Summary Homeopathic treatment of long-lasting headaches is a big challenge for any skilled homeopath. In the USA, headaches affect more than thirty million people. We present here the outcome of unicist homeopathic therapy of primary headache. A simple score was established to evaluate the results of the homeopathic treatment, based on the Visual Analogue Score, the number of pain attacks, and the patients' ingestion of traditional drugs. Homeopathic amelioration followed Vijayakar rules. From 2007 to 2013, we observed 116 patients affected by headaches: only 39 fulfilled the eligibility criteria. These 39 patients suffered an average of nine pain attacks monthly. The average follow-up was of seventeen months. According to the SCORE, we observed no patients who worsened during homeopathic treatment (SCORE W), six patients were unvaried during therapy (SCORE I, 15.3 %), seven patients had a mild amelioration (SCORE MI, 18 %), eighteen patients had great amelioration (SCORE GI, 46 %) and eight were cured definitively by homeopathy (SCORE H, 20.5 %). A high percentage of patients reduced or stopped the use of painkillers and this is an important achievement. The percentage of 67 % of good results (SCORE GI plus H) seems encouraging. We conclude that unicist homeopathy in treating primary headache can reach formidable results, even the eradication of the pathology, which is almost impossible with traditional medicine.


Insect cell lines are widely used for basic and applied research in the fields of insect pathology, genetics, and molecular biology. In the present study, a new continuous cell line designated BmE-SWU3 was established from blastokinesis-stage embryos of the silkworm Bombyx mori (Furong strain). The primary culture was initially performed using Grace's medium supplemented with 20 % foetal bovine serum (FBS) at a constant temperature of 27 °C. The dominant cell type was round and spindle-shaped. Thus far, this cell line has been cultured continuously for 60 passages. The cell doubling time was approximately 3.0 days. The SSR profile of BmE-SWU3 differs from those of the silkworm BmE and BmN-SWU1 cell lines and from those of the Spodoptera frugiperda cell line Sf9 and the Drosophila cell line S2. However, the SSR profiles among the various passages of BmE-SWU3 were stable and identical. This new cell line was highly susceptible to Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV). Semi-quantitative RT-PCR indicated that the tissue-specific gene expression patterns were completely distinct from those of BmE and BmN-SWU1.


Proteins involved in the cell invasion of Microsporidia were mainly presented as a molecular mass of approximately 30 kD. In this study,we have compared the effect of extraction of total spore proteins from Nosema ceranae by two methods of unitizing boiling and alkaligermination,which show that the latter with solution consist of 0. 1 mol /L KHCO3 and K2CO3( pH=10.7) were preferred to be recommended rather than the former method. After that,protein bands with proximately 30 kD were recovered to conduct liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. By Mascot online searching for protein-coding genes database of N. ceranae,269 potential proteins were characterized and classified as translation and transcription proteins,ribosomal structural proteins,modified proteins,transforming proteins and molecular chaperones,etc. Among them,seven spore wall proteins and three polar tube proteins,which were considered to be the key factor during the cell invasion of Microsporidia,have also been identified. Further data analysis of polar tube proteins show that PTP1 and PTP2 gene from N.ceranae share the common syntenic character with that from other Nosema species. In addition,sequence divergence of spore wall proteins revealed that the SWP12 gene is more conserved than other six spore wall genes in Nosema species. Our studies offer the source to study the function of targeted proteins in N. ceranae that may take a role in affecting the host Apis mellefera.


There is growing concern over the environmental toxicity and workers' health issues due to the chemical baths and rinse water used in the hard chromium plating process. In this regard the significant hardening response of chromium to nitrogen ion implantation can be environmentally beneficial from the standpoint of decreasing the thickness and the frequency of application of chromium plating. In this paper the results of a study of nitrogen ion implantation of chrome plated test flats using the non-line-of-sight Plasma Source Ion Implantation (PSII) process, are discussed. Surface characterization was performed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES), and Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis (ESCA). The surface properties were evaluated using a microhardness tester, a pin-on-disk wear tester, and a corrosion measurement system. Industrial field testing of nitrogen PSII treated chromium plated parts showed an improvement by a factor of two compared to the unimplanted case.


A 72-year-old man presented with weight loss over 3 months in 2012. He had no history of alcoholism or hepatitis. The clinical examination was unremarkable. Results of a liver panel, including total bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransfer-ase, alkaline phosphatase, albumin, and prothrombin time, and a basic metabolic profile were within normal limits. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with contrast, performed before referral, revealed a solitary, solid mass in segments 7/8, with heterogeneous T2 hyperintensity and postcontrast enhancement and associated loss of flow void in the right hepatic vein (Figure 1). Multiphasic, contrast-enhanced, multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) revealed a 9-cm lesion (Figure 2) with arterial-phase hyperenhancement and portal venous-phase hypoenhancement (LI-RADS category 5). 1 As suggested by the MRI, the presence of an enhancing tumor thrombus extending into the right atrium was confirmed. An image-guided core biopsy revealed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The case was discussed by the multidisciplinary tumor board and, as the patient was outside the Milan criteria for liver transplantation, the consensus decision was to offer transhe-patic arterial chemoembolization (TACE), given the unfavorable risk-to-benefit ratio associated with resection.


In this article, I explore the witness of Mary Magdalene for its potential to contribute to discussions of survival and healing taking place in discourses of trauma. Through a reading of the Johannine text and an examination of Hans Urs von Balthasar's depiction of Mary's witness in Heart of the World, I claim that the obstructions of Mary's witness are constitutive of what it means to witness between cross and resurrection. Through her 'unseeing', she testifies to the unique configuration of divine love between death and life. Mary's witness not only provides an entrance into thinking about the experience of 'middleness' in trauma, it opens up a rich pneumatology in the wake of the cross.


We describe a low-cost personal computer-based generator designed to produce timing signals needed for the operation of visible or infrared focal plane devices and other electronic systems requiring a large number of complex parallel timing control signals with precise relative phase relationships. The implementation is a high-speed static memory digital board which can be programmed by copying the timing waveforms emanating from a commercial generator (e.g. Pulse Instruments PI-5800A, Interface Technology RS-690, etc.). This simple approach retains most of the desirable features associated with using a commercial timing generator such as flexibility and the use of user-friendly software for timing synthesis. The approach permits the implementation of timing generation to multiple focal plane devices, each operated by a unique local copying and replicating timing board, from timing data synthesized on a central commercial timing generator. As evidenced in our laboratory, this approach has resulted in a lower cost for operating multiple focal plane devices with little loss of flexibility and programmability.


College graduates are required to have the ability to solve problems creatively in order to face the global market of this decade. To evaluate the problem-solving skills of the graduates, there is a need to develop problem solving based assessment. This study aims to produce a problem solving based assessment to test the competence of the Department of Indonesian language and literature education graduates. The design of the study is research and development using the Delphi method; the steps of which are: (1) establishing a team of panelists from a collaborative team to share the graduates standard assessment blueprint  (2) discussing the assessment blueprint in terms forms and types (3) formulating the findings, (4) developing the product in the form of assessment packages, and (5) validating the product. The results of experts validation claim that this research has produced a problem solving based assessment to test the competence of the Department of Indonesian language and literature education graduates. The test has various forms and is suitable to measure high level competence. Due to the wide and deep coverage of the materials, the assessment is appropriate to measure the general competence of pre-service teacher candidates.   Keywords : test, competence test, graduates, problem solving


Fertility intentions are strong predictors of eventual fertility. Understanding fertility intentions, and consequent reproductive health services needs of people living with HIV/AIDS(PLWHA) is critical in the context of expanding antiretroviral treatment (ART) access. Yet little is known about the fertility intentions of PLWHA in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in general and slum settings in particular. Previous evidence on fertility intentions and HIV/ART in SSA is mixed, as well as being descriptive with little theoretical understanding. This study seeks to answer Two questions: 1. What factors affect fertility intentions among PLWHA? 2. How can our theoretical understanding of fertility intentions of PLWHA in the era of ART be improved?


Objective:To investigate the expression and function of matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2) ,matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9) and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) in endometriosis(EMs) ,and to investigate the relationship of MMP-2,MMP-9 and VEGF in the occurrence of endometriosis development. Methods:The expression of MMP-2,MMP-9 and VEGF in 36 cases of ectopic endometrium,36 cases of eutopic endometrial and 20 cases of normal endometrium were detected by two-step immunohistochemical method. Results:The MMP-2,MMP-9 and VEGF positive expression rate was 94.4%,91.7% and 91.7% respectively in the ectopic endometrium group,which were significantly higher than their counterparts in the eutopic endometrial group and the normal endometrium group(P0.05) ;there was not significant difference between the eutopic endometrial group and the normal endometrium group. Conclusion:Detection of MMP-2,MMP-9 and VEGF expression can be used to determine EMs invasion,metastasis and prognosis' evaluation.


Banks differ from non-financial institutions, given the nature of their business they can create huge problematics on the financial system in case of failure. This dissertation deepens the theme of governance and its possible effects on the performance of italian banks. It focuses in particular on the effect of gender diversity, employing an empirical analysis to retrieve similarities and differences with the relevant literature.


An indirect ELISA was developed to detect antibody against IBRV using purified recombinant gD protein of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (IBRV) expressed in E.coli as coating antigen, designated as gD-ELISA. The recombinant gD protein antigen was highly specific and had no cross-reaction with the positive sera of other bovine diseases. The assay had about 85% consistency with neutralization test. Test on 2012 serum samples collected from eleven provinces in China showed that the gD-ELISA detected 46.0 % (926/2012) positive. Comparison to whole virus ELISA, the agreement rate, sensitivity and specificity of gD-ELISA had 91.9 %, 94.2 % and 90.2 % consistency.


