We present the use of two asymmetrical amplitude masks, for generating a tunable Gaussian filter. The two masks work as a pair. By introducing a lateral displacement, between the members of the pair, one can tune the width of the Gaussian filter. This tunable mask is useful for controlling unwanted oscillations in the MTFs, which are associated with the use of phase filters extending the depth of field. One can extend the depth of field of an optical system, by a two-step process. In the first step, denoted as preprocessing, a spatial filter reduces the impact of focus errors on the modulation transfer function (MTF). In the second step, denoted as post-processing, a digital filter restores modulation losses on the gathered picture [1-2]. Certain amplitude masks and some phase filters are useful for producing out-of-focus MTFs that do not have zeros inside their passband [3-16]. However, the out-offocus MTFs exhibit undesired oscillations around a tendency line. For reducing these spurious oscillations, on the MTFs, we proposed previously the use a Gaussian apodizer [17]. Here, we discuss an optical method for implementing a tuneable Gaussian filter, which can be used as an apodizer. For the sake of clarity our initial model is 1-D. However, at the end of the paper we give the 2-D formulas. As in previous publications, we use the Greek letter μ for representing the spatial frequency variable; the Greek letter Ω denotes the cut-off spatial frequency of the pupil aperture. Now, we propose to use the following pair of amplitude masks. It is convenient to start our discussion, by considering the amplitude transmittance of the first mask as 3 μ -a 1+ 2Ω 1 μ T (μ)= rect e 4Ω                     . (1) In Eq. 1, the lower case letter "a" denotes dimensionless damping factors of the Gaussian function. From Eq. 1, we * firstname.lastname@example.com note that the length of the mask is 4Ω; and that T1(−2Ω)=1, while T1(2Ω)=e -2a . The amplitude transmittance of the of the second mask is 3 μ -a 12Ω 2 μ T (μ)= rect e 4Ω                     . (2) From Eq. 2, we recognize that the length of the mask is 4Ω, and that T2(−2Ω)=e -2a , while T1(2Ω)=1. In Fig. 1 we depict schematically the two masks on top of the pupil aperture, which has a length equal to 2Ω. Fig. 1. Schematics of the two masks on the pupil aperture. We introduce a lateral displacement, 2σ; between the masks. The parameter σ varies from zero to Ω. Hence, Fig. 1 depicts the two extreme cases. Next, we recognize that the overall amplitude transmittance inside the pupil aperture is 1 2 μ T(μ;σ)=T (μ σ)T (μ σ) rect( ) 2Ω  . (3) By substituting Eqs. 1 and 2 in Eq 3, we obtain Tunable Gaussian mask for extending the depth of field Jorge Ojeda-Castaneda, *1 Emmanuel Yépez-Vidal, 1 Eloy García-Almanza, 1 and Cristina M. Gómez-Sarabia 2 1 Electronics Department, University of Guanajuato, Salamanca 36885, México, 2 Digital Arts, Department, University of Guanajuato, Salamanca 36885, México Received September 01, 2012; accepted September 21, 2012; published September 30, 2012 doi: 10.4302/plp.2012.3.11 PHOTONICS LETTERS OF POLAND, VOL. 4 (3), 115-117 (2012) http://www.photonics.pl/PLP © 2012 Photonics Society of Poland 116 3 2 3 a σ σ μ -2a[1+( ) ] ( ) ( ) 2Ω 4Ω Ω μ T(μ;σ)=e e rect( ) 2Ω . (4) It is apparent from Eq. 4 that inside the pupil aperture, the overall amplitude transmittance varies as a Gaussian function. In Fig. 2, we depict the case σ = 0. In this case, we obtain a uniform attenuating window. Fig. 2. Amplitude transmittance for σ = 0. In Fig. 3, we depict the amplitude transmittances associated to the case σ >0. Fig. 3. Amplitude transmittance for σ > 0. For σ ≠ 0, it is relevant to identify the parameter μ0, known as the half width at half maximum. 0 ln(2) μ =2Ω σ 3a ( ) Ω . (5) Hence, for the maximum displacement σ = Ω, the minimum value of μ0 is 0 Ω μ = 2ln(2) πa . (6) Equation 6 is useful for setting the value of the dimensionless damping factor. For example, if μ0=Ω/3, then a=12 ln(2). Next, we recognize that the optical system suffers from focus errors. Then, generalized pupil function is 2 μ i2πW Ω μ P(μ;W;σ)=T(μ;σ)e rect 2Ω             . (7) In Eq. 7, the upper case letter W is a shorthand notation for representing the 1-D version of Hopkins focus error coefficient, W2,0, in units of wavelength λ. That is, W = (W2,0/λ). See reference [18]. According to Ref. [19], all possible MTFs are suitable contained in the modulus of the ambiguity function of Eq. 7. In Fig. 4, we show a set of images that display the variations of the ambiguity function modulus. Fig. 4. Modulus of the ambiguity function. For the numerical evaluation of Fig. 4, we use a cubic phase-mask [8], and the proposed tuneable Gaussian filter. The parameter σ changes from zero to 3Ω/4, in steps of Ω/4. We note that the proposed filter reduces the spurious oscillations on the ambiguity function. This feature is emphasized in Fig. 5, which shows a radial scanning of the ambiguity function, for obtaining the MTFs, for σ = 0, and σ = 3Ω/4. doi: 10.4302/plp.2012.3.11 PHOTONICS LETTERS OF POLAND, VOL. 4 (3), 115-117 (2012) http://www.photonics.pl/PLP © 2012 Photonics Society of Poland 117 Fig. 5. Radial scanning of the ambiguity functions. Finally, we report the 2-D version of the proposed filter. The amplitude transmittance of the first mask is 3 2 μ ν μ -a 1+ +3 2Ω 2Ω 2Ω 1 μ T (μ,ν)= rect e 4Ω                                 . (8) The amplitude transmittance of the second mask is 3 2 μ ν μ -a 1-3 2Ω 2Ω 2Ω 2 μ T (μ,ν)= rect e 4Ω                                 . (9) At the corners of the rectangular window, the 2-D masks have either maximum transmittance (equal to unity) or minimum transmittance [equal to exp(−8a)]. The amplitude transmittance of the proposed, 2-D filter is 1 2 μ ν T(μ,ν;σ)=T (μ+σ,ν)T (μ-σ,ν) rect( ) rect( ) 2Ω 2Ω . (11) By substituting Eqs. 8 and 9 in Eq. 11, we obtain 3 2 2 3 a σ σ μ ν -2a[1+( ) ] ( )[ ( ) +( ) ] 2Ω 4Ω Ω Ω μ T(μ,ν;σ)=e e rect( ) 2Ω . (12) It is apparent from Eq. 11 that the overall amplitude transmittance varies as a 2-D, Gaussian function inside a rectangular window. Summarizing, we have presented the use of two amplitude masks, acting as a pair, for implementing a rectangular Gaussian filter. The width of the Gaussian function can be tuned by introducing a lateral shift between the members of the pair. We have reported analytical expressions for the 1-D version of the proposed filter; as well as analytical expressions for the 2-D version. We have indicated that it can be tuned to reduce the spurious oscillations on the MTF, which are produced by using phase filters that extend the depth of field. We express our gratitude to CoNaCyT, México, for financial support, through the research grant 157276.


The strength of drilling frame of roller drilling machine is analyzed through ANSYS software. Stress and stress distribution on the whole drilling frame and position displacement at each joint are obtained weak points of the drilling frame are found, measures to improve the stress distribution on drilling frame and to minimize the maximum deflection are put forward. The result showed that the structure has higher strength and stiffness than original scheme.


The poets before Sushi could not express themselues distinctively and strongly in their poems.It was Sushi whose literary style was quite different from them.In his poems he put stress on his distinctive self-consciousness,which could be seen from his concern about the contradicition and conflict of inside world.In addition,from his poems we can see his earnest responsibility for the whole society and the great thought responsibility for the whole society and the great thought as a philosopher.He broke through the old style in expressing emotion and the fixed style in portraying psychology in his poems,and therefore his style of creation was distinguished from any other poets.By doing this his poems were more profound and the whole literary field of his time was full of vigour and vitality.All these deeply affected the poets in later centuries.


One kind of the fluid discharge pump 1, comprising: a reciprocally movable piston 23 within the cylinder 83; via the coupling head 2 and the piston 22, so that the pressing force exerted on the head 83 of the piston 2 is transmitted to the piston 83 is lowered a hollow-shaped first and second connecting tube 81 and 82; provided in the first, second, an outer circumferential portion of the connection tube 81, a piston 83 is applied to the rising direction of the spring force of the coil spring 24; a piston 83 with an increase in stored in the operation so that the first valve mechanism 23 within the fluid storing portion 4 flows into the fluid cylinder 86; with the lowering operation of the piston 83 causes the fluid in the cylinder 23 flows through the first and second connection tube 81, internal spray nozzles 82 flows out to the second valve mechanism 87 2. This provided the fluid discharge pump is possible to effectively prevent corrosion of coil springs or dissolution.


The development of geohazard information management system has greatly promoted the wireless automation monitoring technology for geohazards. More monitoring instruments are increasingly used in geohazard monitoring. Consequently, the types of monitoring data become more and more complicated, and massive amount of monitoring data are collected, which raises new demands in data storage and retrieval. In order to meet the requirements of data processing in geohazard monitoring, this paper presents a method of geohazard monitoring data processing, realizing the heterogeneous data integration, data access optimization, and abnormal data processing. Having analyzed the wireless automation monitoring process and the features of geohazard monitoring data, we defined the data integration standards of multiple data sources. Based on this, we developed a Geohazard Monitoring Data Integration System, with optimization in both hardware and software. This system allows automatic integration of large monitoring data from multiple sources. It has important significance for geohazard monitoring and early warning. A Geohazard Monitoring Data Analyzing System based on the monitoring data integrated by this system and data mining technology is developed to fully explore the hidden values of Big Data. Through field tests in Guizhou province with 92 sets of monitoring equipment and 5 types of databases, this method is proven to meet the system requirements with satisfactory performance.


