Simple Summary Bladder cancer (BlCa) management relies on lifelong surveillance strategies with invasive interventions that adversely affect patients' quality-of-life and lead to a high economic burden for healthcare systems. Exploitation of bladder tumors' molecular background could lead to modern precision medicine. tRNA-derived fragments (tRFs), rather than degradation debris, are novel functional small ncRNAs that have emerged as key regulators of cellular homeostasis. This is the first study of the clinical utility of tRFs in BlCa. Using in silico analysis of the TCGA-BLCA project, we identified 5′-tRF-LysCTT (5′-tRF of tRNALysCTT) to be significantly deregulated in BlCa, and we have studied its clinical value in our cohort of 230 BlCa patients. Elevated 5′-tRF-LysCTT levels were significantly associated with aggressive tumor phenotype as well as early disease progression and poor treatment outcome. Integration of 5′-tRF-LysCTT with established disease markers resulted in superior prediction of patients' prognosis, supporting personalized treatment and monitoring decisions. Abstract The heterogeneity of bladder cancer (BlCa) prognosis and treatment outcome requires the elucidation of tumors' molecular background towards personalized patients' management. tRNA-derived fragments (tRFs), although originally considered as degradation debris, represent a novel class of powerful regulatory non-coding RNAs. In silico analysis of the TCGA-BLCA project highlighted 5′-tRF-LysCTT to be significantly deregulated in bladder tumors, and 5′-tRF-LysCTT levels were further quantified in our screening cohort of 230 BlCa patients. Recurrence and progression for non-muscle invasive (NMIBC) patients, as well as progression and patient's death for muscle-invasive (MIBC) patients, were used as clinical endpoint events. TCGA-BLCA were used as validation cohort. Bootstrap analysis was performed for internal validation and the clinical net benefit of 5′-tRF-LysCTT on disease prognosis was assessed by decision curve analysis. Elevated 5′-tRF-LysCTT was associated with unfavorable disease features, and significant higher risk for early progression (multivariate Cox: HR = 2.368; p = 0.033) and poor survival (multivariate Cox: HR = 2.151; p = 0.032) of NMIBC and MIBC patients, respectively. Multivariate models integrating 5′-tRF-LysCTT with disease established markers resulted in superior risk-stratification specificity and positive prediction of patients' progression. In conclusion, increased 5′-tRF-LysCTT levels were strongly associated with adverse disease outcome and improved BlCa patients' prognostication.


In this study,we have investigated the effect of tryptophol(TrpOH) on lipid fermentation by Li-pomyces starkeyi.The results showed that cell growth and lipid accumulation were significantly inhibited when TrpOH was introduced at 0 h or 12 h;while substantial positive effects were observed when TrpOH was applied at 24 h or 36 h after inoculation.Specifically,biomass,lipid and lipid coefficient increased by 7.4%,13.9% and 14.2% respectively,but fermentation time decreased by 13.3%,when 100 μmol/L TrpOH was introduced at 36 h.However,little effects were found on the fatty acid constitutional profile of the microbial lipid produced in the presence of TrpOH.These results are valuable to develop more economical lipid fermentation technology.


To study one of the problems that Romania number theorist F. Smarandache has proposed and to generalize it. For any positive integer let denotes the natural sequence where each number is repeated times. Based on the general term formula, the asymptotic properties of this sequence and some hybrid functions are studied using the elementary method, the asymptotic formulae are obtained ,thus enriching the study and application of this sequence.


The hydropower project is generally located in the mountains or deep valleys. Due to the expansive irregular topographic form and the extremely complex geological structures, the modeling and visualization process remains technically challenging. In this paper, a NURBS surface modeling technology was applied to build a 3D geological model of the dam site region. Moreover, according to project needs, typical sections were cut to analyze the geological conditions and engineering measures were proposed. This model not only occupies small storage and has low accuracy loss, but also could be easy to operate and analyze graphics visually. The proposed method can provide a convenient, intuitive and multi-dimensional support tool for geological analysis of hydropower project.


This secondary analysis evaluated the information content exhibited by various measurement strategies of commonly perceived causes, or "triggers," of headache attacks.


Introduction: The Rock Abrasion Tool (RAT) serves as the sample preparation device on the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) science payload. As an end-effector on the rover's robotic arm the RAT [1] grinds a circular spot on the order of millimeters deep into a rock face to remove surface fines and weathered layers, preparing the rock for imaging and spectral observations. As of 5 January 2005, 12 grinding operations have been performed at Gusev Crater by Spirit and 22 at Meridiani Planum by Opportunity. Basic Abrasion Properties: Once the robotic arm places and loads the RAT onto a rock surface, the RAT affects high rotational speed face grinding. A grinding bit with two diamond grain embedded phenolic resin pads rotates near 3000 RPM and feeds slowly in a circular path across the rock, creating the larger abrasion area. The 45.5 mm outer diameter of the abrasion is a fixed aspect of the mechanism. The overall depth of penetration varies with operation due to rock properties and available rover energy, typically no greater than 10 millimeters. The depth of penetration also varies across the abrasion area due to the rock's original surface geometry and the RAT's approach angle. Abrasion areas can be less than fully circular and can include irregular unabraded areas internally. Often an overall depth is reported with a grind operation, describing the distance from the highest point on the original rock face within the circular grind area to the floor of the abrasion.


The developmental cytology of the apical tissue of the testis of Tenebrio molitor and Zophobas rugipes was studied with light and electron microscopy. In the early larvae of both species the tisue was found to be a thickened protrusion of nongerminal cells appearing at the apical end of each testis follicle following gonadal differentiation. The cells persist through pupal and adult stages in both species, becoming more prominent at these stages in Z. rugipes, despite tracheal invasion in both species. In older adults the apical tissue regresses and ultimately distintegrates.


corporation" (p. 118). Finally, John Armstrong reviews the experience of the Soviet Union as a pattern of modernization distinct from that of the West, and John Lovell summarizes the accepted wisdom on the role of the military in political development, with references both to policy making in Washington and to the evolution of theory among social scientists. Aside from the total failure of the contributors to respond to one another, this collection also suffers from sloppy editorial work, as evidenced by a number of typographical errors. Nevertheless, several individual essays (notably those of LaPalombara and Siffin) may serve to introduce students to the subject.


This paper argues that a genuinely customer‐oriented organizational culture is a prerequisite if service firms are to excel in the marketplace. It presents several traits or values representing such a culture and discusses the importance of those values by linking them to unique features of the nature and delivery of services. The paper also addresses problems and prospects associated with developing a customer‐oriented culture, and it concludes with implications for services marketing practitioners and researchers.


Purpose
The purpose of this study is to determine what technological strategies were used within each of the phases of the ADDIE framework when developing content for professional training. The study also examined the affordances of those technologies in training.

Design/methodology/approach
A PRISMA systematic review methodology (Moher et al., 2015) was utilized to answer the four questions guiding this study. Specifically, the PRISMA extension Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis for Protocols (PRISMA-P, Moher et al., 2015) was used to direct each stage of the research, from the literature review to the conclusion. In addition, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA principles; Liberati et al., 2009) are used to guide the article selection process.

Findings
The findings reveal that the majority of the studies were in healthcare (36%) and education (24%) and used an online format (65%). There was a wide distribution of ADDIE used with technology across the globe. The coding for the benefits of technology use in the development of the training solution revealed four trends: 1) usability, 2) learning approaches, 3) learner experience and 4) financial.

Research limitations/implications
This systematic review only examined articles published in English, which may bias the findings to a Western understanding of how technology is used within the ADDIE framework. Furthermore, the study examined only peer-review academic articles from scholarly journals and conferences. While this provided a high level of assurance about the quality of the studies, it does not include other reports directly from training providers and other organizations.

Practical implications
These findings can be used as a springboard for training providers, scholars, funders and practitioners, providing rigorous insight into how technology has been used within the ADDIE framework, the types of technology, and the benefits of using technology. This insight can be used when designing future training solutions with a better understanding of how technology can support learning.

Social implications
This study provides insight into the uses of technology in training. Many of these findings and uses of technology within ADDIE can also transfer to other aspects of society.

Originality/value
This study is unique in that it provides the scholarly community with the first systematic review to examine what technological strategies were used within each of the phases of the ADDIE structure and how these technologies provided benefits to developing a training solution.


Cranioplasty is required to restore the appearance of the skull, Objective To analyze the outcomes of using a customized artificial skull bone flap made with a three-dimensional (3D) printing technique for cranioplasty and compare them with those of the autobone technique. Method Between December 2018 and February 2020, 24 cranioplasties were performed for 24 hemispheres using a customized artificial bone flap made by 3D printing. Simultaneously, 19 cranioplasties for 19 hemispheres were performed using an autobone. Three patients underwent cranioplasty using both a customized artificial bone flap and autobone for each hemisphere. Patient's demographics, reason for craniectomy, interval between craniectomy and cranioplasty, surface area of the skull defect and bone flap, bone flap coverage of the defect, cranioplasty-related factors, and clinical outcome were assessed. Results Forty patients who underwent cranioplasty (bone flap, 21; autobone flap, 16; and artificial bone/ autobone flaps, 3) were enrolled. The artificial bone flap covered more skull defects than the autobone flap (98.6% vs. 90.9%, p=0.000). There were two and six operation-related complications in the artificial bone flap and autobone flap groups, respectively (P=0.061). The subtemporal area was completely covered in the artificial bone flap group. Two patients had an infection of the autobone flap and had it replaced by a 3D printing flap. No patient showed a reduction in the modified Rankin Scale score after surgery, and the clinical course was confirmed to have improved. Conclusions Cranioplasty using customized artificial bone flap made by 3D printing technique was effective for covering the skull defect and tends to have a low complication rate compared to the autobone.


