Evaluation Of The Emergency And Elective Operations Performed On Elderly Over 65 Years In Karadeniz Technical University Medical School Farabi Hospital The problems needing surgical treatment are difficult to tolerate in the elderly. In this study the aim was requiring to evaluate the elderly over 65 years who were operated in KTU Medical School Farabi Hospital. 6608 patients were operated in KTU Medical School Farabi Hospital in the year 2000. 16.3% of these operations was emergent and 83.7% was elective. 14.8% of the emergent and 16.7% of the elective operations were performed on the elderly over 65 years. The age difference between the emergency group (74.2 years) and elective group (71.1 years) was statistically significant. General anesthesia was the most common anesthesia in the two groups and more preferred in emergency operations. Most commonly General Surgery Department had performed emergency operations and Urology Department elective ones. The most common causes of emegency and elective operations were gallbladder pathologies and cancer respectively. These results suggest once more that operations in the elderly needs more attention. Keywords: Elderly, Operation, Anesthesia Types


The conformation of the title compound, C 15 H 13 ClN 2 OS, corresponds to that of methyl 4-chloro-N-(2-tolyl)-benzimidate [Kallel, Hajjem, Baccar & Svoboda (1992). Acta Cryst. C48, 536-538]. The planes composed of atoms O, C8, N2 and N2, C7, S make an angle of 104.3 (2)° with one another. The two phenyl rings are not coplanar. The N-H bond participates in intermolecular hydrogen bonding


A cell-permeable peptide-cage hybrid allows the cytosolic delivery of cage-interacting probes, including pyranine, carboxyfluorescein, and Alexa Fluor dyes, which are usually membrane-impermeable due to their high anionic charge.


Based on data tested on site in Dongpang Coal Mine,Xingtai Coal Mining Bureau,this paper discusses new style equal strength thread steel anchor rod,which had been performed through industual testing for the first time,and how this solved some critic problems.This paper explains the new type one is in demand on gate support.This new syle bolt,compared to the old type,with the characheristics of construct convenience and high safety and reliability,will gain advanced ecomonic benefit and social efficiency.


The paper analyzes critical systems, such as tracking systems, observations, on-board aircraft, etc. The need for an operational response of the system in the event of a non-emergency situation, such as a failure of an internal processing unit or a module built on the basis of FPGAs, is shown. In this case, an operational response of the system is necessary, when the software solutions are unacceptable. One solution is to reallocate internal modules due to changes in the internal topology of the system. In this paper, we propose methods and hardware-oriented algorithms for reallocation and provide relevant estimates of the time complexity of the proposed approaches.


This document presents the technical rationale and requirements for an experimental program to determine the stress corrosion crack growth rate in double-shell tank materials.


. Corpus.-Out of twenty-five cases treated at Cardiff since 1923 only five are alive. The report of the Marie Curie Hospital is somewhat more encouraging. Technique has been recently altered, smaller intrauterine doses being given. Radon cylinders are placed in each cornu, radium tubes in tandem from fundus to internal os, and radium plaques in the fornices. X rays are given two weeks after treatment. Of forty-one cases treated since 1925 thirtyone are now living.


Most atmosphere‐ocean general circulation models (GCMs) forced with increasing greenhouse gas concentrations predict enhanced atmospheric moisture transports to the high northern latitudes. Together with melting of Arctic sea ice and glaciers, this has led to the expectation of a gradual freshening of the northern North Atlantic, tending to reduce the strength of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). Here a multi‐member greenhouse gas GCM experiment is used to demonstrate that both the salinity in the North Atlantic and the inflow of Atlantic Water to the Nordic Seas may increase despite a strong freshening of the Arctic Ocean and a reduced AMOC.


The work discusses a basic proposition in the theory of competition in markets with adverse selection. By working out the sequence of market transactions, we show that the effectiveness of collateral in avoiding equilibrium rationing depends on an assumption of uncontestability of the loan market. If contestability is restored to its proper place, the sepa- ration of borrower by means of sufficient collateral does not impede the emergence of credit rationing, which results from a coordination failure among risk-neutral banks. As a consequence, even in a risk-neutral environment with suitable endowments, the use of collateral in credit contracts could not be a socially efficient screening-device. Our conclu- sion on rationing does not stand in contrast with a general result from Gale.


The photooxidation of heptaldehyde n-C6H13CHO can be inhibited by primary and secondary alcohols; this inhibition occurs through reaction between the peroxy radical C6H13CO3• and the alcohol, leading to less reactive species disappearing by recombination processes. Moreover, the reactivity of free radicals is modified by alcohols which solvate these radicals by hydrogen bonding. A kinetic scheme is proposed which accounts for the experimental results.


We report enhancement-mode composite-channel (In0.53Ga0.47As/InAs/In0.53Ga0.47As) MOSFETs fabricated using a substitutional-gate process, with n+ relaxed InAs source-drain regions formed by regrowth by molecular beam epitaxy. A device with 70-nm gate length and 2-nm In0.53Ga0.47As/3.5-nm InAs/3-nm In0.53Ga0.47As channel showed a peak transconductance of greater than 0.76 mS/μm at Vds = 0.4 V and showed Id = 0.5 mA/μm at Vds = 0.4 V and Vgs - Vth = 0.7 V. The subthreshold swing at Vds = 0.1 V was 130 mV/dec.


I analyze the translation carried out by Jose Maria de Torrijos y Uriarte of the memories that Napoleon dictated to his generals Baron Gourgaud and Count of Montholon, and the introductory biography he added. This work was a new contribution to the reflections on the historical legacy of the Corsican that had been given in the Spain of the Triennium and that he continued in English exile between 1825 and 1826 with the intention of offering a model of political management to the nascent republics of Hispano-America. What I want with this analysis is to study how Torrijos applied the criteria of Romanticism and Napoleonic legend to understand the politics of his time and the virtues that should have the leaders who sought to restore liberalism in countries ruled by absolutism.


Abstract In her novel Villette, begun around 1850, Charlotte Brontë explores the semantic opposition that was emerging between the terms 'art' and 'science' during the time she was writing. The terms were no longer interchangeable as they had been in the eighteenth century, though they remained closely associated. At first glance, it appears that Charlotte positions the nascent binary of art and science along gender lines: most of the men in Villette are characterized by scientific associations, and most of the women are distinguished by artistic sensibility, the most prominent of which is the opposition between Doctor John and the narrator, Lucy Snowe. Since Charlotte's narrative is told from the first-person point of view of a somewhat irrational and artistically inclined woman who seems thwarted by science, it would appear that Charlotte directs the reader's sympathy towards art, women and the irrational. Given that Victorians perceived male-dominated scientific pursuits as a masculine control of nature and, by extension, control of the female sex with whom nature has long been linked, it would follow that Villette overthrows male authority as it overthrows rational thought. However, Charlotte also collapses the distinctions she makes between the terms art and science and the two genders over the course of her novel. In blurring these binaries, she strives to dissolve what the Victorians perceived as the binary natures of men and women.


As long tubular needle intended to scan the fluid in the human body or drag the fluid from a person's body, skin penetrating distal end (4), opposite proximal end (5) and between them, the smaller skin penetration fabric than the outer diameter of the opposite proximal end (5) section 4 tubular needle having a tubular side wall (2) and the needle cannula the cylindrical lumen having the same uniform inside diameter substantially through the (1) extends, and the needle cannula (1) through (3) having an outer diameter of the cavity and a cannula (1). Injection fluid, tubular needle, a cannula, a cylindrical lumen


This paper estimates optimal hedging ratios for a Finnish spring wheat producer under price and yield uncertainty. The contract available for hedging fixes the price and quantity at the time of sowing for a delivery at harvest. Autoregressive models are used to obtain point forecasts for the conditional mean price and price volatility at harvest. Expected yield and yield volatility are estimated from the field experiment data. A range of coefficients of absolute risk aversion are used in the computations. The results suggest that yield volatility is large and it dominates the price volatility in the optimal hedging decisions of the Finnish wheat producers. The point estimate for the price and yield correlation is negative and has a large magnitude. Thus, a negative correlation between the price and the yield, as signalled by the point estimate, will decrease the optimal hedging ratio since the Finnish farmers do not have access to selling put options when they enter in a forward contract.


This article introduce a self-organized that based on deep learning (DL) algorithms. A new self-organized incremental neural network FG-SOINN presented in the Python programming language. This self-organized neural network (SOINN) algorithm generates packets of nodes and edges that are cleaned through fixed, user-defined time intervals. This leads to sudden changes in the network structure. This is due to the fact that large regions of the network are removed with a fixed period before the resumption of the training. Such "oblivion" conflicts with a more gradual oblivion on a large period of time, which is usually observed in natural cognitive systems. In a self-organized incremental algorithm, the removal of nodes and edges is determined by two parameters. These settings should be improved for each existing program through cross-checking. This article proves that FG-SOINN significantly eliminates this shortcoming, considering removal of nodes and edges as a necessary part of the process of study. Three concepts have been developed and implemented to form FG: Time of idle nodes and edges, reliability and utility of a particular node or edges. It is using these concepts that this algorithm and system will remove nodes and fins. The FG technique or node wear technique determines when and after which node of the period it will be removed. But if they are not updated in the specified time, they are simply deleted. These characteristics make it attractive for the dynamics of the environment, which requires long-term training. To ensure system scalability, the network will be guided by the n parameter. The algorithm starts its work and initiates the network with empty sets of nodes.Next, the nodes are added to the weight vectors. After that, the winner vector (nearest node) and the second winner vector will be searched. Distance measurement formulas will be used to determine the distance. The structure and results of the system demonstrate that this proposition can be adapted to the dynamic profile of network data for both normal and attack classes. The algorithm uses less resources, is faster, and has a higher detection rate than the teaching-teacher method than the traditional SOINN.


