Introduction: a number of adjustments of the cardiovascular system are required during isometric exercise; variations in the components involved in young people blood pressure response result controversial. Objective: to determine the difference between gender at baseline hemodynamic parameters and response to Sustained Weight Test in normorreactive, hyperreactive and hypertensive young people. Methods: sample was constituted by 97 young people of both genders, 41 males and 56 females, with an average age of 19±1,40 years, whom was applied hemodynamic monitoring in supine decubitus position with non- invasive by impedance cardiography at rest and while the sustained weight test was performed. Results: significantly superior values of heart rate and cardiac index were obtained in normorreactive women in basal conditions, and at the exercise. Normorreactive male had significantly higher Resistance index than females in both conditions and hypertensive response group had differences only in the exercise. Women achieved higher heart rate increments than men during isometric exercise. Systemic vascular resistance and resistance index were increased in all groups of both genders, mainly in normorreactive men. Conclusions: at baseline, women had higher values of hemodynamic variables related to cardiac activity and men related to vascular tone. Differences between both genders remained during isometric exercise, and the increased blood pressure was mainly due to the increase of systemic vascular resistance.


SIR,-Many doctors, scientists, and dentists will have been perturbed to read of the conviction of the Royal College of Surgeons of England on a charge of causing unnecessary suffering to a breeding monkey in its care in the college's dental research unit at Downe. I and my council would like them to know: (a) that the college has lodged an appeal against this conviction on grounds both of law and of fact; (b) that in respect of the one macaque (a female) where the court found the charge proved the monkey, though dehydrated, was in a room where there were 28 other monkeys which did not suffer dehydration, was immediately and skilfully treated under veterinary guidance, made a swift and complete recovery, and is alive and well today; (c) that all four charges relating to the design and size of cages were dismissed by the magistrates, who visited the unit at the college's invitation before giving their verdict; and (d) that the college has an excellent record in its care and treatment of animals. It provides full time veterinary cover to look after their health and welfare, meets or exceeds all known guidelines on their care and environment, and conducts regular courses at Downe designed to instruct veterinary surgeons and others on the care and handling of animals. It has consistently improved and modified procedures and physical arrangements for housing animals and will continue to do so. Research establishments are facing a well organised and at times vicious and dishonest campaign by extreme antivivisectionists to end all animal experimentation-regardless of the benefits to man or animals. The college shares the desire of all humane people to treat laboratory animals with compassion and understanding and to seek alternatives to the use of animal models, but, until those alternatives exist, it will not be deflected from its obligations to advance medical knowledge in the interest of patients. We do not need to tell your readers how much of modern treatment and practice would have been impossible without animal experimentation. GEOFFREY SLANEY President Royal College of Surgeons of England, London WC2A 3PN


If only because of this unusual method of examination many statements of this paper must not be accepted without reservations. And yet the publication of this report has already created much concern. It is likely that the authors did not fully realize the significance of a field study claiming to find the evidence of chloroquine resistance in tropical Africa. This concern is even greater at the present time as a team from the Division of Insect Borne Diseases of the Medical Research Laboratory, Nairobi, Kenya, visited the Embu area in August 1971, and could not find any evidence of P. falciparum resistance to chloroquine. There is no doubt that the publication of the report by Yoshinaga et al., which was followed by a promotional campaign in favour of the new drug, led to some confusion and uneasiness. It also undermined the confidence of the medical profession and of the population in the therapeutic value of chloroquine, still one of our most reliable and useful antimalarial drugs. One of the most important duties facing malariologists today is the early and reliable recognition of drug resistance on the basis of field tests. A usable method has been recommended by the W.H.O.' and the strictest scientific criteria should be applied for final assessment of results.-We are, etc.,


A novel algorithm is described for constructing a progressive, multiresolution compression code. The codec consists of nested levels of tree-structured vector quantizers (TSVQs) where the codebook for each level of the nested TSVQs is constructed from the terminal leaves of the TSVQ from the previous level. In order to generate a multiresolution output in a progressive manner, the codeword dimension at each level's TSVQ is greater than or equal to those of the previous levels. Pruning is performed on the nested TSVQs to achieve the bit allocation across the levels. The resulting pruned TSVQ provides a multiresolution output with low computational complexity at the decoder while simultaneously providing superior performance to ordinary pruned TSVQ at low bit rates.<<ETX>>


Recent advances in the emerging memory technology magnetic RAM (MRAM) enrich the opportunities to build high density and low power embedded systems. One common way of utilizing MRAM is integrating it with conventional memories and distributing data to the appropriate type of memory to mitigate the high write penalty of MRAM. In this paper, we propose a software-based approach to identify data access characteristics and guide hardware to perform efficient data distribution. We use our technique to build an on-chip MRAM-SRAM hybrid cache and demonstrate an 86.8% reduction in leakage power, a 9.8% reduction in total power, and a 5% memory performance improvement, compared to a traditional static RAM (SRAM)-only cache.


Aim—To determine whether the fluorescent in situ hybridisation technique (FISH) using a total human DNA genomic probe can be used to enumerate semen leucocytes. Methods—Semen samples from five donors were subjected to a mild KC1 solution. These samples were then biotin labelled under FISH conditions using a total human DNA genomic probe and the leucocyte counts were determined. To check the accuracy of the technique a monoclonal antibody against the common leucocyte antigen CD45 [KC56(T-200)] served as a control. An isotypic control for [KC56(T-200)], the immunoglobulin [MsIgG1], served as a secondary control. Results—Semen leucocytes stained by the FISH technique were easily detected because of their distinct bright yellow colour, while the sperm cells were red. The leucocyte count ranged from 0·5 to 4·9 × 106 per ml of semen. KC56(T-200) and its isotypic control MsIgG1, which served as control for the FISH technique, accurately identified 94% and 97% of the semen leucocytes of a control donor, respectively. Conclusions—The FISH technique using a total human DNA probe can accurately and effectively enumerate the overall leucocyte population in semen.


Summary. Objective: Although ovarian cysts are of an unknown etiology, there is some information about the associated risk factors. To considering the high prevalence of ovarian cysts and the associated complications. This study aimed to assess the relationship between the dietary protein intake and the functional ovarian cysts in women at reproductive age. Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 264 women, aged 15-49 years. The case group consisted of women with the functional ovarian cysts (n=132) and the control group included the healthy individuals (n=132). The Pregnant women, females with a prior history of infertility, and the menopausal women were excluded in the study. A demographic questionnaire was used for collecting the patients' demographic information, medical and midwifery history. The dietary protein intake was measured using a Food Frequency Questionnaire. For the data analysis, t-test, χ2, and regression analysis were performed, using SPSS version 16. Results: The mean levels of protein intake were 104.62±93.63 and 86.20±41.52 g in the case and control groups, respectively. A significant relationship was observed between the dietary protein intake and the functional ovarian cysts (P=0.04). Conclusion: To considering the direct relationship between high protein consumption and the functional ovarian cysts, appropriate educational programs are needed.


Aim To explore the relationship between Health belief model (HBM) and children and adolescents' unintentional injury risk behavior, to add some useful information for injury prevention. Methodology We investigated injury related health risk behavior and health belief status of students at primary schools grade 3 to 4, in a Safe Community, in Shanghai. Self-administered injury questionnaires were used to investigate risk behavior of students and HBM factors. Principal Findings The prevalence of risk behavior among students reported in this community was high. HBM scores showed differences between two groups of students classified by whether they had risk behavior or not. Self-efficacy was highly related with the status of socio-psychological behavior. Significance HBM has been widely used in explaining the disease-related behavior; however, it has been seldom used in injury-related behavior. The study demonstrated important relation of HBM to students' injury issues, and HBM could explain injury related behavior as well, especially for traffic injury-related behavior. When developing injury prevention strategies, we can take it into account.


Background Aneurysmal recanalization is a problem with endovascular coiling and one of its risk factors is the low volume embolization ratio (VER). The first coil VER (1st VER) is believed to be critical for obtaining a high VER. The main objective of this study was to evaluate factors potentially useful for selecting the optimal 1st VER for endovascular coiling. Methods 609 initial saccular aneurysmal treatments performed between January 2010 and December 2014 at our institution were included in this retrospective study. Attempted procedures, retreatment cases, intraoperative rupture cases, and stent-assisted coiling cases were excluded. Age, sex, aneurysm location, ruptured aneurysm, aneurysm shape, neck size, maximum aneurysm size, dome-to-neck ratio, aneurysm volume, procedure, immediate Raymond scale score, 1st VER, and VER between the recanalization groups and non-recanalization groups were compared. Results The factors related to recanalization were ruptured aneurysms, neck width, maximum aneurysm size, aneurysm volume, procedure, 1st VER, and VER. The cut-off values for aneurysm recanalization were a 1st VER of 10.0% and a VER of 33.0%. The maximum average VER of normal size aneurysms was found in the groups with a 1st VER of 17.5–20.0%. Conclusions 1st VER was found to be a helpful index for estimating aneurysmal recanalization after coil embolization. The target 1st VER was 17.5–20.0% for obtaining a higher VER and avoiding recanalization.


Because the DAC profile was designed to be a superset of the other known rights information standards, there should be no problem in representing the four rights information standards with the DAC profile. However, due to different expressiveness coverage of the other rights information standards, the reverse directional interoperability between the DAC profile and the other standards seems problematic. Moreover, the interoperability between the other rights information standards except for the DAC profile seems to be even more difficult to achieve in spite of potential needs from the digital home environment. Therefore, further study is required to support the possible bidirectional interoperability between the existing rights information standards as well as reverse directional interoperability between the DAC profile and other rights information standards.


