A low-voltage, low-power, and wide-tuning-range VCO which converts an analog input voltage to phase information for a frequency ΔΣ modulator is proposed in this paper. The VCO is based on a differential ring oscillator, which is improved with modified symmetric load and a positive feedback in the differential delay cells, a new bias circuit and a full-swing amplifier. The proposed VCO operating with two stages at a power supply voltage of 0.6 V can achieve wide tuning-range and low power consumption of 176.892 uW. The new VCO has a good linearity reducing harmonic distortion for frequency ΔΣ modulator. The circuit is designed using a 65 nm CMOS process.


The present study was aimed at determining the origin, course and distribution of the celiac artery in eight adult red falcons, using a latex injection and dissection method. The celiac artery was ascertained to originate from the aorta at the level of the last 2-3 costae. The celiac artery was determined to split into two main branches, namely, left branch of the celiac artery and right branch of the celiac artery, in between the proventricu- lus and gizzard, and in the proximity of the lien. Prior to the indicated bifurcation, the celiac artery was observed to give off an esophageal artery and superior proventricular artery. In seven of the red falcons examined, splenic arteries, varying from two to four in number, were determined to spring from the celiac artery. Both the left and right hepatic arteries were ascertained to stem from the left branch of the celiac artery. The terminal branch of the left branch of the celiac artery, namely, the left gastric artery, was determined to have a fan-like distribution to the left surface of the gaster. The artery of the gall bladder was demonstrated to emanate from the left branch of the celiac artery in all of the red falcons examined, excluding one. The right branch of the celiac artery was determined to ramify into its terminal branches, namely, the right inferior gastric artery, ileocecal artery, pan- creaticoduodenal artery, duodenojejunal artery and gastroduodenal artery, in the proximity of the pylorus which constitutes the gastro-duodenal passage.


Energy consumption and fat metabolism are the keys to controlling weight gain. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are essential regulators of lipid storage and metabolism. The three isoforms of PPARs--PPARα, PPARγ, PPARδ--exhibit tissue-specific expression and functions. PPARγ stimulates adipogenesis and lipid storage, whereas PPARα stimulates lipid combustion in the liver. The role of PPARδ had not been determined. Wang et al. used transgenic mice overexpressing PPARδ in adipose tissue to show that PPARδ inhibited weight gain and blocked fat storage. In adipose tissue from the transgenic mice, PPARδ promoted expression of β oxidation enzymes, triglyceride hydrolysis enzymes involved in lipid metabolism, and of proteins that uncouple mitochondria, which allows cellular energy stores to be converted to heat (thermogenesis). In cultured cells overexpressing PPARδ, β-oxidation and triglyceride metabolism were increased in response to a PPARδ agonist. The effects of PPARδ were very similar to those of the transcriptional coactivator PGC-1α (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α) and in cultured cells or gastrocnemius muscle. PPARδ and PGC-1α coprecipitated, which suggested that the thermogenic effects of PGC-1α may be mediated through interaction with PPARδ. PPARδ agonists may provide yet another target in the war against obesity. Y.-X. Wang, C.-H. Lee, S. Tiep, R. T. Yu, J. Ham, H. Kang, R. M. Evans, Peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor δ activates fat metabolism to prevent obesity. Cell 113, 159-170 (2003). [Online Journal]


Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder that affects up to 15% of the European and North American population, and is characterised by abdominal pain, bloating sensations, cramping, constipation, and diarrhoea. Main subtypes of IBS include constipation-predominant IBS (IBS-C), diarrhoea-predominant IBS (IBS-D), and mixed diarrhoea and constipation-associated IBS (IBS-M). The pathophysiology of IBS is still unclear, but important factors such as alterations in the brain-gut axis, bacterial overgrowth in the intestines, increased paracellular permeability, disruptions in the immune system, and accrued visceral sensitivity have been suggested. While many therapies are available to treat the symptoms associated with IBS, on a symptom-by-symptom basis, there are few effective treatments for IBS itself, including linaclotide, which was approved 2 years ago in Europe but only for IBS-C. Additional disease-modifying therapies to slow disease progression or achieve remission are needed as this represents a substantial unmet need. New emerging data on the pathophysiology of IBS are certainly promising; better knowledge of the underlying mechanisms will help refine the management of IBS, both in terms of diagnosis with the development of biomarkers, and in terms of therapeutic management with new pharmacological targets. Additional treatment options will be welcome given the variety of disease subtypes and presentations. The United European Gastroenterology (UEG) Week Congress, which was held in Vienna, Austria, 18th-22nd October 2014, was an excellent opportunity to share new findings on the pathophysiology and new clinical evidence and emerging therapies in the management of IBS. Selected abstracts received additional exposure through the "Posters in the Spotlight" session and the "Posters of Excellence" award; such abstracts will be developed in this review.


This study is a study that examined the effect of corporate financial reporting to the audit delay. Audit delay is generally defined length of time the completion of the audit as measured from the date of closing of the financial year until the date of signing the audit report. In this study, the samples used by 92 companies from the  manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in the year 2008 to 2010 with a purposive sampling method. To analyze the hypothesis used multiple regression analysis. These results indicate that the size of the Profitability, Company Size Auditor Opinion, and Firm Size showed a significant effect on audit delay. Keywords: Audit Delay, Profitability, Company Size, Auditor's Opinion, and Firm Size.


Abstract One claim of the UK Government's Department for Culture, Media and Sport is that the London 2012 Paralympic Games 'improved attitudes to disability and provided new opportunities for disabled people to participate in society'. In addition, the International Paralympic Committee's strategic plan suggests that the Paralympic Games is a vehicle for achieving 'a more equitable society'. The aim of this study was to examine the reflections of a group of retired British Paralympic athletes on the relationship between the Paralympic Games and disability equality in the United Kingdom. Narrative interviews were conducted with five male retired British Paralympians and one female retired British Paralympian who had participated in a total of 22 Summer Paralympic Games events. I will argue that some Paralympic athletes who are not obvious 'activists' can still contribute to equality for disabled people.


Training with soft targets instead of hard targets has been shown to improve performance and calibration of deep neural networks. Label smoothing is a popular way of computing soft targets, where one-hot encoding of a class is smoothed with a uniform distribution. Owing to its simplicity, label smoothing has found wide-spread use for training deep neural networks on a wide variety of tasks, ranging from image and text classification to machine translation and semantic parsing. Complementing recent empirical justification for label smoothing, we obtain PAC-Bayesian generalization bounds for label smoothing and show that the generalization error depends on the choice of the noise (smoothing) distribution. Then we propose low-rank adaptive label smoothing (LORAS): a simple yet novel method for training with learned soft targets that generalizes label smoothing and adapts to the latent structure of the label space in structured prediction tasks. Specifically, we evaluate our method on semantic parsing tasks and show that training with appropriately smoothed soft targets can significantly improve accuracy and model calibration, especially in low-resource settings. Used in conjunction with pre-trained sequence-to-sequence models, our method achieves state of the art performance on four semantic parsing data sets. LORAS can be used with any model, improves performance and implicit model calibration without increasing the number of model parameters, and can be scaled to problems with large label spaces containing tens of thousands of labels.


The structures of N-linked sugar chains (N-glycans) of storage glycoproteins in soybean seeds have been identified. Eight pyridylaminated (PA-) N-linked sugar chains were derived and purified from hydrazinolysates of the storage glycoproteins by reverse-phase HPLC and size-fractionation HPLC. The structures of the PA-sugar chains purified were first identified by two-dimensional PA-sugar chain mapping and ion-spray mass analysis, considering the results of sugar composition analysis or sequential exoglycosidase digestion. The deduced structures were further analyzed by ion-spray tandem mass spectrometry and 500 MHz 1H-NMR spectrometry. The eight structures fell into two categories; the major class (96.6%) was a typical high mannose-type, the minor class was a xylose containing-type (Man3Xyl1GlcNac2, Man3Fuc1Xyl1GlcNac2; 3.4%).


We find that daily air pollution levels have a significant effect on the decision to purchase or cancel health insurance in a manner inconsistent with rational choice theory. A one standard deviation increase in daily air pollution leads to a 7.2% increase in the number of insurance contracts sold that day. Conditional on purchase, a one standard deviation decrease in air pollution during the cooling-off (i.e. cost-free cancellation) period relative to the order-date level increases the return probability by 4.0%. We explore a range of potential mechanism and find the most support for projection bias and salience.


Achieving robotic locomotion is in general a difficult task. When the system of concern is underactuated, i.e. it has more degrees of freedom than the number of control inputs available, dynamic constraints are imposed, further complicating the task. This is the case for the brachiation motion observed in the lesser apes, i.e. gibbons and siamangs, as the gait involves periods of time at which the ape is suspended by one arm with limited torques available to influence the rotation about the handhold. Earlier work has been concerned with modeling of a 24-degrees-of-freedom monkey robot and the design of a brachiation gait. In this thesis we develop a toolbox to facilitate the design of a controller based on transverse linearization for this brachiation gait. The main focus is to stabilize the single-support part of the gait, i.e. the part that is subjected to dynamic constraints due to the lack of torque about the handhold, as traditional control theory is unable to stabilize the desired motion in this case. The developed toolbox is used in designing a controller that orbitally stabilizes an inverted pendulum system. As an initial step in achieving orbital stabilization of the brachiating gait, asymptotic convergence to the virtual holonomic constraints is demonstrated for a simplified model of the 24 degrees-of-freedom monkey robot.