Anatomical irregularities should be removed from the evaluation if a reliable processing roughness is to be evaluated. In order to get only measures of processing, wood anatomy can be removed with a method based on the Abbot-curve, which separates the core data from outliers by means of an upper and a lower threshold. Although researchers agreed on the need of separating the processing roughness from anatomical roughness, there was no study on the most appropriate method of replacing the missing data in the roughness profiles. This paper examined three methods of replacing the oulying data and their effect on roughness parameters calculated on sampling lengths, as instructed by ISO 4287 (1998) and on evaluation length. The Zero method replaced outliers with zero values disregarded in further calculations, the Predicted method replaced the missing data by cubic spline interpolation and Total removal method removed completely wood anatomical features up to the profile mean line.The results showed that Zero method is the best choice when roughness parameters are calculated on the evaluation length. Compared to Predicted method it has the advantage of using real data giving similar results.Total removal method dramatically reduces the number of profile valleys in the evaluation biasing the roughness parameters.


Abstract The inclusion of processes relating to soil type and vegetation is very important in an attempt to improve a land surface parameterization for use in different scale atmospheric models. There is already sample micro-meteorological information about the sensitivity of surface energy fluxes and hydrology to plant communities, fractional plant covers, and some soil parameters, but not to soil texture. This study is concerned with the question of how much the land surface parameterization is sensitive to the inclusion of different fractional plant covers and soil-texture classes. The plant community used at the atmosphere-land interface in the sensitivity tests was a maize canopy planted at the experimental site De Sinderhoeve, the Netherlands, in the growing season of 1988. Four days at different stages of maize growth have been selected. For the time integrations in the sensitivity tests, a one-dimensional biophysical scheme was used. Nine soil textures have been chosen for simulations in the sensi...


The basic information source of the study is the technical statistical data of 162 matches in the 1997~1998 Men's Basketball League of China. Based on the condition extremum theory, by applying mathematical statistics and the optimized method of multi dimensional single target linear programming the study was developed in the following aspects: the establishment of the index system for expressing the basketballers' athletic performance, the construction of the condition extremum model of the basketballers' athletic performance expression, the analysis of this sort of model and its application.


Technological developments in the economic sector, a transaction renewal known as electronic commerce. Transactions that occur in e-commerce are categorized as digital contracts. The use of digital contracts in Indonesia does not escape a number of problems, which is legal. Legal issues that appear in this digital transaction are related to the element of validity. Digital contracts as a new type of contract cannot be equated with conventional contracts, because there are different limitations. This condition resulted in the implementation of digital contracts being facilitated thoroughly by regulations. This paper will examine legal issues in the implementation of digital contracts and understand the legality of digital contracts based on legal instruments in Indonesia.


This book constitutes a study of the religious phenomenon of apostasy in antiquity through a study of ancient sources and also tries to take into account the point of view of the apostate. In his introduction Wilson notes the relative absence of studies on the phenomenon of apostasy (as opposed to studies on conversion) especially in Graeco-Roman sources. Although he is aware of the semantic differences often made between Apostates and Defectors he chooses to use them interchangeably. He also identifies several problems in engaging in a study of this kind: (1) many groups did not publicize defections from their ranks; (2) those who defected may not have wished to draw attention to themselves; (3) some of the boundaries of religious communities were fluid and plastic; and (4) evidence for defection/apostasy is often scattered and fragmentary. Wilson adds some brief observations about the terms for 'heresy' and 'apostasy'. In later Christian usage the terms are virtually synonymous and pejorative. A similar pattern is found in Rabbinic literature with the exception that the labels of apostate and heretic are more consistently pejorative. While Graeco-Roman literature does not use the same terminology of 'heresy' the language of 'apostasy' is present, and in any case the notion of dissidents and defectors in philosophical schools was well known enough. In Wilson's definition, defectors/apostates are those who have been considered by others to have abandoned the main beliefs and practices of their religious community, while dissidents are wayward members of a community. In chapter 2, Wilson examines evidence for Jewish apostates including literary evidence from the Maccabean writings, Josephus, Philo, Rabbinic writings, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and various inscriptions. The discussion of Tiberius Alexander is particularly noteworthy for a balanced handling of the materials (pp. 29–22). This chapter would have been improved with more attention given to the extent and varieties of Jewish acculturation to Greek and Roman religion that would have affected perceptions of apostasy and dissidence. For instance, the Epistle of Aristeas asserts that Greeks and Jews worship the same god but by a different name. The Septuagint and Philo BOOK REVIEWS


Category: Basic Sciences/Biologics, Anesthesia/Pain Control Introduction/Purpose: Rebound pain, the quantifiable difference in pain experienced after nerve block resolution, can be a substantial component of postoperative pain, opioid intake, sleep disturbances, and patient satisfaction. A relatively higher concentration initial local anesthetic bolus may contribute to this phenomenon, as the transition from an entirely numb and painless limb to a partially numb limb may lead to greater perceived pain following block resolution. In contrast, patients experiencing some level of background pain immediately following surgery due to a lower concentration initial bolus may have less perceived pain after block resolution. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the influence of the initial local anesthetic concentration in continuous popliteal nerve blocks on rebound pain and other postoperative variables in foot and ankle surgery. Methods: Following IRB approval, patients undergoing outpatient foot and ankle procedures requiring continuous popliteal nerve blocks under the care of a single fellowship-trained foot & ankle surgeon were identified. Subjects were randomized and blinded to either the standard (0.5%) or low-dose (0.2%) initial ropivacaine bolus, both being followed by a continuous 0.2% ropivacaine catheter infusion. From postoperative days 1 to 7, subjects recorded their hourly visual analog scale (VAS) pain level out of 100, perceived pain relief from the block, and satisfaction with pain control, as well as daily narcotic intake and other postoperative side effects, through an electronic survey. Rebound pain was scored according to a published method by subtracting the lowest VAS pain score during the 12 hours prior to the subject's determination of block resolution from the highest VAS pain score in the 12 hours after resolution. 69 subjects completed the study. Outcomes were compared using Student's t-tests. Results: Thirty-four subjects received a standard initial 0.5% ropivacaine bolus, while 35 received a 0.2% bolus. Chi-square testing and t-tests revealed no difference in any preoperative patient variables or procedural type/location between groups. Subjects receiving the lower 0.2% ropivacaine bolus had a lower rebound pain score (47.6) than those receiving the standard ropivacaine bolus (51.0), though not significantly (p=.679). The group receiving the lower concentration bolus only reported a higher mean VAS pain at 72 hours following surgery (39.6 vs. 25.7, p=.044) and more pain interference with sleep (p=.015) on postoperative day 5. The groups did not differ significantly (p>.05) on any day in terms of morphine equivalent units (MEUs) consumed, satisfaction with pain control, nausea, constipation, or nerve-related symptoms of tingling, numbness, and hypersensitivity. Conclusion: The utilization of a lower concentration initial local anesthetic bolus in continuous peripheral nerve blocks in foot and ankle surgery did not significantly lower rebound pain, but provided similar postoperative pain control as a standard local anesthestic bolus concentration. Further investigation with larger cohorts is needed to further optimize local anesthetic concentration in continuous nerve blocks in order to limit postoperative pain, side effects, and opioid intake following foot and ankle surgery.


Ecological corridors are one of the best, and possibly only viable, management tools to maintain biodiversity at large scales and to allow species, and ecological processes, to track climate change. This document has been assembled as a summary of the best available information about managing these systems. Our aim with this paper is to provide managers with a convenient guidance document and tool to assist in applying scientific management principles to management of corridors. We do not cover issues related to corridor design or political buy in, but focus on how a corridor should be managed once it has been established. The first part of our paper outlines the history and value of ecological corridors. We next describe our methodologies for developing this guidance document. We then summarize the information about the impacts of linear features on corridors and strategies for dealing with them—specifically, we focus on the effects of roads, canals, security fences, and transmission lines. Following the description of effects, we provide a summary of the best practices for managing the impacts of linear barriers. Globally, many corridors are established in the flood plains of stream and rivers and occur in riparian areas associated with surface waters. Therefore, we next provide guidance on how to manage corridors that occur in riparian areas. We then segue into corridors and the urban/suburban environment, and summarize strategies for dealing with urban development within corridors. The final major anthropic land use that may affect corridor management is cultivation and grazing agriculture. We end this review by identifying gaps in knowledge pertaining to how best to manage corridors.


A comparative mass-balance approach is used to describe and quantify phosphorus (P) cycles during the open-water season in two unmanipulated Experimental Lakes Area (ELA) lakes. A bimodal cycle generally prevailed, in which water-column total phosphorus (TP = total dissolved P plus sestonic particulate P) peaked just after ice-out and again late in the summer. Changes in mass of water-column TP were often much larger than corresponding net external inputs. Shifts of P to and from either zooplankton or fish in the water column do not explain the P residuals. Rather, the bottom sediments must have been adding P to the water column. Short-term regeneration of P from the bottom sediments also probably occurs in artificially eutrophied ELA lakes. The mechanism of regeneration is probably biological. Other aspects of P cycling and P stoichiometry are discussed, particularly in relation to nutrient control of population structure and the function of primary and secondary producers.


Based on statistical analysis of hot state test data and practical production process data of 210 t ladle in argon blowing station,main influence factors of temperature drop were obtained and they were inlet temperature,amount of scrap for temperature adjusting,and argon blowing time.Orthogonal design method was adopted and the most representative data was selected from practical production data.The prediction model of molten steel end point temperature for 210 t ladle in argon blowing station was established by multivariate regression method through SPSS software.The model was verified through random selected 100 group data.Verification results show that the model has a good prediction effect,deviation of prediction was controlled within the range of ±10 ℃,and hitting rate comes to 90% in prediction for molten steel end point temperature in argon blowing station.Finally,a simulation system of prediction for molten steel temperature in argon blowing station has been established.


