Observations and theory relevant to evaluating the importance of the effect of Ionosphere‐Earth current density, JZ, in the global electric circuit on cloud microphysics and cloud opacity at high latitudes, with presumed consequences for surface pressure, are reviewed and updated. The day‐to‐day input variations are less than 10% of their mean values, as are the reported cloud and pressure effects, but could be indicative of more important longer‐term effects, and of neglected processes in aerosol‐cloud interactions. There is consistent evidence for responses to both externally (solar‐wind) and internally (thunderstorm and shower‐cloud) generated changes in JZ and cloud opacity. The pressure correlations show non‐stationary behavior, with changes in phase relative to that of the solar wind input and JZ variations on interdecadal timescales. These might be due to the non‐stationary nature of the solar wind, and non‐stationary aerosol populations. For modeling the cloud effects there are considerable uncertainties in the size and charge distributions of aerosol particles, droplets, and ice particles. The cloud radiative coupling with periodic solar wind inputs may nudge internal tropospheric waves into phase coherence at times when the amplitude of the solar input and the duration of the input trains exceed minimum values.


The aim of this research is to examine validity and reliability of Turkish version of the Marital Disaffection Scale. The survey was applied on 336 married individuals. In scale adaptation study, structure validity was used for examine the validity of the scale. For structure validity, explanatory and confirmatory factor analyses were used. Cronbach's Alpha formula was used for determine the reliability of the scale. Furthermore, t-test and corrected item-total correlation were used for item analysis. The result of exploratory factor analysis demonstrated that twenty-one items loaded on single-factors and that the factor structure was harmonized with the factor structure of the original scale. Confirmatory factor analysis, chi-square (x2=435.42, N= 336, df=189, p=0.00) significantly, and indices of fit RMSEA=.062, GFI=.96, AGFI=.95, CFI=.93, IFI=.93, NFI=.89, RFI=.87, and SRMR=.02 were found. Internal consistency coefficient for the scale was .89. T-test results were significant, which results are related to the difference of lower 27% and upper 27% groups, that established in accordance to the total points of test. In the result of the item analysis, corrected itemtotal correlations were ranged from a low of 0.20 to a high of 0.36; and t –test values were ranged from a low of 2,88 (p<.001) to a high of 7.31 (p<.001). Corrected item-total correlations and t –test values were statistically at the p< 0.01 level. These findings show that the Turkish version of the Marital Disaffection Scale is a valid and reliable instrument.


This investigation began in the fall of 1933 as a general survey of the parasites of the Centrarchidae of Champaign County, Illinois. After two years of collecting, an attempt was made to identify the collected specimens. Due to coagulation of adherent mucus and subsequent adhesion of specimens to the inner surfaces of the vials, no Gyrodactyloidea were found in the fluid poured from containers in which they were originally placed. New material was collected and identification of parasites in a live state was begun, together with work on the problem of perfecting a suitable technique adequate for research on this group. Examination revaled several undescribed species of gill trematodes of the subfamily Tetraonchinae, twelve of which are treated in this publication. The problem has been restricted to the monogenetic forms from Illinois fishes.


This article is concerned with the consensus formation control problem of a class of networked quadrotor aircraft partially bounded and state-dependent perturbations. A general distributed consensus error model is first developed to formulate the formation behavior of the networked quadrotor aircraft. Then, by using adaptive techniques, virtual position control strategies are proposed to eliminate the impacts of perturbations, so that the following quadrotor aircraft can boundedly track the desired position trajectory with a satisfying pattern. Furthermore, based on the designed virtual position control strategies, the attitude reference angles are constructed and adaptive attitude control strategies are further designed to guarantee that the attitude angles track the reference angles asymptotically. In terms of the asymptotic tracking results of attitude control systems, the bounded consensus formation results are obtained based on the Lyapunov stability theorem. Numerical simulations are carried out to verify the efficiency of the designed position formation as well as attitude tracking control strategies of the networked quadrotor aircraft.


The first part of the presentation is about the expectations of European Union and the German government on electric vehicles and programs in place already to support this new technology. This will be followed by an analysis of recent market developments of EVs in Europe including an analysis of the impact of supporting governmental schemes. After this introduction a methodology is presented to measure the impact of different policies on the market development for electric vehicles in Germany. The results will be shown for a business as usual scenario as well as a two measures: (1) widely available charing infrastructure and (2) increasing fuel prices.


The major overhead involved in porting a TTS system from one Indian language to another is in the manual segmentation phase. Manual segmentation of any huge speech corpus is time consuming, tedious and dependent on the person who is segmenting. This correspondence aims at reducing this overhead by automating the segmentation process. A 3-stage, explicit segmentation algorithm is proposed, which uses Quatiere's sinusoidal model of speech in conjunction with a distance function obtained from Bach scale filter bank, to force align the boundaries of phonemes between 2 stop consonants. Preliminary results for Hindi and Tamil sentences show that the misclassified frames (25ms) per sentence or the Frame Error Rate (FER) is 26.7% and 32.6% respectively.


Objectives: Odontoma is the most common type of odontogenic tumors. Many studies have analyzed the statistical associations between odontoma location and patient age and sex, according to the histological tumor type. However, few studies have assessed odontoma morphological characteristics using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). We aimed to evaluate the association between odontoma location and size. Methods: We performed CBCT on patients with odontomas (19 patients; 10 women, 9 men; average age, 12.6 [range, 6 - 34] years) according to the pathology type at a university hospital between April 2008 and February 2017. The locations of the lesions were noted, and their sizes were measured on CBCT images. Buccolingual, mesiodistal, and vertical diameters of the lesions were recorded on the same slice with the greatest diameters on axial, coronal, and sagittal CBCT images. Results: Altogether, 9 (47.4%) and 10 (52.6%) odontomas were located in the mandible and maxilla, respectively. There was no significant difference in the mesiodistal and vertical diameters on the CBCT image between the mandibular and maxillary groups when the odontoma size was compared with location (p < 0.05). However, the average diameters in only the buccolingual diameter


High energy photon therapy beam from the 50 MV racetrack microtron has been evaluated using the Monte Carlo code Geant4. The spatial and energy distribution of photons, radial and depth dose distributions in a water phantom are calculated for both stationary and scanned photon beams from two different targets, one thin and one thick. Validation of Geant4 electromagnetic physics processes has been done using experimental data of radial dose profiles in a water phantom. Both Geant4 electromagnetic packages standard and low energy were used. The toolkit presented is promising for further development of narrow photon beam therapy.


This research is motivated by the problem of students having difficulty in arranging words so that students' writing is not yet skilled. This study aims to describe the effect of the use of Concep Sentence  learning models on the ability to write text Explanations of class XI SMA N 2 Lubuk Basung students. This type of research is quantitative research using an experimental model. The sample in this study were students of class XI SMA N 2 Lubuk Basung  people consisting of 26 people. The data in this study are scores on the ability to write Explanation texts without using the Concep Sentence  Model and scores on the ability to write Explanatory texts using the Concep Sentence  learning models for class XI SMA N 2 Lubuk Basung . The results of this study can be concluded as follows. First, the ability to write explanatory texts for XI SMA N 2 Lubuk Basung students without using Concept Sentence  learning models obtained an average score of 59.48 at a range of 56-65% with sufficient qualifications (C). Secondly, the ability to write explanatory texts for XI SMA N 2 Lubuk Basung students using Concept Sentence  models obtained an average value of 71,79 at a range of 66-75% with qualifications of More than Enough (LdC). Third, based on the results of the t-test the results of the hypothesis test are tcount> t table (3,93> 1.71).


Modern bearings used the lubricants having polymer components of larger molecular weight for higher speed and high load operations. These lubricants show rheological activity that is non-Newtonian. Power-law lubricants are commonly used for industrial and bearing lubrication operations. This article is modeled through the slip as interfacial condition to demonstrate the role of power-law lubrication on the stagnation point flow of Walters-B nanofluid. The thermophoretic force and Brownian movement factors are accounted in energy and mass species expressions. The expressions in partial differential forms are constructed for both the base and lubricant fluids. The system is re-structured into ordinary differential expressions by the implication of dimensional analysis. An approximate and numerical scheme namely the hybrid homotopy analysis method is reported to demonstrate the solutions of nonlinear expressions. The behavior of involved constraints on practical quantities is shown and analyzed. The nature of friction factor, thermal and solutal rates at the surface is reported through numeric data. Match of the present solution with previously published data shown better agreement. It can be seen that the slip phenomenon dominates over the free-stream phenomenon. The large values of viscoelastic parameter decay the thermal and solutal fields.


Recently there has been an increasing interest in applications that enable users in the proximity of one another to share experiences, discover surrounding events, play online games and in general ...


This paper considers domestic climate laws among Commonwealth countries and climate change language across an array of trade and investment agreements featuring Commonwealth parties in order to identify key trends and useful mechanisms for future agreement negotiations, particularly regarding climate-vulnerable countries and LDCs. It finds that Commonwealth countries have displayed innovation in their domestic climate legislation and trade and investment agreements, and that there is much potential for further development, particularly with respect to enhancing the resilience of climate-vulnerable states.


