The recent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic outbreak has affected the lives of people globally on many different levels. Whilst a few antiviral drugs have been recommended for COVID-19, there are no dedicated drugs available for this disease, yet. A virus pandemic could potentially induce severe public health threats, as well as economic and social consequences. Therefore, the discovery of effective, safe, and inexpensive antiviral agents is of great importance. Graphene has extraordinary properties. A series of successful biomedical applications involving graphene/graphene-hybrid nanocomposites (G/GHNs) have been reported in recent years, including graphene-based biosensor and related drug delivery system. This review is focused on the properties, synthesis routes, and applications of G/GHNs in antiviral therapy aiming to understand and highlight the unique properties of graphene and its derivatives, particularly for antiviral therapy, to evaluate and discuss the quality of graphene prepared via various preparation methods, to present the recent development of G/GHNs and their antiviral activities in prevention, detection and treatment, to offer perspective outlooks on the role of G/GHNs in antiviral therapy. © 2021 Wiley-VCH GmbH


Sum mary Aim: To assess the neurodevelopmental and psychiatric outcomes of very preterm vs preterm infants at 1-3 years of corrected age. Material and Method: Between the years of 2005 and 2008, premature infants followed-up in the NICU designated as Group 1 (<32 wks;n=36) were evaluated in comparison to Group 2 (33-37wks; n=56) with the approval of Ethics Committee (TUTFEK 2008/083) in terms of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric development by using the Denver Developmental Screening Test and The Brief Infant Toddler Social Emotional Assessment-Childcare Provider Version. Mothers' psychiatric symptoms were assessed by The Brief Symptom Inventory. The socioeconomic status was determined by using SES scale; t-test or Mann-Whitney U tests, chi-square and Spearman tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: In Group 1, paternal education level and psychodevelopmental score was lower than Group 2 and an abnormal outcome in the Denver Developmental Test was observed more frequently. The psychiatric problem score was higher in boys, whereas the psychodevelopmental score was higher in girls. The psychosocial developmental score was lower in those infants with IVH and this score showed positive correlation with the Denver Developmental Test results. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of the Brief Symptom Inventory. Conclusions: Although very preterm infants more frequently showed abnormal neuropsychological development, they were not significantly different with regard to psychiatric problems. Girls were more advantegous than boys in terms of psychodevelopment. We conclude that these findings should be validated by larger and further studies. (Turk Arch Ped 2011; 46: 271-6)


Ischaemic optic neuropathy (ION) is the commonest adult optic nerve disorder encountered worldwide and can be expected to increase in incidence in our ageing population. The condition has been classified as a) anterior (AION) affecting the optic nerve head and b) posterior (PION) involving that portion of the optic nerve behind its immediate retrolaminar portion. Furthermore there are two pathological varieties of the disease c) Arteritic (AAION) almost exclusively associated with Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) and d) Nonarteritic (NA-AION or less correctly NAION) usually associated with diabetes, hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia. A recent treatise on the subject [1] runs to more than 600 pages.


Purchasing departments continuously work to improve their supply chains. Rather than switching from one supplier to another as problems arise, many companies have initiated supplier development programs to improve their performance. However, only about 50% of these programs achieve the company's expectations. A survey was conducted of North American managers to assess the various success factors in supplier development activities. Factor analysis and regression models were constructed to determine these factors and the extent of the relationship between the various factors and the success of the supplier development process.


In this work we are considering the behaviour of the limit shape of Young diagrams associated to random permutations on the set {1, . . . , n} under a particular class of multiplicative measures with polynomial growing cycle weights. Our method is based on generating functions and complex analysis (saddle point method). We show that fluctuations near a point behave like a normal random variable and that the joint fluctuations at different points of the limiting shape have an unexpected dependence structure. We will also compare our approach with the so-called randomization of the cycle counts of permutations and we will study the convergence of the limit shape to a continuous stochastic process


Currently, an indoor positioning system based on a fingerprint technique for wireless networks under IEEE 802.11 standard uses a method to collect a received signal strengths (RSS) to create a radio map in an offline phase. Then, it detects the RSS in an online phase to compare and find the position. However, while detecting and gathering the RSS, there are some variations of the RSS that affect the accuracy of position estimation. Therefore, there are several methods used to estimate the position in order to improve the accuracy, but the one focused in this paper is a decision tree based classification. The decision tree based classification method is found that it can provide better improvement in accuracy than the others, e.g., K-Nearest Neighbor (K-NN), Bayesian, and Neural networks. However, the techniques used to construct the decision tree are varied depending on the algorithm used to implement. Therefore, this paper is a comparison of decision tree based techniques using typical decision tree (DT) and Gradient boosted tree algorithms for estimating the position indoor. In the study, the RSSs collected from access points in the experimental area are used as the training and testing data. The decision tree models are created by using typical DT and Gradient boosted algorithms based on the training data obtained. There are two factors to consider in the comparative study, i.e., the number of training data and the number of reference radio signals. The testing results from the experiment showed that the decision tree based on Gradient boosted algorithm yielded more accurate results than typical DT, where the amount of 19 reference radio signals and 50 samples of training data gave the best result.


Considering the complexity of the alternatives, it is easy to understand the reasons that evaluation procedures using A‐weighting have gained acceptance. On the other hand, it may seem suprising that this specific weighting, not originally intended for rating hazard, should have proved so useful in that role. From a theoretical viewpoint it can be argued that the shape of the curve is a function of physiological mechanisms that also underlie hearing loss. This paper will discuss these mechanisms as they are becoming known and the implications they have for the use of A‐weighting with special emphasis on the noise research conducted in the last decade.


The present invention relates to a pre-filled plastic container, such as a plastic syringe, comprising an aqueous botulinum toxin formulation. Waterborne botulinum toxin formulations in pre-filled plastic containers are stable over a long period of time. In addition, the invention relates to a kit comprising a pre-filled plastic container, and the use of a pre-filled plastic container for therapeutic and cosmetic purposes.


Since several decades, information and communication technologies (ICT) as well as new organizational designs change the working life in firms. Using nationally representative Swiss firm-level panel data, the present paper analyzes the relationship between these developments and examines, whether ICT is associated with centralization or decentralization tendencies. The results suggest a positive impact of ICT on the degree of delegation. Furthermore, the diffusion of ICT use within the workforce and the intensity of ICT investments are essential for the decentralization effect of ICT. Thus, reduced agency costs owing to ICT use result in decentralized decision-making authorities in Swiss firms. The results are robust to potential endogeneity biases like reversed causality and unobserved firm characteristics.


PURPOSE: Provided are wheat powder fermentation composition and processed wheat powder food using the composition such as bread, cake, noodle and other processed foods. The composition is wheat powder fermented by the inoculated and cultured mixed lactic acid bacteria which excretes mucilage polysaccharides and bifidobacteria sp. The composition decreases the body fats, cholesterol in the blood, neutral fats and has excellent effect on the activation of immunity for the intestine. CONSTITUTION: The preparation method comprises: mixing 100wt.% of wheat powder, 110-200wt.% of water(based on the wheat powder), 1-4wt.% of salt, 3-14wt.% of oligosaccharide, 3-10wt.% of glucose and 0.05-1.0wt.% of the amino acids containing sulfur, controling its pH to 6.0-7.0 and putting into a vessel to fill 90% of the vessel; inoculating with mixed lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria, sealing the vessel and culturing at 37deg.C for 16-24 hours; and after 12 hours of culturing, pH being adjusted to 60-6.5 and supplying 4-6wt.% of the carbon source. The above processed wheat powder food includes bread, cake, noodle, raymen, biscuit, cookie, snack and roasted powder.


For centuries, medicinal and recreational drugs have evoked both utopian visions and darker themes: slavish obsession, physical dependency, altered mental states, and the feedback loop of labor and consumption. This article surveys recent work on the history of drugs from the 15th through 19th centuries, arguing that these works collectively demonstrate the importance of drugs and the drug trade in how we think about larger topics such as imperialism, globalization, modernization of commercial and political regimes, and the relationship between the individual and the marketplace. The search for new drugs—and, with them, new varieties of mental and physical experience—was not just a preoccupation of many early modern individuals. It was, arguably, a defining feature of early modernity itself.


Integrated Continuous Care (CCI) was instituted in Brazil based on the Portuguese experience, which through Decree-Law no. 101/2006, of 6 June, is characterized by a set of multiprofessional interventions aimed at an idea centered on the patient's global recovery. In this sense, the objective of this article was to evaluate the perception of the nursing team about the administration of the diet. This is a descriptive study, with a quantitative and qualitative approach, carried out in an Integrated Continuing Care Unit (ICC) in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), central-western Brazil, linked to a general hospital , philanthropic, of medium complexity, affiliated to the Unified Health System (SUS). The enteral diet is extremely important, but there is a lack of knowledge about its importance both on the part of some health professionals and on the part of patients or their companions. With the change in the age pyramid of the Brazilian population, it is still necessary to invest a lot of effort and dedication in education and training in the formation of multidisciplinary teams aware of the specific and joint attributions of all its members, and who are able to work together and complement like all the professionals on the team.


The observation that an oral glucose load is more effective at releasing insulin, compared with the same amount of glucose given intravenously, has been called the incretin effect, and is due to the augmentation of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion by intestinally derived peptides.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), in particular, has been shown to stimulate insulin release in a glucose-dependent manner in humans, but it is rapidly metabolised by dipeptidyl-peptidase-4 (DPP-4). Inhibition of DPP-4 activity enhances fasting and post-prandial GLP-1 which, in turn, improves glycaemic control by increasing glucose-dependent insulin secretion and by decreasing glucagon concentration.

