Weathering tests using monitored steel plates are a widely applied method for evaluating the atmospheric corrosion rate in Japan. To calculate the regional corrosion rate, the corrosion layer on the surface of the steel plate needs to be removed to determine the thinning. However, the process of removing the corrosion layer is time and labor consuming. To tackle this issue, this study proposed an image recognition method based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to evaluate the thinning of weathering test samples. To this end, the existing data collected from the weathering tests were reused to generate a dataset named "Corrosion-Fukui" that consisted of 77 raw images labeled with their numerical extent of thinning. To generate more samples for training, a criteria based on thinning extent that classified the raw images into six corrosion levels were defined to implement cropping operation on the raw images with uniform corrosion morphology. Correspondingly, the raw images of the corroded samples with uniform corrosion morphology were chosen as "training" and "validation samples" to be cropped into small pieces labeled with the corrosion levels, whereas other raw images with nonuniform corrosion morphology were chosen as "test samples." The performance of the proposed baseline model VGGGAP as well as three state-of-art CNN models was cross-validated on the augmented dataset and tested upon the test images using a sliding window method. The evaluation results of the 17 testing samples indicated that the corrosion thinning of the weathering test samples can be directly evaluated more efficiently from digital images using CNNs than using conventional corrosion removal methods.


An experimental value of the electric polarizability of the deuteron is extracted from deuteron photoabsorption data, a dispersion relation, and the low-energy theorem for Compton scattering. The experimental number requires the calculation of several small corrections, which are primarily magnetic in origin. Our value is somewhat smaller than, but consistent with, a recently reported experimental determination.


Introduction: This research is motivated by financial institutions that have several services offered to the public so that people are interested in using the services of financial institutions because more and more people use the services of these institutions indirectly the community also plays a role in economic growth.  PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) Syariah offers services with a sharia financing system such as financing products with a basic profit-sharing mechanism.All financing products issued by banks have the aim of being able to provide benefits or increase profitability  for the bank. The indicator used in this research is the effect of Murabahah,  Mudharabah,Musyarakah  financing  while the   level of  profitability is measured  using  the  financial  ratio Return on assets (ROA).
Methods: This research uses a quantitative approach with associative research type. The data used in this study is secondary data obtained from the quarterly financial statements of PT. Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) Syariah for the period 2012-2020 with a total sample of 36 data. The analytical method used in this research is descriptive test, data normality test, classical assumption test which multiple linear regression.
Conclusion and suggestion:The results of this study indicate that (1) Murabahah  financing  has a negative and significant effect on ROA profitability,(2) Mudharabah Financing has a positive andsignificant effect on ROA profitability, (3)Musyarakah  financing  has a positive and significant effect on ROA   profitability,Murabahah, Mudharabah, Musyarakah  financing has a positive and significant effect on ROA profitability at PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) Syariah.
Keywords: Murabahah, Mudharabah, Musyarakah Financing and Profitability


There are some factors that render a power system network unbalanced: UHV transmission lines in which three-phase transmission lines are not transposed, an unbalanced transformer, unbalanced load as well as sustained unbalanced faults. On the other hand, the number of variable-speed generators used in pumping-up power stations has recently been increasing in Japan. This paper presents a new means of calculating unbalanced power flow of a power system which contains variable-speed pumping-up generators. This new technique is based on the phase coordinate method, because a power system which has elements of unsymmetrical impedance can easily be analyzed by using it.

In this paper, phase coordinate models of the variable-speed generator and its secondary exciting circuit, composed of a GTO converter/inverter, are analyzed first. Procedures of power flow calculation of unbalanced power systems follow. © 2000 Scripta Technica, Electr Eng Jpn, 134(3): 34–43, 2001


People generally want to engage in a healthy lifestyle, to live in harmony with the environment, to contribute to social causes, and to avoid behaviours that are harmful for themselves and others. However, people often find it difficult to motivate themselves to engage in these beneficial behaviours. Even adopting a healthy lifestyle, such as healthy eating, physical activity, or smoking cessation, is hard despite being aware of the benefits. The increasing adoption and integration of technologies into our daily lives present unique opportunities to assist individuals to adopt healthy behaviours using technology. As a result, research on how to use technology to motivate health behaviour change has attracted the attention of both researchers and health practitioners. Technology designed for the purpose of bringing about desirable behaviour and attitude changes is referred to as Persuasive Technology (PT). Over the past decade, several PTs have been developed to motivate healthy behaviour, including helping people with addictive behaviour such as substance abuse, assisting individuals to achieve personal wellness, helping people manage diseases, and engaging people in preventive behaviours. Most of these PTs take a one-size-fits-all design approach. However, people differ in their motivation and beliefs about health and what constitutes a healthy life. A technology that motivates one type of person to change her behaviour may actually deter behaviour change for another type of person. As a result, existing PTs that are based on the one-size-fits-all approach may not be effective for promoting healthy behaviour change for most people.
Because of the motivational pull that games offer, many PTs deliver their intervention in the form of games. This type of game-based PTs are referred to as persuasive games. Considering the increasing interest in delivering PT as a game, this dissertation uses persuasive games as a case study to illustrate the danger of applying the one-size-fits-all approach, the value and importance of tailoring PT, and to propose an approach for tailoring PTs to increase their efficacy.
To address the problem that most existing PTs employ the one-size-fits-all design approach, I developed the Model-driven Persuasive Technology (MPT) design approach for tailoring PTs to various user types. The MPT is based on studying and modelling user's behaviour with respect to their motivations. I developed the MPT approach in two preliminary studies (N = 221, N = 554) that model the determinants of healthy eating for people from different cultures, of different ages, and of both genders. I then applied the MPT approach in two large-scale studies to develop models for tailoring persuasive games to various gamer types. In the first study (N = 642), I examine eating behaviours and associated determinants, using the Health Belief Model. Using data from the study, I modelled the determinants of healthy eating behaviour for various gamer types. In the second study (N = 1108), I examined the persuasiveness of PT design…


Purpose: To establish a methodology for the use of radiochromic film in the estimation of CTDI100 and provide an in‐phantom spatial description of the radiation dose profile. Methods: Standard CTDI 32cm body and 16cm head phantoms were used with a modified Acrylic pin to allow for the insertion of radiochromic. Two CTscanners were evaluated at various beam collimations in both center and 12 o'clock pin locations. For comparison purpose, CTDI 100 measurements were obtained using a 100mm pencil ionization chamber. A 48‐bit optical scanner was used to scan the radiochromic film. Software code was written to analyze the film images. A set of calibration films was acquired on a fluoroscope with similar beam quality (kVp and HVL) as the CTscanner. Results: For reproducibility three films from each of 21 different collimation and pin location combinations were analyzed. Three films were excluded because of prominent moire patterns observed likely caused by moisture on the film or scanner platform. Three images that were included slightly exceeded the calibration range of the film. The percent differences between the CTDI 100 values obtained with the 100mm pencil chamber and the film ranged from 0– 17.2% with an average difference of 8.6%. The relative standard deviation of the CTDI100 film values ranged between 0.3–3.6% with an average of 1.9%. Though not novel, visual indication of the z axis in phantom beam profile provided very clear evidence that at large collimations radiation dose extends well beyond a 100mm region. Conclusions: Radiochromic film has the potential to estimate CTDI 100 with reasonable accuracy; future calibration methods may bring better accuracy. This method provides additional value by yielding a visual indication of the CT dose profile and potential for easily incorporating dose beyond 100mm.


In May 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) called for the elimination of cervical cancer. To monitor this initiative, we examined cervical cancer incidence and mortality in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region using GLOBOCAN 2018, Cancer Incidence in Five Continents Series, and the WHO Mortality Database. We estimated the number of cases and age‐standardized rates (ASRs) for cervical cancer incidence and mortality for 2018. We also presented the ASRs for recorded cervical cancer incidence from the period 2008 to 2012. We calculated annual rates and analyzed trends in cervical cancer incidence and mortality for all ages combined and for the following age groups: 0–29, 30–49, 50–64 and 65+. Finally, we calculated the estimated average annual percentage change in incidence and mortality rates for the past 10 years. In 2018, an estimated 56,000 new cervical cancer cases and 28,000 cervical cancer deaths occurred among women in LAC with great variations between subregions and countries/territories. Overall, trends in cervical cancer incidence and mortality have decreased over the past decade; however, the rates are still above the elimination threshold of 4 per 100,000 in most LAC countries/territories. Despite the encouraging trends observed, achieving the elimination of cervical cancer in the region still requests substantial political commitment and economic effort. Population‐based cancer registries are critical in monitoring the elimination initiative.


Published by the Harvard-Yenching Institute HJAS 81 (2021): 403–409 I have one small note regarding the editing: the inconsistent treatment of Japanese titles causes some inconvenience. For example, the title of Abe's Moetsukita chizu is given only in English translation throughout chapter 2, while its Japanese title appears in an aside in chapter 4; these two titles are treated as an unrelated work in the index. The original title of Tsuchimoto's film, the focus of chapter 1, appears only in a footnote. The lack of a bibliography compounds this problem. However, this inconsistency in citation is a minor distraction. Residual Futures is a richly rewarding study of impressive scope and erudition that combines subtle readings and deep historical contextualization. It joins a growing corpus of recent scholarship on Japan's 1960s and 1970s, applying insights from those studies to our understanding of the city and expanding upon them. In the process, it opens up new directions for urban studies and Cold War studies in Japanese and global contexts.


The characteristics of heat transfer and resistance in corrugated tube and smooth tube were investigated with experimentation and simulation.The smokes got across the outer tube surfaces; average heat transfer coefficients and friction fac- tors were measured in different mass of water; the corresponding correlation for the friction factors and heat transfer coefficients to the Reynolds numbers were obtained and the results of the corrugated tube was compared with that of the smooth tube,which pro- rides some evidences for applying the corrugated tube in heat transfer fields.


