BACKGROUND
Impression cytology (IC) is a noninvasive technique in which filters are used to sample superficial layers of ocular epithelium.

OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to compare cytology specimens obtained by IC and cytobrush from healthy canine and feline eyes.

METHODS
Dogs and cats were prospectively sampled using polytetrafluorethylene filters on the right eye, and cytobrush on the left eye. Wright-Giemsa-stained specimens were evaluated by 2 observers. Cellularity, preservation, and morphology of cells and presence of goblet and inflammatory cells were scored with a 4-grade scale. Inter-observer agreement and effects of topical anesthesia were analyzed.

RESULTS
In 20 canine IC samples, 10 showed good cellularity (score 2-3) and 13 good preservation. Superficial epithelial cells (SEC) were present in 13/20 of IC, while basal-intermediate cells (BIC) were seen in 14/20. In 6/20 and 7/20, goblet and inflammatory cells were noted, respectively. In 20 cats, 15 of IC showed good cellularity and 14 good preservation, and SEC were present in 16/20 of IC and BIC in 17/20. In 13/20 and 3/20 cats, goblet cells and inflammatory cells were noted, respectively. Canine cytobrush specimens appeared well preserved (9/20) and had good cellularity (8/20). In feline cytobrush specimens, good preservation and cellularity were observed in 16/20 and 14/20, respectively. In both species, all cell types were present without a clear separation. There was moderate to fair agreement about cellular morphology in IC between observers. Specimens obtained with and without anesthesia were comparable.

CONCLUSION
Impression cytology allowed collection of samples with maintained cytoarchitecture, while cytoplasmatic and nuclear details were often difficult to evaluate.


A polarized guide-collection-mode near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) technique was used to characterize clearly the periodic intensity modulation and multimode propagation within a polymeric optical waveguide by selecting the polarization component. The polarized NSOM technique revealed that the periodic intensity modulation along the waveguide axis has a polarization property whose electric vector is perpendicular to the waveguide axis, and that the period of intensity modulation nearly equals the wavelength inside the waveguide. The intensity modulation originates from a standing wave caused by a resonator formed between the entrance and exit facets.


Axillary node dissection was performed in 212 patients with malignant melanoma. For 212 initial dissections plus 49 repeat procedures (261 operations), wound infection occurred in 25 (10%) and arm edema in 10 (4%), with other complications being infrequent. The arm edema resolved promptly and completely six (2%) patients after elevation of the arm, while four (2%) patients have had permanent, moderate edema. The estimated 5-year survival rate for patients with clinically and histologically negative nodes was 74%. Among those with histologically positive nodes, when the nodes were not palpable, this rate was 73%; when the nodes were palpable and less than 2 cm in diameter, it was 46%; when they were palpable and 2 to 4 cm in diameter, it was 22%; when the nodes were larger than 4 cm in diameter, it was 18%; and when the nodes were fixed, it was 13%. The 5-year survival rate for 17 patients with positive nodes above the level of the axillary vein was 18%; 1 of 6 patients with resection of the axillary vein due to involvement is disease-free 57 months later. In patients who developed recurrence, further resection when feasible resulted in 13% of these patients being disease-free 5 years after the original axillary dissection.


Mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) have been identified in 10-20% of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC), specifically lung adenocarcinomas. However, these mutations have rarely been reported in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC). Treatment for SCLC and LUSC patients has not yet been established. We present a rare case of p.A864V mutation in Exon 21 of EGFR gene in a patient with both SCLC and LUSC, which is the first case of such mutation type in lung cancer in the world. The patient was a 55-year-old female nonsmoker with stage IV SCLC and LUSC, gene sequencing revealed EGFR gene mutation, she refused EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) targeted therapy and received conservative treatment, which led to disease progression. In conclusion, clinicians should be aware of the possibility of the rare EGFR mutations. Platinum-based chemotherapy can be treated for SCLC and LUSC patients.


Water security is a crucial issue for Pakistan due to its heavy dependence on agriculture and limited water resources. The country has been facing multiple challenges in managing its water resources, including population growth, climate change, and water pollution. Among these challenges, floods pose a significant threat to Pakistan's water security, as they not only cause significant damage to infrastructure but also have long-term impacts on water availability and quality. This paper examines the impacts of floods on Pakistan's water security and highlights the key factors that contribute to the country's vulnerability to flooding. The paper reviews the existing literature on Pakistan's water resources and flood management strategies and identifies gaps in knowledge and policy. It also analyzes the socioeconomic impacts of floods on the local communities and the wider economy, emphasizing the role of water security in achieving sustainable development.The findings of this study suggest that Pakistan needs to adopt a holistic approach to water management that takes into account the complex interplay of factors that affect water security. This approach should involve the development of sustainable water use practices, the promotion of water conservation, and the implementation of effective flood management strategies. The study concludes that addressing Pakistan's water security challenges requires a coordinated effort by the government, civil society, and private sector, and calls for the development of a national water policy that prioritizes water security and sustainability.


Useful information for radar image interpretation and classification may be derived from a texture-based analysis, since their intrinsic spatial variability or texture is a valuable feature for discrimination among different regions. In the paper four different texture classification algorithms are described. The first two follow a structural approach to texture analysis and are based on the spectral texture properties detected from the Fourier spectrum. The last two are based on statistical texture properties, regarding texture as a two-dimensional random field defined by a suitable autoregressive model. These algorithms have been applied to meteorological images from a dual linear-polarisation radar and provided good results.


A single graphene layer is superior many ways preferably in electronic devices application. However, mild modification of the graphene network could open a new potential to the ultrathin graphene membrane. Moreover, recent studies demonstrated that a few simple techniques could generate and control the nanopores size on single layer graphene sheet simultaneously. This review paper will discuss all potential techniques that are capable to generate nanopores structure on the pristine single layer graphene network.


The problem of calculating expected component life under fatigue loading conditions is complicated by the fact that component loading histories contain, in many cases, cyclic loads of widely varying amplitudes. In such a case a cumulative damage model is required, in addition to a fatigue damage criterion, or life relationship, in order to compute the expected fatigue life. The traditional cumulative damage model used in design is the linear damage rule. This model, while being simple to use, can yield grossly unconservative results under certain loading conditions. Research at the NASA Lewis Research Center has led to the development of a nonlinear cumulative damage model, named the double damage curve approach (DDCA), that has greatly improved predictive capability. This model, which considers the life (or loading) level dependence of damage evolution, was applied successfully to two polycrystalline materials, 316 stainless steel and Haynes 188. The cumulative fatigue behavior of the PWA 1480 single-crystal material is currently being measured to determine the applicability of the DDCA for this material.


Abstract. Groundwater recharge is a key component of the hydrological cycle, yet its direct measurement is complex and often difficult to achieve. An alternative is its inverse estimation through a combination of numerical models and transient observations from distributed soil water monitoring stations. However, an often neglected aspect of this approach is the effect of model predictive uncertainty on simulated water fluxes. In this study, we made use of long-term soil water content measurements at 14 locations from the Austrian soil water monitoring program to quantify and compare local potential groundwater recharge rates and their temporal variability. Observations were coupled with a Bayesian probabilistic framework to calibrate the HYDRUS-1D model and assess the effect of model predictive uncertainty on long-term simulated recharge fluxes. Estimated annual potential recharge rates ranged from 44 to 1319 mm a−1 with a relative uncertainty (95 % interquantile range/median) in the estimation of between 1 % and 39 %. Recharge rates decreased longitudinally, with high rates and lower seasonality at western sites and low rates with high seasonality and extended periods without recharge at the southeastern and eastern Austrian sites. Higher recharge rates and lower actual evapotranspiration were related to sandy soils; however, climatic factors had a stronger influence on estimated potential groundwater recharge than soil properties, underscoring the vulnerability of groundwater recharge to the effects of climate change.


This paper presents a one-dimensional (1D) theoretical study on the electrochemical phenomena in the cathode dual-layer electrode of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs). Following our previous work on transport and electrochemical processes in single-layer cathodes [Y. Wang and X. H. Feng, J. Electrochem. Soc., 155, B1289 (2008)], we extend the analysis to dual-layer catalyst layers, where the electrode is characterized by a two-layer configuration with specific properties assigned to each layer. A ID model is developed, and explicit solutions are obtained for the profiles of the reaction rate and electrolyte phase potential across the dual-layer electrode. Effort is also made to analyze the solutions to explore the impacts of each layer's properties on their performance (i.e., the average reaction current in each layer) with particular focus on the ratios of the ionic conductivity (related to the ionomer content), specific area, and exchange current density (related to Pt loading and reaction interface roughness). The results can be applied to optimize electrode performance through dual-layer configuration for high-performance cost-effective electrodes for PEFCs.


The aims of this study are isolating arsenite-resistant bacteria from arsenic contaminated soil and the investigation of arsenite bioremediation efficiency by the most resistant isolates. Isolation of arsenite-resistant bacteria and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) were conducted by spread plate method and the agar dilution method on PHG-II agar plates supplemented with sodium arsenite respectively. The results showed that, 69 and 25% of arsenite resistant isolates were geram positive and negative bacilli, respectively. Its maximum MIC was 128 mM/L, which is related to such bacteria asBacillus macerans, Bacillus megaterimand Corynebacterium vitarumen. There is a significant difference (P< 0.01) between three isolates in arsenite removal potential and arsenite bioaccumulation. The maximum percentage of arsenite removal potential (92%) and arsenite bioaccumulation (36%) were related to B. macerans. The removal efficiency of arsenite for B. macerans, C. (vitaromen) and B. megaterim were 60, 43 and 38% after 48 h of growth, respectively, while after 144 h of Bacillus macerans, Corynebacterium(vitaromen) growth  and 120 h of Bacillus megaterimgrowth were 92, 80 and 73% respectively. The results also were shown the highest percentage of arsenite in biomass (36%), arsenate from oxidation (27%) were related to B. macerans, B. megaterium and B. megaterium. These results express the probability of finding more arsenic accumulating bacteria from the contaminated soil environment and can be concluded that arsenic resistant and/or accumulating bacteria, such as Bacillus sp., are widespread in the polluted soils and are valuable candidates for bioremediation of arsenic contaminated ecosystems.