Current oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs) for type 2 diabetes are limited by adverse effects such as gastrointestinal problems, weight gain, oedema, or hypoglycaemia. In addition, there are recent concerns about rosiglitazone and cardiovascular outcomes, and with the thiazolidinediones in general regarding excess fracture rate in women and increased risk of heart failure. Thus the introduction of a new class of OADs, the DPP-4 inhibitors, is welcome.

This review article discusses the most clinically relevant data published on DPP-4 inhibitors based on Medline literature searches (1966 to August 2007) and posters and oral presentations from the American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions in 2006 and 2007. We have concentrated our review on two DPP-4 inhibitors: sitagliptin (Januvia) and vildagliptin (Galvus). Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons.


In this paper,we discuss the importance of salary incentive in venture capital firms,through the analysis of Paul Oyer's mathematic model of salary strategies,we revealed the defects of his model and improved it;we conclude how the owns of venture capital firms to choose the optimum salary strategy to obtain the optimum rights and interests of their investment under the prerequisite that their employees are encouraged efficiently.


In 1993, on-road emissions in Continental Europe showed a pronounced South/North declining gradient for CO, HC and NO fuel specific emissions (gm/kg). Emissions in Hamburg and Rotterdam were comparable to emissions measured in 1993 in the U.S.A. with the same on-road instrument. Contrasts between emissions in the USA, the UK and Sweden demonstrated the importance both of modern catalysts and of good maintenance. The same contrast in 1998 shows the same picture but lower emissions at all three locations. In the decade from 1993-2003, U.S. emissions have declined markedly, apparently mainly as a result of lower emitting, better maintained, new vehicles. Results from Asia and South America will also be presented together with an analysis which suggests a correlation between average on-road vehicle emissions and the inverse of reported per-capita income. This latter relationship holds only up to a point. Beyond that point of increasing poverty, measured onroad emissions reach a plateau. Results from Mexico City in 1991 and 1994 show a dramatic decline in emissions, mainly caused by the imposition of modern control measures to the taxi cabs which, while only a small fraction of the registered fleet, contribute a large fraction of the vehicle miles traveled. Further improvement in Mexico City on-road emissions was observed by studies in 2000 [1] and 2003 [2].


Multiple Myeloma (MM) is an incurably disease of the bone marrow. It is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of clonal plasma cells (PCs) and leads to production of non-functional gammaglobulin. Clinical features include loss of normal bone marrow function, defect bone structure


Based on control theory, a new method to investigate initial conditions induced by the application of a step command on linear or nonlinear systems is given in this paper. Examples are provided to illustrate the proposed method.


Aim and Objective: The present study was undertaken to compare the combination of spinal (SA) and general anesthesia (GA) with plain general anesthesia (GA) in terms of heamodynamic parameters, requirement of rescue analgesia and incidence of post–operative nausea and vomiting (PONV). Methods: In this study, 100 female patients of ASA grade I or II, having age between 20 to 60 years were randomly divided into two groups of 50 patients in each group. Group A received GA and group B received SA with GA. In group A induction of anaesthesia was done with propofol 2mg/kg and vecuronium bromide 0.1mg/kg while in group B induction was done with 15-18 mg of heavy bupivacaine hydrochloride. In both the groups, heamodynamic parameters (HR, SBP and DBP) and SPO2 were recorded and requirement of rescue analgesia were noted. Patients were monitored for any evidence of complications or adverse events. Results: The heamodynamic parameters and VAS values were relatively lower in group B than group A and difference was found to be statistically significant (p< 0.05). Hence, the requirement of rescue analgesia was less in group B than group A. Group A had 70% of patients with PONV as compared to 28% in group B. Conclusions: The combination of spinal and general anesthesia provided more stable hemodynamic profile with better postoperative pain control and less PONV in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynaecological surgeries.


In order to protect fragile shoreline and coastal assets during extreme storms, a combined floating breakwater-windbreak has been proposed to reduce both wind and wave energies in the sheltered area. The 1 km-long breakwater has a porous hull with internal tubes to allow free passage of water; thereby further dissipating wave energy. The deck of the structure is designed to have a slope of 25 degrees facing the upstream side, and arrays of cylindrical tubes are placed on the sloping deck to form a windbreak. A reduced-scale (1:50) model test was carried out in a wave flume to examine wave sheltering performance under significant wave heights Hs = 3.0 m to 7.5 m and peak wave periods Tp = 9.4 s to 14 s sea states. Both regular and random wave conditions with different wave heights were considered. It is found that transmission coefficients ranging from 0.4 to 0.6 can be achieved under tested wave conditions. Porous breakwater hull increases the wave dissipation coefficients and is effective in reducing the wave reflection at the upstream side. The wave run-up length is dependent on the Iribarren number if the reduction induced by vertical freeboard is considered. Based on experimental data, empirical formulae have been proposed to predict the wave run-up responses in regular waves, probability of non-zero wave run-up occurrence, modified Weibull distribution of the wave run-up peaks and extreme wave run-up in random waves.


The theory of interference of light based on a principle of a superposition of waves does not cover completely experimental data. The alternative concept of interference based on the assumption of interaction of light beams by way of exception from the law of their independence is considered. Is shown that within the frame of this concept it is possible to reach the best agreement between the theory and experimental data.


The purpose of the article is to consider the negative aspects of postmodernism and study how post-post modernity can help humanity overcome the modern socio-cultural crisis. In their research, the authors used various scientific methods of cognition, such as analysis and synthesis, in particular meta-analysis and meta-synthesis, generalization, and induction. The authors analyze the stages of development of civilization from the point of view of social progress, highlight their main characteristics and typological differences. The considered key points characteristic of postmodern, such as pluralism, negativism, relativism, denial of binarity in thinking, the extreme degree of nihilism, etc., lead to the understanding that the crisis that arose in the political, economic, socio-cultural life of society, at the turn of 20 21 centuries, inherent in the very nature of postmodern. The values and perception of the postmodern are less and less consistent with the present time, and in its depths, a new worldview begins to crystallize, conventionally called postpostmodern, as a response to overcoming the current socio-cultural crisis. Post-postmodern, postmodern, like modern before them and similar phenomena are links of one chain, interconnected with each other and logically following from the processes of previous eras. The main components of the post-postmodern, which are formed from the problems of the postmodern, are highlighted and characterized. As a result, the study showed that the currently being formed new worldview post-postmodernity came close to the search for a new spirituality for the all-round development of a person and turning him into a socially mature being, as well as for resolving the internal contradictions of the postmodern worldview.


One of the factors, determining early bearing of peach trees is planting them in high density. But it is difficult, because of the use of generative, strong growing rootstock. However the intensive growth of peach trees can be modified by planting in ridges and changing the shape of crown. The experiment was conducted in conditions of Lower Sile- sia Region. The experiment involved the assessment of trees on Manchurian peach root- stock, of 'Suncrest' and 'Cresthaven' cultivars, planted in the spring 2006, in: 3.5 × 1 m spacing (vertical axis) 3.75 × 2 m (spindel crown) and 4.25 × 3 m (open vase crown). Half of the trees following 3.5 × 1 m spacing were planted in a traditional way, while half of them, in ridges. The aim of research was determination of possibilities regarding the maintenance of the peach orchard on a seedling rootstock, with the use of a vertical axis crown form and the way of planting trees in ridges, as compared to trees planted tradition- ally and trained as spindle and an open vase crown. Summary yields from the first three years of yielding point to the possibility of obtaining high yield of peaches at dense trees planting in comparison to traditional model of peach orchard. The lowest yielding level characterized trees of both examined varieties planted in 4.25 × 3 m spacing and trained in the form of an open vase crown. The most intensive growth featured the trees trained in the form of an open vase crown and planted in 4.25 × 3 m spacing. Planting in ridges did not cause any significant diversity regarding peaches growth and yielding in high density of trees trained as vertical axis.


Brief analysis of new educational requirements is given in the article; the proof of the possibility of their achievement at school lessons on Computer Science by solving tasks is done. The given idea is illustrated with tasks on the topic 'Information and information processes'.


Socio-technical systems research aims to optimize two of the most important parts of the organization, the social network, and the technological network. The field is highly multi-disciplinary, and covers a host of issues, ranging from the management of complex systems, teams and work groups, interactions, and cognitive factors. Many approaches in the literature have adopted aspects of the socio-technical ideas, leading to four general perspectives. Depending on the view of the organization, solutions proposed are either those of the abstract organizational scientist, the social scientist, the technologist/engineer, or the complex systems engineer. This work surveys the field with these perspectives in mind, and highlights literature exploring such systems.


We use high spatial and spectral resolution observations obtained with the CRisp Imaging SpectroPolarimeter at the Swedish 1 m Solar Telescope to analyze the velocity profile of granular light bridges (LBs) in a sunspot. We find upflows associated with the central dark lanes of the LBs. From bisectors in the Fe i 630.15 nm line we find that the magnitude of the upflows varies with height, with the strongest upflows being deeper in the atmosphere. Typical upflow velocities measured from the 70% bisector are around 500 m s−1 with peaks above 1 km s−1. The upflows in the central dark lane are surrounded by downflows of weaker magnitude, sometimes concentrated in patches with enhanced velocities reaching up to 1.1 km s−1. A small spatial offset between the upflows and the continuum dark lane is interpreted as a line-of-sight effect due to the elevated nature of the dark lane and the LB above the umbral surroundings. Our observations show that the central dark lane in granular LBs is not equivalent to the intergranular lanes of normal photospheric granulation that host convective downflows. These results support recent MHD simulations of magneto-convection in sunspot atmospheres.