Une vie de ne[···] n'est pas une vie. Et tous les Quebecois etaient (et sont) des ne[···]s."A n[····]r's life is not a life. And all the Quebecois were (and are) n[····]rs."-Pierre VallieresAt any rate, I had missed a vital connection to the present. I had honored the past, but the past was not history.-Michel-Rolph TrouillotIn "The Intimacies of Four Continents," Lisa Lowe states that "[t]he affirmation of the desire for freedom is so inhabited by the forgetting of its conditions of possibility, that every narrative articulation of freedom is haunted by its burial, by the violence of forgetting."1 She explains that "race" and "gender" become the traces of such humanist forgetting-a modern humanism whose conditions, she explains, were created by "New World" people for whom the production of "freedom" was first predicated on the creation of the racialized category of the "unfree" and the "enslaved," next to whom it was then possible to racialize otherwise those liminal or transitional subjects in between as well as those thought to be on their way toward "freedom." My research builds on such critical intuition in order to illuminate such "violence of forgetting" in the desire to produce "freedom" in the context of the doubly complex coloniality of French Canada once it became a British settler space. In this particular essay, I focus on the use of racial analogies and the production of the paradigm of the French Quebecer as a ne··· blanc (or "white N-word") in the 1960s Quebec literature of decolonization, most influentially in Pierre Vallieres's celebrated and influential 1968 book-length manifesto/autobiography Negres blancs d'Amerique (NBA). Despite the sympathies expressed by prominent figures of the Black Power movement (such as Stokeley Carmichael) toward Vallieres's political activism and his legal struggles,2 I argue that Vallieres's racial analogy, and most notably his misguided conflation of exploitation and slavery, has the effect of de-racializing colonial history, of turning race into a politically insignificant (and acquirable) category within the settler colony, and of obfuscating the fact that national liberation for Quebecers (Quebecois) is itself predicated on the pursuit of a peculiarly malleable project of native dispossession and political co-optation. In conversation with Mark Rifkin's recent analyses of what he theorizes as "settler common sense,"3 I explain that Vallieres's loose theorization of a race-neutral, global village of all exploited underclasses under the rubric ne··· provided new orientations for an emergent structure of feeling in Quebec, one that would easily be incorporated within the hegemonic because it already spoke (and still speaks) its language: it effectively assumed forms of dwelling and personhood predicated on the geopolitical self-evidence of settler sovereignty and settler occupancy while exculpating the implied whiteness of the Quebecois national reference and disengaging it from a history of Western coloniality. Such a project, I explain, is embedded in complex political strategies of remembrance that are "building upon perceived historical injustices [as a people abandoned by France and colonized by the British] and consequently constructing a politically useful collective identity."4 These strategies of remembrance are often "oriented" by governmental acts and policies that "provide shape and structure" to everyday experiences and inhabitances for settlers. In the context of Quebec, the "becoming-given"5 of stable and lawful settler identities and modes of occupancy is constantly and peculiarly felt and reenacted away from the exculpatory discursive strategies that have otherwise become crucial to governmental strategies and sovereign narrative in other white settler states such as Australia and English Canada- states that have cunningly6 been trying to reimagine themselves as belonging to an "after" (as opposed to an aftermath) of colonialism. …


Meshed underground networks pose particular problems for the network protection. This paper gives, based on a model able to determine the impedances seen by distance protection for faults on the cable, recommendations for the setting of distance protection.


The article deals with graffiti as an independent object of forensic handwriting analysis (hand-written texts executed on various vertical surfaces, non-traditional means of writing). These objects can be classified as handwriting objects made in unusual circumstances and for the letter has a number of specific features


With his novel 'Irre', Rainald Goetz becomes a Suhrkamp author in 1983. This article traces the homogenizing effects of his authorship at the publishing house, focusing in particular on the paratexts of his books. Between scene awareness and Suhrkamp culture, Rainald Goetz succeeds in integrating different attention resources, reading contexts, and reception groups into his work politics.


This article models a multi-vehicle material handling system as a closed-loop queueing network with finite buffers and general service times, where the vehicles represent the jobs in the network. This type of network differs from other queueing systems, because the vehicles' residence times on track segments (servers) depend on the number of jobs (vehicles) in circulation. A new iterative approximation algorithm is presented that estimates throughput capacity and decomposes the network consisting of S servers into S separate G/G/1 systems. Each subsystem is analyzed separately to estimate the work-in-process via a population constraint to ensure that the summation of the average buffer sizes across all servers equals the total number of vehicles. Numerical results show that the methodology proposed is accurate in a wide range of operating scenarios.


Objective To disscuss diagnostic value of Fair in cerebral artery stenosis or occlusion reperfusion.Methods 20 patients of middle cerebral artery stenosis or occlusion were studied with rountine MRI,DWI,MRA,Fair and DSC examination,Showing the size of lesions were compared,The perfusion difference between Fair and DSC through the rCBF was compared.Results Fair showed the perfusion of abnomality of unilateral and contralateral changes in perfusion,t=4.46,P0.05,with statistical significance.rCBF of Fair was 0.84±0.52,rCBF of DSC was 0.79±0.31,Comparison of DSC and Fair perfusionmethod showed no difference(t=0.705,P0.05).Conclusion Fair,need no contrast injection of invasive operation,is convenient and useful method in assessing cerebral perfusion information of middle cerebral artery stenosis or occlusion.


The foundation and simulation of aeroengine starter for flight simulator is discussed in this paper. The starting process is investigated in detail. A related simulation has been modeled by integration, and the result is feasible to requirement for flight simulator.


In earlier studies the authors found that the three-element windkessel, although an almost perfect load for isolated heart studies, does not lead to correct estimates of the total arterial parameters such as the aortic characteristic impedance and total arterial compliance. To overcome this problem the authors add a fourth element, the total arterial inertance, to the three-element windkessel. The three- and four-element windkessels were tested against an extended model of the systemic circulation. The four-element windkessel described arterial pressure and flow most accurately and the estimated lumped parameters were typically within 10% of the actual values of the arterial system, The three- and four element windkessel model were also fit to in vivo human aortic pressure and flow waves. Again, the four-element windkessel fitted better and the estimated arterial parameter values were closer to values obtained with standard methods.


Dracar (Drama Caring and Reflection) is an educational development project in the nursing education at the School of Health Sciences, University College of BorŒs, Sweden. In order to improve the learning process of caring science, a reflective supervision has been developed, with the means of drama in education. This article highlights the role of drama concerning reflective supervision in nursing education. Academic staff specially trained in drama education, guide students to manage life experiences from the caring arena effectively in a holistic perspective. Biography


Machine learning has typically focused on developing models and algorithms that would ultimately replace humans at tasks where intelligence is required. In this work, rather than replacing humans, we focus on unveiling the potential of machine learning to improve how people learn and remember factual material. To this end, we perform a large-scale randomized controlled trial with thousands of learners from a popular learning app in the area of mobility. After controlling for the length and frequency of study, we find that learners whose study sessions are optimized using machine learning remember the content over $\sim$67% longer than those whose study sessions are generated using two alternative heuristics. Our randomized controlled trial also reveals that the learners whose study sessions are optimized using machine learning are $\sim$50% more likely to return to the app within 4-7 days.


In the present study, the nut and kernel traits of six hazelnut cultivars ('Barceloński', 'Kataloński', 'Webba Cenny', 'Olbrzym z Halle', 'Cosford', and 'Nottinghamski') grown in Poland were investigated. Results showed that significant differences estimated among all six cultivars with all selected morphological traits and compositional properties. During statistical analysis the year of the study was not found to affect most of the investigated traits. The investigated cultivars showed a lower protein content (11.27–13.44%), higher carbohydrate content (16.40–21.79%) and similar fat content (58.91–63.83%) to nuts grown in a warmer climate like Turkey, Italy or Spain. The studied hazelnut varieties were large-sized with diameters greater than 20 mm. The nuts of the 'Barceloński', 'Kataloński' and 'Olbrzym z Halle' cultivars were characterized by the smallest diameters of nut and kernel, were the most spherical (0.85–0.95) and exhibited the largest average nut volume (4.26–4.46). Significant differences were found between the cultivars for oil content and the ratios of major fatty acids. The QDA results, estimated that other than shape, the evaluated nuts significantly differed only in the intensity of nutty flavor (4.88–5.92). The highest intensity of this attribute was found in three cultivars, 'Nottinghamski', 'Cosford', 'Olbrzym z Halle', whereas the lowest estimate was found in the 'Barceloński' cultivar, which was also slightly less sweet and more bitter. As a result, the present study showed that the investigated hazelnut kernels can be divided into two groups: 'Nottinghamski', 'Cosford', and 'Webba Cenny' are suitable for table consumption, while 'Barceloński', 'Kataloński', and 'Olbrzym z Halle' are suitable for the processing industry. The current experimental results may help to growers and breeders when choosing the cultivars for new plantations and possibilities of destinations of the produced nuts, for confectionery use or table consumption.


The development of specific kinase inhibitors has been a long-standing challenge in chemical biology and drug discovery. We have successfully discovered a series of C5-substituted pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-7-ones as highly specific inhibitors against the clinical resistance-related EGFRT790M mutant. One of the most promising compounds, 9f, tightly binds to the EGFRT790M mutant and strongly inhibits its enzymatic function with an IC50 value of 0.80 nM, and displays an extraordinary target specificity with S(35) and S(10) selectivity scores of 0.005 and 0.000, respectively, in a kinase selectivity profiling study against 456 different kinases at 100 nM. The compound also selectively suppresses the proliferation of EGFRT790M mutated H1975 NSCLC cells with an IC50 value of 2.80 nM, but is significantly less toxic to cells with wild-type EGFR. Compound 9f may serve as a promising lead compound for drug discovery overcoming the acquired resistance of NSCLC patients without adverse toxicities.


