Electric vehicle (EV) dynamic wireless charging system has become an emerging application in the area of the intelligent transportation system (ITS). However, an integrated design of the EV dynamic wireless charging system requires the considerations of both the economical and technical perspectives of a smart city. Specifically, most of the existing researches unilaterally consider the application of either placement strategy for power tracks (PTs) or dynamic vehicle-to-grid (V2G) scheduling. In this article, we propose a multistage system framework to account for an integrated EV dynamic wireless charging system in a smart city. First of all, an optimal placement strategy for PTs is developed based on city traffic information and EV energy demand. Then, having the optimal locations of PTs through the previous stage approach, the proposed dynamic V2G scheduling scheme is formulated to coordinate the schedules of EVs with the provision of daytime V2G ancillary services. Our simulation results present that the proposed multistage system model achieves improvements on both the placement strategy and V2G scheduling scheme. In addition, relatively low economic system costs can be obtained through our proposed model.


Challenges of weak economic growth, population decline, and labour shortages led many countries across the world to introduce immigration policy changes in order to attract foreign migrants. This paper focuses on Japan (Tokyo) and the UK (Birmingham, Edinburgh and Glasgow) given common concerns over long term demographic trends and the burgeoning lack of labour supply in particular sectors of the economy through use of foreign labour. The paper shifts the focus from efforts focused on attracting and selecting foreign labour to the retention of such individuals. Drawing on research with EU migrants in Japan and the UK, the paper highlights how staying may occur after a period of mobility, rather than only being of relevance to those who never left their home region. The paper develops a new conceptual framework, which helps to identify different dimensions that shape migrant staying as a temporal process. It is highlighted how staying is shaped incrementally and facilitated or undermined over time in relation to the reciprocal importance of diverse assets, anchors and the changing biographies of migrants and the places in which they live – as well as the relational aspects of migrants' 'linked lives'.


In this project we considered the wind farm operation planning to maximize the total power produced. The wind farm consisted of a row of three wind turbines. Two strategies were evaluated. The first strategy was the effect of rotating the downwind wakes away from the downwind turbines by the use of yaw control. The second strategy was the effect by reducing the most upwind turbines power coefficient. The two strategies was simulated where they were first tested individually, then a combination of them was evaluated. It was concluded that both of the strategies increased the total power production individually. The yaw effect showed that it could potentially give a much larger total power production compared to the effect from the frontal turbine power coefficient reduction. The increase in power production from the yaw effect is dependent on the yaw angle, this increased angle will also induce larger structural loads. When a combination of the two strategies was simulated, the total power production was lower than with the yaw effect alone.


User equilibrium refers to the network-wide state where individual travelers cannot gain improvement by unilaterally changing their behaviors. The Wardropian Equilibrium has been the focus of a transportation equilibrium study. This paper modifies the dynamic traffic assignment method through utilizing the TRANSIMS system to reach the dynamic user equilibrium state in a microscopic model. The focus of research is developing three heuristics in a Routing-Microsimulation-Equilibrating order for reaching system-wide equilibrium while simultaneously minimizing the computing burden and execution. The heuristics are implemented to a TRANSIMS model to simulate a subarea of Houston, TX.


Introduction/purpose Explore the history and development of the relative value unit (RVU) system  Explain the current formula utilized to calculate RVUs Provide the neurointerventionalist with current examples of RVU calculation for many common neurointerventional procedures The Resource-based relative value scale (RBRVS) was established in order to assign a specific value to physician services. Procedures performed by physicians are assigned a relative value unit (RVU). Physician groups often evaluate the RVU production of their partners as a performance measure of physician productivity and value. This presentation will explore the components of the RVU system and how physicians are reimbursed under the RBRVS. Materials/methods The formula for RVU calculation has three components: physician work, practice expense (PE) and malpractice expense. A geographic practice cost index (GPCI) is multiplied by each of these three components to account for the cost difference in medical practices across different geographical locations. A conversion factor converts the RVU values into a reimbursable dollar amount, which is $35.7547 per RVU for 2015. The formula for calculating the fee schedule amount is: Payment = [(RVU work x GPCI work) + (RVU PE x GPCI PE) + (RVU malpractice x GPCI malpractice) x Conversion Factor. Data for RVU calculation was obtained from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Results RVU values were calculated for 27 common neurointerventional procedures. 2015 RVU values and reimbursement rates were calculated. The 2015 reimbursement values were compared to 2013 values. 15/27 procedures demonstrate declining reimbursement since 2013. Conclusion Physician management groups, practicing neurointerventionalists, and trainees should have an understanding of the RVU system and how payments for procedures are calculated. The total RVU calculation is constantly changing for individual procedures as the RVU values and conversion factors are updated. A strong knowledge of the process is important to understand how the RVU is derived. Some physician groups may conclude that the RVU is not necessarily the best measure of physician performance and production. Disclosures R. Trojan: None. G. Snowden: None. V. Kadakia: None. M. Fortes: None.


The Onsøy and Sarapuí II soft clays have been studied for a number of years. In particular, piezocone tests with different rates have been conducted at both sites. Since the plasticity index and the coefficient of consolidation—which play important roles in the rate effect—are different in Onsøy and SarapuÍ II clays, an interesting comparison is possible. A bowl shaped curve was obtained for the normalized cone resistance versus penetration rate in the case of Sarapuí II clay. The cone resistance versus rate curve can be explained by the pore pressure trends, especially from the u1 trend. Since only three rates have been used for Onsøy clay, a more complete picture cannot be obtained. However, the use of the normalized rate (or velocity), even using ch from piezocone dissipation data, was not capable to unify the resistance-rate data for the two clays tested. Adaptations in regular rigs, allowing much smaller penetration rates, and small diameter cones, are necessary if drained conditions are to be achieved when conducting piezocone tests in deposits like Sarapuí II or Onsøy clays. No rate effect was found for penetration rates greater than the standard rate, unlike expected, due to the high Ip values in both deposits. Tests with higher rates are necessary to properly evaluate the role of Ip on rate effect on cone resistance. II clay (Jannuzzi et al. 2015) is a very plastic clay (Ip in the range 60%–170%), whereas Ip values in Onsøy clay are in the range 20%–50% (Lacasse & Lunne 1982; Lunne et al. 2003). The horizontal coefficient of consolidation, ch, obtained from piezocone dissipation data is on average 10 × 10−7 m2/s in the case of Onsøy clay (Lunne et al. 2003) and 4 × 10−7 m2/s in the case of Sarapuí clay (Danziger et al. 1997b).


Climate change due to anthropogenic emissions is the largest environmental challenge of our
time. Forest-based value chains play an important role in reducing the accumulation of CO2 in
the atmosphere. Maximizing the use of wood to tackle climate change requires improved
understanding of the service life of timber products. This information can best be obtained from
field testing and while there is an abundance of field performance data from sites all over the
world, most of the data are not available in a form that can be utilised for service life models.
The IRG Durability Database aims to improve the usability of existing performance data and
create added value for durability research and service life prediction. The present paper takes the
first steps in comparing global field test performance data from the IRG Durability Database for
non-durable reference species. Data were obtained from six species above ground and ground
contact field tests from 36 sites around the world. For each dataset, decay rates and service life
(where applicable) were calculated. Datasets were then grouped together based on test method
and species. Decay rate was faster and more uniform in ground contact than above ground. In
ground contact, beech decayed most rapidly, followed by Norway spruce and Scots pine
sapwood. All appeared to be suitable for use as reference species, however slow-grown spruce
should be avoided. There were no statistically significant correlations between ground contact
decay rate and the Scheffer Climate Index (SCI). In above ground tests, differences in decay rate
were largely related to differences in moisture dynamics. Species with the greatest absorption
and retention of water decayed most rapidly. Test methods that absorbed and retained the most
moisture (e.g. painted L-joints) resulted in more rapid decay. Above ground decay rate and SCI
were significantly correlated in two data sets that had a wide range of SCI values. Correlations
were not significant when only European test sites were included. Estimating decay rate from
field testing results in highly variable data. Comparing data from global test sites is made more
difficult by the absence of common field testing standards.


Over the past two decades, the adult population in the United States has, on average, become much heavier. From 1987 to 2007, the fraction of adults who were overweight or obese increased from 44 percent to 63 percent; almost two-thirds of the adult population now falls into one of those categories. The share of obese adults rose particularly rapidly, more than doubling from 13 percent to 28 percent. That sharp increase in the fraction of adults who are overweight or obese poses an important public health challenge. Those adults are more likely to develop serious illnesses, including coronary heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension. As a result, that trend also affects spending on health care.


Al based MMCs have attracted a lot of attention particularly for their desirable combination of high stiffness and low specific gravity. In the present study, Al-4.5Cu-3.8Fe in-situ composites were manufactured by using solidification process. During solidification Al-Fe intermetallic was formed in a matrix of Al-Cu alloy. The composite was hot rolled at different degree using a two high rolling mill. Subsequently the composites were characterized by SEM, XRD, hardness measurement and wear testing. Wear testing was conducted on a pin-on-disk machine by applying 10 KN load. After the wear tests, the worn surfaces of the composite specimens were examined under an optical microscope. According to experimental results, as cast in-situ composites exhibited the highest wear rate. The hardness increased and wear rate decreased with the extent of rolling. The presence of reinforcing Al3Fe phase and fragmentation of those particles during hot rolling are suggested to contribute to the better wear resistance of the composites. The extent of abrasive wear was largest in the case of as cast composites, as evidenced by deep grooves on the worn surface and highest weight loss.


