Health development is carried out in various ways, one through the health service. In health care medicine is an important component because it is required in the majority of health efforts. Drugs are substances that are consumed the body to reduce pain and eliminate the disease. Drugs are usually manufactured in pharmaceutical companies with a chemical that has one advantage compared with traditional medicine, which is more sterile and kept clean. Hard drugs or medication list G (gevaarlijk) that is hard to obtain efficacious drugs should be by prescription. It is therefore hard drugs unregistered prohibited distributed and stored in facilities that do not have the expertise and authority. The purpose of this thesis, namely: First, to determine the role of law enforcement in combating the crime of trafficking of hard drugs that are not in accordance with the applicable provisions. Secondly, to know the constraints of law enforcement in combating the crime of trafficking of hard drugs in facilities that do not have the expertise and authority third, to know the constraints menngatasi efforts in law enforcement criminal acts of trafficking of hard drugs in facilities that do not have the expertise and authority in the province of Riau.This type of research is classified in socio-juridical research, because this research author directly conduct research on a study in order to provide a complete and clear picture of the issues examined. This research was conducted at the Center for Food and Drug Administration, while the sample population is overall the parties relating to the issues examined in this study, the data source used, primary data, secondary data and data tertiary data collection techniques in this study with interviews , questionnaire and literature study.From the results, it can be concluded that, First, conduct investigations against perpetrators of trafficking hard drugs in facilities that do not have the expertise and authority. Second, constraints in dealing with law enforcement criminal acts of trafficking of hard drugs in facilities that do not have the expertise and authority, among others; lack of human resources, lack of facilities and pre facilities, lack of coordination with relevant agencies, lack of awareness and concern for the laws of society, and a deliberate disregard the store owner to distribute hard drugs. Third, efforts to overcome such obstacles; improve coordination with relevant agencies, structuring of human resources, improve public services. Brief advice of the author is to optimize the role of the investigator, did a deal with related institutions and improve the dissemination of law about the dangers of prescription drugs without a prescription


Mapping of small and shallow water bodies is still done primarily in a manual, labour-intensive process. The Fraunhofer Institute for Physical Measurement Techniques IPM developed and evaluated a new compact and lightweight airborne laser-scanning system targeted at topographic and bathymetric surveys which can greatly increase the efficiency and precision. The sensor weighs less than 4kg and can therefore be operated on many commercially available drones without special permissions according to current regulations. This is a decisive aspect in achieving the necessary operational capability and economic efficiency of such a system. To optimally address the intended use case, our sensor simultaneously emits green and infrared light. This allows for precise separation of water surface and seabed and is especially benefi cial for increasing precision in shallow water regions and accurately detecting the shoreline. For sophisticated data analysis, the system records and saves the full signal waveform using high-speed analog-to-digital converters. To ensure a safe operation and reduce the required safety measures, the system is designed as a class 2M laser product. This is achieved through expanding and collimating the outgoing laser beam to approximately 50mm in diameter and therefore reducing the light intensity. A downward-facing palmer scanner deflects the beam in a near-elliptical shape at approximately 15° off nadir. The system has been tested and evaluated at a quarry lake in turbid water conditions. The result is a high-resolution ground model which demonstrates the bene fits and feasibility of a compact bathymetric scanner and highlights the potential for further research in this field.


Mobile manipulator is a robot for the next generation of processes. The mobile manipulator can increase process efficiency by being combined with the collaborative robot system. However, due to worker safety issues, simultaneous control of the mobile manipulator is still difficult. In this paper, we present the designing path of collision avoidance of a mobile manipulator for the safety of workers. By monitoring the position and velocity of a worker modeled as a cylinder, the mobile manipulator designs a path to avoid the worker using reinforcement learning. We learned the robot using simulation, and we checked the mobile and manipulator move to the destination by avoiding the worker.


Constipation is a common disturbance problem for the elderly,which is caused by multiple factors.The non-invasive,non-drug treatment measures should be selected as priority.The early prevention and reasonable nursing care can relieve constipation and can be helpful to improve the quality of life of the elderly in the community.


FACTS devices have the capability to control voltage, impedance and the phase angle in transmission circuit and hence control the power flow. Among the converter based FACTS devices Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM) and Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC) are considered in this paper. Static and dynamic analysis of the standard 5 bus system is done in MATLAB .The result of network with and without using UPFC and STATCOM are compared in terms of active and reactive power flows in the line and at the bus to analyze the performance of the devices Iinjected voltage, Injected phase , phase distortion are also shown graphically .


The major cause of cream spoilage in the south of Scotland is post-pasteurization contamination, which can be effectively reduced by the adoption of aseptic handling techniques.


The self-adaptive design technology based on modern design methodology is researched in this paper, and a system framework of the self-ad aptive design model based on modularization is proposed, product family architec ture structure based on modularization, process mapping model of self-adaptive design based on modularization and self-adaptive design controller are also p roposed. A module adaptive degree algorithm based BP neural networks is also int roduced here. At the end, the plastic in jection module is used as a case study to develop a prototype system about product self-adaptive design based on modu larity.


As regards the dating of the plate and the type of coin for which it was made, supporting evidence is to be found amongst the State Papers in the form of a 'verdict' given on 30 October 1526 by Sir John Daunce, Sir John Mundy, John Kyme, John Rudstone, aldermen of London, and thirteen others regarding the fineness and weight of various gold and silver coins.19 According to this document, three standards, or trial plates, were made in 1526: one for the new 22-carat gold, one for sterling silver, and one for double placks. The justification for the third and, for our present purposes, the most interesting plate was as follows:


The main purpose of this study is to construct a new 3‐D model of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) crust, which can be used as a starting point for future lithospheric studies. The CAOB is a Paleozoic accretionary orogen surrounded by the Siberian Craton to the north and the North China and Tarim Cratons to the south. This area is of great interest due to its enigmatic and still not completely understood geodynamic evolution. First, we estimate an initial crustal thickness by inversion of the vertical gravity component of the Gravity Field and Steady‐State Ocean Circulation Explorer (GOCE) and DTU10 models. Second, 3‐D forward modeling of the GOCE gravity gradients is performed, which determines the topography of the Moho, the geometry, and the density distribution of the deeper parts of the CAOB and its surroundings, taking into account the lateral and vertical density variations of the crust. The model is constrained by seismic refraction, reflection, and receiver function studies and geological studies. In addition, we discuss the isostatic implications of the differences between the seismic Moho and the resulting 3‐D gravity Moho, complemented by the analysis of the lithostatic load distribution at the upper mantle level. Finally, the correlation between the contrasting tectonic domains and the thickness of the crust reveals the inheritance of Paleozoic and Mesozoic geodynamics, particularly the magmatic provinces and the orocline which preserve their crustal features.


The preservation scope as well as the constructive control area of the Cultural Heritage Conservation Units are the legal region delimited and issued by government. But, owing to the limitation of the times, the delimitation of the preservation scope has some shortages to certain degree and need to take some measures to adjust in the planning stage. Those measures involve more specific conservation requirements which will help to subdivide the grades of control area of construction and make the management more effective. Especially for large scale conservation units which located in developed areas, with the support of conservation planning, corresponding measures will help to reduce the cost of management and lighten the burden on management.


A new method of longevity forecasting of structure composite materials used at industrial and transport objects, subjected to aggressive influence of various surroundings has been proposed. The method is based on experimental research processes of these materials spread


The healing process comprises a number of phases: inflammation, proliferation and maturation. Within these phases are many cellular and biochemical activities in which epithelial, endothelial and inflammatory cells, platelets and fibroblasts interact to restore 'normality' within the wound area. The processes by which these structures interact and support each other form a complex jigsaw, and the focus of this review is to look at one small piece of the puzzle — the role within proliferation of hyaluronic acid, or more correctly, hyaluronan.


comprises a beam supported joining machine, in particular transmission laser welding device, - a radiation head (1) for providing a a joining seam (5) between two components (3, 4) generating the joining beam (2), - a receptacle (7) for supporting the first component (3), and - a clamping device for clamping the components (3, 4), in particular for clamping components (3, 4) having a three-dimensionally extending seam joint (5), which clamping device comprises a the course of the joining seam adapted tensioning means (11, 19) for generating a clamping force between the two components (3, 4) is acted upon at least in the area of the joint beam, respectively (2) joining zone (F), wherein the clamping means comprises a the course of the joint seam (5) adapted magnetic or magnetizable tape (11) is provided which at least applied in the area of the joint beam, respectively (2) joining zone (F) by the joining beam (2) run the control magnet (19) due to the intermediate strip (11) and the control magnet acting (19) magnetic forces, the components (3, 4) with a clamping force applied to (A).


