AIM: To investigate the effect of edaravone(ED) on the expression of caspase-3 and caspase-12 in the juvenile rat hippocampus after status convulsion( SC). METHODS: Juvenile male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal saline( NS) control group,SC group and ED treatment group. The rats in each group were further divided into 5 subgroups according to different time points. The rats in SC group were kindled into epilepsy by lithiumpilocarpine chemical method. The protein expression of caspase-3 and caspase-12 was determined by immunohistochemistry methods. The mRNA expression of caspase-3 and caspase-12 was detected by RT-PCR. RESULTS:(1) The IA value of caspase-3 positive cells in 24 ~ 72 h SC group increased compared with NS group. With ED intervention,the IA value of caspase-3 positive cells decreased as compared with 48 ~ 72 h SC group. The results of RT-PCR showed that the mRNA expression of caspase-3 was similar to the changes of protein.(2) The results of immunohistochemistry showed that the IA value of caspase-12 positive cells in 12 ~ 72 h SC group increased compared with NS group. With ED intervention,the IA value of caspase-12 positive cells decreased as compared with 24 ~ 72 h SC group. The results of RT-PCR showed that the mRNA expression of caspase-12 was similar to the changes of protein.( 3) In ED group,Ⅴ grade convulsion was lower than that in SC group,and the latent period of seizures in ED group was significantly longer than that in SC group. CONCLUSION: Edaravone inhibits the expression of caspase-3 and caspase-12 in pilocarpine-induced seizures in rat hippocampus,suggesting that edaravone has protective effect against the damage caused by status convulsion.


Hot holes in Pt‐Cu alloy clusters can act as catalyst to accelerate the intrinsic aerobic oxidation reactions. It is described that under visible light irradiation the synergistic alcohol catalytic oxidation on Pt‐Cu alloy clusters (≈1.1 nm)/TiO2 nanobelts could be significant promoted by interband‐excitation‐generated long‐lifetime hot holes in the clusters.


Objective:Set up a flame atomic absorption spectroscopy(FAAS) method with content of trace elements in Rhodiola crenulata.Method: The trace elements including Mn,Fe,Cu,Zn in 6 kinds of Rhodiola crenulata samples were determined by FAAS.Result: Results showed that the content of trace elements was abundant.They are listed here in order of relative quantity from high to low,FeMnZnCu.The recovery rate of this method was 92.71%-102.23%.Conclusion: The method was of high sensitivity,good stability,precision and accuracy requirements can provide reference for further exploitation and utilization of R.crenulata resources.


We report on the reciprocal spin Hall effect of light in T-shaped nanoaperture arrays. Specifically, we demonstrate that the information tied to surface plasmons trajectories can be encoded into free-space spin-carrying photons. The functionality of the system to act as a circular polarizer is therefore implemented in an interference eraser experiment where the device is used as a which-path marker. Complementarity between the wave-like and particle-like behavior of surface plasmons is verified, hence, further demonstrating the outlook for miniaturized optical elements toward on-chip quantum experiments. This work underscores the high potential of plasmonic devices in the realization of integrated polarization optics, hence, opening promising prospects for nanoscale optical communications and quantum photonic network.


A field experiment was conducted at Research of Soil Dr. during kharif season 2014-2015. The soil of experimental field was clayey in texture, moderately high in available nitrogen, moderate in available phosphorus, rich in available potassium with slightly alkaline in reaction. Five treatments with various combinations of fertilizer were compared with each other in Randomized Block Design with four replications. The treatments were- 1) NF (no fertilizer)), 2) RDF (recommended dose of fertilizer, 60:30:00 kg ha -1 ), 3) RDF+15k 2 O(60:30:00 + 15 kg K 2 O ha -1 ), 4) RDF+30k 2 O(60:30:00 + 30 kg K 2 O ha - 1 ), 5) RDF+45k 2 O(60:30:00 + 45 kg K 2 O ha -1 ). Treatments were compared to evaluate the effect of different fertilizer levels on growth, nutrient uptake and economics of pearl millet. Experiment results revealed that fertilizer treatments significantly influenced the growth and nutrient uptake of pearl millet. Significantly highest uptake of total NPK was deliberated with treatment of fertilizer consisting 45 kg ha - 1 of potassium application. It was followed by treatment where potassium was applied to an extent of 30 kg ha -1 . In nutshell it can be inferred that the treatments which received the fertilizer at the rate of 60:30:45 NPK kg ha-1 and 60:30:30 NPK kg ha -1 , both being at par with each other, improved the soil fertility status and profitability of the pearl millet crop.


The study includes two research objectives: (1) identify and measure the factors affecting people's satisfaction; and (2) assess the importance of factors affecting people's satisfaction, thereby proposing suggestions to improve the set of criteria that are designed to assess people's satisfaction issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs of Vietnam. The essay employs a quantitative analytic approach to find elements impacting people's contentment. The survey sample was randomly selected from 350 individuals who had transactions at the one-stop shop of the Department of Industry and Trade of Binh Duong Province, Vietnam. The paper performs data processing using SPSS 20.0 software to examine the reliability of the scale using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, exploratory component analysis (EFA), correlation analysis, regression, and model testing theory. The findings showed that there are only 4 factors (with statistical significance) affecting people's satisfaction, including approachability (coefficient 0.316), administrative procedures (coefficient 0.384), civil servants (coefficient 0.529), and receiving and solving complaints and feedback (coefficient 0.145). The Ministry of Home Affairs should modify the criteria for assessing citizens' satisfaction with less focus on the results of public administrative service provision as this factor has no correlation with citizens' satisfaction.


Few studies have focused upon the occupational structure of agricultural communications or the job satisfaction of agricultural communications professionals. This void in the literature prompts questions about the types of positions falling under the broad umbrella of agricultural communications. For teaching faculty, in agricultural communications, a more specific question is frequently posed: What types of positions do majors in agricultural communications pursue after graduation, and how satisfied are the graduates with their positions? The primary purpose of this study was to determine the types of positions held by Ohio State University agricultural communications graduates. A second purpose was to assess their salaries and level of job satisfaction. A mailed questionnaire was sent to 131 agricultural communications alumni. The response rate was 57.1 %. The graduates held a variety of positions in agricultural communications and most were satisfied with their positions. Their annual salaries depended upon the type of position held, age, and gender. The best indicators of job satisfaction were ACT membership and annual salaries which the graduates earned. Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 License. This research is available in Journal of Applied Communications: http://newprairiepress.org/jac/vol71/iss4/2 Employment and Job Satisfaction Of Agricultural Communications Graduates by Blannie E. Bowen and Barbara E. Cooper Few stJ.Jdies have focused upon the occupational structure of agricultural communications or the job satisfaction of agricultural communications professionals. This void in the literature prompts questions about the types of positions falling under the broad umbrella of agricultural communications. For teaching faculty,in agricultural communications, a more specific question is frequently posed: What types of positions do majors in agricultural communications pursue after graduation, and how satisfied are the graduates with their positions? The primary purpose of this study was to determine the types of positions held by Ohio State University agricultural communications graduates. A second purpose was to assess their salaries and level of job satisfaction. A maifed questionnaire was sent to 131 agricultural communications alumni. The response rate was 57.1 %. The graduates held a variety of positions in agricultural communications and most were satisfied with their positions. Their annual salaries depended upon the type of position held, age, and gender. The best indicators of job satisfaction were ACT membership and annual salaries which the graduates earned.


Abstract Silver, bromide and iodide ions are determined using a flow analysis system and precipitation as a reconcentration technique. The precipitate formed by reaction of cation and anion in a Tygon tube containing glass beads and connected to the atomic absorption spectrophotometer is dissolved by passing a solution of suitable dissolving agent. The dissolving agent dissolves the precipitate and the formed soluble complex is transported to the atomic absorption spectrophotometer, yielding a signal. The signal height is proportional to silver concentration which is in turn proportional to anion concentration. Silver was precipitated as AgCl and dissolved by S2O3=, CN− and NH3 solutions, bromide was precipitated as AgBr and dissolved by S2O3=and CN− solution and iodide was precipitated as AgI and dissolved by CN− solution. This method has proved to be sensitive, simple and precise. The lowest detection limit is 4.6×10−9M for silver when it is precipitated as AgCl and dissolved by s2O3 2− solution, 1×10−6...


Abstract— The absorption and fluorescence spectra of riboflavin, riboflavin tetrabutyrate and lumichrome have been studied in organic solvents of different polarity including ethanol, acetone, dioxane, pyridine, acetic acid and in cyclohexane‐dioxane mixtures. The molar extinction coefficients of the compounds were measured and the character of solvent sensitive changes observed in the absorption spectra are discussed. The effect of hydrogen bonding and/or intramolecular charge transfer complex are proposed as possible explanation.


Summary. Diseases and injuries of the ankle joint and foot make up 6-12% of the total number of injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The article is devoted to the main diagnostic possibilities of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), determination of indications for examination and protocols for the study of the ankle joint and foot. Based on the analysis of literature data, the high diagnostic efficiency of MRI in the identified pathologies of bone and soft tissue structures of this segment of the lower extremity was determined.


Measuring suspended sediment in fluvial systems is critical to understanding and managing water resources. Sampling suspended sediment has been the primary means of understanding fluvial suspended sediment. Specialized samplers, sampling methods, and laboratory methods developed by select U.S. Federal Agencies are more representative of river and stream conditions than commonly used grab sampling and total suspended solids (TSS) laboratory methods but are not widely used because they are expensive, time consuming, and not required as part of water quality standards in the United States. A new suspended-sediment sampling method called a depth-integrated grab (DIG) was developed by combining certain elements from both grab and depth-integrating sampling methods and suspended-sediment concentration (SSC) laboratory methods. The goal of the DIG method was to provide more accurate results than Grab-TSS while being easier and cheaper to sample than specialized samplers and methods. Approximately 50 paired comparison samples were collected at 9 sites in Minnesota from 2018 through 2019. Results showed no significant difference between the DIG and specialized sampling methods and a significant difference between both methods and the Grab-TSS method. The DIG-SSC provided an improved alternative to the Grab-TSS method, but additional research and testing is important to evaluate if this method is appropriate in different conditions than were observed in this study.