The third chapter describes the history of Cuban politics in the United States, their recent transformations, and how they have impacted musical production and interaction. The politics and musical prominence of Cuban exiles in Miami has resulted in a range of reactions to Cuban musicians in South Florida ranging from controversy to acceptance. Divisive Florida performances are contrasted with appearances by Cuban artists elsewhere in the country. The National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba's first tour of the United States in 2012 featured a range of repertoire by Cuban artists, European romantic composers, Gershwin, and more that represented a call for increased US-Cuban musical interaction.


The moon produced a substantial crust semi-conterporaneously w i th planet a r y formation dur ing an "event" o f global d i f f e r e n t i a t i o n o f a l l reservoirs sampled. By contrast, the f rac t iona l volume o f the t e r r e s t r i a l crust i s an order o f magnitude smaller than the moon's, c rus t i s s t i l l being created and recycled, and r e l a t i v e l y und i f fe rent ia ted reservoirs s t i l l ex ist . The p r i mordial d i f f e r e n t i a t i o n o f the earth i s incomplete and s t i l l i n progress.


We live today in the most radical of times. Humanity is fighting at this moment over the content of that new civilization. Those who lose heart on the very eve of a new generation of change should remember that it is not a matter of a political victory on this or that day, or even this or that decade. It is not an economic program, a recipe. It is a moral and intellectual reformation, the creation of a new civilization. Michael Harrington Introduction The statement that "life is changing too quickly and everything is out of control" has the ring of a tired cliche. Yet, if there is one label that has been attached to this cliche and one notion that attempts to come to terms with what Fredric Jameson describes as a "change in the structure of feeling," it is "postmodernism." Among other things, this essay argues that the most pressing problem for social economics today is what is here called "the postmodern drift" of capitalism. From the vast array of urgent social issues -- including increasing poverty, sexism, increasing inequality, the collapse of soviet society, racism, deindustrialization, and environmental decay -- social economists would have difficulty prioritizing even a short list. Each of these problems demands our attention if we are to do social economics (see Dugger, 1977, and Stanfield, 1979). But viewed in a broader context, from the perspective of the reproduction of society as a whole as suggested by Stanfield and Dugger, these problems are linked to the fundamental postmodern changes now taking place on an increasingly global scale. They do not all derive from or reduce to a common source. But recognizing that they are all part of the global transformation of capitalism that we term postmodernism is essential if we are to develop strategies for their amelioration. We can study them separately, but we need a context for interpretation. With this in mind, the following comments are premised on the notion that we must acknowledge that we are living through a period of structural change -- the postmodern drift of capitalism. Much of it is induced by the high technology revolution currently underway, and it is, paradoxically, producing both greater insecurity and greater means for self-expression and, most importantly, "social heterogeneity." What is taking place is the development of postmodern consumer capitalism. It is still capitalism, and it is still consumer-based in the sense that the guiding ideological pillar is that "the good life is the goods life." It is not a revolution, but like the shift from competitive capitalism to monopoly capitalism (i.e., consumer capitalism) that occurred by the beginning of the twentieth century, the postmodern drift today has significant cultural spinoffs connected with it. One would not want to say that high tech developments are driving this cultural shift within capitalism, but as Stanfield maintains, "social problems and their institutional, historical origins usually stem from the frictions generated by institutional fixity and technological change. Moral philosophy and the place of economy in society are interrelated with the state of productive apparatus and the extent of human knowledge" (Stanfield, 1979, p. 120). This is a period where technological change is definitely influencing institutional adjustments. In general, the high tech revolution has fostered an increasingly integrated, self-regulating, competitive, and highly globalized world market system. The "globalization of production" and "the new international economic order" are two of many labels now being suggested for this development (see Soja, 1989, p. 160, for an interesting taxonomy of labels). The self-regulating character of highly mobile world markets has then undermined the three pillars of US consumer capitalism that have helped to provision security and stability for the last half century. The three pillars of stability in the old "Fordist" order of consumer capitalism were 1) US global dominance, 2) the welfare state, and 3) the negotiated wage system. …


Since 1980s, liberal (or general) education in American university is facing with more and more heartless attacks coming from the right-wings or neo-conservatism, and this also causing the libertarians and left-wings strong rebound. As a result, a phenomenon named "culture war" also emerged in the field higher education. Though new conservatism is not in domain position of American intellectual circles , under the present specific social background of U.S.A., the influence that Bush of government prone to obviously conservatism exerts in the field of education can't be neglected. The educational spirit of liberal(or general) education which is still in domain position is also difficult to keep itself in American university.


The introduction of low–waste and waste–free technologies is an actual development direction for oil and gas enterprises, in particular for oil refineries. Development of methodological approaches to the analysis and synthesis of complex energy systems in order to increase the efficiency and environmental safety of the objects under study through the introduction of low–waste and waste–free technologies, the implementation of technological cycles close to closed. The solution of the task is carried out in accordance with the basic principles of the system analysis of complex objects, in stages: analysis of the structure of the object using the decomposition–aggregation approach; determination of internal and external links between the elements of the system; determination of the regularities of the functioning of the object and the complex of influencing factors. A block–hierarchical structure of an oil refining enterprise has been developed, which establishes quantitative and qualitative links between the elements of the system at all levels of the hierarchy. A system of performance indicators is proposed, in accordance with which an assessment is made of the current state of the object under study. The most energy–intensive production facilities of an oil refining enterprise have been determined, their exergy balances, have been calculated. The analysis made it possible to assess the potential for increasing environmental and energy efficiency, the main directions for the implementation of low–waste and waste–free technologies. Science–based directions for improving environmental safety and energy efficiency of the object of study are determined. Several options for schemes are proposed, an assessment of the energy and technical and economic efficiency of the integration of the proposed solutions into the energy complex of oil refineries is carried out. The results obtained confirm the feasibility of integrating the proposed scheme in an existing enterprise.


Elaborated thinkings on the system design, constructions and functional requirements of the Intelligent-building training Base in a Vocational and Technical College, Discusses the construction of Practicalaspects.


clay seals of Kimmeridgean-Valanginian Aptian age to m Each of the three oil-gas provinces is independent. The chemistry of the oils is different, suggesting separate origin. faulting to break the seals between the complexes. Displacement on what few faults that are present is less than the thickness of the


e20544Background: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and toxicity of gefitinib as first or second line therapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with positive ...


With just over a week to go until the world's biggest cycle race descends on the county, pupils at a Harrogate school have been taking to two wheels to ...


Pritumumab is a human IgG1 kappa antibody that has been derived from a B-cell isolated from a regional draining lymph node of a patient with cervical carcinoma. Specificity analysis of the antibody with human tissues showed the antigen, altered tumor-associated vimentin, to be highly restricted to various cancers and not normal cells and tissues. In various clinical trials in Japan 249 patients with brain cancer were treated with pritumumab. The overall response rate was between 25-30% with several survivors beyond 5-years post-treatment. The patients were on a low dose regimen of 1mg given twice a week for a course of 24 weeks for a total dose of 48 mgs per course. Pritumumab appears to be a safe and effective therapy in patients with malignant gliomas.


Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the adherence to anti-diabetic medications among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) seeking medical care in the Gaza Strip, Palestine. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 369 primary care patients with type 2 DM from October to December 2016. Adherence to medications was measured using the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-4). Socio-demographic and clinical variables, provider–patient relationship, health literacy, and health belief were examined for each patient. Univariate, binary logistic regression and multiple linear regression were applied to determine the independent factors influencing adherence to anti-diabetic medications using SPSS version 22. Results Of all the respondents, 214 (58%), 146 (39.5%), and nine (2.5%) had high (MMAS score = 0), medium (MMAS score = 1 + 2), and low (MMAS score ≥ 3) adherence to anti-diabetic medications, respectively. Factors that were independently associated with adherence to anti-diabetic medications were as follows: female gender [odds ratio (OR): 1.657, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.065–2.578] and perception of disease's severity (OR: 1.510, 95% CI: 0.410–5.560). Elderly (t = 1.345) and longer duration of DM (t = 0.899) were also predictors of adherence but showed no statistical significance (p > 0.05). Conclusion The level of complete adherence to anti-diabetic medications was sub-optimal. New strategies that aim to improve patients' adherence to their therapies are necessary taking into consideration the influencing factors and the importance of having diabetes educators in the primary care centers.


The bladder hypertrophy caused by infravesical obstruction due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) often results in bladder dysfunction. Here we attempted to study morphometrically the histological changes in bladder detrusor with reference to extracellular matrix and to find the correlation of those changes with bladder hypertrophy. Ultrasound estimated bladder weight (UEBW) and urodynamic parameters were evaluated in 34 BPH patients (71.4±7.9 years) before surgery. Bladder wall samples were obtained at surgery and stained using Masson trichrome method and immunohistochemistry for collagen types I and III and fibronectin, followed by morphometric color image analysis system. UEBW, ratios of connective tissue−to−smooth muscle (c/m), collagen type III-immunoreactive area−to−collagen type I-immunoreactive area (collagen III/I) and fibronectin−immunoreactive area−to−non−immunoreactive area (f/n) ranged from 21.0 to 126.1g (47.9±25.4g), 12.9 to 53.3% (27.6±9.2%), 31.9 to 69.7% (46.5±8.0%) and 40.2 to 125.9% (59.8±15.9%), respectively. UEBW correlated with c/m (r=0.744, p<0.0001), collagen III/I (r=0.698, p<0.0001) and f/n (r=0.733, p<0.0001). Among urodynamic parameters, bladder compliance was the only one that correlated with c/m (r=0, 673, p<0.0001), collagen III/I (r=0.475, p<0.05) and f/n (r=0.590, p<0.001). These results suggest that an abnormal increase of connective tissue accompanied with increased levels of collagen type III and fibronectin could contribute to advanced bladder hypertrophy with a loss of elasticity of the bladder wall in patients with infravesical obstruction.