SUMMARY The conjugation of adenosine to the lipid squalene allowed the subsequent formation of stable nanoassemblies. These nanoassemblies were able to protect adenosine from metabolization allowing its sustained interaction with the cerebral endothelium via the Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL) receptors. Using FRE T nanoassemblies, we showed the disassembling of the structure inside the endothelial cells hence avoidi ng any toxic accumulation of nano-objects in the brain parenchyma and ensuring drug release. Finally, thes e nanoassemblies were shown to provide neuroprotectio n in a mouse stroke model. INTRODUCTION Brain diseases represent a major health concern due in part to population aging, and to the life-long d isability that they imply. However, drug delivery with therapeutic efficiency remains the main challenge of central ne rvous system (CNS) drug development, as the entry of more than 98% of all drugs in the CNS is endowed by the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) . It has been suggested that nanotechnologies may promote brain delivery of drug s, but many of these nanodevices require heavy design on size and shape, and complex multifunctionalization t achieve targeted delivery across the BBB . In addition if a significant although limited BBB translocation has been demonstrated with these systems, there are only few examples of real subsequent pharmacological activit y. Adenosine has been for a long time considered as a putative treatment of numerous severe neurological disorders, such as stroke, spinal cord injury or mu ltiple sclerosis. However, adenosine has never been used in clinic for the treatment of CNS diseases as it poss es es serious limitations, such as short plasma half-life due to rapid metabolization, the advent of moderate side-e ffects and its inability to cross the BBB . We recently developed a very simple and easy way to protect adenosine and allow it to exert its neuropr otective properties after intravenous injection. The bioconj ugation of adenosine with the squalene, a natural and biocompatible lipid, led to the spontaneous format ion of nanoparticles with a size of ca. 100 nm allowing: ( i) an efficient protection from metabolization, (ii) the interaction of the NAs with the neurovascular unit and (iii) the induction of a dramatic neuroprotective e ffect in a cerebral ischemia model in mice. EXPERIMENTAL METHODS The squalenoyl-adenosine nanoassemblies (SQAs NAs) were prepared by the single nanoprecipitation method. Briefly, SQAd was dissolved in absolute et hanol (6 mg/mL) and added dropwise under strong stearing to a 5% (w/v) dextrose solution. The formation of the NA s occurred spontaneously and ethanol was then complet ely evaporated under low pressure. Fluorescent or radiolabeled NAs were obtained by the same procedur e unless a fluorescent probe or radiolabeled SQAd wer e added to the ethanolic phase. Nanoassemblies size a nd surface charge were systematically measured by dyna mic light scattering (DLS) using a Malvern Nano ZS. For pharmacokinetic and biodistribution studies, radiolabeled SQAd NAs were injected to 25 g. male SWISS albino mice (15 mg/kg, 40 μCi/kg). 15 min, 30 min, 1h, 2h, 4h, 8h, 24h, 48h and 5 days post-injec tion blood was collected by intracardiac sampling and immediately centrifuged (3,000 x g, 10 min, 4°C) to isolate plasma, and brain was harvested and immedia tely frozen at -80°C. Radioactivity of the samples was measured using a β-scintillation counter and for the metabolization studies, a HPLC method with radioact ive detection was used. The mechanism of internalization of the SQAd NAs by the cerebral endothelial cells was studied using a in vitro model of BBB, the hCMEC/D3 cell line. Cells were seeded at a density of 50,000 cells/cm 2 and grown for 7 days in order to acquire their BBB phenotype. Cells were then incubated with fluorescent SQAd NAs in presenc e or in absence of an excess of LDL and the cell fluores cence was measured by flow cytometry. The colocalization of the NAs with fluorescent LDL was observed by confoc al microscopy. The therapeutic efficiency of the SQAd NAs was studied in a focal cerebral ischemia model in 25 g. male SWISS albino mice. After a midline incision, the ri ght common carotid artery and external carotid artery w ere ligated with a 5-0 silk suture. A nylon filament wa s inserted into the common artery and advanced up to the origin of the MCA to induce the occlusion (MCAo). F or reperfusion, the filament was withdrawn 2h after MC Ao. SQAd NAs were administered via tail vein (i.v.) jus t before inducing ischemia or 2h after ischemia at a dose of 15 mg/kg. Mice were neurologically evaluated and th en sacrified 24h after reperfusion in order to evaluat e infarct volumes by Nissl staining. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The nanoprecipitaion of SQAd allowed the obtention of stable nanoparticles with a mean diameter of c.a . 120 nm, a mean polydispersity below 0.2 and a mean zeta potential of around -30 mV. The incorporation of a fluorescent probe or radiolabeled SQAd did not modi fy any of the NAs characteristics. After intravenous injection of radiolabeled SQAd NAs, a progressive passage of the radioactivity in the brain parenchyma was observed, until 8h post-inject ion, reaching a plateau up to 1.4% of the injected dose, this amount being significantly higher that the vascular contribution (Figure 1). The radio-HPLC analysis of the plasma showed that 30% of the circulating SQAd was still intact 1h post-injection, but was completely metabo lized after 24h, ensuring the absence of any toxicity. He nce, the formation of nanoassemblies allows the protection o f the adenosine moiety at least for 1h in the circulation , a d a progressive and extended interaction with the cereb ral endothelium. Figure 1: The passage of the radioactivity associated with t he SQAd NAs across the BBB was quantified in vivo by m easuring the radioactivity found in the brain parenchyma aft er intravenous injection (N = 6 animals per time-point , mean ±


Effects of indoleacetic acid, calcium ions and ethylene on the growth of and deposition of different cell wall fractions in the hypocotyl of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) seedlings were investigated. Indoleacetic acid progressively stimulated cellulose deposition as the amount of added Ca2+ increased. In contrast, indoleacetic acid promoted lignification and the deposition of non-cellulosic polysaccharides only in the absence of added Ca2 +. When Ca2 + was added, the indoleacetic acid effect disappeared. Similarly, indoleacetic acid promoted non-cellulosic polysaccharide deposition only in the absence of ethylene. At increasing ethylene levels the effect of indoleacetic acid on non-cellulosic polysaccharide deposition disappeared and indoleacetic acid instead promoted cellulose deposition. The response to indoleacetic acid depended on the Ca2+ concentration and on the rate of ethylene production. The relationship between indoleacetic acid and Ca2 + seemed complex, but clearly indoleacetic acid could partially overcome a Ca2 + deficiency. The results suggest that ethylene may be a factor of particular importance for the type of polysaccharide deposition during cell wall formation.


The recycle of Chemical Mechanical Planarization (CMP) slurries has been actively considered in the industry to reduce the cost-of-consumables (COC) because of the sharp increase of the consumption of slurry in CMP. The main purpose of this study was to characterize the used oxide slurry physically and chemically to establish a means of reprocessing it. The characteristics of slurry were determined according to pH, solid content, specific gravity and particle size. These characteristics were affected and varied by deionized water inflow during the CMP process. The tetraethylorthosilicate removal rate was strongly dependent on the solid content and pH of slurry solutions. The solid content played a major role in determining the removal rates. Regardless of the number of polishings, the removal rate was almost the same at a solid content when it was modified by adding new slurry. The mean particle size of slurries did not change at all even in the five times recycled slurry. Even though there was a slight increase in the fraction of large particles in the range of 20 to 120 µm in the recycled slurries, no changes in thickness uniformity or defect density were observed when polishing was performed in either new or recycled slurry.


The second chapter describes the physical character of the study area in detail as a framework for understanding the analysis supplied in the chapters to follow. It also sets out the main sources drawn upon in the book, notably the physical remains of archaeology and the fabric of the historic landscape itself, as well as documentary sources such as Anglo-Saxon charter bounds, manorial records, deeds, legal records, and maps, which yield data about the use of space and about inhabitants' perceptions, the latter particularly revealed by the field names and bynames coined by local people themselves, and by legal depositions dealing with contested ownerships and customary practices. Key archaeological sources include village earthworks, excavated and standing buildings, and botanical and zooarchaeological remains. Archaeological fieldwork carried out as part of the project is described, including fieldwalking, test pit and trial trench excavation, extensive buildings survey, and measuring the soundmarks of church bells.


Steganography is the science or art of disguising the existence of information. There are various methods in steganography, in this digital era steganography is widely used on media such as image, audio and video. In general, steganography is done with a single insertion process and uses one cover to hide information, but in this research I used two digital cover image and two insertion process to trick the one who has no right in accessing the information. Spread Spectrum Image Steganography is used for the first insertion method in the spatial domain, whereas in the second insertion the Discrete Wavelet Transform method is used to transform the second cover image into frequency domain and the message is inserted by modifying the singular value using the Singular Value Decomposition method. The results show that the resulting stego-file has good imperceptibility and robustness. It is measured based on PSNR and SNR values on both insertion processes, SSIM on second insertion and BER at the extraction process.


Ž . Let U s U g be the quantum group associated to a semisimple Lie q Ž w x. algebra g of rank n by Drinfel'd and Jimbo see 6, 7 . The negative part y Ž w x w U of U has a canonical basis B see Kashiwara 8 and Lusztig 10, x. 14.4.6 with some nice properties. For example, via action on highest weight vectors it induces bases for all of the finite-dimensional irreducible highest weight U-modules. To calculate the elements of B explicitly is a Ž w x. hard problem; it is solved completely only in types A and A see 9, 3.4 . 1 2 w x In 11 , Lusztig describes a method to calculate certain elements of B. A monomial


Vehicle energy consumption and savings for the Toronto Bloor-Danforth Subway Line are evaluated. Two vehicle loads are chosen (for this evaluation) indicative of rush-hour and nonrush-hour operation. A comparison test run shows the numerical simulation to be within a few percent of actual measured data. Evaluation of round trip results indicate energy savings as high as 33 percent for a large vehicle weight, but based on daily operation, savings are more realistically 26 percent. The effect of long coasts (5 percent) on actual station runs is again shown to be detrimental to the energy savings for the regenerative system.


The failure of the flexible wheel is the most important factor affecting the life of the harmonic reducer. In this paper, the harmonic gear which is widely used in the field of robotics and aerospace is taken as the research object. The basic principle of the extended finite element method has been discussed. Then, the involute harmonic drive is modeled and loaded, and the area of maximum stress is obtained as the crack initiation position. Further, the damage model of the harmonic gear is established based on the extended finite element method, and the rim crack growth path of the flexible wheel is observed. And the influence of crack parameters on the propagation path has been discussed. Finally, the high power to weight ratio harmonic reducer is machined and tested.


