Today's applications generate a large amount of data where the majority of the data are not associated with any labels. Clustering methods are the most commonly used algorithms for data analysis, especially in healthcare. However, running clustering algorithms on embedded devices is significantly slow as the computation involves a large amount of complex pairwise similarity measurements. In this paper, we proposed FebHD, an adaptive framework for efficient and fully binary clustering in high-dimensional space. Instead of using complex similarity metrics, e.g., Euclidean distance, FebHD introduces a nonlinear encoder to map data points into sparse high-dimensional space. FebHD encoder simplifies the similarity search, the most costly and frequent clustering operation, to Hamming distance, which can be accelerated in today's hardware. FebHD performs clustering by assigning each data point to a set of initialized centers. It then updates the centers adaptively based on: (i) data points assigned to each cluster, and (ii) the confidence of the model on the clustering prediction. This adaptive update enables FebHD to provide a high quality of clustering with very few learning iterations. We also propose an end-to-end hardware accelerator that parallelizes the entire FebHD computation by exploiting FPGA bit-level granularity. Our evaluation shows that FebHD provides comparable accuracy to state-of-the-art clustering algorithms, while providing 6.2× and 9.1× (4.7× and 5.8×) faster and higher energy efficiency when running on the same FPGA (GPU) platform.


This volume contains the papers presented at the ACM/IEEE 8th International Conference on Cyber-Physical Systems, ICCPS 2017, held as part of Cyber-Physical Systems Week in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, on April 18--21, 2017. ICCPS is the flagship conference on Cyber-Physical Systems, CPS, which tightly couple cyber aspects, computing and communications with physical aspects, dynamics, control, and engineering. ICCPS, as an integral part of CPS Week, is pleased to be co-located with its sister conferences that focus on various components of CPS including embedded systems, hybrid systems, real-time systems, and wireless sensor networks.

ICCPS aims to showcase cutting-edge research that spans both the cyber and physical aspects of CPS. In the process, it aims to bring together academic and industry researchers, practitioners, and sponsors from various disciplines to establish scientific foundations, identify new principles, present novel architectures, demonstrate promising applications, and enable powerful new capabilities of CPS.


ObjectiveTo explore a new classification of subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH) induced by the ruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysms(MCAAs) according to its manifestations on CT image and its clinical value.Methods Clipping of aneurysms via the pterional approach were performed in 121 patients with ruptured MCCAs,in whom SAH was classified into 2 types according to the manifestations of the hemorrhage on CT image,i.e.typeⅠ(70 cases,57.9%) which meant the hemorrhage only in the cerebral cisterns and typeⅡ(51 cases,42.1%) which meant the hemorrhage in both the cerebral cisterns and parenchyma or ventricles.The relationship of the types with Hunt-Hess grades and the prognosis was analyzed.Results Of 70 patients with type Ⅰ SAH,68 belonged in Hunt-Hess gradesⅠ~Ⅲand 2 in gradesⅣ~Ⅴ.Of 51 patients with typeⅡSAH,28 belonged in Hunt-Hess gradesⅠ~Ⅲand 23 in gradesⅣ~ Ⅴ.Of 70 patients with typeⅠSAH,65(92.9%) were cured,3(4.3%) were moderately disabled and 2(2.9%) died.Of 51 patients with types Ⅱ SAH,36(70.6%) were cured,9(17.6%) were moderately disabled,4(7.8%) were severely disabled and 2(3.3%) died.There was significant differences in Hunt-Hess grade and the prognosis of the patients between types Ⅰ and Ⅱ SAH patients with ruptured MCCAs(P0.01).Conclusions It is suggested that is good relativity between Hunt-Hess grades or prognosis and the new types of SAH in the patient with ruptured MCCAS,which may be used to assess the patients'disease conditions and predict the patients'prognoses.


Splenic marginal-zone lymphoma (SMZL) accounts for , 2% of lymphoid neoplasms. 1 Treatment is indicated for progressive and symptomatic splenomegaly and for cytopenias. 2,3 The options include splenectomy, chemotherapy, rituximab with or without chemotherapy, and more recently, targeted therapies. 4-6 Results from small cohorts suggest that the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (mAb) rituximab can achieve deep and durable responses in many patients (overall response rate [ORR], . 80%, complete response [CR], . 40%) as a single-agent therapy. 7-10 Nevertheless, the management of relapsed and refractory SMZL remains an unmet clinical need. Novel strategies include BTK, PI3K, and immune check-point inhibitors; antibody-drug conjugates; and chimeric antigen receptor T cells. Ofatumumab a fully humanized mAb a CD20 epitope on cells with slower release from the target, with rituximab. Less frequent and milder infusion-related reac-tions (IRRs)


Methyldopa is the main antihypertensive drug widely used in pregnant women with hypertensive disorder. It lowers blood pressure in pre-eclampsia by affecting a2-adrenoreceptors in central nervous system. However, it also decreases the production of proangio-genic factors that involved in the pathophysiology of hypertension in pre-eclampsia. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is one of proangiogenic and mitogenic factor that important for vasodilatation. VEGF is produced by the placenta and affected after treatment with methyldopa. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of methyldopa on VEGF maternal circulating level as a proangiogenic factor in severe pre-eclampsia patients who were hospitalized at Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Haji Hospital, Surabaya. This study was performed by cohort prospective observational method on August to October 2016.The data was assessed at before and 48 hours after methyldopa therapy. The study was approved by the ethical committee of Haji Hospital, Surabaya. There were 19 patients with severe pre-eclampsia who met inclusive criteria. The results showed that levels of VEGF before and 48 hours after 250 mg methyldopa therapy were 1178.37(281.97-3567.28) pg/mL and 1055.17 (129.79-4272.66) pg/mL, respectively. VEGF levels in severe pre-eclampsia patients were 1194.29 (175.68-3432.01) pg/mL at before treatment and 510.66 (214.34-1236.16) pg/mL after treatment with methyldopa 500 mg therapy. In conclusion, methyldopa could decrease VEGF level on severe pre-eclampsia patients, with a decrease of 10% at the dose of 250 mg and 57% at the dose of 500 mg.


Until 1997, only general anesthesia was used for pediatric surger Many complications occurred with this method, which could have d a regional anesthetic technique been used. The objectives of th A) To demonstrate that REGIONAL ANESTHESIA has the following char 1. It is useful in children, causing minimal hemodynamic and resp . 2. It is easy to administer, safe, less costly, allows quick reco mobilization of the patient. B) Stimulate the development of regional anesthesia techniques in ery in Venezuela. We present a historic review, the indications, contraindications, sadvantages, technique, complications, methods, including the dos ed for REGIONAL ANESTHESIA IN CHILDREN. Then we present a prospec 300 cases of regional anesthesia administered to children aged 12 of which 208 were males and 92 females; 240 ASA I and 60 ASA II. ia was used in 150, spinal anesthesia in 104, and peridural anest r abdominal and lower limb surgeries. The youngest patient was a f 47 days of age; the oldest was 12 years old. The mean age was 5 lowest weight was 2.4 kg; the highest weight 45 kg, the mean bein imal changes of systolic, diastolic, mean blood pressures, and he bserved. There were no significant fluctuations in respiratory ra had 8.3% rate of technique errors and 6.33% of adverse effects. ic surgeons regarded the anesthetic technique as good.


Despite genetic evidence implicating MBD5 as the only overlapping gene between various 2q23.1 microdeletions, the function of MBD5 and its causality to 2q23.1 microdeletion syndrome, a disorder characterized by developmental delay and autistic features, has yet to be determined. In this issue of EMBO Molecular Medicine, Camarena et al generate an Mbd5 gene‐trap mouse model and show for the first time that mice with reduced MBD5 expression develop behavioral abnormalities with neuronal function deficits, mimicking symptoms in 2q23.1 microdeletion syndrome, thus supporting a causal role for MBD5 haploinsufficiency in the disorder.


The interaction of a scalar field with the Kerr gravitational field is studied. The properties of the Klein--Gordon equation in the Kerr metric are reviewed, and a two-component formalism is developed. This formalism expresses the one-particle quantum theory for a massive scalar particle in the Kerr metric. A semiclassical analysis of the spontaneous emission of particles by a Kerr black hole is given. The quantization of a scalar field in the Kerr metric is developed, and a treatment of the spontaneous particle creation is given. The particular quantization given here leads to emission only into the classical superradiant modes and hence no emission by a Schwarzschild black hole. In the case in which $omega$M is very much less than 1, where M is the mass of the black hole and $omega$ is the frequency of a given mode, an explicit expression may be given for the rate at which particles are emitted into each mode. In the case in which the particle's mass is zero and a is very much less than M, a = angular momentum per unit mass of the black hole, the total rate of loss of energy of the black hole is shown to be proportionalmore » to a$sup 6$/M$sup 8$. A discussion of the problem of the vacuum energy is given. It is shown that the energy of the vacuum state of a scalar field in a Kerr spacetime a very-much-less-than M is the same as that for a Schwarzschild (a = 0) spacetime. (AIP)« less


For randomness and uncertainty of the demand of city medical customers,the problem of optimization for dynamic distribution path of medicine should be optimized.The initial optimization model of distribution path and the real-time optimization model of distribution path are established in which the constraint condition is service time window of customer and the objective function is to minimize the distribution costs of medicine and to improve the proportion of service on time in the paper.Genetic algorithm is be used to solve the problem.Research analysis shows that genetic algorithm converged to the best solution rapidly,the proportion of Service on time improved largely and the real-time request was well satisfied.It provided an effective method to solve the problem of optimization for dynamic distribution path of medicine in city.


