Introduction: In India, an estimated 57,000 deaths were attribute d to Asthma in 2004 & it was seen as one of the lea ding cause of morbidity and mortality (WHO 2004). The range of prevalence of Bronchial asthma in chil dren in India varied from 2% to 20%. So far, no community based studies have been conducted in Western Uttar Pradesh to fin d out the prevalence of bronchial asthma in children. The pre sent study is an effort in that direction. Objective : To determine the prevalence of bronchial asthma among children of 5 - 15 years and its environmental determinants. Methods : A cross sectional community based study was conducted by interviewing the parents of randomly selected childre n in the age group of 5- 15 years using International Study on A llergy And Asthma In Childhood (ISAAC) Questionnaire. Assuming the prevalence of bronchial asthma to be 10% at 95% confidence interval and allowing a relative precis ion of 20% for the estimate and expecting a non response rate of 5 %, the sample size was calculated as 907. The observat ions thus obtained were tabulated and analysed using relevant statisti cal methods. Results: A total of 880 children of 5- 15 yrs participated in the study showing a response rate of 97.02%. The prevalence of asthma was found to be 9.3%. The prevalence of asthma was found to be associated with inadequate ventilation (OR=2.71) and presence of pets (OR= 2.70 ) Conclusion: The prevalence of asthma was found to be 9.3% and it warrants a national program to reduce the morbid ity in children.


BACKGROUND
Common preoperative imaging techniques for the diagnosis of insulinomas do not lead to an effective localization in 40% cases. We present here our experience with arteriography followed by selective arterial calcium injection (AACI).

METHOD
Retrospective review of AACIs and other techniques performed in patients with endogenous hyperinsulinism.

RESULTS
AACI either localized the tumor or at least conditional its surgical resection in nine out of 11 cases. In 2 out of 11 patients, the test yielded a negative result (factitious hypoglycemia). Only 4 tumors were identified by other techniques.

CONCLUSIONS
AACI is a first-choice technique for the preoperative localization of insulinomas. It may also help rule out other causes of hypoglycemia.


A 70-year-old man with a spindle-cell malignant tumour located in the left pleura received a first course of chemotherapy that consisted of 20 mg/m2 of epirubicin and 2500 mg/m2 of ifosphamide per day for 3 days, given intravenously. The chemotherapy led to leukopenia with an absolute neutrophil


This revision of Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors is in no way intended to take the place of a serious study of the original work. It is, rather, a revision to make the play a suitable stage vehicle for high school and college drama groups which would otherwise shun it because of the language difficulties involved.


In this study, we reported the improved light outcoupling efficiency of an OLED by antireflective periodic micro-pyramids structure. The flexible PET substrate with the micro-pyramids structure was fabricated using fully Roll-to-Roll(R2R) processed method. During the measurement, the light emission from the OLED with the texture structure has light enhancement of 1.3 times. A special angle of far-field pattern is also observed from the OLED with the texture structure due to periodic structure of the pyramids.


This paper analyzes the problems of the computer network course learning system which realizes the inquiry-based learning of the partial course, and then proposes an inquiry-based blended learning system which realizes the inquiry-based learning of the whole course by blending F2F learning and online learning. The blended learning system consists of a network simulation module, an inquiry-based teaching plan, a F2F learning module and an online learning module. The paper presents that how the design of the system motivates the students by enhancing social presence and collaborative learning and how the online learning interacts with F2F learning to promote inquiry.


While short, simple, and providing some useful examples, Thinking in CSS is purely for the very beginner. With this in mind it still skips some of


Recent progress in the use of continuum electrostatics to treat solute‐solvent interactions will be discussed. The new developments are in the spirit of traditional dielectric models in that the solute is treated explicitly while the solvent is treated as a dielectric continuum. Numerical methods now make it possible to describe the solute in atomic detail and consequently to calculate solvation energies as well as charge‐charge interactions. Electronic polarizability can also be incorporated into the treatment. Our approach to the hydrophobic effect considers it as a form of macroscopic surface tension. It is demonstrated that the standard method of extracting solvation free energies from solubility data, which relies on measuring concentrations in mole fractions, is based on an incorrect approximation. A theory which accounts for volume differences between solute and solvent leads to solvation free energies of hydrocarbons which, when analyzed in terms of surface area, yield a microscopic surface tensio...


We have undertaken a quantitative investigation of the accuracy of surface seismic attributes in predicting fracture density variations within the Nordegg Formation in West Central Alberta. These results were first discussed at the GeoCanada 2010 convention (Hunt et al, 2010). We showed that the Nordegg was fractured, that those fractures were likely important to production, and that we seemed to be predicting those fractures in a statistical manner with Azimuthal AVO (AVAz) and curvature attributes. Further discussion about the sensitivity of the AVAz attributes to sampling also took place at the 2010 SEG Convention (Downton et al, 2010).


jected to an extensive reinvestigation in this laboratory and some new findings in the fraction of Wax A, C and D were reported (Tsumita 1956 a, b ; Nojima 1959 a, b, Nojima et al., 1958). The acetone soluble netural fats of BCG are the main object of this report. Noll and Jackim (1958) and Noll (1958) demonstrated that the native lipid of acetone soluble fat from a virulent human strain, Brð¥vannes, consisted of glyceride, phosphoglycolipids and 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives by infrared spectroscopy after chromatographic


Considering the importance of urban green areas and the relevant role that these areas play in improving the quality of life of city dwellers, the objective of this study was to perform a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the green areas of the municipality of Itaú de Minas MG for the year of 2016 making a space-time ENCICLOPÉDIA BIOSFERA, Centro Científico Conhecer Goiânia, v.15 n.27; p. 2018 42 comparison of the urban and peri-urban areas between the years 2004 and 2016. We used data from the IBGE, in addition to images of Google Earth, integrated with ArcGIS software. After the georeferencing of the images obtained in Google Earth, in the Datum SIRGAS 2000, coordinate system UTM spindle 23S, polygons were created to delimit the urban, peri-urban and green areas knowing the territorial extension of each area, it was possible to determine statistics changes in vegetation and urban growth, as well as to calculate the Green Area Index per inhabitant of the municipality, and the evaluation of the quality of the green areas was made through the field visit. In an interval of 12 years the municipality of Itaú de Minas MG presented an urban development of 18% and an Index of Green Areas, suitable to be used in recreational activities, of 8.35m2/inhab that is below the recommended 15m2/inhab by the Brazilian Society of Urban Arborization (BSUA), thus showing the relevance of this study, considering the benefits that these areas offer to the population, the results point to the need for implantation of new urban green areas in the municipality of Itaú de Minas MG.


. We study a mathematical model of the vehicle traffic on straight freeways, which describes the traffic flow by means of equations of one-dimensional motion of the isobaric viscous gas. The corresponding free boundary problem is studied by means of introduction of Lagrangian coordinates, which render the free boundary stationary. It is proved that the equivalent problem posed in a time-independent domain admits unique local and global in time classical solutions. The proof of the local in time existence is performed with stan-dard methods, to prove the global in time existence the system is reduced to a system of two second-order quasilinear parabolic equations.


Despite current interest in the biology and diagnostic application of plasma cell-free DNA (1), there is little knowledge regarding the cellular origin of this DNA. Recently, we have used a sex-mismatched bone marrow transplantation model to study the relative contributions of hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic cells to circulating DNA (2). We have demonstrated that the predominant proportion of plasma DNA originates from the hematopoietic system (2). However, the proportions of cell-free plasma DNA originating from other organs (e.g., heart, liver, and kidneys) remain unknown. We therefore investigated the contribution of the heart, liver, and kidneys to circulating DNA with use of sex-mismatched heart, liver, and renal transplantation models, respectively.

Sex-mismatched heart, liver, and renal transplantation patients were recruited for the study. Twenty-one patients who had received heart transplants were recruited from the Grantham Hospital, Hong Kong. Fourteen of these heart transplantation patients were females with male donors, whereas the remaining 7 were males with female donors. Four sex-mismatched liver transplantation patients at the Pediatric Surgical Unit of the Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital were recruited; two of these patients were females with male donors and the other two were males with female donors. Six sexmismatched renal transplantation patients were recruited from the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics of …


Clematis flammula and Gallium mollugo are two plants largely used in Mediterranean traditional medicine in the treatment of several inflammatory diseases (C. flammula) and obesity (G. mollugo). Five extracts of C. flammula leaves and three extracts of the flowering tops of Gallium mollugo were isolated using a selective method of extraction. Their mode and capacity to inhibit the NADH oxidase activity of the xanthine oxydoreductase (XDH) were tested using different extract concentrations. The results obtained with Clematis flammula leaves showed a better inhibition for the ethyl acetate extract with 94.22±4.0% at 100μg/ml, whereas the aqueous extracts showed a significantly weaker activity (p ˂0.001) in comparison to the reference molecule rutin. On the other hand, results concerning the flowering top extracts of Gallium mollugo showed a better inhibition for the aqueous chloroform extract with 88.72 ± 0.8% which is comparable to that of the reference molecule, rutin (89.93 ± 0.96%). The inhibition of all extracts as well as rutin were dose-dependent with IC (50) values about 57.08 μg/ml, 50.56μg/ml, 65.33μg/ml and 40.20μg/ml for aqueous chloroform of G. mollugo, ethyl acetate and ethanol of C. flammula and rutin, respectively. Inhibition of a mixed type was recorded in the aqueous chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts of Clematis flammula leaves whereas rutin showed inhibition of an incompetitive type. Keyswords: Clematis flammula, Galium mollugo, Xanthine dehydrogenase, NADH oxidase


The history of public discourse (and in many cases, academic publishing) on pornography is, notoriously, largely polemical and polarised. There is perhaps no other media form that has been so relentlessly the centre of what boils down to little more than arguments "for" or "against"; most famously, on the basis of the oppression, dominance or liberation of sexual subjectivities. These polarised debates leave much conceptual space for researchers to explore: discussions of pornography often lack specificity (when speaking of porn, what exactly do we mean? Which genre? Which markets?); assumptions (eg. about exactly how the sexualised "white male body" functions culturally, or what the "uses" of porn actually might be) can be buried; and empirical opportunities (how porn as media industry connects to innovation and the rest of the mediasphere) are missed. In this issue, we have tried to create and populate such a space, not only for the rethinking of some of our core assumptions about pornography, but also for the treatment of pornography as a bona fide, even while contested and problematic, segment of the media and cultural industries, linked economically and symbolically to other media forms.


for example, to place some of the more detailed etymological and historical discussions in notes or appendices. This work illustrates once again the importance of religious observances and sacred time in traditional China. Its appearance should help lay to rest the once justified complaint that China specialists tend to follow orthodox Confucian interpretations which suppress or deny religious concerns. The field is now open for competent work in any area. The Chinese, to use Charles Long's felicitous phrase, are "just folks," and can be understood and studied as such.


