Study Guide Checklist. Introduction. Pretest. Chapter 1: Nouns and Articles. Types of Nouns. Proper Nouns. Collective Nouns. Count versus Noncount Nouns. Plural Nouns. Showing Possession with Nouns. Unusual Constructions. Joint Ownership. Noun-Verb Agreement. Articles. Indefinite Articles. Gray Area: Articles and the Letter H. Definite Articles. Gray Area: British versus American Article Usage. Chapter 2: Pronouns. Personal Pronouns. Common Pitfall: Multiple Pronouns and What Case to Use. Common Pitfall: "We" and "Us" as Appositives. Common Pitfall: Pronouns as Complements (or "It is I!"). Agreement of Pronouns with Antecedents. Relative Pronouns. Gray Area: Restrictive "That" versus Nonrestrictive "Which". Common Pitfall: "Who" versus "Whom". Demonstrative Pronouns. Common Pitfall: "This Kind," "Those Sorts". Possessive Pronouns. Common Pitfall: Possessive Pronouns and Apostrophes. Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns. Reciprocal Pronouns. Indefinite Pronouns. Gray Area: Sexist Language and Indefinite Pronouns. Interrogative Pronouns. Chapter 3: Verbs. Transitive and Intransitive Verbs: Direct Objects. Indirect Objects. Linking Verbs. Verb Tenses. Simple Present Tense. Simple Past Tense. Simple Future Tense. Present Progressive Tense. Past Progressive Tense. Future Progressive Tense. Present Perfect Tense. Past Perfect Tense. Common Pitfall: "Lie" versus "Lay". Future Perfect Tense. Present Perfect Progressive Tense. Past Perfect Progressive Tense. Future Perfect Progressive Tense. Voice. Common Pitfall: Passive Voice. Mood. Phrasal Verbs. Gray Area: The Particle at the End of the Sentence. Modal Auxiliaries. Gray Area: "Can" versus "May". Gray Area: "Will" versus "Shall". Gerunds. Gray Area: Possessives with Gerunds. Infinitives. Gray Area: Split Infinitives. Participles. Chapter 4: Conjunctions. Coordinating Conjunctions. Gray Area: Beginning a Sentence with "And". Correlative Conjunctions. Subordinating Conjunctions. Gray Area: Using "Than" with Personal Pronouns. Gray Area: "As" versus "Like". Common Pitfall: "Than" versus "Then". Conjunctive Adverbs. Chapter 5: Prepositions. Prepositions and Compound Prepositions. Common Pitfall: Misused Prepositions. Common Pitfall: The Double Preposition. Gray Area: Prepositions at the End of a Sentence. Prepositional Phrases. Chapter 6: Modifiers. Adjectives and Adverbs. Adjectives. Adverbs. Adverbs at Work. Intensifying Adverbs. Common Pitfall: Unnecessary Adverbs. Adjective and Adverbial Phrases. Comparatives and Superlatives. Common Pitfall: Irregular Endings of Comparison Words. Common Pitfall: Double Comparisons and Superlatives. Common Pitfall: Adjectives and Adverbs That Should Not Be Compared. Emphasis Words. Misplaced Modifiers and Dangling Participles. Chapter 7: Sentences. Phrases and Clauses. Subjects. Special Types of Subjects. Predicates. Objects. Phrases. Special Types of Phrases. Clauses. Special Types of Clauses: "That" Clauses. Special Types of Clauses: "If" Clauses. Sentence Types: Compound and Complex. Punctuating Clauses within Sentences. Sentence Types: Declarative, Imperative, and Interrogative Moods. Sentence Types: Passive and Active Voice. Common Pitfall: Frequently Encountered Sentence Problems. Run-on Sentences. Comma Splices. Sentence Fragments. Misplaced or "Dangling" Modifiers. Restrictive and Nonrestrictive Elements. Unclear Antecedents. Lack of Agreement. Lack of Parallelism. Inconsistent Use of Tenses or Pronouns. Chapter 8: Punctuation, Capitalization, and Other Issues. Periods. Commas. Gray Area: The Serial Comma. Semicolons. Colons. Question Marks. Exclamation Points. Apostrophes. Gray Area: Handling ' S Situations. Common Pitfall: "It's" versus "It is". Quotation Marks. Hyphens. Dashes. Parentheses. Brackets. Ellipses. Slashes. Capitalization. Abbreviations and Acronyms. Abbreviations and Acronyms in Writing. Common Pitfall: Latin Abbreviations. Numerals. Expressing Dates and Times with Numbers. Other Uses of Numbers. Italics. Customized Full-Length Exam. Appendix A: Glossary. Appendix B: Abbreviations. State Abbreviations. Other Common Abbreviations. Index.


Abstract PROTOPORPHYRIN deposition on egg shells is markedly decreased by feeding laying hens a ration containing nicarbazin, a complex of 4,4′-dinitrocarbanilide (DNC) and 2-hydroxy-4,6-dimethyl pyrimidine (HDP). (For figure of molecular configuration see Cuckler et al., 1955, or Ott et al., 1956.) There is no effect on shell weight, only an effect on shell color (McClary, 1955; Ott et al., 1955, 1956; Sherwood et al., 1956; Polin and Porter, 1956; Cuckler et al., 1957; McLoughlin et al., 1957). Data have not yet been presented to show which moiety, DNC or HDP, is responsible for the depigmentation effect and whether or not compounds structurally similar to the active moiety will also produce a depigmentation effect. METHODS Compounds were administered intramuscularly as a suspension in corn oil at dosages of 10, 20 and 40 mg. per hen for 5 days, except DNC and HDP which were also administered at the 80 mg. dose level… .


Dynamic control structures of many types of reactive distillation columns have been studied in the literature. Both ideal hypothetical chemical systems and real chemical systems have been investigated. Most papers that involve ideal systems consider the quaternary ideal two-reactant, two-product chemistry A + B ↔ C + D. This paper explores the control of an ideal ternary system with the chemistry A + B ↔ C. Two cases are considered. In the first, there are only three components. In the second, the feed contains another component that does not participate in the reaction but does have a major impact on the structure of the column and the vapor-liquid phase equilibrium. A recent paper [Luyben, W. L. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. in review] explored the effects of several kinetic and design parameters on the steady-state design of these ternary systems. Significant differences were observed between the systems with and without chemically inert components. The current paper demonstrates that the control structures for these two systems are also quite different. Of particular importance is the finding that a two-temperature control structure provides effective control for the ternary system without inerts; however, this structure does not work when inerts are present, indicating that a direct composition measurement of a column internal composition is required for effective control.


The utility model provides a universal fault detection device for an air conditioner, belonging to the technical field of air conditioner detection. The universal fault detection device for the air conditioner comprises a box body. An air conditioner indoor unit board, an air conditioner outdoor unit board and an operation panel are arranged in the box body, wherein the air conditioner indoor unit board is connected with the air conditioner outdoor unit board through a data flat cable, and the air conditioner indoor unit board is connected with the operation panel through a data flat panel. A transformer and a terminal strip which are connected with the air conditioner indoor unit board, and a terminal strip, a contactor and an indicator lamp which are respectively connected with the air conditioner outdoor unit board are additionally arranged in the box body. An indoor unit expansion board and an outdoor unit expansion board are arranged outside the box body, wherein the indoor unit expansion board is connected with the indoor unit board through a data flat cable, and the outdoor unit expansion board is connected with the outdoor unit board through a data flat cable. A terminal strip and an indicator lamp are arranged on the indoor unit expansion board. A terminal strip is arranged on the outdoor unit expansion board. The box body consists of an upper part and a lower part which are movably connected with each other.


This paper expounds the quick tunneling technique adopted in the phyllite section of the hydraulic tunnel,and from aspects of the geological structure,the wall-rock features,and the groundwater,etc.,discusses on that the dynamic adjustment should be made for the construction method according to the wall-rock conditions.


A rapid and convenient differential spectro-photometric assay is proposed for the assay of Diaphene in liquid soaps and hand creams.


Ongoing research on the best way to diagnose prostate cancer has yielded and will continue to yield vast amounts of information. Based on, for example, information from prostate cancer screening trials models have been made that enable urologists to predict which man has prostate cancer on the basis of pre‐biopsy data. In patients with screen detected prostate cancer, the presence of indolent disease can now be identified with reasonable certainty by a different model. For these men active surveillance may be a better option than aggressive treatment with its possible side effects as impotence, incontinence and bowel damage. Both models mentioned above are logistic regression models. Nomograms enable their use in daily clinical practice.


Supervised machine learning (ML) and lexicon-based are the most frequent approaches for opinion mining (OM), but they require considerable effort for preparing the training data and to build the opinion lexicon, respectively. This paper presents two unsupervised approaches for OM based on Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). The PSO-based approaches were evaluated by eighteen experiments with different corpora types, domains, language, class balancing and pre-processing techniques. The proposed approaches achieved better accuracy on twelve experiments. Best results were obtained on corpora with a reduced number of dimensions and for specific domains. Best accuracy (0.79) was obtained by Discrete IDPSO on the OBCC corpus, outperforming supervised ML and lexicon-based approaches for this corpus.


Page 1 of 8  Integrating Stakeholders for the NEM Energy Transition  Ria Sheryl Belisario, Senior Network Planning Engineer, Western Power, Western Australia Fiona Griffith, Senior Connections Cost Engineer, Ergon/Energex, Queensland Shilpa Kala, Senior Network Connections Engineer, Transgrid, New South Wales Adrian Knack, Chief Technology Officer, Redback Technologies/Luceo Energy, Queensland Beer Opatsuwan, Manager Intelligent Grid Program, Ergon/Energex, Queensland  Executive Summary


In this paper, we present the preliminary results of our study on the use of a fiber optic sensor as a diagnostic and monitoring tool for evaluating the condition of transformer oil. An all-optical-fiber sensing system using a Mach-Zehnder interferometry technique was constructed to monitor acoustic wave propagation properties in differently aged transformer oil. It was found that the measured sound attenuation in the oil varies as it degrades, suggesting that the observation of sound attenuation with the fiber optic sensor can indicate the condition of service-aged transformer oil.


