likewise associated himself with the Finnish national project, using his texts to advocate agricultural improvement and educational provision: Kauranen, 'Odd Man Out?', pp. 122, 124–5, 130. Vilho Itkonen (1872–1918), a socialist and temperance advocate, interpreted the folklore he collected through the lens of Theosophy as opening the way to a new era of innovation: Mikkola, 'Self-Taught Collectors of Folklore', pp. 149–51. Lyons, Writing Culture of Ordinary People, pp. 171, 200, suggests that successful Asturian emigrants, who invested in new secular schools in their home provinces, were 'messengers of modernity' (p. 200). 62 Lyons, Writing Culture of Ordinary People, pp. 11–2, 170–1, 201–4. 63 Howard, Literacy and the Practice of Writing, pp. 137–9, 145–55. Cf. Kuismin, 'From Family Inscriptions to Autobiographical Novels', pp. 103–4. 64 Lyons, Writing Culture of Ordinary People, pp. 46–51; cf. Howard, Literacy and the Practice of Writing, pp. 156–8. 65 Lyons, Writing Culture of Ordinary People, pp. 91–2, 141–3, 210. 66 Lyons, Writing Culture of Ordinary People, pp. 64–6, 69. 67 Lyons, Writing Culture of Ordinary People, pp. 76–7, 89, 119–21, 129–30, 178–9, 195. 68 Lyons, Writing Culture of Ordinary People, pp. 56–9, 160–2, 195–7. 69 Lyons, Writing Culture of Ordinary People, pp. 173–8. 70 Lyons, Writing Culture of Ordinary People, pp. 86–90, 124–7. 71 Lyons, Writing Culture of Ordinary People, pp. 34–40, 77–8. 72 Lyons, Writing Culture of Ordinary People, pp. 74, 124, 126–7, 132, 154. 73 Lyons, Writing Culture of Ordinary People, pp. 91–2. 74 Lyons, Writing Culture of Ordinary People, pp. 113, 141–3. 75 Lyons, Writing Culture of Ordinary People, pp. 96–112, 116–7, 126, 131–4, 137–52. 76 Lyons, Writing Culture of Ordinary People, pp. 170–81, 197–221. 77 Lyons, Writing Culture of Ordinary People, pp. 181–94. 78 Lyons, Writing Culture of Ordinary People, pp. 255–6. In the early nineteenth century, corresponding societies linked together radicals in different areas; anonymous threatening letters were a common weapon in the Luddite and Swing protests; and the Chartist and Owenite press regularly published letters from local activists debating issues: Howard, Literacy and the Practice of Writing, pp. 76–80, 90–1, 142–4, 155–6; cf. 285–7 (late in the century). 79 Lyons, Writing Culture of Ordinary People, pp. 245–6, 253–5.


ABSTRACT This study is focused on the efficient use of cross-ventilation in a densely populated area by using roof windows in particular. Wind tunnel experiments were conducted to understand not only the relation between the building coverage ratio and the coefficient of wind pressure (Cp) but also the relation between the roof slope of a residence and Cp value. To simulate an urban area, dummy models were placed around a target model, and the building densities were set to 0, 10, 20, and 40%. The roof slopes of residences were set to 0° (flat roof), 15°, and 26.7°. The Cp distribution on the surface of each residential model was measured. The tangential dynamic pressure at the openings was also measured to predict the cross-ventilation rate (Q value) by using a local dynamic similarity model, and the calculated Q value was compared with the experimental value. The experiments and calculations revealed the following information: (1) the overall Cp value of a flat roof residence approaches zero when the building coverage ratio increases; (2) a negative pressure is maintained near the ridge of a leeward roof, even if the building coverage ratio increases to 40%; and (3) the efficient use of the negative pressure near the ridge on the leeward roof can improve the cross-ventilation rate in a densely populated area.


Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by a diverse clinical spectrum, ranging from mild skin and musculoskeletal involvement to life-threatening complications. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare comorbidity, affecting, mainly, active lupus patients. Even if, TTP recognition is based on clinical and simple laboratory grounds (thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia), recent studies have demonstrated that low levels of ADAMTS-13 (a disintegrin-like and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type 1 motif 13) may further support diagnosis in complicated cases. ADAMTS-13 is a metalloprotease, which normally cleaves the large thrombogenic multimers of von Willebrand factor that are released from the Weibel-Palade bodies, under endothelial stress. These multimers serve as functional bridges between the endothelium and platelets, which allow intense platelet aggregation and subsequent thrombosis. ADAMTS-13 insufficiency is multifactorial, whereas the most common acquired cause is the immune-mediated inhibition of its normal function. Among autoimmune diseases, SLE is the most frequent cause of secondary TTP, as the lupus-related inflammatory, prothrombotic microenvironment may promote the disequilibrium between ADAMTS-13 and von Willebrand factor, leading to thrombotic microangiopathy and increased mortality. Furthermore, literature regarding the optimal therapeutic approach in these patients is inconclusive. Herein, a fatal case of SLErelated TTP, refractory to conventional therapeutic modalities, is presented.


Si–H bond activation is usually considered a domain of transition-metal complexes, and only few metal-free systems have proven suitable for this task. We have now found that Et3SiH readily reacts with pentaphenylborole to afford 1-bora-3-cyclopentenes as the syn and anti addition products. Here, Si–H bond cleavage is accomplished at a single boron center, a reactivity that is facilitated by a combination of high electrophilicity and loss of antiaromaticity. The mechanism of this transformation most likely involves a sequence of adduct formation, σ-bond metathesis, and conrotatory ring closure, similar to that observed for H/D exchange between H2 and silanes mediated by HB(C6F5)2 and heterolytic H2 splitting by boroles, respectively.


The invention discloses a culturing and seedling-growing method of hard-branch cutting spikelets of teaks. The culturing and seedling-growing method comprises the following steps of selecting annual-good-clonaltissue culture seedlings as mother plants, cutting the trunks, and planting the seedlings in a garden; when the sprouts are 30-50cm, remaining two thick and strong symmetrical sprouts, removing residual sprouts; between August and September from the second year to the third year, collecting hard branches as cutting spikelets, carrying out seedling raising by cutting, finally shearing all the sprouts of the collected hard branches, and continuously culturing new cutting spikelets. The culturing and seedling-growing method disclosed by the invention has the advantages that the technology is simple, the operation is easy, the requirement for the implementing condition is not high, the management time in the seedling stage is shorter, and the seedling raising cost is low, so that the culturing and seedling-growing method is very suitable for being promoted and used in production; the cutting seedling is thicker and stronger, the root system is developed, the survival rate in forestation is high, and the growth of the current seedlings for forestation is faster, so that the forestation cost can be saved and the forestation quality can be improved.


In this paper a revenue management model with customer behavior approach is applied to a problem in road transportation industry. Revenue management problems are studied extensively for airline and tourism industries which have conditions such as perishable capacity booked prior to use, different fix prices for different classes, and fluctuation of availability of classes. Although revenue management is applicable to road transportation industry, few studies can be found in literature. The problem is to find an optimal decision policy to decide which subset of fare classes to offer in each point in time while considering customer behavior such as buy-up and buy-down. Well known discrete-time dynamic programming model with Bellman equations is used to solve the cases of full truck load and less than truck load in the road transport industry. Efficient sets are defined and used to reduce the size of solution space and to determine the optimal decision policy. Hypothetical examples illustrated that for a high demand environment this model can increase the expected revenue for road transportation industry.


In this paper, we present a new image compression method based on the direct and inverse F1-transform, a generalization of the concept of fuzzy transform. Under weak compression rates, this method improves the quality of the images with respect to the classical method based on the fuzzy transform.


In this demo, we use high-sensitivity surfaced-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) for rapid detection of a COVID-19 antibody. Learn how SERS substrates can be integrated into modular setups, when to use standard substrates or liquid SERS, and how a few simple tips will ensure best results.


In this paper, a lumped LC matching circuit is used to broaden the axial ratio bandwidth of a circularly polarized patch antenna is presented. The antenna is a square patch fed with a T-junction power divider, which is designed to work from 2.40 GHz to 2.48 GHz. The antenna is built on a thin substrate of 0.026λ0 height with a low dielectric constant of 2.2. The 3 dB axial ratio bandwidth of a conventional design is only 0.94% and with the lumped LC matching network the axial ratio bandwidth is successfully improved to 2.1%.


One of the major emerging U.S. security debates is the impact of rising powers on managing global commons such as the sea, air, space, and cyberspace domains. If the U.S. command of the commons was taken for granted a decade ago, current concerns include the consequences of relative U.S. decline, the rapid diffusion of technological capabilities, crowding of the global commons, and the challenge of managing the commons in a multipolar world. India's significant technological capabilities and operational programs to exploit the commons are not in doubt. What is not clear, however, is whether the U.S. strategic community sees India as a potential partner in managing the global commons. The U.S. literature on the commons is rightly focused on the role of Beijing as the most likely peer competitor to Washington. Due to the growth of the Chinese military and strategic capabilities over the last few years, Beijing's capacity to influence the commons has been significant. While some in Washington call for accommodating China to help manage the global commons, many others view Beijing as the principal threat to U.S. primacy as well as the main obstacle to reworking the international rules for managing the commons. In contrast to the sharply divided views on China, U.S. attitudes toward India remain ambivalent. Although significant cooperation has already occurred between the United States and India in the maritime domain of the Indian Ocean, there is no


The room-temperature polarized absorption and emission spectra of Yb doped mixed vanadates Yb0.005:Y0.298 Gd0.697 VO4,Yb0.007:Y0.407 Gd0.586 VO4,and Yb0.009: Y0.575 Gd0.416 VO4 have been studied. The results show that the strongest absorption and emission,occurring at wavelength of 985 nm,correspond to the π polarization,depending on the composition the maximum absorption cross section ranges from 4. 8 to 8. 5 × 10-20 cm2,with bandwidths of 9. 5—9. 9 nm, whereas the maximum stimulated emission cross section varies in the range of 5. 8—10. 3 × 10-20 cm2. Continuous-wave laser operation has been realized at room temperature with the mixed crystals through longitudinal pumping with a diode laser. It was found that the laser oscillation behavior differs significantly from one mixed crystal to another:in the case of T = 2% ( T is the output coupling of the resonator),the coexistence and switching of σ,π polarization states occur on reducing the pump power in the laser oscillation of Yb0.005:Y0.298 Gd0.697 VO4 and Yb0.009:Y0.575 Gd0.416 VO4,while the laser oscillation of Yb0.007:Y0.407Gd0.586VO4 is capable of maintaining its π polarization state. In the case of T = 5% ,however, the laser oscillation generated with Yb0.009:Y0.575 Gd0.416 VO4 is purely σ-polarized,whereas the laser behavior of Yb0.005: Y0.298Gd0.697VO4 is similar to that exhibited in the case of T=2% .