The changes in the sea level relative to the position of the Serapeo Temple in Pozzuoly (Italia) over a period of 2100 years are discussed in the context of the well known periods of climate cooling off (Neoglacial, Little Ace Period) and climate warming (Middle Ages Optimum, Modern climate warming). It is noted that the rate of sea level lifting relative to the position of the Serapeo Temple in the modern phase of climate warming, which began the end of the 18th Century is approximately two times higher than in the previous phase of climate warming in the period from the fifth to the mid-tenth century A.D. This indicates that not only the natural cyclic component contributes to the mechanisms of Modern Climate warming but also the anthropogenic component of approximately equivalent power, which results from the waste of CO2 caused by the burning of fossilized fuels.


New classes of nanoporous organic polymers based on 1,3,5-triazine units (NOP-1–6) were synthesized via a straightforward, methane-sulfonic acid-catalysed, cost-effective Friedel–Crafts reaction of 2,4,6-trichloro-1,3,5-triazine and tetrahedral building blocks. Among them, NOP-3 with a Brunauer–Emmet–Teller (BET) specific surface area up to 894 m2 g−1 and the total volume exceeding 0.41 m3 g−1 exhibits good hydrogen adsorption capacity (up to 1.14 wt% at 77 K/1.0 bar) and high carbon dioxide uptake (up to 11.03 wt% at 273 K/1.0 bar). Furthermore, it presents an effective selectivity for CO2 adsorption (NOP-6, CO2/N2 selectivity 38.7 at 273 K/1.0 bar), demonstrating potential applications in gas adsorption and separation.


In this study, we identified mass and charge transfer resistances for an oxygen reducing biocathode in a microbial fuel cell (MFC) by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The oxygen reducing biocathode was grown using nitrifying sludge as the inoculum. A standard model for charge transfer at the electrode surface combined with diffusion across a boundary layer was used. EIS measurements were performed under variation of both linear flow velocities and cathode potentials. Fitting the impedance data to the standard model at constant potential and different flow rates confirmed that increasing flow rate had no effect on charge transfer resistance, but led to a decrease in mass transfer resistance. From the variation in cathode potential at constant flow rate, a minimum in charge transfer resistance was found at 0.28 V vs. Ag/AgCl. The minimum in charge transfer resistance could be explained by the combined biochemical and electrochemical kinetics typical for bioelectrochemical systems.


Segmentation is a challenging and important task in image processing while developing vision based decision support systems. Color and brightness are widely used properties for extracting segments, however color information usage becomes more crucial for better region distinction, especially on outdoor scenes where brightness value makes segmentation difficult. In this study, a novel segmentation algorithm which incorporates downscaling and clustering methods has been developed to find consistent coarse regions in a given input image. The new method does not require external parameters and produces consistent segmentation results on different runs. In the algorithm, two intermediate segmentation results are obtained by feeding dissimilar downscaled image information to GDD (Gaussian Density Distance) clustering method. The outputs form two different perspectives from the same image: one shows global level color distinction, and the other shows spatial color similarity information. A merging process of these two outputs is implemented to improve the final segmentation. During the study, an experimental framework is designed for analysis of the proposed approach and its evaluation. The method is extensively tested using benchmark images. Some of the selected results are presented in the paper along with a comparative study with well-known segmentation algorithms.


Automatic layout generation that can synthesize high-quality layouts is an important tool for graphic design in many applications. Though existing methods based on generative models such as Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) and Variational Auto-Encoders (VAEs) have progressed, they still leave much room for improving the quality and diversity of the results. Inspired by the recent success of diffusion models in generating high-quality images, this paper explores their potential for conditional layout generation and proposes Transformer-based Layout Diffusion Model (LayoutDM) by instantiating the conditional denoising diffusion probabilistic model (DDPM) with a purely transformer-based architecture. Instead of using convolutional neural networks, a transformer-based conditional Layout Denoiser is proposed to learn the reverse diffusion process to generate samples from noised layout data. Benefitting from both transformer and DDPM, our LayoutDM is of desired properties such as high-quality generation, strong sample diversity, faithful distribution coverage, and stationary training in comparison to GANs and VAEs. Quantitative and qualitative experimental results show that our method outperforms state-of-the-art generative models in terms of quality and diversity.


The respiratory system is continuously exposed to endogenous and exogenous oxidants. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by chronic inflammation of the airways, leading to the destruction of lung parenchyma (emphysema) and declining pulmonary function. It is increasingly obvious that reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) contribute to the progression and amplification of the inflammatory responses related to this disease. First, we described the association between cigarette smoking, the most representative exogenous oxidant, and COPD and then presented the multiple pathophysiological aspects of ROS and antioxidative defense systems in the development and progression of COPD. Second, the relationship between nitric oxide system (endothelial) dysfunction and oxidative stress has been discussed. Third, we have provided data on the use of these biomarkers in the pathogenetic mechanisms involved in COPD and its progression and presented an overview of oxidative stress biomarkers having clinical applications in respiratory medicine, including those in exhaled breath, as per recent observations. Finally, we explained the findings of recent clinical and experimental studies evaluating the efficacy of antioxidative interventions for COPD. Future breakthroughs in antioxidative therapy may provide a promising therapeutic strategy for the prevention and treatment of COPD.


Tenellia adspersa is a small (5-7 mm) estuarine nudibranch. Tenellia lives in a highly variable environment and feeds on many gymnoblastic and calyptoblastic hydroids. I undertook a field study at four sites in the Great Bay Estuary (Durham, New Hampshire) to assess the amount of variability in abiotic and biotic factors. Environmental parameters (temperature and salinity) and the availability of hydroid prey (Cordyolophora lacustris and Obelia spp.) varied within the generation time of Tenellia and could affect its life history. Laboratory studies compared the growth rate of the hydroid, Cordylophora to the growth rate and predation rate of Tenellia. The results suggested that Tenellia could exhaust its food supply within a single generation, depending on initial colony size. Demographic studies comparing nudibranch life history reared on two common hydroids (Cordylophora and Obelia) found that Tenellia could vary its life history (age and size at maturity) in response to differences in hydroid species. Tenellia displays poecilogony (more than one developmental mode). Proximate environmental sources were investigated in an examination of the effect of adult nutritional state on reproductive output, offspring development, survival and growth. I compared nudibranchs provided with an ad libitum diet of Cordylophora to individuals starved up to four days. Development was plastic; eggs from the same spawn produced veligers that either hatched as non-feeding swimming larvae or metamorphosed within the capsule, hatching as benthic juveniles. This strategy was dependent on egg size, with eggs larger than 125 $\mu$m hatching as benthic juveniles. Adult nutritional state affected egg size and the frequency at which the two developmental modes were expressed. Five to 20 percent of the eggs within a spawn hatched as benthic juveniles under wellfed conditions. In contrast, all of the eggs within a spawn hatched as swimming larvae and metamorphosed into smaller juveniles under starvation conditions. However, adult starvation did not affect juvenile growth and survival, suggesting that any cost associated with maternal investment were confined to the premetamorphic stages. Furthermore, these results suggested that the plastic developmental strategy employed by Tenellia may represent a bet-hedging strategy allowing Tenellia to survive and reproduce in an unpredictable estuarine environment.


Worldwide 12.6 million people live with moderate to severe disability following a stroke, and the number is increasing. Associated personal and societal care costs strongly motivate the development of effective low-cost technology for upper limb stroke rehabilitation. In order to be therapeutically effective, rehabilitation devices must assist repeated performance of a range of functional tasks whilst promoting voluntary effort, thereby enabling motor re-learning. This specification encourages subjects to use their residual muscle strength to perform rehabilitation tasks, hence exploiting the neuroplasticity of the brain, which plays a key role for the relearning of motion skills in impaired subjects. An approach to provide therapy is using mechanical systems. However, non-conventional rehabilitation devices currently lack automatic adaptive mechanisms within low-cost designs. Hence improvements are needed, which should incorporate the assistance around individual joints that is provided by robotic exoskeletal designs and the lowcost design features of non-powered orthoses. Another affordable technology is Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES), which helps patients perform rehabilitation tasks by stimulating specific muscles through electrical pulses. Whilst FES has been shown to be clinically effective, it must ideally be combined with a support device in order to provide support to all relevant joints. Combining the advantages of both mechanical and FES based modalities within a single affordable device would optimize the effectiveness of the rehabilitation therapy. Hence, in this thesis an innovative assistive device has been developed for upper limb stroke rehabilitation. It comprises a low-cost passive adaptive arm support that combines with FES under a hybrid control scheme. The innovative design of the orthosis is based on the gravity balancing theory which allows the design of mechanical systems within an intrinsically affordable solution. A 3D CAD model has been designed and structural analyses have been performed in order to assess its suitability to interact with impaired subjects. The implementation of the automatic adjustable system is explained in detail. The dynamic model of the orthosis, which plays a key role in the design of the controller, have been derived and the gravity balancing behaviour under dynamic effects have been tested in order to demonstrate its suitability for upper limb stroke rehabilitation. Then the general design framework to combine both FES and orthosis under a hybrid control scheme have been developed and specific cases have been simulated in order to assess its functionality and feasibility. The novelty of the device presented and analysed in this PhD thesis is based on the design of a new rehabilitation system which combines the advantages of more expensive robotic systems with those of non-powered orthoses. This device is the first in the field of non-conventional rehabilitation to combine a passive orthosis with FES under a hybrid control scheme, within a low-cost design in which the ease of use for end-users has been taken into account. Moreover, the rehabilitation system designed and analysed in this thesis represents a substantial foundation for further development, combining different areas of engineering and health science, such as: robotics, mechanical design, control systems and physiotherapy.


Human Systems Management is an important work that integrates knowledge, management and systems into a unified world of thinking and action in business, decision-making and economics. It presents a modern synthesis of the fields of knowledge management, systems science and human organization. A biological rather than mechanistic perspective pervades the text. New and original ideas and approaches are presented with the simplicity and clarity typical of the well-known author.