This study explored how having differing goals and motives for learning a second language influences adaptation in the foreign culture. Specifically, we compared English as a second language (ESL) students in two programs, which differed in their long-term goal orientations. Some students were taking ESL courses in order to attend university in their second language, whereas other ESL students took courses that were not followed by an immediate reward. Students in both programs completed measures of acculturation as well as measures of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation for learning English. We found that adaptation to the foreign culture, in the form of acculturation, is best facilitated by congruence between students' motives and goals. The findings are discussed in terms of their methodological and pedagogical implications.


This qualitative study represents a critical and interpretative engagement with the practice of accounting and the phenomenon of social capital. Social capital is considered as an intangible asset that is developed through strong collaborative networks of association that encourage action between individuals and groups, action that is based on high levels of reciprocity and trust. The stratified networks of association that develop in rural and remote communities require strong leadership, and this leadership is usually expected to emerge from a community's resident professionals. The study, using phenomenological means, broadly considers the interaction between small or sole practice rural and remote accountants and their socio-economic environment through a critical idiographic analysis. It conveys the experiences, perceptions and conceptions of the research participants, gives a voice to their lived experience and seeks to reveal specific aspects of how these accountants in rural and remote areas of Australia perceive the importance of social capital in their engagement with the local community.

Key research findings see the rural and remote professional accounting practitioner as a significant catalyst for collaborative action and change within a rural community, as well as a nexus for leadership, knowledge and information exchange. Findings also bring to light the rural and remote accountant's ability to act as 'bridging agent' across a wide range of stratified associative groups working to foster a range of positive and adaptive collaborative action that achieves successful community based outcomes. This research also uncovers the perceived importance of the reciprocal relationship based on trust that exists between accountant, community and client, in particular the critical nature of the face-to-face relationship in rural society.

Rural communities are vital to Australia's long term strategic, economic and cultural sustainability, and small accounting practices, as part of a diminishing group of professionals operating in these locations, perform a crucial role in the ongoing sustainability of these rural communities. The motivation for this research is based on the need to more fully understand the complex and challenging environment of the rural and regional space in the Australian context, and in particular, the accounting professionals who operate within the complex interwoven fabric of rural society thus adding incalculable value to these communities through their interaction, engagement, connection and support.

Although relatively few, previous research studies into accountants in rural communities have focused on organisational and workplace issues, the exploration of reasons for an accountant's choice in operating across these areas, or exploratory studies considering the range of issues that affect the practice of accounting in regional Australia. Through an intensive, idiographic process of open co-present interviews, eight rural and remote accounting practitioners operating across the eastern states of Australia provided rich, insightful and contextual information regarding their lived experience of professional rural life and the capstone phenomenon of social capital. Utilising a pragmatic blend of phenomenological research methods, framed by the Woodhouse (2006) conceptual model of social capital in society, participants' discourse developed strong emergent themes of rural societal expectation, tension in the professional role, and supererogatory action through intuitive altruistic behaviour as defining factors in the lived experience of professional accounting practitioners in rural and remote areas of Australia. It is through this analytical phenomenological research process that the connection between the rural accountant's perception and understanding of social capital is established and its implications considered.

The research makes an original contribution to knowledge and understanding of the social aspects of accounting practice, particularly in the realm of social capital and the contribution it makes to the sustainability and growth of rural communities in Australia. Existing conceptions and norms of professional behaviour and standards fall short when considered against the tension that exists within an accountant's role in the unique rural cultural milieu. Further, the findings contribute to the current policy debate around sustainability in the agriculture sector, one of the government's five key pillars of the Australian economy. In this respect the research highlights a need to consider policy directions that recognise and support rural accountants as key professional stakeholders in rural and remote communities. The study also provides a basis for professional accounting bodies to consider how they can better support the unique needs of accountants operating in rural and remote communities.


This current examination investigated the idea of personal satisfaction (QOL) showcasing from the point of view of understudies. Moreover, it produced subjective information which will open entryways for future examination in a similar region. This examination embraces a subjective methodology, utilizing top to bottom eye to eye interviews. A sum of twenty members were chosen from various resources at present dwelling in Malaysia and Pakistan. A few techniques were applied to complete a thorough subjective investigation (i.e., talk with manage, sound/ video recording and field notes, brief translation, coding and arranging the transcripts, direct statements and rich information cuts while introducing discoveries). The discoveries of this paper uncovered that in milieu of utilization understudies accept that their personal satisfaction improve with the utilization of different items. Further, for the greater part of the understudies a solid relationship with their families and friends and family is a significant factor of their personal satisfaction. Nation based populace studies ought to be done so as to survey and screen the personal satisfaction in a standard manner. Further given that this exploration is subjective, there is a need to set out on observational information gathering on a similar theme. This examination was led in Malaysia and Pakistan, where no investigation has been led to investigate the personal satisfaction promoting from understudy's point of view. In addition, Consumption, a significant feature of showcasing, was likewise investigated without precedent for the QOL setting.


This study examines European stock market reactions to 16 events associated with the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in Europe. European IFRS adoption represented a major milestone towards financial reporting convergence yet spurred controversy reaching the highest levels of government. We find an incrementally positive reaction for firms with lower quality pre-adoption information, which is more pronounced in banks, and with higher pre-adoption information asymmetry, consistent with investors expecting net information quality benefits from IFRS adoption. We find an incrementally negative reaction for firms domiciled in code law countries, consistent with investors' concerns over enforcement of IFRS in those countries. Finally, we find a positive reaction to IFRS adoption events for firms with high quality pre-adoption information, consistent with investors expecting net convergence benefits from IFRS adoption.


This study investigated how people with persistent mental illness who work or study, attend a community‐based activity centre or have no regular activities, experience and describe the meaningfulness of their daily occupations. Data were gathered from 102 randomly selected individuals who were interviewed regarding their daily occupations and perceived meaningfulness using a 'yesterday activity diary'. Content analysis revealed five main themes of meaningfulness: 1) Connection with others and the world around them, 2) Enjoyment and fun in life, 3) Being productive and having a sense of achievement, 4) Being occupied and having routines and projects in the stream of time and 5) Taking care of oneself to maintain health. Their connections, enjoyment and fun, and taking care of oneself were the aspects of meaningfulness that occurred most frequently. Participants who worked or studied more frequently identified connections, and made fewer statements about taking care of their health. The findings contribute to the knowledge of perceived meaningfulness in daily occupation, showing that despite different occupational structures and settings, all themes of meaningfulness were represented in the three groups. Thus, people with persistent mental illness create and find meaning within their daily occupations, although the occupations that generate these aspects of meaningfulness may differ.


This paper deals with an experimental investigation of a new type of composite bridge using fully prefabricated concrete elements, which shortens the construction time and hence reduces production and economic costs. Up to now, composite bridges have reached a high level of prefabrication. Nevertheless, typical advantages of prefabrication, like fast erection times and high manufacturing quality, are partially compensated during the on-site assembling process when the elements are connected among themselves with an infill concrete. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of 'dry joints', i.e. joints leaving a gap between the precast elements which is not filled with concrete, on the load bearing behavior of such composite bridges. To address this problem, six large scale tests on composite girders using prefabricated elements and dry joints were carried out. The concrete strains were measured along numerous cross sections to define the load bearing part of the concrete elements in terms of effective widths. It could be shown that the use of dry joints reduces the effective width and impairs the deformation behavior, whereas no major influence on the results could be observed by varying the size of the gap between the elements. The ultimate bearing capacity was affected only slightly as well. Accordingly, composite bridges with dry joints open up the possibility to reduce construction time significantly and are an attractive alternative to current types of bridge design in cases where closing times of traffic routes are to be minimized.


In this technical note, a class of time varying delay nonlinear systems is considered where both parametric uncertainty and structural uncertainty are involved. The uncertain parameters are embedded in the system nonlinearly. The bound on the structural uncertainty takes nonlinear form and is time delayed. A sliding mode observer is proposed to estimate the system state and an adaptive law is proposed to estimate the unknown parameters simultaneously. Using the Lyapunov-Razuminkhin approach, sufficient conditions are developed such that the error system is uniformly ultimately bounded. A simulation on a bioreactor system shows the effectiveness of the approach.


Introduction: In order to achieve acceptable quality in educations, the quality of learning should be assessed. opinion of alumni in assessment of the quality of education is important, This study aims to assess the quality of medical education in basic and clinical sciences according to the opinion of alumni of Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences during 2008-2012 Method: This cross-sectional study conducted on alumni graduated from 2008-2012. Data was collected using a questionnaire which validity and reliability was confirmed. The questions were asked from 183 individuals were interviewed by telephone in 2012. Results: Mean satisfaction score of quality of education was 3.86/5 and 3.18/5 for basic and clinical sciences, respectively. The average satisfaction score for regular presence of faculty members in classes was 4.11/5 and 3.98/5 for basic and clinical sciences, respectively. The difference between the two groups regarding the satisfaction from quality of education was not diufferent (P=0.237). However, this difference was significant for satisfaction from regular presence in classes and time spent for education (P<0.001). Conclusion: The condition of education in Yazd University of Medical Sciences was satisfactory from the alumni viewpoint and the satisfaction level was higher for basic sciences than clinical science education


Common peripheral neurogenic lesion in various locations and of different origins were examined thermographically and the results were compared with those obtained by clinical and electromyographic methods. Lesions in the regions of the N. ulnaris and N. medianus can, except in the case of carpal tunnel syndrome, be identified without difficulty by thermography. The results obtained in the case of paresis of the radialis are non-specific, and thermographic examination of radicular lesions are also sometimes ambiguous. Damage in the plexus-brachialis and root region yield impressive results which, however, are not particularly useful.


