Introduction - The objective of this study is to highlight the different epidemiolo -gical, clinico-prognostic and therapeutic profiles of postoperative peritonitis depen ding on the initial context, emergency or programmed surgery, initial intervention. Materials and methods - This is a retrospective and prospective study that gathered 127 patients operated for postoperative peritonitis in the ORAN surgical emergency department. This study is retrospective from September 2011 to September 2015 and prospective from October 2015 to December 2017. The initial intervention in an emergency context involved 83 patients (65.4%) compared to 44 patients (34.6%) initially operated in a planned surgery setting. Results - The average age of patients in the Emergency Context Group [CEU] was 46.6 years versus 49.9 years for patients undergoing surgery in the context of programmed surgery [GCP]. A male predominance of 59.0% was observed in the [GCU] versus 52.2% in the [GCP]. The degree of sepsis of the interventions, according to the classification of Altemeier had shown that the initial interventions (classes III / conta minated and IV / dirty) represented respectively 90,2% and 100% for the [GCU], and 9,7% and 0% for the [GCP]. The state of shock was found in 26 patients, 17 of whom had been operated initially in emergency context (65%). The mortality was 31.3% in the [GCU] against 27.2% in the [GCP]. P = 0.635. Conclusion - This comparative study made it possible to highlight the different epidemiological, diagnostic and therapeutic characteristics distinguishing the two groups of patients operated according to the emergency nature or not of the primary intervention.


In view of the coexistence of a variety of tactical data links in US army,integration application is the basis for fully playing their roles.In this paper,the data link integration application of US army is studied and the characteristics of some typical data links are introduced with emphasis on the functions,principles and characteristics of Common link integration processing(CLIP).The trend of data link application of our army is also analyzed.


Approximately half of the solar abundances of nuclei heavier than iron are created in the deep layers of asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars via slow neutron captures (the s process). Freshly made heavy elements such as Zr, Ba and Pb are carried to the stellar surface by recurrent mixing episodes and shed into the interstellar medium via strong stellar winds, thus contributing to the chemical evolution of Galaxies. Neutron sources available for the s process in AGB stars are the 13C(α, n)16O and the 22Ne(α, n)25Mg reactions. The 13C(α, n)16O reaction is activated at temperatures from 90 million degrees and is believed to be the main neutron source in AGB stars of masses below 4 M⊙. However, it is still much debated by which mechanism enough 13C can be produced in these stars to match the observed s-process enhancements, and the amount of 13C is usually taken as a relatively free parameter in theoretical models. Recently, new constraints on the amount of this neutron source have been produced by two independent approaches: (i) high-precision measurements of the isotopic composition of heavy elements in single presolar silicon carbide (SiC) grains from AGB stars, and (ii) synthesis of stellar populations including the s process and comparison of the results to spectroscopic observations. Both these methods indicate that the range of 13C amount needed to explain the observations at solar metallicity is much smaller (a factor of 2) than that believed before (a factor of 50). On the other hand, a somewhat lower 13C amount appears to be needed to cover observations at lower metallicities. The 22Ne(α, n)25Mg reaction is instead activated at a temperature around 300 million degrees and is believed to be the main neutron source in stars of mass above 4 M⊙. This neutron source produces a high neutron density resulting in a relatively high production of neutron-rich isotopes. The first observations of Zr and Rb in massive AGB stars in our Galaxy are finally producing constraints also on the s process in these environments. We present and discuss the new data, together with related challenges and opportunities.


This paper aims to investigate the hysteretic behavior of shear panel dampers (SPDs) made of mild steel Q235B incorporated in underground structures against earthquakes. Five SPDs were given cyclic shear loading tests, with the axial compression ratio and the web slenderness as test variables. The shear bearing capacity and the ductility decreased continually with increasing axial compression ratio. When the axial compression ratio exceeded 0.6, the hysteretic behavior was seriously affected. Cumulative energy dissipated by the test specimen with an axial compression ratio of 0.7 was only half that of the one with a ratio of 0.3. The control group (the SPD without the web) was set to estimate the horizontal resistance of upper and lower flanges that were mostly induced by flexure. The contribution of two flanges in resisting the shear deformation was about 15%.


Glycerol is a byproduct of the biodiesel synthesis, whereas isoamylenes (2-methyl-1-butene and 2-methyl-2-butene) are usually added to gasoline but these are easily vaporized, which leads to the production of tropospheric ozone. Bearing in mind the above conside- rations, this work is intended to study the reaction between glycerol and isoamylenes in liquid phase and catalysed by acidic solids (mainly ion-exchange resins in acidic form) with the aim of producing ethers with properties closely resembling those of biodiesel or diesel.


In this paper, time-domain finite element simulations for Maxwells equations in bounded three-dimensional domains are presented. We describe fully discrete time-domain methods and provide some numerical results. The obtained fields are visualized on tetrahedral meshes. The proposed methods are accurate in time up to order 4, in case of symplectic time integration they are conditionally stable.


A precise bias truck tire building machine has been developed.The main features,structure and performance of this building machine are described.The automation of band application,carcass ply turn down and turn up,and bead placing is achieved on this series building machine,and the building precision and the product quality are remarkably improved;and it takes only 6 min for XJL LCX2024A type building machine to build a 9 00-20 tire.


isomers are created that differ with respect to the site of substitution on the benzene ring region. In order to be used as the nuclei for fluorescent probes, it is important that these isomers be separated. Separation of isomers of the fluorescent substance carboxytetramethylrhodamine was optimized using the Nexera UC supercritical fluid chromatograph. This article will discuss the factors with an impact on the separation of the isomers


Propagation of coherent radiation through inhomogeneous media with random fluctuations of local optical characteristics results in the formation of an optical wave that is characterized by random temporal and spatial distributions of its parameters such as intensity, phase, and, in general cases, its state of polarization. The fields formed in this way are referred to as speckle fields.

While the parameters of speckle fields are described by the complex functions of general form, one can expect that diverse distinctions (or singularities) are inherent in both pointlike and extended speckle fields. Singularities and stationary points are interconnected in the form of distinct nets. These nets, similar to skeletons, constitute the field structure, and information on their characteristics provides quantitative predictions for the behavior of the field at any point.

It must be emphasized that the fundamentals for predicting the behavior of fields were developed in the epochal book Natural Focusing and Fine Structure of Light by J. Nye, published in 1999. The detailed problems discussed by Nye are only mentioned in passing in this chapter, which is intended as a (hopefully successful) addendum and sequel to his outstanding study. Therefore, the focus of this chapter is on the decisive role of various singularities that form the electromagnetic field. The insight provided to the problems of singular optics, as well as the advances of the singular-optics approach in solving optics problems, and the roles played by the nets of singularities as the skeletons of the electromagnetic field is intended to intrigue those involved in modern optics.

For the sake of observation, rigorously monochromatic waves are not considered. The optical singularities arising from optical waveguides, nonlinear media, etc. are also not considered, because this is the subject for another comprehensive book.

Note, in conclusion, that the number of publications devoted to singular optics has grown as an avalanche in the last few years, and for this reason the list of references may seem to be too short, especially in regard to the concluding section that deals with the singularities of the Poynting vector. Nevertheless, the list of references contains the key publications concerning the main aspects of singularities in electromagnetic fields.


The first rehabilitation therapy in Turkey was performed in Bakirkoy State Mental Hospital in the late 1930s by Mazhar Osman, the chief of the psychiatry hospital. He achieved the first steps of occupational therapy. In the 1960s, increased attention was paid to occupational therapies, and the long-term inpatients were provided with courses and sheltered workshops. A day hospital, community mental health clinics, sheltered workshops, supervised work placement, and half-way homes were integrated into the treatment. In the 1990s, delays in rehabilitation occurred, and the day hospital was closed. Since then, medication has dominated treatment. Rehabilitation programs are not well coordinated, and the patient accessibility is limited. In late 2005, a day hospital was reestablishment at Bakirkoy State Training and Research Hospital for Psychiatry, Neurology and Neurosurgery to carry out a psychosocial rehabilitation program and psychosocial rehabilitation for outpatients, acute inpatients, chronic inpatients, and their relatives. Future plans include social skill training groups, family training groups, case management, and improvement of occupational and vocational therapies. Other rehabilitation services are also reemerging: Kocaeli University Hospital has a day hospital, and the State Hospital of Manisa for Psychiatry recently added a rehabilitation. In addition, half-way houses are being built for patients receiving treatment at the State Hospital of Elazig. There is an increasing interest in rehabilitation in Turkey requiring new models and attempts at improvement.


Aim: To investigate the telomerase activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with essentail hypertension. Methods: The telomerase activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in 90 hypertensives and 56 normotensives was meassured with Telomerase-PCR-ELIS assay. Results: The telomerase activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in hypertensive group was singnificantly increased than that in control group (57 % and 23%, respectively, P 0. 0001). The increased telomerase were found in first stage and low-risk hypertensives, while it was not correlated with the seventy of hypertension and prognostic risk factors. The telomerase was decreased after antihypertensive treatment.


Background: Preeclampsia is one of the common disorders in pregnancy. It is characterized by hypertension and proteinuria in the second half of pregnancy. It is also one of the three main causes of death in pregnant women. Objective: This study investigated the risk factors of preeclampsia in women referred to Kowsar Hospital in Qazvin Province, Iran. Methods: In this case-control study, after reviewing 7855 cases of pregnant women referred to Kowsar Hospital in 2016, 171 hospitalized patients with severe preeclampsia were put in the case group, and 171 patients with delivery problems were in the control group. Then, we compared the collected data about risk factors, such as a history of preeclampsia, hypertension, smoking, diabetes mellitus, infertility, twin, and body mass index, in both groups. Results: The Mean±SD age of the pregnant women with preeclampsia was 31.19±6.42 years with an interquartile interval of 26-35 years. History of preeclampsia (P=0.02), hypertension (P=0.001), and body mass index (P=0.001) were significantly higher in the preeclampsia group than in the control group. Also, there was no significant relationship between a history of diabetes mellitus, infertility, or twin with preeclampsia (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that the risk factors of a history of preeclampsia, hypertension, and body mass index significantly differed between the case and control groups.


