The antibacterial activities of cinnamic acid,4-methoxycinnamic acid and 4-hydroxycinnamic acid against E.coli,B.subtilis,St.aureus,C.albicans,and A.niger were studied.The results showed that these three kinds cinnamic acid compounds could inhibit these microbes tested.To bacterial,4-hydroxycinnamic acid is the best,the minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC) to B.subtilis is 0.5 mg/mL and the minimum bactericidal concentration(MBC) is 0.75 mg/mL.To fungi,cinnamic acid is the best,the MIC to C.albicans is 0.125 mg/mL and the minimum fungal concentration(MFC) is 0.5 mg/mL.The relationship between the configuration and the effect of cinnamic acid compounds is discussed in this paper.


A time series forecasting model,based on hierarchical genetic algorithm and BP neural network,was proposed.Different from the existing BP training method that can only lead to determination of connection weights,a well-designed hierarchical genetic algorithm was used to train BP neural network with both connection weights and numbers of neurons in a hidden layer determined at the same time.The model was then used to forecast the market of railway passenger traffic.It is shown that the model based on hierarchical genetic algorithm and BP neural network is simple and effective.


This paper proposes the inclusion of performance and reliability metrics monitoring to manage risk in the development of computer-based systems. It provides a description of these two metric systems, as well as recommendations as to when and how to use them to reduce program risk associated with schedule delays and cost overruns.


INTRODUCTION ONCE a physicist has studied the harmonic oscillator, it is hard to stop him from finding one under every bed. It becomes the starting point and common element in the analysis of a variety of complicated problems and continues to show up even in the grand unified theories (GUT) of contemporary physics. In our studies of medical imaging systems over the last decade we similarly find that there are elements common to all systems which, when properly understood, simplify the analysis and understanding of these systems and their performance. We present here a brief introductory overview of these elements. The detailed mathematical foundations together with applications to most of the major medical imaging modalities will be presented in our grand unified analysis of (GUANO) medical imaging systems later this year. The starting point in the analysis is the recognition that imaging systems can be simplified to two stages-but no further. The first of the two irreducible stages is the detection stage, where the data is acquired and recorded; and the second is the display stage, where the recorded data is arranged in the form of an image and played back through a display device for a human observer [1]. Disregard of this fundamental distinction inevitably leads to confusion and errors regarding imaging systems, most commonly when a reconstruction or image processing algorithm is treated as if it belonged to the detection stage (e.g., attempts to find "low dose algorithms" for CT). The two stages are shown schematically in Fig. 1 for a CT system.


This paper discusses the feasibility of using the Langumir probe as adiagnostic tool for plasma in Vacuum Arc Coating (VAC) processes, and thevalidity of probe theories in this situation. A system has been set up for the insitu diagnesis of VAC plasma. Plasma parametere have been diagnosed nudervarious process parameters.


Many factors influence the shear resistance of rock joints. Among them, the above overburden load is the most important factor. The uneven thickness of the overburden causes the joints to be subjected to the nonuniform distribution load. While the peak shear strength shows nonlinear relationship with normal stress, linear superposition cannot be used to calculate the overall shear resistance of joint under nonuniform normal stress distribution. In this paper, the nonlinear shear strength model, JRC-JCS model, is applied to study the overall shear resistance of the joint under four nonuniform distribution patterns of normal stress. The results show that when the normal stress is distributed in a nonuniform way, the shear resistance provided by rock joint as a whole decreases with the increase of the normal stress distribution interval. Given the nonuniform distribution of normal stress along the joint, the shear resistance obtained by the Mohr-Coulomb linear model is overestimated. In order to give full play to the overall shear performance of the joint, the shear strength at different positions on the joint should be as close as possible. Then, the shear strength of joint parts can enter peak state condition simultaneously, at which time the shear strength is fully exerted.


Melasma is a common acquired hypermelanosis of sun‐exposed skin, particularly on the face, which presents as symmetric, light‐ to gray‐brown‐colored macules and patches. There are several studies of serum zinc levels in cutaneous disorders. So far, no studies have been carried out to assess the serum zinc level in patients with melasma. The aim of this study is to determine the serum zinc level in patients with melasma compared to healthy subjects.


In today's information age, the importance of developing technology to adapt to; as in every sector in the construction sector is growing well. As advancing rapidly technological developments in the sector of construction, to be required to themselves continuously renew to follow are closely these developments in the staff working in the sector. Therefore, laboratory technicians working in the sector of ready-mixed concrete in-service training programs are implemented became imperative. In this study ready-mixed concrete industry to be applied to the laboratory technician in-service training programs are to be preparing to win on knowledge, skills and attitudes of the business analysis to be detected via a sample curriculum has been prepared.


With the expectation that the new administration and the new Congress will undertake significant tax reform, this article seeks to provide a comprehensive view of how seemingly neutral legislation in the form of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") disadvantages Latinos. If tax reform is ever to correct the many inequities outlined in this paper, education of legislators and other policymakers is of paramount importance. To this end, I recognize that the complexity of the Code is such that the big picture is often lost in details. Accordingly, this article is not a technical one. Instead, I paint with a broad brush seeking to acquaint the non-tax expert as to how the Code impinges on a particular population in a way that surely must be unintended. It is with this breadth and accessibility that perhaps some meaningful tax reform is possible. With these preliminary observations, Part I begins with a brief overview of Latinos and taxation. Part II of this Article will address Tax Policy and Latinos. Part II discusses in turn: the tax effects of Latino culture; the effects of Latino low-income status; taxation and Latino educational attainment; and undocumented residents. Part III deals with particular problem areas which include relative tax burdens and Latinos, Social Security and pension plans, the earned income tax credit, and state tax issues. My conclusion is that the seemingly neutral provisions of the Code affect Latinos in specific and non-equitable ways. In order for legislators and policymakers to undertake informed tax reform that is fundamentally fair to all requires a broad appreciation that the Code can affect different populations of taxpayers in


