This paper addresses the problem of stability analysis of finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) approximations for Maxwell's equations. The combination of the von Neumann method with the Routh-Hurwitz criterion is proposed as an algebraic procedure for obtaining analytical closed-form stability expressions. This technique is applied to the problem of determining the stability conditions of an extension of the FDTD method to incorporate dispersive media previously reported in the literature. Both Debye and Lorentz dispersive media are considered. It is shown that, for the former case, the stability limit of the conventional FDTD method is preserved. However, for the latter case, a more restrictive stability limit is obtained. To overcome this drawback, a new scheme is presented, which allows the stability limit of the conventional FDTD method to be maintained.


Objective: The aim of the study was to research whether or not there was a relationship between hypertension and the involved brain hemisphere in patients who had suffered a stroke and in which brain hemisphere the stroke was most often seen. Mateials and Methods: A retrospective examination was made of the recorded data of 66 patients diagnosed and followed up for an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. Demographic characteristics, history and localization of the ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke were recorded. Results: The study comprised 33 (50%) females and 33 (50%) males with a mean age of 68.7±11.2 years. Ischemic stroke was determined in 40 (60.6%) cases and hemorrhagic stroke in 26 (39.4%) cases. There was involvement of the right hemisphere in 26 (39.4%) cases and the left hemisphere in 40 (60.6%) cases. Hypertension was determined in 36 (54.5%) cases. No difference was determined between hemisphere involvement in respect of ischemic/hemorrhagic stroke ratios (right 18:8, left 22:18, p>0.05) and hypertension (right 15, left 21, p>0.05). Conclusion: No relationship was found between the involved hemisphere and hypertension in patients who had experienced a stroke, although left hemisphere involvement was seen more often. Clinical and experimental data have shown hemispheric lateralization to be under the control of the autonomic nerve system. However, the data on this subject are contradictory. There is a need for further studies with greater participation to clarify the etiology in this area.


Traditional estimates of health risk are typically inflated, particularly if cancer is the dominant endpoint and there is fundamental uncertainty as to mechanism(s) of action. Risk is more realistically characterized if it accounts for joint uncertainty and interindividual variability within a systematic probabilistic framework to integrate the joint effects on risk of distributed parameters of all (linear as well as nonlinear) risk-extrapolation models involved. Such a framework was used to characterize risks to potential future residents posed by trichloroethylene (TCE) in ground water at an inactive landfill site on Beale Air Force Base in California. Variability and uncertainty were addressed in exposure-route-specific estimates of applied dose, in pharmacokinetically based estimates of route-specific metabolized fractions of absorbed TCE, and in corresponding biologically effective doses estimated under a genotoxic/linear (MA{sub G}) vs. a cytotoxic/nonlinear (MA{sub c}) mechanistic assumption for TCE-induced cancer. Increased risk conditional on effective dose was estimated under MA{sub G} based on seven rodent-bioassay data sets, and under MA{sub c} based on mouse hepatotoxicity data. Mean and upper-bound estimates of combined risk calculated by the unified approach were 10{sup -5} and 10{sup -4}, respectively. It was estimated that no TCE-related harm is likely to occur due to any plausible residential exposure scenario involving the site. The systematic probabilistic framework illustrated is particularly suited to characterizing risks that involve uncertain and/or diverse mechanisms of action.


In this paper, a pattern recognition (PR) method is used to provide the tracking and the diagnosis of a system. First of all, from measurements carried out on the system, features are extracted from current and voltage measurements without any other sensors. These features are used to build up a pattern vector, which is considered as the system signature. Then, a feature selection method is applied in order to select the most relevant features, which define the representation space. The decision phase is based on the "k-nearest neighbors" (knn) rule, associated with an evolution tracking of system using trajectory allowing a diagnosis not only of states defined in the training set, but also of the intermediate states. The appearance of a new operating mode is taken into account in order to enrich the initial knowledge base and thus to improve the diagnosis. This approach is illustrated on asynchronous motor of 5.5 kW with squirrel cage, in order to detect broken bars under any load level. The experimental results prove the efficiency of PR methods in condition monitoring of electrical machines


The stress management program is not considered as a part of routine cardiac rehabilitation due to the lack of consensus and inconsistencies in the studies detailing the relation between stress and coronary artery disease. The current meta-analysis is intended to determine the effectiveness of stress management in cardiac rehabilitation. The published literature studies until December 2020 were extracted from various databases and eligible studies were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Quality assessment of the selected studies was carried out using Jadad. The literature search of various databases yielded 154 studies and 9 were selected based on the inclusion/exclusion criteria. On the Jadad scale, 6 studies obtained a score of 3, whereas the remaining studies obtained a score of 2. Funnel plot findings reported no publication bias. The result of the meta-analysis showed a persistent improvement in Beck depression inventory-2, hospital anxiety scale and hospital depression scale in subjects who had undergone various stress management interventions. The meta-analysis corroborates the benefits of stress management training in cardiac rehabilitation and underscores the need to adopt a stress management program in routine cardiac care.


The training of occupational physicians has recently undergone profound changes, is still changing, and in the future we may see some of the developments envisaged here. All four of the phases of training are changing: undergraduate, general professional training (basic specialist training), higher specialist training and, finally, continuing education which is maintained throughout professional life. That these separate phases should not be viewed in isolation is not always recognized, particularly by those concerned with the detailed planning of one particular phase.


A new unipolar transistor has been proposed. Modelling was carried out using a semiclassical transport theory, which included quantum interference and multiple scattering by means of a correlation function and taking account of the mean free path. The direct current properties of the new transistor are calculated and analysed. The results show that a common-emitter current gain of 80 can be expected.


Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation is a major cause of cell metastasis in many cancers, such as head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, whether the induction of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) correlates with EGF-enhanced HNSCC metastasis remains unclear. Interestingly, we found that EGF induced COX-2 expression mainly in HNSCC. The tumor cell transformation induced by EGF was repressed with COX-2 knockdown, and this repression was reversed by simultaneously treating the cells with EGF and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). The down-regulation of COX-2 expression or inhibition of COX-2 activity significantly blocked EGF-enhanced cell migration and invasion, but the addition of PGE2 compensated for this blockage in COX-2-knockdown cells. Interestingly, COX-2 depletion inhibited EGF-induced matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), MMP3 and fibronectin expression and Rac1/cdc42 activation; this reduction in MMPs and the fibronectin/Rac1/cdc42 axis by the depletion of COX-2 was also rescued when the cells were treated with PGE2. Furthermore, the depletion of fibronectin impeded the COX-2-enhanced binding of HNSCC cells to endothelial cells and tumor cells metastatic seeding of the lungs. These results provide new insight that EGF-induced COX-2 enhances HNSCC metastasis via activation of the fibronectin signaling pathway. The inhibition of COX-2 expression and activation suggests a potential strategy for the treatment of EGFR-mediated HNSCC metastasis. Citation Format: Jinn-Yuan Hsu, Kwang-Yu Chang, Shang-Hung Chen, Chung-Ta Lee, Sheng-Tsung Chang, Hung-Chi Cheng, Wen-Chang Chang, Ben-Kuen Chen. Epidermal growth factor-induced cyclooxygenase-2 enhances head and neck squamous cell carcinoma metastasis through fibronectin up-regulation. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 4149. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-4149


BACKGROUND
The interaction between tubular epithelial cells and calcium oxalate crystals or oxalate ions is a very precarious event in the lithogenesis. Urine contains ions, glycoproteins and glycosaminoglycans that inhibit the crystallization process and may protect the kidney against lithogenesis. We examined the effect of oxalate ions and calcium oxalate crystals upon the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans in distal [Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK)] and proximal (LLC-PK1) tubular cell lines.

METHODS
Glycosaminoglycan synthesis was analyzed by metabolic labeling with (35)S-sulfate and enzymatic digestion with specific mucopolysaccharidases. Cell death was assessed by fluorescent dyes and crystal endocytosis was analised by flow cytometry.

RESULTS
The main glycosaminoglycans synthesized by both cells were chondroitin sulfate and heparan sulfate most of them secreted to the culture medium or present at cellular surface. Exposition of MDCK cells to oxalate ions increased apoptosis rate and the incorporation of (35)S-sulfate in chondroitin sulfate and heparan sulfate, while calcium oxalate crystals were endocyted by LLC-PK1, induced necrotic cell death, and increased (35)S-sulfate incorporation in glycosaminoglycans. These effects seem to be specific and due to increased biosynthesis, since hydroxyapatite and other carboxylic acid did not induced cellular death or glycosaminoglycan synthesis and no changes in sulfation degree or molecular weight of glycosaminoglycans could be detected. Thapsigargin inhibited the glycosaminoglycan synthesis induced by calcium oxalate in LLC-PK1, suggesting that this effect was sensitive to the increase in cytosolic calcium.

CONCLUSION
Tubular cells may increase the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans to protect from the toxic insult of calcium oxalate crystals and oxalate ions, what could partially limit the lithogenesis.


The concentration of a range of metals has been determined in the hair of a population of Down syndrome patients. These results are compared with a control group and the findings discussed. There does seem to be an abnormally low level of manganese, calcium and possibly copper in the DS patients. To date, the significance of these findings is not known but it is suggested that the results are worthy of further investigation.


This project "Multisensors and Other New Technology for improved Indoor Environment in buildings" (MONTIE) has addressed the importance of IAQ and some ways of improving it. A consortium of individual partners with their own competencies and specialised know-how has formed a unique, interdisciplinary Nordic network comprising leading companies, institutes and research institutions within the fields of sensor technology, HVAC and indoor environment.


