The purpose of this research was to explore, test, and evaluate the relationship between e-business information and competitive intelligence (CI) in both qualitative and quantitative terms. This paper was one of the first studies that investigated how C1 activities traveled in the physical space and cyber space in three dimensions (speed, width, and depth) over five digital networks (Internet, Intranet, Extranet, virtual community and electronic marketplace).
The literature review introduced how electronic marketplace evolved from the past in a physical form to the present digital form, and how competitive intelligence became essential in every day business practices for executives and managers. The research design was a multimethod that consisted of a web-and-fax survey, a case study, and several personal interviews. The target respondents were the high-tech executives and managers in Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Findings showed that most Canadian executives and managers in Vancouver had little awareness on Competitive Intelligence (CI). Only a few large high-tech companies were practicing CI to increase their competitive ability in the industry; however, many of them were only using physical communication methods to identify needs, collect data, analyze data, and disseminate needs. Electronic or digital communication methods through the five digital networks were not widely used. Most respondents found the Intranet as the most useful communication channels to exchange latest internal competitive information and the Internet as the most frequently used communication channel to search for ad-hoc competitive information outside the companies.
The actively linked digital networks are most frequently used to search for competitive intelligence; the passively linked digital networks are less frequently used; and, the e-business applications are the least frequently used. Executives and mangers perceive more CI value in primary, informal, and physical data sources than secondary, formal, and digital data sources.
To conclude, CI value means providing top decision makers actionable knowledge in both qualitative and quantitative terms. In the digital world, CI value is about how executives and managers identify, collect, analyze, and disseminate competitive information effectively within and outside their organizations to gain competitive advantage.


To control political power in accordance with science, democracy and law is an important goal for the party to improve the ability of administration. Democratic administration is, in fact, the core of this important goal, which is decided by both the political system with distinct Chinese characteristics and the political party system. As is well known, science is the result of democracy. Science would not be so prosperous if there had been no cleansing against the superstition and autocrat by democratic concept and beginners' movement for democracy. Democracy itself is science. To control political power according to law must always be based on democracy. Without democracy, laws can not be scientifically made, let alone to produce or enforce the laws effectively. Obviously, to control political power according to law is an essential demand for the democratic administration.


To define the normal cortisol response to the Short Synacthen Test using four different cortisol immunoassays and to assess the implications for the investigation of hypothalamic‐pituitary disorders.


Narrates his 46 year old relationship with Prof. Kaula and formation of Prof. Kaula Endowment. States in brief the crisis and challenges before library profession. Informs that library associations have rarely been made the subject of study and research. Preparing libraries and library workers is a challenging task for library associations in the new techno-savvy and user oriented environment. Opines that Queen's Batten was left unguarded since 1970s (Ranganathan died in 1972). Under the influence of pseudo Librarians/LIS Teachers, the profession as a whole and the Institutions of national/international importance, have lost their sheen. Makes a brief note on the work done by early library associations in India. Enlists certain common missions/mottos/objectives of library associations. Demands from the profession to honour the maxim SANGHE SHAKTI KALIYUGE. Draws support form the story of "kabootar and bahelia' from old classic Panchtantra. Discusses the strengths and achievements of DLA. Predicts the future image of library associations and librarianship and emphasizes on the need to develop, expand and enhance professional competency and the status of library workers. Highlights some observations and provides some suggestions, such as, visualization of concept of 'Chartered Librarians' as a new vista for librarianship, and 'SLISS' for school libraries. Recommends to responsible office bearers of the associations to 'introspect' with objectivity like viewing a mirror. Provides Appendix-1 (Anecdotes from life and career of Prof. P.N.Kaula,and Appendix-2 (List of some select library associations in India and other countries).


One of our seemingly accepted conventional wisdoms is not "fact," but at best an hypothesis of questionable validity, supported essen? tially by intuition, and having only a tentative empirical basis. The belief concerns the nature of quality change and its bearing upon price indices. The conventional wisdom is replete in the textbooks. Sichel and Eckstein, for example, state that "a price index, often ignores im? portant improvements in quality ..." [p. 259] Reynolds holds that quality changes are usually "for the better," [p. 122] and that to the extent that such improvements "are not allowed for in our prices indexes, the rise in price level is overstated . . ." [p. 123] One inter? mediate text maintains that "the usual measures of price level change tend to overstate price increases" [Chambers, Scott, and Smith, p. 282] due to improved qualities. Dolan, in his recent addition to the prin? ciples market, affirms that there is an upward bias in price indices due to quality change, but notes that the magnitude of bias cannot be de? termined, [p. 96] The texts by Baird [1973, p. 27], Miller [p. 152], Glahe [p. 12], Campbell and Campbell [p. 325] and several others1 suggest that quality change is for the better, but is ignored in price indices, claiming such measures contain "an upward bias that exag? gerates price trends." [Campbell and Campbell, p. 325] A frequent illustration depicts the rising cost of medical care and asks the reader if it is "justified to compare the $2.00 office call of 1939 to the 412.00 office call today . . ?" [Glahe, p. 12]2 It is to be noted that there are a few texts which maintain that


A general semi-analytical method for accurate and efficient numerical calculation of the dielectrically screened ('dressed') potential around a non-relativistic test particle moving in an isotropic, collisionless, unmagnetized plasma is presented. The method requires no approximations and is illustrated using results calculated for two cases taken from the MSc thesis of the first author: test particles with velocities above and below the ion sound speed in plasmas with Maxwellian ions and warm electrons. The idea that the fluctuation spectrum of a plasma can be described as a superposition of the fields around non-interacting dressed test particles is an expression of the quasiparticle concept, which has also been expressed in the development of the oscillation-centre and pseudo-orbit formalisms.


The increasing world population, rapid industrialization, urbanization, and economic growth have led to a continuous increase in the consumption of fossil fuels to meet the ever-increasing demand for energy. Continuous emissions from burning fossil fuels will create a need to find appropriate and sustainable substitutes for fossil fuels. Biodiesel is the right alternative solution for diesel engines because it is renewable, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly. Waste cooking oil (WCO) from the food, non-food, restaurant, and household sectors is produced on a large scale in every country and can contribute to environmental pollution if proper disposal systems are not applied. Instead of throwing it landfills Environmental pollution can be minimized by recycling WCO. This study evaluates the potential of using WCO to produce biodiesel using zeolite synthesized from fly ash as a heterogeneous alkali catalyst through a transesterification reaction. The reactor in this study used a 1,000 ml three-necked boiling flask equipped with a condenser, cooling tank, and pump. Stirring and heating during the process of biodiesel production using a magnetic stirrer and a hot plate. The thermometer is used to measure the reaction temperature. Optimization of biodiesel production from zeolite catalyst synthesized from fly ash based on variations in the ratio of methanol: oil (8:1; 10:1; 12:1; and 14:1), catalyst weight (1, 2, 3, and 4% weight), and temperature (45 oC, 55 oC, and 65oC). Zeolite from fly ash produces biodiesel with a yield of 91.67% with optimum operating conditions reaction time of 60 minutes, methanol oil ratio of 8:1, operating temperature 55oC, and the amount of catalyst 1% by weight. This experiment confirms the possibility of utilizing fly ash waste for the application of catalysts in biodiesel production.


【The purpose of this research was to identify nursing interventions performed by hospital nurses in Korea. The sample consisted of 311 nurses working in three hospitals. The Nursing Interventions Use Questionnaire developed by the Iowa Intervention Project team was used for data collection. The instrument was translated to Korean using the method of back-translation. Eighteen interventions were performed at least daily. Interventions in the Physiological : Basic domain were most frequently used at least daily. No interventions in the Family and Behavioral domains were used by nurses at least once a day. The most frequently used interventions was Documentation, followed by the interventions Medication : Parenteral, Intravenous(IV) Insertion, Temperature Control, and Shift Report. The intervention performed least often was Reproductive Technology Management. Nurses working in intensive care units on the whole performed interventions most often, while nurses working in obstetric, gynecological, and pediatric units performed them least often. The nurses working in intensive care unit, medical and surgical care units performed the interventions in the Physiological : Basic domain more often than the nurses working in obstetric, gynecological, and pediatric units. The nurses working in obstetric, gynecological, and pediatric units used the interventions in the Family domain more often than the nurses working in the other three units. This study contributes to the documentation of nursrs' work in Korea. Further study will be needed to validate nursing activities of each NIC intervention.】


In this paper, a TM-multi-spectral satellite images is adopted in a purpose of supervised classification. The traditional method of the segmentation namely Quad tree is applied as pre processing step. For each segmented block, the fractal features (fractal dimension and lacunarity)s are determined to be used as a maximum likelihood classifier. The results showed that the fractal dimension has not certainly able to classify the segmented blocks while the lacunarity gave good classification results. In general, the fractal geometry was found an efficient parameter for describing the image. The results show that the over all classification accuracy is 85.5%.


The shared aperture antenna, an effective and versatile radar front-end design strategy based on deploying interleaved sub-arrays on a common aperture, is discussed. A number of instantiations of this concept, demonstrating multi-functionality and polarisation agility capabilities, is described in detail. Some limitations of this concept are singled out, and measures to counteract them are put forward.


On page 190, the below quotation was incorrectly attributed to Hammell (2015). This quotation should have been attributed to Hammel et al. (2015) and the reference list should have included reference details for "A scholarship of practice revisited: Creating community-engaged occupational therapy practitioners, educators and scholars." The corrected sentence and complete reference details are provided below.


