In this work we studied the microfibers of a textile (T-shirt) of the Chimú culture. This culture developed on the northern coast of Peru. To determine the raw material and structural quality of the microfibers, the results of the Chimú textile were compared with the corresponding results for the microfibers of cotton from the northern coast of Peru (native cotton). Scanning electron microscopy images revealed that the Chimú textile yarns are composed of a set of interwoven microfibers. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and pulsed laser-induced plasma spectroscopy techniques allowed the identification of characteristic cellulose atoms in the microfibers of Chimú textile and native cotton. Only for the Chimú textile, these spectroscopic techniques allowed the identification of atoms corresponding to natural dyes and powder residues. Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy identified the same molecular bonds for the microfibers of Chimú textile and native cotton. For the microfibers of Chimú textile and native cotton, the X-ray diffractograms showed peaks characteristic of the cellulose Iβ polymorphism of  of monoclinic P21 structure. The raw material of the Chimú textile is cotton and the microfibers of this material show significant structural stability.


This project is intended to create a proto-methology to be applied to products development, from digital construction using parametric tools. In this project as validation, a case of study was chosen from Industrial Design II that was creating a faucet for FV. This faucet is going to redesign using the methology explained, to compare results as for time, level of detail, technology, among other things. In the same way to understand concepts related to Parametricism is going to take bases the theory of Patrick Schumacher: The Autopoiesis of Architecture.


The unequal geographic distribution of health determinants could denote situations of environmental injustice. This work aims to identify spatial patterns of respiratory disease mortality and their association with the education level and the atmospheric pollution in Madrid. To this purpose, we applied spatial analysis through statistical techniques and Geographic Information Systems at the census tract level. The analysis showed a slight but significantly higher risk of mortality in areas with more unfavourable socioeconomic and environmental conditions. This work has the potential to inform public policy and research on links among social, environmental and health inequalities in Madrid City.


We read with great interest the article by Cotroneo et al, and the accompanying editorial, which provides evidence that iron deficiency is associated with pulmonary vascular remodeling in an animal model.1,2 We provide additional support for their results in humans and suggest that the observed relationship between iron homeostasis and pulmonary vascular remodeling is driven in part by mechanisms shared between pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and disorders of iron metabolism.

We analyzed data from BioVU, Vanderbilt's integrated deidentified electronic medical record system and DNA biorepository, to identify clinical diagnoses associated with single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variation in and around genes previously associated with PAH by a genome-wide association study.3 We used 29 349 unrelated BioVU subjects of European ancestry who were genotyped on the Illumina Human Exome BeadChip, which has ≈33 000 common SNPs with a minor allele frequency >1%. We used 1309 curated collections of diagnostically related International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision …


In recent years, a wealth of new information has been published on the incidence, mechanisms, consequences, and treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) and the effect of the arrhythmia on quality of life and costs of health care. AF is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, and like prostate cancer in men, the probability of developing AF rapidly grows when a person is past 60 years of age.

Despite all that information, our current pharmacological and nonpharmacological means to prevent or control the arrhythmia are frequently disappointing. Often, its presence has to be accepted, and measures to control the ventricular rate and to prevent thromboembolic complications have to be applied. New modes of treatment aimed at preventing the arrhythmia are therefore eagerly welcomed and investigated. In this issue of Circulation , Pappone et al1 describe such a new therapeutic approach in a selected group of patients with AF that uses a transcutaneous catheter technique directed at controlling the mechanism of the arrhythmia. What do we know about AF mechanisms, and does that knowledge help us in selecting a curative approach?

Many years ago, Moe2 postulated that AF was based on multiple-reentrant wavelets occurring in random order in the atrium. That theory was subsequently confirmed by mapping atrial activation during AF in animal and human hearts. Fibrotic changes in the atria occurring with aging and atrial dilatation secondary to increased stiffness of the ventricular wall or valvular disease, ischemia, and infiltrative diseases will facilitate the development of a substrate for those multiple-reentrant wavelets. Cox et al3 realized that such a mechanism for AF opened new therapeutic possibilities and developed the maze operation. When several linear incisions were made in both atria, the multiple-reentrant wavelets were no longer possible, and AF disappeared. The results of the maze operation were a stimulus …


FTIR reflectance measurements on coatings containing metallic flakes with diameter of the order of the wavelength of light, show a combination of reflectance-absorbance (R-A) and specular reflectance spectra. These effects are not superimposed and in fact occur in distinct regions of the spectrum. For a given flake size, light will be reflected when the wavelength of the incident light is much shorter than the flake diameter and for other cases will be diffracted. For the diffraction case only the specularly reflected light will be collected and for the reflection case the dominant spectrum will be due to the R-A.


In inverted pendulum visual servo control system (IPVSCSs), how to achieve the fast and effective measurement of the state information of the inverted pendulum is an important task. In this paper, the characteristics of the inverted pendulum are considered and a series of image processing and positioning algorithm of the pendulum are proposed. Furthermore, the inverted pendulum control system model based on the pixel displacement is established and the LQR controller is designed. Finally, the feasibility and superiority of the proposed method are verified by real-time control experiments.


Background Spontaneous infection of ascites is a severe complication of ascites and must be actively searched for. Many studies have been carried out on inflammatory markers and their levels in serum and ascitic fluid such as complement 3 (C3), complement 4 (C4), high-sensitive C-reactive protein (CRP), and procalcitonin, and have identified their role in the diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). The aim of our study was to measure and compare the serum and ascitic fluid levels of procalcitonin, high-sensitive CRP, C3, and C4 in patients with SBP and patients without SBP. Patients and methods This case-control study was carried out on 10 patients with cirrhotic ascites who were admitted with SBP and 20 patients with cirrhotic ascites with no existing evidence of SBP. Serum and ascitic fluid levels of C3, C4, high-sensitive CRP, and procalcitonin were determined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Results The mean ± SD of the serum levels of C3, C4, high-sensitive CRP, and procalcitonin were 3.38 ± 2.12, 0.36 ± 0.25, 18.76 ± 6.37, and 136.79 ± 58.14, respectively, in group I, whereas their levels in group II were 2.04 ± 1.98, 0.36 ± 0.29, 16.80 ± 5.97, and 147.78 ± 58.65, respectively. The mean ± SD of their ascitic fluid levels were 0.21 ± 0.14, 1.84 ± 1.69, 1.96 ± 1.15, and 162.43 ± 82.51, whereas their levels in group II were 0.46 ± 1.01, 2.07 ± 1.93, 2.98 ± 5.90, and 180.51 ± 93.70, respectively. Surprisingly, all these results were statistically insignificant. However, an ascetic fluid polymorph nuclear leukocyte count higher than 200/mm 3 has sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 100% in the diagnosis of SBP. Conclusion An ascitic polymorph nuclear leukocyte count higher than 200/ml was the accurate marker for the diagnosis of SBP.


Specification and implementation of flexible humancomputer dialogs is challenging because of the complexity involved in rendering the dialog responsive to a vast number of varied paths through which users might desire to complete the dialog. To address this problem, we developed a toolkit for modeling and implementing task-based, mixedinitiative dialogs based on metaphors from lambda calculus. Our toolkit can automatically operationalize a dialog that involves multiple prompts and/or sub-dialogs, given a highlevel dialog specification of it. The use of natural language with the resulting dialogs makes the flexibility in communicating user utterances commensurate with that in dialog completion paths—an aspect missing from commercial assistants like Siri. Our results demonstrate that the dialogs authored with our toolkit support the end user's completion of a human-computer dialog in a manner that is most natural to them—in a mixed-initiative fashion—that resembles human-human interaction.


SUMMARY The SIMRAD EM12 multibeam echo sounder is available as a single 90' system with 81 beams, or as a dual 150' system with 162 beams. All beams are roll and pitch stabilized. The single system has a coverage of two times the water depth to about 7000 m, and up to 15 km is expected at 11000 m water depth. The dual system has a coverage of 15-20 km from 2500 to 11000 m water depth and usually 7.4 times the water depth in shallower areas. Sea trials of both system versions were carried out last year, and showed that the instrumental accuracy of the echo sounder including sound velocity refraction corrections is in the 'order of 0.1% of water depth in all beams with accepted soundings. In areas with rough seabed, where positioning, gyrocompass, vertical reference unit, and weather will influence the accuracy of the soundings, the sea trials showed that an accuracy in the order of 0.2-0.3% (lo) of water depth was achieved.


Health care organizations may incur high costs due to a stressed, dissatisfied physician workforce. This study proposes and tests a model relating job stress to four intentions to withdraw from practice mediated by job satisfaction and perceptions of physical and mental health.


Pattern identification algorithms can be exploited for single-class or multi-class identification problems. In conventional applications, identification algorithms are based on functions of measured features. However in some cases, we already have an identification algorithm but the measured features are different from the features expected by the algorithm. In such cases, we can first estimate the needed features from the measured features and then use the identification algorithm with the estimated features. This paper proposes a framework for such Cross Identification problems together with an application to a genetic identification problem.


