This study aimed to test different chemical agents to obtain microbiologically safe industrial hemp seeds that could be used for further food processing (with the reduced total number of microorganisms, total number of moulds and yeasts, and total number of Enterobacteriaceae). In order to obtain seeds applicable for food consumption, optimal storage temperature conditions (room temperature, refrigerator, freezer), method of seed packaging (vacuum/without vacuum), and the application of various chemical treatments (ethanol, sodium hydrogen carbonate, sodium hypochlorite) were tested on the certified industrial hemp seeds, produced in two consecutive years. Optimal storage conditions differed for different microorganisms, and the most optimal storage was at room temperature, for seeds produced in 2018, in the treatment to reduce the total number of Enterobacteriaceae and the total number of microorganisms. When storing seeds from 2018 in order to reduce the number of yeasts and moulds, a slightly lower number was spotted when seeds were stored in a vacuum-sealed bag, at the refrigerator/freezer temperature. For hemp seeds produced in 2019, the most optimal storage conditions were at the refrigerator (for reduction of the total number of Enterobacteriaceae) and freezer temperature (for reduction of the total number of microorganisms). For the reduction of the total number of moulds and yeasts, optimal conditions were at room temperature. Ethanol (75%, v/v) was the most effective disinfectant among the tested chemicals regardless of the initial number of microorganisms, with log reduction of 3.2 (for the total number of Enterobacteriaceae), 2.9 log (for the total number of microorganisms), and total reduction of the total number of yeasts and moulds after 10 minutes, for the seeds harvested in 2019, which were far more contaminated than the seeds harvested in 2018. Considering the price of the disinfection method with ethanol, sodium hypochlorite may be a better solution for the reduction of the number of microbiota on the seeds.


Vehicular ad-hoc networks are of high interest in both research and practice. They promise to enable realization of future safety critical advanced driver assistance systems, which help to increase safety of driving. Security and privacy of participants of such networks are core points of concern, due to wireless data exchange (often called car-to-X communication), which enables attacks even with only low effort spent. Hence, a security system dedicated to car-to-X communication has been developed. However, this work shows that significant overhead is caused by the existing solution. Moreover, several weaknesses leading to advanced attacks compromising system security are found and evaluated. Based on these findings, a set of extra requirements for realization of security systems for vehicular ad-hoc networks is determined. Approaches for extending European and US systems being currently standardized are proposed and evaluated, which make such systems conform to the newly identified requirements. Additionally, crosslayer design weaknesses interfering with security functionality are identified and proposals to overcome them are provided.


Abstract. Organic soils drained for crop production or grazing land are agroecosystems
with potentially high but variable emissions of nitrous oxide ( N2O ).
The present study investigated the regulation of N2O emissions in a
raised bog area drained for agriculture, which is classified as potentially
acid sulfate soil. We hypothesised that pyrite ( FeS2 ) oxidation was a
potential driver of N2O emissions through microbially mediated reduction
of nitrate ( NO 3 - ). Two sites with rotational grass, and two sites
with a potato crop, were equipped for monitoring of N2O emissions and
soil N2O concentrations at the 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 cm depth during weekly
field campaigns in spring and autumn 2015. Further data acquisition included
temperature, precipitation, soil moisture, water table (WT) depth, and soil
 NO 3 - and ammonium ( NH 4 + ) concentrations. At all sites,
the soil was acidic, with pH ranging from 4.7 to 5.4. Spring and autumn
monitoring periods together represented between 152 and 174 d, with
cumulative emissions of 4–5 kg  N2O -N ha −1 at sites with rotational
grass and 20–50 kg  N2O -N ha −1 at sites with a potato crop.
Equivalent soil gas-phase concentrations of N2O at grassland sites
varied between 0 and 25  µ L L −1 except for a sampling after
slurry application at one of the sites in spring, with a maximum of 560  µ L L −1 at the 1 m depth. At the two potato sites the levels of
below-ground N2O concentrations ranged from 0.4 to 2270  µ L L −1 and from 0.1 to 470  µ L L −1 , in
accordance with the higher soil mineral N availability at arable sites.
Statistical analyses using graphical models showed that soil N2O
concentration in the capillary fringe (i.e. the soil volume above the water
table influenced by tension saturation) was the strongest predictor of
 N2O emissions in spring and, for grassland sites, also in the autumn.
For potato sites in autumn, there was evidence that NO 3 -
availability in the topsoil and temperature were the main controls on
 N2O emissions. Chemical analyses of intact soil cores from the 0 to 1 m depth,
collected at adjacent grassland and potato sites, showed that the total
reduction capacity of the peat soil (assessed by cerium(IV) reduction) was
much higher than that represented by FeS2 , and the concentrations of
total reactive iron (TRFe) were higher than those of FeS2 . Based on the
statistical graphical models and the tentative estimates of reduction
capacities, FeS2 oxidation was unlikely to be important for N2O
emissions. Instead, archaeal ammonia oxidation and either
chemodenitrification or nitrifier denitrification were considered to be
plausible pathways of N2O production in spring, whereas in the autumn
heterotrophic denitrification may have been more important at arable sites.


Abstract In the present world there is no transparency between data exchanged and information that is traded between farmers and the government administration. Because of the mediation of government authorities in the middle, data may be altered for their own advantages and development of agriculture industry will be hindered. Building up a decentralized, distributed and a verified secure framework to address these issues. The blockchain is utilized to make exchanges between the administration and farmers which decides the minimum support price. The model goes for making security in the chain and exchanges with the goal that the information isn't altered. Using blockchain in the field of agriculture is to give security to the information traded between the farmers and government. Due to non-transparency in the exchanges and having government authorities in between, there is an opportunity of misusing the information for personal needs which is a noteworthy drawback to the farmers, along these lines blocking the development of the agriculture business. In order to provide security and privacy to the transactions and data exchange, the blockchain technology is used. Likewise, the sentiment and exploratory analysis causes the general population to get a thought regarding the continuous patterns in blockchain and cryptocurrency, which they can utilize to contribute or find out about the equivalent.


The purpose of this manuscript is to describe the two-incision total hip arthroplasty technique. This surgical technique relies on a true muscle sparing surgical interval which allow placement of the cup and liner through a modified Smith-Peterson interval. The second incision is a posterior approach between the gluteus maximus and medius which allows for placement of the femoral stem. The surgical technique is well described with surgical and radiographic illustrations of the procedure. Preliminary results of the procedure are presented, with complications and advantages of the technique. No total hip precautions were implemented and the patients were allowed weight bearing as tolerated. This procedure has proven effective and safe in the authors' centers and has resulted in a dramatic decrease in hospital stay utilizing a defined total hip critical pathway.


This paper examines how financial development impact financial constraints and liquidity management behavior of Chinese listed corporates from two perspectives of the cash-cash flow sensitivity and cash holdings levels. The empirical results show that financial development significantly reduces the cash flow sensitivity of cash and cash holdings. Meanwhile,compared to financially unconstrained corporates,these two negative effects perform more significantly in financially constrained corporates. These findings enrich the related study on how financial development can impact corporate financial constraints and liqudity management on microscopic level.


Background: Bronchial Asthma and COPD are among the cause of substantial morbidity and mortality, the treatment and control of which is hampered by incorrect use of inhaler. Methodology: Present study is a part of another hospital based study conducted among the patients using DPI, attending the OPD and IPD of department of TB & Chest diseases, FH Medical College Hospital. The secondary analysis was done to compare the inhaler use technique among Bronchial Asthma and COPD patients. The subjects were selected non-randomly (purposely), and observed by a single observer, while they were using the inhaler. The steps were noted at which the subjects were observed to be performing incorrectly, in a pre-tested structured format. Results: The mean age was observed to be significantly higher in COPD patients (53.5±12.0 years) as compared to that of bronchial asthma patients (46.9±17.5 years). Higher proportion of bronchial asthma patients (20%) were found to be using the inhaler correctly, as compared to COPD patients (11.8%), though it was not found to be statistically significant (p>0.05). Among the bronchial asthma patients, the most frequent mistake was made during breath holding after inhalation (68%), while among COPD patients, most crucial steps were slow exhalation i.e. step 4 and forceful inhalation through the mouth i.e. step 5 (72.9%). Conclusion: Incorrect usage of inhalers is widely prevalent among its users, which is not related to the diagnosis for which it is prescribed. [Khan M NJIRM 2016; 7(2):37-40]


The article reviews an exhibition featuring works by artist Enrico Baj at the Friedrich Petzel gallery in New York City in 2007.


This paper extends previous large-eddy simulations of the convective boundary layer over a surface with a spatially varying sensible heat flux. The heat flux variations are sinusoidal and onedimensional. The wavelength is 1500 or 4500 m (corresponding to 1.3 and 3.8 times the boundarylayer depth. respectively) and the wind speed is 0. 1 or 2 m sI. In every case the heat flux variation drives a mean circulation. As expected. with zero wind there is ascent over the heat flux maxima. The strength of the circulation increases substantially with an increase in the wavelength of the perturbation. A light wind weakens the circulation drastically and moves it downwind. The circulation has a significant effect on the average concentration field from a simulated, elevated source. The heat flux variation modulates turbulence in the boundary layer. Turbulence is stronger (in several senses) above or downwind of the heat flux maxima than it is above or downwind of the heat flux minima. The effect remains significant even when the mean circulation is very weak. There are effects too on profiles of horizontal-average turbulence statistics. In most cases the effects would be undetectable in the atmosphere. We consider how the surface heat flux variations penetrate into the lower and middle boundary layer and propose that to a first approximation the process resembles passive scalar diffusion.


