During a tracheotomy, the surgeon makes an incision through the front of the patient's neck (the incision is known as a tracheostomy) to access the trachea and inserts a tracheostomy tube (see Fig. 1), which serves as an alternative airway to the mouth or nose. After insertion, a balloon is inflated to the diameter of the trachea, which fixes the tracheotomy tube in place, allows for positive pressure ventilation, and creates a seal to the walls of the trachea. Tracheotomies are a common procedure; approximately 120,000 procedures are performed each year in the U.S. [1]. There are several indications for a tracheotomy, but a review of 1130 cases spanning over a decade found that tracheotomies are done most often to assist in prolonged mechanical ventilation ( 76%). They are also performed as an adjunct to head, neck, and chest surgery ( 11%) and to relieve upper airway obstruction ( 6%). The same study identified major complications, such as tracheal stenosis (i.e., narrowing) or hemorrhage, 4% of the time, and attributed eight deaths directly to the tracheotomy [2]. Other studies have found complication rates as high as 45% [3]. We hypothesize that a portion of these complications is attributable to a suboptimal tracheostomy tube design. Currently, during tube insertion, the folds of the deflated balloon or the tip of the tracheotomy tube itself (which has rough edges) often get caught on cartilage (see Fig. 1) within the incision, which can prevent further insertion. This is one of the main difficulties of inserting the tracheostomy tube. To proceed, surgeons have two options: They can push the tracheostomy tube harder to force the tube through the incision, or they can remove the tube, open the incision further, and reattempt to insert the tube. The first option can be dangerous since large insertion forces can lead to "backwalling" (i.e., puncturing through the back of the trachea) or the creation of a false lumen (i.e., a new passageway for air), which can cause the side of the neck to inflate and close the trachea. The second option of widening the incision is also not desirable because surgeons prefer to keep the incision as small as possible, and it increases the procedure time, which is often very time sensitive, especially in cases of upper airway obstruction. In this paper, we propose a design addition to a conventional tracheostomy tube, where a thin, smooth membrane "umbrella" covers the distal end of the tube and the balloon. This membrane enables the device to be inserted through a predictable, repeatable incision size and prevents the tracheostomy tube tip and balloon features from catching on trachea cartilage, which facilitates easier insertion of the tracheostomy tube. After the tube has been inserted, this deformable membrane can quickly be pulled through the inside of the tracheostomy tube by deforming and inverting its umbrella-like shape. In what follows, we describe the design and manufacturing of this device. Fig. 1 A tracheostomy tube is inserted into the trachea through an incision on the neck. Once inserted, the balloon is inflated to secure the tube in the trachea and maintain the airway.


The high penetration of renewable energy sources in the past few years has led the utilities to necessitate the grid interconnection studies (GIS) to limit the problems that maybe appear in the grid from this penetration. GIS are obligatory to design the wind farm (WF) connection and verify its compliance with regulatory grid codes and international standards at the design stage. The paper presents how WFs could be complied with the Jordanian grid code using a hybrid STATCOM system. A grid-connected WF is modeled using the DIgSILENT program to examine the operational voltages and reactive power capabilities to determine the need for reactive power compensation. For more practical considerations, all information about the WF and the transmission grid components and conditions set in this paper were collected from the wind turbine producers and the utility. The results show that the performance of the WF is acceptable over the full range of operational voltages for different scenarios specified in the grid code and a 40 MVAr STATCOM system should be used to compensate the difference between the required reactive power and the reactive power capability of the WF.


Simulation is a well accepted tool of engineering analysis which can be used to model a complex system and to provide insight as to the relative importance and effectiveness of various components of the system. The Simulation of Operations (SIMOP) model simulates the operations involved with the Space Shuttle launch system. SIMOP was developed and implemented on STELLA simulation software on a Maclntosh llci computer. Monte Carlo simulation methods were used in the model to generate assembly completion time estimates. Statistical analysis was used to compare NASA's deterministic 29/13 SSF assembly schedule and the model output schedule. The outputs indicate that a launch rate of 4.5 flights per year and a time between missions averaging 79 days is achievable with current facilities** . These outputs are very comparable to actual flight data of 4 flights per year and 74 days between launches. The model was then used to determine the ability to complete SSF assembly on the planned 1600 day timeline using the current Shuttle fleet and existing facilities. The results indicate that the probability of assembling SSF on schedule is low (13%). SIMOP and statistical analysis can accurately predict historical Shuttle operations statistics and can be used to The authors are indebted to Professor * George W. Morgenthaler, Aerospace Engineering Sciences Department, for suggesting and guiding this work. t Master Degree Candidate, Aerospace Engineering Sciences Department. University of Colorado, Boulder. AlAA Student Member. * Master Degree Candidate, Aerospace Engineering Sciences Department. University of Colorado, Boulder. AlAA Student Member. 4.5 flights : 4 between flight periods of 79 days each = 316 days, which leaves 49 days left in the year for Shuttle on-orbit operations. ** design launch infrastructure to achieve desired launch rates.


In order to overcome subjectivity and one-sidedness of the tradition method of expert evaluation problems,this paper puts forward an ANN performance evaluation model for laboratory building project based on the systematic index of evaluation.Practical application shows that the performance factors of laboratory project can be described more comprehensively by the model and the result is effective and objective.


This paper considers the role of road surfacing in reducing spray and noise and improving vehicle handling. New equipment has been developed by the Transport Research Laboratory, UK, to measure skid resistance, road roughness and tyre noise. The concept of negative texture is described - small depressions in the surface of stone mastic asphalt (SMA) are more effective than the protruding lumps in hot rolled asphalt. SMA is now being more widely used in the UK, with the use of porous asphalts being seen as the next development.


Fe3+/Ce4+ doped TiO2 particles was prepared and used for degradation of phenol solution, the macrokinetics and mechanism of degradation process was proposed by GC-MS, and Fe3+/Ce4+-doped TiO2 particles before and after treated phenol was also compared by TEM. The experimental results showed that COD degradation reactions in static and dynamic cycle process are in accordance with first-order kinetics from the macro effects, phenol can be oxidized to intermediates, such as isobutyric acid, malonic acid, para-benzoquinone, butenic acid, ethanedioic acid, maleic acid, butanedioic acid, o-dihydroxybenzene, paradioxybenzene and dioxybenzene, indicating that Fe3+/Ce4+-doped TiO2 particles are beneficial to some oxidation formation. Moreover, the shapes of Fe3+/Ce4+-doped TiO2 particles after treated phenol displays aggregated.


[Extract] By marriage, the husband and wife are one person in law: that is, the very being or legal existence of the woman is suspended during the marriage, or at least is incorporated and consolidated into that of the husband; under whose wing, protection, and cover, she performs every thing (Sir William Blackstone, Commentaries on the Laws of England. Vol, 1 (1765), 442

In the contemporary debate in both Australia and internationally over same-sex marriage, I have been torn between my antipathy towards the institution of marriage and my desire to see a more inclusive society. In this post I consider this tension in an attempt to articulate a consistent basis from which to understand 'marriage' in a way that respects all as individuals in their own right and likewise affords respect at law to the domestic partnerships they enter into.


By performing parallelized multiply-accumulate operations in the analog domain at the location of weight data, crossbar-array "tiles" of analog non-volatile memory (NVM) devices can potentially accelerate the forward-inference of deep neural networks. To be successful, such systems will need to achieve two related but challenging goals. First is the achievement of high neural network classification accuracies, indistinguishable from those achieved with conventional approaches, despite the difficulties of programming NVM devices accurately in the presence of significant device-to-device variability. Towards this first goal, we describe row-wise Phase-Change Memory (PCM) programming schemes for rapid yet accurate weight- programming. The second goal is highly energy-efficient forward- inference of multi-layer neural networks, requiring efficiency in both the massively-parallel analog-AI operations performed at each tile, as well as efficiency in how the resulting neuron-excitation data vectors get conveyed from tile to tile. Towards this second goal, micro-architectural design ideas including source-follower-based readout, array segmentation, and transmit-by- duration are described.


Counterfeiting is increasing and becoming a complicated issue across different countries in the world and Vietnam is not exceptional, so the policy makers and managers always try to find ways to face with the counterfeiting and reduce counterfeit products in the market. This paper attempts to investigate determinants that impact on consumers' attitude toward non-deceptive counterfeit products and behavioral intention to purchase them. Using a data set collected from a sample of 176 consumers we found that social cost has an impact on consumers' attitude and purchase intention toward counterfeit products. Moreover, the result indicates that intention to buy counterfeit products is influenced by consumers' attitude toward these products. These findings suggest that companies should rely on the social cost as the main component of marketing communication messages to discourage consumption of fake products by implying the seriously harmful consequences of these goods to society and economy.


PETALING JAYA: The FA of Malaysia has given the green light to 11 stadiums to hold night matches following their meeting the 1,000 lux floodlights standard required.


The problem of weak identification has recently attracted attention in the analysis of structural macroeconomic models. Using robust methods can result in large confidence sets making inference difficult. We overcome this problem in the analysis of a forward-looking Taylor rule by seeking stronger instruments. We suggest exploiting information from a large macroeconomic data set by generating factors and using them as additional instruments. This approach results in a stronger instrument set and hence smaller weak-identification robust confidence sets. It allows us to conclude that there has been a shift in monetary policy from the pre-Volcker regime to the Volcker-Greenspan tenure.


In this paper,the monitoring purpose,the measuring items,the layout of measuring section and points,the measuring frequency,the alarm index,information feedback and predictions of the tunnel group is introduced in details.So the whole monitoring scheme of tunnel group of Jingwuhuang expressway is established,which which has instructive significance to insure the construction safety of the tunnel group.


