The main purpose of this work was to evaluate the capacity of pecan walnut ( Carya illinoensis ) tegument for the removal of hexavalent [Cr (VI)] and total c...


Beam monitoring in accelerators is reviewed, with emphasis on the engineering aspects of the problem. Guidelines for monitor design are given. Advantages and disadvantages of various electrode designs and signal processing methods are reviewed. (AIP)


There is provided an image display device comprising a first, a second image display image display apparatus and an image processing system apparatus. Display apparatus in the first image and the second image display device are a display case where the partial image of the image to be displayed, the first display device and the second display image based on the image of the entire apparatus to be displayed characterized the partial image are displayed.


To the Editor: —I wish to report an extremely rare and interesting observation: March 4, 1917, at the farm of Mr. T. B. Neely, Peoria, Ariz., I saw an iron gray mare mule, 4 years old, 15½ hands high, and weighing 1,100 pounds, suckling a male colt to which she had given birth two months previously. The owner, Mr. Neely, informed me that the mother was raised by him, and he knows her to be a true hybrid. She has this appearance to me, and in no way resembles a jennet. He further stated that, at the time conception evidently occurred, this mare mule was confined in a pasture with a large sorrel stallion, and the act of copulation between the two animals was repeatedly observed. As pregnancy, naturally, was unsuspected, the mare mule was worked at her usual task on the plow until immediately before the birth of the


The paper is concerned with a global optimization method using multi trajectory inertial system in which more than three searching trajectories run simultaneously from their individual initial points with mutual interactions of linear springs. The proposed model generates chaotic trajectories that result in an effectiveness for global optimization, because the so called chaotic wandering contributes to searching global optima. The usefulness of the model is demonstrated by simulation studies for various problems.


Based on adaptive-network-based fuzzy inference system(ANFIS) an adaptive on-line coordinated control strategy for power system stabilizer(PSS) and HVDC modulation controllers is proposed to improve post-large disturbance dynamic performance of power system.By use of identifier the proposed control strategy forecasts the variation of angular velocity of each generation set at next sampling point,and taking the variations of angular velocity as variables the objective function is constructed to perform on-line coordination of fuzzy controller to make the sum of squares of angular velocity differences among generation sets minimal.The proposed algorithm is applied in on-line coordinated control for doubly-fed HVDC system covering three regions.Simulation results show that using the proposed adaptive on-line coordinated control strategy,power system possesses good transient stability under different accidents and the oscillation of post-fault power system can be suppressed effectively.


Experiments are described in which the technique of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) microimaging is used to observe in vivo freezing induced damage to flowers to Ribes nigrum. An increase in the free water signal in the stylar and ovular regions of the flowers was observed after freezing, as a result of tissue disruption in these areas.


Two related but different dynamic simulators of the primary circuit of the Paks Nuclear Power Plant in Hungary are described in this paper that have been built from a simple dynamic model based on first engineering principles. For dynamic analysis and controller design purposes a simple continuous time discrete-continuous hybrid state-space model has been developed that is implemented in the MATLAB/SIMULINK environment. This model has been extended by the fault models of non-compensable major leaking faults, and has been discretized to obtain a discrete event system model in the form of a coloured Petri net (CPN). The CPN model has been used to verify a safety procedure that initiates the draining of the liquid in the primary circuit when a non-compensable primary-to-secondary leaking fault occurs.


IN RECENT YEARS CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGISTS WORKING IN THE FIELD OF PEDIATRICS ALL ACROSS THE WORLD SCRUTINIZE THE APPLICATION ISSUES OF UNLICENSED MEDICATIONS AMONG CHILDREN. BASED ON THE EXAMPLE OF A GROUP OF PATIENTS CONSISTING OF 449 PREMATURE INFANTS AND WITH THE AID OF THE PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGICAL RESEARCH, THE AUTHORS SHOWED THE USAGE RATE OF UNLICENSED ANTI-INFECTIOUS MEDICATIONS IN NEONATOLOGY. THE ANALYSIS EMBRACED THE 9-YEAR LONG PERIOD OF WORK OF THE LARGEST NEONATAL CENTER IN NORTHWEST. AS A RESULT THEY UNCOVERED THAT THE ANTI-INFECTIOUS MEDICATIONS WHICH WERE PRESCRIBED MOST OFTEN WERE AMINOGLYCOSIDE AND CEPHALOSPORIN ANTIBIOTICS. THE APPLIED MEDICATIONS WERE REFERRED TO THE UNLICENSED IN NEONATOLOGY IN 21% OF CASES, AND IN 8% OF CASES THEY WERE USED OFF-LABEL FURTHERMORE, IT WAS NOTED THAT THERE WAS A GENERAL TREND TOWARDS THE CONSIDERABLE INCREASE OF APPLICATION OF THE BANNED MEDICATIONS FOR THE ANALYZED PERIOD


ABSTRACT Leprosy is a contagious disease which causes a very complex problem. Such a problem is not only a medical aspect but also it spreads to social, economic and cultural problem and comfort. Leprosy, up till now, is still frightened by all levels of society, families and including partly paramedics and medical officials. This matter is caused by the lack of  knowledge and disbelief toward leprosy. This research has a purpose to learn the relationship between the knowledge and the families' responses with the healing process to the leprosy patients in the regency of Bengkalis Riau 2010. This kind of research has an analytic characteristic with the approach of cross sectional. The population in this research is all the family members of leprosy sufferers with the sample of 40 persons out of 97 persons. The method of sample selection is the cluster sample and uses chi-square analysis. The result of the research indicates that the respondents' knowledge is in the medium category (67.5%), the good category attitude (52.5%) and recovery process of medium category (77.5%). It is found out that there is a significant correlation between the level of knowledge and the curative process toward the leprosy sufferers (P=0.007) and there is no significant correlation between the level of attitudes and the curative process upon leprosy sufferers (P=1.000). It is suggested that health officials increase the supervision and health promotion to the family members of leprosy sufferers toward leprosy, contagion, therapy and the side effects of medication and it is also expected that families will pay more attention and give moral support to the leprosy sufferers in order that they will have more self confidence and perseverance in undergoing medical treatment. Kata Kunci : Keluarga, penyembuhan penyakit kusta .


The conventional ultra-high-speed motor (UHSM) has been mostly developed for light load (or low power) applications (e.g., ~100W, 500 kr/min). However, the new mechanical antenna system requires a high-power UHSM. Accordingly, the conventional design approach of low-power UHSM cannot address the new challenges, especially with high-power design. The new challenges include lowered critical bending resonance (CBR) due to higher rotor aspect ratio ( $L/D$ ), ineffective electrical loading in the slotless stator due to commonly used three-phase winding, and significant temperature variation unusually in the axial direction and its mutual impact on the electromagnetic and mechanical performances. To address these new challenges, this paper proposes a quasi-3D thermal model to estimate critical temperature variations, a Rotordynamic model to limit CBR frequencies above the rated speed, and an electromagnetic model with multiphase winding to increase electrical loading in the slotless stator effectively. These models are systematically integrated to develop a unique Multiphysics multi-objective optimization (MMO) method, which enables (i) the mutual influence analysis among Multiphysics performances, such as thermo-electrical and thermo-physical that are critical in HP-UHSM, and (ii) a precise trade-off analysis between the efficiency and design safety margin (DSM). To validate the effectiveness of the proposed new MMO method, a 2-kW 500 kr/min UHSM, the highest power rated motor at this speed to the best of author's knowledge, is designed for a mechanical antenna system and experimentally validated. It provides 94.5% efficiency with 30% DSM at 500 kr/min and no CBR below 11 kHz.


This work describes a new sensor principle for non-contacting optical distance measurement based on objective laser speckles. In contrast to existing optical distance sensors, the proposed approach uses neither optical imaging systems nor laser sources of high coherency. In the sensor setup a laser beam is split into two beams directed onto the technical surface at unknown distance from the sensor. Laser light scattered from the surface leads to the formation of a modulated objective speckle pattern, bearing information about the distance between the imaging sensor and the surface. Distance estimation is accomplished by FFT-based signal processing of the electronically acquired intensity pattern. The described sensor principle can be used for low cost non-contacting distance sensing with measurement ranges from centimeters up to several decimeters.


Previous studies have demonstrated that the prostaglandin‐inhibitor naproxen can reduce post‐surgical corneal oedema, which is largely due to an inflammatory process. To determine whether there is an inflammatory component in the oedematous response of the cornea to contact lens wear, we conducted a randomized, double‐masked, placebo‐controlled study on the effect of naproxen on contact lens‐induced corneal swelling. This drug did not have a significant effect, suggesting that prostaglandins are not involved in the hypoxic oedema response. The discrepancy between the effect of naproxen on lens‐ and surgically‐induced corneal oedema can be attributed to the different aetiologies of these oedema responses.


A 60-year-old man seen for a giant right cervical mass and hemiplegic gait disturbance was found in computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to have a large cervical tumor pressing laterally on the carotid artery in the right parapharyngeal space and an intracranial tumor destroying the first cervical spine and cranial base. Cervical tumor biopsy identified schwannoma. Fluid volume from the cervical tumor discharged after biopsy and relieving left arm and leg weakness indicated that the cervical tumor, deriving from the sympathetic nerve, had adversely affected neurological signs via the intracranial mass derived from the cervical spinal radix. We removed the cervical tumor prior to the intracranial lesion, after which he could walk independently.


A relativistic projectile motion in a vacuum is examined by means of elementary consequences of special relativity. Exact analytical expressions were found for the kinematics variables using basic mathematical tools. The trajectory equation was established and the area under the trajectory traversed by the relativistic projectile was determined. It was found that, unlike non-relativistic projectile motion, the launching angles that maximize both the horizontal range as well as the area under the trajectory are functions of the initial speed. It is anticipated that this paper will be consistent with the intuition of students and serve as a resource for further problems usually encountered in the special theory of relativity.