Medication error is a major issue in healthcare industry and significant efforts have been taken in recent years to comprehend factors that influence errors in medication. Therefore, the present study aims to examine individual factors that contribute to medication errors as perceived by nurses. 255 registered nurses working in different Jordanian public hospitals have been chosen as samples to collect the study data from. They were asked to complete a questionnaire to assess the perceived individual factors, specifically, on nursing mathematical calculation skills and training as well as knowledge on medication treatment as factors contributing to medication errors. The current study found that the nurses' mathematical calculation skills, training and their knowledge on medication treatment have significant relationship with medication error. This was proven as the study framework is able to explain 45.6% of the total variance. Consequently, it is recommended that healthcare authorities and hospitals in Jordan should focus on nursing knowledge in medication treatment and the nurses' ability to perform drug calculation in order to improve the medication system in Jordan.


Purpose: Aim of the present study was to prospectively evaluate the elbow �exion and supination strengths, and the functional outcomes of patients after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair combined with simultaneous biceps tenodesis. Methods: Nineteen patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and biceps tenodesis with at least 24 months follow-up were included. Patients were evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS) for bicipital groove pain, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), and constant scores(CS), biceps apex distance (BAD), elbow �exion and supination strengths. Results: VAS for biceps groove measurement averages of postoperative 6 th , 12 th and 24 th month were lower in comparison to pre-operative data and were considered to be statistically signi�cant (p<0.05). Constant score, an average of all post-operative measurements and scores were found higher than pre-operative values and was considered to be statistically signi�cant (p<0,01). There was a signi�cant difference in the comparison of operated and contralateral forearm supination and elbow �exion muscle strength measurements at postoperative 3 rd and 6th-month follow-up (p<0.01). Conclusion: Arthroscopic biceps tenodesis into the anchors of lateral row combined rotator cuff repair provides an increase in strength of elbow �exion and forearm supination, while decreases pain. Tables of pairwise comparisons were not made. Constant score, ASES, VAS for biceps groove, BAD, elbow �exion, and forearm supination strength scores were analyzed by paired multivariate test. The analysis included independent variables of age (year), duration of pain before surgery (month), tear size (ordinal), the existence of diabetes, sex, and smoking status.


A strong designated verifier signature scheme is a special type of signature scheme which provides signer anonymity by enabling the specified recipient, called a designated verifier, to simulate a signature which is indistinguishable from the signer`s signature. It has many applications such as software distribution or electronic voting. In this paper, we consider two important security properties of strong designated verifier signature scheme - source hiding and security against key-compromise attack. We show that the two properties cannot be achieved at the same time. Finally, we present a new ID-based strong designated verifier signature scheme which is secure against key-compromise attack.


BONES DEPEND ON CONTINUOUS cellular regulatory processes throughout all phases of their life. It starts in histogenesis when bones are formed by transformation of pre-existing connective tissue into bone tissue. Flat bones of the skull are formed by intramembranous ossification, the transformation of primitive connective tissue into bone. Long bones are formed by endochondral ossification, the replacement of cartilage by bone. Next, bones undergo growth and modeling, and finally they are continuously remodeled throughout life. Repair of bone injury includes events resembling the processes that occur in endochondral ossification during bone development. Cells of the osteoclastic and osteoblastic lineages are key players in performing these complex processes. These cells are mainly regulated on three levels: replication of undifferentiated cells; differentiation and recruitment of cells, and differentiated function of cells. Extensive studies revealed that the regulation of metabolic functions of bone cells is executed by hormones, carried in the blood to their target organ, the bone, as well as by local factors that are synthesized in the bone and act in a paracrine/autocrine manner. The best known such systemic hormones include parathyroid hormone (PTH), sex steroids, glucocorticoids, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3), and calcitonin, while the local factors include mediators such as cytokines, platelet-derived growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor and transforming growth factor-b (TGF-b) (see reviews in Refs. 1 and 2).


There is growing evidence in the finance literature that investor sentiment affects stock prices. We examine whether stock price reactions to earnings surprises and accruals vary systematically with the level of investor sentiment. Using quarterly drift tests and monthly trading strategy (calendar time) tests, we find evidence that holding extreme good news firms following pessimistic sentiment periods earns significantly higher abnormal returns than holding extreme good news firms following optimistic sentiment periods. Similarly, our results suggest that holding low accrual firms following pessimistic sentiment periods earns significantly higher abnormal returns than holding low accrual firms following optimistic sentiment periods. We also document that abnormal returns in the short-window around preliminary earnings announcements for extreme good news firms are significantly higher during periods of low sentiment than during periods of high sentiment. Overall, our results indicate that investor sentiment influences the source of excess returns from earnings-based trading strategies.


research on sign language emphasizes the wealth of knowledge available on the subject of face-to-face communication and draws attention to the multimodal nature of language. In summary, this volume presents cutting-edge research on storytelling practices across modalities. It is an insightful and inspiring reference for researchers focusing on the linguistic analysis of narration, which also should prove of interest to theoretical linguists and psycholinguists, typologists and sign language linguists.


Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of working memory capacity (WMC) and updating ability (UA) on listening effort measured using a new test, the Auditory Inference Span Test (AIST), as an objective measure of listening effort. Design The AIST is based on Swedish five-word sentences and taps into three memory load levels (MLLs). It was administered in stationary speech-shaped noise at −2, −4, and −6 dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). WMC was assessed using the reading span test, and UA was assessed using the letter memory test. We also collected data on speech-in-noise performance and subjectively rated listening effort at the three SNRs. Study sample Thirty-nine participants with normal hearing thresholds (≤20 dB HL for 250 to 4000 Hz) took part in the study. Results AIST performance decreased with increasing MLL and was related to WMC and UA. Participants with high WMC performed better than those with low WMC at more favorable SNRs. Participants with high UA performed better than participants with low UA at the intermediate MLL, which made particular demands on the UA. Neither speech recognition scores nor subjectively rated listening effort was associated with AIST performance or either of the cognitive variables. Conclusion AIST taps into cognitive functions necessary for understanding speech in noise. However, in its current form AIST may be too cognitively taxing to successfully measure graded listening effort in participants with lower cognitive capacity.


This article discusses the impact of The Australian on Canberra from its first issue on 15 July 1964 to the move to Sydney on 18 March 1967. It covers the acquisition of the Territorial; the change of ownership of Federal Capital Press to the Fairfax organisation; the battle with the Canberra Times for dominance in the local market; the impact of the influx of journalists on a previously static news scene; their impact on Press Gallery reporting; and the impact of more penetrating reporting on the public service. These themes are developed against the background of a city enjoying a burst of development. The article draws on the author's experience as a journalist with the ABC in the Press Gallery in Canberra in the 1960s, as a contributor to The Australian as a writer/editor for Maxwell Newton, as a citizen and as honorary secretary for the Canberra Day Celebrations 1964.


The ingredients and technology of pet food from the by-products of freshwater fish were studied.The by-products of fresh water fish,corn and soybean were used as the experimental materials.The results indicated that by adjusting the proportion of three materials and adding compound vitamin,the nutrition of products meet the nutritional needs of the grown pets(cats and dogs),according to the stands in AAFCO.The optimum technology was barrel temperature,176℃ in 1th section,135℃ in 2nd section and 76℃ in 3th section;screw speed 50rpm,feed rate 17rpm.The products could be stored for 6 months after radiation processing at the dosage of 4kGy,and the bacteria content was less than 300.g-1.The products quality was up to the pet food standards for export.


This paper details how mould thermal monitoring can be used to change incrementally existing casting practices. In addition, step change developments will allow to improve the liquid steel delivery from the tundish to mould and thus to enhance steel quality. Two such developments are described in the paper.


We discuss calculations of the electronic and crystallographic structure at the interfaces of titanium-carbon and tungsten-carbon superlattices. Specifically, we present total energy calculations for an arrangement of atoms designed to allow direct investigation of the competition between the formation of M-C bonds and C-C bonds. We conclude that the equilibrium structure is dominated by C-C bonding and so find that the interface has a graphite-like atomic arrangement rather than a carbide-like arrangement. These total energy calculations have been performed using a recently developed self-consistent linear combination of muffin-tin orbitals electronic structure method. This is a full-potential, all-electron, variation on standard LMTO electronic structure methods and, along with careful self-consistent determination of the parameters involved, allows accurate total energy calculations of the type of low symmetry systems involved in this study.


This paper gives a general procedure for calculating in decibels the slot frequency sound pressure level produced by a polyphase induction motor operating at any arbitrary speed and load. To do this, it is necessary, first, to calculate the frequencies, pole numbers, and magnitudes of the important air-gap magnetic fields; second, to calculate from these the frequencies and magnitudes of those air-gap force waves with relatively few nodes that are most likely to produce noise; third, to calculate the stiffness and resonant frequencies of the core and frame structure for vibrations of low numbers of nodes; fourth, from all these, to calculate the radial deflections of the stator core and frame that are due to the significant slot frequency force waves; and, fifth, to calculate the decibel level of sound pressure at any point in space that is caused by the calculated deflection of the frame. After outlining the procedure required for these five steps in some detail, the paper gives the numerical results of calculations and the corresponding test sound levels for a particular 4-pole, 30-horsepower polyphase induction motor of open-frame construction. Calculations and tests were made for six operating conditions with different loads, voltages, and line frequencies. The calculated values for the six conditions were 86, 88, 91, 75, 62, and 82 decibels respectively, and the corresponding test values were 88, 90, 94, 74, 64, and 85, showing excellent agreement.