As part of the Pier 300 42-acre site ground modification project, a field test of vacuum-assisted preconsolidation of hydraulic fill was studied. The objective of the test was to assess the feasibility of this technology as an alternative or supplement to conventional surcharge techniques for ground improvement of future hydraulic fill sites at the port of Los Angeles. The test section was about 30×30 m 2 consisting of prefabricated wick drains capped with a geomembrane, a slotted pipe collector system embedded in a sand blanket beneath the geomembrane, an anchor trench and protective cover medium for the membrane, and a vacuum pump. Instrumentation included high air-entrainment piezometers to measure negative pore pressures, monitoring of the ground surface settlement and multi-point borehole extensometers for deep settlement measurements. Results indicate that, due to less than optimum site conditions, the efficiency of vacuum consolidation was about 50 percent, or equivalent to about 3 meter of surcharge fill at the test site. Under better conditions or with a more effective membrane seal, higher efficiency and greater equivalent surcharge heights can be achieved, making vacuum-assisted consolidation an economically viable alternative or supplement to mechanical surcharges.


OBJECTIVE:To explore the construction of medicine supply network of rural area under the New Medical Reform.METHODS:The content analysis method was used to analyze the effect of New Medical Reform on medicine supply terminal of ru-ral medicine supply network.RESULTS:New Medical Reform contributed to strengthen the role of rural medical institutions in the construction of rural medicine supply network.The role of rural medicine business entities in rural medicine supply had been weak-ened by New Medical Reform to certain extent.As a results,the medicine supply of rural areas depended too much upon rural medical institutions.The choice of drug purchase for peasant had been limited to harm the interests of peasant.CONCLUSION:The role of government should be played completely to standardize the behavior of medical institutions and enterprises and establish fair competition platform.It is the new context of the construction of rural medicine supply network under the New Medical Reform.


Social and liberation movements all over the world have acted on the premise that oppression is kept alive, among other ways, through psychological mechanisms. Feminist and critical race epistemologies such as "feminist standpoint theories" and "epistemological ignorance" suggest that there might be different forms of not knowing involved depending on the social location of the (not) knowing subject. In this paper we suggest that the concrete psychological mechanisms involved in not knowing or outright ignorance differ according to one's position in the social fabric of oppression and privilege. Drawing on various critical psychological and psychoanalytic reflections, as well as interpreting selected passages from a group discussion among elderly retirement home residents in Vienna, we illustrate how social position is translated into lack of knowledge about systems of oppression and privilege


How are racial-ethnic identity and acculturation processes linked, and when do they have positive consequences for academic achievement and assimilation trajectory? To address these issues this study integrates two frameworks—segmented assimilation (Portes and Rumbaut 2001) and racial-ethnic self-schema (Oyserman et al. 2003)—that focus on how immigrant and minority youth identify with their in-group and American society at large and link these patterns of racial-ethnic identity with academic outcomes. Segmented assimilation describes how context influences identity and subsequently assimilation trajectory, while racial-ethnic self-schema theory relates differences in identity content to academic achievement. Integration of the two frameworks provides a more robust model of identity influences across contexts. Predicted relationships within inhospitable contexts were tested using structural equation models connecting three measures of acculturation—immigrant generation in the United States, Spanish-use, and identity—to academic achievement of Hispanic youth (n = 185) living in low-income, urban neighborhoods. "Thick" in-group focused identities, and "thin" aschematic identities were associated with lower achievement, while bridging identities linking connection to one's in-group with overcoming obstacles in broader society were associated with positive outcomes. Endorsement of aschematic identities increased with generation in the U.S., suggesting that downward mobility is facilitated by "thin" rather than "thick" identities. Content of identity was the most important predictor of achievement.


KRAMER, MELANIE The extent to which "death and disgust" thoughts influence recall in survival processing scenarios. Department of Psychology, June 2012. ADVISOR: Daniel Burns Recently, researchers have found that survival processing enhances retention (Nairne, Thompson, and Pandeirada, 2007). This led the authors to speculate that our memory systems have been fine tuned to remember survival relevant information. One question that might be asked is what is it about thinking about one's survival that aids memory? As an extension of my previous research, this project examines the extent to which death and disgust influence recall in survival processing scenarios, determining whether or not death and disgust play a role in the memory enhancement associated with survival processing scenarios. There are four conditions in this study differing in the amount of death and disgust involved in each of the scenarios. The results of the study showed that there was no difference in retention between the four conditions, including the control condition. While a manipulation check determined that death and disgust was adequately manipulated, the recall results showed no effect of death and disgust on memory. This leads me to tentatively conclude that death and disgust is not one of the mechanisms responsible for the memory improvement seen in survival research. "DEATH AND DISGUST" PROCESSING 1 The extent to which "death and disgust" thoughts influence recall in survival processing scenarios Are human beings equipped to remember survival relevant information? In 2007, Nairne, Thompson and Pandeirada investigated the idea that memory systems may have evolved to help us remember information relevant to survival. They proposed that processing material, such as a list of words, in terms of its relevance to survival should improve retention if as they suggested, our memory systems have evolved to help us remember fitness relevant information. To test their hypothesis, they compared tasks focused on survival to control conditions unrelated to survival, but that have been previously shown to promote deep semantic processing. In their first experiment, participants were asked to rate 30 unrelated words on one of three different dimensions. In the survival condition, participants had to rate words in terms of how relevant they were to a survival scenario. In this scenario, participants were asked to imagine themselves being stranded in the grasslands of a foreign land without any basic supplies. The reason why the grassland scenario was used is because of the importance of ancestral environments in evolutionary reasoning; our brains contain numerous adaptations that are dedicated to helping us solve specific problems that arose in our ancestral past. Thus, these adaptations are likely to be most beneficial when the environment is most similar to the one in which the adaptation originally occurred (Cosmides & Tooby, 1992; Weinstein, Bugg and Roediger, 2008). In the second condition, the moving control condition, participants were asked to imagine they were planning to move to a new home in a foreign land and their task was to rate the relevance of each word to finding and moving to a new home. The final condition was a pleasantness rating condition which has been shown to be an especially effective deep processing condition (e.g. Hunt & Einstein, "DEATH AND DISGUST" PROCESSING 2 1981). The participants were asked to rate the pleasantness of each word. After a short period of distracter activity following the rating task, unexpected free-recall of the words was tested. Results showed that survival-based processing yielded the best retention. Their analyses additionally ruled out the possibility that the retention benefit was due to differences in the numerical ratings of the words or the amount of time required to rate the words. Nairne et al. (2007) proposed that our memory systems are predisposed to remember information that is relevant to survival. Since the publication of Nairne and colleagues (2007) study, the survival processing task has been compared to a wide number of control conditions. Nairne, Pandeirada, and Thompson (2008) compared survival processing to conditions that are universally accepted as producing superb retention. These included conditions in which participants were asked to rate words for their pleasantness, their image-ability, and their self-relevance. Some participants were also asked to study words with the intention of learning them for the purpose of being asked to recall them later, and some participants rated words for relevance to a vacation situation – a contextually rich, but non-survival related scenario. The overall results provided convincing evidence for the power of survival processing as a mnemonic aid. A condition that required a simple decision about the relevance of random words to a survival scenario produced significantly enhanced retention relative to standard deep processing controls and to contextually rich nonsurvival relevant controls. With this in mind, Nairne et al. (2008) concluded that survival processing is one of the best encoding procedures identified in human memory research. Kang, McDermott and Cohen (2008) compared the survival scenario to the planning of a bank heist. Participants in the robbery condition were told that they were in "DEATH AND DISGUST" PROCESSING 3 charge of leading the heist of a well-guarded bank and over the next few months they were to find people to help them, make a plan, and gather any necessary supplies. This condition was supposed to match the survival processing condition in terms of level of arousal, novelty, and media exposure. The results showed that the survival processing condition produced superior recall and recognition, suggesting that neither novelty nor arousal could explain the significant survival memory benefit. In the second experiment, Kang et al. (2008) demonstrated the same benefit of survival processing could be achieved when considering the survival of others. This shows that an explicit contemplation of one's own survival may not be necessary to produce the survival effect. Otgaar, Smeets and Van Bergen (2010) examined whether the recall advantage also holds for other classes of stimuli, such as pictures. If the survival processing effect is the result of an adaptive process, processing pictures should also create a mnemonic benefit since the latter proceeded the processing of language in human evolution (Paivio, 2007, as cited in Otgaar et al., 2010). Therefore, from an evolutionary standpoint, the survival effect might even be larger for pictures than for words. In their first experiment, participants were randomly allocated to a survival, moving, or pleasantness scenario identical to that used by Nairne et. al. (2007). However, half of the participants were presented with pictures instead of words to rate for their relevance to the respective scenario. Then, all participants were given a surprise recall test. Their findings showed that the survival recall advantage was present when pictorial stimuli were used, but pictures did not benefit more from survival processing than did words. Although pictures did not produce a larger effect than words, an effect was still present. Therefore, their results supported the general hypothesis that memory has evolved to favor fitness"DEATH AND DISGUST" PROCESSING 4 relevant information. The mnemonic benefit of survival processing appears to be a robust phenomenon, and this study further validates the functional–evolutionary approach to studying memory. Weinstein, Bugg, and Roediger (2008) suggested that evaluating words for their relevance to the survival scenario may produce greater schematic processing than does rating words for pleasantness or other scenarios that have been used. This schematic processing difference might be a reason why survival processing generates a significant memory improvement over all the other conditions used in previous research. To test this hypothesis they replicated the effect by comparing the ancestral survival condition to a city survival condition. The two scenarios involved were almost identical in wording except for two words. "In this task we would like you to imagine that you are stranded in the grasslands (city) of a foreign land, without any basic survival materials. Over the next few months you'll need to find steady supplies of food and water and protect yourself from predators (attackers)" (Weinstein et al., 2008). Their hypothesis stated that the ancestral condition should produce better retention if human memory systems have been shaped by evolution. Specifically, according to evolutionary reasoning, adaptations evolved to solve particular problems in particular environments, and thus those adaptations would be more beneficial (or efficient) in environments similar to those in which they evolved. Their findings supported this evolutionary perspective; the ancestral survival condition produced better memory than the modern survival condition. The results question the idea that the survival processing effect is due to a difference in the amount of schematic processing that occurs because both conditions were schematically the same. "DEATH AND DISGUST" PROCESSING 5 Nairne and Pandeirada (2010) further investigated whether ancestral environments produced a larger survival processing effect than more modern ones. In one experiment, participants were told to imagine they had been hurt and a dangerous infection might be developing. Their task was to search and find relevant medicinal plants in an attempt to cure the infection (the ancestral scenario) or to find relevant antibiotics (the modern scenario). In a second experiment, they asked participants to search for food by gathering edible plants in the grasslands (ancestral scenario) or imagine gaining needed nourishment by searching for and buying food in a city (modern scenario). Their findings wer


