Preserved and protected within the territory of the Kamyanska Sich National Nature Park areas of psammophytic steppe are natural habitats of the highly specialized and stenotopic northern mole vole Ellobius talpinus. Studies of recent settlements of the species have revealed their strong preference for slopes of riparian balkas and upper terraces of the Kamiansko-Mylivska section of the Kakhovka Reservoir covered with psammophytic vegetation. As places for colonies, these rodents definitely prefer dry loess-sandy soils of light composition, avoiding shrubbery and dense grass due to the danger of disguising in them flying and terrestrial predators. A total of 14 "living" colonies of the northern mole vole were registered, 9 of which were defined as small-family settlements (less than 100 m2). The other five colonies had a clearly multi-family structure and a large area (680–1720 m2), within which spatially isolated clusters of emissions were traced hypothetically perceived as separate family constructions (up to 270 m2). According to these landmarks, some large settlements contained 3 to 9 networks of family burrows located at a distance of 57 to 106 m. Five small uninhabited settlements (45–70 m2) were also recorded with signs of last year emissions. These settlements were located on the periphery of large colonies, 108–219 m far from the nearest emissions of "living" settlements. Estimates of the total number of inhabitants of the 14 "living" settlements in the territory of the Kamianska Sich National Nature Park range from 50 to 200 individuals. As of July 2021, the number of reproductive adults in the registered colonies of the species is 40–50, while the number of young of the current year of birth should be estimated at least 100–120 individuals. Colonies of the northern mole vole are characterized by the presence in their vicinities of spring ephemeroids such as T. hypanica, T. schrenkii, B. versicolor, and C. reticulatus, which are indicator species of primary virgin steppe biotopes. The results of surveys of northern mole vole colonies and ecological assessments of protected natural habitats of the Kamianska Sich National Nature Park provide grounds for a favourable prognosis of further preservation of the last range segment of the species in the territory of Right-Bank Ukraine.


Based on the field experiment and observation in the southern margin of the Gurbantunggut Desert,the characteristics of the snow distribution and snowmelt water storage in the sand soil,the efficiency of the snowfall water translated to soil water are analyzed and calculated.The main results including:(1) the snow in Gurbantonggut Desert belongs to "Dry-cold type" snow with low density.Based on snow depth,snow density and snow water equivalent,3 different periods of snow season are divided.There are snow accumulation period,snow maintenance period and snow melt period.The average snow density is changed between 0.14 to 0.27 g/cm3 in different period,and the average snow depth is 20 cm to 30 cm in general.(2) Spatial differences are existed for the snow-cover distribution.There are no regularity for the snow depths variation in the top,hill and foot of sand dunes.Compared with the topography,the main desert shrub—Haloxylon ammodendron with sparseness distribution has more evident effect for the snow-cover depth variation.(3) Vertical infiltration is the mainly hydrological process of the snowmelt water.There are no surface water delay and confluence process in the desert regions.The depth of wetted soil of the snowmelt water is about 40 cm to 80 cm.the wetted layer in top is deeper than flat land between sand dunes.(4) there is high water transfer and storage efficiency for the snowfall.78.8% to 92.0% of the snowfall water is transferred to the soil water.It is considered that the cold climate,sand dune topography,limited snowfall,low soil water content before the snowmelt and the high infiltration capacity are the main reason for the vertical infiltration and the high water transferred efficiency of the snowmelt water.


In crop modeling and yield predictions, the heterogeneity of agricultural landscapes is usually not accounted for. This heterogeneity often arises from landscape elements like forests, hedges, or single trees and shrubs that cast shadows. Shading from forested areas or shrubs has effects on transpiration, temperature, and soil moisture, all of which affect the crop yield in the adjacent arable land. Transitional gradients of solar irradiance can be described as a function of the distance to the zero line (edge), the cardinal direction, and the height of trees. The magnitude of yield reduction in transition zones is highly influenced by solar irradiance—a factor that is not yet implemented in crop growth models on a landscape level. We present a spatially explicit model for shading caused by forested areas, in agricultural landscapes. With increasing distance to forest, solar irradiance and yield increase. Our model predicts that the shading effect from the forested areas occurs up to 15 m from the forest edge, for the simulated wheat yields, and up to 30 m, for simulated maize. Moreover, we estimated the spatial extent of transition zones, to calculate the regional yield reduction caused by shading of the forest edges, which amounted to 5% to 8% in an exemplary region.


This study examines the perceptions of Malaysian palm oil managers regarding the impact of implementing various CSR initiatives for stakeholder groups on firms' nonfinancial performance. The stakeholder groups are investors, customers, suppliers, communities and the environment. The nonfinancial performance is measured by research and development, market development, market size and personnel development. Mailed questionnaires were used and 54 estate managers participated in the study. The results show a relatively moderate level of CSR implementation in the palm oil industry. The mean scores range from the lowest of 3.00 (communities' protection) to the highest of 3.79 (suppliers' pricing practices). The study reveals that managers perceived only CSR initiatives toward investors (s = 0.494, p


In this paper, changes of the micro-climatic characteristics in paddy field with the growth of paddy rice are investigated. This study was carried out in the paddy field of Kantc-Tozan Agricultural Experiment Station at Konosu, Saitama prefecture. The measurement was carried out at three periods, that is, the incipiency of tillering (July 20-21), the most prosperous period of tillering (August 9-10) and the adult period (October 24-26) as shown in Tab. 1. The conditions of paddy rice at each stage are described in Tab. 1. The items, points and methods of investigation at each period are given in Tab. 2.The results form this experiment are as follows.(1) Some samples of typical vertical distribution of temperature in the day time and the night at each growing period of paddy rice are shown in Fig. 1. It was recognized that the vertical temperature distributions in the day time, which we commonly say, "the incoming radiation type", at the incipiency and at the most prosperous period of tillering were of the same type, but that of the adult period showed different type as the irrigation water disappeared. On the outgoing radiation type, that is, the vertical temperature distribution in the night, peak of minimum air tempearture at the most luxuriant part of rice was found clearly, in comparison with the incoming radiation type.(2) From Tab. 1 and Fig. 1, it is clearly recognized that the height to the most luxuriant part of paddy rice from the water surface coincides with the height where the peak of the maximum air temperature in the day time occurred. But the height of the maximum air temperature at the adult stage was found far above in comparison with that at the most prosperous period of tillering, because the part near the spikes of rice become the most luxuriant part at the adult stage.(3) The thermal diffusibility (α2) and the daily-range decreasing index (P) in the earth at each growing period were calculated as shown in Tab. 3. At the incipiency of tillering and at the most prosperous period of tillering, the values of α2 has a tendency, such that the surface layer (0-5cm) shows lower value than underlying layer (5-10cm), but at the adult period it shows reverse tendency.(4) The diurnal range of temperature at each period and position are shown in Fig. 2. It was found that at the incipiency of tillering the irrigation water had stronger influence upon the microlimatic characteristics, in comparison with the most prosperous period of tillering, the most luxuriant layer of paddy rice had larger influence.(5) Calculated from the distribution of wind velocity at the most prosperous period of tillering in paddy field, α (=h/Z0) is found to be 0.35-0.39 in comparison with 0.44 by Inoue and Tani.


In order to evaluate effects of plant density and planting date on quality properties of grass pea (Lathyrus
sativus L.), a factorial experiment was conducted during 2008, based on complete randomized block design with
four replications in Research Farm of Faculty of Agriculture, the University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran. Plants
were planted at March 5 and 20, and Apr 3, with 30, 40, 50 and 60 pl m-2. Delaying in planting and/or increasing
plant density caused protein content per grain dry matter to be reduced. There was a negative correlation
between grain protein percentage and grain ash content. The highest grain ash percentage (4.3%) was observed
in the last planting date. Tannin content reduced significantly with delaying in planting date, from 0.32% in
March 5 to 0.14% in Apr 3planting dates, and showed a negative correlation with ash content. Seed energy
content also was reduced with delaying in planting date and/or increasing in density, and showed a positive
correlation with seed protein percentage. It seems early planting of grass pea with a density of 40-50 pl m-2
results in a high quality seed yield.


The acidity of methyl protons in the 18-electron cationic complexes [MCp*Cp]1PF and [MCp]+PF (M = Co or Rh, Cp = η5-C5H5, Cp* = η5- C5Me5) has been used for novel syntheses of starburst organometallic complexes. [CoCp*Cp]+PF was deprotonated at −30 °C with Si2Me6NK (1 equiv) in THF to give the fulvene complex [CoICp(η4-C5Me4CH2)]. This was not stable at 20°C, but was characterized by 1H and 13C NMR at −30 °C. The complexes [MCp*Cp]+PF (M = Co or Rh) reacted with excess base (KOH or tBuOK) and alkyl halides (RX = CH3I, C2H5I, CH2CHCH2Br, or PhCH2Br) to give decasubstituted complexes (i.e., two hydrogens of each methyl group are replaced by two R groups). Distinct endo and exo alkyl groups are observed in the new complexes by NMR at room temperature. Coalescence occurs at higher temperatures; this indicates that the bulky alkyl groups are rotating. The calculated activation parameters (ΔG≠) are 71.3±0.8, 70.3±0.8, and 81.0±0.8 kJmol−1 for [Co(C5iPr5)Cp]+PF, [Rh(C5iPr5)-Cp]+PF (in C6D5NO2), and [Co{C5-(CHEt2)5}Cp]+PF6 (in o-C6H4Cl2), respectively. The single directionality of these ligands is confirmed by the X-ray crystal structure of [Co(C5iPr5)Cp]+PF6. This structure clearly shows the "paddle wheel" conformation adopted in the C5iPr5 ligand, due to steric hindrance between adjacent isopropyl groups and the staggered conformation of the two rings. The relative E° values measured by cyclic voltammetry show that the electron-donating properties of the new C5(CHR2)5 ligand are between those of C5H5 and C5Me5- With the decamethylcobalticinium salt [CoCp]+PF, the permethylation reactions with base and CH3 I did not go to completion, even under forcing conditions and with repeated reaction (the maximum number of methyl groups introduced was 14). On the other hand, [RhCp]+PF, in which the distance between rings is larger than in the Co analogue, reacted with excess KOH and CH3I to give [Rh(C5iPr5)2]+PF6 in 55% yield; only one diastereoisomer was detected by NMR (ΔG≠ = 85.5±0.8 kJ mol−1 in C6D5NO2). The C5iPr5 sandwich complexes are extremely robust, even at the 19-electron (CoII) stage. The 20-electron K+ salt of the CoI anion was regiospecifically protonated by H2O at the Cp ligand to give [Co(C5iPr5)(η4-C5H6)] and was decomplexed at 190°C to K+(C5iPr5)−.


