Chapter 1 provides an overview of the field of amyloid structural biology and provides context for the work described in this dissertation. In the more than a century since its identification, Alzheimer's disease has become the archetype of amyloid diseases. The first glimpses of the chemical basis of Alzheimer's disease began with the identification of "amyloid" plaques in the brain in 1892 and extended to the identification of proteinaceous fibrils with "cross-β" structure in 1968. Further efforts led to the discovery of the β-amyloid peptide Aβ as a 40- or 42-amino acid peptide that is responsible for the plaques and fibrils. At this point, a three-decade long marathon began to elucidate the structure of the fibrils and identify the molecular basis of Alzheimer's disease. Along the way, an alternative model began to emerge in which small aggregates of Aβ, called "oligomers", rather than fibrils, are the culprits that lead to neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease. This dissertation describes my efforts to understand the structural, biophysical, and biological properties of the oligomers in Alzheimer's disease. β-Sheets are the building blocks of amyloid fibrils and oligomers. Amyloid fibrils generally consist of extended networks of parallel β-sheets. Amyloid oligomers appear to be more compact enclosed structures, some of which are thought to be composed of antiparallel β-sheets comprising β-hairpins. β-Hairpins are special because their twisted shape, hydrophobic surfaces, and exposed hydrogen-bonding edges impart a unique propensity to form compact assemblies. Our laboratory has developed macrocyclic β-sheets that are designed to mimic β-hairpins formed by amyloidogenic peptides and proteins. The β-hairpin mimics contain two β-strand peptide fragments linked together at their N- and C-termini by two δ-linked ornithine turn mimics to create a macrocycle. An N-methyl group is installed on one of the β-strands to prevent uncontrolled aggregation. These design features facilitate crystallization of the β-hairpin mimics and determination of the X-ray crystallographic structures of the oligomers that they form. During the past few years, our laboratory has elucidated the X-ray crystallographic structures of oligomers formed by β-hairpin mimics derived from Aβ, α-synuclein, and β2-microglobulin. Out of these three amyloidogenic peptides and proteins, the Aβ β-hairpin mimics have provided the most insight into amyloid oligomers. Our studies have revealed a previously undiscovered mode of self-assembly, whereby three Aβ β-hairpin mimics assemble to form a triangular trimer. The triangular trimers are remarkable, because they contain two largely hydrophobic surfaces that pack together with other triangular trimers to form higher-order oligomers, such as hexamers and dodecamers. Some of the dodecamers pack in the crystal lattice to form annular porelike assemblies. Some of the β-hairpin mimics and triangular trimers assemble in solution to form oligomers that recapitulate the crystallographically observed oligomers. These oligomers exhibit toxicity toward neuronally derived cells, recapitulating the toxicity of the oligomers formed by full-length amyloidogenic peptides and proteins. These findings are significant, because they address a gap in understanding the molecular basis of amyloid diseases. We anticipate that these studies will pave the way for developing diagnostics and therapeutics to combat Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other amyloid diseases Chapter 2 presents the X-ray crystallographic structures of oligomers formed by a 20-residue peptide segment derived from Aβ. The development of a peptide, in which Aβ17–36 is stabilized as a β-hairpin is described and the X-ray crystallographic structures of oligomers it forms are reported. Two covalent constraints act in tandem to stabilize the Aβ17–36 peptide in a hairpin conformation: a δ-linked ornithine turn connecting positions 17 and 36 to create a macrocycle, and an intramolecular disulfide linkage between positions 24 and 29. An N-methyl group at position 33 blocks uncontrolled aggregation. The peptide readily crystallizes as a folded β-hairpin, which assembles hierarchically in the crystal lattice. Three β-hairpin monomers assemble to form a triangular trimer, four trimers assemble in a tetrahedral arrangement to form a dodecamer, and five dodecamers pack together to form an annular pore. This hierarchical assembly provides a model, in which full-length Aβ transitions from an unfolded monomer to a folded β-hairpin, which assembles to form oligomers that further pack to form an annular pore. This model may provide a better understanding of the molecular basis of Alzheimer's disease at atomic resolution.Chapter 3 describes the design, synthesis, X-ray crystallographic structures, and biophysical and biological properties of two stabilized trimers derived from Aβ17–36. These triangular trimers are stabilized through three disulfide crosslinks between the monomer subunits. The X-ray crystallographic structures reveal that the stabilized trimers assemble hierarchically to form hexamers, dodecamers, and annular porelike structures. Solution-phase biophysical studies reveal that the stabilized trimers assemble in solution to form oligomers that recapitulate some of the higher-order assemblies observed crystallographically. The stabilized trimers share many of the biological characteristics of oligomers of full-length Aβ, including toxicity toward a neuronally derived human cell line, activation of caspase-3 mediated apoptosis, and reactivity with the oligomer-specific antibody A11. These studies support the biological significance of the triangular trimer assembly of Aβ β-hairpins and may offer a deeper understanding of the molecular basis of Alzheimer's disease.Chapter 4 describes the design and study of a macrocyclic β-hairpin peptide derived from Aβ16–36. SDS-PAGE and size exclusion chromatography studies show that the Aβ16–36 β-hairpin peptide assembles in solution to form hexamers, trimers, and dimers. X-ray crystallography reveals that the peptide assembles to form a hexamer in the crystal state and that the hexamer is composed of dimers and trimers. LDH release assays show that the oligomers formed by the Aβ16–36 β-hairpin peptide are toxic toward neuronally derived SH-SY5Y cells. Replica exchange molecular dynamics (REMD) demonstrates that the hexamer can accommodate full-length Aβ. These findings expand our understanding of the structure, solution-phase behavior, and biological activity of Aβ oligomers, and may offer insights into the molecular basis of Alzheimer's disease.


This report aims to show the background information and numerical results obtained for the robust control of a quantum bit. The final MATLAB simulation code will allow the user to predict the probability of a quantum bit showing the correct state after being manipulated by a femtosecond laser pulse.


Pars plana vitrectomy plays an important role in treating serious ophthalmic diseases, which requires subsequent substitution of the natural vitreous. However, the current substitutes are known for the drawbacks in instability, toxicity, and injection‐induced fragmentation, so there is a very urgent need in novel artificial vitreous substitute for clinical practice. In this study, DNA supramolecular hydrogel is evaluated as a potential artificial vitreous substitute. It is observed that DNA supramolecular hydrogel exhibits relatively strong mechanical strength, shear‐thinning behavior, rapid recoverability, and other physical properties similar to the human vitreous body. The in vivo experiments further prove the injectability, excellent biocompatibility, and in vivo stability. With the support of the DNA supramolecular hydrogel, the morphology and basic functions of the operated eyes are well recovered without obvious inflammation, which demonstrate the DNA supramolecular hydrogel shows enormous potential as vitreous substitute.


The specificity of the two components of pathogenicity: virulence and aggressiveness and its relationship with genetic variability were analysed in a local Plasmopara halstedii (sunflower downy mildew) population. Pathogenic and molecular analyses were carried out on seven isolates including five progeny isolates of five races arising from two parental races 100 and 710. P. halstedii isolates showed significant differences for all aggressiveness criteria and important genetic variations. Three cases of relationship between virulence and aggressiveness for progeny isolates as compared with parental ones were found as positive, negative or uncorrelated. For solving the specificity of these cases, relationship between the two components of pathogenicity among the isolates of three different races localised in the same genetic clade was positive. The hypothesis explaining these cases is discussed.


This review demonstrates the importance of plants as sources of molecules used in anticancer therapies. The approach is performed by relating the active molecules to their origins, details, mechanisms of action, structure-activity relationship and chemical characteristics of chemotherapeutical medicines. It was also described the development of anticancer agents from plants by the pharmaceutical industry and the difficulties to release these compounds as a trademark. These include the well known paclitaxel, docetaxel, vincristine, vinblastine, vinorelbine, vindesine, etoposide, teniposide, and other molecules that are undergoing clinical trials.


The invention discloses a method for performing spread spectrum communication in a cellular network by a device-to-device communication (D2D) technology. The method comprises the following steps of: judging whether to build a D2D link or not if the D2D user requirement exists under a cellular system scene; performing spread spectrum on a symbol to be transmitted between D2D users to multiple sections of carriers of the whole frequency band; and performing frequency domain expansion on the signals transmitted by the D2D users through spreading codes and then transmitting the signals. By the method, the capacity of the system can be obviously increased, interference to cellular users is low, signaling is simple and high actual operation possibility is achieved.


The oxygen and nitrogen K–LL Auger spectra of N2O are reported and interpreted by means of configuration interaction calculations of the various states of N2O2+. The charge distributions in the three core hole states of N2O have been calculated by the restricted Hartree–Fock method and used in estimates of the relative intensities of the Auger transitions. Such estimates, together with the calculated energies of the different states of N2O2+, allow an assignment of the reported Auger spectra to be made.


A high performance current-reused CMOS LC-voltage-controlled oscillator (LC-VCO) for WiMAX communication and internet application is fabricated in TSMC 0.18-μm CMOS process. The proposed VCO applies the complementary cross-coupled technique and uses differentially tuned accumulation MOS varactors. Measured results achieve 27.86% frequency tuned range when biased between 0-1.8 V, tunable output frequency from 2.81 to 3.71 GHz, output power of -5.54 dBm and phase noise of -122 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset from lower frequency of 2.816 GHz, and good value of FOM (Figure of Merit) of -180.8 dBc/Hz. The broadband CMOS double-balance mixer for wireless is presented. The broadband mixer is fabricated with the 0.18 μm CMOS process. Measurement of the CMOS mixer is performed, the input return loss is higher than 8.5 dB. The chip area including pads is only 0.488 mm2 and the power dissipation including buffers is 13.5 mW.