Mycophenolate Mofetile (MMF) is a potent immunosuppressant that has been used successfully in renal transplant recipients. The effect of MMF on primary and secondary glomerulonephritis, however, remains to be tested. In this report, seven patients with glomerulonephritis and refractory nephrotic syndrome were enrolled to prospectively evaluated the effectiveness of MMF. The pathologic diagnoses included minimal change disease (n=1), membranous glomerulonephritis (n=4), IgA nephropathy (n=1), and lupus nephritis (n=1). The dose of MMF ranged from 1.5gm to 2gm per day. MMF was used in combination with steroids in 6 cases and with cyclosporine in one case. The mean duration of treatment was 4.43 months (3 to 11months). In all cases, there was partial remission with significant decrease in daily urine protein from 11.3 ± 6.7gm/day to 3.9 ± 3.8gm/day (p=0.0057) and elevation of serum albumin from 2.4 ± 0.8 gm/dl to 3.1 ± 1.1 gm/dl (p=0.014). The serum cholesterol and triglyceride decreased from 340 ± 142mg/dl to 204 ± 58 mg/dl and from 227 ± 144 to 100 ± 39 mg/dl respectively. Despite no statistical significance, there was a trend toward normalization of the lipid profile. There was no significant change in other clinical parameters such as hemoglobin, leukocyte count or liver enzymes. Two of the 7 patients were withdrawn from the study because of marked gastrointestinal upset. The others tolerated the drug well and showed no significant side effects. This preliminary report suggests that MMF is an effective second-line therapy in selected patients. We conclude that, MMF when combined with steroids or cyclosporine, may serve as an effective drug against refractory nephritic-ranged proteinuria in certain types of glomerulonephritis.


To meet the need of production and specifications of surveying,we designed the Leveling Surveying Record System Based on Windows Mobile.The system key technologies and design methods were discussed in this paper.Examples of some functions realization were provided.


The invention discloses a remote controller device, a call device, a call system and a call method. The call method in the embodiment of the invention comprises: a set-top box receives a call request message from an opposite terminal call device through a network; on the condition that a TV set is turned off, the set-top box sends a notification message to the remote controller device; the remote controller device responds to the notification message to carry out user prompt, and establishes a communication connection with the opposite terminal call device through the set-top box after receiving a call answer. By adopting the call method disclosed by the invention, a voice call request can be received and initiated and a voice call can be made on the condition that the TV set is turned off, so that an effect of saving energy and reducing emission is achieved.


Systemic hypoxia lead to deplete amount of ATP in tissues that is caused by inefficiency of ATP production in anaerobic glycolysis. Furthermore, degradation of ATP will activate xanthine oxidase activity, that has side effect free radical production and oxidative stress. In addition, hypoxia is known lead to HIF-1α stabilities by reducing prolyl hydroxylase activity and renin expression. Higher renin expression can cause hypertension. This research aim is to reveal how strong oxidative stress damages of systemic hypoxia (MDA) correlated to HIF-1α and renin expression in kidney tissue. This experimental study conducted using rats induced by hypoxic states for 1 day, 3 days, 7 days, and 14 days with gas mix 10% O2, 90% N2 to proof systemic hypoxia, produce free radical damaged (malondialdehyde/MDA), increase expression of HIF-1α and renin mRNA relative expression. MDA was measured by spectrophotometric method, HIF-1α by Immunohysto chemistry, and renin mRNA using RT-PCR. Results showed that in systemic hypoxia MDA were increased significantly in 7 and 14 days of hypoxia, but in 14days MDA level was lower than 7 days hypoxia. HIF-1α increased during hypoxia. Relative expression of renin mRNA was increased during systemic hypoxia and the peak was at 3day hypoxia. MDA has strong correlation to HIF-1α than to renin mRNA relative expression. We conclude that MDA as product of membrane damage caused by free radicals has strong correlation to HIF-1α in systemic hypoxia.


[eng] Outlook for the study of different agricultural production systems in France - The eco-energy analysis (AEE) enables energy investments in humanized systems, especially in farming and the food industry, to be estimated. Balance sheets have already been drawn up at various theoretical levels and in various forms taking methodological difficulties into account. For French farming, apart from global balance sheets, balance sheets for the main production networks and for the various types of farms in their relationships with the fertilizers and processing industries seem indispensible. - Moreover the methods of the AEE need to be confronted with economic analysis. In this way the similarity between the AEE and the labour-value theory. The AEE provides the means of analysing and judging the future ot the present management of natural resources. [fre] L'analyse eco-energetique (AEE) permet d'evaluer les investissements energetiques dans les systemes humanises notamment agricoles et agro-alimentaires. Des bilans ont deja ete effectues a divers niveaux d'apprehension et sous diverses formes tenant compte des difficultes methodologiques. Pour l'agriculture francaise, en plus des bilans globaux, des bilans des principales filieres de production et des differents types d'exploitations, replaces dans leurs relations avec l'amont et l'aval, paraissent indispensables. . En outre, les methodes de l'AEE appellent une confrontation avec l'analyse economique : on note ainsi l'homologie entre AEE et theorie de la valeur-travail. L'AEE procure des instruments d'analyse pour juger l'avenir historique de la gestion actuelle des ressources naturelles.


Two authors of the updated AAN guidelines for treatment with botulinum neurotoxin discussed their findings and potential avenues of further research.


The Ethereum blockchain offers two core technical features: an ability to create a tamper-proof distributed ledger of computer code and an ability to design economic incentives to align actors inte...


A crucial issue inputting solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) into practical use is the establishment of a technique for evaluating the deterioration of SOFCs. We attempted to capture fracture dynamics measured by acoustic emission (AE) method, employing the following approaches: (1) detection of AE waves utilizing burst extraction method, (2) clustering of AE waves based on the burst level to identify AE types, and (3) visualization of fracture dynamics using adopted self-organizing map. We empirically validated our approach, and obtained a map that can interpret fracture dynamics as physical phenomenon.


Experiments have been conducted to record infrared images using wax films as photographic material. The thin films used which were prepared by Dip Coating Method have been deposited on glass plates. As indicated in a previous paper, the thickness of wax films has been chosen to be approximately 0.6 μm. An investigation has been conducted to study the possibility of lowering the intensity threshold needed to photograph infrared images. Good results have been obtained when the photographic plates are preheated; so, the 0.4 J/cm2 required previously is now reduced. Moreover infrared images obtained are seen as surface deformation of the recording medium and, by using a conventional photographic system, the final picture is achieved under an appropriate illumination.


A three-tier principal-agent relational hierarchy is built within the authority concerned,supervisor and the enterprise discharging pollutants,i.e.within principal,agent and the third party.To solve the problem of principal-agent relation in pollutant discharging under the supervision of authority during the control of externality,a model is developed.In it,authority as principal who judges that enterprise is allowed to or not to collude with supervisor in according to the information provided by supervisor for pollutant discharge whether supervisor is integrity or not with relevant cost also calculated.Thus,an optimal range is available to authority for whether collusion between supervisor and enterprise is allowed or not,and simulation computation shows correspondingly conclusion.


Lighting poles and antenna masts are typically high, slender and light structures. Moreover, they are often characterized by distributed eccentricities that make very complex their shape. Experience teaches that this structural type frequently suffers severe damage and even collapses due to wind actions. To understand and interpret the aerodynamic and aeroelastic behavior of lighting poles and antenna masts, this paper presents the results of static and aeroelastic wind tunnel tests carried out on a complex prismatic element representing a segment of the shaft of such structures. Static tests are aimed at determining the aerodynamic coefficients and the Strouhal number of the test element cross-section; the former are used to evaluate the critical conditions for galloping occurrence based on quasi-steady theory; the latter provides the critical conditions for vortex-induced vibrations. Aeroelastic tests are aimed at reproducing the real behavior of the test element and at verifying the validity and reliability of quasi-steady theory. The galloping hysteresis phenomenon is identified through aeroelastic experiments conducted on increasing and decreasing the mean wind velocity.


Objective:To explore how lidocaine Hydrochloride Injection can be used in painless induced abortion.Method:To divide women who are in pregnancy within 8 weeks into two groups;comparison group and observation group,all of them take Misoprostol Tablets and receive lidocaine hydrochloride injection before the operation.Result:There is little difference between two groups in the flabbiness of the cervices and the amount of bleeding during operation(P0.05),while the observation group suffer much less stomachache than the comparison group(P0.05),which makes a difference.Conclusion:If lidocaine hydrochloride injection is used in painless induced abortion,not only bleeding but also pain and harmful effects can be reduced.


The transactional analysis is, firstly, a philosophy, a point of view about human beings. Secondly, it is a theory of personality, of psychical function and interpersonal behaviour, so it is a theory of communication as well. Thirdly, it is a creative and powerful instrument used to facilitate the change and development at a personal and professional level, having applications in four fundamental areas: counselling, education, organizational and also clinical psychology. The transactional analysis is an expositive theory of human personality, which creates and develops concepts and ideas that help us to understand better what we; human beings are, in terms of psychical structures and behavioural reactions.


Small molecules tackling mutated BRAF (BRAFi) are an important mainstay of targeted therapy in a variety of cancers including melanoma. Albeit commonly reported as side effect, the phototoxic potential of many BRAFi is poorly characterized. In this study, we evaluated the phototoxicity of 17 distinct agents and investigated whether BRAFi‐induced phototoxicity can be alleviated by antioxidants.


The science and technology competitiveness of a country has become the core and power of the national competitiveness in the 21st century,and its subject is enterprise's technology innovation capability.Therefore,appraising and analyzing enterprise technological innovation capacity has important value to the theory and reality.In this paper,the Evaluation Index System of Industrial Enterprise′s Technology Innovation Capacity is proposed and industrial enterprises′ technology innovation capacity of 11 provinces and cities including Fujian Province in the southeastern coast has been evaluated by using AHP.By Comparing with other provinces and cities,the primary factors which constraint industrial enterprises′ technology innovation capacity in Fujian has been analyzed,and countermeasures to improve industrial enterprises′ technology innovation capacity in Fujian have been put forward.