This article introduces the Verbal Irony Procedure (VIP), a first systematic method for identifying irony in natural discourse. The first section discusses previous operationalizations of irony and demonstrates that these are not explicit about which criteria were used to separate irony from non-irony. The second section argues why irony can be defined as an "utterance with a literal evaluation that is implicitly contrary to its intended evaluation." This section also explains why ironic utterances can be placed on an evaluation scale. In the third section, clauses are proposed as a good unit of analysis when looking at irony in natural discourse. The different steps of the VIP are then introduced in the fourth section and subsequently applied in a sample analysis of a natural text in the fifth section. The sixth section discusses a reliability analysis of the VIP protocol. The article ends with an outlook on how future research on verbal irony might benefit from applying the VIP.


The nano-CaCO3/Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) composites were prepared by melting-blend with the single-screw extruder. The mechanical properties of the nanocomposites and the dispersion of nano-CaCO3 were investigated by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and mechanical tests. The micro structure of the fracture section of the nanocomposites was analyzed by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that not only the impact property but also the rigidity property and the bending modulus of the system have been increased evidently by added modificated nano-CaCO3. However, the tensile strength of the nano-composites has a little decreased by added the modificated nano- CaCO3. The modificated nano-CaCO3 has been dispersed well in the matrix in the nanometer scale. The micro structure of the fracture section of the nanocomposites proved that when the composites have been impacted, the modificated nano-CaCO3 particles have taken an action of initiating and terminating crazing (silver streak), which can absorb more impact energy than the pure ABS resin. Compared with the pure ABS resin material, the notched impact strength of the nano-CaCO3/ABS composites added 2 percent hundred resin (PHR) modificated nano-CaCO3 reach 36.77 kJ/m2, which have been increased up to 44%. At the same time, the rigidity of the nanocomposites has also been enhanced by 23.5% which is increased from 28.16N to 34.87 N.


Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Adamantinoma and osteofibrous dysplasia (OFD)-like adamantinoma are rare primary bone tumors that are predominantly confined to the tibia. These 2 entities show similarities in location, histology, and radiologic appearance; however, adamantinoma is malignant and therefore differentiating between these bone tumors is essential for optimal patient care. To elucidate their genomic and transcriptomic alteration profiles and expand their etiological mechanisms, whole exome sequencing (WES) and RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) were conducted on adamantinoma and OFD-like adamantinoma tumors. Copy number variation analysis using WES data revealed distinct chromosomal alteration profiles for adamantinoma tumors compared with OFD-like adamantinomas, allowing molecular differentiation between the 2 tumor subtypes. Combining WES and copy number variation analyses, the chromatin remodelling-related gene KMT2D was recurrently altered in 3/8 adamantinoma tumors (38%), highlighting the potential involvement of deregulated chromatin structure and integrity in adamantinoma tumorigenesis. RNA-Seq analysis revealed a novel somatic gene fusion (EPHB4-MARCH10) in an adamantinoma, the gene fusion was fully characterized. Hierarchical clustering analysis of RNA-Seq data distinctly clustered adamantinoma tumors from OFD-like adamantinomas, allowing to molecularly distinguish between the 2 entities. David Gene Ontology analysis of differentially expressed genes identified distinct altered pathways in adamantinoma and OFD-like adamantinoma tumors, highlighting the different histopathologic characteristics of these bone tumor subtypes. Moreover, RNA-Seq expression profiling analysis identified elevated expression of DLK1 gene in adamantinomas, serving as a potential molecular biomarker. The present study revealed novel genetic and transcriptomic insights for adamantinoma and OFD-like adamantinoma tumors, allowing to differentiate genetically and transcriptomically between the 2 lesions and identifying a potential diagnostic marker for adamantinomas.


In agriculture sector, the effect of climate change seems to have become inevitable during the last few decades. Hence, the technologies for climate-resilient agriculture (CRA) are probably the best adaptation solutions currently available to improve the resilience of agriculture. The study to access the extent of adoption of CRA technologies by the farmers in the National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) project implemented villages of Suryapet and Khammam districts in Telangana state was conducted during 2021-22. Total 200 farmers from these two districts were selected randomly to evaluate the adoption status of recommended CRA technologies and its association with the respondents' profile characteristics. The respondents had adopted CRA technologies at medium to high levels with the majority of beneficiaries adopting technologies like deep ploughing, in-situ moisture conservation technologies in cotton and red gram, crop diversification from paddy to jowar and vegetables as a contingent crop, improved variety of paddy Siddhi WGL-44 and improved backyard poultry breeds. The profile characteristics viz., education, annual income, land holding, individual and mass media exposure, economic motivation, risk-taking ability, and innovative proneness had a positive and significant association with the extent of adoption of CRA technologies.


Middle-scale box-sectional hollow PC ducts, which consist of heterogeneous concrete with different mix proportions, were exposed to natural environments for about three years, and the long-term curvature and axial mean deformation, which have much to do with deflection of long span bridge viaducts, was gaged for verification of coupled thermo-hygral and multi-scale models. The associated internal moisture and the local climate inside micro-pores were measured and the effect of precipitation was quantified over yearly four seasons. The moisture migration linked with concrete multi-scale mechanics was analyzed and the simulation results are compared with the field exposure tests. The reliability of the thermo-hygral analysis, which has been used for estimating the long-term serviceability of bridges, was made firmer.


The purpose of this national survey was to define the extent and features of database use by 445 tertiary level neonatal intensive care nurseries in the United States. Of the 305 centers responding to our survey, 78% had a database in use in 1989 and 15% planned to develop one in the future. Nurseries varied remarkably in the volume of data collected, the amount of time devoted to completing data collection forms, and the personnel involved in data collection. Although data were used primarily for statistical reports (93% of nurseries), quality assurance (73%) and research activities (61%) were also enhanced by database information. Neonatal databases were used to generate reports for the permanent medical record in 38% of centers. Satisfaction with the database was dependent on how useful the database information was to centers which collected and actually used a large volume of information. Overall, nurseries expressed a high degree of confidence in the data they collected, and 65% felt their neonatal database information could be used directly in publication of research. It was disturbing that accuracy of data was not monitored formally by the majority of nurseries. Only 27% of centers followed a routine schedule of data quality assurance, and only 53% had built in error messages for data entry. We caution all who receive database information in the form of morbidity and mortality statistics, clinical reports on patients cared for in neonatal units, and published manuscripts to be attentive to the quality of the data they consume. We feel that future database design efforts need to better address data quality control. Our findings stress the importance and need for immediate efforts to better address database quality control.


The cylindrical radial filters refer to the discrete-time realizations of the radially dependent parts in cylindrical harmonic expansions, which are commonly described by the cylindrical Bessel functions. An efficient and accurate design of the radial filters is crucial in spatial signal processing applications, such as sound field synthesis and active noise control. This paper presents a radial filter design method where the filter coefficients are analytically derived from the time-domain representations. Time-domain sampling of the cylindrical radial functions typically leads to spectral aliasing artifacts and degrades the accuracy of the filter, which is mainly attributed to the unbounded discontinuities exhibited by the time-domain radial functions. This problem is coped with by exploiting an approximation where the cylindrical radial function is represented as a weighted sum of the radial functions in spherical harmonic expansions. Although the spherical radial functions also exhibit discontinuities in the time domain, the amplitude remains finite, which allows application of a recently introduced aliasing reduction method. The proposed cylindrical radial filter is thus designed by linearly combining the spherical radial filters with improved accuracy. The performance of the proposed cylindrical radial filters is demonstrated by examining the spectral deviations from the original spectrum.


Abstract
Research on relational maintenance of long-distance or cross-residential romantic relationships is limited. Moreover, relatively little is known about relational maintenance among non-marital intimate partners in later life, many of whom prefer to live-apart-together (LAT) rather than cohabit. This research paper examines how older adults from the United States maintain their romantic relationships across residences. The authors conducted a grounded theory study drawing on interviews collected from 22 older adults in LAT relationships. The data revealed that older LAT partners engage in a process of safeguarding autonomy to maintain their partnerships and relationship satisfaction. Two broad strategies were identified: upholding separateness and reshaping expectations. While safeguarding autonomy was paramount, participants also emphasized the importance of having a flexible mindset about the physical copresence of their relationships. The findings have implications for practice, suggesting that creating an interdependent couple-identity may undermine, or at least have little bearing on, the relationship stability of older LAT couples. Future research is needed to determine how LAT experiences among racially/ethnically or socioeconomically diverse samples might differ.


In recent years, the number of studies applying Social Network Analysis to the formation of inter-organizational networks has increased. This paper analyzed a socio-centric network composed of 32 cultural organizations in Andalusia to measure this increase. Multiple Regression Quadratic Assignment Procedure (MR-QAP) at the dyadic level, showed that perceptions of affinity (i.e., homophily) and the possibility of establishing contacts in the future, can exert influence on the establishment of informal contacts. At the internal level, an organization's brokerage position in collaboration project networks is related to the volume of business and the old in the sector. Finally, this article discusses applications for the management of inter-organizational networks in order to strengthen the implementation of public policies.


As findings for the Asian air travel market show, across all market segments frequent flyer programs can have a positive effect on airline loyalty (Chang & Hung, 2013, p. 29). At the same time, while these customer loyalty programs are in wide use in the airline industry, whether these programs can bestow durable competitive advantage remains debatable (Martín et al., 2011, p. 364). Similarly, studies on customer loyalty programs indicate that, despite their popularity, these programs do not have an unequivocal effect on customer behavior, which is likely to limit their effectiveness (Dorotic et al., 2012, p. 217). Therefore, the impact of frequent flyer programs on behavioral and affective customer loyalty, such as in the form of customer retention, and company performance demands further research, due to lacking scholarly consensus on either the positive or the negative influence of these programs on competitive advantage in the airline industry.


