This work presents an investigation on the flexural and vibration behavior of imperfection sensitive higher order functionally graded material skew sandwich plates in thermal environment. Material properties have been assumed to be temperature dependent and graded in transverse direction following the power law distribution. Reddy's higher order shear deformation theory has been used to model displacement field kinematics of skew sandwich plate. Variational principle has been used for deriving the governing equations. Finite element methodology has been adopted to discretize plate domain. Convergence and comparison studies have been performed to demonstrate the reliability of present formulation. Effect of various system parameters such as thickness ratio, volume fraction index, skew angle, imperfection parameter, and boundary conditions on the flexural and vibration response have been investigated.


Based on the origin and the developing ways of teachers' titles appointment system,this paper sets forth its necessary characters 、main content and some basic tasks to be done as well.Some contradictions and problems that might come out are analyzed and the strategies that deal with them are put forward.


Diagnostic techniques of tree phase are the measurement,analysis and research on relevant data of fruit trees' structure.Through the comparison with quality and yield of fruit,the best tree phrase can be selected,and relevant data can be obtained,which will be the guide to the fertilization and restructuring of fruit trees,and this is significant to the improvement of yield and quality of fruit.


Municipality size has become an issue since the New Public Management doctrine of disaggregating structures into manageable units. In some countries, this doctrine led to the creation of small-scale agencies relying heavily upon transfers from upper-level governments. This paper aims to contribute to performance management literature by providing empirical evidence about some determinant factors that are likely to endow local governments with superior financial performance. Data came from a sample of Brazilian municipalities and refers to the period 2005-2008. The main conclusion of this investigation is that larger cities are more likely to manage revenue and expenditure better than are smaller cities, which aligns with the discussion of amalgamation versus fragmentation. This conclusion stems from the findings that in small municipalities mayors have fewer conditions to improve financial performance due to the difficulty of raising and collecting taxes and of reducing expenditures, which makes their administrations far more dependent upon external sources of money. Therefore, this dependent relationship can be seen as the cause of poor financial performance to the extent that it lowers mayoral discretion when making decisions. Another contribution this paper proposes to theory and practice relates to the fact that in the strong-mayor form of local government, mayoral qualification is likely to have little effect upon performance.


Abstract The lack of candidates and low competition for American legislatures prompts the search for institutional reforms to encourage more citizens to run for office. One proposed remedy is to provide public subsidies to qualified candidates to mitigate the cost of fundraising and improve the odds of winning. This study provides an empirical test of whether subsidies attract additional candidates. Using new data from a unique panel survey of political elites in Connecticut before and after reform, the findings indicate that subsidies may change attitudes about the cost of running, but they have little direct impact on the decision to run because other factors are much more salient. The results highlight the strength of the "strategic candidate" thesis and illustrate the difficulty of designing institutions to encourage more people to run for office.


SABO^ANEC R., K. ^ULJAK ,K. R AMADAN ,T. N AGLI) ,B. S EOL ,D. M ATI^I): Incidence of listeriosis in farm chinchillas (Chinchilla laniger) in Croatia. Vet. arhiv 70, 159-167, 2000. ABSTRACT Listeriosis is an infectious disease of domestic and wild animals caused by Listeria monocytogenes, and is transferable to humans. There are two clinical forms of listeriosis: septicemic and encephalitic. This paper deals with two cases of listeriosis in chinchillas (Chinchilla laniger), originating from a farm in the County of Me|imurje in Croatia, and were pathomorphologically and bacteriologically examined. This particular breed consisted of 64 chinchillas, 34 of which have died due to same symptoms. History reveals that animals had suffered loss of appetite, and abortion occurred about 5 days before death. Gross lesions included general anaemia and cachexia. Whitish-grey nodules the size of millet grain or a little larger were noticed along the capsule of liver, serosa of colon and in mesenterial lymph nodes. Numerous variably-sized granulomas in liver, intestines, lymph nodes and kidneys, with no special pattern, were observed histopathologically. They consisted of necrotic cells with somewhat more granulocytes in the centre and scattered individual gigantocytes. Bacteriological examination of liver specimens revealed Listeria monocytogenes in a pure culture in both cases. This is the first description of listeriosis in chinchillas in Croatia.


Background: Specific genomic profile of cutaneous melanomas is related to UVR exposure, which exerts biological and therapeutic impact. Subungual melanoma (SUM) is an exceedingly rare disease; therefore, it is not well characterized. SUM pathogenesis is not related to UVR induced DNA damage and expected to differ from other melanoma subtypes. Our study aimed to define the mutation profile of SUM in Caucasians. Materials and Methods: Next-generation sequencing-based genomic analysis was used to identify frequently mutated loci in 50 cancer-related genes in 31 SUM primary tumors. Results: The most abundant mutations in SUM were found in KIT – in 13% of cases and NRAS – also in 13%, while BRAF - only in 3% of cases. Conclusions: Our findings confirmed a high frequency of KIT and NRAS mutations in SUM, as well as a low incidence of BRAF mutations. We reported novel KRAS, CTNNB1, TP53, ERBB2, and SMAD4 mutations in SUM. Our findings provide new insights into the molecular pathogenesis of SUM.


Off-line alarm flood root-cause analysis methods are frequently used as a primary step for online operator support and have been promoted in several research activities in recent years. Addressing causal relationships in nonlinear and nonstationary time series, however, remains a challenging task. Moreover, evolving alarm floods that can be characteristic of an escalating abnormal situation have been disregarded to date. To address and solve these limitations, this paper presents a novel hybrid off-line alarm flood root-cause analysis method that uses a data-driven nonlinear causality estimator based on "nonpara-metric multiplicative regression," a novel and efficient sliding window technique, and additional process information. The method proposed here allows for the analysis of the most critical alarms in a historical alarm flood by analyzing causally dominant and highly affected process variables based on their dynamic causal dependencies. The performance of our method is assessed using an openly accessible dataset based on the "Tennessee-Eastman-Process." It is demonstrated that propagating abnormal situations in industrial processes can demonstrate complex time-varying causalities, where the effect of different dominant process variables can significantly vary over time.


Over the last few years, great benefits of ultrasonic impact treatment (UIT) have attracted considerable attention of many researchers and technologists to the application of this method. The paper presents the methodology, a dynamic model and the results of the study on the effectiveness of single (random) impacts and ultrasonic (random) impact that are currently used in deformation technologies. This type of work was performed and is published for the first time. Introduction Ultrasonic impact treatment originated in Russia in the early 70s [1] was further developed at Kvant, NSTC and Applied Ultrasonics [2] and currently attracts the attention of researches and technologists in many countries. Since plastic deformation is one of effects accompanying this method, interest in UIT caused drawing analogies between UIT and other conventional deformation treatment methods such as shot peening (SP), hammer peening (HP) and ultrasonic peening (UP). The authors, drawing the analogies, in particular those of [3] and [4], are right in their suggestion that the impact is the basic deformation energy carrier. However, they do not account in full measure for the features of the mechanism and characteristics of the ultrasonic impact described in [1] and [2], as well as for the results obtained in a number of projects carried out in accordance with procedures of the International Institute of Welding [5]. This work presents the results of experimental research on the efficiency of random impacts caused by a single impulse of force [3] with boundary conditions of hammer peening, and the impact with boundary conditions of ultrasonic peening as defined in [4] and ultrasonic impact as defined in [1]. The paper also presents a dynamic model of the ultrasonic impact as defined in [1] and the impact as defined in [4]. Comparison method Let us first define that the ultrasonic impact upon the impact object in accordance with [1] and [2] occurs under the action of the impulse of force (generated by ultrasonic transducer vibrations) at the rear end of a freely axially moving pin indenter with a normalized wave length directly contacting the transducer tip and the impact surface. At this impact phase, the indenter vibrates synchronously and inphase with ultrasonic transducer vibrations at its resonance frequency that defines the carrier frequency in the impact spectrum and causes impact surface vibrations adequate to this frequency in the impact area without indenter rebounding from the transducer tip and impact surface. Thus, the ultrasonic impact, along with plastic deformation of the surface material and stress impulse generation in the subsurface material, is accompanied by ultrasonic plastic deformation of the surface material and ultrasonic stress wave generation in the subsurface material. At the same time, the impact caused by a single impulse of force creates the area of plastic deformations on the impact surface and provides for stress impulse propagation in the subsurface material. The experimental conditions of acoustic energy transfer from the transducer to the impact surface were the same, while different types of indenters were used. Table 1 : Indenter dimensions No. Type Radius of work surface, mm Length, mm 1. 4 25 2. 4 9.2 3. 5 17.1 4. Pin 6.35mm 6 29.0 5. 4 -


Through an examination of the historical course of modern social structural changes,the paper proposed a completely new research perspective.Based on an analysis of the historical course and characters of modern social structural changes,the author identified four historical phases of the modern cultural transformation and explained the basic connotation and characters of the cultural transformation in each historical phase.In the light of a systematic summary of the academic history,the author raised major issues to be focused on in studies of the Chinese modern social changes and cultural transformation.Preliminary considerations in the basic theories were presented and a new approach to further studies in this field was suggested.The author claimed that more profound studies of the basic theories,contents and methodology for studying the modern Chinese social changes and cultural transformation should be undertaken.


This paper studies certain discrete schemes for mth-order linear 2-point boundary value problems and related eigenvalue problems. The method is a discrete Petrov-Galerkin method, with a trial space of smoothest splines of order m + 2, and a test space of continuous piecewise-linear functions. The method, which extends and generalies recent results of Sloan, Tran and Fairweather for the case m = 2, places no restrictions on the mesh. Under appropriate smoothness assumptions, the order of convergence of the mth derivatives of the boundaryvalue problem is O(h2 max), while that of the (m − 2)th and lower derivatives is O(h4 max). Order O(h4 max) superccnvergence is proved for (m − 1)th derivatives at the breakpoints, and also for the eigenvaiues in the case of the eigenvalue problem


The methods commonly used for people to converse despite a large geographical distance are either text messaging or video conference. A more immersive communication method which is similar to in-person conversation is more desirable. The closest form is a conversation via the holographic projection of the participants and environment. Two features needed to achieve this include 3D reconstruction of the target and streaming of 3D data. We implement 3D reconstruction and 3D streaming using cost-effective depth cameras. The focus of this work is on how to approach the idea by using such devices to create a standardized platform for the implementation of the system with the features mentioned above. Specifically, the system can capture 3D data from multiple depth sensors, reconstruct a 3D model of the human target to create an avatar, and stream the changes acquired from the sensors to the client to control the avatar in real time.