The methods of determining the stress at the boundary of a three-dimensional photoelastic model are reviewed and the "oblique incidence" method as applied to boundary points is investigated in some detail. This method permits the complete determination of the boundary stress in a predetermined area of the boundary but is particularly susceptible to errors in observations. Tests have been carried out on a grooved cylinder in which a comparison has been made between oblique incidence determinations of the boundary stresses and determinations from slices cut in the directions of the boundary principal stresses. To obtain reasonable accuracy, extrapolation to the boundary and compensation methods of determining relative retardations are obligatory.


In this study, we have investigated the characteristics of adsorption and desorption of toluene, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) and their binary component using activated carbon. The BET analysis was performed to identify the characteristics of the activated carbon, and the desorption characteristics with temperature were examined to find out an optimum desorption temperature. Ten cyclic experiments of adsorption-desorption were performed, where each adsorption temperature was maintained at room temperature and desorption temperature at upto 120 °C. In case of single component cyclic test, the efficiencies of adsorption and desorption decreased as the cycle increased. MEK which has lower affinity with activated carbon than toluene showed lower efficiencies of adsorption and desorption. In case of binary component cyclic test, a typical roll-up phenomenon was observed during adsorption process, where MEK reaches at breakpoint first and then was swept out by toluene.


The Black Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) Initiative was implemented at eight sites to engage and retain Black MSM in HIV medical care and supportive services (SS) by addressing their behavioral health (BH) care needs. Using a pre-post design and generalized logistic mixed-effects models adjusting for patient-level random effects, site, baseline age, and baseline mental health status, we evaluated whether participants experienced increased postintervention attainment of (1) Awareness of HIV medical care, BH care, and SS; (2) Screening, referral, linkage, receipt, and engagement in HIV care, BH care, and SS; and (3) Retention, antiretroviral therapy prescription, and suppressed viral load. Among 758 evaluated participants, the proportion of participants who were aware of, screened for, screened positive for, and referred to BH and SS, retention in care (72% to 79%), and viral load suppression (68% to 75%) increased between baseline and postintervention. Among participants who screened positive and received BH services were statistically more likely to be linked to [OR, 1.34 (95% CI: 1.08-1.66)] and retained in [OR, 1.36 (95% CI: 1.00-1.83)] care. Among those who screened positive and received SS were statistically more likely to be retained in care [OR, 1.54 (95% CI: 1.07-2.22)]. Measures of linkage to care declined significantly during the study period, perhaps because of COVID-19 that delayed in-person care. This study suggests that interventions designed to increase utilization of BH services and SS can be effective at improving retention in care and viral load suppression among Black MSM, at least among those currently using HIV services.


Ohmic contact formation and thermal stability in a Au/Ge/Pd metallization to n-type InP, doped to a level of 10 17 cm -3 , have been investigated. Contact resistance was measured using a transmission line method, while microstructural changes were examined by means of TEM, EDX, CBED and SAD. Contacts became ohmic after annealing at temperatures ranging from 300°C to 375°C. A minimum contact resistance of 2.5×l0 -6 Ω-cm 2 was obtained after annealing at 350°C for 320s. The drop in resistance to ohmic behavior corresponded to the decomposition of an epitaxial quaternary phase (Au-Ge-Pd-P). Annealing at 400°C and above resulted in Au 10 In 3 spiking into InP and a break down of contact lateral uniformity, which increased contact resistance.


Across North America, universities and colleges are facing a significant increase in enrollment in both undergraduate computer science (CS) courses and programs. The current enrollment surge has exceeded previous CS booms, and there is a general sense that the current growth in enrollment is substantially different from that of the mid-1980s and late 1990s. For example, since the late 1990s, the U.S. Bureau of Labor data shows that the number of jobs where computing skills are needed is on an upward slope [1], illustrating the increased reliance our society has on computing. We also know that more disciplines are becoming increasingly reliant on large amounts of data, and that handling this data effectively depends on having good computational skills. This makes computer science courses at all levels of greater interest to students from other majors.


In the pest, derivative-based optimization algorithms have not frequently been used to calibrate oonceptual rainfall-runoff (CRR) models, partially due to difficulties associated with obtaining the required derivatives. This research applies a recently-developed technique of analytically computing derivatives of a CRR model to a complex, widely-used CRR mcdel. The resulting least squares response surface was found to contain numerous discontinuities in the surface and derivatives. However, the surface and its derivatives were found to be everywhere finite, permitting the use of derivative-based optimization algorithms. Finite difference numeric derivatives were computed and found to be virtually identical to analytic derivatives. A corrparilxionwas made between gradient (Newton-Raphson) and direct (pattern search) optimization algorithms. The pattern search algorithm was found to be more robust. The lower robustness of the Newton-Raphson algarithmwas thought to be due to discontinuities and a rough texture of the response surface.


This article provides experiences of incorporating dynamic methodologies and heuristic learning in the first year subjects of Engineering Faculty careers at Universidad de Atacama. The pilot program was carried out with groups of students who were taking the "Programming Introduction" course, during March 2013 to December 2014. For this purpose, a variety of techniques have been implemented in these courses. Some of them are not new and generally not used in courses with a large number of students or in the initial academic training of freshmen engineers. Even though first interventions caused some level of rejection, after assuming their roles, both teachers and students obtained positive results. These, demonstrate a major level of attendance and participation in class, combined with a considerable increase in academic performance (177%), and the improvement of meaningful learning achieved by the students, especially referring to Algorithmic Thinking development and Logic in programming teaching, which historically have been two themes that presented great level of complexity in the learning process. The research shown in this article belongs to the development of an advanced investigation project DIUDA-22249, financed by the Investigation Direction and Postgraduate Studies of Universidad de Atacama.


Objective To observe the effects of Huangbei Pingjia capsules combined with thiamazole on the expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax in mice with Graves'disease.Methods BALB/c female mouse was used as the experimental model of Graves'disease.After treatment,TT4,TSH and TRAb levels were measured by radioimmunoassay,and ex pression levels of Bcl-2 and Bax were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Results Huangbei Pingjia capsules or thiamazole alone had an effect on decreasing TT4 and TRAb levels and Bcl-2 expression,and had an effect on increasing Bax expression(P 0.05)compared with those in the model group,but had no effect on TSH level.TT4 and TRAb levels and Bcl-2 expression were decreased,and TSH level and Bax expression were increased markedly in the group of Huangbei Pingjia capsules combined with thiamazole(P 0.05).Conclusion Combination of Huangbei Pingjia capsules and thiamazole can significantly regulate the levels of Bcl-2 and Bax in mice with Graves'disease,and the curative effect is better than Huangbei Pingjia capsules or thiamazole alone.


In biological tissues human skin such as flavonoid compounds, and the concentration of their isomers and metabolites, discloses a method and apparatus that facilitates rapid and non-invasive quantitative measurement. Low intensity visible light irradiation to intact tissue can result in high spatial resolution, to enable accurate quantification of flavonoids levels in tissue. Preferred embodiments utilize flavonoids, low oscillator strength light absorption transition hitherto unknown. Thus, outside the absorption range of skin chromophores other potentially confounding, comprising flavonoids human tissues that living can be optically pumped. System constructed in accordance with the present invention, a light source for illuminating a localized area of tissue with light that overlaps with the absorption band of the flavonoid compound, and apparatus for detecting the fluorescence emitted by the flavonoid compound as a result of the irradiation, detection including a processor for determining the concentration levels of flavonoid compounds based on the fluorescence that is.


Objective To summarize the adult intussusception the cause of the complaint,the clinical characteristics and surgical treatment method.Methods A retrospective analysis of January 2005 to October 2011 34 cases were treated in hospital adult intussusception patients for clinical data.Results 34 patients in the clinical manifestations of abdominal pain 100%(34/34),nausea and vomiting 67.65%(23/34),black and or blood was 44.12%(15/34),diarrhea or constipation 41.18%(14/34),abdomen bag piece of 17.65%(6/34).At the same time abdominal pain,blood and the abdomen bag piece [typical for only 14.71%(5/34)].Conclusion Adult intussusception much clear pathological factors,mainly for the benign and malignant tumors.But the lack of typical clinical manifestations,preoperative diagnosis rate is not high.Ultrasound confirmed the disease to a certain value,CT is the preferred method of inspection.Adult intussusception preferred surgery,perioperative,mainly based on the part of the small intestine,types and the character of the original disease to select the best operation method.


This paper presents a direct-digital frequency synthesizer (DDS) with dynamic performance enhancement techniques. First, a fixed-weight decoder with an auxiliary DAC is proposed to remove the truncation spur of the phase accumulator. Second, the proposed tri-state decoding scheme reduces the number of current sources for reducing timing mismatches and capacitances. Finally, a fine current source reusing technique is developed to reduce the number of current sources and power consumption. The proposed DDS is fabricated in 65 nm CMOS technology. The worst SFDR is 57.35 dBc at 2.5 GHz with power consumption of 104 mW. The measured figure of merit is 18,124 GHz.2(SFDR/6)/W.


By using indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFA) with pp38-specific monoclonal antibody(Mab) H19,one more point mutant CVI/rpp38(AA) of Marek's disease virus(MDV)vaccine strain CVI988 was screened from the CVI988-infected chicken embryo fibroblast monolayer transfected with virulent MDV pp38 gene plsmid clone DNA.Sequencing data indicated that both bases at #320 and #326 in pp38 ORF of the mutant were switched into bases"A"from"G"of its parent virus CVI988,leading the amino acids at #107 and #109 changed into glutamine and glutamic acid respectively from arginine and glycine of native CVI988.The double-aa mutant was reactive with Mab H19 but not with another pp38-specific Mab T65 in both IFA and immunoprecipitation in contrast to the native CVI988 which was just opposite in reaction with H19 and T65.The study demonstrated the two different epitopes on the pp38 molecule and provided a convincing evidence that the glutamine at #107 and glycine at #109 were critical to the two epitopes H19 and T65 with different specificity.