SMA Negeri 1 Tulungagung in its attempt to improve the Speaking ability of the students has implemented as special English program, which aims at developing students' proficiency, especially Speaking, by creating English Speaking community at school. This Speaking program is regarded as an effective way to reach excellence in the English program, which in the long run, will be an advantage for SMA Negeri 1 Tulungagung as private school in its attempt to attract Junior High School graduates to enter this institution.
This study is purposed to describe the teacher's techniques, methods, problems, and solutions in teaching Speaking at SMA Negeri 1 Tulunggagung.
In this study the writer used descriptive qualitative case study because most case studies arise endeavors to solve problems in teaching speaking at SMA Negeri 1 Tulungagung . The teacher used students and teachers as the subjects of study. There decided to use stratified random sampling because there was no significant difference in students perception toward the Speaking program among different class and took 20% all of population as the sample in this research. There were 66 students, 1 teacher of English. The population this research is all of the second, third year students and the teacher in SMA Negeri 1 Tulunggagung. There are four (4) classes of second, third years totally 336 students each of the class. While, they are 4 English teachers.
The writer analyzed the data using interview, questionnaire, observation as the instruments. To analyze the answer for the students' responses to the questioner and interview for teachers.
Based on the result, the writer found that the teachers used varieties techniques (discussion, games, dialogue) and effective method in teaching Speaking is eclectic method which emphasizes on the meaningful approach and its boredom. Next, she found the teachers and students problems in implementing the speaking program. For Example; some problems are students low level of capability in composing sentences. These problems can be solved creatively by conducting on day in English, recitation 5 to 10 words a day. In the fact, the implementation of teaching Speaking used by the teacher were low those techniques don't make students interesting and motivation.


Part I of this series described a procedure for synthesizing birefringent networks having arbitrarily prescribed amplitude transmittance. The network resulting from that procedure consists of a series of identical cascaded birefringent crystals between an input and output polarizer. We refer to such a network as a "lossless birefringent network" since it contains no internal polarizers. The variables determined by the synthesis procedure of Part I are the angles to which the crystals and the output polarizer are rotated. This paper proves several general theorems concerned with lossless birefringent networks. These theorems deal with (1) uniqueness; (2) the effect upon the transmittance of changing the sign of the angles of the crystals and output polarizer; (3) the effect upon the transmittance of turning the network end for end; and (4) the symmetry relations which the crystal and polarizer angles must satisfy when certain restrictions are imposed upon the desired amplitude transmittance.


To enhance the application of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) bridge deck panels in the infrastructure area, a practical method is required that would allow probable assessment of the life-cycle cost of advanced composite applications in construction compared with that of conventional materials, at various discount rates, while integrating the available reference data. The overall objective of this research is to develop a performance-based probable life-cycle cost assessment model for FRP bridge deck panels. The life-cycle cost assessment model for FRP bridge deck panels comprises a life- cycle performance module (module-1) and a life-cycle cost optimization module (module-2). The model thus developed in this paper can then be used for other applications of composites in construction. The objective of module-1 is to develop an analytical model that is capable of predicting the structural deterioration over time to assess the deterioration rating per year of FRP bridge deck panels. The objective of module-2 is to develop an analytical model that is capable of assessing the optimal life-cycle cost of FRP bridge deck panels. Three case studies were conducted to validate the logic and results of the process algorithm for the life-cycle cost assessment. The model will be very helpful for the construction industry in evaluating various material options and to justify or deny the feasibility of using composite materials on specific construction projects. Since the life-cycle cost assessment of composite materials in construction has not been dealt with as proposed, it is anticipated that many of the procedures and systems mentioned would include fundamental research and possible innovations.


Why and how do individuals residing in relatively peaceful and affluent Western societies come to embrace extremist ideologies that emanate from distant places? We summarize the most recent empirical literature on the causes and dynamics of radicalization, and evaluate the state of the art in the study of Islamist homegrown extremism in the West. We propose a theoretical synthesis based on four factors that come together to produce violent radicalization: personal and collective grievances, networks and interpersonal ties, political and religious ideologies, and enabling environments and support structures. We propose adopting a "puzzle" metaphor that represents a multifactor and contextualized approach to understanding how ordinary individuals transform into violent extremists. We concluded with three recommendations to strengthen the empirical foundations of radicalization studies.


The incidence of complications of coronary perforation varied significantly among studies probably due to population heterogeneity and interventional techniques applied in each centre. Free wall rupture, cardiac tamponade and miocardial infarction are the most feared. The treatment of perforation remains a challenge of every cath- lab team. The management strategies range from observation to urgent operation depending on patient's hemodynamic status, severity and location of the perforation, coronary anatomy, interventional practice and equipment in each centre and operators' skills on-site. In this case an extracorporeal circulation and cardioplegic arrest with anterograde hot blood cardioplegia was done. A composite Dacron with autologous pericardium patch was used for left ventricular free wall rupture repair and the geometry of the left ventricle was restored. Subsequently aorta was declamped; the patient was weaned from CEC and a good spontaneous hemodynamic was recovered.


The Global Harmonization Task Force has just released a new revised draft guidance on process validation. Although it contains much of the information included in the previous draft, some points have been added, and some that were confusing or not helpful have been clarified or eliminated. This article discusses the contents and usefulness of the latest draft process validation guidance document.


Tuberculosis is a lethal epidemic, difficult to control disease, claiming thousands of lives every year. We have developed a nanodelivery formulation based on para-aminosalicylic acid (PAS) and zinc layered hydroxide using zinc nitrate salt as a precursor. The developed formulation has a fourfold higher efficacy of PAS against mycobacterium tuberculosis with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) found to be at 1.40 μg/mL compared to the free drug PAS with a MIC of 5.0 μg/mL. The newly developed formulation was also found active against Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and Candida albicans. The formulation was also found to be biocompatible with human normal lung cells MRC-5 and mouse fibroblast cells-3T3. The in vitro release of PAS from the formulation was found to be sustained in a human body simulated phosphate buffer saline (PBS) solution at pH values of 7.4 and 4.8. Most importantly the nanocomposite prepared using zinc nitrate salt was advantageous in terms of yield and free from toxic zinc oxide contamination and had higher biocompatibility compared to one prepared using a zinc oxide precursor. In summary, these promising in vitro results are highly encouraging for the continued investigation of para-aminosalicylic acid and zinc layered hydroxide nanocomposites in vivo and eventual preclinical studies.


Introduction: Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a diffuse lung disease (DLD) of unknown etiology that is chronic and progressive. It occurs in older adults; it is restricted to the lungs and it is associated with the anatomopathological and/or tomographic pattern of Usual Interstitial Pneumonia (UIP). The evolution of the disease is progressive and it is associated with a mean 5-year survival rate of 20%. Objectives: to identify the clinical and pulmonary function characteristics in the group of patients with IPF included in the Compassionate Use Program (NPU, Named Patient Use); to identify the safety profile reported with nintedanib. Materials and methods: a retrospective, descriptive and cross-sectional study including 54 patients enrolled in the NPU program from September 1st, 2015 to August 10th, 2016. Data were collected from the NPU program records. Results: fifty-four patients with IPF were included in the NPU program, of whom 47 received nintedanib; the data from the latter were analyzed. Thirty-seven (78.72%) were males, with a mean age at the beginning of treatment of 67.47 ± 7.85 years, and in 9 cases (19.14%) the diagnosis was confirmed by lung biopsy. The mean forced vital capacity (FVC) at the beginning of treatment was 65.87±19.23 and it is presented as the percentage of the predictive value; the mean carbon dioxide diffusing capacity (DLCO) presented as the percentage of the predictive value was 38.74 ± 3.09. The time of progression from the diagnosis of IPF to the beginning of the treatment with nintedanib was 27.17± 27.9 months (median 17). Average drug exposure to cut-off point was 9.92 weeks ± 2.15 (median: 10 weeks). In 7 cases (31.91%) the FVC was over 80%, in 22 (46.80%) cases it was between 50 and 79% and in 10 cases (21.27%) it was below 49%. In total, 7 patients (14.89%) exhibited adverse events: Five (10.6%) patients exhibited weight loss, 4 (8.51%) diarrhea, 2 patients had nausea, 1 (2.12%) an increase of the liver enzymes and 1 (2.12%) pruritus. In most cases, the adverse events appeared during the first 2 weeks after beginning the treatment with nintedanib. In 3 (6.38%) cases it was imperative to suspend nintedanib permanently due to the adverse effects and in 4 (8.51%) cases the dose had to be titrated to 100 mg every 12 hours. Out of the total of patients, 6 (12.76%) passed away due to the progression of their underlying disease. Conclusions: such as it was reported by other groups, nintedanib has a manageable and tolerable safety profile. In our series of 47 patients with IPF who received at least one dose of nintedanib, 14.89% had an adverse event that led to the permanent discontinuation of the drug in only 3 patients (6.38%).


