COVID-19 has had a significant impact on morbidity and mortality in South Africa. This study aims to identify risk factors, including occupation, for SARS-CoV-2 infection, hospital admission, and mortality within the Government Employees Medical Scheme population across the three pandemic waves. This is a retrospective cohort study. The study population consisted of 760 000 principal members of the scheme. Demographic data and claims information were used to identify age, income, province, occupation, and pre-existing chronic conditions. The incidence and adjusted relative risk for infections were higher in people younger than the 40−49 age group; however, intensive care unit admissions and deaths increased with age; and a lower adjusted relative risk for infections and hospital admission. Males had a higher adjusted relative risk for intensive care admissions and mortality. The incidence and adjusted relative risk for infections and intensive care admissions increased with increasing income quintile; however, deaths were similar across all income quintiles. This study confirms that older age, male gender, occupation and comorbidities are associated with COVID-19 infection, hospital admissions, intensive care admissions, and death. Females were more likely to be infected; however, males had a high risk for intensive care admission and death. The highestrisk occupations for COVID-19 infection are Health, Correctional Services and Police Services. The reduced relative risk in Wave 3 among healthcare workers was likely to have been attributable to their access to protective vaccination as well infection in previous waves.


Standardization of domestic camphor was worked out to meet the requirement of the production and market as a forestry-industrial standard.The standard specified appearance,character,odor,specifications, test and analytical methods,functional additives,shapes,sizes,packing,marking,storing,transportation,sanitation,and management,and the standard is the same for domestic camphor products made of synthetic or natural camphor in different shapes.The analytical and examination methods were established in which GC was the main for the identification and distinguishing of the domestic camphor.Then,the specifications such as camphor content,density,etc.and their value ranges were studied and confirmed.At the same time,the test and analytical methods for sophistication and the sophisticated impurities were also investigated.


Recent years have shown a vital synergism between numerical and perturbative approaches in the context of Cauchy evolution. In this work we try to make these benefits also accessible in the context of null-surface-based evolution. We treat the "close-limit" approximation to the post-merger phase of a binary black hole spacetime in terms of the characteristic initial value problem. We outline a framework to treat the Teukolsky equation 2 in a null evolution setting, and our numerical strategy to solve the perturbative problem in the time domain. A detailed discussion and results for the outgoing radiation problem are given in , the details of the ingoing radiation problem will be treated in a forthcoming paper . We apply our method to evolve "close-limit" horizon data, which we obtain from linearizing the data discussed in . There we use Bondi-Saschs coordinates, which simplify to Israel coordinates in the spherical case, which are based on an affine parameter u along the white hole horizon, normalized to u = 0 at the bifurcation sphere, and an affine parameter λ along the outgoing null cones, fixed to λ = 0 at the white hole horizon and (∂u)(∂aλ) = −1). These coordinates cover the entire Kruskal manifold r > 0 with remarkably simple analytic behavior, as first discovered by Israel . Using these convenient coordinates as a starting point, it is straightforward to write the Teukolsky equations explicitly in any background coordinate system. In order to treat the radiation near I it is advantageous to consider a "boosted tetrad" (l̃, ñ,m, m̄) with l̃ = −∇ũ, ñ satisfying l̃ña = −1 and a dyad m = 1 √


One of the most hotly discussed topics in the field of eating disorder treatment today is defining what sets eating disorder practice, and practitioners, apart within the field of mental health practice. Research points to the manualized cognitive-behavioral approach as the sole "best practice" methodology for eating disorder treatment, though studies show that the vast majority of practitioners do not follow these protocols as prescribed. In seeking successful treatment outcomes, my own professional experience in treating eating disorders for the past 4 decades has demonstrated that the most effective approach to the treatment of eating disorders is an integrative one (always securely rooted in cognitive-behavioral therapy) that combines diverse interventions best adapted to accommodate the ever-changing requirements of patients, families, and the treatment moment. Prerequisite to an effective, unified, and systematic approach to caregiving is recognition on the part of this specialty field, including the medical, mental health, and nutritional professionals who comprise it, that certain distinct characteristics wholly unique to these disorders and the patients who suffer from them set their treatment requirements apart from generic practice. The following 10 elements describe some of the uniquely fundamental challenges we as practitioners face, offering guidelines for meeting these challenges through mindful practice and a purposeful and versatile use of the practitioner's self.


Cu ions doped to ZnGeF6 · 6H2O substitute the host Zn ions and undergo a strong Jahn–Teller effect producing nearly axial elongation of the Cu(H2O)6 octahedra with equal population of the three possible deformations at low temperatures as shown by the EPR spectra. Reorientations between these distorted configurations are observed as a continuous shift of EPR lines leading to averaging of the gand A-tensors. The full averaging is observed at the phase transition temperature 200 K. Electron spin relaxation was measured up to 45 K only, where the electron spin echo signal was detectable. Electron spin–lattice relaxation is governed by the Raman two-phonon process allowing to determine the Debye temperature as ΘD = 99 K. There is no contribution of the Jahn–Teller dynamics to the spin–lattice relaxation rate. Electron spin echo decay is strongly modulated by dipolar coupling to the H and F nuclei. The phase memory time is governed by instantaneous diffusion at helium temperatures and then by spin–lattice relaxation processes and excitation to the first vibronic level of energy ∆ = 151 cm−1.


The analytical method of dilinoleoyl-phosphatidylcholine was studied in this paper.The phosphatidylcholine was separated out from phospholipid by HPLC.The dilinoleoyl-phosphatidylcholine was futher separated out from the phosphati-dylcholine by another HPLC system.Qualitative analysis of dilinoleoyl-phosphatidylcholine was completed with the aid of standard sample and MS(mass spectrum).Finally quantitative analysis of dilinoleoyl-phosphatidylcholine was completed with the aid of standard sample.It was known by tests of method reclamation and precision that the method is accurate,reliable,and handy in the analysis of dilinoleoyl-phosphatidylcholine from phospholipid or phosphatidyl-choline.


This paper constructs a panel regression model based on the data of 30 provinces in China (excluding Tibet) from 2011 to 2019, and gradually adds control variables for regression. Finally, we use the robustness test of replacing the core explanatory variables to verify the impact of the technological innovation on the total factor productivity. The results show that the technological innovation significantly improves the total factor productivity. This paper also uses the mediating effect model. Stepwise regression analysis is used to test the relationship between the technological innovation and the total factor productivity in the industrial structure upgrading. The results show that the technological innovation significantly promotes the total factor productivity through the intermediary of the industrial structure upgrading. Finally, this paper puts forward some policy recommendations, such as increasing the R&D investment and accelerating the industrial transformation and upgrading.


Many companies globally are now using barrier diagrams as a key tool for risk management during operations – and this has been approved by regulators. Traditional risk assessments focus on design issues – separation distances, blast and fire hazards, emergency isolation system specification, risk tolerance, etc. The barrier approach focuses instead on critical activities necessary to prevent or mitigate threats from becoming major accidents. It does this based on the Swiss Cheese model – where each slice is a barrier and the holes represent its effectiveness. Barriers can be hardware, people or systems. These diagrams have threats on the left and document all the prevention controls, a central hazardous event – usually a loss of containment, and all the mitigation and recovery controls on the right side. They are often called bow-tie diagrams as the figure has that classic shape. Communications of barriers and their ownership is essential to ensure that critical barriers are operational, meet their effectiveness requirements, and that everyone from operators, contractors to site management knows these. Bow tie software can generate very useful large scale diagrams, showing all the threats, the barriers, their effectiveness, and color coded for ownership. However these can get complicated and large scale drawings and paper reports are poor tools for ongoing communication and regular updating. The paper describes the development of a web-based solution, using Sharepoint 2007, Microsoft's standard knowledge management tool, that takes the bow tie database and converts this into a format accessible to everyone. On a basic level this provides on everyone's desk a full hazard and risk register, the full list of controls for user selectable facilities, and documentation of outstanding actions to enhance barriers. At a more sophisticated level this tool has been further developed to customize the presentation to show the barriers relevant to the person sign-on, their outstanding actions, and their HSE KPI achievements. A case study is presented for a gas facility in the Middle East.


Objective:To explore the effect of dexamethasone on the serum estradiol level of polycystic ovarian syndrome(PCOS) patients undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation(COH) in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer(IVF-ET) cycle.Methods:26 patients with PCOS who failed in pregnancy in the first IVF-ET cycle with a low level of estradiol and serum luteinizing hormone(LH) level over 1.2 IU/L were selected,the first 26 IVF-ET cycles were designed as group A and the second 26 IVF-ET cycles were designed as group B,the latter were asked to take dexamethasone(1.5 mg/d) orally from the first day of gonadotropin injection(Gn) to the day of oocytes aspiration during.The level of serum estradiol on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin(HCG) injection and IVF-ET outcome parameters were compared.Results:The level of serum estradiol and the ratio of estradiol level to the number of follicles with diameter over 14 mm in group B were significantly higher than those in group A(P0.05).11 cases(11/26,41.44%) became clinical pregnancy in group B,but no pregnancy occurred in group A,There was no significant difference in the number of oocytes,the number of maturation oocytes, fertilization rate and cleavage rate between group A and group B(P0.05).In group B,all patients could tolerate dexamethasone, without adverse reactions.Conclusion:Dexamethasone can improve the low level of estradiol in PCOS patients with the LH level over 1.2IU / L,and increase the pregnancy rate of IVF-ET.


