Infant stimulation programs, as defined by Denhoff, 1 are "organized programs of enrichment designed to provide developmentally appropriate activities to babies and toddlers who have, or who are at risk for a variety of conditions (environmentally or biologically caused) that might interfere with their ability to ultimately have a full and productive life." The origins of infant stimulation programs for the environmentally deprived child can be traced to two types of observations: supporting the concept that intelligence is malleable . (1) The first intelligence test was established by Binet in the early 1900s. The examination was developed to demonstrate that intelligence was not a genetically fixed quantity but an ability that could be altered positively through a formal education program. In 1964, Project Head Start was launched and successfully has improved reading and mathematic skills for the participating children, at least through the fourth grade. 2 (2) Animal studies have


In developing countries, ground water, which is contaminated with domestic and industrial waste, is commonly used for drinking. Colour, turbidity and microbial content affect quality of potable water. Strychnos potatorum (Linn.) seeds are known to function as coagulants and clarify water. Our study investigated the effect of the seed powder (10-40 mg L -1 ) on water samples of varying colour, turbidity and microbial content. Samples studied were of river Yamuna, industrial effluent, a recreational pond, tap water and distilled water. pH was maintained within ±5 units while alkalinity was within one unit, showing that taste parameters were not affected. There was an 82-98% decrease in absorbance, denoting the seed's clarifying effect. The reduction in heterotrophic microbial load was 99% when 10 mg L -1 of seed powder was added. Ames test demonstrated non-toxicity of the seed at the concentrations tested. This simple method can help as an effective and affordable pre-treatment method and bring down the costs of secondary treatment.


steamships were inseparable from notions of civilization, they played a crucial role in creating and preserving an imperial way of thinking. Ships consolidated empire, but the actual voyage that new administrators took to the colonies was also important; 'They were not the same people who embarked in England. In a few short weeks, it made them imperials' (p. 232). This is a bold claim yet one Burgess clearly substantiates. Focusing on the Peninsular and Orient Steamship Company, with its white officers, African crews and Goan stewards, Burgess explains that the voyage out was an empowering experience which imbued new imperial administrators with confidence. Through describing their journey, including the ordering of curry with tiffin and chota pegs, Burgess shows that steamships were important places of exposure to the exotic. Yet they were also places which taught lessons and maintained standards. Despite the heat of Suez and Aden, dress codes were maintained, reminding those bound for empire of their place. They learnt to master the world they surveyed. This brings us closer to an understanding of what it was to be an imperial administrator, arriving in Bombay, Singapore, or Calcutta. In illustrating how the experience of travelling to colonies shaped an imperial way of thinking among newly fledged imperialists, Burgess' achievement is considerable. Ocean liners were essential in the maintenance of empire. This volume makes an important contribution to the history of technology and imperialism. This is exactly what Burgess sets out to do, and by focusing on the steamship as a spectacle this is exactly what he does do. Packed with rich literary examples, charming anecdotes, fine illustrations and often uncomfortable insights, this book is a real pleasure to read. It must surely be essential reading for students of nineteenth-century technology and imperialism. Burgess has succeeded in showing the prominent role of the steamship in nineteenth-century thought. This is a subject of rich rewards and one that is far from exhausted.


On the basis of rheological experimental results, we analyzed the rheological mechanism of the latex system. The viscosity mechanism of a common hard-sphere latex particle system is considered to be related to the hydrophilicity of the polymer chain. The stronger the hydrophilicity is, the higher the viscosity is. In the acid medium, the viscosity mechanism of the system of latex particles containing carboxyl is the same with that of the common hard sphere latex system. But in the alkali medium, the system of latex containing carboxyl appears an alkali-thickening phenomenon. So the alkali-thickening mechanism has been considered to be attributed to the bridge-structure formed from the hydrogen bonds of the particles. This opinion is different from the early deduction "from the swell to the solution of the latex particle".


Implementation of an effective Software Configuration Management (SCM) strategy is critical for increasing the probability of success not only in the level of individual projects but also in the level of the organization carrying out many interrelated projects. Due to its impact on the economics of shared component development and usage, an SCM strategy should be in alignment with the underlying governance structure, and should demonstrably be effective in minimizing costs of managing organizational software assets. It should specify, at a high-level, the SCM patterns to be followed for given project characteristics, and should preferably be implementable with the available toolsets. The objective of this article is to propose a simple SCM strategy that addresses these concerns. The proposed strategy leverages the common SCM patterns based on their suitability for the three main governance structures for software development. The implementability is demonstrated using IBM Rational ClearCase and IBM Rational Rhapsody, two broadly available tools in the software industry.


no special intervention is required. If ventilation is inadequate from the start or if arterial Po. deteriorates more aggressive treatment is indicated. Mechanical ventilation with positive-endexpiratory-pressure is required,21 23 titrating the amount of pressure to produce the minimum amount of intrapulmonary shunt.2' The use of corticosteroids is not routinely recommended, although their place in the patient with true secondary drowning has not been studied in any large series. Recognising the possibility of this syndrome of secondary drowning is a major factor in management. An analysis of this and other series shows that a major high-risk group comprises young children who have almost drowned in salt or polluted water, in whom spontaneous respiration has not occurred for at least five to 10 minutes after rescue, but who appear to improve rapidly thereafter. Although it is not always done, all neardrowned victims must be admitted to hospital for observation, irrespective of their apparent relative wellbeing within several hours after rescue. Respiratory deterioration after apparent postrescue wellbeing can occur rapidly. With the recent increase in survival rates after neardrowning24 more cases of this post-immersion respiratory distress syndrome are being encountered.25 This review suggests that rescuers and clinicians should expect primary lung function to deteriorate within four hours of rescue in about one in 20 survivors of drowning accidents. Provided that the syndrome is anticipated, recognised, and treated vigorously the prognosis (generally excellent in childhood near-drowning"5) should remain optimistic.


In 1881, Alexander Graham Bell invented what arguably could be called the first metal detector. President James Garfield had been shot. His doctors needed to locate the bullet that was lodged in his chest, but the president already had lost a significant amount of blood. Doctors therefore were reluctant to perform manual exploration. Bell's invention seemed the best hope. What no one realized at the time was that the metal springs in the mattress upon which the president lay would render Bell's metal detector ineffective. Garfield ultimately died from his wounds. The metal detector endured. Through the work of later inventors, it evolved into a device serving a variety of important functions, most notably helping to ensure our safety in public places.1

Many useful inventions originally intended for one purpose end up better serving another. In plastic surgery, such has been the evolution of barbed sutures. In the 1990s, lifting of the brows, midface, and neck using barbed sutures, usually applied subcutaneously with a threading technique, was widely promoted as a safer, quicker, and less invasive alternative to traditional surgical procedures. However, for many surgeons and their patients, both the short- and longer-term results were disappointing. Complications and other adverse events were common. Some problems were undoubtedly technique related, as practitioners with various backgrounds and little hands-on training with barbed sutures aggressively promoted themselves as experts and performed procedures without the requisite experience. Nevertheless, interest in these threading techniques for suspension of facial tissues waned considerably in the plastic surgery community. Subsequently, however, expanded applications for barbed suture technology have evolved.

Sutures are essential in almost every procedure that we perform. The choice of suture depends on several variables, including the anatomic site, desired suture characteristics, and surgeon preference. In my practice, barbed sutures have come to play an …


Objective To investigate a advantageous methods to repair the scar in the faciocervical region.Methods 29 cases of patients with extensive scar in the face or cervical were included.300~800ml volume expanders were inserted into the subcutaneous pockets in the delto-pectoral zone and were inflated by fast expansion model.Two months later,the flaps were prefabricated,thinned and transplanted.After scars were resected,all the wounds were repaired by the expansion super thin flap.Results Most transfer flap had good blood supply,and the color and texture of the flaps match the recipient place well.the donor wounds suture straightly and heal well.all achieved satisfactory functional and aesthetic results.Conclusion The method has been proved to have many advantages and be safe,effective and relatively easy for clinical application


In Michel Houellebecq's fi ction, the theme of the decline of the modern civilization is closely
linked with refl ections on ageing and death. The writer's concern with the cult of youth, the fear
of ageing and death, obsessive body care, the stigmatization of the elderly and their elimination
from social life can be seen as part of a broader refl ection on the transformation of the
western society in the second half of the 20th century. From this perspective, the negative social
trends described by the author can be perceived as logical consequences of the decreasing impact
of religion and the traditional value system. Concomitantly, the recurrent descriptions of ageing
bodies metaphorize a gradual decline of the West.


Edward E. Mercer, 83, died on Dec. 14, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. "Ed served on the faculty of the University of South Carolina for more than 30 years. His research group established that the key components of the well-known ruthenium blue complexes were mixed-valence, trihalide-bridged, dinuclear species. He was an outstanding classroom teacher to thousands of students. He collaborated to write for the Introductory Chemistry course lab manuals, study guides, and the book, 'Chemistry: Principles and Practice.' He served as associate dean of the College of Science & Mathematics for nine years. Ed is also remembered for his extensive charitable work in the community and as a competitive swimmer and stroke judge."—Dan Reger, friend and colleague Most recent title: professor emeritus of chemistry, University of South Carolina Education: B.S., chemistry, Canisius College; Ph.D., chemistry, Purdue University, 1961 Survivors: wife, Carol; daughters, Mary Bell, Judy Fleshman, and Ellen Adams; sons, Everett,


The 8B solar neutrino flux observed in Kamiokande detector (KAMIOKANDE II and III) from January 1987 to February 1995 has been analysed statistically and it has been found that solar neutrino flux data in Kamiokande detector varies with the solar activity cycle. It is also shown that solar neutrino flux data in Kamiokande detector also has five phases during the solar cycle 22 as observed in the Homestake solar neutrino flux data during the solar cycles 21 and 22 indicating that the solar activity cycle is due to the pulsating character of the nuclear energy generation inside the core of the sun.


