Intact washed human platelets incubated at 20/sup 0/C in Tyrode's buffer containing 0.25% (w/v) bovine serum albumin bound /sup 3/H paf-acether in a concentration (0-6.5 nM) and time (0-60 min) dependent manner (n=3). BN 52021 (60 ..mu..M) a chemically defined extract from Ginkgo biloba inhibited the binding of increasing concentrations of /sup 3/H paf-acether. Calculated differences between /sup 3/H paf-acether binding in the presence or absence of BN 52021 (60 ..mu..M) reached nearly a plateau in concentrations higher than 0.65 nM /sup 3/H paf-acether. Increasing concentrations of BN 52021 (0-60 ..mu..M) as well as of unlabelled paf-acether (0-50 nM) prevented within 15 min /sup 3/H paf-acether binding (0.65 nM) to platelets in a concentration-dependent way. Increasing BN 52021 concentrations (0-60 ..mu..M) also displaced platelet-bound /sup 3/H paf-acether (0.65 nM) in a concentration-dependent way. Displacement increased with the time length of platelet incubation with BN 52021 and reached a plateau at 15 min. Platelet-bound /sup 3/H paf-acether displacement of 28.3 +/- 6.3%, 31.1 +/- 4.0% and 26.7 +/- 5.6% was observed using 50 nM unlabelled paf-acether, 60 ..mu..M BN 52021 or both substances together (vs 4.3 +/- 7.2% for vehicle alone). No degradation of /sup 3/H paf-acether occurred as assessed bymore » high pressure liquid chromatography. These results demonstrate that BN 52021 competes directly with paf-acether binding sites on human platelets.« less


President Obama's $3.8 trillion 2011 fiscal year budget contains earmarks that will benefit primary care physicians, according to the AAFP.


In this paper, the shortcoming in the design of two way reinforced concrete slab is indicated, and the reasonable solving method is provided. Besides, the regularity of peak adjustment of bending moment for two way slab is numarically analyzed in this paper.


A multipurpose optical platform in SOI technology is presented. Hybrid integration of the active devices is realised by AuSn solder technology. The device adjustment by passive self-alignment is in the 1/spl mu/m tolerance range.


In this letter, a practical fabrication of a novel inhomogeneous gradient-index dielectric flat lens for millimeter-wave applications is presented. A previous theoretical design of a dielectric flat lens composed of different permittivity materials is now modeled and analyzed for a practical prototype fabrication and performance evaluation at 60 and 77 GHz. The measurement results at 60 GHz show that with the novel gradient-index dielectric flat lens antenna prototype, we can achieve up to 18.3 dB of broadside gain, beam-steering capabilities in both planes from -30° to +30° with around 15 dB of gain, and up to ±45° with around 14 dB of gain, with low sidelobe levels. At 77 GHz, the performance evaluation shows that we can obtain up to 18.9 dB of broadside gain, beam-steering capabilities in both planes from -30° to +30° with around 17 dB of gain and low sidelobe levels, and up to ±45° with around 15 dB of gain. This novel design leads to a low-cost, low-profile, and lightweight antenna solution, easy to integrate in a compact millimeter-wave wireless communication system.


Indium tin oxide(ITO) nanopowder has been prepared with InCl3·5H2O and SnCl4·5H2O as the raw materials and with NH3·H2O as the co-precipitation agent.The surfactant and organic dehydrating agent are used to prevent the powder from reuniting.The structure and properties of ITO nanopowder are tested by means of XRD,TEM,SEM,BET and FTIR.The results show that the spherical ITO nanopowder possesses a single phase cubic In2O3 structure with good dispersion and narrow size distribution.And the mean size of nanopowder is about 40 nm.The IR transmittance of the powder is less than 5% in 714~3333 cm-1,which indicates that the powder can be used as a good IR Absorbable material.


The blade receptor plays an essential role in the lightning protection effect of wind turbines (WTs). In this investigation, five categories of WT lightning protection systems, with various pairs (two, three, four, six, and eight) of receptors on the blades, are evaluated by reduced-scale laboratory discharge experiments as well as by full-scale electric field calculations, from which the lightning attachment distribution and the electric field intensity of the WTs are obtained. Experimental results indicate that the lightning attachment probability of the blade insulation part decreases as the number of receptors increases, and that when the receptor number reaches four or more, an approximately complete protection for the WT blade can be achieved. Results also show that, for the WT model with two–six pairs of receptors on each blade, the lightning interception efficiency shows a trend of ascending with the increase of the receptor number, whereas an opposite trend is shown for the ones with six–eight pairs of receptors. Additionally, obtained simulation results show that as the number of receptors increases, the maximum electric field intensity shows a general decreasing trend. Finally, a theoretical analysis is carried out to explain the underlying mechanism of the observed phenomenon here.


This article explored the finding that cross-race (CR) faces are more quickly classified by race than same race (SR) faces. T. Valentine and M. Endo (1992) modeled this effect by assuming that face categories can be explained on the basis of node activations in a multidimensional exemplar space. Therefore, variations in exemplar density between and within face categories explain both facilitated classification of CR faces and the relationship between typicality and classification RT within face categories. The present findings from classification and visual search tasks suggest that speeded classification of CR faces is instead caused by a quickly coded race feature that marks CR but not SR faces. Also, systematic manipulations of facial typicality cause no variation in classifiability aside from slowed classification of very distinctive faces. These results suggest that the exemplar model cannot explain important aspects of face classification. Although face perception is usually studied from the standpoint of our amazing ability to differentiate a large number of faces, representations of face categories are also important. The process of categorizing individual faces has a number of implications both for general models of classification and for understanding face identification. The focus here is on the apparently paradoxical finding that participants are faster to classify faces they have difficulty recognizing. In the present case, this means that White participants classify Black or Asian faces faster than White faces (Levin, 1989; Valentine & Endo, 1992). In attempting to understand facilitated classification of cross-race faces (hereinafter referred to as the CR [cross-race] classification advantage), the present research considers explanations for the CR classification advantage as they relate to the basic structure of face categories, both in terms of discrimination between categories and in terms of their internal structure. Three explanations for the CR classification advantage are tested here. The first, stemming from Valentine's (1991) multidimensional space framework, places the advantage in the context of an exemplar model of face classification and recognition. This model uses simple assumptions based on


The fuel handling system for the Clinch River breeder reactor project (CRBRP) is based primarily on existing technology, and in many respects follows the concepts developed for the Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF). However, the use of recycled light-water reactor fuel requires special handling features for new fuel. Also, the direct removal of spent fuel from the reactor requires handling fuel assemblies with a decay power approaching 20 kW. Several unique system features assure that the annual refueling will be accomplished within the allotted 20 days. (auth)


In the initial report of the research (Kohri and Mochida, 2002), a new calculation method of the dispersed two-node model was proposed. Then, we attempt to construct a new evaluation process of the thermal environment in the vehicle using the dispersed two-node model.In the middle phase of new vehicle development, the prototype test is important to improve detailed performance. At this phase, the structure designers of air-conditioning system have to measure the thermal properties in the cabin so that they improve and modify to achieve aimed performance. Thus such as this experimental evaluation technology is essential.The new process consists of three parts, 1) Measurement and calculation of thermal characteristic of the prototype, 2) Calculation of human heat balance with the dispersed two-model and 3) Prediction of thermal sensation vote. This report is mainly concerned with 1) and 3), because the contents of 2) was included in the initial report. Firstly, the detailed calculation method of radiant heat properties is described, and the measurement method of convective heat properties is explained. Next, the prediction method of SET* of regional body compartment and whole body, the concept of the latter was suggested by Gonzalez et al. (1974), using the dispersed two-node model is described. Then, the correlation between SET* and the thermal sensation vote is identified based on the experiments with subjects. Finally, applying this process to the improvement of the vehicle thermal environment, it is confirmed that this method is useful and practical for the development of the vehicle air-conditioning system.


On 4 September 2008, Advocate General Trstenjak gave her opinion on a preliminary reference from the Irish Supreme Court to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) concerning a case between the Irish…


HE sevual processes of conjugation and autogamy in Paramecium aurelia involve synchronous division of nuclei, movement of nuclei into specific cytoplasmic regions, and survival of some nuclei and death of others. SOXNEBORN (1951, 1955) has pointed out the importance of these phenomena for the problem of interactions between nucleus and cytoplasm and has especially emphasized the role of differ-entiated cytoplasmic regions. NANNEV (1953) has discussed similar problems in Tetrahymena. The present study describes the behavior of grossly deficient products of meiosis from haploid micronuclei and demonstrates that the genetic constitution of a nucleus can play an important and autonomous role in its behavior.