Among the world record occupational safety and health (K3) accidents, the death toll in a fire is ranked just below natural disasters such as the earthquake and tsunami. Almost every type of building and almost every country in the world has experienced a history of devastating fires, whether in hotels, nightclubs, hostels, agriculture, shops or fuel depots, included a house. The question we must ask ourselves is 'why has this tragedy occurred repeatedly and what have we learned from disasters over the past 100 years to strengthen preventive measures globally? There are three basic requirements that a fire can occur and get bigger:

The presence of fuel or flammable materials;
The existence of a lighter source; and
The presence of oxygen in the air to support combustion.

The ability to manage and reduce the risks associated with these three elements will greatly reduce the likelihood of a serious fire. So, our obligation as academics to provide knowledge and counseling about the danger of fire to the community so that they understand the danger of fire and can-do prevention and control, in addition to increasing awareness of fire hazards to create a safe and comfortable atmosphere in our environment.


Cosmetic surgery is not a new thing. The boom of cosmetic surgery is at its pace in India; people have been getting habituated to esthetics for so many years. Esthetic adjustment of various body parts such as rhinoplasty and lip modifications are more common nowadays. A dimple is a small depression on the surface of the body which can be easily noticeable; people appreciate the presence of dimple on the face and believe that it is a sign of good fortune and prosperity. With the advancements in the cosmetic surgery, there has been a upsurge in having artificial dimple on face. With this increased demand in having facial dimples in people, surgeons now are in an idea of creating an artificial dimple with dimple surgery or "dimpleplasty." The procedure of dimpleplasty is as simple as making a cut in the skin, suturing the underside of the skin to a deeper layer to create a small depression. The suture creates a permanent scar which maintains the dimple. It is a thumb rule that any surgery has minor risks which are avoidable; the current review enumerates the various procedures for dimpleplasty and their outcomes. This article emphasizes on routine as well as recent procedures used for dimpleplasty and its relative complications.


In this paper we consider the steady state mean square error (MSE) analysis for a 2-D LMS algorithm in which the filter's weights are updated in both vertical and horizontal directions using the Fornasini and Marchesini (F-M) (1980) state space model. The MSE analysis is conducted using the well-known independence assumption. First we shown that computation of the weight-error correlation matrix (WECM) for the F-M model-based 2-D LMS algorithm requires an approximation for the WECMs at large spatial lags. Then, we propose a method to solve this problem. Further discussion is carried out for the special case when the input signal is white Gaussian. It is shown that a more strict condition on the upper bounds of the used step size values is required to ensure the convergence of the 2-D LMS in the MSE sense. Simulation experiments are presented to support the obtained analytical results.


This paper makes use of the most recent archaeological data to examine and present the lifestyles at prehistoric settlements of northern Taiwan, in order to understand the developmental changes in the appearances of cultural contents and settlement patterns of these prehistoric cultures of northern Taiwan over several thousand years. On the basis of current archaeological data, it is clear that Shuntanpu Early Culture, Shuntanpu Late Culture, Yuanshan Culture, Botanical Garden Culture, and Shihsanhang Culture all had stilt-type (raised-platform) housing. Wooden pillars were erected in round holes of approximately 10-20 cm (though some are larger) dug into the earth, gravel layer, or sandstone bedrock, and it is surmised that these were then made more stable by packing small stones or ramming earth into the holes around the pillars. Coming to the long-standing controversy as to the origins of the Shihsanhang Culture, Shihsanhang Culture clearly inherited important content from the prehistoric cultures that inhabited northern Taiwan over the previous several thousand years and represents the developmental evolution of northern Taiwan archaeological cultures. One other aspect: Shihsanhang Culture has a stronger maritime character. Not only did it have frequent contacts with other contemporaneous archaeological cultures in Taiwan, but also conducted trading interactions with people in China and Southeast Asia, shaping Shihsanhang's complex and unique cultural appearance.


Despite all the attention paid to the topic of policy analysis, the actual work of policy analysts in government is little investigated and little known (Colebatch 2005, 2006a, 2006b; Colebatch and Radin 2006). This is true not only at the national level, which has been the subject of most existing studies, but especially at the sub-national level, where substantial powers rest. In order to address this gap, this article presents evidence from the first, large-scale set of surveys of Canadian federal, provincial and territorial policy analysts, examining the similarities and differences in their policy work. While many similarities exist in areas related to overall governance trends, such as consultation and participation work overtaking more technical policy evaluations, there are significant differences in the nature of policy work and attitudes, which are linked to the lesser autonomy from political masters experienced by sub-national analysts. The results suggest that sub-national policy work must be studied carefully in its own right.

Sommaire

Malgre toute l'attention accordee a l'analyse des politiques, le travail des analystes de politiques au gouvernement n'a ete que tres peu etudie et est peu connu (Colebatch 2005, 2006a, 2006b; Colebatch et Radin 2006). Cela est vrai non seulement a l'echelle nationale, ce qui a fait l'objet de la plupart des etudes existantes, mais plus particulierement a l'echelle infranationale, ou les gouvernements detiennent d'enormes pouvoirs. Pour remedier a cette lacune, cet article presente des temoignages de la premiere serie de sondages a grande echelle menee aupres des analystes de politiques federaux, provinciaux et territoriaux du Canada, qui examine les similarites et les differences dans le travail d'elaboration des politiques. Alors que de nombreuses similarites existent dans les domaines lies aux tendances de gouvernance en general, comme le travail de consultation et de participation depassant des evaluations de politiques plus techniques, il existe egalement d'importantes differences dans la nature du travail d'elaboration de politiques et dans les attitudes, qui sont liees au fait que les analystes infranationaux jouissent de moins d'autonomie que les maitres politiques. Les resultats laissent entendre que les etudes de politiques a l'echelle infranationale doivent etre examinees attentivement en tant que tel.


Background: Articular involvement can reach up to 95% within the multisystemic manifestations of SLE. Originally, a non-erosive pattern of articular inflammation was described, but the emergence of more sensitive imaging techniques, such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), show synovitis (S), erosions (E), bone marrow edema (BME) and tenosynovitis (TS) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Nowadays, a specific validated pattern of articular involvement associated with this disease does not yet exist, although it has begun to be studied (1,2). Objectives: To asses the extent of structural joint involvement in proximal interphalangeal joints (PIP), hand and wrist: E, BME, S, TS and peritendinitis (PT) by MRI, in patients diagnosed with SLE with hand arthritis or arthralgia. Methods: All patients with SLE who manifested hand pain and/or swelling in the prior 6 months were consecutively included in the study. They were divided into two groups: arthritis or arthralgia, according to the physical examination by an expert rheumatologist. All patients underwent an MRI with contrast injection on their non-dominant hand. The images obtained were evaluated following RAMRIS criteria extended to PIP and Tenosinovitys score for RA by two expert musculoskeletal radiologists, blind to the groups. Results: 32 patients were included: arthritis: n = 13, arthralgia: n = 19, with a mean age of 50.91 ± 13.37 years and a disease evolution time of 10.21 ± 8.26 years. The average SLEDAI score 6.30 ± 3.40 for the arthritis groups and 3.79 ± 2.14 for the arthralgia group. The average SLICC score was 0.23 ± 0.42 in the arthritis group and 0.1 ± 0.31 in the arthralgia group. E was found in 7 patients with arthritis (53.84%) (15.38% in PIP, 0% in hand and 53.84% in wrist) and in 13 patients with arthralgia (68.42%) (0% in PIP, 10.52% in hand and 68.42% in wrist). BME was observed in 4 patients with arthritis (30.76%) (7.69% in PIP, 0% in hand and 30.76% in wrist) and in 5 patients with arthralgia (26.31%) (5.26% in PIP, 10, 52% in hand and 15.78% in wrist). S was observed in 12 patients with arthritis (92.30%) (61.58 in PIP, 76.92% in hand and 84.61% in wrist) and in 8 patients with arthralgia (42.10%) (31.57% in PIP, 36.84% in hand and 36.84% in wrist). TS was observed in 6 patients with arthritis (46.15%) (38.46% in flexor tendons and 23.07% in extensor tendons) and in 8 patients with arthralgia (42.10%) (31.57% in flexor tendons and 21.05 % in extensor tendons). PT was found in 6 patients with arthritis (23.07%) and in no patient with arthralgia (0%) Conclusion: MRI allows us to diagnose musculoskeletal involvement in SLE, morphologically similar to rheumatoid arthritis (erosion, bone marrow edema, synovitis and tenosynovitis), which usually are underestimated on plain radiography. This study also shows the important erosive burden of arthritis in SLE, which has not been well characterised yet. In addition, it demonstrates the underestimation of physical examination to diagnose active inflammatory damage, such as subclinical synovitis, in patients with inflammatory arthralgias. References: [1]Mosca M, Tani C, Carli L, Vagnani S, Possemato N, DelleSedie A, et al. The role of imaging in the evaluation of joint involvement in 102 consecutive patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Autoimmun Rev. 2015; 14: 10-5 [2]Tani C, D'Aniello D, Possemato N, DelleSedie A, Caramella D, Bombardieri S, Mosca M. MRI pattern of arthritis in systemic lupus erythematosus: a comparative study with rheumatoid arthritis and healthy subjects. Skeletal Radiol. 2015;44:261-6 Disclosure of Interests: None declared


In order to study the influence of overlapping ratio on the hardness and the stress status of CK45 steel after laser melting process,SYSWELD was used to simulate the 2-D model with the broad-band volumetric heat source model.The calculated widths and depths of laser melting areas with the broad-band volumetric heat source model are in good accordance with the experimental results.The hardness of the melting zone increases obviously and the maximum hardness is in the heat affected zone(HAZ).The hardness distribution is more homogeneous with small distance between the centers of the adjacent laser melting beam than that with the large one.The maximum Mises stress is at the overlapping zone which is the place dangerous for crack initiation.


