The cornea remains in a state of deturgescence, maintained by the endothelial cell Na+/K+ ATPase and by tight junctions between endothelial cells that limit the entrance of fluid into the stroma. By maintaining an optimum level of corneal hydration, endothelial cells preserve the ordered arrangement of collagen fibers, which is crucial for corneal transparency. Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) was initially described by Fuchs in 1910 as a combination of epithelial and stromal edema in older patients. It manifests itself as bilateral, albeit asymmetric, central corneal guttae, corneal edema, and reduced vision. The Descemet membrane thickens and develops excrescences known histopathologically as guttae. Stromal edema develops, and the corneal thickness may increase to over 1,000 μm. When the edema is severe, the corneal epithelium can detach from its basement membrane, creating painful bullae on the anterior surface of the cornea. FECD is the most common endothelial dystrophy and is usually seen beyond the fifth decade of life, although not all cases are in the elderly. Pseudophakic bullous keratopathy is a term used to describe endothelial cell loss caused by surgical manipulations in the anterior chamber (usually due to pseudophakic intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, but it may be related to any other intraocular surgical procedure, obviously including phakic IOL implantation). If the corneal endothelium is damaged during surgery (as often occurs during cataract extraction, phakic IOL implantation and other procedures), the same spectrum of symptoms as found in FECD can develop, although the histological phenotype of both diseases is different and, usually, there is no guttata in pseudophakic bullous keratopathy. Full-thickness grafts have been the standard of care for treating medically uncontrollable endothelial disease for a significant number of years worldwide. However, although the success rate is 90% in low-risk patients, it is only 30-50% in more complex, higher-risk cases, and overall, 30% of cases have a rejection episode. Moreover, regrafting has become the most common indication for corneal transplantation in the US and in some places in Europe. The more recently developed lamellar keratoplasty techniques are designed to overcome some of the problems of corneal transplantation by leaving as much of the healthy cornea in place as possible. For example, endothelial keratoplasty procedures replace only the endothelium but leave the patient's cornea's refraction as well as most of its biomechanical properties fairly intact. In this chapter, we will review the actual techniques for endothelial transplantation and provide an update on the surgical strategy (mostly for Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty) and its clinical results and complications.


Cognitive Radio is a promising technology to improve the spectrum exploitation and spectrum sensing is one of the key functionality for cognitive radio (CR) systems to operate in the available spectrum holes. To guard the primary users present in any spectrum from any interference, the CR should be able enough detect incumbent signals even at very low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). In this paper, different spectrum sensing parameters like bit error probability (BEP), probability of detection, probability of false alarm are optimized under low SNR scenario using a demand and need based genetic algorithm(GA), taking the geographical variations of the spectrum holes in consideration. The results shows that the GA worked well and provides a better real life solution to the cognitive radio network.


It is difficult to retrieve the complex object shape by using traditional two-dimensional phase unwrapping algorithm, so the levels of automatization and accuracy of measuring are confined. We present an improved phase unwrapping technique in Fourier transform profilometry, which is based on digital weighted filter and modulation analysis. The processing is guided by magnitude of modulation, and the filter in frequency range is used to improve the sort order of fringe quality. In this way, the new method is considering both accuracy and reliability, avoiding the step of connecting poles and saving time. Finally, its feasibility and validity is proved by the experimental results of the 3-D shape measurement.


RESULTS OBTAINED IN SOIL STABILIZATION WITH PORTLAND CEMENT AND WITH A MIXTURE CONTAINING 80% GRANULATED SLAG AND 20% CEMENT, TO WHICH SODIUM CHLORIDE AND A PLASTICIZING AGENT WERE ADDED, ARE GIVEN.


In order to resolve the high IDS costs and huge system resource requirements in a terminal computer,A honeypot and mobile agent-nased intrusion detection system(AH-IDS) is proposed.According to t he characteristic which the mobile agent can freely move in the network,the work flow of the system is analyzed,the majority components is proposed,the design of the monitor is presented.AH-IDS can detect the simple attack by analyzing the invasive characteristics from two simple examples,and the detecting capabilities of the AH-IDS are enhanced by analyzing the capabilities of the AH-IDS.


We study a light thermal scalar dark matter (DM) model with a light scalar mediator mixed with the standard model Higgs boson, including both the theoretical bounds and the current experimental constraints. The thermal scalar DM with the mass below a few GeV is usually strongly constrained by the observation of CMB and/or indirect detection experiments because the leading annihilation mode is S-wave. However, we find that two parameter regions still remain, which are the resonant annihilation region and the forbidden annihilation region. For the both cases, higher partial waves dominantly contribute to the annihilation at the freeze-out era, and the constraint from the cosmological observation is weaker. We consider typical cases of these regions quantitatively, mainly focusing on the mixing angle and the mass of the new particles. Finally, we also discuss the testability of this model at future experiments. ar X iv :2 10 9. 03 55 3v 2 [ he pph ] 7 N ov 2 02 1


The purpose of this essay is, to a degree, a polemical one. It is to situate the question of the nature of literature as formulated by Jacques Derrida within Martin Heidegger's problematically similar readings of poetry. One of the more peculiar aspects of this project is that, despite the gathering momentum of "deconstruction," its necessity or even its possibility seem to have passed unnoticed. This disregard is nevertheless contemporary with broad recognition of the importance of Heidegger in Derrida's project of deconstruction. Manfred Frank, for example, has recently analyzed the affiliations between Heidegger's critique of modern metaphysics as essentially a metaphysics of the subject with similar arguments in "post-structuralist" texts.' Indeed, it is usually in relation to the question of man and the human subject that Heidegger and Derrida have been brought together. The massive collection of papers from the Cerisy 1980 conference on Derrida, for instance (Les fins de l'homme)2, concerns particularly Derrida's "The Ends of Man" (1968)3 with its questioning of Heidegger's notion of Dasein in relation to the meaning and status of "humanism." It has been unusual, however, for Heidegger to be discussed in relation to specific questions of textuality prominent in Derrida's work. Rodolphe Gasche's two essays, "Du trait non adequat: la notion de rapport chez Heidegger" (1981)4 and "Joining the Text: From Heidegger to Derrida"5 (1983) are practically alone in following


This study aims To, 1) To know and analyze the effect of Quality Product on the Value of Customer Product Recycle in Makassar, 2) To know and analyze the effect of Quality Product on Customer Satisfaction of Waste Recycle Products in Makassar, 3) To know and analyze the influence of Customer Value on customer satisfaction of Waste Recycle Products in Makassar, 4) To know and analyze the effect of Product Quality to customer satisfaction through Customer Value of Waste Recycle Product in Makassar. This study examines the relationship between variables so that it includes explanatory research. The location of the research is on the recycling UKM in Makassar City, with the population of 1,700 and the sample number of 103 respondents. The survey was conducted from January to February 2018. Variable measurements were performed using the Likert Scale with levels 1-5. Data were analyzed by using Structural Equation Modeling PLS. The results of this study indicate that there are three (3) direct influence paths are: 1) The Quality Product influence significantly to Customer Value, 2) The Quality Product significantly influence Customer Satisfaction, 3) The Customer Value significantly influence Customer Satisfaction. The indirect effect there are 1 (one) lane of influence indirectly, that is: Indirectly Quality Product significant to Customer Satisfaction.


Pre‐eclampsia is a hypertensive disease that is characterized by high blood pressure and proteinuria after 20 gestational weeks and complicates 3–8% of all pregnancies. It is classified as either mild or severe pre‐eclampsia according to severity, and the aim of this study was to investigate the structural differences between these two classifications.


TiO2 attracts much interest because of its many potential applications. The use of titanium dioxide strongly depends on its polymorphic form: brookite, anatase, or rutile. Only rutile and anatase play an important role in industry. Anatase as a metastable form undergoes a non-reversible transformation into rutile. Understanding the kinetics of phase transformation and the processes of crystal growth of a material is essential for controlling its structure and, thus, its specific properties. The main purpose of this paper is to explain the anatase to rutile recrystallization kinetics in the modified TiO2 calcined from industrial hydrated titanium dioxide. The apparent activation energy of anatase to rutile transformation and the average size of titanium dioxide crystallites were determined for the unmodified TiO2 and TiO2 modified with P, K, Al, B, Zn, Zr, Ce, Sn, or Sb introduced in the amount of 0.5 mol% and 1.0 mol% when recalculated for their oxides. The growth of TiO2 crystallites during calcination was strongly inhibited by P, Ce and Zr, and inhibited to a lesser degree by Al, Sn and Sb. B and Zn did not affect the investigated process and K accelerated crystallites growth. The values of apparent activation energy depending on a modifier formed a relationship: Al


Earthquake catalogues, seismotectonic zonations and ground-motion prediction equations (GMPE) are the basic ingredients for probabilistic seismic hazard assessment (PSHA). Seismotectonic zones are commonly defined considering the style-of-faulting; contemporary GMPE's also differentiate by the style-of-faulting. Here we present a case study for Italy to show that style-of-faulting should also be incorporated into the recurrence rates estimation.


An acyclic set in an undirected graph G = (V,E) is a set A ⊆ V(G) such that the induced graph on A is acyclic. A maximal acyclic set (MAS) has the further property that no vertex can be added to it without creating a cycle in the induced graph. We present the first NC algorithm that finds an MAS in any graph, running in time O(log4 n) using O((m2 + n)/log n) processors on a EREW PRAM, answering questions raised by Chen and He. Our NC algorithm for finding an MAS in a graph relies on a novel NC algorithm for finding a maximal forest in a hypergraph which may be of independent interest.


suitably trained and qualified; have sufficient knowledge of the proposed investigation or treatment, and understand the risks involved. To obtain meaningful informed consent, some surgical departments of hospitals ask their doctors, nurses and social workers to talk with patients scheduled for elective surgery at different times and under different settings. An endeavour is also made to update evaluation of the patient's wishes just before wheeling the patient to the theatre.


