Verticillium wilt of olive (VWO) is now the most destructive olive disease in the Guadalquivir valley in Andalucia (southern Spain). Disease surveys, conducted to assess the association of agronomical and geographical factors with the current spread of the disease, have shown that VWO is widespread in the valley, with a mean disease incidence (DI) in infested plots reaching 20.4% (9000 inspected trees), but with significant differences among the provinces surveyed (25.7, 23.7 and 12%, for Jaen, Cordoba and Seville, respectively). The DI was significantly higher in irrigated (20.7%) than in dry-farming (18.3%) orchards, and also higher in non-tilled orchards (25.6%) than in regularly-tilled orchards (16.3%). The DI was likewise significantly lower for tree densities above 200 trees ha -1 ; and it was higher (21.5%) when the orchards were located near areas where other V. dahliae host plants were cultivated, than if the orchards were surrounded by non-host plants (11.9%). Lastly, the DI was significantly higher in plots where the tree were less than 25 year old and in plantations close to the Guadalquivir River (less than 10 km). 'Picual' was the cultivar most often affected with the disease, reaching a DI of 41.9% in orchards where this cultivar was grown. Highly virulent defoliating (D) isolates in the plantation surveyed were significantly more common (67.7%) than non-defoliating (ND) isolates (32.3%). These factors could explain the substantial increase in incidence and severity of VWO seen in the valley during the last decade.


Kysanur Forest Disease (KFD), The monkey born zoonotic disease is becoming an emerging threat in the land of kerala as there was few reports on the incidence of this disease both in monkeys and human being in years 2013 and in the ongoing year 2014. This article is a briefing about the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, necropsy findings, diagnostic methods, treatments and preventive measures of this disease. Kyasanur Forest Disease an Emerging Threat in Kerala


A powerful positive displacement reciprocating pressurizing device is described for use as a liquid pump or gas compressor capable of generating immense fluid pressures with significant volume flow. A double piston pump is shown driven by a rotat ing input member with inclined planes operatively interposed between the rotating input member and the pistons. The inclined planes are located as undulations on cam surfaces with peaks and valleys. Antifriction elements driven by the rotating input member roll over the undulations to thereby ac tuate the pistons in a reciprocating manner. A powerful posi tive displacement reciprocating apparatus and method for pressurizing fluids with continuously variable strokes at any desired operating speed is disclosed.


Knowledge about soil properties associated with land use and topographical attributes is vital for modelling soil–landscape relationships and establishing sustainable on-field management practices. Our study focuses on an arable area in south-western China, where paddy fields and vegetable growing are dominant land uses. These are representative of millions of hectares of farmland in south-western China. Samples from 120 sites were collected according to a gridded sampling scheme and analysed. Land-use map units were delineated at a scale of 1 : 2000 from field survey. Topographical indicators (elevation, aspect, slope) were extracted from a digital elevation model with a resolution of 2 m. One-way and two-way analyses of variance and Pearson correlations were adopted to investigate the effects of land use and topographical variables on the selected soil properties: pH, organic matter (OM), ammonium-nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P), available potassium (K), exchangeable calcium (Ca), and exchangeable magnesium (Mg). Statistically significant differences were found for OM, P, Ca, Mg, and pH between the land-use types and elevation gradient as well as slope classes. Mean contents of OM and P in paddy fields (lower and flat locations) were lower than in vegetable lands (higher and steep places) (P < 0.05). Mean values of Ca, Mg, and pH in paddy fields were higher than in vegetable lands (P < 0.05). Further analysis combining with management practice demonstrated that the redistribution of pH, OM, N, P, Ca, and Mg was mainly controlled by the interactive effects of topography and land use. Therefore, interactions between topography and land-use types need to be considered in regional soil properties inventory assessments.


Establishing and updating of geospatial database is an important part of National Spatial Data Infrastructure(NSDI),also an important foundation of Digital Earth building.However,there still exist many problems in integrating and efficiently updating geospatial data at the present time,especially,low efficiency in using multi-source geospatial data,low level in automatization and intelligentization,and lack of practical application with the guidance to complete theoretical system and technical framework.In accordance with this,the paper introduces concepts and methods of data assimilation and actively updating of geospatial database.The purpose is to improve the efficiency of multi-source data utilization and the level of automatization.The character of geospatial data assimilation is to combine a variety of mathematical models and data sources effectively,which eventually makes the new data express the objective entity more accurately.Geospatial data actively updating means the computer can respond to the corresponding geographic events actively and implement the predefined updating operations.The actively updating process is triggered by geographic events under control of the geography event-condition-action rules.This paper discusses the concepts,connotation and key techniques of multi-source geospatial data assimilation and actively updating.Key techniques includes: the acquisition,expression and management of updating rules,the discovery,description and expression of geographic component variation information,the updating of geometrical information and attribute information based on the data assimilation,and the actively updating mechanism driven by GECA rules.This paper also presents the mechanism for geospatial data actively updating which is based on data assimilation and driven by GECA(Geographic event-Condition-Action) rules.Finally,the paper applies the optimum interpolation method which is often used in data assimilation for the conflation of multi-source geography spatial data.Compared with other methods,this method can improve data precision.The actively updating mechanism is used in updating fundamental geo-information data of scale 1:500 000.Practice has proved that the updating mechanism can improve the automating and intelligent level of data updating


SUMMARY Kernel density estimates, as commonly applied, generally have no exact model-based interpretation since they violate conditions that define coherent joint distributions. The issue of marginalization consistency is considered here. It is shown that most commonly used kernel functions violate this condition. It is also shown that marginalization consistency holds only for classes of kernel estimates based on Laplacian, or double-exponential kernels whose window width parameters are appropriately structured. The practical relevance and implications of this result are discussed.


The paper reports the structural effects of holding time period, during heat treatment, on the dynamic and damping behavior of a Fe-28Mn-6Si-5Cr (mass. %) shape memory alloy. After casting and hot rolling, solution treatment at 1050 oC was applied for five holding times, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 hours, followed by water quenching. The specimens were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction which emphasized that only the 2-hours solution treated specimens contained e-hexagonal close packed (hcp) martensite and experienced the highest internal friction value. These specimens were tested on a special device which transformed both tension and compression into tensile strain applied to the specimens and proved to be a promising solution for anti-seismic damper.


By a spectral and site-resolved analysis of the energy distribution (both stress and surface originated) at the atomistic scale, calculated by classical molecular dynamics for Ge islands with different morphologies on Si(001), we show how domes actually provide the largest strain release. Moreover, we point out that the usual partition of the total energy into a volume plus a surface contribution also corresponds to two separate spectral energy regions, which are the same in any morphology. However, it turns out that the volume-scaling contribution is quite complex and that the real strain relaxation term corresponds to the lower part of the energy spectrum, not scaling as the volume for small island size.


Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Chinese comprehensive therapy for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia of damp and heat in the spleen and the stomach pattern. Methods Sixty-five cases with androgenetic alopecia were randomized into treatment group and control group. Control group in which 32 cases were treated by Chinese medicine orally and acupuncture therapy,and treatment group in which 33 cases were treated by seven-star needle,with the course of 3 months. The clinical efficacy was observed and scores of clinical symptoms and sub-indicators were observed. Results 1 The total effective rate was90. 91% in the treatment group and 84. 38% in the control group,with a difference between the two groups(P 0. 05). 2 There were significant differences in the hair,the scalp,the new hair regeneration and total scores between before and after treatment in both groups( P 0. 05); After treatment,there were significant differences in the hair,the scalp,the new hair regeneration and total scores between the two groups(P 0. 05). Conclusion Chinese comprehensive therapy has satisfactory effect on androgenetic alopecia of damp and heat in the spleen and the stomach pattern. This method can improve the clinical symptoms and promote hair growth.


Simple Summary The treatment strategies of patients with melanoma brain metastases are continually evolving, although this remains a poor prognostic subset. We report a real-life retrospective analysis of 105 patients with melanoma brain metastases aiming to analyze the impact of clinical–pathological features and multimodal therapies, such as neurological symptom occurrence, on overall survival in the pre-combined immunotherapy era. We observed a significant improvement in the survival of patients treated with encephalic radiotherapy (eRT) despite the type of systemic treatment performed. The only subset of patients that did not experience survival improvement from eRT was identified by LDH levels higher than two times the upper limit normal. In our opinion, our results, if confirmed by prospective analysis, may help to identify the correct therapeutic strategy for the worst prognostic subgroup of patients with melanoma brain metastases. Abstract Brain metastasis in cutaneous melanoma (CM) has historically been considered to be a dismal prognostic feature, although recent evidence has highlighted the intracranial activity of combined immunotherapy (IT). Herein, we completed a retrospective study to investigate the impact of clinical–pathological features and multimodal therapies on the overall survival (OS) of CM patients with brain metastases. A total of 105 patients were evaluated. Nearly half of the patients developed neurological symptoms leading to a negative prognosis (p = 0.0374). Both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients benefited from encephalic radiotherapy (eRT) (p = 0.0234 and p = 0.011). Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels two times higher than the upper limit normal (ULN) at the time of brain metastasis onset was associated with poor prognosis (p = 0.0452) and identified those patients who did not benefit from eRT. Additionally, the poor prognostic role of LDH levels was confirmed in patients treated with targeted therapy (TT) (p = 0.0015) concerning those who received immunotherapy (IT) (p = 0.16). Based on these results, LDH levels higher than two times the ULN at the time of the encephalic progression identify those patients with a poor prognosis who did not benefit from eRT. The negative prognostic role of LDH levels on eRT observed in our study will require prospective evaluations.