The striatum (i.e. neostriatum) is one of the principal components of the basal ganglia. It is complex structure which consists of the three nuclei. Human striatum neurons firstly can be visually classified into two types (spiny and aspiny), but further classification recognizes two subgroups of spiny, and three subgroups of aspiny neurons. The original goal of this study is to confirm or improve the existing division of striatal neurons using two main techniques of cluster analysis. A total of 175 two dimensional images of aspiny neurons have been captured by the light microscope, and recorded with accompanying digital camera. Specialized public software Image J has been used for both image reconstruction and measurement. Each binary image of the neuron have been quantified with apparent parameters of monofractal analysis. Hierarchical cluster analysis and k-cluster method classified two existing groups of aspiny cells into three classes. Moreover, the morphometric difference in all groups between two functional different nuclei were reported. To the best of our knowledge, the presence of neuronal types in the adult human neostriatum has thus far been established and described mainly with Euclidean parameters. Thus, the present study, quantifies cells with monofractal parameters only. In the present study, only two types of aspiny neurons were used. But two techniques of cluster analysis found three groups of neurons. This results need to be verified with same classification technique, but using different computational parameters. Finally, the present study offer vague conclusion regarding difference in cell types between two cores of dorsal lamina.


This working paper argues that innovation in governance structures for mobile network sharing could enable significant efficiency gains. It presents a governance model called "Competing Small Commons" aimed at curbing the uncertainty derived from potential conflicts of interest among sharing partners and preserving competition. The theoretical model focuses on equalizing power among partners together with an expenditure minimizing strategy for the joint operation of the mobile network, which ultimately makes price rather than profit the chief measure to assess the efficiency of the partnership. A top-down approach is also advocated for the successful implementation of the model, which would require joint ownership of radio spectrum bands, and thus make the model more suitable for new deployments rather than existing ones.


In this paper, a nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC) is used to design a high-level controller for a fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Given the kinematic model of the UAV dynamics, which is used as a model of the UAV with low-level autopilot avionics, the control objective of the NMPC is determined to track a desired line. After the error dynamics are derived, the problem of tracking a desired line is transformed into a problem of regulating the error from the desired line. A stability analysis follows to provide the conditions that can assure the closed-loop stability of the designed high-level NMPC. Furthermore, the control objective is extended to track adjoined multiple line segments. The simulation results demonstrate that the UAV controlled by the NMPC converged rapidly with a small overshoot. The performance of the NMPC was also verified through realistic ¿hardware in the loop simulation.¿


The aim of this study is to reinterpret the image on a Korean tradition known as Bang-wee-shin-sang (an image of direction deity), and to revive the image into Jikimee (the guardian). In particular, this research re-analyzed the image and the symbol of Bang-wee-shin-sang and effectively designed the tradition to fit the modern living space. The theoretical study is to explore why it is necessary to redesign Bang-wee-shin-sang to accommodate modern living after examining the background and origin of typical Korean traditions such as Four Deity painting, Chinese Zodiac, and Four Kings' Painting. As a previous study, we examined the procedures of making Jikimee which was based on artists' works that utilized historical artifacts. The study indicated that Bang-wee-shin-sang is a vital resource to disseminate the unique characteristics of Korea and its tradition which played a role in linking the past and the present. Consequently, it is discussed that the utilization of modernized Jikimee in smart environment must be supported by foundation of academic system, the effort of academic and research link, and government funding policy.


This paper is a comprehensive literature review of the role of creativity in second language (L2) learning and use. It seeks to provide a theoretical background of the concept of creativity and show its practical relevance in the L2 context. The article begins with the conceptualisations of general creativity and narrows down to the concept of linguistic creativity and its instances in L2 use. Next, it presents the empirical research findings that point to an important role and benefits of creativity in L2 learning and use. The paper closes with pedagogical implications and methodological guidelines on enhancing creativity in the L2 classroom.


A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES, ZARIA, IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE AWARD OF THE DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY DEGREE IN POLITICAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA, NIGERIA


Key Points A novel EVI1 splice isoform is frequently expressed in inv(3)/t(3;3) leukemia and drives myeloid transformation. Frequent SF3B1 mutations in inv(3)/t(3;3) leukemia generate a novel EVI1 isoform with an altered second zinc finger domain.


BACKGROUND: Flavonoids in different spinach genotypes were separated, identified, and quantified by a high-performance liquid chromatographic method with photodiode array and mass spectrometric detection. The antioxidant capacities of the genotypes were also measured using two antioxidant assays‐oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORACFL) and photochemiluminescence (PCL)‐which measure the response to the peroxyl and superoxide anion radicals, respectively. RESULTS: Eighteen flavonoids representing glucuronides and acylated di- and triglycosides of methylated and methylene dioxide derivatives of 6-oxygenated flavonols were identified (patuletin, spinacetin, spinatoside, jaceidin). The total flavonoids ranged from 1805 to 3703mgkg −1 , indicating 2.0-fold variation among genotypes. The ORACFL and PCL values ranged from 48.7 to 84.4mmol kg −1 and from 9.0 to 14.0mmol kg −1 , respectively, representing as much as 1.7-fold variation among genotypes. CONCLUSION: The ORACFL and PCL values were highly correlated with total flavonoid content (rxy = 0.96).  2008 Society of Chemical Industry


Absract Malnutrition is a curse to the humanity. It is a state Malnutrition is lack of proper nutrition, caused by not having enough to eat, not eating enough of the right things, or being unable to use the food that one does eat. India has more malnourished children than the Sub-Saharan countries. The proportion of malnourished children is more in the tribal than in other category of population. The Dang district of Gujarat is having 94 % of its population belonging to Scheduled Tribe . A large number of children below 5 years age are reported to be suffering from chronic malnourishment. The district have rich flora. It has 1276 taxa (1266 species and 10 varieties) be longing to 780 genera and 154 families of Angiosperm. Tribal people use around 32 wild plants as their food in addition to the cultivated ve rities. Such wild plants and traditional cultivated food plants have potential to eliminate malnourishment. The paper reviews nutritional potentials of some of the wild plants used by the tribals of the Dangs.


Action spectra were determined for neoplastic transformation, production of pyrimidine dimers, and lethality in Syrian hamster embryo cells. Of wavelengths between 240 and 313 nm, the most effective were 265 and 270. The relative sensitivities per quantum for transformation, pyrimidine dimer production, and lethality were essentially the same at each of the wavelengths tested. This action spectrum for transformation, which is relevant to carcinogenesis, is similar to spectra obtained previously by measuring other cellular responses in either microbial or mammalian systems. Because the action spectra for cytotoxicity and transformation are the same as the spectrum for dimer production, DNA is suggested as the target for all these processes.


Innovation serves as an important source of productivity growth. More than one half of the growth in the United States' productivity between 1948 and 2014 came from innovators and entrepreneurs, who worked to create new products or make improvements to existing products.1 Academic research, such as Geroski (1989) and Romer (1990), has long acknowledged the importance of innovation to economic growth. In order to drive productivity growth, American inventors need the tools and incentives to experiment, innovate, and commercialize their ideas.


We developed a method to lump runoff processes of slope systems taking into account a distribution of basin topography. In our method, we measure topographic quantities such as slope length and so on by using the Basin Geomorphic Information System (BGIS), and lump slope systems by using the cluster analysis technique on the assumption that the similarity of runoff characteristics among slope elements is evaluated with that of topographic characteristics. Applying our method to an actual basin, we obtained the following conclusions:(1) Our method reduced an amount of runoff calculation to about one-20th of that without employment of our method, (2) Coefficient of variation of a topographic quantity was valid for the criterion for giving the number of clusters.


In this paper, we present an interactive object selection approach that applies s − t minimum cut on local contour neighborhoods of the object boundary to segment the object from the background. Using a simple interface, users can extract accurate object contours interactively. Our approach has the following properties. 1) Interactivity: The interface is easy to use and accepts flexible freehand inputs. Realtime feedback is provided for user interactive correction. 2) Robustness: The s − t minimum cut is insensitive to image noise since it finds the global minimum within the local contour neighborhood. Further, the approach is valid for contours and objects defined by different features, e.g., color and texture. 3) Controllability: Object contours are fully controllable through interactive correction by the user. Experimental results for a wide range of objects are provided.


The rich oil reserves of the Gulf of Mexico are buried in deep and ultra-deep waters up to 30,000 feet from the surface. Minerals Management Service (MMS), the federal agency in the U.S. Department of the Interior that manages the nation's oil, natural gas and other mineral resources on the outer continental shelf in federal offshore waters, estimates that the Gulf of Mexico holds 37 billion barrels of "undiscovered, conventionally recoverable" oil, which, at $50/barrel, would be worth approximately $1.85 trillion. These reserves are very difficult to find and reach due to the extreme depths. Technological advances in seismic imaging represent an opportunity to overcome this obstacle by providing more accurate models of the subsurface.


Background: Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support causes left ventricular (LV) unloading with decrease in volumes and leftward shifting on the interventricular septum. However, the contribu...