Carbon-13 NMR chemical shifts in various amides and imides are examined. The compounds include mono- and diamides, acyclic imides and cyclic 5- and 6-membered ring imides. The observed shifts can be satisfactorily rationalized on the basis of various electronic and steric factors which contribute to the chemical shifts in these systems. The 13C shifts in amides and imides are further compared with the shifts in corresponding oxygen analogues, i.e. esters and anhydrides. The saturated and α, β-unsaturated amide carbonyls absorb in the range of 173–178 ppm and 167–170 ppm, respectively. These shifts are downfield by 2–3 ppm in comparison with the corresponding esters. The carbonyl shifts in cyclic imides appear in the range 170–180 ppm. In comparison with the corresponding anhydrides and amides, these shifts are downfield by 5–7 ppm and 3–4 ppm, respectively. These differences are discussed in terms of electronic interactions and steric effects.


This paper presents a performance evaluation of non-isolated bidirectional interleaved DC converter compare to conventional half bridge as an interface between DC bus and battery energy storage system (BESS) for energy storage application in a DC Micro-grid. Islanded DC Micro-grid is implemented using multiple energy storage elements in parallel to ensure redundancy, reliability, and modularity. The conventional Half Bridge converter is compared with the interleaved topology (which is obtained by increasing the phase legs of half bridge) in terms of their frequency response analysis and SoC discharge when employed as interfacing converter between BESS and DC bus. The small signal or frequency response analysis is performed in Plecs using AC sweep, impulse response and multitoned analysis. It is established in this study from the open loop bode diagrams of the converters that the corner frequency of the interleaved is almost two times the half-bridge. This difference affected their SoC discharge when employed in a Micro-grid with the interleaved discharging at a rate almost twice that of half bridge. The interleaved also provides reduced current stress on the switch making it best suited for high power applications. The DC bus is 48V dc with a load power of 400W.


Most infrastructure planning challenges belong to the class of sequential decision problems, characterized by significant initial uncertainty on the demand and performance of the system, and the possibility to collect information and reduce the uncertainty throughout the service life. In this paper, we consider a generic infrastructure planning problem and compare two main solution frameworks, partially observable Markov decision processes (POMDPs) and direct policy search (DPS) with a choice of heuristics. A case study is set up so that the the belief space is described by only two parameters and the POMDP approach yields an exact solution. We investigate the performance of direct policy search by examining the optimal choice of the heuristics through a comparison with the POMDP solution. Depending on the type of system and reward function considered, parameters defining the heuristics can be thresholds on the demand or the system reliability, after which intervention is required, or critical damage values that suggest a component repair. The choice of the parameters directly influences the goodness of the solution found. We identify key factors for the optimal selection of the heuristic parameters for the generic problem, and provide insights into which specific features of the system that guide the decision process.


We advocate an approach to model a required software process with structured methods, and then to apply formal analysis procedures to the model in order to ensure that the software requirements model satisfies required system function and performance goals and constraints, including safety. We experiment with the combination DFD method and interval temporal logic for requirements analysis. A particular example, the controller for a system of passenger lifts, is chosen for illustration.


Two years ago, activated by the tragic death of Jon-athan Mann in the Swissair crash over the Atlantic Ocean, I wrote an editorial, " Chronic Pain: A Public Health Problem? " [1] Dr. Mann was the new dean of our new School of Public Health, and also the founding director of the World Health Organi-zation's international effort to enhance AIDS awareness , treatment, and research. At our first meeting, I suggested to him that pain was an important public health problem that we might address in the work of our school and through efforts in the nation and in the international community. Initially skeptical, his interest was sparked by my remark about the high probability that most people in the world dying of AIDS, cancer, and nutritional diseases also suffered from untreated pain. We went on to discuss the lack of preventive education, basic medical services, and the treatment of suffering, even here in the USA's poorer communities. Patients had inadequate access to pain medications such as opioids and providers had little training about treating chronic pain. Poor access to care, recently documented by a report in the New England Journal of Medicine [2], is addressed by two articles in this issue. Burton and Boedeker describe the use of television to enable distant or disabled patients to receive pain medicine consultation [3], and Gam-maitoni and colleagues describe the use of a specialized pain pharmacy to improve access to medications and their quality management [4]. However, the problem is bigger than a lack of access to services. As Mossey et al. document in this issue [5], even those with excellent access to health care suffer needlessly from untreated pain. In considering Dr. Mann's initial response retrospectively , the theme is familiar. How many other terrible diseases have pain as a hallmark symptom, the problem that patients most care about, whereas the disease process seems to be the problem that doctors most care about. Now, thanks to the Pain Care Coalition, this perspective has changed—pain itself is now designated as a public health problem of national significance. The United States Congress recently passed H.can Academy of Pain Medicine, the American Pain Society, and the American Association for the Study of Headache worked diligently for this project; its success indicates what is possible when we work as collaborators. Congratulations to Phil Lippe, who initiated the idea, and to Michael Ashburn, Joel Saper, and …


In this paper we report the results of the simulations of three piezoelectric materials, namely, Zinc Oxide, Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT-2) and Quartz, for the purpose of producing RF functionality and thereby converting the lost mechanical energy into electrical energy. The scope of this paper extends to fatigue analysis of cantilevers made out of these materials separately. Multiphysics simulation software was used for simulation and analysis of the beams and piezoelectric materials. Performance of these materials towards varied frequencies was studied. The results of our study give a prospect to estimate viability of using piezoelectric materials in RF MEMS devices to reduce power consumption and also, they shed light on prospective applications they may fit.


A new LU-type implicit scheme and an improved high resolution MUSCL TVD scheme were used to solve the full three-dimensional Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations and the q-w low-Reynolds-number two-equation turbulence model. The detail flow field in a NASA transonic single-stage turbine at different off-design working conditions was predicted by the present method. The computational results were compared with the available experimental data. The separation flow pattern in the rotor at low mass flow rate working condictions was concluded.


Cochrane Interactive Learning (CIL) is a modular, self-directed training course that leads you through all steps required to conduct a complete systematic review following Cochrane methodology. It is aimed at both new review authors andexperienced authors who want to update their knowledge.


Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. OBJECTIVES: The reduced orthostatic tolerance (OT) that is characteristic of the female sex may be explained by multiple phenotypic differences between sexes. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanistic role of blood volume (BV) and oxygen carrying capacity on sex differences in OT. DESIGN: Experimental intervention. SETTING: University of Calgary, Main Campus, Calgary, AB, Canada. SUBJECTS: Healthy women and men (n = 90) throughout the adult lifespan (20–89 yr) matched by age and physical activity. INTERVENTIONS: Incremental lower body negative pressure (LBNP) in all individuals. Blood withdrawal and oxygen carrying capacity reduction in men to match with women's levels. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Transthoracic echocardiography and central blood pressures were assessed throughout incremental LBNP for 1 hour or until presyncope. Blood uniformization resulted in a precise sex match of BV and oxygen carrying capacity (p ≥ 0.598). A third of women (14/45) and two thirds of men (31/45) prior to blood uniformization completed the orthostatic test without presyncopal symptoms (p-for-sex < 0.001). After blood uniformization, seven out of 45 men completed the test (p-for-sex = 0.081). Left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) and stroke volume (SV) were progressively reduced with LBNP in both sexes, with women showing markedly lower volumes than men (p < 0.001). Blood uniformization did not eliminate sex differences in LVEDV and SV. CONCLUSIONS: Sex differences in OT are not present when BV and oxygen carrying capacity are experimentally matched between sexes throughout the adult lifespan.


Labour and employment law no longer has a monopoly on regulating labour relations and is facing a crisis as its effectiveness is questioned. Codes of conduct adopted by companies to recognise their social responsibility for the global supply chain are instruments that can usefully complement labour and employment law. The aim of this paper is to analyse in depth the legal nature of codes of conduct and their impact on labour and employment law. Will the use of codes of conduct reinforce the crisis of labour and employment law in the era of globalisation or will these codes be part of a solution to this crisis? Do we have to consider codes of conduct as competitors to labour and employment law or as an opportunity for rethinking the way that labour and employment law norms should be produced and applied?


Anaesthesia of wildlife casualties can be challenging. Many patients suffer stress, related not only to disease or injury, but to confinement in captivity. This is exacerbated by restraint and handling and often necessitates the use of sedation or anaesthesia for thorough examination. It is important that the basic principles of good anaesthesia are applied, that the patient and equipment are prepared correctly and that appropriate methods of chemical restraint are chosen.


The outcome most dreaded by patient and surgeon alike is a brain dysfunction. Numerous surveys indicate most patients would prefer death to significant neurological impairment. Cardiac surgery currently enjoys a remarkable safety record in regard to a low death rate and major cerebral infarctions. However, neurobehavioral dysfunction, i.e. memory, coordination, and attention deficits, continues to be an area that is identified in the literature as a major negative outcome associated with cardiac surgery. If the cardiac surgical community is going to eliminate brain injury associated with interoperative methods and apparatus, then a sensitive, reproducible and quick assessment of brain function that can be reliably correlated with surgical interventions is a basic requirement. This paper discusses the experimental design, environmental and statistical concerns relative to selecting a battery of neurobehavioral assessment tools appropriate for cardiac surgery patients so, as a team, we can make a safe operation safer.