J. R. Miller is Associate Professor in the Department of History, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon. Among Canadian Protestants of the nineteenth century, the conviction that the Pope intended to extend his temporal power as well as spiritual suzerainty over the world, using the multifarious Catholic religious orders, and most especially the Jesuits, was almost universal. An Anglican cleric observed, for example, that 'the Roman Church, under the counsels of the Jesuits, has been striving in every way to centralize its power in the hands of the nominal head of the Church.'2 And the apostate Charles Chiniquy warned that Catholics 'take an oath that they will study in good earnest to EXTERMINATE, to their utmost power, from the lands subject to their jurisdiction, all heretics denoted by the -Church.&dquo; 3 The spectre of'Catholic aggression' remained steadily before Canadian Protestants in the middle years of the century thanks to the Catholic revival in Canada East in the 1840s and the Ultramontane crusade supported by the Jesuits in Quebec after Confederation. It is this Protestant anxiety that explains the vituperation provoked by Quebec's Jesuits' Estates Settlement Act of 1888. The legislation settled a century-old dispute concerning lands the Society of Jesus had held during the period of French rule but lost after the Conquest. Protestants found the provision of four hundred thousand dollars in compensation for a variety of Catholic groups repugnant: the Act violated their cherished belief in the separation of church and state; and the expectation that the Jesuits would receive more money to finance their nefarious activities alarmed them. In addition, English Canadians regarded the statute as a manifestation of


Let P be a monotone property of directed graphs on n vertices, and let $\Delta_n^{P}$ denote the abstract simplicial complex whose simplices are the edge sets of graphs having property P. We prove the following:
If "P = acyclic,'' then $\Delta_n^{P}$ is homotopy equivalent to the (n-2)-sphere. If "P = not strongly connected,'' then $\Delta_n^{P}$ has the homotopy type of a wedge of (n-1)! spheres of dimension 2n-4.
The lattice of all posets on {1,2,...,n} plays an important role in the analysis. We also discuss some other properties of directed graphs from this point of view.


Because of analytical advances, submicron particles as small as 0.2 μm can be characterized for chemical composition, size, and shape using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Once these characteristics are determined, cluster analysis can be used to group the individual particles into categories based on size, shape, and chemical composition. Submicron particle analysis is important when characterizing the ash to provide information to help solve ash-related problems in coal combustion and gasification systems. Since a combustion system has an excess of oxygen available, the resulting ash is typically easier to characterize than ash from a gasification system. In a gasification system, the lack of oxygen results in additional categories high in Cl and P. Adequate dispersion of submicron particles for proper analysis of individual particles is required because of the analysis volume of the SEM beam. Therefore, an aliquot of an aqueous solution with a set sample-to-solvent ratio is drawn while being sonicated. A few drops of solution are placed on a vitreous carbon substrate, allowing for particle dispersion on the surface of a smooth substrate. Next, the particles are analyzed by the fine-particle technique (FPT).


Vibrations in a centrifugal compressor at less-than-rotor-speed (sub-synchronous) may have multiple causes. They add-on to the overall vibration and hence need to be resolved to ensure safe and optimal operation of the compressor. Lube oil / bearing related vibrations are relatively easily identifiable since they occur generally within known range of sub-sync speeds. However, another common source of such vibrations, especially in a centrifugal compressor, can be the presence of an aerodynamic instability. This may manifest itself at any speed depending upon its characteristics; however, most of the times at speeds less then the rotor speed. This paper documents results of a case study where a centrifugal compressor was reported to be occasionally exhibiting unacceptably high overall vibration levels. Since this was causing the machine to shutdown, it had started affecting the production and reliability of the machine. Initial investigation revealed that these vibrations were observed only at certain operating conditions where the discharge pressure of the machine was high. In order to further diagnose the issue, a continuous monitoring system was installed on the unit. This system helped in gathering continuous vibrations as well as process data and provided an insight into how the two were correlated. The results revealed that the primary reason behind the elevated levels of overall vibrations was a previously non-existent peak in the spectrum at a frequency corresponding to 0.38× (approx.). Other frequencies with smaller amplitudes were also observed in the spectrum of the increased vibrations. By means of this paper, the authors intend to present the detailed investigation and explanation of this issue.Copyright © 2010 by ASME


9549 Background: In a phase II dose-ranging trial, casopitant, a novel NK-1 receptor antagonist, demonstrated efficacy in preventing CINV in pts receiving HEC. This Phase III trial evaluated 2 caso...


(57) Abstract: The present invention is an aperture fluorescent lamp (33) and the optical system relating; (32 8) flat lighting device comprising a; (35 11) (10 34) and the light waveguide plate. Optical system (10; 34) is controlled as follows light distribution of the light coupled into the light waveguide plate as intended, i.e., in the cross section of the tubular discharge vessel of the lamp, the light distribution optical axis controlled so as to have at least one maximum value of the angle interval beta measured for (a), the following equation is the angular spacing β, | β | meet ≧ arctan (d / L), but where L is the longitudinal length of the light waveguide plates (length of the optical axis (a)), d is the thickness of the light waveguide plate. High luminance obtained in the front (39) of the optical waveguide plate in this manner.


This note describes passive pressure reduction devices for use with sensitive instruments. Two gas circuits are developed which not only provide a pressure reduction under flow demand, but also limit the maximum pressure that the source can exert under a no‐flow condition. The first design approach presented is a method that involves conventional orifices in a pressure divider network analogous to a voltage divider in electronics. The second method detailed, utilizing the discharge end of a jet pump, amplifies the mass flow rate of the source, reduces the source pressure at free delivery, and limits the pressure at shutoff.


Objectives Research was conducted in two teaching hospitals in Australia to collect data on the care of patients dying in the acute care setting. Methodology Non-participant observation of the care of dying patients in medical wards was the primary method of data collection and selected staff were interviewed. Observers collected data on the type of care, who gave the care, and the time given to care. Thematic analysis was applied to both the observational and interview data. Participants Patients selected were over the age of 18 years, with a terminal diagnosis and an estimated six days to live. Results Three major factors emerged from the data to form the context in which patients were cared for and died: 1) the organizational factor, 2) the environmental factor, and 3) the human factor. The presence or absence of family members influenced the amount of care given. If family members were not present, dying could be an isolating experience, with minimal care focused on routine hospital activities. Conclusion This research indicated that the principles of palliative care are yet to be incorporated in the acute care hospital setting.


Information technology has emerged as a key component of competitive advantage. In assessing how and where to invest senior executives must realize that the past few years have witnessed a fundamental change in what IT can do for a company that adds a revolutionary new factor to their decision‐taking.


Legionnaires disease is a pulmonary infection caused by legionella families bacteria, of which, gram-negative legionella pneumophila is one kind of the most important bacteria that cause legionella pneumonia. This paper discusses the treatment plan, the therapy principle of antibacterial drug that legionella should abide by sensitivity, sufficiency and enough course through going over the treatment process of one case of patient with the disease. Legionnella is considered to be opportunistic pathogens. The patients who are diagnosed as unexplained respiratory tract infection with fever should be considered the possibility of legionnaires disease, and should pay high attention to the legionnaires disease especially when getting rid of other diseases, so as to choose the antibiotics reasonably.


Aiming to verify the effects of the ripening conditions on the finger drop of bananas 'SH 3640', this experiment was set up on an entirely randomized design, with four treatments: T1 - ripening under environmental temperature (24.6 ± 1.7oC); T2 - preconditioning of the fruits at 5oC for 6 hours, following the ripening under environmental temperature; T3 - preconditioning of the fruits at 5oC for 12 hours, following the ripening under environmental temperature; and T4 - ripening of the fruits in low-density polyethylene bags at 18oC. Six replicates were used for the anatomical observations, and 4 replicates for evaluating the resistance to finger drop, pulp consistence of the ripe fruit and the number of days from harvest to ripening, with each replicate consisting of one fruit. The fruits of treatments T2 and T4 showed higher resistance to finger drop, what is justified by the increase in either thickness and the highest lignin deposition in the cellular wall. Fruits of treatment T4 showed a delayed ripening, comparing to the others's. The fruits of all treatments showed no differences for consistence of the pulp.


Underwater sensor networks (USN) for ocean development and disaster prevention have been emerged as one of interesting research topics recently. Since a high-speed and inexpensive communication modem is a prerequisite for deployment of USN, we design and implement an underwater modem by utilizing general-purpose waterproof ultrasonic sensors in this paper. We also make experiments in indoor and outdoor environment with two modems facing each other to conduct a point-to-point communication. According to the experiments, we can achieve the data rates of 1.5 kbps in a water tank and 2 kbps in a pond. Also, the maximum communication distance between two modems is about 30 meters. Besides, we conduct a point-to-multipoint experiment imitating USN by deploying a gateway, a sink node and three sensor nodes in a water tank.


Background Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder was previously seen as a childhood developmental disorder, so adult mental health services were not set up to support attention deficit hyperactivity disorder patients who became too old for child services. To our knowledge, this is the first in-depth study of the transition of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder patients from child to adult health services in the UK. Objectives Our objectives were to explore how many young people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are in need of services as an adult, what adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder services are available and how attention deficit hyperactivity disorder stakeholders experience transition from child to adult services. Design An interactive mixed-method design was adopted with three study streams: (1) a 12-month surveillance study with 9-month follow-up to find out how many young people required ongoing medication when they were too old for child services (929 surveys completed by children's clinicians); (2) a mapping study to identify and describe services for young adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (2686 respondents to online surveys for patients and health workers and freedom of information requests to service providers and commissioners); and (3) a qualitative study to explore key stakeholders' experiences of transition from child to adult services (144 interviews with 64 attention deficit hyperactivity disorder patients, 28 parents and 52 health clinicians; 38 working in child or adult secondary health services and 14 general practitioners). Members of the public advised at each stage of the study. Results When corrected for non-response and case ascertainment, the annual number of young people with an ongoing need for medication for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder lies between 270 and 599 per 100,000 people aged 17–19 years. Among 315 individuals eligible for transition, 64% were accepted, but only 22% attended their first adult services appointment. Our interactive map describes 294 unique services for adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder across the UK, of which 44 are 'dedicated' attention deficit hyperactivity disorder services. Few services provide the full range of recommended provision; most focus on diagnosis and medication. Services are unevenly distributed across the UK, with nearly all 'dedicated' services being in England. Exploring stakeholders' experiences revealed how invested the stakeholders are in continuing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder treatment and how the architecture of services affects transition. An association between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, education and continuance of medication into young adulthood, plus parent involvement and feeling prepared for transition and adult life with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, influenced investment. However, even with investment, how accessible adult services are, how patient needs fit with the remit of the adult service and the level of patient information available affect transition outcomes. The results also highlight how general practitioners can end up as care co-ordinators during transition by default. Limitations Transition estimates were based on those who want medication, so these indicate a minimum level of need. Conclusions Few of those who need ongoing support for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder successfully transfer to adult services, and a small proportion of those who transfer experience optimal transitional care. Adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder service provision is patchy. Even among 'dedicated' services, few provide the whole range of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence-recommended treatments. Future work We need to evaluate various models of transitional care and adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder provision, as well as develop and evaluate psychosocial interventions for young people and adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN12492022. Funding This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Services and Delivery Research programme and will be published in full in Health Services and Delivery Research; Vol. 8, No. 42. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.