An experiment is proposed in Special Relativity (SR) such that two given coordinate systems are in relative motion and a light pulse is emitted from the origins along the positive x-axis when they are common. In a specific configuration of the two coordinate systems, it will be shown that the output of the Lorentz transformations (LT) for the position of light in the primed frame does not match the position of light according to the light postulate (LP) in the primed frame.


ELIZA is a program operating within the MAC time-sharing system of MIT which makes certain kinds of natural language conversation between man and computer possible. Input sentences are analyzed on the basis of decomposition rules which are triggered by key words appearing in the input text. Responses are generated by reassembly rules associated with selected decomposition rules. The fundamental technical problems with which ELIZA is concerned are: (1) the identification of key words, (2) the discovery of minimal context, (3) the choice of appropriate transformations, (4) generation of responses in the absence of key words, and (5) the provision of an editing capability for ELIZA "scripts". A discussion of some psychological issues relevant to the ELIZA approach as well as of future developments concludes the paper.


The present invention relates to a method of applying an antireflective coating on the optical surface of the mold. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: providing a lens mold having an optical surface; thickness is formed on the optical surface superhydrophobic about 30nm to 40nm of material layer, wherein said super-hydrophobic material containing bis silane arm; superhydrophobic formed on the layered structure material layer anti-reflective coating; and forming a cyclic aza-silane coupling agent layer, which is using a vapor deposition or by using a cyclic silane coupling agent in a non-aza dip solution protic solvent and deposited onto a monolayer thickness of the antireflective coating layered structure.


One of the explicit objectives for the common VAT-system is to prevent tax evasion, -avoidance and -abuse. These concepts are related in the sense that all three concepts aim to prevent that the provisions of the system are applied in a manner that conflicts with the purpose of the system and the provisions. There are however substantial, inherent differences between the concepts and the way that they are applied.
By the decision in the Halifax-judgment the Court once and for all settled that the doctrine of abuse is fully applicable in the field of VAT in order to ensure the correct application of the system. Further the Court, following the rationale set out in Emsland-Starke, established that the doctrine is to be applied as a two-part test. This two-part test is constructed by a comparison between the purpose of the procedure set out by the taxpayer and on the other hand the purpose and objectives of the VAT-system. The Halifax-decision has been followed by a series of decisions further defining the implications and applicability of the concept. I several of these decisions reference has been made to the significance of "artificial transactions" or "lack of economic reality" and the Court has held that the objective of the application of the concept of abuse is to prevent these types of transactions
When examining the decisions delivered on the assessment of abusive procedures the significance and meaning of the these terms and their relation two-part test is difficult to establish. On one hand the Court advocate a strict application of the two-part test, in relation to which the existence of "artificial elements" can be relevant. On the other the existence of such elements seem to act as a third, implied criterion when assessing possibly abusive procedures.
The concept of "economic reality" has further been actualized in a different line of cases, the "DFDS-line. Here the concept is addressed as a fundamental benchmark for the interpretation of the provisions of the directive. This line of cases to some extent over-laps the Halifax-line but should be regarded as separate. This is since the DFDS-line primarily relate to the interpretation of the provisions of the directive, whilst the Halifax-line aims to assess the correct application or invocation of the provisions.


Light-emitting diodes LED46-TEC-PRW and LED-465-NS were selected as radiation sources for research (LED46-TEC-PRW as a base). Their emission spectrum coincides with a CO absorption spectrum, but has some spectrum width differences by (4-5) times. We have found out that constriction of a radiation spectrum leads to increasing of the optical measuring channel sensitivity. But degree of the spectrum constriction influences on the linearity of information parameter changes as a function of concentration changes. LED-465-NS sensitivity increasing can achieve 3,4 times for CO concentrations range from 0,5 to 1 %; for CO concentrations range from 0 to 0.5 % the sensitivity does not increase. Usage of LED46-TEC-PRW with an optical filter (transmission range of wavelengths from 4.4 ?m to 4.9 ?m) provides sensitivity increasing by 2 times only. But dependence of information parameter from CO concentration for range from 0 to 1 % is a linear characteristic. So the best result is observed when the absorption spectrum of a gas component and the emission spectrum of the light emitting diode are the same. The studies also found that the increasing of the optical measuring channel sensitivity by the constriction of the LED's radiation spectrum is accompanied by constriction of its optical power level, and accordingly the influence of noise and interference in the output signal are increasing. It eliminates the achieved increase of the informational component about CO concentration. We suggest ways to improve the optical power radiation sources based on modernization of the optical measuring channels for increasing a signal-to-noise rate (the achieved effect of the sensitivity increasing persists). In particular, we propose the usage of a broadband source and optical filter from photodiode side or usage of a light-emitting diode "gun" in an infrared range and focusing optical lens from photodiode side.


A one-layer feedforward neural network for fast determination of the maximum or minimum of a set of real values is proposed. The convergence speed of the proposed network faster than those of the MAXNET of the Hamming network and its modified forms, and the multilayer feedforward MAXNET.


China is one of biggest actors in arms dealer in the world, and in Sudan, China has been the main supplier of weapons. However, Sudan is a country with a post-conflict situation with weak government and is currently facing many rebel groups. The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of the weapon circulation in post-conflict situations. This study is using the theory of Spoiler, which gives the emphasis of the resposibbility of certain actors in perpetruating or exacerbating crises in post-conflict region. China in this case, has been seen as the 'opponent' of the conflict as it continues supporting the selling of the weapons in Sudan. The research revealas that the role of Chinese weapons in Sudan has been very imminent in hampering the recovery processess in Sudan.


Excerpt The advantages of spinal anesthesia under certain restrictions are so obvious and the results obtained from its use so excellent that one can appreciate the popularity of this valuable anes...


We report on a novel use of resonant holograms for modal decomposition of optical fields with excellent orthogonality at the output plane. Applications include primarily high-resolution imaging, but also data storage and quantum optics.


The present work is aimed at performing the computation of cross sections and Maxwell rate coefficients in the framework of the stepwise version of the Multichannel Quantum Defect Theory (MQDT). Cross sections and rate coefficients suitable for the modelling of the kinetics of HD+ and BeH+ in fusion plasmas and in the stellar atmospheres are presented and discussed. A very good agreement is found between our results for rotational transitions for HD+ and other computations, as well as with experiment.


INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Radical Prostatectomy (RP) is the gold-standard surgical treatment for men diagnosed with organ-confined prostate cancer. This study assesses differences amongst patients undergoing RP based on academic hospital teaching status. METHODS: Data was extracted from the New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS) database from 2006 to 2015. ICD-9-CM procedural code 60.5 was used to identify all radical prostatectomies conducted in New York State (NYS) during the study period. All hospitals were categorized into major, minor, and non-teaching hospital status as defined by the American Hospital Association database. Patient level characteristics and hospital level characteristics were collected and compared amongst groups. RESULTS: There were 25,813 RP conducted at major-teaching hospitals, 13,002 at minor-teaching hospitals, and 1,717 at non-teaching hospitals. Major teaching hospitals had more physicians, cases, and hospital beds (p<.001). Non-teaching hospitals saw a larger proportion of white patients (85%) than minor- (72%) and major-teaching hospitals (70%). 50% of the major-teaching hospitals were high-volume centers compared to just 25% of minor-teaching and 0% of non-teaching (p<.001). Teaching hospitals conducted more minimally-invasive (MIS) RPs than non-teaching hospitals, had lower length of stay, and less mortality at 360 days than non-teaching hospitals (p<.001). Positive predictors of RP at major teaching hospitals included higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (p<.001), Asian race (p<.001), and black race (0.003). Negative predictors of RP at major teaching hospitals included Medicaid status, Medicare status, and out-of-pocket payment (p<.001). CONCLUSIONS: The study shows significant differences in patient characteristics and outcomes based on hospital teaching status. These results suggests that major teaching hospitals in NYS conduct a majority of the RP, use more MIS techniques, and see a more diverse, complex patient population without sacrificing outcomes. Table. No title available. Table. No title available. Source of Funding: None


In recent decades the application of magnetic iron oxide micro-and nanoparticles has been established in various technological fields, such as magnetic separation of biomolecules and ions, biosensors, biofuel production and others [1-4]. Working with iron oxide particles is becoming main stream subject thanks to the facility that this kind of materials can be functionalized with a variety of chemical groups which confer them specific selective or catalytic properties [5]. Furthermore, iron oxide nanoparticles present magnetic properties, and in particular super-paramagnetism, which allows to remotely control them making their manipulation easy and cost-effective [6]. In addition, a new method of synthesis has been recently proposed, which can guarantee a cost-effective production of magnetic particles that may further reduce the running cost of separation methods based on magnetism [7]. Nevertheless, biotechnological applications of iron oxide particles are still confined to research level (lab scale devices) or for low throughput clinical applications [8,9]. Indeed, most systems based on the use of magnetic elements are design to work with microfluid dynamic or are able to process samples in bath-based fashion, therefore discontinuously. The need of robust and high-productive methods is demanded especially in bioscience where, independently from the reaction or process involving magnetic particles, once such composite materials are mixed or added to a given solution, inevitably at the end of workflow they must be separated/harvested from the reaction vessel. Therefore, it is vital for a good productivity and processivity of reactions involving magnetic particles to ensure that large volumes of solution can be treated, and magnetic particles withdrew in the most fast and accurate way. The purpose of this paper is to compare an open and a closed type magnetic trapping system regarding their efficiency using two different types of magnetic sources.


The cardiac effects obtained by the stimulation of the vagus nerve were studied in the isolated heart preparation of cats, perfused with Tyrode's solution according to Langendorff's technique. High...


