Imagining Africa - Sembene & the problematics of resistance & representation in postcolonial discourse the teller & the tale - writing alternative histories in Voltaique and Vehi-Ciosane filming Africa - the location of an urban African discourse in "Le Mandat"/"Mandabi" the indiscreet charm of the African bourgeoise? consumerism, fetishism & socialism in Xala mothers, daughters & prostitutes - the representation of women in Sembene's work dis-membering empire, re-membering resistance - the memory of colonialism in "Emitai", "Ceddo", and "Camp de Thiaroye" absence & power - the hollow centre of the neo-colonial order in "Le Dernier de l'empire" and "Guelwaar". Appendix: interview with Sembene.


A detail analysis and investigation for the problem caused by the power supply distribution system of the transformer substation is presented. A reconstruction design scheme based on saving energy and reducing energy loss is developed. Meanwhile, a systemic analysis for the economic benefit is described for the proposed power supply distribution system with substantive measurement data, and the validity of the reconstruction design scheme has also been proved.


The reaction between CaS and CaSO_4 with different molar ratios in N_2 atmosphere was investigated with a Metteler Toledo thermogravimetric analyzer.In this work, the chemical reaction kinetics and mechanism were discussed in detail.The reaction between CaS and CaSO_4 was the rate-controlling step in the oxidation of CaS to CaO.When CaSO_4 was in excess,the reaction proceeds in two steps.The apparent solid-solid reaction between CaS and CaSO_4 started at 890 ℃ and ended at 1120 ℃.Then the residual CaSO_4 continued decomposing in the range of 1160—1330 ℃.When the molar ratio of CaSO_4 to CaS was 3, the maximal activation energy of 302.46 kJ·mol~(-1) was obtained.The reaction mechanism could be explained by a eutectic liquid model.


It is known that silica-filled rubbers improve the trade-off between wet traction and the rolling resistance of tires, compared with carbon black-filled rubbers. It is generally considered that the adhesion component of the friction of silica-filled rubbers is higher than that of carbon-filled rubbers, however there are few reports that show this difference in the adhesion components of friction.In this paper, the adhesion component and the hysteresis component of friction for carbon black-filled and silica-filled rubbers are investigated. Comparing the friction force-frequency curves (F-ω curves) and the viscoelastic properties establishes that the friction force F has the form:F=As+kE'-1/3tanδwhere A is the area of contact, s is the shear strength of the rubbers and k is constant. The first term represents the adhesion component of the friction and the second term represents the hysteresis component. It is found that the adhesion component of silica-filled rubbers is higher than that of carbon black-filled rubbers.


Research summary: Prior theory suggests that the performance effects of a firm's diversification strategy depend on a firm's individual resources and capabilities and the setting within which it is operating. However, prior tests of this theory have examined the average diversification-performance relationship across all firms, instead of estimating the diversification-performance relationship at the individual firm level. Efforts to estimate this average relationship are inconsistent with a central assumption of much of strategic management theory—that firms maximize value by choosing strategies that exploit their heterogeneous resources and individual situation. By adopting an approach that allows an evaluation of the diversification-performance relationship for individual firms, this article shows that firms, both focused and diversified, tend to choose that diversification strategy—focus, related diversification, or unrelated diversification—that maximizes value.

Managerial summary: Instead of a universal diversification discount or premium, this article shows that the effect of diversification on performance is heterogeneously distributed across firms and that firms tend to be rational in their diversification decisions. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Acute and sub chronic effects of oral dexamethasone on anxiety and memory in mice were evaluated using the elevated plus maze, Y maze and radial arm maze. Adult male Swiss albino mice assigned to five groups were given vehicle (normal saline), a standard drug (Diazepam or Scopolamine) or one of three selected doses of dexamethasone (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mg/kg) daily for a period of 14 days. Behavioral tests were carried out on days 1 and 14 after administration. Results were analysed using a one-way ANOVA followed by a posthoc test (Student-Newman-Keul) and expressed as mean ± S.E.M. Elevated plus maze test showed a significant reduction in the time spent in the open arm and in the number of open arm entries compared to control. Results of radial arm and Y maze tasks showed an improvement in spatial memory following dexamethasone administration. Y maze locomotor activity was significantly increased, although radial arm maze exploration did not increase significantly. The study concluded that oral dexamethasone given either acutely or sub chronically has both anxiogenic and memory enhancing effects.


Dehairing is the process that removes coarse hair and other impurities from a cashmere fleece in order to obtain luxury fine cashmere fibres. This study has examined and optimised the machine settings on a locally produced cashmere dehairing unit which has led to improvement in the quality of dehaired cashmere fibres. The improved dehairing unit is now in commercial use, adding significant value to the local cashmere industry.


Wool and silk fabrics which have been exposed to light of wavelengths present in sunlight undergo further changes in yellowness on treatment with water. Depending upon the wavelengths of the initial radiation, wetting may cause either bleaching or yellowing. For wool fabrics irradiated at 310 nm, wetting initially produces bleaching followed by yellowing, whereas fabrics irradiated at 365 nm are either yellowed or bleached depending on whether or not the sample is fluorescent-brightened. At wavelengths greater than 390 nm, only yellowing is observed. The effect of oxygen on the photoyellowing of wet fluorescent-brightened wool and silk has been examined.


Undernutrition is still a major health problem in Indonesia, An example of undernutrition is chronic deficiency at pregnant woman. This incident brings an impact to the health of next generation, The research objective was determining factors with affect chronic energy deficiency at pregnant women in RSIA Citra Keluarga of Kediri. Design used in study is analytic method. The sampling technique used is accidental sampling. The population in this study were all pregnant womwn who reside in Antenatal Care to RSIA Citra Keluarga Kediri. The sample size used was 33 respondents.  The analysis results of Spearrman test were with alpha value = 5% were 1) Education p-value = 0,009. 2) Age p-value = 0,027, 3) Parity p-value = 0,999. 4) Range pregnant p-value = 0,999. Based on this study multivariate regresi model, the factors that affect chronic energy deficiency at pregnant women are OR value of the education variable is 12,000 and OR value of the age variable is 5,595. Conclution from the study sugegested which means 12 times the maternal education affect chronic energy deficiency, and means 5,595 times the maternal age affect chronic energy deficiency. So we must do the prevention by conseling and chech body mass index before pregnant.
 Keywords : Incident of  Cronic  Deficiency  in  Pregnant Woman, The Dominant Affecting


The bird species richness of four dierent habitats in the Tuxpan sub-basin, Guerrero, Mexico was analysed. A total of 105 bird species were recorded, of which 67.6% were resident and 32.3% were migratory. The richness estimators for the resident birds suggested that species are still missing from the inventory, Of the species recorded, nine are endemic and four are quasi-endemic to Mexico. Based on the Mexican law -NOM-059-SEMARNAT- 2010-, three species are under special protection and two are considered threatened. The tropical deciduous forest presented the greatest richness (77 species), followed by secondary vegetation (59 species), oak forest (50 species) and the water body (23 species). This last habitat, together with the tropical deciduous forest, presented the greatest number of exclusive species. The largest proportion of species was ranked in the categories of uncommon and rare, with dierences in the abundance of birds recorded for the water body with respect to the secondary vegetation. The carnivorous and insectivorous species were the better represented in terms of species richness, but dierences were observed between the water body guilds and the other vegetation types. The study area presented a greater similarity in species composition with geographically near areas. The results of this study indicate that a greater eort should


Revenues at three gaming facilities in Delaware declined significantly after the implementation of a smoke-free law. The relative magnitudes of losses at the three facilities correspond to the availability of alternative gaming venues in the region, suggesting consumer flight. Efforts to mitigate revenue losses engendered additional costs, further reducing operating profits.


Particle size and absorption properties have been determined from combined one‐wavelength Raman lidar and Sun photometer measurements in the Pearl River Delta (South China) in October 2004, and in Beijing (North China) in January 2005. Particle effective radius varied around 0.24 μm in the south of China. Aerosols were strongly light absorbing throughout the continental haze layers. The mean imaginary part was around 0.02i and the single‐scattering albedo was as low as 0.75 at 532 nm wavelength. Similar aerosol properties were found over Beijing.


Objective:To observe the curative efficacy of Baoshen tablet (BST) in treating chronic renal failure(CRF) with deficiency of both Qi and Yin and damp pathogen syndrome (DQYDS).Method: The randomized, double blind,double imitated and controlled trial was used.22 cases in treatment group were treated with BST and imitated tablet,and 24 cases in control group with Shenkangning tablet and imitated tablet.ThechangesofthecumulativescoresoftraditionalChinesemedicine(TCM )syndrome ,thelevelsofserumcreatinine (SCr)andcreatinineclearancerate(CCR)beforeandaftertreatmentinbothgroupswereobserved .Result:The totaleffectiveratewas 86 .4 %intreatmentgroup ,but 70 .0 %incontrolgroup .ThescoresofTCMsyndrome andthelevelsofSCrwerebothsignificantlydecreased (P 0 .0 5orP 0 .0 1)intwogroups ,CCRwassignifi cantlyincreased ,meanwhiletheindexesintreatmentgroupweremoresignificantlyimprovedthanthoseincon trolgroup(P 0 .0 5orP 0 .0 1) .Conclusion :BSTcanmarkedlyimprovetheclinicalmanifestationsofCRF withDQYDS ,decreasethelevelsofSCr ,butincreaseCCR .