The language of moral virtue comes easily to most of us. When we think about the moral what comes to mind are certain dispositions to do the right thing at the right time for the right reason. We have in mind the possession of certain traits that conduce to living well the life that is good for one to live. To be honest, generous, fair-minded, compassionate, resolute in the service of justice, these and other virtues are the ambition that we have for ourselves and for our children. Indeed how to raise children of good moral character is a pressing concern of parents and educators alike. We hope children come to exhibit traits of character that are praiseworthy and reflect credibly on their formation as a person. Indeed, we would be disappointed if our children developed only a glancing acquaintance with the virtues.


Heterocyclic dithiocarbamates have anti‐inflammatory and anti‐proliferative effects in rodent models of chronic kidney disease. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) reduces the progression of polycystic kidney disease (PKD). Male Lewis polycystic kidney (LPK) rats (an ortholog of Nek8/NPHP9) received intraperitoneal injections of either saline vehicle or PDTC (40 mg/kg once or twice daily) from postnatal weeks 4 until 11. By serial magnetic resonance imaging at weeks 5 and 10, the relative within‐rat increase in total kidney volume and cyst volume were 1.3‐fold (P = 0.01) and 1.4‐fold (P < 0.01) greater, respectively, in LPK + Vehicle compared to the LPK + PDTC(40 mg/kg twice daily) group. At week 11 in LPK rats, PDTC attenuated the increase in kidney weight to body weight ratio by 25% (P < 0.01) and proteinuria by 66% (P < 0.05 vs. LPK + Vehicle) but did not improve renal dysfunction. By quantitative whole‐slide image analysis, PDTC did not alter interstitial CD68+ cell accumulation, interstitial fibrosis, or renal cell proliferation in LPK rats at week 11. The phosphorylated form of the nuclear factor (NF)‐κB subunit, p105, was increased in cystic epithelial cells of LPK rats, but was not altered by PDTC. Moreover, PDTC did not significantly alter nuclear expression of the p50 subunit or NF‐κB (p65)‐DNA binding. Kidney enlargement in LPK rats was resistant to chronic treatment with a proteasome inhibitor, bortezomib. In conclusion, PDTC reduced renal cystic enlargement and proteinuria but lacked anti‐inflammatory effects in LPK rats.


We hypothesized that the disordered tissue architecture in cancer results from the steps that the cells execute the program designed during ontogeny in a spatiotemporally inappropriate manner. HOX genes are known as master regulators of embryonic morphogenesis, and encode transcription factors which regulate the transcription of the downstream genes to realize the program of body plan. In this study, we quantified the expression levels of 39 HOX genes in 41 human non-small cell lung cancer (non-SCLC) and non-cancerous lung tissues by a comprehensive analysis system based on the realtime RT-PCR method. We found that the expression levels of HOXA1, A5, A10 and C6 in squamous cell carcinoma tissues (and HOXA5 and A10 in adenocarcinoma tissues) were significantly higher than those in the non-cancerous tissues. Comparison of HOX gene expressions between adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma tissues showed higher expressions of HOXA1, D9, D10 and D11 in squamous cell carcinoma tissues than in adenocarcinoma tissues. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that HOXA5 and A10 proteins were localized in the cytoplasm of tumor cells in both adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma tissues. These results suggest that the disordered patterns of HOX gene expressions were involved in not only the development of non-SCLC but also histological diversity such as adenocarcinoma and


2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 4 CONTENTS 5 LIST OF EQUATIONS 8 LIST OF FIGURES 8 LIST OF GRAPHS 9 LIST OF TABLES 10 CHAPTER


This course covers the basic concepts in system theory: stock and flow, positive and negative feedback. It also discusses logistic growth with carrying capacity, oscillation in linear systems, limit cycle and chaos in nonlinear systems. After learning the simulation software, systems in six different areas will be discussed: physical systems, engineering systems, chemical/biological systems, ecological systems, economic systems and social systems. Students are required to investigate one out of these six areas listed above by constructing asystem model and simulation, and then write a project report and give a presentation. In addition, students also need to write three essays on three of the remaining areas.


Improving the ideological and ethical standard of college teachers which is a complicated but systemized project.If only to grasp its start,focus,basis difficulty,concentrated and stay point,that can make the work done well.


Many firms in the biotechnology industry have significant valuations despite having no product revenue because their products are in early stages of development. In the past ten to fifteen years investors have bid up the stock prices of firms showing promise of developing a blockbuster drug. Using the decision-tree and binomial-lattice methods we compare the value of a biotechnology firm to the sum of the values of its drug development projects. We compare our computed values of Agouron to actual market values at selected points in time during the development of Viracept, a drug used to treat HIV-positive patients. Values for Agouron were also found using a binomial lattice with the addition of a growth option, which was added because the development of an initial new molecular entity (NME) is similar to purchasing a call option on the value of a subsequent NME.


In recent decades much has been revealed regarding children's self-perceptions and sense of worth. Children engage in social comparisons to gauge their strengths and weaknesses relative to those around them. Thus one's environment plays a critical role impacting one's perceptions of self. Other variables suggested as contributing to children's formulation of self-worth, include academic achievement, perception of victimization by peers, and academic placement. However, findings have been inconsistent in regard to the extent to which these variables relate to self-worth. The present study sought to discern if these variables relate to children's self-perceptions. Results revealed a positive correlation between students' scholastic competence, self-perception scores and cognitive skills and academic achievement in reading, language arts, and mathematics. Findings also suggest that the children's self-perceptions and sense of worth were significantly different, depending upon their academic group. Moreover, children in Learning Support demonstrated more pervasive negative self-perceptions across non-academic domains of competence, whereas the opposite effect was not evident for students in the gifted program. A significant, negative relationship was revealed between each domain of selfperception and perceptions of victimization. In addition, children in Learning Support perceive themselves to be more frequently victimized by their peers than students in either Regular Education or in Gifted Support. Educational implications, recommendations for future research, and study limitations are discussed.


Turbojets still have their role in aviation, mostly due to the advent of unmanned aerial vehicles. The main goal of this research is to develop a preliminary airborne test bed for a micro turbojet engine to accomplish performance measurements. The authors present the results in two parts. The entire work, presented here and in Part I, forms the basis to show the benefits of using Turbofan Power Ratio (TPR) in such kind of turbine engines, which can be considered as novelty. In turbojet engines, unlike conventional controls based on rotor speed (n) or Engine Pressure Ratio (EPR) the compound thermodynamic parameter TPR exhibits linear correlation with the thrust of the engine. In order to develop an airborne test bench, complex design and assessment steps must be carried out. The first part of this complex research deals with the integration of powerplant and airframe. The second part, which is presented in this paper, shows the development of a remote data acquisition system based on the already existing electronic engine controller. This paper aims to describe the development steps and evaluation of the preliminary performance of this measurement system.


Applications of hot-wire anemometers to velocity rneaaurements near walls can result in erroneous velocity data owing to additional heat losses to the wall. It is difficult to account for these errors if calibration data are used that were obtained in calibration test rigs without walls. This has been recognized in many studies in which hot-wires were applied to measurements in wall boundary-layer flows and different suggestions for corrections have been given. The present paper summarizes these suggested corrections and points out existing differences. It is also shown that some hot-wire measurements have been performed without any corrections being applied and reasons for this are given. Whereas most of the existing suggestions for wall corrections of hot-wire data are based on experiments, the present approach uses results of a numerical study. Assuming the problem to be two-dimensional and that the wire can be replaced by a line source of heat, a numerical study is carried out for the temperature distribution downstream of the wire, and computations are performed for the heat loss from the wire in presence of the wall. Computations are performed for two Merent boundary conditions representing ideally conducting and non-conducting materials. These different boundary conditions yield large differences in the computed heat losses from the wire, and these explain the existing differences in the experimentally obtained corrections. The numerical study also shows that the large heat losses for conducting walls are due to the distorted temperature distribution in the temperature wake of the wire. Some of the results of the numerical studies were experimentally verified by the authors and a procedure haa been developed to correct instantaneous hot-wire readings for additional heat losses to a wall. For non-conducting walls, the heat losses are much smaller and are negligible for most practical measurements.


The original christian experienceproclaims faith in the trinity recallingthe history of salvation in the lightof the Pascal event. With the themeTrinity and Human CosmologicalEquilibrium, we ought to mention outthree points:1) The unity among human beingsand the cosmos.2) The elements that constitutethe unity and diversity.3) The Trinity as a model of unityand communion.


The results of a study of grafting to pre-irradiated cellulose are presented using the monomers styrene, vinyl acetate, and 2- and 4-vinylpyridines. The effect of pre-irradiation dose has been examined over the range 1-10 Mrad in air at dose rates of 0.114-1.16 Mrad/hr. Of a number of additives included in the grafting solutions, small amounts (10-23%) of acridine completely suppressed grafting, anthracene inhibited it, and the halobenzenes produced a sensitization in the reaction.


The UV curing process in both air and nitrogen atmosphere for the highly branched polycarbosilane system was investigated by differential scanning photo calorimeter. The UV cured products were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR). By comparison with the FTIR results of the uncured liquid mixture and the cured samples, the possible cross-linking reactions were determined. The kinetics of the curing systems was studied. The rate constant k was calculated based on the experimental results. The activation energies in different curing conditions were obtained. According to these results, it was learned that the mechanism for the UV curing in nitrogen was controlled by the photolysis of photoinitiator. Comparably, the UV curing process in air was complicated. It was affected by not only the photolysis of photoinitiator, but also oxygen and tripropane glycol diacrylate. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Table of Contents: You Can Go To (p. 6) -- Penthouse of the Press (p. 12) -- When the Governor was President (p. 15) -- Sound of Laughter (p. 17) -- Sex on Sixth Street (p. 18) -- Qualified, Capable, Dependable (p. 22) -- Hot Pastromi (p. 24) -- Girl of the Month (p. 26) -- Bop to Bach (p. 29) -- Fashion (p. 33) -- Faculty Cackles (p. 37) -- Mumbo Jumbo (p. 43) -- Some Lines to a Cocker Spaniel (p. 45)


In recent years inland container transportation is developing rapidly,it is known that inland container transportation container plays important role in intermodal transport system and has continuous grow potential.The experiences of European container inland transportation are used for reference to analyze inland container transportation modes in the paper.The contents include the features of inland container transportation development and the promoting ways of inland container transportation at government layer etc.On this basis some suggestions for Chinese inland container transportation are proposed.