With the adjustment of the energy structure system, the proportion of new energy generation such as wind power and photovoltaic (PV) is increasing, and the forecasting technology for new energy loads such as wind power and PV has become a common concern for grid development and planning. Unlike wind power generation, PV output is coupled with more factors, and its cyclicality and volatility are more significant. For PV power forecasting, the data mining analysis of the PV plant itself is more important than the forecasting algorithm, because the accuracy of the forecasting result is not only related to the model, but also depends on the variables input to the model. This paper proposes a correlation analysis of PV plant data to address the above issues. Firstly, the periodic and fluctuating characteristics of PV power generation are systematically and intuitively described from the PV plant data itself, then the data types of PV plants are described from three aspects: data sources, time scale and spatial scale. Finally, the Pearson correlation coefficient is used to correlate the data, and the impact of sampling granularity on PV output forecasting is pointed out, providing a theoretical basis for PV forecasting work


~The prevalence of hydropericardium syndrome (HPS) was studied in broilers of 3-5 weeks age from 10·poultry farms around Faisa labad. The source of feed and managemental conditions did not influence the course of severity of the ~_ disease. The liver suspension prepared from field cases of HPS, when inoculated in 10 days old, 20 embryonating eggs caused 100% stunted growth and mortality. In day-old broiler chicks, immunosuppression was achieved by application of colchicine for four consecutive days to the bursa of Fabricius on the cloacal lips. The colchicine treated chicks when challenged with liver suspension of HPS cases showed 90% mortality as against 10% in untreated chicks and zero per cent in untreated unchallenged chicks. Increased mortality was related to immunosuppression caused by colchicine. making the chicks more vulnerable to the causal agent of HPS. The pathological lesions in dead chicks showed distension of pericardial sacs with fluid. The hearts were flabby and showed haemorrhages on the epicardium. Microscopically. there were degenerative changes in the myocardial fibres along with cellular infiltration. Grossly, the livers were enlarged. swollen and mottled in appearance. Histologically there was massive necrosis. dilatation of sinusoid and presence of. basophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies in the hepatocytes. The kidneys were pale in colour and swollen which under microscope showed degenerative changes in 'the epithelial cells of tubules. Deposits of urates were encountered INTRODUCIlON Hydropericardium syndrome (HPS) was first recognized in Angara Goth near Karachi, Pakistan, in late 1987. Within a year. diagnoses of HPS were made in most of the intensive broiler growing areas located near the main urban centers of Pakistan. The first cases of HPS occurred in broilers aged 3-5 weeks with flock mortality exceeding 50%. There were no characteristic clinical signs, but on postmortem examination. the accumulation of up to 10 ml straw-coloured fluid in the pericardial sac differentiated this condition from other endemic infections recognized by field diagnosticians. In addition. focal hepatic necrosis was observed in affected broilers. Originally, the syndrome was attributed to either a toxicity or nutritional deficiency. Possible causes included mycotoxins, toxic fat agent. polychlorinated biphenyl. sodium, chloride. chlordane and phytotoxins, all of which are associated with hydropericardium. Concurrently a virus was suggested as the possible cause based on the observation that the disease could be reproduced by injecting young broilers with a bacteria-free liver homogenate from affected birds. It was also noted that crude vaccines comprising supematant from liver homogenates treated with formalin, provided protection against challenge under experimental conditions.


Abstract Artificial neural networks are forms of artificial intelligence that learn correlative patterns between input and output information without a specific model. Then, they use the learned re...


www.rand.org Better Methods of Analyzing Cost Uncertainty Can Improve Acquisition Decisionmaking Cost estimation is a process that attempts to forecast the future expenditures for some capital asset, hardware, service, or capability. Despite being a highly quantitative fi eld, cost estimation and the values it predicts are uncertain. An estimate is a possible or likely outcome, but not necessarily the outcome that will actually transpire. Th is uncertainty arises because estimators do not have perfect information about future events and the validity of assumptions that underpin an estimate. Uncertainty may result from an absence of critical technical information, the presence of new technologies or approaches that do not have historical analogues for comparison, the evolution of requirements, or changes in economic conditions. Th e Offi ce of the Secretary of Defense and the military departments have historically underestimated and underfunded the cost of buying new weapon systems (e.g., by more than 40 percent at Milestone II). Much of this cost growth is thought to be the result of unforeseen (but knowable) circumstances when the estimate was developed. In the interest of generating more informative cost estimates, the Air Force Cost Analysis Agency and the Air Force cost analysis community want to formulate and implement a cost uncertainty analysis policy. To help support this eff ort, RAND Project AIR FORCE (PAF) studied a variety of cost uncertainty assessment methodologies, examined how these methods and policies relate to a total portfolio of programs, and explored how risk information can be communicated to senior decisionmakers in a clear and understandable way. PAF recommends that any cost uncertainty analysis policy refl ect the following:


This study aims to describe, explore, and analyze the local wisdom of noken as a symbol of Papuan culture which holds a significant religious-spiritual meaning for the Papuan. It employed a qualitative research design, relying on primary data from interviews and observations of women who produce and use noken within Papuan society. The participants are those who play influential roles in the community, such as religious and community figures, and the experts noken production. The findings revealed that noken is a vital aspect of Papuan life, serving as a vessel and source of life that embodies religious-spiritual values. It is widely regarded as a symbol of God's love for the people of Papua, instilling a sense of faith and hope in the Creator. Furthermore, noken is also considered to be a second womb, as infants are placed in noken for growth and development until they begin crawling. In addition, a specific type of noken is crafted for children to promote honesty. For generations, noken has been an integral part of Papuan life, passed down and taught as a crucial aspect of life. Therefore, it is considered a symbolic representation of God's inclusion and preservation of Papuan life. The Papuan ancestors used to be explorers who inhabited the island and utilized the regional language of the tribes, Ugatame, to teach the art of noken weaving. It serves as a reminder that God is the Creator of the heavens, the earth, and humans, and that they are made within His image.


The eudialyte group of complex Na, Ca, Zr silicates encompasses a wide range of compositions in which all the main elements Si, Zr, Ca, Fe and Na vary, and many relatively minor elements such as Mn, REE, Sr Nb, K, Y and Ti are present. For most members of the group the empirical formula is Na 15 [M(1)] 6 [M(2)] 3 Zr 3 [M(3)](Si 25 O 73 )(O,OH,H 2 O) 3 (Cl,F,OH) 2 and the best method of formula calculation is on the basis of 29 (Si, Al, Zr Ti, Hf, Nb, W, Ta) apfu (Z = 3), which are the elements assigned to the Zr, M(3) and all Si sites in the structure. The commonest substitutions are found with the solid solution series eudialyte sensu stricto (enriched in Si, Ca, Fe and Cl) and kentbrooksite (enriched in Nb, REE, Mn and F), but recent studies show that the series extends beyond kentbrooksite to an exceptionally Ca-deficient eudialyte now named oneillite. Most eudialytes are trigonal R3m or R3m but oneillite is R3. Additional members of the group are khomyakovite and manganokhomyakovite.


This is one of the background reports of the derwent region transportation study. For the record of the final report see record no 8009ar107e. The study concentrates primarily on goods vehicle movement in the derwent region and makes only passing reference to taxis, service vehicles and business cars that are usually considered as commercial vehicles.


The Labor party of Norway, organized in January, 1927, as a result of a fusion of the Social Democrats with the former Labor party, made sweeping gains in the elections to the Storting in October last and established itself as the strongest party in the country. Gains were made also by the conservative Agrarian, or Farmer's, party; while the old Conservative party suffered heavy losses; and, in proportion to its strength, the losses of the Communists were even greater. The Radical, or Left, party, which has steadily lost ground since the war, experienced a further decline. The following tables show the votes polled by the leading parties in the elections of 1927 and 1924, and the number of their representatives in the Storting after these elections:


Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XGC) is a rare, benign, destructive inflammatory disease of the gallbladder that is assumed to be a variant of chronic cholecystitis. We herein present a rare case of XGC, which simulates gallbladder carcinoma with extensive involvement of the liver, omentum and the biliary trees. At surgery, total cholecystectomy with partial hepatectomy of the gallbladder bed and excision of adjacent xanthogranulomatous tissue was performed, but bilio‐enteric anastomosis for biliary decompression, which was the procedure preoperatively planned, was impossible to indicate because the common bile duct could not be clearly exposed by its infiltration showing mass formation. Therefore, retrograde transhepatic biliary drainage was eventually indicated for subsequent endoscopic therapy using stent placement to deal with the biliary structure caused by XGC. The patient has been leading a normal life after stent placement in the biliary tract for 6 months duration without any symptoms suggesting biliary stricture. In conclusion, XGC can simulate gallbladder cancer in its clinical presentation, radiological findings and even gross operative features. It is important to make preoperative ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspiration cytological diagnosis or intraoperative pathological diagnosis in order to avoid misdiagnosis and unnecessary therapy. Cholecystectomy, excision of adjacent xanthogranulomatous tissue, which often includes partial hepatic resection, are still the best management of XGC.


The objective was to obtain spectra from 5 to 14 micron before, during, and after the impacts. We were awarded 2 flights of the KAO which was based in Melbourne, Australia for the events. Impacts R and W were covered, and the observations were completely successful. A paper reporting the observation of water vapor is in press, and other work is in progress as limited funding permits. The text of this report is adapted from that of the Icarus paper.


Principal-agent theory takes on important meaning for constituting complete contract and preventing the action of opportunism.authors compared and analyzed three parameter principal-agent model and draw a conclusion that,Under the current institutional and market condition,The principal appraise agency's management outstanding achievement based on cash return of net asset and compare with proper standard,so the completeness degree of agency contract will increase,the agency problem of Controlling shareholders exploitation upon small shareholder or manager infringement upon outer shareholder will also be solved effectually.


An examinee-fastening device for use in an X-ray photographing apparatus including engageable support bands for firmly fastening an examinee to a bed plate, and preliminary fixing means for preliminarily fastening the examinee to the bed plate prior to engagement of the engageable support bands, thereby providing improved fastening of the examinee to the bed plate.