The present invention relates to an object (10) having a fluid (L) for storing and / or emission characteristics, especially bandage comprising a proximal liquid permeable structure (20), which comprises a liquid permeable structure in the presence of a proximal end of said liquid ( material capable of swelling in the case L); a distal end structure (30), which is capable of discharging the liquid (L); hydrophobic and non-absorbent insert structure (40), in which said distal end structure (30) and a proximal end extending between the structure (20), and the structure can be inserted through a gap between the holding structure locally restrict fluid communication between the distal and proximal structure when the structure is not expanded material, and can allow a proximal end in the structure wherein the liquid material and causing the proximal end of the distal configuration of the mobile structure together locally in response to at least a partially expanded region (P), said contact with a liquid expander expands and causes transmitted from the proximal region has been subjected to the expansion structure (20) to a distal end structure (30).


The contributions of the large and the small components of the radial wavefunctions to the relativistic crystal field are calculated from Wybourne's (1965) expression. It is shown that both mechanisms for the ground-state splittings of S-state ions, proposed by Lulek (1969) and Chatterjee et al (1973), are obtained from the small and the large components of the radial wavefunctions respectively.


and reported in the Technology Appraisal Report. Dr Stevenson provided advice for the additional modelling described here. Dr Jon Karnon provided advice on the breast cancer modelling and provided expert review. Ms. Fiona Sampson provided access to the latest version of the ScHARR cardiovascular prevention cost effectiveness model.


Due to the rapid advancements in digital innovations and technological evolution, the world today has witnessed a drastic upsurge in digital espousal by the masses and tech geeks alike. Advertising agencies and brand managers across the globe have been frantically finding ways to explore prospective markets and retain existing customers. Studies on brand management show that the image and trust of a brand are manifested through various deterministic variables which vary and change over time. This research thus focuses on the investigation of the effect of such pervasive determinants including Advertising Effectiveness, WOM and Brand Image on Brand Trust. The study concentrates its enquiry on brand trust elements related to organizations providing services in the telecommunications sector of Pakistan. For this purpose, data in the form of survey responses were collected through questionnaires with the help of convenient sampling. The respondents were customers using different telecommunications networks in Pakistan. From the results, it has been observed that Advertising Effectiveness, WOM and Brand Image have a strong impact on developing and maintaining Brand Trust. The research validates the impact of study variables in developing trust in a brand. Moreover, managerial implications and directions for future research have been proposed at the end of the study.


Initialization is one of the fundamental tasks to set up an ad hoc network, which involves assigning each of the n MSs a distinct ID number from 1 to n, distributedly. In this paper, an algorithm for initializing an ad hoc network with carrier sense capability is described. A novel acknowledgement scheme is first proposed to notify a transmitting MS whether its transmission is successful during the initialization. A distributed initialization algorithm is then developed and analyzed under the assumptions of a known number of users in the network. The algorithm is obtained based on the optimized key parameter to minimize the total time required to complete the initialization. Theoretical analysis and simulation indicates that the proposed initialization algorithm outperforms the randomized initialization algorithm.


The solutions in the storm water evacuation systems have developed in the past and are developing into the future. It is desired to learn about their evolution from the point of view of the evolution of technical systems. Knowledge about the system evolution can be used to speed up the evolution and to propose the new solution advancing in the con-ect direction. In order to start the analysis of the technological system evolution, it is necessary to describe the problem identified with the system of storm water evacuation and then to define the parameters which allow the positioning of the system on the evolution line. In this paper we propose the fomrnlation of the problem in the form of contradiction. We also propose the parameters which can be used as index of development in the stonn water evacuation systems. Finally, we pose a question about the future development of the solutions in the stom1 water evacuation systems. The intention of this paper is to make an introduction into the research of the technical system evolution of the stom1 water evacuation system.


Fertilizing must be considered in cultivation of oil palm especially the type and rate of a fertilizer. The use of the type and rate of a fertilizer should be acurate to support the growth and the production of oil palm. The objectives of this research were to study the pattern of the plant growth response and to determine the optimum rate of the N, P, and K single fertilizer package rate on two years old immature oil palm. This research was conducted from April 2014 to march 2015 at IPB-Cargill Teaching of Oil Palm, Jonggol, Bogor, West Java, Indonesia. The design was used randomized block design with one factor and three replications. The fertilizer treatment were four packages, they were: control (P0), fertilizer 1125 g urea + 975 g SP-36 + 1125 g KCl + 50 g borat + 50 g CuSO 4 .5H 2 O each plant (P1), fertilizer 2250 g urea + 1950 g SP-36 + 2250 g KCl + 50 g borat + 50 g CuSO 4 .5H 2 O  each plant (P2), fertilizer 4500 g urea + 3900 g SP-36 + 4500 g KCl + 50 g borat + 50 g CuSO 4 .5H 2 O each plant (P3). The result showed that the application of N, P, and K single fertilizer package linearly significant to plant height, stem girth, leaf number, and  frond length number nine but did not significant  to leaf area of frond number nine and all of physiological variables. The optimum rate of N, P, and K single fertilizer package can not be set because the effect of fertilizer still linier.


Two states and the US Bureau of Mines are following West Virginia's lead in requiring mines to install automated temporary roof supports (ATRS) on roof bolters. This article discusses the ATRS system. The intent of the system is to save lives. The function is to support the mine roof temporarily while the equipment operators install permanent roof bolts or trusses.


photon N(2p 2 3s 4 P1/2� 2p 34 S3/2) transition has been generated by two-photon resonant four-wave sum frequency mixing in Hg vapor. The quantum yield value for N( 4 S) formation in the N2O photolysis at 193 nm has been determined to be 2.1 (±0.9)� 10 � 3 . The N( 4 S) detection technique, which is developed in this study, is very sensitive, and the minimum detection limit is estimated to be 2� 10 9 atoms cm � 3 . Impact of the photolytic N( 4 S) and NO(X 2 ) production from N2O photolysis on stratospheric chemistry has been explored using a one-dimensional photochemical model, while the fragmentation was not considered in former model calculations. When the N( 4 S) + NO dissociation channel is considered in the photochemical model, an enhancement of the NOx production rate (up to 3%) is observed, which is followed by a decrease of the steady state O3 concentration throughout the stratosphere. INDEX TERMS: 0317 Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Chemical kinetic and photochemical properties; 0340 Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Middle atmosphere—composition and chemistry; 0341 Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Middle atmosphere—constituent transport and chemistry (3334); KEYWORDS: N2O photolysis, NOx production, stratosphere Citation: Nakayama, T., K. Takahashi, Y. Matsumi, N. Taniguchi, and S. Hayashida, Quantum yield for N( 4 S) production in the


The purpose of the final evaluation (FE) was to determine whether the Mwayi wa Mayo Integrated Family Planning Maternal Newborn and Child Health Project increased use of evidence-based life-saving interventions by women caregivers and children in the Blantyre District of Malawi. The evaluation was conducted between February 15 and 24 2016. The principal conclusions of the FE are: 1. Improved coverage of several high impact interventions along the lifecycle of women pregnant women and children is noted in project areas although not all targets were met. 2. Some improvement was seen in management of diarrhea. 3. Health surveillance assistants (HSAs) in project areas are able to provide integrated community case-management for sick children at reasonable standards for most interventions -- referral remains a challenge. 4. Integrated training supervision and service delivery resulted in limited improvements in quality of care by HSAs. 5. More attention to quality of care provided by facility-based health workers (HWs) is needed. Integrated training supervision and service delivery have a number of benefits. 7. Implementation through the routine district system has strengthened capacity. HSA coverage and deployment is an important problem that will limit program effectiveness in the long term -- and needs urgent review. 9. Strengthening availability of essential medicines is a country-wide challenge and needs continued attention. I0. Limitations to sustainability remain and will require long-term support. (Excerpts)


Abstract : The effectiveness of a 6.2-cu-yd capacity Koehring-Johnson mixer in mixing 6-cu-yd batches of exterior concrete at three mixing times was evaluated. The following tests were made on samples from the front, middle, and back portions of the continuous mixer discharge: coarse aggregate content, unit weight of air-free mortar, and moisture and cement content of the mortar fraction. Three batches were tested after 4-min mixing time, three after 3 min, and one after 2-1/2 min. The mixer was found to perform satisfactorily at a minimum mixing time of 3 min when mixing 6 cu yd of exterior concrete. (Author)


Objective:To study the nursing for psychological needs of diabetc mellitus patients Method:We consulted patients with Tables of Psychological needs designed by ourselves.Result:The main psycholoyical needs for the patients was,the cases,the threatened and severe complication of diabetic mellitus.They were worry about the status in case of blood glucose control failure.In the mean while,they were also care about the diet therapy,exercise therapy,the cautions of drug and injection therapy,the cautions of drug and injection technique.Conclusion:The recurrent and persistent nursing thoroughly can improve the life quality and prolong the life,decrease the mortality rate of diabetic mellitus patients.


There is considerable international concern about science education based on the number of students engaged with science and mathematics, and research showing student disenchantment with school science curricula. ln this presentation I will trace through a history of concerns with school science, and describe the recommendations and curriculum responses to these concerns internationally and particularly in Australia. The new Australian Science Curriculum is based around ideas related to scientific literacy and inquiry curriculum, and includes science inquiry skills and science as a human endeavour' as major strands. I will describe the features of the course and raise the question - does it represent a productive way forward? The various aspects of the course are related to current directions in science education research, and examples will be given of my own involvement in national curriculum initiatives, into school-community links, and Deakin research into a pedagogy that focuses on student generation of representations, as examples of ways forward for improving student engagement with learning science.


