The control of a flexible beam using ionic polymer metal composites (IPMCs) is investigated in this paper. The mechanical flexible dynamics are modelled as a Timoshenko beam. The electric dynamics of the IPMCs are considered in the model. The port-Hamiltonian framework is used to propose an interconnected control model of the mechanical flexible beam and IPMC actuator. Furthermore, a passive and Hamiltonian structure-preserving linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG) controller is used to achieve the desired configuration of the system, and the asymptotic stability of the closed-loop system is shown using damping injection. An experimental setup is built using a flexible beam actuated by two IPMC patches to validate the proposed model and show the performance of the proposed control law.


The rapid development of microfluidic techniques in the last two decades has revolutionized chemical and biological research. This technology has enabled scientists in a manifold of research fields to analyze and synthesize specimens with hither to unreached speed and precision. The number of applications is enormous, reaching from the manipulation of DNA, proteins and enzymes through the growth of multi-cellular organisms to the high output production of micro- and nanoparticles with precisely tailored material and geometrical properties. Maybe even more important is that microfluidic devices also allow for experiments to be carried out that provide fundamental insight into complex "in vivo"-processes such as the dynamics of blood cells, enzymes and proteins, proton diffusion in cells or pattern formation of vesicles. Moreover, microfluidic systems may be used to study transport phenomena in porous media; which are crucial for e.g. oil recovery processes where oil is extracted from sand fields or porous rock. In this thesis we investigated the effect of surfactants microfluidic migration phenomena. We thereby discover that dependent on the microfluidic systems surfactants can have various roles.


The article considers the need to have your own home as a private space, sheltered from the anxieties and dangers of the outside world. In the mind of a person, there has always been a longing for the state of peace, warmth and carelessness of his native home. However, at the same time, he has an inherent craving for risk, overcoming oneself, and long-distance wanderings. Without this aspiration, it would be impossible to develop the history of the individual and society as a whole. Both of these desires exist both in a physical and spiritual sense. For a full-fledged human existence, both of these poles are necessary: home (stability) and path (change). Home and path correlate with each other as peace and restlessness, comfort and homelessness, sedentariness and wandering.


INTRODUCTION: Periodontitis is characterized by progressive destruction of periodontium, caused by relatively small group of microorganisms. The treatment aims to create proper environment which hampers the colonization of pathogens. The mechanical cleaning of the root surfaces combined with meticulous oral hygiene is the consensus treatment. In advanced cases the progression of the disease could lead to different problems - gingival recessions, insufficiency of attached gingiva, mobility and tooth loss which require complex treatment. OBJECTIVE: This presentation demonstrates the multidisciplinary treatment approach in a patient with a severe chronic periodontitis. METHODS: S.S. (42) with severe chronic periodontitis, insufficient mandibular vestibule depth, lack of keratinized gingiva, class III recessions and central incisors with grade III mobility. The #12 is missing and a crossbite is present on #32. The anti-infective therapy led to stable periodontal status. The corrective phase included the creation of vestibule depth with an autogenous gingival graft, dental implant placement with immediate provisional loading for #12, extraction of #31 and #41 due to attachment loss to the apex and immediate placement of provisionals with crossbite correction. RESULT: The reevaluation demonstrated good control of the gingival inflammation and stable periodontal status. The subsequent implant and prosthetic treatment led to the restoration of a functional dentition. CONCLUSION: The long term success of the treatment of the complex cases with severe chronic periodontitis depends significantly upon the proper control of the periodontal infection and the achievement of a stable periodontal status. These are the major prerequisites for successful further implant and prosthetic rehabilitation.


Purpose – This study aims to explore the influencing purchase decisions on the TikTok video streaming platform. It seeks to understand the impact of various elements such as influencer and celebrity marketing, perceived product quality and price, individual and social attitudes, and brand image on consumer behavior within the TikTok context.
Design/Methodology/Approach – The study employs a quantitative research design, employing surveys to collect data from 355 TikTok users. Multiple linear regression is utilized to analyze the relationships between influencers, product perceptions, attitudes, brand image, and purchase decisions. The study's approach combines descriptive and inferential analyses to explore the factors influencing purchase decisions on the TikTok platform.
Findings – The findings of this study reveal that influencer and celebrity marketing significantly impact purchase decisions on TikTok. Users tend to be influenced by the recommendations and endorsements of popular influencers and celebrities on the platform. Moreover, perceived product quality and price play a crucial role in shaping consumer decisions. The study also identifies the importance of individual and social attitudes in driving purchase behavior on TikTok. Additionally, brand image emerges as a critical factor, with dimensions such as reliability, trustworthiness, innovation, social responsibility, and uniqueness influencing consumer perceptions and purchase decisions.
Research Limitations/Implications – This study's limitations include potential bias in self-reported data and a single platform focus. Future research could consider diverse platforms and employ complementary methodologies for a comprehensive understanding.
Originality/value - This study contributes to the existing literature by providing insights into the factors that influence purchase decisions specifically within the TikTok context. The research highlights the importance of influencer marketing, product quality and price, individual and social attitudes, and brand image in shaping consumer behavior. The findings offer valuable implications for marketers and businesses seeking to optimize their marketing strategies on TikTok and other social media platforms.


Natural materials have been investigated as potential industrial adsorption media. The uses of natural adsorbents in wastewater treatment have received increasing attention and currently offer a very attractive method for pollution remediation. The main purpose of this research was to study the effectiveness of natural adsorbents for the multi dye system removal (synthesis wastewater) by adsorption technique in batch process. The natural adsorbents that had been used were wood ash, papaya seed, coconut husk and clay. The operation parameters investigated included the effect of the pH towards dyes removal performance and optimum dosage of natural adsorbents for multi dye system. Different range of pH that had been used was pH 3 (acidic), pH 7 (neutral) and pH 11 (basic) in different dosage of adsorbents. In this research, the percentage of dye removal for MO showed higher compared than percentage of dye removal for MB. The residual of dye concentration was determined spectrophotometrically by monitoring absorbance changed at maximum wavelength adsorption using UV-Vis spectrophotometer. After analyzed the data, wood ash was found as the effective natural adsorbents in multi dyes system compared with coconut husk, papaya seeds and clay. In pH 3 (acidic), it produced higher percentage of dyes removal. The pH of the solution affects the surface charge of adsorbents as well as the degree of ionization of dyes. The equilibrium data were further analyzed using the linearized form of Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm. The coefficient of correlation R2 was high for Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm based on pH of adsorbents. The Freundlich isotherm takes place on heterogeneous surface with a non-uniform distribution of heat adsorption over the surface while the Langmuir model based on monolayer, uniform and finite adsorption site assumptions. Lastly, this research indicated that natural adsorbents could be employed as an alternative for wastewater treatments besides it is not only to minimize the cost, but also to improve the profitability.


The anxiety for EFL learners that accompanies the listening comprehension (LC) task is difficult to detect, but potentially one of the most debilitating, because in order to interact verbally the listener must first understand what is being said. With the instructional emphasis on input processing, LC anxiety merits closer examination. By elaborating the definition and process of listening comprehension, this paper analyzes the anxiety in listening comprehension in detail and discusses the pedagogical implications that might help instructors address LC anxiety in their foreign language (FL) classroom.


Objective:
To determine the contribution of the NKG2D - IL-15 signaling pathway to T cell mediated pathology in inflammatory myopathies (IM) with special focus on polymyositis (PM).
 Background:
NKG2D is a costimulatory receptor on T cells, which has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several autoimmune diseases. T cells are critically involved in the pathology of inflammatory myopathies. Muscle cells have been shown to produce IL-15 under inflammatory conditions, which is able to facilitate NKG2D-dependent T cell mediated immune responses. Therefore, the NKG2D - IL-15 signaling pathway might significantly contribute to T cell-mediated muscle inflammation and destruction in IM.
 Methods:
Primary human myoblasts, blood and muscle biopsy specimens of healthy controls and polymyositis patients were investigated by FACS, ELISA, PCR and immunofluorescence staining.
 Results:
NKG2D ligands were expressed on primary human myoblasts and upregulated upon inflammatory stimuli. In parallel, shedding of the soluble NKG2D ligand MICA (sMICA) was reduced leading to diminished inhibition of NKG2D signaling. Surface IL-15 expressed by myoblasts generated highly activated, cytotoxic CD8+NKG2Dhigh T cells demonstrating NKG2D-dependent lysis of myoblasts in vitro in myoblast-T-cell co-culture experiments. In polymyositis, CD8+NKG2Dhigh T cells were more abundant in the peripheral blood compared to healthy controls; their frequencies correlated with serum creatinine kinase concentrations, while serum sMICA levels were not significantly changed. Muscle biopsy specimens from polymyositis patients revealed increased expression of the NKG2D ligand MICA/B. Moreover, IL-15 was expressed by muscle cells, macrophages as well as CD4+ T cells. CD8+NKG2D+ cells were frequently detected within inflammatory infiltrates in the muscle arguing for NKG2D - IL-15 interactions as a local detrimental signaling circuit in PM.
 Conclusions:
In conclusion, the NKG2D - IL-15 signaling pathway contributes to progressive muscle destruction in IM potentially opening new therapeutic avenues.
Study Supported by: IMF and DFG. Disclosure: Dr. Ruck has received personal compensation for activities with Genzyme, Novartis and Biogen as a speaker. Dr. Afzali has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bittner has received personal compensation for activities with Teva and Biogen. Dr. Wiendl has received research support from Bayer HealthCare, Biogen Idec, the German Ministry for Education and Research, Deutsche Forschungsgesellschaft, and the Else Kroner Fresenius Foundation. Dr. Meuth has received personal compensation for activities with Bayer Pharmaceuticals Inc., Biogen Idec, Sanofi-Aventis Pharmaceuticals Inc., Bayer Schering and Merck Serono.


