In this study, a range of physicochemical properties (dimensions, kernel volume, mass unit, bulk and true densities, porosity, terminal velocity, static friction coefficient against different surfaces, oil content and fatty acids composition) of the Bojnordi and Fakhri cultivars of grape seeds were studied. Fatty acid composition for both cultivars of grape seeds consisted of palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic and linolenic acid. The values for palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic and linolenic acid for the Bojnordi cultivar were 9.56, 4.37, 22.87, 62.85 and 0.33% and for the Fakhri cultivar were 9.22, 4.33, 19.75, 66.40 and 0.28%, respectively. All physical properties of the grape seed cultivars were significantly affacted by the moisture content in the studied range (11.5 to 23.9 w.b.%). For both cultivars (Bojnordi and Fakhri), the relationships between physical properties and moisture content were linear


ABSTRACT:Amidst Indonesia's overwhelming Sunni majority, the Shi'i minority group has been growing. Although localadherents to Shi'ism are few in number, Shi'ism's increasing presencehas generated great concern, with the threat of Sunnis converting to Shi'ism being seen as particularly severe by anti-Shi'i activists. This study aimsto explain the factors that contribute to conversion to Shi'ism seen from macro, meso, and micro levels. Based on prolonged fieldwork among Shi'is, communication with Shi'i teachers, and library study, this study finds that the individual factor is decisive in conversion to Shi'ism, but always in combination with social and institutional factors, and macro contexts. Active, intellectually-motivated religious seekership to discover the authentic form of Islam is the determining factor in the decision to convert to Shi'ism in Indonesia.


The studies have been performed in 33 women aged 12 to 60 years, underwent gynecological laparoscopy in complex general anesthesia with intubation. The pneumoperitoneum was induced by CO2. Laparoscopy was made according to the H. Frangenheim method. Patients showed no pathological changes when examined electrocardiographically, CTK, pulse frequency, total lung capacity, acid-base balance in the blood well as the CO2 blood concentration remained also within normal range. Above result showed that CO2 as a gas used for pneumoperitoneum induction during laparoscopy is a secure agent. Full security of the gas use in conditioned by caution concerning the lung ventilation, patient monitoring, the gas flow equal to 1000 ml/min during the pneumoperitoneum induction and the final intraabdominal pressure 17-18 mm Hg.


Through analysing the exact solution of some nonlinear models, the role of the variable separating method in solving nonlinear equations is discussed. We find that rich solution structures of some special fields of these equations come from the nonzero seed solution. However, these nonzero seed solutions is likely to result in the divergent phenomena for the other field component of the same equation. The convergence and the signification of all field components should be discussed when someone solves the nonlinear equation using the variable separating method.


O-antigen is part of the lipopolysaccharide present in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, and contributes the major antigenic variability to the cell surface. Screening for the Escherichia coli O-serogroup is the conventional method for identifying E. coli clones. In this study, we investigated the structural characteristics of the E. coli O99 O-antigen and the organization of the genes involved in its synthesis. On the basis of sugar and methylation analysis and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy data, we established the structure of the branched hexasaccharide repeat unit of the O-polysaccharide. This unit consists of four d-rhamnose (d-Rha) moieties in the backbone and two d-glucose (d-Glc) moieties in the side chain, as shown below: [carbohydrate structure: see text]. The O-antigen gene cluster of E. coli O99, which was located between galF and gnd, was found to contain putative genes for the synthesis of d-Rha, genes encoding sugar transferases, and ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter genes (wzm and wzt). Our findings indicate that in E. coli O99, the synthesis and translocation of the O-antigen occurs by an ABC transporter-dependent process.


1976-1994 marks a distinctive period in Mancunian popular music history. During this period, biblical language was used extensively. However, such use is markedly different at the beginning and end of our period. At the beginning, biblical language was used in the name of dark introspection, cynical observation, nihilism and pessimism; by the end, such language was largely being used in the name of self-congratulation, self-importance, hedonism, and (largely misguided) optimism. Social, cultural, economic and biographical reasons are given for this shift.


Organic farming relies heavily on tillage for weed management, however, intensive soil disturbance can have detrimental impacts on soil quality. Cover crop-based rotational tillage (CCBRT), a practice that reduces the need for tillage and cultivation through the creation of cover crop mulches, has emerged as an alternative weed management practice in organic cropping systems. In this study, CCBRT systems using cereal rye and triticale grain species are evaluated with organic soybean directly seeded into a rolled cover crop. Cover crop biomass, weed biomass, and soybean yields were evaluated to assess the effects of cereal rye and winter triticale cover crops on weed suppression and yields. From 2016 to 2018, trials were conducted at six locations in Wisconsin, USA, and Southern France. While cover crop biomass did not differ among the cereal grain species tested, the use of cereal rye as the cover crop resulted in higher soybean yields (2.7 t ha−1 vs. 2.2 t ha−1) and greater weed suppression, both at soybean emergence (231 vs. 577 kg ha−1 of weed biomass) and just prior to soybean harvest (1178 vs. 1545 kg ha−1). On four out of six sites, cover crop biomass was lower than the reported optimal (<8000 kg ha−1) needed to suppress weeds throughout soybean season. Environmental conditions, in tandem with agronomic decisions (e.g., seeding dates, cultivar, planters, etc.), influenced the ability of the cover crop to suppress weeds regardless of the species used. In a changing climate, future research should focus on establishing flexible decision support tools based on multi-tactic cover crop management to ensure more consistent results with respect to cover crop growth, weed suppression, and crop yields.


5,7-Ditert-butyl-3-(3,4-dimethylphenyl)benzofuran-2(3H)-one (HP-136) (1H) and its 30 analogues (2H-5H) as benzofuranone-typical antioxidants were synthesized. The structures of the benzofuranones in solid and solution were examined by using experimental and theoretical methods. The results show that the dominant structure is the lactone form rather than the enol form both in solid and solution. The thermodynamic driving forces of the 31 benzofuranone-typical compounds to release protons [ΔG(PD)(XH)], hydrogen atoms [ΔG(HD)(XH)], and electrons [E(ox)(XH)] and the thermodynamic driving forces of the anions (X(-)) of the benzofuranones to release electrons [E(ox)(X(-))] were determined for the first time in DMSO. The ΔG(HD)(XH) scale of these compounds in DMSO ranges from 65.2 to 74.1 (kcal/mol) for 1H-4H and from 73.8 to 75.0 (kcal/mol) for 5H, respectively, which are all smaller than that of the most widely used commercial antioxidant BHT (2,6-ditert-butyl-4-methylphenol, 81.6 kcal/mol), suggesting that the 31 XH could be used as good hydrogen-atom-donating antioxidants. The ΔG(PD)(XH) were observed to range from 11.5 to 16.0 (kcal/mol) for 1H-4H and from 18.6 to 22.4 (kcal/mol) for 5H, indicating that benzofuranones (1H-4H) are good proton donors, and their analogues (5H) should belong to middle-strong proton donors. E(ox)(XH) of the 31 XH to release an electron vary from 1.346 to 1.962 (V versus Fc(+/0)), implying that the 31 XH are weak electron donors, whereas the quite negative E(ox)(X(-)) show that X(-) are good electron donors. The Gibbs free-energy changes of the radical cations (XH(+•)) to release protons [ΔG(PD)(XH(+•))] were evaluated according to the corresponding thermodynamic cycle, and the results reveal that XH(+•) are good proton donors. Further inspection of our experimental results showed the ΔG(HD)(XH), ΔG(PD)(XH), ΔG(PD)(XH(+•)), E(ox)(XH), and E(ox)(X(-)) of the five chemical and electrochemical processes are all linearly dependent on the sum of Hammett substituent parameters σ with very good correlation coefficients, indicating that for any one- or multisubstituted species at the para- and/or meta-position of benzofuranones and their various reaction intermediates, the five thermodynamic driving force parameters all can be easily and safely estimated from the corresponding Hammett substituent parameters. The rates of hydrogen atom transfer from XH to DPPH(•) were determined by using the UV-vis absorption spectroscopy technique. Combining these important thermodynamic parameters and dynamic determination results, the mechanism of hydrogen transfer from HP-136 and its analogues to DPPH(•) was studied. The results suggest that the hydrogen transfer from HP-136 and its analogues 2H to DPPH(•) actually includes two steps, proton transfer and the following electron transfer, but the proton transfer is rate-determined.