Objective: To establish the quality standard of Shengxue Capsule(Radix Astragali, Placenta Hominis, Radix Ginseng, Radix Angelicae Sinensis, Cornu Cervi Pantotrichum Rhizoma Coptidis, Endothelium Corneum Gigeriae Galli, etc.). Methods: The identification of the stone cell in the seed vessel, the endocarp fiber and the irregular fragurent were carried out by the microscope. The identification of Radix Astragali、Placenta Hominis、Radix Angelicae、Radix Ginseneg、Rhizoma Coptidis were carried out by TLC. Astragaloside IV was determined by the dual wavelength chromatogram reflection zigzag scanning, SX=7, slit=0.4mm× 0.4mm , sensitivity: X1, scan speed: 12mm·min -1 . Results: The average recovery was 97.0%, RSD was 1.20% in the linear range of 1.0~5.0μg.( r =0.9977). Conclusion: It was proved that the method was simple, accurate, and good reproducible. This method may be used for quality control of Shengxue Capsule.


In Greek mythology Odysseus entrusted his household and son Telemachus to Mentor when he left to fight the Trojans. In Odysseus' absence, Mentor assumed the responsibility of mentoring Telemachus until he matured and was able to think and act independently1. From this relationship came the basis of mentoring as we know it today. Just as the Greek myth focuses on the relationship of Mentor and Telemachus, our concept of mentoring focuses on the relationship that evolves as 2 individuals work towards promoting the development of the less experienced. However, it is important to note that in the myth, an environment existed that created the need for and facilitated the relationship between Mentor and Telemachus. Thus mentoring is best thought of as a triad of interactions between the mentor, mentee, and environment2. A healthy mentoring relationship requires contributions from and yields benefits for all three. In recent years mentoring programs have proliferated in academic institutions and physician organizations, with programs provided on-site and at a distance2-5. These programs all facilitate the initiation of mentoring relationships. Some simply introduce potential mentors and mentees while others enhance the environment by providing recognition for mentoring and resources to assist mentors and mentees in their roles. An environment that supports mentoring also reaps the benefits of high morale, improved retention rates, and increased productivity2,6,7. Within an appropriate environment, a mentor and mentee can have a powerful relationship, with each gaining in the process. However, Greek mythology continues to influence most of us. As was the case for Mentor and Telemachus, the literature still tends to emphasize the role of the more experienced in the relationship as providing guidance and support for a junior colleague2,4,7-9. As a trusted advisor, the mentor contributes to the mentee's development by taking on 4 roles2,4,7-10: (1) the coach provides advice, shows how to get things done, and provides feedback that identifies strengths and areas for improvement; (2) the facilitator creates opportunities for trying new things and using learned skills, delegates authority and gives permission, and advocates on behalf of the mentee; (3) the counselor helps the mentee envision goals and move toward achieving them, encourages exploration of options, explores consequences of decisions, and provides respectful listening; and (4) the networker assists in establishing productive professional networks and connects the mentee with other potential mentors and collaborators. Mentors are successful in these roles when they provide high levels of both challenge and support to their mentees. In doing so, mentees develop their own vision of where they wish to be and what they wish to accomplish in the future11. Note that it is not the job of a mentor to have answers for all of the mentee's questions. Rather, the mentor strives to provide information and direction, allowing the mentee to develop their own problem solving and decision-making skills2,8. A successful mentor must be trustworthy and be gratified by the success of their mentee. Moreover, the mentor must be willing and able to support the mentee's choices, even if they are different from their own. A classic example of this situation occurs when a clinical investigator mentors a resident who has shown potential and interest in becoming a researcher but ultimately decides to pursue a community-based rheumatology practice. Often overlooked when considering mentoring are the benefits to the mentor, which may include acquiring respect, achieving recognition, acquiring a productive collaborator, and feeling needed12,13. The mentor may also gain a sense of personal satisfaction and pride in contributing to the growth and development of a mentee who will function independently within a specific community in the future. The mentor takes satisfaction from contributing to this larger community of practice, especially when they readily identify with that community themselves12,13. This community may be as broad as one's nation, or as specific as a focused area of research or clinical practice. Thus, our resident who chose a community-based practice contributes to the broader rheumatology community, as opposed to the more focused community of clinical investigators: still a source of satisfaction for the mentor. Just as the mentor can take steps to ensure a mentee gains from a mentoring relationship, the mentee must also assume a level of accountability for their interactions with the mentor. Given the success of Telemachus, we can only assume that he was a good mentee. Mentee behaviors that have been


For a constrained multicriteria optimization problem with differentiable functions, but not assuming any convexity, vector analogs of quasimin, Kuhn-Tucker point, and (suitably defined) vector quasisaddlepoint are shown to be equivalent. A constraint qualification is assumed. Similarly, a proper (by Geoffrion's definition) weak minimum is equivalent to a Kuhn–Tucker point with a strictly positive multiplier for the objective, and also to a vector quasisaddlepoint with an attached stability property. Under generalized invex hypotheses, these properties reduce to proper minimum and stable saddlepoint. Various known results are thus unified.


Objective To evaluate anal function in patients with rectal carcinoma after low anastomosis operation.Methods Five hundred and forty-one patients with low rectal carcinoma were followed up for 1-3 years to assess anal function after low or ultra-low Dixon anastomosis.The evaluation was based on Xu Zhong-fa Assessment Criteria of Anal Function,anastomotic position and time-to-operation.Defecation function training and rehabilitation instructions were administered after the operation.Results The evaluation of defecation function showed that in the low Dixon operation group,75.8%(211/278)scored "excellent",11.8%(33/278)scored "good",10.1%(28/278)scored "fair" and 2.2%(6/278)scored "poor".In the ultra-low Dixon operation group,70.7%(186/263)scored "excellent",13.3%(35/263)scored "good",10.6%(28/263)scored "fair",and 5.3%(14/263)scored "poor".No statistical difference was found between the low and ultra-low Dixon groups in this evaluation(Z=-1.429,P=0.136).However,there was statistical difference in the "awareness of defecation"(Z=-4.610,P=0.000)and "sense of defecation"(Z=-5.252,P=0.000)domains between the two groups.The defecation functions were similar between the low and the ultra-low Dixon operation groups after 6-month post-operation training(Z=-0.550,P=0.582).Conclusions There is no difference in defecation function between low and ultra-low Dixon anastomotic operation patients with rectal carcinoma by nursing.


The petrolium ether alcoholic and aqueous extracts of the leaves of Taxus baccata Linn. were fractionated separately by column adsorption chromatography. The various fractions obtained were tested for antifertility activity on female albino rats. Fractions 1 and 13 inhibited pregnancy in 60% of albino rats while the animals receiving fraction 1 4 and 8 showed parial or complete resorption of fetuses at term.(Authors modified)


This cross-sectional study analyzes the prevalence of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use among adults with cardiovascular disease in the US between 2014 and 2020.


Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are multipotent stem cells with well-defined characteristics and intrinsic capacity for self-regeneration and differentiation into functional cell types (Baksh D, Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, v. 8, p. 301-16, 2004). These cells can be used in regenerative medicine in humans (Wagner W, Experimental Hematology, v. 33, p. 1402-16, 2005) and domestic animals (Cremonesi F, Theriogenology, v. 75, p. 1400-15, 2011). The objective of this study was to isolate, characterize and differentiate in MSC, different cellular types from amniotic fluid, adipose tissue and Wharton jelly. Firstly, transvaginal amniocentesis by ultrasoundguided was performed in a Guzera cow with 65 days of pregnancy for recovery of amniotic fluid. The fluid obtained was centrifuged at 135g for 10 min and the supernatant was discarded. The sediment was resuspended in 3 mL Amniomax Complete II Medium (Gibco-BRL/Life Technologies, Rockville, USA). The umbilical cord was collected during parturition of this cow, and Wharton's jelly cells (WJC) was isolated by explant and cultured in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM/Invitrogen Life Science, Rockville, USA). The adipose tissue collection was realized in the same animal with seven months old. The biopsy of skin and adipose tissue was collected from perineal region and immediately immersed in phosphated-buffered saline solution (PBS) 37°C. Cells from skin and adipose tissue were culture of the same form that WJC. The morphological analysis was performed by brightfield and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) during cellular culture. For phenotypic and genotypic characterization of these cells, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR and differentiation induction in different cell lineages were performed. SEM micrographs revealed that adipose cells (AC) presented fusiform morphology; amniotic fluid cells (AFC) and WJC did not present defined form under culture. It was demonstrated that bovine WJC, AC and AFC can differentiate into osteogenic, chondrogenic and adipogenic lineagesas confirmed by Alizarin Red, Safranin O and Oil Red stains, respectively. Moreover, these cells were positive for CD105, CD73, CD29, CD90 and H2A markers and negative for CD45, CD34 and CD44 markers. As reported by the International Society of Cellular Therapy, MSC populations have to express CD73, CD90 and CD105. Both CD45 and CD34 are considered hematopoietic surface markers and are not expected their expression in MSC, as confirmed in the present study. The results showed that cells from amniotic fluid, adipose and Wharton jelly tissue are mesenchymal stem cells and can be used in the field of regenerative veterinary medicine and reproduction by nuclear transfer.


The electroosmotic micropump is a novel electro-dynamic pump which has the advantages of high pressure,a wide range of flow rate,and suitability for microchannel cooling system.The theoretical formulation and performance analysis of the porous media electroosmotic pump were introduced,and the mathematical models of electroosmotic flow were constructed.Electric double layer and governing equations of EO pump were presented.Approximate analytical model of EOF was obtained and maximum flow rate and pressure can be equated.Electroosmotic pump model was analyzed using CoventorWare,a MEMS numerical simulation software.Flow and pressure field distribution of electroosmotic pump was obtained.The influence of electric field,ionic concentration and pore size and length of microchannel on the performance of electroosmotic pump was analyzed.The results show that microflow rate is proportional to the electrical field strength and zeta potential,and microflow rate is inversely propotional to the length of microchannel,independent of pore size.The results provide the references for the design of electroosmotic pumps in microchannel cooling system.


This chapter explores the question of the value of information technology from a wider angle than the usual financial perspective. The central thesis is that value is always more than just a financial notion, that it always includes a moral or ethical dimension. From this starting point, the paper investigates the different types of values that play a role in information technology. Due to the multitude of values that determine our dealing with information technology, it is clear that there can be conflicts between them. The paper, therefore, proceeds to introduce a framework that allows the conciliation of competing values by introducing values of a higher order, so-called option values and legacy values. It is then demonstrated that this framework can help solve the problem of value conflicts in IT.