The purpose of this study is to clarify whether there are relationships among the four key factors contributing to the success of e-business: e-service quality, e-trust e-customer satisfaction and behavioral intentions, thus make a conclusion and provide better understanding in the field of e-service and e-marketing. This study method used to evaluate and test the scale and theoretical model in the study is quantitative research with sample size N = 476 through the survey to deliver questionnaire directly to subjects. This study examined the scale by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and the model of theoretical research by structural equation modeling (SEM). The results of analysis and verification of measurement scales and theoretical research models show that the research scales achieve unidirectional, reliability, convergent validity and high discriminant validity. The hypotheses are accepted at 95% reliability. The study has discovered the new indirect and positive impact of e-service quality on behavioral intentions through mediators e-trust and e-customer satisfaction, as well as other sub relationships, which can be used as foundation for future researches. At the end, managerial implications and recommendations plus contributions are proposed for e-commerce firms, e-marketers and researchers.


This study aims to identify the characteristics of businesses influencing the choice of their type in the 6th industry and analyze how they work. This...


Obtaining clean water from salt water by capacitive deionization (CDI) with chemically modified graphene (rGO) was explored in this study. Strong acid (HNO3:H2SO4 = 2:1) was employed to modify rGO to enhance its hydrophilicity and electrochemical properties. Characteristics of rGO with/without acid modification were analyzed by XRD, SEM, FTIR, contact angle, BET, and cyclic voltammetry (CV). Contributions of sulfonic acid groups, hydroxyl groups, and NO2 stretching after acid modification resulted in better wettability and higher specific capacitance of rGO. The contact angle for rGO dropped from 84.9° to 35.1° (am-rGO), indicating improved hydrophilicity of rGO with acid modification. The specific capacitance of am-rGO can reach 150.2 F/g at the scan rate of 1 mV/s. The average NaCl electrosorption capacity of the CDI process with am-rGO was 0.63 mg NaCl/g electrode (10.86 μmol NaCl/g electrode), which indicated rGO with acid modification can enhance the electrosorption capacity by 3.9 times. This study demonstrated that chemical modification can significantly improve the hydrophilicity, electrochemical properties, and electrosorption performance of rGO, which has potential for applications to other carbon-based materials for CDI systems to improve salt removal efficiency.


neither by fresh insights nor by perceptive interpretations; and his preoccupation with the development of democratic ideals and practices is sometimes permitted to obscure contrary tendencies. Finally, the work fails to reveal the complex and exciting interplay between theory and practice and between the ideal and the actual. Despite these weaknesses this book may prove suitable as a general background text for introductory courses in American government and United States history. As


Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss what the business contribution to sustainable development is (or should be) and to propose criteria for assessing corporate sustainability. These criteria are applied for the analysis of Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)‐reports of five major cement manufacturers. This will result in a discussion if GRI‐based sustainability reports really contain the information needed for judging corporate sustainability.Design/methodology/approach – Starting from a literature review of common definitions and principles, the main criteria of corporate sustainability were developed and a set of evaluation criteria for analyzing sustainability reports was proposed. Definitions and principles from concepts such as eco‐efficiency, triple‐bottom‐line, the natural step and stakeholder value were considered. Using these criteria analysis was made of the GRI‐based sustainability reports of five major cement manufacturers in order to find out to what extent the reports really addr...


The objectives were to develop method of isolating viable human limbal basal cells in order to enrich a subset of small cells with a large Nucleus/Cytoplasm (N/C) ratio expressing high levels of p63, nuclear protein. Limbal tissues were treated with trypsin for 50 min at 37°C in an orbital shaker at 100 rpm with epithelial side down followed by additional 5 min with epithelial side up and then with Dispase II to obtain various epithelial fractions. Isolated cell fractions were assessed for colony forming efficiency and ΔNp63α, connexin (Cx43) mRNA levels. Cytospin smears were double‐immunostained for p63 and any one of the stem cell (SC) related markers and analyzed using a laser scanning confocal microscope and advanced image analysis software (Leica Confocal software, 2.61 build 1537 version) for quantification of fluorescence intensity. The isolated limbal basal cells were highly positive for ΔNp63α mRNA but expressing low Cx43 mRNA. They gave rise to higher number of large colonies with compact morphology in contrast to the limbal suprabasal/superficial (LS/S) colonies. Furthermore, a subset with a large N/C ratio expressing high levels of p63 was observed, as much as 25% among the limbal basal cell fraction, in contrast to only about 4% in the total limbal epithelial cells. Such cells were positive for K5 and negative for Ki67, Cx43, and 14‐3‐3s and were absent in the LS/S fraction. These results collectively substantiate our method of isolation of limbal basal layer cells containing an enriched population of cells with SC phenotype. Microsc. Res. Tech. 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


Abstract Many of John Edgar Wideman's rich fictions scout the borderlands of African American collective identity, those places where blacks question and confute the hateful stereotypes that hegemonic white culture has written for them. At the same time, Wideman's residence for all of his adult life in the interracial middle-ground—the "goddamned middle" as it is called in Philadelphia Fire—has obviously made him sensitive to many issues that go beyond race, even if questions of race first triggered his awareness (71).1 In this essay, I examine how, in Philadelphia Fire, Wideman places African American subjectivity in the context of a broad field of social relations that are determined quite as often by gender, class, or intergenerational or professional interests and antagonisms as by race.


This article examines Colorado's approach to integrating the uses of ground and surface water. It considers the issues raised by applying this law in the South Platte basin.


[1] We have studied coupling between the neutral atmosphere and the ionospheric E region in the midlatitude by combining two numerical simulation models. Atmospheric gravity waves generated in the troposphere propagate through the stratosphere and the mesosphere and can reach the lower thermosphere. When a zonal wind shear that can accumulate a sporadic-E (Es) layer (eastward below and westward above) is applied, the accumulated Es layer is strongly modulated by the gravity waves, and polarization electric field due to the modulated Es layer produces wave-like patterns of plasma density in the upper E region. Since the eastward wind below the shear node filters out gravity waves with eastward phase velocity, those with westward phase velocity are dominant where the Es layer is accumulated. Because of the angle between phase front of gravity waves and the geomagnetic field line, gravity waves with southward phase velocity is more effective to generate polarization electric field than those with northward phase velocity. Since gravity waves with southwestward phase velocity have phase fronts aligned from northwest to southeast, polarization electric field also has the similar structure. This mechanism can explain the spatial structure of quasi-periodic (QP) echoes associated with plasma irregularities in the midlatitude E region which often shows northwest-southeast alignment.


An anti-chucking device ( 14 ) for a tailgate assembly ( 12 ) for a vehicle ( 10 ), includes a bracket member ( 36 ) and a striker member ( 38 ). The striker member ( 38 ) engages the bracket member ( 36 ) and prevents the tailgate assembly ( 12 ) from moving in a lateral direction on the vehicle ( 10 ) when the tailgate assembly ( 12 ) is moved to an open position and a closed position. The bracket member ( 36 ) includes a first pair of tabs ( 50 ) and a second pair of tabs ( 52 ). The first pair of tabs ( 50 ) extends from the second pair of tabs ( 52 ) by a predetermined angle. The first pair of tabs ( 50 ) defines a first slot ( 60 ), and the second pair of tabs ( 52 ) defines a second slot ( 62 ). The striker member ( 38 ) pivots between the first slot ( 60 ) and the second slot ( 62 ), with the tailgate assembly ( 12 ) moving between open and closed positions.


To examine changes in functional status over time by age, gender, and ethnicity in a representative sample of older persons.


In this paper, we have developed a multi-objective inventory model with constant demand rate, under the limitation on storage of space. Production cost is considered in demand dependent and the deterioration cost is considered in average inventory level dependent. Also inventory holding cost is dependent on time. Due to uncertainty, all cost parameters are taken as generalized trapezoidal fuzzy number. Our proposed model is solved by both neutrosophic hesitant fuzzy programing approach and fuzzy non-linear programming technique. Numerical example has been given to illustrate the model. Finally sensitivity analysis has been presented graphically.


This study deals with constructing knowledge maps using social network analysis, which is one of the data analytics techniques. A total of 892 scientific journals related to tea beverage drinking were used as the raw data to build two knowledge maps. One map showed the association between the plant raw material and phytochemical ingredients, while the other presented the association between the phytochemical ingredients and the pharmaceutical efficacy. The two knowledge maps used hierarchy to identify the relationship between the plant raw material and its pharmaceutical efficacy and applied the concept of centrality and cohesion. Data analysis indicated that the tea (Camellia sinensis), citrus, dandelion plants showed a high centrality and predominance. Furthermore, the phytochemical ingredients with a high centrality were phenols, flavonoids, and vitamin C. Pertaining to the pharmaceutical efficacy, the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial functions showed a high centrality. Therefore, this study confirmed the usefulness of tea ingredients through the knowledge maps linking the plant raw material, phytochemical ingredients, and pharmaceutical efficacy. Our findings provided insights into future directions for tea product development in the food industry.


This article examines the differences in combat outcomes predicted by models of different resolution applied to identical combat situations. First, hypothetical combat situations are posed; then several models of varying degrees of resolution in the spatial representation, aggregation of forces, and time step are used to predict losses and battle winners. Both stochastic and deterministic simulations are used. The comparisons of outcomes provide important insights into the problems of aggregation. Some observations from this set of experiments are that intuition regarding outcomes, causes, and effects are frequently wrong, leading to bad approximations in the aggregate. Scaling for different levels of resolution is possible, but a method of predicting the appropriate scaling technique and factors in advance has not been found. The differences in outcomes between stochastic and deterministic models are most pronounced in the «fair fight» regime in which the force balance (accounting for situational factors) is nearly even. Because defense analysis frequently operates in this regime (getting «just enough» force to a theater or because constrained defense budget allocations may not permit overwhelming odds) this result implies that great care should be taken to understand the possible variance in outcomes


The present study was conducted to experimentally verify if the coefficient of thermal expansion (COTE) of recycled aggregate concrete is proportional to the volume of the original virgin aggregate in the total recycled aggregate concrete mix. Three types of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) were crushed from: railroad concrete sleepers; precast (PC) culverts; commercial recycling plant. RCA concretes were mixed using two concrete mixing methods: conventional mix method and equivalent mortar volume (EMV) method. And by varying the replacement ratio, three test series were made. Test results showed that at the same RCA replacement ratio of 68%, the COTE of RCA concrete prepared by the EMV mix design was over 6–7% lower than that of RCA concrete made with the conventional mix method. It was also similar to or 1–2% lower than that of the natural coarse aggregate concrete. This may be because the conventional mix method does not take into account the residual mortar content attached to RCA. This results in a decrease in the volumetric ratio of the original virgin aggregate and a relative increase in the volumetric ratio of the mortar (or cement paste).


