This paper deals with enhanced relationship participation in an international context. The purpose of this study has been to offer insight into the essentials for implementing a Tax Control Framework (TCF) and identify organizations' incentives to participate in an enhanced relationship. First, the common guidelines for implementing a TCF are described. Second, we investigate organizations' incentives to participate in an enhanced relationship on the basis of a survey conducted among the tax directors of the largest Dutch multinational organizations quoted on the Dutch stock exchange. Our analysis identifies two important incentives for organizations to participate in an enhanced relationship.


The article defines the organizational approach to the worker's safety cul-ture that implies the consideration of the employee as an active subject in his/her work. The organizational approach acts as a complementary to the traditional one. In the center of the latter approach, there are dangerous working conditions and individual and psychological features of the employee, which are injury-causing. The organizational approach offers the formation of a common worker's safety culture in the context of organizational culture. An analysis with the use of this approach showed that its basis is the development of safe behavior motivation, which is a part of a wider set of motivational characteristics of the employee. An empirical study conducted in some industrial companies based in St. Petersburg (Russia) found that the significance of safe behavior motivation for all categories of workers and managers is one of the leading characteristics. In accordance with it, the requirements to benchmark organizational conditions are defined. These conditions have a specific character depending on the category of the worker or employee. It is shown that the development of the employee's safety culture may be implemented in two main forms of technology and script. The structural components of these forms are defined. In such a case, the author substantiates the application of a particular style of interaction between the chief and the subordinate in accordance with the level of the employee's safety culture development and the level of working group's development. In terms of the formation of safe behavior skills some rules for the construction of a safe situation and other situations that secure safety are laid down.


The cell-free supernatants of normal spleen and thymus lymphocytes in short-term culture release low molecular weight (LMW) DNA protein molecules that have an immunoproliferative effect (polyclonal B cell activation) in vitro. We have determined that the protein-LMW DNA complexes responsible for these effects are nucleosomal constituents of chromatin, since the mitogenically active fractions of these cell-free supernatants contain the constituents of core histones (H3, H2A, H2B, H4) together with LMW DNA (140-180 bp), and since the immunoproliferative effects of these cell-free supernatants could be mimicked by various other nucleoprotein preparations (including calf thymus and chicken erythrocyte nucleosomes). The spontaneous cellular release of cleaved chromatin constituents in vitro can be attributed to a form of programmed cell death termed apoptosis, since the cultured spleen cells exhibited (a) morphologic evidence consistent with this process by electron microscopy, and (b) evidence of intracellular cleavage of chromatin which, like apoptosis, could be blocked with ZnSO4. This resulted in inhibition of the extracellular release of nucleosomal constituents as well as the immunoproliferative effects of the cell-free supernatants. The immunoproliferative effect of nucleosomes released from cells during apoptosis could be responsible for previously observed spontaneous in vitro anti-DNA and anti-histone antibody responses of murine spleen cells, and in vivo in normal lymphoid tissues, resulting in renewed cellular proliferation after cell death. In pathological states, this could result in abnormal polyclonal B cell proliferation and autoantibody formation.


This article analyzes an episode of political and ideological conflicts between supporters and detractors of the socialist school in the Universidad Michoacana in 1937. The purging movement that took place in the Colegio de San Nicolas, which initially sought to expel Catholic students, resulted in the stigmatization of all those who did not show firm support for the official educational policy. The objective of this article is to inquire into the character of this ideological confrontation in which some sectors adopted radical stances and where laicity was interpreted as an anticonfessional policy. Furthermore, we aim to show the presence and strength of some religious organizations which brought together university students.


In this study, deep convolutional neural networks (DCNN) are used to synthesize contrast-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images from quantitative parameter maps of the knee joint obtained with magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF). Training of the neural networks was performed using data from 142 patients, for which both standard MR images and quantitative MRF maps of the knee were available. The study demonstrates that synthesizing contrast-weighted images from MRF-parameter maps is possible utilizing DCNNs. Furthermore, the study indicates a need to tune up the dictionary used in MRF so that the parameters expected from the target anatomy are well-covered.


Objectives Digestive calcitonin-secreting endocrine tumors are very rare lesions of the foregut. This study was undertaken to compare the characteristics and the prognosis of these tumors and those of non-calcitonin-secreting endocrine tumors. Methods All patients with a digestive endocrine tumor of the foregut followed up in Reims University Hospital and whose serum calcitonin levels were determined between 1988 and 2004 were included. Clinical and tumor characteristics of calcitonin-positive and calcitonin-negative patients were compared. Results Thirty-two patients were included. Among the five (15.6%) with high calcitonin levels (median: 340 pg/ml, range: 42–7460 pg/ml), only one tumor was functioning (diarrhea). Significant differences between patients with positive and negative calcitonin levels were, respectively: liver metastases [5 (100%) versus 11 (40.7%); P=0.04], type according to the World Health Organization 2000 histological classification [notably 4 (80%) versus 3 (12.5%) poorly differentiated endocrine carcinomas; P=0.02] and Ki67 proliferation index [median: 25% (range: 20–30%) versus 7% (0–80%); P=0.03]. The only calcitonin-positive well-differentiated endocrine carcinoma had a high proliferation index (30%). Survival also differed significantly (P=0.001), as all calcitonin-positive patients died, with a median survival of 22.6 months (range: 1.2–27.2 months), versus five (18.5%) calcitonin-negative patients. Median follow-up period for the latter was 42.3 months (range: 3.4–208 months). Conclusions The secretion of calcitonin appears predictive of a poor prognosis. Digestive endocrine calcitonin-secreting tumors correspond histopathologically to poorly differentiated or well-differentiated carcinomas with high proliferation indexes.


The early warning is beneficial to prevent and solve hidden trouble in good time,accordingly warning study has important value.The mechanism and method of the early warning are concerned widely.A new warning mechanism was proposed to construct early warning system based on domain early warning knowledge in the paper.Concentrated mainly in mining early warning rules based on background domain knowledge from the real data,to make early warning knowledge richer,more complete and with more practical value.Applying the mechanism and method to resolve early warning problems of student achievement data in a university educational administration management information system.Experimental results suggest that they can work reasonably well.


(57) Abstract: The present invention comprises the following steps, namely (a) to select one specific surface of the recognition target object, the at least one identified region is within the specific surface of (b) above the recognition target object irradiating coherent light, capturing at least a portion of light reflected by the identification region, obtain an interference pattern with predetermined irradiation and acquisition conditions, (c) the interference pattern, the reference interference pattern of the recognition target object maintained as the candidate object having the possibility of being a (d) the recognition object, placed on the same illumination and capture conditions to those used to obtain the reference interference pattern, the interference pattern from this candidate object obtained, (e) the reference interference pattern compared to the interference pattern of the candidate object, (f) the probability of identity between the recognition target object and the candidate object, interference of the reference interference pattern and the candidate object between the patterns Related to the object identification method comprising the steps of obtaining a consistent level.


Mid-sized industrial and commercial firms consume between 300to 30,000 MWh of electrical and thermal energy per month. Energy man-agers in these firms seek to minimize costs, both in terms of absoluteexpense and the indirect costs of variances from expected quality.While many business managers negotiate direct utility costs, fewfirms have a continuous improvement process that structure cost con-trol, efficiency improvement, and risk reduction. A complete manage-ment process requires planning, quantifying and exercising options, andvariance analysis of efficiency and risk measures. The methods to ac-complish this are not well understood.We describe how an Energy Index is used in the context of theDeming cycle with sufficiency-inclusive private energy portfolios, usu-ally implemented as a microgrid. We discuss valuation, planning tech-niques, and show how business can institute a process that can be usedto drive both energy cost and variance to zero over time.


Objective To observe the influence of tea polyphenols(TP) on the growth and to analyze the expression of Fas/FasL and proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA) of adenoid cystic carcinoma cell clones highly metastatic to the lung(ACC-M) in vitro.Methods(1)ACC-M was cultured to exponential phase of growth with different concentration(0.05 g/L,0.1 g/L,0.15 g/L,0.2 g/L)of TP.(2)The influence of TP on the growth of ACC-M was measured by MTT.(3)The protein expression of Fas/FasL and PCNA was examined by immunohistochemical method and quantitatively analyze by immunohistochemical assay.Results(1)TP effectively inhibited the growth of ACC-M in a concentration-dependent manner(P0.05).(2)The expression of Fas increased but FasL and PCNA declined after stimulated by TP by immunocytochemistry.It was more obvious with the increase of the concentration.Conclusion TP could up-regulate the expression of Fas and down-regulate the expression of FasL and PCNA,which maybe contribute to inhibit the growth of ACC-M in vitro.