Background: Paenibacillus larvae is the agent of the American Foulbrood disease (AFB), which may determine the death of the hive. The detection strategy for its diagnosis is based on clinical signs of disease, isolation and identification of P. larvae, which usually employs microbiological and biochemical methods. Recently, molecular methods based on analysis of 16S rDNA by conventional PCR have been adopted, providing greater security and analytical speed. The rapid diagnosis is important to minimize economic losses and assess routes of spread of the pathogen. Despite the strong existing sanitary control, P. larvae was recently identified in the Brazilian states of Rio Grande do Sul and Parana. After that, outbreaks have been reported in neighboring countries. This investigation was conducted to develop a protocol for detection of P. larvae by real-time PCR, allowing the reduction in the time of diagnosis, without loss of robustness found in the conventional PCR methods. Materials, Methods & Results: Twenty-nine (29) P. larvae strains were evaluated by real-time PCR using SYBR Green. The primers Pltr-F/R were designed according to the sequence X60619 of 16S rDNA gene published in GenBank, to amplify a fragment of 74 base pairs. The target gene is highly conserved and specific to P. larvae. The amplification conditions consisted of 1 cycle of 50°C for 2 min and 1 cycle of 95°C for 10 min, followed by 40 cycles of 95°C for 15 s and 60°C for 1 min. The fluorescence was monitored during the annealing at 60°C. The reactions were conducted in a 7500 Real Time PCR System equipment, using SYBRGreen PCR master mix (both Applied Biosystems), containing 2X Platinum SYBRGreen qPCR Supermix-UDG. The concentrations of primers were 1, 10 and 100 mM, and different concentrations of MgCl 2 (0,0 mM de MgCl 2, 1.0 mM de MgCl 2, 2.0 mM de MgCl 2 and 3.0 mM de MgCl 2 ) were tested, with a final volume of 50 mL; 25 mL and 15 mL, containing a 5 mL sample. The analysis of the melting curve was made based on a 95°C for 15 s and 60°C for 20 s and one cycle with temperature ranging between 60°C and 95°C for 20 min. The best results of sensitivity and specificity in the reaction with SYBR Green were obtained with primer concentration set as 100 mM. The different concentrations of MgCl 2 tested did not affect the performance of the reaction. No amplification was observed with DNA obtained from Paenibacillus alvei or Bacillus species. The limit of detection was set as 6 pg of DNA template. The regression analysis of the C T values of the PCR products showed a linear relationship between the initial amounts of DNA template and the values of C T (R 2 = 0.9982), indicating that the test is highly precise. Discussion: The protocol developed allowed the unequivocal identification of P. larvae, as all strains were detected by this approach. The amplification of the expected 16S rDNA gene fragment was verified by amplification with the primers Pltr F/R only for chromosomal DNA of P. larvae. In addition, the amplicon specificity was verified by sequencing and no amplification was observed when the primers were tested with DNA from other bacterial species. The protocol developed in this study proved to be sensitive and specific, providing a rapid and accurate diagnostic tool. The results showed that the analysis by real-time PCR of partial 16S rDNA gene of P. larvae represents an important alternative for rapid diagnosis of AFB disease. The use of this methodology may represent an advance for rapid confirmation of the presence of this bacterium, what will allow the adoption of control measures against AFB, which can avoid its spreading in Brazilian territory.


Since the second half of the twentieth century, the popularity and accumulation of research on various methods of improving sausage products has been growing, which necessitates the systematisation of available information, especially regarding the use of non-traditional functional components such as inulin-containing raw materials. The purpose of the study was to analyse the scope of the research and systematise the available information on methods of improving the quality and nutritional value of sausage products, and to determine the prospects and feasibility of using inulin-containing raw materials in the formulation of sausage products to increase their consumer benefits and improve nutritional characteristics. The method of meta-analysis of evidence was applied, based on the search of literature data for the period 2001-2022 using the international scientific platform Research4Life, which includes publications indexed in Scopus, Web of Science, etc. The study used statistical data from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, the State Statistics Service of Ukraine, etc. A total of 64 articles related to the use of inulin in the composition of inulin-containing raw materials in sausage products were found, four of them about sausage with chicory, six – about sausage with Jerusalem artichoke. The article also presents statistical data on meat consumption in Ukraine and in the world, the distribution of consumer purchasing and taste preferences, and systematises the ways to improve the quality of sausages. As a result of the research, a low tendency towards an increase in demand for meat products was noted, it was found that the most promising, in terms of improving health qualities, meat products are boiled sausages, as they are in great demand among Ukrainian consumers. The most common methods of improving the quality of sausage products are fat correction and calorie reduction. research of technology of sausage products with inulin-containing raw materials. Systematization and structuring of the available array of information on the use of inulin-containing raw materials in the technology of sausage products will facilitate the establishment of the feasibility and necessity of practical application of this method of improving the quality of this segment of food products


(57) Abstract: fiber is at least partially electrically conductive, a substance that is electrically activated containing a binder, further ruthenium, platinum, palladium, oxides of iridium, or mixtures thereof, or the electrically substance to be activated, characterized by comprising by at least some distributed electrode catalyst material consisting of one or more of the articles of the oxide on a conductive support. Material that is electrically activated may be used as the cathode component of an electrolytic cell of the electrolytic cell, in particular sodium chloride aqueous solution. The present invention is also, (a) high porosity materials, also relates to a composite material containing a substance to be electrically activated as described above (b). Finally, invention, toward the other side from the one surface, (a) high porosity of the metal surface, material, a composite material comprising (c) a separator that is electrically activated as described above (b).


This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Global E-Security, ICGeS 2008, held in London, UK, in June 2008. The 36 revised full papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected from numerous submissions. The papers are organized in topical sections on cybercrime and digital forensics investigation, voice and video over internet protocols security, computer security, security architecture and authorisations, and IT governance.


The authors deposited CrN coatings on the surface of 304 stainless steel at room temperature (R.T.), 200, 240 and 280 °C for studying systematically the influence of substrate temperature on morphologies, phase components and mechanical properties of CrN coatings, using the single-target magnetron sputtering in a direct-current mode. The results showed that temperature had an important impact on the morphology, structure and adhesion of CrN coatings. The phases in CrN coatings were not much different and mainly cub-CrN and small amounts of hex-Cr2N, but the intensity change of some peaks was always in existence, the compactness and crystalline improved with the increasing temperature. The coating adhesion was strictly increasing along with the mounting temperature, but the effect of temperature on coating hardness was not clear. In all, CrN coating had the superior properties (the denser structure, the higher critical load of 10.4 N and a reasonable hardness of 18.90 GPa) at 280°C in this paper.


he not only informs us of an irrefutable statistical fact, but also points to the reasons which drive his compatriots to take their own life: a sense of corruption and failure that permeates Hungarian society. Another factor is revenge. Many people know no better way to pay back some injury from society or from their family than to kill themselves with a kind of metaphysical Schadenfreude what splendid pangs of remorse they will have when I am dead! The central problem of The Case Worker is compassion. Where are its limits? To what extent can one identify with ' the rejects' without becoming a social reject oneself? Konrad takes a bold plunge into the sphere of visionary speculation: he could devote himself entirely to the care of a five-year-old orphan boy, a little idiot unable to eat with a spoon or to use a pot, left all alone in an empty flat. In a brilliant chapter he describes the whole thing as if it had already happened, he, the former social worker accommodating himself to life at the margins of society. Compassion at this point becomes self-destructive and the case worker has to find another, more practicable solution. After all, his task is ' to regulate the traffic of suffering', not to partake in it. Let the clients all come and tell him about their torments or obsessions and they will find a sympathetic audience. The novel ends with a long sentence spilling over four pages, a horrifying catalogue of human failings and aberrations punctuated by the near-incantatory phrase 'let them come*. The clients keep coming, suffering is a permanent and self-regenerating condition of mankind, it pervades all societies, Socialist ones included.


ABSTRA CT . The Wa sia formation is the mo st prolific Cre taceo us aq uife r in central Saudi A rabi a . The Recharge Outcrop Relation (ROR) is de veloped for ca lculating [he am ount of wat er that percolates into this aquifer. The rel at ion provides a n eff ective wa y of e st ima t ing rech arge to aquifers in extre me ly arid regi ons where (her e is no vegetation cover at all. The result shows th at the rech ar ge amount is abo ut " rum /year in the ce n tra l part o f Saudi Arabia. Further mor e . investigati ons by mean s o f th e Kriging method lead to Darcy velocit y estimations with in the aquifer in th e stud y a rea . In addition . co mpa riso n o f e stima tes ba sed o n groundwater vel ocit y and those based on isotope information showed that the y are in good agre ement.


The lateral load transfer rate(LTR), as a rollover index, is widely used in conventional vehicle stability control. However, the LTR cannot be applied to the articulated steering vehicles(ASV) directly due to its varying center of gravity. In this paper, considering the overall dynamic of ASV and the posture on the slope without calculating its tire deformations, we propose the avLTR as a rollover index for ASV. The validity of avLTR is verified on a 1:5 prototype driving on dangerous conditions. The experimental results show that avLTR can be used to assess the lateral stability of ASV. The avLTR is beneficial for the lateral stability control and intelligent driving of ASV.


Transcript of a letter is from Maud C. Fentress to her son David discussing news from Bolivar, Tennessee and it includes: sending Kate off to school in Nashville,Maud's feelings about her children growing up, receiving Mary Tate's letter from White Sulphur Springs, Virginia, a dialogue about her stolen chickens,a conversation about Sallie starting school with Miss Hunt as her teacher and information about Jimmie and Willie's schooling, news about the weather,news about 'Aunt Mag' and her trip to Austin,a discussion about receiving no information on Wallace and his safe arrival,a dialogue about 'the babies dress and bonnets', and town news from Bolivar.


Recent legislation, such as the Patient Self-Determination Act, establishes advance directives as an acceptable procedural means of incorporating patients' preferences for life-sustaining treatments into their medical care. Advance directives can enhance medical decision making since they provide patients with an opportunity to communicate their preferences before suffering from an acute illness that may preclude their ability to do so. Although patients expect discussions about life-sustaining therapies to be initiated by their physicians, very little is known about what prompts physicians to discuss advance directives with their patients. As in other areas of clinical decision making, there is evidence that patients' sociodemographic factors influence whether discussions about advance directives occur between patients and their physicians. In one study of persons with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), those who had not had discussions about advance directives with their physicians tended to be non-white, have no prior hospitalization, and were more likely to have been cared for in a health maintenance organization than in a teaching hospital.