Abstract : GPA is the average value obtained by the student after completing a stage or a combination of more than one stage of learning outcomes assessment. GPA consists of a semester GPA, grade point average, and the Final Grade. Perstasi index can be calculated for each student in person before the actual results issued by the Campus. GPA calculation is very important to know the approximate value derived from each stage of learning outcomes assessment, so that students can take into account the value that should be obtained to obtain the IP had hoped. Microsoft Excel is a software that one of its functions is as a database. Contained in the Microsoft Excel Macro that can automate existing operator or function in Microsoft Excel. Moreover, in the Microsoft Excel also contained Excel Visual Basic for Application (VBA) that can be used to create application programs. This study examines the stages in the creation of index calculation application perstasi (IP) using Macros and VBA to assist students in performing simulation calculations perstasi index (IP) them. Keywords : GPA, Applications, Macros, Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) Abstrak : Indeks Prestasi adalah nilai rata-rata yang diperoleh mahasiswa setelah menyelesaikan satu tahapan atau kombinasi lebih dari satu tahapan penilaian hasil belajar. Indeks Prestasi terdiri dari Indeks Prestasi Semester, Indeks Prestasi Kumulatif, dan Indeks Prestasi Akhir. Indeks Perstasi tiap mahasiswa dapat dihitung sendiri sebelum hasil sebenarnya dikeluarkan oleh Kampus. Perhitungan Indeks Prestasi sangatlah penting untuk mengetahui perkiraan nilai yang didapat dari tiap tahapan penilaian hasil belajar, sehingga mahasiswa dapat memperhitungkan nilai yang harus didapat untuk memperoleh IP yang diharapkannya.  Microsoft Excel merupakan software yang salah satu fungsinya adalah sebagai basis data. Di dalam Microsoft Excel terdapat Macro yang dapat mengotomatisasi operator atau fungsi yang ada pada Microsoft Excel. Selain itu, di dalam Microsoft Excel juga terdapat Excel Visual Basic for Application (VBA) yang dapat digunakan untuk membuat program aplikasi. Penelitian ini mengkaji tahapan-tahapan yang dilakukan dalam pembuatan aplikasi perhitungan Indeks Perstasi (IP) menggunakan Macro dan VBA untuk membantu mahasiswa dalam melakukan simulasi perhitungan indeks Perstasi (IP) mereka. Kata kunci : Indeks Perstasi, Aplikasi, Macro, Visual Basic for Application (VBA)


Internal structures of the opaque poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) gel obtained at the preparation temperature (TP) higher than 24.5 °C was found to have hierarchical structures by means of a combined small-angle-scattering (CSAS) method of small-angle light scattering (SALS), ultra-small-angle neutron scattering (USANS), and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) with an aid of laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM). The combined CSAS and LSCM studies revealed that a global structure of the gels had a sponge-like two-phase structure. The polymer-rich phase of the sponge was filled with microgels having highly cross-linked network ("tight network") chains that are interconnected by loosely cross-linked network ("loose network") chains swollen with water, while the other phase of the sponge was mostly composed of water. These two phases were cocontinuous in three-dimensional space, hence, forming macroscopic gels. The SALS and USANS studies clarified that the sponge had a characteristic spacing of ≈12 μm and ...


The illness of workers through work is a serious problem and its resolution seems a difficult dream to reach, at least in upcoming times. Today, human subsistence depends mainly on labor, being its centrality in people's lives unquestionable. However, modern management techniques such as intensification of work and management by stress are destroying social relations at work. This paper aims to present a theoretical reflection about burnout as an unequivocal form of expression of one of the most serious pathologies associated with the labor settings, about burnout prevention strategies, and about the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic caused in worker's psychological state and burnout. Burnout seems to be democratized, affecting all workers, regardless of hierarchical level and professional area. Recent research shows that a decrease in mental health at work is ongoing, as well an increase in burnout during this COVID-19 era. Thus, more than ever, occupational health should play an active role in the prevention of workplace mental health.


The main purpose of the article is to consider the issues related to the digitalization of agrarian industries: the main mechanisms of support from the state in their development, the decline in labor productivity, the possibilities of wider digital implementation of innovative technologies. The authors identify the main ways and mechanisms for solving the problems of the country's agro-industrial complex development by priority stages. The National Project on the development of agro-industrial complex in Kazakhstan for 2021–2025 reflects a number of topical issues, establishing the main framework for its implementation. It is important to address the issues of modernization and diversification in the agricultural sector in order to improve the level of socio-economic development of the country. The results of modernization are reflected in the financial resources in both economic directions and generation, which affects the investment indicators. The most significant factors of modernization of the agro-industrial complex of Kazakhstan at different levels have been identified. On their basis, the key directions of agro-industrial complex development are proposed and justified. The results of the study include conclusions and points of view of modern authors-specialists in this field. Several conclusions and programs to ensure the stability of socio-economic development of the country, including regulation of food prices, are fully differentiated.


FIELD: pharmacology. SUBSTANCE: invention is a haemostatic sponge containing a base and an active substance, freeze-dried. According to the invention, the sponge, contains chitosan in acetic acid as the base and a fibrin monomer as the active substance, the components in the spongeare at a certain ratio in % by 1 litre volume. EFFECT: expansion of haemostatic sponges assortment based on a chitosan and fibrin-monomer complex with pronounced haemostatic action. 4 cl, 13 ex


Brainstem lesions are a diagnostic challenge and clinicians have to differentiate between many diseases including acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, multiple sclerosis (MS), Bickerstaff brainstem encephalitis (BBE) and brain tumors. The anti‐galactocerebroside (Gal‐C) antibody is an anti‐glycolipid antibody that is often detected in autoimmune peripheral neuropathy. However, anti‐Gal‐C antibody is rarely detected in autoimmune central nervous system diseases. Here, we report the case of an anti‐Gal‐C antibody‐positive patient who had a brainstem lesion that mimicked MS and responded to immunotherapy.


In Catalonia, no event of the last two hundred years has had the catastrophic consequences of the Republican defeat. Projects based on traditions from before the war made advances in other aspects of Catalan society as well. For most of Catalan society, the trauma of defeat, interrupting a decades-long historical trajectory, grew much larger than what might be called the trauma of the Civil War. The trauma of defeat began with the massive exodus of Spaniards and Catalans, four hundred thousand to five hundred thousand of them, who crossed the Catalan border into France. In Catalonia, Barcelona's Modelo Prison won the unenviable prize for the most lock-ups. Finally, the severe decline in birth rates due to the war also damaged Catalan society. In the end, Catalonia came out of the Civil War doubly defeated. Keywords: Catalonia; Civil War; historical trajectory; Republican defeat


Background Despite the increasing application of cardiac transplantation in infants, reported survival rates vary, and risk factors for death are poorly understood. Methods and Results To examine early survival and risk factors for death in infants (<1 year of age) undergoing cardiac transplantation, 141 infants (36 <1 month of age) underwent primary cardiac transplantation between January 1, 1993, and January 1, 1995, at 23 centers in the Pediatric Heart Transplant Study (PHTS). Diagnoses were hypoplastic left heart syndrome (66%), other congenital heart disease (17%), cardiomyopathy (14%), and other (3%). Actuarial survival after cardiac transplantation was 84% at 1 month, 70% at 1 year, and 69% at 2 years, with the greatest hazard for death within the first 3 months. The principal cause of death was early graft failure in 20 patients (52% of deaths), infection in 10 (26% of deaths), and rejection in 4 (10%). On the basis of multivariate analysis, risk factors for early mortality were history of previou...


The objective of this study was to directly compare Salmonella isolation rates from pig slaughtered after ~ 4 hours holding on slatted or solid concrete floors. Seven truckloads (replicates) of market swine (~ 120 kg) from a fully integrated farrow-to-slaughter operation were studied. At unloading, groups of pigs (15-30) were sorted to 1) no-hold (20-45 minutes waiting), 2) pens with solid concrete floors (~ 4 hours), 3) slatted concrete floors (~ 4 hours). Postmortem samples were cultured for Salmonella. Those pigs held in pens with slatted floors (63.6%) had significantly (P < 0.05) less Salmonella in their ceca than those held on solid floors (72.7%).


313737 students graduated from 6 medical colleges and universities.27296 students were admitted.There were 5087 teachers.Floor area covered 4278793 square meters.Construction area covered 2211723 square meters.The assets value of teaching and scientific researching instruments were 491.7676 million RMB Yuan.There were 3874248 books in the Libraries.However,there were still some colleges and universities not conforming to the provision in the indicator of teachers,floor area,teaching and administrative housing,students' dormitory,instrumentation of teaching and scientific research and books according to Basic School Running Conditions Instructions of Common Higher School(trial).In order to fundamentally solve the problem of medical colleges in Hebei Province,we must raise the senses of higher education,make provision and strengthen management,take effective measures to develop and bring up a qualified teachers team and improve the teachers' teaching and scientific research ability,increase investment and improve teaching infrastructures and conditions.


We investigate the luminescence distribution in the multi quantum well (MQW) region of polar III-nitride light emitting diodes (LED) operating in the blue spectral range by means of carrier transport simulations. The MQW region is modeled with an equivalent circuit. It is demonstrated that the MQW barriers primarily affect the hole transport. The electron scattering from continuum to bound quantum well states has a major impact on the electron transport. A nearly uniform luminescence distribution in the MQW region is achieved through a re-distribution of the luminescence from the n-side to the p-side QW with increasing current. We show that the re-distribution is seen through a decrease of the ideality factor in the MQW region and promoted by the asymmetry of the electron and hole transport.