. This research was conducted to determine the factors that influence the competitiveness of the automotive industry sector in Indonesia and the implications for economic growth that affect employment, the level of people's welfare and people's purchasing power. The research method used is quantitative data research method with secondary data sources namely the Central Bureau of Statistics, National Development Planning Agency, Investment Coordinating Board, Bank Indonesia, Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Manpower, World Bank, Asian Productivity Organization, Labor Organization International, World Integrated Trade Solutions, AISI and GAIKINDO. The results of this study indicate that there is a significant influence relationship of the factors studied on the competitiveness of the automotive industry sector, and the implications for economic growth that affect employment, the level of people's welfare and people's purchasing power in Indonesia.


Conference Name:Symposium on Photovoltaics for the 21st Century 7 held during the 220th Meeting of the Electrochemical-Society (ECS). Conference Address: Boston, MA. Time:OCT 09-14, 2011.


This paper stops at one aspect that has generated more controversy during the Bolivian constitutional process, the pluri-nationality and the territorial organization of the state. The paper shows the impossibility of speaking, on this issue, of a total harmony between the dogmatic and the organic part of the Constitution. On the contrary, the crossing of different cleavages (ethno-cultural, political, social class, etc.) present during the constitutional process, which influenced the final content of the text, have caused the existence of many tensions between the definition of the state as plurinational and the constitutional principles set out in the dogmatic part of the Constitution and the organic part of the text (territorial organization of the state). The result is a model of pluri-nationality and territorial organization impossible to understand from an ethnocultural vision only. Just from a vision that includes interrelationship all contradictions which exist in the reality of the country can be understood the achievements and limits of constitutional recognition of plurinationality in Bolivia.


Calcium oxalate crystals in pulmonary, pleural, sinonasal, and otologic specimens are reported to occur in association with aspergillosis. 1–4 Literature demonstrating this phenomenon in cytologic preparations is limited. 5–6 We report the cytologic finding of oxalosis (calcium oxalate deposition) in association with a pulmonary aspergilloma. A 48-year-old diabetic man with non-small cell lung carcinoma, status post radiotherapy and chemotherapy, presented with a right upper lobe pneumonia. A 4-cm intracavitary mycetoma was diagnosed radiologically. He was treated with the antifungal voriconazole. A bronchial brushing specimen was submitted in Cytolyt TM and a Papanicolaou-stained ThinPrep TM slide was prepared. Col-orless, needle-shaped, birefringent (polarizable) crystals, which formed rosettes (Fig. C-1) and wheat-sheaf-like (Fig. C-2) arrangements, were identified within macrophages. A careful search revealed septate branching fungal hyphae in the same specimen that stained positively using Gomori Methenamine silver stain (Fig. C-3), and exhibited strong immunoreactivity with anti-Aspergillus monoclonal antibody (clone Mab-WF-AF-1 from Dako Cytomation, Carpinteria, CA), which reacts with A. niger , A. fumigatus and A. flavus . In addition, admixed acute inflammatory cells, cellular debris, and occasional atypical epithelial cells were present. Bronchial material submitted for culture grew Torulopsis glabrata and mycobacterium avium intracellulare complex


The author of this work will endeavor to answer the question: What kind of mysterious trees were there in the Garden of Eden, the fruits of which either endowed humanity with eternal life or boded unavoidable death? Were there real trees in the middle of the garden, or is that merely figurative language used to convey important principles? If so, what are those principles? Why did God put such a strong accent on the tree of knowledge of good and evil, not permitting its fruit to be eaten under any circumstances? What was so alluring about the tree that the woman dared to disobey God and make an independent decision? Why did the consequences turn out to be irrevocable? The main focus of this article is to examine the principles behind God's commandments allowing or prohibiting certain things, particularly what was behind the prohibition of eating fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The author shows that even today, although God has closed off access to the tree of life in the Garden of Eden, people can still reach it and enjoy its fruit.


This study investigates the contemporary status of college student needs and students'ways to cater such needs.We find three new features that are noteworthy first the strongest type of need is the employment need which also has an impact over the evolution of college student needs on learning ability development as well as interpersonal relationship second the need on participating in public administration becomes increasingly important third the internet has become an alternative option of students to meet their various needs and students' dependence on the network is growing.According to our empirical results we propose a framework of constructing the student-need-oriented responding mechanism.


It was reported that the Ge E' center is related to second harmonic generation (SHG) in Ge-SiO21. Since the Ge E' center is known as hole-trapping center, this suggests that the positive charge trapping sites for SHG in Ge-SiO2 are Ge E' centers. However, in a later, detailed thermal stability study, we reported2 that only a variant of the Ge E' center, i.e., Ge E'd1, has thermal stability similar to SHG. This suggests that not all of the observed Ge E' centers are charged.


This thesis oulines the life and thought of Indian theologian, Brahmabandhab Upadyay (1861-1907), a polymath whose important contributions have been largely overlooked in the western world.
The First Part is biographical, consisting of details of Brahmabandhab Upadyay's early life; his Christian witness; his philosophy of teaching; his journalistic dynamism; his attitude to caste; a description of his milieu; his struggles with the church heirarchy; and his political acitivism, sedition trial and death.
The Second Part consists of a discussion of topics central to Upadhyay's thought and contribution, including some of his theological explorations; the ashram considered as mode of Christian expression; and nationalism and liberation in an Indian context.
It concludes with a critical analysis of his contributions, arguing that Upadhyay's contributions are relevant today and merit greater recognition.


It is well known that a thermo-responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) becomes turbid above a cloud point (CP) temperature. In this study, the phase transition changes of PNIPAM end-functionalized with pyrenyl group (Py-PNIPAM) were investigated in dilute aqueous solutions. Two types of Py-PNIPAMs were prepared; one is an ester-linkage type (Py-OCO-PNIPAM), and the other an amide-linkage type (Py-NHCO-PNIPAM). From temperature dependence of fluorescence and fluorescence-excitation spectra for these polymer solutions, the micelle-like aggregates formation was found to be more favorable in Py-OCO-PNIPAM. To elucidate the cause of the difference, the partial dipole moments (PDM) of end-pyrenyl groups was obtained by molecular orbital calculations. The PDM value of the ester linkage type was smaller than that of the amide linkage type. The smaller value of PDM in the ester linkage type may explain the reason for the higher ability to form a micelle of Py-OCO-PNIPAM if the pyrenyl groups are assumed to be the core in the micelle.


In Walin (1982) a theoretical framework is presented for the description of the thermal state and circulation in the ocean. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1982.tb01807.x


Abstract This study presents the results of a 1990 survey of all deans of graduate schools of social work in the U.S. during the academic years 1988-90. A 63-item questionnaire was mailed to deans of 102 accredited schools of social work. The 53 responses provided information about the deans' demographic characteristics, professional tasks, reasons for entering administration, professional preparation, reading activities, perceptions of the deanship, developments in higher education, and issues and problems confronting the profession and social work education. This research is preliminary to a larger study of the deanship in schools of social work.


Abstract : As part of an investigation into the environmental conditions existing in the North Pacific Ocean, observational data collected from ships occupying Ocean Weather Station PAPA were obtained from the Canadian Atmospheric Environment Service. Wind and wave data for the fall and winter months over the period 1951 through 1971 were processed. Wind speed and wave height were examined using a computer program to construct histograms displaying data distribution a monthly basis. Data were divided into two intervals (1951 through 1961, and 1962 through 1971) to compare the two periods since their is a general belief that wind/wave severity has diminished during the past 20 years. The histograms included in the report show that maximum wind speed data and the mean wave height data as reported indicate a definite lessening in environmental severity at the location. Mean wind speed data show a similar trend, but of a much smaller extent.


The concept of Race arouses caution in both politics and academia but often provokes conflict in the non-filtered social spaces. This is not surprising, considering that most people still see Race as rooted biology, rather than what it is, a social construct. This more recent understanding of race (that it is socially constructed) has yet to eliminate millennia of human beliefs and behaviors. Notably, with the rise of the "age of discovery" from as far back as the fifteenth century, contacts between peoples of different countenances were put at the forefront of a number of notorious historical episodes. Whereas the eventual contact between diverse groups of people can be argued to be inevitable in principle, the ensuing nature of the relationships that may arise from such interactions needs to be understood within their contextual bounds. In order to sufficiently respond to contemporary race-based conflict therefore, it would be important to reflect on the ways that individuals and social systems engage with differences in racial identities, and consider an alternate strategy for responding to such conflicts when they arise. Racial conflict, in this essay, will be understood as the variance that is premised on the conceptualization of "in-group" and "out-group" identities based on race; where race is defined along different "shades of color" and/or, different "ways of speech." In essence, racial conflicts cannot be disassociated from the historical and social contexts within which they are born. This is because the historical basis for the institutionalization of race as the grounds for human categorization could, for instance, be understood as having created "in-groups" that either exploitatively benefited from "out-groups," as was the case with colonialism and slavery, or, secured various resources for the exclusive benefit of the "in-group," as was the case in apartheid South Africa. A similar rhetoric with the latter tendency continues to be identifiable within contemporary immigration debates.