The cell envelope of a marine pseudomonad as seen in thin section by electron microscopy has the double-membrane structure typical of other gram-negative bacteria. Cells washed with a solution containing Na+, K+, and Mg++ at their concentrations in the growth medium, when suspended briefly in 0.5 m sucrose, lost 13% of their hexosamine in a form nonsedimentable by centrifugation at 73,000 × g. Since the resulting cells in thin section appeared unchanged, it was concluded that the material released was derived from a nonstaining, loosely bound outer layer. This same layer could be removed from the cells by washing with 0.5 m NaCl. A second nonsedimentable fraction was released after successive suspension of the cells in 0.5 m sucrose. Since this material was released only when the outer double-track structure had broken, it was concluded that it arose from a layer immediately underlying the latter layer. The three layers differed in their content of hexosamine and protein. None of the layers released contained muramic or diaminopimelic acid. The cell form remaining was rod shaped and appeared in thin section to be bounded only by its cytoplasmic membrane. This form contained all the muramic and diaminopimelic acid in the cell. Treatment with lysozyme released the muramic and diaminopimelic acid and converted the rod form to a protoplast, indicating that in the rod form (mureinoplast) a thin layer of peptidoglycan is located on the outside surface of the cytoplasmic membrane. Thus, five separate layers have been detected in the cell envelope of this marine pseudomonad.


A new interaction, plasma redshift, is derived, which is important only when photons penetrate a hot, sparse electron plasma. The derivation of plasma redshift is based entirely on conventional axioms of physics. When photons penetrate a cold and dense plasma, they lose energy through ionization and excitation, Compton scattering on the individual electrons, and Raman scattering on the plasma frequency. But in sparse hot plasma, such as in the solar corona, the photons lose energy also in plasma redshift. The energy loss per electron in the plasma redshift is about equal to the product of the photon's energy and one half of the Compton cross-section per electron. In quiescent solar corona, this heating starts in the transition zone to the corona and is a major fraction of the coronal heating. Plasma redshift contributes also to the heating of the interstellar plasma, the galactic corona, and the intergalactic plasma. Plasma redshift explains the solar redshifts, the redshifts of the galactic corona, the cosmological redshifts, the cosmic microwave background, and the X-ray background. The plasma redshift explains the observed magnitude-redshift relation for supernovae SNe Ia without the big bang, dark matter, or dark energy. There is no cosmic time dilation. The universe is not expanding. The plasma redshift, when compared with experiments, shows that the photons' classical gravitational redshifts are reversed as the photons move from the Sun to the Earth. This is a quantum mechanical effect. As seen from the Earth, a repulsion force acts on the photons. This means that there is no need for Einstein's Lambda term. The universe is quasi-static, infinite, and everlasting.


This study is a literature review about Iridology/Irisdiagnose in the period from 1970 to 2005. The objective was to identify the worldwide scientific publications (articles) in this field and the opinions about the method. Twenty-five articles were found, four of them from Brazilian authors. About the category, 1 was literature review, 12 research studies and 12 updates, historical reviews or editorials. The countries that have contributed more with the studies were Brazil and Russia. Fifteen of those are in favor of the method and 10 are against it. In conclusion, it is necessary to develop more studies inside the methodological rigor, once Iridology brings hope to preventive medicine.


Tregs infusion reverts proteinuria and reduces renal lesions in most animal models of nephrotic syndrome (i.e. Buffalo/Mna, Adriamycin, Promycin, LPS). IL2 up-regulates Tregs and may be an alternative to cell-therapy in this setting. To evaluate a potential role of IL2 as Tregs inducer and proteinuria lowering agent in human nephrotic syndrome we treated 5 nephrotic patients with 6 monthly cycles of low-dose IL2 (1x106 U/m2 first month, 1.5x106 U/m2 following months). The study cohort consisted of 5 children (all boys, 11–17 years) resistant to all the available treatments (i.e. steroids, calcineurin inhibitors, mycophenolate, Rituximab). Participants had Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (3 cases) or Minimal Change Nephropathy (2 cases). IL2 was safe in all but one patient who had an acute asthma attack after the first IL2 dose and did not receive further doses. Circulating Tregs were stably increased (>10%) during the whole study period in 2 cases while were only partially modified in the other two children who started with very low levels and partially responded to single IL2 Proteinuria and renal function were not modified by IL2 at any phase of the study. We concluded that low-dose IL2 given in monthly pulses is safe and modifies the levels of circulating Tregs. This drug may not be able to lower proteinuria or affect renal function in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. We were unable to reproduce in humans the effects of IL2 described in rats and mice reducing de facto the interest on this drug in nephrotic syndrome. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02455908


Photochemistry and electrochemistry are two powerful tools in organic synthesis as reflected by the recent resurgence of both research areas. Despite the impressive advances achieved so far, both synthetic technologies suffer from innate disadvantages. The constructive merging of photochemistry and electrochemistry, therefore, offers the potential to overcome the distinct flaws of one method through the advantages of the other, so that novel reaction pathways that are unachievable with individual methods can be envisioned. This Highlight article describes recent breakthroughs using this promising concept of merging photochemistry with electrochemistry in organic synthesis.


: Temporal variations of carbon isotope composition of hair taken from faces of three men with different health state were studied. Drastic enrichment (up to 20%) of hair carbon in heavy isotope, as compared to the basic line reflecting background isotope variations was discovered in one of the men under test. This enrichment correlated with his worsened state of health. Then carbon isotope composition of hair returned to the background level. Probable explanation of this correlation was suggested in terms of earlier described mechanism of carbon isotope fractionation in a living cell.


The article focuses on the concerns of Czech expectant parents and their subsequent life difficulties. A qualitative longitudinal methodology was used to study parental experiences for a period of around four years. Three waves of semi-structured interviews were conducted with sixteen dual-earner parental couples who had their first child in 2011 or 2012. An analysis of 93 interviews revealed that the fears of the parents-to-be principally concerned childcare, paid work, free time, the relationships, and health. Actual experience of difficulties in these areas was often mentioned by different respondents from those who had expected to have them. The theory of intensive motherhood was employed to underscore the heavy demands and responsibilities placed on contemporary parents and the difficulties that accompany the use of a child-centred approach. The heavy demands on childcare felt by mothers who adhered to the intensive mothering model were cited as causing difficulties in the everyday lives of parental couples; the fathers mainly complained of a lack of rest and quality time with their partners.


The aim of this thesis was to investigate whether the presentation of visual food stimuli elicits visual mismatch negativity (vMMN) in an oddball paradigm and whether the amplitude of the vMMN is modulated by hunger. For this purpose, 18 right-handed women underwent two experimental sessions: hunger and fed conditions. Participants were instructed to complete a 2back working memory task while stimuli depicting high fat savoury (HFSA) and high fat sweet (HFSW) foods were presented as deviants in a stream of neutral standard stimuli in the periphery of the screen. To examine whether the effect of hunger was food-specific, neutral deviants were used as control stimuli. Further, emotional blink of attention (EBA) was used to validate the vMMN. Deviant minus standard difference waveforms yielded significant mismatch responses in the early, mid-latency, and late time windows. In HFSA, the modulation of hunger was evident in the early and mid-latency time windows pertaining to automatic stimulus detection. In HFSW, the modulation of hunger was not observed. In addition to the food deviants, hunger also modulated the responses to the neutral stimulus. Therefore, the modulation of hunger pertaining to general information processing cannot be ruled out. As the EBA task did not yield anticipated results, the mismatch response paradigm could not be validated via EBA. In conclusion, vMMN might prove to be a reliable measure in investigating automatic food-cue processing after additional attempts at vMMN validation with different food stimuli have been made.


Although tetrameric hemoglobin has been studied extensively as a prototype for understanding mechanisms of allosteric regulation, the functional and structural properties of its eight intermediate ligation forms have remained elusive. Recent experiments on the energetics of cooperativity of these intermediates, along with assignments of their quaternary structures, have revealed that the allosteric mechanism is controlled by a previously unrecognized symmetry feature: quaternary switching from form T to form R occurs whenever heme-site binding creates a tetramer with at least one ligated subunit on each dimeric half-molecule. This "symmetry rule" translates the configurational isomers of heme-site ligation into six observed switchpoints of quaternary transition. Cooperativity arises from both "concerted" quaternary switching and "sequential" modulation of binding within each quaternary form, T and R. Binding affinity is regulated through a hierarchical code of tertiary-quaternary coupling that includes the classical allosteric models as limiting cases.


We experimentally demonstrate four-wave-mixing (FWM) spectroscopy using frequency combs. The experiment uses a geometry where excitation pulses and FWM signals generated by a sample co-propagate. We separate them in the radio frequency domain by heterodyne detection with a local oscillator comb that has a different repetition frequency.


The aim of this paper is to analyze the factors driving on destructive behavior of individuals to natural resources and environment. Using a case study in eastern Indonesia, we investigated behavior of individual fisherman in coastal communities and their impacts on coral reefs. We characterize economic, non-economic and cultural/behavioral factors influencing destructive behaviors such as coral mining, blast fishing, and poisoning fishing. Economic and noneconomic/social factors are household size, age, origin, education, income, social activities, mobility, and primary job. However, we characterize individual cultural/behavioral factors with religious ritual practice, more specifically by the number of pray performed by respondents calculated by set of movement ( raka'at ). Using logistic regression, we shows that the piety of people in performing ritual worship (pray) has influenced significantly the behavior of respondents. The more devout people in performing ritual worship, the less destructible people are to the environment. Meanwhile, several social and economic variables have affected the destructive behavior of people including household size, age, origin, mobility, and main job. Three variables including income, education and social activity have no significant influence to the destructive behavior of people to natural resources and environment. Keywords : religious ritual, coral reef, blast fishing, poisoning fishing, destructive behavior


Attention deficit disorder has a high prevalence in the infant population: from 3 to 5% of children of school age and, it could be as high as 8.1 + 2.7% of children at ten years of age, according to a study in the autonomous community of Valencia. It is a persistent problem whose manifestations can change in the course of its development, from pre-school age to adult life. In this paper we review the disorder in its epidemiological and etiological aspects, its natural history and its prognosis, as well as its diagnosis and treatment. We set out our experience with children and their families in two primary care paediatric units of the Navarra health service in two different settings - rural and urban. Finally, we draw attention to some of the difficulties faced in dealing with this disorder in a reasonable way.


