The effect of steel microfibers (SMF) on alkali-silica reaction (ASR) was investigated using two types of reactive aggregates, crushed opal and a pyrex rod of constant diameter. Cracks are less visible in the SMF mortars compared with the unreinforced mortars. Due to crack growth resistance behavior in SMF mortar specimens, the strength loss is eliminated and the ASR products remained well confined within the ASR site. The expansion and the ASR products were characterized by microprobe analysis and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectroscopy. The confinement due to SMF resulted in a higher Na and Si ion concentration of the ASR liquid extracted from the reaction site. The higher concentration reduced the ASR rate and resulted in a lower reactivity of the reactive pyrex rods in SMF mortars.


The photovoltaic systems do not require any outside contribution of fuel; besides the generator it self does neither contain any mobile piece nor require maintenance practically. Therefore, the recurrent costs of operation and maintenance are relatively weak. The proposed study aims to optimize the power of the photovoltaic systems, with an aim of increasing the efficiency of these systems. An adequate adaptation between the solar generator and the load makes it possible to reduce the cost of the installation of such systems unclear. Follows a general presentation on the photovoltaic systems, the comparison between the direct coupling and the technique of the maximum power point tracking (MPPT), proves to be necessary. Finally the use of this technique to supply a converter, while showing the influence of the climatic parameters around this point. The results gotten extended were promising and remain to validate practically.


A method of rinsing conveyor units (1) for reaction mixtures within a pumped circuit (2, 17) a heat exchanger pass, wherein in the pump circuit (2, 17) at least two conveying units (1) are provided, the reaction mixture by the pump circuit (2 , 17) support and which may be located in a running or the stopped operational state, characterized in that by the running of at least one of the conveyor units (1) all in the pump circuit (2, installed 17) conveying units (1) in any operating condition in which each conveying unit (1), are flowed through at the same time from the same reaction mixture.


Let {?(n)}n?Z be a three-color random scenery, i.e., a random coloration of Z in three colors, such that the colors of the different points in N are i.i.d. Let {S(n)}n?N be a symmetric random walk starting at 0. Our main result shows that a.s., ?°S (the composition of ? and S) determines ? up to translation and reflection. In other words, by observing the scenery along the random walk path S, we can a.s. reconstruct ? up to translation and reflection. This result allows us to give a positive answer to the question of H. Kesten of whether one can a.s. detect a single defect in a three-color random scenery by observing it only along a random walk path.


The properties of domestic high-frequency broadband sweeper,for instance,the dynamic range,logarithmic accuracy,flatness and log linear,still need to be improved.High-frequency narrowband signal obtained by frequency mixing will increase signal-to-noise ratio(SNR) so as to expand the dynamic range of the measurement in the logarithmic transformation.The problem that extra factor multiplied by two in logarithm conversion led by square law detection can be solved by double log transformation.To different amplifying circuits,zeroing circuit will reduce the influence of zero drift.The overall improvement in properties of logarithmic amplifier,therefore,can lead to a better performance of high-frequency broadband sweeper.


Background: Family members of patients undergoing surgical or interventional procedures are prone to anxiety while awaiting the outcome. What can even increase such anxiety is receiving inadequate information about the patient�s status from the nursing staff. Educating nurses about the means and ways to alleviate anxiety among the family members of patients can be time-consuming and at times impractical in large hospitals. Accordingly, seeking to improve communication with patients� family members, we designed an information card containing estimated procedure times, related telephone numbers, and other useful information regarding cardiac surgery and angiographic procedures. The aim of this survey was to assess anxiety status among the family members of patients undergoing surgery or angiographic procedures after receiving the information card during the cardiac procedure. Methods: The present quasi-experimental study was conducted in a university heart hospital in Tehran (Iran) in 2016. The participants were selected from among the family members of patients undergoing cardiac surgery or angiographic intervention. The study population was divided into a control group (n=59) and an intervention group (n=59). An information card was given only to the intervention group in the waiting room. The data collected included demographic variables and the Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory questionnaire. Results: The informational card diminished the family members� anxiety level (P=0.016). The mean score of anxiety was 51.7±13.4 in the control group and 45.9±12.2 in the intervention group. Conclusions: Our results showed that the implementation of an information card decreased the level of anxiety among the family members in the waiting room while awaiting the outcome of their patients� surgical or angiographic procedures. © 2018, Iranian Heart Association. All rights reserved.


Post-fledging dispersal and site fidelity are poorly understood, particularly for sea ducks that spend the majority of their annual cycle at sea. This is the first description of movements and their timing for first-year (juvenile) and second-year (subadult) King Eiders Somateria spectabilis in relation to their attendant females. We fitted satellite transmitters that operated for 2 years to 63 hatch-year birds and 17 attendant females at breeding areas in northern Alaska in 2006–2009. Our goals were to describe the spatio-temporal distribution of pre-breeding individuals and adult females that had been successful breeders. We also examined fidelity to wing moulting and wintering areas as well as natal philopatry. Juveniles did not appear to follow attendant adults, although they did winter in the same three general wintering areas, suggesting that genetic inheritance and social factors may have roles in the initial migration from the breeding area. Additionally, juveniles were more variable in the timing and duration of migration, moved longer distances during the winter, and were less faithful to moulting and wintering areas than adults, indicating that individual exploration and acquired navigational memory played a role in subsequent migrations. Most (75%) subadult females returned to natal areas, probably prospecting for future nesting sites, whereas subadult males were widely dispersed at sea. Timing and duration of moult migration and wing moult of adult females that were presumed to be successful breeders differed from those of unsuccessful breeders due to the extended time that the former spent on the breeding grounds. Temporal and spatial segregation of post-fledging King Eiders from adults has direct management implications in terms of resource development and population dynamics.


Patient activation describes the knowledge, skills and confidence in managing one's own health. Promoting patient activation is being prioritized to reduce costs and adverse outcomes such as cardiovascular disease (CVD). The increasing prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) presents a need to understand the characteristics that influence patient activation and the effect on health outcomes.


In this study lipid-rich slaughterhouse wastes were digested in continuous stirred tanks reactors under a low or a high trace element dosage. The examined wastes were thermal pre-treated and characterized by a COD concentration of 180 ±37 g L, consisting 57% of animal fat, 38% proteins. Βy implementing a high trace element dosage equal to 4 μg Ni, 4 μg Co and 6 μg Mo per g COD influent, it was possible to operate the CSTR digester up to an OLR = 12 g L d, with a concomitant biogas production rate of 6.5 g L d. The biogas methane content was 77%, soluble COD inside the reactor remained between 2.5 3.5 g L while VFA concentrations were negligible (< 0.2 g L). When the trace elements dosage was low, the digester showed signs of instability (COD and VFA accumulation, combined with sludge flotation) and whitish particles appeared inside the medium. The biogas yield decreased to 0.20 L g COD influent, although the concentrations of individual trace elements inside the digester were between 5 20 μg L. This is indicative of mass transfer limitations due to lipids adsorption onto the anaerobic biomass. Concluding, the results of this study are considered important for full-scale anaerobic digesters treating lipid-rich wastes, since process stability and efficiency can be improved with increasing the trace element dosage.


A retractable wheel fairing device for decreasing the aerodynamic drag and/or increasing downforce of a vehicle is described. The device includes a fairing body with a suspension-mounted support system such that the fairing body, when deployed, reciprocates up and downwardly with the corresponding wheel of the vehicle. The suspension-mounted support system is adapted to functionally or physically disengage the wheel fairing device from the suspension of the vehicle upon lifting of the wheel fairing device with a separate retraction system.


For many years, readers have a misunderstanding and one_sided view while studying Lu Xun's On the Suspension of Fair play by using the outmoded and simplistic reading methods and taking class struggle theories of Marxism_Leninism and Mao Tse Tung as guiding principle and being influenced by the views that communist camp should negate capitalist culture. This paper shows a philosophical thinking and method to study that essay and develops a new style to grasp the substantial content and extensive ideological connotation of Lu Xun's essay and understand the author's dialectical idea in his early thinking.


Addiction is the number one cause of premature illness and death in the U.S., especially among people with mental illness. Yet American medicine lacks sufficient workforce capacity, expertise, training, infrastructure, and research to support treatment for people with co-occurring addictions and mental illness. This essay argues that the addiction psychiatrist is essential in dual diagnosis care.


The mono and bis N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes Ru(ICy)(PPh3)2(CO)H2 (1) and Ru(ICy)2(PPh3)(CO)H2 (2) (ICy = 1,2-dicyclohexylimidazol-2-ylidene) were isolated from the reaction of Ru(PPh3)3...


Article is devoted to the presentation of the concept of «handicapnost'» as a kind of handicaps a psychological phenomenon, negative social attitudes towards people with special needs. On the basis of empirical manifestations of the structural components of the handicapnost' created a system of their interaction, which provided the opportunity to present a case for the creation of its psychological model.


The high-temperature susceptibility of the four-dimensional classical Heisenberg model is studied by the method of series expansions. High-temperature series are presented to order K9 for the hyper face centred (HFC) lattice, to order K11 for the hyper body centred cubic (HBCC) lattice and to order K12 for the hyper simple cubic (HSC) lattice. The last three coefficients for the HSC lattice and all the coefficients for the other two lattices are new. The series are analysed for singularities of the form t-1 mod In t mod p, predicted by the renormalisation group theory (t=1-Kc/K, where K is the high-temperature expansion variable J/kT). Fairly good convergence is obtained for p approximately=0.45 for all three lattices, in agreement with renormalisation group calculations.


