Introduction: HMGB-1 is a nuclear protein that acts as an alarmin to tissue repair in sepsis and is one of multiple mediators in the systemic inflammatory response (SIRS). Its role in clinical models of severe trauma is less well studied.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to study the release pattern of HMGB-1 in the first 72 hours after severe trauma and the association of HMGB-1 levels with tissue damage, shock, coagulation disorders and thrombocytopenia.
Materials and methods: A prospective cohort study enrolling all adult trauma patients with injury severity score (ISS)>15 admitted to a Trauma Room. Analytical variables assessed were: creatine kinase (CK), myoglobin (MIO) lactate, coagulation times and platelets at admission; HMGB-1 levels were measured at admission 24, 48 and 72h.
Results: Ninety-nine patients were enrolled with median ISS of 29, age 31 (18-60) years and 83% were male. Shock was found in 17%, hyperlactacidemia in 46%, coagulopathy in 26%, and thrombocytopenia in 19%. Outcomes were ICU admission-66%, MODS-34%, and Death-28%. The HMGB-1 highest level was found at admission. The study showed correlations between HMGB-1 and shock at admission (p<0,047), coagulopathy at 24h (p<0,01), and thrombocytopenia at 48h (p<0,026). Coagulopathy was associated with death and thrombocytopenia with ICU admission and death. HMGB-1 did not show correlation with ISS, CK or MIO or with any of the outcomes.
Conclusions: In this group of patients HMGB-1 levels at admission, at 24 h and at 48 h after severe trauma were respectively associated with the existence of shock, coagulopathy and thrombocytopenia.


We read with great interest the article, "Evaluating the Effectiveness of Gamification on Physical Activity: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials" by Mazeas et al [1]. The authors conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of gamification on physical activity (PA). This meta-analysis confirms that gamified interventions are promising for promoting PA in various populations. Although the authors acknowledge the limitations of their study, we wish to highlight several methodological issues and provide our perspective.


Direct regulations have two regimes. In one, all firms behave in the same manner and in the other they behave differently. Past work assumed all firms were identical, thereby neglecting the non-monotonicity in comparative statics arising from the regime change.


Abstract The urgency of creating competent workers has been a national initiative for over a decade now as reflected in legislative requirements for accountability in higher education. Much of the literature on the topic of American higher education internationalization efforts has centered around teaching college students practical 21st-century competency-based skills like global competence. Global competence describes a set of skills centered around a knowledge base about world geography, cultures, global issues, and the skills and character to engage sensibly and effectively in a global setting. But effectively teaching global competence by instructors and learning it by the students is not easy. The purpose of this article is to discuss global competence as a competency-based education as well as address the challenges to global competence instruction and acquisition and opportunities for improvement in this area of learning.


This paper presents a study of a generalized multilevel asymmetric inverter based on a H-Bridge Cell with one Arm Series (CHB-as) and five switches. It is shown several asymmetrical arrangements of input source combinations that produce several equally spaced voltage levels with few components. Equations for determining the switching frequency employed in the low power processing cells are developed, and demonstrate the possibility of high resolution output voltage even at low frequency. The simulations of a two cascade asymmetric cells 1 kW-220 V topology, implemented in the program Orcad Pspice, V. 16.5 validated analyzes showed that the inverter operating with only two cells resulted output voltage with 25 levels. The results presented show that in topologies with three cascade cells it is feasible to obtain output voltages with 85 levels for the first proposed configuration or even 125 levels for the second configuration without redundant instances in the output voltage.


Lapointe and Kirsch (1995) have recently explored the possibility of reconstructing phylogenetic trees from lacunose distance matrices. They have shown that missing cells can be estimated using the ultrametric property of distances, and that reliable trees can be derived from such filled matrices. Here, we extend their work by introducing a novel way to estimate distances based on the four-point condition of additive matrices. A simulation study was designed to assess whether the additive procedure is superior to the ultrametric one in recovering distances randomly deleted from complete distance matrices. Our results clearly indicate that the topologies and branch lengths of the trees derived from matrices which were estimated additively are better recovered than those of trees derived from matrices estimated ultrametrically; the original distances are also better recovered with the additive procedure. Except in the case of small matrices with many missing cells for which both methods perform equally well, the additive is generally superior to the ultrametric method for estimating missing cells in distance matrices prior to phylogenetic reconstruction.


Objective To investigate the effect of"Shaofu Zhuyu Decoction"( SFZYD) on blood stasis pattern in rats and to discuss its mechniasm based on the hemorheology and components of erythrocyte membrane. Methods Forty Wistar rats were randomly assigned to blank group,model group and SFZYD high-dose group and low-dose group with 10 rats in each group. These rats were put into icewater( 0 ℃ ~ 1 ℃) for 8-10 minutes until the rats were titanic everyday. The SFZYD were given everyday and this method was used for 14 days. In the 15th day 0. 8 ml. kg- 1adrenalin hydrochloride was injected into rats with hype for twice which interval 4 hours. The related indexes of hemorheology and the components of erythrocyte membrane were determined. Results Compared with the model group,the whole blood viscosity( P 0. 01) was decreased and the red blood cell deformability under 600 s- 1and 800 s- 1were increased( P 0. 01) by SFZYD. APTT and TT( P 0. 05,P 0. 05) were extended by SFZYD. The content of TG in plasma was increased( P 0. 05). The content of sialic acid( P 0.05),Na+-K+-ATP enzyme and SOD( P 0. 05,P 0. 05) in erythrocyte membrane were increased by SFZYD. The content of MDA( P 0. 05) in erythrocyte membrane and FIB in plasma( P 0. 05) were decreased by SFZYD. Conclusion SFZYD could improve the situation of blood stasis through reducing the damage of free radical on red blood cell and oxidation resistance. And SFZYD has the advantage in maintaining cell morphology.


Abstract : SHIPFIT, a computer program that calculates the added mass per unit length of ship or submersible, is described. A conformal mapping technique is used that is widely employed in problems permitting a strip theory approach. The scheme differs form other published methods in that the ship form is initially fitted t a cubic spline function. The coefficients of the conformal transformation are then obtained form the cubic spline function by a least squares iteration technique. Additional keywords: Flow fields; Two dimensional; Inviscid flow; Incompressible flow; Computer files. (Author)


Ionic polymer metal composites (IPMCs) were discovered about twenty five years ago by Prof. Oguro and his team in Japan [1], and evidence about metalizing ionomer membranes dates even earlier [2]. Since their discovery, IPMCs have been the object of intensive research across the entire globe [3]–[5]. In its simplest form, an IPMC is constituted by a hydrated ionomeric membrane (that is, an electrically-charged polymer), which is neutralized by mobile counterions in a solution and plated by noble metal electrodes. IPMCs can be used as actuators and sensors, whereby a voltage applied across the electrodes will elicit mechanical deformation, and an imposed mechanical deformation will induce a measurable voltage across the electrodes.


The article examines the psychological characteristics of children who are traumatized, the main problems that can be observed in children in these situations. from such families, the history of providing psychological and pedagogical assistance in similar situations is considered. During the writing of the research it was noted that the category of children in crisis situations includes the following: children deprived of parental care, children with immoral habits, children with certain phobias (night fears and nightmares, fear of falling asleep, fear of being alone especially in the dark, unwillingness to be without parents, anxiety related to misunderstanding of death, fantasies about "treatment from death", expectations that the dead may return, assault, concern for their responsibility and / or guilt, children with unusually aggressive or reckless behavior, negativism, delinquent behavior, sexual abuse). Organizational and substantive aspects of providing social and psychological assistance to children in traumatic situations are identified. Effective forms of work with a child in crisis are identified (help in mastering experiences, appealing to self-control; help to identify bodily feelings experienced during the event; joint meetings with children and parents to help children share information with parents - how they feel; encouragement to discuss events related to her feelings and realistic vision of what was.


In this work, we analyzed and studied the Ukrainian typical hydrotechnical structures of the ameliorative complex on soil materials. On the examples of such objects in Dnipropetrovsk oblast, we carried out research and determined the technical condition of the transporting (main irrigation canals) and regulating (retention ponds) hydrotechnical structures (HTS). The main factors and the reasons for the negative engineering-geological processes occurring in those structures and affecting the ecological balance of adjacent territories were determined. The study revealed that the long period of exploitation and absence of corresponding technical care have led to significant losses of irrigation water from the canals and retention ponds. Due to the systemic absence and low use of monitoring researchers, we have proposed the use of prompt and low-cost methods and means of technical diagnostics. The article presents the possibility of using a complex of geophysical methods of natural impulse magnetic field of the Earth and vertical electrical sounding for the purposes of technical diagnostics. The possibility of recording plots and parameters of zones of seepage deformations in the body and at the base of the structures was visually determined and instrumentally proven. This allows identifying the amounts of technical and material resources, stages and order of implementation of repair-restoration works. It was determined that share of the damaged zones accounts for 20 to 35% of the total length of the hydrotechnical structures dependingon their type and parameters of the constructions. In such conditions, the estimated losses of water equal 17-22% of the total amount of the delivery. The surveys showed that further operation of HC poses an ecological threat because of significant worsening of quality of water resources. The article presents disturbing dynamics of change in the irrigated areas involving the danger of secondary salinization, sodification, alkalinization, and toxification as a result of watering. We indicated threatening changes in the structures of the areas irrigated with low-quality water, which, according to various indicators of danger, increased by 1.4 times regarding threat of secondary salinization and by 2 times regarding threat of sodification. We proposed and substantiated approaches to improving the general technical and technological level of functioning of ameliorative structures in the context of maintaining ecological balance and economic practicability of their further use, based on the principles of systemic optimization of complex technical-natural ecosystems.


In this study, middle school students' (8th grade, n = 24) problem-solving processes were investigated while implementing a design-based science learning (DBSL) approach. DBSL tries to incorporate ...