Managing products' end-of-life and recovery of used products is gaining significant importance during last years. Therefore, managing the reverse flow of products can be an important potential for winning consumers in future competitive markets. In this context, establishing reverse logistics networks is becoming a main problem in reverse supply chains. Genetic Algorithm (GA) is utilized to solve the proposed NP-hard problem and find the best possible design for different facilities. In order to test the applicability of proposed GA, we suppose a tire reverse logistic case and solve the problem. The results show that the least cost will be achieved by using the free space of distribution centers and integrating collection and inspection centers within them. In addition, we suggest using hybrid algorithm in future allocation problems to obtain best solutions.


The revolving vane (RV) compressor is a relatively new rotary compressor design and many of its performance characteristics would have to be evaluated. Vibration of compressors is one of these aspects and this paper presents the theoretical analysis for the vibration characteristics of the RV compressor. The analysis is done by dividing the compressor into two components – the rotational vibration of the cylinder-rotor assembly, and the resulting torsional twist of the stationary shell housing. The unique approach of using Lagrange's equations to formulate the equation of motion for the complex cylinder-rotor assembly is presented here.


In this paper, the pulsed processes of machining by cutting heat-resistant alloys are consid-ered. It is proved that such processes can exclude unwanted loss of the steadiness of elastoplastic deformations in the chip formation zone. As a result the accuracy of machining, the quality of ma-chined surface and the resistance to wear of the cutting tool increase. Finally, some methods of in-tensification of pulsed processes when cutting difficult to machine materials have been suggested.


M+-cell subpopulation forming M-rosettes and M(-)-cell subpopulation not forming M-rosettes were revealed in the peripheral blood of patients with B-cell chronic lympholeukemia (B-CLL) by means of mouse red blood rosette formation test. M+-subpopulation contained a larger percentage of cells expressing Ia-like antigens, as compared to M- subpopulation. On the other hand, the latter contained a significantly higher amount of cytoplasmatic immunoglobulin-containing cells. M+ appeared to be less mature than M- cells. Cells of B-CLL patients had a heterogeneous response to 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Less mature cells with surface immunoglobulin expression did differentiate, while more mature cells containing cytoplasmatic immunoglobulins did not. Differentiation was accompanied by the acquisition of characteristics peculiar to more mature cells, i. e. cytoplasmatic immunoglobulin accumulation. Subpopulations of M+ and M- cells from each patient also had a different pattern of response to TPA: less mature M+ cells did differentiate, while more mature M- cells did not. Maturation of less mature leukemia cells, as the disease progresses, is suggested to result in a heterogeneous pattern of immunological B-CLL phenotype.


This paper provides preliminary evidence on behavioral responses to taxation around the 2013 tax increase that raised top marginal tax rates on capital income by about 9.5 points and on labor income by about 6.5 points. Using published tabulated tax statistics from the Statistics of Income division of the IRS, we find that reported top 1% incomes were significantly higher in 2012 than in 2013, implying a large short-run elasticity of reported income with respect to the net-of-tax rate in excess of one. This large short-run elasticity is due to income retiming for tax avoidance purposes and is particularly high for realized capital gains and dividends, and highest at the very top of the income distribution. However, comparing 2011 and 2015 top incomes uncovers only a small medium-term response to the tax increase as top income shares resumed their upward trend after 2013. Overall, we estimate that at most 20% of the projected tax revenue increase from the 2013 tax reform is lost through behavioral responses. This implies that the 2013 tax increase was an efficient way to raise revenue.


Since the outbreak of the novel SARS-CoV-2, machine learning and artificial intelligence (ML/AI) have become the powerful marketing tools to mitigate economic activities during COVID-19 pandemic. The goal of ML/AI technology is to provide data and insights so that brands can understand what's working and what's not. This will help marketers understand and anticipate what sort of communications work and how to deliver them. Therefore, these are such promising methods employed by various marketing providers. AI uses machine learning to adapt and make changes which impact marketing in real time. The exact impact of events such as the COVID-19 pandemic is hard to predict, but AI will help us track and anticipate these circumstances, as well as provide us with the data needed to proceed. This chapter deals with recent studies that use such advanced technology to increase researchers from different perspectives, address problems and challenges by using such an algorithm to assist marketing experts in real-world issues. This chapter also discusses suggestions conveying researchers on ML/AI-based model design, marketing experts, and policymakers on few errors encountered in the current situation while tackling the current pandemic.


The effect of size and volume fraction of ceramic particles with sliding speed on the wear properties were investigated for metal matrix composites fabricated by a pressureless metal infiltration process. The particulate metal matrix composites exhibited about 5.5 - 6 times greater wear resistance compared with AC8A alloys at high sliding speed, and by increasing the particle size and decreasing the volume fraction the wear resistance improved. The wear resistance of the metal matrix composites and AC8A alloy represented different aspects: the wear loss of the AC8A alloy increased with sliding speed linearly, whereas, the metal matrix composites displayed more wear loss than the AC8A alloy in the slow-speed region. However, a transition point of wear loss was found in the middle-speed region, which shows the minimum wear loss. Furthermore, wear loss in the high-speed region exhibited almost the same value as the slow-speed region. In terms of wear mechanism, the metal matrix composites showed abrasive wear at a slow to high sliding speed generally. However, the AC8A alloy showed abrasive wear at low sliding speed and adhesive and melt wear at a high sliding speed.


In nature, energy cannot be created or destroyed but its form can be changed. A sun tracking solar panel is used to harvest the natural resource into power storing device. The harvested power is used for smart irrigation, where the integrated soil moisture sensor senses the amount of water and depending upon the requirement it actuates the water pump. The fertilizer dispensing system dispenses the fertilizers on time basis. The irrigation field is protected from the intruders using PIR sensor. This system works in two modes automatic and manual mode, where in automatic mode the system works depending upon the sensor readings, whereas in manual mode a wireless interface is used between the user and the system. The system works depending upon the command given through wireless interface system in manual mode. The whole system is designed using ATMEGA2560.


Maternal employment has long been considered a barrier to successful breastfeeding. This article explores the relationship of work status to the infant feeding behaviors of Navajo women. "Work" was cited in ethnographic interviews as being incompatible with breastfeeding. Further questioning, however, revealed that there are other reasons for stopping breastfeeding and that supplementation leading to insufficient milk may be an important intervening factor. Women who worked outside the home or went to school were not less likely than unemployed women to initiate breastfeeding or to continue either exclusive or partial breastfeeding (N = 250 postpartum women). Further, those who started work after three months introduced formula later and breastfed longer than other women in the sample, including the unemployed. How soon after delivery the women returned to work or school and when infant formula or other foods were introduced were significant, independent predictors of duration of breastfeeding among employed women and students. Maternal employment does not have a simple relationship to rates and duration of breastfeeding, although specific circumstances of employment, including length of maternity leave, do impact breastfeeding patterns.


: To improve the therapeutic ratio of palliative chemotherapy in patients with metastatic colorectal and gastric cancer 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was administered as weekly high-dose 24-hour continuous infusion in combination with leucovorin (LV) and interferon-alpha-2b (IFN) as biomodulating agents: Chemotherapy consisted of a weekly schedule of 500 mg/m2 leucovorin as a 2-hour infusion, followed by a 24-hour continuous infusion of 2500 mg/m2 5-FU. IFN was administered subcutaneously at a dose of 3 mio I.E. three times a week. In patients with gastric carcinoma, etoposide (VP) 100 mg/m2 as 30-minute bolus infusion was added. Eighty-five patients (colorectal: 55 points, gastric: 30 points) are evaluable for response, toxicity, and survival analysis. Colorectal: CP+PR: 19/55 (34.5%), NC: 25/55 (45.5%), PD: 11/55 (20.0%). Median duration of remission in months (90% confidence interval): 5.2 (3.1 to 9.2), median survival since the start of salvage chemotherapy: 13.9 months (12.3 to 20.1), from initial diagnosis of metastasis: 30.2 months (26.3 to 44.5). Gastric: CR: 8/30 (26.7%), PR: 14/30 (46.6), NC: 5/30 (16.7), PD: 3/30 (10.0%). Median duration of remission in months (90% confidence interval): 6.75 (1.5 to 16.2), median survival since start of chemotherapy: 15.1 months (90% confidence interval 11.8 to 20.3 months). Hematologic toxicity: hemoglobin: I: 20.0%, II: 10.0%, leukocytes: I: 13.3%, II: 33.3%, III: 16.6%, platelets: I: 10.0% and III: 3.3%. Hematologic toxicity was moderate to negligible, peripheral toxicity consisted mainly of tolerable stomatitis and diarrhea. Dose and schedule intensified weekly 5-FU combination therapy in metastatic colorectal and gastric cancer is highly active in terms of response and median survival time. Chemotherapy pretreated patients with colorectal cancer seem to have a substantial survival benefit with this salvage protocol.