Some years ago Professor A. Solnit spoke on the subject of children with life-threatening conditions. He observed that for some children in severe distress a cuddle from a parent may be more effective than morphine. I have often recalled this simple observation especially when faced with clinical decisions about treatment for children in distress. This observation raises an essential problem faced by all clinicians. psychological andor social therapy. The crucial clinical decision is the choice of the most effective treatment which often needs to be made in the absence of 'scientifically' proven data. Given the wide scope of clinical experiences, combined with the competing claims made about treatment efficacy, there is often heated debate about various treatment choices, for example the Herman (1990,1991) and Stone (1990,1991) position on the Osheroff debate. A child and the family have a 'right' to effective treatment, and some argue a nght to refuse treatment. The discussion of the different 'rights' of a patient, such as contractual or humanitarian is clearly relevant but beyond the scope of this presentation. The focus on the rights of the child to effective treatment in the absence of 'scientifically' proven data poses special clinical ddemmas. I will illustrate some of these dilemmas with a case highhghting three key points. First, the process of decision making about an effective treatment where no consensus exists about the best treatment. Second, some issues surrounding informed consent in the absence of proven data about the effectiveness of treatment. Third, an outline of some assumptions that underlie the psychoanalytic psychotherapy and possible active components of the treatment in a distressed child.


We assemble a processing chain that handles InSAR computation from raw data to time series analysis. A large part of the chain (from raw data to geocoded unwrapped interferograms) is based on ROI PAC modules (Rosen et al., 2004), with original routines rearranged and combined with new routines to process in series and in a common radar geometry all SAR images and interferograms. A new feature of the software is the range-dependent spectral filtering to improve coherence in interferograms with long spatial baselines. Additional components include a module to estimate and remove digital elevation model errors before unwrapping, a module to mitigate the effects of the atmospheric phase delay and remove residual orbit errors, and a module to construct the phase change time series from small baseline interferograms (Berardino et al. 2002). This paper describes the main elements of the processing chain and presents an example of application of the software using a data set from the ENVISAT mission covering the Etna volcano. The detection of slow, time-dependent ground motion using the InSAR technique requires the analysis and combination of multiple radar data takes over an extended time period. Processing individual image pairs, one at a time, becomes difficult and time consuming when exploiting the large amount of data in the archive of recent missions (ERS, Envisat, RADARSAT). This task will become even greater with future missions like Sentinel-1 with a return period of 12 days. The NSBAS package is a fully automatic chain of processing producing a timelines of the line of sight surface movement over an area. It has been especially optimized for the monitoring of transient ground motion of small amplitude, taking place over large areas and in natural settings. In the next sections we synthethize the various features of the chain and refer to publications for the original description and discussion of the software components applied to various natural processes. The NSBAS processing chain is depicted in a flow diagram in Fig. 1. In the present paper, it is applied to the study of the Geohazards Supersite of Mount Etna volcano using Envisat data from an ascending track (Fig. 2) This dataset has been well studied and provides us with a good case example. It consists of 63 SAR data between 2003 and 2010.


Background Early T-cell precursor-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ETP-ALL) has been identified as high-risk subtype of pediatric T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). ETP-ALL is characterized by lack of expression of CD1a and CD8, weak or absent expression of CD5 and aberrant expression of myeloid and hematopoietic stem cell markers, such as CD13, CD33, CD34 and CD117. Because conventional chemotherapy is not fully effective for this subtype, potential therapeutic target should be explored. Here, we assessed gene expression pattern of the transcriptional factors related to differentiation of lymphoid and myeloid cells in ETP-ALL to determine the potential therapeutic target for this particular subtype.

Patients and Methods Thirty-one patients with T-ALL treated in Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine and affiliated hospitals were classified in ETP-ALL or non- ETP ALL based on the results of surface marker analysis by FACS. To compare the gene expression pattern of transcriptional factors related to differentiation of myeloid and lymphoid cells in ETP-ALL with those in non-ETP-ALL, real time RT-PCR (RQ-PCR) was performed to determine expression level of C/EBPa, ID2, NOTCH1, LYL1, IL7R, LMO2, MEF2C, PU.1, and FLT3 in primary leukemic cells from twenty-one patients with T-ALL (ETP-ALL: 9, non ETP-ALL: 12) based on the availability of appropriate RNA. To assess the relationship between high MEF2C expression and prednisolone (PSL) /Bcl2 inhibitor (ABT-737) sensitivity, cell proliferation of Jurkat (not expressing MEF2C ) and Loucy (expressing MEF2C ) cells cultured with serial concentration of PSL and/or ABT-737 was measured with the WST-1 assay to determine the 50% growth inhibitory concentration (IC50) of these agents. BaF3 cells expressing MEF2C (BaF3-MEF2C) was also generated using retrovirus gene transduction system (MSCV) and cultured with serial concentration of PSL/ABT-737 to determine the IC50 of PSL/ABT-737. Apoptosis was determined by Annexin V/PI staining. Viability of primary leukemic blasts of ETP-ALL and non-ETP-ALL, which were co-cultured with murine stromal cell(MS-5 cell) and treated with PSL and/or ABT-737, was also determined by Annexin V/PI staining.

Results Thirty-one patients diagnosed with T-ALL were classified in ETP-ALL (N=10) or non- ETP ALL (N=21). Although 5 patients in ETP-ALL experienced induction failure (IF), none of the patients in non-ETP-ALL experienced IF (p<0.05). The 5-year EFS in ETP-ALL was significantly inferior than that in non-ETP-ALL ( 40±15.5% vs 76.1±9.2%, log-rank p<0.05). However, the 5-year OS was not significantly different in two groups (67±15.7% in ETP-ALL vs 81±8.5% in non-ETP ALL). RQ-PCR analysis determined that MEF2C and FLT3 was expressed more in ETP-ALL than in non-ETP ALL ( MEF2C : p=0.039, FLT3 : p=0.014). Because MEF2C augments Bcl2 activity to inhibit the apoptosis, we explored whether high expression of MEF2C was associated with PSL poor response and Bcl2 inhibitor restored the sensitivity to PSL. Combination treatment of PSL and ABT-737 resulted in the significant reduction of IC50 of PSL in Loucy cell (combination index, CI: 0.39). In addition, apoptotic cells increased when Loucy cells were treated with PSL (25mM) in combination with ABT-737 (10nM) compared to be treated with PSL (25mM) alone. In contrast, combination treatment did not reduce significantly IC50 of PSL in Jurkat cell (CI: 1.12). The combination treatment of PSL and ABT-737 also resulted in the significant reduction of IC50 of PSL in BaF3-MEF2C compared to BaF3 cells. Finally, treatment of ABT-737(10nM) in combination with PSL (50 or 200 mM) reduced viability of primary leukemic blasts of ETP-ALL with high expression of MEF2C more profoundly than the treatment of PSL (50 or 200 mM) alone.

Conclusions These findings suggest that high expression of MEF2C is associated with PSL poor response and Bcl2 inhibitor restores PSL sensitivity in ETP-ALL in vitro. Thus, Bcl2 inhibitor might be therapeutic option for ETP-ALL with high expression of MEF2C .

Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


A series of polyimide (PI)-silica hybrid nanocomposites are prepared from 3,3′,4,4′biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA)-4,4′-oxydianiline (ODA) polyamic acid (PAA) and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) or tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) by the sol-gel process. 3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane (3-APS) is used to enhance the interfacial interaction between polyimide and silica. The morphology, interfacial interaction, and properties of the hybrids are investigated using scanning electron microscope (SEM), UV-vis spectroscopy, atomic force microscope (AFM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). SEM and AFM images indicate that silica particles of ca. 45-55 nm size are uniformly distributed in polyimide matrices and that the interfacial interaction between PI and TEOS is better than that between PI and TMOS. The optical transparencies of the PI/TEOS hybrids are better than that of the PI/TMOS hybrids. FTIR spectra confirm the Si O Si bond as well as the conversion of PAA to polyimide and PI/silica hybrid films. The thermal stability is increased after incorporation of the silicas in the polyimide matrix.


Nowadays pasteurization and UHT are the best known and most commonly used technologies in milk production. While products which have shorter shelf life and fresh taste are obtained by using pasteurization, products which have longer shelf life but less desirable taste are obtained by UHT technology. ESL technology is a new method which was developed to obtain a longer shelf life product than pasteurized milk and better sensory quality product than UHT milk. ESL milk includes technologies such as microfiltration, bactofugation, pulsed electric fields, high pressure processing. In this process milk packaged under hygienic conditions has a longer shelf life than pasteurized milk as long as it has stored under refrigerated conditions. This technique should be used with low intensity heat treatment in order to minimize microbial risk and prolong the shelf life. This gentle heat treatment reduces the undesired reactions such as protein denaturation, vitamin degradation and Maillard reactions. Product which has a shelf life between 45-60 days and similar sensory characteristics with pasteurized milk is obtained owing to this technology. The objective of the study is to examine applicability of ESL technology in the field of milk production, evaluate and compare with traditionally heat treatments and itself.


Data repositories often consist of text files in a wide variety of standard formats, ad-hoc formats, as well as mixtures of formats where data in one format is embedded into a different format. It ...


Herewith we report a facile synthesis of zinc oxide doped with (5, 10, 15, and 20 wt%) titanium oxide nanocomposites in gelatin under ultra-sonication. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) data revealed ZnO the formation in addition to a rutile phase TiO2. The ZnO phase size decreased, and the rutile TiO2 phase increased with a TiO2 loading increment. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) displayed a combination of spherical and hexagonal particles with a 60 – 80 nm size distribution. The prepared nanostructures photocatalytic activity was assisted using Rhodamine B dye, where they showed enhanced photodegradation competence under visible light irradiation. The kinetics of photodegradation followed the first-order kinetics with the 20 % wt sample having the maximum activity. The mechanistic investigation revealed the dominance of h and •O2 species during the dye photodegradation. The results indicate the potential application of such gelatin stabilized nanostructures for dye illumination from aqueous solutions under sunlight.