Image blurring with Gaussian kernel can also be modeled as an heat diffusion partial differential equation (PDE), therefore, image deblur is an inverse problem of PDE. In this paper, we proposed a novel image deblur method: regularized backward heat diffusion (RBHD) PDE, based on inverse problem and PDE theories. We have derived the concrete regularization forms: low-pass filtering or adding high order derivative terms, provided several kinds of RBHD PDE, and analyzed the relationship between the optimal cut-off frequency and the estimated forward diffusion time. Compared to the traditional energy based methods, e.g. Wiener filter, our method is more flexible and extensible, and the experiments shows that RBHD PDE achieves much better results both with and without the exact kernel width, and is more suitable as an experimental blind deblurring method for Gaussian blurry image.


Canadian, Finnish and United States producers of wood pulp and two trade associations of such producers, one Finnish and one American, applied to the Court of Justice of the European Communities for annulment of a 1984 decision of the Commission of the European Communities. Under the 1984 decision, the Commission found the applicants to have infringed Article 85 of the EEC Treaty by engaging in concerted actions relating to the prices of wood pulp exports into the European Community (EC). The applicants, whose registered offices were all outside the Community, were ordered to terminate the pricing practices and to refrain in the future from measures having the same object or effect. The Commission fined all but two of the applicants for their past conduct. In this preliminary judgment, the Court held: (1) that the territorial scope of Article 85 of the EEC Treaty applies to the pricing practices of the applicants; (2) that by applying Article 85 to such practices, the EC had not infringed the public international law principles of territoriality and noninterference; (3) that the Commission's decision is vacated insofar as it concerns the pricing actions of KEA, an association of U.S. wood pulp producers registered as an export cartel under the Webb-Pomerene Act; and (4) that the competition rules in the Free Trade Agreement between Finland and the Community do not preclude the application of the EEC Treaty.


INTRODUCTION In contrast to the well studied human and murine MHCs, very little is known about the genomic organization of non-mammalian MHCs. Although some information is already available for a number of avian MHC systems, chicken MHC is the most studied. The B locus spans 92 kb on a microchromosome, namely chromosome 16. This system contains 19 genes, and is about 20-fold smaller than the human MHC (Kaufman et al., 1999). Within the B locus there are two loci containing the classical class I (B-F) and class II (B-L) β genes homologous to human MHC (Kaufman et al., 1999 ; MHCSC, 1999). Other B complex genes homologous to genes found in the human MHC are Tapasin, Ring3, DMα, DMß, TAP1, TAP2, and C4. Chicken MHC also contains the B-G (class IV) gene, so far identified only in this species. Within the B locus there is only one gene homologous to the human class III, the complement component C4. Skjødt and co-workers (1985) showed that no recombination occurs between chicken class I and class II regions. Several studies have already established the striking genetic and functional differences between chicken and mammalian MHC. Features such as small size, small number of introns, together with the established existence of specific associations between the B complex and resistance to pathogens, makes this species a valuable model for further studies in this matter. At the same time, we have learnt that the genome organization of the MHC system between avian species varies regardless their taxonomic distances. Therefore, it is apparent that we cannot infer the genome organization of one avian species from the information we have collected from other species. Only limited information is available about the organization of the turkey MHC. Four class II β genotypes representing four independent class II phenotypes have been identified, by hybridizing chicken class II probes to turkey DNA (Emara et al., 1992 ; 1993). The possibility to hybridize turkey DNA with chicken MHC probes at high stringency let us infer the existence of high sequence homology between the two species at least with regard to class II β genes.


In practice,the amount of riverbed erosion and deposition in the same reach or in the same period calculated by different methods differs significantly from each other. At present,the calculation methods by using crosssection morphological variation,DEM grid morphological variation,and sediment balance are widely used. The amount of riverbed erosion and deposition in the reach from Yichang to Jianli of Yangtze River downstream of Three Gorges Project after impoundment was calculated using the above mentioned three methods based on topographic map,cutting cross-section on topographic map and sediment data of hydrologic stations. Furthermore,the calculation results and the factors affecting the calculation accuracy were analyzed,and the nonlinear fractal theory was used to study the relation between riverbed fluctuation degree and section's representativeness. Research results suggest that to improve the sediment balance method,suspended load near riverbed needs to be modified,and the alignment error of sediment measurement,water imbalance,sand mining and sediment diversion should be taken into consideration; as for the method of cross-section's morphological variation,relatively close sections must be laid in river bends,bifurcated reaches or contractive and expansive reaches; while appropriate interpolation method must be employed for the method of grid morphological variation,and the grid space should be no larger than the distance between measuring points.


Background:

Patients with follicular lymphoma (FL) who achieve a complete (CR) or partial (PR) response to rituximab-containing chemotherapy followed by maintenance rituximab (MR) experience improved progression-free survival (PFS). In contrast, MR does not improve outcomes in chemo-sensitive patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). There are no published data describing the impact of MR in patients presenting with indolent and aggressive histology lymphoma simultaneously in the same biopsy (composite, COM) or two separate sites (discordant, DIS).

Methods:

Patients with newly-diagnosed COM/DIS lymphomas composed of an indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (excluding CLL/SLL, mantle cell lymphoma, and grade 3B FL) and DLBCL were identified in the British Columbia Cancer Agency Lymphoid Cancer Database. All patients received first-line chemotherapy with R-CHOP. In early 2006, a treatment policy was introduced recommending MR 375 mg/m2 IV every 3 months for 2 years in patients with COM/DIS lymphomas achieving a CR/PR to R-CHOP induction. PFS, time to progression (TTP) and overall survival (OS) were calculated from the time of diagnosis and compared between treatment groups.

Results:

98 patients with COM/DIS lymphomas were identified between January 2001 and December 2013: median age 64 y (range 22 - 86), 56% male, 48% elevated LDH, 30% performance status ≥ 2, 87% stage III/IV, and 51% high-intermediate or high IPI. 58 (59%) and 40 (41%) patients had COM and DIS lymphoma, respectively. FL was the indolent component in 65% of all cases. 35/40 patients with DIS had low-grade histology in the bone marrow. Following R-CHOP, 77 (79%) and 21 (21%) patients achieved CR and PR, respectively. 43 patients were treated with R-CHOP alone before the MR policy introduction, and 55 were treated with R-CHOP+MR; the latter group received a median of 8 (range 1 - 8) MR doses. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics or response rates between the two groups with the exception of a higher proportion of patients with poor performance status in the group not given MR.

With a median follow-up of 10y (range 1.5 - 13.6) in living patients treated with R-CHOP and 6y (range 0.9-9.5) in patients treated with R-CHOP+MR, there were 20 (47%) and 15 (27%) relapses, respectively (p=0.26). Of these, 11 relapsed with indolent histology, 11 relapsed with DLBCL, 3 relapsed in the central nervous system (CNS), and 10 had no biopsy at relapse (8 had aggressive and 2 indolent clinical behavior on review of medical records). There were 6 (30%) indolent and 14 (70%) aggressive relapses in patients treated with R-CHOP, while there were 7 (47%) indolent and 8 (53%) aggressive relapses in patients treated with R-CHOP+MR (p=0.31). 19 patients eventually died from lymphoma (8 with DLBCL relapse, 5 without a biopsy at relapse, and all 3 with CNS recurrence).

The 6-y PFS was 60% (standard error [SE] 5%) with no difference between patients treated with or without MR (Hazard ratio (HR) 0.74, 95% CI 0.39 - 1.37, p= 0.33). The 6-year TTP was 64% (SE 5%), again with no differences between the two groups (HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.34 - 1.33, p= 0.25). The 6-year OS was similar between the two groups (p= 0.89). In the subgroup of patients with FL (21 R-CHOP and 43 R-CHOP+MR) the addition of MR did not impact PFS (p= 0.90), TTP (p= 0.99), or OS (p=0.55).

An additional 52 patients were diagnosed after the treatment policy introduction in 2006, but did not receive MR for several reasons including physician non-adherence, progressive disease on R-CHOP, toxicity from R-CHOP or patient refusal. In an intent-to-treat analysis (43 pre-policy and 107 post-policy) there were no differences in outcomes. In a per-protocol analysis (95 R-CHOP and 55 R-CHOP+MR), there were no significant differences in outcomes.

Conclusion:

The addition of MR does not appear to improve PFS, TTP or OS in patients with COM/DIS lymphomas achieving CR/PR to R-CHOP, although comparisons are likely underpowered and 6-year median length of follow-up in the MR group may not be sufficient. However, the majority (63%) of relapses are aggressive and unlikely to be impacted by MR. The role of MR in these uncommon lymphomas requires further exploration.

Disclosures Connors: Roche: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding. Savage: Seattle Genetics: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Honoraria; Infinity: Honoraria; Roche: Other: Institutional research funding. Scott: Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; NanoString: Patents & Royalties: Inventor on a patent that NanoString has licensed. Gerrie: Roche: Honoraria, Other: Advisory board, Research Funding; Lundbeck: Honoraria, Other: Advisory board, Research Funding; Janssen: Other: Advisory board. Villa: Roche: Research Funding.


Introduction: Loss of function (LoF) variants in ANGPTL3 have been associated with low plasma low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycer...


We present the status of our study on the equation of state in 2+1 flavor QCD with non-perturbatively improved Wilson quarks coupled with the RG improved glue. We apply the T-integration method to non-perturbatively calculate the equation of state by the fixed-scale approach.