The exponential growth of the online purchases and a cyber war in the digital space among the service providers for grabbing the lion's share in the online space requires an understanding of the effect of demographic features on the online purchase behaviour of the travellers. Such valuable information will help the service providers to understand and eventually segment their markets and implement effective marketing instruments. The empirical study was carried out amongst 450 travelers who booked their travel online through Online Travel Portals in Delhi National Capital Region out of which 400 questionnaires were found to be complete in all respects and can be used for data analysis. The data was collected from the departure lounge of Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. The study investigates the traveler`s attitude towards online purchase of travel products and investigates the factors influencing the online purchase of travel products by the travelers. The findings denote that income and age group influence the online purchase attitude of travellers. It also identifies whether a gap existed between expectation and satisfaction of online purchase of travel products using Online Travel Portals in Delhi National Capital Region. The largest positive gap (positive disconfirmation) came from reliability in financial transactions, pertinent information, flexible packages and location while completeness in terms of services, integration on social media, usefulness, accuracy, flexible payment, information quality had a negative gap (negative disconfirmation) between the higher level of importance and lower levels of satisfaction. No significant mean differences were observed between expectations and experiences of proficient Grievance redressal system and timeliness in refund.


Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to explore relationships between corporate governance characteristics and strategic management accounting (SMA). The relationships provide insight into a debatable issue of whether corporate governance characteristics affect applications of SMA in Thailand. SMA is supporting tools for an organization to effectively execute its management strategies aiming for business success. Design/methodology/approach - This study analyzes primary data from survey and corporate governance data from year 2011 to 2013 of companies listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Findings - Results show that corporate governance characteristics significantly affect SMA in two aspects, namely, participation and usage. This study finds some results that, on the one hand, separation of CEO's role and chairmanship, size of independent board, and frequency of audit committee meetings positively affect both participation and usage. On the other hand, an independent chairman and board size negatively affect both participation and usage. Originality/value - Findings confirm framework of enterprise governance issued by the International Federation of Accountants that not only does corporate governance provides assurance control, but it also provides strategic governance through behavioral applications of SMA tools and supports.


The spectral analysis of surface waves (SASW) method is a nonintrusive testing technique for determining shear wave velocity (VS) profiles of geotechnical sites using seismic interface waves (also called surface waves). Both small-scale and full-scale experiments have been conducted to develop the SASW technique for use underwater. The small-scale tests were performed to validate theoretical predictions regarding dominant types of seismic waves at the water/substrate interface. The tests clearly show a difference between soft and stiff substrates, where the definition of substrate stiffness is based on the value of the velocity of the Rayleigh-type interface wave (VR) relative to the velocity of compression waves in water (VW). In the simplest case, where the substrate is soft (VR VW), the dominant wave was found to be a generalized Rayleigh wave, the mea...


Stewardship of health care resources is an important bioethical tenet of the practice of medicine. Physicians should act as stewards of resources and ensure that they are appropriately used to provide the best possible medical care for individual patients and for society as a whole. As in all cases of the physician-patient relationship, goals of therapy should be delineated, and appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic interventions to achieve that goal should be undertaken. Emergency physicians should advocate for the best treatment of the individual patient. In most cases, physician and patients agree, with the same goal of improving patient comfort and health. However, at times, there may be discordance between patient and physician. Shared decision-making should be undertaken to elicit the patient's goals and values and then to educate and inform the patient about the physician's recommendations. The goal is to reach a mutually agreeable course of action based on the patient's goals and values. If unable to reach agreement, the physician should offer the tests and therapy that offer the best good to the patient.


Queer theory lives. Lest we ring its death knell or dismiss its future in academic, activist, or rhetorical spaces, Reclaiming Queer illuminates the vitality and excessive, unpredictable, risky, an...


ABSTRACT Objective: Diffuse symmetrical lipomatosis, or Madelung disease, is a condition of benign lipoma formation that occurs around the shoulder girdle and can alter quality of life immensely. As surgery is the mainstay for treatment, recognition and education of this condition is needed in medical literature to expand future treatment modalities. Methods: Case report and review of the literature. Results: A 47-year-old male with primary hypothyroidism, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy presented with a 20-year history of recurrent lipomatous formations. Enlarging lesions were previously on his upper back, posterior left ear, and bilateral shoulders. Pathology showed benign lipomas in all resections. Rapid growth of similar lesions had now occurred throughout his shoulder girdle, upper back, sternum, and submandibular regions. His quality of life had been affected, as the sternal mass caused recumbent pressure. Work-up was negative for Cushing syndrome and acromegaly. No genetic studi...


In the last few years magnetic bearing technology has gained popularity particularly for higher volume products. More and more complex bearing systems, like air bearings or hydrostatic and hydrodynamic sliding bearings are being replaced by magnetic bearings. The reasons are the availability of novel types of magnetic on the one hand and the continuously decreasing costs for electronic components on the other hand. Additionally, the combination of magnetic bearing and electric motor has brought about a new component for electrical drives - the so called bearingless motor. With this bearingless motor further simplification of the drive system becomes feasible.


Context Overseas studies have quantified production differences of Hereford × Angus compared with purebred Angus for a range of traits including growth, carcass and reproductive traits. Aim This study aims to provide a comparison of Hereford × Angus and purebred Angus under modern grazing conditions in southern Australia. Methods Thirty Hereford and 22 Angus sires were mated to 1100 Angus cows and heifers in a large commercial herd run on pasture at Musselroe Bay, Tasmania. Approximately 1650 calves were born. Steers were grown on pasture for an average of 23 months and then slaughtered. Results Hereford sired calves were heavier at birth (+8.8%) and weaning (+4.1%). Hereford-sired calves from heifers (but not from mature cows) had more assisted births (+8.2%) and more calf deaths (10.0% vs 5.1%). Hereford-sired steers had higher hot standard carcass weight (+4.1%) and eye-muscle area (+3.2%) but when hot standard carcass weight was fitted as a covariate, eye-muscle area was no longer significant. Carcass quality measures (AUSMEAT marbling –25.8%, Meat Standards Australia marbling –10.5%, Meat Standards Australia index –1.0%) were poorer for Hereford-sired steers and fat colour (+6.9%) was darker. Meat samples from Hereford-sired steers had significantly lower colour indicators (L and b). There was no difference in cooking loss and shear force, and intramuscular fat was lower (3.0% vs 4.1%). Conclusions Hereford × Angus calves were heavier at birth than were purebred Angus, but had more calving difficulty and deaths associated with heifer dams. Hereford × Angus carcasses were heavier but had lower indicators of quality than did purebred Angus. Implications As Hereford × Angus steers produced a 4.1% heavier carcass, pure Angus steers would need to attract a premium of at least 4.1% for the additional marbling to give more value. Hereford bulls could be mated to Angus cows and not Angus heifers to avoid calving difficulties. Alternatively, good calving Hereford bulls could be selected using estimated breeding values when mating to Angus heifers.


The utility model belongs to the technical field of a lamp mask and particularly relates to a ribbon free-form surface LED (Light-Emitting Diode) lamp optical mask. The ribbon free-form surface LED lamp optical mask is formed by splicing a plurality of optical mask units; and each optical mask unit is formed by splicing one or a plurality of free-form surface polyhedrons from front to back at different angles. The utility model provides the ribbon free-form surface LED lamp optical mask which can reasonably distribute luminous flux of an LED light source so as to improve the utilization rate of luminous flux and improve illuminating quality of an LED lamp.


Abstract The relationship between renal perfusion pressure and renal blood flow (RBF) was studied in the contralateral or not-clipped kidneys of seven two-kidney one-clip renovascular severely hypertensive rabbits and in the right kidneys of eight normotensive rabbits. Thirty to forty days after clipping the left renal artery, severely hypertensive rabbits were characterized by blood pressures significantly greater than normotensive (105 vs 80 mm Hg), and plasma renin activities three times greater than in normotensive rabbits. The absolute RBF to the right kidney was greater in hypertensive rabbits, but these kidneys were hypertrophied so that renal blood flow per gram kidney weight was the same (2.4 ml/min) in kidneys of both hypertensive and normotensive rabbits. Sequentially reducing renal perfusion pressure decreased RBF similarly in both groups suggesting hypertensive rabbits required 27% greater perfusion pressure to achieve RBF similar to that of normotensive rabbits. When the competitive angiotensin antagonist [Sar1-Ile8]-angiotensin II was administered to both groups, there was no significant change in the RBF of normotensives. In the hypertensive rabbits, however, blood pressure dropped to a value not different from normotensive while renal vascular resistance decreased such that RBF was maintained at a normal level. These results suggest the contralateral kidneys of severely hypertensive rabbits chronically adapt RBF to normal levels despite elevated renal perfusion pressure.


On Friday the 11th of this Month, being on the Mount in Kensington Gardens, at a Quarter past 10 o'Clock, the Sun shining bright, in a serene Sky, I saw towards the South, a Ball of Fire, of about Eight Inches Diameter, and somewhat oval, which grew to the Size of about a Yard and an half Diameter.


The article looks at state coercion as a necessary attribute of state power and singles out its distinctive features, forms and peculiarities.


We intend to argue against a particular version of psychological externalism, that is, a strictly natural externalism. This theory is based on a problematic view of the semantic properties of natural kind terms; therefore, in the best possible scenario, strictly natural externalism ixes psy chological distinctions which are not relevant for communicative purposes, and at its worst, it transforms mental individuation into an impossible task.


Ann Saudi Med 27(5) September-October 2007 www.kfshrc.edu.sa/annals 378 Tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica (TO) is a benign disease, first described in 1855 and rather rarely since. Only a few hundred cases have been reported. Osseocartilaginous submucos sal nodules projecting into the lumen of the trachea and bronchi characterize the disease.1 The mechanism of its occurrence remains controversial. Most cases are ass ymptomatic and frequently diagnosed incidentally durs ing intubation, endoscopy or autopsy.2,3 The incidence of TO appears to be underestimated in the literature in view of the fact that it is usually benign. However, a more accurate estimate of its true prevalence may bes come available through the use of bronchoscopy and computerized tomographic scanning.


Interleukin (IL)-33 (also known as IL1F11, NF-HEV) is an IL-1 family cytokine constitutively expressed at endothelial and epithelial barrier surfaces where it is rapidly released from cells during tissue injury (1). IL-33 signals via a receptor complex of ST2 (serum stimulation 2; also known as IL1RL1, DER4, FIT-1, T1, IL33R) and IL-1 receptor accessory protein to initiate and amplify inflammatory responses through activation of NFκB and MAP Kinase signalling pathways (1,2). Due to its rapid action following injury or infection, IL-33 is often referred to as an "alarmin" or endogenous danger signal.