The development of turbine components for the automotive 100kW ceramic gas turbine has entered the final stage of the seven-year project and is making satisfactory progress toward the goals. We have attained the interim targets of the aerodynamic performances and have been carrying out tests to further improve efficiency. As for ceramic parts, we have changed the material of the turbine rotor to a new one that is excellent in long-sustained and high-temperature strength properties, and have confirmed substantial strength at high temperature through hot-spin tests. After evaluating blade-vibration stress through analyses and experiments, we completed an endurance evaluation at 1,200°C (1,473K) TIT (Turbine Inlet Gus Temperature) and a rated speed of 100,000rpm. We are now carrying out endurance tests at 1350°C (1,623K) TIT. For ceramic stationary parts, we already finished the evaluations at 1,200°C TIT and are also conducting an endurance test at 1,350°C TIT. Using these parts in a full-assembly test, together with other elements, we confirmed that they cause no functional problem in tests performed at 1,200°C TIT level up to the rated speed (100,000rpm), and are evaluating their performances.Copyright © 1996 by ASME


Three Gorges Project is the great project in the world, which accelerates economic development in the reservoir area of Three Gorges Project. In the process of development in the reservoir area of Three Gorges Project, cultivated land has become an important resource, and a lot of cultivated land has been occupied and become constructing land. At the same time, a lot of cultivated land has been flooded because of the rising of the water level. This paper uses the cultivated land areas and social economic indicators of reservoir area of Three Gorges for 1990~ 2004, takes the statistic analyses and example research in order to analyze the process of cultivated land, gets the driving forces of cultivated land change, finds the new methods to stimulate and forecast the cultivated land areas in the future, and serves for the cultivated land protection and sustainable development in reservoir area of Three Gorges. The results indicate that, firstly, in the past 15 years, the cultivated land area has decreased by 200 142 hm2, and the decreasing quantity per year is 13343 hm2. The whole reservoir area is divided into three different areas: upper reach area, belly area and lower reach area. The trends of cultivated land change in different reservoir areas are similar to the whole reservoir area. Secondly, the curve of cultivated land areas and per capita GDP takes on a reverse U, and the paces between the change rate of cultivated land and the change rate of GDP are different in some years, which indicates that change of cultivated land and change of GDP is decoupled; besides that, change of cultivated land is in connection with the development of urbanization and the policy of returning forestry greatly. Lastly, the precision of multi-regression is lower than the BP neural network in the simulation of cultivated land. We then use the BP neural network to forecast the cultivated land areas for 2005, 2010 and 2015, and the forecasting results are reasonable.


With the further development of economic globalization and continuous expanding of China's opening up,the communication between the West and China becomes more and more frequent.However,when the two different cultural forms hit together and no room for compromise because of different cultural background,Culture Shock will come up.This paper tries to analyze and discuss the causes and corresponding strategies of "Culture Shock" to find a solution to overcome it.


Fresh and frozen minced fish flesh was prepared from sheepshead, black drum, croaker, sand trout, tilapia, and mullet. Aerobic plate counts (APC, at 25°C) of fresh mince ranged from 1.2 × l05/g (sheepshead) to 2.6 × 108/g (tilapia), those of frozen mince (2 months at -20°C) from 7.9 × 103/g (sheepshead) to 7.9 × l06/g (tilapia). In most cases only minor changes in count occurred during scaling, heading, and evisceration. Counts usually increased during flesh/bone separation. Coliform counts of frozen minced flesh ranged from 11.2 to >ll00/g. Fecal coliform bacteria were detected in the frozen mince of tilapia, croaker, and black drum (range 1.2-254.3/g), coagulase positive staphylococci in tilapia, sheepshead, and mullet (range 3.6-200/g). The microbial types present in the freshly minced product were similar to those present in the whole fish. Moraxella-Acinetobacter sp. were the most prevalent microbial types in the fish before, during, and after processing into minced fish flesh.


The immunomodulatory and pro-apoptotic role of vitamin D is still being investigated and the relationship between its deficiency and the development of many diseases is widely described. Vitamin D deficiency, which is prevalent in the world population, is under investigation, especially in the current epidemiological situation and the risk of complications from COVID-19, including multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. Recommendations regarding the norms of vitamin D levels in children suggest monitoring of its concentration in groups at risk of deficiency and supplementation to the optimal level. Studies on the relationship of vitamin D deficiency with the severity of COVID-19 and an increased risk of complications after the disease suggest strong associations. At the same time, the literature review also noted data that indicated no or only a small effect of vitamin D on the morbidity of the studied population.

https://www.termedia.pl/Journal/-127/pdf-50832-10?filename=Effect of vitamin D.pdf


Focusing on the 2016 US money market funds (MMFs) reform, this study assesses the impact of removing rating-based rules on the behavior of regulated investors and on market prices. Difference-in-differences fund-level and security-level analyses show a positive impact of the reform on the level of risk-taking by non-government MMFs. No empirical support is found for alternative explanations for the verified change in portfolio allocation. This shift has material consequences for the pricing of credit risk: all else equal, the reform-driven increase in the demand for riskier securities by MMFs is associated with a significant decrease in credit premia for commercial papers.


It is quite a challenge to write a book about Pythagorean women. Women, it is true, seem to have played in Pythagoreanism a role unparalleled in other philosophical movements – an ancient catalogue remarkably offers a selection of seventeen female followers of Pythagoras considered to be 'the most renowned Pythagorean women' (Iambl. Vit. pyth. 267). But the evidence about these women is extremely lacunose, dubious and confusing. Apart from their names and scanty hints at their origin and family relations, all we have is (a) late, but potentially reliable, information about Pythagoras' imparting female ethical values to the women of Croton after his arrival from Samos, and (b) a rather limited number of texts attributed to Pythagorean women, the date and origin of which are hotly disputed, but which clearly do not predate the Hellenistic period and are classed, on the whole, as pseudepigraphical. These Neopythagorean letters and treatises stand at the heart of P.'s slim and elegantly written book. Following the chronological and geographical order proposed by Thesleff (an order termed 'highly conjectural' by the author himself: An Introduction to the Pythagorean Writings of the Hellenistic Period [1961], p. 113), she distinguishes between texts supposedly coming from the East (in particular Alexandria) and mostly written in the Ionic dialect and those originating from the West written in the Doric dialect (cf. Chapter 3 'Who Were the Neopythagorean Women Authors?').1 P. presents them in Chapters 5 and 6 respectively in translations, which partly she herself has produced for the occasion and in part taken over mostly from V.L. Harper (published in M.E. Waithe, A History of Women Philosophers Volume 1: Ancient Women Philosophers 600 B.C. – 500 A.D. [1987], pp. 20ff.) who, moreover, has contributed the last chapter to the volume under review ('The Neopythagorean Women as Philosophers'). The translations are accompanied by introductions and commentaries of varying length and density. Chapter 4 serves as a general 'Introduction to the Prose Writings of Neopythagorean Women', focusing in particular on the 'female gaze' of the letters which, P. is convinced, were written by women for women and not, as other scholars would believe, by male authors using female masks (cf. already Chapter 3, pp. 49ff.). In this chapter and even more in Chapters 1–3 P. adopts a double strategy to compensate for the serious lack of reliable information. On the one hand, rather than to question critically the sparse data that have come down to us she seems inclined to accept them at face value, reducing where possible the gap between the early Pythagoreans and those of the later Hellenistic period (cf. pp. xix, 48, 59, 65ff.). On the other hand, she amply contextualises the scanty material, adding general considerations about the situation of women, courtesans, slaves and husbands (with special regard to the Spartan context), and skilfully adducing further evidence not only from other literary sources such as Xenophon, Plutarch,


This white paper is intended to assist firms with establishing and maintaining policies and procedures for claiming compliance with the Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS®). The paper was developed by the United States Investment Performance Committee (USIPC), the United States country sponsor for the GIPS standards. The information outlined in this paper reflects what the authors consider to be best practices and is not intended to serve as definitive guidance that must be adhered to by firms that claim compliance with the GIPS standards. The examples included are provided for illustrative purposes only and will not be appropriate in all situations; every firm is different and must develop their own policies and procedures with their specific needs in mind.


In order to evaluate the accuracy of the local geodetic network of Jurmala City, in research, comparison of forty-seven selected polygonometry network point coordinates with the obtained data was made by performing measurements by real time cinematic (RTK) method in LatPos base station system. Points were chosen so in order to cover evenly the entire territory of the city. At present, gradual renewal and improvement of the local geodetic network takes place in Jurmala. The linear discrepancy of coordinates obtained in measurements varies from 0.016 m to 0.259 m, mean linear discrepancy in the measured points is fixed 0.110 m. Discrepancy of plane coordinates in different regions of Jurmala is not even. It is rather even within approximate boundaries of the determined regions, this is indicated by different directions of offset vectors, which in eastern part of the city are pointed mainly in NW direction, in central part directions are pointed in W direction, but in the western part of the city pointed in NE direction. Concerning heights, only for 3 of measured points discrepancy exceeds 0.05 m error and there are no connection concerning some specific region. 15% of the measured points of the local geodetic network are with appropriate accuracy of plane coordinates. The linear discrepancy of plane coordinates for points of the local geodetic network, which are measured by RTK method and compared with data from the improved network is 0.024 (m), which indicates the high accuracy of RTK method in measurement data. In Jurmala City, obtaining of data by GNNS data receivers is encumbered by large density of trees. Therefore the local geodetic network in city has very important role in order to ensure performance of geodetic measurements of high quality in the territory of the city. Aim of the research is to evaluate the accuracy of the local geodetic network of Jurmala City. The following tasks have been set for achieving the aim: research of the given problem, visit of the local geodetic network points, performing control measurements, data processing and analysis.


Abstract The necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of a solution of the non-linear regulator problem given by Isidori and Byrnes (1990) for square systems are extended to the case of systems with more inputs than outputs. Some examples that stress specific aspects of the solution of the nonlinear regulator problem are given.


Abstract : The underpotential deposition of lead onto very clean and well-ordered single crystal Au samples was studied with linear sweep voltammetry. The single crystal surfaces examined were (100), (110), (111) and (410). The (410) surface is a stepped surface with terraces of (100) orientation four atomic rows in width separated by steps of (100) orientation of monatomic height. The crystals were prepared in an ultra-high vacuum environment (equivalent to 10 to the minus 11th power Torr) by alternate cycles of argon-ion sputtering and annealing until the surfaces were clean within the limits of AES (Auger Electron Spectroscopy). (Author)


Foundry sand is having high quality of silica and uniform physical properties. The large amounts of metal foundry is using for the metal casting process. Foundry sand is a byproduct of the ferrous and non-ferrous metal casting industry. This study presents the mechanical properties of concrete and sand partial ly replaced with foundry sand and the Mechanical properties of compressive, spl it and flexural strengths of concrete by using of M-40 grade of concrete. The part ia l ly replacement of foundry sand percentages are 10 , 20, 30% and 40%.