To address this, we have now performed a time-group analysis in both datasets (University of Calgary and University of British Columbia) of baseline peripheral aldosterone measures from AVS, stratified according to time of collection where available (n1⁄4 148 and 322, respectively). After grouping data according to collection prior to 10:00 h, between 10:00 h and 12:00 h, and after 12:00 h, we found no difference in basal aldosterone levels between any of the groups (Kruskal–Wallis test, P1⁄4 0.35 and 0.26 for each dataset). Additional analysis in the UBC data cohort showed no significant correlation between time of collection and peripheral, precosyntropin cortisol measured at AVS (0800–1500 h). Thus there is no evidence of a significant circadian rhythm effect upon AVS-measured aldosterone/cortisol results. However, in our published report, we showed that peripheral cortisol levels drawn during AVS were also often very low and these correlated with low aldosterone levels. We therefore believe that this is potentially explained by the profound impact of sedation/narcotic effect upon corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH)/adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH)/cortisol secretion [2,3] which over-rides any variation due to circadian CRH/ACTH rhythms. Regarding Dr Tanemoto's hypothesis that use of calcium channel blockers (CCB) with AVS (but not at diagnosis) could explain the effect, we can confirm that 70.1% of our patients were already using a CCB at the time of their aldosterone-renin-ratio (ARR) measurement; we do not consider CCB as a confounding medication for either ARR or AVS and therefore, this drug would not have been routinely discontinued between ARR and AVS. Therefore, given the high rate of CCB use at primary aldosteronism diagnosis, this does not seem to be a credible explanation for the low aldosterone seen at AVS, especially since the typical effect of CCB on measured, in-vivo aldosterone levels is marginal (<15%), in both essential hypertension and primary aldosteronism [4,5]. We wish to re-emphasize that the main message of our study was not purely speculation on the mechanisms underlying the observation but rather, on the observations themselves: in a large sample of confirmed primary aldosteronism patients, we showed that a substantial majority, under the right conditions, could show surprisingly low aldosterone levels, even in the absence of a traditional suppression test. It is a long-standing assumption (likely based on endocrinology first-principles) that primary aldosteronism should be defined as autonomous aldosterone secretion that cannot be suppressed, as pointed out by Tanemoto and the long history of so-called suppression tests for diagnosis. However, our observation seriously challenges this dogma by showing that aldosterone levels in many primary aldosteronism patients are not always high and may even be surprisingly low at times. Given the numerous contributors to aldosterone secretory dynamics (corticotropin, renin-AII, potassium and other hormones [6,7]), it may be time to re-evaluate the biochemical/ theoretical concept of primary aldosteronism: inappropriate and excessive aldosterone secretion yes, but not necessarily defined as a function of artificial exogenous suppression. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS


Transportation is beginning to play a role in the economic development of advanced technology. This paper is a report on an analysis of a short mail-back questionnaire designed to gain information about the importance of transportation service to advanced technology firms in Pennsylvania. Transportation was defined in three ways: (a) transport of materials and products to and from markets and suppliers, (b) access of personnel to others in similar industries, and (c) the quality of transportation facilities and services and their contribution to making the community a pleasant place to live and work. A categorical variable regression model was used to predict transportation service preferences using the independent variables of firm type, firm size, age of technology used in production, and a Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) definition of advanced technology. The major finding was that a SIC-based variable contributed little to the prediction of transportation service preferences. Instead, type of firm, size of firm, and age of technology predicted the transportation preferences.


The paper presents the experimental results of the evaluation of fitness for use of chemical anchoring systems used in the strengthening of historical masonry buildings. The research refers to a feasible operation of reconstruction of orientations to be performed within pre-existent vertical structures consisting of load-bearing masonry facings. To properly frame the issue related to the fixing between masonry facings and floor elements of the reference model, the mechanical characteristics of the base materials constituting the system were determined beforehand having been determined in terms of compressive and extraction strength. The evaluation of the results obtained from the materials used was followed by an experimentation with load tests on wall-floor connections realised with chemical anchors showing a good capacity of transferring loads assessed in terms of moment and absorbed shear. The obtained information allows to consider the restoration operations developed with the above technique as fit for the specific purpose.


Paul Keen's very admirable book launches under the sign of ''balloonomania,'' the all-consuming obsession with all things hot-air balloon in the wake of Vincento Lunardi's triumphant 1784 ascent, as witnessed by a crowd of 150,000 bemused and dazzled Londoners. While the balloonomania soared to extraordinary heights (exhibited in the fashionable Oxford Street Pantheon, committed to print in numerous illustrations ranging from the quasi-scientific to the comically salacious, adapted as women's hats), the rage for balloons was only the most emblematic of the innumerable manias, crazes, and fashions through which eighteenth-century Britons encountered their own modernity. Thomas Carlyle later pictured the balloons ''mounting heavenward, so beautifully'' and yet ''so unguidably!'' But in the 1780s this ungovernable movement tended more toward dubious commercial tie-ins and allied popular sensations than toward the catastrophe of the French Revolution that Carlyle has in mind. The larger truth, in Keen's view, is that these eighteenth-century Britons were so keen to watch themselves watching that whither the balloon tended was rather beside the point. In this respect the elegant balloons differed little from the sensational ''learned pig'' who was their creaturely contemporary. The intrinsic appeal of this word-spelling wonder animal mattered less, in the end, than the ''opportunity'' he afforded the public ''to revel in its own capacity for collective fascination'' (179). In reconstructing episodes like these, Keen's account of commercial modernity deftly steps away from the question of ''how things [may have]


AbstractA multiscale model is established for effective diffusion coefficient of chloride ions in cement-based composite materials. The model takes into account the relationship between the diffusivity and microstructure of cement-based materials, where the microstructure includes the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) between the aggregate particles and the bulk cement pastes, and the microstructure of the bulk cement paste itself. In addition, the model also includes the parameters such as water-to-cement ratio, hydration degree of cement, the thickness of ITZ, the volume fraction, and gradation of aggregate. A model for predicting the porosity distribution in ITZ is proposed based on the cement-particle distribution and modified Powers model, and then effective chloride diffusivities of ITZ can be estimated. Thus, the effective diffusion coefficient is predicted by n-layered inclusion theory in which mortar and concrete is considered as four-phase materials consisting of matrix phase, aggregate, ITZ, an...


Owing the presence of the Coulomb barrier at astrophysically relevant kinetic energies, it is very difficult, or sometimes impossible to measure astrophysical reaction rates in laboratory. This is why different indirect techniques are being used along with direct measurements. The THM is unique indirect technique allowing one measure astrophysical rearrangement reactions down to astrophysical relevant energies. The basic principle and a review of the main application of the Trojan Horse Method are presented. The applications aiming at the extraction of the bare Sb(E) astrophysical factor and electron screening potentials Ue for several two body processes are discussed.


An experimental structure is described which was constructed to demonstrate and validate recent emerging technologies in the active control and identification of large flexible space structures. The configuration consists of a large, 20 foot diameter antenna-like flexible structure in the horizontal plane with a gimballed central hub, a flexible feed-boom assembly hanging from the hub, and 12 flexible ribs radiating outward. Fourteen electrodynamic force actuators mounted to the hub and to the individual ribs provide the means to excite the structure and exert control forces. Thirty permanently mounted sensors, including optical encoders and analog induction devices provide measurements of structural response at widely distributed points. An experimental remote optical sensor provides sixteen additional sensing channels. A computer samples the sensors, computes the control updates and sends commands to the actuators in real time, while simultaneously displaying selected outputs on a graphics terminal and saving them in memory. Several control experiments were conducted thus far and are documented. These include implementation of distributed parameter system control, model reference adaptive control, and static shape control. These experiments have demonstrated the successful implementation of state-of-the-art control approaches using actual hardware.


To improve dynamic characteristics of the motor operating mechanism for high-voltage circuit breaker, the motor drive operating mechanism by a three-phase permanent-magnet synchronous motor is studied in this article. After analysing the movement characteristics of the moving contact during the switching process, the movement process is divided into three stages: the starting stage, the constant speed stage, and the buffering stage. Considering the problems of the motor such as large start delay, instability, and strong buffeting in later stage with traditional fixed given displacement strategy, a new control strategy of given segmented displacement is proposed and studied on the simulation platform. The experiment results show that the design of the segmented control is reasonable and effective, not only can improve the dynamic characteristics of the motor, but also can implement the project more easily. So, it provides a theoretical basis for exploring the efficient dynamic control method of the new motor operating mechanism.


Dear Editor, Totonchi et al.'s study (1) explores the account of a 45year old male patient who was using digoxin and warfarin and had undergone an antecedent valve replacement due to aortic insufficiency approximately 35 years before. It is particularly noteworthy that a femorofemoral bypass was performed prior to the Bentall surgery and that no sedative, muscle relaxant, or endotracheal intubations were applied. In spite of the successful surgical procedure, the patient died as a result of a repeat aortic dissection that occurred on the 30th day of the postoperative period (1). The authors emphasize the value of special care, as it can prevent myocardial depression and major changes in blood pressure during deep and smooth anesthetic inductions. In addition to the potentially negative effects of anesthetic management on patients with aortic dissections, the authors discuss the mechanisms of superior vena cava syndrome and the significance of maintaining spontaneous respiration in cases where it occurs (1). They also evaluate the accuracy of CT computed tomography (CT) angiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with sensitivity and specificity rates ranging from between 87% to 100%, for the diagnoses of aortic dissections. CT angiographies and MRI scanners favor lower primary mortality rates and are essential to the early diagnoses of aortic dissections (1). By contrast, dos Santos et al.'s case report addresses data that was collected from an aortic dissection 40 days after a patient's mitral valve replacement (2). The patient was a 61-year old Brazilian man who was experiencing myxomatous degeneration of the mitral valve. The degeneration was first corrected with a biological prosthesis and was later submitted for two additional valve replacements. In the last procedure, a mechanical valve was used. Aortic cannulation was performed without perioperative intercurrences or complications, and an echocardiographic study revealed normal values (2). However, a DeBakey type III aortic dissection was suspected late during the postoperative period and was confirmed by echocardiography and computed angiotomography images. In spite of the conspicuous extension of the original dissection (distally up to the iliac arteries, and proximally up to the brachiocephalic trunks and common carotid left subclavian arteries), the patient was exclusively and successfully managed with conservative clinical care (2). Currently, he is asymptomatic, under outpatient care, and performing all activities normally. In this case study, the early diagnosis and prompt treatment of the aortic dissection, conditions which signal the successful management of this complication, are particularly noteworthy. However, mechanisms related to the absence of complications and to the successful conservative management of aortic dissections that are diagnosed during late postoperative periods remain unspecified (2). In Onitsuka et al.'s (3) evaluation of 76 patients with acute type B aortic dissections, the presence of patent false lumens, in addition to maximum aortic diameters that were greater than 40 mm, were considered to be the factors that were most strongly linked to the development of aortic complications. The major prognostic factors of this condition include atherosclerosis, high blood pressure control, blood flow through false lumens, and maximum aortic diameters and/or enlargement rates (3). Because the initial symptoms of aortic dissections are often unspecific and can occur at any time after invasive procedures that involve cardiac structures, the clinical suspicion index is very important to overcoming diagnostic challenges (2). Therefore, case reports can be used to help non-specialists identify these potentially lethal entities.