The open systems for the end users to enable the internal solutions of secret operations. With the knowhow being closed & secured, then open the others to the Sis.


Decomposition results of sawdust and rice husk mixed materials by single-factor test design were researched.The results showed that the composting of sawdust and rice husk mixtures could achieve higher temperature,and physical and chemical properties of decomposition media were improved,and soluble sugar were decomposed sharply,and cellulose contents decreased and EC value reduced.Sawdust and rice husk with ratio of 6:4 were decomposed more thoroughly.T value of C/N ratio should be less than 0.5 while organic waste composting were finished.


Amphibolite-grade Archean migmatites in the southern Vermilion Granitic Complex with well-defined paleosome-melanosome and melanosome-leucosome boundaries and with exceptionally wide melanosomes (on the order of centimeters) were studied to elucidate granite-forming processes during high-grade metamorphism. Metagreywacke paleosomes containing 50% plag, 28% qtz, 20% biot and minor hbld, and apat, have (Ce/Yb)/sub N/ = 13.5 to 21 with 650-960 ppm Ba, 42-110 ppm Rb, and 982-1159 ppm Sr. Melanosomes containing 45% plag, 35% biot, 20% hbld and minor qtz and apat, have (Ce/Yb)/sub N/ = 6.8 to 9.3 and have 950-1750 ppm Ba, 41-194 ppm Rb, and 1020-1926 ppm Sr. Leucosomes containing 82% plag, 13% qtz, 5% biot and minor hbld and apat, have overall depleted REE patterns with positive Eu anomalies and 460-750 ppm Ba, 41-43 ppm Rb, and 1876-2106 ppm Sr, suggesting cumulate plagioclase. Mass balance calculations preclude formation of the melanosome from mixing the paleosomes and leucosomes. However, major and trace element modeling suggest that the leucosome formed by in situ partial melting followed by fractional crystallization and filter pressing which resulted in the removal of the residual liquid. Model REE patterns for the melt drive off by this process are REE enriched with a negative Eu anomaly. Suchmore » patterns which have been found in some low Sr granites are difficult to produce by simple belting models. Partial melting under conditions of tectonic stress may thus provide an explanation for such granites.« less


Purpose: To formulate and evaluate biodegradable plasticized poly(D,L-lactic acid) as a base for caffeine-medicated chewing gums (MCGs) to increase alertness. Methods: Biodegradable plasticized poly(D,L-lactic acid) caffeine-MCGs were formulated with a fixed concentration (15 % w/w) of different plasticizers for different formulations. Substances used as plasticizers were triacetin, stearic acid, PEG-600, tributyl citrate, soya oil, sunflower oil, glycerol, triethyl citrate, PEG-4000, and castor oil. The characteristics of the gum formulations were examined using texture profile analysis (TPA), and also evaluated for biodegradation, microstructure`, in vitro drug release, and sensory features. Results: The MCG-1 and MCG-7 formulations with triacetin and glycerol as plasticizers, respectively, exhibited a biodegradation score of 1 and 2, respectively, indicating considerable biodegradation. The formulation with triacetin as a plasticizer exhibited TPA values of 3750.52 g, -51.13 g.s, 1580.88, 1526.23, and 0.364 for hardness, adhesiveness, gumminess, chewiness, and cohesiveness, respectively; these values are similar to those of the Military Energy Gum. The microstructure of the gum base was characterized using scanning electron microscopy to determine surface properties. The in vitro drug release was determined as 97 % after a mean chewing time of 15 min by using a specially designed in vitro chewing machine. Conclusion: Plasticized poly (D,L-lactic acid) gum formulation is suitable for the delivery of caffeine and can be used as an alternative MCG for effective management of fatigue.


Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) targets being developed at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory require precision manufacturing and assembly techniques on meso-scale components. Among the difficulties is the ability to position and locate specific features during various stages of manufacture and assembly. Targets for this application are millimeters in overall size, composed of parts on the order of tens of micrometers. Fig. 1 illustrates the basic geometry of the ICF target assembly on its base. A more detailed description of the target geometry and ICF physics can be found in the text by Lindl [i]. These complex structures must be able to operate at cryogenic temperatures and withstand shock and environmental disturbances during assembly and insertion into the target chamber.


Global existence of strongly coupled semilinear parabolic Systems is proved, if the out-of-diagonal terms are not "too strong" and the behaviour of the reaction terms satisfies suitable assumptions for large values of the solution. The proofs make use of invariant rectangles and semigroup methods. 1980 Mathematics Subject Classification (1985 Revision): 35K55, 35B45, 35B50.


A field experiment was conducted at Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, SHUATS, Allahabad, (U.P) during kharif season of 2016 to study the "Effect of crop establishment methods and weed management practices on growth and yield of rice (Oryza sativa L.)" The experiment consisted of twelve treatments combinations comprising of three crop establishment methods viz., Drum seeding, broadcasting of sprouted seeds and transplanting and 4 weed management practices viz., weedy check, two hand weedings at 15 and 30 DAS, Bispyribac-sodium at 15 DAS at 30g a.i ha-1, Bispyribac-sodium at 15 DAS at 30g a.i ha-1 fb-Ethoxysulfuron at 30 DAS 20g a.i ha-1. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design each replicated thrice. The results showed that Drum seeding and two hand weeding recorded maximum number of productive tillers plant-1 (29), Grains panicle-1 (206), Grain yield (6335 kg ha-1), Straw yield (7661 kg ha-1).The superiority of two hand weedings over remaining treatments might be due to effective control of weeds which is evidenced through table 5 and with higher yield attributes recorded in table 3.


A list of alien plant species recorded from Svalbard in the summer of 1988 is presented. Two localities, the Russian settlements of Barentsburg and Pyramiden on the Isfjorden, Spitsbergen, were studied. Prior to this study, almost 60 alien species were recorded from Svalbard by other investigators. During the research reported here, 44 taxa were found, 14 of which are new records for the Svalbard archipelago. Six species are considered to be possibly naturalized; however, it is difficult to assess their naturalization status because of the severity of the climate in the study area. A complete list of species is presented, with information on height and phenological stage of particular specimens. Most of the alien plants recorded at the two settlements belong to the family Brassicaceae .


In comparison with the industrialization in the advanced countries and the traditional industrialization path in China, The new type industrialization is the new phase of China process of industrialization. China is now in the midterm of the industrialization .It is still a very arduous historic task to deepen the industrialization, and walking down the road of the new type industrialization indicates the new choice of China economic development strategy in the 21st Century. It is very important to implement strategic innovations based on the following: industrialization pushed forward by informationalization, sustainable development, prospering the country through science and education and focusing on the human resource exploitation.


Introduction In 2016, a pivotal multi-centre RCT demonstrated that thymectomy for non-thymoma asso- ciated myasthenia gravis (MG) improved clinical outcome and reduced long-term immunosuppression. We sought to review how practice has changed in Wessex following the trial. Method Patients over the age of 18 who underwent thymectomy for both thymoma and non-thymoma associated MG between 01/08/2013 and 01/08/2019 were identified using coding. Data was collected retrospectively from healthcare records. Results The number of thymectomies performed increased from 6 to 24, representing an eight-fold increase for patients with non-thymoma associated MG and three-fold increase for patients with thymoma. Time from diagnosis to surgery for patients without thymoma reduced from 8.8 years to 2.3 years. Overall 15/24 cases were performed by VATS, 12% more than previously. There was a small increase in surgical morbidity. However, 50% of patients were on reduced doses of immunosuppression by six months after surgery without deterioration in myasthenia. Conclusion Following the landmark publication in 2016, there has been a significant increase in the number of thymectomies performed in Wessex. Time to surgery has fallen, but associated surgical morbidity has increased. These observations have supported the development of a MDT in Wessex to streamline patient care and improve outcomes. firstname.lastname@example.com


This paper characterizes the invertible algebraic curvature operators that satisfy the Bianchi identity and also preserve normal spaces to the action of SO(n) on the space of bivectors.


Concrete structures being exposed to chloride bearing solutions such as seawater or de-icing salts brine can undergo deterioration due to the corrosion of the reinforcing steel. In order to monitor the chloride ingress into concrete chloride sensors could be embedded in concrete. However, the commercial availability of such sensors is still very limited. Therefore, the common practice is to extract samples from the existing concrete elements for the determination of the chloride concentration profiles. Besides the fact that this procedure is invasive, it is also time consuming and costly and thus, the market demands better alternatives. This article investigates the possibility of using a conductivity sensor as a detector for chlorides in concrete. Chlorides present in the concrete pore solution change its chemical composition and in turn also the conductivity. In the present study, the output signal of the sensor is analyzed for different additions of chlorides into concrete. The results show that there is a potential of using the conductivity sensor for detecting the chloride level.


Background Targeted degradation of bilirubin in vivo may enable safer and more effective approach to manage incipient bilirubin encephalopathy consequent to severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (SNH). This report builds on the use of a spinel structured mixed-valence transition metal oxide (trimanganese tetroxide) nanoparticle duly functionalized with biocompatible ligand citrate (C-Mn3O4 NP) having the ability to degrade bilirubin without photo-activation. Method The efficiency of C-Mn3O4 NP in in vivo degradation of serum bilirubin and amelioration of severe bilirubin encephalopathy and associated neurobehavioral changes was evaluated in C57BL/6j animal model of SNH. Results Oral single dose (0.25 mg kg-1 body weight) of the NPs efficiently reduced serum bilirubin levels (both conjugated and unconjugated) in study mice. It prevents bilirubin-induced neurotoxicity with reduction of SNH as observed by neurobehavioral and movement studies of SNH-mice. Pharmacokinetic data suggests intestinal reabsorption of the NPs and explain sustainable action. Biodistribution, pharmacokinetics, and biocompatibility of the NPs were tested during sub-chronic exposure. Conclusion Thus, we report preliminary studies that explore an affordable chemoprevention mechanism to acutely prevent or minimize bilirubin neurotoxicity in newborn infants. IMPACT STATEMENT Despite several attempts, no pharmaco-therapeutics are available for the treatment of severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (SNH) and associated neurotoxicity. Our newly developed nanodrug, citrate functionalized Mn3O4 nanoparticles (C-Mn3O4 NPs), can efficiently ameliorate SNH and associated neurotoxicity as investigated in preclinical rodent model. Chemoprevention effect of the nanodrug is found to be safe and sustainable. If successfully translated into clinical trials, C-Mn3O4 NPs could become the first drug to treat SNH.