Extensive research in the field of magnetic resonance imaging has been done to improve diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases. Using a dynamic heart phantom (DHP) is vital to improve and validate MR imaging techniques and protocols. We have developed an innovative DHP design using a motor driven hydraulic system that delivers XYZ translational motion, rotation of the gel and internal pressure generation. Upon fabrication, the model will mimic the left ventricle during the cardiac cycle.


The article contains the history of the Jewish Autonomous region formation, its administrative-territorial system, changes in the autonomy borders and its municipalities. The author analyzes the Jewish population migration processes in the Russian Far East.


A more comprehensive view on the energy properties could contribute to the deepening of thermodynamic theories and efficient utilization of energy, which has both theoretical and practical significance. As derivative concepts of exergy, energy quality and energy grade, which characterize the quality of energy, have been fully applied in the field of engineering thermophysics during the past four decades. However, their concepts and calculations have not been fully clarified, and summaries of related applications are very rare in the literature. This has led to a considerable degree of ambiguity and confusion in the utilization of these concepts, which is not conducive to the application and promotion of the concepts, and would also hinder the process of the cognition for energy properties. Based on literature research, this paper explains the history of the energy quality and energy grade concepts, and expands the calculations and related benchmark issues (environmental reference states) in detail. Moreover, in order to better understand the functions of energy quality and energy grade, analysis methods derived from the concepts and their applications are reviewed. Through summarizing existing research, future research needs on energy quality and energy grade is elaborated. This paper will help to clarify the physical meanings and calculations of energy quality and energy grade, as well as contribute to in-depth thinking on the energy quality and energy grade and other potential energy properties.


PURPOSE: A capacitor embedded printed circuit board and a manufacturing method thereof are provided to fill a dielectric material into a desired region for providing an embedded capacitor, thereby reducing unnecessary processes such as a dielectric material etching process. CONSTITUTION: A plurality of via holes is formed on a predetermined region of a laminated plate(140). The via hole is filled with a dielectric material(110). Copper foil layers(120,130) are formed on the upper or lower parts of the dielectric material. The via holes have different diameters. A signal circuit pattern is formed on the upper part of the dielectric material. A ground layer is formed on the lower part of the dielectric material.


Efficacy of Cultural-Based Psychoeducational Group Therapy for Increasing Marital Satisfaction Among Latino Co uples by Maria Jesús Ampuero M.S. Loma Linda University, 2002 B.S. Cal State University, San Bernardino, 2000 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Clinical Psychology


Rumelhan et al. (1986b) proposed a model of how symbolic processing may be achieved by parallel distributed processing (PDP) networks. Their idea is tested by training two types of recurrent networ...


Seligman, P., et al., "Molecular Mechanisms of Iron Metabolism', The Molecular Basis of Blood Diseases, at pp. 219–229 (1987) W.B. Saunders Co. Wagner, E., et al., "Transferrin-polycation conjugates as carriers for DNA uptake into cells", Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 87:3410–3414 (1990). Yan, H., et al., "Chimeric NGF-EGF Receptors Define Domains Responsible for Neuronal Differentiation", Sci ence, 252:561-564 (1991). Hobbs, H.H., et al., "The LDL Recpetor Locus in Familial Hypercholesterolemia: Mutational Analysis of a Membrane Protein", Annu. Rev. Genet, 24:133-170 (1990). Capon, D.J., et al., "Designing CD4 immunoadhesions for AIDS therapy", Nature, 337:525-531 (1989). Traunecker, A., et al., "Highly efficient neutralization of HIV with recombinant CD4-immunoglobulin molecules", Nature, 339:68–70 (1989). Styles et al., Rat monoclonal antibodies to the external domain of the product of the c-erbB-2 proto-oncogene, Int. J. Cancer, 45: 320-324, 1990. Shin et al., Transferrin-antibody fusion proteins are effective in brain targeting, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 92:2820-2824, Mar. 1995. Wagner, E., et al., "Delivery of drugs, proteins and genes into cells using transferrin as a ligand for receptor-mediated endocytosis", Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 14:113–135 (1994).


Ultrasonic thermal treatment for dermatology has been developed using a small high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) transducer. The transducer moves horizontally at a constant while it emits focused ultrasound because the treatment needs a high-temperature area in skin tissue over a wide range of depths. In this paper, a tissue-mimicking phantom made of carrageenan and a thermochromic film were adopted to examine the temperature distribution in the phantom noninvasively when the focused ultrasound was irradiated from the moving transducer. The dependence of the high-temperature area on the irradiated acoustic energy and on the movement interval of the HIFU was analyzed experimentally. The results will be useful in ensuring safety and estimating the remedial value of the treatment.


8 sets of exercise prescriptions are designed to improve physical flexibility,stamina, strength,dexterity,speed,sliminess,weight,and overall fitness,and they have been experimented upon college students.Through the experiment,this paper discusses the effects of different exercise prescriptions on college students' several parameters of blood rheology and also compares the different functions of different prescriptions.It provides useful information for improving students' scientific exercising outside class and for bettering the actual effects of students' cardiovascular function through exercise.The results show that after exercise the PP,ETK,AC,BV,and ALK will increase to some degree and BK will increase while TR,VR,V,ALT,and TM will decrease to some degree in most of experimenters.It also suggests that the prescriptions we made can effectively improve the cardiorascular function and blood rheology and promote microcirculation.


The demand for skilled personnel, vocational education and further training in the metropolitan region Nuremberg For almost 10 years the demand for skilled personnel and its scarcity has been discussed. This report focuses on the demand for both skilled personnel and initial education and further training activities of firms in the metropolitan region Nuremberg (MRN). The analysis is based on the data of the IAB Establishment Panel Survey. Overall the MRN is hit by a decline of the population and increasingly ageing labour force. However, during the last few years the labour market exhibited a positive development. There has been an increase in total employment and a decrease in unemployment. The MR Nuremberg is characterized by a high proportion of employees in the production sector with a completed vocational training. In the MRN the proportion of apprentices is relatively high and the apprenticeship labour market has changed in favour of applicants. Furthermore, huge differences are observed between urban and rural areas within the MRN concerning the demand for skilled personnel, in turn leading to differences in the conditions to fill vacancies. The data of the IAB Establishment Panel Survey show that the extent of demand for skilled personnel in the MRN is comparable with Bavaria, West Germany and Germany. But in the MRN the proportion of unfilled vacancies is larger than in other regions. This indicates that the establishments in the MRN face greater challenges to match the demand for skilled personnel. Vocational education and training can be regarded as an opportunity of establishments to recruit skilled personnel. In the MRN the number of firms which fulfil the legal requirements for vocational education and training is higher than the German average. However, apprenticeship places offered by establishments in the MRN were less often filled compared with those in Bavaria, West Germany or Germany. And, there were less further training activities in the MRN. Hence, this might be a chance for the establishments in the MRN to extend these activities in order to reduce the lack of skilled personnel in future. The MRN should communicate potential ideas and strategies transparently in order to bundle and to assist innovative approaches. Under the umbrella of the MRN, urban and rural districts could adopt region-specific strategies to overcome challenges and to use opportunities for inter-regional cooperation.


In the aftermath of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report on alleged collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign, many people are missing that the report does include an indictment -- of those who fabricated a horrendous crime to be blamed on the duly elected president of the United States.


WASp-interacting protein (WIP), a regulator of actin cytoskeleton assembly and remodeling, is a cellular multi-tasker and a key member of a network of protein–protein interactions, with significant impact on health and disease. Here, we attempt to complement the well-established understanding of WIP function from cell biology studies, summarized in several reviews, with a structural description of WIP interactions, highlighting works that present a molecular view of WIP's protein–protein interactions. This provides a deeper understanding of the mechanisms by which WIP mediates its biological functions. The fully disordered WIP also serves as an intriguing example of how intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) exert their function. WIP consists of consecutive small functional domains and motifs that interact with a host of cellular partners, with a striking preponderance of proline-rich motif capable of interactions with several well-recognized binding partners; indeed, over 30% of the WIP primary structure are proline residues. We focus on the binding motifs and binding interfaces of three important WIP segments, the actin-binding N-terminal domain, the central domain that binds SH3 domains of various interaction partners, and the WASp-binding C-terminal domain. Beyond the obvious importance of a more fundamental understanding of the biology of this central cellular player, this approach carries an immediate and highly beneficial effect on drug-design efforts targeting WIP and its binding partners. These factors make the value of such structural studies, challenging as they are, readily apparent.


In this paper, we proposed option indicator that determines the quality of the interaction regions with natural monopolies. In fact, assessing the effect of the implementation of projects of the program interaction. Evaluation is carried out from the point of view of natural monopoly.


Recent studies of photoluminescence (PL) and photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectroscopy in rare earth-doped chalcogenide glasses have discovered a novel broad excitation band for the rare earth emissions. This band is attributed to the absorption of light in the Urbach tail of the band edge absorption of the host glass, with a subsequent non-radiative transfer of the absorbed energy to the rare earth atoms. The present work provides new insight concerning the energy transfer mechanism through an investigation of the efficiency, peak energy, and lineshape of the board band excitation as a function of the bandgap energy of the host glass. The bandgap energy has been altered by changing the host glass composition, and by obtaining the PL and PLE spectra at temperatures ranging from 5K to 300K. In agreement with prediction, it is found that the spectral position of the broad PLE band tracks with the bandgap, shifting to higher energies as the bandgap is increased. It is also found, again agreeing with prediction, that in glasses with larger bandgaps the broad band PLE mechanism can excite higher lying transitions of the rare earth dopants.