Spectroscopic Signatures for Interlayer Coupling in MoS2-WSe2 van der Waals Stacking Report Title Stacking of MoS2 and WSe2 monolayers is conducted by transferring triangular MoS2 monolayers on top of WSe2 monolayers, all grown by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Raman spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) studies reveal that these mechanically stacked monolayers are not closely coupled, but after a thermal treatment at 300 C, it is possible to produce van der Waals solids consisting of two interacting transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) monolayers. The layer-number sensitive Raman out-of-plane mode A2 1g for WSe2 (309 cm 1) is found sensitive to the coupling between two TMD monolayers. The presence of interlayer excitonic emissions and the changes in other intrinsic Raman modes such as E00 for MoS2 at 286 cm 1 and A2 1g for MoS2 at around 463 cm 1 confirm the enhancement of the interlayer coupling. Spectroscopic Signatures for Interlayer Coupling in MoS2-WSe2 van der Waals Stacking Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. 59735.148-MS-MUR REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE (SF298) (Continuation Sheet) Continuation for Block 13


Based on theoretical method developed by the author using recurrence relations, transfer matrix, boundary conditions and an iterative procedure to account for plastic deformations (between rail and girders as well as due to frictional slip at sliding bearings), a detailed parametric study of dispersion of forces on bridges has been carried out for single and multiple-span simply supported plate girder bridges up to 30.5 m span. The study indicates that the most significant parameters affecting dispersion are the friction at sliding bearing and the longitudinal stiffness of supports. Large longitudinal forces are developed due to vertical loads alone. The study also suggests the methods which could be used to reduce the share of longitudinal force to substructure elements.


The invention discloses a preparation method for a low-temperature conductive silver slurry. The preparation method comprises the following processing steps: in a system prepared by a silver compound, a resin and an operating solvent, carrying out in-situ reduction of the silver compound in the resin by a chemical reduction agent, carrying out water washing and filtration of the system to obtain a silver/resin composite with the silver content of 50-86 wt%, then coordinating the composite with an appropriate additive and an organic solvent to obtain a low-temperature conductive silver slurry solution with the silver content of 60-68 wt%. By directly starting from the silver compound, the uniform and fine silver/resin composite with excellent dispersity is prepared by the silver in-situ reduction reaction; the low-temperature conductive silver slurry prepared from the composite has the advantages of high bending resistance, high conductivity, superior and delicate printability, stable performance, easy implementation and low production cost, and meets requirements of large-scale production of flexible printed conduction circuits.


The transfer of information from paper based to electronic forms raises questions about how this information might be most easily and reliably found and accessed in a vast network of interconnected computers. This thesis examines specifically how spatial (geographic) information might be handled in such a network. It first examines the current state of spatial data cataloging. It then looks at how spatial resources (in the forms of archived data sets, active databases, analytical software, and automated services) might be arranged in the National Information Infrastructure by developing limited scenarios of spatial resource interactions.
Five possible paradigms (based on trends in current electronic access mechanisms) to catalog these scenarios are compared. Service protocols, conceptual models for developing intelligent computer to computer exchanges, were found to be the most pragmatic choice of possible cataloging paradigms. Two examples of spatial resource service protocols are developed and presented.


Several studies have investigated turnover intention and its predictors underlining the role of organisational conditions and personal resources. This study focused on the role of the Perceptions of Social Context (PoSC) and Work Engagement as personal resources that can create healthy and productive organisations. The aim of this study is to investigate the factors that contribute to intention to quit focusing on the PoSC, including Work Engagement and a construct that describes mental and emotional detachment from other individuals in work contexts (Interpersonal Strain). A total of 647 employees of an Italian organisation completed a self-report questionnaire. A structural equations model was tested, the findings of which show that work engagement negatively predicts intention to quit, whereas interpersonal strain positively predicts this outcome. Moreover, the PoSC of the immediate supervisor and the PoSC of colleagues have negative mediated effects on intention to quit by reinforcing work engagement and by reducing interpersonal strain, respectively. Finally, the PoSC of management also have negative effects on intention to quit, both directly and by increasing work engagement. Nevertheless, it is now possible to plan different actions and interventions, taking into account these findings to enhance workplace well-being.


Renewable capacity growth is substantial around the world. Particularly the fluctuating renewable energy sources of wind and photovoltaics form the main pillars of future electricity generation. This unpredictable renewable infeed comes along with distinctive challenges for technical and market integration. This is especially valid for countries with strong wind and photovoltaic capacity development e.g. China. A key issue is to find reasonable use for excess fluctua-ting renewable electricity generation and avoid curtailment of renewables with close to zero short-term marginal costs.


An issue left unexplained in the paper [1] is the striking quantitative difference between E. coli and B. subtilis. This is clearly visible in Fig. 6 of [1], where it is shown the probability that two genes at distance l belong to the same cluster of codon usage. Clusters are characterized by a similar codon bias and were identified using a novel information-based clustering method. While both curves decay on distances sizably longer than what could be accounted by operons, B. subtilis curve manifestly features much longer correlations. It is hard to develop a biologically well-founded explanation for such a striking difference between the two organisms. This observation and discussions with Dr. Morten Kloster (Princeton Univ.) spurred us to reconsider the issue and further pursue our analysis of the clusters. The purpose of this addendum is to describe this analysis, which allows us to point out an incorrect statement made in the paper [1], and provide an explanation for the aforementioned difference between the two organisms. The conclusion is that clusters of B. subtilis and E. coli not biased in GC content display now the same behaviour, with correlations of codons usage of the same order, roughly three times the length of the average operon. Contrary to what was previously stated, the GC content of the various clusters is not quite homogeneous and the correct values are reported in Table A1.


In Brazil, University Hospitals have had different forms of participation within the health system. Since the 1980´s they have become more relevant with the reduction of services provided by the philanthropic and private hospitals to the public health system. This work intends to describe and analyze how the University Hospital (Hospital das Clinicas) of the Federal University of Minas Gerais (HC-UFMG) joined the health system of the city of Belo Horizonte, in the period between 1996 and 2004, within the national context of both the National Public Health System (SUS, in Brazil) and the policies introduced to the UH. Bibliographical and documental research was carried out to learn more about the relationship of the UH with the health system throughout the years, as well as the specificities of the relationship between the UH and the health system. Through semi-structured interviews, we have identified factors that can either help or hinder integration in the eyes of the actors involved in the process. Despite the conflicts created by the confronting of powers and practices instituted in the UH, besides the new municipal management challenge brought by the management of a University and Teaching Hospital, the experience has been positive. There has been an enlargement and more service user's access equity, helping to reduce the difficulties of the health system. The teaching activities have been enlarged, and there have also been financial and organizational gains. Over a decade after its implementation, it is useful in the discussion about new and urgent changes in the UH sustainability and organizational structure of the UH within the Brazilian health system.


Recycling investment forums have started to catch hold across the US as a means of educating investors about the benefits of recycling businesses, while helping those businesses obtain the startup of expansion funding they need. Recycling investment forums are designed to bring together recycling business entrepreneurs with investors, financiers, and economic development officials for their mutual benefit. But will investors shell out the money, and will investment forums be successful in increasing opportunities for recycling businesses? All small, start-up business need funding to be successful. A great idea or innovative program can wither on the vine if it does not get the financial support it needs to grow. Recycling businesses are no exception, and many also face additional challenges beyond those faced by the average small business. Recycling businesses are newer and have no proven track record of success, and many investors are wary of taking a chance on an unknown entity.


This paper presents the rehabilitation design for upgrading the Deep Creek Lake dam. The Deep Creek dam is a rock fill dam, 92 feet (28 m) high and 1290 feet (393 m) long, and constructed in 1926. The dam is located in the mountains of western Maryland. An upstream concrete core wall controls the phreatic surface. Natural weathering within the embankment has resulted in almost 3 feet (0.9 m) of settlement of the crest. Ponding of water on the crest and benches has produced small surface depressions and the internal ravelling of fines. Minor erosion of the upstream embankment along the waterline has occurred. The embankment itself is a sound structure but because of the previous nature of the embankment materials, the dam is considered possibly subject to rapid internal erosion under flooding conditions or from a significant leak through the dam foundation or core wall. The remedial design includes restoring controlling infiltration through the use of clay liners, the use of filters and geotextiles, sealing of the concrete core wall and cap, replacement of monitoring devices, upstream erosion protection, channelization of surface water collected on the benches, and construction of an inverted filter along the downstream toe. Benefits of the rehabilitation include a reduction in infiltration and internal erosion and a significant increase in stability under flood conditions.


Introduction: Tumor cell nuclear size is a diagnostic indicator of tumor malignancy (1, 2). A larger cell nuclear size usually corresponds to a more aggressive (high grade) tumor (3), and so measurements of nuclear size are of interest for clinical cancer diagnosis. However, at present tumor cell nuclear size can be found only by invasive biopsy. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) provides a unique means to obtain quantitative micro-structural information about biological tissues non-invasively, and it may have the potential to detect tumor cell nuclear size in vivo. However, due to the limitations of gradient strength and slew rate of normal gradient systems, conventional pulsed gradient spin echo (PGSE) methods employ relatively long diffusion times and thereby are insensitive to intracellular structures, such as nuclear size (4). In the present work, an oscillating gradient spin echo (OGSE) method has been applied to probe ultra-short diffusion times as low as ~0.13ms, corresponding to characteristic diffusion lengths ~0.7μm, which is much shorter than nuclear dimensions. In this work, simulations and experiments were performed to show how this approach may be used to measure mean cell and nuclear sizes. Methods: Modeling: Tissues were modeled as highly packed spherical cells with centric spherical nuclei. There are three distinct diffusion compartments: nuclear, cytoplasmic and extracellular space. The computer simulation predicts that, when the diffusion time is ultra-short (<1ms), the influence of water exchange between different compartments on MR signals is negligible (<2%) (5). Hence, the total signals can simply be expressed as the sum of signals arising from each compartment, namely ) ) (1 )ex exp( exp( p ) ( nuc nuc cyto cy nuc cyto to ex f f bD E f f β β = − + − − + − − [1]


. In this paper, a dynamic simulation model of flap mechanism is established by using Simulink and simultaneous constraint method. Based on this model, the regularity and volatility of kinematic parameters' error is analyzed under the influence of comprehensive error, the position of flap deflection angle maximum deviation and the maximum drive torque are found. Then, under the dynamic analysis, using vector projection method to integrate the amount of wear, and the reliability of flap deflection accuracy and the reliability of flap seizure are calculated by Monte Carlo method under abrasive wear and synthetic error condition.