The 21st century is an information age as well as knowledge economy age. The rapid development of information technology provides us with advanced teaching means—multimedia. It is true that multimedia has many advantages in English teaching, such as offering more information, saving more time, stimulating students' imagination and creativity, and so on. Although multimedia has many advantages, some scholars suggested that it should not be used blindly. What we should know is that multimedia just only plays an assisting role in English teaching. The thesis consists of four parts. The first part gives a general introduction of multimedia. The second part illustrates the necessity of multimedia in English teaching. The third part elaborates the advantages of multimedia teaching and problems when we use multimedia. The last part gives some strategies on how to use multimedia well.


The occurrence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in developed countries is currently becoming epidemic primarily due to the changes in quality of life. This disease typically makes progress for a long time, and its clinical pattern is mostly related to various micro- and macrovascular complications. In addition to said complications the pancreas itself often undergoes damage associated with amyloid formation in islets of Langerhans which results in a toxic effect on the hormone-producing islet cells. Ultimately, hormone overproduction in T2DM shifts to hormone deficiency. The crucial causative factor of the development of pancreatic amyloidosis in T2DM is а short peptide hormone, amylin (IAPP), which is cosecreted with insulin and considered to be a kind of insulin antagonist. The present review reports structure, functions and amyloidogenic properties of human IAPP. The basic concepts of molecular and cellular aspects concerning pathogenesis of pancreatic amyloidosis have been provided. Patterns of the development of pancreatic amyloid lesions and possible approaches for early diagnosis and treatment of this significant complication of T2DM have been discussed.


The present invention relates to a transparent plastic article residual stress detection apparatus and method, a monochromatic light source composed of three LED light sources, the optical system is composed of a planoconvex lens, polarizer, 1/4-wave plate group, an analyzer and a lens, the image acquisition and computer processing system, a computer, a CCD camera, is placed behind the light source are sequentially planoconvex lens, polarizer, 1/4-wave plate group, the analyzer, a lens; OY in the direction from the transmission axis of the polarizer, 1/4 in the fast axis direction OX group wave plate, the light source power set at a focal point of the CCD camera, a light source section 1/4-wave plate group and a CCD camera connected to a computer via the plano-convex lens and the lens. According to the present invention is a monochromatic LED light sources of three different wavelengths, using the same principal stress difference, the product of the stress fringe value N different light wavelength λ and the wavelength of the light in equal, wherein the stress is calculated at a certain wavelength value of stripe. The method and apparatus for detecting the residual stress transparent plastic article with a wide measurement range, high accuracy.


following definition: ''An epilepsy can be considered benign when characterized by clinical and/or EEG features that predict, with low risk of error, at onset or soon after, remission of seizures (with or without treatment) and without significant, permanent impact on the patient's potential.'' Following this definition we propose that the following entities be considered as ''benign'': Benign non-familial neonatal seizures Benign familial neonatal seizures Benign familial neonatal-infantile seizures (in progress) Benign familial infantile seizures Benign nonfamilial infantile seizures Benign infantile focal epilepsy with midline spikes and waves during sleep (in progress) Early onset benign childhood occipital epilepsy (Panayiotopoulos type) Late-onset childhood occipital epilepsy (Gastaut type) Benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes Benign myoclonic epilepsy in infancy Childhood absence epilepsy (pure type) Idiopathic generalized epilepsy with variable phenotypes: (1) Juvenile absence epilepsy (2) Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (3) Epilepsies with generalized tonic–clonic seizures only Other epileptic conditions and situations not mentioned in the preceding, that do not necessarily fulfill the criteria that allow the diagnosis of an epileptic syndrome, may also have the characteristics of a benign epilepsy.


Introduction
On 30 October 2014, the people of Burkina Faso unanimously took to the streets to protest attempts by their longest-serving president, Blaise Compaore, to extend his 27-year rule through a constitutional amendment. This development could be likened to the Arab Spring of2011-2012, where ordinary citizens vehemently rose up in protest against authoritarianism. The recent events have been dubbed Burkina Faso's "Black African Spring".


Genomic instability is one of fundamental factors in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. Many studies have demonstrated that copy-number abnormalities at the DNA level are important in the pathogenesis of cancer. Array Comparative Genomic Hybridization (aCGH), developed based on expression microarray technology, can reveal the chromosomal aberrations in segmental copy at a high-resolution. However, due to the nature of aCGH, many standard expression data processing tools, such as data normalization, often failed to yield satisfactory results. The proposed study demonstrated a novel aCGH normalization procedure, which provides an accurate aCGH data normalization by utilizing the dependency of neighboring probe measurements in aCGH experiments. To facilitate the study, we have developed a Hidden Markov Model (HMM) to simulate a series of aCGH experiment with random DNA copy number alteration. Furthermore, based on this new development, we will establish a user-friendly web system in order to provide convenient aCGH analysis.


Bamboo is considered to be an important biopolymer source with useful applications in various fields, including the textile industry. In the present study, the bamboo rayon fabric has been grafted with acrylic acid using potassium persulfate (KPS) as an initiator. The graft copolymerization parameters were optimized in terms of temperature, time, initiator concentration and monomer concentration. The grafted product was characterized by FTIR, TGA and SEM analyses, and was further evaluated as to properties like moisture regain and yellowness index. The ungrafted and grafted fabrics were then dyed using cationic dyes. The colour strength increased with an increase in the carboxyl content of the grafted product. The dyed samples showed a distinct improvement in fastness properties.


As a vital thing in being a good leader, leadership has attracted more and more attention. Extraordinary leadership not only would increase followers' loyalty and enthusiasm but also improves the resilience of the enterprise against future shocks. In this paper, understanding of leaders, followers, goals and context were reviewed. The meaning of good leadership was also further analyzed.


Behavioral cloning from observation (BCO) allows the robot to learn the policy without the expert's action information. However, it requires a few interactions with the environment to infer expert's action with risk of robot failures. In addition, BCO assumes that the inferred action is of accurate, causing wrong and inefficient updates of the policy. Both problems can be resolved by outlier detection whether the faced state is experienced or not. This paper addresses such outlier detection mechanisms using variational autoencoder (VAE) to improve safety and efficiency of the standard BCO. For the first safety problem, we suppose that the expert's demonstrations only visited the safe states, and then, VAE is learned by the expert's state data to detect inexperienced and dangerous scenes. For the second efficiency problem, another VAE is trained with the state data safely collected by the imitator's policy to detect the scenes where the inferred actions are not accurate. In handwriting robot experiments, the proposed mechanisms succeeded in improving the standard BCO in terms of both the safety (roughly 64%) and the efficiency (roughly 44%). The high versatility of the proposed mechanisms is verified from learning various alphabets. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT


This paper investigated, experimentally, the flexural performance of reinforced concrete beams strengthened with externally post-tensioned Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) tendons, under fatigue loading. Fatigue experiments on five beams (160x280x3500 mm) were undertaken. Mid-span –deflection, steel bar and CFRP tendons strain and cracks width were measured at different numbers of load cycles and varying fatigue loading levels during the test . Test parameters included the tendon profile and the load levels applied to the beam during the fatigue life (27%, 35%, 43% and 48% of their ultimate load). The CFRP tendons were posttensioned at 35%, 40%, 45% and 55% respectively of its ultimate capacity. The empirical equation for crack width was established using curve fitting at various fatigue loading levels and numbers of load cycles. The fatigue performance of reinforced concrete beams strengthened with externally prestressed CFRP tendons was evaluated. A very good performance of the strengthened beams was observed under fatigue loading. The fatigue life of the beams was mainly governed by the fatigue fracture of the internal steel reinforcing bars at a flexural crack location. Fracture of the bars occurred at the root of a rib where high stress concentration was likely to occur. The enhancement in the fatigue life of the strengthened beams was noticeable at all load levels applied. Posttensioning considerably decreased the stresses in the steel reinforcing bars and, consequently, increased the fatigue life of the beams. At the same load level applied to the un-strengthened and strengthened beams, the fatigue life of strengthened beam is bigger than un-strengthened beam.


Timely highway construction has an increasingly significant importance. As the cost of highway improvements increases and the ability to secure new rights-of-way decreases, the nation's highways are becoming increasingly congested. Highway construction now must be accomplished within existing rights-of-way and invariably creates inconvenience and cost to the traveling public. Reducing the duration of this inconvenience and thereby reducing public cost is a key target for many state highway agencies (SHAs). Several alternative delivery methods have been used for timely delivery of projects. One of these methods is Incentive/Disincentive (I/D) Contracting. State Highway Agencies need an effective process to implement I/D contracting in their projects; the purpose of this research is to develop a simplified process for implementing I/D contracting in State Highway Agencies, using current, general guidelines. Incentive/Disincentive (I/D) contracting experience exists among various state departments of transportation. Reportedly, this alternative contracting process often occurs in reaction to the needs of individual projects; guidelines used for the creation of I/D contract parameters are under development, not fully established, and are often instituted ad-hoc rather than through a generally-applied set of principles. This research reviews and consolidates many sources of published guidance regarding the use of I/Ds in highway contracting and presents a holistic set of broad principles of project-specific I/D contracting; the purpose herein is to provide a necessary overview toward understanding how each step in the process fits within the whole. This work may be used by various departments of transportation in the U.S. or other agencies that may wish to utilize I/D contracting and generally is compatible with guidance suggested by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). This work is intended to complement existing, more detailed discussions presented in the references.