T Human-Computer Interaction recently received an increased attention. This is not just a matter of making the operation of technical systems as simple as pissuble, but also to enable a possibly natural interaction. In this context, especially the speech-based operation gained an increased attention. For example, modern smart phones and televisions offer a robust voice control, which is attributed to various technical improvements in recent years. Nevertheless, voice control still seems artificial. Only self-contained dialogues with short statements can be managed. Furthermore, just the content of speech is evaluated. The way in which something is said remains unconsidered, although it is known from human communication, that the transmitted emotion is important in order to communicate successfully. A relatively new branch of research, the "Affective Computing", has, amongst other objectives, the aim to develop technical systems that recognise and interpret emotions and respond to them appropriately. In this case, speech-based automatic emotion recognition has a major role. For emotion recognition, it is important to know how emotions can be presented and how they are expressed. For this purpose, it is helpful to rely on empirical evidences of the psychology of emotions. Unfortunately, there is no uniform representation of emotions. Also the definition of appropriate emotion-distinctive acoustic features is rather descriptive in psychology. Therefore, the automatic detection of emotions is based on proven methods of automatic speech recognition, which have also been shown as appropriate for emotion recognition. Automatic emotion recognition is, as speech recognition, a branch of pattern recognition. Contrary to emotion psychology, it is data-driven, that means insights are gathered from sampled data. For emotion recognition the phases "annotation", "modelling" and "recognition" are distinguishable. The annotation categorises speech data according to predefined emotion-terms. Modelling generates recognisers to categorise data automatically. Recognition performs a previously unknown allocation of data to emotional classes. In the beginning, automatic emotion recognition was usually based – due to the lack of suitable data sets – on acted and very expressive emotional expressions. In this case, based on features and detection methods known from speech recognition, very good recognition results of over 80% in distinguishing of up to seven emotions could be achieved. However, for human-machine interaction these recognisers were unsuitable because in this case emotions are not that expressive. Therefore, in collaboration with


Based on the current situation of city garbage,a kind of waste sorting machine is designed for breaking and crushing plastic garbage bags.Garbage can be simply separated by the machine.Vibration analysis of the machine is carried out.The machine can basically meet comprehensive treatment requirements of the city life garbage.


In attempting to locate the various organ-forming areas of the early blastoderm, a series of transverse and longitudinal cuts has been made at certain measured distances from the primitive pit in such a manner as to divide a single blastoderm of the head-process stage of development into a definite number (either 11 or 18) of median and lateral pieces. The developmental potency of each piece was tested in the chorio-allantoic membrane. Each part of the blastodisc is found thereby to have a certain capacity for development or specific organization, which becomes expressed in the form of specific tissues. Nearly 400 grafts have been examined histologically, a generalized analysis of which follows. 1. Differences in developmental capacity along the antero-posterior axis. 1 The portion of the area pellucida anterior to the head-process and that part of the area containing the posterior half of the primitive streak yield grafts much less frequently and invariably smaller ones than do those portions including either the node or the head-process. Also, the grafts from these portions exhibit a similar difference in the quantity of organ tissues produced, the node and process portions showing by far the greater variety and amount of tissues. Very striking is the demonstration that particular structures develop only from rather definite regions or areas of the blastoderm. So characteristic are some organ tissues of particular regions that we can speak of eye-forming, thyroid-forming, ear-forming, or mesonephros-forming levels or areas. The eye and thyroid-forming areas are associated with the anterior end of the head-process, ear farther posteriorly at the node level, while the center of the mesonephric area lies just posterior to the primitive pit (Fig. 1). 2. Differences in developmental capacity along the medio-lateral axis.


This paper presents a new fully differential current controlled conveyor (FDCCCII) based on differential pair topology, which employs floating gate MOS transistors (FG-MOS). It uses floating gate MOSFETs at the input stage and has rail to rail structure. It operates with low supply voltage (±0.8v), low power consumption (lower than 600μw), and with wide range parasitic resistance (Rx). Simulation results by Hspice confirm validity of the proposed circuit.


This study is motivated by the current tendency of social integration in the privately owned public spaces(POPS), which is not fully performed its real function as the public open space. The aim of this study is to provide the preliminary data to be useful to design and layout of the POPS, through the analysis of the users' behavioral characteristics. The characteristics are closely related to the qualities of the well-used POPS. As the result of analysis, this study proposes some examples for design and layout of the POPS.


Based on different reanalysis datasets, reconstructions of East Asia landfall tropical cyclones (TCs) were compared with observations. The 20th-century reanalysis version 3 dataset (20CRv3) received the most approval in this assessment. It performed better in terms of annual frequency. The fifth generation of atmospheric reanalysis dataset (ERA5) and Japanese 55-year reanalysis dataset (JRA55) are also recommended in this study. Nevertheless, an apparent inconsistency in reconstructed TCs before and after 1980 is visible. Temporally, after the satellite era, the underestimation on TC frequency of the National Centres for Environmental Prediction and National Centre for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) reanalysis dataset (NCAR) and 20-century reanalysis of European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ERA20C) has been greatly improved. The downward trend of landfalling TCs is well captured by ERA5 and ERA20C. Spatially, the underestimation of TC track discrepancy is reduced in the post-satellite era. ERA5 and 20CRv3 showed relatively consistent performance compared to the former reanalysis in pre-and post-satellite time, which might be due to their better TC treatment. Despite the essential need for high resolution, this study stressed the importance of observation and assimilation development for the reanalysis TCs.


Goal: to identify strategic responses of large Russian companies running international activities to changes of situational factors in their external environment and subsequent transformation of their business models. Methodology: empirical basis of the article consists of primary data obtained through interviews conducted with representatives of large Russian corporations, and secondary data from open sources, corporate reports and media publications. Findings: the author formulated three assumptions that emphasize different business model blocks: the one with the highest competitive advantage concentration, the one with concentration of a company's activities in the home market, and the one that is most subject to institutional changes. Contribution of the author: the study results form new approaches within the framework of institutional theory and represent a further step toward understanding a process of business model transformation of Russian companies under significant institutional changes.


The current situation and the recent developments of cluster technology is briefly introduced. The requirement for cluster technology, the grade of availability, the advantage of cluster technology, the system structure model is introduced, the data share models that include mirrored disks, non -shared disks, shared disks are emphatically discussed, and the characteristics and implement methods of cluster technology are analyze. The new trend of developing cluster technologies such as the local switching, tight -coupled applications between application program and high -available software, avoiding services interrupting, and backing up each other in heterogeneous severs is presented, the importance of studying cluster technology and developing the high availability software is indicated


n -Butyl chloride was prepared from hydrochloric gas and n -butyl alcohol under normal pressure using reaction-distillation technique.Influences of catalyst and reaction temperature were investigated.The optimum reaction conditions were m(n -butyl alcohol )∶ m (ZnCl_2)∶ m (FeCl_3)=1∶0 .2∶0 .001,tower bottom temperature 105~108 ℃ and tower top temperature 67~69 ℃.Purity of n -butyl chloride by lefting the water was higher than 99 .5% and the yield reached 85%.This process had no acid waster-water.


The effects of fertilizer rates and application frequency on drip-irrigated bell peppers ( Capsicum annuum L.) were evaluated at two sites in 1992 and one site in 1993 in southern New Jersey. Yield and fruit quality were greatest with 158N– 69P–131K lb/acre at the site with a sandy loam soil. Yield and fruit quality responded to additional fertilizer at sites with loamy sand soils. Average marketable fruit weight increased with increasing fertilization


Mice with conditional gene deletions have been extremely valuable in allowing investigators to study the genes of interest in a tissue‐specific manner. The Cre‐loxP recombination system provides a powerful tool to produce targeted rearrangements of particular genes. The keratin 5‐Cre recombinase (K5Cre) transgenic mouse line has been used to generate skin specific gene deletions. We found that the K5Cre mice display a unique phenotype when bred to homozygosity. The K5Cre+/+ mice have a wavy hair coat and curly whiskers. Histologically, the hair follicles appear disoriented. Over time, the K5Cre+/+ mice develop patches of alopecia. These mice are also runted when compared to wild‐type controls. Fostering the K5Cre+/+ pups to wild‐type mothers results in normal weight gain, suggesting a maternal defect in milk production. When the K5Cre+/+ mammary glands were examined, we not only found a significant decrease in the number of mammary branches in the virgin females, but also a greater number of quiescent alveoli units in the lactating glands. When the K5Cre+/+ mice were bred to v‐Ha‐ras (Tg · AC) transgenic mice, the resulting Tg · AC+/− K5Cre+/+ offspring were utilized in a chemically induced skin carcinogenesis model. The mice were treated with 2.5 µg of 12‐O‐tetradecanoylphorbol‐13‐acetate (TPA) weekly for 10 wk. No difference was observed in the time to onset of papilloma formation, the number of papillomas and the average papilloma volume between the Tg · AC+/− K5Cre+/+ mice and their corresponding controls. Surprisingly, however, the K5Cre+/+ papillomas displayed an accelerated tendency to malignant progression; in addition, the frequency of malignant transformation of the papillomas is significantly enhanced. Although the K5Cre+/+ mice resemble waved‐1 and ‐2 mutants, the molecular basis for the K5Cre+/+ phenotype is probably different. In conclusion, we discovered a unique phenotype associated with the K5Cre+/+ transgenic line. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


[Objective] To investigate the clinical behavior, pathological diagnosis and surgical treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). [Methods] Retrospective analysis was performed over 28 GIST Patients based on their clinical data and pathological data. The expression of CD117, CD34, SMA S-100 were detected by immunohistochemical staining. [Results] All cases were surgically resected. GISTs occurred in stomach (58%), small intestine(32%) and large intestine (10%). 10 cases were benign, average diameter (3.2±1.2) cm, 4 cases were potential malignant, average diameter (4.3±1.3) cm, and 14 were malignant, average diameter (8.5±1.5) cm. The positive rate of CD117, CD34, SMA and S-100 were 89% (25/28), 32% (9/28), 25% (7/28) and 14% (4/28) respectively. [Conclusion] Tumor diameter is an important basis in distinguishing tumor benign or malignant. Positive CD117 marker is the most important diagnosis proof in diagnosis of GIST, and surgical treatment is the main method for GIST therapy.