Machines designed to cooperate physically with humans enable entirely new ways for technology to support human activity. This presentation will review some challenges and possibilities of close-contact, human-interactive machinery. The essential requirement to maintain safety, stability and performance may be addressed by interaction control, which focuses control system design on the machine's interactive behavior. This can endow an amputee's motorized arm prosthesis with sufficient responsiveness to take advantage of mechanical constraints; and support dexterous bimanual cooperation between natural and artificial limbs. Robots capable of safely interacting and cooperating with humans enable new forms of therapy for recovery after neurological injury. Work at M.I.T. with clinical collaborators demonstrates that even a simple form of interactive robot therapy offers lasting benefits for acute-phase stroke victims, typically about twice that of conventional therapy alone. For stroke victims in the chronic phase, a period of apparently stable motor performance, it also offers lasting benefits, both an increase of motor abilities and a reduction of paretic arm pain. These examples provide the merest hint of the vast potential of machines designed for intimate physical cooperation with humans


Muscular atrophy in diabetes is believed to be due to uncontrolled hyperglycemia and oxidative stress. Vitamin E, a natural antioxidant, is considered important to maintain skeletal muscle structures and functions. The current study is designed to explore the regenerative potential of d-α-tocopherol after crushed injury of skeletal muscle in healthy and diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced through single subcutaneous injection of alloxan at the dose of 100 mg/kg at hip region. Twenty four albino rats were divided into four groups; healthy control, diabetic control, healthy treated and diabetic treated. Treated groups were administered d-α-tocopherol orally and daily at the dose of 200 mg/kg for three weeks. A horizontal skin incision was made on the shaved right mid-thigh region and after splitting of the fascia between gluteus maximus and tensor fascia lata the gluteus maximus was crushed with Kocher's forceps. Skin wound was closed with an absorbable suture. The crushed muscle changes were studied by assessing the histopathological features, histomorphological measurements and biochemical analyses at the end of 3rd week. One way 'ANOVA' followed by Tukeys test and Student t test were used for statistical analysis. Results obtained through various methods indicate that the d-α-tocopherol helps in skeletal muscle regeneration by improving antioxidant status, myoblast proliferation, revascularization, reinnervation and connective tissue remodeling. Hence it is concluded that d-α-tocopherol is a useful therapeutic dietary supplement in the management of skeletal muscle crushed injuries in both healthy and diabetics.


ABSTRACT Nietzsche famously rails against Christian virtues such as humility and compassion. Yet he is well aware that historical Christians, especially those in positions of power, typically preached such values but did not practice them. This raises the question whom Nietzsche is really targeting in his animadversions against Christian virtues. The answer developed here is that his real targets are his contemporaries, including atheist, socialists such as Eugen Dühring, who, with their advocacy of egalitarian, democratic social and political policies, are trying to implement the values Christians long preached but rarely practiced. In nominating moderns, including those who seek the realization of enlightenment liberal democratic values, rather than past Christians, as Nietzsche's real targets we create space for reconciling Nietzsche's claim that he accepts the past (as embodied in his doctrine of amor fati) with his project of seeking to open up new possibilities for the future. In the concluding sections the questions are raised to what extent do Nietzsche's attacks on Christian virtues exhibit the very ressentiment he so vehemently criticises as a source of Christian values, and whether his criticism of the modern social and political implementation of those values is really supported by his own values.


PurposeThis paper empirically investigates the demand for pastured eggs in the United States and evaluates the welfare consequences of Japan's egg import tariff reductions for the US consumers.Design/methodology/approachUsing household-level Nielsen Homescan panel data, a fixed-effects Heckman two-stage sample selection model is estimated.FindingsThe estimation results ascertain the importance of a set of household socioeconomic characteristics, which are found to influence both the purchase probabilities and the consumption amounts associated with pastured eggs. In addition, demand for pastured eggs is estimated to be inelastic, and pastured eggs are found to be a normal good, more specifically a luxury.Research limitations/implicationsThe dataset used in this study reflect purchases only for at-home consumption, lacking information on away-from-home purchases.Originality/valueBuilding upon previous research, this study makes the following distinct contributions to the current literature. To the best of our knowledge, it constitutes the first study to empirically examine the demand for pastured eggs, using household-level panel data and an estimation model that not only allows for left-censoring but also controls for regional and time fixed effects. Second, the present study reflects a unique effort in analyzing the adverse welfare consequences of the increased egg prices in the United States brought by a reduction of Japanese import tariffs on US-supplied eggs, focusing specifically on pastured eggs.


The journal Al-Masāq was conceived in 1988 by its founding editor, Dionisius Agius, as a welcome source of inspiration for and response to changing historiographical perceptions and reconstructions of the Mediterranean space in the medieval period. At that time, there was a clear and particular need for a journal with the subtitle "Islam and theMedieval Mediterranean". In the often unconscious periphery of the Cultural Turn in the social sciences, there was an increasing interest in research organised around transcultural and interdisciplinary medieval Mediterranean questions that explicitly integrated in their scope Islam as a complex and multi-layered socio-cultural phenomenon. After all, conceptualisations of the Mediterranean had long been plagued by binary constructions that tended to 'other' its Islamic side, to consider it an intruder, outsider or opponent in Mediterranean places and spaces, conceived as rooted in antiquity and only re-integrated in an emerging Europe from the later Middle Ages onwards. Arguably, this goes back to Henri Pirenne's development in the 1920s and 1930s of the much debated thesis – famously formulated in his Mahomet et Charlemagne as "sans Mahomet, Charlemagne est inconcevable" – that medieval Europe emerged only when the Arab-Muslim empire conquered the Mediterranean space and disrupted any further continuities between Mediterranean (late) antiquity and the Latin West. On the socio-economic side of things, this particular but influential construction of Mediterranean – and European – history was to a large extent made obsolete by the longue durée structuralism – and its many offshoots – of Fernand Braudel's La Méditerranée et le monde méditerranéen à l'époque de Philippe II. A similar historical consciousness of socio-cultural medieval Mediterranean complexities and of the dynamics of cultural constructions and reproductions (whether of longue or courte durée) of a variety of Mediterranean frontiers – as in the Pirenne-thesis – was slower to catch up. Incorporating Islam into this latter problematisation was therefore an important step forward, and a journal for "Islam and the Medieval Mediterranean" served as a timely vehicle to offer some modest assistance in this respect (and the subsequent


Aims We wished to explore associations between intrinsic religiosity, extrinsic (non-organizational (ENORG) and organizational (EORG)) religiosity and hallucinations phenomenology in a non-clinical Muslim population. Methods We selected full-time students at Qatar University using systematic random sampling and administered the Questionnaire of Psychotic Experiences online. We modelled the effects of sociodemographic variables, anxiety, depressive symptoms, and religiosity measures, delusions on hallucinations severity and distress/impact in the past week, using structural equation modelling. Results Direct-effects models supported ENORG religiosity's protective role against experiencing distress or negative impact on daily function from hallucinations. Intrinsic religiosity had positive indirect-effects on hallucinations distress/impact through depression, anxiety, and through EORG but negative (suppression) indirect-effects on hallucinations distress/impact through ENORG. Younger and married from lower socio-economic class participants had comparatively more severe hallucinations and more distress from them. Conclusion We present evidence of differential associations between the religiosity types, socioeconomic and cultural groups, and past week distress/impact of hallucinations. Our data support the importance of alignment between religious education and mental health and well-being education.


Porous and thermally stable membranes are attractive materials as separators in lithium-ion batteries. This work reports a new class of high-performance separators for Li-ion batteries based on a crosslinked polybenzoxazine electrospun fiber mat (CR-PBz-FbM). The CR-PBz-FbM separator shows a high ion conductivity of 2.92 mS cm−1 (5.2 times the value recorded for Celgard 2300), a low MacMullin number of 3.35, ultrahigh electrolyte uptake (≈825 %), and near-zero shrinkage at 150 °C. Consequently, the CR-PBz-FbM separator shows a high C-rate capacity and good cycle retention in the half-cell test. At a C-rate of 2.0, the CR-PBz-FbM-based Li-ion cell only exhibits a capacity loss of 16 % compared to a 40 % capacity loss found with the cell based on Celgard 2300. The results demonstrate that CR-PBz-FbM is an inexpensive, non-shutdown-type, thermally stable, and highly ion-conductive separator for Li-ion batteries.


Carbon nanotubes field emission display (CNTs-FED) has been regarded as the most promising flat panel display due to its high definition, low power consumption, high brightness, fast response time, wide work temperature range and low cost. As the key material, the properties of CNTs will affect FED characters directly. CNTs with good field emission properties were needed for the FED. The CNTs were synthesized by chemical vapour deposition (CVD) in the temperature range of 500 ℃ ~750 ℃. The morphologies of CNTs depending on growth temperatures were characterized by scanning electron microscope. The as-grown CNTs were mixed with conductive pastes, then screen-printed on the glass substrate coated with a silver conducting layer to form a FED cathode. The dependence of FED properties on the CNTs growth temperatures was studied by using current-voltage (I-V) and luminescence image measurements. The SEM images shew that with the temperature increasing from 500 ℃ to 700 ℃, the average diameter of CNTs decreased. By the I-V and luminescence image measurements, it was found that the higher growth temperature, the better FED properties, i.e. lower turn-on emission field , higher emission current and more uniform emission.The field emission experiment of the CNTs cathodes indicated that there is an optimal temperature range (600~700 ℃) for CNTs growth and being used as field emission cathode. With good pro- perties , bright and stable anode image was observed in diode mode field emission. These results suggested that CVD grown CNTs could be used for cathode fabrication of large area field emission display.