Abstract The Yale Grammatical Diversity Project approaches the empirical domain of North American English from the perspective of generative microcomparative syntax. In addition to eliciting judgments from speakers of particular varieties, we also conduct large-scale surveys, map the results of those surveys geographically, conduct statistical tests taking geography and other social variables into account, and look for theoretically significant linguistic correlations. In all cases, we do this with the primary goal of understanding variation between speakers at the individual level. While our goals and methodologies are informed by our theoretical perspective, we expect that our work and results will be of interest to linguists working in other frameworks and even to the public more generally. This article outlines the goals and methodologies of the project and describes in broad strokes some of the results obtained so far, as well as some of the ways we have shared our findings with others, inside and outside academia.


In modern times, the idea of the sabbath is often limited to a day when people attend religious services or observe rituals in their homes. Biblical sabbath, however, is one of the first codifications of labor rights in world history. This tradition emerged in an ancient economy that extracted agricultural wealth from subsistence farmers to support wealthy elites. Increasing demands on labor were coupled with reductions in the amount of produce available to individual households for sustenance. This led to impoverishment and to interest lending that often resulted in the loss of ancestral property and debt servitude to wealthy creditors. Sabbath traditions, both a weekly day of rest and periodic cancellation of debt, were attempts to mitigate the negative impact of this royal‐imperial system. Those traditions functioned as a critique and a corrective to the royal‐imperial economy. These traditions still have conceptual and practical utility for today's globalizing economy that is challenged by climate change and reshaped by the COVID pandemic. "Sabbath economics" is built on a notion of abundance limited by self‐restraint—seven days of wealth for six days of work. This model overturns modern assumptions of scarcity and unlimited needs and wants. The values expressed in this ancient tradition can help us imagine the role of work and rest in a just and ecologically sustainable future.


We report the one-step synthesis of spherical metallic tin nanoparticles having a broad diameter distribution from few nm up to 250 nm, coated with thin carbonaceous shells by using the laser pyrolysis gas-phase technique. We employed tetramethyltin as metal precursor and paraxylene as the main carbon source together with ethylene which also acts as sensitizer. After the air exposure, a superficial oxidation of the tin particles occurs due to the porosity of the carbonbased shells, as confirmed by elemental analysis and both Raman and Infrared spectra. The supplementary H2 introduction (together with equivalent ethylene flow decreasing) or diminishing the Sn(CH3)4 flow decreases the process productivity. Moreover, the H2 addition seems to considerably decrease the maximum nanoparticle size (down to 140 nm) and to favor the formation of the smaller ones (up to 10 nm). This kind of nanostructures have the potential to be used in highperformance anodes for lithium-ion batteries.


We exchange ideas from two meetings about the future cultural district promoted by the Hospitalet de Llobregat Council: The first a meeting of the local government directed at producers and stakeholders in the local culture, held behind half-open doors, and an alternative meeting open to a cross-section of everyone related to the culture sector. Reorganizing the ideas and presentations in those two sessions, and establishing a critical narrative, we generate exchanges, based on the idea that dialogue between local government and the alternative can create a truly unique framework for approaching the complexity of the city to generate cultural policy without leading to extremes of adoration or rejection. Opposition and indifference, or breaking with secularization of agents who make the city?


High-resolution echelle spectra of five giants and eleven subgiants of the metal-poor globular cluster NGC 6397 were obtained at the ESO 3.5m (NTT) and 3.6m telescopes. A detailed analysis of the 16 sample stars was carried out, providing atmospheric parameters (Teff , log g, [Fe/H], vt) and element abundances. The metallicity of the cluster is [Fe/H] = −2.0 with a r.m.s. of ±0.05, irrespective of the position in the Colour Magnitude Diagram, with no variations as a function of effective temperatures and gravities. The dispersion in metal abundance, obtained over a range of 5 magnitudes and 1400 K, is negligible and well within the measurement uncertainties. α-elements are mildly overabundant while the s-elements are deficient relative to iron by about 0.2 dex. [O/Fe] is also mildly overabundant for the two stars where the line is detected. The Li abundances in the present sample and those of turnoff stars by Pasquini and Molaro (1996) are complementary in terms of evolutionary stage. The Li abundances decrease off the main sequence along the red giant branch, confirming that extra depletion must occur for stars cooler than ∼5000 K and V brighter than ∼14.


Formal and non-formal education are analysed taking as a starting point un-schooling and the metaphors of the educating city, the learning society, the information society, etc. The aim is to provide the basis for criticism on their discrimination or differentiation, since nowadays, so many similarities can be found that differentiation between them is difficult (they cannot even be distin- guished neither by their establishments, nor users'age, nor pedagogical approa- ches). These days, educational establishments provide non-formal education and non-formal education centres implement formal education programmes. All this leads us to state that what exists between formal and non-formal education is con- tinuity as regards pedagogical architecture and complementarity as regards their practical development. This conclusion has been reached by analysing 30 educa- tional characteristics that cover the main aspects related to teachers, pupils, esta- blishments and their physical resources.


With the widespread application of convolutional neural networks (CNNs), the traditional model based denoising algorithms are now outperformed. However, CNNs face two problems. First, they are computationally demanding, which makes their deployment especially difficult for mobile terminals. Second, experimental evidence shows that CNNs often over-smooth regular textures present in images, in contrast to traditional non-local models. In this letter, we propose a solution to both issues by combining a nonlocal algorithm with a lightweight residual CNN. s solution gives full latitude to the advantages of both models. We apply this framework to two GPU implementations of classic nonlocal algorithms (NLM and BM3D) and observe a substantial gain in both cases, performing better than the state-of-the-art with low computational requirements. Our solution is between 10 and 20 times faster than CNNs with equivalent performance and attains higher PSNR. In addition the final method shows a notable gain on images containing complex textures like the ones of the MIT Moiré dataset.


https://icjournal.org Colistin is a polymyxin-class antimicrobial agent. Polymyxins were first produced in 1947 but were replaced with different therapeutic agents because of the emergence of nephrotoxic side effects. Extensively drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (XDR-GNB) are now a major public health crisis worldwide. Colistin is a re-emerging agent of last resort to treat infections caused by XDR-GNB. However, colistin-associated nephrotoxicity is the main safety concern. Previous studies have estimated the cumulative incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) among patients receiving colistin to be between 12 and 48% [1].


The perturbation method is used to derive this mathematical model for coastal upwelling induced by alongshore current at the shelf break on a slowly sloping continental shelf. The geostrophic flow velocity with bottom friction as the velocity at the shell' break is presumably the best choice for the homogeneous model.The present analysis will be beneficial to understanding and further study of the upwelling induced by an alongshore current.


AIM
To study the combined pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) model of daurisoline and dauricine, and compare their effects on cardiac electrophsiology, blood pressure, and hemodynamics in beagle dogs.

METHODS
The plasma drug concentration was determined by the reversed-phase HPLC method and the effects on cardiac and hemodynamics were recorded by polygraph. The pharmacokinetic and PK-PD model parameters were calculated.

RESULTS
The pharmacokinetics were best fitted to a two-compartment open model, and the relationship between effect and effect compartment concentration of both drugs could be represented by the sigmoid-E(max) model. There were no significant differences in main pharmacokinetics and PK-PD parameters between the two drugs.

CONCLUSION
No statistically different kinetic disposition characteristics and potencies of inhibitory effects on myocardial function of daurisoline and dauricine were found in beagle dogs.


Testing strategies for interactive systems require that we find suitable ways of incorporating tests of functionality with tests of interfaces and interactivity. For safety-critical interactive systems the problem is harder due to the necessity to ensure higher thresholds for testing to ensure safety is preserved. Conversely however, for safety-critical systems we are more likely to have a larger set of artefacts such as formal models, specifications etc. which can be used as the basis for test generation. The challenge is in finding ways of making use of (what may be a diverse set of) such models and specifications to assist with the testing process. In this paper we describe how we incorporate interactive system models with behavioural specifications to automatically generate test stubs. We show how the declarative test language Gherkin and its associated Cucumber tool can be integrated into an interactive system modelling environment to achieve this. The tool can either convert interaction models into behavioural models or vice versa, and both sets of models are then used to generate test stubs.


This study investigated the possibility of replacing virgin matrices with recycled polymers in additive manufacturing (AM). In this regard, two commercial filaments, made from polylactide acid (PLA)—the second (here referred to as recycled) obtained from the recovery of waste production of the first one (here referred to as virgin)—were initially characterized using infrared (IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and dynamic rheology. Then, filaments were extruded in a 3D printer and characterized by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Despite a small reduction in the intensity of correspondence of typical absorption bands of the PLA polymer, in the case of the recycled material compared to the virgin one (as attested by IR spectra), the thermal-mechanical results allow us to attest the very similar characteristics of recycled and neat filaments. The onset of thermal degradation was found at around 315 °C in both systems. Both materials exhibited the same frequency- and time-dependent trends of the complex viscosity, with a reduction of approximately 30% after 10 min of testing. When samples were dried at 80 °C under vacuum for 10 h, the stabilization of rheological features against time was improved. There was no significant difference in the storage modulus (E') and dissipation factor (tan delta) of 3D printed parts made with different types of PLA-based filaments.


It is a common misconception that Republics lack official titles of honor to recognize distinguished individuals in their societies. The present study focuses on three important examples of Republics that bestow officially recognized titles of honor to prominent people. France is known for the egalitarian ideas of the French Revolution and by the many contributions of its enlightened philosophers to the field of political science and public policy. Nevertheless, France has one of the most well developed and respected honors systems in the world. Italy abolished the monarchy shortly after the end of the World War II but kept the title of "cavalieri"/knight as one of the highest honors bestowed by the Republic. A less clear-cut case is the honors system of the individual states in the United State of America. The present study concludes that titles of honor are not incompatible with a republican regime as long as those honors are not hereditary in nature but rather are based on merit.