The construction of synergetic green supply chain of agricultural product is the realistic need of developing China's agricultural economy.This paper discussed the feasibility and theoretical basis of this blue print and designed the implementation patterns of it.The specific implementation measures,concerning the strategic aspect,the tactical aspect and the technical aspect were also proposed.


This study aimed to describe strategies used in magazine cover lines to capture the attention of Latino consumers. A content analysis of cover lines (n = 581) from six top-selling Latino women's and parenting magazines (n = 217 issues) sold in the United States identified 12 common themes: great/inspiring, beauty/health, bad/negative, love/passion, family/protective, strength/power, daring, informative/how-to, newness/uniqueness, improve/organize, happiness/fun, and easy/simple, with the first seven being unique to Latino-targeted magazines. Theses unique themes may be related to certain Latino cultural constructs, such as familismo, machismo, and respeto. Cover lines for nutrition education information mini-magazines were written using the strategies identified in the content analysis, then cognitive tested with 112 Spanish-speaking Latino parents. Parents felt the cover lines matched the guide content, were attention grabbing and catchy, and would motivate parents to read the mini-magazine. Findings can assist health communicators in creating brief Latino-targeted messages that are culturally responsive and capture reader interest.


Social network is a significant value-added to business
environments especially to the Small and Medium-sized
Enterprises (SMEs). It is built when businesses interact with each other in the community, by exchanging rich and thoughtful experiences among themselves through various means. Little research has focused on how the business networking is valued in enhancing SMEs' business performance in Malaysia. The goal of this paper is to examine the importance of business networking as a critical success factor to SMEs in Malaysia. It describes how business network could be created based on six motives, adapted from Oliver, 1990, into why organisations are
involved in business networks. Amongst the motives are
necessity, asymmetry, reciprocity, efficiency, stability and
legitimacy. The paper then present the proposed framework of
business networking based on previous literature. The findings in this paper shall be useful for SMEs that are seeking for ways to develop and to attain success in their business.


Although oaks belong to the economically most important hardwood tree species in Europe, data on the diversity of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi on pedunculate oak in the Republic of Serbia are deficient. The aim of our study was to give the first insight into the diversity of ECM fungi in the young stand of pedunculate oak in Morović, Serbia. The combination of morpho-anatomical characterization and molecular analysis was used for determination of ECM fungi on penduculate oak. Studied parameters included: (i) counting of vital ECM root tips, (ii) calculation of diversity indices and (iii) classification of morphotypes of ectomycorrhizae into the exploration types. Eighteen ECM fungal taxa were recorded in the studied young pedunculate oak stand. Seven of them were identified to the level of species, eight fungi to the genus, two to the family level, and one ECM fungus remained unidentified. ECM communities consisted of a small number of abundant taxa and a bigger number of rare taxa. The most abundant ECM fungi were Entoloma sp., Thelephoraceae sp., Russula cf. odorata and Russula lilacea, which made association with the majority of ECM root tips. Short-distance exploration type (ET) dominated, followed by medium-distance smooth ET and contact ET, while long-distance ET and medium-distance fringe ET were rare at the Morović site. Values of diversity indices obtained in the studied pedunculate oak stand were comparable to the ones recorded in different oak stands over Europe. In order to get a deeper insight into the diversity of ECM fungi on pedunculate oak there is a need to continue research on increased number of sites and also to include seasonal dynamics.


Congenital malformation screening program is now an important part of public health program. Population screening originally had the objective of identifying newborns with congenital disorders that could be treated if diagnosed promptly. So population screening and prenatal diagnosis are very important measures. Maternal age as a risk factor was used for congenital malformation screening. Some of prenatal diagnostic techniques, such as maternal serum screening, involve use of unique fetal markers. Maternal serum AFP, uE3, hCG are now used in many areas for risk assessments of pregnant women, which is otherwise called triple screening. Detecting fetal cells from maternal blood, non invasive prenatal diagnosis, and gene detecting technique are also used for a population screening program.


Mr. E. W. Riches: Pathology.-It must be recognized that whilst some cases of hydronephrosis are due to a well-defined mechanical obstruction of the ureter, there are others, which may be called dynamic, in which no such obstruction can be found; it is presumed that they are due to some neuromuscular defect, a view supported by von Lichtenberg (1929) and Harris (1935). The experimental evidence brought forward by Underwood (1937) lends further support to the belief that the defect is due to sympathetic over-activity. As a dynamic hydronephrosis progresses, other factors come into play which will increase its size by mechanical obstruction. These secondary causes, among which are pressure from vessels, renal ptosis, ureteral stenosis or adhesions, are often the determining factors in prodlucing complete hydronephrotic atrophy; their removal or correction will lead to a limited degree of improvement. This report deals with the dynamic cases, and in particular with those where the defect is at the pelvi-ureteric junction. Indications for conservative surgery.-One of the best reasons for choosing conservative surgery is the desire to preserve a useful organ in cases where the kidney can be so repaired as to be able to maintain life, should the other be lost. Hydronephrosis is a progressive disease, and Sargent (1937) has pointed out that potentially at least it is a bilateral affliction ; in this series 110 of the cases were bilateral. The rare cases of solitary kidney, of which there was one in this series, seem particularly prone to hydronephrosis. Many cases affect children or young adults, or women in the child-bearing period in whom nephrectomy is undesirable. Contra-indications.-Gross infectiorn which cannot be controlled in some measure before operation usually contra-indicates conservative surgery, as does complete loss of function, but if a kidney is capable of excreting any dye during excretion urography it may be worth saving. Intrarenal as opposed to pelvic dilatation is less suitable for conservative measures. The actual size of the sac is of less importance than the degree of infection, and many of the larger hydronephroses show a more striking response than the smaller ones. Mlethods of investigation -Except for two cases of painless haematuria, all thesepatients sought advice for intermittent attacks of pain in the loin often with vomiting. Where the clinical findings are suggestive, the first positive diagnosis is usually made


The effects of bone marrow cell transplantation (BMT) on myocardial infarct might be affected by host intrinsic circumferences. A best vascular niche was shown in the infarcted hearts with collateral vessels at 2 weeks after myocardial infarction (MI). BMT caused the greatest cardiac repairs after MI in the swine with better collateral vessels, which might be relative to richer collateral vessels, greater vessel densities, and higher expressions of basif fibroblast growth factor and stromal cell–derived factor‐1 in the hearts before BMT. Our data suggest that existence of intrinsic collateral vessels contributes greatly to the beneficial effects of intracoronary BMT on cardiac repairs after MI.


Jitter is an important parameter of VoIP QoS.The dejittered and synchronous method comprehensively considered how to eliminate the influence of jitter and protect the realtime for playing.The synchronous and dejittered algorithm based on play time and the re-synchronous algorithm based on receiver buffering control are combined and improved.As a result,a better synchronous adjustment is gained.The balanced method adjusts the playtime in silence period,modifies the play pace when the buffer is too empty or too full,and self-adaptively estimates the network conditions.The experiment proved that the method used in received side can protect the playing smoothness and improved the VoIP QoS.


MYASTHENIA GRAVIS is a disorder of neuromuscular conduction. It is characterised clinically by an excessive degree of weakness which develops in the affected muscles during sustained or repeated contraction. In the early stages of the illness, at least, the strength is partially or fully restored by rest or the administration of anticholinesterase drugs in the appropriate dosage. Natural History Incidence and age at onset The incidence of the disease in the total population has been estimated between 1 in 40,000 (Garland and Clark, 1956) and 1 in 15 to 20,000 (Eaton, 1958), and it is found more commonly in women, in a proportion 3 to 2 (Schwab and Leland, 1953; Ferguson, Hutchinson and Liversedge, 1955). Although myasthenia gravis may develop at any age, in either sex, it occurs most commonly between the ages of 15 and 65 years. The majority of new cases in women appears during reproductive life so that the mean age of onset is 26 years. In men the distribution curve is more symmetrical and the mean age of onset is 31 years (Simpson, 1958). The relationship of myasthenia gravis to pregnancy and the menstrual cycle is considered below. Progressive myasthenia gravis may occur in childhood, and a rare, transient form, neonatal myasthenia is sometimes found in the children born to women with myasthenia.


To this end, the invention is intended to further enhance the effect of sealing from the outside air, sikimyeo further improve the withstand voltage characteristics of the junction of the substrate and the sealing member, to be sealed using a glass frit in the stand-by state, a plurality on a surface of a substrate the light-emitting portion that surrounds a surface of a step of forming at least one light emitting unit including a light emitting device, comprising: a, a of the sealing member opposite to the one surface of the substrate to prepare a sealing member to be opposed to one surface of the substrate is positioned applying a glass frit, in the step of applying a sealant to surround the glass frit to the surface of the sealing member opposite to the one surface of the substrate, a vacuum atmosphere, the substrate and the sealing member by the sealant a step of bonding a, in a high pressure atmosphere than the bonding step due to the sealant, the glass frit To provide the substrate and method of manufacturing the flat panel display device comprising the step of bonding the sealing member and the flat panel display device, and a panel of the flat panel display.