The area of brain-computer interface (BCI) technologies has been receiving a lot of research attention for the last decade due to their potential to allow people with neurological diseases, injuries or limb losses to move or communicate. With the development of microelectromechanical (MEMS) technology, the process of collecting the neural recording from the action potentials is no more a strenuous task. However, the transmission of the collected signals to the corresponding location within the body through a wireless link is still facing challenges, which prevents to develop a fully implantable wireless BCI system. This paper investigates the feasibility of having multiple implanted UHF-RFID transmitters inside the human motor cortex that would communicate the recorded information about the activity of the individual neurons to outside receivers. Specifically, we focus on the wireless communication channel design and propose a novel MAC algorithm that can enhance the performance. We have compared the performance and the efficiency of the proposed scheme has been compared with the widely used Q algorithm for anti-collision in the RFID tags. Results show a detailed analysis of the delay, the number of collisions and the number of responses obtained. These investigations are essential for building a reliable, energy-efficient and a low-power BCI system.


We use a series of Monte Carlo simulations to investigate the theory of galaxy-galaxy lensing by non-spherical dark matter haloes. The simulations include a careful accounting of the effects of multiple deflections on the galaxy-galaxy lensing signal. In a typical observational data set where the mean tangential shear of sources with redshifts z s ≃ 0.6 is measured with respect to the observed symmetry axes of foreground galaxies with redshifts z 1 ≃ 0.3, we find that the signature of anisotropic galaxy-galaxy lensing differs substantially from the simple expectation that one would have in the absence of multiple deflections. In general, the observed ratio of the mean tangential shears, γ + (θ)/γ - (θ), is strongly suppressed compared to the function that one would measure if the intrinsic symmetry axes of the foreground galaxies were known. Depending upon the characteristic masses of the lenses, the observed ratio of the mean tangential shears may be consistent with an isotropic signal (despite the fact that the lenses are non-spherical), or it may even be reversed from the expected signal (i.e. the mean tangential shear for sources close to the observed minor axes of the lenses may exceed the mean tangential shear for sources close to the observed major axes of the lenses). These effects are caused primarily by the fact that the images of the lens galaxies have, themselves, been lensed and therefore the observed symmetry axes of the lens galaxies differ from their intrinsic symmetry axes. We show that the effects of lensing of the foreground galaxies on the observed function γ + (θ)/γ - (θ) cannot be eliminated simply by the rejection of foreground galaxies with very small image ellipticities nor by simply focusing the analysis on sources that are located very close to the observed symmetry axes of the foreground galaxies. We conclude that any attempt to use a measurement of γ + (θ)/γ - (θ) to constrain the shapes of dark matter galaxy haloes must include Monte Carlo simulations that take multiple deflections properly into account.


Induced stereoscopic motion, ISM, is apparent movement in tall static objects projecting from a reasonably flat background when viewed stereoscopically. ISM is produced by a smooth but extensive variation of the stereo-base (the separation of camera points) in a pair of moving picture films. The two films are projected by two separate but synchronized projectors onto rear view screens which are placed in the field of view of a stereoscope. In a controlled test it was found that subjects located targets faster and with fewer errors with ISM film than with comparable film in which the stereo-base was fixed at the maximum of the ISM film. This improvement of search is due almost entirely to searchs for targets which are difficult to find. Easy targets were always found and found quickly by both methods. ISM is as yet a laboratory production, but plans are being made for developing its field and applicability.


The two-photon spectrum---that retains the energy as well as the time of detection in two-photon correlation measurements---is obtained in closed-form for an arbitrary initial quantum state and measured experimentally from the spontaneous emission of a polariton condensate. Two-photon colored bunching and antibunching are observed depending on the frequency of detection, as a manifestation of Bose statistics in systems lacking a common phase reference. These results validate and extend the conventional Glauber's theory of photon correlations and open the page of two-photon correlation spectroscopy.


For condition monitoring, time-frequency domain reflectometry is adapted in the instrumentation and control cable of nuclear power plants regarding thermal stress. Cable samples are accelerated thermally aged to a higher than the normal operating temperature. While thermal stress is afflicted to the cable samples, TFDR has been implemented to measure the reflected signal and assess the condition of the cable in real-time. A transition in cable status can be observed during each test which apparently is an indication that thermal stress affects cable condition. Furthermore, the phase variation of the reflected signal is estimated to analyze the impedance variation. Experimental results show that TFDR can be used to monitor the condition of cable for thermal aging process.


The invention discloses a method for preparing a high-throughput composite forward osmosis membrane. The method comprises the following steps: (1) preparing a polysulfone solution, standing and defoaming at room temperature to obtain a uniform membrane casting solution; (2) fixing a filter screen on a membrane forming substrate made of a porous material, coating the polysulfone membrane casting solution to the filter screen, and soaking in a gel bath for phase transformation to obtain a porous supporting layer; (3) soaking the porous supporting layer respectively in MPD and TMC solutions for interface polymerization to generate an active separation layer; and (4) heating to prepare the polysulfone composite forward osmosis membrane. The method has the advantages that due to the porous structure of a membrane forming substrate made of the porous material, water entering the membrane has a higher speed than that of a traditional nonporous substrate in the phase transformation stage, exchange of water and solvent has a high speed, and a perforative finger-like pore structure and an opening bottom structure can be easily formed, so that the membrane structure parameter can be reduced, the concentration polarization in the forward osmosis process can be finally reduced greatly, and the water flux of a composite forward osmosis membrane can be greatly improved.


For $m,n\in\mathbb{N}$, let $$f_{m,n}(x)=\psi^{(n)}(x)+\bigr[\psi^{(m)}(x)\bigl]^2$$ for $x>0$. In the present paper, we prove that $f_{1,2}(x)$ is the only nontrivial completely monotonic function on $(0,\infty)$. Accurately, the functions $f_{1,2}(x)$ and $f_{m,2n-1}(x)$ are completely monotonic on $(0,\infty)$, but the functions $f_{m,2n}(x)$ for $(m,n)\ne(1,1)$ are not monotonic and does not keep the same sign on $(0,\infty)$.


The background and concepts of rural environmental management were introduced,moreover,the significance of rural environmental management and the status of rural environmental problems were analyzed.Finally,countermeasures for resolving the problems in rural environmental management were proposed in detail.


Due to the incomplete and the uncertain interval attribute information in the process of large-scale hydraulic turbine scheme design,the decision-making problem for the complex product scheme design was studied.Methods for the multi-attribute decision-making of interval number based on the grey system theory and fuzzy theory were analyzed,the optimal membership degree of each decision-making method was given.Based on the optimal membership degree of design schemes,the multi-attribute grey fuzzy optimized decision-making model was constructed which fully considered grey information and fuzzy information in decision-making process.By comparing the similarity between design scheme and its interval schemes,including the positive ideal interval scheme and the negative ideal interval scheme,the optimum design scheme was achieved for the entire system with integrated grey and fuzzy information.Finally,an example of large-scale hydraulic turbine scheme design was provided to validate its effectiveness and feasibility.


In the medium composed of 1.0% peptone, 0.5% yeast extract, 2.0% sucrose, 0.115% citric acid, 1% ethanol, 0.5% Na_(2)HPO_(4) (pH6.0), the optimum production condition of bacterial cellulose by Acetobacter Pasteurianum was determined. It was found that the maximal yield of cellulose production was 9.85g/L through statically culture for 6 days at 30deg C.


An energy-based method for predicting fatigue life of half-circle notched specimens, based on the nominal applied stress amplitude, has been developed. This developed method is based on the understanding that the total strain energy dissipated during a monotonic fracture and a cyclic process is the same material property, where the density of each can be determined by measuring the area underneath the monotonic true stress-strain curve and measuring the sum of the area within each Hysteresis loop in the cyclic process, respectively. Using this understanding, the criterion for determining fatigue life prediction of half-circle notched components is constructed by incorporating the stress gradient effect through the notch root cross-section. Though fatigue at a notch root is a local phenomenon, evaluation of the stress gradient through the notch root cross-section is essential for incorporating this method into finite element analysis minimum potential energy process. The validation of this method was carried out by comparison with both notched and unnnotched experimental fatigue life of Aluminum 6061-T6 (Al 6061-T6) specimens under tension/compression loading at the theoretical notch fatigue stress concentration factor of 1.75. The comparison initially showed a slight deviation between prediction and experimental results. This led to the analysis of strain energy density per cycle up to failure, and an improved Hysteresis representation for the energy-based prediction analysis. With the newly developed Hysteresis representation, the energy-based prediction comparison shows encouraging agreement with unnotched experimental results and a theoretical notch stress concentration value.Copyright © 2009 by ASME


The article aims to study the characteristics and roles of Indra in Khmer literature in the post- Angkorian period. The belief in Indra spread to the Kingdom of Cambodia along with two important religions from India. During the time when Hinduism was glorious, Indra found in Khmer inscriptions was Bharma Indra. He was presented as a graceful god warrior who protected the east part of the world. Later, after the ruin of the Angkor Empire, Cambodians converted to Theravada Buddhism. Indra in this period was, therefore, depicted as a Buddhist Indra rather than Bharma Indra. This means that the position of Indra was no longer permanent, yet it could be rotated. Moreover, Indra was regarded as a god that supported Buddhism. Apart from this, Cambodian people also created Cambodian Indra based on their two important folklores which are Priah Koo and Priah Kaew and Priah Ket Mialia who built Angkor Wat. Key words‹ : Indra Indian God‹Khmer Literature


This report contains quarterly reports on two projects. The first is undertaking the environmental restoration at the Pantex Plant. Research objectives are organized under four general tasks: field testing and produced water treatment, bioremediation of contaminated groundwater and soils, vadose zone remediation, and chromium remediation. The other project goal is to demonstrate generation of diamond by explosive compression of Carbon 60 and Carbon 70 and mixtures of these fullerenes. The intent is to exploit expertise developed by Pantex and other DOE Laboratories in the area of understanding and modeling of explosive compression for initiation of nuclear fission reactions to explosively compress carbon in the form of fullerenes with the goal of transforming the material into the diamond phase.