Poly(3-thiophenylacetic acid)-polymer-sensitized photoelectrochemical cells comprising of either mesoporous TiO2 or SnO2-ZnO electrodes and the electrolyte consisting with redox complex (I3−/I−) were fabricated and characterized. The addition of ionic liquid, 1-methyl- 3-n-hexylimidazolium iodide, into the electrolyte drastically enhanced the cell performance. The cells consisting of the nanoporous TiO2 electrodes showed the incident photon to current conversion efficiency as high as 60% (at 430 nm), while the highest overall power conversion efficiency was ∼2.4% under the irradiance of 100 mW cm−2 (air mass 1.5). The overall efficiency of the cells with nanoporous SnO2-ZnO electrodes was ∼1.5% under the same illumination.


The original techniques of measurement and analysis of parameters of low-frequency fluctuations of field-emission current of metal–film systems developed earlier have been used in this work to measure sputtering coefficients of carbon films (coverage from 1 to 4 monolayers) on Fe, Nb, Ta, and U. Directly measured values were amplitudes of abnormal fluctuations of field-emission current ΔIn caused by hits of individual bombarding ions at the film. Calculations of sputtering coefficients Yf have been carried out using analytical expressions of the theoretical model developed. Sputtering coefficients of carbon films by ions H+ and He+ with energy in the range of 2.0–10.0 keV have been measured. Energy dependencies Yf for fixed θ of each type of ion have been determined. Besides, for certain fixed energy values Ei of each ion type dependency, Yf versus θ has been determined (where θ is the quantity of monolayers). Measured values Yf, in all cases, are significantly higher than that of bulk carbon. Having used...


African Americans increasingly are moving from inner cities and inner-ring suburbs to fast-growing exurbs on the urban fringe, trends that media reports attribute primarily to their desire to live affordably as homeowners in safer communities. Little empirical evidence exists to support these claims, although research on the drivers of postwar black suburbanization and a burgeoning exurban migration literature suggest that desires for ownership and housing space, to escape inner-city poverty concentration, and to create "places of their own" may be contributing factors. Through interviews with 70 African Americans who moved from Los Angeles County to its fast growing exurban Inland Empire between 1980 and 2010, this research shows how race- and context-specific factors, such as affordable housing shortages, gang violence, and Latino occupancy of historically black communities, are contributing to black population growth on the urban fringe.


Background: Heat stress derived from global warming is causing major economic losses in the livestock industry. Objective: To develop a novel methodological approach for determining the influence of climatic factors on the estimation of genetic parameters for growth traits in Retinta cattle breed by using reaction-norm models. Methods: Live weight records (n=7,753) from 3,162 Retinta calves born from 1,249 dams and 85 sires and raised in the Andalusian region (Spain) were analyzed. The effect of heat stress was measured using the temperature-humidity index, calculated with climatological data obtained from four weather stations. A bivariate-random-regression reaction-norm model was used to estimate the (co)variance components of weight until weaning in two different climatic seasons corresponding to warm and cold months. Results: The heritability pattern of individuals reared under diverse environments during the first 90 days of age was different. However, differences were not significant at the end of the growing period. Weaned calves reared during the cold season showed greater growth from 70 to 160 days in comparison with those reared during the warm season. Conclusions: Highly significant evidence of genotype-climatic condition interaction was found during the calf´s first three months of growth.


Competition for the 2016 Daniel H. Wagner Prize for Excellence in Operations Research Practice provided the six finalist papers featured in this special issue of Interfaces. The prestigious Wagner Prize—awarded for achievement in implemented operations research, management science, and advanced analytics—emphasizes quality and originality of mathematical models and clarity of written and oral exposition. Researchers from the Universite Laval, The Forestry Research Institute of Sweden, and the SDC, Sweden, won the competition for their development of a highly successful algorithm and software to determine optimal routing for trucks operating in the Swedish forestry industry. The remaining finalist papers describe work to improve hospital staffing, dealer inventory of automotive vehicles, agricultural productivity through genetic modifications of crops, wastewater treatment, and real-time video ad selection. Full presentation videos with slides are available in the INFORMS Video Library at https://www.infor...


We present here a relativistic multichannel theory which can be regarded as an extension of traditional configuration interaction theories by including continuum configuration interactions. Our theory aims directly to the calculation of the compact set of physical parameters (μa,Uia) in multichannel quantum defect theory. The calculated quantum defects μa, of Ne atom are in good agreement with the quantum defects obtained by fitting to observed energy levels.


The Rayleigh integral giving the impulse response for the acoustic velocity potential cannot always be determined analytically for all types of transducer apertures. The shape of the transducer surface and the spatial distribution of the excitation on its surface can complicate the calculation. This makes using numeric methods indispensable. One of these methods consists in discritizing the aperture surface in polygonal shape elements. Our work makes use of both methods of Jensen and Faure [IEEE UFFC 39‐2(1992)262, Acta Acustica 2(1994)257]. In the former, the transducer surface is subdivided in triangles. The latter one uses additional virtual triangles one side of which is that of the physical element and its summit is the field point projection on the plane containing the considered physical element. Additionally, a rotation of the virtual triangle around the field point projection is performed. In this work, the orientations of those virtual triangles are considered according to Jensen method and thei...


The drug-reinforcement theory explains why humans get engaged in drug taking behavior. This theory posits that drugs of abuse serve as biological rewards by activating the reinforcement system. Although from a psychological and neurobiological perspective this theory is extremely helpful, it does not tell us about the drug-taking motives and motivation of an individual. The definition of drug instrumentalization goals will improve our understanding of individual drug-taking profiles. Can one imagine how Yemenis would feel without having a daily khat chewing (80% of Yemenis chew khat containing the alkaloid called cathinone, an amphetamine-like stimulant)? Can one imagine how a Dutch person would feel without having her caffeine in the morning (90% of the Dutch drink coffee)? Can one imagine how a French person would feel without having a glass of wine along with his meal? I could go on with numerous examples of accepted drug-taking behaviors, most of them deeply, culturally embedded into our societies. Pondering these examples, one might easily realize the more philosophical question: Why do we take drugs? Roy Wise and other neuroscientists have formulated the drug reinforcement theory (Wise & Rompre 1989). This theory posits that all drugs of abuse activate the brain reinforcement system and thereby act as biological rewards. This drug-induced reinforcement process increases the rate or probability of further drug-taking behavior. The drug-reinforcement theory is extremely helpful for understanding the biological substrates of a drug-taking behavior in general (Sanchis-Segura & Spanagel 2006), but does not explain why person A likes to drink coffee in the morning and several glasses of beer when coming home from work, whereas person B might smoke a cigarette after each meal but not consume any other drug. Müller & Schumann (M&S) have attempted to construct a new psychological/neurobiological framework – namely, drug instrumentalization – to provide an answer for individual nonaddictive psychoactive drug use. Drug instrumentalization is a learned behavior designed to change the mental state and thereby improve the current quality of life by taking a psychoactive drug. M&S define an extensive list of drug instrumentalization goals, such as improved social interaction, the feeling of well-being, and many others. The definition and validation of drug instrumentalization goals will help to understand individual drug-taking profiles, which may change over the life course of an individual. However, at least three important drug instrumentalization goals are missing in M&S's target article: 1. Positive taste perception: Sometimes a self-reflection is very helpful. For example, without disclosing my lifetime drugtaking profile in full detail, at present I have a big cup of tea in the morning, drink different alcoholic beverages regularly in the evenings, and smoke a cigarette from time to time. Why do I consume these three different drugs on a regular basis? The first reason that comes to my mind is that I enjoy the taste. Although there are no systematic population-based studies on whether positive taste perception can be considered as a drug instrumentalization goal, there are millions of coffee/tea shops around the world, millions of wine-tasting sessions, and cigarette advertisements have historically focused on the pleasing taste of tobacco. Positive taste perception as an instrumentalization goal may be limited to alcoholic beverages, coffee/tea, and tobacco, but these are the primary semi-luxury consumables on which money is spent. Positive taste perception may also play a role in betel nut and Khat drug chewing and to a certain extent even cannabis smoking. 2. Adaptation to peer pressure: Very commonly, we consume drugs as a result of peer pressure. Especially during adolescence, peer pressure is an intense motivator and might even be the most important driving force behind taking drugs at a younger age (Borsari & Carey 2001; Faggiano et al. 2008). Only by taking the drug does one adapt to this peer pressure and become rewarded as being a member of a particular group. 3. Cultural and religious rituals: Cultural and religious traditions can be considered drug instrumentalization goals. Many indigenous populations still consume drugs only in ritual settings; for example, Voodoo is a religion that originates in Haiti and involves a zombie creation ritual where a number of psychoactive compounds, such as tetrodotoxin, are ingested and lead to the mental and physical experience of a death-like state (Davis et al. 1983). However, Western societies also have several cultural rituals, such as champagne drinking on New Year's Eve. The purposes of these cultural and religious rituals can be diverse, but most of them are used to intensify spiritual beliefs or group affiliations. It will be critical for the drug instrumentalization theory to provide a full list of goals that have to be integrated into a questionnaire for future validation in different ethnicities. I am really looking forward to a well-developed and validated questionnaire that will allow M&S to rigorously test their fascinating new theory! Despite my great enthusiasm for this well-conceived novel theory that, in fact, does provide a new framework on non-addictive psychoactive drug use, I have to note one important point of criticism. M&S mention the use of methamphetamine to enhance daily performance as a drug instrumentalization goal (Lende et al. 2007). From my perspective, this is not a true instrumentalization goal as acute methamphetamine use carries immediate drawbacks and causes harm to the individual and its environment. In this context, it is important to recall a recent case of Tik (methamphetamine) use in Cape Town, South Africa, where a mother killed her own son because she could not endure his methamphetamine-induced personality changes (Maroldt 2011). By no means is there a beneficial effect of methamphetamine on overall functioning, as stated in the paper by Lende et al. (2007), to which M&S refer. Methamphetamine or crack smoking is too dangerous and too addictive, and the boundaries between a controlled drug-taking behavior and a highly compulsive one can vanish within hours. But is it evolution. . .? doi:10.1017/S0140525X11000823 Roger J. Sullivan and Edward H. Hagen Department of Anthropology, CSU Sacramento, Sacramento CA 95816; Department of Anthropology, Washington State University, Vancouver, WA