Complete necrosis of the graft ureter is a rare but serious complication following kidney transplant. In a patient with antiphospholipid syndrome, a combination of factors such as arterial thromboembolism, hematoma formation, and surgical collateral damage can cause ischemia of the graft ureter. Preoperative optimization of disease activity and coagulation with meticulous preservation of ureteric perfusion may help in prevention.


Contents include the following: Destruction of Presolar Silicates by Aqueous Alteration Observed in Murchison CM2 Chondrite. Generation of Chondrule Forming Shock Waves in Solar Nebula by X-Ray Flares. TEM and NanoSIMS Study of Hydrated/Anhydrous Phase Mixed IDPs: Cometary or Asteroidal Origin? Inflight Calibration of Asteroid Multiband Imaging Camera Onboard Hayabusa: Preliminary Results. Corundum and Corundum-Hibonite Grains Discovered by Cathodoluminescence in the Matrix of Acfer 094 Meteorite. Spatial Extent of a Deep Moonquake Nest A Preliminary Report of Reexamination. Modal Abundances of Carbon in Ureilites: Implications for the Petrogenesis of Ureilites. Trapped Noble Gas Components and Exposure History of the Enstatite Chondrite ALH84206. Deep-seated Crustal Material in Dhofar Lunar Meteorites: Evidence from Pyroxene Chemistry. Numerical Investigations of Kuiper Belt Binaries. Dust Devils on Mars: Effects of Surface Roughness on Particle Threshold. Hecates Tholus, Mars: Nighttime Aeolian Activity Suggested by Thermal Images and Mesoscale Atmospheric Model Simulations. Are the Apollo 14 High-Al Basalts Really Impact Melts? Garnet in the Lunar Mantle: Further Evidence from Volcanic Glass Beads. The Earth/Mars Dichotomy in Mg/Si and Al/Si Ratios: Is It Real? Dissecting the Polar Asymmetry in the Non-Condensable Gas Enhancement on Mars: A Numerical Modeling Study. Cassini VIMS Preliminary Exploration of Titan s Surface Hemispheric Albedo Dichotomy. An Improved Instrument for Investigating Planetary Regolith Microstructure. Isotopic Composition of Oxygen in Lunar Zircons Preliminary Design of Visualization Tool for Hayabusa Operation. Size and Shape Distributions of Chondrules and Metal Grains Revealed by X-Ray Computed Tomography Data. Properties of Permanently Shadowed Regolith. Landslides in Interior Layered Deposits, Valles Marineris, Mars: Effects of Water and Ground Shaking on Slope Stability. Mars: Recent and Episodic Volcanic, Hydrothermal, and Glacial Activity Revealed by Mars Express High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC). The Cratering Record of the Saturnian Satellites Phoebe, Tethys, Dione and Iapetus in Comparison: First Results from Analysis of the Cassini ISS Imaging Data. Joint Crossover Solutions of Altimetry and Image Data on 433 Eros. The Martian Soil as a Geochemical Sink for.


The aim of the present research is determination of the some heavy metals content in a grain of barley, grown in the tailing impact area; the radio nucleus content in the specimen of species indicator and its organ can be judged by a total radioactivity level and relation to the maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) level. Water and biosamples test preparation have been conducted according to standard methods. Barley bioindication has shown the MAC exceeding
of all the studied heavy metals. A higher level of the lead accumulation in seeds compared with the barley biomass has been observed. The present data show quite satisfactory condition of the area of investigation in accordance with radioactivity.


ABSTRACT The results of theoretical studies of the possibilities of using hybrid solid oxide fuel cell–gas turbine (SOFC-GT) systems for marine power plants are presented. A 500 kW auxiliary marine power plant scheme using stacks of SOFCs in combination with a regenerative gas turbine operating with over-expansion based on our recent patent application is proposed. The results of mathematical modelling showed the opportunity to obtain a hybrid scheme efficiency of about 55% with the optimal values of the gas turbine compression ratio 2.0–2.2 and the exhauster compressor ratio 1.3–1.4. The application of the considered hybrid SOFC-GT system gives an increase in electrical efficiency by 19% in comparison with a cycle without a gas turbine. The aerodynamic structure of chemically reacting flows in a combustor is determined, as well as the features of the formation of toxic components during the combustion of SOFC off-gas with very low heating value.


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Abstract Background Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with intense immunosuppressive therapy (IT) are at higher risk for cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation and may develop the end-organ disease. However, the real epidemiology, associated risk factors, pathogenesis, and clinical outcomes have not been fully elucidated. Objectives To investigate the associated risk factors, possible predictors in the aspect of immunology of CMV infection and to study epidemiology, and clinical outcomes prospectively in active SLE patients within 3 months after intense IT. Methods A prospective cohort study of active SLE patients required intense IT from November 2017 to March 2019 was conducted. We collected patients' demographics, potential risk factors, onset and presentations of CMV infection after intense IT, data on IT, cytokine panels, and flow cytometry at weeks 0, 2, 4, 8, and 12 after enrollment. Intense IT was defined as an induction therapy of active SLE disease with either the National Institute of Health or Euro-Lupus Nephritis Trial protocol regimens. Results A total of 24 patients have enrolled with a median age of 32 years old and 22/24 patients were female. Renal involvement was the most common and found in 79.2% of the patients. Median SLE disease activity index at enrollment was 14 (25%-75% interquartile range (IQR) = 8–19). At week 0, no CMV infection was documented, 91.7% of the patients had positive CMV IgG, and the median absolute lymphocyte count was 938 cells/mm3. At week 12, the median cumulative corticosteroid dose was 0.74 mg/kg/day (25%-75%IQR = 0.34–1.20) and the prevalence of CMV infection was 12.5%. Elevated interleukin-23 and tumor necrotic factor-α levels were associated with protective effect (hazard ratio (HR) 0.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.02–0.58, p = 0.009 and HR 0.55, 95% CI 0.31–0.99, p = 0.049, respectively). Neurologic involvement was the independent factor that increased the risk of CMV infection (HR 0.26; 95% CI 0.08–0.79, p = 0.018). No mortality was detected. Conclusion CMV infection is common when IT is used, but only some SLE patients with intense IT develop CMV infection. Certain characteristics of the patients may assist predict future CMV infection following IT. However, further study on a larger scale is encouraged. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.


Significance Argonaute proteins are key effectors of eukaryotic RNA interference and, in prokaryotes, function in host genome defense. We show here that a noncanonical clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated Marinitoga piezophila Argonaute uses 5′-hydroxylated guide RNAs to recognize and cleave substrates rather than using the 5′-phosphorylated guides used by all other known Argonautes. By identifying other prokaryotic Argonautes with a 5′-hydroxyl RNA preference, our data suggest the evolution of an Argonaute subfamily with unique specificity for a 5′-hydroxylated guide. Eukaryotic Argonaute proteins induce gene silencing by small RNA-guided recognition and cleavage of mRNA targets. Although structural similarities between human and prokaryotic Argonautes are consistent with shared mechanistic properties, sequence and structure-based alignments suggested that Argonautes encoded within CRISPR-cas [clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated] bacterial immunity operons have divergent activities. We show here that the CRISPR-associated Marinitoga piezophila Argonaute (MpAgo) protein cleaves single-stranded target sequences using 5′-hydroxylated guide RNAs rather than the 5′-phosphorylated guides used by all known Argonautes. The 2.0-Å resolution crystal structure of an MpAgo–RNA complex reveals a guide strand binding site comprising residues that block 5′ phosphate interactions. Using structure-based sequence alignment, we were able to identify other putative MpAgo-like proteins, all of which are encoded within CRISPR-cas loci. Taken together, our data suggest the evolution of an Argonaute subclass with noncanonical specificity for a 5′-hydroxylated guide.


Underground drilling hydraulic fracturing as a kind of increasing permeability effective extraction technology for single low gas permeability coal seam has the widespread application,but confined to the underground space and equipment ability,it is difficult to achieve large displacement or add proppant fracturing; crack is not uniform and easy to closing. hydraulic pressure burst increasing permeability extraction technology is proposed in this paper. The technology,taking " cell increasing permeability fracture network,the coal unloading single-hole increasing permeability" as the main thought, " pressure" inside the control unit makes the unit within the cracks open,extension,connection,and form a " crack" for the first time,on the basis of the " cracks" after " blunt",it forms a uniform " net" slot and the coal unloading further,which avoids single pressure unevenness,increases the single shot landings,helps to form extraction in the unit " stereo net". Hydraulic pressure burst test shows that unit extraction from scalar is 10. 6 times that of the conventional extraction from drilling,hydraulic fracturing of 12 times,2. 78 times that of the hydraulic punching.


In ARX structures, constants that are not rotational invariant are often injected into the state, in the form of round constants or as a result of using a fixed key. Rotational cryptanalysis cannot deal with such constants. Rotational cryptanalysis in the presence of constants, also known as rotational-XOR cryptanalysis, is a recently proposed statistical technique to attack ARX primitives. The newly proposed technique investigates how constants affect rotational cryptanalysis by introducing the notion of an RX-difference, which generalizes the idea of a rotational difference. Previously, a 7-round distinguisher for Speck, an ARX block cipher designed by the NSA, was found, mainly to demonstrate the proposed technique. In this paper, it is shown that longer distinguishers exist for Speck32/64, as well as other versions of speck, by using rotational-XOR cryptanalysis . This was done by means of an automated search tool. More specifically, the propagation of RX-differences through ARX structures are transformed into bitwise equations and these equations are then solved by a SAT-solver. Using this method, distinguishers with more rounds than previously reported are found for Speck32/64 and Speck48/96, as well as a 13-round distinguisher for Speck96/144 with a higher probability than previously reported, under the condition that two related keys are available.