This study was carried out to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and behavior of low and high socioeconomic school going children and the type of food available and consumed at school premises, as well as the dental health care facilities available at schools. It was a multi-centric study which analysed school going children (n=281) from grade 1 to grade 10 who attended private schools of both high and low income groups in Lahore, Pakistan. A questionnaire adapted from Peterson and Stenberg et al designed to assess children's behavior, knowledge and perception of their oral health and dental treatment along with the availability of healthy food in the school was used. Results showed that 54% of HSES students bought food from cafeteria as compared to only 11% of LSES School. 41% LSES children's parents did not observe their child while brushing. 54% of LSES and 41% of HSES visited the dentist only in pain. 39% of HSES but only 12%of LSES went for regular checkups. Reason for not visiting the dentist among HSES students was fear of drilling (40.3%) and 9.3% in LSES. It was concluded that there was a dire need of health education programs especially for low socio economic school children.


The informative power of financial reports is unanimously based, among others, on substance over form principle. But this principle is not free of ambiguous interpretation and adoption. In fact, it has been differently issued in the US GAAP, in the IAS/IFRS framework and in the Italian GAAP. This paper aims to provide a deep review of the recent reforms of Italian accounting regulation which introduced in 2003 and reaffirmed in 2015 the substance over form as an accounting principle within the law at the same level of accrual basis, prudence and going concern. We adopt a comparative approach to show how US GAAP, IFRS, UK GAAP already include substance over form principle and that the inclusion of this principle within the Italian law did not achieve its initial purpose. This is mainly due to the traditional legal view of a financial report intended by Italian legislator as a legal claim. Further research should be addressed in order to provide also empirical evidence of this mismatch.


This paper summarizes the situation of industries development and its water resource requirement in the region along the lower reaches of Hanjiang River, analyses the great influence on industries and living in the cities along its lower reaches because the water level of its lower reaches drops obviously, and its water environmental capacity decreases obviously after south_to_north water transfer project is carried out, provides sevral strategic countermeasures in order to resolve completely the problem of water resource shortage on the future industries development and living in the region from the viewpoint of sustainable development.


As a consequence of its hypocalcaemic effect together with a possible direct stimulation of parathyroid hormone (PTH) release by CT (Hageman, Dorn, Beeger and Montz 1977) it has been suggested that prolonged administration of CT and particularly Salmon CT (SCT) in Paget's disease might result in a secondary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) responsible at least in part for the appearance of resistence to treatment (Heynen, Kanis, Fiore, Gaspar and Franchimont 1979). We report the effects of prolonged SCT in patients with Paget's disease and migratory regional osteoporosis (MROP) on the basal serum Ca (SCa) and iPTH levels and the magnitude of SCa and iPTH variation after acute CT injection.


Music is enjoyed by millions over the world. Unfortunately cochlear implant users are not able to enjoy music as normal hearing people can. Aside from not being able to enjoy it, they also do not benefit from the benefits music has. It has used to treat different disorders like OCD and depression, has proven useful in speech perception and is even able to "deceive" people about their physical status. Making them feel much better than they actually physically are. The CI has problems on many fronts. Fundamental frequencies are not picked up well by CI users resulting in problems with pitch perception. Timbre is not relegated by CIs which causes all instruments sound the same. The only thing CI users seem to be able to pick up when listening to music are clear lyrics and rhythm. A solid solution is not easy to find. There are problems with the quality of the sound itself, increasing fidelity could lead to clearer sharper sound. This is however dependent on the advances in the electronics of CIs and a actively developed but years away from reaching normal hearing fidelity. Another possibility is adding presets that can be selected by the user. CIs boost certain frequencies which are useful for speech but can hinder the perception of music. Giving presets might remedy this. Furthermore the so called musician effect might be useful. If CI users were to receive musical training they could learn to value music as well a gain better pitch perception which will increase the perception of music as well as help speech perception.


Composer Jules-Emile- Frederic Massenet wrote a variety of roles for mezzo sopranos, and his soaring vocal lines are coupled with sensitive communication of the text. In Cendrillon, Massenet writes leading roles for three mezzo soprano voices: Le Prince Charmant, Madame de la Haltiere, Cendrillon (and one featured supporting role, the step-sister Dorothee). The three leading roles involve different vocal and dramatic demands, while still allowing the unique colors of the mezzo soprano voice to shine. I will explore Massenet's writing for the mezzo soprano and the interaction of the vocal line with the orchestra, in his "fairy tale" opera, Cendrillon. I will analyze scenes that deal with the role of title character Cendrillon and the specific vocal qualities that Massenet highlights in each: Cendrillon's arias in Act I and Act III; the scene with La Fee in Act I; the duet with the Prince Charmant in Act II; and the duet / trio with Prince Charmant and La Fee that ends Act III. Throughout the score of Cendrillon, Massenet demonstrates a wide range of compositional tools and a distinctive style in writing for the voice, characterized by unusual melodies and sweeping vocal lines underscored with lush orchestration. Cendrillon was composed in 1898 in the middle of Massenet's career (between the operas Sapho and Griselidis) while working with French librettist Henri Cain. Based on Cendrillon, as told by Charles Perrault, this treatment of the fairy tale is unique from her first appearance, as both composer and librettist introduce the title character as one with emotional breadth, not one that is resentful or defined by her current circumstances. Massenet's writing for her, from the Act I hearth song to her final duet with Prince Charming, "Vous etes mon Prince charmant" (Act IV, Scene 3), showcases the expressive power that is the hallmark of his operatic writing. These selected scenes are only a few of the wonderful moments in Massenet's Cendrillon, and they provide a glimpse into a dramatically and vocally rich role for a lyric mezzo-soprano. In the character of Cendrillon, Massenet and Cain have created a role with great depth, incredibly beautiful vocal lines, and something that is truly rare for mezzos in the operatic canon: the chance to end up with the prince.


As a pillar industry in Liaoning province,the equipment manufacturing industry plays an important role in Liaoning economy.In recent years,foreign investment,foreign companies and foreign technology have penetrated into this industry,and especially some leading enterprises have been brought into M A carried out by multinational corporations,which have some negative effects on industrial growth,competitiveness and control.This paper examines the impacts of cross-border M A on industrial security of the equipment manufacturing industry in Liaoning province through data and a model,and finally presents some suggestions to promote the equipment manufacturing industry to develop safely and healthily.


According to the five common synthesis methods of composite zeolite,including two-step crystallization process,seeding method,ion-exchanging,electrtic charge matching,treated zoeliite as silica source,and their synthesis mechanisms,involving mechanism of liquid-phase changes,mechanism of solid-phase changes,mechanism of bi-phase change,and static electricity group theory etc.,were studied.


: The epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is a stem cell and carcinoma antigen, which mediates cellular adhesion and proliferative signaling by the proteolytic cleavage. In contrast to low expression in normal epithelium, EpCAM is frequently overexpressed in various carcinomas, which correlates with poor prognosis. Therefore, EpCAM has been considered as a promising target for tumor diagnosis and therapy. Using the Cell-Based Immunization and Screening (CBIS) method, we previously established an anti‐EpCAM monoclonal antibody (EpMab-37; mouse IgG 1 , kappa). In this study, we investigated the antibody‐dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), complement‐ dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), and an antitumor activity by a defucosylated mouse IgG 2a -type of EpMab-37 (EpMab-37-mG 2a - f) against an EpCAM‐expressing breast cancer cell line (BT-474). EpMab-37-mG 2a -f recognized BT-474 cells with a moderate binding-affinity [a dissociation constant ( K D ): 2.9x10 -8 M] by flow cytometry. EpMab-37-mG 2a -f exhibited ADCC and CDC for BT-474 cells by murine splenocytes and complements, respectively. Furthermore, administration of EpMab-37-mG 2a -f significantly suppressed the BT-474 xenograft tumor development compared with the control mouse IgG. These results indicated that EpMab-37-mG 2a -f exerts antitumor activities against the BT-474 xenograft, and could provide valuable therapeutic regimen for the breast cancers.


In the Republic of Plato it is interesting to highlight the implications that poetry, education and
philosophy have on the lives of Athenian citizens. However, the analysis I propose is limited to a
framework of discussion: The appeal to poets, their influence on education and its political effect.
Plato knows, knows and is clear about the role of the educational tradition led by Homer. By assuming
the responsibility of educating the new guardians of the ideal city can´t omit the development of a
new educational line if it is intended that the guardians are the best among the best, a portion of the
city that assumes a role more how important A role that can´t be failed, save the State and then
govern it. Undoubtedly we find in these pages the true meaning of the Constitution of the State:
education. An unavoidable element that allows to sculpt the tender and malleable souls with the
purpose of finding Justice and the sense that it has to acquire the best possible way.


We investigate the combined impact of two non-ideal factors [(i) Gires-Tournois resonator (GTR) imperfection and (ii) interferometric error] on the performance of a Michelson-Gires-Tournois interferometer (MGTI)-based analogue of the Thomas angle in Special Relativity. We aim to minimize the impacts of these factors to get a <5% overall error in obtaining the Thomas angle from the MGTI. We report that (i) the GTR's imperfect back mirror coating must have a reflectance r0 ≥ 0.9534 to get a 1% maximum deviation of the mimicked Thomas angle and (ii) the path-length difference interferometric error of the MGTI must be ≤ λ/30 to have a ≥ 95% effective parameter input range.


The design of an active filter, suitable for use as the stabilizing element in an a.c. control system, is discussed, The modulating frequency characteristics presented show the relative insensitivity of the filter to tolerance, temperature and carrier drift effects.


Hereditary dwarfism in mice was reported in 1929 by Snell (1), who described the dwarf characteristics and presented breeding data indicating that the mutation bred true as a Mendelian recessive. Snell concluded that both sexes were entirely sterile. Studying the endocrine system of the dwarf mouse, Smith and MacDowell (2) confirmed Snell's observations on sexual infantilism and also described subnormal development of the thyroids, adrenal cortex, and anterior pituitary. By making fresh implants of rat pituitaries, they were able to correct some of the deficiency effects described. Growth was markedly stimulated, the thyroids looked normal, the adrenal cortex thickened, fertility was restored to some of the males, and definite corrective responses were noted in the female reproductive tract. The implants opened some of the vaginas, stimulated follicles to grow much larger than are typical of dwarfs, and produced corpora lutea. No mention is made of actual fertility in the females. According to MacDowell (...