The paper presents a combined algorithm to recognize and locate the retro-reflective targets in images used in digital industrial photogrammetry. It recognizes the targets based on edge search and locates their centers based on intensity-weighted centroiding approach. Experiments prove that the algorithms can recognize the targets and locate their centers in images accurately with precision about 0.02 pixels, which meets the needs for accuracy of precise digital industrial photogrammetry.


The invention discloses polypropylene composition with high fluidity and high dimensional stability and a preparation method thereof. The polypropylene composition with high fluidity and high dimensional stability comprises components in parts by weight as follows: 10-60 parts of homo-polypropylene, 10-40 parts of co-polypropylene, 10-25 parts of thermoplastic elastomer, 3-8 parts of polyethylene, 0-35 parts of mineral fillers, 0.2-1 part of a heat stabilizer, 0.2-1 part of a light stabilizer, 0.3-1 part of a coupling agent and 0.5-3 parts of other auxiliaries. The preparation method comprises the steps as follows: raw materials are weighed in the ratio in parts by weight; the raw materials are stirred and mixed for 2-8 min at a low speed to obtain a premixed material; and the premixed material is added into a double-screw extruder for melt blending and extruding granulation. According to the invention, a product has high fluidity, low shrinking percentage and good dimensional stability; and a production formula is mature, an extrusion process is simple, the product performance can be regulated according to the formula and is controllable, and an injection molding process has a wide range.


From the dawn of advanced aerospace technology, the aspect of stability and automated control is an important field of research interest providing ease of handling and friendly assistance for piloting. Considering this challenging aspect, development of automated control system is chosen for this research. The aim of this paper is to design a longitudinal autopilot for a general aviation aircraft and to analysis the performance of the developed model both for normal condition and atmospheric disturbance. To improve the overall performance, stability of the system and to overcome the atmospheric disturbance a compensator along with a PID controller has been designed. Simulation results of MATLAB Simulink have been also analyzed.


A solution to the cosmological constant problem has been proposed in which our universe is a 3-brane in a 5-dimensional spacetime. With a bulk scalar, the field equations admit a Poincare invariant brane solution regardless of the value of the cosmological constant (tension) on the brane. However, the solution does not include matter in the brane. We find new exact static solutions with matter density and pressure in the brane. We study small perturbations about these solutions. None seem consistent with observational cosmology. As a by-product we find a class of new matterless static solutions and a non-static solution which, curiously, requires the string value for the dilaton coupling.


Objective To investigate the sequence and characteristics of expression of c-sis and c-jun in the clinical wound healing.Methods To examine the variations in expression of c-sis and c-jun in 16 burned patients during the wound healing by immunohistochemistry,and calculate the number of expressive positive cells.Results In clinical wound healing,the expression changes of c-sis and c-myc were observed obviously.However,those two growth-related factors showed different expression models.The expression of c-sis became increasing at 5 postburn day,and reached peak at 10 postburn day,the positive granules were mainly distributed in neucleus of fibroblasts.The expression of c-jun reached peak at 10 postburn day and were mainly distributed in cytoplasm of basal cells and neucleus of fibroblasts.Conclusion Thermal injury can induce c-sis and c-jun expression which showed phasic control and regional distribution.Those results suggest that csis and c-jun are involved with the repair process as a regulator.It is helpful for the clinical wound healing to reasonably control the c-sis and c-jun expression.


We generate and test new implications of Kavajecz's (1996a) market microstructure model for cross-sectional variation in intraday expected stock returns. In this model, the specialist presents a price schedule consisting of bid and ask prices and a bid and ask size. We document that in his model, the specialist reveals through the bid-ask size spread what she believes to be the expected return on the risky asset. We then examine whether the ability to act on this revealed information is o¤set (if only partially) by movements in the remaining choice variables (namely, the bid-ask spread). We prove that when the intraday expected return on the asset is relatively high or low, the specialist sets a lower bid-ask spread, allowing rational traders to use the revealed information concerning the likely movement of the stock in their trading decisions. We test these implications using 1993-1994 intraday quote data from the NYSE Trade and Quote (TAQ) database. We con...rm our theoretical ...ndings that the relative sizes of the bid and ask quotes given by NYSE specialists provide information about future price movements. Our empirical evidence has major implications for several important groups of investors, including index arbitrageurs and fund managers. These traders must buy (sell) a speci...c type of stock (perhaps one possessing a particular degree of riskiness or industry classi...cation). Our theoretical and empirical results indicate that these traders should buy (sell) the stock among the stocks of the type in question with the largest (smallest) bid-ask size spread. Additionally, though we model a one-period economy, our results suggest potentially pro...table strategies for transactions timing in a particular stock. Back-of-the-envelope calculations suggest that a trader with 100 percent monthly portfolio turnover can earn an additional 2.5% per year using this strategy. *Brown (firstname.lastname@example.com) is from the Department of Finance, University of Texas at Austin, CBA 6.222, Austin, TX 78712-1179. Cohen (firstname.lastname@example.com) and Polk (email@example.com) are from the Graduate School of Business, University of Chicago, 1101 E. 58th Street, Chicago, IL 60637. The authors wish to thank Eugene Fama and Doug Diamond for helpful discussion. We generate and test new implications of Kavajecz's (1996a) market microstructure model for cross-sectional variation in intraday expected stock returns. In this model, the specialist presents a price schedule consisting of bid and ask prices and a bid and ask size. We document that in his model, the specialist reveals through the bid-ask size spread what she believes to be the expected return on the risky asset. We then examine whether the ability to act on this revealed information is o¤set (if only partially) by movements in the remaining choice variables (namely, the bid-ask spread). We prove that when the intraday expected return on the asset is relatively high or low, the specialist sets a lower bid-ask spread, allowing rational traders to use the revealed information concerning the likely movement of the stock in their trading decisions. We test these implications using 1993-1994 intraday quote data from the NYSE Trade and Quote (TAQ) database. We con...rm our theoretical ...ndings that the relative sizes of the bid and ask quotes given by NYSE specialists provide information about future price movements. Our empirical evidence has major implications for several important groups of investors, including index arbitrageurs and fund managers. These traders must buy (sell) a speci...c type of stock (perhaps one possessing a particular degree of riskiness or industry classi...cation). Our theoretical and empirical results indicate that these traders should buy (sell) the stock among the stocks of the type in question with the


Two-dimensional (2-D) resistivity survey was conducted at a site near Kpone in the Terna metropolis to investigate its suitability for a proposed solid waste disposal site. The resulting sub-surface resistivity pseudo-sections provided information about the overburden thickness, degree of rock fracturing, depth to fresh bedrock and an estimate of the excavation depth. Even though the hardness of the underlying geological formation was observed to increase with depth, the upper 25 m comprised stable argillaceous overburden mixed with isolated pockets oflateritic hardpan or iron stone of resistivity values ranging from 12-1,500 Q-m. This layer was underlain by east-west gently-dipping massive bedrock with little r no discontinuities with resistivity values ranging from 2,000-4,200 n-m. The total excavation depth was estimated to be 30 m below ground level. The site is considered geologically suitable for the intended purpose due to the absence of bedrock discontinuities to enhance contaminant transport to pollute the groundwater resources.


Proves that the instant response of the thick -- walled tube at 72 o~+ is elastic and with the increase in time the solution to elastoplastoviscosily tends to be similar to the solution to ideal elastoplasticity.


In the title compound, the mean planes of the indene ring and quinoxaline system are approximately parallel to one another, making a dihedral angle of 1.2 (5)°. The indeno[1,2-b]quinoxaline ring is almost in the same plane.


This article reports measurements of the group velocity surface of silicon in the region of the 〈100〉 axis. Pulsed ultrasonic beams generated by a piezoelectric longitudinal mode transducer are transmitted through water and focused onto a small spot on the surface of a (001) oriented silicon single crystal disk. This gives rise to transient elastic waves which propagate in a wide range of directions through the specimen and they are detected by a small piezoelectric longitudinal mode transducer fixed at the center of the opposite face. The imaging of the group velocity surface about the 〈100〉 axis is accomplished by scanning the focused beam in various directions along lines that intersect at epicenter. The scanned images reveal complex foldings of the slow transverse sheet of the ray surface about the 〈100〉 axis, in general agreement with the predictions of ray acoustics. However, the observed image manifests pronounced wave motions well beyond the cuspidal edges predicted by ray acoustics. This phantoml...


The germ of the idea of hospitals may have existed in ancient Babylonian custom of bringing the patient to the market for consultation and latreia and Asclepieia of Greek and Roman military hospitals may have had the same purpose in part. However , there has always been a disquieting doubt about what kind of feeling impelled to old to illness and misfortune.