A method for control landslip includes constructing top ditch for guiding the runoff on the top to decrease the flush of runoff to land, building up valley dam for buffernig flood and sand and stabilizing ditch bed, and planting vegetation on original collapsed surfaces. Its advantage is high effect.


The invention discloses a method for preparing 1-methylcyclopropene, which comprises the following steps of: contacting suspension of an latent solvent of lithium 1-methylcyclopropene with aqueous solution of a surfactant, and releasing 1-methylcyclopropene gas from the lithium salt, wherein the mass of the aqueous solution of the surfactant is 1 to 100 times that of the suspension of the latent solvent of lithium 1-methylcyclopropene; the latent solvent is liquid paraffin; and the surfactant is lauryl sodium sulfate. By contacting the aqueous solution of the surfactant, the 1-MCP gas can be safely, quantitatively and quickly released; and the method is low in cost, simple in process conditions and convenient to operate, and has good application prospect.


(57) [Summary]
The present invention provides a confusion technique for enhancing software security. In one embodiment, a method for disruption techniques to enhance software security includes selecting a subset of code to be disrupted (eg, the compiled source code of an application) and selecting the code. The step of confusing the selected subset is included. Confusion involves applying a confusion transformation to a selected subset of the code. The transformed code may have weak equivalence to the untranslated code. The transformation applied may be selected based on the desired security level (eg, resistance to reverse engineering). The transformations applied may include control transformations that may be constructed using obscure constructs, which may be constructed using aliasing and concurrency techniques. Thus, it is possible to disrupt code to obtain increased software security based on the desired level of disruption (eg, based on desired efficacy, resiliency, and cost).


Oxidn. of phenolic ethers, e.g. $I (R = Me, R1 = H)$ with 1 equiv of $H_5IO$6 gave the iodinated product $I (R = Me, R1 = iodo)$. Use of 2 equiv of oxidant gave $I (R = CHO, R1 = iodo) $in which the side chain was oxidized. Oxidn. of binaphthyl II with either $H_5IO_6$ or ceric ammonium nitrate in MeOH gave the same cyclized product III. ESR signals were found for the $H_5IO_6$ oxidn. of 11 arom. substrates. The ESR data and addnl. chem. evidence suggest a radical cation mechanism for the oxidation.


An appropriate indicator system is very important for the power grid dispatching management. A comprehensive plan management and evaluation support system( CPMESS) is developed for China Southern Power Grid( CSG) in this paper. The system is able to realize automatically collecting and checking,flexible indicator configuration and whole process management as well as multi subject analysis of indicators. The application practice shows that the management workload is reduced greatly and the automation level of indicator management is increased with the system. Moreover,the system is able to meet the requirement of adapting the indicators corresponding to the evaluation content change.


The fort is located high above the water-table in their valleys, and impossibly deep well-digging would be required to reach any good supply. In the excavation of 1901, a number of tanks, cisterns and sewers were identified and these are re-interpreted as part of the system for water supply. It is difficult to determine, however, if these features were all of one period as there is evidence for both Antonine and Flavian occupation at Lyne.


According to the historical reasons, individuali?½i?½s lack of responsibility and weak of trust within an organization have become one of the most issues in Chinese SOEs. In this paper, we first describe the common phenomena of i?½i?½responsibility diffusioni?½i?½ in SOEsi?½i?½ work team. Then, we empirically test the trickle-down and trickle-around role of ethical leadership on reducing such negative and un-productivity phenomena in both team and individual levels. Finally, the multilevel mediated effect of organizational trust and moderated effect of individuali?½i?½s ethical and responsible beliefs were tested. Data was collected from five state-owned manifesting companies in southwest China, and the multilevel structural equation modeling was used to test the hypotheses. Ultimately, this research extends current research in Chinese SOEs and ethical leadership research and generates practical implications for improving supervisor-subordinate responsible relationship in organizations.


In this study, a regional boarding school building in Elazig was examined in the scope of Bioharmological Conformity Assessment (BCA) according to 18 basic criteria of Projection Level of Spatial Features (PLSF). BCA Certificate Class of the examined building was determined as "Unsuitable (A - )" and deficiency-inadequacy level was determined as 61%. Harmony (91%), texture (90), format (75%), shape (73%), and Rhythm (71%) were determined as the highest and most significant deficiency-inadequacy criteria among the 18 criteria of the middle school in question. Therefore, it was concluded that the current physical characteristics of the school building in question is not appropriate for user identity and intended purpose, would have negative effect on education and training as well as negative effects on the biological, physiological and psychological development of the students.


Significant physiological disturbances are common enough in clinical anesthesia practice for us to want to be able to detect, treat, and preferably prevent them, but they are hard to investigate thoroughly, due to ethical constraints. Animal models are often used in these scenarios, to help us understand deranged physiology better, and to improve the monitoring tools we have. Certain physiological variables have clear definitions, unambiguous interpretations, and accurate and precise means of measurement—these include blood pressure, heart rate, end-tidal carbon dioxide, and many others. Near-infrared spectroscopy is an attractive, easy to apply monitoring tool that has few of these clear-cut features, making interpretation and validation much harder. It measures real physical parameters (light attenuation at specific near-infrared wavelengths) and uses these to infer knowledge about hemoglobin oxygenation within a region of interest below the probe. The principles are broadly similar to pulse oximetry. This issue of our journal has a well-executed animal model study on the effects of hypocapnia on brain oxygenation and perfusion in a piglet model, by Ringer et al1 Thirty piglets were exposed to hypocapnia and hypotension while anaesthetised, and their superficial cortical brain blood flow (laser doppler), brain partial pressure of oxygen (invasive tissue probe) and regional cerebral oxygenation (cerebral transcutaneous NIRS) were measured. They showed that acute hypocapnia caused reduced laser doppler flow, reduced brain partial pressure of oxygen, but did not show any reduction in cerebral regional oxygenation by NIRS. This study is thoroughly executed, by a group with expertise in the area, and the results should be regarded as valid. But they are probably not. The application of NIRS probes to all parts of the anatomy, across species lines and in a vast range of physiologies, tests this type of optical system to the breaking point and beyond. The NIRS probe used in this study is an OxyAlert Neonatal sensor for the INVOS system. This system uses two wavelengths of light, and like all commercial NIRS systems, no raw data are available, nor any algorithm details. It is for use in human infants weighing 2.5 kg and above. Despite these limitations, the majority of NIRS literature involves data generated by these types of devices, even in an animal research setting. Why? Convenience, availability, relative cost, and the impression from the literature that this is acceptable practice. In clinical scenarios, these arguments hold water, but once in the animal laboratory, they are less convincing. There are two primary reasons. The first issue is the size. Piglets are a routine choice to investigate physiology relevant to children but their brains are substantially smaller than a human infant of the same weight. The optical target is smaller, and although this group made several efforts to mitigate these size and target issues, they remain. With a smaller optical target, the noncerebral tissue contributes substantially more to the overall signal and may "drown out" any potential cerebral changes that may be present. Additionally, the brain regions interrogated would differ, as the larger the brain, the more "cortical" the data source is. There is also a difference between highly localized measurements, such as laser doppler and brain tissue oxygenation, and more regional oxygenation measured by NIRS, which may confound their direct comparison. The second issue is the type of probes used. As above, commercial systems place limitations on data analysis that severely limit our ability to know where errors or confounding factors are at work. A commercial device is calibrated to work with a range of known light intensities and attenuations encountered in human clinical work, which may not hold in the animal models. Research versions of such systems do not have these limitations, provide raw data and open algorithms, and may allow measurement of optical parameters crucial to the performance of the system that are not measured by commercial systems. Their physical size and coupling to the skin can be adapted and customized as well. These issues may mean we need to be a lot more pedantic about the generalizability of findings in this area at the moment. Perhaps, at the current technological level of commercial NIRS systems, results should be seen as "machine specific," or at least "machine type influenced." The absence of a gold standard for cerebral oximetry and the presence of the above issues means both clinicians and researchers need to be well educated in the technical issues. The ease of application of a monitor can induce a false sense of security in interpreting the data it generates. How could the experimenters have avoided these potential pitfalls? Two linked suggestions: firstly, familiarity with the optical constraints and limitations of commercial NIRS systems; secondly, considering using systems with clearer operating parameters, the ability to reconfigure the optodes and machine set-up, and raw data availability (research instruments vs medical devices), and involving biomedical engineers with expertise in such instruments. This may appear to make such research harder, but in reality, it makes the obtained data much more useful. These sorts of animal models are really useful and need to be encouraged, together with the intelligent and skeptical use of the optical monitors available to us.