Semiconductor nanocrystal includes a first semiconductor material containing core, and a second semiconductor material containing overcoating. Monodisperse population of nanocrystals, with high quantum efficiency, emits a narrow blue light wavelength range. .Field


Customer emergency service mechanism is a significant measure to cope with power unforseen accidents. Establishing and perfecting the mechanism is a necessary requirement for electric power enterprises to fulfill social responsibilities and service power customers. This paper studies the principles and objects of the mechanism,develops the main measures and processes of emergency service implementation. All of these are tested in practice. The paper also does useful explorations of customer emergency service for power unforseen accidents and promotes practical solutions.


The scientific conference "Identity and
Heritage. Museums of High Schools" held in Krakow, 22–24
November 2017, was a good occasion to learn more about
the institutions that look after the broadly defined academic
heritage. The legal status of high school museums have been
described in the article as well as the consequences thereof.
The results of research on such museums existing in Poland
have been presented. The study was conducted in 134 public
institutions of higher education; it focused on identifying
museum and academic collections, and their rank within an
organisational structure of the institution.
The analysis of collected data allowed to ascertain the
number of high school museums operating in Poland, which
is 68; they are administrated by 44 various high schools
(universities as well as schools of specialisation: technical,
medical, agricultural, economic, pedagogical, artistic). It has
been pointed out that in the years 2009–2018 as many as 17
new collections were initiated (some of them are still being
organised or changed their status after merging of institutions
or collections). As far as the museums' place within an
organisational structure of the school is concerned, it has
been noted that the faculty museums are the most common
ones, followed by those of the general school-wide status.
The most important changes that academic museums are
presently facing have also been mentioned and described
herein, such as transformations of organisational and legal
aspects. Last but not least, the virtualisation of collections
has been identified as a current issue.


We investigated efficacy of microwave ablation plus hepatectomy for multiple colorectal liver metastases. Clinicopathologic data were analyzed retrospectively for 71 consecutive patients with four or more bilobar liver metastases from colorectal cancer who underwent hepatectomy with or without microwave ablation. Overall, no significant differences were found and as well as disease-free survival between 19 patients with resection/ablation and 52 patients with resection (p = 0.18 and 0.93). Multivariate analysis selected prehepatectomy carcinoembryonic antigen concentration in serum as an independent prognosticator for survival (p = 0.04), but not resection/ablation vs. resection. In the patients with combined resection/ablation, recurrences occurred near the resection or ablation line in only 3 patient (30%, although multiple tumors (≥ 4) were the most common liver recurrence pattern (60%). Microwave ablation plus hepatic resection expanded indications for surgery to treat multiple bilobar liver metastases.


Magnetic gels present new type of composite materials with rich set of uniquie physical properties, which find active applications in many industrial and bio-medical technologies. We present results of mathematically strict theoretical study of elastic modulus of these systems with randomly distributed magnetizable particles in an elastic medium. The results show that an external magnetic field can pronouncedly increase the shear modulus of these composites.


Nonverbal behavior plays a crucial role in human communication, and often leads to misinterpretations and misunderstandings between people from different cultural backgrounds; even if they speak the same language fluently. While translation systems are available for verbal communication, real-time translators for nonverbal communication (NVC) do not exist yet. We present the conceptual design and an early prototype of a real-time NVC translator using body tracking and gesture recognition systems for avatarmediated interactions. It contributes to the ambitious goal of bridging between cultures by facilitating cross-cultural online meetings. Possible applications of the NVC translator are discussed as a facilitating tool for global teamwork and conflict resolution.


This article intents to understand the new politician process in Santa Catarina during the beginning of the Republic. At this moment there were two principal political groups in Santa Catarina:"herlicista" and "laurianista" . We try to understand what promoted sustenance of those factions during all the First Republic.


Increased celledgebit-rate" isanimportant requirement for3GPPLTE,andinter-cell interference problem isakeyissue forimproving thecell edgebit-rate. Inthis paper, we proposean inter-cell interference mitigation schemefor 3GPPLTEdownlink, andparticularly, wefocus onintra-Node-B scenario. Theproposed schememakesuseofacombination of partial reuse andsofter handover forinter-sector handover users. The simulation results were obtained usinga dynamic system-level simulator. The simulation results showthat, compared tothepartial reusescheme, theproposed schemecan provide significant throughput gains forinter-sector handover users andachieve almost thesameaverage sector throughput.


The Goulden-Jackson cluster method is a powerful tool for obtaining generating functions for words in free monoids by occurrences of a set of subwords. We introduce a generalization of the cluster method for monoid networks, which generalize the combinatorial framework of free monoids. As a sample application of the monoid network cluster method, we compute bivariate and multivariate generating functions for Motzkin paths---both with height bounded and unbounded---by statistics corresponding to the number of occurrences of various subwords, yielding both closed-form and continued fraction formulae.


This bachelor?s thesis is dealing with analysis of employees motivation and rewards. The theoretical part explains basic terms relevant to employees motivation and rewards methods. The practical part describes motivation and rewards relating to employees of Prostějov, Palackeho tř. 14 Primary school and Nursery school, including questionary research. The aim of this thesis is to analyze contemporary motivation and reward system. An improving concept, based on this analysis is performed.


A product of the conquest of an Arawakan population by Tupi-Guarani migrants, Chiriguano society offers a clear instance of "indigenous hybridity" that has received inadequate scholarly attention. We suggest that the assimilation of the Chiriguano case to Tupi-Guarani sociopolitical models demonstrates a process of "Guaranization" that has influenced scholars as much as-if not more than-the Chiriguano themselves. By means of an ethnohistorical analysis of the Chiriguano political system, we attempt to recover the Arawakan heritage of this truly mestizo society in which different cultural traditions are both counterposed and combined. The reading we offer of the "Chiriguano case" is a new one, oriented specifically to the ethnically diverse frontier territory of the South American Gran Chaco but having broad comparative value.


M&S is a decision support technique that enables stakeholders to make better and more informed decisions; application of this to supply chains is referred to as supply chain simulation. The increasingly interconnected enterprise of the digital age benefit from cooperative decision making through the utilization of existing technological foundations, standards and tools (e.g., computer networks, data sharing standards, tools for collaborative working). Distributed Supply Chain Simulation (DSCS) facilitates such collective decision making by enabling simulation models of individual business processes/organizations to execute cooperatively over a computer network. The aim of this research is to identifying the advances in DSCS and its present state of play. Towards realization of this aim we present a methodological review of literature and complement this with our domain-specific knowledge in supply chains and parallel and distributed simulation.


First by using the ink-jet head ejecting a droplet to the substrate, and checks the state enemy the liquid is first discharged from the nozzle of each ink-jet head printing, and the test results having a plurality of nozzles arranged at regular intervals reference to the first corresponds to the first ink jet head to discharge liquid droplets to the substrate in place of the first ink-jet head when determined that an error occurs in any one or more nozzles from among the first plurality of nozzles of the ink jet head to 2 using the ink jet head and the droplet ejection to the substrate to be provided.


[Objective]To study the application of cognitive load in in orthopedics teaching through multimedia.[Methods]200 clinical medical students were randomly divided into two groups.The students of experimental group were taught orthopaedic knowledge through multimedia.In order to minimizing the external cognitive load,the multimedia was designed based on the cognitive load theory before using.At the same time,the students of control group were taught through traditional multimedia courseware.Within a limited time,the students were taught as mush knowledge as possible.After teaching,all the students were accepted the test and questionnaire survey.Compared the effect of two kinds of multimedia.[Results]The score of experimental group' students was significantly higher than of control group(P﹤0.01).The students of experimental group had more interested in orthopaedic learning and the real level of mastery was higher than the control group(P﹤0.05).The thinking ability and the clinical ability of experimental group were higher.At the same time,they had higher degree of satisfaction with the multimedia courseware(P﹤0.05).[Conclusion]Basing on cognitive load theory in orthopedics teaching,multimedia can make students study easily and effectively and grasp orthopaedic theory knowledge.


Methods for solving problems of elliptic equations, based on the integrated Green formula, were analyzed. New methods for solving a problem with a mixed-type operator in an unbounded domain are proposed. On the basis of the proposed methods, programs for solving problems with a mixed type operator have been created. The results of computational experiments, showing the correctness of the application of methods, are presented. Moreover, the convergence of the developed iterative methods has been studied; protection of the order of the original difference scheme using the developed methods has been shown.


In this paper, a new way of parts shape recognition based on Harris corner detection is advanced. With image acquisition, gray -scale conversion, filtering deposing, corner extraction, shape matching several steps followed to achieve the static parts shape recognition. The method was verified that it is real-time, accuracy, the characteristics of the economy by the test results of theoretical and experimental verification through the intelligent robot- SCARA experiment.


The Tax Sharing System (TSS) Reform of 1994 brought China's intergovernmental fiscal system much closer to international practice. It also moved China out of the precarious fiscal situation of the mid-1990s, and general government revenues as a share of gross domestic product (GDP) as well as the center's share has increased rapidly. At the same time, the fiscal disparities in the system that prevailed at the time of introduction of the TSS, which were supposed to be gradually reduced by expansion of the equalizing 'transitory systems transfer,' has persisted until now. This paper argues that the unequal distribution of resources is a major impediment to achievement of the goals of a harmonious society. However, a more equal distribution of resources alone is not enough, and should go hand in hand with better specification of expenditure responsibilities of the various levels of government, and stronger mechanisms for holding local governments accountable for those responsibilities.