Urban environment has now been recognized as significant risk factor of depression; however, there remains a gap in the literature regarding specific stressors associated with urbanization. Therefore, the present study is designated to examine the strength of association between urban environment and depression in temporal manner, and to identify significant risk factors. A household survey based on a questionnaire was conducted in 2003 and 2013, covering 1326 and 1965 households, respectively, from 12 wards of Delhi, India, to procure household-level data. Prevalence of depression was measured using the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. The individual response rate within participating households was 88.3% in 2003, while it was 82.7% in 2013. During the period of study, the percentage of depressed people increased from 30.9% (2003) to 33.4% (2013). At the univariate level, significant confounders that were associated with depression were being female, unmarried and underemployed. The risk of being depressed due to inaccessibility to basic facilities reduced by − 1.5%, while fear of crime and reducing social support recorded a phenomenal increase of 31.1% and 14.4%, respectively, during the period of study. Within domain analysis, after adjusting for confounding factors, indoor noise pollution (OR 3.04, p < 0.001), overcrowding (OR 2.35, p < 0.001), increasing crime (OR 1.72, p < 0.001), less supportive neighbours (OR 1.16, p < 0.001) and lacking park/playground (OR 1.12, p < 0.001) remained significantly associated with being depressed. This study confirms an association between the urban environment and depression across a range of domains. This study highlights the need to intervene on both physical and social features of urban centres to promote mental well-being.


[Problem] To provide an information provision device and the like which improve business efficiency of a construction ordering agent service for receiving and sending an order for construction in response to a request from a client to thereby improve the level of CS with respect to the construction ordering agent service.
[Solution] When receiving a request for construction from a client, a communication system (1) calculates priorities corresponding to respective constructors properly skilled in construction corresponding to the construction request information on the basis of the distance between two points to a construction site by a server device (30) of a service center (SC), and causes a display of an operator terminal device (10) to display, as recommended information, information relating to a constructor with a high priority.


The COVID-19 pandemic has had disproportionately negative impacts on socially disadvantaged and underserved populations around the world. Inequality and the related social determinants that impact certain groups are directly related to the adverse health outcomes of vulnerable populations during the pandemic. People in disadvantaged communities are generally more prone to occupational exposure to the virus and tend to have limited access to health care and higher rates of comorbidities. Outcomes related to widespread school closures are also of particular concern for underserved communities. Additionally, these populations are more susceptible to the negative economic outcomes of the pandemic. There is an urgent need for research and policy solutions regarding the impact of the COVID-19, with particular attention to the needs of disadvantaged and vulnerable populations, a foundation for which is offered in this discussion.


Phalaenopsis is one of the most important flower crops in Taiwan. However, the long growth period hampers its commercial production. In an attempt to increase the metabolic rate and the growth of Phalaenopsis, orchids were transformed with the Vitreoscilla hemoglobin gene via injection of DNA solution into immature capsules. Putative vhb-transformants were analyzed by Western blotting to verify stable expression of the vhb gene. The transgenic orchids were characterized for their physiological traits. Line B47 showed better growth rate (including the vegetative and reproductive stage), had net carbon dioxide assimilation and stored up more malic acid in the dark period. Line B39 expressed a strong cross-reaction signal by western blotting, and it also had higher root reduction ability. The results indicated vhb has modified the metabolism of Phalaenopsis.


5q- Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a progressive inherited disorder of the motor neurons due to bi allelic mutations in SMN1 gene responsible for a high mortality in infancy, and significant morbidity in childhood, adolescence and into adult life. Advent of SMN1 gene splice modifiers have revolutionised the therapeutic landscape in SMA. Nusinersen is the first such treatment in SMA and is delivered intrathecally via lumbar puncture (LP). Nusinersen is currently accessible to the UK SMA patients via a managed access agreement. LPs are difficult in some patients due to previous spinal fusion surgery (especially in Type 2 SMA), obesity, and other anatomical challenges. Some patients and families find repeat LPs intolerable. A proportion of SMA patients therefore have not been able to access nusinersen for the above reasons, although they would otherwise choose nusinersen as the treatment of first-choice. Nusinersen delivery via a lumbar port and catheter system is not licensed. However it has been successfully attempted in other European and US centres before. Here we report the details and protocols of the first UK adult and paediatric SMA patients who underwent lumbar port and catheter insertion to successfully deliver nusinersen treatment, thereby maintaining the choice of a therapeutic option for a proportion of SMA patients.


Preface Foreword by Tim Flannery 1. Biochar for Environmental Management: An Introduction 2. Physical Properties of Biochar 3. Characteristics of Biochar: Microchemical Properties 4. Characteristics of Biochar: Organo-chemical Properties 5. Biochar: Nutrient Properties and Their Enhancement 6. Characteristics of Biochar: Biological Properties 7. Developing a Biochar Classification and Test Methods 8. Biochar Production Technology 9. Biochar Systems 10. Changes of Biochar in Soil 11. Stability of Biochar in Soil 12. Biochar Application to Soil 13. Biochar and Emissions of Non-CO2 Greenhouse Gases from Soil 14. Biochar Effects on Soil Nutrient Transformations 15. Biochar Effects on Nutrient Leaching 16. Biochar and Sorption of Organic Compounds 17. Test Procedures for Determining the Quantity of Biochar within Soils 18. Biochar, Greenhouse Gas Accounting and Emissions Trading 19. Economics of Biochar Production, Utilization and Greenhouse Gas Offsets 20. Socio-economic Assessment and Implementation of Small-scale Biochar Projects 21. Taking Biochar to Market: Some Essential Concepts for Commercial Success 22. Policy to Address the Threat of Dangerous Climate Change: A Leading Role for Biochar Index


The lightning-caused breaking failures on 10kV overhead lines have serious impact on the safety of power supply in the construction of applying insulated conductors on power distribution lines. By analyzing the lightning-caused breaking mechanism of insulated conductors, this paper introduces installing metal oxide transmission line arresters which can prevent power distribution lines effectively arising damages from lightning over voltages. And it can limit the lightning-caused breaking failures of insulated conductors occurring to ensure the safe operation of insulated distribution lines. At the same time, the possible problems of lightning protective technology of installing transmission line arresters on power distribution lines are indicated, and the installing density and protective effect of transmission line arresters are analyzed, too.


This not-for-profit aged care provider will tell an upcoming procurement conference that an overhaul of processes delivered the efficiencies that will help it meet its mission, writes Darragh O'Keeffe.


T elemedicine has the potential to transform how we deliver tomorrow's health care, and residents must learn how to practice on this platform. There is a shortage of dermatologists in the United States, particularly in rural areas, where 1 in 8 primary care visits is related to skin disease. Some of the benefits of teledermatology (TD) are the potential to increase access, reduce wait times, and provide costeffective care. In the outpatient setting, literature has consistently demonstrated a comparable accuracy of TD to in-person visits. Studies also suggest appropriate utilization of TD as an educational tool. We affirm this impression and advocate a standardized curriculum to enable dermatology residents to become adept at practicing TD. The TD program at Hampton Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) was implemented in 2012 using store-and-forward technology. From July 2013 to August 2015, a total of 2106 TD consults were reviewed from 3 rural outposts. In the program, a third-year resident reviews the history/images sent from the primary care physician and develops a diagnosis/ management strategy. The case is then presented to a faculty member who determines the final impression and plan. Using TD technology, our residents have evaluated a range of disorders from benign/malignant neoplasms to inflammatory diseases, such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. Prior to reading consults, all third-year residents and supervising attending physicians must undergo the national VAMC TD training modules, including TeleReader and VistA Imaging Display training. Each third-year resident spends 4 months on the TD rotation, averaging about 80 cases per month. Using TD, a recent study found a concordance rate of 53% and 65% for diagnosis and management plans between resident and attending dermatologists, respectively. This suggests that there are opportunities for educating residents, both on diagnoses and on treatment. Another TD program at the Denver VAMC evaluated its role in resident and medical student education. Both groups agreed that TD was an important educational tool, particularly in areas of practice-based learning and medical knowledge. Teledermatology represents a unique tool to assess resident performance in accordance with the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education competencies outlined in the Dermatology Milestone Project. With limited data as well as a lack of tactile and dermatoscopic examination, residents learn to triage lesions that require reassurance, topical/systemic treatments, or in-person visit for examination or biopsy. With TD, attending physicians can better assess a trainee's knowledge, ability to adapt to various health care delivery systems, communication skills, and care coordination. Residents also learn about resources available at different sites and receive training on working effectively within an interprofessional team, as some cases require follow-up communication with consulting physicians. With telemedicine continuing to play an emerging role, training programs must become aware of the importance of TD. It uniquely enables residents to triage common skin conditions, while affording the faculty opportunities to evaluate the trainee's knowledge base and management skills. Our experience has demonstrated benefits of integrating TD training into our curriculum. Through efforts such as the American Academy of Dermatology Young Physician Telemedicine Engagement and Education Workgroup, we hope to soon see a standardized curriculum, and we look forward to wider implementation of TD as a teaching tool.


We study the effect of the red card in a soccer game. A red card is given by a referee to signify that a player has been sent off following serious misconduct. The player who has been sent off must leave the game immediately and cannot be replaced during the game. His team must continue the game with one player fewer. We estimate the effect of the red card from betting data on the FIFA World Cup 2006 and Euro 2008, showing that the scoring intensity of the penalized team drops significantly, while the scoring intensity of the opposing team increases slightly. We show that a red card typically leads to a smaller number of goals scored during the game when a stronger team is penalized, but it can lead to an increased number of goals when a weaker team is punished. We also show when it is better to commit a red card offense in exchange for the prevention of a goal opportunity.