Background. Tobacco use is the fifth risk factor for non-communicable diseases in Iran. This study aimed to analyze the policies and measures of tobacco control in Iran in the last four decades (1983-2021). Methods. The present study is a retrospective policy analysis that used a case study plan based on the Walt and Gilson triangle policy analysis framework to examine the content of tobacco control policies in Iran. Data were collected using tobacco use policies and legal documents and analyzed using documentary analysis. MAXQDA 11 software was used to categorize and analyze the findings. Results. The policies include setting prices and taxes on tobacco to reduce demand; protecting the public from second-hand smoke; controlling the composition of tobacco products; setting regulations on the disclosure of information about tobacco packaging and labeling; educating the public about the dangers of tobacco use; advertising, promotion, and financial support of tobacco; setting measures to encourage smoking cessation and reduce the demand and dependence on tobacco; banning illegal tobacco product trading; banning youngsters from tobacco trading; financially supporting the practical alternatives such as economic activities and research; setting monitoring and evaluation systems; and enhancing the exchange of information. Conclusion. Strengthening the government's tobacco control capacity and formulating a clear and coherent national tobacco control strategy and roadmap, including a mechanism for practical cross-sectoral cooperation between different actors, can reduce conflicts of interest between the actors involved and determine the country's current and future tobacco control policies.


A series of 2-dialkylamino-thienopyrimidin-4(3H)-ones were synthesized with 2,2,6,6-Tetramethyl-4-piperidone as the substrate.Eight unreported 2-dialkylamino-thienopyrimidin-4(3H)-ones 7a-7h were synthesized in 72%-85% yields by aza-Wittig reaction of iminophosphorane 4 with aromatic isocyanates give the carbodiimide 5,which were reacted with secondary amines in presence of catalytic EtONa.The structure of 7a-7h were confirmed by 1H NMR,13C NMR,elementary analysis.The preliminary biological activity tests that 7 exhibited some fungicidal activities and 7f provided 71% inhibition activity against Botrytis ciereapers at 5×10-5 g·L-1.


Time difference exists when the data is sent from power dispatching and automation system,the wide-area vector measurement system,the relay protection and the fault information management system because of the unsynchronization in power telecommunication system.This causes some difficulties for power grid faulty analysis when describe the event sequence.This article discusses the time synchronization technology such as clock source,clock transmission protocol,time synchronization network structure and synchronization management system.It then put forth the proposal for building a national power time synchronization network.


The class I terpenoid cyclase epi‐isozizaene synthase (EIZS) utilizes the universal achiral isoprenoid substrate, farnesyl diphosphate, to generate epi‐isozizaene as the predominant sesquiterpene cyclization product, along with at least 5 minor sesquiterpene products. The active site contour of EIZS serves as a template that enforces a particular substrate conformation and chaperones carbocation intermediates through a well‐defined mechanistic sequence. We have engineered the active site of EIZS by remolding its hydrophobic contour through site‐directed mutagenesis in order to decipher the code that relates the three‐dimensional contour of the active site with the products generated by the enzyme. Significantly, the remolded cyclization template in EIZS mutants reprograms the reaction cascade not only to adjust the proportions of products generated by the wild‐type enzyme, but also to generate completely new products of diverse structure. Active site aromatic residues appear to be hot spots for reprogramming the cyclization cascade by manipulating the stability and conformation of critical carbocation intermediates. A majority of mutant enzymes exhibit only relatively modest 2–100‐fold losses of catalytic activity, suggesting that product diversity, and not necessarily catalytic efficiency, is a critical driver in the evolution of terpenoid biosynthesis.


izing invention is an "unprofitable debate," Maxwell warns (190). It certainly packed a political message: the thirteen martyrs of the revolutionary war were depicted in gala Magyar costume. Actors in gala got raucous applause. Wearing the costume was "a safe but extremely visible means of political opposition" (207). The aristocrats donned their costumes when greeting Francis Joseph on his official tours of Hungary in the 1850s. Gala Magyar facilitated "the performance of nationality" in the ceremonial negotiations toward Compromise in the 1860s (198). Francis Joseph appeared in a Hussar uniform at the Hungarian theater, and balls became a kind of costume show. During the Dual Monarchy, men returned to their European suits, with gala dress reserved for special national-imperial holidays. Under dualism civil constitutional rights were extended to other nationalities, but Maxwell persuasively criticizes the Hungarian construct of a national-liberal state for its possessiveness toward nationalism and insistence on a single political language. This consigned non-Magyar Hungarians to an "almost-but-not-quite" collective status (230). He is also little swayed by Pieter Judson's argument that the empire met Rogers Brubaker's concept of a nationalizing state because within its liberal framework it provided only vague guarantees of linguistic rights. He does not engage in the alternatives of dual and triple loyalties or the impulse to assimilation. Hungarian Jewry is not investigated in this study. Maxwell is focused on the male gaze at culture and society. Men's clothing was more important in the display of nationalism than women's clothing. He tries to tackle gender by examining statistics of mixed marriage—a term that is/was reserved in Hungarian to mixed religious marriages. The role of the church and the array of religious affiliations is not studied in this volume. Mixed nationality marriages were not counted in the census. Nationality was counted within counties (for gerrymandering), physical movement from one county to the other (for tax purposes). The census counted mother tongue rather than nationality. Were mixed marriages a part of the process of Magyarization? The early nationalists believed in the possibility of learning Magyar and becoming Hungarian—that was one of the points of contention with the national-nationalities. Perhaps the state was indifferent as well? This analysis comprised the least successful chapter, though still chock full of interesting information. It is possible to drink, smoke, wear a mustache, and dress up without any patriotic emotions. We do not know how transactional the fashion choices were. Maxwell assumes national indifference was predominant, which on the face of it seems to run counter to the material he is uncovering on national presentation in everyday life. He is also ardent in his appreciation of Rogers Brubaker's analyses that break down the code words in the nationalism literature. Consequently, his analysis is nuanced. Embedded in Maxwell's book is a first-rate historiographical essay on nationalism and everyday life. His comprehensive footnotes and commentary are a must for students preparing for qualifying exams. Everyday Nationalism in Hungary is a significant contribution in the methodology of everyday nationalism from its early stages through the Compromise. Maxwell has a good writing style; it is clear and full of energy that pulls one along, or tries to, against the sludge of thick detail embedded in everyday material culture in Hungary.


After some bacteriological studies on the preservation box with electric heating type, following conclusions were obtained.1. The temperature in the box reached to 85°C in the initial 15 minutes and ranged constantly between 85° and 87°C thereafter.2. A definite relation was found between the volume of stored sample and the time for the bacterial death. E. coli in 30-50ml of broth died within an hour.3. The bacterial count in the market milk, when stored, increased once at the initial stage of storage.4. In 4ml of broth, E. coli, St. aureus, and Vib. parahaemolyticus died within 30 minutes, and L. casei, and Asp. niger also showed nearly the same condition, while B. subtilis was still alive after 2 hours.5. The preservation box with electric heating type can be regarded as an effective kitchen furniture from the stand point of food sanitation.But because it has still some points which should be improved in future concerning mainly its stemile efficiency, as mentioned above, users should be careful about these points.


Society for Health and Human Values 6728 Old McLean Village Drive McLean, VA 22101 703-556-9222 note: There are numerous organizations in the United States and abroad that deal with bioethical issues. For a more comprehensive listing of those organizations, see American Hospital Association. Directory of Biomedical Ethics Organizations. Chicago: American Hospital Association, 1989. National Reference Center for Bioethics Literature. International Directory of Bioethics Organizations edited by Robert Iosco. Washington, DC: Georgetown University, 1986.


This research designs face detection and recognition systems for smart home security application. The design is implemented using MyRIO 1900 and programmed using LabVIEW. The connection between myRIO and computer is wifi network. The image of a person is acquired via webcam connected to MyRIO using USB cable. The face detection system is built based on the template matching, while the face recognition is based on the principle component analysis. The testing is done to examine the performance of the face detection in various change of distance, light intensity, light position angles, person's accessories and shirt colour. The face detection modul has good performance in some conditions as distance between the person and the camera is less than 240 cm, person doesn't use accessories that cover part of face, person doesn't use shirt with colour similar to skin colour, and background colour is difference from skin colour. While the face recognition system has 80% of accuracy when it is tested using realtime image. The combination with password is needed in order to increase the security level as it is applied in real smart home security systems.


Thank you very much for reading science and human behavior. As you may know, people have look numerous times for their chosen readings like this science and human behavior, but end up in malicious downloads. Rather than enjoying a good book with a cup of coffee in the afternoon, instead they juggled with some infectious bugs inside their computer. science and human behavior is available in our digital library an online access to it is set as public so you can get it instantly. Our book servers hosts in multiple countries, allowing you to get the most less latency time to download any of our books like this one. Merely said, the science and human behavior is universally compatible with any devices to read.


The traditional Strapdown Inertial Navigation System (SINS)/Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) integrated system uses standard Kalman Filter (KF) to estimate the error states, which weakens the correlation between the different error components to directly initialed the Error Covariance Matrix (ECM) into diagonalization. This initialed method is also widely applied in State Transformation Extended Kalman Filter (STEKF) and Invariant Extended Kalman Filter (IEKF), which results in state estimation failing to achieve the optimal performance. To solve this problem, this paper first analyses the transformed relationship from traditional linear error state to the nonlinear error state redefined in STEKF and IEKF, and the strong correlation is found between the redefined error state components, namely the ECM in STEKF or IEKF no longer appears as a diagonal matrix. Then, aiming at the nonlinear error states, the transformed models of ECM in STEKF and IEKF are derived respectively, which establishes the theoretical basis for ECM initialization based on the error states correlation. Finally, the accuracy, feasibility and general applicability of the proposed method are verified by a boat-mounted field trial.


The article is devoted to analyzing credit instruments for increasing the financial and investment potential of the region. The place of credit instruments in the state monetary policy system is considered, and the influence of the monetary policy on regional economic processes is analyzed. Based on the analysis of the relevant research works, the thesis on different reactions of regions to significant decisions of monetary authorities while implementing the monetary policy is confirmed. Possibilities of differentiating application of the monetary policy instruments by territories in accordance with the development specifics of individual regions or their clusters are studied. It is concluded that some of the instruments (interest rates on operations of the Bank of Russia, mandatory reserve requirements, open market operations, refinancing of credit institutions) have a potential to adapt their use in the regional context. Separately, the article highlights and analyzes direct regional tools for enhancing credit activities, such as direct lending to priority areas and sectors of the economy by regional authorities, subsidizing credit rates for certain categories of borrowers, and creating regional credit organizations with governmenta participation. Based on the assessment of the principles of using the instruments to increase the financial and investment potential of the region, the article provides recommendations for choosing credit instruments for the regions of the Russian Arctic zone (Arkhangelsk region, Nenets Autonomous district, Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous district, Republic of Karelia, Komi Republic, Murmansk region, Krasnoyarsk territory, Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)). For this purpose, the features of building and functioning of the financial systems of the Russian Arctic regions, and the state and performance indicators of their banking sector were analyzed.