Monitoring is the core procedure of runtime verification of cyber-physical systems (CPS) and provides an evaluation of a signal with respect to a given specification. For formally specifying requirements with time constraints for CPS, Signal Temporal Logic (STL) is a well-known specification language with powerful semantics. However, with existing semantics of STL it is not feasible to monitor signals with spatial deviation and time delay. Therefore, we introduce STL with Quantitative Interval Semantics to solve this problem. Based on this newly developed semantics, we derived an algorithm called RoMoTeS (Robust Monitoring for Temporal Specifications) to monitor a signal with finite length with respect to an STL formula. It provides a real-valued interval for every point in time, which contains all possible signed distances between the deviation polytope determined by the measured data point (exposed to deviation and delay) and the permissive space specified by an STL specification. Furthermore, it is proven that no satisfaction is reported when the signal is potentially falsifying such a specification. Finally, an automatic transmission controller model was used as a case study to show the applicability and usefulness of the proposed algorithm.


The dynamics of a magnetic particle system consisting of ultrafine Fe-C particles of monodisperse nature has been investigated in a large time window, (cid:49)(cid:48) 2 (cid:57) (cid:49)(cid:48) (cid:52) s, using Mössbauer spectroscopy, ac susceptibility, and zero field cooled magnetic relaxation measurements. By studying two samples from the same dilution series, with concentrations of 5 and (cid:54) 3 (cid:49)(cid:48) 2 (cid:51) vol (cid:37) , respectively, it has been found that dipole-dipole interaction increases the characteristic relaxation time of the particle system at all temperatures investigated. The results for the most concentrated particle assembly are indicative of collective magnetic dynamics and critical slowing down at a finite temperature, (cid:84) (cid:103) (cid:248) (cid:52)(cid:48) K. Close to and below the transition temperature, an aging phenomenon is observed, another manifestation of collective magnetic dynamics. [S0031-9007(97)04826-6]


Objective To further control the indications and to improve the effect of intra-esophageal metallic stents.Methods 83 metallic stents were be planted into esophageal through endoscopy and under X-ray TV guiding using two kinds of stent meterials in 72 cases with benign or maligant stenosis(esophageal,cardiac orifice).Results The operation of planting stents was successful in all patients and the effect of treatment of esophageal stenosis with stents covered by dacron kint membrane was best.The clinical symptoms and food intaking ablities of all patients were improved.Conclusion Home-made nitinol stents can be plant in treatment of malighent esophageal stenosis.It should be first choice for the patients without indications of surgery or after operation.


D w URING and since World War II there has been an increasing use of the azimuthal equidistant projection for world maps, particularly maps of air routes. The azimuthal equidistant projection is by no means an innovation, however; since its invention by Guillaume Postel in I58i it has been used frequently. The usual forms of the projection are the North Polar and an oblique centered on a national capital London, Washington, Berlin, Moscow, and so on. Examples are noted in the Appendix. A great deal has been written on the subject of "Air Age" cartography, but the one thing that apparently has not been said of the azimuthal equidistant projection is that its properties are not unique, and that there is in fact another projection which is essentially both azimuthal and equidistant about a given point.' This is theplate carree, or simple cylindrical, the simplest of all projections, the graticule of which can be constructed merely by numbering the lines on a sheet of graph paper to represent meridians and parallels. Both the azimuthal equidistant and the plate carree are extreme cases of the simple conic projection, representing, respectively, the cone flattened out to a plane tangent to the sphere at latitude goo and the cone steepened into a cylinder tangent to the sphere along the equator. It is found that these related projections, like similar groups such as the stereographic, the Lambert conical orthomorphic, and the Mercator, have some common properties.2 On a polar azimuthal equidistant map the meridians are equispaced great circles radiating outward from one of the poles and the parallels are concentric distance circles that can be numbered from o? to i80?. On the plate carree or any other cylindrical projection these equispaced great-circle azimuths from the pole appear as equispaced parallel lines. The scale of longitude along the top and bottom edges of the normal case of a cylindrical projection indicates the azimuth from the projection pole of all places along each meridian. Similarly, the latitude scale along the left and right edges, if


In recent years, with the rapid development of the e-commerce industry, it is no longer an empty talk to buy everything at home. The role of the express delivery industry in this process is very important. Reasonable selection of express outlets can reduce their operating costs. The widespread use of intelligent express cabinets can effectively improve the service quality of the last kilometer of express delivery, and also improve the delivery efficiency. Through the study of the joint distribution model, this paper compares the third-party joint distribution model with the joint distribution model of the alliance enterprises. The conclusion is that the integration of some outlets can effectively reduce costs. Then, the K-means clustering model is established to analyze the location selection of the outlets, and the initial clustering center and clustering results are obtained. On this basis, the optimization operation is carried out to obtain the optimal location of the express outlet center, and the number and location of the intelligent express cabinet are analyzed.


This project is about the design of a low-cost water filtration system. I started this project after I realized how many people got sick or died from drinking contaminated water. When I thought about this, I took to mind how many people I could impact using one invention. Filtere is important to people who do not have access to clean drinking water, because clean water is essential to human life. An important feature about Filtere is that it can be used on any type of container of water because of the places I decided to put the technology I used in. Filtere can impact 2 billion people through its potential! The problem I solved was the lack of clean drinking water. This is a major world problem that needs to have a solution quickly or the result will be catastrophic. My goal was to engineer an advanced water filter that could remove all bacteria and germs in water. I solved my problem of making contaminated water drinkable by creating my portable, interchangeable, affordable water filter. My filter is made to fit on top of a water bottle, so that the filter acts as a middleman between the faucet and the bottle, so that it filters the water as it goes through the bottle. You can then take Filtere off the top of the bottle easily for later use. I also kept in mind that the filter would have to be small but effective so that it could fit inside the bottle while filtering water completely. My criteria were as follows: to remove up to 99.99% of bacteria and other harmful particles, to be small and portable for everyday use, to be inexpensive for wide distribution efforts, and to be watertight on behalf of the electronics. My invention demonstrates the importance of STEM. I used science to learn how to remove bacteria from drinking water. I used technology in the creation of Filtere when I looked at different systems such as GAC (Granular Activated Carbon), Ion Exchange, UV lights, and looking at how they could be implemented in Filtere. I used engineering in Filtere by prototyping different designs of Filtere and analyzing the pros and cons of the designs. I applied math when I created Filtere by doing calculations on the pricing and size of Filtere. After extensive research, I developed two prototype designs. The major difference between the two is in the number of filters. The first prototype included only one UV light filter. On the other hand, my second design included three filters (GAC, Ion Exchange, and UV light). I chose the second design to meet my filtration criteria. Hence, Filtere can remove much more germs and particles than otherwise possible.


A full-field perturbation approach [A.N. Ivakin (2016), J. Acoust. Soc. Am., 140(1), 657–665] allows modifying two terms of sonar equation for reverberation in complex environments and waveguides with rough interfaces. The first one describes a two-way transmission loss for the full-field intensity in the vicinity of the interface. The second term is a full-field scattering coefficient related to but different from the conventional scattering cross-section per unit area. In particular, the coefficient has a non-zero limit value at small grazing angles of incident and scattered waves defined by the contrast of acoustic parameters at the interface and the power spectrum of roughness. The modified sonar equation allows extremely fast estimating the long-range reverberation based on only one (central) frequency calculation of the transmission loss averaged over a certain span of ranges defined by the used frequency bandwidth, and only one value of the scattering coefficient (at zero grazing angles). No multip...


Enlightenment, Salvation and Entertainment are three subjects in Chinese literature since 20th century, which have their own peculiar significations respectively. Although they come into being in different periods of Chinese literature history, there are interrelationships among them and characteristics which make them infiltrate each another. The lemmas of Enlightenment and Salvation are targeted at the survival and development of China, while the scientific thoughts in Enlightenment give rise to the creation in Entertainment. Meanwhile Salvation and Entertainment realize their confluence through some literary works.


As part of a study of the effects of porosity on reflectivity the influence of an underlying solid basement on the reflection from the interface between the water and a porous sedimentary structure has been examined analytically and numerical calculations made for various versions of this model. This paper presents the results of two applications of the codes developed. In the first the transmitted pressure field inside a sand sediment, resulting from a source above the water–sediment interface, is calculated and compared with that measured in a recent experiment which appears to demonstrate the Biot slow wave [Boyle and Chotiros, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 91, 2615–2619 (1992)]. The simulation appears to confirm the demonstration of the slow wave in the tank experiment but suggests it is identified with a different feature in the experimental contour plot. In the second example signatures of the vertical component of the seabed displacement are calculated at various ranges from a very low pressure source, in a ...


Student persistence is important for students, faculty, and universities and online faculty mentoring supports student persistence to graduation. The online learning environment is increasingly a choice for more undergraduate students, and it continues to grow in popularity as an attractive option for adults. It is crucial to find ways to increase persistence and graduation especially given the increased use of virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Attrition rates in online learning can be high for a variety of reasons, including persistence and engagement. Faculty mentors in the online environment can strengthen connections and relationships with undergraduate students, and it is important to ask for and evaluate these student perceptions. This mixed methods study surveyed and interviewed undergraduate students in an online university to understand both their experiences with faculty mentoring in the online environment and the potential of a faculty mentor program in a large online university. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of four undergraduate student mentees with their faculty mentor at a large online university using mixed methods research design. In addition, survey data from one department are analyzed to guide future mentoring programs in online learning environments. Findings from the study indicate belief that mentoring and encouragement from faculty would enhance students' scholarly experience. Students indicated they would like to participate in a faculty mentoring program, and it was clear that students welcome and appreciate the opportunity to further cement a professional relationship between themselves and faculty. This article makes a unique contribution to higher education research, providing a potential model for others seeking guidance in mentoring in online higher education. The data analysis and research indicate that a larger scale mentoring program might be more valuable for students.