Transposable Elements (TEs) are mobile DNA sequences that make up significant fractions of amniote genomes. However, they are difficult to detect and annotate ab initio because of their variable features, lengths and clade-specific variants. We have addressed this problem by refining and developing a Comprehensive ab initio Repeat Pipeline (CARP) to identify and cluster TEs and other repetitive sequences in genome assemblies. The pipeline begins with a pairwise alignment using krishna, a custom aligner. Single linkage clustering is then carried out to produce families of repetitive elements. Consensus sequences are then filtered for protein coding genes and then annotated using Repbase and a custom library of retrovirus and reverse transcriptase sequences. This process yields three types of family: fully annotated, partially annotated and unannotated. Fully annotated families reflect recently diverged/young known TEs present in Repbase. The remaining two types of families contain a mixture of novel TEs and segmental duplications. These can be resolved by aligning these consensus sequences back to the genome to assess copy number vs. length distribution. Our pipeline has three significant advantages compared to other methods for ab initio repeat identification: 1) we generate not only consensus sequences, but keep the genomic intervals for the original aligned sequences, allowing straightforward analysis of evolutionary dynamics, 2) consensus sequences represent low-divergence, recently/currently active TE families, 3) segmental duplications are annotated as a useful by-product. We have compared our ab initio repeat annotations for 7 genome assemblies (1 unpublished) to other methods and demonstrate that CARP compares favourably with RepeatModeler, the most widely used repeat annotation package. Author summary Transposable elements (TEs) are interspersed repetitive DNA sequences, also known as 'jumping genes', because of their ability to replicate in to new genomic locations. TEs account for a significant proportion of all eukaryotic genomes. Previous studies have found that TE insertions have contributed to new genes, coding sequences and regulatory regions. They also play an important role in genome evolution. Therefore, we developed a novel, ab initio approach for identifying and annotating repetitive elements. The idea is simple: define a "repeat" as any sequence that occurs at least twice in the genome. Our ab initio method is able to identify species-specific TEs with high sensitivity and accuracy including both TEs and segmental duplications. Because of the high degree of sequence identity used in our method, the TEs we find are less diverged and may still be active. We also retain all the information that links identified repeat consensus sequences to their genome intervals, permiting direct evolutionary analysis of the TE families we identify.


The spectra of highly ionized W and Re were observed by using laser-produced plasmas and a 3-m grazing-incidence spectrograph. Transitions in Fe- through Zn-like ions were identified. Wavelengths in the range 7–75 A were measured with an uncertainty of ±0.015 A, and energy levels were derived from the measured wavelengths. The ionization limits of Cu-like W and Re were determined.


Leiomyomas are benign tumors that originate from smooth muscle cells. Leiomyomas are well known to be the commonest neoplasm arising from the uterus but leiomyomas originating from the scrotum is a rare entity. They originate from the subcutaneous tissue or tunica dartos and can be solitary or multiple. We present a case of solitary scrotal leiomyoma in a 75 years old male who presented with a slowly growing, painless, firm, mobile 4cm lump in right side of scrotum. Clinically, it was provisionally diagnosed as sebaceous cyst and was excised. Histopathology and Immunohistochemistry (IHC) showed findings consistent with Leiomyoma. There was no cytological atypia or mitosis. The final diagnosis of scrotal leiomyoma was given.


Copper(I) nitrotetrazolate(CuNT) was synthesized from cuprous chloride and sodium 5-nitrotetrazolate.The products was characterized by energy dispersive spectroscopy,IR,UV,elemental analysis and thermal analysis methods.The explosive property was also studied/The results show that, the initial decomposition temperature of CuNT is 291℃,the temperature peak value is 324℃,the process of thermal decomposition is severe, and the thermal stability of CuNT is good. Compared to BNCP, CuNT is more insensitive to impact and sensitive to flame, while it is more insensitive to flame than LA.


SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein (N-protein) is a virus specific multitasking protein, responsible for recognition and encapsidation of the viral genome. The N-terminal domain (NTD) of N-protein has a major role of packaging viral RNA genome into a long helical nucleocapsid structure. In this study, using structure-based drug repurposing strategy, small molecules from a FDA approved, natural product, and LOPAC1280 libraries have been virtually screened against the RNA binding pocket of SARS-CoV-2 NTD and twelve candidate molecules with high binding affinity were identified. Highly sensitive isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) method was utilized to confirm binding of these molecules to purified NTD protein. In vitro cell-based SARS-CoV-2 antiviral assays demonstrate that nine of these identified molecules are highly efficacious in inhibiting virus replication with half maximal effective concentration (EC50) ranging from 0.98 M-10 M. FDA approved drugs: Telmisartan, an angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor antagonist used in the management of hypertension and Bictegravir, an HIV-1 integrase inhibitor showed significant inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV-2 with a EC50 values of 1.02 M and 8.11 M respectively. Additionally, Bisdemethoxycurcumin, a natural analogue of curcumin and MCC-555, an anti-diabetic drug exerted antiviral activity with EC50 values of 1.64 M and 4.26 M, respectively. Taken together, this is the first report of drug molecules targeting the NTD of SARS-CoV-2 N-protein and the data presented in this study exhibit high potential for development of COVID-19 therapy based on drug repurposing.


The extension of 193nm technology is desirable due to the magnitude of past investments. Since "optical" advancements are increasingly difficult, there is a strong demand for more sophisticated "smart" resists to increase pattern density. Many studies have proven double pattering can be used for the extension of 193nm lithography. In this study, a new class of two stage photo base generators will be introduced along with the synthetic procedure and molecular characterization. The characterizations for exposure study by NMR have shown typical characteristics to stage decomposition under the exposure of 254nm light as well as promising pitch division. GCMS was utilized to indicate the formation of photo base and major products from secondary photo chemical reaction. Kinetic simulation was also taken into account to show the consistence of proposed mechanism. Index Terms – photo base generator, photo acid generator, double patterning, single exposure, pitch division, dual tone hybrid photo resist, polymer deprotection .


1. Meduri GU, Headley AS, Golden E, et al. Effect of prolonged methylprednisolone therapy in unresolving acute respiratory distress syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA 1998;280:159–65. 2. Steinberg KP, Hudson LD, Goodman RB, et al. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) Clinical Trials Network. Efficacy and safety of corticosteroids for persistent acute respiratory distress syndrome. N Engl J Med 2006;354:1671–84.


It was argued in a previous paper (Barber, 2002) that first degree programmes in psychology are at present unlikely to enable students to acquire the critical thinking skills needed to appraise the research literature of the subject. The inclusion of a course in critical analysis of psychological research is therefore proposed, preferably at a stage in a psychology degree programme when a robust and mature commitment to the subject can be assumed. In the present paper, the proposal is made in concrete form, with aims and objectives, an outline timetable and a method of formal assessment. This is based on a final-year course of long standing in which students learn about the critical evaluation of published research papers. Practical details of this course and some issues that may arise in the conduct of such a course are described. Comments and feedback regarding the existing course are reported. It is argued that this type of provision should be part of any core curriculum in psychology.


Many ques tions of bi ol ogy are to be an swered with the help of new tech niques that al low to re veal the struc ture of sam ples at mi crom e ter range and bel low in a non-de struc tive way. The X-ray mi cros copy sys tem that we pro pose should lead to con tin u a tion of ex per i ments de sign in the sup port ing lab o ra tory, and in ad di tion, should in crease the level of co-op er a tion be tween the so ci et ies that is in ter ested in Cell Bi ol ogy and many other mostly bi o log i cal ap pli ca tions in the Czech Re pub lic and sur round ing coun tries. Three-di men sional im ag ing plays a grow ing role in in ves ti ga tions of bi o log i cal struc ture, where it is of ten im por tant to un der stand the re la tion ship be tween com po nents in a cell that may be dis trib uted in depth. Ide ally this is done on a spec i men which is min i mally mod i fied from its liv ing state. We pro pose here a beamline for soft X-ray mi cros copy to re cord flu o res cence maps, but as also tomographic data sets. The in stru ment will be op er a tional in dif fer ent im ag ing mode, but par tic u larly op ti mized for Full-field trans mis sion X-ray mi cros copy/to mog ra phy (TXM) and Scan ning X-ray mi cros copy/flu o res cence (SXM). Spec i mens of this thick ness are likely to have many over lap ping struc tures, so some form of 3D im ag ing be comes highly de sir able to re solve the com plex ity. Based on re cent de vel op ment of Fres nel zone plate op tics it is fea si ble to achieve res o lu tion down to 20 nm or better in all three di men sions, and it is also pos si ble to high light spe cific struc tures based on their in trin sic chem is try us ing X-ray near-ab sorp tion-edge res o nances. Ef forts will be made to com bine to mog ra phy with the el e men tal and chem i cal state map ping ca pa bil i ties of the X-ray mi cro scope to iden tify fea tures of sam ple in three dimensions.