The invention discloses an under-forest three-dimensional cultivation method for Dendrobium officinale. The three-dimensional cultivation method for planting the Dendrobium officinale by means of forest tree bodies, tree segments, tree blocks, stumps and under-forest matrixes in an overgrowth mode has the advantages that the Dendrobium officinale is planted on original forest resources, no independent land sources are occupied, and therefore space is saved; completely-natural growth conditions are utilized, a large amount of manpower and a large number of material resources are saved, and therefore the planting cost is saved; the natural ecological environment is utilized, so that plant diseases and insect pests are effectively reduced without the need of applying fertilizer and pesticide; products obtained through the planting method are natural, free of pollution and high in quality; according to the planting method, the under-forest land resources are sufficiently utilized, the planted Dendrobium officinale has mobility due to the use of the tree segments, the stumps, the tree blocks and the like, the space utilization rate can be greatly improved, a large area of forest land resources can be reasonably utilized, and the method can be applied to other forestry gardens where imitated wild planting is not applicable and has wide application and popularization prospects.


Islamabad (Pakistan) - At least seven Afghan soldiers were were killed on Friday when a landmine blew up their vehicle near the southeastern Afghan city of Khost, the Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) reported.


In cultured mammalian cells, the p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway is activated in response to a variety of environmental stresses. How ever, there is little evidence from in vivo studies to demonstrate a role for this pathway in the stress response. We identified a Drosophila MAPK kinase kinase (MAPKKK), D‐MEKK1, which can activate p38 MAPK. D‐MEKK1 is structurally similar to the mammalian MEKK4/MTK1 MAPKKK. D‐MEKK1 kinase activity was activated in animals under conditions of high osmolarity. Drosophila mutants lacking D‐MEKK1 were hypersensitive to environmental stresses, including elevated temperature and increased osmolarity. In these D‐MEKK1 mutants, activation of Drosophila p38 MAPK in response to stress was poor compared with activation in wild‐type animals. These results suggest that D‐MEKK1 regulation of the p38 MAPK pathway is critical for the response to environmental stresses in Drosophila.


THOMAS W JODZIEWICZ* In his discussion of the religions of the generally tolerant Utopians, in Book II of Utopia, St. Thomas More seems to have unintentionally anticipated the character and activities of a late eighteenth-century American priest, Father John Thayer. While I was there, only one of the Christians got into trouble with the law. As soon as he was baptized, he took on himself to preach the Christian religion publicly, with more zeal than discretion. We warned him not to do so, but he soon worked himself up to a pitch where he not only preferred our religion, but condemned all others as profane, leading their impious and sacrilegious followers to the hell-fires they richly deserved. After he had been going on in this style for a long time, they arrested him. He was tried on a charge, not of despising their religion, but of creating a public disorder, convicted, and sentenced to exile. For it is one of their oldest rules that no one should suffer for his religion.' If one recognizes Thayer's name at all, it is a name and person easily connected"with more zeal than discretion," a Puritan convert to Roman Catholicism who seemed surely to condemn Protestant Americans to "hell-fires" and to promote much "public disorder." Thayer was himself in effect "sentenced to exile," evidently for breaking one of the Utopians"`oldest rules," but a fairly new American reality, that regarding toleration. He did then appear to "suffer for his religion," for the evangelizing of his countrymen, a bittersweet reality that did not escape the attention of Father Thayer. Of course, there is usually more than one way to look at things, and Father Thayer's eventful moment in the early American republic is no exception. Despite the obvious displeasure of Bishop John Carroll with his occasionally insubordinate subordinate, Thayer shared with his religious superior, and fellow apologist, a passion both for their common faith and for their republican homeland. Neither Thayer nor his bishop doubted the good things that might occur in a new nation founded in religious freedom and, hence, open to evangelization. Neither understood the American commitment to the separation of church and state, and to religious liberty, then, to be a commitment to religious indifferentism or any other sort of modern relativism or agnosticism regarding religion and morality. While both men were committed to the liberal values of the new republic, indeed proud of those values, both were also passionately aware of the timeless quality of Christ's commission to his followers:"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you" (Matthew 28: 19-20). Each man was a willing participant in the continuing development in the early republic of what would later be deemed by many observers as the pre-eminent American Catholic contribution to the universal Church, the Second Vatican Council's Declaration on Religious Freedom. In many ways a distillation of and a reflection upon the American Catholic experience, that document would affirm the validity of religious freedom, but yet also reaffirm the fundamental and perennial evangelizing mission of the Church.2 The rub here is that, unburdened not only with episcopal responsibilities but also unburdened, or rather not blessed, by Bishop Carroll's natural disposition toward peace and lowered voices, Father Thayer seemed hardly a consistent model of "love, prudence, and patience in his dealings with those who are in error or in ignorance with regard to the faith," as the Declaration counseled. While Carroll was content to initiate a long-term building of the Church in the United States, and to react as might be necessary to attacks on the faith or the Church, Thayer was anxious to bring about the immediate realization of the kingdom. Unfortunately, his zeal to defend the faith and the Church against their detractors had the unintended effect of actually provoking more attacks. …


Abstract Is the current economic crisis a turning point, or rather a condition in which indecision is perpetuated? This question is answered through a reading of three recent Hollywood films about the crisis: The Company Men, Margin Call, and Up in the Air. While valorizing resilience in the face of crisis, the films also point to what is lost in the pursuit of resilience, including the capacity to imagine alternatives.


The use of hexachlorophane for bathing infants and for hand washing by people working in nurseries controlled staphylococcal colonisation in maternity units when it was common. The knowledge that this antibacterial substance is absorbed through the skin of the immature, and deposited in brain substance, led to its withdrawal from use in very low birth weight infants. Triple dye, or an antibacterial spray containing drugs not used at all in systemic treatment, applied to the umbilicus is probably an acceptable alternative. The mainstays of prevention, however, whether in hospital or at home must be as scrupulously clean an environment as possible and the full understanding by all concerned with the newborn that their conscientious and effective hand-washing, particularly in hospital, is one of the most important measures in safe neonatal care. The overuse of antibiotics is nowhere to be more deplored than in the newborn nursery, for it leads to colonisation with multiple resistant organisms in the first days of life. Changes in the balance of bowel flora may have played some part in the serious outbreaks of necrotising enterocolitis that have occurred among low-birth-weight infants in newborn units in recent years. Finally, the successful promotion of breast-feeding goes far towards protecting babies from invasion by bacteria.


Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) is a warm-season, annual, fiber crop. Two distinct fibers from kenaf stalks (long, jute-like bast fibers from the bark and short and balsawood-like fiber from the stem core) have been extensively used in various applications for remediation. Bast fibers are used to manufacture products such as burlap, carpet padding, and pulp, while the short-fibered core is processed into animal house bedding, packing materials, and oil-adsorbent mats. With the increase in demand for energy consumption, the US coal-fueled electric power industry annually produces 72 million tons of fly ash and 55 million tons of other coal combustion products (CCP) with a total production of 131 million tons in 2007. These by-products include mainly fly ash, bottom ash, boiler slag, flue gas desulphurization (FGD) gypsum, and FGD material dry/wet scrubbers. Moreover, the total CCP production increased linearly from 1966 through the early 21 st century. In 1966, the total CCP production generated by the US coal-fueled electric power industry was about 25 million tons; it reached about 130 million in 2007. At the same time, a vast amount of processing water from power plants has been discharged into ponds or rivers. This waste water requires a cost-effective remediation technology. The current study was to explore the potential of kenaf materials to remove heavy metals from waste water. Both batch and column experiments were designed to remove heavy metals such as Cr(VI), Pb, U, Cd, Ni, Hg, Sr, Ni, and metalloids As and Se. The column study results indicate that kenaf fibers can effectively remove the majority of Cr (VI) (84%), Pb (96%), U (93%) and almost all Hg (98%) from contaminated water. Current and previous studies suggest that that kenaf biofiltration could be incorporated into the early stages of wastewater processing to remove heavy metals from wastewater ponds and/or other water bodies. Adsorption mechanisms and methodology(s) to enhance filtration efficiency warrant further systematic studies. We are working toward development of a field-deployable biofiltration system that meets the remediation requirements for CCP-related and other relevant wastewater. In addition to cost saving for power plants, benefits will include creating new revenues for farmers and businesses that grow and process kenaf.


1
When the sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes are solubilized in Triton X-100 their ATPases are modified: the calcium-dependent ATPase is activated whereas the basic ATPase is inhibited.

2
Phospholipids are removed from the solubilized sarcoplasmic membranes completely by chromatography on a sepharose column equilibrated with Triton X-100. Thereby the activity of the calcium-dependent ATPase is abolished and cannot be restored by addition of phospholipids.

3
The delipidated ATPase preparation, exhibits only low activity, which is not dependent on calcium but on magnesium alone. This calcium-independent ATPase is activated to the level of the calcium-dependent ATPase both by unsaturated and saturated fatty acids, by anionic phospholipids and various synthetic lipids.

4
The enhancement of the ATPase activity produced by lipids is related to the binding of these compounds to the membrane protein in amounts comparable with those of bound Triton as demonstrated by dialysis experiments with dodecylsulfate. When the concentration of Triton in the medium is lowered, the dodecylsulfate/protein binding ratio increases, while Triton is detached from the protein.

5
The activation of the calcium-independent ATPase by saturated fatty acids is dependent upon the chain-length of these aliphatic compounds. Only the long-chain fatty acids are strong activators. Moreover, the hydrophilic group of lipids affects maximal activities. No activation is observed with lecithin or dodecanol, while alkyl-sulfates or -phosphates activate most effectively.

6
The calcium-independent ATPase differs from the calcium-dependent ATPase in that it is insensitive to N-ethylmaleimide, dinitrodithiobenzoic acid or salyrgan. The enzyme is strongly inhibited by prenylamine, sodium azide and silver ions. Similarly low alkali salt concentrations produce a strong reduction of the activity.