The important human pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes causes both mild infections such as pharyngitis and impetigo but also severe life threatening invasive infections.  Specific antibodies (IgG) rec ...


The Internet of Things (IoT) is the technology buzzword of the day. The number of networkconnected devices has now exceeded the world population, and recent market research estimates that 8.4 billion connected 'things' will be in use in 2017.1 IoT technologies add an online identity to objects that have traditionally had only a physical identity – from fridges, to cars to power plants – enabling these objects to be virtually sensed, analysed and even actuated.


This work identifies the sequence of appearance of necrophagous insects in Sus scrofa intoxicated with methyl parathion. We used 6 pigs (20 kg body weight): ...


An attempt is made to solve the problem of the loss caused in a Gaussian beam by an off-axis circular aperture. Although in general the problem cannot be solved in closed form, three special cases are considered. If the offset is zero, the limit of the radial integration coincides with the radius of the circular aperture; in this case, the integration over the angular variable can be performed in closed form. In a second special case, an analytical expression can be obtained when the offset is small. A third special case occurs when the offset is large and equals the aperture radius.


The scattering characteristic of an obliquely incident plane electromagnetic wave by laser plasma channel antenna (LPCA) in a finite magnetic field is discussed and the electromagnetic model of LPCA in a finite magnetic field is created. Using the cylindrical coordinate and anisotropic magnetized plasma model, the wave equations of the longitudinal components and the relationships between transverse and longitudinal component are derived, the electromagnetic fields in LPCA and in the medium are given, and the equations of scattering coefficient are deduced. The calculation shows a good agreement with the result given in the reference and a possible application in the study of high power microwave weapon.


This is a cross sectional descriptive study to explore family environment (family structure and family function), health problems, and health risk behaviors and to determine the relationships among them in school aged children. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data from children in four elementary schools and their parents. The data of 1,882 children and same number of their parents were included in data analysis. The majority of their family type was a nuclear family (79.7%); 71% of fathers and 28% of mothers were regularly employed; parents were well educated; and the average number of householder was four. Their mean Family APGAR score was 7.4 (±2.04), which refers highly functional families. In children, 32% had any kind of health problems and the most common health problem was atophy/allergy (15.7%). Their most common health risk behavior was alcohol drinking (42%), followed by being attacked with sexual verbalism (32.2%). Being highly functional family was associated with a nuclear family (F=5.750, p<.001), having regularly employed fathers (F=54.306, p<.001), not employed mothers (F=13.191, p<.001), well educated parents (father, F=55.970, p<.001; mother, F=55.103, p<.001), and absence of children"s health problems (t= 7.753, p=.005). Trying health risk behaviors seems associated with lower Family APGAR score, but the results were not statistically significant. In conclusion, family environment, health problems and health risk behaviors in school age children were all associated with each other. It is highly recommended to consider family environment to assess and intervene health problems and health risk behaviors in school age children.


Pulmonary tuberculosis is a global problem requiring 6- month MDT-DOTS continuous treatment. This time based treatment along with the combination of VCO nutritional supplement and/or Catfish-extracted albumin has shown a significant benefit on improving immune response, accelerating the conversion of BTA sputum, increasing nutritional states and improving chest X-ray imaging in people with active pulmonary TB. This study aimed to compare the changes in pulmonary TB patients treated MDT-DOTS combined with supplemented VCO and/or albumin with that in the MDT-DOTS placebo group. The experimental study was designed by using two pre and post test groups with double blind randomized controlled trial. Eighty (80) participants met with study inclusion and were randomly distributed in the experimental groups. The study result has shown significant improvements in all observed variables among the experimental groups receiving the combination of MDT- DOTS with VCO and/or Catfish-extracted albumin. These are including accelerating the conversion of BTA sputum (VCO i.e. p<0.00; Catfish-extracted albumin i.e. p<0.04; and VCO + Catfish-extracted albumin i.e. p<0.00), increasing nutritional state (VCO i.e. p<0.03; Catfish-extracted albumin i.e. p<0.003; and VCO + Catfish-extracted albumin i.e. p<0.01) and improving chest X-ray imaging (VCO i.e. p<0.04; Catfish-extracted albumin i.e. p<0.003 and VCO + Catfish-extracted albumin i.e. p<0.001). MDT-DOTS treatment combined VCO nutritional supplement and/or Catfish-extracted albumin capsules could accelerate the conversion of sputum smear, could improve nutritional status and improve chest X-ray imaging.


Abstract Backgrounds Pembrolizumab is recently approved in Japan for the microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) solid tumor patients (pts) diagnosed with Promega panel (FALCOTM). Pembrolizumab is the first anti-tumor agent based on the biomarker, regardless of tumor types. MSI test has been performed as the screening test for the diagnosis of Lynch syndrome. However, it is not so familiar for the clinicians treating non-colorectal cancer. It is necessary to establish the in-hospital workflow and share the information and problems beyond the clinical departments as soon as possible. Methods We discussed the issue on the MSI test at the existing multidisciplinary conference which was organized to standardize the management of the immune-related adverse events (irAEs). In addition, we collaborated with the departments of pathology, clinical examination, and clinical genetic oncology. We used the MSI test itself to an inspection company outside of the hospital. Results The first case started from January 4th and a total of 142 pts received MSI test until March 7th. The origin of tumors were as follow; colorectal (n = 59), pancreas (n = 27), stomach (n = 12), cervix, uterine body and hepatobiliary tract (n = 8),prostate (n = 6) and, ovary and esophageal (n = 3), breast (n = 2) and others (n = 6). Surgical specimens were available in 94 cases (66.2%) and biopsy in 48 cases (33.8%). The results were obtained for 107 pts at the cut-off date. Among them, additional blood testswere required in 4 pts (3.7%). Due to the severe DNA degradation, one case (0.9%) could not be analyzed. Median turnaround time for the test was 15 days. Five pts (colon, n = 3/endometrial, n = 2) were found to have MSI-H and 3 were administered pembrolizumab with appropriate genetic counseling support. Conclusions We succeeded to introduce MSI test smoothly using the framework of multidisciplinary team approach. These efforts would be considered to be the basis for handling of comprehensive cancer panel in clinical practice.


Introduction: During HIV infection, immunity deficiency promotes the development of some tumors such as glioblastomas witch are central nervous system malignant tumors with a high astrocytary differentiation. Their prognosis is poor with an average survival ranged between 12 and 15 months. Objective: To report a case of glioblastoma in an HIV infected patient with more than 24 months of survival. Methodology: We achieved a document review of patient that is followed up in our department for HIV infection and who developed a glioblastoma. Case: A 41 year-old HIV1 infected black man, treated presented some encephalic signs (headaches, mental confusion, nauseas and vomiting) without neurological localization. He was treated by the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) two years ago, and had an immunovirological success six months after the beginning of the HAART. CD4 rate was 315 cells/mm3 with undetectable viral load. Cerebral CT scan founded a right temporo-polar expensive process and right cerebral parenchyma edema. The anatomo-pathological examination of the tumor biopsy concluded of glioblastoma. The surgical tumorectomy associated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy has been realized. Result is excellent because thirty months after the diagnosis, the patient is still alive with good clinical presentation (normal clinical examination) and normal CT scan control. Conclusion: Glioblastoma should be suspected in HIV infected people with neurological signs even if they are minimal; because with an early diagnosis and an adequate treatment, it is possible to increase the survival, despite the high malignancy of the glioblastoma. In Burkina Faso, the imagery should be accessible and available to the population and the medical and technical equipments should be reinforced.


Scalable substitutional doping of 2D transition metal dichalcogenides is a prerequisite to developing next‐generation logic and memory devices based on 2D materials. To date, doping efforts are still nascent. Here, scalable growth and vanadium (V) doping of 2D WSe2 at front‐end‐of‐line and back‐end‐of‐line compatible temperatures of 800 and 400 °C, respectively, is reported. A combination of experimental and theoretical studies confirm that vanadium atoms substitutionally replace tungsten in WSe2, which results in p‐type doping via the introduction of discrete defect levels that lie close to the valence band maxima. The p‐type nature of the V dopants is further verified by constructed field‐effect transistors, where hole conduction becomes dominant with increasing vanadium concentration. Hence, this study presents a method to precisely control the density of intentionally introduced impurities, which is indispensable in the production of electronic‐grade wafer‐scale extrinsic 2D semiconductors.


Objective:To study and summarize the clinical application and results of the damage control orthopedics(DCO) strategy in treating severe multiple injuries in pelvic trauma. Methods:From September 2005 to March 2009,31 patients with severe multiple injuries,mainly with pelvic trauma,were treated with DCO strategy. There were 22 males and 9 females,ranging in age from 17 to 63 years with an average of 30.5 years. The mean of injury seveirty score(ISS) was 32.7 scores. Results:All the patients obtained a successful resuscitation and there was no deaths. The complications were in 7 cases included 2 with superficial nail trace infection,2 with deep wound infection,1 with deep venous thrombosis of lower extremity,1 with pulmonary infection,1 with decubital ulcer. The mean of follow up period was 10 months (ranged,3 to 29 months). According to Matta standard,12 cases got excellecnt result,11 good,7 fair,2 poor. Conclusion:The DCO strategy is a safe and effective method in treating severe multiple injuries in pelvic trauma,if it can be reasonably performed,it can reduce early operative extents and risks,improve the clinical effects.


A realization scheme for universal digital DS/DMPSK modem is presented,which adopts several advanced technique such as Root-raised cosine filter,direct digital frequency synthesis,quadrature modulation,digital matched filter and delay difference demodulation.It processes the signal directly on middle frequency,and doesn′t need digital down conversion,PN code synchronization and carrier recovery.This scheme has been used in a military ultrashort wave radio and obtained a good effect.