Based on the working process and principles of a plate heat exchange system, a set of differential equations to control the temperature of the system was deduced. Based on analysis and calculation using FLUENT fluid simulation software, as well as repeated experiments using an experimental platform, mathematical expressions for the variable parameters, such as the temperature difference between cold and hot water and the heat transfer coefficient in the equation set, were determined. In the heat exchange model, the temperature of the cold water entering the heat exchanger and the temperature of the hot water exiting the heat exchanger were taken as the state variables, and the degree of opening of the electric control valves for the open-and closed-circulating cold water were taken as the control inputs. The system showed characteristics typical of a multi-input coupled nonlinear system. Using the method of solving the multi-input nonlinear system in the sliding mode variable structure theory, the model was studied as a type of multi-input affine nonlinear system, and the sliding mode variable structure controller was solved. Simulation research using MATLAB/Simulink was carried out on the nonlinear plate heat exchange control system. The results showed that sliding mode variable structure control had several advantages, including limited overshoot, rapid response speed, and strong anti-interference ability.


IOT(Internet of Things),as an emerging technology,attracts much attention form domestic academia and industry.For its trend,this paper describes the basic concept and development process of IOT.Based on the essential features of IOT and in combination of radio frequency identification technology,the communication network architecture for material things is constructed.This paper focuses on the discussion of various network layer functions,briefs the three elements and relevant key technologies of IOT.Finally,in the light of its concrete application,the application prospect of IOT is forecasted.


In this paper, we present a mm-sized dual-mode power harvesting system for biomedical implants that can adaptively set the power delivery mode depending on the received RF power level and the required power by the load. The system is fabricated in 180-nm SOI CMOS technology and includes a two-turn on-chip coil. The total area of the fabricated chip is 2.56 mm2.A $2\ \mathrm{cm}\times 2\ \mathrm{cm}$ loop is used to transmit RF power to the fabricated chip through 10 mm of air at 434 MHz. Measurement results show that the designed power harvesting system can achieve a wireless link efficiency of −21.7 dB and a FOM value of 165.1. Keeping the transmitted RF power below 24 dBm., the system can provide a 1.08 V dc voltage for resistive loads larger than $20\ \mathrm{K}\Omega$ continuously over time. When the transmitted power level is not enough for continuous power delivery, the power harvesting system operates in the duty-cycled mode. In this mode, the system can drive a $1\ \mathrm{K}\Omega$ load when the transmitted power level is 15 dBm.


The availability of high-quality and reliable information due developing and making managerial decisions process is the key to its effective functioning in the medicines and medical devices supply systems for any population groups.
Аims. Conducting a comparative retrospective marketing analysis of the contraceptive medical devices market for the period 2020-2022 with the subsequent formation of an information array to assess the contraceptives suppling to female consumers.
Materials and methods. The research materials are data from the State Register of Medical Equipment and Medical Devices of Ukraine, the Compendium Online information retrieval system, the Regulatory Documents of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine database, publications in scientific and practical publications in the direction of the study, data from the «Compendium» online information resource and an Internet resource for finding drugs in pharmacies of Ukraine «Tabletki.ua». Methods: content analysis, comparative and analytical methods, marketing research.
The results of the research. The main assortment changes in contraceptive medical devices (CMD) for the period 2020-2022 were established: fullness and width. Changes in the corporate structure and market segmentation by producing countries were determined. The indices of the level of market monopolization were calculated and compared.
Conclusions. As a result of a comprehensive study, the existing registries, information retrieval resources were analyzed and an assortment of modern CMD was formed, which has decreased by 20% over the past two years and is represented by male condoms - 80% and IC (intrauterine contraceptives) - 20%. It was established that there are no contraceptives such as the female condom, cervical cap and diaphragm on the Ukrainian CMD market, which significantly limits the choice of a female consumer.
The general and segment indices of market monopolization in 2020 and 2022 were calculated. Based on them, progressive monopolistic tendencies were traced.


Abstract This paper presents a strategy to find an optimal gait for the model of the biomimetic swimmer developed at Caltech to transit forward minimizing control effort, or the integral of squared angular acceleration of the two joints. According to the previous works, it is accepted that a series of sinusoidal-type gaits generates forward transition. Using this sinusoidal gaits as initial guess for optimization, improved gaits are found using a numerical optimization software, NLPP Toolbox for Matlab. The performance of the determined gaits is tested using the Simulink model.


Objective:To learn apoptosis induced by Triptolide in adrenocortical cells of rat.Methods:Adrenocortical cells of rat were dispersed and primarily in vitro,features of apoptotic cells were observed using combined labeling with annexin-V and propidium iodide(PI)and flow cytometry.Results:Apoptosis rate of adrenocortical cells increased with dose(0~200μg/L for 2h,from 1.67% to 77.45%)or duration(100μg/L for 0~4h,from 1.12% to 78.46%)of Triptolide.Conclusions:Apoptosis can be induced by Triptolide in adrenocortical cells.


In his seminal The German Empire, published in German in 1973, historian Hans-Ulrich Wehler posited that in respect to the German Empire's colonial policies only the SPD, unlike all other political parties, "retained its capacity to take a critical view on matters of principle." Moreover, in Wehler's view, the SPD's critical stance on this and many other political questions along with the party's massive electoral gains in the 1912 parliamentary elections precipitated a situation in the years immediately preceding the Great War that prompted the German Empire's "old elites" to bet increasingly on a major military conflict to solve the Empire's internal political tensions ("leap into darkness"). Thus in Wehler's view the Social Democrats contributed in no small part to Imperial Germany's perceived domestic crisis, which prompted the infamous "old elites" to choose war over domestic reform in 1914.


This article views assessment as generic to all professional social work practice and suggests that locating the teaching of the theoretical basis of assessment in the Human Behavior and Social Environment (HBSE) sequence helps to assure the consistency of a common knowledge base for all students. The multiplicity of ideas necessary to teach the understanding of human functioning in a complex environment presents a challenge to the educator to develop a method of ordering and selecting theories which can more effectively inform professional practice and preserve professional values. The construct of the Developmental Wheel (see Figure 1 which encourages the use of a broad range of data) is presented as one method of organizing the curriculum of the HBSE sequence. It allows for more dynamic integration of social psychological phenomena and helps to ground discrete methods of intervention in a common theoretical framework.


The characteristics of the technology for designing the silicone rubber mould based on the rapid prototyping technology were introduced. The method and the procedures for realizing this mould designing technology were stated. The relative key techniques such as dimension compensation, determination of the parting direction, design of the parting line, selection of the draft and design of the gate were studied.


The aim of the research is to find out how much influence promotions and positions have on employee performance at the Pasuruan Regency Ministry of Religion Office. Quantitative research method through a correlational approach. Data collection techniques using questionnaires. Data analysis techniques: descriptive test, validity and reliability test, normality test, multicollinearity test, autocorrelation test, t test, and F test.
The research results stated that promotions, positions, and improvements in employee performance were in the good category, this was because employees experienced an increase in the responsibilities given to them after promotions in rank and position. There is a low influence due to the absence of a significant increase in the amount of work successfully completed by employees after a promotion in rank and position of 0.4%, there is a significant influence between promotion in position and an increase in employee performance of 69.6%, and there is an influence The significant difference between promotion and position is the increase in employee performance by 9.7%.


The mercury(II) metal crown ether (2a) was obtained in high yield by reaction of the carbene precursor 1,2-bis[N-(1-naphthylmethylene)imidazoliumethoxy]benzene dihexafluorophosphate (1) and Hg(OAc)2. Addition of NaI to the acetone solution of 2a resulted in precipitation of pale yellow solid 2b. The structures of 2a and 2b were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffractometry. Both molecules display a helical conformation with a torsional cycle. The mercury atom in complex 2a is tricoordinated by two intramolecular carbene carbon atoms and an acetate oxygen atom. The mercury atom in complex 2b is tetracoordinated by two intramolecular carbene carbon atoms and two cis-iodine atoms.


Many tropical fisheries are inherently of a multispecies nature, with any given type of fishing gear harvesting a wide range of species. Species-aggregated relationships between fishing effort and yield or catch per unit of effort (CPUE) provide important information for the management of such fisheries, as well as insights into ecosystem-level responses to fisheries exploitation. We used a model selection approach to study species-aggregated, yield–effort relationships in spatially replicated, multispecies inland fisheries. Of three alternative models considered, the data strongly supported a sigmoid functional form (Akaike weight 0.95) over the alternative, asymptotic exponential or quadratic (Schaefer) models (Akaike weights 0.03 and 0.02, respectively). The sigmoid form implies the occurrence of an inflexion point in the rising part of the yield–effort curve and no decline in aggregated yield even at the highest effort levels observed. Aggregated CPUE declines steeply near the origin of the effort sca...


Introduction and Objectives: TURB remains the standard in non muscle invasive bladder tumour treatment but sometimes the transurethral access is difficult or impossible because of long penile urethral strictures. In this paper we are trying to draw attention on perineal urethrostomy as an easy and fast access for TURB in patients with associated long penile urethral strictures. Materials and methods: Between 2008- 2013 we performed 36 perineal urethrostomies for different urethral pathology : penile or urethral carcinoma, recurrent long anterior urethral strictures associated with adverse conditions like periurethritis or lichen sclerosus . In 4 cases perineal urethrostomy was performed for allowing the access for TURB in cases with bladder tumors and long penile urethral strictures. With the patient in a lithotomy position, a vertical incision through the perineum is made, and after the fat tissue is being dissected, the bulbocavernous muscle is being incised. The bulbar urethra is being exposed and a 2-3 cm vertical incision on its ventral surface is made. When maturating the urethrostomy, 3 layers are being incorporated in the suture: the urethral mucosa, the adventitia of the spongiosus corpus and the skin, without suturing the muscle body of the spongiosum in order to preserve the lateral blood flow through the corpus spongiosus. After the maturation of the perineal urethrostomy a TURB is performed in a standard manner with a 26 Fr resectoscope. Results: Through the perineal urethrostomy a good access for TURB has been obtained. The operating time was 20 min. An uretral reconstruction with BMG and the closure of the urethrostomy can be attempted 6 months after two consecutive cystoscopic negative controls. Conclusions: Perineal urethrostomy is a fast and safe access for TURB in patients with non muscle invasive bladder tumour and associated recurrent long penile urethral strictures and it should be present in the standard armamentarium of any urologist. Through this approach an open surgery on the bladder tumor, with the consecutive risk of tumoral spread, is avoided and a second intervention for urethral reconstruction can be considered after the oncological control of the bladder tumour.