As genetic factors affect strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa Duch.) fruit development and quality, changes in metabolite concentrations were studied during fruit development of four strawberry cultivars grown in the field: three commercial cultivars (Capitola, Elsanta and Dover) and a genotype from Centre Interregional de Recherche et d'Experimentation de la Fraise, France ('CF1116'). Major and minor metabolites changed with development. The two strawberry cultivars with the highest starch content at early stages, 'Capitola' and 'Elsanta', also had the highest fruit weight at harvest. There was no correlation between strawberry weight and osmolarity. At maturity, significant differences were observed among cultivars for most of the metabolites studied. 'Capitola' and 'Elsanta' responded similarly for most measured variables. 'CF1116' was characterized by high juice osmolarity and high sucrose, inositol, glutamine, arginine and alanine concentrations, and low citrate and malate concentrations. 'Dover' was characterized by a high galactose concentration and low asparagine and alanine concentrations. Organic acid differences among cultivars appeared early during development, while differences in soluble sugars appeared during maturation. The developmental pattern of each amino acid varied among cultivars. Timing of the biochemical differences observed among


Sir, I Shall begin my Observations with such as relate to Human Kind, which are only two, and those within the Township of North-Bierley.


The spatial variability of plant species richness was analyzed using geostatistics in the Karst area of Bijie,Guizhou Province,which presents wide altitudinal range in southwest China.The optimal semivariogram theoretical model fitted for arbor species richness was spherical model,and the linear sill model for shrub and herb.The arbor species richness was highly related to altitudinal gradient with a spatial heterogenous rate of 0.0052,which mainly affected by natural controlling factors with altitudinal variation.Shrub and herb species were mainly affected by random factors,which showed very weak relationship with altitudinal gradient and their spatial heterogenous rates were 3.15 and 34.55,respectively.The altitudinal range of arbor species richness was 177.37 m,which indicated a wide altitude range affected by random factors.The altitudinal range of species richness of shrub and herb were 73.02 m and 49.97 m,respectively,which indicated a narrow altitude range affected by random factors.The changes of Moran's I index of shrub and herb species along altitudinal gradient were similar,that were different from that of arbor species.


Neuropeptide Y participates in the acute behavioural responses to immune challenge, since Y2 receptor knockout (Y2-/-) mice are particularly sensitive to the short-term anxiogenic-like effect of bacterial lipopolysaccharide. The present exploratory study addressed the involvement of Y2 and Y4 receptors in the long-term behavioural responses to immune challenge. A single intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (0.83 mg/kg) to control mice did not affect open field behaviour 3 h post-treatment but enhanced anxiety-like behaviour in Y2-/- as well as Y4-/- mice. Four weeks post-treatment this behavioural effect of lipopolysaccharide persisted in Y4-/- mice but had gone in Y2-/- mice. Depression-related behaviour in the forced swim test was enhanced 1 day post-lipopolysaccharide in control and Y2-/- mice, but not in Y4-/- mice. Four weeks post-treatment, the depressogenic-like effect of lipopolysaccharide had waned in control mice, persisted in Y2-/- mice and was first observed in Y4-/- mice. In summary, knockout of Y2 and/or Y4 receptors unmasks the ability of a single lipopolysaccharide injection to cause a delayed and prolonged increase in anxiety- and/or depression-like behaviour. These findings suggest that neuropeptide Y acting via Y2 and Y4 receptors prevents the development of long-term anxiety- and depression-like behaviour caused by acute immune challenge.


The present invention is directed to a method and a device for cooling an electric motor of a hybrid transmission. More specifically, an annular chamber between a housing for the electric motor and a transmission housing is formed. A coolant is introduced into the annular chamber and applied by a plurality of coolant openings in the motor housing on the electric motor to cool the motor.


The enactment of Special Autonomy from the Central Government to the Regional Government of Papua is clear evidence of the presence of the state among indigenous Papuans to encourage development in the regions in the social economy. However, problems arise in the management of the special autonomy funds that are not yet optimal, the existence of corruption, collusion and nepotism, irregularities in regulations, and inadequate services. This article examines the impact of the presence of the state through special autonomy among indigenous Papuans in the economic field. The approach used in this research is qualitative using the case study method. Data collection techniques in the form of interviews, observation, and documentation study. The study found that the governance of the Special Autonomy Fund has not been on target, indigenous Papuans are still at the poverty line, empowerment and community assistance programs have not been optimal, practices of corruption, collusion and nepotism occur, social disparities occur, and abuse of special autonomy regulations. Thus, the presence of the state in Papua through the special autonomy policy must be re-evaluated. The state must ensure that at the end of the special autonomy era, there should not be any indigenous Papuans who are only spectators so that the aspirations for the welfare of all indigenous Papuans through special autonomy can be realized.


In the recent years, under powerful international pressure and the circumstances when its people at home are gradually changing their diet patterns, Japan's structure of agriculture and agricultural production and sale are also undergoing gradual changes. It is found in this paper that systematic studies of such changes will provide useful references for China's restructuring her agriculture and her marketing agricultural products in Japan.


A femtosecond laser has been used to write computer-generated holograms directly on a silicon surface with a resolution of up to 28 kpixels/mm2. 3D and rainbow effects in off-axis holograms have been demonstrated.


microRNAs(miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that function as endogenous silencers of numerous target genes.Hundreds of human miRNAs have been identifed in the human genome,and they are expressed in a tissue-specific manner and play important roles in cell proliferation,apoptosis and differentiation.Colorectal cancer(CRC)is one of the most common maligancies.The incidence of CRC in China is increasing annually with its incidence age gradually getting yonger.Aberrant expression of miRNAs may contribute to the development and progression of human CRC.In additon,miRNAs may provide new biomarkers for diagnosis,treatment and prognosis of CRC.


Quantifying and managing carbon (C) storage in urban green space (UGS) soils is associated with the ecosystem services necessary for human well-being and the national C inventory report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Here, the soil C stocks at 30-cm depths in different types of UGS's (roadside, park, school forest, and riverside) were studied in three major South Korean cities that have experienced recent, rapid development. The total C of 666 soil samples was analyzed, and these results were combined with the available UGS inventory data. Overall, the mean soil bulk density, C concentration, and C density at 30-cm depths were 1.22 g·cm−3, 7.31 g·C·kg−1, and 2.13 kg·C·m−2, respectively. The UGS soil C stock (Gg·C) at 30-cm depths was 105.6 for Seoul, 43.6 for Daegu, and 26.4 for Daejeon. The lower C storage of Korean UGS soils than those of other countries is due to the low soil C concentration and the smaller land area under UGS. Strategic management practices that augment the organic matter supply in soil are expected to enhance C storage in South Korean UGS soils.


A class of rapidly labeled nuclear RNA distinct from ribosomal precursor RNA has recently been characterized in various types of animal cells.1-' This RNA has a base composition resembling DNA (substituting uracil for thynline) and is therefore clearly distinguishable from nucleolar ribosomal RNA precursor molecules. On the basis of sedimentation behavior after various treatments3' B and contour lengths in electron micrographs,2 it has been suggested that this "DNA-like" RNA represents molecules of various lengths, including some polyribonucleotide chains as large as 107 molecular weight. We have used the abbreviation HS-nRNA (heterogeneously sedimenting nuclear RNA) to refer to this class of RNA obtained from HeLa cells.5' 6 The cytoplasmic mRNA of HeLa cells comprises molecules which sediment much more slowly than the HS-rnRNA,7' 8 although the base composition of both is "DNA-like." It is therefore possible that cytoplasmic mRNA is derived from HS-nRNA by a specific cleavage mechanism(s). Such a mechanism, by which long polynucleotides are converted to specific shorter molecules, has been described in HeLa cells: 28S and 16S ribosomal RNA derive from a 45S ribosomal precursor molecule in the nucleolus of the cell.6' 9, 10 Work on nucleated duck erythroblasts (cells which primarily synthesize hemoglobin) suggests that the majority of HS-nRNA molecules in that cell never leave the nucleus but are apparently constantly synthesized and degraded.2' On the other hand, consideration of the kinetics of pulse-chase experiments have led Brown and Gurdon to suggest that in developing frog embryos at least some of the shorter DNA-like RNA may arise from cleavage of longer molecules. In Hela, cells, the rate of incorporation of H3-uridine into HS-nRNA was compared to what would be expected if the HS-nRNA served as a precursor to cytoplasmic mRNA.5 Those kinetic experiments gave no clear indication of whether any of the HS-nRNA might be converted to cytoplasmic mRNA. To explore further the relationship of these two classes of "DNA-like" RNA molecules, we turned to the technique of RNA-DNA hybridization."1 It was anticipated that experiments utilizing competition hybridization would be especially useful. For example, if HS-nRNA or RNA derived from it never entered the cytoplasm, hybrid formation by radioactive HS-nRNA should not be affected by cytoplasmic mRNA. It was found, however, that while unlabeled HeLa cell cytoplasmic RNA would interfere with hybridization of labeled RNA molecules, no true competition for DNA sites by unlabeled RNA molecules could be demonstrated. Therefore, the extent to which nucleotide sequences in these two classes of DINTAlike RNA might be related could niot be determined from such experiments. Materials and Methods.-Labeling procedures and preparation of nucleic acids: Hela cells were grown, labeled, and fractionated into cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions as previously described.5 7t 10 The total nuclear RNA was extracted by a hot phenol-sodium dodecyl sulfate (phenol-SDS) procedure and subjected to zonal sedimentation.A 12 The RNA sedimenting faster than the 45S ribosomal precursor peak (approximately 50-IOO(S) was collected by ethanol pre-


SECTION 1: CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES IN CHILDHOOD OBESITY PREVENTION SECTION 2: PREVALENCE AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH CHILDHOOD OBESITY SECTION 3: APPROACHES TO PREVENTION SECTION 4: INTERVENTIONS


Objective To explore the clinical significance of combined detection of autoantibodies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE).Methods A total of 60 SLE patients,treated in this hospital from Jan.2012 to Jan.2014,were enrolled as SLE group,and 60 healthy subjects were enrolled as control group.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to detect anti-double stranded DNA(dsDNA)antibody,and Western blot was used to detected ant-nucleosome antibody(AnuA)and anti-Sm antibody.Diagnostic performance of single and combined detection of antibodies was compared.Results Positive rates of anti-dsDNA antibody,AnuA,anti-Sm antibody and combined detection of the three antibodies were 93.3%,33.3%,46.7% and 96.7%in SLE group,which were significantly higher than control group(P0.05).Combined detection of the three antibodies were with higher diagnostic performance.Conclusion Combined detection of AnuA,anti-Sm antibody and anti-dsDNA antibody might be helpful to avoid missed diagnosis of SLE.