(1997). Primary ovarian pregnancy associated with mature cystic teratoma. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology: Vol. 17, No. 5, pp. 499-500.


A high interest in artificial intelligence(AI) worldwide and a proactive effort is being made to develop technologies in this field. This study aims to examine the government's supports and strategies for physical education in Singapore in the era of artificial intelligence. The Singapore government is rapidly reading changes and trends in the future of education and investing a considerable budget in providing extensive support for accelerating the digitization of the education sector using information and communication technologies(ICT in Education) in schools for subjects at all levels. As ICT in Education experts, teachers have made a remarkable contribution to the successful transition of the national education platform for Home-Based Learning by incorporating the technology tools into physical education. Governments and schools are required to continue to focus on new trends and opportunities in applying AI in education, reflect responses and feedback from schools and evaluate the impact of these applications in the future of education. The findings of this study suggest the significance of the impact on student's future and the development of key competencies that government could create by forward-looking the future of education and providing necessary support to schools.


Objective:To study the effect of Mifepristone on adenomyosis.Methods:62 patients with adenomyosis was observed,each received 12.5 mg Mifepristone daily for 3 months.Results:During the treatment with Mifepristone,amenorrhea occurred,hemoglobin was improved,dysmenorrhea was cured and the volume of uterus decreased obviously.Menopause could be seen in perimenopausal women.Even the younger patients could be recurrent after stopng Mifepristone,it was still effective to repeat the therapy.Conclusion:Mifepristone is effective and safty in the treatment of adenomyosis.


A Number of substances is now known which, if administered to mammals immediately prior to exposure to a lethal dose of ionizing radiations, modifies the symptoms of radiation sickness and reduces the subsequent mortality rate (see Bacq and Herve, 1952, for bibliography). One possible mechanism is that the protective agent competes with vital cell constituents for the reactive radicals produced although other modes of action have been suggested. To test if these substances have the common property of high reactivity with X-ray produced radicals, their effectiveness in two in vitro systems was compared, viz:— (i) The degradation of aqueous solutions of high molecular weight polymethacrylic acid (P.M.A.) which is brought about by HO2 radicals (Alexander and Fox, 1952); the evidence for this is that X rays do not degrade in the absence of oxygen (i.e. not by H and OH radicals). HO2 radicals as well as some H2O2 are formed during irradiation in the presence of O2. However HO2 alone does not degrade P.M.A. eve...


An ionic liquid modified carbon paste electrode(IL/CPE) was fabricated with hydrophilic ionic liquid 1-amyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride([AMIM]Cl) as a modifier. The electrochemical behavior of baicalin at the modified electrode and bare carbon paste electrode(CPE) was investigated in a Britton-Robinson(B-R) buffer solution(pH=3.53) by cyclic voltammetry(CV) and square wave voltammetry(SWV), and a novel method for the determination of baicalin in urine and serum samples was thus established. At CPE, the peak-to-peak potential separation(Ep) of baicalin was 0.204V, while at IL/CPE, the Ep decreased to 0.103 V. Furthermore, the current response of baicalin at IL/CPE was 7.1 times of that at CPE. These indicated the IL/CPE possessed an excellent electrocatalytic activity for the redox of baicalin. The electron transfer coefficient and standard rate constant of baicalin at IL/CPE were calculated. In the SWV curves, a linear dependence of oxidation current on baicalin concentration was obtained in the range of 1.0×10-8~2.0×10-6 mol/L(r=0.999 8), with a detection limit of 3.0×10-9 mol/L(S/N=3). The relative standard deviation of 4.0×10-7 mol/L baicalin was 1.3% for 6 consective measurements.


<jats:p>Light nuclei production is expected to be sensitive to baryon density
fluctuations and can be used to probe the signatures of QCD critical
point and/or a first-order phase transition in heavy-ion collisions. In
this proceedings, we present the spectra and yields of protons
(<jats:inline-formula><jats:alternatives><jats:tex-math>\bm{p}</jats:tex-math><mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:mstyle mathvariant="bold"><mml:mi>𝐩</mml:mi></mml:mstyle></mml:math></jats:alternatives></jats:inline-formula>)
and light nuclei (<jats:inline-formula><jats:alternatives><jats:tex-math>\bm{d}</jats:tex-math><mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:mstyle mathvariant="bold"><mml:mi>𝐝</mml:mi></mml:mstyle></mml:math></jats:alternatives></jats:inline-formula>,
<jats:inline-formula><jats:alternatives><jats:tex-math>\bm{t}</jats:tex-math><mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:mstyle mathvariant="bold"><mml:mi>𝐭</mml:mi></mml:mstyle></mml:math></jats:alternatives></jats:inline-formula>,
<jats:inline-formula><jats:alternatives><jats:tex-math>\bm{^{3}\mathrm{He}}</jats:tex-math><mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:mstyle mathvariant="bold"><mml:msup><mml:mi /><mml:mn>3</mml:mn></mml:msup><mml:mstyle mathvariant="normal"><mml:mi>H</mml:mi><mml:mi>e</mml:mi></mml:mstyle></mml:mstyle></mml:math></jats:alternatives></jats:inline-formula>,
<jats:inline-formula><jats:alternatives><jats:tex-math>\bm{^{4}\mathrm{He}}</jats:tex-math><mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:mstyle mathvariant="bold"><mml:msup><mml:mi /><mml:mn>4</mml:mn></mml:msup><mml:mstyle mathvariant="normal"><mml:mi>H</mml:mi><mml:mi>e</mml:mi></mml:mstyle></mml:mstyle></mml:math></jats:alternatives></jats:inline-formula>)
in Au+Au collisions at <jats:inline-formula><jats:alternatives><jats:tex-math>\bm{\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}}</jats:tex-math><mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:mstyle mathvariant="bold"><mml:msqrt><mml:msub><mml:mi>𝐬</mml:mi><mml:mstyle mathvariant="normal"><mml:mi>N</mml:mi><mml:mi>N</mml:mi></mml:mstyle></mml:msub></mml:msqrt></mml:mstyle></mml:math></jats:alternatives></jats:inline-formula>
= 3 GeV by the STAR experiment. Finally, it is found that the kinetic
freeze-out dynamics (temperature <jats:inline-formula><jats:alternatives><jats:tex-math>\bm{T_{kin}}</jats:tex-math><mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:mstyle mathvariant="bold"><mml:msub><mml:mi>𝐓</mml:mi><mml:mrow><mml:mi>𝐤</mml:mi><mml:mi>𝐢</mml:mi><mml:mi>𝐧</mml:mi></mml:mrow></mml:msub></mml:mstyle></mml:math></jats:alternatives></jats:inline-formula><jats:inline-formula><jats:alternatives><jats:tex-math>\bm{vs.}</jats:tex-math><mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:mstyle mathvariant="bold"><mml:mi>𝐯</mml:mi><mml:mi>𝐬</mml:mi><mml:mi>.</mml:mi></mml:mstyle></mml:math></jats:alternatives></jats:inline-formula>
average radial flow velocity <jats:inline-formula><jats:alternatives><jats:tex-math>\langle\beta_{T}\rangle</jats:tex-math><mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:mrow><mml:mo stretchy="false" form="prefix">⟨</mml:mo><mml:msub><mml:mi>β</mml:mi><mml:mi>T</mml:mi></mml:msub><mml:mo stretchy="false" form="postfix">⟩</mml:mo></mml:mrow></mml:math></jats:alternatives></jats:inline-formula>)
at <jats:inline-formula><jats:alternatives><jats:tex-math>\bm{\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}}</jats:tex-math><mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:mstyle mathvariant="bold"><mml:msqrt><mml:msub><mml:mi>𝐬</mml:mi><mml:mstyle mathvariant="normal"><mml:mi>N</mml:mi><mml:mi>N</mml:mi></mml:mstyle></mml:msub></mml:msqrt></mml:mstyle></mml:math></jats:alternatives></jats:inline-formula>
= 3 GeV extracted with the blast-wave model deviate from the trends at
high energies (<jats:inline-formula><jats:alternatives><jats:tex-math>\bm{\sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}}</jats:tex-math><mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:mstyle mathvariant="bold"><mml:msqrt><mml:msub><mml:mi>𝐬</mml:mi><mml:mstyle mathvariant="normal"><mml:mi>N</mml:mi><mml:mi>N</mml:mi></mml:mstyle></mml:msub></mml:msqrt></mml:mstyle></mml:math></jats:alternatives></jats:inline-formula>
= 7.7 - 200 GeV), indicating a different medium equation of state.</jats:p>


This paper proposes a new converter for photovoltaic water pumping and treatment systems without the use of storage elements. The converter is designed to drive a three-phase induction motor directly from PV solar energy. The use of this motor has the objective of presenting a better solution to the standard DC motor water pumping system. The development is oriented to achieve a commercially viable solution and a market friendly product. The converter topology is based on a Resonant Two Inductor Boost converter and a Three-phase Voltage Source inverter achieving 90% efficiency at a rated power of 210W. The total cost of the proposed converter is below US$ 91.00 and the system is expected to have high lifetime, due to the inexistence of electrolytic capacitors.