Ervatamins (A, B and C) are papain-like cysteine proteases from the plant Ervatamia coronaria. Among Ervatamins, Ervatamin-C is a thermostable protease, but it shows lower catalytic efficiency. In contrast, Ervatamin-A which has a high amino acid sequence identity (∼90%) and structural homology (Cα rmsd 0.4 Å) with Ervatamin-C, has much higher catalytic efficiency (∼57 times). From the structural comparison of Ervatamin-A and –C, two residues Thr32 and Tyr67 in the catalytic cleft of Ervatamin-A have been identified whose contributions for higher activity of Ervatamin-A are established in our earlier studies. In this study, these two residues have been introduced in Ervatamin-C by site directed mutagenesis to enhance the catalytic efficiency of the thermostable protease. Two single mutants (S32T and A67Y) and one double mutant (S32T/A67Y) of Ervatamin-C have been generated and characterized. All the three mutants show ∼ 8 times higher catalytic efficiency (k cat/K m) than the wild-type. The thermostability of all the three mutant enzymes remained unchanged. The double mutant does not achieve the catalytic efficiency of the template enzyme Ervatamin-A. By modeling the structure of the double mutant and probing the role of active site residues by docking a substrate, the mechanistic insights of higher activity of the mutant protease have been addressed. The in-silico study demonstrates that the residues beyond the catalytic cleft also influence the substrate binding and positioning of the substrate at the catalytic centre, thus controlling the catalytic efficiency of an enzyme.


With an increase in wetland restoration studies, analyzing the reaction and success of the species in response to the reconstructed wetland can be very valuable when planning for further restoration. Some wetland birds, such as the red-winged blackbird, nest in both natural habitats, (wetlands), or anthropogenic habitats, (roadside ditches). My research was conducted to determine whether the red-winged blackbirds saw a higher nest success rate in the reconstructed wetlands over the anthropogenic linear habitats. Factors that altered between nests (plant height, percent cover, water depth, etc.) were measured. The data was analyzed using the program MARK but only the average water depth was found to have a significant relationship with the success rate. There was no significant difference between the success rate of the nest in the linear habitats and the wetlands habitats, though this could be due to a low sample size. Further research is necessary to verify the results found.


The impact of childhood trauma (CT) on brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and cytokines levels remains unclear. We investigated the association between CT and changes in BDNF and cytokines plasma levels in children.


In the past the concept of organizational values, while widely used, has focused only on the one dimension that we term, in this paper, "Organizational ResultsOriented Values"(ORVs). In addition to this resultsorientation we also identify "Organizational ProcessOriented Values"(OPVs).We distinguish five dimensions to OPVs in terms of trust, cooperation, procedural justice, the nature of employees relation to work, the nature of leaderfollower relationship. The importance of doing this resides in being able to specify more precisely how organizational valued have an impact on managerial practice. To this end, we relate the two types of organizational values to both decisionmaking processes and decicionmaking content. Talk of values necessarily implies some discussion of culture and so we relate individual values to both national and organizational cultures. The paper adds value to the literature by designing a model in which individual values, organizational culture, and national values can be seen to frame decisionmaking processes.


Introduction: Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary bone tumor in childhood and adolescence. Despite numerous treatment approaches, OS remains difficult to treat and often reoccurs after primary treatment. This failure may be explained by the intra-tumoral heterogeneity; an individual tumor is composed by cells with varying sensitivities to commonly used treatments. We have shown previously that we can identify and fractionate two distinct cell populations in OS, based on the cells' ability to activate an exogenous human Oct4/GFP reporter (hOct4/GFP). We found that tumorigenic potential is almost entirely restricted to the GFP+ population. Based on differential analysis of global gene expression, we identified the proteasomal degradation pathway as a potential target to be considered in treatment of OS. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of Bortezomib (an FDA approved Proteasome Inhibitor) on osteosarcoma cells and to compare it to commonly used drugs such as Doxorubicin.


A MIDI based approach for music recognition is proposed and implemented in this paper. Our Clarinet music retrieval system is designed to search piano MIDI files with high recall and speed. We design a novel melody extraction algorithm that improves recall results by more than 10%. We also implement 3 algorithms for retrieval-two self designed (RSA Note and RSA Time), and a modified version of the Mongeau Sankoff Algorithm. Algorithms to achieve tempo and scale invariance are also discussed in this paper. The paper also contains detailed experimentation and benchmarks with four different metrics. Clarinet achieves recall scores of more than 94%. All of our code is publicly available here.


Epilepsy is a chronic disorder that causes recurrent seizures. A structural cerebra cortical lesion causes partial seizures, which can be simple or complex. Inherited neural characteristics and neuronal networks may be altered by brain trauma, resulting in recurrent excitatory activity. Anticonvulsant medications in clinical usage can be split into three classes based on their method of action those that enhance gammaamino butyric acid argic neurotransmission and those mechanisms of activities unknown. The current review highlights the recent novel therapies which include herbal approaches and biotechnological therapies. Herbal approaches play a vital role in the treatment of epilepsy as herbs have comparatively lesser side-effects as compare to synthetic or semi synthetic therapies. In the present review, an attempt has been made to establish theco-relation between chemical constituents of herbs and their pharmacological actions. Further, the present review also emphasizes novel therapies like P-glycoprotein inhibitors, gene therapy, stem cell therapy and precision therapy for the management of epilepsy.


Purpose: The objective is to show a possibility of implementation an analog-digital artificial neuron on the example of building a logical threshold element learning complex logical threshold functions in CMOS technology which uses modern design standards. Methods: representation of McCulloch Pitts neuron in the form of relation of the total of weighted inputs to the threshold and development of a methodology of designing a threshold logical learning element consisting of synopses which conductivity depends on input variables and their threshold weights reduced to function which are accumulated during a learning process in analog memory elements; a high sensitive comparator which compares total conductivity of synapses with conductivity of its p-channel part represents the highest function threshold value; and three output amplifiers with different firing thresholds. Results: It has been shown that implementability of a threshold learning element depends only on a function threshold value and does not depend on the total of input weights and their number. The element can be trained to implement an arbitrary threshold function which threshold does not exceed a given value. The element circuit considered in the paper is oriented towards the maximum threshold value equal to 89 and is capable to implement any threshold function of 10 variables. There has been proposed a training diagram which provides parallel forming of weights for active inputs and makes an automatic choice a value of a learning step. All practical results are received using PSPICE simulation of circuits constructed in CMOS technology of 0.18 micron. Practical relevance: There have been considerably extended functional possibilities of the proposed threshold learning element. It can be applied in logical systems of image recognition and for creation a new generation of neuron chips.


The present paper looks into the intersection between technical standard development activities and patenting activities from the perspective of patent prosecution. Specifically, attention is paid to the tendency that the obtainment of patents related to technical standards is often done through the utilization of the systems allowing patent applicants to file new applications (collectively called continuing applications under the US patent system) enjoying the benefit of the filing dates of earlier-filed patent applications. After presenting some empirical evidence to show the tendency (in other words, the relevance of the continuing application system to patenting technical standards), this paper focuses upon the written description requirement as an important factor affecting the patentability of such continuing applications. In this paper, I make concrete proposals for the enhancement of the capacity of the written description requirement to suppress the abusive use of the continuing application system to cover technical standards as well as competitors' products and processes, without prejudice to innovative inventors' opportunities to mine their original disclosure in patent specifications for the exclusive rights they deserve. These proposals of mine include the reduction of burden of proof, to the patent challenger's side, of incompliance of a claim in a continuing application with the written description requirement, when certain conditions are met, and some examples of ways to achieve such reduction of burden of proof. This paper also presents comparative review of the continuing application systems under the European and Japanese patent systems as well as the US patent system. Based upon the review, relevant international harmonization considerations are discussed as well.


The center of the biconical nebula known as the Red Rectangle has been observed by using the ultraviolet spectrographs aboard the Hubble Space Telescope. We report the observation of phosphorescence of the Cameron bands of CO (a3Π → X1Σ+) between 1850 and 2600 Å. These bands are seen for the first time outside of the solar system. The bands are about one-fifth as strong as the accompanying emission bands of the spin-allowed Fourth Positive system. A charged-particle impact excitation mechanism is suggested for the direct production of CO (a3Π) from CO (X1Σ+). The C I (1D-1Po) line is observed at 1931 Å, suggesting that a large amount of C I (1D) is also present.


In video motion detection,moving shadow is often mistaken as video object.In order to solve this problem,the shadow detection method of combining RGB color feature and texture feature is proposed.Video target segmentation is achieved by background difference and multi-frame difference.The RGB similarity( RGB vector angle becomes smaller) in shadow area and the Local Binary Pattern( LBP) is employed to detect and eliminate the shadow.The morphological method is used to eliminate the edges of pixel mutation.The experimental results demonstrate the proposed method has good effect on target detection and tracking,is faster than others.