The Jewish apocalyptic books were valued by Christians precisely for this reason. Indeed, the possibility that the passage was a Christian gloss was considered by Dillmann. He rejected this view, however, on the grounds that Adyos in this sense is always represented by qdl, whereas nagar has the sense of (bfjua. But this presupposes that the Ethiopic translators knew what was intended by the Greek translation and would have wished to preserve the allusion to Christ as the Logos if they had recognized it. The fact that they produced a meaningless text proves only that they did not understand the intention of the Greek. There is thus no compelling objection to the theory advanced here, that the disputed phrases are integral to the text, that ' lamb' was read in the original but deliberately rendered A6yos, and that the resulting Greek text was simply translated literally into Ethiopic.


We formulate the theory of the collective spin wave modes and the microwave response of arrays of ferromagnetic nanowires of cylindrical cross section, each magnetized parallel to the axis of symmetry. The theory is based on a multiple scattering approach, and may be applied to the regime where the diameter of the constituents is small enough that exchange enters the response importantly. The formalism can be applied to ordered arrays, or disordered arrays of nanowires. We present explicit results for the spin wave normal mode frequencies of a pair of nanowires, and for a linear array. The dispersion curves for the collective modes in the latter case show a dispersive collective mode which crosses and hybridizes with resonances in the individual cylinders. For a nanowire pair, and in the magnetostatic limit, we obtain a closed form expression for the collective spin wave modes in the limit as the wavevector parallel to the symmetry axis vanishes. Interestingly, the resonance does not split as the wires are brought together, but just shifts downward in frequency, from the value $\ensuremath{\gamma}{(H}_{0}+2\ensuremath{\pi}{M}_{s})$ appropriate to the isolated wire at large separations, to $\ensuremath{\gamma}[{H}_{0}{(H}_{0}+4\ensuremath{\pi}{M}_{s}){]}^{1/2}$ when the wires just touch.


We present the Expert Network Designer "END" an automated system for large structured computer network design, modeling, simulation and optimization. Obtaining the network environment from the user END employs the formalized network design experience to recommend the network solutions suitable for such environment, explains why such solutions were chosen, and further ranks and evaluates such solutions using artificial intelligence optimization techniques and engineering simulation tools.


The oxidation of SO2 to sulfate is a key reac- tion in determining the role of sulfate in the environment through its effect on aerosol size distribution and composi- tion. Sulfur isotope analysis has been used to investigate sources and chemical processes of sulfur dioxide and sul- fate in the atmosphere, however interpretation of measured sulfur isotope ratios is challenging due to a lack of reliable information on the isotopic fractionation involved in ma- jor transformation pathways. This paper presents laboratory measurements of the fractionation factors for the major at- mospheric oxidation reactions for SO2: Gas-phase oxida- tion by OH radicals, and aqueous oxidation by H2O2, O3 and a radical chain reaction initiated by iron. The mea- sured fractionation factor for 34 S/ 32 S during the gas-phase reaction is OH=(1.0089±0.0007) ((4±5)◊10 5 )T ( C). The measured fractionation factor for 34 S/ 32 S during aque- ous oxidation by H2O2 or O3 is aq = (1.0167±0.0019) ((8.7±3.5)◊10 5 )T ( C). The observed fractionation during oxidation by H2O2 and O3 appeared to be controlled primar- ily by protonation and acid-base equilibria of S(IV) in solu- tion, which is the reason that there is no significant differ- ence between the fractionation produced by the two oxidants within the experimental error. The isotopic fractionation fac- tor from a radical chain reaction in solution catalysed by iron is Fe = (0.9894±0.0043) at 19 C for 34 S/ 32 S. Fractiona- tion was mass-dependent with regards to 33 S/ 32 S for all the reactions investigated. The radical chain reaction mechanism was the only measured reaction that had a faster rate for the light isotopes. The results presented in this study will be par- ticularly useful to determine the importance of the transition metal-catalysed oxidation pathway compared to other oxida- tion pathways, but other main oxidation pathways can not be distinguished based on stable sulfur isotope measurements alone.


The present paper is devoted to the group classification of magnetogasdynamics equations in which dependent variables in Euler coordinates depend on time and two spatial coordinates. It is assumed that the continuum is inviscid and nonthermal polytropic gas with infinite electrical conductivity. The equations are considered in mass Lagrangian coordinates. Use of Lagrangian coordinates allows reducing number of dependent variables. The analysis presented in this article gives complete group classification of the studied equations. This analysis is necessary for constructing invariant solutions and conservation laws on the base of Noether's theorem.


Culture has become a legitimate concern and part of the basic conceptual toolkit in much of contemporary organization theory. This article historically traces the contested place of culture in organization theory—from acultural rationalist theorizing at the turn of the twentieth century; to the accidental "discovery" of shop floor culture by human relations scholars in the 1920s; to mid-twentieth-century explorations of informal and institutionalized relations in organizations; to present-day approaches that blend concepts from organizational culture frameworks, neoinstitutional analysis, sociology of culture, and social movement theory. This historical backdrop provides a context for raising several research questions relevant to organizational change, boundaries, and deviance. In closing, the author suggests that an analytic nexus between culture, power, and agency is emerging in contemporary organization theory that ultimately may yield a theory of society.


This paper present an x-linear polarized microstrip patch antenna and x-circular polarized microstrip patch antenna using single port in X-form at 45°, 135°, 225° and 315°. Combinations of 4 patches using quarter wave impedance matching technique have been used to design x-linear polarized microstrip patch antenna and x-circular polarized microstrip patch antenna. The proposed designs were simulated using Computer Simulation Technology (CST) with dielectric constant, ϵr=4.3, tan δ=0.019 and thickness of substrate, t=1.6mm. The associated simulation and measurement results such as return loss, bandwidth, gain, directivity and polarization have been compared and analyzed. Both antennas have gain between 5dB to 7dB.


man. Few now living can remember a time when Maudsley was not regarded as a great authority, for he began at a very early age to write, and his earliest writings made their mark at once and stamped him .as a leader. Men now in their seventies looked up to Maudsley when they ^"ere at College, and drew inspiration from him in their undergraduate days. He was the first man to recognise the bearing of the discoveries of Darwin, and of the trend of biological doctrine upon the functions of the bram, and especially upon the constitution of the minds of men in the sense that has recently been attached to the term temperament in these pages. He was deeply impressed with the notion that a man's character is the expression of the structural constitution of his brain, and that this in turn is determined by his heredity. Above all, he insisted that mind was the product of brain action, and founded his whole doctrine upon this. It is difficult for us in these days to realise the utter darkness that prevailed in those as to the relation not only of the brain


Abstract Water vapor megamasers from the center of active galaxies provide a powerful tool to trace accretion disks at sub-parsec resolution and, through an entirely geometrical method, measure direct distances to galaxies up to 200 Mpc. The Megamaser Cosmology Project (MCP) is formed by a team of astronomers with the aim of identifying new maser systems, and mapping their emission at high angular resolution to determine their distance. Two types of observations are necessary to measure a distance: single-dish monitoring to measure the acceleration of gas in the disk, and sensitive VLBI imaging to measure the angular size of the disk, measure the rotation curve, and model radial displacement of the maser feature. The ultimate goal of the MCP is to make a precise measurement of H0 by measuring such distances to at least 10 maser galaxies in the Hubble flow. We present here the preliminary results from a new maser system, Mrk 1419. Through a model of the rotation from the systemic masers assuming a narrow ring, and combining these results with the acceleration measurement from the Green Bank Telescope, we determine a distance to Mrk 1419 of 81 ± 10 Mpc. Given that the disk shows a significant warp that may not be entirely traced by our current observations, more sensitive observations and more sophisticated disk modeling will be essential to improve our distance estimation to this galaxy.


The invention discloses a method for automatically generating exchange subscriber data, and belongs to the technical field of network communication. The technical proposal is as follows: after being energized, a subscriber circuit board sends a data installation request message to a exchange; the exchange confirms the circuit board installation message; the subscriber number of each subscriber ofthe circuit board is sequentially generated according to the default number length and office direction number information as well as the specific physical location and the type of the circuit board;the generated subscriber numbers are checked to see whether the generated subscriber numbers conflict with the subscriber numbers of other subscribers; if the generated subscriber numbers conflict with the subscriber numbers of the other subscribers, an installation failure prompt is sent to maintenance personnel; otherwise, the automatic generation of the subscriber numbers is successful, and the installation message of the subscriber is sent to the circuit board and the subscriber is installed; check is performed to judge whether all subscribers are installed or not, if each subscriber is installed, the maintenance personnel is prompted to end the installation; otherwise, the next subscriber is installed. The method can realize the automatic addition of the exchange subscribers without manual intervention.


This article explores three ways in which the positive psychology movement's construction and presentation of itself are negative. First, the negative side is construed as the negative side effects of positive psychology's dominant, separatist message. Second, the negative side is construed as the negativity that can be found within the positive psychology movement. Here the author elaborates on the negative or dismissive reactions of some spokespersons for the movement to ideas or views that run counter to the movement's dominant message: (a) negativity about negativity itself, which is explored by way of research in health psychology and coping styles; and (b) negativity about the wrong kind of positivity, namely, allegedly unscientific positivity, especially that which Seligman purports to find within humanistic psychology. This constitutes an epistemological position that contributes to "reality problems" for positive psychologists. The author concludes with the implications of positive psychology's "Declaration of Independence" for psychology's much discussed fragmentation woes. She appeals to the wisdom of William James for guidance in finding a third, more positive meaning of positive psychology's negative side. This third meaning can be gleaned from a not-yet-dominant but more integrative message emerging within the movement, one compatible with the reactions of some humanistic psychologists to positive psychology.


The number of aircraft equipped with broadband connectivity is increasing. With several hundred users per aircraft, a high capacity air-to-ground link needs to be ensured. Today, several systems provide connectivity to aircraft. However, these systems are not optimized for changing aircraft densities in different geographical areas and thus the actual throughput per aircraft varies during the flight. Therefore, we investigate the achievable throughput during any given flight by analyzing actual flight routes in order to determine the relevant parameters to satisfy current and future connectivity needs. We show that multiple air-to-ground communication systems need to be exploited to offer sufficient throughput to all aircraft.