Abstract Innovation has nowadays become the main force to cope with challenging times in the fast-changing world. The influence of public sector innovation (PSI) in resolving dynamic economical and societal challenges is undisputable. Regardless of the numerous advantages of innovation in the public sector (PS) which have been recognised worldwide, the concept of public sector innovation is still novel for the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH). Moreover, there is limited empirical evidence which would facilitate the understanding of public sector innovation performance. The purpose of this paper is to identify main components of PSI performance. The primary research data was obtained through a survey with close-ended questions which was completed by the public sector institution employees in FBiH. The exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used in order to determine the principal components of measuring public sector innovation performance. The EFA returned the factor-structures for all four suggested constructs, innovation capabilities, wider sector conditions for innovation, sources of information and the share of creative occupation, explaining between 65% and 78% of the variance of the innovation performance measurement construct. The results from the exploratory factor analysis provided a distinct estimation on the factor structure of measuring PSI. The paper has provided and analysed the first instrument in measuring public sector innovation performance in FBiH.


Tissue-based T cells increasingly have been shown to be important effectors in the control and prevention of mucosal viral infections – less is known about tissue-based B cells. We demonstrate that B cells and antibody-secreting cells (ASCs) are present in skin biopsies of persons with symptomatic HSV-2 reactivation. CD20+ B cells are observed in inflammatory infiltrates at greatest density at the time of symptomatic reactivation; HSV-2-specific antibodies to HSV-2 surface antigens are also detected. The concentrations of HSV-2-specific antibodies in tissue biopsies vary over the course of HSV-2 reactivation and healing, unlike serum where concentrations remain static over time. B cells and HSV-specific antibody were rarely present in biopsies of unaffected skin. Investigation of serial biopsies over the course of lesion healing suggests that B cells follow a more migratory than resident pattern of infiltration in HSV-affected genital skin, in contrast to T cells. Together, these observations may suggest a functional and distinct role of tissue-based B cells in the local immune response to HSV-2.


Urban 'gateways' and 'corridors', which originated as conceptual tools to aid understanding of North American 'New World' regional development patterns in location theory, have been referred to in new ways and different situations in recent geographical literature. This article considers the profound changes reshaping the roles and functions of cities and their trade routes in contemporary globalization - the rise of the informational economy and the network organization of global knowledge-intensive advanced producer services. The policy response to these developments is critically assessed with reference to evidence from the 'Polynet' study which has investigated the changes currently transforming globalizing 'mega-city regions' in the 'Old World' setting of North West Europe. The article provides new reflections on the empirical results, addressing an apparent under-theorization of emergent urban relational geographies in European strategy considered an international role model for regional planning, including in North America. A series of paradoxes posed by the fluid urban geographies revealed in the research is identified to inform an ongoing discourse on the development of European spatial policy.


Aiming at the major accidents of oil pipeline happened frequently in recent years,the domino effect theory was used to analyze the consequences of oil pipeline accidents.At first,the domino effect model of major accidents in oil pipeline was established based on domino effect mechanism.Then,the influences range of initial events was determined by PHAST software,and the equipment damage probability and human casualty probability models were applied to calculate the influence probability of initial events to surrounding equipments and individuals.At last,the accidents consequences of oil pipeline could be quantitatively analyzed from three aspects,namely,equipment damage,human casualty and accident influence range.It has important theoretical guiding significance for making the emergency rescue plans of pipeline accident and avoiding the further expanding of accident influence range.


The present study used a mixed methods approach to evaluate the usage and perceived effectiveness of a 12-month coping intervention. Twelve junior national netball players followed an intervention that had two objectives: 1) to encourage the use of future-oriented coping across goal-oriented contexts and 2) to facilitate resource accumulation and maintenance by developing coping related competencies. Mentors and players maintained reflective diaries throughout the intervention and were contacted via telephone or e-mail every 2–3 months. In addition, players completed the Brief COPE measure at 1, 6, and 12 months. Eight players and 8 mentors completed postintervention interviews. Data indicated that following completion of the intervention, players perceived themselves to have a better understanding of when and how to use future-oriented coping. They also perceived enhanced psychosocial resources, and a more flexible approach toward goal pursuits. Recommendations for future research developments and the ev...


Uterine fibroids is one of the most common gynecological diseases. Modern drug therapy of uterine fibroids can reduce or reverse the symptoms of a tumor, in some cases, to avoid surgery.


Introduction: Recurrent headaches are affecting quite significant proportion of children and have proven significant adverse impact on various aspects of life besides transition to adulthood headache. Headache should therefore no longer be allowed to remain a nonspecific symptom, rather every headache should be assigned a definite category at the very first encounter. Literature review reveals higher diagnostic rates with the use of new (and relatively lesser used by researchers) classificationInternational Classification of Headache Diseases 3 (beta version). Material & Method: Cross sectional study, Pediatrics general OPD at a tertiary level hospital in Ghaziabad consecutive (7 to 18 years) children with recurrent headache (more than 3 episodes in last one year) were enrolled after consent. Children suspected of having secondary headache were excluded. Headache was categorized using ICHD 3 (beta version). A structured questionnaire addressing all diagnostic points was filled, followed by clinical examination. Refraction and ENT examination were done only if suggestive symptoms were present.SPSS version 22 was used for calculation of frequencies and chi square test. Results: Total 106 eligible children were enrolled, among them primary headache subtypes (ICHD code 1. to 4.) TTH and migraine could be diagnosed in 31(29.2%) and 30 (28.3%) cases respectively. Secondary headache subtypes (code 5 To 12) due to uncorrected refractive errors (code11.3.2) was detected in 13 (12.3%) participants. 14 (13.2%) cases had recurrent rhinosinusitis (code 11.5.2). 18(16.9%) children were placed in unspecific category (code 14.2). Strong positive association of migraine was found with family history of headache and overweight. Conclusion: The use of ICHD 3 beta version could successfully categorise majority of children presenting with recurrent headache, with only clinical evaluation and without investigatory support at first visit.


........................................................................................................ii Acknowledgements.........................................................................................iii Table of contents............................................................................................iv List of terms and abbreviations..........................................................................vii List of tables................................................................................................viii Chapter 1: Introduction .................................................................................1 1.1 Literature review.......................................................................................1 1.1.


A statistical review was made on 3, 091 cases with electrocardiographic ventricular hypertrophy, with particular reference to the underlying conditions and reliability of various electrocardiographic diagnostic criteria of ventricular hypertrophy. These cases included 11, 883 tracings taken on 10, 000 cases with various conditions subjected to electrocardiographic examination at the Kyungpook University Hospital from January 1958 to October 1966. Among 3,091 cases with electrocardiographic ventricular hypertrophy, there were 2, 159 cases of left ventricular hypertrophy, 535 cases of right ventricular hypertrophy and 397 cases of biventricular hypertrophy. In those with left ventricular hypertrophy 1, 525 cases fulfilled voltage criteria alone without accompanying ST, T changes. Out of 3,091 cases, 1,639 were cardiacs in which anatomic ventricular hypertrophy was likely to be present and 1, 335 were non-cardiacs in which it was supposed to be not present. In addition, remaining 117 cases were apparently healthy persons. The incidence of cardiacs in those with left ventricular hypertrophy fulfilled voltage criteria alone was only 44.6% and that in those with voltage criteria and accompanying ST, T changes was 77.5%: Thus overall incidence of cardiacs in those with left ventricular hypertrophy was 54.l%. In those with right ventricular hypertrophy and biventricular hypertrophy the incidences of cardiacs were only 53.l% and 44.3%, respectively. In the cardiacs with left ventricular hypertrophy, hypertension and/or hypertension cardiovascular disease were underlying diseases in 68.0% of cases, and in those with right ventricular hypertrophy, 48.3% were rheumatic valvular heart disease and 31.3% were congenital heart disease. The incidences of rheumatic heart disease, congential heart disease, hypertension and/or hypertensive cardiovascular disease in the cardiacs with biventricular hypertrophy were 43.2%, 23.3%, and 21.0%, respectively. Among various diagnostic criteria of left ventricular hypertrophy, voltage criteria in the limb leads, except for RaVF≥20mm., were found to be highly reliable but positivity rate was quite low. Voltage criteria in the precordial leads, particularly SV1+RV5,6≥35 mm., were found to have high false positivity rate but high reliability was noted in those fulfilled voltage criteria and accompanying ST, T changes. Among various diagnostic criteria of right ventricular hypertrophy, RaVy5 mm. and QV, were found to be reliable although their positivity rates were low, and RVR≥7 mm. showed the highest positivity rate but false positivity rate was also high. In 6,756 cases with various extra-cardiac conditions, in which no ventricular hypertrophy was thought to be present, the incidence of electrocardiographic right ventricular hypertrophy and biventricular hypertrophy tended to decrease as the age progresses but that of left ventricular hypertrophy was about 14% regardless of age groups.


The writer tries to expose some problemsexisting in such actions as residence dismantlementand residents removing during the city regenerationprocess through studies upon its motives, characters,principles and also the protection of the legal rightsof residents, taking the330# Hangpinan Road af-fair in the Xintiandi Project as a case study.