Aims 1. To evaluate demand, capacity and flow of an integrated community learning disability service in a peri- and post-COVID-19 pandemic setting. 2. To improve flow of a community learning disability service. 3. To improve staff and service user satisfaction by engaging them and identifying common priorities. Methods We collected demand and capacity data of all disciplines in a community learning disability service for 2021–2022. We carried out focus groups with service users and their carers (N = 5) and surveyed them with a questionnaire consisting of 6 quantitative and 2 qualitative questions (N = 63), investigating the impact of waiting times on service user experience. We surveyed staff from all disciplines (N = 20) with a questionnaire consisting of 3 qualitative questions, to identify their views on waiting times and areas to optimise. We performed thematic analysis on all qualitative responses. We analysed quantitative data with descriptive statistics. Results From 2021–22, the number of accepted referrals to individual disciplines increased: for example referrals to psychiatry increased by 51.6% and referrals to OT increased by 32%. With regard to flow, the ratio of discharges to accepted referrals in the psychiatry discipline decreased from 1.5:1 to 0.6:1. A significant proportion of service users reported waiting months (31%) or years (16%) to be seen by the learning disability team. 28% of service users reported additional problems while waiting to be seen. 31% were unaware whether they were on a waiting list or not. Quantitative data showed average waiting times for psychiatry services did not change from 2021–2022 (23.1 and 23.3 days respectively). Thematic analysis from service users' responses revealed an anxiety about needs not being met; a feeling of problems deteriorating while waiting; and communication issues. Staff responses revealed desires to intervene sooner to prevent unnecessary deteriorations; and to increase team working between disciplines. Conclusion Quantitative data analysis suggests a greatly increased demand for our service following the COVID-19 pandemic. Our thematic analysis identifies concern of deterioration secondary to prolonged waiting times. It also highlights that communication could be improved. As a result of this mixed-methods approach, the following change ideas were generated and are now being tested: 1. Improve communication with patients on waiting lists by testing an accessible customisable letter. 2. Organise more joint assessments and reviews of service users with multiple disciplines. 3. Short-term allocation of more urgent casework via a new integrated health and social care duty system.


An atmospheric-pressure plasma jet (APPJ)-based surface treatment process was investigated for the structural (τB > 15 MPa) adhesive bonding of polyamide 6 (PA6) composites. The treated surfaces were examined by contact angle measurement, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Additionally, the shear strengths of single lap specimens were determined as a function of different plasma intensities and polyurethane adhesives. Our results show that APPJ leads to an increase of the surface free energy, oxygen concentration, and number of functional groups. Furthermore, the topography of the surface was significantly modified by exposure to APPJ. AFM measurements show that special attention has to be paid to the intensity of the plasma treatment to avoid melting and flattening of the PA6 surface on the nanometer scale. With optimized multiple APPJ treatments, lap shear strength of 20 MPa was achieved for the first time for this material system, allowing the material system to be employed in future automobile applications.


Segregation of solute elements was measured in plane front solidified Fe-Ni-S-P alloys of meteoritic composition containing Ir, Ge and/or Cu. The Ni and P contents reach maximum values of 10.5 wt% and 1.1 wt%, respectively, in austenite (taenite) at the end of primary solidification. Distribution coefficients of Ni, P, Ir, Ge and Cu were determined from the solidified alloys. The distribution coefficients vary with the S and P content of the liquid. In addition the distribution coefficients of Ni, P, Ir and Ge increase and the distribution coefficient of Cu decreases with the S to P ratio. Equations that describe the concentration dependence of the distribution coefficients were developed and used to calculate solute redistribution during the solidification of IIAB, IIIAB and IVA parent bodies. The calculated P vs Ni, Ir vs Ni and Ge vs Ni trends are in good agreement with the observed meteoritic data. Since the calculated value of the maximum solid solubility of P agrees well with the observed maximum P composition data for IIAB and IIIAB irons, it is concluded that complete crystallization of the parent liquids of IIAB and IIIAB had occurred before any fragmentation of the solidified body.


The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C5H12NO2S+·NO3−, is composed of two crystallographically independent methioninium cations related by pseudosymmetry (−x, 1 \over 5 + y, ½ − z) and two nitrate anions related by a pseudo-inversion centre at (0.50, 0.43, 0.25). In one of the residues, the straight side-chain conformation is gauche II–trans–gauche II, while in the other it is gauche II–trans–trans. In the crystal, the methioninium residues form N—H⋯O hydrogen-bonded molecular columns, which are interlinked by N—H⋯O and O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds involving the O atoms of the nitrate groups.


Last ten years are marked by great development of information transfer, computer-mediated communication is one of them. Chat is one of the most popular forms of this kind of communication. The given article touches upon the political nicknames, the peculiarities of graphics and spelling of such names in English, Russian and French chats.


This paper aimed to identify the challenges and propose recommendations to manage sustainability of the airline industry in a pandemic.  When the World Health Organization stated Covid-19 as pandemic on March 11, 2020, governments in all countries ordered lockdowns, imposed travel restrictions, and required quarantine of 14 days for visitors and citizens upon arrival at the airport.   The airlines industry came to a standstill.  As Covid-19 is a recent and evolving phenomenon, the methodology employs secondary research based on data from authoritative sources such as the World Health Organization, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and International Air Transport Association (IATA) to identify the challenges.  Peer reviewed research on past pandemics, especially the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2002-2003 help formulate recommendations to manage sustainability.   The challenges are financial crisis, travel restrictions and customer distrust.  The recommendations are positioning customer safety first, customer engagement, pricing strategy and collaboration with government.  Limitations of the research and future research suggestions are presented


Distance Learning is an educational system with a broad reach not limited by space and time. At the beginning of 2020 or more precisely in March 2020, all education units in Indonesia implemented the Learning at Home program, or Distance Learning, since the Covid-19 Virus was declared to have entered Indonesia. At that time, the Chancellor of Andalas University issued a decision to conduct distance learning by utilizing Andalas University I-Learn as the primary learning medium. It was implemented to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus to not spreading throughout the community in Unand and Padang City. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of the Distance Learning Entrepreneurship Course with a Credit Earning system for students from partner campuses of Dharma Andalas University and Taman Siswa University at Andalas University. This research uses qualitative research with descriptive qualitative design (case study). The data collection techniques using online questionnaires via a google form. This study indicates that distance learning with several methods is quite effective; this can be seen from the results of the questionnaire distributed to 40 respondents from 5 questions asked. On average, almost all of the respondents support and assess that distance learning is effective against the student.


Soy protein concentrate (SPC) was explored as an emulsifier in preparation of rice bran oil based lycopene emulsions. The SPC concentration and high pressure homogenization variables (pressure and number of passes) were optimized using response surface design obtained through Design-Expert Software. Twenty experimental combinations of SPC (0.25 to 1.25 %, w/v); homogenization pressure (10,000 to 30,000 psi) and number of passes (1 to 5) were carried out. The effect of process variables on particle size, polydispersity index and zeta (ζ) potential of lycopene emulsions was studied. The results obtained using analysis of variance and relative standard deviations of responses suggested that the maximum lycopene emulsification efficiency (85.85 ± 3.501 %), minimum particle size (346.90 ± 22.870 nm) and polydispersity index (0.27 ± 0.041) could be achieved at optimum conditions of 0.89 % (w/v) SPC at 25,000 psi in 4 passes through high pressure homogenizer. The emulsions prepared at optimum condition showed good physical stability in terms of ζ-potential (-42.32 ± 1.656 mV) with overall desirability of 0.8175.


The measurement of photosynthesis has always been considered very important in studying the (physical) features of plant. There are currently three ways (measuring) photosynthetic rate. "the method of (measuring) the variation of carbon dioxide", one of them, is widely used because of its convenience in usage and its stablity and acurity in data gathered through it. The used (instrument) is Li-6400 portable photosynthesis (system). Many details and some issues that should be given attention to were disccussed in this paper when this (instrument) was used to measure wheat photosynthesis, and some parameters that are not suggested in the (documents) of this (instrument) were also discussed, which was very (practical) to those (scientific) (researchers) and (experimental) operators.


Intact mitochondria isolated from Jerusalem artichoke tubers oxidize both malate and citrate. Both substrates were equally effective in reducing the endogenous pool of pyridine nucleotides in the presence of respiratory inhibitors. Only malate, and not citrate, was capable of reducing exogenous NAD+ under similar assay conditions. The rate at which malate reduced added NAD+ was biphasic; the initial rapid phase was inhibited by the accumulation of oxaloacetate while the velocity of the second, slower, phase was found to be insensitive to accumulated oxaloacetate. The addition of the detergent Decon 90 to intact mitochondria stimulated both the rapid and slow phases of NAD+ reduction and failed to convert the biphasic rate into a constant rate. Decon 90 was found to cause inhibition of soluble malate dehydrogenase. Extensive efforts to purify the mitochondria using sucrose density gradients failed to remove all of the soluble malate dehydrogenase from the preparation of mitochondria and approximately 3% of the total malate dehyrogenase present in the


Although q-oscillators have been used extensively for realization of quantum universal enveloping algebras, such realizations do not exist for quantum matrix algebras (deformation of the algebra of functions on the group). In this letter, the author first constructs an infinite dimensional representation of the quantum matrix algebra Mq(3) (the coordinate ring of GLq(3)) and then uses this representation to realize GLq(3) by q-bosons.


The invention discloses a jasmine flower milk tea and a manufacturing method thereof. The jasmine flower milk tea is manufactured by the following raw materials of, by weight, 20-40 parts of jasmine flower, 20-40 parts of olive, 30-50 parts of green plum, 30-50 parts of black tea, 400-600 parts of fresh milk, 300-400 parts of water, 20-40 parts of white sugar and 20-40 parts of honey. The manufacturing method comprises the following steps of 1) putting the jasmine flower, the olive, the green plum and the white sugar in water, boiling with small fire and filtering to obtain a mixed juice; and 2) adding the black tea and the fresh milk in the obtained mixed juice, mixing uniformly, boiling with the small fire, then adding the honey in the mixture, and mixing uniformly to obtain the jasmine flower milk tea. The jasmine flower milk tea is simple in preparation method, has high nutritional value, contains no chemical additives, has rich tastes, and is a green and delicious healthy beverage.