This paper introduces a capacitated mixed integer programming (CMIP) model for solving an integrated production-distribution system design problem (PDSDP) in the seedling supply chain management (SCM) of a multi-unit Finnish nursery company. The model was originally developed from a strategic perspective in which a company desires to evaluate the expansion or closure of its facilities. Nevertheless, the model is also used for solving operational and tactical level problems by applying applicable constraints. The data were collected from the company studied. The results proved that economies of scale could be exploited in seedling production more than the company does today; Compared to the company's current supply chain strategy with 5 nursery units producing seedlings, when other supply chain strategies were applied the number of nursery units decreased by 2–4 units, and cost savings in the supply chain varied from 11.3% to 21.3%.


Tilting of the crystal profile during directional solidification is studied numerically, when the crystalline axis is misoriented from the temperature gradient and the pulling direction. Only with the anisotropy in surface stiffness is the crystal shown to tilt to an angle \ensuremath{\varphi} smaller than the misorientation of the crystalline axis \ensuremath{\psi}. The angle \ensuremath{\varphi} approaches \ensuremath{\psi} on increasing the pulling velocity V, as is often observed in experiments. The V dependence of the tilting \ensuremath{\varphi} thus does not necessarily mean that the tilting is caused by the kinetic effect. With \ensuremath{\psi}=45\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} we observe tip splitting and double fingers, a constituent of the compact seaweed pattern. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.


In this paper we report the preparation and characterization of the NbxSi1−x films which would be used as Josephson junction barrier layer. The compositional dependence of dc magnetron co-sputtered NbxSi1−x films on sputtering power is analyzed using Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectrometer (XPS) respectively. The corresponding resistivity measurements of NbxSi1−x films indicate that the film resistivity could be controlled from 0.28 to about 1.29 mΩ·cm which is useful for resistance adjustment of Josephson junction barrier layer. The surface morphology of the NbxSi1−x films is studied by atomic force microscope (AFM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM).


This paper explores analytical and stylistic tools in the discourse of modernist literature as epitomized in three canonical works of three influential modernist literary figures: Virginia Woolf, T.S. Eliot and Samuel Beckett. The paper shows how, upon meditation on the lived reality of Europe in the second half of the nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth century, modernist literature writers resort to fragmented language, mythical usages, and nonlinear structures to respond to the much ravaging and grotesque events witnessed by the world in general and Europe in particular in this epoch. Reflecting the compartmentalized and Balkanized reality of the world through its dazzling stylistic and figurative innovations, modernist literature sought to shock audiences, to lead bare the inconsistency of the human condition. This goes in parallel with an emerging philosophy that turned conventions upside down in different domains: ethics and morals, religion, history, economy, politics, aesthetics, arts, and language among others.


In the «Proceedings of the Saratov Scientific Archives Commission», the first regional archaeological research centre in the Lower Volga Region, the items belonging to the spiritual culture of the Golden Horde are recorded and described. Due to the fact that many of them have not survived to the present day, they have remained a valuable source of information.


Objective: to analyze the spatial distribution of microcephaly cases by Zika virus in a Brazilian municipality. Methods: ecological study that analyzed 53 confirmed cases of microcephaly by Zika virus, reported between 2015 and 2016, extracted from the Registry of Public Health Events - Microcephaly. Incidence rates of the disease in neighborhoods of the municipality, Global and Local Moran Index and Kernel dispersion method were calculated. Results: common areas with high Zika microcephaly incidence rates were identified. The value of Moran's I demonstrated the presence of clusters, with p=0.001, I=0.3159 in 2015 and I=0.2158 in 2016. According to the Kernel map, there was concentration of cases in Regional Executive Secretariats IV and VI. Most of the cases are within or near precarious settlements. Conclusion: the cases did not occur randomly and reinforce their relationship with the living conditions of the population. Contributions to practice: it is expected that this study can contribute to reflect on public policies and surveillance actions to reduce Zika transmission, recognizing the territories of higher risk for the disease. In addition, to expand discussions between managers and health professionals to qualify notification, care, and monitoring of children with microcephaly by Zika.


Wide contact area between the flowing fuel and high flow velocity in the fine filter media rise up the possibility of electrostatic discharge in the fuel filter. In this study, investigations of electrostatic discharge characteristics has been carried out in the fuel systems of gasoline engines depending on the filter media conductivity. For the experiment, two types of in-tank type plastic modular filters are prepared equipped with pulp based media and specially made conductive media. In this study, investigations of electrostatic discharge characteristics has been carried out in the plastic modular fuel pump of gasoline engines depending on the ground design feature. The experimental results shows, an accumulation of electrostatic voltage depends on filter media conductivity and ground through partially embed conductive plastics.


As the loads of oil pump in oil fleld are changing frequently, a three-phase induction motor that drives the loads often operates under light-load conditions. As a result, the e-ciency of the system is low and electric energy is wasted greatly. This paper discusses the possibility of adjusting voltage for the purpose of energy saving, deduces the optimal variable-voltage coe-cient and gives a variable-voltage energy saving strategy for the induction motor. The strategy lays a theoretical foundation for e-ciency improvement and cost reducing of induction motor in operation. The correctness of the method has been proved by experimental results.


Moroccan industry, like most industries around the world, today faces a water scarcity. Water is one of the basic utilities for all kinds of production, especially in the agro-food sector. Morocco, a country of bioclimatic and ecological transition with fragile resources, is threatened with rapid degradation in the event of overexploitation of underground water reserves. Indeed, the evolution of the water supply over the last decade already testifies to the irregularity of the outlook and confirms climate failure. "From 1990 to 2000, the resources in m3 per inhabitant per year fell from 1200 to 950. In 2020 the water resources are only around 600m3 / inhabitant / year, at a time when the demand for water total has reached the ceiling of 20 to 21km3 of water that can be mobilized. The country will drop to the shortage threshold for 500m3 / inhabitant / year around the year 2030".In fact, Morocco has launched programs to save water and review some resource allocations in order to meet growing needs. One of these programs is the launch of 10-95 law. It about the regulation of water discharges by establishing a financing instrument based on "the polluter pays" principle. This law has forced several industries, to install wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) for their water discharges to the extent that they meet the standards defined by Law 10-95. On this work, we will present an analysis of the operation of a wastewater treatment plant in a Moroccan dairy, the issues that have arisen and the solutions that have been provided. The analysis of the influential of the WWTP during the different phases of treatment gave results, which allowed us to optimize the performance of each phase and reduce the cost of running the WWTP.


Background : Frailty is a condition that causes a decline or failure in homeostasis mechanism on older people resulting in increased susceptibility to stressor. The risk factors of frailty include: cognitive impairment and depression. Objective : To prove the relation between cognitive impairment and depression with frailty. Methods : This study is using cross-sectional approach. Samples are collected from 222 citizens from the elderly population of Malang using accidental sampling method. Variables measured in this study are frailty that is determined by Fried Criteria, cognitive impairment that is determined by MMSE score and depression status that is determined by GDS score. Results: The analysis result of relation between cognitive impairment and depression and frailty using the Spearman correlation test produces the value of p = 0,000 and the correlation coefficients for rare 0,500 and 0,508 respectively. Different levels of cognitive impairment and depression in the frail group compared to pre-frail and robust groups resulted in p = 0,000, whereas the level of cognitive impairment and depression in the pre-frail group compared to robust group yielding p values of 0.735 and 0.944 respectively. Conclusion: There is a relation between cognitive impairment and depression on frailty. There was a significant difference in the levels of cognitive impairment and depression in the frail group compared to the pre-frail and robust groups, whereas in the pre-frail group compared to robust group the levels of cognitive impairment and depression did not have a significant difference.


This manuscript discusses some recent advances in multi-target tracking. First, we describe a target kinematic motion model that has a number of appealing characteristics and that, to our knowledge, is not in use within the data fusion community. We describe recent advances in multiple-hypothesis tracking, both in the traditional setting where measurements are informative with respect to target state, and in the limiting case of cardinality-only information. We touch upon recent work in fusion performance modelling and propose a generalization to the recently-introduced MOSPA metric.


Introduction. The article analyzes tax apportionment for Kalmyk population in the 19th century through examining aimak-level (Kalm. 'locality, settlement') data. Goals. The study mainly aims at identification of categories of taxes adopted at the aimak level, determination of the tax apportionment mechanism, analysis of average amounts of taxes across different aimaks. Materials. The analyzed documents include reports of 1882 on taxes from southern aimaks of Baga Dorbet (Russ. Maloderbetovsky) Ulus housed by the National Archive of the Kalmykia (Coll. И-15). Results. Apportionment, i.e. a financial method which assumes distribution of the total amount of a certain type of income for a set of taxable objects, was officially adopted by Kalmyks in the second half of the 19th century. The materials show the form in which it was used by the Kalmyks on the eve of the obligatory relationships' cancellation, i.e. in the 1880s. Kalmyk commoners paid both official and non-official taxes — in terms of the Regulations introduced by the Imperial Court for the Kalmyk People's Directorate. The non-official ones included 'dark' and household fees, as well as a 'public needs' fee, which, in our view, went to ulus-level budgets. The period under study witnessed the application of the apportionment principle (guideline) to the entire amount of taxes. Aimak meetings decided which families would not pay taxes to further divide the entire amount into two parts: the first one was apportioned for a certain number of heads of cattle, while the other was paid by each truly dutiable family at a rate set by the meeting. There was a rather tangible difference between aimaks in the average values of taxes per family. This indicator depended mainly on the share of tax-exempt families and the specific value of 'unofficial' taxes in the aimak.


Electrophoretic mobilities of progesterone particles dispersed in aqueous solutions of D-glucose and urea, in the concentration range 10−3–104 mol l−1 have been measured to investigate electrical properties of the interface. Zeta potentials have been determined for this purpose. The dependence of zeta potentials on concentration has also been examined. Theory of the electrical double layer has been used to explain the results.