This research represents the experience of implanting bar-supported biological prostheses «ASPIRE» of Vascutek Company into position of aortic valve. Average age of patients comprised 65.74±5.38 years. Hospital mortality comprised 1.7%. Postsurgical complications were of general nature for cardiosurgical operations. No thrombembolia, structural dysfunction, thrombosis of prosthesis and prosthetic endocarditis was discovered at early postsurgical period. Low transprosthetic pressure gradients corresponded to good clinical and hemodynamic results in early postsurgical period. With regard to good direct results, as well as in lack of necessity to undergo lifetime anticoagulant therapy for patients with a large amount of associated diseases, implantation of biological prosthesis «ASPIRE» of Vascutek Company may be a selected surgery in the case of correcting aortic valve diseases of patients older than 65. Low postsurgical pressure gradients at the prosthesis, adequate development of left ventricle reverse remodeling contribute to good results of surgical treatment, improvement of life quality of patients having undergone correction of aortic valve diseases. Further study of remote prosthetics results is necessary to make fuller evaluation of the implanted prosthesis.


A cyst of the spleen covered by flat simple epithelium with parts of squamous metaplasia was found in a biopsy of a 14-year old boy. Pathology, origin, and nomenclature of this type of cyst were discussed.


Based on the analysis of the location and amount of the possible gushing water and the applicable conditions of both the pre-grouting and post-grouting, the reliability and advantage of the pre-grouting method against water gushing and water inrush during construction of rock tunnel are emphatically discussed herein, so as to attract the related constructors to pay their attentions to the method for tunneling concerned.


■ ■ We believe that target date portfolios are well suited as the default option in defined contribution (DC) plans. The investment objective of DC plans is twofold: accumulation of wealth prior to retirement and conversion of wealth to income during retirement. While the accumulation of wealth is unambiguous, strategies for extracting income from accumulated wealth depend on the length of the expected retirement horizon.


Some reasons for the underutilization of cost analysis center on difficulties associated with its use. These include: (1) unfamiliarity with the necessary analytical procedures; (2) political or moral controversies in assigning values to input/outcome measures (e.g. determining the appropriate discount rate); (3) determining the extent to which benefits identified and quantified have been caused by the program); (4) determining who incurs the benefits and costs; (5) determining when benefits and costs occur; (6) inability to quantify all costs and benefits; (7) lack of resources to conduct long-term follow up studies; (8) lack of data; (9) data in a form incomprehensible to the evaluator; and (10) difficulties with separating program developmental costs from operating costs (Alkin & Solomon, 1983; Andrieu, 1977; Berk & Rossi, 1990; Fitzpatrick et al., 2004; Rossi et al., 2004; Sewell & Marczak, 1997).


We investigate oscillations of holographic gratings under the influence of an external electric field. Propagating photorefractive waves are produced if we apply a resonant excitation. In our experiments we observe the resonance situation by detecting the first non-Bragg order diffracted from a thin grating in a Bi12TiO20 crystal. The dependence of the resonance frequency on the grating wave number yields the dispersion law of photorefractive waves.


The MEMS pressure sensor has been introduced and presented in this paper. The types of pressure sensor and its theory of operation are also included. The latest MEMS technology, the fabrication processes of pressure sensor are explored and discussed. Besides, various device applications of pressure sensor such as tire pressure-monitoring system, diesel particulate filter and others are explained. Due to further miniaturization of the device nowadays, the pressure sensor with nanotechnology (NEMS) is also reviewed. The
NEMS pressure sensor is expected to have better performance as well as lower in its cost. It has gained an excellent popularity in many applications.


In 2007 the Flemish Parliament introduced a set of 'Basic competencies for teachers", that stated society's expectations towards teachers. It quickly became used as a rigid set of objectives for teacher education programs. As each of the competencies have to be acquired and certified, they dominate the evaluation of student teachers. At the same time, the analytical nature of the list became criticized as it might not adequately capture the complexity and intricate nature of teaching (Ball and Forzani, 2009), nor the subjectivity and personality bound qualifications of a teacher.
In order to fully recognize the complexity of teaching in student teachers' training, this project took the notions of "the inspired teacher" (Steele, 2009) and "core practices" (Grossman, Hammerness, McDonald, 2009) as a starting point. Rather than working on analytical competencies as objectives, this project aims at providing student teachers from the beginning with authentic tasks that mirror 'core practices'. Hence, student teachers are from the start on confronted with the complexity of teaching and challenged to take ownership and accountability to study, enact, reflect, analyze and master the core practices (McDonald, Kazemi, Kavanagh, 2013). In this paper the relationship between core practices and the basic competencies will first be outlined. Next, evaluation practices will be discussed to highlight how basic competencies are actually acquired while at the same time considering the complexity of teaching.
By doing so we want to contribute to our understanding of how the complexity of teaching can be fully acknowledged in teacher training.


The article describes the process of homeschooling as one of the alternative forms of education in the USA. The historical and social preconditions for the development of the supporters of homeschooling movement are analyzed. The purpose of the article is to study the socio-historical and pedagogical preconditions for the emergence and development of homeschooling in the USA. Research methods: systematisation of the results of psychological and pedagogical research, analysis and synthesis of information from scientific, pedagogical and historical literature on the issue of the formation and development of home education in the USA, generalization for the formulation of research conclusions. The views of supporters and critics of home education, their main arguments and considerations are highlighted. As a result of the analysis of scientific and pedagogical literature, the views of pedagogical and philosophical figures who made a significant contribution to the establishment of homeschooling in the USA were analyzed. In addition, the peculiarities of the formation of homeschooling and the increase of interest in homeschooling in the historical context are considered step by step. The peculiarities of the formation and essence of the regulatory and legal framework of homeschooling have been clarified. The conclusions state the absence of uniform educational standards and the presence of significant autonomy of the states in the formation of requirements for the organization of homeschooling. An analysis of research actively carried out at the end of the 20th century, the results of which revealed the reasons for the introduction of homeschooling in the USA, was conducted. The levels of high, moderate and low legislative regulation of educational issues in different states are established depending on the availability and compliance with regulatory and legal documentation.


Copy of transcript for a letter from Jose de las Piedras to Stephen F. Austin, on March 4, 1828, discussing a ship landing at San Jacinto, in Texas.


Objective
To retrospectively investigate the clinical efficacy of unilateral percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) for the treatment of elder patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures(OVCF).

Methods
One hundred and twelve elder patients, aged≥60 years old, both sexes, with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures were treated by PKP from February 2011 to February 2019 in the department of Orthopedics of Yucheng People's Hospital. The visual analogue scale (VAS), height of vertebral body and Cobb angle were evaluated before and after the operation.

Results
All patients were successfully operated. The vertebral height was significantly improved from (18.42±2.31) mm before PKP to (27.67±2.53) mm and (27.13±2.75) at the 3 days and 3 months after the operation (all P<0.05). The local Cobb angle was significantly reduced from (25.83±7.14)° before PKP to (13.79±7.25)° and (13.17±7.43)° at the 3 days and 3 months after the operation (all P<0.05). The average VAS significantly decreased from (7.56±1.25) before PKP to (3.05±1.34), (3.05±1.34), (2.96±1.27) and (2.91±1.19) at the 3 days,1 month, 3 months and 6 months, respectively (all P<0.05). VAS 0-3 was in 97, 101, 100 and 99 patients at the 3 days, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after the operation respectively.

Conclusion
Unilateral percutaneous kyphoplasty can efficiently relieve back pain, restore the vertebral height and correct the kyphosis in the treatment of elder patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.

Key words:
Osteoporotic fractures; Percutaneous kyphoplasty; Unilateral; Aged


Abstract ChatGPT is a type of language model that uses machine learning algorithms to generate responses to natural language input. Its advanced technology can revolutionize the way humans interact with machines by creating more natural and intuitive communication. However, the accuracy of ChatGPT's responses may be compromised by biased or inaccurate data, which highlights the importance of carefully evaluating its output. Furthermore, early versions of ChatGPT were found to produce academic papers with missing references, which may compromise the credibility of research in the academic publishing industry. This underscores the need to establish regulations and guidelines that ensure the ethical and transparent use of these technologies, and to avoid relying solely on automated tools like ChatGPT without thoroughly reviewing the literature. In order to minimise the potential for inaccurate information in the classroom, an intuitive application based on the AI language (OpenAI - also used by ChatGPT) has been implemented. The application has been designed in such a way that it does not use internet databases as a search source and the answers to the questions are based on pre-established documentation that has been checked/certified by the educational institution/professors. The developed application can be installed either locally on a personal computer or on a file server/online library etc. and does not require access to a reliable Internet connection as in the case of ChatGPT.


Joanna JEZIORSKA-HALADYJ University of Warsaw Dialogue As an Exponent of Fiction The text attempts at analysing narrative phenomena In our contemporary prose works In light o f the fiction exponents theory. One phenomenon deemed feasible and natural In fiction only Is true quotation o f dialogues that occurred In a significant temporal distance from the moment o f being uttered. This also applies to autodlegetlc narrative. Most examples o f textual strategies related to this phenomenon come from Polish self-fiction works (Huelle, Chwln, Dichter), that is, borderline, hybrid texts thematlslngthe Interplay between fabrication


In this paper, a novel control scheme based on the field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) is proposed herein, which is applied to controlling a zero-voltage-switching (ZVS) buck converter. Without changing controller parameters and system topology and only with modifying pulse-width-modulation (PWM) control signals, the transient load response can be upgraded, especially from no load to rated load. In order to verify the proposed control scheme, there are some simulation and experimental results provided in addition to detailed description of the operation principle.


