The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of plyometric and resistance training on agility, speed
 and explosive power in soccer players. 30 male soccer players who aged 18-25 voluntarily participated in the study.
 They were randomly assigned in plyometric (n=15) and resistance (n=15) groups. Both groups performed selected
 soccer-specified plyometric and resistance training for 8 weeks. Data was analyzed using paired t-test, independent
 t-test, and covariance statistical methods. The results showed that levels of agility, speed, and explosive power in
 plyometric training group (p=0.0001), and agility and explosive power in resistance training group (p=0.0001)
 were significantly improved in post-test compared to pre-test. Between-groups comparison showed better records in
 agility, speed and explosive power for plyometric compared with resistance training group after eight weeks
 (respectively p=0.032, p=0.0001 and p=0.002). According to the results, it can be concluded that both plyometric
 and resistance training exercises increase agility and explosive power and reduce sprint time in football players.
 Plyometric exercises also showed more favorable effects on study variables compared with resistance exercises.
 Therefore, these types of training methods are suggested to soccer players and coaches for improving speed and
 performance skill.


The problem of uncertainties in input-output coefficients is examined, using the uncertainty in estimating the fertilizer use efficiency as an illustration. An example of uncertainty due to lack of knowledge on processes involved is the use of different approaches for estimating fertilizer use efficiency in two land use optimization studies. A further problem is uncertainty due to lack of data; this is illustrated with an example from the Atlantic Zone of Costa Rica. Very few data are available to determine fertilizer use efficiency and data from regions with similar soil and climate type are not available. Data from non-similar regions may not give a correct assessment of the possibilities in the region. Different concepts and sources of information result in different estimates of coefficients, which might in turn greatly influence the results of the linear programming model. It is therefore concluded that, rather than using one fixed value for a particular input-output coefficient, the effect of uncertainty in coefficients on the final results of the model should be examined.


The result of simulations with regional dynamic models presents systematic errors in different regions of the world. In the tropical region, such errors are usually associated with the uncertainties in the physical parameterizations, for example, deep convection or the cloud microphysics. Thus, the objective was to evaluate precipitation and temperature of simulations performed with the RegCM4 model, based on different parameterizations (Grell and Emanuel). The study area was the Northeast of Brazil (NEB) during the southern autumns (March-April-May) from 1998 to 2008. For evaluate the precipitation used 3B42_V6 algorithm data from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite (TRMM). The surface temperature was evaluated through the results reanalysis of ERA-Interim. The methodology was composed by cluster analysis per Ward's minimal variance hierarchical method, Pearson correlation, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and test of differences between averages (t-Student) with significance level of 0.05. Moreover, the accuracy indices were calculated: Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and the Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE). For realization the statistical analysis used the R software version 3.4.3. It was concluded that both simulations underestimate precipitation estimated by TRMM. The simulation with parameterization of Emanuel presented minor errors in clusters 1, 3 and 4. In relation the temperature simulated by the RegCM4, the best results were obtained in simulation of this variable in all clusters.


From the composition process of La chute du ciel, the book by Davi Kopenawa and Bruce Albert, I seek to circumscribe in the tasks of the translator and of the anthropologist the reach of a formula which, by adopting diverse figures, repeatedly converts the relation into a form of unity. Alternatively, taking into account other passages of the same text where the terms resist to its dissolution into a relation, I indicate through moments of disquietness and clamor towards an eventual logic of parts as a different mode of articulation. Last but not least, I present some notes regarding the potential political effect of this distinction.


We previously observed that decreased brain ACE2 expression/activity contributes to the development of Angiotensin-II (Ang-II)-mediated hypertension in mice. To identify the mechanism involved in the impaired ACE2 expression/activity during hypertension, we first investigated ACE2 subcellular localization in the presence of Ang-II in vitro. Neuro2A cells (neuroblastoma) were transfected with a GFP-tagged human ACE2 plasmid construct (48 hours) and treated with Ang-II (100 nM, 4 hours). ACE2 localization was visualized with a flurorescence microscope (n=6), and protein levels on plasma membrane were determined by biotinylation followed by western blot (n=3). ACE2 expression was reduced at the plasma membrane and co-localized with the lysosomal marker Rab7 after Ang-II treatment, suggesting a translocation of ACE2 from plasma membrane to lysosomes. Biotinylation experiments confirmed a 50% reduction of plasma membrane ACE2 expression in Ang-II treated cells compared to vehicle group. To determine whether ACE2 internalization is responsible for the development of hypertension, C57Bl6 mice were implanted with telemetry probes for conscious blood pressure recording, and osmotic pumps for the following treatment groups: (n=6/group), 1) saline sc + aCSF icv; 2) Ang-II (600 ng/kg·min, sc, 14 days) + aCSF icv; 3) Ang-II + leupeptin (lysosomal inhibitor; 640 ng/kg·min, icv, 14 days); 4) saline sc + Leupeptin icv. After 2 weeks of treatment, leupeptin alone did not alter mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) compared to vehicle treatment (97±1
 vs.
 97±2 mmHg), however, it prevented Ang-II-mediated-increase in MAP (117±8 mmHg
 vs.
 135±10 mmHg,
 P
 <0.01). To test whether the leupeptin-mediated prevention of hypertension involved ACE2, we infused ACE2 knockout mice with Ang-II sc in the presence or absence of leupeptin icv. Interestingly, Ang-II-mediated increase in MAP in ACE2 knockout mice (131±8 mmHg) was not significantly changed by icv leupeptin infusion (125±8 mmHg), suggesting that leupeptin prevented hypertension by inhibiting brain ACE2 degradation. Our data suggest that Ang-II promotes ACE2 internalization and degradation in lysosomes, while prevention of ACE2 degradation by leupeptin reverses the development of hypertension.


Pneumonia in cases with history of hospitalisation, hemodialysis, accomodation in nursing homes, receving ambulatory intravenous therapies and having decubitus ulcers is defined as health care associated pneumonia (HCAP). The comparison of demographic data, isolated causative agents and prognosis of patients with community acquired pneumonia (CAP) and HCAP is aimed. The patients with HCAP and CAP registered by seven centers in the Turkish Thoracic Society Respiratory Infections Study Group pneumonia database were retrospectively evaluated. 785 cases (530 male, average age 65.3±16.4) were evaluated, 207 (26.4%) were diagnosed with HCAP and 578 (73.6%) with CAP. Among HCAP cases, 140/207 (17.8%) had recent hospitalisation in last 90 days, 28/207 (3.6%) went under hemodialysis in previous 30 days and 22/207 (2.8%) stayed in nursing homes. Pneumonia severity index (PSI), was 103.9±37.2 in HCAP and 94.6±35.4 in CAP (p=0.002). The most frequently isolated causitive microorganisms were; P.aeruginosa, A.baumannii and S.pneumoniae in HCAP and S.pneumoniae and P.aeruginosa in CAP. Although length of stay in hospital was higher in HCAP than CAP (8.6±5.5 vs 7.5±6.1 days, p=0.03), the differences in ratios of length of stay in critical care unit were not statistically significant (%9.7 vs %9.3) (p>0.005). Despite the mortality ratio in HCAP was higher than CAP (8.7% vs 5.7%), the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.14). HCAP require special approach in the means of different reference data, range of isolated agents and prognosis other than CAP. Therapies involving gram negative microorganisms resistant to empirical antibiotherapies should be considered.


The use of information based upon remotely sensed data is a central factor in our 21st Century society. Scientists in land management agencies especially require accurate and current geospatial information to effectively implement ecosystem management. The increasing need to collect data across diverse landscapes, scales, and ownerships has resulted in a wider application of remote sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and associated geospatial technologies for natural resource applications. This paper summarizes the use of digital remotely sensed data for vegetation mapping. Key steps in preparing vegetation maps are described. These steps include defining project requirements and classification schemes, use of reference data, classification procedures, and assessing accuracy. The role of field personnel and inventory data is described. Case studies and applications of vegetation mapping on national forest land are also included.


CONTEXT
Digital photography is commonly used to document microscopic features of tissue samples, but it relies on the capture of arbitrarily selected representative areas. Current technologic advances permit the review of an entire sample, some even replicating the use of a microscope.

OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate the applicability of digital video to the documentation of histologic samples.

DESIGN
A Canon Elura MC40 digital camcorder was mounted on a microscope, glass slide-mounted tissue sections were filmed, and the unedited movies were transferred to a Apple Mac Pro computer. Movies were edited using the software iMovie HD, including placement of a time counter and a voice recording.

RESULTS
The finished movies can be viewed in computers, incorporated onto DVDs, or placed on a Web site after compression with Flash software. The final movies range, on average, between 2 and 8 minutes, depending on the size of the sample, and between 50 MB and 1.6 GB, depending on the intended means of distribution, with DVDs providing the best image quality.

CONCLUSIONS
Digital video is a practical methodology for documentation of entire tissue samples. We propose an affordable method that uses easily available hardware and software and does not require significant computer knowledge. Pathology education can be enhanced by the implementation of digital video technology.


An analytical method to estimate the scattering of RF power into multiple modes inside a nonuniform waveguide using perturbation techniques is presented. This method is quite general, much faster than numerical methods, and may be applied to a wide variety of nonuniform waveguides. We have used this method to design and analyze a three-section mode transformer that converts a TE01 circular waveguide mode to a TE20 rectangular waveguide mode. This mode converter is specially suitable for use in ultra-high-power applications. Due to the complexity of the problem, we have used the symbolic solver Mathematica to produce most of our analytical results. The results match within reasonable accuracy with High Frequency Structure Simulator field solver simulations. We also present the application of this mode converter to variety of ultra-high-power microwave components and experimentally show the performance of these devices.