Objectives: The present research has been conducted  to assess the Nephroprotective effects of the Moringa Oleifera Extract against contrast -induced nephrotoxicity in  male rabbits.
Study Design: Experimental design
Place and Duration of Study: it was carried out in the Faculty of Pharmacy/University of Kufa, Iraq/Al-Najaf Town .The study began at October 2020 and end at March 2021.
Methodology: Twenty one adult (male rabbits) weighing range(1.2-1.5kg). Rabbits are divided in a random manner into three equal groups each group including seven rabbits. Group1:control group administered DW, Group2:has been treated with Iodide contrast(2.5mg/kg) of (370mg/ml),group 3: dosed alcoholic extracts of Moringa 250 mg/kg and contrast (2.5mg/kg).By accounting data on the MDA levels ,Glutathione level and features of kidney histopathology. All efforts have been made to reduce the suffering of a  animals prior to and throughout the experiment and sampling.
Results: The alcoholic Moringa extract at 250mg/kg body weight doses orally considerably protected contrast induced toxicity of the kidneys in the rabbits through the increment of the level of  GSH and reduces the level of MDA. In the Histological data, the extract activities also protect the damage of the kidney, which is induced by the contrast that has been represented by the de-generation of some tubules and atrophy of glomerular, glomerular tuft congestion and expanded Bowman's Space.
Conclusions: This study proposed that Moringa's alcoholic extract results in the enhancement of the defense status of the oxidative stress against the renal toxicity.(Moringa Oleifera have Nephroprotective effect against contrast induce Nephrotoxicity).


The microstructure and mechanical properties of AZ91 alloy prepared by lost foam casting(LFC) and various heat treatments have been investigated. The microstructure of the AZ91 alloy via LFC consists of dominant α-Mg and β-Mg_(17)Al_(12) as well as a new phase Al_(32)Mn_(25) with size of about 550 μm, which has not been detected in AZ91 alloy prepared by other casting processes. The tests demonstrate that the as-cast mechanical properties are higher than those of sand gravity casting because of chilling and cushioning effect of foam pattern during the mould filling. The solution kinetics and the aging processes at different temperatures were also investigated by hardness and electrical resistivity measurements. The kinetics of aging are faster at the high temperature due to enhanced diffusion of atoms in the matrix, so the hardness peak at 380 ℃ occurs after 10 h; while at the lower aging temperature(150 ℃), the peak is not reached in the time(24 h) considered.


T research is co-written with Prof. RenetaToshkova, Ass. Prof. Elissaveta Zvetkova Ð ̧ Ass. Prof. Georgi Gluhchev In over 80 institutes and centers in Europe has been proved the strong bio-influence of Drossinakis via the application of the methods biophotons (Popp), thermo vision (Schlebusch), spectrum analysis of water (Antonov, Ignatov), color coronal spectral analysis (Ignatov), gas discharge visualization (Korotkov), synchronizing of brain electromagnetic waves (Li Gendinovich) etc. Drossinakis has achieved the following results according the norm – biophoton emission (Popp) (~900 biophotons 1cm2/ 1s), (norm ~85 photones, 1cm2/1s); increasing of the temperature after bio-influence (Schlebusch) (1.6-1.8°С) (norm 0.1°С); average energy of hydrogen bonds among water molecules according control sample (Antonov, Ignatov) (±8.2 meV) (±1.1 meV) etc. In the current study was followed the effect of influence with Infrared Thermal Field (ITF) and Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) of Christos Drossinakis over experimental myeloid tumor of Graffi, implanted in hamsters. The study was conducted by a team under the authority of Reneta Toshkova. The working hypothesis (concept) of Drossinakis for treatment of tumors includes several facts – redistribution of the energy in the ill and healthy zones of the body, change of ion balance at molecular level and improved interchange in the cell membranes. The author's team of Reneta Toshkova, Ignat Ignatov, Elissaveta Zvetkova and Georgi Gluhchev together with Christos Drossinakis, has conducted experimental research in model systems.The achieved results of hamsters from experimental bio-influence of Christos Drossinakis reveal their biological efficiency and can be subject of future studies. Extending the life of the hamsters is an indicator of improving immune status. The results obtained with recent data in the medical scientific literature on the positive effect of the near infrared irradiation on the structure and function of erythrocyte membrane in normal and pathological conditions. The mitochondrial polarity in cancer cells was found to be lower than that of normal cells. Drossinakis is increasing the mitochondrial polarity.


I was in my first full professorship, spending long hours in the lab and focused on publishing my research. I was doing everything I had been taught to do in a traditional academic setting, exactly the way I had been taught to do it. I loved my field and was proud of my work. I should have been


The reintegration of returning migrants from developed societies voluntarily or forced situations such as economic crisis and the tightening of immigration laws in these contexts, has been the subject of academic analysis from different theoretical perspectives, depending on the objectives of each project investigation and disciplinary boundaries, in order to generate knowledge about the phenomenon and its impact on countries of origin. In this essay refers to the reintegration of returning migrants in the Ecuadorian context will, for which it is proposed that an interdisciplinary research approach may be useful, not only to enrich the knowledge on this issue through collaboration between different disciplines, but also to generate, with the participation of those affected, care policies more in line with their expectations and realities.


EN The UniGR-CBS is a thematic cross-border network of approximately 80 researchers within the university grouping University of the Greater Region (UniGR) conducting research on borders, their meanings and challenges. Due to its geographical position in the "heart of Europe", its expertise and disciplinary diversity, the UniGRCBS has the best prerequisites for becoming a European network of excellence. For the creation of a "European Center for Competence and Knowledge in Border Studies", the Interreg VA Greater Region program provides the UniGR-CBS network with approximately EUR 2 million ERDF funding between 2018 and 2020. Within this project, the UniGR-CBS aims at developing harmonized research tools, embed-ding Border Studies in teaching, promoting the dialogue on cross-border challenges between academia and institutional actors and supporting the spatial development strategy of the Greater Region. FR L'UniGR-CBS est un réseau transfrontalier et thématique qui réunit environ 80 chercheuses et cher-cheurs des universités membres de l'Université de la Grande Région (UniGR) spécialistes des études sur les frontières, leurs significations et enjeux. Grâce à sa position géographique au « coeur de l'Europe », à sa capacité d'expertise et à la diversité des disciplines participantes, l'UniGR-CBS revêt tous les atouts d'un réseau d'excellence européen. L'UniGR-CBS bénéficie d'un financement d'environ 2 M € FEDER pen-dant trois ans dans le cadre du programme INTERREG VA Grande Région pour mettre en place le Centre européen de ressources et de compétences en études sur les frontières. Via ce projet transfrontalier, le réseau scientifique UniGR-CBS créera des outils de recherche harmonisés. Il oeuvre en outre à l'ancrage des Border Studies dans l'enseignement, développe le dialogue entre This study proposes to shed light on the main aspects of the socio-professional profiles of cross-border commuters at the various French borders. Nearly 385,000 cross-border commuters were living in France in 2013. The destination countries of these cross-border commuters are very diverse (mainly Switzerland and Luxembourg). There is a relative territorial specificity of the socio-professional profiles according to the different areas of employment. Cross-border work is a regulatory factor in the different cross-border labor markets, allowing for a quantitative but also qualitative adjustment between reserves and manpower needs. This analysis will thus provide a better understanding of cross-border mobility and, above all, identify their different socioeconomic functions with regard to the countries of destination. For this purpose, we have made use of the 2013 INSEE population census data. In dieser Studie wollen wir die wichtigsten Aspekte des sozio-professionellen Profils von Grenzgängern an den verschiedenen französischen Grenzen herausstellen. Im Jahr 2013 lebten fast 385.000 Grenzgänger in Frankreich. Die Zielländer dieser Grenzgänger sind sehr vielfältig (hauptsächlich die Schweiz und Lu-xemburg). Eine relative territoriale Besonderheit der sozialen und beruflichen Profile ergibt sich aus den verschiedenen Beschäftigungszentren. Grenzarbeit ist ein Regulierungsfaktor der verschiedenen grenzüberschreitenden Arbeitsmärkte, der eine quantitative, aber auch eine qualitative Anpassung zwischen Reserven und Arbeitskräftebedarf ermöglicht. Diese Analyse wird es somit ermöglichen, die grenzüberschreitende Mobilität besser zu verstehen und vor allem ihre verschiedenen sozio-ökonomischen Funktio-nen hinsichtlich der Zielländer zu identifizieren. Zu diesem Zweck haben wir Daten aus der Volkszählung des INSEE von 2013 verwendet. The core argument of this paper is that Luxembourg's location between the larger European nations of France and Germany is constitutive of skill development in this small state. On the one hand, Luxembourg continuously borrows educational models and principles from its two large(r) neighbors – which both represent major European models of skill formation. Thus, in Luxembourg's skill formation system, elements from these two 'big' states get 'mixed,' although they are not necessarily complementary. On the other hand, Luxembourg compensates for its small size through impressive levels of cross-border activity with neighboring subnational regions in France, Germany, and Belgium – including in the cross-border provision of training. It does this through institutional bricolage and direct cooperation with neighboring countries – in this way significantly enlarging the scope and capacities of its national education system. Education and training, Cross-border regions, Institutional bricolage, Luxembourg, Greater Region Interregional trade union councils (IRTUC) are a relatively unknown form of transnational trade union cooperation. Based on the oldest representative of these bodies, the IRTUC SaarLorLux-Trier/West Palatinate, the structural framework conditions of such cooperation are identified. The highly divergent systems of industrial relations in the member regions represent a particular challenge for transnational cooperation of trade unions. syndicaux interrégionaux sont une forme relativement inconnue de la Sur la base du plus ancien représentant de ces organismes, l'IRTUC SaarLorLux-Trêves/Palatinat de l'ouest, les conditions cadres structurelles de cette coopération sont identifiées. de relations industrielles très divergents dans les régions membres représentent un défi particulier pour la coopération transnationale des syndicats. With the job growth dynamics in Luxembourg, more and more workers are crossing the border each day to get to their place of work. This article studies the daily lives of these cross-border workers by analyzing their daily activity schedules, using a spatiotemporal approach. The analysis identifies and describes different types of cross-border workers' profiles according to the location of their daily activities, and ex-plores the great complexity of daily activity schedules. Additional qualitative analyses exploring representations associated with their life rhythms reveal the high intensity associated with these lifestyles and the difficulty in managing numerous daily activities. The latter have a direct impact on quality of life and their degree of integration in Luxembourg. The effect of financial fluctuations on labor markets has received attention in the recent literature, particularly since unemployment has become a major concern for policy makers. The consequences of the 2007-10 crisis were very significant in countries where the financial sector played a large part in the economy, like Luxembourg, where cross-border workers coming from Germany, Belgium and France, represent a large part of the workforce of the Luxembourg economy, particularly in the financial sector. This work studies the links between financial market conditions, activity indicators and cross-border workers in Luxembourg's financial services cluster. We combine a theoretical approach in the vein of Porter, and an econometric approach, using a simple VAR (Vector AutoRegressive Model) and impulse response functions to illustrate the synchronization between financial, economic and cross-border activity cycles in Luxembourg. Luxembourg's cluster seems to behave as an 'attractor' of core competencies (Prahalad and Hamel, 1990), by facilitating workers' mobility and retention. Moreover, cross-border employment is sensitive to the business and financial markets cycles in Luxembourg.