An innovative concept of using paraffin phase change material with a melting point of 28 C to make Optical Communication type of payload thermally self-sufficient for operation in the Orion Crew Module is presented. It stores the waste heat of the payload and permits it to operate for about one hour by maintaining its temperature within the maximum operating limit. It overcomes the problem of relying on the availability of cold plate heat sink in the Orion Crew Module.


Indole undergoes conjugate addition with α,β-unsaturated ketones by means of alkylation of indole in the presence of a catalytic amount of molecular I 2 at room temperature to afford the corresponding adduct in excellent yields (up to 96%). The substitution on the indole nucleus occurred exclusively at the 3-position. N-alkylation products have not been observed.


Whirlwinds are a meteorological disaster that often strikes Indonesia's territory, including the Special Region of Yogyakarta on Java Island. The formation of this small-diameter vortex of rapidly spiraling air depends on the presence of convective clouds, particularly Cumulonimbus (Cb). This research was intended to analyze the spatiotemporal distribution of convective clouds in the region according to whirlwinds recorded in 2019. The research used historical data consisting of the dates and locations of whirlwinds throughout 2019 to determine their spatial distribution. For this purpose, Himawari-8 images with bands 13 (IR1) and 15 (IR2) captured on said dates were processed using the split windows technique in SATAID software. Other data like daily synoptic weather, landscape, topography, and land use were also analyzed to provide atmospheric and land conditions surrounding the weather events. The analysis results showed convective clouds, especially Cumulonimbus (Cb), were present on every date of the event with various distribution and massiveness and always appeared preceding the whirlwinds. On March 17, 2019, the most massive convective cloud coincided with three whirlwinds striking Sleman, Bantul, and Kulon Progo. Tropical cyclone Savannah that hit the southern part of Java Island, including the study area, created atmospheric anomalies responsible for this cloud formation. Low air pressure, high humidity, rainfall, level topography, and land used for settlements and rice fields are concluded as contributing to the convective cloud and whirlwind formation in the region.


Previous work by the authors emphasized temporal characteristics of speech as critical cues in age estimation. The present study assessed the role of the same temporal cues in listener perception of vocal pleasantness (PL). Twenty‐four speakers (12 male), ages 41–82 years, read the passage "My Grandfather" and prolonged /aeiou/. With the first two sentences of "My Grandfather" as the stimulus, 22 college‐age naive listeners (11 male) judged speaker PL on a five point scale. The times to initiate and to terminate /aeiou/, the time to articulate /maɪ gnaendfðɚ/, reading rate, pause time within the passage, and speaker sex were regressed against PL. The single best predictor for PL was reading rate (R‐square = 0.48) and the best significant model (12 variables) for PL yielded R‐square = 0.77. Similar to age estimation, the perception of PL appeared to be strongly influenced by temporal characteristics of speech. While the contributions of individual variables differ, the results suggest that estimations of ag...


Purpose: To describe the prevalence and risk factors of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in adults aged 40-80 years in Yazd province in 2011. Methods: This is a population-based survey on 2,320 urban and rural residents of Yazd province. Random multi-stage cluster sampling was employed in the survey. Diagnosis of diabetes was made upon past medical history and drug history or insulin injection and in cases without history of diabetes upon two fasting blood sugar exceeding 126 mg/dl. A detailed interview, eye examination and stereoscopic fundus photography were conducted for each eligible participant. DR definition and grading were based on ETDRS definition and the International Clinical Diabetic Retinopathy Disease Severity Scale. Results: Out of the eligible individuals, 2,098 cases (90.1%) participated in the study. The standardized prevalence of diabetes was 24.5% (95% confidence interval, 22.5-26.8%), 29.6% (25-34.3) of diabetics were diagnosed with DR. The prevalence of mild, moderate and severe forms of nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) was 12.7% (95%CI, 9.5-15.8%), 11.8% (95%CI, 9-14.7%), 9.9% (95%CI, 6.6-13.3%), and 3.9% (2-5.8%), respectively. The prevalence of clinically significant macular edema (CSME) was 4.9% (2.7-7.2%) and vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy including severe NDPR, PDR and CSME was present in 11.1% (7.9-14.3%) of cases. Conclusion: This study showed that out of every four people above 40, one had diabetes and out of every three diabetic patients one had DR. The high prevalence rates of diabetes and DR indicate the need for adequate prevention and management strategies in the study population.


Bi₂ O₃ -TiO₂ composite dielectric ceramics have been prepared by a conventional solid state ceramic route. The composite ceramics were prepared with starting materials of different origin and the microwave dielectric properties were investigated. The sintered ceramics were characterised by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis, Raman and microwave methods. Structural and microstructural analyses identified two separate phases: TiO₂ (rutile) and Bi₂Ti₄O 11 . The separate grains of titania and bismuth titanate were distributed uniformly in the ceramic matrix. The composition 0.88TiO₂-0.12Bi₂Ti₄O 11 was found to have a Q×f of 9,300 GHz (measured at a frequency of 3.9 GHz), a temperature coefficient of frequency, τ cf , near zero and a high relative permittivity, e r , of 83. The microwave dielectric properties were measured down to 20°K K. The quality factor increased on cooling the ceramic samples.


The Demand Responsive Transportation Services (DRT) are becoming more active in our lives. There are the services that take the older people to their nearest health center, or the ones that transport workers from home to their job location, or the services that take people from a town to the train station on the outskirts of the town. There's a growing expansion of DRT services, following by a growing urge to have systems capable of managing those services. This thesis is about exploring the concept of flexible transportation services, understand what are the main operations that these type of services requires, and to explore visualisation techniques that could provide an operator the right tools to manage his fleet accordingly and also answer for travel requests from customers. The study presented in this document focused on many case studies and currently working systems, to see where they fail in terms of visualisation of the main management operations. This thesis ends with the implementation of a prototype application, that is focused on solving the problems found on previous studies. This prototype, we'll call it FlexTrans, will provide the operator a set of tools and visualization techniques so that he can manage the fleet and travel requests efficiently and easily, and also to allow a fast response from him when needed.


A systematic study of the structural and magnetic properties of the RMo1.5Fe10.5Nx series, where R is Y, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, or Er, has been carried out using x‐ray diffraction, magnetic measurements, and the Mossbauer effect. The 1‐12 phase with Ce and Pr has been successfully stabilized. PrMo1.5Fe10.5Nx possesses excellent intrinsic magnetic properties, favorable for permanent magnet applications. The 1‐12 phase, RMo1.5Fe10.5Nx, was also stabilized. Compared to RMo2Fe10Nx, this compound shows a higher Curie temperature and a larger saturation magnetization due to the lower Mo content.


The present invention is a method of using HTTP (hypertext transfer protocol) as the transport protocol for bidirectional data stream, it extends to systems and computer program products. Embodiments of the present invention, through the firewall, to facilitate passing the TCP communication is interrupted in another way to the firewall. Even firewall is configured to block the legitimate TCP communication, using the embodiment of the present invention, legitimate TCP communication can pass through the firewall.


INTRODUCTION Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), in which electric currents are applied to the brain, improves severe mental illnesses such as depression [1]. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a method to stimulate neurons using eddy currents generated by pulsed magnetic fields [2,3]. Because TMS has a potential to give a comparable therapeutic effect to ECT with less invasiveness, TMS has been used for treatments of depression in numerous studies. However, these trials have not necessarily given beneficial results. Because the mechanisms of ECT largely remain to be understood, the optimum stimulus intensity and the desirable current distribution in ECT are still not clear. In many cases, however, ECT with a commonly used voltage (100 V) and an electrode position (a pair of electrodes attached to the tempora) has produced an improvement of depression. Thus, an appropriate approach for the initial attempt of TMS therapy is to find a stimulus condition which gives a similar current distribution in the brain to ECT. In a previous study, we calculated current distributions in ECT and TMS using the finite element method (FEM) [4]. As a result of this calculation, TMS could generate eddy currents of comparable intensity to ECT. Nadeem et al. performed an impedance method simulation for the same purpose, and found that the current densities and electric fields in the ECT case were stronger and deeper penetrating than the corresponding TMS quantities [5]. However, these studies obtained results for only one condition of TMS. In the present study, we investigated dependences of the current distribution in TMS on coil current intensity, coil diameter, and coil position. Current distributions in ECT and TMS were compared under various conditions to find optimum conditions of TMS as an alternative to ECT.


The article analyzes and compares the changes produced in texts such as the op-eds published in tradicional press and the messages from readers published in the digital media. Through this analysis it is shown that the rules that applied to the op-eds have been modified in the new areas of digital participation. Such rules as identity, significance, brevity, authority, entertainment and civility have given way to other new rules: anonymity, confrontation, "ultrabrebity" and in the case of the Spanish digital press, the rule of disqualification. The analysis has been carried out in seven European newspapers: ABC, El Pais, La Vanguardia, The Guardian, The Times, Le Figaro and Le Monde .


The Recognition and Management of Ciguatera Fish Poisoning (Geoffrey M. Calvert). Legal Implications of Ciguatera (Joe Maran). Neurological Studies on the Effects of Ciguatoxin on Mammalian Nerve (John Cameron and Michael F. Capra). Ciguatera in Australia (Michael F. Capra and John Cameron). Extraction Methods for Marine Toxins (Mark Jacyno and Donald M. Miller). Assays for Ciguatera-Type (Claude A. Rakotoniaina and Donald M. Miller). NMR of Marine Toxins (Charles W. Venable and Donald M. Miller). The Guinea Pig Ileum: an Assay System for Ciguatera-Type Toxins (Donald M. Miller). Morphological Effects of Maitotoxin on Liver and Brain Cells of Chick Embryos (Faiqa Hassan, Donald M. Miller and Donald R. Tindall). Toxigenesis in Dinoflagellates: Genetic and Physiological Factors (Jeff W. Bomber).


Many common diseases are complex, meaning that they are caused by many interacting genes. This makes them difficult to study; to determine disease mechanisms, disease-associated genes must be analy ...