Among recent collections from Costa Rica were several undescribed species. Two new species of Pleurothyrium, P guindonii and P ob- longum, are described, recent collections of poorly known species of that genus are listed, and a key to the Costa Rican species of Pleurothyrium is pre- sented. These additions bring the number of Pleu- rothyrium species known from Costa Rica to eight. Two new species of Ocotea, 0. rufescens and O. multiflora, are also described and their affinities are discussed, at least as far as known. Nectandra sal- vadorensis Lundell is transferred to Ocotea. A re- examination of type specimens has led to a different concept of Ocotea tonduzii Standley and 0. pittieri (Mez) van der Werff. Most specimens formerly placed in 0. pittieri are now included in the new species 0. praetermissa. The correct name for spec- imens placed in 0. tonduzii can only be determined after a study of the 0. insularis complex.


In this paper we revisit the anisotropic isoperimetric and the Brunn-Minkowski inequalities for convex sets. The best known constant $C(n)=Cn^{7}$ depending on the space dimension $n$ in both inequalities is due to Segal [\ref{bib:Seg.}]. We improve that constant to $Cn^6$ for convex sets and to $Cn^5$ for centrally symmetric convex sets. We also conjecture, that the best constant in both inequalities must be of the form $Cn^2,$ i.e., quadratic in $n.$ The tools are the Brenier's mapping from the theory of mass transportation combined with new sharp geometric-arithmetic mean and some algebraic inequalities plus a trace estimate by Figalli, Maggi and Pratelli.


OBJECTIVE
To review the latest development of amniotic fluid-derived stem cell(AFS) and to predict its future application.

METHODS
The recent articles about AFS were extensively reviewed. The origin,culture,identification,and directional differentiation as well as future application of AFS were summarized and discussed.

RESULTS
In 1993, AFS were thought to be exist possibly, and it was confirmed in recent years. AFS have some surface markers like other stem cells, and has multi-differentiated potential and extensive future application in cell therapy and tissue engineering approaches.

CONCLUSION
As a new stem cell, AFS remains to be further researched.


Objective:In order to investigate the elimination effect and curative effect of propofol on reactive oxygen species in patients with acute craniocerebral injury. Method:We used electron spin resonance spectroscopy to determine the plasma contents of oxygen free radical,and the chemical-high performance liquid chromatography were used to determine the nitrogen oxide and plasma contents of lipid peroxides.And then investigated the elimination effect and curative effect of propofol on reactive oxygen species in patients with acute craniocerebral injury. Result:Except of the nitrogen oxide in 2 hours after starting operation,every indexes in 2 and 4 hours after starting operation were lower,there were difference between the performance(P0.05). Conclusion:Propofol can clear the reactive oxygen species in patients with acute craniocerebral injury,and lessen the risk of secondary cerebral injury.


Based on the analysis of relation between the factors affecting coal and gas outburst,with the region geology model confirmed by Geo-dynamic division method and combined with rock stress measurement,and VB,VC,the pattern recognition model were established.The pattern recognition method was applied to predict coal and gas outburst regional hazard,with which the Xieyi mining area was then divided into dangerous outburst area,minatory outburst area and safe area.That's to assess and predict the danger of coal and gas outburst.


Abstract : A critical review and evaluation of the literature was performed to describe existing instructional and evaluative techniques relevant to team training. Comprehensive documentation sources such as Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC), Defense Documentation Center (DDC), and National Technical Information Service (NTIS) were searched. In addition, the social psychological areas and the industrial training field were surveyed for relevant publications. Current studies and team training practices underway within the Services were examined and described. A classification scheme was introduced in which the training situations discussed in this review were categorized as either emergent or established. Established situations are those in which the tasks and required behaviors can be almost completely specified. Emergent situations permit some discretionary behaviors because all activities cannot be predicted. Additionally, team training was distinguished from multi-individual training. Although both occur in a group setting, the focus in the latter is on individual skills whereas team training focuses on team skills (e.g., coordination). Using this classification scheme, state-of-the-art gaps in team training and evaluation were identified for needed research and development. In addition, new techniques, such as simulated two-sided engagement training, were suggested as warranting further study of their applicability to team training.


Energy saving in coal power plants is a popular topic in present days with the global energy crisis. Internal electricity demand or auxiliary power consumption is an energy portion related with equ ...


Maraghe observatory was built by such engineers as Moayiededdin Orozi etc. under supervision of Khaje Nasireddin Tousi in 7th century AH. The most significant feature associated with Maraghe observatory is the fact that architecture is employed to achieve astronomical purposes in this site. The reason for preferring observatory by astronomers was the fact that these units are superior to wooden and metal instruments with respect to accuracy, no size limitations, etc.
Architectural design and function of astronomical units of Maraghe observatory site after discovery of its foundation in the course of explorations before Islamic Revolution remained unclear until recent years.
After conducting required studies and investigations, the author managed to find significant cues and after some precise comparisons, he succeeded to recover the main design and function of some astronomical units of this international center. Based on these findings these astronomical structures can reliably be rebuilt.
This research showed that every circular or polygonal building cannot be considered as an observatory. For example form and function of cemetery structures are completely different with astronomical ones. Following this research also valuable results were obtained in relation to stone architectural structures present on Maraghe observatory hill. In addition, claims about invention of astronomical units of Maraghe observatory by non-Iranian scientists are rejected and rights of Iranian scientists are rationally defended in this regard.


The rusts reported in this paper were collected by Dr. R. R. Stewart or by R. R. and I. D. Stewart in the northern part of the United Provinces and in the Punjab, Kashmir and the Northwest Frontier Province of India. For an account of an early collection by Stewart from this region see Arthur and Cummins (Mycologia 25: 397-406. 1933). Species marked with an asterisk represent new records for India.


A study was made on the application of the probabilistic method to evaluate the thermal deterioration of the transmission line conductor. The climatic data of the area concerned and the current data were collected and the reduction in the tensile strength of the conductor was used for the representation of the deterioration of the conductor. First, a static calculation was made assuming that all the data are statistically independent. Then, a dynamic calculation was made by using all the independent data, and the results were compared with the first one.


The thesis explores the uneven distribution of power between and of the black/white female dichotomy and, while using them as a strategic tool within the visual work, questions the implications of skin colour in constructions of femininity within visual representations.

Historically as a marker of skin colour, white women and those with a lighter skin complexion have taken the role of the feminine, in comparison to the black woman and those with darker skin tones, who traditionally occupy a space of the nonfeminine. Within the thesis, this privileging of lighter and white skin, based on white aesthetics and beauty value judgments, has been named as colourism. The body of practice based work, produced as an intrinsic part of the thesis, will attempt to develop and explore this issue and develop a particularly black aesthetic response to the cultural construct of the 'feminine'.

Through researching contextual material made up of other artist's images and films, that challenge traditions of the gaze, the thesis develops visual strategies to help re-position black, and thereby white, women's place in visual representations, and further questions gender and identity. In approaching these questions, the thesis draws from various discourses, such as cultural studies, feminist film theory, visual cultures and fine art practice and theory.

The thesis argues for new ways of constructing visual pleasures within looking relations, which go beyond the visual, which call for a conscious process of breaking away from a representational language based on the phallocentric. The presented image-making strategies aim to destroy the normative understandings of visual pleasure, using colour and the belief in the power of the erotic (Audre Lorde 1984), to enable new ways of thinking through black and white women's positions within these debates.

This thesis uses the processes of personal image-making practice within a body of original artworks using video and photography, to direct towards the 3 theoretical fields in which this research is positioned. It uses a practice leading the theory methodology.


Disability should be a concern for those interested in analysing and subverting the cultural politics of education. In this paper we address this concern through connecting critical analyses of 'developmental disabilities' (formerly 'mental retardation'), disability studies and poststructuralism. We target normative constructions of 'developmental disabilities' – and we propose alternative dynamic possibilities – through reference to narratives from our political and personal work with people with the label of 'developmental disabilities'. Our aim is to unveil the ways in which we might understand the cultural formations of 'impairment' – as they relate to 'developmental disabilities' – in order to propel scholars, activists and practitioners towards a cultural politics of inclusion. First, we summarise some key debates from disability studies that have engaged with 'impairment': social model, relational and psychosocial models. We suggest that these debates benefit from a more grounded engagement with poststructuralist ideas. Second, we bring in the work of the poststructuralist thinkers Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari and the poststructuralist feminist Rosi Braidotti to tackle the social, historical, cultural and political conditions of 'developmental disabilities' through experimentation with rhizomes and nomads. In conclusion, we appeal for the development of a cultural politics of 'impairment' and 'developmental disabilities' that draws upon a vocabulary applicable to the post-modern subject of the contemporary world: as uncertain, productive and moveable.


Education can play a role in combating corruption indirectly through the association of learning materials with messages to be conveyed regarding anti-corruption values. Anti-corruption education for early childhood is one of learning in the form of characters includes nine anticorruption values. Corruption occurs when no values of a strong anticorruption through habituation instilled in the anti-corruption values are: honesty, caring, independent, responsibility, hard work, simple, bold, disciplined, fair. Prevention of corruption is not only the duty of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) but also all elements of society. One of the strategic prevention of corruption is education This type of research is descriptive. The research was conducted in kindergarten DEK Padang. Learning corruption, carried out most often is frequency picture books, through songs and movies. The results of observations and interviews that the media seem to be more easily understood -Media the child in identifying values to shape the character of the anti-corruption corruption. Anticorruption learning should be done continuously and integrated with other learning Those materials. By analyzing the two classes that perform anti-corruption learning classes that perform continuous and integrated with other activities and understanding the changing character of the anti-corruption values better. The results of observations and interviews that the media seem to be more easily understood -Media the child in identifying values to shape the character of the anti-corruption corruption. Anticorruption learning should be done continuously and integrated with other learning Those materials. By analyzing the two classes that perform anti-corruption learning classes that perform continuous and integrated with other activities and understanding the changing character of the anti-corruption values better. The results of observations and interviews that the media seem to be more easily understood -Media the child in identifying values to shape the character of the anti-corruption corruption. Anticorruption learning should be done continuously and integrated with other learning Those materials. By analyzing the two classes that perform anti-corruption learning classes that perform continuous and integrated with other activities and understanding the changing character of the anti-corruption values better.