We demonstrate experimentally that Airy beams can perform ballistic dynamics in a way totally analogous to that of projectiles moving under the action of gravity. The possibility of circumventing opaque obstacles is discussed.


This paper reports a MEMS-based micro-electro-discharge machining technique that is enabled by the actuation of micromachined planar electrodes defined on the surfaces of the workpiece. The 18-mum-thick copper electrodes suspended with the anchors are formed on a stainless-steel wafer/workpiece. A DC voltage of 80-140 V is applied between the electrode and the workpiece through a resistance-capacitance circuit that controls the pulse energy and timing of spark discharges. The suspended electrode is electrostatically actuated towards the wafer, resulting in a breakdown, or spark discharge. This instantly lowers the gap voltage, releasing the electrode, and the capacitor is charged up through the resistor. Sequential pulses are produced through the self-regulated discharging-charging cycle. Micromachining of the stainless-steel wafer is demonstrated using an electrode with the area of 1.6times1.03 mm2, achieving removal depth of 20 mum with 100 V that provides the electrode's displacement of ~30 mum. The pulse formation is also implemented using only the parasitic/built-in capacitance between the electrode and the workpiece. A dynamic characteristic of the built-in capacitance is experimentally analyzed.


Germination, sprouting, and survival values are given for 41 genetically different seed types after x-ray irradiation of from 5 to 120 kr. Certain causes of varying radia tion resistance are pointed out. Germination tests carried out on irradiated and non-irradiated seeds which were stored for 1 to 31/2 years reveal basic differences between inability to germinate caused by radiation and inability due to natural aging. The reactions of 8 seed tynes to radiation doses up to 1 million r are reported. Notable changes were found in the relative radiation sensitivity of the various seed types to medium doses. There is evidence indicating that the cytoplasm is responsible for these changes, and that consequently there is no parallelism between nucleus and plasma in regard to radiation sensitivity. Lakon's topographical germination test was used to examine plasma vitality in winter wheat after x-ray irradiation of up to 1.6 million r. The values obtained here agreed with those from the germination test. (auth)


The most challenging aspect of e-learning is persuading college students to continue. In e-learning, the learner's pride and intention to continue are critical components. Gamification may be the next revolutionary technology in eLearning. Gamification mixes mechanics and path diagrams to facilitate digital engagement and motivate humans to achieve their goals. Video games utilize the concept of objectives/levels, rewarding "players" for overcoming hurdles. Gamification is utilized in eLearning to encourage a game-like response and engagement, resulting in increased fact retention, motivation, and productivity. In addition, individuals who are not particularly skilled are rewarded for their efforts and encouraged to complete the courses. Implementing gamification is a complex task that involves a variety of abilities and a compelling narrative. Learners desire to be viewed as gaming enthusiasts and to be offered engaging content within strict time limitations. Content can be presented in a manner that is both visually engaging and permits immediate interaction with the instructor. During interactions, there can be quizzes, problem-solving exercises, and so on. Badges, chief boards, or vouchers are given to people who complete or achieve their goals or dreams.


The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has established at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL) the NRC/Reactor Safety Research (RSR) Data Bank Program. The program is under the direction of EG and G Idaho, Inc., and is intended to provide the means of collecting, processing, and making available experimental data from the many water reactor safety research programs. The NRC/RSR Data Bank Program collects qualified engineering data on a prioritized basis from experimental program data bases, stores the data in a single data bank in a common format, and makes the data available to users. The NRC/RSR Data Bank specializes in water reactor safety experimental data, but it has a number of other scientific applications where large amounts of numeric data are or will be available. As an example of size, a single water reactor safety test may generate 10 million data words. Future examples of the use of a data bank might be in gathering data on low head hydraulics, solar projects, and liquid metal reactor safety data.


Machine learning based approach for Named Entity Recognition (NER) requires sufficient annotated corpus to train the classifier. Other NER resources like gazetteers are also required to make the classifier more accurate. But in many languages and domains relevant NER resources are still not available. Creation of adequate and relevant resources is costly and time consuming. However a large amount of resources and several NER systems are available in resource-rich languages, like English. Suitable language adaptation techniques, NER resources of a resource-rich language and minimally supervised learning might help to overcome such scenarios. In this paper we have studied a few such techniques in order to develop a Hindi NER system. Without using any Hindi NE annotated corpus we have achieved a reasonable accuracy of F-Measure 73.87 in the developed system.


FGFR3 and PIK3CA are among the most frequently mutated genes in bladder tumors. We hypothesized that recurrent mutations in these genes might be caused by common carcinogenic exposures such as smoking and other factors. We analyzed 2,816 bladder tumors with available data on FGFR3 and/or PIK3CA mutations, focusing on the most recurrent mutations detected in ≥10% of tumors. Compared to tumors with other FGFR3/PIK3CA mutations, FGFR3-Y375C was more common in tumors from smokers than never-smokers (p=0.009), while several APOBEC-type driver mutations were enriched in never-smokers: FGFR3-S249C (p=0.013) and PIK3CA-E542K/PIK3CA-E545K (p=0.009). To explore possible causes of these APOBEC-type mutations, we analyzed RNA-seq data from 798 bladder tumors and detected several viruses, with BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) being the most common. We then performed immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for polyomavirus (PyV) Large T-antigen (LTAg) in an independent set of 211 bladder tumors. Overall, by RNA-seq or IHC-LTAg, we detected PyV in 26 out of 1,010 bladder tumors with significantly higher detection (p=4.4 × 10-5), 25/554 (4.5%) in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancers (NMIBC) versus 1/456 (0.2%) of muscle-invasive bladder cancers (MIBC). In the NMIBC subset, the FGFR3/PIK3CA APOBEC-type driver mutations were detected in 94.7% (18/19) of PyV-positive vs. 68.3% (259/379) of PyV-negative tumors (p=0.011). BKPyV tumor positivity in the NMIBC subset with FGFR3- or PIK3CA-mutated tumors was also associated with a higher risk of progression to MIBC (p=0.019). In conclusion, our results support smoking and BKPyV infection as risk factors contributing to bladder tumorigenesis in the general patient population through distinct molecular mechanisms.


Using the anther of Platycodon grandiflorum as explants,different density of anther were inoculated and different concentrations of sucrose were added respectively in the culture medium,and their effect on induction rate of anther was studied.The results showed that MS+1.0mg/L 6-BA+0.5mg/L NAA as induction medium,with the increase of density callus induction rate was decreased;MS+1.0 mg/L 6-BA+0.2mg/L BA+2,4-D as induction medium,callus induction rate first increase and then decrease with the increase of density,when the density reach to 15,the induction rate was the highest;and the induction rate of the latter were significantly higher than that of the former induction rate.MS+1.0 mg/L 6-BA+0.5 mg/L NAA as induction medium,attaching different concentrations of sucrose,with the increase of sucrose concentration,callus induction rate showed a trend of rise after the fall of the first,while the concentration of sucrose reached to 60g/L,the induction rate was the highest.


: Aiming at the problem that the conventional transmission line fault location method has a delay in positioning and cannot be timely feedback, a method for fault location of transmission lines based on 3D scan data matching is proposed. 2D feature points are used to obtain three-dimensional point pairs. Structured light projectors and 3D scanning technology are applied to match image feature points and generate mapping relationships with reconstructed 3D space points. Then use point cloud computing to solve three-dimensional coordinates and use features. Click the interpolation result to complete the data matching process. The simulation experiment applies the 3D scanning data matching technology to the operation process of transmission line fault location. The experimental results show that compared with other methods, the method of this paper has the highest detection stability and the advantage of high accuracy of intelligent fault diagnosis, and can give feedback on transmission line faults in time.


SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) is a conceptual, continuous time model that was developed in the early 1990s to assist water resource managers in assessing the impact of management and climate on water supplies and non‐point source pollution in watersheds and large river basins. SWAT is the continuation of over 30 years of model development within the US Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service and was developed to 'scale up' past field‐scale models to large river basins. Model components include weather, hydrology, erosion/sedimentation, plant growth, nutrients, pesticides, agricultural management, stream routing and pond/reservoir routing. The latest version, SWAT2000, has several significant enhancements that include: bacteria transport routines; urban routines; Green and Ampt infiltration equation; improved weather generator; ability to read in daily solar radiation, relative humidity, wind speed and potential ET; Muskingum channel routing; and modified dormancy calculations for tropical areas. A complete set of model documentation for equations and algorithms, a user manual describing model inputs and outputs, and an ArcView interface manual are now complete for SWAT2000. The model has been recoded into Fortran 90 with a complete data dictionary, dynamic allocation of arrays and modular subroutines. Current research is focusing on bacteria, riparian zones, pothole topography, forest growth, channel downcutting and widening, and input uncertainty analysis.