The design of fast decoders using a novel interval tree search method is presented. The decoder can be modeled as a FSM (finite state machine), enabling the application of the look-ahead technique to achieve higher speeds. The look-ahead approach leads to slight degradation in performance, in terms of the adder/subtractor delay in the coder/decoder due to increased word lengths. The performance of the decoder is improved by using redundant arithmetic. The tree search method combined with redundant arithmetic and look-ahead leads to desired speedups without any degradation in performance.<<ETX>>


Indole (II) and 1-methylindole (VII) react with 1-arylnitrosoethylene leading to intermediate hetero-Diels—Alder cycloadducts, which suffer an 1,2-oxazine ring-opening reaction to form 3-alkylated indoles.


In the past few years, there has been an increase in the application of photosensitizers for medical purposes. A good standardized test system for the evaluation of the mutagenic potentials of photosensitizers is therefore an indispensable device. In the standard Ames test, white light itself was proven to be mutagenic and the result influenced by the light source. Lack of a reliable positive control is another problem in many genotoxicity test systems used for the evaluation of mutagenicity of photosensitizers. Based on the validated somatic mutation and recombination test, known as SMART, and using Drosophila melanogaster, we developed the Photo‐SMART and demonstrated that methylene blue, known to induce photomutagenicity, can act as a positive control in the presented test system. The SMART scores for the loss of heterozygosity caused predominantly by homologous mitotic recombination. The Photo‐SMART can be used to detect photogenotoxicity caused by short‐lived photoproducts or by stable photoproducts or both. We demonstrated the Photo‐SMART to be a good standardized test system for the evaluation of mutagenic potentials of the photosensitizer 5,10,15‐tris(4‐methylpyridinium)‐20‐phenyl‐[21H,23H]‐porphine trichloride (TPP). We demonstrated that TPP was mutagenic using the Photo‐SMART. For hematoporphyrin, the results of the Photo‐SMART indicate the absence of mutagenicity.


The materials examined were a 99.5 per cent aluminium, the 2 1/4 per cent magnesium alloy to B.S. 1476: 1955 NE4, the 3 1/2 per cent magnesium alloy to B.S. 1476: 1955 NE5, a 1 1/4 per cent manganese alloy and the magnesium-silicide alloy to B.S. 1476: 1955 HE30, all being in the form of extruded rod. Excepting for the HE30 alloy, which was fully heat-treated, all tests were carried out with the material in the as-extruded condition.Short-time data covers a temperature range of 20°-250°C, the stress-rupture curves, which mostly extend up to 10 000 h, relating to temperatures of 100°, 150°, 200°, and 250°C. Creep tests, a number of which were taken into the tertiary stage, have been carried out at 200° and 300°C for the 1 1/4 per cent manganese alloy and temperatures employed for the HE30 alloy were 100°, 150°, and 200°C. Stress-rupture tests still in progress and creep data for the remaining three materials will be reported in an addendum.Stress-temperature curves are plotted which enable a direct compari...


Recently, some studies of a web-based information recommendation technique which provides users with the most necessary information through websites like a web-based shopping mall have been conducted vigorously. In most cases of web information recommendation techniques which rely on a user profile and a specific feedback from users, they require accurate and diverse profile information of users. However, in reality, it is quite difficult to acquire this related information. This paper is aimed to suggest an information prediction technique for a web information service without depending on the users`specific feedback and profile. To achieve this goal, this study is to design and implement a Dynamic Web Information Prediction System which can recommend the most useful and necessary information to users from a large volume of web data by designing and embodying Ensemble Support Vector Machine and hybrid SOM algorithm and eliminating the scarcity problem of web log data.


Objective: This study aimed to explore the potential of brown algae (Padina sp) by measuring its compressive and tensile strength as a preparation step for making standardized dental impression materials from sodium alginate Padina sp. Material and Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental study with one-shot case design. Brown algae were taken from the waters of Punaga and Puntondo, Takalar. Sodium alginate was extracted from algae then mixed with other compositions to form alginate impression material. Compressive and tensile were tested using the Point Load Test. impression material. Compressive and tensile were tested using the


In a master slave point to multipoint communication system, appropriate interface type and communication protocol are needed to realizd the information exchange between the master node and slave nodes. RS 485 interface is one of such standard interfaces satisfying this demand. When the master slave multipoint synchronous communication mode is chasen, the operation and frame format comply with HDLC/SDLC protocol. In this paper, an RS 485 communication interface chip based on HDLC/SDLC protocol is introduced, which is implemented in a single chip FPGA with VHDL language. The application result shows that the interface chip is of practical use because it has the characteristics of easy operation, small volume, low power consumption and high reliability.


Abstract A linear coupled model for the atmosphere–upper-ocean system is proposed to highlight the mechanisms of decadal to interdecadal climate variability in the North Pacific. In this model, wind stress anomalies over the North Pacific are related to anomalies in the meridional temperature gradient of the upper ocean. The latter depends upon air–sea thermodynamical feedbacks and meridional heat transport by upper-ocean currents. Slow adjustment of the oceanic gyre circulation to the change in wind stress is accomplished by the forced baroclinic oceanic Rossby waves, which carry out the meridional heat transport. Uncoupled ocean dynamic adjustment can produce a weak decadal to interdecadal peak in the power spectrum of the meridional transport under temporal white noise wind stress forcing with organized spatial structure. Coupled dynamics produce a basin-scale interdecadal oscillatory mode. This mode arises from the dynamic coupling and the memory of the system, residing in the slow gyre circulation ad...


An extensive collection of in-situ snow measurements is used to characterize snow conditions in the entire elevation range of the alpine area of Tyrol, Austria. Regularly observed snow station data are evaluated with respect to mean snow density–time curves of the period 1952–2010. Dependent on the observed snow depth ( HS ), the snow bulk density ( ρ ) is statistically modelled for different elevation zones and snow-climate regions. Model improvements allow daily estimates of ρ , and introducing an additional parameter accounting for the decrease of bulk density in relation to new snow data further improved the results. This paper describes the development of an additional model for the glacierized sub-region of the Tyrolean Alps, based on snow course data from the peak snow accumulation period in April/May. The resulting relative errors of the different models range from 13 to 25% for single stations distributed over the entire investigation area and from 5 to 20% for annual snow courses in glacierized catchments. Regression models are most accurate at high elevations and for deep snowpacks. The transferability of the presented models is shown between Austria, Switzerland and Italy.


body, and the spontaneous moment: A meditation upon virtuosity and its possibilities for all of us. In the Western world, we remain under the spell of the 17 th Century French philosopher, René Descartes. In his now infamous assertion (" Cogito ergo sum " – " I think, therefore I am ") we continue to pay the price for his privileging of his mind over all physical reality as he seeks the one fact (which he concludes is that he is thinking) of which he might have no doubt that he knew it. What is the meaning of this " fact? " All material experience, including the body, is to be doubted because our senses can deceive us. Thus what we know cannot come from that which can deceive. Only the fact " I am knowing " is sure and this fact is established by the fact that I am, at every moment, having thoughts about the world. Thought is the only venue for indubitable truth and the " I " who I am (my existence) is non-corporeal for even the thinker's corporeal self is an object of his/her unreliable senses and, thus, is neither real, firm, nor trustworthy. Of course, Descartes may have expressed this but he did not originate the basis for the idea. That basis comes from Plato. (Alfred North Whitehead once asserted that all of philosophy is merely a footnote to Plato.) For Plato, truth, the desired end of all


Bajirao had been on the expedition to Delhi in 1719, and was convinced that the Mughal Empire was breaking up and could not resist a Maratha drive to the north into Malwa and Gujarat. This chapter explores how could his expansion be financed, since Maharashtra was still largely destroyed. Shahu could regain control of the independent Maratha bands by Bajirao personally leading and organizing the raids on the north. For Bajirao, the campaigning season of 1733 was spent in besieging Janjira, the extremely strong sea fort on the Konkan coast. The chapter also reviews some methods the Peshwa used to build loyalty and keep control of these military, administrative, and banking families. First, he centralized the rights-granting process, pushing aside families which held previous or alternate authority. Second, he promptly shared power in the newly conquered areas of Malwa and Gujarat. Finally, the Peshwa was married into and otherwise related to many of the banking and administrative community.


1. A method for producing a suspension of agglomerates of magnetic metal nanoparticles coated with the alkoxysilane, wherein the aqueous suspension of magnetic metal nanoparticles incubated with alkoxysilane, characterized in that said incubation is performed substantially in the absence of an organic solvent, wherein the alkoxysilane is a trialkoxysilane and thus from 0,3 to 0,6 × 10mol trialkoxysilane is added 0.9 mole metalla.2. A method according to Claim. 1, wherein the metal nanoparticles comprise iron complex iron compound, carbonyl compound or an iron salt, preferably zheleza.3 salt. A method according to claim. 2, wherein the iron salt is iron oxide, preferably magnetite, and / or maggemitom.4. A method according to claim. 3, wherein the aqueous suspension zhelezaa oxide nanoparticles) provided by depositing a solution containing a mixture of iron chloride (III) chloride and iron (II) with sodium hydroxide, or b) by thermal decomposition of iron salts or complex compounds zheleza.5. A method according to Claim. 1, wherein the magnetic metal nanoparticles treated with HOpered inkubatsiey.6. A method according to Claim. 1, wherein the trialkoxysilane is selected from the group consisting of 3- (2-aminoethylamino) -propyl-trimethoxysilane, 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, and diethylenetriamine trimetoksisilopropil-N- (6-aminohexyl) -3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, especially 3- ( 2-aminoethylamino) -propyl-trimetoksisilana.7. A method according to Claim. 1, wherein from 0,4 to 0,5 × 10mol, preferably 0.43 to 0,45 × 10mol trialkoxysilane is added 0.9 mole metalla.8. A method according to Claim. 1, wherein the incubation is performed at a pH between 2 and 6.9. A method according to Claim. 1, wherein the metallic magnet