Background Clinical remission (REM) is the treatment target in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and there are several composite REM criteria available. Knowledge is limited on how disease duration affects REM in daily clinical practice, and whether predictors of REM depend on the method for assessment of REM. Objectives To study the rates of REM after 3 and 6 months with DMARD treatment applying different criteria, and to study predictors of REM after 6 months. Methods Data from 4992 patients in the NOR-DMARD study, representing real life rheumatology practice, were analysed. All patients started with a synthetic or biological DMARD and had 6-month follow-up data available,. Mean (SD) age was 54.6 (14.9) yrs, disease duration was 8.5 (7.9) yrs, 73.2% females. Disease duration (mean 7.9 [9.6] yrs) was grouped into: <0.5 yrs (n=1329), >0.5-1 yr (n=321), >1-5 yrs (n=992), >5-10 yrs (n=750), and >10 yrs (n=1532). The applied definitions for clinical REM were Disease Activity Score28 (DAS28) <2.6, Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) ≤3.3, Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) ≤2.8, Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data (RAPID3, range 0-10) ≤1, and the Boolean ACR/EULAR REM definition (BOOL) ≤1, with additional BOOL for practical use (BOOLP) ≤1. Results Overall REM rates after 3 (6) months were for DAS28 22.5 (26.0)%, CDAI 10.3 (12.6)%, SDAI 9.8 (11.8)%, RAPID3 20.3 (21.3)%, BOOL 8.7 (10.1)%, and BOOLP 10.3 (12.2)%. Both at 3 and 6 months REM rates were highest for disease duration <0.5 yr for all six composite definitions (ANOVA all <0.001), varying from BOOL 12.5% (3 mths) to DAS28 34.3% (6 mths), with lower rates and minor changes across higher disease duration groups. The table shows odds ratios (*p<0.05 **p<0.01 ***p<0.001) for achieving 6-month REM in separate logistic regression models for each remission definition, adjusting always for age, respective baseline disease activity as well as other covariates (the latter were included in the multivariable model if p<0.10). DAS28 SDAI CDAI RAPID3 BOOL BOOLP Female 0.63*** 0.76 * 0.73* 1.00 0.81 0.85 High education 1.52*** 1.34* 1.27 1.49*** 1.44** 1.34* Employed 1.31* 1.22 Erosive disease 0.70** 0.78 0.71* 0.75* Disease duration  ≤0.5 yr (ref.) 1 1 1 1 1 1  >0.5–1 yr 0.69 0.60* 0.50* 0.74 0.47** 0.54*  >1–5 yrs 0.49*** 0.59** 0.62 0.62** 0.63* 0.56**  >5–10 yrs 0.58** 0.55** 0.54** 0.57*** 0.55** 0.52**  >10 yrs 0.50*** 0.46*** 0.51*** 0.50*** 0.62* 0.53*** Current smoking 0.64*** 0.67** 0.67** 0.70* 0.72* Treatment – Non-MTX (ref.) 1 1 1 1 1 1 – MTX mono 1.01 1.30 1.41* 1.03 1.12 1.19 – bDMARD 1.78*** 2.74*** 2.78*** 1.43** 2.01*** 2.01*** MHAQ 0.80 0.52*** 0.59** 0.54*** 0.60** 0.54*** Fatigue VAS 0.99* 0.99*** 0.99*** 0.99*** 0.99*** 0.99*** Invest global VAS 1.01* 1.01 1.01 Conclusions In clinical practice REM within 6 months of start/change of therapy was most frequently achieved if baseline disease duration was ≤0.5 year. REM at 6 months is further independently predicted by use of biologic DMARDs, lower age, higher education, non-smoking, absence of erosions, lower baseline disease activity, lower fatigue score, and better physical function. These real life findings inform clinicians on optimal patient treatment, including the need for very early use of DMARDs. Disclosure of Interest T. Uhlig Consultant for: AbbVie, BMS, MSD, Pfizer, Roche, UCB, V. Norvang: None declared, E. Lie Consultant for: AbbVie, BMS, Hospira, Pfizer, UCB, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, BMS, Pfizer, Roche UCB, E. Rødevand: None declared, K. Mikkelsen: None declared, Å. Lexberg: None declared, S. Kalstad: None declared, T. Kvien Consultant for: AbbVie, BMS, Celltrion, Eli Lilly, Hospira, MSD/Schering-Plough, Orion Pharma, Pfizer/Wyeth, Roche, UCBAbbVie, BMS, Hospira, Pfizer, UCB, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, BMS, Celltrion, Eli Lilly, Hospira, MSD/Schering-Plough, Orion Pharma, Pfizer/Wyeth, Roche, UCB DOI 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.2411


A planar dipole antenna is proposed with enhanced impedance and gain performance across an ultrawideband (UWB) operating bandwidth of 3.1-10.6 GHz. The proposed antenna consists of two semi-elliptical-ended arms connected by a shorting bridge. With the shorting bridge, the length of the antenna is reduced and the radiation performance in terms of gain is improved especially at higher frequencies. The performance of the proposed antenna is validated experimentally using a wideband balun to realize the microstrip-co-planar strip transition. The results show that the proposed antenna can achieve a gain of 2.4-6.2 dBi across a VSWR=2 impedance bandwidth of 118% (2.8-10.9 GHz). The time domain responses of pulsed UWB signals through conventional and proposed antennas are compared. Furthermore, a parametric study is performed to provide antenna engineers with the information about the design.


Shortening di the muscle initial length was found to enhance the postextrasystolic potentiation, the Bawditch stair and other signs of chronoinotropy. A hypothesis is advanced concerning the mechanisms underlying the effect of the cardiac muscle initial length on rhythm-dependent mechanical phenomena.


SUMMARY Traditional description and access of library materials has undergone a transition for over a decade now as catalogers and librarians as well as information and computer scientists have worked with the challenges to identify and provide access to various types of digital resources such as electronic journals; electronic books and reference resources; electronic government publications, Web sites and databases; and geospatial maps and digitized special collections. Along with the provision of measures to internationalize and accommodate the nature of electronic resources (ER) to Anglo-American cataloging description and standards, catalogers have assessed workflow and technology issues and now look ahead to new ways to describe and catalog resources, i.e., the Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records (FRBR) concept model, various metadata schemes, and management tools called electronic resource management systems (ERMS). The goal is to continue to identify, manage, and preserve digital materials today and into the future in order to provide the best access to information for library users.


The robustness and accuracy of current MR methods to differentiate brain tumours is limited. In this study we investigate the potential of dynamic susceptibility perfusion-weighted imaging (DSC-PWI) normalized time-intensity-curves (nTIC) to support lymphoma diagnosis by harnessing voxelwise and temporal information to train a convolutional neural network (CNN). This novel approach discriminated patients with lymphoma from glioblastoma and metastasis with an average accuracy of 0.94, using only a limited number of patients for training, outperforming standard DSC-PWI measurements. Furthermore, it provides voxel-by-voxel lymphoma probability maps to further help visual diagnosis of neuroradiologists.


We propose a novel multimodal video benchmark - the Perception Test - to evaluate the perception and reasoning skills of pre-trained multimodal models (e.g. Flamingo, SeViLA, or GPT-4). Compared to existing benchmarks that focus on computational tasks (e.g. classification, detection or tracking), the Perception Test focuses on skills (Memory, Abstraction, Physics, Semantics) and types of reasoning (descriptive, explanatory, predictive, counterfactual) across video, audio, and text modalities, to provide a comprehensive and efficient evaluation tool. The benchmark probes pre-trained models for their transfer capabilities, in a zero-shot / few-shot or limited finetuning regime. For these purposes, the Perception Test introduces 11.6k real-world videos, 23s average length, designed to show perceptually interesting situations, filmed by around 100 participants worldwide. The videos are densely annotated with six types of labels (multiple-choice and grounded video question-answers, object and point tracks, temporal action and sound segments), enabling both language and non-language evaluations. The fine-tuning and validation splits of the benchmark are publicly available (CC-BY license), in addition to a challenge server with a held-out test split. Human baseline results compared to state-of-the-art video QA models show a substantial gap in performance (91.4% vs 46.2%), suggesting that there is significant room for improvement in multimodal video understanding. Dataset, baseline code, and challenge server are available at https://github.com/deepmind/perception_test


The nature of competition in the coal market tends to deplete the most favorable coal reserves first, and forces subsequent development of mines in more extreme ground conditions such as those associated with multiple -seam mining. In fact, 70% of the United States coal reserves are in multiple-seam situations. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is conducting research to develop mine design algorithms that will result in safer multiple seam mines. This paper presents an overview of multiple seam issues in the central Appalachian coalfields. To date, more than 50 case histories have been analyzed from 20 operating mines in Eastern KY, Western VA, and Southern WV. Each case history is classified according to the degree of multiple-seam interaction, ranging from no apparent interaction to severe interaction with direct impacts on mine safety and resource recovery. The case histories are also examined with regard to amount and geologic characteristics of interburden and overburden, and design stability factors. The sequence of mining has also been found to be critical when the lower seam is fully -extracted. This paper compares current case histories to traditional rules of thumb. In addition two situations were modeled using LaModel software. LaModel has been upgraded to import pillar grids and topographic data from AutoCAD files. The cases presented demonstrate vertical stress capabilities of LaModel.