Proceedings of 9 th International Symposium on Reproductive Physiology of Fish, Cochin, India. August 9-14, 2011 17 Fig.1. RT-PCR analysis of (A) CRH, CRH-R, GnRH1, GnRH2 and GnRH3 in the forebrain, midbrain and hypothalamus, (B) LH, FSH, CRH-R and ACTH in the pituitary, (C) CRH, CRH-R and β-NKA in the gill and (D) immunolocalization of α-NKA in the gill of FW (A and A') and SW (B and B') tilapia. NEGATIVE IMPACT OF STRESS ON REPRODUCTION: ROLE OF BRAIN AND GILL DURING SALINITY RESPONSE IN TILAPIA


To the Editor: Ataxia with oculomotor apraxia type 2 (AOA2) (OMIM 606002) is an autosomal recessive disorder, representing approximately 8% of non-Friedreich autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxias. It is characterized by ataxia onset between 11 and 22 years, and associated with oculomotor apraxia and elevated serum alpha fetoprotein. It was first described in Japanese (1), Pakistani (2) and French Canadian patients (3). We report on affected siblings from a consanguineous family of Ojibwe Canadian Aboriginal descent. The proband presented at age 16 years with insidious and protracted balance difficulties since age 11 years. By 16 years, his symptoms advanced to a noticeably unsteady gait with occasional falls and deterioration in manual dexterity. He was born to healthy parents who are second cousins. His older sister had similar gait abnormality. Reportedly, a paternal first cousin and two maternal first cousins once removed have a similar phenotype. The parents of these individuals are second cousins. These relatives have not presented for a formal evaluation. On examination, his speech was dysarthric and scanning. There was ocular apraxia with initiation of saccades with a head thrust maneuver. He had sustained gaze-evoked nystagmus with lateral gaze. There were no conjunctival telangiectasias. The fine finger and rapid alternating movements were impaired. He displayed symmetric dysmetria on finger-nose-finger and heel-to-shin testing. His gait and stance were broad in base. He was unable to perform tandem walking. The work up included serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) which was elevated at 20 μg/l (normal 0.0–7.0 μg/l). Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed cerebellar atrophy affecting the vermis. Chromosome breakage studies did not show evidence of chromosome instability. Mutation analysis of the SETX gene (Prevention Genetics, Marshfield, WI) was performed by polymerase chain reaction amplification of genomic DNA followed by automated sequencing of all the coding exons, as well as 50 bases of flanking non-coding sequences. This revealed a homozygous c.1406A>G (NM_015046.5) mutation predicted to result in the amino acid substitution p.His469Arg. His affected sister was also homozygous for this mutation. Since the early reports of AOA2 in Japanese (1), Pakastani (2) and French Canadian (3) families, it has now been reported in a wide range of populations. This report is the first to document the disease presence in the Canadian Aboriginal population. To date more than 75 mutations have been identified in more than 100 reported patients worldwide. The vast majority of these mutations are distributed across the entire gene without any reported hot spots. Our patients were homozygous for a c.1406A>G, a mutation that has been reported to be causative of AOA2 in a consanguineous family from Southern Italy (4). This substitution was not found in 200 Italian control chromosomes (4) nor did we identify this change in any of the population databases, including dbSNP, 1000Genomes and Exome Aggregation Consortium. In silico analysis using PolyPhen-2, SIFT and MutationTaster predict p.His469Arg change to be 'probably damaging', 'not tolerated' and 'disease causing', respectively (5–7). Based on the recent ACMG guidelines for interpreting sequence variants (8), the c.1406A>G is likely pathogenic. Consanguinity in this family favors the idea of a founder mutation. The presence of the same mutation in the family from Southern Italy is likely a recurrent event and not derived from a single ancestral mutation. This report supports the panethnic presence of AOA2.


Abstract To facilitate the understanding of the interaction between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 causing the corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and other pathogens causing respiratory system affection we investigated the effect of influenza vaccination on the incidence and severity of COVID-19 among members of staff working in the Bahrain Defense Force Hospital. All staff members working in the hospital between February 2020 and March 2021 were divided into 2 main groups based on whether or not they received influenza vaccination. None of the participants had received any of the COVID-19 vaccines throughout this time period. The records of each were scrutinized to see the effect of influenza vaccination on incidence and severity of COVID-19. Severity measures were: need for hospital and intensive care unit admission and total length of hospital stay. Incidence of affection with COVID-19 was much lower in the vaccinated group (3.7% vs 8.1%, P < .001). Influenza vaccination also reduced total length of hospital stay (6.2 days vs 12.7 days, P < .05) and need for intensive care unit admission among the patients. Influenza vaccine reduces both the incidence of affection as well as the overall burden of COVID-19. This is of particular importance for people working in the healthcare field during the serious COVID-19 pandemic.


Vitamin D is not only involved in its classic function in bone homeostasis,but also plays an important role in immunological regulation,cell differentiation and apoptosis,and nerve system development.The level of maternal vitamin D has a great effect on pregnant women and their offsprings.Recent researches have shown that preeclampsia,gestational diabetes,bacterial vaginosis and preterm delivery may be associated with vitamin D deficiency.Moreover,vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy could also lead to bone dysplasia,respiratory infections,asthma and some antoimmune diseases in the offsprings.Pregnant women take a higher risk of vitamin D deficiency,so it's necessary to supplement vitamin D properly.

Key words:
Vitamin D; Pregnancy; Offspring


T Regulatory cells (Tregs) plays an important role in regulating self and foreign antigens related immune response by different mechanisms. Recent studies have shown that antigen-specific Treg suppress CD4+ effectors T cells in vitro and in vivo by depleting peptide-MHC-II complexes from the DC surface. These, results raise questions as to how Treg suppress CD8+ T effectors, particularly in vivo. To explore Treg mediated suppression of CD8+ T cells, we generated CD4+ iTregs from OT-II mice specific for Ova323–339 in association with I-Ab and determined their capacity to suppress CD8+ T cells from OT-I mice specific for Ova257–264 (SIINFEKL) in association with H-2Kb. CD4+ OT-II iTreg suppressed the in vitro proliferation of OT-I T cells in the presence of dendritic cells (DCs) pulsed with both Ova323–339 and Ova257–264 or with DCs singly pulsed with each peptide. Surprisingly, the expansion of OT-I CD8+ T cells in vivo was not suppressed by OT-II iTreg when the two peptides were presented on separately pulsed DCs, but was suppressed when both peptides were presented on the same DCs. OT-II Tregs depleted the Kb-SIINFEKL complex from the DC surface by a process of trogocytosis in vitro only in presence of their cognate antigen. Imaging experiments in vivo depict a close interaction between Tregs and CD8+ T cells suggesting that suppression of CD8+ T cells in vivo requires close proximity between Treg and responder CD8+ T cell and that pMHCI and pMHCII complexes may be closely associated in the immune synapse.


This study comprised of two stages. In the first stage, pure maghemite nanoparticles within the size range of 10 nm were synthesized where at the second stage, the assynthesized maghemite nanoparticles were deposited on silicon substrate and annealed at different temperature. In the first stage, the effect of varying ferric nitrate concentration (0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 1.0 M) on the size and magnetic properties of iron oxide nanoparticles were investigated. From X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), the peaks and the lattice parameter obtained indicated that the nanoparticles formed were maghemite (γ-Fe2O3). It was then further confirmed by Raman analysis. The magnetization curve pointed out that the particles were super paramagnetic nanoparticles as there were no hysteresis loops found. The crystallite, magnetic and physical size of the nanoparticles were similar indicated that they were monocrystals. As the concentration of ferric nitrate increased from 0.1 M to 0.5 M, the size of the as-synthesized maghemite nanoparticles decreased. However, as the concentration of ferric nitrate was further increased, the size of the nanoparticles was increasing as well. This occurrence was due to the agglomeration of the high surface energy of the nanosized particles. The smallest size of the maghemite nanoparticles with the physical size of 6.90 nm was chosen for the next stage. In the second stage, 1 cm x 1 cm n-type silicon substrate was cleaned using RCA method. After that, 40 μl of the selected maghemite nanoparticles were deposited onto the silicon substrate using micropipette and were spin coated at 2500 rpm for 1 minute. The samples were then annealed at different temperatures which were 600°C, 700°C, 800°C and 900°C. The effects of different annealing temperatures were investigated. Physical characterizations were conducted through the analysis of x-ray diffractometer (XRD), raman analysis, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and electrical properties. XRD analysis Un ive rsi ty of Ma lay a


Ethics refers to the norms and collectively formed criteria created by a group of people for specific purposes. Ethics is the set of principles that guide a person or group's behaviour, setting the standards of good or bad, right, or wrong. In this section, the issue of ethics in the tourism sector is examined. Secondary sources were used while preparing the chapter. First of all, the place and importance of the tourism sector today and the tourism sector's ethical problems have been stated. The ethical principles determined by the World Tourism Organization were examined by saying that all stakeholders in the tourism sector should adopt and share ethical principles. By stating the problems caused by ethical violations, suggestions for solutions are presented. The necessity of eliminating ethical issues was expressed with the recommendations that set the groundwork for future research in this field. Finally, the general scope and results of the chapter are presented and discussed.


The present invention relates to a method and Application of a core-shell type polyurethane / acrylic composite emulsion, the method comprising the steps of: (1) an equivalent amount of hydroxy acrylate with an isocyanate prepolymer 1 to 5 hours, was added an equivalent amount of macromolecules polyhydric alcohols, for 1 to 5 hours to obtain a prepolymer having a double bond; (2) the step of (1) synthesis of the prepolymer and the acrylic or methacrylic, olefin monomer, hydroxy acrylate monomer, initiator and stirring and mixing a chain transfer agent; (3) the total amount of the monomer mixture mass primed with 5 ~ 20wt% of co-solvent, the monomer mixture at a temperature of 80 ~ 150 ℃ dropwise addition, the dropwise addition time of 2 to 5 hours, a solution of after 4 hours incubation; (4) cooling to 90 ℃, adding a neutralizing agent and, (5) cooling to 60 ℃, self-emulsifying water was added to give a solids content of 42 ~ 45wt% of the core-shell type polyurethane / acrylic composite emulsion . The resulting composite emulsion combined with the crosslinking component, suitable for the production of low VOC water-based coil coating.