A cationic polymer nanobrush was synthesized, attached to a MALDI target, and used for the fractionation of peptides and proteins based on their pI, prior to analysis by MALDI-MS. The cationic polymer nanobrush was synthesized on a gold substrate by AIBN photoinitiated polymerization, using a 70:30 ratio of 2-aminoethyl methacrylate hydrochloride (AEMA):N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAM). This brush showed selectivity for adsorption of acidic peptides and proteins and allowed fractionation of simple two-component mixtures to be completed in less than 10 min. The brush-adsorbed biomolecules were recovered by treating the nanobrush with ammonium hydroxide, which effectively collapsed the brush, thereby releasing the trapped compounds for MALDI MS analysis. These results demonstrate that nanobrush can serve as a convenient platform for rapid fractionation of biomolecules prior to analysis by MALDI-MS.


This essay presents a preliminary examination of the use of natural imagery in the Inner Chapters of the Zhuangzi. The essay analyzes the characteristics of this imagery and the possible reasons for Zhuangzi's particular use of fantastic language, exaggeration, and fiction in connection with natural images. In doing so, I also compare the Zhuangzi with several important classical Chinese and Greek texts. In addition, I explore the possible motivations for and influence exerted by Zhuangzi's use of natural imagery. The essay aims to demonstrate that an analysis of the roles played by natural imagery in the Zhuangzi contributes significantly to our understanding of the work as a whole, as well as its abiding influence on later works.


In a previous genomic analysis, using somatic methyltransferase (DNMT) knockout cells, we showed that hypomethylation decreased the expression of as many genes as were observed to increase, suggesting a previously unknown mechanism for epigenetic regulation. To address this idea, the expression of the BAG family genes was used as a model. These genes were used because their expression was decreased in DNMT1(-/-), DNMT3B(-/-), and double knockout cells and increased in DNMT1-overexpressing and DNMT3B-overexpressing cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis of the BAG-1 promoter in DNMT1-overexpressing or DNMT3B-overexpressing cells showed a permissive dimethyl-H3-K4/dimethyl-H3-K9 chromatin status associated with DNA-binding of CTCFL/BORIS, as well as increased BAG-1 expression. In contrast, a nonpermissive dimethyl-H3-K4/dimethyl-H3-K9 chromatin status was associated with CTCF DNA-binding and decreased BAG-1 expression in the single and double DNMT knockout cells. BORIS short hairpin RNA knockdown decreased both promoter DNA-binding, as well as BAG-1 expression, and changed the dimethyl-H3-K4/dimethyl-H3-K9 ratio to that characteristic of a nonpermissive chromatin state. These results suggest that DNMT1 and DNMT3B regulate BAG-1 expression via insulator protein DNA-binding and chromatin dynamics by regulating histone dimethylation.


A high-frequency electromagnetic-wave logging (HFEL) tool has been developed to detect the dielectric constant and resistivity of the sedimentary formation by measuring the phase difference and amplitude ratio synchronously. The single-parameter deconvolution method is a convenient tool for enhancing the vertical resolution of the curves and reshaping the curves themselves. This paper attempts to resolve the two parameters, the dielectric constant and the resistivity, which are employed in the deconvolution method from two responses: the phase difference and amplitude ratio. First, an adaptive dual-parameter deconvolution method for the HFEL dielectric constant and resistivity measurements is devised to enhance the vertical resolution of the tool and to more accurately extract the formation parameters, namely, the dielectric constant and resistivity. The advantages of this method are revealed in the numerical experiments on the synthetic and actual logging data. The adaptive dual-parameter deconvolution can be informative in the application of the deconvolution.


This issue of Literacy Learning: the Middle Years builds on understandings that all teachers are teachers of literacies, regardless of their subject, content or discipline areas. Being literate is much more than knowing how to read and write in a standardised, unitary way. It is about being able to engage in the particular social and cultural practices, including literate practices, of different contexts and learning to use the conventions that are appropriate. The importance of students learning about literacies across the curriculum is recognised by education systems, with some systems pushing the message that students 'must become literate to learn in different areas of the curriculum' (Department of Education and the Arts, Queensland, nd, p. 4). Attempts to map the literacy demands for particular groups of students, such as Anne Sim's (2006) investigations of the literacies needed by Year 8 students, have highlighted the complexity of considering the multiple literacies that middle years students require to be successful in school learning. As Sim pointed out, 'skills in reading and writing and overall meaning-making are necessary for success in every subject' (p. 250), but 'there is little support provided for students in some of them' (p. 240). Sim's (2006) comments, then, highlight a major challenge for literacy educators. Whilst we recognise that the nature of literacy demands varies across subjects (Cumming, Wyatt-Smith, Ryan, & Doig, 1999; Sim, 2006; Wyatt-Smith & Cumming, 2003), we have to make sure that our knowledge of the literacies that our students need is explicit rather than tacit. And this is where this issue of Literacy Learning: the Middle Years begins. In the lead article, Lindsay Williams gets Down and dirty with grammar. He contextualises the topic in terms of the NAPLAN (National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy) testing that was conducted across Australian schools in May 2008, arguing that teachers need to move to productive and practical ways of teaching functional grammar. Through a set of examples, he 'walks' readers through some activities that can help students improve punctuation, write more cohesively, and critically examine texts. He sees activities like these as essential for helping teachers 'teach' literacies--by providing opportunities to tease out the language that students are expected to learn and use and to thus enable students to read and write more effectively. Similarly, the article that follows takes a practical approach. Peter Kent and Matthew Holdway's Interactive whiteboards, productive pedagogies and literacy teaching, reminds readers about the advantages of using information and communication technologies in their classrooms. Kent and Holdway argue that there does not need to be a huge shift in practice, but that a small series of steps--from using traditional whiteboards to taking advantage of the possibilities of interactive whiteboards--can be very productive. In the Literacy learning across the curriculum: Flagstones and frogs in action article, Henderson, Noble, Prestridge and Evans describe a cross-curricular project that was conducted in a small rural school with an enrolment of 32 students. Whilst this project was designed to meet the needs of a particular context, it offers evidence that 'big' changes can result from 'small' beginnings. The project began tentatively and the teachers were nervous about 'letting go' of their control over the direction of learning in their classrooms. However, by increasing student agency in learning and infusing technologies into an integrated curriculum, both students and teachers learnt a great deal. For the students, tasks with authentic purposes and audiences fostered learning about a range of literacies. Dale Minchenton and Beryl Exley also consider the pragmatics of literacy learning, using science as an example. Their article--Curriculum literacies: Linguistic design in everyday science texts--focuses on an activity from the Primary Connections materials produced by the Australian Academy of Science (2005). …


It has been well recognized that modeling object-to-object relations would be helpful for object detection. Nevertheless, the problem is not trivial especially when exploring the interactions between objects to boost video object detectors. The difficulty originates from the aspect that reliable object relations in a video should depend on not only the objects in the present frame but also all the supportive objects extracted over a long range span of the video. In this paper, we introduce a new design to capture the interactions across the objects in spatio-temporal context. Specifically, we present Relation Distillation Networks (RDN) --- a new architecture that novelly aggregates and propagates object relation to augment object features for detection. Technically, object proposals are first generated via Region Proposal Networks (RPN). RDN then, on one hand, models object relation via multi-stage reasoning, and on the other, progressively distills relation through refining supportive object proposals with high objectness scores in a cascaded manner. The learnt relation verifies the efficacy on both improving object detection in each frame and box linking across frames. Extensive experiments are conducted on ImageNet VID dataset, and superior results are reported when comparing to state-of-the-art methods. More remarkably, our RDN achieves 81.8% and 83.2% mAP with ResNet-101 and ResNeXt-101, respectively. When further equipped with linking and rescoring, we obtain to-date the best reported mAP of 83.8% and 84.7%.


The most effective way to produce a plant resistant to glyphosate is manipulation of EPSPS enzyme in order to reduce its affinity to this herbicide. It is one of the vital enzymes in the shikimate pathway, which is responsible for producing aromatic amino acids and various secondary metabolites in plants and bacteria. Without an active enzyme, the organism will not be able to survive. In the present study, one of the important domains in the EPSPS enzyme was modified by site-directed mutagenesis using megaprimer method and one tube approach. Glycine in position 96 was modified to Alanine which was subcloned along with the wild-type gene into pPZPY122 plant binary vector. Hashemi cultivar of rice (Oryza sativa) was used for transformation using EHA105 strain of Agrobacterium tumefaciens by in planta method. T2 transgenic plants separately were evaluated to resistance to the gentamicin and glyphosate. Also, positive gene expression was confirmed by Quantitative PCR. Therefore, based on the results, these plants showed significantly a high degree of resistance to the herbicide.