Seismic interpretation is now serving as a fundamental tool for depicting subsurface geology and assisting activities in various domains, such as environmental engineering and petroleum exploration. However, most of the existing interpretation techniques are designed for interpreting a certain seismic pattern (e.g., faults and salt domes) in a given seismic dataset at one time; correspondingly, the rest patterns would be ignored. Interpreting all the important seismic patterns becomes feasible with the aid of multiple classification techniques. When implementing them into the seismic domain, however, the major drawback is the low efficiency particularly for a large dataset, since the classification need to be repeated at every seismic sample. To resolve such limitation, this study first present a seismic pattern interpretation dataset (SpiDat), which tentatively categorizes 12 commonly-observed seismic patterns based on their signal intensity and lateral geometry, including these of important geologic implications such as faults, salt domes, gas chimneys, and depositional sequences. Then we propose a seismic pattern interpretation network (SpiNet) based on the state-of-the-art deconvolutional neural network, which is capable of automatically recognizing and annotating the 12 defined seismic patterns in real time. The impacts of the proposed SpiNet come in two folds. First, applying the SpiNet to a seismic cube allows interpreters to quickly identify the important seismic patterns as input to advanced interpretation and modeling. Second, the SpiNet paves the foundation for deriving more task-oriented seismic interpretation networks, such as fault detection. It is concluded that the proposed SpiNet holds great potentials for assisting the major seismic interpretation challenges and advancing it further towards cognitive seismic data analysis.


Channel estimation is required to demodulate the multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) signals and there are blind and non-blind channel estimation schemes. One of non-blind channel estimation schemes is using Gibbs sampling. In channel estimation using Gibbs sampling, when the number of received data symbols is small, estimation accuracy may be deteriorated owing to the unreliability of weights. In order to solve this problem, this paper introduces a coefficient for adjusting the weights used in channel estimation with Gibbs sampling. When the number of data symbols is small, larger coefficient values are found to be more suitable because they suppress the fluctuation of channel estimation. Numerical results obtained though computer simulation show that the proposed scheme improves by about 5dB as compared with a decision directed scheme in a 4 × 4 MIMO system when the number of data symbols is one.


There are four factors that restrict Marxist philosophy Chinalization.The first one is the entanglement between politics and academy.The politicalization of philosophy influences the formation and development of academic morphology of Marxist philosophy Chinalization.The second one is the restriction between culture differences.The two different culture systems of Chinese philosophy and Marxist philosophy restrict the conjunction with each other.The third one is the absence of theoretical self-consciousness.Because of the influences of Soviet-mode philosophy textbook and the restriction of Chinese traditional annotation and dogmatism,Marxist philosophers in China lack self-consciousness of theoretical innovations.Finally,the limitation of knowledge accomplishment and research vision lead to the failure of theory consensus.


Carrot was confirmed as a new natural and experimental host of Watermelon mosaic virus by serology, host reactions and sequence comparisons of the coat protein.


1. Birmes P, Coppin D, Schmitt L, Lauque D. Serotonin syndrome: a brief review. CMAJ 2003;168(11):1439-42. 2. Richelson E, Souder T. Binding of antipsychotic drugs to human brain receptors. Focus on newer generation compounds. Life Sci 2000;68:29-39. 3. Green B. Focus on ziprasidone. Curr Med Res Opin 2001;17:146-50. 4. Carnahan RM, Lund BC, Perry PJ. Ziprasidone, a new atypical antipsychotic drug. Pharmacotherapy 2001;21:717-30. 5. Duggal HS, Fetchko J. Serotonin syndrome and atypical antipsychotics. Am J Psychiatry 2002;159:672-73. 6. Sternbach H. The serotonin syndrome. Am J Psychiatry 1991;148:705-13.


Abstract Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. the causal agent of collar and root rot of chili (Capsicum annuum L.), is one of the most important soil-borne pathogens in Sri Lanka. Bacillus subtilis CA32r, a stable spontaneous kanamycin resistant isolate, showing antagonism in a Petri plate assay, was selected for greenhouse pot experiments to control S. rolfsii. An ethyl acetate extract of the culture filtrate of B. subtilis CA32r inhibited radial colony growth as well as germination of sclerotia of the pathogen in vitro, indicating the presence of antifungal compound(s) in the culture extract. B. subtilis CA32r was investigated for its effectiveness as a biological control agent against S. rolfsii infecting transplanted chilli seedlings in greenhouse pot experiments. CA32r significantly decreased the disease incidence in terms of lesion development on stem base and roots depending on the mode of the bacterial application. Seed bacterization and soil application alone did not protect chilli plants, but root bacterization prior to the transplanting of seedlings significantly decreased the disease incidence caused by S. rolfsii. However, even in the combined treatment, seed bacterization and soil application, did not protect chilli plants. The best protection was achieved by combination of root bacterization prior to transplant and soil application of CA32r. Root bacterization resulted in maintaining higher numbers of bacteria at the collar region of chilli plants and may have shielded the most vulnerable area from the pathogen, resulting enhanced protection. Since the application of CA32r resulted in a significant reduction of the number of viable S. rolfsii propagules in the soil indicates that B. subtilis CA32r possesses not only protective but also eradicative potential.


In this paper, we obtained a unique common coupled fixed point theorem using Caristi type contraction in modular metric spaces. Also furnished an example to support our main results.


To shield many complex concepts produced by calling them directly and give simply interface for using,the author encapsulates the functions of DB —Library to form a class by using the Object oriented technology of VC.This implement gives important reference values to the development work of the client part for SQL Server using DB —Library.


Multiscale mass transport behavior is obvious during shale gas development. Considering multiscale pore structure, multiple gas transport mechanisms and multiple micro effects, a unified mathematical model of shale equivalent permeability was constructed. Then the characteristics of shale permeability during a real production process was analyzed. The main impacts of multiscale mass transport of shale gas was investigated, including gas-solid properties, pore geometry and its connectivity, and temperature and pressure conditions. An evaluation index of multiscale mass transport behavior of shale gas was then put forward, which was the proportion of pores with diameter between 50 and 200 nm. A specific methodology on evaluating multiscale mass transport of shale gas was presented based on mesoscience. Considering the main problems in shale gas development, the coordination mechanisms for multiscale mass transport processes was put forward, which includes controlling water phase trapping damage, enlarging and connecting nanopores in matrix, and accelerating gas desorption-diffusion.


We have investigated charge and orbital (quadrupolar) ordering in perovskite manganites Pr 1- x Ca x MnO 3 ( x =0.35, 0.40, 0.50) by ultrasonic measurements. Only transverse ( C 11 - C 12 )/2 mode of the x =0.35, 0.40, and 0.50 compounds shows a softening from 400 K down to the charge ordering point T co =220-240 K. This softening is originated from the bilinear coupling of the quadrupole moment of the e g orbital in Mn 3+ ion to the elastic strain. Furthermore, the elastic softening in both ( C 11 - C 12 )/2 and C 44 modes due to the coupling of the charge fluctuation mode to elastic strain is observed just above T co , especially for the x =0.50 compound. The considerable magnetic field dependence of the elastic constants is obseved. In particular, the magnetic fields up to 12 T releases completely the elastic softening of ( C 11 - C 12 )/2 mode due to the fact that the charge fluctuation is suppressed under 12 T in the x =0.40 compound.


Public education is the basic course for normal university non-professional education students and weighs a lot in pre-service teachers education. The practice turn of curriculum reform of public education in normal universities should be carried out both in daily teaching and internet,in other words,be in the form of classroom teaching,imaginary and virtual teaching; the curriculum practice should be conducted within view of space-time,culture,aesthetics and values; the curriculum practice should last for the whole four years of undergraduate period and guide the students to learn in doing; the curriculum resources should be integrated with schools as the base. The curriculum system and its evaluation system should be reformed to realize the education equality and democracy. All those measures demonstrate the basic characteristics of the learner-oriented,advocate learing curriculum and realization of curriculun team building.


Bover cemetery is located in the middle of the villages of Shnogh and Teghut of the Lori region of the Republic of Armenia, to the west of the central part of Bover church, at an average altitude of 930 m above sea level. According to the results of excavations in 2012, it turned out that the tomb No. 45 is a cultburial tomb. A dog was buried in that partially damaged tomb (beginning of the 1st millennium BC).
The contemporary archaeological material both from Armenia and the surrounding regions shows that such burials were typical of the mentioned period.
The archaeological materials, are certainly linked to ethnographic narratives, which
make it possible to draw up a general picture of this phenomenon.


Abstract This paper intends to develop a model for investigating the effects of technological innovation on geographic organization choice, and some of the risks involved. An increase in profits and a reduction in resource requirements by adapting related innovation could increase motivation around the choice of geographic organization of production to minimize costs. Firms in lower-cost regions can develop the capacity to innovate through 'learning by doing' and increasing investment in R&D. However, outsourcing/offshoring firms bear market risks such as information leakages. This paper argues that geographic organization choice of production may benefit all factors of the source country. When offshoring/outsourcing become possible, the traditional tenets of trade will have the challenges for the situations.


The subject of this research is software methods of automated preprocessing of historical sources and the development of effective solutions to problems when working with sources of personal origin. The article analyzes the current situation in the use of modern software methods. The authors demonstrate the main range of arguments for which such historical sources from a technical point of view should be considered separately. A methodological analysis of the features of the application of optical character recognition based on preprocessed data is carried out. Special attention is paid to the advantages and key parameters of the effectiveness of the final result of work when using automated text processing, including the further use of OCR methods. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the proposal and detailed description of a software solution to the current problem based on machine learning methods. The developed program has three phases of working with digital copies of sources of personal origin. It is based on the use of the OpenCV library and solving a number of problems using the Hough transform. Based on the general analysis of the study, we can highlight the main advantages of automated preprocessing of scanned documents: reducing time, improving accuracy, combating distortion and optimizing the process. The presented results of successful testing of the developed solution allow us to judge the possible areas of its effective application.


To enable effective access to databases on the Web, it is critical to integrate the large scale deep Web sources. Therefore, schema matching is a basic problem in many database application domains, such as data integration, E-business, data warehousing, and semantic query processing. In current implementations, schema matching has some significant limitations until now. And also, there are some problems of the interfaces which often have some hidden regularities over many sources. These regularities can be essentially leveraged in enabling semantics discover of schema matching. In this paper, we focus on the specific problem of semantic heterogeneity between schema matching. We propose a clustering algorithm to organize similar sources with metadata-labeling. Our system includes a same model representation for all relational databases schemas with their own ontologies. In this paper, we represent the experimental results of semantic mapping for two schemas.