In this study, we propose an efficient design for a portable energy generator using a parallel‐plate capacitor. Analytical calculations show that if charge (Q) is kept constant and dielectric subsequently removed from the capacitor, then electrostatic energy increases by a factor of εr (permittivity). Initially, a priming charge must be loaded onto the capacitors that are subsequently disconnected from the voltage source. A significant mechanical nonlinear force is needed to remove the dielectric slab. In the proposed configuration, dielectric constitutes the rotor of generator and is located between two pairs of conducting disks, which constitute the stator. The rotor is divided into four dielectric sectors at 60° spacing whereas the stator is divided into six conducting sectors at 30° spacing. In each cycle, two dielectric slabs go inside the capacitor and two other come outside. This specific geometrical arrangement diminishes the extent of mechanical forces and helps to enhance the efficiency of generator significantly. Additionally, this work also relates to generating large amplitude of voltage that can be used as a high voltage source.


Internet of Things (IoT) has been emerging as one of the use cases permeating our daily lives in 5th Generation wireless networks, where status update packages are usually required to be timely delivered for many IoT based intelligent applications. Enabling the collected raw data to be preprocessed before transmitted to the destination can provide users with better context-aware services and lighten the transmission burden. However, the effect from data preprocessing on the overall information freshness is an essential yet unrevealed issue. In this work we study the joint effect of data preprocessing and transmission procedures on information freshness measured by peak age of information (PAoI). Particularity, we formulate the considered multi-source preprocessing and transmission enabled IoT system as a tandem queue where a priority M/G/1 queue is followed by a G/G/1 queue. Then, we respectively derive the closed-form and an information theoretic approximation of the expectations of waiting time for the formulated processing queue and transmission queue, and further get the analytical expression of the average PAoI for packages from different sources. Finally, the accuracy of our analysis is verified with simulation results.


years ago the chairman of the English department at Trenton State College asked me to take over a class in the short story for policemen in Plainfield. I agreed, not quite certain whether or not I really wanted to. Although I had taught adult classes before, I had for the last few years been teaching mainly college freshmen. Now the thought of confronting a class of policemen was enough to shake my accustomed sense of authority. Getting lost on my way to Plainfield and thus arriving late for the first class did not help to calm me. Even more disturbing than the roomful of bulging, brawny cops (and they do loom large in the small seats of classrooms) that I had envisioned was the handful of seven resentful men waiting for me. To make things more awkward, they were expecting the male teacher listed in the catalogue, not the floundering, nervous female who entered. Fortunately, I had come prepared with copies of Kafka's "The Judgment," a difficult text at best. While they read, I had time to regain my breath and my bearing. And they, struck by the strange plot and confusing details, realized that they required help to solve the riddles posed by such an unfamiliar piece of writing. When I had previously tried to teach the story to freshmen at Trenton State College, they had been both baffled and bored by it. Although Princeton University students had been more interested in the story, many found the principal theme of universal guilt unconvincing. But here the class went well. By the time the policemen and I were finished asking many questions and supplying some answers, it seemed to me that we had covered the major aspects of Kafka's enigmatic tale. Afterward I thought about the reasons for the success of that first class. Perhaps these policemen's much-discussed need for authority was reflected in the basic structure of the Kafka story: the victory of the father figure symbolized by the son's obedience to his father's death sentence upon him. But in the story the father's fall, even as the sentence is being carried out, is hardly a triumph of authority. Surely their understanding of the son's subtle guilt, which is unrelated to the real or imagined neglect of his father, speaks for a more sensitive understanding of


Echogenic liposomes (ELIPs), lipid bilayer-coated vesicles, have been widely studied as an acoustically triggerable drug delivery agent or an ultrasound contrast agent. Instead of liposomes, polymersomes, amphiphilic vesicles, offer additional stability and chemical flexibility. Here, we report the acoustic behaviors of echogenic polymersomes made of block copolymers PLA-PEG and PLLA-PEG, which are stereo-isomers. Polymersomes were excited with three different frequencies, 2.25 MHz, 5 MHz and 10 MH, and their scattered responses were measured. Both PLA-PEG and PLLA-PEG shell polymersomes produce strong acoustic responses as high as 50 dB in the fundamental component, thus demonstrating their potential as contrast agents. Significant subharmonic as well as second harmonic responses were observed at excitation frequencies of 2.25 MHz and 5 MHz. The gas dissolved in the suspension was found to be essential for the echogenicity of polymersomes.


A self-repairing and fault-tolerant method for digital circuit is presented.This method is based on the embryonic cells' reconstructed theory that resting cells replace function failure cells to achieve the purpose of fault-tolerant.The analysis of application example shows:in the same system resources,compared with entire column exclusion method,the fault-tolerant performance is more effective according to method proposed in this paper.


In this paper we discuss exponential functionals of the multi-factor variance gamma (VG) process. This process is a generalization of the well-known VG process. We obtain analytically the expectations of the considered functionals. Derived formulas are based on values of generalized hypergeometric functions. Applications of the established results to option pricing are given.


The protective film and the protective film-forming method is provided. A base film; The stacked material layers applied on the base film; And the laminating material layer, comprising a cover film is positioned on the laminated material layer is interposed between the base film and the cover film, the width of the cover film is smaller than the base film, it is wider than the laminating material layer, the laminated sheet is formed to have, it is possible to easily attach the laminated sheet material unit on the skin complexes.


BACKGROUND
Pathology, imaging and other tests have an essential role in the diagnosis and screening for disease in medical practice. However, over-testing has recently emerged as a significant issue and has implications for the patient, doctor and health system. Vocational training is arguably the most critical period in the development of future patterns of clinical practice for the GP. This includes the development of test ordering behaviour. The general practitioner (GP) supervisor, therefore, has a key role to play in educating registrars to avoid over-testing.

OBJECTIVE
In this article, we discuss general approaches and practical strategies for GP supervisors to teach their registrars rational test ordering.

DISCUSSION
Teaching should take a patient-centred focus and an emphasis on fostering a greater tolerance of uncertainty. Role modelling and demonstrated use of relevant clinical guidelines is a strong influence on registrar behaviour. Specific strategies for teaching rational test ordering include random case analysis, investigation audit, topic tutorials and use of targeted resources.


Colon carcinoma is one of the leading causes of death from cancer and is characterized by a heterogenic pool of cells with distinct differentiation patterns. In this study, to screen the key lncRNA which is related with cell proliferation and apoptosis, qRT-PCR assay was performed and lncRNA CCAT1 was selected. Quantitative RT-PCR was used to observe the expression level of lncRNA CCAT1 in colon cancer tissues and the adjacent non-tumor tissues. siRNA intervention on colon cancer cells SW620 and HT29 was then performed. After intervention, protein expression of Caspase-3, Caspase-9, Bax and Bcl-2 in control, si-scramble and si-lncRNA CCAT1 group was compared. Cell proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle were also performed to analyze the relationship between the silence of lncRNA CCAT1 and disease progression. Results showed the mRNA expression of lncRNA CCAT1 in colon cancer tissue was significantly higher than that in adjacent non-tumor tissue. After lncRNA CCAT1 in SW620 and HT29 cells intervened with siRNA, the apoptosis rate of SW620 and HT29 cells increased, the cell population of total in si-LncRNA CCAT1 group increased at G0/G1 stage, while decreased at S and G2/M stages compared with control and si-Scramble group. Western blot analysis showed the silence of lncRNA CCAT1 promoted the protein expression of apoptotic protein Bax, caspase 3 and caspase 9, and reduced the level of Bcl-2. Therefore, lncRNA CCAT1 may be a target for colon cancer treatment.


The dynamics of Mongolia's foreign trade over the past three decades and its leading role in the country's economic growth are revealed. In the context of a narrow specialization in the mining industry, the growth of the Mongolian economy is strongly dependent on the export of mineral raw materials, which overwhelmingly dominate in the structure of total exports. The overwhelming majority of these cargoes go to China, whose share in Mongolia's foreign trade turnover is growing steadily since the early 1990s, while the same one of Russia is falling. The role of Siberia and the Far East in cooperation with Mongolia sharply decreased. It has been established that the values of Mongolian exports of fluorspar, molybdenum and copper ores and concentrates exceed Russian ones, and Mongolian export of zinc and tungsten ores and concentrates, iron ore and coal are not so significantly inferior. Comparison of the prospects for increasing exports of Mongolia's key foreign trade goods – coal and copper concentrate – with the corresponding capabilities of the eastern regions of Russia indicates an aggravation in the near future of competition between Mongolian and Russian mineral commodities for foreign markets, primarily for the Chinese. Considering this, Russia loses to Mongolia due to a much longer and, accordingly, costly output of mineral raw materials to foreign markets. Measures are proposed to reduce the risks of competition between Mongolian and Russian mineral commodities on foreign markets and to intensify their trade and economic cooperation, that includes the following: the restoration of traditional foreign trade relations, the creation of international transport corridors and the construction of new railway lines, an increase in the depth of processing of mineral raw materials, the implementation of joint large-scale projects.


A hybrid ACELP/TCX algorithm for coding speech and music signals at 16, 24, and 32 kbit/s is presented. The algorithm switches between algebraic code excited linear prediction (ACELP) and transform coded excitation (TCX) modes on a 20-ms frame basis. Applying TCX on 20 ms frames improved the quality for music signals. Special care was taken to alleviate the switching artifacts between the two modes resulting in a transparent switching process. Subjective test results showed that for speech signals, the performance at 16, 24, and 32 kbit/s, is equivalent to G.722 at 48, 56, and 64 kbit/s, respectively. For music signals, the quality at 24 kbit/s was found equivalent to G.722 at 56 kbit/s. However, at 16 kbit/s, the quality for music was slightly lower than G.722 at 48 kbit/s.


In this paper, we propose a speech enhancement approach integrating codebook and Wiener filtering. Codebook-based method could reserve speech spectrum well, but leaves a large amount of residual noise. Signal to noise ratio (SNR)-estimation-based Wiener filtering method could reduce noise well, but leads to relatively serious speech distortion. To solve the problem, the gain functions of the above two methods are weighted to obtain an integrated gain function by utilizing a sigmoid function related to a posteriori SNR. The performance tests show that the performance of the proposed approach is better than codebook-based method in reducing the background noise and SNR-estimation-based algorithm in retaining speech spectrum.