Multi-actor collaboration in business ecosystems has gained importance over the years, not just in research and literature, but also in practice with enterprises veering towards service-oriented value creation to benefit from the competitive advantage it offers for each of the partners in the system. However, in order to harness the potential gains that are implicit in these new ecosystems, SMEs are challenged to develop new strategies to become part of a larger, more complex and dynamic community of co-operating and competing entities that encompasses specialists of different fields with multiple competences and skills, and to influence the building of new governance rules to guarantee their success. This paper depicts the value-creation-oriented approach of a German SME in the field of additive manufacturing (AM) to find its role and establish itself as reliable and valuable player within new multi-actor alliances with the aim of positioning innovative customized products in the medical market. The company's motivation to reposition itself is driven by an underlying interest of changing the dependence on the existing traditional supply chain structures and promoting its contribution to innovation in the AM branch regarding "production as a service". Therefore, the firm is willing to contribute to, explore and exploit new methods and procedures to model and simulate various value creation systems in order to support the strategic and operative decision-making in the context of the SME's reality. For this purpose, three different use cases are considered for analysis: 3D-printed phantoms as visual models, realistic organ phantoms for the surgical training of surgeons, and orthoses and prostheses. The modelling of these three cases, along with further elements and scientific procedures currently under development, set the grounds for a research project in which the SME participates. The first stage of the analysis examines the competitive strengths of the company, such as the potential of the cutting-edge products and services, the processes and technical requirements; and outlines their (dis)advantages compared to similar offers currently available on the market, which with they compete. The second stage offers an insight on the multi-actor constellation in each of the three use cases while deciphering the synergies between actors, resources and processes and how they are intertwined. This phase lays the foundation for understanding not just the roles of the SME and of the other participants, but also the transfer mechanisms (flows of information, material or money) within the complex structures of the business ecosystems. The third stage deals with the SME's strategies to reposition itself and the risks that it entails. The modelling allows the comparison of boundaries, necessary transitions and their related risks across all use cases. It also identifies the key challenges the SME has to overcome to build up its multi-actor skills on the path to establish new innovative service-oriented forms of value creation. This article offers some insights into the ongoing process of modelling and simulation of innovative ideas, as well as of the perceived value-in-use of the effort to contribute to the methodological development. It also includes a briefly description of the state of the art in the AM branch and of the SME's core competencies in the medical field that allows for contextualization.


these needles and our audit the following year (2006) demonstrated that there had been no cases of PDPH after 143 spinal anaesthetics. It needs extremely good eyesight to spot the difference between the tips of these two spinal needles, whereas checking the packaging would have revealed the difference immediately. It is worth noting that the reference code for the lancet point needle is 100 ⁄ 496 ⁄ 025 and that for the pencil point needle is 100 ⁄ 496 ⁄ 125. We presume that an error had been made when the needles were being ordered which resulted in a batch of lancet point needles being delivered and used.


Background Anti-CCP antibodies are known to be related to more erosive disease in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In recent years these antibodies are found to be increased in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, liver disease, autoinflammatory diseases and cigarette smoking as well. Objectives In this study we searched whether additional factors such as lung, thyroid, liver problems and smoking had any contribution to anti-CCP levels in RA patients. Methods One hundred and thirteen RA patients who followed up in our rheumatology outpatient clinics participated in the study. In addition to demographic features, pulmonary function test results, anti thyroglobulin (anti TG ab) and anti thyro peroxidase (anti TPO ab) antibodies, hepatitis markers, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C- reactive protein, rheumatiod factor (RF) and anti- CCP levels were evaluated. Results Mean values of the parameters were as follows: age of the patients: 54.76±11.56; disease duration: 10.9±7.2 years, forced expiratory volume 1: 79.5±21.33, forced vital capacity: 81.85±16.73. Levels of anti TG ab was high in 9.7% and that of anti TPO ab was high in 18.6% of the patients. 10% of the patients were Hepatitis B carrier. 72.6% of the patients were smoking cigarette. We divide the patients into 2 groups according to anti- CCP levels (higher or lower then 60 units). We found statistical significant difference in anti TG ab levels (p: 0.04), RF levels (p: 0.00) and ESR (p: 0.001). Conclusions It is well known that RF and ESR levels are related with anti- CCP levels, in addition to these we found anti TG antibodies could also increase anti -CCP levels. It is necessary to make studies with larger samples for more precise decisions. Disclosure of Interest None declared


OBJECTIVE
Although there are several descriptions of this vessel, there is no detailed angiographic study of the accessory middle cerebral artery (AMCA) in Korea. We describe the angiographic characteristics of the cortical territory and origin of AMCA and discuss the clinical significance of this anomaly.

METHODS
We searched for patients with AMCAs from a retrospective review of 1,250 conventional cerebral angiograms. We determined the origins, diameters and cortical territories of these AMCAs.

RESULTS
Fifteen patients (15 of 1250 = 1.2%) had 16 AMCAs (one patient had bilateral AMCAs). AMCAs originated from the distal A1 in eleven cases, middle A1 in two, proximal A1 in two, and proximal A2 in one case. All AMCAs followed a course parallel to the main middle cerebral artery (MCA). All but three of these arteries were smaller than the main MCA. Thirteen of the smaller diameter AMCAs had cortical distribution to the orbito-frontal and prefrontal, and precentral areas. Three AMCAs had diameter as large as the main MCA. These three supplied the orbitofrontal, prefrontal, precentral, central and anterior-parietal arteries.

CONCLUSION
The AMCAs originated from A1 or A2. Most had smaller diameter than the main MCA. The AMCAs coursed along the horizontal portion of the MCA, but supplied the orbital surface, the anterior frontal lobe and sometimes wider cortical territory, including the precentral, central, anterior-parietal areas.


In order to ensure the safety of people, environment and assets of companies, pressure vessels and boilers should be protected by safety valves, whose function is to prevent the machine is pressurized above the security design pressure. Choosing the best location for installation of these valves must consider, besides the usual items of design, the stresses generated when the opening of these valves. This paper analyzes the fracture of one of these valves, with the purpose of determining the root causes of failure and to introduce mitigation measures to improve valve functioning reliability. The analysis was conducted with the support of literature on fractography and fatigue. Keywords: Fatigue; Safety Valve; Support for pipeline; Failure analysis; Pipe fracture.


WHO report advocates input from public health and a systems approach

"A 63-year-old woman was in critical condition last night after being struck by a car… as she crossed Sherbrooke St E shortly after 4 pm… It appears the pedestrian and motorist both had a green light, said Constable Lapointe. The driver was turning left when she struck the pedestrian. Police did not believe alcohol or excessive speed were factors in the accident."

Take this all too common news item and multiply by some large number and you have the daily world total of pedestrian injuries or deaths. Add to this car occupants and bicyclists and you reach the grand total of road traffic deaths, which accounts for 20% of all injury deaths.

Now, after years of preoccupation with other issues, the World Health Organization (with the World Bank) has turned its attention to what is arguably the largest and most preventable of all modern epidemics—road crashes.1 It matters greatly that the WHO has produced a report on road traffic injury prevention, particularly applicable to those in low income countries. However hamstrung the WHO may be …


Resistance to tuberculosis involves a balance between the immune activation required to restrict the infection and the immune regulation required to prevent collateral damage to surrounding tissues. We explore here the hypothesis that genetic diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis provides an opportunity to tilt this balance in favour of the pathogen through variations in innate immune signalling.


Article History: Received January 28, 2021 Accepted March 7, 2021 Available March 15, 2021 The purpose of this research is to analyze the effect of profitability, liquidity, and asset structure on capital structure with firm size as a moderating variable. The population of this study was all property and real estate companies listed on the Indonesian Stock Exchange (IDX) from 2014-2016. The number of samples used was 39 companies with the audit of analysis of 117. This study used secondary data taken from the annual financial statements. The method of data analysis was descriptive analysis and Moderated regression analysis by difference absolute value test. The data analysis used was IBM SPSS Statistics 21. The result of the study showed that profitability, liquidity, and asset structure had negative and significant effects on capital structure. Firm size was able to moderates significantly the effect of liquidity on capital structure, but it is not able to moderate the effect of profitability and asset structure on the capital structure. The study concludes that capital structure is influenced by profitability, liquidity, and liquidity that moderated by firm size.


A 3-year-old Siamese/short-haired European cat was referred for clinical disease characterized by dwarfism, facial dysmorphia, paralysis, small and curled ears, corneal clouding and large areas of alopecia. X-ray examination showed multiple bone dysplasia. On the basis of clinical features a form of mucopolysaccharidosis was suspected. The cat, killed at the owner's request, presented several severe skeletal deformities such as long caudal limbs, enlarged thorax with sunken breastbone, vertebral ankylosis in many spinal segments and visceral involvement. Histologically, the cat showed diffuse vacuolization and enlargement of cells in cartilage, bone and visceral organs. Ultrastructurally, membrane-bound vacuoles were filled with fibrillar and fluffy-material or concentrically whorled lamellae. Arylsulphatase B activity was 3.24 nm/mg/h in the affected cat and 30.6 in a normal age-matched control (NC). The L-iduronidase activity was slightly increased. Quantitation of total glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) revealed a 4.5-fold increase in the affected cat as compared with NC, while electrophoretic run of specific GAGs [chondroitin sulphate (CA); hyaluronan (HA); heparan sulphate (HS); dermatan sulphate (DS); keratan sulphate (KS)] performed on a cellulose acetate sheet, showed a striking increase in the DS band. On densitometric analysis of the electrophoretic run stained with Alcian Blue 8GX, the absorption of DS was eight-fold increased as compared with NC. The clinical and morphological features, and the biochemical findings, were consistent with the diagnosis of feline mucopolysaccharidosis VI.


The development of a nursing workforce that reflects the racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity of the nation's population continues to be a major challenge. Many minority disadvantaged nursing students face special challenges when successfully navigating their way and transitioning into the nursing curriculum. They need developmental or remedial courses (math, reading, and writing) and they face communication barriers and financial difficulties. The purpose of this pilot study was to identify the learning needs of minority nursing students and to implement a retention program to help them succeed. To determine the relationship between enrichment hours and course performances, an analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted using SPSS. While students who passed their courses had greater mean hours of enrichment than students who did not pass, the differences were not statistically significant. Students who graduated spent more hours in enrichment than students who did not graduate. Graduating students spent an average of 113 hours in enrichment during their program compared to students who did not graduate, and who spent an average of only 50 hours in enrichment. This difference was statistically significant [F = 44.50; df 1.98; p < .001].