Tungsten carbide, WC, can be prepared by microwave (MW) synthesis in the solid state from its component elements in air on timescales that are orders of magnitude faster than those achieved by conventional heating methods. In a multimode cavity (MMC) MW reactor, the synthesis can be performed in less than 30 min; in a single mode cavity (SMC) reactor the reaction time is reduced to <1 min. Combinations of optical pyrometry, powder X-ray and neutron diffraction, thermal imaging and dielectric measurements demonstrate how these syntheses are self-terminating, initiated at elevated temperature and proceed via the intermediate formation of the sub-carbide W2C. The result is phase-pure, dense, crystalline and stoichiometric WC (hexagonal Pm2, a = 2.90567(3) A, c = 2.83641(3) A, Z = 1).


Abstract: The present invention aims to increase in the proportion of the electrode to the total increase and the battery capacity per unit area, cell electrode manufacturing method for facilitating an increase in the size of the battery, and battery electrode as well as double- it is an object of the invention to provide the following battery. A film forming step of the electrode mixture comprising a polymer to form an electrode was deposited on a collector as A active material, a dividing step of dividing the electrodes after being deposited in a predetermined plurality of portions , Run a drying step of drying the the electrodes divided into a plurality of portions within a predetermined temperature atmosphere, achieving an increase in the proportion of electrodes to the total increase and the battery capacity per unit area, easily large battery to form a battery electrode that.


Changes in extracellular space (ECS) diffusion parameters in astrogliotic tissue around a unilateral cortical stab wound were determined from concentration‐time profiles of tetramethylammonium (TMA+) using TMA+‐selective microelectrodes. Three diffusion parameters—ECS volume fraction α (α = ECS volume/ total tissue volume), tortuosity λ (λ2 = D/ADC; where D is the free and ADC is the apparent diffusion coefficient of TMA+ in the brain), and nonspecific TMA+uptake k′—were determined at 3, 7, 21, and 35 days postwounding (dpw), in the hemispheres ipsilateral and contralateral to the lesion. Following diffusion experiments, tissue sections were immunostained for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and chondroitin‐sulphate proteoglycans (CSPG). In the area 300–1000 μm around the wound, α was increased at 3, 7, and 21 dpw by about 20% but returned to control values at 35 dpw; λ was increased at all four intervals, reaching a maximum at 7 dpw. k′ was lower than in the contralateral hemisphere at 7, 21, and 35 dpw. Measurements 1,500–2,000 μm from the wound revealed only an increase in λ at 7 dpw. The time course of changes in ECS diffusion parameters closely correlated with increased staining for GFAP and CSPG. Our results show that astrogliosis significantly changes the diffusion properties of nervous tissue, making it less permissive. Both hypertrophied astrocytic processes and an enhanced formation of some extracellular matrix molecules could affect, through changes in the diffusion of molecules in the ECS, neuron–glia communication, "cross‐talk" between synapses, extrasynaptic transmission, and regenerative processes.  GLIA 28:40–48, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


The present paper analyses the influencing factors and countermeasures involved in deepwater reefblasting construction on the undersea cable security in coastal waterway in terms of its used construction technology,fire-product selection,blasting parameter design,water-wave overpressure calculation as well as on-site control and result inspection. And with the outcome,it provides some experience for similar projects.


Searching of early diagnostic criteria of the severity of hypoxicischaemic encephalopathy and indicators of brain trophic protection in children with extreme and very low birth weight is up to date. The aim of this study is to determine diagnostic value of glial protein S100 and brainderived neurotrofic factor (BDNF) blood level indexes in small premature infants with perinatal hypoxic  ischaemic encephalopathy during the first year of life. Material and methods. The comprehensive clinical and laboratory examination of 60 such children were performed during the first year of life. Depending on the degree of cerebral ischemia the two subgroups were revealed: I (n = 30) – children with moderate cerebral ischemia (CI II), II (n = 30) – children with severe cerebral ischemia (CI III). The comparison group consisted of 16 healthy fullterm infants without hypoxicischaemic encephalopathy. The serum level of glial protein S100 and BDNF was determined by enzyme immunoassay. Results. Some clinical features of hypoxicischaemic encephalopathy during the first year of life of very preterm infants were found. The diagnostic role of glial protein S100 in determine the severity of cerebral ischemia in children with extreme and very low birth weight in the early neonatal period was revealed. There was observed the serum reduction in the number of BDNF in children with severe hypoxicischaemic encephalopathy. It's indicate the reducing the reparative processes level in this group of children.


ABSTRACT Zinc (Zn) malnutrition can be alleviated by increasing the dietary Zn intake through Zn biofortification of edible crops. Agronomic and genetic biofortification has been suggested as better option to increase the dietary Zn. In this study, we show considerable genetic variability for seed Zn concentration in six leading finger millet genotypes. External application of Zn resulted in improved Zn concentration in different plant parts; in particular there was significant increase in seed Zn concentration in all genotypes. Though genotypes GPU28 and INDAF5 showed differences in root and shoot Zn at vegetative stage but at reproductive stage there was no significant difference. Apart from that, Zn application increased the seed iron (Fe) concentration with no or minimal effect on copper (Cu) concentration.


The threshold energies of high‐field‐induced oxide hole currents and positive oxide charges were examined by using metal‐oxide‐semiconductor field‐effect transistors (MOSFETs) with oxide layers of 6 nm. Effects of three anode materials, polysilicon, aluminum, and gold, were studied. The same threshold energy was observed for generating both hole current and positive charges on MOSFETs with the same anode material. This result supports the proposal that both high‐field‐induced oxide hole current and positive oxide charges have the same origin. Different threshold energies were observed for different anode materials. The larger the anode electron barrier height, the smaller the observed threshold energy. Analyzing the experimental results indicates that holes which cause hole current and positive charges are generated at anode mainly due to electron direct excitation. The anode holes with energies larger than anode hole barrier height have dominant contribution to both high‐field‐induced oxide hole current ...


Natural‐abundance 13C magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used for determining noninvasively the relative concentration of mono‐ and polyunsaturated fatty acids of adipose tissue in two groups of volunteers. The first consisted of subjects who had followed a fat‐reduced diet for at least half a year before the 13C measurements. The second were control subjects who were on a usual high‐fat diet. The ratio of unsaturated to total fatty acids in adipose tissue determined by 13C MRS correlated significantly with the same ratio in fat of the diet composition estimated by a dietician according to food records. The results indicate that 13C MRS is capable of assessing the degree of unsaturation of dietary fatty acids consumed during the preceding months.


This essay is a short (approximately 1400 words, including footnotes) and to the point humorous indictment of the present scholarship (articles and journals) within the American legal academy. Nonetheless, the issue raised by this essay is a serious one – that the proliferation of journals and articles is threatening to overwhelm the system's ability to discern good from bad scholarship. The same issue is happening with the proliferation of judicial opinions. The essay notes that these issues are neither new (the Roman legal system encountered similar issues) nor confined to the United States (e.g., the English have recently handled a comparable issue with respect to judicial opinion citations). The essay concludes by recommending the legal Academy reconsider the present version of student run and edited law reviews.


We have used the bootstrap methodology to analyze dot size distributions of ZnTe quantum dot (QD) structures. The photoluminescence (PL) spectrum indicates that the ZnTe QD structure belongs to a type-II band alignment. The broadness with small fluctuations in the PL represents the spatial inhomogeneity of the QD sizes. The Schrodinger equation together with the first-order perturbation correction was numerically solved to correlate the dot size and the photon energy. Using the bootstrap "loess" curve fitting method, the PL spectrum was determined to be a normal distribution with a high significance level of 46% tested by a null hypothesis H0. By examining the slope of the complementary cumulative distribution function, we found that the size distribution is heavy tailed.


Abstract Contemporary research often either overlooks Palestinians who experienced life under Israeli military rule (1948–1966) or describes them as acquiescent. This interview-based study draws on wide-ranging sources and the testimony of Palestinians in the Galilee and Triangle to provide multiple examples of people's everyday resistance to the extension of Israeli military rule. The objects of this research are the acts of nonviolent resistance undertaken by Palestinians to preserve their own existence first and foremost rather than to endanger that of others. The testimony gathered signals the persistence of resistance, dignity, and identity, but it also speaks to how contingent and difficult acts of nonviolent resistance are.


SEVERAL CLINICAL TRIALS AND OBservational studies have demonstrated that b-blocker use after myocardial infarction (MI) is an effective approach to reducing morbidity and mortality. Although the efficacy of b-blockers was proven nearly 2 decades ago, they remain underused. Recent surveys indicate that b-blockers are prescribed to as few as 40% of eligible patients in some health plans, and they are particularly underused in women and elderly patients. Even among elderly patients who are considered "ideal" candidates for treatment, only about half are prescribed b-blockers on discharge. Several studies have pointed out that underuse of b-blockers has important health consequences, yet there has been a dearth of concrete, quantitative evidence on the economic consequences of such underuse. We sought to examine the health and economic impact of increased b-blocker use following MI using a computer model that simulates coronary heart disease (CHD) in the US population (the Coronary Heart Disease Policy Model). The CHD Policy Model has been used for numerous studies for more than a decade and has been extensively validated by comparing its output to published statistics. We also examined the implications of recent data from the National Cooperative Cardiovascular Project (CCP) suggesting that patients with conditions that traditionally have been considered relative contraindications to b-blockers can benefit from their use. Because of this new evidence, the 1999 guidelines from the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) recommend the Author Affiliations: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Institute for Health Policy Studies, and Center of Excellence on Health Care Markets and Managed Care (Dr Phillips) and Department of Medicine (Drs Shlipak, Coxson, and L. Goldman), University of California, San Francisco; San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center (Dr Shlipak); Palo Alto VA Health Care System and Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, Calif (Dr Heidenreich); Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Mass (Drs Hunink and Weinstein, Ms P. Goldman and Mr Williams); and Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands (Dr Hunink). Corresponding Author and Reprints: Kathryn A. Phillips, PhD, School of Pharmacy and Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California, San Francisco, 3333 California St, Room 420, Box 0613, San Francisco, CA 94143 (e-mail: email@example.com). Context b-Blockers are underused in patients who have myocardial infarction (MI), despite the proven efficacy of these agents. New evidence indicates that b-blockers can have benefit in patients with conditions that have been considered relative contraindications. Understanding the consequences of underuse of b-blockers is important because of the implications for current policy debates over quality-of-care measures and Medicare prescription drug coverage.