Introduction In resource limited settings, patients entering an antiretroviral therapy (ART) program comprise ART naive and ART pre-treated patients who may show differential virological outcomes. Methods This retrospective study, conducted in 2010–2012 in the HIV clinic of Calmette Hospital located in Phnom Penh (Cambodia) assessed virological failure (VF) rates and patterns of drug resistance of naive and pre-treated patients. Naive and ART pre-treated patients were included when a Viral Load (VL) was performed during the first year of ART for naive subjects or at the first consultation for pre-treated individuals. Patients showing Virological failure (VF) (>1,000 copies/ml) underwent HIV DR genotyping testing. Interpretation of drug resistance mutations was done according to 2013 version 23 ANRS algorithms. Results On a total of 209 patients, 164 (78.4%) were naive and 45 (21.5%) were ART pre-treated. Their median initial CD4 counts were 74 cells/mm3 (IQR: 30–194) and 279 cells/mm3 (IQR: 103–455) (p<0.001), respectively. Twenty seven patients (12.9%) exhibited VF (95% CI: 8.6–18.2%), including 10 naive (10/164, 6.0%) and 17 pre-treated (17/45, 37.8%) patients (p<0.001). Among these viremic patients, twenty-two (81.4%) were sequenced in reverse transcriptase and protease coding regions. Overall, 19 (86.3%) harbored ≥1 drug resistance mutations (DRMs) whereas 3 (all belonging to pre-treated patients) harbored wild-types viruses. The most frequent DRMs were M184V (86.3%), K103N (45.5%) and thymidine analog mutations (TAMs) (40.9%). Two (13.3%) pre-treated patients harbored viruses that showed a multi-nucleos(t)ide resistance including Q151M, K65R, E33A/D, E44A/D mutations. Conclusion In Cambodia, VF rates were low for naive patients but the emergence of DRMs to NNRTI and 3TC occurred relatively quickly in this subgroup. In pre-treated patients, VF rates were much higher and TAMs were relatively common. HIV genotypic assays before ART initiation and for ART pre-treated patients infection should be considered as well.


In general, the output of a DDS (direct digital synthesis) system will inherently include spurious signals due to two effects: (1) phase truncation errors; and (2) phase to amplitude conversion errors. Phase truncation errors have traditionally been analyzed separately from the fundamental DDS output signal making the derivations awkward and hard to follow. We have recognized that by: (1) only dealing with the active portion of the phase accumulator; (2) carefully reformulating the instantaneous phase; and (3) including all possible initial conditions, the spectral analyses of the DDS output signal can be performed directly, exactly and in a way that is much easier to follow. Our analysis approach results in a simple formulation of the frequency locations and spacing of the phase truncation spurs. We have also recognized that, as long as the phase-to-amplitude conversion errors are "static" in nature, all possible DDS output spectra are inter-related. This is true without any a priori knowledge of the errors. The equations for this interrelationship have been derived in this paper. They show that if a specific DDS spectrum is known, all other possible spectra can be derived from it. We referred to this specific spectrum as the mother spectrum. Also from the properties of these inter-relationships, a different insight has been given to the interpretation of the phase truncation spurs. Based on our derivations, it has also been shown that observations of the DDS spectrum may be affected by using a phase-locked loop phase detector.


A likelihood function for a multi-sensor, passive sonar Bayesian tracker may use data directly from the array elements or, alternatively, from the output of a conventional beamformer (CBF). Here, we compare the performance of a Bayesian tracker when using element- versus CBF-level data. We observed that, provided the CBF's beams are sufficiently closely spaced, the tracker's performance with CBF-level data is similar to when it is using element-level data. However, when the spacing between CBF beams becomes too large, tracker performance with CBF-level data degrades significantly, particularly when the target is located between the maximum response axes of two adjacent beams.


The fundamental problem of communication is that of reproducing at one point either exactly or approximately a message selected at another point. [13].


The cytokine profile of tumour reactive T cells is likely to play a central role in their function. However, little is known about how cytokine patterns of tumour reactive T cells can be regulated. Here, the authors investigated the influence of exogenous regulatory cytokines in addition to interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) on cytokine patterns and the proliferation of T cells recognizing an autologous sarcoma cell line. In this system, IL‐4 and IL‐12 showed the most polarizing influences on tumour reactive T cells. Exogenous IL‐4 induced a predominant production of IL‐4 while decreasing the interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) and IL‐10 production by tumour reactive T cells. It also stimulated the growth of tumour reactive CD4+ T cell clones. In contrast, IL‐12 substantially increased the production of IL‐10 and IFN‐γ. This was accompanied by a growth inhibition of tumour reactive T cells. The growth of CD4+ tumour reactive T cells was also suppressed by exogenous IL‐10. This study shows that cytokine patterns and proliferation tumour reactive T cells can be significantly influenced by exogenous cytokines and confirms the hypothesis of a negative feedback loop of IL‐12 by the induction of IL‐10 in the context of human tumour reactive T cells.


The conceptual differences between organizational commitment and identification are discussed theoretically and examined empirically. The present study is based on data of 450 employees of five different organizations in Nepal. A revised eight-item scale was designed out of Cheney's Organizational Identification Questionnaire to assess the core aspects of organizational identification. In confirmatory factor analyses, identification was found to be distinguishable from four related commitment concepts (i.e. affective, continuance, normative, and attitudinal commitment).


Absorbtion spectra, fluorescence spectra and quantum yields of dyes of various classes in cholesteric liquid crystals (CLC) and in isotropic solutions as well as the thresholds oftheir lasing in CLC were investigated. The increase ofquantum yields of dyes in concentrated CLC-solution in comparison with diluted isotropic ones are established for the first time. It has been shown that neutral phenolenone dyes with voluminose terminal groups which hinder aggregation of their molecules in concentrated solutions. The experimental investigations of the lasing efficiency of a distributed feedback laser (DFB) based on CLC from excitation intensity and optical density of dye in the active layer are presented. The thermal phase grating induced by laser radiation in doped CLC, as it is shown, the high << effective Q>> of the CLC layers are compensated and the lasing efficiency of this lasers are improved.


The aim of this study was to analyze the motor coordination level of students from 8 to 14 years old from Florianopolis City, considering gender, range, extra-class sports practice and Body Mass Index (BMI). 243 students from State Secretary of Education participated of the study. The data collecting instruments were anthropometric measurements and Motor Coordination Tests for children. The Chi-square test, contained on package SPSS for Windows version 11.5, was used in statistical analysis of data (p


Keystroke data collected from smart devices includes various sensitive information about users. Collecting and analyzing such data raise serious privacy concerns. Google and Apple have recently applied local differential privacy (LDP) to address privacy issue on learning new words from users' keystroke data. However, these solutions require multiple LDP reports for a single word, which result in inefficient use of privacy budget and high computational cost. In this paper, we develop a novel algorithm for learning new words under LDP. Unlike the existing solutions, the proposed method generates only one LDP report for a single word. This enables the proposed method to use full privacy budget for generating a report and brings the benefit that the proposed method provides better utility at the same privacy degree than the existing methods. In our algorithm, each user appends a hash value to new word and sends only one LDP report of an <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$n$</tex-math><alternatives><mml:math><mml:mi>n</mml:mi></mml:math><inline-graphic xlink:href="shin-ieq1-2885749.gif"/></alternatives></inline-formula>-gram selected randomly from the string packed by each new word and its hash value. The server then decodes frequent <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$n$</tex-math><alternatives><mml:math><mml:mi>n</mml:mi></mml:math><inline-graphic xlink:href="shin-ieq2-2885749.gif"/></alternatives></inline-formula>-grams at each position of the string and discovers the candidate words by exploring graph-theoretic links between <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$n$</tex-math><alternatives><mml:math><mml:mi>n</mml:mi></mml:math><inline-graphic xlink:href="shin-ieq3-2885749.gif"/></alternatives></inline-formula>-grams and checking integrity of candidates with hash values. Frequencies of frequent new words discovered are estimated from distribution estimates of <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$n$</tex-math><alternatives><mml:math><mml:mi>n</mml:mi></mml:math><inline-graphic xlink:href="shin-ieq4-2885749.gif"/></alternatives></inline-formula>-grams by robust regression. We theoretically show that our algorithm can recover popular new words even though the server does not know the domain of the raw data. In addition, we theoretically and empirically demonstrate that our algorithm achieves higher accuracy compared to the existing solutions.


Modern fluid machinery is developing towards higher efficiency, and the aviation engine, industrial gas turbine, steam turbine, etc. are also increasing the working capability. As a result, it will create higher demands for the design of throughflow part. Transonic flow fields are, in general, very complex because of secondary flow, boundary layer transition, stages interaction, as well as the occurrence, in many cases of flow separation, recirculation, and reattachment. Modern cascade flow often appears under transonic condition including subsonic flow in part of cascade and supersonic flow in other parts.


ABSTRACT A facile and cost-effective method which combines supercritical CO2 and micro-jet exfoliation has been developed for producing graphene nanosheets with high-quality. CO2 molecules can intercalate into the interlayer of graphite because of their high diffusivity and small molecule size in supercritical operation. The tensile stress induced by graphite interfacial reflection of compressive waves exert on the graphite flakes, which lead to further exfoliation of graphite. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Raman spectrum and X-ray diffraction (XRD) are used to identify morphology and quality of the exfoliated graphene nanosheets, which reveal that the graphite was successfully exfoliated into graphene and more than 88% of graphene nanosheets are less than three layers. The yield of graphene nanosheets is about 28 wt% under optimum conditions, which can be greatly improved by repeated exfoliation of the graphene sediment. The pure graphene film has a high conductivity of 2.1 × 105 S/m.