The spontaneous ignition behaviour of both uncontaminated and oil contaminated cotton fabric has been investigated by using differential thermal analysis (DTA) and evolved gas analysis (EGA) techniques. The temperature, at which the onset of spontaneous ignition T i occurs, was recorded as a function of the oxygen concentration of the flowing oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere to which the fabric materials wer exposed in the DTA furnace, when heated at different heating rates. The activation energy of pyrolysis E p was obtained according to a simple kinetic model derived by Horrocks et al, as follows In(Hr/T 1 2 )=- E p/R(1/Ti)+In A p -In( E p- E ox/R= where E ox is the activation energy of gaseous product oxidation. Plotting of 1/T i vs In [O 2 ] produces true linear regions which intersect at a certain oxygen concentration and have slopes equal to (E ox -E p )/m. Taking the minimum and maximum E p value, and estimating the slopes of the two regions, the value of the molar oxygen concentration m required for the oxidation can be estimated for both untreated and oil contaminated fabrics. The results showed that E p decreased as the oil content in the fabrics was increased. It is probable that the oxidation of the oils generates free radicals, which catalyse the pyrolysis reaction of the cellulose. The movement of the point of intersection of the 1/T i vs In [O 2 ] due to oil concentration increase, and may explain the observed decrease in E ox value with increasing oil concentration. The results also showed a simultaneous increase in the number of oxygen molecules required for combustion as the oil concentration increased, reflecting the sensitivity of the combustion mechanism to oxygen concentration. The evolved gas analysis measurements indicated a diminishing of the dehydration reaction when the fabric was contaminated with oil, therefore suggesting domination of the depolymerization route of reaction.


Topics explored in this issue include: advances in human machine interfaces; rating active safety systems; air bag restraint systems; pedestrian safety systems; centralization of vehicle electronic control units; electronic stability control; driver assistance systems; vehicle safety legislation in the USA; side airbag sensor technology; communications using light emitting diodes; tyre pressure monitoring systems; algorithms for combining safety systems; universal vehicle test systems; and a new booster seat incorporating side impact cushion technology.


BACKGROUND
The value for the use of thyroid shield is one of the issues in radiation protection of patients in dental panoramic imaging.

OBJECTIVES
The objective of this research is to investigate the attenuation characteristics of some models of thyroid shielding in dental panoramic examinations.

METHODS
The effects of five different types of lead and lead-free (Pb-equivalent) shields on dose reduction of thyroid gland were investigated using implanted Thermoluminescence Dosemeters (TLDs) in head-neck parts of a Rando phantom.

RESULTS
The results show that frontal lead and Pb-equivalent shields can reduce the thyroid dose around 50% and 19%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS
It can be concluded that the effective shielding area is an important parameter in thyroid gland dose reduction. Lead frontal collars with large effective shielding areas (>~300 cm2 but not necessarily very large) are appropriate for an optimized thyroid gland dose reduction particularly for the critical patients in dental panoramic imaging. Regardless of the shape and thickness, using the Pb-equivalent shields is not justifiable in dental panoramic imaging.


Integrity ought logically to be a particularly important concept within political science. If those acting within the political system do not have integrity, our ability to trust them, to have confidence in their actions, and perhaps even to consider them legitimate can be challenged. Indeed, the very concept of integrity goes some way towards underwriting positive views of political actors. Yet, despite this importance, political science as a discipline has perhaps focused too little on questions of integrity. Where political science has looked at the subject of integrity, it has often done so without using the specific linguistic formulation "integrity". Most commonly, the focus has instead been on "corruption"—a strand of research which has produced results that cannot always be translated into discussions of integrity, by virtue of its narrower focus upon the "negative pole" of public ethics. Other measures, such as "Quality of Government", focus on positive attributes, notably impartiality, but this also fails fully to capture the notion of integrity: dishonesty can be impartial. Specific formal "codes" used within public life and among political practitioners can be much more nuanced than the most widely used measures, and can be much closer to what we understand—academically—as "integrity". This paper argues that the hard conceptual and empirical work of elaborating integrity into a fully operationalizable concept offers the potential reward of an analytical concept that is more closely aligned with political reality.


ANALYSIS of the factors determining the stock of social statistics may A be facilitated if we first formulate some general statements concerning changes in the stock itself. The appropriate viewpoint is, of course, that of the student of society. Let us, therefore, refer here to publicly available summary observations. Data reposing in private files or published only in the form of endless detail on individual economic transactions or units, like individual wholesale prices or lists of employees of state and local governments, may be processed into additions to the stock, but until this is done do not form part of it. What has happened to the volume of social statistics in the United States during the past 160 years? The following conclusions will all seem pretty obvious to statisticians, though they are not less significant on that account. (1) There has been a vast and fairly continuous expansion in the stock of social statistics. There are no simple measures of this stock, nor, indeed, is the way to construct them obvious. Yet even a quick thumbing through of the Bureau of the Census' Historical Statistics of the United States, 1789-1945 (1949), should be sufficient to support our conclusion. Or one may compare the collection of time series in Fluctuations in American Business, 1790-1860 by W. B. Smith and A. H. Cole (1935) with such a collection on the recent period as the appendix to A. F. Burns' essay on "Economic Research and the Keynesian Thinking of Our Times" (26th Annual Report of the National Bureau of Economic Research, 1946). The former shows what we have on that period better than do contemporary compendiums like Adam Seybert's Statistical Annals (1818), since it includes many original statistics assembled by the authors; yet it seems skimpy compared with Burns' rich and easy sampler. And the wealth of "survey" data today stands in sharp contrast to the few samples of earlier decades. (2) Growth has occurred also in the annual accretion to the stock. More and more time series have been established to report contemporary events, and more and more historical series have been constructed from the fragmentary data of the past. The "time-period" index to Historical Statistics shows, approximately, the combined effect of both


Advertising professionals today are facing more challenges than ever before because of the dramatic manner in which the mass media have transformed during the past 50 years. The changing media landscape has led advertisers to seek alternative methods, such as product placement, in order to establish brand contacts that were once dominated by traditional advertising. The purpose of this research is to specifically measure the perceived value product placements hold in consumers' minds and understand how this impacts general attitudes toward this tactic. To this end, an online survey is administered to a sample of research panel participants (n = 1475) to investigate how informative, entertaining, and irritating product placements are to consumers. Data from the survey are used to test a value model.


In machine learning and statistics it is often the case that some variables are not important, while some variables are more important than others. We propose a novel algorithm for selecting such relevant variables in the kernel Cox regression. We employ the weighted version of ANOVA decomposition kernels to choose optimal subset of relevant variables in the kernel Cox regression. Experimental results are then presented which indicate the performance of the proposed method.


This Bachelor´s thesis is devoted to the creation and progression of special education in The Czech Republic. The main purpose of thesis is to refer to the importance of historical development of care, education, upbringing, learning and working with disabled people. One part of the thesis shows specific case from Pardubice. The case is mentioned at the end of thesis, where auxiliary school in Pardubice is presented from its establishment to the end of World War II.


SEEKING INSIGHTS about the frontiers of interactive design, S. Joy Mountford and Bonnie Johnson at Interval Research underwrite an annual program of themed interdisciplinary exploration at academic institutions 'round the world. The innovations resulting from this collaboration suggest that new interactive media will do a much better job of exploiting all of our senses and will increasingly be experienced as a fashionable accessory we wear or carry.


Objectives. We estimated the relative rate of highly credible gastrointestinal illness (HCGI) per year associated with active versus sham household water filtration devices among older adults in a community receiving tap water meeting current US standards. Methods. We conducted a randomized, triple-blinded, crossover trial in 714 households (988 individuals), which used active and sham water filtration devices for 6 months each. We estimated the annual incidence rate ratio of HCGI episodes and the longitudinal prevalence ratio of HCGI days at population and individual levels with a generalized estimating equation (GEE) and generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs), respectively, adjusted for covariates associated with outcome. Results. The incidence rate ratios (active versus sham) were 0.88 (95% confidence interval [CI]=0.77, 1.00) and 0.85 (95% CI=0.76, 0.94) HCGI episodes per year estimated by GEE and GLMM models, respectively. The corresponding longitudinal prevalence ratios were 0.88 (95% CI=0.74, 1.05) and 0.84 (95% CI=0.78, 0.90) HCGI days per person per year. Conclusions. We observed reductions in population- and individual-level measures of HCGI associated with use of the active filtration device. These findings suggest the need for further research on the impact of drinking water on the health of sensitive subpopulations. (Am J Public Health. 2009;99:1988‐1995.


This chapter shows that the Romantic period was very much a preview – similar and yet different – of our own "connected condition." Romantic poets witnessed the rise of transcription technologies (shorthand), large-scale data collection and processing through standardized forms, social networks and communications and transportation infrastructure, and instantaneous contact at a distance via telegraphy. The chapter goes on to discuss the concept of the "dream of communication," ideals of good writing style (like clarity and brevity) treated by the New Rhetoric of the eighteenth century, the book's own method (the "normal method"), poetic difficulty, and finally the chapters to come.


Servitisation with product-service systems receives great attention as a strategy for business innovation in the era of digital transformation. Customer expectations are being redefined into experiences and customer willingness to get involved is important. Understanding, designing and managing customer experiences are critical in the competitive advantages of businesses. While key characteristics of customer experiences and consumer behaviours have been identified recently, structured design methods for product-service systems with customisation services for individual consumers in supporting such key experience characteristics have not been devised yet. In this paper an experience design method using customisation services is proposed. The method is based on context-based activity modelling and context-specific experience sampling method so that personalised customisation service is provided based on accumulated customer subjective experience evaluations combined with context information in digital forms. Two product-service systems design cases are presented to illustrate how experiences are designed using the method.


OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to determine the treatment outcome of MDR-TB patients in a tertiary care hospital that acts as provincial reference point for MDR TB in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan SETTING: All cases of MDR-TB registered at Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar from October 2008 to December 2011 prior to the implementation of a formal Programmatic Management of Drug Resistant TB (PMDT) by National TB Control Programme (NTP). METHODOLOGY: It was a cross sectional study to find out the outcome of MDR TB patients who received ambulatory community based treatment. Patients were provided with free drugs only and no other social or travel support was available due to lack of resources. Smear microscopy was available free of cost whereas sputum culture sensitivity was not. No tools for strict supervision and ensuring compliance were available except for a volunteer treatment supporter and contact by mobile phones. RESULTS: 341 MDR-TB patients were registered during the period of the study out of which 145 (42.8%) were male and 196 (56.2%) were females. 221(64.8%) patients were between 9 - 30 years, 113 (33.1%) were between 31-60 years and 7 (2.1%) patients were above 61 years of age. The treatment outcome of the registered patients was that 134 (39.3%) patients completed their treatment, 80(23.5%) were cured, 70 (20.5%) died during the treatment, 50(14.7%) defaulted and 7(2.1%) were transferred out during the treatment. CONCLUSION: Community based outpatient treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis can be an effective strategy. High default rate of 14.5 % suggests that MDR TB requires a strong system for treatment supervision. Compliance with therapy can't be sustained if the supervision mechanisms are weak.


Contact Hein today for a FREE Trial & ask about our risk-free, money-back guarantee! Unique HeinOnline features: ● Cross linking citations ● In-depth indexing of all treaties ● Browse and search across all major treaty publications ● Directory of citations listing publication's names and where they are located ● External links to treaty research guides ● So much more! Monumental collection of all original, major treaty sets now available in one place


We study temporal variations in the amplitudes and widths of high-degree acoustic modes by applying the ring-diagram technique to the GONG+, MDI and HMI Dopplergrams during the declining phase of cycle 23 and rising phase of cycle 24. The mode parameters from all three instruments respond similarly to the varying magnetic activity. The mode amplitudes and widths show consistently lower variation due to smaller magnetic activity in cycle 24 as compared to the previous solar cycle.


The economic integration of Yangtze River Delta needs the safeguard of legal systems. To build up a suitable legal platform for the economic integration of Yangtze River Delta,we must act on the presupposition that the economic integration,administrative division and interests subjects remain unaltered,and that there must be a responsibility division between the central and local government. However it's insufficient for the nation's integrated legal systems to guarantee the economic integration of Yangtze River Delta,and it's unrealistic to seek the integrated legal systems in this area. Our only way out is to adopt a coordinate system of regional diversified legal systems. Such coordinate systems have been established in practice. Administrative contracts and the consulting communicating system are two examples. There are also other proposals,but we believe that continuously strengthening and perfecting administrative contracts and the consulting communicating system,and making full use of them,are the inevitable choice to further push forward the economic integration of Yangtze River Delta.


This article analyses and assesses the potential impact of microelectronics-based forms of flexible automation (FA) and related organisational techniques on the location of industrial production in developing countries. It suggests that for developing countries as a whole the diffusion of FA does not favour the establishment of a local engineering industry. The converging production and cost conditions world-wide, the higher optimal scale plants and the growing infrastructure requirements arising out of FA demand cost-reducing, quality-enhancing, learning, investment, research and development, marketing and increasing market share efforts which are beyond the possibilities of most local firms. Yet, opportunities for location in specific developing countries may arise out of the timing of adoption, the skill and possible capital-saving characteristics of the new technologies, the high labour costs of simple assembly processes in developed countries, the available technical and financial capability of some very large domestic firms, the size of the respective market and the capacity of each country to introduce imaginative and innovative policies.


The purpose of this study is to investigate effects of White Ginseng-Ejung-tang (EG) and Red Ginseng-Ejung-tang (ER) water extract on production of various cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-21, IL-25, IL-28β, erythropoietin (EPO), Exodus-2, monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-5, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-3α, MIP-3β, Fractalkine, and TARC in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Levels of cytokines were measured by High-throughput multiplex bead array cytokine assay based on xMAP (multi-analyte profiling beads) technology. ER significantly decreased levels of IL-21, IL-25, IL-28β, EPO, Exodus-2, MCP-5, MIP-3α, MIP-3β, TARC, and fractalkine for 24 h incubation at the oncentrations of 25 and 100 ㎍/mL in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 (P < 0.05). But EG did not show any significant effect. These results suggest that ER has anti-inflammtory property related with its inhibition on the production of IL-21, IL-25, IL-28β, and chemokines such as EPO, MCP-5, MIP-3α, MIP-3β, Fractalkine, Exodus-2, and TARC in LPS-induced macrophages.


The feature of Mechanical Engineering Test Technology was expatiated in this paper.How to adjust teaching content and teaching method in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering college according to the feature of course and teaching object was discussed too.Design as the main line and practicing capacity-building as the core aim of the course was proposed in order to cultviating high-quality application-oriented talents in Mechanical Professional.


The processes of mediation as a means of existence of the individual in a cross-cultural environment in the age of globalization are analyzed. Questions concerning the adaptation of a person to conditions of the other culture with preservation of efficiency of activity and individuality are considered. The article proves that the degree of mediation adaptation to the conditions of the cross-cultural environment testifies to the intercultural competence of a person, which implies the preservation of his unique individuality. The model of personality adaptation taking into account the features of "I"-individuality is worked out. The investigation shows the role of the mediation strategy in the development of intercultural dialogue.


Exhaust nozzles for expendable supersonic turbojet engine missile propulsion systems are required to be simple, short and compact, in addition to having good broad-range thrust-minus-drag performance. A series of convergent-divergent nozzle scale model configurations were designed and wind tunnel tested for a wide range of free stream Mach numbers and nozzle pressure ratios. The models included fixed geometry and simple variable exit area concepts. The experimental and analytical results show that the fixed geometry configurations tested have inferior off-design thrust-minus-drag performance in the transonic Mach range. A simple variable exit area configuration called the Axi-Quad nozzle, combining features of both axisymmetric and two-dimensional convergent-divergent nozzles, performed well over a broad range of operating conditions. Analytical predictions of the flow pattern as well as overall performance of the nozzles, using a fully viscous, compressible CFD code, compared very well with the test data.


NACA 0015 is a symmetric airfoil which finds itself in many applications like wings of an airplane, in vanes of turbo machines and wind turbines. The vanes of turbomachines and blades of wind turbine are supplied with finite quantity of energy and hence require higher efficiency of the airfoil section. The standard NACA 0015 airfoil is analyzed using CFD. It is then optimized using a gurney flap at the trailing edge and analyzed using CFD and comparative conclusion is drawn. Analysis is carried out for -5°, 0°, 5°, 7°, 10° and 12° angles of attack. The analysis is carried out for a free stream velocity of 15 m/s.


Introduction and recommendations ........................................................................................................... 1 The TERREG proposal and its freedom of expression implications.................................................... 3 Definitions of targeted speech and communications ............................................................................... 3 Regulation by proxy and privatized enforcement ..................................................................................... 6 Deficient freedom of expression safeguards ............................................................................................. 7 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................................................... 9 Official documents ........................................................................................................................................ 9 Notes ............................................................................................................................................................... 9


Marketing strategy is a long-term business plan of any organization with the fundamental goal of achieving a sustainable competitive advantage by understanding the needs of customers. This study also evaluates the perception of dealers towards the market mix elements comprising product, price, promotion and place of the products and services of competing brands. The study is conducted in southern part of Telangana State constituting Jogulamba Gadwal, Mahabubnagar and Rangareddy districts. The data is collected through random sampling method covering dealers and number of farmers. Statistical tests like ANOVA, and tools like multidimensional scale were used in this study. The study revealed that most of the dealers are well educated, middle aged people with age group ranging between 30-40 years with the income of more than 7 lakhs per annum. The dealers data after the application of statistical tools revealed that strategies applied by Kaveri, Rasi and Original Research Article Jayasree et al.; AJAEES, 38(11): 23-33, 2020; Article no.AJAEES.62011 24 Nuziveedu are similar whereas the strategies applied by Tata Rallis and other brands like Ajith, Nidhi seeds are different from one another when the product, price, promotion and place elements are considered.


Background and Aims: Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose causes mitochondrial damage and acute liver injury. Alanine and pyruvate are important substrates for the TCA cycle and increasing evidence points to a protective role for mitochondrial intermediary metabolism in APAP hepatotoxicity. We hypothesized that suppressing hepatic alanine and pyruvate metabolism by blocking alanine transaminase (ALT) and/or the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) would impair mitochondrial metabolism in APAP toxicity and therefore exacerbate APAP-induced injury. Methods: We treated wild-type mice with the ALT inhibitor β-chloro-l-alanine (BCLA) before a toxic dose of APAP (300 mg/kg) and measured liver injury (serum ALT and lactate dehydrogenase [LDH], histology) and other parameters. We also generated liver-specific ALT2 knockout (KO) mice, mitochondrial pyruvate carrier 2 (MPC) KO mice, and combined ALT2/MPC KO (CKO) mice, and compared injury, APAP-protein adducts, glutathione, c-Jun N-terminal kinase activation, Cyp2e1 expression, and serum metabolomics among genotypes. Results: BCLA reduced hepatic ALT activity up to 65% but did not affect injury. ALT2 deletion also had no effect on APAP hepatotoxicity. Similarly, MPC deletion alone had no effect. However, combined ALT2 and MPC loss significantly worsened injury (p = 0.005 for LDH for WT vs. CKO; p = 0.07 for % necrosis), increased plasma pyruvate content (p = 0.032), altered the plasma abundance of several amino acids, and decreased basal hepatic glutathione (p = 0.053). Importantly, the exacerbation of injury in CKO mice was not associated with increased APAP-protein adducts. Conclusions: The MPC and ALT systems are critical redundant mechanisms to conserve mitochondrial metabolism and limit APAP toxicity. ALT activity is more than a passive biomarker of injury in this context.