The development of clinically relevant biomarkers is important for diagnosing latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and active tuberculosis (TB) and predicting their prognoses. This study examined whether the responses of multiple cytokines can be used as a biomarker to distinguish the TB infection status and mycobacterial load. We analysed the responses of multiple cytokines (IFN‐γ, IL‐2, IL‐10, IL‐13, IL‐17 and TNF‐α) in the supernatant from the QuantiFERON‐TB Gold In‐Tube assay following stimulation of whole blood from the TB group (n = 32), LTBI group (n = 19) and healthy controls (n = 30) with TB antigens (ESAT‐6, CFP‐10 and TB7.7). The median responses of IFN‐γ, IL‐2, IL‐10 and IL‐13 were higher in the LTBI and active TB groups than in the non‐TB control group (IFN‐γ, P < 0.001; IL‐2, P < 0.001; IL‐10, P = 0.012; IL‐13, P < 0.001). The median IL‐2/IFN‐γ ratio of the LTBI group was higher than that of the active TB group (P = 0.014) and differed significantly between patients with LTBI, patients with smear‐negative TB and patients with smear‐positive TB (P = 0.027). This difference was especially evident between the patients with LTBI and patients with smear‐positive TB (P = 0.047). In conclusion, IFN‐γ, IL‐2, IL‐10 and IL‐13 can serve as biomarkers for distinguishing TB infection. In addition, the IL‐2/IFN‐γ ratio appears to be a biomarker for diagnosing LTBI and may be useful as a prognostic factor and for evaluating treatment responses.


The microvoids or etch defects are occurred at the sidewall of metal line where is one of the weak points against stress induced migration (SM) and electromigration (EM). These defects result in metal line failure so that degrade reliability of metal line. Until now, sidewall hillock or sidewall defect has been reported, but the suppression method is not suggested. In this report, newly developed metal line structure by sidewall-encapsulation technique is proposed, which is to make an Al/sub 3/Ti and/or Al/sub 12/W intermetallic compound at the sidewall of metal line by deposition of Ti, TiN, or TiW on the patterned metal line. Therefore, this technique provides some advantages such as an application of Al-reflow process, the improvement of SM resistance and EM lifetime, and sidewall hillock suppression. Additionally, using AES depth profiles and SEM, the obtained results are analyzed to prove the mechanism of reliability improvement.


The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated the world in an unprecedented way, causing enormous loss of life. Time and again, public health authorities have urged people to become vaccinated to protect themselves and mitigate the spread of the disease. However, vaccine hesitancy has stalled vaccination levels in the United States. This study explores the effect of vaccine hesitancy on the spread of disease by introducing an SIRS-Vκ model, with compartments of susceptible (S), infected (I), recovered (R), and vaccinated (V). We leverage the concept of carrying capacity to account for vaccine hesitancy by defining a vaccine confidence level κ, which is the maximum number of people that will become vaccinated during the course of a disease. The inverse of vaccine confidence is vaccine hesitance, $\left({\frac{1}{\kappa }}\right)$. We explore the equilibria of the SIRS-Vκ model and their stability, and illustrate the impact of vaccine hesitance on epidemic spread analytically and via simulations.


Prologue: Reflecting on the Wave Metaphor and the Myth of Monolithic Feminism Chapter 1: Rethinking the So-Called First Wave - An Extremely Brief History of Women's Rights Activism in the U.S. Before 1920 Chapter 2: Civil Rights, Labor Feminism, and Mother Activism from 1920 through the 1940s Chapter 3: Varieties of Feminism in a Conservative Age Chapter 4: Equality NOW! - Feminism and the Law Chapter 5: Raising Consciousness, Venting Anger, Finding Sisterhood: "The Revolution is WHat is Happening in Every Woman's Mind" Chapter 6: Women's Movements for Redistributive and Social Justice: Other Faces of Radical Feminism Chapter 7: Lesbian Lives, Lesbian Rights, Lesbian Feminism Chapter 8: Anti-Feminist Backlash and Feminism Reborn: The 1970s through 2013


A total of 68 constitutents, mainly aldehydes, ketones and esters, have been identified for the first time in a black tea aroma concentrate using coupled gas-chromatography/mass spectrometry.


The isotropic hyperfine coupling constant for the ground electronic state of the nitrogen atom is computed from the quadratic configuration interaction correlation procedure based on a single unrestricted Hartree–Fock (UHF) determinant. The splitting is determined from the normalized spin density at the nucleus, derived by finite‐field perturbation theory. Results obtained are compared with previous work based on spin‐restricted reference spaces. Close accord is found between present estimates and full configuration interaction values for small basis sets. Contributions from shells of higher angular momentum functions in the basis set are similar in both approaches and for the largest unrestricted calculation the correlated results are in good accord with experiment. The UHF wave function is shown to provide a reasonable account of the K‐shell contribution to the isotropic coupling and hence the UHF‐based correlated calculations show much less sensitivity to the neglect of core–electron correlation than the dramatic effects observed in spin‐restricted treatments.The isotropic hyperfine coupling constant for the ground electronic state of the nitrogen atom is computed from the quadratic configuration interaction correlation procedure based on a single unrestricted Hartree–Fock (UHF) determinant. The splitting is determined from the normalized spin density at the nucleus, derived by finite‐field perturbation theory. Results obtained are compared with previous work based on spin‐restricted reference spaces. Close accord is found between present estimates and full configuration interaction values for small basis sets. Contributions from shells of higher angular momentum functions in the basis set are similar in both approaches and for the largest unrestricted calculation the correlated results are in good accord with experiment. The UHF wave function is shown to provide a reasonable account of the K‐shell contribution to the isotropic coupling and hence the UHF‐based correlated calculations show much less sensitivity to the neglect of core–electron correlation than t...


We previously reported on a number of cases of metastatic prostate cancer (PCa) in which serum α2‐macroglobulin (α2M) levels were markedly decreased to less than 20 mg/dl (α2M deficiency). In order to elucidate the relative proportions of free and a prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) complex in PCa patients with α2M deficiency, we have assessed serum α2M and total PSA levels, and ratios of free PSA to total PSA (F/T ratios) at each stage of PCa. Moreover, the PSA reactivity profile was determined on fractionated serum specimens of PCa patients using high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using a TSKG‐3000 SWXL column. Measurement of α2M concentration was performed by laser‐nephelometry. PSA levels were determined by enzyme immunoassay, free PSA by radioimmunoassay. In those PCa patients with α2M deficiency, serum α2M and F/T ratios were lower, whereas PSA levels were higher when compared with those PCa patients without α2M deficiency (P<0.05). PSA elution profiles on HPLC columns revealed two major peaks. The proportion of PSA‐antichymotrypsin (PSA‐ACT) increased, whereas the proportion of free PSA decreased in PCa patients with α2M deficiency as compared with those PCa patients without α2M deficiency. F/T ratios were significantly lower in PCa patients with α2M deficiency than in those PCa patients without α2M deficiency. PSA‐ACT and F/T ratio may be useful for monitoring bone metastasis in PCa. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 22:302–306, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


Background Every year, the food business produces a sizeable amount of waste, including the portions of fruits and vegetables that are inedible, and those that have reached a stage where they are no longer suitable for human consumption. These by-products comprise of components such as natural antioxidants (polyphenols, carotenoid etc.), dietary fiber, and other trace elements, which can provide functionality to food. Due to changing lifestyles, there is an increased demand for ready-to-eat products like sausages, salami, and meat patties. In this line, meat products like buffalo meat sausages and patties are also gaining the interest of consumers because of their rich taste. Meat, however, has a high percentage of fat and is totally deprived of dietary fiber, which poses severe health problems like cardiovascular (CV) and gastrointestinal diseases. The health-conscious consumer is becoming increasingly aware of the importance of balancing flavor and nutrition. Therefore, to overcome this problem, several fruit and vegetable wastes from their respective industries can be successfully incorporated into meat products that provide dietary fiber and play the role of natural antioxidants; this will slow down lipid oxidation and increase the shelf-life of meat products. Methodology Extensive literature searches have been performed using various scientific search engines. We collected relevant and informative data from subject-specific and recent literature on sustainable food processing of wasted food products. We also looked into the various applications of waste fruit and vegetable products, including cereals, when they are incorporated into meat and meat products. All relevant searches meeting the criteria were included in this review, and exclusion criteria were also set. Results The pomace and peels of fruits like grapes, pomegranates, cauliflower, sweet lime, and other citrus are some of the most commonly used fruit and vegetable by-products. These vegetable by-products help inhibit oxidation (of both lipids and proteins) and the growth of pathogenic and spoilage bacteria, all without altering the consumer's acceptability of the product on a sensory level. When included in meat products, these by-products have the potential to improve the overall product quality and lengthen its shelf-life under certain circumstances. Conclusion Cost-effective and easily accessible by-products from the fruit and vegetable processing industries can be used in meat products to enhance their quality features (physicochemical, microbial, sensory, and textural aspects) and health benefits. Additionally, this will provides environmental food sustainability by lowering waste disposal and improving the food's functional efficacy.


Background: Sub-clinical hypothyroidism (SCTD) is most commonly an early stage of hypothyroidism. Although the condition may resolve or remain unchanged, within a few years in some patients, overt hypothyroidism may develop, with low free T4 levels as well as a raised thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH) level. In general thyroid dysfunction is a condition known to reduce the likelihood of pregnancy and to adversely affect pregnancy outcome. As screening for thyroid disease becomes more common, SCTD is being diagnosed more frequently in clinical practice. The aim of the study is to find out the effect of treating SCTD with thyroxin on the fertility status of the female patient.Patients and methods: Forty three infertile patients attending the infertility clinic at Baghdad teaching hospital were compared to 32 control un explained infertility women. After exact history and examination, hormonal analysis (T3 and T4, TSH, Prolactin and Progesterone) and ultrasound were done for patients and control, then the patients were randomly divided into 2 groups one group was given thyroxine treatment, the other group was given parlodel, and after 3 months the hormonal analysis and ultrasound were repeated and compared to the previous results.Results: Comparing the patient group to the control showed a significant increase in the TSH and prolactin level in patients group but the progesterone concentration was not significantly different between the groups. After giving thyroxine the group who received it showed significant reduction in prolactin and improvement in the dominant follicle size and progesterone level while the group who was given parlodel showed only significant reduction in prolactin with no significant increase in the other 2 parameters.Conclusion: TSH in subclinical hypothyroidisim is correlated positively with age and with the prolactin concentration. Treatment with thyroxine induces a significant improvement in the fertility statues including the significant decrease in prolacttin concentration and increase in the dominant follicle size and increase in the progesterone level compared to those given parlodel only. This makes it obvious that treating patients with SCTD have a significant reflection on their fertility and ability for future pregnancy.