A method for preparing a hydrolysis-resistant grafted modified ammonium polyphosphate having ultra-low water slipperiness, relating to the field of the preparation of flame retardant agents. Using aqueous ammonia as an aminosilane hydrolytic agent, and then adding the hydrolysed aminosilane and aqueous ammonia mixture during the initial phase of synthesising ammonium polyphosphate using the raw materials of phosphorus pentoxide, diammonium hydrogen phosphate, and melamine; continuing to heat the reaction, and when the temperature drops to below a specific temperature, adding melamine and continuing to react under a high temperature for a specific duration; and lowering the temperature to obtain hydrolysis-resistant grafted modified ammonium polyphosphate having ultra-low water slipperiness. As thorough grafting of the ammonium polyphosphate is implemented in separate stages using two grafting materials containing amino groups, the grafted modified ammonium polyphosphate product is not slippery on contact with water; and as excess melamine is added at a later stage, used not only for grafting modified ammonium polyphosphate, but also for reacting with incompletely polymerised acidic ammonium polyphosphate, polyphosphoric acid melamine salt is formed, preventing the production of water-soluble small molecules, and greatly reducing the water solubility of the product.


Objective To ascertain the infection of 3 pathogenic yersinias of rodent and S.murinu murinus yersinia of plague static phase in Guangdong.Methods The rats' sera(56 ℃,30 min)for testing. The liver and spleen were impressed and yolk broths were brought up. The tongue and the contents of ileocecal part in PBS solution were propagated (4 ℃)for 3 weeks and the above propagated bacteria treated were smeared on IN culture media(28 ℃,24 hrs)after treatment of KOH solution and the idenfication of suspicious colonies was made. Results Yersinia pestis and Yersinia Pseudotubercolosis were not detected and 2 strains of Y.enterocolitica and 1 strain of intermediate type Yersinia were detected separately. Conclusions Plague focus's pestis was on its Stistic phase in Guangdong.


Professional schools rarely prepare prospective academic faculty for the responsibilities of college and university teaching. Without this training, faculty are often left to discover job expectations on their own. At the same time, universities and colleges recognize that retention of faculty depends on the successful transition of academics into the related roles and responsibilities of the professoriate. This issue is further complicated by the observation that the landscape of teaching and learning has changed dramatically in the last 2 decades. Online learning, learning management systems and technology make it possible to teach and learn from any location, from a coffee shop to the comfort of one's home. Supplemented by technology, changes encompassing opportunities to teach from and learn in a variety of environments now require that university and college faculty assess the currency of their teaching skills. Taking time to assess what faculty know about teaching, educational research, and trying to discover what their teaching and learning needs are is crucial to


We are investigating methods to produce and characterize large diameter, uniform shells for beta‐heating experiments. A highly spherical cavity fabricated in a glass matrix is processed into a high aspect ratio shell (diameter/wall) by removing the excess glass surrounding the cavity. High silica glass is the preferred material because of its high permeation rates, which reduces the deuterium–tritium fueling time. It also provides great strength and a high degree of chemical durability. Cavity sphericity is a critical parameter for these macroshell targets. Although we do not have a direct method to measure cavity sphericity, it can be inferred by comparing the circularity of multiple planar images. Photographic prints or direct optical images are digitized and evaluated by a computer. Each image is fit to a circle and analyzed using fast Fourier transforms. The output data specify type, magnitude, and position of each nonuniformity. We will discuss the characterization instrumentation and procedures, foc...


Discussions around Covid-19 apps and models demonstrated that primary challenges for AI and data science focused on governance and ethics. Personal information was involved in building data sets. It was unclear how this information could be utilized in large scale models to provide predictions and insights while observing privacy requirements. Most people expected a lot from technology but were unwilling to sacrifice part of their privacy for building it. Conversely, regulators and policy makers require AI and data science practitioners to ensure optimal public health, national security while avoiding these privacy-related struggles. Their choices vary largely from country to country and are driven more by cultural aspects, and less by machine learning capabilities. The question is whether current ways to design technology and work with data sets are sustainable and lead to a good outcome for individuals and their communities. At the same time Covid-19 made it obvious that economies and societies cannot succeed without far-reaching digital policies, touching every aspect of how we provide and receive education, live, and work. Most regions, businesses and individuals struggled to benefit from competitive capabilities modern data technologies could bring. This opinion paper suggests how Germany and Europe can rethink their digital policy while recognizing the value of data, introducing Data IDs for consumers and businesses, committing to support innovation in decentralized data technologies, introducing concepts of Data Trusts and compulsory education around data starting from the early school age. Besides, it discusses advantages of data-tokens to shape a new ecosystem for decentralized data exchange. Furthermore, it emphasizes the necessity to develop and promote technologies to work with small data sets and handle data in compliance with privacy regulations, keeping in mind costs for the environment while bidding on big data and large-scale machine learning models. Finally, innovation as an integral part of any data scientist's job will be called for.


This paper aims at experimental analysis of composite box beam to estimate the material uncertainty. The deflection parameter has considered for analyzing the uncertainties present in material. The composite box beam is like a cantilever beam, where one end is fixed and at free end load is applied. In previous study free end deflection is calculated using Dial Gauges whose stylus will make point contact with proposed setup. But due to this contact it will create instrumental errors or manual error during experimentation. To avoid such situation the non contact device is developed called as Hall Effect Sensor which is the electronic device and it is works on electromagnetic field. If magnet is come in front of sensor it create magnetic field between them. The change in voltage or field is calibrated in terms of deflection of beam. In this paper, experimentation has carried out on four composite box beams which are manufactured by same process to find the material uncertainties and then the results are validated with COMSOL Multiphysics, software for same parameters. Index TermComposite Box Beam, Deflection, Hall Effect Sensor, COMSOL.


Load torque disturbance and the variations of parameters are contained in speed discrete time control system for permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM). In order to improve the robustness of PMSM control system, an adaptive control scheme based on normalized least mean square (NLMS) algorithm for parameters estimation is proposed in this paper. The sufficient condition satisfied with model adaptive compensation is deducted in detail. Additionally, get the compensation functions by the value of estimating parameter and the control scheme can drive the system controlled output to track the command like the nominal plant. Finally, the stability and rapidity of this control scheme are fully verified by the experiment of PMSM speed control system.


A 1/8.25 scale-model of the U.S. Navy Research Vessel ATHENA was tested in regular head-sea waves to obtain data for validation of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) predictive tools. The experiments were performed in the David Taylor Model Basin at the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC). With the model towed fixed in head-seas, horizontal and vertical loads on the model were obtained at two Froude numbers, $F_r=0.25$ and $F_r=0.43$. The model was run at two conditions of head-sea wavelengths corresponding to $\lambda=2L_o$ and $\lambda=1/2L_o$ with $H/\lambda=0.03$, where $L_o$ is the length of the model and $H=2 a$ is the wave height. The wave field perturbations induced by the head-sea waves were quantified from free-surface images generated by a laser light sheet. Predictions of the horizontal and vertical loads on the model in regular head sea waves were made with the Numerical Flow Analysis (NFA) code. Numerical predictions of the wave-field perturbations were compared with the experimental data and the correlation coefficients have been computed.


In the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7942 the proteolytic subunit ClpP for the ATP-dependent Clp protease is encoded by a multigene family (clpP1-3). Whereas clpP1 is monocistronic, the other clpP genes are arranged as two bicistronic operons with other clp genes (i.e., clpP2-clpX and clpP3-clpR). The induction of ClpP2, -P3, -R and -X was investigated during several physiological stresses including heat, cold, high light, salt and oxidation. Like the previously described ClpP1, the other four Clp proteins are not heat-inducible but they do increase gradually during high light and cold. High salt and oxidative stresses failed to elicit marked increases in ClpP2, -P3, -R and ?X protein, except for an initial rise in ClpP2 with salt treatment. Numerous attempts to genetically inactivate each clp gene resulted in viable transformants only for clpP2, indicating that ClpP3, -R and ?X are essential for Synechococcus. Unlike the earlier described D clpP1 mutant, the D clpP2 strain exhibited no significant phenotypic changes from the wild type. Expression analysis of the clp genes showed that despite being bicistronically arranged, clpP2-clpX and clpR-clpP3 produce primarily four monocistronic transcripts, although minor polycistronic transcripts could be detected. Mapping of the 5?-ends for clpX and clpP3 revealed promoters within the 3?-region of clpP2 and clpR, respectively. Transcriptional and translational studies further showed differences in the expression and regulation between the various clp genes. Inactivation of clpP1 causes a significant decrease in ClpP2 protein concomitant to small increases in both ClpP3 and ClpR, whereas inactivation of clpP2 resulted in a large rise in clpP1 transcripts but a lesser increase in ClpP1 protein. Similar small increases in ClpP3, -R and ?X proteins also occurred in D clpP2. These results demonstrate the regulatory complexity of the clpP multigene family and the essential nature of most Clp proteins in Synechococcus.