This document is focused on QCD at low energies (below 1 GeV), where the breakdown of chiral symmetry takes place, explaining the existence of an octet of light pseudoscalar mesons (pi, K and eta). The dynamics of these states is related to the actual pattern of chiral symmetry breaking. The particular mass hierarchy of the light quark masses allows one to consider (and compare) two different chiral limits of interest, with m_u=m_d=0 and m_s kept at its physical value (N_f=2 massless flavours) or m_u=m_d=m_s=0 (N_f=3 massless flavours). The related chiral order parameters are discussed in terms of the Euclidean Dirac operator, highlighting the role of the fermion determinant and the sea strange-quark pairs, and indicating that order parameters should decrease when one goes from N_f=2 to N_f=3 chiral limits. The consequences of this suppression for the effective theory of QCD at low energies, i.e., Chiral Perturbation Theory, are considered, in particular the conditions under which chiral expansions are saturated by their leading order. The next-to-leading order low-energy constants L_4 and L_6, suppressed by the Zweig rule in the scalar sector but enhanced by the large value of the strange quark, are shown to play an essential role. Several sources of information are then analysed: a sum rule related to the dependence of the N_f=2 chiral condensate on the strange-quark mass indicates a signficant variation from m_s=0 to its physical value, lattice simulations yielding the dependence of pseudoscalar observables on the quark masses show a suppresion of leading-order contributions compared to next-to-leading ones in three-flavour chiral series, the comparison of low-energy pi-pi and pi-K scattering data using dispersive methods exhibits significant differences between N_f=2 and N_f=3 chiral symmetry breakings . All these elements point towards the need for a careful assessment of the convergence of N_f=3 Chiral Perturbation Theory, for which a framework is proposed.


The discovery of biotic and ecological factors that influence genetic isolation in populations contributes to our understanding of speciation, one of the most important issues in evolutionary biology. In this paper, we ask whether differences in climate preferences are influencing genetic isolation in two assemblages of populations of Berberis trifoliolata Moric., the Northeastern and the Mexican Plateau groups. Agarito, as this species is known, is a remarkable shrub in the arid regions of North America and found mostly in the Chihuahuan Desert. Ecological niche modeling and two tests of niche evolution were carried out. The Ecological Niche Modeling suggests that the potential distribution of the Northeastern group does not predict that of the Mexican Plateau group, and nor does the latter predict the former. Tests of niche evolution indicate a divergent niche between these two groups. Among the most important climate factors detected in the multivariate niche evolution test are mean annual temperature and annual precipitation. We concluded that the two lineages exemplify an incipient speciation process.


UK government health policy will have little impact unless it includes practical measures to build a health system that promotes health rather than just caring for people when they become ill.

That is the warning from the independent charity the King's Fund, in a discussion paper by Anna Coote marking the launch of the fund's new Putting Health First programme.

Rather than ignore the NHS, the government should design and build a health system that promotes health and reduces health inequalities, it says.

The paper highlights rises in the prevalence of obesity, which it says …


An integrated econometric view of maximum likelihood methods and more traditional two-pass approaches to estimating beta-pricing models is presented. Several aspects of the well-known errors-in-variables problem are considered, and an earlier conjecture concerning the merits of simultaneous estimation of beta and price of risk parameters is evaluated. The traditional inference procedure is found, under standard assumptions, to overstate the precision of price of risk estimates and an asymptotically valid correction is derived. Modifications to accommodate serial correlation in market-wide factors are also discussed. Article published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Financial Studies in its journal, The Review of Financial Studies.


Abstract Magical natural phenomena, human ingenuity and craftsmanship have evolved into the grand science of chemistry. The story of this process is described through a series of landmark developments: technical chemistry and chemical ideas in the Ancient World, natural philosophy in Ancient Greece, early chemical ideas and technology in Arabia, India and China, the rise of alchemy in Alexandria and its spread to Arabia and subsequently to Europe, the Chinese invention of gunpowder, the growth of alchemy in Europe and the alchemists' quest to transmute base metals into gold, Michael Sendivogius and his trailblazing alchemical treatise which refocused alchemical investigations onto a new path, the demise of alchemy and its replacement by important new ideas, which were outlined by Robert Boyle during the middle of the seventeenth century.


Aiming at rational utilization of natural bait resources to Procambarus clarkii,some common animals and plants baits which were suitable for crawfish culture,and its cultivation techniques were described in this paper. It included transplantation,harvesting,routine management and disease prevention of Lemna minor L,cultivation techniques and management after planting of Elodea nuttallii,fertilizer cultivation and acquisition of Cladocera. It provided reference for farming production of Procambarus clarkii.


Wetlands along with plant microbial fuel cell (PMFC) can be utilized for large power generation. Emission of greenhouse gases is lesser relative to conventional MFC technique and direct chemical to electrical conversion ensure high efficiency with treatment of polluted soil. If soil polluted with metal is filled with soil and plantation in cathode chamber of PMFCs then root zone oxygen leakage could be used for aeration requirement. Hence a parallel solution towards electricity generation, wastewater and soil matrix decontamination is obtained. This paper gives theoretical brief possibility of PMFCs effectiveness for electricity generation and soil treatments.


This study provides evidence on both the short-run and long-run investment performance of Malaysian initial public offering (IPO) companies that are listed on the MESDAQ Market. The factors that influence the performance are also investigated. In line with past Malaysian studies, the results of the raw and market-adjusted initial returns show that IPO companies are significantly underpriced in the short-run. However, in the long-run, both the CAR and the BHAR methods reveal that these companies underperform the market. Our results concerning the long-run performance contrast with the results observed by previous Malaysian studies using a sample of companies listed on the Main Board and/or the Second Board. However, they are consistent with the results reported in other countries. We find that companies in the technology sector, issued in a hot issue period and underpriced IPO, perform less well in the long-run, which supports the fad hypothesis of long-run underperformance. Our results suggest that investors who purchase IPO shares on the MESDAQ Market gain high positive returns in the short-run but do not fare well in the long-run. This study provides new information to investors when choosing IPOs listed on Bursa Malaysia. Classification-JEL:


Objective To research the Extraction and purification process of total flavonoids in Centipeda minima(L.)A.Br.et Aschers,and investigate its antitumor activity. Methods Optimize the ethanol extraction process, while using macroporous resin, organic solvent extraction and polyamide chromatography method extracts of total flavonoids was refined. Finally using intragastric administration method to research the antitumor effect of total flavonoids. Results According orthogonal experiment to determine the optimal extraction conditions of total flavonoids was 70% of ethanol,2 times, each time 2 h, 8 times the amount of solvent. Up 762% content after Refined total flavonoids. In addition, Centipeda minima(L.)A.Br.et Aschers. flavonoids on S180 solid tumor inhibition rate was 7192%. Conclusion The extraction and purification process is simple, safe and feasible. Centipeda minima(L.)A.Br.et Aschers. flavonoids on S180 solid tumors significantly inhibited.


Melamine, which has a unique structure and is known as an important raw material, was first employed as a curing agent to promote the curing reaction of phthalonitrile monomer 1,3-bis(3,4-dicyanophenoxy)benzene. Rheometric measurements and differential scanning calorimetry showed that the blends exhibited wide processing windows (∼80°C). The thermal properties of the final cured polymers were monitored by thermogravimetric analysis, and the results revealed that the polymers had outstanding thermal stabilities. Dynamic mechanical analysis indicated that the glass transition temperature of the final cured polymers exceeded 480°C.


In 1970, American actress Michele Collison was invited to become a founding member of Peter Brook's Centre for International Theatre Research in Paris. At the time, neither she nor any of the other actors Brook had brought from different parts of the world knew exactly what to expect. They only knew that they were there to work and that the experiment would probably last three years. The 'work' part turned out to be true but the time estimate turned out to be rather optimistic. After nearly 10 years, the 'work' is still not finished. Indeed, it probably never will be. Throughout that period, the company changed and grew, travelled around the world seeking root forms of theatrical expression, experimented with shape and language and played in the Middle East, in Africa, in North and South America, as well as in Europe. Other than Brook himself, one of the 'constants' during this period was Ms. Collison, and Brook used her consistently both as a performer (Brook's Ubu production with Ms. Collison as Mere Ubu was examined in CTR 16). This past year, however, life began to change for Ms. Collison. First she married (a Canadian), then she made the decision to leave the Centre. With her new husband, she moved to Toronto and began teaching privately. At the invitation of York University's Theatre Department, Ms. Collison—now using her married name, Michele George—held a series of master classes for students, and actors already working in the profession. In the following two pieces—the first, an interview with Ms. Collison-George; the second, a report on those Toronto classes—this fine actress shares her recollections and her insights about life at the Centre and discusses how her own aesthetic—and her mentor's —developed during this fascinating and still generally undocumented period.


In the method for transmitting signals S a connection between a transmitting station NB and a receiving station UE a radio communication system at least a pilot signal w2 is transmitted for estimating at least one channel CH of the connection by the receiving station UE between the stations NB, UE. In this case, the channel estimation results of detecting means of the signals S of the connection to the receiving station UE are intended to be transmitted. A deviation between the transmitting characteristic of the pilot signal used for channel estimation w2 and the transmission characteristic of the signals S of the connection is taken into account when generating the signals to be transmitted of the compound by the transmitting station NB and / or in processing the received signals of the connection by the receiving station UE.