A double resonance experiment on natural mercury is described. The value of the hyperfine structure coupling constant of the 6s6p3P1 level of 199Hg obtained is 0.497 ± 0.014 cm-1.


Issue addressed: This paper describes how the first national health promotion conference set the stage for the development of a professional association and how the Health Promotion Journal of Australia grew from a concept to an internationally recognised publication. So what?: The history of health promotion in Australia has shown that a strong health promotion movement needs a strong professional association, a recognised and respected journal and regular conferences. (author abstract)


Hongniang is an important character,who is presumptuous guest usurps the role of the host in the Romance of the Western Chamber.The author used the ingenious writing techniques to compare Hongniang,Cuiyingyin,Zhangsheng and Laofuren.He depicted the intelligent,the sense of justice and enthusiastic of Hongniang on the contradictory conflict.Hongniang facilitated the marriage of Cuiyingying and Zhangsheng and revolted the hierarchy of the feudalism Age.Hongniang is the artistic example to fulfill others wishes on the dramatic history of China.


When welding with high-power disk and fiber lasers, some process phenomena can occur to such an extent that they can severely limit the full exploitation of the technological advantages of these lasers. One of them is the development of strong spattering. In order to identify the mechanisms leading to spattering and, in particular, to clarify their dependence on ambient pressure, welds on the bead with mild steel were carried out at ambient pressures between 1 and 0.01 bar and welding speeds between 1 and 20 m/min. As a result, the measured weight loss due to a spattered material shows a characteristic dependence on the welding speed with a clear maximum at all pressure levels. At lower pressures, however, the maximum is drastically reduced and occurs at lower speeds. Measurements of the geometric data of the seam cross section confirm the fact that the seam depth increases with decreasing pressure at low speeds. At high speeds, however, a decrease in the weld penetration depth was observed, while the cross-sectional area of the weld seam remains more or less constant, indicating that the amount of energy coupled in is independent of ambient pressure. These data were used to investigate the role of moving steps at the keyhole front and the influence of metal vapor on the momentum and energy transfer to a separating melt element and the droplet expelled.When welding with high-power disk and fiber lasers, some process phenomena can occur to such an extent that they can severely limit the full exploitation of the technological advantages of these lasers. One of them is the development of strong spattering. In order to identify the mechanisms leading to spattering and, in particular, to clarify their dependence on ambient pressure, welds on the bead with mild steel were carried out at ambient pressures between 1 and 0.01 bar and welding speeds between 1 and 20 m/min. As a result, the measured weight loss due to a spattered material shows a characteristic dependence on the welding speed with a clear maximum at all pressure levels. At lower pressures, however, the maximum is drastically reduced and occurs at lower speeds. Measurements of the geometric data of the seam cross section confirm the fact that the seam depth increases with decreasing pressure at low speeds. At high speeds, however, a decrease in the weld penetration depth was observed, while the cro...


Eight major fractions of soluble extract of Toxoplasma gondii (RH strain), obtained on Sephadex G-200 column, were identified evaluated for their diagnostic significance in patients with bad obstetrical history. These fractions were probed with two groups of serum samples, Group I having negative antitoxoplasma antibody titres and a Group II with high positive antibody titres as checked by indirect haemagglutination assay and indirect fluorescent antibody test. Only Fraction V did not react with sera of Group I by ELISA-IgG, while all other fractions and the soluble extract gave some false positive results. All fractions including fraction V reacted positively with Group II sera. On SDS-PAGE analysis, fraction V, showed a prominent band with a molecular weight of approximately 20 kilodaltons. Fraction V, therefore, seems to be the specific antigenic component for serodiagnosis of toxoplasmosis.


Unlike the study of two‐body scattering processes, analysis of multiparticle phenomena will always involve a subjective element: the selection from a vast amount of primary data of some small subsample comprehensible to the human mind. Therefore diverse methods of viewing the primary data are of crucial importance. In pursuit of this goal we suggest light‐cone variables and rapidity as useful variables, and use of 3‐dimensional models for analyses of multibody events. We also discuss a possible analogue to statistical mechanics and the theory of liquids invented by Feynman and formally developed by Mueller which may be applicable to multiparticle phenomenology.


To simulate the increased complexities of variant hemoglobin samples, normal human plasma was spiked with known amounts of bovine hemoglobin, doubling the number of chains. While the mass shifts between human and bovine hemoglobin chains are not as close as some reported human variants, the increased complexity does stress the independent data acquisition routines for both precursor charge state determination and fragmentation analysis. Thus the determination of sequence specific fragments from each chain become key in characterizing hemoglobin content.


A clique of a graph is a maximal complete subgraph. A (p,q)-graph has p points and q lines. A clique-extremal (p,q)-graph has either the maximum or the minimum number of cliques among all (p,q)-graphs. Moon and Moser have determined constructively the maximum number of cliques in a p-point graph. The problem of studying the clique-extremal (p,q)-graphs is now investigated. We first develop a standard form for such extremal graphs. These standard forms are shown to have a complementary kind of analogy with respect to maximum and minimum.


Abstract Pseudophlegethontia turnbullorum, new genus and species, is the third distinct aïstopod known from the Pennsylvanian of Mazon Creek, Illinois. It is morphologically intermediate between the derived phlegethontiids and the more basal, but equally unusual, "ophiderpetontids," making it crucial to understanding the anatomy of both groups and inferring possible developmental mechanisms leading to the phlegethontiid condition. Like "ophiderpetontids," Pseudophlegethontia possesses a relatively short body (140 vertebrae), "k-shaped" ribs extending far back on the vertebral column, distinct skull-roof bones, and a temporal opening without a lower temporal bar. However, it has a pointed snout, quadrate condyles well anterior to the occiput, an epipterygoid that rises high on the lateral surface of the braincase, thin gastralia, and no dorsal osteoderms, all of which are phlegethontiid characters. Uniquely, Pseudophlegethontia has an extremely anteroposteriorly elongate quadrate, and an extended postparietal region. Preliminary phylogenetic analysis places it as sister taxon to Phlegethontia, with Oestocephalus, Ophiderpeton, and Lethiscus placed successively basally.


In this paper, we propose a new set of chiral structures: the "F-shaped", "E shaped" and "y-shaped" resonators. Besides providing magnetoelectric coupling, these structures have a double negative (DNG) passband which can easily be tuned in both the frequency of operation and bandwidth; moreover, the transmission bands can be generated over a broad frequency regime with a lower loss than other known structures, e.g. omega, gammadion, and "S-shaped" resonator. In this paper, the design methodology for the development of the novel metamaterials is presented. In addition, the double-negative and chiral properties of our structures are proven. Furthermore, we compare the advantages and disadvantages of our novel chiral DNG structures to the other recognized structures mentioned previously. The complimentary synthesis and modeling techniques of our novel chiral DNG metamaterials will provide a guide to the optimization of metamaterial designs in the visible regime


This paper investigate an rate-based credit adaptation (RBCA) algorithm for congestion control in the interworking system between the IP network and ATM network. When the IP network and ATM network are interworked together, it is difficult to control traffic flows between end-to-end terminals since there are crucial mismatches between rate-based control and window-based control. We resolve this problem by the receiver's window modification at the edge router. The proposed interworking model using RBCA is analyzed by simulations with various traffic scenarios. The performance of the proposed algorithm are shown by fairness, optimized link utilization, least occurrence of overflow/underflow for buffer occupancy, and robustness.


This chapter will focus on the relationship between the business strategy and the financial performance, which naturally, will study the different approaches to the competitive context and the strategic initiatives themselves. The contributions of different authors over time and the evolutionary logic of the approaches on business strategy are first, which will emphasize strategic positioning and resource-based theory. Next, several types of strategies will be approached, based on different views: product and market choices, sources of competitive advantages, the activities to be carried out internally or to be subcontracted and the geographic space of action (internationalization). Finally, a number of research papers will be presented that studied the relationships between business strategies and financial performance, mentioning the main empirical evidence from the different studies. In this way, it is intended to contribute to a better knowledge of successful strategies in the business context.


Lysine demethylase 5C(KDM5C) is a member of the evolutionarily conserved KDM5 family and act as a histone demethylase to regulate H3K4me2/me3 levels on chromosomes. Recent researches have shown that KDM5C is misregulated in colorectal cancer, liver cancer, gastric cancer, breast cancer, renal cell cancer, prostate cancer and others. KDM5C is involved in the regulation of the expression of tumor-related genes, related to the proliferation, migration, invasion and prognosis of tumor cells. A better understanding of the pathogenetic mechanisms and biologic functions of KDM5C in tumor is expected to provide novel opportunities for the diagnosis and treatment of tumors. This paper reviews the research progress of KDM5C in various tumors.