Background Bone metabolism is an equilibrium of resorption and growth, maintained by many regulating factors. Several molecules have been identified that estimate bone turnover, being P1NP and b-CTX the most commonly used. Many studies have shown a relationship between their levels and metabolic bone disease, and possibly with risk of fracture. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infected patients have lower bone mineral density (BMD), as documented on many studies. An increased incidence of fractures has been noted as well, probably due to predisposing factors related to HIV infection, apart from the traditional risk factors. Objectives To assess the relationship between mean values of bone biomarkers P1NP and b-CTX and incidence of vertebral fractures (VF) in a HIV infected population; and compare such values with those of a Spanish healthy population of reference. Methods We performed a cross-sectional study with HIV infected patients followed up in the Infectious Diseases Department of our centre from 2014 to 2016. P1NP and b-CTX values were determined and lumbar and thoracic spine radiographs made to assess presence of VF (Genant grading scale). Other clinical and demographic data were collected retrospectively. P1NP and b-CTX values in the presence (VF group) and absence of fractures (non-FV group) were compared. Mean values were also compared with the Camargo cohort, comprised of 1080 healthy postmenopausal Spanish women, used as reference. Statistical analysis were made with STATA. All patients signed and informed consent, previously approved by the Hospital's Ethics Comittee. Results A total of 144 patients were included, 38 were women with a mean age of 56,4 years old45–77 and 106 men with mean age of 56,5 years old.45–86 27 of the patients had at least one VF. No statistically significant differences were found between P1NP mean levels in the FV and the non FV groups, with values of 45,30 ng/ml (±17,59 ng/ml) and 49.48 ng/ml (±32,92 ng/ml) respectively, (p=0.52). Mean levels of b-CTX were 0,38 ng/ml (±0,18 ng/ml) in the VF group and 0,43 ng/ml (±0,22 ng/ml) in the non-FV group, again without significant differences (p=0,35). Mean general b-CTX values in our population were 0,41 ng/ml (±0,21); 0,46 ng/ml (±0,20) in women and 0,39 ng/ml (±0,20) in men. Higher levels were found in HIV infected women than in the Camargo cohort (0,38±0,19 ng/ml), with statistical significance (p=0.03). Mean general P1NP values were 48.34 ng/ml (±29.47), 58.63 ng/ml (±32.9) in women and 44.95 ng/ml (±27.56) in men, with no statistically significant differences found when HIV infected women were compared with those of the Camargo cohort, (47,7±19,9 ng/ml) (p=0.06), although a trend towards higher levels in HIV infected women was observed. Conclusions In the present study no correlation between P1NP and b-CTX levels in HIV infected patients and incidence of vertebral fracture was found. P1NP and b-CTX mean values in HIV infected women in our study are higher than those of healthy postmenopausal Spanish women, which means a higher bone turnover in this population. More studies are needed to clarify the extent and clinical impact of this finding. Disclosure of Interest None declared


To the Editor .—

We are pleased to inform the readership of Pediatrics that a recent press conference was given national coverage. The following statement was given to the news media in the United States1: "The Spina Bifida Association (SBA), the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and GRUMA S.A. de C.V., announced today during NCLR's 2006 Annual Conference their joint effort to help fight Spina Bifida. Through this joint effort, GRUMA, one of the world's largest producers of corn flour and tortillas, has begun researching and …


Expertise is developed through both a) self-reflection and b) making useful plans for improvement [3, 10]. Traditional novice-level programming assignments require neither of these skills to be used. Could we get students to think about improving their software development processes? What areas would they identify as needing improvement? Could they write effective plans for themselves? In this experience report, we analyze the results of an intervention with 236 CS1.5 students asking them to do these activities. We find that they most commonly make improvements in planning, compared to coding and testing. Additionally, over half of the plans they make are so vague as to be of little use in helping students identify if they have, in fact, improved. Finally, we asked students at the end of the term to reflect on how their experiences with programming assignments changed over the term. We discuss our results in light of how instructors can focus instruction to help students become more meta-cognitive about their own software development processes.


Indonesian students as EFL learners may acquire the language components in understanding English poetry. This article is based on the research report on acquiring language components in understanding English poetry. It addresses on two research questions; (1) What are the language components acquired by Indonesian students in understanding English poetry?  (2) How do Indonesian students acquire the language components in understanding English poetry? In order to answer these questions, a case study was conducted by doing classroom observation. This study found; (1) Indonesian students acquired language words and grammatical system in understanding English poetry. (2) Indonesian students acquired the language components in understanding English poetry by reading for understanding  the words they found while reading English poetry as well as the arrangement of words to be lines or the grammatical system and stanzas.  The exploration about how the language components gained in understanding English poetry needs to be conducted in order to be aware about the practice on reading for understanding English poetry as the process for developing language and literary skill. This study recommends the following researchers to conduct a research on the exploration for the classification of language components in understanding English poetry.


Delegated legislation is the needs of social development.Its campaign is more and more frequent,and its concerning scope is more and more broad.From currentreality,our country still has defects such as authority subject is not clear,the scope of authority item is not definite,authority provision is not standard,and supervi- sion mechanism of delegated legislation is not perfect etc.To perfect delegated legislation of our country,we should control from fountainhead as well as strengthen the supervision for course and the control of result.


Teamwork is the key to the future of effective technology management. Today`s technologies and markets have become too complex for individuals to work alone. Global competition, limited resources, cost consciousness, and time pressures have forced organizations and project managers to encourage teamwork. Many of these teams will be cross-functional teams that can draw on a multitude of talents and knowledge. To develop high-performing cross-functional teams, managers must understand motivations, functional loyalties, and the different backgrounds of the individual team members. To develop a better understanding of these issues, managers can learn from experience and from literature on teams and teaming concepts. When studying the literature to learn about cross-functional teaming, managers will find many good theoretical concepts, but when put into practice, these concepts have varying effects. This issue of varying effectiveness is what drives the research for this paper. The teaming concepts were studied to confirm or modify current understanding. The literature was compared with a {open_quotes}ground truth{close_quotes}, a survey of the reality of teaming practices, to examine the teaming concepts that the literature finds to be critical to the success of teams. These results are compared to existing teams to determine if such techniques apply in real-world cases.


Characterization of the exact critical current density (Jc) and stress values in twisted superconducting tapes plays an important role for analyzing their magnetic, thermal, and mechanical behaviors. In current study, a model based on artificial neural network (ANN) is introduced to estimate the electro-magneto-mechanical characteristic of different superconducting tapes. For this purpose, magnetic flux density, temperature, strain, total thickness of tape, it's width, thickness of stabilizer, and thickness of substrates are used as inputs to ANN model, whereas minimum normalized Jc and maximum stress are considered as outputs. The required experimental data are extracted from published papers in the literature. The ANN model was trained for Jc/stress estimation using extracted data by using different inputs. Sensitivity analysis was conducted on ANN models, which were used to estimate the Jc and stress values of tapes, to choose an optimum structure for ANN models to be used in future by other researchers in the superconductivity community. To check the reproducibility, repeatability, and stability of presented results, the estimations with ANN optimum structure were tested for 500 testing runs. We found that the ANN optimum structure was as one hidden layer with Levenberg–Marquardt training method and seven inputs. Comparing to the literature, the proposed ANN model offers about 15% and 1.1% higher accuracy in Jc and stress estimations, respectively.


As part of a study on structural characteristics and performance evaluation of two-way void slab system, vertical vibration of two-way void slab in newly constructed buildings was measured and analyzed. In two newly constructed buildings, vertical vibrational response for walking, running and jump was measured. The data was analyzed and evaluated based on Architectural Institute of Japan Environmental Standards (2004). The result showed that less than 10 % of people can recognize the vertical vibration for walking and running, and less than 50 to 70 % of people for jump, indicating good habitability performance for vertical vibration.


The paper outlines a methodology for the selection of functional profiles to be used in developing information infrastructures for transition countries, which should ensure end-to-end connectivity along with full user interoperability. Basic activities are defined, which encompass classification, analysis, comparison and assessment, while emphasis is given particularly to the definition of criteria for the selection of functional profiles along with the respective conformance issues. The place and role of this approach within information infrastructure conceptualization is defined, too, thus paving the way for the evolution of the information society.


This paper presents a new algorithm for distributed on-line evolutionary learning in swarm robotics. The challenge we address is to cope with the limited computation and communication capabilities of low cost robots, which are often used in swarm robotics. In order to do so, the algorithm decouples computation and communication and ensures learning of efficient control policies even when only a limited amount of information can be exchanged between neighbouring robots. We show experimentally that this algorithm is both remarkably robust with respect to its meta-parameter values, and able to adapt automatically to the available communication bandwidth.


The aim of this paper is to identify the state and trends in Croatian marine resource sector which determine the trade balance with Italy. Firstly, size and the structure of the marine fisheries in Croatia are investigated taking into account time trends and the effects of the EU common market policy. Furthermore, we compared the size of export and import of the fishery products. In particular, we look at the relevant indicator of trade with Italy. Since the wholesale market places are established with difficulties in Croatia, the trade channels of the marine fishery products are rather heterogeneous. Next, the market size and structure are analyzed for the specific markets, together with the analysis of the information asymmetry problems. The analysis results with several findings including that the total fish catch volume is accompanied by a decrease in fish catch value. Furthermore, the gap between Italian and Croatian catches in the Mediterranean Sea shrink, and more fish products are exported from Croatia to Italy than imported from Italy to Croatia. The average size of Croatian fishing fleet vessel is still much lower than the average fishing vessel size arriving at Croatian ports. Finally, fish market is underdeveloped in Croatia with low value added created along the trading chains.


Thin film systems play important roles in technology industry and scientific investigation. However, preparing atomically flat thin films over a macroscopic region is not an easy thing. Our motivation is trying to find a new method for growing flat thin films over a macroscopic region. The system in our investigation we used is Ag/A2u(111) quantum well system. Electron confinement inside Ag films causes quantization of electronic energy states. We use angle resolved photoelectron spectroscopy to investigate the thickness variation of thin films. The method we adopted is low temperature deposition and annealing to near room temperature. In the low coverage case, it could use the surface state to resolve the thickness variation. However in the high coverage case, it must use quantum well states to resolve. The results of our experiments show that low temperature deposition and annealing process is a good way to prepare flat thin films. The photoelectron spectra at different temperature measured during the annealing process shows some interesting physical phenomenon. We have a physical model to explain this phenomenon.


Physicians are often accused of being insufficiently interested in promotion and maintenance of good health. While there may be some truth to this charge, many physicians within the past decade have become much more acutely aware of the importance of their role as promoters of health and are seeking ways to improve their skills for serving this function. Recognizing the growing interest in this field, POSTGRADUATE MEDICINE introduces a series of articles on health promotion. In this first article, Dr Fletcher presents the rationale for health promotion by the primary care physician and provides specific how-to-do-it suggestions. Subsequent topics will include approaches to problems such as smoking cessation and stress management.—R.B.H.