This paper explores how I used personal construct theory (PCT) to underpin an intervention I designed and delivered to improve organizational effectiveness. The aim was to help improve the poor relationship between one of the teams in the organization I work for and representatives of their American customer which was adversely affected by cultural misunderstanding. I used a variety of tools and techniques to help individuals explore their understanding of each other's beliefs, values and language and its impact on the relationship. Delegates embarked on a journey that took them from the generic macro level of cultural stereotypes and perceptions to the micro-level of what these actually meant in their individual relationships. PCT provides a strong, robust framework for understanding one another's world from within. Because it is based on a strong theoretical base it provides guidelines within which the practitioner can, effectively and efficiently, work.


Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) is a biopolymer that can be degraded by extracellular PHB depolymerase. This enzyme is secreted by various microorganisms, but bacterial PHB depolymerases are the most widely studied. The biodegradability rate depends on various factors. By controlling them, the biodegradability rate can change and be customized, and thus, the applications of the polymer can increase and become more diverse. In this work, the role of organomodified montmorillonite (OMMT) on PHB biodegradation was investigated. Using the melt-mixing method, nanocomposites of PHB and OMMT as the nanofiller were prepared. The enzyme was isolated from the fungus Penicillium pinophilum and the enzymatic degradation was studied for both pure polymer and its nanocomposites. It was found that, after 25 days of enzymatic degradation, the mass loss was very low, while the polymer's average molecular weight as measured by gel permeation chromatography was significantly reduced (more than 50%). Additional peaks corresponding to PHB oligomers (from pentamers to nonamers) appeared after biodegradation. This behavior was observed for pure PHB and the hybrid materials. Scanning electron microscopy imaging of the biodegraded surfaces and analysis of these images showed that the higher amount of nanoclay (10 wt %) resulted in larger biodegraded area of the specimens. The results presented here demonstrate that the presence of the nanoclays enhances the biodegradation rate of pure PHB polymer and provide quantitative data for the biodegradation of PHB/organoclay hybrid materials. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41656.


This viewgraph presentation gives an overview on recent improvements in the Finite Difference Navier Stokes (FDNS) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code and its associated process. The development of a utility, PreViewer, has essentially eliminated the creeping of simple human error into the FDNS Solution process. Extension of PreViewer to encapsulate the Domain Decompression process has made practical the routine use of parallel processing. The combination of CVS source control and ATS consistency validation significantly increases the efficiency of the CFD process.


This paper presents a very thorough experimental investigation of a supersonic turbine cascade with thick trailing edges designed for trailing edge ejection of cooling air. Experiments were performed on a supersonic turbine cascade designed for a deflection of 135 deg and outlet Mach number 1.2. The blade section was designed for high rates of cooling air flow, the cooling air being ejected through a slot in a relatively thick trailing edge. Results were obtained for both the blown cascade and the equivalent cascade with solid trailing edges. The flow was found to be substantially different from that assumed in the design method, the effect of reduced base pressure at the trailing edges being especially important. Theoretical considerations lead to an improved model of the flow and in particular the high total pressure loss measured experimentally is largely explained.Copyright © 1974 by ASME


Loess-paleosol sequences are the most intensively studied terrestrial archives used for the reconstruction of Late Pleistocene environmental and climatic changes in the Azov Sea region, southwest Russia. Here we present a refined chronostratigraphy and a multiproxy record of Late Pleistocene environmental dynamics of the most complete and representative loess–paleosol sequences (Beglitsa and Chumbur-Kosa sections) from the Azov Sea region. We propose a new chronostratigraphy following the Chinese and Danubean loess stratigraphic models that refines the subdivision of the Last Interglacial paleosol (S1) complex in two Azov Sea sites, resolve the uncertainty of the stratigraphic position of the weakly developed paleosol (L1SSm) in Beglitsa section, and allow for direct correlation of the Azov Sea sections with those in the Danube Basin and the Chinese Loess Plateau. More importantly, it may serve as a basis for better constraining local and regional chronostratigraphic correlations, and facilitate the interpretation of climatic connections and possible forcing mechanisms responsible for the climatic trends in the region. In addition, a general succession of environmental dynamics is reconstructed from these two vital sections, which is broadly consistent with other loess records in the Dnieper Lowland and Lower Danube Basin, demonstrating similar climatic trends at Glacial–Interglacial time scales. Furthermore, our results have important implications for the chronostratigraphic representativeness of Beglitsa as a key regional loess section and for the reconstruction of the temporal and spatial evolution of Late Pleistocene climate in the Azov Sea region.


OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the effects of bolt torque, wire size, and component reuse on the ability to maintain wire tension in 3 external skeletal fixation systems.

STUDY DESIGN
Biomechanical study.

METHODS
Yield strength in tension of 1.0-, 1.2-, 1.5-, and 1.6-mm-diameter wires, and yield strength in torque of Hofmann Small Bone Fixation (SBF) cannulated and slotted bolts and IMEX regular and miniature bolts were determined on a testing machine. The minimum bolt tightening torque needed to prevent wire slippage at clinically recommended wire tensions was determined. Components were tested 10 times, and loads at slippage were recorded.

RESULTS
The IMEX system required a mean of 8 Nm of bolt tightening torque to maintain 900 N (1.6-mm wires). The SBF system required a mean of 3 Nm bolt torque to maintain 300 N (1.0-mm wires) and 5 Nm to maintain 600 N (1.2-mm wires). The SBF cannulated bolt required 9 Nm of torque to maintain 900 N (1.5-mm wires). The SBF slotted bolts could only maintain 800 N before yield. The IMEX miniature system required a mean bolt torque of 1.1 Nm to maintain 300 N. The cannulated and slotted bolts from both manufacturers failed to maintain 70% of initial wire tension after 7 and 4 uses, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS
The IMEX systems and the SBF system using 1.0- and 1.2-mm wires could maintain clinically recommended wire tension safely. Only the IMEX system could maintain clinically recommended wire tension safely using 1.5- or 1.6-mm wires.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE
The SBF system using 1.0- and 1.2-mm wires and the IMEX system using all wire sizes can maintain clinically relevant wire tension. The SBF system using 1.5-mm wires could not. Cannulated and slotted bolts should not be used more than 6 and 3 times, respectively. Nuts should not be reused.


In \cite{GT}, Gentle and Todorov proved that in an abelian category with enough projective objects, the extension subcategory of two covariantly finite subcategories is still covariantly finite. We give an counterexample to show that Gentle-Todorov's theorem may fail in arbitrary abelian categories; we also prove that a triangulated version of Gentle-Todorov's theorem holds; we make applications of Gentle-Todorov's theorem to obtain short proofs to a classical result by Ringel and a recent result by Krause and Solberg.


The sustainable development of migration is indispensable for the social stabilization and flourish in Three Gorges reservoir region. It is very necessary to make a thorough research and inquiry about the content of the sustainable development in Three Gorges reservoir region, the relationship between the sustainable development and the later stage support ,and the way to realize sustainable development through propping up after emigrating .This will help the migrants to realize their flourish and promote the propulsion work. At the same time , it will have an instructive effect on promoting the work of later stage support in theory and practice .


Doctrines of pre-Qin scholars are possessed of a sublime status in history of Chinese thought,exerting a far-reaching impact upon different fields in later dynasties.The present article finds out insights and discourses upon color ascribed to pre-Qin scholars,and explores their theoretical merits.


This thesis provides insight into how the design approach, also known as 'Design Thinking' could be implemented in infrastructure planning processes. This is done with the objective to prevent premature convergence, which means, too early choosing for a solution by which other valuable alternatives are 'killed off.' By preventing premature convergence, the level of integration of infrastructure solutions will improve. The solution space could be enlarged by minimizing constraints, including more actors/stakeholders in the planning proces and providing freedom in the policy planning process.


The Department of Environment and Forestry, Pollution and Environmental Damage Control Division, has an active role in monitoring water quality in Riau Province. The rivers that are still monitored and managed are Kampar River, Siak River and Indragiri River. Division of Environment Pollution calculates river quality status manually using Microsoft Excel, this is not maximally done since this important information should be processed quickly. Division of water pollution must determine the right calculation to get the results of the water quality status. Because of many calculation formulas set by the government, the commonly used method is the STORET method and the Pollution Index. So, in overcoming the problem of classification, the researcher proposes the use of learning methods that can predict or determine the status of water quality with classification techniques on data mining that is Modified K-Nearest Neighbor (MKNN) which is a modification of K-NN. The calculation of the MKNN algorithm produced the highest accuracy of 85.10% at K = 5 using STORET result data as training data. While, using the Pollution Index data results, the highest accuracy is 76.92% at K = 1. Based on the analysis with attribute analysis, the attributes that influence the determination of river water quality are BOD, COD, NH3, Fecal Coli and Total Coli. This result can be taken into consideration by the Division of Environmental Pollution in the process of overcoming and reducing pollutant overload that exceeds quality standards.


145 The main difficulty with the evolution of recombination is that parents who survive to reproduce have a genotype that works under local environmental conditions; tinkering with their offsprings' genotypes by recombination risks making the situation worse, with little hope of making it better. This idea underlies the Reduction Principle: in a constant environment without mutation, only modifier alleles that reduce recombination can invade a randomly mating population at equilibrium1–4. Lower recombination rates evolve whenever there are genetic associations among loci (linkage disequilibria), whether these are positive or negative1–4. Recent models of the evolution of recombination have greatly clarified the conditions under which increased recombination can evolve, especially when the population is changing over time3,5–10. It has long been thought that recombination might help a population keep up with environmental changes by producing novel allelic combinations11–13. It is not true, however, that changing environments always favor increased recombination and the new analyses specify the conditions that must hold for higher rates of recombination to evolve. Here, we highlight some of the important recent results on the evolution of recombination (the interested reader is referred to Refs 4,14–16 for further review).