AbstractThe University of ManchesterFaculty of Engineering and Physical SciencesPhD ThesisSwitching Transients in Large Offshore Wind FarmsSadegh Mir GhafourianApril, 2013This is the PhD Thesis entitled ?Switching Transients in Large Offshore Wind Farms?. It dealswith the analysis of switching transients in large offshore wind farms. Switching transient is ofgreat importance in electrical power systems in general, not least in offshore wind farms. Thelarge area required for an offshore wind farm along with its offshore location results inextensive cable systems with a large number of radial feeders and medium voltagetransformers. These transmission systems are very different from traditional onshore networks.Hence, accurate transient analysis is important, as travelling wave reflections can becomecritical in some reflection points; where aggregate overvoltage may exceed the voltagewithstand level of the system components. The rate of rise of overvoltage is a crucial issue to beconsidered for transformer inter-turn resonances, which leads to high frequency over-voltages.The Closing operation of a vacuum circuit breaker during energisation of wind farm networkscan cause switching transients which might damage the insulation structure of cables,transformers and turbine generators. The repetitive impact on the systems without remedialaction may cause premature ageing of the above mentioned components, so to minimize thefailure risk, the accurate model is essential. One of the contributions of this thesis is in refining anew modelling of the VCB and in the implementation of the new VCB model in the assessmentof a specific switching transient event (VCB closing operation in an offshore wind farm).Experimental verification of transient overvoltage phenomena modeling in submarine cablenetworks is another contribution of this work. Correlation calculation shows that simulations ofthe high frequency transients with this novel refined model are in a very good agreement ofbetter than 94% in comparison with the measurements taken in an offshore wind farm.


The market survey of worldwide CMP equipment and the present situation of CMP techniques meeting the need of 0. 18μm process planarization is described in this paper. At the end, cost occupied of CMP technology and performance index of CMP equipment in the course of moving to φ300mm wafer are shown.


With the deepening of the Development Zone construction and the change of the economic situations, the National- level Development Zone is confronting the strategic choice. This thesis analyzed the driving factors of 43National-level Development Zones in the 2000 s via panel data. The essay indicated that extroversion economy is still the main driving force of Development Zone as well as fixed- asset investment whose importance is steadily declining. The labor intensity and land area have little influence; nevertheless, location and administrative level have significant influence. Additionally, some suggestion were proposed like strengthening the extroversive function, implementing talent strategy and applying classification guidance in order to promote the transformation of Development Zone.


Background: Due to greater potential to accelerate a wide variety of application, reconfigurable FPGA has become a subject to great deal of research. The FPGA has ability to perform computations in hardware to increase the system performance, while retaining much of the flexibility of software solutions. In recent development, the real-time embedded system are increasingly being built with COTS components namely mass-produced peripherals and by reducing cost through buses and performance improvement. But the available COTS systems do not guarantee any timeliness and do not implement any priority scheduling mechanism. Methods/Statistical Analysis: This article deals with a new approach to create an RTOS based reconfigurable COTS design for FPGA platform. Thereby RTOS kernel is designed for FPGA and COTS system designed on the FPGA. Application/Improvements: At runtime, the hardware tasks are scheduled and allocated system resources like I/O, memory, etc. to successfully export multiple virtual devices for a single physical device.


A HPLC method was established for determination of danofloxacin residues in chicken tissues.The drug in tissues was extracted with a methanol perchloric phosphoric solution,and the drug in plasma extracted with methanol.After centrifugation,the supernatant was used for analysis.Danofloxacin was separated on a Hypersil BDS C 18 column.The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and 0 001 5 mol/L tetrabutylammonium bromide(85/915) was adjusted pH3 0 with phosphoric acid.A fluorescence detector was utilized with an excitation wavelength of 280 nm and an emission wavelength of 440 nm.The recovery of danofloxacin in 4 tissues(liver,kidney,lung,muscle) was greater than 74%,the detection limit was 0 02 μg/g in tissues and 0 02 mg/L in plasma.The residue depletion of danofloxacin in 4 tissues of chicken was investigated following single oral administration(5 mg/kg).After administration 48 h,the danofloxacin could be detected in 4 tissues,but the levels were below their correlative maximum residues limits(MRLs=0 4 μg/g or 0 2 μg/g).The results indicated the elimination of danlfloxacin from tissues was relatively slow.


Experiments were carried out on rainbow trout to see if cannulae implanted at different positions on the operculum yield accurate estimates of mean expired oxygen tension. This value is frequently used to calculate utilization or ventilation volume in fish and should therefore be accurately determined.Opercular oxygen tension recorded from seven quiescent fish (383–426 g, 10–12 C) in aquaria was highly variable with respect to time and cannula placement. Expired recorded from cannulae placed in the middle, upper, or lower part of the posterior margin of the operculum ranged from 54 to 157 mm Hg and was sometimes identical with inspired . When the fish were chased, expired oxygen tension usually rose but the magnitude of the rise and its duration were not uniform from cannula placement to placement. Other studies, on 21 trout (217–388 g, 10–12.5 C) whose gills were perfused with water at different flow rates with a mouth tube, indicated that the variability existed over a wide range of perfusion rates. In ...


1 In Vitro Experimental Systems.- HEC-l Cells: Establishment of an In Vitro Experimental System in Endometrial Carcinoma.- Ishikawa Cells: Opening of In Vitro Hormone Research on Endometrial Carcinoma.- 2 Apoptosis, Proliferation, and Growth Factors.- Endometrial Stress Neuropeptides: Paracrine Effects on Cell Proliferation and Apoptosis.- Effect of Hepatocyte Growth Factor on the Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinases in the Invasion of Endometrial Cancer Cells in a Three-Dimensional Coculture System.- 3 Cell Cycle Regulators.- Involvement of Cell Cycle Regulators in Steroid Hormone-Induced Growth of Endometrial Carcinoma.- Expression of Cell Cycle Regulators in Endometrial Adenocarcinoma.- 4 Signaling Pathways.- Estrogen Receptor Signaling and Crosstalk with the Ah Receptor in Endometrial Cancer Cells.- Expression of Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 in Human Endometrial Adenocarcinoma Cell Line HEC-1B: An In Vitro Model of the Expression of COX-2 by Platelet-Activating Factor, Human Chorionic Gonadotropin and Prostaglandin E2, and the Possible Signaling Pathways Involved.- Inhibition of AKT Oncogenic Pathway in Endometrial Cancer Cells.- 5 Angiogenesis.- A New Paradigm for Vascular Endothelial Cell Growth Factor Receptor Signaling in Adult Endothelium.- Sex Steroid-Dependent and -Independent Angiogenesis in Uterine Endometrial Cancers.- 6 Carcinogenesis.- Inhibitory Effects of Phytoestrogens and Related Herbal Extracts on Mouse Endometrial Carcinogenesis: A Review.- 7 Hormones and Hormone Receptors.- Role of Glycoprotein Hormones in Endometrial Cancer.- Contribution of Estrogen Receptor-? and Progesterone Receptor-B to Oncogenic K-Ras-Mediated NIH3T3 Cell Transformation.- 8 Genes and Gene Expression.- Regulation of Gene Expression in Endometrial Cancer Cells: Role of Extracellular Matrix in Mitochondrial Gene Expression.- Role of hMLHl Gene Hypermethylation in Endometrial Carcinogenesis.- Molecular Genetic Profiles of Serous and Endometrioid Endometrial Cancers, Genes Downregulated in Endometrial Cancers, and the Role of Epigenetics.- Biological Implications of Survivin Gene Expression in the Development of Endometriosis and Endometrial Carcinoma.- 9 Endometrial Receptivity.- Endometrial Cancer Cells as Models to Study Uterine Receptivity.- 10 Chemo-resistance and -sensitivity.- Steroid and Xenobiotic Receptor (SXR) is a Key System for the Acquisition of cis-Platinum Resistance in Endometrial Cancer Cells.- Relationship Between HER-2/neu Gene Status and Chemosensitivity of Human Endometrial Cancer Cell Lines.- 313.


Abstract Native brook trout were transplanted within the Ellerslie Brook System, Prince Edward Island, in summer, to determine how well they could compete with trout already resident in other habitats of the same stream. The resident trout in a habitat appeared to have a competitive advantage. This advantage was greater in habitats of low trout-carrying capacity. Transplanted trout fared better in partially depopulated habitats. Mortalities were higher among the transplanted trout during the ensuing 12-month period. Few transplanted trout homed to the area from which they had been displaced.


ABSTRACT An optimal target proportion is derived balancing between the needs of clinician and statistician considering a general criterion and binary treatment outcome. A response-adaptive procedure based on this optimal proportion is developed and the associated limiting results are derived. In addition, the proposed procedure is compared with the existing competitors.


The Canadian Arctic Prograded Margin Tectono-Stratigraphic Element (CAPM TSE) is located on the continental shelf and slope which lie to the northwest of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. The TSE comprises the post-rift succession deposited on the eastern margin of the Amerasia Basin and the strata range in age from Late Cretaceous to Pleistocene. Over much of the TSE, a major unconformity marks the base of the succession and underlying strata vary from Jurassic-Early Cretaceous strata of the Canadian Arctic Rift Margin TSE to older Late Paleozoic-Triassic strata of the Sverdrup Basin CTSE. Sparse reflection and refraction seismic data indicate that the succession can be greater than 10 km thick. The TSE is divided into 3 structural domains with deformation increasing to the northeast. The Southern Domain is extensional and is characterized by listric growth faults with roll-over anticlines and tilted fault blocks. The pre-Oligocene portion of the Central Domain is deformed by broad folds with extensional faults in the younger strata. The pre-Oligocene succession in the Northern Domain is likely strongly folded and cut by thrust faults of the Eurekan Orogeny with extrusive and intrusive igneous rocks occurring in the Late Cretaceous strata. Petroleum source rocks, as well as abundant reservoir and seal strata, occur throughout the TSE indicating good potential for the presence of petroleum resources. The remote and environmentally sensitive location of the TSE, however, makes it likely it will never be a target for petroleum exploration.