7
The relative rates, with which the nucleoside triphosphates are split by the calcium-independent ATPase, differ considerably. As observed for the calcium-activated ATPase. The dependence on the substrate concentration suggests a positive cooperativity concerning Mg · ATP (Hill coefficient 1.46). 50%, of maximal activity is obtained at 0.25 mM Mg · ATP. The enzyme is strongly inhibited by Mg · ADP.


We present a centralized energy-aware trust-based routing scheme for wireless sensor networks. The proposed scheme saves energy and lengthens network lifetime while making the routing protocol more efficient, fairer, and more secure.


This article examines the philosophical and cultural ideas and values of TOC transcendent that through the development of intellectual and metaphysical intuitions define and steer thinking individual, contribute to the preservation of its culture, stimulate the desire to make an informed choice as to the forms of life, bring to the higher manifestations of spiritual fulfillment through the imperatives of Harmony, Good and beauty.


efficacy of my procedures in incising the membrane and removing the adenoid even though there has been spontaneous perforation of the membrane. For one ear had been discharging for five days and was well in sixteen, while the one that had been discharging for nine days was not well until twenty-seven. Case forty-three, even though it had been discharging spontaneouslv for one day, showed pus, under pressure, enough to fill the canal at the time of the incision. The three cases that showed serum upon incision all showed pus after twenty-four hours.


This volume of seventeen articles was written by persons who have had considerable firsthand experience in dealing with labor problems in radio and television. They include attorneys, educators, broadcasting industry executives, and union officials. Editor Allen E. Koenig was the driving force who brought all the diverse writings of these contributing authors together in one volume. While working on his master's and doctoral theses [studies of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AF TRA)], he became appalled at the lack of hard data on union-management relations in the broadcasting industry. He decided to do something about it, and the result is this series of articles which, taken together, cover nearly every important aspect of the subject. Because of the sheer number of contributors, it is not surprising to find some unevenness in style and content among the articles. On the whole, however, the book is well written, highly informative, and illuminates many important areas of the industry. In considering some of the forces which have shaped labor relations in broadcasting, three factors are pivotal: 1. As with the motion picture industry, although not to the same extent, there is a substantial amount of casual employment in broadcasting, particularly in the talent categories. This condition has placed its stamp on such unions as AFTRA, Screen Actors Guild (SAG), International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), and American Federation of Musicians (AFM), and has reinforced basic attitudes and objectives of these organizations on such issues as union security and work jurisdiction. 2. The existence of a number of industrial unions in broadcasting does not in any way diminish the strongly craft-oriented outlook of the broadcast unions. Craft rivalries and jealousies, while somewhat abated in recent years, still pose troublesome problems for these organizations in their sometimes frenetic strivings to achieve unity of purpose and action. As in other industries characterized by a large amount of casual employment (such as construction and maritime), employees base their security on the union before they go on the job as contrasted, say, with auto workers, who usually do not become a factor in union matters until after they are hired. The point is that an unemployed radio-TV performer or writer will continue to look to his union between jobs more than an auto worker or steelworker in the same situation. 3. In contrast to the film industry, New York rather than Hollywood is the apex of the executive pyramid of the major networks. This is true despite the fact that as many if not more network shows originate in Los Angeles than on the East Coast. The geographical separation makes for understandable tensions in difficult labor relations situations between the local management and what is euphemistically called "the front office." The broadcasting industry, of course, is not unique in this regard. Basic labor relations policy is formulated and basic decisions are made in many national corporate enterprises thousands of miles away from the scene of action. New York City is also headquarters for a number of the top advertising agencies and corporate sponsors, many of whom significantly influence network policy. The book is organized in four parts: a historical review of unionism in broadcasting; the impact on labor relations of court decisions, the NLRB, and arbitration; special problems affecting employees, unions, and the industry; and possible future relationships between management and labor. In Part I a most informative article by


Outdoor TV antennas are often capable of receiving a better signal than indoor TV antennas because they have a direct sight of a transmitter without interference. Outdoor TV antennas can range dramatically in design and usually receive VHF (Very High Frequencies) or UHF (Ultra High Frequencies) frequencies. The development of wireless remote control is designed to be easy for users to obtain the desired television broadcast by using remote control which originally infrared modified to wireless which consists of a 100 meter distance to control the movements of an outdoor antenna. It is equipped with a control button which one channel is able to control in two directions. This project uses servo motors to move the antenna and it can rotate in 360 degrees. It use microcontroller to control operations.


month's treatment with imipramine which was increased till at least a minimum daily dose of 350 mg. All 3 patients showed a dramatic improvement which began within 3 to 6 days of the addition of lithium carbonate 300 mg t.d.s. Thus it is unlikely that the apparent antidepressant effect of the addition of lithium was merely a spontaneous remission or a late response to the imipramine. In all 3 patients the improvement was sustained, the patients were discharged and follow-up revealed that they were well and had obtained employment. All 3 patients had a different type of recurrent affective disorder-I unipolar, I bipolar, and I bipolar-II. All 3 had depressive episodes of different severity (Hamilton scores ranged from 17 to 35). One was a DST non-suppressor and 2 suppressed normally. One had a family history of affective disorder but 2 did not. Future research will attempt to identify clinical and biochemical features of the subgroup of treatment refractory depressed patients who may respond to lithium potentiation. ALEC Roy


Abstract Two novelties from the Bear River Range of the northern Wasatch Mountains of Utah and Idaho are Musineon naomiensis L. M. Shultz & F. J. Smith, sp. nov. (Apiaceae) and Orthocarpus holmgreniorum (T.I. Chuang & Heckard) L. M. Shultz & F. J. Smith, comb. et. stat. nov. (Orobanchaceae). With these additions, the Bear River Range harbors 13 endemic plant species, most of which are edaphically restricted to dolomitic rocks in or near Logan Canyon. Most of the 260+ species of the 2600+ native species on the Utah state list of rare plants are in the warm-desert portion of the state. The montane endemics enumerated here demonstrate the unique habitats of the mountains of northern Utah and distinguish the Bear River Range as a hotspot of rarity.


The invention is intended to improve a mould arrangement (1) and a method for the explosion forming of a workpiece (12) by means of gas explosion, in which the workpiece is arranged in a receiving space (15) of a forming mould (2), the receiving space being filled at least partially with liquid (26) and the explosion being triggered by igniting an explosive gas mixture (23), to the extent that the mould arrangement and the method are simplified and suitable for mass production. This object is achieved by a mould arrangement and a method for the explosion forming of a workpiece by means of gas explosion in which the workpiece is arranged in a receiving space of a forming mould (2), wherein the receiving space is at least partially filled with liquid and the explosion is triggered by igniting an explosive gas mixture in which the exposive gas mixture is at least partially provided over the surface of the liquid (22) before the ignition.


Identifying protein coding regions in DNA sequences is an important step in the location of genes. The major signal in protein coding regions for most of genomic sequences is three-base periodicity. This paper proposed a Fourier-Wavelet-based method to predict protein coding regions based on the previous Fourier-based predictor. The validity of this approach is verified by a great deal of research results from theoretical analysis and experiments. Sensitivity's increase and specificity's decrease demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed predictor.


terms, which capture the difference in effect of exposure in the affected region compared with the unaffected region, for each month of exposure. We see that for the 'All births' sample, births exposed in month 3 of gestation have significantly lower gestational age in the affected than in the unaffected region (difference: 20.228 weeks, P 1⁄4 0.022). When we compare these findings by sex of the pregnancy, we find a substantial decline in weeks of gestation for female pregnancies exposed to the earthquake in Month 3 and 2—the decline in weeks of gestation is, respectively, 0.234 and 0.265 weeks. These effects are significant at the P , 0.081 and P , 0.068 levels, respectively. Even if this effect does not reach a conventional P , 0.05 level, it is a relevant population-level effect. In fact, it is conventional in economics and other social sciences to use the P , 0.10 level to report statistical significance (these cut-points are, of course, just useful conventions. There is nothing essential about a P , 0.05 or a P , 0.10 threshold). As in Torche and Kleinhaus (2012), the effect is much weaker for males (the strongest effect is significant only at the P , 0.13 level). In sum, the main findings for the effect of earthquake exposure on gestational age reported in Torche and Kleinhaus (2012) remain. Earthquake exposure early in the pregnancy has a negative effect on gestational age. This effect is sex specific; it is much stronger for female pregnancies. This effect is relevant because natural disasters, as well as other sources of acute stress are, unfortunately, prevalent around the world, and they may affect individual outcomes even if exposure occurs before birth. We appreciate the opportunity to further test these findings and to contribute to an important methodological discussion.


Using a generalized version of double optical gating, we produced single isolated attosecond pulses with 2 mJ, 25 fs driving lasers. Through attosecond streaking, we characterized isolated 160 attosecond pulses with 170 pJ pulse energy.


ABSTRACT Insight into psychological mechanisms offers service organisations the opportunity to increase their hospitality performance. The present research shows that physical warmth positively contributes to people's experience of hospitality. In a field experiment among 127 visitors to a theatre, the effects of cold versus hot drinks and furniture on the experience of hospitality were examined using the Experience of Hospitality Scale (EH scale), measuring the three experiential factors of hospitality: inviting, care and comfort. In line with embodiment theory, hot drinks positively influenced the experience of the care factor of hospitality in the theatre foyer by triggering the abstract metaphor of mental warmth. However, warm furniture showed no effect, which supports the assumption that the effects of short- and long-term exposure to physical warmth are different. This study is the first to show a relationship between physically warm objects and the experience of hospitality in a service-oriented environment.


In his book, A Discipline of Programming, Dijkstra presents the skeleton for a programming language and defines its semantics axiomatically using predicate transformers. HIS language involves only bounded nondeterminism. He shows that unbounded nondeterminism is incompatible with his axioms and his continuity principle, and he argues that this is no drawback because unboundedly nondeterministic machines cannot be built. This paper considers the question of unbounded nondeterminism. A new predicate transformer is derived to handle this. A proof is given that the new transformer corresponds to operational semantics, and an informal argument is given that unbounded nondeterminism can be a useful programming concept even in the absence of nondeterministic machines.