Two control methods of gyro's precessional rate which has been largely used in nowaday optical guided wepons are analysed in this paper--magnetic ring magnetized axisly with control coil fixed crossly and magnetic disk magnetized crossly with control coil fixed axisly The calculating equations of gyro's precessional rate controlled by electromagnet also are deduced


Informative parameters for statistical estimation of operational error of SAMGAS, METRIX, PREMAGAS household gas meters (HGM) are formulated. These are the values of the measured volume during the verification period of operation and the experimentally determined error of the meter during operation at three normalized flow rates: minimum, maximum and 20% of the maximum.
Six ranges of variation of the HGM error at the minimum flow rate were selected to form statistical samples of meters. According to the proposed algorithm, the change in the weighted average HGM error for three normalized flow rates from the measured volume is quantified, taking into account the number of HGMs and their error ranges. It is proposed to apply the concept of generalized weighted average error of HGM, which reflects the operational error of HGMs during their operation in the entire range of consumption when measuring gas volumes up to 60 thousand cubic meters.


Radial Charlier moments as discrete orthogonal moments in the polar coordinate are better descriptor in image processing applications and pattern recognition. However, the translation and scale invariant property of these moments have not been studied due to its complexity of the problem. In this paper, we present a method to construct a set of rotation invariants extracted from radial Charlier moments, named radial Charlier moment invariants (RCMI). Experimental results show the efficiency and the robustness to reconstruction error (MSE), peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR) of the proposed method.


At the end of this year precisely 20 years will have passed since the offi cial establishment of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM). Th is institution started functioning as of January 1993, built up by the successful fi rst HCNM Max van der Stoel. As a lead-up to this anniversary the European Centre on Minority Issues in Flensburg, Germany, organized a one-day conference called 'HCNM 20 Years On' on the 6th of July 2012 which was addressed by the present HCNM, Knut Vollebaek. It was also at this very place that the fi rst HCNM made his fi rst public speech as High Commissioner in 1993. In his address, Vollebaek refl ected on the political context in Europe 20 years ago and the challenges that the institution was established to meet. He also identifi ed new issues that he faces in his work. While ethnic tensions have not gone away, their manifestations have changed, he said. In some cases, the countries and people suff ering the destabilizing eff ects of ethnic confl icts are the same; in others the fl ashpoints have shift ed. He pointed to the rise in kin-State activism and 'passportization' as serious concerns. 'I believe the HCNM has an important role to play both in trying to stem these tendencies and to develop rules of engagement that can guide States in their policies and communication on cross-border minority matters,' Vollebaek said. He also considered how the institution is adapting to meet new challenges and the special contribution it can make to international aff airs. 'Few, if any, other international institutions have developed instruments like the HCNM,' Vollebaek said. Th is meant there was 'a niche where the HCNM can and does play an important role as a neutral and trusted actor,' he added. Ukraine is one of the 'trouble-spots' where the High Commissioner became involved very recently, just a few weeks aft er the conference in Flensburg. His work in Ukraine, the State which is scheduled to take over the OSCE Chairmanship at the end of the year, concerned the new language law which has caused enormous debate


This article is devoted to the analysis of the kinematic and aerodynamic characteristics of the model of the working bodies of the haulm topper. The problem of removal of lodged tops of vegetable crops was investigated on the basis of finite element analysis of the model. Obtaining data on the density and air flow rates inside the casing of the topper is an urgent task. The aim of the work was to analyze the air flow rates and air pressure during the operation of the topper. The Solidworks FlowSimulation package was used to build and simulate a numerical model of the working bodies. Numerical modeling of the haulm-removing organ obtained maps of the distribution of velocities and pressures in the cutting zone of the haulm. Average values of air flow velocity (12-30 m/s) and pressures inside the casing (1.5-2 kPa) ensure the rise of the haulm to the cutting zone of the knives.


The purpose of this article is to present the institutional arrangements of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, related to the preparation for the time of peace with Germany during and after World War II. These solutions were a  rather important element, and determined the activities of the department both during the war and after its end. The study's main objective is to show in an organized, orderly manner the findings, present in historiography, concerning the activities of Polish Congress institutions in two different historical moments and in different organizational frameworks: firstly, the Ministry of Congress Work during wartime, and secondly – the Bureau of Congress Work after the war ended. Both activities of the Ministry of Congress Work (MPK) and the Bureau of Congress Work (BPK) were devoted entirely to studying materials about Germany and formulating theories – above all, theories about their future as a nation and as a state, and their new place in international structures.


In this paper, we consider the problem of constructing confid ence interval for the correlation coefficient in a bivariate normal distribution. For this problem, we found fifteen appr oaches in literatures. Also, we have proposed a generalized confidence interval and a parametric bootstrap confidence interval. Th e coverage probabilities and expected lengths of these seventeen approaches are evaluated and compared via simulation study. In addition, robustness of the methods is considered in the comparisons by the non-normal distributions. Two real examples are given to illustrate the approaches.


In 1952, Leon van Hove published an article, in French, with the title ``Les difficultes de divergences pour um modele particulier de champ quantifie''. The article is frequently cited in relation to Haag's theorem and to the issue of the existence of unitarily inequivalent representations of the canonical commutation relations in Quantum Field Theory. Summarizing in brief, it suggests a link between the appearance of divergences in perturbative Quantum Field Theory and the fact that quantum states belonging to an interacting theory do not belong to the same Hilbert space of the free theory. It also suggests that renormalization fails to provide an accurate description of the time evolution of the quantum field, although it correctly accounts for the S matrix. Due to its relevance, and to the difficulty of finding an English translation, the ideas contained in this article are proposed again here, expanded with derivations and accompanied by a discussion aimed at putting the analysis into context. We highlight the main points from the perspective of a contemporary reader, and underline the differences with the standard approach usually taught in curricular courses in Quantum Field Theory.


Chapter 3 explores key political and economic conditions in North America that led to NAFTA's negotiation and examines the relations between labor unions and environmental organizations in the years prior to its proposal when trade policy was dominated by a political elite. It begins with a discussion of trade in the 1930s, then moves into the 1970s when trade policy was not contested by activists. It then tracks the shift to trade liberalization policies, an erosion of legislative consensus around trade, and growing discontent among labor environmental activists leading into the late 1980s. Finally, the chapter examines the history of emerging labor-environmental coalitions in response to maquiladoras.


We discuss the expected properties of pair echo emission from gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) at high redshifts (z ≳ 5), their detectability, and the consequent implications for probing intergalactic magnetic fields (IGMFs) at early epochs. Pair echoes comprise inverse Compton emission by secondary electron-positron pairs produced via interactions between primary gamma-rays from the GRB and low-energy photons of the diffuse intergalactic radiation, arriving with a time delay that depends on the nature of the intervening IGMFs. At sufficiently high z, the IGMFs are unlikely to have been significantly contaminated by astrophysical outflows, and the relevant intergalactic radiation may be dominated by the well-understood cosmic microwave background (CMB). Pair echoes from luminous GRBs at z ~ 5-10 may be detectable by future facilities such as the Cherenkov Telescope Array or the Advanced Gamma-ray Imaging System, as long as the GRB primary emission extends to multi-TeV energies, the comoving IGMFs at these redshifts are B ~ 10 -16 to 10 -15 G, and the non-CMB component of the diffuse intergalactic radiation is relatively low. Observations of pair echoes from high-z GRBs can provide a unique, in-situ probe of weak IGMFs during the epochs of early structure formation and cosmic reionization.


Objective:Probe into the elimination e ffect on R plasmids from Shigella by compound Chinese medicine Kelisha, thus to restore the sensitivity to antibiotics.Methods:Examine the drug resistance R plasmids from S. f lexneri obtained by clinical division. Test elimination effect on R plasmids i n vitro by compound Chinese patent medicine Kelisha. Compare with traditional pr eparations SDS and berberine for eliminating plasmids.Results:By analyzing the fingerprint chart of R plasmid, t he result shows that originally chromosome and seven plasmid belts are clear, bu t after experiment R plasmids have lost corresponding plasmid belts. Experiments in vitro show that cured frequency of Kelisha of drug resistance gentamycine R plasmids from Shigella is 4.88%, and that of SDS, berberine and the comparative group without medicine are 6.79%, 3.71% and 0.25%; correspondingly, cured fr equency of drug resistance ampicillin R plasmids are 13.22%, 9.25%, 8.96 % and 0.06% respectively.Conclusion:Compound Chinese patent medicine Kelisha has a comparatively good elimination effect on R plasmids from Shigella.


We have proposed a method for localization of anatomical landmarks comprised of two steps: 1) information extraction, and 2) information analysis. The focus of this paper is on the second step during which a set of points, found in the first step, is evaluated. This step utilizes a set of rules and eventually generates a confidence factor (CNF) for each set of points that indicates as to what degree they are good representatives of the "landmarks of interest". We also propose two alternative decision-making schemes: 1) Bayesian networks, and 2) possibilistic inference methods. The latter design is expected to outperform the other two as it utilizes both desired and undesired information. Our simulation study resulted in very similar performance for the rule-based and Bayesian schemes. The overall success rate (average of sensitivity and specificity) of the entire proposed method in localization of the hippocampus on MRI images was 83.3% with an accuracy of 99.2% (using rule-based decision-making scheme).