A binary opposition is operating between the inexperience of youth and the experience of old age. Experience is valued over inexperience; an experienced person would theoretically be preferred to an inexperienced one to accomplish a certain task. There is a second universal binary opposition between the jahl (ignorance) of youth and the ḥilm (wisdom, knowledge, forbearance) of old age. Wisdom or knowledge is valued over ignorance. Jahl is the antonym of ḥilm, as well as of ʿilm (knowledge). Ambition, like love, is thought of as a trademark of youth. The young have ahead of them a long future, in which they may yet realize their youthful dreams. Education is a vast topic in Arab culture, and one that has been subject to extensive examination. Tutors were scholars sought after by the elite to educate and train their children, in so doing providing them with pertinent waṣiyya (advice, counsel, instruction).Keywords: binary opposition; experience of old age; inexperience of youth; jahl; knowledge; wisdom


Phantom limb pain (PLP) is a burning, stabbing, shooting, aching, and/or throbbing pain that an amputee feels in his or her amputated limb. According to recent statistics, PLP affects 50-80% of amputees—over one million amputees in the United States alone. With this condition being so widespread and detrimental to patients' day to day life it is important to understand its mechanisms. However, there is a great deal of debate as to whether PLP is neurological or psychological. Those who side with the neurologists argue that PLP functions through three main mechanisms: maladaptive brain plasticity, referred pain, and atrophy of neural structures. Researchers have proposed treating PLP by disrupting these neurological mechanisms through electrode therapy, mirror therapy, acupuncture, and pharmaceuticals. More experimental therapies include robot hand therapy and gaming therapies. Those who believe PLP is largely psychological argue that amputees have high levels of anxiety and depression due to their vulnerability, dependency on others, and drastic lifestyle changes. Anxiety and depression have been linked to a number of psychosomatic symptoms including chronic nerve pain. Therefore, they argue that the experience of PLP is largely caused by psychological factors. However, the evidence supporting this theory is both weak and contradictory. Many studies that support the idea that PLP is primarily psychological have weak evidence, lack controls, and have small sample sizes. Conversely, the evidence supporting the idea that PLP functions through maladaptive brain plasticity, referred pain, and neural atrophy is strong and well supported by other scientists. However, there is still room for further research. It remains unclear why PLP affects some amputees but not others. Furthermore, researchers do not know which mechanism (maladaptive brain plasticity, referred pain, or neural atrophy) is the most dominant and why. Overall, it is clear that PLP is caused primarily by drastic neurological changes resulting in excessive and confused neuronal firing. Though psychology plays a role in PLP, as it does in many illnesses, it is not the primary mechanism of the syndrome. Thus, healthcare companies should provide adequate neurological/pharmacological care for patients suffering from PLP. Introduction: In the United States alone there are two million existing amputees and just under 200,000 new incidents each year. According to recent statistics, 50-80% of these amputees will experience phantom limb pain following their amputation (Le Feuvre and Aldington 2014). Phantom limb pain is defined as burning, stabbing, shooting, aching, and/or throbbing pain localized in an amputee's missing limb (Ferraro et al. 2016). PLP should not be confused with "stump pain" which is pain that is strictly localized to the site of the amputation (Barbina et al. 2016). PLP onset typically occurs within six months of the initial amputation and can last anywhere from a few months to several years. However, there is no relationship between the type of injury that lead to the amputation and subsequent PLP symptoms (Le Feuvre and Aldington 2014). Intensity can range anywhere from mild to severe and the pain can be either chronic or acute, depending on the patient. Therefore, it can severely interfere with a patient's quality of life. It is clear, based solely on PLP's prevalence and debilitating nature, that PLP is a serious issue today which is why both its mechanisms as well as potential treatments must be studied extensively. It was previously thought that phantom limb pain was a psychosomatic disorder with minimal (if any) neurological mechanism. The accepted theory was that patients suffering from PLP were only imagining the pain to be real because they were traumatized by the injury, were used to having the limb there, or had another mental illness (de Roos et al 2010). However, in recent years scientists have come to understand that PLP is largely neurological. Despite the mass amount of evidence supporting this, there is still some debate as to whether or not psychology plays an important role. Here, I will discuss the neurological and psychological mechanisms of PLP and how health care providers can effectively treat patients. Neurological Mechanisms of Phantom Limb Pain: The first major way that phantom limb pain is initiated and propagated neurologically is through the atrophy of neural structures (Jiang et al 2015). Every limb/part of the body is associated with a different region of the somatosensory and premotor cortexes. When a limb gets amputated there is no longer neural signals being sent to its corresponding cortical regions. Thus, the dormant neural tissue begins to atrophy. Jiang et al (2015) describes an experiment in which the cortical thickness and fractional anisotropy of white matter of seventeen lower limb amputees and eighteen healthy controls' brains using MRI and diffusion tensor imaging. They ultimately found that the amputees had a number of deteriorating structures including: thinning premotor cortexes as well as visual-to-motor regions, decreased fractional anisotropy in the right superior corona radiata as well as the inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus (Jiang et al 2015). Each of these affected neural structures are associated with movement, sensation, and processing visual information. Therefore, when they are compromised it can have a slew of neurological consequences including maladaptive brain plasticity. Maladaptive brain plasticity is when the brain attempts to quickly correct a neural trauma by converging adjacent neural pathways onto the affected site thus creating neural confusion and excess neuronal firing (Le Feuvre and Aldington 2014). Initially the damage caused by the amputation increases the firing of peripheral nociceptors which ultimately alters the anatomy of the dorsal horn and root of the spinal cord so that it becomes more excitable (Le Feuvre and Aldington 2014). The more excited dorsal root has the ability to also excite adjacent neurons. These factors increase the patients' sensitivity to pain. In the brain itself, the somatosensory region originally associated with movement of the (now phantom) limb atrophies and becomes relatively dormant. This causes adjacent neural structures to converge on the deafferented cortical amputation zone (Le Feuvre and Aldington 2014). Raffina et al (2016) considered patients with amputated hands for instance. In this study the central sulcus and BOLD responses within the brain of eleven hand amputees and seventeen healthy controls were studied during hand, elbow, and lip movement. The experimenters found that the brain had formed little to no reorganization patterns where the amputee's hand would have synapsed in the brain. However, the cortical regions pertaining to lip and elbow movement began to converge on the deafferented cortical region where the hand nerves once synapsed. This occurred because the hand, lip, elbow and even eye share neural pathways and are connected through peripheral nerves. Therefore, when one region is affected it causes a cascade effect on the rest of the neural pathway. In other words, different nerves connect a variety of different body parts and thus share pathways. The connectedness of neural pathways is heavily associated with the second neurological mechanism of phantom limb pain, referred pain. Referred pain is when stimulation to one region causes sensation in another and it is both central and peripheral mechanism of phantom limb pain (Collins et al 2017). Due to maladaptive brain plasticity, when a limb gets amputated, adjacent neural pathways in the brain attempt to converge on the site of the amputation to correct the damage. However, this convergence causes neural confusion and excessive firing thus resulting in increased nociception. An example of this is in upper extremity amputees; when an upper extremity is amputated, the nerves of the face converge on the dormant extremity region of the brain. This causes the neural pathways of the amputated limb and the face to cross paths. Thus when the face is stimulated the patient will often feel the sensation in their phantom limb. This can also cause painful sensations in the phantom limb due to excessive firing and overstimulation (Collins et al 2017). One experiment attempted to further investigate the mechanisms of referred sensation by stimulating the facial nerves of nineteen upper extremity patients using electrodes on the skin. 42.1% of the patients felt referred sensation in their phantom limbs while others experienced sensation in other areas. This supports the claim that PLP is influenced by referred pain mechanisms (Collins et al 2017). However, there are still other factors at play in PLP sensation. Another way in which PLP is initiated is through peripheral factors. The initial amputation cuts peripheral nerves. The axons of these nerves attempt to re-sprout which can then cause a neuroma on the residual limb to form. The neuroma will then secrete ectopic discharges (a nociceptive signal) that can then cause the patient to experience PLP. In addition to ectopic discharges, an infected wound could also cause PLP (Le Feuvre and Aldington 2014). Infection at the amputation sight would cause inflammation and subsequent stimulation to the adjacent neural pathways. This stimulation would create referred pain in the phantom limb. Another factor that would cause PLP is increased levels of epinephrine in the body. Increased epinephrine levels are caused by sympathetic secretions which are typically caused by bodily or emotional stress (Le Feuvre and Aldington 2014). Epinephrine increases the body's nociception thus making the patient more vulnerable to PLP. Overall, there is a clear relationship between peripheral factors, chemical signals, and PLP. Accepted Treatments for Phantom Limb Pain and How They Target Neural Mechanisms: Due to the multifaceted nature of phant


Substitution boxes (S-boxes) are important elements of many block ciphers, which serve as tools of nonlinear transformation of information in the cipher process. Classical S-boxes are usually represented by specially designed tables, which are used today in current cryptographic standards, such as Data Encryption Standard (DES) or Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), but in the result of developing methods of cryptanalysis they do not ensure enough safety of ciphers. Therefore, the open research issue now is to design new more sophisticated classes of S-boxes, in particular dynamic ones. In this paper we propose a methodology to design dynamic cellular automata (CA)-based S-boxes, which can be considered as generator od CA-based S-boxes. We provide an exhaustive experimental analysis of the proposed CA-based S-boxes in terms of non-linearity, autocorrelation, balance and strict avalanche criterion. We show that the proposed S-boxes have high quality cryptographic properties (high non-linearity and balance, also low autocorrelation and distance to fulfill strict avalanche criterion). The interesting feature of the proposed S-boxes is a dynamic flexible structure, fully functionally realized by CA, while the classical S-boxes are represented by predefined unchangeable table structures.