An immune adherence receptor exists on the surface of primate erythrocytes, and has been characterized as a receptor for the activated third component of complement (C3b). We have applied human red blood cells (RBCs, blood group O) to a sensitive determination of complement-fixing, soluble immune complexes in serum. The method involved the binding of immune complexes with RBCs in the presence of complement and the detection of cell-bound IgG molecules by radiolabelled anti-human IgG antibodies. Since the binding of RBCs with monomeric IgG was minimal, cell-bound IgG molecules were taken as representing immune complexes. When aggregated human gammaglobulin (AHG) was used as a model of immune complexes, as little as 5 μg dissolved in 1 ml of normal human serum were detected. The binding of RBCs with AHG was inhibited in EDTA solution where the classical complement pathway could not be activated. The RBC radioimmune assay was successfully applied to the determination of soluble immune complexes in pathological serum samples obtained from the patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and those with fulminant Type B hepatitis. False-positive results by autoantibodies against RBCs could be excluded by performing a Coombs test and by comparing the binding in the presence of complement with that in EDTA solution. The ubiquitous availability of RBCs coupled with a high sensitivity would allow the RBC radioimmune assay to be added to the battery of previous methods to determine immune complexes in the serum.


This study aims to determine the factors affecting the fear levels of secondary school students during the COVID-19 pandemic. For this purpose, a parallel design approach was used in the study. The quantitative data were collected using the 'Corona virus Fear Scale'. Results of the study show that the students' fear of corona virus was moderate. Students expressed that the factors which increased their fear levels in per- centage terms are: an increase in the number of cases (26.24%), increase in the number of deaths (12.69%), death of family members (2.40%), death of close relatives (1.20%), fear of losing loved ones (0.86%), being COVID positive (6.52%), a family member being COVID positive (5.15%), people in immediate surroundings being COVID positive (5.15%), people's insensitivity (7.20%), people not wearing masks (4.29% ) and people not following social distancing (2.40%). To reduce their fears during the COVID-19 pandemic, students stated that they took measures such as staying at home, wearing a mask, paying attention to hygiene, taking precautions, and maintaining social distance.


A& AII ultra miniature surface mount radio frequency(RF) coaxial connector has been developed. This connector consists of a receptacle and a right angle plug. The receptacle is surface mountable. The mated height of the receptacle and the plug is 3 mm from the printed circuit board(PCB) surfilce. Voltage standing wave ratio(VSWR) is less than 1.2 up to 3 GHz. The slitless construction is adopted for mating mechanism and conductor pattem on PCB is optimized to reduce the reflection of RF signals.


The modulation of drain current by gate voltage in a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of benzene-1,4-dithiol was confirmed on the basis of the transistor structure. A device was fabricated by the shadow mask technique with an air-bridge structure. By electron beam lithography, the top area of the Au/SAM/Au junction was fabricated to be 370 nm by 230 nm. The measured current-voltage characteristics showed an exponential increase in drain current when drain voltage was increased and a decrease in drain current when gate bias was increased. Because the modulated drain current was greater than the gate leakage current, modulation by the gate bias was confirmed. However, no bonding was expected in the upper SAM/Au junction because the magnitude of the drain current was less than 100 pA.


More than 100 sets of plane stress tests were carried out on sand reinforced with horizontal-vertical(H-V) inclusions of perspex with different forms of horizontal inclusions(hole and coverage) and different height of vertical inclusions and cell pressure.Effects of the form of horizontal reinforcements on the strength of sands reinforced with horizontal-vertical inclusions were studied.The influence of height of vertical inclusions and confining pressures on strength is validated.The results show that strength of the form with hole is better than that of coverage because the axis load can be transferred to the lower soil,the vertical inclusions did not break earlier,and the form with hole has a cancellus effect which can improve the soil strength.The hole size has some influence on strength.It is verified that height of the vertical inclusion has an optimal value.


Hospitals have to deal with continually arriving clinical data. In this paper, we present a neural network approach that can aide the process medical document classification. In this scenario a human annotator can correct the model predictions for a new training sample which can then be used for training. This data needs to be classified into ICD categories and the newly obtained knowledge should be captured by the model with minimal loss of already acquired knowledge. More specifically, different strategies are proposed and evaluated for constructing a replay dataset in a continual learning setting. The presented methodology alternates an incremental learning phase with a full retraining of all training samples seen so far. In this manner, a balance can be found where most of the time newly obtained knowledge can immediately be added to the model, but not to the extent where it loses a vital part of previously obtained knowledge.


Most second-order Ordinary Differential Equations (ODES) arising in realistic applications such as applied mathematics, physics, metrology and engineering. All of these disciplines are concerned with the properties of differential equations of various types. ODES cannot be solved exactly. For these problems one does a qualitative analysis to get a rough idea of the behavior of the solution. Then a numerical method is employed to get an accurate solution. In this way, one can verify the answer obtained from the numerical method by comparing it to the answer obtained from qualitative analysis. In a few fortunate cases a second-order ode can be solved exactly. Because of the big efforts needed to solve second order linear ODES, some MATLAB methods were investigated, the result of these methods were studied and some judgment were done regarding the results accuracy and implementation time.


Objective To study the predictive effect of ambroxol in replacement of mitral valve in beating heart.Methods Thirty-six patients underwent mitral valve replacement were randomly divided into experimentel group(use ambroxol in beating heart,n=18) and control group(use accrue-brinein beatingheart,n=18).Cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB) was performed for 90 minutes.Plasma thromboxane B_2(TXB_2) and epoprostenol(6-keto-PGF_1a) of tow groups were respeptively measured and contrasted at six different time intervals.Results TXB_2 in control group increased more quickly,6-keto-PGF_1a in experimental group increased more quickly.Conclusion Plasma TXB_2 may be a sensitive detective guideline in lung protective effects.Beating heart is propitious to reduce the release of TXB_2,and to increase the release of 6-keto-PGF_1a.


This paper mainly deals with target detection under heavy clutters in through-the-wall-radar imaging, and based on random sparse array, proposes an approach of multi-channel target cooperative detection with modified N-K detector applied to multiple single-channel images.


Healthy U.S. demand for methanol has caused supply problems in Europe, with high prices in the U.S. attracting Russian and Libyan product traditionally bound for Europe. Last week, U.S. spot prices broke the $0.60/gallon barrier. In response, deals in Europe have been made at about DM380/m.t. fob for early May-up DM40/m.t. from the previous month. But prices are still too low to attract imports-even in Brazil and Southeast Asia there are substantially higher prices than in Europe.


Purpose – While focusing on the renowned bases of social power put forth by French and Raven in 1959, this paper aims to address the history and future of this taxonomy within organizational settings. Topics include the evolution of the power taxonomy, the power/interaction model, and matters relevant to future research and practice.Design/methodology/approach – First, a historical overview of the French and Raven power taxonomy is provided. Second, ways in which the taxonomy has been updated over the past several decades are discussed. Third, an overview of Raven's power/interaction model (1993) is presented. Lastly, implications for future research and practice within organizations are offered.Findings – A review of the historic and contemporary writings dedicated to social power would indicate that the advances made to the original French and Raven power taxonomy have not been incorporated into the management and organizational behavior literatures.Practical implications – Practitioners and scholars in...


Background Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programs are yet to be widely implemented in veterinary practice and medical programs are unlikely to be directly applicable to veterinary settings. Objective To gain an in‐depth understanding of the factors that influence effective AMS in veterinary practices in Australia. Methods A concurrent explanatory mixed methods design was used. The quantitative phase of the study consisted of an online questionnaire to assess veterinarians' attitudes to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and antimicrobial use in animals, and the extent to which AMS currently is implemented (knowingly or unknowingly). The qualitative phase used semi‐structured interviews to gain an understanding of the barriers to and enablers of AMS in veterinary practices. Data were collected and entered into NVivo v.11, openly coded and analyzed according to mixed methods data analysis principles. Results Companion animal, equine, and bovine veterinarians participated in the study. Veterinary practices rarely had antimicrobial prescribing policies. The key barriers were a lack of AMS governance structures, client expectations and competition between practices, cost of microbiological testing, and lack of access to education, training and AMS resources. The enablers were concern for the role of veterinary antimicrobial use in development of AMR in humans, a sense of pride in the service provided, and preparedness to change prescribing practices. Conclusion and Clinical Importance Our study can guide development and establishment of AMS programs in veterinary practices by defining the major issues that influence the prescribing behavior of veterinarians.


a condition almost identical to that presented by Dr. Graham Little's case. viz. a reticular eruption in tbe patteni of an erythema ah igne, with distinct infiltration and some bullous formation. He had ventured to call it lichen planus. He could assure Dr. Dore that genuine erythema db igne might disappear without the slightest trace of it being left. Dr. J. A. DRAKE said that in this case he supported the alteraative diagnosis of lichen planus. On the outer side of the right leg there were definite flattopped papules, rather larger than one expected to find in lichen planus, but that was explicable on account of the eruption being on the lower extremity. Possibly exposure to fire might have had some influence in determining its incidence on the legs. It seemed more like lichen planus than erythema ah igne. Dr. A. C. ROXBURGH said he had seen a case like this a week or two previously, but there were no bullije. There was a reticulated j^igmented eruption on the inner side of both legs, and on some parts of the reticuhim there were lichen planus papules. 'J'he papules were more definitely of the lichen planus type than in this case, i. e. they were more angular. Dr. PARKES WEBER said that in erythema ah igne there might probably be bullous formation if the process were very acute. In ordinary cases a little desquamation was, apparently, not uncommon. He thought that a slight "plastic" thickening of the erythema lesions did not appear to be rare, and that in the present case the plastic infiltration was of the same nature, but very excessive (and therefore of great rarity), and was not of the nature of lichen planus. Erythema a calore was sometimes produced in hospitals by the therapeutic application of hot-water bottles, etc., to the abdomen. It certainly disapjDeared when the exciting cause was removed, and so probably did erythema ah igne, though doubtless slowly. Dr. G-RAHAM LITTLE (in reply) said that part of the difficulty of accepting the explanation of secondary irritation was that such a period of irritation had been of so short a duration. He did not think the lesions would disappear very readily.