One of the central questions in administrative law is the appropriate level of deference courts should give to agency interpretations of statutorily conferred authority. The Supreme Court announced its most recent major doctrinal development in this area in United States v. Mead Corp., (1) a 2001 opinion in which the Court held that an "administrative implementation of a particular statutory provision" was entitled to deference if the agency was self-consciously exercising congressionally delegated authority to "make rules carrying the force of law." (2) In redefining the boundaries of the well-established Chevron (3) doctrine, Mead soon became the subject of significant confusion and academic discussion, (4) but the Court has not clarified its holding in the seven years since announcing the decision. Last term, in Long Island Care at Home, Ltd. v. Coke, (5) the Court gave deference to a Department of Labor decision to exempt "companionship services" employees from minimum wage and overtime compensation benefits. (6) At first glance, Long Island Care seems to be a straightforward and inconsequential opinion that invokes Mead to reach its disposition. In examining the opinion's reasoning, however, it is evident that the Court avoided a full discussion of Mead for the sake of unanimity, thus making Long Island Care a notable example of Chief Justice Roberts's announced preference for narrow and unanimous opinions. More importantly, Long Island Care demonstrates that narrowing an opinion for the sake of unanimity is undesirable when it delays much needed doctrinal clarification and development. In 1913, President William Howard Taft signed a bill authorizing the creation of the Department of Labor, which was designed in part "to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners of the United States." (7) Twenty-five years later, Congress enacted the Fair Labor Standards Act, which created the Wage and Hour Division within the Department of Labor and codified worker protections such as minimum wage and overtime pay. (8) In 1974, as part of a lengthy series of amendments designed to increase the scope of wage protections, (9) Congress brought most domestic service employees under the umbrella of the Act, but exempted workers who provide "companionship services" to individuals who cannot care for themselves. (10) Congress left the scope of this exemption ambiguous, indicating that the Department of Labor should define "domestic service employment" and "companionship services" through the promulgation of regulations. (11) The Department responded to this congressional mandate by issuing a series of regulations the following year. The agency defined "companionship services" as "services which provide fellowship, care, and protection for a person who ... cannot care for his or her own needs." (12) In addition, the Department issued a "General Regulation" defining "domestic service employment" to include "services of a household nature performed by an employee in or about a private home ... of the person by whom he or she is employed." (13) Concurrently, in a regulation seemingly inconsistent with the General Regulation, the Department determined that workers who provide domestic services while employed by third parties are exempt from the pay protections of the Fair Labor Standards Act. (14) Justice Breyer later dubbed this the "third-party regulation." (15) In April 2002, Evelyn Coke brought a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York against her former employer, Long Island Care at Home, Ltd., challenging these Department of Labor regulations. (16) Coke sought compensation for overtime and minimum wage pay she had been denied while working for several years as a "home healthcare attendant" for Long Island Care. (17) The District Court granted Long Island Care's motion for judgment on the pleadings and upheld both of the contested regulations. (18) The Second Circuit affirmed in part and vacated in part, giving Chevron deference to the General Regulation and striking down the third-party regulation. …


A 9 mW FM-UWB receiver front-end for low data rate ( <50 kbps), short range ( <10 m) applications operating in the ultra-wideband (UWB) band centered at 7.45 GHz is described in this paper. A single-ended-to-differential preamplifier with 30 dB voltage gain, a 1 GHz bandwidth FM demodulator, and a combined (preamp/demodulator) receiver front-end were fabricated in 0.25 mum SiGe:C BiCMOS and characterized. Measured receiver sensitivity is -85.8 dBm while consuming 9 mW from a 1.8 V supply, and -83 dBm consuming 6 mW at 1.5 V. 15-20 m range line-of-sight in an indoor environment is realized, justifying FM-UWB as a robust radio technology for short range, low data rate applications. Multi-user and interference capabilities are also evaluated.


Projected food demand increases highlight the importance of Latin America as one of the big global future food suppliers, due to its agricultural potential, in particular regarding cattle farming. Despite the importance of the cattle sector for the region, its negative environmental impacts are numerous and the shift toward sustainability is perceived as slow and uncoordinated. This study aims at identifying successes and difficulties in the implementation of public policies for a sustainable cattle sector in Colombia, Argentina, and Costa Rica. Based on the review of scientific articles, government reports, and publications of international organizations, a qualitative comparative analysis was carried out, documenting the political developments between 2010 and 2020. Our findings suggest that public policies mainly focus on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the implementation of silvo-pastoral systems. Common successes exist among the three countries, e.g., a large number of public policies for promoting sustainable cattle farming or the inclusion of goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and implement silvo-pastoral systems, but they also coincide in difficulties, e.g., disconnection between policies and the lack of continuity of development programs. The efforts made with regional and national public policies, in addition to legislative advances, can be seen as initial steps in a long-term process toward sustainable cattle farming, and thus, recommendations are provided for increasing their success at different stages, from the identification of the problem to its evaluation, particularly in the face of financing difficulties, disconnection among policies and initiatives, and participation of citizens and livestock producers.


Changed legislation and the new playing area in the care sector require another view on real estate by institutions in the mental healthcare sector, since they have become responsible for their own real estate portfolios. Healthcare institutions no longer receive compensation for the actual costs for housing, but integral performance funding including an integral housing component. Combined with the change from a central supply-driven sector to a regulated market-driven sector, that causes fluctuations in volume and thus in revenues. Therefore, these institutions must get a grip on their properties, whereby understanding the risks is necessary for success. This paper presents a model that visualises the risks in the current real estate portfolio in order to advise the mental healthcare institutions on risk management in their real estate portfolio and to provide a handle for strategic real estate management. The risk management tool is developed based on the steps of the risk management process according to COSO. Risk-identification and determination of the factors of the risk attitude is being done by analyzing the Political, Economical, Social and demographical and Technological developments combined with an analysis of the market developments in the mental healthcare sector. Qualitative assessment is being done by using the quadrant model to grant a chance, result and amenability leading to the classification in five risk classes: safe, low, middle, high and fatal. The test at an institution for mental health care shows that the tool does have enough power to distinguish the risky properties in the portfolio at a glance.


Author(s): Grove, Sara Eloise | Advisor(s): Parker, Ingrid M | Abstract: Invasive species can change the environment in ways that persist long after the species itself is gone, called a "legacy effect." Legacy effects of invasive species include changes to the abiotic and biotic soil environment and can lead to positive feedbacks that inhibit restoration success and reinforce invasion. The objective of this research was to examine the legacy of Cytisus scoparius italicgyour words, an aggressive nitrogen-fixing shrub, on soil chemistry, ectomycorrhizal fungi, and Douglas-fir forest regeneration. My work highlights the importance of allelopathy and nitrogen enrichment in the disruption of the mutualism between Douglas-fir and ectomycorrhizal fungi. The temporal aspects of biological invasions are important and understudied. The impacts of invasive species may change in magnitude and even direction with time following invasion. In a novel contribution, I used a combination of field and greenhouse experiments to determine how soil legacies develop, persist and change over time. I found that soils invaded by C. scoparius italicgyour words harbor less ectomycorrhizal fungi, and that growth of Douglas-fir is linked to the abundance of these fungi. Adding C. scoparius italicgyour words mulch into uninvaded forest soils revealed that Douglas-fir grew more when mulch was added, but only in the presence of activated carbon, suggesting that allelopathy may be inhibiting Douglas-fir success. To examine how long soil legacies persist after C. scoparius removal, I removed C. scoparius italicgyour words at different times over a 22-month period, then measured soil properties. One month following C. scoparius italicgyour words removal, nitrogen availability increased, but by 10 months, dropped to less than what was found in live C. scoparius stands italicgyour words, suggesting that the legacy of nitrogen enrichment is not stable and declines with time following removal. Following C. scoparius italicgyour words removal, exotic grasses quickly established and dominated the sites, and they may contribute to the suppression of Douglas-fir seedling growth. I also used a chronosequence approach to assess how quickly soil-mediated impacts develop after invasion. I planted Douglas-fir into soils collected from C. scoparius italicgyour words invasions of different ages. Suprisingly, the seedlings grew larger in soils that had been invaded longer; in this case nitrogen fertilization seems to be more important than other effects of C. scoparius italicgyour words invasion.


Purpose The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes and efficacy of three surgical procedures for correction of adult divergence insufficiency esotropia: lateral rectus resection (LRR), medial rectus recession (MRR), and Wright lateral rectus miniplication (LRMP). Patients and methods A retrospective study was conducted on 22 patients with adult divergence insufficiency esotropia who were operated between 2012 and 2016; eight of them underwent LRR, six underwent MRR, and eight underwent LRMP. Their age ranged from 45 to 68 years. Esotropia was at least 10Δ greater at distance than at near. All patients did not have significant esotropia at near [0–6 prism diopter (PD)] with fusion at near; all of them complained of diplopia for far with no underlying neurological diseases. The mean follow-up period was 24 (12–40) months. Achieving single vision at far and postoperative deviation of up to 5 PD was considered a successful result. Results Age at presentation was 45–68 years, with mean age of 56.8±7.7 years. All the cases underwent bilateral surgeries. In group LRR, the preoperative angle of deviation at far was 20.5±5.8 prism diopter(PD) and for near was 2.9±2.4 PD. In group MRR, the preoperative angle of deviation at far was 21.7±6.1 PD and for near was 3.5±2.8 PD. In group LRMP, the preoperative angle of deviation at far was 21.4±8.5 PD and for near was 3.1±2.7 PD. Postoperative, no cases of diplopia were reported along the follow-up period in groups MRR and LRMP, whereas one case of the eight cases of group LRR showed diplopia. The postoperative angles for far in LRR, MRR, and LRMP groups were 2.38±2.1, 2.5±2.3, and 2.25±1.8 PD, respectively. Conclusion The three procedures had excellent outcomes in eliminating diplopia and postoperative alignment, but LRMP has the advantage to be vessel sparing, less invasive, reversible, and being able to be done with topical anesthesia.


To determine the strategy of service management in medical institutions, the article discusses the basic concepts associated with services, gives goal-setting, defines the roles, properties and attributes of medical services, gives recommendations for managing services through the HIS. Service management is considered on the example of HIS Interin PROMIS Alpha (Interin Technologies, Moscow). P u r p o s e . Develop a strategy for managing medical services, define goals and objectives for managing services. Analyze the role of information technology in the implementation of medical services in the free market. M a t e r i a l s a n d m e t h o d s . Models for maintaining a catalog of medical services are analyzed. The experience of service management in medical institutions based on the existing regulatory framework has been studied. The characteristics of medical services that determine the features of their economic accounting are analyzed. The role of MIS in providing analytical and control tools, as well as mechanisms for configuring business processes is determined. R e s u l t s . The methodology and stages of transition to a centralized model of maintaining a catalog of medical services have been developed. The tools for managing the production of medical services are described. F i n d i n g s . The most effective production management strategy in the MO is a centralized (organizational and methodological) model based on a single catalog of medical services, the ability to perform which is evidence of the maturity of the organization.