Off-shellness and inhomogeneities in the non-equilibrium dynamics of the �' 4 model are studied. The non equilibrium field theory is developed in the Closed Time Path formalism, which is in turn reformulated as a kinetic field theory, in terms of a set of kinetic equations for the 2-point Green function, derived from a generalized effective action functional. We take into account all initial correlations up to the 4-point functions. It is shown that the model displays an SO(1,1) symmetry broken by interactions and initial conditions. The divergence of the corresponding Noether current is identified as a particle creation/annihilation density. The broken Ward-Takahashi relations for the SO(1,1) symmetry are derived. They constitute a set of generalized kinetic equations for the general n-point functions. Energy-momentum conservation is demonstrated to hold from the fully interacting transport equations, and we discuss the effect of a gradient expansion and its nonlocality. As an application, we study an explicit realization of inhomogeneities and non-equilibrium conditions in the free field model, for which we give the general solution and analyze it in a particular case. The identification of the Casimir effect in our solution illustrates the intimate connection between inhomogeneities and off-shellness.


Abstract The reaction of 1,2-benzo [a] phenazine-8, 9-dione 1 and/or 1,2,3-indantrione 2, with phosphonium ylides has been studied. When 1 was reacted with two molar amounts of methoxy-(3a) and/or ethoxycarbonylmethylenetriphenylphosphorane (3b), in THF, at the reflux temp, for 3 hrs, dimethyl (4a) and/or diethyl 1,2-dihydrobenzo a furo [3,2-h] phenazine-1,2-dicarboxylate (4b), along with triphenylphosphine oxide and triphenylphosphine were obtained. On the other hand, reaction of equimolar amounts of ylides 3 with the red trione 2 in THF at room temp., afforded colourless crys tals of 2′,4′-dihydroxyspiro [indan-2,3′ (2′H)-indeno [1,2-b] pyran]-1,3,5′(4′H)-trione diacetate (5a) or dipropionate (5b), together with triphenylphosphine oxide. Formation of 6-membered dihydro aromatic ring like 5, is considered as a new reaction of phos phoranes. The structure of the new compounds 4 and 5 was confirmed and the reaction mechanisms are discussed.


Regression testing is testing the software in order to make sure that the modification made on the program lines does not affect the other parts of the software, it is in maintenance phase and accounts for 80% of the maintenance cost and thus optimizing regression testing is one of the prime motives of software testers. Here we take the advantage of selecting test case information available in regression testing and prioritize them based on the number of modified lines covered by the test case, the test case which covers the most number of modified lines has the highest priority and is executed first and the one with the least coverage of modified lines has the lowest priority and is executed last provided deadline time is not reached, thus even if the testing is not finished we will have covered maximum modified lines, the prioritization of the test cases are done using the genetic algorithm, the genetic algorithm takes test case information from regression testing as input and produces a sequence of test case to be executed such that the maximum number of modified code is covered.


This paper analytically discusses the self turn-on phenomenon for SiC power MOSFET with deriving circuit formula and device characterization, and the effect of active Miller clamp circuit. The discussion is evaluated with the experiment.


This essay explores the extent to which social movements can remedy representative deficits. Based on prior literature addressing the effect of social movements on liberal democracy, a theoretical impact spectrum is used that defines five criteria for measuring the degree of political change, with the aim of identifying three levels of historical milestones within a movement: superficial, substantial, and fundamental change. This essay also empirically examines two hypotheses from prior literature. The first hypothesis is that social movements that concern matters mainly related to the public interest should be able to remedy a representative deficit at least at the superficial level. The second hypothesis is that social movements that directly seek widened participation and deeper deliberation should be more able to remedy representative deficits than movements that are more indirect. The two cases examined are the Red Shirt Movement and the Sunflower Movement, which occurred in Taiwan in 2006 and 2014, respectively. This essay focuses on research inside the Legislative Yuan, the only representative institution in Taiwan, to measure and evaluate the degree of effect. In undertaking this aspect of data collection, we cooperated with information technologists and used computer assisted techniques. The evaluation results chiefly confirm the two hypotheses. In the conclusion, the essay discusses the limitations of the research design that was used as well as those of its theoretical application.


Singular value decomposition and information theoretic criterion based clutter reduction is proposed for ground penetrating radar imaging. The scheme is capable of discriminating target, clutter and noise subspaces. Information theoretic criterion is used with conventional singular value decomposition to flnd the target singular values. The proposed scheme also works for extracting multiple targets in heavy cluttered images. Simulation results are compared on the basis of mean square error, peak signal to noise ratio and visual inspection.


It is truly remarkable, even if only because it is always almost the same: I am in the restaurant and there is Frederico waiting for me at the table with that look on his face which always puts me on the defensive...


SUBTITLE: ONLINE FREIGHT EXCHANGES PROMISE FAST ACCESS TO BACKHAUL LOADS. USING THESE WEB-BASED SERVICES SUCCESSFULLY REQUIRES A GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES.


Nursing care for hospitalized patients with diabetes has become more complex as evidence accumulates that inpatient glycemic control improves outcomes. Previous studies have highlighted challenges for educators in providing inpatient diabetes education to nurses. In this article, the authors show that a unit-based diabetes nurse expert team model, developed and led by a diabetes clinical nurse specialist, effectively increased nurses' confidence and expertise in inpatient diabetes care. Adapting this model in other institutions may be a cost-effective way to improve inpatient diabetes care and safety as well as promote professional growth of staff nurses.


OBJECTIVE
To observe the clinical efficacy of combined therapy of Shehuang Paste (SHP) with colonic dialysis in treating patients with refractory cirrhotic ascites complicated with azotemia.

METHODS
Adopting a multi-centered, randomized, double blinded and 1:1 parallel controlled trial, 120 patients were equally randomized into 2 groups, the control group was treated by conventional basic therapy (umbilical application of placebo paste and colonic dialysis with normal saline), and the treatment group by, besides the same basic therapy, umbilical application of SHP once a day and colonic dialysis with herbal medicine once every other day. The course was 1 month for both groups. Changes of ascites volume, renal function, serum and urinary levels of Na+ and K+, blood vasoactive substance, and portal dynamics in patients before and after treatment were observed.

RESULTS
The total effective rate for ascites was 71.7% (43/60 cases) in the treatment group and 18.3% (11/60 cases) in the control group, showing significant difference between groups (P < 0.01). Significant difference of blood creatinine, urea nitrogen, serum Na+ levels, and urinary Na+/K+ ratio were shown in the treatment group (P < 0.01) before and after treatment, and between groups after treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Portal vein blood flow was significantly lowered in the treatment group after treatment (P < 0.01), which showed significant difference as compared with that in the control group (P < 0.01). Besides, levels of atrial natriuretic peptide, renin, angiotensin, nitric oxide, and aldosterone decreased and endotoxemia improved remarkably in the treatment group (P < 0.01). One-year follow-up showed that the ascites eliminating rate and the incidence of hepato-renal syndrome in the treatment group was 38.3% (23/60 cases) and 23.3% (14/60 cases) respectively, while in the control group 0 and 41.7% (25/60 cases) respectively, all showed statistical difference between groups (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION
Combined therapy of SHP and colonic dialysis with herbal medicine could effectively eliminate the ascites, improve the hemodynamic condition of portal and splenic veins, reduce the content of vasoactive substance and noxious substances like ammonia and endotoxin in blood, and lower the incidence of hepato-renal syndrome.


The parameter space of magnetically confined plasmas near marginal instability for interchange-type modes is divided into three regions according to qualitative stability properties. Region I is linearly stable though nonlinearly unstable to large excitations. Region II is linearly unstable, nonlinearly stable to small excitations, and nonlinearly unstable to large excitations. Region III is linearly and nonlinearly unstable. For an equilibrium evolving through marginal stability, region III and therefore explosive instability are inevitably encountered.


Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is a major cause of degenerative dementia, yet the diagnosis is often missed or mistaken for Alzheimer's disease (AD). We assessed whether the revised Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination (ACE‐R), a brief test for dementia, differentiates DLB from AD.


Normative documents on design of automatic fire extinguishing installations (AFEI) and installation of standpipe and hose systems (ISHS) in relation to preschool educational (PEO) and general education (GEO) organizations are considered. It is noted that the design of PEO and GEO should be carried out according to SP 251.1325800.2016 and SP 252.1325800.2016. However, no specific instructions or requirements are given. Explains the reasons for which are still institutions are not protected neither AFEI nor ISHS. Available local applications of AFEI or sprinkler water curtains and the alternatives for fire protection, schools, nurseries, economical fire taps.


We consider statistical linear inverse problems in Hilbert spaces. Approximate solutions are sought within a class of one-parameter linear regularization schemes in which the choice of the parameter is crucial for controlling the root mean squared error. A variant of the Raus--Gfrerer rule is proposed and analyzed. It is shown that this parameter choice gives rise to error bounds in terms of oracle inequalities, which in turn provide order optimal error bounds (up to logarithmic factors). These bounds are established only for solutions that obey certain self-similarity properties. The proof of the main result relies on some auxiliary error analysis for linear inverse problems under general noise assumptions, which might be interesting in its own right.