According to field observations, the atmospheric boundary layer is usually unstably stratified before a dust and sandstorm, the particle-laden turbulent gravity current with an extremely high Reynolds number. In this paper, an inviscid model is built to study the mechanism governing the slumping phase of gravity current, and it is shown that the dimensionless current front speed, the Froude number, decreases when the current fluid or the ambient medium or both fluids are unstably stratified. In spite of the density interface mixing, the relation between the front speed and the front height described by the inviscid model agrees with the numerical simulation results, where the lock-exchange gravity currents with different initial lock heights are calculated for different unstable stratification cases. Furthermore, the velocity increments obtained by field observations at the sandstorm fronts are satisfactorily consistent with the evaluations of the model, suggesting that the inviscid mechanism makes contribution to such high Reynolds number turbulent flows.


Objective. In many cases, noise in visual stimuli plays an active role in brain information processing. Electroencephalogram (EEG) provides an objective mean to measure brain cognition and information processing, and studies on the effect of noise on EEG can help us better understand the mechanisms involved in information processing. Approach. In this study, visual stimuli, consisting of images with different noise levels, were created using the phase-scrambled method. EEG data evoked by these images were then obtained using the rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) paradigm and the N-back method was used to induce and assess the fatigue state of subjects. The effect of differing noise modulation levels on EEG in different fatigue states was studied by analyzing the differences in the characteristics of steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP). Main results. The study results demonstrated that an image's noise level had a significant impact on the evoked SSVEP characteristics. The amplitude and time delay of induced SSVEP were effectively enhanced by moderately increasing the noise of the visual stimulus images. Fatigue also appeared to affect SSVEP, and the difference in SSVEP characteristics induced by images with different noise levels decreased when the subject was fatigued. Significance. The conclusions of this study provide insights into the relationship between visual stimuli noise and SSVEP characteristics under different fatigue states. This might provide a basis for the study of the brain's mechanisms in regulating attention resources and the stochastic resonance phenomenon. In addition, this study has the potential to provide an objective method for rapid fatigue detection based on EEG.


This study was designed to assess the effect of pupil-teacher ratio on performance of grade 9 examinations in selected schools in Ndola District. The purpose of this study was as follows: (a) to evaluate the impact of Pupil Teacher Ratio on academic performance of grade 9s in National Examinations. (b) Assess the existence of the ideal Pupil Teacher Ratio in Zambia. (c) To identify the major challenges faced in the attainment of appropriate Pupil Teacher Ratio in Zambia's public schools This research revealed that Mission and Private schools have better staffing levels as compared to Government schools. As a result, the well-staffed schools perform better academically. Most Government schools have staff shortages as well as inadequate infrastructure at all levels of our education system. The consequences of the current high pupil-teacher ratio include low levels of attention to individual pupils, shortage of text books and other learning materials, inability to effectively carry out practical lessons, lack of attention by pupils because of distractions from the many classmates and many more. The research also showed that Government schools have the highest teacher – pupil ratios and as such there is inadequate contact time between pupils and teachers. This affects the pupils negatively especially the slow learners. Findings from the study show that there is significant relationship between teacherstudent ratio and academic achievement of students. Pupils in large classes drift off task because of too much instruction from the teacher to the whole class instead of individual attention, and lowattaining students are most affected. As public schools across the country continue to feel the effects of state budget cuts, the importance of student-to-teacher ratio and class size has bubbled to the surface. Arising from the findings, the paper recommends that the challenge of teaching in large classes should not be left to school administrators and teachers alone but should be faced at all fronts by all stakeholders. Based on the findings of the study, the Ministry of General Education should consider introducing team teaching in order to ease some of the challenges faced by teachers of large classes. The Government must set up deliberate policies to motivate teachers so that they do not leave the teaching profession especially after they have upgraded their studies to join other professions. The government should increase its staff development in the education sector each year and should quickly replace teachers who resign or die so that staffing levels do not drop but improve each year. This study showed that a decline in pupil-teacher ratio increases overall performance of pupils in public schools. There is need for government to employ more teachers. This will enable attainment of recommended PTR in schools which currently is far above the required standards. It will also help to offset the problem of teacher shortage as a result of over-enrollments. It is therefore important that the number of pupils per teacher should be taken into consideration by the government and other education sector stakeholders in formulating policies in the schools. Key Terms: Students, Pupil-teacher ratio, Performance, Impact, Class size, Contract teacher The International Journal of Multi-Disciplinary Research ISSN: 3471-7102, ISBN: 978-9982-70-318-5 2 Paper-ID: CFP/1315/2019 www.ijmdr.net I) 1: INTRODUCTION Education is often viewed as one of the primary drivers of economic development. Education concerns itself with the acquisition of knowledge, skills and attitudes which are relevant to the survival of human beings. According to United States Aid (USAID 2013), education is the key to sustaining democracies, improving health, increasing per capita income, and conserving environmental resources. The United Nations Educational Social Cultural Organization (UNESCO, 2011) contends that up to 20% of the world's income growth could be traced to education. Provision of quality Education to all school-going children poses a fundamental challenge to education and training systems in most countries, Zambia included. Studies in education have shown that achieving quality education in Zambia stile possess as a major challenge. Among the other challenges are the issue of improving quality and increasing learning achievement. There have been calls for improving education access for the World. (UNESCO, 2011). 1.1.1 Pupil Teacher ratio as a Parameter for quality education in Zambia Amongst all the education indictors, quality is the most difficult aspect to measure. Often times, quality is erroneously attributed to the optimal provision of education inputs and not the learning achievements. According to this view, the Quality of education is high if the school is well-resourced with inputs such as highly qualified teachers, teaching and learning materials, infrastructure, relevant curriculum and students (World Bank Group 2015). At output level, assessment frameworks focus on measuring demonstrable competencies that benchmark performance and are perceived to provide insights on the quality of education provision. The performance of the Zambian education system is monitored using a set of indicators that measure a number of aspects relating to the education system. The core indicators that the Ministry of General Education use mainly measure four aspects of the education system namely, Access and Participation, Quality, Efficiency of education delivery and Equity. It is however noteworthy to acknowledge that the quality indicators by and large have a biasness towards quantitative dimensions. Some of the indicators used to monitor quality of education are mainly by proxy and are ingredients for short-term educational products such as pupil teacher ratio, pupil classroom ratio, teacher class ratio, textbook pupil ratio, curriculum relevance, quality of teachers, learning achievement levels, percentage certificates and percent of students meeting the defined achievement levels (MoGE 2015a). Though the inputs and outputs model has historically been the major assessment criteria for Zambia, investments in this model have resulted in very little improvements in the quality of education at all levels. As a result, there is currently a growing shift in focus towards the inclusion of genuine education outcomes, which although more complex and abstract, measure permanent changes relating to positive behavior, high productivity, and other qualities as espoused in the national education policy. Thus, Zambia recently adopted the UNESCO educational quality framework which draws most of its elements from the humanist educationalist model. The UNESCO model has been adopted by Zambia as part of the Standards and Evaluation Guidelines launched in 2015 by the Ministry of General Education. This model places more emphasis on the input-process-output view of quality. 1.2 Background to the Study There is currently an insufficient number of schools at all levels and approximately 15% of the school age The International Journal of Multi-Disciplinary Research ISSN: 3471-7102, ISBN: 978-9982-70-318-5 3 Paper-ID: CFP/1315/2019 www.ijmdr.net population is not enrolled because of lack of places. The 1990 population census showed that an estimated 66% of the adult population is illiterate (mainly women). In 1995, 26.7% of the population aged 15+ was illiterate. Due to the above, most government schools are over populated which has led to the increase of the teacher – pupil ratio. Large class size on the other hand is often impersonal, having broader curricula with teachers being given wider support, while students may suffer discipline problems as teachers cannot get to know their students very easily. They find it easy to stream students according to ability while commitment to work may stand a test of time. Therefore, considering the vitality of the problem, this study investigates the effects of studentteacher ratio on academic achievement of students. According to the Educational Statistical Bulletin 2016, the following statistics were recorded, infrastructure development has continued in order to increase the classroom spaces at all levels. In 2015, the total number of permanent classroom spaces reported for secondary schools was 9,115; this increased to 10,113 permanent classrooms in 2016 A total number of 96,228 teachers were reported in 2016 showing a decline of 1,812 from 98,035 in 2015. The number of primary school teachers was 73,949 and 22,279 secondary school teachers. Of the total 1,812 teachers decline from the 2015, 1,287 were primary school teachers while 520 were Secondary school teachers. In terms of provincial distribution of teachers, table 47 shows that Copperbelt had the highest total number of teachers and was followed by Lusaka both at primary and secondary levels. Muchinga province reported the least number of primary teachers while Western province had the least number of secondary school teachers. Figure 2: Pupil – Teacher Ratio by Province A number of factors influence the interaction between teachers and students in the classroom such as: educational course, the division of the teacher's time between the teaching and other tasks and grouping of students within the classroom and teaching practice in groups or teams. In small class (with fewer students), the teacher has an idea, anticipation and complete records for each student and also for their achievements or full performance. On the other hand, in large classes (with more than 40 pupils), the motivation of learning and also the assessment of learning cannot be at the right level, because most of the time the assessment is made only through tests or essays as teacher does not have an idea in advance, or assessment for his students during the academic year due to the large number of students in class. This is therefore the major reason why this study looked at the effects, pupil teacher ratio on t


Objective:Through the study about the distribution of radiation dose around all-digital large angiography machine,we can provide scientific and reasonable basis for the intervention staff′s protection.Methods:By using X-ray protection monitor to measure the X-ray intensity distribution around radiation field in both horizontal and vertical direction,and also measure the X-ray′s intensity in different exposure mode,the result was analyzed by using statistic methods.Results:When orthotopic,the radiation dose was gradually attenuated from the radiation field to outside in horizontal direction;And the radiation dose is gradually increased from the ground up to 130cm in vertical direction,then gradually reducted.When oblique,the radiation dose is gradually attenuated from the radiation field to outside in horizontal direction,and the radiation dose is gradually increased from the ground up to 110cm in vertical direction,then gradually reducted.The radiation dose of digital subtraction mode is the highest,50% radiation dose can be reduced when using the suspended lead glass in cardiac mode;Radiation dose of 15F/S will be lower than 30F/S in fluoroscopy mode.Conclusion:The staff can reduce the radiation dose effectively by reasonable using all kinds of exposure modes and learning about the distribution of X-ray′s radiation dose around.