An ongoing study on the superconducting thin films for future superconducting RF cavities requires an intense testing of various superconducting properties. We have designed, built and tested a new facility for complex superconducting thin film testing that includes: (1) RRR measurement with and without magnetic field, (2) planar and (3) tubular magnetic field penetration experiments, (4) a superconducting coaxial resonator for bulk niobium and superconducting thin film characterisation. The system is based on a closed cycle refrigerator, eliminating the need for liquid helium, thus making it simple and safe to operate. The details of the design and commissioning will be presented at the conference. INTRODUCTION The ASTeC team working on thin film superconducting RF (TF SRF) is developing the UK capability to coat TF SRF cavities. To meet this ambition, the team is working in a few directions: − Surface preparation before deposition (material choice, cleaning, polishing, etc.); − Thin film deposition (PVD, CVD) [1-4] − Thin film characterisation with various surface and material analysis techniques and facilities [1-4]; − DC/AC superconductivity characterisation [5-6]; − RF superconductivity characterisation [7-9]. A lot of characterisation work has been done in good national and international collaborations. However, it would be convenient to have all the facilities and to do all this work within the same team. Thus, ASTeC TF SRF team has developed a new cryogenic test facility for DC and RF superconductivity characterisation. THE FACILITY LAYOUT Traditionally (as well as in our previous generation facilities) the TF SRF samples are tested using LHe, whereas our new facility is based on a closed cycle refrigerator (PTR cooler). That allows being independent of LHe suppliers and a reduction of operation costs. The layout of the facility and it's photo are shown in Figs. 1 and 2, respectively. The cryocooler and two Vacuum Tubular Inserts (VTI-A and VTI-B) as well as a few flanges for vacuum and electrical instrumentation are mounted on a top flange of the vessel. Stage 1 and Stage 2 plates are thermally connected to corresponding cryocooler stages with thermal links. The VTIs, in turn are connected to Stage 1 and Stage 2 plates. Additionally a radiation screen is thermally connected to Stage 1 plate which protects Stage 2 plate and VTIs from direct radiation from the room temperature. Figure 1: Layout of a new cryogenic facility.


An electrodeless method of measurin, electron attachment and ambipolar diffusion in gases has been developed. An r-f field is used to break down a gas in a glass bottle inside a cavity resonant at 3000 Mc. This field is applied for 1000 microseconds,then turned off for 4000 microseconds. The electrons produced in the discharge then diffuse or attach depending on the gas used. If a small c-w field is applied to the cavity, the free electrons will oscillate without having their energy distribution disturbed. The electron oscillation causes a shift of the resonant frequency of the cavity proportional to the number of free electrons. Therefore by measuring the frequency shift in the cavity as a function of time,the change of electron density due to the various removal processes is determined.


38 Abstract We report on the frequency stabilization of a high resolution dye laser spectrometer to the centre of the Ca intercombination line 3Pl-1So (1 = 657 nm) by means of nonlinear optical Ramsey excitation of an atomic beam. Frequency offsets caused by nonperfect phase alignment of the excitation fields are reduced significantly by laser beam reversal. The fractional uncertainty to determine the centre of the Ca line is estimated to be below 2*10-12.


The invention relates to a fluid rectification device. The fluid rectification device comprises a flow guide plate A, a flow guide plate B, a flow guide barrel and a directional flow barrel. The fluid rectification device is characterized in that the flow guide plate A and the flow guide plate B are arranged at both ends of the flow guide barrel and have opposite orientations; and one end of the directional flow barrel is vertically connected with the middle position of the flow guide barrel in the length direction. Due to the adoption of the technical scheme disclosed by the invention, fluid with an uncertain flowing direction can be regulated into fluid with a certain flowing direction. Various functions can be implemented; not only can the problem of gas poisoning of a coal furnace be completely solved, but also airflow, sea waves and water flow can be sufficiently utilized to generate electricity; and the invention provides an effective method for developing and popularizing conventional, rapid and green energy.


The foundation of Messambria Pontica has been debated for more than a century. Some questions still remain unanswered while some answers need revision due to the developments in research. Among these questions are the date of Messambria's foundation, the composition of its ἄποικοι, the identity of its historical founder, the polis' relations with local Thracian tribes, etc. Recent studies on various topics that concern these questions, including new archaeological evidence, provide some possible interpretations of already known sources. Generally speaking, these interpretations both challenge and confirm some of the ideas that have gained acceptance in the literature. Interpretations discussed in this article concern when the apoikia was founded, what the impact and nature of the ἔποικοι was, what the name of Messambria means, and what its larger tribal environment looked like based on the latest archaeological research.


Pancreatic cancer accounts for nearly 3% of all cancers in the U.S. and about 7% of deaths associated with cancer. Liver receptor homolog‐1 (LRH‐1) is an orphan nuclear receptor previously linked to pancreas development and pancreatic adenocarcinoma. It is predominantly present in exocrine pancreas, liver, breast and gastrointestinal tissues. LRH‐1 also regulates the transcriptional targets responsible for controlling cell growth, differentiation, and proliferation. Upregulation of LRH‐1 may be linked to a more aggressive, metastatic form of cancer. The objective of this study was to determine and characterize the in vitro inhibitory effect(s) of 1‐(3′‐(1‐(2‐Morpholinoethyl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐3‐yl)biphenyl‐3‐yl)ethanone (LRH‐1 receptor antagonist) on pancreatic adenocarcinoma (AsPC‐1 cells). The drug antiproliferative effect was tested using a cell viability screening assay method. AsPC‐1 cells were cultured in a 96‐well plate using RPMI‐1640 media and 10% FBS. Cells were exposed to antagonist from 0.1 to 100 μM. Cell viability was determined 24 hours later by trypan blue exclusion and/or the dimethylthiazolyl‐carboxymethoxyphenyl‐sulfophenyl‐tetrazolium (MTS) viability assays. The effect on Caspase activity was determined after exposing the cells to 1.5 and 10 μM of LRH‐1 antagonist. The results demonstrated that LRH‐1 antagonist possessed significant (p<0.05) concentration‐dependent antitumoral activity with a 31% maximum reduction in cell viability and 38% maximum increase of Caspase‐3/7 activity. Biomarkers, such as cyclin D1, E1, and Bcl‐xl, were also measured pre‐ and post‐treatment using western blotting assay methods. Gemcitabine was compared to LRH‐1 antagonist alone and in combination to assess for possible synergistic effects. The results suggest a potential application of LRH‐1 antagonist to better understand the involvement of LRH‐1receptor in the development and progression of cancer. This drug was shown to influence proliferation and apoptotic activity in pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells. LRH‐1 antagonist could be used as a primary compound to design selective and potent LRH‐1 blockers that could be used clinically as therapeutic agents towards pancreatic or other cancers.


Single crystals of UFe 5.8 Al 6.2 were characterised by X-ray and neutron diffraction, 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy and magnetisation. The structure refinement by X-ray and neutron diffraction shows a ThMn 12 -type structure, the Fe atoms fully occupying the 8f and partially occupying the 8j positions. Mössbauer spectra confirm these occupations and further indicate a magnetic ordering below 293 K. Magnetisation measurements show a ferromagnetic behaviour below 300 K, with a and b as easy directions and a spontaneous magnetisation of 10.4 l B /f.u. at 5 K, due to the Fe occupation of 8j position. These single crystal results significantly differ from those previously obtained in UFe 6 Al 6 polycrystalline samples obtained by melting and annealing. ( 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.


Chemically derived nanowire materials have attracted much attention because of their interesting geometries, properties, and potential applications.[1±3] Various methods have been developed for synthesizing semiconducting nanowires including laser ablation,[2,3] physical vapor deposition under high temperatures,[3±7] and solvothermal growth under high pressures and moderate temperatures.[3,8±10] Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) has been extensively used for carbon nanotube growth,[11±13] but is much less explored for the synthesis of semiconductor nanowires, with the exception for silicon.[14,15] Herein, we present the first synthesis of single-crystal germanium nanowires, prepared by the CVD of germane (GeH4) at 275 8C with Au nanocrystals as seed particles. Germanium is an important semiconducting electronic material with high carrier mobility and a band gap of approximately 0.6 eV. Nanowires of germanium were first reported by the group of Heath about ten years ago, synthesized by using a solvothermal approach.[8] Recently, laser ablation (820 8C),[2] vapor transport (900±1100 8C),[4,7,16] and solvothermal methods (300±400 8C, 100 atm)[9] were used for growth. We show here that high-quality Ge nanowires are synthesized by a simple CVD process at 275 8C under atmospheric pressure. This represents the mildest growth conditions for single-crystal nanowire synthesis. An efficient Ge feedstock from GeH4 and the low eutectic temperature of Ge±Au nanoclusters are the key factors that afford vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) growth of Ge nanowires at low temperatures. Further, we show that the CVD approach allows for patterned growth of Ge nanowires, which yields nanowires from well-defined patterned sites on surfaces. We carried out CVD growth at 275 8C under a 10 sccm (standard cubic centimeter) flow of GeH4 (10% in He) in tandem with a 100 sccm flow of H2 in a 2.5 cm furnace reactor (total gas pressure 1 atm) for 15 min. The SiO2 substrate used in this work contained preformed Au nanocrystals (approximately 20 nm in diameter) deposited uniformly on the surface from a colloidal solution. The inset of Figure 1a shows an atomic force microscopy (AFM) image of the Au particles on a substrate, recorded before CVD. After the COMMUNICATIONS


Aiming at the complexity of initial geostress,based on measured stress data of diversion and power generation area in hydropower station,finite element model is established.Support vector machines and simulated annealing algorithms are used to calculate initial geostress field of surrounding rock for surge chamber of hydropower station.The results show that the inversion and measured values are closer,which meets the design requirements.Thus,it provides basis for calculation of surrounding rock stability.