Experimental and theoretical values of admittance are presented for a monopole antenna made in the form of a row of identical conducting, mutually insulated cylinders. The influence of the number of cylinders making monopoles of equal length and with equal total gapwidths between the cylinders is analysed. It was found that such antennas exhibit broadband properties similar to those of antennas with tapered capacitive loading.


Background— Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)–associated extracellular matrix degradation is thought to contribute to the progression and rupture of atherosclerotic plaques. However, direct evidence of this concept remains elusive. We hypothesized that overexpression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 or TIMP-2 would attenuate atherosclerotic plaque development and instability in high fat–fed apolipoprotein E–knockout (apoE−/−) mice. Methods and Results— Seventy male apoE−/− mice (n=10/group) fed a high-fat diet for 7 weeks were injected intravenously with first-generation adenoviruses expressing the gene for human TIMP-1 (RAdTIMP-1) or TIMP-2 (RAdTIMP-2) or a control adenovirus (RAd66) and were fed a high-fat diet for a further 4 weeks. Analysis of brachiocephalic artery plaques revealed that RAdTIMP-2 but not RAdTIMP-1 infection resulted in a marked reduction (48±13%, P<0.05) in lesion area compared with that in control animals. Markers associated with plaque instability, assessed by smooth muscle cell and macrophage content and the presence of buried fibrous caps, were significantly reduced by RAdTIMP-2. Effects on lesion size were not sustained with first-generation adenoviruses, but murine TIMP-2 overexpression mediated by helper-dependent adenoviral vectors exerted significant effects on plaques assessed 11 weeks after infection. In an attempt to determine the mechanism of action, we treated macrophages and macrophage-derived foam cells with exogenous TIMP-2 in vitro. TIMP-2 significantly inhibited migration and apoptosis of macrophages and foam cells, whereas TIMP-1 failed to exert similar effects. Conclusions— Overexpression of TIMP-2 but not TIMP-1 inhibits atherosclerotic plaque development and destabilisation, possibly through modulation of macrophage and foam cell behavior. Helper-dependent adenovirus technology is required for these effects to be maintained long term.


For centuries, herbs and plants have been used for medicinal purpose and as food as well. This review deals with the phytoconstituents that could be useful in the destruction of cancer cells and in researches dealing with the development of drug molecules for the management of cancer. This review has centered on the action of plants such as Abelmochusmochatus, Adiantummvenusutum, Agelemarmelos, Biorhythms sensitivum, Yemeni plants, Hibiscus cannabinus, Leeaindica, Ginseng root, Cinnamon bark, Aloe vera, Cassia tora, Gmelinaasiatica, Curcumin, Magnolia officinalis, Syzygiumaromaticum, Silybummaianum, Pfaffiapaniculata which serves as anti-cancer agents. A variety of herbal molecules such as Brassinosteroids, Etoposides, Flavonoids, Limonoids, Rosmarinicacid, Polyphenols, Thymoquinone, Paclitaxel, Teniposide, Vinblastine, Vincristine, Paclitaxel, Vinca alkaloid have been identified in different types of herbs and investigation has been carried out successfully against cancer cells. In future, it would be helpful to explore the medicinal value of these plants for the discovery of new drugs by the researchers and scientists across the globe. Keywords: Cancer, Medicinal plants, Phytoconstituents and Chemotherapeutic drugs


Abstract : This report results from a contract tasking Leninetz Holding Company, NIPGS as follows: The process of decomposition of liquid hydrocarbons (kerosene) is complicated by coke formation reactions. To reduce the mentioned phenomenon to a minimum, the contractor offers to use the two-stage scheme of steam reforming of liquid hydrocarbons. The proposed work is a logical follow-on of research of the reactor of coaxial type done previously on an EOARD grant. The new reactor is planned to be of the rectangular form for the purpose of understanding the influence of geometry on parameters of hydrodynamics and heat-mass-exchange. Also, the length of the reactor will be increased, quantity and arrangement of thermoelectric couples and samplers will be changed for determination of structure of the convertible mixture. An improvement to the technology of deposition of planar catalysts with the purpose to achieve thermal stability and thermal-cyclical strength of coatings. The tests of the new reactor with the improved catalyst will be carried out at the flow parameters, corrected by results of the previous experiments. It concerns initial temperature of the mixture entered the reactor, its speed and ratio.


This paper addresses the first study carried out in relation to one of the most important discoveries in nineteenth-century Malaga, two bronze tables that contained part of the Flavial municipal laws of Malacca and Salpensa, respectively. The interest of its owner, Jorge Loring, to know the content of his texts will motivate the incorporation of scholars outside the field of antiquities, creating a close interdisciplinary relationship between subjects, apparently as distant at that time, such as law and archaeology. This episode will be prior to the study, of great success and international reach, carried out by the jurist and epigrapher Manuel Rodriguez de Berlanga, whose interdisciplinary training will lead him to many successes in the field of European archaeology. For this, we have the information kept in the Royal Academy of History, specifically, with the correspondence maintained between Ildefonso Marzo, corresponding in Malaga and said institution, to recompose the translation and comments carried out by Miguel Tellez, Malaga lawyer, as First interdisciplinary approach to both epigraphic documents.


Kigelia africana is traditionally used in Togo to control epileptic seizures. We undertook this study in order to evaluate its anticonvulsive properties. We pretreated Wistar albino rats of both sexes with the hydroethanolic extract (v: v) of the leaf of K. africana at 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg of body weight. This pretreatment was done one hour prior to the administration of the convulsive drugs. We induced convulsions by administration (i.p) of strychnine, picrotoxin (PTX) or pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) respectively at 3 mg/kg, 6 mg/kg and 75 mg/kg. In the pentylenetetrazol's model, the above protocol was conducted both in male and in female groups of rats. We registered the latency and duration of generalized tonic-clonic convulsions in all models. The Incidence rates of the generalized convulsions in all models were decreased. Furthermore, the extract increased the survival rates of the rats in all model used in this study. The extract either at 250 mg/kg or 500 mg/kg significantly increased the latency of the onset of generalized tonic-clonic convulsions. Duration of the convulsions was significantly decreased in all models except for the picrotoxin-induced seizure's one. In the PTZ model, the extract was more active in female rat. The extract decreased the incidence rate, prolonged the mean latency and shortened the mean duration of the generalized convulsions induced with PTX, strychnine and PTZ. The leaf of K. africana possesses anticonvulsive properties. This partially explains its traditional use in epileptic conditions.


The invention discloses a method for making active carbon by using powdery wooden materials such as bamboo, sawdust and the like with a one-step physical method and a carbon activation furnace capable of mechanically and continuously discharging, and the invention aims to produce the active carbon with the powdery wooden materials by using the one-step physical activation method and make the activation materials of the activation carbon by utilizing a heating chemical method with high-temperature tail gas generated during the physical activation method so as to realize the comprehensive utilization of the waste heat of high-temperature glue gas. The powdery wooden materials are made into columnar granules with a molding granulator, the columnar granules are added into the carbon activation furnace, and combustible gas generated during the thermal decomposition of the wooden granular materials is respectively introduced into combustion chambers (5, 13 and 15) for combustion. Water vapor needed by the activation is introduced from the upper part of the activation carbon, and the water vapor is then introduced into carbon in an activation area after being preheated in a carbonizationarea for temperature raising, which is beneficial to improving the activation reaction effect of the water vapor and the carbon. The high-temperature activation tail gas generated from the activationfurnace is introduced into the activation furnace for making the active carbon with a chemical method to heat activation materials from a flue gas outlet (11) through a flue.


Competition in medical training is on the increase. Many junior doctors undertake an additional research degree ranging from BSc to MD and PhD (Higginson and Corner, 1996; Durai and Venkatraman, 20...


In order to maintain the dependability of system and meet the functional need of users desire, this paper introduces a survivability mechanism into embedded real-time system, and proposes a general comprehensive approach based on a rigorous definition of survivability. This approach permits a trade-off between the function and the cost of system development. It emphasizes the ultradependable implementation of crucial function without demanding that of entire system.


The article analyzes the state of the problem of using different approaches to the assessment of competitive activity in team sports games. The purpose of the study is to analyze modern approaches to the assessment of competitive activity in team sports games based on scientific and methodological literature. Research methodology: analysis of special, scientific and methodological literature, analysis of computer programs for the analysis of competitive activity, systematic method, generalization and systematization of data. Research results. In the course of the analysis of the scientific and methodological literature, reserves for further scientific researches in this area were revealed, namely the development of a system for comprehensive control of the competitive activity of young basketball players, the basis of which should be: modern trends in the development of children's and youth basketball (changes in the rules of the game, special regulations of competitions taking into account age characteristics, the calendar of competitions during the annual cycle, the amount of games); inconsistency of the content of modern technical and tactical actions with control tests (the one is studied - the other is controlled); the absence of a differentiated approach to the selection of tests depending on the age and stage of preparation, the period of the annual cycle; lack of a comprehensive assessment of special abilities affecting the effectiveness of competitive activity (assessment of theoretical preparedness, psychological state, special psychological preparation); lack of a program for evaluating technical and tactical actions during competitive activity, designed specifically to control the mastery of actions taking into account the tasks for the multi-year training stage of young basketball players and the specific features of team playing.
Conclusion. In the study, the attempt to determine the basic elements of the system for evaluating competitive activity in team sports games, which, of course, can be improved and expanded in the future was made .


This article reports the findings of a recent empirical study that was conducted at a large university in the United States. The study compared the findings from modern learning theories to reported perceptions of undergraduate and graduate students taking courses in online learning environments. The intention of the study was to compare perceived student learning preferences with theories that support distance learning design and delivery. The article provides a report of objectives, methodology, findings, discussion, conclusions, and implications relative to the study. Final suggestions concerning online courses aimed at satisfying student learning expectations are implicated from the findings of the study.