Basically this report is explain about all the assessment that been done along this final semester. Final student in Diploma Interior Design needs to come out with project report in order to gain knowledges about the whole final project in every aspects started from basic level to final presentatation. The title of my final project is Proposed New Design Scheme of Kebaya Fashion Retail for Mamilaya Collections at Lot 36723,(No.80) Jalan Permaisuri Bainun (Jalan Kampar) ,Perak. Kebaya is a tradition which is being followed by elder and teenagers. Every of the followers are intend to pay a visit to the retail. The client branch only at F-016 (Tingkat 1), Seasons Square Plaza, Jalan PJU 10/3C, Damansara Damai, 47830, Petaling Jaya, Selangor. The co-finder of the Mamilaya Collections is Encik Amirrudin Hassan are in the process of expanding their business. Ipoh is the best choice to proposed the new Kebaya Fashion Retail because there are no Mamilaya Collections's branch there. Customer come to Mamilaya Collection retail is encreasing everyday, hence, this is the best opportunity to boost people came and grab the chance to have a visit at the branch. Moreover, we all know kebaya has promote on the runaway in our country and foreign country. Kebaya also usually use in the grand function.it is a tradition meanwhile. Therefore, kebaya is favoured by Malaysian because it is a part of Malaysian identity. It is important for all Malaysians to try a kebaya. This project is being proposed according to the projects goal and client requirement. The main objective is to design a retail with a suitable concept in order to give the customer a comfort visit to the kebaya retail. The process to complete this project is being held according to the design stage, starting with project brief, research and analysis, till lastly proposal design. In conclusion this proposal is the new design scheme which make the design process need to be research in every aspect require.


Parental investment theory states that an individual will trade-off present and future reproductive potential to maximize lifetime reproductive success. Only when parental care is costly in terms of reduced future reproductive potential should individuals be sensitive to changes in the value of current offspring and adjust their care. Here, we examine temporal variation in parental care decision-making in bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), in which care is provided by males called 'parentals'. Previous research has shown that parentals that nest early in the breeding season are in higher energetic condition than those that nest later, and early nesting males appear not to pay an opportunity cost to their care in terms of reduced future reproductive potential. Early nesting males also may have higher paternity in their broods than later nesting males. To examine the parental care decisions made by early and mid-season nesting parentals, we experimentally reduced males' perceived paternity by swapping eggs between nests. We found that experimental males that nested early in the breeding season adjusted their brood defence behaviour similarly to control males, which had sham egg swaps performed. Conversely, experimental males that nested mid-season significantly decreased their brood defence behaviour after the manipulation as compared with control males. Thus, unlike mid-season nesting males, early nesting males appear relatively insensitive to changes in brood value (paternity), possibly because early nesting males pay little cost in terms of reduced future reproductive potential to providing full care or because these males have a predisposition to high paternity.


We demonstrate a complete procedure for simulations of electric field poled polymeric nonlinear optical systems with the purpose to evaluate the macroscopic electro-optic coefficients. The simulations cover the electric field poling effects on the chromophore order at the liquid state, the cooling procedure from the liquid to the solid state in the presence of the poling field, and the back-relaxation of the system after the removal of the field. We use Disperse Red chromophore molecules doped in a poly(methyl methacrylate) matrix for a numerical demonstration of the total procedure. On the basis of the simulation results, the polymer mobility and the static properties of the dopant chromophores are derived. In the liquid state, the chromophore molecules are closer to the side chains than to the backbones of the polymer matrix, and after the simulated annealing, the polymer matrix tends to be closely packed, leading to a significant change in the polymer structure around the chromophore molecules. Besides predicting the absolute macroscopic electro-optic coefficient values, the results are used to derive the microscopic origin of these values in terms of geometric and electronic structure, loading, poling, and back-relaxation effects, thereby aiding to establish design principles for optimum guest-host configurations.


Abstract Globally, new cancer cases will rise by 57% within the next two decades, with the majority in the low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Consequently, a steep increase of about 40% in cancer deaths is expected there, mainly because of lack of treatment facilities, especially radiotherapy. Radiotherapy is required for more than 50% of patients, but the capital cost for equipment often deters establishment of such facilities in LMICs. Presently, of the 139 LMICs, 55 do not even have a radiotherapy facility, whereas the remaining 84 have a deficit of 61.4% of their required radiotherapy units. Networking between centers could enhance the effectiveness and reach of existing radiotherapy in LMICs. A teleradiotherapy network could enable centers to share and optimally utilize their resources, both infrastructure and staffing. This could be in the form of a three-tier radiotherapy service consisting of primary, secondary, and tertiary radiotherapy centers interlinked through a network. The concept has been adopted in some LMICs and could also be used as a "service provider model," thereby reducing the investments to set up such a network. Teleradiotherapy networks could be a part of the multipronged approach to address the enormous gap in radiotherapy services in a cost-effective manner and to support better accessibility to radiotherapy facilities, especially for LMICs.


This guide has been created as a resource for helping faculty and graduate students who are interested in knowing how to find sources to publish in, and how to find sources for collaborative work.


National policies and government strategies in Saudi Arabia are adequate for the promotion of community involvement in health development (CIH). The system of govemment is decentralized and has ample scope for intersectoral cooperation. In Ha'il and Qasim regions active efforts are being made to realize intersectoral coordination through regional committees in which community leaders are involved; unfortunately, however, such mechanisms are lacking at the central level. Decision-makers and community leaders adequately recognized and interpreted the importance of CIH. Most of the respondents advocated community participation in planning and evaluation, while less than 50% thought that communities could participate in the implementation of health services. A survey in Ha'il and Qasim regions of 2417 residents indicated that community participation in health activities was in its infancy and that considerable effort is still needed at the central, regional, and peripheral levels to achieve meaningful community involvement in health.


The pattern of respiratory movements of the vocal cords in relation to airflow and respiratory system resistance was assessed in healthy human volunteers during quiet breathing. Motion pictures of the vocal cords were obtained through a fiber-optic laryngoscope inserted transnasally under topical anesthesia. A simultaneous estimate of lung volume was obtained using either rib cage and abdominal magnetometer coils or an integrated pneumotachograph signal. The vocal cords separated during inspiration and moved closer together during the expiratory phase of each breath. The extent of these movements varied greatly among the subjects. Total respiratory system resistance, assessed by the forced oscillation technique, was negatively correlated with distance between the vocal cords when measured at isoflow points in inspiration and expiration. Analysis of breath-by-breath variations in expiratory airflow and vocal cord position revealed that decreases in airflow accompanied decreases in the distance between the vocal cords. The results of this study indicate that the human larynx participates in the regulation of respiratory airflow by providing a variable, controlled resistance.


A simple current-sharing control technique for the switching power supply is presented herein, which is based on the concept of the differential-mode transformer and which makes the load current evenly shared well among phases all over the line voltage and load current ranges. This current-sharing structure is very simple, and it makes the efficiency relatively high at light load, which is quite suitable for industrial applications with standby power considered. In this circuit, a synchronously rectified switch is used to further upgrade the efficiency, and the coupling output inductors in copolarity are utilized to decrease the phase current ripples. In this paper, the detailed basic operating principles, together with mathematical deductions, are first described, and second, some simulated and experimental results are provided to demonstrate the proposed control strategy.


We introduce the fatness parameter of a 4-dimensional polytope P, defined as \phi(P)=(f_1+f_2)/(f_0+f_3). It arises in an important open problem in 4-dimensional combinatorial geometry: Is the fatness of convex 4-polytopes bounded?
We describe and analyze a hyperbolic geometry construction that produces 4-polytopes with fatness \phi(P)>5.048, as well as the first infinite family of 2-simple, 2-simplicial 4-polytopes. Moreover, using a construction via finite covering spaces of surfaces, we show that fatness is not bounded for the more general class of strongly regular CW decompositions of the 3-sphere.


In pipelined parallel computations the inner loops are often implemented in a block fashion. In such programs, an important compiler optimization involves the need to statically determine the grain size. This paper presents extensions and experimental validation of the previous results of Andonov and Rajopadhye (1994) on optimal grain size determination.


Five cases of acute Q fever diagnosed in the same family are reported. The epidemiological and clinical features, the therapy and evolution of the infections by Coxiella burnetti are discussed. Q fever is a condition to be considered in febrile illnesses or atypical pneumonia, particularly when developing in outbreaks. It is concluded that Q fever should be considered as endemic in some areas of this country (Basque Country, Catalonia...). Finally, we think that antibiotic therapy (tetracyclines) should be given, as it can shorten the duration of the disease and prevent the development of severe chronic forms.


Purpose The aim of this study was to determine whether the exercise test can provide diagnostic and prognostic information regarding children and young adults and help predict outcome. Methods A total of 87 patients, aged 7–29 years (median 13, mean 13.4) were selected retrospectively. They underwent exercise test at the Freeman Hospital from December, 2015 to May, 2016. There were two groups of patients – 46 had symptoms such as chest pain, palpitations, syncope, or dyspnoea on exertion and no cardiac diagnosis, and 40 patients had a cardiac diagnosis such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, transposition of the great arteries with post-arterial switch operation, aortic stenosis or regurgitation, tetralogy of Fallot, abnormal coronary arteries, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, or supraventricular tachycardia. Results In the group of patients with symptoms and no cardiac diagnosis, exercise test was negative and there was no exercise-induced arrhythmia; 31 patients were discharged from follow-up. In the group of patients with a cardiac diagnosis, four patients had to be treated – ablation, the Ross procedure, aortic valve repair, aortic valve ballooning; in addition, seven patients had to be further investigated – signal average electrocardiogram, stress cardiac MRI, cardiac MRI, lung function test, reveal device, and 24 hours electrocardiogram. 43 patients were further followed-up from both groups. Conclusion The exercise test is useful for clinical decision making in children and young adults with a cardiac diagnosis. In this study, the exercise tolerance test in patients with symptoms suggestive of cardiac disease but no cardiac diagnosis did not reveal any new diagnoses.