An established population of mummichog,Fundulus heteroclitus, in the Susquehanna drainage is reported from Pennsylvania for the first time. Three year classes of this brackish water species were taken on 17 August 1976 from Letort Spring Run, a tributary of the Conodoguinet Creek in Cumberland County. A survey of unpublished records and museum specimens revealed occurrences in Wissahickon Creek, Montgomery County, and Brandywine Creek, Chester County; both Delaware drainage. Presence in these drainages is believed the result of bait bucket introduction.


This study examined the psychometric properties of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule for Children-Short Form (PANAS-C-SF) in a diverse sample of 15-year-olds in the United States [N = 4382]. Multiple measurement models, including a one-factor model, two-factor orthogonal and oblique models, a three-factor model (PA, Fear, and Distress), and a bifactor model, were tested. The results supported a three-factor structure, with distinct factors for PA, Fear, and Distress. The PANAS-C-SF scores evidenced good internal consistency reliability. Measurement invariance analyses indicated that the three-factor structure was invariant across gender and racial-ethnic groups, suggesting the generalizability of the PANAS-C-SF across diverse populations. Furthermore, the three factors demonstrated criterion validity, with PA positively associated with life satisfaction and meaning in life, and Distress negatively associated with these outcomes. These findings support the psychometric properties of the PANAS-C-SF, highlighting its practical utility in assessing affect across diverse adolescent population.


We develop a new approach for gender recognition. In this paper, our approach uses the rectangle feature vector (RFV) as a representation to identify humans' gender from their faces. The RFV is computationally fast and effective to encode intensity variations of local regions of human face. By only using few rectangle features learned by AdaBoost, we present a gender identifier. We then use nonlinear support vector machines for classification, and obtain more accurate identification results.


Rhythmic bedding of alternating nonsiliceous and siliceous layers is one of the most prominent features of biogenic siliceous sediments. One of the best examples of rhythmites are Mesozoic ribbon radiolarites. In Northern Croatia, the deposits of radiolarian cherts and radiolarites, partially associated with magmatic rocks are located in county Banovina (Zrinska Mt), Žumberak, Medvednica, Ivanščica and Kalnik Mts. These rocks are constituents of Late Jurassic subduction complex (tectonic melánge). Palaeontological investigations revealed their Triassic (Ladinian-Carnian) and Jurassic (latest Bajocian-early Callovian) age. Macroscopical and microscopical examinations of samples reveal its low quality for stone tools production, but also its feasibility for local ad-hoc production. The radiolarites and radiolarian cherts near Lasinja in the northern Banovina are the possible sources for production of artifacts during (at least) the Lasinja culture period on wider territory of continental Croatia.


Objective: To describe aspects of dental trauma related to gender, type of lesion and localization in 12-year-old schoolchildren considering its sequelae, treatments accomplished and treatment needs in the city of Blumenau/SC.
Method: This exploratory study analyzed the following variables: gender, type of lesion and localization. The exams were performed by two calibrated examiners (Kappa inter-examiner = 0.76): intra-examiner calibration with 0.68 agreement for the student A and 0.72 the student B. A total of 145 12-year-old children attending public schools were examined. The initial contact with the schools was made by e-mail or in person, at which time the researchers requested a list of 12-year-old students and their respective addresses. Thereafter, the students were selected from sectors of census, identified by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, which were previously chosen by lot.
Results: The prevalence of trauma cases was 29.7%; the frequency in males and females was 15.2% and 14.5, respectively; the types of lesion were: 91.4% enamel, 6.9% enamel and dentin, and 1.7% enamel and darkening; affected teeth: 11 (50%), 21 (34.5%), 12 (6.9%), 22 (5.2%) and 31 (3.4%); treatment conditions: 94.8% no treatment and 5.2% restoration; treatment needs: 1.7%.
Conclusion: The prevalence of trauma cases was moderate with low severity sequelae, tooth 11 being the most commonly affected followed by tooth 21.


In this paper we integrate a history{encoding based methodology developed by Chomicki for checking dynamic database integrity constraints into a situation-calculus based speciication of database updates as proposed by Reiter. By doing this, we are able to: (1) Answer queries about a whole hypothetical evolution of a database, without having to update the entire database and keep the information associated to all the generated states, (2) Stating and proving dynamic integrity constraints as static integrity constraints, (3) Transform non markovian preconditions for updates into markovian preconditions. All this results, although motivated by problems in database theory, can be applied to theories of action and change in general. The methodology presented here takes advantage of translations between rst order past temporal logic formulas and state bounded situation calculus queries and constraints.


By use of PCR-SSCP approach,the present study analyzed the single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP) at G3072A site of IGF2 intron 3 in Yorkshire,Landrace and Duroc pigs.The association of the polymorphism with birth weight and early growth traits were as well analyzed in Yorkshire pigs.The results indicated that the genotypes AA,AB and BB were found in Yorkshire,Landrace and Duroc pig populations,and the populations of both Yorkshire and Landrace pigs were in a state of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium(P0.01),whereas the Duroc pig population was not(P0.05).Sequencing demonstrated that A and B alleles correspond to nucleotide A and G,respectively.In addition,for A allele,a(AG) dinucleotide was inserted at the 10-11th position downstream the mutation site.Association analysis indicated that the least square means of birth weight of AA,AB and BB pigs differ significantly(P0.05),whereas body weight at 21,28 and 70 days and average daily gain of body weight from birth to 21 days,from 21 days to 28 days and from 28 to 70 days of AA and AB individuals were not significantly different in Yorkshire pigs(P0.1).


The reaction of carboxylic acids with dioxygen complexes MO2(PPh3)2(M=Pt, Pd) at low temperature gives rise to the selective formation of H2O2 and the corresponding dicarboxylato complexes characterized by their physical properties. It is suggested that the reaction can be influenced by either the capability of reactant for coordination to metal center or the stability of resulting metal complex. An equimolar addition of CH2ClCOOH to the dioxygen complexes in the presence of triphenylmethyl bromide at ca. −70 °C gives triphenylmethyl hydroperoxide and the corresponding monocarboxylato complexes in good yields, indicating that the reaction of organic acids with MO2(PPh3)2 proceeds by stepwise mechanism.


158 INTRODUCTION 159 PART I: COMPELLED SPEECH AND THE RISE OF THE "VOLUNTARY ENROLLMENT" DISQUALIFIER. 161 PART II: THE REJECTION OF THE "VOLUNTARY ENROLLMENT" DISQUALIFIER'S TWO PREMISES. 165 A. A Student's Voluntary Decision to Enroll in a University Cannot Extinguish His Compelled Speech Claims 165 1. In Barnette, Students were not Forced to Enroll, and yet the Supreme Court Recognized their Compelled Speech Claims. .... 165 2. Government Coercion Exists in a Variety of Non-Compulsory Contexts. 166 a. Compelled Speech 166 b. Establishment Clause 167 c. Free Exercise Clause 170 B. A Student's Decision to Avail Himself of the "Privilege" of a State Education Cannot Extinguish his Compelled Speech Claims because the "Right-Privilege" Distinction is no longer a Viable Ground for Denying Constitutional Claims. 171 1. The Rise of the Right-Privilege Distinction 172 2. The Demise of the Right-Privilege Distinction 175 3. The Rejection of the Right-Privilege Distinction in Public Education 178 C. Federal Courts have Recognized that Public University Students have Compelled Speech Claims against Curricular and Curricular-related  Assistant Professor of Law and Director of the Constitutional Litigation Clinic, Liberty University School of Law. B.A., University of Virginia, 1995; J.D., University of Tennessee College of Law, 2002.  Professor Martins extends a special note of thanks to Travis Barham, Lucy Brado, and Brian Giaquinto who provided valuable assistance in writing this article. 1 Martins: First Amendment Enclave: Is the Public University Curriculum Immu Published by TU Law Digital Commons, 2014 158 TULSA LAW REVIEW [Vol. 50:157 Requirements. 180 1. Barnette: Grade School Curricular Requirements 180 2. Southworth: University Curricular-Related Requirements 183 3. Axson-Flynn and Ward: University Curricular Requirements ...... 184 PART III: THE DISTURBING IMPLICATIONS OF THE "VOLUNTARY ENROLLMENT" DISQUALIFIER. 186 A. On-Campus Consequences 186 B. Off-Campus Consequences 189 CONCLUSION 190


In today's China, there exists a self-contradictory fact-on the one hand, China is in short of educational resources, and the average educational level of the total population is fairly low; on the other hand, many graduates are facing difficulties in finding positions or are taking positions requiring lower degree employees, which leads to so-called over-education and intellectual unemployment phenomenon in China. The paper analyzes the nature and causes of the over-education phenomenon. It argues that the present over-education phenomenon in China does not mean the surplus of the total educational amount, but is actually the result of "structural in-equilibrium" of higher education. The underlying reasons can be traced back to the influence of Chinese traditional culture, the existence of binary economic structure, administrative-led educational system, and inflexible market-information transferring system.


In 1906, Hopkins and Willcox reported that tryptophan was essential for animals nutrition. Since then, the effect of tryptophan deficiency upon animal nutrition has been discussed by many authors. Recently the interrelation between trypto phan and niacin metabolism was demonstrated. On the other hand, Kotake and his collaborators studied tryptophan metabolism, being especially interested in kynurenine. In 1950, Rose et al. (1) studied amino acid requirement of human adults, by using amino acid mixture. Their experiments made it possible to study the effect of the deprivation of each amino acid on the metabolism. In the pre sent experiment, the effect of the deprivation of tryptophan from amino acid mix ture on tryptophan and niacin metabolism was examined by observing the excre tion of their respective metabolic products in the urine and the trend of nicotin amide-adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP) in the blood.