 Key words: Arsenite, bacteria, bioremediation, MIC.


Recognizing naturally occurring objects has been a difficult task in computer vision. One of the keys to recognizing objects is the development of a suitable model. One type of model, the frat-tal, has been used successfully to model complex Fractals have also been used in computer vision, although not as widely, to model and recognize natural scenes [5, 6, 71. However, the use of fractal models for recognition of single osjects, such as plants and flowers, has been relativcly un-explored. natural objects. A class of fractals, the L-system, has not only been used to model natural plants, but has also aided in their recognition[l]. This research extends the work in plant recognition using L-systems in two ways. Stochastic L-systems are used to model and generate more realistic plants. Furthermore, to handle the complexity of recognition, a learning system is used that automatically generates a decision tree for classification. Results indicate that the approach used here has great po-tential as a method for recognition of natural objects.


The combustion instability was experimentally investigated in model gas turbine combustor with dual swirl burner. When such instability occurs, a strong coupling between pressure oscillation and unsteady heat release excites a self-sustained acoustic wave which results in a loud sound, and can even cause fatal damage to the combustor and entire system. In present study, to understand the combustion instability with a premixed mixture, the detailed periods of pressure and heat release data in unstable flame mode were investigated by various measurement methods at relatively rich condition and lean condition near flammable limits. Also, to prepare the utilization of synthetic natural gas (SNG) fuel in gas turbine system, an investigation was conducted using a simulated SNG including methane as a reference fuel to examine the effects of H₂content on flame stability. These results provide that the instability due to flash-back behaviour like CIVB phenomenon occurred at rich condition, while the repetition of relighting and extinction caused the oscillation of lean condition near flammable limit. From the analysis of H₂content effects, it is also confirmed that the instability frequency is proportional to the laminar burning velocity at both rich and lean condition.


For a binary liquid mixture of hard discs well above the freezing density of the one-component liquid the size dependence of the self-diffusion coefficients of small and large particles is calculated by molecular dynamics simulation. The observed size effect can be satisfactorily explained by the size-dependent cut-off of long-wavelength fluctuations of transverse collective flow and gives no indication of the importance of more `cooperative' processes at high densities.


The challenge presented in this paper is to obtain a human-like individual behavior model by using participatory modeling technology in the traffic domain. We show a methodology that can elicit prior knowledge for explaining human driving behavior in specific environments, and then construct a driving behavior model based on of a set of prior knowledge. Since, in the real world, human drivers often perform unintentional actions, and occasionally they have no logical reason for their driving actions, we are forced to construct a behavior model with an insufficient amount of prior knowledge. To construct an individual driving behavior model with insufficient knowledge, we take the approach of using knowledge from others to complement the lack of knowledge from oneself.


Enzymatic synthesis of short-chain esters (flavours) might enable their labelling as natural, increasing their value. Covalently immobilised Rhizopus oryzae lipase (EO-proROL) was used to synthesise isoamyl butyrate and acetate. In cyclohexane, the best performer reaction solvent, 1.8 times higher yield of isoamyl butyrate (ca. 100%) than isoamyl acetate (ca. 55%) was obtained. Optimum initial acid concentration (410 mM) and acid:alcohol mole ratio (0.5) were established by a central composite rotatable design to maximise isoamyl butyrate single-batch and cumulative production with reused enzyme. These conditions were used to scale up the esterification (150 mL) and to assess yield, initial esterification rate, productivity and enzyme operational stability. Commercial isoamyl alcohol and fusel oil results were found to be similar as regards yield (91% vs. 84%), initial reaction rate (5.4 µM min–1 with both substrates), operational stability (40% activity loss after five runs with both) and productivity (31.09 vs. 28.7 mM h–1). EO-proROL specificity for the structural isomers of isoamyl alcohol was also evaluated. Thus, a successful biocatalyst and product conditions ready to be used for isoamyl ester industrial production are here proposed.


The metabolic and hormonal adaptation of the maternal organism in pregnancy, the glucose dependency of the fetus, the adaptation of the fetus to the pregnancy and the clinical consequences of the adaptation are important aspects of pregnancy in diabetics. Hyperglycemia in the mother possibly leads to a fetal anoxia by reducing the oxygen in the maternal hemoglobin and at the same time to a hyperglycemia of the fetus which causes hyperinsulinism. The consequences of hyperinsulinism are, inter alia, adiposity and respiratory insufficiency in the child due to hyaline membranes. Insulin treatment of the mother before and during pregnancy in order to normalize the blood sugar level is consequently absolutely essential to prevent such complications.


In this work, an optical short pulse generator is designed consisting of a pulse compressor and cascaded notch filter type repetition rate doublers. The performance characteristics such as pulsewidth and peak power as a function of design parameters are studied. The pulse compressor is optimized based on the simulation results. The 6-ps-wide pulses at 20-GHz repetition rate directly generated from mode-locked fiber laser are compressed to 1.25-ps-wide pulses. Using a set of polarization-maintaining fiber loop mirrors, the repetition rate is quadrupled and stable 1.45-ps-wide pulses at 80 GHz are achieved.


Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the multinational oil companies' (MOCs) corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in Nigeria. Its special focus is to investigate the impact of the global memorandum of understanding (GMoU) on women involved in offshore and inshore fisheries entrepreneurship in the coastal communities of the Niger Delta region. Design/methodology/approach – This paper adopts a survey research technique, aimed at gathering information from a representative sample of the population, as it is essentially cross-sectional, describing and interpreting the current situation. A total 800 respondents were sampled across the coastal communities of the Niger Delta region. Findings – The results from the use of a combined propensity score matching (PSM) and logit model indicate that the GMoU model is gender insensitive as extensive inequality restrains fisherwomen's participation in the offshore and inshore fisheries entrepreneurship, often due to societal norms and customs that greatly frustrate women's development in fisheries. Practical implication – This implies that if fisherwomen continue in this unfavourable position, their reliance on menfolk would remain while trying to access financial support and decision making regarding fisheries entrepreneurship development. Social implications – The inshore and offshore fisheries entrepreneurship development can only succeed if cluster development boards (CDBs) of GMoUs are able to draw all the resources and talents and if fisherwomen are able to participate fully in the GMoUs intervention plans and programme. Originality/value – This research contributes to the gender debate in fisheries entrepreneurship development from a CSR perspective in developing countries and rationale for demands for social projects by host communities. It concludes that business has an obligation to help in solving problems of public concern, and that CSR priorities in subSaharan Africa should be aimed toward addressing the peculiarity of the socio-economic development challenges of the countries and be informed by socio-cultural influences.


Nowadays, recommendation systems are a central component in a wide range of online services. One major challenge for them is to generate suitable recommendations for individual users who differ, among other things, in their interests and preferences. In this paper, we propose a deep learning-based product-to-product recommendation system that uses product embeddings to incorporate content-based product information and user data in form of historical checkouts. On top of that, we add a filter that rearranges the models' recommendations based on the individual user preferences to a product category that is derived from past activities. In order to evaluate and show the impact of our approach, we conduct tests on historical data and an A/B-test in a real online service that offers thousands of different customer packaged goods (CPG) to millions of users. The results show that our approach delivers suitable product recommendations to users and outperforms the current system in use.


ABSTRACT Quotas are the most disputed instrument to promote equal representation of women. Today, political parties in more than 90 democracies apply them. Essentially, gender quotas are a manipulation of the electoral rules. Scholars of legislative politics have created an impressive knowledge of the effect of electoral rules on political behaviour. So far, this literature remains unconnected to the literature on gender quotas. Our study contributes to closing that research gap.


In this paper, we provide conceptional explanations for the geodesic and Jacobi field correspondences for homothetic navigation, and then let them guide us to the shortcuts to some well known flag curvature and S-curvature formulas. They also help us directly see the local correspondence between isoparametric functions or isoparametric hypersurfaces, which generalizes the classification works of Q. He and her coworkers for isoparametric hypersurfaces in Randers space forms and Funk spaces.


Gene expression regulation is gated by promoter methylation states modulating transcription factor binding. The known DNA methylation/unmethylation mechanisms are sequence unspecific, but different cells with the same genome have different methylomes. Thus, additional processes bringing specificity to the methylation/unmethylation mechanisms are required. Searching for such processes, we demonstrated that CpG methylation states are influenced by the sequence context surrounding the CpGs. We used such a property to develop a CpG methylation motif discovery algorithm. The newly discovered motifs reveal "methylation/unmethylation factors" that could recruit the "methylation/unmethylation machinery" to the loci specified by the motifs. Our methylation motif discovery algorithm provides a synergistic approach to the differently methylated region algorithms. Since our algorithm searches for commonly methylated regions inside the same sample, it requires only a single sample to operate. The motifs that were found discriminate between hypomethylated and hypermethylated regions. The hypomethylation-associated motifs have a high CG content, their targets appear in conserved regions near transcription start sites, they tend to co-occur within transcription factor binding sites, they are involved in breaking the H3K4me3/H3K27me3 bivalent balance, and they transit the enhancers from repressive H3K27me3 to active H3K27ac during ES cell differentiation. The new methylation motifs characterize the pluripotent state shared between ES and iPS cells. Additionally, we found a collection of motifs associated with the somatic memory inherited by the iPS from the initial fibroblast cells, thus revealing the existence of epigenetic somatic memory on a fine methylation scale.