Introduction Odynophagia can be defined as a painful sensation in the oesophageal region that occurs in relation to swallowing. Unlike dysphagia, which has historically been an alarm symptom or warning sign of oesophageal cancer, odynophagia is not classified as an alarm symptom and does not form part of the suspected upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancer referral form in the UK. Endoscopy is the gold standard imaging modality for the diagnosis of mucosal lesions in the oesophagus. However, there is no clear data regarding the findings at endoscopy in patients scoped for odynophagia. Mucosal abnormalities even in the presence of typical symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, namely heartburn and regurgitation are absent in up to 70%. We hypothesise that the presence of odynophagia has a high predictive value of mucosal abnormality at endoscopy and aimed to assess the findings at endoscopy for patients scoped for odynophagia. Methods A retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent upper GI endoscopy for odynophagia as a primary symptom over an 8-year period (2005–2013) within an NHS Trust in north London was performed. Data was obtained from the Unisoft Endoscopy reporting software. The findings at endoscopy in patients with odynophagia were scrutinised. Results 50 patients were endoscoped for odynophagia during the study period. 34 of 50 patients (68%) had oesophageal mucosal lesions (4 Barrett's mucosa, 2 candida oesophagitis, 14 reflux oesophagitis, 6 malignant tumour, 5 oesophageal stricture, 3 oesophageal ulcers). 12% (6 of 50) had oesophageal cancer. A further 10 had hiatus hernia, 1 had a motility disorder and 1 had oesophageal diverticulum. Conclusion From this study, 68% of patients endoscoped for odynophagia have a positive endoscopic mucosal abnormality. Odynophagia as a symptom has a high sensitivity for abnormal endoscopy. 12% of patients endoscoped for odynophagia had oesophageal cancer. This prevalence is similar to the diagnosis of cancer in patients referred on the 'two week wait upper GI cancer referral form'. We recommend the symptom of odynophagia be classified as an alarm symptom and those presenting with odynophagia all undergo upper GI endoscopy to define the exact mucosal abnormality and exclude oesophageal cancer. Disclosure of Interest None Declared.


Research has consistently demonstrated that exposure to nature, as opposed to urban environments, can be beneficial to health and wellbeing. Among natural landscapes, aquatic (blue space) scenes are among the most preferred and psychologically restorative. Since such landscapes face an increasing range of demands, there is a need to understand how their restorative qualities arise and might be preserved, both in terms of the content of a scene and the psychological processes involved in its interpretation.
This thesis examines the cognitive impact of placing artificial (human-made) objects in natural landscapes with and without water. It reports new findings regarding the importance of specific scene content for the restorative potential of blue space. The research also explores some of the underlying psychological processes, addressing novel questions about implicit (subconscious) attitudes towards natural landscapes. It compares implicit and explicit attitudes for the first time in this context.
In four studies, methods from social and experimental psychology were used to investigate attitudes towards blue and green space with and without artificial objects. To examine the issues of both artificial objects and implicit attitudes, Study 1 used the Affect Misattribution Procedure (which measures implicit attitudes towards images) to assess whether implicit affect (subconscious positive or negative emotion) differed when the same natural scene was viewed with and without artificial objects. Results showed that introducing objects into natural scenes had a negative impact on implicit affect, particularly when the scene contained water.
In order to be able to compare implicit and explicit attitudes, Study 2 examined explicit affective reactions to the images from Study 1 using questions adapted from the Perceived Restorativeness Scale (a measure of the restorative potential of environments). Blue space scenes were rated more highly than green space scenes on all components except aesthetics. The presence of artificial objects resulted in lower ratings on all measures for both blue and green scenes.
Study 3 was motivated by an indication in the results from Study 1 that implicit attitudes towards blue and green space may differ. The Affect Misattribution Procedure was used to investigate this for natural landscapes without artificial objects. The study also examined whether implicit attitudes differ according to the type of blue or green environment. Viewing blue space scenes resulted in more positive implicit affect than green space, with sea views generating the most positive implicit affect of all.
Following the discovery that artificial objects had a more negative impact on implicit attitudes to blue space than green space, Study 4 tested the possibility that this could be due to such objects being more disruptive to the conceptual coherence of aquatic scenes. The conceptual-semantic congruence of artificial objects was assessed using a lexical decision task, in which participants reacted to object words superimposed on scenes. Results did not support the hypothesis that artificial objects are less congruent in blue space than green space.
Overall, the studies provide evidence that placing artificial objects in natural landscapes, particularly aquatic landscapes, adversely affects both implicit and explicit attitudes towards the scenes and may reduce their restorative potential. By successfully combining methods from social and experimental psychology, this research validates novel ways of formulating and addressing questions about why some environments have a more positive psychological impact than others. The new results reported here are not easily explained by current restorative theory, therefore might contribute to refining the theoretical framework within which restorative environments are studied.


On the road to excellence, it is essential to develop resilience, that is, to be able to positively adapt within the context of significant adversity. Researchers tend to agree that resilience is a complex process with a multitude of underlying variables. To stimulate research on the process of resilience, we propose the dynamical system approach that provides a theoretical perspective on mapping out and understanding how resilience unfolds over time. Furthermore, we will demonstrate how the findings of previous research on resilience in sports fit with several dynamical properties, including complexity, iterativity, and the formation of attractor states. New findings on the dynamic properties of resilience will result in in-depth knowledge about, and understanding of, the process of how individuals adapt to adverse events. Practitioners might benefit from this approach by being able to detect early warning signals of critical transitions (e.g., critical slowing down) and take preventive actions before breakdowns in performance occur.


To the first time leadership of National Indonesia have been selected to through direct election mechanism. Initially, many side that prejudice that political agenda will trigger conflict of horizontal society. Experience a period of/to laliu showing social distortion height in course of commutation of leadership become the single reference strengthening of prejudice . But, really
beyond belief we are that any Indonesia people have shown remarkable participation. Election of President directly at General election 2004 then can take place safely, peace, and is democratic.
In UU No 32 Year 2004 Section 59 is article 2 mentioned that proposing of regional leader candidate and area proxy conducted through one door namely political party or political party aliance. Appearance of UU Political Party in election of regional leader directly political party
can register its cadre become candidate to area of moment that party can reach 15% chair of DPRD or 15% valid voice in general election of rightful claimant legislative raise candidate in election of regional leader.
Target of party become candidate will of course so that that party carry competent candidate lead in Unlucky Sub-Province. Elementary Criterion have been specified, like believe, good record track, and others. Medium to figure which want to be to area, support of parpol and its mass it is of course in needing to that candidate have condition which enough become candidate will Regent, at the same time look after support utilize to win election. gone through by step is and party of figure the represent fair something that in election of regional leader with this direct election system.
Assorted of strategy conducted to win election of regional leader. conducted by strategy is Unlucky Party Functional group Sub-Province of preparation that is phase covering: forming of team of pilkada, identify area, determination of goals. Model network as a mean to chosen candidate which with quality covering; candidate list, selection step, and stipulating of candidate.
With convention of is so-called densely Head Area ( Rapinda) namely; election, stipulating, and candidate couple declaration. strategy of victory which tend to flange influence society with party coalition, candidate socialization and also submit mission and vision.
Research method used by researcher that is using method of diskriptif. Where writer depict or portray accurate objeck. While data collecting technique which supporting this writing, writer get from documentation and interview. Documentation got from newspaper, formal documents,
reports, regulations, and also archives with aim to get materials which supporting theoretically to this topic of research.
Result of from this research, can be concluded that Party Functional group strategy with have coalition to become candidate in election to area by becoming Proxy Regent, representing step early for step hereinafter follow General election 2009. Thereby, winning election of area meant
as formal victory of power of area. Besides the victorious to party mean as instrument for the consolidation of support in area. Same view as this do not get out of idea that regional leader can function for the mobilization of general election support in national story level.


We have recently reported that the thermophilic archaeon Methanohucterium woCfei contains two formylmethanofuran dehydrogenases, I and 11. E'ormylmethanofuran dehydrogenase 11, which is preferentially expressed in tungsten-grown cells, has been purified and shown to be a tungsten-ironsulfur protein. We have now purified and characterized formylmethanofuran dehydrogenase I from molybdenum-grown cells and shown that it is amolybdenum-iron-sulfur protein. The purified enzyme, with a specific activity of 27 U/mg protein, was found to be composed of three subunits of apparent molecular mass 64 kDa, 51 kDa, and 31 kDa and to contain per moll4h-kDa molecule approximately 0.23 mol molybdenum, 0.46 mol molybdopterin guanine dinucleotide, and 6.6 mol non-heme iron but no tungsten (< 0.01 mol). The molybdenum enzyme differed from the tungsten enzyme (8 Ujmg) in that it catalyzed the oxidation of N-furfurylformamide and formate and was inactivated by cyanide. The two enzymes also differed significantly in the pH optimum, in the apparent K, for the electron acccptor, and in the chromatographic behaviour. The molybdenum enzyme and the tungsten enzyme were similar, however, in that the N-terminal amino acid sequences determined for the CI and f l subunits were identical up to residue 23, indicating that the two proteins are isoenzymes. The molybdenum enzyme, as isolated, was found to display an EPR signal derived from molybdenum as evidenced by isotope substitution.