We have hypothesized that some steroid derivatives bind to the androgen receptor (AR) with very low androgenic activity and therefore potentially function as better AR antagonists than clinically used antiandrogens, such as flutamide. Indeed, we previously found such a compound, 3β‐acetoxyandrosta‐1,5‐diene‐17‐one ethylene ketal (ADEK), with some estrogenic activity. Here we report the identification of 2 additional steroid derivatives, 3β‐hydroxyandrosta‐5,16‐diene (HAD) and androsta‐1,4‐diene‐3,17‐dione‐17‐ethylene ketal (OAK), as new potent antiandrogens. Like ADEK, HAD and OAK could interrupt androgen binding to the AR and suppress both dihydrotestosterone‐ and androstenediol‐induced transactivations of wild‐type and mutant ARs in prostate cancer cells. These 2 compounds also inhibited prostate‐specific antigen expression in LNCaP as well as growth of different AR‐positive prostate cancer cell lines stimulated by androgen. Significantly, HAD and OAK had only marginal agonist effects, as compared to hydroxyflutamide. More importantly, in contrast to ADEK, OAK was shown to possess marginal estrogenic activity. These results strengthen our hypothesis and suggest that selective steroid derivatives could be potent antiandrogenic drugs with less unfavorable effects for the treatment of prostate cancer. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


In the present article we presented a theoretical essay which has aims discussing the study and researches groups role in mathematics education (PPGEM) in the constitutional movement of the teacher's professional identity (IP) who teach mathematics (PEM) and of the researchers. Initially, we describe our efforts in producing a characterization for the movement of constitution IP of the PEM anchored in the relay between education and theorizing actions. Challenged to produce new experiences of thought and action, we discussed the role of groups of study and research in PPGEM in the articulation between the different domains constituting this categorization. We conclude that the study and research groups in PPGEM constitute a prominent practice for create agency-supporting environments and minimize the tensions teachers experience as a result of intersectionality and demands of discipline-focused teaching, are aspects that must be taken in the constitutional movement of the teachers professional identity who teach mathematics and of the researchers.


The development of the formal qualities of a work of art takes place in the feelings of the artist, and it is only through our feelings that we are able to truly observe them. The presentation of a piece is not enough; as an artist I feel that the visual observation without a response is worse than a negative reaction. Simple observation alone is a failure to perceive feelings; without reaction, positive or negative, one's feeling for a piece have yet to be touched and perception is soon lost. In my work, I strive to achieve feelings. I release my own, attempting to use visual signs to convey ideas and emotional experiences. Although I enjoy the procedures involved in the production of the piece and even if I am satisfied with the piece, I hesitate to accept the results unless others react. Without a reaction, I question whether I have conveyed my feelings or developed any for the observer, and the possibilities of further involvement are retarded. I am not saying that every art piece should be an intellectual problem revolving around one central theme; rather that in order for my work to be successful, feelings should be generated.


Abstract : The underwater inspection of the Brighton Dam Acoustic Facility barge was conducted on 1 November 1984. Analysis of NSWC barge freeboard measurements and the inspection data show: (1) a safe barge freeboard has been maintained for the past seven years with little change in freeboard observed: (2) the 44 'p' pontoons supporting the instrument house are in good structural condition with some pitting and breaching of the metal near the waterline; and (3) pitting and breaching are not critical because the pontoons are foam filled. Wood beams between the pontoons and instrument house are in good condition. It is concluded: (a) The facility is in good condition and should continue to give service at current rates of maintenance funding. (b) Pontoon replacement is not needed and not recommended. (c) Replacement of the barge is not recommended. (d) The receiving float could be replaced at a cost of approximately $20 K to reduce the draft of the pontoons by 2 feet. This would reduce the impact of low lake levels. (e) The crane rails on the barge and shore cannot be upgraded to 3,000 pounds capacity without significant modifications. (f) Monthly barge freeboard measurements should be taken and a swim-by inspection of the underwater portions made every three years.


Results on studying the ontogenetic changes of nervous system at rats on background of loading by grapes seeds meal presented in article. Organism state of infant rats estimated on the speed of maturing the sensory-motor reflexes during feeding by classical methods and the Open field method. According to the received results loading by grapes seeds meal promotes an intensification of maturing the sensory-motor reflexes.


Ochratoxin A is a mycotoxin of current interest from a public health point of view; consequently, a considerable effort has been and is being expended to document human and animal exposure to this mycotoxin and the consequences of such exposure. This paper reviews the current status of knowledge with respect to ochratoxin A. INTRODUCTION In recent years the attention of most mycotoxinologists has been focused to a great extent on the continuing quest for better ways to control exposure to aflatoxins, resolution of the questions relating to aflatoxin's acute and chronic toxicity (i.e., carcinogenicity) for humans, and an ever-expanding study of the myriad metabolites of the Fusaria (especially trichothecenes). Study of the ochratoxins, except in some localized areas of the world (e.g., Denmark, Sweden), has generally been of much lower priority. This situation seems to be changing, as evidenced by the recent efforts of public health officials in various countries (Germany, Canada, United States) to develop estimates of human risk from exposure to ochratoxin'A. in developing such risk estimates seems to be the paucity of data on human exposure to this mycotoxin and comparative toxicology data for translating observations in animals to humans. It has always been somewhat of an enigma that human exposure to ochratoxin seems to be localized in some countries of northern Europe and the Balkans and may possibly be responsible for a serious human nephropathy, but is not generally found in other areas of the world. Nevertheless, the International Program on Chemical Safety/World Health Organization, in its latest review of environmental contaminants, has recently selected ochratoxin as one of the mycotoxins for which sufficient new information indicates a need for further study and evaluation with respect to human health potential. Furthermore, the Commission on Food Chemistry, IUPAC, has embarked on a worldwide effort to document the natural occurrence of ochratoxin. It is the purpose of this paper to summarize recent information on the occurrence, toxicology and public health significance of human exposure to ochratoxin A. The main difficulty CHEMISTRY AND METHODOLOGY Biosynthetically the ochratoxins are pentaketides, consisting of a dihydroisocoumarin coupled to 8-phenylalanine (ref. l), with the following properties: White, odorless, crystalline solid HeOH M;, 168-173'C (9O'C, benzene) aD -46.8' (2650 pmol/L, CHC1,) 282 nm (cmX 890) , Mol. Wt. 403.8 332 nm (emax 63,300) hx 214 nm (emx 37,200) , Fig. 1. X Structure of ochratoxin A. Only ochratoxin A, and very rarely its dechloro analog, ochratoxin B, have been found in foods and feeds, whereas in culture filtrates of the generating molds, the methyl and/or ethyl esters as well as the 4-hydroxy-derivative and the isocoumarin nucleus of ochratoxin B (ochratoxin a ) have been observed (ref. 2). These compounds are produced by a variety of fungi, with the more frigophilic Penicillia (e.g., Penicillium viridicatum, 2. verrucosum) being the primary producers in the cooler areas of the world (ref. 3). 1030 Ochratoxin A: A review ANALYTICAL METHODOLOGY 1031 Several excellent reviews of analytical methods for determining ochratoxin A in foods and feeds (refs. 4, 5) are available. In general the major steps in all of the methods are the same: lot sampling, test sample preparation, extraction, cleanup, determination, confirmation of identity. Because the ochratoxin in most commodities is heterogeneously distributed, a relatively large random primary sample must be taken from the lot. In the case of grain, a 5-10 lb. sample is usually taken. This primary sample is then ground fine enough to pass a U.S. No. 20 sieve and blended thoroughly, and a 50-g test portion is withdrawn. It has been found that ochratoxin A in grains tends to degrade after grinding as a result of enzyme activity; consequently the test portion must be analyzed (extracted) immediately after grinding. The cleanup step most frequently used involves extraction into a basic solution (NaHC03), followed by acidification and partition into chloroform. The method that has received the widest acceptance has been collaboratively studied by the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) and subsequently adopted by that organization as an official method (ref. 6). The IUPAC also selected it as a recommended method. In one of the earliest multimycotoxin methods, and one that has been extensively used (refs. 7, 8); the chloroform extract is put directly onto a silica gel column and aflatoxin and zearlenone are eluted; finally ochratoxin is eluted with acetic acidbenzene and determined as the free acid by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and visual estimation or by TLC-densitometry. In all methods using fluorescence, sensitivity can be greatly improved by exposure of the developed TLC plate to NH which converts ochratoxin A to its ammonium salt and in so doing shifts rhe absorption maximum from 3 3 0 to 370 nm and increases the fluorescence emission at 460 nm. An added advantage of this technique is that the salt (anion form) of ochratoxin A appears to be more stable on a TLC plate than the free acid. An excellent high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method (ref. 9) applicable to the parts-per-billion level has been developed. The method includes the silica gel column cleanup described above preceded by an acidbase partition. A minicolumn screening method (ref. 10) has also been developed. Most of the older methods are time-consuming and use considerable amounts of solvent. validated which traps the ochratoxin on a 0.5-g C,, column impregnated with NaHC03. This method has been evaluated in a joint AOAC-IUPAC collaborative study (ref. ll), and on the basis of the results, was recommended to the AOAC for official first action status. The method consists of extraction of the test portion (50 g) by blending 3 min with 25 mL of 0.1 M H3P04 + 250 mL of CHCl,, filtering, and extracting the filtrate with 3% NaHCO,. The ochratoxin is trapped on a methanol-NaHC03-C,, column and recovered from the column by elution with EtOAc-MeOH-HOAc. HPLC. To avoid these disadvantages, a method has been developed and Ochratoxin A in the extract is determined by Over the last 15 years a number of immunochemical methods have been developed. These are very sensitive, specific and rapid. Some of these methods have been incorporated into test kits in the last few years and are commercially available. As is the case with all methodologies for trace contaminants, a source of standard material is required. Commercial sources of standard materials are listed in Table 1. The standard material as purchased, and solutions prepared from it, must be characterized for concentration by UV absorption measurements and for chromatographic purity by HPLC or TLC. Solution concentrations of about 30 pg/mL are required for adequate UV response, and about 100 pg/spot is needed for a TLC purity check. The identity of ochratoxin A in tlpositivett est extracts is usually confirmed by formation of the methyl or ethyl ester derivatives (ref. 6), followed by rechromatography (TLC, HPLC) or gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. 1032 COMMISSION ON FOOD CHEMISTRY Commodity Table 1 commercial Sources of Ochrag r c s Incidence Id2Y.a ReferNo. ( % Positive) (ng/g) Makor Chemical Co. $9.OO/mg Aldrich Chemical Co. 12 .2 5/mg Sigma Chemical Co. 2 2.2 5/mg Chemical Dynamics Corp. 13.20/mg CSIR, S. Africa 7.OO/mg Barley Barley Barley malt Corn Corn Corn Feed Feed Oats Sorghum Wheat ITable 2 Jncidence of Ochratox in A in U.S. G r b 164 127 138 283 293 300 102 395 28 32 848


Porous organic polymers (POPs) have been fabricated with intriguing physicochemical properties, which can be used in a wide range of emerging applications. However, it shown less activity in nanozymes. Intends to boost the nanozymes activity with incorporation nanoparticle into POP. The importance of M 2+ incorporation, which prevents leaching and agglomeration. In this study, we presented transition metal ions coordinated porous organic polymer (Cu 2+ @POP, Ni 2+ @POP and Co 2+ @POP) by mechanochemical method. As prepared Cu 2+ @POP, Ni 2+ @POP and Co 2+ @POP have exhibited excellent 3,3',5,5'tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) oxidation reaction in the presence of H 2 O 2 . The oxidation reaction has carried out by single electron transfer, to convert colorless TMB to blue colored ox-TMB. Furthermore, the peroxidase like activity of Cu 2+ @POP has been shown potentially prevent TMB oxidation in the presence of Ascorbic acid (AA) and Dopamine (DA). Based on the inhibition effect, we achieved low detection limits 1.4mM, 1mMfor AA and DA through colorimetric method. To the best our knowledge, first time we investigate colorimetric based detection both detection of AA and DA. With this findings, Cu 2+ @POP have excellent catalytic activity, providing a promising prospect for biosensors and clinical fields.