Nowadays, it is widely acknowledged that the problem of odour pollution is extremely important and requires immediate action. The problem is high also at European Union's political agenda, which highlights the issue of odours at European level and seeks to apply innovative tools, such as direct citizen participation and education, modelling and mapping tools, in order to tackle the problem and propose a related legislative framework and establish rules for controlling and reducing odour disturbances.In this context, a key feature is the creation of an exchange of views to inform and understand the nature of odour incidents, with the joint involvement of authorities, citizens, universities and odour producers, with the aim of exploring mutually acceptable solutions.To the best of our knowledge, there are very few studies that deal with the issue of odour nuisance, even less that focus on the western part of the city of Thessaloniki. The treatment of odour annoyance associated with industrial and other activities in the area of Dendropotamos, Menemeni, Kalochori is considered as an appropriate case for the implementation of this study. The combination of the odour issue and at the same time the environmental impact on the area make this case extremely interesting.The current study aims at proposing a methodology that is based on Citizen Science and stakeholder engagement, which provides for active participation in scientific endeavours that generate new knowledge or perceptions. The proposed approach is part of the methodology initiated by the European Commission Horizon 2020 Project D-NOSES. The main objective of the study is to understand the problem and through stakeholder engagement and the active involvement of as many parties as possible, who are affected by the problem, to improve the impact of odours in the area. Training seminars, bilateral interviews and discussions assisted in developing a common understanding and goals, while an electronic application, the Odour Collect, developed for this purpose can report 'real-time' odour incidents and give them qualitative features. The results from the case study of Thessaloniki are presented in this paper and could further assist decision makers and key player to propose measures for improving the current situation.Key words: Odour Nuisance; Odour; Citizen Science; Stakeholder Engagement; Stakeholders Consultation; Participatory Approach; Statistical Analysis; Thessal


The tension in an anterior cruciate ligament graft may not be normal when the femoral tunnel is placed using the single-incision arthroscopic technique because the femoral tunnel is drilled through the tibial tunnel. We hypothesized that the in vivo tensile behavior of the double-looped semitendinosus and gracilis tendon graft can be normal or abnormal compared with the native anterior cruciate ligament, that the placement and angle of the tibial tunnel can predict the tensile behavior of the graft, that the graft with abnormal tensile behavior is associated with a nonanatomically placed tibial tunnel, and that the tensile behavior of the graft determines the stability of the reconstructed knee at 1 year. Total tension in the graft and knee flexion angle were measured in 14 subjects as the knee was flexed from 0° to 90°. A graft force greater than 40 N at 80° of flexion was considered abnormal. One year after surgery, the angle and position of the tibial tunnel were determined from roentgenograms, and knee stability was measured with a KT-1000 arthrometer. The criteria for anatomic tibial tunnel placement in the sagittal and coronal planes were derived from magnetic resonance images of uninjured knees. The tensile graft behavior was either normal (4 of 14) or abnormal (10 of 14) with the single-incision arthrosopic technique. The angle of the tibial tunnel in the coronal plane was predictive of abnormal tensile behavior. Abnormal tensile behavior occurred in anatomically placed tibial tunnels and was compatible with a stable and functional reconstructed knee at 1 year.


With the recent advancement in semiconductor technology, SiC Mosfets with a high blocking voltage, e.g. 10kV, and a high switching frequency, e.g. 100kHz, has been fabricated and bring great opportunities for medium voltage (MV) converters to have a high power density while achieving simple architectures compared to conventional multilevel converters. However, the high blocking voltage and high switching frequency results in a high dV/dt during switching transients, causing a serious common-mode (CM) current noise that circulates through gate driver (GD) and control circuit, which can interrupt the operation of the MV converters. Therefore, in order to ensure a proper operation of the MV converters, gate driver power supplies (GDPSs) should have a low coupling capacitance as well as a high voltage insulation. This paper presents a compact dual-output isolated power supply (PS) powering GD circuits of medium voltage (MV) converters, which satisfies the two above requirements. The impact of rectifier and shielding on the coupling capacitance is analyzed in details. The proposed PS is based on the principle of wireless power transfer (WPT) with one transmitter (Tx) coil powering two receiver (Rx) coils simultaneously at the operation frequency of 4MHz. These coils are fabricated on a single PCB. Measurements are performed to validate the designed gate driver power supply (GDPS) and show that it achieves a compact size and a high voltage isolation while maintaining a low coupling capacitance.


Ideal tumor marker should have potential clinical values in early diagnosis, monitoring of the residual, recurrence and distant metastasis of the disease. It also plays a role in the prediction of prognosis of the disease and evaluation of its sensitivity to radiotherapy and chemoradiotherapy. The article reviewed the current status of research about the tumor marker related to nasopharyngeal carcinoma.


This i s a t h e s i s on the i n t e r a c t i o n between the id e o l o g i e s and discourses of l e g a l and-media p r o f e s s i o n a l s i n c o n f l i c t over camera access to c r i m i n a l court proceedings i n B r i t i s h Columbia. A deconstruction approach i s taken to penetrate some of the r h e t o r i c of the ongoing debate. The id e o l o g i e s and d i s c u r s i v e underpinnings of the respective p r o f e s s i o n a l groups provided the framework from which to examine some of the reasons f o r the controversy and the p o t e n t i a l areas f o r convergence of l e g a l and media perspectives. A d e t a i l e d examination of court precedents and p u b l i c p o l i c y on cameras access i s offered, followed by a d i s c u s s i o n of s o c i a l science w r i t i n g s that help to frame the controversy. Issues regarding the p r o p r i e t y of cameras i n the courtroom are canvassed through interviews with media and l e g a l members, i n c l u d i n g t h e i r opinion of t e l e v i s i o n coverage of the O.J. Simpson t r i a l , the q u a l i t y of c r i m i n a l court t e l e v i s i o n coverage, and the p o t e n t i a l f o r the t e l e v i s i o n media to inf l u e n c e t r i a l proceedings and p u b l i c r e a c t i o n . The data gathered underscore d i f f e r e n c e s between media and l e g a l groups over whether cameras should be allowed to broadcast court proceedings. Evident i n the fi n d i n g s i s a v a r i a t i o n of opinion on the q u a l i t y of t e l e v i s i o n news coverage: the media a n t i c i p a t e that improvement would occur i f video coverage was permitted, while l e g a l members s t r e s s the media's lack of knowledge about the courts and i n the profit-making motives. There was a c l e a r r e c o g n i t i o n by the majority of a l l interviewees that cameras were detrimental i n the O.J. t r i a l , p o t e n t i a l l y problematic f o r future court proceedings, and that audiences could be ne g a t i v e l y influenced by p u b l i c l y t e l e v i s e d proceedings; nevertheless the media group was adamant about gaining camera access to the courtroom. The majority of the l e g a l group was st r o n g l y opposed to the idea. The d i f f e r e n t p o s i t i o n s of the l e g a l and media members are traceable i n part, to di f f e r e n c e s i n t h e i r r e s p e c t i v e p r o f e s s i o n a l discourses. The noted disparate elements and c o n t r a d i c t i o n s are i d e n t i f i e d as p o t e n t i a l grounds of convergence f o r the two sides of the debate.