This paper presents the investigation results of temporal chaotization of optical field scattered by liquid crystals during phase transition liquid – liquid crystal under electric field. It is established that maximum of temporal chaotization scattered field is observed under the temperature of phase transition liquid – liquid crystal and one doesn't dependence of liquid crystal thickness. We found that minimum of temporal chaotization of near-field and scattered field is observed at formation Williams's domains corresponding to the attached 9V voltage.


Many scaling techniques involve rating procedures in which Ss are asked to place a stimulus on some kind of scale. In a typical task, S is presented with stimuli one at a time and instructed to place each stimulus on a scale which varies from, say, 1 to 7, the former being assigned when the stimulus has the least amount of the attribute being rated and the latter when the stimulus has a great deal of the attribute. Such a scaling technique is actually a variant of the method of equal-appearing intervals. Edwards (1957, Chap. 4) indicates that, in general, the procedure employed in equal-appearing interval scaling tasks appears to have little effect. The research he cites, however, is largely concerned with comparing two rather dissimilar techniques [e.g., sorting (Thurstone & Chave, 1929) and rating scale line (Ballin & Farnsworth, 1941)l. In the present study, ratings by reference to a line were employed and the length of that line was varied. Forty-four male undergraduates were divided randomly into two groups (A and B). Group A rated the similarity of pairs of adjectives on a 7-in. line, Group B on a 3y2-in. line. In each case, the line had seven equal divisions, and the extremes were defined by the phrases "very similar" and "very different." On the basis of independent data, three pairs of adjectives (sad-impetuous, satisfyingdelicate, merry-happy) were selected as being low, medium, and high, respectively, in similarity. The mean racings for each pair of stimuli were calculated from the ratings given by Groups A and B. The low-similarity adjective pair led to a mean rating of 2.68 for each group (z = 0.00). The standard deviations were 1.33 and 1.04 for Groups A and B, respectively. For the medium-similarity pair, the means were 3.64 (s = 1.24) and 3.59 (s = 0.88) for Groups A and B (z = 0.15). In the case of the high-similarity adjective pair, the means were 6.59 and 6.73 (z = -0.77) with standard deviations 0.68 and 0.52. It is clear thar there are no significant differences in the mean similarity ratings; all z values fall well within the critical bounds of &1.96. Thus varying the length of the rating scale line from 345 to 7 in. appears unimportant in similarity ratlngs. The line lengths evaluated are approximately the upper and lower bounds of the scale slzes conveniently used in paperand-pencil rating. The suggestion in the data thar scale length may have an effect on high similarity stimuli but not on low was also tested, but an analysis of variance showed no interaction between similarity and rating-scale length.


This qualitative phenomenological study investigated the experiences of a purposive sample of eight Learning and Development executives to
 understand the circumstances leading to, as well as the experiences implementing Digital Business Simulation Games (DBSG) in a corporate
 learning environment, specifically related to the financial service industry. Their perception of the organizational needs, decision-making
 process of those involved, as well as the experience in design, development, and implementation may contribute to a better understanding of
 the circumstances within an organization where a DBSG would be an effective solution to achieve the development goals of learners within
 that organization. This study will also investigate the impact the implementation of the DBSG had on the organization, as well as provide
 further insight into best practices and critical success factors for future implementations. The research technique employed was a modified
 van Kaam method as described by Moustakas (1994) based upon transcribed interviews using semi-structured questions to capture the organizational
 needs, decision-making, and implementation experiences as well as perceptions of the participants. Five significant themes with two subthemes
 that emerged are prevalent from within the collected data from the participants: 1) needs intake and leadership support, 2) safe space to
 practice, 3) innovation on current curricula, 4) higher degrees of engagement, and 5) positive measurement results. The resulting analysis
 also led to considerable collection of best practices and critical success factors in deciding to undertake a DBSG program, and the design,
 development and implementation of a DBSG


To rationally arrange the allocation of the green landꎬ fully improve the ecological environment and provide more reasonable theoretical supports for the functionalizationꎬ standardization and economicalization of urban greeningꎬ we collected PM2􀆰 5 samples from four plantings on the campus of Hangzhou Dianzi University. The PM2􀆰 5 concentrations of different time periods and different heights from the ground were analyzed by t ̄test to study the variation of PM2􀆰 5 values. Hereꎬ we used the PM2􀆰 5 concentrations at ground as a reference to compare with different vegetation areas at different heights∕times and in the same vegetation area∕height. Results showed that: (1) In the morningꎬ the situations of metasequoia forestꎬ pine forest and mixed forest′s ability of the PM2􀆰 5 adsorption were similarꎬ with average difference of 14􀆰 36ꎬ 12􀆰 00 and 12􀆰 79 μg∕mꎬ respectively. Howeverꎬ the grass ability of PM2􀆰 5 adsorption was poorꎻ the average difference of the area was 4􀆰 75 μg∕m . At noonꎬ the metasequoia forest′s ability of the PM2􀆰 5 adsorption was the best with the difference of the area at 10􀆰 87 μg∕m . Tthe mixed forest was followed by the metasequoia forest which was 8􀆰 18 μg∕mꎬ the grass was 14􀆰 90 μg∕m larger than the average of ground. In the afternoonꎬ the metasequoia forest and the mixed forest′s ability of the PM2􀆰 5 was 14􀆰 90 μg∕m larger than the average of ground. In the afternoonꎬ the metasequoia forest and the mixed forest′s ability of the PM2􀆰 5 adsorption was less than that in the noon. At the nightꎬ except the mixed forestꎬ the others didn′t show significant different to the ground. (2) Compared the difference of PM2􀆰 5concentrations in the height of 0􀆰 1 and 1􀆰 5 mꎬ the PM2􀆰 5 concentrations in lower level was more than the higher level 环  境  科  学  研  究 第 31 卷 in the forestꎬ but the ground was opposite. It can be concluded that most of the vegetation had the strongest adsorption capacity in the morningꎬ and the weakest in the nightꎬ the sorption capacity of different vegetation to PM2􀆰 5 was also different. Among the vegetationsꎬ the metasequoia forest adsorbs PM2􀆰 5 bestꎬ it can be considered to increase the planting area of metasequoia forest in future. Howeverꎬ while increasing urban forest area to reduce PM2􀆰 5 in the airꎬ it should also take into account whether the plant′s own physiological ability can bring about some negative effects of the cityꎬ so as to draw an optimal planting plan.


For the antioxidant effect evaluation of a winery by-product the grape pomace cakes, a 4-week trial was conducted on 180 Lohmann Brown laying hens, aged 52 weeks. The layers were assigned to three groups: a control group (C) and two experimental groups (E1 and E2), with 60 hens/ group, housed in standard Zucami type cages (2 hens/cage). Compared to the control formulation, the experimental formulation included 5% flax meal, enriched in polyunsaturated fatty acids and as antioxidants 100 mg vitamin E/kg feed (E1); 2% grape pomace cakes (E2). Forty eggs/group were randomly collected in the end of the trial, 10 eggs/group being stored at +20°C and 10 eggs/group at +4°C, for 14 and 28 days in order to determine their fatty acids content and the quality preservation over time. After 14 days, eggs stored at +4°C has significantly (P <0.05) higher values of the Haugh unit, compared to those from 28 days, with comparable values for both experimental groups and control group. In contrast, the eggs stored at room temperature (+20°C), has lower values of the Haugh unit in both storage periods (14 and 28 days), compared to those stored at +4°C, without significant differences between groups (P>0.05), although experimental groups included flax meal. The results regarding the freshness of the eggs stored in the fridge (+4°C) for 14 days showed a 20% AA eggs in E2 group, while in the other groups were no AA eggs. Only group E2 had 10% eggs, stored at +20°C for 14 days, with grade A freshness, compared to 0% for groups C and E1. The grape pomace cakes had comparable effects with vitamin E on the preservation of egg quality over time, thus it can be affirmed that the grape pomace cake diet is effective in maintaining the quality of eggs enriched in polyunsaturated fatty acids over time.


Abstract : The document is a final report for research on Algorithmic Languages and covers the period from 16 July 1969 to 15 September 1970. The report summarizes seven scientific papers written, all of which deal with AFL (abstract families of languages), and discusses research results obtained but not yet reported. The report also lists the changes in publication status during the report period for the papers written under earlier AFCRL sponsorship. (Author)


ABSTRACT To explore experiences with TB management among community-based care providers. Descriptive qualitative study. A total of 25 care providers were selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected by semi-structured interviews and analyzed using content analysis. Six themes emerged from this study: "various dissemination channels," "compassionate religious volunteerism," "shortage of resources," "keeping TB cases hidden," "patient impediments to care," and "perceived economic burdens of patients." The findings can provide an understanding that the management of tuberculosis in the community requires collaboration between various institutions as well as patients. Building a sustainable TB system would be beneficial. A TB care model can be established between government and other institutions.