Wiper applicators allow herbicides to be selectively delivered to upright target weeds, thereby avoiding application to nearby lower-growing desirable pasture plants. In this research, we investigated the efficacy of wiper application of four herbicides, clopyralid, metsulfuron, glyphosate and a triclopyr/picloram mixture, to control Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop., a troublesome weed of pastures in New Zealand. The results showed that wiper application of herbicides was a useful technique for controlling C. arvense. In one trial when plants were treated at the post-flowering stage, stem density reductions in the following season of 93%, 90% and 82% were achieved following a double pass with a rotary weed wiper containing glyphosate, clopyralid and metsulfuron, respectively. A double pass gave better control of dense infestations of C. arvense than a single pass for glyphosate and triclopyr/picloram, but not for clopyralid and metsulfuron. Despite wiper applicators usually being selective, some damage to pastures was recorded, very likely due to rain falling soon after wiper application. Overall, the results of this study revealed that wiper application can be used to selectively control C. arvense when the plants are treated at the post-flowering stage, though only if plants are actively growing. In addition, among the herbicides tested, glyphosate appears to be the best choice when using weed wipers to manage C. arvense, as this herbicide caused the least damage to pasture plants if washed off afterwards by rain.


In this paper, a mechanism connecting all weighted migration routes with minimum cost with EGOSST is proposed. Weighted migration routes may be converted to weighted input edges considered as not only traces but also traffics or trip frequencies of moving object on communication lines, roads or railroads. Proposed mechanism can be used in more wide and practical area than mechanisms considering only moving object traces. In our experiments, edge number, maximum weight for input edges, and detail level for grid are used as input parameters. The mechanism made connection cost decrease average 1.07% and 0.43% comparing with the method using weight minimum spanning tree and weight steiner minimum tree respectively. When grid detail level is 0.1 and 0.001, while each execution time for a connecting solution increases average 97.02% and 2843.87% comparing with the method using weight minimum spanning tree, connecting cost decreases 0.86% and 1.13% respectively. This shows that by adjusting grid detail level, proposed mechanism might be well applied to the applications where designer must grant priority to reducing connecting cost or shortening execution time as well as that it can provide good solutions of connecting migration routes with weights.


Generation of phosphatidylinositol-specific antibodies and their characterization C. L. Thomas*, J. Steel?, G. D. Prestwichf and G. Schiavo*' *Molecular Neuropathobiology, Imperial Cancer Research Fund, 44 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WCZA 3PX, U.K., tCentral Cell Services Laboratory, Imperial Cancer Research Fund, 44 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WCZA 3PX, U.K., and f Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Univenity of Utah, 30 South 2000 East, Room 20 I, Salt Lake City, UT 84 I 12-85820, U.S.A.


Shares of open-end real estate funds are typically traded directly between the investor and the fund management company. However, we provide empirical evidence for the growth of secondary market activities, i.e., the trading of shares on stock exchanges. We find high trading levels in situations where the fund management company suspends the issue or redemption of shares. Shares trade at a discount when the fund management company suspends the redemption, whereas shares trade at a premium when the fund management company suspends the issue. We also find evidence that secondary market trading activity is increasing since German regulation introduced a minimum holding period and a mandatory notice period for open-end real estate funds.


Aerial photography has revolutionized the art of map making over land and if the depth of water could be measured from an aircraft a similar revolution might be expected in hydrography. In 1971 an airborne laser land profiler, designed and constructed at the Weapons Research Establishment, Adelaide, was put into service. At the suggestion of Captain J. H. S. Osborn, then the Hydrographer, R.A.N., this was modified to profile the sea bed and flight tested in June 1975. It was found that, in the vicinity of Adelaide, reflections from the sea bed could be obtained down to 30 m and in places down to 40 m. With an airborne device it becomes possible to survey an area instead of a line and work since has been concentrated on developing a system which will scan at right angles to the aircraft's track.


����� ��� ❦ Several days' journey removed from the palace of Mulay Mohammad bin Abdallah, the sultan who ruled Morocco in the latter half of the eighteenth century, an anonymous Spaniard recorded a series of observations about the indigenous trees beyond the city of Mogador. Though most would be unrecognizable in Spain, one tree of particular note, the author remarks, bears a fruit that "se asemeja a nuestras aceitunas sevillanas" (Antonio Rodriguez Villa 298). The extensive roots of this tree, the argan, span out in all directions so as to support robust branches that grow up from the ground without a central trunk, and it is added that the inhabitants of the region depend on the abundance of its fruit for their cattle, cooking oil, and other necessities. This account comes from a member of the official entourage of the Spanish ambassador, Jorge Juan, during a six-month state visit in 1767 spent in the company of Juan's Moroccan counterpart, Ahmad bin Mahdi al-Ghazal, or 'El Gazel,' as he was known in Spain. 1 At this moment in history, both nations found sufficient diplomatic cause to reach out across the Strait, and al-Ghazal, for his part, had traveled to Spain the year before, in 1766, with a lavish retinue hosted by Carlos 1


Vibration generating apparatus of the present invention provides a game machine and the use of the input device of the apparatus, the number of parts can be reduced, miniaturization and weight, to reduce manufacturing costs, reduce types of parts, improve the operability of the controller, easy to implement versatile of. The input device (the controller) of the present invention, the signal is input to the computer game machine, and a vibration imparting vibration generating means to the input means (vibration generating means), the vibration generating mechanism may be provided in correspondence with the number of vibration given its vibration state.


This paper is studied the shelterbelt effects of 11 farmland protective forests with different structures in artificial oasis of Ulan Buh Desert,the results showed that(1) with the same structure features(age,density,row number,belt width,inter-belt distance,etc.),the porosity of narrow-crown poplar trees was lower than that of wide-crown poplar trees,that of Populus bolleana was 0.23 lower than that of Populus canadensis,that of Populus nigra L.var thevestina(Dode) Bean was 0.30 lower than that of Populus nigra L.var thevestina×P.simonii,the windbreak rates(WR) increased by 34.43% and 26.46%,compared to those of narrow shelterbelt.The farmland sheltering rate(FSR) of wide shelterbelt(32 m) increased by 16.55%—54.41%,and land competitive index(LCI) and crop yield reduction rate(CYRR) of wide shelterbelt(32 m) decreased by 0.03—0.22 and 27.5% respectively;(2) compared to those of high trees,the FSR and WR of small-network shrub belt increased by 8.00%—13.93% and 1.08%—6.30%,LCI and CYRR of small-network shrub belt decreased by 0.01—0.05 and 0.8%—49.4% respectively;(3) compared to those of pure forest,the FSR of mixed forest increased by 43.8%,LCI and CYRR of mixed forest decreased by 0.27 and 57.5%;(4) 9 years after planting,Populus bolleana came to its optimum sheltering age,the optimum sheltering age period is 10—27 age;(5) shelterbelt density,row number and belt width had significantly positive relations to shelterbelt porosity(R=0.661,0.707 and 0.688);(6) inter-belt distance had significantly positive relations to tree(shrub) age.


The objective of this paper is to provide the Hong Kong government with an alternative forecast of container throughput, by studying various interactive relationships between major ports in East and Southeast Asia. As the demand for container handling services is 'derived' from the demand for imports, the resulting market shares for the container handling services gripped by different regions inevitably become a mirror image of the relative competitiveness of their exports. When the markets of the two ports overlap, their market shares will become a function of the prices they charge and how well they meet the needs of the shippers and shipping lines. A vector error correction model (VECM) with structural identification was set up to capture this kind of trade-interdependency and oligopolistic relationship in the East and Southeast Asian market for container handling services. In the course of so-doing, the upward sloping supply curves and downward sloping demand curve for the container handling services provided by Hong Kong and Singapore are identified from the model. Interestingly, the impulse response functions display what is reminiscent of the trade-interdependency and oligopolistic relationship. The forecast of Hong Kong container throughput generated by the structural VECM is then compared with that obtained by the Hong Kong Port Development Board (PDB). The sensitivity analysis shows that, in all possible cases, the structural VECM produces higher growth paths for the Hong Kong container throughput than the PDB does and, hence, suggests an earlier construction of new terminals.


This work analyzes some Chinese and Japanese poetical references present in the Notebook of the Orient (Pequeno Caderno do Oriente) by the poet Eugenio de Andrade, written in Macau in 1990, as well as the farewell feeling caused by the process of devolution of the ancient Portuguese territory to the People Republic of China.


A study on the fundamental properties of Gd5−xLaxSi1.8Ge2.2 pseudo‐binary compounds with x = 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 is performed by means of X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD) and magnetic measurements. An evolution from a monoclinic (M) Gd5Si2Ge2‐type to a tetragonal (T) Zr5Si4‐type structure, with the addition of La, is observed, finding that the T phase is stable for x ≥ 2. A monotonic expansion of the unit cell volume with a rate of 28 Å3/La by increasing the content of the non‐magnetic La ions in the system influences significantly the overall magnetic behavior. For instance, TC decreases in a rate of dTC/dx = −47.8 K La−1; and a considerable hysteresis reduction is observed as a result of the change on the nature of the phase transition from a first to a second‐order one. Hence, these results reveal the impact of a non‐magnetic La substitution on both magnetic and crystallographic properties of this series.


A low-profile, L-band printed circuit antenna with large bandwidth (15% for VSWR <or=1.2, 23% for VSWR<or=1.5, and 31% for VSWR <or=2.0) and high gain (8.7 dB) is presented. The input impedance of the printed antenna is accurately calculated using the method of moments and the image theorem, and broadband complex impedance matching networks are optimized which are based on a lowpass prototype filter. Experimental studies of this element were performed, and large bandwidth was achieved, in agreement with the optimized result. This antenna is suitable for lightweight aircraft conformal structures, and can be used as a reflector feed.<<ETX>>


We investigate the reviews of a Comptes rendus note by Andr\'e Weil in 1940 in the three journals Jahrbuch \"uber die Fortschritte der Mathematik, Zentralblatt f\"ur Mathematik und ihre Grenzgebiete and Mathematical Reviews, together with the context of the publication of these reviews.