Based on numerical forecast productions, TTAA and fog(visibility)dataset two dimension grid data was produced by using objective analysis. Then the grid graph was described by means of the Chebyshef normal orthogonal polynomial decomposition. The fog prediction model in terms of BP neural network was established. Results show that the model is good and it is an important and useful model for the actual operational forecasting of fog in Chongqing.


The article analyses the views of the famous Russian academic, expert in the Balkan Studies, P.A. Lavrov on the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the second half of the 19th century after the occupation of this territory by Austria-Hungary. Particular attention is paid to the influence of the ecclesiastical and cultural policy of the Austrian authorities on the situation in that region as well as to the consequences of this policy. P.A. Lavrov stressed the injustice of the occupation of Bosnia by Austria-Hungary and noted that from the very beginning of Austrian domination in this region of the Balkans, the Austrian administration pursued a policy aimed at systematic suppressing of the Orthodox Church, wide-scale support for the Catholic Church and the spreading of the Croatian national identity among the local Slavic population. For example, school textbooks in Bosnia were written by Croatian scholars who interpreted the local Slavic population of the Catholic faith as Croats. To more effectively implement this policy, the Austrian authorities have established effective control over the Orthodox Church and over the school system in Bosnia. In addition, the Austrian authorities facilitated the resettlement of Czechs and Poles loyal to Austria to the region, providing them with jobs as officials, police and gendarmerie employees, and entrepreneurs. This policy, carried out systematically and consistently for decades, contributed to a sharp strengthening of the position of the Catholic Church in the region and the spread of Croatian identity among the local Slavic population.


Abstract : A survey s made of the techniques available for solving waveguide discontinuity prolems. The work of MARCUVITZ, Collin, lewin, Noble an Schwinger is given special atention; seleted pars are summarized and collected here to obtain a complete picture. he variational technique of Schwinger and the quasi-static method of Lewin are woked out in some detail, becuse of their wide appication and simplicity; the Wiener-Hopf technique is similarly treated, because of its rigour. Fundamental equations re set up for guides of rectangular and crular cross section, whi h are partitioned into four parts at z=0 by longitudinal fins. Expreions are derived for the equivalent-circuit uceptance in ems of the two transverse components of the electric field in the z=0 pane. he procedure for obtining solutions is indicated but has not been caried out to completion. Author)


We successfully acquired a comprehensive three-dimensional imaging of swine Eustachian tubes using a catheter-based OCT. The OCT images clearly identified the structure and tissue components of the Eustachian tube, which was confirmed by the corresponding histological images. In addition, after the balloon dilation of the Eustachian tube, the OCT images clearly visualized the expanded luminal area of the Eustachian tube, quantitatively. The catheter-based OCT is expected to be applicable to the diagnosis and research of Eustachian tube disorder by providing real-time assessment.


A core goal of research in dynamic multi-objective optimisation (DMOO) is to develop algorithms that can find the best possible trade-off solutions for real-world DMOO problems (RWPs). A useful comparison of DMOO algorithms for RWPs require benchmark functions that are representative of RWPs. However, only a few standard DMOO benchmark functions contain complex intertemporal dependencies found in RWPs. This study evaluates the performance of two DMOO algorithms on two benchmark functions (BFs) with various combinations of frequency and severity of change, as well as extended versions of these BFs that include intertemporal dependencies. The results indicate that the performance of the algorithms was significantly worse on the BFs with intertemporal dependencies.


A facile and green ultrasound‐assisted synthesis of Cu2O nanocubes at room temperature is presented. The Cu2O nanocubes were characterized using XRD, SEM, TEM, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, UV/Vis spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry with thermogravimetric analysis, and FTIR spectroscopy. The Cu2O nanocubes were employed as a heterogeneous nanocatalyst and were found to be highly active in the preparation of quinazolines by the tandem cyclization of 2‐bromobenzaldehydes with amidines under ligand‐free conditions. Various quinazolines could be prepared in excellent yields within a very short reaction time. Furthermore, the Cu2O nanocatalyst could be recycled and reused up to four times without any significant loss of catalytic activity.


The topology,principle and equivalent circuit of APF for stable DC power supply are analyzed in detail.Then several parameters that influrnce the system quality are studied,especially the coupling transformer.Finally,the simulation and experiment results show that output voltage and current of stable DC power supply are lowly rippled and highly staˉble.Thus the correctness and effectiveness of APF are verified.


This brief work unfurls in three parts. In the first one, we shall ground the choice of an article in Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologiae as an example of what we wish to point out. After a short review of the structure of the article, the second part focuses on an analysis of some of the oft repeated stereotypical linguistic expressions and formulae. The analysis taps not only on semantic aspects but also and mainly on morphologic and syntactic traits in order to underscore some of the hues that underlie those structures: the passive periphrasis in dicendum is a case in point. Lastly, we highlight some intellectual stances that seem to be already built into and sanctioned by the scholastic method. We will argue that such acceptance has played a significant role in turning that method into forma mentis.


The paper examined the discursive structure of waka chants as performed by Islamic clerics among the Yoruba Muslims at the event of fidā'u. This attempt considers waka chants as pragmeme, with particular attention on the language and extra-linguistic cues deployed within the chants, and how the entire situational contexts which condition the waka chants regiment the language use. Eight documented waka chants in honour of some deceased Muslims in South-western Nigeria were sampled. The waka chants which were mainly in the Yoruba language as rendered by Muslim clerics were transcribed and translated to English language for the purpose of analysis. With insights from Mey's theory of pragmeme, the paper ascertained that waka chants at the event of fidā'u possess inherent pragmatic forces beyond their invocation to elucidate sermons and lives of a deceased Muslim. Such chants, this paper argues, perform socio-religious actions which are of immense benefits to the living.


This paper reports key methodological aspects and preliminary results of a choice experiment undertaken with pastoralists across northern Australia. The experiment takes a discrete-continuous expression, combined with choice certainty rating. The objective of the research presented in this paper is to estimate a supply curve for on-farm biodiversity conservation of north Australia's pastoral properties. Despite almost 200 years of cattle grazing in northern Australia, tropical savannas have retained a treasure of indigenous biodiversity.  With only a small proportion of the biodiversity captured within the formal reserve system, landholders play an increasingly important role in safeguarding savanna biodiversity into the future ADDIN EN.CITE Woinarski 2007 25 (Woinarski, Mackey, Nix, a Traill, 2007) 25 25 6 Woinarski, J. C. Z. Mackey, B Nix, H Traill, B The nature of Northern Australia: natural values, ecological processes and future prospects 2007 Canberra ANU E Press ( Woinarski, et. al,, 2007 ) . Enterprise diversification into the provision of an array of ecosystem services is increasingly becoming a possibility for landholders in northern Australia ADDIN EN.CITE Greiner 2009 364 (Greiner, Patterson, a Miller, 2009) 364 364 17 Greiner, R Patterson, L Miller, O Motivations, risk perceptions and adoption of conservation practices by farmers Agricultural Systems Agricultural Systems 99 86-104 2009 ( Greiner, et. al., 2009 ) and a necessity in the face of declining terms of trade and increasing market and institutional risk of particularly the beef industry ADDIN EN.CITE Puig 2011 366 (Puig a Greiner, 2011) 366 366 17 Puig, C Greiner, R Beyond cattle: potential futures of the pastoral industry in the Northern Territory The Rangeland Journal The Rangeland Journal 181-194 33 2 2011 ( Puig & Greiner, 2011 ) . As part of a larger survey, a choice experiment is being conducted of pastoralists. The experiment adopts a willingness-to-accept perspective and uses a combination of discrete choice and best-worst methods.  This paper explains the discrete choice component, which involved respondents choosing one of three non-labelled alternatives or a 'none' alternative for 12 choice situations. Attributes of the alternatives included various levels of cattle exclusion (as a surrogate for level of biodiversity conservation), annual payments per hectare of area subscribed, contract length, funding sources and contract flexibility. Choice selection is combined with (a) a 'real life certainty' assessment of the choice ADDIN EN.CITE Hensher 2012 367 (Hensher, Rose, a Beck, 2012) 367 367 17 Hensher, D Rose, J Beck, M Are there specific design elements of choice experiements and types of people that influence choice response certainty Jounal of Choice Modelling Jounal of Choice Modelling 5 77-97 2012 ( Hensher, et.al, 2012 )  and (b) a continuous component describing area supply contingent on that choice. A Dubin-McFadden ADDIN EN.CITE Dubin 1984 368 (1984) 368 368 17 Dubin, J McFadden, D An econometric analysis of residential electric appliance holdings and consumption Econometrica Econometrica 52 345-362 1984 ( 1984 ) demand model system is applied to predict the type of conservation measure, the amount of land pastoralists would enrol in biodiversity programs and test supply sensitivity to programs in possible future market conditions. ADDIN EN.REFLIST Dubin, J., & McFadden, D. (1984). An econometric analysis of residential electric appliance holdings and consumption. Econometrica, 52 (345-362). Greiner, R., Patterson, L., & Miller, O. (2009). Motivations, risk perceptions and adoption of conservation practices by farmers. Agricultural Systems, 99 (86-104). Hensher, D., Rose, J., & Beck, M. (2012). Are there specific design elements of choice experiements and types of people that influence choice response certainty. Jounal of Choice Modelling, 5 (77-97). Puig, C., & Greiner, R. (2011). Beyond cattle: potential futures of the pastoral industry in the Northern Territory. The Rangeland Journal, 33 (2), 181-194. Woinarski, J. C. Z., Mackey, B., Nix, H., & Traill, B. (2007). The nature of Northern Australia: natural values, ecological processes and future prospects . Canberra: ANU E Press.


This document should be of great interest and value to American political scientists. The problems discussed are problems equally characteristic of our own system of government and of the present stage of development of political policy and administrative practice and procedure. Eeaders will indeed be struck by the fact that distinctions between the "parliamentary" or "cabinet" system of government and that labeled "congressional" or "presidential" are for the most part superficial.