An integrated semiconductor device including a flip-flop comprising at least one insulated gate field effect transistor, and biasing means for biasing the gate of the transistor to a fixed, high level so as to obtain for the transistor characteristic of drain-source current as a function of the drain-source voltage having a negative differential resistance region, characterized in that it comprises means for applying between the drain and source of the transistor a current which corresponds to a digital input voltage and which changes occur in the area where the transistor in two operating points due to the negative differential resistance, resulting in a memory effect applied to the digital output signal taken from the drain of the transistor. Application :. logic and memory circuits produced by means of semiconductor materials of group III-V


Various descriptions for the one-dimensional Langmuir wave soliton are classified according to the relations among various smallness parameters. Four different regimes are found to emerge depending on the relative importance of various forces acting on the electrons and are graphically represented in the parameter space. When the field energy becomes as large as the electron kinetic energy, second harmonic generation and local charge separation (in slow time scale) are found to occur, but their effect on the description of the Langmuir wave soliton is found insignificant. Dynamic behavior of the Langmuir wave soliton is discussed in terms of the trajectory in the parameter space and is compared with recent experimental and numerical analyses.


Physiological levels of bending and flexion of the intervertebral disc are known to result in large shear strains of the anulus fibrosus (AF) tissue [1]. While microstructural shear is often implicated as a likely failure initiator [2], it is unclear what series of cascading mechanisms act to transfer shear from the tissue scale down to the micron scale. In particular, a consensus has yet to be reached on the degree to which interlamellar sliding contributes to transverse shear deformation. Elastin plays an important role in radial tensile behavior of the AF [3], however its function in shear has not been investigated.© 2009 ASME


SUNSHINE – "Smart UrbaN ServIces for Higher eNergy Efficiency" delivers innovative digital services,
interoperable with existing geographic web-service infrastructures, supporting improved energy efficiency at
the urban and building level. Specifically, SUNSHINE delivers a smart service platform accessible from
both a web-based client and from an App for smartphones and tablets. In parallel to technical integration a
key standardisation activity will also result in the definition of the extension of existing data model
(CityGML) through the definition of a specific Application Domain Extension (ADE) on building energy
behaviour, something very important for the pilots within SUNSHINE and its large-scale uptake beyond
current locations.
SUNSHINE is a European funded project in the competiveness and innovation framework program for the
duration of three years with 16 partners from ten countries and it started in February 2013.


A method and system for contrast agent image beamformation is provided. The acoustic energy of transmit beams is spread laterally to reduce contrast agent destruction. For example, a smaller aperture is provided for contrast agent imaging than for a default imaging mode. As another example, an apodization profile with a low amplitude for edge elements for contrast agent imaging is used as compared to the edge elements for a default imaging mode. As yet another example, the focal point used for contrast agent imaging is set to be outside of the region of interest (e.g. a shallow or deep focal point).


The paper contains a description of a measurement system intended for gathering data typically used for evaluation of elderly persons mobility and behaviour. The measurements are carried out with MEMS sensors assembled in the mobile device worn by the monitored person. Results of measurements are sent over wireless link to recording nodes for analysis. The paper describes system design and presents examples of recorded data. Proposals of system usage for mobility and behaviour investigation are also presented and discussed.


The virtual prototyping technology for complex product is one of studying and applying hotspots in current simulation technology. The virtual prototyping technology for complex product has become a systemic engineering in authors viewpoint, namely virtual prototyping engineering for complex product. Research on connotation, composition and its architecture for virtual prototyping engineering of complex product are briefly introduced in this paper. Especially, some phased research fruits and cases are also presented based on primary practice of the authors. Furthermore, the further research works of the authors are prospected.


Abstract : This is a progress report on aerojets' studies of experiments currently underway (E.G., plant growth and DIMP and DCPD lysimster tests). Tests are still in progress to determine the stability of DIMP and DCPD in intimate contact with top soil. The five different soils have been obtained for use in the lysimeter test. Four have been processed for teaching experiments, the fifth is currently being loaded. The plants described in the last monthly report have been exposed to DIMP for 44 days and to DCPD for 39 days. In the most recently revised protocol, the plant groupings have been modified and an additional group, aquatic plants, has been added. A license has been granted to possess radioactive material (40 millicuries of carbon-14) for use in plant tracer studies).


The world's population is getting older. As a consequence, certain diseases such as Alzheimer are getting more and more common. On the other hand, we can take advantage of the evolution of new technologies to develop applications with the aim of enhancing and stimulating the cognitive abilities of people suffering from Alzheimer's in order to counteract the progress of the disease. This paper presents an interactive system based on emerging technologies such as NFC and distributed user interfaces and tangible interaction to conduct cognitive rehabilitation. The main obj ective is to improve the person's performance in real-life situations and the associated enhancement in the person's well-being, self-esteem, mood and behavior. The emerging demographic change towards an ageing population is introducing significant changes in our society. In recent years life expectancy has increased thanks to the great advances in medicine. The body's health has improved although it is not accompanied by an improvement in the health of the brain. Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) are the most common form of dementia among older people. According to the World Health Organization [6], it is estimated that in 2005, 0.379% of the world's population had dementia, and that the prevalence will increase to 0.441% in 2015 and to 0.556% in 2030. Alzheimer's disease is characterized by progressive loss of memory and other mental abilities; this loss results in atrophy of the affected regions. Nowadays, finding an effective therapy for Alzheimer's disease is a social need. There are two types of therapies: pharmacological and non pharmacological. The latter must be used in conjunction with the former. Non-pharmacological therapy is based on Neuropsychological rehabilitation (NR), which is concerned with the amelioration of the cognitive, emotional, psychosocial, and behavioral deficits caused by the deterioration of the brain. The main reasons that explain this growing interest in cognitive rehabilitation are the limited efficacy of current drug therapies, the plasticity of the human central nervous system and the discovery that during ageing the connections in the brain are not fixed but retain instead the capacity to change with learning [5]. Information and Communication Technologies (lCT) can help elderly individuals to improve their quality of life, stay healthier, live independently for longer, and counteract the reduced capabilities which are more prevalent in ageing. ICT can enable them to remain active at work or in their community. Specifically the games are a way for users to perform tasks …


An organic production class was operated for fve years at New Mexico State University using the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model of farming. This was the frst organic garden on the NMSU main campus, the frst organic vegetable production class at NMSU, and the frst CSA venture in southern New Mexico. In fve years, the project earned $115,201 in gross income and grew 554 varieties, including 372 varieties of 39 vegetables, 32 varieties of 15 herbs, and 150 varieties of 72 fowers, on approximately an acre of land. This document outlines the project, including an overview of the farm, the CSA, and cooland warmseason crop performance.


The AES algorithm is a symmetric block cipher that can encrypt, (encipher), and decrypt, (decipher), information. Encryption converts data to an unintelligible form called cipher-text. Decryption of the cipher-text converts the data back into its original form, which is called plaintext. The AES algorithm is capable of using cryptographic keys of 128, 192, and 256 bits to encrypt and decrypt data in blocks of 128 bits. The National Institute of Standards and Technology, (NIST), solicited proposals for the Advanced Encryption Standard, (AES). The AES is a Federal Information Processing Standard, (FIPS), which is a cryptographic algorithm that is used to protect electronic data. Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), specifying an Advanced Encryption Algorithm to replace the Data Encryption standard (DES) the Expired in 1998. NIST has solicited candidate algorithms for inclusion in AES, resulting in fifteen official candidate algorithms of which Rijndael was chosen as the Advanced Encryption Standard. Some of these implementations are optimized for speed, some for area, some for configurability, and some for low-power applications. This is carried out in the Cadence Tool with NC simvision software.


In order to reduce the loss of resources and improve the efficiency of the system, efficient methods are required to solve mobile robot maze. In this paper, the Q-learning method is applied to enable the constantly update of the Q table for robot under the feedback of the maze. Specifically, it is essentially an iterative process, which adjusts the path during moving and uses the optimal path to find the correct exit eventually. By comparing the way in different environment we draw a conclusion that through Q-learning the robot can find the shortest way to solve the maze.


In this paper we start from the assumption that the value of forests will depend increasingly on their generally useful functions and that there is a need to investigate possibilities of their quantitative evaluation. The value of wood and wood products depends on the laws of supply and demand, whereas the services concerning the generally useful functions of forests have been presented descriptively. Because of this, there is a need of economic evaluation of environment's goods and services concerning the evaluation of ecological forest economy. The same goes for programmes of protection and advancement of environment as such, which also include the ecological analysis and technological solutions. In this sense, the cost-benefit analysis seems to be the most appropriate. The travel costs method is being suggested for the evaluation of generally useful functions of forests


The invention discloses sesterterpine compounds, and a preparation method and an application thereof. The sesterterpine compounds are compound 1, compound 2, and compound 3. The structural formula is represented as the formula (I). The sesterterpine compounds provided by the invention can be used for preparing acetylcholinesterase inhibitor medicines, wherein the medicines can be used for treating senile dementia. The compound 1 is represented in the description. In the compound 2, R1=H, and R2=OH. In the compound 2, R1=H, and R2=OAc (I).


always clear. Still, this is a welcome integration of modernity's impact on changes in popular theology, literature, and the role of the state in regulating the community's ability to relate to the divine in human form. Schramm's work demonstrates a deepening of the connection between theology and the arts, making it clear that secularization was just as problematic in the nineteenth century as the twenty-first.


Extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK) is a key kinase in the development of cancer. 12 urea compounds containing morpholin rings were designed and synthesized in search of novel ERK inhibitors by using merging strategy. The structures of all compounds were confirmed by 1 H NMR, 13 C NMR and HRMS. ERK kinase activity and cell proliferation test results indicate that most of the target compounds have moderately inhibitory effects on human colorectal cancer cells SW480 and HCT-116, especially the IC 50 of 1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-3-(5-(4-morpholinophenyl)pyridin-2-yl)urea ( 18f ) reaches 0.36 and 0.55 µmol/L, respectively, and has low toxicity to normal cells L02 ( > 10 µmol/L). At the same time, 18f can inhibit ERK kinase activity (IC 50 = 0.051 µmol/L) and phosphorylation level, but does not affect total ERK expression and upstream upstream activation of mitogen-activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK) activation. These research provides important reference for the further study of novel benzylpyridylurea ERK inhibitors.