Objetives: Investigate the scientific production developed under the Post Graduated Stricto Sensu Program in Gerontology (PPGG) at the Catholic University of Brasilia (UCB), taking into account teachers and students, since the program's creation (2003) until 2014. Methods: Documentary, with consultation to the archives of the Academic Secretary of the Post-Graduation at UCB, taking the data reported to the annual CAPES through the Coleta (by the year 2012) and the Sucupira platform (from 2013). Results: 193 dissertations were defended in the period 2004-2014, which turned into 1,102 bibliographic productions, including publications in periodics, books, chapters and work presentations, among others, averaging more than 100 annual productions. The teachers were productions of 1774, with an annual average above 161 productions. Conclusions: The program has been reached large number of publications. Continuous effort should be made, jointly between teachers and students, in order to reach increasingly higher quality publications, disseminating them in journals classified as A in the Qualis CAPES, in order to significantly contribute to the expansion of knowledge in the field of Brazil's Gerontology.


As a reason that ecological aesthetics is bound to agree with the contemporary aesthetics of beings theory, we propose the idea of aesthetic conceptions of eco-beings theory. Moreover, the deeper study of this idea will help the aesthetic discipline of our country to break-through the thinking modes of binary opposition of subject and object and the principle of man-centrism, to the realization of the transition from epistemology to beings theory, and from European-centrism to Sino-western equal negotiation.


Effects of nitrogen concentration profiles in HfO/sub x/N/sub y/ on the electrical properties of metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) devices were investigated. The nitrogen concentration profiles in HfO/sub x/N/sub y/ gate dielectric was adjusted by sputtering the Hf target in ambient of modulated nitrogen flow. The trapped charges in HfO/sub x/N/sub y/ dielectric are positive. The current-conduction mechanisms of HfO/sub x/N/sub y/ film at the low- and high-electrical field are dominated by Schottky emission and Frenkel-Poole emission, respectively. The mechanism relevant to the relatively larger stress induced leakage current (SILC) at low electrical fields can be explained by the trap-assisted tunneling. On the other hand, the relatively smaller leakage current found at high electric fields can be attributed to the electron trapping in bulk defects. Smaller flat-band voltage shift and SILC are observed for devices with HfO/sub x/N/sub y/ dielectric containing more nitrogen at the dielectric/Si interface or/and less bulk nitrogen, which can be attributed to less interface strain/stress and bulk trap. Electrical characterization of high-k MOSFET was performed by charge-pumping and charge separation techniques. Some interesting results are quite different from those generally observed in SiO: MOSFETs.


: This paper arises out of the emerging interest in neuroscience within the field of education. The aim is to report on the current state of neuroscientific research that can be applied to education, grasp the reason for its presence in society and in education, and explore what educational neuroscience is, where it comes from and what its main principles are for education: to understand the propositional value of teaching and learning activities rooted in knowledge of the brain. Sound reasoning based on these principles will also help to refute some of the «neuromyths» or misconceptions about the brain in the field of education. Lastly, the paper explores the role of educational neuroscience in the face of learning disabilities and examines the role and functions of the neuroeducator.


Background: The possible role of ML-IAP in regulating MAPK signaling and cell migration is examined. Results: ML-IAP directly binds to C-RAF and targets it for proteasomal degradation. Loss of ML-IAP leads to an increase in MAPK activity and cell migration. ML-IAP interacts directly with XIAP. Conclusion: ML-IAP regulates C-RAF stability and cell migration. Significance: There is a novel role of ML-IAP in regulating cell migration and MAPK signaling. IAPs exist in heteromeric complexes and regulate C-RAF stability. Inhibitor of apoptosis (IAPs) proteins are characterized by the presence of evolutionarily conserved baculoviral inhibitor of apoptosis repeat (BIR) domains, predominantly known for their role in inhibiting caspases and, thereby, apoptosis. We have shown previously that multi-BIR domain-containing IAPs, cellular IAPs, and X-linked IAP can control tumor cell migration by directly regulating the protein stability of C-RAF kinase. Here, we extend our observations to a single BIR domain containing IAP family member melanoma-IAP (ML-IAP). We show that ML-IAP can directly bind to C-RAF and that ML-IAP depletion leads to an increase in C-RAF protein levels, MAPK activation, and cell migration in melanoma cells. Thus, our results unveil a thus far unknown role for ML-IAP in controlling C-RAF stability and cell migration.


This study estimates the sanitation coverage and mvestigates impact of the participation in development program on the sarutaUon behavior in rural Bangladesh. Findings reveal that nearly a quarter of the study population has been usmg sanitary latrines though there are differences in use in terms of age, sex, education, occupation, land size and involvement with credit based development program. The multivariate analysis reveals that households involved with BRAe program are 3.66 times more likely to use sanitary latrine (p<.OI) than those who are socioeconomically similar with BRAe members but not involved in such program controlling for education and occupation of the household head. When other factors such as religion, ov"nership of land, housing condition, level of media exposure and the presence of BRAe programs are systematically added to the regression equation, the role of BRAe on sanitation behavior is still found significant. The study argues that social and behavioral aspects of the organized development program in rural Bangladesh can significantly increase safe sanitation practice in a traditional society. Introduction Although Bangladesh is committed to provide safe drinking water and sanitary facilities to all its population by the year 2000, the perfonnance in providing safe sanitation in the rural areas has been far behind the target. A large proportion of the population living in Bangladesh is still deprived of having access to hygienic and safe sanitary facilities Among them, the poor suffer the most because they lack both the means to get such facilities and knowledge on how to minimize the negative effects of the unsanitary environment. The sanitation coverage m Bangladesh was only 2% in 1980-81 that reached to 35% in 1995 (Dodge. 1995: Hasan. 1995) Sanitation was usually understood to mean sewerage which \\as very expensive and not affordable to low-income countries (Marais. 1973). But the awareness of 445 unconventional approach and that sanitation has a social dimension has increasingly becoming more widespread. Thus, although the sanitation coverage in Bangladesh has increased in recent years. providing sanitation services for all by the year 2000 appears to be an unattainable dream (Heijnen, 1995). It appears that during the last decade. the provision of safe drinking water received priority budget allocations over the construction of sanitary latrine for the rural poor (Dodge. 1995). The role of NGOs in expanding safe sanitation coverage in Bangladesh has been remarkable. As many as 300 non-government organizations (NGOs) such as BRAC, Grameen Bank. CARITAS, Proshika. CONCERN. VERC, etc. are now involved in implementing the nationv.ide sanitation program (Shailo. 1995). This report presents the sanitation coverage and its socioeconomic differentials, and examines the role of credit based development program of BRAC in raising the use of sanitary latrines in the rural areas of Bangladesh. Methodology BRAC has a nationally representative intensive monitoring system, known as Watch. in 70 \iUages located in ten districts of Bangladesh. The Watch documents the changes in social life of the community as a result of development programs in such areas as credit-based income generating activities, essential health care for the poor, and legal and social awareness for women. A total of 1.556 household heads was randomly selected and interviewed in October 1995. Nearly a third of the sample households had participated either in BRAe's Rural Development Program (RDP) or credit-based income generating projects operated by other ~GOs while the other two-third households were not involved with such Interventions. In our analysis. the non-program households are categorized into target and non-target based on their WatchRepon __ ~ ___________________________________________________________________ Q] ,~igibility to be involved \\ith the credit-based development program. This made the study to be based upon a four-cell experunental design wherein 16 percent of all sample households had credit support from BRAC onlv about 24 percent received services from other NGOs: 'nearh 19 percent of credit eligible households never received anv support. and the remaining 41 percent households wer~ non-eligible b~tter-off households of the study area. Table I. Percent of households using types of latrine by development program Type of Latrine Development Program Sanitary Pit Open No Fixed All 24.8 11.0 40.2 24.0 Village BRAe 27.4 13.7 44.2 14.7 Non-BRAe 18.6 4.4 30.5 46.5 NGO Involvement Program BRAe only 27.0 10,2 52.5 10.2 OtherNGOs 20.9 12.2 37.8 29. I Non Program Target 8.4 12.7 47.1 31.8 Non target 35,8 9.5 32.6 22.1 Findings and Discussion Despite efforts of the government and other development agenCies, only a quarter of the adult household members (24.8%) have been using sanitary latrine in rural Bangladesh (Table I). About II % households had pit latnne and the rests had either been using open latrine (40.2%) or had no fixed place (24%) to defecate. The presence of BRAC appears to have positive association \\oith the use of safe (sanitary or pit) latrines. When the sanitation behavior is differentiated by program mvolvement. the sanitary latrine use appears to be significantly higher among the households involved \\ith development programs than the comparable non-program target households. Regional .variation in the use of sanitary latrine was very high rangmg from 45.3% in Moulavi Bazar to only 13% in Joypurhat (Figure I). Among other things, t~aditional sanitary practice in the locality and environment are believed to influence the use of sanitary latrine. In the North (Joypurhat and Lalrnonirhat regi~ns) where unsafe defecation practice was very high. pathogen-rich fecal pollution of open air and surface water was expected to be much higher than other regions of the country. Figure I. Coverage of safe sanitary practice by region Joypurhat


The battery module has a plurality of cell units and a case, and a circuit board and a lid. Cell unit is composed of one or more of the unit cells has a vent mechanism. And at least one side has the open end of the case, the case has a plurality of receiving the divided from each other by the partition walls, each cell unit is housed in each housing. Wiring board along the opening end of the case and the covering, is arranged on the vent side of the mechanism unit cells, and has a connection terminal which is connected to the cell unit. The lid has, along the opening end of the case and covering the circuit board, and the opening is provided. Of the wiring board, and the position facing to the cell unit, and a through hole is formed in the connection terminal and the other region.