Site effects are rarely considered for earthquake triggering of rock slope failures, however measurements suggest that fracturing of the rock mass within active slope instabilities can amplify shaking by factors of up to 8. At the Randa instability in Switzerland, we measured significant spectral amplification within the unstable rock mass, which we relate through numerical modeling to compliant tension fractures. Slope deformation results in preferential fracture opening, creating meso-scale anisotropy in rock mass moduli. However, another source of damage – preceding earthquakes – also results in systematic fracturing, which can in turn generate site effects in subsequent earthquakes. This feedback is demonstrated in a case study of the Rawilhorn rock avalanche, triggered by the second earthquake of a sequence. We show how the first earthquake damaged the rock mass, opening a number of discontinues, and that this new fracturing created amplified shaking in the next earthquake, likely contributing to failure.


Food and nutrition in the management of group feeding programmes , Food and nutrition in the management of group feeding programmes , مرکز فناوری اطلاعات و اطلاع رسانی کشاورزی


This paper describes a methodology to determine a set of optimum nonlinear system parameters for a passive suspension system (PSS) by using the evolutionary algorithms so that the best performance of the system can be achieved. The selected fitness functions are based on the desired performance such as sprung mass acceleration, suspension deflection, and tire deflection. A dynamic step-size operator is incorporated in the evolutionary algorithm for fine-tuning the mutation process. The simulation results show that the proposed method can provide better ride comfort and road holding ability in comparison with the commonly used passive suspension system.


Dynamic I-V characteristics of megawatt pulsed MPD-ARC plasma thruster under various axial magnetic fields given for Ar and hydrogen propellants


An experiment was carried out at Department of Fruit Science, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology Meerut (U.P), India during two consecutive years i.e., 2021-22 and 2022-23 to assess the Influence of foliar Spray of NAA and Zinc on growth, flowering, fruiting, yield and quality of Guava (Psidium guajava L.) cv. L-49 under western U.P. conditions. The foliar spray of micronutrients along with plant growth regulators play an important role in manipulating many physiological phenomena, improving the yield and quality and enhanced the productivity of plants by fulfilling the nutritional needs of fruit crops. Twelve treatments viz., three level of NAA (0, 50, and 75 ppm) and four level of Zinc (0, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 %) with their combinations were used, which were replicated in factorial Randomized Block Design. Results showed NAA @75 ppm (N2) individually registered yield of 53.75 and 53.06 kg/plant the application of Zinc at 0.8 % (Zn3) concentration recorded yield of 53.86 and 53.17 kg/plant. Interactive effect of naphthalene acetic acid and Zinc (N2Zn3) treatments registered yield of 59.56 and 58.81 kg/plant while quality parameter pectin was in the range of 0.79 and 0.80 % with treatment naphthalene acetic acid @75 ppm (N2) and Zinc at 0.8 % (Zn3) individually recorded 0.80 and 0.82 % outperformed the other treatments. The combination could be ideal and recommended for the production of guava in the Indo-Gangetic plains in western India.


Introduction The global increase of the aging population presents major challenges to healthcare service delivery. Further, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed older adults' vulnerability to rapid deterioration of health when deprived of access to care due to the need for social distancing. Robotic technology advancements show promise to improve provision of quality care, support independence for patients and augment the capabilities of clinicians to perform tasks remotely. Aim This study explored the feasibility and end-user acceptance of using a novel human-like tele-robotic system with touch feedback to conduct a remote medical examination and deliver safe care. Method Testing of a remotely controlled robot was conducted with in-person clinician support to gather ECG readings of 11 healthy participants through a digital medical device. Post-study feedback about the system and the remote examinations conducted was obtained from study participants and study clinicians. Results The findings demonstrated the system's capability to support remote examination of participants, and validated the system's perceived acceptability by clinicians and end-users who all reported feeling safe interacting with the robot and 72% preferred remote robotic exam over in-person examination. Conclusion This paper discusses potential implications of robot-assisted telehealth for patients including older adults who are precluded from having in-person medical visits due to geographic distance or mobility, and proposes next steps for advancing robot-assisted telehealth delivery.


The groundbreaking study on metaphor started with Lakoff and Johnson's Metaphors We Live By (1980) which showed that metaphors are part of our everyday language and thought. This study aims to analyze the use of emotion-specific metaphors in Andrea Hirata's Tetralogy Laskar Pelangi based on the metaphor classification of Kövecses (2015) and Lakoff and Johnson's conceptual metaphors (1980) with a descriptive qualitative approach. As the analytical framework, we adopt the Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT) proposed by Lakoff and Johnson (1980). We find 349 metaphorical expressions, thereunder 76 metaphors for the concepts of love, anger, fear, and sadness. These 349 metaphorical expressions consist of 318 dynamic metaphors and 33 conventional metaphors. The dynamic metaphor is the supreme and most important stylistic feature in Tetralogy Laskar Pelangi. Those metaphors are not just stylistic language features, but they also represent meaningful content as a reflection of Indonesian culture. This study will hopefully be beneficial for language teaching and learning in Indonesia, e.g., metaphors can be taught in high school (12th grade) using the curriculum of 2013.