Objective To explore the effect of acupoint message combined with lower abdominal massage on urinary retention after anal operations.Methods A total of 104 patients with urinary retention after anal operations were divided into observation group(n= 52),in which patients received acupoint message combined with lower abdominal massage,and control group(n=52),in which patients received routine nursing care only.The time of voluntary micturition in two groups after operation were observed.Results The therapeutic effect in observation group was superior to that of control group significantly(P 0.05).Conclusion Acupoint message combined with lower abdominal massage is effective for urinary retention after anal operations.


White wines of Debina cultivar were made from musts clarified by flotation using nitrogen as foaming agent. Flotation using air as the foaming agent (must hyperoxidation), without SO 2 addition, was also applied. Turbidity and suspended solids were lower in must clarified by flotation using nitrogen than in that clarified by sedimentation (control). Flotation with hyperoxidation led to a reduction of must phenolics. All experimental wines exhibited similar gross compositions (alcohol, reducing sugars, total acidity, and volatile acidity). Wines made from musts clarified by flotation using nitrogen had similar total phenolic content, browning capacity, and organoleptic quality as the control wines. Wines made from musts clarified by flotation using air had lower total phenolic contents and browning capacity than were those in control wines. These wines were of well acceptable quality but exhibited a slightly oxidised aftertaste. The results indicate that flotation using nitrogen can be effective in the production of typical Debina wine, while flotation using air may be useful in that of table wine without SO 2 addition. Orange juice was clarified by flotation using nitrogen or air as the foaming agent. Orange juice clarified by flotation using nitrogen as the foaming agent exhibited lower turbidity and a similar pulp content to that clarified by centrifugal separator (control). It had an acceptable taste and aroma. Juice clarified by flotation using air as the foaming agent, along with pectolytic enzyme treatment, exhibited much lower turbidity and pulp content compared to control. The clear juice had an acceptable taste but no aroma. The fermented clear juice was averagely rated, exhibiting a pleasant aroma and only a slightly bitter taste. The results indicate that flotation using nitrogen can be effective in the production of natural orange juice, while flotation using air may be useful in the production of orange drink.


The invention discloses an industrial needle mushroom cultivation method. The industrial needle mushroom cultivation method includes preparing a cultivation medium, switching into a solid cultivation medium for cultivation and harvesting. The industrial needle mushroom cultivation method has the advantages that cultivation medium materials are easily available and are recycled from multiple kinds of plants and agricultural product waste, and accordingly, the method has the industrial characteristic of making waste profitable, natural matter and energy cycle can be accelerated, and recycling of animal-plant agricultural by-products is benefited more effectively; the method is beneficial to development of ecological agriculture, high-efficiency agriculture and recycling agriculture in China and conforms to the megatrend of China's agricultural industry development and construction of new socialist countryside.


Abstract : Speckle interferometry has been carried out during the last year with a charge-coupled device (CCD) imaging system. The emphasis of this project has been to minimize all systematic differences that arise between the images of stars in a binary star system and a reference calibration star in order to resolve a previously unresolved binary star system. Systematic errors have been minimized to the level of parts in 10,000 in the power spectrum of a stellar image. This was accomplished by using a 64x64 pixel area near the readout amplifier to minimize charge smearing, by stabilizing our CCD system to the level of a few parts in 100,000, and by using a prism system to compensate for atmospheric dispersion. (Author)


The purpose of this study was to investigate the bilateral wrist postures of gastroenterologists who perform routine colonoscopy. Gastroenterologists are exposed to upper extremity musculoskeletal risk factors such as high pinch forces, sustained muscle loading, and awkward postures; however, to date, no studies have specifically quantified the wrist postures associated with routine colonoscopy. Four experienced gastroenterologists performed 3 to 5 routine colonoscopy procedures while bilateral wrist extension/flexion and radial/ulnar deviation postures were measured using biaxial electrogoniometers. Peak (90th percentile) wrist extension angles in both wrists (42.6° left; 36.0° right), radial deviation for the left wrist (23.0°) and ulnar deviation for the right wrist (17.83°) across all 4 phases of the colonoscopy procedures exceeded the injury threshold limit values of 26.6°, 17.8°, and 12.1°, respectively, based on carpal tunnel pressure (Keir et al., 2007). The findings suggest that the wrist postures required during routine colonoscopy may present a risk for musculoskeletal injuries at the wrist and forearm.


Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect and analyze influencing factors in ~(131)I treated differen-(tiated) thyroid cancers (DTC) patients with remote metastases. Methods Of all 152 DTC patients after ~(131)I ablation therapy,133 patients received long-term periodic ~(131)I treatment, with averaged doses of (172.3±22.4)mCi per treatment 8.31±5.2 treatment per cases and averaged time intervals (127±26)d(1 mCi=37 MBq). Others were (excluded) from further ~(131)I therapy due to absence of ~(131)I uptake by the metastases or complications. The follow-up time ranged from 1 to 10 years. Results After ~(131)I treatments, 37 patients (24.3%) was completely cured and 82 patients improved or controlled, the overall effective rate reached 78.2%. Major factors affecting the treatment outcomes consisted of the characteristics and locations of the metastases, patients age and their adverse reactions due to ~(131)I therapy. Conclusion (~(131)I is) an effective method for the treatment of DTC patients with remote metastases. The key issues rely on the early detection of metastases and good management of adverse reactions.


The effect of chitosan acetate and chitosan lactate prepared from chitosan obtained by N-deacetylation of chitin from common lobster (Panulirus argus), as coagulants/flocculants for depurating wastewater of fish processing industry was evaluated. Experiments were carried out by Jar tests varying chitosan acid salts concentration and pH. The results were evaluated in terms of reduction of total suspended solids (TSS) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) of the wastewater. Response surface methodology was applied to obtain quadratic and second-degree response surface model equations. With both chitosan acid salts, it was obtained a decrease in TSS and COD between 70-90% and 26-30%, respectively was observed. Optimal values for coagulation-flocculation process, found it by numerical optimization, were: a) for chitosan lactate, pH=6.0 and salt dose of 29.50 mg/L, with values for COD of 30.4% and TSS of 89.5%; and b) for chitosan acetate, pH=7.13 and salt dose of 28.29 mg/L, with values for COD of 23.9% and TSS of 84.0%. Chitosan lactate was more effective as coagulant than chitosan acetate for decreasing the COD and TSS, due to that lactate ion exerts a higher electrostatic force over the electric charges of the particles in suspension, favoring the flocculation process.


INTRODUCTIONProductivity differences between the Canadian and U.S. manufacturing sectors are commonly attributed to smaller Canadian plant scale and levels of product diversity that are too large. However, there are relatively few studies that have actually investigated the extent of suboptimal scale. And those that have done so have either concentrated on a relatively small number of industries (Eastman and Stykolt, 1967; Gorecki, 1976; Scherer et al., 1975), have been beset by missing data observations (Caves et al., 1980) or have focused on Canada without comparing it to some international standard (Gupta, 1979; Dickson, 1979).


Objective To provide a meta-analysis of the available randomized clinical trials (RCTs) reporting the impact of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors treatment for BPH on erectile function. Methods According to the requirements of meta-analysis, a literature search about 5-alpha reductase inhibitors therapy in BPH was performed among PubMed, EMBASE, Science Direct and The Cochrane Library from the establishment of the database till June 2016.Rresults A total of 391 articles were included, 11 RCTs were enrolled for meta-analysis. All articles used randomized, double blind and placebo control. Within 1 year, erectile dysfunction was more common with 5-alpha reductase inhibitors than with placebo (OR=2.18, P<0.00001). In particular, considering Finasteride (OR=2.28, P<0.00001) or Dutasteride (OR=2.06, P<0.00001). Finasteride had no significantly difference with Dutasteride. In more than 1 year, erectile dysfunction was more common with 5-alpha reductase inhibitors than with placebo (OR=1.45, P<0.0001). In particular, considering Finasteride (OR=1.46, P<0.0001); conversely, Dutasteride was associated with a risk similar to placebo. Conclusion Within 1 year, 5-Alpha reductase inhibitors may increase the risk of erectile dysfunction. In more than 1 year, Finasteride was more likely to lead to erectile dysfunction. These data can be relevant both for drug selection and patients counseling.


To improve discussions between microbiology and surgical juniors.

 As a group we identified that discussions with microbiology were documented in notes, but not easily found when further discussions were required. We also found that some discussions were more difficult if the junior did not have all of the appropriate information to hand. We created a separate form to document microbiology discussions, bring together the essential information that they required for the conversations and enable quick reference for future discussions. We sent out a questionnaire to assess the level of the difficulties, introduced the form and documented any additional information that was asked for during discussions. We then repeated the questionnaire to assess if there were any improvements.

 The original version was insufficient, in that it was not distinct from other paper notes so could be difficult to find, and some questions were asked frequently that we did not have answers for. The discussions however were improved, and the recording of reasoning for decisions enabled more consistent recommendations.

 By creating the form we helped juniors prepare for more constructive calls to microbiology, were able to answer some of their questions regarding why prior decisions were made and at the end have the most sensible suggestions and plans from microbiology for surgical patients. While we still use paper notes, the concept and format are suitable for transfer to other specialities and electronic records where available.


This text explores the fashion designs of Kenneth Cole and his 30-year career in fashion and social activism. His advertising campaigns are ubiquitous, and his footwear and fashion design captures New York City urban and urbane style.


The long-term using temperature of PtRh40/PtRh20 high-temperature thermocouple wire is 1750℃.PtRh40/PtRh20 is belong to non-standard thermocouple,and mainly applies to measure the aircraft efflux plasma temperature.The influences of annealing temperature on the tensile strength and resistivity of PtRh40 and PtRh20 alloy wires,and the influences of the cold working on tensile strength and vickers hardness of the wires were studied.The results indicated that the tensile strengths increased with the increase of annealing temperature at first,then decreased sharply,finally it is stable forming a platform.The resistivities were increased with the annealing temperature,and the tensile strength and hardness were increased with the cold working.The errors of matching thermoelectric potential of PtRh40PtRh20 relative to ASTM E1751-2000 standard thermoelectric power is 1℃ at 1200℃,2℃ at 1500℃,and 1℃ at 1700℃.