Pre-vocational education in the Netherlands is probably the most discussed, but least understood part of the Dutch educational system. More than 60 per cent of all youth enrolled in pre-vocational education, but it has a bad public image and partly a bad self-image as well. At the same time, it is a fascinating and very innovative education sector. In the Dutch educational system, a clear division is made between vocational education on the one hand and general education on the other (CEDEFOP 2004a) [available in VOCEDplus at TD/TNC 82.191]. The choice of one stream or another can occur at different stages of education. Unlike in some European countries (like France, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom) (1.3; 188.8.131.52; 188.8.131.52), integration of, or at least a closer link between, vocational education and general education is not sought. The separation between the two streams has become even more clear cut in the past few years, since (in 2001) the strengthening of the vocational stream, from pre-vocational education through secondary vocational education to higher professional education, became a main policy objective.


This paper presents some selected data concerning the different processing routes being used in the IRC for the production of Ti-based alloys. The process which underpins all other production of alloys in this program is plasma melting. Material produced via this route is either HIPped or isothermally forged if no further melting schedule is planned. Some plasma melted ingots are used as feed stock either for atomization, for spray-forming or for investment casting. The facilities used for these programs are briefly described and the different structures obtained for the different process routes are presented together with a selection of some of the properties of composites prepared via gas atomization and HIPping.


In 2006, the Heavy Flavor Averaging Group (HFAG) [1] convened a new subgroup to calculate world average (WA) values of charm mixing and C P violation (C P V ) parameters [2]. Since that time, D -D 0 mixing has been observed, and a wealth of mixing andC P V results have appeared. The HFAG charm group has calculated several sets of WA values, updating old averages as new results have become available. This paper presents the most recent set of averages, i.e., those based on results that appeared in preprint form by the summer of 2009. Mixing in the B 0 andB 0 s heavy flavor systems is governed by the short-distance box diagram. In the D 0 system, however, this diagram is doubly-Cabibbo-suppressed (relative to amplitudes dominating the decay width) and also GIM-suppressed. Thus, the short-distance mixing rate is tiny, andD -D 0 mixing is expected to be dominated by long-distance processes. These are difficult to calculate r eliably, and theoretical estimates for D -D 0 mixing range over 2-3 orders of magnitude [3, 4]. The decay rates for D 0 ! f andD 0 ! f are, respectively,


CHILDREN OF COLOR: PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERVENTIONS WITH CULTURALLY DIVERSE YOUTH. By JewelleTaylorGibbs, Ph.D., MSW, and Larke Nahme Huang, Ph.D., MS, Editors. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass Publishers, 2003. Reviewed by Sherri Seyfried.


A distance-preserving mapping is a one-to-one function $f$ from $p$-ary vectors of length $m$ to $q$-ary vectors of length $n$ such that any two distinct $p$-ary vectors are mapped to two different $q$-ary vectors with an equal or greater Hamming distance. A distance-increasing mapping is a special distance-preserving mapping which strictly increases the distance by at least one if the distance of two distinct input vectors is less than the length of the output vectors. A constant composition code over a $k$-ary alphabet has the property that the numbers of occurrences of the $k$ symbols within a codeword are fixed for each codeword. One of the most important applications of distance-preserving mappings and distance-increasing mappings is to construct constant composition codes, of which the permutation codes are a special subclass. There are two results in this paper. First, we propose a swap-based distance-increasing mapping from binary vectors to quaternary constant composition vectors. Second, we prove that it is impossible to construct any swap-based distance-preserving mappings from binary vectors to ternary constant composition vectors under the swap model that we defined.


Multiple partial representations greatly facilitate the construction of complex autonomous robots. Such representations are desirable since they are easy to develop and quick to compute. We describe how to select various representations, how to string them together to perform specific tasks, and how to provide the resulting distributed system with an overall goal. As with the original Subsumption Architecture, our approach allows the incremental development of a system by the accretion of successive performance layers. The application of these techniques is illustrated by the analysis of an existing mobile robot which collects soda cans in an unstructured office environment.


The complicated as to their composition and crystal structure semiconductors TlAsS2, Tl3AsS3, Tl3AsS4, called briefly TAS, and Tl3PS4 represent a class of compounds promising in the devices of quantum electronics. The electron energy structure of these compounds is investigated both experimentally with x-ray spectroscopy and theoretically by calculations of the local partial electron densities of states (LDOS) and x-ray K-absorption spectra of S and P using FEFF8 code. All theoretical K-absorption spectra and LDOS were calculated ab initio without any adjusting parameters according to the scheme: the self-consistent mt-potentials obtained for the clusters of about 35 atoms were then used in the calculations of the absorption spectra and LDOS for clusters of 87 atoms in the full multiple scattering approximation. The comparison of the calculated K-absorption spectra of S and P of sulfides investigated with their experimental analogues shows that in all cases the theoretical curve reflects good enough the energy positions of all features of the experimental curve. The results of the calculations of LDOS and the experimental emission K- and L2,3-spectra of S and P gave the possibility to determine the energy positions of the electron occupied states of all elements in the semiconductors TAS and Tl3PS4 and to get the information about the hybridization of the electron states in the valence band. The compounds Tl3AsS3 and Tl3AsS4 have the same crystal structure, this leads to the likeness of their K-absorption spectrum of S and the electron energy structure of their valence bands.


Let $A$ be a bounded operator on a Hilbert space and $g$ a vector-valued function, which is holomorphic in a neighborhood of zero. The question about existence of holomorphic solutions of the Cauchy problem $\left\{ \begin{array}{ll} \displaystyle\frac{\partial u}{\partial t}= A\displaystyle\frac{\partial^{2}u}{\partial x^2}\\ u(0,x)=g(x) \\ \end{array} \right.$ is considered in the paper.


In this paper we present a new small signal multiport modelling approach for III-V High Electron Mobility Transistors (HEMT) that is capable for internal transistor analysation and optimization as well as scaleable in gate width and finger-number. The new model decomposes the planar transistor structure into single multiport elements that are separately described by electrical equivalent circuits and connected to each other over discrete ports. With this new modelling topology we only need to extract a couple of multiport elements to predict the correct behavior for a high amount of different planar transistor structures. This point gives the circuit designer a wide range of possibilities to analyze and optimize a given transistor structure according to special needs, like low-noise, input-output matching or cryogenic behavior on a computer based level.


In this study we analysed the relationship between anti‐lymphocytic ganglioside antibodies and anti‐lymphocyte antibodies in AIDS patients. Anti‐lymphocytic ganglioside antibodies were detected by thin layer chromatography (TLC) immunostaining; three colour flow cytometry was used to analyse circulating antibodies against different lymphocyte subsets.


We investigated the forming process and the properties of a semi-rigid polyurethane foam which was applicable to the instrument panel of a car. For the purpose of studying the free foaming process, we made a visual mold not only to see the foaming process but also to measure the temperature of the foam with reaction time. The effects of process variables such as the ratio of reactants(polyol : isocyante), the mixing speed, and the wall temperature on the growth and density of the foam were analysed to form the useful processing guideline.


When it comes to content access using intervehicle communications (IVC), data will mostly flow through roadside units (RSUs) that deployed in our cities. Unfortunately, the RSU coverage is expected to be rather scattered. Instead of relying on RSUs only, this paper investigates the possibility of exploiting parked vehicles to extend the RSU service coverage. Our approach leverages optimization models aiming at maximizing the freshness of content that downloaders retrieve, the efficiency in the utilization of radio resources, and the fairness in exploiting the energy resources of parked vehicles. The latter is constrained to not excessively drain parked vehicle batteries. Our approach provides an estimate of the system performance, even in those cases where users may only be willing to lease a limited amount of their battery capacity to extend RSU coverage. Our optimization-based results are validated by comparing them against ns-3 simulations. Performance evaluation highlights that the use of parked vehicles enhances the efficiency of the content downloading process by 25%-35% and can offload more than half the data traffic from RSUs with respect to the case where only moving cars are used as relays. Such gains in performance come at a small cost in terms of battery utilization for the parked vehicles, and they are magnified when a backbone of parked vehicles can be formed.


To harmonize the relations of human rights, property rights and creditor's rights is very important in the process of reform of state owned-enterprises. However, the key to attain the goal is to ensure that the social vulnerable groups will be compensated properly. In recent years, some Chinese local governments already performed a few policies in which if the employees abandon the status will receive compensation. But present compensation mode not only lacks scientific plan, but also violates the principle of "saving the weak". Although the mode has ever achieved some positive results, we still think it must be improved as soon as possible because of the mode has a lot of deficiencies such as nonscientific, inequity, inefficient on the whole.