The cause and harm of high moisture contained in the hydrogen gas of a hydrogen cooled generator in Guodian Zhejiang Beilun No.1 Power Generation Co.Ltd are being analyzed,together with some countermeasures proposed for dealing with the problem based on features of the unit.


The invention provides a double-tube electrothermal film type heating tube. By the double-tube electrothermal film type heating tube, the problems that when the existing electrothermal film type heating tubes are manufactured, a lot of high-purity quartz requires to be consumed, the material cost is high, the machining efficiency is low, the heating tubes require to be fixedly mounted respectively, the occupied space is large, and the external dimension of products is large are solved. The double-tube electrothermal film type heating tube comprises a tube body, wherein an electrothermal film layer is adhered to the outer wall of the tube body; the outer contour of the cross section of the tube body is oblong; the tube body is provided with at least two water flow tube holes distributed along the length direction of the tube body; partitioning troughs are symmetrically formed in the front side and the rear side of the outer wall of the tube body, are formed between the two adjacent water flow tube holes and divide the electrothermal film layer into two portions which are separated from each other; heat-insulation layers are respectively adhered to the electrothermal film layer and the outer walls of the partitioning troughs; the tube body is provided with the two water flow tube holes; and the cross section of each partitioning trough is semi-circular. The double-tube electrothermal film type heating tube has the advantages that the material cost is saved, the machining efficiency is high, the production cost is low, the heating tube is quick and convenient to mount, the space is saved, and the external dimension of the mounted product structure can be reduced.


The a and β chains of the hemoglobins A, S, Leslie and N-Baltimore have been isolated as PMB derivates by CM-cellulose and DEAE-cellulose chromatography. The relative affinities of the βA, βs, βLeslie and βN-Baltimore chains for α chains were measured through quantitation by chromatography of Che hemoglobins A and Leslie, A and S, and A and N-Baltimore that were formed when variable amounts of α chains were added to a mixture of equal amounts of the appropriate β chains. The data indicate a greatly decreased affinity of βLeslie chains for a chains; a similar preference of a chains for βA chains was observed for mixtures Involving α, βA, and βs chains, but the affinity of βs chains for a chains was higher than that of βLeslie chains. The βN-Baltimore chains assembled with a chains at a similar rate as βA chains. The data as Interpreted Indicate that the affinity of certain β chains for a chains can be a major post-translatlonal control mechanism which regulates the level of a β chain variant in heterozygotes.


PESTAB. Major areas of research and findings over the past 30 yr in the field of food science and technology are reviewed. Specific mention is made of metabolic studies of two rodenticides, norbormide and alpha-naphthyl thiourea (ANTU). Norbormide causes a 100% increase in blood glucose levels of rats given 1-2 mg/100 g body wt. ANTU causes uremia and hyperglycemia. Studies have demonstrated that tricalcium phosphate is ingested by the insect larvae, causing glycogen and fat depletion. Insect larvae of Corcyra cephalonica have been used to develop a sensitive biological method for the assay of the toxic components present in gaur bean meal.


This chapter focuses on two forms of material heritage once integral to the governance of the twentieth-century Ibadi Imamate: Nizwa Fort and the dalla. These modes of governance were presided over by the hulking contours of the fort, in its role as sharīʿa adjudicator, and circulated by the form and function of the dalla as part of daily social interactions in the sabla. The past became a knowledge that was read, recited, and debated while being sedimented in an embodied disposition. Through daily readings and discussion, local affairs and conflicts were addressed by honing a relationship to the past that cultivated and amended disposition, thought, and action on the basis of exempla. It was a past that was primarily moral, oriented toward God, and grounded in tribal mores and Ibadi doctrine and practice. Both material forms facilitated a history that held that life's interactions and relationships could be sanctioned and critiqued based on past forms that also held templates for future action. This conception of history formed the foundation of religiosity, law, governance, and ethics.


▪ Abstract Some contemporary states seem subject to aggregational dynamics that bring them together in larger regional associations, whereas others fall prey to centrifugal forces that pull them apart. The autonomy of all states has been drawn into question by the globalization of trade and finance. For these reasons, scholars have returned to examining the historical origins and development of the modern state in the hope that this may shed light on its future, and on the process through which new logics of organization may be emerging that might displace the state. This essay discusses various accounts of the emergence and development of the modern state, comparing security, economic, and institutionalist approaches. It then links these approaches to insights regarding contemporary statehood. Arguments regarding the autonomy of the state must be distinguished from discussions of territorial sovereignty as a constitutive principle of international relations. The latter, juridical notion of sovereignty as...


ABSTRACT Lexical development of bilingual children is influenced by a number of input factors. In the present study, early lexical skills of 25-month old children growing up with Turkish and German were assessed. Parents of 92 children filled out a newly developed list for productive Turkish vocabulary, as well as a vocabulary list for German. A parental questionnaire served to examine the quality and quantity of familial and extra-familial language input. The results showed that children who grow up in a predominantly Turkish-speaking environment subsequently have a larger Turkish vocabulary than German vocabulary. More German input within the family was shown to lead to higher vocabulary scores, but not to a reduction of Turkish vocabulary at this age. Factors predicting vocabulary in both languages included parental language quality and quantity, as well as the number of available books and childcare.


takes place by a sequence of elementary reactions consisting of cyclization and β-fragmentation steps. (An example of this type of reaction is shown in Scheme 8 of Chapter 10). Group migration in esters is governed by a different mechanism, one that has been the subject of considerable investigation. To follow the progress in understanding this reaction, it is useful to view the advances in mechanistic discovery in a chronological order.


Aims:  To assess antibiotic resistance in airborne bacteria associated with coarse particulate matter (PM10) in an urban area, with specific considerations about the Staphylococcus genus.


Grounded theory methodology is a qualitative approach that allows researchers to set aside previous research and focus only on the project at hand. The previous research is then used to help give context to the findings. It is gaining use, but is still rare, in journalism and mass communications research. Using grounded theory methodology, the authors seek to contribute to theory that addresses the representation of Hillary Clinton during her public life and trailblazing political career. News stories about Clinton broadcast on the three major TV networks—ABC, CBS, and NBC—from 1993 to 2008 are examined. The authors find that two primary representations emerge: Clinton as an innovator and Clinton as voiceless. Voiceless is an inherently negative representation, and although innovator is a positive theme, the news media tended to focus on representations of Clinton in negative stories.


A rapid method was described earlier for estimation of total urinary pteridines, a method found suitable for monitoring cancer patients under therapy (Trehan and Noronha [1993] J. Clin. Biochem. Nutr., 14, 195-203). This method was employed in the present study for monitoring development of Yoshida ascites tumor and regeneration of liver in partially hepatectomized rats. During tumor development the total urinary pteridines to creatinine ratio was found to increase progressively by more than five fold. The progressive increase in urinary pteridine levels correlated well with the tumor development. However, when partially hepatectomized rats with rapidly regenerating normal liver cells were monitored over a 13-day post-hepatectomy period, almost normal excretory levels of pteridines were found throughout this regeneration period. This clearly brings out that though both the systems investigated involved proliferating cells, the increased urinary pteridine excretion was associated solely with malignant cell growth and not with proliferating normal tissue.


Results of research the existence of phenolic compounds in a periderma of tubers of potatoes ordinary (by Solanum tuberosum L.? Solanaceae family) grade "Nevsky". are given in the article. Researches were conducted by method of highly effective liquid chromatography. In the extraction, received by extraction of raw materials by 40% alcohol ethyl, 13 substances of the phenolic nature relating to flavonoids, phenolcarbonic acids, tannins are identified. It is established that in the sum of all phenolic componds the greatest share (54,81%) belongs to phenolcarbonic acids, ferulic and gallic acids are basic of which. Spirit extraction was used for preparation of ointment on the basis of oleogel (sunflower oil, aerosil) with addition of nut black extract, was shown expressed antimicrobic activity in relation to Staphylococcus aureus (209); Staphylococcus aureus (Makarov ); Staphylococcus aureus ( Type ); Staphylococcus epidermidis Wood-46; Bacillus subtilis L2; Bacillus anthracoides 96; Proteus vulgaris.


This article examines the legality of agreements between brand drug manufacturers and generic producers that delay generic drug entry into the relevant market. More specifically, this article explores the connection between patents, pharmaceuticals, and antitrust policy in a post 9/11-world facing an increased need for affordable pharmaceuticals to combat potential acts of bio-terrorism. The 9/11-aspect is crucial to understanding the evolutionary nature of antitrust because, in a dialectical sense, 9/11 changed the thesis of antitrust enforcement in the pharmaceutical market. This change is most clearly illustrated with respect to the antibiotic Ciprofloxacin (Cipro), the anti-anthrax drug that became a household name for unfortunate reasons following 9/11. The Cipro debate, detailed in Part III, which has taken on great importance since 9/11, provides a useful case study of the relationship between patent law, brand name drugs, generic counterparts, and antitrust enforcement in the general pharmaceutical market. This article will survey all relevant phenomena bearing on the generic drug competition issue, including, but not limited to, the legislative, executive, political, historical, economic, and judicial factors that inform the question. The idea is to treat a question of antitrust policy as an historical phenomenon that cannot be assessed solely in terms of doctrine, but in view of the legal and social context the issue arises within. In assessing the legality of agreements that delay generic entry into the market, this article addresses two questions. The first question is whether patents on pharmaceuticals encourage or discourage competition in the relevant market or markets. The second question is whether courts will be more or less willing to find antitrust violations by brand drug manufacturers in the post-9/11 world.