PURPOSE: To test the reliability of Timed Up and Go Tests (TUGTs) in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) and compare TUGTs to the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) for outcome measurement. METHODS: Sixty-one of 154 consecutive community-based CR patients were prospectively recruited. Subjects undertook repeated TUGTs and 6MWTs at the start of CR (start-CR), postdischarge from CR (post-CR), and 6 months postdischarge from CR (6 months post-CR). The main outcome measurements were TUGT time (TUGTT) and 6MWT distance (6MWD). RESULTS: Mean (SD) TUGTT1 and TUGTT2 at the 3 assessments were 6.29 (1.30) and 5.94 (1.20); 5.81 (1.22) and 5.53 (1.09); and 5.39 (1.60) and 5.01 (1.28) seconds, respectively. A reduction in TUGTT occurred between each outcome point (P ⩽ .002). Repeated TUGTTs were strongly correlated at each assessment, intraclass correlation (95% CI) = 0.85 (0.76–0.91), 0.84 (0.73–0.91), and 0.90 (0.83–0.94), despite a reduction between TUGTT1 and TUGTT2 of 5%, 5%, and 7%, respectively (P ⩽ .006). Relative decreases in TUGTT1 (TUGTT2) occurred from start-CR to post-CR and from start-CR to 6 months post-CR of −7.5% (−6.9%) and −14.2% (−15.5%), respectively, while relative increases in 6MWD1 (6MWD2) occurred, 5.1% (7.2%) and 8.4% (10.2%), respectively (P < .001 in all cases). Pearson correlation coefficients for 6MWD1 to TUGTT1 and TUGTT2 across all times were −0.60 and −0.68 (P < .001) and the intraclass correlations (95% CI) for the speeds derived from averaged 6MWDs and TUGTTs were 0.65 (0.54, 0.73) (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Similar relative changes occurred for the TUGT and the 6MWT in CR. A significant correlation between the TUGTT and 6MWD was demonstrated, and we suggest that the TUGT may provide a related or a supplementary measurement of functional capacity in CR.


This paper studies coordination strategies for a two-echelon manufacturing and distribution system consisting of a manufacturing centre and n distribution centres. Models are developed and analysed for two alternative control systems: one employs coordination among the manufacturing centre and n distribution centres, the other does not. Three coordination strategies are studied: (1) coordinating production and distribution decisions at every production opportunity; (2) coordinating and deferring system-order allocation decisions; and (3) trans-shipment among distribution centres. Our analysis yields the following insights into the value of coordination. First, coordination can have a very significant impact on distribution centre safety stock needed to meet the required service level. Second, the three coordination strategies studied contribute very differently in reducing distribution centre safety stock. Third, the maximum reduction in a distribution centre's safety stock level resulting from coordinati...


It may appear questionable at first sight to connect international legitimacy and international organisations. However a strong link exists between them. International organisations are the expression, defence, promotion, and projection of a socialised vision of international relations that is key to the claims and gradual implementation of a sense of international legitimacy. As a result, one way to reflect upon global governance — its present situation and what its future is likely to be — is to analyse how international organisations express and contribute to the making of international legitimacy. The paper touches upon three main points. First, it assesses the current legitimacy of international organisations. Second, the paper will examine the contribution of international organisations to international socialisation, which is another word for international or global governance. Thirdly, it attempts to foresee and map some of the key issues around which the future of the international system, international organisations and global governance and the future of their legitimacy will probably revolve.


Doctors' professionalism is being put at risk by the current pressures on the health service, the chair of the General Medical Council has warned, and he urges doctors to speak out over patient safety concerns.

In his annual message to UK doctors, Terence Stephenson said that doctors were being forced to make difficult decisions about care and losing out on training opportunities because of the pressures on the health service.

"The GMC has no …


The most primal sign of Diabetic Retinopathy is exudates. Detecting the exudates at an earlier stage can prevent the vision loss. In this paper, we propose an efficient preprocessing algorithm, to enhance the contrast between background and exudates area. For feature extraction demonstrate Kirsch and Linde-Buzo-Gray (LBG) clustering method. The proposed algorithm is tested on publically available DIARETDB1 database. Due to its distinguishing performance measures, the proposed method has been successfully applied to images of variable quality. Receiving operating curve (ROC) and weighted error rate (WER) which shows that the performance of our method is effective to detect exudate in retinal image.


Poster: "ESSR 2014 / P-0055 / MR measurements of subcoracoid impingement using a new method and its relationship to rotator cuff pathology at MR arthrography" by: "N. Porter, J. Singh, B. Tins, R. K. Lalam, P. Tyrrell, V. Cassar-Pullicino; Oswestry/UK"


Hematopoietic cells in the bone marrow of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) exhibit a complex pattern of cellular dynamics, showing active cellproliferation, as well as frequent apoptosis. To determine the influence of ACINUS expression on the regulation of cellular dynamics in MDS, the expression of ACINUS in bone marrow samples from controls and patients with MDS, overt leukemia (OL) transformed from MDS and de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) was analyzed using immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-PCR). The expression of the ACINUS protein was up-regulated in the bone marrow of MDS, OL, and de novo AML. RNA of ACINUS-S' also upregulated as the same pattern, whereas ACINUS-L did not. In vitro experiments demonstrated that overexpression of ACINUS-S' resulted in increased cell proliferation. These results suggest that ACINUS variants exhibit differential patterns of expression and function in the bone marrow of myeloid neoplasms, such as MDS, OL, and de novo AML.


A pin pulling oil cylinder is characterized in that: the cylinder includes a cylinder body with oil in-out port, a connecting flange at one end of the cylinder body, a connecting base at the other end of the cylinder body, a piston inside the cylinder body and a piston rod extending through the flange with one end fixed on the piston and the other end provided with a holding head. The pin pulling oil cylinder has extensive application in heavy machinery such as crane for inserting and pulling out pin shaft.


A positive and negative dual rail voltage supply proposed for battery powered portable devices and a test chip designed and fabricated by using 0.13um CMOS triple-well process. Proposed dual voltage scheme provides an effective way of reducing the dynamic power consumption due to the charge recycling through the upper power rail and lower power rail separated by series connected capacitors. The additional advantage of the proposed system is that we can separate digital block and analog block depending on the requirement of operating speed and voltage swing levels.


This paper presents the model of Boolean neuronal network. This model of neuron considers inputs and outputs to be binary and the weight controls function to be the multiplexer of some bases binary relations. The neuron body is a threshold gate which can implement different functions. The neuron was designed using a "multiplexer" of Boolean functions, a random hardware circuit for weight and a majority circuit for the body. The network was designed using top-level structural description with neuron as an object and it was implemented in a FPGA structure.


In order to prepare for the hospital accreditation,the whole hospital staff received training to completely understand the standards and the features of the new standards,including the construction of patient safety and connotation,continuous improvement of service quality,multidimensional comprehensive evaluation and the authenticity of the assessment results.By looking for the problems and focusing on the key points,some important measures had been proposed,including the implementation of responsibility system for holistic nursing,the enhancement of security management of nursing quality,the implementation of position management of nurses and so on.It should be paid attention to mobilizing individual initiative,making full participation,ongoing systematic review,taking the hospital as a whole and forming normal mechanism,so as to make all work in place.


Krall and Frink [4] aroused interest in what they term Bessel polynomials. They studied in some detail what may, in hypergeometric form, be written as


A method of producing cathode coal blocks of aluminium reduction cells. It is characterized in, comprising cracking-screening-blending-pugging-molding-first baking-second baking-processing; cathode thickener contains(by weight): 10uN-80uNpetrolatum coke in particles or powder, 10uN-80uN graphite petrolatum coke in particles or powder, 10??50uN hard coal in particles, 0uN-10uNbaking paricles as the aggregate, selecting coal pitch containing 0uN-30uN coal tar as the bonding agent, the aggregate is 80uN-85uN of the thickener (by weight), the bonding agent is 15uN-20uNof the thickener; pugging is at 130degree C-180degree C, molding is at 110degree C-150degree C, the first baking is at 700degree C-1000degree C, the second baking is at 1100degree C-1300degree C.


Development Grant Agreement (Transitional Economic Recovery Support Grant) between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the International Development Association (with schedules and General Conditions Applicable to Development Credit Agreements dated 1 January 1985, as amended through 1 May 2004). Washington, 9 December 2005


To the Editor: The chronic myeloproliferative disorders are clonal marrow neoplasms that are often associated with arterial or venous thromboses and microcirculatory disturbances.1 Certain thrombot...