Small business in the Japanese economy – the position, the role, the present conditions of small business and future directions. Notes and materials M. Tanaka


Phenyl-imidothiazole (PIT), an immunologic stimulant, was studied in newborn Wistar rats to evaluate its effectiveness in modifying infection induced by challenge with bacterial pathogens. PIT (0.03 mg in 0.03 ml of sterile H2O) or a placebo (0.03 ml sterile H2O) was given (s.c.) on the 2d, 3d, and 4th days of life. On the 3d day of life Staphylococcus aureus (106CFU) or group A beta hemolytic streptococci (103CFU) was injected (s.c.) at a different site. Survival in animals pretreated with PIT challenged with Staphylococci was 41/45; it was only 3/59 in those with the placebo (P=<.001). Survival in animals pretreated with PIT and challenged with Streptococci was 11/12; and 2/13 in those that had received the placebo (P=<.005). 20 of 20 PIT controls survived. Delay in PIT administration until challenge on day 3 showed no protection (2/18). PIT was not effective in vitro. Nonpretreated animals died with cellulitis of the skin and subcutaneous tissue extending rapidly from the injection site. Pretreated animals thrived while developing a localized subcutaneous abscess which healed leaving a small scar at the injection site. Pretreatment with PIT obviously potentiates the primary inflammatory response providing protection against bacterial challenge in this newborn animal model. It may have some clinical application in management of patients at high risk to bacterial pathogens of this nature.


Background: Post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV)is a commonly observed undesirable consequence of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Many pharmacological agents with varying effectiveness are investigated with none entirely effective in preventing PONV. This study was undertaken to compare the efficacy of granisetron and droperidol in reducing the incidence and severity of PONV after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Aims and Objectives: To compare the antiemetic efficacy of droperidol and granisetron following laparoscopic cholecystectomy, study the incidence of PONV and observe for side-effects in both the groups. Materials and methods : 60 patients posted for laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomly allocated into 2 groups, each consisting of 30 patients. One group received 20mcgkg -1 Droperidol and the other group received 60mcg kg -1 Granisetron. Patients were assessed for first three hours and at 24hours postoperatively for presence and severity of PONV andany side effects. Results: In droperidol group , 26 (86.7%) had no episodes of nausea at first two hours and 25 patients (83.3%) had no nausea at 24 hours postoperatively.  Two (6.7%) patient had severe nausea at 2 nd hour and 3 rd hour postoperatively.2 patients (6.7%) reported of vomiting at 24hours postoperatively. In granisetron group, 27patients (90%) had no nausea at first two hours and 28 (93.3%) had no nausea at 24 hours postoperatively. No patients reported of severe nausea and vomiting in this group.  The incidence of nausea and vomiting in droperidol group(17%) was not significantly higher than the granisetron group(11%,p = 0.321). Conclusion: Droperidol and Granisetron are safe andequally effective in reducing the incidence and severity of PONV after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.


Nonspecific slow growing lesions of hand and wrist can be difficult to diagnose. We present a case of intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia (IPEH), or Masson's tumor of the wrist. Present case is a 23-year-old female presented with a vague, soft, mobile and mildly tender swelling over the ventral aspect of the right wrist. The present case highlights the importance of excision and histopathological examination along immunohistochemistry in these lesions.


Neurosurgical Tactics and Dispositions Our experience is derived mainly from the work of our neurosuirgical units in the Middle East and North Africa. The first neurosurgical unit was mobilized early in 1940. Major W. R. Henderson of Leeds and Major John Challis were largely responsible for working out the details of the neurosurgical and anaesthetic equipment respectively, with the help of the appropriate branch of the Army Medical Directorate, Lord Nuffield, and Mr. A. R. Bullock of Morris Garages. The neurosurgical unit was not designed to nurse or feed its patients, and did not usually have its own x-ray equipment, but was in all other respects self-contained and able to work at C.C.S.


A comparative analysis of three single nucleotide variations of the proteasomal genes PSMA3 (rs2348071) and PSMA6 (rs2277460 and rs1048990) was carried out in the groups of children from 1 to 16 years old with the autoimmune rheumatic disease - juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA; n = 199), with articular syndrome of non-autoimmune etiology (n = 229) and in the clinical control group with neither autoimmune nor chronic inflammatory diseases (n = 379). PCR, PCR–RFLP and real-time PCR were used for genotyping. It was found that the CG genotype and G allele of rs10489990 polymorphism (OR = = 1.93; 95 % CI 1.29-2.90; p = 0.002 and OR = 1.51; 95 % CI 1.11-2.04; p = 0.008 respectively), as well as the AA genotype of rs2348071 polymorphism (OR = 1.89; 95 % CI 1.02–3.49; p = 0.044) are associated with the JIA susceptibility, but not with articular syndrome. The established JIA risk genotypes may indicate the involvement of PSMA3 and PSMA6 genes in the development of an autoimmune reaction. In combination with other risk DNA markers, they can be proposed to assess a genetic predisposition to JIA. It was also revealed that the frequencies of risk genotypes and alleles for JIA in the group of patients with articular syndrome as a whole occupy an intermediate position between JIA and control group frequencies. This may indicate an increased JIA risk in some patients with articular syndrome.


Introduction: The influence of MTHFR C677T gene polymorphisms on the risk of development of coronary artery disease (CAD) in north Indian population was analysed. Homozygosity for this 677T variant was shown to be associated with increased plasma Hcy levels, particularly when folate status is low and it has been described as a risk factor for CAD. In this study we have attempted to elucidate the role of MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism in CAD in the north Indian population, and analyse their influence on the risk of development of CAD. Methodology: The study included hundred (100) coronary artery disease (CAD) patients who showed presence of greater than 50% luminal stenosis in at least one major coronary artery at angiography and hundred (100) age and sex matched control subjects with good general health and no history of chronic diseases including cardiovascular diseases. The MTHFR gene polymorphism were investigated by PCR-RFLP. Results: Genotypic frequencies of MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism differed significantly between CAD patients and control subjects and this differential distribution reached a good statistical significance (p<0.0001). Analysis of risk of CAD associated with different genotypes of MTHFR C677T polymorphism, using co-dominant, dominant and allele specific inheritance model which indicated a high risk of CAD associated with the TC,CC, TC+CC genotypes and mutant C allele of this polymorphism. There was no significant differential distribution of this gene polymorphism observed with respect to disease severity of CAD patients. However, a significant differential allelic frequency distribution was observed with p value <0.0001. Conclusions: In conclusion, this study demonstrates a significantly heightened risk of CAD associated with the inheritance of mutant genotypes of MTHFR C677T gene polymorphisms in the north Indian population. Mamta P Sumi a , Sameer Ahmad Guru a , Rashid Mir a , Musadiq A Bhat a , Girish MP b , Alpana Saxena a a. Department of Biochemistry, Maulana Azad Medical College, University of Delhi, India b. Department of Cardiology, GB Pant Hospital, University Of Delhi, India Submission: 22 August 2018 Accepted: 29 August 2018 Published: 30 September 2018 www.ijppr.humanjournals.com Citation: Alpana Saxena et al. Ijppr.Human, 2018; Vol. 13 (2): 156-165. 157 INTRODUCTION Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of death in developed countries and is rapidly assuming epidemic proportions in developing countries as well. Several risk factors have been found to be associated with the development of CAD. Genetic and environmental factors play a vital role in the pathogenesis and progression of CAD (1). Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is an enzyme plays an significant role in homocysteine metabolism by catalyzing the reduction of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate to 5-methyltetrahydrofolate. 5Methyltetrahydrofolate is the major circulatory form of folate and carbon donor for remethylating of homocysteine to methionine. (2) The human MTHFR gene is located at chromosome 1p36.3 and consists of 11 exons with a length 1980 bp(3) The C to T missense mutation in exon 4 at codon 677 of the MTHFR gene (677C→T), which causes an alanine (A) to valine (V) substitution in the MTHFR protein, reduces enzyme activity, and results in increased plasma homocysteine(4). Elevated plasma level of homocysteine has been predictable as an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease. (5) A point mutation in the gene encoding MTHFR has been associated with the elevations of homocysteine levels in homozygous carriers (TT genotype) and is considered as an independent risk factor for vascular diseases(6). Homozygosity for this 677T variant was shown to be associated with increased plasma Hcy levels, particularly when folate status is low and it has been described as a risk factor for CAD. In this study, we have attempted to elucidate the role of MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism in CAD in the north Indian population, and analyse their influence on the risk of development of CAD.


One should always look at the preface and the dedication of a large work, as it reveals a lot about the author. In this case, Zefira Entin Rokéah's work is dedicated to her parents and is a result of their "love of learning . . . which encouraged the author to value learning for its own sake." We are in danger of forgetting to value learning and to appreciate the loneliness of the researcher, and we should applaud such an academic feat as Rokéah's, whose love of learning for her subject exudes from every page. The large corpus of records held in the Public Record Office in London (hereafter PRO) which are directly concerned with medieval Anglo Jewry have long been known and labeled as "Jewish records." Rokéah steps outside this convenient label and makes an inroad into mainstream governmental records. After setting the use of memoranda rolls into context, she embarks on a brief history of the rolls. In the 13th century, they become a record of fines and amercements as an adjunct to the more traditional Pipe Rolls. Rokéah supplies a clear guide to some of the more technical considerations such as marginal marks, comments on the language used, and gives brief consideration to items of special interest. Rokéah also supplies an excellent glossary. Her expertise and meticulous attention come through in every footnote. Her text is accompanied by clear, unobtrusive references to current knowledge, and she comments on the condition and state of the records themselves. The twenty-seven chapters form a complete record of the entries on such rolls from 1266-93. The index, which was clearly assembled with much time and care, helps to remind us of the potential use of these entries as they can be cross-referenced not only with other records as they still stand at the PRO but also with those records of medieval Anglo Jewry that are already in print, including the Plea Rolls of the Exchequer of the Jews. The complete work will be an invaluable reference for those interested in medieval Anglo Jewry and the government of late Henrician and early Edwardian England. Those who realize the true value of this scholarly edition will probably start with a cross-reference and then work their way through the chronological entries. They should, however, try to examine it as a