Objective To confirm the sensitivity and practical value of gold colloid immunochromatography(GICA) strips for detecting Vibrio Cholerae(VC). Methods GICA sensitivity was tested using imitated samples contained VC, Sensitivity of GICA and culture method were compared to detect samples collected from epidemic period. Results The minimal detection limit of the GICA strips were 10~5 cfu/ml, It was less sensitive than culture method, but the original quality and performance of GICA strips had been achieved. The detective rates of GICA for practical application were lower than culture method, but the difference is not significant.(p 0. 05) Conclusion The method of detecting VC with GICA strips is rapid, simple, specific and suitable for use at grassroot level.


Tectonically the Dabie orogenic belt consists mainly of the Dabieshan Yanshanian uplifted zone and the Beihuaiyang Variscan-Indosinian folding zone. In the north boundary adjoining the North China Block, there are an Early Palaeozoic ophiolitic mixtite belt and the Hefei Mesozoic-Cenozoic faulted basin which overlaps on the suture belt. In the south of Dabie orogen, there is a secondary tectonic unit called Foreland thrust-faulted structural zone which was mainly formed by the intracontinental subductions during Mesozoic era. The study shows that the Dabie Block is a part of mid-late Proterozoic palaeo-island arc at the north margin of Yangtze Block. During Caledonian period, as a submerged uplift at the northen continental margin of Yangtze Block, the Dabie Block collided with the early Palaeozoic palaeo-island arc at the south margin of North China Block, resulting in the convergence of the North and South China Blocks and the disappearance of oceanic crust. Since then,large-scale intracontinental subductions were followed. Dabie Orogenic Belt is the product of overlapping of Yangtze Block, Dabie Block and North China Block under the mechanism of intracontinental subduction. Indosinian period is the period of chief deformation and high pressure dynamic metamorphism for Dabie Block, and Yanshan period is the main orogenic period in which the remelting of crust caused by basement shearing resulted in large scale thermometamorphism. The present tectonic framework of the orogen was finally formed by the rapid uplifting of the Dabieshan mountains and gliding southwards, which result in the developing of thrust belt on south side and the extensional tectonic movement on north side.


The placenta is a transitory organ that originates from maternal and fetal tissues, the function of which is transporting nutrients from the mother to the fetus. The aim of this study was describe the histological features of placentas in healthy Thoroughbred mares at foaling and evaluate their relation with the gross placental and data of these mares. For this study 188 Thoroughbred mares were used. It was performed clinical observation for signs of placentitis during daily health checks and ultrasonic examination monthly to assess the fetus and placenta. All of the mares that exhibited clinical signs of placentitis were treated during gestation. The parturition was assisted, the placentas were grossly evaluated and samples were collected immediately after expulsion. The following data were considered for each mare: age, gestational age, number of parturition, time for placental expulsion, umbilical-cord length, placental weight and clinical signs of placentitis. Histological evaluation of the placentas revealed extensive cytoplasmic vacuolization of the epithelial areolar cells, presence of inflammatory infiltrates and hypoplasia-atrophy of the microcotyledons. Most of the gross placental findings were consistent with the histological results. In conclusion the mares with a vacuolated placental chorionic epithelium were older and had experienced a larger number of births. Great part of the mares with inflammatory infiltrates did not showed any clinical signs of placentitis during gestation.


The free vibration and dynamic response of offshore jacket platform subjected to complex loads were carried out using ANSYS software.By dispersing the platform into beam and plate finite elements,the model analysis methods and full transient method are used to carry out the response of the jacket platform,including its natural frequency,harmonic response and dynamic response under wave loads,ice loads,and characteristic curve for different parts of the jacket platform with the variable load parameter were given.The results show that it is necessary to carry out the static and dynamic checking for the offshore jacket platform in special working environment.


A facile and convenient synthesis of N-acetyl-2-aryl-1,2-dihydro-(4H)-3,1-benzoxazin-4-ones has been reported by cyclization of some 2-(benzylideneamino)benzoic acids in acetic anhydride under reflux condition. High yields of the products were obtained in high purity with simple work-up.


Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of the treatment of lung intractable tuberculosis cavity with "transbronchial tuberculosis cavity plugging (TTCP)". Methods:Twenty-seven cavities of 24 patients underwent TTCP treatment with antiphthisic gels formed by macromolecular organic matter. Results:The negative result rate of sputum was 83.3% ,and the cavity closure rate was 25.9 % six months after treatment. Conclusion: TTCP is a safe,simple,and effective method in treating intractable lung tuberculosis cavity.


The proceedings of the conference are presented. It is proposed that commercial development in space is an important element in the future competitive posture of the industrial nations of the world. The resources and characteristics of space will play a major role in opening a new economic frontier for all the spacefaring nations of the world. Some topics of discussion are as follow: NASA's mission and the role of CCD's; A balanced commercial access to space; Systems for COMET; SPACEHAB; Space Station Freedom; The center for macromolecular crystallography; Center for space power and advanced electronics; and The center for mapping.


Cellana grata? A quantitative test of a dynamic optimization model Giacomo Santini*, Avis Ngan, Michael T. Burrows, Guido Chelazzi and Gray A. Williams Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; The Swire Institute of Marine Science and School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China; and Scottish Association for Marine Science, Scottish Marine Institute, Oban, Argyll PA37 1QA, UK


The Midway sediments which cropout in northwestern Louisiana outline the highest structural portion of the Sabine uplift. They are divisible on the surface into three formations, the Naborton (oldest), the Logansport, and the Hall Summit (youngest). End_Page 941------------------------------ Each formation is a lithologic unit which consists of a basal sand member, a middle lignitic shale member, and an upper calcareous member. The surface lithologic units can be traced locally into the subsurface by use of driller's logs and electrical logs. The practicability of employing these units for mapping is shown by the fact that detailed mapping of formations delimits the various oil fields of this area and shows the highest structural portion of the Sabine uplift to be in the DeSoto-Red River field. End_of_Article - Last_Page 942------------


In the present study, the flow characteristics of developing laminar oscillatory flows in a square -sectional 180 deg. curved duct are investigated experimentally. The experimental study using air in a square-sectional 180 deg. curved duct is carried out to measure velocity distributions with a data acquisition and LDV (Laser Doppler Velocimetry) processing system. In this system, Rotating Machinery Resolver (RMR) and PHASE program are used to obtain the results of unsteady flows. The major flow characteristics of developing oscillatory flows are found by analyzing velocity curves, mean velocity profiles, time-averaged velocity distribution of secondary flow, wall shear stress distributions, and entrance lengths. In a lower dimensionless angular frequency, the axial velocity distribution of laminar oscillatory flow in a curved duct shows a convex shape in a central part and axial symmetry. The maximum value of wall shear stress in a lower dimensionless angular frequency is located in an outside wall, but according to increasing the dimensionless angular frequency, the maximum of wall shear stress is moved to inner wall. The entrance lengths of laminar oscillatory flows in a square-sectional 180 deg. curved duct is obtained to 90 deg. of bended angle of duct in this experimental conditions.


Indian fisheries sector plays an important
role in the socio-economic
development of the country, in view of
its potential contribution to national income,
nutritional security, employment
opportunities, social objectives and export
earnings.


Parallopharynx jonesi, a new plagiorchiid trematode, is described from Anolis lionotus Cope, 1861, and is compared with P. arctus Caballero, 1946, and P. gonzalezi Brenes, Arroyo and MonteroGei, 1960. While collecting vertebrates and their parasites in Nicaragua in the summer of 1964, a number of helminths were obtained. Subsequent examination of these helminths revealed trematodes of a species belonging to the genus Parallopharynx Caballero, 1946, described herein as new. The new trematode was found in each of four anolid lizards which contained large numbers of adult and immature forms. All trematodes recovered were removed from the host and placed in water-filled petri dishes to expel some of their uterine eggs. The water was then heated until the worms relaxed and died in an extended condition. All worms were preserved in 70% alcohol until studied. Specimens were stained in Harris' hematoxylin (1 : 150 concentration, diluted with 10% ammonium alum), dehydrated in ethanol, cleared in xylene, and mounted in Piccolyte. The mounted specimens then were studied under both phase contrast and ordinary light microscopes. Both sagittal and cross serial sections were made and stained in Harris' hematoxylin and eosin. Measurements are given in microns unless otherwise indicated. Received for publication 2 December 1964. * Present address: Department of Zoology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins. Parallopharynx jonesi sp. n.


This paper presents the design of a highly efficient push-pull power amplifier (PA) for 5.2 GHz band in a 0.18-μm CMOS technology. This PA assumes 802.11ac, which requires linearity, and enables high-speed communication. In this PA, center tapped transformer designed using a 0.18-μm CMOS technology is used. PA had been simulated and measured. The proposed PA has a simulated power-added efficiency (PAE) in the linear operation of 15.7 %, maximum PAE of 30.9 % at 5.2 GHz.


The improvement of musical behaving ability should start from fostering students' abilities such as knowing music scores,imagination,comprehension and acute listening comprehension.Only when students have improved their comprehensive musical abilities can they perform the music works perfectly and make their performances more attractive.