As soon as the bamboo's invasion was diagnosed in the alluvial floodplain of Tibagi's river, Ponta Grossa-PR, the study started evaluating, through phytosociological study and indicators associated with the structure and functioning of the forest, the aggression and influence of the bamboo species on the structure and regeneration of a subtropical ombrophilous alluvial forest remnant. The phytosociological study was developed by an installation of sixteen plots (50m2) to inventory all the trees with CBH ≥ 15 cm and sixteen other plots (4m2) for studying the regeneration: individuals with up to 1.30 m high. The results show that the effect of G. paraguayana in species richness, mortality and number of trees, vitality of the remaining trees, abundance of vascular and nonvascular epiphytes, regeneration and in the incidence of radiation inside the plots, is very significant. But even though the changes caused by this bamboo compromise the regeneration dynamics of alluvial formations in the high Tibagi's areas, the species is only an aggravating and not the cause of environmental degradation.


Method: To assess static body image, patients with anorexia and bulimia nervosa (n=22) and a healthy control group (n=58) estimated their 'real', 'felt' and 'ideal' figure with a digital distortion technique. Assessment of the dynamic body image was realized by a computer programme based on the 'Biomotion-Technique' (Troje, 2002). Patients were asked to adjust motion patterns shown on the screen along the body mass index axis, representing at best their 'real', 'felt' and 'ideal' motions.


The features of college students' initiative character and psychological availability can generate great influence on their Innovative and Entrepreneurship (I&E). Relevant existing studies paid insufficient attention on the interest orientation management of college students' I&E from the perspective of I&E education, and few of them viewed the problems of the behavior initiative and psychological availability of college students' I&E from the perspective of individual student. To fill in these research blanks, this paper aims to analyze the relationship among behavior initiative, psychological availability, and I&E interest orientation of college students. At first, based on the evaluation data of the behavior initiative and psychological availability features of college students' I&E, tags of their I&E behavior were created, and the behavior preferences of their I&E were predicted based on the machine learning algorithm. Then, the prediction results of I&E interest were tested using the mediating effect method, and it's found that when behavior initiative and psychological availability features affect college students' I&E performance, interest orientation plays a mediating role in the process. The experiment verified the effectiveness of the proposed prediction model and gave the analysis results of the mediating effect.


A simple model is described which makes possible approximate calculation of delays encountered by calls served by two groups of interacting serWT~ The particular interaction studied is typical of control circuits in switching systems. Methods are given for finding saturation load and for determining the size and holding time of a single server group which has approximately the same delay characteristics. 325/1


Curcumin is a natural substance with anti-cancerous properties without many disadvantages of currently-used anticancer drugs. Its toxicity is significantly higher in tumor cells compared with normal cells. We hypothesized the difference of p53 function between normal and tumor cells as one of the presumable causes of this phenomenon. We knocked down the expression of p53 in normal fibroblasts using anti-p53 siRNA and subsequently explored the effects caused by dendrosomal curcumina novel nanoformulation of curcuminon these cells in terms of apoptosis induction and gene expression analysis. The results of MTT assay demonstrated dendrosomal curcumin is selectively cytotoxic for melanoma cancer cells without any considerable effects on normal fibroblasts. Knocking-down of p53 in normal fibroblast cells caused increase of NF-κB1 and decrease of p21 expression level. Treating p53-suppressed normal fibroblast cells with dendrosomal curcumin led to a robust increase in apoptosis rate of the cells. Taken together, these results imply the fact that p53 can protect normal cells from dendrosomal curcumin-induced apoptosis.Therefore, dendrosomal curcuminin addition to being a chemotherapeutic compound-represents potential capacities to be used as an effective chemopreventive agent.


Effects of PE-gr-MA on properties of HDPE and PS blend nanocomposite were studied. The surface morphology, thermal stability, and mechanical properties of the composites were characterized. XRD and TEM results show that PE-gr-MA facilitated the intercalation of polymers into layered silicates. The SEM micrographs reveal that the presence of PE-gr-MA greatly increases matrices adhesion but decreases the flexibility of the nanocomposites. The thermal stability, tensile strength, and modulus are enhanced when PE-gr-MA is used.


Introduction Improving the quality of sexual life of patients has become a major therapeutic objective in the management of Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (CIBD). Objectives To assess the prevalence of sexual dysfunction (SD) in patients with CIBD in remission and compare it to healthy controls (HC), and to determine the associated factors Methods This was a cross-sectional study, conducted over 8 months, involving 36 patients with CIBD, who attended the gastroenterology outpatient of Hedi Chaker University Hospital in Sfax (Tunisia). They were compared to 36 HC. Sexual function was assessed with the "Female sexual Function Index" and the "International Index of Erectile Function". Results In the sample of CIBD, the prevalence of SD was 65.4% in women and 50% in men. Compared to controls, patients with male gender had significantly more impaired erection and orgasm (p=0.005; p=0.002 respectively), and those with female gender had significantly more impaired sexual arousal and desire (p=0.003; p=0.028 respectively). In the sample of patients, having a poor marital harmony and a fewer sexual attraction towards partner were correlated with decreased desire (p=0.017) in men and with sexual arousal (p=0.024) and decreased desire (p=0.048) in women. The number of relapses negatively affects erection (p=0.038) and orgasm (p=0.048). Depression correlated with a decreased orgasm (p=0.001) and desire (p=0.048) in men, and with a decreased sexual arousal (p=0.006) in women. Conclusions SD is common in CIBD, hence the need for a multidisciplinary approach to allow improvement of the quality of life of these patients, and of their partners.


The research community has developed three main concepts and indicator systems to measure sustainability: the capital concept, the ecological concept and the multidimensional concept. Whereas a lot of research has been dedicated to the pros and cons of the three/four-pillar sustainability concept, to the shaping of the pillars and their indicators, research on standardized methods to aggregate the indicators to one index is lacking. However, a useful model exists—the GDP—which summarizes the different economic activities of various social actors in one index. An overall sustainability index has the advantage that the sustainability of a system can be expressed in one index. This allows the sustainability status of a system to be better communicated both to the public and to politicians. Against this background, we developed the Index of Sustainable Development (ISD) to measure the sustainability of systems described by multidimensional sustainability concepts. We demonstrate that it is possible to aggregate sustainability indicators of the multidimensional sustainability concepts to one index. We have chosen exemplarily the German sustainability strategy and selected the energy indicators within it because of the importance of the energy sector and due to the good statistical database in this sector.


We present the first observation of optical detection of slow molecules by using Doppler-free two-photon spectroscopy (DFTPS). We obtained a linewidth of 280 Hz (HWHM) which is 23 times narrower than the transit broadening for the most probable velocity class. Slow-molecule two-photon resonances are, thus, very promising candidates for frequency standards in the infrared. This experiment was performed in the 2ν3 band of SF6 in the 10 μm spectral region. It reveals also for the first time a magnetic hyperfine structure in molecular DFTPS.


The major aglycone from the saponins of Asterias forbesi has been identified as 3β,6α-dihydroxy-5α-pregn-9(11)-en-20-one (1). A simplified procedure for extracting saponins from starfish is reporte...


Technology of electroactive polymers which react by changing their geometric form under the influence of electrical voltage, has been developed for several decades. The main objective of the research carried out so far, was to develop a technology enabling the usage of such materials as an microscale valves activators. The developed solutions were dedicated mainly to the medical industry, in order to create very small applications, i.e. precisely dosing drugs. This article concerns the analysis carried out in the field of existing electroactive polymers. The conducted research focuses on the verification of their properties, in the context of the possibility to transfer and apply to the valves used in the household appliances. The detailed analysis will be conducted for confirmation, that current technology of electroactive polymers combined with a dedicated mechanical system of the prototype valve, will create favorable conditions for constructing a solution comparable with products present on the market. It will be crucial to confirm that the combination of material and mechanical aspects will ensure stable parameters of linear displacement, force, repeatability in the activation-deactivation cycle and number of cycles possible to reach. Chosen activator material must be examined to ensure smooth movement between the state of activation and precise return to the base shape. In addition, the analysis should indicate what is the environmental influence to the application, and how it will affect on the achievable parameters. The results of the research will allow to find an economically justified alternative to the currently used technology.


The X-ray photoelectron spectra of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were analyzed by an ab initio MO method using the 1,3,5-hexanetriol (HTO) molecule. The theoretical spectral patterns derived from the Gelius–Siegbahn model showed good agreement with the spectra observed between 0—30 eV. The present results suggest several new assignments for the XPS spectra. The core-level C1s peaks at 285.0 and 286.5 eV correspond to the C1s electron levels arising from the CH2 and CH(OH) groups, respectively.


Category: Ankle, Ankle Arthritis Introduction/Purpose: Total Ankle Arthroplasty (TAA) has been introduced as one of treatment methods for the arthritis of the ankle joint. Traditional TAAs have been generally designed considering the anatomical geometry and motion characteristics of the ankle joint for responding to general activities of daily living (ADLs). However, traditional TAA designs do not well consider the anatomical geometry and motion characteristics for responding to a sudden perturbation although the ankle joint contributes partially to human balance to prevent falling induced by a sudden perturbation. The aims of the current study were therefore to identify the anatomical geometry and motion characteristics of the ankle joint during sudden tilting perturbations, to reflect the motion characteristics in the design of TAA, and to evaluate the design. Methods: Following Institutional Review Board approval (IRB No SJU-2015-002), seven healthy participants with no sign of musculoskeletal pathology (gender: 7male, 25.5±1.7 years, height: 173.9±6.4 cm, weight: 71.3±6.5 kg) were tested to identify the motion characteristics of the ankle joint during sudden tilting perturbations. Eight sudden tilting perturbations were then implemented by the tilting perturbation simulator developed by our research group. The motion characteristics were measured by using a three-dimensional motion capture system with eight infrared cameras (T-10 s, VICON Motion System Ltd., UK). The motion characteristics, particular in the range of motion (ROM) and motion trajectory, were reflected in the design of TAA. The evaluation of the design of TAA was conducted using finite element (FE) analysis in accordance with the international testing standard ASTM F2665, F1223 and F1814. Results: Dorsi/plantar flexion, inversion/eversion and abduction/adduction were ranged from 11.2±1.5° to -9.3±3.5°, 7.0±4.0° to - 7.8±4.9°, and 0.7±0.2° to -1.0±0.2°, respectively, for the sudden tilting perturbations. Dorsi/plantar flexion of TAA designed newly were 1.5 times larger than that measured from the experiment above, with no interference. Inversion/eversion and internal/external rotation of TAA designed newly were favorably compared to those measured from the experiment above. The motion trajectories were different a little compared to those measured from the experiment above. Maximum von mises stresses predicted from FE analysis with the international test conditions were not exceed a yielding strength of the material used for TAA designed newly and no dislocations among the TAA components were identified. Conclusion: The results indicated that a realization of the natural ankle joint motion trajectory should be improved although TAA design suggested in the current study might well present ROMs for responding to sudden tilting perturbations and have a proper structural stability corresponded to the standard criterion recommended from the international testing standard. The TAA design will be, therefore, modified more considering advanced anatomical and biomechanical parameters, particular in the characteristics of the ankle joint motion trajectory, in our ongoing study. The current study may be, however, valuable to suggesting new TAA design for responding to a sudden perturbation to prevent falling.