I Global Prospects Discovery of oxygenases in Pseudomonas Pseudomonas: a century of biodiversity Pseudomonas genetics and taxonomy II Metabolism of Hydrocarbons and Chlorinated Hydrocarbons Effects of two-liquid phase systems and the expression of the alk genes on the physiology of alkane-oxidizing strains Alternative pathways for biodegradation of alkyl and alkenylbenzenes Genes and enzymes for hexachlorocyclohexane degradation in Sphingomonas paucimobilis UT26 Biodegradation of chlorobenzenes Construction of hybrid operons conferring expanded degradation capability for aromatic hydrocarbons and chlorinated compounds Development of hybrid strains for the mineralization of chloroaromatics Designed pseudomonads for bioremediation and circumvention of undesirable routes III Regulatory Genes and Transcriptional Circuits Evolution of regulatory systems of biodegradative pathways Metabolic and regulatory check points in phenol degradation by Pseudomonas sp. CF600 Specificity and promiscuity of catabolic promoters of Pseudomonas Two-component signal transduction sysnets regulating toluene and biphenyl/polychlorinated biphenyl degradations in a soil pseudomonad and actinomycete Chemotactic signal transduction network in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Signal transduction through quorum sensing in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Fine control of expression of the catabolicpathways of TOL plasmid of Pseudomonas putida for mineralization of aromatic hydrocarbons IV Dynamic Features of Pseudomonads Catabolic transposons in pseudomonads Improved methods for gene analysis and expression in Pseudomonas Insertion sequence IS21: related IS elements, transpositional mechanisms, and applications to linker insertion mutagenesis Phylogenetic identification of Pseudomona strains based on a comparison of gyrB and rpoD sequences Chromosome multiplicity in Burkholderia cepacia V Environmental and Industrial Microbiology Engineering bacteria to degrade nylon oligomers Trichloroethylene degradation using recombinant bacteria expressing soluble methane monooxygenase from Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b A new mixotrophic bacterium which can fix CO2 and assimilate aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons anaerobically Arrangement and transcriptional regulation of the denitrification genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa VI Protein Structure and Engineering Three-dimensional structure of the 2,3-dihydroxybiphenyl dioxygenase (BphC enzyme) from Pseudomonas sp. strain KKS102 having polychlorinated biphenyl-degrading activity Lipase of Pseudomonas aeruginosa: molecular biology and biotechnological application Structure, regulation and functions of the amidase operon of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Pseudomonas cytochrome P-450 oxygenases: progress towards de novo design for bioremediation VII Cell Envelope, Transport and Resistances Multidrug efflux pumps make a major contribution to drug resistance in pseudomonads Protein D2, a multifunctional channel-forming outer membrane protein of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Siderophore-mediated iron transport in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Molecular mechanism of conversion to mucoidy in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Metal resistance in Pseudomonas: genes and mechanisms Common steps in extracellular protein secretion and biogenesis of pili in Pseudomonas aeruginosa The general secretion pathway in Pseudomonas aeruginosa: molecular mechanisms and regulation VIII Medical Aspects and Pathogenesis Cationic peptides: a class of antibiotics able to access the self-promoted uptake pathway across the Pseudomonas aeruginosa outer membrane Genes involved in the biosynthesis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa lipopolysaccharide Pathogenesis of Burkholderia cepacia and export of protease by general secretory pathway involving disulfide bond formation in the periplasm Regulation of the alginate (algD) operon in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Regulation of elastase and alkaline proteinase gene expression in Pseudomonas aeruginosa IX Plant-Bacterial Interactions Bacterial ice nucleation as a tool in the study of the determinants of epiphytic fitness in bacterial plant pathogens Iron regulation in plant-asociated Pseudomonas fluorescens M114: implications for biological control Function and regulation of Pseudomonas syringae hrp genes Index


The article deals with the most important period of formation of postwar Japanese foreign policy, when the problems of Japanese peaceful settlement with the victor countries in World War II were being solved amid a fundamental change in international relations in Asia and the Pacific region. The authors analyze the participation of the Australian Union and New Zealand in the preparation of a Peace Treaty with Japan, which was signed in September 1951 in San Francisco. Once the treaty entered into force in April 1952, Japan returned to the international arena as an independent actor. The comprehensive approach used in the article allows to justify the conclusions on the significance of this period for further development of relations between the countries in the Asia-Pacific region.


This study uses a simulation model of the Latin American economy in order to project the relationship between technical progress and income distribution over the 1970-2000 period. In the basic projections—an extrapolation of the present trends—a large number of urban and rural residents tend not to have access to the benefits of development. Alternative projections simulate the effects of policies aiming at i) the acceleration of growth, ii) the modification of the nature of technical progress, iii) the transfer of consumption. The impact of the two first policies is substantial, the main contribution of technological policies being a more equitable distribution of the benefits of growth.


The statistical estimation of trajectories of maneuverable lifting re-entry vehicles is studied via the minimum-variance estimation technique applied hitherto to satellites and space vehicles. The re-entry application differs appreciably from the orbit estimation problem since the dominant forces on the vehicle are aerodynamic rather than gravitational. The problems associated with applying linear filter theory to the re-entry problem are discussed, and means of circumventing these problems are recommended. Measurements considered include ground-based tracking of range, azimuth, and elevation; arid onboard measurement of linear accelerations and inertial body rates. Numerical results are presented which demonstrate the characteristics of re-entry filtering. Both firstand second-order statistics are presented. The mathematical model includes the effects of earth oblateriess and rotation on the threedimensional particle motion of the vehicle. The data demonstrate the effects of using a single reference trajectory, the advantages arid disadvantages of updating a nominal reference trajectory, and the timewise convergence of the estimated trajectory during single-pass processing. The iterative convergence of multiple passes through the data is demonstrated also. Finally, the results show the effects of data rate, data noise magnitude, and data type (tracking vs accelerometer) on the resulting estimate and its covariance.


Since Ehrlich' described the mast cells in i879, much confusing and controversial material has been reported on the nature and function of these ubiquitous cells. Currently they are thought to have a secretory function, but whether the secretion is heparin,2 hyaluronic acid,3 or histaminel is disputed. These theories have been based largely on morphologic appearances which have been interpreted as representing functional or degenerative changes concomitant with secretory activity. Probably the earliest microscopic finding that led to speculation as to a possible secretory function was the appearance of extracellular nongranular metachromatic halos and hazes. Harris5 and MichelsI demonstrated thoroughly, however, that these halos and hazes were artifacts due to the use of water in the preparation of the tissue, which dissolved the readily soluble granular substance. Another suggestive finding has been the frequent occurrence of metachromatic granules scattered outside the cell bodies. Michels pointed out that this was due to rupture of the cell body, either by the microtome knife or by too rapid fixation when sudden uneven shrinkage of the cell occurs. However, old legends die hard, and many contemporary authors still seem to regard cell rupture with granule scattering as the mechanism by which the granule content of mast cells is delivered to the surrounding tissue. Wilander,2 studying dogs in peptone shock, observed in the liver mast cells in which only the peripheral granules were stained. He interpreted this as indicating that these mast cells were secreting their alleged heparin content. Paff and Bloom7 let cultures of mast cell tumors age, and observed what they descnrbed as degenerative nges (vacuolation, granule dissolution, and discharge), and very occasionally, metachromatc substance outside a few cells. This they thought represented heparin discharge. They believed that the secretory cycle of heparin production involved degenerative changes and even death of the mast cells. Similar


Trees fall naturally into rivers generating flow heterogeneity, inducing geomorphological features, and creating habitats for biota. Wood is increasingly used in restoration projects and the potential of wood acting as leaky barriers to deliver natural flood management by 'slowing the flow' is recognised. However, wood in rivers can pose a risk to infrastructure and locally increase flood hazards. The aim of this paper is to provide an up‐to‐date summary of the benefits and risks associated with using wood to promote geomorphological processes to restore and manage rivers. This summary was developed through a workshop that brought together academics, river managers, restoration practitioners and consultants in the UK to share science and best practice on wood in rivers. A consensus was developed on four key issues: (i) hydrogeomorphological effects, (ii) current use in restoration and management, (iii) uncertainties and risks and (iv) tools and guidance required to inform process‐based restoration and management.


Pulsed arterial spin labeling in 2-year-old children with congenital diaphragmatic hernia repair and occlusion of the right common carotid artery after neonatal ECMO therapy: Quantitative cerebral perfusion imaging at 3.0 T Claudia Hagelstein, Frank G. Zoellner, Meike Weidner, Thomas Schaible, Fabian Zimmer, Lothar R. Schad, Stefan O. Schoenberg, Katrin Zahn, and K. Wolfgang Neff Institute of Clinical Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, Dept. of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, Dept. of Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany


The present invention relates to an ink composition for forming the front electrode of a solar cell, and more specifically, to an ink composition for forming a first conductive layer on the front electrode of a solar cell, a printed front electrode using the same, and a solar cell including the same. The present invention is applied to non-contact printing processes capable of minimizing physical impact, and can form electrode patterns on a silicon solar cell, thereby simplifying processes and improving productivity.


Determining and improving drought-tolerant cultivars is a major goal of plant breeding to face climate change. The productivity of faba bean in Egypt is affected by abiotic stresses, especially drought stress. This study evaluated eight Egyptian faba bean cultivars for drought tolerance under three soil water regimes consisting of well-watered (100% field capacity), moderate drought stress (50% field capacity), and severe drought stress (25% field capacity) regimes in pots under greenhouse conditions using biochemical, physiochemical, and molecular parameters. The cultivars Nubariya 1, Nubariya 3, and Giza 716 showed the highest proline content values under 50% field capacity conditions, with 4.94, 4.39, and 4.26 mmol/g fresh weights, respectively. On the other hand, the cultivars Sakha 1, Sakha 4, Nubariya 1, and Nubariya 3 exhibited the highest proline contents (7.8, 7.53, 6.17, and 6.25, respectively) under 25% field capacity treatment. The molecular profiling was conducted using SCoT and SRAP approaches. Fresh leaves were utilized to extract the DNA, and ten primers for SRAP and six for SCoT were used in the PCR procedures. SCoT and SRAP-PCR generated 72 loci, of which, 55 were polymorphic, and 17 were monomorphic. SCoT and SRAP each had 48 and 24 total loci, respectively. The average polymorphism (%) values achieved via SCoT and SRAP were 70.93% and 80%, respectively. Based on the molecular profiles, the cluster analysis identified three clusters. The first cluster comprised Giza 716 cultivars; the second cluster included Sakha 1, Sakha 3, Sakha 4, and Akba 3300 cultivars; the third cluster comprised two cultivars Nubariya 1 and Nubariya3. According to the study's findings, Sakha 1, Sakha 4, Nubariya 1, and Nubariya 3 are remarkable parents for developing drought-tolerant faba bean genotypes. Additionally, this study concluded that SRAP and SCoT markers recreated trustworthy banding profiles to evaluate the genetic polymorphism among faba bean cultivars, which are regarded as the cornerstone for genetic improvements in crops.