The home care wound patient is continuing to grow and requires a significant organizational commitment to keep field staff current. One agency's successful effort to develop a wound management program is presented.


In this work, we propose a fluorescence detector based on a dual-gate photosensitive thin-film transistor (DGPTFT) for rapid on-chip detection of zinc coproporphyrin I (ZnCP-I), a biomarker of amniotic fluid embolism (AFE). Working in the subthreshold region, the detector can achieve high sensitivity and low noise. In the preliminary study, the detection limit can be as low as 35 nmol/L.


The fission cross section of Pu/sup 240/ was determimed from Pu/sup 240/U/sup 235/ ratio for neutron energies between threshold and 8.1 Mev. U/sup 235/ cross section values were essentially those given in a recent compilation in ''Progress in Nuclear Energy.'' The technique used was to mount the two foils back-to-back in a double ionization chamber and to irradiate them in a neutron flux of variable energy. (A.C.)


FOUNDATION Water Treatment Contaminants Models Principles of Treatment PARTICULATE REMOVAL Screening Settling Grit Chambers Flotation MICROSCOPIC PARTICLES Coagulation Mixing Flocculation Depth Filtration Slow Sand Filtration Cake Filtration MOLECULES AND IONS Adsorption Ion-exchange Membranes Gas Transfer Disinfection Oxidation Precipitation APPENDICES Appendix A - International System of Units Appendix B - Physical Constants and Physical Data Appendix C - Miscellaneous Relations (gas law, pressure, math, statistics) Appendix D - Fluid Mechanics - Selected Topics Appendix E - Porous Media Hydraulics Appendix F - Alum Data and Conversions Appendix G - Dimensionless Groups Appendix H - Dissolved Gases Index


Reversible data hiding (RDH) with contrast enhancement (RDH-CE) is a special type of RDH in improving the subjective visual perception by enhancing the image contrast during the process of data embedding. In RDH-CE, data hiding is achieved via pairwise histogram expansion, and the embedding rate can be increased by performing multiple cycles of histogram expansions. However, when embedding rate gets high, human visible image degradation is observed. Previous work designed an upper bound of the embedding level for RDH-CE, which effectively avoids image over-sharping but offers limited embedding capacity. In this paper, a better tunable bound is designed to enhance the embedding capacity of RDH-CE by exploiting the characteristics of histogram distribution. Furthermore, the objective distortion introduced by histogram pre-shifting is minimized when the embedding level is no more than the upper bound, and the human visible degradation is minimized when the embedding level exceeds the limitation of the proposed upper bound. Experimental results validate that the proposed method provides appropriate upper bound of the embedding level, increases the effective embedding capacity and offers better image contrast.


An experiment was conducted to test the effects of magazine and sponsoring company's prestige on attitudes toward unknown advertised products. Hypotheses derived from "the principle of congruity" were confirmed; the dependent attitudes changed generally as a linear function of the prestige of the two source components.


Christchurch terrorist attack is a recent tragedy that happened in New Zealand on 15 March 2019. There are total 50 deaths caused by the attack in Christchurch. In two days, at least, 722,295 tweets are created by users of Twitter, they tweet about their thoughts and prayers about the attack. That means that social media is very important to spread information throughout the world while in a crisis condition, which also able to provide and facilitate how the information flow. To understand the issue, this paper examines the use of Twitter during post-tragedy, which is 2 days after the tragedy happened in New Zealand. The network structures within the conversation about Christchurch attack must be concerned, because many communities and actors play a part in the flow of information about the attack on Twitter. Our findings show an individual might have more information-spreading power than authority or government institutions. The influence of non-authority actors in Twitter network highlights an apparent reality that an individual might be spread information wider than authority without knowing the righteousness.


To use the agricultural land efficiently as a productive factor,the function of social security should be peeled off from the land. On the other hand,the farmers should get guarantee of compensation for a living when they lose their land that has social security function.So the farmers need exchange their land for social security.Considering the client-agent problem in the central and local governments,the present paper proposes a scheme,which gives the farmers the right of transacting land freely,and gives the government the right of imposing a social security tax in the transaction,in order to solve the problem of the land's low efficiency and that of the farmers' social security at the same time.


Matrix converter has the advantages of simple structure,power factor controllable,energy two-way flow and so on. In this paper,combined with the characteristic of matrix converter and the AC-exited Double Fed Induction Generator technology of Variable-Speed Constant Frequency( VSCF),the DFIG's vector control mathematical model in dq synchronous rotating frame was deduced. Considering the current coupling,this paper proposes a new type simple current feed forward decoupling control algorithm. Based on the principle,Matlab simulation results show that the current decoupling algorithm has superior dynamic performance when the active and reactive power are changing. Experimental device of 11kW DFIG wind power generator system was constructed. Both in the super-synchronous and sub-synchronous state,the stator voltage and frequency can remain stable. The results verify the feasibility of the control strategy,which has a certain practical value.


In parallel with developments in the world, developments in organic poultry sector are also taking place in Turkey. In recent years, in order to meet the increasing demand, an increase in production comes into question and an increase in the number of new organic poultry farms has been observed. In order to ensure a certain portion of the nutrient requirements of animals from the pasture utilisation by using endemic plants, appropriate composition of the pasture is required to be established to support the economic production. However, environmental conditions and the housing techniques have an impact on the performance, health, welfare and product quality of birds. For this reason, the environmental conditions and techniques of housing are needed to well organised ensuring organic standards and are needed to compatible with local conditions. To meet daily nutrient requirements of animals in a balanced, with consuming grasses and leguminous fodder crops by animals fondly, the pasture composition must be determined by using mixtures of endemic plants which are resistant to grazing. Materials to be used in fixed and movable host systems must comply with organic standards. The local climatic conditions must be take into consideration in the organization of feeder and waterer troughs which are located between poultry house and equipment's of pasture, especially in heating systems, heat sources which do not make the lighting have to be selected. Systems developed for protection of wild birds and predators should be focused, during production and evaluation practices, applications which keep the maximum level of product quality should be considered. In this study, focusing on organic farming, with the pasture compositions which was created for use of organic broiler production systems in Sivas conditions, information was given and discussed on the organic host system.


Up to the present time [1965], only magnetic configurations that are continuous in the micromagnetic sense have been described in the literature. The consequences of this continuity restriction on possible types of magnetization reversal processes have received no attention. These consequences are discussed here. It is also shown that micromagnetic discontinuities are allowed theoretically. In particular, a micromagnetically singular point may exist that is the zero-dimensional analog of the two-dimensional wall and the one-dimensional Bloch or Néel line of magnetic domain theory.


algorithms and models for computation on biomolecular systems; computational processes in vitro and in vivo; molecular switches, gates, devices, and circuits; molecular folding and self-assembly of nanostructures; analysis and theoretical models of laboratory techniques; molecular motors and molecular robotics; information storage; studies of fault-tolerance and error correction; software tools for analysis, simulation,and design; synthetic biology and in vitro evolution; and applications in engineering, physics, chemistry, biology, and medicine.


The experiment were conducted from 1996 - 1997 to study the comparison of 20 varieties (lines) released between 1950 and 1995 in the field in Yuncheng, Shanxi Province. Cotton lint yield and lint percent showed increasing trends with 3. 384kg. ha-1. year-1and 0. 1002% per year, respectively. The lint yield of varieties released in 1990s increased by 17. 73 %, 13. 3 %, 10. 75 %, 7. 13 % compared with1950s, 60s, 70s, 80s, respectively. The yield increase was caused by lint percent and boil numbers/plant increased. The lint yield was correlated with lint percent significantly (r = 0. 7003 ** ), lint percent is the greatest contribution to lint yield (path coefficient: P3y= 0. 5810; bolls/plant: P1y= 0. 2858; boll weight: P2y = 0.1326), cotton fiber qualities were improved, fiber length and strength increased, fiber strength is weak positive correlated with lint yield (r = 0. 1165), and weak positive correlated with lint percent (r= 0. 3073 ). The seed index of new varieties is smaller fiber index is bigger than the old varieties. The pedigree analysis of varieties showed that 55% was derived from Deltdpine15, 20% from Stoneville, 15 % from Uganda cotton, 10% from Foster cotton. We suggest that lint yield increase through selecting high lint percent maintaining boil weight and boil numbers/plant; strengthen fiber strength selection,broaden cotton germplasm resource with new techniques such as distant hybrid, gene engineering, radiation, etc.


Cyberbiosecurity, the aspect of biosecurity involving the digital representation of biological data, had already been emerging as a matter of public concern even prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Key issues of concern include, among others, the privacy of patient data, the security of public health databases, the integrity of diagnostic test data, the integrity of public biological databases, the security implications of automated laboratory systems and the security of proprietary biological engineering advances. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the importance of digital resources in combatting it, concern about the potential for cyber attacks by statebased or non-state actors has been elevated. To illuminate the challenges, we focus on the cyber vulnerabilities that need to be addressed in public health activities such as disease surveillance and outbreak management. In particular, we examine cyber issues raised by the accelerated pace of development for COVID mitigations, treatments, and vaccines. Figure 1 illustrates a simplified view of key components and their interactions in this area, as well as vulnerable points where informational attacks can result in significant biosecurity consequences. In particular, the challenges that we consider here are:


In the era of knowledge innovation, this study addresses the new requirements for constructing enterprise intrapreneurial capabilities by examining existing theoretical research, using grounded theory to analyze sample data, and developing a measurement system for intrapreneurial capabilities. The results indicate that intrapreneurial capabilities are a concept model consisting of five categories: innovation, risk-taking, proactivity, resource management, and network construction. Utilizing structural equation verification, the study establishes an optimal second-order, five-factor measurement model for intrapreneurial capabilities, ultimately providing valuable insights for path selection and management in enterprise re-entrepreneurship.