This study aims to determine the effect of individual characteristics, job characteristics, company characteristics and work experience on employee loyalty partially. To determine the effect of individual characteristics, job characteristics, company characteristics and work experience on employee loyalty simultaneously at PDAM Tirtanadi Medan Head Office. The total population in this study amounted to 119 people as a sample using a saturated sampling technique. The analysis technique used is multiple linear regression. The results showed that individual characteristics had a positive and significant effect on employee loyalty, job characteristics had a negative and insignificant effect on employee loyalty, company characteristics had a positive and significant effect on employee loyalty, work experience had a positive and significant effect on employee loyalty. Individual characteristics, job characteristics, company characteristics and work experience have a positive and significant impact on employee loyalty


Alkylation of ethyl geranate (5) with the bromo esters 7 and 8 gave the β,γ-unsaturated esters 10 and 11, which could be isomerized to 13 and 14 by treatment with DBU. The α,β-unsaturated esters 12–14 were cyclized to 15–17, and subsequent reduction of 15–17 led to the diols 18–20. Final cyclization afforded the spiro ethers 2–4. – The olfactive properties (intensity and quality) of the theaspirane analogs 1–4 are determined by the conformational flexibility of the respective molecule. Thus, the rigid 1 and 2 have strong camphoraceous odors. Augmenting flexibility (→3, →4) results in weaker, fruity-woody notes.


Elucidation of the complex interactions of forces that affect genetic structure within and among populations is important in the assessment of short-term viability and evolution of natural populations. We examined spatial and temporal changes in genetic, demographic, and ecologic characteristics of the eastern cottontail (Sylvilagusfloridanus; n = 543) within two isolated populations inhabiting playa lake basins in the Texas Panhandle. Spatial autocorrelation and contiguous clustering analyses documented nonrandom dispersion of genotypes within both populations, during each of four consecutive seasons. Considerable seasonal variation in genotypic autocorrelative patterns and size, position, and genotypic composition of significant contiguous clusters also was observed. Genotypic structuring within playa basins was particularly evident during spring, summer, and autumn; greater randomization of genetic distributions occurred in the winter, prereproductive season. Presence of spatial associations of genotypes and changes in their position and composition over seasons were influenced by episodic exchange of individuals from genetically different populations, subsequent random mating and restoration of Hardy-Weinberg genotypic proportions in resulting offspring, and patchy distribution of habitat types within playa basins. Mantel matrix regressions, which were used to test relationships among demographic, habitat, and genotypic variables show that the relative importance of each factor changes seasonally. Differences in habitat use among individuals were significantly correlated with genotypic cluster affiliation during the prereproductive period, whereas age structure became increasingly important in explaining spatial arrangement of genotypes during later periods. Although populations from different playa basins differ in gene frequency, seasonal changes in genetic structure within each population were correlated.


The initial response to a job loss is often shock, and one's immediate focus is on the negative consequences (anger, stress, lost wages, uncertainty, fear of the unknown future, feeling unappreciated, wanting to get even). The job loss affects every aspect of your life and it is difficult to see any positives or opportunities created by this crisis. Mostly, you are struggling with uncertainty and wondering how you will get through the day, let alone the next month or longer.


IMPACT OF ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD) ON PARENTS AND CHILDREN WHAT ARE THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF A PARENT WITH A CHILD WITH ADHD? By Deborah K. Taylor The purpose o f this study was to seek a fuller understanding of and to identify and describe the underlying themes of the lived experiences o f a parent with a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The Husserelian phenomenological and Giorgi methods o f research were utilized in this study. Four meanings emerged: 1) discovery, 2) searching for control, 3) struggling for normalization/overcoming obstacles, and 4) hope. The synthesized structural description of the experience that emerged was described as an emotional experience that progressed in stages that were cyclic and ongoing in nature. The data suggests that chronic sorrow, as it has been defined by Copley & Bodensteiner (1987), is a plausible emotional phenomenon in these parents. Clinical practitioners can utilize the findings from this study to plan and implement strategies that will help these parents move toward a response that will allow them to function and cope with their situation. Dedication This thesis is dedicated to my husband, Ed and my daughter, Angela. Their sacrifice, support, and encouragement have been instrumental in the completion of my education. AJso, to my niece. Holly, and her mother, Anita, for inspiring me to ask why. And finally, to my mother and fether—I know they would have been proud.


Recent political events in the former Soviet Union suggest that democracy has only a tenuous hold in this region. Underlying many of these events may be psychological values and beliefs ill conducive to the development of democracy. In the 2 studies described in this paper, conducted in 1995 and 1998, 2 large and representative groups of manual workers, students, civil servants, managers, and the retired from 4 former Soviet republics completed measures of fatalism, attitudes toward democracy, and democratic participation (N= 2,672 and 925). Structural equation analyses of the data from both studies find that particular groups (in particular, manual workers and the retired) hold the strongest fatalistic beliefs, which in turn predict democratic attitudes, voting behavior, and political-party membership. These findings are discussed in the light of possible interventions that might promote democratic participation in the region.


Subject. Parameters of local immunity of a mucous membrane of a respiratory tract in the patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) of occupational genesis on a background of the application of Miramistin inhalations, laser therapy and sinusoidal modulated current ( SMC ) phoresis of Miramistin before the main course of rehabilitation. Objective. A new method for rapid relief of the inflammatory process in the bronchi in the patients with occupational COPD on the basis of the correction of the mechanisms for the protection of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tracts. Methods. All the patients were divided into two equal groups: the study and the control. The main group of the patients consistently prescribed inhalations of 0.01 % Miramistin, laser therapy, SMC-phoresis of 0.01 % of Miramistin for 5 days. The patients in the control group were prescribed medication in the standard treatment of COPD exacerbation. Before and after the treatment, all the patients were examined for local immunity of the nasal mucosa and sputum: the concentrations of secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) and the activity of lysozyme (AL), cytograms of impression smears of nasal secretions and sputum with the definition of cellular composition (cylindrical epithelial (CE) and flat epithelial (FE) cells, alveolar macrophages (AM), neutrophils (N)), as well as functional activity of neutrophils (FAN), functional activity of alveolar macrophages (FAAM). Main results. In the study group the aggravation of bronchopulmonary process was stopped after 3 procedures on a background of normalization of the parameters of local factors of the protection of the mucosa of the respiratory tract. After a three-day course of the proposed method the total volume of the main rehabilitation complex was carried out. In the control group COPD aggravation was delayed up to 7-10 days that impeded the implementation of the rehabilitation program in full. Conclusions. In case of exacerbation of occupational COPD at the stage of rehabilitation for rapid relief of inflammation of the mucosa of respiratory tract, it is advisable to prescribe Miramistin inhalation, laser therapy and SMC - phoresis of Miramistin. The proposed sequence of the application of physical factors contributes to the recovery of the protection of the mucosa of the respiratory tract and as a result an anti-inflammatory effect is manifested.


Selective feeding by zooplankton can have profound consequences for the stability of grazer and prey populations, as demonstrated by the behavior of plankton dynamics models. We present an analytical approach—calculation of prey ratio trajectories—that reveals unambiguously whether selective feeding behavior is stabilizing (i.e. provides a refuge for preferred prey species at low prey concentrations) or destabilizing (i.e. results in elimination of prey populations). Prey ratio trajectories were calculated for three modeled selective feeding behaviors. Constant selection was consistently destabilizing, while selection behaviors that changed in response to either prey ratio or prey abundance could be stabilizing. Batch culture experiments with four protozoan grazer species (three ciliates, one heterotrophic dinofiagellate) demonstrated that protozoa fed selectively in every case, weakly preferring the larger of the two algal species offered. Stabilizing selection was observed only in the experiment with Favella sp., however, meaning that only this species altered its selection behavior in response to changing experimental conditions. Because protozoa are the major grazers of phytoplankton in many planktonic systems, our findings indicate that the use of selective feeding behaviors to stabilize plankton dynamics models needs careful evaluation. The modeling and graphical techniques presented here are a tool for linking further exploration of selective feeding behaviors with the development of plankton dynamics models.


Electrochemical oxidation of n-alkylbenzenes (alkyl = butyl, hexyl, octyl, and dodecyl) in 0.1 mol dm−3 n-Bu4NBF4-nitromethane with a catalytic amount of NiCl2[P(allyl)2Ph]2 affords poly(n-alkylphenylene)s soluble in common organic solvents. n-Alkylbenzene with a longer alkyl chain gives a soluble polymer with higher molecular weight, more positive oxidation potential and larger band gap.


Abstract The essential oils from the fruits and the aerial parts of Haplophyllum linifolium harvested in 1994 and 1997 were isolated by hydrodistillation, fractionated by dry column chromatography, and analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The GC of the fruits exhibited 68 peaks from which 50 substances were structurally identified by MS and RI-values, which correspond to 98.8% and 98.2% of the oils, respectively. The main components of these oils were β-phellandrene (25.5% and 35.5%) and β-pinene (23.7% and 21.2%), but the more interesting characteristic is the presence of 4.6% and 2.9% bornyl formate, respectively, a compound rarely found in essential oils. The oil of the aerial parts of the plant exhibited a very similar oil composition differing only in the percentual proportions. β-Phellandrene and β-pinene were the dominating constituents of the herb oils representing 42.6% (30.4%) and 19.8% (22.4%), respectively. Bornyl formate amounted to 2.5% in 1994 and 4.0% in 1997.


INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE This protocol provides assistance in interpreting UnitedHealthcare benefit plans. When deciding coverage, the enrollee specific document must be referenced. The terms of an enrollee's document (e.g., Certificate of Coverage (COC) or Evidence of Coverage (EOC)) may differ greatly. In the event of a conflict, the enrollee's specific benefit document supersedes this protocol. All reviewers must first identify enrollee eligibility, any federal or state regulatory requirements and the plan benefit coverage prior to use of this Protocol. Other Protocols, Policies and Coverage Determination Guidelines may apply. UnitedHealthcare reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to modify its Protocols, Policies and Guidelines as necessary. This protocol is provided for informational purposes. It does not constitute medical advice. UnitedHealthcare may also use tools developed by third parties, such as the Milliman Care Guidelines®, to assist us in administering health benefits. The Milliman Care Guidelines are intended to be used in connection with the independent professional medical judgment of a qualified health care provider and do not constitute the practice of medicine or medical advice. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is considered not medically necessary. There is a lack of evidence demonstrating that the use of MRS improves health outcomes such as increasing diagnosis rates, reducing the number of unnecessary biopsies, and improving care or treatment planning accuracy in patients with conditions such as psychiatric or neurological disorders, and prostate cancer. In addition, the techniques of acquiring the MRS spectra and interpreting the results are not well standardized. Further clinical trials that include well conducted randomized controlled trials and cohort studies are necessary to demonstrate the clinical usefulness of this procedure. Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) is an application of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). It is a non-invasive diagnostic test that uses strong magnetic fields to measure and analyze the chemical composition of human tissues. On March 22, 1994, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services considered MRS an investigational procedure and issued a national non-coverage determination for all indications of MRS. After thorough review and reconsideration of the existing national non-coverage determination for MRS, as well as the available evidence for the use of MRS as a diagnostic tool for distinguishing indeterminate brain lesions, and/or as an aid in conducting brain biopsies, CMS has determined that the evidence is not adequate to conclude that MRS is reasonable and necessary within the meaning of section 1862(a) (1) (A) of the Social Security Act, for …


If one desires a very brief and very clear outline study of the evolution theory this volume will meet the need. The writers are frankly evolutionists. They are teachers in the department of Botany aud Plant Genetics in the University of Chicago. In the second chapter ·the familiar arguments for accepting evolution are given. They are: First, the similarity of animal structures, including the evidence from comparative auatomy, from vestigial structures of adult bodieR, and temporary vestigial litructures of the developing embryo. Second, the evidence from the geologic record. This emphasizes the progressive character of the animal forms discovered in the successive layers of rock through the geologic ages. Third, the evidence from cultivated plants and domesticated animals. These are the main lines of evidence which modern evolutionists accept as establishing the fact of evolution. In sncceeding chapters the authors expound briefly and clear. ly the various efforts to explain what evolutionists regard as the fact of evolution. Chief among these is Lamarck's theory of use and disuse and the transmission of acquired traits, Darwin's doctrine of natural selection and the mutation theory of De Vries. Three other subordinate theories are briefly presented, orthogenesis, isolation and hybridization. The authors lean to the mutation theory but admit that the cause or causes of mutation are unknown. They caution the reader against the error of identifying evolution with Darwinism. They think that all the suggested explanations may contain some truth. But all of them combined do not explain evolution. Thus, with the great majority of modern biologists, these writers consider the evidence ample to justify the acceptance of evolution as a fact while admitting that the causes have not been traced. The title of the book is "Where Evolution and Religion :Meet. " The authors assert that evolution and Christianity are in harmony, that evolutionists can be Christians because Christianity is a scientific religion. It is scientific because it seeks to produce character by appealing to the noblest impulse in man,


Using data on Chinese publicly listed companies gathered in 2001 when independent directors system was introduced, we examined the role of board control and remuneration committees in determining management compensation. Board characteristic, measured in terms of the presence and proportion of independent directors on a board and the presence of remuneration committees and general manager duality, had a positive and significant effect on the level of top management pay. An important conclusion was that top management pay and corporate performance are more aligned in companies with the presence of independent directors and remuneration committees.


The effects of crosses between PLW pigs and Czech J-HYB and CVM breeds on fibre surface area and diameter, intramuscular fat area, texture parameters and rheological properties of smoked loins obtained from meat of the breeds listed above were studied. The comparison showed that among the samples tested, meat obtained from the cross of PLW and J-HYB breeds exhibited the largest fibre surface area and diameter, and the smallest area of intramuscular fat. The smoked loins obtained from meat of that cross showed the highest hardness and gumminess, were the most difficult to chew, and produced the highest values of elasticity and viscosity moduli. They also exhibited the lowest yield. In case of structure and texture parameters and rheological properties, no significant differences between meat of PLW porkers and cross of PLWxCVM breed were found. Harder and more gummy smoked loins exhibited at the same time higher values of elasticity and viscosity moduli, what was confirmed by significant correlation between those parameters. High correlation between structure and texture parameters, and rheological properties of smoked loins were also detected. Smoked loins produced from meat of larger fibre surface area and diameter, and of smaller intramuscular fat area showed higher hardness and gumminess, and higher values of elasticity and viscosity moduli.


Abstract
Generalized muscle weakness when related to the critical patient is an important and common complication in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). It is known that inactivity can lead to secondary dysfunctions and the main system is the osteomyelitis that may undergo muscle strength decrease by up to 30% in 7 days, and 20% in each additional week. The objective of the study was to correlate the functional status at admission with functional mobility at ICU discharge. It is an exploratory, longitudinal study developed in a school hospital. Patients underwent evaluation through functional independence measure (FIM) at admission. Afterwards, an early evolutionary mobilization protocol was applied, divided into three phases. At the time of discharge, the patients were reassessed by the functional mobility scale in the ICU (FMS). There was a significant (p=0.0001) correlation (r=0.5) between the admission FIM and the FMS at the time of ICU discharge from the critical patients included. There was a significant correlation (p<0.0001) positive (r=0.5) in the female patients and positive and weak (r=0.4) in the male patients. There was a correlation between the functional status at admission and the level of mobility at discharge in patients admitted to the ICU, i.e. , the higher the functionality before admission, the greater the functional mobility at discharge.

Keywords: Mobility Limitation. Intensive Care Units. Physical Therapy Specialty

Resumo
A fraqueza muscular generalizada quando relacionada ao doente critico e uma complicacao importante e comum em pacientes internados em unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI). Sabe-se que a inatividade pode acarretar disfuncoes secundarias e o principal sistema acometido e o osteomioarticular que pode sofrer diminuicao da forca muscular em ate 30% em 7 dias, e 20% a cada semana adicional. O objetivo do estudo foi correlacionar o status funcional na admissao com a mobilidade funcional na alta de pacientes na UTI. Trata-se de um estudo do tipo exploratorio, longitudinal, desenvolvido em um hospital-escola. Os pacientes foram submetidos a avaliacao por meio da medida de independencia funcional (MIF) na admissao. Apos, foi aplicado um protocolo de mobilizacao precoce evolutivo dividido em tres fases. No momento da alta, os pacientes foram submetidos a uma nova avaliacao pela escala de mobilidade funcional em UTI (EMF). Verificou-se correlacao significativa (p<0,0001) positiva (r=0,5) entre a MIF de admissao e a EMF no momento da alta da UTI dos pacientes criticos incluidos. Houve correlacao significativa (p<0,0001) positiva (r=0,5) nas pacientes do sexo feminino e positiva e fraca (r=0,4) nos pacientes do sexo masculino. Houve correlacao entre o statusfuncional na admissao com o nivel de mobilidade na alta de pacientes internados em UTI, isto e quanto maior a funcionalidade antes da internacao, maior a mobilidade funcional na alta.
Palavras-chave: Limitacao de Mobilidade. Unidades de Terapia Intensiva. Fisioterapia


As the data rate requirements are increasing rapidly, so is the need to design better bandwidth e cient digital communication systems. Higher bandwidth e ciency can be achieved by di erent methods, but in this thesis we procured it by increasing the data rates beyond the Nyquist rate while keeping the bandwidth constant. This approach of increasing the data rate beyond the Nyquist rate is called faster than Nyquist signaling or simply FTN. In FTN the transmitted data symbols in time domain are disturbed by the controlled amount of interference from the neighboring symbols known as the intersymbol interference (ISI). This technique of intentionally sending the data sequence a ected by the controlled amount of ISI was rst put forth by James Mazo in 1975. Since then the research in the eld of FTN has been extended in many directions. The LTE-uplink system is based on single carrier transmission and can be extended to the faster than Nyquist signaling to achieve better bandwidth e ciency. The aim of this thesis is to implement the FTN on an LTE-uplink like system model and compare it with the traditional LTEuplink system. The performance of the systems is compared on the basis of bit error rates (BER) and spectral e ciency. The mathematical model for the FTN signaling have been derived according to the `Ungerboeck model' and `Forney model' for the Nyquist based systems. Moreover two separate cases are presented, the uncoded FTN and coded FTN. In the uncoded case, for the optimal detection (ML detection) of the received FTN signal sequence we used a sphere decoder. In the coded case, we have used a LDPC encoder of code rate Rc = 1 2 at the transmitter side and a soft-input-softoutput MMSE equalizer cascaded with an iterative LDPC decoder at the receiver side.