1585 Background: Provider assessments consistently fall short in determining when cancer patients enter into the terminal phase of their disease. Despite prior desires to spend their last days outside an institution, patients often seek emergency room care and most report never having a palliative consultation at the time of their terminal admission. Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) are derived directly from the patient and may provide insight into the experience near the end of life to facilitate earlier involvement of supportive oncology. This study aims to compare PROMs in the 6 months prior to death to those not dying among patients with cancer. Methods: This study uses a routine PROMs program implemented since September 2020 for all patients with a cancer diagnosis at a tertiary care hospital. This study focused on PROMs using 3 domains of the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS): physical function, pain interference, and fatigue; PROMs frequency mirrored patients' oncologic visits. Using a retrospective case-control study, patients who had died within 6 months of a PROMs response (cases) were compared to controls who were alive at the time of the case's death. Cases were matched 1:2 to controls by age at PROMs completion, gender, cancer disease site, and stage. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) models adjusted for age at PROMs completion, gender, cancer disease site, stage, and correlations between individual patient encounters were used to compare mean PROMs scores between cases and controls in each domain. Results: In total, 274 cases were compared to 270 unique controls. Univariate comparisons between cases and controls demonstrated significant differences only in Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), with cases demonstrating worse CCI (3.3 ± 2.5) compared to controls (2.3 ±2.2; p < 0.001). Time from diagnosis to PROMs completion was not different between groups (4.08 versus 4.10 years, p = 0.798). Over the 6 months prior to death, 10.5%/15.0%/32.0% cases had severe pain/fatigue/physical function scores compared to 3.3%/3.7%.8.7% in controls (p < 0.001). GEE models demonstrated that cases had a higher mean fatigue score of 5.34 points (95% CI = 3.81 to 6.88), higher mean pain interference score of 4.92 points (95% CI = 3.42 to 6.43), and lower mean physical function score of 7.39 points (95% CI = -8.84 to -5.93) indicating more severe symptom scores for cases in all three domains. Conclusions: On average, patients experiencing death within 6 months of PROMs completion demonstrated worse physical functioning, pain interference, and fatigue scores compared to their age, gender, cancer disease site, and stage matched controls. The differences in PROMs scores represent a first step to improving understanding of PROMs during the terminal stage of disease and may guide indicators for earlier need of supportive oncology support.


The Christian art of painting had started to evolve in Byzantine Empire, and out of this in accordance with a specific program had emerged the art of icon in which portable icons constitued an important place. Its evolution moved to some other places, rather than Istanbul. Being considered as houses of worship for the Greek Christian Community,Greek Orthodox churches had been rebuilt and restored under the Ottoman rule and without the presence of the portable icons one can hardly think its liturgy. After the dawnfall of the Byzantine Empire in some regions outside Istanbul, such as Crete, Aegean islands, Macedonia, Tessalia, Russia, Balkans many researches were made on portable icons but very little is known about techniques, styles and iconographs that had produced icons in Greek Churches of Istanbul. Aside from few superficial information given, icons found in the Greek Churches had never been analyzed in details. Therefore, in the Post-Byzantine era icons in the Greek Churches in Istanbul, have to be researched on and analyzed in detail. Keywords: Icon, iconograph, Byzantine influence, Renaissance influence, Cretan and Russian influence, eclectic character tradition.


Nursing Standard has joined forces with The Voice, the leading UK weekly newspaper covering black issues, to investigate how black and minority ethnic (BME) communities view the NHS.


Abstract : Hall and Seebeck measurement systems have been specified, purchased, facilitated and calibrated. These systems are assisting in research efforts to develop new analytical approaches, based on electronic tools which have served the electronic industry well, to assess structural materials used in defense assemblies and structures. These electronic systems will develop multiple measurements techniques to assess alloy phase stability, aging, microstructure and properties. Seebeck coefficient measurements have already been correlated with the diffusible hydrogen content in alloy with high transition metal element contents. These results show promise for assessment of hydrogen effects in gun barrel steel, naval nickel aluminum bronze fasteners, and high strength steel welds. Hall and Seebeck measurements have been used to characterize the microstructure in alloy thin films. Research is in progress to develop electronic techniques to determine the susceptibility of sigma formation in superalloys. These electronic techniques will offer rapid non destructive micro structural assessment with quantitative data acquisition for easy long term storage of product quality assurance.


Non-DSP Builder subsystems may be control logic or complex state machines that are more suited for HDL coding than DSP Builder blocksets. In other cases, there may be existing HDL code (either Verilog HDL or VHDL) that needs to be integrated into the overall DSP Builder design. Rather than recoding these blocks using DSP Builder blocksets, it is more efficient to import them directly into the system. The DSP Builder design flow supports integrating HDL code or pre-compiled Quartus® II projects with DSP Builder blocks. DSP Builder also generates the simulation model automatically that allows the co-simulation of these HDL subsystems within the Simulink environment.


The communication is intended to expose and analyze the model of library used for the startup of the national network of public libraries in Portugal in order to identify their strengths and weaknesses in the optics of the political, economic and organizational framework. The first part exposes the situation of Portuguese public libraries during the 1980's, at the beginning of the democratic period, which is characterized by the lack of public library services provision and the stagnation of existing libraries. The awareness of the unsustainable situation of Portuguese libraries and the change of political and economic context of the country are conjugated in order to generate a political will to develop a national policy for the public libraries and to promote a change of the librarian reality throughout the national territory. In parallel, operates the library network of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation that in collaboration with some Portuguese municipalities offers itinerant and fixed library services and whose reality is analyzed in the optical network structure and cooperation relationship with the local administration. In a second stage of analysis, we try to identify the constraints that, since an initial phase, affected the consolidation of public libraries of the national network and the capacity of organizational adaptation to the changes of the informational context. Keywords Portuguese public library model. The national network of public libraries. Library network of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. National policy for public libraries. Local Administration.


A shock‐tube study of the ionization process in neon and its coupling with an axially symmetric magnetic field is described. Shock Mach number was about 14 and the calculated electron densities were ∼1016 cm−3. The increase in plasma luminosity from the upstream to downstream side of the coil when the magnetic field (25‐kG range) was present, stimulated an investigation of the light emission with and without the magnetic field. The emission data and pressure measurements were used to substantiate the model of a magnetically formed diffuser.


Swash plate actuator for a helicopter, comprising: a base portion (10), a movable part (20), an actuator assembly (30) said base portion having a hull (4) of a helicopter (2) is connectable, wherein the movable part with an about a rotation axis (41) rotatable swash plate (5) of a helicopter is connectable wherein the movable part and the base part are mechanically coupled to each other through the movable actuator, wherein the movable part with respect to the base part at least one first degree of freedom (51), a second degree of freedom (54) and a third degree of freedom (56), wherein the first degree of freedom is a translatory degree of freedom in the direction of the axis of rotation, wherein the second degree of freedom, a rotational degree of freedom about a first tilt axis (43) transverse to the axis of rotation, said third degree of freedom is a rotary degree of freedom about a second tilt axis (45) transverse to the first pivot axis and transversely to the axis of rotation, wherein the actuator assembly at least four ...


The term masquerading bundle-branch block has been used to describe a peculiar electrocardiographic abnormality in which the standard leads exhibit a left bundle-branch block pattern while the precordial leads manifest a right bundle-branch configuration. Autopsy studies of patients who have had this electrocardiographic pattern in life have shown diffuse conduction system disease, but direct recordings of conduction system function have never been reported. We recently cared for a man with masquerading bundle-branch block, and in this report we summarize the results of invasive electrophysiological testing. Our findings confirm that masquerading bundle-branch block can be associated with severe and diffuse conduction system disease, and that patients with this finding may require permanent pacemaker implantation, especially if they are symptomatic.


The unsaturated soil water movement formula is adopted for calculating the transient water content within the slope. With equilibrium method the dynamic stability of soil-nail bracing of unsaturated soil slope is analyzed, considering the connection between the shear strength of unsaturated soil and water content. Genetic algorithm is introduced for searching the critical slip of soil-nail bracing and the corresponding minimum factor of safety in the unsaturated soil. The optimal course is automatically implemented with MATLAB.


ABSTRACT Since the early 1980s, financialization has become an increasingly important trend in developed capitalist countries, with different timing, speed, and intensities in different countries. Rising inequality has been a major feature of this trend. Shares of wages in national income have declined and personal income inequality has increased. Against this background unsustainable demand and growth regimes have developed that dominated the major economies before the crisis: the 'debt-led private demand boom' and the 'export-led mercantilist' regime. The article applies this post-Keynesian approach to the macroeconomics of finance-dominated capitalism of three Baltic Sea countries, Denmark, Estonia, and Latvia, both for the pre-crisis and the post-crisis period. First, the macroeconomics of finance-dominated capitalism are briefly reiterated. Second, the financialization-distribution nexus is examined for the three countries. Third, macroeconomic demand and growth regimes are analyzed, both before and after the crisis.


The theorem which means that the  Dirac δ(x) function can be represented to the  limit lim α→∞ sin αx π x of the function  sin αx π x for the variable x is demonstrated.According to the theorem,the momentum intrinsic function is normalized to the δ(x) function.


Abstract Background and aim Melatonin is used to treat sleep disturbances (SDs). The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of low‐dose melatonin for SDs in early‐stage cirrhosis. Methods In a single‐center, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, cross‐over clinical trial, patients with early‐stage (Child‐Turcotte‐Pugh [CTP] class A or B) cirrhosis with SDs, without hepatic encephalopathy, were randomized to placebo or 3 mg of melatonin for 2 weeks. After 2 weeks, the patients were given a washout period of 1 week and crossed over to melatonin or placebo for a further 2 weeks. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were used to measure sleep quality and daytime sleepiness, respectively. Analysis of results was based on intention to treat, and linear mixed‐effect models were used to evaluate the effect of melatonin. Analysis was conducted using R‐programming language 3.5.1. Results Seventy one patients were recruited (mean age: 61.9 ± 8.7 years, males: 46 [64.8%], and CTP Class A = 52 [73.2%] and Class B = 19 [26.8%]). Sixty patients completed the study (mean age: 61.7 ± 8.8 years, males: 40 [66.6%], and CTP Class A = 45 [75.0%] and Class‐B = 15 [25.0%]). Two patients dropped out due to adverse events. Nine patients were lost to follow up. Patients given melatonin had a significantly lower PSQI and ESS compared to both pretreatment (P < 0.001) and postplacebo scores (P < 0.001). Incidence of adverse events was similar (two each of abdominal pain, one each of headache, one each of dizziness) in both groups. Conclusion Melatonin seems safe and effective for use in patients with SDs in early‐stage cirrhosis in the short term. However, larger and longer‐term studies to assess efficacy and safety are required before its clinical use can be recommended.