The strong stellar winds and supernovae of the most massive stars dominate the energy transfer from the stellar to the gaseous component of normal galaxies. This interaction is therefore a fundamental process determining the structure and composition of the interstellar medium (ISM), and driving star formation and galaxy evolution. Hence, the shells and bubbles that are the obvious manifestation of this phenomenon are key in understanding these processes. This work examines the stellar content and resulting dynamics of superbubbles primarily in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). In Oey & Massey (1994), we study two remarkable, giant (130 pc diameter) H-alpha bubble nebulae in M33, and spectroscopically identify a single, dominant O9 star centrally located in each. We compare the nebular parameters with those predicted by the standard, analytic Weaver et al (1977) model for wind-blown bubbles, taking into account the evolution of wind power from the parent stars. We show that this evolution of wind power is important in the bubble evolution. The agreement with the model is reasonable, suggesting that these objects provide a compelling record of the effect that individual, normal OB stars have on the interstellar medium. The study of such nebulae can provide insight on the evolution of the parent star and its winds. In Oey & Massey (1995), we examine the stellar population of an OB association, LH 47/48, which is associated with a superbubble H II region, DEM 152 in the N44 nebular complex of the LMC. With CCD photometry and spectroscopy of the massive stars, we find no evidence that an unusual stellar population gave rise to the shell morphology of the gas. The slope of the initial mass function (IMF), Gamma=-1.3 ± 0.2, is consistent with that of other OB associations in the LMC, and there is no significant difference in the IMF internal or external to the supershell. The inferred stellar ionizing flux is consistent with the observed nebular H-alpha flux. We do find evidence for propagating star formation: the H-R diagram suggests an age of >~ 10 Myr for the population interior to the bubble with more recent, >~ 5 Myr, star formation on the exterior. Using the detailed data on the stellar population, we compare a numerical form of the Weaver et al. (1977) evolutionary model for wind-driven bubbles with the observed shell kinematics, finding a substantial discrepancy: the observed shell radius is too small, and/or expansion velocity too large to be explained with this version of the model. We discuss possible explanations for the inconsistency. Oey (1996a) presents UBV photometry of the stellar populations associated with 7 superbubble nebulae and 5 classical H II regions in the LMC. Although the nebular morphology of the superbubbles appears to be substantially evolved compared to the classical nebulae, the color-magnitude diagrams do not reveal any noticeable correlation between the resident stellar population and nebular morphology. Oey (1996b) examines the stellar population enclosed within 6 of the superbubbles and compare these clusters with previously studied OB associations in classical H II regions. The H-R diagrams, constructed with spectral classifications of the most massive stars, do not reveal any systematic differences between OB associations resident within superbubbles and classical nebulae: the main-sequence turnoffs show stars as massive and luminous as those in classical H II regions. Assuming the superbubble structures result from the stellar winds and/or supernovae of the associations, the similarity of the stellar populations to those of classical H II regions implies that the shell formation timescale is somewhat shorter than the cluster evolutionary timescale for these objects. The stellar winds and/or supernovae of the one or two most massive stars must therefore dominate the formation of the superbubbles. The star-forming events for the superbubble associations are also no more extended in duration than that of other OB associations. Finally, the IMF slopes are not systematically different from those previously found. Since the OB associations within superbubbles appear normal, the shell structures must be the result of normal OB stellar influences. I also present a few spectrograms of interesting massive stars, including S149, a probable new B[e] supergiant. Based on the stellar populations observed within this sample of LMC superbubbles, Oey (1996c) uses the numerical version of the standard, pressure-driven bubble model (Oey & Massey 1995) to investigate the shell dynamics. The results fall into two distinct categories corresponding to a subset of objects for which the observed expansion velocity is too large for the observed shell radius ("high-velocity" superbubbles), and a subset of objects which appears more dynamically consistent with the model ("low-velocity superbubbles"). Both subsets of objects imply an overestimate in the shell growth rate equivalent to an overestimate in input power by up to an order of magnitude. The high-velocity objects exhibit X-ray evidence of supernova activity, suggesting that the dynamical discrepancy is due to acceleration by SNR impacts.


The operas of Leos Janacek-such as Jenufa and Katya Kabanova-illustrate the nature of operatic modernism in relation to history and folklore in the context of the Habsburg monarchy and postwar Central Europe. In the performance history of the operas, moving from Janacek's city of Brno, Moravia, to such cosmopolitan capitals as Prague, Vienna, Berlin, and even New York, the case of Janacek also suggests the complex relationship between provincial, national, and transnational elements in the operatic modernism of Central Europe.


The emerging physical-layer unclonable attribute-aided authentication (PLUA) schemes are capable of outperforming traditional isolated approaches, with the advantage of having reliable fingerprints. However, conventional PLUA methods face new challenges in artificial intelligence of things (AIoT) applications owing to their limited flexibility. These challenges arise from the distributed nature of AIoT devices and the involved information, as well as the requirement for short end-to-end latency. To address these challenges, we propose a security authentication scheme that utilizes intelligent prediction mechanisms to detect spoofing attack. Our approach is based on a dynamic authentication method using long short term memory (LSTM), where the edge computing node observes and predicts the time-varying channel information of access devices to detect clone nodes. Additionally, we introduce a Savitzky–Golay filter-assisted high order cumulant feature extraction model (SGF-HOCM) for preprocessing channel information. By utilizing future channel attributes instead of relying solely on previous channel information, our proposed approach enables authentication decisions. We have conducted extensive experiments in actual industrial environments to validate our prediction-based security strategy, which has achieved an accuracy of 97%.


1. Cleavage results in a thick-walled blastula and not a morula as in the artificially fertilized eggs of Ophiothrix. 2. The coelomic divisions are thick-walled and their cavities are much smaller than in Ophiothrix. 3. A right hydrocoele arises as a thickening of the right anterior coelom in all the larvae, but it does not assume a fivelobed form in any case. 4. The right hydrocoele does not persist in the adult, but degenerates as metamorphosis progresses. 5. A pericardial vesicle arises from the dorsal surface of the right anterior coelom as in Echinoids and Asteroids. It persists in the adult as a thin-walled vesicle lying beside the pore canal. 6. A heart is formed by the invagination of the ventral wall of this vesicle. Pulsations occur once in about twelve seconds in the ventral wall of the vesicle, in the just metamorphosed forms. 7. During metamorphosis the fifth lobe of the left hydrocoele does not move across the oesophagus to the larval right as in Ophiothrix, but it bends slightly to the right to meet the first lobe which travels towards it after passing round the oesophagus. 8. All the perihaemal spaces arise as pocket-shaped evaginations from the left posterior coelom. 9. The stomach of Ophiocoma is peculiar. The outer ends of the cylindrical cells are vacuolated and stain deep black in osmic acid and Muller9s fluid, owing to the presence of fat in them. 10. In post-larval stages the stomach at first appears as a solid mass, but later sends out five projections alternating with the arms. In conclusion, I have pleasure in expressing my indebtedness to Professor E. W. MacBride, F.R.S., under whose guidance the work was carried out, for his constant advice and constructive criticism which have gone a long way in improving this paper. I must also thank Dr. E. J. Allen, Director of the Marine Biological Laboratory at Plymouth, for providing me with the material required, and giving me facilities to carry out those parts of the work which were done in the Plymouth laboratories. I must also thank my friend Mr. J. K. Deuskar to whose skill I owe the excellent figures in this paper.


ABSTRACT Engagement, or student engagement, is widely used in educational research and public discourse to refer to the problem of public education. The underlying ontological and epistemological assumptions buoying engagement are rarely, if ever, addressed by educational researchers. The 'silent omission' (Sidorkin 2014. "On the Theoretical Limits of Education." In Making a Difference in Theory: The Theory Question in Education and the Education Question in Theory, edited by Julie Allan Gert Biesta and Richard Edwards, 121–137. New York: Routledge) of engagement's metaphysics has implications for inclusive education. This paper finds that despite being employed with good intent, engagement operates in a paradigm of normativity. In a gesture of bifocality (Weis and Fine 2012. "Critical Bifocality and Circuits of Privilege: Expanding Critical Ethnographic Theory and Design." Harvard Educational Review 82 (2): 173–201), I critique engagement discourse and its historical context to find that it reproduces a longstanding tradition of psychologising public problems (Fine and Cross 2015. "Critical Race, Psychology and Social Policy: Refusing Damage, Cataloguing Oppression, and Documenting Desire." In Contextualizing the Costs of Racism, edited by A. Alvarez and H. Neville. Washington, DC: APA Publications), thereby displacing conversations about what may be the most influential issue of public education: social and economic inequality. A reframing of engagement as [student/teacher] engagement is proposed. Highlighted in the reframing is the educational relationship and the context in which it is nested. Mitigated is the pathologising and exclusionary effect of engagement discourse which operates within a dialectic of normal/engaged // ab/normal/disengaged.


Marketing management strategy is a process capable of delivering organizations/companies to large market opportunities to increase sales and achieve the expected advantages. The marketing management strategy is also an important tool so that companies are able to win the competition. The purpose of marketing is to carry out transactions, serve, fulfill needs, and desires to satisfy consumers. While the marketing function is product development, if the products that have been circulating experience a decrease, to avoid this, it is necessary to add product functions according to business development.

From the description of the problems that occur, the author focuses on two problem formulations, namely:
1) How is the marketing management strategy in increasing sales at Kedai Sate H.Qadir Denpasar Bali 2) What are the supporting and inhibiting factors of the marketing management strategy in increasing sales at Kedai Sate H.Qadir Denpasar Bali.
The research method used is a qualitative research method with data collection techniques by means of observation, interviews, and documentation. The results obtained from this researcher are expected to provide a detailed and systematic explanation of Islamic marketing management strategies in increasing sales.
The Islamic marketing management strategy carried out at Kedai Sate H. Qadir uses (marketing mix) called the 4Ps of product, price, promotion, place. The priority supporting factor is having a strategic place that is easily accessible to consumers and also communication aimed at attracting consumers who are outside the Denpasar Bali area. The inhibiting factor at Kedai Sate H. Qadir is that there are quite a lot of conditions in the Denpasar Bali area.


Background: The reformulated simethicone emulsion from Berlin Chemical AG might develop white flocculate precipitation covering gastric mucosa when used before esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). We aim to investigate whether combining reformulated simethicone emulsion with 5% NaHCO3 solution could prevent the development of white precipitation and improve visibility during EGD. Methods: Our study involved 523 patients. They were randomly assigned to two groups: In Group A patients received a warm mixed solution containing 30 ml 5% NaHCO3 solution and 15 ml reformulated simethicone emulsion. In Group B patients received 45 ml 40℃ lukewarm water. Visibility scores were recorded and analyzed. In addition, flush times, volume of flush water, overall time taken for EGD and complications during or after procedure were also recorded. Results: We found that no white precipitation was observed during EGD in Group A. Moreover, visibility scores in Group A were significantly lower (P < 0.01). Patients in Group A had fewer flush times (P < 0.01) and smaller volumes of flush water (P < 0.01). In addition, overall time taken for EGD procedure was significantly shorter in Group A (P < 0.01). The percentage of patients who had no adverse response is significantly higher in patients in Group A compared to Group B (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Premedication with mixed solution of 15ml reformulated simethicone emulsion and 30ml 5% NaHCO3 solution can prevent the development of white precipitation, substantially enhance mucosal visibility safely.Trial registration: The registered name of the trial is "Efficacy of using premedication with reformulated simethicone emulsion during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy examination". Current Controlled Trials ChiCTR1900021689, as well as the date of registration is 11 September 2019. Retrospectively registered, http://www.medresman.org.cn/uc/sindex.aspx.