Gliomas are a deadly class of brain tumor for which surgery is currently standard treatment. However, important functional areas must be avoided during tumor removal. Currently intraoperative stimulation-based mapping addresses this, however it has low spatial resolution (~ 1cm) and requires many stimulations. We explore an alternate approach to functional mapping via infrared thermography. Activated brain tissue recruits additional blood supply (neurovascular coupling), which raises local temperature. Intraoperative thermal imaging (ITI) can map several areas simultaneously with relatively high resolution (~0.1 mm). We present our experiences using ITI on two glioma patients, and compare our findings to the stimulation-based gold standard. Initial data suggests good correspondence between these methods, and opens possibilities for a complementary approach. Ultimately, the goal of ITI is to improve patient outcomes by precisely defining the extent of surgical resection and prevent postoperative neurologic deficits.


As follows from the conducted analysis [1-2], artificial intelligence has a great impact on modern energy as a whole, and it has also reached the electric power sector, especially "intelligent" networks with a high degree of automation, which closely interact with renewable energy sources. Here, artificial intelligence has gained widespread use in order to predict the level of illumination of a photovoltaic panel and estimate the output power of solar power plants. Considering the fact that artificial intelligence is a powerful and popular tool that is widely used in renewable energy (in particular, in photovoltaic), it is important to understand to what extent this tool can be used when creating a forecast of the generation of electrical energy at the output of a photovoltaic plant. It is becoming clear that with the help of artificial intelligence, it is necessary to increase both energy efficiency and accuracy values in the power grid, since electronic computing machines can process more data than an operator can in a given time period. When diagnosing the quality of electrical energy in a photovoltaic plant, it is important to observe certain provisions, namely: - adequate, for a specific task, the time of control. As a rule, this parameter must be installed in the system in advance; – determination of the number of electrical equipment and/or power system nodes for monitoring; – assignment of the limit level of parameters for measurement; – the choice of the method for performing the analysis of the measured data; – choosing the type and location for saving the received data, also here it is worth providing for compatibility with other devices in the electrical network, for example, control or signaling devices. In order to indicate the main tasks for the diagnostics system in the photovoltaic plant, which will include artificial intelligence, a structural diagram was created that indicates what tasks must be done in each link of the electrical network. It is worth noting that the structure of the diagnostic system can be divided into several components according to their physical location in the system under study. So, for example, sensors are responsible for all data collection in the power grid. Of greater interest are the links that perform monitoring in the power grid, as well as develop conclusions based on the conducted monitoring and accumulate databases for decision-making. An artificial neural network is responsible for fulfilling these requirements, and its data set for training and retraining can serve as a database.


Inert anodes of nickel ferrite-based cermets were prepared by the powder metallurgy method using NiO, Fe_2O_3, Ag, and a little V_2O_5 as raw materials. The effect of V_2O_5 on microstructure and conductivity of the inert anodes was investigated. The results indicate that when the additive V_2O_ 5 is added, V_2O_5 reacted with Fe_2O_3 and NiO to produce Ni_2FeVO_ 6, which has a lower melting point. During sintering, Ni_2FeVO_ 6 became liquid, causing the metal phase silver to be distributed in a slender strip formation. Energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer analysis shows that there is ceramic phase in the metal phase. The facts show V_2O_5 can improve the wettability between metallic phase Ag and ceramics. The conductivity of the samples improves remarkably. When the mass fraction of V_2O_5 was 2.0%, the conductivity of the sample was 7 times of that of samples without V_2O_5. The main reason must be that liquid improved the wettability between metallic phase Ag and ceramics, and the distribution of Ag changed, causing the conductivity to increase. Moreover, a remarkable change of conductivity took place from 450 ℃ to 650 ℃, which are induced the magnetism of NiFe_2O_4 to change by adding V_2O_5, resulting in a remarkable change in conductivity.


Palliative care in Nepal has been developing over the last 20 years, led by pioneering doctors and nurses who have gained experience in the specialty often whilst working overseas or who have had the opportunity to do clinical attachments abroad. Recently, in collaboration with international palliative care specialists, a national strategy has been developed and adopted to guide future development so that palliative care for all who need it can be provided. This article explores the faith- based context for palliative care and describes the particular issues Nepal faces and the work of Christian mission organisations in supporting palliative care development.


Herein, we present a simulation of the dynamics of Black Sea ecosystems using a three-dimensional interdisciplinary model that assimilates satellite color scanner measurements. Calculations were performed for the fifteen years from 1998 and a set of 3-d biogeochemical fields of the Black Sea were generated on a regular grid with a discreteness time of 1 day. Analyses of core biogeochemical parameters of the marine ecosystem were then performed. The qualities of received fields were evaluated using comparisons with existing data from in situ measurements.


N-terminal fragments of atrial natriuretic peptides have been synthetized by classical methods of peptide chemistry in solution and characterized by various physicochemical methods. The choice of the scheme and methods of synthesis is discussed.


The present paper is a discussion of the concept of alterity as expounded in the first two parts of Hermann Cohen's System of Philosophy, the Logik and the Ethik, and in his two main works on religion, Der Begriff der Religion, and the Religion der Vernunft.l The point I want to make in this paper is that reflection on alterity, as 'otherness' and 'the other', is a characteristic feature of Cohen's critical idealism. The need to come to terms with alterity, in the sense of 'otherness' in relation to the problem of identity, is a classic problem in Western philosophy. The problem is addressed already by Plato, and in modern times it can be regarded as the predominant theme of Hegel's thought. In addition to this, reflection on alterity as 'the


In mine geothermal prediction, the unsteady heat transfer coefficient is an Important parameter for heat transfer computation between country rock and mine airflow. In this paper, the rock temperature distributions in the geothermal fields have been derived in mathematics, the unsteady heat transfer coefficients that can expound the relation between its nature and influencing factors have been derived also based on this analytic formula. It is shown both by numerical simulations and through in situ measurements that the new computation method for determining the unsteady heat transfer coefficient is accurate, rapid and simple.


In this paper, we aim to classify remotely sensed images for land characterisation. The major goal is approaching the natural nonlinear mixture for band observation and then dimension reduction by supervised classification. After that, an unsupervised method combining feature extraction and SVM in investigating to discriminate the land cover for SPOT 4 satellite image. In this technique, training data base are wavelet features that are extracted from a subset of sources.


Management Information Systems (MIS) majors often must perfect their programming skills with one course which can be a daunting task. In an effort to enhance the software development abilities of MIS majors a pair programming lab experiment was conducted in an introductory software development course to determine if that technique would produce benefits for the MIS curriculum. Pair programming experiments are often performed with Computer Science majors but rarely with MIS majors. The researchers' observations as well as participant's responses to a survey questionnaire were analyzed after the experiment. The results indicated that pair programming may be beneficial as a pedagogical tool to a MIS students' ability to create programs using high-level concepts. Additionally, researcher observations revealed pairs worked collaboratively to produce the program while actively communicating and enjoying the process.


This paper presents a new way of addressing and routing for mobile ad hoc networks on the basis of contextual information such as air pressure, brightness, wind direction and strength, or GPS position. The most common use case of context-based addressing is group communication: A participant sends a message to an a priori unspecified set of recipients, but indicates the context in which the message could be useful for a potential receiver. In contrast to infrastructure networks the sender no longer designates the receiver of its message with a distinct identifier. Instead, each recipient using his local context decides by himself, whether the message is useful for him and whether it should be sent out again. The modeling of the necessary application knowledge is done as ontologies in OWL (Web Ontology Language). As an example scenario, a wind gust warning on highways using a vehicular ad hoc network (VANET) is described: the warning message should be sent to all vehicles on the same route containing the place where the wind was detected. The models are applied in a prototypical example scenario in order to show the performance of the approach through a simulation, using the JiST/SWANS simulator for mobile ad hoc networks. The results show that the number of messages that are necessary to warn all vehicles in a given environment of the wind danger can be reduced by half – as opposed to a simple flooding of the network.


A method was developed for the enantioseparation of ofloxacin, a member of the fluoroquinolones, using an anionic cyclodextrin‐derivative with or without combination with a neutral cyclodextrin‐derivative, as the chiral selector (s) in an electrokinetic chromatography system. The best results were obtained with 0.35 mM sulfated β‐cyclodextrin dissolved in a 50 mM phosphate buffer, pH 2.5, and at 15°C. Under these conditions, a resolution of 2 was readily achieved. Furthermore, under adequate separation conditions, studies were performed in order to assess possible in vitro and in vivo enantioconversion of levofloxacin. The current method allows detection of 2 μg R‐(+)‐ofloxacine/mL diluted urine without the necessity of sample cleanup.


Genomic predictivity is expected to decay over time as predictions are evaluated to more distant generations. More data increases predictive ability; however, data from distant ancestors may not add a significant amount of value compared to the data from closely related individuals. The objective of this study was to evaluate the decay in genomic predictivity over time and to compare the magnitude of decay when including ancestral data versus data from 2 and 3 most recent generations for body weight at off-test (BW). The data set included 211,812 phenotypic records. The pedigree included 406,983 animals from 2001 to 2020, of which 55,118 were genotyped. A single-trait model was used with all ancestral data and sliding subsets of two- and three-generation intervals. Single-step GBLUP was used to calculate GEBVs. Predictive abilities were calculated by the correlation between GEBVs and adjusted phenotypes. Validation populations consisted of single generations succeeding the training population and continued for all generations available. Predictive ability was slightly higher, with all ancestral data in the training population compared to three- and two-generation intervals. The decay of predictivity was similar when comparing the three training population subsets. The average predictivity for the validation population immediately following the training population was 0.40 for 2016, 0.39 for 2017, 0.35 for 2018, and 0.29 for 2019. Predictive ability reached a maximum in the year 2017 (0.45) for the ancestral training population, 2017 (0.43) for the 3-year training population, and 2016 (0.38) for the 2-year training population. The average decay of predictive ability from the first year after the training population to the second year was -0.08. Realized predictivity is affected by selection pressure. The drop in predictive ability suggests declining heritability. With more data and with consistent selection pressure, predictive abilities should increase.