Future deep space communications are likely to employ not only the existing RF uplink and downlink, but also a high capacity optical downlink. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is currently investigating the benefits of a ground based hybrid RF and deep space optical terminal based on limited modification of existing 34 meter antenna designs. The ideal design would include as large an optical aperture as technically practical and cost effective, cause minimal impact to RF performance, and remain cost effective even when compared to a separate optical terminal of comparable size. Numerous trades and architectures have been considered, including shared RF and optical apertures having aspheric optics and means to separate RF and optical signals, plus, partitioned apertures in which various zones of the primary are dedicated to optical reception. A design based on the latter is emphasized in this paper, employing spherical primary optics and a new version of a "clamshell" corrector that is optimized to fit within the limited space between the antenna sub-reflector and the existing apex structure that supports the sub-reflector. The mechanical design of the hybrid accommodates multiple spherical primary mirror panels in the central 11 meters of the antenna, and integrates the clamshell corrector and optical receiver modules with antenna hardware using existing attach points to the maximum extent practical. When an optical collection area is implemented on a new antenna, it is possible to design the antenna structure to accommodate the additional weight of optical mirrors providing an equivalent aperture of several meters diameter. The focus of our near term effort is to use optics with the 34 meter DSS-13 antenna at Goldstone to demonstrate spatial optical acquisition and tracking capability using an optical system that is temporarily integrated into the antenna.


Solid dispersions of ketoprofen were prepared by using different wa ter solubl e carriers like β - cyclodextrin, PEG 6000 , polyvinyl pyrolidone and urea in appropriate concentration to enhance the transdermal flux . The prepared solid dispersions were characterized by IR spectroscopy & DSC suggested no interaction of drug with carriers. The solid dispersions were evaluated for solubility, Invitro dissolution and Invitro permeation through rat skin. The solubility of ketoprofen was enhanced 3 - 7 times in order of solid d ispersion, urea<PV <PEG 6000<β cyclodextrin and also was increased with increase in the concentration of carriers. The dissolution of all ketopro fen solid dispersions was 67.45% to 95.41% more as compare to the pure drug (24.46%) after 120 min. The percentage drug dissolution was increased for the different carrier as urea<PV P <PEG 6000<β - cyclodextrin and also as the concentration of carriers increase the dissolution was also increased. The in vitro dissolution was correlated with the solubility study. The flux obtained for all solid dispersion was 3 - 8 times more as compare to p ure drug due to enhanced solubility and dissolution of ketoprofen in donor compartment. The highest flux was obtained with β - cyclodextrin (446.31mcg/cm 2 /h) and PEG 6000 (432.22mcg/cm


Excuse me if I sound puffed, but I am so excited. I have been doing some joined-up thinking, and the results will benefit both the planet and its inhabitants.


Procedure of bench tests of a crawler band with elastomer wideners is described. It allows to repeat the dynamic processes in areas of drive and guide wheels in laboratory conditions. Dependences establishing the accordance between bench and trial tests by criterion of accumulated fatigue damage are given. Mathematical model describing the dynamics of a crawler band with flexible wideners is presented. Results of test calculations are given.


| This study investigated the effect of harvesting time on concentration and biological activity of tannin in Andrographis paniculata ( A. paniculata ) leaves and determined the in vitro rumen fermentation and digestibility of diet supplemented with A. paniculata leaves to evaluate its role as herbal supplement in ruminant's feed. A. paniculata leaves were harvested at two time points i.e., before and after flowering phase and the samples were dried to analyze concentration and biological activity of tannin. Rice straw was used as basal diet to carry out in vitro digestibility trial. Four treatments were used including B consisting basal diet only, BBF and BAF each consisting basal diet supplemented with 1% A. paniculata leaves before and after flowering phases, respectively, and BBAF supplemented with 0.5% A. paniculata leaves before and 0.5% after flowering phase. Each treatment was carried out in five replications. Results revealed that contents (mg/g) for total tannin (20.40±1.06 vs 19.33±1.19; P<0.05) and condensed tannin (8.44±0.17 vs 5.47±0.30; P<0.01) were greater in leaves harvested after flowering compared with before flowering phase, however, no significant difference (P > 0.05) on biological activity of tannins was observed between the two flowering phases. The in vitro gas production was not influenced (P > 0.05) by the supplementation of A. paniculata leaves before and after flowering phase. A. paniculata supplementation also did not influence (P > 0.05) in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) and total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) values. It was concluded that the supplementation of A. paniculata leaves before and after flowering phase in the diet does not affect the digestibility.


Corruption is a widespread phenomenfJn in today 'S public life in India. Incorruptible peoples and public figures have become a microscopic minority. 2011 is the year of scams and the biggest ever corruption cases unearthed and thoroughly discussed in India. In our daily life, most of us must have been either a witness to or a victim of the corruption thriving in some or the other part of the country. An average Indian citizen is hard working and diligent, but it is the people in charge of the system or with whom the power lays, that act as a conduit spreading the venom, slowing down the progress of the country. The article analyses the ills of corruption which is affecting the masses. Corruption has been rampant in Indian society, because of low literac·y, little awareness, less accountability and almost non-existing confidence and courage to challen,ge the authorities. To check the increasing menace of corruption, there is an urgent need to create awareness among the masses that the benefits of the policy of the government could reach to the people.


Summary form only given. Discharges in gas phase have been extensively studied and used in industry for over 100 years. In comparison, plasma in or in contact with water is a relatively new field, which is seeing fast development during recent years. The simultaneous production of high energy radicals, ions, molecular species, UV radiation and shock waves by underwater discharges makes them suitable for a wide range of applications, such as water sterilization, volatile organic compounds (VOC) removal, nanomaterial synthesis, and ultrasound generation. Production of plasma without bubble formation has been reported using fast-rising high voltages. However, for most cases, plasma dominantly occurs in a preexisting vapor phase or vapor phase produced as part of the discharge process itself. Plasma formation mechanism in underwater bubbles is the key to the understanding of plasma formation in liquid water and will help the design of new plasma water treatment devices. In this paper, the formation and development of plasma in single air bubbles submerged in water was investigated. The difference in the discharge dynamics and the after-effects on the bubble were studied using a 900,000 frame per second high-speed charge-coupled device (CCD) camera. It was observed that depending on the position of the electrodes, the breakdown could be categorized into two modes: (1) direct discharge mode, where the high voltage and ground electrodes was in contact with the bubble, and the discharge would follow the shortest path and propagate along the axis of the bubble; (2) dielectric barrier mode, where the ground electrode was not in touch with the bubble surface, and the streamer would form along the inner surface of the bubble. The oscillation of the bubble and the development of instabilities on the bubble surface was also discussed.


In this paper, we propose to use projection methods such as coefficient of variation projection (COV) to exploit the entire information of Digital Multi-focal Images (DMI) using its projection images along different directions. The COV projection takes into account the intensity distribution feature of multi-focal images, so it overcomes the limitation of poor contrast of the projection images from the 3D X-Ray Transform, which is used in a previous work. Because the DMI stacks represent the effect of different factors — texture, projection directions, different instances within the same class and different classes of objects, we embed the projection method within a multilinear classification framework. The experimental results on the nematode data show that the image projection based multilinear classifier can achieve very reliable recognition rate (95.5%), even we only use the texture feature instead of the combination of texture and shape features as in the previous work.


In the design for piled rafts, the load capacity of the raft is in general ignored and the load capacities of pile are only considered for the estimation of the total load carrying capacity of the piled raft. The axial resistance of piled raft is offered by the raft and group piles acting on the same supporting ground soils. As a consequence, pile - soil - raft and pile - soil interactions, occurring by stress and displacement duplication with pile and raft loading conditions, acts as a key element in the design for piled rafts. In this study, a series of centrifuge model tests has been performed to compare the axial behavior of group pile and raft with that of a piled raft (having 16 component piles with an array of ) at the stiff and soft clays. From the test results, it is observed that the interactions of piles, soil, and raft has little influences on the load capacities of piles and raft in piled rafts compared with the load capacities of group piles and raft at the same clay soil condition.


The proposed BOECMS (Bi-Object Equivalent Consumption Minimization Strategy) possesses three key features: being real-time, causal and capable of fulfilling two objects, namely, (i) minimized fuel consumption, and (ii) the battery SOC (State Of Charge) steadily retained within a relatively narrow range. A HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) model and its corresponding power split strategy are developed and verified by using the vehicle simulator ADVISOR (ADvanced VehIcle SimulatOR) and Simulink at design stage. According to the computer simulation results, the degree of the improvement of fuel economy is up to 40.39 % in terms of "MANHATTAN" drive cycle in comparison to the conventional pure ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicles. Moreover, the experimental results by HIL (Hardware-In-the-Loop) are pretty close to the computer simulations undertaken by Simulink. This implies that the proposed energy management strategy, BOECMS, can be potentially applied to the real-world driving in the future.