This study provides a panel data analysis of the interrelationship among disclosure, risk and performance and also discusses the possible of endogeneity and exogeneity of dependent variables. In order to find the interrelations among these variables, we use eleven samples of full-fledged Islamic banks and Islamic windows between the years 2002 to 2006. The estimated results are as follows. All equations are not fit since all variables cannot explain the dependent variables significantly. Since there are three equations, we try to estimate these equations using simultaneous equations approach. The results indicate that all equations are almost efficient and our findings suggest that LEVERAGE and PROFIT are statistically significant in determining DISCLOSURE. Meanwhile, the result also suggests that DISCLOSURE and PROFIT are significant in explaining LEVERAGE. For the last equation which treats PROFIT as an endogenous variable, shows that DISCLOSURE is significant in explaining PROFIT among samples of Islamic banks. Furthermore, we have conducted the Granger-Causality test to check the endogeneity and exogeneity among the variables. The Granger-Causality results suggest that, DISCLOSURE has a possibility to be a dependent variable compared to LEVERAGE and PROFIT. Therefore, the regulatory authority should develop a policy in order to enhance the quality of disclosure in Islamic banking system. International Research Journal of Finance and Economics Issue (72) 101


The role of Paralympic athletes in sports has considered being important. The consideration is based on the desire to struggle as like normal people in the field of sports. Thus, this research is conducted in purpose to comprehend the whole phenomenon of Paralympic athletes in achieving accomplishment. Descriptive qualitative is applied in purpose to reveal the condition, facts, phenomenon, variable occurred. The main purpose is to understand the phenomenon more and focusing in the whole description rather by detailing on the related variables. The technique used in this research is documentation aims to find out the information dealing with the research's object. The Indonesian's Paralympic athletes are able to compete in the International multi-event as like ASEAN Para Games (in the level of Southeast Asia level). However, the medal achievement is not much as expected yet. However, in in Asia level that is Asian Para Games which considered as new match, unfortunately, Indonesia has not yet succeeds to match with the big countries in Asia such as China. In Asean Para Games, athletic and swimming becomes the gold medal achievement determinant. Afterwards, the best achievement achieved by Indonesia in Paralympic Games is limited merely on bronze medals. All in all, Indonesia is able to compete in the International multi-event yet the achievement need to be more increasing.


The radiation and scattering pattern characteristics of open-ended rectangular waveguide with a chamfered tip are examined. Despite common and widespread use as a probe antenna for planar near-field antenna measurements, a methodical investigation of the chamfered-tip design and resultant performance has not been published. A computational electro magnetics (CEM) model for an open-ended rectangular waveguide probe with a parameterized chamfered tip has been constructed and results for both radiation and scattering patterns are presented. A comparison of results includes a probe without a chamfer and a probe typical of that available from commercial suppliers. It is shown that, for a series of standard waveguide size probes sharing a common thickness for the waveguide wall and chamfered tip, the radiation pattern is relatively insensitive to the chamfer tip designs studied until frequency increases into W-band (WR-10). The scattering pattern characteristics for the same series of standard waveguide size probes show a reduction in on-axis (boresight) monostatic radar cross section (RCS) for chamfered tip waveguides compared to blunt-ended waveguides and that this reduction increases for increasing frequency.


SUMMARY We report the synthesis of llC-labelled choline using the reaction of "nocarrier-added" llC-labelled methyliodide and 2-amino-(N,N-dimethyl)-ethanol. After determining the optimum temperature and duration for the reaction, we achieved a radiochemical yield of about 30% and the radioactivity levels needed for PET studies in humans.


Environment friendly, so called green marketing has become a discussed subject and companies are constantly trying to find the best ways to reach the customers with their green message. A trademark ...


A report is presented on the use of cyclic voltammetry using silver as a working electrode. The combined electrocatalytic properties of silver and ionic liquids allow cyclic voltammetry to be turned into an ideal tool for the rapid and accurate access to diffusion coefficient values and solubility values of carbon dioxide in ionic liquids under standard conditions.


In this paper, novel Variable length Teager Energy Operator (VTEO) based Mel frequency cepstral coefficients, namely, VTMFCC are proposed for automatic classification of normalvs. pathological voices. Experiments have been carried out using this proposed feature set, Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (MFCC), and their score-level fusion. Classification was primarily performed using a discriminatively-trained 2nd order polynomial classifier on a subset of the MEEI database for a feature dimension of 12. The equal error rate (EER) on fusion was reduced by 3.2% than MFCC alone which was used as the baseline. The classification accuracy was analyzed for different dimensions of feature vector. Furthermore, results obtained for the2nd order classifier were compared with the results obtained from the 3rd order polynomial classifier for different feature dimensions. In addition, the effectiveness of dynamic features, in particular, delta, delta-delta, and shifted delta cepstral features have been investigated for this particular problem. It has been observed that the score-level fusion (with equal weights) of proposed feature set and state-of-the-art MFCC gave better classification performance than MFCC alone for various evaluation factors considered in this paper.


Low frequency sound generated from highway bridges at speedy passage of heavy vehicles, has been rising to a new traffic problem. It has, therefore, been an urgent necessity to make clear how it occurs and to calculate the pressure level of a sound regarding bridge vehicle system. In this paper the authors attempt to evaluate the SPL of the bridge vehicle system by an average SPL during the vehicle passage time and over the surface of the bridge. The dynamic response of a bridge under a travelling vehicle, is handled by a beam theory subjected to a sprung mass system and the SPL radiating from bridge is calculated from the particle velocity equation. The effect of the correlated vibration between bridge and vehicle, travelling velocity of the vehicle and randomness of the bridge surface on the SPL radiating from bridge, are shown in numerical results.


1 Wilmer WA, Magro CM. Calciphylaxis: emerging concepts in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Semin Dial 2002; 15: 172–186. 2 Edwards RB, Jaffe W, Arrowsmith J, Henderson HP. Calciphylaxis: a rare limb and life threatening cause of ischaemic skin necrosis and ulceration. Br J Plast Surg 2000; 53: 253–255. 3 Guldbakke KK, Khachemoune A. Calciphylaxis. Int J Dermatol 2007; 46: 231–238. 4 Lal G, Nowell AG, Liao J, Sugg SL, Weigel RJ, Howe JR. Determinants of survival in patients with calciphylaxis: a multivariate analysis. Surgery 2009; 146: 1028–1034.


Michael Corballis discusses in this essay how the asymmetry of the brain raises questions about genetics, evolution, language, and educational and psychological disabilities; but beware of exaggerated claims of left brain/right brain polarities.


The Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE) satellite will conduct an all-sky survey in the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) between 80 and 900 Å. The survey mission will be performed using three grazing incidence EUV telescopes equipped with microchannel plate (MCP) detectors. A fourth telescope will provide a deeper survey over a limited portion of the sky and contains three spectrometers for pointed EUV spectroscopic observations of selected objects. Thin film filters are used directly in front of the imaging MCP detectors to define four separate photometric bandpasses for the survey and act as order filters for the spectrometers.


According to the weak status of finished oil depot's power distribution system and weak current instrument information system's lightning protection,this paper conducts the research on way of installation of lightning stroke EMP prevention technology and SPD of oil depot 's power distribution system and weak current instrument information system,including equipotential connection and shield of receiving lightning,bypass flow,voltage- sharing and earthing and formulating overall EMP protection scheme for finished oil depot with protective measures set inside and outside of SPD.


Sergey Chernykh (e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com) Ph.D. in Economics, Professor, Chief Researcher, Institute of Economics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow STATE CAPITALISM IN RUSSIA: THEORY, PRACTICE AND MODERN TRENDS The article deals with theoretical and practical issues related to the formation and development of state capitalism in its various forms in Russia. The author considers the possibility of the transformation of state capitalism in Russia that could be favorable for solving investment problems and increasing the efficiency of institutions for managing the state's economic assets.


The problem of cancer remains a priority for modern society. One of the methods of scientific analysis of the causes of the appearance and spread of cancer has become mapping with extensive use of geospatial statistics. In a relatively short time, traditional cancer mapping has evolved to geoinformation mapping with unique opportunities for implementing different models of epidemiological analysis based on an integrative (integrated) approach. In practice, this made it possible to timely analyze, inform users and monitor epidemiological situations at different spatial levels (world, countries, regions). The greatest interest in terms of revealing the role of mapping in cancer research is represented by specialized atlas works that seek not only to cover the most complete epidemiology of morbidity, but also to create recommendations for its reduction. The article provides a review of domestic and foreign world atlases on oncology. The obvious successes in the domestic oncological mapping, the development of large atlas works in the XX century, unfortunately, have not yet been properly continued in the XXI century. One of the priority tasks of mapping the problems of oncology is to develop epidemiological risk models for the main socially significant forms of malignant neoplasms, the creation of which is possible on the basis of standardized epidemiological studies and accumulated materials of cancer registers. For its implementation, the Geographical Faculty of the Lomonosov Moscow State University, with the support of the Russian Geographical Society, has begun to prepare a Medico-geographical Atlas "Cancer Risk Factors". The creation of the Atlas should serve as a start to provide the public with a reliable and visual knowledge base for successfully solving the problems of malignant neoplasms in the country and in the world.


This article focuses on the Croatian Orao, a gymnastic organization that became hegemonic among the Croatian Catholic population of interwar Yugoslavia. The first section examines the genesis of the Croatian Orao within the changing Catholic landscape of Croatia, Yugoslavia, and Europe more broadly, with particular emphasis on Orao's relationships with Orel – a gymnastic movement very similar to Orao that was popular among Slovenes – and the Holy See, as well as Orao's role in conflicts in the Croatian Catholic sphere. Part 2 will situate the Croatian Orao in the complex ecosystem of youth and gymnastic organizations present in the first Yugoslav state, especially with respect to the different Sokol organizations. Focusing on the actual sport activities practiced in Orao, the aim is to tackle the specific place of gymnastics in the associational culture of the Croatian Orao. The third and final part will explore the dismantling of Orao's associational network by the state in 1929, and the association's reorganization in other, more radical guises in 1930.


Pravin Y and Mohanraj R.S. PG and Research Department of Zoology, Government Arts, College, Coimbatore. 641018, Tamilnadu ,India. ...................................................................................................................... Manuscript Info Abstract ......................... ........................................................................ Manuscript History Received: 11 December 2018 Final Accepted: 13 January 2019 Published: February 2019


This report is a third supplement to a July 1996 report that presented the results of an independent technical peer review of the adequacy of 24 conceptual models representing features, events and processes involved in assessing the long-term performance of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). The peer review was initially conducted from April through June 1996 at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Sandia National Laboratories by a six-member interdisciplinary Review Panel having the requisite broad experience to address the range of issues associated with waste isolation over the 10,000-year regulatory time frame. The Panel selection process and the biographies of the Panel members are included in the July 1996 report.