* Abstract Over the last quarter century, American state legislatures have experienced great pressures to professionalize. Recently, political scientists have redeveloped an interest in studying the causes and the consequences of state legislative professionalism. In this note we demonstrate that the concept of professionalism has several different components. While these components are related, they are different enough that they may not be tapping the same dimension. It is possible for a state legislature to be professional in one dimension and amateur in another. Moreover, different components of professionalism seem to be associated with different socioeconomic factors in the state.


The Hopf structure of the central extension of the Uq(sl(n)) algebra is considered. The intertwine matrix induces new integrable chain models. We show the relation of these models and the biparametric spin chain slp,q(n) models. The cases n=2 are n=3 are discussed, and for n=2 we obtain the model of Dasgupta and Chowdhury (1993). The case n=3 is solved by the nested Bethe ansatz method, and the dependence of the Bethe equations on the second parameter introduced is demonstrated.


Harris and Sadler, emeriti history professors from New Mexico State University, began researching die Plan de San Diego (PSD) in 1977, five years after my first essay on the subject was published. The PSD was a response to eruptions in 1915 in South Texas along the Rio Grande River, with raids and violence directed by Mexicans and tejanos (Texans of Mexican ancestry) against the white community. Their goal was to create an independent state open to Mexican, Japanese, and Indian people, with a separate state to be created for blacks. In its second published iteration, the anarchist rhetoric of Ricardo and Enrique Flores Magon, as expressed in their newspaper Regeneration, permeated the PSD document, but nonetheless the declared race war was to go on. A man named Augustin Garza was designated military commander of the Liberating Army of Races and People. The PSD attracted a diverse following, including German and Japanese interests, anarchists, reformists, and cattle rustlers. Suppressors included the U.S. Bureau of Investigation (BI) agents, U.S. Army soldiers, Texas rangers, gunfighters, and vigilantes. In Mexico, the faction of Venustiano Carranza, struggling to obtain diplomatic recognition from President Woodrow Wilson so as to beat out his chief rival Pancho Villa, played both sides of the fence: it encouraged the PSD to show sympathy with the insurgents against American racism but then sought to suppress it once Carranza's recognition had been secured.


The present study has been carried on causes of dropouts in education zone Khag District Budgam. (1) Most of the schools are not accessible to people. The national policy on education and right to education had guaranteed education for all which seems far reality in this Zone. (2) Most of the schools have very less teacher student ratio, which has a direc t impact on the performance of these schools. Moreover, the extracurricular activities are altogether lacking in these schools. (3) The study showed the total dropout of students from year 2010 to 2011 in two classes i.e. 6 th and 7 th as 61. (4) There has b een very less enrollment of girls in the Schools and among girls the dropout has been high in lower classes while as the dropout among boys is higher in higher classes. (5) The Middle School Hamchipora has the highest percentage of dropouts from the class 7 th to 8 th in year 2010 - 2011. (6) Most of the dropouts were found engaged with the traditional occupation of cattle grazing in high altitude areas as cattle grazing are their traditional and one of the major livelihood options. (7) S ome of the areas which are at high altitude, in most of the other areas dropouts were found to be engaged with agricultural practices. (8) It was found that many dropouts were "job card holders" under MGNREGA. ( M.Y. Ganai, Shazia Siraj Zargar . Causes Of Dropouts In Education Zone Khag District Budgam . Academia Arena 2013;5(1): 28 - 37 ) (ISSN 1553 - 992X). http://www.sciencepub.net/academia . 5


The ethnographic depth and analytical richness of Fausto's Art effects are remarkable. The book takes the reader on a fascinating journey through processes of imageand artifact-making among a number of Lowland South American societies. The analytical framework is notably coherent in bringing together examples from different visual and material media and ritual contexts, including bodily trophies, wind instruments, masks, wooden effigies, and immaterial images.What Ifindparticularly compelling is the extended reflection on Amerindian arts that the book provides, which through a wide array of case studies, examples, counterexamples, arguments, and counterarguments indulges the reader in an ethnographic and comparative analysis that enriches our understanding of Amerindian aesthetic epistemologies and ontologies. In this comment, I focus on the main problem that the book wrestles with, which also constitutes one of its central contributions, and a long-standing preoccupation of mine. This is the relation between prototype and copy in imageand artifact-making, as well as in ritual behavior, a problem that has indeed occupied center stage in Western art history since its beginnings and which Fausto tackles from the perspective of Amerindian art—a nomean feat.What the different case studies considered in the book show is in line with previous research conducted in Greater Amazonia (Barcelos Neto 2002; Lagrou 2007; Fortis 2012). Amerindian arts are not about representation and lifelikeness but about figuring trans-


With the era of knowledge\|based economy approaching on, archivists in high educational institutes should proceed from actual conditions on improving professional quality and structure of knowledge to meet with the need of modern archives management.


Introduction. Academic performance in medical students can be influenced by several factors, including those related to mental health and family relationships. Objective. To examine the factors affecting academic performance in medical students, specifically considering potential diagnoses of depression. Method. A survey was conducted among 747 fourth-year medical students. The survey included questions on sociodemographic variables, mental health, and well-being. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) was utilized, encompassing sections on depression, anxiety, panic, eating habits, alcohol consumption, and the Stress Perception Scale. Academic performance was assessed based on students' Grade Point Average (GPA). Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients, and a linear regression model were employed for data analysis. Results. The study revealed several variables significantly associated with GPA. Age (r = -.388), financial situation (r = .241), relationships with cohabitants (r = .165), and relationships with peers (r = .217) were found to have a correlation with academic performance. Additionally, repeating a course was found to be significantly associated with a person's GPA (r = .518) even after controlling for depression. Discussion and conclusion. The findings indicate that robust mental health, a favorable financial situation, and positive interpersonal relationships are crucial for achieving optimal academic performance in medical students. These results emphasize the need to address mental health concerns, promote a supportive social environment, and provide financial assistance to enhance the educational outcomes of medical students.


Lee E, Midodizi W, Gourishankar S. Attitudes and opinions on organ donation: an opportunity to educate in a Canadian city.
Clin Transplant 2010: 24: E223–E229. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.


Many state departments of transportation are dealing with a lack of sufficient funds for construction of needed highway projects. This paper relates how the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WDOT), in this period of shrinking dollars and spiraling construction costs, met the challenge of providing a quality concrete pavement at less cost. The factors that contributed to the decision to change from the usual steel reinforced pavement to a non-reinforced concrete pavement on a recent freeway project are examined in detail.


Thermally sprayed stainless-steel coatings were produced with a wide range of deposition parameters. The electrochemical behavior of polished coatings was monitored for 3 weeks in 3.5 wt.% NaCl aqueous solution and compared to that of reference materials including a wrought stainless steel plate and a bulk ingot produced by arc melting of the spraying powder feedstock. Transitions in the polarization behavior are discussed based on the observed changes in coating microstructures as well as on the shifts in X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS). Results show that the deposition parameters have a strong effect on the coating microstructures but the small differences in the polarization behavior of coatings mostly disappear after 1 week of testing. Microstructure evidence shows preferential corrosion at splats experiencing melting prior to deposition. Pitting and corrosion products between splat boundaries are also reported. XPS analysis shows that the coating surfaces are enriched in chromium oxides and hydroxides. Comparison between the coating and bulk stainless steels suggests that coating inherent defects play a major role on their impaired corrosion resistance.


Image restoration which restores a clear image from a single blur image is a difficult problem of estimating two unknowns: a point spread function (PSF) and its ideal image. In this paper, we propose a novel blind deconvolution method to alternately estimate PSF and the latent image. And we incorporate the gradient reliability map (R-map) that enables edge selection appropriate for PSF estimation processing. This method improves restoration performance by excluding noise that adversely affects the estimation, and the experimental results show that robustness is improved in our proposed method.


PurposeThis study aims to investigates customer satisfaction from the use of bank chatbots and the effect of perceived trust in chatbots and banks' reputation on customer satisfaction.Design/methodology/approachA survey is conducted in Turkey involving 240 customers who experienced banking transactions using a chatbot. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) is used to investigate the relationships between the variables. The data were analyzed using SPSS 21 and SmartPLS programs.FindingsPerceived performance, perceived trust and corporate reputation significantly affect customer satisfaction with chatbot use. Customer expectations and confirmation of customer expectations have no direct impact on customer satisfaction, but customer expectations positively affect perceived performance. Customer expectations exert an indirect influence on customer satisfaction through perceived performance. Perceived performance has a positive impact on the confirmation of customer expectations, but customer expectations do not significantly impact the confirmation of customer expectations.Research limitations/implicationsThis study relies on a limited number of participants. Moreover, its sample is not representative of the target population due to the convenience sampling technique. Even if the results may not be generalized to the entire population of Turkey, they reflect the reality of emerging markets with relatively high technology sensitivity and a young population.Practical implicationsThe results provide new insights regarding banking service delivery channels, which may be of interest to professionals, academics, banks' top management, product development teams, design teams and customer satisfaction units.Social implicationsThis study is believed to help the community make their lives easier by providing them with knowledge and awareness about chatbots.Originality/valueThis study extends expectations confirmation theory's predictions to chatbot use in banking.