The invention discloses a method for color editing diffusion based re-sampling. The method includes carrying out super-pixel segmentation on images and extracting each super-pixel center as a re-sampled sample, determining the attribution of the re-sampled samples according to the similarity of the re-sampled samples with one-dimensional adjacent sample and the similarity of the re-sampled samples with each editing mode and calculating editing color accordingly according to the principle that other pixels are subjected to only one editing mode except edge pixels, and diffusing to the entire image in an increment means by following the principle that the colors of samples subjected to similar color editing are still similar. During diffusion, each pixel adaptively selects sample quantity to prevent interference of samples with low similarity. User interaction operation is simplified, the generated images is consistent with the edited color and better maintains the image details.


With the development of ubiquitous computing, recommendation systems have become essential tools in assisting users in discovering services they would find interesting. This process is highly dynamic with an increasing number of services, distributed over networks, bringing the problems of cold start and sparsity for service recommendation to a new level. To alleviate these problems, this paper proposes a hybrid service recommendation prototype utilizing user and item side information, which naturally constitute a heterogeneous information network (HIN) for use in the emerging ubiquitous consumer wireless world (UCWW) wireless communication environment that offers a consumer-centric and network-independent service operation model and allows the accomplishment of a broad range of smart-city scenarios, aiming at providing consumers with the "best" service instances that match their dynamic, contextualized, and personalized requirements and expectations. A layered architecture for the proposed prototype is described. Two recommendation models defined at both global and personalized level are proposed, with model learning based on the Bayesian Personalized Ranking (BPR). A subset of the Yelp dataset is utilized to simulate UCWW data and evaluate the proposed models. Empirical studies show that the proposed recommendation models outperform several widely deployed recommendation approaches.


This paper focuses on the process of development and function of the computer multimedia teaching education,the school computer multimedia education and teaching through the experience gained in the process of their own teaching,as well as some of the insights of the experts,several suggestions.I hope can provide some valuable experience and guidance to learn the correct direction to the multimedia educators.


tory in the United States, but they have seldom equipped workers for lifelong advancement in skills, earnings, and occupational mobility. Instead, most of these policies have focused on short term economic goals. Only in periods of low general economic activity marked by rising levels of unemploy ment has the federal government de veloped manpower measures directed toward helping people find work and improve their skills and earnings. For example, during the years of the Great Depression, which caused mass unem ployment, the administration of Presi dent Franklin D. Roosevelt undertook large-scale intervention in the labor market by creating jobs through the Public Works Administration, the Works Progress Administration, the Civilian Conservation Corps, and the National Youth Administration—all of which continued into the early years of World War II. And during the early 1960s, when unemployment reached the highest level since World War II, the administrations of Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson developed new manpower policies to meet the special needs of workers who were displaced by automation. These policies called for the training or re training of workers for new occu pational opportunities. One of the mea sures, the Manpower Development and Training Act of 1962, shifted its focus from adult workers to youths because unemployment among the young, espe cially among young members of racial minorities in urban areas, had emerged as a major social issue and because the levels of unemployment among adult workers had begun to decline in 1963. Few contemporary social problems appear as intractable as unemployment among blacks, especially among black youths between the ages of 16 and 24. Some groups of young people have been served through a variety of man power programs instituted under the Manpower Development and Training Act and the 1964 Economic Opportu nity Act and finally brought together under the Comprehensive Employ ment and Training Act (CETA) in 1974. (See Table 1.) Some CETA programs, for example, the Job Corps, have strict Unemployment among black youths: a policy dilemma


In this paper we consider some special classes of Diophantine equations connected with McFarland's and Ma's conjectures about difference sets in abelian groups and we obtain an extension of known results.


The Bronsted acidity of isomorphously substituted ZSM-5 by B, Al, Ga, and Fe has been studied at the B3LYP level of density functional theory. On the basis of the calculated proton affinity, natural charge on the acidic proton, and the adsorption energy of NH3, the Bronsted acidity increases in the order:  B−(OH)−Si < Fe−(OH)−Si < Ga−(OH)−Si < Al−(OH)−Si, in agreement with the experiment. In both Al and Ga modified clusters, the adsorbed NH3 becomes ammonium (NH4+) stabilized by two N−H···O hydrogen bonds, while the physisorbed NH3 is stabilized by one N···H−O hydrogen bond in Fe and B substituted clusters. It is also found that NH3 adsorption changes the B coordination sphere.


Let U and V be open subsets of the Cantor set with nonempty disjoint complements, and let h : U → V be a homeomorphism with dense orbits. Building on the ideas of Herman, Putnam and Skau, we show that the partial action induced by h can be realized as the Vershik map on an ordered Bratteli diagram, and that any two such diagrams are equivalent.


Treatment of ulcerative colitis with betamethasone phosphate enemas was found to cause suppression of the adrenal cortex, so that absorption of betamethasone from the rectum can be inferred; no suppression occurred in similar patients treated with prednisolone phosphate enemas (Matts, Wharton, Kelleher, and Walters, 1963). In order to determine whether any rectal absorption of prednisolone does occur, we have estimated the unconjugated prednisolone and metabolites in the urine of such patients.


In view of the reported maldistribution of medical manpower in Queensland, this study was undertaken to establish the effects of such a maldistribution on the workload and range of work performed by rural practioners. Rural practitioners were found to have a higher patient contact rate per week, and to perform more surgery and obstetrics than do their city counterparts.


The stratigraphy deposit is complicated in Linfen depression,and there is much controversies over stratigraphic attribution in academic field.Recently,we found a profile in the central of the depression which sedimentary layer is stable,and there are three distinct erosion surface.There is an important reference value about the stratigraphic division of the Fenhe River Basin which is regarded as the important sign of stratigraph.


The requirements of a suitable sound test room for the measurement and analysis of sound produced by household appliances are discussed. It is shown that neither the highly reverberant room nor the highly absorptive room will meet all requirements due to the room resonant response of the former and the high sensitivity to directional effects of the latter. A sound room is described which makes use of a reflective floor, absorptive walls and a highly absorptive ceiling with the microphone placed near the ceiling. The sound source is moved in a reciprocating manner and a sound diffuser is rotated slowly during measurements to average out the space pattern effects. A high degree of sound reduction through the walls is achieved by massive construction and a large reduction of transmitted vibration is effected by a coil spring suspension. The test room has been used over an extended period of time and has been of great assistance in sound analysis investigations directed toward sound reduction on electric clea...


This study evaluates the efficacy at 12 months of a computer‐based cognitive training (CBCT) program, adjunctive to traditional cognitive training (TCT), on the basis of pen‐and‐paper exercises.


MORE INFO? Enter #4022 on Reader Reply Card MORE INFO? Enter #4023 on Reader Reply Card Sensing the winds and weather has been important to man over the centuries. Athenians built the eightsided Tower of the Winds in the first century B.C. in honour of the eight gods of the winds. The Tower of the Winds stands to this day in the ancient agora, or market, in Athens. Many significant weather events have affected mankind over the years. We know of these because their effects have become part of history. Since much of history is a recollection of a series of wars and battles, it is interesting to note that a well known early reference to the importance of the weather is from the Chinese philosopher Sun Tsu, who said, "Know yourself and know your enemy, and victory is guaranteed. Know the terrain and know the weather, and you will have total victory." Much later in history, we know that Napoleon's invasion of Russia in 1812 was stymied when snow and cold weather came earlier in the season than he and his generals had planned. This, combined with Russian militia attacks, helped defeat the French, who invaded with 50,000 troops, and left with only 20,000 survivors. One hundred thirty years later, this was repeated when Hitler's invasion of the Soviet Union was again foiled in part by brutally cold winter weather. In the 20th century, large population migrations were brought about by adverse weather conditions, including those of the Dust Bowl in the United States during the 1930s, multiple Asian droughts throughout the century, and three significant periods of drought in the sahel region of Africa. Individual events that killed and affected many people include the great smog event in London in 1952, which killed 4,000 people in five days in December, hurricane impacts on the coasts of the United States, from Galveston in 1900 to Katrina, Rita and Wilma last year, and several notable blizzards. Man's affect upon the environment has also been seen in the weather, in more recent events, when the release of radioactive particles from the reactor accident at Chernobyl, Ukraine, was detected by sensors outside of the Soviet Union, and traced back to Chernobyl using sophisticated weather sensors and meteorological models. In a similar fashion, local weather instruments were used to help estimate the impact of smoke and soot from oil well fires set during the 1991 Gulf War.


For the sudden fault of transmission parts in high speed wire rolling mill,the fault diagnosis based on the vibration measurement is an effective method.Considering structure of the equipment,the fault characteristics can be captured through analyzing the vibration signals picked with off-line or on-line monitoring system.The results showed that the sensitivity of time-frequency methods on different type of components is different.The high-order time-domain indexes are effective for the recognition of fault in bearings.On the other hand,the judgement of faults on the spindles is more difficult comparatively.


Previous studies of nearby galaxies show large discrepancies between different star formation (SF) indicators on large ( 100 pc, or even global) scales: the strikingly complex interplay of young stars, dust and ionized gas are the primary cause of this variance. The few galaxies in the HST Archive with both H and mid-UV images show this complex geometry to extend down to pc scales. To provide a benchmark for understanding SF processes at spatial resolutions that are unattainable from the ground in normal and star-bursting, barred and non-barred galaxies, I am conducting an H SNAPshot survey with ACS/WFC of 24 galaxies of all Hubble types, that are nearby but beyond the Local Group and that were previously imaged with HST in the mid-UV and red. These data can be used to address a wide range of astrophysical problems, but the immediate goals are to: (1) spatially resolve the dust clouds and filaments which strongly affect mid-UV and H derived SF rates, (2) test how the largescale correlation between H and mid-UV flux breaks down on pc scales, and (3) model the propagation of star formation by comparing the SF over time scales of 100 Myr (via mid-UV) and 5 Myr (via H ). This will (4) significantly improve our insight into, and calibration of SF in UV-bright galaxies at high , and into the cosmic SF history.