In this paper, we study the discreteness of nonelementary isometry group of negative curvature and obtain a sufficient and necessary condition for a nonelementary subgroup to be discrete. 1.Introduction. A Hadamard manifold H is a complete simply connected Riemannian manifold with nonpositive curvature. A pinched Hadamard manifold X is a Hadamard manifold of pinched negative curvature; that is, all of the sectional curvatures K(X) satisfy −1 ≤ K(X) ≤ −a2, where the constant a = 0. The n-dimensional hyperbolic space H is a pinched Hadamard manifold with constant curvature K = −1. We write Isom(X) for the group of all isometrics on a pinched Hadamard manifold X . Throughout this paper, we adopt the same notations and definitions as in ([2], [5], [9]) such as Xc, XI , discrete groups, elementary subgroups and so on. For example, we define elementary groups as following: Definition 1.1. A subgroup G of Isom(X) is elementary either if fix(G) = Ø, or else if G preserves setwise some bi-infinite geodesic in Xc. Otherwise G is nonelementary. Let G be a subgroup of Isom(X). The limit set L(G) is defined as following: L(G) = {x ∈ XI | gm ∈ G with lim m→∞ gm(p) → x for some point p ∈ X} It is clear that the limit set L(G) is closed in XI and invariant under G. The limit set L(G) is defined independently of the choice of the point p ∈ X (see [5; p246]). For x ∈ X, z1, z2 ∈ Xc, x = z1, x = z2 we have [8] <) x(z1, z2) :=<) (ċ1(0), ċ2(0)) where ci(i = 1, 2) is the geodesics from x to zi and ci(0) = x. For x ∈ X, z ∈ XI , > 0, let Cx(z, ) = {y ∈ Xc|y = x, <) x(z, y) < }. The set Cx(z, ε) is called the cone of vertex x and angle . For g ∈ Isom(X), we define the rotation of g in x ∈ X as following [2]: rg(x) := max w∈TxX <) (w,Pg(x),x ◦ g∗xw) 2000 Mathematics Subject Classification. primary 30F40,20H10; secondary 57M07.


In contrast to the rest of Latin America, where most forests belong to the state, in Mexico, village communities legally possess most of the country's remaining forests. Despite this, Mexican forest-management policies frequently empowered business interests and the state at the expense of rural communities. These policies marginalized campesinos and squandered opportunities for environmentally sound development. Nevertheless, following a fitful process of land reform, sporadic support for village communities from reformers in the agrarian reform and forestry departments, and the organized demands of villagers, Mexico now has the most advanced community forestry sector in Latin America. Today, hundreds of villages own and operate their own forest management businesses. They generate rural economic benefits while conserving forests, and they represent an important model for sustainable development in Latin America. In the 1990s, neoliberalism brought changes to agrarian and forestry law that initially benefited business interests while abandoning the forest communities best situated to integrate forest conservation and rural development. Campesino groups and their supporters, however, struggled to maintain and extend community forestry in Mexico, with some recent policy victories. Community forestry remains an important part of Mexican forest policy. Mexican forest conservation and the well-being of the campesinos who inhabit those forests depend on strengthening and extending the model, which has implications for forest policy elsewhere in Latin America.


An edition with commentary of three texts by the French 18th century philosopher Voltaire on Isaac Newton, the founder of modern mathematical physics.


Air pollution is a substance that is present in the atmosphere that may cause a possible threat to human health. It can come from vehicles, factories, dust, volcanoes, mold spores, and wildfire. The most common pollutants in the air are Ozone, particulate matter, Carbon monoxide (CO), Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and Sulfur Dioxide (SO2). This study developed an electronic nose that detects CO and PM2.5, and PM10, and it is integrated with the air purifier to purify the air pollutants present in the air. The Arduino Uno is the microprocessor for creating the electronic nose, and the MQ-7 gas sensor detects carbon monoxide. The particulate matter was detected using a PMS5003 sensor. An application developed using the MIT app inventor for the graph and numerical values of the air pollutants to be able to see it in real-time. The testing area device is in the different household parts: the kitchen, dining room, living room, and bedroom. There were ten trials; the trials were per minute. The results recorded before and after air purification concluded a significant decrease in air pollutants after the air purification. Verified the results by using a paired t-test statistical treatment.


Writing in Denzin and Lincoln's Handbook of Qualitative Research in 1994, Strauss and Corbin expressed regret that grounded theory methodology ran the risk of becoming fashionable. What they meant by this was that as grounded theory methodology increasingly became seen as both an innovative and rigorous way to do research, many researchers would seek to align themselves with grounded theory for reasons of professional precedence rather than because the approach was appropriate. Similarly, five years ago, Gammon and Kurtzman (2002: p.v) suggested that one of the problems for those researching the relationship between sport and tourism is that they might also face such criticisms:


> One great thing about evolution is that it happens whether you like it or not.

I have been very concerned for some time about the intrusion of fundamentalist religious beliefs into biology education at all levels. The most notorious infraction has been in the science-based teaching of evolution. I would like to share some of my experiences with this issue.

Flashback to the 1980s . In the late 1980s, Joe McInerney, then director of the BSCS, asked me (as a coauthor of the BSCS Green Version, 1987, 1992) to accompany him to Austin, Texas, to testify to the Texas Legislative Subcommittee on Education for the textbook's position on teaching evolution to high school students. We were each allowed to speak for about a minute and took the standard science-based position on the evolutionary timeline and the importance of teaching evolution as a major conceptual theme in biology. Abruptly, another person asked to be recognized. The presider, evidently recognizing that person, said, "Yes, Mr. Gabler." It was the infamous Melvin Gabler, sitting with his wife, Norma (both now deceased). They had for years been very vocal critics of modern science and of anything else they believed to be "anti-Christian," such as evolutionary biology, secularism, sex education, critics of slavery, and gay rights, and had been quite influential in Texas far-right politics. He stood up with a book in his hand and, raising the book into the air, shouted "All our children need to learn in school is in this here book!" The presider said "Thank you, Mr. Gabler. We are now …


Introduction Experience and observations have revealed that most archives and libraries in Africa today are filled with materials recorded in analogue formats and the traditional or analogue librarians and archivists are those who are still carrying out the tasks of acquiring, organizing, and preserving the print documents and helping the readers in locating the information they need. In developing countries this picture has rapidly changed due to the influence of advances in computer technology. The physical materials are gradually giving way to electronic print, and online public access catalogue (OPAC) is obliterating the needs for users to physically visit the library or archives buildings to access their collections. Traditionally, librarians and archivists have been analogue information providers for centuries, but today they have the opportunities to use modern technologies to provide quicker, accurate and more sophisticated services to users. Since then, archiving of digital materials as well as creating digital archives is an emerging practice of today's archival profession. This is made feasible by technological advancement which provides greater opportunities and challenges to librarians, archivists and information professionals. Technology has made information which was traditionally provided in paper prints to be digitized, preserved and made available and accessible to users in electronic format. The proliferation of electronic information; the dwindling budget for acquisition of library stocks; the desire to access materials in remote locations; the quest for collaboration, partnerships and resource sharing; and the ever increasing cost of preserving analogue materials, and so on , are some of the forces that prompted digitization of archives and records. Omekwu (2009) aptly observed that the transient nature of many web resources calls for practice that ensure that information of instrumental value is accessed, acquired and archived electronically for reference and research purposes. This paradigm shift from traditional medium to electronic format has tasked modern archivists, especially with regard to digital preservation, accessibility, copyrights and the issue of intellectual property rights. In view of this development, for archivists and librarians in Africa to keep afloat with this modern trends, they need to be prepared to embrace the new technology. Background of Digital Libraries/Archives It was Scholler (1984) who reveals that Thomas A. Edison that invented phonograph more than 120 years ago, and in 1899the Academy of Science in Vienna founded the phonograph-archives which was the first archives of the world. Hughes (2004); Mutula & Ojedokun (2008) reports that the foundation of modern archives (the Internet, electronic libraries and archives) was laid in 1945 when Vannevar Bush envisioned an automated system that would store information. Bush articulated a system known as a memex machine which he envisaged would allow a user to view stored information from several different access points and look at several items simultaneously. In 1950 Dauglas Engelbert "hypothesized that computers could be used to automate symbol-handling tasks, and thus help people think faster and better about more complex problems"(Mutula & Ojedokun, 2008). The idea of Bush and Engelbert inspired and motivated Ted Nelson to coin the term hypertext to describe a system that linked bits of knowledge in ways that people think. Since Bush anticipated the notion of scholars having access to infinite quantities of information at the desktop, "it has led to a sea change in the accessibility, affordability and ease of use of computing and networked digital information" (Hughes, 2004). Right from then, the evolution of digital libraries and archives in the 1990s is tied to hypertext searching and advances in computer technology. Since the evolution, many digital library projects such as that of the Association of Africa Universities(AAU), the Rhodes University in South Africa, the University of Nigeria Nsukka, and the African Digital Library (ADL), are some of the digital library projects being implemented in Africa. …


This study identified the current housing developer are facing difficulties to reach  the target profit margin within the specific time frame due to the lack of environmental elements in marketing strategy as well as the strategic solutions through the internal design and external synthetic natural environmental facilities that can reach to the  success point. As an effect half of the world's population now lives in the cities. By 2030, 60% of the world will reside in the urban areas and by 2050, the proportion is likely to reach 75%. Much of the urban growth will come from cities in Asia, especially China and India. Of the projected 5.3 billion urban populations in the developing world in 2050, Asia will host some 63% or 3.3 billion urban dwellers. Keywords : Environmental issues, strategic marketing, target customers, synthetic natural environment, sustainable property business.


This book seeks to critically review and evaluate the changes and consistencies in how warfare is interpreted and represented by academics, mass media outlets and political actors in the 21st century. The authors suggest that it is essential to understand the evolution and transformation of contemporary warfare's conceptualisation and practice in order to make sense of the current global geopolitical transformations that are in process, from a unipolar to multipolar global order. They therefore examine the various key actors in international relations from conceptual, theoretical and empirical perspectives through thematic chapters that demonstrate the increasingly central role played by intangible factors in the representation and management of contemporary armed conflict. The book stresses the need to reflect and rethink the potentially highly problematic trajectory of the global community within the framework of 21st century warfare's political and informational influence and effects.


Anyone familiar with the difficulties involved in the selection of a suitable catalyst and accustomed to using catalysts at high pressures and temperatures is bound to be impressed by the performance of the biological catalysts, which can oxidise sulphur directly to sulphuric acid at low temperatures, fix nitrogen at atmospheric pressure, synthesis e methane, oxidise naphthalene, induce the reaction of hydrogen with oxygen, and form penicillin, polypeptides and proteins. What is more, these catalysts both originate and sustain the processes which we understand by the term "life". However, our knowledge of enzymes falls far short of that of catalysis, especially so far as the general theoretical principles are concerned. For this reason the theoretical study of the action of biocatalysts deserves close attention.