In our research performed using model of acoustic trauma at experimental animals (female of hybrids F1 of CBA and C57BL/6 lines) influence of triazin-indole at expression level of hypoxia induced factor (HIF) in Corti's organ was studied at its therapy application. As a reference drug cytoflavin was used. Investigated drug in the form of 1 % solution was introduced into animals parenterally in dosage 5, 7, 10 mg/kg with 2 hr intervals after acoustic impact. Injection of cytoflavin as reference drag was performed in 1.7 ml/kg dosage. Level of HIF expression in the drug of Corti's organ was estimated using immunohistochemical method. It was found out that triazin-indole derivative increases HIF expression in Corti's cells and in neurons of spiral ganglion at acoustical traumatic impact depending on drug dosage increase. Maximal HIF expression in Corti's cells and in ganglions were noted at therapeutic dose of the drug 10 mg/kg. In control group and in the group with application citoflavin in dose 1.7 ml/kg minimal HIF expression was observed. According to obtained results of performed investigation the authors concluded that antisurdant property of triazin-indole derivative is realized through the influence on HIF metabolism (probably, by blockage of prolyl hydroxylase) and enables to consider it as a target molecular during the drug application.


In network environment,new content appears in infringing writing right: infringing form is multiplicity,how to confirm the status of the plaintiff and the defendant,how to administer infringing case,and so on.These bring new challenges to traditional system of writing right.A nuclear problem is that network servicer as an intermediary should bear legal liability of infringement.The article researches the legal liability of infringement by network servicer for reference to legal theory and judicial practice.


(1) Section 2, p. 1946, Section 2.3, p.1947, Section 2.4, p. 1948 I have difficulties to accept the notation "ozonolysis at high NOx" for the reaction of a-pinene with NO3. In many of the high NOx cases NO3 will clearly dominate the a-pinene consumption, and the reaction products contribute to the SOA mass (Presto et al., 2005b). The potential role of NO3 (and its potential effect on the ai compared to ozonolysis products) must be discussed.


Results of diagnosis and treatment in 32 patients with lower lip cancer using photodynamic therapy (PDT) with photosensitizer Photosense are represented. 15 patients had stage I of disease, in 12 – stage II and in 5 – stage III. Photosensitizer Photosense was administered at dose of 0.5 mg/kg body weight in 20 patients and at dose of 0.8 mg/kg – in 12 patients as single intravenous infusion. During the treatment the fluorescent diagnosis (FD) was performed. The average power of diagnostic laser irradiation was 2 mW, light dose on tissue surface was < 1 J/cm 2 . Power density of therapeutic laser irradiation accounted for 150–300 mW/cm 2 , light dose of one session was 200-300 J/cm 2 . First session of PDT was performed 24 h after drug injection, the interval between following sessions accounted for 24 h. The number of session varied from 3 to 5. The results of FD showed the increase of fluorescent intensity in the center of tumor from 14.9 up to 150.8 r.u. 24 h after drug injection, this parameter in the normal mucosa increased from 13,4 to 88,3 r.u. The side-effects of PDT with Photosense included pain syndrome, which was managed by non-opioid analgesics in all 10 patients. The signs of phototoxycity were observed in 9 patients. Two months after PDT 22 (68.7%) patients had complete regression of tumor lesion, the response in 8 (25%) patients was defined as partial, 2 (6.3%) patients had stabilization of tumor growth.


Objective:To study the immune regulation effect of water extract of Fructus Comus (FC) in aged mice to explore its mechanism in retarding aging.Methods:After ConA-stimulation,the proliferation response of lymphocytes,NK cell activity and total protein syn- thesis capability of lymphocy-tes were determined by ~3H-TdR incorporation,~3H-TdR incorporating K562 cell line and ~3H-Valine incor- poration respectively.CTLL-20 cell (IL-2 dependent cell line) proliferation assay was used to determine IL-2 activity in ConA-stimulat- ed lymphocytes.IL-2 mRNA expression was measured by dot blotting.Results:After FC treatment,the stimulation index,NK activity, total protein synthesis and IL-2 activity were increased by 18.2%,30.6%,13.9% and 14.9% respectively,as compared with the ag- ing control.The dot blotting result showed that the expression level of IL-2 mRNA was also enhanced in FC treated mice.Conclusion: FC markedly enhanced lymphocyte proliferation,NK activity,total protein synthesis,IL-2 activity and IL-2 mRNA expression level, suggesting that FC has partly restorative effects on immune system associated with aging.


Because close genetic matching between the donor and recipient is no longer required to achieve a highly successful outcome, there is currently widespread acceptance of a kidney transplant from a live donor who is genetically unrelated, but emotionally connected to the recipient. This concept has recently been taken a step further to include kidney donation from strangers—individuals who are not genetically or emotionally tied to the recipient. The volunteer stranger donor may express a desire to donate to any person on the transplant waiting list, termed nondirected live-kidney donation. Alternatively, the volunteer may become aware of a specific individual with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), but have no connection or previous relationship with the patient, termed directed stranger donation. The term "good samaritan" may be applied to either case, because the volunteer helps a stranger in a profoundly charitable way. Herein, we describe the development and growth of a Good Samaritan Kidney Donor program at a single institution. A general acceptance of good samaritan donation at our center, favorable publicity, and a geographically defined population base all contributed to the success of this program.


The RevenueRequirements (RR)methodofeconomic analysis isdiscussed. TheF factor forfixed investment charges against bothpresent andfuture investments whenallowance is madeforriskisderived. Further, thecomponents ofF factor of minimumacceptable earnings, capital recovery, incometaxes, and fixedexpenseexpressed asa fraction ofinvestment arefound. Thepapershowshowtoapply theRR method, andexamples of theapplication ofthemethodtotypical economic justifications of automation involving digital computers aregiven. WHY ENGINEERING ECONOMYSTUDIES ARENEEDED EEN COMPETITIONrequires thatthecompetitors IXkeepalert. Thisisparticularly trueinthepetroleum industry. Reliance on hunchesor"seatofthepants" judgments inmakinginvestment decisions mayresult in uneconomic investments. A goodengineering economystudygives thebasis for making asounddecision. Failure tomakesuchastudy can beverycostly. Thus,engineering economystudies are needed toavoidmakingpoorinvestments ormissing good investments. WHO MAKESDECISIONS? Decisions regarding alternatives aremadeatalllevels andnotonlybytopmanagement. Ofcourse, manage- mentmakesmostofthemajor decisions andmanyofthe minorones. Butthere aresomanywaysofaccomplishing apurpose that, before presenting alternatives tomanage- ment,someone hastoweedoutmostofthealternatives. Sometimes managements setupground rules sothat engineers haveabasis formaking screening orminorde- cisions. Evenifthereareno'suchrules, itisdesirable to haveabasis forweeding outalternatives. Engineers should makeittheir business toconsider every oneofthefeasible alternatives, andtoevaluate whether orwhichalterna- tives areeconomically justified. Engineers shouldnot nlake recommendations forschemes requiring investment oftheircompany's capital, unlesssuchinvestment is economically justified.


A case study is presented of a boy, age 10–11, who had a "severe voice problem" characterized by hoarseness, stridency, tension, low pitch and the presence of vocal cord nodules. He proved resistive to traditional voice therapy techniques in two separate blocks of voice therapy. Only minimal changes were made initially in psychotherapy alone. Nodules continued to recur. However, the modest gains initiated in psychotherapy became more marked in a second block of psychotherapy. The voice therapy alone did not produce such consistent gains. A discernible voice change in the range of normal quality was noted. Behavior became characterized by less manifest tension and diminished aggression in overt acts. Self-insight into how the voice was used aggressively in social interactions was developed. At an ENT examination 4 mo. after termination of psychotherapy, no vocal-cord nodules were found. At an interview follow-up 13 mo. after psychotherapy, personality functioning appeared to be adequate. It is suggested that (1) psychotherapy may be the preferred method of treatment for functional voice deviations which are resistive to the "usually successful" voice therapy and (2) voice therapy in conjunction with psychotherapy seems to yield lasting improvement in both the voice and the behavior of a client.


Dostoyevsky's famous novel Crime and Punishment can be interpreted as an argument with Nietzsche's view on the genealogy of conscience. While Nietzsche believes that conscience is a product of a disease and inhibits the will to power, Dostoevsky shows the situation of crossing the border as a source of moral illness and self-destruction of the human person. Crime and Punishment, as well as Dostoevsky's novel Demons and The Trial of F. Kafka, also criticize modern and postmodern society, in which there is a strong trend, stimulated by psychoanalysis, to liberate people from guilt. With reference to Martin Buber's views, the author of the article formulates a thesis on the ontological nature of guilt, treating its confession as a necessary act of self-enlightenment in conscience.Examining the structure of conscience in the context of guilt, a deeper level must be indicated, called synderesis in the scholastic tradition. Considering the elements of experience present in the experience of conscience, the author criticizes the intellectualist interpretation of synderesis. He takes into account the deep level of understanding of conscience in the category of heart made by D. v. Hildebrand and the anamnesis category of J. Ratzinger.