The study demonstrates the viability of situational segmentation in a market outside the USA. A number of situational segmentation studies in the USA have examined the snacking market. This study examines situational segmentation opportunities in the context of the Japanese snacking market. The study attempts to delineate a situationally‐defined market structure for a broadly defined array of snack products. This is done by characterizing 18 snacks in terms of pertinent situational factors via dummy variable regression analysis; and grouping the snacks in terms of the similarity of their situational characterizations via cluster analysis. The study reveals four multi‐product snack segments, including solitary snacking cluster, socializing ensemble cluster, high gravity socialization cluster, and morning home snack. The results show that situational segmentation is as effective in complementing more traditional segmentation approaches in Japan as it is in the USA.


AIM:To study the association between the aged impaired glucose tolerance united coronary heart disease and β cell function,lipometabolism. METHODS:79 case coronary heart disease of the senile IGT patients and 49 NGT of the senile were examined for β cell function and lipometabolism. The subjects were divided into three groups:CHD groups( n =31),not CHD groups( n =48) and NGT group ( n =49) .RESULTS:The β cell function (FINS/FBG,ISI) and lipometabolism (TC/HDL C) in the IGT group ( n =79) were marked different from those in the controls(NGT)( P 0.05, P 0.01). The β cell function and lipometabolism of the senile IGT patients( n =79) were much lower than those in the controls( P 0.01). CONCLUSION:The aged impaired glucose tolerance patients should be protected from damages of β cell function and intervention of hyperlipidemia should be undertaken as early as possible.


This research paper identifies the effect of the application of the Law on the Reactivation of the Economy in the development of microenterprises in Ecuador, due to the influence of these entities in the productive ecosystem that have contributed and potentialized the growth of the nation.The objective of the Law is to boost microeconomics and boost the economic recovery, through the creation of more productive organizations that contribute to the progressive development of the sector, energize small industries and contribute to the growth of GDP and The economic aspect. Consequently, it should be taken into account that microenterprises are businesses that tend to disappear easily due to the lack of administrative, productive and financial management and even due to the limited level of investment, which leads to the impact on competitiveness and quality of goods and / or services. Event through which the present Law identifies the various tax benefits and exemptions during the first 3 years, from the date of the start of the activity, which favor the sector and manages to convert the tax burden into productive reinvestments, encouraging the creation of new jobs and fight tax evasion.


Diabetic retinopathy is a major cause of blindness in developed countries. Since this disease remains asymptomatic in the early stages, periodic screening is of utmost importance. However, the success of screening programmes depends largely on the adherence of the target population. Thus, the development of computer simulations that make it possible to understand the factors correlated with the individual decision to adhere to the screening or not, to predict low adherence rates and to define strategies that promote its increase, is very useful. The aim of the present research is to demonstrate that it is possible to simulate the behavior of adherence to screening, using a model with a high degree of abstraction and scalability. To this end, a model based on agents with fuzzy logic was developed, calibrated, and validated using real data from 271,867 calls for screening in the Northern Regional Health Administration. The results obtained are very close to the real ones, both in the training and in the test sets, which attests to the validity of the model for the study of this problem and use as a predictive tool for public health planning.


1. Ideas have a dynamic of their own and selection mechanisms are more important in explaining the practice of contemporary policy-making than the workings of political institutions and party politics. 2. Policy change in local taxation has been driven by political ideas. The 'blip' of the political climate of the late 1980s was the selection mechanism that allowed a small band of advocates to propose the solution of a poll tax. It gained its own momentum in an environment that the Government was barely influencing.


PURPOSE
To evaluate color duplex ultrasonographic (US) guidance of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of femoropopliteal artery stenoses and occlusions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Twenty-four patients (11 women, 13 men; mean age, 65.0 years) with severe claudication, abnormal ankle-arm pressure indexes, and lesions in the superficial femoral or popliteal artery depicted at US underwent balloon PTA with US guidance. US findings were confirmed before and after PTA by means of intravenous digital subtraction angiography.

RESULTS
All of 22 segmental stenoses and three of four superficial femoral artery occlusions were successfully treated (in 23 patients). In three cases, a residual stenosis was detected after initial PTA, and PTA was repeated with a larger balloon catheter. Of the 21 patients followed up for 6 months, one had reocclusion and three had hemodynamically significant restenosis.

CONCLUSION
Results of PTA with US guidance in short stenoses or occlusions of the femoral or popliteal artery are similar to those of PTA with fluoroscopic control.


M aintaining a healthy domestic military industrial base has been an important facet of defence acquisition policy in the United Kingdom for many years. A set of guiding principles and specific priorities were set out in the Defence Industrial Strategy of 2005, which also highlighted potential future challenges. More recently, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has pursued a variety of studies to gauge the fitness of industries and production capabilities that have been deemed to be critical to UK national security. The long-term vitality of the UK's fixed wing military aerospace industry is one such area of enquiry that is of particular concern to policymakers. With forecasts indicating that defence budgets to develop and procure new fixed wing aircraft are likely to decline in coming decades, the MOD turned to RAND Europe to evaluate the current and future health of the industrial base out to the year 2035. Researchers from RAND performed this evaluation in 2009, reviewing the economic and policy literature on military aerospace and conducting qualitative and quantitative surveys of UK industry and government. Drawing from these surveys and the literature, RAND determined the key skills that the UK fixed wing aerospace industry base requires, assessed whether UK industry currently possesses those skills and evaluated the extent to which these skills might be sustained in the future.


Objective. To evaluate short-term and long-term results of nephrectomy, thrombectomy, circular inferior vena cava (IVC) resection in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and advanced IVC tumor invasion. Materials and methods . Medical data of 49 patients with RCC and level II–IV tumor venous thrombus with advanced IVC wall tumor invasion were analyzed. All the patients underwent nephrectomy, thrombectomy, circular IVC resection (radical – 35 (71.0 %), cytoreductive, in M+ cases – 14 (28.6 %)). Circular resection of the infrarenal IVC segment was performed in 25 (51.0 %) patients; resection of the infrarenal, perirenal and retrohepatic IVC segments with a ligation of the left renal vein (RV) – in 24 (49.0 %) patients. Perirenal IVC prosthesis was used in 2 (4.1 %) patients with initially preserved IVC blood flow, in other cases replacement of the removed IVC segment wasn't performed due to presence of a network of venous collaterals duplicating the IVC. Patients with metastases received systemic antitumor treatment after nephrectomy, thrombectomy. Results . Median operative time was 260 (135–580) minutes, median blood loss was 8750 (3000–27 000) ml. Severe intraoperative complications were observed in 2 (4.0 %) patients, 1 (2.0 %) patient died on the operating table due to hypovolemic shock. Postoperative complications were observed in 26 (53.2 %) cases (grade III–V in 22 (45.8 %) patients). Five-year overall and cancer-specific survival of all patients was 54.6 and 67.8 %, respectively, relapse-free survival of 35 patients with M0 category was 49.4 %. Both IVC prostheses were patent 12 months after the surgery. Function of the left kidney after ligation of the left RV was preserved at the preoperative level in all 24 patients in a median of 12 (2–120) months. Conclusion. Nephrectomy, segmental/subtotal cavectomy with preservation of the main renal venous entries is an effective treatment method in RCC patients with advanced tumor IVC invasion. The method allows to achieve satisfactory long-term survival rates and functional results.


A navigation method for searching a route is provided to guide a route for reaching a destination without passing a predetermined bypass area by enabling a user to set a bypass area in advance. A bypass area is set by a user before searching a route(S201). When a destination is set and a bypass area link is produced. Then, a route search is executed(S203,S205). A search link and a bypass link are compared in the course of the route search. Next, when the search link is included in the bypass area link, a route is searched by applying a distance to avoid the bypass area(S207-S211). In the bypass area setting, the bypass area is set in a rectangular shape on a map of a screen.


The need of high speed integrated optical devices for optical communication has resulted in a great interest in ferroelectric materials. Thin films of (Pb,La),(Zr,Ti)O/sub 3/ have been extensively studied for making integrated optic devices since they are expected to have high electrooptic effects. The purpose of this work is to define the effect of opto-geometrical parameters on the waveguiding performance. To design the complete two-dimensional structure, we have utilized the effective index and beam propagation methods to predict main parameters (such as mode cut-offs, propagation constant, field distribution, propagation attenuation, etc....) for transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) polarizations.


469Background: There are significant disparities in patient access to innovative cancer medicines internationally. We sought to describe global drug licensing developments in gastrointestinal (GI) ...


Aims and objectives: Vaccine is one of the most effective tools available to prevent infectious diseases and their complications. One of the most controversial vaccines for its therapeutic effect on COVID-19 is the BCG vaccine. The BCG vaccine has been used worldwide since 1921. The first BCG strain was introduced in 1947, but mass production and nationwide prescribing began in 1984. The BCG vaccine is able to stimulate the immune system's response to a large number of antigens that are effective in causing infectious diseases. Involved mechanisms include activation of NK and NKT memory cells and an increase in 1β-IL against viral infections. Results: Due to the prevalence of COVID-19 virus and the need for research to become more aware of the virus and the process of prevention, control and treatment, there is hope of the effectiveness of the BCG vaccine in recovering diseases. Studies show that tuberculosis infection, both active and latent, increases the severity and progression of the disease in people with COVID-19. The BCG vaccine is likely to be able to reduce the cytokine storm after exposure to SARS-COV-2, resulting in mild COVID-19 and early recovery. Children also seem to be protected against COVID-19 compared to adults. In late adulthood, mechanisms such as the reduction of regulatory T cells can help exacerbate COVID-19. Conclusions: Despite all the studies, the claim that the BCG vaccine is effective against COVID-19 needs further investigation worldwide. Any incorrect information and lack of accurate tests can lead to misuse of the vaccine and this can lead to the deprivation of children in need of vaccine in some countries due to its lack. As a result, it is better to conduct more comprehensive studies to obtain definitive results.