This paper attempts to examine how the policy rate as a monetary policy stance reacts to output and price level in Thailand during 2005Q1 and 2016Q2. An empirical relationship that characterizes the way the Bank of Thailand adjusts its policy rate to output growth and inflation is identified. Johansen ointegration technique and VAR methodology are used in the analysis. The results from the cointegration analysis show that there exists a long-run relationship of the policy rate with real GDP and prices. This long-run equation differs from the empirical Taylor-type rule. However, the result from short-run dynamics captures the short-run interest rate equation. The partial adjustment coefficient in the estimated interest rate equation is negative and highly significant, which indicates that any deviation of the policy rate from its equilibrium value is corrected by monetary policy actions. Furthermore, there is long-run causality running from inflation and economic growth to a change in policy rate. In the short run, economic growth negatively causes a change in the policy rate while inflation positively causes a change in the policy rate. Also, impulse response analysis from an unrestricted VAR model indicates that both output growth and inflation shocks cause fluctuation in the policy rate.


The effects of intermittent drying of normally saturated organic systems such as peatlands, swamps, or wetlands has not been reported quite as often as those of wetting and drying cycles of normally dry soils. We report here the effects of weekly drying and rewetting events on saturated woodchips used as denitrification bed. We used denitrification rates and gas effluxes as indicators of the response of normally saturated organic substrate to intermittent aerobic conditions. We used replicated eight upflow columns in the lab fed with nitrated water, and undergoing variable duration of intermittent aerobic conditions (none, 2, 8, and 24 hours) over a 400d experiment.  We used high-frequency sensors to measure in- and outflow nitrate and DOC concentrations on a 2-hour basis, from which we calculated denitrification rates. We also measured the CO2 and N2O effluxes in the headspace on an hourly basis. The results show a burst of respiration activity during drying events and for several days after rewetting. Isotopic data suggest that respiration was bacterial denitrification. Intermittent aerobic conditions seem to provide the conditions conducive to the generation of more and better quality DOC, which microbes use during subsequent saturated conditions. Our results suggest that intermittent aerobic conditions may have lasting impacts on microbial respiration in wetlands.


Single cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) is a rapidly advancing field which allows for the characterization of the cellular heterogeneity of gene expression profiles within a population. Cell cycle phase is a major contributor to gene expression variance between cells and computational analysis tools have been developed to assign cell cycle phase to scRNAseq datasets. Whilst these tools can be extremely useful, all have the drawback that they classify cells as G1, S or G2/M. Discrete cell phase assignment tool are unable to differentiate between G2 and M and continuous phase assignments tools are unable to identify a region corresponding specifically to mitosis in a pseudo-timeline for continuous assignment along the cell cycle. Bulk RNA sequencing was used to identify differentially expressed genes between mitotic and interphase cells isolated based on phospho-histone H3 expression using fluorescence activated cell sorting. The gene lists were used to develop a Modified Seurat Mitotic Sort (MoSMiS) methodology which can distinguish G2 and M phase cells in single cell RNA sequencing data. The phase assignment tools present in Seurat were modified to allow for cell cycle phase assignment of all stages of the cell cycle identifying a mitotic specific cell population.


ABSTRACT Smoking continues to be the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, and people with substance use disorders (SUD) smoke at higher rates compared to their non-using counterparts. Individuals with SUDs may have different emotional experiences and expectancies than those without. The current study explored the relationship between smoking and emotional experiences among residents in recovery homes, a population that little is known about regarding their tobacco addiction. Using ecological momentary assessment (EMA), significant emotional differences were found between nicotine users and nonusers. Implications of these findings could help in the development of interventions directed toward reducing smoking cessation.


Provide electrical conductivity and is excellent in strength and excellent in bending workability busbar-shaped conductive member and the bus bar is formed of a conductive material such. Plate-like busbar conductor consists of: using an Al alloy plate, the plate is an Al alloy containing Fe: 0.05 ~ 2.0 mass%, Si: 0.05 ~ 0.6 mass%, and Cu: 0.01 ~ 0.35 mass%, the balance consisting of Al Al alloy and unavoidable impurities hot rolling the obtained plate thickness (T) of 0.5 ~ Al alloy plate of 12mm, the plate-like busbar having a characteristic conductor: rolling a conductive state at a room temperature rate 55 ~ 60% IACS, a tensile strength of 170MPa or more, a yield strength of 155MPa or more and the inside of the bend radius of the bent 90 ° without cracking when the thickness (T); and at a temperature of 140 ~ 160 ℃ after the heat treatment within the retention time of 1000 hours, electrically conductive at room temperature was 55 ~ 60% IACS, a tensile strength of 160MPa or more, a yield strength of 145MPa or more.


Generation of context profile library N = 1 million training profiles of length l = 2d+1 were generated as described in the main text and Figure 2. Each training profile is represented by a count profile cn(j, x), which specifies the counts of amino acid x ∈ {1, . . . , 20} at position j ∈ {−d, . . . , d}. These counts are obtained by multiplying the sequence profile tn(j, x) by the effective number of sequences Nn(j) at position j in the alignment from which training profile tn(j, x) was calculated: cn(j, x) = Nn(j)tn(j, x) (see next section for details). Here, we describe how these N profiles are clustered in order to obtain a set of K context profiles which recur frequently among the training profiles and which together can describe all training profiles. More precisely, we seek to determine context profiles p = (p1, . . . , pK) and their prior probabilities α = (α1, . . . , αK) that maximize the likelihoodP (c|p, α) that the training profile counts c = (c1, . . . , cN ) were generated by the context profiles. We model the distribution of counts cn(j, x) in each column j by a multinomial distribution. Since cn(j, x) can be real-valued, however, we replace the factorials in the multinomial distribution by Gamma functions (n! = Γ(n + 1)). The probability for context profile pk to have emitted counts cn(j, x) (j ∈ {−d, . . . , d}, x ∈ {1, . . . , 20}) is


In the matrix product states approach to n species diffusion processes the stationary probability distribution is expressed as a matrix product state with respect to a quadratic algebra determined by the dynamics of the process. The quadratic algebra defines a noncommutative space with a SUq(n) quantum group action as its symmetry. Boundary processes amount to the appearance of parameter dependent linear terms in the algebraic relations and lead to a reduction of the SUq(n) symmetry. We argue that the boundary operators of the asymmetric simple exclusion process generate a tridiagonal algeb- ra whose irriducible representations are expressed in terms of the Askey-Wilson polynomials. The Askey-Wilson algebra arises as a symmetry of the boundary problem and allows to solve the model exactly.


A simple efficient algorithm is presented for an elasto‐plastic analysis of plate bending problems. The element is a mixed isoparametric plate element which includes three moment components as unknown variables at each node. This element is very simple to use and gives quite accurate solutions. Moreover, the presented algorithm makes a great contribution to reduction of the computing time.


Learning difficulties research within the frame of dyscalculia has proceeded so far, nevertheless, they seem to fail in providing an overall conceptual map of the deficit. This paper objective is to propose a new classification in reference to dyscalculia features noticed at various ages. Although, there are several approaches on dyscalculia features, algorithmic thinking ability deficits are not taken into consideration. Authors focus on problem solving and algorithmic thinking difficulties within the frame of dyscalculia.


This project aimed to understand experiences of stigma and discrimination for people experiencing problematic alcohol and other drug (AOD) use in Queensland. Specifically, the research examined:
• Experiences of stigma and discrimination;
• The potential for legislation to be stigmatising;
• The settings and sectors in which stigma and discrimination occur;
• The impacts of stigma and discrimination on health and wellbeing and in particular on recovery and the ability to reconnect with the community; and
• Circumstances where stigma is not experienced, and evidence of what works to address stigma and discrimination.