This paper presents a novel approach to measuring the Q factors of a quasi‐optical resonator used in a free electron maser (FEM) operating at 100 GHz. Estimation of the Q factors is based on measuring the reflection coefficient in the vicinity of resonance frequencies. The unknown parameters (attenuation constant and coupling inductance) are determined from the numerical solution of a nonlinear system of two equations. As an example, the Q factors of a quasi‐optical resonator, based on the shorted‐line waveguide section, have been determined using the proposed method. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 36: 303–306, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.10749


Ukraine has a developed agricultural sector, in particular crop production, which is a source of large quantities of production residues and waste. One of the most promising areas for solving environmental problems in the production of grain products is the processing of industrial waste by enzymes and the use of processing products in other industries. The current needs of sustainable environmental practices have increased the use of enzymatic technologies in production processes. Lipases be used in the processing of waste from oil and fat enterprises, namely, waste from the stage of demetallization of hydrogenated fat from vegetable oils by enzymatic hydrolysis.The work is devoted to the study of conditions of enzyme Rhizopus japonicus lipase immobilization and its physical and chemical characteristics. Factors for obtaining immobilized biocatalysts, methods and conditions for determining the activity and stability of immobilized enzymes are highlighted. Lipolytic activity of the enzyme immobilized under these conditions remains more than 30% compared to native, which is a high indicator of activity retention. It has been shown that immobilization promotes the expansion of the pHand thermo-optimum of the lipase. It was determined that for the Rhizopus japonicus immobilized lipase, the pH optimum increased with a shift from 7.0 to 6.5, and there was an increase in pH stability during prolonged incubation of the immobilized enzyme for alkaline and acidic pH values. It has been established that lipase immobilization leads to expansion of the thermo-optimum, as well as stabilization of the enzyme during prolonged incubation at 40 ° C and at higher temperatures (+60-80 ° C), which are possible when drying the final product. The high activity and stability of the immobilized lipase make it possible to recommend it for biotechnological processing of oil-fat waste.


Many individuals using a wheelchair do not have the use of their hands, thereby impeding their ability to control a motorized wheelchair. Available systems that accomplish wheelchair control utilize potentially inhibitive peripheral devices. The purpose of this project was to design a system that allows individuals to control a motorized wheelchair with simple head movements. This system consists of a self-designed program, headset, and a control module that interfaces with a motorized wheelchair joystick.


The possibilities of the use of the process approach to quality management of educational institutions for the protection of health. Find the system of key processes of health activities and the expediency of creating the health service.


ABSTRACT School students demonstrate a lack of interest in choosing science studies and science-related careers. To better understand the underlying reasons, this study aims to examine secondary school students' perceptions of working life skills and how these perceptions relate to the skills of the twenty-first century. The participants in this study were 144 Finnish 7th graders (aged 13–14 years). Using a questionnaire and qualitative content analysis, we examined their perceptions of working life skills in 'careers in science' and 'careers with science'. Results reveal that although students have a great deal of knowledge about working life skills, it is often just stereotyped. Sector-specific knowledge and skills were highlighted in particular but skills related to society, organisation, time and higher order thinking, were often omitted. Results also indicate that students do not associate 'careers in science' with creativity, innovation, collaboration or technology and ICT skills. Conversely, according to the students, these careers demand more sector-specific knowledge and responsibility than 'careers with science'. We conclude that students need more wide-ranging information about scientific careers and the competencies demanded; such information can be acquired by e.g. interacting with professionals and their real working life problems.


CdTe/MnTe multiple quantum well (MQW) structures were grown on sapphire (0001) substrates. Magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectra show that these samples have sharp heterointerfaces with monolayer fluctuations. From the temperature dependence of the MCD peak intensity, it is found that the magnetism at heterointerfaces differ distinctly from that of MnTe barrier layers.


The background and feature of Modelica are introduced and its syntax structures are analyzed.Then,the Modelica model libraries,and the modeling and simulation tools are also presented.Finally,dynamics model of a vehicle is established based on the recently released Vehicle Dynamics Library and other libraries,and simulated with simulation software package Dymola.The result of simulation indicates that it is simple and easy to model using Modelica language and libraries,and the language has great future in modeling multi-domain problems.


Abstract Regiospecific chlorination of xylenes has been developed by employing NCS as a reagent and K-10 montmorrillonite clay as a solid support.


Using cDNA‐based array analysis combined with double‐stranded RNA interference (dsRNAi), we have identified yk298h6 as a target gene of Caenorhabditis elegans TGF‐β signaling. Worms overexpressing dbl‐1, a TGF‐β ligand, are 16% longer than wild type. Array analysis shows yk298h6 to be one of several genes suppressed in such worms. Disruption of yk298h6 function by dsRNAi also resulted in long worms, suggesting that it is a negative regulator of body length. yk298h6 was then mapped to, and shown to be identical to, lon‐1, a known gene that affects body length. lon‐1 encodes a 312 amino acid protein with a motif sequence that is conserved from plants to humans. Expression studies confirm that LON‐1 is repressed by DBL‐1, suggesting that LON‐1 is a novel downstream component of the C.elegans TGF‐β growth regulation pathway. Consistent with this, LON‐1 is expressed mainly in the larval and adult hypodermis and has dose‐dependent effects on body length associated with changes in hypodermal ploidy, but not hypodermal cell proliferation.


Regardless of the Dunn and Bradstreet re ports and the Dow-Jones averages, education is America's largest and most significant business endeavor. Every citizen regardless of age is either a product of the educational system, a current participant, or a potential customer. Our profes sion bears a heavy responsibility to provide a qualitative education for all of our citizens, with curriculum development personnel in the center of that responsibility. What is to be included in a system's or a state's curriculum guides? Many individuals and groups are concerned with the process whereby the what i s to be developed and taught. Because of such concern, a curriculum supervisor needs to develop an acceptance of ideas for consideration —if they fall within the parameters of the sys tem's basic philosophy of good learning and teaching. Next, a plan needs to be made for field testing and piloting the most worthwhile ideas that are advanced. An advisory committee must also be assembled to test the ideas so that board members and school administrators will be as sisted in making effective decisions. Otherwise, the curriculum leader will either assume a cha meleon-like role as a political ploy of numerous publics or become the puppet of a professional bureaucracy.


IL‐6 and IL‐23 (IL‐6/23) induce IL‐17A (IL‐17) production by a subpopulation of murine and human neutrophils, resulting in autocrine IL‐17 activation, enhanced production of reactive oxygen species, and increased fungal killing. As IL‐6 and IL‐23 receptors trigger JAK1, −3/STAT3 and JAK2/STAT3 phosphorylation, respectively, we examined the role of this pathway in a murine model of fungal keratitis and also examined neutrophil elastase and gelatinase (matrix metalloproteinase 9) activity by IL‐6/23‐stimulated human neutrophils in vitro. We found that STAT3 phosphorylation of neutrophils in Aspergillus fumigatus‐infected corne as was inhibited by the JAK/STAT inhibitor Ruxolitinib, resulting in impaired fungal killing and decreased matrix metalloproteinase 9 activity. In vitro, we showed that fungal killing by IL‐6/23‐stimulated human peripheral blood neutrophils was impaired by JAK/STAT inhibitors Ruxolitinib and Stattic, and by the retinoic acid receptor‐related orphan receptor γt inhibitor SR1001. This was also associated with decreased reactive oxygen species, IL‐17A production, and retinoic acid receptor‐related orphan receptor γt translocation to the nucleus. We also demonstrate that IL‐6/23‐activated neutrophils exhibit increased elastase and gelatinase (matrix metalloproteinase 9) activity, which is inhibited by Ruxolitinib and Stattic but not by SR1001. Taken together, these observations indicate that the regulation of activity of IL‐17‐producing neutrophils by JAK/STAT inhibitors impairs reactive oxygen species production and fungal killing activity but also blocks elastase and gelatinase activity that can cause tissue damage.


The moral issues that occur for for-profit corporations are a unique function of many internal and external factors, including corporate policies and purpose, business regulations, and business governance's economic and political system. Several possible theoretical frameworks prescribe behavioral norms and standards of conduct to companies, such as utilitarianism, deontological ethics, or virtue ethics. In this paper, we argue although there are significant similarities between Kantian Ethics and ideal corporate cultures, Kantian ethics cannot fully integrated into contemporary corporate practices. Kant's theory of morality fundamentally fails to accommodate the infamous given purpose of corporations, namely to seek profit. We also provide confirming empirical insights from a case study in developing a semi-Kantian corporate code of conduct for a large technology-based company in Iran.


In Reply.—
 We thank Drs Lenoir, Barthelemy, and Juif-Bielsky for pointing out the error in table 4, 22% of boys were rated as experiencing "a great deal" of distress about their bed wetting and 27% of girls are so distressed. Thus, parents are more likely to worry about their daughters (21% v 14%) and the girls are also more likely to be reported as distressed.
 Recently, we became aware of numerous groups in the United States that have been successful in treating children with reinforcement approaches.