Objective: To describe Presentation of FCCM in an infant.
 Background: Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are rare low-flow vascular malformations; hemorrhage can result in significant morbidity and mortality. Familial cerebral cavernous malformations (FCCM) are defined as the occurrence of CCMs in at least two family members and/or the presence of multiple CCMs and/or the presence of a disease causing mutation in one of the three genes in which mutations are known to cause familial CCM. FCCM typically manifests between 20 to 30 years of age, but clinical manifestations can occur at any age.
 Methods: Our patient is a 6 month old Caucasian baby boy who was the product of full term cesarean section and meeting milestones. He presented to the emergency room with right eye deviation and right hemiparesis over three days. Maternal history was significant for multiple intra-cerebral cavernous angiomas diagnosed at 30 years of age.
 Results: CT head revealed a hyperdense lesion over the pontine medullary junction. Subsequent MRI brain w/wo contrast revealed multiple cavernomas. There was surrounding edema and hemorrhage in a cavernoma over left anterior medulla which was responsible for his symptoms. MRA head was normal. Genetic work-up is pending. Although Surgery has been considered efficient treatment option for CCMs, it was deferred for our patient given location of lesion and age of this patient.
 Conclusions: In the case report we describe the first infant to present with FCCM. Majority of individuals present with CCMs are symptomatic between the second and fifth decades. In one study, 9[percnt] of individuals were symptomatic before age ten years, 62[percnt]-72[percnt] between ages ten and 40 years, and 19[percnt] after age 40 years [Gunel et al 1996]. Functional outcome is mostly determined by the location of CCM lesions, with brainstem and basal ganglia lesions having a worse prognosis. Disclosure: Dr. Kaur has nothing to disclose. Dr. Andriola has received personal compensation for activities with UCB as a speaker. Dr. Manganas has nothing to disclose.


stressed and unstressed syllables; only with regard to speech is realised prosody considered. But verse of course may be realised as speech, and as such will have its isochronous chains. Couper-Kuhlen states (p. 112) 'the level of scansion in verse can be assumed to be periodic by virtue of its regular structure', and Abercrombie (1964) believed verse and other speech were alike in their possession of isochrony, but that verse was set apart by its organisation into lines, whose ends were marked by silent beats; he believed verse was unwaveringly isochronous. Are these assumptions justified? Are the 'basic beats' of the metre isochronous? Does any such isochrony subsist throughout a text? If not, do the boundaries of isochronous chains correspond systematically with identifiable features in the text, such as line boundaries? Is isochrony ever disrupted for rhetorical effects, with or without correlates in the text? Couper-Kuhlen has, with rigorous experimentation. not only advanced our knowledge of isochrony in English, but given future experimenters a means of measuring subjective impressions of timing, of testing for perceived regularity in verse rhythm and codifying its manifestations and any deviations from it. This is the book's value to metrists. Couper-Kuhlen has, in her analysis of turn transitions. shown that a basic theory of rhythm can fruitfully be applied to other areas of linguistics. The stylisticians should now take a turn.


Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the association between the belief-based factors (attitude, subjective norm (SN) and perceived behavioural control (PBC)) and environmental management accounting (EMA) practices.

Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), the study develops a structural model and uses partial least squares (PLS) technique to analyse data collected based on a survey of the Australian cotton farmers.

Findings
The findings indicate that while attitude and PBC significantly influence farmers' intention to adopt EMA practices, SN has a significant indirect influence on EMA practices through farmers' attitude and PBC. Further, the study reveals that while the intention of more environmentally friendly farmers is largely influenced by attitude and SN, the intention of less environmentally friendly farmers is primarily driven by PBC.

Practical implications
The study provides important insights into the role of attitude, SN and PBC in motivating farmers towards adopting EMA practices. Such insights could also help farmers in designing effective EMA practices.

Originality/value
This study contributes to very limited EMA literature on TPB by integrating three belief-based factors namely attitude, SN and PBC.


An apparatus for generating a transmission signal has a signal generator (100) for generating a first signal having a first frequency spectrum includes a carrier frequency. It has a power control unit (103) for providing a power information signal representing information on a signal level of the transmission signal. Furthermore, it has has a first signal shaper (102) for noise shaping the first signal as a function of the power information signal to a second signal, the noise components in at least one frequency range abseitig the carrier frequency. The apparatus has a signal output (108) for providing said second signal as a transmission signal.


In greenhouse behavioural assessments conducted at Seibersdorf, Austria that allowed flies the choice of different types of potted host trees and plants, it was found that mature laboratory mass‐reared Mediterranean fruit fly males, Ceratitis capitata (Wied), (Dipt. Tephritidae), strain Vienna‐42 (temperature‐sensitive lethal genetic sexing strain) showed the same preference for orange foliage, over other plants types and parts, as wild males. They aggregated in leks, released pheromone, and courted approaching females almost exclusively on orange foliage. Even though a number of other trees and plants were available to Vienna‐42 males, less than 1% of these sexual activities occurred on the foliage or other plant parts of non‐Citrus trees and not a single mating occurred there. In choice tests carried out in Chios, Greece in large field cages housing naturally planted orange trees, it was determined that mature and sterile Mediterranean fruit fly males of the same sexing strain responded to the odour emanating from the flavedo (due to superficial cuts made in the fruit peel containing the oil glands) of ripening sweet, sour oranges and lemons, in a similar intensity, order of fruit preference and time of day as did mature males of the local wild population. Males of both strains were frequently observed contacting with their mouth parts the oils exuding from the cuts made in the flavedo of the orange peel, or exhibiting homosexual activity on, or near the cuts. The results show that mass‐reared, sterile males of the Vienna‐42, genetic sexing strain behave in a comparable way to wild males in an important component of habitat location (odour of host foliage and host fruit) and hence are competitive with them in these respects. None of the standard international quality control tests for sterile Mediterranean fruit flies evaluates this important habitat location behaviour, which is a prerequisite for the successful encounter of the sexes in a sterile release programme.


Data sharing, and the good annotation practices it depends on, must become part of the fabric of daily research for researchers and funders. Development of high-throughput genomic and postgenomic technologies has caused a change in approaches to data handling and processing (1). One biological sample might be used to generate many kinds of "big" data in parallel, such as genome sequence (genomics), patterns of gene and protein expression (transcriptomics and proteomics), and metabolite concentrations and fluxes (metabolomics). Extensive computer manipulations are required for even basic analyses of such data; the challenges mount further when two or more studies' outputs must be compared or integrated.


Background: According to the ancient system of medicine Vataj Prakriti females are more prone for infertility. Many studies have been carried out to determine the association between Dehaj Prakriti and specific diseases, whereas to understand the direct relationship between Vataj Prakriti and infertility still need more studies. Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate the association between infertility and Prakriti using modern diagnostic tool, i.e., Karyotyping. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted as a randomized controlled study on 50 infertile females by evaluating their Prakriti and Karyotyping and to find out the relationship between both of them. Study was conducted at Sir Sunderlal Hospital, IMS, BHU, and Cytogenetic Lab, Department of Anatomy, IMS, BHU. Prakriti was assessed by Performa (questionnaire-based) and Karyotyping was done by G-banding Technique. Correlation between Prakriti and Karyogram and other factors such as age, chief complaints, menstrual history, and endocrine profile were assessed. Results: The overall Vataj Prakriti females were 72% out of these 01% are Turner's, and 18% are Turner Mosaic. The study identified a statistically significant relationship between Vataj Prakriti and infertility. Conclusion: Results of the present study suggested that the Vataj Prakriti females were more prone for infertility than pittaj and kaphaj Prakriti and all abnormal karyogram is also associated with Vataj Prakriti.