Operations with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) require reliability to execute missions. With the correct diagnostic, it is possible to predict vehicle failure during or before the flight. The objective of this work is to present a testing tool, which analyzes and evaluates drones during the flight in indoor environments. For this purpose, the framework Ptolemy II was extended for communication with real drones using the High-Level Architecture (HLA) for data exchanging and synchronization. The presented testing environment is extendable for other testing routines and is ready for integration with other simulation and analysis tools. In this paper, two failure detection experiments were performed, with a total of 20 flights for each one, which 80\% were used to train a decision tree algorithm, and the other 20% flights to test the algorithm in which one of the propellers had an anomaly. The failure rate or detection rate was 70\% for the first experiment and 90% for the second one.


We present the geological evidence for a 4000 yrs long record of multiple tsunami inundations along the coast of the Augusta Bay (eastern Sicily) and discuss its implications. The research was carried out through a multi-theme approach which benefited of an extraordinarily long historical record that we


This Review Article initially looks in to the mode of protection of GIs and role of judiciary in protecting GIs in India, prior to the implementation of the GI Act, 1999. This Article analyses the implementation of the Act in India by reviewing the provisions of the Act with an objective of finding loopholes and lacunas. Analysis of socio-economic perspectives involved in the registration of GIs is done through various case studies as well. Case studies are reviewed with an objective of analysing how far the Act had been instrumental in protecting the interest of the stakeholders of respective GIs. It has almost been more than two decades since India has enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. The number of GI registrations made with the GIR proves how instrumental the Act has been in according protection to registration of GIs. The Act played a very important role in ensuring international protection to indigenous GIs. A well protected GI, when pro actively used, can be considered as an effective marketing tool as they convey to the consumers of particular goods and services about the quality, reputation and special characteristics of goods and services. If not accorded protection, any person can use any geographical indication to any goods or services which may not be in par with the standards of the original goods and services and can cause confusion among the consumers and deceive them. Lack of awareness among the stakeholders of GIs, non –existence of quality control mechanisms are the reasons for the failure in achieving the objectives. Moreover, the Act which is formulated in par with the trademarks law tend to be more trader centric than producer centric.


A study was made on 27 patients undergoing elective surgery. Preoperative and postoperative chest roentgenograms and arterial blood-gas studies were compared. Temperature, pulse rate, respiratory frequency, and clinical observations were noted. A high incidence (19 of 27) of low oxygen tensions occurring with normal or increased ventilation was observed. No correlation could be established between roentgen-ray or clinical finding on the one hand and laboratory findings on the other. The concept is presented that the findings represent "miliary" atelectasis occurring so diffusely as to escape detection by physical or radiographic examination. More severe reductions in ventilation-perfusion ratios and complete atelectasis are best considered as a continuum since they produce the same effects and may not be distinguishable. Postoperative patients present a pattern of near constant tidal volume without sighing, known to produce these changes. That these changes occur without airway obstruction is suggested by improvement with deep breathing. Although appearing benign, decreases in oxygen tension may be of serious magnitude.


Quadricuspid aortic valve (QAV) is a rare congenital anomaly that often comes to clinical attention due to aortic regurgitation. The incidence of QAV has been reported between .008 to .043 percent making it the rarest malformation of the aortic valve. We report a case on a patient who presented with heart failure secondary to severe aortic stenosis and moderate aortic regurgitation and underwent aortic valve replacement. This is the second report of a Type C QAV i.e., two equal larger cusps and two equal smaller cusps, presenting with both aortic regurgitation and aortic stenosis.


Adequate carbon source is critical for biological nutrients removal from wastewater, and waste activated sludge (WAS) treatment or disposal is costly and difficult in wastewater treatment plants. In this study, a novel sludge fermentation process was launched to develop the internal carbon source of WAS to enhance biological nitrogen removal, nitrite and nitrate was directly added into anaerobic fermentation system and then formed WAS anoxic fermentation denitrification system (AFD), in which, the sludge fermentation and denitrification were expected to proceed simultaneously. Experimental results of 40 days' fermentation showed that 0.12 gNO2--N/gVSS and 0.11 gNO3--N/gVSS, or 0.26 gNO2--N/gVSS-reduction and 0.24 gNO3--N/gVSS-reduction, could be simultaneously obtained in AFD, and it could be calculated that 37.9% of total VSS and 80.7% of VSS reduction was utilized for nitrite or nitrate removal, which suggested a good performance of denitrification driven by WAS in AFD. The highest accumulation amount, 204 mg/L, of volatile fatty acids was occurred in the 11th day, which proved a rapid fermentation was present in AFD. Furthermore, the variations of pH or ORP in AFD could well indicate the progress of fermentation and denitrification.


Background: Massive vulvar edema is uncommon during pregnancy and is considered to be a dreadful complication of severe pre-eclampsia. It therefore requires special attention since it can be associated with materno-fetal morbidity and mortality. Case Presentation: We hereby report an uncommon case of 21-year-old patient gravida 1 para 1 who presented a huge vulvar edema secondary to a severe pre-eclampsia at 32 weeks' gestation. Because of an uncontrolled blood pressure, persistent HELLP syndrome, deteriorated renal function and nonreassuring fetal status, a caesarean section was decided. The blood results have normalized within a week after delivery and the vulvar edema dissolved two weeks later. Conclusions: Massive vulvar edema may be the reason for consultation and reveal severe preeclampsia. The treatment is mainly etiological and the evolution is often favorable.


This study aims at describing the civilizational dimension of Muhammadiyah's contribution which has not made an adequate attention. By the use of historical-philosophical approach and educational theories of social reconstruction, this paper, argues that the educational thought of Muhammadiyah is always influenced by the dynamic and religious development thought (ideology) emerging in Muhammadiyah. This paper is using a qualitative approach, where most of the data were collected through a library research mechanism. This study shows that first, Muhammadiyah education is a modern Islamic education which is based on the spirit of Islam Berkemajuan [Progressive Islam] aiming to reconstruct a timeworn public order to a new society. Therefore, Islam Berkemajuan is not only monolithic in its sociological reality but also expands its meaning to reconstruct the social economic, political and cultural development according to the age. Second, the Muhammadiyah's philosophy of education is based on two foundations, namely the theology of al-Ma'un and the theology of al'Ashr which both of them are derived from the idea of KH. Ahmad Dahlan, the founder of Muhammadiyah. Both the theological bases become the anchor of the thinking and practice of the education of Muhammadiyah. Third, the purpose of education in Muhammadiyah is that to grow or develop the "Ma'rifat quotient" (the consciousness of divinity) which later becomes the cornerstone of the birth of the cosmopolitan and humanitarian ethos of Muhammadiyah. Both of the ethics manifest in the work of the Muhammadiyah social issues of civilization, health, economic, political, philanthropic, disaster relief, community empowerment and many others.


4 Published By: Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering & Sciences Publication Pvt. Ltd. Abstract −This paper proposes a simplified Space Vect or Modulation technique which is used to control an inv erter that supplies voltage to an induction motor. A simplified ynamic model of an induction motor model was also designed an voltage is supplied to it using SVM technique. A step by step design procedure with the help of matlab and Simulink made the complexity of the system simpler than existing mode ls. This paper briefly explains design of space vector modulation technique and induction motor modeling. With the help of appropri ate interfacing the design method will be used in indust rial applications where the space vector modulation techn ique is used to achieve smooth control of speed and torque. Final ly, on-line starting of the designed Induction Motor model was s imulated. Moreover comparison of existing and the simplified SVM-based direct torque control method was simulated and resul t were shown.


Parallel processing techniques are increasingly found in reconfigurable computing, especially in digital signal processing (DSP) applications. In this paper, we design a parallel reconfigurable computing (PRC) architecture which consists of multiple dynamically reconfigurable computing units. The hidden Markov model (HMM) algorithm is mapped onto the PRC architecture. First, we construct a directed acyclic graph (DAG) to represent the HMM algorithms. A novel parallel partition approach is then proposed to map the HMM DAG onto the multiple DRC units in a PRC system. This partitioning algorithm is capable of design optimization of parallel processing reconfigurable systems for a given number of processing elements in different HHM states.


The lipase-catalyzed degradation of poly(butylene adipate) (PBA) and poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) into cyclic oligomers and their polymerizability were analyzed. The enzymatic polymerization of a cyclic oligomer was dependent on its ring-size. The highest molecular weight PBA with an M w of 173000 was produced by the polymerization of the cyclic BA monomer The molecular weight decreased to around M w 60000 by polymerization of the cyclic BA dimer and trimer. Similar results were obtained for PBS. For the efficient chemical recycling of PBA and PBS, the cyclic BA monomer and the cyclic BS dimer had the best oligomer sizes, respectively. As an application of the enzymatic degradation for the chemical recycling of PBS, the selective recycling of the PBS/poly(L-lactic acid)(PLLA) polymer blend was carried out using a lipase and a clay catalyst, montmorillonite K5.