To fully understand Brassica germplasm of waterlogging tolerance,270 rapeseed materials from rapeseed industrial systems were evaluated for waterlogging tolerance based on relative survival rate( RSR) at germination stage after 12 h of waterlogging. The results demonstrated rich genetic diversity of waterlogging tolerance,and the tolerance varied evidently among different types of varieties. The waterlogging tolerance of Brassica rapa was much stronger than that of Brassica napus. Varieties of rapeseed in downstream region of Yangtze River were more tolerant than those in upstream and midstream regions,and the tolerance was not significant between varieties of upstream and midstream regions. Waterlogging tolerance of spring rapeseeds was stronger than those of winter and semi- winter rapeseeds. Compared to hybrid rapeseeds,conventional rapeseeds showed better tolerance to waterlogging. Based on this study,waterlogging breeding lines could be selected according to specific environments and growth periods.


A reduction in permeability occurring around the wellbore resulting from drilling, completion and/or workover fluids increases the flow resistance to the petroleum reservoir fluids and is defined as formation damage. Acidizing process removes near-wellbore damage and enhances hydrocarbon production from producing wells. This study investigates the effect of adding polymer as a retarding agent to acid solutions to slow and control the reaction in matrix acidizing treatment of carbonate rocks. Two different polymers, polyacrylamide (PAA) and polysaccharide (xanthan) and two different acids, acetic acid and formic acid, were used through this study. The results revealed that the presence of PAA did not change the viscosity of the acid solution significantly, while the viscosity of xanthan-acid solutions was decreased with increasing the acid concentration. Additionally, the reaction of polymer-acid solutions with the rock material was monitored under microscope. Original rock samples obtained from Saudi reservoirs containing mainly carbonate were used in the reaction. The PAA-acid solution did not show any decrease in the reaction rate compared to that of acid solution. Thus, the PAA solution applied in this study is not recommended as a retarder. However, xanthan-acid solutions showed a significant decrease in the reaction time. Therefore, xanthan was selected to perform further investigations in Rotating Disk Reactor at different pressures. Scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) was conducted on pretreated and posttreated rock samples. This provides the opportunity to perform a detailed description of the rock surface and facilitates the identification of the changes occurring due to polymer-acid treatment. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008


Previously (Butler & Seedall, 2006), we discussed the potential benefits of integrating the pair-bond attachment relationship (Hazan & Ziefman, 1999) into treatment for sexual addiction. We outlined a five-stage (Butler & Gardner, 2003), three-component (Davis & Butler, 2004) enactment model designed to circumvent attendant emotional reactivity and volatility while directly accessing the pair-bond attachment relationship in sponsoring both recovery and relational healing. This article complements the foregoing conceptual framework by delineating a variety of attachment-anchored, enactment-based interventions that may be adapted to the varying recovery and relationship needs of couples. Each intervention will be set forth conceptually and operationally, followed by an explanation of the value added when facilitated within an enactment context.


ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to explore how students' reports of proactive aggressiveness and mental health problems are associated with their perception of classroom interaction when controlling for socioeconomic status, gender and grade level. Classroom interaction is understood in terms of teachers' emotional support, monitoring and instructional support. Proactive aggressiveness and mental health problems represent common types of student behaviors teachers encounter in the classroom. Students in 85 classrooms in ten schools in Norway completed a web-based questionnaire. A total of 1,571 students in grades 5–10 (ages 10–15) participated. Multilevel modeling revealed that proactive aggressiveness and mental health problems were negatively related to teachers' emotional support, monitoring and instructional support. Implications for teachers' practice are discussed.


Resistivity is precise and sensitive with the change of microstructure.In recent years,the characterization on damage of metal materials based on the method of electrical resistance has been studied widely with the increment of precision of electrical resistance measurement.The mapping relationship of the parameter of elasticity modulus,tensile strength,fracture toughness,hardness,aging time,fatigue time etc.and the parameter of electrical resistance were reviewed in this paper,the values of these parameters of different metal materials were measured at different damage environments such as drawing,high temperature aging,high cycle fatigue and creeping.The micromechanism of electrical resistance changes,which was influenced by deformation,was discussed.In addition,the main research orientation in this field was predicted.


Abstract The floribunda rose cultivar Roswytha, grafted on to 'Brogs Stachellose' was grown in a factorial experiment with 3 rates of N, P, and K fertilizers during a six year period. The effects of the treatments on soil and leaf element contents as well as on yield and quality of the cut flowers were studied. In the unfertilized plot the amount of available soil P increased during the first five years. Increasing the supply of N, P, and K resulted in significantly higher amounts of these elements in soil and leaves. Highly significant correlations between leaf and soil contents of N, P, and K were established using the modified Spurway-Lawton nutrient analysis method. However, the leaf-soil element relationship was much stronger for P and K than for N. Significant leaf-soil correlations were also found for Ca, Cl, and Mn. Significant positive correlations were found between K, Ca, Mg, and Cl in the leaves and P in the soil. Foliar Ca, Mg, and B was significantly negatively correlated with soil K and fol...


Considering that the narrative, historical or fictional, plays an important role in the organization and constitution of meaning for human life, this article proposes to reflect briefly, from the existentialist perspective, as women writers who gathered to produce periodicals aimed at the Brazilian female public in the 20th century, especially in Goiás, developed a meaning for the feminine existence, through the creation of feminine identities, represented in their textual productions.


Purpose:Anatomy contouring is an early and critical step in the workflow of per‐patient customization of modern radiation therapy. Accurate and consistent delineation of regions of interest (ROIs) is vital, as inaccuracies will affect everything downstream in the workflow: the optimized dose, the DVH metrics, and in some instances the ROI‐based guidance used in IGRT. However, despite the importance of ROI accuracy, there is, as yet, no industry‐wide QA system for "anatomy engineering." This study examines this problem objectively. Methods and Materials: Source data were generated by submitting a common head/neck CT dataset (with targets already defined) to over 100 institutions for them to contour and produce an IMRT Plan. The received data (Plans, Structures, Dose) were filtered by plan quality to pare down to a collection of the 32 best plans, each contoured and planned by a different dosimetrist. We quantify: 1) the ROI variation, and 2) the impact that the ROI variation has on important dosimetry/DVH endpoints. New technologies are employed, including a volumetric ROI comparison tool and a cross‐platform 3D Dose/DVH tool allowing flexible association between DICOM RT structures and 3D dose grids. Results: There is significant inter‐dosimetrist variation in critical ROIs, with the degree of variation being organ‐dependent. For the patient/plan we studied, there was a corresponding range of dose errors caused by the ROI variation (errors ranged from −289% to +56% for mean ROI dose; −22% to 35% for max dose). Based on our analysis, there appears to be an obvious ROI comparison metric cutoff beyond which the associated dose errors become minimal. Conclusions: Given these results, we propose a practical "Quality System" that could quantify the performance of anatomy engineering systems (dosimetry staff, autosegmentation algorithms, physicians, etc.) and provide feedback for continual quality improvement.


INTUITION is the European Network of Excellence on virtual reality and virtual environments applications for future workspaces. The purpose of the network is to gather expertise from partner members and determine the future research agenda for the development and use of virtual reality (VR) technologies. The working group on Education and Training (WG2.9) is specifically focused on understanding how VR is being used to support learning in educational and industrial contexts. This paper presents four case examples of VR technology currently in use or development for training in industry. Conclusions are drawn concerning future development of VR training applications and barriers that need to be overcome.


As a basic and crucial security requirement for Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs), authentication is generally used to prevent various communication attacks such as Denial-of-Service (DoS) attack. A novel broadcast authentication framework is proposed in this paper, where an Identity-Based Signature scheme by using the Extended Chaotic Maps (ECM-IBS) is designed to authenticate all broadcast messages and specifically, a chaos-based hash function is used for message authentication in the WSNs. It is implemented using a WSN hardware device of CC2530 and its performance is analyzed under various methods. Performance analysis and experimental results show that the proposed ECM-IBS scheme has a quick signature generation speed, low energy consumption and short verification delay, and can be applied to WSN applications.


The isotope mass scaling of the energy confinement time in tokamak plasmas typically differs from gyro-Bohm estimates. This phenomenon – known as the isotope effect – remains an open issue in plasma physics, with important implications for the extrapolation from present day, mostly deuterium (D), fusion experiments to future deuterium-tritium (D-T) reactors. Differences in mass scaling in L-mode and various H-mode regimes suggest that the isotope effect may, in large part, originate from the pedestal. In the pedestal, sharp gradients render local diffusive estimates invalid, and global effects due to orbit-width scale profile variations have to be taken into account, potentially leading to mass scalings different from gyro-Bohm. We calculate cross-field fluxes from a radially-global linearized drift-kinetic equation using the PERFECT code, to study isotope composition effects in density pedestals. We define dimensionless parameters from the ratios of density length scale, pedestal width and orbit width, and study global effects in terms of these parameters for different pedestal profiles and bulk species. Quantifying global effects by the relative difference between peak heat-flux values in global and local simulations, we find that this quantity saturates at an isotope-dependent value, but the dimensionless parameters do not capture all the isotope dependencies. We also consider D-T and H-D mixtures, and compare the calculated heat fluxes to fluxes calculated from single species simulations with artificial "DT" and "HD" species.


parts of the country. Transferring patients from acute Stroke Units to subacute care facilities may cause discontinuity of optimal treatment. This paper describes different levels of postacute treatment with respect to severity of stroke, and attempts to establish an algorithm that may assist in selecting the appropriate institution for rehabilitation. Following acute Stroke Unit treatment, criteria for selection of a rehabilitation facility include severity of stroke, need for medical services, and socioeconomic factors.


Given the prominence of global climate change issues in the United States and abroad, it is surprising that there has not been an introductory-level textbook that adequately addresses the Earth's climate system in a systematic, easy to read, multidisciplinary manner. Earth's Climate: Past and Future by W. F. Ruddiman is exactly that: an excellent introductory textbook covering the basic science and the paradigms that govern our current understanding of Earth's climate system. In his opening remarks, Ruddiman states his goal that the book make climate science interesting and intelligible to all students, especially to non-science majors taking an upper-division science course. Ruddiman successfully tackles this goal.