The purpose of this investigation was to study the levels of the NO,NOS and serum lipids in rats.Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into two groups: control and exercise.The exercise performed swimming exercise training program(5 days a week,1.5 hours per day) for 8 weeks.(1)The contents of NO: The examination showed that in exercise group,NO contents increased(p0.05);(2) The changes of NOS:In exercise groups NOS vitalin was enhanced(++) as compared with control group;(3)The contents of the serum lipids:TC,TG,TDL-C and AI levels obviously decreased and HDL-C increased in exercise groups.The results suggested that exercise can increase the content of NO and the expression of NOS and regulate the metabolism of serum lipids.It indicated that the diastolic function of the aorta endothelium was increased.That may be beneficial to anti-arteriosclerosis.


Incubation of 17-norkauran-16-one (3b) and ent-17-norkauran-16-one (2b) with Aspergillusniger gives the related C-3 equatorial alcohols 3c and 2c, respectively, whereas 17-norphyllocladan-16-one (4b) gives the 3β-alcohol 4c and the corresponding 3-ketone 4g. Yields of all of these products are low. Diketone 4g is identical with the corresponding compound derived from calliterpenone, thus confirming that calliterpenone should be formulated as 8 rather than 7.


We used the systematic review procedure to assess the evidence available on the analysis, prevalence and impact of microplastics in freshwater and estuarine environments. As the study of microplastics in freshwaters is relatively new, measurement methods are yet to be standardized, and a wide variety of methods of variable robustness have been used. Critically, the sampling methodology used in the literature had a systematic influence on the concentration of microplastic particles returned. The volume of water sampled varied over many orders of magnitude, and there was a direct relationship between the size of the smallest particles studied and the volume of water sampled in both freshwater and estuaries: large volumes of water can only be sampled using nets of relatively coarse mesh, which in turn do not capture smaller particles. Consequently, the mean abundance of microplastic particles reported was inversely correlated with both the volume of water sampled and the size of particles studied.


The effect of the physiological difference in temperature between the abdominal cavity and the scrotum on the course of infection after intratesticular injection of Cryptococcus neoformans was studied in rabbits. The results confirmed the existence of a native resistance of rabbits to cryptococcal infection and suggest that this resistance is due to a combination of the rabbit's body temperature, its ability to react with fever to infection and probably to some extent to a slight and irregular serological response.


Objective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of the splenic artery (SPA) peak systolic velocity (PSV) in identifying fetuses with hemoglobin (Hb) Bart disease among pregnancies at risk for the disease. Methods. Pregnancies at risk for fetal Hb Bart disease scheduled for cordocentesis at 18 to 25 weeks' gestation at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital were recruited into the study. The SPA PSV was measured before cordocentesis, and the final fetal diagnosis of Hb Bart disease was based on fetal Hb typing using high‐performance liquid chromatography. Results. Seventy‐six singleton pregnancies at risk for fetal Hb Bart disease were sonographically evaluated for the SPA PSV and underwent cordocentesis for fetal blood analysis. Among the 76 recruited pregnancies, 17 fetuses with Hb Bart disease were finally diagnosed by fetal blood analysis with high‐performance liquid chromatography, and the remainder had no abnormalities or had the α‐thalassemia 1 trait and were defined as unaffected fetuses. The mean SPA PSVs ± SD for the unaffected and affected fetuses were significantly different: 21.17 ± 3.7 cm/s (range, 13.8–29.9 cm/s) and 26.12 ± 3.6 cm/s (range, 20.4–31.5 cm/s) respectively. The SPA PSV of the affected fetuses was higher than that of the unaffected ones (Wilcoxon signed rank test, P < .001). Conclusions. Splenic artery PSV assessment at mid pregnancy may have a potential role in identifying fetuses with Hb Bart disease. Further studies to evaluate the effectiveness of the SPA PSV in differentiating affected from unaffected fetuses among pregnancies at risk are desirable.


Background Persistence with biologic therapies among patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) provides insight into the real-world effectiveness of biologics in routine clinical practice. With different dosing schedules and durations of action of currently available biologics, measuring persistence using varying treatment gap cutoffs may better guide physicians in their treatment decisions. Objectives To evaluate the persistence of subcutaneously (SC) administered biologics in patients with PsA. Methods Patients with ≥1 pharmacy claim for an FDA–approved SC biologic (adalimumab, certolizumab pegol, etanercept, golimumab, and secukinumab) for the treatment of PsA between 01/15/2016 and 07/31/2017 were identified in the Truven Health Analytics MarketScan Commercial and Medicare Supplemental Databases. Eligible patients were aged ≥18 years at the time of biologic initiation (index date) and continuously enrolled with medical and pharmacy claims ≥12 months prior to (baseline period) and ≥12 months after the index date. Patients had ≥1 PsA diagnosis (ICD-9-CM 696.0 or ICD-10-CM L40.5x) and no pharmacy claims for the index biologic during the baseline period. Persistence over 12 months was measured as the discontinuation rate and number of days persistent on the biologic therapy from the index date to reported treatment gaps of ≥45,≥90, and ≥180 days based on clinical expert opinion, or the end of follow-up if no gap was observed. The median time to discontinuation of the index biologic over 12 months was assessed by Kaplan-Meier analysis for each treatment gap cutoff. Results A total of 1558 patients with PsA enrolled in the analysis initiated SC biologics, including adalimumab (n=720), certolizumab pegol (n=93), etanercept (n=426), golimumab (n=64), and secukinumab (n=255). Overall, 680 patients (43.6%) discontinued their index biologic therapy during 12 month follow-up. The 12 month discontinuation rate for each treatment gap cutoff was lowest with secukinumab compared with other SC biologics (51.8%, 36.5%, and 21.6% for patients with treatment gaps≥45 days,≥90 days, and ≥180 days, respectively). Mean days persistent on the index biologic was the highest with secukinumab for each treatment gap cutoff (254.5 days, 282.8 days, and 307.5 days for patients with treatment gaps≥45 days,≥90 days, and ≥180 days, respectively) and the lowest with certolizumab pegol (218.1 days and 240.7 days for patients with treatment gaps≥45 days and ≥90 days, respectively) and etanercept (270.7 days for patients with a treatment gap ≥180 days; table 1). The median (95% CI) time to discontinuation for patients with a treatment gap ≥45 days was the highest with secukinumab (308 [238 to >365] days) and lowest with certolizumab pegol (216 [155 to 274] days). Median time to discontinuation could not be calculated for patients with treatment gaps≥90 days or ≥180 days due to low event rates and limited follow-up.Abstract AB0931 – Table 1 Persistence With Index Biologic Therapies Over 12 Months of Follow-Up in Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis (N = 1558) Days persistent (ie, time to discontinuation) was defined as the time from the index prescription fill to the last day the drug was on hand to give a gap of ≥45, 90, or 180 days without the index drug, or the end of follow-up if no gap was observed. Conclusions Patients who initiated secukinumab showed higher persistence over 12 months of follow-up compared with the other SC biologics assessed, regardless of the treatment gap. Acknowledgements This study was sponsored by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, NJ. Disclosure of Interest K. Oelke Consultant for: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol-Meyers Squibb and Pfizer, O. Chambenoit Employee of: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, A. Majjhoo Grant/research support from: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Consultant for: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Speakers bureau: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, S. Grey Employee of: Truven Health Analytics, an IBM Company, K. Higgins Employee of: Truven Health Analytics, an IBM Company, P. Hur Employee of: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation


In this annex, we will set out a few examples of the anonymisation of data, to indicate the range of techniques available to the information manager. The aim is not to provide a manual of anonymisation, but to give a flavour of the field, and of the variety of the options. We do not pretend that this is an exhaustive list of methods, or that the methods we have chosen are applicable to all anonymisation problems. We try to keep the language as accessible as possible; however, some of these techniques are statistically quite complex, which in some cases is inevitably reflected in the descriptions.


The study aim was to examine the relationships between longitudinal dietary trajectories from early pregnancy to 3 years post delivery and adiposity measures in women with obesity.


Cancers are routinely classified into subtypes according to various features, including histo-pathological characteristics and molecular markers. Previous genome-wide association studies have reported heterogeneous association between loci and cancer subtypes. However, it is not evident what is the optimal modeling strategy for handling correlated tumor features, missing data, and increased degrees-of-freedom in the underlying tests of associations. We propose score tests for genetic associations using a mixed-effect two-stage polytomous model (MTOP). In the first stage, a standard polytomous model is used to specify for all subtypes defined by the cross-classification of different markers. In the second stage, the subtype-specific case-control odds ratios are specified using a more parsimonious model based on the case-control odds ratio for a baseline subtype, and the case-case parameters associated with tumor markers. Further, to reduce the degrees-of-freedom, we specify case-case parameters for additional exploratory markers using a random-effect model. We use the Expectation-Maximization (EM) algorithm to account for missing data on tumor markers. Through simulations across a range of realistic scenarios and data from the Polish Breast Cancer Study (PBCS), we show MTOP outperforms alternative methods for identifying heterogeneous associations between risk loci and tumor subtypes.


Objective To compare the different MR sequences (proton density/T2-weighted imaging (PD/T2WI) and fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) imaging) in detecting multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions. Materials and Methods Seventy-four Patients who fulfilled the MS diagnostic criteria of McDonald performed the standard MR scan of the brain and spinal cord. The images of different MR sequences were compared. Results (1)The statistical difference was found between the FLAIR and T2WI in cortical and subcortical lesions(P0.05). The detection rates with PD/T2WI images were higher than those of FLAIR images in infratentorium lesions,but no statistical differences were found. The detection rates with PD/T2WI and FLAIR images were no statistical differences in surroundings of cerebral lateral ventricles and deep white matter(P0.05).(2)The statistical difference between PD/T2WI and FLAIR was found in detecting lesions in relapsing-remitting MS(RRMS)and progressive MS in the supratentorium cortical areas(P0.05). Conclusion The combination of PD/T2WI and FLAIR MR sequences can improve the detection of the MS lesions.