The objective of this study was to determine the protein requirements for the growth of intact male, female, and castrated male Saanen goats weighing 30 to 45 kg of body weight (BW) and to compare estimates of the protein requirements for maintenance (NPm) by the comparative slaughter and nitrogen balance techniques. To determine the maintenance requirements, 55 goats were assigned in a split-plot design using a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement (three sexes and three dry matter intake (DMI) levels). A linear regression of retained N (as measured by the slaughter technique and estimated from the nitrogen balance) on N intake on a daily basis was used to calculate the net protein for maintenance. The net protein requirement for weight gain (NPg) was obtained using 65 goats fed ad libitum in a completely randomized design. The first derivative of the allometric equation of protein content in the empty BW with respect to the empty BW yielded estimates of the NPg. According to the comparative slaughter technique, the estimated NPm was 1.46 g/kg of metabolic weight, which is 50% lower than the estimate from the nitrogen balance technique. When evaluating the variance of the error, the nitrogen balance also showed greater values, indicating less precision compared with that of the comparative slaughter technique. The daily NPg ranged from 155.7±10.9 to 153.4±13.5 g/kg of EBW gain for growing Saanen goats. The protein requirements (NPm and NPg) of intact male, female, and castrated male Saanen goats are similar, from 30 to 45 kg BW, in accordance with current feeding systems. Moreover, the results of the present study indicate that the estimate of NPm using the comparative slaughter technique is more precise and lower than that using the N balance technique.


A combination of sedimentation field flow fractionation (SdFFF) with multiangle laser light scattering (MALLS) was applied to the grain level destructured potato and waxy corn starch in solution. The molar mass and radius distributions were obtained simultaneously. Separation was observed for a radii range of 50−500 nm. Degradation upon heat exposure was found depending mainly on the exposure time and less on the temperature. A detailed analysis of the particle scattering factors (angular dependence of the scattered light) revealed small differences in the internal structure of potato and waxy corn starches. Both starches showed the behavior of only weakly swollen, branched clusters. Potato starch appeared to be slightly more expanded than waxy corn starch. Self-similar structures were observed with fractal dimensions of 2.4 ± 0.1. The deviations from theoretical predictions using the mean field approximation could result from excluded volume effects and heterogeneity in branching.


Protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation are considered as important regulatory mechanisms by which the activity of key enzymes and receptor molecules is altered within cells in response to a wide variety of external stimuli.Previous work is mainly on the purification and characteristics of protein kinase, but the role in stimuluscoupled responses in plants is not very clear. Experiments of in vitro protein phosphorylation demonstrated that in the extract of soluble protein of Dunaliella salina (Dunal) Teod. the activity of some protein kinases was, to some extent, dependent on the calcium concentration.The effects of calcium,verapamil,EGTA and A23187 on the in vivo protein phosphorylation also showed that calcium was important. In comparison, the autoradiograph of the in vivo phosphorylation was different from that of the in vitro phosphorylation. Addition of calcium or molybdate,an inhibitor of phosphatase, increased the extent of protein phosphorylation to a much higher level in hypoosmotic shocked samples (OSS),whereas as in hyperosmotic shocked samples(ESS),the extent of protein phosphorylation was lower than the control. In the absence of calcium or molybdate, the stimulation of protein phosphorylation by osmotic shock was hardly observed. The reason for this could be that the osmotic shock inhibited calcium uptake and/or activated protein phosphatase.The response of the intensely labelled 24 kD protein to osmotic shock was further studied.In the absence of calcium,the protein in OSS was more highly phosphorylated than the control and ESS. An increase of the cytosol calcium concentration stimulated phosphorylation of this protein in OSS,but had little effect on ESS.Such differences of calcium effects on protein phosphorylation indicated that the respective mechanisms of signal transduction mediated by protein phosphorylation may not be alike.[WT5HZ〗


This thesis reveals that the four viewpoint in "The City of Light"don't accord with the history——the rax-free.city wall and ship,the merchants with free-thought.Meantime,it exposes that Semuren,Judasim,Elicovemi etc don't accord with the history and comes to the conclusion that "The City of Light"is a pseudograph.


Service Identification is one of the important and first activities in SOA analysis and design phase. Factors that affect Service Identification include the wide range of business concepts and elements; so different service identification methods, concentrating on special conceptual definition of service, use special element and concept of business domain. Enterprise Ontology is one way to unique understanding of business concepts and provide an explicit and clear description of different elements, concepts and components of businesses. In this paper we try introduce a new Service Identification method using Enterprise Ontology as a codified and integrated semantic framework to recognize effective elements and factors in Service Identification context. By using Enterprise Ontology in service identification, In comparison with other service identification methods, different semantic aspect of service and a lot of effective business element and concept for service identification are considered. In our proposed method, we've applied some parts of an enterprise ontology that are used in military organization Enterprise Architecture.


Objective To know the demography,behavior and HIV/AIDS knowledge among female staff from entertainment establishments in community in Shenzhen.Methods 245 female staff from 13 entertainment establishments in the community in Shenzhen were sampled randomly and surveyed before and after SD/AIDS health education.Results The median age of having sex for the first time among the female staff was 19 years(minimum 13,maximum 25);Those who were tested for HIV accounted for 9.2% and the those who always used condoms before only accounted for 13.6%.Among 245 female staff,2.0% heard of HIV/AIDS;22.0% had an understanding of the sexually transmission routes of HIV/AIDS before health education;6.7% heard of HIV/AIDS;35.5% had an understanding of the sexually transmission routes of HIV/AIDS after health education.Conclusion The female staff from entertainment establishments has a low level of knowledge concerning STD/AIDS and safe sexual behavior.It is necessary to strengthen health education to reduce the STD/AIDS prevalence and keep STD/AIDS away from high risk population to general population.


To protect the copyright of the image as well as the image quality, a kind of image zero-watermark method based on the Krawtchouk moment invariants and timestamp is proposed. A method is used to protect the image, in which features are drawn out from the image as the watermarking. The main steps of the method are presented. Firstly, some low-order moment invariants of the image are extracted. Secondly, the moment invariants and the key are registered to a fair third party to gain the timestamp. Finally, the timestamp can be used to prove who the real owner is. The processing method is simple, only with a few low-order moment invariants to be computed. Experimental results are obtained and compared with those of the method based on geometric moment invariants. Results show that the scheme can well withstand such geometrical attacks as rotating, scaling, cropping, combined attack, translating, removing lines, filtering, and JPEG lossy compression.


Component (20) with a surface-micromechanical structure, which includes both movable members (8) and immovable elements (9), wherein - the surface-micromechanical structure is formed in a functional layer (6), - the functional layer (6) is connected via at least a first sacrificial layer (5) comprising a substrate (2), - at least one membrane layer (23) is formed over the surface micromechanical structure, - the membrane layer (23) over at least a stationary element (9) of the surface-micromechanical structure mechanically connected to the substrate (2) and between the fixed element (9) and the membrane layer (23) at least a second insulation layer (21) is formed, - the movable members (8) of the surface-micromechanical structure by removing the first sacrificial layer (5) and at least a second sacrificial layer (22) are exposed and the second sacrificial layer (22) is arranged between the functional layer (6) and the membrane layer (23) , characterized in that the second insulating layer (21) consists of a material represented by ...


Based on the research findings of interfacial characteristics of goethite (a-FeOOH, iron oxide yellow), a method was developed to modify the surfaces of α-FeOOH pigments via in-situ polymerization of methyl methacrylate in aqueous slurry. The scanning electron micrographs indicate that the poly(methyl methacrylate) anchors on the surfaces of the particle homogeneously. Polymer treated α-FeOOH particles can be easily dispersed in organic medium to form a stable colloid and have an improved heat resistance. The modified pigment dispersion in acrylate coatings gives a stable viscosity after storage.


The NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Space Science Mission Operations (SSMO) project currently manages 19 missions for the NASA Science Mission Directorate, within the Planetary, Astrophysics, and Heliophysics Divisions. The mission lifespans range from just a few months to more than 19 years. The WIND spacecraft, the oldest SSMO mission, was launched in 1994. SSMO spacecraft reside in low earth, geosynchronous, highly elliptical, libration point, lunar, heliocentric, and Martian orbits. SSMO spacecraft range in size from 125 kg (Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere (AIM)) to over 4000 kg (Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope (Fermi)). The attitude modes include both spin and three-axis stabilized, with varying requirements on pointing accuracy. The spacecraft are operated from control centers at Goddard and off-site control centers; the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) and Magnetospheric MultiScale (MMS) mission were built at Goddard. The Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) and Wind are operated out of a multi-mission operations center, which will also host several SSMO-managed cubesats in 2017. This paper focuses on the systems engineering challenges for such a large and varied fleet of spacecraft.


The importance of vitamin B1in physiology and pathology has emphasized markedly the need of devising accurate methods for the quantitative determination of this substance in foods. Until recently the chemical identity of vitamin B1was unknown, rendering it impossible to develop chemical methods of analysis, and accordingly recourse was had to biologic methods of assay using rats and pigeons as test animals. Much information regarding the vitamin B1content of foods has been gained in this way, especially by the method in which the growth of rats was used as the measure of potency. This paper presents the technical aspects of various methods of bio-assay for vitamin B1from the point of view of quantitative interpretation of the results obtained and discusses briefly the chemical methods that are being developed. It concludes with an evaluation of foods as sources of the vitamin. BIOLOGIC METHODS WITH


Demand-side resources (DSRs) have been shown to be valuable for providing reserve capacity and enhancing the reliability of power systems with high wind power penetration. The successful utilization of DSRs relies heavily upon the infrastructure of advanced information and communication technologies (ICTs). Notably, ICT systems may suffer from cyber attacks and communication latency, which could result in the malfunctions of DSRs and consequently bring adverse impacts on the reliability of power systems. In this paper, a novel operating reliability evaluation framework for multi-state power systems with DSRs and wind power considering malfunctions of cyber systems is proposed. For avoiding increasing complexity caused by multiple system states, an analytic method based on Lz transform technique is proposed to achieve dynamic system reliability. The reliability model for a typical hierarchical decentralized control infrastructure in demand side considering cyber attacks and communication latency is first proposed. Then, reserve capacity from DSRs considering stochastic behavior under the cyber infrastructure is modelled. Moreover, multi-state models for power generation systems with stochastic wind power and conventional generation are developed considering cyber malfunctions. Reliability indices based on load curtailment by conducting optimal power flow for various system states are utilized for reliability assessment. A modified IEEE RTS with four cases is adopted to validate the proposed model and method, which denotes that reserve capacity from DSRs can definitely enhance system operating reliability and affected by proportions of DSRs, consideration of cyber malfunctions, actual committed time for DSRs and initial system conditions.