Simultaneous statistical inference has been a cornerstone in the statistics methodology literature because of its fundamental theory and paramount applications. The mainstream multiple testing literature has traditionally considered two frameworks: the sample size is deterministic, and the test statistics corresponding to different tests are independent. However, in many modern scientific avenues, these assumptions are often violated. There is little study that explores the multiple testing problem in a sequential framework where the test statistics corresponding to the various streams are dependent. This work fills this gap in a unified way by considering the classical means-testing problem in an equicorrelated Gaussian and sequential framework. We focus on sequential test procedures that control the type I and type II familywise error probabilities at pre-specified levels. We establish that our proposed test procedures achieve the optimal expected sample sizes under every possible signal configuration asymptotically, as the two error probabilities vanish at arbitrary rates. Towards this, we elucidate that the ratio of the expected sample size of our proposed rule and that of the classical SPRT goes to one asymptotically, thus illustrating their connection. Generalizing this, we show that our proposed procedures, with appropriately adjusted critical values, are asymptotically optimal for controlling any multiple testing error metric lying between multiples of FWER in a certain sense. This class of metrics includes FDR/FNR, pFDR/pFNR, the per-comparison and per-family error rates, and the false positive rate.


In this article, the "qissa of the first murder" (al-Maidah/27-31) is discussed methodologically in the point of classical tafsir sources and modern studies. The qissa consists of two elements which are the phrases "two sons of Adam" and the "crow's guidance to the murderer". In general, the commentators consider that the "Adam" indicates the Prophet Adam. The crow was sent to show how the body would be buried because the murder committed is the first murder on earth that does not know what to do with a dead body. In this general opinion, as well as the proofs of verses words and in-text contex elements, authentic ḥadiths, which are the main references of the tafsir, and narrations of companion and followers were taken into consideration. Along with other ḥadiths; especially it is seen that it is not possible to discredite the following ḥadīth narration of Masruq Ibn al-Ajda reported from Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud that is included in almost all authentic ḥadith sources as "no person is killed wrongfully, but a share of responsibility for his blood will be upon the first son of Adam, because he was the first one to kill". By adding the views of the companions, followers and the alliance of the ummah, it has become clear who the killer and victim are. In addition, the crow sent to show how to bury the dead body that confirms this view. Until the 20th century, it is seen that all of the commentators are in alliance on this view. The view referred to personalities such as Ḥasan al-Baṣrī and al-Ḍaḥḥāk is that the two people mentioned in the qissa are from children of Israel. However it is evident from other narrations of this view is not related to the idea that Adam and his wife were not the first human couple. Therefore, there is not an unique understanding of Adam that is accepted by everyone. In the explanations made by the commentators taken into consideration the different verses related to the subject. On the other hand, the literal meaning of the verses was taken as a basis and there was no need for taʾwīl because of any ambigious expression. These are also constitute the basic elements of the method followed in classical tafsirs. As for the evolutionist point of view; there is no such phenomenon as the first children of the first two people. Because in evolution, it is impossible to mention such a thing as the first two people. One of the dominant elements that shapes the modern exegesis understanding is this style of approach. According to the claim that the qissa's are symbolic, the verse statements are not important already. In this aspect, it is emphasized that both there is no reality of the story and is mentioned in reference to the Torah. But the similar story mentioned in the Torah, which is originally as divine, does not contradict its inclusion in the Qur'an as a truth. As a matter of fact, the Qur'an has been modifier and corrective as well as supplemantary and confirmative on the texts of Torah and Bible. In addition, the story of Abel and Cain in Torah is not mentioned the crow. According to the symbolist understanding, the Qur'an conveys a story that is claimed to be an imaginary product, and adds unfounded element to it during the transfer. This is a delusion that is not based on any evidence. It is certain that Allah, who knowledge encompasses everything and describes what is told in the Quran as truth, does not need to tell an imaginary story to show the guidance. Moreover, if the qissa of the first murder is symbolic, it means that the entire ummah, including the Prophet (pbuh) and the companions, has not understood this since 14th century which means that even mentioning this is absurd. The same inconsistent situation applies to evolutionist interpretations. As a result, after one of the two brothers killed the other; the killer did not know what to do the dead body, and finally learned from a crow that he should be buried. The literal expression of the verse refers to these two people as "two sons of Adam", and ta'wil on this issue is far from convincing unless there is a valid evidence. It is seen that both approaches, which are the product of modern times in terms of methodology of Qur'anic Exegesis, are not based on solid scientific basis and lead the way to different contradictions rather than solving problems.


Water-insoluble poly(ethylene oxide-b-e-caprolactone) (PEO-b-PCL) diblock copolymer (Mw = 1.71 × 104 g/mol and WPEO = 20%) was successfully micronized into small polymeric core−shell nanoparticles (micelles) stable in water via a microphase inversion method. Such formed PEO-b-PCL nanoparticles are biodegradable in the presence of Lipase PS (enzyme). The biodegradation of the PEO-b-PCL nanoparticles, actually, only the hydrophobic PCL core, was monitored by laser light scattering. The biodegradation extent could be influenced by both the copolymer and enzyme concentrations, while the biodegradation rate was mainly determined by the enzyme concentration. Using pyrene as an imitative drug and fluorescence spectroscopy, we have shown that hydrophobic drugs can be easily loaded into the PCL core in the micronization process, and the biodegradation of the PCL block results in the dissolution of the nanoparticles and the releasing of pyrene molecules because the PEO block is soluble in water. The potential biome...


Because of the large number of involved entities,the complexity of procedure and uncertainty of organization structure in national economic mobilization,it is required that the framework of National Economic Mobilization Simulation and Training System can adapt to major changes and of high flexibility.The current team training theories based on EBAT are lack of expansibility and reusability and it can't satisfy the demand of flexibility of national economic mobilization simulation and training.In order to solve the problem,a general framework of scenario generation and scheduling based on EBAT was proposed.At the same time,for the key issues like the description,generation and scheduling of training scenarios,the appropriate solution was proposed.The framework was designed with high flexibility and expansibility,and it also improves the reusability of the system.Through the use in national economy mobilization simulation and training system,the validity of the framework is well verified.


【Objective】Dynamic variation of protein and mechanism of nitrogen accumulation and degradation in southern fruit tress were studied in the experiment,and correlation analysis was conducted between nitrate nitrogen and protein metabolism to provide references for rational fertilization and scientific management of fruit trees. 【Method】Using the leaves of autumn shoots from three evergreen fruit trees: mango, longan and litchi as test material, total protein content and nitrate-N content in leaves during spring and summer were determined by Commassie Brilliant Blue Staining and Salicylic Acid methods, resepctively. 【Result】The results showed that the total protein content in the leaves of mango, longan and litchi all decreased firstly and increased afterwards with "V"type variation, the average protein content in leaves of three fruit trees followed the trend: longan (18.03 mg/g)mango(11.57 mg/g)litchi (2.53 mg/g). The nitrate nitrogen content in leaves of litchi and mango showed stable increasing trend, while that of mango decreased firstly and increased afterwards. 【Conclusion】There was no significant correlation between nitrate nitrogen and protein metabolism in leaves of southern fruit trees. The storage protein in leaves may be a key nitrogen source for fruit tree growth in early spring , its content variation could be reckoned as an importatn indicator for reasonable fertilization.


This paper presents the analysis and optimal design of a top-cap monopole antenna by using modal expansion analysis and a genetic algorithm. The accurate and efficient modal-expansion analysis is used to compute the electromagnetic fields and input impedance response of the proposed antenna. The effective emperor-selective genetic algorithm (EMS-GA) is used for automatic antenna design optimization. The optimally designed top-cap monopole antenna can achieve up to 95% bandwidth with VSWR/spl les/3.


ages entirely representing a histological/cytological slide at all possible magnification levels, coupled with all relevant clinical data. VCs can be viewed using a personal computer [4] which may act as a "microscope simulator" [3], allowing to "surf' the VC, just as we normally look at our glass slides on the microscope. A VC can be viewed selecting the more appropriate fields, freely and continuously moving from one field the next one, rapidly going from panoramic views to high resolution ones and vice versa. A VC can also contain all possible relevant clinical information, including clinical imaging data, additional histopathologic stains, molecular biology data, and so on. In other words, VC can completely substitute the original glass slide with the addition of a great deal of information which can be extremely useful in the diagnostic process. This new way to represent cyto/histological samples can have


Polytiophene (PTh) and it's derivatives are the polymer based materials with a π-conjugation framework. Pth is a useful photoelectric material and can be used in the organic semi conductor devices, such as PLED, OLED and solar cells. Based on molecular structure and property relationship (QSPR, QSAR). Pth contain different substituents in position 3 and 4 such as electron-donating or electron-withdrawing groups. All molecular geometries were optimized at BLYP/6-31G* level of theory. The energy Gap Eg between HOMO and LUMO level is related to the π conjugation in the PTh polymer backbone. In this study, the BLYP/631G*calculations were performed for the non-substituted and 3,4-substituted to investigate the stable geometries. The theoretical calculations show that substituted are stable and have a minor of Eg and have a good agreement with those of the experimental data.


The growth rate for the collisionless drift instability is calculated in a manner which elucidates the physical mechanism for the instability.


Formal verification is likely an alternative to check safety property of the system model. However, to design an abstract model of huge railway network manually may cause errors because of its complexity. This paper proposes an alternative to generate a formal railway network model from the building blocks of Timed Coloured Petri Nets. Instead of constructing the formal model of a railway network model from scratch using CPN Tools, we provide a set of predefined building blocks of the high-level railway network components, including a train station building block, a rail building block, etc. A set of mapping rules are provided to generate the high-level railway network in terms of building blocks, into Timed Coloured Petri Nets automatically. The resulting formal model is verified using CPN Tools to ensure the correctness, safety, and liveness of the formal railway network model.