This paper presents an approach to machine fault diagnosis and condition prognosis based on classification and regression tress (CART) and neuro-fuzzy inference systems (ANFIS). In case of diagnosis, CART, which is one of the decision tree methods, is used as a feature selection tool to select pertinent features from data set and ANFIS is used as a classifier. The crisp rules obtained from CART are then converted to fuzzy if-then rules that are employed to identify the structure of ANFIS classifier. The hybrid of back-propagation and least squares algorithm are utilized to tune the parameters of the membership functions. The data sets obtained from vibration signals and current signals of the induction motors are used to evaluate the proposed algorithm. In case of prognosis, both of these models in association with direct prediction strategy for long-term prediction of time series techniques are utilized to forecast the future values of machine's operating condition. In this case, the number of available observations and the number of predicted steps are initially determined by using false nearest neighbor method and auto mutual information technique, respectively. These values are subsequently utilized as inputs for prediction models. The performance of the proposed prognosis system is then evaluated by using real trending data of a low methane compressor. A comparative study of the predicted results obtained from CART and ANFIS models is also carried out to appraise the prediction capability of these models. The results of the proposed methods in the two cases indicate that CART and ANFIS offers a potential for machine fault diagnosis as well as for condition prognosis.


OBJECTIVE
Glioma is characterized by high metastasis with poor outcomes. Long non-coding RNA metastasis associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) was well-explored in numerous human cancers, including glioma. This study aimed to provide a novel action mechanism of MALAT1 in glioma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
The expression of MALAT1, microRNA-384 (miR-384) and Golgi membrane protein 1 (GOLM1) was detected by quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The protein levels of GOLM1, light chain3 (LC3-II/LC3-I), p62, Vimentin and E-cadherin were proved by Western blot. Cell migration and invasion were monitored using the transwell assay. Bioinformatics tool starBase was used to predict target genes and associated binding sites. RNA immunoprecipitation assay (RIP) and dual-luciferase reporter assay were utilized to verify the relationship between miR-384 and MALAT1 or GOLM1. Tumor formation analysis in nude mice was conducted to ascertain the role of MALAT1 in vivo.

RESULTS
MALAT1 was highly expressed in glioma tissues and cells. MALAT1 knockdown inhibited autophagy, migration and invasion of glioma cells. MiR-384 was a target of MALAT1, and miR-384 inhibition reversed the effects of MALAT1 knockdown in glioma cells. GOLM1 was a target of miR-384, and miR-384 inhibition eliminated the function of GOLM1 downregulation in glioma cells. In addition, GOLM1 was regulated by MALAT1 through miR-384. Moreover, MALAT1 knockdown blocked tumor growth and development in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS
MALAT1 knockdown depleted migration and invasion by inhibiting autophagy through MALAT1/miR-384/GOLM1 axis in glioma in vitro and in vivo. The MALAT1/miR-384/GOLM1 axis was first proposed in our report, enriching the action mechanism of MALAT1 in glioma.


Background The present study was designed to determine whether Allium ursinum L (ramson) could inhibit the proliferation of human AGS gastric cancer cells. Furthermore, we attempted to determine whether this inhibition could occur by targeting regulatory elements of the cell cycle. Methods Flow cytometry was used to observe apoptosis and the cell cycle in AGS cell lines treated or not treated with ramson watery extract. Proteins related to the cell cycle were detected by Western blotting. Caspase activity was measured using a colorimetric assay kit according to the manufacturer's instructions. Results Ramson watery extract induced apoptosis and G2/M phase arrest in AGS cells. Western blotting showed that cyclin B was inhibited by ramson watery extract. However, G1 phase-related proteins remain unchanged after treatment. Conclusion Our results indicate that ramson effectively sup pressed proliferation and induced apoptosis and G2/M arrest in AGS cells by regulating elements of the cell cycle.


An analysis of self-similarity in traffic generated by the popular Internet-based online game engine, unreal engine, is presented. Client-side packet traces are collected and analyzed for both client and server traffic. Initial analysis of over two million packets indicates client generated traffic shows strong long-range dependence of a self-similar nature primarily due to packet interarrival times associated with user actions. On the contrary, server generated traffic seen at the client, while still exhibiting a heavy tail, is more short-range dependent in regions where self-similarity is observed.


The impedance of the thoracic and abdominal organs and the integral body impedance were studied in healthy individuals and in patients with disorders of water-electrolyte metabolism (the edema syndrome, postoperative dehydration). Analysis of the impedance values made it possible to reveal characteristic changes in ascitis, in pleural effusion, and after major surgical interventions on the abdominal organs. The dynamics of these values may serve as an objective criterion of the extent of correction of disorders of water-electrolyte balance during treatment.


Background and Aim. The Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) has been shown to be independently associated with increased risk for incident heart failure (HF) and coronary artery disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the additional effect of MetS on LA dysfunction in a group of patients with HF and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and its relationship with symptoms. Methods. This study included 194 consecutive patients (age 62 ± 9 years) with stable HFpEF. LV dimensions, ejection fraction (EF), mitral annulus peak systolic excursion (MAPSE), myocardial velocities (s', e' and a'), LA dimensions and volumes were measured. Total LA emptying fraction (LA EF) was measured by Simpson rule volumes. Based on the NCEP-ATP III criteria, patients were divided into two groups; MetS (n=95) and non-MetS (n=108) and were compared with 34 age and gender matched controls. Results. Age and gender were not different between patients and control neither between MetS and non-Met. LV dimensions, EF and longitudinal function indices were also not different. The MetS patients had higher LV mass index (p=0.038), lower septal and lateral e' (p=0.003 and p=0.001, respectively) velocities, larger LA minimal volume (p=0.007) and lower LA EF (p<0.001) compared with the non-MetS patients. Age, LA EF and MetS independently predicted the NYHA class. Conclusions. Despite no difference in LV systolic function, patients with HFpEF and MetS have worse LA emptying fraction, compared with HFpEF and non-MetS patients. In addition, LA reservoir function impairment and MetS independently predict patients limiting symptoms, thus add to a better understanding of HFpEF.


The influences of the different content of Rare earth La on the corrosion resistance of AZ81 in the simulated human fluid were studied. In order to further improve the corrosion resistance, different heat treatment procedures were studied. Results showed that with the increase of content of rare earth La, the grain size was refined and the corrosion resistance increased. The corrosion resistance was improved after T6 heat treatment (solid solution+ aging). Microstructure analysis showed that β-phases were precipitated in the T6 heat treatment process. Those fine β phases acted as corrosion barrier and impeded the corrosion extending.


: In 5 experiments with 1,296 laying hybrids at the age of 22-73 weeks producing eggs for consumption a varied supplementation of between 0 and 20 mg vitamin E per kg of a semisynthetic ration was tested. The vitamin E content of the basal ration was less than 1 mg per kg feed. The quotas of selenium and unsaturated fatty acids in the feed were taken into consideration. Vitamin E and Se supplements did not influence, feed intake, laying, performance, feed efficiency/100 g egg development of body weight and mortality. The supplementation of 14% vitamin-E-free sunflower oil caused a significant decrease of the laying performance by 15%. There was no relation between the humoral immune reaction and vitamin E supply. The peroxide value of the abdominal fat and the activities of the creatine phosphokinase, the aspartate and alanine amino transferase in the blood serum were not directionally changed by the vitamin E, Se and oil supplements. There were no significant relations between the vitamin E content of the feed and that of the yolk and the yolk sac of the chicken. A vitamin E requirement of less than 1 mg and a requirement norm, including a safety margin, of 5 mg per kg feed was derived from the results for laying hens for egg production. A supplement of synthetic vitamin E to laying hen feed is thus not necessary.


The research on greenization of fixture technology is next to nothing nearly now. Approaches for greenization of fixture technology were discussed based on the analysis of energy forms and medium of fluid transmission. The feasibility that using manual fixture with multiple series supper-force-amplified device instead of power driven fixture was presented in the point of view for greenization of energy type. The working principle of manual fixture with four-step series force-amplified device, which we have invented independently, was introduced. According to the thought for greenization of medium of fluid transmission, the feasibility that employing pneumatic fixture with force-amplified device or pneumatic-hydraulic pressure-amplified device instead of hydraulic fixture. The innovated pneumatic fixture with sphere-coin two-step force-amplified device and the two-action pneumatic-hydraulic pressure-amplified device with two steps of pressure output were illustrated briefly by means of diagram.


Complexity of algorithms and policies in energy systems has increased interactions among heterogeneous systems and information sources. Demand Response (DR) is a representative example where electrical grids and buildings communicate with each other to manage overall electricity demands. There are various industry standards that model the information and the interactions between grids and buildings. However, each building has all the burden of converting information from different models to its information model prior to using it. We envision a system-agnostic information model for these interactions that can reduce information conversion to/from buildings and invigorate the interaction. We propose an integration of ontologies and standards to express DR interactions and open the possibility of connecting other information models. We also suggest an information mediator system that interprets and delivers messages among grids and buildings and can mediate energy usage among buildings based on the system-agnostic model.


In their recent article, Kirsch and Hyland questioned the relation between psychological and associated neurophysiological phenomena in the introduction of complementarity into psychology. Mishkin's work on the neurophysiological basis of memory and perception provides an example of the extension of complementarity that I have proposed and that can serve as the basis for empirical testing of this extension. Mishkin's thesis that memory storage occurs at sensory stations in the cortex allows for the resolution of a fundamental problem in cognitive psychology, namely the reciprocal dependence of perception and memory. Also, Mishkin's thesis allows that psychological phenomena do not depend on an objective world for their existence.


