesthetic injection, steroid injection, and local botulinum toxin injection. However, the most effective drug for the treatment of severe piriformis syndrome has not been established. This report aimed to propose a new and more effective treatment for piriformis syndrome with a minimal risk of adverse effects. Case Reports: We performed ultrasound-guided hydro-dissection of the superficial and deep surfaces of the piriformis muscle under local anesthesia (a mixture of 18 mL of saline and 2 mL of 1% lidocaine) in 2 flexion, adduction, and internal rotation test-positive patients with tenderness of the piriformis muscle. In both patients, symptoms improved quickly after injection. One required hospital treatment but gradually returned to previous activities of daily living (ADL) status 5 days after admission and was then discharged. The other patient received 2 injections weekly to improve ADL status with continued lifestyle guidance. Conclusions: Hydro-dissection by ultrasound-guided injection of a very low concentration of local anesthetic is effective and has lower risk of adverse effects, thus making it more convenient for the treatment of piriformis syndrome than conventional treatments, such as local anesthetics, steroids, and botulinum toxin injection.


Four scientific demonstrative presentations concerning a lightning are presented in this article. All presentations can be easily performed on the scientific events held in educational and/or research institutions, such as university, college, research center, elementary, secondary and high schools. The first topic is long gap discharge which shows the model of the lightning from lightning clouds to ground. The high voltage is generated using an impulse voltage generator, which consists five capacitors, gap switches, and dc high-voltage power supply. Human shaped wet sponges were employed in the presentation as a human-body. The second topic is turning-on a fluorescent lamp without direct power supply using Tesla coil as electromagnetic wave radiation source. We show not only some commercial products of Tesla coil but also show how to construct the Tesla coil with much higher output voltage than the merchandise. The third demonstration is a ball lightning using a microwave. Finally, we show a handicraft of small lightning generation on the name card using a piezoelectric crystal in an electric throwaway lighter.


Individual-level morphological brain networks are becoming an important approach for studying human connectome; however, their interindividual differences are not well understood with respect to behavioral and cognitive relevance, individual identification, and genetic origin. Using three publicly available datasets that involved cross-sectional and longitudinal structural magnetic resonance scans of adults and children, we constructed four morphological brain networks for each of 1,451 images from 1,329 participants on the basis of cerebral surface-based, vertex-wise cortical thickness, fractal dimension, gyrification index and sulcal depth, respectively. The morphological index-dependent networks were further fused via multiplex network model, and fed into community detection. We found that the multiplex morphological brain networks 1) accounted for significant proportions of interindividual variance in and were predictive of multiple behavioral and cognitive domains, in particular Cognition and Motor domains (P < 0.05, corrected), 2) distinguished individuals from each other with high accuracies even for twin subjects (accuracies > 96%), and 3) exhibited low-moderate heritability with the highest for sulcal depth-based morphological brain networks. Intriguingly, compared with intra-module morphological connectivity, inter-module connections explained more behavioral and cognitive variance and were associated with higher heritability. Further comparisons revealed that multiplex morphological brain networks outperformed each type of single-layer morphological brain networks in the performance of behavioral and cognitive association and prediction, and individual identification. Finally, all the findings were generally reproducible over different datasets. Altogether, our findings indicate that interindividual differences in individual-level morphological brain networks are biologically meaningful, which underpins their usage as fingerprints for individualized studies in health and disease.


This regulation implements the new threshold requirements and mail order reporting requirements of the Methamphetamine Anti-Proliferation Act of 2000 (MAPA), which was enacted on October 17, 2000. DEA is amending its regulations to reduce the thresholds for pseudoephedrine and phenylpropanolamine for retail distributors and for distributors required to submit mail order reports. Also, DEA is amending its regulations to require mail order reports for certain export transactions. DEA is codifying exemptions from the mail order reporting requirements for certain distributions to nonregulated persons and certain export transactions. This rule is consistent with the intent of MAPA to prevent the diversion of drug products to the clandestine manufacture of methamphetamine and amphetamine, and simultaneously reduce the industry reporting burden.


60 Park Lane Apartments are classy residences enviably placed in the prestigious Mayfair neighbourhood across the beautiful Hyde Park gardens and the beating heart of the London's West End.