To prepare students to live in the twenty-first century, educators must move away from a computation-dominated curriculum, in which students learn isolated procedures by rote, to a curriculum that stresses problem solving, understanding, and applications. More effective mathematics instruction for all students is needed to address racial inequities and to maintain the leadership role of the United States in the modern world. Small-group instruction is suitable for a problem-solving-oriented curriculum that stresses understanding. When students participate in small groups, they can work together to solve more difficult problems. In small groups, the opportunity to express ideas in words helps students improve their understanding of mathematical concepts. Cooperative learning is a procedure in which each of the students in a small group is rewarded when all of the members of the group accomplish something. There is evidence that cooperative learning in small heterogeneous groups has great potential for raising achievement of all students on higher-level skills and for reducing inequities. Implementing cooperative learning is a significant change that requires extensive staff development, leadership by the principal, and "ownership" by the teachers.


Multiple rounds of aspiration thrombectomy followed by balloon angioplasty of the left anterior descending (LAD) failed to completely restore the flow into the distal LAD secondary to re-occlusion from thrombus formation.


The mandibular first molars ( primary and permanent) usually have 2 roots located mesially and distally, but occasionally they have an additional root located distolingually requiring special attention when root canal treatment is being considered . The additional root is regarded as a normal racial and morphological variation rather than as an abnormality. It appears to be more common in races of Mongoloid origin, including Malay, Chinese, Japanese, Eskimo, and American and Canadian Indian populations. 1 To study about the rarest root and root canal anatomy using spiral ct and r.v.g. Computed tomography and radio visiography has long been used as a diagnostic aid in dentistry .With the advent of new diagnostic aids like spiral computed tomography it has become very easy for the dentist to diagnose different root and root canal anatomy and accordingly plan the treatment.


gains in productivity and product quality. To correct market failures (or, more accurately, to help establish a market economy where one did not formerly exist) and speed up convergence, the authors call for active industrial policy focused on further skills development, R&D, the spread of product, process, and market information, and targeted capital availability. Given the existing skills base in eastern Germany and the strong western German economy, such policies can succeed here despite their failure in Northern Ireland and other poor regions. Policy instruments, however, must be selective and well targeted, and not simply available to all. Finally, because currency union with western Germany eliminated exchange-rate adjustment as a tool of economic policy for eastern Germany, the authors view development problems here as a forerunner of problems to come for the rest of Easterh Europe. Most important among the lessons to be learned is the need for a sustained economic and industrial policy emphasis on the development of human capital. There is much to praise in this rich and lucid study, particularly the considerable analytical leverage the authors gain from their case-studybased comparisons of backward economic regions. One shortcoming in the data collection, however, is the failure to collect information on industrial relations, as if one could state categorically in advance that this is an insignificant independent variable for productivity growth. And beyond the data, which is otherwise impressive, one longs for a better grounding of the arguments in the literature: in the industrial policy discussion, the "pro" literature based above all on Japan, the "anti" literature based on the U.K.; in the human capital argument (which Bill Clinton and Robert Reich would love), a discussion of opposing views, such as Harley Shaiken's provocative claim that hightech, high-productivity plants can be successfully established in low-skilled Mexico. Finally, how do we know that the apparently different rate of economic development in Northern Ireland and eastern Germany hinges mainly on differences in human capital rather than on broader differences in economic institutions, from industrial relations to banking practices, in the two "developer" countries, the U.K. and western Germany? This is nonetheless a book that I would heartily recommend as providing essential background data and analysis for studies of economic development and industrial relations in eastern Germany, the processes and prospects for German unification, the comparative development of backward regions, and Eastern European economic restructuring and development. The authors have compiled a rich primary data source that will be of great interest and use to many others.


In the changing face of the business environment, industries often walk the extra mile to keep the production costs to a bare minimum. Process industries such as petrochemical, pharmaceutical and semiconductor industries have shown that by doing minor alterations in the design stage and the operation of the process industries, a big impact can be achieved in the bottom line of the company's performance. This paper attempts to consolidate die various energy saving techniques that can be used both in a) design of new process industries: layout of plant, load centers like the chillers, cooling towers and boilers, piping arrangements, motor sizing and the importance of the parallel operation of loads and variable speed drives. B) method of operation: selecting the optimum running combination of loads, determining the number of pumps required to meet a certain demand in the industry. Finally the paper spells out a procedure for "daily tracking of the energy costs" in industry by means of a simple Excel spread sheet that can be used by the managers to keep track of the utility costs thus effectively controlling the company's profitability.


There is a wealth of data to show that mineralocorticoid antagonists (MRAs) reduce morbidity and mortality in patients with heart failure when LVEF is reduced and perhaps also when LVEF is fairly well preserved.1–5 Chin et al. investigated whether the benefits of MRAs were reduced amongst patients prescribed aspirin.6 They concluded that no important interaction could be observed. If true, this is good news, but still does not justify prescription of aspirin for patients with heart failure and CAD. The evidence that chronic aspirin therapy is safe or effective, regardless of LVEF, for any cardiovascular condition is not robust.7–10 Admittedly, there is good evidence that aspirin reduces coronary events and mortality when given for 4–12 weeks after an acute vascular event, but any suggestion of a long-term effect owes more to the fertile imagination of cardiologists rather than to clinical trial data. In this era, which we pretend is one of evidence-based medicine, it is not to the credit of the medical community that aspirin enjoys such widespread abuse. Many patients with heart failure have CAD as a cause of cardiac dysfunction and heart failure, and it may be an important co-morbidity in others. There is a widespread belief that these patients should receive an antiplatelet agent, usually aspirin, in order to reduce the risk of vascular events and prolong life. Unfortunately, there is no evidence to support such a view. Adequate randomized controlled trials comparing aspirin with placebo in patients with heart failure are lacking, but the few data that exist are not reassuring.10,11 There are concerns that aspirin might detract from the therapeutic benefits of agents that are known to improve outcome in heart failure, including ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers, possibly by blocking prostaglandin production, resulting in impaired vasodilatation, renal dysfunction, sodium and water retention, and hyponatraemia.7 Aspirin will also increase gastrointestinal blood loss and may be at the root of the current epidemic of iron deficiency in the heart failure population.12 A key attribute of MRAs is that they increase sodium excretion, which may be attenuated by aspirin;13 a key problem with MRAs is a fall


This paper aims to present a preliminary synthesis of the Paleontological Heritage of northern Tocantins State and southwest Maranhão State. It is a compound mainly from Paleozoic and Mesozoic rocks of the intracratonic Parnaíba Basin. Fossils from these regions include body fossils of sharks, gymnosperm trunks, mineralized ferns, ichnofossils of sauropods and theropods, and indeterminate leaf molds.


Using data sampled from Wusi Farm of Shanghai,input of fertilizer and the soil index of fertilizer are calculated with an empirical formula. At the same time,the variable input map of fertilizer and the fertilizer map are mapped using GIS. The result shows:There exists difference with the fertilizer in the field and the input of fertilizer is different too.


Haley, Kathleen J., Kirit Patidar, Fan Zhang, Rodica L. Emanuel, and Mary E. Sunday. Tumor necrosis factor induces neuroendocrine differentiation in small cell lung cancer cell lines. Am. J. Physiol. 275 (Lung Cell. Mol. Physiol. 19): L311–L321, 1998.—We studied tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a as a candidate cytokine to promote neuroendocrine cell differentiation in a nitrosamine-hyperoxia hamster lung injury model. Differential screening identified expression of the genes modulated by TNF-a preceding neuroendocrine cell differentiation. Undifferentiated small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) cell lines NCI-H82 and NCI-H526 were treated with TNF-a for up to 2 wk. Both cell lines demonstrated rapid induction of gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) mRNA; H82 cells also expressed aromatic-L-amino acid decarboxylase mRNA within 5 min after TNF-a was added. Nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kB immunostaining occurred with TNF-a treatment, suggesting nuclear factor-kB involvement in the induction of GRP and/or aromatic-L-amino acid decarboxylase gene expression. We also demonstrated dense core neurosecretory granules and immunostaining for proGRP and neural cell adhesion molecule in H82 cells after 7–14 days of TNF-a treatment. We conclude that TNF-a can induce phenotypic features of neuroendocrine cell differentiation in SCLC cell lines. Similar effects of TNF-a in vivo may contribute to the neuroendocrine cell differentiation/hyperplasia associated with many chronic inflammatory pulmonary diseases.


Summary Background We analyzed cardiovascular inflammatory (C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6)), haemostatic (homocysteine) risk markers in lean and obese patients at admission and acute hyperglicemic crisis (AHC) resolving, involving diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS). Methods In that context, we included group A: N = 20 obese, B: N=20 lean patients with DKA; C: N = l0 obese, D: N=10 lean patients with HHS; E: N = 15 obese, F: N=15 lean controls. CRP IL-6, homocysteine were determined by ELISA. Results Our results showed that CRP IL-6, and homocysteine levels decreased in all groups: (A: p<0.001; B: p<0.001, C: p<0.05; D: p<0.001 mg/L), (A: p<0.001 B: p<0.001, C: p<0.001, D: p<0.01 pg/mL), (A: p<0.001, B: p <0.001; C: p<0.05, D: p=0.001 μmol/L), respectively, at resolving AHC. However, CRP persisted higher (p<0.001, p<0.01), IL-6 lower (p<0.05, p<0.001), while homocysteine levels turned out to be similar to controls. Conclusions AHC is associated with increased inflammatory and hemostatic cardiovascular risk markers. Also, insulin therapy in AHC has had more pronounced favorable effect on IL-6 and homocystein than on CRP


Advances in Natural Language Processing have generated new models that push forward the state of the art. This reached new heights in complex tasks in handling unstructured texts. Most of the new architectures and models focus on the English language. There is a lack of available datasets that can be used during the training of new models. This investigation presents four new textual datasets for language modeling in Brazilian Portuguese. Our datasets were generated from several specific methodologies that aimed to obtain data of different natures. Two of our sets were originally built from data in online web forums. We also distribute a translated version of MultiWOZ, and a clean version of BrWaC. The original datasets are made available in a structured way to facilitate their use during the training of NLP models, with questions, answers and conversations already identified.