: An FPGA based hardware accelerator for bio-signal digital filtering in a neonatal heart rate monitoring system employing electric potential sensors (EPS) is presented. The proposed system contains a single hardware filter stage for antialiasing, with the remaining digital signal processing required to provide a clinical standard ECG performed on an FPGA (National Instruments myRIO 1900). This is compared with a previous microprocessor version (Raspberry Pi 3, BCM2837 processor) containing a dual hardware/software filtering scheme, with the aim of simplifying the analog front end and allowing for reconfigurable filtering in the digital domain. A custom neonate phantom was employed to emulate real world conditions and ambient noise. The developed FPGA system was shown to have a signal quality comparable with the microprocessor implementation, with an average signal to noise ratio loss of 2%. A 12 dB increase in attenuation of the predominant 50 Hz noise and a 90% reduction in energy per sample filtered was shown compared to the microprocessor version, indicating both efficiency and filter effectiveness gains. The phantom was used to broadcast data from the preterm infant cardio-respiratory signals database (PICSDB) and the FPGA filtering scheme was shown to remove the majority of the ambient 50 Hz noise with an average reduction of 30 dB, and provided a clean ECG signal. These results demonstrate that FPGA filtered EPS ECGs have comparable signal quality to the combined HW/SW filtering implementation, with a reduction in complexity and power consumption.


The genus Punica belongs to a monogeneric family Punicaceae and includes two species viz., Punica granatum L. and P. protopunica Balf. f. However, some authors also consider the ornamental dwarf pomegranate (P. nana Pers.) as a distinct species. The systematic and taxonomic circumscription of the genus Punica has been controversial in many floras. Earlier morphological studies considered the genus Punica, under Lythraceae. However, but based on distinct features like fruits with leathery pericarp, pulpy seeds with edible sarcotesta, ovule with multilayered outer integument and unicellular archesporium, it was found to differ from other typical Lythraceae genera and was therefore, included in a separate family, Punicaceae. The inclusion of the genus Punica in the order Myrtales is not questioned, but the family under which it should be placed is still a debatable question. Here, we discuss the taxonomic implications of the genus Punica in relation to different systems of classification that are already in place and nrDNA and CpDNA sequences that have been generated for the genus Punica, to understand the phylogenetic relationships with other taxa of the order Myrtales.


The validation of heat transfer models of safety analysis codes such as TRACE is very important due to the strong interaction of the thermal hydraulics parameters with the core neutronics. TRACE is the reference system code of the US NRC for LWR. It is being developed and extensively validated within the international CAMP-program. In this paper, the validation of heat transfer models of TRACE related to the prediction of the critical power is presented. The validation is based on a large number of critical power tests performed in the NUPEC BFBT (BWR Full-Size Fine-Mesh Bundle Tests) facility in Japan. These tests were analysed with the TRACE Version 5 RC 2. The comparison of predictions with the experimental data shows good agreement. The developed TRACE model and the comparison of experimental data with code results will be presented and discussed.Copyright © 2009 by ASME


The article considers semantic mechanisms of value meaning in the structure of Russian and English colour idioms. The authors classify colour idioms according to the factor which forms the basis of value meaning and is specified by the semantics of the colour.


Bank crisis can mostly be traced to a decrease in the value of bank assets. Banks are vulnerable to a number of risks. This happens in one or a combination of the following incidences; when loans turn bad and cease to perform (credit risk), when there are excess withdrawals over available funds (liquidity risk) and rising interest rates (interest rate risk). Bad credit management, market inefficiencies and operational risk, among a host others can trigger panic withdrawals by depositors with a sense of insecurity emanating from the fear of loss of investment. In fact, the failure of Barings Bank and Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc was attributable to varied factors spanning from non-monitoring of employee activities, management's involvement in dubious accounting practices, unethical business practices by management, over indulging in risky and unsecured derivative trade. To guide against similar bank collapse in the near future, there should be an enhanced communication among international regulators and authorities that exercise oversight responsibilities on the security market. National bankruptcy laws should be invoked to forestall liquidity crisis so as to prevent freezing of margins and positions of solvent customers.


The basic requirements of controllig well lighting in "Safety rules for the construction and installation of escalators and moving walks"are controled at double-position.There are more location needed at the field site,so that maintenance personnel operate conveniently.This paper designs a wireless remote controller of controlling at multi-location,and used for well lighting control.The principle diagram of the controller,PCB,and its application circuit are gave.The circuit is simple,the operation is convenient,smart controlling.


This paper would like to discuss that batik has three types consist of kain batik tulis, kain batik print and batik fabrics and their variety of motifs. The scope of research on batik originated from the area of Bandung, Cirebon, Pekalongan and Yogyakarta-Surakarta (Solo) . This research analyzed with Peirce's triadic semiotic approach with a sign that has an icon, index, and symbol. Analysis a sign motif of batik is related to with an icon in the form of of cloth, and the index element in the form of color motifs of batik. Symbol is always related to with the naming of batik , such as Parang Barong, Sida Mukti, Mega Mendung and the Indonesian cultural background. The results of this research indicate that the batik has egalitarian value, functional value, economic value, and symbolic value. These four values are used by industry to improve the community through the creative industries and innovative creativity in the face of the global market. Through the imaging of batik will be formed social harmony for the global community.


How to cite this paper: Musa, W. A., Salman, R. T., Amoo, I. O., & Subair, M. L. (2020). Impact of firm's specific factors on audit fee of quoted consumer goods firms. Corporate Governance and Sustainability Review, 4(1), 47-55. http://doi.org/10.22495/cgsrv4i1p4 Copyright © 2020 by Virtus Interpress. All rights reserved ISSN Online: 2519-898X ISSN Print: 2519-8971 Received: 09.07.2019 Accepted: 07.04.2020 JEL Classification: M41, M42, M52 DOI: 10.22495/cgsrv4i1p4 Greater pricing presume on audit service has been put by the regulations of the auditing and accounting practices for the disclosure of audit fees, since audit fee is directly related to audit quality. However, the audit fees perceived by the client is often different from the amount charged by the auditors. Hence, this study investigated the impact of firm-specific characteristics on audit fees of quoted consumer goods firms in Nigeria using a purposive sampling technique. Secondary data were obtained from annual reports of the companies for the period from 2009-2016. The empirical result from Breusch-Pagan Lagrange Multiplier Test (BP-LM) produced a chi-square value of 13.94 with p-value of 0.0001 indicating that pooled ordinary least squares (OLS) will not be appropriate for the study. The Hausman test showed a chi-square of 23.55 with a p-value of 0.001 indicating that the null hypothesis is strongly rejected. Thus, the only estimate from the fixed effect model was interpreted to explain the relationship between firm-specific characteristics and audit fees of quoted consumer goods firms in Nigeria. The result revealed that auditee size, auditee risk, auditee profitability and IFRS adoption are the firm-specific characteristics that impact on audit fees with only auditee size and IFRS adoption being positively related to audit fees while the other factors are negatively related to audit fees. Based on this finding, this study concluded that the firm's specific factors are the major drivers of audit fees in Nigeria consumer goods firms. This study recommends among others that companies should implement corporate governance principles that address issues relating to board independence and committee sizes to guide activities in the consumer goods sector since profitability behave negatively with audit fees.


Objective:To further study and compare the effect of mifepristone and traditional treatment method in the treatment of perimenopausal functional uterine bleeding,so as to provide some references for clinical practice.Method:One hundred and fifty cases of perimenopausal functional uterine bleeding in our hospital from December 2009 to December 2011 were chosen and randomly divided into study group and control group,75 in each group.Study group were treated by mifepristone,control group were treated by traditional method.FSH,P,E2 and clinical effect were compared.Result:(1)After treatment,the level of FSH,P,E2 in study group were better than that in control group,the difference were statistically significant(P0.05).(2)The total effective rate in the study group was significantly higher than that in the control group,the difference was statistically significant(P0.05).Conclusion:In the practice of clinical treatment of perimenopausal functional uterine bleeding,the clinical efficacy of mifepristone treatment is significant,and it is a reliable choice for the clinical treatment of perimenopausal functional uterine bleeding.


Purpose
This paper aims to systematically map the nature of research in the field of wine tourism experiences and suggest research agenda based on the thematic mapping.

Design/methodology/approach
A total of 112 articles on wine tourism experiences published between 2000 and 2022 from Scopus and Web of Science databases were analysed. Bibliometric analyses, namely, performance analysis and science mapping, were done using Biblioshiny, an R-tool.

Findings
The results indicate that post-2015, the subject diversified into specialised sub-themes and empirical studies were widely adopted research methods. International Journal of Wine Business Research emerged as a leading outlet for scholarly publications. The study recommends key research themes for future research in the area.

Originality/value
To the best of the author's knowledge, this is the first bibliometric analysis-based study on wine tourism experiences. The research agenda discussed can help initiate scholarly discussions in this area.


How will we keep the motivation during the second language as long as we can, which confuses us, though what the L2 motivation is and how it is developed have been discussed by the psychologists, educators, etc. The aim of this passage is to clarify the basic content of motivation, including the definition, classification, importance, etc. how the current situation is in senior high students' English learning motivation, what should be done to keep such motivation. In the following part, it will be read that the introduction, the chapter stating the content and classification of(L2) motivation, the chapter analyzing the necessity and state of L2 motivation at senor high, the chapter offering approach to keep that motivation, and the conclusion. All of them use the comparison, explanation and cites.


Abstract:Lavie Tidhar's By Force Alone (2020) deploys intentional anachronisms in its self-reflexive and violent representation of the Arthurian legends. By Force Alone is a savage critique of the discourse of the Brexit campaign; by undercutting the myths that built Britain, the novel exposes the twin lies of narrative and nationhood.


experience with trade association work during the past twenty years. His approach throughout the book is that of an attorney earnestly pleading his client's case rather than that of impartial research investigator seeking facts and following them to whatever conclusions they may lead. The subtitle of the book indicates its general purpose and scope. The immediate occasion for the appearance of this work appears to have been the decision of the U. S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit (Boston) on May 12, 1949, which unanimously set aside an Order of the Federal Trade Commission against the Tag Manufacturers Institute's open price system. The commission did not appeal the case. The Tag Manufacturers Institute open price system was thus vindicated. Since the Institute operated a rather comprehensive statistical reporting program with emphasis upon prices, the author regards this decision as an invitation to other industries to develop similar programs. This was a case under the Federal Trade Commission Act in which the Commission was overruled primarily because the Court held that there were certain statistical and other defects in the evidence in support of the Commission's findings of fact. It would seem to this reviewer that before any organization embarks upon any open price program it would be prudent to check its legality under the basic antitrust law, the Sherman Act. The book proceeds from a brief discussion of the Tag Manufacturers Institute's case to a more general consideration of the problem. The main body of the work consists of reprints of two of the author's previous articles. The first, which is entitled "Law and the Practice of industrial individualism," originally appeared in the November 1940 and January 1941 issues of the George Washington University Law Review. It is an ex parte exposition of the business merits and public service aspects of open price systems of manufacturers as operated by their trade associations. Mr. Sawyer starts from the fundamental statement that we need more marketing facts, particularly in the field of competitive pricing. He quickly jumps to what ap123


Abstract Various routes have been developed to synthesize mono-, di- and trisilylated derivatives of the phosphazenium salt [H2NPPh2NPPh2NH2]∗Cl− (1) in moderate to good yields. The trisilylated phosphazene compound 6 has been characterized by X-ray structure determination.