Abstract We consider the equation ut − iΛu = 0, where Λ = λ(Dx) is a first order pseudo-differential operator with real symbol λ(ξ). Under a suitable convexity assumption on λ we find the decay properties for u(t, x). These can be applied to the linear Maxwell system in anisotropic media and to the nonlinear Cauchy Problem ut − iΛu = f(u) u(0, x) = g(x). If f(u) is a smooth function which satisfies f(u) ' |u| near u = 0, and g is small in suitably Sobolev norm, we prove global existence theorems provided p is greater than a critical exponent.


Socioeconomic status has been explored in a number of diseases in the past. Low socioeconomic status or class (LSS; LSC) was considered protective against the major non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. It was in contrast highly regarded to be a greater susceptibility factor to infectious diseases that are very prevalent in the resource poor countries. But LSC has largely been ignored in chemical exposure and toxicity which are on the increase in these countries owing to progressive industrialization. In light of the current spate of industrialization with increasing chemical utilization and chemical waste generation it appears desirable to examine the contribution of low socioeconomic class to increased chemical exposure and toxicity. It is noteworthy that the resource poor countries have the poorest regulatory policies and monitoring procedures of chemicals. Low socioeconomic class is often associated with poverty with attendant low nutritional status; including micronutrient deficiency disorders (MDDs) and reduced antioxidant status. This implies greater free radical burden implicated in many pathological processes including chemical toxicity. Optimum nutritional status may modify or mitigate chemical toxicity through the antioxidant hypothesis which can be highly achieved by LSC through health education. Increased susceptibility factors are associated with a raised disease burden or risk. Nutritional status may therefore modify susceptibility to chemical toxicity in LSC associated with nutritional deficiency states that may otherwise enhance vulnerability. Lead poisoning, a well-known toxicant occurs most frequently in disadvantaged populations; lead and iron share a common divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT-1). Iron deficiency, one of the commonest nutritional deficiencies is reported to enhance lead absorption and toxicity. Women and children are particularly vulnerable. Indeed, cognitive disorders caused by the coexistence of both nutritional deficiency and increased chemical exposure (double burden) have been described as a silent pandemic. Sub-optimal nutritional status from LSC may lead to reduced optimal health and development. Low socioeconomic status potentiates even relatively small risk factors, causing more marked contribution to disease when a huge population is involved. Most toxicants ATINER CONFERENCE PRESENTATION SERIES No: HEA2017-0027 3 from the environment are cumulative and could lead to high cost of health care and well-being in low socioeconomic class individuals and communities. It therefore seems rational for future investigations to examine low socioeconomic status in chemical exposure and toxicity as a possible useful approach to pragmatically formulate policies to creatively address the growing problem of chemical exposure and toxicity in industrializing developing countries.


Auteur(s) : Bruno MUELLER, Raphael STADELMANN, Emanuel CHRIST, Peter DIEM Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Bern, Inselspital, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland  Reprints: B. Mueller Tel: +41 31 632 4070 Fax: +41 31 632 8414 E-mail: bruno.muellerinsel.ch Recently, Schiffner et al. evaluated safety and efficacy of synchronous balneophototherapy using narrowband UVB and bathing in Dead sea salt solution for patients with atopic dermatitis [1]. The authors concluded, [...]


In this article we draw on 'practice wisdom' to reflect on the development of interprofessional partnerships for older people in a metropolitan borough in North West England. We suggest that most interprofessional partnership working continues to sit outside mainstream services, and that integration and seamless service remain a significant challenge. We focus on local plans for service reconfiguration ('Go Integral') and their likely implications for non‐traditional services such as intermediate care and falls prevention. Finally, we show how social care and social work values can be used to glue the system together so that it becomes easily accessible and meaningful to older people.


In January 2003, a blue ribbon panel appointed by the National Science Foundation and led by Dan Atkins, of the University of Michigan, completed a report called 'Revolutionising Science and Engineering through Cyberinfrastructure'.2 This report is a kind of provocation for the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) Commission on Cyberinfrastructure for the Humanities and Social Sciences, and there is a lot of other activity of this sort, going on right now —for example: Digital Archiving and the National Archives and Records Administration;3 NSF 'Post Digital Library Futures' report;4 NRC 'Beyond Productivity' report (2003);5 The United Nations World Summit on the Information Society.6


Abstract The incidence of total hip arthroplasty (THA) is dramatically increasing, placing a financial burden on the health care system as a whole. These economic challenges have inspired innovation in health care and spurred the implementation of value-based-care models. In this new health care environment, it is imperative to develop strategies that reduce cost while maintaining quality. The authors developed an implant selection guideline system for THA based upon a ratio of patient body mass index (BMI) to age. Patients are divided into either a high, medium, or standard demand category based on a BMI/age ratio of > 0.60, 0.60–0.41, and < 0.40, respectively. Retrospectively, the authors reviewed surgical reports of 1,990 patients who underwent primary THA at their institution from January 2012 to March 2014 to identify the type of implants utilized and analyze the potential cost impact of implementing this standardization system into clinical practice. Of 701 standard demand patients, 31.2% received higher cost implants than their demand necessitates under their model. A 16.5% of the 892 medium demand patients received high demand implants. High and medium demand implants cost 21.1 and 10.5% more than standard demand, respectively. Collectively, application of the BMI/age ratio would have resulted in a 2.2% reduction in overall THA implant cost and 15% if high demand implants had been used in every patient. Implementation of a BMI/age ratio for THA implant selection will reduce costs. This strategy may allow hospitals to more accurately predict and control future costs which is of growing importance in today's bundled payment and value-based-care environment.


Brazil is able to lead the production of bioenergy and the worldwide market. Among the
several options from biomass, the sweet sorghum distinguishes itself as a raw material with
potential for economically viable production of bioethanol. The objective of this study was
the characterization of genotypes through biometric evaluations, performed at two harvest
times. The research was conducted in the experimental area of the FEP / FCAV / UNESP, in
the agricultural year 2011/2012. The experimental design was split plot, with two main
treatments (genotypes: CVWS80147 and BRS610) and two secondary treatments (harvest
dates: 02/21/12 and 03/23/12) with three replications. Was analyzed the plant height, stem
diameter at base and tip, and numbers of leaves. From the results obtained, it can be
concluded that the genotype CVWS80147 distinguished itself by having plants about 35%
more in length than BRS610 . Ninety-nine days after seedling (03/23/12) is observed best
results.


Written over the last two years and mostly set in Southern and Western landscapes, these poems explore family wounds, masculinity, work, memory located in landscape, rootedness, and the dualistic nature of music as haunting and healing.


This paper describes and compares the application of two alternative approaches to the identification of linear systems from input-output data. The first approach is based on fitting input and output data by sums of exponentials and deriving both the system structure and the parameter values from the resulting functions. The second approach is based on assuming a differential-equation structure and finding only the parameter values from the given data. The relative advantages, disadvantages, and computational aspects of both approaches are discussed with reference to a specific biological problem. The results are applicable to a variety of engineering and scientific problems described by systems of first-order linear differential equations.


Pneumatic slip replace the traditional slip with the virtue that it have reasonable structure,easy operation,safety at work etc.,The pneumatic slip applied more widely.This paper elaborate the structure and working principle of the pneumatic slip.Analyzing the slip body and drill stems in working state though finite element.The results show that the pneumatic drill pipe slips can clamp the drill pipe well without crushing,the slip body has a little deformation,will not damaged.This paper verified the working safety and reliability of pneumatic slip.


The following article deals with the absurdity in a discret fractal paradigm. Absurdity is complement to the coded mentality, culture and language. This semantic category is based on a disruption of isomorphic relation between the thought and the world, the syntagmatic and the paradigmatic relations in the text. Absurdity creates a new, strange vision of the world.


A cremone driver, particularly for use in an opening window or door. The driver has first and second racks 62, 64 oppositely driven upon rotation of a primary pinion 70, the primary pinion being engaged only with the first rack 62, with a secondary pinion 74 between the first and second racks to transmit drive from the first rack to the second rack. The teeth of the primary piston are arranged so as to prevent the primary piston being rotated from its locking condition by pressure from a rack. An improved cockspur type bolt 202 and mounting are disclosed, to provide multi-point locking, see fig. 23. Bolt 202 rotates to engage the frame of the door or window as in a cockspur, whilst the espagnolette bolts move rectilinearly.


Much of the most valuable GP experience for registrars comes from the ad hoc information gleaned in the 'corridor'. (non-author abstract)


This research was supported by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) and the Ministry of
Science and Technology (National Research Laboratory Program) in Korea. These supports are
gratefully acknowledged.


This 90-minute workshop will train participants on how to employ Google Docs as a resource for eliciting learner interaction and collaboration. The first part of the workshop will demonstrate sample tasks and materials from an ESL speaking and listening class. Following the demonstration, the workshop will include a hands-on guide to using Google Docs. Participants will have a chance to develop their own materials, and we will hold an open discussion on ideas and approaches for harnessing these tools in language learning.