Although the static dimension of child poverty, which corresponds to deprivations experienced in daily life, is a field of interest in both research and policy, study of the dynamic dimension of child poverty, which corresponds to children's reactions, is mostly neglected in Turkey. Based on this deficiency, this study focuses on poor child types in relation to the findings obtained as a consequence of the phenomenological investigation of children's coping strategies with poverty in daily life. The findings rely on field research, which was conducted with children between the ages of 11 and 15 living in the poor regions of Istanbul and state-subsidized ones. The differences among poor children were divided into four different child types: Rescuer child, substituting child, foundation-integrated child, and protectionist child. This typology, which is the outcome of the phenomenological approach, was expressed as the phenomenological model of child poverty. This model has brought both the heterogeneous quality of child poverty and structural and cultural factors neglected in coping strategies into the forefront. Besides, the agency possibilities of poor children in certain contexts are revealed by means of this model.


Recent research on European integration has taken a fresh interest in the role of institutions in the policy process. Whereas much of the new institutionalist writing on the European Union (EU) has been very actor-centred, this article takes a more sociological approach that views institutions as the context in which actors are embedded. By shaping actors' expectations and giving legitimacy to certain groups, institutional context affects both policy process and outcomes. A case study of state-aid payments by Saxony to Volkswagen supports the hypothesis that, in order to explain tensions between the Commission and the German authorities in the state-aid field, one needs to complement actor-centred analysis by looking at broader incompatibilities between the institutional logics of Germany's co-operative federalism and centralized decision-making structures in the EU.


Multilingual speakers are able to switch from one language to the other ("code-switch") between or within sentences. Because the underlying cognitive mechanisms are not well understood, in this study we use computational cognitive modeling to shed light on the process of code-switching. We employed the Bilingual Dual-path model, a Recurrent Neural Network of bilingual sentence production (Tsoukala et al., 2017), and simulated sentence production in simultaneous Spanish-English bilinguals. Our first goal was to investigate whether the model would code-switch without being exposed to code-switched training input. The model indeed produced code-switches even without any exposure to such input and the patterns of code-switches are in line with earlier linguistic work (Poplack,1980). The second goal of this study was to investigate an auxiliary phrase asymmetry that exists in Spanish-English code-switched production. Using this cognitive model, we examined a possible cause for this asymmetry. To our knowledge, this is the first computational cognitive model that aims to simulate code-switched sentence production.


The paper uses structured machine learning regressions for nowcasting with panel data consisting of series sampled at different frequencies. Motivated by the problem of predicting corporate earnings for a large cross-section of firms with macroeconomic, financial, and news time series sampled at different frequencies, we focus on the sparse-group LASSO regularization which can take advantage of the mixed frequency time series panel data structures. Our empirical results show the superior performance of our machine learning panel data regression models over analysts' predictions, forecast combinations, firm-specific time series regression models, and standard machine learning methods.


The results of a comprehensive investigation into the effects of toroidicity-induced Alfvén eigenmodes (TAE) and energetic particle modes on the NBI-generated fast-ion population in MAST plasmas are reported. Fast-ion redistribution due to frequency-chirping TAE in the range 50 kHz–100 kHz and frequency-chirping energetic particle modes known as fishbones in the range 20 kHz–50 kHz, is observed. TAE and fishbones are also observed to cause losses of fast ions from the plasma. The spatial and temporal evolution of the fast-ion distribution is determined using a fission chamber, a radially-scanning collimated neutron flux monitor, a fast-ion deuterium alpha spectrometer and a charged fusion product detector. Modelling using the global transport analysis code Transp, with ad hoc anomalous diffusion and fishbone loss models introduced, reproduces the coarsest features of the affected fast-ion distribution in the presence of energetic particle-driven modes. The spectrally and spatially resolved measurements show, however, that these models do not fully capture the effects of chirping modes on the fast-ion distribution.


Introduction The present study aimed to understand the characteristics of adjacent segment stenosis post-surgery by examining the status of adjacent segment stenosis in patients with long-term follow-up after muscle-preserving selective laminectomy (SL). Methods We examined 43 patients who underwent muscle-preserving SL at a single academic institution and were followed up for >10 years. The C2-C7 angle, C2-C7 sagittal vertical axis, range of motion, and C7 slope were measured using an X-ray lateral view. The anterior-posterior diameter of the spinal cord (AP of SC) and anterior-posterior diameter of the dural tube (AP of dura) at adjacent segment were measured using magnetic resonance imaging T2-weighted sagittal section. Residual space for the spinal cord at the adjacent segment (SAC) was calculated as the difference between AP of SC and AP of dura. Results Four cases had cephalad adjacent segment stenosis at the last follow-up (upper stenosis (US) group), 9 cases had caudal adjacent segment stenosis ( lower stenosis (LS) group), and 30 cases had no stenosis (none (N) group). AP of SC, AP of dura, and SAC at the upper adjacent segment were significantly lower in the US group. AP of dura and SAC at the lower adjacent segment were significantly lower in the LS group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the small AP of dura in the upper adjacent segment and small SAC in the lower adjacent segment were risk factors for developing a new stenosis. Conclusions Decompression should be considered beforehand in adjacent segments with small AP of SC and small AP of dura when performing cervical decompression.


Mimicking enzymatic activity is a challenging task. Herein we report dendritic fibrous nano-silica (DFNS) supported gold (Au) nanoparticles (DFNS/Au) as a peroxidase like artificial enzyme. It showed a superior enzymatic activity in 3,5,3',5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) oxidation chosen as a model reaction, significantly higher than natural horseradish peroxidase (HRP) enzyme as well as other reported nanomaterial based artificial enzymes. A solvent dependent selectivity towards a two-electron oxidation product, TMB-diamine, has also been observed. This study clearly indicates the vital role of the fibrous morphology and unique silica channels of DFNS in the enhancement of the enzymatic activity.


Observations of turbulence in the planetary boundary layer are critical for developing and evaluating boundary layer parameterizations in mesoscale numerical weather prediction models. These observations, however, are expensive, and rarely profile the entire boundary layer. Using optimized configurations for 449 MHz and 915 MHz wind profiling radars during the eXperimental Planetary boundary layer Instrumentation Assessment, improvements have been made to the histor5 ical methods of measuring vertical velocity variance through the time series of vertical velocity, as well as the Doppler spectral width. Using six heights of sonic anemometers mounted on a 300-m tower, correlations of up to R = 0.74 are seen in measurements of the large-scale variances from the radar time series, and R = 0.79 in measurements of small-scale variance from radar spectral widths. The total variance, measured as the sum of the smalland large-scales agrees well with sonic 10 anemometers, with R = 0.79. Correlation is higher in daytime, convective boundary layers than nighttime, stable conditions when turbulence levels are smaller. With the good agreement with the in situ measurements, highly-resolved profiles up to 2 km can be accurately observed from the 449 MHz radar, and 1 km from the 915 MHz radar. This optimized configuration will provide unique observations for the verification and improvement to boundary layer parameterizations in mesoscale 15


This paper proposed trajectory tracking control of Mobile Robot. Trajectory tracking control scheme are Real coding Genetic-Algorithm and Back-propergation Algorithm. Control scheme ability experience proposed simulation.


Efforts to accommodate increasing and dispersed demand for travel in the face of mounting traffic congestion, escalating construction costs, limited rights of way, and diminished air quality have caused planning agencies to adopt plans that would enhance transit choices. Faced with fiscal limitations, the need to prioritize the ever-growing list of improvement projects is paramount. To meet this need in the development of the Bay Area System Plan for Regional Express Bus Service in California, a survey of existing literature on capital investment prioritization in transportation was conducted. This review led to development of a simple prioritization methodology with which to analyze the projects. Unit costs per ride were calculated to facilitate comparisons between the various proposals. The cost estimation procedure involved a systematic sequence of analyses that included the development and quantification of conceptual design elements, application of unit capital as well as operation and maintenance costs, and matching of annualized costs with annual ridership to derive unit costs per affected ride. Results revealed that the greater majority of proposed improvements could be implemented at a relatively low total cost. The estimates also suggest that most proposed improvements will not add very significant additional costs per ride to existing operations. The case study demonstrates the utility of a prioritization method that emphasizes the user benefits of projects and illustrates an approach that could be used by other agencies.


Spastic cerebral palsy (SCP) affects neural control, deteriorates muscle morphometrics, and may progressively impair functional walking ability. Upon passive testing, gastrocnemius medialis (GM) muscle bellies or fascicles are typically shorter, thinner, and less extensible. Relationships between muscle and gait parameters might help to understand gait pathology and pathogenesis of spastic muscles. The current aim was to link resting and dynamic GM morphometrics and contractile fascicle behavior (both excursion and velocity) during walking to determinants of gait. We explored the associations between gait variables and ultrasonography of the GM muscle belly captured during rest and during gait in children with SCP [n = 15, gross motor function classification system (GMFCS) levels I and II, age: 7–16 years] and age-matched healthy peers (n = 17). The SCP children's plantar flexors were 27% weaker. They walked 12% slower with more knee flexion produced 42% less peak ankle push-off power (all p < 0.05) and 7/15 landed on their forefoot. During the stance phase, fascicles in SCP on average operated on 9% shorter length (normalized to rest length) and displayed less and slower fascicle shortening (37 and 30.6%, respectively) during push-off (all p ≤ 0.024). Correlation analyses in SCP patients revealed that (1) longer-resting fascicles and thicker muscle bellies are positively correlated with walking speed and negatively to knee flexion (r = 0.60–0.69, p < 0.0127) but not to better ankle kinematics; (2) reduced muscle strength was associated with the extent of eccentric fascicle excursion (r = −0.57, p = 0.015); and (3) a shorter operating length of the fascicles was correlated with push-off power (r = −0.58, p = 0.013). Only in controls, a correlation (r = 0.61, p = 0.0054) between slower fascicle shortening velocity and push-off power was found. Our results indicate that a thicker gastrocnemius muscle belly and longer gastrocnemius muscle fascicles may be reasonable morphometric properties that should be targeted in interventions for individuals with SCP, since GM muscle atrophy may be related to decreases in walking speed and undesired knee flexion during gait. Furthermore, children with SCP and weaker gastrocnemius muscle may be more susceptible to chronic eccentric muscle overloading. The relationship between shorter operating length of the fascicles and push-off power may further support the idea of a compensation mechanism for the longer sarcomeres found in children with SCP. Nevertheless, more studies are needed to support our explorative findings.