To throw some light on this problem, we examined two sets of American children's books. Such books are a highly valuable source of information about the methods a society uses to instil its basic value system, because those methods are most clearly observable while a society is rearing its children. The growing child has not yet learned how he should judge and act. He is in the process of acquiring his society's most fundamental system of values and motivations, which will make up his basic attitude and behavior orientation for the rest of his life. Thus, the society, unconsciously more than consciously, makes demands on the child for the fundamental kind of character its every socialized member must possess. What is important for us is that these demands are being made in clear and simple terms so that the child can easily understand and fulfil them. For our study, we have selected two sets of children's beginning readers from two periods of United States his-


Carbonate reservoirs contain over 90% of oil within an extremely tight matrix and are usually oil-wet, which makes them unfavorable for oil production. During water injection, water does not imbibe into the matrix, but flows preferentially through the fractures, resulting in very low oil recoveries. It is proposed that steam or hot water is injected, inducing a wettability change and rendering the matrix water-wet. Then, water can move into the matrix by capillary imbibition. From this perspective, it is crucial to analyze the contributions of conductive and convective heat transfer during steam injection. The mechanism of wettability changes is accounted for when steam is injected into carbonate reservoirs. The effect of strong capillary pressure in a tight matrix on the oil recovery is also examined. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the rate of conduction and convection and to determine optimum conditions that maximize heat transfer and wettability alteration in the tight matrix. An analytical solution and numerical results were compared for heat conduction within the matrix during steam injection. Investigations were also performed to determine the optimum injection time, steam injection pressure and steam quality required to make the carbonate matrix water-wet and maximize oil recovery. The results from this study show that convectional flow might be the most important heat-transfer mechanism to shorten the matrix wettability converting time. Based on analysis of the thermal process, an optimum steam injection strategy can be designed for a given matrix permeability and fracture spacing.


The aim of the present study is to identify the changes in the physical and rheological properties of an SBS modified binder under prolonged hot storage and analyse the impact of these changes on the performance of a dense graded asphalt mix prepared with the aged modified binder. In order to achieve that, laboratory performance related testing is employed. The tests used in the investigation are: dynamic creep (MATTA), fatigue test (beam fatigue apparatus), wheel-tracking test (Cooper technology wheel-tracker). The study found that despite changes in some of the rheological properties such as consistency, underlying viscosity, softening point, torsional recovery and stiffness, the rutting and fatigue resistance remained unchanged. This would indicate that the performance of the hot mix used in the field using the aged binder is unlikely to change. (a) For the covering record of the conference, please refer to ITRD no. E218387.


Background: The rescue operation is dangerous during floods when the street surface is wet and the rescue vehicles moving fast. Rural roads are known with a high percentage of run-off-the-road crashes and accidents, mostly affected by the unsuitable and inappropriate speed of the car and failure to keep a safe side distance from the highway alignment. Determining the length of the vertical curve and the stopping distance depends on the speed parameter in the geometric design. This parameter depends on the traffic flow and the vehicle driver. Materials and Methods: The calculation of distance visibility, especially in the vertical and horizontal curves, has a significant role in the geometric design of roads and the safety of roads and drivers. This study investigates changes in two critical parameters of friction surface of pavement and vehicles' speed on the probability of accidents. In the present study, by changing the speed parameter, namely, increasing speed and decreasing friction, and reducing the distance of vision, the required vertical curve is calculated and compared with the existing curve length. Thus, when the curve length does not match the required arch length, the accident's probability increases. Results: One of the study's findings indicates that with a 5% decrease in the friction coefficient of the vertical curve, the probability of accident increases by about 20%. The results show that an approximately 10% increase in speed can raise the likelihood of a crash by 25% on average. Conclusion: The use of accident reduction-related strategies for rescue vehicles and ambulances will help the victims affected by natural disasters. The results showed that choosing the right speed is very important in flooded wet streets. Driving fast to speed up the relief operation not only increases the risk of traffic accidents but also slows down the relief of natural disasters. The results indicate the proper performance of the model created by the probabilistic method. Besides, this model's use has the advantage of correctly identifying the factors affecting the increase in risk. Also, it helps to take the right measures to increase safety in the relief of natural disasters, especially floods.


The quasar HE 0047-1756, at $z=1.67$, is found to be split into two images $1\farcs44$ apart by an intervening galaxy acting as a gravitational lens. The flux ratio for the two components is roughly 3.5:1, depending slightly upon wavelength. The lensing galaxy is seen on images obtained in the  i (800 nm) and  K s  bands (2.1  μ m); there is also a nearby faint object which may be responsible for some shear. The spectra of the two quasar images are nearly identical, but the emission line ratio between the two components scale differently from the continuum. Moreover, the fainter component has a bluer continuum slope than the brighter one. We argue that these small differences are probably due to microlensing. There is evidence for a partial Einstein ring emanating from the brighter image toward the fainter one.


We consider two optimization questions with respect to polyiamonds. What is the maximum number of holes that a polyiamond with $n$ tiles can enclose, and what is the minimum number of tiles required to construct a polyiamond with $h$ holes? These numbers will be given by the sequences $f_{\triangle}(n)$ and $g_{\triangle}(h)$, respectively. We are able to completely answer these questions and give the values of these sequences for all $n,h\ge 1$, in part by constructing a sequence of polyiamonds which has $h$ holes and $g_{\triangle}(h)$ tiles for every $h\ge0$. Such a polyiamond is called crystallized.


Silylation of quinoline with Me3SiCl/Li/THF reagent has been studied. We obtained new tri-, tetra-, and hexasilylated derivatives whose stereochemistry has been established using NMR data. Comparison of these results to those previously obtained from naphthalene shows the effect of nitrogen on the silylation process. Keywords: silylation, quinoline, polysilyl-hydro-quinolines.


Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc. (KEPCO) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) developed the high-efficiency post-combustion CO2 capture technology known as KM CDR Process. Thirteen (13) commercial plants with CO2 capacities ranging from 200 ton per day to 4,776 ton per day have been delivered around the world, and one (1) plant is under construction, as of January 2018. Post-combustion CO2 capture technology is considered one of the possible zero emission technologies for thermal power plants under the Paris Agreement. KM CDR Process is technically capable of capturing nearly 100% CO2 from an entire power plant flue gas. Power plant zero emission by CO2 Capture and Storage (CCS) will take a step closer to realization, if the impact of high CO2 capture ratio on operational cost and power plant efficiency is thoroughly examined. Even though the MHI commercial plants with KM CDR Process were designed at 90% CO2 capture ratio as standard, KM CDR Process is able to increase the CO2 capture ratio up to 99% or higher considering the equilibrium CO2 concentration in flue gas at the absorber outlet and lean solvent condition. In this paper, the following performance indicators are evaluated based on the scenarios that the KM CDR Process captures CO2 from an entire flue gas of a 650MW coal fired power plant at 99.5% CO2 capture ratio; 1) Operational Cost ($ per ton of CO2) Increase of CO2 capture plant compared to 90% CO2 Capture Case (Base Case) 2) Gross/Net Thermal Efficiency Reduction of Power Plant compared to Base Case In addition, an optimization study has been conducted to reduce the operational cost of CO2 capture plant. Study conditions are as follows; 1) CO2 Source: Flue Gas from a 650MW Coal Fired Power Plant 2) CO2 Capacity: 10,600ton per day (90% CO2 Capture Ratio) 11,700ton per day (99.5% CO2 Capture Ratio) 3) Scope: CO2 Capture Plant CO2 Compressor


What values, beliefs and conceptions (espoused theories) underpin and shape professional practice (theories-in-use) in information literacy education? This study investigates relationships between espoused theories and theories-in-use of information literacy in academic libraries. The paper reports preliminary findings from an in-depth comparative analysis of one library's official policy documents and its instruction resources including an online research tutorial. The findings indicate varying patterns of congruence and incongruence between the library's espoused theories and theories-in-use with incidents of significant gaps. The process of examining espoused theories and theories-in-use provides an evaluative framework for critically analyzing practice with the view of aligning practice more closely with stated goals and rhetoric. The study is therefore presented as a practical method for evaluating tools of information literacy practice in the school library


In this short note, we find a new gap phenomena on Riemannian manifolds, which says that for any complete noncompact Riemannian manifold with nonnegative Ricci curvature, if the scalar curvature decays faster than quadratically, then it is Ricci flat.


dXt μάί + σάννί dZt, where W = (Wt)t^o l s a standard Wiener process with coefficients μ > 0, σ > 0. The nonnegative non-decreasing non-anticipating process Ζ = (Zt)t^o characterizes a strategy for payment of dividends by the company. It is assumed that the initial capital Xo — x ^ 0, that the company goes bankrupt at the moment that the process X first vanishes, and that dXt = dZt = 0 for all t ^ τ, where τ is the moment of bankruptcy, τ = inf{t : Xt = 0}. Optimal dividend processes Ζ = (Zt)t^o were found in [1], that is, ones that achieve the supremum of the criterion for optimal functioning of the company (see [2])


Inhibition of tumor growth in a murine transplantable model of bladder cancer was attempted through manipulation of im mune response mechanisms by treatment of experimental an imals with indomethacm, a prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor, and/or polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid [poly(l:Q], an inducer of Interferon. Tumor-bearing animals and age-matched controls were inoculated i.p. with either phosphate-buffered saline or 200 to 400 fig indomethacin, and/or 10 /xg poly(l:C) on alter nate days for 3 to 5 total doses. At selected intervals, splenic lymphocytes were prepared for cytotoxicity testing against 51Cr-labeled target cell lines. The greatest degree of inhibition was seen when both poly(l:C) and indomethacin were inocu lated into experimental animals. Poly(l:C) alone also inhibited tumor growth, but to a lesser degree. Indomethacin was the least effective in inhibiting tumor growth. Splenic lymphocytes from both tumor-bearing and control animals that had been inoculated with poly(l:C) demonstrated the highest levels of cytotoxicity, while comparable animals treated with indometh acin alone showed no alteration of cytotoxicity levels in com parison with animals treated with only phosphate-buffered sa line. Although tumor growth had been inhibited to the greatest extent with combined poly(l:CHndomethacin treatment, lym phocyte cytotoxicity in these animals was less than that seen in animals treated with poly(l:C) alone. Addition of Interferon directly to the cytotoxicity assay further enhanced lymphocyte cytotoxicity in lymphocytes derived from all animals except those treated with poly(l:C) alone. In vitro addition of indometh acin did not change cytotoxicity levels seen in any experimental group. Taken together, interferon induction and prostaglandin synthetase inhibition appeared to exert the greatest effect in controlling tumor growth. Corresponding effects on cytotoxicity did not confirm that the effect of these agents in vivo on tumor growth reflected an effect on the immune response. Further studies are needed to confirm the hypothetical cause-effect relationship in this experimental model.