Dimensionality reduction is a crucial step for pattern recognition. Recently, a new kind of dimensionality reduction method, manifold learning, has attracted much attention.Among them, Neighborhood Preserving Projections (NPP) is one of the most promising techniques. In this paper, a novel manifold learning method called Discriminant Uncorrelated Neighborhood Preserving Projections (DUNPP), is proposed. Based on NPP, DUNPP takes into account the between-class information and designs a new dierencebased optimization objective function with uncorrelated constraint. DUNPP not only preserves the within-class neighboring geometry, but also maximizes the between-class distance. Moreover, the features extracted via DUNPP are statistically uncorrelated with minimum redundancy, which is desirable for many pattern analysis applications. Thus it can obtain the stronger discriminant power. Experimental results on standard face database demonstrate the eectiveness of the proposed algorithm.


ProMOL is an extension to PyMOL, a widely used molecular visualization program, developed by students at RIT and Dowling College to help determine the function of proteins. The process is computationally intensive. This is exacerbated by the fact that we have a large number of motifs to search against. A database was created to store the results for fast and easy retrieval. The database is stored on a standalone server and results are transferred by TCP/IP. The implementation itself is very simple and provides a base for future development. Results show a runtime improvement from over 30 minutes to just under a minute for alignment results for a single protein. The speed gain comes from the retrieval of prior results. This greatly improves search time for users looking for matches that have been encountered previously, either by themselves or by other users. Future improvements may include a NoSQL database on top of MySQL to increase the speed of data retrieval.


Aluminium-silicon alloys possess high mechanical strength to density ratio which makes it suitable for wide engineering applications. Fluidity affects the properties of the alloys. Silicon increases the fluidity of Al-Si alloys. The refinement of silicon alloys improves the mechanical property of the alloys. This study investigated the fluidity of nineteen Al-Si alloys made with silicon of 99.999% purity and aluminum of 99.999% purity. A straight channels mold was utilized in determining the fluidity. The casting modulus of the channels varied between 0.2 mm and 2.9 mm. Using the same quality of materials, a primary silicon refiner Al-Cu-P was added to the alloys. The result was an unexpected 40% increase in fluidity for the Al-8%Si alloy. A decrease in fluidity from 35% to 10% was observed in the fluidity of the hyper-eutectic alloys.


This report presents the second phase of a study on thermal treatment technologies. The study consists of a systematic assessment of nineteen thermal treatment alternatives for the contact-handled mixed low-level waste (MLLW) currently stored in the US Department of Energy complex. The treatment alternatives consist of widely varying technologies for safely destroying the hazardous organic components, reducing the volume, and preparing for final disposal of the MLLW. The alternatives considered in Phase 2 were innovative thermal treatments with nine types of primary processing units. Other variations in the study examined the effect of combustion gas, air pollution control system design, and stabilization technology for the treatment residues. The Phase 1 study examined ten initial thermal treatment alternatives. The Phase 2 systems were evaluated in essentially the same manner as the Phase 1 systems. The alternatives evaluated were: rotary kiln, slagging kiln, plasma furnace, plasma gasification, molten salt oxidation, molten metal waste destruction, steam gasification, Joule-heated vitrification, thermal desorption and mediated electrochemical oxidation, and thermal desorption and supercritical water oxidation. The quantities, and physical and chemical compositions, of the input waste used in the Phase 2 systems differ from those in the Phase 1 systems, which were based on a preliminary waste input database developed at the onset of the Integrated Thermal Treatment System study. The inventory database used in the Phase 2 study incorporates the latest US Department of Energy information. All systems, both primary treatment systems and subsystem inputs, have now been evaluated using the same waste input (2,927 lb/hr). 28 refs., 88 figs., 41 tabs.


1. Br A. Bruce showed a rare case of facial paralysis in a girl aet. about 11. It had occurred as the result of exposure to a draught some two years and a half before, and affected the right side of the face. Most people to whom he had shown her had diagnosed paralysis of the left side, the left eye being more widely open than the right, and the line running from the right ala nasi being, more marked than that on the left. When, however, she showed her gums the face was seen to be drawn to the left side. There was


Abstract : This research project carried out a tentative study of automatic satellite navigation based on a stellar sensor. The study shows that with a known starlight refraction model of the Earth's atmosphere, automatic satellite navigation can be realized through starlight refraction measurement or obscuration time measurement, without the necessity of an accurate attitude determination. In the study report, a basic related navigation algorithm was proposed, the effect of errors was discussed, and several characteristics of such navigation were revealed through mathematic simulation calculations.


Objective: It is of primary importance to develop wound healing sealant that prevent bacteria contamination and growth. We propose to formulate poor platelets plasma material supplemented with a bactericidal plant extract, Ageratum conyzoides Linn. (Asteraceae). Aqueous extract of this plant is used as a bactericide. Methodology: Platelet-poor plasma (PPP) containing less than 10,000 platelets per μL were used for all experimentations. Physiological serum (NaCl 0.9%) had served to prepare calcium chloride (CaCl ) solutions at 2 2M, 4M, 6M, 8M and 10M. Clauss fibrinogen assays were done to determine fibrinogen concentrations in each plasma pocket. Clotting times were measured following the addition of the appropriate calcium chloride concentration to the plasma. Plant extract at a concentration of 250 mg/mL in physiological serum was also added to the plasma and followed by the clotting times measured. Results: Clauss fibrinogen assays reflected a global satisfactory fibrinogen concentration. Overall profile of the evolution of clotting time vs calcium concentrations adopts a curve form and the shortest clotting times are those obtained with 4M calcium concentration. However, the presence of extract deeply disturbed clotting process, as clotting times were extremely elongated. Conclusion: Our objective was difficult to achieve because of the thrombin inhibitory side effects of the extract which were added to antithrombin III inhibitory effects in presence of excess calcium.


PURPOSE: Provided is a method for improving the oral properties and / or the homogeneity of a solid, active component in a food product. CONSTITUTION: The chalky off taste and / or the homogeneity of a solid, active component in a food product is improved by incorporating in the food product an effective amount, preferably 1 to 70 wt % on food product of a structured particulate system comprising one or more active component(s) in a matrix in a weight ratio of 1 : 99 to 99 : 1 and wherein the mean weight diameter of the particles of the structured particulate system ranges from 25 to 500 microns.


So far,with the rapid development of military optical instruments,infrared(IR) optical material-ZnS was widely applied in IR optical systems.In this paper,the grinding process research of ZnS crystal is introduced and the polishing technique of ZnS crystal is discussd by processing a 35mm diametric ZnS crystal for example.By comparing various polishing powders and layer materials,the best craft matching condition is found in the numerical contrd polishing process of ZnS crystal.Besides that,the challenge of controlting the ZnS surface finish is also further solved.After being tested by profilometer and Zygo inter ferometer,the profile accuracy of ZnS-crystal aspheric surface can reach 0.2μm,the surface finish can achieve above the grade III and the deviation of the center is less than 1μm.All the parameters are met the requirements of an infrared tracking system.


The breakdown of the European regimes of state socialism and the subsequent efforts to establish a new social order in its former domain are arguably the most consequential, as well as most fascinating, historical events in the authors' adult lifetime. What we want to understand in this comparative study is not so much the breakdown of the old order, but the problematic emergence of the new. To that end, we look at three groups of phenomena and their causal interconnection. These phenomena can be located on a time axis. First, we have the material legacies, constraints, and set of habits and cognitive frames that are inherited from the past regime (as well as the social and cultural conditions preceding it), as well as from the mode of its sudden and unpredicted disintegration. Second, we see a turbulent configuration of new actors and new opportunities for action; they emerge as the old regime loses its repressive grip on society. Third, we see – or rather still partly anticipate – a new consolidated institutional order under which agency is institutionalized and a measure of sustainability (or "consolidation") of these agency-shaping institutions is achieved. Thus the breakdown, transformation actors, and new and (more or less) consolidated regimes are the three phenomena we encounter along the transformation path. The causal links that connect the (in)stabilities of institutional outcomes to actors, and actors to the constraints, opportunities, and preferences inherited from and inherent in the original conditions of the breakdown of the old regime will together form the focus of this book.


The changing in the settlement pattern during this period and the number of abandoned villages in each phase indicate the intensity of the crisis in the three cultural districts.


The paper evaluates the
problems confronting the Niger Delta region bearing in mind the abundant human
and natural resources in the area and the severe poverty facing the people. It
concludes that except the conditions of the people are improved upon, especially
the women and the youths, conflict will continue to persist in the region.


Mathematical models for the kinetics of 1‐dehydrogenation of steroids by Septomyxa affinis are considered. A model providing for product inhibition fits experimental data best. Product inhibition was also demonstrated directly.


Report presenting an investigation to determine whether the difference in the spanwise loading of the two types of aircraft were responsible for the differences in spin characteristics, particularly in regards to angle of attack.


Two case studies of prosopographical identification are presented for a corpus of early roman texts from euhemeria in the Arsinoite nome. the first concerns the name Aphrodisios, which reappears across several documents, and which suggests a new connection between previously unlinked documents. the second deals with the name Philoxenos, and concludes that the presence of a name alone is not sufficient to confirm identification, even within texts of similar origin and date. Further comments are made on the use of trismegistos People as a tool for research.


We present OffRoadTranSeg, the first end-to-end framework for semi-supervised segmentation in unstructured outdoor environment using transformers and automatic data selection for labelling. The offroad segmentation is a scene understanding approach that is widely used in autonomous driving. The popular offroad segmentation method is to use fully connected convolution layers and large labelled data, however, due to class imbalance, there will be several mismatches and also some classes may not be detected. Our approach is to do the task of offroad segmentation in a semi-supervised manner. The aim is to provide a model where self supervised vision transformer is used to fine-tune offroad datasets with self-supervised data collection for labelling using depth estimation. The proposed method is validated on RELLIS-3D and RUGD offroad datasets. The experiments show that OffRoadTranSeg outperformed other state of the art models, and also solves the RELLIS-3D class imbalance problem.