In this paper, we consider multi-label decision tables that have a set of decisions attached to each row. Our goal is to find one decision from the set of decisions for each row by using decision tree as our tool. Considering our target to minimize the depth of the decision tree, we devised various kinds of greedy algorithms as well as dynamic programming algorithm. When we compare with the optimal result obtained from dynamic programming algorithm, we found some greedy algorithms produces results which are close to the optimal result for the minimization of depth of decision trees.


Objective To study the endoscopic manifestation of gonorrheal proctocolitis.Methods Retrospectively reviewed and analysed the clinical and endoscopic smaples of 6 gonorrheal proctocolitis cases on the findings of clinical endoscopic features,pathology,mucus smear and cultures.Results Colonoscopic features of rectum and distal sigmoid mucosa revealed varying grades of edema,congestion and abundant mucus in 6 cases;supurative secretion in 3 cases;scattered bleeding spots,local erosive and superficial ulceration in 2 cases. Pathological findings were chronic inflammation in 4 cases,local erosion,necrosis with superficial ulceration in 2 cases.Rectum mucus smear and mucus culture were positive for gonococcus in all 6 cases.Conclusion The colonoscopic and pathological features of proctocolitis merely showed the non-specific changes even in the severe cases.The gram stain and culture of rectal mucus,particularly the later,gave the highest diagnostic significance.


Here the authors examine the nature of the mnemonic structures that underlie the ability of animals to learn configural discriminations that are allied to the XOR problem. It has long been recognized that simple associative networks (e.g., perceptrons) fail to provide a coherent analysis for how animals learn this type of discrimination. Indeed "The inability of single layer perceptrons to solve XOR has a significance of mythical proportions in the history of connectionism." (McLeod, Plunkett & Rolls, 1998; p. 106). In this historic context, the authors describe the results of recent experiments with animals that are inconsistent with the theoretical solution to XOR provided by some multi-layer connectionist models. The authors suggest a modification to these models that parallels the formal structure of XOR while maintaining two principles of perceptual organization and learning: contiguity and common fate.


The thought of the Asiatic Mode of Production is very complex in Marxism.The thought implies not only the ownership of primitive commune but also the transition from the ownership of primitive tribe to slave-owning ownership and feudal ownership of land.Therefore,it is improper to regard it as agricultural commune and the last stage of primitive society.It is also inappropriate to look upon it as a standpoint full of logical and historical contradictions.


Analysis of aluminum (Al) alloys was carried out using helium and argon/glow discharge mass spectrometry (He/GD-MS, and Ar/GD-MS). The relative sensitivity factors RSFX, Al over the Al matrix used for GD-MS quantitative analysis were determined using six commercial Al alloy standard reference materials. The analytes comprise 15 elements containing in Al alloys: beryllium (Be), magnesium (Mg), silicon (Si), titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), strontium(Sr), tin (Sn), lead (Pb), and bismuth (Bi). A glow discharge cell for disk samples was used. A 12-mm internal diameter sample mask made from Ta was employed as the part of the anode. The discharge current was 3-mA for both of discharge gas. Large dispersion was observed in several obtained RSF values, resulting from insufficient validity of certified values of some elements such as Be. Nevertheless, the dispersion in RSF values was 8% or less as RSD for most of the analytes. The Ar/glow discharge was suitable for analysis of Al alloys because the RSF-values almost were better than those obtained by measurement using the He/glow discharge. Values obtained by GD-MS for a practical Al alloy A356 well agreed with the chemical analysis result, from alloying elements like Si, minor components such as Mg and Ti, to trace elements of parts per million level. Moreover, regarding the accuracy of GD-MS analysis, minor components such as Mg, Ti, and Fe can be determined within about 2% accuracy as RSD, and trace elements below a single mass ppm within 5%, except for Cr (RSD: 24.4%), Ni (9.8%), and Sn (13.3%). We established an eco-friendly analytical method without acid-decomposition by chemical reagents.


Mortality differentials in Sub-Saharan Africa are analyzed with a focus on differences by educational status of father and mother social class mothers labor force participation residence characteristics region religion and ethnic group. Data are from a variety of sources including the World Fertility Survey. The chapter concludes with a multivariate analysis of the relative impact of these factors on mortality. (ANNOTATION)


This article describes good and bad working postures,which lead to different kinds of feelings and consequences.From the perspective of human mechanics,how to develop good working posture,center of gravity sias is introduced,such as effective use of human movement,extract the correct posture,leverage the use of arms,et.,so as to protect the lumbar spine to save energy and improve the efficiency of health care and other labor purposes.


For broadcasting satellites precise contour beam antennas are required. Single shaped reflector antennas are suitable for that purpose, since they do not need complex feed networks. Some optimization programs have been developed using classical techniques, such as conjugate gradient. In this paper a new technique combining genetic algorithm (GA) with conjugate gradient is presented for designing such antennas.


This text seeks to reconstruct one of the conflicts and impasses of the Christian movement and, at the same time, reflect on suffering in Christian ministry. In 2 Corinthians, Paulo is defending himself against accusations, amongst others, that he does not fulfill the expectations of a leader. He was sent to prison, he had a "weak" presence, and his word " of little respect" confirmed that he was not an Apostle. In a response quite hard and painful, Paul reveals the conflicts that marked original Christianity, and a paradox: that the glory of Christ is in suffering.


Application of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) is an established in vivo model that locally induces skin inflammation. Currently in this model, a biopsy is inevitable. In vivo reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM), a noninvasive imaging technique, could overcome this limitation. To find out to what extent RCM may be an in vivo investigative and diagnostic tool in neutrophilic conditions, we studied the dynamics of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) migration from dermis to stratum corneum using an established LTB4 model.


The article analyses many music scores,and discusses the important value of art songs in the history of western rocal music and its performing art.


In lepidoptera, females are the heterogametic sex, being either XY (ZW) or XO (ZO). Mitotic chromosome numbers and the presence of sex chromatin in female-derived nuclei demonstrate that a Y chromosome is present in Heliothis virescens and H. subflexa females as well as in backcross females derived from the hybridization of H. virescens males×H. subflexa females


As the second oil and gas pioneering project progresses,marine strata has become the focus in the field of oil and gas exploration.Lower Yangtze has deposited thick marine strata,and its prototype basin has experienced structural transformation of multi-period times.This paper discusses the boundary under the Yangtze,aiming to conduct a systematic analysis of the entire system.Based on the"TSM"strategy of basin prototype analysis on the basin tectonics,deformation and sedimentary,the residual strata distribution from Late Sinian to Middle Ordovician in the Lower Yangtze and the sedimentary filling during the process are analyzed.The results indicate that the Lower Yangtze has evolved passive continental margin in the Late SinianMiddle Ordovician,which is characterized mainly by siliceous classic sediments,carbonate sediment and synsedimentary faults,etc..During this period,carbonate platform developed into trim platform.The platform had lateral growth phenomenon and the sediment of tongue protruding input to the sea basin.Jiangnan fault,a typical synsedimentary fault,shows that the source material of the sediment basin has always been transported from northwest to southeast by the internal one-way transportation in the Lower Yangtze.All these indicate that it was mature passive continental from the Late Sinian to Middle Ordovician.


The study was designed to evaluate the effects of moist heat on the nutritional, antinutritional and phytochemical composition of the nuts of Tetracarpidium conophorum (African walnut). African walnut was subjected to cooking at 100 o C. The raw and boiled nuts were chopped and air-dried. The nutritional composition of Tetracarpidium conophorum investigated on shows: protein(%) 26.83, 25.90 and 26.23; crude fibre (%) 1.50, 1.20 and 1.10; fat(%) 16.36, 16.43 and 16.43; carbohydrate (%) 42.33, 43.60 and 44.63; moisture (%) 9.17, 9.33 and 8.92; ash (%) 3.80, 3.53 and 3.33 for all the samples of raw air dried, boiled air dried and boiled oven dried respectively. Evaluation of antinutritional factors (mg/100) revealed, phytates 31.67, 16.67 and 13.33; oxalates 12.17, 7.83 and 5.33 for raw air dried, boiled air dried and boiled oven dried respectively. Analysis on the phytochemical composition of the walnut (mg/100) revealed, alkaloid 12.32, 7.33 and 6.67; saponin 21.67, 13.33 and 8.33; flavonoids 2.33, 2.47 and 2.50; terpenoids 7.67, 9.23 and 6.40; steroids 12.30, 12.37 and 12.10; phenolics (GAEG) 35.10, 28.37 and 20.17; ORAC (% inhibition) 46.30, 32.50 and 25.10 respectively on the raw air dried, boiled air dried and boileded oven dried. With respect to the findings, there were significant (p>0.05) decrease in all the samples on the nutritional, anti-nutritional and phytochemical compositions of the samples except the fat and carbohydrates that showed increment on the compositions through raw air dried, boiled air dried and boiled oven dried processing. The moisture content of boiled air dried recorded highest among the samples, while the phytochemical compositions revealed the steroids to be stable in all the samples. © 2015 Elixir All rights reserved. ARTICLE INFO Article history: Received: 21 May 2015; Received in revised form: 15 July 2015; Accepted: 22 July 2015;


The invention discloses a growth matrix and a method for vegetative propagation of a medicinal plant paris polyphylla by employing the growth matrix. The growth matrix is prepared from the following ingredients in parts by weight: 120-160 parts of garden soil, 30-50 parts of high-calcium fly ash, 20-30 parts of laterite, 10-20 parts of attapulgite clay, 8-12 parts of sodium humate, 2-4 parts of water-soluble zinc salt, 1-3 parts of magnesium salt,1-3 parts of water-soluble sylvite, 1.5-2.5 parts of an water-soluble ammonium salt, 30-50 parts of water and 6-10 parts of a folium sennae extract. The preparation method of the folium sennae extract comprises the steps of carrying out heat reflux extraction on folium sennae by using an ethanol solution of which the volume percent is 70-90% for 2-4 times, mixing extract solutions, carrying out vacuum concentration and then carrying out spray drying to obtain the folium sennae extract. The growth matrix is stable and efficient, the survival rate is high, the basic total saponin content of seedlings is obviously improved, and growth of the medicinal paris polyphylla with abundant total saponin is facilitated.