This work presents a new design methodology for inductively-degenerated cascode low-noise amplifiers using advanced epitaxial-base SiGe HBTs. Noise figure, gain, and IIP3 are calculated using calibrated linear circuit analysis and a Volterra series methodology as a function of the two major design variables: emitter geometry and biasing current. An optimum SiGe HBT LNA design point which balances input impedance match, high IIP3, noise figure, gain, and power consumption is obtained from calculated noise figure, gain, and IIP3 contours as a function of bias current and geometry. Simplified analytical expressions of IIP3, gain, and noise figure are presented to give additional insight. The optimum LNA design point for the 50 GHz SiGe HBT process technology under study yields a 2 GHz LNA with 15.8 dBm IIP3, 18 dB gain, 1.15 dB noise figure, and a |s11| less than -20 dB for a biasing current of 7.5 mA. The calculated results show good agreement with HP Advanced-Design-System simulations. The design tradeoffs illuminated by this optimization methodology are highlighted and discussed.


Two-dimensional simulations of ion beam driven fast ignition are presented. Ignition energies of protons with Maxwellian spectrum and carbon ions with quasimonoenergetic and Maxwellian energy distributions are evaluated. The effect of the coronal plasma surrounding the compressed deuterium-tritium is studied for three different fuel density distributions. It is found that quasimonoenergetic ions have better coupling with the compressed deuterium-tritium and substantially lower ignition energies. Comparison of quasimonoenergetic carbon ions and relativistic electrons as ignitor beams shows similar laser energy requirements, provided that a laser to quasimonoenergetic carbon ion conversion efficiency around 10% can be achieved.


This article aims to analyze the so called "European triangle" for the protection of human rights, characterized by a complex normative and judicial articulation of three coexisting systems of protection in Europe: at national, international and at the European Union level. In order to do so, it starts by presenting the multiple standards experienced in Europe, which means concurrent and, in particular, complementary normative schemes. This pluralism also requires the presentation of the established maximum standard principle as an harmonizing mechanism. Then, it presents the judicial protection of human rights in Europe, emphasizing the articulation and, mainly, the mutual infl uence between all competent courts, including references to some decisions that properly demonstrate the evolution of their approach. Ultimately, it concludes that this complex normative and judicial articulation found in Europe shapes what is called the "European legal identity", based on an indispensable coherence towards the adequate protection of human rights. It also concludes that the European Convention of Human Rights is taken as the main normative instrument in Europe, expressing a true European convergence in terms of human rights. Finally, likewise, it concludes that the European Court of Human Rights is confi rmed as the prime guardian of human rights in Europe, playing a true integrative role


This article examines the incidence of academic deficiency and functional illiteracy among offenders in a post-secondary prison education program. A descriptive analysis was conducted using aptitude test scores on reading, math and language from 488 students in a medium security prison in Ohio. From the scores it was concluded that approximately thirty-two percent of the students functioned below the eighth grade performance level in these three critical content areas. If these results are indicative of the performance level of inmate-students nationwide, the authors argue, then post-secondary prison education programs function as schools of last resort for this functionally illiterate population.


BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Adequate postoperative pain evaluation and management are priorities for quality assistance, especially after neurological surgeries. This study aimed at evaluating postoperative pain of neurosurgical patients submitted to unruptured brain aneurysm clamping. METHODS: Prospective and descriptive study carried out in a charity hospital of the city of Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil. Sample was made up of 28 patients submitted to elective craniotomy for unruptured brain aneurysm clamping. Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn-Bonferroni tests were used for inferential analysis. Significance level was 5% throughout the study. RESULTS: Most patients (78.6%) were females, 64.0% had postoperative pain. There has been significant difference in the number of days with postoperative pain among patients with associated comorbidities (p=0.04) and previous surgery (p=0.01). Most patients had moderate and throbbing headache. There were no adequate pain records and most frequent analgesics were simple analgesics. Opioids prescription was incipient. CONCLUSION: Systematic pain evaluation should be part of multiprofessional assistance, in compliance with international and national pain institutions recommendations.


This study mainly investigated the impact of small amounts of yttrium (Y: 0.1–1.5 wt%) on in vitro corrosion behavior of Mg‐5Zn bioimplant alloy in simulated body fluid. Optical and scanning electron microcopies, energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction analysis were used to assess the microstructure of the alloys. Immersion and electrochemical tests were performed to investigate the degradation behavior of the alloys. Microstructural refinement was observed through increasing Y content, from 317 to 84 μm in grain size for Mg‐5Zn and Mg‐5Zn‐1.5Y alloys, respectively. Moreover, it was found that the addition of more than 0.3 wt% of Y forms I‐phase particles, whereas the content of 1.5 wt% Y forms I‐ and W‐ternary phases in Mg‐5Zn alloy. The results also showed that the addition of Y improves the corrosion behavior of Mg‐5Zn alloy, and the Mg‐5Zn‐0.7Y alloy was found to degrade more slowly than other alloys. This introduces Mg‐5Zn‐0.7Y alloy as a good candidate for bioimplant applications.


The South African press has been the subject of numerous books and art icles in recent years, couched within a wide range of paradigms (1). In contrast, studies of broadcasting are less p lent i fu l and much more fragmented (2). Journalism has been taught at the University of South Africa and four Afrikaans language universit ies, the f i r s t of which launched a course in 1960, and at only one English language university since 1970. Until recently, l i t t l e progress has been made academically because most commentaries identif ied thei r academic principles with the dominant Nationalist interests of the time. Other than the published work of Elaine Potter (3), Les Switzer (4) and Belinda Bozzoli (5), remaining studies, which form the bulk of the work done, evidence l i t t l e or no understanding of the complexit ies of h is tor ica l , socia l , economic or po l i t i ca l relationships which have given rise to the existing structure of the South African press and broadcasting media.


Finding the minimum cost of shipping a company's goods is still an important thing that needs to be studied to reduce the company's expenses. Therefore, many studies continue to be carried out to find the minimum cost (optimal solution) of transportation problems. This article aims to find the minimum cost of transportation problems which are expected to correct previous studies. The author uses a new method, the Sirisha-Viola method. Based on the calculations that have been done, the optimal value of transportation costs is Rp. 1.335.000,-. Therefore, the smallest cost of the transportation problem is Rp. 1.335.000,-.


1. A compound of Formula I: Formula I wherein each of R Rindividualno represents H, C-alkyl substituted aryl or C-alkyl, or R Robedinyayutsya with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a 3-8 membered ring which does not necessarily may be substituted with C-alkyl, aryl, C-alkoxy or aryloxy substituents; R is H, C-alkyl substituted by hydroxy C-alkyl or substituted C-alkoxy group C-alkyl; each of R, R, r and Rindividualno represents H , C-alkyl or C-alkoxy; each represents Rindividualno T is H, C-alkyl or C-alkoxy; each Rindividualno represents H, C-alkyl or C-alkoxy; each of L and Lindividualno represents a link selected from the group consisting of CRR, CRRCRRiO; each of R, R , R Rindividualno represents hydrogen or C-alkyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable sol.2. A compound according to Claim. 1, where R is H and R is C-alkil.3. A compound according to Claim. 1, wherein R is C alkyl substituted by hydroxy or C-alkil.4. A compound according to Claim. 1, wherein each of R, R, R, R, r and R are H.5. A compound according to Claim. 1, wherein each of L and a Lpredstavlyaet CRR, each of R and R is vodorod.6. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of claim. 1-5 and a pharmaceutically acceptable nositel.7. A method for treating or preventing a disease or condition mediated by neuronal nicotinic receptor comprising the administration of a compound according to any one of claims. 1-5.8. A method according to claim. 7 wherein said disease or condition is IBS-D, OAB, nicotine dependence, smoking cessation state, depres-


Producing human proteins in lower organisms' cells using recombinant technology represents a very promising approach for treating many diseases produced by a particular protein deficiency, including close to 40 lysosomal storage diseases. Although E. coli has been the first host successfully employed in expressing human recombinant proteins, it has some limitations owing to its inability to perform some post-traductional steps such as glycosylation. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae) has thusbeen initially considered and used. However, S. cerevisiae glycosylates proteins in a very different way to human cells producing highly antigenic proteins and thus some other non-conventional yeasts such as Pichia pastoris have been used recently. Human protein expression is not assodated with growth in this system; growth may occur at high cell concentrations, increasing heterologous protein productivity and yield. The system employs a very efficient, methanol-induced promoter which may be used as sole carbon and energy source. Post-traductional modifications seem more similar to human cells than those produced by other non-mammalian systems used in producing human glycoproteins; they do not secrete large amounts of endogenous proteins, simplifying expressed protein purification. This review presents some strategies for producing heterologous proteins in high density cultures using P. pastoris as an expression system.


Satellite data is useful for making inference on large areas, but there are plenty of problems associated with the technology. The observation errors need to be carefully modelled in order to make inference from the data. In addition, the large data-sets involved makes straight-forward computations infeasible.
This thesis explores a non-Gaussian noise structure, and implements a modified EM algorithm where the M-step is replaced for taking a step in a stochastic gradient descent method. The estimated parameters are used for reconstruction both of simulated data and of a data-set retrieved from the PAL database.
The algorithm performs well on a simulated data equipped with the non-Gaussian noise structure; as for the PAL data, the algorithm performed quite well, but convergence proved to be somewhat unstable.