HJ-1 satellite data has been applied successfully on disaster reduction field since it is launched on September 6, 2008. It has worked stably for 3 years until September 6, 2011. National Disaster Reduction Center of China (NDRCC) engages in the work of disaster warning, disaster monitoring and disaster assessment using HJ-1 satellite data, and provides decision support to the government of China and has got international praise.


In order to determine the suitable irrigation amount for the spring-winter production of tomato,4 irrigation volume including 300 m3/hm2(CK),225 m3/hm2,150 m3/hm2 and 75 m3/hm2 were set,and the effects of different irrigation amount on the yield and quality of tomato in greenhouse were studied.The results showed that with the decreasing of irrigation amount,the soluble solid content,titratable acid content,Vc content and irrigation water use efficiency of tomato increased,while the yield decreased gradually.When the irrigation amount was 225 m3/hm2,the yield decreased by 0.45%,while the irrigation water use efficiency increased by 26.12%,and the soluble solids content,titratable acid content and Vc content increased.The yield decreased significantly when the irrigation amount was 150 m3/hm2 and 75 m3/hm2,which decreased by 10.08% and 21.01%,respectively.It was concluded that the optimum irrigation amount was 225 m3/hm2.


Conservation of habitats is critical for survival of endangered tigers. This paper develops a resource allocation model for tiger habitat protection incorporating information about threats to particular tiger subspecies, the quality of remaining habitat areas, the observed effectiveness of habitat protection by country, and the potential costs of protection projects for 74 habitats in Asia. Implementation of the model moves through two stages. The first stage employs user-specified weights to combine numerous subindices into composite indices of species threat, habitat quality, potential project costs and protection effectiveness. The second stage employs additional user-specified weights to combine the composite indices into priority scores and potential project budget shares for all 74 habitat areas. Exploration of model results suggests that changes in user-specified weights can have very significant consequences for habitat priority scores. Illustrative scenarios indicate that no single priority ordering can be prescribed in such a diverse setting, and actual priorities will depend on the preferences of decision-makers, as revealed in the weights assigned to species threats, habitat quality, cost elements, and effective protection. At the same time, the model can make a useful contribution by identifying priority orderings that are consistent with different sets of preferences. And it can inform policy discussions by allowing for extended exploration of alternative strategies, along with providing feedback to decision makers about the implicit preferences associated with their resource allocation decisions.


Objective: To describe, through a systematic literature review, the main studies, news and influences of Sodium Glucose Cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors on the cardiovascular system of type 2 diabetic patients. Methods: The BIREME database was used for research, considering texts with the descriptors "Sodium Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors" and "Cardiovascular Diseases", published between the years of 2009-2019, written in English, Portuguese and Spanish, subsequently evaluated, interpreted and tabulated. Results: Initially, 277 articles were found in the research. After review 192 publications were discarded from the evaluation for not having evidenced the necessary inclusion criteria, and 85 publications were selected. Of these 85 articles that presented the selection criteria, 38 had restricted use and access to their journals subscribers. The remaining 47 texts were analyzed and chosen by the authors for review. Final considerations: It is concluded that the medications of SGLT2 inhibitors are shown to be a therapeutic option of great interest for type 2 diabetics, given their capacity to promote numerous beneficial systemic changes in those patients and directly influence the reduction of cardiovascular risk, reducing the mortality and heart failure hospitalizations rates.


1. Introduction Henri Baudet and Henk van der Meulen 2. The Transition From Traditional to Modern Patterns of Demand in Belgium Peter Scholliers and Chris Vandenbroeke 3. Food Consumption and Welfare 1852-1911 Henri Baudet and Henk van der Meulen 4. Dietary changes in Europe from 16th to 20th Century, With Particular Reference to France and Italy Maurice Aymard 5. Interrelations Between Consumption, Economic Growth and Income Distribution in Latin America Since 1800: A Comparative Perspective David Felix 6. Changes in Lifestyle in Japan: Pattern and Structure of Modern Consumption Mine Yasuzawa 7. Convention, Fashion and Consumption: Aspects of British Experience Since 1750 Walter Minchinton 8. Fod Consmption in Germany Since the Beginning of Industrialisation: A Quantitative Approach Hans J. Teuteberg 9. Conclusion Henri Baudet and Henk van der Meulen


The aim of this study was to explore to what extent offline
sexual behavior corresponds to sexual behavior on the Internet
among seventeen years old Czechs. The adolescents (237 girls
and 225 boys) filled out a computer-administered questionnaire
which examined sexual behavior in offline life and sex-related
activities on the Internet. Individuals who reported any
offline sexual experience tended to engage in sexually related
activities more than inexperienced ones. The use of the
Internet for sexual reasons was similar for those who
experienced kissing and petting, and also for those who
experienced oral sex and sexual intercourse, as the use
suddenly increases between both groups. Findings suggest that
the level of acquired offline sexual experience affects the way
of the Internet use for sexual reasons in adolescence.


This study examined the possibility that sibling demographic differences (i.e., age and sex differences between the focal individual and his or her siblings) and sibsize (i.e., number of children in the focal individual's family) moderate the relation between an individual's birth order and his or her creativity. A total of 359 undergraduates described their family background and then were assigned to small teams to work on 8 problem-solving tasks. Each individual's contributions to the tasks were evaluated for creativity by his or her teammates. Results showed that firstborns with large sibling groups were more creative when they had relatively more siblings close in age or of the opposite sex. We discuss the implications of the results for future research on birth order and creativity.


This article seeks to identify and analyze the determinants of the Penja Pepper production. The survey focused 42 producers from whom data were collected and analyzed using Ordinary Least Squares method. The results of this analysis present the age of the producers and type of plants as the main factors having a negative impact on pepper production. They are significant at 10% and are negatively correlated with the production. In addition, on an average area of 1,675 ha, producers produce an average of 739.5 kg of dry Penja pepper and sell at an average price of 5084.37 CFA / kg. This production is well below the theoretically estimated amount that is 1500 to 2000 kg per hectare. The actors in the sector should use quality plant material, fight against the attacks using natural methods, and regularly monitor their plantation. This would reduce the risk of losing the label.


Abstract Many systems can be represented as linear time-invariant (LTI) systems in state space with ordinary differential equations (ODE). Forced responses are often used for model parameter estimation; however, some models are not uniquely identifiable from the data of forced responses, or experiments with pure forced response may not be the optimal design. It is thus meaningful to look for other types of data for model parameter estimation through redesigning experiments. In this work, we compare the influence of forced and initial condition responses on the deterministic identifiability of LTI systems in state space with ODEs as model structure. It is clearly demonstrated that one initial condition vector is equivalent to one column vector of the control matrix for constraining system eigenvectors. The combination of forced and initial condition responses can improve the identifiability of models that are not identifiable only from forced responses. Explicit formulations and an algorithm are derived to identify model parameters from the combined data of forced and initial condition responses.


Objective: To measure the quality of life by using the Standardized Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire(PAQLQ(S)) in children with asthma and to determine the association of the Childhood Asthma Control Test(c-ACT) and Global Initiative for Asthma(GINA) criteria of asthma control with the PAQLQ(S) domains.
Methods: This study was planned in a cross-sectional design. All consecutive children between the ages 7-11 years who had been followed up at least one year with a diagnosis of asthma were enrolled. Children filled out PAQLQ(S). The levels of asthma control were defined by c-ACT and GINA criteria of asthma control.
Results: Of the total 120 children, the median(%25-75) PAQLQ(S) and c-ACT scores were 4.90(1.3) and 17.9(4.8). All children had quality of life impairments except four. According to c-ACT, 41.7% of children were controlled; 58.3% of them were uncontrolled. PAQLQ(S) scores were found to be correlated with both c-ACT scores(p<0.001, r=0.612). The c-ACT score was more significantly correlated with the symptom domain of PAQLQ(S)(r=0,667, p<0,001). A more significant positive correlation was found between c-ACT and the duet score of activity and emotional function(r=0.930; p<0.001).
Conclusion: Asthma affects the quality of life in children. PAQLQ(S) scores decrease significantly when asthma is out of control. PAQLQ(S) is more significantly associated with c-ACT than GINA criteria. It would be useful in clinical practice if c-ACT or GINA criteria can be improved to cover quality of life, at least the part of the quality of life related to the symptoms or the activity limitations and emotional functions.


When Picasso visited the caves of Lascaux and viewed the remarkable works of the Paleolithic artists of Western Europe, he is said to have remarked "we have invented nothing!" Any latter day modern architect visiting the megalithic temple sites of the Maltese Islands would have to arrive at a similar conclusion. For too many years, modern man has refused to credit our ancient ancestors with intellectual qualities and artistic properties over and above the accepted magical and sacred ones, which as evidence demonstrates, these people amply possessed. Too much time has perhaps been spent by archaeologists sampling and studying miniature particles and remnants and not applying enough attention to the sophisticated architectural spatial concepts of the buildings themselves and also to their specific site locations together with the complex engineering techniques utilized in these unique ritual centres of the N eolithic period.


The variability constraint is taken into account whenever we consider whether an image is a reliable source of information. Intra and inter rater - variability of image segmentation is being calculated against the machine algorithm performance. However, the variability rate itself has remained largely unexplored. We propose an experiment that allows us to get an insight into the dynamics of inter-rater variability of general scene recognition. We propose outcomes to be interpreted in terms of Hausdorff distance.


The issue deals with the analitical data on professional risks in practical activity of dentists. The identification of potentially possible risks has been done and the main stages of managing them have been defined.