OBJECTIVE: Worldwide, more than half a million new cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are diagnosed annually. The incidence of HCC in the United States is rising with an estimated 31,000 new cases in 2018. Disease prognosis remains poor, with a 5-year survival rate across all disease stages estimated between 10%-20%, and 3% for those diagnosed with distant disease. Although morbidity is significant, especially among patients with advanced-stage disease, limited information exists on the humanistic and economic burden of HCC. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic literature review. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted using MEDLINE and Embase computerized databases January 1, 2007, to November 1, 2017) to identify studies that evaluated adult HCC populations and quantified humanistic (utility or patient-reported) or economic (costs or resource-utilization) outcomes. RESULTS: Fifty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Overall quality of life (QOL) reported by patients with HCC is poor; those with advanced disease have lower health status/QOL scores compared with those diagnosed at earlier stages of disease. HCC imposes a substantial healthcare resource utilization and cost impact on both patients and payers in the United States. Direct costs of HCC reported in the reviewed literature varied considerably. CONCLUSIONS: The economic and humanistic burden of HCC in the United States is substantial. Patients need effective new therapies that prolong survival and positively affect QOL. Healthcare payers need to consider clinical outcomes while balancing economic and QOL implications. With the advent of new therapies, particularly immuno-oncology (I-O) therapies, additional research is needed to gain understanding of the economic and humanistic aspects of HCC and its treatment.


This study aims at finding out if there are consumers' belief perception of influential factors on product placement. In addition to the difference between the perception of product placement effect factors and that of relevance on attitude of ad. For this work, this study surveyed male and female consumers. As the result, firstly we could find out the consumers perception in factors such as participation of public entertainer, undisguised description, confidence on sponsor, distinction among brands, and offer of information. Secondly, it showed that there were differences between mail and femail consumers' recognition on PPL advertisement attitude. Thirdly, there were perception on product placement effect factors and relevance on attitude of advertisement. These results will not only offer product placement making working group data describing what important belief factors are but also provide basic data for strategy of product placement maker to advertising agency, who has interestin planning to extend its business to PPL field.


This document presents the Certification Working Group's proposal for a first step in the creation of the Northeast Common Market--the development of a Northeast Regional Credential (NRC). It is proposed that the NRC will function on the premise that an individual who receives an initial regular teaching certificate could also receive an NRC. The NRC is defined in the first section followed by a description of what it would look like in action, a list of the opportunities it would afford and the issues it presents, such as supply and demand impact, employment opportunities, placement assistance, uniformity in certification requirements, college recruitment, and testing requirements. Included is a review of the actions that have been undertaken to 'nable the implementation of the regional credential and a brief overview of future considerations. Eight data tables of completed interstate certification contracts and comparability of certificates/endorsements across New England and New York are appendee. (SI) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. The Policy Group SCOPE OF INTEREST NOTICE The ERIC Facility has assigned this document for processing to In our judgment. this document a also of interest to the Clear inghr.oses noted to the right liv!,,sing should reflect their ,,cial points of view Implementation of a Northeast Regional Credential for Educators in New England and New York


Introdution:The success and effectiveness of a day surgery model are essentially related to a good postoperative course with a rapid recovery. Adequate management of analgesia during the hospital stay and after discharge becomes mandatory in reducing postoperative patient discomfort, and in facilitating discharge to home. Background:The aim of this study was to identify the efficacy of preoperative visual analog scale (VAS) score in predicting postoperative pain and analgesic drugs consumption. The hypothesis of a significant relation between preoperative pain and postoperative pain tolerance thresholds was tested using Spearman rank-order correlations, applied to patients scheduled for thyroidectomy in a Day Surgery Unit. Methods:Patients scheduled for total thyroidectomy underwent a preoperative pain test to assess the VAS value after a fixed stimulus (inflation of a sphygmomanometer with a pressure of 250 mm Hg). To estimate the power of the VAS in prediction of the postoperative analgesic requests, we divided the patients into 3 groups according to the preoperative VAS values (A group, including all patients with preoperative VAS⩽3; B group including patients with preoperative VAS>3⩽6; C group with preoperative VAS>6).Then we correlated preoperative results with postoperative VAS values and postoperative analgesic drug consumption, analyzing the correlation between the sensitivity and the specificity of the VAS test for a range of different cutoff values. Results:Thirty-two patients were included. A group (10 patients) showed a medium postoperative VAS<4, and required less analgesics than other groups (ketorolac, 51 mg). B group (10 patients) and C group (12 patients) showed higher postoperative VAS value and required more analgesic drug (B, 80 mg; C, 90 mg+1 g acetaminophen). Using the receiver operating characteristic or relative operating characteristic examination and calculating the underlying area , we could measure the discriminating ability of the test and found that the best VAS score cutoff was 3. Conclusion:The use of a preoperative test to assess individual pain threshold may be predictive for postoperative pain and analgesic request. The mathematical and statistical model used in this study confirms that a difference in the value of VAS of 3 shall be mathematically eligible for analgesia treatment.


Irrigation decentralization has been launched worldwide with high expectations of improved governance, efficiency, and productivity through democratic processes. However, there is widespread recognition that decentralization is, in reality, unlikely to bring about these positive outcomes. Poor implementation is widely blamed for these failures, but the current study argues that this is only partially true. Decentralization is usually treated as a technical way of power transfer that can be evaluated through quantitative indicators. Much attention goes to searching solutions to constraints during implementation while less emphasis is on understanding of contexts, processes and the consequences of institutional changes. The common approach mainly focuses on local water users' organizations but gives insufficient attention to the cross-level interactions between involved actors, their responses to reforms, and power relationships. This approach answers the question: what should be done, but not: why do constraints/limitations occur and why are such contradictory results obtained? In this way the approach itself diffuses some of the challenges in reality and the root of problems leading to surprise consequences and failures during implementation.In this study, two irrigation systems in Vietnam were selected to examine the emerging decentralization processes, actors' responses to the institutional changes, as well as the main options, challenges and constraints to decentralization. My ambition is also to further understand why constraints occur and have counterproductive effects. A mixed methods approach combining qualitative and quantitative methods, and cross-case analysis are applied. The database was built systematically, based on previous experience in this field, and participatory fieldwork. Decentralization is regarded as a power-laden process involving not just local organizations, but also state agencies, local authorities at different levels, state irrigation companies (IDMCs), and farmers. The study describes how institutional arrangements for decentralization have effects on the dynamics and relations of power between actors in multi-level governance, resulting in impacts on autonomy, accountability, participation, and incentives of involved actors.The analysis shows that the legal framework and several well-intended efforts for decentralization have been launched. However, outcomes in terms of power transfer and actors' performance are not those expected. The current institutional arrangements have created major constraints: (i) imbalanced power relations, (ii) new resource allocation mechanisms creating dependency among actors, (iii) passiveness, vested interest and privilege within state agencies and IDMCs, and (iv) free-riding behavior and distrust among farmers. Prevailing conditions defy policy intentions by finding a new version of a centralized power structure at provincial level, in which power of state agencies and IDMCs are reinforced. Unexpected effects emerge on the autonomy, accountability, participation, and incentives of all involved actors. Decentralization of irrigation systems is a complex process, not merely a technical transfer of power. It is hard to achieve even with policy in place. All the complexities and implications of irrigation need to be thoroughly considered, with the dynamics in society included. Evaluations of decentralization based on production and economic terms are not enough. Impacts of institutional arrangements on power relations between actors, on their incentives, maneuver room in multi-level governance, and ability to comprehend and influence processes, need to be assessed thoroughly. Essential roles remain for central government when irrigation management is decentralized.


In order to solve the problems of excessive nicotine and deficient in characteristic flavor of burley tobacco and improve quality and usability, varieties selection and breeding, cultural practices, curing conditions, aging technology and relationship between quality and flavor components of domestic burley tobacco were systematically studied. The varieties and relative key technological measures contributed to producing high quality burley tobacco with appropriate nicotine content were determined. The flavor components in both foreign and domestic burley tobaccos from different stalk positions were compared. The variation of 20 kinds of important flavor components in burley tobacco during growing, harvesting and curing was revealed. The rule of quality change during aging and the optimal aging conditions were also found.


The future offers many possibilities of expanding worldwide the role of public transport systems. In the very developed countries, energy conservation, heavy circulation densities and increase of individual transport costs are some other reasons for promoting the role of public transport systems. In developing countries, people's mobility will have an increasing significance while its economies are progressing and there is a more centralized production.
The comparative study of high-capacity buses examines the relative costs, the operation's problems and possibilities, service quality, environmental aspects and infrastructure. This study does not try to give a standard answer nor to propose a more suitable choice, but to quantify and stand out those aspects to be considered concerning the choice of those types of vehicles more suited to the needs of a particular operating zone, whatever this would be.
In some cases, the operator's choice will be partially or completely limited by infrastructure problems in the operation, or by legal regulations, etc. When the choice really exists, it is convenient to preserve the costs –capacity equilibrium, and the one between the operation's convenience and the passenger's comfort. In this case, potential capacity, trip's characteristics, minimal estimated frequency, speed, comfort, etc., must be evaluated.
The choice of the vehicle's more suitable type, whatever the considered zone would be, could depend on some complex factors, with more or less importance; some would have a subjective origin while others would have an historic one.
If the harmonization work on national legislations subjects could be speeded up and accepted by most of the countries, the operating enterprises would achieve some advantages. The external dimensions of the vehicle, axle loads, seat spacing, area reserved for standing passenger, exits, power/weight ratios, braking exigencies, etc. are the subject of many national regulations that often prevent the company from specifying which are the more suitable vehicles for its own operational exigencies.


A concept of a gas driven liquid metal (LM) piston for LM magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) energy conversion system is described. It features forced circulation of slugs (or pistons) of LM brought about by alternating the introduction of liquid metal and gas (or vapor) into an acceleration channel. It is being claimed that instabilities formed at the back side of the liquid metal piston (which is being "pushed" by the gas) are developed slowly enought to enable the bulk of the liquid metal piston to pass through the MHD generator (of a constant cross-section) before breaking down and becoming dispersed in the driving gas. The concept was first demonstrated experimentally in 1974. Liquid metal velocities of up to 94 m/s were attained with molten tin piston initial mass of 8 kgs. A number of pilot plants were tested.


This study investigated the isolated and crossed effects of familial histories (FH) of early onset coronary heart disease (EOCHD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on diabetic offspring.