Isabgol (Plantago ovata Forsk.) is important medicinal plant. Isabgol crop suffers a lot due to fungal diseases. Among all diseases, downy mildew caused by Peronospora plantaginis Underwood is the most important and wide spread disease, which appears in severe form every year and causes extensive damage to the crop. Therefore screenings of 15 germplasm against downy mildew disease was carried out. How to view point the article : Patel, N.N., Parmar, R.G. and Patel, S.T. (2014). Varietal screening of isabgol (Plantago ovata Forsk.) against downy mildew. Internat. J. Plant Protec., 7(1): 243-245.


Purpose: The rate of high riding vertebral artery (VA) was investigated, and the rate in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) group was compared with that in non-RA group. Materials and Methods: 67 consecutive patients were recruited. The male to female ratio was 44:23. Sixteen patients were diagnosed as RA and 51 as cervical spondylosis. Sagittal reformatted view transecting mid-portion of the atlantoaxial facet joint was obtained and the height of the is thmus and the internal height of the axis were measured using a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS). High riding VA was defined as less than 5mm of isthmus height or less than 2mm of internal height. Results: Thirty-six joints (26.9%) and twenty-seven patients (40.3%) showed high riding VA, and there was no significant difference between right and left side (8 right, 10 left, 9 both sides) (p=0.20). There was no difference among age distribution (p=0.06). In rheumatoid patients, the rate of high riding VA (10/16, 62.5%) was higher than in non-rheumatoid patients (17/51, 33.3%) (p=0.04). Conclusion: Preoperative evaluation of the VA using the reformatted CT should be performed in all patients who plan to undergo atlantoaxial transarticular screw fixation. In rheumatoid patients, possibility of high riding VA should always be considered.


In the confetti percolation model, or two‐coloured dead leaves model, radius one disks arrive on the plane according to a space‐time Poisson process. Each disk is coloured black with probability p and white with probability 1−p . In this paper we show that the critical probability for confetti percolation equals 1/2. That is, if p > 1/2 then a.s. there is an unbounded curve in the plane all of whose points are black; while if p≤1/2 then a.s. all connected components of the set of black points are bounded. This answers a question of Benjamini and Schramm [1]. The proof builds on earlier work by Hirsch [7] and makes use of an adaptation of a sharp thresholds result of Bourgain. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 50, 679–697, 2017


Triplexers are designed based on SOl flattop arrayed waveguide gratings (AWGs). Three wavelengths (1310, 1490,and 1550nm) operate at three diffraction orders of AWGs. Simulation shows that the 3dB bandwidth,crosstalk, and loss are 6nm,less than -40dB, and 5dB, respectively. The output optical fields of the device fabricated in our laboratory are clear and show a good triplexing function.


Category: Bunion Introduction/Purpose: The Lapidus procedure is common for the treatment of moderate to severe hallux abductovalgus deformity. Standard fixation consists of a combination of crossing screws and plates. Despite arthrodesis of the first tarsometatarsal joint, recurrence of the deformity remains a concern. A recently described construct adds an additional point of fixation from the plantar medial first metatarsal to the intermediate cuneiform. This construct is termed the cross screw intermediate cuneiform construct. The purpose of this study is to determine the long-term angular maintained correction of the 1st and 2nd intermetatarsal angle, hallux abductus angle, and tibial sesamoid position after undergoing a 1st tarsometatarsal joint arthrodesis utilizing the cross screw intermediate cuneiform construct to correct and maintain the hallux abductovalgus deformity. Methods: A retrospective, single-center chart and radiographic review was performed of all patients with HAV treated with a 1st tarsometatarsal joint arthrodesis with cross screw intermediate cuneiform construct fixation by the senior author. The study period was from June 1st, 2016 to June 1st, 2017. Patients who underwent 1st tarsometatarsal joint arthrodesis for a primary diagnosis of HAV were studied. Three observers independently reviewed radiographic data including preoperative weight bearing, 1st weight bearing, and final weight bearing plain films radiographs. Preoperative films were used if they were within 3 months of the surgery, and the radiographic time line for the post-operative intervals were at 12 ± 2 weeks, 18 ± 4 weeks, 26 ± 4 weeks, 52 ± 12 weeks, and the final follow-up visit. Radiographic data evaluated were initial improvement and long-term maintenance of intermetatarsal ankle, hallux abductus angle, and tibial sesamoid position. Results: Forty-five patients met inclusion criteria and were included in the study. Mean follow-up time was 9.76 months (SD ± 7.62). Bony union was achieved in 43 of 45 patients (95.6%). Two patients required revision bunionectomy as result of recurrence (4.4%). Other complications included symptomatic hardware in 2 patients requiring hardware removal and neuritis in 2 patients. Average preoperative IMA was 15.95º (±2.55), HAA was 31.14º (±6.19), and tibial sesamoid position was 4.36 (±1.07). Final average improvement of IMA was 6.26º (±2.9), HAA was 13.89º (±7.02), and tibial sesamoid position was 2.07 (±1.34) positions. Average loss of IMA correction was 1.70º (±1.64), HAA was 2.45º (±4.6), and tibial sesamoid position was 0.8 (±0.82) positions. Wilcoxon signed rank test showed statistical significance in all radiographic parameters both in initial improvements and loss of correction (p<0.005). Conclusion: The current study shows the cross screw intermediate cuneiform construct for 1st tarsometatarsal joint arthrodesis has good union rates, a low complication rate, and maintains correction. Further clinical and comparative studies may yield additional useful information.


The role of women in silent era cinema has become increasingly important in recent cinema scholarship. One aspect of this current scholarship is the appearance of the female star and the social, industrial and ideological forces that contribute to the construction of the star system. The Khanzhonkov studio, founded and directed by Alexander Khanzhonkov, Khanzhonkov & Co., was one of the leading studios in Russia prior to the Revolution. Taking a cue from recent scholarship on the variety of women's roles in the cinema, and building on the work of academics such as historian Denise Youngblood and film scholar Yuri Tsivian, this paper will explore some of the practices and policies of Alexander Khanzhonkov and his studio.


Purpose of the Study. To evaluate the effectiveness of sodium cromoglycate in the treatment of persistent wheezing in children ages 4 to 12 months.
 Study Population. Thirty-one asthmatic infants without such complicating factors as gastroesophageal reflux, cystic fibrosis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, etc, were enrollled. Sixteen received active medication and 15 received placebo.
 Methods. All 31 infants were observed for 3 weeks before the final enrollment with symptom scores recorded based on cough, wheeze, thoracic indrawing, and sleep pattern. Any noticeable problems were treated with albuterol delivered by a nebulizen and tightly fitting face mask.
 Pulmonary function parameters were determined by the "squeeze technique" on all enrollees.
 For the next 6 weeks, 16 infants received 40 mg of sodium cromoglycate in 4 mL solution via the nebulizer three times a day and 15 infants received 4 mL of normal saline three times a day.
 Symptom scores were meticulously recorded and again pulmonary function studies were performed.
 Findings. There were no significant differences noted between the sodium cnomoglycate group or the placebo group that led the investigators to conclude that sodium cromoglycate was not an effective agent in controlling asthma in very young infants.
 Reviewer's Comments. This appeared to be a very well done investigation and employed twice the dose of sodium cromoglycate e.g. 40 mgm tid, than most of us would use. It certainly makes one wonder especially in view of Dr. Shirley Murphy's similar results with sodium cromoglycate in premature newborns and its failure to prevent BPD.
 The use of inhaled corticosteroids to manage asthma in this young group of patients deserves such a carefully conducted study.


It's significant for young doctors to be trained up to become qualified talents in university hospital.Therefore,the young doctors' characteristics should be understood,the influencing factors to the young doctors' growth should be analyzed,and all the practicable measures should be taken to promote the growth of young doctors as soon as possible.


Objective To evaluate the influence of systematic health education on the patients with rheumatic heart disease undergoing operation. Methods One hundred and two inpatients with rheumatic heart disease who underwent valve replacement surgery were randomly divided into two groups: an observation group and a control group, according to the parity of their registration numbers at admission, with each group having 51 participant. A comparative study was conducted by providing systematic health education and routine health education for the two groups respectively, and the results were statistically analyzed. Results The compliance behavior of the inpatients who were given systematic health education was significantly improved as compared with those on routine health education program (P0.01). In the observation group, the incidence of lung complications was significantly lower (P0.05). The satisfaction of patients in the observation group was significantly higher (P0.01). Three months after discharge, the rate of prothrombin time prolongation in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P0.01). Conclusion The systematic health education can improve the recognition of patients on diseases, nurse-patient relationship and their compliance behavior, raise their awareness and capability of self-care, lower complications, and increase their satisfaction.


The article displays the historical background of the transatlantic relations; the way the United States and Europe strengthened theirdiplomatic ties; how they manage to deal with the leading superpower-the Soviet Union; the emphasis is given to the establishment ofthe first organization- The League of Nations that was an American concept introduced by the 28th president of US Woodrow Wilson.The league dedicated its policy to cooperation and collective security. Actually, later on, the weakness of the league became quite evidentwhen it was not able to avoid the second tragedy of the world. Nowadays NATO serves the world as the defender of the ancient conceptof collective security.The article analysis the significance of NATO, the mutual cooperation of the United States and Europe in the period of Cold War; it alsoresearches US's leadership position in the contemporary politics; its support and devotion to Europe in times of difficulties. Here arediscussed the variety of perspectives and interests of the US and Europe; How they realize their political goals; the differences in the wayof conflict resolution are examined;The article also reveals the balance of "hard" and "soft" powers; and finds answers to the following questions: why the United States isreferred as "hard power" and Europe as "soft power"; how they cooperate and influence he world politics; how the universal principlesand values that Europe together with the US carries out and attracts other nations shape the modern nations and political environment.