Immobilization of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) within alginate beads was enabled by chemical modification of the enzyme and polysaccharide chains. HRP and alginate were oxidized by periodate and subsequently modified with ethylenediamine. Highest specific activity of 0.43 U/ml of gel and 81% of bound enzyme activity was obtained using aminated HRP and alginate oxidized by periodate. Immobilized enzyme retained 75% of its original activity after 2 days of incubation in 80% (v/v) dioxane and had increased activity in basic solutions compared to native enzyme. During repeated use in batch reactor for pyrogallol oxidation immobilized peroxidase retained 75% of its original activity.


In the shadow of Stalin - the Cold War in Europe 1945-1953 revolution and containment in Asia 1945-1953 false start - Krushchev, peaceful coexistence and Sino-Soviet conflict 1954-65 a decade of detente 1966-1976 retreat from detente, a new Cold War and constructive confrontation 1977-1986.


The problem of personal activity when learning is considered as a significant factor when achieving learning outcomes and personal development. Personal professional training requires a fundamental recognition of the most relevant elements in learning (content, forms, methods). This shows that strategic direction of education activation does not imply increasing the amount of perceived information, strengthening and increasing the control measures, but designing didactic and psychological conditions for relevant learning including intelligent, personal and social skills. The peculiarities of interactive forms and methods of learning assume they are based on the impulse to practical and intellectual activity, which describes interactive learning as a set of educational and methodical technologies. The nature of interactive learning assumes that learning gathers and unites all students and allows them to realize and reflect what they know and think. In order to improve students» cognitive activity, the teacher has many different forms and methods that contribute to this. Active forms and methods are based on dialogue, both between a teacher and students and among the students themselves. This dialogue develops communicative and cognitive skills, abilities to solve team problems by means of each person in order to to achieve a common goal. Forms and methods of active and interactive learning aim at development of students» independent cognitive activities and personal interest. The synergetic effect of the simulated activities can help students to solve concrete educational and industrial tasks.


The pickled fish,a traditional food of Miao and Dong nationality in Qiandongnan Prefecture,Guizhou province,is processed with carp,sticky rice and others as ingredients.It is sweet,sour,hot and salty,and delicious,and contains many essential nutrients for human body.The composition was analysed to provide the theoretic and practical basis for development of this food.


The critical conditions and post-critical behavior of stay-cables in case of dry galloping due to stationary wind are analyzed; cases of different inclinations of the chord are taken into account. After evaluating the initial configuration under the effect of selfweight and static pre-stress, the nonlinear exact equations of motion are written for elastic flexible cables, including the contributions of aeroelastic forces. Wind effects on the yawed cylinder are considered in a quasi-steady framework and can induce dry galloping, i.e. galloping when neither rain rivulet nor ice accretion is present on the cross-section of the cable, which is actually circular. A Galerkin projection of the partial differential equations and the analysis of the discrete system of equations of motion, using both numerical and perturbation techniques, allow to determine the instability threshold and the post-critical evolution of the cable.


The parking brake device has a spring-loaded brake cylinder (23), which is controlled by a relay valve (22). The relay valve is controlled via a bistable safety valve (3). The bistability is achieved by a pneumatic feedback by a select-low valve (18) the smaller of two pressures to a control input (3s) of the safety valve (3) switched at the output (16) or at an input (15) the safety valve (3). The safety valve is a 3/2-way valve having two inputs (15, 17) and an output (16). A first input (15) via a first solenoid valve (1) optionally to a pressure medium source (5) or atmospheric pressure connectable. The second input (17) via a second solenoid valve (2) is also selectively connectable to the pressure medium source (5) or atmospheric pressure. The safety valve (3) connects, depending on the switching position of its output (16) with one of the two inputs (15, 17). Instead of a pneumatically controlled safety valve and a bistable electrically controlled solenoid valve may be used. In this case compressive stress transducers are provided at both inputs of the select-low valve (18) which transmit to the electronic control a corresponding each pressure signal, which switch the safety valve in response to these signals or hold. To both inputs of select-low valve (19), has a trailer brake valve (24, 25) ...


Since 1990, when the African National Congress (ANC) and the South African Communist Party (SACP) formally drew the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) into a Tripartite Alliance in pursuit of their strategy of "national democratic revolution", the federation has gradually moved from a more robust "social movement unionism" towards a narrower form of party-led "political unionism". While retaining its independence and continuing to engage in policy contestation on issues inside and outside the workplace, COSATU has not dared to push the envelope too far, and forge links with social movements antagonistic toward the ANC. Nor has it had much success in shaping ANC policy. Rather than build an alternative counter-hegemonic Left project, COSATU has chosen to "swell the ranks" of the ANC, and support the Jacob Zuma-ANC faction, helping usher Zuma into power as ANC president in 2007, and as South African president in 2009. Despite some indications of a move towards a more interventionist "developmental state", the ANC remains basically committed to a conservative economic policy. This, plus rising inequality, widespread poverty, unemployment and corruption, and ANC threats to civil liberties, has increased tensions between COSATU and the ANC, as well as with the SACP (which backs Zuma unconditionally). COSATU has revived elements of its historical "social movement unionism", but this co-exists schizophrenically with its narrower "political unionism". This article discusses these developments within the context of COSATU's historical trajectory, and concludes that the more things change, the more they remain the same. Although the ANC's uncomfortable embrace of COSATU will endure for some time to come, it is possible that ANC policies might eventually spur a real break.


Historical overview of preclinical science Preclinical animal models provide a powerful tool for assessing vascular biology in cardiovascular medicine. In the search for reliable models that mirror the essential vascular effects of local drug delivery concepts, several animal species were evaluated during the past decades. One of the earliest successful models in interventional cardiology – the swine model of coronary artery stenting – has best stood the test of time1. In the era of drug eluting stents (DES), the rabbit iliac artery stenting model became established as a second appropriate model for the study of vascular responses to stent implantation2,3. More recent preclinical studies have again focused on using smaller animal models (rat and mouse) for evaluating stent implants as they provide the opportunity to assess basic molecular mechanisms of stent healing4,5. These models require smaller devices with adapted stent designs, and therefore their translational applicability for the assessment of human device safety is limited. Nevertheless, they may serve as important complementary tools due to the great advantage of utilising genetically engineered strains and the specific insights provided into pathophysiologic mechanisms.


We present new determinations of the iron abundance for 220 stars belonging to the stellar system Terzan 5 in the Galactic bulge. The spectra have been acquired with FLAMES at the Very Large Telescope of the European Southern Observatory and DEIMOS at the Keck II Telescope. This is by far the largest spectroscopic sample of stars ever observed in this stellar system. From this data set, a subsample of targets with spectra unaffected by TiO bands was extracted and statistically decontaminated from field stars. Once combined with 34 additional stars previously published by our group, a total sample of 135 member stars covering the entire radial extent of the system has been used to determine the metallicity distribution function of Terzan 5. The iron distribution clearly shows three peaks: a super-solar component at [Fe/H] ≃ 0.25 dex, accounting for ∼29% of the sample, a dominant sub-solar population at [Fe/H] ≃ −0.30 dex, corresponding to ∼62% of the total, and a minor (6%) metal-poor component at [Fe/H] ≃ −0.8 dex. Such a broad, multi-modal metallicity distribution demonstrates that Terzan 5 is not a genuine globular cluster but the remnant of a much more complex stellar system.


The sensitive determination of carbohydrates by highperformance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is of practical importance. The sensitivity of the detector often limits the detection limit of the method. Since carbohydrates exhibit no strong absorption in the UVvisible range, postcolumn or precolumn derivatization is commonly used for spectrophotometric detectors.'-5 A refractive-index detector is not sufficiently sensitive to detect carbohydrates in quantities of less than 1 nmol. An alternative approach for the sensitive detection of carbohydrates is to use electrochemical detectors. Since carbon electrodes exhibit no response to carbohydrates, metallic and metal-oxide-modified electrodes have been utilized instead by a number of research groups.6-21 The detection of carbohydrates at pmol levels has been achieved with electrochemical detection systems. A thin-layer-type flow cell is generally employed for electrochemical detectors. Since the stream flowing over a flat electrode surface in the cell has a 10-100μm thickness, only a small fraction of the analytes participates in the electrical response. To enhance the electrolytic efficiency, working electrodes made of bundled carbon fibers have been developed.22,23 An electrolytic efficiency of 100% was achieved for the oxidation of catecholamines with the electrode because of the extremely small dead volume of the cell and the large surface area of the electrode.22 Recently, a metal-coated hollow-fiber (MCH) has been developed by electroless plating.24 The MCH


Abstract: The use of green fluorescent protein (GFP) has exploded upon the molecular biology scene as powerful photophysical weapon for functional fluorescent tagging of proteins in vivo and in vitro. When removed from the protein, the chromophore, p-hydroxybenzylidenedimethylimidazolone (HOBDI), undergoes a drastic decrease in fluorescence, a result which has been postulated to arise from a cis-trans or "hula twist" in the excited state. This process is in competition with proton transfer. We have been examining the photophysics HBDI a view toward understanding the complicated photophysics. Such studies include modification of the basic chromophore to alter its photophysics, e.g., meta-HBDI, and site-directed mutagenesis of the protein to remove the proton relay S205. We conclude that the very fast internal conversion occurs because of a close proximity of the planar excited state to a funnel which is easily accessed by slight twisting. Fluorescent proteins related to GFP are also thought to undergo Z/E photoisomerization between fluorescent and dark states. The Z form ("cis") is the resting fluorescent form, while the E ("trans") form is non-fluorescent. Such proteins are also characterized by "blinking", that is, temporary conversion to a non-fluorescent form, which has been variously attributed to triplet formation, proton transfer, or cis/trans isomerization. The blinking phenomenon requires that isomerization, if involved, be thermally reversible. Tonge has measured the rates of thermal isomerization of the representative protein chromophore p-hydroxybenzylidenedimethylimidazolinone (HOBDI, X=OH) and obtained a barrier of 13.1 kcal/mol from an Arrhenius plot. For the reverse isomerization of the disfavored trans form, this barrier should be lower, allowing it to compete effectively on a kinetic timescale. Surprisingly, a high level ab initio calculation from Langhoff, et al, produces a barrier of 57 kcal/mol. The latter value Figure 1. wtGFP active-site structure. N