Pigeons' pecks on each of two concurrently available response keys were reinforced under a variable-interval schedule that sometimes allotted food-pellet deliveries to one key and sometimes to the other. The keys differed in the number of reinforcements assigned to each and in the number of pellets delivered during each reinforcement. When the total quantity of food associated with each key during a session was constant, the proportion of responses to a key depended on the particular combinations of reinforcer rate and reinforcer magnitude scheduled on each key. A given quantity of food generated more responding on a key when it was delivered frequently in small amounts than when it was delivered infrequently in large amounts.


BackgroundPancreatitis is a known adverse effect of the nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, particularly didanosine. Hydroxyurea has been used to potentiate the antiviral efficacy of didanosine, but recently there has been concern that severe and even fatal pancreatitis may be more likely to occur when hydroxyurea is used in combination with didanosine. We investigated the incidence of pancreatitis in patients using nucleoside analogues with or without hydroxyurea. MethodsData were obtained from patients followed longitudinally on the Johns Hopkins HIV Clinic. Incidence rates of pancreatitis were calculated for each antiretroviral regimen that included zidovudine, stavudine, didanosine (+ hydroxyurea), and didanosine + stavudine (+ hydroxyurea). Poisson regression was used to compare the relative rate of pancreatitis for each regimen adjusting for other covariates. ResultsA total of 2613 patients received at least one of the nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-containing regimens. There were 33 cases of pancreatitis. The crude incidence rate of pancreatitis ranged from 0.18 cases per 100 person–years on therapy for zidovudine to 6.25 cases per 100 person–years for didanosine + hydroxyurea. Compared to didanosine alone, and adjusting for CD4 cell count and other variables, the relative risk (RR) of pancreatitis was 8.56 [95% confidence interval) CI, 1.85–35.59] for didanosine + hydroxyurea, and 2.35 (95% CI, 0.46–11.89) for didanosine + stavudine + hydroxyurea. For any use of hydroxyurea, the RR = 4.01 (95% CI, 1.02–15.89). Other risk factors for pancreatitis included a CD4 cell count < 200 × 106 cells/l, female sex, and a history of pancreatitis. ConclusionsOur data show that the risk of pancreatitis is four-fold higher when hydroxyurea is used. The use of hydroxyurea with didanosine should probably be discouraged if other treatment options are available.


Background: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the second most common nosocomial infection in Intensive care units (ICUs) and is associated with the significant utilization of health-care resources. However, the incidence rates, risk factors and mortality rates of VAP are controversial.Methods: The Web of Science, EMBASE, PubMed and Cochrane Library databases through May 2020 were independently searched by two researchers to collect all relevant studies. Data including incidence rates, risk factors and mortality rates of VAP were extracted for the meta-analysis.Results: 24 studies, including 10 retrospective studies and 14 prospective studies on VAP were included in our analysis. In the meta-analysis, we found that the VAP rate was 20/1000 ventilator-days (95% confidence interval (CI) 17–22%). The data demonstrated that trauma (odds ratio (OR) 1.51; 95% CI 1.21-1.88), steroids use (OR 1.51; 95% CI 1.25-1.82), enteral feeding (OR 3.40; 95% CI 2.56-4.52), nasogastric tube placement (OR 2.96; 95% CI 1.75-5.00), tracheostomy (OR 3.65; 95% CI 1.93-6.90), reintubation (OR 6.08; 95% CI 4.62-8.00), central vascular catheter (CVC) placement (OR 3.83; 95% CI 2.55-5.77), blood transfusion(OR 1.75; 95% CI 1.16-2.64), H2 blockers use (OR 2.28; 95% CI 1.27-4.07) and Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)(OR 1.24; 95% CI 1.07-1.44) were risk factors of VAP. When patients developed VAP, duration of ICU stay (OR 11.09; 95% CI 7.50-14.68) and duration of mechanical ventilation (MV) (OR 12.96; 95% CI 10.42-15.51) were significantly increased. What's more, VAP was associated with an increased risk of mortality (OR 1.38; 95% CI 1.04-1.83).ConclusionsThis study may contribute to the development of improved infection control strategies for high-risk patients. Additional studies are needed in the future to clarify the incidence rates, risk factors and mortality rates of VAP.


Economics includes "the condition of a region or group as regards material prosperity" (Oxford Dictionaries, 2017). The links between material prosperity versus poverty, health status and quality of life are well documented as are the devastating impacts of population disparities on the aforementioned indicators (Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, 2012). Poor health affects the ability of people to work, generate income and care for their families—a widely understood conundrum. In short, economic position impacts health status, and health status impacts economic prosperity. Thus, matters of socioeconomic status and population health issues are of major interest and challenge for governments and policymakers (Fonseca, 2011; Smith, 1999). Poverty with associated population health disparities is particularly troublesome, vexing governments and policymakers globally and in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) in particular. Healthcare access impacts almost every human indicator including maternal/child mortality rates, rates of preventable infectious and noncommunicable disease, employability, gender equality, workforce productivity, trends in mortality rates and more (Ubri & Artiga, 2016). The issue of ageing populations further compounds issues.