OBJECTIVE
To analyze the time and space aggregation of acute schistosome infections in marshland and lake areas in five provinces (Jiangsu, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hubei and Hunan province) from 2005 to 2012, so as to provide the evidence for establishing control strategies and taking effective control measures.

METHODS
The data of patients with acute schistosome infection in marshland and lake areas in five provinces from 2005 to 2012 were collected and analyzed with the concentration ratio and circular distribution methods for the epidemic season features and time aggregation of the infection, and with the spatial autocorrelation analysis for the space aggregation of the infected cases.

RESULTS
According to the concentration ratio, the occurrence of acute schistosome infection had strong seasonality, and the concentration ratio was 0.758; according to the circular distribution method, the peak day of acute schistosome infections was 10th, August. The spatial analysis suggested that the infected cases highly gathered around Poyang Lake, Dongting Lake and Yangtze River Basin in 23 counties of the five provinces, and the result of spatial autocorrelation analysis showed that the spatial autocorrelation index I was 0.16 (P = 0.01).

CONCLUSION
The occurrence of acute schistosome infections in lake regions of the 5 provinces shows strong seasonality and space aggregation, therefore we can bring the control mark forward, and take targeted prevention and control measures in high aggregation areas of acute schistosomiasis.


DOI:http://dx.doi. org/10.32894/kujss. 2021.170449 Abstract The aim of this study was to determine, by a systematic review, the radiation doses of different dental x-ray devices, their particular effects, and the cumulative results of various studies done with various dosimeters. Google scholar was searched from 2014 to 2021 using the following keywords: radiation dose, dosimeters in dentistry, types of dosimeters, Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) radiation. The references of selected papers were also analyzed. Articles were chosen that fit the criterion for utilizing dosimeters in dentistry applications. This review was separated into four sections: (1) biological impacts of radiation, (2) dosimeter characteristics, (3) dosimeter kinds, and (4) the findings of numerous investigations employing various dosimeters. According to a recent assessment of dosimetry based on different investigations conducted with dosimeters, the effective dosage supplied has decreased since the introduction of radiography techniques. As a result, radiological method selection is critical in dental dosage administration.


With labor being a central social determinant of health, there is an increasing need to investigate health inequalities within the heterogenous and growing population in self-employment. This study aimed to longitudinally investigate the relationship between income level, self-employment status and multiple work-related health indicators in a Swedish national cohort (n = 3,530,309). The study investigated the relationship between self-employment status and health outcomes later in life. All poor health outcomes, with the exception of alcohol-related disorders, were more common in the self-employed population, compared to the group in regular employment. The income gradient, however, was more pronounced in the group with regular employment than the groups in self-employment. The study found clear connections between low income and poor health in all employment groups, but the gradient was more pronounced in the group in regular employment. This suggests that income has a weaker connection to other types of health promoting resources in the self-employed population. Potentially, lacking social and public support could make it difficult for unhealthy individuals to maintain low-income self-employment over a longer time period.


The use of behavioural modelling for operational amplifiers has been well known for many years and previous work has included modelling of specific fault conditions using a macro-model. In this paper, the models are implemented in a more abstract form using an Analogue Hardware Description Language (AHDL), VHDL-AMS, taking advantage of the ability to control the behaviour of the model using high-level fault condition states. The implementation method allows a range of fault conditions to be integrated without switching to a completely new model. The various transistor faults are categorised, and used to characterise the behaviour of the HDL models. Simulations compare the accuracy and speed of the transistor and behavioural level models under a set of representative fault conditions.


This study examines the use of subpopulation invariance indices to evaluate the appropriateness of using a multiple-choice (MC) item anchor in mixed-format tests, which include both MC and constructed-response (CR) items. Linking functions were derived in the nonequivalent groups with anchor test (NEAT) design using an MC-only anchor set for 4 mixed-format licensure tests. For each of those licensure tests, the linking functions were also derived separately for males and females, and those subpopulation functions were compared to the total group function. The mathematics, social studies, and science tests each produced acceptable differences between each of the subpopulation functions and the total group function within the cut-score region, leading to consistent pass/fail designations for the examinees. The English test, which had a low correlation between MC and CR components (indicative of multidimensionality), produced the largest differences, casting doubt on the effectiveness of the MC-only anchor.


The advancing electrification in industry and everyday life requires powerful electric drives providing highest efficiency. The winding as the core of these drives is subject to continuous development. Furthermore, it is of decisive importance to accelerate sample production for prototype construction and small series production of electric drives to shorten the innovation cycles. Coated bar-wound winding elements are increasingly important for the application in electric drives. The process window for damage free bending processes of coated copper wires is yet not defined. Structural mechanical finite element (FE) modelling is therefore a powerful tool to reduce costly trial-and-error loops and shortening development cycles for those production techniques as it provides reliable quantitative results. The aim of this paper is to propose the basics for defining a process window for the bending of flat wires using experimental bending test setups and FE-simulation tools.


More than 200 mW of a single-transverse-mode cw output power is produced from a semiconductor heterolaser by optimising the waveguide properties of its ridge structure. The laser-beam divergence is close to the diffraction limit and its brightness exceeds 5 × 107 W cm-2 sr-1. The calculated and experimental parameters of the laser beam are coincident with a high accuracy, which allows their reliable simulation.


This paper investigates an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-enabled wireless communication system with energy harvesting, where the UAV transfers energy to the users in half duplex or full duplex, and the users harvest energy for data transmission to the UAV. We minimize the total energy consumption of the UAV while accomplishing the minimal data transmission requests of the users. The original optimization problem is decomposed into two subproblems: path planning subproblem and energy minimization subproblem with fixed path planning. For path planning subproblem, the optimal visiting order is obtained by using the dual method and the trajectory is optimized via the successive convex approximation technique. For energy minimization subproblem with fixed path planning, we firstly obtain the optimal portion of data transmission time within the entire procedure and the optimal transmission power of each user. Then, the the energy minimization subproblem is greatly simplified and it is efficiently solved via a one-dimensional search method. Simulation results are illustrated to verify the theoretical findings.


The COVID‐19 pandemic has compounded many existing healthcare delivery challenges including long waiting lists and cost containment. New challenges have arisen, such as demand on supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) and the implications of social distancing on staff, patients, and their families. Despite the pandemic, the need to deliver safe, urgent congenital cardiac surgery has remained.


Chlorogenic acids (CGA) are the main antioxidant compounds in the Western diet, due to their high concentrations in coffee associated with the high consumption of the beverage. Until about 10 years ago, like many other phenolic compounds, CGA were thought to be poorly absorbed in the human digestive system. Along the years, large amounts of information on the absorption and metabolism of these compounds have been unveiled, and today, it is known that, on average, about one third of the consumed CGA from coffee is absorbed in the human gastrointestinal tract, although large inter-individual variation exists. Considering results from in vitro animal and human studies, it is possible to conclude that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of coffee CGA are responsible for, at least to a certain extent, the association between coffee consumption and lower incidence of various degenerative and non-degenerative diseases, in addition to higher longevity.


ABSTRACT Purpose: Models of organization of library services for the blind and partially sighted from the view of special and public librarianship in selected countries were examined. In addition, theoretical and legislative frameworks, professional guidelines and trends are explored. Some terminological inconsistencies and obstacles in performing the services are also presented. Methodology/approach: The explorative-comparative study carried in the years 2008-2010 includes the comparative analysis of data acquired by the survey and literature desktop research. The research sample included 14 countries – eleven European countries, USA, Australia, and Canada. Results: The findings show great varieties among the selected countries, however, there is the trend of moving the organization of services based on a private charitable association to the formalized state supported system. The majority of countries have applied the centralized model with one specialized (national) library. There is rarely a case of formal inclusion of public libraries in the organization of services. Recent major professional interests in the field of providing library services to visually impaired are broadening the copyright exceptions and user groups, and the implementation of information technology for bigger production of alternative formats and availability of library materials. Research limitation: The low rate of survey response and the differences in the organization of library services influenced on the lack of data and low level of data comparability. Originality/practical implications: The results are useful for designing a model of library services in Slovenia.


An understanding of the human history behind cadastral systems is essential to understanding the dynamism of the humankind to land relationship and how this has driven and will drive cadastral reforms. The cadastral concept has developed significantly over the past few decades. During this time these systems, whether developed from a land market or land taxation perspective, have increasingly played a multi-purpose role. Since the time humankind learned to settle on land, cadastres have developed and evolved to suit society's needs. Changes in the relationship of humankind to land have invoked matching evolutionary changes in the function of cadastres. The most recent examples are current world concerns of environmental management, sustainable development and social justice. Due to this, multi-purpose role cadastres are increasingly seen as fundamental to economic development, environmental management and social stability in both the developed and developing worlds. This paper reviews the trends in the humankind/land relationship and how these have affected the development and applications of cadastres.


The role of host immunity in cancer clinical outcomes has been wellestablished in animal models. In humans, the impact of the immune system as a therapeutic maneuver to treat malignancies has been proven by the development of graft-versus-tumor effect observed in the allogeneic stem cell transplantation. However, with few notable exceptions, no definitive conclusions have been reached as to the role of host immunity in humans and its impact on cancer outcomes. This article reviews the clinical evidence of how human immunity can affect cancer clinical outcomes using the absolute lymphocyte count as a surrogate maker of host immune competence.