To promote the teaching reform and innovation of humanities and social sciences in colleges and universities in the new era, it is necessary to have a deep understanding of the special importance of their courses, and to make great efforts to build a "four-degree" class with high level, depth, temperature and effectiveness, constantly improve the ideological, theoretical and affinity of classroom teaching, targeted, truly make it become a life-long benefit to students, life-long unforgettable quality courses.


Mathematic models of one dimensional gas-liquid two phase flow water-lifting performance for aeration chamber was established on the basis of balance condition of dynamic and drag force acted on gas-liquid two-phase mixture.The model was used to simulate and predict the liquid characteristics of hypolimnetic aeration.Results indicated that the errors between calculated results and tested results were respectively ±10% for gas holdup ratio in the rising cylinder,and ±20% for superficial liquid velocity,which proved that water lifting performance models are suitable to simulate liquid characteristics of hypolimnetic aeration.


Gelatin is a multifunctional ingredient widely used in the food and beverage industries. It is also useful in pharmaceutical industry, such as in the manufacturing of dental materials, whether as a main ingredient or an additive. The dental materials traded within Indonesia come from imported goods and local manufacturers. Gelatin is obtained through hydrolysis of cartilages, bones, and skins of cows, pigs and fish. Therefore, the presence of gelatin in dental materials posses critical haram risk for Moslems. This research aimed to examine the presence of gelatin in dental materials using Attenuated Total Reflection-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) combined with chemometrics. Gelatin was identified from comparing the infrared (IR) spectrum between samples and standard gelatin of bovine and porcine origins. We combined the IR data with chemometrics through Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and subsequent Soft Independent Modeling of Class Analogy (SIMCA) techniques in order to authenticate the gelatin source. The result showed that 4 out of 49 samples (DM-1, DM-6, DM-18, and DM-27) were detected with gelatin. Based on chemometrics analysis, one sample (DM-6) had similar profile with porcine gelatin. The research highlighted the potential use of combined techniques of ATR-FTIR and chemometrics in authenticating the gelatin source in pharmaceutical products.


More than thirty-five years ago, faculty at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry realized the geriatric population would have an increased need for oral healthcare, and that specific geriatric training in the dental school curriculum would be necessary to prepare future practitioners to meet this demand. This article describes the successful evolution of one such education program.Currently, 95 percent of people ages 65 and older in the United States live in the community; about 70 percent, or about 24.3 million individuals, are able to visit the dentist's office independently and can be designated as functionally independent older adults (Ortman, Velkoff, and Hogan, 2014). Nearly 17 percent of these older community-dwelling adults are frail and medically compromised, but can go to a dental appointment if there is transportation available (Ostchega et al., 2000). Another 5 percent (approximately), or 1.8 million, of older adults are in long-term care, while a similar number are homebound. All of these individuals are functionally dependent older adults who can no longer survive in the community without help (Administration on Aging, 2014).The potential changing healthcare needs of baby boomers forced professional health educators in the 1970s to recognize the need to focus on the aging population (Cohn and Taylor, 2010). Some dentists became aware that older adults had significant and unique oral health issues, so the term "geriatric dentistry" was coined in an effort to recognize a need for training in geriatric education in dentistry (Ettinger, 2012). At that time, education in geriatric dentistry usually consisted of a reference to aging in select lectures or courses, depending upon the faculty member's knowledge.The University of Iowa Geriatric ProgramAt the University of Iowa, in 1973, the first course in geriatric dentistry was introduced-a five-week, two-hour elective seminar with no more than ten students (Ettinger, 2012). The course, which was intended to increase knowledge and comprehension of concepts in aging (Ettinger, 2012), was offered twice a year, as part of Oral Biology electives.In the late 1970s, Dr. James Beck joined the faculty, and a field trip to a nursing home was added to the curriculum so dental students could conduct oral screenings and perform denture cleaning. During these field trips, faculty observed that some students had a "recoil reaction" when examining older patients with poor oral hygiene.After observing these negative reactions, Beck designed a series of studies to measure changes in students' attitudes in response to seeing the effects of poor oral hygiene in older adults (Beck et al., 1979; Holtzman, Beck, and Ettinger, 1981; Ettinger et al., 1982). Study results indicated that dental students held negative attitudes toward older people and that their brief exposures to poor oral health status in this cohort amplified these negative attitudes (Beck et al., 1979).It became clear that students needed to know about the variations of biological aging and be able to differentiate between normal aging and the pathological effects of disease, before they treated frail older adults. The geriatric didactic program at Iowa, across the past forty years, has progressed from a didactic elective involving a few students to a required, integrated two-hour course for junior students in the predoctoral curriculum.The Geriatric Mobile Dental UnitIt was determined that a clinical component was necessary, a key element that would enable students to understand this vulnerable population's needs, to become more confident in managing their care, and to develop an appreciation for the necessity of that care-all while overcoming their reluctance to treat these patients. In 1979, with local and federal funding, the University created an elective geriatric mobile clinical program for senioryear dental students, in which they would provide care for residents in ten nursing homes (Ettinger, 2012). …


We report the synthesis of a simple pyrene derivative and its application in protamine detection and monitoring of trypsin activity. This assay can be conducted in aqueous solution and features rapid response, visual detection, high sensitivity and selectivity. The limit of detection of protamine was 0.5 μg mL(-1). The IC50 value of a soybean trypsin inhibitor was estimated to be 0.51 U mL(-1).


The Malaysian financial system has evolved in line with the changing structure of the economy. The changes in the economic structure and financial system in turn have had an important influence in shaping the increasing complexity of the relationship between monetary policy and the real economy. In this regard, as policymakers, it is important to first and foremost understand how the economic transformation affects the nature of the monetary transmission mechanism, in addition to evaluating the relative potency of transmission channels.


A new range of advanced components are needed for the emerging field of multi-wavelength optical communications. The present talk will consider some of the challenges faced by InP-based multi-wavelength filters. They relate to such features as polarization-sensitivity and bandpass-shape, cross-talk and loss, uniformity and yield. We will consider these performance aspects and discuss their presence in the InP-based filters currently under investigation. We will also project forward to assess the future performance potential and the prospects for attaining high-performance, fully-integrated, monolithic WDM components.


To investigate the direct vascular effects of auricularia auriculajudae polysaccharide (AAP) and the underlying mechanisms on the thoracic aorta of streptozotocin(STZ) induced diabetic SD rats.


Approximately half a million cases of sepsis occur each year in the United States, and the estimated mortality is 35 percent (175,000 deaths annually). Half are caused by gram-negative rods, and ha...


The increasing consciousness of sustainable development and reconciling production with ecosystem conservation have fostered the adoption and implementation of environmental management systems (EMS). This paper investigates the critical processes and factors that may affect EMS planning. Empirical findings of a recent study in Hong Kong are presented, and a five‐stage EMS planning framework starting from strategy formulation to system implementation and evaluation is proposed. The framework integrates various perspectives of environmental management and strategy formulation. The paper provides organisations with a procedural guide for implementing environmental management practices. Flexible adaptation of the framework can help organisations derive potential benefits from the EMS implementation leading to sustainable competitive advantage. The framework can be modified to cater for varied business nature and operations in industry.


The term recurrent abdominal pain (RAP), based on the pioneering work of Apley and Naish, describes children who have chronic abdominal pain without an identifiable organic basis (1). Community-based studies worldwide show that 10% to 46% of children 4 to 16 years old meet the criteria for RAP (2–5). Based on other reports and data from our institution, RAP accounts for approximately 25% of visits to a pediatric gastroenterologist/nurse practitioner (4,6,7). The pediatric Rome III committee introduced the term abdominal pain–related functional gastrointestinal disorders (APFGIDs) to supersede the term RAP (8). APFGIDs include 4 phenotypic subtypes: functional abdominal pain (FAP), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS, essentially, FAP with changes in stooling pattern), functional dyspepsia, pain in the upper abdomen), and the relatively rare disorder, abdominal migraine (8). APFGIDs are associated with variable levels of symptoms and distress, ranging from episodic mild to severe abdominal pain, often disruptive to school and other activities. Evidence demonstrates that 30% to 66% of children with RAP experience pain similar to that of adults and meet the adult Rome criteria for IBS (9–12).


Marc Lucht — Philosophy as a Way of Living ...................................................... 11 Vladimir Przhilenskiy — Suspicion and Method: Towards the Post-Theoretical Lifeworld .......................................................................................................... 24 Panos Eliopoulos — The Stoic Cosmopolitanism as a Way of Life ..................... 30 German V. Melikhov — On the Unrestraint in Beliefs .......................................... 36 Tatiana M. Shatunova — Aesthetics as Metaphysics and Passion ........................ 40 Igor Gasparov — Spiritual Exercises as an Essential Part of Philosophical Life .. 45 Elena N. Bolotnikova — Philosophy as Self-Care ................................................. 50


Banks are exposed to climate risks through stranded assets. This risk can be substantial in the banking sector, as it can spawn systemic risk. After the Great Recession, macro-prudential instruments effectively addressed systemic risk. However, climatic risks raise the research question of how feasible it is to address them by adopting macro-prudential instruments. The researchers, therefore, investigate how banks can respond to the risk posed by stranded assets through the framework of using macro-prudential instruments. A semi-systematic review of the related literature is carried out based on the researchers' aim to evaluate theory evidence in the effectiveness of macro-prudential instruments in addressing climate-related risks. The adaptability of macro-prudential instruments to address climatic risks and, by implication, systemic risk is demonstrated in the findings. The researchers develop a framework constituting climate transparency disclosures, climate capital requirement ratio, climate capital conservation, carbon countercyclical buffer and macro-prudential climate stress tests to mitigate the effects of climate risks in banking.


The article presents the research results of the study of emotionally negative condition of anxiety among the patients with haemorrhoids during the surgical treatment.