A simple two-dimensional rod and pivot model is proposed for the mechanical structure of the lamprey, each pivot being controlled by a muscle segment attached via perpendicular extensions to the two rods. The elastic and viscous properties of the body tissues (including muscle) are described as linear functions of the relative displacement and angular velocity of the rods at each pivot. The contractile properties of the muscle are introduced as time-dependent forcing torques at the pivots, which are generated by a travelling wave of activation. The angles between the rods at each pivot are used as adapted coordinates, and the equations of motion are linearized by assuming low curvature dynamics, corresponding to slow swimming speeds. Investigation of these equations with varying viscous and elastic parameters leads to a reconstruction of a lamprey viewed in motion on a smooth flat surface out of water. The most striking feature is of an apparently standing wave motion, which is indeed observed in the real animal but which on careful examination in the model corresponds to a travelling wave of varying amplitude.


The project PLAnetary Transits and Oscillations of stars (PLATO) is one of the selected medium class (M class) missions in the framework of the ESA Cosmic Vision 2015-2025 program. The mean scientific goal of PLATO is the discovery and study of extrasolar planetary systems by means of planetary transits detection. The opto mechanical subsystem of the payload is made of 32 normal telescope optical units (N-TOUs) and 2 fast telescope optical units (FTOUs). The optical configuration of each TOU is an all refractive design based on six properly optimized lenses. In the current baseline, in front of each TOU a Suprasil window is foreseen. The main purposes of the entrance window are to shield the following lenses from possible damaging high energy radiation and to mitigate the thermal gradient that the first optical element will experience during the launch from ground to space environment. In contrast, the presence of the window increases the overall mass by a non-negligible quantity. We describe here the radiation and thermal analysis and their impact on the quality and risks assessment, summarizing the trade-off process with pro and cons on having or dropping the entrance window in the optical train.


The purpose of the present research is to optimize the use of the data available at the Speech-and-Language in Autism Spectrum Disorders Research Laboratory, after 25 years of assessment and intervention with children and adolescents with ASD. The data about over 400 individuals regarding their social demographic characteristics, and adherence to speech-language therapy may provide important data to guarantee the provision of SLP services to children with autism spectrum disorders. The fact that boys seem to get to the service earlier and stay longer than girls must be addressed, in order to guarantee to the female population the same kind of opportunities provided to males.


ABSTRACT American museums were great supporters and partners for cultural diplomacy during the Cold War and concurrently expanded their expertise into the area of cultural relations. In the post-9/11 era, with the rise of soft power and new public diplomacy, there have been changes in the added expectations for museums' role in cultural diplomacy to move more toward the community engagement model from the traditional exhibit-oriented model. This research studies the historical overview of museums' efforts in cultural diplomacy and investigates the changes in directions and actors' dynamics through two cases from the Department of State: the American Spaces program and Museums Connect. The study confirms museums are the producers of soft power for cultural diplomacy and cultural relations and demonstrates how new museology and new public diplomacy created synergy for the public-private partnership and achieves the goals of both governmental and nongovernmental actors in cultural diplomacy.


This aim of this study is to find out the optimal tax treatment that motivates donor corporations to make more monetary and in-kind donations to their communities with minimal damage to the interests of all the parties involved and the corporate social responsibility (CSR) idea. Economic impact, legal imbalances and the extent of closeness to or distance from the content of the idea of CSR are tax treatment methods used for corporate monetary and in-kind donations and to determine their advantages and disadvantages according to certain criteria to choose the optimal tax treatment method. According to the findings, the study adopts the method of government's rights and corporation's rights 'donations as if they are loans' by legislative bodies in all countries of the world due to the abundance of its advantages. This study has drawn up a draft law for this method, which could be used as a guide by the legislative bodies, if a decision is made to adopt this method.

Keywords: Tax treatment, tax incentives, advantages, disadvantages, legal imbalances, economic impacts.


Nanostructure of semiconductor materials zinc oxide (ZnO) is widely used in fabrication of solar cell devices. The performance of such devices is strongly depending on the nanostructures of the thin films used. In this paper reports the effect of growth temperature during synthesis of one-dimensional (1-D) anatase ZnO nanorod arrays through hydrothermal process facing their structure, morphology, and optical properties. The ZnO nanorod was first synthesized use the solution concentration and time fixed at 0.04M and 1 hour. The growth temperature were varied from 70, 80, 90 and 100 ° C. The effect of growth temperature on the structural, morphology, and optical absorption of ZnO nanorod were studied by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and UV–vis spectroscopy. The regularity, diameters, heights, and surface densities of the ZnO nanorods were increased with the growth temperature.The optimum results of FESEM characterizations showed that the grown ZnO nanorods have diameters of 64.14 ± 8.3 nm, heights of 363.72 ± 34 nm and surface densities of 182 numbers/µm 2 which was obtained at temperature of 90 ˚C. The optimum ZnO nanorod film was utilized as photo anode in dye sensitized solar cells. The DSSC yielded Jsc of 0.86 mA/cm 2 , Voc of 0.49 V, and FF of 38 %, resulting in PCE of 0.16 %.


BACKGROUND
Primary urinary tract lymphoma (PUTL) is an uncommon disease with only a few case reports in the literature.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Information about 1,264 patients diagnosed between 1983 and 2013 with PUTL was extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database. Kaplan-Meier curves and multivariable regression analysis were used to analyze the survival and identify prognostic factors. A comparison of nodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with PUTL DLBCL was performed. In addition, we compared the characteristics of kidney and bladder lymphoma.

RESULTS
PUTL incidence was 1 case/1,000,000 people per year. DLBCL was found to be the predominant histology. Five-year overall survival and cancer-specific survival were 49% and 58%, respectively. DLBCL histology, male gender, stage III-IV disease, and advanced age were found to be poor prognostic factors. Surgery may be beneficial. Urinary tract DLBCL has a worse prognosis than nodal DLBCL.

CONCLUSION
To our knowledge, this is the largest population-based study of PUTL in the literature. The survival of patients has not improved in the era of modern therapies therefore new treatments are needed.


The soybean (Glycine max L.) is an important crop with high agronomic value. The improvement of agronomic traits through gene editing techniques has broad application prospects in soybean. The polyethylene glycol (PEG)-mediated cell transfection has been successfully used to deliver the CRISPR/Cas9-based ribonucleoprotein (RNP) into soybean protoplasts. However, several downstream analyses or further cell regeneration protocols might be hampered by PEG contamination within the samples. Here in this study, we attempted to transfect CRISPR/Cas9 RNPs into trifoliate leaf-derived soybean protoplasts using Neon electroporation to overcome the need for PEG transfection for the first time. We investigated different electroporation parameters including pulsing voltage (V), strength and duration of pulses regarding protoplast morphology, viability, and delivery of CRISPR/Cas9. Electroporation at various pulsing voltages with 3 pulses and 10 ms per pulse was found optimal for protoplast electro-transfection. Following electro-transfection at various pulsing voltages (500 V, 700 V, 1,000 V, and 1,300 V), intact protoplasts were observed at all treatments. However, the relative frequency of cell viability and initial cell divisions decreased with increasing voltages. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) confirmed that the green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged Cas9 was successfully internalized into the protoplasts. Targeted deep sequencing results revealed that on-target insertion/deletion (InDel) frequencies were increased with increasing voltages in protoplasts electro-transfected with CRISPR/Cas9 RNPs targeting constitutive pathogen response 5 (CPR5). InDel patterns ranged from +1 bp to −6 bp at three different target sites in CPR5 locus with frequencies ranging from 3.8% to 8.1% following electro-transfection at 1,300 V and 2.1% to 3.8% for 700 V and 1,000 V, respectively. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the CRISPR/Cas9 RNP system can be delivered into soybean protoplasts by the Neon electroporation system for efficient and effective gene editing. The electro-transfection system developed in this study would also further facilitate and serve as an alternative delivery method for DNA-free genome editing of soybean and other related species for genetic screens and potential trait improvement.


Integrins are critical for hemostasis and thrombosis because they mediate both platelet adhesion and aggregation. Talin is an integrin-binding cytoplasmic adaptor that is a central organizer of focal adhesions, and loss of talin phenocopies integrin deletion in Drosophila. Here, we have examined the role of talin in mammalian integrin function in vivo by selectively disrupting the talin1 gene in mouse platelet precursor megakaryocytes. Talin null megakaryocytes produced circulating platelets that exhibited normal morphology yet manifested profoundly impaired hemostatic function. Specifically, platelet-specific deletion of talin1 led to spontaneous hemorrhage and pathological bleeding. Ex vivo and in vitro studies revealed that loss of talin1 resulted in dramatically impaired integrin αIIbβ3-mediated platelet aggregation and β1 integrin–mediated platelet adhesion. Furthermore, loss of talin1 strongly inhibited the activation of platelet β1 and β3 integrins in response to platelet agonists. These data establish that platelet talin plays a crucial role in hemostasis and provide the first proof that talin is required for the activation and function of mammalian α2β1 and αIIbβ3 integrins in vivo.


Objective This small study was designed to gain a better understanding of issues that led to hospital admission of palliative care clients who had a preference for home death, but died in hospital. Design A mixed method approach was chosen for the study using descriptive analysis of routinely collected client demographic and clinical data, and conventional content analysis of case note entries. Setting The study was undertaken in two community based palliative care services located in rural South Australia. Subjects.The case notes of fourteen deceased adults registered with the Northern Yorke Peninsula and Port Pirie Palliative Care Services, with a recorded preferred site of death (PSD) of home and who died in hospital were studied. Main outcome measure Understanding of issues that may have led to hospital admission of palliative care clients who had a preference for home death but who died in hospital. Results The findings reported here focus only on the qualitative aspect of the study. Issues that may lead to hospital. admission include unstable symptoms, deteriorating condition, client/caregiver decision making, lack of services over twenty four hours and the caregiver's ability to manage client care. Conclusion Services can now consider these findings and develop local strategies to improve support for clients with apreference to die at home, and in particular, those that focus on improving caregiver training and information.