The maximum oxygen uptake (VO2máx) of Mexicans living at 2240 m altitude was measured to obtain reference values relating VO2máx with athletic performance, and to evaluate the impact of this measure of cardiorespiratory fitness and sport activity on the ageing process. Clinically healthy male individuals (N = 138), 13 to 56 years of age, were divided into groups by decade and according to sport participation. The VO2máx maximum values for power (Power max), and heart rate (HRmax) were measured while subjects exercised on an electronic cycle ergometer using an open circuit spirometry system. The maximum power index (PImax) was also calculated. The VO2máx indicated that modes of sport activity positively affected aerobic power and "counteracted" age-related decreased in HRmax-, VO2máx-, Powermax-, and PImax.


ABSTRACT Physaria kingii subsp. kaibabensis, the Kaibab bladderpod (Brassicaceae), is endemic to the Kaibab Plateau, in Coconino County, Arizona. Due to its limited distribution, state and federal agencies are concerned about its conservation status. However, limited information is available regarding the ecology of this species. To better understand several aspects of its ecology, in 2015 and 2017 the following parameters were assessed at six sites: plant density, habitat assessment (characteristics/disturbances), reproductive ecology (pollination biology, reproductive output, and flower visitors), pre-dispersal seed predators, and seed germination. Overall we found that plant density and habitat characteristics/disturbances varied across time and among sites for Physaria kingii subsp. kaibabensis. In addition, this species requires pollinators for fruit and seed production. At the site level, fruit set, seed set, and seed germination, can be up to 73%, 39%, and 93%, respectively. Also, evidence was found for the presence of pre-dispersal seed predators and gall formers. These studies provide much-needed information to assist with the conservation and management of this endemic species and will assist the US Fish and Wildlife Service with any future listing decisions for the species.


The ability to detect, classify, and characterize radio signal transmissions is an important task with diverse applications in defense, networking, and communications. This task is made complex when multiple simultaneous signals may be present. Finding useful signal features can go beyond just classifying the signal modulation type, to include estimates of: the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), the confidence in the classification, and the presence of multiple signals. Such tasks have traditionally been done by human analysts, often relying on ad-hoc techniques. Recent advances have shown that applying deep learning methods to radio signal modulation classification tasks is feasible. But current recognition-only networks are limited in several ways. They can classify modulation for just one signal, produce limited feature outputs, and may give over-confident results in noisy environments. We have built a robust radio frequency signal classifier with multiple outputs, providing not just modulation classification, but also SNR estimation, classification confidence, and multiple signal detection (even when these signals are located at the same transmit frequency). Compared to the state-of-the-art deep learning classifier in the single signal case, our system obtains better accuracy (up to 91.6% accuracy at 20 dB SNR), while providing additional useful outputs.


We investigate the entanglement evolution of two qubits that are initially in Werner state under the classical phase noise. We discuss the influence of mixture degree on disentanglement. It is showed that the more mixed the state, the shorter is the time of disentanglement.


Dr Glees, a neuroanatomist with a lifelong interest in functional morphology, has written this text to draw attention to significant developments in the neurosciences during the past 20 years. It is more, however, for The Human Brain is a comprehensive synopsis of what Dr Glees has learned during his career as a teacher and researcher studying the structure and function of the developing adult brain. The human fetus, with its prominent head, is featured on the cover. Within, the phylogenetic evolution of the central nervous system is concisely stated, beginning with hydras and extending through vertebrates to the enormous development of the forebrain in man. A discussion of the fine and macrostructure of the cellular components of the nervous system follows. Functional relevance is maintained through neurophysiological explanations of synaptic transmission and action potential propagation. The section on cerebral blood vessels and cerebrospinal fluid is sprinkled with physiological data such


To assess the robustness of projected changes of the hydrological cycle simulated by an Earth system model (ESM), it is fundamental to validate the ESM and to characterize its major deficits. As the hydrological cycle is closely coupled to the energy cycle, a common large‐scale evaluation of these fundamental components of the Earth system is highly beneficial, even though this has been rarely done up to now. Consequently, the purpose of the present study is the combined evaluation of land surface water and energy fluxes from the newest ESM version of the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology (MPI‐ESM), which was used to produce an ensemble of Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) simulations. With regard to energy fluxes, we especially make use of recent satellite data sets. Additionally, MPI‐ESM results are compared with CMIP3 results from the predecessor of MPI‐ESM, ECHAM5/MPIOM, as well as to results from the atmosphere/land part of MPI‐ESM (ECHAM6/JSBACH) forced by observed sea surface temperature (SST). Analyses focus on regions where notable differences occur between the two ESM versions as well as between the fully coupled and the uncoupled SST‐driven simulations. In general, our results show a considerable improvement of MPI‐ESM in simulating surface shortwave radiation fluxes. The precipitation of the fully coupled simulations notably differs from those of the SST‐forced simulations over a few river catchments. Over the Amazon catchment, the coupling to the ocean leads to a large negative precipitation bias, while for the Ganges/Brahmaputra, the coupling significantly improves the simulated precipitation.


The SIGGRAPH Asia Posters program is an interactive forum for innovative ideas that are not yet fully polished, high-impact practical contributions, and offer a behind-the-scenes view of new commercial and artistic work, as well as solutions that help solve challenging problems.

Contributors are expected to exhibit graphic displays of incremental, preliminary, partial, and innovative insights that are important but not fully developed. Posters are displayed throughout the conference days. They will be organized in sessions by technical areas or thematic focus. Presenters will also discuss their work in scheduled sessions.

Come by to see the work-in-progress and thought-provoking ideas, techniques, and applications in technical research at SIGGRAPH Asia 2016!


The momentum dependence of the split band of Bi2Sr1.6La0.4CuO6 + δ (Manzke R. et al., Phys. Rev. B, 63 (2001) R100504) is investigated by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy with very high resolution along the ΓM-line. The splitting is only observable in this direction and at certain experimental conditions with respect to temperature and doping of the sample and polarization of the impinging radiation. Since bilayer effects cannot be present in this single-layer material and other sources producing a splitting are also less plausible, the results point to an unusual ground state of this system. It is discussed whether microscopic phase separation including striped phase formation, critical fluctuations coupled to electrons (hot spots) or spin charge separation within the Luttinger-liquid picture, leading to the appearance of spinon and holon excitations, is capable to describe the observations qualitatively.


This chapter advances the historiography of Australian planning by describing the ways in which its practices both symbolically erased Aboriginal occupation, possession and utiliszation, and physically reinforced segregation and discrimination. Asymmetrical colonial power relations were expressed through a set of practices and ideas that shaped the modern planning discipline: mapping, surveying, naming, zoning and regulating space. Emphasis is placed on those agents of colonialism who sought to bring order and control to the so-called 'new world' and rationalisze colonial occupation: - the explorer who mapped the "'wastelands"', the surveyor who laid out the cadastral grid and re-named the landscape, the civiliszing Chief Protector of Aboriginal Protesctor and the colonial civil servant.


The advantages and the specific dispatching services of the voice dispatching system based on TD-SCDMA special network is introduced in this paper, including conference call, monitor, record, group call, transfer call, forced release, forced insert, substitute call, hold call, night service, and so on, which is dependent on the detailed introduction of the architecture and functions of TD-SCDMA special network. Voice dispatching system is described in detail including the structure and function, special emphasis is placed on mechanisms and other key technologies such as the voice mixing techniques, voice synchronization, and voice dithering eliminating mechanism. Voice dispatching system based on TD-SCDMA special network is with these properties of good real-time, high reliability, simple operation, which also can enhance the ability of emergent command when a disaster happens, reduce the loss of property and life, protect the safety of production by leaps and bounds for the mine industry.


Introduction: Hypotrophy is a public health problem in developing countries. Its etiology is multifactorial and it may be associated with high morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiological, clinical and evolutionary profile of hypotrophic newborns at term. Methodology: this was a prospective, descriptive and analytical study conducted in the neonatology department of the MCUH of N'Djamena from 01/06/2018 to 31/05/2019. It involved 109 hypotrophic newborns at term hospitalized. Results: The frequency of hypotrophy was 7.8%, the risk factors were: housewife status (81.7%), low level of education (67%), poor pregnancy follow-up (59.7%), malaria (40.4%), urogenital infections (22%) and anemia (22%) during pregnancy. Hypotrophy was harmonious in 58.7% of cases, the sex ratio was 1.14 and visible congenital malformations were observed in 12.7% of cases. The main reasons for hospitalization were neonatal infections (64.2%), perinatal asphyxia (14.7%) and hypothermia (11.9%). Lethality was 16.5% and associated with multiparity, poor pregnancy follow-up, vaginal delivery, home delivery, pathological Apgar score, notion of resuscitation, existence of malformation, respiratory distress and perinatal asphyxia. Conclusion: Better monitoring of pregnancy, use of family planning by couples, delivery in an institutionalized setting, and reinforcement of the technical platform of the neonatology department will reduce neonatal morbidity and mortality related to hypotrophy.


This study established the difference between the old generation and new generationsecretarial Teachers in Nigerian Colleges of Education and their ability to utilizeInformation Technology skills to access information from the internet for classroomdelivery. 250 Secretarial Teachers drawn from 58 Accredited Nigerian Colleges ofEducation responded to the questionnaire that was divided into 4 parts. Thequestionnaire was used to obtained information on the respondents' Bio-data andcomputer use background, Teacher Information Technology Skill AcquisitionCompetence (TITSC), Teacher Information Technology Skills Usage (TITSU), TeacherInformation Technology Internet Knowledge (TITIK), and The extent of usage ofInternet information to teach the Secretarial courses. Data were analyzed using descriptivestatistics and Student t-test at 0.05 level of significance. Results showed that there was nosignificant difference between the Old and New generation Secretarial Teachers in theutilization of their IT skills to access information from the Internet for classroom delivery.The result also revealed that there was a gap between the old and the new generationSecretarial teachers. The new were more proficient in the use of IT than the old becausethey were products of the revised Nigerian Certificate of Education (2002) which wasenriched with Information Technology learning materials. Although there were some basicIT skills needed that were lacking in both the old and new generation Secretarial Teachers,hence were handicapped in their ability to download and upload quality information andteach students how to do that. Owing to the lack of these IT skills therefore, the teacherswere not capable in accessing Internet by using some Information Technology facilities toget vital information for effective classroom delivery. it was therefore recommended that,Secretarial Teachers in Colleges of Education should avail themselves with the opportunityof staff development programme of their respective institutions or through selfsponsorship to learn and acquire those IT skills they are lacking, because the more theInformation Technology skills they possess, the greater their ability to use Internet foreffective classroom delivery.