From the oesophagus to the rectum, the muscularis mucosae comprises a thin layer of smooth muscle at the base of the digestive tract mucosa. Although the anatomic relations of the muscularis mucosae are well described, its physiological role is still only hypothesized. The muscularis mucosae could be implicated in the different functions of the digestive tract wall including absorption, secretion and protection. Modified function could be an early sign of certain pathological situations. The aim of this work was to investigate, in a dog model, the motor function of the muscularis mucosae by using an original technique for recording electromyograms and by comparing the electrical activity generated by the muscularis mucosae with the activity of the external muscle layers of the colon. We were able to demonstrate that in situ, the muscularis mucosae generates regular rhythmic electrical signals: slow wave patterns with rare episodes of rapid activity and sporadic action potentials. This rapid myoelectrical activity was not correlated with the much more intense activity of the external muscle layer responsible for the mechanical motor function of the colic wall. Finally, the motor activity of the muscularis mucosae appeared to be regulated and modulated by certain neurohormonal factors such as substance P.


Aim: To investigate whether completing the Custody-based Intensive Treatment (CUBIT) program for moderate to high risk/needs sex offenders reduces re-offending. Method: The study sample includes 386 male offenders identified by custodial staff as suitable for participation in CUBIT who were released from NSW custody during the period 2000 to 2010. An Instrumental Variables (IV) approach is adopted to control for potential unobservable selection bias in treatment outcomes (a key concern in the treatment effects literature), with the CUBIT completion rate amongst commencements around the time of an offender's own potential participation in CUBIT employed as the preferred IV. This method is statistically inefficient, and has limited power to assess the impact of treatment on sex re-offending (which is relatively rare) specifically. As such, three separate two-stage least squares models (including a range of control variables) are used to estimate the impact of completing CUBIT on whether or not an offender will re-offend with a sex, violent, or general offence, respectively, within five years of free time following their release from custody. Results: Within five years free time following release from custody 12 per cent of offenders who completed CUBIT committed a proven sex offence, 27 per cent re-offended with a new violent offence and 41 per cent committed a proven offence of any type. Multivariate models controlling for a range of important observable risk factors found that CUBIT completers had, on average, a 5-year general recidivism risk that was 13 percentage points lower than a similar cohort of offenders suitable for CUBIT but who did not participate. No significant differences between the treated and untreated groups were found for violent or sex re-offending. Conclusion: There is some evidence to suggest that completing CUBIT results in a considerable reduction in general recidivism risk. No evidence is found to suggest that CUBIT completion reduces sexual or violent re-offending. However, it is difficult to draw any conclusion from the null results, since the power of the statistical methods employed to detect a treatment impact in this study is limited given the relatively small sample size.


Since 1966 the treatment for patients with end-stage renal disease in Johannesburg has primarily been renal transplantation. This has required an adequate programme of regular dialysis. All patients were treated at the central hospital or at two small satellite units. A total of 158 patients, mean age 34,2 years (88 males) have been dialysed. The mean duration on dialysis prior to transplantation was 5,6 months (range 1 week - 23 months). The commonest cause of renal failure in males was chronic glomerulonephritis (63%), whereas in females it was analgesic nephropathy (39%). Twenty-seven patients (17%) died while on dialysis, including 6 who had had unsuccessful transplantations. Renal osteodystrophy was diagnosed in 30% of the patients. Hepatitis has been endemic among both patients and staff. Nephrectomies were done in 106 patients. Ten patients had operations for peptic ulcer and 5 parathyroidectomies were performed. The number of patients unsuccessfully transplanted, or who died, was less than the number of new patients requiring treatment. In addition, an increasing proportion of patients have become 'relatively untransplaotable'. This has led to overloading of facilities. S. Afr. Med. J ., 48, 1821 (1974)


The Semantic Web and the Semantic Web Services build a natural application area for Intelligent Agents, namely querying and reasoning about structured knowledge and semantic descriptions of services and their interfaces on the Web. This paper provides an overview of the Web Service Modeling Ontology, a conceptual framework for the semantical description of Web services.


This paper presents a method to calculate probability distribution of HVDC capacity considering both repairable and aging failures of HVDC components. With integration of the aging failure mode, the capacity probability distribution is varied with years. It can be used as a multiple state model of HVDC links in transmission reliability evaluation. The expected capacity obtained from the capacity probability distribution is an index to quantify and prioritise importance of HVDC components in reliability centred maintenance.


In this paper, we propose a new prototype model of the active guide wire microcatheter whose bending has two degrees of freedom. The design and fabrication methods of this active microcatheter are described. It is 3Fr, 4Fr, 6Fr (1Fr=1/3mm)in diameter and consists of catheter tube and active guide wire with ICPF on its front end as the servo actuator. The bending motion and bending angle of the active guide wire microcatheter have been measured by application of electricity in water and in physiological saline solution. We also modeled this active microcatheter. Experimental results show that the model of the active catheter is reasonable for practical applications. By using simulators (conditions similar to those of a body cavity), we also carried out simulation experiments in vitro. The experimental results indicate that the proposed active guide wire catheter is applicable to intracavity operations.


In this paper, we focus on the challenge of learning controllable text simplifications in unsupervised settings. While this problem has been previously discussed for supervised learning algorithms, the literature on the analogies in unsupervised methods is scarse. We propose two unsupervised mechanisms for controlling the output complexity of the generated texts, namely, back translation with control tokens (a learning-based approach) and simplicity-aware beam search (decoding-based approach). We show that by nudging a back-translation algorithm to understand the relative simplicity of a text in comparison to its noisy translation, the algorithm self-supervises itself to produce the output of the desired complexity. This approach achieves competitive performance on well-established benchmarks: SARI score of 46.88% and FKGL of 3.65% on the Newsela dataset.


The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) is widely used in clinical practices to assess functional capacity and exercise resistance. Most reference equations for 6MWT in healthy subjects were established based on American and European populations, with only a few proposed for the Brazilian population. Objectives: To compare the distance walked in 6 minutes by healthy males with the predicted distance values obtained from five reference equations, evaluate the difference between them and which would be most reliable for use in the Brazilian population. Methods: We evaluated 104 individuals (mean age 34.12 ± 8.88 years), the level of physical activity, respiratory symptoms, handgrip strength and 6MWD. T Test was performed in order to compare the distance walked with the predicted distances obtained in the five reference equations. Results: The average distance walked by the participants in the 6MWT (6MWD) was 663.43 ± 93.01 meters. The predicted values that were closest to those obtained by Enright & Sherrill, Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 1998;158(5):1384-7 (640.66 ± 100.70 meters) and Iwama et al. Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research 2009: 42: 1080-85 (621.27 ± 15.65 meters), which was proposed for the Brazilian population. Conclusions: We conclude that the Enright & Sherrill and Iwama et al equations can be used in order to estimate a predicted distance walked in 6 minutes in healthy Brazilian men.


The objective of present study is to develop and validate a simple, precise, rapid, specific and accurate reverse phase HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of daidzein, genistein, formononetin and biochanin A obtained from in vitro cultured cells of Trifolium pratense L. Chromatographic separation was achieved on reverse phase octadecylsilane C18 column with isocratic elution. The mobile phase consisted of a mixture of ammonium acetate and methanol (40:60) pumped at a flow rate of 1.0 ml. min-1. The effluents were monitored at 254 nm with a UV detector at ambient temperature. Validation was carried out according to International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH) guidelines with respect to linearity, sensitivity, accuracy, precision, robustness and ruggedness. Good linearity was observed (r2 > 0.998) over the test concentration range of the four isoflavones. Precision, accuracy, limit of detection and limit of quantification obtained were within acceptable range in each case. The method was robust and specific for the four isoflavones. The results indicate that the developed method is simple, precise, rapid, specific and accurate, and would be suitable for the quantification of daidzein, genistein, formononetin and biochanin A obtained from in vitro cultured cells of Trifolium pratense L.


The taste compounds inducing the blood-like, metallic bitter taste sensation reported recently for a dichloromethane extract prepared from roasted cocoa nibs were identified as a series of 25 diketopiperazines by means of HPLC degustation, LC-MS/MS, and independent synthesis. Among these 25 compounds, 13 cis-configured diketopiperazines, namely, cyclo(L-IIe-L-Phe), cyclo(L-Val-L-Leu), cyclo(L-Pro-L-Pro), cyclo(L-IIe-L-Pro), cyclo(L-Val-L-Tyr), cyclo(L-Ala-L-Tyr), cyclo(L-Phe-L-Ser), cyclo(L-Ala-L-IIe), cyclo(L-Leu-L-Phe), cyclo(L-Pro-L-Val), cyclo(L-Pro-L-Thr), cyclo(L-Pro-L-Tyr), and cyclo(L-Val-L-Val) were identified for the first time in cocoa. In addition, the taste recognition thresholds for the metallic as well as the bitter taste of the diketopiperazines were determined, and after quantitative analysis by using two diastereomeric diketopiperazines as the internal standards, the sensory impact of the diketopiperazines was evaluated on the basis of their dose-over-threshold (DoT) factors calculated as the ratio of the concentration and the threshold concentration of a compound. These data revealed DoT factors above 1.0 exclusively for cis-cyclo(L-Pro-L-Val), cis-cyclo(L-Val-L-Leu), cis-cyclo(L-Ala-L-Ile), cis-cyclo(L-Ala-L-Leu), and cis-cyclo(L-Ile-L-Pro), whereas all of the other diketopiperazines were present below their individual bitter taste threshold concentrations and should therefore not contribute to the cocoa taste. Because the DoT factors do not consider the nonlinear relationship between the concentration and gustatory response of an individual compound, we, for the first time, report on the recording of dose/response functions describing the human bitter taste perception of diketopiperazines more precisely.