Uncovering the mechanisms involved in the decline of long-distance migrants remains one of the most pressing issues in European conservation. Since the 1980s, the British breeding population of Garden Warbler Sylvia borin has declined by more than 25%. Here we use data from repeated bird surveys of woodland sites in the 1980s and in 2003–2004 to show that, although the overall population declined between the two periods, the probability of occupancy for this species increased at high latitudes and decreased at low latitudes. Range shifts such as this arise from a change in the ratio of colonizations to extinctions at the range margins, and we therefore related colonization and local extinction at the patch level to concurrent changes in temperature and habitat. The probability of patch colonization by this species was significantly lower where the percentage cover of vegetation in the understorey had declined, reducing habitat quality for this species. The probability of local extinction was significantly correlated with increasing mean May temperature, which may reflect a change in phenology, making breeding conditions less suitable. Changed regimes of grazing and woodland management could be used to increase habitat suitability and thereby increase colonization probability at the local scale, which may in turn increase the probability of patch occupancy despite future climatic unsuitability.


Purpose: Although intestinal metaplasia is often found in association with adenocarcinoma of the urinary bladder, it is unclear whether intestinal metaplasia of the bladder is a premalignant lesion. Telomere shortening has recently been implicated in epithelial carcinogenesis. We used quantitative fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) to measure telomere length and UroVysion FISH to detect cytogenetic abnormalities in urinary bladder specimens with intestinal metaplasia. Experimental Design: Paraffin-embedded tissue blocks from 34 patients with intestinal metaplasia of the urinary bladder were evaluated. Twelve of the 34 patients had coexistent cystitis glandularis, and telomere length was measured in these lesions for comparison. Tissue sections were prepared and hybridized with a telomere-specific peptide nucleic acid probe. Quantitative FISH on interphase nuclei was used to assess telomere signal intensity. Additional sections were hybridized with centromeric probes for chromosomes 3, 7, and 17 and a locus-specific probe 9p21. Multicolor FISH was used to analyze for cytogenic abnormalities in the interphase nuclei of intestinal metaplasia. Results: In all 34 cases, reduced average telomere signal intensity was observed in the nuclei of intestinal metaplasia cells compared with adjacent control nuclei to produce a mean relative intensity of 48.5% (P < 0.0001). When cystitis glandularis was present, significant differences in the telomere-specific signal intensity existed between cystitis glandularis and normal cells (P = 0.0005) and between cystitis glandularis and intestinal metaplasia cells (P = 0.0015). Three of the 34 cases showed chromosomal gains in the UroVysion FISH assay. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that intestinal metaplasia in the urinary bladder is associated with significant telomere shortening relative to telomere length in adjacent normal urothelial cells. These lesions also occasionally showed cytogenetic abnormalities associated with telomere shortening. Our findings support the hypothesis that intestinal metaplasia of the urinary bladder is a precursor lesion to and could be a marker in the development of adenocarcinoma of the urinary bladder.


One of the most debated topics in refugee law has been the meaning of particular social group (PSG)—one of the five categories used to claim refugee status. In 2006, the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) adopted a narrower PSG definition. Since that adoption, a circuit split has persisted over the meaning of PSG. Two circuits in particular have continually refused to adopt this definition—even when the BIA attempted to revise the definition in response to their criticism. This Note proposes a reform that would include a compromise between the two current definitions of PSG by rejecting the BIA's particularity requirement and transforming the social distinction requirement into a flexible standard. Further, this Note advises that the Supreme Court provide guidance to the BIA to ensure that all jurisdictions adhere to the new definition.


Security studies in the 21st Century have broadened to encompass a variety of transnational phenomena newly defined as threats. Climate change is one of these phenomena. In theoretical terms, climate change is being securitized. Climate change, in which man-made global warming is a major factor, is an internationally recognized phenomenon that is projected to produce dramatic, accelerating, and long-lasting human, economic, and political consequences with profound security implications. These will be most pronounced in places where the effects of climate change are greatest, particularly affecting weak states already especially vulnerable to environmental destabilization. National security establishments in the United States and elsewhere are hurriedly attempting to come to grips with climate change and how to respond to its strategic challenges. This paper, in the context of securitization theory, human security, and sustainable security, discusses the phenomena of global warming and climate change, examines the destabilizing effects of climate change, describes how such effects are being perceived as transnational threats to security, and argues that securitization of climate change is necessary, timely, and irreversible.


A specular reflectometer has been constructed and tested for calibrating the reflectance of mirror standards over the 250-2500-nm spectral range. This instrument is a measurement accessory to a reference spectrophotometer, which is also used for diffuse hemispherical spectral reflectance and 45 degrees /0 degrees spectral reflectance. The specular reflectometer is designed to measure mirror reflectances at angles of incidence between 5 and 80 degrees using both vertically and horizontally polarized radiation. Absolute reflectance measurements are obtained by an optical system, which provides for direct measurement of the incident beam and for the sample mirror reflectance using the same beam. This is accomplished by means of a beam tracking system through which the beam is directed into a signal averaging sphere. The sphere rotates with the beam tracking optics, and the stationary detector views the interior of the sphere. Control of the beam tracking optical system is accomplished by a computer-controlled stepping-motor-driven precision turntable. Uncertainties of the reflectance measurements obtained with this system are estimated to be +/-0.2% of the measured value.


Digital platform in sharing economy is increasingly focusing on customer satisfaction to gain sustainable competitive advantage. However, existing understandings of how network effects shaped the creative process of customer satisfaction are not well-understood in the information system field. Based on the expectation-disconfirmation theory, we proposed a conceptual model to elaborate on the roles of direct and indirect network effects on digital platform customer satisfaction. We test our model using survey data from 250 sharing economy platform customers. The key results of structural equation modeling (SEM) provide broad support for the following: (1) the effect of customer expectation on confirmation is completely dependent on the mediation of perceived performance in digital platform of sharing economy, and (2) the direct and indirect network effects contribute as the moderator at different stages of the model. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of how managers should effectively develop and leverage the network effects to improve the digital platform customer satisfaction in the context of sharing economy.


This study examined Zimbabwe's energy access situation and suggests that Zimbabwe's energy access solution goes beyond providing biogas energy alone but needs addressing the root causes of Zimbabwe's inability to access renewable energy. The paper also challenges biogas fuel prospects and shortcomings. A mixed-method methodology has been used. Next, the qualitative data analysis was carried out using thematic analysis. The themes emerging from the findings include lack of knowledge about biogas power, difficulties in accessing start-up capital, and lack of resources needed. From a quantitative viewpoint, it was discovered that lack of adequate funds, high installation costs, lack of adequate data and negative attitudes to the community are some of the challenges that block biogas to be considered as renewable energy for the poor in rural Domboshava, Zimbabwe at household level. Based on the findings of the article, organizational consequences are explored, and recommendations are made for shortcomings and future directions for analysis. Broadly speaking, this study adds enormously new knowledge to the existing energy economics literature in Africa— a context that some scholars in developing countries still ignore most.


In this paper we highlight how the use of internet has changed from 2004 to 2009 among
Hungarian companies, how their expectations about the role of e-commerce as a competitive
advantage has evolved and whether perceived benefits of e-commerce show a shift from 2004
to 2009.We investigate the role of environmental factors and market orientation as two
relevant types of critical success factors proposed by the management literature and measure
their impacts on Internet usage, expectations about e-commerce and perceived benefits of ecommerce.
Our findings suggest that market orientation has a positive effect on Internet usage and perceived benefits of e-commerce. Internet usage and expectations are dependent on the vulnerability of the company to its macroeconomic environment. The positive outcomes of joining the EU seem to influence whether a company is able to exploit e-commerce benefits.


Imidazolium-based ionic liquids, 1,3-dibenzylimidazolium trifluoroacetate, 1-benzyl-3-ethylimidazolium trifluoroacetate and 1-benzyl-3-propylimidazolium trifluoroacetate were prepared by simple methods, when compared with those in literature sources, and characterized by IR, NMR and GC-MS and LC-MS. These ILs (Ionic Liquids) were employed as leaching agents in the treatment of industrial copper and zinc bearing slag for the recovery of metals. Results showed that synthesized all novel ionic liquids meet the standard specifications of an ionic liquid. Metal recovery rates decrease with time except for zinc dissolution in 1,3-dibenzylimidazolium trifluoroacetate. 1,3-dibenzylimidazolium trifluoroacetate, when compared with others, is a more effective leaching agent for the treatment of copper and zinc bearing brass slag. Metal recovery rates achieved with this IL are 62.58% for zinc and 24.95% for copper.


Experimental study of the response of stilbene to protons (0,8 to 1,8 MeV) indicates a non-linearity in the intensity of the fast components vs energy and a linear relationship for the slow component. It was found for stilbene and anthracene a decreasing intensity of the slow component with increasing particle mass (electrons, protons, alphas). The temperature dependence of both components has been measured between -130°C and 20°C. A relative increase of the same magnitude, about 20 % has been observed for the fast and the slow emission at low temperature. This paper presents the experimental devices used in these experiments and a discussion of the results in relation to models proposed for the slow emission process (mainly triplet-triplet interaction).