Keyword matching-based text structuring of gas station safety accident cases can automatically perform keyword extraction and store them in the database, and then the structured data can be subjected to multi-dimensional statistics, visual analysis, knowledge graph management and law mining. 516 cases of gas station safety accidents since 1981, which belong to unstructured electronic text data, were collected in four ways. Through the establishment of a keyword dictionary, 516 case texts were extracted and stored in a structured way using a progressive model of exact matching, phrase matching and intelligent matching+manual verification. The actual evaluation results show that the success rate of exact matching is 30% - 87%, the cumulative success rate of phrase matching is 70% - 100%, the cumulative matching rate of intelligent matching+manual verification is 91% - 100%, the overall matching effect is good, and the method is practical and useful.


Black hole accretion disks may occur in certain core collapse supernovae or in mergers of compact objects. This environment produces a strong flux of electron neutrinos and electron antineutrinos. These neutrinos are instrumental in determining the types of elements produced in disk outflows. In this context, using the single angle approximation and a constant temperature disk, we report on calculations of neutrino flavor oscillations driven by neutrino self interactions. We comment on some impacts to element synthesis.


The space-charge-limited (SCL) transistor, as described in previous publications, consists of high-low and asymmetric junctions formed by diffusing n and p type impurities into a nearly intrinsic silicon substrate. These junctions are "intrinsic" since one side of them is nearly intrinsic with an extrinsic Debye length (L D ) in the range of 10 µm on the low-doped side. Previous publications on high-low and asymmetric junctions are either Incomplete or not applicable to intrinsic junctions because they are based on the depletion and charge neutrality approximations of the bipolar theory.


In embedded smart devices, efficient memory management is critical because they have relatively small main memory to reduce cost and power consumption. Though Input Output Memory Management Unit (IOMMU), which is recently adopted on embedded smart devices, gives more free spaces in system memory, it increases memory allocation time when memory space is highly fragmented. In this paper, we propose a new page allocation scheme, called A-GPBM, to reduce fragmentation of anonymous pages and secure more physically contiguous pages. Experimental results show that our algorithm decreases unusable free space index for order 4 from 0.93 to 0.32.


Overview of critical phenomena in bulk systems the approximating Hamiltonian method exactly solved models finite-size scaling at criticality long-range interactions modified finite-size scaling boundary effects finite-size scaling at first order transitions limit Gibbs states and finite-size scaling bulk quantum systems the Casimir effect survey of results on the Casimir effect.


The effectiveness of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMZ) for pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is limited with adverse events. Caspofungin, by inhibiting the cyst form of Pneumocystis jirovecii, may be an alternative therapy for PCP. However, the availability of clinical data about caspofungin combined with TMP/SMZ in the treatment of PCP in HIV‐infected patients is limited. Thus, we aimed to examine the clinical effectiveness and safety of caspofungin combined with TMP/SMZ as a first‐line therapy for moderate‐to‐severe PCP in HIV‐infected patients.


The aim of this research was to identify travel characteristics of students at the Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Novi Sad. The paper presents the analysis of data obtained from surveys of students in 2012, compared to research of travel characteristics in Novi Sad (Traffic study NOSTRAM) and the picture of the spatial and modal distribution for students' trips. This research has analyzed the traffic problems related to the university campus and it was used to propose a series of measures to improve the transport and accessibility to campus.


In the present paper, the observation of a white dwarf companion of the mild Ba star Xi-1 Ceti (= 65 Ceti = HR 649 = HD 13611) is reported, taking into account also the properties of the mild Ba star and of its companion. The UV spectrum of Xi-1 Ceti is discussed along with an interpretation of this spectrum. Attention is given to the effective temperature of the companion, the absorption bands in the spectrum, the radius and mass of the Xi-1 Ceti companion, and questions regarding the obscuration of the companion by the atmosphere of the Ba star. It is found that the overall energy distribution of the Xi-1 Ceti companion can best be matched with a 14,000 K DA white dwarf of log g = 8 or less. However, the absolute intensity is too small and would require a radius too small and a mass too large for such a gravity.


This paper provides a brief history of the World Wide Web (WWW). An overview of the technical aspects in providing a WWW service is presented next. Two particular WWW applications are described in the next section. These are the "Transportation Resources on the Internet" and the "Southern California Real-Time Traffic Report." The paper concludes with a discussion highlighting the directions of future development of the WWW as an effective multimedia telematics application on transportation


The hemophilas are the most common severe hereditary bleeding disorders. The standard treatment of these disorders is to infuse plasma concentrates of the missing coagulation factor. However, the high cost of replacement therapy and the serious morbidity from the transmission of infectious agents have mandated a need for alternative therapeutic strategies. One of these strategies is gene therapy and we embarked on a novel gene therapeutic strategy involving the use of factor IX-transduced bone marrow stroma to treat hemopihlia B, a deficiency of the gamma-carboxylated protein, factor IX. The rate limiting step for the production of factor IX is gamma-carboxylation, a post translational modification carried out only in mammalian cells. In order to test the carboxylation efficiency of our gene therapeutic platform, we first transfected Human Embryonic Kidney (HEK) 293 cells with a retroviral construct containing factor IX. Factor IX was purified by immunoaffinity chromatography and then subject to hydroxyapatite chromatography to isolate biologically active properly carboxylated factor IX from inactive uncarboxylated factor IX. Unexpectedly, during hydroxyapatite chromatography, we discovered that purified factor IX was contaminated by a heretofore unknown protein. Further analysis by mass spectrometry sequencing revealed this protein to be galectin-3 binding protein (G3BP).G3BP contaminates media of HEK293 cells regardless of whether factor IX is transfected into these cells. Furthermore, the contamination of purified media is not specific for factor IX as G3BP is isolated regardless of the antibody used for purification. In summary, the above results provide important information regarding the production of recombinant factor IX and uncover a potentially new contaminant in recombinant products produced in mammalian cells.


The article deals with a credibility problem of resource amounts calculation. The calculation is based on periodical readouts of meters registrations. We propose a model of readout errors calculation and an estimation model of time lags between the readouts to provide errors in a necessary range.


This article proposes that changing technology influences journalism in at least four broad areas: (1) how journalists do their work; (2) the content of news; (3) the structure or organization of the newsroom; and (4) the relationships between or among news organizations, journalists and their many publics. Although new media such as the Internet, World Wide Web and digital video are perhaps the most visible examples of technologies that are transforming journalism, the history of journalism is in many ways defined by technological change. The article concludes with a proposed research agenda for the study of journalism and technological change.


Comrade Xi Jinping puts forward many newideas on the construction of ecological civilization,such as the ecological environment influences the rise and fall of civilization,ecological environment is productivity,the ecological environment is the well-being shared by the people,ecological environment construction is a political issue,etc. These newideas enrich the ecological civilization theory of Marxist,deepening the understanding of the three-major-lawof the Party.


SINCE LYMPH normally contains practically no red cells, the finding of gross hematochylia in patients with cirrhosis is of great interest. 1 The obvious explanation for such contamination of the thoracic duct lymph is leakage of blood from distended liver sinusoids into the spaces of Disse. However, certain of our observations in both man 2 and animals 3 with portal hypertension are inconsistent with this hypothesis. Our previous experience 4,5 with the experimental development of hematochylia in animals with aortocaval fistulae had prompted us to study this phenomenon in patients with cirrhosis as originally reported by Dumont and Mulholland. 1 Additionally, we were interested in their suggestion regarding the therapeutic value of thoracic duct drainage in the management of bleeding varices and refractory ascites. Clinical Studies The thoracic duct was cannulated in 19 patients with a diagnosis of cirrhosis of the liver. Of these 13 had been admitted with upper


Hemipterans, a groupof phloem-feeding insects that includes aphids, planthoppers, and whiteflies, are responsible for the spread of most plant viruses from plant to plant. Stylet positioning and feeding activities have important consequences for the acquisition and transmission of viruses by insect vectors. Persistently transmitted viruses typically benefit from sustained vector feeding from the phloem. In contrast, nonpersistently transmitted viruses (NPTVs) benefit when insect vectors frequently change the feeding location or even the host plant, because these changes increase the probability of virus acquisition and transmission. Aphids, which are the most wellstudied vectors of plant viruses, transmit over 300 plant viruses, and most are NPTVs. Aphids generally probe more frequently when there are stronger plant defenses in the epidermis and mesophyll tissues (i.e. when they confront high levels of reactive oxygen species [ROS], activation of phytohormone-mediated resistance, cross-linking of the cell wall, and deposition of callose). These plant defenses and their associated molecular signaling can be modified by some virus-encoded proteins. For example, the 2b protein, which is encoded by the NPTV Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), is a well-studied suppressor of host RNA interference (RNAi) that targets the host's RNA-binding protein ARGONAUTE1 (AGO1). AGO1 is required for a number of pathogenassociated molecular pattern-triggered immunity responses, including callose deposition. Guo et al. (pp. 143–155) report that, compared with a CMVD2b viral strain that has a deletion of the viral suppressor of RNAi 2b protein, plants infected with wild-type CMV produce higher concentrations of the ROS H2O2 in plant tissues. Aphids on wild-type CMV-infected plants also engage in shorter probes and less phloem feeding relative to CMVD2binfected plants. Therefore, the frequency of virus acquisition and the virus load per aphidwere greater onCMV-infected plants than onCMVD2b-infected plants. Aphids also moved away from initial feeding sites more frequently on wildtype CMV-infected versus CMVD2binfected plants. H2O2 levels were not elevated in CMV-infected tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plant strains that were deficient in the induction of ROS production, and aphid behavior was unchanged on these strains. These results suggest that CMV uses its viral suppressor of RNAi protein to increase plant ROS levels, thereby enhancing its acquisition and transmission by vector insects.