A marked metric measure space (mmm-space) is a triple $(X,r,μ)$, where $(X,r)$ is a complete and separable metric space and $μ$ is a probability measure on $X \times I$ for some Polish space $I$ of possible marks. We study the space of all (equivalence classes of) marked metric measure spaces for some fixed $I$. It arises as a state space in the construction of Markov processes which take values in random graphs, e.g. tree-valued dynamics describing randomly evolving genealogical structures in population models. We derive here the topological properties of the space of mmm-spaces needed to study convergence in distribution of random mmm-spaces. Extending the notion of the Gromov-weak topology introduced in (Greven, Pfaffelhuber and Winter, 2009), we define the marked Gromov-weak topology, which turns the set of mmm-spaces into a Polish space. We give a characterization of tightness for families of distributions of random mmm-spaces and identify a convergence determining algebra of functions, called polynomials.


We have tested the working hypothesis that anesthetics, by labilizing lipid-protein interactions, induce conformational changes in membrane proteins involved in the transmission of neural impulses. In the first communication of this series we report that general anesthetics induce changes in the fluorescence of the probes ANS and NPN in model membranes, lipid vesicles and mitochondria. The changes observed concern the quantumyield but not the position of the emission maximum. Such changes may be interpreted as due to fluidization of the membrane core (NPN), accompanied by variable effects in the membrane surface(ANS).


Abstract In anti-dumping procedures, the EU authorities have adjusted State-distorted input costs in the constructed normal value to market benchmarks. This methodology increases the amount of anti-dumping duties and hence import barriers to foreign goods produced with low-priced raw materials. Such cost adjustments are based on certain EU anti-dumping provisions that implement corresponding World Trade Organization (WTO) rules under which the cost of input must be derived, as a principle, from the records of target companies in the exporting country if those records, inter alia, reasonably reflect production costs of the product under investigation. But in the case of input costs distorted by the government, the EU authorities have typically deviated from this principle relying on alternative sources on the grounds of unreasonable costs. While the EU jurisprudence has so far been generally lenient towards this methodology as applied to significant distortions in the raw material (upstream) market, the recent WTO appellate ruling in EU–Biodiesel is rather negative on its use in the presence of the valid domestic records. This article examines the EU anti-dumping practice as reviewed in both EU and WTO judicial proceedings and discusses some legislative reforming options under both regimes. It concludes that the WTO anti-dumping rules should be amended to allow market-oriented cost adjustments in the normal value, on the one hand, and ensure parallel export price adjustments, on the other.


Sustainability of Vietnam agriculture value chain will be dependent on various factors such as skills and experience of farmers, advanced technology, agricultural engineering, standards and models such as VIETGAP or GLOBAL GAP, etc. The role is still important, but Vietnam's agricultural production still has many Weakness points compared to other countries in the region when comparing resource use efficiency (land, water and labor). As a result, the efficiency of agricultural production tends to decrease recently. Specifically, the growth in average agricultural labor productivity annual rate of Vietnam also decreased correspondingly from 2.7% in the period 1990-1999 to 2.5% in the period 2000-2013 (World Bank, 2016). In Vietnam, we will evaluate the effectiveness of VIETGAP and GLOBAL GAP models, principles and standards applying in Vietnam agriculture value chain in a specific case study. The research results show a strict condition for applying VIETGAP and GLOBAL GAP for better quality in agriculture, including: Conditions for soil, irrigation water, fertilizers, pest control, etc. Last but not least, we also use an econometric model to measure impacts of multi macro factors on lychee price in Vietnam market over past years 2014-2019. Regression results show that we need to control inflation at low level, stable GDP growth and trade balance and exchange rate to stabilize lychee price. The research findings are of value to policy makers, farmers and investors in making decisions to invest for sustainability of Vietnam agriculture value chain. We will also make suggestions for commercial bank system in agriculture sector development.


In naming his satirical version of a life assurance company The Anglo-Bengalee Disinterested Loan and Life Assurance Company Dickens was aiming at an already well-established tendency for life assurance companies to stress in their promotional enterprises the altruistic character of their business. So disinterested was the Anglo-Bengalee that 'nobody can run any risk by the transaction except the office, which, in its great liberality is pretty sure to lose' (1994, p. 419). While few life assurance companies would have pushed the claim that far it is certainly the case that the idea of 'disinterestedness' played a peculiar role in the nineteenth century life assurance industry. This paper explores how life assurance companies sought to overcome concerns about the safety and propriety of their business by promulgating particular ideas about life assurance as a pious, self-'disinterested' form of conduct. Throughout the nineteenth century life assurance operated as an exemplary technique of liberal government by offering a means of market-based self-rule that depended heavily on an emergent form of knowledge which blended together impartiality, self-interest and disinterestedness (Poovey 1998).


By the increase of age, especially after the age of 60, hearing and intelligibility of speech gradually decrease. Hearing physiology data show that all structures of the auditory system, from peripheral to cortical ones, are of great importance for good speech intelligibility. Changes due to presbyacusis are described at all levels of the auditory system, but it is not known where the changes are the most frequent, whether the localisation of the impairment is changing with the increase of age, and what impairment is the most responsible for the decreasing of speech intelligibility. Hypotheses of this investigation were: dysfunction is the most marked at the periphery, especially at the receptors and at the cortical level of the auditory system; retrocochlear impairment as well as subcortical dysfunction is rare; tinnitus as a symptom of presbyacusis appears only exceptionally. By the method of random sampling, 109 subjects older than 60 (72% of them being females) divided into four groups, were tested. The auditory tests were: pure tone audiometry (TA), difference limen for pitch (Δf) and for duration (At) in acoustics, brainstem evoked response audiometry (ABR), testing of speech intelligibility in quiet (SGA), in noise (OGA), and with prolonged time between words (UGA) for phonetically balanced word lists, and for sentences pronounced at the normal rate(RS), sentences distorted by the time-compression technique (RU) and sentences in rapid alternating speech perception test (RASP). Comparison of test results and statistical analysis of results showed that by the increase of age, the peripheral auditory level becomes impaired, especially because of the impairment of receptors; standard speech audiometry mostly corresponds to the receptors impairment and is quite insensitive to the detection of hearing central disorders. Testing of speech intelligibility for words in noise, for time-distorted sentences and for rapid alternating sentences were the best indicators of central presbyacusis. Brainstem evoked response audiometry and its comparison with the other findings showed that the deterioration of intelligibility most often is not the consequence of neural changes in the spiral ganglion and the changes at the brainstem level. The changes at this level appear rather rarely. With the increasing age cortical hearing impairment grows worse and it seems that it is the main reason for speech intelligibility deterioration in presbyacusis. Subcortical changes are significantly weaker and only indirectly connected to other changes of the central auditory system. Before a hearing aid prescription, central auditory abilities have to be tested by words intelligibility in noise and by sentence testing. Depending on these findings, rehabilitation of selective hearing and/or processing time should be carried out.


Entrepreneurial activity attracts certain kinds of individuals, whether it is to promote a social cause in the nonprofit sector or profit in the for-profit sector. This article looks at the behavior of women entrepreneurs in India in both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors to test for potential differences and similarities. We chose two groups of entrepreneurial women who founded and led relatively similar-size organizations in the same city and who provided services primarily to women and children. Our findings show that while all nonprofit entrepreneurs receive a high payoff from promoting social causes, there is no single unifying payoff for for-profit entrepreneurs. Family background and support, however, play an important role for both sets of entrepreneurs. We find that experience in the sector, social class, caste, and education in?uence entrepreneurial behavior and that this in?uence differs by sector.


Water samples for physico-chemical analysis for this study were collected monthly for five years between April 2008 and March 2013. Conductivity, temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH was measured in situ using a Surveyor II model hydrolab. Chlorophyll-a concentration was determined using a Genesys 10S Vis spectrophotomer. Nutrients were determined using standard methods and procedures. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to determine spatial and temporal variation in physico-chemical and biological factors. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to establish the correlation of the physico-chemical and biological parameters among sampling stations and to group stations with similar physico-chemical parameters. Both spatial and temporal significant variations (P < 0.05) were detected in the concentrations of the nutrients measured during the study.

 Key words: Limnological changes, parameters, Lake Baringo, Kenya.


The article deals with the issues related to the problem of ballistic design of the space system of remote sensing of the Earth on stable near-circular solar-synchronous orbits with long-term existence of spacecraft. We propose a rational method of maintaining a solar-synchronous orbit in given light conditions with prolonged active lifetime of space systems. In solving this problem, the total time of normal operation of the system for a given period of operation, during which the most favorable conditions for the use of spacecraft are provided on the main parts of orbits, is taken as a target function.


The aim of this paper is to present an object-oriented model of an electrically actuated piston. The object-oriented methodology guarantees hierarchical model composition and faster modeling and simulation, as well as reusability of components, connectors and composite acausal connections. We apply the object-oriented modeling language Modelica to obtain our model, which is tested via simulation of a PID position control scheme. In order to illustrate the reusability of the electrically actuated piston model we modelize a two degrees-of-freedom parallel robot manipulator which uses as its main component two identical electrically actuated pistons.


OBJECTIVE
To understand the meanings attributed to patient safety by nursing students.

METHODS
Descriptive study of qualitative approach, based on the theoretical-methodological proposal of Symbolic Interactionism, conducted with 12 students completing the nursing course of a public higher education institution in a city in the state of Amazonas. The data were collected through a semi-structured interview. For interpretation of the results, it was used thematic analysis.