The work presented concerns the application of value driven engineering design to the Sophomore Design Project of an Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) conceptual/preliminary design. In this Sophomore Design Project, offered to the Aviation Program students, student teams performed the conceptual/preliminary stages of design of a small UAV (below 5 kilograms) based on a given set of requirements and constructed the selected UAV design in balsa wood. The student taking this course were divided in groups of 4-5 persons and worked to propose, plan and manufactured an aircraft design while they were supervised by a faculty/lab instructor/lab engineer. The student teams were evaluated on their ability to coordinate efforts to propose the aircraft design criteria, aircraft components, resources, implementation schedule, estimate cost and finally construct the optimal UAV design. A large number of UAV configurations and geometries were considered and evaluated in the Multi-Disciplinary Design Optimization (MDO) in order to search the widest possible design space. Moreover, the designed system's operational capabilities and acquisition cost, based on the UAV user's needs and priorities, were employed in the value model to compare the different design alternatives and select the optimal. Following the selection of the flying wing as optimal design, manufacturing of the prototype in balsa wood was performed by the students, with the two student groups constructing this UAV.


Background: Studies on germline variants responsible for cancer predisposition provide an important clue to the understanding of genetic basis of cancer and also help better prediction and management of relevant cancers. As for myeloid neoplasms, only a handful of genes, including RUNX1, CEBPA, GATA2, ETV6, and ANKRD26, have been implicated in early onset familial acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), although they are rarely seen in sporadic cases. Recently, using whole exome sequencing of familial AML/MDS, we have reported novel AML/MDS predisposing gene, DDX41, an encoding dead-box helicase gene. Conspicuously, the onset of AML/MDS was over 60 in most of the affected cases, raising a possibility that the genetic predisposition might be obscured and many cases could be diagnosed with sporadic AML/MDS. In this study, we investigated germline DDX41 mutations in sporadic cases with AML/MDS and the incidence and mutation types were compared between Asian and Western patients. Patients and Methods: We performed targeted sequencing of DDX41 in patients from Asian (N = 239) cohort of AML/MDS, where the origin of the detected variations was determined by using matched germline DNA. The result was compared to those obtained from the Western cohort (N = 1,034) in terms of frequency and type of mutation. The effect size of the mutations was estimated by calculating odds ratios of each variant for AML/MDS development using the data for DDX41 variants in Asian and Western population from the ExAC (Exome Aggregation Consortium) database (http://exac.broadinstitute.org) as controls. Results: Germline and somatic DDX41 mutations were found in 12 (5.0%) and 10 (4.7%) of sporadic cases with AML/MDS from the Asian cohort, as compared to 8 (0.8%) and 10 (1.0%) from the Western cohort. All the patients with germline variants were aged over 40 year-old with a median of 68.5, confirming the late onset of the disease also in the sporadic cases with germline variants. Eight of the 12 germline variants (67%) in the Asian cohort were accompanied by an additional somatic mutation, as compared to 2 of the 8 (25%) in the Western cohort. Biallelic involvement was demonstrated in selected cases (N = 2). In total, 8 and 3 germline variants were observed in the Asian and the Western cohorts, respectively, without no common variants between both cohorts, of which the predominant variants included p.A500fs (n=5; 42%) and p.E7X (n=2; 17%) in the Asian cohort and p.F140fs (n=6; 75%) in Western cohort. In contrast, a prominent hotspot mutation involving a highly conserved amino-acid within the helicase domain (p.R525H) was commonly observed in both cohorts, accounting for 55% of all the somatic mutations. These germline variants as a whole showed significant enrichment in AML/MDS cases compared to the respective control population (OR>171, 95% confidence interval (CI): 51-730 for the Asian variants and more than 21.7, 95%CI: 8.4-50 for the Western variants), although the enrichment of individual variants showed substantial variations, suggesting different effect size among these variants: the odds ratio was 19.5 (p Conclusion: We demonstrated frequent germline variants of DDX41 among sporadic cases with AML/MDS from different ethnic populations. Having common ancestral origins in different ethnic populations, these alleles are found in the general population at very low frequencies ( Disclosures Kiyoi:Kyowa-Hakko Kirin Co., Ltd.: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pfizer Inc.: Research Funding; Novartis Pharma K.k.: Research Funding; Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.: Research Funding; Taisho Toyama Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.: Research Funding; Eisai Co., Ltd.: Research Funding; Zenyaku Kogyo Company, Ltd.: Research Funding; FUJIFILM RI Pharma Co.,Ltd.: Patents & Royalties, Research Funding; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., LTD.: Research Funding; Fujifilm Corporation.: Patents & Royalties, Research Funding; Nippon Boehringer Ingelheim Co., Ltd.: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb.: Research Funding; Alexion Pharmaceuticals.: Research Funding; Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd.: Research Funding; Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.: Research Funding; Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd.: Research Funding; Astellas Pharma Inc.: Consultancy, Research Funding; Teijin Ltd.: Research Funding; Japan Blood Products Organization.: Research Funding; Nippon Shinyaku Co.,Ltd.: Research Funding; MSD K.K.: Research Funding. Miyazaki:Shin-bio: Honoraria; Sumitomo Dainippon: Honoraria; Chugai: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene Japan: Honoraria; Kyowa-Kirin: Honoraria, Research Funding. Naoe:Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co., Ltd.: Patents & Royalties, Research Funding; Celgene K.K.: Research Funding; FUJIFILM Corporation: Patents & Royalties, Research Funding; Astellas Pharma Inc.: Research Funding; Toyama Chemical CO., LTD.: Research Funding; Nippon Boehringer Ingelheim Co., Ltd.: Research Funding; Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.: Research Funding; Pfizer Inc.: Research Funding; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.: Patents & Royalties. Usuki:Boehringer Ingelheim: Other: personal fees, Research Funding; Shionogi: Other: personal fees; Fujimoto Pharmaceutical: Research Funding; Takeda Pharmaceutical: Research Funding; SymBio Pharmaceutical: Other: personal fees, Research Funding; Eisai: Research Funding; Otsuka Pharmaceutical: Research Funding; Kyowa Hakko Kirin: Other: personal fees, Research Funding; Shire: Research Funding; Nippon Shinyaku: Other: personal fees, Research Funding; Novartis: Other: personal fees, Research Funding; Sanofi: Other: personal fees, Research Funding; MSD: Other: personal fees, Research Funding; Celgene: Other: personal fees, Research Funding; Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma: Other: personal fees, Research Funding; Taiho Pharmaceutical: Other: personal fees, Research Funding; Fuji Film RI Pharma: Other: personal fees; Chugai Pharmaceutical: Other: personal fees; GlaxoSmithKline: Other: personal fees, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Other; Astellas: Research Funding. Miyawaki:Astellas Pharma Inc.: Consultancy, Other: personal fees; Ohtsuka Pharma Co, LTD.: Other: Safety Data Committee.


Abstract We determined the effect of food restriction on locomotor activity pattern and gonadal growth on black-headed munia (Lonchura malacca malacca) exposed to12L:12D light–dark cycle. Two groups of male and female munia (n = 5 pairs each) were exposed to 12L:12D (L = 265 lux; D = 0.3 lux) for day 1–7. On day 8, group one received 4 h food (ZT 0–4; ZT 0 = Zeitgeber time, light onset) and group two received food ad libitum (ZT 0–24 h). Locomotor activity pattern and gonadal growth were recorded over the experiment period of one year. Birds were highly active in group one, with a high daily and total activity. However, activity behavior was fully synchronized with light onset in the group two, when food was available ad libitum. Gonadal maturation was initiated in both the groups but the maturation of testis and ovarian follicle was noticed only in group two (food ad libitum). It appears that food restriction affects the locomotor activity and gonadal growth in black-headed munia.


The UCD community has made this article openly available. Please share how this access benefits you. Your story matters! (@ucd_oa) Some rights reserved. For more information, please see the item record link above. Title Instrumental variables in models with multiple outcomes : the general unordered case Author(s) Heckman, James J.; Urzua, Sergio; Vytlacil, Edward Publication date 2008-12-15 Series UCD Geary Institute Discussion Paper Series; WP/30/2008


Community-university engagement is a growing field and takes many different forms. We explain and reflect critically on a community-university developmental process that we created to design a new non-profit studies undergraduate certificate. A steering group comprising students, non-profit organizations (NPOs), and faculty guided our process. We adopted a community-based, emergent, multi-tactic process that went from testing an idea, to collectively designing and co-constructing the certificate to building momentum to operationalize it, over an 18-month period. Our strategy was based on the convergence of three main bodies of literature—community-engaged scholarship, citizen participation, and naturalistic inquiry—and included seven tactics: community-university dialogues, e-communication, interactive booths in public places, presentations and learning circles, student research projects, student and NPO surveys, and pilot-testing undergraduate courses. The outcomes of our process revealed strong community support for a new certificate, which was then co-constructed and later approved by the University Senate. Today, five years later, we reflect on the ebb and flow of our process, in particular: emergent design challenges, the space-in-between, community/university black boxes, ownership, and facilitation work. This exploration contributes to the knowledge base on co-construction processes.