This symposium was held in conjunction with the 1995 Annual Meeting of the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society in Las Vegas, Nevada, February 12--16, 1995. The purpose of this meeting was to provide a forum for exchange of state-of-the-art information on treating and minimizing heavy metal-containing wastes. Papers were categorized under the following broad headings: aqueous processing; waste water treatment; thermal processing and stabilization; processing of fly ash, flue dusts, and slags; and processing of lead, mercury, and battery wastes. Individual papers have been processed separately for inclusion in the appropriate data bases.


Disclosed is a novel method for preventing or reducing color deterioration or discoloration of a base over time. This method is characterized by arranging at least one positively charged material, which is selected from the group consisting of (1) positive ions, (2) a positively charged conductive body or dielectric body and (3) a composite body of a conductive body and a dielectric body or semiconductor body, on the surface of the base and further arranging an insulating organic or inorganic material on the positively charged material.


This paper proposes a hierarchical MPC approach to stabilization and autonomous navigation of a formation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), under constraints on motor thrusts, angles and positions, and under collision avoidance constraints. Each vehicle is of quadcopter type and is stabilized by a local linear time-invariant (LTI) MPC controller at the lower level of the control hierarchy around commanded desired set-points. These are generated at the higher level and at a slower sampling rate by a linear time-varying (LTV) MPC controller per vehicle, based on an a simplified dynamical model of the stabilized UAV and a novel algorithm for convex under-approximation of the feasible space. Formation flying is obtained by running the above decentralized scheme in accordance with a leader-follower approach. The performance of the hierarchical control scheme is assessed through simulations, and compared to previous work in which a hybrid MPC scheme is used for planning paths on-line.


This paper is a progress update that describes how a series of English language learning textbooks (The English Course) is being dismantled and recreated for use as applications (known as iApps) for Apple's iOS devices: iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. The paper explains the continuing development of the prototype modules, the latest aesthetic, pedagogic and the technical changes to the project modules. Introduction The English Course is a series of English language textbooks that have been created over the past seven years. The series currently comprises, two listening and speaking books and one writing book. Two reading books and a business English book are being prepared for publication. The overriding principle behind the development of the series was to produce textbooks and complementary materials, (such as audio and visual materials on DVD or CD, and Internet webbased self-access and self-marking text materials), that together formed a marriage (or balance) between using the communicative approach (CA) to language learning in the classroom, and utilizing the best techniques and materials available to incorporate computer assisted language learning (CALL). The authors have always tried to stay up-to-date, not only with developments in the CALL field, but with all technological developments in language learning methodology, and to incorporate this technology as extensively and as imaginatively as possible into the course. The authors of The English Course series of English language learning materials have long believed that the age of printed textbooks is nearing an end. Being committed to utilizing technology in language learning, and already having a large amount of digital-based learning material available, the authors set themselves the challenge of dismantling the existing materials of The English Course series and recreating the material in the form iApps. This project has proved to be a huge challenge and has presented an enormous learning curve * 教授/CALL ** 非常勤講師/CALL *** 元非常勤講師/CALL


1. Constraints on Types of Elementary Particles from Cosmology, by K. A. Olive, D. N. Schramm, and G. Steigman, Bulletin of the American Physical Society, 24:369, l979. 2. Cosmological Constraints on Unified Theories, by G. Steigman, D. N. Schramm, and K. A. Olive, Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society 10:670, 1979. 3. Entropy Production Via the Viscosity of Arbitrary Interaction Strength Neutrinos, by K. A. Olive, Bulletin of the American Astronomical Soceity 11:608, 1979. 4. A Quark Signature in Heavy Ion Collisions, by K. A. Olive, Bulletin of the American Physical Society 25:47, 1980. 5. An Upper Limit on the Mass of a Heavy Stable Neutrino, by P. Hut and K. A. Olive, Bulletin of the American Physical Society 25:581, 1980. 6. Evolution of Cosmological Baryon Asymmetries, by M. S. Turner, J. N. Fry, and K. A. Olive, Bulletin of the American Physical Society 25:581, 1980. 7. OB Associations and the Early Solar System, by K. A. Olive and D. N. Schramm, Meteoritics, 1981. 8. The Quark Hadron Transition in Cosmology and Astrophysics, by K. A. Olive, Bulletin of the American Physical Society 35:922, 1990.


Historical. In introducing this further contribution to the subject, it is necessary to refer briefly to the work of other observers, a detailed resumc! of which will be found in the very excellent and complete article contained in Marshall's recently published " Physiology of Reproduction." As long ago as 1867 Kehrer noted that the uterus, when severed from all its attachments, underwent contractions if kept moist at the body temperature. This observation has since been confirmed by various other workers, including ourselves. In 1871 Sir James Simpson found that parturition was normal in the case of sows from which he had removed the dorsal and lumbar cord, with the exception that the last foetus of the litter in each case was not delivered. In the same year Riemann recorded an experiment in which a cat was delivered of a kitten after complete destruction of the spinal cord from the third dorsal vertebra downwards. These experiments, coupled with Amand Routh's observations on the course of labour in women suffering from paraplegia prove that an intact central nervous system' is not essential for the uterus to complete its physiological function. Belief in the existence of a so-called " lumbar centre" is, however, fairly general, based on the original experiments of Serres in 1824 and the more recent observations of Langley and Anderson in 18g1 and 1895. Langley stated that the majority of efferent nerve fibres passed to the uterus " b y way of the sympathetic in


This paper presents the first prototype of a virtual audience system (VAS) specifically designed as a training tool for conference talks. This system has been tailored for university seminars dedicated to the preparation and delivery of scientific talks. We describe the required features which have been identified during the development process. We also summarize the preliminary feedback received from lecturers and students during the first deployment of the system in seminars for bachelor and doctoral students. Finally, we discuss future work and research directions. We believe our system architecture and features are providing interesting insights on the development and integration of VR-based educational tools into university curriculum.


Background: In the face of increasing wood demand in climate change context, fast-growing species are considered as a current solution. However, the ability of fast-growing species in agroforestry systems to contribute to bridging the gap between wood demand and supply and climate change mitigation also depends on the properties of the species, which vary based on locality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunningham ex Benth. wood in Benin to contribute to climate change mitigation while sustainably supplying wood. Tissues proportion (Vessels, ray parenchyma, axial parenchyma, fibers), in the wood; fiber parameters (length, diameter and lumen width); organic carbon content and natural durability of A. auriculiformis wood to termite ( Macrotermes bellicosus) were determined. Results: The results indicate that the species has a high proportion of fibers (58%), which are quite long (1 mm to 4 mm), an organic carbon content of 35%, and is moderately durable to very durable against termite infestations. Conclusion: The species, thus, has strong potential for wood (high fiber content, high fiber length, greater durability), renewable bioenergy (good fiber length) and pulp (high fiber content) and could be valued to supplement the wood supply from natural forest and contribute to mitigating the effect of climate change (carbon sequestration and limitation of pressure on natural forests)


The aim of this study is to evaluate the groundwater quality in shallow aquifers from West Aceh, Sumatra, for irrigation uses. Groundwater samples have been collected from 32 stations for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), total dissolved solids (TDS), sodium percentage (per cent Na) and residual sodium carbonate (RSC) analysis. Evaluation of water quality for irrigation using the United States Salinity Laboratory classifications suggests that the majority of the groundwater samples are good for irrigation. The crop tolerance of irrigation water salinity, as based on EC value, showed that paddy (rice), soybeans and sweet tomatoes are suitable for agricultural cultivation, but that corn and field beans are not suitable. Results indicate that, if used for agricultural irrigation, the groundwater quality ranges from excellent to good, except for a few locations (e.g. Meureubo sub-district) which indicate signs of deterioration.


Synthesis of the first phosphorus (V) porphyrin-peptide conjugate was successfully accomplished. A biologically active peptide, leucine enkephalin, was constructed on the phosphorus atom of the 5,10,15,20-meso-tetraphenylporphinato dichlorophosphorus (V) chloride. The method involved solution phase peptide synthesis. The first C-terminal amino acid in the sequence of the peptide was axially attached to the porphyrin through a linker, 3-aminopropanol, and the remainder of leucine enkephalin was synthesized by subsequent additions of amino acids. Leucine enkephalin-P(V) porphyrin conjugate represents a new group of compounds, and its synthesis broadens potential applications of P(V) porphyrine, e.g. in photodynamic therapy.


Convolutional neural network (CNN)-based methods, which train an end-to-end model to regress a six degree of freedom (DoF) pose of a robot from a single red–green–blue (RGB) image, have been developed to overcome the poor robustness of robot visual relocalization recently. However, the pose precision becomes low when the test image is dissimilar to training images. In this paper, we propose a novel method, named image-similarity-based CNN, which considers the image similarity of an input image during the CNN training. The higher the similarity of the input image, the higher precision we can achieve. Therefore, we crop the input image into several small image blocks, and the similarity between each cropped image block and training dataset images is measured by employing a feature vector in a fully connected CNN layer. Finally, the most similar image is selected to regress the pose. A genetic algorithm is utilized to determine the cropped position. Experiments on both open-source dataset 7-Scenes and two actual indoor environments are conducted. The results show that the proposed algorithm leads to better results and reduces large regression errors effectively compared with existing solutions.


We present a terahertz metamaterial with a nonlinear response, tunable via the relative structural positioning of two stacked resonator arrays. The device consists of two planar arrays of split ring resonators. The first is fabricated on n-doped GaAs and the second array is fabricated vertically above the first using a polyimide spacer layer. Due to GaAs carrier dynamics, the on-resonance terahertz transmission is strongly nonlinear, decreasing by 30% as the incident terahertz power increases. The second resonator layer dampens this nonlinear response. When the two layers are aligned, the total nonlinear modulation of the on-resonance transmission decreases to below 10%. The nonlinear modulation then returns to full strength when the two resonator arrays are shifted laterally away from each other.