This qualitative study identified the language assessment practices in terms of purpose, type, and timing in four elementary language classes in the Philippines. It then evaluated the constructive alignment and content validity of the assessment and described how the constructive alignment reflects the quality of teaching and learning in these language classrooms. Findings revealed that the assessment practices are entrenched in the teachers' pedagogy serving various purposes (like monitoring, facilitation and motivation) other than evaluation.   Generally, the assessment content and tasks show alignment to targeted learning goals. Several assessments, however, do not target the intended skill but rather tapped on the sub-skill, and they reveal alignment issues as well as teaching-learning conditions in the classrooms. Findings uncover, albeit a snapshot, of the gaps not only in assessment practices, but also in the articulation of curriculum goals leaving teachers to interpret and operationalize these on their own. These issues affect the students' achievement since alignment affects achievement and opportunity to learn is at optimum levels when lesson plans are aligned with benchmarks, standards, and assessments, thus increasing academic achievement.


A 12-state area in the southeastern United States (figure) has been dubbed the "stroke belt" because there is excess stroke mortality in this region for both black and white Americans.1 There is heterogeneity of stroke mortality in this geographic area, with the highest rates being reported in a 153-county area of the coastal plain states of Georgia and the Carolinas. The precise reason for this excess has been a topic of debate and controversy.2 More recently, it has been observed that the stroke belt may be breaking up as excess rates of stroke mortality spread into the lower Mississippi Valley3 and possibly into the northwestern United States.4 This section of the supplement reviews the prevalence of TIA based on reports from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study5 and a study conducted in Evans County, Georgia.6

Figure. The "Stroke Belt" in the southeastern United States is composed of 11 states, part of another (southern Indiana*), and the District of Columbia. (Map/inset design and concept contributed by Michael McClain, Art Director, and Fred Balzac, Editor, of Chase Medical Communications, Wilton, CT, USA, based in part on a map provided by the National Stroke Association.)

The ARIC Study is a prospective study of independent-living adults 45 to 64 years of age in Forsyth, North Carolina, Jackson, Mississippi, suburban …


thermocouples on the surface, as well as other sensors. In this work thermocouple temperature data from the flight were used as boundary conditions in finite element analyses of the vehicle in an inverse method to estimate of the actual heat flux experienced during the ascent portion of the flight. The analysis approach was validated using simple 1-D models of the vehicle structure. Two-dimensional axisymmetric analyses were then performed in order to quantify and account for multi-dimensional conduction effects that may exists in the measured temperature data. The heat flux distributions calculated from flight data show remarkably good agreement with CFD predications and appear to validate the turbulent transition model used in the CFD analyses.


Those living with an acquired brain injury often have issues with fatigue due to factors resulting from the injury. Cognitive impairments such as lack of memory, concentration and planning have a great impact on an individual's ability to carry out general everyday tasks, which subsequently has the effect of inducing cognitive fatigue. Moreover, there is difficulty in assessing cognitive fatigue, as there are no real biological markers that can be measured. Rather, it is a very subjective effect that can only be diagnosed by the individual. Consequently, the traditional way of assessing cognitive fatigue is to use a self-assessment questionnaire that is able to determine contributing factors. State of the art methods to evaluate cognitive fatigue employ cognitive tests in order to analyse performance on predefined tasks. However, one primary issue with such tests is that they are typically carried out in a clinical environment, therefore do not have the ability to be utilized in situ within everyday life. This paper presents a smartphone application for the evaluation of fatigue, which can be used daily to track cognitive performance in order to assess the influence of fatigue.


We examined whether expertise reduced age differences on a pilot communication task. Young, middle-aged, and older pilots, and nonpilots of similar age and general cognitive ability, listened to recorded ATC messages that described a route through an airspace, while referring to a map of the airspace. They read back the ATC instructions (e.g., to change heading) and then answered a probe question about the aircraft's position. Morrow et al. (1999) used a similar procedure and did not find that expertise reduced age differences in readback accuracy. In the present study, participants were also allowed to take notes while listening to the messages. Contrary to the earlier study, pilots' readbacks were virtually perfect regardless of age, while readback accuracy declined with age for nonpilots. Note-taking may have provided environmental support that reduced working memory demands imposed by the communication task, which differentially benefitted older pilots. This suggests that cognitive aids such as note-taking is an important part of pilots' expertise.


The cryogenic current comparator (CCC) built at LCIE allows measurement of resistance ratios equal to ¿(1 ± 4 × 10-5) where ¿ = 1, 10, 100, 64.53, or 129.06. The equipment is now currently used for intercomparison of 1-¿ standard resistors with a typical standard deviation of 5 × 10-9 (one single observation) and for calibration of 10 000-¿ resistors in terms of 1-¿ resistors with a standard deviation of 2 × 10-8 (1 single observation). Comparison of the 100/1 (or 10/1 × 10/1 ratio of the CCC with the ratios of Hamon-type series parallel dividers is reported. The agreement between these different ratios is better than 1 × 10-8.


The objective of this work is to validate a model to characterize and evaluate the water resources (supply and downstream demands) of the hydrological basins associated with the Conguillío National Park, located in the Andes Mountains in central-southern Chile (38°14'–38°54'S). This area is part of the Chilean biodiversity hotspot, of the first geopark in Chile, and constitutes the core of the Araucaria biosphere reserve, which provides multiple ecosystem services. To describe the behavior of the water resources in the four main river sub-basins originating in the park, the Water Evaluation and Planning System (WEAP) software was used, which was calibrated and validated with local hydrological data from 2000 to 2015. The WEAP System allows to quantify parameters involved in the hydrological cycle and water consumption of the different user sectors, and their interrelationships, to establish the water balance of the basins. Water is supplied by rain and snow, which occurs from June to December upstream in the Andes, and feeds the rivers Cautín, Allipén, Quepe and Lonquimay, which maximum flows occur between June and September, and minimum flows between January and April. The evolution of the water demand during the year was determined for each sub-basin for the following user sectors: human consumption, agriculture, livestock, industry, electricity production, aquaculture and other uses. As expected, the main water consuming sector is agriculture, with an average of 79.4 Mm3/yr. Considering that mountain ecosystems are areas of high productivity value, but are very fragile and vulnerable to anthropic and climatic effects, the use of the obtained data and the calibrated/validated model describing and characterizing these resources, will allow future studies under different socio-economic and climate change scenarios, to assess the importance of mountain basin ecosystem services, providing an example for equivalent studies throughout South America.


Introduction The chapters in this volume deal with the interplay of two characteristic features of today's global economy: rapid technological change and shifts in the loci of economic activity. As might be expected, no two authors interpret the terms "location" and "innovation" identically. Both domains are very broad and complex and authors single out particular facets for separate study. It is striking that most of them focus on research and the creation, acquisition, and sharing of knowledge, rather than dealing directly with changes in the production process and in the kinds of products on the market. Perhaps this should be taken as a reminder that we have indeed entered the era of the "knowledge economy." Economists might see this emphasis on information and communication as a focus on the first of Schumpeter's three major phases of technological change, namely invention. Seeing technological change as the primary focus of capitalism, Schumpeter draws sharp distinctions among invention, creating the idea behind a change in the production process; innovation, implementing that idea in the market environment for the first time; and diffusion, the spread of implementation to sites beyond the original one. Schumpeter saw the innovator as the visionary and the primary risktaker in the chain of individuals responsible for technological change (Schumpeter 1926). His inventor was an inspired individual with a new idea, but was not an economic actor. Today, invention is likely to be purposive economic activity involving significant investment and risk.


This article presents the results of structural study of base (BM) and weld metal (WM) templets in current state cut from different areas of VVER-440 reactor pressure vessel (RPV) by TEM, SEM, APT as well as fractographic analysis results. The phase composition of irradiated BM and WM  is shown to be represented by hardening phases - dislocation loops, initial carbides, thermally-stimulated vanadium carbonitrides, Cu-rich radiation-induced precipitates, playing the main role in hardening of RPV metal under irradiation. Phase composition of nonirradiated BM and WM is represented by hardening phases - carbides and thermally-stimulated vanadium carbonitrides. Fractographic analysis revealed the level of grain boundary segregations and showed the share of brittle intergranular fracture in the BM specimens to reach 65%, whereas in the WM specimens demonstrate no grain boundary embrittlement, which is due to their microstructure peculiarities.


i Reducing sugars such as glucose, react non-enzymatically with amino groups in proteins, lipids and nucleic acids through a series of reactions forming Schiff bases and Amadori products to produce early glycation products and then through a series of rearrangements proceed to form advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Advanced glycation occurs over a period of weeks, affecting long-lived proteins. AGEs represent an assemblage of proteins modified by sugars or their degradation products such as reactive carbonyl species (methylglyoxal, glyoxal, 3deoxyglucosone) that are formed from dehydration and oxidation of Amadori products. Amongst these, methylglyoxal (MGO) is the most potent glucose derived dicarbonyl metabolite, also known as 2-oxopropanal and has a reactivity of ~20,000 times more than glucose. MGO is principally formed non-enzymatically by aminecatalyzed sugar fragmentation reactions and by spontaneous decomposition of triose phosphate intermediates in glycolysis. MGO irreversibly modifies proteins under physiological conditions; the reactions proceed even at physiological concentrations of MGO and form fluorescent products. MGO modification of protein may be closely associated with cellular toxicity. It has been shown that MGO selectively inhibits mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis in the cells. The high reactivity of MGO with proteins and its relatively high concentration in the plasma, suggest MGO to be a common intermediate in the formation of AGEs in vivo. This assumption may be supported by the fact that macrophages have a specific receptor for proteins modified by reaction with MGO, as well as for glucose-derived AGEs. MGO reacts predominantly with arginine residues of proteins, forming methylglyoxal-derived hydroimidazolone 1 (MG-H1), an AGE. Arginine residues are thus hotspots for MGO modifications. As arginine residues are often present in the functional domains of proteins, such modifications by MGO contribute to alterations in cellular proteins and dysfunctioning of cells, and can subsequently lead to several diseases. The formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is an inevitable byproduct of AGE metabolism. A vital role of free radicals in the biochemistry and toxicity associated with MGO has been found. In 1993, it was reported that MGO provoked production of free radicals in cellular system, and since then the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generating potential of MGO is has been reported in several reviews and papers. Free radicals are generated both during formation and degradation of MGO. During the conversion of aminoacetone and acetol to MGO a simultaneous production of hydrogen peroxide


Augmented reality (AR) has become a potential technology tool to improve the skills of students with learning disabilities. The effects of AR technology approach on students with learning disabilities motivation levels is considered as the research motivation. This study examined the effect of the AR on Jordanian 6th grade students' motivation levels. A quantitative quasi-experimental study is preceded with the pretest-posttest control group design model, where 24 students who identified to have learning disabilities were participated in this study and were randomly divided into two groups. Two groups, control group 12 students were taught conventionally, and 12 students were designated as the experimental group, they used the AR technology for four weeks. The results show significant results for the AR technology in enhancing student motivation. The results concluded the effectiveness of AR technology in enhancing students' motivation. Keywords: augmented reality, learning disabilities, motivation, science.