To the Editor.— Canities (graying of hair) is progressive and permanent and is usually regarded as a normal manifestation of the aging process. Loss of pigment is associated with a gradual reduction in melanocyte tyrosinase activity and eventual loss of functional melanocytes. 1 The age of onset and progression is genetically determined and usually proceeds in an orderly fashion. Premature canities , defined as the onset of graying before the age of 20 years in whites or the age of 30 years in blacks, may be an isolated familial trait associated with other autoimmune disorders, such as pernicious anemia, vitamin B 12 and iron deficiency, hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, and Addison's hypoadrenalism, in the premature aging syndromes or other inherited disorders or in severe cases of malnutrition. 2 Drugs, such as chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, mephenesin, triparanol, and fluorobutyrophenone, are reported to cause hair lightening by an unknown mechanism. 2 In general, graying of the hair is progressive and permanent, except for repigmentation associated with alopecia areata and vitiligo.


Twenty-two adults, considered to have high caries activity, rinsed for one yr with either SnF2 or acidulated NaF mouthrinses. Total colony-forming units and numbers of S. mutans and lactobacilli were estimated from saliva samples. Large reductions were found in the number of recoverable S. mutans in subjects rinsing with SnF2 but not in the NaF group.


OBJECTIVE
To study the chemical constituents from leaves of Sapium sebiferum.

METHOD
The compounds were isolated and purified by silic gel column chromatography and preparative HPLC. The structures were identified by various spectral evidence.

RESULT
Nine compounds were obtained and they were shikimic acid (1), kaempferol (2), quercetin (3), isoquercein (4), hyperin (5), kaempferol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (6), kaempferol-3-O-beta-D-glueopyranoside (7), gallic acid (8), rutin (9).

CONCLUSION
Compounds 1, 5, 6 and 7 are isolated from this genus for the first time and compound 9 is isolated from this plant for the first time.


1. Whayne TF, DeBakey ME. Cold injury, ground type, in World War II. In: Adnot J, Lewis CW, eds. Immersion Foot Syndromes. Military Dermatology. Falls Church, VA: US Department of the Army; 1994:55–88. Available at: http://www.vnh.org/MilitaryDerm/Ch4.pdf. Accessed February 29, 2004. 2. Allen AM, Taplin D. Tropical immersion foot. Lancet. 1973;2:1185–1189. 3. Blogg H. Moon-boot foot syndrome. Br Med J. 1982;285: 1774–1775. 4. Phillip R. Moon-boot foot syndrome. Br Med J. 1983;286: 562. 5. Adnot J, Lewis CW, eds. Immersion Foot Syndromes. Military Dermatology. Falls Church, VA: US Department of the Army; 1994. Available at: http://www.vnh.org/ MilitaryDerm/Ch4.pdf. Accessed February 29, 2004.


It is well known th.at nonlinear distortion over a communication channel is now a significant factor hindering further increase in the attainable data rate in high-speed da.ta transmission. Since the received signal over a nonlinear channel is a nonlinear function of the past values of the transmitted data pulses, it is not surprising tihat the linear equalizers do not work efficiently. We propose a new nonlinear equalizer that uses a new type of neural network called Fuzzy CMAC which combines the advantages of both fuzzy logic and CMAC (Cerebellar Model Arithmetic Computer) networks. The learning speed is an order of magnitude faster than conventional neural nets. Moreover, human expert knowledge in the form of linguistic rules can be easily incorporated into the scheme.


ABSTRACT In this paper we use a broad cross-national sample to test decentralisation's relationship with two important indicators of the quality of governance: efficiency and effectiveness. Contrary to much of the conventional wisdom, we find that the effects of decentralisation are minimal when controlling for basic structural variables such as per capita GDP and degree of democracy. In addition we find that different types of decentralisation – fiscal, administrative, and political – have differing and sometimes opposing impacts on the quality of governance. Finally, we find that political decentralisation in particular is associated with higher government efficiency among high GDP per capita countries while it is associated with lower government efficiency among low GDP per capita countries.


A Guide to library services for Research staff and students at the University of the Highlands and Islands How to find library resources, print and digital


The understanding and application of the participatory method in ecological agricuture project operations were introduced,so as to provide reference for ecological agricuture project implement.


Over the last few years there has been considerable progress in linking the published scholarly literature with on-line data. This will greatly help with data discovery and aid the efforts to the VO.


To the Editor—Six drugs, including IFN, have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B [1, 2]; in addition, 8 hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes (A–H) have been identified. Ample evidence suggests that patients infected with HBV genotype A or B have a better response to IFN-based treatment than do those infected with HBV genotype C or D [3]. In the 15 February 2007 issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases, Zhao et al. [4] assessed the efficacy of a 24-week course of low-dose IFN or pegylated IFN treatment, as well as factors that predicted a sustained response, in Chinese patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)–positive chronic hepatitis B. They consistently that found HBV genotype B and younger age were independent factors associated with sustained response, and they suggested that a low-dose regimen of IFN treatment may be cost-effective for the treatment of younger patients who are infected with HBV genotype B. Although it is not ethical to include untreated control subjects in the present report, our previous study, which involved a Taiwanese Han population, revealed that spontaneous annual HBeAg seroconversion rates in patients who were infected with HBV genotype B and C were 15.5% and 7.9%, respectively [5]. Accordingly, the therapeutic efficacy of any anti-HBV agent should be evaluated on the basis of these inherent differences. In the article by Zhao et al. [4], the HBeAg seroconversion rates at the end of follow-up were 33.3% and 12.9% among patients infected with HBV genotype B and those infected with genotype C, respectively. Our interventional data similarly indicated that the rates of sustained response to conventional IFN in patients infected with genotype B and those infected with genotype C were 41% and 15%, respectively. In addition, we also found that young age and HBV genotype B infection were positive predictors of a sustained response [6]. Collectively, the rate of IFN-induced HBeAg seroconversion is, in fact, higher than that of spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion in HBV carriers at the immuneactive phase, especially for young subjects and for those with genotype B infection. These facts further highlight the necessity of early antiviral treatment in this special clinical situation. Of particular note, patients who are infected with HBV genotype B seem to be more susceptible to IFN-based therapy, regardless of whether pegylated or conventional formulations are used, whereas notable response rates are attained with pegylated IFN (compared with conventional IFN) in HBV genotype C–infected patients [7]. For the treatment of chronic hepatitis C, it is known that hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype plays an important role in determining the treatment regimen [8]. For example, HCV genotype 1–infected patients should receive a 48-week course of combination therapy with pegylated IFN plus high-dose ribavirin, and genotype 2– or genotype 3–infected patients have a superb response to 24-week courses of combination therapy with lowdose ribavirin. Thus, HBV genotype B is somewhat like HCV genotype 2 or 3, which requires only 24 weeks of low-dose pegylated IFN treatment. In sharp contrast, genotype C acts like HCV genotype 1 in that treatment may require a longer duration of high-dose pegylated IFN. Nevertheless, additional clinical trials that stratify by genotype and treatment regimen are needed to address this issue. In summary, HBV carriers should undergo routine genotyping to help identify how they can get the greatest benefit from IFN-based therapy and to determine the optimal treatment regimen. This tailoring strategy is also a big step toward individualized therapy for HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B in countries where genotype B and C are prevalent.


As we know, knowing that the economy is one of the most important factors for its strength, and even the first of them. In our globalizing world, where competition challenges are growing, competitors are getting stronger, technology is developing evolving, and the country that has weak and sensitive economy, is most at risk the country's job is very difficult. Whereas the countries being stronger in major economic crises are struggling with hardships too. The COVID-19 pandemic will go down in history as being one of the biggest problems of the 21st century. The virus has been declared as a "pandemic" by the World Health Organization. As being in danger of speeding of the disease most countries in the world closed their borders – though public health experts initially questioned this strategy for controlling the spread of disease. At the same time, the pandemic has decimated jobs and placed millions of livelihoods at risk within countries. The world's population has experienced a lockdown with strong containment measures. Obviously, all these causes international trade to cease, countries' GDP and GNP figures to fall, and economies to suffer significantly. The decrease in global trade due to the epidemic, sharp volatility in oil prices, shrinking total demand and increasing uncertainty negatively affected global economic activity. Naturally, 2020 was a year of economic stagnation all over the world and Azerbaijan's economy was also affected. Noticeably, 2020 was a year of economic stagnation all over the world and Azerbaijan's economy was also affected.


If humans who live freely can experience increased anxiety in their lives, what about children who live in Special Child Development Institutions who have limitations in their freedom to do various things. Children are experiencing a crisis, are at a crossroads, and are socializing with society, and a child is actually not only punished physically, but also psychologically punished. This study is to answer the question of how the application of social guidance type recreational groups for children in the implementation of the coaching process in LPKA Class I Kutoarjo. In every child's personality development activity, there is a relationship between one and another, the location of the recreational group type social guidance activity is a combination of group counseling carried out by counselors and guidance by guardians to each child in groups. The application of the recreational group type of social guidance method in reducing the level of anxiety in children in LPLB Class I Kutoarjo. Based on the research conducted by the author, the implementation of recreational group type social guidance is not only about the driving factors but also the inhibiting factors in its implementation.