In Landscape Linkages and Biodiversity experts explain biological diversity conservation, focusing on the need for protecting large areas of the most diverse ecosystems, and connecting those ecosystems with land corridors to allow species to move among them more easily.


Background: Levofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic with extensive anti-bacterial effects. Levofloxacin is widely used for treatment of urinary and vaginal infections.

Objectives: This research surveyed the cytotoxicity effects of levofloxacin on ovarian follicles of mice in both in vitro and in vivo conditions, as well as its anticancer effect on human ovarian cancer cell line (SKOV3).

Methods: For in vitro study, the ovaries of animals were isolated and treated with levofloxacin at doses of 1, 2, 5, and 10 µg/ml for 6 days. For in vivo study, animals were treated with levofloxacin at concentrations of 100, 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg for 24 days. Histopathological and morphological examinations of ovarian tissues were performed. Real-time PCR and Western Blot techniques were performed to analyze apoptosis-related genes and proteins of ovarian tissues.

Results: Levofloxacin at higher concentrations caused morphological changes and remarkably decreased the number of primary, secondary, and adult follicles compared to the control group. The percentage of viable SKOV3 cells was 10.12%, 7.63%, and 2.17% following exposure to levofloxacin (at a concentration of 800 μg/ml) for 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration of levofloxacin against SKOV3 was found to be 181.1, 74.84, and 27.58 μg/ml at 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. The percentage of SKOV3 cells apoptosis following exposure to levofloxacin after 72 h at 20, 80, and 200 μg/ml doses was 11%, 42%, and 52%, respectively. Real-time PCR revealed up-regulation of Bax and Caspase-3 genes after exposure to levofloxacin in SKOV3 cells, whereas the expression of Bcl2 was significantly decreased in a concentration-depended manner.

Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that levofloxacin induces apoptosis of both ovarian follicles and human ovarian cancer cell lines.


Dunne (with Raby) was commissioned by the Design Museum to produce a body of work exploring how critical and speculative design can contribute to discussions about policy and politics. It consisted of an exhibition, mixed-media design proposals, a website, talks, and public workshop.
Collections such as the Wellcome Trust's hold everyday objects from past or distant societies. When we see a strange shoe or ritualistic object we wonder what kind of society could have produced it, how it was organised, what values and beliefs motivated its citizens. We become conceptual window-shoppers, trying things out in our minds, imagining how we would interact with them, use them, and how they would affect our interactions with others.
The exhibition presented designs for transport systems for a fictional, pre-apocalyptic England divided into four super-shires, each combining a different political ideology and technology. The project was an experiment in speculative material culture/fictional archaeology/imaginary anthropology. The methods were closer to fictional story-making than social science. Rigour was ensured through consultations with political scientists and engineers, not to prevent impossible scenarios but to make impossible scenarios more acceptable. Dunne aimed to introduce imaginative and radical thinking to discussions about policy and enhance understanding of how speculative design can be applied to complex issues through fact and fiction. The exhibition brought this thinking to a design audience and served as a platform for interactions between designers, the public, economists and political scientists.
The project was previewed by BBC2 Culture Show (2013) and reviewed in 2013 in the national press (e.g. The Observer) and international design press (e.g. Domus, Icon Eye, Icon122, RIBA Journal). It was presented in 2013 lectures at ENSCI: Les Ateliers, Paris and Konstfack, Stockholm; and 2013 conferences including What Design Can Do, Amsterdam; Resonate (Keynote), Belgrade; Microsoft Research Design Day (Keynote), USA.


This study was undertaken to observe the influence of seasonal fluctuation on native peanut rhizobia populations in Coastal Plain soils in cultivated fields with or without a peanut history, in pasture, and in forest environments. Soil samples were collected from Ap horizons every 30 days during a 16-month period and rhizobia populations were enumerated using a most probable number (MPN) technique with the peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) as the host for plant infectivity tests. Cultivated fields with a peanut production history had higher peanut rhizobia populations than cultivated fields without a peanut history, pastures, or forest environments. Seasonal fluctuation was evident in cultivated fields with a peanut history; peanut rhizobia populations were greatest in July whether peanuts or another crop was being grown that year and very low from September to May. Peak peanut rhizobia population reached 10,000 per gram of soil in peanut fields in July. Populations were generally less than 30 per gram of soil in cotton, corn, soybean, clover pasture, and alfalfa hay fields, and less than 10 per gram of soil in orchard and forest environments. Peanut rhizobia always constituted less than 0.01% of the total aerobic bacteria in all fields sampled.


This research is motivated by the form of the CSR program conducted at PT. Antam in improving the economic welfare of farmers around the PT. Antam in Huko-Huko Village. As well as seeing the implementation of CSR programs in improving the economic welfare of farmers around the PT. Antam mine in Huko-Huko Village. This study uses a qualitative method with 25 informants based on purposive sampling technique. The data analysis used is (1) data reduction, (2) data presentation, (3) preliminary conclusions and using special analysis. The results of this study indicate that (1) The form of the CSR program in Huko-Huko Village includes the Community Development program which consists of education and development of facilities/infrastructure that supports the welfare of farmers. This program has a positive impact on the farming community because the CSR program provides solutions to solve problems faced by farming families related to assistance in education programs and the development of farmer facilities/infrastructure. (2). Implementation of the CSR program which includes the planning stage, implementation stage, monitoring stage, and reporting stage. Which is carried out by CSR PT. Antam and other institutions. Although these stages have not fully realized the economic welfare of farmers, compared to the previous one, there has been an increase in the living standards of the farming community, thus the CSR program that has been implemented has contributed a lot to the farming community in Huko-Huko Village, Pomalaa District, Kolaka Regency


Seismic 3D time-lapse (4D) technology has been successfully applied to the Schiehallion oil field in the west of Shetlands in North Sea. Advanced time-lapse processing methodology has been developed and applied to the conventional towed streamer data, acquired in 1993 and 1996 for the repeatability study, and 1999 for the reservoir monitoring, respectively. No oil production occurred between the 1993 and 1996 surveys.


A simple method was developed for eliminating statistical bias which can be applied to highly turbulent flows with the sparse and nonuniform seeding conditions. Unlike the method proposed so far, a weighting function was determined based on the idea that the statistical bias could be eliminated if the asymmetric form of the probability density function (pdf) of the velocity data were corrected. Moreover, the data more than three standard deviations away from the mean were discarded to remove the apparent turbulent intensity resulting from noise. The present method was applied to data obtained in the wake of a block, which provided local turbulent intensities up to about 120%. It was found to eliminate the statistical bias with high accuracy. Nomenclature UQ = reference velocity U = local mean velocity U'/UQ = turbulent intensity u'/U = local turbulent intensity G = weighting function N = number of sampling data Uj,Vj = ith velocity realization in X and Y directions, respectively,


i think it obvious that authors should be required to report their statistical analyses accurately and completely and that the standard error of the mean (SEM) should not be used when other statistics are more appropriate. To argue otherwise is to promote a lower standard of research. Although an


PAFC can be extracted from Self-ignited Coal Gangue(SCG)by acid dipping method.The finished solid PAFC chemical percentage composition:Al 2 O 3 33%,Fe 2 O 3 16%.Base saturation degree of the finished PAFC is70%.In this paper,the technological conditions of grain size of SCG,concentration and capacity of hydrochloric acid,temperature and time of acid dipping are analyzed.


The author suggests that the global economic crisis has exposed the complex interrelation between the world's financial centers and the common man. The issue is discussed with reference to the collection of aluminum cans by a group of disadvantaged men who then sell them to a scrap dealer. However, the fall in aluminum demand has led to a fall in scrap prices, affecting the men's income from the cans. The author argues that, in order to avoid such a situation in the future, governments must be responsible for making markets transparent and well-regulated so that they may benefit all classes of society.


Zen meditation states direct to the most original true self,promising intuitional insight rather than analytical thinking.Can it be proved by brain science today? The paper presents an in-depth analysis of its probability based on brain research findings on Zen meditation states.Zen meditation states are a special mental activity characterized by singular brain waves,different from the state of sleeping.It cannot only benefit the physical health system but also favorably affect the mental outlook on life.Although brain science has yielded evidence for Zen method of mind training,the question remains as to how it happens.With the development of brain science,the question will be investigated fully with more scientific evidence.


The "ORACLE", Oak Ridge Automatic Computer and Logical Engine, was installed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory :in 1953 and.has been in operation since that time. This manual describes the machine's design, the number systems it uses, and its basic operations.


With the improvement of traditional pickle processing by modern technology,the pickle production realized mechanization and standardization step by step.The improved techniques included fresh vegetable classification by machine,disinfection,sterilization,cutting by machine,solar dehydration,mechanical addition of salt,preliminary pickling,secondary pickling,vacuum pickling,vacuum package and bottling.The status of pickle production was changed from out of fashion by mechanization and the quality of products was improved.


(2010). Honey bee colony losses in Belgium during the 2008–9 winter. Journal of Apicultural Research: Vol. 49, No. 4, pp. 337-339.


Multiple energy-release processes in filament eruptions have been observed and are thought to be important to understand the detailed mechanism of filament eruptions. Here, we present a new observation of two distinct energy-release processes in a confined (failed) filament eruption. The first process is accompanied by the catastrophic imbalance of the filament system, just as many other filament eruptions. Intriguingly, there is another energy-release process in the upside of the filament system following the first process. Both processes started from a preceding increase of plasma velocity, and expanded from some small fragmented dynamic regions, where the plasma is heated to a high temperature (up to 6 MK for mean temperature). All of these provide us with a detailed record of energy-release processes within a confined filament eruption, and a direct evidence that a chain reaction of energy release can be triggered in the overlying magnetic arches of an entwined filament system by its eruption, even if it is strongly confined.