Introduction: Testicular Cancer is the most common malignancy among men between the ages 20 and 34 years old, with a cure rate close to 95%, and is considered to be a paradigm in the oncologic treatment. Objectives: To assess the epidemiology, treatment and complications, correlation of the tumor markers with the histologic types, staging and cure rate of the Urology department of Hospital de Santo Antonio from 2005 to 2010. Methods: We collected data from the information contained in the clinical files and electronic clinical files, of patients diagnosed with primary Testicular Cancer between 2005 and 2010, in which 63 cases met the criteria. The recommendations from the European Association of Urology for Testicular Cancer were also analyzed. Results: A reduction of the number of Testicular cases was observed in 2009 and 2010. Age adjusted incidence and mortality was found to be 4,37 and 0,21 per 100.000 persons-year, respectively. Testicular Germ Cell Cancer were the most common, accounting for 84,1%. A correlation was observed between the elevation of alpha fetoprotein and the histologic type (p=0,01). A statistically significant correlation was found between cancer recurrence and tumor staging (p=0,01). Cure rate for Testicular Cancer was 95%. Conclusions: The treatment of Testicular Cancer in the Urology Department of Hospital de Santo Antonio is according with the recommendations of the European Urology Association. We recommend the creation of centers of reference in order to optimize the treatment of Testicular Cancer and obtain more comprehensive data.


Abstract Objectives: To present the first prospective randomized comparison between laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) and minilaparoscopy (ML) for treatment of upper urinary tract pathologies. Patients and Methods: Between January 2013 and June 2015, patients with different upper urinary pathologies were blindly randomized to both LESS and ML. All procedures were done by single experienced surgeon. Both cohorts were compared regarding demographic data, peri and postoperative characteristics, and visual analog pain scale (VAS). Cosmetic outcome was assessed after 12 months using patient scar assessment scale (PSAS) and observer scar assessment scale (OSAS). Results: Sixty patients were randomized into two equal groups with comparable demographic and preoperative characteristics. Indications included nephrectomy, pyeloplasty, cyst marsupialization, adrenalectomy, and repair of retrocaval ureter. Operative time was 167 ± 24 and 145 ± 39 minutes in LESS and ML groups, respectively (p = 0.09). Estima...


"Golden Delicious" apples were cold stored in semicommercial chambers in normal atmosphere and in different controlled atmospheres (CA) in which oxygen and carbon dioxide were held at 1%, 2% and 3% for three, five and seven months. Following storage, fruit was kept at 20C for 1, 5, and 10 days, after which volatile emission was collected and analyzed. The highest emission of volatile components was obtained after 5 months storage, in which the low CA conditions (2% O2/CO2) gave the highest aromatic production. Esters were the main compounds released during ripening at 20C after cold storage in all conditions. Ethyl 2-methyl butyrate, ethyl butyrate, hexyl acetate and ethyl hexanoate were the compounds that contributed most to the overall aroma of "Golden Delicious".


In data analysis, the hierarchical clustering algorithms are powerful tools allowing to identify natural clusters, often without any priori information of the data structure, and are quite often used because provide a graphical representation of the resulting partitions, a hierarchy or dendrogram, revealing more information than non-hierarchical algorithms that returns a unique partition. Moreover, it is not necessary specify the number of clusters a priori. Cutting the dendrogram in different levels on the hierarchy produces different partitions and also, the use of different clusters aggregation methods for the same data set can produces different hierarchies and hence different partitions. So, several studies have been concerned with validate the resulting partitions comparing them, for instance, by the analysis of cohesion and separation of their clusters. The work presented here focuses on the problem of choosing the best partition in hierarchical clusterings. The procedure to search for the best partition is made in the nested set of partitions, defined by the hierarchy. In traditional approaches each partition is defined by horizontal lines cutting the dendrogram at a determined level. Was proposed an improved method, SEP/COP, to obtain the best partition, based on a wide set of partitions. In this paper we discuss these two types of approaches and we do a comparative study using a set of experiments using two-dimensional synthetics and real- world data sets, based on the biometrics of the hands. This database is provided from Bosphorus Hand Database, in the context of recognition of the identity of a person by using the features of her hand/biometrics. In the results of the experiments, the SEP/COP showed to be a better partition algorithm in some situations namely regarding to real data, leading to a contribution to identification systems based on the biometrics of the hands shape.


In this paper we present a study on the applicability and performance of microwave backhauling of small-cells in a heterogeneous network. Microwave backhaul in non-line-of-sight (NLOS) between a hub and a client provides a cost efficient and flexible small-cell deployment. In contrast to conventional NLOS communications using sub-6 GHz frequencies we propose the use of super-6 GHz frequencies which offers high antenna gain with reasonably sized antennas and wide bandwidths in licensed spectrum. We study both Point-to-Point (PtP) and Point-to-Multi-Point (PtMP) system concepts. The PtP system is characterized by pencil beam antennas with unshared radio resources for each link. The PtMP system is characterized by a single wide-beam antenna system at the hub with radio resources that are shared between multiple clients.


An Augmented Reality (AR) system that can enhance a user's view of the surrounding scene with annotations based on the scene content, has many potential applications. We consider the problem of scene augmentation in the context of a human engaged in assembling an object from its components. In order to exploit AR's potential, two main problems need to be considered. The first key issue is designing an effective augmentation scheme for information presentation and control. The second, providing accurate and robust sensing to determine the state of the surrounding environment.
We utilize concepts from robot assembly planning to develop a systematic framework for presenting augmentation stimuli for the assembly domain. An interactive augmentation design and control engine called is described. The engine can be used for developing and visualizing multi-modal augmentation schemes for assembly, as well as controling information presentation in an Augmented Reality system. Its functionality is demonstrated with the help of specific scenarios where the goal is to create effective multi-modal augmentation displays for evaluating assembly.
For providing the appropriate augmentation stimulus at the right position and time, an AR system needs some sensor to interpret the surrounding scene. We take an incremental approach using computer vision to address the sensing problem. First, we develop real-time tracking of a marker-based coding scheme. The fiducials are placed on each assembly components to uniquely identify and track them. An experimental prototype system is described, which implements computer vision algorithms for real-time marker-based tracking.
Even though fiducials offer relative simplicity and flexibility, the problems of occlusion by the manipulator as well as other assembly parts make the use of more general computer vision techniques desirable. A domain specific problem is the changing shape and appearance of assembly objects as they are connected together. A combination of concepts from robotics assembly planning, model-based object recognition, and image feature classification is used to develop an object recognition scheme in the context of parts being assembled together by a human. Problems in the assembly domain include changing shape and appearance of objects as they are connected together, as well as high occlusion by the manipulator and other objects. Constraints from the domain of assembly, as well as transformation space search-based vision algorithms make the problem tractable. We use this scheme for subassembly recognition, tracking, and assembly state verification.


This article seeks to demonstrate how the myth of Troy is still relevant to modern-day European culture and identity, drawing on Gregor Feindt et al.'s concept of "entangled memory" as a theoretical foundation. In order to support this claim, it discusses Wolfgang Petersen's movie Troy (2004), the successful exhibition Troy—Dream and Reality that opened in Germany in 2001; the heated debate sparked by this exhibition among German scholars; and the political discussion about Turkey's unsuccessful application for membership in the European Union, in which references to Troy played a surprising role.


This paper argues that an a priori semantic background knowledge base is essential for automatic audio-visual summarisation. We demonstrate experimentally that content-based metadata are relevant to the selection of events to include in soccer highlights. However they do not provide the necessary context to select all interesting information to present to the viewer. Supported by preliminary results from an ongoing knowledge elicitation study, we also contend that summarised information presented within a narrative structure is more pleasing to the viewer.


Glaucoma is an eye disease that constitutes the second cause of blindness over the world. Although it cannot be cured, its progression may be prevented if it is early detected. Expert ophthalmologists use as a sign of suffering from the disease, the evaluation of the relationship between optic disc and cup areas in retinal fundus images and, therefore, image processing techniques applied to glaucoma has become an emerging research line. This paper presents a novel technique for the detection of the optic cup in retinal fundus images, which may be included in a glaucoma computer aided diagnosis tool. The method, based on a color space related to human perception and adapted to surrounding conditions, JCh from CIECAM 02 (International Commission on Illumination Color Appearance Model), utilizes a random forest classifier to obtain cup edge pixels. As vessels tend to bend in the edge of the cup, the classifier does not consider all the pixels in the image. In fact, only those belonging to vessels and possessing the highest curvature among their neighbors are taken into account. Another prior knowledge used in the proposed method is the fact that cup area usually posses a bright yellow color. Therefore the feature vector serving as an input for the classifier is made with the curvature, the color of the candidate pixel and its location relative to the OD center. Finally, a basic post processing is performed to join the selected pixels with a smooth curve. The method has been tested in a publicly available database, GlaucomaRepo, from where we used 35 images for training and 55 for test. Five numerical parameters were calculated and a comparison against three color spaces was performed. The results obtained indicate the effectiveness of the approach.


This paper presents a mathematical model for determining a minimum cost strategy for the following personnel recruiting and selection situation. A quota is set for the minimum number of good employees to be added each period, and selection is done on the basis of a test having a known correlation with the given criterion of job success. There is a total cost for all individuals recruited and a loss attached to each person hired who turns out to be unsatisfactory. The problem is to determine a minimum acceptable score on the selection test and the number of persons to be recruited which will yield a minimum cost, including loss, as well as satisfy the prescribed quota at a given probability level.


AbstractTo obtain a precise safety evaluation of concrete structures after exposure to the fire hazard, it is critical to comprehend the residual static and dynamic mechanical properties of concret...


After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1942, the United States incarcerated (interned) 120,000 people of Japanese descent, two thirds of whom were U.S. citizens. Half of the incarcerated people returned to the West Coast, while the rest were dispersed across the country through the government's resettlement program. In this article, I study the resettlement of Japanese Americans away from the Heart Mountain, Wyoming, incarceration camp through historical big data and network analysis. The overarching goal of this article is to understand post-camp resettlement and its driving forces—or its obstacles—in light of the networks the inmates created at Heart Mountain. In particular, I draw attention to the ways in which resettlement choices could be seen to reflect individual agency: how resettlement decisions and actions mirror a person's position in the incarceration community. I will uncover a variety and depth of networks that at times are indicative of compliance with authorities, while at times they may enforce separation from the dominant, i.e. White, society. This separation should not automatically be seen as negative or alienating, but rather as resistance to White expectations. Overall, these strategies highlight individual choice and agency.