Today, the world is experiencing a pandemic of a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) of probable zoonotic origin [1]. Animal pathogens are a potential driver of pandemic risk, with around 75% of emerging pathogens evolving from a zoonotic source [2]. Pandemics pose a widespread risk to humans and animals, and the effects are felt in environmental health and economic sectors [3]. Healthcare workers and scientists are at the frontline of the battle against the virus, and people around the globe are handling the situation the best they can. However, there is still no sign of decline concerning the morbidity and mortality associated with the novel coronavirus. Besides, this outbreak has created mayhem in the scientific community due to the COVID-19 intricacies. The scientific community has been experiencing a considerable negative impact from the COVID-19 outbreak, forcing the closure of universities, research centers, and laboratories. There are cancellations and postponement of most scientific events, including national and international conferences, symposiums, workshops, and training programs [4,5,6]. In addition, there are also widespread job losses and threatened livelihoods of millions as businesses struggle to cope with the lockdown put in place to control the virus.


Three copolymers based on poly(dialkoxybenzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene-biselenophene) P3a and its heteroatom(s) analogues P3b and P3c are synthesized by Stille cross-coupling to investigate the effects of the heteroatom on the optoelectronic and photovoltaic properties. Detailed characterizations of the copolymers are carried out by 1H NMR, gel permeation chromatography, UV–vis absorption spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. Optical absorption spectra reveal that the presence of biselenophene moiety in the copolymer P3a shows red-shifted absorption (band gap 1.82 eV) compared to bithiophene containing copolymer P3b (band gap 1.91 eV), while band gap of bifuran containing copolymer P3c is 2.05 eV. The photovoltaic devices are fabricated using the copolymers P3a–c blended with phenyl-C71-butyric acid methyl ester as an acceptor material with the device structure of indium tin oxide (ITO)/MoO3/active layer/Al. The power conversion efficiency is gradually increased with the replacement of furan by thiophene and furthermore thiophene by selenophene, respectively, due to increment in J sc. Density functional theory calculations are studied on these three copolymers to understand the trends of energy levels and throughout compared with experimental data where applicable. The strategy has advantage of different aromaticities of heterocyclic rings combining with electronegativities and polarizabilities of the heteroatom(s) to allow the band gap engineering and tunability of photovoltaic performances.


A Sorbex-type SMB separation instrument was operated for the separation of mixtures of 2-phenyl ethanol and 3-phenyl-1-propanol on a series of eight columns packed with Zorbax C18 bonded silica, using a 60:40 (v/v) solution of methanol and water as the mobile phase. The experiments were carried out with low-concentration mixtures under linear conditions. The elution profiles of both compounds between any two successive columns of the set under steady-state conditions were recorded while compositions of the raffinate and extract were measured. The four safety margin factors, β j , were divided into two groups: β 1 and β 4 ; β 2 and β 3 with different influence. Within the framework of the linear, ideal model of chromatography, a range of flow rates enables an SMB to operate successfully by completely separating the feed into its two components. The influence of different flow rates on the performance of the separator was studied by calculations and experiments with excellent agreement between both sets. With a simple optimization strategy, the four flow rates are selected to maximize the production rate or the concentration of extract and raffinate products, or to minimize the desorbent consumption. These optimum conditions are obtained by controlling the locations of concentration profiles inside the SMB. A reliable model for SMB operation allows a rapid and easy selection of the optimum experimental conditions.


therapist, music, and patient. Music therapists who are trained specialists continually assess the patient's ongoing responses to a given musical selection, and modify the musical stimulus accordingly. Third, the methodology mentions nothing about the selection of musical content, a critical factor in any music therapist's treatment protocol. Lastly, it is clear that music therapists were not consulted before the article was published. I can assure you that there are many music therapists who are experts in medical settings, and would be qualified to review articles of this type.


In this chapter the author analyzes and defines collage in some of its many forms and media. He introduces three terms (the gap, the seam, and contested space) necessary to characterize the unique aesthetics of collage. Via a review of specific artists and art historical movements he creates taxonomy that typifies three distinctive collage strategies. He extends this review into other media including artists' books, cinematic film, and digital media. In the second part of the chapter he describes the work of three artists (including the author) and their relevance to this theory of collage and scientific visualization. Following that, he reviews the use of digital software and the pedagogical implications of collage.


Objective:To investigate the frequency of variant aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) gene and its relation to primary hypertension in Chinese population.Methods:Population based case control study was conducted using PCR RELP techniques to explore the relation between aldosterone synthase gene polymorphism and primary hypertension in 211 subjects from Chinese Han nationality.Results:Both TT and CT were major frequent genotypes. The frequency of allele C was 0.24 and it was significantly lower in Chinese compared with those reported in Caucations (P 0.01 ) and in Japanese (P 0.05 ). There was no significan association between aldosterone synthase gene polymorphism and primary hypertension in the group of 211 Chinese individuals.Conclusion:There is apparent difference in the distribution of C allele frequency of CYP11B2 gene between Chinese Han nationality and other ethnic populations. No significant association is observed for aldosterone synthase allele status and primary hypertension in Chinese Han population.


adequately. It is candid and suggestive. These are considerable merits, \ although against them (as it seems to me) one has to set the fact that a j tough-minded student would probably find many of the arguments rather ; too facile, much of the analysis dubiously thorough, and certain at least of the historical statements definitely contradictory to what he might be expected to encounter at a relatively early stage of his progress. To illustrate. The transition, right at the beginning, from the social or communal character of morality to democracy and to patriotism might surely appear too facile an argument even to a beginner. Whether the opinion is correct or not, one might reasonably object to being told it as a piece of ethical dogmatics. Again, on the second point, to say that hedonism "ignores intrinsic valuation" is surely a misleading analysis. Hedonists claim that pleasure is the only intrinsic good, and consequently cannot be said to "ignore" this consideration, although Mr. Sturt may have some grounds for holding (as he does) that pleasure is "merely desirable," and that things "admirable in themselves" need have no reference to "mere desirability." On the third '•• point it might be enough to say that Mr. Sturt's statement that Sidgwick • "had only one intuition—the promotion of universal happiness," is patently : false, being directly at variance with Chapter XIII of Book III of The Methods of Ethics, and that the contrast Mr. Sturt here draws (p. 202) between Sidg' wick's one intuition and Rashdall's three is quite ridiculous in view of the : circumstance that Rashdall's list is borrowed from and identical with Sidgwick's. Since students in British Universities are commonly introduced ~ to this chapter in Sidgwick's book pretty early, their confidence in Mr. Sturt might well be shaken by a mistake of this magnitude. Moreover, they commonly read portions of Plato's Republic and of Kant's Grundlegimg pretty early also. What then are they to think when told that "if Plato had been pressed in argument concerning sex and the family he might probably have admitted that his proposals were somewhat paradoxical," when in Republic, p. 457, these proposals are definitely stated to be one of the "great waves" to be overcome? Or again, what can they think, reading Kant, when they find stated that rationalists, with the exception of Plato and of certain contemporary authors, maintain that "reason, as such, prescribes no definite line of action, neither in morals nor anywhere else?"


Let G = (V, E) be a graph with p vertices and q edges. A graph has product-set labeling if there exist an injective function f: V(G) → P (N) such that the induced edge labeling function f ∗: V(G) → P(N) is defined as f ∗ (μ ν) = f (μ) ∗ f (ν) ∀μ, ν ∈ E(G).f (μ) ∗ f (ν) = {ab: a ∈ f (μ), b ∈ f (ν) }. In this paper we investigate how product-set labeling works for the zero-divisor graph and line graph of zero-divisor graphs.


This paper reviews higher order resonance in two degrees of freedom Hamilto-
nian systems. We consider a positive semi-definite Hamiltonian around the origin.
Using normal form theory, we give an estimate of the size of the domain where
interesting dynamics takes place, which is an improvement of the one previously
known. Using a geometric numerical integration approach, we investigate this in
the elastic pendulum to find additional evidence that our estimate is sharp. In an
extreme case of higher order resonance, we show that phase interaction between
the degrees of freedom occurs on a short time-scale, although there is no energy
interchange.


The experiment was carried out at Agronomy Research field of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Joydebpur, Gazipur and Regional Agricultural Research Station, Hathazari, Chittagong to find out optimum sowing date of sunflower during rabi season 2012-13. The sunflower var. BARI Surjomukhi-2 was used. Five sowing dates; 10 November, 20 November, 30 November, 10 December and 20 December were tested. It was revealed that yield and yield attributes of sunflower were significantly influenced by sowing dates. The maximum plant height (172.13 cm), head diameter (18.33), weight of seed / per head (66 g), 1000- seed weight (68 g) and yield (2.5 t ha?1) were obtained from 20 November sowing. The lowest yield (1.83 t ha?1) was obtained from 20 December sowing. The 20 November sowing received the higher duration for maturity (127 days), first flowering (57 days) and seed formation (20 days) while 20 December sowing showed shorter duration for maturity, first flowering and seed formation of 119, 54 and 14 days respectively. It was concluded that the 20 November sowing would be the optimum time of sowing for achieving maximum yield of sunflower. Bangladesh Agron. J. 2015, 18(1): 1-5


Single‐crystal six‐horned nanospheres of Cu2O with a diameter of 760 nm in average were prepared in aqueous solution of CuCl2and NaOH by using ascorbic acid as the reductant in the presence of sodium dodecyl benzenesulfonate (SDBS) at room temperature. The horn grows along the <100> direction, which is consistent with the protuberant direction of an apex of octahedron. The formation process of six‐horned nanospheres included two steps: the formation of Cu2O nanospheres via Ostwald ripening process, and the appearance of horns on the surface of nanospheres under low concentration of SDBS. As increasing the concentration of SDBS, the six‐horned nanospheres could be transformed into octahedron‐like Cu2O. And at the same concentration of SDBS, keeping the volume ratio of water and ethanol in mixed solutions as 1:1, Cu2O octahedra were obtained. Moreover, gas‐sensing property showed that six‐horned nanospheres of Cu2O had higher sensitivity compared with Cu2O nanospheres and Cu2O octahedra to ethanol gas (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)


The study aimed to identify the misconceptions towards traditional medicine among infertile women in north Jordan. To achieve the objective of the study, the descriptive survey method was used. The study instrument (questionnaire) consisting of (14) items was distributed to a purposive sample of (162) women who attended the IVF at the King Abdullah University Hospital in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in 10/4/2022-30/6/2022. The results showed that the total degree of misconceptions towards traditional medicine among infertile women scored a mean of (1.08), indicating a small degree from their point of view. The reason for turning to traditional medicine may sometimes be that traditional medicine is available and easy to obtain and free of chemicals. Also, traditional medicine is more economical in terms of money than modern official medicine. In addition, the results showed statistically significant differences in the misconceptions towards the treatment with traditional medicine among infertile women due to the age variable in favor of the age group 20-30 years. However, no statistical differences were found according to the variables of the educational level (high school and less, university) and place of residence (countryside, city, desert).