Vegetative propagation is very important for the survival of species with long juvenile and adult vegetative phases, as it is the case for bulbous plants. Bulbous plants are ornamental geophytes with a bulb as an underground storage organ. Among flower bulbs, tulip and lily are the two commercially leading plants in The Netherlands. Tulip propagates vegetatively via axillary bud outgrowth, while lily propagates via adventitious bulblet formation. The vegetative propagation rate in tulip is very low due to the limited amount of axillary buds that will grow successfully. Moreover, tulip is very recalcitrant to in vitro regeneration. On the other hand, lily propagates efficiently via adventitious bulblet formation, either naturally from the underground portion of the stem of the apical bud, or artificially from detached bulb scales. This thesis study aimed to understand how axillary bud outgrowth is controlled in tulip bulbs and how regeneration capacity is established in lily bulb scales. As a first step towards these goals, the state of the art of the molecular control of sexual and vegetative reproduction was reviewed for model species. Moreover, two approaches, "bottom-up" and "top-down", to transfer the knowledge from model to non-model species were described (Chapter 2). In short, the "bottom-up" approach usually goes from individual genes to systems, assuming conservation of molecular pathways and using sequence homology searches to identify candidate genes. "Top-down" methodologies go from systems to genes, and are based on large scale transcriptome profiling via e.g. microarrays or RNA sequencing, followed by the identification of associations between phenotypes, genes, and gene expression patterns and levels. Next (Chapter 3), two sets of high quality transcriptomes, one for tulip and one for lily were generated from a collection of several tissues using the Illumina HiSeq 2000 platform. Several assembly filtering parameters were applied, to highlight the limitations of stringent but routinely used filtering in de novo transcriptome assembly. The final created transcriptomes were made publicly available via a user friendly Transcriptome browser (http://www.bioinformatics.nl/bulbs/db/species/index) and their usefulness was exemplified by a search for all potential transcription factors in lily and tulip, with special focus on the TCP transcription factor family. One TCP member was of special interest because it has proven to integrate several pathways that control axillary bud outgrowth in a wide range of species. It is called TEOSINTE BRANCHED 1 (TB1) in monocots and BRNACHED 1 (BRC1) in dicots. A Tulipa gesneriana TB1 transcript was identified from the generated transcriptome and subsequently, tulip axillary bud outgrowth was studied through a "bottom-up" approach (Chapter 4). The degree of axillary bud outgrowth in tulip determines the success of their vegetative propagation. However the number of axillary meristems in one bulb is low –six on average– and not all of them seem to have the same growth capacity. The combination of physiological and targeted molecular experiments indicated that the first two inner located buds do not seem to experience dormancy (assessed by weight increase and TgTB1expression) at any point of the growth cycle, while mid-located buds enter dormancy by the end of the growing season. Moreover it was shown that TgTB1 expression in tulip bulbs can be modulated by sucrose, cytokinin and strigolactone, just as it has been reported for other species. However, the limited growth of mid-located buds even when their TgTB1 expression was naturally or artificially downregulated, pointed at other factors, probably physical, inhibiting their growth. Next, the remarkable regeneration capacity of lily by initiating de novo shoot meristems from excised bulb scales without the addition of exogenous hormones or growth regulators was studied using a "top-down" approach (Chapter 5). An extensive and comprehensive transcriptome set was generated from lily bulb scales in a time-series using two cultivars and two explant types, all differing in regeneration capacity. This set up provided first insight in the key molecular process underlying pro-meristem induction and meristem initiation in lily. We found that wounding activates a very fast regeneration response, probably mediated by APETALA2/ETHYLENE RESPONSIVE FACTORS (AP2/ERF,) such as LoERF115 and WOUND INDUCED DEDIFFERENTIATION 2 (LoWIND2), which in turn might mediate polar auxin re-distribution, cell proliferation and de-differentiation. Moreover, the timing and level of induction of shoot meristem regulators, such as ENHANCER OF SHOOT REGENERATION 2 (LoESR2) and SHOOT MERISTEMLESS (LoSTM) correlated with the regeneration capacity of the scale. Regardless the regeneration capacity of the different explants e.g. cultivar or position within the scale, regeneration occurs at the proximal-adaxial side of the bulb scale, right on top of the excision line. Thus the possible cellular and physiological factors granting lily bulb scales their competence to regenerate was investigated (Chapter 6). We found that the adaxial parenchyma tissue seems to be more competent than the abaxial tissue, partially because of higher number of secondary veins and larger cell population than the abaxial parenchyma region. It was proposed that upon explant excision, the polar auxin transport is disrupted, creating an auxin maximum at the excision line, which might create a gradient of cell divisions favouring the adaxial parenchyma tissue. The direction of this cell division gradient proved to be negatively affected by the absence of the adaxial epidermis. Moreover, explants without epidermis reduced dramatically their regeneration capacity, and lost the typical proximal-adaxial orientation of regeneration. Thus, a better understanding of the composition and physiology of the epidermis in lily bulb scales is essential to identify the regeneration stimulating signals originating from this tissue layer in Lilium sp. Finally in Chapter 7, integration of all the results was done and I addressed how this may contributes to the fundamental and applied understanding of vegetative propagation in bulbous plants. Also, some challenges are discussed, for example, the complexity in the architecture of tulip bulbs and how this influences ways for improving its rate of axillary bud outgrowth. The challenge to prove the findings of this thesis through functional analysis is also discussed and the possibility of using transient virus-induced gene silencing is highlighted. Moreover, the potential of lily bulb scales as a model system to study some aspects of de novo regeneration, as well as to study the recalcitrance of in vitro propagation is highlighted, supporting the idea that more "omics" data and biotechnological tools for bulbous plant research are necessary.


With the increasing amount of personal data stored and processed in the cloud, economic and social incentives to collect and aggregate such data have emerged. Therefore, secondary use of data, including sharing with third parties, has become a common practice among service providers and may lead to privacy breaches and cause damage to users since it involves using information in a non-consensual and possibly unwanted manner. Despite the existence of numerous works regarding privacy in cloud environments, users still do not have means to control how their personal information can be used, by whom and for which purposes. This work presents a mechanism for identity management systems that instructs users about the possible secondary uses of their personal data, allows them to set their privacy preferences and sends these preferences to the service provider along with their identification data in a standardized, machine-readable structure, called privacy token. This approach is based on a three-dimensional classification of the possible secondary uses of data, four predefined privacy profiles and a customizable one, and a secure token for transmitting the privacy preferences. The applicability and the usefulness of the proposal were demonstrated through a case study, and the technical viability and the correct operation of the mechanism were verified through a prototype developed in Java in order to be incorporated, in future work, to an implementation of the OpenID Connect protocol. The main contributions of this work are the preference specification model and the privacy token, which invert the current scenario where users are forced to accept the policies defined by service providers by allowing the former to express their privacy preferences and requesting the latter to align their actions.


Surgical teleoperation systems are being increasingly deployed recently. There are, however, some unsolved issues such as nonlinear characteristics of the interaction between the slave robot and soft tissues and difficulty in employing force sensors in the surgical end-effectors of the slave. These issues make it difficult to generalize any approach to develop a control for the system. This paper addresses these issues by proposing a H∞ suboptimal controller preserving robust stability and performance. The environment, i.e., soft tissues, is characterized with the nonlinear Hunt-Crossley model. This nonlinear characteristics of soft tissues are expressed with an affine combination of linear models within a predefined parameter polytope. For this linear parameter-varying system, a gain-scheduling control scheme is employed to design a suboptimal controller while guaranteeing its stability. To avoid using any force measurement in slave, we used position-position (PP) control architecture. The developed gain-scheduling control is validated with quantitative experimental results. The developed gain-scheduling PP control scheme shows good tracking capacity and high transparency for varied experimental conditions. Error of the transmitted impedance is significantly lower compared with other conventional control schemes for frequencies less than 2 Hz, which is frequently recommended for surgical teleoperation.


: This paper covers a population from 0 up to 50 years old, considered as 'handicapped', at the A.P.A.E. in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Many differences in the characteristics of both social and family environment were analyzed, as well as diagnosis and etiologies regarding associated problems. An appraisal of the different influences on both social and individual factors was outlined so that strategies of attendance could be modified accordingly.