– Silurian sections from the Rabat-Tiflet area (northwestern Moroccan Meseta) have been systematically sampled for conodonts. The conodont faunas are characterized by two index species of the European Silurian zonation (Ozarkodina sagitta sagitta and Ozarkodina remsceidensis eosteinhornensis) and two other index species of the north American zonation (Kockelella stauros and Kockelella variabilis). Recognition of the sagitta/stauros through lower variabilis zones in the lower part of the Silurian limestone and shale succession from the Rabat-Tiflet area, proves for the first time the presence of Wenlock below Ludlow-Pridoli, in the Silurian sequences of this area. Most of the Silurian from the northwestern Moroccan Meseta is represented by black graptolitic shales with intercalations of limestone (beds or lenses) in its upper part. The Silurian biostratigraphy of Morocco is generally based on graptolites [Willefert in Destombes et al., 1985]. In the present contribution the age of some Silurian sections (fig. 3) from the Rabat-Tiflet area is re-assessed by using conodonts. The stratigraphically important taxa have been described in Benfrika [1999]. Section Oued Grou I (G I) Situated near the barrage Mohamed Ben Abdellah, this section shows 30 m of alternating black shales and limestones. The lower part of this unit (I) provided : Ozarkodina sagitta sagitta, Kockelella absidata, Kockelella stauros, Ozarkodina bohemica, Ozarkodina excavata, Dapsilodus obliquicostatus, Panderodus unicostatus, Pseudooneotodus bicornis. The first appearance of Oz. sagitta sagitta and the K. stauros indicates the lower boundary of sagitta Zone established by Walliser [1964] in the Carnic Alps and also the lower boundary of stauros Zone proposed by Barrick et Klapper [1976] for North America (fig. 2). These species are of Wenlock age. Section Oued Grou II (G II) : This section is located at approximately a hundred meters north of the preceding section. It is subdivided into 2 units : • Unit IIA : 12 m of greyish to black limestones interbedded with green shales ; • Unit IIB : 65 m of shales interbedded with some limestones. The conodonts identified in unit A are : Ozarkodina bohemica, Kockelella absidata and Kockelella stauros. This fauna is of Wenlock age. The first occurrence of Kockelella variabilis in sample indicates the lower variablis zone (lower part of Ludlow). Section Al Khaloua Iron Mines (AK) The limestones interbedded with shales of the lower part of the Al Khaloua section yield Polygnathoides emarginatus and Kockelella variabilis. This association is of Ludlow age. The conodonts from the upper part of this section (Caudicriodus sp. and Belodella devonica) indicate a Lower Devonian age. Section Oued Tiflet syncline (T) Two units are recognized : • Unit A : 18 m of alternating black shales and greyish black limestones providing : Kockelella absidata, Ozarkodina bohemica, Decoriconus fragilis, Dapsilodus obliquicostatus, Ozarkodina excavata. This fauna is of Upper Wenlock to Lower Ludlow age ; • Unit B : 34 m of black shales with some limestone intercalations, is probably of Ludlow-Pridoli age. Bull. Soc. geol. Fr., 2003, t. 174, n o 4, pp. 337-342 Bull. Soc. geol. Fr., 2003, n o 4 Universite Hassan IIMohammedia, Faculte des Sciences Ben M'Sik, Departement de Geologie, BP 7955, Sidi Othmane, Casablanca, Maroc (email@example.com ; email@example.com) Manuscrit depose le 29 mai 2002 ; accepte apres revision le 7 fevrier 2003.


dant upon the workers in tanks and pits. Simple asphyxiantsare the inert gaseswhich dilute the oxygen contentof the atmosphere. If the oxygen falls below half the normal concentration,unconsciousnessand death may result in a short time. Permanentdamageto the brain or nervous system may be caused, even if death does not result. The systemicasphyxiants,suchas carbonmonoxide and the cyanides,act by interfering with the physiological usageof oxygen. The anrestheticgasesmay leave a very small margin betweenunconsciousness and death,and some have, in addition, a toxic effect upon organs. Despite the large openingat the top there may be little natural circulation of air from the outside of pits and tanks, and even with the addition of gasesof density very little greater than that of air, there is sufficient weight to settle into the open tank or pit. Examplesof relatively light mixtures, which are neverthelessincompatiblewith life, are dilutions of carbon tetrachloride, tetrachlorethyleneand benzol. Asphyxiation may occur in farm workers who enter silos or in the workers who enter the vats of the brewing industry. The gas maskcan obviously afford no protection in asphyxiatingatmospheres,which may arise where any aerobic fermentation process is taking place. Municipal manholesmay have a high carbonmonoxideconcentration, a high proportion of 'inflammable gases,and a low concentrationof oxygen. The odour of intoxicants, such as hydrogen sulphide, may be masked by the even more powerful odour of such processesas tanning. Hydrogen sulphide fatalities have also occurred during tunnelling operations through rock containing iron pyrites with a slight acid underground water flow. Deaths due to intoxicant paints in the presenceof insufficient air circulation have occurred during the painting of the insides of tanks.


We demonstrate compact cross-couplers for fiber-pigtailed photonic circuitry produced by direct ultraviolet writing. A new design solution has been applied to shorten the device in length by 400% while keeping the bend loss at a level of <0.1 dB, which allows the use of cross-couplers in more complex photonic circuits with a smaller footprint and propagation loss. We demonstrate symmetrical cross-coupler operation and device performance that surpasses that of previously reported cross-couplers in terms of balanced symmetry and minimized footprint.


Turán problems on uniform hypergraphs have been actively studied for many decades. However, on non-uniform hypergraphs, these problems are rarely considered. We refer a non-uniform hypergraph as an R-hypergraph where R is the set of cardinalities of all edges. An R-graph H is called degenerate if it has the smallest Turán density |R(H)|−1. What do the degenerate R-graphs look like? For the special case R = {r}, the answer to this question is simple: they are r-partite r-uniform hypergraphs. However, it is more intrigue for the other cases. A degenerate hypergraph is called trivial if it is contained in the blow-up of a single edge or a chain. In this thesis, we characterize the degenerate {1, 3}-hypergraphs, we proved that there always exist non-trivial degenerate R-graphs except the cases R = {r} and R = {1, 2}. We extend our work to the Turán density of k-edge-colored r-uniform hypergraphs. We determine the Turán densities of all 2-edge-colored bipartite graphs, also give an important application of the study of 2-edge-colored graphs on Turán problems of {2, 3}-hypergraphs. Hypergraphs are simply generalization of graphs. Tensors are simply generalization of matrices. Over the past decade, the spectral theory of hypergraphs and tensors has been developed. Many properties of graphs and matrices have been generalized to hypergraphs and tensors. The second main concern of this thesis is to study the methods for finding the largest eigenvalue of uniform hypergraphs and determining the maximum high-order tensors when fix some parameters. We give a tight upper bound on the spectral radius of an r-uniform hypergraph H with fixed number of edges. Our result generalizes the classical Stanley's theorem on graphs. We extend


Paper presented at the annual meetings of the American Sociological Association. Taylor, D. Garth, Paul B. Sheatsley, and Andrew M. Greeley 1978 "Attitudes toward racial integration." Scientific American 238:42-49. U.S. Bureau of the Census 1980 Statistical Abstract of the United States. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office. Vanneman, Reeve D. and Thomas F. Pettigrew 1972 "Race and relative deprivation in the urban United States." Race 13:461-86. Wilson, William J. 1978 The Declining Significance of Race. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.


The research during the construction of the M-50 highway has allowed the documentation and conservation of the first Neolithic flint mine in the Iberian Peninsula. This work presents the preliminary results of the first phase of archaeological excavations. Thus far, the site plan documented shows a group of more than 2.500 extraction pits. Presented here are a description of the pits, their types and distribution, as well as the abundant archaeological materials found inside them. The characteristcs of the features and their backfilling processes indicate the existence of precise working strategies that may ompel a revision of our understanding of the Neolithic in the Madrid region. Moreover, three other phases have also been recorded in the site: Pleistocene, Middle Bronze Age and Contemporary.


: It is a challenge, a skill, and a virtue to achieve efficient business operations with quality products under conditions of high competition and the global economic crisis. Therefore, it is necessary to know and plan the strategy of garment production, to analyze and adapt to market and business changes.


This article discusses the formation of oil and gas clusters in the European Russian Arctic, the Port special economic zone in Murmansk and the possibility of establishing an oil special economic zone, a balanced participation of the stakeholders


We studied carrier behaviors of pentacene organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) with an upward and a downward orientation dipole monolayer, inserted between the organic active layer and gate insulator by the Langmuir–Blodgett technique. The OFETs with an upward orientation of dipole monolayer showed large negative threshold voltage and high contact resistance compared with the reference OFETs without dipole monolayer, while the OFETs with a downward orientation dipole monolayer exhibited positive threshold voltage and low contact resistance. Based on the findings from this comparison study, we argued that using interface dipole monolayer is a useful way to design OFET performance.