Compulsory microchipping of dogs, TB in cats and veterinary surveillance were all considered in a forum at this year's BSAVA congress, during which delegates had the chance to put questions to the chief veterinary officers of Wales and Northern Ireland, and the deputy CVO for the UK. Kathryn Clark reports


The aim of this study is the determination of both organizational and general cynicism level on hospital employees. Within the scope of the research, a survey was carried out in two hospitals in Istanbul and Anatolia. The study includes three main sections and a conclusion. The first section examined the concepts of general cynicism and organizational cynicism. In second section, causes of organizational cynicism, its consequences and cynicism in health organizations were examined. The third section is the research and the findings were presented. Within the scope hypotheses of the research, examined the relationship between general cynicism and organizational cynicism. As a result, it is confirm that hospital employees have moderate organizational cynicism level. In addition, the determinations shows that, there is positive and weak correlation between organizational cynicism and general cynicism.


We develop theory for a two-component miscible dipolar condensate in a planar trap. Using numerical so-lutions and a variational theory we solve for the excitation spectrum and identify regimes where density- and spin-roton excitations are favored. We characterize the various instabilities that can emerge in this system over a wide parameter regime and present results for the stability phase diagram. Importantly this allows us to identify the parameter regimes where a novel roton-immiscibility transition can occur, driven by the softening of the spin roton excitation.


As the strengthened reinforcing steel of asphalt concrete,polyester fiber can improve the mechanics capability of asphalt pavement and possesses the characters of high temperature stability,well rupturing stretch ratio and producing great cohesion to prevent concrete crack. The low temperature mechanism indicates the capability of low temperature anti-cracking of polyester fiber is the main factor affecting temperature shrink crack. The study on appending different polyester fibers weighing content in asphalt concrete under different temperature conditions has been done to analyze the anti-cracking in pavement. The optimum weighing content and strengthening mechanism of fibers are put forward based on the splitting experiment.


This research is focused on the quality of education as the fundamental goal of the study, and Nepalese youths are taken into consideration to evaluate their quality of education. In this internet era, the use of social networking services has become an essential activity in our daily lives, especially among the younger generation where its affects can be found in nearly every aspect of their lives. The use of social networking services has been an important activity of our daily routine. Social network services are extensively used by the majority of people nowadays for various purposes [1]. The use of SNS is dramatically increasing among youths. This research has analyzed the effectiveness of SNS on youth education as an important tool to adopt educational resources.As a research framework; this research has analyzed the behavior of youths by using different social networking services (SNS) and has examined its impact on their education as an effective tool for study. The negative aspects of SNS cannot be neglected, but this research focused more on the positive effects of SNS on their daily lives and on the education of youths. This research has been divided into three different phases: the first phase is to focus on analysis, the second phase is to conduct a case study and the third phase is to conduct an evaluation with its different data.


Tourism represents one of the most prosperous sources of income in Greece and its contribution to the country's GDP is acknowledged by all economic factors. To this day, however, a stable and reliable educational-vocational system in the field of tourism has yet to be developed. Τhe country makes constant efforts to improve the education provided in this department, without having a clear orientation. The present study aims to analyze the course of the public education of tourism over time, whilst indicating the weaknesses of the corresponding policy and providing relevant suggestions to the topic.


This research aims at providing policy implications for building effective urban collaborative governance system based on case analyses of two mixed use commercial developments: Times Square in Yungdeungpo-Gu, Seoul and Americana at Brand in Glendale, California. As an analyzing framework the collaborative governance model developed by Ansell and Gash (2007) is employed to examine leadership, institutional mechanism, and the process of dialogue, trust-building, and interest sharing. It is concluded that the role of local council has been so crucial as a major actor and mediator for the American case solving conflicts related to traffic congestion and expected sales decrease in nearby markets. On the other hand the local council of Yungdengpo-Ku, Seoul has played a minimal role with many conflicts among stake holders still unresolved. It seems urgent to reinforce transparency in decision-making process in a Korean case by benchmarking the open, formal and multi-directional interactive mechanism of the American case in order to minimize conflicts and maximize mutual trust. Based on these case analyses the public-private partnership used for Americana at Brand project is evaluated to be more effective than the market oriented mechanism of Times Square project in encouraging better partnership among stake holders and producing more social benefits.


The item development, reliability, and validity of a scale to measure attitude toward reading among elementary school pupils are described. Results suggest that this scale will yield accurate and valid indications of reading attitude for third, fourth, and fifth-grade pupils.


Reinforcement learning can lead to autonomous behavior depending on the environment. However, in complex and high-dimensional environments, such as real environments, a large number of trials are required for learning. In this paper, we propose a solution for the learning problem using local learning to select an action based on the surrounding environmental information. Simulation experiments were conducted using maze problems, pitfall problems, and environments with random agents. The actions that did not contribute to task accomplishment were compared between the proposed method and ordinary reinforcement learning method.


Timely maintenance and accurate fault prediction of rotating machinery are essential for ensuring system availability, minimizing downtime, and contributing to sustainable production. This paper proposes a novel approach based on long-range dependence (LRD) and particle filter (PF) for degradation trend prediction of rotating machinery, taking the rolling bearing as an example. In this work, the degradation prediction is evaluated based on two health indicators time series; i.e., equivalent vibration severity (EVI) time series and kurtosis time series. Specifically, the degradation trend prediction issues here addressed have the following two distinctive features: (i) EVI time series with weak LRD property and (ii) kurtosis time series with sharp transition points (STPs) in the forecasted region. The core idea is that the parameters distribution of the LRD model can be updated recursively by the particle filter algorithm; i.e., the parameters degradation of the LRD model are restrained, and thus the prognostic results could be generated real-time, wherein the initial LRD model is designed randomly. The prediction results demonstrate that the significant improvements in prediction accuracy are obtained with the proposed method compared to some state-of-the-art approaches such as the autoregressive–moving-average (ARMA) model and the fractional order characteristic (FOC) model, etc.


Two coupled nonlinear equations are derived describing the evolution of two broader bandwidth surface gravity wave packets propagating in two different directions in deep water. The equations, being derived for broader bandwidth wave packets, are applicable to more realistic ocean wave spectra in crossing sea states. The two coupled evolution equations derived here have been used to investigate the instability of two uniform wave trains propagating in two different directions. We have shown in figures the behaviour of the growth rate of instability of these uniform wave trains for unidirectional as well as for bidirectional perturbations. The figures drawn here confirm the fact that modulational instability in crossing sea states with broader bandwidth wave packets can lead to the formation of freak waves.


This textbook deals with the management of wounds treated by clinicians. A wide spectrum of acute and chronic wounds is covered including pressure ulcers, neuropathic ulcers, vascular ulcers and burn injuries. The text is divided into sections, developing understanding of the intergumentary system, normal and abnormal healing, examination of the patient, examination of the wound, and how to document patient interaction. Chapters also discuss each type of intervention such as debridgement, dressings, physical agents and care for the surrounding skin. In addition, administrative issues and their impact on wound management are covered.


The results of geochemical and isotopic analyses are discussed for groundwater samples obtained from five mines and several shallow wells in the Sudbury Basin. Mine samples were usually obtained from abandoned diamond drill holes or fractures, which were found from depths of 152–1219 m (500–4000 ft). Two very distinctive water types are recognized in the subsurface environment. Fresh to brackish waters were found from surface to approximately 800 m (2600 ft) in depth. However, below 914 m (3000 ft) very saline or briny waters occur at most of the localities sampled. The geochemistry of the shallow waters shows gradual increases in concentration for most elements; locally effects from the proximity of sulphide ores or drill hole grouting were observed. Isotopic data (2H, 18O, and tritium) indicate that the major component of these waters is less than 30 years of age and represents local meteoric waters. The saline waters have dissolved loads often in excess of 200 g∙L−1 and are dominated by calcium and chl...


The title compound, C14H13N3O2.2H(2)O, displays a trans configuration with respect to the C=N double bond. In the crystal structure, the mol-ecules are linked through weak inter-molecular O-(HO)-O-... and O-(HN)-N-... hydrogen bonds, forming a network structure.