One way to overcome undeveloped scientific process skills is by applying Problem Based Learning (PBL). PBL is a learning model that stimulates authentic problems for students to have Science Process Skills (SPS). This study aims to develop learning tools based on Problem Based Learning (PBL) on Environmental Pollution materials that are visible to be used to train students' Science Process Skills. The feasibility of learning is assessed based on validity, practicality and effectiveness. The type of research used is development by applying a 4-D model which includes the stages: Define, Design, Develop and Disseminate with extensive trials using the One group pretest-posttest design and tested on 15 students of class VII SMP Negeri 2 Gondang, Mojokerto Regency, for the 2020/2021 academic year. The data analysis technique used descriptive analysis or afferential statistic analysis. The results showed (1) the learning tools developed in the form of syllabus, lesson plans, worksheet, test about science process skills were included in the very valid category because have average≥ 3.60 . (2) The learning device shows practicality seen from the implementation of each activity which has a very good category and has a reliability coefficient > 75%, student activities also show a very valid category and statistical tests of the relationship and influence with the SPS value get sig 0.80, the item sensitivity value is > 0.75, and the student's response shows an average of > 81% with a very good category. Based on the results of data analysis, it can be concluded that PBL-based learning tools on environmental pollution materials to train junior high school science process skills are valid, practical and effective to use learning activities in class.


Frequent use of synthetic hair care products and overuse of grooming results in damaged hair. This leads to growing demand for natural hair care products. Many synthetic harsh chemicals in liquid shampoo leads to dry and damaged hair. An attempt was made to formulate a conditioning shampoo bar with safflower oil. The nutrient rich, weightless oil imparted good conditioning and smoothness to rough hair surface indicated by SEM studies of treated hair with conditioning shampoo bar containing 5% oil. Formulated shampoo bars are found to have various desirable properties like moisturizing, conditioning and nourishing effect on the dry and damaged hair with good grooming, luster, manageability and shine.


In this study, we propose a novel surface property measurement technique using noncontact atomic force microscopy (NC-AFM), which is referred to as the "dissipative force modulation (DM) method." NC-AFM-based surface property measurements have mostly utilized conservative tip-sample interaction forces, which induce a frequency shift of cantilever resonance without dissipating cantilever vibration energy. In the DM method, local surface properties are measured by detecting a modulated dissipative tip–sample interaction force which dissipates cantilever vibration energy and hence induces an amplitude variation in cantilever vibration. Since the force sensitivity to dissipative interactions obtained in a typical NC-AFM setup is much higher than that to conservative ones, the DM method can improve the sensitivities of conventional NC-AFM-based techniques that utilize conservative interactions. Combining this method with Kelvin-probe force microscopy, we present the first quantitative surface potential measure...


The effects of structural distortion on charge transport, crystal defects and relaxor response are studied for corundum-type (Mg1−xCox)4Ta2O9 (x = 0–0.5) ceramics. XRD analysis reveals that A-site substitution takes place up to x = 0.3, whereas further increasing the Co concentration causes a charge imbalance to be created by heterovalent substitution of Co3+ in place of Mg2+. In order to maintain the charge neutrality, B-site substitution takes place for x = 0.4 and 0.5. This paper has established a relation between polyhedral distortion and the conduction mechanism in ceramics. Impedance measurements were made on the prepared samples over a wide range of temperatures (30–450 °C) and frequencies (100 Hz to 1 MHz). Heterovalent A-site substitution and cationic vacancies gradually increase the polyhedral distortion, leading to a decrease in the activation energy for the conduction process. B-site substitution reduces the cationic vacancies and strengthens the activation energy. For samples having x = 0.1–0.4, the barrier-hopping mechanism dominates, whereas for x = 0 and 0.5, the polaron conduction mechanism plays the dominant role in the ac conduction process. Moreover, the samples having x = 0.1 and 0.2 exhibit an additional quantum tunnelling process at low temperatures due to the inadequacy of the energy for ionic conduction. In complex electric modulus analysis, broad peaks are observed in the M′′ versus frequency plots, which are ascribable to the existence of several potential minima for central cations within the octahedron.


The invention discloses an information display device and an information display system, which can efficiently provide information to a plurality of user in a short time. The information display device (3) is arranged inside at least one of the elevator lift car (2) or the elevator hall and displays information to the elevator passengers. The elevator information display area (31) displays the at least one of the position of the elevator lift car (2) or the target floor information, a content switching area (32) for switching the content provided to the elevator user and displaying and a content ordinary displaying area (33) for displaying the content of the elevator user; the content switching display area (32) displays news, the content ordinary display area (33) displays the moment (33a) and the weather icons.


This paper derives from the study of confiscated texts in the Iraq Museum. Here we publish an Umma tablet with the accession number IM 205090, a square school text with three columns on one side and a single one on the other that lists the distribution of very large quantities of silver to various people; it concludes with an invocation to the goddess Nisaba by the learner, who describes himself as an apprentice scribe.


A continuous process for the partial oxidation of meth ane to produce mixtures of formaldehyde and methanol wherein methane and an oxidizing gas are reacted in a reaction zone in the form of a flame and the resulting reaction mixture is cooled followed by separation of the resulting products, is further improved by controlling the velocity of the oxidizing gas so that it is 50 to 300 meters per second higher than the methane gas with the methane gas being introduced in a velocity of from 1 to 15 meters per second. Also, the stream of methane gas has a volume that is 3 to 100 times greater than the volume of the stream of oxidizing gas introduced into the reaction zone,


 Abstract : This paper presents a method for the maximization of Renewable energy production at the Prosumer (Seller) premises considering the technical constraints, enabling energy sharing with the neighbors in a prosumer based community. In this method a transaction is simulated between the Prosumer (Seller) and Prosumer (Buyer) and between Prosumer (Seller) and consumer by the aggregator and the number of congested lines / cables is identified to determine the optimal energy sharing pair. The technique has been tested on a benchmark low voltage distribution system and the results are


We report the case of a 25-year-old HIV-negative man with disseminated multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDRTB), who-on a retreatment regimen-experienced total resolution of TB miliary disease, but progressive TB meningitis. Therefore, intrathecal treatment with amikacin and levofloxacin was instituted, with successful clinical and microbiological results.


The transfer tool is provided with the implant unit. Implant unit transfer tool main body, and configured to place the distal end of the body and configured to receive power from the holder, and a power unit configured to support the implant may include an actuator coupled to the implant body. Implant actuator is selectively power the implant unit, from the selectively wirelessly transmitting power to the implant unit from the power source during implant the implant unit into the body of the patient by causing the adjustment of the at least one nerve in the body of the patient, and the power as it may be configured to determine the degree of the nerve controlling the reaction that appears as a result of radio transmission.


Iron-complex deposits were identified in humanized sickle cell disease mouse splenic tissue by multi-photon microscopy (MPM) using intrinsic fluorescence. MPM emission spectra and morphological features were quantitatively compared to standard histological methods.


The evolution of mental health mental health information system has produced systems which are oriented towards administrative and fiscal applications. This paper discusses a case example of such a system and considers strategies to improve the clinical relevance of such a system. Current plans for system enhancements are considered including on-line treatment planning, discharge summaries and resource inventories. Historkal Perspective In various settings around the United States, mental health information systems have been in use since the early 1970's. A variety of forces converged to cause mental health organizations to begin using computers. The dominant factors were administrative and financial. That is, calls for accountability increasingly demanded high speed processing well beyond the capacity of manual systems. Similarly the funding of the 1960's which infused large sums for community mental health programs began to shift to systems which required the generation of detailed claims for service. The shift in funding patterns and the demands for more accountability fueled the need for automated information processing. Information systems often were developed to separately pursue the goals of financial reimbursement and accountability. Systems which were fiscally oriented followed a common model of a billing system which tracks services and limited diagnostic information. Claims for services were prepared and the focus of such systems was clear: Generate revenue in order to maintain the service delivery system. Other systems were developed around models for management reporting and program evaluation and research. Such systems were often filled with extensive client information, rating scales and profiles. This information was used for management reporting, research studies and focused inquiries about the nature and effectiveness of programs. Financial information typically resided on a separate system. Permission to copy without fee all or part of this material is granted provided that the copies are not made or distributed for direct commercial advantage, the ACM copyright notice and the title of the publication and its date appear, and notice is given that copying is by permission of the Association for Computing Machinery. To copy otherwise, or to republish, requires a fee and/or specific permission. Q 1990 ACM 089791-403-1190/0009/0093...$1.50 Very few systems in the early years offered an integrated approach which used a common database for both fiscal and administrative/research purposes. With the benefit of 20 years of hindsight it would appear that the limitations of early databases and software contributed to this split of functions. Early systems were difficult and costly to change. Consequently the design process could not easily incorporate fluid and changing system requirements. Systems became "fiscal" or "research/evaluation" oriented. Since the systems needed to be extensively defined in advance, their character became relatively fixed. Frequently the systems would be administered by a fiscal department or a research and evaluation unit. Integration of functions were limited. R was not uncommon for a mental health organization to maintain a billing system and a separate system for research/evaluation/administration. As new more flexible relational database technologies have developed, so to have the opportunity for systems which integrate fiscal and administrative needs. FiscalAdministrative systems have become the norm and the expectation of large mental health service delivery systems. The purpose of most systems, however, remains primarily fiscal and administrative. Data is used to generate revenue, produce reports for various entities such as government, regulators, funding sources and licensing authorities. In a smaller number of settings, program evaluation research continues but has been severely curtailed as funding for such efforts has been drastically curtailed. Productivity analysis has replaced program evaluation research in many locations. Coincidental with the integration of fiscal and administrative functions, there has been growing interest amongst clinicians and researchers in the use of information systems by clinicians. Integrated information systems currently can offer immediate benefits to clinicans at the front lines of service delivery. For example, the same data on patient services which generates a bill or a productivity report can also be used for building a precise clinical history. As clinicians begin to have more exposure to computer technology they have begun to take the initiative to draw on the resources of the computer to aid in the clinical process. A new goal is emerging to add a new dimension to integrated mental health systems. The next generation of systems will be Fiscal-Administrative-Clinical. CASE STUDY Santa Clara County


Directed service is an emergency procedure by which ICC is authorized to assure continued operation of a railroad which might otherwise not serve shippers for reasons including physical blockages, traffic overloads, congestion of facilities, court-ordered cessation of service, or lack of funds. Largest, and most costly in terms of Federal funds, was directed-serve operation of much of the Rock Island by Kansas City Terminal from October 1979 until March 1980. After that date segments of Rock Island were operated under directed service by individual railroads, often prior to formal acquisition of the lines from RI trustee.