Reported herein is the sensitive and selective detection of benzene and alkylated benzene derivatives as well as the practical application of this system in the detection of fuel contaminated environments following a March 2015 tanker truck crash at the Bourne Rotary in Bourne, Massachusetts. This detection method relies on the ability of cyclodextrin to promote proximity-induced fluorescence modulation of a high quantum yield fluorophore, which led to unique modulation responses for each cyclodextrin-analyte-fluorophore combination investigated. The measured changes in fluorescence emission were used to generate arrays using linear discriminant analysis to generate unique pattern identifiers for each combination. The method was successful in detecting ppm levels of analytes with 100% success in differentiating analytes in purified buffer solution and 100% success in differentiating between analytes in water samples from three collection locations related to the crash site: downstream, upstream, and directly from the drainage pipe. Notably, this method was successful in generating well-separated signals for structural isomers of xylene (ortho, meta, para) which is difficult without specialized mass spectrometry-based techniques. The high selectivity, sensitivity, and broad applicability of this method have significant potential in the detection of aromatic analytes in a wide range of complex environments.


Identification of recurrent cholesteatoma and differentiation from postoperative granulation tissue is important in a patient who has undergone mastoidectomy for cholesteatoma. We describe the diffusion-weighted imaging findings and apparent diffusion coefficient values in a case of recurrent cholesteatoma. This case suggests possible differentiation of cholesteatoma from granulation tissue on the basis of diffusion-weighted imaging findings.


Non-linear oscillations of gas in an open pipe were researched experimentally. Dependencies of the pressure oscillation amplitude were obtained for various frequencies of the gas excitation near the first proper frequency to the approach to the shock-wave oscillation mode.


Climate Change
Climate models aiming to explore how global warming can be limited to the Paris Agreement targets of 1.5° or 2°C usually invoke sweeping technical and societal transformations. These include the extensive use of carbon dioxide removal technologies. In a Perspective, Lawrence and Schafer argue that this reliance on technologies may be difficult or impossible to implement at the required scale, making the Paris temperature goals increasingly less plausible. A way forward is the innovative concept of nationally determined contributions to climate risk reduction, introduced in the Paris Agreement. This fosters greater democratic engagement, accountability, and meaningful change toward mitigating and adapting to climate change.

Science , this issue p. [829][1]

 [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.aaw4602


This paper sets forth the necessity and implementing methods of total quality management in the book- lending work of library, and discusses on the problems that should be noticed during the process of actualizing total quality management in library.


We have developed a new interhemispheric 16-moment based ionosphere model. This model describes the field-aligned transport of the multi-species ionospheric plasma (6 ions) from one hemisphere to the other, taking into account source processes at low altitudes (photoionization, chemistry) and coupling with suprathermal electrons. We simulate the convection and corotation transport of closed flux tubes in the outer plasmasphere for tilted/eccentric dipolar magnetic field configuration.


The dream of space travel ended with the conclusion of the programmes that were funded by the Cold War. Very recently, a proliferation of symposia and media attention indicate that private investors are currently Žnancing space-related businesses. Two space conferences with distinct agendas are reviewed here. The Žrst, 'Going Public': Moving Toward the Development of a Large Space Tourism Business, was sponsored by the Space Transportation Association (STA) and its associated Space Travel and Tourism Division, 23–24 June, 1999 in Washington DC. Broader in its perspective, the Space Frontier Foundation (SFF) hosted 'Launching the Space Millennium' in Los Angeles, 23–26 September, 1999. SFF has devoted the topic of free enterprise in space to eight annual conferences.


New strategies are required to increase physical activity and improve metabolic profiles in children with obesity. We studied the effect of whole body vibration (WBV) on children with obesity on biochemical markers of energy and bone metabolism, anthropometric measurements, muscle parameters and calcaneal bone mineral density (BMD).


Visually impaired individuals are faced with many different problems in their daily and social lives. They have difficulties in performing ordinary activities such as walking in outdoor/indoor areas without facing obstacles, perceiving the objects around them, and shopping, so they need the help of second persons. In particular, they have problems in finding direction and reaching the desired point in indoor areas such as markets and shopping centers where there are more objects and obstacles. This study, it is aimed to enable visually impaired individuals to easily find the location of the aisles and products while shopping in places such as markets and stores by using the short-range wireless communication protocol called ultra-wideband and communicating with the application that the visually impaired individuals have installed on their smartphones. Thanks to the designed system, visually impaired individuals will be directed to the product they want to find in the stores or markets they have entered for shopping, and the product they are in front of will also be communicated to the users with audio notifications. It has been proven by various applications that the ultra-wideband communication protocol can locate indoors with a high degree of accuracy. For this reason, it is predicted that the use of ultra-wideband can give very good results with high accuracy and reliability in the designed system. In this study, the details of designing the proposed system for visually impaired individuals are explained.


Case Report: A case of isolated iliac bone tuberculosis, initially presented with low back pain and swelling, was unsuccessfully treated for three months before final diagnosis was established. Plain radiography revealed only slight sclerosis of the iliac side of the right sacro-iliac joint. MRI provided more precise and detailed information regarding the site, size and nature of the bony and soft tissue components of the lesion. The bony lesion showed low T1, high T2 signal and marginal enhancement on fat suppressed T1 post-gadolinium images. The soft tissue components also showed post-gadolinium enhancement and abscesses formation. CT scan confirmed the bony lytic lesion and provided guidance for biopsy. Histology confirmed tuberculous nature of the lesion.


In this work the adverse effects of salinity (100 and 200 mM NaCl) on some physiological responses of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.cv. Giza 121) plant were studied. Salt stress induced the accumulation of the osmoprotectants (proline and soluble sugars), total-soluble-N, amino-N and increased the activity of phosphatases (acid and alkaline). Protein-N and total-N contents were significantly decreased in comparison with the control (tap water). The Na+ content was significantly increased under salinity stress, while P3+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ contents decreased. Application of 50 µM ABA or 100 µM GA3 as a grain soaking or shoot spraying, counteracted the adverse effects of salinity. This was achieved by significant increases in the total-nitrogen and amino-N contents, and significant decreases in proline content and phosphatases activity. Also, this treatment with hormones decreased Na+ accumulation and significantly increased P3+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ contents, compared with the control. Hormones and changes in the activity of phosphatases might play a role in regulating ion distribution in barley plants. Furthermore, results showed much better growth of plants whose grains were originally soaked in gibberellins than those of other treatments.


Abstract  This article examines the ways in which the narrative or story form generates personal connections between visitors and content and thus is ideally suited to the work of museums. Starting with a review of the qualities of narrative, the article provides specific examples of how stories and storytelling have worked in exhibitions, public programs and outreach to schools.


Hydrogeological data such as groundwater levels and pore pressures are important input to slope stability analysis and thereby assessment of landslide risks. However, increased precipitation due to climate change is assumed to affect the ground water levels and pore pressures in the soil. Therefore, climate change must be considered in hydrogeological estimations, and there is a need to develop methods to predict future groundwater levels and pore pressures, both positive and negative.


The construction of Intelligent Transportation Systems has been increasingly valued by countries worldwide. A proper mechanism for promoting the construction of Intelligent Transportation Systems is very important for the smooth development of these Systems. Based on the construction of Intelligent Transportation Systems in foreign countries, this article intends to analyze the development modes, organizational settings, as well as the formulation of appropriate policies and standards. It then sums up the valuable experience for the construction of China's Intelligent Transportation Systems.


UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Juan Méndez brings overdue attention to children detained in institutions and the need to protect them against torture or ill-treatment. The Méndez Report establishes that the obligation to prevent torture requires governments to stop the unnecessary institutional placement of any child. There are 8-10 million children detained in orphanages and other institutions around the world. Research demonstrates that raising children in a congregate setting is inherently dangerous, leading to psychological damage, developmental delays, and an increased risk of violence, abuse, and exploitation. The vast majority of children in orphanages are not orphans – 80 to 98% have a living parent. The reason for most orphanage placement is the lack of protection and support for families who live in poverty as well as the lack of assistance for children with disabilities to remain at home. UNICEF has called for an end to institutionalization worldwide, and European regional branches of UNICEF and WHO have called for a moratorium on new placements of young children. Despite this, governments and international donors continue to support orphanages, and the institutionalization of children continues to grow. The implications of the Méndez report are clear: governments and donors who support the institutionalization of children are perpetuating an increased risk of torture. The Méndez Report calls for the placement of children in institutions to be limited to the last resort. This is consistent with current interpretations of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). In addition, Méndez calls for limiting placement to the shortest time possible in the least restrictive manner. These protections go beyond interpretations of the CRC in General Comment #9 of the CRC Committee. Since models of family care exist for all children – and most placement can be avoided by protecting families – Méndez's recommendation would bring an end to long-term placement of children. Méndez's recommendations are informed by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which protects the right of children to grow up in a family environment. To implement this right, the CRPD Committee has called for an end to the placement of children in institutions. General Comment #9 should be updated to harmonize it with the requirements of both CAT and the CRPD. Immediate attention is also needed to protect the millions of children now placed in institutions. The protection against torture and ill-treatment is universal, without exception, and does not permit delays in implementation. The lack of funding is not an excuse for leaving children at continued risk. The Méndez Report demonstrates why urgent action is needed to create the community services and family support systems necessary to ensure that all children live and grow up in a family. A moratorium on new 1 Eric Rosenthal is the founder and Executive Director of Disability Rights International (DRI). Rosenthal was the 2015-2016 Fr. Robert Drinan Chair in International Human Rights at Georgetown University Law Center. The author gratefully acknowledges the support of the Drinan Chair at Georgetown for supporting research on this paper. Professor Arlene Kanter, Syracuse University Law School, Megan Rusciano, Arc of Northern Virginia, and Priscila Rodriguez of DRI provided invaluable comments. Rachel Arnold, Lisbet Brizuela, Mikey Orkin, Juan Ignacio Bellow, Megan Abbot, Avery Kelly, Nicole Endsley assisted with research and editing. The author especially thanks DRI President Laurie Ahern who, at a time before international jurisprudence recognized that treatment could constitute torture, persuaded DRI to take a stand on this issue. The article is dedicated to Karen Green McGowan, President of the Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association, who has demonstrated that we can never give up on a meaningful family life for every child. Correspondence on this article can be sent to email@example.com. Protecting Children Deprived of Liberty from Torture (in press) Eric Rosenthal 1 admissions is the most effective way to fulfill the mandate of the Méndez Report – combined with immediate action to integrate institutionalized children back into families. Protecting Children Deprived of Liberty from Torture (in press) Eric Rosenthal


The air-kerma rate constant Γ δ , (and its precursors), as one of the basic radiation characteristics of 192 Ir, was determined by many authors. Analysis of accessible data on this quantity led us to the conclusion that published data strongly disagree. That is the reason we calculated this quantity on the basis of our and many other authors'gamma-ray spectral data and the latest data for mass energy-transfer coefficients for air


In this paper, a class of time-delay fractional optimal control problems (TDFOCPs) is studied. Delays may appear in state or control (or both) functions. By an embedding process and using conformable fractional derivative as a new definition of fractional derivative and integral, the class of admissible pair (state, control) is replaced by a class of positive Radon measures. The optimization problem found in measure space is then approximated by a linear programming problem (LPP). The optimal measure which is representing optimal pair is approximated by the solution of a LPP. In this paper, we have shown that the embedding method (embedding the admissible set into a subset of measures), successfully can be applied to non-linear TDFOCPs. The usefulness of the used idea in this paper is that the method is not iterative, quite straightforward and can be applied to non-linear dynamical systems.


Summary In this paper, we define the characteristics of suitable starting models for gradient-based waveform inversion, when applied to sub-basalt imaging. Although our study is carried out on a 1-D model, our conclusions are also valid for more general cases. Since the inverse problem encounters strong non-linearities, the starting model plays a strong role in guiding the inversion. By analyzing the evolution of the misfit function with respect to the degradation of the true model by smoothing, we develop criteria for a "good" starting model, i.e. one that will yield convergence to the global, rather than a local minimum. These criteria depend on the lowest available data frequency: the lower this limit is, the more tolerant the algorithm is of missing high wavenumber information. Even given a lower limit of approximately 7 Hz, we conclude that the criteria for waveform of sub-basalt targets will not be met if the starting model is obtained from standard methods.


We present a case where initiation of antidepressant therapy was associated with an episode of unresponsiveness. Providing the opportunity to examine the possible pitfalls in geriatric prescribing.


This paper examines how changes in the composition of the human capital of the workforce impact the CEO. Over the last fifty years, technological change has caused the tasks workers perform to shift from routine to nonroutine work. I estimate that these changes in the workforce caused CEO pay to double over the last thirty years, explaining roughly one-third of the aggregate increase in CEO pay. Consistent with this effect being caused by synergies between CEOs and nonroutine workers, I use text analysis of 10-K statements to show that managers of nonroutine workforces focus relatively more on employees and that this focus leads to large increases in firm value and profitability. Together, these results suggest that a substantial portion of the increase in CEO pay over the past three decades represents an optimal response to technological change.


RIKA JOUBERT is a senior lecturer at the University of Pretoria. She is the Director of the Interuniversity Centre for Education Law and Education Policy (CELP) and has taught education law since 1993. Her PhD focused on developing education law programmes for education managers in multicultural situations. Her special interests are the facilitation of training workshops for education managers in fields such as learner discipline, school safety, labour relations and the implementation of human rights in education. She is the co-author of Education Law: A practical guide for educators. She has participated in various international education law conferences in the USA, Australia, and the UK.


In order to improve the reconstruction accuracy and efficiency of the directional pursuit algorithm, a compressed sensing (CS) reconstruction algorithm based on spectral projected gradient (SPG) pursuit is proposed. Directional pursuit frame is adopted by this algorithm. The update direction and step length are computed by spectral projected gradient method. Local optimal is avoided by adopting the nonmonotone line search strategy. The validity of the proposed algorithm was proved by the experimental results. The balance between reconstruction accuracy and efficiency of the algorithm can be achieved by setting an appropriate threshold parameter.


AT THE end of 2000 superconductivity in metal alloys and compounds appeared to remain trapped by a glass ceiling. Over the previous 10 years the temperature at which certain oxide-based compounds – such as bismuth strontium calcium copper oxide and mercury barium calcium copper oxide – lost their resistance to electric current had soared to well over 100 K. Mean-while, the transition temperature, Tc, for carbon-based materials, including alkali-doped carbon-60 compounds, had risen close to the boiling point of liquid nitrogen (77K). During the same period, however, the superconducting transition temperature of intermetallic compounds (materials made solely of metals and metal-like elements) remained close to 20 K – as it had been since the mid-1960s.


H double quantum filtered (DQF) spec-troscopic imaging technique was used to study the orientationof collagen fibers in articular cartilage. The method detects onlywater molecules in anisotropic environments, which in cartilageis caused by their interaction with the collagen fibers. A largequadrupolar splitting was observed in the calcified zone and asmaller splitting in the radial zone. In the transitional zone thesplitting was not resolved and a small splitting was again de-tected in the superficial zone. From measurements performedat two orientations of the plug relative to the magnetic field itwas deduced that in the calcified and radial zones the fibers areoriented perpendicular to the bone, bending at the transitionalzone and flattening at the superficial zone. The effect of loadapplied to the cartilage–bone plug was monitored by the sametechnique. At low loads there is a small decrease in the qua-drupolar splitting in the calcified zone, a marked decrease inthe radial zone, and an increase of the splitting accompanied bya thickening of the superficial zone. Under high loads, while thethickening and the splitting of the superficial zone further in-crease, the splitting in the radial and calcified zones completelycollapse. Pressure-induced changes in the thickness of thesurface zone indicate flattening of the collagen fibers near thesurface. The marked collapse of the splitting near the bone athigh pressures may result from crimping of the collagen fibers.Magn Reson Med 48:322–330, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.Key words: DQF MRI; articular cartilage; compression; collagenorientation


There is global concern that invertebrate populations are declining rapidly, particularly in agricultural habitats. Declines have been attributed to the intensification of farming systems, with many studies focussing on a lack of semi-natural habitat in the landscape and the use of insecticides. However, within-field arable weeds are also an important driver of invertebrate abundance and the ecosystem services to which they contribute. This study focuses on the role of arable weeds in supporting invertebrate populations and selected ecosystem services they deliver., using winter wheat as a case study. Weed-invertebrate relationships were investigated across seven studies of winter-sown wheat spanning 18 years. Both phytophagous and predatory invertebrates responded to weed cover but to different degrees. Phytophages showed a stronger positive relationship with weed cover than the predators, because they rely on the resources provided by the weeds whereas predatory species response is likely to be mediated by their prey. Farmland bird chick-food indices were positively related to both broadleaf and grass cover in cropped fields, indicating that increased weed cover can provide increased invertebrate food for birds in winter wheat. Despite this potential, there were insufficient invertebrate food resources for birds in the majority of wheat fields sampled. Weed diversity did not play a significant role in moderating the relationships between weeds and invertebrate abundance, however this may be a function of the low weed diversity in modern winter wheat fields. In this study the weed species most frequently shown to predict the invertebrate community were: Poa annua, Stellaria media, Fumaria officinalis, Sinapis arvensis, Senecio vulgaris, Persicaria lapathifolia, Sonchus spp., Matricaria discoidea, Persicaria maculosa, Agrostis spp., Lamium purpureum, Lamium album, Veronica spp., Atriplex spp., Myosotis spp. and Anagallis arvensis. We conclude that even in an intensively grown cereal, arable weeds can play an important role in maintaining and restoring invertebrate populations, that 10% weed cover is needed to fulfill the potential and that a successful outcome will be driven by the presence of weed species that support invertebrates that provide ecosystem services.


The present study compared means of 54 nonpatients on two Continuous Performance Test measures in five administration conditions. Both response measures differentiated performance among the conditions, certain of which may have an alerting function that facilitates deployment of attention. Appreciable attentional demand or effort, however, may limit this facultative effect.