Process for preparing a polylactone or polylactam, comprising the step of hacerque a lactone or lactam to react with an initiator, wherein the initiator is selected from laisosorbida, xylitol, mannitol, maltitol, eriltritol, fructose , ribose and glucose, thiol methane, n-propyl mercaptan, mercaptan isopropyl, the butyl mercaptan, mercaptan pentyl, n-octyl mercaptan, t-nonilmercaptano, n-dodecyl mercaptan, t-dodecyl mercaptan , 2-mercaptoethanol, 2- (4-methyl-cyclohex-3-enyl) propane-2-thiol and mixtures thereof, said process being carried out in a non-chlorinated aromatic solvent, enpresencia of a sulphonic acid of formula R-SO3H in R denotes: - a linear alkyl group containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms or an alkyl group branched I or cyclic quecontiene from 3 to 20 carbon atoms, optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected deforms independie nte between about oxo and halo groups, such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine; or - an optionally substituted by at least aryl group: - a substitute linear alkyl containing from 2 to 20 carbon atoms or an alkyl group branched or cyclic quecontiene from 3 to 20 carbon atoms, substituting itself optionally said substitute alkyl by at least one group selected from halogen fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine or a nitro group; or - a group selected from halogen fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine; or - nitro group; or - one group CR1R2R3 wherein R1 denotes a halogen atom and R2, R3 designate independently hydrogen unatomo or a halogen atom.


The relevance of the study is due to the relatively high costs in the fleet maintenance and supply system and the need to eliminate or minimize them in order to prevent significant financial and reputation losses for the shipping company.The article considers the experience of applying the concept of lean manufacturing at Russian industrial and transport enterprises. The authors analyze the applicability of the methodological approaches of lean production to solving urgent issues of material and technical supply in water transport. The main types of losses arising in the system of maintenance and supply of shipping companies and ports are identified. The article contains practical suggestions for the development of measures to eliminate these losses using approaches and tools of lean manufacturing. Directions for further elaboration of measures to optimize the logistics system and supply are formulated.


We present a reliable real-time optical flow estimation framework which can be used in surveillance applications and video analysis. In normal imaging environments, reliability can be achieved by combining an extended optical flow constraint with a smoothing procedure and a masking procedure. In noisy environments, total least squares is adopted to ensure accuracy. The proposed system is able to recover up to 31 frames of dense optical flow per second using a Xeon 3.06GHz workstation, which makes it very useful in a range of surveillance systems that are based on standard PC hardware.


• Data Mining • Business Process Reengineering • Business Process Management • Enterprise Modeling • Model-Driven Engineering • Quality Assurance • Business Process Improvement • Strategic Knowledge Management • Architecture-Driven Modernization • Software Maintenance Corporations accumulate a lot of valuable data and knowledge over time, but storing and maintaining this data can be a logistic and financial headache for business leaders and IT specialists.


In previous studies we have demonstrated that several individual ginsenosides such as Rc, Rd, Re and Ri relieves formalin-induced pain following systemic treatment. But it is unknown where these single ginsenosides induce antinociception. We investigated the antinoiceptive effect of four individual ginsenosides on formalin-induced pain after intrathecal (i.t.), intracereventricular (i.c.v.), or subcutaneous (s.c.) administration using mice. We found that ginsenoside Rc, Rd, and Re except Rf attenuated both acute and tonic phase of pain. Ginsenoside Rf attenuated only tonic phase of pain after i.t. administration. The ED50/ was 1.0 (0.55∼l.75 mg/kg) for Rc, 1.15 (0.6∼2.25 mg/kg) for Rd, and 8.9 (3.9∼20.5 mg/kg) for Re in acute phase of pain. The ED50/ was 0.3 (0.1∼0.85 mg/kg) for Rc, 0.6 (0.35∼l.1 mg/kg) for Rd, 2.45 (1.25∼4.65 mg/kg) for Re, and 1.9 (1.5∼4.25 mg/kg) for Rf in tonic phase of pain. We also found that ginsenoside Rc, Rd, Re, and Rf after i.c.v. administration attenuated both acute and tonic phase of pain. The ED5o for acute phase of pain was 0.9 (0.55∼l.4mg/kg) for Rc, 0.9 (0.45∼1.7 mg/kg) for Rd, 0.93 (0.5∼l .75 mg/kg) for Re, and 1.85 (0.95∼3.5 mg/kg) for Rf. The ED50/ for tonic phase of pain was 0.7 (0.45∼1.05 mg/kg) for Rc,1.25 (0.7∼2.2 mg/kg) for Rd, 0.85 (0.45∼1.6 mg/kg) for Re, and 0.8 (0.4∼1.45 mg/kg) for Rf. Thus, the order of the analgesic potency was RcRd>Re>Rf in both i.t. and i.c.v. administration routes. However, s.c. pretreatment of four ginsenosides did not reduce formalin-induced pain. These results suggest that analgesic effect of ginsenosides is achieved through spinal or supraspinal site(s) in formalin test.


In the sourse of the professional cultivation in pharmacology major in Zhaoqing Medical College,the school-enterprise cooperation talents cultivating model was studied and adopted,which promoted the reform in the curriculum setting,teaching contents and teaching methods in pharmacology,and accomplishment of clerkship tasks,so as to reach the goal of cultivating the highly skilled personnd.

Key words:
School-enterprise cooperation; Pharmacology major; Cultivating model


The industrial cluster gathers the effect which can display the total ability of various resources.It enhances the productivity and reduces the cost of operation.At the same time,it has regional innovative ability and presents the competitive advantages in the competition between regions.So how to cultivate the cluster's regional competitive advantages becomes more and more important to each region of our country.


A central guiding principle for the new standard for cataloging, RDA, is the idea that different types of material should be treated the same. However, for all objects to be cataloged there will always exist characteristics specific to their type, which are intrinsic to their formal description. Add to this the data model FRBR which forms the structural basis of RDA, and the consequence is that catalog entries form highly complex structures. This complexity will be addressed in a conceptual model for catalog entries. Additionally, it is possible to propose a general workflow for cataloging which covers all types of materials.


This article reports on the main findings of my recently completed PhD (Couper 2009) and discusses the implications for the classroom. The findings are based on a series of three cumulative studies. With the insights gained and the focus provided by a Cognitive Phonology framework, Critical Listening (CL) and Socially Constructed Meta-language (SCM) emerged as two key variables which play a role in effective pronunciation teaching.


On Basis of the rules and features of warship fire and paying more attention to the prevention in fireproofing, this paper outlines the principle and task of warship fireproofing design. It also takes out several problems that must be considered in warship fireproofing design.


To improve the accuracy of initial timing, an estimation method with the cooperation of distributed receive antennas is proposed in this paper. In the cooperation area, we consider two distributed receive antennas to receive the signal transmitted from the MS over the flat Rayleigh channels. The prior information of coverage region from each distributed receive antenna is firstly exploited to form a precondition of cooperation. Then we derive the threshold detection method based on the precondition. With the proposed method, the simulation results show that the probability of correct estimation for each distributed receive antenna is improved.


Surveys in a xerophytic forests association in an Illinois sand area showed that specialized Batesian mimics of stinging bumblebees or wasps are numerous in spring and early summer, generally absent in midsummer, and present but infrequent in late summer. This extends the known occurrence of this sort of seasonal distribution among mimics to a group of mimetic species which are rare or do not occur in the mesophytic forest associations in Illinois which were surveyed by two previous investigators. Our findings support the hypothesis of these previous investigators that some temperate zone Batesian mimics may be selected to avoid the midsummer season when newly fledged, insectivorous birds are abundant and have not yet learned to shun the models which the mimics resemble. See full-text article at JSTOR


Objective:To study the relationship between nephropathy-purpura interval and clinical man ifestations, and prognosis in Henoch-Schnlein purpura patients with renal inv olvement (HSPN). Methodology:145 patients with HSPN who received at least an renal biopsy were followed up fo r an average time of 42.5 months. According to the record of renal damage-pur pura interval, the patients were divided to three groups: group 1(n=84), HSP N onset within one month after isolated purpura; group 2 (n=48), recurrent p urpura or purpura 1 month more proceeding HSPN; and group 3 (n=13), HSPN pro ceeding purpura. Clinical outcomes were grades as follows: Normal, i.e., symp tom free with normal urinalysis ( hematuria negative and proteinuria 0.4 g/24h r) and normal SCr;Minor urinary abnormality, i.e., proteinuria 0.4~1 g/24hr with or without hematuria, without hypertension and increased SCr;Deterioratio n, i.e., proteinuria 1 g/24hr, gross hematuria, with hypertension or renal in sufficiency. Results:Patients in group 1 showed mild urinary abnormality or isolated gross hematuria with normal blood pressure and SCr level. Renal biopsy revealed mesangial proli feration and few cellular crescent formation. Compared with groups 1, patients in group 2 developed renal damage lately. Moderate or massive proteinuria occur red more frequently in group 2. Hypoalbuminia occurred in 11 patients(22.9%) . Capsule adhesion, and cellular/fibrous crescent were more sever in group 2 th an in group 1. In group 3,hypertension was observed in 15.4% of patients, gr oss hematuria 38.5%, massive proteinuria 23.1%. Acute and chronic lesion was observed. In group 1, the outcome of 61 patients(72.6%) were graded as normal, 14 patients (16.7%) as minor urinary abnormalities,and 9 patients (10.8%) as deterioration. In group 2, the outcome of 20 patients (41.7%) were graded as normal, 14 (29.2%) as minor urinary abnormalities,and 14 (29.1%) as deteriora tion. Whereas in group 3, the outcome of 7 patients (53.8%) were greaded as n ormal, 6 (46.2%) achieved deterioration. Significant difference in probability of deterioration was found among the three groups of patients(P0.01). Conclusion:These findings suggest that interval between the onset of renal damage and purpu ra, or recurrence of purpura might be associated with the outcomes. Patients wi th recurrent purpura, or prolonged history of purpura over 1 month proceeding re nal onset, or renal onset before purpura, represent more severe subgroups of HSP .