This study reports the results of otosclerosis surgery performed during the past thirty years (1973-2002) in the ENT Clinic in Katowice. The authors present difficult anatomic relationships in the tympanic cavity which might have an influence on stapes surgery. Audiometric evaluation of 100 bilateral stapedotomies performed in 50 patients revealed that a small--hole stapedotomy is a safe technique and could be performed bilaterally. The group of 55 stapedotomies with stapedial tendon preserved was compared to the group of 55 stapedotomies with dissected tendon. SRT was better in the group where the tendon was preserved. In the group of 32 patients ABR before and after stapedotomy was recorded. The latency of V wave after the operation was reduced to the normal values what indicated a correct function of the ossicular chain postoperatively. In the group of 60 patients DPOAE prior and after stapedotomy was evaluated. Prior to the operation no signal of otoacoustic emission was registered, in 37 patients out of 60 the signal was present after the operation. DPOAE obtained postoperatively indicated successful ossicular chain restoration and inner ear function. Audiometric evaluation in reference to the group of 905 stapedotomies performed in years 1992-2001 showed that most of the patients were in group B--443/905 and C--402/905 according, in A group--60/905 according to Shambaugh. A-B gap < or = 10 dB was obtained in 469/905 (51.8%), the mean of the hearing threshold at 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz was 24.3 dB (+/- 8.3, med. 25.0) in A group and 32.0 dB in B and C group. The result of stapedotomy in reference to tinnitus based on the patients' subjective opinion. We may conclude that the key to the stapes surgery lies in the training and skillfulness of the surgeon using save small hole technique with stapedial tendon preservation to obtain the optimal physiologic function of the middle ear and to gain the best hearing results.


We consider a nonparametric noisy data model Yk = f (xk) + †k, k = 1;:::;n, where the unknown signal f : (0; 1) → R is assumed to belong to a wide range of function classes, including discontinuous functions, and the † 0s are inde- pendent identically distributed noises with zero median. The distribution of the noise is assumed to be unknown and to satisfy some weak conditions. Possible noise distributions may have heavy tails, so that, for example, no moments of the noise exist. The design points are assumed to be deterministic points, not necessarily equispaced within the interval (0; 1). Since the functions can be nonsmooth and the noise may have heavy tails, traditional estimation methods (for example, ker- nel methods) cannot be applied directly in this situation. As in Brown, Cai, and Zhou (2008), our approach first uses local medians to construct certain variables Zk structured as a Gaussian nonparametric regression but, unlike in this paper, the resulting data being not equispaced, we apply a wavelet block penalizing proce- dure adapted to non-equidistant designs to construct an estimator of the regression function. Under mild assumptions on the design it is shown that our estimator simultaneously attains the optimal rate of convergence over a wide range of Besov classes, without prior knowledge of the smoothness of the underlying functions or prior knowledge of the error distribution. The performance of our procedures is evaluated on simulated data sets covering a broad variety of settings and on some data examples, and are compared with other proposals made in the literature for treating similar problems.


Self-assembled monolayers of novel C60 derivative, N-3-γ-pyridyl Aza[60]fulleroid (C60Py), on Au(111) were studied by a scanning tunneling microscope under ultrahigh vacuum (UHV). C60Py molecules were assembled on Au (111) via pyridyl nitrogen-Au interaction. The sole assembly of C60Py molecules on Au (111) only exhibited randoml aggregation of C60Py even the films were annealed at 50 and 105℃. By co-assembling with benzyl mercaptan (BM), the C60Py- BM films showed highly dense aggregation, but C60Py assemblies still had disordered structure. After the co-assembled C60Py-BM films were annealed at 50℃, BM molecules were partially desorbed, but the assembly of C60Py remained without obvious change. After the co-assembled C60Py-BM films were further annealed at 105℃, the C60Py monolayers with ordered structure were obtained, while the BM molecules were nearly thoroughly desorbed from the surface. Here, the BM molecules play a key role as a surfactant in the formation of the ordered C60Py monolayer.


This paper assessed accuracy level in accounting for government funds in Nigeria's federal treasury and their faithful presentation in government financial reporting. It aimed to determine whether the reported annual balances in Nigeria's financial reporting were reliable or otherwise. Data used in analysis were obtained from secondary sources from federal treasury.,Ex-post "facto" analysis method was adopted in the study involving the use of statistical techniques of absolute or aggregate mean percentage error derived from differences between recomputed and published fund balances and was employed. This was augmented with interactive review meetings of the initial case research report with the management of Nigeria's audit agency.,Results distilled from the consolidated revenue fund (CRF), development fund and public debt show that recomputed values were greater than the fund balances in the gazetted financial statements. Results for contingency fund (CTF), federation account fund (FAF), special trust fund (STF) and sundry deposit fund yield equal figures and accurate. The paper concludes that there were serial understatements of the core public fund balances in the financial statements over the years. This trend of reporting incorrect in three core public funds in financial statements rendered Nigeria's financial position unreliable in the affected years for decisions. It also facilitated frauds, mismanagement of funds and corrupt practices.,The scope of the research is restricted to assessment of degree of accuracy in fund accounting, faithful representation of the respective fund balance in the liabilities side of FGN balance sheet and the reliability of the financial position. But, it did not consider or cover the implementation of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSASs) in federal treasury since FGN had not issued any full IPSAS–oriented financial statements as on 2015.,Identification of deficiencies in fund account balances, structural defects in fund accounting and acts of understatement of carrying balances in CRF and capital development fund (CDF) implies that the aggregate core fund liabilities reported in financial statement of government entities without corresponding assets do not actually reflect a true and fair financial position in some countries. It reveals remarkable degree of financial information asymmetry in government financial reporting. Illusionary fund accounting has direct linkage to poor fiscal governance in many sovereign with associated sub-optimal delivery of public goods and service level distress syndrome in many economies; lead to poverty, unemployment, crisis and macroeconomic disturbances.,The study contributes to the development of fund accounting system; strengthening government financial reporting architecture and practices. It provides framework for tracking financial information asymmetry in government financial reporting and mismanagement of public funds. It provides platform to effect necessary adjustment (correction) during the "first time 3-year adoption" adjustment window in Nigeria. Flowing from the findings, it advocates for institutionalization of government fund accounting standards and provides evidence for migration to accrual accounting system in countries that have not already implemented it. Evaluation system developed herein will improve fund management in federal treasury and contribute to efficient public financial management, good governance and enhance development of public accounting practice.,This exploratory empirical research is the one to ever evaluate accuracy level of fund accounting in sovereign entities and faithful representation in government's financial position prior to implementation of accrual accounting and financial reporting. The study established substantial level of illusionary accounting for public funds and information asymmetry in published government's financial reporting. It is necessary to rectify these discrepancies in fund accounting and financial reporting prior to and or during the first three years of the IPSAS transition implementation programme. These research deliverables provide adopters with relevant data for adjustment accounting during the transition period in strengthening public financial reporting in order to realize the benefit of full IPSAS accrual accounting.


Biofilm formation is a key virulence factor responsible for a wide range of infectious diseases, including dental caries. Cariogenic biofilms are structured microbial communities embedded in an extracellular matrix that affords bacterial adhesion-cohesion and drug tolerance, making them difficult to treat using conventional antimicrobial monotherapy. Here, we investigated a multitargeted approach combining exopolysaccharide (EPS) matrix-degrading glucanohydrolases with a clinically used essential oils–based antimicrobial to potentiate antibiofilm efficacy. Our data showed that dextranase and mutanase can synergistically break down the EPS glucan matrix in preformed cariogenic biofilms, markedly enhancing bacterial killing by the antimicrobial agent (3-log increase versus antimicrobial alone). Further analyses revealed that an EPS-degrading/antimicrobial (EDA) approach disassembles the matrix scaffold, exposing the bacterial cells for efficient killing while concurrently causing cellular dispersion and "physical collapse" of the bacterial clusters. Unexpectedly, we found that the EDA approach can also selectively target the EPS-producing cariogenic bacteria Streptococcus mutans with higher killing specificity (versus other species) within mixed biofilms, disrupting their accumulation and promoting dominance of commensal bacteria. Together, these results demonstrate a dual-targeting approach that can enhance antibiofilm efficacy and precision by dismantling the EPS matrix and its protective microenvironment, amplifying the killing of pathogenic bacteria within.


CONTENTS I. Introduction 153 II. Nomenclature and molecular structure of compounds of the porphin series 153 III. Isomerism and tautomeric changes 154 IV. Molecular compounds 155 V. Hydrogen exchange in compounds of the porphin series 160 VI. Hydrogenation and dehydrogenation of the pyrrole rings in compounds of the porphin series 161 VII. Reversible photochemical reduction of compounds of the porphin series 162


Quartzite pebble and cobble-sized particles from an arenaceous siltstone with fine sandstone lenses have been found at two localities in the Campos Gerais region, Apucarana Sub-Basin (Parana Basin), south Brazil. These particles were first interpreted as glacial diamictites, but their smooth surfaces and surrounding sediments indicate another origin. Two of the pebbles are associated with a small scale hummocky cross stratification in the top layer, and with fine sandstone layers below, which is indicative of currents formed by oscillatory flow. None of the particles show any traces of encrustation, and their morphology suggests they have been formed in a fluviatle environment. The surrounding siltstone is affected by bioturbation and contain brachiopods (Australospirifer). Palynomorphs indicate that these storm deposits were formed during an early Emsian maximum inundation on a transgressive ravinement surface.