RESULTS
The meanings attributed by the students to patient safety are: the reduction of harm, the guarantee of the integrity of the patient, family members, and health professionals, the promotion of health through the knowledge acquired in the academy, the attitude of the professional and the practice. Final considerations: The meanings originated are in line with the literature produced; however, the students have knowledge gaps that enable patient safety development in their academic training and as nurses.


Introduction: Irregular wide antibiotic
administration by physicians and over the counter use of them had led to
inappropriate or non-essential choice of antibiotic. If blood related diseases
like sepsis and bacteremia, have not been diagnosed and treated as soon as
possible, they can make high complications and mortalities. This study was
conducted to survey of epidemiological changes about frequency of
micro-organisms in blood cultures in Razi laboratory of Rasht during 2006 to
2011. Material & Methods: This is a descriptive retrospective study
performed by information database of Razi laboratory. For all of positive
samples addressed for blood culture, anti-biograms had been done by method of
Kirby & Bauer and agar diffusion. Last, formation or deformation of growth
zone was evaluated and on the basis of standard table, results were classified
to three categories of sensitive, intermediate and resistance. All of common
standard antibiotic disks had been used in this survey. Results: In all cases
which addressed for culture (466 cases) 43 subjects (9.22%) were positive and
one of them was contaminated. The most frequent bacteria separated from the
blood cultures were respectively: coagulase negative Staphylococcus, Escherichia
coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella and coagulase positive Staphylococcus. Relation
between type of bacteria and gender of patients was significant (P = 0.001) in
which in female cases it was the most frequent. The most resistance in all of
applied antibiotics in coagulase negative Staphylococcus group was 60.2%, in gram
negative non non-fermentative bacillus group was 43.16% and in gram
negative intestinal bacteria group was 39.25%. Discussion & Conclusion:
Although there are similar results in the pattern of resistance in comparison
of other studies, pattern of this study is unique and exclussive for Rasht city
and it is based on hygienic condition of Guilan province. Because of being
respective and variables were not considerd by opinions of researchers of this
study, it is necessary to conduct a prospective and continous study in this
wide level.


Characterization of carbonate devolitilization has important implications for atmospheric interactions and climatic effects related to large meteorite impacts in platform sediments. On a smaller scale, meteorites contain carbonates which have witnessed shock metamorphic events and may record pressure/temperature histories of impact(s). ALH84001 meteorite contains zoned Ca-Mg-Fe-carbonates which formed on Mars. Magnetite crystals are found in the rims and cores of these carbonates and some are associated with void spaces leading to the suggestion by Brearley et al. that the crystals were produced by thermal decomposition of the carbonate at high temperature, possibly by incipient shock melting or devolitilization. Golden et al. recently synthesized spherical Mg-Fe-Ca-carbonates from solution under mild hydrothermal conditions that have similar carbonate compositional zoning to those of ALH84001. They have shown experimental evidence that the carbonate-sulfide-magnetite assemblage in ALH84001 can result from a multistep inorganic process involving heating possibly due to shock events. Experimental shock studies on calcium carbonate prove its stability to approx. 60 GPa, well in excess of the approx. 45 GPa peak pressures indicated by other shock features in ALH84001. In addition, Raman spectroscopy of carbonate globules in ALH84001 indicates no presence of CaO and MgO. Such oxide phases should be found associated with the magnetites in voids if these magnetites are high temperature shock products, the voids resulting from devolitilization of CO2 from calcium or magnesium carbonate. However, if the starting material was siderite (FeCO3), thermal breakdown of the ALH84001 carbonate at 470 C would produce iron oxide + CO2. As no documentation of shock effects in siderite exists, we have begun shock experiments to determine whether or not magnetite is produced by the decomposition of siderite within the < 45GPa pressure window and by the resultant thermal pulse to approx. 600 C experienced by ALH84001. Here, we report thermal and compositional characterization of unshocked siderite and its transition to magnetite. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.


This work considers linear precoding strategies for multiple-input single-out (MISO) interference channels with channel mean feedback at transmitters, where the interference at each receiver is treated as additive noise. The challenge here is that previous precoder designs with perfect channel state information (CSI) at transmitters do not apply and new approaches are required. Based on the Laplace transform order, an altruistic non-equilibrium strategy, i.e., the stochastic zero forcing, is first proposed under practical assumptions, generalizing the traditional zero forcing which requires perfect CSI. Interestingly, the precoding matrices here are all rank-one beamformers as in the traditional zero forcing. The competitive use of the common physical media in MISO interference channels is also formulated as a strategic noncooperative game. In contrast to the perfect CSI case with a unique rank-one Nash equilibrium, with channel mean feedback, the Nash equilibria here are not necessarily rank-one in general. Nevertheless, when achieved by the rank-one beamforming, the equilibrium is unique and convenient for implementation. Accordingly, the condition for beamforming to achieve the equilibrium is derived. Comparisons of the above two strategies reveal no overall dominance of one over the other, thereby establishing stochastic zero forcing as an alternative to the Nash equilibrium designs.


The present paper deals with the resolution of the time-dependent neutron transport equation that is involved in the field of nuclear safety studies. Through the presentation of the newly implemented kinetic module in the MINARET solver [24] (developed at CEA in the framework of the APOLLO3\registered $ $ project), we aim first of all at presenting a brief and comprehensive overview of the most widespread resolution techniques employed nowadays in neutron transport industrial codes. Given that the main obstacle in the use of this type of accurate solver on a regular basis relies in the long computing times, MINARET has been used in the present work as a support to rigorously quantify the efficiency of the most common sequential and parallel acceleration techniques that are currently used in this field. An important part of the paper will be devoted to study the performances of an acceleration method that has never been considered before in the resolution of this equation, which is the parallelization of the time variable. In this regard, the parareal in time algorithm (a domain decomposition method for the time variable, [20]) has been implemented to explore its potentialities in this particular application.


Abstract The borides of transition and rare-earth metals are considered for application as wear- and corrosion-resistant, decorative or thermionic coatings. After a review of physical vapor deposition (PVD) techniques used for the deposition of these coatings, a survey of investigations to apply these coatings is given. As a result of the strong directionality of covalent boron–boron bonds, boride coatings show an increasing tendency to amorphous film growth with increasing B/ Me atomic ratio and, for rare-earth hexaborides, with decreasing metallic radius of the rare-earth metal. Mechanical and optical properties are strongly influenced by the crystallographic structure of the boride phase. Because of their high hardness combined with good adhesion, crystalline films based on the diborides of transition metals seem to be promising candidates for wear resistant coatings on cutting tools. Alloying of these films with nitrogen by reactive PVD processes results in the formation of extremely fine-grained multiphase hard coatings with excellent tribological and corrosion behavior, thus offering new applications in the coating of engineering components. Because of their distinct colorations, some of the hexaborides of rare-earth elements may be used as decorative coatings on consumer products like wristwatch casings or eyeglass frames. Another promising field is the development of thermionic coatings based on rare-earth hexaborides, which may offer the possibility of the production of inexpensive and simple high emission filaments.


Arsenic contamination of groundwater in shallow aquifers has become a scvere water supply and hcalth problem in many parts of Bangladesh. A national survey has idcntified 1.44 million tubewell contaminated with arsenic exceeding the Bangladesh drinking water standard of 0.05 mg/L and 38,420 cases of arsenicosis patient. In this study, groundwater, river water, suspended sediment of the river water, riverbed sediment, and floodplain sediment of three rivers (Jamuna, Padma and Meghna), and borehole sediment of alluvial plains of five arsenic affected districts of Bangladesh were collected and studied in an effort to identify sources of arsenic and mechanisms of its mobilization in the subsurface. Arsenic content in river water, suspended sediment, riverbed sediment, and floodplain sediment of three rivers Jamuna, Padma and Meghna was analyzed. Arsenic was found in suspended sediment at concentrations comparable to average arsenic content in soils in Bangladesh, but very little arsenic was found in the river water samples. The sediments were fractionated into sand, silt and clay fractions and the arsenic content in each of the fractions was determined. Highest concentration of arsenic was found in clay fraction of the sediment, followed by silt, with lowest concentration in sand. The arsenic content of fine-grained materials like clay is higher because they have higher surface area as well as adsorption sites per unit volume/weight. The beels and haors receive higher quantity of Arsenic as the clayey materials are deposited in these stagnant water bodies. It has been found that the districts with beel and haors and low-lying areas are severely affected by Arsenic contamination of groundwater. An estimated 11,000 metric tons of arsenic is transported through Bangladesh each year from upstream with 2.4 billion tons sediment; a large fraction of this arsenic however is discharged in the Bay of Bengal with the sediment. The suspended sediment and river bed sediment may be an important source of arsenic in Bangladesh. Arsenic concentration in the floodplain sediments of three rivers Jamuna, Padma and Meghna as well in the borehole sediments of alluvial plains of Sylhet, Chandpur, Munshiganj, Kushtia and Nawabganj were analyzed. Arsenic concentrations of these sediments have been found to be comparable to average arsenic contents in soils of Bangladesh. Arsenic present in different chemical forms in the sediment samples from floodplain and alluvial plain were analyzed by sequential extraction method. Relatively small amount of Arsenic was found to be present as ionically bound and strongly adsorbed forms. Comparatively a larger amount of Arsenic was found to be associated with amorphous iron oxyhydroxides. However, there are variations in the chemical forms of Arsenic associated with sediment, depending on the geological history of the sediment. The Arsenic present in the sediments as ionieally bound (IB), strongly adsorbed (SA), and associated with amorphous iron oxydydroxides (Ala) accounts for significant quantities of total arsenic, which could be mobilized under reducing condition. Arsenic and other relevant water quality parameters of groundwater samples were determined. Arsenic concentration was found to be positively correlated with ammonia, alkalinity and hardness of groundwater. This relationships support the process of Arsenic mobilization with the microbial breakdown of organic mailers in the sub-soil environment. Arsenic was also found to be inversely correlated with oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) of groundwater. VllI The phase stability diagrams show that the eH-pH values of groundwater samples in the arsenic affected areas lie in the iron and arsenic soluble ficlds of the diagram. It indicates that arsenic and iron in the groundwater is likely to remain in soluble arsenite and ferrous form. The presence of soluble iron and arsenic (1II) in fresh groundwater supports the findings. The presence of very low sulfate concentration found in the groundwater is also consistent with a reducing environment, and negates Arsenic mobilization as a result of oxidation of Arsenic bearing minerals. Arsenic release from sediment was studied in the laboratory by simulating anaerobic reducing environment prevailing in aquifers in arsenic affected areas by introducing organic carbon in the form of glucose and molasses in closed reactors. Significant quantities of Arsenic were released in aqueous phase from sediment under anaerobic reducing condition at low Eh while no arsenic release was observed in control batch where enough oxygen was allowed to enter into the reactor to maintain aerobic condition. Arsenic was released from the sediments only when Eh values were lowered to less than zero. The study demonstrated that bacteriamediated reducing state was a requirement for the release of arsenic from sediments.