Maintaining and improving the soil conservation function of an ecosystem is of positive significance to the sustainable and stable development of that ecosystem. We used the RUSLE model to evaluate the soil conservation function of the Qinling-Daba Mountains from 1982, 1995, 2005, and 2015 in order to analyze the spatio-temporal evolution characteristics of soil conservation. Our conclusions are as follows: (1) During the study period, the amount of average actual soil erosion in the Qinling-Daba Mountains was 955.39 × 108 t, the amount of actual soil erosion fluctuated greatly from year after year, there were obvious spatial aggregation and temporal and spatial transfer phenomena, and there was serious soil nutrient loss in the east. (2) From 1982 to 2015, soil conservation in the Qinling-Daba Mountains increased by 27.75 × 108 t during fluctuations. The soil conservation was negatively correlated with elevation and slope, and was positively correlated with vegetation coverage. (3) The average soil conservation of forest ecosystems and farmland ecosystems accounts for 78.11% of the total soil conservation, but there are differences in the ways in which to achieve soil conservation function. The order for soil conservation function of different vegetation types is crops > shrub > broad-leaved forest > coniferous forest > grass > meadow > grassland > coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest > alpine plant > swamp. (4) The average retention of N, P and K elements in soil were 75.57 × 104 t, 25.35 × 104 t and 737.28 × 104 t, respectively. The soil elements had the consistency of spatial difference in spatial distribution and were time scaled. The soil nutrient loss in the eastern region is serious. Shrubs, broadleaf forests and crops have the greatest effect on soil nutrient retention. Alpine plants retain the greatest amount of soil nutrients per unit area. Therefore, the establishment of reasonable soil conservation strategies and scientific vegetation interplanting measures will help to enhance the soil conservation function of the Qinling-Daba Mountains ecosystem and improve the ecosystem production capacity.


Thiamine, like several other B-vitamins, is essential for normal development, growth, reproduction, lactation, physical performance, and well being. It is involved in releasing energy from the macronutrients that provide energy, especially from carbohydrates. Nadel and Burger reported that patients fed intravenously for long periods were at risk for thiamine deficiency. When large amounts of glucose were administered intravenously for a prolonged period of time and without added thiamine, the concentration of Journal of Analytical Bio-Science Vol. 24, No 3 (2001)


In order to render statistics from various hospitals comparable, the materials are usually staged according to various systems, based on the extent of the cancer. The Steinthal staging (204, 205) was the first one to gain some ground. Since its introduction in 1905, it has been used a great deal, but usually in a somewhat modified form. Steinthal grouped his cases into 3 stages. Stage I includes cases of apparently very slow growth; the tumour is only a few cm in size, involving only the mammary gland and not adhering to the skin; in the axilla involvement of one or more nodes, usually not detected until at operation. Stage 2 comprises cases with more rapid growth; lumps, stationary for a long time, start growing, the skin becomes more adherent, and the axillary nodes are distinctly palpable. Stage 3 comprises cases in which the greater part of the breast is infiltrated, the tumour is fixed to skin or the pectoralis major, and there is often involvement of the supraclavicular lymph nodes. This staging has been modified in numerous ways, amongst others by Jüngling (105). In addition to other minor modifications, he made a sharp distinction between histological evidence of axillary involvement or not. Since then, many authors have used a grouping into 3 stages, Stage I comprising cases without demonstrable cancer tissue outside the breast, Stage II cases exhibiting cancer tissue in the breast as well as axilla (histological evidence of axillary involvement), but in no other sites, and Stage III cases with evidence of cancer tissue outside the breast and axilla. Stages I and II correspond to technically operable cases, classified into 2 stages according to the histological findings in the axilla. (The significance of this histological grouping was emphasized by Dahl-Iversen as early as 1927 (41, 42)). This classification of


In view of the current status of hydraulic support monitor system in coal face,an improved monitor system based on CAN-bus and WSN was designed.The sensor node of the system was mainly designed by ATmega128L SCM and CC2420,with MCP2515 the sink node was designed.The design of hardware and the flowchart of software were given.


A torque ripple mitigation and current hysteresis control for T-type three level (T-3L) inverter fed open-end doubly-salient permanent-magnet motor (DSPM) drives is proposed in this paper. The structure, principle, and characteristics of the DSPM are studied and analyzed and a T-3L inverter fed open-end three-phase DSPM drive configuration is proposed in this paper. Then, this paper introduces a novel commutation strategy to reduce the torque ripple during phase commutation. Furthermore, the multi-loop hysteresis current controller and DC-link voltage balancing algorithm are presented. The effectiveness of the proposed control schemes is verified by both simulation and experimental results.


This paper discusses the meaning and role of canal lining and seepage control,and expounds the present development status and existing problems of canal lining and seepage control techniques in Chinaas well as development trends of new material,structural forms,anti-frozen technology and mechanization construction technology.Compared with developed countries there is still disparity in many aspects,especially greater disparity in construction quality and mechanization construction.The authors point out that canal seepage control technology has developed from single seepage control materials to compound materials,from single seepage control structures to compound structures,from manual construction to semi-mechanized and mechanized construction,and impact of canal lining and seepage control on ecological environments.


Those entrusted with positions of power within the Church and Catholic laity have a unique responsibility to uphold the highest degrees of honesty and ethics. Their secular titles serve them well and earn them a high degree of respect and credibility among their peers. Whether they are clergy, doctors, lawyers, psychologists or scientists, they must set aside personal motivations when writing, teaching or speaking as leaders of the Catholic community.


The insurmountable distance between "being" and "having oneself" decentered human beings. In his literary anthropology, Iser tries to analyze the practical elements as follows: symbolic interpretation, literary fiction and negativity, and literary "staging", which belong to the area of anthropology. Human beings may thus have oneself in a possible world.


The landform of So Langgodu Site is valley, surrounded by hills, rich in water sources so that the land is fertile. Settlement has existed since prehistoric era until the next period. The finding of ceramics in So Langgodu is important because it could reveal the social, cultural and economic life of the past. This study aims to reveal the function and role of the ceramics related to the settlement and trade. The methods used in this research are literature study, observation, and interviews. The data were analyzed using descriptive-qualitative approach. The ceramic fragments found in this research consists of plate, bowl, tube, and jar. All of the ceramic fragments originated from China. The presence of ceramics in So Langgodu is an indication of activity in past settlement and could not be separated from trading activity, obtained by exchanging or purchasing from foreign traders.


In this paper, a solver for poroelasticity problems is discussed that is related to osteoporotic human bones. Osteoporosis is a major health problem that compromises the integrity of bones. A good understanding of the disease requires an accurate simulation of the physics. For that purpose, a finite element solver based on Biot's consolidation has been developed. A mixed formulation is used to discretize the geometries taken from medical imaging. The resulting indefinite linear systems are solved by Krylov space methods supplemented by variants of Schur complement-based block preconditioners.


Abstract We developed a bioenergetics model for bloater Coregonus hoyi based on a synthesis of studies on the energetics of bloater and other coregonines. This model was applied to the Lake Michigan population with information on water content, gonad weight, energy density, diet, and thermal history. Water content (inversely correlated with energy density) of nonspawning Lake Michigan bloaters decreased linearly with increasing weight for fish smaller than 155 g. Model results indicated comparatively small seasonal changes in consumption, a result of high consumption by bloaters at low temperatures and relatively small differences in the temperatures of occupied water between winter and summer. Growth rates and food conversion efficiencies of bloater estimated from the model were higher by factors of 2–4 than comparable values for the alewife Alosa pseudoharengus, indicating that Lake Michigan could support a higher biomass of native coregonines than of the introduced alewife. Bioenergetics estimates of a...


Several fabricating methods and microstructures of bulk metallic glass matrix composites from both home and abroad were presented.The effects of reinforced phases in microstructures on the mechanical properties were illuminated briefly,and developing trends of bulk metallic glass matrix composites were prospected.


I read with interest the recent article by Micheletto et al. (1) demonstrating the beneficial effects of montelukast on nasal hyper-reactivity to lysine–aspirin (L–ASA) challenge and on pre-challenge nasal function as measured by calculated resistance and volume with acoustic rhinomanometry. Although the study is informative and pertinent, it has unfortunately missed out a significant and clinically relevant population of patients with aspirin-induced asthma (AIA), i.e. patients with nasal polyposis, which together with chronic rhinosinusitis and asthma, form the core characterization of AIA, by definition. I also wish to highlight and to concur with the authors, that nasal challenge with L–ASA appears to be a safe procedure, without the incidence of lower airway narrowing, which may occur following oral or inhaled L–ASA challenge. The absence of bronchoconstriction following nasal L–ASA challenge has been demonstrated in AIA patients with nasal polyposis (2), using the same protocol of L–ASA administration as employed in the current study. The use of acoustic rhinomanometry in the present study may not have been ideal, as peak nasal inspiratory flow has been found to be a more sensitive measurement compared with either acoustic rhinometry or rhinomanometry (3). Moreover, the use of peak nasal inspiratory flow in measuring the response following L–ASA challenge in patients with AIA has been shown to offer greater reproducibility compared with acoustic rhinometry (4).


28 declared honeydew honey samples were collected from different Transylvanian areas directly from the beekeepers (24 samples) or from supermarket (4 samples). Physico-chemical parameters as well as microscopic analysis were done in order to authenticate the honeydew honey from this part of Romania. The results of electrical conductivity, ash and mineral content, honeydew honey elements demonstrated that from the analyzed samples 7 were real honeydew honeys, 9 were mixture of multifloral and honeydew honeys and 12 were multifloral honeys. High quantity of honey, ddeclared and sold as honeydew honey do not correspond to the EU requirements for honeydew honey. To improve this situation, a better control by the authorities and certified laboratories, is needed


The extensive distribution of bamboo forests in South and Southeast Asia plays an important role in the global carbon budget. It is an urgent task to accurately and in good time estimate carbon stock within these areas. In this study, linear regression, partial least-squares (PLS) regression and backpropagation artificial neural network (BP-ANN) with a Gaussian error function as the activation function of the hidden layers (Erf-BP) were used to estimate aboveground carbon (AGC) stock of Moso bamboo in Anji, Zhejiang Province, China. Based on the combined use of Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) and field measurements, the results indicate that the Erf-BP model provided the best estimation performance, and the linear regression model performed the poorest. This study indicates that remote sensing is an effective way of estimating AGC of Moso bamboo in a large area.


The theoretical framework for small scale phenomena is quantum physics, where the word "quantum" refers to the smallest possible package of a physical quantity. Especially, in this thesis, we co ...