The utility model discloses an emergency stop valve which comprises a valve body and an actuating mechanism. The actuating mechanism controls opening and closing of the valve body. The emergency stop valve further comprises a detection mechanism which detects pressure inside the valve body, and the detection mechanism controls the actuating mechanism to close the valve body according to the pressure. The valve body of the emergency stop valve is mounted on the well mouth of a natural gas well, the pressure inside the valve body is the pressure of the well mouth of the natural gas well, and the detection mechanism detects the pressure of the well mouth of the natural gas well. The safety range of the pressure of the well mouth is set in the detection mechanism, and when detected pressure of the well mouth exceeds the safety range, the detection mechanism controls the actuating mechanism to close the valve body. In a natural gas extraction process, the emergency stop valve can detect the pressure of the well mouth of the natural gas well from time to time, and when the pressure of the well mouth exceeds the safety range, the emergency stop valve can close the natural gas well fast, reduce potential safety hazards, and improve safety in the extraction process.


This paper approaches the volatility transmission from the New York Stock Exchange to an emerging market, Bucharest Stock Exchange. In our investigation we employ daily values of Standard and Poor 500 Index from New York Stock Exchange and of six main indexes from Bucharest Stock Exchange. The volatility transmission from Standard and Poor 500 to the Romanian capital markets indexes is revealed by a GARCH model. We perform our analysis for two periods: the first one, from January 2000 to December 2006 corresponds to the last stage of the Romania's transition to a market economy, while the second, January 2007 to June 2014 was affected by the adhesion to European Union and by the global crisis. Our results suggest that the volatility transmission intensity increased from the first to the second period.


Aiming at the ignition process of micro solid rocket motor in space, the effects of different structure on the ignition gas filling process were investigated by means of experiment and numerical simulation. By establishing numerical simulation model and the mass flow rate model of ignition chamber for black powder, pressure establishment process was researched under different parameters (the igniter quantity is 0.2g and 0.5g, outlet size of ignition chamber is Φ4mm and Φ7mm respectively). Meanwhile, the ignition experiment was conducted in vacuum (the ambient pressure is 16Pa) that pressure curve and vacuum plume phenomenon were obtained. The results indicate that simulation value of pressure establishing process relatively consistent with experimental one, so the mass flow rate model of ignition chamber for the black powder is evidently efficient. Therefore, the numerical method proposed in this paper can provide a theoretical basis for further research on the ignition process of micro solid rocket motor.


THE first part of this treatise appeared in 1959 as a study of the law of jurisdiction and recognition of foreign judgments in the United States and has already been cited with approval by several courts. The second part is new and consists of a discussion of the American rule of choice of law. It is a hybrid work, half jurisprudential thesis, half students' reference book, intended also by the author as a guide for the practising lawyer. Certainly the extensive nature of the bibliography and table of cases would be of great use to the latter, though the rather tendentious nature of the work might be a disadvantage. The author belongs to the realist school of legal philosophy and condemns in strong terms not only both Conflict Restatements but also all arguments based on " the language of the courts " rather than their actual decisions. The former he terms " pseudo-rules." His clarity of thought and the depth and extent of his research combine to make this an interesting and important contribution to scholarship in this field. The principal thesis of the book is that, at least in the United States, the court of the forum's main emphasis is and must be on forum law even in cases involving an interstate or international conflict, and that the exclusion of that law will therefore be exceptional and limited by forum policy. This theory, the logical continuation of realist doctrine, does not preclude the forum court from considering the foreign law but concludes that in the majority of cases such consideration will not be necessary as the forum's internal law will effect substantial justice. This view, which seems at first sight to involve the abolition of the subject of conflict of laws, must be looked at in the context of the American legal system where each state court has the power to define its own jurisdiction in the field of private law, limited only by the Due Process and Full Faith and Credit clauses of the Constitution as interpreted by the Supreme Court. The latter can do little more than lay down general principles and since the decision in the Klaxon case 1 not even the federal courts have power to formulate rules for the guidance of state courts, which in consequence have developed widely varying rules of jurisdiction and choice of law. This, combined with free interstate travel and trading has created enormous difficulty for, as Ehrenzweig points out, there is a strong interest in uniformity of decision and the different rules and interpretations of various courts, especially when complicated by such concepts as characterisation, renvoi and public policy, may lead to a right being recognised in one state but denied in another. " Forum shopping " is the result, i.e., the process by which a plaintiff attempts to sue


Two patients with chronic actinic dermatitis received considerable benefit from the administration of cyclosporin A. The drug was initially given at 5 mg/kg/day and then reduced to about 4 mg/kg/day. No side effects have been registered so far. The scanty literature is reviewed. Cyclosporin A may be a useful adjunct to the armamentarium in this difficult‐to‐manage disorder.


Abstract In this study, we examine what components of e-learning environment affect e-learners' satisfaction. We focus on the task based approach to perceived website complexity(PWC). We study about the role of e-tutor using the internet, telephone, text message and e-mail etc. To test our model, we collected 235 data from online learners of Korea Culture & Content Agency using survey method. The research was conducted by SPSS15.0. Our results show that the relationship between PWC and e-learner satisfaction was negative. The rules of e-tutor are supporting e-learning service and facilitating recommendation intention. This study provides implications to design future e-learning service, understand user's herd behavior and evaluate learning process developed. Key Words : Website complexity, e-learning, e-tutor, e-learner satisfaction, Recommendation intention *교신저자 : 노미정(email@example.com)접수일 10년 06월 13일 수정일 10년 07월 07일 게재확정일 10년 08월 10일 1. 서론 e-러닝은 지리적, 시간적인 제약에서 벗어나 학습자들이 자유롭게 정보와 지식을 사용하고 습득할 수 있는 웹 기반의 학습시스템으로, 개인에게 다양한 학습 기회와 가치를 제공해주고 있다. Dell, CISCO, HP 등의 많은 기업


In this paper,transient electromagnetic method was used to carry out the feasibility study on the detection and recognition of chamber blasting misfire.Firstly,an electromagnetic background field was established in the test;secondly,a benign conductor was preset in the chamber,and then the background field was eliminated after the electromagnetic field was measured;thirdly,the transient electromagnetic field was measured again after blasting;at last,the chamber blasting misfire was detected and recognized by comparing the change of eddy current field of the preset benign conductor before and after blasting.The test results showed that:When the buried depth of aluminum box target was no more than 30 m,transient electromagnetic method can clearly identify the position of the aluminum box;when the buried depth of aluminum box was more than30 m,the buried depth and position of the aluminum box was not sure due to the unknown level of secondary eddy current field generated by aluminum box.


To improve the propagation rate of pumpkin and rapidly popularize fine varieties, we carried out 10 cuttage experiments on the lateral vine of pumpkin to find out a most appropriate condition, in which a relatively high propagation rate of pumpkin was acquired. We transplanted pumpkin seedlings in April 13 th and do cuttings in ten times irregularly in outdoor natural condition, indoor condition without sunshine, outdoor condition with shade-net, indoor condition with NAA, outdoor condition with floating seedbed respectively from June1 st, 2013 to July 19 th. The results showed that the cuttage survival rate is between 20% and 92%, among which the third processing acquired the highest survival rates, which conducted in July 21 on indoor condition without direct sunshine, with temperature between 25 and 30 degree celsius and humidity about 70%. According to these results, we draw a conclusion that survival rate of pumpkin goes down when seedlings age prolongs, also, proper shading to seedlings and lowering the temperature could significantly improve the survival rate of cuttage, while NAA has little effect on the survival rate.


In this paper, we propose a corrosion monitoring scheme for the absorbable cardiovascular stents composed of magnesium alloys. We show that the structural integrity of such mesh-type tubular stents can be evaluated using millimetre-scale electromagnetic waves. With the passage of time, the strut thickness of the stent decreases due to corrosion which is subsequently observed in terms of a frequency shift in the simulated scattering response.


Upper and lower portions of stem from three sorghum cultivars were ensiled and then subjected to rumen fermentation. The lower stems were readily digested, whereas the upper sections were poorly utilized. Several microscopic techniques were used to help explain the difference.


c c W e are living at an important and fruitful moment now, for it is clear to men that the images of adult manhood given by the popular culture are worn out; a man can no longer depend on them." So contends poet and mentor of the men's movement Robert Bly in his 1990 best-selling and controversial book, Iran John (1992, p. ixj. For Bly, reconstructing manhood requires a retum to the mythopoetic images of pre-modem "hearth and fairy stories" (p. ix) wherein contcmporary man may discovcr the power and wisdom of the "Wild Man" whose qualities of "love of spontaneity, association with wilderness, honoring of gricf, and respecl for riskincss" (p. 226) have been buried underneath the sterile machinery of industrial civilization. Such stories, Bly argues, "amount to a reservoir where we keep new ways of responding that we can adopt when the conventional and current ways wear out" (p. xi). Thus, re-visiting and re-interpolating the stories, legends, and myths of an ancient past bccome for Bly a vehicle for not only discovering deep masculine identity, but also for finding an authentic self. For another storyteller, filmmaker Steven Spielberg, the "fairy tale" is a "central animating motif" (Sheehan, 1992b, p. 68). Described by tilm critics Pauline Kael (Mott & Saunders, 1986) as a "magician" (p. 4) and Vincent Canby (Ebert & Siskel, 1991) as the "poet of suburbia" (p. 70), Spielberg's images of masculine identity are intimately connected to the "Inner Child" (Note 1). Unlike the tragic-minded and midwestern child of the Ikpression Bly, whose poems and stories convey surreal and archaic images replete with Jungian archetypes (Sugg, 1986), Spielberg, as a child of consumer culture and the post-modern age of television and Disneyland (Mott & Saund e n , 1986, pp. 7-13), composes images reflective of the human growth potential movement's obsession with childishness (Note 2). From Close Encounters of the Third Kind to E.T to Hook, Spielberg's construction of


In the appraisal of China's former Chairman Mao Zedong,Deng Xiaoping persists in the fundamental viewpoints of the Marxism historical materialism.Meanwhile,and he also comes up with some new principles,such as "to be objective and impartial","to be appropriate" and so on.Thereby those new principles not only enriches the Marxism historical materialism but also develops it.These thoughts are the important component of Deng Xiaoping's theory.