This revised and updated edition of Franco Marucci's "I fogli della Sibilla: Retorica e medievalismo in Gerard Manley Hopkins" (1981) was conceived and written in the wake of two innovative and seminal approaches to the literary text that came into prominence during the 1970s. The first is that of the "new rhetoric," which superseded the old-fashioned taxonomic methods of description, and put forward the possibility of a functional integration of rhetoric within the complexity of the literary text. The second approach is that of cultural typology, as carried out by the Tartu school and its most oustanding exponent, Jurij Lotman. Translated into English from the original Italian by the author, "The Fine Delight that Fathers Thought", however, is anything but a deliberate adaptation of the text to theory. Divided into two distinct sections, Marucci's work addresses in the first section several interpretive issues where there is still a marked critical disagreement: specifically, the statute and the function of the artifice. Marucci does not investigate Hopkins's rhetoric - which has long been dismissed as a series of empty devices or, worse still, censured as a vice - from a subjective viewpoint. He instead places Hopkins's work within the semiotic context and interprets its rhetoric according to the communicative exigencies and finalities that support and justify its uses. In the second section, Marucci argues, against the prevailing critical view, that Hopkins gradually deactivated his received cultural codes and from his conversion onward replaced them with code options (behavioural, signic, ethical, theological, political, and, above all, aesthetic) of a distinct and unmistakable medieval character. Marucci uses Hopkins's letters, diaries, essays, sermons, spiritual and theological writings, and "The Wreck of the Deutschland", the linchpin of all Hopking's work, to combine theory and text in a volume that may be relevant reading for Hopkins students and scholars, as well as for those who are interested in medieval studies and rhetoric.


Various security measures are ineffective having been designed without adequate usability and economic considerations. The primary objective of this thesis is to add an economic and socio-behavioral perspective to the traditional computer science research in information security. The resulting research is interdisciplinary, and the papers combine different approaches, ranging from analytic modeling to empirical measurements and user studies. Contributing to the fields of usable security and security economics, this thesis fulfills three motivations. First, it provides a realistic game theoretical model for analyzing the dynamics of attack and defense on the Web. Adapted from the classical Colonel Blotto games, our Colonel Blotto Phishing model captures the asymmetric conflict (resource, information, action) between a resource-constrained attacker and a defender. It also factors in the practical scenario where the attacker creates large numbers of phishing websites (endogenous dimensionality), while the defender reactively detects and strives to take them down promptly. Second, the thesis challenges the conventional view that users are always the weakest link or liability in security. It explores the feasibility of leveraging inputs from expert and ordinary users for improving information security. While several potential challenges are identified, we find that community inputs are more comprehensive and relevant than automated assessments. This does not imply that users should be made liable to protect themselves; it demonstrates the potentials of community efforts in complementing conventional security measures. We further analyze the contribution characteristics of serious and casual security volunteers, and suggest ways for improvement. Third, following the rise of third party applications (apps), the thesis explores the security and privacy risks and challenges with both centralized and decentralized app control models. Centralized app control can lead to the risk of central judgment and the risk of habituation, while the increasingly widespread decentralized user-consent permission model also suffers from the lack of effective risk signaling. We find the tendency of popular apps requesting more permissions than average. Compound with the absence of alternative risk signals, users will habitually click through the permission request dialogs. In addition, we find the free apps, apps with mature content, and apps with names mimicking the popular ones, request more permissions than typical. These indicate possible attempts to trick the users into compromising their privacy.


There is growing evidence that bioactive substances produced by microbial endophytes have applicability in medicine, agriculture and industry. To enrich the bioactive substances, in our search for new bioactive metabolites from fungi Aspergillus, the phytochemical reinvestigation on the Aspergillus sp. 0338 was carried out, and this led to the isolation of three new (1-3) and five known alkaloids (4-8). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis, including extensive 1D and 2D NMR techniques, as well as comparison with literature values. Additionally, compounds 1-3 were evaluated for their anti-MRSA activities. The results revealed that compounds 1-3 exhibited good inhibitions with IZD of 15.2 ± 1.8, 14.6 ± 2.0, and 13.4 ± 2.2 mm, respectively.


In earlier work we have reported that garlic and cabbage extracts can protect laboratory animals from the toxic effects of different mycotoxins. Previous research demonstrated that fumonisin (FB) induced developmental effects in mice, rats and hamsters. The objectives of the present study were to utilize the pregnant rat as an in vivo model to compare the potential of garlic and cabbage seed extracts to prevent the developmental toxicity of FB and the effects of these extracts on sphingolipid metabolism in dam and foetus livers. Six treatment groups included a control group, a group fed on an FB‐containing diet (150 mg kg−1 feed) and groups treated orally with garlic or cabbage extracts (5 mg kg−1 body wt.) with or without FB during gestation days 6–15. Evaluations of toxicity were performed on day 20. These include: maternal (mortality, body weight, feed intake and litter weight), developmental (embryonic resorption, foetal body weight, foetal soft‐tissue anomalies and foetal skeletal examinations) and maternal and foetal sphingolipid metabolism. Fumonisin alone resulted in significant decreases in feed intake, body weight gain, litter weight, number of live foetuses and foetal body weight, whereas it increased significantly the number of resorbed foetuses and the number of skeletal malformations (30.4% for skull and 26.08% for sternebrae) and also increased the sphinganine/sphingosine (Sa/So) ratio in dam but not fetus livers. Garlic alone or plus FB was comparable to the control regarding all the tested parameters. On the other hand, cabbage seed extract alone or plus FB resulted in 10% maternal mortality and a decrease in maternal body weight and litter weight. It resulted in 4.65% skull malformations in foetuses but it was comparable to the control with regard to the other tested parameters. It could be concluded that both garlic and cabbage seed extracts have protective effects in pregnant rats. Moreover, garlic extract was found to have a greater protective effect than cabbage seed extract. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Abstract : This report summarises the activities undertaken by the US Army Mesomet Panel during the contract period. For the period to 31st March, 1993, nine interim reports were submitted and these contain full details of these activities. For the final period, 1st April - 31st December 1993, a more detailed account is provided here and includes, as Annex 2, the report of the Panel's final meeting in Munster, Germany, 9th-10th September, 1993. Its executive summary contains five important recommendations, all directed towards the future modelling activities at ARL. These arise from the lessons learned from the Mesomet Model Comparison Project undertaken during the contract period and subsequent Mesomet Workshop held in El Paso in June, 1992. Section 3 sets out what the Panel feels have been its achievements during the contract period, one In which considerable changes in policy direction occured, some of which will have been influenced by the Panel's advice. Attention is drawn to the role of the Panel in involving the wider mesomet modelling community in ASL's activities, particularly through the Mesomet Model Comparison Project and El Paso Workshop. A major publication arising from these activities is a Mesometeorology Modelling monograph to be published by the American Meteorological Society in 1994. This is described in Section 4.


An agent in rheumatoid synovial fluid which stimulates collagen synthesis by embryonic chick tendon cells was identified as glutamine. The stimulating effect was observed only at a subnormal concentration of proline (0.02 mM). The concentration of glutamine in rheumatoid synovial fluid is about 2.5 mM but it falls rapidly during storage even at -20 degrees C. Collagen synthesis is shown to depend on the extracellular concentrations of glutamine and proline in addition to any connective tissue activating factors.


The importance of customer satisfaction to the commercial success of businesses is widely acknowledged. However, many companies, including those in the UK food sector, struggle to satisfy their customers. Responsibility lies partly with a failure to fully understand the basic building‐blocks of customer satisfaction as a concept. Presents the results of a study by a group of UK food industry managers, led by Leatherhead Food RA. Identifies and describes six key drivers of customer satisfaction, which may be applied to all types of organisation, including those outside the food industry.


It is argued that the main claims of "Flexible Asymmetric Supercapacitors Based on Nitrogen-Doped Graphene Hydrogels with Embedded Nickel Hydroxide Nanoplates" are strongly exaggerated. By selecting first a subregion (ΔV) of the total voltage drop, the capacitance (CΔV ) is inflated by 30 %. Then, by selecting different regions for different properties and using different ΔV values in different terms of a single expression for the energy density (EΔV ), the value is doubled. A bending angle of only 45° is instead claimed to be 180°.


To the Editor.— A number of adverse side effects have been described after prolonged or excessive use of topical corticosteroids. These include skin atrophy, telangiectasia, purpura, striae atrophicae, delayed healing of ulcers, a florid facies, steroid acne, infection, perioral dermatitis, hypertrichosis, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, skin blanching, granuloma gluteale infantum, allergic contact dermatitis, photosensitivity, stellate pseudoscars, and nodular elastoidosis with cysts and comedones (Favre-Racouchot syndrome). 1,2 We present herein another side effect—milia, which are induced on aged skin by long-term application of topical corticosteroids. Report of Cases.— Nine patients, 63 to 85 years of age, six men and three women, had several to numerous (more than 20) milia, which were whitish, globoid, and firm lesions, 1 to 3 mm in size, on their neck, upper chest, and upper arms where topical corticosteroids had been used. In all the patients, telangiectasia and skin atrophy with fine wrinkles were always seen around the milia


Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS) devices have shown satisfactory performance in alleviating the problems of electrical transmission systems. Optimal FACTS allocation problem, which includes finding optimal type and location of these devices, have been widely studied by researchers for improving variety of power system technical parameters. In this paper, a DIgSILENT-based Discrete Particle Swarm Optimization (DPSO) algorithm is employed to manage the power flow, alleviate the congestion, and improve the voltage profile in a real case study. The DPSO have been programmed in DPL environment of DIgSILENT software and applied to the power grid of Gilan Regional Electric Company (GilREC), located in north of Iran. The conducted approach is a user-friendly decision making tool for the engineers of power networks as it is executed in DIgSILENT software which is widely used in electric companies for the power system studies. The simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the presented method in improving technical parameters of the test system through several case studies.