In wireless sensor networks, the existing real-time routing protocols for stationary sinks exploit a spatiotemporal approach, utilizing the delivery speed based on the end-to-end distance to fulfill the desired time deadline. This approach cannot be directly applied to a mobile sink since the distance can be varied depending on its movement. That is, the delivery speed cannot be determined without knowing the intermediate sensors to know the current location update of the mobile sink and control their transmission speeds. We focus on the real-time protocol for slowly varying mobile sink compared to transmission speed, which may be the most common case. By the slowly varying constraint, the movable area of a sink can be determined by the two factors: its moving distance and initial location. The movable area could provide the maximum transmission distance between a source and a mobile sink. This letter proposes a real-time data dissemination protocol for mobile sinks utilizing the movable area concept. Simulation results show the proposed protocol provides high success ratio of real-time requirement.


This paper presents results of polarization measurement performed on an in service submarine system of about 1600 km between Penmarc'h (France) and Sesimbra (Portugal). Fluctuations of the state of polarization have been observed with an average speed of about 6 degrees per minute, with some events reaching 20 degrees per millisecond corresponding to tides impact. The dynamicity of polarization behaviour is discussed versus its potential impact on 40 Gbit/s systems design.


Summary

We analysed the long-period Rayleigh waves that were generated by the Kurile Islands earthquake (1963), its largest aftershock, the Alaskan (1964) and the Tokachi-oki (1968) earthquakes. A deconvolution technique has been successfully applied to calculate the phase velocity and Q. We found significant regional differences in Rayleigh wave Qs which are closely correlated with regional variations in phase velocity and obtained pure-path phase velocities and Q for five tectonic provinces. The Rayleigh waves suffer small attenuation along the shield region where the phase velocity is high and large attenuation over the tectonically active regions where the phase velocity is low. Applying the Q-correction to the pure-path phase velocities the regional differences in phase velocity are considerably reduced. Studies of the frequency dependence of Q by the broad-band measurements of body waves are required in order to interpret correctly surface wave dispersion and free oscillation periods. Although the Q of the model MM8 (Anderson, Ben-Menahem & Archambeau) is appropriate as an average representation of the observed Q in the period range from 200 to 300s, the differences for different great-circle paths are very large and the average Q values at periods below 200 s are lower than those of MM8.


Hierarchical self-assembly Name: David Doty Affil./Addr. California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA. Supported by NSF grants CCF-1219274, CCF1162589, and 1317694.


e16633 Background: Yttrium-90 (Y90) radioembolization is a catheter-based therapy utilized in the treatment of hepatic tumors such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Multiple trials have evaluated the efficacy of Y90 in HCC; few have assessed long term hepatic function. These studies reported PFS ranging from 7.9 to 18 months (m), and median OS of 17.2 to 18 m for Child-Pugh (CP) Class A and 6.0 to 7.7 m for CP Class B. This study aimed to evaluate a clinical real-world experience of Y90 therapeutic effectiveness and long-term impact on hepatic function. Methods: A single-center retrospective chart review was performed for patients with a CP score of A or B who received Y90 for primary HCC between 2008 and 2016. Model for end stage liver disease (MELD) and CP scores were calculated for the day of treatment and at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 m post procedure. OS and PFS were characterized using a Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and a multivariate model. Results: 134 patients were included. Mean age was 60 years old, ranging from 44-90. Underlying liver disease included HCV – 66%, ETOH cirrhosis – 23%, NAFLD – 19%, HBV – 5%. CP Class A patients (79%) had a median OS of 16.59 m (95% CI: 8.90 to 23.10m) from date of Y90 treatment compared to a median of 7.90 m (95% CI: 4.60 to 15.64 m) for CP Class B. CP Class A patients had a median PFS of 3.45 m (95% CI: 2.99 to 5.55 m) from date of Y90 treatment compared to a median of 3.71 m (95% CI: 2.07 to 8.28 m) for CP Class B patients. These differences were not statistically significant. Median OS from date of diagnosis for the entire study population was 29.37 m (95% CI: 23.00 to 38.77 m). MELD scores were statistically significantly higher at 1, 3, 6 and 12 m post-treatment than on Day 0, with significant recovery at 24 vs 3 m. Older age, higher T stage, higher MELD and CP scores, and patients with a history of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) had significantly lower OS. PFS was significantly shorter in those with advanced stage at diagnosis and higher CP score. Conclusions: While our study supports the literature for OS in Y90 patients, we found a shorter PFS in this population. This may reflect the utilization of RECIST in clinical trials vs clinical radiology practice in determining progression. Over time, the most significant factors associated with OS were age, MELD and CP scores and PVT. For PFS, CP score and stage at diagnosis were significant. The increasing MELD and CP scores over time reflect a possible mix of radio embolization‐induced liver disease and progression of HCC. The downtrend at 24 m is likely due to durable survivors with significant benefit from therapy and no long-term complications from Y90.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a) a lyogel of silicate, b) if desired, subjecting the lyogel prepared in step a) to a solvent exchange with another organic solvent, c) Preparation of a modified SiO 2 aerogel in which the gel obtained in step a) or b) is reacted with at least one chlorine-free silylating agent and d) the gel obtained in step c) is dried subcritically Method and its use.


Informally, a safety property stipulates that some ' bad thing' does not happen during execution [1]. Examples of safety properties include mutual exclusion, deadlock freedom, and partial correctness. In mutual exclusion, the proscribed ' bad thing' is two processes executing in critical sections at the same time. In deadlock freedom, it is deadlock. In partial correctness, it is terminating in a state not satisfying the postcondi t ion when execution is started in a state that satisfies the precondition. A formal definition of safety is given in [3]. While that definition correctly captures the intuition for an important class of proper t ies those invariant under s tu t ter ing-i t is inadequate for safety properties that are not invariant under stuttering. This short article gives a formal definition of safety that is independent of stuttering. Section 2 of this paper reviews some notat ion for describing properties. Section 3 gives our new


Optical communication links, operating in low photon flux conditions, rely on an array of single photon counting detectors to receive the signal. Due to the reset time of these detectors, many separate detectors must be used to receive a continuous signal. Photon counting, channel combining, channel alignment, and digitization of the detected signal can be complex and expensive due to the parallel hardware required for each channel. This issue is compounded as the system scales to greater numbers of detectors due to the amount of hardware required and alignment requirements between each channel. The purpose of this research is to examine a photon counting and channel combining method which allows for photon detection channels to be summed into a single signal before digitization, eliminating the need for parallelized hardware. This reduction in parallel hardware has the potential to reduce the cost and complexity of the system. In this paper, a single layer fully connected neural network architecture is explored as a possible solution for the photon counting of summed photon detection channels. The signal to noise ratio of the combined signal was lower than that of the individual channels and was inversely proportional to the root of the number of channels being summed. The neural network signal processing implementation produced signal gain when the symbol phase remains constant. This is most likely due to the network exploiting the modulation structure of the signal and possibly offsets the losses incurred during analog summation.


Starting with the present situation of the management.The paper analysed the management system,and studied the quality management of the company taking part in it,so as to promote the study and development on the construction project' quality supervision management in our country.


A new tuberculosis drug target reveals an additional antimicrobial resistance mechanism Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of mortality from an infectious agent globally, with 1.6 million deaths and more than 10 million new cases annually (1). Since the 1950s, long-term combination chemotherapy has been the cornerstone of TB control. However, the efficacies of first- and second-line anti-TB agents have been eroded by the evolution of drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative agent. Drug-resistant TB now accounts for 450,000 new TB cases annually, and almost a third of all TB-related deaths are due to antimicrobial resistance (2). Together with the need for shorter regimens (standard treatment for drug-susceptible TB takes 6 months), these statistics identify the development of TB drugs with different mechanisms of action as a health imperative. On page 498 of this issue, Ballinger et al. (3) report an important step in this direction.


During the past decade a number of methods have been developed that allow the isolation of biopolymers with tailored functionalities from highly diverse libraries of polypeptides or nucleic acids.[1] Polypeptide-based libraries require coding strategies such as phage-,[2] ribosome-,[3] or mRNA-display[4] that ensure an unmistakable combination of genotype and phenotype. Only then it is possible to identify a few molecules with the desired activities from mixtures of up to 1014 individual molecules. In contrast, functional nucleic acids such as aptamers[5] and ribozymes[6] have the advantage that they carry alongÐat all timesÐthe blueprint for their own replication, thereby making special encoding strategies for their detection and optimization obsolete. A potential disadvantage compared to polypeptides, however, is the low diversity of chemical functionalities provided by the four natural nucleotides. Expanding their functional-group repertoire will certainly further enhance their catalytic and binding properties. Therefore, efforts currently concentrate on developing approaches that combine the advantages of the direct enzymatic amplification of nucleic acids with the chemical diversity of polypeptides by adding protein-like functionalities to the nucleobases of DNA. For example, DNA molecules containing functionalized residues were enzymatically synthesized from natural DNA templates[7] and used for in vitro selection.[8] Although the incorporation of four modified nucleotides bearing fluorescent dyes or alkynyl chains was recently reported,[9] the ultimate goal of substituting all four nucleobases with different functionalized residues within a single oligonucleotide and the subsequent use of the resulting polymer as a template for enzymatic replication has not been achieved to date. Nucleic acids that are highly functionalized in this way would represent a novel class of enzymatically replicable biopolymers that, from a chemical point of view, bridge the gap between proteins and nucleic acids, and might exhibit interesting new properties.[10] Here we describe the first enzymatic synthesis of oligodeoxynucleotides, in which all four natural nucleobases are substituted by different synthetic residues which bring a broad range of additional chemical functionalities, and the conditions that are required for the enzymatic replication of the new oligodeoxynucleotides. Modifications were designed to include important amino acid side-chains such as carboxylic acid, alkylamino, guanidine, and hydrophobic residues. We Hydrophobic effects may also be responsible for the enhanced chemical reactivity of complexes 2 and 3. The hydrophobicity of a binding cavity can be probed by determining the binding constants of different guests.[9] For this purpose the relative stability constants (Krel) of the formiato, acetato, and benzoato-bridged zinc complexes 14 a ± c were determined. The stability constants increase in the order 14 a< 14 b< 14 c and differ by two orders of magnitude (Krelˆ 0.1/1.0/5.0). Thus the larger the organic residue R of the carboxylate anion (RCOOÿ) the larger the binding constant. The observed trend is indicative of hydrophobic effects between the substituents of the carboxylate ion and the ligand matrix of the complex. The synthesis of novel binuclear complexes with hydrophobic binding pockets has been described. The complexes show enhanced chemical reactivity towards the activation and transformation of small molecules such as CO2. We are currently probing the possibility whether the Lewis acidity can be increased by changing the metal oxidation state and whether variation of the alkyl residues allows fine tuning of the size of the binding pocket.