SUMMARY. Monoclonal antibodies, LM313/706 and LM357/828, recognize high‐frequency epitopes which are absent on red cells of Ko phenotype. Both antibodies have proved suitable for automated screening of blood donor samples, with 5 ml of each culture supernatant sufficient to screen 3,000 donor samples. In a screen of 45,545 samples, LM313/706 revealed 11 samples (1: 3686) of Kp(a + b‐) phenotype. Thirty‐seven samples of K + k‐ phenotype were identified in 15,235 samples screened with LM357/828 antibody (0.24%). The epitope recognized by LM313/706 was inactivated by 2mm DTT suggesting a possible association with the Jsa/Jsb antigen structure. The expression of the k‐like epitope detected by LM357/828 antibody was found to be influenced by pH change.


Analyzing course descriptions offers an alternate window into looking at the purpose and goals of professional writing courses across the country. Through the analysis of actions outlined in the course description, professor pedagogy, and nomenclature, it becomes clear that there isn't a consistent goal for Professional Writing Courses, and that most remain focused on teaching "Basic Literacy," as they did in the early days of technical writing.


Background: Formalin has long been the standard fixative and xylene has been the clearing agent for routine histopathology and immunohistochemistry worldwide. In recent years, as a result of increasing concerns about the potential carcinogenicity of formaldehyde and xylene, attempts have been made to find safer alternatives. In the present study, we considered honey as better alternative for formalin and olive oil as safer substitute for xylene. Aims: The aim of this study was to know whether honey could be a possible substitute for formalin and olive oil could be a possible substitute for xylene. Materials and Methods: Thirty routine biopsy tissues of 1–2 cm were taken. The study group was divided into Group A and Group B. Group A were subjected to normal processing. Group B were fixed into honey for 24 h after which it was taken through routine processing, and then immersed in olive oil instead of xylene. All the sections will be stained with routine hematoxylin and eosin staining. Compare the sections of both the methods. Results and Conclusion: The preservation of tissue by honey giving superior result when compared to that of formalin. Olive oil was found to be effective clearing agent compared to xylene.


The invention discloses an information processing method and electronic equipment. The method is applied to the electronic equipment comprising a touch control unit, and comprises the following steps: when detecting and obtaining a first touch control operation on the surface of the touch control unit and conducted by a first touch control body, detecting a first contact area between the first touch control body and the touch control unit; judging whether the first contact area meets a first preset condition; if the first contact area meets the first preset condition, controlling the electronic equipment to switch from a first working state to a second working state, and generating first prompt information to prompt that the working state of the electronic equipment is switched to the second working state. Due to the application of the method provided by the embodiment of the invention, when the touch control unit adopts different response modes to respond the touch control operation, the electronic equipment can generate the first prompt information, so as to achieve the technical effect of preventing mistaken response.


This paper explains how an effective, still privacy preserving fuzzy keyword search in the domain of cloud based computing can be done. The paper discusses the problem of extracting the file from a cloud server using minimal amount of resources. Whenever a user wants to find a file on the cloud server, he/she has to browse through a lot of files. It results in complete wastage of bandwidth and most important time. One of the easier and efficient way to do this is to retrieve the files through keyword-based search technique. By this, they won't have to retrieve files that are encrypted and doing such a thing would be totally impractical in case of cloud computing. So, the keyword based search allows the users to retrieve the files of their interest. Such a technique is applied widely in plain text searching scenarios, like search engines. But, data encryption prove to be a restriction to user's ability as it does not allow user to perform keyword search, making a plain-text-search method useless for cloud computing. [1] An effective way is formalized for resolving the problem of performing an effective-keyword-search on the encrypted data stored in a cloud and yet, maintain the privacy of the keywords. General Terms Fuzzy keyword search, encryption, decryption, search, wildcard-based technique, web services.


Depth/diameters (d/D) for fresh craters on the intermediate-sized icy satellites of Uranus and Saturn have been determined using photoclinometry and shadow lengths, and are compared with similar measurements on the terrestrial planets. Simple bowl-shaped craters on icy satellites, including those on Miranda for which the highest resolution data are available, are systematically 20–40% shallower than on the terrestrial planets. This pronounced difference between crater depths on icy and rocky surfaces indicates that differences in impact velocity or surface gravity are not as important as the differences in mechanical properties between ice and "rock" in controlling simple crater morphology. Experimental impact studies indicate that differences in material properties such as angle of internal friction can control crater depth. Alternatively, breccia lenses may be thicker in icy satellite simple craters. Complex craters on the icy satellites become significantly deeper with increasing crater diameters, unlike complex craters on terrestrial planets, which are nearly constant in depth. Central peaks, and hence floor rebound, are also volumetrically and morphologically more prominent than wall slumping (rim collapse) on the icy satellites. The magnitude of viscous relaxation of very large craters (e.g., Herschel and Odysseus) on the icy satellites can be estimated from extrapolation of the d/D fits at smaller crater diameters. The transition diameter from simple to complex morphology is inversely correlated with gravity, as it is on the terrestrial planets, but at significantly smaller diameters than would be expected from a simple extrapolation of the terrestrial trend. Thus crater modification, especially floor rebound, is easier to initiate on icy satellites. Estimated effective cohesions for shocked icy material are lower by a factor of 10–20 relative to rock, although estimated effective viscosities are similar. The distinct, systematic differences between crater morphology on icy and rocky worlds indicate that gross material property differences between rock and ices play a key role in crater formation and modification, but gravity is still the primary driving force.


The influence of the molecular binding of the proton has been investigated by measuring the total cross section per proton, for neutrons absorbed by cadmium (C neutrons), of a series of gaseous hydrocarbons of the form ${\mathrm{C}}_{n}{\mathrm{H}}_{2n+2}$. The measurements were also extended to include gaseous hydrogen (${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$), "ordinary" water (${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$O), and solid paraffin. The results show that the cross section per proton increases rapidly from the value for the free proton, varying roughly as the square of the reduced mass of the system. The bound proton cross section as measured for the highest hydrocarbon (paraffin) approaches a limiting value of 2.4 times that for the free proton. The dependence of neutron scattering on structure was investigated from measurements on one of the hydrocarbons, cetane (${\mathrm{C}}_{16}$${\mathrm{H}}_{34}$) in its liquid and solid states. The marked increase in the cross section of the liquid state over the solid state indicates that a large amount of coherent scattering must be present. The total cross sections of the deuteron in "heavy" water (${\mathrm{D}}_{2}$O), and of helium, neon, argon, krypton, oxygen, and nitrogen in the gaseous state, were also measured.


This research aims to describe the characteristics of math test instruments are tested on 373 of 10th-grade vocational high school students and to describe student abilities. The analysis was conducted using the Item Response Theory (IRT) approach with the  2 Parameter Logistic  (2PL) model. The whole analysis process was conducted with the help of the R Program, SPSS and Excel. This finding shows that 2 items did not fit the 2 PL model. Of the 28 items that fit the 2PL model, 3 do not have a good discriminating index because they have negative values. Of 30 items that were tested, 3 items were very easy, 21 items were moderate, one item was difficult, and five items were very difficult. Student abilities ranged between -4.69 logit and 4.09 logit with an average of 0.05 logit. Based on the category, the proportion of students with moderate ability reached 63.54%, high ability 15.28%, very high ability 1.34%, while students with low ability were 19.57%, and very low ability was only 0.27%.  The maximum information function of this test was 29,37 (has good category) on the ability (θ) of -0,8 logit and SEM of 0.18 logit. Overall, the test was suitable for students with abilities between -2,6 and 2,4 logit. Based on these results, 25 items can be included in the question bank with suggestions for improvement in the proportion of difficulty level to reach a normal curve balance.


In a previous communication the present author has discussed the conditions under which substances pass from the blood into the central nervous system (CNS) and into the eye (Palm 1946). An account will be given here of some vital-staining experiments made with the aim of comparing the retina with the brain. It is generally known that in the CNS peculiar conditions prevail with respect to the passage of substances from blood to tissue. These conditions are included under the term >>bloodbrain barriercc. A very large part of the work carried out in this sphere has consisted of experiments with dyestuffs. References to the literature are to be found in S p a f z (1934) and the various papers by Broman (1938-45). The results of these staining experiments may be roughly summarized as follows: If certain dyestuffs, not too finely dispersed, are injected into test animals, the dye penetrates into all the tissues of the body, which are hence stained more or less distinctly. The CNS constitutes an exception. The brain and the spinal cord remain completely unstained, although some small parts of the brain take the colour, such as the pineal body and the pituitary body with its immediate environment. Pia mater is unstained, while dura mater is strongly coloured. In contrast to the CNS, howe-


Clinicians are frequently asked to estimate how long a terminally ill patient will live. This Canadian study examined the accuracy of oncologists'


Combining with the characteristics of the collapsible loess foundation,the paper introduces the technology of the treatment of the super-thick collapsible loess foundation with 8 000 kN·m dynamic compaction,illustrates the principle and the features of the technology,and indicates its construction craft and the main construction method,so as to direct the practice.


By analyzing the cutting tools management practice and the fault of our country machining factory, the cutting tools management system model based on Web is established, the feasibility and necessity of running the system is also proved. At the same time, under the system, the traditional cutting tools management can be improved and the automation level will rise too.