An 8 1/2‐year‐old child without heart disease developed nonsustained atrial flutter by programmed atrial stimulation. Atrial re‐entry was the underlying mechanism.


The Liberal government's December 1994 white paper on defence sorely needed after nearly seven years of policy waffle following the abandonment of the 1987 white paper was the first formal post-Cold War reformulation of Canadian defence policy and priorities. (Defence policy 'statements' made by the Conservative government after 1988, including that of April 1992, were essentially incrementalist tinkering at the margins.) The main thrust of the new defence policy came, as promised, from a fairly extensive process of public consultation by the Special Joint Committee on Canada's Defence Policy, established by Parliament in late February 1994. The committee's report, tabled on 25 October 1994, reflected certain inevitable political compromises inherent in such a process, but nonetheless broke new ground in a number of areas. On balance, it was a thoughtful and coherent piece of work that neatly balanced the Variant' factors with the need for fresh ideas that could cope simultaneously with a severe fiscal crisis at home and gross instability, wid-


ontology through Der Gedanke (XVIII 93), in which he acknowledges the existence of ideal objects which are not "events" but "beings" (pp. 261-263). Concerning the author's interpretation of Frege's "semantical turning point," the reviewer would remark that no substantiation is given for the identification of senses with concepts. No reference is made either to Frege's statements contradictory to this thesis (see 490, p. 198: "concept is denotation (Bedeutung) of a predicate"; see also ibid., p. 193n, and the 1906 manuscript quoted by Dummett in The philosophical review, vol. 65 (1956), pp. 229-230) or to discussions on this point (for example, the one between Marshall and Dummett in the same journal (vol. 62 (1953), pp. 374-390; vol. 64 (1955), pp. 96-107, 342-361; vol. 65 (1956), pp. 229-230, 342-361)). Moreover, the reviewer cannot see what place is left, in the author's view, for senses of proper names (a notion widely acknowledged by Frege). Furthermore, if the identification of sense with concept is not secured, then both of the author's interpretations are open to question—that of the Begriffsschrift as dealing with senses, and that of Frege's semantical innovation as being the addition of denotations and objects to senses. Nevertheless, the reviewer acknowledges that considering concepts to be senses (without denying that names, too, have a sense) is theoretically right, although it is a dubious interpretation of Frege (see Church's XXII 286). Although the passages concerning formal logic are admittedly a secondary topic, they could be more clearly and carefully stated, and there are some shortcomings. For example, it is said that "the universal affirmative judgment, which was the premiss of the syllogisms of the first figure, s tays . . . in the last place in Frege's axiomatic theory, because the universal quantifier . . . has no primitive character but is deducible from the primitive scheme of implication" (p. 126), whereas the fourth modus of the first figure (Ferio) has no such premiss, and the universal quantifier does not seem to be deducible from the scheme here mentioned. Moreover, some historical views seem to be oversimplified: All logics prior to that of the Begriffsschrift are considered extensional (p. 77), and Kant's narrow conception of analyticity is said to be "classical" (p. 179) and "traditional" (p. 181). The author is not careful to follow Frege's own advice to distinguish "the sign from the thing signified" (see pages 206, 213, 244-245, 257). For example, Frege's statement on page 18 of 497, "Gegenstand 1st alles... dessen Ausdruck keine leere Stelle mit sich fiihrt" is wrongly translated as "object is... an expression ..." ("oggetto & ... una espressione ...") instead of "object is anything... so that an expression for it..." (p. 206, italics added). Notwithstanding these defects, the work is an interesting piece of research in the field of Frege's ontology. FRANCESCA RIVETTI BARB6


A limited number of molecular biomarkers are already successfully used in clinical glioblastoma diagnostics including IDH1 mutation and MGMT hypermethylation. However, they can only be determined by analyzing tissue specimens. Consequently, we are in need for non-invasive prognostic biomarkers that support pre-operative treatment choices. We therefore aimed at screening for prognostic serum antibodies against tumor-associated antigens (TAAs). For that purpose, we designed customized discovery peptide arrays covering the complete linear amino acid sequence of six known or newly discovered glioblastoma-associated antigens (EGFR, FABP5, GLEA2, MAGEA3, PHF3, TNC). 13mer-peptides were spotted as duplicates with a displacement of 3 amino acids. In order to identify the most prognostic of these 1745 peptides, we hybridized serum of 10 long-term surviving (LTS) and 14 short-term surviving (STS) GBM patients to the arrays. Intriguingly, we observed polyclonal antibodies against TAAs in both LTS and STS patients. Statistical analysis revealed serum antibodies discriminating between LTS and STS patients (p


According to the modern theory of stellar nucleosynthesis, heavier elements than hydrogen and helium were produced by nuclear fusion in stars, and then spread around the universe by supernovae, stellar winds, planetary nebulae and so on. One of the interesting predictions of this theory is that some elements were not produced as they exist today, but as radioactive precursors. For example, the most abundant isotope of iron, 56 Fe, originates from an unstable isotope of nickel, 56 Ni. This isotope is produced in supernovae and decays first to Cobalt and then to iron. Heavy elements that contain a large number of protons are stabilized through an excess of neutrons. But supernovae generally contain material with equal numbers of neutrons and protons. Nuclei formed from nuclear burning are often unstable, later decaying to a stable isotope with excess neutrons. Indeed, it is this radioactive decay of 56 Ni that makes a supernovae shine for months after its explosion. Very recently Sezer and Gok [1] also detected Fe-rich ejecta in the supernovae remnant. In astrophysics, the rates of neutron-capture reactions in r and s processes are proportional to the nuclear level densities (NLD) and are important in the synthesis of elements heavier than iron. Therefore nuclei in iron group are of particular interest. Shell corrections to the nuclear free energy are temperature dependent and they collapse at temperatures, T, of the order of 2 MeV[2]. The collapse of pairing correlations occurs at lower temperatures, T=0.5MeV [3] and collective excitations collapse at T=1MeV[4]. It has been shown that the temperature dependence of nuclear correlations can affect the value of ldp at low temperatures[5], and which disappear at T=4MeV. In 1994, Fewell [6] discussed about the statement of Bethe[7] that 56 Fe is the most strongly bound nucleus, which cannot be as per the existing theories. According to him, the tightly bound nucleus has A≈58.3 and Z≈26.6, if the shell effects are switched off. At this juncture, still the question of existence of 56 Fe than 62 Ni in supernovae is unanswered, even though the mean binding energy difference is of no importance to the theory of supernovae. Truran, Cameron and Gilbert [8] favoured 56 Fe has the highest BE/A, but Clifford and Taylor[9] are the first to identify 62 Ni has the highest mean binding energy. In this work we tried to answer the reason for the existence of 56 Fe than 62 Ni in supernovae remnants in the context of excitation energy, level density and thermal fluctuation, etc.


ABSTRACT In the present paper, an attempt has been made to machine micro holes on 500 µm thick borosilicate glass with 370 µm diameter Stainless Steel (SS) tool using Micro-Electro Chemical Discharge Machining (µ-ECDM). The machining parameters considered for the analysis are Voltage (V); Duty Factor (% DF) and Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) Electrolyte Concentration (wt% C).The output responses are Material Removal Rate (MRR), Tool Wear Rate (TWR) and Radial Over Cut (ROC). Experiments have been conducted using Taguchi L16 Orthogonal Array (OA). Signal to Noise (S/N) ratio technique has been used to optimise the machining parameters for individual output responses. The optimised parameters for maximum MRR are 65 V, 35 wt% C, 65% DF resulted in 890 µg/min of MRR, for minimum TWR and minimum ROC, the optimised machining parameters are 50 V, 20 wt% C, 50% DF resulted in 25 µg/m of TWR and 50 V, 20 wt% C, 50% DF resulted in 10.16 µm of ROC. Further, the Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) technique has been used to optimise parameters and the obtained parameters are 50 V, 20 wt% C and 60% DF which resulted in 365 µg/m of MRR, 25 µg/m of TWR and 33.8 µm of ROC. Abbreviations:ANOVA, ANalysis Of VAariance; DF, Duty Factor; ECM, Electro Chemical Machining; EDM, Electro Discharge Machining; GRA, Grey Relational Analysis; GRC, Grey Relational Coefficient; GRG, Grey Relational Grade; MEMS, Micro-electromechanical system; MRR, Material Removal Rate; OA, Orthogonal Array; ROC, Radial Over Cut; SS, Stainless Steel; S/N, Signal to Noise; TA, Taper Angle; TWR, Tool Wear Rate; µ-ECDM, Micro-electro chemical discharge machining


Coastal wetlands are among the most productive, valuable, and yet most threatened ecosystems in the world. They provide a variety of functions that reduce the impact of land-based management on the coastal zone such as slowing the fl ow of water from the mountains to the sea, trapping of sediments, and retaining or transforming nutrients. Numerous studies have reported that increased soil erosion and nutrient export from land-based management are threatening estuaries and coastal zones. Coastal wetlands are located at a critical interface between the terrestrial and marine environments and are ideally positioned to reduce impacts from land-based sources. There are various types of coastal wetlands including riparian wetlands, tidal freshwater marshes, tidal salt marshes, and mangroves. Some classifi cation systems also consider seagrass beds and coral reefs to be wetlands. Coastal wetland ecosystems vary in their ability to reduce impacts from land-based management in both space and time. These wetlands can retain, and transform, or sometimes even act as sources of nutrients and sediments. Some wetland types are more effective at sediment retention and others at nutrient retention. Watershed size, climate, and position of wetlands in a watershed are other important factors that determine the effectiveness of coastal wetlands in reducing the effects of land-based activities. Wetlands do not appear to be infi nite sinks for sediment or nutrients. Once critical sediment and nutrient loading thresholds have been crossed, coastal wetlands are subject to degradation and even loss. While many coastal nations have developed coastal-zone management policies and legislation, degradation and losses of coastal wetlands continue to occur due to altered hydrology, increased sediment and nutrient loading, urban development, agriculture, and aquaculture. While we have made signifi cant progress in our ability to restore and create tidal marshes and mangroves, other coastal systems such as seagrass beds and coral reefs appear to


A fuzzy PD controller that used in computed-torque control scheme is designed,a fuzzy self-tuning PD controller is proposed furthermore.Dynamics simulation are conducted based on a 3 DOF planar robot manipulator that with an end effector,the results are compared with the computed-torque control scheme that emploies constant PD controller,fuzzy PD controller and fuzzy self-tuning PD controller respectively.The results show that the scheme with fuzzy self-tuning PD controller can deal with influences resulting from the model uncertainty and decrease the tracking error effectively,thus provide the theory foundation for the practical control of the robot manipulator.