This paper systematically analysed the mechanism of short-circuit nitrification and dinitrification in MBR showed the relation of ecological factors of DO, pH, temperature, C/N, F/M. The distribution features of bacterial groups in sludge flocculation particles and relationships among all groups, relationships among short-circuit nitrification and dinitrification and sludge concentration and substance transferring proceeding of bacterial groups were described.


The paper mainly studies the optimum design of starting and stopping properties of the large belt conveyor driven by the electromotor and compiles the dynamic properties optimum design program of the large belt conveyor.


e14579 Background: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy has become a fundamental component of the treatment strategy for locally advanced rectal cancer. The variation in response to this treatment is diverse; around 8% of patients have a pathological complete response whilst approximately 30% will either suffer disease progression or fail to respond to treatment. We aimed to identify differentially expressed proteins which would potentially serve as novel response biomarkers to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in rectal cancer. Methods: Serial tumor samples were obtained at diagnosis (n=8), immediately post-treatment (n=5) and at the time of surgical resection (n=6) from 8 patients with rectal cancer. Samples were subjected to comparative proteomic analysis using isobaric tagging for relative quantification (iTRAQ). Review of tumor regression grade apparent on H&E sections from the resection specimens, as well as radiological re-staging using the RECIST criteria allowed for stratification of patients into 'responde...


. We prove that a normal subloop X of a Moufang loop Q induces an abelian congruence of Q if and only if each inner mapping of Q restricts to an automorphism of X and u ( xy ) = ( uy ) x for all x, y ∈ X and u ∈ Q . The former condition can be omitted when X is 3-divisible. This characterization is then used to show that classically solvable finite 3-divisible Moufang loops are congruence solvable.


TheCOVID-19 global pandemic has rightly been the focus of attention for the healthcare workforce and has accelerated the global proliferation and adoption of smartphone and digital technologies for clinical communication and remote consultation (1, 2). This is an understandable development as functionality that enables dialogue between clinicians via Instant Messaging (IM) Applications or Apps (e.g., such as WhatsApp and iMessage), and between clinicians and patients through videoconferencing Apps (e.g., such as Zoom and Skype), has never beenmore important. Clinicians have drawn on the familiar and simple smartphone technology to overcome the communication barriers required for social distancing, reducing the risks associated with face-to-face contact and optimizing efficiencies in healthcare (1), often without adequate training as to potential clinical safety risks or data security incidents. These interventions have often had efficiency of communication at their core but may leave legacy issues that will become apparent as the health emergency passes. These channels have permanently and positively transformed communications, although they also raise professional, ethical, security and legal concerns that are associated with these technologies (3, 4). Clinicians (and their patients) may be in danger of becoming "ensnared" in a web of hidden data harvesting. Busy clinicians using smartphones to communicate effectively within their own healthcare teams or directly with patients, could face negative ramifications of these technologies unless the Information Commissioners Office (ICO; UK) or Data Protection Commission (DPC; Ireland) actively regulate to ensure data compliance within the National Health Service (NHS) or Health Service Executive (HSE; Ireland). This article explores the contemporary clinical context and regulatory ramifications within which practicing clinicians are operating. It highlights the need for appropriate guidelines, tools, and education in digital health to enable clinicians to practice in an environment where sensitive patient data can be processed and communicated securely with clarity for patients as to how their data might be used.


This paper is a study on three metallic thin films usable for manufacturing optical MEMS. The films were deposited by thermal evaporation on glass substrates. They were characterized from the topographical, tribological and mechanical point of view at nanoscale. The results pointed out that the silver thin films present higher values of the tribological and mechanical properties than the other two films when testing at room temperature. Increasing the testing temperature from 20 to 100 °C caused a decreased of both hardness and Young's modulus with about 30 up to 55 %. Introduction The optical microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) are formed in general by multi-layers of metallic thin films characterized by good optical properties. Over the last decades, the attention of the researchers was focused on developing different devices known as microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) that are satisfying the demands of the customers. The properties of the materials employed for manufacturing such devices determine its properties and its performance [1]. The optical MEMS are a category of MEMS devices that are combining the optical, mechanical, and electronic properties in a single device. They are used in the manufacture of optical sensors, attenuators, micro-lenses, micro-mirrors, displays and so on [2-5]. Aluminum [6, 7], gold [8, 9] and silver [10, 11] are one of the most used materials for manufacturing optical MEMS due to their physical, chemical, mechanical, and optical properties. These materials can be obtained as thin films by different methods such as thermal evaporation [6], magnetron sputtering [7-9], electron beam deposition [12], and so on. Arrazat and his colleagues reported their results concerning the evolution of gold thin films deposited by sputtering on silicon substrates. They investigated the deposited films by electron back scatter diffraction analyses that allowed them to study the reliability of micro-switches manufactured using gold thin films [13]. The growth of aluminum thin films and the interfacial precipitation between such films and the silicon substrates were studied by Dutta and his coworkers. They pointed out that at the interface between the aluminum thin films and the silicon substrate during the heat treatment, some silicon precipitates are formed. According to them, these precipitates are supplying the driving force necessary for the deposit of the aluminum thin films [14]. Hojabri and his team worked on determining the influence of substrate temperature on the morphological and structural characteristics of silver thin films deposited by direct current magnetron sputtering on silicon substrates. Their results showed that the substrate temperature Powder Metallurgy and Advanced Materials – RoPM&AM 2017 Materials Research Forum LLC Materials Research Proceedings 8 (2018) 125-133 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.21741/9781945291999-14 126 strongly influence the growth of the silver thin films, their surface roughness, as well as their grain size [15]. This research is an experimental study regarding the deposition and characterization of aluminum, gold, and silver thin films deposited by thermal evaporation on glass substrates, these films being suitable for manufacturing optical MEMS. Materials and Experimental Procedure Aluminum, gold and silver targets with purity of 99.99 % were employed for the deposition of the three metallic films by thermal evaporation. The films were deposited on glass substrate. The substrates were cleaned in high purity alcohol (99.9 %), in an ultrasonic bath in order to remove any possible impurities. Further they were blown with compressed air. We used resistance heated tungsten sources ("boat" type) and a vacuum atmosphere (5·10 torr). A current of 60-80 A was applied. A distance of 50 mm was kept constant between the substrates and the resistors. The deposited thin films have a thickness of about 70 nm that was determined using a JEOL JSM 5600 LV scanning electron microscope from the Materials Science and Engineering Department, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca. The so-obtained thin films were characterized from the topographical, tribological and mechanical point of view at nanoscale. The tests were performed on a XE70 atomic force microscope (AFM) from the Micro and Nano Systems Laboratory, Technical University of ClujNapoca, in a clean environment. An n-type silicon NSC35C cantilever was used for studying the topography and the tribological characteristics of the three metallic thin films. Its characteristics as the manufacturer mentioned are: length of 130 μm, thickness of 2 μm, width of 35 μm and force constant of 5.4 N/m. The set point used during tests was of 10 nN. The determination of the adhesion parameters was realized using a PPP-NCHR cantilever by spectroscopy in point. The relative humidity was 31 % and the testing temperature was varied between 20 and 100 oC, increasing it with 20 oC per testing. As the manufacturer indicated, the characteristics of this cantilever are: tip radius smaller than 10 nm, cantilever thickness of 4 μm, its width of 30 μm and length of 125 μm, tip height between 10 and 15 nm, force constant of 42 N·m-1. A TD21464 nanoindentor was employed for determining the mechanical characteristics (hardness and Young's modulus) of the deposited films. The tests were carried out at a relative humidity of 31 % and at different temperatures namely 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 °C. The characteristics of this nanoindentor – as given by the manufacturer are: cantilever stiffness of 156 N/m; tip thickness of 19 μm; tip height of 103 μm; tip radius smaller than 25 nm and cantilever length of 581 μm. The tests were performed at a force limit of 50 nN. The obtained curves were interpreted using the XEI Image Processing Tool for SPM (scanning probe microscopy) data by both the Oliver and Pharr (for determining the values of the hardness) and the Hertzian (for determining the values of the Young's modulus) methods [16]. Theoretical formula Based on the data obtained for the deflection of the tip when scanning a probe by contact mode, the friction force between the AFM tip and the deposited films was calculated using the equation (1) [17]: s l b h G r d F z f ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ = 2 3


The labeling is the first information of drug visualized by the user at time of purchase. The standardization of labeling is important to promote rational use of medicines. The National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) is responsible for drug regulation in Brazil. A total of 100 labels of manufactured herbal medicines was analyzed to verify its suitability to the sanitary legislation, especially, RDC no 71/09. The presence of general items required by the norm was analyzed with the help of a labeling verification worksheet. The survey showed positive results since most items were in accordance with the Brazi-lian legislation. The most absent items on labels were the drug trade name in Braille and the phrase "Herbal Medicine." As the legal deadline for compliance with the rule was suspended, there are in the market herbal medicines whose labels are still inadequate. Among the herbal medicines analyzed, most had valid sanitary registration, which guarantees the public access to products with safety, quality and efficacy.


WSNs have been impressive progress in recent years and target tracking is one of the most important applications in wireless sensor networks. Clustering is one of the efficient methods for target tracking application that has ability of scalability and flexibility. In wireless sensor networks with limited recourses, energy is a challenging problem. Thus, energy is very important factor and also the other important factor is tracking accuracy in target tracking applications, thus for designing algorithm the trade-off between energy and tracking accuracy should be considered. In this research we propose an energy efficient cluster based target tracking method by using boundary static clusters (BCTT). The simulation results achieved using the Castalia simulator shows that, BCTT has 48% decreases in average energy consumption compared with hybrid method (HCTT, HCMTT).