The invention provides a governing device for paroxysmal water body environment pollution, which comprises a foldable device and a driving device, wherein the foldable device is provided with active carbon fiber, and the driving device drives the foldable device to be unfolded. The invention also provides a governing method for the paroxysmal water body environment pollution, which comprises the following steps that: the governing device is placed into a polluted region with the paroxysmal water body environment pollution; the driving device is opened so that the foldable device is unfolded; and the active carbon fiber absorbs pollutants. When the paroxysmal water body environment pollution occurs, the governing device is placed into the polluted region, then, the driving device is opened, the foldable device is fast unfolded on the water surface through being driven by the driving device, a cofferdam is formed or the foldable device is covered on the water surface for blocking the polluted water body, simultaneously, the active carbon fiber arranged on the foldable device realizes the absorption effect, and a large number of pollutants in the water body are fast absorbed, so the effect of governing the paroxysmal water body environment pollution is reached.


194 patients were standard photopatch tested with Wastar® as is (coal tar 5%) and 161 patients were photopatched tested with para‐aminobenzoic acid (PABA) 5% in alcohol, potassium dichromate 0.5 in petrolatum, and a mixture of balsams of Peru as is. The photopatches were irradiated with UVA.


Background: Traditional, complementary and alternative medicine (TCAM) is widely used for a range of conditions, especially in Southeast Asia. This study examines the prevalence and characteristics of TCAM use for hypertension, its determinants, and its association with hypertension management outcomes and wellbeing among low-income adults in Malaysia and the Philippines.

Methods: We analysed cross-sectional data from 946 randomly selected adults diagnosed with hypertension (495 in Malaysia, 451 in the Philippines) from low-income communities. We compared the prevalence and characteristics of TCAM use between countries and used multi-level, mixed-effects regression to estimate associations between TCAM use and its determinants, five hypertension management outcomes and wellbeing.

Findings: The prevalence of TCAM use was higher in the Philippines than in Malaysia (18·8% vs 8·8%, p<0·001). Biologically-based modalities, e.g. herbal remedies, were the most common type of TCAM used in both countries. Belief that TCAM is effective for hypertension was a positive predictor of TCAM use while belief in Western medicine was a negative predictor. TCAM use was not associated with current use of medications for hypertension, self-reported medication adherence, blood pressure level and control, or wellbeing in either country.

Interpretation: A small, but significant, proportion of individuals living in low-income communities in Malaysia and the Philippines use TCAM to manage their hypertension. Recognising that their patients may be engaging in TCAM will enable health care providers to deliver better, more patient-centred care.

Funding: This study was supported by a grant from the Wellcome Trust/Newton Fund-MRC Humanities & Social Science Collaborative Award scheme (200346/Z/15/Z).

Declaration of Interest: LMP-V, BP conceived and led the analysis and writing of this paper, contributing equally. LMP-V, BP, DB, FAM, AR, MLS, ALD, KY, MM designed, initiated and coordinated the RESPOND study. All authors contributed to study implementation, interpretation of results, critical review and revision all drafts, and approved the final version of this manuscript. All authors agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Ethical Approval: Ethical approval for this study was granted by the Observational Research Ethics Committee at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (Ref: 12214) and the Research Ethics Boards at the Universiti Putra Malaysia (JKEUPM-2017-229) and the University of the Philippines Manila (UPMREB-2017-481-01). All participants gave informed consent.


The biological activity of extracts from aloe and kalanchoe plants subjected to cold stress increases compared to extracts not subjected to cold stress.


In this note, we show the notions of connection and curvature can be defined for arbitrary vector bundles (not necessarily the dimension of fibre be finite) over paracompact normal topological space. In usual differential geometry, Nomizu's theorem (Nomizu _4, 5) and Ambrose-Singer's theorem (Ambrose-Singer 1, Nomizu _5) show that the connected component of the structure group of a vector boundle is determined by its curvature form. This is also true in our case. (Theorem 2). 1. Alexander-Spanier cohomology. Let X be a paracompact normal topological space. We set


We present a new style of long-distance, on-chip interconnect, based loosely on the asynchronous GasP architecture. It has a number of advantages over conventional designs, the most prominent being security enhancements, a reduction in the number of wires required, no need for clock distribution or packetization, and ease of composition. We give some sample throughput and latency figures from simulation on a 0.18/spl mu/m technology and show that it is viable for use with modern interconnect requirements, is of low complexity and has a lower area requirement than parallel interconnect over distances as short as 1 mm.


A two stage Gainboost OTA for high speed and high resolution Pipeline ADC is presented. Negative impedance compensation and Negative capacitance compensation are used to promote OTA DC gain and closeloop feedback coefficient; High resistances are in series connection between substrate of pmos and supply to decrease the output parasitic capacitor.Meanwhile, reset switchs are in parallel with high resistances to aviod voltage drift.The simulation of proposed circuit results in 83dB Loop DC gain, 4.3GHz Closeloop Bandwidth, and 63 degree phase margin.


The hymenopterous parasite, Aphidius sonchi Marshall, has been introduced into Australia as a biological control agent of the sowthistle aphid, Hyperomyzus lactucae (L.), the principal vector of lettuce necrotic yellows virus disease. Some aspects of its biology were studied in the laboratory. Females reared at 22°C contained a mean ± s.e. of 179·4 ± 10·26 eggs on emergence, and more eggs were formed during adult life. Unmated females produced male progeny only; mated females produced progeny of both sexes. At 22°C, both males and females mated within 12 h of emergence. Virgin females could mate successfully after having commenced oviposition and switch to producing progeny of both sexes. At 20°C, both virgin and mated females started oviposition within 7 h of emergence. The female oviposited in all nymphal instars and both apterous and alate adults of the host. Only one egg was laid per insertion of the ovipositor. Superparasitization was common, but only one parasite per aphid survived to the adult stage. Females at 22°C and LD 12:12 oviposited during both the photophase and the scotophase; the proportion of eggs laid in the scotophase was correlated with the availability of hosts. Adult females lived longer in the absence of hosts than in their presence and lived longer than males, and those supplied with water and honey lived longer than those without. Facultative diapause occurred. The integumental coloration of adults varied according to the temperature during their immature stages. Females of A. sonchi oviposited readily in Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas), but their progeny did not develop beyond the egg stage. A. sonchi was parasitized by Alloxysta ancylocera (Cameron), Pachyneuron aphidis (Bouche) and Dendrocerus carpenteri (Curtis) in the field.


Large-scale water and soil development in inland river basins in arid areas has made changes in landscape composition and structure, threatening the ecological balance. In order to study the trend of land use/cover and landscape pattern change and its relationship with water resources utilization in Manas River Basin, the land-use data of five periods in 1976, 1990, 2000, 2010 and 2015 were analyzed. The results showed that: (1) During 1976-2015, farmland and construction land continuously increased, forest land and grassland continuously decreased, the water area initially reduced and then increased, the area of saline-alkali land initially increased and then reduced, the overall trend of unused land and the sandy area was decreasing and the area of different time periods is floating. The areas of land-use types either increased or decreased. This indicates that the landscape pattern of the basin changes dramatically, and human activities are the main reasons for this phenomenon; (2) The oasis area increased from 3480.2 km2 in 1976 to 7982.0 km2 in 2015, with an obvious increasing trend. The oasis area clearly increased during 1976-1990, the growth rate was 40.6%, the growth rate of the oasis area was 129.4%. In the last 40 years, the degree of desertification fluctuated and decreased. The increase of the oasis area directly leads to the increase of water resources utilization and aggravates the degree of water resources shortage; (3) The pattern of land-use types showed a non-equilibrium trend. In the region with increasing landscape heterogeneity, the overall landscape pattern was increasingly controlled by the majority of patches. The intensive land management model and drip irrigation under mulch have improved the utilization efficiency of water resources and saved water resources from engineering renovation and irrigation management.
Keywords: arid area, Manas River Basin, land use/cover change, landscape pattern, remote sensing, driving force
DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20201305.4783

Citation: Li X L, He X L, Yang G, Liu H G, Long A H, Chen F L, et al. Land use/cover and landscape pattern changes in Manas River Basin based on remote sensing. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2020; 13(5): 141–152.


National Trust commissioned Oxford Archaeology North (OA North) to undertake an archaeological watching brief during groundworks from the brewhouse to the stable range at Lyme Park, Disley, Cheshire (NGR centred SJ 9644 8210). The groundworks comprised the excavation of pipe trenches associated with the upgrading of the existing boilers, situated in the brewhouse, through the orangery courtyard, to new Biomass boilers located in the northern wing of the stable range. Lyme Park dates to the fourteenth century and the proposed groundworks were likely to impact on two known archaeological features: an eighteenth century Stag Pond; and a deer fence dating to c 1740, as well as several drives and pathways that have crossed the area over the years. As a result, an archaeological watching brief was required in order to identify, investigate and record any archaeological remains encountered during the groundworks, and took place on 16th December 2011 and 10th January 2012.
The pipe trench measured 107m in length. It was 0.7m in width, and was excavated to a maximum depth of 0.94m. The initial 23m of the trench was situated within the orangery courtyard, and comprised a layer of crushed yellow sandstone (001), forming the current ground surface, beneath which there was a thick deposit of residual coal and charcoal (002), overlaying redeposited clay (003), which sealed the natural geology (004). Further to the south-east were the remains of an earlier, crushed brick surface (005). An isolated possible posthole (006) was recorded, truncating the levelling layers.


The article presents the results of theoretical analysis of the problem of deviant behavior in the modern society. The authors give a definition of deviant behavior, its causes and factors, mechanisms of its formation and development. They highlight the concept of delinquent behavior as a form of deviant one and describe its features.