This essay aims to investigate the affects of interaction between different professions ina municipal project. In the project, professional representatives from the social servicesand schools have collaborated with staff in preschool/school and exchanged knowledgeto improve the work around children with antisocial behavior. It is in this essaysambition to create an understanding of how professional practitioners, with a monopolyon certain knowledge, influences the possibilities and limitations of cooperation in amunicipal project. This is examined through six qualitative interviews with members ofan municipal project. By using theories about professionalization, social closure,alliance strategy and social control it is possible to understand how division intoprofessions creates opportunities and limitations of interaction exchange incollaborative projects. The main conclusion is that well-established professions excludeother professions through social closure when they threaten to challenge the establishedknowledge monopoly. Project members who don't challenge the established knowledgemonopoly are accepted and an alliance between professions occurs. To succeed with theexchange of knowledge in projects between different professions, it is important toestablish a common vision which can gather people's different knowledge andprofessional backgrounds and get them to strive for a common purpose. It is importantto establish interaction for making the project members feel belonging and solidaritywith the group.


Objective:To investigate the changes of biochemistry indexes of infants' umbilical cord and its clinical significance.Methods:After embryo was birth Apgar scale was evaluated and resuscitation was performed,simultaneously puncture was made in 5-10 cm apart from the foot of umbilical cord and 2 ml venous blood were taken.After umbilial cord was cut off,2 ml blood of femoral venous were taken and the biochemstry indexes such as blood potassium sodium,chlorine,blood glucose were tested.Infants were divided into two groups according to the level of suffocation and compared to each other.Results:The umbilical cord blood sodium chlorine of the suffocation group was significantly lower than the control group, but blood glucose and blood urea nitrogen was higher,they were remarkable difference (all P0.01).There was no difference between the blood of femoral venous and umbilical cord.Conclusions:Umbilical cord biochemistry can reflect the level of suffocation and take place of venous blood of femoralus,it has beneficial to judge the patients' condition and guide the clinical treatment.


A consultation took place with nursing staff of a medical ward for older people to establish guidance on managing bereavement. Recommendations were developed for the support of relatives and to assist staff reactions.


Visual cryptography is a form of encryption which is applied on images and all visual information such as handwritten data, signatures, financial documents etc. Here the data is encoded into unidentifiable format and to decrypt the encoded message no algorithm in cryptography was able to perform the decryption job. And the decryption was only done when all the shares are overlapped equally that too in a mechanical way of printing the shares on a transparent sheet. Here in this paper We explained different types of schemes in visual cryptography and the application in this technique. There are more number of schemes are proposed and these are popular and main schemes and application in visual cryptography. Index Terms – Visual Cryptography, Shares, Visual information.


This paper studies the global Nash equilibrium problem of a leader-follower multi-agent graphical game, which yields consensus against organized synchronous network attacks. With the secure hierarchical structure, the consensus condition under active attacks can be analyzed equivalent to the existence and uniqueness of global Nash equilibrium, and the necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of global Nash equilibrium is provided regarding the soft-constrained graphical game. An encrypted learning algorithm is developed to achieve the optimal policies in global Nash equilibrium, and the convergence is guaranteed with an iteratively updated pair of decoupled gains. By using the designed quantization scheme and additive-multiplicative property, encryption-decryption is successfully embedded in the data transmission and computation to overcome the potential passive attacks in unreliable networks. A simulation example is provided to verify the effectiveness of the designed algorithm.


This article describes the rupture and repair of a major water line in Providence, Rhode Island. The line, a 5-mile long, 102 in. concrete cylinder aqueduct, supplied major portions of Cranston, Warwick, and East Providence and the subsequent flooding affected both commercial and residential areas. 600,000 customers were immediately affected by the break. Providence Water and the local contractor selected to complete the repair decided to install carbon fiber lining at the site of the break and at 14 other locations within the water main's interior, the first-ever application of carbon fiber to potable water pipes. The advantages of this method and the 3-phase repair and long-term rehabilitation project applied in this specific instance are discussed.


Increased incidence of AIDS in North America and throughout the world has posed a challenge to nursing to provide care for these clients and their families. In this study a theoretical model was derived to explain howfamily members manage the experience of living with AIDS. Interviews with 11 family members and 9 persons with AIDS (PWAs) were submitted to the grounded theory method of constant comparative analysis. Negotiating the Journey was found to be the basic social psychological process that conceptually related and explained the variability in the experiences of participants. Strategies within the negotiating process included Control of Awareness, Gearing Up, Finding a Guide, Gauging the Territory, Living with AIDS, Working the System, Framing Time, and Making Tradeoffs. PWAs and their families learned and gained competencies in the negotiation of their journeys. They then used their wisdom to help others by Becoming Guides.


Consumers are concerned about the authenticity and general quality of honey in Yewaland, Nigeria. Physicochemical (moisture, protein, ash, fructose, sucrose contents; total titratable acidity, total soluble solids, specific gravity, viscosity, electrical conductivity, refractive index and pH), microbial tests (total plate and identification), and sensory properties of honey samples were evaluated. Samples were collected from bee breeders in the different areas of the region. The results ranged from 13.6-15.0% moisture, 0.2-5.2% protein, 0.24-0.38% ash, 40.5-45.6% fructose, 3.0-5.8% sucrose, 1.40-1.47 specific gravity, 1607-2037 viscosity, 6.3-14.9 \(\mu\)S/cm electrical conductivity, 40.3-75.5mg/l total soluble solids, 3.60-4.2 pH, 0.39-0.46 titratable acidity and 1.34-1.35 refractive index. Staphylococcus, shigella, and Bacillus spp were identified in some samples. The appearance of the samples was lighter. Samples from Oja-Odan and Iwoye had the best overall acceptance scores of 8.7 and 8.5 respectively. Thus honey samples were of good quality compared to the international standard and their acidic pH values reveal that they are unadulterated and have good shelf stability potentials. Their characterization will make it possible to obtain Nigerian quality labels.


The most important legislation in many years affecting the water supply field is the Safe Drinking Water Act (Public law 93-523) approved by the President in December 1974. The Environmental Protection Agency, the agency designated to carry out the provisions of the act, has been publishing rules and regulations during the past two years. The standards established become effective in June 1977.


The results of the last three election campaigns in Israel's local authorities are analyzed, to find whether the fiscal performance of local authority heads affected their reelection probability. We find that in the 1989 and 1993 campaigns fiscal performance did not affect voter preferences. However, in the 1998 campaign financial performance is found to be a good predictor of local authority head reelection. Changes in the political environment, the effective enforcement of audit and financial reporting requirements by the Ministry of the Interior, tougher imposition of hard budget constraints and the development of local media are proposed as possible explanations. The hypotheses that the fiscal variables reflect the income level at the locality or the success of the authority's head in extracting resources from the central government are tested and rejected. The results are interpreted as suggesting that important progress has been made in Israel towards meeting critical preconditions for a more decentralized approach to local government.


Objective To investigate the reasons of the patients with chronic hepatitis B virus(HBV) infection without antiviral therapy and to explore its therapeutic strategies. Methods Long-termed observation on the out-patients with chronic HBV infection,who were voluntarily to be followed-up in clinic,was recruited for analysis of the objective and subjective causes of absence of antiviral therapy. Results Antiviral therapy was absent in 424 patients(300 male,124 female) among total 951 patients(749 male,202 female).Meanwhile,105 patients(24.8%) was,while the other 319 patients(75.2%) was not,indicated for antiviral therapy.The reasons of those who had indications but did not receive antiviral therapy were as followed: worry about potential adverse effect on fertility(49 patients,46.7%),unaffordability(31patients,29.5%),side-effect of drugs or uncertainty of treatment duration(19/105,18.1%),and poor compliance(6/105,5.7%).The proportion of females not receiving antiviral therapy was significant higher than that of males(61.4% vs 40.0%,P0.001). Conclusion The lack of antiviral indication is the main reason in untreated group.The reasons of those with indications but receive no antiviral therapy are followed by worry about harmful effect on fertility,unaffordability,side-effect of drugs or uncertainty of treatment duration,and poor compliance.Regular long-term follow-up and elimination of treatment anxiety would increase the proportion of patients with chronic HBV receiveing anti-HBV therapy.


The title compound, [Zn(C15H14N3S2)2], contains two chemically equivalent Schiff base anions that are coordinated to the ZnII ion as tridentate N,N′,S-chelating ligands, creating a distorted octahedral environment [the smallest angle being 75.40 (6)° and the widest angle being 162.87 (6)°], with the two S atoms in cis positions. The dihedral angle between the mean planes of the two coordinating ligands is 85.65 (5)°. Weak C—H⋯S hydrogen bonds are also observed.


: High-pressure axial piston pumps operate in high-speed and high-pressure environments. The contact state of the slipper against the swashplate can easily change from an oil film lubrication to a mixed oil film/asperity contact, or even dry friction. To improve the dry friction performance of slipper pairs and to avoid their potentially rapid failure, this study examined the effects of material matching on the dry friction performance of the slipper pair for high-pressure axial piston pumps. A FAIAX6 friction and wear tester was developed, and the dry friction coefficients of the slipper pairs matched with different materials were studied using this tester. Based on the thermo-mechanical coupling of the slipper pair with the working process, the contact surface temperatures of the slipper pairs matched with different materials were calculated and analyzed for the same working conditions. Following this, the effects of the material properties on the temperature increase at the slipper sliding contact surfaces were revealed. The reliabilities of the temperature calculations and analysis results were verified through orthogonal tests of slipper pairs matched with different materials. The results indicate that the influence of the material density on the friction coefficient is greater than that of the Poisson's ratio or the elastic modulus, and that the slipper material chosen should have a high thermal conductivity, low density, and low specific heat, whereas the swashplate material should be high in specific heat, density, and thermal conductivity; in addition, the slipper pair should be a type of hard material to match the type of soft material applied; that is, the hardness of the swashplate material should be greater than that of the slipper material.