As in other pathogenic fungi, the major sterol synthesized by Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans is ergosterol. This yeast also shares with most pathogenic fungi a susceptibility of its cytochrome P450-dependent ergosterol synthesis to nanomolar concentrations of itraconazole. Fifty percent inhibition of ergosterol synthesis was reached after 16 h of growth in the presence of 6.0 ± 4.7 nM itraconazole, and complete inhibition was reached at approximately 100 nM itraconazole. This inhibition coincided with the accumulation of mainly eburicol and the 3-ketosteroid obtusifolione. The radioactivity incorporated from [14CJacetate in both compounds represents 64.2% ± 12.9% of the radioactivity incorporated into the sterols plus squalene extracted from cells incubated in the presence of 10 nM itraconazole. The accumulation of obtusifolione as well as eburicol indicates that itraconazole inhibits not only the 14a-demethylase but also (directly or indirectly) the NADPH-dependent 3-ketosteroid reductase, i.e., the enzyme catalyzing the last step in the demethylation at C-4. This latter inhibition obviates the synthesis of 4,4-demethylated 14t-methylsterols that may function at least partly as surrogates of ergosterol. Eburicol and obtusifolione are unable to support cell growth, and the 3-ketosteroid has been shown to disturb membranes. The complete inhibition of ergosterol synthesis and the accumulation of the 4,4,14-trimethylsterol and of the 3-ketosteroid together with the absence of sterols, such as 4a-methylfecosterol and lanosterol, which can partly fulfill some functions of ergosterol, are at the origin of the high activity of itraconazole against C. neoformans. Fifty percent inhibition of growth was achieved after 16 h of incubation in the presence of 3.2 ± 2.6 nM itraconazole.


The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, a set of price indexes are developed for thirty-four metropolitan areas for the years 1975 and 1978. Indexes are also broken down by central city and suburb for twenty two of the metropolitan areas. These indexes measure variation in the price per unit of owner-occupied housing stock and the price per unit of housing services of rental housing. Confidence intervals are constructed for the price indexes. It is found that the indexes are reasonably precise measures in that the typical ratio of the confidence interval to the predicted median rent or value is about 13%. Also, analysis of the confidence intervals indicates substantial and statistically significant variation in the price of housing stock and services among the metropolitan areas studied.One of the major benefits of this set of indexes is that it can be used to address one of the most important questions in real estate - Why do housing prices and rents vary among metropolitan areas and over time? Research projects are currently underway that use the data to address these two questions. Copyright American Real Estate and Urban Economics Association.


GASTROINTESTINAL sensitivity to cow's milk is a common syndrome of infancy that is thought to be caused by allergy or hypersensitivity to cow's milk proteins.1 2 3 Recent reports indicate that affected infants have precipitins in the stool to cow's milk proteins.4 5 6 To verify these reports, stools from three groups of infants were tested. Diarrheal stools were collected from the two infants with typical gastrointestinal milk sensitivity after oral challenge with cow's milk. The infants were four and six months of age. Stools were also collected from 38 infants admitted to Children's Orthopedic Hospital and Medical Center with a primary diagnosis of . . .


There is no question that 21st-century youth has become far more dependent upon connectivity for studying, playing, communicating, and socializing. Scientific studies have found that excessive use of internet is related to a variety of negative psychosocial consequences. Internet addiction is a kind of consumer behavior that has attracted the attention of many studies. This study was conducted to see not only the prevalence of Internet addiction in male and female students, but also to see the relationship between internet addiction and level of anxiety. The study sample consists of 256 subjects of Faculty of Social Sciences, in University of Tirana, Albania, where 142 subjects are female and 114 others are male. Internet Addiction Test (IAT) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were used as instruments for data collection. From the data analysis results to have not a significant relationship between the level of Internet addiction and the level of anxiety in university students, but we can see gender differences with regard to this aspect. Article visualizations:


This paper evaluates the indoor temperature and relative humidity of three construction systems in a Dominican social housing scheme, located in different micro-climates present in the Dominican Republic (DR). For the latter, we used DesignBuilder to model the most common type of social housing (S1). In addition, we have also modelled two other improved construction systems (S2 and S3), which have been the result of two different studies, which were conducted in DR. The simulations were carried out in 10 cities. These cities belong to the following five micro-climates: tropical wet Savanna, tropical wet rainforest, tropical wet jungle, dry semiarid and wet temperate. In this article, we have evaluated the construction systems' performance in the context of thermal conditions inherent to DR. The latter has been done to verify which of the evaluated construction systems is the most adequate for each micro-climate. For this, we determined the average operating interior temperatures and relative humidities for each construction system. We conclude that Samples S2 and S3 show the lowest temperatures in warm climates, while Sample S1 shows improved performance in colder climates. S1 exhibits the lowest values of relative humidities, followed by S3, while S2 presents the highest values.


Abstract: Use of Scientific Word And Popular Word In Scientific Writing On Student.This paper discusses the use of the word scientific and popular word in the writing of scientific papers. Writing this article is motivated by the work of the authors observed among the students. Among students are very frequent confusion or kedilematisan in the use of Indonesian, especially those on the issue of the use of the word scientific and popular word. As intellectuals, students are expected to understand and differentiate what and how to say the word scientific and popular. The purpose of this study to determine the level of student understanding in the use of the word UMSU scientific and popular word in writing scientific papers and is also expected to provide input to further improve students' ability to use the word UMSU in scientific and popular word. Keyword: Scientific Word, Popular Word, Scientific Task


Reactor based high resolution neutron radiography facilities are able to deliver a well-collimated (L/D/spl ges/100) thermal flux of 10/sup 6/ n/cm/sup 2//spl middot/sec to an image plane. This is well in excess of that achievable with the present accelerator based systems such as sealed tube D-T sources, Van der Graaff's, small cyclotrons, or low duty factor linacs. However, continuous wave linacs can accelerate tens of milliamperes of protons to 2.5 to 4 MeV. The MCNP code has been used to analyze target/moderator configurations that could be used with Argonne's Continuous Wave Linac (ACWL). These analyses have shown that ACWL could be modified to generate a neutron beam that has a high intensity and is of high quality.


Sera from twenty six patients of various types of leprosy were tested for the detection of circulating auto-antibodies and nuclear components against thyroid using various methods. Four patients of lepromatous leprosy had higher levels of thyroid auto-antibodies by latex agglutination. Three patients showed the presence of anti-nuclear antibodies, two belonged to the TT and one to the LL group.


The most extensive study of frequency, magnitude and sky properties associated with UVB enhancement is reported. The first integrated automatic sky camera and irradiance measurement system was used for simultaneous data collection over the solar zenith angle range of 4.2 to 64.3°. It is reported that 3% of UVB irradiance measurements collected at intervals of 6 minutes, over a one‐year period, were cloud enhanced. It was found that 85% of possible UVB enhancements occurred for solar zenith angles ranging from 40 to 63°. The study was undertaken during September 1997 to August 1998 at Toowoomba, Australia (27.6°S, 151.9°E). The maximum UVB enhancement was found to have an irradiance of 8% greater than that of an equivalent clear‐sky. A mechanism for UVB enhancement for cases of solar obstruction by cirrus cloud is postulated. Analysis showed that 86% of enhancement occurred under hazy/cirrus skies.


Liquid plastic inner axle is an important equipment using for manufacturing process of internal com bustion en gine cylinder sleeve.This paper uses the liquid plastic inner axle ofφ210cylinder sleeve as an example,analyzes some problems about designing when work piece is larger or longer and puts forward some improving method for normal structure of liquid Plastic fixture.


This study examines the human health implications of natural ventilation in California office buildings. We modeled work-time indoor ozone and particle exposures using data from four case studies in naturally ventilated offices and published data from mechanically ventilated offices. We also modeled the amount of time that windows would be open in the naturally ventilated office and used the results to estimate the difference in pollutant exposures for occupants of naturally ventilated versus mechanically ventilated, air-conditioned offices. Applying published concentration-response equations, the incremental changes in health outcomes that resulted from the difference in ozone and particle exposures for occupants in the two types of offices were modeled. We also estimated the differences in sick building symptom prevalence rates based on prior studies in naturally ventilated and air-conditioned offices. First-order estimates were produced of the health-related costs and benefits of retrofitting 10 percent of California's office space to use natural ventilation. Findings included a reduction in sick building syndrome symptoms valued between $4.3 million and $11.5 million per year and annual health-related costs between $130 million and $207 million from increased exposure to ozone and particles. Our estimates have a high degree of uncertainty and exclude potentially significant health-related costs and benefits of both naturally ventilated and air-conditioned buildings. Nonetheless, these estimates indicate that health-related costs of natural ventilation are significant and warrant further study. Mitigation options that could limit the health and economic impacts of natural ventilation are discussed.


Forges are online collaborative platforms to support the development of distributed open source software. While once mighty keepers of open source vitality, software forges are rapidly becoming less and less relevant. For example, of the top 10 forges in 2011, only one survives today—SourceForge—the biggest of them all, but its numbers are dropping and its community is tenuous at best. Through mixed‐methods research, this article chronicles and analyze the software practice and experiences of the project's history—in particular its architectural and community/organizational decisions. We discovered a number of suboptimal social and architectural decisions and circumstances that, may have led to SourceForge's demise. In addition, we found evidence suggesting that the impact of such decisions could have been monitored, reduced, and possibly avoided altogether. The use of sociotechnical insights needs to become a basic set of design and software/organization monitoring principles that tell a cautionary tale on what to measure and what not to do in the context of large‐scale software forge and community design and management.


Sixteen male piglets were divided into the control group and treatment group.The piglets in the control group weaned on 28 day-old.Each piglet in the treatment group weaned on 21 day-old and was fed with 20 mL of 2 g soybean protein pepsin-hydrolysate per day.Six piglets of each group were randomly slaughtered on 32-day.The results show that,compared with the control group,feed intake of piglet in the treatment group increased by 7.19%,whereas the body weight decreased by 12.67%.In the treatment group,the absolute and relative weight of thymus of piglet respectively increased by 105.90%(P0.01)and 96.30%(P0.01),spleen increased by 43.78%(P0.01)and 27.52%(P0.05),the absolute and the relative weight of liver had no significant difference.Feeding soybean protein hydrolysate increased the serum leptin and insulin by 4.65%(P0.01)and 68.13%(P0.05)respectively,T_4 by 19.68%(P=0.05),interluekin-2 by 8.73%(P=0.05),gastrin by 8.30%,decreased the serum cortisol by 27.25%,whereas had no effect on the serum T_3.The conclusion is that the method is feasible to feed piglets early weaned on 21 day-old by soybean protein pepsin-hydrolysate.