We provide a new portfolio decomposition formula that sheds light on the economics of portfolio choice for investors following the mean-variance (MV) criterion. We show that the number of components of a dynamic portfolio strategy can be reduced to two: the first is preference free and hedges the risk of a discount bond maturing at the investor's horizon while the second hedges the time variation in pseudo relative risk tolerance. Both components entail strong horizon effects in the dynamic asset allocation as a result of time-varying risk tolerance and investment opportunity sets. We also provide closed-form solutions for the optimal portfolio strategy in the presence of market return predictability. The model parameters are estimated over the period 1963 to 2012 for the U.S. market. We show that (i) intertemporal hedging can be very large, (ii) the MV criterion hugely understates the true extent of risk aversion for high values of the risk aversion parameter, and the more so the shorter the investment horizon, and (iii) the efficient frontiers seem problematic for investment horizons shorter than one year but satisfactory for large horizons. Overall, adopting the MV model leads to acceptable results for medium and long term investors endowed with medium or high risk tolerance, but to very problematic ones otherwise.


The results of surgical treatment of 81 patients with cystocele of heavy degree, relapses of prolapse after the previous plastic operations and with signs of displasia of connective tissue are presented in this work. Reasonability of the use of synthetic materials from polypropylene for genitals prolapse correction is showed. Efficiency of urethropexies of trans-vaginal tapings is confirmed by concomitant urinary incontinence of stress genesis.


The purpose of this study was to isolate and identify the lactic acid bacteria found in Sumba mares milk. This research will be carried out from September to November 2017 at the Veterinary Laboratory of the Livestock Service Office of East Nusa Tenggara Province. The research stages are isolation of lactic acid bacteria from Sumba mares milk by growing lactic acid bacteria on MRS agar media, and identifying lactic acid bacteria with gram staining, catalase test, motility test, and total plate count testing. Based on the results of the study, the presence of lactic acid bacteria originating from Sumba mares milk was characterized by the presence of colonies of lactic acid bacteria from Sumba mares milk which grew on MRS media agar as a selective medium for lactic acid bacteria. Based on the results of testing the characteristics of lactic acid bacteria Sumba mares milk has Gram positive, the negative results in the catalase test are characterized by not forming gas bubbles when the bacteria are added with H2O2. Based on the motility test obtained negative results or bacteria are non-motile and the number of lactic acid bacteria that can be a total picture of lactic acid bacteria that exist in Sumba mares milk in milliliter of milk. The conclusion are lactic acid bacteria isolated from Sumba mares milk has characteristic as Gram positive, basil or stem shaped, negative catalase and non motile, and has a total lactic acid bacteria of 3.5 x 108 cfu/ml (est).


ABSTRACT Objective: College students may be at heightened risk for suicide and suicidal behavior due to maladaptive cognitive-emotional factors and failure to practice basic health behaviors. However, self-compassion and wellness behaviors may protect against risk. The relation between self-compassion and suicidal behavior and the contributing roles of depressive symptoms and wellness behaviors was examined. Participants: Participants were 365 undergraduate students. Data were collected in April 2015. Methods: A cross-sectional, survey design was employed. Participants completed measures assessing self-compassion, depressive symptoms, wellness behaviors, and suicidal behavior. Serial mediation analyses were conducted covarying age, sex, and ethnicity. Results: Self-compassion was inversely related to suicidal behavior, and this relationship was serially mediated by depressive symptoms and wellness behaviors. Conclusions: Self-compassion may protect against suicidal behavior, in part, due to reduced depressive symptoms and heightened engagement in wellness behaviors. Individual and campus-wide strategies promoting self-compassion and wellness behaviors may reduce suicide risk on college campuses.


Resilience is very important in helping single mothers to overcome the difficulties encountered on a daily basis. This study aims to determine the picture of single mother resilience after divorce and the factors that affect single moter resilience after divorce. The subjects in this study were two single mothers in Pantai Raja Village, Perhentian Raja District, Kampar Regency. The research method used is a descriptive qualitative research method with a case study approach and the data collection used is interviews and observations. The results of this study showed that the two subjects of the study had good resilience, where after divorce each subject had the ability of a variety of resilience processes. This is in accordance with the ability of both subjects to overcome a problem and the subject's ability to be able to adapt and socialize with the surrounding environment.


This paper presents a new effective method in order to achieve an appropriate performance for a four-wheeled vehicle during different conditions. The main goal of the study is focused on the handli...


A laser‐produced magnesium recombination plasma is simulated for the purpose of developing a soft X‐ray laser operating in wavelengths within the water window. The plasma is assumed to be cylindrically symmetric and described by compressible fluid equations, which are numerically solved in the Lagrangian frame. The present paper concentrates chiefly on investigating the dependence of the spatial and temporal behavior of the plasma upon its initial hydrodynamic parameters.


Unilateral initiatives are intended to overcome hostility and impasse in bargaining by eliciting trust and thereby allowing for positive bargaining behavior. Previous research demonstrates the effectiveness of unilateral initiatives in the form of small symbolic concessions on the focal issue under negotiation. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of gift giving as unilateral initiatives and assesses the importance of two dimensions of gift giving—the cost of the gift to the giver and the benefit to the receiver. Subjects negotiated with a simulated actor that made unilateral initiatives in the form of gifts. The cost and benefit of the gifts were manipulated, and results indicate that the cost of the gifts was important in determining bargaining behavior (concession making and fine use) while the benefit of the gifts was less so. The effectiveness of gifts as unilateral initiatives implies the generality of the effect of initiatives across exchange domains.


Conscientious objection is the refusal to participate in armed services based upon opposition to armed conflict This opposition may rest upon reasons of religious belief, philosophy, morality or political ideology, Historically, many conscientious objectors have been executed, imprisoned or otherwise penalized when their beliefs leads to actions conflicting with their society 's legal system or government Nowadays, however, the right to conscientious objection to military service is can be inferred fi-om a number of international human rights instruments, It is considered as an extension of the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion which is recognized under article 18 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), This right has got also an implied recognition under the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) Constitution. The problem is that however the Constitution as well as subordinate legislations does not address plenty of issues arising in connection with the right to conscientious objection. They do not provide the grounds of exemption from military service, the scope of objection, the type and the duration of alternative service and the organ that entertain conscientious objection application. They are not clear also weather enlisted and professional soldiers have the right to claim the right to conscientious objection.


This paper presents a novel approach for sketch-based image retrieval based on low-level features. The approach enables measuring the similarity be- tween a full color image and a simple black and white sketched query and needs no cost intensive image segmentation. The proposed method can cope with im- ages containing several complex objects in an inhomogeneous background. Two abstract images are obtained using strong edges of the model image and thinned outline of the sketched image. Circular-spatial distribution of pixels in the ab- stract images is used to extract new compact and effective features. The extracted features are scale and rotation invariant and tolerate small translations. The ma- jor contribution of the paper is in rotation invariance property of the proposed approach. A collection of paintings and sketches (ART BANK) is used for test- ing the proposed method. The results are compared with three other well-known approaches within the literature. Experimental results show signi£cant improve- ment in the Recall ratio using the proposed features.


In metal machining process, use of cutting fluids have several disadvantages such as increase in machining cost, poor operator health, environmental impacts etc.. Green machining is a metal machining process in which cutting fluids are not used. Therefore it is a cost effective an environment-friendly approach and it is being adopted fast by the metal-machining industries. This article focuses on the investigations and comparisons into the effects of green machining (dry machining) on the surface roughness in CNC-turning of EN24 and EN9 steels. This article also focuses on the investigation of optimum machining parameters for the surface-roughness and material removal rate (MRR) in CNC-turning of EN24 and EN9 steels using Taguchi method. For the experiments, L9 Taguchi orthogonal array design was selected, and all experiments were carried out under dry machining conditions. The statistical analysis methods such as S/N ratio of Taguchi method and ANOVA were employed to investigate the influence of machining parameters on the average surface-roughness (Ra) and MRR. All experimental data of Ra and MRR were used to develop second-order regression-models. In last, machining performance comparison between EN24 and EN9 steels under dry/green cutting condition on the basis of surface-roughness obtained were carried out.


This section presents list of Doctoral Dissertations and theses on Women in China. The entries are arranged in alphabetical order. This essential reference work provides an alphabetic listing, with an extensive index, of studies on women in China from earliest times to the present day written in Western languages, primarily English, French, German, and Italian.Keywords: China; Doctoral Dissertations; women


We offer two comments on the beautiful papers of Giles Gardam and Alan Murray that yield counterexamples to the Kaplansky unit conjecture. First we discuss the determinants of these units in a certain 4 × 4 matrix representation of the group ring. Then we explain why there is a doubly infinite family of units in the Murray paper. Let G = 〈a, b | (a) = a, (b) = b〉. Then we know that G is a torsionfree group with a normal abelian subgroup H of index 4 and with G/H a fours group. The paper [G] offers an example of a nontrivial unit in the group algebra F2[G] where F2 = GF(2). Building on that, [M] offers a doubly infinite family of nontrivial units in Fd[G] for any prime d where Fd = GF(d). Of course a unit is nontrivial if it is not a scalar multiple of an element of G. Now it is a standard fact that Fd[G] embeds in the 4 × 4 matrix ring over Fd[H]. Indeed write V = Fd[G]. Then V is a faithful right Fd[G]-module via right multiplication and V is a free left Fd[H]-module via left multiplication where the coset representatives 1, a, b, c = ab of H in G yield a free basis for V. Since right and left multiplication commute as operators on V, it follows that Fd[G] embeds in the Fd[H]-endomorphisms of V, namely M4(Fd[H]). Of course, a similar argument holds for any group G and any subgroup H of finite index, normal or not. In our situation, H is the free abelian group on x = a, y = b and z = c. Thus Fd[H] = Ld(x, y, z), the Laurent polynomial ring in variables x, y, z over Fd, and thus Fd[G] embeds in M4(Ld(x, y, x)). Using capital letters for the matrices corresponding to the generators of G, we have A =   0 1 0 0 x 0 0 0 0 0 0 xyz 0 0 yz 0   B =   0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 y 0 0 0 0 y 0 0   C = AB =   0 0 0 1 0 0 x 0 0 xz 0 0 z 0 0 0   X = A = diag(x, x, x, x) Y = B = diag(y, y, y, y) Z = C = diag(z, z, z, z) Following [M] we choose a prime characteristic d and two integer parameters t and w and, using I for the identity matrix, we define the diagonal matrices H = (I − Z) P = (I +X)(I + Y )(Z + Z)H


Abstract This article offers a critical assessment of two political theologies: liberation theology and theological postliberalism, as represented by the writings of Gustavo Gutiérrez and John Milbank. Paying particular attention to the concepts of society and Church, a partial defence of liberation theology is offered in tandem with a critical affirmation of some aspects of postliberal political theology. The discussion is then contextualized historically in relation to the 'victory' of global capitalism and the 'end' of socialism. I conclude that the renewal of political theology in the twenty-first century will aim to overcome the ironic crux theologica of this article's title.