Ca-P-O coatings of α-tricalcium phosphate (α-TCP) and hydroxyapatite (HAp) films were prepared on commercially pure Ti (CP-Ti) by MOCVD using Ca(dpm) 2 and (C 6 H 5 O) 3 PO precursors. The behavior of apatite formation on the Ca-P-O coatings was investigated by immersing specimens in a Hanks' solution. An apatite phase has regenerated on the α-TCP coating after 1 day, and has covered the whole specimen surface after 14 d. On the HAp coating, an apatite phase has regenerated after 1 h and has covered the whole surface after 6h. The microstructure of the regenerated apatite phase on the HAp coating has changed from a needle-like to a network texture after 12h.


Tbe question whether dopamine receptors are present on human Iymphocytes has been discussed since the first report by LeFur and colleagues (1980). Although there is now consensus that the 3H-spiperone binding sites located on these cells do not fulfIll the requirements of a peripheral dopamine receptor, alterations in the binding capacity tumed out to be of potential clinical interest. As this assay could have marker qualities for schizophrenia and the de-novo Parkinsonian syndrome, it would be particularly important for these findings to be examined by other investigators in order to point out misinterpretations and inconsistencies in the data.


Statistical energy analysis is used to study the transmission of random‐incidence sound waves through two independent panels separated by an air space. The analytical model consists of five linearly coupled oscillators arranged, room‐panel‐cavity‐panel‐room. Both nonresonant and resonant transmission for the panels are included. The cavity is considered to behave as a resonant system and its modal density and loss factor are determined, analytically. Absorption material is placed around the edges of the cavity. The sound energy transmitted is found to be strongly dependent upon the radiation resistance of the panels, the panel spacing, and the panel and cavity loss factors. Agreement between the theoretical results and experiments for several different double panel systems is found to be good.


Leishmania major aquaglyceroporin (LmjAQP1) adventitiously facilitates the uptake of antimonite [Sb(III)], an active form of Pentostam® or Glucantime®, which are the first line of defence against all forms of leishmaniasis. The present paper shows that LmjAQP1 activity is modulated by the mitogen‐activated protein kinase, LmjMPK2. Leishmania parasites coexpressing LmjAQP1 and LmjMPK2 show increased Sb(III) uptake and increased Sb(III) sensitivity. When subjected to a hypo‐osmotic stress, these cells show faster volume recovery than cells expressing LmjAQP1 alone. LmjAQP1 is phosphorylated in vivo at Thr‐197 and this phosphorylation requires LmjMPK2 activity. Lys‐42 of LmjMPK2 is critical for its kinase activity. Cells expressing altered T197A LmjAQP1 or K42A LmjMPK2 showed decreased Sb(III) influx and a slower volume recovery than cells expressing wild‐type proteins. Phosphorylation of LmjAQP1 led to a decrease in its turnover rate affecting LmjAQP1 activity. Although LmjAQP1 is localized to the flagellum of promastigotes, upon phosphorylation, it is relocalized to the entire surface of the parasite. Leishmania mexicana promastigotes with an MPK2 deletion showed reduced Sb(III) uptake and slower volume recovery than wild‐type cells. This is the first report where a parasite aquaglyceroporin activity is post‐translationally modulated by a mitogen‐activated protein kinase.


Reliable connection between power cable and power equipment is related the safety of power system operation. In the conventional way, the welded cable connector may have a contact resistance that is too large in the later stage of use, which may cause a line fault. In order to avoid this situation, this paper proposes the use of electromagnetic pulse welding technology to weld the cable joints, and theoretically calculate the electromagnetic force, magnetic induction and other parameters required for the 70 mm2 distribution cable during the welding process, and then use PSpice. The simulation software such as COMSOL performs the specific analysis of the welding process, obtains the current and voltage values of the welding process and the simulation image of the deformation process, and finally carries out the experiment of cable joint welding. The theoretical calculation, simulation and experimental results of the various parameters of the welding process show that the theoretical calculation is similar to the simulation and experimental results, which provides a feasible basis for electromagnetic pulse welding cable joints.


An SiO2 whispering gallery mode resonator has been implemented in order to test its ability to realise high Q microwave cavities. The authors present preliminary experimental results at room temperature and at 77 K. The observed resonance frequencies of the quasi-TE (WGH) and quasi-TM (WGE) modes are compared with numerical computations obtained using the finite element method.


Capacity and reliability are two important properties of digital watermarking. In this paper, we realize an adaptive watermarking capacity analysis method, and discuss watermarking capacity in this scenario. We also analyze the relation between watermarking capacity and watermark detection bit error rate (BER), and derive the relation between capacity and the limit of BER. According to the result of our research, watermark detection BER is mainly influenced by the watermarking average energy and watermarking capacity. The BER rises with the increase of watermarking capacity.


The potential of using Spectral Analysis of Surface Waves (SASW) for nondestructive testing of pavement and soil sites has been demonstrated in several publications. The usual SASW field testing and data analysis procedures and the assumption of a single propagation mode yield accurate results when there are no sharp changes in the stiffness of the site with depth. When this is not the case, however, difficulties arise in the interpretation of experimental data due to the participation of more than one mode in the wave field. In an earlier study, the multiple filter/crosscorrelation technique was suggested for analyzing multi-mode SASW signals. This technique, however, may not yield accurate results when propagation modes are closely spaced. A more general method using spectral analysis in the frequency wave-number domain is presented in this paper. Formulas are presented for determining a reasonably small number of surface measurements, and the accuracy of this method in resolving experimental dispersion curves is demonstrated for a pavement site.


Provided are: an antibacterial composition containing as active ingredients (a) valifenalate or a salt thereof, and (b) at least one bactericide selected from the group consisting of isofetamid, pyriofenone, and azole-based compounds; and a method for control of plant disease characterized in using the antibacterial composition in plants or soil.


The Homestake shear zone (HSZ) is an anastomosing swarm of northeast-striking, subvertical basement shear strands that are localized in Proterozoic metasedimentary biotite gneiss and migmatized biotite gneiss of the northeastern Sawatch Range in central Colorado. Brittle steep faults that project upward from some cataclasized ductile shear strands into Paleozoic cover rocks indicate that at least part of the HSZ was brittly reactivated during Phanerozoic time. A survey of the literature reveals that approximately nine temporally separate episodes of fault reactivation have been inferred for the Cambrian to Mississippian interval; however, the results of a detailed stratigraphic analysis of cover rocks across the HSZ along the northeastern flank of the Sawatch Range suggest that as few as two episodes are necessarily structural events. Cambrian to Mississippian strata consist of [approximately]155 m of cratonic shallow-shelf and peritidal carbonate and clastic units, bounded and punctuated by significant unconformities. Abrupt southeastward thinning (67 to 36 m) of the Upper Cambrian Sawatch Quartzite across the shear zone is indicative of paleotopography on the crystalline basement that may be related to pre-Sawatch fault reactivation. The Upper Devonian Chaffee Group and Lower Mississippian Leadville Formation exhibit subtle thickness and facies variations previously interpreted to indicate fault reactivation;more » however, variations appear non-systematic with relation to mapped basement structures and may reflect nontectonic depositional processes.« less


It can be argued that a festival of only one company cannot be viewed as a festival. On the other hand, the most prevalent definition of a festival is that it is an event offering a variety of productions put together by concentrated effort. Obviously this may be accomplished by one company as well as by many.


Pectic polysaccharides in cherry tomato fruits (Pepe) have been studied at three stages of ripening (immature-green, mature-green, and mature-red). The alcohol-insoluble solids obtained from the fruits were fractionated into four groups of pectic polysaccharides: water-soluble pectin (WP), hexametaphosphate-soluble pectin (PP), HCl-soluble pectin (HP), and KOH-soluble pectin (KP). The content of total pectic polysaccharides decreased with ripening of the fruits; especially, the main fraction HP at immature-green stage hardly existed at the mature-red stage. Instead, the content of WP increased with maturation. The pectic polysaccharide fractions were analyzed by gel-filtration, and the molecular weight of each fraction decreased with ripening. This phenomenon was accompanied by an increase in the activities of the pectin-hydrolyzing enzymes, polygalacturonase and pectinesterase. These results indicate that the softening of cherry tomato fruits during the ripening may depend on degradation and depolymerization of pectic polysaccharides by the pectin-hydrolyzing enzymes.


Objective To explore the value of tuning fork,nylon yarn,pain and ankle reflex in screening of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN).Methods To collect 200 cases of type 2 diabetes in the clinics of our hospital from Februarv 2013 to October 2013.Every patient was examined with tuning fork,nylon yarn,pain and ankle reflex.Then we compared the four kinds of screening with the sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value,negative predictive value,Youden index and Kappa values by taking MNSI as standard.Result The consistency and authenticity of two or more combined above screening examinations for DPN were good.Conclusion Four kinds of screening methods for DPN are simple,economical and efficient.Combination with two or more tests can significantly improve the sensitivity and accuracy in clinical screening for DNP.

Key words:
Tuning fork;  Nylon filament;  Pain;  Ankle reflex


There has been a large-scale debate on academic standardization in China in the academic circles since the 1990s,during which the standardization of patterns for academic paper writing has always been much heeded.Based on the theoretic model by Swales,this paper aims to analyze the textural structure and linguistic traits of prefaces by referring to the features of prefaces in English academic papers so as to standardize their writing and to improve their quality.


This paper focuses on the study of continuous age-structured models, or more general, physiologically structured models, which used for detailed and accurate study of population dynamics in many ecological, biological applications and medicine. In contrast to simpler unstructured models, these models allow us to relate the individual life-histories described as fertility and mortality rates of an individual at a given age with population dynamics. Depending from the particularity of reproduction mechanism continuous age-structured models are divided into monocyclic (reproduction occurs only at the one fixed age of individuals) and polycyclic (reproduction occurs with age-dependent probability at some age reproductive window) models. The linear monocyclic age-structured models are used often in cell cycles modelling, in population dynamics of plants, etc. In this case continuous age-structured models allow for obtaining the exact analytical solution. Since the linear and non-linear polycyclic age-structured models are more general then monocyclic models, they coverwider  range of applications in life science. But in this case solution of model can be obtained only in the form of recurrent formulae and can be used only in numerical algorithms. Both solutions obtained in this work allow us to study numerically the important dynamical regimes population outbreaks of three types: oscillations with large magnitude, pulse sequence and single pulse. Thus, analysis of continuous age-structured models of population dynamics provides insight into features and particularities of complex dynamical regimes of populations in many applications in biology, ecology and medicine.