To reduce the intestinal toxicity of orally administered 5'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine (5'-DFUR) in mice, we co-administered 5'-DFUR with acyclothymidine [AcyT, 5-methyl-(2'-hydroxyethoxymethyl) uracil], a potent inhibitor of pyrimidine nucleoside phosphorylase (PyNPase). Orally administered 5'-DFUR alone caused intestinal toxicity and severe damage to the intestinal villi, while 5'-DFUR with AcyT reduced the intestinal toxicity, and prevented damage to the intestinal villi. This toxicity arising from orally administered 5'-DFUR could not be reduced by intravenous administration of AcyT, but was alleviated by oral administration. Orally co-administered AcyT showed little effect on antitumor activity of 5'-DFUR toward subcutaneously implanted Lewis lung carcinoma, though the intestinal toxicity was reduced in the tumor-bearing mice. This finding suggests that orally co-administered AcyT may prevent the undesirable conversion of 5'-DFUR to 5-FU by PyNPase during the process of absorption in the intestinal tract.


Glutathione peroxidase (Se-GPx) is a selenoenzyme which catalyzes the reduction of hydroperoxides by glutathione (GSH), in most mammalian cells. Several Slow-acting drugs that are used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, including D-Penicillamine, alpha-mercaptopropionylglycine and gold salts, are specific inhibitors of Se-GPx. In situation of oxidant stress, Se-GPx activity is a major source of glutathione disulfide (GSSG), an essential activator of leucocyte collagenase. Hence the possibility that the enzymatic reduction of hydroperoxides produced during chronic inflammation would play an important role in the destruction of joint tissue of arthritic patients. Inhibition of a protective system such as Se-GPx may therefore be involved in the mechanism of action of D-Penicillamine and gold salts, but it could also explain some of their undesirable or toxic effects. Confirmation of this hypothesis would open the way to new pharmacological strategies.


Adaptive control using a sliding mode in discrete time systems is proposed as a means of achieving robustness with respect to parameter variations, fast tracking to a desired trajectory, and fast parameter convergence, without increasing the chattering of the control inputs. We first prove the stability of a system in which the control inputs consist of equivalent control driven by the adaptive control law and bounded discontinuous control. The discontinuous control driven by the sliding control law is then obtained so that the output error quickly converges to zero. Finally, the performance improvements obtained by adding the sliding mode control input are shown through computer simulations.


We measure extensive-margin labor supply (employment) preferences in two representative surveys of the U.S. and German populations. We elicit reservation raises: the percent wage change that renders a given individual indifferent between employment and nonemployment. It is equal to her reservation wage divided by her actual, or potential, wage. The reservation raise distribution is the nonparametric aggregate labor supply curve. Locally, the curve exhibits large short-run elasticities above 3, consistent with business cycle evidence. For larger upward shifts, arc elasticities shrink towards 0.5, consistent with quasi-experimental evidence from tax holidays. Existing models fail to match this nonconstant, asymmetric curve.


Summary.  During pregnancy several alterations in the immune status allow mothers to tolerate the genetically different foetal tissues. We investigated the evolution of liver disease during and after pregnancy in chronic hepatitis B patients. Between 1998 and 2006 there were 38 pregnancies in 31 chronic hepatitis B 's' antigen‐positive women at our liver unit. Twenty‐four subjects (63%) were hepatitis B 'e' antigen (HBeAg)‐positive, 14 (37%) HBeAg‐negative. In 13 pregnancies (34%), lamivudine therapy was started during the last trimester of pregnancy to lower hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels to reduce the risk of vertical transmission. A significant increase in liver disease activity after pregnancy, defined as a three times increase in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) within 6 months after delivery, occurred in 17 of 38 patients (45%). In those treated with lamivudine during the last trimester of pregnancy, this occurred in even 8/13 patients (62%). Prediction during pregnancy of these exacerbations was not possible using HBV DNA, ALT level, HBeAg status or any other characteristic. The median maximal ALT of these exacerbations was 4.0 × ULN and none led to decompensated liver disease. In conclusion, a significant increase in liver inflammation occurs often after pregnancy. This may be due to a reactivation of the immune system after delivery. Based on our data we recommend monitoring closely and if necessary treating women with chronic HBV shortly after delivery.


The aim of this paper is to examine the theoretical foundations of the professional secret and confidentiality in Social Work and Social Education in order to propose an alternative approach to the issue which does not reduce the professional secret to a utilitarian device designed to increase the success of social services. Our approach rests upon the idea that the professional secret not only protects the individual that has confided a secret, but also society as a whole, since intimacy and privacy are a necessary presupposition of all other human rights. Understood this way, the professional secret should be regarded as a cornerstone of democracy. The article therefore concludes by warning policy-makers and social workers and educators of the paradox inhabited by the professional secret: breaching confidentiality may be simultaneously an inevitable measure to safeguard society and a way to render society as a whole more vulnerable.


This paper presents the results of the examination of the impact of phytohormon gibberellic acid GA3 on sprouts formation in in vivo conditions, and the impact of the phytohormones on induction of microtuberization under in vitro conditions in several varieties of seed tubers and mercantile potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum L.) Seed tubers potatoes tests were made with varieties Dido, Marabel, Agria, Ambition, and Agriko, while Agria SR, Agria BE and Andrea were the mercantile varieties of potato used in the experiment.
Experiments in vitro conditions were set by two types of explants: sprouts and nodal explants on the MS (Murashige & Skoog) medium with the addition of several different combinations and concentrations of cytokinines and auxins.
Microtubarization was stimulated by increasing the percentage of sugar in MS medium from 30 g/l sucrose, to 40, 60 and 90 g/l sucrose. The treatment with 22 ppm GA3 was most effective for both types of potatoes seed tubers and mercantile potato tuber. In all tubers treated with
gibberellic acid treatment resulted in de novo sprouting of tubers.
On the MS + 6 mg/l BAP + 2 mg/l NAA + 90 g/l С12Н22О11 microtuberization reached up to 92.85% for the variety Agria BC in nodal culture of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.).


Molecular evolutionary studies usually focus on genes with clear roles in adult fitness or on developmental genes expressed at multiple time points during the life of the organism. Here, we examine the evolutionary dynamics of Drosophila glue genes, a set of eight genes tasked with a singular primary function during a specific developmental stage: the production of glue that allows animal pupa to attach to a substrate for several days during metamorphosis. Using phenotypic assays and available data from transcriptomics, PacBio genomes, and genetic variation from global populations, we explore the selective forces acting on the glue genes within the cosmopolitan D. melanogaster species and its five closely related species, D. simulans, D. sechellia, D. mauritiana, D. yakuba, and D. teissieri. We observe a three-fold difference in glue adhesion between the least and the most adhesive D. melanogaster strain, indicating a strong genetic component to phenotypic variation. These eight glue genes are among the most highly expressed genes in salivary glands yet they display no notable codon bias. New copies of Sgs3 and Sgs7 are found in D. yakuba and D. teissieri with the Sgs3 coding sequence evolving rapidly after duplication in the D. yakuba branch. Multiple sites along the various glue genes appear to be constrained. Our population genetics analysis in D. melanogaster suggests signs of local adaptive evolution for Sgs3, Sgs5 and Sgs5bis and traces of selective sweeps for Sgs1, Sgs3, Sgs7 and Sgs8. Our work shows that stage-specific genes can be subjected to various dynamic evolutionary forces. Significance statement Drosophila larvae produce a glue to stick themselves to a substrate for several days during metamorphosis. Here we observe wide variation in stickiness among Drosophila melanogaster strains and we analyze the molecular evolution of eight glue genes. We find several recent gene duplications and heterogenous rates of evolution among these genes.


This study developed the traceability information for tracing fishery products from the production step to the consumption step in the distribution channel of fishery products. Based on it, we further presented the theoretical linkage between traceability information and perceived qualities of internet shopping malls, and then investigated how traceability information affected trust and perceived usefulness in the internet shopping mall to find the key success factors of internet shopping malls of fishery products. We collected 194 responses from internet consumers who had prior experience on purchasing fishery products. This survey data was used to empirically test the ten research model hypotheses by using PLS. The PLS results indicated that traceability information had significant impact on trust and perceived usefulness. Finally, trust, perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use were found to be related to online consumers' intention to purchase fishery products.


Bibliometrics studies of library and information science (LIS) faculty scholarly output have explored publication patterns in open access (Grandbois & Beheshti, 2014), health-gender and sexual orientation (Mehra & Tidwell, 2014), and other trends in LIS Research (Wusu & Lazarus, 2018). This study builds upon that literature by exploring the publication characteristics of full-time LIS faculty teaching health courses and the scholarship patterns of this underexplored group. This bibliometric analysis examined the connections between research and practice by examining publications from 2011 to 2021 by LIS faculty that teach health-related courses for library science programs in the United States and Canada. The data sources were located through searching course listings, faculty profiles, and syllabi from school websites and contacting deans and directors to identify full-time LIS faculty teaching health-related courses in American Library Association (ALA) accredited programs. The 29 LIS faculty that were identified through this process were contacted via email in September 2021, inviting them to voluntarily share their curriculum vitae (CVs) for analysis. The final sample of 21 CVs is comprised of the 16 faculty members who responded to the email invitation providing their CVs and five CVs that were publicly available online. The research team used descriptive bibliometrics to explore author, author order, year of publication, source, type of publication, etc. Insight and implications pertaining to connecting LIS faculty research, teaching health-related courses, and practice will be presented, as well as recommendations for future research directions.