The purpose of this research was to develop a laboratory module which introduces a mechanical engineering concept into an existing circuits laboratory module for a course taken by both mechanical and electrical students. This module was developed so mechanical engineering students would have a familiar concept they could relate to while conducting the circuits lab, making the lab more engaging for mechanical engineering students. For this module a Wheatstone bridge was paired with a strain gage to illustrate the mechanical concept of strain. To allow students to visualize this strain, the Wheatstone bridge was connected to an oscilloscope so that the change in voltage could be viewed and measured when the strain gage is deflected. This module allowed mechanical and electrical engineering students to learn concepts simultaneously from two very distinct fields of study. A student survey was developed and measured high student engagement in the topic of both circuits and Wheatstone bridge systems.


An automatic image processing method is proposed to extract vocal fold vibrations from high-speed digital imaging. Extracted regular vocal fold vibrations contribute to periodic voices, and irregular vocal fold vibrations contribute to aperiodic voices. The effects of image resolutions are investigated. This study combines the features of both image and voice signal processing and provides a valuable automatic image processing technique for the measurement and quantification of voice productions from high-speed imaging.


Sir, A three-year-old boy presented with fever, progressive pallor and aching limbs for the last 3 months followed by a petechial rash over the last 20 days. On examination, severe pallor, bony tenderness, petechiae over bilateral lower limbs and hepato-splenomegaly 8 cm and 4 cm below respective costal margins were noted. His haemoglobin was 34 g/L, total leukocyte count 69.3 × 109/L and platelet count was 14 × 109/L. A blood film showed 50% blasts and a bone marrow was performed, which revealed 93% blasts of lymphoid morphology that were myeloperoxidase-negative and PAS block-positive. Flow cytometric immunophenotyping of the bone marrow, intriguingly, revealed two distinct blast clusters on the CD45-side scatter plot [Figure 1]. The numerically smaller one (~22% of all events, P1, red in figure) with dim intensity CD45 showed a typical precursor B-lymphoblastic immunophenotype:[1] positive for CD19, CD10, CD79a, CD34 and TdT along with CD38 and HLA-DR. The other cluster comprised ~67% of all events and was CD45 negative. It showed an immunophenotype more akin to progenitor B-lymphoblasts:[1,2] positive for CD19, CD79a, TdT, HLA-DR and CD38 but heterogeneous (dim to negative) for CD10 and negative for CD34. Both populations were negative for all T-lineage markers (surface and cytoplasmic CD3 and surface CD4, CD7 and CD8) as well as for all myeloid and monocytic markers (cytoplasmic myeloperoxidase and surface CD13, CD14, CD15, CD16, CD33, CD64, CD117 and CD123) tested.


Taking the evolution process of TFT-LCD industry as an example,this paper applied history-friendly model to analyze the effect of technology innovation and learning,and market demand growth and fluctuation on the evolution of production organization pattern in strategic emerging industries.Our research indicates that:(1) when market demand maintains linear growth,continuous technology innovation capabilities of vertically integrated enterprises in leading position of an industry are the key factor in deciding whether dominant production organization pattern will shift from vertical integration to specialization;(2) when market demand is in cyclical fluctuation,the technology learning capabilities of specialized enterprises in catch-up position are the key factor in deciding whether dominant production organization pattern will shift from vertical integration to specialization;(3) when market demand growth is under cyclical fluctuation,if the relative gap between technology innovation capabilities of vertically integrated enterprises and technology learning capabilities of specialized enterprises remains constant,the phase when industry cycle moves from trough to plateau is the best time window for specialized enterprises to catch up with and overtake vertically integrated enterprises.Hence,policy design supporting the development of strategic emerging industries should give full consideration to factors like market demand environment and technology innovation and learning capabilities of domestic enterprises.


This article deals with President Chiang Kai-shek's postwar overall framework, both at home and abroad levels, as formed during the period between the eve of the outbreak of the Pacific War in 1941 and the end of the conference in Cairo in 1943. There are three features to be observed in this framework. First, Chiang held a national se lf-effacement policy in defense and a dream of domestic "self reliance. "In his diaries, he often swore to do so, especially the "self reliance", and released his resentments and frustrations toward the British, the US, and the Soviets. Chiang advocated enthusiastically the territorial recovery and sovereignty independence for weak or small nations in Asia, and denied repeatedly the allegation of China's ambition in the area. This reminds one of the "low profile" foreign policy of Deng Xiaoping in the late 1980s, suggesting that there might be a sort of continuity in China's diplomatic strategy. Secondly, Chiang had strong Asian consciousness. He was generous to the postwar treatment of Thailand, and even Japan, China's former enemy in the Second World War. Thirdly, Chiang had in mind a grand diplomacy of national independence. He refused to ally with the British, partly for his distrust of them, and partly for his worries about it might have on the relations with the Soviets, Germany, and Japan. In that sense, Chiang's postwar vision was promising.


Rheumatic diseases prevalence and characteristics in Mexico may vary depending on the country´s region1. To acknowledge these differences is needed to develop focused strategies for early diagnosis and treatment2.Identify the sociodemographic, clinical and treatment characteristics of the rheumatic diseases in the different regions in Mexico using data from the Mexican Adverse Events Registry (BIOBADAMEX).In this analysis we included all patients registered from 2016 to 2021. We described the prevalence in the northern region of Mexico (NR), central (CR) and southern region (SR). We compared sociodemographic, clinical and treatment characteristics between these three regions. We used descriptive statistics, Chi square and Kruskal Wallis tests to analyze differences between the groups.A total of 780 patients were included in this study, 248 patients (32%) were from the NR, 471 (60%) were from the CR and 61 (8%) from the SR. At baseline, patients had a median (IQR) age of 50 (40-58) years and median disease duration of 7 (3-15) years. NR patients had longer disease duration (9.7 years, p <0.001) and SR patients had higher BMI (29, p 0.001). Overall, 351 (45%) had comorbidities. In CR and SR more than the half of the patient had comorbidities, while in NR only 29% (p 0.001).The most common diagnosis was rheumatoid arthritis with 512 (66%) patients, followed by ankylosing spondylitis in 115 (15%), psoriatic arthritis in 44 (6%), systemic lupus erythematosus in 30 (4%) and idiopathic juvenile arthritis in 27 (3%), this proportions were maintained when analyzed by regions. We found SR had higher DAS 28 and higher BASDAI (Table 1).Table 1.Baseline characteristics by region.Northern regionn=248Central regionn=471Southern regionn=61pAge, median(IQR)49.7 (42-58)49.9 (38-58)51.6 (43-61)0.4Female, n(%)193 (78)383 (81)52 (85)0.33Body Mass Index, median (IQR)28 (25-32)26 (22-29)29 (26-32)0.001Disease duration (years), median (RIC)9.7 (5-16)5.9 (2-14)4.5 (1-10)0.001Diagnostic, n(%): Rheumatoid arthritis173 (70)300 (64)39 (64)0.001 Idiopathic Juvenile Arthritis3 (1)23 (5)1 (2) Ankylosing Spondylitis47 (19)59 (13)9 (15)Laboratory studies, n(%)Rheumatoid factor97 (39)274 (58)38 (62)0.001ACPA15 (6)68 (14)12 (19)0.001Disease activity scores, median (IQR) DAS284.8 (3-6)5.1 (4-6)5.2 (5-7)0.001 BASDAI2.8 (0-7)4.9 (2-7)8.0 (5-9)0.003Comorbidities, n(%)72 (29)247 (52)32 (52)0.001Previous bDMARD, n(%):136 (55)149 (32)1 (2)0.001Steroids, n(%):93 (38)155 (33)42 (69)0.001cDMARD, n(%)200 (81)373 (79)53 (87)0.4Cause of bDMARD discontinuation, n(%) aLack of efficacy85 (62)45 (33)2 (22)0.001Adverse Event4 (3)25 (18)3 (33)Pregnancy1 (1)3 (2)0(0)Loss of patient follow up10 (7)0 (0)2 (22)Remission23 (17)5 (4)0 (0)Others14 (10)59 (43)2(22)a) 238 patients.Glucocorticoids were used by 290 (37%) patients, SR had the highest use rate (69%, p <0.001) and 80% of the patients used conventional DMARDs (cDMARDs) with no differences between regions. Overall, the most used bDMARDs were adalimumab, certolizumab, tocilizumab and abatacept.At the time of the analysis 238 (36%) had discontinued bDMARDs treatment, 132 (47%) due to lack of response, being this the most frequent cause reported overall, with the highest rate in NR (62%, p <0.001). All NR patients have social security compared to 83% in CR and 79% in SR.There are regional differences between patients with rheumatic diseases registered in Biobadamex. It was remarkable that all patients form NR had social security, which may impact in the access to treatment. There were differences in the treatments between regions. The data from this analysis may be useful to policy makers, pharmaceutical companies and physicians. Differences in size samples between regions could have influenced in the results, further analyses will be performed in the future including more patients.[1]Peláez-Ballestas I et al. J Rheumatol 2011;86;3-8.[2]Chopra A et al. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2008;22:583-604.VIJAYA RIVERA TERAN: None declared, David Vega-Morales: None declared, Sandra Sicsik: None declared, Fedra Irazoque-Palazuelos: None declared, Miguel A Saavedra: None declared, Julio Cesar Casasola: None declared, Sandra Carrilo: None declared, Angélica Peña: None declared, Angel Castillo Ortiz: None declared, Omar Eloy Muñoz-Monroy: None declared, Sergio Duran Barragan: None declared, Azucena Ramos: None declared, Luis Francisco Valdés Corona: None declared, Estefanía Torres Valdéz: None declared, Aleni Paz: None declared, ERICK ADRIAN ZAMORA-TEHOZOL: None declared, Alfonso Torres: None declared, Samara Mendieta: None declared, Daniel Xavier Xibille Friedmann: None declared, Francisco Guerrero: None declared, Natalia Santana: None declared, Miguel Vazquez: None declared, Claudia Zepeda: None declared, Melanea Rivera: None declared, Kitzia Alvarado: None declared, Deshire Alpizar-Rodriguez Consultant of: Scientific advisor for GSK, unrelated to this study., Employee of: Scientific advisor for GSK, unrelated to this study.