Current preclinical research in whole body imaging often involves the use of mice. Their respiration rate must be monitored during the imaging procedure while under anaesthetic. Current techniques used often require contact with animal, and use extra equipment, filters and amplifiers. One solution is to design a simple non-contact breathing detection device, that is cheap and easy to integrate. By placing a pair of transmitting and receiving fibre optic cables above the mouse, reflected light is captured continuously using a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) camera. These images are converted to an analogue average intensity value that are continuously plotted to display a waveform from which respiration rate can be measured. A series of experiments were carried out to find the optimal fibre positioning, and these were tested on a breathing simulation. This was carried out using a model mouse fitted with a balloon, that was pumped using a motor. The positions that gave the optimal response was a fibre position of 80° with a gap of 2mm, at 3mm away from the surface, for dark fur. For white fur it was a fibre pair position of 100° with a 12mm gap, 4mm away from the surface. By calculating the breathing rates from the recorded waves over a period of time, these values were found to be close to the correct breathing rate that was being simulated. This was true for low breathing rates, where the measured values where 0.2-1.8% higher than the simulated breathing rate (50bpm). The camera used in this device was unable to sample high frequencies, therefore failed to accurately measure very high breathing rates where values measured from recorded waves were up to 27% lower than the true simulated breathing rate.


Abstract Despite the widespread occurrence of pendant drops in nature, there is still a lack of combined studies on their dynamic and static stability. This study focuses on the dynamic and static stability of elongated drops with either a free or pinned contact line on a plane. We first examine static stability for both axisymmetric and non-axisymmetric perturbations subject to volume or pressure constraints. The stability limits for volume and pressure disturbances (axisymmetric) correspond to the maximum volume and pressure of the drops, respectively. Drops with free contact lines are marginally stable to non-axisymmetric perturbations because of their horizontal translational invariance, whereas pinned drops are stable. The linear dynamic stability is then investigated numerically through a boundary element model, restricted to volume disturbances. Results show that when the stability limit is reached, the first zonal mode has a zero frequency, suggesting that the thresholds for static and dynamic stability are essentially equivalent. Furthermore, natural frequencies experience sharp changes as the stability limit is approached. Another zero frequency mode associated with the horizontal motion of the centre of mass is also revealed by the numerical results, reflecting the horizontal translational invariance of drops with free contact lines. Finally, the frequency spectrum modified by gravity is explored, resulting in the identification of five gravity-induced frequency shift patterns. The frequency shifts break the spectral degeneracy for hemispherical drops with free contact lines, leading to various spectral orderings according to polar and azimuthal wavenumbers.


The Yaquina Bay Bridge in Newport, Oregon, was designed by Conde B. McCullough and built in 1936. The 3,223-foot (982 m) structure is a combination of concrete arch approach spans and a steel through arch over the shipping channel. Cathodic protection is used to prevent corrosion damage to the concrete arches. The Oregon Department of Transportation (Oregon DOT) installed a carbon anode coating (DAC-85) on two of the north approach spans in 1985. This anode was operated at a current density of 6.6 mA/m2(0.6 mA/ft2). No failure of the conductive anode was observed in 1990, five years after application, or in 2000, 15 years after application. Thermal-sprayed zinc anodes 20 mils (0.5 mm) thick were applied to half the south approach spans beginning in 1990. Thermal-sprayed zinc anodes 15 mils (0.4 mm) thick were applied to the remaining spans in 1996. These anodes were operated at a current density of 2.2 mA/m2(0.2 mA/ft2). In 1999, four zones on the approach spans were included in a two-year field trial of humectants to improve zinc anode performance. The humectants LiNO3 and LiBr were applied to two zones; the two adjacent zones were left untreated as controls. The humectants substantially reduced circuit resistancemore » compared to the controls.« less


Objective To describe the spontaneous evolution of age-related changes affecting knee joint articular cartilage, walking speed and a serum biomarker of cartilage remodeling in C57BL/6-JRj wild-type male mice. Design Histological changes were assessed by the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) score (0=normal, 6=vertical clefts/erosion to the calcified cartilage extending >75% of the articular surface) in newborn, 1-week- and 1-, 3-, 6-, 9- and 12-month-old C57BL/6-JRj wild-type male mice, walking speed by the Locotronic system, and serum C-terminal telopeptide of type II collagen (CTX-II) content by ELISA in 1-, 3-, 6-, and 9-month-old C57BL/6-JRj wild-type male mice. Results Mean (SD) OARSI score significantly increased from 0.2 (0.3) to 1.3 (0.6) (p=0.03) between 1 and 3 months of age and from 1.3 (0.6) to 3.3 (0.6) (p=0.04) between 3 and 6 months of age. Mean walking speed was stable between 1 and 6 months of age but significantly decreased from 11.4 (1.8) to 3.2 (0.8) cm.s-1 (p=0.03) between 6 and 9 months of age. Serum CTX-II content was maximal at 1 month of age, then decreased from 12.2 (8.5) to 2.4 (8.4) pg/ml (p=0.02) between 1 and 3 months of age, remaining low and stable thereafter. Conclusions C57BL/6-JRj wild-type male mice showed continuously increasing osteoarthritic changes but delayed decreasing walking speed with age. These variations were maximal between 3 and 9 months of age. Maximal serum CTX-II content preceded these changes.


Proper names represent about 10% of English or French newspaper articles. Their quantity and informational quality is already used in different Information Extraction systems. Proper names have widely been studied in the MUC conferences designed to promote research in Information Extraction. We have created our own named entity extraction tool based on a linguistic description with automata. The extracted names are used in an information retrieval process: we want to cluster journalistic texts with a high precision level and to provide a description of the topic of the clusters. We verify the interest in the use of proper names in measures of similarities trying to improve the clustering of newspaper texts.


We study the solar cycle variations of the solar p-mode travel time for different wave packets to probe the magnetic fields at the base of the solar convection zone. We select the wave packets that return to the same spatial point after traveling around the Sun with integral number of bounces. The change in one-bounce travel time at solar maximum relative to minimum is approximately the same for all wave packets studied except a wave packet whose lower turning point is located at the base of the convection zone. This particular wave packet has an additional decrease in travel time at solar maximum relative to other wave packets. The magnitude of the additional decrease in travel time for this particular wave packet increases with solar activity. This additional decrease in travel time might be caused by the magnetic field perturbation and sound speed perturbation at the base of the convection zone. With the simplified assumption that this additional decrease is caused only by the magnetic field perturbation at the base of the convection zone, the field strength is estimated to be about (4-7) × 105 G at solar maximum if the filling factor is unity. However, the measured travel times of other wave packets propagating close to the base of the convection zone do not support this simplified interpretation.


The solution of many l1 problems requires Smith decompositions of l1 matrices. In this note, we describe a class of problems, including many practical problems, for which this is not true. We also show generally how to pose and obtain approximate solutions to l1 problems without Smith decomposition.


This paper describes newly developed delay and power monitoring schemes for minimizing power consumption by means of the dynamic control of supply voltage VDD and threshold voltage VTH in active and standby modes. On the basis of delay monitoring results, either VDD control or VTH control is selected, in order to avoid any oscillation problem between them in the active mode. With respect to power monitoring, experimental results with a 90-nm CMOS device show that it reduces power consumption by making it possible (1) to maintain a certain switching current ISW / leakage current ILEAK ratio in the active mode, and (2) to detect optimum body bias conditions (subthreshold current ISUBTH = substrate current ISUB) within an error of less than 20 % with respect to actual minimum leakage current values in the standby mode


The next heavy quark is likely to be found first at {ital p {bar p}} colliders rather than at {ital e}{sup +}e{sup {minus}} machines, in which case the expected signals from different kinds of candidate quark will be rather similar. We discuss the problem of distinguishing between the awaited top quark {ital t}, a possible fourth-generation charge {minus}(1/3) quark {ital v}, and an exotic isosinglet charge {minus}(1/3) quark {ital h}.


We employed high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) to determine the contents of 6-,8-,and 10-gingerol in seed and tender ginger.The determination conditions were an Inertsil ODS-SP column(250 mm×4.6 mm,5 μm),a binary eluent under gradient condition and ultraviolet detection at 280 nm wavelength.Experimental results show that the contents of 6-,8-and 10-gingerol in seed ginger are separatively two times,one and a half times and two times of those in tender ginger.


Thefocus isonrobust sliding-mode control design forregulation control ofa Stewart platform withuncertain dynamics inpresence ofnonlinearities. The position and velocities arethemajorfeedback tothecontroller. First ofalla sliding surface s E R6,composed ofsystem states vectors, is chosen. Thenactual payload's massuncertainties areusedto calculate theupperboundsofperturbation intheLyapunov sense andthenthese estimates areusedasreachabilty gains to eliminate theuncertain dynamics ofthesystem. Itleads ustoa controllaw whichguarantees globalasymptotic and exponential convergence. In thelasta boundarylayeris introduced toprovide a chatter-free control. The control performance oftheproposed algorithm isverified bycomputer simulations. Thesesimulations showthatsystemfollows the desired trajectory anderrors converge toequilibrium points efficiently.


Palladium (Pd) nanoparticles enclosed by high-energy facets have displayed superior catalytic properties over that of their low-indexed counterparts. However, current methods of the synthesis are neither scalable nor cost-effective. In this study, we report a simple silver-assisted seed-mediated protocol to yield monodisperse palladium tetrahexahedral (THH) nanoparticles enclosed by the high-energy {730} facets. Additionally, their structural variants, truncated and stellated Pd THHs, with tunable size and sharpness have been synthesized. We show that introducing silver ions in the growth solution plays a key role in the growth of the nanoparticles. On the basis of kinetic studies, we find that the basis for the formation of these open structures is the underpotential deposition of Ag that stabilizes these high-energy surfaces and the overall mechanism of the growth is proposed. This study establishes a synthetic procedure that is scalable and is both chemically and economically more accessible than the e...


The influence of the wastewater from railway operation on the environment has been taken seriously by railway authority and other related departments. Through field investigations on seventeen railway factories in northern China from which the wastewater were discharged,the characteristics of the wastewater caused by railway operation were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively; also both the pollution index variation and the technical characteristics of wastewater treatment in railway operation were discussed. Further,the current situations of wastewater treatment and reuse in railway operation in northern China were analyzed in detail. Finally,the problems in every kind of railway factory involving the matters of wastewater discharging were pointed out,and the solutions to these problems and some rationalization proposals were put forward.