Abstract: In experiments in a 2×2×3 factorial layout the addition of Fe, Mn and Zn to nutrient solutions for hydroponics was studied with crops grown under greenhouse conditions. Standard as well high concentrations of up to 25 or 50 µmol/L were included as targeted levels in the root environment of the elements under investigation. One tomato crop on poly urethane slabs and two successive cucumber crops on glass wool slabs were grown in a recirculation system. The concentrations required in the nutrient solution supplied to maintain the targeted concentrations in the root environment during cultivation were for Fe and Zn respectively, 1/3 to 1/5 of the targeted concentrations. The concentrations required for Mn were more or less equal to the targeted concentrations. The Fe contents in the young leaves were not significantly affected by the different Fe concentrations in the root environment. The Zn contents in the young leaves of the tomato crop were scarcely affected by the concentration in the root environment, while those for cucumber proportionally increased with the external concentrations. The Mn concentrations in the root environment strongly affected the contents of this element in the plant material. The high concentration of a metal micro nutrient as realised in the experiments could strongly reduce or increase, by up to 30%, the contents of other metal micro nutrients of young leaves. In addition to ionic competition the use of chelates may strongly influence these processes. For example, depending on the pH in the root environment and the chelate type used, Fe in the chelate complex can easily be replaced by a different metal micro nutrient. In the pH range between 5 and 6, the recommended range for most crops in hydroponics, Fe in the chelate complex may be replaced by Zn and Cu. The effects of high metal micro nutrient concentrations on the yield of tomato and cucumber were small and mostly not consistent nor significant. However, a significant yield reduction of, on average, 8% was found with high Zn applications for both successive cucumber crops. The yield reduction was equal for both high Zn levels of 25 and 50 µmol/L. A high concentration of the one metal micro nutrient can reduce the uptake of other metal micro nutrients so much that deficiency can appear, and recommendations to prevent this are discussed. In this discussion special attention is given to the fact that with the replacement of Fe by other metal micro nutrients, a high solubility of a micro nutrient can be combined with a low availability to plants. Such situations can easily lead to misleading interpretations of analytical data of solutions from the root environment


Tetragonal Heusler compounds that exhibit large perpendicular magnetic anisotropy are promising materials for advanced spintronic devices. A prerequisite are thin films whose tetragonal axis is oriented perpendicular to the plane of the films. Here we show that highly textured, (001) oriented, tetragonal Mn3Sn layers can be prepared using metallic zinc-blende (ZB) MnN as underlayers. Moreover, we show that these layers can be deposited on amorphous substrates using reactive magnetron sputtering. The ferrimagnetic Mn3Sn layers exhibit perpendicularly magnetized hysteresis loops with coercive fields of ∼2 T. Stoichiometric ZB-MnN underlayers share an "equivalent" Mn-Mn layer at the interface with Mn3Sn, thus promoting their oriented growth. Other nitride underlayers are not effective due to their rock-salt (RS) crystal structure and the absence of Mn. Density functional theory calculations confirm that tetragonal Mn3Sn Heusler films are energetically stable when interfaced with ZB-MnN underlayers and not with any of the other RS nitride underlayers considered here. Such Heusler compounds have much promise as electrodes for magnetic tunnel junction memory elements for deeply scaled magnetic random access memories.Tetragonal Heusler compounds that exhibit large perpendicular magnetic anisotropy are promising materials for advanced spintronic devices. A prerequisite are thin films whose tetragonal axis is oriented perpendicular to the plane of the films. Here we show that highly textured, (001) oriented, tetragonal Mn3Sn layers can be prepared using metallic zinc-blende (ZB) MnN as underlayers. Moreover, we show that these layers can be deposited on amorphous substrates using reactive magnetron sputtering. The ferrimagnetic Mn3Sn layers exhibit perpendicularly magnetized hysteresis loops with coercive fields of ∼2 T. Stoichiometric ZB-MnN underlayers share an "equivalent" Mn-Mn layer at the interface with Mn3Sn, thus promoting their oriented growth. Other nitride underlayers are not effective due to their rock-salt (RS) crystal structure and the absence of Mn. Density functional theory calculations confirm that tetragonal Mn3Sn Heusler films are energetically stable when interfaced with ZB-MnN underlayers and not wi...


Effective motivation of construction workers is best achieved by developing the satisfactions inherent in the construction work itself. A basic review of the present motivation theories, analysis of worker needs and job-site environments, and recent exploratory studies all indicate that there is a great potential for effective motivation in construction work. Therefore, job-enrichment programs suggested for industrial work are not applicable to construction. To formulate programs that capitalize on the existing motivation potential, construction management should develop healthy worker attitudes, administer praise and build respect, and provide for the satisfaction of self-fulfillment needs.


The objective of this research is to propose a novel approach for using a behavioral biometric known as keystroke analysis, to facilitate decision making in the context of an intrusion detection system (IDS). Regardless of the situation, individuals have a specific baseline or disposition to decision making based on two psychological factors: (1) indecisiveness, and (2) intolerance of uncertainty. The IDS provides a probability of intrusion and a set of objective situational characteristics. We propose a decision support system that allows the decision maker to state a level of perceived threat and to vary the security thresholds that determines the false acceptance rates of the IDS. Our hypothesis is that perceived threat depends not only on the keystroke technology but also on the social context and disposition toward decision making of the user. This research tests this hypothesis and provides guidance in the design of better security systems.


SIR,-The adverse effects of mydriatic agents are well documented. When using these drugs one must carefully consider the relevant medical history. The uveitic patient with early posterior synechiae and concomitant systemic disease is illustrative of this problem. We report a serious complication in a patient treated with mydriatic agents. A 26-year-old male had a 10-day history of photophobia, fatigue, and fevers for several months. On examination his vision was 20/40 and the pupils were constricted secondarily to 2700 posterior synechiae. He had hyperaemic conjunctivae, diffuse 'mutton-fat' keratic precipitates, and 3+ cells. Dilatation with topical and pledget soaked tropicamide 1% and phenylephrine 2 5% was unsuccessfully attempted. The patient returned 24 hours later, and a mixture of two drops (100 V1) each of tropicamide 1%, atropine 1%, and phenylephrine 10% was injected subconjunctivally at the inferior limbus of the right eye. This mixture comprised 7 mg of phenylephrine, 1 mg of atropine, and 1 mg oftropicamide. The patient immediately developed severe headache, dyspnoea, and diaphoresis. His pulse was 110 per minute and blood pressure of 160/110 mmHg. He was taken to the emergency room, where he was found to be in respiratory failure. Chest x-ray revealed diffuse interstitial infiltrates not present on the previous day's films. The patient


The pleckstrin homology (PH) domain is a small motif for membrane targeting in the signaling molecules. Phospholipase C (PLC)-γ1 has two putative PH domains, an NH2-terminal and a split PH domain. Here we report studies on the interaction of the PH domain of PLC-γ1 with translational elongation factor (EF)-1α, which has been shown to be a phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase activator. By pull-down of cell extract with the glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion proteins with various domains of PLC-γ1 followed by peptide sequence analysis, we identified EF-1α as a binding partner of a split PH domain of PLC-γ1. Analysis by site-directed mutagenesis of the PH domain revealed that the β2-sheet of a split PH domain is critical for the interaction with EF-1α. Moreover, Dot-blot assay shows that a split PH domain specifically binds to phosphoinositides including phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate and phosphatidylinositol 4, 5-bisphosphate (PIP2). So the PH domain of PLC-γ1 binds to both EF-1α and PIP2. The binding affinity of EF-1α to the GST·PH domain fusion protein increased in the presence of PIP2, although PIP2 does not bind to EF-1α directly. This suggests that EF-1α may control the binding affinity between the PH domain and PIP2. PLC-γ1 is substantially activated in the presence of EF-1α with a bell-shaped curve in relation to the molar ratio between them, whereas a double point mutant PLC-γ1 (Y509A/F510A) that lost its binding affinity to EF-1α shows basal level activity. Taken together, our data show that EF-1α plays a direct role in phosphoinositide metabolism of cellular signaling by regulating PLC-γ1 activity via a split PH domain.


[1] Vertical knickpoints (waterfalls) mark a prominent process transition zone whose governing mechanics is not represented by conventional stream power incision models. We examine the evolution of vertical knickpoints with resistant caprock utilizing numerical simulations that explicitly represent (1) face failure mechanisms, (2) flow acceleration and amplified erosion above a knickpoint lip, (3) deposition and removal of coarse debris below the knickpoint, and (4) base level lowering or tectonic uplift rates. Our model demonstrates that knickpoint retreat rate, where the subcaprock is weak or vertically jointed and base level fall rates are steady, is likely to become tied to downstream conditions and equal to the downstream incision rate divided by channel gradient. Mechanically, this coupling occurs where the subcaprock reaches a threshold height for failure in shear or buckling or where the weathering rate of the subcaprock is higher than the downstream incision wave velocity (Vi_ds). The height of the subcaprock face can influence its gravitational stability and the knickpoint lateral erosion rate and lead to a feedback between downstream incision and retreat rate. Retreat rate can be lower than Vi_ds during transients, which could be long (>106 years) and set by the weathering rate of the subcaprock or influenced by lag debris evacuation. Key variables other than discharge can be important in setting retreat rates. These include base level lowering rate, the rock strength of stratigraphic units downstream of the knickpoint, and the size and flux of sediment contributed from above the knickpoint or from the canyon walls. Two types of oversteepened reaches can form in association with a vertical knickpoint: (1) an upstream, free fall-induced, oversteepened reach whose length is longer than the flow acceleration zone and (2) a downstream coarse debris-induced oversteepened reach. Although the model was constructed with caprock-type knickpoints in mind, some of its elements and insights are also relevant to homogenous substrates.


This paper presents a novel strategy for the synchronization of grid-following Voltage Source Converters (VSCs) in power systems with low rotational inertia. The proposed synchronization unit is based on emulating the physical properties of an induction machine and capitalizes on its inherent grid-friendly properties such as self-synchronization, oscillation damping, and standalone capabilities. To this end, the mathematical model of an induction machine is analyzed and reformulated to obtain the unknown grid frequency by processing the voltage and current measurements at the converter output. This eliminates the need for a Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) unit, traditionally employed in grid-following VSC control schemes, while simultaneously preserving the system- and device-level control. Furthermore, we provide the appropriate steps for obtaining an index-1 DAE representation of the induction-machine-based synchronization unit, suitable for stability analysis. Our analysis shows that replacing the PLL unit with the virtual induction machine-based synchronization may considerably improve the stability of systems with grid-following converters and facilitate the frequency containment. Furthermore, we validate the performance of the proposed synchronization unit through simulations and provide recommendations for its tuning.