The author of the article suggests using the following tetrachotomy according to linguistic methodology: thought language speech communication. She reveals the basic characteristics of linguistic crimes: 1) imposing of false world vision 2) appeal to public conscience (but not to individual one) 3) circulation in mass-media. Premeditation is supposed to be one of the additional characteristics of linguistic crimes.


The accelerated aging tests of styrene-butadiene rubber were carried out.The mechanical properties and Shore A hardness of the aging rubber were measured.The apparent aging activation energy was calculated according to the measured data.The result showed that The elongation at break apparent activation energy of the rubber aging in seawater is 49.65 kJ/mol,in hot air is 62.22 kJ/mol.The 100% tensile stress apparent activation energy of the rubber aging in seawater is 45.23 kJ/mol,in hot air is 64.35 kJ/mol.The hardness of the rubber aging in seawater is 85.45 kJ/mol,in hot air is 73.21 kJ/mol.


The cornerstone of the IBM System/360 philosophy is that the architecture of a computer is basically independent of its physical implementation. Therefore, in System/360, different physical implementations have been made of the single architectural definition which is illustrated in Figure 1.


Many papers on theoretical studies of transient phenomena in a sudden short circuited alternator were published already, the important ones, so far as the authors knows, are Otake, and Biermanns and Boucherot, espec-ially Otake's Solution-by an integral equation-is the most rigorously but too complex.


The multiceNtre, open, uncontrolled sAfety and tolerability stUdy of a modified-release nicoTinic acId formuLation in sUbjects with dySlipidaemia and low HDL-cholesterol (NAUTILUS) trial was designed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of prolongedrelease nicotinic acid (Niaspan®) in patients treated for dyslipidaemia in a usual care setting in Germany. The dyslipidaemia was inadequately controlled by diet, including low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (< 1.0 mmol/L [< 40 mg/dL] in men and < 1.2 mmol/L [<46 mg/dL] in women). This analysis focuses on the tolerability and safety of Niaspan® in patients with diabetes. Diabetic and non-diabetic subjects reported similar incidences of all-cause adverse events (AE; 59.9% vs. 60.8%, respectively), serious AE (SAE; 4.0% vs. 3.4%, respectively) and withdrawals for AE (17.6% vs. 16.4%). Flushing was the most common side effect, as expected (42% of patients in each group), but < 10% withdrew for flushing. There was no indication of hepatotoxicity or serious muscle toxicity in diabetic or non-diabetic subjects. Changes in glycaemic parameters were small (mean changes in diabetic subjects of +0.2% HbA1C and +0.4 mmol/L [+8 mg/dL] for fasting plasma glucose), despite marked reductions in the intensity of antidiabetic therapy in about one third of patients. Niaspan® was equally effective in diabetic or non-diabetic subjects in increasing HDL-C (+24% in each group) and decreasing triglycerides (-12% and -13%, respectively). Niaspan® was well tolerated in patients with type 2 diabetes and the results of NAUTILUS support its use for correction of low HDL-C in this population. Br J Diabetes Vasc Dis 2006;6:127‐33


The growth and development of plants are determined by photosynthesis, which ultimately results in sucrose. Sucrose is synthesized in the source then translocated to all parts of the plant (sink). The translocation process of sucrose from source to sink is controlled by sucrose protein called sucrose transporter. SoSUT1 is a gene that encodes a sucrose transporter 1 (SUT1) protein in sugarcane. Rice transformation with the SoSUT1 causes overexpression SUT, which is expected to increase the translocation of sucrose into the seed of rice plants. This research was conducted by introducing SoSUT1 in rice plants Inpari 14 SS. Transformation using Agrobacterium tumefaciens vector in apical bud explant Indica rice cv. Inpari 14 SS results in 26 events positive rice contains genes SoSUT1 . This study aims to elucidate the inheritance of transgene in the next generation and to characterize its effect on the morphology and the yields of a subsequent generation. The study is conducted by planting the seeds of T1 and T2 plants in media containing Hygromycin and using PCR analysis for further analysis. As the results, from 26 events on the T1 plant, only 3 events of T3 plants were confirmed on the T3 plant. The overexpression of the SoSUT1 gene could increase the number of tillers, the number of productive tillers, panicle length, and panicle exit length, also increasing the number of spherical grains, reducing the number of empty grains and increasing the weight of 1000 grains.


Motion estimation is the most important step in video compression. By using high precision motion vector in the H.264 encoder, the calculation is rapidly increased, but in the whole process of coding, motion estimation occupies about 80%. Although many motion estimation algorithms have been proposed to reduce the computational complexity of motion estimation, it still cannot meet the strict real-time demand. In this paper, based on the analysis of UMHexagonS algorithm, dynamic searching window is chosen in the UMHexagonS algorithm, then according to the motion activity, it uses different template to reduce the motion estimation time and improve video coding efficiency. Proved by the experiments on various test sequences, compared with the UMHexagonS algorithm, the motion estimation time of the proposed algorithm average saves 17.7525% in the case of the quality of the reconstructed image and rate close. It not only reduces the complexity of the algorithm, but also improves the real-time performance of the encoder.


This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) on Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) isolated from layer chickens using minimum inhibitory concentration test (MIC). A total number of 120-layer chicken samples from hock joints and livers were collected under aseptic conditions from diseased and freshly dead layer chickens from different private farms in Assiut Governorate. From these 120 samples, we isolated 29 isolates of Staphylococci with a prevalence rate of 24.16%. Nineteen (65.5 %) of these 29 isolates were coagulase negative and ten (34.5 %) were coagulase positive. By PCR, the 10 coagulase positive strains (CoPS), were confirmed to be S. aureus as they have (clfA gene), while 6 isolates only were Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) as they demonstrated mecA gene. Nine isolates of S. aureus demonstrated variable antibiotic sensitivity patterns in MIC test against ZnO-NPs and some selected antibiotics. ZnO-NPs showed the best antibacterial efficiency against most isolates as compared to all tested antibiotics.


For the calculation of an objective, we have usually two different courses to choose. In the first method, which, for the sake of convenience, we may call " coutinental method," we make use of those formu1a derived from the theory of Eikonals, while in the second " Englislh method " those formnla, as are given in Taylor's 'A Slystem of Applied Optics', are used. In the first method, we use Abbe's invariant, while in the second, Coddington's variables are utilized. There are some diversity of opinions among those occupied in such calculations as to the advantage of these two methods ; some holding that the first is more theoretical and accurate than the second, while others insist that the second is more practical and easy to manage than the other. But in reality, there are theoretically no difference between them, for they are both true and accurate to the same degree of approximation. If we well consider how these. formula are dedneed, it may look almost superfluous to prove the identity of those two sets of formula, yet the existing . diversity of opinions will justify us to show how one set of formula can be deduced from the other. We shall take the case of a system of thin lenses in contact, which is achromatic and aplanatic, and show that the difference between the two sets of formula is only apparent. Let ¦× be the reciprocal of the fecal length of a component lens and ¦Ì , ¦Í its index of refraction and diispersion respectively. Then as usual, we have


The optimization of the processing stages in the sawmill line occupies a strategic position in processing wood products from raw materials (logs). The main objectives of this paper are to propose a design and manufacture an automatic edging and trimming (AET) system for a wood board to synchronize with the sawing line using programmable logic controller (PLC) system. To verify the design of integration, 20 different board samples were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the manufactured system. The results indicated that the AET system meets the basic requirements in cutting the edge waste out of the board and improving rate of wood recovery. Therefore, the idea of the AET system displays merits further research and may be applicable to future sawmills


Brain homogenates were used to measure in vitro formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in 5 CNS regions of 3, 12 and 22 month old male Fischer 344 rats. Glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase activity in 105,000 x g supernatants of these homogenates was also measured. Results indicated that in vitro TBARS formation declined with age in all 5 areas studied. Glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase activity did not change with age. Regional differences in the activity of glutathione peroxidase and catalase were noted.


The influence of the body condition (CC) to the childbirth and the production of the milk before the 65 days, or before the first estrous pospartum, on the restart of the activity ovarian recurrent luteal (AOLC) and the number of silent estrous (ES), before the first behavior estro and period childbirth-first observed estro, they were evaluated to the beginning of the pospartum in 36 mestizo cows HxC. The cows were fed in different form in the prepartum period to settle down itt lists of body condition (ECC) among 2.0 – 5.0 to the chidbirth, considering as ECC 2.0 – 2.9 = low CC; 3.0 – 3.9 =CC mediates ; and 4.0 – 5.0 = CC discharge. In the xperimet a desing was used


An electrosurgical instrument for conducting electrical energy to a tissue during electrosurgery, said electrosurgical instrument: a conductive shank portion which is adapted to receive electric power; an electrode in electrical communication with the conductive shaft; and wherein the electrode is made of a nickel-titanium alloy.


On the foundations of many rendering algorithms it is the symmetry between the path traversed by light and its adjoint path starting from the camera. However, several effects, including polarization or fluorescence, break that symmetry, and are defined only on the direction of light propagation. This reduces the applicability of bidirectional methods that exploit this symmetry for simulating effectively light transport. In this work, we focus on how to include these non‐symmetric effects within a bidirectional rendering algorithm. We generalize the path integral to support the constraints imposed by non‐symmetric light transport. Based on this theoretical framework, we propose modifications on two bidirectional methods, namely bidirectional path tracing and photon mapping, extending them to support polarization and fluorescence, in both steady and transient state.


Most people look for life partners who share their values and their approach to life. For many people, this means looking for people who have similar religious or spiritual values. Nevertheless, the numbers of people who marry people of the same religious group varies greatly in Australia: from 36 per cent among those who identify with nature religions to 94 per cent of those who identify with Islam.