Multilevel inverter have become an effective and practical solution for increasing power and reducing harmonics of AC waveforms. This paper mainly focuses about a single phase five level inverter using a novel dual carrier modulation technique which is simulated using MATLAB. The inverter consist of a full bridge inverter and an auxiliary circuit with four diodes and a switch. The inverter produces output voltage in five levels zero: +0.5Vdc, +Vdc, -0.5Vdc and -Vdc. The dual carrier modulation technique uses two identical triangular carrier signals each with amplitude exactly half of the amplitude of the sinusoidal reference signal to generate PWM signals. The performance evaluation of the proposed PWM strategy for single phase five level inverter is done using MATLAB Simulink. Total harmonic distortion and switching losses for both the dual reference modulation and dual carrier modulation techniques are compared. It is observed that the dual carrier modulation technique gives reduced total harmonic reduction and switching losses.


PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a grinding spindle of a screw grinder that can exactly and easily change the tilt of a grinding stone depending on a lead angle and increase rigidity of a quill.SOLUTION: A quill 2 has a fixed-side quill 11 fixed to a spindle housing 50 and tip-side quills 20A-20C that comprise a grinding stone 40 and are detachably connected to the fixed-side quill 11. A connection between the fixed-side quill 11 and the tip-side quills 20A-20C comprises flat surfaces C and C' perpendicular to a shaft line T of the quill 2, which are facing to each other. A driving shaft has a first driving shaft 17 arranged within the fixed-side quill 11 and a second driving shaft 27 that is arranged within the tip-side quills 20A-20C and rotated together with the grinding stone 40. The first driving shaft 17 and the second driving shaft 27 are detachably connected.


The promoter regions of both eukaryotic and prokaryotic genes that are regulated contain multiple binding sites for transcription factors ( ). Interactions between and among regulatory proteins bound to promoter regions produce both positive and negative synergistic effects on gene expression in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes (1). The lac promoter of Escherichia coli has three binding sites for the lac repressor (lacR) centered at + 11(0), +400(02), and -82(03) relative to the transcription start site and one for the catabolite gene activator protein (CAP) centered at -61.5 (2). Lewis and his colleagues (3) proposed a detailed structural model based on co-crystal structures, with CAP bound inside a DNA loop stabilized by lacR bound to 01 and 03 on the opposite side of the DNA. We do not find this model to be correct. The lacR is a tetramer and contains two binding sites for lac operator DNA (4, 5). Our 2.6 A resolution crystal structure of the lacR core protein (6) showed two lacR dimers held together by an antiparallel fourhelix bundle of COOH-terminal co-helices, as suggested earlier by molecular genetic studies (7). Unanticipated, however, was the v-shaped, almost parallel arrangement of the two dimers that placed the DNA binding sites adjacent to each other on the same side of the tetramer (6). This arrangement of the binding sites has implications for the possible wrapping of multiple-operator-containing DNA that we explored (6) within the constraints of inter-operator spacing and footprinting data from MullerHill and his colleagues (5). Among the models considered (but not published because of the experiment described below) was the possibility that lacR (bound to 03) and CAP [bound to its site 20.5 base pairs (bp) away] would interact favorably side by side, as has been demonstrated to occur in the Deo promoter, where CAP interacts with CytR (a repressor homologous to lacR), which is bound two turns of DNA away (8). Previously published work by Hudson and Fried (9) demonstrates cooperativity between lacR and CAP when they bind the lac operator region. However, when Hudson and Fried performed DNA footprinting experiments on ternary IacRCAP-DNA complexes, they did not detect protection of 03, although 01 and CAPI were efficiently protected. To find out whether CAPI and O3 are bound cooperatively by their respective regulators, we performed gel retardation assays with a double-strand oligonucleotide spanning the corresponding region of the lac promoter (top sequence of Fig. IA). We detected no ternary complex between lacR, CAP, and DNA, although either protein bound DNA efficiently to form the respective binary complex (Fig. 2A). When either of the binary complexes was combined with variable concentrations of the third protein, we observed competition for the DNA probe, present in limiting concentrations. We obtained similar results when we repeated these experiments with oligonucleotides bearing sequences of various affinities for CAP and lacR, separated by 20.5 bases (10). We designed an oligonucleotide that carried symmetrized versions of both lacR and CAP-binding sequences, identical to those used to solve the structure of the DNA complexes of these proteins (3, 11), except for a five-base "overlap" (bottom


Despite inaccuracies, which are difficult to avoid in retrospective studies of this kind, the analysis shows a significant relation between the presence of finger-clubbing and ulcerative colitis with involvement of the part of the large bowel supplied by the vagus nerve. In view of the fact that this part of the bowel is always involved in severe forms of the disease the possibility that the very severity of the disease is an important factor in the aetiology of finger-clubbing cannot be excluded. The duration of the disease, on the other hand, seems unlikely to play any important role in the aetiology of fingerclubbing, since this occurred in two patients in our study with a history of only one month and eight months respectively. The investigation shows that, though there is a relation between finger-clubbing and involvement of the part of the bowel developing from the mid-gut, finger-clubbing is nevertheless a comparatively rare phenomenon. This is in contrast to the impression given by the textbooks that it is a relatively common occurrence in ulcerative colitis.


Acetaminophen (APAP) is an antipyretic and analgesic, which is commonly associated with drug‐induced hepatic injury. C2‐ceramide plays a key role in mediating cell life activities, and oltipraz was extensively studied as a cancer chemopreventive agent. Glutathione S‐transferase A1 (GSTA1) acts as a vital liver detoxification enzyme. Hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 (HNF‐1) regulates various cellular signaling pathways. In this study, we investigated the effects of C2‐ceramide and oltipraz on APAP‐induced hepatocyte injury and the changes of HNF‐1 and GSTA1. Results showed that C2‐ceramide (6 μmol/L) exacerbated APAP‐induced hepatocyte injury and caused a significant decrease (P < .01) in HNF‐1 and GSTA1 expressions. Meanwhile, GSTA1 content in supernatant was significantly increased (P < .01). In contrast, oltipraz (8 μmol/L) reduced the injury and significantly elevated (P < .01) HNF‐1 and GSTA1 expressions while GSTA1 content in supernatant was significantly decreased (P < .01). In conclusion, these findings revealed that C2‐ceramide inhibited HNF‐1 and GSTA1 expression and exacerbated hepatocyte injury, while oltipraz treatment results in the reduction of hepatocyte injury, and promoted HNF‐1 and GSTA1 expression. Additionally, the changes in HNF‐1 and GSTA1 were related to APAP‐induced hepatocyte injury. These results were useful to investigate the mechanism of an antipyretic and analgesic drug combination.


Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the application of water harvesting techniques as a sustainability measure of the cropping system for barley production in the Fa'a farming area located in the Northern part of Jordan.Design/methodology/approach – Usually, the farmers plant barley to feed their animals. The climate of the area is semi‐arid to arid. Annual average rainfall in the area is not enough for the survival of barley and farmers are usually grassing barley instead of harvesting. Overgrazing and mismanagement contribute to land degradation in the area, which affect the production system in the area.Findings – The paper investigates the runoff collection system which is framed with two different sizes in three different land uses: cultivated with barley; fallow and rangeland. Data are collected in all of five stormy events. The total soil sediment is measured for these land uses. The amount of water collected from runoff is also measured for the same areas. The ploughing against t...


The processes associated with transformations of oxygen-related radiation-induced defects in Czochralski-grown silicon crystals irradiated with fast electrons or neutrons and subjected to heat-treatments in the temperature range 450 – 700 °C have been studied by means of IR absorption spectroscopy. It is found that upon disappearance of the VO3 and VO4 defects the new vacancy-oxygen-related complexes, which give rise to a number of vibrational absorption bands in the 980 – 1115 cm–1 vawenumber range, are formed. It is argued that these complexes are VOm (m ≥ 5) defects which serve as radiation-induced nucleation centers of enhanced oxygen precipitation.


The results of long-term studies of taxonomic diversity and ecological and trophic features of the mycobiota of urban birch forests of Krasnoyarsk, which are subjected to an average degree of recreational load, are presented. 234 species of macromycetes have been identified, of which only less than half are found regularly, most of them are detected rarely or singly. The main part of the mycobiota, rich in single-species taxa, is made up of fungi of the order Agaricales Underw.; in terms of the number of species in the family spectrum, the families Russulaceae Lotsy, Agaricaceae Chevall., and Inocybaceae Jülich. are the leaders. The generic spectrum is dominated by Russula Pers., Inocybe (Fr.) Fr. and Mycena (Pers.) Roussel. The ecological and trophic structure of the mycobiota is dominated by xylotrophs, mycorrhiza formers, and humus saprotrophs. Widely specialized xylosaprotrophs predominate over xyloparasites, which are rarely found on living trees. Among the mycorrhiza-forming species, the proportion of representatives of the Russulaceae and Inocybaceae families is high. Among the humus saprotrophs, there are species characteristic of both forests and open habitats. The presence of a large number of synanthropic species in the dominant taxonomic and ecological-trophic groups of macromycetes indicates a pronounced impact of recreational pressure on the formation of mycobiota in urban forests. On the fallen birch, Hericium coralloides (Scop.) Pers, listed in the Red Data Book of Krasnoyarsk Krai, is regularly found. Several more rare species of fungi subject to protection were identified in the study area in previous years.


Accurate simulation of Darcy flux is essential to simulate contaminant transport in the unsaturated zone accurately. The mixed finite element method has been used to obtain highly accurate flux distribution in unsaturated zone flow applications. We have demonstrated that application of mixed finite element method to steady state unsaturated flow yields accurate moisture content and flux profiles (Misra and Nieber, 2003, ASAE, Paper No. 032112). The objective of this paper is to present a few case studies of application of mixed finite element method to transient unsaturated flow problems, compare those to the solution obtained from the conventional finite element methods and to analyze any special properties of the solutions obtained from the mixed finite element methods. It has been shown in this paper that the solutions obtained from the mixed finite element method are highly accurate in rapidly changing flux distributions and heterogeneous flow distributions. The effect of approximating the hydraulic conductivity or the flux over the element has been discussed.