We sample from a given target distribution by constructing a neural network which maps samples from a simple reference, e.g. the standard normal distribution, to samples from the target. To that end, we propose using a neural network architecture inspired by the Langevin Monte Carlo (LMC) algorithm. Based on LMC perturbation results, we show approximation rates of the proposed architecture for smooth, log-concave target distributions measured in the Wasserstein-$2$ distance. The analysis heavily relies on the notion of sub-Gaussianity of the intermediate measures of the perturbed LMC process. In particular, we derive bounds on the growth of the intermediate variance proxies under different assumptions on the perturbations. Moreover, we propose an architecture similar to deep residual neural networks and derive expressivity results for approximating the sample to target distribution map.


An apparatus and a method for determining a change in resistance ([Delta]R0) of an energy storage device, wherein a measurement voltage (Umeas) of the energy storage device is detected, wherein a model voltage (Umod) of the energy storage device is determined, wherein a deviation (Ue) between the model voltage (Umod) and the measurement voltage (Umeas) is determined, wherein a measurement current of the energy storage device is detected, wherein a change (Ud) in the deviation (Ue) over time is determined, wherein the change in resistance ([Delta]R0) of the energy storage device is determined depending on the change (Ud) in the deviation (Ue) over time, and to a vehicle.


We investigate the spatiotemporal focusing dynamics of a Gaussian laser pulse in preformed collisionless plasma subjected to an axial nonuniformity in the plasma density. In order to follow up the pulse dynamics, a nonlinear Schrodinger wave equation characterizing the beam spot size in space and time frame has been derived and solved numerically to investigate the propagation characteristics as the pulse advances in the plasma. The effect of inhomogeneity on focusing length and ponderomotive electron heating have been analyzed and illustrated graphically. It is seen that ponderomotive heating is quite sensitive to the inhomogeneity parameters and the energy gain by electrons can be optimized by suitable choice of parameters.


A method for determining the resistance of microbes to a particular antibiotic, comprising the steps of: (A) adding an amount of microbes to a nutrient medium, in which an amount of the antibiotic is located, (B) incubating at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time, (C) removal of the microbes from the nutrient medium, (D) displacement of the microbes with matrix solution, and preparation of a sample by drying of the matrix solution on a mass spectrometry sample carrier, (E) recording a mass spectrum of the sample, and (F) Determination of the resistance or non-resistance of the microbes by the similarity of the mass spectrum with reference mass spectra were obtained from resistant and non-resistant microbes of this microbe under the action of the antibiotic or of microbes without exposure to the antibiotic and not resistant microbes under the action of the antibiotic.


Problem statement: Titanium alloys have been used widely in the aeros pace, chemical and petroleum industry because of their high specific s trength, fracture resistance and superior resistanc e to corrosion. Titanium alloys have a very high strengt h-to-weight ratio making them very suitable for aircraft engines and airframe manufacture. Approach: The use of titanium alloys as engine component materials is due to their ability to maintain their h gh strength at high operating temperatures of th e engine. Titanium alloys exhibit exceptional resista nce to corrosion, which provides savings on protective coating like paints that will otherwise b used in the case of steel. However, titanium all oys are difficult to machine due to their high temperat u e strength, low modulus of elasticity, low therma l conductivity and high chemical reactivity. Results: This study presented the investigation of tool li fe improvement in end-milling of Titanium Alloy Ti-6Al -4V through workpiece preheating. End milling tests were conducted on Vertical Machining Centre w ith full immersion cutting. Titanium alloy Ti6Al-4V bar was used as the workpiece. Machining was performed with a 20 mm diameter end-mill tool holder fitted with one uncoated WC-Co carbide nserts. All of the experiments were run under room temperature and preheating condition at 315, 4 50 and 650°C. Induction heating was utilized during end milling with preheating. Flank wear has been considered as the criterion for tool failure a nd the wear was measured using a Hisomet II Toolmaker' s microscope. Tests were conducted until an insert rejected when an average flank wear greater than 0.30 mm was recorded. Cutting force and torque measurements were conducted using the Kistle r Rotating Cutting Force Dynamometer. Vibration during cutting was captured using an onli ne vibration monitoring system. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was also used to investigate the w ear morphology. Conclusion/Recommendation: The results lead to conclusions that workpiece preh eating significantly increases the tool life of uncoated WC-Co carbide inserts in end-milling of Ti tan um Alloy Ti-6Al-4V. An increase in tool life by 325 % was achieved while employing preheating at 650°C compared to the experiment at room temperature.


This research aims to analyze the accountability strategy of acceptance and distribution of Zakat, Infaq and Shadaqah with accountability parameters through Law Number 23 of 2011, MUI Fatawa and PSAK 109. The research based on case study at DPU Daarut Tauhid Yogyakarta by using interview and descriptive qualutative analysis method.
Based on the analysis of research that has been done then the the results obtained that DPU Daarut Tauhid Yogyakarta has a strategy of acceptance and distribution to meet the the conformity of Law Number 23 of 2011, MUI Fatwa and PSAK 109. But there are findings in financial accountability DPU Daarut Tauhid has not published financial information on its web portal as in other zakat institutions. In addition, the Joint Source and Use Reports of the Joint Fund have not included explicit non-halal funds distribution.
Keywords: Accountability, acceptance


This paper reports on an investigation in classification technique employed to classify noised and uncertain data. However, classification is not an easy task. It is a significant challenge to discover knowledge from uncertain data. In fact, we can find many problems. More time we don't have a good or a big learning database for supervised classification. Also, when training data contains noise or missing values, classification accuracy will be affected dramatically. So to extract groups from  data is not easy to do. They are overlapped and not very separated from each other. Another problem which can be cited here is the uncertainty due to measuring devices. Consequentially classification model is not so robust and strong to classify new objects. In this work, we present a novel classification algorithm to cover these problems. We materialize our main idea by using belief function theory to do combination between classification and clustering. This theory treats very well imprecision and uncertainty linked to classification. Experimental results show that our approach has ability to significantly improve the quality of classification of generic database.


Contents: Introduction Democratization and the internal security services: principal approaches and findings Commander of the faithful: Morocco, the king, and the internal security services Indonesia's intelligence and security services: the white of my bones? Reforming the security sector: findings and recommendations References Index.


Consumption of non-caloric sweeteners (NCS) has increased in recent years and are a popular sugar substitute, providing intense sweetness with minimal or no energy. NCS are abundant in our food supply and found in consumable products such as diet beverages, yoghurts and chewing gum. Studies in rodents have shown adverse effects, including increased oxidative stress and elevated glucose concentrations. Despite noted effects on metabolic outcomes. there is limited research on the impact of NCS on human reproductive health, with some evidence of in utero exposure to NCS promoting pregnancy complications. Female rodent studies has found associations between NCS consumption and reduced pregnancy length, with adverse outcomes reported in offspring, including reduced fetal growth, however the effect of NCS on reproduction has been relatively under-researched in a human setting, particularly in relation to male reproductive outcomes. We therefore set out to systematically examine the literature in relation to pre-clinical rodent studies investigating the role of NCS on male fertility outcomes. A literature search was performed in Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science and Scopus to find all studies investigating the effects of NCS on male fertility when compared with controls or a nutritive sweetener group. Searches were conducted for the following NCS;aspartame, stevia, acesulfame k, advantame, saccharin, neotame, cyclamate and sucralose. Primary outcomes were effects on sperm quality, quantity, or pregnancy success. Secondary outcomes were effects on reproductive organ weights, litter size and gestational length. Two reviewers independently screened studies for inclusion and carried out a risk of bias assessment in Covidence, using the Syrcle risk of bias tool. In total, 9 studies met our inclusion criteria and were included in our review. The NCS studied in mice and included in the final studies were aspartame, advantame, rebaudioside a (stevia), saccharin, and sucralose. Acesulfame k, neotame and cyclamate did not arise in our searches and were not included. Overall, 44% of studies showed a negative effect of NCS on male reproductive parameters, with an observed reduction in sperm count, compared with controls. 33% of the studies observed significant reductions in sperm motility, viability, and an increase in abnormal sperm in the NCS group, however only one included study on saccharin used the appropriate ADI equivalent to humans of < 5 mg/kg bw/day, while the remaining NCS exceeded the ADI for human consumption. Two studies showed a dose-dependent effect of NCS on fertility parameters and four studies reported decreased reproductive organ weights. Studies using advantame and sucralose observed no effect on male fertility, however in the advantame study, only high dose groups were assessed and in the sucralose study, sperm motility and viability were not assessed. NCS seem to affect male fertility in rodents, with some studies showing significant effects on reduced sperm quality and quantity in rodents consuming aspartame, saccharin, and stevia. There may be a dose-dependent manner of NCS effects, with higher intakes associated with worse outcomes, compared with lower intakes and controls. The specific effects of NCS on fertility have been conflicting and the available studies have been heterogeneous in terms of the study duration, sample size and the doses evaluated, with most studies using NCS doses well above the ADI for humans. Further research in humans is needed to assess whether NCS could be a potential cause of male fertility issues.