Across the country cost improvements in maternity care are beginning to bite deeply, just as areas with pilot continuity-of-carer schemes begin to contemplate the costs of roll-out. The effect of these resource restraints is causing some hard thinking. On the one hand, it seems that the door is open to us as midwives to regain what many have argued is our rightful place in the delivery of maternity care.


We present an optimal oxygen-blowing system with expert rules to improve the efficiency of refining low-carbon ferrochrome. A nonlinear model based on mass transfer theory, the principles of heat transfer, and the principles of high-temperature chemical reactions for refining low-carbon ferrochrome are established. The model is mainly used to control the oxygen supply rate during argon-oxygen top-bottom double-blown refining, thereby controlling the refining temperature and reducing the carbon content. Twenty production tests using a 5 t argon-oxygen refining furnace demonstrate the effectiveness of the system and reliability of the nonlinear model. A comparison of the model data with the experimental data shows that although the model fails to predict the silicon content in the final refined product, it can predict the contents of the main components at the refining end-point and the refining temperature accurately.


Background Women who undergo breast cancer surgery have a high risk of developing persistent pain. We investigated brain processing of painful stimuli using electroencephalograms (EEG) to identify event-related potentials (ERPs) in patients with persistent pain after breast cancer treatment. Methods Nineteen patients (eight women with persistent pain, eleven without persistent pain), who were surgically treated more than 1 year previously for breast cancer (mastectomy, lumpectomy, and axillary lymph node dissection) and/or had chemoradiotherapy, were recruited and compared with eleven healthy female volunteers. A block of 20 painful electrical stimuli was applied to the calf, somatopically remote from the initially injured or painful area. Simultaneously an EEG was recorded, and a visual analog scale (VAS) pain rating obtained. Results In comparison with healthy volunteers, breast cancer treatment without persistent pain is associated with accelerated stimulus processing (reduced P260 latency) and shows a tendency to be less intense (lower P260 amplitude). In comparison to patients without persistent pain, persistent pain after breast cancer treatment is associated with stimulus processing that is both delayed (ie, increased latency of the ERP positivity between 250–310 ms [P260]), and enhanced (ie, enhanced P260 amplitude). Conclusion These results show that treatment and persistent pain have opposite effects on cortical responsiveness.


A highly-efficient (32%) power amplifier (PA) with 16.5dBm output power and digitally controlled harmonic suppression is designed in a 12 nm FinFET CMOS process. The PA operates from a supply voltage of 1.6 V, consumes 124 mW, and has a total die area is 0.27 mm2.


The relevance of the research is due to the need to create an effective maintenance and repair planning system based on the development and implementation of methods that allow ranking and selecting the most priority maintenance and repair activities, depending on the degree of their impact on the current goals of the enterprise, taking into account financial, labor, regulatory and other types of restrictions. The development of a maintenance and repair management system is impossible without the use of information technology. A solution of this type of questions is proposed based on the project management methodology, which allows taking into account the uncertainty inherent in random events of failures of technical systems. The purpose of this research is to develop a model for managing the equipment maintenance and repair information system based on the use of project and project portfolio management methodology. It has been established that an important advantage of the methodology for planning maintenance and repair work, based on a project-based approach, is its universal nature. It can be used in different industries, for different types of equipment and companies of any level. An information system of indicators of the economic efficiency of the equipment maintenance and repair system has been formed, which contains six coefficients – plan fulfillment, cost intensity, cost proportionality, cost adequacy, outsourcing and downtime. The results of the research are the following: the expediency of using the project, program and portfolio management methodology in solving the problem of developing a comprehensive strategy for managing the maintenance and repair information system at enterprises was confirmed; a structural model for the formation of the architecture of programs and portfolio of maintenance and repair projects was developed; a system of criteria and an integral indicator of the effectiveness of the equipment maintenance and repair strategy are proposed, which will allow the enterprise to reduce the cost of products when using the proposed information system.


We consider open quantum systems with factorized, non-Gaussian initial states, and we provide the conditions such that the reduced dynamics is completely positive (CP) and trace preserving (TP), in terms of environment cumulants. We then consider the class of linear stochastic Schr{\"o}dinger equations characterized by sets of colored stochastic processes (with n-th order cumulants), and we obtain the conditions such that they provide CPTP dynamics. We further provide a novel description of Gaussian non-Markovian unravellings that does not make use of the functional derivative and that displays a recursive structure. Moreover, for the family of quadratic bosonic Hamiltonians, we are able to provide an explicit operatorial dependence for the unravelling.


This demo is based on PGF UZZ [1], a policy-guided fuzzer that discovers logic bugs in a robotic vehicle (RV), and PGP ATCH [2], a policy-guided logic bug patching for the RV. Logic bugs cause deviations in the RVs' behavior from the developer's expectations but do not cause the program to stop execution. Discovering and patching logic bugs is challenging


per square meter per day. For wide estuaries, net daily suxes to theatmosphereamounttoseveralhundredtonsofcarbon(upto790tonsofcarbonper day in the Scheldt estuary). European estuaries emit between 30 and 60million tons of carbon per year to the atmosphere, representing 5 to 10% ofpresent anthropogenic CO


Formation of optical waveguides in crystals is extremely attractive for low threshold single mode lasers in materials such as ruby and titanium sapphire. Previous attempts to achieve this using helium ion implantation required unacceptable high ion doses, leading to failure of the surface. The first demonstration of waveguide formation by ion implantation to chemically stabilise defects is reported. Stable waveguides have been prepared using doses as small as 10/sup 16/ ions/cm/sup 2/ under optimum implant conditions.


the radically different environment that emerged with the fall of the Soviet Union. With other sources, including reform-oriented state media, offering many of the same critical themes that had previously been offered only in rock, the old guard of rock musicians found themselves confronted with 'obsolescence' (p. 232), and dismissed by younger pop artists as irrelevant 'old farts' (p. 288). Most importantly, they found themselves ill-equipped to adjust to technical, aesthetic, and financial demands imposed by the sudden application of commodity criteria to their music and the competition among artists that divided their (no longer) counterculture. Ironically, the same new market forces that enabled production and distribution of music disabled the earlier cultural dynamic that had made the music possible, and the counterculture found itself in a new environment that it was unaccustomed to countering. People interested in the ethnography of musical cultures will find Cushman's study very useful as an exploration of symbolic creativity under the limitations of the Soviet system, and of the ways in which profound social changes also changed the interpretation and significance of music. In addition, this study is probably the single most comprehensive and thorough investigation of Russian rock music to date. Cushman's discussion of the ways in which artists experienced the rapid social change that followed the fall of the Soviet system will prove extremely useful to researchers looking at the fate of rock and roll in the former Communist countries of Europe.


Abstract The electrons of importance biologically in the absorption of energy from beta particles emitted by tritium have energies below 1 keV. These electrons have extremely short ranges which prompt the examination of absorbed energy on some basis other than average dose, such as ergs/gm. Tentative MPC's for tritiated water and tritiated thymidine are derived in this paper without reference to absorbed dose. The MPC's thus obtained are 10 to 100 times present recommended values.