NITRIC OXIDE ENHANCES TRANSMITTER RELEASE AT THE MAMMALIAN NEUROMUSCULAR JUNCTION VIA A CGMP-MEDIATED MECHANISM By Travis J. Nickels Nitric Oxide (NO) has been the subject of a tremendous amount of research over the past two decades; however, its precise mechanism of action at the mammalian neuromuscular junction (NMJ) remains poorly understood. We tested the hypothesis that NO functions endogenously via a cGMP-dependent mechanism to enhance transmitter release when intracellular adenosine levels are low. Quantal release was evaluated using the rat phrenic-nerve/hemidiaphragm preparation via intracellular recording techniques. A variety of drugs were used to elucidate NO's primary mechanism. Application of Sodium Nitrite and L-Arginine (NO donors) alone was unable to significantly alter transmitter release. However, when adenosine receptors were blocked with DPCPX, a selective adenosine A1-receptor antagonist, application of these NOdonors resulted in a significant enhancement of transmitter release relative to control. The elevation of cGMP with YC-1, a guanylyl cyclase activator, also yielded a significant enhancement. However, in the presence of ODQ, a selective guanylyl cyclase inhibitor, the previously established excitatory effect of Sodium Nitrite and L-Arginine was abolished. These results suggest that NO functions to enhance neurotransmission at the mammalian NMJ via a cGMP-mediated mechanism. Since this excitatory effect was only observed when adenosine receptors were blocked, it is likely that NO and adenosine are acting on the same calcium channel. Previously, it has been shown that adenosine inhibits N-type calcium channels; therefore, the present study suggests that NO functions to enhance N-type calcium channel activity. Since adenosine levels should be low under in vivo conditions, we believe that NO normally functions to enhance transmitter release; however, this action can be blocked when adenosine levels increase. NITRIC OXIDE ENHANCES TRANSMITTER RELEASE AT THE MAMMALIAN NEUROMUSCULAR JUNCTION VIA A CGMP-MEDIATED MECHANISM


The emergence of specialization remains a true challenge. Suppose a world initially filled with specialized and generalist agents, and let's define these later as able to endorse the various competences characterizing the specialists and to endorse them as well as the specialists. In an evolutionary perspective, it is obvious to see why a specialist will always be less adapted than a generalist, which can indeed alternatively act as many experts. The generalists will meet much more agents and much more situations to which they are adapted to and then cumulate much more payoff (unless the tasks done by generalists are systematically of pitiful quality). This is indeed a paradox to face in order to make sense of a world nonetheless full of specialists. This paper will discuss various ways, beyond the obvious possibility of unfavoring multi-specialization by paying a high cost, to allow specialists to survive the presence of generalists.


Background: Human resource is among the factors that influence the survival of organizations. It has always been considered by organization managers and officials. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between big five personality and work engagement among Malayer University staff.
Methods: This descriptive correlation study was conducted among the Malayer University staff. A total of 140 employees were selected by convenience sampling. Measurement tools in the study were: The Big Five Inventory (NEO) and Utrecht Work Engagement Scale. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation), Pearson's correlation coefficient, as well as multiple linear regressions. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS-v 22.0.
Results: Pearson correlation analysis showed that work engagement had a significant positive relationship with conscientiousness (P<0.001, r= 0.71), openness to experience (P<0.001, r= 0.78),   and extraversion (P<0.001, r= 0.76). Furthermore, a negative relationship was found between neuroticism (P<0.001, r=- 0.72), and work engagement. Multiple regression analysis also showed that extraversion (P<0.001, B= 0.29) and openness to experience (P<0.001, B= 0.27) had a positive relationship with work engagement. However, neuroticism (P<0.001, B= - 0.40) had a negative relationship with work engagement. Extraversion, openness to experience, and neuroticism were the predictive factors for work engagement and explained 40% of the variation in staff's work engagement.
Conclusions: Results indicated that neuroticism was the best predictor of work engagement and acted as a vulnerability factor. In other words, staff with stronger neuroticism have more work problems, such as low motivation and decreased performance.


We derive a complete classification of Floquet phases of interacting bosons and fermions with $U(1)$ symmetry in two spatial dimensions. According to our classification, there is a one-to-one correspondence between these Floquet phases and rational functions $\ensuremath{\pi}(z)=a(z)/b(z)$, where $a(z)$ and $b(z)$ are polynomials obeying certain conditions and $z$ is a formal parameter. The physical meaning of $\ensuremath{\pi}(z)$ involves the stroboscopic edge dynamics of the corresponding Floquet system: in the case of bosonic systems, $\ensuremath{\pi}(z)=\frac{p}{q}\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}(z)$, where $\frac{p}{q}$ is a rational number that characterizes the flow of quantum information at the edge during each driving period and $\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}(z)$ is a rational function which characterizes the flow of $U(1)$ charge at the edge. A similar decomposition exists in the fermionic case. We also show that $\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}(z)$ is directly related to the time-averaged $U(1)$ current that flows in a particular geometry. This $U(1)$ current is a generalization of the quantized current and quantized magnetization density found in previous studies of noninteracting fermionic Floquet phases.


In the canine liver ${}^{241}{\rm Am}({\rm III})$ is distributed ubiquitously at the subcellular level. Significant concentrations were measured in the hepatic connective tissue, the nuclear fracti...


In France, city councils have always played a vital role in maintening public health and adhere to laws governing this sector; these laws are skill valid today. The decentralization process begun in 1982 is designed to redefine the roles of the state, geographic sub-divisions and city councils. The latter have been given the task of developing health promotional campaigns tailored to the needs of the particular area involved. The town and its districts form an ideal base for field-work taking into account the specific requirements of the inhabitants which in turn depend on their social and cultural characteristics; true coordination of the activities of all workers in this field (health professionnels or other workers) is also made possible at this scale. Nevertheless, many problems are encountered: the French health system is complex because both public and private sectors coexist, health workers are reluctant to relinguish their power, social and education workers are reticent as they are not familiar with this field and fear that the social context will become «medicalised». Another problem encountered is the difficulty in mobilizing inhabitants, only a few associations succeed in this respect.


To crystallize hydrogenated amorphous silicon films on glass substrates, pulsed Ti-sapphire laser radiation is used, with a pulse duration less than 30 fs. The initial films are grown by plasmaenhanced chem� icalvapor deposition at the temperatures 200 and 250°C. The structural properties of the initial films and films treated with laser radiation pulses are studied by Raman spectroscopy. The conditions for complete crystallization of the films grown on glass substrates to thicknesses of up to 100 nm and hydrogen content of up to 20 at % are established. The conditions provide the fabrication of highly homogeneous films by scanning laser treatments. It is found that, if the hydrogen content in the film is 30-40 at %, the crystallization is an inhomogeneous process and laser ablation is observed in some areas of the films.


allowed the Repository to complete the inventory required by the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, make improvements to its facility, and begin an inventory of the collection, in-cluding the federally owned share. The cooperative agreement, while it has benefitted all parties in-volved, could be changed to improve cooperation and administration. This paper examines the cooperative agreement between the federal agencies and the to meet the requirements of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation and federal


The electrostatic field and the potential distributions between a pair of spherical electrodes having unequal diameters are calculated using the charge simulation method when symmetric (+ V/2 and -V/2) and asymmetric (V and 0) voltages are applied across the gap. The variation of the electric field and the potential along the shortest distance between the spheres are studied over a wide range of sphere diameters (ratio 0. 1 to 50) and a range of gap separation to sphere radius (ratio 0.05 to 100). The present results are compared with those previously determined in a restricted range of diameter ratios, using a finite difference method for solving the Laplace equation. Good agreement is obtained.


In this paper, we introduce the design notes and procedures for clamp protection circuit and provide a design case of typical clamp protection circuit.Then, we analyze the design of heat sink and draw some valuable conclusions.


Summary Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity has been localized in the primary neurons of the adhesive papillae of Ciona intestinalis and Phallusia mammillata larvae using the histochemical staining method described by Karnovsky and Roots (1964) after short fixation. The shape and cell structure of the papillae and the arrangement of primary neurons are different in the two species. Anterior truncation caused by RA or retinol suppresses the differentiation of the papillae and of papillary primary neurons, but combined treatment with retinol and citral can rescue the formation of rather normal papillae with AChE positive primary neurons. The AChE staining method has proved to be a useful tool in revealing differences in the cellular structure of adhesive papillae of the two species and to investigate the differentiation of anterior ectodermal structures.


Integration of metamaterial and nonvolatile memory devices with tunable characteristics is an enthusing area of research. Designing a unique nanoscale prototype to achieve a metasurface with reliable resistive switching properties is an elusive goal. We demonstrate a method to exploit the advantages of a phase-change material (PCM) as a metamaterial light absorber and a nanoscale data storage device. We designed and simulated a metamaterial perfect absorber (MPA) that can be reconfigured by adjusting the visible light properties of a chalcogenide-based PCM. The suggested perfect absorber is based on a Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST) film, and is tuned between two distinct states by heat treatment. Furthermore, we fabricated and characterized a resistive switching memory (ReRAM) device with the same features. The MPA/ReRAM device with a conventional metal/dielectric/metal structure (Ag/GST/Al2O3/Pt) consisted of arrays of Ag squares patterned on a GST thin film and an alumina-coated Pt mirror on a glass substrate. Based on the numerical data, amorphous GST showed perfect absorbance in the visible spectrum, whereas, crystalline GST showed broadband perfect absorbance. The fabricated ReRAM device exhibited uniform, bidirectional, and programmable memory characteristics with a high ON/OFF ratio for nonvolatile memory applications. The elucidated origin of the bipolar resistive switching behavior is assigned to the formation and rupture of conductive filaments.


This study aimed to analyze the prevalence of burnout and suicidal thoughts in residents of a public hospital in Goiania and to verify if there is any correlation between the two. An investigation was conducted using an analytic-descriptive cross-sectional study among 72 residents using the MBI (Malasch Burnout Inventory) and the Paykel's suicide questionnaire. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Hospital das Clinicas of GoiasFederal University, under registration number 052/2009. The results show the prevalence of burnout in 18.05% of the sample. Among the 13 subjects who displayed 'burnout', 61.53% have had suicidal thoughts. Among the other 42 with low risk for manifestation of 'burnout', 28.57% have had suicidal thoughts. This study revealed a correlation between 'burnout' and suicidal thoughts, making it necessary to draw up burnout prevention programs. Research hasbecome necessary for the understanding of burnout and its correlation tosuicidal thoughts and other psychiatric disorders.