A previous paper [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. Suppl. 1 69, S82 (1981)] described a corpus of utterances produced by 2‐ through 5‐year‐old speakers of French, German, and Swedish. The 2 year olds in this study named pictures, whose names were chosen for their comparable segmental structure between languages (e.g., balloon, Ballon, ballong). The six children of each language group were tape recorded twice, six months apart. Spectrographic and oscillographic analyses of these children's picture‐naming responses are presently under way, from which VOT measurements will be obtained. Comparisons of these VOT data, both within and between groups, will be presented. Evidence for articulatory development over the six months' interval between recordings will be discussed. [Research supported by the National Science Foundation.]


O-Saticyloylglycolamides undergo cleavage in the pH range 7–13 to yield salicylamide and salicylate anion in the high and low ranges respectively. Scanning the u.v: spectrum during reaction gives evidence for the accumulation and decay of intermediates at both ends of the pH range. Intermediates are not observed to accumulate during alkaline hydrolysis of O-benzoylglycolamides and benzamides are also not products. Amine is transferred intramolecularly in the salicyloyl reaction as judged from the absence of ammonia in the reactant solution. We postulate that the initial reaction involves the attack of the 2-oxyanion on the amido-group to yield a seven membered ring tetrahedral adduct: diacylamide and O-saliyloylisoamide intermediates are formed by transannular migration of oxygen or the amino-group from the tetrahedral centre to the ester carbonyl. The formation of the diacylamide is inhibited at low pH but when formed it cleaves to give salicylamide. The reaction of O-saliyloylglycolamides to produce salicylamide is essentially an analogue of the reverse of the Brenner aminoacyl insertion reaction. The driving force for the extrusion of the acid from the salicyloyl compound is probably the hydrolysis of the ester link. The effective molarity for the intramolecular attack of oxyanion on the amide has an estimated upper limit of ca. 108M.


Mr. Theodore Besterman recently proposed the printing of a cumulative edition of the Library of Congress catalogue. The vision of his proposal provokes ideas of an even more comprehensive tool beyond the limitations of one great, but nevertheless far from universal, library. On the basis of a statistical sample developed by Mr. LeRoy C. Merritt for use in his part of Union catalogs, it was found that the Library of Congress held approximately 37 per cent. of the total number of titles listed in the U.S. national union catalogue in 1940. Of these about one‐sixth were not to be found in any other library in the United States. Presumably the situation has not been greatly changed by accessions at the Library of Congress since 1940.


"El celoso extremeño" is one of the most widely read tales in Cervantes's Novelas ejemplares. The story—a variation on the tale of the old man with a young bride—has been analyzed in the contexts of the Hispano-Arabic tradition (e.g., Américo Castro) and of the European humanist tradition (e.g., Alban Forcione). This essay attempts to develop a reading that identifies, and comes to terms with, the novella's numerous allusions to the Americas. Three neglected circumstances motivated this reading: "El celoso extremeño" takes place in Seville (the city that enjoyed an official monopoly on traffic between Spain and the New World in Cervantes's time), centers on the government of an isolated community of racially diverse women, and begins and ends with a character's departure for the Indies. The essay speculates that Spain's early colonial experience may have influenced and informed the debates concerning domestic social relations on the peninsula.


The local government of South Sumatera Province and their people have desire to become a National Energy Stock  (Lumbung Energi Nasional) is realistic. It is supported by the huge potential of energy resources and many kinds of nonrenewable energy (fossil) and renewable energy (nonfossil). Strategic position and basic infrastructure in this region support this plan. To realize this plan is needed direction and policy scenario as a reference in formulating the regional development program in order to support the realization of National Energy Stock. Based on the analysis of the existing strengths and opportunities, seven policies can be formulated to realize the National Energy Stock. Kata kunci : Lumbung energi nasional, Provinsi Sumatera Selatan,


Differential elastic cross sections for e-H(1s) collisions at impact energies between 30 eV and 200 eV have been calculated by semiclassical and quantal methods. Both methods are 1s-2s-2p close-coupled with exchange neglected, and so differ only in the collision treatment. The discrepancy between the semiclassical and quantal results increases as scattering angle theta increases and decreases as impact energy increases. The semiclassical results are inferior to the first Born approximation when the momentum transfer exceeds about 0.5 au.


Nonsteady processes in the self-starting of electric motors at pumping stations are investigated. Transient processes are modeled in the self-starting of an asynchronous pumping-station electric drive, to determine the variation in the supply, pressure head, and drag torque at the pump axle.


The present paper deals with the alteration of everyday discourse in the school setting. It is a process based on detecting the new social, political and multicultural reality which generates differentiated conditions of cognitive field composition. New identities and fields of perception towards social composition are formed by the educational community discourse. Within a climate of uncertainty and insecurity, new interpretations are the result of new approaches. This way, people are able to understand themselves and others throughout an endless interaction in which new needs full of knowledge and strategies that should be chosen and implemented are formed.The modern society of risk is conducive to shaping fluid approaches about the educational community operation and the formation of subjects and the cognitive "claims" of the curricula. Pedagogical rationalism is apparently more and more under question by the fluid social reality which should probably activate reflection processes about "life education" inculcated by the cognitive perception of individual formation in changing real fields.


The invention discloses a formula and a preparation method for five-kernel hot and spicy sauce and belongs to the field of food. The formula comprises, by mass, 30-35% of soybean oil, 2-3% of white granulated sugar, 4-6% of salt, 1-3% of sesame, 0.5-1.5% of monosodium glutamate, 0.1-0.2% of anise, 0.1-0.2% of pepper, 0.07-0.25% of Chinese cinnamon, 20-25% of dried chill, 10-12% of lobster sauce, 12-15% of peanuts, 3-5% of sunflower seeds and 1-1.5% of chicken essence. Accordingly, original taste of all raw materials in the hot and spicy sauce is maintained, the loss of nutrients of raw materials is reduced, and dietary requirements of persons and nutritional requirements of body health are met further.


• Introduction
• Deep level IB materials
– IB and SRH recombination
– Proven bulk IB materials and cells
• QD implementation
– Current enhancement
– Voltage preservation
– Experimental proof of concept and some implications
• Proof of concept
• The need of two photons
– The way to go
• Conclusions


Abstract The importance of surface integrity of electric discharge machined components has been recognized by the industry and it is still continues to be the major concern among the researchers. This paper presents a study of the relationship between EDM input parameters (duty cycle, pulse-on time and tool polarity) and surface integrity. This study shows that, in both cases of tool polarity (positive and negative), with increasing pulse on-time and duty cycle, the rate of hardness decline in the layers near the machined surfaces is augmented and the depth of the heat affected zone is increased, also in the negative polarity the amount of hardness decline and depth of the heat affected zone is small. Also, according to the results of the EDX analyze, In the positive polarity, the rate of penetration of the carbon diffusion is higher than the negative polarity.


By using athletes who have double items in track and field events of Beijing colleges and universities held during 7 years as research object, and by making a study of individual event. The finding illustrate that there is vivid characteristic of double items in high-level amateur, and such a characteristic employed in specialized training and got a good achievement.


Aiming at the self-association feature of the Hopfield neural network, we can reduce the need for extensive sensor training samples during human behavior recognition. For a training algorithm to obtain a general activity feature template with only one time data preprocessing, this work proposes a data preprocessing framework that is suitable for neuromorphic computing. Based on the preprocessing method of the construction matrix and feature extraction, we achieved simplification and improvement in the classification of output of the Hopfield neuromorphic algorithm. We assigned different samples to neurons by constructing a feature matrix, which changed the weights of different categories to classify sensor data. Meanwhile, the preprocessing realizes the sensor data fusion process, which helps improve the classification accuracy and avoids falling into the local optimal value caused by single sensor data. Experimental results show that the framework has high classification accuracy with necessary robustness. Using the proposed method, the classification and recognition accuracy of the Hopfield neuromorphic algorithm on the three classes of human activities is 96.3%. Compared with traditional machine learning algorithms, the proposed framework only requires learning samples once to get the feature matrix for human activities, complementing the limited sample databases while improving the classification accuracy.


Electrospinning and melt blowing are the most commonly used processes for producing microfibrous nonwoven materials. A whipping motion during electrospinning has been observed by several researchers. However, much less work has been done on the fiber whipping dynamics in the melt blowing process. In this study, a hot-wire anemometer was used to measure the turbulent air flow field below a single-orifice melt-blowing slot die. The characteristics of the mean velocity, mean temperature, and fluctuating velocity were obtained. Then, a high-speed camera was used to record the motion of a fiber below the die. The fiber whipping path was observed, and the amplitude and frequency of the whipping were obtained. It was found that the turbulent fluctuations are related to the fiber motion in the melt-blowing process. This work examines the physics of turbulent melt-blowing jets and the fiber whipping occurring during melt blowing using an experimental approach.