In 1989, Chartrand, Oellermann, Tian and Zou introduced the Steiner distance for graphs. This is a natural generalization of the classical graph distance concept. Let Γ be a connected graph of order at least 2, and S\V(Γ). Then, the minimum size among all the connected subgraphs whose vertex sets contain S is the Steiner distancedΓ(S) among the vertices of S. The Steiner k-eccentricity ek(v) of a vertex v of Γ is defined by ek(v)=max{dΓ(S)|S\V(Γ),|S|=k,andv∈S}, where n and k are two integers, with 2≤k≤n, and the Steiner k-diameter of Γ is defined by sdiamk(Γ)=max{ek(v)|v∈V(Γ)}. In this paper, we present an algorithm to derive the Steiner distance of a graph; in addition, we obtain a relationship between the Steiner k-diameter of a graph and its line graph. We study various properties of the Steiner diameter through a combinatorial approach. Moreover, we characterize graph Γ when sdiamk(Γ) is given, and we determine sdiamk(Γ) for some special graphs. We also discuss some of the applications of Steiner diameter, including one in education networks.


We present a statistical mechanical theory for polymer-solvent systems based on integral equations derived from the polymer Kirkwood hierarchy. Integral equations for pair monomer-monomer, monomer-solvent, and solvent-solvent correlation functions yield polymer-solvent distribution, chain conformation in three dimensions, and scaling properties associated with polymer swell and collapse in athermal, good, and poor solvents. Variation of polymer properties with solvent density and solvent quality is evaluated for chains having up to 100 bonds. In good solvents, the scaling exponent v has a constant value of about 0.61 at different solvent densities computed. For the athermal solvent case, the gyration radius and scaling exponent decrease with solvent density. In a poor solvent, the chain size scales as N v with the value of the exponent being about 0.3, compared with the mean field value of 1/3.


Dihydroxybenzenes (DHB) are one of the most important fine chemicals used as raw materials or intermediates in industries. One-step selective phenol hydroxylation using a photo-Fenton system is an attractive and challenging strategy, especially under long-wavelength irradiation. Herein, we report that a highly selective photo-driven Fenton hydroxylation reaction of phenol to DHB can be achieved over NiFe-layered double hydroxide nanosheets (NiFe-NS) under visible-light irradiation with 70% phenol conversion and ∼99% DHB selectivity. A more interesting finding is that a high phenol conversion (∼40%) activity can be maintained even under monochromatic irradiation at 550 nm. The superior photocatalytic activity was attributed to the abundant defects in NiFe-NS, which facilitated the adsorption of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) onto the catalyst surface and promoted the transfer efficiency of photoinduced electrons from the catalyst to H2O2, generating ˙OH radicals to participate in the hydroxylation of phenol.


In this note we prove that (i) homogeneous *-pure subgroups of completely decomposable groups are completely decomposable, (ii) *-pure subgroups of finite rank completely decomposable groups are almost completely decomposable. We also characterize those reduced completely decomposable groups G, with T(G) satisfying the maximum condition, any *-pure subgroup of which is also completely decomposable. In [2], a subgroup H of a torsion-free group G is said to be *-balanced if H is balanced in G and (i) (H* (T))* = Hn (G*(T))* for every type r. We shall say that H is *-pure in G if H is pure in G and equation (i) above is satisfied for every type r. Throughout this note, unless otherwise specified; G will denote a completely decomposable abelian group and its extractable typeset will be denoted by E(G). We let G = 6,C6(G) GC be a homogeneous decomposition of G and, for every r E E(G), 7r: G --C GC is the projection such that ker7rr = Dr',r GC,. In [4] we proved that homogeneous pure subgroups of G are also completely decomposable provided that E (G) is countable. The following theorem implies that the countability condition of E (G) can be relaxed if we consider homogeneous *-pure subgroups of G. THEOREM 1. Homogeneous *-pure subgroups of completely decomposable groups are completely decomposable. PROOF. Let H be a homogeneous *-pure subgroup of a completely decomposable group G. Let 0 $ h E H and suppose that typeG(h) = ro. Then h = T ir,(h). If ro V E(G), then h = E x,r(h) E H n G*(To) = (Hf*(To))* = {o}, ,r>ro a contradiction. Thus ro E E (G) and 7rro (h) :$ 0. Hence H 7rro (H) C Gro. Since 7wr0 (H) is homogeneous of type ro and is a subgroup of a homogeneous completely decomposable group GUro also of type ro, it is completely decomposable by Lemma 86.6 in [3]. The following example illustrates that the homogeneity condition on H in the previous theorem is necessary. Received by the editors February 5, 1986. 1980 Mathematics Subject Classification (1985 Revision). Primary 20K15, 20K20, 20K27. ?1987 American Mathematical Society 0002-9939/87 $1.00 + $.25 per page 613 This content downloaded from 220.127.116.11 on Sat, 26 Mar 2016 07:28:06 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms


TPS4159 Background: Tivantinibis a selective, non-ATP competitive, oral inhibitor of MET, the tyrosine kinase receptor for hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). MET over-expression is associated with poor prognosis in HCC patients. A phase Ib study (Santoro et al, Br J Cancer, 2013) with tivantinib 360mg BID revealed no worsening of liver function in cirrhotic HCC pts. A randomized, placebo-controlled phase 2 study identified HCC patients with high tumor MET expression at immunohistochemistry (IHC) as the target population for tivantinib in second line (overall survival: 7.2 months on tivantinib, 3.8 months on placebo, HR: 0.38, p=0.01), and selected 240mg BID as the appropriate dose for HCC patients (Santoro et al, Lancet Oncol, 2013). Methods: Enrollment forthis phase III clinical trial (ARQ 197-A-U303, NCT01755767) has begun.Eligible pts must present with Child Pugh A; ECOG performance score <1; inoperable RECIST 1.1 measurable disease; adequate bone marrow, liver and kidney functions; no prior liver transpl...


The small Coccinellidæ commonly known as Smilia are among the more important natural enemies of the Coccidæ. The name Smilia properly belongs to a well-known genus of Homoptera, so in Science Gossip, 1900 p. 606, I proposed to call the Coccinellid genus Epismilia. I now learn from the Index Zoologicus that Epismilia was used in 1859 for a genus of Coelenterates. I therefore propose another name for Smilia, Weise, namely Microweisea. The North American species are Microweisea misella (Lec.), M. marginata (Lec.), M. coccidivora (Ashm.), M. ovalis (Lec.), M. atronitens (Casey), M. minuta (Casey), M. planiceps (Casey), Mreversa (Fall); all standing in our lists under Smilia.


Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) are present at high activities in adult patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In this report, CTL effectors were identified in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of children born to HIV‐1‐infected mothers. These CTL killed HLA‐matched HIV‐1‐infected H9 target cells or doubly transfected P815‐A2‐env, gag or nef mouse tumor cells, which expressed the viral antigens in association with HLA‐A1/A3 or HLA‐A2, respectively. HIV‐1‐specific CTL were detected early after birth (>2 months) and remained present during the asymptomatic phase of the infection. As in HIV‐1‐infected adults, HIV‐specific CTL declined with disease progression. Surprisingly, HIV‐1‐specific CTL were detected in the PBMC of three children who subsequently became seronegative.


. The Spring 1973 Mississippi River flood was investigated using remotely sensed data from ERTS-1. Both manual and automatic analyses of the data indicate that ERTS-I is extremely useful as a regional tool for flood management. Quantitative estimates of area flooded were made in St. Charles County, Missouri and Arkansas. Flood hazard mapping was conducted in three study areas along the Mississippi River using pre-flood ERTS-1 imagery enlarged to 1:250,000 and 1:100,000 scale. The flood prone areas delineated on these maps correspond to areas that would be inundated by significant flooding (approximately the 100 year flood). The flood prone area boundaries were generally in agreement with flood hazard maps produced by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers and U. S. Geological Survey although the latter are somewhat more detailed because of their larger scale. Initial results indicate that ERTS-1 digital mapping of flood prone areas can be performed at 1:62,500 which is comparable to some conventional flood hazard map scales.


Successful advocacy involves working together, not in isolation. There are many peak organisations that can support early childhood professionals in their advocacy goals. Carol Nagel provides a guide.


Porpholactones and their derivatives have attracted increasing attention for their promising application as photosensitizers. Reduction of the β-lactone moiety in porpholactone to β-hemiacetal, named porpholactol, allows the synthesis of chlorin-type photosensitizers with enhanced near-infrared absorption as well as β functionalization of water-soluble conjugates. By employing β-hydrophilic conjugates terminated by different ionic groups, such as neutral (ZnL1), anionic (ZnL2), zwitterionic (ZnL3), and cationic (ZnL4–6) groups, a series of photosensitizers (ZnL1–6) were synthesized and characterized, and their photophysical properties were studied, including magnetic circular dichroism measurement. The terminal ionic groups on β conjugates influence significantly the cellular uptake of ZnL1–6 in the order ZnL4–6 (positive charge)>ZnL1–3 (negative charge or neutral). Importantly, the photocytotoxicity of ZnL1–6 against cancer cells showed IC50 values down to the sub-micromolar range and exhibited the same trend as their cellular uptake, clearly revealing the relationship of β-ionic conjugates, cellular uptake, and intracellular photodynamic therapy (PDT) activity. Furthermore, using ZnL4 as an example, mechanistic studies, such as cell imaging experiments and Western blot analysis for the PDT process, indicate that ZnL4 exerts photodynamic activity through apoptosis, which is highly associated with lysosome disruption, mitochondria depolarization, and nuclei condensation.