The Environmental Protection Agency's intent to list R&D facilities as major sources of hazardous air pollutants under section 112 of the lean Air Act has sent waves of anxiety through the laboratory community ( Federal Register , May 12, page 25877). Even though the Clean Air Act has always treated R&D facilities differently from industrial production facilities, listing R&D facilities could subject academic laboratories to industrial-type requirements, incuding compliance with maximum available control technologies (MACT) emissions standards based on a facility's potential to emit. "R&D facilities are unique in that they use such a wide variety of chemicals sporadically for such a wide variety of operations that it's difficult to characterize their emissions in the same way that emissions from industrial facilities are characterized," protests Craig S. Moody, assistant director for industrial hygiene and safety at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. Moody and others are concerned that labs could b...


Caveolin‐3 (Cav‐3) is expressed predominantly in skeletal muscle fibers where it drives Caveolae formation at the muscle cell's plasma membrane (sarcolemma). We and others have previously shown that mice with a genetic ablation of Cav‐3 develop glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and obesity. The main objective of this study is to determine the effect of Cav‐3 ablation on whole‐body/tissue lipid metabolism. To address this issue, several metabolic parameters were analyzed in the plasma of young and older Cav‐3 KO mice. In addition, by employing radiolabeled metabolic substrates, we directly determined the contribution of skeletal muscle to the plasma dyslipidemia of Cav‐3 KO mice. In summary, the current study shows that an absence of Cav‐3 leads to dyslipidemia in mice. The primary defect can be localized to the skeletal muscle and is secondary to altered muscle substrate utilization caused by Cav‐3 ablation.


A pot experiment was conducted during (2013/2014 & 2014/2015) at the National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt, to study the effect of soaking wheat grains with melatonin (ME) (100µM and 500µM) on growth, photosynthetic pigments, IAA, yield quantity and quality in fever of nutritional and antioxidant compounds in the yielded grains of wheat plants irrigated with diluted seawater at 3.85 dS/m and 7.69 dS/m. Salinity stress caused marked decreases in wheat plant growth parameters (shoot height, number of leaves/plant, fresh and dry weights of shoot) with significant decreases in photosyntheti c pigments and indole acetic acid (IAA) contents. Yield and yield attributes, carbohydrates, protein, nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium contents were decreased in response to different salinity levels. Meanwhile flavonoids and phenolic contents increased by salinity stress. Antioxidant activity at 50 and 100µg/l showed significant increases in response to salinity stress. On the other hand, ME treatments proved to be effective in enhancing growth parameters, photosynthetic pigments and IAA contents of salinity stressed plants. Melatonin treatments at different levels caused significant increases in yield and yield attributes, carbohydrate, protein, nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, flavonoids, phenolic contents, and antioxidant activity of the yielded seeds either in non stressed and salinity stressed plants relative to their corresponding controls. Generally, 500 µM ME was the most pronounced and effective treatment in alleviating the deleterious effect of salinity stress on wheat plants.


In this article, the authors compare how the courts in two different jurisdictions handle trade secrets in patent litigation. Even though the two countries observed, Finland and Germany, are both continental European civil law systems with similar legal traditions, the approach to trade secret protection in litigation is quite different in many aspects. While Finland already has comparatively sophisticated legislation and jurisprudence when it comes to the protection of trade secrets, the German approach is rather different, and could be compared to a patchwork carpet. In this article, the authors review the international and European legal framework before delving into the details of the two national legal systems. Finally, they give guidelines on how to harmonize trade secret protection in litigation in order to strike a fair balance between the different interests at stake.


The CES monopolistic competition model is an especially convenient way to derive the gravity equation, especially when we allow for transport costs and other trade barriers. In that case, we need to take account of the overall price indexes in each country. We review three methods to do so: using published data on price indexes; using the computational method of Anderson and van Wincoop (2001); or using country fixed effects to measure the price indexes. The latter two methods are compared on the dataset dealing with trade between and within Canada and the US. The fixed effects method produces consistent estimates of the average border effect across countries, and is simple to implement, so it might be considered to be the preferred estimation method. Copyright 2002 by Scottish Economic Society.


Bromacil (5-bromo-3-sec-butyl-6-methyluracil) had no effect on germination but reduced growth of emerging shoots of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L. 'Virginia Common') more than Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratense L. 'Merion'). Fresh weight gain and transpiration were reduced in orchardgrass seedlings at 0.125 ppmw of bromacil whereas 1.0 ppmw were required for reductions in bluegrass. Photosynthesis was inhibited in both plants; however, bluegrass recovered in 6 days. Water soluble carbohydrate content was greater and was not reduced as much by bromacil in bluegrass compared with orchardgrass. Absorption of 2-14C-bromacil from solution and translocation to shoots was directly related to transpiration rate. Bromacil was translocated acropetally from sheath and foliar treatments. Higher metabolic conversion of 2-14C-bromacil occurred in bluegrass compared to orchardgrass. Metabolites detected in plant extracts were 5-bromo-3-(2-hydroxy-1-methylpropyl)-6-methyluracil and an unknown. Traces of 3-sec-butyl-6-methyluracil and 5-bromo-3-sec-butyl-6-hydroxymethyluracil were also detected. Bluegrass tolerance involved high carbohydrate levels in tissues, hydroxylation of bromacil, and recovery of photosynthesis.


In case of the 2D cellular automata (CA) the whole rule f can be considered the set of sub-junctions grouped due to the number of "ones" in the neighbourhood. Such decomposition enables indication of sub-functions, which are more important for the global dynamics of the automaton then others. The cellular automata can be implemented on a cellular neural network (CNN). The simplest way of such implementation on the CNN universal machine was proposed by Cronuse and Chua (1995). We present the modification of this method due to which the information about sub-functions can be saved; and from this we are able to simplify the architecture of a CNN-universal machine implementing CA. Furthermore, the shortage of the time of a new state evaluation is possible. The advantage of the modified CA implementation is the possibility to receive the new automaton by manipulation of this part of the structure, which is connected with the sub-function.


INTRODUCTION
Patients with radiological features suggestive of active pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) from areas with a high prevalence of the disease have a high clinical likelihood of PTB regardless of the bacteriological findings. It is the established practice in many countries to initiate therapy in such patients. Our study aimed to determine if treatment for bacteriologically-negative PTB in our local population was appropriate and to identify features at presentation that would be predictive of active PTB, as defined by good and appropriate response to anti-tuberculous treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
A retrospective review of a randomised sample consisting of 100 bacteriologically-negative PTB patients given a course of anti-tuberculous treatment at the Singapore Tuberculosis Control Unit (TBCU). Based on their treatment response and outcome, patients were classified as probable active or unlikely active PTB. Patients' characteristics, clinical presentation and radiological findings were analysed for their association with likelihood of probable active PTB.

RESULTS
Fifty-six per cent of patients in this study had probable active PTB. The decision to treat this group of patient was appropriate. There was no serious adverse reaction in the patients treated. The presence of symptoms, especially cough at presentation, a history of contact with tuberculosis and cavitation on chest radiograph, were associated with an increase risk of probable active disease.

CONCLUSION
The TBCU's practice to treat patients suspected of having radiological PTB in the setting of negative sputum smear and culture seems to be appropriate in the majority of cases.


A device is described which is capable of accurately measuring angular alignment changes made during the alignment stages of the production of a below-knee prosthesis.


Pakistan's engagement with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is restricted by 3 Cs': commitments, compulsions, and challenges. In addition to Pakistan's coordination with the FATF on institutional measures, operational measures including the 27-point Action Plan given by FATF to Pakistan, are also a compulsion. In this backdrop, understanding the challenge of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing, is an uphill task for both Pakistan and the international community. This paper is an attempt to investigate these provocations while discussing the objectives of the establishment of FATF. Pakistan's relations with the FATF and its compliance with the required limitations are also explored in details. Overall, there are three questions addressed: (1) Why is Pakistan caught up in a complex and discriminatory web of international rules and, if yes, how to get out of the situation? (2) How can Pakistan come out of FATF imbroglio? Already, Pakistan's Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) Regime and National Action Plan (NAP) has clearly, set a narrative regarding terror-financing, heads of terrorist organizations and role of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). (3) Pakistan needs to deal with the remaining two points of the Action Plan demanded by FATF, at the earliest, and encourage proactive diplomacy if it desires to reform AML/CFT seriously, and get off from the grey-list. Financial Action Task Force (FATF) & Pakistan: Commitments….