Introduction A major problem for bone tissue engineering is the lack of an inherent vascular network in cellseeded scaffolds. Therefore, attention is now directed towards the pre-vascularisation of tissue engineered scaffolds for potential use as bone substitutes in vivo. The overall aim of this research is to engineer in vitro, a pre-vascularised scaffold using human Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hMSCs) for subsequent implantation in bone defects in vivo. The specific objective of this study is to promote vascularisation by targeting the hypoxia inducible factor pathway (HIF) and investigating the potential of using Desferrioxamine (DFO), a drug which pharmacologically induces hypoxia to promote vasculogenesis. Activation of the HIF pathway induces the expression of several angiogenic genes such as VEGF and angiopoietins which are required for vascular development (1, 2). As a first step, the effects of DFO concentration on vasculogenesis were assessed followed by investigation of the vasculogenic potential of MSCs within Collagen-GAG (CG) scaffolds. Finally, the effects of DFO on the trilineage differentiation potential of hMSCs were analysed in order to optimise conditions for bone formation on the CG scaffolds. Materials and Methods hMSCs were exposed to varying concentrations of DFO (Sigma-Aldrich) for 24 and 48 h. Levels of VEGF expression were assessed by Real-time PCR using the QuantiTect SYBR Green PCR Kit (Qiagen). Nuclear HIF-1α accumulation was measured using FACS. PKH-26 labelled hMSCs were seeded on CG scaffolds and exposed to normal expansion media (LG DMEM SigmaAldrich) or vasculogenic media (EGM-2, Lonza) with and without DFO addition. Angiogenic markers VEGF, PECAM and vWF were assessed using PCR and the formation of vessellike structures were imaged over 21 days. The effects of DFO on osteogenesis by hMSCs was also analysed. 3x10 cells/well were seeded in 2D in the following conditions: Control media +/DFO, Osteo-inductive media +/DFO. Results The optimal concentration of DFO in respect to cell toxicity was 100 μM, which was shown by increased levels of VEGF expression (Fig 1) and nuclear HIF accumulation. DFO in vasculogenic media was shown to induce earlier network formation by hMSCs within CG scaffolds compared with vasculogenic media alone. It was shown that DFO had a negative effect on osteogenesis.


Through the isolation,inoculation,identification and pathogenicty test,combined with field survey,pathogenic fungus Alternaria tenuis Nees and the disease in Trifolium repens were studied.It showed that there were significant differences in resistance between the isolations of Trifolium repens.According to disease development and the symptom,the isolations of host plant were identified into two genotypes such as resistant(R)and susceptible(S).


Drug resistant is one of the biggest challenge for cancer therapy. How to understand the mechanism and to overcome the drug resistant with new therapeutics represent the hot focus for oncology drug discovery. Drug resistant patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models derived from surgery samples, biopsy samples, hydrothorax or ascetic fluid provides unique tool for new therapeutics RD EML4-ALK fusion and L1196M mutant NSCLC PDX model; Olaparib resistant Ovarian cancer PDX model; Heceptin resistant gastric PDX model; Rituximab and ABT-199 resistant DLBCL PDX model, and so on. In conclusion, these precious PDX models provide insight into resistance mechanisms as well as serve as models to develop new therapeutics drug candidates that overcome the drug resistant. Citation Format: Feifei Zhang, Yuan Long, Danyi Wen. Drug resistant PDX models for new drug discovery [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 3001.


We report a significant enhancement in protein thermal stability associated with the gradual dehydration of a polymeric gel (in which a model protein is entrapped) and point out some general implications suggested by this result.


Canopy soils can significantly contribute to aboveground labile biomass, especially in tropical montane forests. Whether they also contribute to the exchange of greenhouse gases is unknown. To examine the importance of canopy soils to tropical forest‐soil greenhouse gas exchange, we quantified gas fluxes from canopy soil cores along an elevation gradient with 4 yr of nutrient addition to the forest floor. Canopy soil contributed 5–12 percent of combined (canopy + forest floor) soil CO2 emissions but CH4 and N2O fluxes were low. At 2000 m, phosphorus decreased CO2 emissions (>40%) and nitrogen slightly increased CH4 uptake and N2O emissions. Our results show that canopy soils may contribute significantly to combined soil greenhouse gas fluxes in montane regions with high accumulations of canopy soil. We also show that changes in fluxes could occur with chronic nutrient deposition.


The present invention relates to an electronic rotary actuation means, which is suitable for dispensing ice refrigerator door. Actuating means rotating shaft provided by a direct current (DC) driven by a permanent magnet motor gear mechanism, and a rotating shaft subject to the restoring force of the spring. When the stroke limit is reached, the switching gear mechanism in communication, in order to reduce the current flowing to the motor, and is provided in a bypass path around the motor to withdraw power from the motor when the actuating means and the reverse rotation to its original position, generate a braking generated. The present invention also relates to ice dispenser door system.


Mammalian pre-implantation embryonic development is a complex, conserved and well-orchestrated process involving dynamic molecular and structural changes. Understanding membrane lipid profile fluctuation during this crucial period is fundamental to address cellular and molecular mechanisms governing embryogenesis. Full understanding of stage-specific lipid signatures in early bovine embryo development is however still lacking. The primary aim of the present work was therefore to monitor the dynamic changes in stage-specific lipid profiles during early bovine embryonic development. For that purpose, MALDI-MS was used, and the observed changes were associated to the amount of cytoplasmic lipid droplets. Immature oocytes (-24 h post-insemination [hpi]) were recovered from slaughterhouse-derived ovaries, and 2-cell (32-40 hpi), 8 to 16-cell (72 hpi), morula (120 hpi) and blastocysts (168 hpi) were in vitro produced using two different culture media (SOFaaci supplemented with 2.5% of serum and serum-free SOF-BE1). For statistical analysis, uni- and multivariate models were used. Lipid content, monitored by lipid staining (n= 5-9 per stage), increased (P<0.05) at morula followed by a sharp drop (P<0.05) at blastocyst stage (58.4±10.5ac, 62.5±9.4ac, 85.9±8.2a , 148.3±7.4b , 37.4±9.9c ; respectively for immature oocyte, 2- cells, 8 to 16-cells, morula and blastocyst). Cytoplasmic lipid droplets have increased (P<0.05) by SOFaaci at morula (162.6±11.3 vs 137.1±9.2) and blastocyst (49.9±9.9 vs 20.7±9.9) stages compared to SOF-BE1. Differences in the phospholipids profiles as monitored by MALDI-MS (n=5-9 per stage) were addressed by multivariate analysis. Characteristic dynamic changes were observed during early embryo development for the phospholipid profiles (phosphatidylcholines, sphingomyelins, and phosphatidylethanolamines), which were significantly related to unsaturation level, acyl chain length and class composition. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of stage-specific lipidome signatures in early bovine embryo development. The present data should be useful to assess the role of specific lipid species in important events of embryogenesis as well as to improve outcomes in both bovine and human assisted reproductive techniques.


A novel class of special functions for electromagnetics is presented. Formed by the incomplete Anger‐Weber functions, this class conveniently allows solving electromagnetic problems involving truncated circular electromagnetic structures. The definition of these functions is here introduced, and the relevant analytical properties are derived. The definition is such that the interrelationships between the incomplete functions parallel, as far as is feasible, those for canonical Anger‐Weber functions.


Several industrial activities often result in the emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane (a principal component of natural gas). In order to mitigate the effects of these greenhouse gases, CO2 can be captured, stored and utilized for the dry reforming of methane. Various CO2 capture techniques have been investigated in the past decades. This study investigated the performance and process modeling of CO2 capture through calcium carbonate looping (CCL) using local (Malaysia) limestone as the sorbent. The original limestone was compared with two types of oxalic acid-treated limestone, with and without aluminum oxide (Al2O3) as supporting material. The comparison was in terms of CO2 uptake capacity and performance in a fluidized bed reactor system. From the results, it was shown that the oxalic acid-treated limestone without Al2O3 had the largest surface area, highest CO2 uptake capacity and highest mass attrition resistance, compared with other sorbents. The sorbent kinetic study was used to design, using an Aspen Plus simulator, a CCL process that was integrated with a 700 MWe coal-fired power plant from Malaysia. The findings showed that, with added capital and operation costs due to the CCL process, the specific CO2 emission of the existing plant was significantly reduced from 909 to 99.7 kg/MWh.


THIS PAPER DEFINES the effectiveness of common stocks as an inflation hedge as the extent to which they can be used to reduce the risk of an investor's real return which stems from uncertainty about the future level of the prices of consumption goods.' Since there is one type of security whose real return is certain but for inflation risk, namely single-period2, riskless-in-terms-of-default nominal bonds, it seems appropriate to identify inflation risk with the variance of the real return on such a bond. Accordingly, we measure the effectiveness of common stocks as an inflation hedge as the proportional reduction in that variance attainable by combining a "representative" well-diversified portfolio of common stocks and the nominal bond in their variance minimizing proportions. It is worthwhile to indicate the relationship between this view of hedging against inflation and the investor's ultimate objective of optimal portfolio selection. This can best be done in the framework of the Markowitz-Tobin-mean-variance model of portfolio choice.3 In that model the process of portfolio selection is divided into two separate stages: (1) identification of the efficient portfolio frontier and (2) choosing the optimal portfolio on that frontier. This paper focuses on one particular point on the efficient frontier-the minimum variance portfolio. From this perspective hedging against inflation is essentially the process of taking a risk-free-in-terms-of-default nominal bond as the starting point and using other securities to eliminate as much of the variance of its real return as possible. We define the difference between the mean real return on a nominal bond and the mean real return on the minimum variance portfolio as the "cost" of hedging


New features were observed when the laser beam focused to a long and narrow line was applied to remove a thin metal film from the substrate. The infrared Nd:YVO4 laser with the nanosecond pulse duration was used in experiments. The laser beam was focused through the glass substrate on a chromium film with the thickness of 50 – 200 nm using an acylindrical lens. The partially overlapped laser pulses with the fluence up to two times exceeding the removal threshold caused complex self-organization of the remaining metal. Formation of regular gratings of ripples with the period of 2.5 – 4 μm was observed in a certain range of laser fluences and beam overlap. Ripples were orientated perpendicularly to the orientation of the beam stripe and their length increased with every shifted pulse. Diffraction properties of the gratings were investigated. The grating period changed linearly with the laser fluence and it decreased with increasing the shift between pulses. Small period fluctuations caused extension of the non-zero order diffraction maxima in the diffraction image.