: Several theories of externalities and asymmetric information suggest a positive role for government programs to assist credit markets, though potential distortions by special interests carry attendant dangers. We examine the empirical association between funding by several federal government programs and subsequent economic performance, measured six ways, for nonmetropolitan U.S. counties during the 1990s. Significant differences are found across programs, performance measures, and market types. Observed tradeoffs suggest a need to compare policy objectives with acceptable costs in many cases. Overall, the results are consistent with theoretical predictions and with some standard policy objectives. cooperative agreement Research Wyoming. paper do not grateful Reeder insightful comments. between selected U.S. federal credit programs and subsequent economic performance in nonmetropolitan counties through the 1990s. Our findings indicate that funding levels are significantly associated with several measures of economic performance. Different federal programs have different measured effects and tradeoffs appear between benefits in one dimension of economic performance versus costs in other dimensions of economic performance. Comparing these results against those of Shaffer and Collender (forthcoming) reveals contrasts in some dimensions.


Summary Ovarian adenocarcinoma (human) contains a small amount of the apoenzyme necessary for the oxidation of the 17β hydroxyl group of testosterone. Endogenous estrogens or androgens could not be detected but cholesterol was present at 212 mg/100 g of tumor.


The tax reform in China has been beset with"Huang Zongxi's law"for more than a thousand years.Pointing out the origin of"Huang Zongxi's law",and finding a way to solve it,can guide the contemporary tax reform in China.In this paper,the theory of taxation ethics is used to analyze the"Huang Zongxi's law".By introducing Gauthier's theory named Morals by Agreement,a set of taxation ethics ideas to solve"Huang Zongxi's law"is proposed,and the advice on tax reform based on the taxation ethicsis is given.


For the conventional Bragg–Brentano X-ray diffractometer, besides the θ and 2θ angles, an α angle, made by the incident X-ray beam and the sample surface, is introduced in this paper. This has made it possible to normalize three X-ray scan modes in terms of θ(α)/2θ and then to derive the corresponding equations of diffraction intensities and azimuthal angles of measured crystal planes based on asymmetrical Bragg reflection geometry, so that the intensity and the azimuth equations for many well known X-ray diffraction methods can be derived from them. Also a new X-ray method called sample-tilting X-ray diffraction (STD) has been developed for solving problems related to phase analysis. A discussion of the effective X-ray penetration depth for each X-ray method is included.


The purpose of this study is to evaluate the capability to use with cement admixture materials because Paper Sludge Ash consists of Si, Ca and Al which are chief content in Pozzolan. For the derivation of Pozzolanic reaction in Paper Sludge Ash, it is measured compressive strength on cement mortar which is replaced mixing of Paper Sludge Ash and inorganic admixture ; ie, gypsum, lime and slaked lime, regularly. In the result of test, the strength decrease remarkably when cement is only replaced with Paper Sludge Ash, but the strength is almost equal when cement is replaced with Paper Sludge Ash is mixed with inorganic admixture material in proportions of 5∼15%. Consequently, It is possible to use Paper Sluge Ash with admixture materials of cement.


An interesting 2-adic property of the Stirling numbers of the second kind S(n, k) was conjectured by the author in 1994 and proved by De Wannemacker in 2005: ν 2 (S(2 n , k)) = d 2 (k) − 1, 1 ≤ k ≤ 2 n. It was later generalized to ν 2 (S(c2 n , k)) = d 2 (k) − 1, 1 ≤ k ≤ 2 n , c ≥ 1 by the author in 2009. Here we provide full and two partial alternative proofs of the generalized version. The proofs are based on non-standard recurrence relations for S(n, k) in the second parameter and congruential identities.


Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a kind of allergic skin diseases, and allergens play important roles in the pathogenesis of AD. Allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) can induce immune tolerance through repeated contact with low-dose allergens, and is considered to be the only effective way to change the course of allergic diseases. At present, ASIT has been widely applied to the treatment of allergic diseases, but its application is still controversial in AD due to insufficient understanding on this therapy and lack of evidences from large sample-sized clinical trials. Currently, subcutaneous injection immunotherapy (SCIT) and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) have been accepted. Recent studies have found that the combination with monoclonal antibody-based treatment can improve the safety of desensitization treatment. New therapeutic methods such as intralymphatic immunotherapy, transcutaneous immunotherapy, rush ASIT and cluster ASIT, have been developed and proved to be effective for the treatment of AD with no increase in the incidence of adverse reactions. However, ASIT based on food allergy is still controversial.

Key words:
Dermatitis, atopic; Allergens; Immunity; Therapeutic uses; Desensitization, immunologic


The invention relates to a sensor element (1) for measuring a temperature gradient in a measuring direction (M), in particular in a component (2) of a metallurgical plant. In order to allow an accurate measurement by simple means, the invention provides that the sensor element (1) has a base body (3) which are arranged on or in the defined distance (a) at least two optical waveguides (4, 5) are connected to an evaluation device. Furthermore, the invention relates to a component (2) of a metallurgical plant with such a sensor element.


Liver injury is the result of a variety of acute and chronic liver diseases. Persistent liver damage can cause end-stage liver diseases such as liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, liver failure, and even liver cancer. As a traditional Chinese medicine with the function of protecting liver and lowering enzyme, Sedum sarmentosum is widely used in clinical application to treat many kinds of liver diseases, such as damp-heat jaundice, acute and chronic hepatitis. The effective ingredients of Sedum sarmentosum in alleviating liver injury include asioside, Sedum sarmentosum total flavonoids, quercetin, hyperoside, etc. They mainly alleviate liver injury by regulating oxidative stress, inflammatory signaling pathway, disorder of glycolipid metabolism, activation of stellate cells and cell regeneration. In this paper, the effects and mechanisms of Sedum sarmentosum and its active compounds on improving liver injury in recent years were reviewed, in order to be helpful to develop new, effective medicine with defined components for clinical treatment of liver injury.


Several formulations of poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) micro and nanospheres releasing cyclosporin A (CyA) at different rates for extended periods of time were studied in vivo. For this purpose, 3 H-CyA was loaded into the micro and nanospheres (30 μm, 1 μm, 0.2 μm) or diluted in the commercially available oily solution (Sandimmun®) and then injected subcutaneously into mice. When the commercial form was administered, a maximum drug concentration in blood was reached 8 h postadministration and no CyA was detected at day 4. However, the blood level profiles of the drug after administration of CyA-loaded 1 μm-microspheres and nanospheres exhibited an in vivo kinetics pattern, which may be associated with the in vitro release profile of microencapsulated CyA. Thus, the CyA, witch is released in a burst manner (25-35% in one day), provides initial high blood concentration, while the CyA slowly released from micro and nanospheres leads to a prolongation of the presence of CyA in the bloodstream. A higher bioavailability (defined by the AUC) and a longer residence time (defined by the MRT) of the peptide were observed when administered in the encapsulated form. Using 30 μm-microspheres, no burst effect was observed either in vitro or in vivo and the constant release rate of the peptide was correlated to constant blood levels for over 3 weeks (Css=932±181 ng ml -1 ). The plasma level profiles showed essentially the same pattern as those found in blood for all formulations studied, even though the plasma concentrations were always lower than blood concentrations due to affinity of CyA for red blood cells. In addition, when blood and plasma concentrations were compared, an inverse and linear relationsitp between blood concentration and the ratio of blood/plasma levels was observed


After many years without substantial activity in immigration policy, the German Red–Green government which came to power in 1998 introduced an American-style Green Card and a new citizenship law. From these beginnings, the immigration reform campaign captured the public imagination, and for two years a broad spectrum of figures from German public life took part in a lively debate on the issue. A law was eventually adopted by parliament and promulgated in spring 2002, but – in the wake of a voting scandal in the Bundesrat – it was struck down by the Federal Constitutional Court weeks before its scheduled entry into force. This report recounts the story of the now defunct immigration law and seeks to shed valuable light on German politics by analysing what the key differences were that divided the main political parties.


According to NASA's report on the technologies that could reduce external aircraft noise by 10 dB, a challenge equally as important as finding approaches on airframe noise reduction is the demand to bring up strategies by which airframe noise can be predicted both accurately and rapidly. One of the components of the overall airframe noise is the self-noise of the airfoil itself. In this paper, an evolutionary symbolic implementation for airfoil self-noise prediction was proposed. Multi-objective genetic programming as a subset of evolutionary computation along with adaptive regression by mixing algorithm was used to create an executable fused model. The developed model was tested on the airfoil self-noise database and the performance of the developed model was compared to the previous works and benchmark machine learning algorithms. The reasonable results suggest that the proposed model can be applied to noise generation by low-Mach-number turbulent flows in aerospace, automobile, underwater, and wind turbine acoustic communities.


The technological mineralography of simatic phosphate ores at medium and low grade in Hubei was studied by measuring its chemical compositions,occurrence state,grain size,embedded feature of sesquioxide minerals and monomer dissociation degree.The results show that Fe2O3 exists mainly as ferric-carbonaceous mineral,Al2O3 mainly occur in micaceous clay mineral,embedded in phosphate rocks in a scatter way.When grinding fineness is 0.01~0.02 mm,the ferric-carbonaceous mineral and the micaceous clay mineral have a better dissociation.