This year we celebrate the discovery of insulin by three Canadian scientists, an orthopedic surgeon, Frederick G. Banting; his assistant, a chemist, Charles H. Best; and the Head of Physiology at the University of Toronto, John James Rickard Macleod. Subsequently, insulin was purified by James B. Collip, a Professor in the Department of Physiology at the University of Alberta who was in Professor Mcleod's laboratory on sabbatical leave. Within a year after the discovery and purification of insulin, it was used in early 1922 to successfully treat young children dying from diabetic ketoacidosis at Toronto General Hospital. For this dramatic discovery of insulin, Banting and Mcleod shared the 1923 Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine, leading to controversy for the failure to recognize the important contributions of Best and Collip. Of course, as with all major discoveries, each of these investigators was guided by years of other discoveries that had preceded them: they were standing on the shoulders of giants. The diagnosis of diabetes as an elevation of sugar in the blood and urine had been known since the ancient Greeks. Indeed, diagnosing diabetes by tasting urine was a common practice. However, the role of the pancreas in diabetes was not known until physiological studies in the 1890s showed that diabetes could be induced within a few weeks in animals by the removal of the pancreas. In 1894, the English physiologist Edward Albert Sharpey-Sch€ afer suggested that pancreatic islet cells (islets of Langerhans) were involved in the effects of the pancreas in controlling blood sugar, and he coined the term "insuline" to describe the substance produced by these cells. Since the discovery of insulin, there have been many subsequent discoveries concerning the physiological mechanisms and actions of insulin on different tissues. With the world-wide epidemic of obesity and an increasing incidence of Type 2 diabetes, the work in this important area of research continues. Some of this important physiology has been the subject of reviews published in Physiology over the years. Adiponectin is a peptide hormone secreted by adipose tissue that circulates at high serum levels in both humans and rodents. Adiponectin has a range of physiological properties, including insulin-sensitizing, antidiabetic, antiatherogenic, and anti-inflammatory actions. Furthermore, circulating levels of adiponectin are negatively correlated with a variety of metabolic disorders such as obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. These associations have established adiponectin as a widely used biomarker reflecting metabolic health or disease. The action of adiponectin is mediated by regulation of adiponectin gene expression, multimerization, and secretion as well as extravasation of circulating adiponectin to the interstitial space. In their review (1), da Silva Rosa et al. discuss our current understanding of the mechanisms underlying the action adiponectin in various target tissues and in cellular models. In particular, recent studies have demonstrated an underappreciated and novel link between vascular permeability and adiponectin flux during hyperglycemia or diabetes. The endothelial barrier that controls adiponectin movement is cell and tissue specific. Decreased adiponectin action due to reduced extravasation from circulation to interstitial space can contribute to the diabetic phenotype. Surprisingly, only a few studies have investigated levels of adiponectin in the interstitial space, but there is a suggestion that exercise may contribute to increased interstitial adiponectin. As with exercise, the establishment of strong correlations between adiponectin levels in disease conditions will provide a better understanding of the physiological role of adiponectin. It is possible that changes in the regulation of adiponectin are involved in the pathogenesis of various metabolic diseases, which would provide an opportunity for therapeutic intervention in a variety of metabolic disorders such as obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Homeostasis involves cellular processes that control the synthesis, folding, trafficking, and degradation of proteins: a process called proteostasis. The fact that oxidative stress can disrupt proteostasis is well recognized as a key factor contributing to cellular senescence through numerous events including the disruption of proteostasis in aging. However, in addition to oxidative stress, other factors such as impairment of the protein chaperone system and/or the ubiquitin proteasome system, intracellular calcium efflux, increased genetic mutations, and errors in control of transcription and translation due to aging can also disrupt proteostasis. In their review (2), Koloko Ngassie et al. focus on aging of the lung as they discuss how disruption of proteostasis induces an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response and thereby contributes to cellular senescence through the three well-recognized ER stress signaling pathways. Cross talk between the ER stress response and cellular senescence in the aging lung may underlie age-related chronic lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is possible that activation of the ER stress response is involved in the process of pathological cellular senescence in lung aging and COPD. If so, the ER stress response may provide a novel and/or potentially important therapeutic target to improve the quality of life for aging COPD patients. Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are well known as a treatment for hypertension. However, ARBs are also excellent anti-inflammatory compounds that can benefit the coagulation system and the aging process, reduce stress, and protect cognition. In his review (3), Saavedra discusses the pleiotropic effects of ARBs beyond their action on blood pressure. ARBs positively influence signal transduction mechanisms, cell motility and migration, T-cell functions, and the immune response. Further understanding of physiological mechanisms of ARBs could lead to novel therapeutics. For example, ARBs exert neuroprotective effects that could reformulate the canonical mechanisms involved in the brain angiotensin system. ARBs also have effects on non-AT1 receptors, which could lead to a plethora of novel therapeutic targets including the inflammation and immune responses in COVID-19. The spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana) is a native forest insect whose irruptive population outbreaks cause significant ecological disturbance and economic impact in the boreal forest. Winter is a critical period for the spruce budworm, and cold temperatures


By applying the moving least square surface fitting technique and genetic algorithm optimization technology,a complete structural optimization design technique for crashworthiness was proposed and the corresponding program codes were developed to realize the typical aircraft structure crashworthiness optimization design.Thin-walled cylindrical aluminum tubes with triggering holes were designed and proven to have high efficiency in energy absorption.The results show that this thin-walled cylindrical structure has a high energy absorption capacity and it is easy in application.


In the article the problems of civil society, and the organization of its legal culture are investigated. The institutional role, which a social phenomenon (the state and business) objectively has to play in social-economic development, is defined.


The selection process of heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems is a crucial process that irritates decision makers. In Egypt the selection process of such systems is mostly biased by the perception of the owner, his intuition and the preset budget by the manager. The nonobjective decision making and the inappropriate selection of (HVAC) systems cause severe problems that range from changes in the space requirements to adapt with the chosen system, the provision of accessibility for maintenance and finally affecting their cost effectiveness. Both the architect and the electromechanical team are the primary stakeholders concerned with the actual selection process of the HVAC system. The divergence between their views is obvious in the methods and priorities of their selection process. Thus managing good understanding between the architect and the electromechanical team is crucial. This study intends to access the current practices used in the selection process of HVAC systems in buildings, through showing discrepancies among both perceptions; the architect's and the electromechanical. To achieve the objective of the paper a questionnaire was conducted. The target groups included students, graduates and experts in architecture and electromechanical disciplines. The results of this study showed remarkably how differences between the selection processes conducted by the target groups had a great impact on the efficiency of selected HVAC systems in buildings.


The technology optimization has been adopted for preventing nitrogen increasing and carbon increasing in Benxi thin slab producing non-oriented silicon steel.Measures accordingly were adopted and satisfactory results were achieved.


Hollow TiO2 microspheres (HTS) were synthesized via a new one-pot template-free method, which exhibited amazing structure stability even at high temperature calcinations of 800 °C. The formation mechanism study indicates that the growth of HTS is like the inside-out Ostwald ripening process. The resultant HTS possess a fine porous structure and the surface area is high up to 86.5 m2 g−1. As a new functional material in the DSSC application, HTS simultaneously offer incompatible features such as a high specific surface area and a pronounced light-scattering effect, and hence an energy conversion efficiency of 6.3% can be archived directly utilizing HTS as photo-anodes. If fabricated into the bilayer structure by introducing HTS as the light scattering layer, the overall conversion efficiency can be further improved to 7.3%. The successful synthesis of these novel photo-anodes opens up a new way to improve the performance of DSSCs.


Managing exotic plant diseases and other potential pests imported into the United States (US) on incoming cargo is an on-going challenge for many countries including the US. The primary exclusionary strategy used by the US for exotic pathogens is inspection of arriving cargo and passengers at ports of entry. In spite of these efforts, introductions of many exotic pests have occurred through numerous ports of entry resulting in costly eradication efforts by Government and US industry. In an effort to moderate these risks, the US is focusing on offshore strategies. One offshore strategy developed first as a pilot project and currently as an ongoing project is known as the Offshore Pest Information System (OPIS). OPIS is a secure web-based information sharing tool that allows users to communicate in an organised manner about offshore plant and animal health events and issues. OPIS was designed to allow the US to quickly and effectively respond to offshore plant pests that could potentially threaten the US.


The kinetic models for magnesium and phosphorus removals from ore were set up . The three dimensional graphs and contour maps of magnesium and phosphorus removals from ore were pictured. The results showed that pH, reaction temperature, reaction time and particle size distributions of phosphate ore have different effect on the phosphorus removal and magnesium removal. The conclusion could be used for the industrial production of magnesium removal from phosphate ore with chemical way.


The current safety operating situation and existing problems were analyzed for submarine pipeline in Chengdao Oilfield of SINOPEC.Solutions to these problems and its applying results were introduced.


Vehicular ad-hoc networks (VANETs) are the crucial part of intelligent transportation systems (ITS), which are brought to enhance the security, efficiency, and comfort of transportation. VANETs have aroused extensive attention in the world recently. One of the challenges in practice is real time and low delay, which strongly requires VANETs to be efficient. Existing schemes have properly solved the problem which is how to aggregate the signatures and verify the aggregated signature. However, few solutions are proposed to pinpoint all invalid signatures if existing. The algorithms that can find all invalid signatures are not efficient enough. Following consideration of the above deficiencies of existing approaches, this paper proposes a factorial bitwise divisions (FBD) algorithm and its optimized version and early-stopping factorial bitwise divisions (EFBD) algorithm. Both algorithms are parallel-friendly. Compared with the binary-based batch verification algorithm, the experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithms achieve better performance in both theory and practice at low invalid signatures' rate. Especially, in the parallel condition, when the number of invalid signatures is 1, the proposed algorithms cost only one aggregation-verification delay, while the comparison is more than

 log

 2

 n

 times.


As a philosopher, theologian and educator, Karl Theodor Jaspers's research field was extremely wide, and his abundant academic background had a significant influence on his educational theory. Among his numerous works, What is Education mostly embodies his existentialist educational thought. In this book, Jaspers proposed the Authority Theory as the source of education, in line with the educational purpose of cultivating "whole person". As the sole source and essence of education, authority has three characteristics: spirituality, democracy and spontaneity. It can be seen that taking the inner spirit as a pillar, authority is naturally generated. Only teachers with excellent teaching ability and democratic spirit will become the one who wins the admiration of his students with ease. Jaspers' Authority Theory is of great enlightening sig-nificance to the reconstruction of modern teacher authority. Since ancient times, people's reverence for teachers and recognition of their authority has been passed down from generation to generation. However, due to various reasons, nowadays people have questioned or even challenged the authority of teachers, gradually damaging teachers' authority image and influence. The existence of teacher authority is in jeopardy under the situation of internal and external threatens. In this study, the author first makes a detailed expla-nation of Jaspers' Authority Theory, then analyzes the reasons for the fading of contemporary teachers' authority based on the reality, and finally tries to help teachers establish authority again from three aspects: school system, legal guarantee and teachers themselves.


This paper presents a motion control strategy using a fuzzy knowledge based system to tracking control a wheeled mobile manipulator robot. Also the robot modeling is considered in this paper. The proposed control has been designed to track the desired trajectory in the presence of uncertainties. The control scheme consists of four parts; a model-based kinematic control, a fuzzy logic based dynamic control, a decentralized PI control and an adaptive linear control. An advantage of the proposed scheme is simplicity in designing. The stability of control system for asymptotic convergence to the desired trajectory is proven using Lyapunov synthesis. The numerical simulation results show the superiority of the proposed control over a robust adaptive control.