Communication involves transferring information from one agent to another. An intelligent agent, either human or machine, is often able to choose to hide information in order to protect their own interests. In this paper, we examine the significance of information hiding from the perspective of beneficial intelligence. Is a computational agent ever justified in preventing human users from accessing information? Conversely, are humans ever under any form of obligation to share information with a computional agent? We discuss the situation from an ethical perspective, and we also address a more pragmatic question: How can we develop safeguards to ensure that machines do not keep secrets in a malicious manner? We suggest that a viable solution to this problem already exists.


At each of three frequencies ω/2π=26.43, 30.36, and 36.02 GHz, we observe 3d hydrogen atoms with certain principal quantum numbers n 0 1 to be more stable against microwave ionization. Which n 0 's are more stable differs for each ω. Even when the enhanced stability is not found in 3d classical calculations, we show that it scales classically: This quantal effect occurs at certain values of the classically scaled frequency n 0 3 ω. Our data give strong support for the enhanced stability being due to scarred 3d wave functions for the strongly driven atoms


Abstract Hard tissue diseases and defects, e.g. osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, are some of the most significant medical conditions that lead to the extensive need for the use of appropriate synthetic materials. Although hydroxyapatite has been widely used as osteoconductive biomaterial; carbonated apatite are more similar to the inorganic component of bone. Bone, dentine and dental enamel contain carbonated apatite of different compositions with a few per cent of carbonate ions (from 2 to 8 wt-%). It is well known that hydroxyapatite structure can host carbonate ions at two different sites: site A, where they substitute OH– ion, and site B, where they replace PO43– ions. In this work, A+B-site replacement carbonated apatite was obtained with carbonate content of 6 to 7 wt-%. When immersed in simulated body fluid, scanning electron images showed the ability to mineralise new apatite within 0·5 days of immersion.


A small producer has built in his property a low cost non- conventional wastewater treatment, characterized by maintenance and operation easiness, and aesthetical suitability; complemented with the implementation of


As the part of a study to develop buparvaquone (BPQ) formulations for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis, the topical delivery of BPQ and one of its prodrugs from a range of formulations was evaluated. In previous studies, BPQ and its prodrugs were shown to be potent antileishmanials in‐vitro, with ED50 values in the nanomolar range. 3‐Phosphono‐oxymethyl‐buparvaquone (3‐POM‐BPQ) was the most potent antileishmanial and was chosen, together with the parent drug, for further investigation. The ability of the parent and prodrug formulations to cross human and murine skin was tested in‐vitro using the Franz diffusion cells. Formulations intended for topical application containing either BPQ or 3‐POM‐BPQ were developed using excipients that were either acceptable for topical use (GRAS or FDA inactive ingredients) or currently going through the regulatory process. BPQ was shown to penetrate both human epidermal membranes and full thickness BALB/c skin from a range of formulations (gels, emulsions). Similarly, 3‐POM‐BPQ penetrated full‐thickness BALB/c skin from several gel formulations. In‐vitro binding studies showed that BPQ bound melanin in a dose‐dependent manner and preferably bound to delipidized skin over untreated BALB/c skin (on a weight to weight basis). The results confirm that BPQ and its prodrug 3‐POM‐BPQ can penetrate the skin from several formulations, making them potentially interesting candidates for further investigation of topical formulations using in‐vivo models of cutaneous leishmaniasis.


Abstract We have compared the effects of an intravenous infusion of sedation with those without sedation on Intracranial pressure (ICP) and cerebral perfusion potential (CPP) following severe head injury. 58 patients were sedated with either a continuous infusion of propofol (mean rate 232 mg/h, range 150-400 mg/h) or midazolam (mean rate 2.8 mg/h, range 0-5 mg/h). Both groups were well matched for sex, age and level of coma (Glasgow coma scale) prior to sedation. Continuous data collection of ICP , mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) began at 12 hours post injury and continued for a mean period of 120 hours. Propofol have a significant effect on the measured parameters. Propofol led to a fall in ICP and a surge in CPP from initial days post-injury. However, there was no effect on EtCO2 or PaCO2. Outcome was not similia in the 2 groups. Propofol exerts more effect on the lowering patients' mortality rate after traumatic Brain injury.


Objective To systematically evaluate the association between rs895819 polymorphism of microRNA miR-27a and the susceptibility of breast cancer.Methods A computer-based retrieval of PubMed,EMBASE,Cochrane Library,CBM,VIP,CNKI and Wanfang Database from their establishment to June 2014 was performed for collecting the case-control studies investigating the miR-27a polymorphisms and the susceptibility of breast cancer published at home and abroad.The literature was screened according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria and the quality of studies was evaluated.Then the data were performed the Meta-analysis by using RevMan 5.2 software.Results 5 articles were included,in which 2 articles were the study on European populations and 3 articles were the study on Asian populations.The Meta analysis showed that the miR27a rs895819 polymorphism had no relation with the breast cancer susceptibility in the total populations and Asian populations,but the 3-model analysis in the European populations indicated that the miR27a rs895819 polymorphism was related with the breast cancer susceptibility,which were allele model Gvs.A(OR=0.89,95CI%:0.82-0.97,P=0.008),codominant model AGvs.AA(OR=0.83,95%CI:0.74-0.94,P=0.002)and dominant model GG+AG vs.AA(OR=0.83,95%CI:0.75-0.91,P=0.002)respectively.Conclusion The existing evidences reveal that the rs895819 polymorphism of the miR-27a is not found to be associated with the susceptibility of breast cancer in total populations and Asian populations.However the rs895819 polymorphism of miR-27a is associated with the susceptibility of breast cancer in European populations.


Sinuigun(神義軍 : Divine Righteous Troops) was established centering around escapees who fled from Mongol army camp at the peak of battles against Mongol. Choi Hang(崔沆) built rapidly this unit for the purpose of remaining resistance against Mongol and for restraining civilians who claimed peace negotiations with Mongol. That time was approximately 42th year of King Gojong(高宗). From 1255 to 1257, Sinuigun was expanded on a large scale. This unit was comprised in 3 crack units(三別抄) with left and right unit of Yabyeolcho(夜別抄 : Night Patrols). Battles against Mongol army represented main mission of Sinuigun. In March 46th year of Gojong, Sinuigun played the trigger role in Cheonkockchon(泉谷村) battle. 11th year of Wonjong(元宗), Im Yeon(林衍) arranged this unit at Chodo(椒島) with the object of preparing for Mongol invasion. Prior to this, Sinuigun is supposed to participate in Uiju(義州) battle and Aedo(艾島) battle, 43th year of Gojong. A few officers like Park Hee Sil(朴希實) and Park Cheon Sik(朴天植), Sinuigun's origin, practiced vigorously diplomatic conversation for peace negotiations with Mongol. Doing this, Goryeo dynasty could conclude peace with Mongol. The hard core of peace negotiations was that Gaegyung-hwando(開京還都 : returning to the capital) preparation period will be confined to 3 years. Sinuigun actively assisted to Muo political change(戊午政變), Wonjong dethronement(元宗廢位), Im Yoo Mu(林惟茂) murder, according to the change of interests relationship of military ruler, kingship, Sinuigun itself and to the change of diplomacy policy toward Mongol. Especially, in Muo political change, Sinuigun officers expressed dissatisfaction on acception of peace negotiations with Mongol inside Choi Ui's political power. After they in advance gained Kim jun strength over to their side, gradually formed anti-Choi Ui alliance force(反崔?連帶勢力). Sinuigun unit succeeded in collapsing pro-Choi Ui support force(親崔?擁衛勢力). Finally, though formal, anti-Choi Ui alliance force succeeded in returning the political power to the king. In Kim Jun's political power period, Cha Song Woo(車松祐) and Kim Hong Chwui(金洪就), former Sinuigun origin, played an active part in hard-liner on Mongol. Wonjong's political power in collusion with Im Yeon's strength eliminated Cha Song Woo and Kim Jun's faction. On this, Sinuigun unit experienced the first division of its own. In Im Yeon's political power period, Song Song Rye(宋松禮) and Yu Jon Hyuk(劉存奕) whom they are presumed to former Sinuigun origin, took important role in hard-liner. Also Bae Jung Son(裵仲孫) who was Tobang(都房 : Elite Guard) member of Im Yeon, played a active role. Returning to the capital Gaegyung(開京) and dispersion order on 3 crack units(三別抄) by Wonjong, brought about the second division of Sinuigun unit. Sinuigun officers had a great discontent to attitude of Song Song Rye and Song Boon(宋?) who sustained returning to the capital In 11th year of Wonjong, Sinuigun officers that had been dispatched to Chodo, joined in persistent resistance of 3 crack units. Under the leadership of general Bae Jung Son and Yabyeolcho chiyu(指諭) Rho Young Hee(盧永禧), Yabyeolcho and Sinuigun was combined with anti-Mongol forces.


We present the recent results of top-quark physics using up to 6 fb{sup -1} of p{bar p} collisions analyzed by the CDF collaboration. The large number of top quark events analyzed, of the order of several thousands, allows stringent checks of the standard model predictions. Also, the top quark is widely believed to be a window to new physics. We present the latest measurements of top quark intrinsic properties as well as direct searches for new physics in the top sector.


Masaya, the provincial capital of Nicaragua, is recognized as the country's " Capital of Nicaraguan Culture. " Here, residents distinguish themselves from urban Nicaragua and the world at large through a range of public festivals and other cultural expressions. Three of these festivals receive close examination in Katherine Borland's Unmasking Class, Gender, And Sexuality in Nicaraguan Festival : the carnivalesque torovenado masquerades, the transvestite Negras marimba dances, and wagon pilgrimages to Popoyuapa. Signifi cantly, Borland's book is the fi rst work published in English on Nicaraguan festival arts and, as such, is a solid and welcome contribution to the literature.