This paper analyses whether the use of imported intermediates improves productivity using firm-level panel data of manufacturing firms in Ghana covering the period between 1991 and 2002. This includes examining the importance of absorptive capacity in enhancing the productivity gains from imported intermediates. We propose lagged relative productivity as a new measure of absorptive capacity (ABC). For any given period, ABC is defined as the natural logarithm of a firm's total factor productivity in the previous period relative to the firm's initial total factor productivity. An alternative measure of ABC considers real value added per worker in lieu of total factor productivity. Overall, we find that firms with high levels of absorptive capacity derive productivity gains from the contemporaneous and prior use of imported intermediates, particularly for firms operating in the input-intensive industries. Our findings are robust to different specifications of the base model and different estimation techniques.


Imitate manual sorting to a log sheet of large number records and few keyword,put a method of sectional sorting algorithm with count.After this a method of limited sectional sorting with count,fits universal situation,was put.The asymptotic time complexity of this algorithm most closely to O(n).The employ space of this algorithm is a much little constant.The performance time of this algorithm is independent of initial distribution of records.The algorithm has mush higher performance time than shell sorts,quick sorts and radix sorts.


After analysing the function of the Moodle in teaching platform in open software network,and discussing the teaching structure design which focuses on students' main-body position and teachers' leading role,this paper constructs a design model based on students' main-body position and teachers' leading role,and proposes four methods of teaching structure design in supporting classroom assistant teaching,research learning,autonomous learning and team cooperation in the Moodle platform.


The scientific article is devoted to the management of the current state of the oil and gas industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The main calculations in the work were carried out on the data of one of the largest companies in the oil and gas industry of Kazakhstan, on the example of the national joint-stock company Exploration Production KazMunayGas.
The activity of an oil and gas company is one of the most capital-intensive. Investments in exploration and technology are needed to sustainably operate and maintain and grow production volumes. In the context of volatility in world oil prices and exchange rates, as well as a decrease in production rates at some existing fields, it is necessary to constantly monitor the financial and economic condition of oil and gas companies.
The effectiveness of enterprise management is mainly determined by the quality of its organization. Of great importance is the monitoring of the current state, its analysis and evaluation, as well as the adoption of timely and adequate measures to improve it. In carrying out monitoring and further analysis, the main information support is the data of the financial statements of the enterprise, i.e. balance sheet and income statement.
In the process of managing an enterprise, in order to take adequate measures, it is extremely important to correctly assess the situation, determine the causes, and also develop a development strategy for the future period. The analysis of the financial and economic state implies not only a statement of facts on the state of the enterprise, not only formal assessments, but also includes identifying the causes of the current situation and finding ways and means to eliminate them, identifying new development opportunities.


•Correspondence: Yahya Burak Tamer, Bahçeşehir University, Galata/Karaköy Istanbul; tel: 90212 381 5488, e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com • Received: 27 June 2014; Revised: 20. August 2015; Accepted: 7 October 2015 • Available online: 30 October 2015 • doi: 10.4407/jims.2015.10.001 A microtonal tuning method: Test & discussion on the use of microtonal intervals for the performance of traditional Turkish music


This paper introduces a case of avoiding guiding device damage at Shuibuya Hydropower Station based on SMS(state monitoring system),and conducts an investigation of CBM(condition-based maintenance) with maintenance assessment as example analysis.


abstract:Prison towns and cattle towns in the rural American West both exist as places marked by incarceration. Comparing the formation of these carceral archipelagoes offers an opportunity to better understand how certain bodies have become exploitable and killable within the American industrial landscape. Their comparison also provides a starting point for thinking through the historical geographies and shared spatial logics of industrial meat production and for-profit prisons.


The authors present an efficient algorithm for finding optimal subclasses of a class whose members are represented by several dichotomous features with 0 or 1. Each subclass is expressed by a logical formula with common features among its members. It is shown that some typical subclasses, which contain a large number of samples from a class, consist of a few features. Thus one can select these features as a small subset of all features in problems of feature selection. The selection of best subclasses, when subclasses found by the algorithm is a moderate size, is discussed. >


The utility model provides a mouse with alarm clock function, which is characterized by comprising a mouse body and an alarm clock body, wherein the mouse body comprises a shell and is provided with a containing space; the alarm clock body is arranged in the containing space and comprises an input module, a power module, a clock module, a display module, a playback module and a control module; and the control module is connected with the output ends of the input module, the clock module and the power module respectively and also connected with the input ends of the display module and the playback module, and used for controlling the driving of power supply, time display and alarming of the alarm clock body. The mouse with the alarm clock function increases the alarm clock body on the mouse, thus not only being convenient for knowing the time at any time, but also playing the role of reminding at special moment.


Anaerobic bacteria play a crucial role in bioremediation of ecosystems recovering from oil spills and industrial pollution. The first step in the anaerobic degradation of toluene, a major component of gasoline, is addition to fumarate to yield benzylsuccinate by benzylsuccinate synthase (BSS). BSS is a member of glycyl radical enzyme family, which uses free radical chemistry to break and form C‐H and C‐C bonds. In this presentation, we describe the recent X‐ray crystal structures of BSS, and consider how this glycyl radical enzyme controls substrate specificity and affords activation of the otherwise inert toluene molecule.


In recent years, AR technology has attracted the attention of many researchers or groups, and has been applied in many ways, such as game, teaching, military, medicine and so on, bringing new life experience to people. But in the tourist attractions traveler may encounter such problem. As the traditional travel software cannot provide the real-time introduction of the tourist attractions for the users, we proposed a novel travel app based on AR to solve this problem. It can retrieve similar picture from the data sets according to the pictures taken by travelers, then show the relevant introduction of tourist attractions. Travelers can also choose to scan the photos on the tour book, and achieve the same effect. In order to retrieve the similar image quickly and accurately, this paper uses the Vector Of Locally Aggregated Descriptors (VLAD) combining the cosine distance to retrieve images. The experimental results show that the method meets the demands of real-time and accuracy in a large number of image retrieval.


Recently, two proteins, ovine trophoblast protein-1 (oTP-1) and bovine trophoblast protein-1 (bTP-1), that are major products of the preimplantation ovine and bovine embryo, respectively, have been shown to be interferons (IFNs). Both proteins belong to an IFN-α subfamily whose polypeptide chains are 172 amino acids long


As a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, farmers across the country are plowing under their fields and laying off workers. Plant biomass has been shown by the DARPA "Blue Angel" project in 2010 to be an efficient way to rapidly make vaccines and diagnostics. This technology could pivot some areas of agriculture toward biomedical products to aid in the COVID-19 pandemic response.


A major impediment to understanding the seemingly random occurrence of ciguatera toxicity is uncertainty regarding the field ecology of benthic dinoflagellates that introduce toxins into the coral reef food web. Although broad generalizations have been made, past studies have often yielded contradictory results, particularly between ecological patterns documented in the Pacific ver- sus the Caribbean. This study employed standardized methodology to investigate the distribution and abundance of toxigenic benthic dinoflagellates from the genera Gambierdiscus, Prorocentrum, Ostreopsis, and Amphidinium at Johnston Atoll, Pacific Ocean, to determine how water motion, depth and habitat type influence patterns of biodiversity. Sampling stations located in lagoon and channel habitats in the atoll supported the highest total dinoflagellate abundance, while dinoflagel- late numbers were lower at sampling stations in back reef and reef crest habitats. Total dinoflagellate abundance was primarily determined by the degree of water motion; however, this effect varied among genera. Of the 4 genera surveyed, 3 (Gambierdiscus, Prorocentrum, Amphidinium) were neg- atively correlated with water motion; conversely, Ostreopsis had a positive correlation. Habitat sepa- ration was observed between Ostreopsis and Prorocentrum spp., which were negatively correlated. Gambierdiscus was present at all sampling stations and at all habitats, even though it was rarely the dominant genus. This study provides a characterization of the ciguatera dinoflagellate community across a variety of coral reef habitats, contributing to an accurate and coherent characterization of the population dynamics of this important dinoflagellate community.


Physicochemical properties of bread as influenced by the addition of sweet pumpkin powder (SPP) were investigated. Freeze-dried sweet pumpkin was ground, sieved through a laboratory sieve and a fraction with particles less than 250 μm was used. Amount of SPP added to the bread was found to affect the bread quality significantly (p<0.05). Loaf volume and weight of the control were significantly higher than others (p<0.05) and decreased significantly (p<0.05) with the addition of SPP. In other words, the enrichment of product with SPP decreased bread volume and weight without significant changes in the moisture content. There were distinctive color changes with the addition of the powder: L- and a-values were reduced but b-value was significantly increased (p<0.05). The hardness, springiness, and gumminess of bread were found to increase with the addition of the powder. Consumer test indicated that bread contained with 3% SPP had the highest overall acceptability score while 1 or 5% addition produced an acceptable quality for the bread.


TEG is a liquid higher glycol of very low vapor pressure with uses that are primarily industrial. It has a very low order of acute toxicity by i.v., i.p., peroral, percutaneous and inhalation (vapor and aerosol) routes of exposure. It does not produce primary skin irritation. Acute eye contact with the liquid causes mild local transient irritation (conjunctival hyperemia and slight chemosis) but does not induce corneal injury. Animal maximization and human volunteer repeated insult patch tests studies have shown that TEG does not cause skin sensitization. A study with Swiss‐Webster mice demonstrated that TEG aerosol has properties of a peripheral chemosensory irritant material and caused a depression of breathing rate with an RD50 of 5140 mg m−3.