The aim of the present study was primarily to evaluate the medicinal uses of the plants known to some western Kordofan tribes and to encourage preservation of their culture, conservation and sustainable utilization of the plant wealth. The present study revealed a record of 49 plant species belonging to 26 families which are used in the folk medicine of West Kordofan, Sudan. It is believed to be a form of healthcare in many aspects of curing practices. The plants were arranged alphabetically by their family name followed by species name, local name, parts used, mode of preparation and medicinal uses. This wisdom available with the tribes is transmitted only through oral communication therefore needs conservation.


Different photoinitiators based on Barton thiohydroxamic esters, O-acyl-N-hydroxy-pyridine-2(1H)-thione and O-acyl-N-hydroxy-thiazole-2(3H)-thione derivatives, were tested in photopolymerization reactions through time-resolved FTIR spectroscopy. Good rates of polymerization and final monomer conversion were obtained for some compounds. The excited state processes, investigated by time resolved absorption spectroscopy, lie on a fast singlet state cleavage leading to thiyl and alkyl radicals. Both the pyridine-2(1H)-thiyl and alkyl radicals are able to initiate a polymerization, in contrast with the thiazole-2(3H)-thiyl radical. A triplet state is observed for some derivatives. Computational studies help to describe the excited state properties and show a strong difference in the spin localization in the formed thiyl initiating radicals. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008


Isolation of high purity examples of naturally occurring compounds is a challenging task for many laboratories accustomed to an analytical chromatography workflow. It may be unavoidable, however, when one discovers that many obscure components are not commercially available in sufficient purity for use as qualitative or quantitative standards in mainstream analytical use. Further, when the components lending observable biological activity in a crude extract have not been identified, the chromatographer depends not only on achieving purification of potentially hundreds of compounds but also on knowing that all of the components in the extract are being successfully recovered from the purification column, and in the sample chemical form as were present in the crude mixture. Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) can be a useful tool for screening crude extracts and predicting column elution. It can be more effective than High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), and it is a relatively easy to use tool in the hands of chemists who may not have formal training or experience with HPLC. Translation of the selectivity, retention and resolution observed with TLC methods to an HPLC preparative separation can be challenging. In the presented work, we used extracts from algae and bulk extra virgin olive oil to isolate chlorophyll and degradation components in the pheophytin, pheophorbide and pyropheophytin structural groups. We elaborate the key elements of TLC that allow recovery to be assessed, and how a straightforward conversion to usable HPLC conditions can be achieved. The combined use of UV/VIS Diode Array detection (DAD), Evaporative Light Scattering detection (ELSD) and single quadrupole MS allowed for an effective characterization of structure and purity for the isolated target compounds.


Stability boundaries of structures consisting of circular cylinder arrays in the cross-flow are different from case to case depending on geometrical and mechanical variations of the rod bundle layout as well as depending on nature of the flow field, requiring an individual set of experiments for each characteristic case. In this study, close-packed staggered rod bundle with a pitch-to-diameter ratio of 1.1 is analysed. Numerical modelling has been done to check the stability threshold (critical velocity) of a flexibly mounted rod in an otherwise fixed rods array. The computational domain consists of the rod array with 6 rows of five cylinders. The unsteady flow through triangular cylinder array has been simulated using two-dimensional URANS computations with an open source Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) code. The CFD calculations are coupled with the six degree-of-freedom rigid body motion solver with reduced degree-of-freedom. Results were compared with the analytically determined threshold values.


Abstract. Coastal and subaqueous landslides can be very dangerous phenomena since they are characterised by the additional risk of induced tsunamis, unlike their completely-subaerial counterparts. Numerical modelling of landslides propagation is a key step in forecasting the consequences of landslides. In this paper, a novel approach named Equivalent Fluid/Equivalent Medium (EFEM) has been developed. It adapts common numerical models and software that were originally designed for subaerial landslides in order to simulate the propagation of combined subaerial-subaqueous and completely-subaqueous landslides. Drag and buoyancy forces, the loss of energy at the landslide-water impact and peculiar mechanisms like hydroplaning can be suitably simulated by this approach; furthermore, the change in properties of the landslide's mass, which is encountered at the transition from the subaerial to the submerged environment, can be taken into account. The approach has been tested by modelling two documented coastal landslides (a debris flow and a rock slide at Lake Albano) using the DAN-W code. The results, which were achieved from the back-analyses, demonstrate the efficacy of the approach to simulate the propagation of different types of coastal landslides.