Administrative services that often occur are considered low quality due to lack of human resources, unclear time certainty and inadequate infrastructure, thus giving a bad assessment from the community. This is the background behind the formation of the Minister of Home Affairs Regulation No. 24 of 2006 regarding PTSP (One Stop Integrated Implementation Guidelines) to improve the quality of public services to the community organized by the government. However, the implementation of PTSP has yet to be implemented in all Indonesian government institutions because several institutions still have difficulties and doubts about its effectiveness. This is the author's background to discuss the Effectiveness of One Stop Administration Services for the Community. This study aims to determine whether there is effectiveness and the level or value of effectiveness provided in providing administrative services for the community through a one-stop line or system in City Y. The method used is descriptive quantitative with data collection techniques, namely observation and interview documentation.
Moreover, the distribution of the questionnaire to 100 respondents who were selected by purposive sampling. The study results show that the one-stop administrative service is quite effective at 30%. However, it is insignificant in its effectiveness because it still requires adaptation to the system and improvements in various ways.


Phaeodactylum tricornutum is the marine diatom best known for high-value compounds that are useful in aquaculture and food area. In this study, fucoxanthin was first extracted from the diatom using supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and then using the extracted diatom-like substrate to produce bioenergy through anaerobic digestion (AD) processes. Factors such as temperature (30 °C and 50 °C), pressure (20, 30, and 40 MPa), and ethanol (co-solvent concentration from 10% to 50% v/v) were optimized for improving the yield, purity, and recovery of fucoxanthin extracted using SFE. The highest yield (24.41% w/w) was obtained at 30 MPa, 30 °C, and 30% ethanol but the highest fucoxanthin purity and recovery (85.03mg/g extract and 66.60% w/w, respectively) were obtained at 30 MPa, 30 °C, and 40%ethanol. Furthermore, ethanol as a factor had the most significant effect on the overall process of SFE. Subsequently, P.tricornutum biomass and SFE-extracted diatom were used as substrates for biogas production through AD. The effect of fucoxanthin was studied on the yield of AD, which resulted in 77.15 ± 3.85 LSTP CH4/kg volatile solids (VS) and 56.66 ± 1.90 LSTP CH4/kg VS for the whole diatom and the extracted P.tricornutum, respectively. Therefore, P.tricornutuman can be considered a potential source of fucoxanthin and methane and both productions will contribute to the sustainability of the algae-biorefinery processes.


SUMMARY An assistive device for upper limb support was developed and evaluated in terms of usability, user satisfaction and motor performance on six end-users affected by neuro-motor disorders (three spinal cord injury; one multiple sclerosis; two Friedreich's ataxia). The system consisted of a lightweight 3-degrees-of-freedom robotic exoskeleton arm for weight relief, equipped with electromagnetic brakes. Users could autonomously control the brakes using a USB-button or residual electromyogram activations. The system functionally supported all of the potential users in performing reaching and drinking tasks. For three of them, time, smoothness, straightness and repeatability were also comparable to healthy subjects. An overall high level of usability (system usability score, median value of 90/100) and user satisfaction (Tele-healthcare Satisfaction Questionnaire - Wearable Technology, median value of 104/120) were obtained for all subjects.


Introduction. Physical activity is known to be an important factor influencing health throughout human life. This issue has become crucial for public health due to the aging of the population in both developed and developing countries. Aim. is to present a literature review on the forms of physical activity undertaken by the elderly, as well as on issues related to physical activity and the population aging. Material and methods. The study was prepared on the basis of a review of Polish and foreign literature. The following databases and data sources were used: EBSCO, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar. An additional source of data were the websites of the Central Statistical Office. Strictly defined key phrases were used during the collection of literature. The work has been divided into thematic subsections on the aging of the society, the impact of physical activity on health and the main topic, i.e. forms of physical activity selected by the elderly. Analysis of the literature. The number of elderly people in Polish society has increased by almost 3.7 million over three decades. Therefore, an important topic is prophylaxis aimed at increasing the number of days in good health, largely covering the broadly understood activation of the elderly. The available data indicate that only 12% of elderly people undertake physical activity once a week. The most common form of spending free time actively is walking (as many as 73% of people in this population declare this form of physical activity in one of the presented studies). Conclusion. Organized forms of physical activity are undertaken much less frequently by the analyzed age group mainly due to financial limitations and limited availability of sports infrastructure.


In this paper, we describe our submitted DKU- Tencent system for the oriental language recognition AP18- OLR Challenge. Our system pipeline consists of three main components, including data augmentation, frame-level feature extraction, and utterance-level modeling. First, we perform speed perturbation to increase the diversity and amount of training data. Second, we extract several kinds of frame-level features, including the hand-crafted acoustic features as well as the deep phonetic features. Third, we aggregate the frame-level features into fixed-dimensional utterance-level representation through i- vector and x-vector modelings. We also propose a deep residual network to obtain the utterance-level language posteriors in an end-to-end manner. Our submitted primary system achieves Cavg of 0.0499, 0.0146, and 0.0135 for the corresponding short- utterance, confusing language and open-set tasks on the evaluation set.


Suggested here is a neural net algorithm for the n-queens problem. The net is basically a Hopfield net but with one major difference: every unit is allowed to inhibit itself. This distinctive characteristic enables the net to escape efficiently from all local minima. The net's dynamics then can be described as a travel in paths of low-level energy spaces until it finds a solution (global minimum). The paper explains why standard Hopfield nets have failed to solve the queens problem and proofs that the self-inhibiting net (NQ2 algorithm in the text) never stabilizes in local minima and relaxes when it falls into a global minimum are provided. The experimental results supported by theoretical explanation indicate that the net never continually oscillates but relaxes into a solution in polynomial time. In addition, it appears that the net solves the queens problem regardless of the dimension n or the initialized values. The net uses only few parameters to fix the weights; all globally determined as a function of n.


The act of worship is universally regarded as central to the religious life of the individual. In church circles it is assumed that religiousness implies a greater participation in the act of worship and a more positive experience of the religious service. The different dimensions of religion were used in this survey to determine the relationship between the individual and the way in which the religious service is experienced. These dimensions of religion (cognitive, cultic, creedal and devotional dimensions) were used as an index of the religiousness of an individual church member. Religious experience takes place within changing circumstances. The concept of 'secularization' is descriptive of these. Segmentation is taking place within modern society. The result is that a smaller role is ascribed to religion in society. The individual is experiencing his or her religion in a more subjective and private manner. In this light a questionnaire survey was conducted in seven randomly selected congregations of ...


for long periods is not recommended because of cooling of metal under the closed control valves, which tends to distort the entire valve chest and bowl mass. Permissible load pickup rates after overnight operation at these ratings is lower than it would lie if the unit were taken off the line, because natural cooling of later valve bowls is less during a 7-hour shutdown than it would be with the turbine in service carrying 25 per cent rated load. 9 Spelled-out minute-by-minute starting schedules which are experimentally determined for each type of start condition have been used throughout the entire program. The}' have been found to be beneficial in assuring uniformity and adherence to prescribed procedures as well as in easing the work load on plant operators. For each step in the process the operator is obliged to insert only the time when it was done. The notated schedule is then turned in as a log of the start operation. 10 The use of dry-vacuum pumps or any other air-scavenging equipment which is capable of raising condenser vacuum on unit systems independently of the boiler steam pressure is worth consideration in reducing the temperature shock to which turbines are subjected on starting from cold conditions. The turbine can be rolled with steam which is at lower temperatures, and on some turbine types the lower rolling pressure will allow more even heating of the front-end turbine sections. Where there are duplicate units, a tie steam lino between hogging jets, or a common set of jets centrally located between the two condensers will do the same thing. 11 Changes in design are indicated in some types of turbines in regard to provisions for heating valve chests, more even heating of valve bowls, and in valve-opening sequence. 12 The idea of blowing preroll steam through large drains on turbine ends of steam leads for getting proper steam-to-turbinemetal relationship on starts from overnight shutdown in place of the more expensive bypass line-heat exchanger combination is good provided blowdown tank, silencer, vent stack, and waterseparating dome are amply sized and well enough anchored to take large quantities of high-temperature steam. For an installation such as either of the Martins Creek units the ideal preroll flow to atmosphere would be about 200,000 lb per hr which would require about '/s hr of preroll fifing to accomplish proper margin of steam over turbine-metal temperatures for overnight starts, instead of the full hour required with existing facilities. 13 Many of the waterwall-tube failures in modern boilers have their origins in improper starting procedures. An example is the tendency of operators to increase firing rates at the moment the generator is synchronized or when the boiler nonreturn valves open. A sudden small increase in firing rate at this stage when the total heat input is low becomes a large percentage increase which may result in the weakening or rupture of a waterwall tube near the top of the furnace because the water circulation induced by the small heat input to lower furnace reaches is not good enough. Also for this reason as well as for better ignition, the practice of going to complete automatic boiler operation too early in the start cycle is not recommended, because sharp increases in firing rate may take place when the switch is made from manual to automatic control.


In this work, we report the achievement of a homeotropically (or face-on) oriented bilayer formed by a pair of discotic materials designed with specific properties: selective solubility, adjusted transition temperatures, and room temperature hexagonal columnar liquid-crystalline phase. The homeotropic orientation of the bilayer which is only a few hundred nanometers thick is performed by solution-processed deposition followed by thermal annealing in the geometry of open supported films and is evidenced by X-ray scattering. This represents the first proof of principle of an organic heterojunction based on two oriented columnar liquid crystal layers.


In the reversible conversion of color images to gray ones, colors are mapped to textures and from the textures the receiver can recover the colors, i.e. one may print a color image with a black and white printer and, at a later time, recover colors. Such a method was originally devised using the wavelet transform and replacing high-frequency subbands by subsampled chrominance planes. Here, we propose to improve the original method thorough the use of a largely redundant representation of the chrominance, with multiple embedding into subbands of a general subband transform. Our results point to minimization of the variance of the error caused by noise when the chrominance is replicated into many subbands and not linearly combined. Derived noise bounds guide us on how many subbands to embed the chrominance. Experimental results were carried for multiple noise levels, models, transform sizes, and number of embedding subbands, demonstrating the theoretical analysis and the method's potential.