AIM
To search for cardiopulmonary (CP) kinetic and dynamic differences between Mexican resistance athletes (RES = 10) and non athletes (NON = 19).

METHOD
From the expired volume (Ve), measured by an open circuit spirometry, we calculated both VO2 and VCO2 during stress test while the volunteer pedalled seated on an electronic cycloergometer that started at 50 W.2 min-1 followed by increments of 25 W.2 min-1 each, until VO2máx was reached. The exercise transient time course (min) response (VO2, VCO2, Ve and heart rate, HR; and also O2 pulse, PulO2) was transformed to seconds and modelled by computer using linear regression technique by the interactive minimum squares method, and the mean response time (MRT) was used as an overall kinetic CP parameter.

RESULTS
The transient MRTs for VO2, VCO2 and Ve were slow in RES compared to NON. While the transient CP dynamics in NON lasted MRT_VO2 < (MRT_PulO2, MRT_FC) < MRT_VCO2 < MRT_Ve; the RES: both MRT_PulO2 and MRT_HR shifted to the right ((MRT_VO2, MRT_VCO2) < (MRT_PulO2, MRT_FC) < MRT_Ve). The relationships between the best sport profit mean velocity and both the MRT_VO2, MRT_VCO2 and MRT_PulO2 (GEK = gas exchange kinetics) showed fast_RES and slow_GEK, and slow_RES and fast_GEK.

CONCLUSION
The transient CP kinetics was slow in RES compared NON. It is possible to distinguish cardiopulmonary kinetic differences among resistance athletes holding different sport profiles.


A variational method is used to calculate dispersion curves for channel waveguides fabricated by masked diffusion. Composition profiies for the waveguides are obtained by numerical solution of the diffusion equation, assuming that the diffusant concentration in the un- masked region of the substrate surface is constant during the diffusion process. A linear dependence of refractive index change on diffusant concentration is assumed. The dependence of the number of guided modes on mask gap width and diffusion depth is determined as an aid to the design of modulators and switches for integrated optics.


In order to detect a weak signal under the condition of intensive noise, the signal and additive white noise were used as input of a bistable stochastic resonance (SR) system. The noise intensity and the system parameters were adjusted adaptively with particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm by examining the SR effect on output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). An improved numerical solution for a bistable SR model based on a fourth order Runge-Kutta algorithm was presented to enhance the SR effect. The simulation results show that the weak signal in an intensive noisy background could be successfully extracted. What is more, the output SNR was increased more than 20 dB comparing with the input SNR. The proposed approach was used to process the vibration signals of roller bearings to find the small faults in an early stage. The result showed that the approach satisfactorily extracts the defect characteristics. It can be seen that the proposed method was superior to the traditional spectra analysis and wavelet transform methods. Such detection approach indicates a promising prospect for mechanical fault monitoring and diagnosis.


Peutz-Jegher's syndrome (PJS) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by numerous hamartomatous polyps in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and pigmented muco-cutaneous lesions. We present here a case of a maltoma associated with multiple hamartomatous polyps detected in a post-operative ileocolic specimen of a 28-year-old man. Prior to this, he had undergone surgery for intussusception when similar polyps were noted in the small bowel. Upper GIT endoscopy also confirmed the diffuse presence of such polyps. A clinico-pathological diagnosis of PJS was made, which by itself is rarely encountered. Furthermore, the detection of mucosa associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma/maltoma in a background of PJS is remarkably unique in this case, for which it has been reported.


Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) throughout the body are the focus of much current interest. Most occur in the gastrointestinal tract and have shown a major increase in incidence over the past 30 years, roughly paralleling the world-wide increase in the use of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) drugs. The greatest rise has occurred in gastric carcinoids (g-NETs) arising from enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells. These tumors are long known to occur in auto-immune chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES), with or without multiple endocrine neoplasia type-1 (MEN-1), but the incidences of these conditions do not appear to have increased over the same time period. Common to these disease states is persistent hypergastrinemia, generally accepted as causing g-NETs in CAG and ZES, and postulated as having similar tumorigenic effects in PPI users. In efforts to study the increase in their occurrence, g-NETs have been classified in a number of discussed ways into different grades that differ in their incidence and apparent pathogenesis. Based on a large amount of experimental data, tumorigenesis is mediated by gastrin's effects on the CCK2R-receptor on ECL-cells that in turn leads to hyperplasia, dysplasia, and finally neoplasia. However, in all three conditions, the extent of response of ECL-cells to gastrin is modified by a number of genetic influences and other underlying risk factors, and by the duration of exposure to the hormonal influence. Data relating to trophic effects of hypergastrinemia due to PPI use in humans are reviewed and, in an attached Appendix A, all 11 reports of g-NETs that occurred in long-term PPI users in the absence of CAG or ZES are summarized. Mention of additional suspected cases reported elsewhere are also listed. Furthermore, the risk in humans may be affected by the presence of underlying conditions or genetic factors, including their PPI-metabolizer phenotype, with slow metabolizers likely at increased risk. Other problems in estimating the true incidence of g-NETs are discussed, relating to non-reporting of small tumors and failure of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER) and other databases, to capture small tumors or those not accorded a T1 rating. Overall, it appears likely that the true incidence of g-NETs may be seriously underestimated: the possibility that hypergastrinemia also affects tumorigenesis in additional gastrointestinal sites or in tumors in other organ systems is briefly examined. Overall, the risk of developing a g-NET appears greatest in patients who are more than 10 years on drug and on higher doses: those affected by chronic H. pylori gastritis and/or consequent gastric atrophy may also be at increased risk. While the overall risk of g-NETs induced by PPI therapy is undoubtedly low, it is real: this necessitates caution in using PPI therapy for long periods of time, particularly when initiated in young subjects.


This paper describes a new method of utility pricing – Variable Unit Pricing (VUP) – that results in both economic efficiency and cost recovery for a variety of supply situations faced by water utilities. The main advantage of VUP – compared to Increasing Block Rates – is that its parameters can be objectively determined from demand and cost information. The theoretical support for VUP is a welfare economics paradigm that integrates pricing with economic organization. VUP is shown to achieve social efficiency for a fixed-fee contractual arrangement between a profit-maximizing water utility and a public agency. Public involvement is required to express equity concerns, demand for public goods such as water quality and security, and to identify appropriate supply limits for conservation.


Financial prosperity in wafer fabrication suggests that we must consolidate assets of contiguous and mature technology wafer fabs. Many complex challenges arise in fab consolidations. With transparent results to customers being the main objective, one intricate issue is the transfer of a technology. During the 4th quarter of 1996, Motorola Bipolar-3 (BP3) experienced a significant increase in request for product, particularly MOSAIC 1 technology. The demand exceeded BP3's capacity. Since Motorola Bipolar-2 (BP2) ran similar processes and had excess capacity, it was decided to qualify the MOSAIC 1 technology in BP2. Since these two manufacturing areas do not have identical equipment and processes, it was extremely difficult to transfer and match processes and technology between these two fabs. This paper depicts a systematic approach in transferring MOSAIC 1 technology from BP3 to BP2. Novel techniques were applied that can be the framework for future transfers, which include development and use of the concept of virtual flow, and thorough documentation of the transfer. In addition, this paper provides a unique solution to the problems incurred with a particular device. The outcome, ahead of schedule, was a successful qualification of the device.


We describe a patient with a tentative diagnosis of Brugada syndrome who was given general anesthesia without complications. We review the main characteristics of Brugada syndrome.


This note follows an early work by Newell and Daganzo which suggests a wedge-like zone to divide a service area for freight delivery. Current literature has been largely using the zone of a fixed shape determined solely by demand density. We find that, given the same demand density, the shape of zones could vary significantly in order to better bal- ance local and line haul truck delivery costs which include environmental externalities. A way to determine the optimal shape of truck delivery zones is presented.


Long Range Dependence (LRD) scaling behavior has been argued to characterize long-term surface temperature time series. LRD is typically measured by the so-called "Hurst" coefficient, "H". Using synthetic temperature time series generated by a simple climate model with known physics, I demonstrate that the values of H obtained for observational temperature time series can be understood in terms of the linear response to past estimated natural and anthropogenic external radiative forcing combined with the effects of random white noise weather forcing. The precise value of H is seen to depend on the particular noise realization. The overall distribution obtained over an ensemble of noise realizations is seen to be a function of the relative amplitude of external forcing and internal stochastic variability and additionally in climate "proxy" records, the amount of non-climatic noise present. There is no obvious reason to appeal to more exotic physics for an explanation of the apparent scaling behavior in observed temperature data.


AIM
To determine if the diagnostic ultrasound and self-made microbubbles could be used to increase gene transfection and expression in cardiac myocytes by means of the ultrasound-mediated microbubbles destruction.

METHODS
The perfluoropropane-exposed sonicated dextrose albumin(PESDA) microbubbles were made and mixed with indicated volume reporter gene encoding beta-galactosidase prior to gene transfection. Gene transfection into the cultured cardiac myocytes was performed by exposure to the various intense diagnostic ultrasound (1.3 MHz) in the presence of the gene-attached microbubbles. The calcium phosphate precipitation gene transfection was carried out alone or in combination with ultrasound-mediated destruction microbubbles. The cells were harvested 48 h after transfection and beta-galactosidase expression was detected by in situ staining and quantitive assay.