A diastereomeric pair of monocyclic apical H-phosphoranes (2-exo and 2-exo) has been prepared from a diastereomeric pair of bicyclic equatorial H-spirophosphoranes (1) with tBuLi. The thermal cyclization reaction of each diastereomeric apical H-phosphorane gave rise to different diastereomeric O-equatorial anti-apicophilic phosphoranes (3-exo and 3-endo, respectively) as single products. On the other hand, the oxidation reaction of each of these apical H-phosphoranes was complementary to the thermal reaction, affording the opposite diastereomeric anti-apicophilic phosphorane (3-endo and 3-exo, respectively) as a single product. The pseudorotation of each of these diastereomeric anti-apicophilic phosphoranes (3-exo and 3-endo) gave rise to different diastereomeric O-apical phosphoranes (4-exo and 4-endo, respectively) as single products.(© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)


It is more precise to state our results as we do in the abstract on page 161: "Respondents viewing the comic of congressional duties experienced statistically significant gains in pretest to posttestmean knowledge scores. Respondents viewing the text also experienced an increase in mean scores pretest to posttest; however, these changes were smaller and not statistically significant." Fortunately, our error in language does not impact the conclusions we drew from the analyses performed in our research and described in this article.▪


AIM: To evaluate the effect of nimesulide on chronic periodontitis.METHODS: The study population consisted of 136 patients with chronic periodontitis(CP).Following the scaling and root planning,nimesulide and metronidazole were respectively administrated to the patients in two groups,clinical examination and recordings of bleeding on probing(BOP),plaque index(PLI),and probing depth(PD) were performed prior to treatment and 2 and 4 weeks following the mechanical periodontal treatment.The clinical effects of nimesulide and metronidazole on chronic periodontitis were assessed.RESULTS: The results showed that both nimesulide and metronidazole decreased the severity of periodontal inflammation.However,nimesulide was more effectivie in reducing the probing depth than metronidazole(P0.05).Nimesulide also showed a higher efficiency on chronic periodontitis than metronidazole(P0.05).CONCLUSION: Nimesulide has a more significant effect on chronic periodontitis than metronidazole.A significant improvement is observed in probing depth following treatment with nimesulide.


A beat signal is generated by transmitting a frequency-modulated signal of a triangular-wave shape to a target and by receiving the signal reflected from the target. The beat signal is sampled and multiplied by a window function. When a discrete frequency spectrum is to be determined, a first window function having a gentle amplitude attenuation from the center of a sampling section to the two ends is applied to a low range (or a short-distance range) of the frequency spectrum, and a second window function having a steep amplitude attenuation from the center of the sampling section to the twoends is applied to a high range (or a long-distance range) of the frequency spectrum.


Pattern recognition is one of the most important tasks in aerospace image processing. Various methods based on convolutional neural networks attain state-of-the-art accuracy; however, their effectiveness on exact images is influenced by the chosen architecture and its training parameters.This work present methods based on convolutional neural networks for pattern recognition on the aerospace images. A possibility for objects segmentation into ten classes is demonstrated on example of the multispectral images from the World View 3 satellite. Four networks with different architectures were built, trained and optimized parametrically based on the auto-encoder neural networks. Segmentation results has been analyzed by means of three parameters: training Jacard Index, testing Jacard Index and weight numbers. The positive impact of the properly selected shearing augmentation on extension of a small marked dataset is discussed. The influence of the nonequilibrium classes on the segmentation accuracy and how to account this feature during training of deep neural networks is pointing out.


This paper describes the design of feedback linearization and fuzzy PI controllers for the maglev guiding system of linear elevator. The controllers so designed based on the nonlinear control techniques are applied to control the gap of permanent magnet synchronous linear motor (PMLSM) with the aim of improving the vertical thrust and control the horizontal vibration and noise in the process of elevator operation. Matlab modeling of this system is used in this paper. The simulation result of the entire system are presented in this paper.


Leadership and culture are complex fields. Some researchers assert that the transactional-transformational leadership paradigm is universally effective across cultures; whereas, some argue that specific culture traditions and norms, interaction between leaders and followers, as well as core value and belief systems are bound to differentiate leadership styles. It is realized that all these suggestions are subject to challenges and criticism. Adopting a realist philosophy and a case study strategy, this study embodies both qualitative and quantitative perspectives though the quantitative material has been used as an adjunct to the case study interviews rather than as a representative and random survey. Materials have been obtained from sixty five Chinese and American executive level managers within medium to large sized wholly American-owned companies of electronics industry in mainland China. This study argues that leadership seems to be oversimplified in Bass' two-factor theory since there are a number of flaws that exist within the literature. The case analysis indicates that the leadership styles of Chinese and American executives can be both transformational and transactional. However, the findings suggest that American executives generally exhibited obvious transformational leadership, but also transactional contingent reward; conversely, Chinese executives displayed modest transformational leadership and more transactional management-by-exception (active).


[Objective] Through in-depth study of traditional Gan residential buildings, it is found that in China's traditional culture, nature is more important than architecture. Many people believe that architecture is like a man-made natural object, which can make people return to a feeling of living in nature, and is also a state of ideal life for many residents in China. [Methods] By using the analysis method, it is found that the traditional residential building structure of Ganpai is a bucket structure. The basic unit is the 'enter' relationship, which combines the 'enter' relationship, the adjustment of column spacing and the reduction of column to form the '+ -' relationship. Through this way, a unique architectural group layout can be formed. [Conclusion] Therefore, we should fully combine traditional materials with modern information means to improve our traditional technology, so as to keep pace with the times, keep pace with the times and keep pace with the times.


Much has been written on BaTonga's dislocation from the Zambezi Valley to pave way for the construction of the hydroelectric project and the aftermath effects on the BaTonga. BaTonga are characterised in these discourses as having lost their livelihoods and subsequently their culture. This article celebrates and advances that BaTonga took their culture with them especially as embodied in their cultural material objects such as the ncelwa. Using artefactual semiotics the article advances the argument that a view of BaTonga from a visual cultural communication perspective allows us to appreciate how BaTonga managed to carry with them key cultural values which have made them assume the cultural identity they have today.


A new way of studying chaos motion is given in the nonlinear vibration system based on the tuning fork. The motion changes from chaotic to periodic and its reversion can be seen by regulating the length and tension of a suspension wire which links the tuning fork. Furthermore,a new data collection and signal processing program is written by LabVIEW language to display the real-time and theoretic phase diagrams of the chaos motion on the computer. Thus,a new experimental method for studying chaos motion is presented.


- The experimental investigation and numerical analysis of horizontally placed flat pulsating heat pipe is carried out. The flat pulsating heat pipe with a width of 11 mm and thickness of 2mm is used for experimental investigation. Out of the total volume of the tube 72 % of the volume is filled with water as working fluid. The processor of a computer act as heat source. The flat pulsating heat pipe takes heat from the processor of and rejects heat at another end. The externally powered fan is used to increase the rate of heat transfer. During the operation the 8 watts of power is consumed by the processor. The maximum temperature recorded during the operation of processor of computer is 323 K. The temperatures are measured with the help of digital laser thermometer. The numerical model is developed with Ansys design modeler. The volume of fluid approach is used to predict the physics of fluid flow during complex phenomenon of evaporation and condensation.


[eng] During the past forty years stability of equilibrium theoty revealed itself as a very difficult topic. One of the most significant problem concerns an inconsistency of non-tâtonnement models: efficiency of market appears incompatible with barter or, alternatively, existence of money is ruled out by the fundamental usual assumptions of Arrow-Debreu model. As a result, modern theory gives a very special picture of the working of a market economy, dramatically different from that commonly accepted by economists since Adam Smith. A striking (and undesired) feature of the former is the dichotomy between determination of prices and quantities, on one hand, and the realisation of transactions, on the other. Starting from alternative assumptions, namely the existence of a payment system as a mean of coordination between individual agents, it is possible to build consistent non- tâtonnement models converging toward equilibria very different of those obtained through static analysis (path-dependence). Moreover the dichotomy alleged above no longer holds. This paper is mostly devoted to the issue raised by effective dise- quilibria and to the minimal hypotheses required for the existence of a payment system. [fre] Parmi les difficultes de l'etude de la stabilite de l'equilibre, revelees par la theorie moderne, la plus significative semble etre l'impossibilite de construire des modeles acceptables de non-tâtonnement, c'est-a-dire conciliant l'efficacite des marches et le recours aux seules hypotheses usuelles de la theorie statique standard (absence de monnaie, notamment). Il en est resulte que l'image produite par la theorie economique differe dramatiquement de celle que les economistes, depuis plusieurs siecles, pensent etre celle du marche. Il est soutenu qu'en adoptant comme point de depart la notion de systeme de paiement, il est possible de lever quelques-uns des principaux obstacles de principe rencontres par la theorie actuelle. En interpretant la monnaie comme le mode d'accord et le moyen de coordination entre les individus, il devient concevable de construire des dynamiques effectives aboutissant a des equilibres differents de ceux determines par la theorie statique et de donner du marche une representation plus conforme aux exigences de l'intuition commune (en particulier, refus de la separation entre determination des prix et quantites, d'une part, et realisation des transactions, d'autre part.)


The present invention describes a method for converting thermal energy into electrical energy. This method directly ferroelectric or other polarizable materials efficiently and economically from geothermal power, without the need to first convert the thermal energy into mechanical energy, other forms of energy or power. When using this method, the polarizable material undergoes a thermodynamic cycle comprising two isothermal steps and two constant polarization step. In the ideal embodiment, the thermodynamic cycle capable of converting thermal energy into electrical energy in a condition satisfying the Carnot limit. Ferroelectric material can be continuously entering and exiting the ferroelectric phase during circulation, thereby converting thermal energy into high voltage electrical energy continuously. Whereby the electrical energy generated can be used in different applications, almost no range limitations, or stored for subsequent use,. The present invention also describes a device for converting thermal energy into electrical energy.


1. The use of a positive air pressure on closely packed soils decreases the time of recovery and increases the yield of solution obtained by water displacement. 2. Equipment and technique for the recovery of displaced solutions is described. 3. Data from three sandy loams and two silty clay loams are reported. 4. Successive displaced solutions of equal electrical conductivity were obtained from each soil. The concentration thus measured was in each case the same as that of the liquid obtained without the use of displacing water. 5. Concentrations of individual ions in successive portions of displaced solution are uniform in soils at optimum and this also appears to be true at half optimum. 6. There is an inverse proportion between total moisture content of soil and concentration of displaced solution as indicated by measurements of specific resistance. 7. When the solution displaced by water from a given mass of soil was used as displacing agent on another portion of the same soil, the newly displaced solution had the same concentration of electrolytes as the displacing solution. The opinion is expressed that this result indicates that the displaced solution has the same concentration as the solution with which it came in contact in the soil. 8. Typical differences in behaviour of the various solutes in displaced solutions are discussed. 9. The significance and limitations of water extractions of soils are discussed in the light of the results from displaced solutions.