In this paper, we establish a second main theorem for meromorphic mappings into projective varieties intersecting hypersurfaces in subgeneral position with truncated counting functions. Let $f$ be an algebraically nondegenerate meromorphic mapping from a smooth projective subvariety $V\subset\mathbb P^n(\mathbb C)$ of dimension $k\ge 1$ and let $Q_1,...,Q_q$ be $q$ hypersurfaces in $\mathbb P^n(\mathbb C)$ of degree $d_i$, located in $N-$subgeneral position in $V$. We will prove that, for every $\epsilon >0$, there exists a positive integer $M$ such that $$||\ (q-(N-k+1)(k+1)-\epsilon) T_f(r)\le\sum_{i=1}^q\frac{1}{d_i}N^{[M]}(r,f^*Q_i)+o(T_f(r)).$$ Our result is an extension of the classical second main theorem of H. Cartan, also is a generalization of the recent second main theorem of M. Ru and improves some recent results.


Acetylation of 5-hydroxy-4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-methylpyrazole (1) produced five acetyl derivatives: 4-(2-acetoxyethyl)-5-hydroxy-3-methylpyrazole (2), 4-(2-acetoxyethyl)-2-acetyl-5-hydroxy-3-methylpyrazole (3), 4-(2-acetoxyethyl)-1-acetyl-5-hydroxy-3-methylpyrazole (4), 5-acetoxy-4-(2-acetoxyethyl)-2-acetyl-3-methylpyrazole (5), and 1-acetyl-5-hydroxy-4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-methylpyrazole (6). The partial hydrolysis of 3 and 5 in aq acetic acid gave the monoacetate (2). The triacetate (5) afforded 3 by heating in a mixture of pyridine and meththanol. Migration of the acetyl group from the N1-position to the C5-O- and to the side chain-O-position is suggested. It is also suggested that the triacetate (5) may be effective for acetylation of amines.


Power-on self-test is an efficient means for covering safety-critical faults in automotive systems. This paper presents a multicycle logic BIST technique that avoids fault masking after multiple cycles by sequential observation using a new scan cell structure. —Hans-Joachim Wunderlich, Universität Stuttgart


This paper presents the use of a teaching tool that allows the temperature control and the system identification by Weighted Least Square Method. The system is an application of remote access laboratory, a WebLab, with real equipments and systems that can be remotely controlled by the web. At the approach, the WebLab allows the development of multidisciplinary experiments related to modelling control systems and is used as a tool for engineering education and for research projects.


The dynamics of algal copper uptake from media containing various copper concentrations was studied. A direct relationship was found between the copper accumulation by the cells and algicidal action of a given compound. The high biocidal activity of copper complexes is due to the ability of the cells to take up large quantities of copper from compounds with a coordination bond between the metal and the ligand. Toxic (0.78 x 10/sup -5/ to 7.8 x 10/sup -5/ M) concentrations of copper complexes disturb salt metabolism in algal cells due to copper accumulation or potassium loss. If the concentration of a copper compound with a coordination bond is 7.8 x 10/sup -5/ M, the content of potassium in the algal cells decreases by 80% within 30 to 60 min.


28-Nm planar, 20-nm planar, and 16-nm FinFET technology combinational and flip-flop circuits are investigated using different LET particles. An analytical model is developed to study the ratio of logic to flip-flop (FF) single-event (SE) cross-section as a function of LET particles. Results indicate that high-LET particles have a much stronger impact on the logic single-event (SE) cross-section as compared to the flip-flop (FF) SE cross-section for all three technology nodes.


John Lewis has been a full-time zoo and wildlife vet for the past 27 years, working in a variety of zoo and field situations in an equally wide variety of countries. He is a partner in the nternational Zoo Veterinary Group and a co-founder of the UK charity Wildlife Vets International (www.wildlifevetsinternational.org), which provides specialist veterinary services to conservation projects. John's particular interests are the conservation of the larger cat species and anaesthesia of non-domestic animals.


This letter presents a new method which uses particle swarm optimization and the Akaike information criterion for determining the dimensions of nonlinear amplifier behavioral models, applied to the generalized memory polynomial model. Determining the size of this model has always been a challenge as it depends on eight parameters, and the proposed method provides a fast and efficient solution which can discover the smallest possible model at a very short amount of time.


The so-called Hadrian's Temple is one of the most famous monuments in the ancient city of Ephesus (Turkey) and occupies a prominent location in the western section of Curetes Street, one of the chief thoroughfares of the site. This paper explains the on-site conditions for creating an up-to-date architectural documentation including three-dimensional digital scan data of the temple and also discusses the different 3D surface scanning systems which were employed for this task: fringe projection and time of flight laser scanning based on phase shifting. With respect to the required resolution and the scale of the documentation both methods are ideally suited to digitally record certain areas of the Temple. Furthermore, this paper puts a focus on how both types of 3D scan data can be combined in a final 3D model within specific postprocessing steps. The scanning results as well as the virtual reconstruction of Hadrian's Temple will be presented in this paper.


Large‐scale ecological surveillance data were analysed to determine the locations of apparent eutrophication effects across common British vegetation types between 1990 and 1998. Plant species composition was recorded from a total of 9514 fixed plots located in a stratified, random sample of 501 1 km squares across Britain. Changes in plant species composition along a gradient of substrate fertility were inferred from statistical tests of change in mean Ellenberg fertility value calculated for each fixed plot. Plots were grouped by eight vegetation types, five landscape features (hedges, road verges, watercourse banks, small biotopes, larger units in fields and unenclosed land) and six environmental zones. Tests of change in mean Ellenberg value were carried out on all combinations of these strata. Decision tree modelling was used to identify groups of test outcomes sharing the same direction of change and where each group was defined by a minimum number of strata. Post hoc power analysis was used to select statistically non‐significant test outcomes that could be used to infer stability in the sampled sub‐population.


Infection by Toxoplasma gondii may lead to complications in the foetus if the mother suffers from primary infection during pregnancy. Previously infected women have produced toxoplasma‐specific IgG antibodies. The most recent study on prevalence of toxoplasma IgG in the Norwegian pregnant population was conducted 20 years ago. The present study is part of a research programme initiated by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. We aimed to update the knowledge regarding the prevalence of toxoplasma IgG among pregnant women in Norway. In this cross‐sectional study, sera from 1922 pregnant women in Buskerud (992) and Sør‐Trøndelag counties (930) in Norway were collected consecutively. The presence of toxoplasma IgG was identified by values ≥8 IU/mL using an ELISA test. The overall prevalence of toxoplasma IgG seropositivity was 9.3% (95% CI 8.1–10.7); Sør‐Trøndelag 10.4% (95% CI 8.6–12.6) and Buskerud 8.3% (95% CI 6.7–10.2). There was no difference between the counties (p = 0.13), and the result did not differ from prevalences found in 1974 (12.1%) and 1994 (10.7%). We found a higher prevalence among women ≥40 years (OR 2.65, 95% CI 1.30–5.42). The prevalence of toxoplasma IgG among pregnant women in Norway is low and has been stable during the last decades.


There is no shortage of publications on the special relationship between the United States and Israel or about the quest for peace in the Middle East. What distinguishes Bernard Reich's study is the clear and sharp focus on United States-Israeli interactions in the context of the Arab-Israeli conflict, the enormous wealth of material and variety of Hebrew and English sources on which it is based and the exemplary manner in which • this material has been used. The result of his extensive and careful research is a thorough, comprehensive, and accurate diplomatic history which is likely to remain a standard work in the field for many years to come. Standard works, however, rarely make exciting reading and this book is no exception. It provides no startling revelations and very little in the way of fresh insight or imaginative interpretations. The author rarely strays from the narrow path of historical reconstruction to discuss the broader issues inherent in his subject matter. Does support of Israel serve America's national interest? Did the successful management of the Jordanian crisis of September 1970 pave the way to the close strategic alliance which developed subsequently between the United States and Israel? Was the aim of this alliance to promote a peaceful settlement or was it to perpetuate the status quo in the Middle East an intolerable status quo which compelled the Arabs to launch the October War? Was Kissinger Israel's subtle friend or sinister foe? Was his step-by-step approach intended to lead ultimately to a comprehensive settlement or was it aimed at buying time and reducing pressures on the United States and Israel? On these and many similar questions, Reich is curiously reluctant to voice his opinions. Implicitly he shares the conventional assumptions about the defensive and reactive character of American foreign policy. But he does not argue a case and he shuns controversy. His preference is to allow the policymakers to argue their own case through multiple citations. For those interested in exploring further contentious issues, he thoughtfully provides detailed footnotes (which take up almost as much space as the text) with references to relevant primary sources as well as commentary from conflicting perspectives. Not until the last chapter does he himself venture beyond the description of policies, events and peace initiatives to give an illuminating and analytical overview of the underlying factors which shaped the special relationship during the crucial decade which followed the Six Day War.


The widespread development of big data and artificial intelligence technology has brought a new development path to digital media technology at this stage. By applying virtual reality technology to multiple areas of digital media, digital media technology has fully demonstrated the actual ability of the scene structure of virtual reality technology in film and television production, game scene settings, urban planning, construction tourism and other industries. The development of digital media technology has brought new development space. The application of virtual reality technology can further shorten the distance between customers and information providers, bring the development of digital media technology into a new fast lane, and further increase the efficiency of digital media information dissemination. This article uses data analysis methods to build an evaluation model, study virtual reality technology in terms of technological coverage, and further proves by data theory that virtual reality technology brings a new direction and role in the development of digital media technology.


The purpose of this study was to examine perceived effort at various intensities in human walking and running. Fifteen male subjects participated in this study. Two progressive protocols were randomized, starting at a treadmill speed of 3 Metabolic Equivalents (METs) to Measure Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE), Heart Rate (HR) and blood lactate concentration. From these data, RPE was estimated at an intensity corresponding to Fixed Heart Rate (FHR; 120, 130, 140, 150 bpm) and Fixed Blood Lactate Concentrations (FBLCs; 2 and 3 mM) from the individual regression line. RPE in running was significantly lower than in walking at FHRs of 120, 130, 140 and 150 bpm (p < 0.01 for all). For blood lactate, RPE in running was significantly lower than in walking at FBLCs of 2 and 3 mM, (p < 0.05, 12.6 ± 1.7 vs. 14.0 ± 1.7 and 15.1 ± 1.4 vs. 16.9 ± 2.4, respectively). Running may be performed more easily than walking with the same physiological demand. Factors other than blood lactate concentration may affect the perception of exertion during walking.