Infertility is a major problem that directly affects many people worldwide. In recent years, fertility rates have decreased by up to 15% in young men. Changing living conditions, stress levels, environmental factors and nutritional habits play an important role in infertility. This paper suggests a novel method to estimate semen quality from lifestyle, environmental factors and daily habits using radial basis function neural networks. The accuracy of the suggested method was measured as 90%. The results show that the proposed method can be applied as a practical, fast and cheap alternative method to laboratory tests.


A photomask blank and/or photomask includes a light transmitting substrate, a highly reflective material layer disposed on the light transmitting substrate, and a transfer pattern layer disposed on the highly reflective material layer. The highly reflective material layer reflects light to be transmitted through the light transmitting substrate, with a predetermined reflectivity.


Intraoral or pharyngeal air pressure data obtained during production of normal consonants would be useful in reassessing the role of intraoral or pharyngeal air pressure in articulation problems of speakers with velopharyngeal incompetence. The literature related to the examination of intraoral or pharyngeal air pressure is reviewed.


In Japan speed tests in 300km/h region have been carried out since Oyama Test Line recorded a 319km/h run in 1979. Meanwhile TGV recorded a 515.3km/h run by an electric locomotive installed with a pantograph in 1990 and ICE did 406.9km/h using similar train in 1988. High speed current collection tests over 400km/h using electric railcars have been desired in Japan. Problems of high speed tests are: train speed approaching wave propagation velocity, multi-pantographs resonance, and too large uplift of contact wires caused by lift. It is necessary to keep wave propagation velocity of contact wire higher than train speed. CS contact wire and TA contact wire were compared in high speed tests because it was impossible to get a good current collecting performance by using hard-drawn copper contact wires. In December, 1993 using these contact wires we carried out high speed running tests of 400km/h region on Jyoetsu Shinkansen with the test train STAR 21 which JR EAST built for high speed tests. This paper gives the current collecting performance of these contact wires predicted by simulation and running tests at 425km/h.


The paper aim is to prepare using fast pulse electrodeposition a new type of biomimetic coating with hydroxiapatite (HA) and silver nanoparticles (nAg) on Ti6Al4Zr alloy.The hydroxiapatite acts as an agent of osseointegration and silver nanoparticles have an antibacterial effect. Silver nanoparticles were characterized using dynamic light scattering instrument to determine the size distribution. The electrodeposition takes place at 40 o C and the electrolyte was an aqueous solution of Ca(NO3)2 and NH4H2PO4. HA/Ag nanocomposite coatings were prepared by adding AgNO3 and cysteine in electrolyte. The morphological and elemental analysis of the new coating on the Ti6Al4Zr surface were performed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electro microscopy (TEM) and energy disperse spectroscopy (EDS). Antibacterial activity was evaluated from the inhibition of Escherichia coli bacteria.


In this paper, we investigate the coexistence issue of two type of ultra-wideband (UWB) systems under IEEE 802.15.3a, i.e. Direct-Sequence UWB and MultiBand-Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing UWB. The mutual interference of such coexistence scenarios is analyzed by physical layer Monte Carlo simulations. We observe severe and asymmetric performance degradation due to the mutual interference between the two systems. Therefore, we propose the goodput-oriented utility-based transmit power control (GUTPC) algorithm to improve the performance. The feasible condition and the convergence property of GUTPC are investigated, and the choice of the coefficients is discussed for fairness and efficiency. Numerical results demonstrate that GUTPC improves the goodput of the coexisting systems effectively and fairly.


The paper is an overview of the selected results of the authors devoted to a solution of two problems by I. T. Kiguradze concerning to existence of nonoscillatory proper Kneser and strongly increasing solutions of the Emden – Fowler equation. Some new exact conditions of existence and asymptotic estimations of such solutions are given.


In his 1952 autobiography, Witness, Whittaker Chambers, the former communist and star witness of the House Committee on Un-American Activities, detailed the social and economic conditions in the Western world that had led many individuals, including him, to betray their own democratic societies. Challenging oft-repeated claims made by conservative politicians that political deviance was caused by lax educational standards or by permissive child-rearing practices, Chambers argued that the appeal of totalitarianism rested in the failure of the project of modernity itself. Borrowing his language from Henry Adams, Chambers argued that communism was merely a symptom of a world in which the Virgin as a symbol of religious wonder had been replaced by the dynamo as a symbol of technological advancement. Modernity, according to Chambers, had stripped away all metaphysical support for morality and religion. Chambers was not alone in his diagnosis of the failures of American society. Commentators from both sides of the political spectrum, including historian Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., and psychologist Erich Fromm, similarly argued that the advanced stages of modernity— monopoly capitalism, rapid technological changes, and a powerful national security state—had caused many individuals to seek relief from their psychological malaise by sacrificing themselves to radical political movements. The Cold War, in this regard, was for many, even those who did not share Chambers's antimodernism, a product of longstanding transformations within Western society. Only recently have historians followed Chambers's lead and begun to situate the Cold War within the larger framework of modernity. For decades, scholarship on the Cold War was dictated by the rigid framework of the conflict itself. Most historians in the 1960s took it for granted that the roots of the conflict rested in Soviet


Popper argued that a statistical falsification required a prior methodological decision to regard sufficiently improbable events as ruled out. That suggestion has generated a number of fruitful approaches, but also a number of apparent paradoxes and ultimately, no clear consensus. It is still commonly claimed that, since random samples are logically consistent with all the statistical hypotheses on the table, falsification simply does not apply in realistic statistical settings. We claim that the situation is considerably improved if we ask a conceptually prior question: when should a statistical hypothesis be regarded as falsifiable. To that end we propose several different notions of statistical falsifiability and prove that, whichever definition we prefer, the same hypotheses turn out to be falsifiable. That shows that statistical falsifiability enjoys a kind of conceptual robustness. These notions of statistical falsifiability are arrived at by proposing statistical analogues to intuitive properties enjoyed by exemplary falsifiable hypotheses familiar from classical philosophy of science. That demonstrates that, to a large extent, this philosophical tradition was on the right conceptual track. Finally, we demonstrate that, under weak assumptions, the statistically falsifiable hypotheses correspond precisely to the closed sets in a standard topology on probability measures. That means that standard techniques from statistics and measure theory can be used to determine exactly which hypotheses are statistically falsifiable. In other words: the proposed notion of statistical falsifiability both answers to our conceptual demands and submits to standard mathematical techniques.


The article describes the model construction of self~organizing competition artificial neural network,its principle and automatic recognition process of borehole lithology in detail,and then proves the efficiency of the neural network model for automatically recognizing the borehole lithology with some cases. The self~organizing competition artificial neural network has the ability of self~organization,self~adjustment and high permitting errors. Compared with the BP algorithm,it takes less calculation quantity and more rapidly converges. Furthermore,it can automatically confirm the category without the known sample information. Trial results based on contrasting the identification results of the borehole lithology with geological documentations,indicate that self~organizing artificial neural network can be well applied to automatically performing the category of borehole lithology,during the logging data explanation of sandstone-hosted uranium deposits.


Needs of the general aviation industry for services and facilities which might be supplied by NASA were examined. In the data collection phase, twenty-one individuals from nine manufacturing companies in general aviation were interviewed against a carefully prepared meeting format. General aviation avionics manufacturers were credited with a high degree of technology transfer from the forcing industries such as television, automotive, and computers and a demonstrated ability to apply advanced technology such as large scale integration and microprocessors to avionics functions in an innovative and cost effective manner. The industry's traditional resistance to any unnecessary regimentation or standardization was confirmed. Industry's self sufficiency in applying advanced technology to avionics product development was amply demonstrated. NASA research capability could be supportive in areas of basic mechanics of turbulence in weather and alternative means for its sensing.


Many aggregates are susceptible to the alkali-silica reaction. As a result of this reaction, mortar bars and concrete elements containing portland cement expand. In order to limit this expansion, chemical admixtures that interfere with the alkali-silica reaction can be introduced into the mixing water. The research discussed below describes how several of these chemical admixtures affect mortar-bar expansion. Mortar bars containing any of several chemical admixtures in the mixing water at initial molar concentrations of 1 or 2 were subjected to ASTM C 1260 tests. After the expansion test, samples were prepared from each of the mortar bars and examined in a scanning electron microscope with EDX capabilities. The following chloride salts and hydroxides were used: NaOH, KOH, LiOH, NaCl, KCl, LiCl, CaCl2, MgCl2, and AlCl3. For a given initial molar concentration, the expansion test results indicated that the chloride salts with monovalent cations were the most damaging, followed by those with divalent and trivalent cations. These results are in agreement with a theoretical model presented in a previous paper that explains the volume change behavior of the reaction product gels. This model attributes the swelling of the reaction product gel to double-layer repulsion forces.