RESULTS
Cardiac myocytes exposed to ultrasound with PESDA induced significantly increase in gene expression (60-fold compared with naked plasmids transfection, P < 0.01). Moreover, it was found that the reporter gene expression not only related with ultrasound intension but also with the microbubbles concentration. In combination with calcium phosphate precipitation gene transfection, ultrasound-mediated destruction microbubbles resulted in more intense gene expression even 6 hours after calcium phosphate precipitation gene transfection.

CONCLUSION
The ultrasonic destruction of gene-loaded microbubble is a highly effective gene transfer method, and it not only acts on the gene entry into cells, but also on the intracellular exogenous DNA expression.


Our current understanding of the relationship between insect herbivory and ecosystem productivity is limited. Previous studies have typically quantified only leaf area loss, or have been conducted during outbreak years. These set-ups often ignore the physiological changes taking place in the remaining plant tissue after insect attack, or may not represent typical, non-outbreak herbivore densities. Here, we estimate the amount of carbon lost to insect herbivory in a temperate deciduous woodland both through leaf area loss and, notably, through changes in leaf gas exchange in non-consumed leaves under non-outbreak densities of insects. We calculate how net primary productivity changes with decreasing and increasing levels of herbivory, and estimate what proportion of the carbon involved in the leaf area loss is transferred further in the food web. We estimate that the net primary productivity of an oak stand under ambient levels of herbivory is 54 - 69% lower than that of a completely intact stand. The effect of herbivory quantified only as leaf area loss (0.1 Mg C ha−1 yr−1) is considerably smaller than when the effects of herbivory on leaf physiology are included (8.5 Mg C ha−1 yr−1). We propose that the effect of herbivory on primary productivity is non-linear and mainly determined by changes in leaf gas exchange. We call for replicated studies in other systems to validate the relationship between insect herbivory and ecosystem productivity described here.


In order to protect natural areas, creation of Integral Protection Conservation Units in Brazil requires public domain and state possession of land, leading to land regularization confl icts with previous owners. Th is work proceeded documental and legal analysis of such procedures, as well as produced primary data based on interviews, regarding to depict the land regularization problems and needs of Desengano State Park, to evaluate public managers' position, and to suggest alternatives to confl ict mediation or even solving.


An important wood species in the furniture and parquet industry today is "doussie" wood. In this study, the effects of artificial weathering on ultraviolet-cured varnish (3 coats and 5 coats) applied to doussie (Afzelia africana) wood were investigated. The samples of the UV system cured varnishes were exposed to aging effects for 252 h and 504 h via an UV-A 340 nm lamp. The coated specimens were exposed to UV-A 340 nm fluorescent lamp in a QUV accelerated weathering tester for 252 h and 504 h. The surface adhesion strength, color (L*, a*, b*, ∆E*, ∆L*, ∆a*, and ∆b*) parameters, pendulum hardness, and glossiness (parallel (//) and perpendicular (⊥) at 20°, 60°, and 85°) of UV varnishes coated samples were quantified before and after weathering. According to the results, while the a* value increased, the adhesion, L*, b*, and glossiness values decreased with aging. As a result, it was concluded that doussie wood can be used in the production of flooring with UV-cured varnish.


Background: Aggregation of amyloid-β (Aβ) is an early pathological event in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Consequently, measures of pathogenic aggregated Aβ are attractive biomarkers for AD. Here, we use a recently developed Thioflavin-T-Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy (ThT-FCS) assay to quantify structured ThT-responsive protein aggregates, so-called nanoplaques, in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Objective: The overall aim of this work was to assess whether ThT-FCS determined CSF nanoplaque levels could predict amyloid brain uptake as determined by 18F-Flutemetamol PET analysis. Further, we assess whether nanoplaque levels could predict clinical AD. Methods: Nanoplaque levels in the CSF from 54 memory clinic patients were compared between sub-groups classified by 18F-Flutemetamol PET as amyloid-positive or amyloid-negative, and by clinical assessment as AD or non-AD. Results: Nanoplaque levels did not differ between amyloid groups and could not predict brain amyloid uptake. However, nanoplaque levels were significantly increased in patients with clinical AD, and were significant predictors for AD when adjusting for age, sex, cognitive function, and apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype. Conclusion: The concentration of nanoplaques in the CSF differentiates patients with clinical AD from non-AD patients.


This work proposes a Bayesian non-informative reconstruction of virtual state variables in the representation of stormwater total suspended solids pollutographs by the traditional wash-off models, based on 255 rainfall events measured in a 185 ha French urban catchment. Results from event-based analyses revealed the missing representation of an essential process in the traditional rating curve (RC) model (simplest wash-off model) for 56% of the rainfall events. The unsatisfactory performances of the RC model are found to be not necessarily linked to antecedent dry weather conditions, as assumed by a great number of accumulation/wash-off models. Statistical tests suggest that non-representable rainfall events by the RC model are randomly distributed in time. The proposed Bayesian reconstructions of a potential process missed by the RC model exhibit a suitable identifiability at an intra-event scale. However, these reconstructions are not interpretable from the traditional accumulation/wash-off notions, i.e. in terms of a unique state of virtual available mass over the catchment that is decreasing over time, due to their high unrepeatability regarding their shape and their low prediction capacity for other rainfall events.


Although the discharge capacity of the natural fiber drains are very low compared to that of plastic drain board (PDB), it is found that the conventional fiber drains and the new developed straw drain boards have great potential for use as a substitute for conventional plastic drain boards through several model tests. To verify their field application, a pilot test using environmentally friendly drains is also being carried out to prove their effective discharge capacity in the field. The pilot test site was divided into 5 different areas, with various combinations of vertical and horizontal drains installed for evaluation. Definite characteristics of various drains are still to be found due to the delay in construction of embankment. Consolidation behavior of three types of vertical drains and two types of horizontal drains will be analyzed after the completion of the embankment in the near future.


Mutualistic interactions between plants and animals are fundamental for the maintenance of natural communities and the ecosystem services they provide. However, particularly in human‐dominated island ecosystems, introduced species may alter mutualistic interactions. Based on an extensive dataset of plant–frugivore interactions, we mapped and analysed a meta‐network across the Caribbean archipelago. Specifically, we searched for subcommunity structure (modularity) and identified the types of species facilitating the integration of introduced species in the Caribbean meta‐network.


We demonstrate that subjective creativity in sentence-writing can in part be predicted using computable quantities studied in Computer Science and Cognitive Psychology. We introduce a task in which a writer is asked to compose a sentence given a keyword. The sentence is then assigned a subjective creativity score by human judges. We build a linear regression model which, given the keyword and the sentence, predicts the creativity score. The model employs features on statistical language models from a large corpus, psychological word norms, and WordNet.


The increase of demand for energy, stimulated by developing countries and consequent decrease of power sources, is leading to an unsustainable future. These way renewable and clean energies are necessary to be used, particularly solar energy. It can produce heat or be directly converted into electricity, called photovoltaic (PV) energy. JX Crystals Inc is developing a class of compact portable solar generators using commercially available 32% efficient multifunction solar cells. Three different sized solar generators with nominal power ratings of 12 W, 36 W and 75 W are described. The high solar cell efficiency will allow all three units to be small, portable, and light weight. (For example, the 12 W generator will fit in a pocket.) The 36 W Charger is exemplary. The 36 W Charger in its stowed form will resemble a notebook computer case in size and form Deployed, its physical size is half that required for a traditional Silicon 16% solar cell Charger and one-quarter that for a 8% thin film solar cell Charger. A challenge for the use of these 32% efficient cells is their cost. This cost can be reduced ten fold through the use of linear Fresnel lenses as per the designs described herein. The challenge is to preserve simplicity of operation. By using bypass diodes in the cell circuits and by orienting the lens focal line and cell circuit East and West, the smaller 12 W and 36 W units can be easily aimed at the sun and they will then maintain output without adjustment for 2 hours in the middle of a sunny day. A simple 1-axis solar tracker is also proposed for the larger 75 W unit. It can fit within the stowed case where the case will fit within a backpack.


Objectives Early syphilis in Multnomah County, Oregon, USA, increased 16-fold during 2007–2013. Cases predominantly occurred among men who have sex with men (MSM); 55% were HIV coinfected. We conducted a case–control study to evaluate the association between meeting sex partners online and early syphilis. Methods Cases subjects (cases) were Multnomah County resident, English speaking, MSM, aged ≥18 years with laboratory-confirmed early syphilis reported 1 January to 31 December 2013. We recruited two MSM controls subjects (controls) per case, frequency matched by HIV status and age. Participants completed self-administered questionnaires. We performed multivariable logistic regression. Results Seventy per cent (40/57) of cases and 42% (50/119) of controls met partners online (p<0.001). Cases more frequently met partners online (adjusted OR (aOR)=3.0; 95% CI 1.2 to 6.7), controlling for presumptive confounders. Cases reported more partners than controls (medians 5, 2; p<0.001). When including number of partners, aOR decreased to 1.4 (95% CI 0.5 to 3.9). Conclusions Early syphilis was associated with meeting partners online. We believe this association may be related to number of sex partners acting as an intermediate variable between use of online resources to meet sex partners and early syphilis. Online meet-up sites might represent areas for public health interventions targeting at-risk individuals.