Abstract The accurate calculation of pressure drop of evaporators/condensers are crucial and related with the pumping power, performance coefficient and energy consumption in a refrigeration equipment. This work aligns frictional pressure drop models/correlations with the experimental outcomes of boiling pressure drop of R134a in horizontal smooth and microfin copper tubes with equivalent outer diameter of 9.52 mm. The pressure drop through the test tube is obtained with a differential pressure transducer directly. Effective parameters are specified for smooth and microfin tubes and the most compatible models/correlations, 12 for smooth tubes and 9 for microfin ones, are determined accurately in relation to the consequences of investigation during intermittent and annular flow regime. Moreover, new two-phase multipliers have been developed by using regression analyses of 182 data points based on Lockhart-Martinelli parameter for each test tubes separately, and their predictability are found to be better than others in the literature as novel ones. Average errors of the developed empirical correlations are 11% for smooth and for 7% for microfin tubes. Finally, the measured data is given for the validation issues of researchers who can benefit from most of the investigated pressure drop models with tolerable accuracy regarding with their HEX design analyses.


A cross-sectional study was carried out in sheep and goats kept under extensive management system in and around Haramaya, Southeastern Ethiopia, during the period from July 2010 to June 2011 with the aim of determining the prevalence, and the status of gastrointestinal (GIT) helminthosis and the risk factors associated with it. For this purpose 768 fecal samples were collected from 384 sheep and 384 goats. Parasitological methods including floatation, sedimentation and coproculture were employed in the study. The fecal samples examined revealed an overall prevalence of 472 (61.4%) in the small ruminants where as 259 (67.75%) in sheep and 213 (55.47%) in goats harbor one or more genera of helminths with nematodes (59.89%) being the most prevalent helminths. Upon coproscopic examination, strongyle type of helminths was the most prevalent parasite (36.20%) in the area in both hosts. The study revealed significantly higher (p<0.05) prevalence of helminths in sheep than in goats and in young animals than in adults, and wet season than drier ones. In this present study, there was no association between egg per gram of feces and the prevalence of helminths. Overall, 7 and 6 genera of helminths were identified in sheep and goats, respectively. Coproculture of the samples positive for strongyle type helminths revealed Haemonchus sp., Trichostrongylus sp., Oesophagostomum sp.,Strongyloides sp., and Bunostomum sp. in a decreasing order in both sheep and goats. The present study revealed polyparasitism in both host species, hence proper management of young stocks and treatment of animals by considering risk factors such as age and season, could help in the control of the disease. The result of this study indicates that, even though subclinical in nature, gastrointestinal helminths are one of the major problems that could hamper health and productivity of sheep and goats in the study area. Thus, further studies on species-based prevalence and larval ecology are recommended in order to design appropriate control measures.

 Key words: Prevalence, helminths sheep, goats, Ethiopia.


The El Crispinejo granite forms part of a small, but distinctive late intrusive suite of cordierite-bearing peraluminous granites in the South Portuguese Zone (SPZ). This granite has the best outcrop relationships of the suite. It cross-cuts different members of the Sierra Norte Batholith of the SPZ and the Carboniferous Volcano-Sedimentary Complex of the Iberian Pyrite Belt, producing contact metamorphism. This late pluton has a high K content which results in a contrasting geophysical response (K-Th-U) with respect to the surrounding trondhjemitic granitoids of the TTG suite of the Sierra Norte Batholith. A concordant monazite-zircon U-Pb ID-TIMS age of 300.5 +0.5/-1.5Ma demonstrates Permo-Carboniferous age for this late Variscan magmatic event. The granite is associated with a series of ore showings (F-Pb-Zn and Sn-W) which are completely different from the nearby, massive sulphide and manganese ore deposits of the Iberian Pyrite Belt, indicating the unique character of this intrusion.


Background: A reverse association between cholesterol level and cardiovascular disease mortality is observed in hemodialysis (HD) patients; this paradoxical relationship may be explained by the coexistence of inflammation. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a central regulator of inflammation; its action is augmented by the soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R) and inhibited by the soluble gp130 (sgp130). In order to investigate the potential association of inflammation with cholesterol levels in the HD population, release of soluble IL-6 components by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was measured in two groups of HD patients with distinctly different lipid profile and in a control group. Methods: Twenty-two HD patients with low serum cholesterol (range 85–171 mg/dl), 23 HD patients with high cholesterol (189–342 mg/dl) and 21 normolipidemic non-renal failure subjects were enrolled in the study. IL-6, sIL-6R and sgp130 were measured by ELISA in the serum and in the supernatant collected from cell cultures of activated or resting PBMCs isolated from all three groups. Results: Serum IL-6 and sgp130 level was higher while sIL-6R was lower in both groups of HD patients compared to the control group. The ex-vivo release of the IL-6 and sgp130 by unstimulated PBMCs did not differ significantly between the three groups but that of the sIL-6R was higher in non-renal failure than in hypercholesterolemic HD subjects. Production of sIL-6R by stimulated PBMCs was higher in low-cholesterol HD patients (p < 0.001) and the same was valid for the sgp130 release (p = 0.034). Release of IL-6 by activated PBMCs was higher in the low-cholesterol compared to the high-cholesterol HD patients group (p = 0.011 for post hoc test). Major serum lipid fractions were inversely correlated to IL-6 and sIL-6R production from stimulated PBMCs in HD but not in non-renal failure subjects. Finally, release of the sgp130 by PBMCs was significantly reduced in 13 hypertriglyceridemic – and hypercholesterolemic – HD patients. Conclusion: Production of soluble components of a crucial pro-inflammatory and potentially atherogenic cytokine, namely the IL-6, by stimulated PBMCs appears to be inversely correlated with the serum cholesterol levels in HD patients.


Abstract The advances in Satellite Communication and Remote sensing has led to the development of solutions for various national development programs like National Natural Resource Management (NNRMS), disaster management, tele-education and e-Health care using telemedicine. The advances in sensor technologies and image processing have resulted in sensors with increased spatial, spectral and radiometric resolutions and provide images with rich details for remote sensing applications. India is a vast country with 29 states and 6 union territories with more than 1 billion population, which is predominantly rural and distributed at distant geographical locations apart from the high-density urban areas. Ensuring basic minimum health care to masses living in remote rural areas is a top priority for any government. Tele-medicine using the satellite communication as well as Fiber Optic communications is playing an important role to address health care requirements of people living in remote areas, rural areas, soldiers in battlefields etc. The Image processing techniques and advances in Database management of images and text made it possible to create 3D virtual images of human organs by using imaging techniques from MRI, CT & Ultrasound. The universalisation of education has become the top priority, especially for the developing countries. But the extension of quality education to remote and rural regions becomes a Herculean task for a large country like India with multi-lingual and multi-cultural population separated by vast geographical distances, and, in many instances, inaccessible terrain. Satellites can establish the connectivity between urban educational institutions with adequate infrastructure imparting quality education and the large number of rural and semiurban educational institutions that lack the necessary infrastructure. This paper describes utilization of Satellite Communication and Remote sensing with advanced techniques in providing solutions to areas of primary importance in rural development such as harnessing of natural resources, education and healthcare.


In this paper, a series of inelastic transient analysis of steel frame structures under blast loads are numerically performed. Considering the coupling actions of detonator, gases and structure, Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian ALE method which is suitable for large deformation systems is applied. In order to capture the effect of explosion load on members, a rate-dependent stress–strain model is used to model the material response of the affected members. The dynamic response and the structural damage of steel frame under blast loading are investigated. The damage pattern of steel frame to blast loads is studied. The results show that the permanent deformation, local buckling, and plastification reduce the resistance of the frame. The affected members may trigger the overall stability of the frame. The damage degree is related to the amount and position of explosives, shape and resistance of the building etc. The damage of the low-story columns and beams may make the structure unstable. The load might not be large enough, the damage to the entire frame may be severe, and it may cause structure collapse.


BACKGROUND
Diabetic gastrointestinal dysfunction (DGD) is a common complication in diabetic patients, and enteric glial cells (EGCs) found in the gastrointestinal tract have been shown to play an essential role in gastrointestinal dysfunction. Thus, targeting EGCs may be helpful for the control of DGD. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) from G. biloba dropping pills against hyperglycaemic stress-induced EGCs injury and its underlying mechanism.

METHODS
In vitro, the protective effect of GBE on CRL-2690 cells was evaluated by MTT assay and TUNEL assay. The expression of related markers was evaluated by RNA sequencing and validated by using western blotting. In vivo, STZ-induced C57BL/6J WT mice were used as models to evaluate the effects of GBE on blood glucose, body weight, and EGCs' activity and relevant signalling pathways were validated by immunofluorescence.

RESULTS
The results showed that GBE (25 μg/ml) treatment significantly attenuated hyperglycaemic stress-induced cytotoxicity and cell apoptosis in CRL-2690 cells, which was verified in an STZ-induced (100 mg/kg, 3 days) diabetic mouse model with continuous GBE administration (25/100 mg/kg/day, 6/12 weeks). Further mechanistic study based on transcriptomic data revealed that GBE exerted its beneficial effect by regulating immune-related pathways, and TLR2/BTK/NF-κB/IL-1α/IL-10 comprised the main targets of this drug.

CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates the protective effect of GBE against hyperglycaemic stress-induced EGCs injury using both in vitro and in vivo models and further reveals that the effect was achieved by targeting TLR2 and its downstream molecules BTK/NF-κB/IL-1α/IL-10. This study may be helpful for expanding the clinical application of GBE in treating DGD.


The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba (CPSM) recently issued a Statement on Withholding and Withdrawl of Life-Sustaining Treatment (2008). The College should be given enormous credit for trying to provide guidance with respect to physicians' obligations in an area of great confusion and controversy. Unfortunately, however, there are some very serious flaws in the Statement. In this paper, we describe three major problems with it that we believe make the case for the claim that the Statement must be revised. We then provide a revised statement that, if adopted, could represent significant progress as it would provide: greater clarity for physicians and the public; much needed emphasis on the critically important issue of communicating with patients and their families; an ethically and legally defensible position on conflict resolution; and reassurance to many individuals who are feeling very threatened by this policy (that is, many individuals with disabilities). In addition, the revised Statement could serve as a model for other colleges of health professionals to use as the basis for developing their own position statements to help guide their members.