Adaptability and graceful degradation are important features in distributed systems. Yet, consensus and other agreement protocols, basic building blocks of reliable distributed systems, lack these features and must perform expensive reconfiguration even in face of single failures. In this paper we describe multicoordinated mode of execution for agreement protocols that has improved availability and tolerates failures in a graceful manner. We exemplify our approach by presenting a generic broadcast algorithm. Our protocol can adapt to environment changes by switching to different execution modes. Finally, we show how our algorithm can solve the generalized consensus and its many instances (e.g., consensus and atomic broadcast).


The present invention has a first surface and a second surface, the multilayer for in-mold label comprising a core layer made of a dispersed particulate solid polymeric material and the polymeric material, the first surface layer covering the first surface of the core layer film on. The core layer and the first surface layer are co-extruded and formed multilayer film film, to provide a film oriented in the machine direction and hot-stretched at the expected use temperature above the temperature of the label film. The density of the film during heat drawing is reduced from about 5% to about 25%, annealing at expected use temperature above the temperature of the label film. Film has a machine direction Gurley (Gurley) stiffness values, about 2% or less of the longitudinal shrinkage, and longitudinal shrink tension of approximately 100psi or less 200 ° F (93.3 ℃) of about 30 to about 120 range .


Bioremediation of polluted water environment by using macrophytes become a hot research.Based on elaborating of ecological restoration goals,authors deeply analysed ecological restoration multifaceted mechanism and its efficiency of eutrophic water purification.Finally,we discussed the development direction and research priorities of bioremediation of polluted water environment by using macrophytes,which could provide a reference for bioremediation of polluted water environment by using macrophytes.


Design of pipeline without translation from CISC instructions to RISC instructions.Instruction buffers and caches are implemented in the front stage of CISC pipeline with double Program Counters pointing to opcode and operand separately.Multi-port registers and memories are designed to support simultaneously read and write by different stages.Optimization for pipeline functions is adopted in order to realize an effective CISC pipeline system.Final evaluation and test by ModelSim and Xilinx tool sets prove the design workable and preferable.


Different sputtering techniques were investigated for coating deposition on Alexandrite laser crystals. The use of advanced optical coating deposition increased the final optical component's resistance to laser-induced damage by more than twice.


An extensive survey on the large variety of electrochemical processes for water treatment is given. By the proper choice of the electrochemical reactor, by adaptation of current density and cell voltage, the use of a tailor-made electrode material and if necessary of ion- exchange material, different electrochemical processes for water treatment can be established. These processes can be used for water disinfection, the on-site production of oxidants and disinfectants, for water softening, dehalogenation of organic compounds, metal deposition and for the regeneration of activated carbon. Electrodialysis, electrodeionization, electroflotation, electroflocculation, the electrochemical combustion of organic compounds and the electrochemical breaking of emulsions belong also to the group of electrochemical water treatment processes.


In order to investigate the influence of various environmental pollutants on living organisms, the effects of hlogenated hydrocarbons on the mitochondrial membrane were examined. The results obtained were as follows: 1) Monohalogenated benzenes decrease state 3 respiration and increase state 4 respiration, resulting in a decrease in both respiratory control (RCI) and the ADP/O ratio. 2) The above activity is in the decreasing order of iodobenzene, bromobenzene, chlorobenzene and fluorobenzene. This order of activity is parallel to that of potassium releasing activity. 3) Similarly to the effect of monohalogenated benzenes, brominated hydrocarbons also decrease both RCI and the ADP/O ratio. The activity is in the decreasing order of tribromobenzene, dibromobenzene, boron carbide, monobromobenzene and bromoform, which parallels the potassium releasing activity.


Codetermination – workers' participation in management – forms part of the industrial relations traditions of a number of European countries. Among these, the German system of parity codetermination (paritatische Mitbestimmung) which was first introduced in the iron and steel industries by the British military command after the Second World War provides the greatest level of involvement for workers. Similar debates which are often overlooked over the introduction of codetermination were taking place in the UK in the late 1940s. This article provides a new perspective on the history of codetermination in the UK and Germany in order to explain why codetermination was introduced in its current form in Germany but not in the UK. The article questions whether the failure to institute a system of workers' participation in management in the UK should be considered a missed opportunity.


Objective To describe the kinesis changes of TLR4mRNA expression,serum TNF-α and heaptocytes apoptosiss in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute liver failure.Methods Acute liver failure was established by intraperitoneal injections of D-galactosamine(400 mg/Kg)and lipopolysaccharide(100 μg/kg) in female Wistar rats. Mortality and survival time were recorded in 10 rats. Ten rats were sacrificed at 4, 8, and 12 hours after treatment .Liver function test, serum TNF-α levels were measured, as well liver pathology studied. The apoptosis of liver cells was detected by TUNEL assay. Results Eighty percent rats died from acute liver failure after administration of D-galactosamine /lipopolysaccharide, with mean survival time of(15.6±1.8 )hours. Liver function tests were compatible with liver massive necrosis. Plasma level of TNF-α and liver cells apoptosis increased, with the change of TNF-α earlier. The expression of TLR4mRNA in liver tissue was positive correlation with concentration of plasma TNF-α(r=0.709,P=0.000).Conclusion The results show that TLR4 are involved in inducing the generous conduction of TNF-α,which activate inflammatory cascade reaction and initiate liver cell apoptosis. It suggests that TLR4 will be the novel strategy to prevent the development of lipopolysaccharide-induced acute liver failure.


Although effective leadership is necessary for all physicians in an ever-changing medical practice arena, the skills necessary for everyday leadership are infrequently explicitly taught, even though the literature suggests that these are learnable skills. Because time limitations are a major contributor to the introduction of these skills, the article outlines a brief introductory leadership workshop, offered to both faculty and residents concurrently, and with material applicable to all stages of medical training and practice. Objectives Historically, physicians have always been viewed as leaders in the healthcare field. Whether they embrace this role, physicians often find themselves in a leadership role, from the clinical setting to an institutional setting. In most cases, this leadership role is taken on without prior training on even the most basic concepts required for effective leadership. Methods We created a combined leadership workshop for both faculty members and residents in training. The topics included an introduction to leadership styles, emotional intelligence, and negotiation skills. The leadership workshop was conducted as an interactive training session for faculty and resident physicians and was embedded during routinely scheduled teaching time for residents. Results We present survey data from two annual workshops, demonstrating a clear improvement in participants' perceived understanding of leadership skills in the areas of leadership style, emotional intelligence, and negotiation skills. We have found that fairly simple measures may be taken to embed this training into the busy schedules of medical faculty and residents in training and that tapping into local expertise was an effective and efficient approach to this. Conclusions We believe the results from our experience can help inform other programs about practical approaches to teaching leadership skills.


We examine the effect of cold dark matter on the discrimination between the two enantiomers of a chiral molecule. We estimate the energy difference between the two enantiomers due to the interaction between fermionic WIMPs (weak interacting massive particles) and molecular electrons on the basis that electrons have opposite helicities in opposite enantiomers. It is found that this energy difference is completely negligible. Dark matter could then be discarded as an inductor of chiroselection between enantiomers and then of biological homochirality. However, the effect of cosmological neutrinos, revisited with the currently accepted neutrino density, would reach, in the most favorable case, an upper bound of the same order of magnitude as the energy difference obtained from the well-known electroweak electron-nucleus interaction in some molecules.


The first fully on-line use of the angular distribution of beta emission in detection of NMR of nuclei oriented at low temperatures is reported. The magnetic moments of the single valence particle, intermediate mass, isotopes 67Ni(nup(-1)(1/2);1/2(-)) and 69Cu(pip(1)(3/2);3/2(-)) are measured to be +0.601(5) &mgr;(N) and +2.84(1) &mgr;(N), respectively, revealing only a small deviation from the neutron p(1/2) single-particle value in the former and a large deviation from the proton p(3/2) single-particle value in the latter. Quantitative interpretation is given in terms of core polarization and meson-exchange currents.


Objectives/Hypothesis The objective was to evaluate the feasibility of performing a totally endoscopic resection of the submandibular gland in a cadaver model.


Objective: To express fusion protein HspA-UreB encoded by heat-shock protein subunit A gene and urease subunit B gene of H.pylori and study its immunocompetence. Methods: The hspA and ureB gene fragments were purified from recombinant plasmid pNHA27 and pNUB27, and cloned together into the fusion expression vector pMAL-C2x . The recombinant plasmid was then transformed into E.coli TB1. The positive clones were identified by PCR and restriction enzyme digestion. The recombinant fusion protein MBP-HspA-UreB was induced to express by IPTG and was analyzed by SDS-PAGE. The fusion protein was purified by using of affinity chromatography and then was immunized to mice. The mice serum were analyzed by Western blot with fusion protein HspA-UreB. Results: The hspA-ureB fusion gene could be amplified from the recombinant fusion expression plasmid pMHU27(pMAL-HspA-UreB) by PCR, and also the hspA-ureB fusion gene fragments could be produced from these plasmids after restriction enzyme digestion. SDS-PAGE and optical density scanning indicated that the fusion protein was expressed in the recombinant vaccine strain TB1(pMHU27) as a protein with 119 000 of molecular weight and was 31 % of the total bacterial protein. The fusion protein purified by affinity chromatography could be recognized by corresponding antibody of mice serum immunized by this fusion protein. Conclusion: The fusion protein HspA-UreB of H.pylori can be expressed in E.coli successfully, and this fusion protein has strong immunoantigenicity and immunoreactivity.


The paper deals with a research made for S.C. Tasmania involving the motivation of employees. A system of values is involved in motivation, values which give a precise meaning and influences the degree of individual freedom, the accession to certain values. Optimal performance gave the result that, in research, intrinsic reasons are leading to higher and more stable performance over time than extrinsic ones.