FIELD: medicine, pharmaceutics. SUBSTANCE: claimed invention is aimed at pharmaceutical compositions and methods of producing such compositions, where compositions include combination of particles with synchronised impulse release (SIR-particles) and particles with fast release (FR-particles). Each SIR-particle includes core, covered with SIR-layer; core includes weakly basic poorly soluble medicinal substance and pharmaceutically acceptable organic acid, which are separated from each other by layer with delayed release. Each FR-particle includes granule, which contains weakly basic poorly soluble medicinal substance, pharmaceutically acceptable binding substance, at least, one auxiliary substance and, at least, one backing powder. As organic acid, fumaric acid is preferably applied. FR-granules are conjoined with SIR-granules in single pharmaceutical formula, for example, in capsule. EFFECT: medical form by invention has improved profile of release of weakly basic poorly soluble medicinal substances and is suitable for oral introduction once per day. 32 cl, 11 dwg, 2 tbl, 8 ex


The present paper proposes a new approach to analyse the conversion of complexly composed particles that are dispersed in a cyclone gas flow at high temperatures. The numeric simulation of flow field and particle trajectories is coupled with a thermodynamic equilibrium calculation which describes the particle reaction progress. First simulation results and the comparison with experimental data are shown in this paper.


Empirical studies have documented an association between rock type and the cathodoluminescence color of constituent quartz grains. Quartz from extrusive igneous sources luminesces uniform pale blue. Quartz from intrusive igneous and high-grade metamorphic rocks generally luminesces darker purple-blue, whereas quartz recrystallized under low-grade metamorphic conditions luminesces reddish-brown. Quartz grains in most sandstones luminesce a heterogeneous mixture of these colors because the grains were derived from a variety of ultimate source rocks. If shocked quartz found at the Cretaceous-Tertiary (K-T) boundary is volcanic in origin, its cathodoluminescence should be predominantly pale blue. Alternatively, quartz grains derived from bolide impact upon, and ejection of, mixed igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks should luminesce a variety of colors. Grain mounts of sand collected at the K-T boundary horizon from the Clear Creek North site in the Raton Basin, Colorado were examined. Shocked quartz luminesced a variety of colors and very few grains luminesced the pale blue color that is typical of volcanic quartz. It was concluded that the shocked quartz was derived from a petrologically diverse source region without substantial volcanic contribution. Most shocked grains apparently were derived from low-grade metamorphic rocks, with a slightly smaller contribution from high-grade metamorphic and intrusive igneous rocks. Rare quartz grains with brown-luminescing rims reflect a minor addition from detrital sedimentary sources. The apparent relative abundances of intrusive (and rare extrusive) igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary ultimate source rocks suggested by CL colors of shock-deformed quartz at the K-T boundary is consistent with a crustal/supracrustal origin for the grains.


Historically, in different countries walls are built for different purposes. Among others, defense purpose is the most common one. For instance, to mention a few, we do have the Great Wall of China was built from 3rdcentury B.C to 17thcentury A.D, the Great Zimbabwe Wall was built from 1100–1450 A.D; the Koso Defense mud Wall in Nigeria was built from1000 to 1500 A.D, in Kenya the Gunda-buche Wall and in Ethiopia,


PREFORMED donor-reactive antibodies in kidney transplantation predispose to accelerated or precipitous graft failure, sometimes within hours after transplantation (hyperacute rejection).1 However, liver allografts have been shown to be resistant to this form of injury.2 Improvements in surgical techniques, preservation methods, patient selection and management,3 as weli as the introduction of the new immunosuppressant, FK 506,4 have improved early liver allograft survival, reducing many of the nonimmunologic causes of early graft dysfunction.

This study was undertaken with consent on a subset of patients previously reported showing a deleterious effect of lymphocytotoxic antibodies.5 We wanted to determine the effect, if any, of preformed lymphocytotoxic antibodies on early liver allograft function and histology, and determine whether immunologic injury to the graft could be detected. The following is an overview of our results, to be presented in detail elsewhere.6


Nonselective ion transport across the separator in zinc-iodine flow batteries (ZIFBs) alters concentration gradients, precipitates insoluble iodine, and generates uneven zinc nucleation on the anode surface. Here, we report the synthesis of a K+ ion-selective hyper-cross-linked dibenzo-18-crown-6-ether-containing polymer (HCP) that allows transfer of the K+ ion while avoiding the crossover of electroactive species. The sulfonated HCP was blended with SPEEK in compositions of 5, 10, and 15 %, designated as SHCP1, SHCP2, and SHCP3, respectively. The blending of SHCP results in increases in ion exchange capacity (IEC), water uptake, ionic conductivity, and K+ ion selectivity. The best membrane, SHCP3, showed 7.6 times higher K+ ion selectivity than the neat SPEEK membrane. The galvanostatic charging/discharging over 200 cycles at 20 mA cm-2 current density showed 96 % CE, 88% VE, and 84 % EE for the SHCP3 membrane. It delivered 37.5 Ah L-1 capacity at 20 mA cm-2 current density, whereas Nafion-117 delivered 22 Ah L-1 capacity. The OCV of the cell with SHCP3 membranes remains at 1 V over 20 h. The results suggest that K+ ion selectivity is significantly helping in mitigating dendrite formation and enhancing the stability of the ZIFB battery, thus increasing its potential use.


Introduction Radiofrequency-targeted vertebral augmentation (RF-TVA) is a recognized treatment for painful compression fractures. RF-TVA in a patient with multiple compression fractures due to type I osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) has not been previously reported. Case Presentation A 54-year-old patient with type I OI is presented with a segmental thoracic hyperkyphosis and 7 recent vertebral compression fractures. Because of persistent severe thoracolumbar back pain despite conservative therapy, RF-TVA was indicated. Nocturnal back pain was almost completely relieved at all postoperative time points evaluated. However, overall pain relief dropped only slightly from 7 to 5 on the numerical rating scale (NRS) at the 6-week follow-up, and there was only a small decrease in the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) from 72% to 63%. An MRI at the 3-month follow-up revealed hyperintensity at levels T11 and T12, indicating slight recollapsing. At the 6-month follow-up, the ODI improved to 55%, although overall pain had worsened to 6 on the NRS. Pain at rest remained at a very low level. Conclusion Despite the remaining lumbago, RF-TVA may be a good option for patients with OI who have multiple fractures. However, fractures at multiple levels and segmental thoracic hyperkyphosis may increase the risk for recollapsing and ongoing pain.


A multiple-hypothesis approach is used to consider the origin of the Darwin finches of the Galapagos islands. Three simple hypotheses are distinguished by the location of the barrier thought to be responsible for genetic divergence of populations in allopatry: (a) within the archipelago, (b) between the archipelago and the source area, and (c) within the source area. An allopatric divergence index is described to help identify the degree of isolation needed for full speciation. While each hypothesis has some merit, it is argued that they are probably inadequate because each represents too simple a view of the causes of a complex phenomenon. The most important barrier in the speciation of the Darwin finches has probably been the ocean between the archipelago and the


The present invention relates to a device (100), which may include an outer frame (506), the platform (520) and a motion control mechanism (501,505,514,515,516). The movement control means may be adapted to permit rotation of the platform relative to the outer frame to move in the desired direction and to suppress the platform (520) relative to the outer frame (506). The actuator (550) at least partially contained within the motion control mechanism.


The present invention relates to a face expression recognizing device and a method thereof. The face expression recognizing device of the present invention comprises; a face area detection unit which detects a face area from recorded image information; a feature vector extracting unit which divides the detected face area into face blocks more than predetermined size and extracts a feature vector from each of the face blocks; a storage unit which stores sample data for the face expression recognition; a face expression determining unit which measures a characteristic parameter by applying a 2D-DCT method based on the extracted feature vector and produces observation vector rows using the measured characteristic parameters. The face expression determining unit measures an observation probability value between the observation vector rows and the measured characteristic parameters and determines face expression of a model having the highest observation probability value. According to the present invention, the face expression recognizing device can recognize face expression with high accuracy using a 2D-DCT algorithm and an EHMM method of a statistical modeling technique in contrast with a traditional face recognizing approach method.


Objective: The present study was aimed to assess the anti-arthritic activity of petroleum ether and n-butanolic fraction of Trigonella foenum-graecum (Linn.) seed extract against Freund's complete adjuvant induced arthritis in rats. Materials and Methods: Methanolic extract of T. foenum-graecum (Linn.) seeds were fractionated in various organic solvents and on the basis of results of in vitro protein denaturation and proteinase inhibitory activity (data not shown here), petroleum ether and n-butanolic fractions were selected for anti-arthritic activity. The active petroleum ether and n-butanolic fraction were administered at the dose of 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight. The effects of both fractions on liver alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase levels and malondialdehyde, glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) from articular cartilages in arthritic animals were studied. Prednisolone (10 mg/kg) was used as a standard. Results: In arthritic rats, the petroleum ether and n-butanolic fraction showed a highly significant reduction in paw volume (100 mg/kg - 68.37 and 75.21%) (P<0.01, 0.001). Membrane marker enzymes and oxidative free radicals were significantly decreased in the both fraction treated groups and GSH and SOD activities were significantly increased compared with the arthritic control. Among these two active fractions, n-butanolic fraction showed best activity as compared to petroleum ether fraction. Conclusion: The n-butanolic fraction of T. foenum-graecum (Linn.) seed extract significantly reduced the level of antioxidant enzymes as well as membrane stabilizing markers. The possible mechanism may be due to both stabilizing actions of membrane marker enzymes or inhibition of oxidative free radicals