Objective: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have become well known for causing gastroduodenal mucosal damage. In addition, they are also known to affect the small intestine in humans. Amlodipine is a third-generation dihydropyridine-type calcium channel blocker; it can inhibit inflammatory cytokines and enhance antioxidant defenses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Amlodipine on indomethacin-induced enteropathy in rats.
Methods: Enteropathy was induced by subcutaneous indomethacin (Indo) prepared in 5 % sodium bicarbonate administrated at a dose rate of 9 mg/kg for two days at 24h intervals. Amlodipine (10 mg/Kg body weight po) was administrated for seven consecutive days beginning 24 h after the first Indo injection. Rats were sacrificed under ether anesthesia on the 8th day. The small intestinal injury was assessed by body weight loss, small intestine weight/length ratio, macroscopic damage, histological study, as well as by biochemical measurement of reduced glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxides and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the small intestine tissue.
Results: The results showed that Amlodipine didn't decrease body weight loss, it decreased small intestine weight/length ratio, macroscopic and microscopic small intestinal damage scores caused by administration of Indo. It also increased SOD activity and decreased lipid peroxidation. The effect on the level of GSH wasn't observed. No statistical significance was observed when previous findings were compared to Indo induced enteropathy group (p>0.05).
Conclusion: Amlodipine didn't produce an obvious enhancement in enteropathy induced by Indo in rats.


Genomic selection (GS) has been widely used in livestock breeding. However, the long-term impact of GS on genetic gain, as well as inbreeding levels, has not been fully explored in beef cattle. In this study, we carried out simulation analysis using different approaches involving two types of SNP density (54 K and 100 K) and three levels of heritability traits (h2 = 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5) to explore the long-term effects of selection strategies on genetic gain and average kinship coefficients. Our results showed that GS can improve the genetic gain across generations, and the GBLUP strategy showed slightly better performance than the BayesA model. Higher trait heritability can generate higher genetic gain in all scenarios. Moreover, simulation results using GBLUP and BayesA strategies showed higher average kinship coefficients compared with other strategies. Our study suggested that it is important to design GS strategies by considering the SNP density and trait heritability to achieve long-term and sustainable genetic gain and to effectively control inbreeding levels.


To allow video authoring using low-end platforms, we have designed a Java-based video editing system using a client-server framework. In the system, the process of video editing is split into a low-resolution authoring stage and a high-resolution production stage which are carried out in the client site and the server site respectively. We defined the Movie Markup Language (MML) as the interface between the two stages. The MML covers a set of primitive operators for video authoring, e.g., spatial and temporal composition, special effect rendering, etc. In our experimental "WWW-EFXer" system, the MML script composed by the client user will be submitted to the remote server for guiding the Movie-Making Agent (MMA) to perform the authoring instructions received.


The power consumption is one of the most important integrated circuit parameters. It is crucial to know the circuit's estimated leakage power since such a bound will enable the designers to ensure that the circuit meets the standby power constraints which impacts battery life in portable devices. It means that the leakage of MOSFET devices have to be modeled accurately. The first fundamental thesis aim is the accurate gate dimension dependent drain and source leakage modeling. The second fundamental thesis aim is the enhanced model of high voltage spiral divider that allows designing of circuits that can actively control the power consumption. The leakage current in standard MOSFET models (BSIM3/BSIM4) is typically modeled by drain-bulk and source-bulk diodes. This modeling method does not consider the impact of several parasitic bipolar devices. For the accurate modeling the impact of the following bipolar transistors has to be considered: a lateral bipolar transistor drain-bulksource, a vertical bipolar transistor drain-bulk-substrate (only in isolated structures), and a vertical bipolar transistor source-bulk-substrate (only in isolated structures). For example, the drain or source leakage as a function of gate length cannot be modeled without the scalable parasitic bipolar devices. This thesis demonstrates the structure of a proposed macro model, implemented scalability (in most cases nonlinear), developed scaling equations, and physical explanation of this scaling. The splitting of the scaling equations to the area, perimeter and constant segments makes the higher geometry accuracy than the using a conventional area factor scaling. The parasitic BJTs are not active when MOSFET operates in the standard regime in ON state and take part only in drain and source leakage in OFF state or in non-standard operation where drain-bulk or source-bulk junction is in forward regime. Finally, the comparison of measured data vs. simulation is presented in order to confirm the model validity. This model improvement solves not only leakage current scaling, but it also accounts for additional parasitic bipolar effects, such as current injection to the substrate. Next chapters deal with the enhanced accurate DC and RF model of nonlinear spiral polysilicon voltage divider. The high resistance polysilicon divider is a sensing part of the high voltage start-up MOSFET transistor that can operate up to 700 V. The strong electric field in low doped drain drift area located under the low doped polysilicon spiral divider causes a lot of parasitic effects that have a significant influence on DC and RF device characteristics and makes divider ratio voltage and frequency dependent. This thesis presents the structure of a proposed model, implemented voltage, frequency and temperature dependency, and scalability. A special attention is paid to the ability of the created model to cover the mismatch and influence of a variation of process parameters on the device characteristics. The statistical process variation model is created based on measurement about 30000 devices and mismatch model is based on measurement about 3000 devices. The modeling results are compared with measured data and the maximal relative model error of the divider ratio is less then 1.1 % and a typical application is also demonstrated.


Among the aluminum welding processes, the GMAW (Gas Metal Arc Welding) process can be easily made automatic, has high productivity and great versatility regarding the type and thickness of material used in welding. The possibility of changing the transfer mode to adapt to different thickness, joint types, among other aspects, is another important and attractive feature. However, little is known about the transfer modes in aluminum GMAW process. For this reason, in this study an analysis of the metal transfer modes in the aluminum welding was made, and the objective was to generate maps that could identify the metal transfer modes and their regions in relation to the shielding gas and the wire diameter. The experimental procedure was the execution of weld on aluminum plate in a flat position with a constant voltage power source. The methodology used was laser Shadowgraphy combined with a high-speed movie camera. Therefore, it was possible to design the maps in which four metal transfer modes and their respective transition zones were determined. The maps also permit determination of the transition current zone between the globular and the spray mode, and modeling of the melting rate.


The following article deals with the 'hypothetical particle' in the Arabic version of the Pentateuch in MS Paris BN copte 1 (14th century). This Arabic version was translated from a Coptic version which is set parallel to it; the instances of are very indicative of the work of a translator in a period of lingual transition.


In recent years, volunteering has received increasing attention as a unique form of learning, one which may complement lifelong learning programs for older adults. This study examined the underlying volunteer motivations as well as formal volunteer behaviors among older adult lifelong learners. Data from 277 members of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute in an urban community in the western part of the United States were analyzed using exploratory factor analysis and binary logistic regression models. Results showed that generativity (i.e., a desire to help next generations or communities), personal development, and well-being are salient underlying volunteer motivators. However, only generativity was associated with actual volunteering among older lifelong learners (odds ratio = 1.55; standard error = .17; p < .05). These findings suggested that existing lifelong learning programs might consider incorporating volunteer-based service learning components into their curricula in order to further promote the benefits of lifelong learning among older adults.


Doctor Palma and colleagues, from State University of Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil, performed on page 209 a prospective study to achieve visualization of the reestablishment of anatomy after reconstructive surgery in the different pelvic compartments. They studied a total of 30 female patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI), anterior and posterior vaginal wall prolapse, or both, that underwent surgical repair using radiopaque meshes. Three-dimensional reconstruction using helical CT was performed 4 weeks postoperatively. The authors clearly visualized the mesh in all cases. It was concluded that 3-dimensional helical tomography images of the female pelvis using radiopaque meshes have a potential role in improving the understanding of pelvic floor reconstructive surgeries.


The so-called «Finlandia Palace », intended to house congresses, exhibitions, conferences, concerts and similar events, is located at less than a kilometre from the Town Centre of the Finnish capital and forms part of a complex urbanistic plan-projected by Alvar Aalto several years ago, and which was much discussed at the time.
The building has four storeys, and has two halls: one with 1,750 seats, and another, smaller, for 350 places. Furthermore, there are all kinds of auxiliary installations: simultaneous translation, post office, interpreters, testing rooms, restaurants, cafeterias, cloak-rooms, etc., and it is equipped with the latest advances regarding conditioning and insulation.