Sclerostin antibody (Scl‐Ab) increases osteoblast activity, in part through increasing modeling‐based bone formation on previously quiescent surfaces. Histomorphometric studies have suggested that this might occur through conversion of bone lining cells into active osteoblasts. However, direct data demonstrating Scl‐Ab‐induced conversion of lining cells into active osteoblasts are lacking. Here, we used in vivo lineage tracing to determine if Scl‐Ab promotes the conversion of lining cells into osteoblasts on periosteal and endocortical bone surfaces in mice. Two independent, tamoxifen‐inducible lineage‐tracing strategies were used to label mature osteoblasts and their progeny using the DMP1 and osteocalcin promoters. After a prolonged "chase" period, the majority of labeled cells on bone surfaces assumed a thin, quiescent morphology. Then, mice were treated with either vehicle or Scl‐Ab (25 mg/kg) twice over the course of the subsequent week. After euthanization, marked cells were enumerated, their thickness quantified, and proliferation and apoptosis examined. Scl‐Ab led to a significant increase in the average thickness of labeled cells on periosteal and endocortical bone surfaces, consistent with osteoblast activation. Scl‐Ab did not induce proliferation of labeled cells, and Scl‐Ab did not regulate apoptosis of labeled cells. Therefore, direct reactivation of quiescent bone lining cells contributes to the acute increase in osteoblast numbers after Scl‐Ab treatment in mice. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.


'The Sick Role', a concept developed by Talcott Parsons constitutes a specific sociological concern regarding the diseased identity in society. In light of this approach, the doctor-patient relationship, ideally based on a paternal-authoritative model, needs to be viewed beyond its intersubjective nature, since the diseased and dependent body is not only that of an 'individual', but also a part of society. The involvement of the doctor, or the local administration, in health and development, makes the issue significant— in terms of Medical Humanities, seen through a literary-sociological perspective. This paper proposes to explore the notion of 'the sick role' with reference to two Bengali texts by Manik Bandyopadhyay and Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay, featuring the colonial and post-independent situations of healthcare and development in Bengal.


The recent increase in numbers of β-lactamase-producing organisms (BLPO) in respiratory tract infections has been associated with increased failure rates of penicillin therapy. These infections include otitis media, sinusitis, pharyngotonsillitis and pneumonia. The BLPO are Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Staphylococcus aureus, pigmented Prevotella and Porphyromonas spp, Bacteroides spp and Fusobacterium spp. The pathogenicity of these BLPO is expressed directly through their ability to cause infections, and indirectly through the production of β-lactamase. The indirect pathogenicity is conveyed not only by surviving penicillin therapy but also by 'shielding' penicillin-susceptible pathogens from the drug. The direct and indirect virulence characteristics of these bacteria require the administration of appropriate antimicrobial therapy directed against all pathogens in mixed infections. Proper antimicrobial therapy using such agents combined with surgical drainage and correction of pathology constitute the cornerstone of management of respiratory tract infections.


The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disrupted the way of life for humans all around the world. As the consequences continue to be revealed, it has been abundantly clear that the pandemic has disproportionately impacted communities of color. The COVID-19 pandemic shined a magnifying glass on racially based structural inequities in a manner that was impossible to unsee or to look away. COVID-19 disrupted education norms-from forcing online classroom instruction models to hindering our reliance on standardized testing. Education is already rife with evidence of systemic racism as its foundation. Disproportionality in special education, disproportionate punitive discipline, underrepresentation in highly capable learning problems are well established structures that maintain systemic racism in education (Diamond, 2018). As systemic racism is embedded in all of our social and environmental contexts, it is easy to conclude that systemic racism and COVID-19 are not just coexisting, they are interacting to exacerbate negative outcomes for communities of color. This commentary addresses the disproportionate impact of the dual pandemics: COVID-19 and systemic racism. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).


To the Editor: In a follow-up study for their previous RenalRIP trial, Zarbock et al.1 show that remote ischemic preconditioning significantly decreases the 3-month incidence of a composite endpoint for major adverse kidney events including mortality, the need for renal replacement therapy, and persistent renal dysfunction in high-risk patients undergoing cardiac surgery. It must be pointed out, however, that the risk of long-term adverse kidney outcomes following cardiac surgery is mainly associated with incidence, severity, and duration of acute kidney injury (AKI) in the early postoperative period. Specifically, nonrecovery from AKI is more common in patients with more severe AKI and is significantly attributable to long-term adverse kidney outcomes.2 The potentially causal relationship between postoperative AKI and long-term adverse kidney outcomes may partly explain the long-term mortality associations observed in patients with AKI after cardiac surgery. Although the RenalRIP trial has abundant strengths, there are several significant limitations. First, when using the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes criteria to define and grade the postoperative AKI, Zarbock et al.3 used a 72-h time window to include the patients with serum creatinine increases of 0.3 mg/dl or more from baseline, rather than a 48-h time window, as specified by the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes criteria. It was also unclear whether the serum creatinine concentrations used for definition and staging of postoperative AKI had been corrected according to perioperative fluid balance. The available evidence shows that not adjusting serum creatinine concentrations for fluid balance may underestimate incidence of AKI following cardiac surgery, given that a positive perioperative fluid balance may dilute serum creatinine.4 Second, as routinely observed variables, perioperative hemoglobin and serum albumin levels were not provided in patient data. It has been shown that preoperative anemia is independently associated with AKI after cardiac surgery, and anemic patients undergoing cardiac surgery are more susceptible to transfusion-related AKI than nonanemic patients.5 Furthermore, robust evidence exists indicating that hypoalbuminemia may causally result in the development of AKI following cardiac surgery.6 Third, the RenalRIP trial design did not include the occurrence of intraoperative hypotension, a known causative factor of postoperative AKI.7 Fourth, with the exception of myocardial infarction and major bleeding, the RenalRIP trial did not collect postoperative adverse events and complications. It has been found that low cardiac output syndrome, arrhythmia, hypoalbuminemia, blood transfusion, and pulmonary and gastrointestinal complications in the early postoperative period are the independent risk factors for AKI and are significantly associated with the shortand long-term outcomes following cardiac surgery.8 Thus, we argue that the above factors in their RenalRIP trial would have confounded the true influence of the remote ischemic preconditioning on the development of AKI in the early postoperative period, resulting in a spurious protective effect of remote ischemic preconditioning on the long-term adverse kidney outcomes in this follow-up study. Finally, most patients who experience AKI after cardiac surgery can actually recover their kidney function at hospital discharge, and a less severe episode of AKI has only limited implications for long-term outcomes.2 To assess the effects of remote ischemic preconditioning on long-term adverse kidney outcomes, it is best to provide the duration of postoperative AKI and persistent renal dysfunction at hospital discharge, which are the main known determinants of longterm adverse kidney outcomes in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.


The demand for a good communication is the basis for every language learning activity, regardless of the language being learned. Studies on language leaning have shown that motivation is a key role, which moves a learner towards attaining proficiency in the goal language. The target of studying may be communicative, linguistic, materialistic or academic. It could also take from the need to improve one's linguistic skills already acquired, in order to be a more competent user of the language and to be better communicator. In this situation, as a cognitive factor motivation plays an important role in learning English as a second or a Foreign language.  The objective of this present article analyzes the motivation in learning English as second language of non - native speakers. The non - native speakers are from different social and educational backgrounds. The results of the study show that motivation is an important portion which language learning and varies with individual learners. What triggers motivation is the focus of the study that takes a few interesting attitudes of the leaners to limelight.


The utilisation of additional learning (including CD This book comprehensively addresses the subject of RoMs) is becoming increasingly important within vascular surgery and does so in an original and usermedicine. This CD aims to depict a digital section of friendly way. Within each chapter a topic is presented anatomy from MRI and CT scans in a comprehensive in the form of an algorithm, showing the management and logical fashion. The CD is routinely loaded and pathway that is taken when faced with a particular has two main sections, one describing CT and the clinical situation. The decision pathway is acother MRI anatomy. Access to the various sections and companied by text, which explains each step to be the images within are generally of very high quality taken, and the reason for the decision. Background and easy to use. There is the ability to scroll up and information is provided on each subject and references down various images and to change direction from are given where these decisions are based on research axial to coronal or sagittal planes. There is a very good evidence. The book has been split into a progressive and extensive labelling of the structures identified, sequence of chapters. The initial topics discuss the which is supplemented by a quiz function where the pre-operative evaluation and management of a patient student is asked to click on the appropriate area of with vascular disease. This is followed by chapters on anatomy listed by the side. A successful click is accerebrovascular disease, aneurysms, extremity occompanied by the sound of a gong whilst an error clusive disease, renovascular disease, venous disease causes a dog to bark! Overall the layout and iland finally miscellaneous topics that include lymphlustrations are of very high quality particularly of the oedema and trauma. central nervous system, spine and musculo-skeletal The chapters are concise and well written. The diasystem. However, the angio anatomy of the abdomen grams are clear and easy to follow. They highlight and thorax is very poorly demonstrated. The images the decisions that are routinely made and break the are of low definition with only very large vessels decision process into small and manageable stages. visible. In addition there are several factual errors Unfortunately, the evidence for these decisions is not including mislabelling of some muscles in the shoulalways explicit. Most chapters reference their sources der. There are some individual peculiarities in labelling but some do not provide a clear evidence-base for secondary to translation from German but overall the their decisions and relate them instead to the authors' labelling is of a very high quality. This CD would be own practice. If the evidence does not exist then it useful to postgraduate trainees particularly in rawould be helpful for this to be explicitly stated. diology but also in other specialities such as orthoThe book explores difficult problems that are faced paedics, neuroradiology and general surgery. It would in vascular practice such as co-existing carotid and not have much benefit to those interested in vascular coronary disease. By using the algorithm approach anatomy. one can easily follow each step in the decision path, Overall the wealth of high quality easily archived and making the problem seem simpler and more images outweighs these minor problems and I would logical. This may be especially useful for the inexrecommend this as part of the digital library for diagperienced vascular surgeon. Exploring a subject in this nostic radiology trainees. It would need to be supmanner also highlights areas of uncertainty and issues plemented by other material particularly in vascular that require further research. anatomy. There are several interesting chapters that cover


Summary
One hundred thirty-two ambulatory patients, harboring 284 intestinal worm infections, were treated with thiabendazole. Dosage and administration of the drug were varied in four different groups studied. Best results were obtained against Strongyloides stercoralis, Ascaris lumbricoides and hookworms. Effectiveness was very weak for Trichuris trichiura, and no effect was found in Taenia solium or T. saginata infections. From one-third to one-half of the patients showed manifestations of intolerance, usually transient and not severe. A review of the publications on clinical trials up to September 1964 is presented.