Article History: Received: November 28, 2021 Revised: December 28, 2021 Accepted: December 28, 2021 Available Online: December 30, 2021 Public universities are the major source of higher education all over the world. Therefore, competitive public universities play a significant role in producing an effective labour force for society. The basic objective of the study is to examine the mediating role of strategic intent on the relationship between knowledge sharing and competitive advantage in the public higher education institutions (PHEIs) of Pakistan. Data were collected from the top management of the PHEIs of Pakistan by distributing the structured close-ended questionnaire. A total number of 192 questionnaires were received in a fully completed form that has been used for the final analysis. PLSSEM was employed to examine measurement and structural model of the path model. The results reveal that KS is significantly and positively related to strategic intent and CA. Strategic intent also found to be significantly and positively related to CA. In addition, strategic intent mediates the relationship between KS and CA.


Field experiment was conducted to evaluate the toxicity of newer insecticide molecules viz., imidacloprid 17.8 SL, thiamethoxam 25 WG, acetamiprid 20 SP, sulfoxaflor 25 SC, dinotefuran 20 SG, pymetrozine 50 WG, buprofezin 25 SC, monocrotophos + dichlorvos 36 SL + 76 EC against spiders and mirid bugs of rice ecosystem in Agricultural College Farm, Bapatla during kharif 2015. Among all the insecticides pymetrozine 50 WG @ 0.5 g l-1 proved safer to the green mirid bugs with lowest percent mortality of 16.96 redcution over precount after two rounds of spray. The safest treatment to spiders is sulfoxaflor with 20.40 percent mortality of spiders over precount followed by pymetrozine 50 WG @ 0.5 g l-1 (23.89 percent).


A questionnaire designed to assess actual practice with regard to venous thromboembolism prophylaxis (VTEP) was mailed to 100 general surgeons. Although a majority (78%) of the respondents (n = 65) indicated that they used some form of VTEP, the methods used were inadequate to protect high-risk and moderate-risk patients from thromboembolic complications. Furthermore, pulmonary embolism was not perceived as a significant prob lem by most (64%) of the respondents who did not use prophylaxis.


Background: In preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), early activation of circulating phagocytes is present as a sign of systemic inflammation. Phagocytes interact closely with lymphocytes. The role of lymphocytes in the pathogenesis in RDS is unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate lymphocyte subsets and their activation during the first postnatal week in preterm infants with and without RDS.Methods: Peripheral blood samples from 58 preterm infants [gestational age (GA) 27.3(26.3–29.4) wks; birth weight (BW) 930(733–1200)g] were taken on postnatal days 1, 3 and 7 (d1, d3, and d7). T-lymphocyte subpopulations (CD4+, CD8+ and NK-cells) and proportions of T-cells expressing activation marker CD54 (ICAM-1) were analyzed by flow cytometry using fluorescent antibodies. Infants who had increased C-reactive protein levels (<20mg/L) were excluded from the analysis (N=10) to control activation of lymphocytes due to infection. The remaining infants were assigned to two groups according to whether they had RDS or not. The results are given as absolute cell counts (10E9/L) and proportions of CD54+CD4+ cells of CD4+T-lymphocytes (%), in medians (quartiles).Results: 25 infants had RDS [GA 26.7(25.3–27.6)wks, BW 860(700–1060)g], and 23 infants had not [GA 32.7(30.6–33.9)wks, BW 1500(1380–1990)g]. Infants with RDS had significantly lower GA and BW than those without RDS, both p<0.001. Infants with RDS had significantly lower blood T-lymphocyte count on d3 than did infants without RDS (p=0.028). Compared with infants without RDS, infants with RDS had lower CD4+T-cell counts on d3 (p=0.034) and CD8+T-cell counts on d1 (p=0.036) and on d3, although not statistically significant (p=0.067). In infants with RDS on d1, d3, and d7, a greater proportion CD4+ T-cells was CD54-positive than in infants without RDS [d1: 4.3(1.4–10.0) vs. 2.1(0.8–2.8), p=0.001; d3: 4.0(1.4–13.0) vs 1.8(0.8–3.0)%, p=0.009; d7: 5.4(2.6–9.9) vs 2.5(1.7–3.9), p=0.014]. There was no correlation between gestational age and proportions of CD4+CD54+-cells.Conclusion: In preterm infants with RDS, the absolute numbers of circulating T-cells are low and the peripheral blood CD4+ T-lymphocytes have more active immuophenotype than in infants without RDS. These results indicate an activation of circulating lymphocytes in RDS. The significance of T-cell activation in the inflammatory process related to RDS and development of chronic complications, such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia, remains to be elucidated.


Raman spectroscopic investigation of boron doped hydrogenated amorphous silicon thin films Report Title We report on the effects of hydrogen dilution and boron doping on the structural properties of amorphous silicon thin films prepared by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. Raman studies were performed on samples differing in both boron concentration and hydrogen dilution of the silane precursor prepared at two growth temperatures. Changes in the transverse optical and acoustic phonon modes were analyzed to determine the effect of boron and hydrogen on shortand mid-range order of the amorphous crystal structure. The results show that, with either an increase of hydrogen dilution or growth temperature, the shortand mid-range order improves. However, the effect of growth temperature on the ability of hydrogen to improve the shortand mid-range order decreases as the growth temperature is increased. This is attributed to dissociation of weakly bonded species at higher growth temperature, leading to less hydrogen incorporation. In addition, for fixed hydrogen dilution, an increase in boron doping results in a decrease in the short-range order due to a rearrangement of the chemical bonding. Finally, a direct correlation is seen between the electrical resistivity and the short-range order for samples of differing hydrogen dilution grown at the higher growth temperature. 2


Abstract Silviculture in the Ouachita National Forest in Arkansas and Oklahoma has shifted in recent years from mostly even-aged management to a mix of even- and uneven-aged regeneration systems, including group-selection. Researchers have described presence/absence of early-successional bird species in forest openings created by even- and uneven-aged silviculture, but few have examined nest success. We examined occupancy and nest success of three early-successional species—Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea), Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens), and Prairie Warbler (Dendroica discolor)—within 6- and 7-year-old openings created by group-selection (uneven-aged, ≤0.8 ha) and seed-tree (even-aged, 11–16 ha) cuts in Arkansas. We found 54 Indigo Bunting nests in openings created by seed-tree cuts and 28 in openings created by group-selection cuts (hereafter "seed-tree stands" and "group-selection stands," respectively). We found 50 Yellow-breasted Chat nests in seed-tree stands, but only 2 were found in group-selection stands. We found 14 Prairie Warbler nests in seed-tree and none in group-selection stands. Mayfield nest success for Indigo Bunting was 30.9% in seed-tree stands and 41.9% in group-selection openings, but there was no difference in daily nest survival (0.952 ± 0.009 and 0.964 ± 0.010, respectively; χ2 = 0.792, P = 0.37). Our data suggest that Indigo Buntings can nest successfully in both regenerating seed-tree and group-selection stands; however, group-selection openings may be too small to support nesting Yellow-breasted Chats and Prairie Warblers. Public concerns about clear-cutting have resulted in increased use of uneven-aged management by the USDA Forest Service. However, before widespread implementation of group-selection cutting, additional research should be conducted to evaluate the effects of this management strategy on Neotropical migratory bird communities.


OBJECTIVE To analyze the clinical significance of Acinetobacter baumannii,Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae cultivated in lower respiratory tract secretion in ICU patients. METHODS Collecting clinical data of the patients with lower respiratory tract infection.The main pathogens were A.baumannii or P.aeruginosa or K.pneumoniae.The patients were divided into pneumonia group or non-pneumonia group based on their clinical data.The incidence of pneumonia,severity of illness and hospital mortality were compared between the two groups,and the drug resistance of the 3 kinds of Gram-negative bacilli were also compared. RESULTS Overall 53.8%-57.4% of ICU patients with lower respiratory tract secretions cultivating were either A.baumannii or P.aeruginosa or K.pneumoniae,and there were no differences of incidence of pneumonia in the 3 bacilli.The patients in A.baumannii pneumonia group had higher mortality than K.pneumoniae pneumonia group(P0.05).The drug resistance of A.baumannii were higher than P.aeruginosa and K.pneumoniae(P0.05). CONCLUSION About half positive culture of A.baumannii,P.aeruginosa or K.pneumoniae in lower respiratory tract secretions in ICU patients may be field planting.A.baumannii has higher drug resistance,and patients with A.baumannii pneumonia had bad prognosis.