Image composition refers to the process of composing two or more images to create an acceptable output image. It is one of the important techniques of image processing. In this paper, two efficient methods for composing color images are proposed. In the proposed methods, the Poisson equation is solved using image pyramid, and divide-and-conquer methods. The proposed methods are more efficient than other existing image composition methods. They reduce the time taken in the composition process while achieving almost identical results using the previous image composition methods. In the proposed methods, the Poisson equation is solved after converting it to a linear system using different methods. The results show that the time for composing color images is decreased using the proposed methods.


Household air pollution generated from the use of polluting cooking fuels and technologies is a major source of disease and environmental degradation in low- and middle-income countries. Using a novel modelling approach, we provide global, regional and country estimates for 6 specific fuel categories (electricity, gaseous fuels, kerosene, biomass, charcoal, coal) and overall polluting/clean fuel use – from 1990-2020 and with urban/rural disaggregation. Model results show 53% of the global population relied on polluting cooking in 1990, dropping to 36% in 2020. In urban areas, gaseous fuels dominate, with a growing reliance on electricity; in rural populations, high levels of biomass use persist alongside increasing use of gaseous fuels. Future projections of observed trends suggest 31% will still lack access to clean cooking in 2030, and the Sub-Saharan African population relying on polluting fuels is on course to exceed 1 billion by 2025.


Growth has both financial and social dimensions and is partial without the improvement of women who constitute about fifty percent of the general populace. It miles a general notion that women as a mother, wife, daughter, daughter-in-law and as many more characters in their life have to bear numerous responsibilities of their families. Women have broken four walls around them build by their family members and society and enter into a new world where they have their own identity. Now women have started taking part in the construction of the new world, having more potential, possibilities and opportunities. Strengthening women entrepreneurs is an essence of achieving the non-stop and sustainable economic improvement of the country. By the time, the world comprehended that growth of any economy cannot reach its par without the energetic participation of the women in shaping the state. Women entrepreneurs face social, financial, organizational, mental and diverse other issues whilst running their venture. Aside from all the restrains, Indian women move onward and are cherished for their achievements of their respective area. The objective of this paper is to become aware of the problems and difficulties that women face in the direction of their entrepreneurship.


This paper presents the adaptation of HMM-based speech synthesis to laughter signals. Acoustic laughter synthesis HMMs are built with only 3 minutes of laughter data. An evaluation experiment shows that the method achieves significantly better performance than previous works. In addition, the first method to generate laughter phonetic transcriptions from high-level signals (in our case, arousal signals) is described. This enables to generate new laughter phonetic sequences, that do not exist in the original data. The generated phonetic sequences are used as input for HMM synthesis and reach similar perceived naturalness as laughs synthesized from existing phonetic transcriptions. These methods open promising perspectives for the integration of natural laughs in man-machine interfaces. It could also be used for other vocalizations (sighs, cries, coughs, etc.).


Free-space optics constitutes a growing technology offering higher bandwidth with fast and cost-effective deployment compared to fiber technology. Multiple applications are envisioned like private communications. In such a case, the secret message is encoded into a chaotic waveform from which the information is extremely hard for an eavesdropper to extract. For free-space optics applications, the operating wavelength is an important parameter that has to be chosen wisely to reduce the impact of the environmental parameters. In this context, quantum cascade lasers are highly relevant semiconductor lasers because the lasing wavelength can be properly adjusted in the mid-infrared domain, typically at wavelengths for which the atmosphere is highly transparent. The simplest way to generate a chaotic optical carrier from a quantum cascade laser is to feed back part of its emitted light into the device after a certain time delay, beyond which chaos synchronization between the drive and the response lasers occurs. In this paper, we discuss about how quantum cascade laser's chaos can be used to develop private communication lines. We also give realistic perspectives for further developing mid-infrared private communications using chaotic waves.


This CPD module outlines the principles underlying the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations, and the latest update CDM 2007. It examines the duties and responsibilities of different parties in the elimination and minimisation of safety hazards and risk under CDM, and the prescribed procedure for monitoring compliance with health and safety legislation throughout the building life-cycle. The purpose and content of the prescribed documentation is also described with the emphasis on the roles and responsibilities of different parties in the application of the updated regulations. This study pack consists of a study paper and question paper and model answers.


Background: Research on terminal decline has widely documented that cognitive performance steeply declines with nearing death. To date, it is unclear whether these changes are normative, based on pathologies associated with (preclinical) dementia, or both. Objectives: We analyzed heterogeneity in trajectories of terminal cognitive change in Swiss nursing home residents with the objective of examining whether terminal change is normative or whether one or multiple subgroup(s) with relative stability exist. Methods: We performed a longitudinal analysis based on routine assessments with the Resident Assessment Instrument – Minimal Data Set in 341 nursing homes between 1998 and 2014. In sum, we used 143,052 observations from 30,054 residents (69% women, average age at death 87 years) in the last 3 years of life. We analyzed trajectories of the Cognitive Performance Scale (CPS) score with latent class growth curve models and examined sociodemographic factors (age at death, sex, marital status, prior living situation) as well as functional and mental health (Activities of Daily Living Index and Depression Rating Scale) and dementia diagnosis as correlates of group membership. Results: We identified three distinct classes based on longitudinal trajectories of the CPS score. In the first group (transition from no to mild impairment, 27%), cognitive impairment increased with time to death (linear and quadratic), but remained at relatively mild levels at all times. The trajectories of the second group (transition from moderate to severe impairment, 43%) were characterized by linear and quadratic changes across time to death. The trajectories of the third group (severe impairment, 30%) were characterized by the lowest amount of linear increase across all groups and no quadratic increase indicating no accelerated change. Better functional health and absence of a dementia diagnosis predicted less impairment. Fewer depressive symptoms were associated with low as opposed to moderate or severe, but also severe versus moderate impairment. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the majority of residents experience terminal change, with the exception of those at already high levels of impairment. Furthermore, late-life cognitive change is related to functional and mental health.


Companies whose IT departments are overworked and undervalued are at risk for higher turnover. IT employees realize their value in today's market, especially those with the best certifications. An inability to retain employees in a technology department or company will certainly cost money. It can also result in losing other important employees and clients because of employee frustration and stress when customers' work is unable to be completed. IT employers' challenge lies in providing the training to improve their employees' work, while keeping them engaged and wanting to continue to use that training within the company. The main purpose of this study is on Enhancing Work Environment and Working Relationship for Employee Retention in the Project Management Section of the Company. The study indicates that work environment and working relationship influence the employees' perception towards employee retention. The researcher used three instruments to gather data from the staff of the PMS of Jyo Electronics.  These instruments include the survey questionnaire, observation checklist and interview guideline.  The respondents of this research were the 39 staff members of the PMS of Jyo Electronics. Descriptive statistics and t –test were used to analyze the quantitative data in the Pre ODI stage and Post ODI stage. The researcher used the Whole Brain Literacy (WBL) Model to analyze the qualitative data collected through the interviews and observation The results of the study showed that there is a significant difference in respondent's perception towards employee retention, work environment and working relationship before and after the Organization Development Interventions (ODI). In conclusion, the ODI have impact on Work Environment and Working Relationships in the Project Management Section of Jyo Electronics, Petchaburi. Keywords: work environment, working relationship, employee retention, whole brain literacy (WBL)


Almost all applications of the Travel-Cost-Method demand function which include site quality variable(s) are multisite models. The results of this study serve as a note of warning that using the demand equation derived from multisite cross-sectional data to perform a benefit-cost analysis of changes in quality at a single site may not accurately predict the resulting change in the number of trips to that site. In this situation, estimates of the benefits of quality improvements may be unreliable.


Bacteriocin is proteinaceous compound that has bactericidal action against other microorganisms. Bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacteria (LAB) is generally considered safe for human consumption and can be applied in food preservation. One source of indigenous LAB is from Indonesian fermented fish products, bekasam. This study aimed to obtain LAB isolates from bekasam that have high potential as  producer of bacteriocin. The steps were screening of bacteriocin compound and protein precipitation using ammonium sulfate with a concentration of 0-10% to 70-80%. Screening of bacteriocin compounds of 25 isolates LAB from bekasam showed that there were 11 isolates (44%) that have the potential as  producer of bacteriocin, in which the cell-free supernatant to pH 5 and or pH 6 produce inhibitory zones on the indicator bacteria Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 14028, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes. Then, the precipitation of proteins from the cell-free supernantant was done for the selected four isolates that have the potential as  producer of bacteriocin. The supernatant and  the precipitate from yield of protein precipitation in the selected four isolates showed that inhibition zone against the indicator bacteria E. coli, S. typhimurium ATCC 14 028, and L. monocytogenes with inhibition zone around 3.0 to 10.0 mm. Inhibition zones in the supernatant and the precipitate were indication that  active compound is organic acid and bacteriocin, respectively. The highest inhibition zone of the supernatant and the precipitate of the BP(3) and SK(5) isolates against L. monocytogenes and S. typhimurium, respectively.  The highest inhibition zone of the supernatant of the BP(20) and BI(3) isolates against S. typhimurium and  S. typhimurium and E. coli, respectively. While the highest inhibition zone of precipitate of the BP(20) and BI(3) isolates were same, that is against E. coli. Each with ammonium sulfate concentrations were different. Key words: Bacteriocin, lactic acid bacteria, bekasam


Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has attracted widespread attention due to its potential in the treatment of various cancers. Porphyrinic pyropheophorbide-a (PPa) has been shown to be a potent photosensitizer in PDT experiments. In this paper, a C-31,131 bisphenylhydrazone modified methyl pyropheophorbide-a (BPHM) was designed and synthesized with the consideration that phenylhydrazone structure may extend absorption wavelength of methyl pyro-pheophorbide-a (Mppa), and make the photosensitizer potential in deep tumor treatment. The synthesis, spectral properties and in vitro photodynamic therapy (PDT) against human HeLa cervical cancer cell line was studied. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay showed the title compound could achieve strong inhibition of cervical cancer cell viability under visible light (675 nm, 25 J/cm2). Cell uptake experiments were performed on HeLa cells. Morphological changes were examined and analyzed by fluorescent inverted microscope. In addition, the mechanism of the photochemical processes of PDT was investigated, which showed that the formation of singlet oxygen after treatment with PDT played a moderate important role.