The Fokker–Planck equation for the phase space distribution function is studied as a means of calculating rate constants for chemical reactions. For the case of a symmetric double minimum potential and moderate friction, the eigenfunction of interest is found via a similarity transformation coupled with singular perturbation methods, and the corresponding eigenvalue is obtained by using a variational formula. The resulting expression for the rate constant is seen to be a generalization of the well known Kramers formula. Its range of validity is determined by solving the Fokker–Planck equation numerically, and it is found that the new formula is quite accurate if the barrier height and the friction constant are at least moderately large. For the case of low friction, exact numerical values of the rate constant are obtained and these are used to develop a semitheoretical formula which is valid over the entire range of friction constants. This then permits an evaluation of the range of applicability of the r...


Objective: To explore the clinical value of laparoscopy in diagnosis and surgical treatment of acute abdomen. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out through collecting the clinical data of 116 cases of emergency laparoscopic surgery from Jan.2006 to Feb. 2013. The indications of surgery were acute cholecystitis( n = 48),acute appendicitis( n = 32),gastric and duodenum perforation( n = 19),closed abdominal injuries( n = 12),ectopic pregnancy( n = 1),ruptured corpus luteum( n = 1),acute pelvic inflammatory disease( n = 2) and necrotic omental pedicle torsion( n = 1). Results: The laparoscopic surgery succeeded in 102 cases,14cases were converted to laparotomy,death and serious complication was not observed in any patients. Conclusions: Laparoscopic technique is minimally invasive and efficient,has advantages such as making a confirmed diagnosis as soon as possible for patients with acute abdomen,providing therapy at the same time with high success rate,which avoids unnecessary laparotomy and deserves promotion in local hospitals.


This article describes the introduction of concept of evidence-based medicine in gynecology and obstetrics education. We will use the problem-based education mode to improve the quality of gynecology and obstetrics education to bring up the students'habits of active learning,enhance their abilities of clinical thinking and promote their innovative consciousness.


Focused on dynamic scheduling of single-processor real-time system,this paper defined and analyzed the sensitivity and influence of task attributes including arrival time,execution time,deadline and laxity,then it proposed a scheduling algorithm PTBM based on priority table,which made that a task with small deadline and large laxity had higher priority.Compared with PTBM with EDF,LLF and PTD,simulated results verify CMRN of the sensitivity and influence,and show PTBM outperforming on scheduling success ratio.The proposed algorithm can be applied to dynamically schedule real-time tasks in realtime systems.


FIELD: food engineering. SUBSTANCE: holder has rigid body with portion of granular, powder or similar microparticle material for obtaining of beverage by filtering, solving or infusing with hot water under pressure. Rigid body is composed of cylindrical hollow part with continuous side wall, inlet end wall with perforated central portion and opposed perforated outlet walls. Perforated inlet wall has external peripheral circular bead encircling central perforated portion for joining with heated plate of machine under the action of mechanical force to provide for supplying into detachable holder under hydraulic pressure through perforated central portion of end wall of hot water for producing beverage and discharging it through perforated outlet wall. Circular bead of inlet end wall is made from plastic material, which softens at temperature of heated conveying plate of machine for extracting and distributing hot beverages. EFFECT: increased efficiency, simplified construction and enhanced reliability in operation. 6 cl, 4 dwg


Oscillator IC technique is developed by combining injecting synchronization technique with a ring VCO.Using the technique,a novel 2 488GHz of monolithical integrated injected synchronized ring VCO (ISRVCO) is realized in a standard 0 25μm CMOS process.The ISRVCO is characterized by the following performances: -100dBc /Hz@1MHz at free running frequency,-91 7dBc/Hz@10kHz when injection is locked.With the 3 3V of power supply,the tuning range is 150MHz and the locking range is 100MHz with 50m V p p signal injection.


Ollman,the main representative of the dialectical Marxism school,has analyzed capitalism with Marx's dialectic and got explicit conclusion that capitalism is an organic system,it is just a historical existence,and its intrinsic contradictions determine that their thorough resolution would depend on its being replaced by socialism.Naturally,Ollman has demonstrated the temporality of capitalism and inevitability of socialism.Not only does this have the function of caution to those who misunderstand capitalism and doubt socialism in the world today,but also it has important meanings for Chinese people to understand correctly the socialism with Chinese characteristics.


This paper is an attempt to bridge two well known performance degraders in SMT, viz., (i) difference in morphological characteristics of the two languages, and (ii) scarcity of parallel corpora. We address these two problems using "word segmentation" and through "pivots" on the morphologically complex language. Our case study is Malayalam to Hindi SMT. Malayalam belongs to the Dravidian family of languages and is heavily agglutinative. Hindi is a representative of the Indo-Aryan language family and is morphologically simpler. We use triangulation as pivoting strategy in combination with morphological pre-processing. We observe that (i) significant improvement in translation quality over direct SMT occurs when a pivot is used in combination with direct SMT, (ii) the more the number of pivots, the better the performance and (iii)word segmentation is a must. We achieved an improvement of 9.4 BLEU points which is over 58% compared to the baseline direct system. Our work paves way for SMT of languages that face resource scarcity and have widely divergent morphological characteristics.


If bubbles reflect social outbreaks of poor judgment, then even those who adhere to individualistic notions of contract should recognize that there is a basis for denying enforcement of bubble contracts. This article outlines the argument that bubbles -- defined as outbreaks of poor judgment -- exist and can be recognized, at least after the fact. It then argues that declining to enforce bubble contracts is consistent with libertarian and utilitarian approaches to contract. Finally, it considers the merits of rescission versus equitable adjustment as a way of handling unenforceable bubble contracts. The article argues that an approach to modifying or rescinding bubble contracts -- perhaps including mortgages entered into during the recent housing bubble -- that is grounded in contract theory may be preferable to approaches that are based on the state's power to react to emergencies.


This article presents a new method of segmenting images with gray levels. The method is based on determining several thresholds for separation of gray levels. The determination of these thresholds is done using the certainty of the neutrosophic information. The concept of this method can be stated simply: to choose the local maximums for the neutrosophic certainty.


The authors describe their experience with a method, heuristic evaluation, for testing the usability of a World Wide Web site design. Heuristic evaluation is one of the less formal methods of usability testing, and promises to be cheap, easy, and fast. For the most part the authors found this to be true, with some caveats.


Lines in garments directly influence garment style. Deconstructivism designers subvert conventional expression way of "lines"in garments with unique thoughts and create various new visual images,which impacts traditional aesthetic criteria. Compared with linear expression in traditional garments, "lines " treatment in deconstructivism style garments has non-tradition and rational reconstruction features. This paper analyzes deconstruction expression of contour line, structure line and decorative line in garments, combines specific applications of various different lines in deconstructivism style garments and stresses rational art features of diversified"lines"after reconstruction. The essence of deconstruction is to establish new aesthetic system in destruction and form new design language. This paper provides wide imagination space of garment design and supplies beneficial reference for innovative design of modern garment.


Let $f$ be a primitive positive definite integral binary quadratic form of discriminant $-D$ and let $\pi_f(x)$ be the number of primes up to $x$ which are represented by $f$. We prove several types of upper bounds for $\pi_f(x)$ within a constant factor of its asymptotic size: unconditional, conditional on the Generalized Riemann Hypothesis (GRH), and for almost all discriminants. The key feature of these estimates is that they hold whenever $x$ exceeds a small power of $D$ and, in some cases, this range of $x$ is essentially best possible. In particular, if $f$ is reduced then this optimal range of $x$ is achieved for almost all discriminants or by assuming GRH. We also exhibit an upper bound for the number of primes represented by $f$ in a short interval and a lower bound for the number of small integers represented by $f$ which have few prime factors.


Current paper presents data from international multicenter studies performed with participation of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and ischaemic heart disease. We analyze results regarding advisability of different glycemic targets, prescription safety of various classes of antihyperglycemic agents in patients with inschaemic heart disease, acute coronary syndrome and chronic heart failure, as well as therapeutic approach to glycemic control in acute myocardial infarction and cardiologic interventional procedures.


The empirical distinction between de facto and de jure exchange rate regimes raises a number of interesting questions. Which factors may induce a de facto peg? Why do countries enforce a peg but do not announce it? Why do countries \break their promises"? We show that a stable socio-political and an e±cient political decision-making process are a necessary prerequisite for choosing a peg and sticking to it, challenging the view that sees the exchange rate as a commitment device. Policymakers seem rather concerned with regime sustainability in the face of adverse economic and socio political fundamentals.


In two Amazonian regions of Brazil and Colombia that represent most of the diversity of the pioneer front landscapes, we searched for relationships among socioeconomic environments, landscape composition and structure, biodiversity, and production of goods and ecosystem services. An original sampling protocol was applied to collect fully compatible socioeconomic, landscape, agronomic and ecological datasets allowing rigorous statistical analyses. In each country, 153 farms belonging to three different kinds of land use and practices were characterized on the basis of socioeconomic and landscape variables. Biodiversity, goods and ecosystem services were measured on a selection of 27 (26 in Colombia) farms most representative of the whole diversity in each country. Among the groups chosen for biodiversity survey, plants, earthworms, termites and ants were major ecosystem engineers that play a critical role in the provision of goods (agrosilvipastoral products) and ecosystem services (ES). The investigated ES were climate regulation through carbon sequestration in soil and biomass, soil conservation and water cycle regulation through infiltration, and finally indices of soil quality. Covariations among the different sets of variables assessed by multiple co-inertia analysis were highly significant. Significance of these results are discussed.