Abstract We document an example of serpentinization of olivine and orthopyroxene that produced virtually no magnetite, but instead relatively Fe-rich yellow-colored lizardite (XFe = 0.08 to 0.17), and the native Fe-Ni-Co metals, awaruite and wairauite. Lizardite's identity was confirmed by micro-Raman spectroscopy, although peaks are broad. Electron microprobe analyses of the lizardite yield a continuous compositional trend of formula contents suggestive of the progressive uptake of Fe3+ exclusively on M sites, where it is charge balanced by vacancies. Although these observations are unusual, this secondary mineral assemblage can be explained in terms of the likely intensive variables T, fH₂O, fH₂, and aSiO₂ attending the alteration. The absence of magnetite in serpentinization does not signify a lack of oxidation. By forming the hydrated phase-component ferri-lizardite instead of magnetite from the fayalite and ferrosilite components, the yield of hydrogen is reduced by two-thirds. The usual inverse correlation of rock density with magnetic susceptibility is unlikely to be the case in this kind of serpentinization


The experiment was developed to evaluate the effects of wilting and inclusion of cassava meal level on nutritive value, fermentative characteristics and losses of elephant grass silage. The 4 x 2 factorial scheme was adopted, with four repetitions, in a completely randomized design. The factors evaluated were wilting (without and with) and cassava meal level (0; 7.5; 15 and 22.5% of natural matter, DN). PVC silos with 50 cm height and 10 cm diameter were used for silages production, which were opened after 60 days. The wilting and cassava meal addition had increasing linear effect on DM content. Silages with cassava meal showed reduction of total nitrogen, ether extract, acid detergent insoluble nitrogen, neutral detergent fiber ash and protein free, acid detergent fiber, celluloses, hemicelluloses and lignin contents and increase of organic matter content, DM in vitro digestibility and total digestible nutrients. Relative to variables inherent to silages' fermentative characteristics, pH presented quadratic behavior. Concerning to ammonia nitrogen, it was observed quadratic and decreasing linear behavior for silages without and with wilting, respectively. Wilting and cassava meal inclusion provided smaller effluent losses.


Keyword : teaching methods, speaking

Speaking is a skill that enables us to produce utterances which involves expressing ideas and opinions. Moreover, speaking is difficult for students to master because there are a lot of components involve. Therefore, to make the teaching and learning speaking more interesting and easy to understand, the lecturer should use methods of teaching effectively. The methods should be suitable with studentsÂ' characteristics and conditions.

The purpose of this research was to analyze and describe the phenomenon which happened in speaking class. In this study, the researcher used qualitative research design to describe the phenomenon in speaking class. The researcher used qualitative research design based on the purposes of study that observed phenomenon in speaking class naturally. The data of this research were collected from the class observation. In addition, the data were displayed in the form of narrative.

The result of observation and interview showed that the English lecturer used two teaching methods while teaching speaking, such as: Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) and Total Physical Response (TPR). Those methods were used in order to make the students speak up. However, there were also some problems faced by the lecturer in implementing those methods such as: in CLT, they were (1) Limited Vocabulary, (2) Less Confident, (3) Passive Student, and (4) Incorrect Pronunciation. In TPR, they were (1) Less Motivation, (2) Feeling Confused, and (3) could not controll the class (crowded). Also, the lecturer had some ways to solve those problems, such as: in CLT, the lecturer repeating instruction, asking students to open dictionary, discussing, putting smart student in each group, and taking a note on the wrong pronunciation. While in TPR, they were given motivation, making face to face presentation, repeating instructions, reviewing materials, walking around the class, and kept silent.


Recent changes imposed by the Vatican may redefine the Chilean and Peruvian Church's involvement in politics and social issues. Fleet and Smith argue that the Vatican has been moving to restrict the Chilean and Peruvian Church's social and political activities. Fleet and Smith have gathered documentary evidence, conducted interviews with Catholic elites, and compiled surveys of lay Catholics in the region. The result will help chart the future of the Church and Chile and Peru.


Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and coronary artery disease. Share several etiopathogenic factors and increases risk of mortality and morbidity. Coexistence of both diseases is very common and has diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic implications. Study was carried to find incidence and clinical profile of coronary artery disease among COPD Cases. Material and method: Cross sectional study was carried out for duration of two years in medicine department of tertiary care hospital using semi structured pre validated questionnaire and with help of laboratory investigation to confirm diagnosis. Results: Incidence of CAD was 22.3%. Incidence of CAD was more among elderly with male predominance. Out of 63 cases 53(84.1%) cases had positive history of smoking. Mean duration of years of smoking was19.28 ± 4.91 (10 27) and incidence increased with years of smoking CAD cases were more among severe (5/17=29.4%) and Very severe COPD cases (6/11=54.5%) than mild and moderate one. Conclusion: Incidence of CAD in COPD was more with increasing years of smoking and grades of COPD.


IoT is revolutionizing the world. One of its renowned applications is a smart door lock system to protect the valuables and secrets behind the door. In IoT based system the user is transmitting his confidential data over the network which may contain passwords and other information, which are as crucial as the secrets or valuables behind the door. To resolve the valuables security and information security issues, we uniquely propose a password based and cryptographically shielded highly secure door lock system. We designed and developed a complete system including an Android smartphone app, using cryptographic algorithms for secure communication and programmable hardware with sensors and actuators in order to control unauthorized access. This cryptoLock not only protects our valuables behind the door but also it protects our data which is being transmitted over the network. It gives easy remote access, controls unauthorized access and gives a complete sense of security.


To determine the possible impact of over-exploitation on the genetic structure of Turkish red pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) populations, three natural and three over-exploited (human degraded) populations of the species in the Mediterranean region of Turkey were investigated with Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD). With the 80 RAPD primers tested, 12 of them yielded 137 polymorphic RAPD fragments. Four of the studied populations maintained unique fragments. The mean proportion of polymorphic fragments for all populations ranged from 89.8 to 98.9% and there were no significant differences between natural (94.8%) vs. over-exploited populations (92.7%). The estimated heterozygosity values suggested that Turkish red pine maintains high levels of genetic diversity (range 0.24–0.28) though studied populations and grouped ones as natural (He = 0.28) vs. over-exploited (0.27) did not differ significantly. The mean FST value indicated that the large portion of the total genetic diversity was within populations (93%), but this value was lower in the natural populations (92%) than in the over-exploited ones (94%). In over-exploited populations, excess of homozygosity was observed (about 6% higher) as compared to natural populations, indicating impacts of inbreeding in P. brutia.


Background: The deadly COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) or SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) was identified for the first time in December 2019 from Wuhan, China, and by the beginning of March 2020, it was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). Despite so many government regulations and awareness measures, there is still a lacuna between the gravity of illness and the knowledge of the average person toward it. Objective: We aimed at assessing the knowledge, attitude, and behavioral practice (KAP) of patients on immunosuppressive medication attending the dermatology department toward, COVID-19. Material and Methods: A self-designed printed/digital questionnaire consisting of 30 questions (Hindi and English) was supplied to patients being treated with any systemic immunosuppressives (for at least 3 weeks), for any dermatological ailment. The questionnaire consisted of 12 questions assessing the knowledge, 11 for attitude, and 7 for practices of patients toward COVID-19. Results: The study included 237 patients with a mean age of 44.57 ± 13.72 years. The correct knowledge toward COVID-19 was present in 126 (53.16%) patients with a mean score of 7.79 ± 3.08 out of 13. The mean attitude score was 8.35 ± 2.16 (out of 11) while the mean score of practice was 5.64 ± 2.03 (out of 8). Increased hygiene levels were seen in 220 (92.83%) patients. Sixty-six (27.85%) patients admitted to stopping their prescribed immunosuppressives by themselves during COVID-19 and a significant proportion agreed to the use of alternative medicines with questionable efficacy (n = 91; 38.39%). A significant difference in KAP was found across various strata of society like gender, age, socioeconomic status, literacy, and residence (P < 0.001). Limitations: Our study was limited by small sample size, absence of a control group with healthy individuals, and short duration of the study. Conclusions: Most of the participants had poor knowledge, a positive attitude, and good practices toward COVID-19. Proper counseling of patients and the use of telemedicine could help combat the gap in KAP without compromising the healthcare facilities needed for the management of such patients.