Long-term potentiation (LTP) at hippocampal CA1 synapses is classically triggered by the synaptic activation of NMDA receptors (NMDARs). More recently, it has been shown that calcium-permeable (CP) AMPA receptors (AMPARs) can also trigger synaptic plasticity at these synapses. Here, we review this literature with a focus on recent evidence that CP-AMPARs are critical for the induction of the protein kinase A (PKA)- and protein synthesis-dependent component of LTP.


ABSTRACT The paper investigates the symbiotic relationship between international film festivals and contemporary Hindi cinema. The years post 2010 have witnessed an increase in showcasing of Hindi cinema at international film festivals. Unlike earlier Indian cinema that has been celebrated at global platforms, the Hindi cinema under discussion situates itself at a juncture between the commercial and the art. In fact, a number of mainstream filmmakers who attempt unconventional themes, are exploring international film festivals as suitable avenues to reach a larger audience and to forge newer alliances. The primary theoretical framework of this research will draw upon Marijke's proposition that film festivals are 'sites of cultural legitimisation' (77); along with, as an entry point, Pierre Bourdieu's understanding of the festival space as an active site for the generation of economic and cultural capital. In addition, the study also investigates how Hindi filmmakers use this platform to market cinema and reach an international audience. This paper attempts to evaluate the above dynamics through the prism of three representative cinematic texts: Masaan (Dir. Ghaywan), Newton (Dir. Masurkar) and Gully Boy (Dir. Akhtar).


Abstract : An intensive cultural resources survey was conducted. A total of 6 cultural resource were located. One site is considered eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. None of the located sites will be impacted under the present contract. No further work is recommended at these sites.


The utility model relates to a chemical industry production unit, and particularly relates to a chrome tanning agent production unit. The chrome tanning agent production unit comprises a reactor, wherein the reactor is connected with one end of a viewer through a rubber hose, the other end of the viewer is connected with an air inlet of a condenser, an air outlet of the condenser is connected with an air outlet pipeline, and the air outlet pipeline is provided with a gas flow monitor; the viewer is a transparent or semi-transparent hollow elbow, the bending of the viewer is 90 degrees, a straight tube part is horizontally placed, and the other straight tube part is vertically placed; and the reactor is provided with a stirrer device, the upper part of the reactor is also provided with a backflow exhaust port with a flange, a feeder nose, an organic reducing agent feeder nose, a bright sulfur acid feeder nose, a control temperature pipe port, a viewport, a lamplight irradiation port, wherein the organic reducing agent feeder nose passes through a valve II so as to be communicated with an organic reducing agent high-level tank again, and the bright sulfur acid feeder nose passes through a valve I so as to be communicated with a sulfuric acid high-level tank. The chrome tanning agent production unit provided by the utility model increases reactive controllability, can greatly improve product quality, and reduces environmental pollution.


Epitaxial growth of MgO barrier on Si is of technological importance due to the symmetry filtering effect of the MgO barrier in conjunction with bcc-ferromagnets. We study the epitaxial growth of MgO on (100)-Si by molecular beam epitaxy. MgO matches Si with 4:3 cell ratio, which renders Fe to be 45° rotated relative to Si, in sharp contrast to the direct epitaxial growth of Fe on Si. The compressive strains from Si lead to the formation of small angle grain boundaries in MgO below 5nm, and also affect the transport characteristics of Fe∕MgO∕Fe magnetic tunnel junctions formed on top.


Results of a series of measurements on the two most intense radio stars are given. Basic techniques for absolute and relative intensity measurements are described. Principal sources of error are discussed with special attention to the very controversial range below 30 mc. To minimize one common source of error, interferometer arrays using simple dipole antennas over reflecting screens were used for all absolute measurements of Cassiopeia A. For relative amplitude determinations, collinear arrays with higher resolution were employed. The absolute observations show flux densities which increase by a factor of two between 100 mc and 40-50 mc, and then continue a more gradual increase to 18.5 mc. The amplitude of Cygnus A relative to Cassiopeia A is between 0.5 and 0.6 over the entire range of frequencies.


Using primary neuronal or astrocyte cultures from the striatum of the embryonic mouse, we have observed that the β‐adrenergic agonist isoprenaline (10−5 M) induced a more pronounced accumulation of cAMP in astrocytes than in neurons. In both cell types, the α‐adrenergic selective agonist methoxamine (10−4 M), which alone did not affect the production of cAMP, potentiated the isoprenaline‐evoked response. In support of these observations, when associated α2‐noradrenergic and D1‐dopaminergic responses were prevented, the mixed α1‐ and β‐adrenergic agonist noradrenaline (10−5 M) induced a production of cAMP which was totally blocked by propranolol (10−6 M) and partially abolished by prazosin (10−6 M). Since experiments were made in the presence of 3‐isobutyl‐1‐methylxanthine (1 mM), the observed effects on cAMP accumulation were not related to a modulation of phosphodiesterase activities. In addition, both in astrocytes and in neurons, the potentiation by α1‐adrenergic agonists of the β‐adrenergic‐evoked response required external calcium. Using INDO 1 as a fluorescent probe, methoxamine (25 μM) was shown to induce in astrocytes an increase in cytosolic calcium concentration which was prolonged by isoprenaline (10−5 M) only in the presence of external calcium. These results suggest that the prolonged increase in cytosolic calcium concentration linked to the activation of α1‐ and β‐adrenergic receptors is responsible for the potentiation of the β‐adrenergic‐induced production of cAMP, which is partially dependent on external calcium.


Headlight comprising an open, at least in a light emission direction headlamp housing for a motor vehicle (12) and the headlamp housing (12) covering in light emission cover plate (10), wherein the lamp housing (12) with the cover plate (10) is connected via a laser weld seam, wherein the cover plate and the housing are arranged overlapping one another, characterized in that the housing (12), a material overhang (24) is provided as a connecting material for bonding the cover plate (10) and the housing (12), wherein the housing (12) and the cover plate (10) during joining by the material overhang (24) are under tension and wherein the housing (12) of weakened material are provided (36) as predetermined breaking points.


Aiming at line-following tracing requirements of wheeled mobile robots,a general fuzzy control design method for mobile robots is proposed in this article.To fully utilize the advantages of fuzzy control and programmable logical device,the whole fuzzy control system of mobile robots is built on a kernel device FPGA with the VHDL.The demonstrations indicate that this kind of mobile robots,which is highly integrated and with high reliability,performs well on automatic rectifying deflection and accurate line-following ability.


Hale and Buck's Latin grammar divides tenses into "tenses of stage" and "aoristic tenses." The latter, according to the definition, represent the act in summary (i.e., as a whole); the former represent it, "as in a stage of advancement at a time which is in mind, namely as completed, in progress, or yet to come," adding that, "the particular time with reference to which an act is seen as in a certain stage may conveniently be called Point of Reference or Point of View."'


Resolution of Gutian Meeting is the first programmatic document of the Party's ideological and political work,providing an important blueprint for future reference of ideological and political work.Its contribution is to highlight the extreme importance of the ideological and political work,determine the main content of the ideological and political work,and put forward some effective ways of ideological and political work.Contemporary enlightenment of Gutian Meeting for the party's ideological and political work:to fully understand the extreme importance of the ideological and political work,promote the ideological and political work into the network system,strengthen team construction for ideological and political work and adhere to the principle of ideological and political work.


In this paper, we address the problem of estimating the parameters of a noncausal autoregressive (AR) signal from estimates of the higher-order cumulants of noisy observations. The proposed family of techniques uses both 3rd-order and 4th order cumulants of the observed output data. Consequently, at low SNR, they provide superior performance to methods based on autocorrelations. The measurement noise is assumed to be Gaussian and may be colored. The AR model parameters here are directly related to the solution of a generalized eigenproblem. The performance is illustrated by means of simulation examples.


The study of temporal configurations in fourteen novels of claude simon follows step by step the invention of an non linear narration mode that is far from making time abolished but condenses its poetry and bewitchment. The new order generates echoes and dialogues between fragments of time. Alternations, leitmotives, counterpoints, rhythms show the elaboration of writing to be like this of a score. Lived time of figures and characters is always mutation. The minutely detailed exploration of temporal experience (acceleration and slowing down, movement and stillness, proliferation of traces) and sensorial metaphors emphasizes the sens of time without clearing up the enigma of the passage. Writing simultaneously wards off and revives questionings while comforting explanations are smashed into pieces (ideology, history, politics). We remain naked in the face of the primordial violence and the return to basic life.


It has been proposed that the Pacific plate is thrust against Alaska and that the Aleutian Trench marks the site of plate convergence. As a consequence, sediments of the Aleutian Trench should be deformed as they pile up against the continental slope or are lost down the zone of subduction. To test these ideas the zone of proposed deformation was cored at Site 181. Deformed and dewatered sediment was recovered from below a 170-meter thick sequence of undeformed deposits. Bands of light-colored silt mark small irregular open folds, fractures, and faults that must have formed after substantial consolidation. The center of some cores was hard and dry. In order to preserve these unusual physical properties for onshore laboratory measurements, four samples from the catchers of Cores 27 to 30 were sealed in cans within 15 minutes after the core barrel was on deck. By this time other parts of the core that were exposed longer to drilling fluid had already absorbed considerable moisture. Bulk density, porosity, and consolidation as a function of pressure were measured. Consolidation measurements have been used to quantitatively estimate the lithostatic pressures to which the cored samples have been subjected. These measurements confirm conclusions from visual observations that sediment deformation in Core 181 was mainly tectonic, rather than the result of drilling, because although consolidation test pressures were more than six times as great as drill bit pressures, no additional deformation occurred.