An appropriate inflammatory immune response requires the effective orchestration of molecular and cellular effectors. Interleukin-17 (IL-17) is a cytokine, small signaling proteins, made by immune cells to communicate with mainly non-immune cells. IL-17 signaling engages its receptor (IL-17R) to induce inflammation by stabilizing transcripts or by inducing expression of target genes. IL-17R downstream intermediate proteins activate and downregulate intracellular signaling. IL-17R shares some, but not all, intracellular intermediate proteins with Toll-like receptor (TLR) and Tumor necrosis factor α receptor (TNFR) signaling. Previous research has shown that not all intermediates from TLR or TNFR1 pathways participate of IL-17R signaling. We aimed to identify novel intermediate proteins acting downstream in IL-17R by using molecular and cellular biology and biochemical techniques. After identifying five possible novel intermediates that either activate (caveolin-1 and AnapC3) or inhibit (ABIN-1, CYLD, Otulin) IL-17R signaling, we aimed to describe the mechanism of action of two of them, ABIN-1 and caveolin-1. We described the molecular mechanisms by which ubiquitin-binding protein ABIN-1 and membrane-bound scaffolding protein Caveolin-1 control IL-17 signaling. Interestingly, as previous research on other signaling intermediates of IL-17R signaling has shown, IL-17R signaling also regulates the expression of these two proteins in what we propose is a self-modulatory signaling mechanism. Specifically, we identified that ABIN-1 inhibits baseline and IL-17-activated signaling by binding polyubiquitin independently of A20. Moreover, we showed that IL-17 signaling induced degradation of ABIN-1. For caveolin-1, we observed a different mechanism of regulation. Thus, Caveolin-1 interacted with a subunit of IL-17R and regulated trafficking of IL-17R to the cell surface. Interestingly, caveolin-1 regulatory functions correlated with an activating role of caveolin-1 in IL-17R signaling. Lastly, caveolin-1 was downregulated by IL-17 signaling. In this thesis we report novel functions for ABIN-1 and caveolin-1 downstream of IL-17R. These results provide insight into the mechanism by which ABIN-1 and caveolin-1 regulate IL-17R signaling, and how IL-17R signaling self-regulates by modulating the expression or degradation of these two proteins. The results from this thesis contribute to the understanding of IL-17-mediated inflammatory signaling, and set the groundwork for future research on therapies to modulate this inflammatory response.


In theorizing face as relational and interactional, Arundale (2010) argues that face encompasses a dialectic of relational connection and separation, which is culture-general, but can be voiced differently in different cultures. This paper examines how Arundale's Face Constituting Theory (FCT) relates to the culture-specific emic understanding of face in Persian culture in talk in dissertation defense sessions. The data are two argumentative excerpts of natural interaction from a corpus of 12 PhD defense sessions in Iran. It is first argued that relational connection and separation is voiced as bonding and differentiation. Second, it is shown how the Persian emic concept of aberu can be accommodated in FCT. The analyses, grounded in CA and FCT, show how the dialectic of bonding and differentiation is interactionally achieved in the practices of aberu .


The purpose of this thesis is to establish the Stone - von Neumann Theorem for locally compact abelian groups. The Stone - von Neumann Theorem states the requirements for when unitary representations of a locally compact abelian group G and its character group are unitarily equivalent to translations and multiplication by a certain constant on L²(M). It will therefore be necessary to establish when Hilbert spaces are isomorphic to L²(M), for some measure space M. In order to prove the Stone - von Neumann Theorem we need to establish Stone's Theorem. For motivational reasons, this will first be done in the specific case when the group in question is the real line. The general theory also depends on harmonic analysis, though not all theorems from harmonic analysis will be proved in this thesis. After showing the general Stone's Theorem, the main theorem will be shown. To conclude, we will return to the real line and look at some theory from the viewpoint of quantum mechanics.


Bromo- and thiomaleimides are shown to serve as highly effective quenchers of a covalently attached fluorophore. Reactions with thiols that lead to removal of the maleimide conjugation, or detachment of the fluorophore from the maleimide, result in 'turn-on' of the fluorescence. These reagents thus offer opportunities in thiol sensing and intracellular reporting.


A novel algorithm for the simplified tele-operation of mobile-manipulator systems is presented. The algorithm allows for unified, intuitive, and coordinated control of mobile manipulators, systems comprised of a robotic arm mounted on a mobile base. Unlike other approaches, the mobile-manipulator system is modeled and controlled as two separate entities rather than as a whole. The algorithm consists of thee states. In the first state a 6-DOF (degree-of-freedom) joystick is used to freely control the manipulator's position and orientation. The second state occurs when the manipulator approaches a singular configuration, a configuration where the arm instantaneously loses a DOF of motion capability. This state causes the mobile base to proceed in such a way as to keep the end-effector moving in its last direction of motion. This is done through the use of a constrained optimization routine. The third state is triggered by the user: once the end-effector is in the desired position, the mobile base and manipulator both move with respect to one another keeping the end-effector stationary and placing the manipulator into an ideal configuration. The proposed algorithm avoids the problems of algorithmic singularities and simplifies the control approach. The algorithm has been implemented on the Jasper Mobile-Manipulator System. Test results show that the developed algorithm is effective at moving the system in an intuitive manner.


When recalling events that one personally experienced, one often visualizes the remembered scene as one originally saw it: from an internal visual perspective. Sometimes, however, one sees oneself in the remembered scene: from an external "observer perspective." In such cases one remembers from-the-outside. This book is about such memories. Remembering from-the-outside is a common yet curious case of personal memory: one views oneself from a perspective one seemingly could not have had at the time of the original event. How can past events be recalled from a detached perspective? How is it that the self is observed? And how can we account for the self-presence of such memories? Indeed, can there be genuine memories recalled from-the-outside? If memory preserves past perceptual content then how can one see oneself from-the-outside in memory? This book disentangles the puzzles posed by remembering from-the-outside. The book develops a dual-faceted approach for thinking about memory, which acknowledges constructive and reconstructive processes at encoding and at retrieval, and it uses this approach to defend the possibility of genuine memories being recalled from-the-outside. In so doing it also elucidates the nature of such memories and sheds light on the nature of personal memory. The book argues that field and observer perspectives are different ways of thinking about a particular past event. Further, by exploring the ways we have of getting outside of ourselves in memory and other cognitive domains, the book sheds light on the nature of our perspectival minds.


The common thread of this PhD Thesis is the use of sol-immobilised noble metal nanoparticles prepared by a
novel synthetic route, where the addition of the stabilising agent has been avoided.
The first part of the Thesis presents the development of a novel sol-immobilisation route without the addition of stabilisers (e.g., PVA, PVP). A monometallic 1% wt Au/TiO2 and a bimetallic 1% wt AuPd/TiO2 catalysts were prepared and extensively characterised by different techniques in order to gain information including metal loading, nanoparticles morphology and oxidation state of the metals. It has been shown that despite the stabilisers absence, is still possible to obtain materials exhibiting very similar characteristics with respect to the traditional catalysts prepared by PVA and PVP addition. The catalytic activity of the monometallic sample was firstly evaluated for the oxidation of CO (gas -phase) and glycerol (liquid-phase
under basic conditions), whereas the bimetallic was employed for the solvent-free oxidation of benzyl alcohol.
It has been shown that for the liquid phase reactions, samples behave in a very similar manner to the traditional
ones. However, the stabiliser-free catalyst was not active as expected for CO oxidation: reasons for this
behaviour might be related to the nanoparticles size or to the presence of poisonin g species (i.e., chloride) on
the catalyst's surface.
The second part is focused on the study of glycerol oxidation in basic conditions by using the novel mono
and bimetallic catalysts synthesized stabiliser-free and their comparison in terms of activity and selectivity to
the traditional catalysts synthesized by common stabilising agents PVA and PVP. It has been shown on the first instance that the selectivity towards the main products tartronate and glycerate follows a trend depending on the presence and nature of the stabiliser, with the stabiliser-free samples being more selective towards the former, followed by PVA and PVP. Experiments at short time and using glyceric acid as starting material revealed that the tartronate cannot only arise as product of secondary oxidation of glycerate. Finally, experiments where selected aliquots of PVA and PVP were added during reaction showed that the nature of
the polymer affects the conversion and selectivity. However, the mechanisms involved have not been fully
understood yet.
The third part presents the catalytic activity of a series of Au and AuPd sol-immobilised catalysts for the plasmonic oxidation of glycerol under neutral conditions. It has been shown tha t the catalysts prepared by sol-immobilisation are active under plasmonic conditions. The effect of the presence and nature of the stabilising polymer, the wavelength and time of illumination and of calcination have also been investigated.
The catalytic activity was proven to be related to the plasmonic effect by performing reactions using different
wavelengths of illumination; the nature of the polymer was proven to affect the plasmonic response of the catalyst; stabiliser-free samples activity significantly improved after calcination, likely due to a stro nger
nanoparticle/support interaction. The plasmonic effect has also been observed for a series of 1% wt AuPd/TiO2
catalysts prepared with different Au:Pd ratios, with enhancement in the conversion increasing with the increase
in the gold content.


Backgoun: Syzygium cumini is a species in the Myrtaceae, which is used as traditional medicine. In Indonesia S. cumini found in the yard and home garden, which use as producer of fruit and shading. The using of natural product as traditional medicine is better than sintetic, but improper has a negative impact. This article aims to explain the uses of S. cumini as traditional medicine and its bioactivity. Method: This article is based on the study of literature obtained on line and off line such as used Web, Scopus, Pubmed, and scientific journals, then synthesized according to the research objectives so that comprehensive information. Result: The traditional medicine of S. cumini have been used to cure diabetes mellitus, anti-inflammation, anti-ulcers, vaginal discharge, stomach disorders, fever, stomach aches, wounds, digestive disorders, and skin infection. The bioassay of S. cumini has activities as anti-diabetes mellitus, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-allergy, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-cancer, gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-pyretic. Conclusion. Our study of S. cumini is very potential to be developed as an anti-diabetes mellitus drug because it is considered safer therefore it is necessary to do further research.


The article briefly presents the direction of changes in Polish non-government organizations in recent years. It will be presented in the context of systematization, the cooperation between government administration (including the structures which coordinate the foreign policy) and NGO, the increase participation NGO in realization public tasks and the connections between NGO and public administration. There will also be described the identity of the main goals and actions of non-government organizations and the Ministry of the Foreign Policy when it comes to international activity. Therefore we can talk about another type of diplomacy – non-governmental and social diplomacy. What is more, the importance of the NGO in this field is high. Their activity influenced the Polish image abroad and others in Poland. There are many international conferences, exchanges and projects which make the integration and exchange of information deeper. As well as the promotion of Poland abroad.