Although perinatal high‐fat diet (HFD) programs for obesity and hypertension in female offspring in rats, less is known about how perinatal HFD impacts the pregnancy of the offspring. Furthermore, it is unknown whether perinatal HFD mediates the reductions in placental growth factor (PlGF) found in obese pregnancies. PlGF is a vasoprotective factor that activates endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3). Therefore, the hypothesis was tested that perinatal HFD promotes obesity and hypertension along with reductions in PlGF during pregnancy of the offspring. For this purpose, Wistar Hannover rat dams were maintained on normal‐fat diet (NFD; 13% kcal from fat, 0.1% NaCl) or HFD (39.7% kcal from fat, 0.12% NaCl) throughout gestation and lactation. There were no differences in the number offspring between NFD (11±2) or HFD (12±1) dams. At weaning, offspring were started on NFD (N=6–10), which resulted in the following groups, which were defined as Dam (D)‐NFD/Offspring (O)‐NFD or D‐HFD/O‐NFD. At ~12 weeks of age, body weight was similar between groups (D‐NFD/O‐NFD: 253±5 g vs. D‐HFD/O‐NFD: 274±10 g). These rats were used to generate timed pregnancies. By gestational day 19, maternal body weight (320±5 vs. 331±6 g), total body fat mass (EchoMRI: 50±2 vs. 50±3 g), isolated visceral fat (16±2 vs. 15±1 g), the plasma adipokine leptin (3.3±0.4 vs 4.5±0.7 ng/mL), plasma PlGF (10±2 vs. 15±2 pg/mL), and conscious mean arterial blood pressure (MAP: 110±3 vs 110±2 mmHg, measured by carotid catheter) were similar in D‐NFD/O‐NFD and D‐HFD/O‐NFD groups, respectively. However, Western blotting revealed that NOS3/B‐actin expression was greater (P<0.05) in mesenteric arteries from D‐HFD/O‐NFD (0.25±0.02 vs. 0.13±0.02 AU). As studies have reported that HFD promotes obesity and hypertension during pregnancy, we examined whether offspring from D‐HFD compared to D‐NFD have potentiated HFD‐induced obesity, reduced PlGF levels, and hypertension during pregnancy using groups defined as D‐NFD/O‐HFD or D‐HFD/O‐HFD. At ~12 weeks of age, before pregnancy, body weight was greater (P<0.05) in D‐HFD/O‐HFD over D‐NFD/O‐HFD (306±9 vs 264±5 g). On gestational day 19, body weight (388±14 vs 327±9 g), total body fat (86±6 vs 66±5 g), and visceral fat (28±2 vs. 21±2 g) were greater (P<0.05); PlGF (10±1 vs 15±2 pg/mL) was less (P<0.05); and leptin (5.2±0.6 vs 4.9±0.4 ng/mL) and MAP (119±3 vs 116±4 mmHg) were similar between D‐HFD/O‐HFD vs D‐NFD/O‐HFD groups, respectively. Mesenteric artery NOS3/B‐actin expression was non‐significantly lower in D‐HFD/O‐HFD (0.15±0.01 vs. 0.20±0.01 AU). When comparing all 4 offspring groups via two‐way ANOVA, D‐HFD/O‐HFD had augmented body weight, fat mass, and reductions in PlGF and NOS3 during pregnancy. Both D‐NFD/O‐HFD and D‐HFD/O‐HFD had similar elevations in MAP during pregnancy. There was no difference in average fetal or placental weights, respectively, between D‐NFD/O‐NFD (1.77±0.04, 0.43±0.02 g), D‐HFD/O‐NFD (1.81±0.06, 0.46±0.02 g), D‐NFD/O‐HFD (1.79±0.04, 0.41±0.01 g) and D‐HFD/O‐HFD (1.85±0.06, 0.46±0.03 g). In summary, combined perinatal and offspring HFD exaggerates body mass and adiposity but not blood pressure levels during pregnancy of these offspring.


The properties of a single-pole, single-throw (SPST) switch using various technologies (InP-, CaAs- and CaN-based HEMTs) are reviewed and discussed in the context of their suitability for microwave and RF control applications. Insertion loss, isolation, power-handling capabilities, distortion intercept points and the variation of their performance over a wide range of temperatures are reviewed and the origins of the mechanisms dictating their value are discussed. Due to the material high breakdown voltage, CaN-based switches demonstrated better than +15 dBm power-handling capabilities and lower distortions.


The Bibliotheque nationale de France has developed its trusted digital repository, SPAR (Scalable Preservation and Archiving Repository), as a data-first system. This implies having fully described collections, through use of metadata standards in the information packages, such as METS, PREMIS, MIX or textMD, in a way that will make sense given the diversity of our documents. The need for full documentation also applies to the system itself. On the one hand, SPAR is self-describing in order to ensure its durability. On the other hand, all the information that is ingested into the system contributes to determine its settings and its behavior. The Data Management module is at the heart of these information flows. We expect to push this data-first objective ahead by using RDF technology, based on existing and trusted information models and ontologies, such as OAIS and PREMIS. The challenges and successes we encounter all serve the greater goal of having a unique and versatile data model for every user of the system, whether collection curator or system manager.


Objective: To study the clinical effect of the Huagai Pingchuan decoction combined with Seretide in the treatment of asthma. Methods: 138 cases of asthma patients in our hospital were separated into the control group and the experimental group. The control group was given Seretide alone, while the experimental group was treated with Huagai Pingchuan decoction combined with Seretide. Results: After treatment, the wheezing symptoms remission time of the experimental group was shorter than control group, the performance of serum inflammatory factors and lung function indexes were better than control group, P<0.05 with significant difference. Conclusion: Huagai Pingchuan decoction combined with Seretide is more effec-tive in the treatment of asthma.


In order to accurately and quickly extract the information of rubber woods,a new information extraction method of rubber woods distribution was designed based on textural features and multispectrum features of remote sensing images with high resolution,and the detail process as follow: firstly,choose suitable vegetable index;secondly,acquire the best texture extraction window through semi-variance statistical analysis of the images of vegetable index and multi-spectrum and extract texture information of remote sensing images;at last,build new classification rules based on texture information and spectrum information of remote sensing image with high resolution and realize the new method by using the arithmetic of C5.0decision tree.The new method was putted in practiced in remote sensing images with high resolution of GuangBa farm DongFang city,HaiNan Province.The results showed that the producer's accuracy,user's accuracy and total accuracy of rubber woods is are 81.00%,82.65%,and 83.50%respectively,and the kappa coefficient is 0.78.The results that comparing with other classification methods indicated the method is valid for rubber woods identification.


Phosphated hot dipped galvanized(HDG)steel was post-sealed with cerium nitrate solution so as to improve the corrosion resistance of the phosphating coatings.The surface morphology and chemical composition of the resulting composite coatings were investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and energy dispersive spectrometry(EDS),while the corrosion resistance of the composite coating was also evaluated.Results showed that the pores in the phosphating coating were sealed after post-sealing the phosphating HDG steel with cerium nitrate solution,accompanied by the formation of a continuous and complete composite coating composed of phosphate coating and cerium salt conversion film on the surface of the HDG steel.The composite coating on the HDG steel had much better corrosion resistance than single phosphating coating.In particularly,the composite coating prepared by 300 s of phosphating plus 300 s of post-sealing showed the best corrosion resistance and was superior to chromate coatings.


ABSTRACT Introduction: Precision cardiovascular medicine, while still in development, holds great promise for the development of more and better therapeutic interventions. The field of cardiovascular disease (CVD) research is starting to embrace novel strategies supported by the abundance of genetic discoveries made in the last decade. Precision medicine has the potential to revitalize the last two decades of lethargy in CVD drug development, which has been declining since the 1990s while CVD remains the leading cause of death worldwide. Areas covered: The authors present recent CVD precision medicine discoveries and discuss the potential for a fundamental shift in the cardiovascular drug development programs. Expert commentary: The dal-GenE trial, with dalcetrapib and its companion diagnostic, has the potential to set the stage for a new era of precision drug development in CVD. Pharmacogenomics could help reduce late-stage failures if implemented early in drug development programs. Stratification of patients can lead to more efficient outcomes trials providing more robust evidence to regulatory agencies.


Due to increasing safety standards in air transport, the emphasis is put on human factors in this domain. Thisregards especially the improvement of piloting precision during flight training and the elimination of internal andexternal influences with negative effect on pilots. This paper is focused on evaluation of pilot's psychophysiologicalstate during flight training on a simulator and in an aircraft and also on pilot's reaction on transfer from analogueto digital visual presentation of avionic data. The best indicator for evaluating human's psychophysiologicalcondition could be a heart rate because of its descriptive activity of human heart and its psychophysiologicalcharacter based on sympathovagal balance of autonomic nervous system. In this paper heart rate frequencyis measured by FlexiGuard biotelemetry mobile device and by a Garmin c chest belt. This paper is orientedtowards description and comparison of the most common methods for physiological parameters assessment, i.e.time and frequency domain analysis and non-parametric methods analysis. The paper also describes a wavelettransform. The results show that not every parameter resulting from each analysis could be a good indicatordescribing pilot's stress. Results also show which parameters might work as good indicators of pilot's stress– those are LF/HF ratio and parameters measured by wavelet transform. Best way to define pilot's stress onsimulators in real time indicates to be wavelet.