The present invention relates to a membrane electrode assembly and a fuel cell including the same and a fuel cell electrode and a method of manufacturing the same having the two kinds of hydrophilic. Fuel cell electrode of the present invention provides a fuel cell electrode comprising the catalyst layer which is interposed a gas diffusion layer and between the gas diffusion layer and electrolyte membrane in contact with the separator flow path is formed, having a catalyst layer containing a two-part hydrophilic, different fuel cells as an electrode, a portion facing the flow path in the catalyst layer is the fuel cell electrode is higher than the hydrophilic portion does not face the flow path. Fuel cell electrode of the present invention can improve the performance of the cell to appropriately maintain the amount of water in the electrode catalyst layer by providing a hydrophilic property is different depending on the position of the flow path in the catalyst layer. A fuel cell, a catalyst layer, a hydrophilic


Purpose

The paper aims to describe the macro-level realities driving change for learning organizations and professionals including: volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (VUCA) environment; information explosion; flattening organization; mobile and virtual workforce; and generational mix. It also describes implications for these realities and the critical shift from learning development to enablement via practices like learning curation, learning personalization, social learning and new and diverse learning modalities.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper opted for a review of marketplace, business and industry trends, as well as reviews of specific primary research and current publications, to support its viewpoint.

Findings

The VUCA of global; social; governmental; and economical systems is catalyzing the need for systemic change in the learning and development (L&D) industry. This will change the learning content that organizations will need to offer and the processes by which L&D leaders will need to identify and curate it.

Originality/value

This paper fulfills the need to explain the necessity of changes required in skill sets and best practices for the modern learning organization.


In this study, heat transfer in a heat sealing process was simulated using COMSOL Multiphysics software. Variations of thermal conductivity, specific heat, and density of polymers with temperature were measured in a wide temperature range. The temperature profile at the interface between two sealing films was measured using a fine thermocouple. Comparing experimental and simulation results indicated the high accuracy of the simulation and the significant role of considering thermal contact resistance as the boundary condition between the jaws and films. These results showed that the present simulation, for the first time, can successfully predict heat transfer and interface temperature in a heat sealing process without any fitting parameter. Moreover, the obtained results showed that the simulation can predict the effect of jaw temperature, sealing time, film thickness, and polymer crystallinity in a wide range of temperatures from below melting point to much higher temperatures than the melting point of the sealant.


The case main evaporation the gas removal in each case a separate mixture, in particular solutions, suspensions, and in a continuous process, particularly a process for the thermal treatment of the emulsion, the continuous process of the mixture is the main evaporation and degassing mixer - can be divided into - rising in the kneader.


A characterisation of the Timepix4 pixel front-end with a strong focus on timing performance is presented. Externally generated test pulses were used to probe the per-pixel time-to-digital converter (TDC) and measure the time-bin sizes by precisely controlling the test-pulse arrival time in steps of 10 ps. The results indicate that the TDC can achieve a time resolution of 60 ps, provided that a calibration is performed to compensate for frequency variation in the voltage controlled oscillators of the pixel TDCs. The internal clock distribution system of Timepix4 was used to control the arrival time of internally generated analog test pulses in steps of about 20 ps. The analog test pulse mechanism injects a controlled amount of charge directly into the analog front-end (AFE) of the pixel, and was used to measure the time resolution as a function of signal charge, independently of the TDC. It was shown that for the default configuration, the AFE time resolution in the hole-collecting mode is limited to 105 ps. However, this can be improved up to about 60 ps by increasing the preamplifier bias-current at the cost of increased power dissipation. For the electron-collecting mode, an AFE time resolution of 47 ps was measured for a bare Timepix4 device at a signal charge of 21 ke. It was observed that additional input capacitance from a bonded sensor reduces this figure to 62 ps.


Many people believe that Eisler invented the printed circuit board (PCB) in the mid‐1930s, but the origins actually lie nearly before 50 years this. If this is true then who invented the PCB? This review offers an alternative view of the history of the PCB including early developments and contributions from the world of art and printing, through innovations in science and engineering to the key developments of the modern electronics industry.


Objective To investigate whether or not that klatskin tumor is adapt to liver transplantation. Methods In April 1995 and Nov. 1997, orthotopic liver transplantation was successfully performed on 2 cases of klatskin tumor. The liver graft was harvested by combined rapid multiple organ harvesting technique, flushed and preserved with UW solution. Veno-venous bypass was processed with Bio Medicus pump in anhepatic phase. Immunosuppressive protocol was cyclosporin A, prednisone and azathio prine, while azathioprine was replaced by cellcept in case 2. Results Liver function recovered rapidly with an obvious regression of jaundice. Hemoconcentration occurred in case one on the 4 th postoperative day, followed by cerebral thrombosis and lung infection, and died of multiple system organ failure on the 12 th postoperative day. Another one was discharged 4 weeks postoperation, but died of tumor recurrence after 5 months. Conclusion The Bismuth IV hilar bile duct cancer is adapt to liver transplantation. But how to assess whether or not there are micro-metastases before operation and effectively control tumor recurrence postoperation are important projections needed to resolve.

Key words:
Liver/transplantation; Bile duct neoplasms


The extraction and classification of significant points along a contour is fundamental to many image processing tasks. In this paper, we present a simple process for extracting such points with several appealing properties: the operation is developed in terms of contours which are represented discretely; it is completely local and hence suitable for real time operation in vector or parallel processors; and it is tunable to extract significant points at different resolutions of orientation change along a contour. We also describe its use in linear feature extraction and processing restricted cases of environmental motion where the interest operator associates parameterized attributes with extracted image points. Matching features using these attributes allows for significant computational reductions over schemes based upon correlation matching without any loss of robustness, especially for such cases of restricted motion.


With the proliferation of so-called "smart" components and the availability of small, low-cost, and high-speed data networks, avionics that have traditionally been centralized are becoming distributed. A distributed approach offers many potential benefits and can reduce the risk associated with design errors by splitting complex hardware and software into more manageable components. However, distributed systems also introduce new challenges in meeting real-time deadlines and providing fault tolerance. The automotive industry is addressing the challenges with the development of distributed, drive-by-wire systems, and the adaptation of these to avionic applications looks promising. In developing these new distributed systems, there are many fundamental system design considerations including: time or event-triggered data communication, distributed or centralized data network control, need and method for time-synchronization of distributed components, topology and amount of redundancy to provide fault tolerance. This paper examines these design considerations and identifies the strengths and weaknesses of each.


Some species in the genus of Acacia were introduced in tropical regions mostly for supplying raw material for forest industries, such as pulp and paper, sawn timber and wood energy. Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, China, India, Philipines, and Thailand were reported as the countries concern for Acacia plantations in the tropic areas [1]. The establishment of Acacias plantations were practiced either by large scale plantation companies or by smallholder grower.


Concurrent slowdown in every major economic region: world growth to slow to 3.3 per cent this year and 3.7 per cent next year. All major countries opt for the same policies of near zero interest rates and fiscal tightening. European countries face remarkably divergent growth paths next year: Germany above trend growth and Southern Europe in deep recession. Tensions will heighten further. World demand below potential output growth means rising unemployment — in some countries even higher than seen in the Great Depression.


A sufficiently small, reflective particle on which the focused beam is diffracted can replace the autostigmatizing sphere in the Fizeau digital interferometer.


The adsorption of an anionic and a cationic surfactant onto a silicon surface was investigated using the technique of ATR (Attenuated Total Reflection) FT-IR at pH values of 2.5 and 9.5. The surface charge development on silicon samples conditioned in these surfactant solutions was investigated using a SPV (Surface Photovoltage) technique. The adsorption of DTAB was found to be much higher at pH equals 9.5 than at pH equals 2.5. In contrast, adsorption of SDS was independent of pH. The surface charge of HF-last cleaned silicon p(100) wafers was almost the same as that of the as-received wafer. After conditioning in surfactant solutions, negatively charged silicon wafers showed an excess of positive charge except of silicon wafers conditioned in DTAB solution at pH equals 9.5. After a DI water rinsing step, the surface charge was returned to its original value.


SETTING In 2000, the World Health Organization (WHO) set-up the Green Light Committee (GLC) to foster access to concessional-priced second-line drugs against MDR-TB. For their procurement via the GLC, the standardized treatment scheme against MDR-TB of a National Tuberculosis Program (NTP) has to conform to the central principles outlined in the Guidelines for the Programmatic Management of Drug-resistant Tuberculosis of WHO. It is assumed that for resource-limited countries, the establishment of a promising alternative short-term treatment regimen against MDR-TB, as in Cameroon and Bangladesh, is virtually impossible, if these do not respect these central principles of WHO and do not have an alternative donor.
GOAL To assess the influence of these central principles of WHO on the access to drugs for MDR-TB patients in Cameroon.
DESIGN A qualitative observational case study of Cameroon within international health policy guidelines for MDR-TB applying the policy analysis triangle of Walt and Gilson.
RESULTS It is suspected that economic interests within the pharmaceutical market of industrialized nations vis-a-vis resource-limited countries are a key explanation for the current power allocation resulting from international health policy guidelines for MDR-TB. This creates a one-sided dependency for the NTPs of low-income countries and moreover, their "clinical freedom" is limited by rejecting promising alternative short-term treatment regimen against MDR-TB.
CONCLUSION Access to drugs for MDR-TB patients in the Republic of Cameroon is restricted as a result of these international health policy guidelines, the central principles for the treatment of MDR-TB patients outlined in the Guidelines for the Programmatic Management of Drug-resistant Tuberculosis, of WHO.