Heterotopic ossification (HO), which refers to extra‐skeletal pathological bone formation, occurs as a common complication after injury or in genetic disorders. However, limited by poor understanding of the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms, there is currently no effective treatment and surgical eviction often results in recurrence. We have found that in both genetic and injury‐induced HO, activated ectopicexpression of a hedgehog ligand drives HO progression by forming a positive feedback loop with Yap activation that results in non‐cell‐autonomous and self‐propagation of osteoblast differentiation of wild type cells. In mouse models of progressive osseous heteroplasia (POH), a human disease caused by null mutations in GNASthat encodes Gαs, we found previously that Hedgehog signaling was activated, which is both necessary and sufficient to induce HO. We recently further found that progressively expanded ectopic bone was formed by progressively recruited wild type cells. Mechanistically, the Gnas‐/‐mesenchymal cells differentiate into osteoblasts and recruit wild type cells to form bone by activatingexpression of Hedgehog ligands. Secreted Hedgehog further induces Yap activation that directly activating more Hedgehogligand expression in surrounding wild type cells. Activated Yap and Hedgehog signaling induces osteoblast differentiation and this self‐propagating positive feedback loop is both necessary and sufficient for ectopic bone formation and expansion and can act independently of Gαs. Importantly, Hedgehog activation was also found in fibrodysplasia ossificans progressive (FOP), Achilles tendon puncture (ATP)‐induced HO mouse models and in human HO samples. Genetic removal of Hedgehog and Yap abolished HO not only in POH, but also in FOP and acquired HO mouse models. We therefore identify a Hedgehog and Yap‐driven, self‐ amplifying and self‐propagating osteoblast differentiation as a common cellular and molecular mechanism underlying HO initiation and expansion. Our work highlights the importance of rare genetic disease studies in identifying a shared core pathological mechanism underlying a class of diseases. Our results further suggest that the Hedgehog pathway is a promising new therapeutic target for HO without affecting the normal bone.


Radioactive wastes will occur in various parts of the nuclear fuel cycle. These wastes have been classified in this paper as high-level waste, intermediate and low-level waste, cladding hulls, and residues. Solidification methods for each type of waste are discussed in a multiple barrier context of primary waste form, applicable coatings or films, matrix encapsulation, canister, engineered structures, and geological storage. The four major primary forms which have been most highly developed are glass for HLW, cement for ILW, organics for LLW, and metals for hulls.


Closed-form expressions are derived for phase velocity and group velocity in cylindrical and spherical sound waves. These are plotted and compared for orders 0, 1 and 2, but the expressions are general and may be applied to waves of any order. Dispersion characteristics of these waves are examined and discussed. The implications for thermodynamic applicability of the wave equation and for application of Huygens' principle are discussed.


Clouds and cloud shadows often obscure parts of images acquired by optical space-borne sensors. The clouds and cloud shadows need to be detected and labeled as missing data. This enables subsequent methods to make their own decisions about how the missing data should be handled. Here we propose an automatic method to detect daytime cloud and cloud shadows in the context of tropical forest monitoring. In particular, we focus on Landsat 5 TM and Landsat 7 ETM+ images. In addition to the original bands, we investigate the use of additional spectral-derived features, based on pixel-wise differences, ratios, and maximum values derived for all combinations of pairs of top-of-the atmosphere reflectance bands. The subset of features retained for classification, and the boundaries of the classes in the feature space, were identified by optimizing the accuracy of the proposed method using samples collected from spatially disjoint scenes, acquired in different time periods, in an attempt to increase the generalization capability of the proposed approach when applied to unseen scenes. When a new image is to be classified, the idea is to first segment it locally using the Statistical Region Merging algorithm (Nock and Nielsen, 2004). Cloud and cloud shadow masks are then obtained by classifying the averaged pixel values, inside each segment, instead of individual pixels. Finally a simple cloud shape matching algorithm is used to reduce false detection of cloud shadow areas. We found that the proposed object-based technique reduces the spatial noise of the final classified map when compared to traditional single pixel classification. The accuracy of the proposed method appears to be comparable to two alternative algorithms selected for benchmark purposes.


The Automatic Tire Location is one of the newest technologies applied in the direct TPMS. The Automatic Tire Location is based on 3-D near field single source location, and is realized by 2-D LF receiving antenna,LF waken-up module and 3-D sending antenna. The 2-D LF receiving antenna and LF waken-up module are installed in tire, while the 3-D sending antenna is installed in the Central monitor module. The application of the technology can avoid the problem of setting up parameter once again when displacing tire location. The technology raises the intelligence of TPMS, and has the characteristic of simple realization.


The model of heterogeneous wireless networks was analyzed and a hybrid routing schema based on MANET stable enclosure was proposed.This schema could transform the routing protocol between MANET and DTN based on the local topology in real time.In the stable enclosure,AODV was used to improve packet relaying efficiency.When packet relayed to the disconnected area,the routing protocol transcended to Prophet to avoid routing failed.It fully used the advantage of MANET and DTN routing protocol.The feasibility of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated,and it is more efficient than the other DTN routing protocols used in the heterogeneous wireless networks.


Potatoes, cv. Sebago, grown for the first time in a small paddock at Barrington Tops following improved pasture, were severely infected with Spongospora subterranea. No evidence for infection of the seed tubers used to plant this area was found. Bioassays for S. subterranea on 75 soil samples collected from forest and native pasture areas around the paddock were negative, except for one sample from a depression where water from the infested area would drain. Similar bioassays on 20 soil samples collected from areas of native pasture within the paddock were also negative while bioassays on 20 soil samples from undisturbed improved pasture within the paddock gave a mean infection level of 3.30 powdery scab lesions per tuber. Infection levels in bioassays on ten soil samples from the area planted with potatoes were lower at 0.54 powdery scab lesions per tuber. It is most likely that the fungus was introduced with pasture seed.


The trithiocarbonate 1a reduces the volumetric shrinkage stress in crosslinked multi(meth)acrylate networks by promoting a reversible, free-radical-mediated network rearrangement that enables network adaptation and stress relaxation. Addition of 1a or 1b into a dimethacrylate system is examined by FT-IR. The polymerization rate is reduced in samples containing 1a, indicating a changed polymerization mechanism. The volumetric shrinkage stress is reduced by more than 50% compared to a pure dimethacrylate system with the addition of as little as 2 wt% of 1a, while maintaining the favorable mechanical properties of the methacrylate-crosslinked networks. No synthetic modification of the methacrylate monomer units is needed, allowing for adaptation to almost any radically polymerized system.


In recognizing significant advantages in achieving carbon emission reduction and mitigating variability of renewables, an increasing installation of combined-cycle (CC) units has been observed recently. This new shift in the generation portfolio has urged Independent System Operators (ISO) to continuously enhance CC unit models in their unit commitment (UC) tools, in order to derive physically feasible and operationally reliable unit commitment and generation dispatch schedules of CC units by accurately capturing their operation features. To this end, this paper accurately simulates startup and shutdown processes of individual turbines of a CC unit during the configuration transition procedure. A dynamic ramping model and the corresponding spinning reserve model for individual turbines are also proposed to further enhance the modeling accuracy. A modified IEEE 118-bus system with multiple CC units is adopted to evaluate the proposed models.


Because of historical reasons,there are a great deal of insufficient that the transmission system of the information network exists,and already can't meet the technical development of information and the need of information construction in the mining area.Thinking from the request of fitting the information-based construction and development of mining area,and the demand for the development of information technology in the future.From the following 4 aspects: the communication,computer network,video conference,control,this paper analyzes the actuality and existing problems of transmission system of the information network in Kong-li mining area,also by using advanced communication transmitted equipments and techniques,the quality of transmission system of the information network has been improved obviously.


Recent advances in OCT and multiphoton microscopy have enabled nondestructive monitoring of cell dynamics and distributions in 3-D engineered tissues. Dynamic cell processes including migration, proliferation, and mechanical restructuring are observed during engineered tissue development.


Support vector machines (SVMs) are designed for linearly separating binary classes. Researchers have suggested various approaches, such as the one-versus-rest (1-v-r), one-versus-one (1-v-1) and DAGSVM, for applying SVMs to multi-classification problems. The 1-v-r approach tends to have a large training time, while the 1-v-1 and DAGSVM approaches often store a large number of SVMs. We have recently shown how traditional SVMs can be represented using interval or rough sets. In this paper, we extend the interval set formulation of SVMs to classifications that involve more than two classes that are separated using the 1-v-r approach. Our approach possesses several salient features. The presented work is especially useful for soft margin classifiers. Our approach seeks a balance by reducing the training time while storing fewer rules. Finally, our technique provides a semantic interpretation of the classification process, as opposed to the black-box SVM methods.


We study limitwise monotonic sets and pairs of sets. We investigate the properties of limitwise monotonic reducibility between sets and pairs of sets defined in terms of Σ-reducibility corresponding to initial segment of sets. In addition, we obtain a description of Σ-reducibility of families of a special form in terms of lm-reducibility. At the same time we show the relationship of concepts of lm-reducibility and Σ-reducibility between the pairs of sets. DOI: 10.3103/S1066369X16030117


Correspondence: SV Sinni Department of Obstetrics and gynaecology, Monash University and Southern health, Monash Medical Centre, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia email email@example.com Abstract: This paper reports the development of a clinical audit tool as part of a larger project to evaluate a new maternity service, underpinned by a patient safety framework. Aim: The aim of this work is to describe the development of a clinical audit tool that measures the process of pregnancy care, and its application. Background: There are many reports about outcomes of healthcare provision, however there are limited studies examining the process of care. There is also limited evidence linking clinical audit with improvements in care delivery. Pregnancy care was chosen because there are well defined and agreed clinical standards against which to measure the delivery of pregnancy care. A clinical audit using these standards addresses both gaps in the literature. Methods: Standard methodological processes were used to develop the audit tool. Literature informed the processes. Data were collected in 2009–2010 using the tool described in the paper. Reliability testing was completed in September 2011. Results: An audit tool to measure pregnancy care was developed and applied to 354 health records to enable analysis of adherence to organizational expectations of care. Reliability testing of the tool achieved an overall kappa of 0.896. Conclusion: Developing an audit tool based on processes described in the literature is labor intensive and resource dependent, however it results in a robust, reliable, valid tool that can be used in diverse maternity services. Stakeholder participation from the outset ensures ongoing engagement for the duration of a clinically based project spanning several years.