The general objective of the present research was to describe the steps taken in preparing the lesson plans in learning English through Google Classroom and to analyze the problems faced by the English teacher in the SMA Negeri 3 Singaraja. The research was designed as a descriptive qualitative. Data on the steps that had been taken by the English teacher in preparing lesson plans for learning English through Google Classroom were collected by means of a questionnaire. Similarly, data on the problems faced by the English teacher in preparing lesson plans for learning English in were gathered using a questionnaire. The second questionnaire also contained twenty items corresponded to the items in the first questionnaire. The obtained data from the two questionnaires are presented in the following sections. The first research findings show that the steps had been taken in prearing the lesson plans in learning English in SMAN 3 Singaraja followed 5 aspects of curriculum 2013 lesson plan, such as: 1) learning objectives, 2) learning materials, 3) learning activities, 4) learning media and sources, and 5) learning assessment. The second research findings consisted of nine problems, they were: the English teacher mentioned 7 problems found when they prepared the lesson plans for learning English in the SMA Negeri 3 Singaraja, which occurred in the aspect of learning objectives, learning activities, and learning assessment.


. The main aim of this paper is to derive some new integral inequalities related to Hermite-Hadamard type by using Riemann-Liouville fractional integral operator for the class of exponentially harmonically convex functions. The formal technique of this paper may enhance further research in this field.


SAC-PREARS is a special code for analyzing the steady and transient safety characteristics of the passive residual heat removal system. The calculation for steady state performed by SAC-PREARS code is compared with the results obtained by MISAP code which is developed for safety analysis of the passive residual heat removal system AC600,and checked by experiments. SAC-PREARS is used for analyzing the steady and transient themal-hydraulic characteristics of the passive residual heat removal system of 200 MW nuclear heating reactor.


Recent finance theory highlights how an agent with ownership-conferred influence over management can gain an information advantage over other stockholders because only she knows how she plans to influence management. According to voluntary disclosure theory, such a privately informed agent with a positive interest in the stock price will endogenously voluntarily disclose her plans when she believes that stockholders will react positively. Consistent with this endogenous equilibrium, we find that when activist investors voluntarily release information about their intentions to the public, target firms experience positive abnormal returns, improvements in firm fundamentals, and reductions in bid-ask spreads relative to similar targets without voluntary activist disclosures. Disclosing activists also win proxy contests and directorships more frequently than non-disclosers. Such systematic positive outcomes are unlikely to follow disclosures that are not voluntary. We use these results to show how voluntary disclosure theory can illuminate ongoing debates on activism.


Aiming at the burnout example of series reactor in shunt reactive compensation capacitor bank,through quantitative analysis of harmonic measurement,tests with different wire connections and operating environment,it is found the reason of the fault.The searching methods and preventive measures for such faults are presented.


Precise point positioning (PPP) can measure ground motions with a centimeter-level accuracy using only one receiver. It has been widely used in earthquake monitoring and earthquake early warning (EEW) systems. However, traditional PPP highly depends on well-established and robust internet infrastructure for data communication. Along with the broadcast ephemeris, the orbit and clock corrections transmitted by the B2b signals of BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) can be used to recover the precise products of GPS and BDS. Since the B2b products, namely the satellite state parameter messages, are accessible even without internet infrastructure, PPP with B2b signals is more suitable for real-time applications. This study witnesses the application of PPP with B2b products in seismic monitoring for the first time. The shake table experiments demonstrate that PPP with B2b can reach a millimeter-level accuracy in horizontal in earthquake monitoring for GPS-only, BDS-only and GPS/BDS combination. The application to the 2021 Mw 7.4 Maduo earthquake shows that the accuracies of seismic displacements derived from GPS-only PPP with B2b products are 1.7 cm, 2.4 cm and 1.7 cm in east, north and vertical components, compared with those from GPS-only PPP with final precise products. We therefore conclude that PPP with B2b products has a promising prospect in seismogeodesy and related applications such as EEW and rapid hazard response.


This theoretical review examines selected literature concerning charismatic leadership theory. It starts with an introduction of Max Weber's (1947) groundbreaking application of the term "charisma" in the field of Social Sciences. Subsequently, it presents a research table, chronologically organized reflecting significant articles that highlight traits and historical developments of the charismatic leadership theory. Next, beginning with Weber's (1947) seminal article, this literature review discusses how the construct of charismatic leadership has advanced over the years. The examination largely concludes with a discussion of the current state of charismatic leadership, and a call for future studies to address charismatic rhetoric research in doctor of education programs.


References http://genesdev.cshlp.org/content/17/5/545.full.html#related-urls Article cited in: http://genesdev.cshlp.org/content/17/5/545.full.html#ref-list-1 This article cites 228 articles, 79 of which can be accessed free at: service Email alerting click here top right corner of the article or Receive free email alerts when new articles cite this article sign up in the box at the Collections Topic (33 articles) Molecular Physiology and Metabolism • (98 articles) Cancer and Disease Models • Articles on similar topics can be found in the following collections


: This paper presents a novel spatial market segmentation method to determine key user groups of a train station, such as gender, age and access mode, based on the size and shape of the station's individual catchment area. A user group is considered to be a key market segment for a train station if the size of this group's catchment area is closer to that of the overall catchment area of a train station (i


Objective:To evaluate the application of robot-aided stereotactic hematoma aspiration system in experimental intracerebral hemorrhage(ICH).Methods:The robot-aided stereotactic system was developed by the Institute of Mechanics and Tongji Hospital affiliated to Huazhong University of Science and Technology.Hematoma in 7 experimental ICH piglets had been aspirated by a mental puncture needle aided by a robot system.Results:The stereotactic system was safe and easy to be handled.All parts of the system cooperated smoothly.Conclusion:The stereotactic system is good in practical performance but the automation should be improved further.


We report first-principles study of structural, electronic, vibrational, dielectric, and elastic properties of Ba2YTaO6, a pinning material in high temperature superconductors (HTS), by using density functional theory. By using different exchange-correlation potentials, the accuracy of the calculated lattice constants of Ba2YTaO6 has been achieved with GGA-RPBE, since many important physical quantities crucially depend on change in volume. We have calculated the electronic band structure dispersion, total and partial density of states to study the band gap origin and found that Ba2YTaO6 is an insulator with a direct band gap of 3.50 eV. From Mulliken population and charge density studies, we conclude that Ba2YTaO6 have a mixed ionic-covalent character. Moreover, the vibrational properties, born effective charges, and the dielectric permittivity tensor have been calculated using linear response method. Vibrational spectrum determined through our calculations agrees well with the observed Raman spectrum, an...


The improved methods and compositions for the safe and effective treatment of symptoms related to telangiectasia telangiectasia or in a subject is described. The method involves the application of topical compositions containing an acceptable carrier as brimonidine and pharmaceutically from about 0.3% to about 10% by weight to the affected skin area topically.


We present a mechanism to generate complex phases from real 4+1 dimensional couplings in a model of weak interactions through dimensional reduction of a gauge theory. The orbifolding of a 4+1 dimensional Sp(4) \times U(1) group is the minimal setup which provides both CP violation and an SU(2) \times U(1) structure. We show that grand unification requires at least SO


Standard repeated-interaction theories of oligopoly make collusion seem much easier than a \structural consensus" suggests that it is. I show that more intuitive results can emerge if colluders could renegotiate after a deviation. In repeated Bertrand oligopoly, if agreements are subject to a certain kind of frictionless renegotiation, then full collusion is impossible with more than three rms, however high the discount factor. With more rms, partial collusion is possible, but its deadweight losses are small compared to monopoly e ects. I also analyze results for repeated Cournot interaction. Finally, I try to relate the game-theoretic literature, the structural consensus, and the concern over collusion. Forthcoming in the Festschrift in honour of James A. Mirrlees, edited by G. Myles and P. Hammond: Oxford University Press, 2000. y Professor of Economics and Director of the Competition Policy Center, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-3880. email: email@example.com. I thank Luis Cabral, Dennis Carlton, Andrew Dick, Richard Gilbert, Matthew Rabin, and Carl Shapiro for helpful comments, Rene Kamita for research assistance, and the National Science Foundation for early nancial support (Grant SES{9111095).


The magnetic and magnetostrictive properties of a scroll‐wound ring transducer made from cube‐on‐face‐textured nickel were measured and compared to the corresponding properties of a conventional Nickel 200 ring transducer. Both transducers were separately excited in air at low‐power linear drive levels with varying levels of bias induction, and their electrical input impedances were measured. Some in‐water measurements were also made on the two rings at nearly optimum values of bias induction. Nickel 200 exhibits larger μT33 and d33 values at all induction levels, while the textured nickel shows larger k33 and g33 values. The data obtained can be used to choose the type of ring and bias induction level of operation which will best satisfy a given requirement.Subject Classification: 85.46.


In order to solve the problem of increasing maintenance cost of self-washing machine operators, this paper designs a self-service car washing machine remote monitoring system based on NB-IoT. In this system, MSP430F5438A chip is used as the controller and NB-IoT is used as the communication module to realize the remote communication between the car washer and the server. Based on ASP.NET Core, React and SQL SERVER database, the monitoring centre saves the running state information of the car washing machine in the cloud for management. The test results displaying on the browser show that the system is stable and reliable, and has the advantages of low deployment cost and great real-time performance.


Abstract Background. Contemporary neuroimaging techniques, particularly fMRI and PET, have demonstrated that cognitive abilities do not strictly depend on specific brain areas, but rather on complex brain circuits or systems. Methods. Using PubMed and Google Scholar databases, a search for functional studies (fMRI and PET) during the performance of several neuropsychological tests was done. The pattern of brain activity found during the solution of some executive functions, language, memory, calculation, and visuospatial/visuoconstructive abilities is reviewed. Results. Brain activity supporting the performance in these tests is usually quite extended, and involves not only those brain areas traditionally assumed in neuropsychology, but also other cortical and sometimes subcortical regions. Conclusions. Most neuropsychological tests are simultaneously evaluating different cognitive abilities associated with the activity of diverse brain areas. "Cognitive/anatomical" correlations could only be established for some relatively simple functions. This change in the understanding about the brain organization of cognition has not been reflected in the interpretation of the neuropsychological tests yet. The interpretation of neuropsychological tests should be based not only in clinical observations but also in functional studies. This is a necessary further step in clinical neuropsychology.