Naming system is the distinguishing symbol of any society. Naming system can reflect much information of the nation. This paper tries to discuss how to construct the culture context more efficiently and improve the pragmatic competence by analyzing the differences of naming theories.


Bubble nuclei are characterized by a depletion of their central density. Their existence is examined within three different theoretical frameworks: the shell model as well as non-relativistic and relativistic microscopic mean-field approaches. We propose $^{34}$Si and $^{22}$O as possible candidates for proton and neutron bubble nuclei, respectively. In the case of $^{22}$O, we observe a significant model dependence, thereby calling into question the bubble structure of $^{22}$O. In contrast, an overall agreement among the models is obtained for $^{34}$Si. Indeed, all models predict a central proton density depletion of about 40%. This result provides strong evidence in favor of a proton bubble in $^{34}$Si.


Considering the characters of agro-product production and consumption,as well as the natural attribute of agro-products,the paper focuses on the selection of lean logistics mode and the agile logistics mode.


New Zealand's gravel‐bed rivers have deposited coarse, highly conductive gravel aquifers that are predominantly fed by river water. Managing their groundwater resources is challenging because the recharge mechanisms in these rivers are poorly understood and recharge rates are difficult to predict, particularly under a more variable future climate. To understand the river‐groundwater exchange processes in gravel‐bed rivers, we investigate the Wairau Plain Aquifer using a three‐dimensional groundwater flow model which was calibrated using targeted field observations, "soft" information from experts of the local water authority, parameter regularization techniques, and the model‐independent parameter estimation software PEST. The uncertainty of simulated river‐aquifer exchange flows, groundwater heads, spring flows, and mean transit times were evaluated using Null‐space Monte‐Carlo methods. Our analysis suggests that the river is hydraulically perched (losing) above the regional water table in its upper reaches and is gaining downstream where marine sediments overlay unconfined gravels. River recharge rates are on average 7.3 m3/s, but are highly dynamic in time and variable in space. Although the river discharge regularly hits 1000 m3/s, the net exchange flow rarely exceeds 12 m3/s and seems to be limited by the physical constraints of unit‐gradient flux under disconnected rivers. An important finding for the management of the aquifer is that changes in aquifer storage are mainly affected by the frequency and duration of low‐flow periods in the river. We hypothesize that the new insights into the river‐groundwater exchange mechanisms of the presented case study are transferable to other rivers with similar characteristics.


In this paper a new approach for obtaining an approximation global optimum solution of zero-one nonlinear programming (0-1 NP) problem which we call it Parametric Linearization Approach (P.L.A) is proposed. By using this approach the problem is transformed to a sequence of linear programming problems. The approximately solution of the original 0-1 NP problem is obtained based on the optimum values of the objective functions of this sequence of linear programming problems defined by (P.L.A).


The optimization designs and dynamic analysis on the driving mechanism of flapping-wing air vehicles on base of flapping trajectory patterns is carried out in this study. Three different driving mechanisms which are spatial double crank-rocker, plane five-bar and gear-double slider, are systematically optimized and analysed by using the Mat lab and Adams software. After a series debugging on the parameter, the comparatively ideal flapping trajectories are obtained by the simulation of Adams. Present results indicate that different drive mechanisms output different flapping trajectories and have their unique characteristic. The spatial double crank-rocker mechanism can only output the arc flapping trajectory and it has the advantages of small volume, high flexibility and efficient space utilization. Both planar five-bar mechanism and gear-double slider mechanism can output the oval, figure of eight and double eight flapping trajectories. Nevertheless, the gear-double slider mechanism has the advantage of convenient parameter setting and better performance in output double eight flapping trajectory. This study can provide theoretical basis and helpful reference for the design of the drive mechanisms of flapping-wing air vehicles with different output flapping trajectories.


form. As is well known, Heidegger sees such a mixture as the main characteristic of the history of Western metaphysics, putting Being in relation to the "why"-question and hence also to the question of origin.13 Thus, such a difference provides us with an epoché, in virtue of which we can reconsider the relation of Being and beings outside the terms of cause or origin. Consequently, it indicates a clear departure from any opposition between representationalism and formalism, as well as from the dialectical method of understanding. Moreover, this departure brings out Heidegger's essential distance from the Aristotelian frame of dialectics and origin, and from Hegel in his very notion of totality. In the given frame, the hermeneutic phenomenology of Heidegger allows us to understand our relation to beings and particularly the role of the aesthetics in a radically different way. The same difference is clearly reflected in Vattimo's own view and aesthetic formulation when he sees "truth as the hermeneutic consequence of art's ontological bearing".14 As this formulation suggests, art's ontological bearing requires an interpretative process and this process can only be accessible as the goal of art, after the end of traditional metaphysics. According to this view, this end signifies the general transformation both of the concept of metaphysics also that of art, and it enables us to understand the works of art of the twentieth century. Needless to say, the significant focus on this thought is the turn that the work of art becomes an ontological ground of understanding which gives a clue for understanding in general. Vattimo cites Gadamer's words: "The question concerning the truth of art is identical to that of the truth of the Geisteswissenschaften, that is to say, with the hermeneutic problem".15 When considering the end as a general transformation in metaphysics and art, the notion itself changes significantly. It turns into an end that offers a new way of relating to things. Thus the end of metaphysics or the end of art refers to a similar usage for both Heidegger and Hegel. Hence, Vattimo's reference to Danto's view can be read as an indication of this transformation. According to Danto, the development of the history of art is inspired mostly by Hegel, in his well known and mostly misused claim, "that art through its growing consciousness of itself eventually becomes philosophy and thus comes to and end".16 By interpreting this end "as an emancipation from the objectivistic-representational nature that limited art's creation", Vattimo affirms this transposition gained by the emancipation.17 The same emancipation can also be interpreted as a general call for an abandonment of traditional metaphysics and a transposition into a new one.


We describe experiments with surface plasmon polaritons excited by a laser beam in the Kretschmann configuration that are diffracted by a periodic pattern at the metal/dielectric interface. This suggested technique has become a novel sensing principle with particular potential for bio-affinity studies. It is demonstrated that the optical field enhancements associated with the resonant excitation of surface plasmons directly translate into a sensitivity gain. A few characteristic features of the obtained diffraction patterns, e.g., the quadratic increase of the intensity diffracted into higher order spots with the increase of the grating amplitude, are discussed. Moreover, it is shown that the basic mechanism of the signal generation leads to a so-called self-referencing of the sensor which makes it largely insensitive to variations in temperature or refractive index fluctuations of the analyte solution.


A data centre is an important component in any organisation as it plays a key role in its growth and success; it has become the most popular cost-effective platform for hosting large scale applications. While more data centres are being implemented and existing facilities are continuously expanding in order to meet the so ever increasing demand, the global network of data centres has become similar to the electricity grid, yet the comparison fails dramatically when it comes to the matter of energy efficiency and cost. Data centres incur frightening costs and in some case spiral out control as regards to power consumption and cooling. An efficient method for saving energy in data centres is to dynamically adjust the data centre compute capacity resources. Nonetheless, this is a challenging solution as it will require thorough understanding of the hosted applications, the resource demand characteristics and the impact on the service level agreement (SLA). In this paper, we investigate the possibility of providing an intelligent control mechanism that manages compute resource capacity dynamically which reduces data centre energy while meeting the performance requirements by means of simulation and extensive analysis using Google's trace workload real data, we will demonstrate how our proposed approach can achieve significant energy savings while meeting the performance requirements.


The research was to analyze general component in its contents, nutrition and the antioxidation ability as well as anti-inflammation ability of self-made wheat enzyme liquid. The results showed that the wheat enzyme liquid containing 66.5ppm total polyphenols; the half-decay concentration for NO is 92.7mg/mL; while as the half-decay concentration for PGE2 comes to 120.2mg/mL. Therefore, it's plain to see that the wheat enzyme liquid does contain anti-inflammation ability. In addition, the anti-LDL ability and anti-glycation ability in the wheat enzyme liquid is found better than the control group, and the suspend speed of LDL oxidation for the wheat enzyme liquid is 10.5 times to the control group. Animal tests were conducted to investigate the ability of wheat enzyme liquid in reducing blood lipids in hamsters. The method was to take 38 six-week-old male hamsters and randomly divide them into Control Group (C, six hamsters), High Blood Fat Group (H, eight hamsters), 6% Liquid Enzyme Group (H-6, eight hamsters), 12% Liquid Enzyme Group (H-12, eight hamsters), and 18% Liquid Enzyme Group (H-18, eight hamsters). The test was to run for six weeks, records of feed intake and weight changes were taken on every other day. The blood and liver samples were collected after six weeks and TG, TC, LDL-C and HDL-C in the serum as well as the content of liver TC and TG of the hamsters were analyzed. The results indicated there was no distinctive difference in the feed intake (P>0.05) but there were distinctive difference in the weight changes in each group of hamsters; as for blood lipids, the concentration of TC, TG and HDL-C in the serum had greater distinctive differences (P<0.05). The TC concentration in liver had distinctive difference (P<0.05), while as the TG concentration had decreased though the difference was vague. In conclusion, consuming wheat enzyme liquid is able to increase HDL-C and reduce lipids in blood.