The complex Zn3(PhCH=CHCOO)6(phen)2·H2O is a new environmental mineral.Its micro-structure is similar to that of manganese oxide and manganese hydroxide.The formation environment and micro-crystal structure have obvious environmental attribute.In order to investigate the nano-crystal structure,the optimum dimension,and the environment significance,we used the nano-crystal calculation method on the basis of the crystal structure of the title compound to discuss the crystal cell numbers,the atomicity,the surface layer atomicity and its proportion.By comparing the structure of manganese oxide and manganese hydroxide with the compound,we discuss its environmental attribute.It is found that the activity of the compound and surface effects are closely related with the particle size,and its inherence structure has obvious environmental attribute.Finally,we theoretically carry on the computation discussion to turning compounds into nanometer particle.The optimum dimension of its nano-particle is theoretically determined to be about 138 nm.


4-Chlorobutyryl group was used as amino protective group for n(-)-alpha-phenylglycine (I). N-Hydroxysuccinimide ester III was prepared in high yield but partly racemic. Reaction of III or IV with V afforded epimeric mixtures of N,0-protected cephalexins (VI), which can be separated by crystallisation. The 4-chlorobutyryl group in VII was removed under very mild conditions giving cephalexin (IX) in good yield and purity.


Coherent states for quons are constructed as eigenstates of the annihilation operator and their properties are studied. In particular, it is shown that these states form a complete set with respect to a measure.


Abstract : The report describes a successful laser ranging experiment which was conducted on the retroreflector satellite GEOS A on 23 May 1969 at the Mount Haleakala Observatory, Maui, Hawaii. A total of 99 returns were obtained out of 113 laser firings during the sunlit portion of the satellite's pass. The returns were obtained from ranges of 2326 to 2937 km. The observed ranges are compared to predictions made by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, and it is found that the agreement is excellent. Acquisition and tracking techniques used during the ranging experiment are discussed. Photographs of the satellite and of an outgoing laser pulse (as seen on a television monitor) are presented. A brief description of the laser system and relevant Observatory support systems is also included along with some information on retroreflector satellites. (Author)


PART I - DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS PART II - EXTERNALIZING DISORDERS PART III - INTERNALIZING DISORDERS PART IV - OTHER CONSIDERATIONS


ToRSV is a highly risk plant quarantine pest in China. Its hosts are peach, plum, grape, apple, cherry and so on. From 2000 to 2001, we had found ToRSV from vines imported from France. The RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) coding region of Tomato ringspot virus from raspberry was sequenced. It comprised 2133 nucleotides and encoded a putative protein of 711 amino acids. The protease cleavage site between the c-protease and RdRp was found to be Q/V. The nucleotide and amino acid sequence of RdRp gene of this isolate shared 79% to 84% and 89 % to 94% similarities to that of other ToRSV isolates or strains, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses of the sequences indicated that the relationship between GYV and other ToRSV isolates or strains was furthest, whereas the Rasp-2 and other ToRSV isolates or strains were most closely related. The study also indicated that there was obvious variation between Rasp-2 and other Raspberry isolates.


Almahata Sitta is a polymict breccia, consisting of many kinds of clasts. Here we present our mineralogical and petrological results on an EL3 fragment, MS-177 from Almahata Sitta. This fragment shows a typical type 3 chondritic texture, consisting of well-defined chondrules often with olivine, isolated silicate minerals, and opaque nodules. Although these components are typical of EL3 chondrites, the mineral abundances and compositions are different from the other EL3s. Diopside is highly abundant. On the other hand, perryite and daubreelite were not found. The major pyroxene is orthoenstatite, and the silica phase is quartz. Fe-Ni metal has relatively high P contents. Troilite is enriched in Cr and Mn. Keilite and buseckite are present in MS-177. From the mineralogy and texture, MS-177 experienced a high-temperature event under subsolidus conditions. Shock-induced heating for a short duration might explain this high-temperature event. This is supported by shock-induced darkened feature of MS-177. We suggest that other E3 chondrites also experienced heating events under such subsolidus conditions on their parent bodies. On the other hand, the high abundance of diopside cannot be explained by a secondary thermal event and may have been a primary feature of MS-177, formed before accretion to the parent body.


Background. Metabolic and alcoholic liver injuries result in non-alcoholic (NAFLD) or alcoholic fatty liver disease (ALD), respectively. In particular, presence of fibrosis in NAFLD and ALD requires treatment, but development of drugs is hampered by the lack of suitable models with significant fibrosis. Carbon-tetrachloride (CCl4) liver fibrosis model does not reflect human NAFLD or ALD, but CCl4may serve as a fibrosis accelerator in addition to another injury. Methods.Ethanol in drinking water (16%) or Western diet(WD) were administered for seven weeks in mice either alone or in combination with CCl4intoxications. Extent of fibrosis, steatosis and inflammation was assessed by histology, transcription and biochemistry. Furthermore, transcription of fibrosis, proliferation and inflammation-related genes was studied on human liver samples with fibrosis due to HCV infection (n=7), NAFLD (n=8) or ALD (n=7).Results.WD or ethanol alone induced only mild steatosis and inflammation. Combination of CCl4and WD induced the most severe steatosis together with significant liver fibrosis and moderate inflammation. Combination of CCl4and ethanol induced the strongest inflammation with significant liver fibrosis and moderate steatosis. The relationship pattern between fibrosis, proliferation and inflammation of human ALD was mostly similar in mice treated with CCl4and ethanol.Conclusions.The combination of CCl4intoxication with WD validate previous data suggesting it as an appropriate model for human NASH. Especially, CCl4plus ethanol for seven weeks induces ALD in mice, providing a model suitable for further basic research and drug testing.


In this study, we investigated the influence of K-meals service on trustworthiness, customer satisfaction, and customer loyalty, and surveyed responses from domestic and rebel groups that handle K-meals in domestic universities. The results of the analysis show that food quality and infection, which are subfactors of contrast and K-meal services, affect trust. Second, the trust and satisfaction of people who trust K-Meal appears to have a significant impact on customer satisfaction (international students and personnel) and customer loyalty. Lastly, they confirmed that food quality and cleaning, which are sub-factors of K-meals service, played a moderating role in the trust relationship, but staff service did not play a moderating role in the trust relationship. Therefore, based on the fact that it is very important to rebuild and reorganize the food service environment, assistance is provided to bring out the value of K-meals for improvement and improvement.


This article examines evidence-based interventions to enhance vaccination coverage improve acceptability and increase effectiveness of the routine immunization program in India. It discusses the current best evidence regarding: improving vaccination coverage improving vaccination rates improving the cold-chain increasing vaccine acceptability and increasing vaccine demand.


This paper describes a method of building a semantic map of a greenhouse for a robot path planning. Existing mapping methods only consider whether there are obstacles in a certain region. They are not sufficient for path planning in greenhouses where traversable regions are often covered by branches and leaves which are also recognized as obstacles. We propose a mapping method which generates a map with semantic information on the types of obstacles. By integrating RGB-D based visual SLAM (Simultaneous Localization And Mapping) and semantic segmentation by a deep neural network, we obtain a 3D map with semantic labels. In order to deal with the uncertainty of observations, we introduce a Bayesian label updating strategy which effectively utilizes the fact that the robot traverses a region. Through evaluations, we confirmed that the proposed method can perform a more accurate semantic labeling than the one only using SegNet.


Around 6% of medical encounters result in preventable patient safety incidents, and 12% of these result in severe or fatal outcomes.1 The acute medical unit (AMU) was introduced in 2004 to improve patient outcomes by allowing patients referred from general practice to receive specialist medical care faster.2 However, healthcare poses risks to all patients, and it is well documented that acutely sick patients are at heightened risk of unsafe care due to medication errors, treatment delays and complications arising from multiple care handovers.3–6

Patient safety is predicated on understanding why errors occur and using this to redesign care …


Acetophenones substituted by alkyl, alkoxy, acetoxy, and halogen groups were selectively oxidized with molecular oxygen to the corresponding benzoic acids by using the N,N',N"-trihydroxyisocyanuric acid (THICA)/cobalt(II) acetate [Co(OAc) 2 ] and THICA/Co(OAc) 2 /manganese(II) acetate [Mn(OAC) 2 ]. For example, 4-methylacetophenone was selectively oxidized with molecular oxygen to 4-acetylbenzoic acid (85%) by THICA/Co(OAc) 2 and to 4-methylbenzoic acid (93%) by Mn(OAc) 2 , while terephthalic acid was obtained in 93% with the THICA/Co(OAc) 2 /Mn(OAc) 2 catalytic system. It is interesting that the acetyl group on the aromatic ring is efficiently converted by a very small amount of Mn(OAc) 2 to the corresponding carboxylic acid, and that the present method provides a versatile route to acetylbenzoic acids which are difficult to prepare by conventional methods.


A positive displacement motor (PDM) driven rotary percussion drilling tool, named rotary percussion PDM (RP PDM), is developed. Using conventional PDM as rotating power source, high-frequency axial impact and vibration or impact is generated to raise rate of penetration (ROP) through an impact mechanism consisting of a couple of mating cams. Strength is calculated and checked for dangerous cross-sections, and all of them meet the strength requirements. Stress distribution under different loads is analysed for the mating cam mechanism. Safety coefficients of upper and lower cams under maximum load are 3.69 and 2.36 respectively. Both are greater than the allowable safety coefficients, which prove tool's design safety and reliability. Ground performance test shows that its overall power output parameters meet field compound drilling condition requirements. Field trials shows preferable ROP improving effect by over 30%. In Xu36A well especially, ROP is more than doubled. Therefore, the tool has positive significance to accelerate the pace of oil exploration and development and to reduce drilling costs.


Objectives.  The performance of holotranscobalamin (holoTC) was compared with the other markers of vitamin B12 deficiency, and the influence of age, renal function, and thyroid status was examined.