The document lists and describes the social web tools that enable the storage of digital documents, their characteristics and some recommendations for your choice. Also describes the social bookmarking sites, reference managers, virtual hard disks and virtual desktops.


This study shows how learning relations between affordances facilitates performing robotic tasks. Tasks usually involve multiple affordances. For example, for pounding a nail with a hammer, grasp-ability and pound-ability of the hammer are important for performing the pounding task successfully. Furthermore, these affordances are associated with parts of the hammer. In the pounding task, the head of the hammer affords pounding and the handle of the hammer affords grasping. We propose an Red Green Blue-Depth (RGB-D) part-based approach for performing tasks. In this paper, affordances are linked to object parts. We learn affordances associated with manipulation and execution of the tasks, i.e., grasping for manipulation and pounding for execution in the task of pounding a nail. Since affordances are associated with parts, tasks can be executed directly on the objects. Our approach is evaluated in six different robotic tasks on a real robot. We obtained an average of 65% task detection rate superior to the baseline methods and an average of 77% task success rate.


In this article, we present a concavity property of the minimal $L^{2}$ integrals related to multiplier ideal sheaves with Lebesgue measurable gain on weakly pseudoconvex K\"ahler manifolds. As applications, we give a necessary condition for the concavity degenerating to linearity, and a characterization for the holding of the equality in optimal jets $L^2$ extension problem on open Riemann surfaces.


Objective To analyze the chemical components of volatile oil extracted from the root of Maca(Lepidium meyenii Walp.) grown in Jilin Province of China.Methods Volatile oil was extracted by water-steam distillation.The components were quantitatively determined by the normalization method and identified by GC-MS.Results 70 chromatographic peaks were detected.27 compounds of them have been identified through the computer standard spectra that accounts for 99.818% of the total amount of volatile oil.Conclusion The main components in the volatile oil are Benzyl nitrile,(3-Met hoxyphenyl)acetonitrile and n-Hexadecanoic acid.This study provides theoretical foundation for the further applications of Maca(Lepidium meyenii Walp.) grown in Jilin Province of China.


Using the Hysplit4.7 Model and NCEP reanalysis data for March 2001,the backward trajectories arriving in Hong Kong are calculated and the atmospheric transport characteristics in Hong Kong are discussed in this paper.According to the cluster analysis for trajectories,six categories of air masses are obtained that eventually arrive in Hong Kong.Using the concentration of air pollutants measured at Cape D'Aguilar station during the TRACE-P Campaign,we get different chemical characteristics for different air masses.The results show that 47.5% of the trajectories come from mainland China,34.6% of them from local sources in Hong Kong and 18.7% of them from maritime area.The Cape D'Aguilar station's average concentrations of O3,SO2 and CO are 31.1,3.0,486.1 μg/m3,respectively,with the effect of continental air masses,20.0,1.0,319.4 μg/m3,respectively,with the effect of maritime air masses,and 20.0,1.2,308.0 μg/m3,respectively,with the effect of local air masses.


The planning of a new harbour should be performed by applying high attention to minimise the transportation time and cost during its lifetime. An algorithm is proposed to determine the most suitable location to construct new commercial harbours and ports. To determine the most suitable location for new harbours locally, a simplified simulation method is prepared to compute the characteristics of sea waves. In the proposed global model, the distribution of population, the transportation price, capacities of existing harbours, and the demands for export/import cargos are employed as the main factors. In this model, an index called the total transportation price index (TTPI) is introduced. TTPI is calculated and examined for any potential location where the new harbour or port might be constructed. The proposed model has been validated by applying it to a case study for the conditions of several big commercial harbours of the Persian Gulf on Iran's coastlines. The case study indicates that the position of the Port of Imam Khomeini is the most suitable technically. This study shows that the Chahbahar Port has the worst location to serve the entire country and should be limited to serving locally to the nearby provinces.


Abstract Clopidogrel as a thienopyridine is a potent antiplatelet drug blocking the P2Y12 ADP receptor. Clopidogrel resistance can be regarded as missing pharmacological effect or as the incidence of atherothrombotic events despite antiplatelet therapy. However, clear definitions are still lacking. The incidence is dependent on the type of platelet function assay. ADP-induced aggregation, flow cytometric quantification of platelet activation markers, the degree of phosphorylization of vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein, or even bedside tests are used to measure the pharmacological effect of clopidogrel. Current data show that 4 to 30% of patients treated by coronary stenting do not adequately respond to clopidogrel treatment and are therefore at increased risk for subacute stent-thrombosis. Variants of cytochrome P3A5 and ADP receptor P2Y12 genotype may influence the response to clopidogrel. As first clinical studies demonstrated, low response to clopidogrel is indeed associated with future cardiovascular events. A promising approach to overcome clopidogrel resistance could be a higher loading dose, an increased maintenance dose, or the application of alternative thienopyridines such as CD-747 (Prasugrel) or non-thienopyridine P2Y12 antagonists.


Naturalistic Driving Studies (NDS) is a recent research eld used for the analysis
of behaviour of road users in a natural setting. NDS provide large data sets containing
numerous types of events such as manoeuvres, near crashes and crashes. Since
we are dealing with a large database the analysis of those events can be hard due to
the lack of information of where or when those events occur in the trips data. The
identi cation of these events is typically done by a person manually reviewing the
video footages. This is a tedious, time-consuming and ineective way of identifying
events in a large database. This project aims for the development of a method for
an automatic identi cation of some car manoeuvres(i.e., left manoeuvre in a roundabout,
right manoeuvre in a roundabout, and going straight in a roundabout) as well
as a speci c road structure(i.e., roundabouts). The data for this study comes from
a Field Operation Test done in Gothenburg, as part of the euroFOT project. Some
information from the OpenStreetMap project was also used. The labelling method
developed here consists of the creation of a yaw rate pro le for each manoeuvre under
study that is then matched to the trip segment being analysed through the use of the
Pearson's correlation parameter. The roundabout identi cation utilizes the results
from the labelling method in order to gather the localization (GPS coordinates) of
those roundabouts. The results obtained indicate that the method developed here
has potential to be used for an automatic way of identifying speci c roundabout manoeuvres
that exist in a large database as well as the identi cation of the localization
of roundabouts.


Book Review: Food Security Policy and Human Security in Malaysia by Bakri Mat, Zarina Othman and Rashila Ramli, publisher: Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Press, 2019, 216 pp. ISBN: 978-967-412-902-6 This book review is written in Bahasa Malaysia. It is a reviewed article on the book written in Bahasa Malaysia and published by the UKM Press undertitled, Food Security Policy and Human Security in Malaysia. To access it, please order the printed version or browse the electronic version of this article. The abstract is not available for the book review.


Nerve growth factor (NGF) activity is newly found in the submandibular gland of Horsfie1d's shrew Crocidura horsfzeldi, Japanese field vole Microtus montebel/1' and field mouse Mus caroli, and in the prostate gland of Crocidura horsfzeldi, big-clawed shrew Sorex unguiculatus and Mus caroii. The total and specific activities of these NGFs are reported. Further, regularity and irregularity of the NGF distribution among the mammalian submandibular and prostate glands are discussed from the comparative morphological point of view. Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a polypeptide that produces trophic effects on neurons and paraneurons of the neural crest origin, and enhances their survival and neurite outgrowth (13). In mammals, NGF activity has so far been found in the submandibular gland of the mouse (5) and African rodent Praomys natalensis (1), in the prostate gland of the guinea pig and rabbit (6, 7), and in both glands of the suncus Suncus marinas (14). In our previous report, we examined the NGF activity in the suncus submandibular gland because of the morphological similarity of this gland with that of the mouse, and NGF was in fact detected in the submandibular and prostate glands of this animal. Further, we have reported a purification method of NGF from the suncus submandibular gland (8). In this paper, we examined the NGF activity in the submandibular and prostate glands of nine different mammals. Animals used were mainly adult males. Tupaia glis, Microtus montebefli, andApodemus sylvaticus were kind gifts of Dr M. Abe (Forestry and Forest Product Research Institute, Japan). Mogera kobeae was donated by Dr K. Tsuchiya (Experimental Animal Center, Miyazaki Medical College, Japan). Ochotona hyperborea and Meriones unguiculatus were obtained from the Central Institute for Experimental Animals, Japan. Sorex zmguiculaws was captured in Hokkaido, Japan, and Crocidura horsfieldi in Tainan, Taiwan. One immature Mus caroli was captured in Tainan, Taiwan, and one mature animal was a kind gift of Dr S. Hattori (Amami Branch Laboratory, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Japan) (Table 1). After the sacrifice with ether, the submandibular and prostate glands of these animals were rapidly dissected and stored at —80°C. The thawed tissue was homogenized with a glass homogenizer in icecold distilled water (50-100 mg wet weight/ ml) and centrifuged at 3,000 rpm for lh at 4°C. The supernatant was stored at —80°C and assayed for NGF activity and protein within one week. Mouse NGF was purified by the method of Bocchini and Angeletti (3), and anti-mouse NGF IgG by the method of Stockel er al. (12). NGF activity and crossreactivity with antimouse NGF IgG were determined by a biological assay using the dorsal root ganglia of chick embryo (8-10 days old) as described previously (10). Protein assay was performed according to Bradford (4). NGF activities of the glands tested are summarized in Table 1. In the tree shrew Tupaia glis no NGF activity was detected in the subi Ez i


Rationale: Emphysema is a key component of COPD with important prognostic implications. Identifying blood-based biomarkers of emphysema will facilitate early diagnosis and possible development of targeted therapies. Objectives: Discover blood transcriptomic and proteomic biomarkers for chest computed tomography-quantified emphysema in smokers and develop predictive biomarker panels. Methods: Emphysema blood biomarker discovery was performed using differential gene expression, alternative splicing, and protein association analyses in a training set of 2,370 COPDGene participants with available whole blood RNA sequencing, plasma SomaScan proteomics, and clinical data. Validation was conducted in a testing set of 1,016 COPDGene subjects. Since body mass index (BMI) and emphysema often co-occur, we performed a mediation analysis to quantify the effect of BMI on gene and protein associations with emphysema. Predictive models were also developed using elastic net to predict quantitative emphysema from cell blood count, RNA sequencing, and proteomic biomarkers. Model accuracy was assessed by area under the receiver-operator-characteristic-curves (AUROC) for subjects stratified into tertiles of emphysema severity. Measurements and Main Results: 4,913 genes, 1,478 isoforms, 386 exons, and 881 proteins were significantly associated with emphysema (FDR 10%). 75% and 77% of genes and proteins, respectively, were mediated by BMI. The significantly enriched biological pathways were involved in inflammation and cell differentiation, differing between the most and least BMI-mediated genes. The cell blood count plus protein model achieved the highest performance with an AUROC of 0.89. Conclusions: Blood transcriptome and proteome-wide analyses reveal key biological pathways of emphysema and enhance the prediction of emphysema.