This study investigated the role of duration and tornado-induced static pressure on peak pressures on a low-rise building. A tornado simulator was used to generate both translating and stationary vortices to measure pressure time series on a building model. Time-resolved velocity measurements were also made on the vortex to aid in the analysis. Past studies have suggested that peak pressures on buildings in tornadoes were up to 50% higher than straight-line atmospheric boundary layer values as provided by ASCE 7–10. This study showed that much but not all of this increase can be explained by the static pressure of the vortex. While subtracting the static pressure from pressure time series and normalizing by a local horizontal velocity brought peak pressures closer to what one would expect from straight-line flows, and these data showed that some peaks could still be significantly larger than ASCE 7–10 provisions. To consider duration effects, translating and stationary vortex data were used with varying exposure times. Results showed that peak pressure magnitudes could increase by factors of 1.1–1.4 depending on duration. Work like this could lead to factors to adjust tornado pressure coefficients for the effect of event duration. The largest pressure peaks were observed to occur in or near the vortex core, and profiles of vertical velocity and static pressure suggest that strong unsteady vertical gusting and strong static pressure fluctuations could play a role in creating these large peaks.


Indium-zinc oxide (IZO), with Zn/(Zn+In)=0.33 - 0.78, films were deposited by the sol-gel method. Effects of Zn/(Zn+In) atomic ratio and annealing temperature on the structural, electrical and optical properties of IZO thin film were investigated. Films of Zn/(Zn+In)=0.33 prepared at 600°C had the lowest resistivity value, 4.48X10 -2 Ω cm (carrier concentration=3.83X 1018 cm-3 and mobility=25.54 cm2/Vs), and the structure of these films matched that of Zn2In2O5 film. Average optical transmittances of all films were above 80% in the visible range. The highest average transmittance was observed at Zn/(Zn+In)=0.5, with 86.8% in the visible range.


We discuss a child with severe thrombocytopenia and mild anemia admitted to the Hematology service who quickly deteriorated to a life-threatening state. However, once rickettsial disease was considered in the differential diagnosis and empiric doxycycline begun, she quickly and fully recovered. A diagnostic panel, including Rickettsia typhi serology, confirmed the diagnosis of murine typhus but this occurred weeks after she had recovered. Given the potential severity of rickettsial diseases and the ease of modern travel across geographic borders, hematology-oncology providers everywhere must consider rickettsial diseases in their differential diagnosis of critically ill children and begin empiric therapy with doxycycline promptly.


Background High injury prevalence rates call for effective sports injury prevention strategies, which include the development and application of practical and reliable pre-participatory screening tools. Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of the one-legged hyperextension test (1LHET), the empty can (EC) and full can (FC) tests, the standing stork test (SST), the bridge-hold test (BHT) and the 747 balance test (747BT). Method Thirty-five healthy, injury-free male athletes (cricket and soccer players), aged 16–24 years, were evaluated by two physiotherapists. For each of the tests, the participants were evaluated twice (on two consecutive days) by each physiotherapist. Both the intra- and inter-rater reliability were determined. Cohen's kappa (k) was calculated for the 1LHET, the EC and FC tests and the SST. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used for the BHT and the 747BT. A confidence level of 95% (p ≤ 0.05) was applied as the criterion for determining the statistical significance of the results. Results The SST presented with the lowest level of intra-rater agreement (ICC = –0.20 to 0.10). On the other hand, the EC test was the only test where one rater achieved an excellent intersessional agreement (k = 0.80; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.40–1.20). Substantial to excellent results for the inter-rater agreement for both sessions were recorded for the 1LHET (k = 0.70–0.90) and the BHT (ICC = 0.70–0.90). Conclusion Reliability values need to be considered when making clinical decisions based on screening tests. A more refined description of the testing procedures and criteria for interpretation might be necessary before including the six screening tests investigated in this study in formal screening protocols. Clinical implication Confirmed reliability of screening tests would enable sports professionals to make informed decisions when designing preparticipatory musculoskeletal screening tools and when dealing with the management of injury risks in athletes. Keywords musculoskeletal screening; injury risk management; intra-rater reliability; inter-rater reliability; soccer; cricket.


Add-Paths is a BGP enhancement that allows a BGP router to advertise
multiple distinct paths for the same prefix/NLRI. This provides a
number of potential benefits, including reduced routing churn, faster
convergence and better loadsharing. This document provides
recommendations to implementers of Add-Paths so that network operators
have the tools needed to address their specific applications and to
manage the scalability impact of Add- Paths. A router implementing
Add-Paths may learn many paths for a prefix and must decide which of
these to advertise to peers. This document analyses different
algorithms for making this selection and provides recommendations
based on the target application.


Observations and model simulations of the climate responses to strong explosive low‐latitude volcanic eruptions suggest a significant increase in the likelihood of El Niño during the eruption and posteruption years, though model results have been inconclusive and have varied in magnitude and even sign. In this study, we test how this spread of responses depends on the initial phase of El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in the eruption year and on the eruption's seasonal timing. We employ the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory CM2.1 global coupled general circulation model to investigate the impact of the Pinatubo 1991 eruption, assuming that in 1991 ENSO would otherwise be in central or eastern Pacific El Niño, La Niña, or neutral phases. We obtain statistically significant El Niño responses in a year after the eruption for all cases except La Niña, which shows no response in the eastern equatorial Pacific. The eruption has a weaker impact on eastern Pacific El Niños than on central Pacific El Niños. We find that the ocean dynamical thermostat and (to a lesser extent) wind changes due to land‐ocean temperature gradients are the main feedbacks affecting El Niño development after the eruption. The El Niño responses to eruptions occurring in summer are more pronounced than for winter and spring eruptions. That the climate response depends on eruption season and initial ENSO phase may help to reconcile apparent inconsistencies among previous studies.


Patients´ experiences of initial periodontal treatment Objective The objective of the present study was to assess the impact of periodontal disease on oral health-related quality of life before and after the initial periodontal treatment (information, instruction, scaling and root planning). Method Patients referred to a specialist clinic in periodontology were invited to participate. A total of 97 (86%) completed the UK oral health-related quality of life questionnaire (OHRQoL-UK) and a check list of questions on their rating and satisfaction with general and oral health before and after initial periodontal treament. Results The patients´ reported an overall improvement in their OHRQoL after the initial periodontal treatment. This was specifically true for the items: general health, well-being and breath odour. They were more satisfied with their general health and their teeth after the treatment. In addition, they rated their oral health higher. Conclusion Initial periodontal treatment improved OHRQoL and patients´ satisfaction with general and oral health, indicating that mechanical infection control is effective assessed by the patients.


The high temperature superconductivity space experiment (HTSSE) program, initiated by the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) in 1988, is described. The HTSSE program focuses high temperature superconductor (HTS) technology applications on space systems. The program phases, goals, and objectives are discussed. The devices developed for the HTSSE-II phase of the program and their suppliers are enumerated. Eight space-qualified components were integrated as a cryogenic experimental payload on DOD's ARGOS spacecraft. The payload was designed and built using a unique NRL/industry partnership and was integrated and space-qualified at NRL.


This study is conducted as a qualitative research in order to determine the effect of education on knowledge level and attitudes of nurses about palliative care (PC). 42 nurses participated in this work voluntarily. Open-ended questions are used in order to measure the knowledge level and attitudes of the nurses about the palliative care. 10 open-ended questions are asked to participants before training (both theoretical and practical training), and 12 open-ended questions are asked after training. The obtained data are subjected to thematic analysis. 6 main themes are found out as a result of the study: "The Meaning of Palliative", "Improving the Quality of Life", "A Great Part of Care: Patient's Family/Relatives", "Incompletenesses", "Communication and Colloboration" and "Difficulties". Before and after the training, differences are seen in the knowledge level and attitudes of the participants in palliative care, in the sub-categories of the meaning of the palliative care and in improving the quality of life and in the category of ethical dilemmas. As a result, it is observed that the knowledege level of the nurses working in the palliative care centers (PCCs) has improved and developed after the training program. Palliative care has an important place in maintaining the integration of palliative care to health care services.


In a paper published in The Review of Economics and Statistics some 20 years ago, we sought to assess the disparate residential location choices of black and white households in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area (Gabriel and Rosenthal [1989]). The paper showed that simulated closure of large socio-economic gaps between blacks and whites did little to diminishprevailing high levels of residential segregation or otherwise enhance moves by black households to areas of educational, employment, and housing opportunity. In the wake of intervening decades, the current paper applies data from 2000 to assess anew racial variations in residential location choice. Results of the multinomial logit analysis indicate large, persistentracial differentials in residential location choice. While black location choice in 2000 wasrelatively more dispersed than in 1980, it remained remarkably concentrated in DC and Prince Georges County. As in our prior analysis, results showed that large simulated gains in black economic and educational status had little effect on prevailing racial segregation. These findings underscore the ongoing, limited access of black households to schooling, employment, and housing opportunities available outside traditional areas of settlement. In marked contrast, the locational choices of Latino and immigrant households bore greater similarity to those of whites and were more sensitive to improvements in socio-economic status.


A kraft mill bleach plant effluent was treated in a pilot station with a common pretreatment stage and three parallel biological treatment plants. The possibility to membrane filter the E-stage effluent before biological treatment was provided. In the first pilot plant, three 0.7 m3 anaerobic fixed film reactors were followed by an activated sludge plant with two 0.7 m3 aerobic tanks in series. The second plant comprised a 10 m3 anaerobic hybrid reactor followed by a 2.5 m3 activated sludge plant. The third line was a 4.5 m3 activated sludge plant. All three plants were connected on-line to the bleach plant in a kraft mill. During the study, the bleaching conditions were changed from 75% substitution of chlorine for chlorine dioxide to 100% chlorine dioxide bleaching. In the comparisons, a total hydraulic retention time of 12 hours was used in all the three systems. The influent temperature was kept at 37-38°C. Biomass concentrations were 1.5-4 kg TSS/m3 in the aerobic parts. The concentration of fixed biomass was estimated to be 10-20 kg/m3 in the anaerobic reactors after the experiments.