: To estimate the natural and fishing mortality of whelk, Neptunea arthritica, a multiple tagging experiment was carried out in Shiriuchi, Hokkaido between August 1991 and March 1994. Whelks collected by trapping surveys were used in tagging experiments. All recaptured whelks were released back again so that a statistical model based on binomial distribution could be developed. Maximum likelihood estimator of the natural mortality coefficient and that of exploitation rate were determined numerically. Analysis of the recovery data show: (i) no size-dependent mortality was observed in whelks larger than 40 mm in shell height; (ii) the daily natural mortality coefficient was 1.438 × 10−3, thus annual natural mortality rate was 41%; and (iii) the exploitation rate of commercial fishing in 1994 was approximately 77.3%. At least 53% of the total mortality was attributable to fishing in the exploited area.


Identifying Structure in Introductory Topology: Diagrams, Examples, and Gestures Keith Gallagher Despite the prevalence of research in calculus, linear algebra, abstract algebra, and analysis in undergraduate mathematics, the teaching and learning of general topology is a largely unexplored area of research. Although enrollment in courses like linear algebra is often higher than that of topology, the study of students' learning and understanding of topology is of great significance to the Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education (RUME) community. Courses in topology present many students with their first experience in axiomatic reasoning and explicit interactions with mathematical structure, itself. I present a thorough case study of Stacey, an undergraduate taking a first course in undergraduate topology. Through the lenses of mathematical structuralism, constructivism, embodied cognition, and commognition, I investigated Stacey's proving behaviors. Papers 1, 2, and 3 present a top-down description of Stacey's behaviors as she sought to identify the key ideas of proofs in general topology. In Paper 1, I described Stacey's proving behaviors using vocabulary borrowed from the literature on problem solving and showed that she used diagrams to arrive at the key idea. In Paper 2, I observed that Stacey seldom produced specific examples, but she reasoned about her diagrams as examples and manipulation of these examples led her to the key ideas of several proofs and to identify appropriate counterexamples when necessary. In Paper 3, I used the theories of embodied cognition and commognition to argue that Stacey's use of diagrams to ground abstract structures in the external world gave her the ability to manipulate those structures spatially, ultimately leading her to the key idea. These three papers are three perspectives on the same theme, each digging more deeply than the one before. Stacey's behaviors in Papers 1, 2, and 3 describe her search for and investigation of abstract mathematical structures. Stacey's recognition of structure and her ability to work with it helped her to succeed in writing proofs. I conclude this dissertation with suggestions for teaching, including incorporation of the theories of embodied cognition and commognition, as well as directions for future research.


Decision-making is a ubiquitous and paramount issue in the modern business world. Inappropriate decisions may lead to severe consequences for companies. Considering that the evaluation of alternatives is generally affected by several criteria, decision-making should be considered a very challenging task. From the 1945s to the present day, various multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods have evolved, supporting people in the decision-making process. The main aim of this paper is to propose an original MCDM method and to demonstrate its applicability in an empirical case study that relates to the Electric Vehicle (EV) selection problem. To solve the electric vehicle selection problem for the last-mile delivery, we developed and applied a new MCDM method - the AROMAN (Alternative Ranking Order Method Accounting for Two-Step Normalization) method. The main contribution of the AROMAN method is coupling the linear and vector normalization techniques to obtain precise data structures used in further calculation. In addition, the original final ranking equation is developed. To demonstrate the robustness of the proposed method, a comparative analysis with other state-of-the-art MCDM methods is conducted. The results indicate a high level of confidence in the AROMAN method in the decision-making field. In addition, the sensitivity analysis is performed, and the results indicate a high level of stability. Nevertheless, based on the confident results, the managerial implications have also been indicated.


BACKGROUND
Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is a treatment option for superficial (<or=T1) transitional cell carcinoma. Transitional cell carcinoma involving the prostatic urethra presents a treatment dilemma. Whereas prostatic urethral involvement might require radical cystectomy, select patients can be offered BCG and careful surveillance to preserve the bladder. We report long-term experience with BCG in this subset of patients with >5-year follow-up.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
Twenty-eight patients with high-risk superficial bladder cancer and prostatic urethral involvement were treated with once-weekly BCG for 6 weeks. Patients with prostatic stromal involvement were excluded. Maintenance was not used before 1995. Currently, we use maintenance BCG after induction. Patients were followed by cystoscopy/cytology and repeat biopsy to detect persistent and/or progressive disease.

RESULTS
After 1 or 2 courses of once-weekly BCG for 6 weeks, 64.3% (18 of 28 of patients) exhibited a complete response in the bladder and prostate at their 6-month followup. Of those obtaining a complete response, 55.6% (10 of 18) experienced recurrence. Three recurrences were in the prostate: 1 isolated and 2 associated with multifocal bladder involvement. Twenty-eight percent (8 of 28 patients) underwent cystectomy because of failure of treatment to eradicate superficial disease or disease progression. Disease-specific survival was 89% (25 of 28 patients) at a median follow-up of 7.5 years.

CONCLUSION
Our long-term data support the durability of intravesical BCG in select patients with superficial bladder transitional cell carcinoma with prostatic urethral involvement. Follow-up biopsy of the prostatic urethra is mandatory and, if positive, cystectomy is indicated. One third of patients will require cystectomy for persistent or progressive disease; therefore, careful surveillance is critical.


Romania and Ukraine are two countries located in geographical proximity, exiting the communist era at the end of the previous century; it is safe to assume that the exit generated similar needs regarding the support of the social economy.The paper briefly presents the evolution of the social economy in Europe and Romania in terms of its characteristics, but also through its development and its diversification. Two perspectives, two approaches on the social economy: Romanian and Ukrainian are presented and analysed, considering not only the geographical proximity but also common elements of the historical destiny. Definitions given to the term social economy in the literature of the two countries, are similar in terms of both similarities and differences, which implies the approach of the social economy, specific characteristics.


It has been reported that panoramic radiographs were able to play a significant role in calcified carotid artery atheromas (CA).The study sample consisted of 120 patients were selected. CA in our study were detected by means of panoramic radiography in 8.65% of the subjects. Most of the CA were detected in the left side (74.5%).The incidence rate of CA among females is approximately two times higher than the rate among males. In cases where CA are detected, the dentist or oral physician should refer the patient to cardiologist.


Two new clerodane diterpenes, cajucarins A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the cortices of Croton cajucara. The conformations of 1 and 2 were studied by means of spectroscopic methods and molecular orbital calculations


Chlorination of amino acid esters with SDC and subsequent base-promoted HCl elimination offers an efficient synthesis of the target compounds.


In this paper, a general framework is presented for analyzing numerical methods for the evolutionary equations that admit semigroup formulations. This framework is then applied to spectral and pseudospectral methods for the Burgers' equation, using trigonometric, Chebyshev, and Legendre polynomials. Optimal order of convergence is obtained, which implies the spectral accuracy of these methods.


: This article presents a second order sliding mode control (SOSMC) with adaptive network-based fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) controller for the doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) using seven-level neural space vector pulse width modulation (NSVPWM) strategy. The proposed control combines the advantages of the robustness of SOSMC technique and easy implementation of ANFIS controller. However, the ANFIS controller is the combination of artificial neural networks (ANNs) and fuzzy logic controller (FLC). The stability of the ANFIS-SOSMC technique is proved using Lyapunov theorem. Finally, the SOSMC control with ANFIS controller is used to regulate the active and reactive power of a DFIG supplied by the seven-level NSVPWM technique and confirms the validity of the proposed approach. Results of simulations containing tests of robustness and tracking tests are presented.


68.F (J. Pretty) An island contains cats, birds and snakes. Every day each cat eats a bird for breakfast, each snake has a cat for lunch and each bird has a snake for supper. There are no births and no deaths except at these meals. At a certain time on the nth day of the month a bird becomes the only living creature left on the island. At what time of the day was this (i.e. after what meal)? Find an expression for the number of birds before breakfast on the first day of the month.


Single Point Incremental Forming (SPIF) is a die-less forming process with advantages of high-flexibility, low-cost and short lead time. The high local strains that are applied to the metal sheet, often exceeding the conventional formability limit. This paper is focused on comparison of predicted forming limit curves with measured experimental data on Hot-Dip Zinc-Coated Cold-Rolled sheet, with 0.20 mm thick is studied in single point incremental forming. Truncated square pyramid and cone are formed to study the formability of blank sheets at room temperature. It was found that both Formulation of plastic instability criteria and Keeler's formula gives the lowest FLC. FLDs have predicted failures in forming process consistently with the real experiments. The experimentally obtained cracking limit differ from analytical one and empirical one by about 3.398 and 2.135 true strain respectively at FLD0, the corresponding plane strain values.


This thesis investigates a simple measurement of concentration and velocity of objects flowing in a pipe of 100mm diameter. The project aims to analyze the accuracy and repeatability of measurements by comparing the results from the concentration and velocity measurement of various objects between optical and ultrasonic sensors. Both sensors are based on process tomography technique. The optical and ultrasonic tomography measurements circuit consists of sensors, signal conditioning circuits and data acquisition system. Sensors fixture are designed based on fan beam projection technique. The signal is transmitted from the transmitter to the receiver. Interfacing card is used to interface the analog signals to the computer. The sensors detect the attenuation of light for optical system and acoustic energy for ultrasonic system. This provides information on the concentration of the flowing objects. To measure velocity, two arrays of sensors are placed upstream and downstream on the pipe. The output from both sensors is cross-correlated. The peak of the cross-correlation graph represented the time for the object to move from upstream to downstream. The velocity is obtained by dividing the time and the distance between upstream and downstream. The velocity is obtained by simply dividing the time and the distance between upstream and downstream. Prototype circuits have been implemented for optical and ultrasonic measurement system. Visual Basic 6.0 is used for software algorithms on concentration and velocity measurement. The data is collected using data acquisition system and it was an offline process. The comparison of concentration profiles has shown that optical tomography produced a better result compared to ultrasonic tomography. Whereas for velocity measurement, ultrasonic transducer produced better accuracy but lower repeatability compared to optical transducer.