We introduce a software library incorporating our recent research into efficient simulation algorithms for large spin systems. Liouville space simulations (including symmetry, relaxation and chemical kinetics) of most liquid-state NMR experiments on 40+ spin systems can now be performed without effort on a desktop workstation. Much progress has also been made with improving the efficiency of ESR, solid state NMR and Spin Chemistry simulations. Spinach is available for download at http://spindynamics.org.


Today, the emergence and booming of Cloud Computing brings unprecedented impact to traditional enterprise connectivity market at the same time of bringing huge impact to IT architecture and enterprise computing environment. The requirements of integrating numerous on premise application and off premise application or service, and the IT cost effect coming with Cloud Computing lead enterprise expediting the mindset changes from the on premise ESB architecture to Cloud Computing oriented enterprise computing, that is Connectivity as a Service (CaaS). We argue in this paper that the outsourcing enterprise connectivity over Cloud Computing environment to construct CaaS has been becoming an unavoidable tendency to be adopted by enterprise users. We firstly have an overview of history and current status of enterprise connectivity in the beginning of the paper and then highlight the problems to be tackled in this field currently, following which we present one CaaS reference model and the corresponding conceptual architecture. We then explore in more details on their characteristics in critical perspectives and finally solidify our vision by carrying out one case study on CaaS in actual usage.


Structured learning algorithms usually require inference during the training
 procedure. Due to their exponential size of output space, the parameter
 update is performed only on a relatively small collection built from the
 "best" structures. The k-best MIRA is an example of an online algorithm which
 seeks optimal parameters by making updates on k structures with the highest
 score at a time. Following the idea of using k-best structures during the
 learning process, in this paper we introduce four new k-best extensions of
 max-margin structured algorithms. We discuss their properties and connection,
 and evaluate all algorithms on two sequence labeling problems, the shallow
 parsing and named entity recognition. The experiments show how the proposed
 algorithms are affected by the changes of k in terms of the F-measure and
 computational time, and that the proposed algorithms can improve results in
 comparison to the single best case. Moreover, the restriction to the single
 best case produces a comparison of the existing algorithms. [Projekat
 Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 174013]


Bugs are hard to find. Static analysis tools are capable of systematically detecting predefined sets of errors, but extending them to find new error types requires a deep understanding of the underlying programming language. Manual reviews on the other hand, while being able to reveal more individual errors, require much more time. We present a new approach to automatically detect bugs through comparison with a large code database. The source file is analyzed for similar but slightly different code fragments in the database. Frequent occurrences of common differences indicate a potential bug that can be fixed by applying the modification back to the original source file. In this paper, we give an overview of the resulting algorithm and some important implementation details. We further evaluate the circumstances under which good detection rates can be achieved. The results demonstrate that consistently high detection rates of up to 50% are possible for certain error types across different programming languages.


Being a parent is not easy, it needs further learning which unfortunately is never taught in schools. For many things, parents are responsible for the growth and development of their children later. Teaching children to be good and have morals that can be said to be difficult is all because the logic in children is not fully developed, requires a special way to handle it, namely through habituation from an early age to build a positive child's personality. A child as a good imitator will do whatever they see, so parents in this case need to be good role models for children. If it is like the wise saying that an apple never falls far from the tree, it means that children are a reflection of their parents. If parents want to have children with good character, parents must have good character as well. So that parents have a major role in fostering children at an early age. Every child is like a clean white paper, they will follow every direction their parents give them. Not only parents, schools and the surrounding environment also play a major role in the formation of children's character. But again, if parents have put good character values, they will not absorb and be influenced by other things from their environment that can damage the child's character, which means that the role of fathers and mothers in the family is important in the formation of this child's character. In addition, the responsibility of parents for the formation of children's character needs to be their main concern.


Business case studies have been a standard pedagogical tool in technical communication classrooms. However, the expansion of engineering practice-including the design and implementation of appropriate technology in the developing world-suggests the need to complement such studies. This paper analyzes three business and three humanitarian case studies. It highlights the complexities of audience and context that distinguish the humanitarian case studies, and it argues that incorporating humanitarian cases into technical communication courses would promote higher levels of learning, student engagement, and the global citizenship that will be requisite for all engineers in the twenty-first century.


Lisp programmers have long used macros to extend their language. Indeed, their success has inspired macro notations for a variety of other languages, such as C and Java. There is, however, a paucity of effective pedagogic examples of macro use. This paper presents a short, non-trivial example that implements a construct not already found in mainstream languages. Furthermore, it motivates the need for tail-calls, as opposed to mere tail-recursion, and illustrates how support for tail-call optimization is crucial to support a natural style of macro-based language extension.


Auditory discrimination, the hearing ability crucial for speech and language development, allowing one to perceive changes in volume, duration and frequency of sounds, was assessed for 366 participants with normal peripheral hearing: 220 participants with auditory processing disorders (APD) and 146 typically developing (TD) children, all aged 6–9 years. Discrimination of speech was tested with nonsense words using the phoneme discrimination test (PDT), while pure tones—with the frequency pattern test (FPT). The obtained results were statistically analyzed and correlated. The median of the FPT results obtained by participants with APD was more than twice lower than those of TD (20% vs. 50%; p < 0.05), similarly in the PDT (21 vs. 24; p < 0.05). The FPT results of 9-year-old APD participants were worse than the results of TD 6-year-olds (30% vs. 40%; p < 0.05), indicating that the significant FPT deficit strongly suggests APD. The process of auditory discrimination development does not complete with the acquisition of phonemes but continues during school age. Physiological phonemes discrimination is not yet equalized among 9-year-olds. Nonsense word tests allow for reliable testing of phoneme discrimination. APD children require testing with PDT and FPT because both test results allow for developing individual therapeutic programs.


In the cation of the title compound, C18H19N2O+·PF6 −, the morpholine ring adopts the usual chair conformation and the dihedral angle between the benzene rings is 67.55 (11)°. The F atoms of the anion are disordered over two orientations with a refined occupancy ratio of 0.65 (2):0.35 (2). In the crystal, intermolecular N—H⋯N hydrogen bonds link the cations into chains parallel to the c axis. The crystal packing is further enforced by interionic C—H⋯F hydrogen bonds.


Internet Addiction (IA) is becoming increasingly recognized as a serious public health issue, particularly for children and adolescents. This review article discussed the complexity of IA diagnostic criteria and IA-related risk factors from a public health perspective with the intention of fostering a better understanding of IA. The entire discussion pointed out how the epidemiological triad of disease framework helps to explain the associated factors. This framework emphasises the agent (Internet characteristics and its content), host (e.g., self-personality, comorbidity, psychological status, inter- and intrapersonal relationship), and environment as extrinsic factors (i.e., physical pollution, socioeconomic status, availability, and accessibility of the Internet) that facilitate interaction between the agent and the host. Evaluation of all three components and their association with IA is essential as it allows for a more comprehensive understanding of how the issues arise, which can be useful in developing future effective public health measures for IA.


Investigations of the fragmentation potential energy surface is realized in the frame of the macroscopic-microscopic model in order to emphasize the importance of the shell effects in the synthesis and the stability of superheavy nuclei. The origin of several minima that are responsible for metastable states is discussed.


We examine the performance of peer-to-peer (P2P) media streaming using multiple description coding (MDC) and compare it with that of a content delivery network (CDN). In both approaches, multiple servers simultaneously serve one requesting client with complementary descriptions. This approach improves reliability and decreases the data rate a server has to provide. We have implemented both approaches in the ns-2 network simulator. The experimental results indicate that the user perceived video quality of MDC-based streaming in a P2P network can be significantly better than in a CDN, despite the high degree of unreliability of the P2P network.


Background: The lack of evidence with respect to complications with mitral valve approaches leaves the choice of exposure to the surgeon's preference, basing it on individual experience, speed, ease, and quality of exposure. Methods: Analysis of patients undergoing mitral valve surgery by either a superior transseptal approach or a left-atrial approach between 2006 and 2018. We included first time elective mitral valve procedures, isolated or combined, without a history of rhythm disturbances. We used propensity score matching based on 26 perioperative variables. Primary endpoint was to determine the association between the superior transeptal approach and clinically significant adverse outcomes including arrhythmias, need for permanent pacemaker, cerebrovascular events, and mortalityResults: 652 patients met the inclusion criteria, 391 received the left atrial approach and 261 superior transseptal. After matching, 96 patients were compared with 69, respectively. The distribution of the preoperative and perioperative variables was similar. There was no difference in the incidence of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias and the need for treatment. The incidence of nodal rhythm (p = 0.008) and length of stay in intensive care (p = 0.04) were higher in the superior transseptal group, however the need for permanent pacemaker implantation was the same. Likewise, there was no difference in the need for anticoagulation due to arrhythmia, the incidence of cerebrovascular events or mortality in the postoperative period, and in the long-term follow-up.Conclusion: We did not find an association with permanent heart rhythm disorders or any other significant adverse clinical outcome, therefore we consider that the superior transeptal approach is useful and safe for mitral valve exposure.