Objective To test the association between self-reported opioid disposal education and self-reported disposal of leftover opioids among older adults. Design Web-based survey from the National Poll on Healthy Aging (March 2018) using population-based weighting for nationally representative estimates. Subjects Older adults aged 50–80 years who reported filling an opioid prescription within the past 2 years. Methods Respondents were asked whether they received education from a prescriber or pharmacist on how to dispose of leftover opioids and whether they disposed of leftover opioids from recent prescriptions. The association between self-reported opioid disposal education and self-reported disposal of leftover opioids was estimated with multivariable logistic regression, testing for interactions with respondent demographics. Results Among 2013 respondents (74% response rate), 596 (28.9% (26.8%–31.2%)) were prescribed opioids within the past 2 years. Education on opioid disposal was reported by 40.1% of respondents (35.8%–44.5%). Among 295 respondents with leftover medication, 19.0% (14.6%–24.5%) disposed of the leftover medications. Opioid disposal education was associated with a greater likelihood of self-reported disposal of leftover opioids among non-white respondents as compared with white non-Hispanic respondents (36.7% (16.8%–56.6%) vs 7.8% (0.1%–15.6%), p<0.01). Conclusions In this nationally representative survey, 49% had leftover opioids, yet only 20% of older adults reported disposal of leftover opioids. Opioid disposal education was variable in delivery, but was associated with disposal behaviors among certain populations. Strategies to promote disposal should integrate patient education on the risks of leftover opioid medications and explore additional barriers to accessing opioid disposal methods.


Background and Purpose: Despite the increasing occurrence of suppurative otitis media (SOM), the content of immunoglobulin fractions in the middle ear secretion (MES) has still not been determined. Method: The serum and MESwere analyzed for IgG and M using enzyme-linked immunoassay. Result: The subjects and controls were 30 males and 22 females, between 6 months and 9 years old, with a mean age of 6 years (SD = 3.26). The patient group included 20 chronic SOM (CSOM) and 17 acute SOM (ASOM) cases, and sera of 15 subjects made the control group. The mean serum IgG levels were for controls 1,051 mg/dl, ASOM 666.1 mg/dl and CSOM 1,321.1 mg/dl; the MES levels were for ASOM 203.4 mg/dl and CSOM 511.5 mg/dl. The mean serum IgM levels were for controls 35 mg/dl, ASOM 64.1 mg/dl and CSOM 40 mg/dl; the MES levels were for ASOM 22.59 mg/dl and CSOM 3.44 mg/dl. The mean MES:serum ratios for IgG and IgM were between 0.1 and 0.4 in ASOM and CSOM. The ratio of serum IgG levels of controls to ASOM cases was 0.66 while that of controls to CSOM was 1.3. The corresponding ratios of IgM were 1.6 and 0.88. Multivariate analysis revealed a significant correlation between serum IgG levels of ASOM and CSOM (p = 0.043) and MES IgG (p = 0.02) in ASOM and CSOM but no correlation between serum IgG levels in controls and ASOM (p = 0.25), serum IgM levels in controls and CSOM (p = 0.62) and serum IgM levels in controls and ASOM (p = 0.73), ASOM and CSOM (p = 0.064) and MES IgM levels of ASOM and CSOM (p = 0.06). Conclusions: Monitoring of the serum and MES IgG in ASOM may provide a useful index to assess the possibility of progression to chronicity. This forms a database for the immunological status of SOM patients.


Abstract Environmental education (EE) practitioners struggle to consistently and rigorously evaluate their programs, particularly when little time is available for evaluation. Since environmental literacy (EL) is the goal of environmental education, a very short EL instrument – amenable to use when longer tests are not practical for practitioners – would address an important EE need. We describe the development and validation of the Environmental Literacy Instrument for Adolescents (ELI-A) that is short enough for use in field applications (i.e. 5–15 min) and measures four domains of environmental literacy (ecological knowledge, hope, cognitive skills, behaviour). Factor analysis, item response theory, and concurrent validity tests were used in the validation process. Structural equation modelling supported the fit between the ELI-A and prevailing EL frameworks. The results support a valid and reliable instrument that is short enough for practical use but comprehensive in measuring four primary components of EL. This instrument could help fulfil the call to evaluate EE programming in both formal and informal settings.


Background: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is defined as pneumonia develops in intensive care unit (ICU) patients who have been mechanically ventilated for at least 48 hours. Implementing effective oral car could reduce the incidence of VAP. However, previous studies on scrubs in oral care have failed to suggest which the best choice. Therefore, this protocol proposes to perform a network meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of different oral care scrubs in preventing VAP. Methods: We are going to search the electronic databases: Cochrane Oral Health's Trials Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database. Study selection and data collection will be performed independently by 2 reviewers. Cochrane Risk of Bias tool will be used to assess the risk of bias of included studies. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) will be used to assess the incidence rate of VAP in critical patients. The evidence mapping (EM) method will be introduce as a tool intended to complement the conventional systematic review (SR) and is suitable for this issue, at the same time, R software will be used for representing the outcome of EM–SR. We shall assess the heterogeneity on the bias of the magnitude of heterogeneity variance parameter (I2 or Cochrane Q). We are also going to conduct subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis if needed. The application of Stata and R software will be performed the calculations. Results: The results of this study will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication. Conclusion: This network meta-analysis will provide comprehensive evidence of different scrubs in oral care for preventing VAP. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42018117019.


The growth of household waste is noticeable in several cities in Africa due to rampant urbanization and population explosion. This state of affairs creates many management problems. The city of Cotonou, the country's main economic hub, is no exception to this reality. The inadequacies of DMS management by the COGEDA (Coordination of NGOs for the Management of Household Solid Waste and Sanitation in Cotonou) and the DST (Technical Services Directorate) of the town hall of Cotonou led to the establishment of the SGDS (Waste and Sanitation Management Company). However, there are still challenges in terms of sanitation in Cotonou. This work aims to describe the novelty in the current system of household waste management in Cotonou and the challenges it faces. Documentary research, direct observations in the field, survey by questionnaires and interviews with institutional stakeholders in the management of DMS in Cotonou constitute the methodology adopted. At the end of the field work, we note on the one hand several innovations in the current DSM management system in Cotonou and also some challenges to be taken up in order to make the system sustainable on the other hand.


We report a case with serologically (MAC ELISA) proven acute dengue virus infection and variable atrio-ventricular (AV) conduction block (2:1 with Mobitz type I second degree). A 23 years old boy was referred to the hospital on the 7th day of the illness for thrombocytopenia (19000/cmm) with fever and body aches. On day 11th of the illness, during recovery phase he developed variable AV conduction block. There was no other abnormality in the 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) except occasional VPCs and echocardiogram showed normal ventricular systolic function. CPK-MB, serum electrolytes were normal. Trop-T was negative. The pulse and rhythm resolved to normal on day 13th. AV block during recovery from dengue fever may be a transient functional phenomenon, in which altered autonomic tone may play a role and conservative but vigilant management may be justified.


In this article, both the literature on employee feedback-seeking behavior and the literature on information seeking by organizational newcomers are reviewed. This review highlights the various motives that affect the decision of whether or not to seek information, shows how the strength of those motives is affected by both characteristics of the individual and characteristics of the organizational context, and reviews evidence that information seeking has beneficial outcomes. The author then offers an integrated model of antecedents, dynamics, forms, and outcomes of employee information seeking and concludes with suggestions for how future research can extend current understanding of employee information seeking.


The authors present an active triangulation-based range finding system composed of an independent laser system generating a sheet of light projected on the object to be measured, which is placed on a linear or a rotary table driven by a personal computer. This computer includes a video digitizer board to which two cameras, looking at the scene from both sides of the sheet of light, are connected. Besides its low cost, this system has several advantages over similar systems. First of all, two cameras are used to limit the occlusion problem, and a method is proposed to integrate range data obtained from these cameras into a single range image. The calibration of each camera is very simple, provides subpixel accuracy, and is performed only once as the laser or the camera does not move. The data acquisition uses an interpolation technique that produces very accurate depth measurements. The system also provides intensity data in registration with the range data. The application of all these techniques is illustrated by showing numerous examples of the range and intensity data acquisition from various complex objects. >


Bolt cutters are known as cutting tools which are used for cutting hard objects and materials, such as padlocks and bars. Bolt cutter blades leave their imprint on the cut objects. When receiving a cut object from a crime scene, forensic toolmarks examiners can determine whether the suspected cutting tool was used in a specific crime or not based on class characteristic marks and individual marks that the bolt cutter blades leave on the cut object. The paper presents preliminary results of a study on ten bolt cutters and suggests a quick preliminary examination—the comparison between the blade thickness and the width of the imprint left by the tool on the cut object. Based on the comparison result, if there is not a match, the examiner can eliminate the feasibility of the use of the suspected cutting tool in a specific crime. This examination simplifies and accelerates the comparison procedure.


One of the important features for the cameras in cell phones today is the optical zooming. This paper presents design and optimization of a zooming mechanism via genetic algorithm (GA). The goal is to maximize voice coil motor (VCM) sensitivity in the zooming mechanism and, simultaneously, to keep various dimensions under physical limitation. The optimization first chooses key independent dimensions as design variables, and then establishes the computation procedure for the VCM sensitivity via equivalent circuitry. The correctness of the expression is validated by finite element analysis (FEA). Optimization results lead to that dimensions of the yokes and magnets reach optima at their extremes in preset constraints, and in result, high uniformity of the magnetic flux intensity along guide ways of the VCM is achieved


Background The implementation of COVID-19 lockdown measures across the globe could affect adolescents' health. Objective This review was conducted to assess the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on the health of the adolescents. Methodology We conducted this study using the scope reviews methodological framework. We searched for articles on the effects of COVID-19 lockdown among adolescents on four databases; MedLine, PubMed, Directory of Open Access Journals and Google Scholar. Screening of articles was done for relevance to the study objective. Results The positive effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on adolescents included increased physical activity for adolescents 17 years and below, increased resource mobilization for healthy lifestyle, and psychosocial support programs for schools. The negative effects of the lockdown period were decreased physical activity with resulting disruptive sleep patterns; increased screen time, behavioral addictive disorder from excessive use of the internet, increased levels of domestic abuse, and worsening of existing mental health disorders. Overall, the COVID-19 lockdown period has had considerable adverse effects on adolescents' health. Conclusion To curb the negative effects of the COVID-19 lockdown, we recommend parental supervision of adolescents' screen time. Adolescent health should be prioritized by policymakers to ensure that future lockdown does not adversely affect them.