Abstract To test our hypothesis that interferon-γ (IFN-γ) has a direct prooxidant effect on macrophage-mediated LDL oxidation behind its antioxidant effect via induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), we incubated LDL with wild-type (iNOS+/+) or iNOS knockout mouse (iNOS−/−) macrophages preincubated with IFN-γ or IFN-γ plus lipopolysaccharide (IFN-γ/LPS) for 24 h. LDL oxidation was measured in terms of formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and electrophoretic mobility. Thiol production, nitrite production, and superoxide production from macrophages were measured by using Ellman's assay, the Griess reagent, and the SOD-inhibitable cytochrome c reduction method, respectively. IFN-γ alone or combined with LPS induced iNOS expression and increased nitrite production in iNOS+/+ macrophages, but not in iNOS−/− macrophages. TBARS formation from LDL was suppressed in IFN-γ- and IFN-γ/LPS-treated iNOS+/+ macrophages but was increased in IFN-γ-treated iNOS−/− macrophages. In the presence of NG-monomethyl- l -arginine ( l -NMMA), a NOS inhibitor, the suppressive effect of IFN-γ and IFN-γ/LPS was abolished and TBARS formation was even increased to a level above that of untreated iNOS+/+ macrophage. NOC 18, an NO donor, dose dependently inhibited macrophage-mediated LDL oxidation. IFN-γ increased superoxide and thiol productions in both types of macrophages. We conclude that IFN-γ promotes macrophage-mediated LDL oxidation by stimulating superoxide and thiol production under conditions where iNOS-catalyzed NO release is restricted.


Training on Utilization of Information Communication of Technology (ICT) for Probolinggo City Home Industry (IR) players was carried out in collaboration with the Office of Women's Empowerment & Child and Population Protection (DP3AK). The material presented to IR participants aims to introduce ICT to the home industry, is able to search information using the internet, is able to calculate production costs and selling prices, is able to market products using social media, is able to make correspondence using computers and is able to create its own business profile for Submission of funding requirements. The method of implementation used was training, mentoring, and practice that was carried out for all participants. The conclusion obtained in this paper is that participants can understand the training material and can be implemented in IRs in the City of Probolinggo.


Introduction Emergency department (ED) triage regarding infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is challenging. During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in Germany, the diagnostic outcomes of critically ill patients admitted to the resuscitation room in the ED of our academic 754-bed hospital should be analyzed. Methods All resuscitation room patients between March 1st and April 15th 2020 were included in this retrospective study. Every patient with suspicion of SARS-CoV-2 infection received a pharyngeal swab for real-time polymerase chain reaction (rt-PCR), divided in the clinical subgroups of "highly suspicious for COVID-19" and "COVID-19 as differential diagnosis." All respiratory and infectious symptoms were included as at least "differential diagnosis" as an expanded suspicion strategy. Results Ninety-five patients were included (trauma n = 14, critically ill n = 81). Of 3 highly suspicious patients, 2 had rt-PCR positive pharyngeal swabs. In 39 patients, COVID-19 was defined as differential diagnosis, and 3 were positive for SARS-CoV-2. Of them, pharyngeal swabs were positive in 1 case, while in 2 cases, only tracheal fluid was rt-PCR positive while the pharyngeal swabs were negative. In one of these 2 cases, chest computed tomography (CT) was also negative for ground-glass opacities but showed a pulmonary abscess and pulmonary embolism. Conclusion We recommend an expanded suspicion strategy for COVID-19 due to unexpected diagnostic outcomes. Personal protective equipment should be used in every resuscitation room operation due to unexpected cases and initial knowledge gaps. Furthermore, tracheal fluid should be tested for SARS-CoV-2 in every intubated patient due to cases with negative pharyngeal swabs and negative chest CT.


Recent progress in the understanding of soil microbial processes at micrometric scales has created a need for models that accurately predict the microscale distribution of water, and the location of air–water interfaces in pores. Various models have been developed and used for these purposes, but how well they fare against real data has yet largely to be determined. In this context, for the first time, this article compares the prediction of two of these models to experimental data obtained on soil material. The distribution of water and air in soil samples constituted of repacked aggregates, equilibrated at three matric potentials (−0.5 kPa, −1 kPa and −2 kPa), was measured via synchrotron X-ray computed tomography at a resolution of 4.6 μm. Water distribution was simulated by a two-phase lattice Boltzmann model (LBM) and a morphological model (MOSAIC). Results indicate that, when one lifts the assumption, motivated by capillary theory, that a pore can drain only if a connecting pore is already full of air, MOSAIC gives an acceptable approximation of the observed air–water interfaces. However, discretization of pores as geometrical primitives causes interfaces predicted by MOSAIC to have nonphysical shapes. By contrast, LBM is able to predict remarkably well the location of air–water interfaces. Nevertheless, given the huge difference in computing time (minutes versus tens of hours) required to run these two models, it is recommended that further research be carried out on the development of both, in parallel. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.


The present paper makes a research on the liquid exhaustive from dye plants in hoping to test the method of treating water soluble dyes with resin. So far as we know, little report can be found in the journals and magazines on such methods except for a few kinds of new synthesized absorbents brought by Bunker for static adsorption experiments. Based on the interaction property between polymer flocculant and dye, nitroguanidine has been used to modify the macroporous resin intermediates. As a result, carbamidine is found in the new product by the examination of IR and the chlorine content can be remarkably reduced through the reaction, which shows the taking place of the reaction. The performance of batch adsorption of five kinds of water soluble dyes onto resin NKZ has been investigated in detail thermodynamically and kinetically. NKZ has proved to exhibit effective adsorption for the water soluble dyes with its adsorption capacity and rate constant of KN R onto NKZ being greater than those of other four dyes. The experiment also indicates that NKZ has good adsorptive performance for KN R, whose physical adsorption can be taken as the Van der waals force between molecules. On the other hand, its chemical adsorption may include the shifting of electrons, the rearrangement of the atoms, their bond form split, etc. As to the Δ G 0 of the physical adsorption, it is also less than that of chemical adsorption. Thus it can be calculated from the constant gained through the nonlinear regression of three parameter equation that the first layer adsorption of dyes onto NKZ involves both physical and chemical adsorption. However, the multi layer is just physical adsorption. While KN R is taken as an example for the study of the effect of the temperature on the adsorption, Δ H 0 and Δ S 0 of the reaction under different temperatures has proved positive. That means that the adsorption is endothermic and, in turn, can take place automatically. The apparent activation of the energy gained from kinetic curves of different temperature is 32.47 kJ/mol, thus indicating there may exist some serious energy barrier in the adsorption. Though the first layer adsorption of KN R onto NKZ can be physical adsorption as well as chemical in nature, the chemical one remains predominant, especially at high temperatures.


There is an old saying in real estate that the 3 most important features about a property for sale are "location, location, and location." In medicine, an equivalent aphorism for the best way to avoid legal problems is "document, document, and document."


In situ studies of the isothermal crystallization of an amorphous alloy (NiZr/sub 2/) have been performed using time-resolved x-ray diffraction, with a time resolution as short as 3 ms. In the temperature range studied (628--680 K), a transient structural precursor is present during the crystallization. The maximum volume fraction reached by this precursor during crystallization increases with the rate of crystallization.


The dependence of the formation of surface roughness in Si on the incident angle of the Cs+ primary ion in secondary ion mass spectrometry is reported. No ripples formed in the analytical crater bottom when the primary ion incident angle was from 0° to 30° for sputtered depths of less than 4 μm, but ripples were observed when the incident angle was from 45° to 75°. The depth of ripple formation became shallower with the incident angle increasing. Cross sections of ripples observed by a scanning electron microscope and a transmission electron microscope suggest that ripples grow by forming facets from those plane faces with the largest sputtering rates so that the shapes of the facets remain constant during sputtering.


Active contours or snakes, are a group of image segmentation methods based on the idea of energy-minimizng curves. In this paper classical snake model with added Balloon Force is modified, granting it the capability of performing object segmentation task on data with unlimited number of channels. Thanks to introduction of novel component, named the Guiding Energy, into the classical active contour energy functional, the method is now capable of focusing on the objects which posses a specified features provided to the model.


To those who may have reaped pleasure and benefit from the reading of previous editions of Dr. Powell's work on diseases of the lungs it will not be necessary to do more than record the fact that the new edition is excellent reading and quite up to date as regards treatment, etc. In the preface to this edition there occurs a sentence which may well be taken to heart in these 'microbic' days:?"The author has strenuously endeavoured to withdraw the attention from the too exclusively ' microbic' view of phthisis, which practitioners and through them the public are coming to hold. "While too much importance cannot be attached to bacteriological examination in cases of obscurity or doubt, yet in the run of cases of phthisis no information whatever


Is re-breathe diffusing capacity better than single breath inemphysema patients?We readthearticletitled"acomparisonofsinglebreathandre-breathe diffusing capacity in emphysema patients and controls"with great interest (Weingarten et al., 2012). In this study theauthors found that the DLCO measured by single breath method(DLCO-SB) is less than that measured by re-breathe technique(DLCO-RB) in patients having emphysema. However, we feel thatDLCO-RB may be an overestimation of actual transfer of gases. It isknown thatemphysemacauseshypoxiamainlyduetoventilation-perfusion mismatch and hence, suggests reduced transfer of gasesin emphysema patients. The median DLCO in this study is 80%predicted suggesting more than 50% of emphysema patients hadnormal DLCO. Considering the severity of COPD patients includedin the study, we feel that DLCO-RB probably measured falsely highvalues.