Electrochemical deposition of aluminum from melts saturated with onto a glassy carbon electrode at 175°C has been studied by voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and constant current deposition. The deposition of aluminum was found to proceed via a nucleation/growth mechanism, and the nucleation process was found to be progressive. The morphology of aluminum deposits was examined with photomicroscopy. It was shown that depending on the current densities (c.d.) applied, three types of aluminum deposits could be obtained, namely, spongy deposits formed at lower c.d. (below 0.7 mA/cm2), smooth layers deposited at intermediate c.d. (between 2 and 10 mA/cm2), and dendritic or porous deposits obtained at high c.d. (above 15 mA/cm2). However, the smooth aluminum deposits were about five times more voluminous than the theoretical value. The spongy deposits were formed due to difficulties in electronucleation and could be inhibited by application of pulsed currents and/or addition of manganese chloride into the melt.


The enzyme nitric oxide-sensitive guanylyl cyclase is an obligate heterodimer consisting of an and a subunit. Whereas the C-terminal parts of the subunits have been shown to be sufficient for catalysis, regulation was assigned to the N termini. The central domains have been postulated to be responsible for the formation of heterodimers. Here, we have analyzed dimerization by precipitation of various Nand C-terminally truncated 1 mutants with 1 wild type or deletion mutants thereof after coexpression in the baculovirus/Sf9 system. In contrast to the current hypothesis, our analysis revealed that an N-terminal region of the 1 subunit (amino acids 61–128) is mandatory for quantitative dimerization. The central domain (amino acids 367–462) contributes but is not sufficient to mediate robust interaction. Wild type-like binding of the identified minimum dimerization region of 1 (amino acids 61–462) requires the N-terminal and central region of 1 (amino acids 1–385). Furthermore, we observed an unequal stability of the 1 and 1 subunit. Whereas 1 forms heme containing homodimers and is stable, 1 appears to be prone to misfolding and degradation when heterodimerization is impaired by deletion of important sequences.


Atherosclerosis is defined as a chronic inflammation which is marked by the accumulation of cholesterol and ester cholesterol in the sub endotelial vascular tissue. The ratio of LDL/HDL (atherogenic index) is the main parameter in atherosclerosis and CHD incidence. The purpose of this research is to know the effect of long giving atherogenic diet against serum atherogenic index in male Wistar rat. This study was an experimental research with the post test-only control group design, by using male rats (Rattus novergicus) of 2-3 month with the average weight range of 160-240 gr. The rats are then divided into 4 group which are: control group given with standard diet, the 5 weeks atherogenic diet group, the 8 weeks atherogenic group, and the 12 weeks atherogenic group, in which group consist of 6 rats. The atherogenic diet (2% cholesterol, 5% goat's fat, and 0,2% cholic acid) is given ad libitum as much as 20 gr/ea/day. The result are then analyzed with the one way ANOVA method, showing that there's a adequate difference (p=0,000). As for the Post Hoc Test (p=0,000), the result show is that the atherogenic diet does increase the atherogenic index of the rats blood serum. And as for the Spearman test (0,969), it show is a significant positive correlation between the atherogenic index and the given duration of the atherogenic diet. In this research we can conclude that the longer given atherogenic duration, the higher the atherogenic index will become on male Wistar rats (Rattus novergicus). Keywords: Atherosclerosis, atherogenic diet, atherogenic index, LDL/HDL ratio, rats (Rattus novergicus)


NHS Resolution's Director of Safety and Learning Denise Chaffer discusses the strategies used to address the incidence of clinical negligence claims in obstetrics and the high costs that such incidents can have for the NHS.


Language is full of variation, which not only patterns along social dimensions but is also socially evaluated by language users (Campbell-Kibler 2007, Labov et al. 2011). However, social judgements are not exclusive to spoken or signed communication. In fact, people also make social evaluations when communicating in the digital space (Houghton, Upadhyay, and Klin 2018; Heath 2021), called computer mediated communication (CMC). This study investigates the social evaluations of two linguistic variables that are exclusive to CMC: capitalization and punctuation. In this study, we compare two capitalization conditions (sentences typed entirely in lowercase, and sentences with standard capitalization at the beginning of a sentence/for proper nouns) and three exclamation conditions (no punctuation, 1, or 2 exclamation points at the end of the sentence).


It was demonstrated in part I, also published in this journal, that supercritical carbon dioxide may be advantageous for the use as a reaction medium in heterogeneously catalyzed reactions. Due to its miscibility with hydrogen, hydrogenations of increased selectivity can be carried out or carbonization of catalysts can be reduced by the dissolution and removal of coke precursors. The drawback of supercritical H 2 O (T crit =374°C) as compared to supercritical CO 2 (T crit = 31 °C) is its relatively high critical point. At these temperatures, organic substances decompose within minutes. Consequently, many reactions are carried out below this critical point, in the so-called "near-critical water" or "hot compressed water." Reaction conditions in near-critical and supercritical water are also referred to as "hydrothermal." In spite of the relatively high pressures and temperatures required and the associated high experimental expenditure, many types of reactions have already been studied, as the strong dependence of physical and chemical properties on pressure and temperature makes near-critical and supercritical water a unique and extraordinary solvent.


Key Points D-dimer level at ALL diagnosis is associated with venous or arterial thrombosis during the first 100 days of therapy. Future studies should include D-dimer with other known risk factors to build a risk assessment model for thrombosis in newly diagnosed ALL.


ZnO is known to produce a wide variety of nanostructures that have enormous scope for optoelectronic applications. Using an aqueous electrochemical deposition technique, we are able to tightly control a wide range of deposition parameters (Zn 2+ concentration, temperature, potential, time) and hence the resulting deposit morphology. By simultaneously conducting synchrotron x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) experiments during the deposition, we are able to directly monitor the growth rates of the nanostructures, as well as providing direct chemical speciation of the films. In situ experiments such as these are critical to understanding the nucleation and growth of such nanostructures. Recent results from in situ XAS synchrotron experiments demonstrate the growth rates as a function of potential and Zn 2+ concentration. These are compared with the electrochemical current density recorded during the deposition, and the final morphology revealed through ex situ high resolution electron microscopy. The results are indicative of two distinct growth regimes, and simultaneous changes in the morphology are observed. These experiments are complemented by modelling the growth of the rods in the transport-limited case, using the Nernst-Planck equations in 2 dimensions, to yield the growth rate of the volume, length, and radius as a function of time.


Armstrong, J.M. and Vitetta, E.S., The roles of Fas and perforin in LAK T‐cell/bispecific antibody‐mediated killing of the murine B‐lymphoma cells, BCL1. Int. J. Cancer, 68, 822–827 (1996).


Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disorder of carbohydrate metabolism due to relative or absolute insulin deficiency. This latter can be best handled in an automatic procedure. It's essential that control used in such a scheme be robust to any kind of disturbances and parameters uncertainties. In this paper, Bergman's minimal model is used as a starting point in an effort to regulate efficiently glucose level using synergetic control which is then compared to the application of second order sliding mode. These two proven robust control techniques can handle adequately uncertainties to a great extent through their invariance properties. Our contribution shows that synergetic methodology provides better performance. It is obvious that obtaining system parameters exact values is unrealistic in most biological systems, therefore all model parameters will be considered uncertain. Parametric uncertainty will be exploited in developing a control scheme based on a closed-loop feedback strategy. The behavior of the obtained controller is analyzed on its ability to track a normoglycemic in presence of disturbance and perturbed parameters. A comparative study of the application of the two techniques is carried out showing through simulation results that the synergetic control approach offers stronger robustness in performance compared to sliding mode control, despite disturbances.


Prediction uncertainty in stochastic simulation models can be described by a hierarchy of components: stochastic variability at the lowest level, input and parameter uncertainty at a higher level, and structural model uncertainty at the top. It is argued that a usual paradigm for analysis of input uncertainty is not suitable for application to structural model uncertainty. An approach more likely to produce an acceptable methodology for analyzing structural model uncertainty is one that uses characteristics specific to the particular family of models.


This paper bothers on the technological standing of banks' websites in Nigeria; this investigates the level of immunity of the online services provided. Some parameters were selected for this assessment and relevant tools were put together for the analysis. The result showed that none of the banks use country code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) for their websites. Also, two out of every three banks do not have digital certificates while only 17% of the remaining have valid and up to date certificates. 90% of the banks host their websites outside the country, the technologies used for the design and the hosting server were also considered. About the level of severity of the vulnerability, 41.7% are classified as critical, 37.5% as urgent and 20.8% as high. In conclusion, appropriate policy suggestions were advanced which highlights the role of the key players including the banks, individuals and the government.


Purpose: To compare the success and complication rates of ultrasound with fluoroscopically guided Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in hydronephrotic kidneys. Patients and Methods: The computer archived files of patients with renal calculi who underwent PCNL between October 2007 and November 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. The study included adult patients with hydronephrotic kidneys. Based on surgeon preference, included patients were divided into 2 groups. Ultrasound (U.S) guided group comprised patients who underwent ultrasound guided PCNL and fluoroscopy-guided group that included patients who underwent fluoroscopy guided PCNL. Preoperative, operative, postoperative data and outcomes (success and complication rates) were compared Results: The study included 91 patients (mean age 44.4±11). US-guided PCNL was used in 42 patients (35 males and 7 females, mean age 40.2±13 years), and fluoroscopy in 49 patients (39 males and 10 females, mean age 43 ±21years).Mean operative time was 105 ±7.9 minutes (US-guided) versus 130±11.6 (fluoroscopy-guided) (P = 0.0001). Successful puncture was achieved in (38 patients) 90.5% in group-1 and 46 patients 93.9% in group-2 (P=0.69). Success of renal puncture in moderate/severe hydronephrotic kidneys was 96.4% versus 100%, and in mild hydronephrosis 78.6% versus 92.1% in US and fluoroscopy groups, respectively. Postoperatively, the complication rate was 9.5% in group-1, and 8.2% in group-2. Mean hospital stay was similar in both groups (3±1.5 days). The success rates were 90.5% in group1 and 93.9% in group 2, respectively. Conclusion: In hydronephrotic kidneys, Ultrasound-guided PCNL is comparable with fluoroscopy-guided PCNL.