In this work, electron doping of the anisotropic phase Ca4Mn3O10 was achieved by substitution of manganese by vanadium. No significant structural modifications were detected to the highest substitution ratio of 10% achieved. The introduction of vanadium decreases the electrical resistivity, described as two-dimensional variable range hopping, and induces the appearance of a ferromagnetic behavior. Consistently negative magnetoresistance develops in the magnetic ordered state. These results are characteristic of the presence of double exchange interactions, indicating that vanadium doping induces mixed valence of manganese.


A long time ago, before the Internet or at least before the Web, when you heard about an interesting book, how could you order a copy? It helped to know who the publisher was, but you still had to make contact. If you knew where the publisher was located, a free call to directory assistance would do it. A policy was born: References must include the publisher and city of publication. Today, I usually bypass the publisher and go straight to Amazon or another online source. Publishers, if needed, are found on the Web. City listings are no help—the few publishers not absorbed through mergers and acquisitions seem to regularly shift addresses. Practices changed, but policies haven't. I'm currently reviewing the copyedited PDF proofs of a book chapter. The editor asked me to respond to exactly 100 "author queries." Many are requests to identify the city for a publisher of a journal or book. Few of the books are at hand. True, for most I can avoid a library visit by searching online to see what cities other authors listed. (When they disagree, as often they do, let the majority rule.) But it takes time to gather this information that no one will ever use. It is a ritual in service of an obsolete policy, wasting the time of copy editors rant


Air transportation is something that is currently very loved by almost every society, this is because air transportation has a fast, up-to-date and efficient mobilization, but transportation with this airplane mode if it is not accompanied by qualified safety rules will have a negative impact on every individual who uses it. hence from that society and government must be more wise in enforcing existing legal rules for the sake of creating security and safety in the flight itself, because flight is one of the safest transportation according to existing data, therefore in order to maintain the good name of air transportation, especially aviation, there is a need for compliance with any existing regulations that have been determined by the government, cannot be arbitrary. in flight it upholds the meaning of safety and security for every passenger and cabin crew, because it is the priority of every airline safety is the dead price for each mode of transportation. so that air transport modes, especially airlines, are getting better, then we need to work from ourselves in safeguarding every word and behavior that can endanger the safety and security of aviation.


The accurate inheritance of genetic material is a basic necessity in all domains of life and an unexpectedly large number of RNA processing factors are required for mitotic progression and genome stability. NRDE2 (nuclear RNAi defective-2) is an evolutionarily conserved protein originally discovered for its role in nuclear RNA interference (RNAi) and heritable gene silencing in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). The function of the human NRDE2 gene remains poorly understood. Here we show that human NRDE2 is an essential protein required for suppressing intron retention in a subset of pre-mRNAs containing short, GC-rich introns with relatively weak 5′ and 3′ splice sites. NRDE2 preferentially interacts with components of the U5 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP), the exon junction complex, and the RNA exosome. Interestingly, NRDE2-depleted cells exhibit greatly increased levels of genomic instability and DNA damage, as well as defects in centrosome maturation and mitotic progression. We identify the essential centriolar satellite protein, CEP131, as a direct NRDE2-regulated target. NRDE2 specifically binds to and promotes the efficient splicing of CEP131 pre-mRNA, and depleting NRDE2 dramatically reduces CEP131 protein expression, contributing to impaired recruitment of critical centrosomal proteins (e.g., γ-tubulin and Aurora Kinase A) to the spindle poles during mitosis. Our work establishes a conserved role for human NRDE2 in RNA splicing, characterizes the severe genomic instability phenotypes observed upon loss of NRDE2, and highlights the direct regulation of CEP131 splicing as one of multiple mechanisms through which such phenotypes might be explained.


ABSTRACT Postictal psychosis (PIP) is a serious outcome of epilepsy, which may be preventable. Once the symptoms are identified, rapid diagnosis and treatment will prevent further deterioration in the patient's condition. The nurse plays a critical role in this process. The specific presentation of PIP, along with clarification of potential causes and strategies to prevent the occurrence of this complication, will be discussed. Through a case study format and emphasis on the role of the nurse, the specifics of case finding and rapid intervention will be described.


Cloud storage has become more popular due to their many advantages. To provide access everywhere, a cloud service provider maintains many replicas for each piece of data on geographically distributed servers. Using the replication technique in cloud it has one problem that is it is very costly to maintain strong consistency on a large scale. Here a Consistency as a Service (CaaS) model is presented, which consists of a large data cloud and audit service. CaaS model consists of a data cloud which is maintained by a CSP (Cloud Service Providers) and audit service to verify whether the data cloud provides the level of consistency or not. There is a twolevel auditing architecture, which requires a secured synchronized clock in the cloud. Algorithms are designed to express the problems. Finally, a heuristic auditing strategy (HAS) is created to find as many violations as possible.


Summary Metabolomics has a long history of using cosine similarity to match experimental tandem mass spectra to databases for compound identification. Here we introduce the Blur-and-Link (BLINK) approach for scoring cosine similarity. BLINK calculates substantially equivalent cosine similarity scores (>99% identification agreement) over 1000 times faster than commonly used loop-based implementations by bypassing fragment alignment and simultaneously scoring all pairs of spectra using sparse matrix operations. This performance improvement can enable calculations to be performed that would typically be limited by time and available computational resources. Availability and Implementation BLINK is implemented in Python3 and is published under a modified open source license. Code and license are available on Github: https://github.com/biorack/blink


Motivated by recent measurements of strain effects on the transition temperature (T$_c$) of Sr$_2$RuO$_4$, we study the strain response of a two-dimensional chiral p-wave supercoductor. We focus on the effects of inhomgeneous strain fields, which are always present in any such experiment, and which have been neglected in previous theoretical treatments. We show that the response of T$_c$ of a chiral superconductor to strain chages from being linear without inhomogeneity, to quadratic in the presence of inhomogeneity. We discuss our results in the context of the ongoing debate of superconductivity in Sr$_2$RuO$_4$.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the causes and strategy of difficult intraarterial mechanical thrombectomy (≥3 times) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

METHODS
The clinical data of 8 cases of AIS with thrombectomy ≥3 times admitted in Department of Neurology, the 306(th) Hospital of People's Liberation Army from June to October in 2015 was analyzed retrospectively. There were 7 male and 1 female patients, aged from 38 to 86 years with an average age of (70±15) years, in which 5 cases were cardiogenic cerebral embolism and 3 cases were large artery atherosclerotic infarction. The National Institute of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) score (M (QR)) was 16 (12) before procedure and modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (mTICI)score were 0 in all the patients. Solitaire AB was used in thrombectomy in the occlusion of the arteries.

RESULTS
The causes of difficult intraarterial thrombectomy included multiple thrombus, tortuosity in vascular paths, guiding catheter being placed below the internal carotid artery siphon leading to weak strength of suction and support of stent, embolus dropping in the thrombectomy and inadequate anesthesia. After successful thrombectomy 3 cases had mTICI score of 2a, 4 cases of 2b, 1 case of 3. The NIHSS score was 5 (24) at 7(th) day after treatment. At the 90-day follow-up 5 patients had good prognosis (modified Rankin score 0 to 2) and 3 had disability (modified Rankin score 3 to 4).

CONCLUSION
Cases of AIS with difficult intraarterial thrombectomy can be treated by improving thrombectomy materials and technique, reasonable anesthesia and perioperative medication in decision-making strategy.


Conventionally the testing of hearing aid algorithm is accomplished by conducting listening test on hearing impaired, but these tests are not only time consuming but also causes exhaustion, especially in aged patients. Simulation based testing proves to be better option for preliminary evaluation of developed algorithm. A novel methodology based on wavelet transform is designed for dichotic presentation. Among different wavelet families, daubechies & symlet are chosen due to their pre-eminence among others. The performance of developed algorithm has been tested on four normal hearing subjects under noisy environment with SNR of 3db, 0db, -3db & -6db in prerecorded phonetically balanced words. Comparative result analysis of performance measures like perception rate and perception time shows the outperformance of processed over unprocessed signals. General Terms Hearing impaired, Wavelet transform, SNR


Background Standard doses of HSV suppressive therapy reduce plasma HIV-1 levels (0.25-0.5 log10 copies/mL) among HIV-1/HSV-2 co-infected persons, and modestly slow disease progression. Putative mechanisms for this effect include direct inhibition of HIV-1 by acyclovir or indirect reduction by decreasing HSV-associated inflammation. We hypothesised that higher-dose anti-HSV therapy would result in greater reduction in plasma HIV-1 RNA, and that the effect would be mediated by greater suppression of HSV shedding. Methods 34 participants with HIV-1 and HSV-2 who were not on antiretroviral therapy were enrolled into a randomised, open-label cross-over trial with valacyclovir 1000 mg twice daily or acyclovir 400 mg twice daily for 12 weeks. After a 2 week wash-out, they were crossed over to the alternate treatment arm for 12 weeks. HSV PCR was performed on self-collected genital swabs obtained daily during the first 4 weeks of each treatment period. Plasma HIV-1 RNA was measured weekly throughout the study. Results Among the 26 participants who completed both arms of the study, the mean age was 44; 21 were men. At entry, mean CD4 count was 525 cells/mm3 (range, 242–1055) and mean plasma HIV-1 RNA 3.9 log10 copies/ml (range 1.2–5.5). The mean plasma HIV RNA was 3.86 log10 copies/ml during acyclovir administration compared with 3.57 log10 copies/ml on valacyclovir; a 0.29 log10 copies/ml reduction (p=0.002). One week after initiation of valacyclovir, plasma HIV RNA decreased by a mean of 0.40 log10 copies/ml. Valacyclovir reduced HIV-1 RNA by ≥0.25 log10 copies/ml in 14 (54%) participants, compared with 3 (12%) on acyclovir. Neither the HSV shedding rate (8.92% vs 8.98% of days, p=0.94), nor the genital lesion rate (4.3% vs 1.1%; p=0.18) differed on acyclovir vs valacyclovir. Conclusions High-dose valacyclovir reduces plasma HIV-1 RNA levels more effectively than standard dose acyclovir in HIV-1, HSV-2 seropositive persons not receiving antiretroviral therapy. High dose valacyclovir does not provide more potent suppression of HSV reactivation in HIV-1 infected persons than acyclovir, suggesting that the effect of valacyclovir on HIV-1 RNA may not be mediated via HSV suppression.