Objective To purify FSH-occludin protein and analyze its immunogenicity.Methods The engineering yeast strain GS115/pPIC9K expressing the FSH-occludin protein was inoculated into YPD medium and subcultured continuously,and then the gene-of-interest was detected by PCR.After the engineering yeast strain expression in BMMY medium under the induction of methanol,the supernatant of the culture was condensed and loaded into the chromatographic column for gel filtration chromatography.Balb/c mice were immunized with the purified protein and the serum antibody level was measured.Simultaneously,the expression and distribution of occludin were detected by immunohistochemistry.Results The engineering yeast strain did not lose the exogenous gene after the subculture.Western blot analysis showed that the purified protein had good reactogenicity.Occludin was expressed at a very high level in the trial group.The purified protein could induce the specific antibodies in mice.Conclusion The engineering yeast strain expressing the FSH-occludin protein has good genetic stability and its expression products can elicit the specific humoral immune response in mice.


To increase the power level and energy utilization rate of injection-locked magnetron sources, a dual-way 1-kW ${S}$ -band magnetron microwave power combining system with high combining efficiency was proposed and validated. A waveguide magic-Tee was used to achieve power combining and to provide a pathway for the reference signal. This system utilizes the power-dividing characteristic of a magic-Tee to lock two magnetrons. Frequency tuning is applied to adjust the phase difference between the two magnetrons' signals so as to achieve a high combining efficiency. Experimental results indicate that the microwave power combining efficiency of the proposed system reaches 94.5%. The attenuation of microwave power is caused only by the waveguides and magic-Tee. Our investigation provides a guideline for future high-power microwave combining systems with low losses.


INTRODUCTION PART I: ARTFUL PRACTICE 1. Getting Organized Artful Practice Defining Practice Creating a Practice Environment The Five Practice Zones Planning Your Practice Scheduling Practice Sessions Choosing New Material Self-Recording 2. Practicing Deeply, I Practicing Deeply Habits of Excellence Essentials of Artistic Interpretation Mental Imaging Warming Up 3. Practicing Deeply, II The Craftsmanship of Practice Starting New Material Managing Repetition Solving Problems 4. Practicing Deeply, III Ripening Your Repertoire Taking Breaks Memorization Concepts Memorization Strategies 5. Practicing Deeply, IV Building Technique Upgrading Musicianship Fueling Motivation Committing to the Creative Process 6. Musical Collaboration Musical Collaboration Professionalism Interacting in Rehearsal Correlating Solitary and Group Practice Igniting Synergy Forming a Musical Group PART II: FEARLESS PERFORMANCE 7. Unmasking Performance Anxiety Fearless Performance Unmasking Performance Anxiety The Basic Anxiety Equation Anxiety's Effects The Roots of Performance Anxiety Portraits of Anxious Performers Crafting Confidence 8. Becoming a Performing Artist, I Becoming a Performing Artist The Heart of Performance The Five Facets of Preparation Preperformance Routines Backstage Techniques 9. Becoming a Performing Artist, II Stage Deportment Shaping Your Stage Presence Starting and Ending Harnessing On-Stage Energy Connecting with an Audience 10. Becoming a Performing Artist, III Dealing with Errors Postperformance Routines Practicing Performance Evaluating Your Progress 11. Performing like a Pro Performing like a Pro The Peak-Performance Myth Designing Concert Programs Three Model Programs Creating a Preparation Timeline Auditions and Competitions The Recording Studio PART III: LIFELONG CREATIVITY 12. Injury Prevention, I Lifelong Creativity Musicians and Injuries Causes of Injury Warning Signs and Responses Injury-Prevention Basics Recovering from Injury 13. Injury Prevention, II Balanced Sitting and Standing Meeting Your Instrument Voice Care Hearing Conservation 14. Succeeding as a Student Succeeding as a Student Student-Teacher Dynamics Appreciating Criticism Embracing Career Challenges Counteracting Substance Abuse Boosting Creativity NOTES SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX


Dichotomous diagnostic tests are widely used to detect the presence or absence of a biomedical condition of interest. A rigorous evaluation of the accuracy of a diagnostic test is critical to determine its practical value. Performance measures, such as the sensitivity and specificity of the test, should be estimated by comparison with a gold standard. Since an error-free reference test is frequently missing, approaches based on available imperfect diagnostic tests are used, namely: comparisons with an imperfect gold standard or with a composite reference standard, discrepant analysis, and latent class models.
In this work, we compare these methods using a theoretical approach based on analytical expressions for the deviations between the sensitivity and specificity according to each method, and the corresponding true values. We explore the impact on the deviations of varying conditions: tests sensitivities and specificities, prevalence of the condition and local dependence between the tests. An R interactive graphical application is made available for the visualisation of the outcomes. Based on our findings, we discuss the methods validity and potential usefulness.


Objective Carbohydrate staples such as pasta have been implicated in the obesity epidemic. It is unclear whether pasta contributes to weight gain or like other low-glycaemic index (GI) foods contributes to weight loss. We synthesised the evidence of the effect of pasta on measures of adiposity. Design Systematic review and meta-analysis using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Data sources MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and the Cochrane Library were searched through 7 February 2017. Eligibility criteria for selecting studies We included randomised controlled trials ≥3 weeks assessing the effect of pasta alone or in the context of low-GI dietary patterns on measures of global (body weight, body mass index (BMI), body fat) and regional (waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD)) adiposity in adults. Data extraction and synthesis Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed risk of bias. Data were pooled using the generic inverse-variance method and expressed as mean differences (MDs) with 95% CIs. Heterogeneity was assessed (Cochran Q statistic) and quantified (I2 statistic). GRADE assessed the certainty of the evidence. Results We identified no trial comparisons of the effect of pasta alone and 32 trial comparisons (n=2448 participants) of the effect of pasta in the context of low-GI dietary patterns. Pasta in the context of low-GI dietary patterns significantly reduced body weight (MD=−0.63 kg; 95% CI −0.84 to –0.42 kg) and BMI (MD=−0.26 kg/m2; 95% CI −0.36 to –0.16 kg/m2) compared with higher-GI dietary patterns. There was no effect on other measures of adiposity. The certainty of the evidence was graded as moderate for body weight, BMI, WHR and SAD and low for WC and body fat. Conclusions Pasta in the context of low-GI dietary patterns does not adversely affect adiposity and even reduces body weight and BMI compared with higher-GI dietary patterns. Future trials should assess the effect of pasta in the context of other 'healthy' dietary patterns. Trial registration number NCT02961088; Results.


Abstract Mobility represents a critical component in the functional and disability assessment of older adults because it is related significantly to the maintenance of elder autonomy and independence. The authors' primary purposes are to raise the consciousness of geriatric social workers about the need to consider mobility as an important aspect of older persons' lives in the context of their environment, and to describe the application of a new strategy of mobility assessment that complements existing methods. First, an overview of the literature is provided that emphasizes the clinical relevance of mobility within the context of functional and disability assessment. Second, an application of the Life-Space Mobility Assessment (LSMA) with seniors is described as complementing the more traditional but less precise and sensitive methods of functional assessments typically used by social workers and other health care practitioners. Theoretical links to person-in-environment and ecology models are reviewed, and the implications for training, practice and research for social workers are discussed.


Noise analysis for comparator-based circuits is presented. The goal is to gain insight into the different sources of noise in these circuits for design purposes. After the general analysis techniques are established, they are applied to different noise sources in the comparator-based switched-capacitor pipeline analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The results show that the noise from the virtual ground threshold detection comparator dominates the overall ADC noise performance. The noise from the charging current can also be significant, depending on the size of the capacitors used, but the contribution was small in the prototype. The other noise sources have contributions comparable to those in op-amp-based designs, and their effects can be managed through appropriate design. In the prototype, folded flicker noise was found to be a significant contributor to the broadband noise because the flicker noise of the comparator extends beyond the Nyquist rate of the converter.


Expressions of GCN5 and HDAC1 in in vivo-and in vitro-cultured mouse preimplantational embryos were studied by immunocytochemistry.Results:(1) In in-vivo group: GCN5 fluorescence signals were evident in the cytoplasm of preblastocyst embryos,but in blastocysts,it disappeared.In two-cell embryos,HDAC1 staining was observed in the cytoplasm and nuclei,but in the following cleavage-stage embryos,it was mainly localized in the nuclei.(2) In in-vitro group: there were no GCN5 signals at all stages of embryos.The expression pattern of HDAC1 was similar to that of in-vivo group,but its level decreased.Those results show the early cleavage environment influence GCN5 and HDAC1 expressions in mouse preimplantational embryos.


Poles and zeros of the transfer function play an decisive role for filter performance.For an all-pole filter,the transmission zeros(attenuation poles) are all located at infinite frequency and dc.Finite transmission zero locations can be used to realize special features such as quasi-elliptic(real frequency zeros)response,equalized delay,i.e.linear phase(real axis or complex zeros).Some of the important concepts for network synthesis are analyzed which considered as a good summary of those formulated in several classic references.Polezero pattern comparison of some typical transfer functions is given,as well as some useful design examples using polezero locating technique.


A Crank‐Nicolson numerical scheme for solving the one‐dimensional mixed space‐time diffusion equation modelling the flow of a second grade fluid is shown to be unconditionally stable. A Peaceman‐Rachford alternating direction implicit (ADI) scheme implementing a Crank‐Nicolson scheme for the two‐dimensional linear mixed space‐time derivative partial differential equation modelling the two‐dimensional flow of a second‐grade fluid is subsequently developed. Numerical results for zero‐shear boundary conditions are presented. Applications to the one and two‐dimensional Cattaneo equations are also discussed.