Matrix method for phased array calibration is an excitation reconstruction method by solving the linear equations based on the linear relationship between the measured near-field data and element excitations. In this paper, we propose a modified matrix method, in which the phased array model is simplified, to measure the element excitations of planar phased array. Our method reduces measurement time greatly at the cost of introducing some calibration errors. The introduced calibration errors can be minimized with the array excitation strategy proposed in this paper. Experimental results validate the effectiveness of our methods in calibrating planar phased arrays.


This contribution continues the survey on the jurisdiction of the Austrian Highest Courts with regard to the ECHR for 2014. With regard to content there is a wide range of decisions, nevertheless the focus is – comparable to previous years – related to Art 6 ECHR. Another focus lies on Art 8 and 10 ECHR.


Apnoea initiated by stimulation of chemorecepnors at the entrance to the larynx with certain fluids has been described previously. The cardiovascular changes associated with this form of apnoea are instantaneous & not associated with asphyxia although they may be enhanced by concurrent asphyxia. In 18 unanaesthetized lambs the changes in cardiac output (C.O.) and its distribution, carotid arterial and abdominal aortic flow, H.R., arterial pressure (AP) and blood gases were measured during water stimulation of the larynx (8 breathing air and 5 100% oxygen) and in 5 during spontaneous feeding. Mean AP rose (+26%), HR fell (37%) and CO fell (26%) during apnoea. While blood flow increased to brain (+204%), the head extracerebral tissues (+86%) myocardium (+80%) and lungs (bronchial arterial plus L-R shunting)(+35%) it fell elsewhere, especially to small gut (−68%) and kidney(−32%). Similar changes still occurred in 5 lambs breathing 100%O2. During feeding significant increases in flow to the head (+160%) and brain (+86%) occurred while paO2 fell and pCO2 rose significantly. It is suggested that similar reflex cardiovascular events may have considerable importance in the neonatal period particularly in the premature infant.


The study has two purposes. The first purpose is, using the economic and financial risk factors determined by the International Country Risk Guide (ICRG) rating agency, to reclassify the scores that countries get from these factors with the Jenks Natural Breaks (JNB) classification technique and to compare countries by creating their thematic maps according to this classification. The second purpose of our study  is to create economic and financial risk maps of countries by using the Geographical Weighted Regression (GWR) method, which is one of the Geographical Information System (GIS) analysis techniques, based on the economic and financial risk factors determined by the ICRG. Before the GWR analysis for the variables included in the research, Moran Index analysis was performed as the main measurement of spatial autocorrelation. As a result of the Moran analysis, it was determined that there was a statistically significant positive autocorrelation between the countries. In other words, it has been seen that the countries examined have spatial dependence on each other in terms of economic and financial risk. According to the results of the GWR analysis, risk maps of the examined countries were created and more dynamic, more meaningful or more sensitive, more specific and visually easier to understand results were revealed. And according to these results, it has been seen that the GWR technique can also be used in the fields of economy and finance. In addition, the study brought a different interdisciplinary perspective  by bringing together the fields of economy, finance and geography.


Background: Timely interventions have a proven benefit for people experiencing psychotic illness. One bottleneck to accessing timely interventions is the referral process to the specialist team for early psychosis (STEP). Many general practitioners lack awareness or confidence in recognising psychotic symptoms or state. Additionally, referrals for people without apparent psychotic symptoms, although beneficial at a population level, lead to excessive workload for STEPs. There is a clear unmet need for accurate stratification of STEPs users and healthy cohorts that this study aimed to investigate by applying digital behavioural tests. Methods: To discriminate between the STEPs users (SU; n=32) and controls (n=32, age and sex matched), we employed naive Bayes classifier, and applied it to objective, quantitative and interpretable features of a "mirror game" (MG) and trail making task (TMT). The MG is a movement coordination task shown to be a potential socio-motor biomarker of schizophrenia, while TMT is a neuropsychiatric test of cognitive function. Findings: The proposed classifier shows an excellent performance, AUC = 0.92 (95%CI 0.75-1), Sensitivity = 0.88 (95%CI 0.62-1), Specificity = 1 (95%CI 0.75-1), evaluated on 25% hold-out and 1000 folds. The study demonstrates that cheap off-the-shelf equipment (laptop computer and a leap motion sensor) records clinically relevant behavioural data sufficiently. We also find that MG and TMT are unsuitable in isolation to successfully differentiate between SU with and without at-risk-mental-state or first episode psychosis with sufficient level of performance. Interpretation: Including digital behavioural tests into healthcare practice could allow improvements in care for people at risk of developing psychotic illness. Our findings show that introduction of standardised battery of digital behavioural tests would benefit both clinical and research practice. It would allow standardization of referrals, while the high specificity of digital behavioural tests would benefit research on prognostic instruments for psychosis by enriching and homogenising clinical high-risk populations. Here we demonstrate that digital behavioural tests can be successfully used and could help to address this need. Funding: EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account, Impact & Knowledge Exchange Award, Jean Golding Institute seed corn, Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust Research Capability Funding. PS was generously supported by the Wellcome Trust Institutional Strategic Support Award 204909/Z/16/Z. KTA gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the EPSRC via grant EP/T017856/1.


The state of world stocks of sturgeons is on the edge of catastrophe. These species are either extinct or under threat of extinction under human impacts. At the same time, there are enterprises, fish hatcheries, which deal with restoration and replenishment of natural stocks with of endangered fish species. One of such hatcheries is the sturgeon hatchery "Lebyazhy" (Astrakhan region, Russian Federation). The aim of the study was an analysis of piscicultural-biological features of the Russian sturgeon brood fish. During the study, which was conducted in April–May 2011, 34 Russian sturgeon females were used in two rounds, 17 individuals each. For stimulating gametes maturation, the Derzhavin's physiological method was used. Caviar was obtained by stripping the eggs under strict hygienic and sanitary norms. Eggs fertilization with the semi-dry method used the male milt that bought at the "Raskat" LLC. Egg stickiness elimination was performed with the aid of talc and apparatuses for the egg stickiness elimination. Eggs incubation was performed in the "Osetr" apparatuses until yolk-sac larvae hatching. The domesticated fish were subjected to bonitation for determining their readiness for spawning. As a result of this bonitation, the brood fish were separated into two groups: first round of rearing works: females with mean weight of 34.8 kg and age of 9 years; second round: females with mean weight of 32.3 kg and the same age. Among injected females of the first round, 100% positive reaction for the stimulating injection was observed, but 95% – among females of the second round. Maturation time of females of both rounds varied from 25 to 30 hours. The maturation state of gametes of sturgeon females or males was determined based on samples obtained. 90.2 kg of eggs were obtained from females of the first round. At the same time, the maximum quantity was observed in the female of 50.5 kg – 9.2 kg of caviar, and the least quantity was obtained from the 27.8 kg female – 2.8 kg. On average, 5.3 kg of eggs were obtained per one female of the first round. The obtained quantity of eggs in one gram did not exceed 48 eggs that are considered to be within normal limits. 79.8 kg of eggs were obtained from females of the second round of rearing works that is 10.4 kg less in comparison with the results of the first round. On average, 5.0 kg of eggs were obtained from one female that is related to less mature fish used in the second tour. At the same time, the maximum quantity of eggs, 7.9 kg, was obtained from a 32.5 kg female, while the minimum quantity, 2.6 kg, from a 20.7 kg female. The obtained quantity of eggs in one gram did not exceed 44 eggs. Mean working fecundity of females of the first round was 198.2 thousand eggs, while it was somewhat less in the second round – 184.6 thousand eggs that did not exceed the normative values.


As global competition is increasing and enterprise environment is rapidly changing in the aftermath of the development of information and communications, many companies have recognized the necessity to sustain innovation. To enable such innovation activities, many companies are trying to utilize startups` entrepreneurial culture in order to quickly adjust to the changes and enter new markets. ``Entrepreneurial orientation`` is recognized as a decision making strategy of entrepreneurship in existing companies. Many prior studies have proven that entrepreneurial orientation has positive influence on companies` performance. Based on the 5 dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation (innovativeness, risk-taking, proactiveness, competitive aggressiveness, autonomy), this study aims to examine how their influence on companies` performance changes in accordance with the change in the flow of ``knowledge``, knowledge creation process and open innovation, taking as moderating variables. Knowledge creation process, a circulation of new knowledge in a organization, is composed of ``socialization``, ``externalization``, ``internalization`` and ``combination``. Open innovation is a paradigm in which firms should use external ideas and resources to innovate with partners by sharing risk and rewards. Using survey data from Korean small and medium enterprises(SMEs), the result of our analysis is as follows. First, entrepreneurial orientation influenced companies` performance positively as previous studies have shown. In terms of subordinate dimensions, innovativeness and proactiveness proved to be positively related to companies` performance. Second, knowledge creation process had beneficial influence on proactiveness. Third, open innovation had a positive moderating effect on proactiveness and a negative one on innovativeness. The results of our study show that entrepreneurial orientation dimensions can change independently and that companies wishing to improve their performance through strengthening entrepreneurial orientation can gain understanding on what they need to focus on. Except for proactiveness, knowledge creation process proved not to be statistically a significant moderating factor. That means that the role of knowledge in Korean firms are still limited and most of Korean SMEs are focusing on short term innovation activities such as cost saving, growing productivity, etc. In case of open innovation, previous study has shown that active innovative activities with external resources negatively influence the internal innovative activities in an organization, Therefore two kinds of innovative activities can be inconsistent with each other in the firms that has limited resource. On the other hand, as proactiveness has a strong relationship on entering new markets and searching new opportunities, it appears that it needs to use external resource and ideas for doing that effectively. We were able to confirm that proactive enterprises wishing to catch new opportunities and advance into new market need to create and share knowledge internally, and to cooperate with external sources in order to improve performance.


In conveying experiences of meditation, the question of what exceeds or should resist description has been a recurrent topic of commentary in a wide array of literature -- including religious doctr ...