This article provides a strong critique of queer theory and politics and is intended to stimulate discussion of the wider cultural turn in the study of sexualities. There are three sections. The first considers definitions of queer theory and practice and criticizes the extent to which it marks a true break in lesbian and gay studies. The second provides a more detailed critique of the work of Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick and Judith Butler. The third analyses the cultural politics which have developed alongside queer theory and raises serious concerns as to their potential for ending the oppression of sexual minorities. Comparisons are also made with earlier studies of sexuality and gender where appropriate.


Spatial data infrastructures (SDIs) have been developed in many countries worldwide and are now accepted as an essential infrastructure in modern society (Crompvoets, Rajabifard, et al. 2008). However, a plethora of disparate approaches regarding definitions, objectives, assessments, and analyses of SDIs can be found in the literature. Because SDI is such a multifaceted, dynamic, and complex concept (Grus, Crompvoets, and Bregt 2007), some CONTENTS


The Boosting algorithm has two main variants: the gradient Boosting and the totally-corrective column-generation Boosting. Recently, the latter has received increasing attention since it exhibits a better convergence property, thus resulting in more efficient strong learners. In this work, we point out that the totally-corrective column-generation Boosting is equivalent to the gradient-descent method for the gradient Boosting in the weak-learner selection criterion, but uses additional totally-corrective updates for the weak-learner weights. Therefore, other techniques for the gradient Boosting that produce continuous-valued weak learners, e.g. step-wise direct minimization and Newtons method, may also be used in combination with the totally-corrective procedure. In this work we take the well known AdaBoost algorithm as an example, and show that employing the continuous-valued weak learners improves the performance when used with the totally-corrective weak-learner weight update.


This paper describes the DFKI-NMT submission to the WMT19 News translation task. We participated in both English-to-German and German-to-English directions. We trained Transformer models and adopted various techniques for effectively training our models, including data selection, back-translation and in-domain fine-tuning. We give a detailed analysis of the performance of our system.


We have undertaken a mid-infrared (MIR) search for new planetary nebulae (PNe) using the Spitzer Space Telescope GLIMPSE Galactic plane survey. This has involved searching extant GLIMPSE data products for morphologically appropriate structures, and investigating sources having IRAS colours similar to those of Galactic PNe. We have found 12 sources which have a high probability of being high-extinction PNe, and which possess MIR and IRAS colours, and shell morphologies similar to those of previously identified Galactic nebulae. Calibrated mapping of these structures and profiles in all four of the IRAC bands (3.6, 4.5, 5.8 and 8.0 μm) suggests that many (if not all) of the nebulae possess at least two primary structures: an interior high surface brightness shell, corresponding to what is probably the primary ionized zone, and a much weaker halo extending to very much greater distances from the nucleus. These latter regimes are particularly evident at longer MIR wavelengths (5.8 and 8.0 μm), and it is probable that they trace the nebular photodissociative regimes, where emission derives from small-grain continua and/or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon molecular bands. This latter behaviour has also been noted in previous analyses of Galactic PNe.


Since children may not be able to complain of progressive reduction in optic acuity, visual assessment in infancy may present practical difficulties. The authors report a case of craniopharyngioma, which led a young child to early blindness before the correct diagnosis could be made. Similar to other reported cases, the authors found that surgery did not substantially modify the preoperative visual deficit. They conclude that minimal improvement in visual acuity can be expected despite successful microsurgical removal of the tumor.


Using the annual shoot of Fraxinus hupehensis as explants were cultured on improved MS,and adding plant hormone of different types and concentration to induce to produce buds and roots.The result showed that optimal culture medium was improved MS+2mg/L6-BA+0.1mg/LNAA;the best for proliferation of buds was improved MS+1.5mg/L6-BA+0.1mg/LNAA;the rootting culture medium was 1/2MS+ 0.3mg/LvitaminB1+0.5mg/LNAA.


This paper describes the fourth edition of the Handwritten Text Recognition (HTR) competition that was prepared this time in the context of the International Conference on Document Analysis and Recognition (ICDAR) 2017. Previous editions of this competition were conducted, first, with datasets from the tranScriptorium project in ICFHR 2014, and ICDAR 2015, and then, with datasets from the "Recognition and Enrichment of Archival Documents (READ)" European project in ICFHR 2016. This competition aims to bring together researchers working on off-line HTR and provides them a suitable benchmark to compare their techniques on the task of transcribing typical and difficult historical handwritten documents. The competition proposed for ICDAR 2017 aims at introducing a usual scenario for some collections in which there exist transcripts at page level for many pages useful for training, but these transcripts are not aligned with line images. Two tracks with different conditions on the use of training data were proposed. Most of the data comes from the Alfred Escher Letter Collection. But handwritten images were drawn from other German collections written by several hands.


A method for producing a metal fluoride ceramic, comprising providing a sedimented compound comprising metal fluoride particles having an average particle size lower than 30 nm and a solvent, partially drying the sedimented compound at a temperature lower than 65 DEG C until the partially dried compound comprises from 5 wt% to 45 wt% of the solvent, and sintering, for example in air, the partially dried and sedimented compound.


We propose a mechanism for circular magnetic X-ray dichroism (CMXD) in a pre-edge region of the Fe K-edge in rare-earth iron garnets, within a cluster approximation. The pre-edge absorption is assumed to be dominated by the electric-dipole transition from 1 s states to 4 p states mixed with 3 d states of Fe ions through the hybridization between these orbitals and 2 p orbitals of nearest-neighbor O ions. Considering the different symmetries and the different spin orientations for Fe ions at the tetrahedral (T d ) site and at the octahedral (O h ) site, we calculate CMXD for both cases based on T d and O h iron-oxygen clusters. It is found that CMXD is a manifestation of the combined effect of the spin-orbit coupling and the spin polarization in the 3 d orbitals. The result is discussed in connection with experimental observations.


GST vs LSM: "The ground surface temperature (GST) was measured by the IRP-P at a height of 2 m above the ground surface through non-contact infrared radiation" (P10, L167–168). In this context, the measured value is the radiative skin temperature of the land surface. The surface could be snow, grass, and a mixture of them, right? I would keep the "GST" for soil temperature and "LSM" for ground skin temperature. I hence suggest changing the GST to LSM throughout the manuscript. Permafrost and Active Layer: Based on the authors' title—"Permafrost, active layer and meteorological data (2010–2020) from a relict permafrost site at Mahan Mountain", I would expect the detailed info of permafrost & active layer would be present. However, the paper in its current format is somehow unfocused, and the permafrost/active layer is very lightly discussed and seems equal or even less important than the meteorological data. Hence, I suggest enhancing the statistics of permafrost and active layer conditions and changes during 2010–2020. Since authors have a 11-years' time-series, this could be easily done by


This paper describes a comparison of results from testing shear strength of autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) walls strengthened with superficial strengthening with the results of tests of walls made of various types of joints and mortar. The initial and characteristic shear strength and the angle of internal friction were compared. The test elements were made using two types of mortars, three types of joints, and two methods of reinforcement. The models were made using masonry units in the SOLBET OPTIMAL system. SOLBET 0.1 mortar, intended for thin joints, as well as SOLBET SMART polyurethane adhesive were used. Typical joints with a width equal to the thickness of the wall, shell bedded joints and joints without mortar were made. Models with typical joints were also tested as reinforced on one and two sides with the FRCM system, using the mineral cement matrix PBO-MX GOLD MASONRY and the PBO-MESH GOLD 22/22 mesh. A total of 56 models were tested in accordance with the requirements of PN-EN 1052-3: 2004. A significant influence of with superficial strengthening as well as the type of mortar and the construction of joints on the individual parameters of shear strength was demonstrated.


Under performance based contracting, reliability optimization and service logistics are geared to the common objective for achieving high reliability performance for repairable systems. This paper proposes a quantitative approach to planning and contracting performance-based logistics in the presence of reliability and usage uncertainty. We focus on the circumstances where the customer purchased capital-intensive systems from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) who also provides the after-sales services. We derive an analytical model to characterize the equipment availability by incorporating system failure rate, usage rate, spare parts level, and the size of the installed base. This analytical insight into the equipment availability allows us to estimate the system lifecycle cost taking into account the design, manufacturing, and maintenance. Two types of contracting schemes are examined under the cost minimization and the profit maximization, respectively. Numerical examples from aircraft and semiconductor industries are used to demonstrate the applicability and the performance of the proposed contracting program.


This paper investigates subthreshold CMOS logic for ultra low power applications on next generation reconfigurable devices. The performance characteristics of key digital building blocks such as arithmetic units, multiplexers and look-up-tables have been analyzed in terms of speed, power dissipation and power delay product using Berkeley Predictive Technology models at 22nm technology node for both the conventional subthreshold CMOS (CMOS) and the dynamic threshold subthreshold CMOS (DTCMOS). Simulation results show that DTCMOS has lower PDP and sensitivities to process variations compared to CMOS for the digital blocks. Moreover, the PDP of blocks can be further improved by using longer channel lengths.


We study exciton capture and escape in shallow quantum wells including the effects of valence subband mixing. We show that such a mixing process has significant impacts, yielding one order of magnitude smaller capture and escape times than the previous results, which do not include band mixing. These results can have impacts on the various functionalities of optoelectronic devices, such as their speed and leakage currents.