Over the past five years, the microcredit sector has experienced unprecedented growth. The number of borrowers served by microfinance institutions (MFIs) has increased threefold to reach 120 million clients, according to MIX estimates as of December 2009 and by other estimates the number may be as high 190 million (Microcredit Summit Campaign 2011). In large markets, such as Mexico and South Africa, commercial banks and consumer lending companies have expanded their activities to include microfinance for low-income households. Unfortunately, the growth of microcredit is not always sustainable. Some iconic markets, such as India and Bosnia Herzegovina, are experiencing large-scale credit crises, and they are not alone. The deterioration in the quality of MFI loan portfolios can be attributed to several factors. Some fast growing MFIs have outgrown their risk management systems and controls. These weaknesses have often been exacerbated by high staff turnover, leading to a further erosion of credit discipline. Rapid growth has also been focused in narrow geographies, which in turn affected borrower repayment incentives and behaviors. This report takes a fresh look at the state of credit reporting at the base of the pyramid. The data and analysis for this paper are drawn from International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Consultative Group to Assist the Poorest (CGAP) market intelligence on credit reporting systems. the lessons learned for effective credit reporting at the base of the pyramid and identifies key success factors as well as common challenges.


Abstract Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the common neurodegenerative diseases and amyloid-β (Aβ) is thought to be a key molecule contributing to AD pathology. Recently, curcumin is supposed to be beneficial to AD treatment. This study investigates the inhibitory effects of curcumin on Aβ-induced cell damage and death involving NMDA receptor-mediated intracellular Ca2+ elevation in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Cells were impaired significantly in Aβ-damaged group compared with the control group, and cell viability was decreased while the released LDH from the cytosol was increased. Curcumin promotes cell growth and decreases cell impairment induced by Aβ. Curcmin attenuates Aβ-induced elevation of the ratio of cellular glutamate/γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) with a concentration-dependent manner. Curcumin inhibits Aβ-induced increase of cellular Ca2+ and depresses Aβ-induced phosphorylations of both NMDA receptor and cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and activating transcription factor 1 (ATF-1). These results indicated that curcumin inhibits Aβ-induced neuronal damage and cell death involving the prevention from intracellular Ca2+ elevation mediated by the NMDA receptor.


The burden of the management of problematic skin wounds characterized by a compromised skin barrier is growing rapidly. There is an urgent requirement for efficient mechanism-based treatments and more efficacious drug delivery systems. The present study was aimed to examine the wound healing potential of Juglans regia L. root (JR) in rats by incision and excision wound methods via the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. We have used tensile strength and biochemical parameters for studying the wound healing properties of JR by incision wound methodology. The anti-inflammatory effect was assessed by the measurement of paw edema in carrageenan-induced inflammation in rats. The wound contraction area, antioxidant status, and antimicrobial studies were exhausted excision wound methodology. There was a significant decrease in percent inhibition of paw edema (0.63 ± 0.03 to 0.33 ± 0.02 after 24 h) with an increase in JR concentration. Tensile strength and hydroxyproline level of different concentrations (1, 2.5, 5, and 10% w/w) of JR ointment treated groups were found significantly (P <0.001) comparable to the reference group. Moreover, JR showed significant antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, by its ability to increase antioxidant and antimicrobial levels. In conclusion, the overall results obtained in this study clarify that JR inhibits paw edema and accelerates cutaneous wound healing.


In the light of low costs and automatic assessment, objective visual quality metrics enjoy many important applications such as perceptual coding. Recently multiple metrics obtain further improvement by means of machine learning. However, due to the absence of specific formulas, it's often hard to incorporate learning based metrics into video coding. In this paper, taking the state-of-the-art learning based metric VMAF for example, we propose a method of perceptual coding in an inferential manner for learning based metrics. The rate distortion optimization is adapted during coding as well. Experimental results show that compared with conventional methods, the proposed method can achieve obvious bitrate saving under HEVC coding.


We induced vitamin A depletion to define early and late changes during the histogenesis of squamous metaplasia of hamster tracheal epithelium. An early change is the "minimal morphological change" (MMC), in which the mucociliary epithelium is separated from the basement membrane by a continuous layer of basal cells. Immunohistochemistry showed an exclusive localization of the keratins K5 and K14 in basal cells of normal and MMC epithelia. At the MMC stage no staining was observed above the basal layer with antibodies to K5, but upon progression of the lesion to a squamous focus all cells from basal to terminally differentiated were positive for K5 and K14. In contrast, when we used antibodies to the keratins K6 or K13 all cells were negative in the normal epithelium and in the MMC epithelium. Successive layers of suprabasal squamous cells found in squamous metaplasia failed to express normal epidermal differentiation marker keratins K1 and K10 but expressed the proliferation marker keratin K6 and the internal stratified epithelium keratin K13, not normally found in the epidermis or in the trachea. Hamster tracheal epithelial cells could be maintained in culture in serum-free medium for at least 4 weeks in the presence of retinoic acid (RA). In non-RA-containing medium, cells from vitamin A-deficient hamsters showed markedly reduced growth and an increase in the expression of keratins K5, K6, K13, and K14. Since our previous work had implicated retinoids in the control of cell adhesiveness, we were interested to find out whether changes in cell adhesion occur in vitamin A-deficient hamster tracheal epithelial cells, compared to normal cells. Functional assays demonstrated that hamster tracheal epithelial cells, obtained from non-RA-treated tracheas or maintained in culture, displayed reduced attachment to laminin, compared to RA-treated cells. Immunofluorescence studies did not show a decrease either in the alpha 6 integrin subunit, which was localized in the basal aspect of basal cells, or in basement membrane laminin. However, the expression of laminin-binding protein 37 decreased as the epithelium changed from pseudostratified to stratified. Therefore, a coordinated pattern of changes in keratin gene expression, as well as in the expression of laminin-binding protein 37, the precursor to the cell surface laminin receptor 67LR, and in adhesive properties takes place in tracheal epithelium when its phenotype changes from mucociliary to the preneoplastic stage of squamous metaplasia.


Deposits indicating the existence of the coal-flora and its associated freshwater fauna at the beginning of the Carboniferous period have been recognized in various parts both of the Old and New Worlds, and have modified the views entertained of the subdivisions of the Carboniferous system. In Nova Scotia and New Brunswick such deposits are developed with a clearness and fullness of detail capable of throwing much light on the dawn of the terrestrial conditions of the coal-period, and on the relations of these lower beds to the true coal-measures. I propose in the present paper to offer a contribution towards this end, by collecting in one view the information existing on these rocks in British America, with the addition of facts collected in the past summer, and the results of a comparison of the specimens in my collection with those of the upper portions of the coal-measures. I. Characters and extent of the Lower Carboniferous Rocks. The occurrence of beds containing coal-plants in connexion with the Lower Carboniferous marine deposits of Nova Scotia was observed by Sir W. E. Logan in 1841, though at that time the true place of the beds was not understood, owing to the belief that the limestones afterwards ascertained to be Lower Carboniferous were of Permian date. Sir C. Lyell examined these beds in 1842, as they occur at Horton Bluff; and the author subsequently more fully examined their relations to the marine limestones, and traced them in various parts of Nova Scotia, and at


The J-amino butyric acid (GABA)-mediated neurotransmission is useful in treat- ing conditions like anxiety, sleep disturbances, depression and bipolar disorders. The aim of the present study is to supply evidence about neurochemical effects of acute lamotrigine treatment on GABA and L-glutamic acid levels in the cerebrospinal fluid of Wistar Albino rats and the involvement of cholinergic system. The day after the placement of concentric micro- dialysis probes into the lateral ventricles of rats, microdialysis experiments were performed in conscious rat model. The rats either received intraperitoneal injections of physiological saline or 20 mg/kg lamotrigine. For assessing the cholinergic involvement 0.5 mg/kg phys- ostigmine or 2 mg/kg atropine sulfate pre-treatments were given prior to lamotrigine injec- tion. GABA, L-glutamic acid and lamotrigine concentrations in the dialysates were analyzed using High Performance Liquid Chromatography. Saline produced no change in GABA or L-glutamic acid levels, but lamotrigine treatment significantly elevated GABA concentrations (p<0.05). Pre-treatment with physostigmine or atropine sulfate did not affect either GABA or L-glutamic acid levels siginificantly. Physostigmine or atropine sulfate pre-treatments did not affect the lamotrigine-induced GABA levels. The results may imply that lamotrigine-in- duced GABA plays a role in the pharmacological effects of lamotrigine where a linear rela- tionship exists between lamotrigine and GABA. However, central cholinergic system fails to affect lamotrigine-induced GABA release.


Since its inception, the notion of thin position has played an important role in low-dimensional topology. Thin position for knots in the 3-sphere was first introduced by David Gabai in order to prove the Property R Conjecture. In addition, this theory factored into Cameron Gordon and John Luecke's proof of the knot complement problem and revolutionized the study of Heegaard splittings upon its adaptation by Martin Scharlemann and Abigail Thompson. Let h : S → R be a Morse function with two critical points. Loosely, thin position of a knot K in S is a particular embedding of K which minimizes the total number of intersections with a maximal collection of regular level sets, where this number of intersections is called the width of the knot. Although not immediately obvious, it has been demonstrated that there is a close relationship between a thin position of a knot K and essential meridional planar surfaces in its exterior E(K). In this thesis, we study the nature of thin position under knot companionship; namely, for several families of knots we establish a lower bound for the width of a satellite knot based on the width of its companion and the wrapping or winding number of its pattern. For one such class of knots, cable knots, in addition to finding thin position for these knots, we establish a criterion under which non-minimal bridge positions of cable knots are stabilized. Finally, we exhibit an embedding of the unknot whose width must be increased before it can be simplified to thin position.