The effects of nine common food industry stresses on the individual lag time (lag) distribution of L. monocytogenes were determined. The distributions of lag obtained in a single re-growth condition revealed that there was a noticeable difference in response to the stresses encountered by the L. monocytogenes cells. The applied stresses led to significant changes in the shape, mean and variance of lag distributions (in a single re-growth condition). Then, the influence of re-growth conditions on lag distribution and on the probability to initiate growth were examined for L. monocytogenes cells previously subjected to a representative stress situation of the dairy processing. A linear relation was observed between means of lag and their standard deviation. A decrease in the probability of initiating growth for stressed cells was also observed as growth conditions became unfavourable. These results suggest that stress-induced variability may be important in determining the reliability of predictive microbiological models.


The main objectives of this book are to provide direction for teaching basic skills and to suggest where and how researchers might invest their energies if existing knowledge about effective teaching is to be expanded. Peterson and Walberg undertake these tasks by assembling a respected group of contributors who synthesize findings of empirical research on teaching, describe concepts that have given form to this research, and elaborate the implications of various studies. Much of the material presented has been discussed previously in AERA papers, monographs, articles, or chapters of other books, but this does not detract from the book's value. While reinforcing some important ideas, it raises fresh possibilities for improved research and practice. Drs. Peterson and Walberg are well qualified to serve as coeditors of this volume in a series on contemporary educational issues sponsored by the National Society for the Study of Education. Through her graduate study at Stanford and present work at the University of Wisconsin, Dr. Peterson has established herself as an authority on teaching effectiveness, teacher decision making, and aptitude-treatment interactions. Dr. Walberg is an educational/social psychologist trained at the University of Chicago with a rich background of work experience. He has participated in curriculum design and evaluation projects at Harvard, the University of Wisconsin, and most recently the University of Illinois, Chicago Circle. He is widely recognized as an expert on environmental factors affect ing learning and the implications of research for educational policy.


An x‐ray spectrometer based on the Johann bent‐crystal principle is described. An entrance slit system has been adopted which provides excellent protection of the diffracting crystal from metallic vapors. Such an arrangement also provides improved resolution and dispenses with the need for a thin film window between the x‐ray source and spectrometer tank. Resolution comparable to a two plane‐crystal instrument has been attained and systematic studies of the soft x‐ray emissions from liquid metals and alloys and metallic vapors undertaken.


PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent reactive components from being contaminated with one another and to realize optimal mixing efficiency of each reactive component in an assembly of a mixer and a multi-reactive component dispensing device. SOLUTION: The mixer 25 comprises a mixer housing 26, a mixer inlet section 27 having inlets 28, 29 for using as outlets of cartridges and a group of mixer elements 3. The mixer inlet section 27 having separating elements 3S and the group of mixer elements 3 are arranged so that the inlets 28, 29 of the mixer remain aligned with the corresponding and matching outlets of the cartridges, the separating elements 3S and dividing elements 3D of the group of mixer elements 3 while hermetically connecting the mixer 25 to the cartridge for optimizing the mixing of chemical components. The cross- contamination of the components is prevented by providing bayonet lugs 10 cooperated with bayonet prongs of the cartridge on the housing 26 for connecting the mixer and hindering the rotations of the inlet section 27, the dividing elements 3S and the group of mixer elements 3 with respect to the outlets while the housing 26 is rotated. COPYRIGHT: (C)1996,JPO


which such authors feature prominently and let the work stand or fall on its own. If this were done, the book would still focus on non-mainstream topics and ideas and it would give a more complete summary of the current state of research in topics covered by non-mainstream economists. Quibbling about the small things aside, this book is an excellent resource and I look forward to reading the other books in the series.


Finance industry is considerably applying six sigma quality process with the aim of eliminating defects. Six sigma is a powerful system. Basically it is measuring of quality that longs for perfection (3,4 defects on 1.000.000 transactions). The very name of this philosophy is important. The word "sigma" is a Greek letter which represents standard deviation, the term that describes how distant is the data from average or middle. "Six" parts is involved when one measures the things the company does right. This work shows the example of Six sigma concept implementation on the crediting process within the bank. For realization of improvement project DMAIC model is used. The process is recorded according to SIPOC model and improved by usage of tools and quality models. All this enabled achieving faster developing crediting process that has less variation of CTQs and possibility for management to monitor the process at any time.

 Key words: Six sigma, banking, improve, process, crediting.


This paper will seek to highlight the performance attributes of modern age polyethylenes, the use of which is being limited due to a lack of practical information in the marketplace, namely ambiguity over the definition of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE); lack of exposure to the performance characteristics of UHMWPE under real-life scenarios; and an incorrect perception of high pricing and lack of customisability.
This paper should condense not only the known UHMWPE information but also reflect it as a subset of piping applications specifically.
The UHMWPE family is traditionally thought of as the most impact and abrasion resistant of any PE, but it also has a technically unlimited number of grades (molecular weights) as defined by ISO 11542 (International Organization for Standardization 2001), which defines products only by their minimum melt flow index – an attribute not directly associable with abrasion or impact performance.
This paper will seek to distinguish specific mechanical data with reference to pipeline performance for specific grades, subsequently correlating and comparing against each other and the baseline PE product, high-density polyethylene (HDPE, PE100).
By directly comparing testing data and referencing site-specific performance, the author will endeavour to provide the first comprehensive article on this matter.


An investigation of the reaction of hydrogen atoms with butadiene was made at 28° and 252 °C. by the Wood–Bonhoeffer method. Ethane was the main product, with butane, butene, propane, and methane occurring in smaller concentrations. Trace amounts of propylene and acetylene were also found. Temperature had little effect on either the nature or the relative proportions of the products. A possible mechanism for the reaction is outlined.


In studies of behaviour, ecology and evolution, identification of individual organisms can be an invaluable tool, capable of unravelling otherwise cryptic information regarding group structure, movement patterns, population size and mating strategies. The use of natural markings is arguably the least invasive method for identification. However, to be truly useful natural markings must be sufficiently variable to allow for unique identification, while being stable enough to permit long‐term studies. Non‐invasive marking techniques are especially important in fishes of the Family Syngnathidae (pipefishes, seahorses and seadragons), as many of these taxa are of conservation concern or used extensively in studies of sexual selection. Here, we assessed the reliability of natural markings as a character for individual identification in a wild population of Nerophis lumbriciformis by comparing results from natural markings to individual genetic assignments based on eight novel microsatellite loci. We also established a minimally invasive method based on epithelial cell swabbing to sample DNA. All pipefish used in the validation of natural markings, independently of sex or time between recaptures, were individually recognized through facial colouration patterns. Their identities were verified by the observation of the same multilocus genotype at every sampling event for each individual that was identified on the basis of natural markings. Successful recaptures of previously swabbed pipefish indicated that this process probably did not induce an elevated rate of mortality. Also, the recapture of newly pregnant males showed that swabbing did not affect reproductive behaviour.


An analysis of food production capacity in Pakistan shows that sufficient food is available in the country. In addition, infectious diseases are on a decline, and educational and other services are reaching more and more people. Inspite of that, malnutrition persists throughout the country at high social and economic cost to the nation. Malnutrition can be defined as a state of human body which results from disease factors or from inadequate intake of nutrients, that affect digestion, absorption, transport and utilization of nutrients. This can be traced to internal as well as external factors. Internal factors are physiological in nature, which are usually caused by infectious diseases leading to pathological conditions. External factors on the other hand, are economic, social, political and cultural in nature which can influence the process of production and distribution in the society. Keeping in view the complex nature of the problem of malnutrition globally, freedom from hunger and malnutrition was declared a basic human right in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1 in 1948. The importance of this right was reiterated in the United Nations World Food Conference 2 in 1974, and elimination of hunger and malnutrition was adopted as one of the goals of the Third Development Decade. The concerns expressed at the global level adequately signify the gravity of the problem, to alleviate which actions must be initiated at the national level.


A new way about self-adaptive and dynamically seeking the optimum of extremum value control system is presented based on modifying the traditional way which can not automatically seek the optimum after the parameters of control plant has drifted. Control system can not only automatically identify the parameters but also automatically adapt the drift of parameters with the new way, so continuous stability and accuracy on dynamic running state of control system is realized.


Although lacking fine resolution as airborne sensors, satellite thermal remote sensors are important to urban thermal pattern researches. With the help of downscaling methods and spectral mixing analysis, medium spatial resolution thermal infrared satellite data can retrieve subpixel thermal characteristics by integrating higher resolution and multi-spectral data. Combining SPOT-5 and ASTER is a practical downscaling method among them. Several different means in such procedure are compared and result is acceptable.