We previously described the isolation of mutants of the methylotrophic yeast Hansenula polymorpha that are defective in peroxisome biogenesis. Here, we describe the characterization of one of these mutants, per8, and the cloning of the PER8 gene. In either methanol or methylamine medium, conditions that normally induce the organdies, per8 cells contain no peroxisome-like structures and peroxisomal enzymes are located in the cytosol. The sequence of PER8 predicts that its product (Per8p) is a novel polypeptide of 34 kD, and antibodies against Per8p recognize a protein of 31 kD. Analysis of the primary sequence of PerSp revealed a 39-amino-acid cysteinerich segment with similarity to the C3HC4 family of zinc-finger motifs. Overexpression of PER8 results in a markedly enhanced increase in peroxisome numbers. We show that PerSp is an integral membrane protein of the peroxisome and that it is concentrated in the membranes of newly formed organdies. We propose that PerSp is a component of the molecular machinery that controls the proliferation of this organelle. UKARYOTIC cells are divided into a variety of membrane-bound compartments or organeUes, each responsible for performing specific metabolic functions. To maintain each organelle, the cell must correctly direct specific sets of proteins to their proper subcellular locations and, as the cell grows and divides, the organelles must be duplicated. For some organdies, such as the endoplasmic reticulnm, mitochondrion, and peroxisome, the cell can also increase organelle numbers in response to certain environmental stimuli (Bolender et al., 1973; Attardi et al., 1988; Braunbeck and V61kl, 1991; Dreyer et al., 1992; Luiken et al., 1992). Of these organelle biogenesis tasks, significant progress has been made in elucidating the molecular mechanisms responsible for protein sorting, whereas little is known regarding the mechanisms responsible for organelle duplication/proliferation. We are interested in understanding biogenesis in peroxisomes (glyoxysomes, glycosomes), a class of single membrane-bound organdies that exists in virtually all cells and is the site of a number of important oxidative reactions (Borst, 1989; Veenhuis and Harder, 1991; van den Bosch, 1992; Subramani, 1993). An unusual characteristic ofperoxisomes relative to other organdies is their functional diverAddress all correspondence to Dr. James M. Cregg, Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology, Oregon Graduate Institute of Science & Technology, P.O. Box 91000, Portland, OR 97291-1000. Ph.: (503) 690-1217. Fax: (503) 6904464. Hans Waterham's present address is Oregon Graduate Institute of Science & Technology, P.O. Box 91000, Portland, OR 97291-1000. sity; that is, the specific metabolic pathways found in the organelle vary depending upon the organism, the tissue, and its environment. The importance of peroxisomes to humans is dramatically demonstrated by a family of lethal genetic diseases called Zellweger syndrome in which peroxisomes appear to be absent from or deficient in patient cells (Lazarow and Moser, 1989). Thus, peroxisomes are clearly essential for human survival. In recent years, basic features of peroxisome biogenesis have emerged. Proteins destined for the peroxisome are synthesized on free ribosomes, usually at their mature sizes, and posttranslationally imported into the organelle (Roa and Blobel, 1983; Fujiki et al., 1986). For import ofperoxisomal matrix enzymes, two distinct peroxisomal targeting signals (PTSs) ~ have been defined (for review see de Hoop and AB, 1992). The most common signal, PTS1, is a carboxyterminal tripeptide that is typically SKL or a conservative variant (Gould et al., 1987, 1990; Aitchison et al., 1991; Keller et al., 1991). The second, PTS2, is found on only a few peroxisomal enzymes such as mammalian and yeast 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolases and yeast amine oxidase (Osumi et al., 1991; Swinkels et al., 1991; Glover et al., 1994; Faber et al., 1995). PTS2 is located near the amino terminus and 1. Abbreviations used in this paper: AMO, amine oxidase; AOX, alcohol oxidase; CAT, catalase; DHAS, dihydroxyacetone synthase; EM, electron microscopic; MAL, maltose binding protein; MOX, methanol oxidase; Mut +, methanol-utilizing; Mut-, methanol-utilization-defective; ORF, open reading frame; PMox, alcohol oxidase promoter; PTS, peroxisomal targeting signal. © The Rockefeller University Press, 0021-9525/95/02/307/13 $2.00 The Journal of Cell Biology, Volume 128, Number 3, February 1995 307-319 307 on Jne 9, 2007 w w w .jc.org D ow nladed fom is cleaved in some instances (rat thiolase) but not in others (yeast thiolase). Peroxisomal membrane proteins and some matrix enzymes do not appear to have either PTS; therefore, it is likely that one or more additional PTSs exist. Aside from targeting signals, import machinery components remain largely unidentified with the exception of the Pichia pastoris PAS8 gene product which may be a receptor for proteins bearing PTS1 (McCollum et al., 1993). Less is known regarding the cell's ability to control peroxisome volume and number. Like mitochondria, peroxisomes are thought to duplicate by fission from preexisting organelles and to actively migrate into daughter cells (Veenhuis et al., 1979; Attardi and Schatz, 1988). The number of peroxisomes per cell can increase dramatically in response to metabolic needs. For example, certain hypolipidemic drugs such as clofibrate induce peroxisomes to proliferate in rat liver cells (Lock et al., 1989). However, the most extreme example of a proliferative response is observed in methylotrophic yeasts such as Hansenula polymorpha where methanol induces a massive increase in peroxisome size and number (Veenhuis et al., 1979). In glucose-grown cells of this yeast, only one or a few small peroxisomes are present, whereas in methanol, peroxisomes can account for as much as 80% of total cell volume. Interestingly, when peroxisomal enzymes are expressed at high levels in glucose-grown cells, the organelles increase in size but not number (Gtdecke et al., 1989; Roggenkamp et al., 1989). Thus, it appears that peroxisome size may be a reflection of the amount of matrix protein, while proliferation is controlled by a separate mechanism. H. polymorpha is an attractive model system for genetic studies on peroxisome biogenesis (Veenhuis et al., 1992). In this organism, detailed physiological, biochemical, and ultrastructural information exists on the role of peroxisomes in the metabolism of a variety of unusual carbon and nitrogen sources (Veenhuis and Harder, 1987, 1991). In addition, methods for classicaland molecular-genetic manipulation of the organism are well developed (Cregg, 1987; Gleeson and Sudbery, 1988; Faber et at., 1992; Titorenko et al., 1993). In previous reports, we have described the isolation of H. polymorpha mutants that are defective in peroxisome biogenesis (per mutants) (Cregg et al., 1990; Waterham et al., 1992; Titorenko et al., 1993). In this report, we describe the characterization of one mutant, per8, and the molecular cloning and characterization of the PER8 gene and its product. We show that PER8 encodes a 34-kD peroxisomal integral membrane protein that appears to play a role in peroxisome proliferation. Materials and Methods Strains, Media, and Microbial Techniques H. polymorpha strains used in this study are listed in Table I. H. polymorpha cultures were grown at 37°C in a complex medium (YPD) composed of 1% yeast extract, 2 % peptone, and 2 % dextrose, or in one of the following minimal media: YNB medium (0.17% yeast nitrogen base without amino acids and ammonium sulfate, 0.5% ammonium sulfate) supplemented with either 0.4% dextrose or 0.5% methanol and 0.05% yeast extract; MAD medium (0.17% yeast nitrogen base without amino acids and ammonium sulfate, 0.25 % methylarnine, 0.25 % dextrose). Nutritional supplements for growth of auxotrophic strains were added to 50/~g/ml as required. Sporulation (mating) medium was composed of 2% malt extract. Table L H. polymorpha Strains Used in This Study Strain Genotype Source or reference CBS4732 wild type CBS4732 A16 leul Veale et al. (1992) C76 per8-1 This study CT100 per8-1 leul This study CT101 per8A: :SLEU2 This study CT102 per8A: :SLEU2 ade11 This study CT103 per8-1 leul PMox-PER8 This study CT104 perl leul This study Genetic manipulations ofH. polymorpha have been described (Gleeson and Sudbery, 1988; Cregg et at., 1990; Faber et al., 1992). Yeast transformations were performed by the Klebe procedure (KIebe et at., 1983). Cultivation of Escherichia coli strains and recombinant DNA techniques were performed as described (Sambrook et al., 1989).


treatment, in which microbes cannot be demonstrated, and another more virulent, in which microbes are present. He maintains their presence or absence should be easily made out in all cases, and the prognosis given accordingly; that the microbes, if present, can be demonstrated in the following way under the microscope:?He takes a drop of the purulent secretion, places it on a covering glass, and gently presses this down on a slide?this is dried over a spirit lamp, then allowed to lie for two or three minutes in a two per cent aqueous solution of methyline blue, finally treated with a few drops of absolute alcohol and mounted in Canada balsam. The


As ever, the sun goes down. The boy fights, at the long kitchen table, with a strange tongue, Caesar's Gallic Wars, exercises the constricted prose, the soldier's handbook, because his father did, who helps him through the hard parts he remembers. The girl sits, younger, peeling potatoes, a lump of white starch balls denting her apron's lap; she's bored, stung by the changes her brother voices, almost chants, in the rhythms of war. She sighs, smells her mother's silence cooking at the stove in their house a few miles from the border. The next day is clear and warm; this time, the planes flying over are German; the neighbors notice it first, and see specks blooming like thousands of flowers. They shout, but soon words won't count, except as lies, and the thud of feet won't guarantee a life.


In radio frequency identification (RFID) systems, tag anti-collision is important to mitigate the collision problem. Channel error and capture effect may occur due to distance and channel state between a reader and tags and it causes some unidentified tags. Conventional tag anti-collision protocols have been studied under ideal channel condition. In this paper, we propose an efficient tree-based anti-collision protocol considering capture effect. Simulation results show that the proposed tag anti-collision protocol improves performance of RFID systems.


Spherical harmonics are commonly used in the construction of multi-resolution representations of complex spherical shapes such as brain surface meshes. A key step in generating such representations for a spherical mesh is to construct a one-to-one map onto a sphere. A parametrization inevitably introduces local distortions such as stretching and compression, so that some regions can be severely undersampled or oversampled. As such, parametrizations with minimal metric distortion are desirable because they yield more accurate representations. In this paper, we use a spherical parametrization method that explicitly minimizes the overall distortion penalizing stretching and compression symmetrically. The optimization process uses a hierarchical and iterative scheme. We show numerically that the proposed parametrizations lead to accurate spherical representations of various brain structures.


The production cost of silvicultural work will directly influence the production benefit and the enthusiasm of the farmers that participate in the forest carbon trade.At the same time,it will influence the phylogeny of the forest carbon trade market.For the sake of reducing the production cost of management forest,twenty days of investigation were made on 16 villages in Heqing County,and analysis was made of the main reasons of high production cost.From the study,some approaches were put forward for reducing the production cost of forest management.