We present DWDM nanophotonics architectures based on microring resonator modulators and detectors. We focus on two implementations: an on chip interconnect for multicore processor (Corona) and a network that uses high-radix switches (HyperX). Based on the requirements of these applications we discuss the key constraints on the photonic circuits' devices and fabrication techniques as well as strategies to improve their performance.


eral visual symptoms 39%, hypacusia 26%, ataxia 26%, dysarthria 22%, bilateral paresthesias 13%, and decreased level of consciousness 13%. Intense emotional stimuli (74%) and sleep disorders (65%) were the most common trigger factors, followed by change in weather, sunshine, cold wind, acute stress, alcohol, and fatigue. Conclusion. Basilar-type migraine is an episodic disorder and occurred in 1.5% of patients with headache. More than one-half of patients have their first attack in the second and third decade of life. Trigger factors were common, and patients should be educated to avoid trigger factors.


Objective To discuss the effects of extract of Ginkgo BilobaLeaves(EGb) on expression of cytokine of renal interstitial fibrosis induced by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and extracellular matrix. Methods Cultured human kidney cells(HKC) were divided into three groups: control group,TGF-β1(8 ng/mL) group,and TGF-β1(8 ng/mL) added EGb(25,50,100,150 mg/L)group.After 72 h,expression of α-SMA was detected by cell immunochemistry ABC,and collagen type I by Real-time PCR and Western blotting. Results Treated with TGF-β1(8 ng/mL) for 72 h,expression of α-SMA and collagen type Ⅰ were up-regulated markedly compared with control group.Treated with EGb(25,50,100,150 mg/L)and TGF-β1(8 ng/mL)concomitantly for 72 h,expression of α-SMA and collagen typeⅠ were down-regulated in dosage dependent manner compared with TGF-β1 group. Conclusion EGb can inhibit expression of α-SMA and collagen type I in HKC induced by TGF-β1,and the possible mechanism might be related to the inhibition of EGb on renal tubular epithelial-myofibroblast transdifferentiation.


This article asks whether proprietary restitution can be accommodated within an absence of basis structure. The question has become an important topic for two reasons. First, it feeds into the question of the proper basis of the resulting trust. William Swadling has argued that the presumption of resulting trust is a presumption of a declaration of trust, and that of advancement not a presumption at all.1 Robert Chambers replied by arguing the exact converse.2 He did so by arguing that the resulting trust responds to unjust enrichment and in particular it responds to an absence of legal basis for the transfer. However, the topic is also important because the, by now very sophisticated, debate on whether the English law of unjust enrichment should adopt the Civilian structure has largely bypassed the question of proprietary remedies, possibly because they are themselves so contested in any event. This article looks at the question from a comparative perspective: examining the structure of German, Scots and South African law can inform the question of the ease with which English law could accommodate such proprietary claims were it to accept an absence of basis structure. These jurisdictions have been chosen for a number of reasons. Much of the comparative work done on the structure of the English law of unjust enrichment and arguments in favour of a shift to an absence of basis approach have been focused on German law,3 which makes it a good starting point. Scots and South African law have slightly different schemes of unjustified enrichment, although still based on Roman law. They also know the concept of the trust, albeit not in quite the same form as in English law, and, in fact like German law, are familiar with the ideas, also shared in England, of the void and voidable contract.


Yi Shu's romantic novels have been popular for many decades in Hong Kong, Macao and in the Chinese communities in Southeast Asia. In recent years, they have gained cedrin notabi1ity in China's mainIand. This paper is a study of the mystery of the authot's success in three aspects: her diligence and rigidity, the period-feel and ideological content of her works, and her unique artistic techniques.


Flow characteristics of fibrous paper pulp-water-air slurries were investigated in a vertical circular column 1.8 m long, with 5.08 cm diameter. Flow structures, gas holdup (void fraction), and the geometric and population characteristics of gas bubbles were experimentally investigated, using visual observation, Gamma-ray densitometry, and flash X-ray photography. Five distinct flow regimes could be visually identified: dispersed bubbly, layered bubbly, plug, churn-turbulent, and slug. Flow regime maps were constructed, and the regime transition lines were found to be sensitive to consistency. The feasibility of using artificial neural networks (ANNs) for the identification of the flow regimes, using the statistical characteristics of pressure fluctuations measured by a single pressure sensor, was demonstrated. Local pressure fluctuations at a station were recorded with a minimally-intrusive transducer. Three-layer, feed-forward ANNs were designed that could identify the four major flow patterns (bubbly, plug, churn, and slug) well. The feasibility of a transportable artificial neural network (ANN) - based technique for the classification of flow regimes was also examined. Local pressures were recorded at three different locations using three independent but similar transducers. An ANN was designed, trained and successfully tested for the classification of the flow regimes using one of the normalized pressure signals (frommore » Sensor 1). The ANN trained and tested for Sensor 1 predicted the flow regimes reasonably well when applied directly to the other two sensors, indicating a good deal of transportability. An ANN-based method was also developed, whereby the power spectrum density characteristics of other sensors were adjusted before they were used as input to the ANN that was based on Sensor 1 alone. The method improved the predictions. The gas-liquid interfacial surface area concentration was also measured in the study. The gas absorption technique was applied, using CO2 as the transferred species and sodium hydroxide as the alkaline agent in water. Statistical analysis was performed to identify the parametric dependencies. The experimental data were empirically correlated.« less


This paper presents the design and development of wideband dual‐polarized microstrip array antenna at L‐band for spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) applications. A new type of electromagnetically coupled microstrip patch fed by strip‐loaded coaxial probe has been used as single antenna element. These radiating elements have been combined to form a 2×6 array antenna using feeder network in stripline configuration. The simulated and measured performance on return loss and radiation parameters has been presented. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 55:903–908, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.27453


The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of personalized lessons on elementary school students' communicative competence and on their...


The present article is dedicated to the analysis of montage as an art form of incarnation of city-labyrinth in Dos Passos' novel "Manhattan transfer". Montage is regarded as a form of cultural synthesis of different arts – literature and cinema.