The IoT integrated experimental system for the measurement of UAV weight and center of gravity (COG) is designed and a prototype is made to meet the needs of interdisciplinary multi-course integrated experiment and improve the practice and application ability of software and hardware R&D. The system collects the weight of the UAV by three sets of pressure sensors, and is converted by HX711 A/D converter, and then processed by MCU and connected to the host via USB serial port, wireless ZigBee and Wi-Fi, etc. The data are calculated and processed by the upper computer software system to measure and calculate the weight and COG of the UAV. The system can provide accurate weight and COG parameters for the UAV design. Through the tests, the system has a higher stability and accuracy. Supporting experiments have improved students' interest in learning and met the needs of teaching, innovation and entrepreneurship.


Fog computing was introduced to complement the cloud computing paradigm in the era of Internet of Things. The main objective of fog computing is to push the processing and storage of the data closer to the edge of the network. This computation paradigm is proposed to reduce the latency of data processing, decrease the data flow from the different sensors to the cloud by local processing, and to prevent single points of failure. Although the fog computing paradigm benefits are clear, there is no clear adoption model that will help in spreading this computation paradigm through the networks. In this paper, we propose a new personal device, namely the "Droplet". The adoption model for the Droplet make it suitable to be an enabler to the fog computing paradigm. The Droplet is a fixed, always connected, edge device that is owned and managed by the user while allowing other players to use it to realize the benefits of the fog computing. The Droplet is inspired by the wide spread and decrease in cost of single board computers. We discuss some potential applications of the Droplet that makes it appealing to be spread by the users. A prototype for the Droplet was built, and some of the potential applications were developed to run on the Droplet to prove the concept of the new personal device.


In more than fifty years' trudge of poetry journey, ZHENG Min's poetic texts no doubt bear the significance of the time and of poetics itself. Her realistic creations radiate epistemic and philosophic brilliance in her enquiry of being or existence. Her uniqueness in image makings has crystallized her poetic and emotional thoughts. And her poetic language is full of sedateness, smoothness and sculptural quality. All of these bestows her poems a aesthetic connotation of sagacious intuition and philosophic glory of reasoning.


penetrations than the ragdoll method. In a third experiment (Fig. 2), we determined the efficiency of the ragdoll method of inoculation by detecting varietal differences when the number of larval penetrations in the entire root systems were counted. 'Auburn 623' (very resistant), Clevewilt (moderately resistant), and Deltapine 16 (susceptible) seedlings were inoculated with 100 larvae/seedling by the ragdoll method and harvested 2, 4, 6, 8, and 14 days later. Larval counts on the entire root systems of the three cultivars confirm the conclusions of McClure et al. (5) that larvae penetrat ion into roots is about equal in susceptible and resistant cottons. However, larval counts in the entire root system were markedly different from results of the first experiment in which counts only in the zone of inoculation was examined. We have no explanation for this discrepancy. T h e ragdoll method of inoculating cotton seedlings gives results at least comparable to the McClure-Robertson (4) inoculation method and is more rapid, economical, and adaptable to larger numbers of seedlings. Removal of the root tissues beneath the Miracloth strips seems to be the best way of obtaining the most Research Notes: 253


Fibre-reinforced polymers development has been driven by the need for materials that combine high stiffness and low density, but composites based on thermoset matrices tend to remain sensitive to damage, that may occur early in the matrix. Improved efficiency could be gained by integrating functionalities into the structure, namely a self-healing matrix for repairing low-extent cracks (i.e. barely visible impact damage). Challenges remain to develop an adapted and effective manufacturing methodology to effectively transfer the know-how from self-healing polymers to selfhealing composites. Vacuum assisted resin infusion moulding (VARIM) is selected as processing technique, since it presents several advantages compared to hand lay-up, including a better quality, uniform part thickness and reproducibility compatible with low-volume industrial applications. The process is firstly optimized for production of thick glass fabric reinforced samples suitable for compression after impact tests and for fast gelation time resin systems such as EPON 862 with DETA as hardener. Secondly, fabrics are functionalized with capsules containing EPA solvent, taking into account both geometric and capsule strength considerations. On one hand, the fabric type, the dispersion technique and the optimal capsule size are determined through X-ray tomography of fabrics and optical imaging of functionalized fabrics prior to and after processing. The optimal amount of healing agent needed to fill delaminations from small energy impacts is also determined by optical image analysis of impacted samples. In parallel, capsules are characterized for their compression behaviour and bursting strain as a function of the shell type, from pure UF shell to combined UF/PU shells with varying contents of PU. This is then related to their behaviour inside the fabric during the compaction created by the vacuum bagging prior to infusion, to ensure capsule survival during the process.


The thermal properties and morphological characterisation of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) homopolymer and its blends with low molecular low modulus polypropylene (LMPP) were studied. Firstly blends were prepared with variant LMPP contents, and their properties were characterised using SEM, DSC, XRD, and DMA. Later the mechanical properties of iPP/LMPP blend fibres were investigated. SEM results showed that the iPP/LMPP blends produced smoother surfaces when the LMPP content was increased, as well as the miscibility. All the Tg values with different LMPP percentages were in-between pure iPP and LMPP. The XRD results indicated the LMPP percentage decreased along with the degree of crystallinity of the iPP/LMPP blends (5% to 15%), which increased and then decreased as compared to pure iPP. The elongation at break increased when the LMPP content increased, with the maximum elongation at break of the LMPP 25% blend reaching 12.95%, which showed great stretch-ability, whereas the elastic modulus of iPP/LMPP blends decreased.


The utility model relates to a printing opacity cover of LED bulb. It includes the cover body that is formed by the printing opacity material, its characterized in that: mix the scattering particles that can make the light scattering in the printing opacity material, the internal surface of personally experiencing sth. Part of the body in the cover is equipped with the micro -structure that can make anaclasis and reflection. The utility model discloses a scattering duplet strengthens the scattering of light, makes illumination even, avoids producing the light and shade region to the micro -structure of internal surface (going into the plain noodles promptly) through the cover body is set a camera and is carried out abundant refraction and reflection, realizes enlarging the outgoing angle of emergent light, makes illumination more even, and dazzling shining is more softly avoided to the emergent light.


Multi-stage Adomian decomposition method (MADM) is a proven semi-analytical approximation solution technique for ordinary differential equations (ODEs), which provides a rapidly convergent series by integrating over multiple time intervals. Applicability of MADM for large nonlinear differential algebraic systems (DAEs) is established for the first time in this paper using the partitioned solution approach. Detailed models of power system components are approximated using MADM models. MADM applicability is verified on 7 widely used test systems ranging from 10 generators, 39 buses to 4092 generators, 13659 buses. Impact of the step size and the number of terms is investigated on the stability and accuracy of the method. An average speed up of 42% and 26% is observed in the solution time of ODEs alone using the MADM when compared to the midpoint-trapezoidal (TrapZ) method and the modified-Euler (ME) method, respectively. MADM accuracy is found to be similar to the ME and comparable to the TrapZ method. MADM stability properties are found to be better than the ME and weaker than the TrapZ method. An average speed up of 13% and 5.85% is observed in the overall solution time using MADM w.r.t. TrapZ and ME methods, respectively.


Thanks to the time dimension introduced into traditional antenna arrays, 4D antenna arrays break through the boundary of space, time and frequency in array design. In addition to the beampatterns formed in traditional space domain, 4D antenna arrays are also able to be used for the synthesis of beampatterns in time and frequency domains. As typical representatives of 4D antenna arrays, time modulated arrays and frequency diverse array have been receiving much attention in recent years. Due to their powerful beamforming ability, 4D arrays have great potential in the applications to a variety of wireless systems. In this paper, several recent advances on 4D antenna arrays are reviewed and their applications in wireless system are reviewed.


Along with an increased interest for connected vehicles and autonomous driving, the Cooperative Intelligent Transportation Systems (C-ITS) are being investigated and validated through the use of C-ITS messages, such as Cooperative Awareness Messages (CAMs). In this paper we demonstrate a tool to support research on CAMs, since C-ITS deploy the Cooperative Awareness Basic Service to exchange CAMs among road C-ITS entities, e.g., vehicles and roadside units (RSUs). These messages provide awareness of traffic information in the Non-line-of-sight (NLOS) of the vehicle (e.g., speed, location, heading), and are an enabler of improving safety in vehicles. Therefore, it is important that those messages are received at the receiving C-ITS vehicle with low latency. In this demo, we showcase how the size of a particular CAM that carries information about the vehicle and surrounding infrastructure affects the latency. In order to demonstrate this effect, we use two leading technologies that support the first generation V2X communication respectively ITS-G5 (IEEE 802.11p) and LTE-V2X (3GGP). We have tested our proposal in a real life C-ITS testbed, at the Smart Highway located in Antwerp, Belgium.


The forest savannah of the Kavango Region in the North-East of Namibia is one of the few remaining resources of wood for a country that is threatened by deforestation. We used a standard public goods experiment framed as a task to extract timber from a commonly owned forest with the possibility to punish each other to analyse determinants of antisocial punishment (i.e. the sanctioning of people who cooperate). Especially, the result of Herrmann et al. (2008) suggests that cross-cultural differences exists and that the efficiency of the punishment rule depends on strong social norms of co- operation. First results suggest that antisocial punishment (ASP) occurred in Kavango as well. We highlight the role of revenge (and to lesser degree of dominance) for ASP and combine our finding with ethnographic evidence on envy and spite in the society.


One part of the transportation system is a public utility / infrastructure is
the way , the public has the right to pass through without the need for special
permission . Handling the way aims to maintain the physical condition and
operation of the road network in order to remain in good condition so that it can
be operated or provide services as appropriate . Good condition of the road
infrastructure is needed to support the advancement of economic development in
the city of Pontianak , so expect road infrastructure management activities carried
out appropriately . The decision involving the City Government , Public Works
and Regional Planning and Development Agency . The method used in this study
is a combination of methods tecnique For Order Preference by similiarity to ideal
solution ( TOPSIS ) and Borda . The results of this study indicate that the system
has the ability to assist decision makers in evaluating the existing road in the city
of Pontianak and decide which alternative solutions can be taken in determining
the handling activities related to road infrastructure activities.