As an emerging social media, microblog has quickly become a popular communication platform since its birth. There are a large number of implicit evaluation resources in microblog, which explicitly or implicitly reflect the author's views and attitudes. Microblog media expresses its opinions by using the large number of seemingly neutral but explicit attitudinal resources to evaluate the positioning and ally the readers. Through the analysis of the microblog report about Shanghai Import Expo, we conclude that the selection of lexical metaphor, graduation resources and ideational meaning is an important embodiment of implicit evaluation in media discourse; the identification and exploration of implicit evaluation resources behind the microblog media is of great significance. Keywords—microblog discourse; implicit evaluation; lexical metaphor; graduation resources; selection of ideational meaning


This thesis uses hyperbolic geom etry to study various classes of both real and com plex continued fractions. This intuitive approach gives insight into the theory of continued fractions that is not so easy to ob tain from traditional algebraic m ethods. Using it, w e provide a more extensive study of both Rosen continued fractions and even-integer continued fractions than in any previous works, yield ing new results, and revisiting classical theorems. We also study two types of com plex continued fractions, nam ely Gaussian integer continued fractions and Bianchi continued fractions. A s w ell as providing a more elegant and sim ple theory of continued fractions, our approach leads to a natu ral generalisation of continued fractions that has not been explored before. 'Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but w h y on earth should that m ean that it is not real?' — Albus Dum bledore1 This thesis is dedicated to m y mother, Dr. Jill Walker, w ho set the ball rolling fifteen years ago w hen she showed m e her ow n PhD thesis, and gave m e the desire to discover som ething that nobody else has ever discovered before. i in J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows D E C L A R A T I O N I confirm that the material contained in this thesis is the result of inde pendent work. N one of it has previously been submitted for a degree or other qualification to this or any other university or institution. Material from Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 appears in the follow ing two papers. [54] Short, I. and Walker, M., Even-integer continued fractions and the Farey tree, accepted for publication. ArXiv:i5o8.oi373. [53] Short, I. and Walker, M., Geodesic Rosen continued fractions, submitted for publication. A rX ivn^io .i^S^ vz.


Exclusive photoproduction of $\eta-\rho^{0}$ and $\pin-\rho^{0}$ meson pairs is studied with the H1 detector at HERA. The analysis is based on data recorded in 1996-1997 and 1999-2000 data taking periods, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $76.21\,\,{\tt pb}^{-1}$. %{/pb}$. The $\eta$ and $\pin$ mesons are identified via their photonic decays in the backward calorimeter SpaCal, and the $\rho^{0}$ meson via its dominant decay into $\pip\pim$ pairs in the central tracking system of the H1 detector. The scattered proton or its remnant is not measured but is separated by a large rapidity gap from the $\rho^{0}$ meson. \\ The cross section for photoproduction of $\eta-\rho^{0}$ meson pairs is measured at an average photon-proton center of mass energy of $W\approx208\,{\tt GeV}$ in the kinematical region defined by the rapidities of the $\eta$ and $\rho^{0}$ mesons in the laboratory system: $-3.5<Y^{lab}_{\eta}<-2$ and $-1.5<Y^{lab}_{\rho^{0}}<1.5$, photon virtualities $Q^{2}<0.01\,{\tt GeV}^{2}$ and inelasticity $0.3<y<0.65$. The cross section obtained is $\sigma^{*}(\gamma p\rightarrow\eta\rho^{0} X) = (3.5 \pm 1.4 (stat) \pm 1.3 (syst))\,\,\, {\tt nb}$. Due to the limited statistics no definitive statement is made to explain this process but the measured differential distributions are consistent with a contribution from Pomeron exchange.\\ In the analysis of photoproduced $\pin-\rho^{0}$ meson pairs no significant $\rho$ meson signal can be extracted. % the signal of the $\rho^{0}$ meson can not exctracted. Therefore only an upper limit of the cross section is given as $\sigma^{*}(\gp\to\pin \, \rho^{0} \, X) \, < \, 8.6 \,\,\,{\tt nb}$ at $95\,\%$ confidence level, measured at an average photon-proton center of mass energy of $W\approx180\,{\tt GeV}$ in the kinematical region defined by the rapidities of the $\pin$ meson and the $\pip\pim$ pair in the laboratory system: $-3.5<Y^{lab}_{\pin}<-2$ and $-1.5<Y^{lab}_{\pim\pip}<1.5$, photon virtualities $Q^{2}<0.01\,{\tt GeV}^{2}$, and inelasticity $0.3<y<0.65$.


The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between organizational commitment which is defined as a strong belief in and acceptance of the organization's goals and values, and burnout syndrome and organizational cynicism. Accordingly, a field research based on survey method was conducted on the employees of a health institution operating in the province of Konya. The findings of the research show that there is a positive statistically significant relationship between organizational cynicism and burnout while there is a negative statistically significant relationship between organizational commitment and burnout. Furthermore, it has been also realized that there is a negative and statistically significant relationship between organizational commitment and organizational cynicism. Keywords—Burnout, organizational commitment, organizational cynicism, healthcare management.


Postoperative management following major surgery in patients with neuromuscular disorders associated with scoliosis is frequently complicated by sputum retention and ventilatory failure. This report demonstrates the successful perioperative management of an 11-yr-old boy with type II spinal muscular atrophy undergoing a single-stage posterior spinal fusion procedure. Use of an MI-E device was able to successfully treat sputum retention and avoid a tracheostomy.


Due to penetration capabilities of electromagnetic waves and the possibility to cover large areas, radar is one of the most appropriate tool for remote sensing of forest. To use radar images for forestry, it is crucial to select and optimize the best configurations of acquisition. If the frequency is too high, no penetration occurs and only the top leafs will play a role in the scattering events. Large wavelengths used in radar are more able to penetrate the forest elements and to interact also with the ground below. For this reason, we limit this thesis to the use of UHF, P-band and L-band. By emitting and receiving several couples of polarizations, several images can be collected. The polarimetry is sensitive the structure information and consequently, it can bring a diversity of information. A radar system which comprises a transmitter and receiver which are spatially separated is an opportunity to supply additional information to classical polarimetric radar, because it breaks symmetry observed in the monostatic case. The aim of the thesis is to anticipate real P-band bistatic radar measurements on forest and to give keys to choose more appropriate configuration for a given application: physical parameter retrieval or target detection. The solution we propose is to construct an optical scale device that is full polarimetric and that handle the bistatic configurations, and to measure scene having a structure comparable to a real forest. We demonstrate that the optical scale measurement can be used to anticipate polarimetric behavior of forest and jointly to validate our simulation code. Polarization and configuration are studied to discriminate branch orientation and to detect man-made objects in the forest.


Bikeshare systems with docking stations have gained popularity in cities throughout the United States—increasing from six programs with 2,300 bikes in 2010 to 74 systems with 32,200 bikes in 2016. Even though bikeshare systems generate a wealth of data about bicycle check-out and check-in locations and times at docking stations, virtually nothing is known about routes taken and activities undertaken between check-out and check-in of the bikes. This information could greatly enhance future expansion of bikeshare systems, placement of new docking stations, as well as the location for new bike lanes and paths. To study this, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) placed GPS trackers on 94 Capital Bikeshare (CaBi) bikes in the spring of 2015. Based on these data this GIS analysis distinguishes riders by type of CaBi membership, identifies popular routes, analyzes bicycle infrastructure usage, and examines stopping and dwelling times at places of interest. Results show strong differences in trip attributes between short-term users (24h or 3-day memberships) and monthly or annual CaBi members. Trips taken by short-term users were longer in distance, slower, and concentrated off-road on parkland in and around the National Mall. Trips by CaBi members were shorter, faster, and were concentrated away from the National Mall in popular mixed-use neighborhoods. Short-term members rode 12 percent of miles on dedicated bicycle infrastructure, 61 percent in parks, and 27 percent on roadways with motorized traffic, while the shares for members were 33, 17, and 50 percent respectively. Based on routes taken this study also recommends potential locations for bicycle infrastructure improvements and new bikeshare stations. Wergin and Buehler 2 INTRODUCTION Cities around the world try to promote cycling to make their transport systems more sustainable and reduce environmental, economic, and social costs [1]. Bikeshare systems may help increase city cycling by making it more attractive and convenient, providing the opportunity to get around by bicycle without having to use (and own) a private bike and the option to make one-way trips by bicycle returning with another mode of transport [2, 3]. With bikeshare docking stations placed throughout an area, a user may check out a bike and return it to any docking station in the system [4]. Users do not have to worry about locking or maintaining a personal bike, making it attractive to commuters and tourists alike [5]. In recent years, bikeshare has been booming in US cities, growing from six programs with 2,298 bikes in 2010 to 74 systems with 32,200 bikes at the time of writing [6]. Even though bikeshare systems generate a wealth of data about bicycle check-out and check-in locations and times at docking stations, virtually nothing is known about routes taken and activities undertaken between check-out and check-in of the bikes. Numerous studies and online visualizations examine check-in and check-out locations of CaBi bikes and typically assume a direct line travelled between stations. However, none have been able to utilize GPS data to examine actual routes taken on CaBi. This is the first to do so and only the second such study in the United States, analyzing GPS tracks of 94 bikeshare bicycles between stations in the Washington, DC area. The analysis distinguishes riders by short (24h or 3-day) and long-term (monthly and annual) CaBi membership. Goals of the analysis are: (1) to provide a snapshot of the geographic areas where bikes are taken; (2) identify individual roadway segments used by CaBi bicycles; (3) correlate routes taken by CaBi with bicycle infrastructure supply; (4) highlight gaps in the bike infrastructure network; and (5) describe dwelling behavior of CaBi users to see where users stop without checking bikes back into a CaBi station. Results provide new information needed to support cycling policy and planning for both CaBi and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), suggesting effective places to install new CaBi stations and cycling infrastructure. SHORT OVERVIEW: CAPITABL BIKESHARE (CaBi) CaBi is the bikeshare system for the Washington, DC area including DC, Arlington, VA, Alexandria, VA, and Montgomery County, MD. The system replaced a smaller program called SmartBike D.C., which operated from 2008-2010 [7]. CaBi comprises over 3,000 bicycles and 350 stations. As of 2014, the system registered 27,600 annual or 30-day members [8]. A membership is required to rent a CaBi bike and several membership options are available: 24-hour and 3-day memberships are classified as short-term or casual users, and 30day and annual subscriptions are recorded as members. Once registered, the first 30 minutes of each trip are free, after which fees apply that increase by time used. This structure encourages short trips and frequent docking of bikes. For extended trips, CaBi recommends renting from a local bike rental shop. Bulk annual CaBi memberships may be purchased by local corporations as a benefit to their employees. Hotels may also purchase daily memberships for their guests. Key fobs may be obtained by members for quick access to bicycles without having to use the touchscreen system to check out a bike at a docking station. CaBi trip data are publicly available. The data include the following information for every trip (between check-out and check-in of a bicycle) made in the system: duration, start station, start time, end station, end time, subscription type, and bike number. In addition, CaBi Wergin and Buehler 3 collects data on its members as part of the membership subscription process. Several studies have used surveys of members and users to summarize demographic data of CaBi users [5, 7, 8]. For example, Buck et al. [5] completed a study on both member (monthly and annual) and casual (daily and 3-day) CaBi users. Casual users had an average age of 35, 52 percent were female, and 53 percent cited tourism as their trip purpose. Furthermore, the average casual user was a frequent cyclist, a domestic tourist, and travels with a group [7]. The most recent study of member users shows 63 percent under 35 years old, 59 percent male, and 74 percent at least occasionally using bikeshare for commuting to work [8]. About 50 percent of CaBi members cited lack of cycling infrastructure as a barrier to cycling, 43 percent cited poor connectivity between bike paths/lanes, and 30 percent cited lack of separation of bike lanes from car traffic [8]. Casual users were generally unsatisfied with DC bicycle infrastructure, 43 percent expressing some level of dissatisfaction, versus 29 percent expressing satisfaction. 30 percent of casual users requested more stations around the National Mall [7]. The share of residents regularly biking to work in Washington, DC increased from 0.8 percent in 1990 to over 4.5 percent in 2013. During the same time the city has greatly expanded its bicycle infrastructure. DDOT [9] reports that the city has 56 miles of trails, 69 miles of bike lanes, and 6 miles of cycle tracks. Areas within the National Parks, including the National Mall, also provide roads with low motorized traffic volumes and sidewalks on which to ride. The city welcomed 20.2 million visitors in 2014 and was the 8 most popular U.S. destination for foreign tourists [10]. LITERATURE REVIEW: STUDYING BIKESHARE USER BEHAVIOR USING GPS Based on a search of the Transportation Research Board's TRID database, the Web of Science, and Google Scholar, no prior study has analyzed routes of CaBi bicycles between docking stations using Global Positioning Systems (GPS). Similarly, our literature search only identified one study analyzing routes of bikeshare bikes between docking stations using GPS [11]. Therefore, the review below includes studies using GPS to identify routes of both bikeshare and cycling in general. The review also briefly highlights possible advantages of using GPS compared to stated preference surveys and post-trip revealed preference surveys of route choice. Using GPS data to study bicycle route choice has several advantages. Previous literature has relied heavily on stated preference surveys to examine route choice [12]. This method makes data collection easier, allowing participants to choose their preferred route based on photos or maps. However, the accuracy is routinely called into question, as there is not always a direct correspondence between the stated preference and actual behavior [13]. As noted by Broach et al. [14], other drawbacks include strategic bias—when a respondent changes answers in an effort to influence policy decisions—as well as inability of cyclists to accurately recall previous routes. Revealed preference studies seek to solve this issue by asking respondents to trace routes that they have actually taken. While such post-trip questionnaires are still subjective tools prone to recall error, GPS tracking permits objective measurement of routes [15]. GPS tracking is a form of revealed preference. However, carrying a device and being aware that one's preference is being recorded may influence behavior—noted as a problem in a GPS study by Dill & Gliebe [16]. That study tasked participants to activate a GPS device during bicycle trips, and found that cyclists generally do not travel on the shortest route possible—rather they go out of their way to ride on bicycle facilities and low traffic streets. Harrison et al. [17] completed a similar study of bicycle routes to school using GPS devices. Wergin and Buehler 4 Smartphones with GPS technology have recently allowed researchers to complete studies without the need for separate devices. Hood et al. [18] completed such a study using the mobile app CycleTracks. Users opened the app, entered trip purpose and other information, and went on their way. Melson et al. [19] used a similar smartphone application to estimate the impact of bridge attributes on cyclist behavior. Halldorsdottir et al. [20] combi