Objective : Neoadjuvant chemotherapy has been proposed as an alternative approach to conventional radical surgery with an aim to improve morbidity and survival. General acceptance of neoadjuvant chemotherapy as an alternative to primary surgery for patients who are not ideal surgical candidates remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer which are inadequate for primary optimal surgery. Methods : A retrospective analysis of 18 patients was conducted to compare outcomes from December, 1995 to March, 2003. During the same period, 45 patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer received tumor debulking surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. From this group, 18 patients were selected according to age, histologic types and FIGO stage. A comparison of both groups of patients was done. The operation records and pathologic reports were reviewed and CT/MRI images and pathologic slides were reevaluated. Last follow-up of medical records and phone-call were used to find out patient's status. SPSS 10.0 (SPSS Inc. Chicago, IL) was used to confirm a statistical significance. Results : The optimal debulking (


Objective: The electronic structure of fetal heart rate monitoring equipment as well as fetal heart rate monitoring significance is specifically analyzed for correctly guiding engineering personnel and clinical personnel to know well this equipment, so that the disablement rate and mortality of perinatal infants are reduced through the skillful use of the equipment. Methods: The structural principle of the equipment is comprehensively analyzed, and all items of the monitoring equipment are also studied and interpreted. Results: Engineering personnel are promoted to know well equipment performances and also carry out effective maintenance; clinical personnel eventually become skilled in operating the equipment; pregnant women can receive a normal fetal heart rate monitoring in hospital; the range of the patients receiving the treatment is maximized as much as possible.


Structural active control is one of the most efficient systems available to protect building structures from destructive effects of earthquakes. Active control efficiency is highly dependent on control algorithm. One of the most important and challenging components of structural control is the development of an accurate analytical approach having less computational expenses. Block pulse functions have been studied and applied frequently in recent years as a basic set of functions for signal characterizations in systems science and control. The proposed method evolves minimizing computational expenses of analytical approaches by a novel method to suppress the responses of the structure based on block pulse functions. To prove the validity and feasibility of the proposed control method, numerical simulations of earthquake‐excited 10‐story shear buildings with active tendons are performed, and comparative results are presented. The uncontrolled and controlled responses of structural system are obtained by using the proposed method and compared with linear quadratic regulator method. The results reveal that the proposed method can be beneficial in reducing seismic responses of structures with high accuracy and less computational expenses. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Water content is an important factor in the deformation-destruction process of coal bodies. To analyze the influence of water on the creep acoustic emission (AE) characteristics of coal rock surrounding a borehole, we conducted graded loading creep AE tests of single-hole specimens with different water contents (0%, 4%, 8% and water-saturation) under uniaxial loading. The findings include the following: the water content affects the creep mechanical properties of the coal body around a borehole. The creep transient strain and steady-state strain increased exponentially with rising water content; the saturated specimen showed the highest increase, reaching 44.5% and 28.6%, respectively. The specimen water content affected the cumulative ringing count (CRC) and the axial strain during creep. The axial strain increased with rising water content, the CRC increased linearly with rising axial strain. The higher the water content, the greater the CRC rise. At different stress levels, the CRC in the 4%, 8% and saturated water content specimens changed by 43%, 53% and 74%, respectively. The AE ringing rate showed a pattern of grow–decline–stabilize at each creep stage. The AEs decreased significantly with the rising water content and the creep curve lagged behind the AE data. This paper provides guidelines for gas extraction, borehole maintenance and AE detection.


INTRODUCTION Before 2001, responsibily for selecting students for admission to the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) at Washington State University (WSU) and for evaluating and addressing cases of veterinary student academic deficiency both lay with the admissions committee. To avoid the potential conflicts of interest that can arise in such a situation (e.g., a faculty member who had argued strongly for selecting a student for admission subsequently being asked to consider whether that student should be dismissed from the DVM program), an ad hoc committee was formed to explore ways in which admissions and academic standards functions could be handled by two mutually exclusive bodies in the college. An extensive investigation revealed that in many medical schools (e.g., University of Arizona, University of Washington, and Southern Illinois University), academic deficiencies are managed by Student Progress Committees (SPCs). The ad hoc committee proposed the formation of an SPC at WSU, and the Dean adopted this proposal as a solution to the problem of potentially conflicting roles for the CVM admissions committee.


MJ0684 from Methanococcus jannaschii is a hypothetical protein belonging to the subfamily Iγ of amino acid aminotransferases. In the present study, the crystal structure of MJ0684 has been determined at 2.2 A resolution. It reveals that MJ0684 has an overall structure similar to subfamily Iγ aminotransferases and its active site architecture is most similar to that of kynurenine aminotransferases among several kinds of aminotransferases in the subfamily Iγ. It has two hydrophobic active site residues conserved in the kynurenine aminotransferases for recognizing hydrophobic substrates. In addition, the absence of any basic residue for recognizing the side chain carboxylic group of the aspartate in the active site rules out the possibility that MJ0684 would act as an aspartate aminotransferase. These structural observations collectively imply that MJ0684 is a novel archaeal homolog of the subfamily Iγ kynurenine aminotransferase.


Objective — to evaluate the sympathoadrenal activity in patients with resistant hypertension (RH). Materials and methods. The study was performed at the Regional Hospital (Odessa). The study involved 50 patients with RH (main group), average age — (59.5 ± 0.4) year, and 30 healthy individuals of the same age ((56.9 ± 0.7) year) – control group. Assessment of autonomic tone, autonomic reactivity and vegetative support, heart rate variability. Results. All patients of the main group have RH. The average daily value of office systolic blood pressure — (164.2 ± 2.5) mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure — (95.3 ± 1.6) mm Hg. Patients of the main group have hyperactivity of sympathoadrenal system, 39 (78.0 %) patients — sympathicotonia, the average index Kerdo was 1.14 ± 0.02. Ayton was recorded in 22.0 % of patients. Cases of parasimpatheticotonia in patients of the main group are absent. Conclusions. It is shown that in this group of patients have changes in the autonomic regulation of the heart rate, which is manifested in decrease of the value of ratio of low and high frequency components to 0.8 ± 0.1, sympathicotonia prevalence and increased autonomic response, activation devices ergotropic suprasegmental nervous system. The degree of sympathicotonia correlates with value of blood pressure (r = + 0.63). The clinical prospective method for decrease hyperactivity of sympathoadrenal system may be sympathetic denervation of renal arteries.


Smart, sustainable and inclusive growth is the basis for European 2020 strategy, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) being the backbone of European countries economies, this study aims to investigate the relation between small knowledge intensive firms (SKIFs) variables and gross domestic product (GDP) and business expenditure on research and development (BERD). To achieve this, European member states are analysed in the period of 2008 to 2012 using graphical analysis, panel data and clusters analysis. Through this study it can be seen that countries that have growth in SKIF values also have growth in GDP and BERD. The big contribution of this study is that a direct relation of SKIF to country variables is made.


1.INTRODUCTION Religion in Britain In the UK,Christians constitute about 71% of the population,but Britain is a multi-faith society and all other religions,including;Buddhism,Hinduism,Judaism,Islam and Sikhism are freely practiced.About 23% of Britons have no particular religion.


OBJECTIVE
This first-in-human, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial assessed the safety of NNC0114-0005, a human recombinant anti interleukin (IL)-21 monoclonal antibody, for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS AND MATERIALS
Healthy male subjects (HS (n = 44)) and patients with active RA treated with methotrexate (n = 20) were randomized 3 : 1 to single IV or SC doses of NNC0114-0005 (0.0025 - 25 mg/kg) or placebo. Safety endpoints, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics were assessed over 12 weeks.

RESULTS
All study participants were analyzed. 37 AEs were reported in 21 NNC0114-0005-treated participants (44%) and 18 AEs in 10 placebo-treated participants (63%), with no dose-dependency. The most common AEs were headache and nasopharyngitis; there were no injection-site reactions Linear pharmacokinetics of NNC0114-0005 were indicated (mean terminal half-life, 2 - 3 weeks). Dose-dependent total IL-21 (free IL-21 and IL-21‒NNC0114-0005 complexes) accumulation was observed. Preliminary signs of reduced RA activity were observed with 25 mg/kg NNC0114-0005.

CONCLUSIONS
Single doses of NNC0114-0005 (≤ 25 mg/kg IV; ≤ 4 mg/kg SC) were well tolerated in HS and patients with RA. Accumulation of IL-21-containing complexes suggests neutralization of the target cytokine. Based< on this trial, further trials to explore the efficacy of anti-IL-21 were initiated.


During an eruptive event, the near-real-time monitoring of volcanic explosion onset and its mass flow rate (MFR) is a key factor to predict ash plume dispersion and to mitigate risk to air traffic. Microwave (MW) weather radars have proved to be a fundamental instrument to derive eruptive source parameters. We extend this capability to include an early-warning detection scheme within the overall volcanic ash radar retrieval methodology. This scheme, called the volcanic ash detection (VAD) algorithm, is based on a hybrid technique using both fuzzy logic and conditional probability. Examples of VAD applications are shown for some case studies, including the Icelandic Grímsvötn eruption in 2011, the Eyjafjallajökull eruption in 2010, and the Italian Mt. Etna volcano eruption in 2013. Estimates of the eruption onset from the radar-based VAD module are compared with infrasonic array data. One-dimensional numerical simulations and analytical model estimates of MFR are also discussed and intercompared with sensor-based retrievals. Results confirm in all cases the potential of MW weather radar for ash plume monitoring in near [...] MARZANO, Frank S., et al. Near-Real-Time Detection of Tephra Eruption Onset and Mass Flow Rate Using Microwave Weather Radar and Infrasonic Arrays. IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, 2016, no. 99 DOI : 10.1109/TGRS.2016.2578282


CONTEXT
Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is reportedly increasing in the United States, possibly reflecting changes in screening methods. In Québec, the same initial TSH cutoff (15 mU/liter) has been used for the last 20 yr, but in 2001, the cutoff was decreased from 15 to 5 mU/liter for the second test, which is requested when TSH is intermediate (15-30 mU/liter) on the first.

OBJECTIVES
Our objective was to assess the incidence of CH over the last 20 yr in Québec.