A range of new water-soluble branched vinyl polymers have been synthesized by the statistical copolymerization of 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate [DMA] with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate [EGDMA] under oxyanionic polymerization conditions (potassium benzyl alkoxide initiator, anhydrous THF, 50 °C). Advantages of using such living polymerization chemistry include (i) the ability to control the primary chain length simply by adjusting the comonomer/initiator molar ratio and (ii) the reduced probability of cross-linking due to improved control over the molecular weight distribution. In this study the mean degree of polymerization of the primary chains was fixed at 50, and the proportion of EGDMA branching agent was varied systematically. Gel permeation chromatography analysis indicated that soluble, high molecular weight DMA−EGDMA statistical copolymers were produced in most cases. The degree of branching increased monotonically as the proportion of EGDMA comonomer was increased, with Mark−Houwink α valu...


The four isomers α-, β-, γ- and δ-benzene hexachloride (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6-hexachlorocyclohexane) were used as target materials to study the effect of structure isomerism in the Szilard-Chalmers reaction. They were irradiated in solid state and also in benzene solution and frozen states, after which the recoil 38Cl retained therein was stripped into 0.1M K2SO3 solution.In the case of solid state, the radioactivity yields of the isomers decreased rapidly in the early state of irradiation and a corresponding diminution was also seen in the difference in yield between the four isomers. The greatest yield was registered by the δ-isomer, followed by α-, γ- and β-forms in that order, but the difference dwindled down with progress of irradiation until it became insignificant.But, when the four isomers were irradiated in benzene solution almost the same yield was obtained for all four isomers, and which value of yield did not appear to vary very significantly with progress of irradiation. This value, moreover, was higher than in the cases of either solid or frozen states.In the case of frozen state, the yield characteristics were intermediate between solid and liquid targets, both in absolute value and in the difference according to structure.


An experimental investigation of spray cooling performed with water based nanofluids containing Al2O3 or TiO2 was conducted. The concentration of nanoparticles in the liquid was used in the experimental program was from 1 to 40 wt.%. A steel sensor with a soldered thermocouple was cooled from 200 °C. The liquid was sprayed on the surface with a full cone nozzle from distances of 40, 100 and 160 mm. The heat transfer coefficient was calculated at an interval of surface temperature from 100 °C to 50 °C by inverse modelling, and compared with the heat transfer coefficient of water cooling. The results surprisingly show a decrease of heat transfer coefficient on the cooled surface with a concentration of the nanoparticles.


In this brief, high-performance <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$8\times8$ </tex-math></inline-formula> arrays of 4H-SiC p-i-n ultraviolet (UV) photodiodes (PDs) with micro-hole structure are demonstrated. In order to improve the performance of the device, a periodic micro-hole structure (diameter = <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$4~\mu \text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) was etched from the cap layer (p<sup>+</sup> layer) to the i layer, which will elevate the effective absorption of UV light. The pixels in 4H-SiC p-i-n array show a low dark current of less than <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$2\times 10^{-{14}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> A and a high yield of 98.4%. Devices with 4-<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu \text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> micro-hole reach a peak spectral responsivity of 0.159 A/W at 280 nm, which is 23.3% higher than that of the device without micro-hole. Moreover, the device has a faster response time of 2.2 ns and a high UV/visible rejection ratio of more than <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$10^{{4}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. The progress on the response performance is significant to the development of UV detection imaging.


WastePlan is a computer software tool that models solid waste quantities, costs, and other parameters on a regional basis. The software was developed by the Tellus Institute, a nonprofit research and consulting firm. The project`s objective was to provide local solid waste management planners in New York State responsible to develop and implement comprehensive solid waste management plans authorized by the Solid Waste Management Act of 1988, with a WastePlan model specifically tailored to fit the demographic and other characteristics of New York State and to provide training and technical support to the users. Two-day workshops were held in 1992 to introduce planners to the existing versions; subsequently, extensive changes were made to the model and a second set of two-day workshops were held in 1993 to introduce planners to the enhanced version of WastePlan. Following user evaluations, WastePlan was further modified to allow users to model systems using a simplified version, and to incorporate report forms required by New York State. A post-project survey of trainees revealed limited regular use of software. Possible reasons include lack of synchronicity with NYSDEC planning process; lack of computer literacy and aptitude among trainees; hardware limitations; software user-friendliness; and the work environment ofmore » the trainees. A number of recommendations are made to encourage use of WastePlan by local solid waste management planners.« less


The wear of WR is considered for selection of stepped shim which is used in hot rolling line.But the wear and assembling of BUR is not considered.Some disadvantages appeared,for example,unable changing roll and HGC too long to equipment damaging.A new calculation method is introduced in this paper.The problem mentioned above is solved and the method have achieved success experience in Guofeng Iron and Steel Company.


CO2 laser therapy may improve the overall treatment of genitourinary syndrome of menopause with a relatively good safety profile. Abstract Importance Data on whether the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser is useful for treatment of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) are inconsistent. Objective This meta-analysis evaluated the benefits and safety of CO2 laser compared with sham treatment of GSM. Evidence Review A relevant literature search of Europe PMC, MEDLINE, Scopus, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases using specific keywords was conducted. The results of continuous variables were pooled into the standardized mean difference (SMD), whereas dichotomous variables were pooled into odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) using random-effects models. A funnel plot was used to assess for the presence of publication bias. Findings A total of six randomized clinical trials were included. Pooled analysis revealed that CO2 laser therapy was associated with a higher reduction in the Vaginal Assessment Scale (SMD, −0.81 [95% CI, −1.59 to −0.04]; P = 0.04; I2 = 88%) and Urinary Distress Inventory short form (SMD, −0.45 [95% CI, −0.84 to −0.06]; P = 0.02; I2 = 0%), and greater patient satisfaction rate (odds ratio, 5.46 [95% CI, 2.23 to 13.37]; P = 0.0002; I2 = 0%) when compared with sham-only treatment. Meanwhile, the Female Sexual Function Index, Vaginal Health Index, and Patient Global Impression Improvement did not differ significantly between groups. Adverse events were only mild with no serious adverse events reported. Conclusions and Relevance CO2 laser therapy may improve the overall treatment of GSM with a relatively good safety profile. However, further randomized clinical trials with larger sample sizes are still needed to confirm the results of this study.


Introduction: Recent data have demonstrated that patients with MSI-H metastatic CRC are more likely to respond to a PD-1 inhibitor as a single agent compared to patients with MSS CRC. Effective immunotherapy approaches for MSS CRC remain a critical unmet need. There is great interest in investigating immune checkpoint inhibition in combination with novel agents, but preclinical studies have been hampered by current models. To gain a better understanding of immune responses and facilitate preclinical evaluation of combination strategies with immunotherapy, we developed a "hematopoietic" humanized mouse model with the intent of leveraging this model for the development of rational combinations in MSS CRC patients. Methods: BRGS (in house breeding) newborn pups were transplanted with CD34+ cells purified from (HLA unmatched) umbilical cord blood at 48 hours. In order to better understand the immune context of these novel animal models, we selected an MSI-high CRC (MDA-C0999-203) and a MSS (CRC172) humanized PDX model. At 16 weeks, MDA-C0999-203 (MSI-H) and CRC172 (MSS) were implanted on both flanks of humanized mice and nonhumanized controls. When the average tumor size reached ~150-300 mm 3 , both groups of mice were randomized into vehicle and nivolumab (30mg/kg IP twice weekly) stratified by % chimerism (human CD45+ >45%). At the end of the treatment, a portion of the tumor was immediately fixed in formalin for immunohistochemistry and pharmacodynamic analyses with seven-color multispectral imaging using the Perkin Elmer Vectra- 3 instrument, and compared to a surgical specimen from an untreated patient with an MSI-H tumor. Results: In the MSI-H model we observed tumor growth inhibition in the nivolumab-treated, humanized mice with respect to the humanized vehicle-treated control and the nonhumanized nivolumab-treated group (TGII 3.5% vs 76%). In a separate experiment, an MSS CRC humanized PDX model (CRC172) was treated with nivolumab as described above. Although initial control of tumor growth was observed, this was followed by rapid tumor progression (TGII 138.4%). In addition to flow cytometry, an MSI-H CRC tumor directly from a patient was stained for a variety of immunologic markers and analyzed by Vectra. The tumors contained both CD4- and CD8-positive cells, indicating T-cell infiltration. These data are consistent with what was observed by flow cytometry. Similar results were observed in an MSI-H CRC tumor grown as a xenograft in humanized mice both with and without nivolumab. However, in the MSS CRC PDX model, very few CD4 and CD8 cells were observed in the tumor or in the surrounding stroma. Conclusions: We have successfully established in vivo MSI-H and MSS humanized CRC PDXs. All mice were highly chimeric and the MSI-H model demonstrated high TILs, and responding tumors exhibited IFNγ production, high CD8%, higher effector memory % (HLADR+, CD45RO+), and decreased PD-L1 expression by flow cytometry. Interestingly, we also observed greater numbers of T cells in the lymph nodes of the MSI-H PDX. Moreover, immune infiltrates were observed in the MSI-H PDX compared to the MSS by immunohistochemistry. These data suggest that humanized PDX models may be useful in the development of rational combinations of immunotherapy. Citation Format: Anna Capasso, Julie Lang, Todd M. Pitts, Christopher H. Lieu, Scott Kopetz, Sarah L. Davis, Kimberly Jordan, Stacey M. Bagby, Wells A. Messersmith, Roberta Pelanda, S. Gail Eckhardt. Humanized patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) recapitulate clinical responses in microsatellite stable (MSS) and unstable (MSI-H) colorectal cancer (CRC) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2017 Oct 26-30; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2018;17(1 Suppl):Abstract nr A012.


Admission to the specialization, understanding that the applicant will specialize and will serve patients who entrust their health, the applicant must be evaluated fully as possible. We have tools that have been used for decades, but despite these tests and try the best selection, we find residents who lose their seats or delayed in the process of formation. I argue that not only the cognitive aspect and some personality traits, but also the aspect of emotional intelligence must be evaluated.