To meet world's insatiable gas demand, offshore production of natural gas must be carried out efficiently, effectively and most importantly safely. The lack of fundamental understanding of how these offshore fuel gases behaves and interacts with air after leakage occurrence has prompted this study into action which is essential in offshore safety management. Gaseous fuels are being labeled the "silent killer" as the biggest hazard of a gas leak is fatal explosion. Undetected gas leak is due to poor understanding and prediction of fluid dynamics interaction between the fuel gases and air as well as the flammability envelope at different times. Using ANSYS Fluent 14.0, 2D simulation is carried out to study the transient mixing behavior of selected fuel gases which are natural gas (primarily methane), carbon monoxide, ethane, propane, butane and lastly acetylene. Shravan and Umit, 2009 studied on transient hydrogen mixing with air are used as a benchmark for our study. A simple geometry of 1m by 0.5m is used alongside different scenario settings. 3 scenarios analyzed are fuel gas release near the bottom enclosed geometry, comparison between a smaller leak volume and a bigger leak volume, and lastly fuel gas release at the top enclosed geometry. Navier Stokes equations describe the fluid dynamics of their hydrogen diffusion model alongside using laminar model. The major steps in the CFD simulation are Geometry Construction, Meshing, Model Setup, Solution and Display of results. The results have shown that the transient dispersion of fuel gases and flammability in air is affected by the mixing buoyancy effects, diffusivity differences and density differences between the fuel gas and air. Hydrogen and natural gas leak (less dense gases compared to air) has high risk; they form flammable vapor cloud at short times that could ultimately lead to fatal explosion in presence of ignition sources. Compared to heavier fuel gases such as propane and butane, vapor cloud formation is rather unlikely in cases when the leak is at bottom. Aside from potentially high risk gas explosion, carbon monoxide hazardous leak into open environment brings fatality to the platform workers even at ppm level. Closed geometry outlines the importance of proper ventilation whereas open geometry outlines the estimation of evacuation period after leakages occurrence. All in all, this thesis has
5
delivered a comprehensive understanding and comparison between different transient gaseous fuels mixing with air based on different geometry settings as well as how the formation and decay of flammable zones changes.


Background: The schistosome parasite induced granulomatous inflammation in the host following oviposition in the liver.Aim:The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of two antiinflammatory drugs; Hostacortin (steroidal) and Vioxx (non-steroidal) in ameliorating the damaging effects of S. mansoni infection in mice. Materials and methods: The anti-inflammatory activity of the two drugs was evaluated at dose levels of 10, 50,100 and 200 mg/kg body weight. Each drug was orally administered to mice infected with 80 S.mansoni cercariae / mouse for 10 consecutive days after 6-weeks of infection. Some biochemical parameters including the hepatic function as enzymatic activity of aminotransaminases; alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in liver as well as serum albumin and liver total protein were determined. In addition, some parasitological parameters as worm burden, liver egg count hepatic granuloma size and relative liver weight were performed to evaluate the possible anti-inflammatory effect of the two anti-inflammatory drugs in ameliorating the severity of the schistosomiasis disease. Results: The results showed that Hosstacortin treatment had no marked effect on the parasite burden and liver egg count. However, it caused a pronounced improvement with a high tendency for normalization in transaminases (ALAT and ASAT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities in liver tissue homogenate. In addition, serum albumin and liver total protein was observed to attain, to some extent, their normal levels by increasing dose regimens of Hostacortin. Also, a significant reduction in granuloma size by 22.2% and 31.6% was detected for doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg Hostacortin, respectively. On the other hand, Vioxx did not affect the parasite burden and liver egg count while it caused high reduction in the enzymatic activities of ASAT, ALAT and ALP in liver tissue homogenate. Also, a moderate increase in serum albumin and a significant reduction in liver total protein levels were observed in mice treated with Vioxx. In contrast to Hostacortin, Vioxx treatment induced a significant increase in the granuloma size by 29.3% at a dose level of 200 mg/kg. Conclusion: The treatment with Hostacortin was found to ameliorate to some extent the severity of the disease, but Vioxx treatment caused additional hepatotoxicity in the S. mansoni infected mice.


The problem of the static and dynamic response of a nonhomogeneous, isotropic, elastic half-space to stress dislocations and concentrated forces is discussed. Integral expressions for the displacements are obtained in the case of a two-layered half-space. Results of Singh (1970) are used to study the static deformation of a multilayered half-space caused by a point source placed at an arbitrary depth below the free surface. The source is represented as a discontinuity in the z-dependent coefficients of the displacement and stress integrands at the source level.


The common denominator of arterial diseases is inflammation. Co-stimulatory molecules are essential to propagate and modulate immune reactions and thus the inflammatory response (1). In diseases such as atherosclerosis and restenosis, the co-stimulatory CD40-CD40L dyad plays a pivotal role. However, both CD40 and CD40L have Janus-faced properties. In the majority of studies, genetic or pharmacological inhibition of either CD40 or CD40L ameliorates vascular disease. However, in some cases, interventions within the CD40-CD40L system result in zero or even detrimental effects on the course of vascular pathologies. This ambiguity is caused by the versatile properties of CD40-CD40L interactions. First, especially CD40L is promiscuous in terms of receptor-ligand interactions. CD40L not only binds to CD40, but also can bind to Mac1 and aIIβ3 (2). Second, CD40L and CD40 have different effects, depending on the cell-type that is studied, and third, the interaction between CD40 and its TNF receptor associated factor (TRAF) 2/3/5 or TRAF6 binding site directs its pro-inflammatory functions (1, 3). In the current issue of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Willecke et al. report the surprising observation that blocking the interaction between CD40L and Mac1, an interaction that was previously described to be crucial in atherosclerosis, does not affect restenosis (4). Administration of cM7, a peptide that binds the CD40L binding domain on Mac1 did not decrease neointimal area or ameliorated vascular remodelling. Interestingly, deficiency of CD40, the classical receptor of CD40L, did reduce neointima formation and vascular wall expansion, which was attributed to the observation that CD40-deficient platelets form less platelet-leukocyte aggregates with CD40-deficient leukocytes, produce less CXCL4, inhibit vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and induce VSMC apoptosis. The data reported here reveal an important feature of the CD40-CD40L co-stimulatory dyad in restenosis, and provide us with novel therapeutic leads. In contrast to atherosclerosis, in which CD40L-Mac1, as well as CD40L-CD40 interactions are involved, restenosis is only dictated by the classic CD40L-CD40 interaction, which makes therapeutic strategies to inhibit CD40 in restenosis of particular interest.


MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the progression of different types of cancers giving new hope for cancer treatment. The role and regulatory mechanism of microRNA‑187 (miR‑187) are largely unknown. In the present study, 74 patients with non‑small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were selected. Tumor tissues and matched normal tissues were collected for determining the expression level of miR‑187. Cell research was performed to detect the function of miR‑187. The expression level was measured and miR‑187 was found to be overexpressed in the NSCLC cell lines and tissues. Overexpression of miR‑187 promoted cell proliferation in the A549 and H1650 cell lines. Moreover, overexpression of miR‑187 also promoted cell migration and invasion. Polymerase I and transcript release factor (PTRF) was identified as a target of miR‑187. Overexpression of miR‑187 suppressed the expression of PTRF. Knockdown of PTRF promoted lung cancer cell invasion, and overexpression of PTRF had a negative effect on lung cancer cell invasion. The PTRF messenger RNA (mRNA) levels in cancer tissues were significantly lower than those in their adjacent normal lung tissues as determined by real‑time PCR (RT‑PCR). The expression of the PTRF protein was significantly weaker than that in the adjacent normal lung tissues using immunohistochemical staining. The findings revealed that miR‑187 promotes cell growth and invasion by targeting PTRF and miR‑187 may be a new prognostic factor for NSCLC.


Introduction: Making a differential diagnosis between bacterial meningitis and aseptic meningitis is a critical clinical problem. The utility of a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lactate assay for this purpose has been debated and is not yet routinely clinically performed. To adequately evaluate this assay, a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies of the CSF lactate concentration as a marker for both bacterial meningitis and aseptic meningitis was performed. Methods: Electronic searches in PubMed, Scopus, the MEDION database and the Cochrane Library were conducted to identify relevant articles published before March 2009. A manual search of reference lists from selected articles was also conducted. Two reviewers independently selected relevant articles and extracted data on study characteristics, quality and accuracy. Results: Twenty-five articles were identified that met the eligibility criteria. Diagnostic odds ratios were considerably homogenous (Chi-square P = 0.1009, I = 27.6%), and the homogeneity was further confirmed by a Galbraith plot and meta-regression analysis using several covariates. The symmetrical summary receiver-operator characteristic curve (SROC), fitted using the Moses-Shapiro-Littenberg method, was positioned near the upper left corner of the SROC curve. The Q value and area under the curve were 0.9451 and 0.9840, respectively, indicating excellent accuracy. The diagnostic accuracy of the CSF lactate concentration was higher than those of other four conventional markers (CSF glucose, CSF/plasma glucose quotient, CSF protein, and CSF total number of leukocytes) using a head to head meta-analysis of the 25 included studies. Conclusions: To distinguish bacterial meningitis from aseptic meningitis, CSF lactate is a good single indicator and a better marker compared to other conventional markers.