Aim. The aim of this study is to investigate whether the difference of dermatoglyphic samples in elite men athletes and sedantery individuals on the basis of individual dermatoglyphic sample differences which was completed in the embryonal life and evaluation of each of the two groups of anthropometric and biochemical data. Method. We performed to examine of dermatoglyphic samples, anthropometric measurements and biochemical tests in male elite athletes (n=105) and male sedentary subjects (n=105) in the Aegean region. With dermatoglyphic study which is auxiliary method in genetics, we searched whether elite athletes or control group who have different sample distribution from each other by examining of their dermal samples whether different from each other. Results. By examining dermal samples of men elite athletes' and men sedentary people's fingertip, it is introduced that men elite athletes' have different sample distribution from men sedentary people. We obtained the 2d:4d ratio of 105 elite athletes and 105 sedentary people by dermatoglphic study. When comparison of men elite ahtletes and men


In this paper, we introduce the intuitionistic fuzzy rgα-continuous mappings and study its properties. Furthermore we introduced intuitionistic fuzzy rgα-open and intuitionistic fuzzy rgα-closed mappings in intuitionistic fuzzy topological spaces. Mathematics Subject Classification: 54A99 (03E99)


The systematics of Amomyrtus, an endemic genus of southwestern temperate South America, is reviewed. In molecular phylogenetic studies the genus is supported as monophyletic, with its closest relatives being other American genera such as Legrandia and Pimenta. A lectotype for Myrcia lechleriana Miquel is chosen


AbstractA CNC machine simulator is a complex piece of software. A machine model, a stock model, and a tool model must be designed, and algorithms for intersecting the partially machined stock with the surface swept by the tool must be implemented. Verification that the software is working correctly is critical if the simulator is used for industrial purposes. In this paper, we describe a method to test that the intersection of the tool and the surface swept by a 5-axis machine is correctly generated by a simulator, where the stock is represented as a height field. Further, these tests assist in determining the appropriate values for many of the internal parameters of the simulator.


In this paper, the authors discussed the new version 23 MISR aerosol product. New changes are mentioned, differences to v22 MISR aerosol product are illustrated and preliminary validation efforts are included. Frankly, I am glad to see some of the new changes applied to the V23 MISR product, including fixing the known bias at very low AOD cases. Also, geolocation data are finally included in the individual V23 MISR AOD files, and this new change is welcomed by users like me. Overall, the paper is a wellorganized and well-written paper. The content of the paper shall be a great resource for potential MISR aerosol data users. I recommend publication of the paper with minor changes.


1. Measurement of the HV interval. By definition, the HV interval is the interval measured between the His bundle electrogram and the earliest recorded ventricular activation.1 The HV interval recorded during the invasive electrophysiologic study was measured (both onand offline) between 12 and 15 ms, well shorter than the normal HV interval of 35–40 ms. With aggressive atrial pacing maneuvers, there was AH prolongation with no change in HV interval or QRS morphology, consistent with a fasiculoventricular fiber.2 Electrocardiographic imaging (ECGI) demonstrated early epicardial activation in the left basal region, as well as the typical site of right ventricular breakthrough associated with right bundle conduction during normal activation.3 The early left-sided activation was the presumed site of insertion for the fasiculoventricular fiber. 2. Genetic testing for PRKAG2 mutation. The constellation of cardiac abnormalities described by Sternick et al.4 of sinus node dysfunction, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, asymmetric left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, and pseudo-Wolff–Parkinson–White is certainly interesting, though not completely consistent with the patient in the abovementioned case report. Other than symmetric LV hypertrophy and surface ECG findings of a short PR inter-


Abstract The general position number of a connected graph is the cardinality of a largest set of vertices such that no three pairwise-distinct vertices from the set lie on a common shortest path. In this paper it is proved that the general position number is additive on the Cartesian product of two trees.


The Bibliography section of this Journal shows an increasing number of books which, whether written in African vernaculars or in English, are intended primarily to be for Africans rather than about Africans; and an increasing proportion are written by Africans. 'Notes and News' items mention Publications Bureaux to encourage African authors and arrange the production and distribution of books. Something is going on in Africa which may be of importance for the artistic and social life of the people, something more important than the formation of new Departments of Government. This article attempts to make a provisional assessment of what is going on; to consider the aims and functions of organizations for promoting African literature, and to arrive at some general principles; to get the work of these Publications (or Literature) Bureaux in perspective. It is based on experience in Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland, experience over some length of time, but perhaps rather parochial. The Government, while providing funds from Development and Welfare accounts, has happily avoided laying down any set of rules for the working of these Bureaux. A great deal of valuable guidance—all the more valuable for being brilliantly informal—was given to workers in Africa for many years by Margaret Wrong. The writer of this article has had the opportunity of seeing something of the work of the East Africa Literature Bureau and of discussion with Mr. C. G. Richards; these discussions discovered a surprising and pleasing range of independent agreement on principles to be followed (and misconceptions to be cleared) in East and Central Africa; some differences in conditions and therefore in suitable attack; and the need for more liaison.


Today, keeping and determining the quality of the food products is actually a problem. The quality control workers classify the fruits and vegetables according to their quality and properties by means of hands and eyes. However, this method does not provide the standard of quality and it is possible to occur incorrect classification. At the same time, there is a great loss in terms of time and labour force. In order to eliminate these cases, it is possible to categorize fruits quickly and in line with the standards depending upon a machine automatically. In this study, real-time marching band passing over the apples, size, color, class and weight determination were 95.5% Any performance. 0.5 seconds is the average time taken in recognition of an Apple


Even as a trained biochemist/molecular biologist, reading the article by Hsueh-Ju and colleagues (1) required considerable focus. However, amidst the abbreviation alphabet soup, double negatives, and signaling pathway complexity lays novel information that ultimately may inform our clinical approach to understanding and treating acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).


Addition of iron sulfate to Pt-promoted tungstated zirconia
increases the activity and selectivity of the catalyst for isomerization of
n-pentane in the presence of H2; selectivities >98%
have been observed.


Shuster's argument that banning athletes who take drugs is unjustifiable would have strength if the reason for banning drugs were to ensure fairness of competition, but it is not.1 The principle behind drug control is to prevent athletes from compromising their health for the sake of their sport.