Maleic zinc was successfully grafted on polypropylene powder by solid-phase grafting technology.The crystallization behavior of PP and its graft copolymers was studied by WAXD,PLM and DSC.The results indicate that the graft group can induce PP to form β type crystal,and its spherulite become smaller and imperfect.The graft copolymers are easy to crystallize at higher temperature.The isothermal crystallization kinetics indicate that the graft group can accellerate the crystallization rate of PP,and doesn`t affect the nucleation behavior.


Abstract Texture features have proved to be an important tool in image segmentation and object recognition, as well as interpretation of images in a variety of applications ranging from medical imaging to remote sensing. Many methods were suggested to achieve good discrimination between different textural regions. We propose a non-supervised classification method. The method combines a multi-resolution based texture feature with features based on first and second order statistics. These features are calculated for each pixel in the image and its neighbours. A clustering algorithm, based on the generalized Lloyd algorithm, is applied and finally an iterative region merging process, based on the phagocytes heuristic, is used to improve the classification of the borders of the regions and to reduce local clustering errors. Examples of the method and the features effectiveness are presented using SPOT satellite images.


Over the past few years, several large studies have shown,1–4 and the Institute of Medicine has emphasized,5 that the quality of health care in the United States is not nearly at the level that we should expect from the world's most expensive health care system. Problems with quality are pervasive throughout both outpatient and inpatient settings and may be responsible for thousands of deaths each year.3,4 In this issue of the Journal, Williams and colleagues,6 from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), present time-series data from their "core measures" program, in which hospitals seeking accreditation . . .


Internet of Things (IoT) is an emerging paradigm for cooperation among physical objects provided with computational and communication capabilities. The great amount of interactions occurring within the IoT environments expose IoT users and interconnected objects to security and privacy risks. Consequently, adding security and privacy into the IoT domain is fundamental for a wider IoT diffusion. In open and dynamic IoT environments such problems are more relevant for the greater possibility of anomalous behaviors and the adoption of approaches uniquely based on authentication methods could result infeasible and/or inadequate for creating an effective trustworthiness atmosphere. A possible solution, widely applied and investigated in different fields, is represented by trust- and reputation-based systems. To tackle the issues above we conceived a distributed reputation model along with a framework to manage information about IoT devices reputation. In particular, the model provides some countermeasures to detect malicious or cheating devices. To test the performance of our proposal, a set of experiments simulating the vehicular mobility on a basic urban network has been executed by providing promising results.


Objective:
To evaluate the clinical efficacy of a domestic radioactive applicator for the treatment of circumscribed choroidal hemagioma.

Methods:
This was a retrospective consecutive observational study. Forty-three patients were diagnosed clinically and radiologically with circumscribed choroidal hemagiomain Beijing Tongren Hospital from February 2010 to August 2018. All patients had exudative retinal detachment and were treated by a domestic radioactive applicator. The size of the tumor (maximum base diameter, maximum height) was recorded by color doppler ultrasound imaging (CDI). Changes insubretinal fluid were observed by indirect ophthalmoscopy and optical coherence tomography (OCT). The changes invisual acuity, intraocular pressure, tumor size and subretinal fluid were compared before and after surgery and the occurrence rates of complications were noted. Data were compared by a paired t-test and Wilcoxon rank sum test.

Results:
There was a statistically significant difference in visual acuity between the most recent follow-up (2.03±1.45) and pre-operation (2.14±1.36) (Z=-2.348, P=0.019), and no significant difference in intraocular pressure between the most recent follow-up (13.6±6.0 mmHg) and pre-operation (12.5±4.2 mmHg) (Z=-1.419, P=0.3). Tumor size had regressed compared to pre-operative measurements inmaximum basal diameter: The most recent follow-up was 10.3±2.5 mm, pre-operation was 12.3±3.2 mm (t=8.862, P<0.001); maximum height: the most recent follow-up was 2.6±1.3 mm, pre-operation was 4.8±1.4 mm (t=10.387, P<0.001). Subretinal fluid was not observed in any patients. Furthermore, damages to the optic nerve, retina and macula or radiational cataract were not observed.

Conclusion:
A domestic radioactive applicator can be used to treat circumscribed choroidal hemagioma, which can cause the tumor to regress, lead to absolute absorption of the subretinal fluid, avoid enucleation and protect visual function.

Key words:
choroidal hemangioma; radiotherapy; applicator; radioactive Iodine125


Extracts derived from fresh and dry tissues of 14 plant species used in ethnobotanical medicine by the indigenous Tsou people in Taiwan were evaluated for activities against 10 species of plant pathogens, including seven fungi: Alternaria brassicicola, Colletotrichum higginsianum, Cylindrocladium scoparium, Fusarium moniliforme, Phytophthora infestans, Pythium aphanidermatum, and Rhizoctonia solani and three bacteria: Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora, Pseudomonas syringae, and Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria. Results showed that inhibition of spore germination, mycelial growth, and cell proliferation of the plant pathogens varied with plant extracts, microorganisms and extraction methods. Hot water extracts of fresh tissues of Solanum nigrum (SN) at 20-fold dilutions completely inhibited spore germination of A. brassicicola. Ethanol extracts from fresh and dry tissues of SN inhibited spore germination of A. brassicicola at the concentrations of 160-fold and 400-fold dilutions, respectively. In inoculation study, the severity of black leaf spot of crucifer caused by A. brassicicola was significantly reduced to below 27% for the treatments of extracts from 10% (w/v) of fresh and 1% (w/v) of dry tissues of SN, compared to the severity of 97.2% in water and ethanol controls. The water extract from 10% (w/v) of fresh Pueraria montana tissues was the most effective treatment against anthracnose of crucifer caused by C. higginsianum and the disease severity was 22.2%, compared to 94.4% for the untreated controls. Although both ethanol and water extracts from fresh tissues of Clematis tashiroi completely suppressed the lesion development of tomato late blight caused by P. infestans at a concentration of 10% (w/v), same suppressive effects at lower concentrations were observed only in the treatments of 2.5% (w/v) water extract from fresh tissues and 0.5% (w/v) water extract from dry tissues. These results suggest the possibility of control of plant diseases by natural substances from some ethnobotanical medicinal plants used by the indigenous people in Taiwan.


Asunci6n. As this happens, they sing music that ranges from monophonic hymns to 17th-century part-songs, accompanying themselves on guitars and harps. I will provide here some of the background of this music-drama. Elche is a town of 150,000 on the Spanish Costa Brava, near Alicante. The townspeople themselves perform the Misterio, commemorating the death and Assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven on 14 and 15 August. The people of Elche feel an emotional and traditional link with the work because it is in Lemosin, close to their mother tongue of Catalan. Local legend explains the beginning of the Misterio in one of the many apocryphal tales of the 12th and 13th centuries:


Abstract In the following remarks the term "mrgn" once attested in Egyptian texts, is shown to be a semitic loanword providing an early example for the radix "mrgn" represented to my knowledge only by younger semitic languages.


Myotonia congenita (MC) is a common channelopathy affecting skeletal muscle and which is due to pathogenic variants within the CLCN1 gene. Various alterations in the function of the channel have been reported and we here illustrate a novel one.


Regional self-government in the Republic of Croatia is regulated by Law on local and regional selfgovernment. There are 20 counties and the City of Zagreb as regional self-government units. Public organisations have been implemented some paradigms for managing internal business processes, risk management, financial management and control, in last 10 years, as it was earlier implemented in private sector. In this article authors will analyse regional selfgovernment in the Republic of Croatia. The main goal of this article is to investigate opinions of examinees about performance measurement indicators for regional self-government using four standard perspectives of Balanced Scorecard Method (BSC). The survey, on which is based this article, in two regional self-government institutions (counties) has to determine which of BSC perspectives are the most important from the employees point of view and to determine which performance indicators are suitable for efficiency and effectiveness in regional selfgovernment.


Results are reported from an investigation of object centering methods in spectroscopic calibration software. The emphasis is laid on procedures which produce highly repeatable accurate results for tilted, broadened monochromatic slit images from wavelength calibration lamps in the presence of substantial noise.


In law there is great uncertainty about the concept of truth. Can legal propositions be true? Can statements about the law be true? What does uncertainty over the concept of truth in law mean for the relation of truth and law? These uncertainties about truth even affect the scientific self-conscientiousness of legal scholarship. Can law be a science, if its relation to truth is uncertain? The two classical approaches in jurisprudence are based on the one side on the correspondence theory of truth and on the other side on different variations on epistemic conceptions of truth. Both approaches lead to theoretical difficulties, which make them problematic bases for an answer to the questions of truth and law. An approach which has so far not been evaluated in the domain of law can be found in the deflationary theory of truth, which is the most discussed development in the general philosophical debate on truth. This approach avoids the problems of the traditional approaches to truth. The deflationary theory of truth enables us to rephrase the questions of traditional approaches to the relation of truth and law as more specific questions about richer concepts, which enable more precise and differentiating answers. As a result, the deflationary approach to truth and law allows an unpretentious use of the notion of truth in law.


Abstract : This document is intended to be of operational and strategic relevance and of value to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), specifically the United States Border Patrol (OBP), and the Department of Defense (DoD), particularly the U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM). Ideally, this document will inform the specified DoD and DHS audiences concerning each other's roles, missions, and objectives. For each respective audience half of this document will appear to be common knowledge. This is intentional. Readers are encouraged to focus on the operational structures outside of their area of expertise to gain a better understanding of their DHS or DoD counterpart and to utilize this knowledge to realize operational efficiencies within their own organization. Within this document DHS and DoD structures will be described, responsible for and outlined the nuances of homeland security and homeland defense. DHS resources will be described to catalog those aliens classified as "Aliens from Special Interest Countries" (ASIC's) or "Special Interest Aliens" (SIA's) by the Department of Homeland Security. Current OBP national strategy and organizational structure will be explained, and improvements in resources and personnel levels since 9/11 will be addressed. Similar information concerning DoD components responsible for homeland defense will be given.