Detailed studies were carried out on the phenology, floral biology, pollination ecology and breeding system of Boswellia serrata Roxb. (Burseraceae) the source of 'salai guggul'. The trees remain leafless during the entire period of flowering and fruiting. The inflorescence is a terminal raceme and produces up to 90 bisexual, actinomorphic flowers. On average a flower produces 10 044 ± 1259 starch-filled pollen grains. About 85% of the fresh pollen grains are viable; the pollen to ovule ratio is 3348 : 1. The stigma is of the wet papillate type. The style is hollow with three flattened stylar canals filled with a secretion product. The stylar canals are bordered by a layer of glandular canal cells. The inner tangential wall of the canal cells shows cellulose thickenings. The ovary is trilocular and bears three ovules, one in each locule. Flowers offer nectar and pollen as rewards to floral visitors. The giant Asian honey bee (Apis dorsata) and A. cerana var. indica(Indian honey bee) are the effective pollinators. The species is self-incompatible and the selfed pollen tubes are inhibited soon after their entry into the stigma. Self-pollen tubes develop a characteristic 'isthmus' as a result of enlargement of the tube soon after emergence through the narrow germ pore. Cross-pollinated flowers allowed normal pollen germination and pollen tube growth, and resulted in fruit- and seed-set. Under open pollination fruit-set was only about 10%. Although manual cross-pollinations increased fruit set, it was only up to about 20%. Low fruit set appears to be the result of inadequate cross-pollination and other constraints, presumably limitation of available nutrients. © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2005, 147, 73–82.


Summary: Dyshormia or epileptiform spikes occurring within K-complexes have been described in patients with generalized epilepsy, with one study reporting that generalized spikes occurred frequently in association with K-complexes. We report the rate of focal epileptiform spikes occurring within K-complexes in localization-related epilepsy. Presurgical or diagnostic long-term video-EEG results of 40 consecutive patients with epilepsy (13 patients with right temporal lobe epilepsy, 20 patients with left temporal lobe epilepsy, and 7 patients with frontal lobe epilepsy) were reviewed. Sleep samples were reviewed and the numbers of K-complexes, spikes, and spikes within K-complexes were recorded. The comparison group consisted of 40 consecutive patients with nonepileptic events who were monitored with long-term video EEG. Focal epileptiform spikes occurring within K-complexes occurred in 2 of 13 (15%) patients with right temporal lobe patients, 6 of 20 (30%) patients with left temporal lobe, and 3 of 7 (42%) patients with extratemporal lobe epilepsy. In most patients, spikes occurring during K-complexes were rare. We identified spikes occurring during K-complexes in patients with localization-related epilepsy. The sharply contoured components of K-complexes or associated sleep spindles may obscure focal spikes within K-complexes. Nevertheless, K-complexes may be associated with focal epileptiform discharges.


To develop and evaluate a deep learning method to segment parotid glands from MRI using unannotated MRI and unpaired expert-segmented CT datasets. We introduced a new self-derived organ attention deep learning network for combined CT to MRI image-to-image translation (I2I) and MRI segmentation, all trained as an end-to-end network. The expert segmentations available on CT scans were combined with the I2I translated pseudo MR images to train the MRI segmentation network. Once trained, the MRI segmentation network alone is required. We introduced an organ attention discriminator that constrains the CT to MR generator to synthesize pseudo MR images that preserve organ geometry and appearance statistics as in real MRI. The I2I translation network training was regularized using the organ attention discriminator, global image-matching discriminator, and cycle consistency losses. MRI segmentation training was regularized by using cross-entropy loss. Segmentation performance was compared against multiple domain adaptation-based segmentation methods using the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and Hausdorff distance at the 95th percentile (HD95). All networks were trained using 85 unlabeled T2-weighted fat suppressed (T2wFS) MRIs and 96 expert-segmented CT scans. Performance upper-limit was based on fully supervised MRI training done using the 85 T2wFS MRI with expert segmentations. Independent evaluation was performed on 77 MRIs never used in training. The proposed approach achieved the highest accuracy (left parotid: DSC 0.82 ± 0.03, HD95 2.98 ± 1.01 mm; right parotid: 0.81 ± 0.05, HD95 3.14 ± 1.17 mm) compared to other methods. This accuracy was close to the reference fully supervised MRI segmentation (DSC of 0.84 ± 0.04, a HD95 of 2.24 ± 0.77 mm for the left parotid, and a DSC of 0.84 ± 0.06 and HD95 of 2.32 ± 1.37 mm for the right parotid glands).


(150-250 words): Cloud manufacturing (CMfg) is a new service-oriented manufacturing paradigm in which shared resources are integrated and encapsulated as manufacturing services. When a single service is not able to meet some manufacturing requirement, a composition of multiple services is then required via CMfg. Service Composition and Optimal Selection (SCOS) is a key technique for efficient manufacturing service composition to create an on-demand Quality of Service (QoS) to satisfy various user requirements. Given the number of services with the same functionality and a similar level of QoS, SCOS has been seen as a key challenging research area in CMfg. One effective approach for solving SCOS problems is to use Service Domain Features (SDF) through investigating the probability of services being used for a specific requirement from multiple angles. The approach can result in a division of service space, and then help narrow down the service space with large-scale candidate services. The approach can also search for optimal subspaces that most likely contribute to an overall optimal solution. In doing so, this paper develops an SDF-oriented genetic algorithm to effectively create a manufacturing service composition with large-scale candidate services. Fine-grained SDF definitions are developed to divide the service space. SDF-based optimization strategies are adopted. The novelty of the proposed algorithm is presented based on Bayesian theorem. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is validated through solving three real-world SCOS problems in a private CMfg.


Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid is essential nutrients that cannot produce in human body and meet up through diet. Jute leaves contain L-ascorbic acid. The amount of L-ascorbic is unknown in different varieties developed by Bangladesh Jute Research Institute. L-ascorbic acid content is affected by cooking or processing and preservation. Therefore, the experiment was conducted to investigate the content of vitamin C in the fresh jute leaves as well as the effect of cooking and preservation methods on L-ascorbic acid content in jute leaves. Fresh jute leaves of different varieties contain different amount of L-ascorbic acid 0.39g/10g to 0.64g/10g in Corchorus olitorius and 0.64g/10g to 0.92g/10g in Corchorus capsularis. C. capsularis contain more amount of L-ascorbic acid than the C. olitorius. Jute leaves of C. olitorius retain 95% L-ascorbic acid and C. capsularis retain 62% L-ascorbic acid after 15 min of boiling. Vinegar soaking leaves release more L- ascorbic acid by 5 min than the fresh leaves and then the L-ascorbic acid content was reduced by 15 min in both the species. Spraying vinegar treatment releases more L-ascorbic acid and increasing up-to 30 min treatment. Both oven dried and cold dried leaves retain small amount of L-ascorbic acid. L-ascorbic acid content was reduced in preserved jute leaf tea and soup powder also in both species. Usually, leafy vegetables are cooked before consumption and sometimes preserved vegetables are consumed when fresh vegetables may not available. So, this study may be useful to know the actual intake of L-ascorbic acid from the processed or preserved jute leaves.


In this paper, two fundamentally different urban wastewater systems are assessed from an environmental impact perspective. One system represents a centralised, high-tech, end-of-pipe structure whereas the second system is primarily based on source-separation strategies. Using material flow analysis in combination with evaluation methods based on life-cycle assessment the systems are evaluated by means of simulation and the results are discussed. A set of priority indicators for environmental assessments of urban water systems is suggested and applied in the analysis. Energy issues are also commented upon. The main intent of the paper is to present the principles of this type of assessment rather than detailed numbers for all possible environmental effects and hazardous substances emitted to air, water and soil. It represents one of several building blocks for a future multi-criteria decision-support system to evaluate urban water management from a sustainability perspective.


Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (HSDs) are essential for the biosynthesis and mechanism of action of all steroid hormones. We report the complete kinetic mechanism of a mammalian HSD using rat 3α-HSD of the aldo-keto reductase superfamily (AKR1C9) with the substrate pairs androstane-3,17-dione and NADPH (reduction) and androsterone and NADP+ (oxidation). Steady-state, transient state kinetics, and kinetic isotope effects reconciled the ordered bi-bi mechanism, which contained 9 enzyme forms and permitted the estimation of 16 kinetic constants. In both reactions, loose association of the NADP(H) was followed by two conformational changes, which increased cofactor affinity by >86-fold. For androstane-3,17-dione reduction, the release of NADP+ controlled kcat, whereas the chemical event also contributed to this term. kcat was insensitive to [2H]NADPH, whereas Dkcat/Km and the Dklim (ratio of the maximum rates of single turnover) were 1.06 and 2.06, respectively. Under multiple turnover conditions partial burst kinetics were observed. For androsterone oxidation, the rate of NADPH release dominated kcat, whereas the rates of the chemical event and the release of androstane-3,17-dione were 50-fold greater. Under multiple turnover conditions full burst kinetics were observed. Although the internal equilibrium constant favored oxidation, the overall Keq favored reduction. The kinetic Haldane and free energy diagram confirmed that Keq was governed by ligand binding terms that favored the reduction reactants. Thus, HSDs in the aldo-keto reductase superfamily thermodynamically favor ketosteroid reduction.


We have studied the effects of intense x-ray irradiation on the structure of crystalline Si amorphized by energetic ions and the subsequent solid phase epitaxial regrowth of the amorphous layers. We found that in the amorphized Si layers, although the ion dose is well above the amorphization threshold (as measured by Rutherford backscattering), small crystallites are still present. The absorption of x-rays by the Si atoms provides enough energy to disperse the small crystallites in the amorphous Si, reducing the number of interfacial defects as well as locally rearranging the atoms to form a homogeneously amorphous layer with close to four-fold coordinated environment. This rearrangement in local structure of the results in a nearly defect-free crystal after solid phase epitaxy.