This paper aims to examine the criticism of the sanad and the perspective of Muhammad Syuhudi Ismail in understanding the hadith of the fasting Sunnah of the month of Rajab. According to Syuhudi Ismail, the validity of a hadith can be measured from several conditions, namely ittisal al-sanad, 'adl, dabit, avoiding syaz, and no' illah. whereas, in analyzing the validity of the mind there are four benchmarks, namely not contradicting the Koran, not contradicting a stronger hadith, not contradicting common sense and history, and its structure showing prophetic words. This research is a qualitative research using library research method. The primary data in this study are pole al-sittah and pole al-sab'ah. The data collection methods are takhrij and i'tibar al-hadith. Meanwhile, the analysis uses sanad analysis and hadith observations. The results of this study are from the three hadiths that have been examined, all the narrators that are in the line of the three hadiths are predicated of siqat with the quality of the hadith sahih al-sanad. Meanwhile, the quality of the observations of the three hadiths above can be concluded that the three of them do not contradict the benchmarks used as the benchmark in criticizing the hadith observations, as explained by Muhammad Syuhudi Ismail.


The early impact of COVID-19 vaccination on deaths among elderly people in Iran Seyed Amir Ahmad Safavi-Naini, Mohamad Amin Pourhoseingholi 1 National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2 Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran


This paper contains some of the information about the Terminalia chebula a well-known medicinal plant grows in India. The main discussion is on some of the chemical compounds that are mainly found in T.chebula . Here the structures of the compounds along with their uses are mentioned.


Identifying key events in the history of contemporary India - Partition, sati, minority rights, the Bhopal industrial disaster, the nature of the Indian state - Veena Das describes the implications of these occurrences within the framework of anthropological knowledge. Her attempt here is to produce an ethnography of contemporary India which is sensitive to both world historical processes and the inner life of individuals. The critical events that Professor Das analyzes have all instituted new sorts of action which have, in turn, redefined traditional categories such as codes of purity and honour; the meaning of martyrdom; and the construction of a heroic life. The author shows how these new forms took shape and were appropriated by a variety of political actors such as caste groups, religious communities, women's groups, and the nation as a whole.


The internet is regarded as a hub for information, commerce and education and this raises issues of universal access for citizens being able to participate in a knowledge-driven economy. Universal access to the internet has become a human rights issue that allows all members of a society, including people with disabilities, the right to access its vast repository of information. In Australia, the Disability Discrimination Act of 1992 makes it is unlawful to discriminate against people with disability. However, the Act is not specific about online accessibility. It does not, for instance, include reference to the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) Guidelines as does the US Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. According to research reported in this paper, we found that the majority of websites in Australian educational institutions have significant obstacles that would make it difficult for people with disabilities to use. The central question posed by this paper is: Why is it that, despite best intentions, policy frameworks, the availability of a wealth of resources, testing devices and so on, many vocational education and training websites and resources fail to comply with the accessibility standards? It concludes that with the rapid development of Rich Internet Applications (RIA) technologies, the ability of education providers to reach accessibility standards becomes even more important as a focus for institutional policy development and implementation.


This paper addresses the fundamental theory of nonlinear acoustics in a thermoviscous fluid. Emphasis is given to the combined effects of nonlinearity, absorption, and diffraction in sound beams. An overview is presented of the various mathematical models used for the propagation of a high‐intensity sound beam, with a discussion of their range of validity. Some examples of nonlinear effects in a sound beam are shown. Nonlinear interaction between two real sound beams is also considered. The sources may possess arbitrary phase and amplitude shading, and different sizes and orientations. The obtained results are related to earlier works on the scattering of sound by sound, which are discussed. [Work supported by the IR&D program of ARL:UT, and VISTA/STATOIL, Norway.]


Under the pressures of climate change, many countries are trying to adapt to a low-carbon economy. In this paper, we review the development pattern of the low-carbon economy of major countries and its impact on the world economy. We then argue that economic development and abatement of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in China should be balanced. The challenges that China faces should also be considered carefully. It is necessary for China to find an approach to solve the issues of climate change, which should include new technologies and establishing incentive mechanisms and reform-oriented policies. These guidelines can adjust the structure of the economy and energy use, improve energy efficiency, promote the development of alternative and renewable energy, enhance the potential of carbon sinks, and develop advanced technology to perfect a 'Clean Development Mechanism' and sustainable development through international cooperation.


. In this paper, we introduce RHYMAS, a simulation framework that uses a multiagent approach and allows the creation of simulated emergency scenarios that mix artificial agents and humans. Those humans interact with the simulation using different types of immersive technologies, including virtual reality, simtables or virtual cave environments. The RHYMAS framework is being designed specifi-cally for training firefighters and is being developed in collaboration with the "Es-cola de bombers i protecci´o civil de Catalunya".


In the field of innocent defendants and convicts' damage compensation who have endured further losses due to issue criminal supply contracts or orders execution, their innocence has been cleared by issuing acquittance sentences. It counted as one of the most challenging issues in private and criminal law. In these recent years, based on positive changes in the rules of Iran, a lot of works done for innocent defendants and convicts' damage compensation have endured different and unfair punishments. But no integration or constructive work has been done for guiltless convicts' damage compensation who have endured some parts or all their punishments, and their innocence has been proved but not predicted. The reverse of this matter is true in the Canadian law system. Only a guilty convict who has tolerated some or all parts of unfair punishment deserves to receive damage compensation. This study attempted to research the subject's international binding rules, and many practical strategies for guiltless convicts' damage compensation will be considered in both systems by a comparative study.


For pt.I see ibid., vol.13, p.441 (1983). The magnetic phase diagram for CrFe alloys was determined by neutron scattering and low-field magnetisation. Two critical concentrations were found as the state of magnetic order evolved from itinerant antiferromagnetism for Fe concentrations less than cA=16.0+or-0.5% to ferromagnetism for Fe concentrations greater than cF=19.0+or-0.5%. Spin-glass behaviour was observed between the two critical concentrations. The onset of ferromagnetism was studied by neutron small-angle scattering. Analysis of the concentration and temperature dependence of the magnetic correlation range below cF suggested that a geometrical element is involved in the development of ferromagnetic long-range order; these results were in semi-quantitative agreement with models for the percolation multi-critical point. The bulk magnetic properties of alloys between the two critical concentrations were consistent with a simple fine magnetic particle model of percolation clusters of Fe moments fluctuating against barriers arising from magnetostatic shape anisotropy.


This paper presents an integrated model for the wave(current)-induced seabed response. The Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokers (RANS) Equations and k-e turbulence model are applied in the fluid field and the poro-elastoplastic model is used to simulate the seabed response. Validation of the present integrated model is presented first. Then the effect of currents on the seabed response is examined by considering both the oscillatory and residual mechanisms of the pore pressure inside the soil. A parametric study is conducted to examine the characteristics of the poro-elastoplastic model here. It shows that the development of the two-dimensional liquefaction zone can be illustrated by the present model. Besides, results show that opposite direction between waves and currents yields faster liquefaction process compared to the same direction.


ABSTRACT The norm for sales organizations is the pursuit of long-term profitability through positive relationships with key accounts. Sales professionals begin and end their activities with the customer in mind, aiming to maximize their relationships over a long period of time. This article examines the association between buyer and seller relationships and customer satisfaction as well as the association between customer service orientation and customer relationships. Findings suggest that the ability to meet customer sales service expectations as well as the existence of positive relationships between buyers and sellers is associated with customer satisfaction. Implications for managers are explored.


This paper presents PASER, a system for automatically synthesising curricula using AI Planning and Machine Learning techniques based on an ontology of educational resources metadata. Given the initial state of the problem (learner's profile, preferences, needs and abilities), the available actions (study an educational resource, take an exam, join an e-learning course, etc.) and the goals (obtain a certificate, learn a subject, acquire a skill, etc.), the planning module of PASER constructs a complete educational curriculum that achieves the goals. The Machine Learning module of PASER matches textually described learning requests, objectives and prerequisites to concepts of the ontology.


In situ observations of surface air and dewpoint temperatures and air pressure from over 15 000 weather stations and from ships are used to calculate surface specific (q) and relative (RH) humidity over the globe (60°S–75°N) from December 1975 to spring 2005. Seasonal and interannual variations and linear trends are analyzed in relation to observed surface temperature (T) changes and simulated changes by a coupled climate model [namely the Parallel Climate Model (PCM)] with realistic forcing. It is found that spatial patterns of long-term mean q are largely controlled by climatological surface temperature, with the largest q of 17–19 g kg 1 in the Tropics and large seasonal variations over northern mid- and high-latitude land. Surface RH has relatively small spatial and interannual variations, with a mean value of 75%–80% over most oceans in all seasons and 70%–80% over most land areas except for deserts and high terrain, where RH is 30%–60%. Nighttime mean RH is 2%–15% higher than daytime RH over most land areas because of large diurnal temperature variations. The leading EOFs in both q and RH depict long-term trends, while the second EOF of q is related to the El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). During 1976–2004, global changes in surface RH are small (within 0.6% for absolute values), although decreasing trends of 0.11% 0.22% decade 1 for global oceans are statistically significant. Large RH increases (0.5%–2.0% decade 1 ) occurred over the central and eastern United States, India, and western China, resulting from large q increases coupled with moderate warming and increases in low clouds over these regions during 1976–2004. Statistically very significant increasing trends are found in global and Northern Hemispheric q and T. From 1976 to 2004, annual q (T ) increased by 0.06 g kg 1 (0.16°C) decade 1 globally and 0.08 g kg 1 (0.20°C) decade 1 in the Northern Hemisphere, while the Southern Hemispheric q trend is positive but statistically insignificant. Over land, the q and T trends are larger at night than during the day. The largest percentage increases in surface q (1.5% to 6.0% decade 1 ) occurred over Eurasia where large warming (0.2° to 0.7°C decade 1 ) was observed. The q and T trends are found in all seasons over much of Eurasia (largest in boreal winter) and the Atlantic Ocean. Significant correlation between annual q and T is found over most oceans (r 0.6–0.9) and most of Eurasia (r 0.4–0.8), whereas it is insignificant over subtropical land areas. RH–T correlation is weak over most of the globe but is negative over many arid areas. The q–T anomaly relationship is approximately linear so that surface q over the globe, global land, and ocean increases by 4.9%, 4.3%, and 5.7% per 1°C warming, respectively, values that are close to those suggested by the Clausius–Clapeyron equation with a constant RH. The recent q and T trends and the q–T relationship are broadly captured by the PCM; however, the model overestimates volcanic cooling and the trends in the Southern Hemisphere.