Consequences of size: ideas and hypotheses The colliery-and plant-based analyses of industrial conflict, which form part of the industrial relations literature referred to in chapter 5, have been confined to a handful of studies restricted to short periods during the post-nationalization era (see Scott et al. 1963; McCormick 1969; Christine Edwards 1978; Christine Edwards and Heery 1985; Rigg 1987). While it is only relatively recently that such approaches have incorporated explicit concepts relating to size, and have involved quantification and the formal testing of hypotheses, the interest in workplace scale in relation to labour relations and human behaviour is not new. Before examining the potential of colliery size for explaining the history of strikes in the industry, therefore, we provide a context in the form of a survey of the social comment and analysis provoked by the emergence of large-scale workplaces. Three traditions are discernible in the economics and sociology of size. The first is that introduced by Charles Babbage, who in 1832 was the first to link Adam Smith's concept of the division of labour with large-scale industry. Size of factory, he thought, both facilitated and advanced the technical division of labour (Babbage 1832/1989: ch. 19, section 263; compare with Adam Smith 1776/1976: ch. 1). The economic advantages of the division of labour were stressed, but the consequences for the social relations of production were addressed only in passing, if at all.


Isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase (IDI) is a key enzyme in the isoprenoid biosynthetic pathway and is required for all organisms that synthesize isoprenoid metabolites from mevalonate. Type 1 IDI (IDI‐1) is a metalloprotein that is found in eukaryotes, whereas the type 2 isoform (IDI‐2) is a flavoenzyme found in bacteria that is completely absent from human. IDI‐2 from the pathogenic bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae was recombinantly expressed in Escherichia coli. Steady‐state kinetic studies of the enzyme indicated that FMNH2 (KM=0.3 μM) bound before isopentenyl diphosphate (KM=40 μM) in an ordered binding mechanism. An X‐ray crystal structure at 1.4 Å resolution was obtained for the holoenzyme in the closed conformation with a reduced flavin cofactor and two sulfate ions in the active site. These results helped to further approach the enzymatic mechanism of IDI‐2 and, thus, open new possibilities for the rational design of antibacterial compounds against sequence‐similar and structure‐related pathogens such as Enterococcus faecalis or Staphylococcus aureus.


The radiolysis of the alkali metal bromates by Co/sup 60/ gamma rays was effected to decompositions greater than three mole%. The amounts of bromate ion decomposed increased linearly with dose at first, but subsequently the dependence became non-linear for all saits except LiBrO/sub 3/. The inittal 100 ev radiolytic yields or G/sub 0/ values for bromate decomposition wereof 0.31, 1.46, 1.71, 2.33, 3.4, and 5.1 for LiBrO/sub 3/, NaBrO/sub 3/, KBrO/sub 3/, RbBrO/ sub 3/, CsBrO/sub 3/, and TlBrO/sub 3/, respect ively. The yields increased only slightly with temperature between -195 and 85 deg , and for CsBrO/sub 3/ were almost independent of the dose rate from 8.8 x 10/sup 14/ to 7.6 x 10/sup 16/ ev g/sup -1 sec/sup -1/. The radiolysis of bromate ion gave bromite, hypobromite, bromide, and oxygen gas in amounts which varied with the alkali metal cation in the salt and with the total dose absorbed. Virtually all the oxidizing fragments produced in the crystalline saits by irradiation could be removed by thermal annealing. The radiolytic yields for bromate decomposition couid not be correlated either with the thermodynamic stability of the salts or with their isothermal decomposition rates observed in the absence of radiation. However,more » an exponential dependence of G/sub 0/ on the crystal free space was found, and a mechanism for the decomposition of the molecular bromate ion could be proposed. (auth)« less


China's non-Han ethnic groups have been precipitated both through assimilation and territorial expulsion at the hands of the agriculturalists who gradually formed the Han Chinese majority and became the basis of empire, and by the last dynasty's incorporation of the thinly populated regions to the west and north. Recent research distinguishes assimilation from acculturation, indicating that both may occur at local initiative on local terms, and in the non-Han as well as the Han direction. New ethnicities have emerged through ecological adaptation and isolation. China's recognized minorities continue to play an important role in defining both the self-image of Han Chinese and China's identity as a modern nation-state.


Surface hardening of machine parts substantially improves their performance. The best results are obtained when combined hardening consists of surface nitriding and subsequent deposition of hard coatings. The nitriding of machine parts immersed in the plasma of glow coatings have been studied, and the study results are presented. Titanium atoms for coating synthesis are obtained via titanium evaporation in a hollow molybdenum anode of the discharge. Stable evaporation of titanium occurs only when the power density of electrons heating the liquid titanium does not exceed ~500 W/cm2. To start evaporation, it is only necessary to reduce the gas pressure to 0.02 Pa. To stop evaporation, it is enough to increase the gas pressure to 0.1 Pa. Fast argon and nitrogen atoms used for cleaning the machine parts, heating them, and bombarding the growing coating are obtained using a grid composed of plane-parallel plates under high negative voltage and immersed in plasma.


PURPOSE
To validate the oncological safety of fertility preservation in malignant ovarian germ cell tumors (MOGCTs) and to define the significance of maximal cytoreduction in early stage MOGCTs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Sixty-nine patients with stage I and II MOGCTs who underwent surgical treatment were included in the study. Fertility-sparing surgery is defined as conservative surgery and hysterectomy and contralateral salpingo-oophorectomy were defined as definitive surgery. Both surgical approaches involved lymphadenectomy and omentectomy. Most patients received platinum-based combinations for adjuvant therapy. Survival outcomes of the conservative surgery group were compared with the definitive surgery group.

RESULTS
Median age of the study group was 21 years (range: 12-40 years). Median tumor size measured 150 mm (range, 20-300 mm). Surgery type (conservative surgery vs. definitive surgery) and lymphadenectomy (performed vs. not performed) were insignificant for the recurrence (p = 0.758, p = 0.271). However, surgical outcome (maximal vs. optimal and suboptimal) and type of tumor (dysgerminoma vs. nondysgerminoma) determined the recurrence (p = 0.001, p = 0.021).

CONCLUSION
Fertility-conserving approach is safe in early stage MOGCTs. However, maximal cytoreduction should be achieved in this group of patients, without conceding fertility-conserving approach. On the other hand, development of chemotherapy options with less gonadotoxic effects, but equal or stronger efficiency in comparison with platinum-based chemotherapy, will certainly facilitate management of this patient group.


We read with great interest the article by Ray et al1 about major adverse cardiovascular events outcomes in patients with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) <50 mg/dL. It has been a well-known fact that South Asians have an atherogenic dyslipidemia [high triglycerides and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)] at baseline,2 are at higher cardiovascular risk, and develop coronary artery disease ≈1 decade earlier than whites. Hence, guidelines by the Lipid Association of India have laid great …


In this research, first considering the electron–electron interaction in the high-density Fermi electron gas at T = 0 K, this interaction causes the pressure 2/137 time less than the original value. However, the pressure of the Fermi electron gas should have something to do with temperature. Then, we estimate the temperature effect using statistical mechanics and find that the complicated form of the pressure p depends on temperature at the given particle number N and volume V. According to this, the central density–mass (ρ c -M), central density–radius (ρ c -R), and mass–radius (M-R) relations of the white dwarf star are obtained by considering the equation of state (EOS). Traditional formula gives the problematic mass–radius relation R ∝ M − 1 / 3 for the low-density white dwarf stars because it leads to R→∞ and p→0 when M→0. We correct this relation and obtain two reasonable relations in the relativistic and nonrelativistic regions. In our EOS calculations, the central density is divided into the high-, middle-, and low-density regions. All three relations are almost unchanged until 108 K in the high-density region. The temperature effect mainly affects the middle- and low-density regions, and it becomes explicitly above 107 K. Our calculations can explain Sloan Digital Sky Survey observations where some white dwarf stars with a radius of more than 8 × 103 km have larger mass than the predictions by the relativistic EOS at T = 0 K. This result tells us that the temperature effect is important for the low and middle central-density white dwarf star and also useful to estimate the inner temperature of a white dwarf star.


Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the value of student grade point average (GPA) as a predictor of pro-social, helpful behavior. This voluntary behavior has been shown to be highly valuable to managers and co-workers. GPA is not only predictive of success in core tasks on the job, it is also predictive of voluntary, helpful behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

The review of literature on predictive value of GPA, in general, as well as that of contextual and helpful behavior on the job is followed by the report of a study with accounting students. The study helps to explain the predictive value of GPA and identifies measures useful in identifying helpful behavior.

Findings

Findings indicate that two, brief, reliable surveys (contextual performance, job dedication), grounded in several research studies are highly related to voluntary, helpful behavior on the job. The relationships are based on observations of the supervisors of the employees. Regression analysis also provides relatively strong prediction equations.

Practical implications

Studies of GPA have focused almost exclusively on the relationship of GPA with job longevity, financial compensation, and technical skill performance. This paper helps demonstrate the positive relationship of the GPA metric with contextual, pro-social, helpful employee behavior.

Originality/value

In the past 35 years research has illuminated the concept that voluntary, helpful employee behavior is as important or even more important than technical skill performance when it comes to unit and/or organizational performance. Very little research has been completed to date to demonstrate that GPA, as a predictor variable, does more than predict skill performance and success on the job. The present study helps to extend the value of GPA as a predictor of success.


Much of our current research explores differences between extraverts and introverts in their perception and production of gestures in multimodal interaction with embodied conversational agent (ECA). While several excellent corpora of conversational gestures have been collected, these corpora do not distinguish conversants by personality dimensions. To enable study of the differences in distribution of conversational gestures between extraverts and introverts, we tracked and automatically annotated gestures of 59 subjects interacting with an ECA in the "Survival on Jungle Island" immersive multimodal adventure. Our work in developing provides an initial corpus for analysis of gesture differences, based on Jung's four personality-type dimensions, of humans interacting with an ECA and suggests that it may be feasible to annotate gestures automatically in real time, based on a gesture lexicon. Preliminary analysis of the automated annotations suggests that introverts more frequently performed gestures in the gesture lexicon than did extraverts.