The fact that there is little evidence for the performance …


The purpose of this study is to look at the motivation of the two ensemble groups in a high school with an arts program. Two ensembles have been observed in a situation where there is one ensemble teacher, and in the absence of teachers. The participants, all except the teacher, have since been interviewed using qualitative interviews. Discussion is about how formal and informal learning has an impact on student motivation. The results are that informal learning in formal situations has a positive impact on student motivation.


The embodiment of the invention provides a vibrating diaphragm comprising a main body part and a reinforcing part, wherein multiple micro holes are formed in at least one of the main body part and the reinforcing part. According to the vibrating diaphragm provided by the scheme, since multiple micro holes are formed in at least one of the main body part and the reinforcing part, the density of the vibrating diaphragm can be reduced, so that when the vibrating diaphragm is applied to a loudspeaker, the vibrating quality of the loudspeaker can be reduced, and thus the sound pressure level of the loudspeaker is improved.


We read with interest Take time to explain' by Dina Leifer (News Analysis October 2) which summarises the Mental Health Foundation's report Building Expectations.


Heartworm transmission occurred through the summer months and the presumptive vector was Culicoides multidentatus. Observations on laboratory-reared California Valley quail infected while serving a...


Between 1090 and 1157, the date of the introduction of a system of provostships, two important changes signal a turning point in the history of the cathedral chapter of Barcelona: on the one hand, the breakup of integral administration of the demesne, with the appearance and spread of ecclesiastical "fiefs" (later benefices); on the other, the formation of independent patrimonies linked to the chapter of canons and to the bishop and archdeacon. This article offers a sketch of the history and the causes of these two closely interrelated developments.


Will Internet banking ever take off in Asia? Although much of the region is wired, obstacles remain. Customers are concerned about security; the banking products available so far tend to be unexciting; and in the wake of Asia's recent economic crisis, many smaller banks have been preoccupied with the more urgent issue of survival. But some evidence suggests that on-line banking will succeed if the basic features, especially bill payment, are handled correctly. Meanwhile, human tellers and automated teller machines continue to be the banking channels of choice, and only a tiny minority has recourse to Internet banking. Among middle- and high-income people questioned in a McKinsey survey, only 2.6 percent reported banking over the Internet last year. [1] In India, Indonesia, and Thailand, the figure was as low as 1 percent; in Singapore and South Korea, it ranged from 5 to 6 percent. Overall, Internet banking accounted for fewer than 0.1 percent of these customers' banking transactions--a figure unchanged from 1999. (By contrast, telephone transactions have doubled since then, to 0.6 percent.) The Internet is used more often for opening new accounts, but again the numbers are small: fewer than 0.3 percent of respondents used it for that purpose, except in China and the Philippines, where the figures climbed to 0.7 and 1 .0 percent, respectively. Bankers can't blame limited access to the Internet for the slow uptake: 42 percent of respondents said that they had access to computers and 7 percent to the Internet. The chief problem in Asia and throughout emerging markets is security, which more than half of the respondents reported as their main reason for declining to open on-line banking or investment accounts. Respondents also said that they preferred to have personal contact with their banks. Access to high-quality products is an issue as well. Most banks in Asia are only beginning to offer Internet banking services, and many of the services are basic compared with those available in other parts of the world. Citibank, which has marketed a range of Internet banking products in the United States for years, didn't add bill payment to its Hong Kong service until last year-and even then, for only 11 companies. HSBC, the leading bank in Hong Kong, introduced Internet banking last summer. Nonetheless, Internet banking appears to have a future in Asia. When we analyzed the responses to the McKinsey survey, we uncovered the following three segments: 1. Lead users: In the group we studied, 38 percent of the respondents said that they intended to open an on-line account in the near future. These lead users undertake one-third more transactions a month than do other users and tend to employ all banking channels more often. …


BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Laparoscopic surgery for ureteral stones was restricted to special cases-those with large or impacted ureteral stones. We present special cases of patients who underwent laparoscopic ureterolithotomy at various clinics in Turkey.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
Forty-one patients were included in the study from five urology clinics in which laparoscopic surgery was being performed. After a disease-specific history and physical examination, age and sex were recorded. The mean patient age was 41.8 years (30 men and 11 women). Urinalysis, determination of creatinine level, intravenous urography, and ultrasonography were performed. The parameters of stone size, presence of hydronephrosis, previous shockwave lithotripsy, previous ureteroscopic stone therapy, type of laparoscopic approach, operative time, ureteral incision, insertion of a Double-J stent, amount of drainage, hospitalization period, and perioperative complications were evaluated.

RESULTS
Mean ureteral stone size was 22 mm. The retroperitoneoscopic approach was preferred in 35 (85.3%) patients, while the transperitoneal approach was used in 6 (14.7%) patients. Grade I hydronephrosis was detected in 4 patients, grade 2 in 22 patients, and grade 3 in 12 patients. In six patients, a history of shockwave lithotripsy was confirmed. The ureteral wall was incised with a cold knife in 5, scissors in 16, J-hook in 3, and a monopolar or bipolar dissector in 17 patients. In six patients, a Double-J stent was inserted, while in one patient, the operation was converted to an open procedure. The mean operative time was 124 minutes. The mean amount of drainage was 220 ml. Mean hospitalization time was 4.8 days. In five (12.5%) of seven patients, persistent drainage was a major complication that was managed by insertion of a Double-J stent. All patients were discharged stone free.

CONCLUSION
Increased hospitalization and operative time can be related to the large stone sizes and prolonged urine leakage. In our opinion, however, the overall success of laparoscopic ureterolithotomy makes it a feasible and effective procedure, especially for stones that could not be managed easily with ureteroscopic stone therapy.


May Day, the public holiday, created in honour of working people - and a typically rainy start to the day. But there is good news about the NHS on the radio for a change. From today nurses will be able to prescribe all products listed in the British National Formulary (BNF) in order to provide an improved service to patients. I felt a warm glow that at last we have achieved what has been described as sense over tradition (Cumberlege, 2003). Today's weather report rather reflects the development of prescribing by nurses, a showery start, an overcast and cloudy day with patches of blue sky and promise of warmer weather on the horizon!


An integrated diesel engine-aftertreatment-vehicle system is extremely complex with numerous interacting variables and an unlimited number of control options. An experimental approach to develop an optimized viable system is tedious, if at all possible. Sophisticated component, subsystem and integrated simulation tools offer an excellent option of a virtual lab approach to the development of such a complex system. A viable and robust diesel engine aftertreatment system can thus be developed within optimum time and resources when this virtual simulation is integrated with selective hardware-based testing.