Thymocyte development moulds the T-cell repertoire in two ways. First, thymocytes are 'educated' to preferentially see antigen in the context of self MHC (positive selection), and second, autoreactive, potentially pathogenic, cells are eliminated (negative selection). It is generally believed tbat these effects are preferentially mediated by the epithelialand bone marrow (BM)-derived (dendritic cells/macrophages) cells of the thymus, respectively, though recent data shows that the distinction is not absolute (Bix & Raulet 1992). I would like to suggest that the view that thymic epithelium (TE)and BM-derived cells have even preferential roles in positive and negative selection is not supported by published data. Instead, I propose that thymic education reflects first deletion by TEand BM-derived cells and second the antagonism of deletion (positive selection) by antigens common to both. Neither tissue would therefore have a specialized role in MHC/peptide-specific selection. Such a hypothesis is in accordance with much previously published work demonstrating that the generation of an efficient T-cell repertoire requires that botb TE and BM share MHC molecules.


Hydrogen production byincubated cyanobacterial epiphytes occurred onlyin thedark, wasstimulated byC2H2,andwasinhibited by02.Addition ofNO3 inhibited dark, anaerobic H2production, whereas theaddition ofNH4'inhibited N2fixation (C2H2reduction) butnotdarkH2production. Aerobically incubated cyanobacterial aggregates consumed H2,butlight-incubated rates (3.6 ,umol ofH2 g 1h-1) werestatistically equivalent todarkuptake rates (4.8 ,umol ofH2g-1 h-1), whichwerestatistically equivalent todark, anaerobic production rates (2.5 to10,umol ofH2g-1h-1). Production rates ofH2werefourfold higher for aggregates inamoreadvanced stage ofdecomposition. Enrichment cultures of H2-producing fermentative bacteria wererecovered fromfreshly harvested, H2producing cyanobacterial aggregates. Hydrogen production inthese cyanobacterial communities appears tobecaused bytheresident bacterial flora andnotbythe cyanobacteria. Insitu areal estimates ofdarkH2production bysubmerged epiphytes (6.8 ,umol ofH2m2 h 1)weremuchlower thanrates oflight-driven N2 fixation bytheepiphytic cyanobacteria (310LmolofC2H4m-2h-1).


Abstract—An excision‐deficient E. coli strain carrying the R46 mutator plasmid showed a different response towards photo‐reactivation after UV irradiation than the same strain without plasmid. While the photoreactivation of lethal lesions was comparable in both strains, the number of UV‐induced mutants per 106 survivors was slightly reduced for the plasmid bearing strain by photoreactivating light at UV fluences below 60 mJ/m2 but increased at higher fluences. To explain this it is proposed that some UV photoproduct(s) of DNA other than cyclobutane dipyrimidine dimers are pre‐mutational lesions for error‐prone DNA repair by the plasmid, P‐repair, but not for SOS‐repair.


Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease characterized by metabolic and endocrine changes that affect a large number of women worldwide. It brings lifestyle adaptation needs that include physical activity practice, glycemic control, use of medication, adoption of a food plan and the inclusion of new health practices, which are not always easily incorporated to the everyday routine of women. However, experiencing difficult situations can also lead to the desire to overcome problems, coming to recognize the strengths and protective factors in their socio-historical-cultural and environmental contexts. There is the aspect of resilience, recognized as the capacity to bear, adapt and harmoniously coexist, developed in face of situations of adversity and/or stress, as a chance for a better living for women with diabetes mellitus. Objective: This study aimed to understand resilience as a theoretical construct for the qualification of care in nursing and health, and for increasing the adherence to treatment for diabetes mellitus in women seen in the primary care service of Florianópolis. Method: A mixed research method was used in this study, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches through the sequential explanatory strategy. The quantitative phase was of probabilistic cross-sectional observational type, with a stratified sample of 412 women with diabetes and data collection in the households between 2009 and 2010. The following variables were investigated: demographic, biometric, lifestyle habits and health; and the resilience scale and perceived stress scale were applied. The online tool of SestatNet ® was used for descriptive and inferential statistical analysis, whose results guided the design of the second phase of the study. In such phase, the interpretive qualitative study was carried out using the convergent-care research as a methodological framework, and resilience as a theoretical framework. It was conducted in a Health Center in the city of Florianópolis, Brazil, between 2011 and 2012, covered ten meetings of the social group, and in-depth interviews pre and post-group, attended by nine women with diabetes. The interviews and group meetings were audio recorded and fully transcribed. Field notes and theoretical and methodological memos were also done to extend the corpus of research and data density. The ATLAS.ti 7.1 ® software was used for the analysis of textual data, according to the assumptions of convergent-care research and the 'directed content analysis', in which were carried out reviews of the research content, considering the knowledge on resilience, gender and diabetes. Apprehension was reached after careful and thorough textual


Summative examination in the 2013 curriculum is called the final semester examination. In this examination, all questions are made by the teacher. In making the questions the teachers refer to the assesment guidelines described in the 2013 curriculum. According to the guidelines, there are three types of assessment, namely: knowledge, application, and reasoning. Reasoning refers to high-level abilities of the student in thinking, ussually called higher order thinking skills or HOTs. In assessment guidelines, HOTs are defined as a transfer, contextual, critical thinking, and PISA assessment. Then, they are completed by Brookhart with creative thinking, problem solving, logic and reasoning. Unfortunately, implementation of HOTs questions are not yet known in the formative and summative examination questions for chemistry classes. Therefore, this research aims to study the implementation of HOTs questions in the summative examinations in chemistry classes in senior high schools in the City of Malang. The research used descriptive qualitative approaches consisting of content analysis methods. The data were obtained by documentation techniques. The data were taken from summative examination questions in the 2015/2016 to the 2017/2018 academic years. The relliability of the result was tested using interrater reliability procedure to obstain a reliability of Cohen-Kappa by manual calculation. Result of the analysis showed that 12,50% of the test contained HOTs. The reliability test results of Cohen-Kappa indicated an agreement of the analysis of chemistry summative examination questions, with acategory of "strong agreement" (0.65-0.87). The HOTs aspects were also found in this study such as tranfer, contextual assessment, critical thinking, and PISA.


Orbital cellulitis is uncommon sequelae of the spread of odontogenic infection to adjacent maxillary sinuses or to distant sites such as the orbits. Once it happened, the spread of such infection can be of serious complication such as complete blindness or even more serious and life threatening situations as cavernous sinus thrombosis, intra-cranial abscess, or even death. This paper aimed to expose the guideline treatment of orbital cellulitis as a complication of odontogenic infection. It reported one case of orbital cellulitis in the emergency unit of Hasan Sadikin hospital Bandung, with complaints of pain, swelling at cheek and periorbital region, and the history of toothache. The treatment include incision drainage, extraction of tooth, and parenteral administration of antibiotic and analgesic. Odontogenic infections are derived from dental infection and can potentially spread rapidly to be ascending infection like orbital cellulitis. Odontogenic infection and orbital cellulitis should be adequately treated with incision drainage, extraction of tooth and parenteral administration of antibiotic, steroid and analgesic. Without immediate treatment, odontogenic infection can lead to ascending infection. Orbital cellulitis due to spreading of odontogenic infection is a rare case. In this case report, the patient had a significant improvement due to immediate and proper treatment.


We study ester-type liquid crystal, 4′-cyanophenyl 4-n-hexyl benzoate and its homologue 4′-cyanophenyl 4-n-pentyl benzoate. We used the Thermally Stimulated Depolarization Currents method and found information about phase transition temperature, and activation energies. The temperatures of phase transitions were compared to those obtained by classical DSC/DTA measurements. Simultaneously with the TSDC, we measured the optical transmission; we found a decrease of the optical transmission when it was measured after a greater pre-applied polarizing electric field.


Operators in railway Industry have to cope with an heterogenic network, with different gauges and supply systems. For being able to run on these tracks, Operators require different types of trains, each one adapted to the specific characteristics of the line. This fact prevents scale-economies to be applied to the sector, managing in a less efficient way peak and valley demands as well as maintenance tasks. Talgo Hybrid Train is the perfect and long-time demanded solution for this problem. It can run on both electrified and non-electrified lines, and within electrified lines both AC and DC supply is supported. Furthermore propulsion bogies have been designed to allow dynamic gauge change. Talgo Hybrid Train is an all-track train that provides maximum interoperability, eliminating railway barriers since one train is enough to operate on almost any line.


Automatic music instruments recognition technique is a domain that is very specialized but at the same time very general. Several different feature extraction algorithms were implemented and developed. The performance of the system was evaluated in several experiments using feature vectors that included cepstral Coefficients and features relating to the type of excitation, brightness, modulations, asynchrony and fundamental frequency of tones. The present work concerns the automatic recognition of musical instruments, where the idea is to build computer systems that " listen " to musical sounds and recognize which instrument is playing. The performance of the system and the confusions it made are compared to the results reported for human perception. The comparison shows that the performance of the system is worse than that of humans in a similar task.


A repeat survey for schistosomiasis japonica was carried out in Sisan community 1 year after chemotherapy with praziquantel was stopped. Prevalence of infection had fallen from 43.7 to 10.2%, intensity (population geometric mean) had dropped from 6.3 to 0.6 eggs per gram of stool and morbidity decreased significantly.


Abstract Growing efforts are undertaken at the local, national, and international level to improve water supply in developing countries and thereby help people to satisfy their basic water needs. This study aims at an evaluation of households' actual access to and use of improved water sources in rural communities in the Ghanaian Volta basin. A statistical analysis of a household survey conducted in the Volta Basin helps to demonstrate that access to improved water does not automatically translate into use of it for all households. Our analysis shows that 43 per cent of those households that had access to an improved source still use unsafe water as their main domestic water source. Relative distance to improved and unimproved sources, the pricing system established locally, and quality perceptions all are likely to influence household water source choices.