Hemodynamic optimization of surgical patients during the perioperative period aims to improve outcomes. This is frequently referred to as goaldirected therapy (GDT), a term that has been used for nearly 30 years to describe methods of optimizing fluid and hemodynamic status. Unfortunately, the term has never been standardized, and therefore can mean different things to different people, causing a significant amount of confusion. It can refer to supramaximal oxygen delivery using a pulmonary artery catheter (PAC), early treatment of sepsis in the emergency department, or perioperative optimization of fluid status, all different goals directing different therapies. It could be said that we all practice a form of GDT intraoperatively every day, except that our goals are normally related to arterial blood pressure (BP), heart rate, and occasionally central venous pressure (CVP). These are all known to be poor indicators of intravascular volume and cardiac output (CO). In healthy volunteers, heart rate and BP remain relatively unchanged despite a 25% hemorrhage of blood volume. One systematic review showed that CVP is unable to identify which patients need more fluid, and concluded that CVP should no longer be routinely measured in the intensive care unit, operating room, or emergency department. This leads to a key question: Can monitoring of stroke volume (SV) and CO improve our ability to optimize fluid and hemodynamic status? This issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia includes 2 excellent systematic reviews by Hamilton et al. and Gurgel and do Nascimento on hemodynamic optimization of patients undergoing major surgery. The authors avoided the term GDT, and instead described the techniques as "preemptive hemodynamic intervention" and "optimizing tissue perfusion." It is clear that the reviews examined the same subject, with 26 studies (of 29 and 31, respectively) common to both articles. Perioperative hemodynamic optimization was first described in the 1980s, when the PAC was used to guide fluid and inotrope administration. This enabled clinicians to augment tissue oxygen delivery to supranormal levels (DO2 600 mL/min/m ) in high-risk surgery patients, the target being based on earlier work by Shoemaker et al. observing survivors after high-risk surgery. As both systematic reviews have shown, oxygen-targeted approaches were generally successful, and when mortality in high-risk surgery was approaching 20%, most studies were able to show a survival benefit. Despite these promising results, the technique was not widely adopted. Oxygen-targeted approaches required significant resources, were very labor intensive, and most importantly were reliant on information from the PAC. Catheterization of the right heart began falling out of favor in intensive care units in the 1990s after the publication of several observational studies showing increased mortality. Because early GDT was linked so closely with the use of PACs, it became embroiled in this controversy. The last 20 years have seen the arrival of a number of minimally invasive CO technologies such as esophageal Doppler, arterial pressure waveform analysis devices providing SV variation (SVV) and pulse pressure variation (PPV), and monitors based on bioimpedance and bioreactance technology. This has enabled clinicians to monitor and optimize SV, SVV, CO, and other hemodynamic variables without the need for a PAC. These monitors are easy to operate and minimally invasive, so they have gained wider use than PAC optimization in high-risk patients. They are also frequently used in patients undergoing major but not necessarily high-risk surgery, for example, elective abdominal surgery, extensive cancer surgery, hip arthroplasty, or major spinal surgery. Hemodynamic optimization in this patient population can usually be obtained by optimization of preload alone. The change in SV, SVV, or CO in response to a fluid challenge is used to assess volume responsiveness. When a patient is hypovolemic, an IV fluid challenge will typically result in a 10% increase in SV or CO, or a reduction in SVV. This patient has "recruitable" SV and is in a fluid-responsive state. In the perioperative setting, fluid challenges should be considered until the SV no longer increases by 10% and preload has been optimized. SVV and PPV alone have also been shown to be superior to static indices in predicting From the Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina. Accepted for publication February 28, 2011. Conflict of Interest: See Disclosures at the end of the article. Reprints will not be available from the authors. Address correspondence to Tong J. Gan, MD, MHS, FRCA, Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Box 3094, Durham, NC 27710. Address e-mail to firstname.lastname@example.com. Copyright © 2011 International Anesthesia Research Society DOI: 10.1213/ANE.0b013e318218cc4f


Calcified aortic valve disease (CAVD) is a cardiovascular disease closely related to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Osteogenesis differentiation of valvular interstitial cells (VICs) is the key process of CAVD. In this study, we investigated whether the circulating exosomes participated in the pathogenesis and progression of CAVD and explored the underlying mechanism. We constructed the CAVD model in rats to perform in-vivo experiments, and isolated the VICs to perfume in-vitro studies. A series of methods were used including exosomes extraction and identification, RNA sequencing, ALP activity assay, alizarin red staining, qRT-PCR, western blot, and luciferase reporter assay. RNA sequencing showed that the circulating exosomes from CAVD patients and the normal people exhibited aberrant long non-coding RNA level, among which RMST was significantly upregulated in the CAVD-derived circulating exosomes and in the calcified aortic valve tissues. ALP activity assay and alizarin red staining showed that RMST promoted the VICs calcification. Luciferase reporter assay indicated that RMST acted as the miR-195-5p sponge, and miR-195-5p could target the 3'UTR of Smad7. Further functional experiments revealed that RMST was enriched in the circulating exosomes, leading to the upregulation of Smad7 in through sponging miR-195-5p to promote osteogenic differentiation in VICs. Moreover, adipose-derived exosomes showed the same effect as the CAVD-derived circulating exosomes. In conclusion, we found that circulating exosomes from CAVD patients promoted the VICs calcification through delivering the lncRNA RMST which acted as the miR-195-5p sponge to regulate the Smad7 expression. These results provided a new understanding of the molecular mechanism of the progression of CAVD.

Funding: This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant no.
81974033).

Declaration of Interest: None to declare.

Ethical Approval: The present research program had been reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University.


. This paper aims to evaluate the simultaneous adsorption of basic red 2 (BR2) and basic violet 3 (BV3) in a binary system in a batch mode using date stones as low cost adsorbents. For both dyes, experimental kinetic data were well fitted by the Brouers–Sotolongo model ( R 2 = 0.99) and intraparticle di ff usion was the controlling step in mass transfer mechanisms. The intraparticle di ff usion extent was found to be lower for BR2 (1.13 × 10 − 11 cm 2 /s) than for BV3 (1.11 × 10 − 11 cm 2 /s) when compared to individual solutions (1.24 × 10 − 10 cm 2 /s and 1.76 × 10 − 11 cm 2 /s for BR2 and BV3, respectively). The equilibrium study revealed lower adsorption capacities (41.95 and 88.91 mg/g for BR2andBV3,respectively)comparedtotheindividualsorptionresults(92.00and136.00mg/gforBR2 andBV3,respectively)forbothdyes.Toassesstheextentofcompetitionandthepreferenceofdyesfor functional sites, competition and separation factors were calculated suggesting an antagonistic e ff ect as well as a greater a ffi nity for BV3 than for BR2 to the adsorption sites. The equilibrium adsorption results were best fitted by modified Langmuir and P -factor Langmuir isotherms for BR2 and BV3, respectively.Besides,basedonenthalpyvalues(16.30and30.26kJ/molforBR2andBV3,respectively), the simultaneous adsorption of both dyes was endothermic while the entropy revealed a higher a ffi nity of the investigated adsorbent to BV3. The sorption process in separate systems (BR2 and BV3) was thermodynamically feasible for both dyes with negative free enthalpy values. The comparison to single systems showed an increase of a ffi nity for BV3 contrarily to BR2 and, a decrease of spontaneity with higher extent for BR2.


Given the importance of fluorinated drugs and agrochemicals, fluoroalkylation of organic electrophiles that can be performed at a late stage of chemical synthesis has attracted a flurry of contributions. New fluoroalkyl groups can be obtained by insertion of fluoroalkenes into Cu–H bonds. Chlorotrifluoroethylene undergoes regioselective insertion in its reaction with Stryker's reagent, [CuH(PPh3)]6 and triphos to give [Cu(CFClCF2H)(μ−κ1,κ2-triphos)]2, which mediates the fluoroalkylation of several aroyl chlorides (triphos = bis(2-diphenylphosphinoethyl)-phenylphosphine). In contrast, attempted −RF transfer to aryl iodides instead affords aryl–aryl coupling products.


Accommodation of micro fluctuation has been the subject of many studies of ocular stability. Although there are three existing micro fluctuation reporting approaches encompassing the standard deviation approach, root means square approach and Fourier transform analysis, the direct comparison of these approaches is lacking. This study aims to descriptively compare the three reporting approaches using a single subject in the initial analysis. Measurement was done on the right eye using an open-field autorefractor (WAM-5500 Grand Seiko Co., Ltd., Japan) via the dynamic mode while looking at a distant target. The standard deviation (SD) approach recorded 0.1723 D accommodation micro fluctuation which was nearly identical to the root means square (RMS) approach of 0.1719 D. As for the Fourier transform (FT) approach, the variation was apparent in the low-frequency but not in the high-frequency component. Additional analysis showed the correlation coefficient between RMS and SD, between FT and SD and between FT and RMS was at 0.5776, 0.4745 and 0.4276, respectively (all P-values <0.01). In conclusion, the accommodation micro fluctuation can be aptly described through the root means square approach as it has fewer errors than the standard deviation approach and is less complicated than the Fourier transform approach.


We have measured both adsorption isotherms and third-sound resonance of atomically thin {sup 4}He films on solid hydrogen. We find helium more weakly bound to a hydrogen surface than to other rare-gas surfaces, with a van der Waals cofficient of 4.6{plus minus}0.4 K (layers){sup 3}. We have also measured third sound, at 0.18 K, down to a total helium coverage of 0.45{plus minus}0.01 atomic layer, indicating an inert coverage at {ital T}=0 K of 0.29 atomic layer or less. In common with other weak-binding substrates we also see depressions in third-sound velocity near half-layer intervals.


Field experiments were conducted in 2010 cropping season at the Research Centre of the College of Agriculture, Mampong Campus of the University of Education, Winneba (latitude 7? and 8? North of Equator and Longitude 1?and 24? West of the Greenwich) in the forest transitional zone of Ghana to evaluate the effect of three levels of grasscutter manure (GM), chicken manure (CM), and NPK on soil chemical properties, growth and yield of carrot. The treatments were, no fertilizer or manure (control), 300kgNPK/ha, 10tCM/ha, 3 levels of grasscutter manure (10t, 15t and 20t/ha), laid out in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications. The 3 levels of grasscutter manure and chicken manure enhanced the soil organic C, total N, available P, exchangeable K, Ca, Mg and CEC better than NPK and the control treatments. Organic matter content and percent base saturation were high in the amended plots than the control. Plant height, number of leaves, leaf chlorophyll content, root length, root diameter and root yield for the 15 and 20t/ha grasscutter manure performed better than the rest of the amendments. The study showed that among the organic manures evaluated, grasscutter manure of 15 and 20t/ha gave the improved levels of the soil chemical properties and yield of carrot.