Following the seminal works of Budge and Farlie (1983) and Budge, Robertson and Hearl (1987), the analysis of party positions based on the content of the electoral programmes has grown in size in political science. Particularly, the development of research designs based on manifesto analyses consequently accelerated after the publication of the findings and the dataset of the Manifesto research group (MRG, also know as the Comparative Manifesto Project) (Budge et al., 2001; Klingemann et al., 2006). Party manifestos are therefore often used to explain numerous political phenomena such as electoral results, policy outputs or coalition formation processes. More recently, researchers focused on methodological innovations, attempting to use computer-assisted methods of content analysis of party documents.


Ciguatoxins, principal causative toxins of ciguatera seafood poisoning, are large ladder-like polycyclic ethers that exert their toxicities by binding to the voltage-sensitive sodium channels. We report C7/C51 chemoselective derivatization of 51-hydroxyCTX3C applicable for synthesis of biological probes.


Putatively, flavorings afford adult cigarette smokers options to switch to vaping.1 But the flavorings are also perceived to be attractive to people who have never smoked cigarettes, with particular concern about nicotine initiation by underage youths.2 In particular, the flavor and type of device on which nicotine use is initiated may influence later nicotine dependence in young adults.3 In the United States, three broad classes of vaping device are common: (1) single-unit disposable devices roughly equivalent to a pack of cigarettes;(2) homemade devices with, for example, customizable nicotine liquid tanks, batteries, and mouthpieces;and (3) devices with a rechargeable battery and replaceable cartridges containing nicotine liquid. Creating complicated relationships, and further limiting possible benefits to smoking cessation in the public health audience's eyes, Altria (formerly Philip Morris) purchased a major stake in JUUL in 2018. In addition to stay-at-home mandates, fear of contracting the respiratory illness was noted to increase motivation to quit cigarette smoking.8 Interestingly, e-cigarette users also reported greater quit attempts (41 %) than did cigarette smokers (26%) because of COVID-19 fears.9 In addition, various state and local prohibitions against public vaping and fluctuations in product cost have also occurred. Because of changes in sampling necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, data quality in large population-based surveys remains an area of active investigation, including potential discontinuities that could limit comparisons overtime. [...]we note that one or two time points since the Guidance was released may not portend sustained changes in behavior.


Sports clubs have a long history of being popular abroad. With the reform of China's economic system, competitive sports took the lead in introducing sports club system. This paper explores the operational objectives, contents, forms and specific practices of the open teaching mode of university sports club activity system, with a view to providing specific ideas and methods for the sustainable development of college sports teaching and has universal guiding significance. The teaching of sports club system will become the main direction of the development of college physical education in the future. Teachers should adopt a reasonable organizational form in teaching, strengthen the cultivation of students' interest in lifelong physical education, and make it truly form the idea of lifelong sports. The comprehensive effect produced by the integrated teaching inside and outside the club system is in line with the current direction of college reform and is feasible.


Objective:To discuss the alteration of the levels of cytokines IFN-γ,IL-4 produced mainly by Th1/Th2 cell in the sera of the heroin addicts in order to provide evidences for understanding the affection by heroin on the immune function.Methods:93 cases of heroin addicts were equally divided into 3 groups.As those who employed to detect their sera levels of IFN-γ,IL-4 of thein sera were detected.31 cases of normal human sera were used as controls.Results:The levels of cytokine IFN-γ in the sera of heroin addicts grouped by various periods of time were higher than those of the normal control group(P0.05),while the levels of IL-4 were lower compared to the normal control group(P0.05).The levels of IFN-γ was increasing in groups of within 10 years,yet decreasing in those of more than 10 years(108.52±25.84 pg/ml for groups of within 2 years,133.13±36.35 pg/ml for groups of 5~10 years,and 113.4±38.17 pg/ml for groups of more than 10 years,respectively),while IL-4 levels showed the opposite-decreased for groups of within10 years,yet increased for groups of more than 10 years(129.18±83.42 pg/ml,76.35±47.01 pg/ml,139.74±111.37 pg/ml).Conclusion:The levels of cytokines of IFN-γ and IL-4 produced mainly by Th1/Th2 cell in the sera from the heroin addicts change significantly.The Th1/Th2 functional imbalance presents in heroin addicts showing up-regulation of Th1 cell function but down-regulation of Th2 cell function,especially during the period of 5~10 years.


This study aimed to determine the effect on the income women street vendors in Kuta's Legian Beach. The samples used were as many as 70 women street vendors with Stratified Random Sampling technique. Questionnaires, observations and interview researchers use to collect data. Customary intensity influence on the income women street vendors in Legian Kuta will be answered through a simple regression analysis. The analysis showed that the intensity of the negative effect on the customs revenues women street vendors in Legian Beach. The longer the time devoted to cultural activities, the decrease of the revenue generated by the women street vendors in Kuta's Legian Beach.


Status of This Memo This document specifies an Internet standards track protocol for the Internet community, and requests discussion and suggestions for improvements. Please refer to the current edition of the "Internet Official Protocol Standards" (STD 1) for the standardization state and status of this protocol. Distribution of this memo is unlimited. Abstract This document describes how an Extensible Provisioning Protocol (EPP) session is mapped onto a single Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) connection. This mapping requires use of the Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol to protect information exchanged between an EPP client and an EPP server. This document obsoletes RFC 3734.


These two letters reveal several aspects of the state of the Baptists in early eighteenth century Ireland. The author of the first letter was Joseph Pettit, who served as the pastor of the Cork city church from 1704 till his death in 1729. 1 The second letter was composed by Samuel Fowkes, pastor of the Waterford city meeting from 1712 till his death in 1745. 2 Both letters were sent to Elisha Callendar the prominent Boston, Massachusetts Baptist minister. The letters themselves do not survive, but a transcript by Isaac Backus, a late eighteenth century New England Baptist historian, in the appendix of his 'History of the Warren Association' does. This manuscript was purchased earlier in this century and was deposited in the Angus Library at Regent's Park College, Oxford." The importance of these letters lies in their account of the membership and geographical locations of the Irish Baptist meetings. Estimating the numerical strength of the Irish Baptists is difficult due to the varied methods of counting. In 1740 the English Baptist historian Thomas Crosby claimed that there were 'between two and three hundred members' in the Cloughkeating Baptist church in Lower Ormond.' Pettit's statement concerning the congregations outside of Dublin that 'none of them exceed 60' can be reconciled with Crosby's estimate. Sometimes Baptist historians tabulated individual congregational strength by assigning an estimate of five persons to each actual member. Given Pettit's estimate that the Lower Ormond church had close to sixty members, and that Crosby includes the entire families of the members in his estimate we have two estimates that are reconciliable." According to Pettit's method of calculation there were between 350 and 400 members in Baptist congregations in


Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have recently gained growing popularity in wireless communications owing to their many advantages such as swift and cost- effective deployment, line-of-sight (LoS) aerial-to- ground link, and controllable mobility in three- dimensional (3D) space. In this paper, we consider a UAV-enabled two-user broadcast channel (BC), where a UAV flying at a constant altitude is deployed to send independent information to two users at different fixed locations on the ground. We aim to characterize the capacity region of this new type of BC over a given UAV flight duration, by jointly optimizing the UAV's trajectory and transmit power/rate allocations over time, subject to the UAV's maximum speed and maximum transmit power constraints. Although the considered problem is shown to be non-convex and difficult to solve in general, we obtain the optimal solution by exploiting its particular structure and applying tools from convex optimization. In particular, we show that the optimal UAV trajectory should follow a general hover- fly-hover (HFH) structure, i.e., the UAV successively hovers at a pair of initial and final locations above the line segment of the two users each with a certain amount of time and flies unidirectionally between them at the maximum speed, and superposition coding (SC) with interference cancellation at the receiver of the nearer user is generally needed. Finally, simulation results are provided to verify our analysis, which also reveal useful guidelines to the practical design of UAV trajectory and communication jointly.


On base of the common used calculating methods of cooling tower,it builds the calculating methods of outlet temperature of cooling tower that suitable with the air-condition,and calculating the temperature of cooling water that used in air-condition in different state by programming the calculating program.The calculating effect can be the basis to analyze the efficiency of air-condition.


We present a spatially resolved spectroscopic study of the thermal composite supernova remnant Kes 27 with Chandra. The X-ray spectrum of Kes 27 is characterized by K lines from Mg, Si, S, Ar, and Ca. The X-ray-emitting gas is found to be enriched in sulfur and calcium. The broadband and tricolor images show two incomplete shell-like features in the northeastern half and brightness fading with increasing radius to the southwest. There are over 30 unresolved sources within the remnant. None shows characteristics typical of a young neutron star. The maximum diffuse X-ray intensity coincides with a radio-bright region along the eastern border. In general, gas in the inner region is at higher temperature, and the emission is brighter, than that in the outer region. The gas in the remnant appears to be near ionization equilibrium. The overall morphology can be explained by the evolution of the remnant in an ambient medium with a density enhancement from west to east. We suggest that the remnant was born in a preexisting cavity and that the bright inner emission is due to the reflection of the initial shock from the dense cavity wall. This scenario may provide a new candidate mechanism to explain the X-ray morphology of other thermal composite supernova remnants.


There are several methods to monitor software projects and the objective for monitoring is to ensure that the software projects are developed and delivered successfully. A performance measurement is a method that is closely associated with monitoring and it can be scrutinized by looking at two important attributes which are efficiency and effectiveness both of which are factors that are important for the success of a software project. Consequently, a successful steering is achieved by monitoring and controlling a software project via the performance measurement criteria and metrics. Hence, this paper is aimed at identifying the performance measurement criteria and the metrics for monitoring the performance of a software project by using the Goal Question Metrics (GQM) approach. The GQM approach is utilized to ensure that the identified metrics are reliable and useful. These identified metrics are useful guidelines for project managers to monitor the performance of their software projects. Keywords—Software project performance, Goal Question Metrics, Performance Measurement Criteria, Metrics.