Abstract Disclosure: T. Du Toit: None. M. Von Wolff: None. A.C. Swart: None. M. Groessl: None. C.E. Flueck: None. Infertility in women is routinely evaluated with the assessment of circulating steroid levels. Profiling steroid levels in follicular fluid (FF) would provide a focused evaluation of the ovarian endocrine milieu and is therefore better suited to identify key hormones potentially involved in dysfunctional follicular growth. The anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) level in serum is a well-established clinical marker to estimate the ovarian reserve in assisted reproductive technology, while the AMH level in FF serves as a new prognostic marker for oocyte developmental potential. However, AMH-linked changes in the follicular steroid milieu have not been fully explored. We conducted an AMH-dependent analysis of the FF endocrine milieu. Hormones were quantified using LC-MS (n=42) and ELISA (n=4) in FF of 83 women undergoing natural cycle in vitro fertilisation. Patients were age-matched and classified into 4 statistically different (p<0.0001) groups according to serum AMH levels: group A (<1.1 pmol/L, n=20); group B (1 - 7.14 pmol/L, n=21); group C (7.14 - 35.5 pmol/L, n=21); and group D (>35.5 pmol/L, n=21). Group D was designated as our polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)-like group, as high serum AMH is a marker for PCOS. We characterised androgen and progesterone metabolic pathways in FF. Androstenedione (A4) and testosterone (T) levels differed significantly between the groups (p<0.01) and were highest in group D at 60 nmol/L and 4.7 nmol/L, respectively. The levels of 11-ketoandrostenedione (11KA4) and 11β-hydroxyandrosterone (adrenal-origin) also differed between the groups (p<0.05), with higher 11KA4 levels (±2.7-fold) quantified in group D. In parallel with serum AMH, FF AMH differed between the groups (p<0.0001), together with luteinizing hormone/FSH, A4/dehydroepiandrosterone, estradiol(E2)/T and E2/A4 ratios. In comparison to groups A, B and C combined, the PCOS-like group D showed significantly increased downstream progesterone metabolite levels –11α-hydroxyprogesterone [OHP4], 17α,20α-diOHP4, 16α-OHP4 and 5α-pregnanolone, with lower FSH levels. Our results show that the follicular milieu is significantly different when high AMH levels are measured compared to when AMH levels are low, marked by: (i) higher progesterone metabolite levels in follicles and (ii) higher A4 and T levels, concomitant with unchanged E2 levels suggesting that androgens were not fully converted to estrogens in these follicles. Our study furthermore corroborates other studies reporting an intrafollicular hyperandrogenic state in women with increased circulatory AMH levels. In summary, our study not only provides data based on a broad steroid profile that the follicular androgen endocrine milieu is affected in women with high serum AMH levels, but it also provides a model for the premature progesterone increase in PCOS women which leads to a reduction in the embryo implantation rate. Presentation: Friday, June 16, 2023


Type I immediate hypersensitivity reactions in human and rat skin may be followed by late phase reactions (LPR). A consistent feature of both human and rat LPR is the early histologic appearance of neutrophils, which, in rats, is followed by the later appearance (8 to 24 hr) of mononuclear cells. To determine the importance of the neutrophil in the development of LPR, rats were depleted of neutrophils using parenteral injections of vinblastine sulfate (VS). VS produced a dose-dependent neutropenia, with the maximal effect on day 4. LPR that were induced with anti-IgE, isolated mast cell granules (MCG), or purified high (greater than 10,000 daltons) and low (500 to 10,000 daltons) m.w. fractions obtained from MCG were significantly abrogated in VS-treated rats. In neutropenic rats previously immunized with complete Freund's adjuvant, the intensity of inflammatory reactions produced by skin testing with purified protein derivatives was also significantly reduced. Administration of exogenous neutrophils to neutropenic animals partially reconstituted the reduced LPR. These data confirm and extend previous observations on the contribution of neutrophils to delayed hypersensitivity reactions and provide evidence that the neutrophil is critical for the development of rat cutaneous LPR as well.


Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping are great statesmen and thinkers of 20th century.There are similarities as well as differences between their thoughts on combating corruption.The similarities lie mainly in their theoretical bases,principled stands,and their stresses on clean government while the differences lie in their different perspectives in analyzing the causes of corruption,and their different means and structural appraoches in combating corruption.


Abstract
 Lasiurus borealis (Eastern Red Bat), long considered a common species, is now experiencing population declines. Most studies of their roosting habits have reported that the species uses mature canopy trees. We radio-tracked 2 adult male Eastern Red Bats to their roost trees in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia in June of 2012. Both bats roosted in a different tree each day, but spent 3–5 days roosting in groups of nearby trees before making larger movements out of the study area. Characteristics of roost trees differed markedly between bats. One bat roosted in Castanea dentata (American Chestnut) and Quercus rubra (Red Oak) saplings in early-successional habitat; the other roosted in mature Quercus spp. (oaks) in closed-canopy forest. Most roost trees and nearby trees were shorter and smaller diameter than those reported in previous studies. Our results suggest Eastern Red Bats have relatively broad roosting habits that include use of both early- and late-successional habitat.


Some policy analysts have suggested expanding the roles of physician assistants and nurse practitioners as one potential way to help alleviate some of the burden on physicians, and a new study published in Health Affairs shows that consumers are open to that idea.


A study to test the hypotheses that discrete cognitive abilities necessary to clinical practice can be identified and their achievement reliably assessed by methods applicable to a large number of students is described.


Silverman JG, Raj A, Mucci LA, et al. Dating violence against adolescent girls and associated substance use, unhealthy weight control, sexual risk behavior, pregnancy, and suicidality. JAMA 2001;286:572–579.

> Context : Intimate partner violence against women is a major public health concern.


The aryl substituent has been shown to affect the fragmentation and abundance of skeletal rearrangement ions in the spectra of aryl sulphonyl chlorides and sulphonic acids. The spectra of 2-hydroxy and 2-chloroethyl aryl sulphones contain [aryl SO]+ ions, suggesting that alkyl migration has competed successfully with aryl migration to the electron deficient oxygen atom.


Let ${\mathcal {H}}_{k,g}$ be the Hurwitz stack parametrizing degree $k$, genus $g$ covers of ${\mathbb {P}}^{1}$. We define the tautological ring of ${\mathcal {H}}_{k,g}$ and we show that all Chow classes, except possibly those supported on the locus of "factoring covers," are tautological up to codimension roughly $g/k$ when $k \leq 5$. The set-up developed here is also used in our subsequent work [6], wherein we prove new results about the structure of the Chow ring for $k \leq 5$.


Abstract Noise and hearing were surveyed at 16 construction sites involving heavy earth-moving equipment operations. Over-all noise levels were 90-120 dB SPL with most energy below 600 cps. All measured noises exceeded eight-hour exposure criteria in one or more octave bands. Equipment operators showed hearing impairment which was worse at higher frequencies and which increased with years of employment even though corrected for age. Temporary hearing threshold shifts were found following single workday noise exposures. Survey findings indicated the need for noise control and audiometric monitoring.


Dear Sirs, In the scientific literature, we have evidencebased reviews including systematic reviews or meta-analyses, and we have expert reviews like Lieberman's without any attempt to capture the existing evidence, but to look at some idiosyncratic correlations (1). Thus, no reference to the systematic review by the Cochrane Centre (2) on the effect of antidepressant therapies in Parkinson's disease has been included in Lieberman's review. In a total of 43 clinical trials, the Cochrane review found three trials fulfilling the conventional criteria for randomized trials. From these three trials, no evidence emerged for recommending any antidepressant, which is not the result of the Lieberman review. Our group performed one of the trials accepted by the Cochrane review (3). In a placebocontrolled trial with citalopram, we found no significant difference between this drug and placebo. When making an attempt to explain this outcome, we found that in a post hoc interview with the included patients, approximately 70% suffered from recurrent brief depression in accordance with ICD-10 (4). With this background, we have recommended a Depression Rating Scale measuring frequency rather than severity for use in Parkinson's disease. The self-reported Major Depression Inventory (5) was found psychometrically more valid than the Zung Depression Scale in patients with Parkinson's disease (6), but the newly developed GRID Hamilton Depression Scale covering both intensity and frequency of symptoms is another suggestion (7). Recurrent brief depression is a subtype of depressive illness more difficult to treat than major depression. We have published a pilot study in which citalopram was combined with mianserin, a serotonin 2A-blocking antidepressant (8). Post-stroke depression is very similar to major depression, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are very effective in this group of patients, in contrast to the group of patients with depression in Parkinson's disease (9). In conclusion, we need placebo-controlled randomized trials of antidepressants (typical or atypical) with outcome scales of clinical validity before solid reviews can be performed.


Correspondence Alp Yürüm, Nanotechnology Research & Application Center (SUNUM), Sabanci University, Tuzla, Istanbul 34956, Turkey. Email: firstname.lastname@example.com Abstract One of the main problems of LiNi0.80Co0.15Al0.05O2 (NCA) materials is the side reactions occurring during battery cycling. These side reactions result in capacity fading, which in turn decreases the life span of the battery. Conventionally, for nickel-rich cathodes, an inorganic layer is used as a protective layer. Applying these layers may require additional complicated steps. To overcome this problem, we focused on coating the NCA electrode with a polymeric ion conductive layer that can easily be applied. For this purpose, using an ionconductive polymer is a novel approach. We used Nafion as the protective layer on NCA electrodes. While the Nafion layer can protect the surface against the side reactions, it does not prevent the Li ion flow. Following this purpose, we synthesized NCA by a modified co-precipitation method followed by sintering at 750 C. After the preparation of the NCA cathodes, we coated the surfaces with a more straightforward drip coating. The Nafion-coated electrodes delivered a superior electrochemical performance with 100% of discharge capacity retention even after 100 cycles at 0.1C. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy revealed that the Nafion coating could effectively prevent passive layer formation, which causes capacity fading.


On the basis of a set of Input-Output tables we computed the European Net Product Possibility Frontier (NPPF) for the years from 1995 to 2011. During this period, several barriers to trade have been removed, allowing higher levels of trade and regional integration. Subsequently, we propose a method to check whether the prediction to be derived from Comparative Advantages (CAs) theory, namely, a specialization pattern that allows to reach the NPPF, is verified. The results suggest that CAs were not exploited well during the period considered and no positive trend emerged. The implication of our results is that there is ample scope for a coordinated policy aimed at improving allocation of resources. Further research on this topic seems to be necessary.