Different nitrogen plasma immersion ion implantation process of 9Cr18 bearing steel are conducted. It is found that nitrogen ion implantion under different conditions can significantly enhance the microhardness, and improve the wear and corrosion properties of 9Cr18 steel. Experimental analysis has shown that the nitride phases formed in surface layer during PIII treatment play an important role in improving the surface properties of 9Cr18 steel.


This study investigated cultural differences in probabilistic thinking and risk taking. A View of Uncertainty Questionnaire assessed the probabilistic thinking of Chinese and English gamblers and nongamblers and a hypothetical Horse Racing Task assessed risk-taking behavior (N = 120). The Chinese exhibited significantly less probabilistic thinking and riskier gambling decisions. A path analysis found that degree of probabilistic thinking was one (but not the only) source of the observed cultural differences in risk taking.


Study Design: In a prospective study, intervertebral disc material from 64 patients undergoing discectomy for sciatica and 23 control patients was analysed for the presence of bacteria. Objective: There have been many theories postulated as to the pathogenesis of back pain and sciatica. Possible inflammatory or auto-immune aetiologies have been suggested. Stirling et al (2001) suggested a possible link between sciatica and bacterial infection by demonstrating the presence of bacteria in disc material from 19 of 36 patients with severe sciatica. Previously, we developed methods for improved detection of bacterial infection associated with failed hip implants (Tunney et al 1999).These techniques have now been applied to the detection of bacteria in intervertebral discs from patients with sciatica. Outcome Measures: Bacterial culture and non-culture immunofluorescence microscopy, using specific monoclonal antibodies, were applied to intervertebral disc material for the detection of bacterial infection. The results were also compared with functional scores before and after surgery. Results: This study found that 20% (n=13) of patients suffering from sciatica had culture-positive disc material compared to 9% (n=2) of controls. The anaerobe Propionibacterium acnes was the predominant bacterium isolated in both case and control groups. Bacteria were also identified in skin, wound tissue and wound washings in some patients. Conclusions: We are unable to demonstrate an association between sciatica and infection (p=0.335). This study suggests that bacteria detected in retrieved disc material may result from skin contamination during surgery.


THIS PAPER SHOWS THE RESULTS OF DIFFERENT GERMINATION, EMERGENCE AND DEVELOPMENT TESTS IN CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT AND NURSERY OF DIOON EDULE VAR. ANGUSTIFOLIUM CONSIDERING TREATMENTS OF LIGHT EXPOSITION, SEED POSITION AS WELL AS DEPTH OF SOW AND TYPES OF SUBSTRATES. THE OBJECTIVE WAS TO TEST ALTERNATIVES OF MANAGEMENT FOR THIS SPECIE. USING SEEDS WITH 90% OF EMERGENCE AND A STANDARD DEVIATION OF ±0.07%, WERE OBTAIN RESULTS ABOUT GERMINATION, EMERGENCE, DEVELOPMENT RATE, DEPTH OF SOW, TYPES OF SUBSTRATES AND ILLUMINATION. THE RESULTS OBTAINED SHOWS THAT IN CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT THE SEED POSITION HAVE NO SIGNIFICATIVE DIFFERENCE. IN NURSERY CONDITIONS THE GERMINATION WAS GREATER FOR SEEDS PLACED HORIZONTAL BEING SIMILAR IN LIGHT AND SHADOW CONDITIONS. THE EMERGENCE WAS GREATER IN SEEDS PLACED HORIZONTAL AND UNDER SHADOW. NO DIFFERENCE WAS FOUND WITH DIFFERENT SUBSTRATE. THE DEPTH OF SOW WITH HIGHER PERCENTS OF EMERGENCE WAS 2CM. THE SURVIVAL WAS HIGHER IN SEEDS PLACED IN SHADOW AND WITH THE EMBRYO DOWNWARDS. THE DEVELOPMENT RATE WAS HIGHER IN SEEDS PLACED IN SHADOW AND WITH OF TERMOLITA, OSMOCOT AND WOODLAND SOIL OBTAINING SEEDLINGS OF 8CM IN HEIGHT WITH A 90% OF EFFICIENCY IN LESS THAN THREE MONTHS. THIS RESULTS ALLOW US TO EXPRESS THAT CHAMAL (DIOON EDULE VAR ANGUSTIFOLIUM) IS POSSIBLE TO OBTAIN COMMERCIAL SIZE PLANTS.


This paper proposes to analyze the application of the gravimetric method in copper ore prospecting in the Valley of Curaçá River in northern Bahia, Brazil. Was generated 3D inverse gravimetric model in order to verify the validity of the method in copper ore mining associated with mafic and ultramafic rocks. The inverse mathematical model was generated through the automatic iterative method with setting limits . Finally , ore levels earned in drill core were faced with vertical profiles of the inverse model in order to verify the applicability and consistency of the gravimetric method in mapping and modeling bodies associated with mineral occurrence.


This paper is to reveal the application laws and value of Yunqi theory in the prevention and treatment of pestilence and to discover the thoughts and methods of the ancient Chinese medicine doctors in the prevention and treatment of pestilence by applying Yunqi theory.This paper explains the scientificalness of pestilence Yunqi theory which is based on the holism of heaven,earth and human,and analyzes the basic types of pestilence and typical formula.It is considered that the modern research orientation of the prevention and treatment of pestilence by applying Yunqi theory is: the Yunqi theory and laws of the pestilence occurence from the perspective of astrometeorology-time-geography-space-time medicine.


In this paper, an agent-based design and development of an interactive virtual environment for a manufacturing assembly process is described. Agents in the assembly are identified through their respective responsibilities and are implemented so that they coordinate between one another to accomplish the PC assembly / disassembly process. The robot agent, crucial to the assembly operation, is designed to handle multiple failure situations, wherein it coordinates with the part agent to accommodate the failure. * The research is part of the Virtual environments in Education, Robotics, Automation and Manufacturing (VERAM) project. Much of the work reported here was performed at the Software and Data Engineering (SODA) Laboratory at Georgia Southwestern State University and is being continued at the Computer-Aided Re-Engineering (CARE) Laboratory at Tennessee Tech. VERAM has been supported, in part, by grants from the Georgia Board of Regents, National Science Foundation (#DMI 9896235) and the Center for Manufacturing Research at TN Tech. Special Issue on " Computer Integrated Manufacturing Systems: Recent Developments and Applications" Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing, December 1998


Temporal evolution of radial profiles of end-loss-ion currents, ion temperatures, and ion-confining potentials φc is investigated in the GAMMA 10 tandem mirror by the use of our newly designed electrostatic ion-energy-spectrometer arrays. In tandem-mirror experiments, plasma-confining potentials produced by electron-cyclotron heatings (ECH's) play one of the most critical roles in the improvement of simple-mirror plasma confinement. For the observations of these confining potentials, the development of ion-diagnostics equipment providing clear energy spectra without disturbances from ECH produced energetic electrons is of essential importance, since conventional multigrided Faraday cup signals are seriously influenced by such incident electrons. Each spectrometer unit in our developed array has a specific structure with obliquely placed multiple grids with respect to the direction of the ambient lines of magnetic force for plasma confinement. The relation between the spatial profiles of end-loss-ion fluxe...


Abstract A modified Kiliani-Fischer reaction is used to prepare multigram quantities of [1-13C]-enriched glucose and mannose which are converted chemically or enzymatically into other labeled monosaccharides. The simplest conversion is the synthesis of labeled fructose from labeled glucose using commercially available immobilized glucose isomerase. The equilibrium for this reaction provides a 1:l mixture of glucose and fructose which can be separated by chromatography. The equilibrium can be shifted toward fructose by treating the reaction with germanate ion. [1-13C]Mannose can be converted into more useful sugars using a modification of the Lobry de Bruyn-Alberda van Ekenstein transformation. In this reaction, D-[1-13C]mannose is treated with an aqueous solution of dilute alkali and phenylboronate to form a mixture of labeled fructose, mannose and glucose. Fructose can be converted to a mixture of methyl fructofuranosides by using trifluoroacetic acid in methanol. [2-13C]Dihydroxyacetone can be prepared ...


This paper investigates the relationship between macroeconomic volatility and long run economic growth in a panel of 40 African countries over the period 1980 – 2014. The paper re – examines the postulates of both Ramey and Ramey (1995) – where investment was the primary link between volatility and growth - and Aghion et al (2005) – where financial credit constraints was the primary link - , that there is a negative and significant correlation between macroeconomic volatility and long run economic growth. The findings in the paper refutes this negative relationship between volatility and economic growth, with the conclusion that there exist a significant and positive correlation between volatility and economic growth with reference to the sample data set used. The findings of this paper are robust to controls for investment, different and appropriate measures of financial development, level of openness, government size and each countries initial level of real per capita GDP.


This paper presents a novel approach to synthesis of time-optimal control laws for the class of Takagi-Sugeno (TS) fuzzy systems. The idea is based on transforming the given TS system into a corresponding Piecewise Affine (PWA). The feedback strategy is derived by using the principles of Model Predictive Control (MPC). In order to cope with the state-dependent changes in process dynamics induced by fuzzy rules, we base the control design on PWA models with parametric uncertainties. The controller then utilizes on-line measurements of such uncertainties to provide the time-optimal control action.