Submitted for the DFD05 Meeting of The American Physical Society Renormalized Numerical Simulation of Flow in Fractal Porous Media1 SAIKIRAN RAPAKA, CHARLES MENEVEAU, SHIYI CHEN, Johns Hopkins University — We present a new technique for modeling flow in fractal porous media using the idea of downscaling, as opposed to traditional upscaling. Only the large scale features of the domain are resolved and the information from the simulation of large scales is used to compute contributions from the smaller scales. The procedure is carried out iteratively, adding finer scales at every iteration. The permeability field is updated at every iteration based on information about the geometry of the finer scales. This method allows us to compute effective permeabilities for complex geometries without the need to resolve numerically the fine scales. The results of this approach are compared to full simulations for a set of simple fractal structures with different porosities. It is shown this method gives a high accuracy for these systems. We also compare the final permeability fields to those obtained from traditional upscaling methods. 1Work supported by NSF (CMG) Charles Meneveau Johns Hopkins University Date submitted: 09 Aug 2005 Electronic form version 1.4


Numerous studies have established the relationships between working memory (WM), rapid automatized naming speed, reading comprehension, calculation, and word problem solving (WPS). However, there is limited research on the differential effects of the WM components (central executive, phonological loop, visual-spatial sketchpad) on WPS, and how speed, reading, calculation, and knowledge of word problem components mediate that relationship. The sample consisted of 413 between ages 6-10 (M = 8.38, SD = .51). The results yielded three important findings: 1) without any mediators, the phonological loop was the best predictor of WPS; 2) when other variables were entered into the model, reading and calculation were the strongest direct predictors of WPS; 3) results of the mediation model showed that speed mediated the relationship between the central executive component of WM and WPS, while reading mediated the relationship between the central executive and phonological loop and WPS. The educational implications of these findings are discussed.


This paper considers the pattern matching of images in which, originally, the boundary has central symmetry which is made incomplete by defects and noises. A detection method for the centroid of symmetry is proposed. In the proposed method, the boundary is rotated by 180° to match itself (self-matching of the boundary), thereby detecting the centroid by utilizing all position information of the pixels on the boundary. When the defects are assumed, methods such as tracing cannot be applied directly to the extraction of the boundary, and a simple scheme is employed which scans the image in parallel to the coordinate axis. The effect of the spurious information produced by the scanning is eliminated by using the histogram as the measure of the boundary matching. The effect of the missing information is eliminated by superposing the histogram, which is obtained by scanning in the direction perpendicular to the original scanning, to the original histogram. The proposed method is applied to collation of seal impressions. It was verified that the positioning is performed within the error of one pixel for the ordinary defect of the impression frame and the partial defect of the frame due to the noise by background and fibrous padding material. It was also verified that a processing with practically sufficient speed can be realized. The proposed method will also be applied effectively to the positioning of the images with partial central symmetry, such as a circular component with a protrusion.


Issues related to law enforcement interactions with individuals with disabilities, communication impairments, and/or limited English language proficiency can have deleterious effects due to possible communication breakdowns. These populations are significantly more likely to be victims of a crime and are more likely to have interactions with law enforcement officers than those without disabilities. Difficulties may be encountered due to limited training and resources available to law enforcement and a lack of public awareness on the topic. This article calls upon professionals in communication sciences and disorders to raise awareness among the patients/clients and families they serve and calls on law enforcement to provide trainings, education, and exposure to various de-escalation techniques to support officers dealing with these vulnerable populations.


From the aqueous extract (Pc) of Petroselinum crispum (Mill) flat leaves specimens were isolated and identified the flavonoids apigenin (1), apigenin-7-O-glucoside or cosmosiin (2), apigenin-7-O-apiosyl-(1→2)-O-glucoside or apiin (3) and the coumarin 2″,3″-dihydroxy-furanocoumarin or oxypeucedanin hydrate (4). The inhibitory activity toward clotting formation and platelet aggregation was assessed for Pc flavonoids (1) and (2), and the coumarin (4). Pc showed no inhibition on clotting activity when compared with the control. On the other hand, a strong antiplatelet aggregation activity was observed for Pc (IC50 = 1.81 mg/mL), apigenin (IC50 = 0.036 mg/mL) and cosmosiin (IC50 = 0.18 mg/mL). In all cases ADP was used as inductor of platelet aggregation. Our results showed that Pc, apigenin and cosmosiin interfere on haemostasis inhibiting platelet aggregation. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report for the cosmosiin antiplatelet aggregation in vitro activity.


The data of the present paper were obtained in an endeavor to de termine the effect which some alkalis may exert upon the hyperglycaemia called forth by carbon monoxide poisoning. Normal rabbits of good nutrition served as experimental animals. CO gas was ad ministered hypodermically. Alkali solutions, n/3 disodium phosphate, n/5 sodium hydro xide, 4% sodium carbonate or 4% sodium bicarbonate, were intravenously applied. Blood sugar was estimated by the Bang's micromethod of 1920, and sugar in urine by Bertrand. The data on the normal rabbits, given in the previous communication,1) may serve as the control for the present results.


A new approach to improve cellulase stability in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Bmim][Cl]), based on covalently binding the N-terminal α-amino acid residue of commercial cellulase to mPEG-ALD (monomethoxyl-polyethylene glycol aldehyde), is proposed. N-terminal PEGylated cellulase (Cell-ALD) was obtained by using mPEG-ALD as a modifier and by controlling the reaction pH in the range of 4–5. The stability of Cell-ALD was first studied in different concentrations of [Bmim][Cl] at 50 °C and 80 °C. The thermal stability of Cell-ALD was obviously enhanced, and was affected by the molecular weight of mPEG-ALD and the degree of modification (DM). mPEG-ALD 5k (an average molecular weight of 5000 Daltons) increased the stability of the enzyme at 50 °C by more than 30 times compared with the unmodified cellulase in 25% [Bmim][Cl] which behaves as a powerful enzyme deactivating agent. Thus, a stabilized Cell-ALD has been successfully used for the saccharification of dissolved cellulose in [Bmim][Cl] (i.e. up to 95% hydrolysis in 24 h) at 50 °C.


DNA is the genetic material of majority of all well-defined organisms. In the field of molecular biology, one of the most important procedure is DNA isolation. Genotyping is the process of determining the genes (genotype) of an individual by examining the individual's DNA sequence on the basis of biological assays. There are several different DNA isolation procedures and for choosing the right one depends on the species, the DNA is being isolated from. There is no one "best" procedure because each species' cells have unique properties that require different methods to release the DNA. In this study, there are different DNA extraction methods to be assessed and to be determined which one is best suited to recover DNA from blood. These procedures does not contain any contaminating agents like proteins & hemoglobins, organic solvents or chaotropic salts like phenol, chloroform, isoamylalcohol & enzymes like Proteinase-K, Pronase that could interfere in the genetic analysis methods to follow like DNA Quantification, RE digestion, Southern Blotting, PCR Amplications, RFLP Analysis & DNA sequencing. The "Alternate Protocols" developed, when compared with the reference protocols employs inexpensive, non-hazardous reagents and yields intact DNA of (30-50µg) from as little as 300 µL of human blood. The Alternate protocol-12 –'Rapid & Non-Enzymatic method of DNA isolation'- based on the principle of Salting out, completely eliminates the use of hazardous chemicals like Phenol, Chloroform & Isoamylalcohol. It avoids prolonged digestion of samples with Proteinase-K & can be completed within 65 minutes of incubation period. It showed concentration of 100-150 µg of DNA isolated from 1ml of blood & sufficient high purity of 1.5-1.8, suitable for genotyping.


Objective: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory arthritis associated with psoriasis. Individuals with PsA have an increased cardiovascular mortality rate compared with the general population. The aim of our study was to search for correlation between subclinical atherosclerosis (defined as carotid intima-media thicker than 0.9 mm or presence of plaque) and traditional cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia and smoking) and some unconventional risk factors such as serum uric acid and markers of inflammation (CRP and SR). Design and method: We studied 20 patients with PsA. They were compared to 30 hypertensive patients with one or more additional cardiovascular risk factor. Patients with evident history, signs and symptoms of atherosclerotic disease were excluded. All patients were asked about their awareness and duration of PsA, hypertension, diabetes and smoking. Fasting blood samples for glucose, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, uric acid, CRP and SR were collected. A carotid B – mode ultrasound for measurement of the intima- media thickness (IMT) and detection of atherosclerotic plaques was done to all 50 patients. Results: Despite of their better CV risk profile and on the background of chronic inflammation, patients with PsA had higher values of IMT, compared to the hypertensive controls (0.098 cm vs 0.084 cm for the left commonn carotid artery and 0.106 cm vs 0.083 cm for the right one). The differences had statistical signifficance. PsA patients also had higher presence of atherosclerotic plaque −27.6% vs. 22.2% in the hypertensive group, but the difference was not statistically significant. The correlation analysis in the group of patients with PsA showed statistically significant correlation between age, duration of the PsA, uric acid and number of affected joints and IMT. In the group of hypertensive patients statistically significant correlation was found between age and duration of hypertension and IMT. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that patients with PsA have a high prevalence of increased carotid artery IMT, compared with matched hypertensive controls. It highlights the fact that it is the burden of inflammation (duration of disease and number of affected joints), not just evidence of inflammation at one point, which is important.


The inevitable vibration caused by normal operation of the spacecraft in orbit will interfere sensitive instruments, such as space telescope, reconnaissance camera, space interferometer. Serious vibrations affect the accuracy and reliability of the sensitive instruments, even cause flight mission failed. This paper presents a hybrid 6-DOF vibration isolation platform (HVIP) with six degree-of-freedom for active vibration isolation of the space sensitive instruments. The HVIP is composed of three orthogonal vibration isolation module, which composed of the active piezoelectric actuator and passive rubber isolator. The dynamic model of the HVIP is established based Lagrange equation approach. Finally, the numerical simulations are performed to verify the vibration isolation effect of the HVIP.


Longitudinal optical phonons have been used to interpret the electronic energy relaxation in quantum dots and at the same time they served as a reservoir, with which the electronic subsystem is in contact. Such a phonon subsystem is expected to be passive, namely, in a long-time limit the whole system should be able to achieve such a stationary state, in which statistical distributions of both subsystems do not change in time. We pay attention to this property of the LO phonon bath. We show the passivity property of the so far used approximations to electronic transport in quantum dots. Also we show a way how to improve the passivity of LO phonon bath using canonical Lang-Firsov transformation.