Internet of bio nano things (IoBNT) is a recent concept which foresees the possibility to interconnect biological or artificial nano devices to the Internet. This would enable the inner part of the human body as part of the global network. One of the major challenge to provide this inter-connectivity is how to move the information from outside to inside the body. This paper proposes a bio-optical communication (BOC) as a potential solution. The paper proposes to use a visible light communication (VLC) LED-based lamp to send a message to the human brain using the eye retina as a relay node. In fact, the eye and the brain can be seen as a natural VLC receiver. We aim to demonstrate that a VLC signal with specific configuration parameters (frequency, etc.) can be successfully demodulated at the brain level and to provide analytically the channel capacity of the communication link.


A network model is described which is composed of reprogrammable neurons, incorporating the following design features: (1) spikes can be generated by a model representing repetitive firing at axon (and dendritic) trigger zones; (2) active responses (plateau potentials; delaying mechanisms) are simulated with Hodgkin-Huxley-type kinetics; (3) synaptic interactions, both spike-mediated and nonspiking chemical (chemotonic), simulate transmitter release and binding to postsynaptic receptors; facilitation and antifacilitation of spike-mediated postsynaptic potentials (PSPs) are included; (4) chemical pools are used to simulate second messenger systems, trapping ions in extracellular spaces, and electrogenic pumps, as well as biochemical reaction chains of quite general character; modulation of any of the parameters of any compartment can be effected through the pools; and (5) intracellular messengers of three kinds are simulated explicitly: those produced by voltage-gated processes (e.g. Ca), those dependent on transmitter (or hormone) binding; and those dependent on other internal messengers (e.g. internally released Ca; enzymatically activated pathways). >


We consider the hyperboloidal initial value problem for the Einstein equations in numerical relativity, motivated by the goal to evolve radiating compact objects such as black hole binaries with a numerical grid that includes null infinity. Unconstrained evolution schemes promise optimal efficiency, but are difficult to regularize at null infinity, where the compactified Einstein equations are formally singular. In this work we treat the spherically symmetric case, which already poses nontrivial problems and constitutes an important first step. We have carried out stable numerical evolutions with the generalized BSSN and Z4 equations coupled to a scalar field. The crucial ingredients have been to find an appropriate evolution equation for the lapse function and to adapt constraint damping terms to handle null infinity.


Very few sexual criminals recidivate with a new sexual crime. Moreover, the recidivism rate for sex offenders is much lower than for property offenders. Christiansen et al. (1965) recently analyzed the recidivism rate of sexual criminals received during a ten-year period, with the following results : Out of 2,934 male sexual criminals, who were re-examined 12 to 24 years after conviction, 714 (24.3 per cent) recidivated into crime although they appeared in court a total of 937 times. The recidivism rate of 24.3 per cent, however, includes recidivism of all kinds. The rate of recidivism with new sexual crime is only about 10 per cent. A more detailed analysis revealed that first offenders had a recidivism rate of only 6.9 per cent for new sexual offenses, whereas persons with a prior history of recidivism now recidivated at a rate of 23 per cent for new sexual offenses. On the other hand, persons whose prior history consisted of mixed property and sexual offenses recidivated at a rate of 25 per cent for new sex offenses and had a total recidivism rate of 45 per cent. Similarly, persons whose prior history had included only property offenses had a sex offense recidivism rate of 9.7 per cent, that is, their sexual recidivism rate was slightly higher than that of first-time sexual offenders. Of special significance was the finding that the probability of committing a new sex offense seemed to be independent of age, provided that the groups at both extremes of the age continuum were excluded. The likelihood of recidivating with the same kind of sexual offense is greatest in the case of those forms of sexual behavior which are considered the most deviant from a strictly psychiatric point of view, namely indecency toward children and ex-


The public sector in many countries is initially experimenting with and then adopting various forms of Cloud Computing (CC) services, in order to take advantage of the important benefits it can offer over the traditional 'on-premises' model concerning the electronic support of their operations. This study empirically investigates the extent of use of the simplest form of CC services, the Cloud Storage (CS), by the Greek Municipalities, as well as the factors that affect it. Our theoretical background is Rogers' 'Diffusion of Innovation Theory'. The study is based on data collected through a questionnaire from 121 Greek Municipalities. The results of this study paint an encouraging picture: some important steps have been taken concerning the utilization of this technology by the Greek Municipalities, and also there are positive future trends. But at the same time, they indicate a rather defensive and conservative approach of the Greek Municipalities towards the adoption of CS. We have found that its adoption is mainly affected by the perceptions of the Municipalities about the level of threats that this technology poses (mainly the risks of loss, destruction or improper modification of their data), its compatibility with existing procedures, needs and culture, as well as its application complexity and difficulty. However, CS adoption does not seem to be affected by Municipalities' perceptions about the extent of comparative advantages (in comparison with the traditional 'on-premises' model) it offers.


The implications of ventricular fibrillation induced during elect rophysiologic testing are unclear. To determine the profile of patients in whom this arrhythmia occurs and to determine whether it has any prognostic value, follow-up data were obtained on all patients in whom this arrhythmia was in duced in our laboratory during a ventricular stimulation protocol over an 18-month period. Of 836 patients tested, 29 (27 men and 2 women) had inducible ventricular fibrillation. Most (52%) had coronary disease and 12 (41%) had suffered a prior myocardial infarction. All but 3 had some form of heart disease. Sixteen (55%) had abnormal left ventricular function. Eleven (38%) presented with spontaneous sustained ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. Eight others had a history of nonsustained ventricular tachycardia.Follow-up was obtained for a mean of 12 months.

In spite of therapy, 2 patients died an arrhythmic death, 1 was resuscitated from ventricular fibrillation, 1 had spontaneous sustained ventricular tachycardia, 4 had inducible sustained ventricular tachycardia, 2 continued to have inducible ventricular fibrillation at second study, and 1 had recurrent syncope. Five patients had ventricular fibrillation induced on multiple occasions.

Ventricular fibrillation induced during electraphysiologic study was found primarily in patients with structural heart disease and appeared reasonably reproducible. When reproducible, ventricular fibrillation appears to indicate a poor prognosis rather than an aspecific finding. The clinical profile of our poor prognosis group includes a history of prior ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation and the presence of coronary artery disease.


Resumen en: The purpose of this paper is more than simply disclosing the ideas of the early modern physician Cristobal Mendez (c. 1500-c. 1553) about the healthful...