Introduction: Laparoscopic surgery has been performed in Mexico since 1989, but no reports about training tendencies exist. We conducted a national survey in 2015, and here we report the results concerning training characteristics during the surgical residence of the respondents. Materials and Methods: A prospective study was conducted through a survey questioning demographic data, laparoscopic training during pre and post surgical residency and other of areas of laparoscopic practice. The sample was calculated and survey piloted before application. Special interest in this report was placed on type and quality of training received. Data are reported in percentages. Results: 1,151 questionnaires were compiled and 90% of the calculated sample analyzed. 90.25% of the respondents were male. Participation included respondents from almost every State of Mexico. 51.59% did not have theoretical and only 52.51% had practical training. 98.89% were exposed to laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 69.03% to antirefl ux surgery, 64.86% diagnostic laparoscopy and 55.56% appendectomy. Exposure to other procedures was less than 35%. 77% performed more than 10 cholecystectomies as the principal surgeon, appendectomy 50.6%, and antirefl ux surgery 60.1%. 15 to 26% never performed basic procedures as the principal surgeon. Many residents denied having even assisted in advanced laparoscopic procedures. 52.4% rated training quality as inappropriate. Seventy fi ve percent decided to take some kind of extra training in laparoscopy after their residency. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the fi rst national survey to report the tendencies in training and practice of laparoscopy before 2015 in Mexico. It is a good representation of the reality with which laparoscopy has slowly evolved in our country. More than half the respondents consider having had an inadequate training program. Training was focused on basic laparoscopic procedures such as cholecystectomy but advanced procedures were very seldom taught. Most respondents affi rmed to require additional laparoscopic training after their residency.


Le nanotecnologie rappresentano la grande rivoluzione del XXI secolo. Esse si occupano della preparazione di materiali, le nanoparticelle (NP), in cui almeno una delle dimensioni sia al di sotto dei 100 nm (ovvero inferiore a 10 metri). La drastica riduzione delle dimensioni conferisce alle nanoparticelle caratteristiche fisico-chimiche molto diverse da quelle del materiale parentale, e questo perché diminuendo le dimensioni, aumenta considerevolmente il rapporto superficie/ volume. Questo a sua volta determina che la maggior parte degli atomi si vengano a disporre sulla superficie della nanoparticella, conferendogli una elevata reattività sia chimica sia biologica. Nell'ambito delle nanoparticelle ingegnerizzate, i nanotubi di carbonio a parete singola (SWCNT) sono considerati uno dei materiali più promettenti per applicazioni in campo sia biomedico che industriale. Esistono, tuttavia, indicazioni che i SWCNT possano essere potenzialmente tossici in alcuni contesti biologici. Per esempio, noi abbiamo recentemente dimostrato che alcuni tipi di SWCNT, prodotti essenzialmente per applicazioni di tipo industriale, se somministrate a femmine di topo ad uno stadio iniziale di gravidanza sono in grado di indurre malformazioni fetali di diversa severità, fino all'aborto, nel caso di somministrazioni a concentrazioni elevate. Questa osservazione apre la questione sulla sicurezza della esposizione in ambiente lavorativo a questo tipo di nanoparticelle nel corso della gravidanza. Low embryotoxicity of PEGylated single wall carbon nanotubes www.preventionandresearch.com Apr-Jun 2013|P&R Scientific|Volume 3|N°2 94 In questo lavoro riportiamo alcuni nostri risultati successivi che dimostrano come la aggiunta ai nanotubi di carbonio di gruppi funzionali costituiti da catene di polietileglicole (PEG –SWCNT) è in grado di ridurre sensibilmente il loro effetto embriotossico e di non determinare particolari effetti dannosi a livello strutturale sui tessuti materni. La funzionalizzazione con il polietilenglicole è, infatti, uno dei sistemi generalmente utilizzati per aumentare la biocompatibilità di molti tipi di nanoparticelle. Per questo studio sono stati seguiti due diversi protocolli sperimentali: in un primo caso, un gruppo di femmine (al giorno 5.5 di gravidanza) sono state esposte al materiale in esame una singola volta, mentre in una seconda serie di esperimenti femmine, allo stesso stadio di gestazione, hanno ricevuto somministrazioni multiple. Questo secondo protocollo è stato scelto allo scopo di mimare la possibile esposizione quotidiana che una donna in gravidanza potrebbe avere in ambiente occupazionale. Al termine degli esperimenti sono stati confrontati gli effetti riscontrati sia a livello dello sviluppo del feto sia della salute dei tessuti della madre. I nostri risultati hanno mostrato che la funzionalizzazione è effettivamente in grado di ridurre l'effetto tossico sul feto, tuttavia abbiamo osservato la comparsa occasionale di embrioni con evidenti malformazioni strutturali. Queste osservazioni lasciano aperta la questione sulla sicurezza della esposizione in gravidanza ai nanotubi di carbonio, sia essa di tipo accidentale, come può accadere in ambito lavorativo, sia essa intenzionale, come per esempio nel caso di applicazioni di tipo biomedico. Background The use of nanoparticles for the development of innovative materials represents a real industrial revolution because at these dimensional levels behaviors and characteristics of matter change drastically and therefore nanotechnologies represent a radically new way to produce materials, structures and devices with properties and functionality greatly improved, or entirely new compared to those of the materials made up of the same molecules, but of higher dimensions. A responsible development of new materials requires a careful assessment of the risks to health and the environment associated with the production, use and disposal of these materials. As the production and applications of nanoparticles are increasing, it is becoming important to determine the impact and the potential harmful effects of these nanomaterials on human health and the environment before their use becomes widespread. Carbon is found in nature in a wide variety of allotropic forms: graphite, diamond, fullerenes, amorphous carbon and many others. This is due to the properties of the carbon to form different types of bonds, each one with a particular geometry. Through oxidation and exfoliation, it is possible to obtain graphene, a material consisting of a layer of monoatomic carbon atoms, from graphite. The winding of graphene sheets upon themselves allows to obtain tubular structures of nanometric size called nanotubes: the winding of a single layer of graphene allows the formation of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), while the winding of more layers generates multi-walled nanotubes, MWCNTs. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have an elongated cylindrical structure with diameters of the order of nanometers and lengths of the order of micrometers: they are considered as one of the most promising nanomaterial for different types of applications, from industrial to biomedical field, thanks to their particular physico-chemical characteristics. For example, the extremely high length/diameter ratio (in the order of 104) allows to consider them as virtually one-dimensional nanostructures; also, the CNTs are among the most rigid and strongest materials in terms of tensile strength and elastic modulus ever discovered before. From an electrical point of view, the CNT have electronic insulating properties, semiconductive or conductive according to their geometrical structure (1, 2). Moreover, under certain conditions, electrons can pass inside a nanotube without heating, thus making CNTs much interesting, bearing in mind the shift from microelectronics to nanoelectronics; nanotubes are also excellent thermal conductors along the cylindrical structure, but good insulators laterally to 'axis of the cylinder. In the biomedical field, CNTs have been used as "drug carrier" for their high load capacity of biomolecules. For example, SWCNT conjugates with the chemotherapy agent paclitaxel have recently been used in vivo to block tumor growth in a mouse model of breast cancer (3). Low embryotoxicity of PEGylated single wall carbon nanotubes www.preventionandresearch.com Apr-Jun 2013|P&R Scientific|Volume 3|N°2 95 Results In order to assess whether the conjugation with chains of polyethylene glycol (PEG) could be able to reduce or abolish the embryotoxic effect reported for some types of SWCNT (4), we decorated carbon nanotubes with PEG chains (5), and studied their ability to induce fetal malformations after intravenous administration to female mice during the first few days of pregnancy. For this study we used different dosages of nano material, between 10 and 30  g / ml and tested a number of females equal to or greater than 10 for each group. The presence of fetal and placental abnormalities was evaluated shortly before delivery, when the process of organogenesis is complete and the fetus is in the growth phase. We measured the length of the fetuses (crown-rump length, LVS) taken from each of the treated mothers and compared it with that of control fetuses taken from mothers which had received only vehicle (saline). The ability to induce fetal underdevelopment has been reported for some nanomaterials, such as nanoparticles of silicon and titanium (6). The administration of these nanoparticles, in a later stage of gestation compared to that provided by our protocol, causes a significant increase in the number of resorptions and fetal growth retardation and is not associated with changes in the weight of the placentas (6). In our conditions, after administration of PEG-CNT, the comparison of the average values of LVS showed no statistically significant differences between the fetuses of mothers exposed (1.58 ± 0.12) and control groups (1.50 ± 0, 15). Through use of a dissecting microscope, we assessed the presence of gross structural malformations and fetal placenta. In a small number of females who had received the highest concentrations of PEG-CNT we observed the presence of one or more fetuses with obvious abnormal development, associated with alterations of placental cytoarchitecture. To assess whether the administration of this nanomaterial could affect the health of the mother and hence be reflected in the alteration observed in fetal development, we evaluated some biochemical parameters in maternal blood, such as ALT, AST, BUN, CREA, LDH and CHO. Comparing the values obtained by mothers of control with those of mothers treated with the highest concentration of PEG-CNT, none of the analyzed parameters was found to be altered in a statistically significant manner. These results were further corroborated by histological analysis of the main maternal tissues (liver, spleen, kidney, lung), which did not reveal the presence of apparent structural alterations. Discussion and Conclusions In conclusion, the results of reports indicate that the administration of single-walled carbon nanotubes functionalized with PEG chain during the early stages of embryonic development is safe for the mother, but can pose a risk to the developing fetus, although with a low incidence. On the basis of these observations, exposure to PEG-CNT in the workplace and the environment, whether accidental or deliberate, must be strictly monitored. In addition, our results demonstrate the need to establish, in the short term, measures to regulate occupational exposure of pregnant women. Low embryotoxicity of PEGylated single wall carbon nanotubes www.preventionandresearch.com Apr-Jun 2013|P&R Scientific|Volume 3|N°2 96 References 1. Mintmire JW, Dunlap BI, White CT. Are fullerene tubules metallic?. Phys Rev Lett 1992; 68 (5): 631–634. 2. Collins PG, Avouris P. Nanotubes for electronics. Sci Am 2000; 283(6): 62-69. 3. Liu Z, Chen K, Davis C,