The aim of this paper is to extend the  radius of convergence and improve the ratio of convergence for a certain class of Euler-Halley type methods with one parameter in a Banach space. These improvements over earlier works are obtained using the same functions as before but more precise information on the location of the iterates. Special cases and examples are also presented in this study.


The experiment design was randomized blocks with three treatments including water-permeability plastic film mulching,common plastic film mulching and open ground.The experiment focused on the development of different treatments on sorghum.The result has showed:(1)The water-permeability plastic film mulching promoted the growth and development of sorghum,so sorghum could mature earlier.(2) The water-permeability plastic film mulching promoted the second roots growth and increased the second root number,it accelerated leaf growth and made plant high.(3)The water-permeability plastic film mulching increased the number of plant leaf,and its leaf area was larger in middle and lower leaves,so its LAI was bigger than the other two treatment's.


The paper puts forward the implementation scheme of emergency monitoring and control system of mobile communication machine room and typical application based on this scheme by analyzing the existing problems in monitoring and control system of mobile communication,combining the characteristics of mobile communication machine room,using the communication resource in mobile communication and analyzing the implementation principles of monitoring and control system,collection of relevant monitoring and control factors of environment and power supply and setting of base-station side.


Bachelor thesis called ?Spatial orientation andindependent movement of people with severe visual impairment in Brno? deals with the importace of social rehabilitation for people with visual disabilities. There are presented the specific experiences of these people with opportunities to facilitate thein mobility, thein satisfaction and the potencial difficulties, the overall assesment of the situation.


Cytotoxic enterotoxin (Act) production of a cytotoxic enterotoxin ( act ) gene-positive isolate of Aeromonas sobria was studied in different bacteriological culture media, such as brain heart infusion (BHIB), trypticase soy broth with yeast extract (TSB), casamino acid yeast extract and Richardson's medium. Cytotoxin production was evaluated in Vero cell-line. Of the various media tested, higher titre of Act was produced in BHIB. Production of Act was enhanced when calcium (1 m M ), Mg (10 m M ), iron (200 i M ) and sodium chloride (0.5%) was supplemented in BHIB. Keywords: Aeromonas sobria , cytotoxic enterotoxin (Act), Vero cell-assay DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjm.v23i2.888 Bangladesh J Microbiol, Volume 23, Number 2, December 2006, pp 171-173


The study aimed to identify fungi-contaminated with some varieties of wheat grains locals, as well as isolate fungi-contaminated with grains imported wheat in Silo of Mosul city, and estimate the level of mycotoxins ochratoxin, zearalenone, and aflatoxin in them by ELISA method. Results showed that the local wheat variety, Ebaa 99, showed the highest percentage of appearance in Aspergillus flavus, was 63.15%, while the lowest appearance of fungi was Mucor spp. With a percentage of 2.47%, the variety Rasheed showed the highest percentage of A. flavus, which was 49.12%, while the lowest appearance was of Rhizopus spp. With a percentage of 2.29%, As well as in the variety Al-Baraka A. flavus showed the highest percentage, which was 5.453%, and the lowest percentage was Cladosporium spp by 9.43%. The contaminated fungi differed from the imported varieties and the percentage of their appearance. In the Canadian variety, the highest appearance of A. flavus was 63.72%, and A. dematatus was the least appearance with 5.42%. The fungus A. flavus also appeared in the American variety, with the highest appearance of 43.17%. The least appearance was Fusarium oxysporum at 5.34%. In the Australian variety, the highest appearance was found in A. flavus, at 54.03%, and the fungus Fusarium spp. was the least appeared fungi, at 1.96%. Estimation of mycotoxins indicates that the aflatoxin amount in the variety Ebaa 99 samples was 34.55 ppm, while its amount of ochratoxin and zearalenone was 21.75 ppm and 0.23 ppm, respectively. Canadian variety grains had the lowest aflatoxin content, with the highest ochratoxin. Australian variety grains had the lowest content of aflatoxin, ochratoxin, and zearalenone amount 12.29 ppm, 0.82 ppm, and 11.51 ppm, respectively.


The aim of this work was to express the Ca 2+ sensitive photoprotein, apoaequorin, in filamentous fungi to a high level in order to allow routine and simple measurement of changes in cytosolic Ca 2+ ([Ca24 ]) concentration in living hyphae. Analysis of the codon bias of the available apoaequorin genes showed a large discrepancy with the codon usage of the target fungi, Neurospora crassa, Aspergillus niger and A. awamori. To overcome this discrepancy, a synthetic apoaequorin gene with optimal codon usage for Neuropora and Aspergi'lus was designed and synthesised. An expression vector was generated for the production of apoaequorin from the synthetic gene using a constitutive Aspergillus promoter and suitable selectable markers for transformation. An expression vector was also produced for use in N. crassa to allow comparison of the aequorin levels obtained between the synthetic gene and the native gene. Strains of A. niger and A. awamori were transformed with the Aspergillus apoaequorin expression vector, and transformants expressing large amounts of active aequorin were selected and purified. Transformants of N. crassa were also produced using the Neurospora expression vector, and the highest expression transformants isolated and purified. Comparisons of the aequorin expression levels obtained in these transformants showed a 200-fold higher level of expression in A. awamori compared with that obtained in N. crassa. Also, the comparison between native and synthetic aequorin production showed a 280-fold higher level in the synthetic aequorin transformant. One high expression transformant from each Aspergillus species was chosen for investigation of [Ca 2+], responses to a variety of external stimuli. A successful method of growing cultures in small volume, still liquid culture in 96well microtitre plates was developed which allowed efficient analysis of [Ca 21 in


Pakistan is among the top ten date producing countries. Important dates producing provinces are Sindh (Khairpur and Sukkur), Balochistan (Makran and Panjgoor), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (D. I. Khan) and Punjab at Jhang, Muzafargarh, Bahawalpur and D. G. Khan. The date palm fruit is a drupe exhibiting a high diversity in texture, shape, color and chemical composition depending on the genotype, environment, season and cultural practices. A number of medicinal uses are directly or indirectly ascribed to the consumption of dates. It provides unique functional and nutritional values. Numerous health benefits beyond its nutritional value have been associated with consuming date palm fruits to enrich nutrition values of different kinds of food. The fruit is rich in tannins, making it a good astringent remedy for intestinal troubles. Ripening of dates is characterized by four stages viz. Kimri, Khalal, Rutab and Tamar stage depending on the colour, softness moisture and sugar content. Natural ripening of date fruits on palm trees causes a number of physical damage and problems due to monsoon season at time of harvest. The controlled ripening using traditional technology can be considered as a way forward to overcome the problems, by shortening the time of ripening, threat of rains and delayed marketing period. This research study was organized at Post Harvest Research Centre, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad. The results of three years study concluded that variation in biochemical attributes primarily influenced by type of cultivars and different fruit developmental stages. From the present study, it can be concluded that hot water treatment of Dates at 50 o C along with controlled drying was prove to be a safer ripening technique with firmness (3.98kg/cm 3 ), TSS (38.32%), Reducing Sugar (12.22 mg/100g), Non-reducing sugar (25.32 mg/100g), Moisture (74.34%) of Khud ravi variety at Khalal stage as compared to hilavi variety which presented firmness (3.59kg/cm 3 ), TSS (37.99%), Reducing Sugar (8.88 mg/100g), Non-reducing sugar (27.21 mg/100g), Moisture (79.42%) at the same stage.


Abstract Septic shock is associated with a strong inflammatory response that induces vasodilation and vascular hyporeactivity. We investigated the role for tryptophan-pathway catabolites of proinflammatory cytokines in septic shock. We prospectively included 30 patients with very recent-onset septic shock and 30 healthy volunteers. The following were assayed once in the controls and on days 1, 2, 3, 7, and 14 in each patient: plasma free and total tryptophan, platelet and plasma serotonin, total blood serotonin, urinary serotonin, plasma and urinary 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid, plasma kynurenine, monoamine oxidase activity, and total indole amine 2,3-dioxygenase activity. Organ-system failure and mortality were recorded. Compared with the healthy controls, the patients with septic shock had 2-fold to 3-fold lower total tryptophan levels throughout the 14-day study period. Platelet serotonin was substantially lower, while monoamine oxidase activity and 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid were markedly higher in the patients than in the controls, consistent with the known conversion of tryptophan to serotonin, which is then promptly and largely degraded to 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid. Plasma kynurenine was moderately increased and indole amine 2,3-dioxygenase activity markedly increased in the patients versus the volunteers, reflecting conversion of tryptophan to kynurenine. Changes over time in tryptophan metabolites were not associated with survival in the patients but were associated with the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score and hemodynamic variables including hypotension and norepinephrine requirements. Our results demonstrate major tryptophan pathway alterations in septic shock. Marked alterations were found compared with healthy volunteers, and tryptophan metabolite levels were associated with organ failure and hemodynamic alterations. Tryptophan metabolite levels were not associated with surviving septic shock, although this result might be ascribable to the small sample size. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov; No: NCT00684736; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov.


The impact of the technological revolution on the operation of the discovery system in the federal courts has been dramatic. The enormous increase in storage capacity and communication that the use of computers in the corporate world has brought about has correspondingly increased both the burdens and stakes of the discovery process. This Article considers the extent to which these dramatic practical changes have created a need to develop a legal framework especially for the discovery of electronically stored information. Because the burdens of electronic discovery are likely to be substantially more severe than those involved in traditional discovery, the drafters of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure or the courts should adopt a conditional cost-shifting model solely for use in the electronic discovery context. Ultimately, the model must be informed by the deep structural values underlying the litigation system. Copyright © 2001 by Martin H. Redish. † Louis and Harriet Ancel Professor of Law and Public Policy, Northwestern University School of Law. This Article was prepared with the support of a grant from the firm of Mayer, Brown & Platt. However, the conclusions are solely those of the author. REDISH.DOC 01/25/02 3:26 PM 562 DUKE LAW JOURNAL [Vol. 51:561