In a method and apparatus for displaying a residual electric charge for a battery of an electrically driven vehicle, the battery's capacity is detected after the battery is charged. This information is utilized by a residual electric charge meter to indicate a fully charged state of the battery. As the battery begins to supply current to the electric loads, dissipated power is calculated from the product of the value of the current and the length of time during which the current has been supplied. This calculated dissipated power is subtracted from the fully charged capacity from time to time in order to derive the residual electric charge. The battery residual electric charge meter is driven in accordance with the derived value to indicate a current residual electric charge. As such, the battery residual electric charge meter displays values which depend upon the actual fully charged capacity and a residual charge.


This lavish and inclusive compilation of angels in art features depictions of cherubs, guardian angels, heavenly messengers, and more, from the Middle Ages to contemporary times, represented in frescoes, oil paintings, mosaics, prints, stained glass, tapestries, manuscript illuminations, and sculpture. Includes an index of illustrators.


The policy food plays an important role in China's food system. The information management of policy food needs to continuously optimize the existing processes to ensure that the management of the food department is in a high-efficiency state. The ESIA method is used as a tool and method of process reengineering theory. Its main purpose is to improve information management efficiency and reduce management costs by reengineering and optimizing the original process. Aiming at a series of problems such as inaccurate data and long information collection period in the policy food information management, this article uses the ESIA method to optimize the management process.


The results of etching of silicon surfaces with different crystallographic orientations in KOH solutions containing a nonionic surfactant Triton X-100 are presented in this paper. The etch rate ratio R(100)/R(110) >1, typical of KOH + IPA and TMAH + Triton X-100 mixtures, is achieved. The surface morphology of Si(hkl) wafers is closely investigated by SEM and AFM. The very low roughness of (110) and its vicinal (hh1) planes is observed and measured. In addition, the relatively smooth (h11) surfaces are obtained in the solution with Triton X-100 surfactant, as compared to the KOH solutions containing alcohols. Due to good smoothness of the studied surfaces, the KOH solution with Triton X-100 seems to be especially interesting for bulk micromachining employing non-standard (hkl) planes. The examples of mesas and trenches fabricated by anisotropic etching in the KOH solution containing Triton X-100 surfactant are presented. Keywords: silicon anisotropic etching;Triton X-100; potassium hydroxide; Si(hkl) surfaces


In 2006 Edgewood Public School started on the ARC (accommodation review committee) journey as part of a process wherehy neighboring secondary schools and K-6 feeder schools carefully examined the teaching and learning in this family of schools (FOS) in the Toronto District School Board (TDSB). Utilization and capacity rates, enrollment trends, and facility and program needs were carefully examined through the lens of future projections, sustainability, and the rigor and relevance necessary for 21st-century learners. At Edgewood PS, a K-8 school with approximately 380 students, almost half at the intermediate level, we focused on previously implemented changes to support student learning as a response to our underpinning belief in an inclusive learning environment. Past changes included a common school entry, dismissal and recess schedule, minimization of rotary subjects, removal of lockers for the intermediates, and the physical reorganization of classrooms, such as interspersing intermediate classes throughout the building. The infrastructure of our program delivery at the time was mainly dependent on the design and technology program. Students were transported by bus to the local senior school, which was equipped with metal and wood shops and cooking and sewing rooms. Students rotated through the shops during the course of the year. This posed many challenges,


Diurnal variations of CRF activity in the median eminence were observed not only in normal, but also in adrenalectomized and hypophysectomized male rats. The presence of circadian rhythm in CRF activity in the absence of the pituitary and adrenal gland suggests that the circadian rhythmicity of ACTH release is controlled by higher centers. The levels of CRF stores in hypophysectomized rats at any time of the day were markedly more increased than those in adrenalectomized and intact rats. This phenomenon suggests that CRF stores in the hypothalamus were inhibited by ACTH via short feedback mechanism. Furthermore, the peak of CRF stores in adrenalectomized and hypophysectomized rats showed a phase shift toward the earlier period of day. This finding may represent a shift of this rhythm secondary to the absences of the adrenal gland and the pituitary gland.


Among the icy satellites of Saturn, Iapetus shows one of the most striking di- chotomies in the Solar System, its leading hemisphere being significantly darker than the trailing hemisphere. Thanks to the Cassini/VIMS imaging spectrometer, it is now possible to investigate the spectrum of the Saturn system bodies in a more accurate way and in a wider spectral range than in the past. In this case, the use of statistical techniques such as clustering methods, can help in the automatic classification of the explored surfaces, with the double aim of identi- fying spectral units on the satellites, to correlate with the surface geology, and emphasizing correlations among spectra from di erent bodies, like in the case here expounded. In this work, we present an application of the G-mode method to the VIMS visible and in- frared spectra of Phoebe, Iapetus and Hyperion. To enforce the result of this spectroscopic classification, a dynamic study has been carried out as well.


Observations of the mean longitude of two nearly synchronous satellites, Syncom 2 and Syncom 3, have been used to estimate the parameters associated with the most important longitude-dependent terms in the expansion of the Earth's gravitational field. This has been done by solving a non-linear least squares curve fitting problem using function minimisation techniques and the opportunity has been taken of comparing the efficiencies of a number of these techniques. Estimates of the accuracy of the parameter values obtained have been found from a linearised model.


West Nile virus (WNV) is transmitted to children primarily by the bite of infected mosquitoes, but can be acquired through blood transfusion, organ transplantation, congenitally and possibly breast-feeding. WNV is an enveloped RNA flavivirus (named after the group's prototypic yellow fever virus) in the same serocomplex as Japanese, St. Louis and Murray Valley encephalitis viruses. WNV is thought to replicate in dendritic cells and then spread to lymph nodes and blood. About 80% of infected people remain asymptomatic, 20% develop West Nile fever (WNF) and 1% develop neuroinvasive disease. Although the risk of WNV infection may be higher in children than in adults, children have a lower risk of developing neuroinvasive disease. The incubation period ranges from 2 to 14 days after inoculation. WNV transmission occurs in much of southern Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe. In 1999, the virus was first detected in the eastern United States and has since spread across North America. Only rare cases of human disease have been reported thus far from Latin America and the Caribbean. From 1999 through 2005, a total of 1177 children younger than 19 years old with WNV disease and 3 childhood fatalities, ages 1 month, 14 years and 15 years, were reported in the United States. During 2004 and 2005, 261 cases were reported: 50 with encephalitis, 54 with meningitis, 136 with WNF (WNF cases are disproportionately underreported) and 21 with other or unknown presentations. Five of the 261 children were reported to have flaccid paralysis.


A newly synthesized triazole compound,3-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-1-4-([1,2,4]triazol-1-ylmethoxy)-phenyl -propenone(FTPP),was investigated as corrosion inhibitor of mild steel in 1mol/L HCl solution using weight loss measurements,potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS) methods.Then the surface morphology was studied by scanning electron microscopy(SEM).Generally,inhibition efficiency of the investigated compound was found to depend on the concentration of the inhibitor.The results showed that FTPP has excellent inhibiting effect and its inhibition efficiency(IE%) up to 91.4%at a concentration of 1 mmol/L.Potentiodynamic polarization curves of mild steel in 1 mol/L HCl solution clearly revealed that both cathodic and anodic processes of corrosion were suppressed.Thus,FTPP is inhibitor of mixed-type.The inhibition efficiencies obtained from weight loss measurement and electrochemical tests were in good agreement.Thermodynamic parameters such as adsorption heat(△H_(ads)~0),adsorption entropy(△S_(ads)~0) and adsorption free energy(△G_(ads)~0) were obtained and discussed from experimental data of the temperature studies of the inhibition process at four temperatures ranging from 298 K to 318 K.The adsorption processes are exothermic reaction and belong to chemisorption and physisorption.The Langmuir isotherm model is followed.


0022-2836/99/041563±13 $30.00/0 ual base-pair steps has stimulated the development of new mathematical methods to de®ne the geometry of the constituent base-pairs. Several approaches, designed to meet guidelines set by the nucleic acid community, permit rigorous comparative analyses of different three-dimensional structures, as well as allow for reconstruction of chain molecules at the base-pair level. The different computer programs, however, yield inconsistent descriptions of chain conformation. Here we report our own implementation of seven algorithms used to determine base-pair and dimer step parameters. Aside from reproducing the results of individual programs, we uncover the reasons why the different algorithms come to con ̄icting structural interpretations. The choice of mathematics has only a limited effect on the computed parameters, even in highly deformed duplexes. The results are much more sensitive to the choice of reference frame. The disparate schemes yield very similar conformational descriptions if the calculations are based on a common reference frame. The current positioning of reference frames at the inner and outer edges of complementary bases exaggerates the rise at distorted dimer steps, and points to the need for a carefully de®ned conformational standard. # 1999 Academic Press


Abstract In the psychological domain, intersubjectivity is defined by the intersection between differently organized subjective systems. Infant research has demonstrated that the intersubjective field is constituted by the reciprocal influence of both the infant's and the caregiver's self‐regulating systems. The work of Stolorow and his colleagues is discussed in relation to the dynamics of the dyadic system between intimate partners. The intersubjective perspective offers an empathic and pragmatic stance from which to understand how self‐structure is constantly affecting and being affected in the interaction with a significant other. Harville Hendrix's dialogue technique is described as part of a process for treating couples in which partners are taught tools for differentiated and empathic communication, thereby enacting a corrective cognitive and emotional experience.


A high-temperature method for containing hazardous wastes, which was first developed in the 1980s, is being adapted for the in situ treatment of buried radioactive wastes by the US DOE's Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL), following its recent report on successful preliminary tests. The method, called in situ vitrification (ISV), is an electrically induced thermal process that melts and fuses soil and wastes into a glass-like material at least as strong as natural obsidian or granite. Gases released during the process are captured and treated by an off-gas treatment system. After the wastes are vitrified, they could be left in place, or the mass could be broken up and transported to a disposal site. The glass-like substance would be chemically and physically similar to obsidian and from 4 to 10 times more durable than typical borosilicate glasses used to immobolize high-level nuclear wastes.