Known numbers of adult codling moths, Laspeyresia pomonella (L.), were released into an isolated 80-acre apple orchard in the Wenas Valley, Wash., (determined to be essentially free of native moths) to test the efficiency of traps baited with females when free-flying females were or were not present. Trap efficiency was reduced as much as 75% when a moderate-sized population of free-flying females was present to compete with the caged virgin females. However, when actual catches were compared with expected catches (based on the assumption that caged and free-flying females were equally attractive), the virgin females in the traps were seen to be more attractive than the free-flying females. Also, when populations grow large, these sex attractant trap catches do not reflect the increase and therefore cannot be used to estimate the size of the population.


Introduction: Information about the cost effectiveness of add-on treatments for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is needed. Objectives To evaluate the cost effectiveness of once-daily umeclidinium bromide 62.5μg (UMEC) added to inhaled corticosteroids/long-acting β2-agonists (ICS/LABA) versus ICS/LABA in the United Kingdom (UK). Methods: A linked-equation model estimated disease progression, associated health service costs, and impact on quality-adjusted life-years and survival. Statistical risk equations for clinical endpoints and resource use were derived from the ECLIPSE and TORCH studies, respectively. Model baseline inputs and treatment effects were obtained from GSK trials (Siler et al. COPD 2016;13:1–10; Siler et al. Respir Med 2015;109:1155–63) and discontinuation rates from the UPLIFT study. A lifetime horizon was used and costs and effects were discounted at 3.5%. Analyses were performed from the UK National Health Service perspective. Results: Against slightly higher costs, UMEC added to ICS/LABA resulted in improved outcomes. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios remained within recognised cost-effectiveness thresholds. Sensitivity analyses showed that variation in main parameters did not alter the results including at shorter time horizons of 5 and 10 years. Conclusions Against slightly higher costs, UMEC improves health outcomes when added to ICS/LABA in COPD in the UK. Funding GSK (HO-15-8059)


Legal Orders with an Oral Tradition in Sardinia: The Case of the Rasgioni in Gallura ABSTRACT: The customary law of Sardinia's traditional communities offers a panorama of considerable interest in the area of the anthropological and legal research of systems of conflict solving. After a brief description of the fieldwork conducted (in the central Sardinian area of Barbagia) in relation to this topic, this essay examines a different cultural area (the northern region of Gallura), which is also of specific ethnographic interest. Attention is focused in particular on one local institution in Gallura (known as rasgioni), which was passed on by word of mouth and only fell into abeyance some thirty years ago, as a previously unpublished record of it has been discovered: an audio recording made in November 1963 in the village of Giuncana (in the countryside between Bortigiadas and Viddalba). A study of this traditional institution also enables an analysis to be made of the profiles of legal acculturation that emerge in the relationship between the spontaneous legal order adopted by the local communities in Gallura and the official, refined legal order of the state. Lastly, the article throws light on the analogies and the differences observable between the systems of peaceful conflict solving identified in the two cultural areas of Sardinia (Gallura and Barbagia), identifying the basic topics to be used for a future comparative survey.


The paper presents a method that can be used to measure metal corrosions based on the evanescent field of a fiber, and a pair of fiber Bragg gratings between the transducer is utilized for multiplexing. The technique is based on the ratio of the reflecting intensities from the reference and the sensing fiber Bragg gratings. The ratio has been found to be independent of optical intensity variations.


In order to do the electric bridge experiment better,some advice is put forward understanding the "bridge" correctly,putting up the "bridge" reasonably and using the "bridge" carefully in this essay.


Economic development of cities is taking some new directions in both developed and developing societies with the national and local economies becoming more and more service sector dominant. Among the various sectors, entertainment and tourism are becoming important sectors for revitalization and reinforcement of economic activities and thereby generate economic growth as well as employment. Historical cities are in particular good centres to carry out this revitalization through having some specific plans, strategies and actions in place that make use of the potential of various sites. Mumbai is one such historic city with a good amount of natural and built heritage that can be used for both entertainment and tourism development. This article provides an overview of the potential of Mumbai city to offer such services to the citizens and the economy. We therefore examine the definition of entertainment and tourism first and then their linkages with the economy. Subsequently, we examine the need and scope for the integration of these three into the development of city. At the end, we discuss in detail the touristic potential of Mumbai in terms of the salient features of city and its environs.


Objective To explore whether portal vein injection of small interfering RNA(siRNA) targeting connective tissue growth factor(CTGF) could inhibit CTGF expression in rats liver in vivo and prevent rats hepatic fibrosis. Methods Twenty four male rats were equaly divided into four groups. Rats received subcutaneous injection of 40% CCl4 (3 ml/kg) together with portal vein injection of saline every three days for 6 consecutive weeks were served as model group; CCl4 together with portal vein delivery of siRNA (0.1 mg/kg) as preventive group; CCl4 for 2 weeks followed by CCl4 and CTGF siRNA for more than 4 weeks as curative group, and only intraportal injection of saline as control group. Portal vein pressure in all rats at 3 days after the last CCl4 injection were measured, and blood and hepatic tissue from rats were harvested. Serum concentration of transaminases, hyaluronic acid(HA) and procollagen type Ⅲ (PⅢNP) were measured. Expression of CTGF mRNA and protein in rats liver was evaluated by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. Inflammation and fibrosis in rats liver was analyzed by H-E and Sirius red collagen staining. The fibrotic area was measured quantitatively by a computer-aided manipulator. Results Compared with model group, the expression of CTGF mRNA and protein in liver in both preventive and curative groups were markedly down-regulated. Inflammation, necrosis and fibrosis in hepatic tissue was significantly attenuated. In addition, the serum concentration of transaminases, HA and PⅢNP were greatly reduced. The fibrotic areas in preventive, curative and model groups were 5.8%±0.8%, 7.2%±0.9% and 12.3%±0.8%,respectively (P0.01), while the portal vein pressure were (14.2 ± 2.3 ), (15.1 ± 3.6 ) and ( 20.6 ± 5.8) cm H2O ,respectively (P0.01). Conclusions Portal vein delivery of CTGF siRNA significantly inhibit CTGF expression in rats liver in vivo, and effectively prevent rats hepatic fibrosis, suggesting siRNA targeting CTGF has the potential to be a novel strategy for anti-liver fibrosis.


Based on adaptive control theroy, the design and research of an adaptive control system for a 4-DOFmulti-joint robot is discussed. The adaptive control method and the control rule can be applied to othercontrol systems as well.


The International Congress of Pediatric Pulmonology (CIPP), the only global meeting entirely devoted to pediatric respiratory medicine, in its 20th edition, is virtual this year, because of the COVID‐19 pandemic. CIPP has acquired a reputable status as the forum for new information, treatment guidelines, interactions, and exchange of ideas between leading specialists and practitioners in Pediatric Pulmonology from both developed and developing countries. Through a continuing partnership with Pediatric Pulmonology, the only International Journal devoted to pediatric lung diseases, the abstracts of papers that will be presented in the 20th CIPP will reach a wider audience. These presentations cover areas of concern such as poorly controlled asthma, respiratory infections (including the COVID‐19) and their complications, neonatal lung diseases and their outcomes, cystic fibrosis, sleep‐disordered breathing, critical care, rare lung diseases, and new treatment options. As a collection, they reflect the current developments in the field and the global perspective of the Congress.


The Journalattempts to publish valid, readable manuscripts of interest and value to a general medical audience. Some editorial decisions are relatively easy. These involve submissions of obviously outstanding quality that conform toJournalformat or, alas, those of little or no merit. More often, however, editorial priorities are less easily set. Since we can publish only a small fraction of the manuscripts we receive, we must reject, although reluctantly, a substantial number of evident merit, on the basis of excessive length or narrow interest. Once such fairly clear-cut decisions are made, we must select among the many others competing for space inThe Journalpages. Our numerous expert consultants are of indispensable help in many of these selections. Ultimately, however, the editorial staff must make the decisions. It is interesting to examine certain characteristics common among the rejected ranks and likely absent from the accepted. In general, one or


This paper describes an innovative method for teaching computer science in general high school education, illustrated with the example of introductory programming. Analyzing the literature in CS education research we found that creativity is rarely regarded, especially in high school education; although a few authors describe promising results from applying creativity. We designed and applied a framework for designing creative CS lessons based on a set of creativity criteria. The conducted teaching unit on introductory programming fulfilled the expectations: the students learned with high motivation and interest, the learning objectives were met and the students' picture of CS improved


Treatment of distillery spent wash by adsorption technique has great potential as a sustainable method as it is a low cost method. The aim of this investigation is to study the impact of different textures of soil, sand and active carbon as adsorbent for spent wash purification. For this, the study encompassing evaluation of reduction of various physical chemical parameters (Color, Odor, pH, COD, TS, TDS, Ca, Mg, Na and K) of distillery spent wash was checked by passing it through the columns of soil, sand, active carbon, soil+sand (1:1), soil+active carbon(1:1) and sand+active carbon(1:1). The original distillery spent wash was acidic (pH 4.7) and dark black brown in color with foul smell. It creates psychological fear in farmers in its utilization for irrigation. After 72 hour treatment of spent wash, maximum reduction in its physico chemical properties (COD, TS, TDS, Mg, Na, Ca,) is observed with active carbon and increase in pH toward pH 7, followed by soil+active carbon (1:1). Treated spent wash has resulted a good growth of wheat seeds when used for irrigation and reduced demand of chemical fertilizers.


In this contribution we report on the fabrication of 50 μm high Pt-tips using silicon anisotropic etching, thin-film Pt and silicon nitride deposition and patterning. Different technologies used for the opening of the silicon nitride passivation layer [4,5] allowed active areas ranging from 0.03 μm to 600 μm to be obtained. An SEM photograph of a tip (radius of curvature 0.2 μm) is shown in figure 1.