In this age of wireless communication, micro strip antennas have drawn maximum attention of antenna community because of its compact size, light weight and low profile configuration. In this paper the problem of locating feed point of an inset fed microstrip patch antenna designed for wireless communication is dealt with. The optimization is done using three techniques: Genetic Optimization (GA), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Accelerated Particle Swarm Optimization (APSO). Results obtained using all these techniques are in good agreement and are compared using convergence graphs. Return loss and radiation pattern for the optimized antenna was verified using IE3D software.


October 13, 2022 Type Package Title Kim Filter Version 1.0.0 Date 2022-09-01 Description 'Rcpp' implementation of the multivariate Kim filter, which combines the Kalman and Hamilton filters for state probability inference. The filter is designed for state space models and can handle missing values and exogenous data in the observation and state equations. Kim, Chang-Jin and Charles R. Nelson (1999) ``State-Space Models with Regime Switching: Classical and Gibbs-Sampling Approaches with Applications'' <http://econ.korea.ac.kr/ cjkim/doi:10.7551/mitpress/6444.001.0001><http: //econ.korea.ac.kr/~{}cjkim/>. License GPL (>= 2) Imports Rcpp (>= 1.0.9) LinkingTo Rcpp, RcppArmadillo RoxygenNote 7.2.1 Suggests data.table (>= 1.14.2), maxLik (>= 1.5-2), ggplot2 (>= 3.3.6), gridExtra (>= 2.3), knitr, rmarkdown, testthat VignetteBuilder knitr Encoding UTF-8 NeedsCompilation yes Author Alex Hubbard [aut, cre] Maintainer Alex Hubbard <email@example.com> Depends R (>= 3.5.0) Repository CRAN Date/Publication 2022-09-14 06:00:05 UTC


To develop the deformation technology of 3D mesh model,several methods of defomation are studied.To over shortcomings of one-bone driven used in almost every skeleton driven deformation methods,an interactive multi-skeleton-node driven local deformation method is proposed.It combines the Reeb graph skeleton extraction theory to determine the local area of each skeleton node,and then it approximates the skeleton nodes into a Bezier curve.Based on the interaction of skeleton node,our algorithm can automatically adjust connected skeleton nodes.The intuitive local deformation of mesh model is implemented.The experimental results show that our algorithm is intuitive and effective.


Because of excellent ability to detect weak signals, Duffing chaotic system has caused wide research and public concern. At present, it is a regular practice to drive Duffing system by continuous function, but those sine functions will be interrupted and the state of change will be observed in this paper. The simulation results show that the duty ratio of intermittent sine driving function is a very important parameter that will influence the state of system. With decrease of the duty ratio, the state of system changed from chaos, bifurcate to homoclinic obit. For systems of different a, transition time varies inversely with a driven by intermittent sine function.


The obstructions for an arbitrary fusion algebra to be a fusion algebra of some semisimple monoidal category are constructed. Those obstructions lie in groups which are closely related to the Hochschild cohomology of fusion algebras with coefficients in the K -theory of the ground (alge-braically closed) field. The special attention is devoted to the case of fusion algebra of invari-ants of finite group action on the group ring of abelian group.


Theories are developed to explain an observed phenomenon in an effort to understand why and how things happen. Theories thus, use latent variables to estimate conceptual parameters. The level of abstraction depends, partly on the complexity of the theoretical model explaining the phenomenon. The conjugation of directly-measured variables leads to a formation of a first-order factor. A combination of theoretical underpinnings supporting an existence of a higher-order components, and statistical evidence pointing to such presence adds advantage for the researchers to investigate a phenomenon both at an aggregated and disjointed dimensions. As partial least square (PLS) gains its tractions in theory development, behavioural accounting discipline in general should exploit the flexibility of PLS to work with the higher-order factors. However, technical guides are scarcely available. Therefore, this article presents a PLS approach to validate a higher-order factor on a statistical ground using accounting information system dataset.


A total of 7% of all benign bone lesions are diagnosed as fibrous dysplasia (FD). The symptoms of FD of the jaw range from asymptomatic to dental anomalies, pain and facial asymmetry. Due to its resemblance to other fibro-osseous bone lesions, misdiagnosis often occurs and can lead to inadequate treatment. Particularly in the jaw, this lesion does not become quiescent during puberty, making fundamental knowledge about the diagnosis and treatment of FD crucial. Mutational analysis and nonsurgical approaches offer new diagnostic and therapeutic options. In this review, we examine the advances and the difficulties of the diagnosis and the various treatment modalities of FD of the jaw in order to capture the current scientific knowledge on this bone disease.


Although research has identified numerous risk factors for military suicide, the contribution of combat exposure to suicide risk has not been clearly established. Previous studies finding no association of suicidality with combat exposure have employed overgeneral measures of exposure, which do not differentiate among the varieties of combat experiences. This study disaggregated the forms of combat exposure to assess the contribution of combat‐related killing to morbid thoughts and suicidal ideation (MTSI) in National Guard troops deployed to Iraq.


Macroscopic models used in the design and development of pulse tube cryocooler regenerators do not explicitly consider the complex microscopic interaction of the working fluid as it flows through the interstitial passages formed by the solid matrix. Rather, the governing equations for these models are typically formulated in terms of average macroscopic quantities (e.g., the bulk velocity and temperature within the interstitial passage) and require user input in the form of friction factor and Nusselt number to account for microscopic fluid-to-solid interactions. Traditionally, the friction factor and Nusselt number are correlated from steady flow experimental data, despite the oscillatory flow that exists within the regenerator. It is not clear how well this technique works and how much the failure to account for oscillating flow affects the performance predicted by a macroscopic model of a regenerator. In addition, correlations from steady flow are limited in terms of the matrix configuration and the range of the conditions. This paper outlines the development of a design tool that is capable of deriving Nusselt number and friction factor correlations based on computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analysis of a unit-cell model that considers the microscopic interactions between the fluid and solid. The model explicitly includes the oscillating flow effects, can be applied to arbitrary matrix geometry, and can be used to provide information over a large range of operating conditions. This paper presents the details of the model and the data reduction process as well as preliminary results for a typical regenerator geometry. INTRODUCTION Like most real world problems, flow through a regenerator varies in all three dimensions as well as time. In addition, as depicted in Fig. 1, typical regenerator geometries are intricate porous structures with complex heat and momentum interactions at the fluid-solid interface. The REGEN3.3 model1 developed at NIST formulates the numerical solution to the problem in terms of average cross-sectional quantities, thereby reducing the analysis to only one dimension rather than three. However, the microscopic heat and momentum interactions at the fluid-solid interface are not modeled directly using this approach. Instead, the details of the momentum and heat transfer interactions are included using friction factor and Nusselt number correlations. In the case of REGEN3.3, these correlations are taken from experimental data in Kays and London.2 The correlations are limited in their range of applicability and no correlations exist for many geometries of interest. In


Literacy Lessons: The Politics of "Basics First"Robert Jean LeBlancUniversity of firstname.lastname@example.com"Walking" and "Running" in Literacy EducationThe scene is familiar enough to the scores of English teachers and students locked into the regimens of scripted curricula in urban high schools across the United States: the teacher stands poised at the front of the room with a heavy text in hand, her voice carrying over the crowd of restless African American and Latino/Latina students trying hard to keep their eyes open as the afternoon wears on. The teacher's gaze betrays boredom lurking just below the surface.No one is enjoying this.The lesson is just as familiar as the scene: decontextualized passages, identifying main words and main ideas, guided reading with scripted teacher responses. The passage's contents bear little resemblance to the students' lives and, given the exhaustion creeping over the room as the minutes tick by, we might wonder why anyone would even consider pur- suing this instructional strategy with teenagers.When the lesson is over, the students quickly move to the exit. The teacher, beleaguered by the internal politics of an urban school in economic crisis, wonders why her students must be subjected to these kinds of decontextualized lessons day after day. She decides that maybe the students "need to learn the important foundational stufffirst before they can move on to the more interesting stuff. In other words, get the basics first."This is a common refrain when researchers and policymakers talk about reading instruction and the challenges of teaching literacy. Today, American literacy education is dominated by a model that Gerald Coles describes as "skills-heavy instruction, rigidly sequential, tightly administered, and moving from small parts of language to larger ones" (29). The prevalence of "basics first" in the policy arena and in the classrooms reminds me of the growth metaphor that Marilyn Adams, along with numerous other literacy researchers, often uses to describe a model of discrete, linear reading skills: "In any complex endeavor children must learn to walk before they run. Learning [to read] must start somewhere: if not with letters and phonemes, then where?" (68). In short, the message from back-to- basics advocates is, "this might be painful now, but trust us, it's in your best interests; you're learning to walk, and when this is over, you'll be running."The irony of this linear language and the promise waiting just behind it is palpable in the scene described earlier: a classroom filled with high school students who, despite years of slogging through workbooks, comprehension questions, and phonics worksheets, don't appear to be on the verge of being welcomed to "run" anytime soon. While the language of scripted curriculum proclaims eventual equal access, these products are far more likely to appear in the classes of racially minoritized or economically marginalized students (Ede; Sewall). Walk with us one more year, they hear. And when that's over, trust us, you'll be running; you'll be reading for meaning and applying texts to your own life and engaging as literate citizens. But that's for later.The purpose of my commentary is to highlight how the language of "basics first" in scripted curriculum promises a path to social mobility that is ultimately smoke and mirrors, notably when its plodding lessons are imposed disproportionately on students of color and their teachers (Delpit). In this column, I focus on the idea of getting the "basics first" and draw parallels between this familiar scene (and the pervasive discourse that gives it life) and an example from recent history. As an example, I draw on a government ordinance from the Canadian prairies called the Peasant Farming Policy to demonstrate the political complexities of reading instruction in American high schools. I believe this historical moment has a good deal to teach us about the dangers of a language of linear literacy progression and it injects some much-needed skepticism into the discussion of the unfulfilled promise of scripted, decontextualized reading programs. …