This work was supported in part by grants CTQ2006-06505/BQU, CTQ2009-14146-C01/C02, NAN2004-09125-C07-03, S-BIO/0179/2006, and SAF2008/01381, and by the EU (MEDITRANS Integrated Project NMP4-CT-2006-02668 to S.C., P.L.L., and P.B.). V.N. holds a JAE predoctoral fellowship from CSIC.


The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors that adopt electronic banking services. A conceptual framework is developed based on the technology acceptance model and several additional factors. After reviewing the literature, the factors that adopt electronic banking services from the point of view of customers of Russian banks were experimentally verified. For this purpose, a multiple regression model was used. The results show that Perceived usefulness, Trust, Perceived ease of use, and Technological Self Efficacy positively affect customers' adoption of electronic banking services in Russia. The researcher recommends the banks focus on the way of providing the service and its design. The electronic services provided should be easy to use and not have complicated procedures, so not all clients have the same level of technical skill. The banks should also be interested in developing the electronic services that they provide and keep abreast of everything new in this field. Keywords—electronic banking services, Russian banking customers, perceived usefulness, trust, perceived ease of use, technological self-efficacy


ABSTRACT: Periodontitis is an inflammatory process of infectious origin affecting the teeth and their supporting structures, causing significant economic losses and reducing animal welfare. Bacteria in the gingival biofilm are one of the main factors in initiating inflammatory lesions. Bacteria act directly on tissues or indirectly through substances that cause tissue damage. Studies on the etiopathogenesis of periodontitis in Brazilian sheep herds are scarce. The present study aimed to characterize histologically periodontal lesions of culled sheep from the Brazilian breed, Santa Inês. Periodontal lesions, such as periodontal pockets containing plant tissue and bacteria, replacement of the periodontal ligament by connective tissue and inflammatory cells, superficial pustules, hydropic epithelial degeneration, and epithelium hyperplasia, were observed. Submucosal changes were characterized by granulation tissue, edema, swelling of the endothelial cells, bacteria, and predominantly perivascular lymphoplasmacytic inflammatory infiltrate. In the alveolar bone, osteoclastic resorption and bone apposition were observed. This study revealed subacute to chronic inflammation, alveolar bone resorption, and cortical bone apposition in ovine periodontitis. Thus, these findings can contribute to the evolution of knowledge about the etiopathogenesis of ovine periodontitis and, possibly, the development of measures to control the disease.


The MnAs phase transition from the hexagonal ferromagnetic alpha to the orthorhombic paramagnetic beta phase has been investigated in situ by variable-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) as a function of epilayer thickness. The alpha-beta phase coexistence leads to the formation of a self-organized stripes pattern of alternating alpha and beta regions. The morphology evolution of the alpha-beta periodic array of domains has been imaged in detail. The period and corrugation of this pattern are linear functions of the epilayer thickness with a domain periodicity nearly five times larger than film thickness. Also, STM local imaging through the phase-coexistence region (10-45 degrees C) shows unambiguously the absence of mass transport during the transition. The self-organization of alpha-beta stripes is consistent with an elastic-energy equilibrium state of the heteroepitaxial system at each temperature, as previously proposed for the origin of the modulated structure [V. M. Kaganer et al., Phys. Rev. B 66, 045305 (2002)]. Independently of self-organized alpha-beta regions, the surface displays anisotropic mounds that are elongated along MnAs a axis. This facetting process leads to a peculiar, highly anisotropic surface with oriented facets and submicron periodic modulation along the hexagonal c axis. Smoother surfaces with larger terraces are obtained following postgrowth annealing. These results suggest that a careful control of the growth temperature and annealing procedure can be used to tailor the surface morphology for specific applications requiring anisotropic templates.


This paper presents a pseudo-GEE approach to the analysis of longitudinal surveys when the response variable contains missing values. A cycle-specific marginal hotdeck imputation method is proposed to fill in the missing responses and the pseudo-GEE method described in Carrillo et al. (2009) is applied to the imputed data set. Consistency of the resulting pseudo-GEE estimators is established under a joint randomization framework. Linearization variance estimators are also developed for the pseudo-GEE estimators under the assumption that the finite population sampling fraction is small or negligible. Finite sample performances of the proposed estimators are investigated through an extensive simulation study using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth.


A study of the polymerization of vinyl monomers with binary systems of tertiary amines and various organic halides containing chemical bonds such as CCl, NCl, OCl, SCl, and SiCl has been made at 60°C. Some of the binary systems were found to be effective as radical initiator in the polymerization of methyl methacrylate. The relative initiating activities of the halides in the presence of dimethylaniline were found to be in the following order: tert-C4H9OCl > n-C4H9NCl2 > (n-C4H9)2NCl ≫ CH3SiCl3 ⋍ C6H5SiCl3 > C6H5SO2Cl > C6H5Cl > C6H5PCl2. Styrene and vinyl acetate polymerized only with the initiator system of dimethylaniline and benzyl chloride. Tri-n-butylamine was less active than dimethylaniline. Pyridine and 4-vinylpyridine, in combination with some organic halides, also initiated the polymerization of methyl methacrylate. The N-vinylcarbazole–benzenesulfonyl chloride system, in the presence of methyl methacrylate, gave only the homopolymer of N-vinylcarbazole.


We investigate whether the relation between expec ted synergies and postacquisition performance differs between cross-borde r M&As and domestic M&As. Managers may, on average, fail to accurately estimate synerg ies resulting from cross-border M&As because of geographical, cultural, and institutiona l factors, or because of the greater difficulty to forecast integration costs ex post. Alternativel y, managers may engage in cross-border deals only if they perceive that they can realistic ally estimate synergies. We exploit an accounting rule which requires managers to disclose their estimate of expected synergies. This estimate, referred to as "goodwill", is the excess of the purchase price over the net fair value of acquired assets. Using a sample of M&As complete d by US acquirers, we show that, relative to domestic goodwill, cross-border goodwil l is positively associated with increasing post-acquisition operating performance, sales growt h, stock returns, and Tobin's q. In addition, we find that cross-border acquirers are l ess likely to impair goodwill in the year following the acquisition. We also document that th e ability to accurately forecast synergies in cross-border deals is decreasing in cultural and in stitutional distance from the US. These results suggest that although managers are able to forecast synergies more accurately for deals in relatively similar countries than for domestic d eals, they are not as accurate at forecasting synergies for cross-border deals as for domestic de als when the additional complexities exceed the additional managerial effort.


ABSTRACT While foraging, a predator can feed solitarily or in a group. The net energy gain of joining a group is predicted to vary with prey patch quality, species-specific prey capture behavior, and the size and species composition of the predator group. In coastal Newfoundland, Canada, capelin (Mallotus villosus), a key forage fish, migrates inshore to spawn during the summer, resulting in a dramatic shift in prey availability. During July–August 2015–2017, we examined the numerical and behavioral responses of procellarid (Great Shearwater [Ardenna gravis], Sooty Shearwater [A. grisea], Northern Fulmar [Fulmarus glacialis]), and gull species (Herring Gull [Larus argentatus], Great Black-backed Gull [L. marinus]) to fish offal under varying capelin availability as well as flock size and composition using an at-sea experiment on the northeast Newfoundland coast. The experiment consisted of providing offal every 30 s (10-min experimental period), along with 10-min control periods before and after. We recorded the species-specific number of birds on the water, the number of birds simultaneously attempting to capture offal, and the number of successful attempts ("foraging success"). The number of birds on the water was lower during high capelin availability for all species, except for Northern Fulmar. The number of conspecifics simultaneously attempting to capture offal increased with the number of conspecifics on the water, but plateaued at different numbers (4–17) for most species. The species-specific proportion of successful attempts (i.e. foraging success) varied with flock size and composition (i.e. number of conspecifics, heterospecifics, species). Foraging success of Herring Gulls and fulmars were moderately affected by flock size and composition, suggesting that they may be dominant competitors. Findings suggest that seabirds rely more heavily on supplemental food sources, such as fisheries discards and offal, when natural prey availability declines, potentially resulting in a higher risk of by-catch during fisheries activities as forage fish stocks decline.


This concise, well learned account presents us with an intriguing, critical overview of Moravian (Herrnhuter) activities in Russia. Striding confidently through its less than successful beginnings (1735-1760), it follows its growth to the grand culmination (1765-1892) on the lower Volga at Sarepta.


T he intestinal tract is colonized by a myriad of mainly Grampositive microbes that show considerable spatial and temporal diversity (1–3). These intestinal microbiota reach astronomical numbers, and it has been estimated that the collective microbial genomes in our gut may contain 100 times more genes than the human genome (3). A prime function of the intestinal microbiota includes the processing of dietary components and host-produced polymers, such as mucus, leading to the production of short-chain fatty acids and a wealth of other metabolites. Moreover, several intestinal microbes develop an intimate relation with the host and modulate nutrient processing, immune function, and a variety of other host activities (4).


Dynamic environments often bring great challenges to moving object detection. Solving this problem will promote expansion of application fields of moving object detection. Unlike those background subtraction methods using local feature-based background models, inspired by integrity of human visual perception, we present a background subtraction method for moving object detection in dynamic environments, building its background models based on global features extracted by pulse coupled neural network. We employ the pulse coupled neural network to take good advantage of their global coupling characters, in order to imitate the human biological visual activity. After sensing images via the pulse coupled neural network, we extract global information of the scenes and then build background models robust to background disturbances based on the global features. Experimental results prove that, our method behaves well in terms of visual and quantitative evaluations for dynamic environments.