Paul Churchland argues that Frank Jackson's Knowledge Argument against physicalism is so strong that if it defeated physicalism it would, at the same time, defeat 'substance dualism'. The purpose of this paper is to articulate this 'parity of reasons' objection. In the first part of the paper, I discuss Churchland's argument. I demonstrate that although his formulation of the objection is not wholly satisfactory, it may be revised so that the Knowledge Argument would defeat a certain form of dualism. In the second part, I apply the parity of reasons objection to David Chalmers' dualism. Chalmers rejects physicalism on the basis of the Knowledge Argument and introduces two possible forms of dualism. I show that of those two forms of dualism, Chalmers has to endorse the one that he does not prefer because the other is vulnerable to the parity of reasons objection.


Explicit semantic context directly furthers understanding of content in humans. Applications range from efficient information exchange in meetings to visual information retrieval or orientation in document collections. The automatically extended context addresses various issues simultaneously: a problem is depicted from different points of view, new ideas are associated to those already mentioned, the trail lends an assisting and moderating functionality to a discussion and finally the network of concepts can be saved or printed out for later reference. Obviously, discussions only benefit from this context, if provided in real-time. In this contribution we present the software "SemanticTalk", which provides access to the underlying conceptual structures of unstructured speech streams. Essentially, the most significant concepts of a speech stream are extracted and visualized and related to further associated concepts automatically retrieved from a collection of documents. This results in an incrementally growing conceptual graph, which is dynamically unfolded in real-time.


The incidence of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) after pulmonary embolism (PE) is relevant for management decisions but is currently unknown. We performed a meta-analysis of studies including consecutive PE patients followed for CTEPH. Study cohorts were predefined as "all comers", "survivors" or "survivors without major comorbidities". CTEPH incidences were calculated using random effects models. We selected 16 studies totalling 4047 PE patients who were mostly followed up for >2-years. In 1186 all comers (two studies), the pooled CTEPH incidence was 0.56% (95% CI 0.1–1.0). In 999 survivors (four studies) CTEPH incidence was 3.2% (95% CI 2.0–4.4). In 1775 survivors without major comorbidities (nine studies), CTEPH incidence was 2.8% (95% CI 1.5–4.1). Both recurrent venous thromboembolism and unprovoked PE were significantly associated with a higher risk of CTEPH, with odds ratios of 3.2 (95% CI 1.7–5.9) and 4.1 (95% CI 2.1–8.2) respectively. The pooled CTEPH incidence in 12 studies that did not use right heart catheterisation as the diagnostic standard was 6.3% (95% CI 4.1–8.4). The 0.56% incidence in the all-comer group probably provides the best reflection of the incidence of CTEPH after PE on the population level. The ∼3% incidences in the survivor categories may be more relevant for daily clinical practice. Studies that assessed CTEPH diagnosis by tests other than right heart catheterisation provide overestimated CTEPH incidences. The incidence of CTEPH is 0.56% in all comers and ∼3% in survivors of acute pulmonary embolism http://ow.ly/PVEh306iNoD


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report provides data on some of the major changes in, and major issues around, the Australian public housing system over recent decades. The public housing sector has gone through major transformations in recent decades. Its original broad roles encompassing working family affordability, urban renewal, economic development, and decentralisation have narrowed in focus to serve as a housing safety net for high needs households. Changes in funding levels, ineligibility and allocations policy and asset management strategies have been major contributors to the recasting of the role of public housing, along with a paradigm shift in public policy from broad universalistic models of service delivery to highly targeted welfare models. These changes have major implications for what, where, and how much social housing is built and for the socio-economic attributes of tenants. The changes have, among other things, also put on the policy agenda issues of the potential role of public housing in accentuating employment problems for tenants, accentuating social disadvantage and the viability of the public housing system. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data, notably census data and the Survey of Income and Housing (SIH) can provide rich data that can help get a better understanding of what has happened to public housing and what might be the implications of changes in this tenure. This paper uses the release of the 201 1 ABS census results and other recent ABS data sets to address the research questions of: What have been the major changes in public housing supply over the past 30 years (1981 – 2011), and how have these played out geographically? What have been the major c hanges in the attributes of tenants (income, household type, employment status, age, etc.) over the past 30 years? What does the census data tell us about the need for public and or social housing? The 30-year period has been chosen as it marks the transit ion from one model of public housing, that is a more universalistic model, to a welfare delivery model. For much of the analysis census data was customised to include a number of demographic and dwelling characteristics by tenure for each of the three census years, for Australia and for the six state capitals. The paper is about public housing only. Social housing, which sweeps up all forms of not-for-profit housing, both public and community managed, is not the focus of this study as community-managed stock in earlier census periods was so small as not to need an identifier in the Census and therefore was not separately recorded.


Previous studies have shown that approximately 20% of hemoglobin is lost from circulating red blood cells (RBCs), mainly during the second half of the cells' life span. Because hemoglobin-containing vesicles are known to circulate in plasma, these vesicles were isolated. Flow cytometry studies showed that most RBC-derived vesicles contain hemoglobin with all hemoglobin components present. The hemoglobin composition of the vesicles resembled that of old RBCs. RBC cohort studies using isotope-labeled glycine have been described, which showed a continuous presence of this label in hemoglobin degradation products. The label concentration of these products increased during the second half of the RBC life span, accompanied by a decrease within the RBC. It is concluded that the hemoglobin loss from circulating RBCs of all ages can be explained by shedding hemoglobin-containing vesicles. This loss occurs predominantly in older RBCs. Apparently the spleen facilitates this process since asplenia vesicle retention within RBCs of all ages has been described, accompanied by an increase in the percentage of total HbA(1). The present study shows that in old RBCs of asplenic individuals, the decrease of hemoglobin content per cell such as seen in old RBCs of control individuals is absent due to an increase in the absolute amount of HbA(1c) and HbA(1e2). It is concluded that hemoglobin-containing vesicles within old RBCs are "pitted" by the spleen.


A comparative study on secondary xylem structure among three species in Liriodendron(Liriodendron chinensis, L. tulipifera and L. chinensis×tulipifera) was carried out. Average number of bars in scalariform perforation, the length of vessel elements, the number of length and width of ray tissue and the cell number of parenchyma strands were significantly different among three species. The most features of secondary xylem structure of L. chinensis×tulipifera were between two natural species. We first found about 4% vessel element with simple perforation in L. chinensis. Compared with L.chinensis, there were more evolutional features in L. chinensis including shorter vessel member length, less number of bars presented on scalariform perforation, less ray length and width and cell number in parenchyma strands.


Polyaniline (PANI) has been one of the popular heavy metals adsorbent. It is commonly being used as coatings to other adsorbing materials. Lack of studies have been done on the capabilities of PANI as the single adsorbent, especially in nano range. Hence, this study was conducted to examine the potential of PANI as adsorbent in nano range and its adsorbing performance in different metal systems, which are lead and iron when being tested at different parameters, namely the initial concentration of metal ions, the adsorbent dosage and the contact time. The metal ions solutions were tested using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). The data obtained were studied and being fitted to Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms to assess which type of isotherm did this adsorption mostly followed. The nano range PANI was found to be able to adsorb some amount of heavy metal ions when being tested and from this study, the optimum conditions for the removal of both metal ions were identified. The optimum initial concentration for both Pb²⁺and Fe²⁺were 40 ppm. The optimum adsorbent dosage for both Pb²⁺ and Fe²⁺ were found to be at 0.25g and the optimum contact time for Pb²⁺ was at 30 minutes while for Fe²⁺, the optimum contact time was found at 90 minutes. For the adsorption isotherm studies, the adsorptions were most probably followed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. In comparison between both the metal ions, lead ions showed more favourable adsorption than iron ions based on the separation factor (RL) values. Further studies on the efficiency of PANI as adsorbent of heavy metals are highly recommended at different parameters and samples to produce the highest quality PANI and thus being able to remove high amount of heavy metals from contaminated wastewater.


We have developed a MEMS probe-card technology for wafer-level testing ICs with 1-D line-arrayed or 2-D area-arrayed dense pads layouts. With a novel metal MEMS fabrication technique, an area-arrayed tip matrix is realized with an ultradense tip pitch of 90 mum times196 mum for testing 2-D pad layout, and a 50-mum minimum pitch is also achieved in line-arrayed probe cards for testing line-on-center or line-on-perimeter wafers. By using the anisotropic etching properties of single-crystalline silicon, novel oblique concave cavities are formed as electroplating moulds for the area-arrayed microprobes. With the micromachined cavity moulds, the probes are firstly electroplated in a silicon wafer and further flip-chip packaged onto a low-temperature cofired ceramic board for signal feeding to an automatic testing equipment. The microprobes can be efficiently released using a silicon-loss technique with a lateral underneath etching. The measured material properties of the electroplated nickel and the Sn-Ag solder bump are promising for IC testing applications. Mechanical tests have verified that the microprobes can withstand a 65-mN probing force, while the tip displacement is 25 mum, and can reliably work for more than 100 000 touchdowns. The electric test shows that the probe array can provide a low contact resistance of below 1 Omega, while the current leakage is only 150 pA at 3.3 V for adjacent probes.