According to a population-based estimate, chronic pelvic pain (CPP) affects approximately 15% of women aged 18-50. The psychosocial impact of CPP is reflected in mood disturbance, disruption of normal activity and relationships as well as pain. Identification of psychosocial factors as cause or effect remains problematic. Results of a study of 105 women with CPP using the British version of the SF-36 Health Survey Questionnaire are presented, together with analyses of face validity and reliability. While generally reflecting health status, specific problems with the questionnaire are identified related to the episodic nature of pelvic pain, and avoidance as a means of preventing pain exacerbations. Health economic analyses relating to CPP are reviewed and the implications for future directions in treatment strategy are discussed in the context of limited options of proven efficacy.


Inhibitory action of caffeine (a tri-methylxanthine alkaloid) on progression or pathogenesis of lung, breast and ovarian cancer including Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cell development has been reported. This information led the authors to study the effect of long-term administration of caffeine (20 mg/kg/day; po for 22-27 consecutive days) on the development of EAC cells in relation to serum gonadal hormones (LH, FSH, 17-OH-beta-estradiol (E2) and progesterone) in adult Swiss albino female mice. Measurement of gonadal hormones in serum using RIA showed that (a) long-term caffeine treatment significantly increased LH (except for 27 consecutive days) and decreased FSH (except for 24 and 27 consecutive days) and both E2 and progesterone (except for 22 and 24 consecutive days) levels, (b) development of EAC cell for 10-15 days, significantly increased LH but decreased FSH, E2 and progesterone levels and (c) long-term caffeine consumption during the development of EAC cell (i) restored the EAC cell- or caffeine-induced induction of LH and reduction of FSH level to their normal levels and (ii) withdrew/reduced the EAC cell-induced reduction in only E2 but not progesterone level. These results therefore, suggest that prolonged caffeine exposures may inhibit the development of EAC cell through the reduction or restoration of EAC cell-induced disruption of ovarian hormonal status to their normal status via the modulation of Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal (HPG) axis.


Abstract Changes in the community structure and distribution patterns of 71 species of copepods collected during eight oceanographic surveys at Bahia Magdalena, Mexico were analysed. From March 1983 to January 1985, the responses of the copepod community structure to the seasonal environmental conditions and temporal changes during the peak warming of the El Nino event 1982–83, the relaxation phase in 1984, and the winter 1984–85 cooler period were studied. As in other estuaries and bays, the copepod community had a few dominant species, which have a seasonal succession throughout the year related to seasonal changes in sea-surface temperature. There are two major successional stages in the annual cycle of zooplankton development. During the warming period (July–October of 1983 and 1984), Acartia lilljeborgii Giesbrecht and Acartia tonsa Dana (tropical affinity) were the dominant species in the copepod community. During the cooler period (December–June), the dominant species was Paracalanus parvus (Claus). During Summer and Autumn 1983 (El Nino peak), an unusual increase of tropical-equatorial copepod species were found, that are regularly found offshore. The resident species Acartia clausi Giesbrecht was replaced by A. tonsa . Despite these changes in the species composition because of El Nino, seasonal succession is the general rule in Bahia Magdalena and was only enhanced by the presence of several tropical species during the warmest period.


Human neutrophil granulocyte fractions (PMN) and lymphocytes/monocytes/basophils (LMB) were stimulated with A23187 (7.3 microM), opsonized zymosan (1 mg) or FMLP (10(-5) M) after heat-shock treatment. We observed a temperature- (pretreatment over 40 degrees) and time-dependent (incubation periods longer than 20 min) suppression in the generation of LTB4, LTB4 metabolites and isomers, as well as LTC4 and 5-HETE. These effects were not reversed after the addition of exogenous arachidonic acid (AA;50 microM). In contrast, heat-shock treatment alone triggered platelets to generate 12-HETE. After 1 hr at 42 degrees, 135 +/- 24 ng of 12-HETE were generated from 1 x 10(8) cells. The 12-HETE generation was not dependent on extracellular Ca2+. Conversion of 14C-AA (2 nmol) revealed an enhanced metabolism of AA to 12-HETE by platelets after heat-shock treatment without exogenous Ca2+. PMN and LMB labelled with 35S-methionine led to heat-shock protein (HSP; 65,000, 83,000 MW) expression after heat-shock treatment at 42 degrees or in the presence of NDGA (1 x 10(-5) M) at 37 degrees. These results suggest a regulatory interaction between the generation of lipo-oxygenase products, cellular stress responses and the expression of HSP.


Triticale is a cereal species obtained by crossing the wheat with rye, and therefore it has specific traits between those of the parental species. There are two important factors in establishing the resistance to plant lodging: the plant height and thickness of straw. These two traits with importance upon the plant lodging are determined by the plant genetics and are influenced, between some limits, by the environmental and technological factors. In this respect, the aim of the paper is to present the results obtained at different triticale varieties under different technological and climatic conditions regarding the biometrical traits plant height and straw thickness. The experimental data were obtained in field experiments located in South Romania. In the agricultural year 2012-2013, ten triticale varieties were studied. In the agricultural year 2013-2014, two triticale varieties were studied under three technological conditions: two preceding crops (sunflower and maize); two soil tillage (ploughing and harrowing); six nitrogen application variants (respectively 0+0+0, 40+40+40, 40+80+0, 0+40+80, 0+80+40, and 0+120+0 kg.ha -1 ). For each triticale variant and replication and in each experimental year, there were measured the plant height and stem diameter at soil level. The obtained results showed that the plant height and straw thickness do not correlate each other according to the triticale variety. But, for a given triticale variety, the plant height correlates negatively with the straw thickness, according to the plant water supply, preceding crop and soil tillage. However, nitrogen application determined the increasing of both studied plant traits, respectively the plant height and the straw thickness, the effect being different according to the split nitrogen applications.


The tunneling current through a germanium quantum dot (Ge QD) of nanometer size is studied theoretically. The energy levels and Coulomb interactions of electrons in a Ge QD are calculated using an effective mass model. In small Ge QDs, the interlevel Coulomb interactions as well as the intralevel Coulomb interactions are important in the calculation of tunneling current. The Anderson model with two energy levels is used to simulate the carrier transport in a single-electron transistor (SET) composed of a single Ge QD embedded in a SiO2 matrix. The tunneling current of the Ge SET is derived by the Keldysh–Green's function technique. It is found that the differential conductance displays multipeaks for the tunneling current through an isolated QD with the two energy levels, which is due to the statistical nature of the open system. Finally, the bistable current arising from the fourfold degeneracy state of Ge QD is discussed.


In this paper, we analyze the performance of a blind adaptive DS-CDMA receiver by using antenna array. This receiver structure is different from conventional receiver in the sense that it uses both time and spatial techniques combining with adaptive filtering to effectively suppress multiple access interference (MAI). The performance of this receiver is evaluated over Rayleigh fading channel in a one-cell network. We also compare the result with that of conventional correlation receiver to justify the performance gain.


Multi-criteria path planning is an important combinatorial optimization problem with broad real-world applications. Finding the Pareto-optimal set of paths ideal for all requiring features is time-consuming and unclear to obtain the subset of optimal paths efficiently for multiple origin states in the planning space. Meanwhile, due to the rise of deep learning, hybrid systems of computational intelligence thrive in recent years. When facing non-monotonic data or heuristics derived from pre-trained neural networks, most of the existing methods for the one-to-all path problem fail to find an ideal solution. We employ Gaussian mixture model to propose a target-prioritized searching algorithm called Multi-Source Bidirectional Gaussian-Prioritized Spanning Tree (BiasSpan) in solving this non-monotonic multi-criteria route planning problem given constraints including range, must-visit vertices, and the number of recommended vertices. Experimental results on mass transportation system in Tainan and Chicago cities show that BiasSpan outperforms comparative methods from 7% to 24% and runs in a reasonable time compared to state-of-art route-planning algorithms.


The degradation of olive mill wastewater (OMW) with hydroxyl radicals generated from zero-valent iron and hydrogen peroxide has been investigated by means of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and phenolic compounds analyses. The mechanism uses zero-valent iron activated by oxygen at room temperature to generate Hydroxyl-free radicals that subsequently oxidize organic constituents and clean wastewater. The effects of the iron mass, the pH and the organic matter concentration have been studied. Our experimental results demonstrate that the continuous presence of oxygen and iron in an acidic solution with a pH 2-4 allows the generation of maximum hydroxyl free radicals. The lack of oxygen prevents oxidative reaction, and then the generation of free radicals cannot occur. Coloration of OMW disappeared and phenolic compound decreased after 40 minutes of reaction time. The results show that Fe 0 /H + /air or oxygen, could be considered as an effective alternative solution for the treatment of OMW.