Ninty wheat varieties were selected to determine the isozymes of polyphenol oxidase at various stages during wheat kernel development.The results showed that 9 PPO isozyme bands was detected in the immature kernels.The isozymes was more plentiful at stage of grain forming.Afterwards,the band density of low molecular weight isozyme were gradually decreased.At grain maturity,the band density of low molecular weight isozyme were very faint.No bands of isozyme was detected from grain harvested and dried.At same stage of grain development,the isozyme patterns of different varieties were similar.These conclusions were important for detecting cause of variation in polyphenol oxidase activity of wheat varieties.


This research was motivated by student responses to English teaching materials in Google Classroom and Whatsapp at SMAN 07 Muko-Muko for the academic year 2021/2022. This research is a qualitative research with a descriptive method that aims to analyze and see the types of responses when given English teaching materials through the Google Classroom and Whatsapp applications. The total sample in this study was 71 students from 4 classes. Data were collected by researchers by distributing questionnaires to students directly with a total of 20 statements related to student responses to English teaching materials. There are three types of response types, namely cognitive, affective, and conative responses. The results of this study indicate that the dominant students have an Affective response to English teaching materials in Google Classroom and Whatsapp as a medium in learning. However, of all the types of responses given by students, Affective responses were the most common type found to students.Keywords: Types of Responses, Teaching Materials, Google Classroom, WhatsApp.


Orbitalandperiorbitalsquamouscell carcinomas (SCCs) are treated with surgicalresectionastheprimarymodality and radiation therapy as adjuvant treatment in patients with perineural invasion or concerns for microscopically positive margins. For advanced cases, extensive surgerysuchasorbitalexenterationmay be needed to fully extirpate the tumor. Orbital exenteration leads to loss of the eye and significant facial disfigurement but has the potential to produce long-term cure. The extensive surgical treatments required for advanced cases of orbital and periorbital SCC entail long periods of general anesthesia and inpatient hospitalization; thus, in patientswithpoorperformancestatus, advanced age, or multiple medical comorbidities, surgery may not be the best option. Several epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR)inhibitorshaverecently been developed and have shownefficacyintreatmentofnon– small cell lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, colon cancer, and mucosal head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. 1-3 We herein report 2 elderly patients with recurrent advancedorbitalSCCwhoweretreated withEGFRinhibitors—erlotinib,an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor, and cetuximab,amonoclonalantibody– and had striking initial responses to this treatment. Report of Cases.Case 1. A 90-yearold woman with a history of SCC of the left lateral canthus that had


France and Japan have signed a deal to develop a new supersonic passenger plane that will succeed the now obsolete Concorde. The agreement between the Society of Japanese Aerospace Companies (SJAC) and the French Aerospace Industries Association (GIFAS) was announced at the Paris air show last month. The collaboration will begin with three years of research into developing new composite materials, improving fuel efficiency and reducing jet-engine noise. Concorde, which flew from 1969 to 2003, was always very noisy and needed lots of fuel.


The full-wave simulation of semi-infinite metamaterials is a key tool to the understanding of surface-bounded wave phenomena. In this paper, we present a method that can be used to model a semi-infinite metamaterial using full-wave simulations based on the Method of Moments. First, the impedance matrices describing one layer of the metamaterial are transformed in order to obtain the response of a semi-infinite metamaterial. Then, the fields within the first layers of the structure are computed recursively. The whole process is numerically stable. Numerical results are provided as an illustration.


The neural network control algorithm is frequently applied to lots of field these days. Especially, hydraulic system has many nonlinear characteristic like leakage, friction, and compression of fluid. Therefore, the application of neural network in nonlinear control has a lot of advantage.
This paper proposes a method to control position of hydraulic servo system using PID controllers by neural network identifier. The results are illustrated to show effectiveness of the present method through simulations.


In this work, a theoretical study on different characteristics of AlInGaN/InGaN heterostructures for enhancing the device performance has been presented. The calculation of two dimensional electron gas sheet charge density of AlGaInN /InGaN heterostuctures has been carried out. The effect of spontaneous and piezoelectric polarization has been observed. Polarization has been simulated with the variation of mole fraction. It has been observed that with the increment of the mole fraction Indium element and the decrement of the mole fraction of Aluminium element, the total polarization increases. With the incorporation of Indium and associated changes of the Built-in strain in AlInGaN/InGaN heterostructures have detrimental effect on the transport properties two dimensional electron gas at the hetero interface.


This study is about analysis on contents and systems of "home-living" areas in high-school textbooks, Via the study, It was expected to giving teachers basic data for teaching and developing new textbooks. For this purpose, reference materials of 12 textbooks by 7th Curriculum were compared and analyzed on writers, contents, construction. The results of study were as follows. 1) Textbooks writers were 28 professors(58%), 12 high school teachers(26%), 6 middle school teachers(14%) and 1(2%) an agent in Korean Consumer Agency. 2) "Construct for home-living" and "Marriage and Children care" had more contents of reference materials and activity data than other 2 chapters. Reference materials and activity data were divided evenly among all. "Actual home-living" had equal quantity of contents and different subjects of practicing. 3) Each textbook had 1~4 contents of "search for jobs" but Jihaksa and Chunjae Education had none of them. Daehan-gyogwaseo did not have "Construct for home-living" and Hyungseul publish did not hold "Actual home-living". Through the results. the following suggestions could be proposed. First, various specialist like researchers and educational administrators should be joined in developing text books for preventing from uncorrect and baseless contents. Second, it is necessary for students to use reference materials and activity data which make them self-initiative study. Third, it is important for adolescents who is future"s leaders to develop their aptitude and jobs as essential factors for nation and society. If we take the contents more related from all angles, students will choose their majors more easily.


Water factory 21 is a 0.66-mVs (15mgd) advanced wastewater treatment plant operated by the Orange County (Calif.) Water District. It is designed to improve the quality of biologically treated municipal wastewater for injection into groundwater, thereby preventing seawater intrusion. The processes and concerns of this facility are similar to those of facilities treating highly contaminated water supplies for potable purposes. The processes implemented at the water factory are lime treatment, air stripping, recarbonation, chlorination for algae control, filtration, granular activated carbon adsorption (GAC), reverse osmosis, and final chlorination for disinfection and ammonia removal.


The term "surface active agent" usually refers to the synthetic organic compounds displaying surface activity, which have been produced so extensively in industry during recent years as wetting agents, detergents, penetrants, emulsifying agents, dispersing agents and foamers. In the biological literature the term "detergents" is used generally and synonymously to indicate surface active compounds. Structurally, surface active agents consist of a hydrophilic and a lipophilic radical. The electrical charge on the hydrophilic portion of a surfactant serves as a convenient basis for classification of these com-


An area efficient design of unmatched pattern generators with dynamic connections for circuits with many inputs is presented. For a circuit with n inputs, instead of requiring n flip-flops, the design needs only m + [n/m] flip-flops and a connection mapping network. m flip-flops are used to construct a primary LFSR (linear feedback shift register) for pattern generation. The other [n/m] flip-flops form a secondary LFSR that dynamically changes the connections between the primary LFSR outputs and circuit inputs by controlling the mapping network. Experiments show that the proposed design is less costly in area as compared to matched designs and also achieves better test quality than either the matched or unmatched designs with static connections.<<ETX>>


The present invention provides a method for producing a semiconductor device, comprising: providing a substrate, said substrate having on one side a device function layer; a first opening in the preparation of a device functional layer, the first opening extending through the said device function layer, the angle of the sidewall of the first opening of the first opening in the bottom wall is less than 90 °; to the device functional layer as a mask, the first opening pattern as a mask, to the substrate is etched to form a second opening in said substrate. The present invention further provides a method of preparing a stacked chip, the second opening of the above-described preparation method for preparing a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device production method of the semiconductor manufacturing process can be simplified to improve the semiconductor fabrication facility (FAB) productivity, reduce production costs.


The aim of this project was to determine whether language tutors at a community college in the U.S. state of Virginia who play an active role in the design and implementation of new assessment strategies will see an increase in awareness of their own strengths and weaknesses and whether this awareness will drive them to change and adapt their learning and tutoring for the better. The author will show that assessment can be used as an avenue for tutors to share strengths with one another through indirect observation in the form of recorded tutoring sessions, qualitative surveys, and informal interviews. The author will begin by describing the assessment strategy that he determined was most effective for evaluating a language tutor's overall knowledge, skills, and performance in the context of a college tutoring center. Through anonymous observations of tutoring sessions, self-reflective surveys, and peer assessments, the author will show how tutors' awareness of their own strengths and weaknesses was raised and how assessment strategies can be strengthened and further developed as a result of tutors' feedback. * Identifying details of the school that provides the setting for this project have been omitted.


In recent years,the cultivation area of oil flax expands continuouly.Local farmers mix flaxseed and rapeseed to extract oil to improve the taste of rapeseed oil.However,Cultivation measures are extensive and backward,which are not studied systematically.For promoting the production of flax in this area,we preliminarily desigan a complete set of technical schemes on high-yield cultivation of oil flax through different tests of sowing dates,fertilizer and density.