The change in bleaching conditions decreased the discharge of AOX more than 50% and had a positive effect on the biological treatability of the bleach plant effluent. The transformation of organic and chloroorganic material increased, a more stable operation could be obtained and the quality of the sludge improved. Except for chlorate, there were no major differences in treatment efficiency between the three systems studied. Anaerobic pretreatment resulted in a somewhat higher AOX removal and a somewhat better tolerance to shock loads, especially with chlorine used in bleaching. Membrane filtration of the E-stage effluent gave a significant contribution to the overall treatment result with 75% chlorine dioxide (D) in the first bleaching stage, but contributed only marginally with 100% D.


Whereas neuronal M-type K+ channels composed of KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 subunits regulate firing properties of neurons, presynaptic KCNQ2 subunits were demonstrated to regulate neurotransmitter release by directly influencing presynaptic function. Two interaction partners of M-channels, syntaxin 1A and calmodulin, are known to act presynaptically, syntaxin serving as a major protein component of the membrane fusion machinery and calmodulin serving as regulator of several processes related to neurotransmitter release. Notably, both partners specifically modulate KCNQ2 but not KCNQ3 subunits, suggesting selective presynaptic targeting to directly regulate exocytosis without interference in neuronal firing properties. Here, having first demonstrated in Xenopus oocytes, using analysis of single-channel biophysics, that both modulators downregulate the open probability of KCNQ2 but not KCNQ3 homomers, we sought to resolve the channel structural determinants that confer the isoform-specific gating downregulation and to get insights into the molecular events underlying this mechanism. We show, using optical, biochemical, electrophysiological, and molecular biology analyses, the existence of constitutive interactions between the N and C termini in homomeric KCNQ2 and KCNQ3 channels in living cells. Furthermore, rearrangement in the relative orientation of the KCNQ2 termini that accompanies reduction in single-channel open probability is induced by both regulators, strongly suggesting that closer N–C termini proximity underlies gating downregulation. Different structural determinants, identified at the N and C termini of KCNQ3, prevent the effects by syntaxin 1A and calmodulin, respectively. Moreover, we show that the syntaxin 1A and calmodulin effects can be additive or blocked at different concentration ranges of calmodulin, bearing physiological significance with regard to presynaptic exocytosis.


At least 50% of Americans have not saved enough for retirement. This is in part due to a lack of access to employer-sponsored retirement plans. Nearly a third of the U.S. workforce is employed by businesses that choose not to sponsor workplace retirement plans for their employees. Moreover, plans set up by smaller employers tend to be plagued by high fees that eat away at retirement savings. To increase worker participation in low-cost retirement plans, lawmakers across the political spectrum have coalesced around reforms to allow more small employers to pool their assets and to centralize plan administration through multiple-employer plans. The efforts culminated in 2019 with the passage of the SECURE Act, which dramatically expanded access to multiple-employer plans.

This Article shows that the bipartisan enthusiasm for expanding multiple-employer arrangements rests on shaky theoretical and empirical considerations. Drawing on newly hand-collected data for multiple-employer plans in effect prior to 2019, it argues that overlooked agency costs, market opacity, and the limits of the fiduciary governance regime have undermined the gains from asset pooling and centralized plan administration in existing multiple-employer plans. Furthermore, while larger single-employer plans typically leverage economies of scale and greater bargaining power to reduce plan fees, the benefits of plan size have not mapped directly onto existing multiple-employer plans. Instead, the Article reveals that total plan fees for existing multiple-employer plans are significantly higher than the fees for single-employer plans of comparable size. As policymakers and regulators implement expanded access to employer-pooling arrangements, this Article proposes governance measures to realize the full potential of aggregation for retirement savings programs in the United States.


Objective Complex regional pain syndrome-1 (CRPS) is characterised by allodynia, autonomia and, sometimes, dystonia. Its course varies from mild and self-limiting to chronic fixed dystonia. We describe treatment of CRPS-1 related dystonia by deep brain stimulation (DBS). Methods Patient-1 was diagnosed with CRPS-1 aged 13. A minor blow triggered severe leg pain, allodynia and autonomia. Dystonia progressed to involve trunk and all limbs, rendering her completely dependent for all care. She subsequently developed status dystonicus requiring treatment on paediatric intensive care unit. Patient-2 developed CRPS-1 following a minor injury at age 14, resulting in right arm allodynia and dystonia. Progression produced four-limb dystonia, rendering her wheel-chair bound. DBS electrodes were implanted into dorsolateral GPi by MRI-guided stereotaxis and connected to a pulse generator. Stimulation settings were adjusted by response. Burke Fahn Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale assessed dystonia severity and disability; Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Neuropathic Pain Scale (NPS) and Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), pain; SF-36, quality of life; Beck Anxiety and Depression Inventories (BAI; BDI), emotional state. Results Patient-1 recovered from status dystonicus rapidly post-surgery. She could sit upright, functionally using hands and arms. Pain and allodynia reduced. Discharge was within 2 weeks. Several relapses were of reducing frequency and severity. 28 months post-surgery, dystonia severity has improved by 55%; disability by 59%; overall SF-36 by 115%. VAS has reduced by 20%; NPS by 13%; BPI by 34%; BAI by 56%; BDI by 66%.She is doing 'A' levels and applying to university. Patient-2's dystonia improved rapidly post-surgery; she was able to walk with a stick. Discharge was within 3 weeks. At 12 months, dystonia and allodynia acutely recurred. The DBS battery was depleted; there was significant improvement post-replacement. 27 months post-surgery, dystonia severity has reduced by 55%; disability by 60%; VAS by 67%; NPS by 52%; BPI by 49%; BAI by 73%, BDI by 56%. Overall SF-36 has improved by 57%. Conclusions We have demonstrated for the first time DBS to produce significant reduction in dystonia and pain in CRPS-1.


The design and the experimental validation of a continuous-time model predictive control (CTMPC) for a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drive with disturbance decoupling is discussed. The CTMPC approach uses Taylor series expansion to derive a closed-form solution to the problem of model predictive control even though the system behaviour is described by a non-linear model. This type of controller requires an exact knowledge of the system model to guarantee an accurate prediction of the system behaviour, while the PMSM is usually subjected to model uncertainties and external disturbances such as the load torque. Moreover, in the proposed approach, the predicted speed tracking error is directly used to determine the required voltage command without the need for a cascaded control scheme. As a result, the load torque is seen as unmatched disturbance which makes exact disturbance decoupling more challenging. To overcome such a problem, a non-linear disturbance observer is designed and combined with the CTMPC method to enhance the prediction accuracy under parameter variation and unknown load torque. The feasibility of the proposed approach is experimentally investigated, and good transient and steady-state performances are obtained.


This article addresses current challenges facing pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical developers, including the expiration of patents on many high-revenue–generating products, increasing competition in the marketplace, low public support, high regulatory hurdles, and the increasing time, cost, and risk of new product development. To meet these challenges, drug developers are looking to new models of innovation to improve efficiency, lower risk, and increase output. These new models include codevelopment agreements with small companies, multicompany consortia, and strategic partnerships with academic research centers. In the United States and the European Union, the government is supporting these efforts by creating incentives for academic centers to foster translational research and become more "commercially minded". The goal for all stakeholders is to reduce the barriers to product development and bring new medicines to market in a timely and cost-efficient manner.


This paper presents a novel control architecture system which is composed of a multi-objective cost function which Pareto optimises the programming of cutting parameters while adapting the milling process to new cutting conditions if new constraints appear. The paper combines a self-optimised module which looks for and finds Pareto optimal cutting parameters according to multi-objective purposes and, a multi-estimation adaptive control module which keeps the cutting forces under prescribed upper safety limits independently of programmed cutting conditions and material properties while maintaining the performance of the process. A supervised controller acts as decision support-software to automatically switch to best performance tracking adaptive controller among those available at each required time.


This article is devoted to the urgent problem of drinking water supply in the mountainous regions of the Chechen Republic. The results of the assessment and calculation of groundwater reserves are presented. The article gives a brief assessment of the hydrogeological conditions of the study area, especially the complex of alluvial lower-upper Pleistocene sediments of the overdeepened river valleys, represented by boulder-pebble and boulder-rubbly formations with sand and sand-loamy aggregates. For inventory assessment and choice of a methodology of the reserves calculation in the Research Methods section, the hydrogeological conditions for the formation of groundwater are schematized in all the four study areas (Khimoyskiy, Shatoyskiy, Itum-Kalinskiy, Vedenskiy). On the basis of experimental field hydrogeological works, the calculation hydrogeological parameters necessary for the calculation of the groundwater reserves are determined (the main hydrogeological parameters on the estimated areas are given in the article, in the table 1). In the Methods section, the detailed justification of the scheme of placement of project wells is given (further the wells are supposed to be used as a water intake). For all the four areas – Khimoyskiy, Shatoyskiy, Itum-Kalinskiy and Vedenskiy the "strip aquifer" scheme is adopted as the calculation, limited by two parallel impermeable contours (the slopes of river valleys are composed of impermeable water-resistant bedrocks). In the Results section, all schemes, formulas and brief characteristics of each investigated area (the acreage, the necessary water demand, the type of project water intake) are given. For each area, an security assessment of the calculated reserves is given, which is confirmed by the balance method (all the calculations are given in the article). In conclusion of the article in table 03 the data on the reserves of fresh groundwater based on the results of prospecting-evaluation works of 01.06.2015 are given.