Abstract Genetically determined variation in the magnitude of inflammatory response may play a role in determining the risk of developing neonatal sepsis, as well as its outcome. To test the hypothesis that interleukin-6 (IL)-6 -174, IL-10 -1082 genetic polymorphisms are associated with the risk of sepsis and clinical outcomes in full-term neonates with blood stream infections (BSIs). A total of 54 full-term neonates with BSIs and 70 matched controls were included in this case/control study. DNA amplification using polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers followed by NIaIII restriction enzyme digestion was done for detection of promoter single nucleotide polymorphism of IL-6 -174 G/C, amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction assay was done for IL-10 -1082 G/A polymorphism in blood samples from all infants enrolled in the study. The IL-6 -174 and IL-10-1082 genotypes were not significantly different in neonates with BSIs compared to controls. Whereas, IL-6-174CC and IL-10-1082GG genotypes were associated with increased risk for mortality [Odds ratio (95% confidence intervals): 6.2 (1.3–28.4), P = 0.02 and 25.0 (2.0–74.3), P < 0.01, respectively]. Moreover, IL-6 174CC and IL-10-1082GG genotypes were significantly higher in neonates who required inotropic support and those who developed disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. The IL-6 -174 CC and IL-10 -1082 GG genotypes were associated with increased risk for mortality, need for inotropic support and development of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy in full-term neonates with BSIs. These findings suggest that the genetic composition of the IL-6 and IL-10 promoter areas play a significant role in the pathogenesis of neonatal BSIs.


1. (14)C from [1-(14)C]glucose injected intraperitoneally into mice is incorporated into glutamate, aspartate and glutamine in the brain to a much greater extent than (14)C from [2-(14)C]glucose. This difference for [1-(14)C]glucose and [2-(14)C]glucose increases with time. The amount of (14)C in C-1 of glutamate increases steadily with time with both precursors. It is suggested that a large part of the glutamate and aspartate pools in brain are in close contact with intermediates of a fast-turning tricarboxylic acid cycle. 2. (14)C from [1-(14)C]acetate and [2-(14)C]acetate is incorporated to a much larger extent into glutamine than into glutamate. An examination of the time-course of (14)C incorporated into glutamine and glutamate reveals that glutamine is not formed from the glutamate pool, labelled extensively by glucose, but from a small glutamate pool. This small glutamate pool is not derived from an intermediate of a fast-turning tricarboxylic acid cycle. 3. It is proposed that two different tricarboxylic acid cycles exist in brain.


The serum blocking activity of 32 patients with lung cancer was assayed by means of PFC technique and half-hemolysis concentration (HC50) test. The results showed that the serum from lung cancer patients had an obvious immunosuppressive effect on antibody production of C3H mice. The PFC number of mice which had received an injection of serum from lung cancer patient was significantly lower than that of the control group which was given an injection of 0.9% saline solution (47.3 +/- 2.9, 89.8 +/- 6.9, P less than 0.01). The serum from patients with various benign lung diseases and healthy adults did not show such immunosuppressive effect (86.5 +/- 8.6, 75.7 +/- 6.0). The results examined by HC50 test also indicated that the antibody level of mice injected with the serum from lung cancer patients was obviously lower than that of control mice (56.3 +/- 3.0, 82.09 +/- 5.0, P less than 0.01). The immunosuppression incidence of serum from lung cancer patients (16/32) was significantly higher than that of serum from patients with benign diseases (3/19) or from healthy adults (2/18). The positive rate of the serum blocking activity in lung cancer patients was 50% which was significantly higher than that of the other two groups. There was no correlation between the immunosuppressive activity and stage or histologic classification of lung cancer. It was also found that higher incidence of immunosuppressive activity was present in the early lung cancer. The result suggests that the serum immunosuppression test using PFC technique be valuable in the early diagnosis of lung cancer.


A new species of the genus serengetilagus Dietricht 94 , here named s. tchadensis n. sp., is described from Toros Menalla deposits, Late Miocene of Djurab Erg (North Chad, central Africa). It shows primitive features, such as a simple archaeolagine-type p3, with only two main external folds, and upper cheek teeth strongly widened with wear. Its size and skeletal features resemble s. praecapensis Dietricht 94 from the Middle Pliocene of Laetoli (Tanzania). They differ in several cranial and dental features (choanae width, zygoma, orbits, basicranial-basifacial angle, lack of hypoflexus in P2, short and asymmetric hypoflexus in P3-M2, lack of lingual folds in p3, etc). Individual variations in s. tchadensis n. sp. approach s. praecapensis, such as an incipient anteroflexid and a forward-curved hypoflexid in some p3. The genus serengetilagus is here assigned to the subfamily Archaeolaginae Dice 929 and related to Hypolagus Dice 9 7, namely to H. gromovi Gureev 964 from the Late Miocene of Southern Russia. Other related species are serengetilagus orientieuropaeus Topachevsky 987 and primitive species of the genus trischizolagus Radulesco & Samson 967, such as t. maritsae De Bruijn, Dawson & Mein 970 and t. crusafonti (Janvier & Montenat 97 ). Pliocene leporids from Spain, Ukraine, Russia, Afghanistan and Mongolia have been questionably attributed to serengetilagus or trischizolagus, which seem synonymous for some authors. Several features are here proposed to distinguish both genera: rounded versus rhombic-shaped p3, weak versus strong lingual anteroconid anteroflexid, and forward versus backward hypoflexid bend. serengetilagus could have a mixed fossorial-cursorial mode of life, as can be inferred by its ecomorphological traits (combining features of hare and rabbit) and taphonomical indications. This new African archaeolagine is contemporaneous of the widespread palaeolagine alilepus Dice 93 , recorded in the Late Miocene of Kenya. The independence of these two lineages is favoured after revision of previous hypotheses on the phylogeny of the highly diverse Mio-Pliocene peri-Tethysian leporid species.


The design of efficient and economical noble-metal-free bifunctional electrocatalysts for both oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is needed to fulfil the promise of hydrogen production technologies through overall water splitting. Herein, hierarchical NiCo2O4@CoMoO4 on Ni foam (NF) was synthesized via a facile two-step method which involved hydrothermal and calcination processes. In addition, to explore the mechanism for the growth of hierarchical NiCo2O4@CoMoO4/NF nanostructures, variable time-dependent experiments were carried out. The results showed that the optimal NiCo2O4@CoMoO4/NF-7 electrode exhibits superior electrocatalytic performance and excellent durability for OER, HER and overall water splitting, which presents a low overpotential of 265 mV at a current density of 20 mA cm−2 for OER and 121 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 for HER in 1.0 M KOH. Meanwhile, when used as an electrocatalyst electrode for overall water splitting, NiCo2O4@CoMoO4/NF-7 shows a quite low cell voltage of 1.55 V at 10 mA cm−2, and long-term durability during a 12 h stability test at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 in 1.0 M KOH. The study demonstrates that synergistic effects between NiCo2O4 and CoMoO4 in NiCo2O4@CoMoO4/NF heterostructures can effectively enhance electrochemical performance and provides a wide range of possibilities for the further development of inexpensive electrode materials for overall water splitting.


Background: Pediatric Palliative Care (PPC) focuses on achieving quality of life and control the symptoms for children during the sickness process, also provide support to the family in order to relief suffering and give response to needs assessment. In Colombia, this subspecialty does not exist, as a result of not having clinic practice guides and information about the population who benefit under 18 years of age. This study is to approach the necessity of PPC in our country, defining a methodology to characterize and estimate prevalence of pediatric population who may need special care in order to develop an attention model. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted among 80,926 members between 0 and 18 years of age who has a private health insurance in Colombia between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2018. Data was obtained from the insurance transactional database. Patients were grouped based on the Association for children with life threatening conditions and their families (ACT) of the Royal College of Pediatrics four classifications plus perinatal group. Results were processed and analyzed using descriptive statistical functions in Microsoft Excel. Results: 1,694 patients (2,09%) were eligible to enter a PPC program according to their IDC-10 diagnoses based on ACT plus Perinatal Group classification. Approximately 54% were male, 57.97% were considered early childhood, 26.56% childhood and 15,47% adolescence. With regards to ACT classification and Perinatal Group; 55.55% of patients had diagnosis from Perinatal Group (55.55%) followed by group 4 (23.2%) and group 1 non-cancer (9.68%). Conclusion: Being able to identify patients in need of PPC programs early may increase it being utilize at the time of diagnosis and not wait till the end of life. This might also help alleviate misconception of PPC only being offered during the end of life period. This study should help with the development of public and private politics aimed to promote the creation of PPC programs in developing countries.


Martensitic high carbon high strength SAE 52100 bearing steel is one of the main alloys used for rolling contact applications when high wear and fatigue resistance are required. Refining the microstructure of steel improves its mechanical properties (e.g. toughness). In this work SAE 52100 specimens were exposed to repeated induction heating process and rotation bending tests were performed using single- and repeatedly heat-treated material in order to investigate the influence of this cyclic heat treatment on the mechanical properties of SAE 52100. In an attempt to determine the effect of the repeated induction heating and quenching on the material, we focused our observations on the internal fatigue "fisheye" cracks. It was noted that crack propagation was successfully halted by the refined microstructure in heat affected zone, therefore it can be concluded that repeated induction heating and quenching processes help to slow down the propagation of fisheye cracks in SAE52100 steel bars.