Very energetic ions, which are detected by time-of-flight spectrometry with maximum energy up to 1.3 MeV and an average energy of 68 keV, are generated in the explosion of large Xe clusters in a dense jet irradiated with a high-intensity (~1016 W/cm2) 50 fs laser pulse from a Ti:sapphire TW laser at 790 nm wavelength. The interaction of intense laser pulses with a jet of argon clusters is also performed and high average ion energies are observed. The dependence of energy of the ions on the gas backing pressure is examined, suggesting that the results are consistent with the absorption efficiency of the laser energy by the cluster plasmas.


We analyzed Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates from the bloodstream between April 2005 and February 2007. We analyzed isolates of 28 strains from medical facilities in Gifu prefecture to determine antibiotic susceptibility, genotype of penicillin-binding protein (PBP) genes and macrolide resistant genes. We also assessed the efficacy of respiratory quinolones using Monte Carlo simulation. Garenoxacin (GRNX) and moxifloxacin (MFLX) showed the lowest MIC90 value of 0.125 microg/mL, followed by MIC90 of imipenem (IPM) of 0.25 microg/mL and tosufloxacin (TFLX), MIC90 of meropenem (MEPM) and vancomycin (VCM) of 0.5 microg/mL. Twenty-two strains possessed at least one mutation in PBP-encoding genes pbp1a, pbp2x or pbp2b and seven strains possessed all three mutant alleles. Twenty-two strains possessed either of macrolide resistant genes ermB or mefA, and one strain possessed both. On efficacy assessment, we calculated the probability of target attainment for free-drug area under the curve (fAUC)/MIC ratio (fAUC/MIC). GRNX and MFLX showed a probability of 90% or more at fAUC/MIC of 30 and 125, each considered effective against Gram-positive bacteria and suppression of resistance development, furthermore, GRNX showed a probability of 89.7% at fAUC/MIC of 250.


A spinal intramedullary arteriovenous malformation (AVM) associated with a radicular arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is reported. The patient had mild myelopathy and low back pain. Spinal angiography revealed the AVM fed by the anterior spinal artery via left T10, T11 and right L1 radiculomedullary arteries and the radiculopial arteries of left L1, L2 and right T11, L3 levels and the radicular AVF at the left L4 level. There were three radiculomedullary arteries within four levels in our case. This spinal AVM associated with a radicular AVF is considered a genetic nonhereditary lesion with metameric link.


Point of care testing is a mode of testing where immediate laboratory tests are performed on the patient at the site where healthcare is provided close to the patient. Diabetes mellitus type 1 and 2 can be monitored using point of care kits for random blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin. The aim of the study was to compare point of care kits for random blood glucose with that of glycated hemoglobin in monitoring diabetes mellitus. A purposeful randomized study was carried out at the Nyeri Provincial General Hospital on 157 patients attending diabetes clinic. On monitoring random blood glucose of these patients ranged from 3.0 – 36.1mmol/L. 31.3%, 24.2% and 43.9% of the patients had controlled borderline and uncontrolled diabetes mellitus in all age groups. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) glycemic control of the same patients was found to be ideal (HbA1c: <7%) at 26%, good (7.1 – 7.9%) at 12.7% and fair (8.0 – 8.9%) at 10.2%. The correlation between glycated hemoglobin and random blood glucose was r= 0.66, p<0.05. It is necessary to perform the two tests in combination for monitoring and evaluation of severity during point of care testing for better management of diabetes mellitus. Keywords: Glycated hemoglobin, diabetes mellitus, blood glucose


Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are RNAs with lengths exceeding 200 nucleotides that are not translated into proteins. It is well-known that small non-coding RNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), regulate gene expression and play an important role in cholangiopathies. Recent studies have demonstrated that lncRNAs may also play a key role in the pathophysiology of cholangiopathies. Patients with cholangiopathies often develop cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), which is cholangiocyte-derived cancer, in the later stage. Cholangiocytes are a primary target of therapies for cholangiopathies and CCA development. Previous studies have demonstrated that expression levels of lncRNAs are altered in the liver of cholangiopathies or CCA tissues. Some lncRNAs regulate gene expression by inhibiting functions of miRNAs leading to diseased liver conditions or CCA progression, suggesting that lncRNAs could be a novel therapeutic target for those disorders. This review summarizes current understandings of functional roles of lncRNAs in cholangiopathies and seek their potentials for novel therapies.