DESIGN, SETTING, PATIENTS, AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE
This is a population-based retrospective study. Incidences by etiology based on thyroid scintigraphy with technetium were compared between 1990-2000 and 2001-2009.

RESULTS
Of 1,660,857 newborns over 20 yr, 620 had CH (incidence 1:2679). Etiology was dysgenesis (n = 389, 1:4270), either ectopy (n = 290) or athyreosis (n = 99), goiter (n = 52, 1:31,940), normal-size gland in situ (n = 115, 1:14,442), and unknown (n = 64, 1:25,950). The new screening algorithm identified 49 additional cases (i.e. 25 normal-size gland in situ, 12 unknown etiology, 10 ectopies, and two goiters). Consequently, the incidence of normal-size gland in situ or of unknown etiology more than doubled (1:22,222 to 1:9,836, P = 0.0015; and 1:43,824 to 1:17,143, P = 0.0018, respectively) but that of dysgenesis and goiter remained stable. Had the 1990-2000 algorithm been applied in 2001-2009, no change in incidence would have been observed in any category.

CONCLUSION
Estimating the incidence of CH is influenced by minimal changes in TSH screening cutoffs. Lower cutoffs identify additional cases that have predominantly functional disorders whose impact on intellectual disability, if left untreated, remains to be determined.


This article deals with the way of calculating the depth of a binary tree by recursion, which expresses the application of recursive algorithm in programme design. It also states, in detail, the executing process in recursive algorithm, which is very helpful for understanding recursive algorithm.


BACKGROUND
Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) channels in sensory nerves have anti-oxidative properties and counteract obesity and diabetes that are associated with diastolic dysfunction with preserved ejection fraction. We tested the hypothesis that TRPV1 knockout exacerbates high-fat diet (HFD)-induced glucose intolerance and diastolic dysfunction.

METHOD
Trpv1-/- and wild-type (WT) mice were fed chow diet or HFD for 20 weeks. Then, we performed the intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test, measured the heart function through transthoracic echocardiography and Langendorff heart perfusion system, analyzed cardiac histology, and measured the myocardial superoxide production and the expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidases.

RESULTS
HFD increased body weight, heart weight, and levels of fasting glucose, insulin, and leptin in both strains, with no differences between two strains. HFD impaired glucose tolerance in both strains with a more profound effect on Trpv1-/- than WT mice. HFD increased left ventricular (LV) internal diameter in diastole in both strains, while increased LV posterior wall thickness in diastole in Trpv1-/- but not in WT mice. HFD increased LV end-diastolic pressure in both strains with a further increase in Trpv1-/- mice, while decreased -dP/dt in Trpv1-/- but not in WT mice. HFDinduced cardiac collagen deposition and superoxide production were enhanced in Trpv1-/- mice. HFD upregulated cardiac p22phox in both strains, while increased p47phox in Trpv1-/- but not in WT mice.

CONCLUSION
In summary, TRPV1 knockout exacerbates HFD-induced glucose intolerance, cardiac oxidative stress and collagen deposition, leading to aggravated LV diastolic dysfunction.


Despite considerable interest in the relationship between Islam and political violence, there is little systematic empirical research that explores the intra-state conflict proneness of Muslim majority states. Existing studies either offer inconclusive evidence of a relationship or suffer from methodological flaws. If we analyze the proportion of countries with large Muslim populations that experience domestic armed conflicts, Muslim-majority states do in fact stand out. What explains the prevalence of political violence in the Muslim world and to what extent does religion play a role in promoting violence? Under which conditions ethno-political organizations opt for violent strategies to achieve their political goals? Under which conditions Islamist parties denounce violence and shift from radical to moderate, pragmatist positions? These questions are yet to be fully addressed. In an attempt to fill a gap in the extant literature, this dissertation investigates the empirical nexus between Islam and political violence/nonviolence by specifically focusing on the incidence of domestic armed conflict, group-level political violence (such as insurgency, terrorism, and genocide), and party moderation. I explore the role of religion and Islamist ideology in driving political violence in the first two quantitative chapters whereas the qualitative chapter focuses on Islamist party moderation. I argue that religion alone does not necessarily make countries more or less conflictprone. Socio-economic and political conditions usually determine the decision to resort to violence or alternatively to renounce violence and to moderate. Higher prevalence of repressive regimes, poverty, and youth bulges make Muslim-plurality countries very vulnerable to domestic conflict. The overall findings indicate that, contrary to suggestions and claims in the literature, neither religious fractionalization nor Islam promotes political violence once socio-economic and political factors are taken into account. Muslim-plurality states are indeed disproportionately involved in domestic armed conflict, but these states are also characterized by lower GDP per capita, oil dependency, state repression, autocracy, and youth bulges, all of which correlate strongly with domestic armed conflict. Moreover, the analysis of Islamist parties suggest that Islamist parties respond to societal changes, renounce violence and moderate their radical ideologies when they are given a chance to participate in the political system.


It is generally accepted that executives' perceptions are shaped by their work histories. Yet, a growing body of evidence is challenging this idea. This study reconsiders selective perception, sugg...


Since the discovery of graphene its extraordinary properties allowed to foresee many promising applications [1]. Graphene high sensitivity to the charges in its immediate environment, combined with its high chemical stability in contact with chemical solutions, makes graphene a potential choice as an alternative to existing biosensing technologies [2]. Screen-printed graphene electrodes available commercially are widely used to benchmark graphene sensor properties against other technologies [3]. However, screen-printed multilayered graphene lack the electronic quality of single-layer (SLG) chemical vapor deposited (CVD) graphene. In this work, after optimization of CVD conditions for SLG growth on 25 μm copper foils, electrochemical sensors and electrolyte-gated field-effect transistors were fabricated on 200 mm oxidized silicon wafers and tested as label-free immunosensors. The graphene electrochemical sensor (GES) was fabricated by introducing a polyaniline (PANI) conductive layer, via in-situ electropolymerization of aniline, onto a gold electrode covered by transferred CVD graphene. The PANI-coated graphene acts as the working electrode of a three terminal electrochemical sensor. The working electrode is functionalized with an antibody, by means of a simple process that enabled orientated antibody binding to the PANI layer. The antibody was attached to PANI following activation of the –COOH group at the Fc terminal. Functionalization of the electrode was analyzed and optimized using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) and Cyclic Voltammetry (CV). Chemical modification of the surface was characterized using Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), and Confocal Raman Spectroscopy. For the electrolyte-gated graphene field-effect transistors (EGFETs) a design was applied where the conventional wire used for the gate electrode is replaced by an integrated gate coplanar to the source and drain (Figure 1). For both GES and EGFET devices the contacts were processed using standard UVoptical lithography and clean-room processes. In this scheme, graphene transfer is postponed as much as possible, to avoid incompatibility with clean room processes used for patterning the other layers, while allowing for a single patterning step of graphene. Previous results obtained in the group with a screen-printed graphene electrode show that impedance increases linearly with increasing the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) protein concentrations in the range from 0.1 to 25 ng/mL. The detection limit was 0.016 ng/mL [4]. These results will be transferred to the new graphene devices aiming at a higher sensitivity enabled by the use of SLG. Graphene EGFETs with symmetric branches of the transfer curve (Figure 2a) and high carrier mobility (μh ≈ μe ≈ 1850 cm 2 V -1 s -1 ) were obtained after fabrication at the wafer scale (Figure 2b). The EGFETs were used as immunoassays for serpin detection. The graphene channel was functionalized using a linker (PBSE, Pyrenebutyric acid N-hydroxy-succinimide ester) followed by immobilization of anti-serpin antibody and subsequent detection of different serpin concentrations (Figure 3). The sensor signal is based on the linear part of the transfer curve of the transistor (either the electron or the hole branch). Figure 3 shows the shift in the transfer curve of the EGFET as the serpin concentration increases in the range from 0.01 ng/mL to 10 ng/mL. The sensor signal could be either the channel resistance for a fixed value of gate voltage or the gate voltage necessary to maintain a fixed source-drain current. The graphene EGFETs will be studied for the hCG detection and the results will be compared with those obtained with the GES.


(57) Abstract: eliminate the drawbacks associated with A prior art and provides a new solution to the problem of treating the gas stream obtained from the polymerization of polyolefins. A obtained from the production of polyolefins, and to a method of treating a gas stream where containing unreacted compounds, according to the method, compounds that are not condensed are separated from the gas stream by membrane separation, and, in the methods directed to the post-processing if desired, the gas stream to be directed to membrane separation is treated in two membrane separator units arranged in series, the light hydrocarbons are separated in one of the units and it recovered, and a method, wherein a hydrogen in the other units are separated and recovered.


Received: Revised: Accepted: 2013–12–11 2013–12–27 2013–12–29 The fetal membranes which are commonly called placenta are the connections between dam and fetus for the normal circulation of nutrients to fetus. If the placenta is not expelled within normal time, it is called as retention of fetal membrane. Retention of fetal membrane is the common cause of reduction of fertility in cattle. For the management of this disease, it is necessary to understand the etiology and pathophsiology of this disease. The normal separation of fetal membranes consists of complex hormonal process that starts before parturition in cattle. The causes of retention of fetal membranes include immature placentomes due to infections, induction of parturition, difficult birth, hormonal imbalance and nutritional deficiencies. The treatments which are commonly used for the retention of fetal membranes do not show the significant effects. The use of antibiotics minimizes the growth of microorganism in retained fetal membrane but they have not shown improvement in the subsequent fertility of affected animals. Recently, new treatments like injection of collagenase enzyme into umbilical arteries and intrauterine use of ozone gas produces useful results but these therapies are costly. The objective of this review is to understand the physiological processes of fetal membranes expulsion, causes and treatments of retention of fetal membranes. All copyrights reserved to Nexus® academic publishers