The discussion focuses on the recently opened "Crystal Wailing Wall" at the Babi Yar memorial complex, an art object created by the famous artist Marina Abramovich. The authors from different analytical positions and from different fields demonstrate the rich interpretative resource of the Wall. Describing various aspects of the composition, the participants of the discussion draw attention to the difficulties associated with both the discussion of the Holocaust and forms of its commemorative representation.


We compute the cobordism rings of the classifying spaces of a certain class of Chevalley groups. In the particular case of the general linear group, we prove that it is isomorphic to the Chow ring.


The experimental results that test Bell's inequality have found strong evidence suggesting that there are nonlocal aspects in nature. Evidently, these nonlocal effects, which concern spacelike separated regions, create an enormous tension between general relativity and quantum mechanics. In addition, by avoiding the coincidence limit, semiclassical gravity can also accommodate nonlocal aspects. Motivated by these results, we study if it is possible to construct geometrical theories of gravitation that are nonlocal in the sense of Bell. We propose three constructions of such theories, which could constitute an important step towards our understanding of the interplay between quantum mechanics and gravitation.


SUMMARY Seventy samples of poultry feeds including «starting» mixed feed, corn, barley, wheat barn, fish-meal and soja, sunflower and colza cakes, were analysed for fungal contamination. Their water activity was also determined. Parellely their activity of water was determined. The total fungal loads in analysed samples varied around 105 cfu/g, while the activity of water varied from 0.73 to 0.83. The identification of 196 isolates of moulds obtenaid revealed that they belonged to 10 different genera. Penicillium and Aspergillus were the most represented (35.7 % and 20.4 %, respectively). The other genera identified were Fusarium, Alternaria, Trichoderma, Cladosporium, Verticillium, Mucor, Rhizopus and Ulocladium. Three out of ten A. flavus Link isolates, were able to produce aflatoxin B1 on rice. One isolate among 4 A. ochraceus Wilhelm and 2 among 14 P. verrucosum produced ochratoxin A on wheat. The toxigenesis of these strains was lower on the substrates from which they had been isolated from than on reference substrate, and even nil on soja. None of the 15 Fusarium roseum isolates produced zearalenon on corn. Cultured on a rich medium containing Yeast Extract and Sucrose, 40 isolates including Penicillium, Aspergillus, Fusarium and Alternaria representatives were able to produce toxic metabolites as revealed by routine biological tests. One of «starting» mixed food was found to be contaminated with 1.4 ppb aflatoxin B1.


Abstract: This research is carried out based on the rise of the Calung Malioboro phenomenon or Punklung, which is popularly seen at stoplight intersections. The research aims to find out the formulation of the Calung Malioboro/ Punklung history by using Maruska Svasek's theory of Transit, Transiton and Transformation. The perspectives of Cultural Hybridity and Performing Arts Management are also applied to analyze the phenomenon. The research methodology is descriptive qualitative analysis, and the data sample used is purposive sampling. The research finds that there is a transformation process from Calung Banyumas to Calung Malioboro or Punklung, by giving attention to the local and global cultures that is evident from the Cultural Hybridity analysis done, and how the stage for the Punklung performance has been created by observing how the Performaing Arts Management has been applied in the musical groups found in each city.Key words: transformastion, calung, punklung, performing arts management, cultural hybridity


Even though carbon steel is susceptible to corrosion degradation, carbon steel is widely used for applications in the industry. Impurities in steel composition are known to affect the mechanical and corrosion properties. There are many studies on the corrosion of steel, but for a specific application, further research still required. The present work is conducted to determine the effect of low concentration of sulfuric acid on the corrosion rate of power plant steel ASTM A213-T12 with a solution concentration from 0.01-0.05 M H2SO4. The corrosion rate was determined by using an immersion test as well as a polarization method using a potentiostat. The result shows that increasing the concentration of sulfuric acid molarity, the corrosion rate tended to increase. Furthermore, the effect of phosphor contents significantly affects the corrosion rate in which steel with high phosphor contents has a high corrosion rate.


The paper considers the payment system of the Kyrgyz Republic in the light of integration into the EAEU. The development of non–cash payment markets in the EAEU member states differs significantly. The level of development of the payment system in Kyrgyzstan is not high; significantly higher levels of this branch development in the union are noted in Russia and Kazakhstan.


Cellulose beads prepared in this report have high porosity (75–80%) and evenly distributed pores. The pore size is about 1000 Å. The cellulose beads are physically strong and contain large amounts of reactive groups, making them suitable for use as carriers for immobilized enzymes.


A bracket driving mechanism for a swivel chair chassis, comprising a chassis (1), a support frame (2) and a warping plate (3); the support frame (2) and the inclined plate (3) are both arranged inside the chassis (1); the middle portion of the inclined plate (3) is hinged to the chassis (1) via a first pin (11); the front portion of the inclined plate (3) is provided with a first connecting rod (13) and a second connecting rod (14); one end of the first connecting rod (13) is hinged to the front end of the inclined plate (3), and the other end of the first connecting rod (13) is hinged to one end of the second connecting rod (14) via a third pin (15), the third pin (15) being connected to the support frame (2); and the other end of the second connecting rod (14) is hinged to the chassis (1) via a second pin (12); track grooves (17) fitted with the first pin (11) and used to guide the movement path of the support frame (2) are symmetrically arranged at two sides of the support frame (2); the first pin (11) passes through the track grooves (17); and the inclined plate (3) rotates and drives the support frame (2) to move along the path of the track grooves (17) via the first connecting rod (13) and the second connecting rod (14). The support frame driving mechanism enables the tilt back and restoring force of a chair back (37) to be correspondingly matched with the weight of a human body, such that a person of either light or heavy weight can easily tilt back and restore to get up.


The results of a study of the anatomy of the stem of Morinda citrifolia L. are described. A preliminary report of the pharmacodynamic study of a 95 per cent alcoholic extract of the root on the isolated uterine horn of an albino rat showed some measure of sedation using doses of 1 to 5,000 to 1 to 36,000. A water decoction of the crude whole root, injected intravenously in the anesthetized dog, in a dose representing 4 Gm. produced a marked lowering of blood pressure which lasted approximately twenty-six minutes. It appears that the hypotensor activity resides in the water-soluble fraction of the root of Morinda citrifolia . The results of in vivo experiments gave evidence of a low order of toxicity of Morinda citrifolia root.


First Person is a series of interviews with the first authors of a selection of papers published in Journal of Cell Science, helping early-career researchers promote themselves alongside their papers. Kazuki Ueda is a joint first author on ' Recruitment of Peroxin 14 to lipid droplets affects lipid storage in Drosophila', published in JCS. Kazuki is a MSc student in the lab of Andrew Simmonds at University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, investigating peroxisome-independent roles of Pex proteins in regulating lipid metabolism.


Crew communication with ground controllers is a source of information for diagnostics of mood, mental performance and mutual understanding within space crew. The article analyzes results of dynamic observation of communication of small groups isolated from the outer world during project SFINCSS-99 performed at RF SSC-IBMP in 1999-2000 with the purpose to simulate life and interrelations within ISS crews. The project evidenced that some communication manners featured personal strategies of adaptation to the extreme conditions. A modified procedure of communication content-analysis proved to be a success in remote psychodiagnostics and to bear promise for analysis of crew personality and inter-relationship during space flight.


In this paper, we analysis the condition of the present in the circulation of agricultural production and point out that present must organize together to achieve the maximal benefit. We give a way to organize the pre- sent to accommodate the circumstances of the circulation of agricultural production.


An asparaginase specific for L-asparagine was purified from Rhodosporidium toruloides CBS14 to apparent homogeneity. The enzyme was associated with L-glutaminase activity (Km, 1.43 × 10−3 M for L-asparagine and 6.45 × 10−3 M for L-glutamine). The enzyme was found to be a homodimer with a subunit molecular mass of 87 kDa. Chemical modification of tryptophan residues significantly reduced both L-asparaginase and L-glutaminase activities of the enzyme, which was prevented by the presence of either of the substrates L-asparagine or L-glutamine. The pH and temperature optima for both activities were 6.35 and 37 °C. The enzyme was serologically identical with the asparaginases of some of the other Rhodotorula and Rhodosporidium yeasts but was distinct from the asparaginase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.Key words: asparaginase, glutaminase, Rhodosporidium toruloides.


#### What you need to know

A woman's lifetime risk of surgery for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is 12-19% with over 300 000 prolapse surgeries performed annually in the US alone.1 2 3 POP accounts for about 15-18% of hysterectomies, and uterovaginal prolapse is the most common indication for hysterectomy in postmenopausal women.4 About one in 12 women living in the community in the UK report symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse.5

POP is the downward decent of the female pelvic organs (vagina, uterus, bladder, and/or rectum) into or through the vagina. This review provides an evidence based update on the epidemiology, evaluation, and management of this condition.

Loss of vaginal or uterine support is seen in up to 30-76% of women presenting for routine gynaecology care, with 3-6% of those with descent beyond the vaginal opening (that is, level of the hymen).6 7 8 One population based study found that about 3% of 1961 adult women surveyed reported symptomatic vaginal bulging.9

Prolapse of the anterior vaginal wall, or cystocele, is the most common form of POP, detected twice as often as posterior vaginal prolapse (that is, the rectocele), and three times more common than apical prolapse (uterine and/or post-hysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse) (fig 1⇓).10 11 However in most cases of symptomatic POP, prolapse of multiple segments of the vagina are …