Models generalizing the su(2) XX spin-chain were recently introduced. These XXC models also have an underlying su(2) structure. Their construction method is shown to generalize to the chains based on the fundamental representations of the A_m Lie algebras. Integrability of the new models is shown in the context of the quantum inverse scattering method. Their R-matrix is found and shown to yield a representation of the Hecke algebra. The diagonalization of the transfer matrices is carried out using the algebraic Bethe Ansatz. I comment on eventual generalizations and possible links to reaction-diffusion processes.


The active silicon microstructures known as Micro-Electromechanical Systems (MEMS) are improving many existing technologies through simplification and cost reduction. Many industries have already capitalized on MEMS technology such as those in fields as diverse as telecommunications, computing, projection displays, automotive safety, defense and biotechnology. As they grow in sophistication and complexity, the familiar pressures to further reduce costs and increase performance grow for those who design and manufacture MEMS devices and the engineers who specify them for their end applications. One example is MEMS optical switches that have evolved from simple, bistable on/off elements to microscopic, freelypositionable beam steering optics. These can be actuated to discrete angular positions or to continuously-variable angular states through applied command signals. Unfortunately, elaborate closed-loop actuation schemes are often necessitated in order to stabilize the actuation. Furthermore, preventing one actuated micro-element from vibrationally cross-coupling with its neighbors is another reason costly closed-loop approaches are thought to be necessary. The Laser Doppler Vibrometer (LDV) is a valuable tool for MEMS characterization that provides non-contact, real-time measurements of velocity and/or displacement response. The LDV is a proven technology for production metrology to determine dynamical behaviors of MEMS elements, which can be a sensitive indicator of manufacturing variables such as film thickness, etch depth, feature tolerances, handling damage and particulate contamination. They are also important for characterizing the actuation dynamics of MEMS elements for implementation of a patented controls technique called Input Shaping®, which we show here can virtually eliminate the vibratory resonant response of MEMS elements even when subjected to the most severe actuation profiles. In this paper, we will demonstrate the use of the LDV to determine how the application of this compact, efficient algorithm can improve the performance of both open- and closed-loop MEMS devices, eliminating the need for costly closed-loop approaches. This can greatly reduce the complexity, cost and yield of MEMS design and manufacture.


I argue that the recent debate about the role disgust deserves in ethical thought has been impoverished by an inadequate understanding of the emotion itself. After considering Kass and Nussbaum's respective positions in that debate, and the implausible views of the nature of disgust on which their arguments rest, I describe my own view, which makes sense of the wealth of recent, often puzzling, empirical work done on the emotion. This view sees disgust as being primarily responsible for protecting against toxins and infectious diseases, but then recruited to play auxiliary roles in the cognition of social norms and group boundaries. I argue that this view provides new and more plausible foundations for skepticism about the idea that disgust deserves some kind of special epistemic credit or moral authority, that the emotion is a trustworthy guide to justifiable moral judgments, or that there is any deep wisdom in repugnance.


Abstract The disappearance of bipolarity causes essential mutations in the international security environment, which highlights the need to rethink the defence concept. The analysis of new risks and threats to international security has led to a new perception of it and has imposed a new orientation in the field of defence. The formation of new partnerships and alliances greatly reduces the likelihood of a conflict between members, which contributes to supporting the common interest of countries to maintain and strengthen international peace and security. All countries of the world are, in principle, members of at least one regional or intergovernmental organization. Although traditionally regional organizations have been set up on the basis of political, economical or environmental objectives, they have also entered security in recent decades and have started to develop their own capabilities to prevent conflicts and support peacekeeping operations or post-conflict construction of states


Soft robots, intelligent structures built up of smart soft materials, are capable of being programmed to perform delicate work. Recently, plenty of biomimetic soft robots with functionalities of grasping, sensing, searching, and transporting have been exploited by emulating activities of living creatures adapting to ecological environments. However, mass production of biomimetic soft robots has remained a grand challenge while maintaining stable pre‐engineered functionalities under distinct circumstances, which significantly constrains their practical applications. To this end, a facile and scalable approach that can be utilized for mass‐producing sandwich‐structured photoresponsive polyimide (PI)/Au/low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) nanocomposite films is reported. Attributed to the remote and precise‐driven mode, reversible and stable actuation behavior, and the ultrarobust mechanical properties of the sandwich‐structured PI/Au/LDPE nanocomposite films, it was possible to devise a variety of photoresponsive biomimetic soft robots such as artificial flytrap, directionally moveable caterpillar‐inspired walker, and dolphin‐like cruisable and loadable swimmer via simply tailoring them into predesigned geometries.


The authors have studied the phenomenon of the archetype of the Trickster in the world cultural tradition. The aim of this study is to find a universal system of attributive signs of a Trickster. Our theme is relevant, because the question of a universal system of signs of the Trickster in the scientific space remains open and debatable. The literary artistic sources of the Middle Ages and modernity have been used to study this phenomenon. The study is based on the scientific achievements of Carl Gustav Jung and his followers. Signs have been based on the analysis of literary works, on the analogy expressing the similarity of some signs and their comparison. All of these methods are necessary and important for the study, as they allow to consider and identify the signs on the background of changing socio-cultural reality. The results of these studies are the six basic attributes, which in the future could be used for the study of folklore, literature, mythology, and other images of the world cultural tradition.


margin and extremely firm. Liver minimally enlarged. There was deficient lacrimation. Schirmer's test 5 and 7 mm. Widespread conjunctival and corneal staining with Rose Bengal. Less than 0.5 ml saliva secreted in 20 min. Investigations: Hb 11.9 g/100 ml, WBC 199 600/ mm3 (186 000 lymphos.), platelets 130 000/mm3, ESR 11 mm in 1 h (Westergren). Peripheral blood film: typical of chronic lymphatic leukemia, which was confirmed by sternal marrow examination. Immunofluorescent antibody tests: negative for antinuclear, thyroid, parietal cell and smooth muscle antibodies. Weak antibody against salivary duct epithelium was present. Sialography: punctate sialectasia of parotid and submandibular glands. Response to chemwtherapy: On treatment (Dr I Chanarin) with chlorambucil and prednisone there was very marked regression of salivary gland, lymph node and splenic enlargement, which had virtually all disappeared after four months. There was no increase in salivation or in tear formation, but the patient felt considerably better.


For industrial product design, it is very important to take into account assembly/disassembly and maintenance operations during the conceptual and prototype design stage. For these operations or other similar operations in a constrained environment, trajectory planning is always a critical and difficult issue for evaluating the design or for the users' convenience. In this paper, a customer-oriented approach is proposed to partially solve ergonomic issues encountered during the design stage of a constrained environment. A single objective optimization based method is taken from the literature to generate the trajectory in a constrained environment automatically. A motion capture based method assists to guide the trajectory planning interactively if a local minimum is encountered within the single objective optimization. At last, a multi-objective evaluation method is proposed to evaluate the operations generated by the algorithm


This paper presents a hierarchical-masked image filtering method for privacy-protection. Cameras are widely used for various applications, e.g., crime surveillance, environment monitoring, and marketing. However, invasion of privacy has become a serious social problem, especially regarding the use of surveillance cameras. Many surveillance cameras point at many people; thus, a large amount of our private information of our daily activities are under surveillance. However, several surveillance cameras currently on the market and related research often have a complicated or institutional masking privacy-protection functionality. To overcome this problem, a Hierarchical-Masked image Filtering (HMF) method is proposed, which has unmaskable (mask reversal) capability and is applicable to current surveillance camera systems for privacy-information protection and can satisfy privacy-protection related requirements. This method has five main features: unmasking of the original image from only the masked image and a cipher key, hierarchical-mask level control using parameters for the length of a pseudorandom number, robustness against malicious attackers, fast processing on an embedded processor, and applicability of mask operation to current surveillance camera systems. Previous studies have difficulty in providing these features. To evaluate HMF on actual equipment, an HMF-based prototype system is developed that mainly consists of a USB web camera, ultra-compact single board computer, and notebook PC. Through experiments, it is confirmed that the proposed method achieves mask level control and is robust against attacks. The increase in processing time of the HMF-based prototype system compared with a conventional non-masking system is only about 1.4%. This paper also reports on the comparison of the proposed method with conventional privacy protection methods and favorable responses of people toward the HMF-based prototype system both domestically and abroad. Therefore, the proposed HMF method can be applied to embedded systems such as those equipped with surveillance cameras for protecting privacy. key words: privacy, surveillance camera, mask, hierarchical operation, cipher processing, prototype system


In the present study, the genetic diversity and inter-relationships among 12 varieties of pea were analyzed by using RAPD markers. A total of 118 bands were generated with 20 RAPD primers, of which 107 bands were polymorphic (90.81%). The PIC value ranged from 0.602-0.863 with an average of 0.754. High level of polymorphism and low genetic similarity within pea varieties suggested that they have a high level of genetic diversity. Unique RAPD fragments (700bp-1500bp) were also observed in five varieties i.e., AP-01, Aparna, Uttra, Rachna and Rachna-1D. In the dendrogram, 12 varieties were broadly grouped into 2 main clusters consisting of 5 (Cluster-I) and 4 (Cluster-II) varieties, respectively, while other three varieties i.e., KPMR-522, Aparna and AP-03 were out of group. In cluster-I, Ambika and AP-01 and Rachna and Vikas showed 62% and 58% similarities whereas, HUDP-15 grouped with 56% similarities with rest two varieties. In cluster II, Uttara and Prakash showed maximum similarity (65%) whereas, Rachna1-D showed (58%) similarities with them. KPMR-400 showed 52% similarity in this group. KPMR-400, Aparna and AP-03 were more diverse in comparison to others. A two-dimensional plot generated from principal co-ordinate analysis of RAPD data also supported the clustering pattern of dendrogram. This study indicated the presence of high genetic diversity among pea varieties, which could be used for developing core collections of pea germplasm for breeding and germplasm management purposes.