By conducting security auditing on source code, the root cause of security issues can be identified, and the system security risk can be reduced after effective repair of vulnerabilities. The existing source code detection methods mainly include tools scanning and manual auditing, both of the above approaches have shortcomings. This article focuses on optimizing the detection method combining static tool scanning and manual auditing, and designs a JAVA source code vulnerability detection device. The device includes a high false positive vulnerability prediction module and a manual auditing auxiliary function module, aiming to reduce the false positive rate of source code vulnerability detection and improve the efficiency and accuracy of manual auditing.


Objective To analyze the reason for the low productivity and quality on producing the chondroitin sulfate in cold region,and to improve the production technology to raise the efficiency obviously as well as the product quality.Methods The method of integration of alkaline hydrolysis and enzymatic hydrolysis was used to extract chondroitin sulfat from the tracheal cartilage of animals,such as pig,cow and sheep.Comprehensively considering various special factors in cold region,the alkaline washing process and concentration gradient experi-ment were added.Results Through technology optimization,the yield of chondroitin sulfate was up to 10.5%,which was 3%~3.5% higher than that of the primary technology.The purity was more than 90%.Conclusion The reason for the low productivity and quality on producing the chondroitin sulfate in cold region is understood.It is proved that the new production technology presented in this passage can raise the efficiency and quality.


We show that the temporal evolution of a highly excited classical plasma can be strongly modified due to the collective nature of the plasma. We show this to be particularly pronounced when the plasma frequency matches the transition energy from the continuum free-electron levels to the core states. The three-body collisions are then strongly resonant enhanced by the collective nature of the plasma. Our self-consistent calculations for an Al plasma show a dramatic enhancement of core repopulation in regions of plasma temperature and density of experimental interest.


The field of mixed methods (MM) research has expanded over the last few decades with a plethora of publications, the launch of the Journal of Mixed Methods Research (JMMR), and the establishment of the Mixed Methods International Research Association (MMIRA). Given the nascent status of MMIRA, its Executive Board established a task force on the future of MM and the MMIRA, asking us to cast our gaze to the future. We provide a summary of progress in the MM field and then identify fertile topics and challenges that members of this community may engage with for the next five years (2016-2020). Our process consisted of brainstorming topics that are of relevance to the MM communities and then dividing into teams to draft sections related to those topics. We went through several rounds of drafts, comments, and revisions. The topics are discussed in separate sections, with recommendations for action for each section. The five topics that are addressed in this document include:


Electrochemical characterization and detection of protonated dibucaine (DIC+) at microinterface array across water|1,6-dichlorohexane were performed using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Some thermodynamic parameters of dibucaine, such as the standard transfer potential, the Gibbs energy of transfer and the partition coefficient, were estimated by CV. In addition to the analytical parameters, the impact of bovine serum albumin (BSA) on dibucaine detection (in artificial serum matrices) was also investigated. DPV was applied to detect a lower concentration of DIC+, resulting in a detection limit of 0.9 ± 0.06 µM. While the presence of BSA affected CV, demonstrated as reduced current responses, DPV was confirmed to be an efficient method for lowering concentrations of the dibucaine detection in the artificial serum matrix in the presence of BSA, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.9 ± 0.12 µM.


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Perspectives from five Black and Latino fathers of students with autism are shared from this qualitative pilot study. The fathers were asked to describe the most helpful forms of support from school counselors. One-time, semi-structured interviews were conducted and interpreted with the thematic analysis method. Results suggest support from other parents, and specifically from other fathers, with shared experiences is most helpful. Recommendations for school counseling practice and research are shared.


Life-cycle variation, involving alternative methods of overwintering (holocycly and anholocycly), is found in many important pest aphids, and may have considerable ecological, genetic and economic significance. The occurrence of life-cycle variation in Myzus persicae (Sulz.) in different parts of the world is reviewed. The holocycle of M. persicae , with sexual reproduction and overwintering of eggs on Prunus, occurs in the temperate regions of every continent, and although anholocycly is widespread in warm climates there are indications that the potential for sexual reproduction may be retained throughout the whole range of the species. The environmental factors involved in the determination of sexual morphs are considered. Photoperiodism provides the timing mechanism for sexual morph production, and the photoperiodic response is probably tuned to different regional conditions and buffered against other environmental variables within certain limits. The only other environmental factor clearly implicated in sexual morph production is temperature, and an attempt is made to correlate the global pattern of life-cycle variation in M. persicae with temperature differences between regions, by dividing the world into six zones delimited by selected isotherms. The overall pattern of life-cycle variation can be explained largely on the basis of climatic differences between zones, and the effects of these differences on gene and genotype frequencies within the species. Clones of androcyclic character seem to be widespread and, although genetically isolated anholocyclic biotypes undoubtedly exist, androcyclic clones could be the principal source of parthenogenetic overwinterers in all parts of the world where life-cycle differences exist within populations.


Two-year-old children were vaccinated with 1 dose of meningococcal A/C conjugate (MACC) or meningococcal A/C polysaccharide (MACP) vaccine. Meningococcal serogroup A (MenA)-specific IgG geometric mean avidity indices (GMAIs) increased 1 month after vaccination with MACC (GMAI, 210; 95% confidence interval [CI], 140-300) and MACP (GMAI, 190; 95% CI, 120-310). One year after vaccination, the GMAI of the MACP-vaccinated cohort decreased to 130 (95%, CI 100-170), but a constant GMAI was maintained in the MACC-vaccinated cohort (210; 95% CI, 140-300), despite declining MenA-specific IgG antibody levels.


The influences of the configurational disorders on phononic band gaps and on waveguide modes are investigated for the two-dimensional phononic crystals consisting of water cylinders periodically arrayed in mercury. Two types of configurational disorders, relevant to the cylinder position and cylinder size respectively, are taken into account. It is found that the phononic band gap and the guide band are sensitive to the disorders, and generally become narrower with the increasing disorders. It is also found that the waveguide side walls without disorder can significantly prevent the guide modes in the waveguide from influence by the disorders in the crystals to a large amount.


Sustainability concepts inform business considerations of production and procurement in order to satisfy consumer demands for ethical products. Drawing on the Deception Impact Model, the aim is to understand the severity of deception, implementation of socially sustainable practices, and impact on consumers by examining a case in the Indigenous art Australian souvenir industry. It found where a firm decouples from socially sustainable practices the result, a form of deception, negatively impacts ethically motivated consumers. The paper highlights where Indigenous people should be involved in the development chain to avoid infringing on human rights as it relates to commodification of culture.


Object detection and segmentation have recently shown encouraging results toward image analysis and interpretation due to their promising applications in remote sensing image fusion field. Although numerous methods have been proposed, implementing effective and efficient object detection is still very challenging for now, especially for the limitation of single modal data. The use of a single modal data is not always enough to reach proper spectral and spatial resolutions. The rapid expansion in the number and the availability of multi-source data causes new challenges for their effective and efficient processing. In this paper, we propose an effective feature information–interaction visual attention model for multimodal data segmentation and enhancement, which utilizes channel information to weight self-attentive feature maps of different sources, completing extraction, fusion, and enhancement of global semantic features with local contextual information of the object. Additionally, we further propose an adaptively cyclic feature information–interaction model, which adopts branch prediction to decide the number of visual perceptions, accomplishing adaptive fusion of global semantic features and local fine-grained information. Numerous experiments on several benchmarks show that the proposed approach can achieve significant improvements over baseline model.


This work was supported by AFOSR FA9550-07-1-0075 and ONR
N00014-07-1-0937. SJG was supported by a Graduate Research Fellowship from the NSF.


The aim of this survey paper is to provide a guide to the literature on optimal dynamic factor demands to the non-specialist reader interested in applied work. We start with the distinction between variable and quasi-fixed factors of production and use these to characterize the firm's temporary equilibrium. We then review the optimal intertemporal behaviour of the firm, using the notion of adjustment costs as a means to solve the firm's optimization problem. This process gives rise to a system of interrelated dynamic factor demands in a flexible accelerator format. Theoretical difficulties and empirical limitations of this model are discussed. This fact leads us to review the theory of intertemporal duality. We next analyze the issue of expectations in this class of dynamic models. A section reviewing the empirical work on dynamic factor demands follows, after which we offer some concluding remarks. Copyright 1996 by Blackwell Publishers Ltd


fucosyl-( 1-*2) -galactosyl-R +GDP where R represents the inner carbohydrate portion of the acceptor molecule. The enzyme is capable of transferring fucose to acceptors having a terminal fl-galactosyl residue. Glycoproteins and oligosaccharides having this terminal structure are good acceptors for the enzyme. The product of the reaction, GDP, was found by kinetic determination to be a competitive inhibitor


An energy-constrained signal subspace (ECSS) method is proposed for speech enhancement and recognition under an additive colored noise condition. The key idea is to match the short-time energy of the enhanced speech signal to the unbiased estimate of the short-time energy of the clean speech, which is proven very effective for improving the estimation of the noise-like, low-energy segments in the speech signal. The colored noise is modelled by an autoregressive (AR) process. A modified covariance method is used to estimate the AR parameters of the colored noise and a prewhitening filter is constructed based on the estimated parameters. The performance of the proposed algorithm was evaluated using the TI46 digit database and the TIMIT continuous speech database. It was found that the ECSS method can significantly improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and word recognition accuracy (WRA) for isolated digits and continuous speech under various SNR conditions.


We give a short proof of the log-concavity of the coefficients of the reduced characteristic polynomial of a matroid. The proof uses an extension of the theory of Lorentzian polynomials to convex cones, and reproves the Hodge-Riemann relations of degree one for the Chow ring of a matroid.