Petri net (PN) modeling of flexible manufacturing systems is generally performed through a sequential procedure that introduces additional constraint layers over an unconstrained PN modeling the production sequences. The constraints account for job limitations, resources usage, liveness, etc., and are typically all representable as generalized mutual exclusion constraints, that can be implemented as monitor places suitably connected to the PN's transitions. This sequential procedure typically yields a redundant model, that is not easily reduced a posteriori. An integrated modeling approach is here proposed to solve the redundancy problem by enforcing all the constraints in a single design step that optimizes the number of monitors. The monitor design task is reformulated as a classification problem, which is solved through an efficient branch & bound approach. Some examples emphasize the potential model size reductions that can be achieved.


Confronted with the reality that our environment is (almost literally) dying, we must navigate feelings of grief and mourning. In this article, I set out to understand the emotion of climate grief, using the LBT model of emotions. I define climate grief as an emotion whose object is the loss of the local and global ecosystems as we rely on, value and relate to them. The rating of climate grief is strongly negative, such that we bleakly perceive our existence and our survival as an ecosystem. In addition, I explore how self-defeating practical syllogisms can transform the healthy emotional grieving process into a destructive process. In particular, I investigate the LBT fallacies of "awfulizing", "damnation" and "can'tstipation". Finally, I propose a set of "climate-friendly virtues" (courage, respect and self-control) and look at what all of us can do to mobilize our emotions of climate grief toward healthy, positive and sustainable action.


The present invention relates to methods for the diagnosis and evaluation of Stroke and transient ischemic attacks. A variety of markers are disclosed for assembling a panel for Such diagnosis and evaluation. In various aspects, the inven tion provides methods for early detection and differentiation of Stroke types and transient ischemic attacks, for determin ing the prognosis of a patient presenting with Stroke Symp toms, and identifying a patient at risk for cerebral vasos pasm. Invention methods provide rapid, Sensitive and specific assays to greatly increase the number of patients that can receive beneficial Stroke treatment and therapy, and reduce the costs associated with incorrect Stroke diagnosis.


Management indicators and performance data analyzed in this article put in great evidence how deep became financial and economic crisis of lyric foundations in Italy during this last years. The focus is particularly on the persisting «heaviness» of personnel costs, which represent more than 60% of production costs for operas. It could be linked with employment contract and benefits allowed to artists and technicians during their work, even if that is not the only comprehensive motivation. To promote a complete reformation of the lyric sector, a new order must be found for organizations and different relationship between workers and institutions. Nevertheless, lyric system needs a higher level of grant from public sector, to promote and safeguard a key-sector for Italian culture.


The spectral reflectivity of molybdenite was measured on an unpolished cleavage flake, a polished vertical section, and a polished basal section, both in air and in oil. From these measurements the refractive index and the absorption were calculated. Reflectivity peaks were found at 625 nm in air measurements and at 620 nm in oil measurements. Errors in reflectivity measurements made with a polarizing incident-light microscope were also considered. It was found that incremental (positive) errors are in general much higher than decremental (negative) errors.


Sea and coastal areas are locations that have enormous potential that can contribute greatly to the national economic growth. The potential of marine and coastal areas includes the potential of fisheries. Fish life in shallow water or estuary is relevant to the existence of seagrass beds as their habitat. Seagrass in coastal waters is one of the attractions of fish for reproduction (spawning ground), fish growth place (nursery ground) and feeding ground. Good management requires a well-structured plan that takes into account geographical conditions and the sustainability of the plan in the future for the role of marine spatial planning. Marine spatial planning is a spatial guid-ance to manage well coastal and ocean areas with more integration and sustainability through identifying and mapping all marine issues. One method of mapping issues in marine spatial planning is open spatial data. The coherence and synergy of spatial planning can be achieved through dialogue between the elites and the public. A solution to bridge political communication between the elite and the public is open spatial data. In this context, the technicalities of open spatial data are important factors for achieving consensus. Relevant non-technical issues, such as data management, human resources and leadership factors are critical points for this potential open spatial data.