Microorganisms are important for phytoremediation of soil contaminated with heavy metals. In the present study, bacteria Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas sp., Alcaligenes sp., and Flavobacterium sp. isolated from the Zhangshi Irrigation Area were applied to bioadsorbed Cd and Pb in liquid cultures with root exudates of sunflower as a sole carbon source. The experimental data demonstrated that these bacteria had a high potential of enrichment of Cd and Pb, and Bacillus sp. and Alcaligenes sp. had better ability to accumulate Cd or Pb than the others; the distinct bioadsorption of Cd and Pb by bacteria might depend on the physiology of bacteria, categories of heavy metals, and environmental factors (such as pH). In addition, root exudates of sunflower could not only support the growth of these bacteria, but also influence the toxicity and bioavailability of Cd and Pb. Our results indicated that amendment with bacteria isolated from heavy-metal-polluted soil and root exudates could be considered as a potential approach to enhance the phytoremediation of Cd- or Pb-contaminated soil.


The nonlinearity profile of a Boolean function (i.e., the sequence of its minimum Hamming distances nlr(f) to all functions of degrees at most r, for r ges 1) is a cryptographic criterion whose role against attacks on stream and block ciphers has been illustrated by many papers. It plays also a role in coding theory, since it is related to the covering radii of Reed-Muller codes. We introduce a method for lower-bounding its values and we deduce bounds on the second-order nonlinearity for several classes of cryptographic Boolean functions, including the Welch and the multiplicative inverse functions (used in the S-boxes of the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)). In the case of this last infinite class of functions, we are able to bound the whole profile, and we do it in an efficient way when the number of variables is not too small. This allows showing the good behavior of this function with respect to this criterion as well.


Nowadays,in all net security system structures,firewall is more powerful.The article analyses the security tactic based on firewall technology and evaluates firewall advantage and shortcomings and forcasts the trend of the friewall technoloy in the future.


Despite a decrease in the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) over the last 40 years, the incidence of CRC in people under 50 years old is increasing around the globe. Early onset ([≤]50 years old) and late onset ([≥]65 years old) CRC appear to have differences in their clinicopathological and genetic features, but it is unclear if there are differences in the tumor microenvironment. We hypothesized that the immune microenvironment of early onset CRC is distinct from late onset CRC and promotes tumor progression. We used Nanostring immune profiling to analyze mRNA expression of immune genes in FFPE surgical specimens from patients with early (N=40) and late onset (N=39) CRC. We found three genes, SAA1, C7, and CFD, have increased expression in early onset colorectal cancer and distinct immune signatures based on the tumor location. After adjusting for clinicopathological features, increased expression of CFD and SAA1 were associated with worse progression free survival and increased expression of C7 was associated with worse overall survival. Our data demonstrate that the immune microenvironment in early onset CRC is unique, location dependent, and associated with worse outcomes.


The categorical semantics of quantum protocols proposed by Abramsky and Coecke reveals that a prearranged quantum entanglement brings a strange quantum information flow in the quantum teleportation protocol. Their formal argument leads us to the distinction between an information flow sequence and a causal sequence on the same event. If this distinction is applied to information processing biological networks, we can claim that a prearranged biological feedback can play the same role as the quantum entanglement on the emergence of a specific local structure of networks. The aim of this paper is to provide a first step toward formal arguments on changes in biology without the external time parameter.


We combine convex vacancy creation costs and on-the-job search in a new trade theory model with heterogeneous firms to explain how trade liberalization affects trade patterns, wages, and wage inequality. To obtain a realistic trade pattern, we need convex vacancy creation costs; to obtain a realistic wage distribution, we need on-the-job search. To get an effect of trade liberalization on wage inequality, we need both because with linear vacancy creation costs trade liberalization affects all wages in equal proportion. Furthermore, with sufficiently high convex vacancy creation costs, not all firms export to all foreign markets even if trade is fully liberalized. This implies that wage inequality under free trade is always higher than under autarky.


PETRA is controlled through 3 medium size computers located in the central control room. The physical setup and the organization of the control and measurement electronics and the data transmission system are described. An overview on the different monitor systems designed for PETRA is given.


The scientific and specific management that applied to modern enterprise is more and more dependent on accounting data that reflects the operation of the company truly,specifically,accurately,completely,and rapidly.While during the development of a company,some factors will influence the accounting data and make it unreal,thus requiring the company to put accounting data management on a high position of the whole company's management.The impacts on accounting data may create several risks,this articles analyzes these risks and find the solutions to,based on the level of management and accounting person.


This report describes investigations that were performed in fiscal year 1973, by the Noise and Interference Section of the Electromagnetics Division of the Institute for Basic Standards of the National Bureau of Standards preliminary to the design and construction of a coaxial thermal noise source in fiscal year 1974. The intent is to develop a coaxial thermal reference noise source that will operate at nominally 1000°C and will have a low reflection coefficient from


Abstract This paper presents simple, efficient and fast technique for the alleviation of line overloads by corrective generation and/or load shedding. The developed method ensures that alleviation of the existing violations does not create any new violations. The proposed algorithm is superior to existing methods and, in some cases, significant smaller amount of load shedding is required. The sensitivity matrix and the Lagrangian function, which are needed in almost all of the existing methods, it is not used in the proposed method. The reconstruction of Jacobian-like matrices, and determination of their inverse at each new operating point during the optimization procedure are not required. It gives less computation time for the proposed method as compared to the existing methods. The proposed technique will find extensive applications in operational planning, security and contingencies studies, and the reliability evaluation of power systems. To validate the proposed method results for 6-bus and 14-bus s...


We describe an object recognition system based on symbolic contour graphs. The image to be analyzed is transformed into a graph with object corners as vertices and connecting contours as edges. Image corners are determined using a robust multiscale corner detector. Edges are constructed by line-following between corners based on evidence from the multiscale Gabor wavelet transform. Model matching is done by finding subgraph isomorphisms in the image graph. The complexity of the algorithm is reduced by labeling vertices and edges, whereby the choice of labels also makes the recognition system invariant under translation, rotation and scaling. We provide experimental evidence and theoretical arguments that the matching complexity is below O(#V3), and show that the system is competitive with other graph-based matching systems.


On March 22, 2016, three coordinated bombings in the Zaventem airport and the Malbeek metro station in Brussels resulted in the death of 32 civilians and three attackers. After suspect Salah Abdeslam was arrested in Molenbeek and incriminating material was found in Schaerbeerk—working-class neighborhoods with a high density of Muslim inhabitants—the events focused attention on Brussels' municipalities after the Paris attacks of November 2015, and reinforced the media relabeling of Molenbeek as a "jihadist haven." Situated in the North-Western area of Brussels, the municipality of Molenbeek-Saint-Jean is composed of a densely diverse demographics, with inhabitants of Moroccan, Turkish, Congolese, and Eastern European descent, among several other ethnicities and nationalities. Rather than pointing to the crucial role of the neighborhood in epitomizing the complexity of Belgium's composite ethnoscape, the rebranding of Molenbeek as a breeding ground for Islamic terrorism and ISIS recruitment contributed to the misrepresentation of migrant lives in Brussels, adding fuel to the fire of an already heated scenario.


In order to study a new method of generating energetic ion, a linear plasma device NUMBER was designed and constructed. The device consists of a plasma production region and a test region connected axially. The radial profile of the electron density and the electron temperature were measured using a Langmuir probe. The radius of plasma is consistent with a field line trace calculation. The time evolution of the ion saturation current Iis was measured. A high Iis phase accompanied by rapid increase and rapid decrease of Iis was observed. From the scan of magnetic field in the test region, it is found that the high Iis phase may be caused by unexpected electron cyclotron resonance in the test region. The gas pressure is also related to the appearance of the high Iis phase.


INTRODUCTION: Remnants of calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) can interfere in the quality of endodontic treatment. AIM: Evaluate the efficacy of Passive Ultrasonic Irrigation (PUI) associated with the conventional technique in removing intracanal medication Ca(OH)2-based. METHODOLOGY : Thirty monoradiculares anterior human teeth were used. The root canals were prepared with manual instruments type K and filled with intracanal medication Ca(OH)2-based containing CMCP and propylene glycol. After 7 days, Ca(OH)2 was removed of all root canal with a manual instrument and irrigation of the 1% NaOCl with syringe. The specimens were randomly divided into two groups (n=12) according to the final irrigation: Manual Irrigation - manual agitation of 17% EDTA and 1% NaOCl irrigation; PUI - ultrasonic agitation of NaOCl 1% (3 activations of 20s) followed by activation of 17% EDTA for 1 min. The control group (n=6) received no medication. All the specimens were cleaved and the amount of Ca(OH)2 remaining was calculated with the auxiliary of estereomicroscropio (20×). Kruskall-Wallis tests and Wilcoxon tests were used to evaluate the percentage of Ca(OH)2 remaining. RESULT: The group of PUI showed statistically the lowers percentages of Ca(OH)2 when compared to group of Manual Irrigation, independently, of thirds analyzed (P < 0.05). The apical showed the higher amount of residual medication, in both groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The association of PUI with the conventional technique proved to be more efficient in removing medication of Ca(OH)2-based that the combination of Manual irrigation with conventional technique.


The Japanese government is urging Japanese banks to promote loans for business start-ups. The difficulty of managing their credit risk becomes a more serious because of the increase in loans for business start-ups. Most Japanese banks utilize credit scoring models linked to the correlations between financial indicators and default occurrence in order to evaluate their debtor's credit risk. However, we cannot use existing models for evaluating business start-ups because of the lack of financial statements. To the best of our knowledge, there are no models that can measure their credit risk. In this paper, we analyze the impact on the default occurrence of non-financial variables grouped into three categories, or financial, human and industry factors, by using the data set of 34,470 Japanese business start-ups. Then, we construct a logistic regression model of credit scoring for business start-ups and test the robustness from a practical perspective. As a result of analyses, we confirm that some explanatory variables of three categories are statistically significant, and that the accuracy ratio (AR) of our model is about 57%. We believe that our research will help Japanese banks to make practical credit scoring models for business start-ups aiming sound banking.