A drive for rotating machinery having a stationary and a rotating machine part to be improved so that it is constructed easier and cheaper, while maintaining the control and control accuracy, while providing less wear and susceptibility to error. This is achieved by circulating a rim with a plurality of magnets on a machine part (27, 37) is provided and at the other machine part, at least one corresponding, of overlapping only a sub-sector of the ring stator (28, 38) is arranged so that the rotating machine part (23) generated by the stator (28, 38) electromagnetic field can be set in a defined rotation.


Objective To investigate the improvement of standard trauma big bone flap craniotomy surgery treatment effect for the treatment of severe head trauma. Methods From January 2010 to June 2014 to our hospital patients with severe head trauma treated 54 cases, all the 27 cases randomly divided into observation group and control group, large bone flap group improved standard trauma craniotomy treatment, gave the control standard trauma big bone flap craniotomy treatment, Compared to two groups of therapeutic effect. Results The curative effect of observation group was obviously better than that of control group(P0.05). Conclusion The improved standard trauma big bone flap craniotomy treatment of severe head trauma.


During and after 2008 global financial crisis, financial indicators and sources of corporations in Euro Area countries and Turkey have been changed. This study aims to compare and analyze the debt capacities and the cost of debt for a large sample of 2.938 industrial firms operating in 17 Euro Area countries and Turkey between 2006 and 2010. Furthermore, it aims to determine the effects of global financial crisis on these firms. As a result of the study, when all firms are concerned, Anova test showed that firms in Euro Area and Turkey have debt ratios significantly different from each other for the whole period. All firms slightly increase their debt ratios in the crisis period. Increase is higher for Turkish firms for both production and service sectors. The cost of debt was maximum for Turkish firms in the group at four out of five years. In 2009, it started to decrease and got closer to the level of Euro Area firms in 2010. Furthermore, the effects of the global financial crisis were felt deepest in production sector firms in Turkey. Suggestions for Turkish firms to continue to decrease their cost of debt are made at the conclusion.


Cody, Neb., Jan. 12, 1904. To the Editor: —In reading the excellent paper and discussion in the last issue ofThe Journal, on prevention of typhoid, I wish to add the boiling as well as scalding of all dishes and tableware. In this remote, ranching, watershed locality typhoid is commencing to occur (imported). Hotel knives and forks, etc., seem conveyors from transients to residents. Cases guarded as above with, of course, other precautions, have been limited to one in a family, while those not under such care have spread.


This article lists a number of examples in which electric and gas utilities can leverage their technical assets in a de-regulated market and provide additional services, especially in the communications industry. In addition to the extensive internal communications systems owned by most utilities, it is felt that the installed technical assets of many utilities can be easily modified or adapted to provide wider-ranging telecommunications services. The example is given of a pipeline company that installed fiber-optics cables inside its unused pipes. Costing $120M to build, this network was sold recently for $2.5B. Several other examples of utility initiatives in this arena are noted, as is the present regulatory climate.


Digital innovation has been widely considered as a key solution to the current journalism crisis. While most innovation projects in democratic regimes receive funding from media organizations, venture capital firms, and foundations, many of China's digital journalism projects are funded and led by the state—a model we define as "state-preneurship." In this study, we compare this model with other digital innovation models on three dimensions: the amount and sustainability of funding, the extent of newsroom restructuring, and the transformation of journalistic culture. We focus on the early national success case, Shanghai-based news outlet Pengpai, as well as on eight of its regional copycats. Based on interviews with forty-three executives, journalists, propaganda officials, media investors, and scholars, we argue that while in the short run, state-preneurship has produced fast and large-scale transformations in the digital journalism industry, these changes appear as largely unsustainable in the long run. This is due to (1) the political contingency of state investments and (2) the limited transformation in journalistic culture.


Abstract : This research aims to know the students' desire to study French language by looking at intrinsic, extrinsic, integrative and instrumental motivation and its influence to learning effectiveness of that language. The mastery of foreign language besides English becomes unavoidable need in era where knowledge and technology develop rapidly. Learning the second foreign language needs strategy and internal or external motivation. The number of respondents in this research were 150 people consisted of tourism and hospitality's students in Badung regency and Denpasar municipality in the second, fourth and sixth semester who have studied French subject. Descriptive analysis was used to identify the description of respondents' perception toward the statement given in research instrument related to the variable being studied. The result shown that in general, students have quite high intrinsic, extrinsic, integrative and instrumental motivation to study French language. Students considered the learning process was fairly effective. This was concluded based on the average score (mean) shown the value of 3, 90. The results of double linier regression analysis shown that intrinsic, extrinsic, integrative and instrumental motivation have positive and significant effect toward learning effectiveness. Besides the previous information stated before, it can be revealed from this research that the dominant role of extrinsic motivation(X 2 ) motivate students to learn French effectively. This is shown through coefficient of Beta regression (β2) shown value of 0,515. The finding shown extrinsic motivation has the most significant role to student effectiveness in learning French besides the urge of the other motivation such as integrative, intrinsic and instrumental. The result of congruence model test applied adj R 2 shown value of 0,793 gave clue that learning effectiveness (Y) could be explained or predicted by intrinsic motivation (X 1 ), extrinsic motivation (X 2 ), integrative motivation (X 3 ) and instrumental motivation (X 4 ) as much as 79,3 percent. The remaining 20,7 percent influenced or predicted by the other variables which were not in model and error variable. Keywords : Intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, instrumental motivation, integrative motivation, learning effectiveness, French language .


Let Θ be a collection of formations. A formation 𝔉 ∈ Θ is called an ℌΘ-critical formation or a minimal non-ℌ Θ-formation if 𝔉 ⊈ ℌ but the class ℌ of groups contains each proper Θ-subformation of 𝔉. In this paper we study ℌΘ-critical formations, where Θ is the class of all τ-closed ω-local formations.


Due to the rapid development of deep learning techniques, no-reference image quality assessment (NR-IQA) has achieved significant improvement. NR-IQA aims to predict a real-valued variable for image quality, using the image in question as the sole input. Existing deep learning-based NR-IQA models are formulated as a regression problem and trained by minimising the mean squared error. The error measurement does not consider the relative ordering between different ratings on the quality scale, which consequently affects the efficacy of the model. To account for this problem, we reformulate NR-IQA learning as an ordinal regression problem and propose a simple yet effective framework using deep convolutional neural networks (DCNN) and Transformers. NR-IQA learning is achieved by a deep ordinal loss and using a soft ordinal inference to transform the predicted probabilities to a continuous variable for image quality. Experimental results demonstrate the superiority of our proposed NR-IQA model based on deep ordinal regression. In addition, this framework can be easily extended with various DCNN architectures to build advanced IQA models.


This study used a formative experiment design to learn about ways in which a teacher used questioning strategies to help students expand their intertextual boundaries during discussions about literature. The study took place in a thirdgrade classroom of 25 students situated in a large Midwestern city. Consistent with formative experiment designs, the investigator and teacher worked together to implement an intervention, a questioning framework called the Directed Reading-Connecting Activity (DR-CA). Data sources included transcriptions of seven discussion sessions which were coded into message units, memos written after each session, field notes, and notes from meetings with the investigator and the teacher. Data were analyzed using the procedures of inspection, categorization, and interpretation. A conclusion of the study is that the use of a questioning framework such as the DR-CA helps teachers organize their thoughts before discussions and increases the number of intertextual connections.


Online Social Networks gained a crucial role in people's everyday life, acting as the medium through which people can interact with each other. The introduction of blockchain technology prompted a new generation of social media based on the concept of Non-Fungible Token (NFT) and other Web3 technologies, giving birth to the Metaverse. Decentraland is one such platform, where users can explore a 3D virtual world and communicate with each other. The main feature of Decentraland is that the virtual world is divided into parcels, implemented through NFTs, that can be traded among users and where owners can create buildings or mini-games for other users to play with. In this work, we explore the virtual world of Decentraland by presenting the main details of the virtual world and by focusing on the economic impact of NFT trading on the description of the parcels. In detail, the parcel's description can be used to advertise the proximity of the parcel to infrastructures or special projects to attract potential buyers. This paper's findings show the impact and the magnitude of this phenomenon, highlighting entire quarters that adopt this technique throughout the map by overriding the playful aspect of the platform.


Mobile Ad hoc NETwork (MANET) is a collection of mobile devices (called nodes) that communicate with each other without the use of infrastructure such as access points or base stations. These networks are self-configuring, capable of self-directed operations and are easily deployable. Nodes cooperate to provide connectivity and operate without centralized administration. Nodes in the network are able to communicate together via a routing protocol which finds the best route to the destination. In MANETs how a route is established between a source and its destination through the network is of importance and of greater importance is how various user traffic data are routed to their various destinations. The performance evaluation of various routing protocols for MANETs have been presented in various research work however, no research work has examined the performance of proactive, reactive and hybrid routing protocols vis--vis Optimized Link State routing (OLSR), Dynamic Source Routing (DSR) and GRP protocols under heavy network traffic load. In this paper, a comparison of the performances of proactive (OLSR), Reactive (DSR) and Hybrid (GRP) routing protocols are made under intense network traffic load.


We have derived analytical expressions for the signal-to-interference ratio, jammer-tonoise ratio, carrier phase error and code tracking error at the crosscorrelator output of the code-tracking loop in a GPS receiver that uses adaptive space-time processing to cancel interference. In the limit when the adaptive processor is absent, and all channels are perfectly matched, these results reduce to the performance measures derived previously.


Inconsistent eradication rates for Helicobacter pylori have been reported worldwide with dual therapy, perhaps owing to the difference in dose administration and treatment duration. This retrospective study aimed to determine whether high‐dose dual therapy (HDDT) with different regimens leads to different eradication rates. The study compares the efficacy and safety of HDDT 10‐day vs 14‐day and investigates the factors that might affect the eradication rates.