We show with a model that variation in environmental stress between generations facilitates the evolution of stress resistance through assortative mating. Stress induces delayed maturation of susceptible phenotypes, segregating their fertile period from resistant phenotypes. Assortment of mates enhances the responsiveness of populations to natural selection by inflating genetic variance. Thus, positive selection and inflated genetic variance in stressful environments can cause a strong evolutionary increase in resistance. By contrast, benign environments do not segregate phenotypes, and the random mating among phenotypes deflates genetic variance, leading to a weaker response to selection against resistance, assuming that resistance is costly. When environments vary randomly from benign to stressful, populations respond asymmetrically to negative and positive selection. This asymmetry (1) accelerates fixation of a resistance allele if resistance is generally favoured (stressful generations more frequent) but delays the loss of the allele if it is generally disfavoured (benign generations more frequent), and (2) it can push a resistance allele to fixation even when long-term costs modestly exceed benefits. When resistance alleles pleiotropically delay mating, stress-induced random mating has complementary effects. Serial autocorrelation in the stressor amplifies these effects. These results suggest a novel mechanism for the persistence of resistance polymorphisms.


Abstract The isoseismals of shallow earthquakes in New Zealand exhibit three classes of intensity decay with distance, each characteristic of a particular geographical region. The calculation of the likely intensity at any place due to an earthquake whose location and magnitude are specified uses an empirical formula appropriate to the region in which the shock is located, and also the ellipticity of the isoseismals, a parameter which varies throughout the country. The formula for deep earthquakes incorporates the offset of the isoseismals from the epicentre and their ellipticity, both modelled as functions of focal depth. The calculation of intensity has a standard error of about one unit and is a useful tool for estimation of earthquake risk.


Setaria sphacelata is an aggressive perennial grass of arid tropical habitats around the globe. It prefers very warm climate and is restricted to these tropical environments. It was studied for its growth and herbage yield during early summer in 2003. Grass nursery of this plant was raised through its stubbles on a site having sandy loam to loam soil with a pH of 7.85 in plot size 1m x 3m. The experiment was carried out in complete randomized design with four replications. Four clipping stages i.e. CS1, CS2, CS3 and CS4 (clipped after 1, 2, 3 and 4 months, respectively) were studied. Data on morphological characters and herbage yield were recorded with delayed clipping stages (plant maturity), plant height, tiller density and basal circumference of the grass increased (P<0.05) while its leaf to stem ratio showed a decline. Herbage yield (fresh biomass, dry matter yield and organic matter yield) of the grass increased (P<0.05) as grass reached maturity. At later stage of plant maturity, the grass had lower vegetative parts than at the early stages of plant maturity. This study concluded that in order to get optimum biomass and sustained grass vigor; three months clipping stage should be recommended on this grass species.


A rubber asphalt waterproof sheet for hybrid waterproofing purpose is provided to promote unification and to form a waterproofing membrane layer evenly by improving the binding strength of a rubber asphalt layer and a waterproofing membrane layer and to be attached directly to a base plane with excellent self-adherence without using primer, and a hybrid waterproofing structure is provided to maximize waterproofing efficiency by completing a double hybrid waterproofing layer. A rubber asphalt waterproof sheet(S) for hybrid waterproofing purpose is formed by attaching a synthetic resin film(30) on a rubber asphalt layer(20), and forming a primary primer coating layer(40) by coating the synthetic resin film with primer. Hereon fiber cloth and a secondary primer coating layer are formed to increase the adhesive strength between the rubber asphalt layer and the synthetic resin film and an adhesive layer(10) is formed below the rubber asphalt layer to redouble self-adherence of the rubber asphalt waterproof sheet. The hybrid waterproofing structure is formed by attaching a rubber asphalt waterproof sheet on a base plane using adhesive strength of an adhesive layer after removing release paper, and forming a waterproofing membrane layer by applying waterproofing membrane on a primary primer coating layer of the rubber asphalt waterproof sheet. Therefore the rubber asphalt layer and the waterproofing membrane layer are coupled with each other by a synthetic resin film and a primary primer coating layer to complete a double hybrid waterproofing structure.


LS2 is the logic to reason about the property of trusted computing. However, it lacks the capability of modeling the isolation provided by virtualization which is often involved in previous trusted computing system. With the support of changed LS2, we model three types of isolation. Moreover, we formally analyze the integrity measurement property of Trust Visor proposed recently which provides the isolated execution environment for security-sensitive code.


Objective To explore the relationship of blood volume changes and postoperative delirium in elderly patients undergoing surgery for hip fracture.Methods One hundred and fifty elderly patients who underwent surgery for hip fracture were enrolled in the study.Delirium was diagnosed by Confusion Assessment Method(CAM).Preoperative,intraoperative and postoperative data were collected,and the correlation of postoperative delirium and blood volume changes were analyzed by logistic regression analysis.Results A total of 59 patients(28 males and 31 females)had delirium after surgery and the occurrence rate of postoperative delirium was 39.3% (59/150).The average age in delirium group was significantly older than that in the control group[ (77.71 ±6.63)years old vs(73.79 ±5.42) years old,t =-3.958,P <0.001 ].The average hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit in delirium group were both less than that in control group whether before surgery or at 7 days after surgery( before surgery:average hemoglobin concentration:[ ( 117.80 ± 16.59)g/L vs( 123.92 ±14.61 ) g/L,t =2.378,P =0.019; hematocrit:(0.355 ± 0.154) vs(0.372 ± 0.210),t =2.291,P =0.023 ;7days after surgery:average hemoglobin concentration:(98.15 ± 11.51 ) g/L vs ( 102.33 ± 9.88 ) g/L,t =2.369,P =0.019; hematocrit:(0.296 ± 0.040 ) vs (0.306 ± 0.030),t =-3.958,P < 0.001 ].There was no significant difference on gender,fracture type,surgical approach,operative time,blood loss and hemoglobin concentration at 1,3 days after surgery between the two groups( P >0.05 ).Logistic regression analysis showed that age ( OR 3.280 ),education ( OR 0.389 ),and hemoglobin concentration at 7 days after operration ( OR 1.097) were significantly related to the occurrence of postoperative delirium ( P < 0.05 ).Conclusion Our findings suggest that the risk for postoperative delirium is the result of more than one factor.Older age,continued postoperative low hemoglobin concentration and low degree of education present high risk of delirium in patients underwent surgery for hip fractures.

Key words:
Postoperative delirium; Hip fracture; Blood volume changes; Logistic regression analysis


Global warming and change in climate triggers to combat the feeding need of the population, seed represent the basic requirement for a quality plant material. The present research was carried out in 2021 at Horticulture Garden Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam to assess the effect of different nutrients application on seed germination of marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) The present study was conducted to evaluate effect of different nutrients application on seed germination of marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) Therefore, the seeds of marigold were emersed in 1% solution of ammonium sulphate ((NH4)2SO4), boric acid (H3BO3), and potassium nitrate (KNO3) to get the accuracy of seed germination. Results revealed that maximum seed germination percentage (85.27%), germination rate of index (83.84), coefficient of velocity germination (2.96), mean germination time (12.73), mean germination rate (44.45), germination index (1.55), final germination percentage (1.23%), first day of germination percentage (74.61), last day of germination (13.23) and time spread germination (14.40) was observed when 1% potassium nitrate was applied and followed by boric acid {seed germination percentage (59.20%), germination rate of index (54.93), coefficient of velocity germination (24.13), mean germination time (8.84), mean germination rate (36.20), germination index (1.04), final germination percentage (3.10), first day of germination percentage (74.36), last day of germination (15.16) and time spread germination (11.90)} while the minimum results were recorded in control with mineral water seed germination percentage (18.28%), germination rate of index (3.26), coefficient of velocity germination (0.73), mean germination time (2.70), mean germination rate (11.00), germination index (0.32), final germination percentage (10.43), first day of germination percentage (37.35), last day of germination (15.06) and time spread germination (4.83) and Pearson correlation (r) exhibited a strong positive correlation observed in MGR with CVG=0.4482, FDP=0.3696, G=0.4554, GI=0.4551, GP=0.4499 and GRI=0.3766-). This study showed that seed is directly related with germination and germination-related traits. It has a great positive impact on crop yield.


In this study, the impact of various temperatures (25 °C, 45 °C, and 55 °C) on q235 steel specimens was studied to analyze the influence on the morphology and corrosion resistance of modified boron nitride nanosheets incorporated into the phosphate coating. The morphology and surface modification of the coating were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). SEM results showed that the S-45 steel sample produced a higher number of nucleation sites and reduced grain size with a denser, more robust, and more corrosion-resistant phosphate coating compared to the S-25 and S-55 samples, respectively. The potentiodynamic polarization results demonstrate that the S-45 steel sample exhibited the best corrosion resistance performance with an electric current density of 5.48 × 10−8 A/cm2, an order of magnitude lower than the S-25 and S-55 samples, respectively. The coating weight results showed that the S-45 steel specimen achieved the densest and most uniform coating (32.14 g/m2).


Technology changes affect the rules and beliefs that have been well accepted by a community or society. When market and product uncertainties are high, not only technological knowledge but the social, economic and political environment will determine the evolution result of technological change. Therefore, how firms react for the change has become a critical managerial issue for firms' survival. By scheduling the timeline of academic research development and dividing past related literatures into six schools, it helps to understand the evolution of academic research. Moreover, the research develops conceptual framework to exam the causal relationship between technological change and technological regime. Three theoretical propositions implies that changes in scientific paradigm affect the usage of technology, and the technologies will interact with a specific environment as technological regime that determine the evolution result. This research adopts history and case study as research method strategies. Cases of WiMAX and LTE are characterized in developing wireless technologies and the evolution result is ambiguous. It fits the research objectives and questions for empirically examine the theoretical propositions. The empirical results indicate that the conceptual framework and theoretical propositions are sound. Changes in scientific paradigm influence usage of technologies. It will interact with technological regime that determines evolution result. The dimensions of technological regime and results of scenario planning can be the reference for mangers in practical.


Article history: The Lanjiagou Mo deposit i Received 15 October 2008 Received in revised form 15 December 2008 Accepted 4 January 2009 Available online 7 January 2009