In two articles about the controversy surrounding stem cell research, Soren Holm claims that no argument has so far been advanced in the debate to justify the necessity of destructive research on human embryos for the therapeutic potential of stem cell research to be achieved, and that it is up to the scientists themselves to produce "convincing arguments" for their case. This seemingly defeatist statement on behalf of bioethics originates from the viewpoint that neither a reiteration of old arguments about the moral status of the human embryo nor the generation of new arguments of the same kind are likely to have any positive bearing on the controversy; on the other hand, the impact of science on the current debate is unquestionable, due to three "partially independent" developments:


The problem of determining the limit state of a plate with hole is considered. Solutions of two other problems are proposed to solve this problem, namely, determination of stress intensity factor in elements of structure with cracks and calculation of stress-strain state of a plate of finite width with hole. The first objective is based on the fracture mechanics positions for the crack plate using the software complex KOMPAS-3D (3D design system). And the second objective is based on the theoretical method of elasticity theory, applied to a plate of finite width with hole. Obtained results of both objectives were compared with known solutions.


The college student is the successor and reserve force of Socialism construction, cultivating their humanities quality plays an important part in overall improving their quality . During the course of teaching, properly arranging some humanities curriculum is one of the necessary ways of cultivating and enhancing humanities quality. This next focuses on: the sense of leading humanities quality education into teaching; the principle of setting humanities curriculum and the concrete scheme of it's setting and arranging.


The direct (unmediated) electrochemistry of a variety of redox proteins has been studied at a range of electrode materials. Electrochemical studies using cytochromes, iron-sulphur proteins and copper proteins show a marked enhancement of the heterogeneous electron-transfer rate at the "edge" plane of pyrolytic graphite. Parallel ESCA studies have shown that mechanical polishing of edge graphite provides an electrode with a high surface coverage of oxidised functional groups. These results indicate the importance of oxidised functional groups in facilitating productive interactions with the proteins. The importance of multivalent cations has also been established. For proteins with negatively-charged physiological interaction domains, such as plastocyanin or 2[4Fe-4S] ferredoxin, elect reactivity at "edge"-oriented graphite is promoted and stabilised in the presence of multivalent cations such as Cr(NH,sub>3 )63+. On the other hand, the electrochemistry of positively-charged cytochrome c is inhibited and destabilised in the presence of such cations. Promotion and inhibition profiles for a range of proteins, together with various cations, indicate the participation of specific electrode-cation-protein interactions. Studies on plastocyanin, whose electrochemistry is troubled by a time-dependent deterioration of response, have demonstrated the importance of low protein concentration, low pH, low temperatures (3°C) and, in particular, Pt(NH3)64+ at stabilising faradaic responses. Surface modification of edge pyrolytic graphite has been achieved electrochemically by exploiting the contrasting substitutional reactivity of chromium(III) and chromium(II). The modified-surface, incorporating chromium(III) complexes, promoted reversible direct electrochemistry of plastocyanin. The direct electrochemistry of plastocyanin, at pH 4, has provided an insight into the possible importance of a kinetically-inactive protonated form of the reduced protein. The t1/2 for deprotonation of Cu(I)-plastocyanin is estimated to be


This paper concentrates on the electrical dimensioning of an entirely new class of superconducting machines - the slow speed, multipolar hydrogenerator; with special reference to the design of fiela windings incorporating state-of-the-art Nb-Ti superconductor. The conceptual machine used to illustrate the limitations on the field array.is a 60 Hz, 48 pole-unit with a' stator rating of 400 MVA; . overall characteristics are compared with a conventional 615 MVA hydrogenerator. A specific superconducting cable shape is recommended for the field winding along with maximum charging rates, winding inductances; and inter-magnet attractive forces. A 230 kV stator winding is presented for investigating the large radial and,affractive forces acting on the superconducting rotor as a function ofload.Although the LHe refrigeration requirements and, the abnormally low synchronous reactance of the example 400 MVA machine tend to obscure its conkercia1 value, the limitations governing the field winding are applicable to turbogenerator type superconducting rotors.


Class integrity and adhesion to the small amount of solid, and an alkali, and also provides a good initial strength development property, the injection material and the injection method using the same. One or more selected from an aluminum source, hwangwon, and the liquid quick-setting admixture containing a fluorine source, and a calcium aluminate, calcium sulfo-aluminate, calcium aluminosilicate, an alkali metal-containing material, calcium hydroxide, and the group consisting of aluminum hydroxide and containing at least geupgyeol prepared with cement concrete is sprayed using the spraying material and a spraying material which comprises.


PURPOSE: A communications network-based solution is provided that facilitates both prepayment and use of prepay telecommunications services CONSTITUTION: A subscriber is assigned a record in a network database. The database record includes an account number and an associated prepaid monetary value. If the prepaid monetary value in the subscriber's record is sufficient for the requested service, the service is authorized. The prepaid monetary value in the subscriber's record is decreased in accordance with the service rendered. The subscriber also easily adds monetary value to the subscriber's prepaid account by accessing the prepaid network service, indicating the desire to add monetary value to the subscriber's prepaid account in the database.


A substrate being hard to dye can be easily dyed a desire color, by applying a special dyebath containing concentrated sulfuric acid. All inorganic and organic materials may be instantly dyed a desire color, so far as those having a greater surface area are concerned.The substrates being most hard to dye such as carbon black, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinilidene chloride, etc., may be quickly dyed a beautiful color, by this dyeing process.Insoluble coloring materials, such as vat and sulfur colors, or pigments, are the most suitable for this process. These can be applied as molecular solutions. Therefore, a beautiful color can be satisfactly developed. Also, this new dyeing process can be applied to soluble coloring materials. In this case, an organic acid is useful as a component in the dye bath.A special dyebath consisting of concentrated sulfuric acid and with the regular amounts of surface active agent and organic solvent which have an emulsified state may be used effectively for quick dyeing on the most hard to dye. This special dyebath has a greater dye-accessibility for the substrates being hard to dye.


ABSTRACT Introduction: End of life, as a developmental phase, is accompanied by inner resources as well as losses. Spirituality is a potential inner resource for integrating illness that often occurs during this time. Despite the increase in spirituality research, how spiritual perspectives are used in life-limiting illness remains under-investigated. Better knowledge about this process may be useful for health care providers, family caregivers and patients themselves to enhance well-being at end of life. This study describes the process of how patients and family care-givers use their spiritual resources to facilitate well-being at the end of life. Method: A qualitative study was designed, based upon the grounded theory method, that entails theoretical sampling of concepts (not sampling of people as in quantitative designs), and the analytic technique of constant comparison of the data until conceptual categories are saturated with supporting data and a theory can be identified. The sample consisted of 12 respondents: 6 dyads of elderly patients with a life-limiting illness and family caregivers. Interviews occurred over a 2-year period. Results: Data analysis generated a theory about a process called "transcending life-limiting illness," which derived from two related themes: spiritual inquiry and end-of-life dimensions. Conclusion: The results expand existing knowledge about how people, either as patients or as family caregivers of persons facing end of life, live with life-limiting illness. The process of transcending life-limiting illness goes beyond merely coping to tap resources for well-being. This resource is expressed through an ongoing dialectic process of spiritual inquiry about life and death as supported by six critical life dimensions.


Integrating new data with older reports on the behavior of small land-birds in the Galapagos archipelago reveal that geographic isolation of population together with behavioral segregation of populations produce a synergy that is more likely to produce speciation than any of those factors on its own. This result expands our understanding of assortative mating, based on computer experiments of biological evolution, showing that assortation favors speciation in both sympatric and allopatric populations.


This article deals with the concept of communicative tactics considering the achievements of cognitive science and pragmalinguistics. It also singles out the stylistic devices of the communicative tactics of «making tomorrow better» based on election speeches of German national socialists before the establishment of totalitarian regime.


AbstractThis paper describes how to construct complex performability models inthe context of the software tool Moebius, by hierarchically composing smallsubmodels. In addition to Moebius' "Join" operator, a second composi-tion operator "Sync" is introduced, and it is shown how both types ofcomposition can be realised on the basis of symbolic, i.e. BDD-based datastructures. 1 Introduction Moebius [CCD + 01] is a software tool for performability modelling which supportsdifferent model specification formalisms and allows the modeller to construct acomplex overall model from small submodels. This paper describes how to extendMoebius in two directions:We describe a technique for the compact representation of large state spaces,using Multi-terminal binary decision diagrams (MTBDD), which we apply to theMoebius modelling framework. Such a "symbolic" representation is based on abinary encoding of the labelled transition system (LTS), i.e. the states and state-to-state transitions, underlying a Moebius model. It is known that MTBDD-based state space representations can be extremely memory-efficient if the statespace of a complex model is constructed in a compositional manner from smallcomponents.In Moebius, submodels can be composed with the help of the operator Join, butin this paper we introduce another, new operator for composing submodels. Thisnew composition operator is called synchronisation (Sync), it is well known inthe world of process algebras and it constitutes a useful complementation of theJoin operator already provided by Moebius. Fig. 1 shows the principle of Joinand Sync, using two Stochastic Petri Net (SPN) submodels as an example. Atthe top of the figure, the SPN submodels are composed by a Join, which has theeffect of superposing two places. At the bottom of the figure, the SPN submodelsare composed by a Sync, which has the effect of superposing two transitions.The MTBDD-based realisation of Sync has already been described in the liter-ature, but in this paper we also describe an MTBDD-based realisation of Join,


Abstract The insertion of elemental selenium into the Csp2-Zr bond of alkenylchlorozirconocenes affords (E)-vinylseleno zirconocenes, which were trapped by alkyl halides giving (E)-vinylic selenides in moderate to good yields.