To improve lithium and sodium ion battery technology, it is imperative to understand how the properties of the different components are controlled by their chemical structures. Operando structural studies give us some of the most useful information for understanding how batteries work, but it remains difficult to separate out the contributions of the various components of a battery stack (e.g., electrodes, current collectors, electrolyte, and binders) and examine specific materials. We have used operando X-ray diffraction computed tomography (XRD-CT) to study specific components of an essentially unmodified working cell and extract detailed, spaceresolved structural information on both crystalline and amorphous phases that are present during cycling by Rietveld and pair distribution function (PDF) methods. We illustrate this method with the first detailed structural examination of the cycling of sodium in a phosphorus anode, revealing surprisingly different mechanisms for sodiation and desodiation in this promising, high-capacity anode system. One of the biggest problems in studying battery structures in general, and in particular when using total X-ray scattering methods, is the contribution to the data from parts of the battery other than those in which we are interested. This is less significant for conventional X-ray diffraction studies of crystalline materials where it is usually possible to mask the background features and concentrate on the Bragg peaks from the component of interest. Unfortunately, many of the most interesting battery materials are amorphous at some stages of cycling. Studying amorphous materials with X-ray scattering requires us to use the total scattering of the sample to calculate the pair distribution function (PDF). To do this, the non-sample contributions must be removed. Allan and co-workers and Chapman et al. have addressed this by using background subtraction methods and adapting their batteries significantly for total scattering experiments. Herein, we propose an alternative and much more informative method based on the PDF-CT approach first reported by Jacques and co-workers. Although operando tomographic imaging has recently revealed significant information on the macrostructure of batteries and has been combined with scanning X-ray diffraction (XRD), the tomographic technique has not been applied for atomic structural data. Jensen and co-workers have studied commercial lithium ion and nickel metal hydride batteries with XRD-CT methods, mapping the distribution of LiCoO2 from the intensity of a single peak and obtaining information on its orientation from the 2D diffraction patterns. By reconstructing the entire battery system with XRD-CTand carrying out Rietveld and PDF analysis of the data as a function of the charge state, we have 1) obtained data focusing specifically on the phosphorus anode of a basically unmodified (i.e., not significantly different from a normal coin cell; this may be compared to the highly adapted electrode particles studied with absorption CT by Ebner et al.) working sodium ion battery (SIB) and 2) removed all contributions from the other components of the cell and sample container, giving the best quality data on the anode for Rietveld and PDF analysis. As we have shown elsewhere, the use of full structural methods allows data to be extracted from tomograms that would have been considered useless if analyzed with conventional phase contrast and absorption tomography techniques. Phosphorus is one of the most promising alloying anodes for SIBs owing to its high capacity (theoretical capacity 2596 mAh g@1, reversible capacity up to 1890 mAhg@1 as a composite with carbon) and considerable cycling stability. Its structure has previously not been studied under working conditions and is amorphous except when fully sodiated to form crystalline Na3P. [12] Combining operando XRD and PDF-CT reveals with full clarity the different mechanisms of sodiation and desodiation of phosphorus (despite its low X-ray scattering factor and location inside an electrochemical cell), in good agreement with cycling data and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The technique described here was also combined with operando X-ray absorption tomographic imaging to provide additional information on the macrostructure of the battery (e.g., volume changes, dendrite formation). This allowed us to identify [*] J. Sottmann, Prof. H. Fjellv,g, Dr. P. Vajeeston, Dr. D. S. Wragg Department of Chemistry, University of Oslo P.O. Box 1033, 0315 Oslo (Norway) E-mail: email@example.com Dr. M. Di Michiel, Dr. G. B. M. Vaughan ESRF—The European Synchrotron CS40220, 38043 Grenoble (France)


This book deals with the problems of automatic control ofprocesses both in the biological and mechanical fields. The name "cybernetics" has been coined from the Greek xU pve' r-a guide or helmsman. Simple examples of the subject matter are the devices for thermostatic control of temperature in a room which as soon as the temperature rises above the chosen level automatically reduce the heating source and vice versa; or the automatic steering mechanism of certain ships which, when the ship deviates to one side or the other from its set course, automatically adjusts the tiller to correct this. In these and other examples, information about the process to be controlled is fed back to the source driving that process and as a result of this " feed back" adjustments at the source are made. In the biological sphere, voluntary muscular activity is cited as an example of a similar mechanism. During the course of a given action proprioceptive impulses are continuously passed back to the " head ganglion of the proprioceptive system" and smooth execution of the required movement ensues. When the head ganglion is faulty in cerebellar disease, jerky irregular movement occurs just as when the central steering mechanism is faulty the ship's course may be a series of jerky overcorrections known as " hunting." In this books Professor Wiener elaborates the similarities between various self-controlling biological processes, and the mechanical and electrical devices also designed to achieve automatic control. Much of the detailed argument will be caviare to the general of non-mathematical readers; but the book is quite fascinating in its discussion of methods of analysing the mechanism of much biological and especially central nervous activity. Neurologists will find of special interest the chapter on computing machines and the nervous system. The similarities between the possible neuronal basis ofthought and memory, and these machines, with their rapid solution of complex mathematical problems and their retention for a period of time of previously acquired information as stored condenser charges, are clearly presented. The similarities are great, but on second thoughts perhaps, the differences are greater. Can one envisage these machines as possessing during their electrical activity some such epiphemomena as are revealed to introspection during the mental activity of the human individual, or suppose them to have those qualities of affect which pervade, grossly or subtly, all mental life ? To this reviewer at any rate such conceptions present insuperable difficulties. Nor should it be thought that the author of the book, who is trained both as mathematician and philosopher, argues for any crude homology. He merely points to possible similarities of mechanism and rushes no philosophical fences. Cybernetics has vast possibilities in analysing the " how " of biological action. It may be doubted whether it will have anything to say of the " why ". Nevertheless, the presence of such men as Lorente de No and Warren McCulloch in the cybernetic field indicates that all those, whether physicians or neurophysiologists, who are interested in the mechanics of the integrative action of the nervous system at all its levels, may find something for profitable reflection in the book.


India is one of the Plasmodium vivax endemic countries and contributes the highest number of malaria cases worldwide. P. vivax CSP (PvCSP) is one of the most extensively studied antigen and is considered to be a leading malaria vaccine candidate gene. VK210 and VK247 are the two variants described in the central repeat region of P. vivax CSP gene. VK210 (98%) is found to be more prevalent as compared to VK247 (2%) in Indian context. It was noticed that different geographical regions show diversity in nucleotides as well as in haplotype with respect to PvCSP gene of Indian isolates. As natural selection always plays an important role in shaping genomic diversity in Indian P. vivax, the central repeat region of PvCSP gene of all the five-populations found to be under strong purifying selection. In this region, a number of synonymous mutations were found to be higher in number as compared to non-synonymous mutation, which clearly indicated that PvCSP gene is involved in invasion of hepatocytes in the host body and the parasite can't afford non-synonymous changes in this region. The present study helps us to understand the nature of P. vivax population in India, and also that might be helpful in planning the development of PvCSP-based vaccine in India.


Intense competition in industrial markets leads to constant changes in consumer behavior. Difficult pricing negotiations and abuse of power make it difficult for participants to interact in sales management. Taking these facts into account, it should be noted that for the sales manager, price becomes an indicator of success in the end result of negotiations. At the same time, surveys of heads of sales departments in the industrial sector show that, among other important elements of negotiations, are the duration of the business relationship, the reputation of the supplier. Despite these tendencies, questions remain about other factors that can consciously or unconsciously influence the negotiation situation, both in a positive and negative direction. The research results were carried out in accordance with the order of the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation of March 20, 2020 No. 0564 / o "On the organization of the implementation of the second stage of fundamental research works carried out within the framework of the state assignment in 2020." on the topic "Theory of consumer behavior in the modern economy".


It is fitting, at this 20th Annual Scientific Meeting of our society, that we reflect on how far we have come. Our founding fathers, Charles Aprill, Nikolai Bogduk, and Rick Derby, probably never imagined that their small study group formed in San Antonio, Texas, in 1989 out of a handful of self-proclaimed "Needle Jockeys" would become the ISIS of today. And yet, reading from the 1991 ISIS Statement of Purpose, I was struck by how true we have remained to their original mission and purpose. I quote, "ISIS is an association of physicians interested in the development, implementation and standardization of percutaneous techniques for the precision diagnosis of spinal pain. By constituting a forum for the exchange of ideas, by undertaking research, and by holding public lectures, the association seeks to consolidate developments in diagnostic needle procedures, to identify and resolve persisting controversies, to publicize developments, and to recommend guidelines of practice based on scientific data." That small group of dedicated individuals has since grown to nearly 3,000 members. Our continued success, despite an economic downturn and a proliferation of specialty societies, is a tribute to our founding fathers and to their hard work, alongside that of previous ISIS leaders, the ISIS board of directors, the staff, and, of course, the life-blood of any organization, our member volunteers. You should all congratulate yourselves on the tremendous ongoing success of ISIS.

Yet, challenges abound. Health care in the United States is undergoing an unprecedented transformation. We are transitioning from a fee-for-service system toward an outcome, value-based system where doing less is often seen as doing more. Yet, we still live in an eat-what-you-kill, fee-for-service world. Private practice has changed dramatically, as well. In fact, physician employment has risen over 32% since 2000 in the United States. We are facing more challenges …