Hippocrates (460-377 BC) first described stroke over 2400 years ago. Stroke is the 4th leading cause of death in Canada (3rd in the USA) and the primary cause of permanent motor and cognitive disability. The majority of strokes are ischemic. The extent of cerebral dysfunction and thus the severity of stroke are based on the location, severity and duration of ischemia. Stroke management and prognosis encompass early recognition of the onset of stroke and post-stroke determination of the extent of brain injury aided by clinical stroke scores and diffusion-weighted imaging. Cognitive domains most likely to be affected following stroke are memory, orientation, language, attention and executive function. While the vast majority of functional recovery occurs within the first 3 months post-stroke, the neural mechanisms promoting recovery are not well understood. Investigations into the neural plasticity of brain areas after a lesion demonstrate that the adult brain can be shaped by environmental inputs, such as rehabilitation techniques. Many rehabilitation techniques are actively being pursued, including brain-computer interfaces providing sophisticated methods for detecting rehabilitation-associated changes in cerebral physiology. The success of such strategies visualized with functional magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography may provide an objective complement to clinical evaluations.


In the last 10-15 years laser ablation became very popular for the analysis of solid samples. The study of laser-matter interaction processes on different time scales -nano, pico, femto, and their application in different fields developed a thorough knowledge of the fundamental laws involved in this process. The intention in the current research was to determine the general features of different ablation processes (ns, fs) and ion beam desorption process. The aim was to perform a complete set of measurements of different target materials by means of mass spectrometry studies. More specifically, the mass spectra of ablated and sputtered particles from organic matter were studied. Time of flight mass spectrometer was used for detection. An investigation of the mechanism of laser ablation of biological tissue is a complicated problem due to the complexity of the examined organic material. In our experiments the main aim was to obtain optimal signal detection without the onset of considerable fragmentation. Comparison will be made between the mass spectra from biological samples obtained with laser ablation, and those obtained under bombardment with 9 keV-accelerated Xe + ions. As a general tendency in nanosecond ablation and in SIMS experiments the detection of higher mass molecular species is negligible in correspondence to femtosecond laser ablation mass spectra. This can be due to the process of heating that develops under ion bombardment. This work demonstrates the sensitivity of the TOP technique and the potential of using this method for exploring the dynamics of the laser ablation and ion beam desorption processes.


The influence of different feeding levels below and slightly above maintenance on whole body δ13C and δ15N values of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus was examined. The energy budget of each fish was determined by indirect calorimetry. The δ13C values of the lipid-free material of Nile tilapia fed below and slightly above maintenance level did not differ between the feeding groups, but the δ13C values in the lipids and the δ15N values of the lipid-free material showed small but significant differences. Those fish with a negative lipid retention had significantly higher δ13C values in the lipid fraction compared to fish that synthesized fatty acids. There was a significant negative correlation between the amount of energy metabolized by the fish and both the δ13C values in the lipids and the δ15N values of the lipid-free material. Fasting and feeding below the maintenance level may influence the isotopic composition of animals and should therefore be considered in ecological and nutritional studies.


The 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGR) is an essential enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis. To study the expression of HMGR and corresponding cholesterol content in liver, adipose and muscle, six Chinese local breed (Huai pig) and Landrace pigs were selected. The results indicated that significant differences of cholesterol content in adipose (P < 0.01), liver (P < 0.05) and muscle (P < 0.01) tissues were detected between pigs of differing genetic backgrounds. HMGR mRNA expression were noted for adipose, liver and muscle of the two vastly differing genetics. Moreover cholesterol content differed (P < 0.01) among tissues across breed. Likewise, HMGR mRNA expression was different between adipose and liver tissues, muscle and liver tissues in both breeds; however, no difference was noted between adipose and muscle tissues. Results from this study indicate that cholesterol content and HMGR mRNA expression are higher in Huai pig tissues suggesting this gene is expressed in a breed- and tissue-dependent manner in pigs. Understanding the causes of variation in HMGR gene expression may provide crucial information about cholesterol biosynthesis.


Bis(diisobutylammonium) octabromodiantimonate(III), [(i-C4H9)2NH2]2Sb2Br8, has been synthesized. The differential scanning calorimetric measurements indicate a reversible, first-order phase transition at 222/229 K (cooling/heating). The single crystal X-ray diffraction studies reveal that the phase transition is isomorphous and is accompanied by a huge distortion of the crystal lattice. By comparison of the crystal structures of [(i-C4H9)2NH2]2Sb2Br8 and [(i-C4H9)2NH2]2Sb2Cl8, an analogous mechanism of the phase transition of the former is proposed. The change of the electronic structure of the complex during the phase transition was analyzed by UV-vis spectroscopy. A low-frequency dielectric relaxation process appears over phase I (below the room temperature) and corresponds to the dynamics of dipolar diisobutylammonium cations. The detailed analysis of the molecular motions of the organic cations studied by means of proton magnetic resonance (1H NMR) in a wide temperature range indicates a leading role of the methyl groups in the relaxation mechanism. A variable-temperature investigation of the infrared spectra of [(i-C4H9)2NH2]2Sb2Br8 confirms, in turn, the influence of the diisobutylammonium cation dynamics on the molecular mechanism of the structural transformation at 229 K.


Sensitivity to punishment and reward addiction in the academic context are considerably new areas of study. In recent years, the importance of school burnout has also increased. This study was conducted to identify the relationships between middle school students' reward addiction, sensitivity to punishment in the academic context and school burnout. Firstly, a scale of reward addiction in the academic context for middle school students was developed, and then, the relationships among reward addiction, sensitivity to punishment and school burnout were examined. The participants of the study were 741 students studying at five state middle schools in Eskisehir. The Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) analyses of the scale developed in the study showed that it had construct validity for two factors, and CFA analyses results indicated that they had reliable coefficients. To test the relationship between reward addiction and sensitivity to punishment, CFA and Path Analysis were conducted. According to the results, as the students' levels of reward addiction increased, their sensitivity to punishment also increased. The variable of reward addiction explained 60% of the variance in sensitivity to punishment. The Multiple Regression Analysis conducted to determine whether middle school students' reward addiction in the academic context predicts their levels of school burnout showed that reward addiction was a significant predictor of school burnout.


__Abstract__

Post-crisis regulatory activism in the EU from 2015 onward may take the form of market-making rather than market-saving. Building a European securities market in a manner potentially helpful to small and medium enterprises would provide a politically navigable path, relating constructively to employment and economic justice. By contrast, quantitative easing manifestly inflates elite assets and deepens inequality, which at a time of deepening recession in Europe remains attractive only to die-hard neoliberals. Certainly it is difficult to reconcile current regulatory rhetoric on employment – the theme of central bankers' 2014 Jackson Hole meeting – with asset-frothing and poverty-causing policies. It is easier to read that theme in terms of forward guidance in the sense of agenda reconstruction. Regulators' close cooperation in linguistic framing, within which managed policy divergences are possible, results from collective acknowledgement that one size may not fit all.


Neuroendocrine secretory protein-55 (NESP-55), the latest addition to the chromogranin family, is a product of a genomically imprinted gene transcribed exclusively from the maternal allele. Initial studies have shown it to have a less widespread distribution than that of chromogranin A in normal tissues. It has also been suggested that NESP-55 may be a marker of neuroendocrine tumors differentiating toward the adrenal chromaffin and pancreatic islet cells. Metastatic gastrointestinal and pulmonary carcinoids may occasionally be difficult to distinguish from pancreatic endocrine tumors (PETs) and pheochromocytomas on morphologic grounds alone. We studied neuroendocrine tumors from these sites to see if NESP-55 expression could reliably discriminate pulmonary and gastrointestinal carcinoids from neuroendocrine tumors arising in the pancreas or the adrenal medulla. Sixty-three neuroendocrine tumors positive for one or more immunohistochemical marker of neuroendocrine differentiation (chromogranin A, chromogranin B, synaptophysin, secretogranin II, neuron-specific enolase) were selected for the study and consisted of 34 typical carcinoids (15 pulmonary, 11 ileal, 4 gastric, and 4 rectal), 19 PETs, and 10 pheochromocytomas (4 sporadic, 3 MEN-2, 2 neurofibromatosis type 1, and 1 VHL). All cases were stained for NESP-55 after microwave antigen retrieval using a rabbit polyclonal antibody at a dilution of 1:1000. Sections of normal adrenal medulla were used as positive controls for NESP-55 staining. Negative controls consisted of omission of primary antibody and replacement with normal rabbit serum at an equivalent concentration. NESP-55 immunoreactivity was seen as brown finely granular cytoplasmic staining with prominent perinuclear accentuation. All gastric and ileal carcinoids studied were completely negative for NESP-55. One of four rectal and 1 of 15 pulmonary carcinoids showed focal positivity for it in less than 5% of tumor cells. In contrast, all 10 pheochromocytomas and 14 of 19 PETs showed strong immunohistochemical staining in a variable proportion of tumor cells. Diffuse positivity (>75% of tumor cells) was seen in 6 of 14 PETs and 8 of 10 pheochromocytomas. Our results indicate that, in contrast to the other granins, NESP-55 reactivity is restricted to endocrine tumors of the pancreas and the adrenal medulla. Immunohistochemical expression of NESP-55 may thus be useful in assigning a pancreatic or adrenal origin to metastatic endocrine tumors of unknown orgin.


Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded latent membrane protein 2 (LMP2) promotes nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) progression. Previously, we reported that the dendritic cells (DCs) transfected with EBV-LMP2 recombinant serotype 5 adenoviruses (rAd5) induced anti-tumor effect by eliciting cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs)-mediated immune response in vitro and the adenoviral vaccine of EBV-LMP2 (rAd5-EBV-LMP2) stimulated antigen-specific cellular immunity in mice. However, the safety and immunological effect of rAd5-EBV-LMP2 vaccine in human still remained unknown. Here we conducted a single-center, non-randomized, open-label, single-arm phase I clinical trial to clarify this unsolved issue. A total of 24 patients with regional advanced NPC were sequentially enrolled into three dose level groups (2×10(9), 2×10(10), 2×10(11) vp). The rAd5-EBV-LMP2 vaccines were intramuscularly injected for four times within 28 d (D0, D7, D14, D28). Blood samples were harvested immediately before every vaccination, one week and one month after the last vaccination (D0, D7, D14, D28, D35, D58). All the vaccine inoculation-related toxicities presented as grade I/II adverse events. The most frequent systemic adverse reactions were fatigue (33.0%, 8/24), myalgia (29.2%, 7/24) and cough (29.2%, 7/24), while the most common regional adverse reaction was tenderness in the inoculation site (54.2%, 13/24). In addition, proportion of CD(3+)CD(4+) cells in peripheral blood was significantly increased in the high dose group (2×10(11) vp). The rAd5-EBV-LMP2 vaccine was generally well-tolerated and the high dose (2×10(11) vp) is recommended to be adopted in phase II studies. The long-term outcome of rAd5-EBV-LMP2 vaccine inoculation is required to be determined in following placebo-controlled trials.


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Results show that various inbred strains of mice can be segregated into two distinct groups, based on their capacity to allow a number of nontuberculous mycobacterial infections to grow in target organs following experimental intravenous infection. The first group, which allowed these infections to grow progressively, was thus designated as naturally susceptible to these infections; in contrast, those strains which were able to exert detectable bacteriostasis were designated as naturally resistant. It was then found that segregation of mouse strains based on this distinction also mirrored the capacity of these animals to generate acquired immunity to the mycobacterial infections. For example, Mycobacterium simiae grew progressively in susceptible C57BL/6 mice, subsequently triggering acquired mechanisms of immunity, whereas no evidence for acquired immunity could be found in resistant A/Tru mice infected with this organism. The possibility that acquired immunity could not be expressed in the latter strain as a result of a defect in macrophage activation was excluded. Moreover, it was found that the trait of resistance to these infections could be transferred by bone marrow cells into radiation chimeras, thus indicating that this trait was expressed by the progeny of hemopoietic precursor cells. Subsequent backcross analysis to determine the mode of inheritance of the trait of resistance to these mycobacterial infections revealed data that were consistent with the hypothesis that this resistance is controlled by more than one gene. Statistical analysis of the data by the maximum likelihood method suggested polygenic control, although in some cases the probability values suggested control by a major gene, influenced by modifier genes. These findings suggest that the previous hypothesis that the growth of mycobacterial infections in inbred strains of mice is controlled by a single gene should be reevaluated.


In this paper, we investigate the main factors of the stray load loss of cage induction motors from both results of the measurement and analysis. The losses generated at the rotor cage, stator and rotor cores are calculated by the finite element analysis, respectively. To consider the inter-bar current loss, which is produced by the eddy currents at the rotor core between the bars, the 3-D analysis considering the lamination of the rotor core is applied. On the other hand, the total and stray load losses of the motor are measured due to the IEEE standard 112 method B. The relationships between the measured losses and the practical losses generated at each part of the motor are investigated from these results. It is clarified that the main parts of the stray load loss in case of the analyzed motor is the increase of the harmonic rotor cage and rotor core losses, especially, the harmonic inter-bar current losses caused by the stator slot ripples


The effect of zinc administration to rats on the acute inflammatory response to carrageenan in the pleural cavity was studied. The number of neutrophils mobilized into the pleural cavity was markedly reduced in a dose-dependent manner, whereas the volume of exudate formed significantly increased during the development of pleurisy. In the neutrophils isolated from zinc-treated rats, the mobilization capacity, phagocytic activity and concomitant O2- production were strongly inhibited accompanied with a slight increase in zinc content in the cells. These inhibitory effects of zinc on neutrophil functions and the increase in zinc content of cells were also observed in an in vitro system.The viability of neutrophils obtained from zinc-treated rats slightly decreased, as was evidenced from leakage of cytoplasmic lactate dehydrogenase during the course of phagocytosis, suggesting that the neutrophils from zinc-treated rats may be more susceptible to cell damage during phagocytosis.


Mathematical Modelling of Induction Motor Transient Processes During Stator Winding Interruption This research presents induction motor mathematical model in coordinate axis's α, β, which allows to learn transient processes in rotor and stator circuits in the conditions of stator windings opening. Such kind of researches is nowadays actual due to impossibility of main calculated values measuring directly, but only on the stator terminals. Induction motor mathematical model forms Park-Gorev equations in α, β coordinate axis. It is preferable to use this coordinate system because it allows comparing the results of mathematical modeling in one of the phases with experimental data without transformations.


Energy expenditure prediction equations developed for able-bodied populations may be inaccurate for para-athletes, a population characterized by different types of impairments. Sufficient data do not exist currently to generate or validate energy expenditure predictive equations for para-athletes to establish dietary recommendations to cover the demands of sport. The purpose of this observational study was to assess energy expenditure and substrate usage from a trained para-athlete at rest and while performing the athlete's specific mode of exercise. One para-athlete recruited from the Challenged Athletes Foundation (female; age 32) participated in the study. The participant was a left leg Syme's amputee triathlete. Resting metabolic rate was measured for the triathlete. Energy expenditure was also measured at moderate (64-76% of age-predicted HRmax) and vigorous intensity exercise (77-95% of age-predicted HRmax) on a stationary cycle ergometer on a separate day. The triathlete's energy expenditure during exercise was higher than that predicted by the metabolic equivalent of task (MET) matched by exercise type at a moderate (measured: 7.0 kcal/min, predicted: 5.0 kcal/min) and vigorous intensity (measured: 9.3 kcal/min, predicted: 7.0 kcal/min). The Revised Harris-Benedict and the Mifflin-St Jeor equations underestimated resting metabolic rate in the triathlete (measured: 2,194 kcal/day, predicted: 1,348 ± 39 kcal/day). This study indicates that equations developed for able-bodied populations underestimate energy expenditure in a Syme's amputee when compared to the measured energy expenditure values assessed by indirect calorimetry at rest and during a workout on both a stationary cycle ergometer and while running on the track.


Wole Soyinka's novel The Interpreters (1965) is arguably one of the most challenging post-colonial novels to read and understand easily. The present paper adopts a pre-test post-test control group experimental treatment design. (Sixty university undergraduate students from three universities were selected and placed in two groups: experimental and control. 60 students from two hundred and thirty, 3 universities eighteen universities. The experimental group was taught using the schema theory and the control group was taught using the conventional method which entails whole class lecture, teacher led instruction. After the experimental treatment a pretest and a post-test was administered. A t-test ruled out pre-experimental differences between the groups. A one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) shows that there were statistically significant difference in comprehension level due to the Schema theory method. A multiple regression analysis established that different selected aspects of the stream-of-consciousness: interior monologue, association, montage, plot structure and myth and archetype contribute to the score. The study established that comprehension of stream of consciousness, as a literary technique can be investigated using schema theory.


Reservoir management is a data driven process with an objective to achieve an optimum ultimate oil recovery. It is fundamental to obtain a proper understanding of well and reservoir performance, which can only be built based on the acquired data. Data acquisition in brownfield has been a significant challenge due to the obsolete control system, accessibility and workflows. Daily well changes is one of the key pieces of data required in routine allocation, well performance analysis, as well as simulation model updates and hence development plans. There are two major types of acquired data in the presented giant offshore brownfield, which are manually measured by operators and automatically recorded data through available SCADA system. A comprehensive data analysis has been conducted based on historical production data and reservoir surveillance data to spot the gaps and identify the opportunities for future improvement.
 Gaps in daily well changes data have been observed from both manually and automatically acquired data. It has been summarized into two main categories, which are data inaccurate and data missing. The inaccuracies are mainly from improper use of well change event types, inaccurate timing of data acquisition and malfunctioning of SCADA systems. Missing data includes loss of manual measurement records and insufficient utilization of SCADA data. The paper presents real examples of all these findings and a proposed workflow to enhance the data acquisition process. The concise and explicit workflow is one of the most efficient approach to tackle the hardware and manpower limitations. The importance of daily production events could not be over emphasized. Specific actions to bridge the identified gaps are crucial to achieve a sound reservoir management, maintain the sustainability, and ensure an optimum oil recovery.


Post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) is a vexing problem of the patients following spinal anesthesia or a complication relative to inadvertent dural puncture in epidural anesthesia. The prevention and management of PDPH contain a laddered forestallment and therapy with varying results. The anticonvulsant gabapentin has been reported to be effective in prophylaxis and treatment of headaches. We report here two cases of PDPH, who failed to respond to traditional analgesics, but had good response to gabapentin. After treatment with gabapentin 400 mg three times daily, the headache was relieved remarkably in 24 hr. Discussions of the pathophysiology of PDPH, pharmacological actions of gabapentin, and possible mechanisms of action of gabapentin on PDPH are brought forward in the text.


This study aimed to investigate in community health agents (CHAs) integrated into the Family Health Program (FHP) who work in cities in Paraiba, the attitudes about elderly and beliefs about AIDS, and AIDS in this context's specificity. It was quantitative-oriented study that used the Questionnaire of Attitudes and Beliefs about Elderly and AIDS prepared for the study. The results indicate a positive vision of the elderly. Death and end are linked ideas with AIDS and also suggest the ignorance or disbelief in treatment. The ACSs recognize the vulnerability of the olders, who may contract the virus through sexual activity and using drugs. The participants believe that the olds have information about AIDS, but disagree about the necessity of campaigns targeted to this audience. These results indicate the necessity of better preparation of professionals to take care of these people and to do the informative work on the topic of AIDS in old age.