Abstract The hydraulic uplift is one of the disastrous failure patterns of the excavations in coastal area. However, current practice and previous research failed to properly consider the strength of the soils to resist the uplift force from the underlain confined aquifer, partly due to poor understanding of the stress and deformation of the soils in the excavation. This study derived an analytical solution for the excess pore water pressure response in the basal clay based on a large excavation model. The method considered both the unloading effects due to the excavation and the effects of confined water pressure in the underlain confined aquifer. In addition, the effective stress and the deformation of the basal soil can also be calculated. Parametric study based on the solution identified three types of factors individually affecting the pore water pressure response, effective stress development, and the deformation of the basal soil. The findings of this study can provide insight reference for understanding the response of the basal soils in the excavation.


The vertical component of the vorticity equation in pressure coordinates involves only the divergent and rotational components of the horizontal motion. Taking the dominant rotational component as specified, the equation may be considered as an equation for the velocity potential, χ, of the divergent motion. Solving this χ problem yields a divergence pattern which is dynamically consistent with the generally much better observed rotational flow (provided, of course, that the vorticity dynamics is represented correctly). A simple way of doing this is described, and applied to seasonally averaged and instantaneous winds analysed at the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). In view of the delicate nature of the vorticity balance, a comparison of δ, the horizontal divergence obtained in this manner, with D, derived directly from the analysed winds, provides a stringent test for the data assimilation system.

For seasonal averages, D based on an inviscid vorticity equation in the upper troposphere is generally found to agree well with D, even in the deep tropics. However, some features achieve a more interesting and believable structure than in the analyses. Allowing for a vorticity sink in regions of strong organized convection changes this estimate of δ only slightly, well within the range of observational uncertainty, and not always in the sense of improving the agreement with D. It is therefore possible that on the large scale, 'cumulus friction' is only important in areas of strong convection, and if so, is not large enough to be determined unambiguously from existing data sets.

Solution of the χ problem at a particular initial time requires an additional piece of information, the vorticity tendency, which could be obtained operationally using a suitable backward time-differencing scheme. This contrasts with the use of the usual balance procedures, which require a knowledge of the less readily accessible diabatic heating rate.


Background: This basic research aimed to investigate the effects of the actin inhibitor latrunculin A (LA) on the human pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans, by freeze-substitution (FS) and electron microscopy (EM), to determine whether the actin cytoskeleton can become a new antifungal target for inhibition of cell division. Methods: Cells treated with LA for 20 h in yeast-extract peptone dextrose medium were investigated by phase-contrast and fluorescent microscopy, FS and transmission EM, counted in a Bürker chamber and the absorbance was then measured. Results: The disappearance of actin patches, actin cables and actin rings demonstrated the response of the cells of C. neoformans to the presence of the actin inhibitor LA. The removal of actin cables and patches arrested proliferation and led to the production of cells that had ultrastructural disorder, irregular morphology of the mitochondria and thick aberrant cell walls. Budding cells lysed in the buds and septa. Conclusion: LA exerts fungistatic, fungicidal and fungilytic effects on the human pathogenic yeast C. neoformans.


Herein, a novel thermal decomposition approach for the synthesis of NiCo2O4@g–C3N4 heterojunction based nanocomposites has been described. Morphology, structural data and bonding parameters of the prepared material was elucidated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), field emission electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron microscopy (XPS), and UV–visible diffuse reflectance (DRS-UV–visible) microscopy. After characterization, the nanocomposites were explored as effective photocatalysts for hydrogen (H2) generation through water splitting under UV–visible light (solar simulators) irradiation. The maximum H2 production (3,533 and 2,560 μmol.h−1.gcat−1) rate achieved using NiCo2O4@g–C3N4 nanocomposite catalysts were significantly higher than that of pristine g-C3N4 (2,056 μmol.h−1.gcat−1), and NiCo2O4 (2,334 μmol.h−1.gcat−1) catalysts. Furthermore, the electrochemical performances of the synthesized nanocomposites were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and also their effectiveness has been tested with pristine NiCo2O4 nanoparticles. Schematic illustration of fabrication and possible photogenerated charge carriers transfer route for NiCoO4/g–C3N4


In order to analyse the distribution patterns of vegetation types and plant biodiversity in Madagascar, a new vegetation map was produced using Geographical Information System techniques. A vegetation map based on Landsat imagery was superimposed onto a simplified map of geology and a map of "Remaining Primary Vegetation classified by the underlying Geology" was produced. Proportions of each vegetation type within protected areas were calculated by comparing this map to one of the system of National Parks and Reserves. The first analyses showed strongly that the scrublands and dry deciduous forests in the south of the country were insufficiently protected. The map has proved useful in conveying conservation messages, and in the selection a new series of protected areas. Resume


THE few facts known with regard to the life of Dipnysius of Halicarnassus are derived almost entirely from his own works, or (in other words) from either his Early Roman History or his Rhetorical Writings. From the preface of the Arehaeologia we learn that he took ship to Italy at the conclusion (30 B.C.) of the Civil War; that he spent at Rome the two-and-twenty years which had passed between that time and the date at which he was writing; that he had acquired the Latin language and studied the national records; that he had worked continuously at his subject, had profited by oral information obtained from the most learned men he met, and had consulted the published histories of approved Roman authors such as Porcius Cato, Fabius Maximus, Valerius Antias, and others (Archaeol. i. 7). After giving these particulars (in connexion with observations of a more general character), the author adds the simple statement that he is ' Dionysius, Alexander's son, of Halicarnassus,' and then loses himself in the work which he hoped would perpetuate his name.


One aim of the investigations was to study the effectiveness of market products for thc treatment of rising damp. Espccially water saturated masonry has to be considered. Thc other aim was to develop an effectivc rnethod to prove the effcctiveness of this injection matcrial for the treatment of rising damp in Iaboratory conditions. The developed test method and the corresponding maximum evaporation rate (100 g/(m/.d)) are able to determine the iunctionality of drill hole injection systcms for installation of dantp courses against rising damp. Thc results show that all investigated injcction materials do not work properly on water satured bricks.


This paper examines the effect of financial leverage (FL) on a bank's performance by adopting the dynamic generalised method of moments (GMM) estimator over the period 2004-2016. Also, it examines the impact of the recent financial crisis of 2008 on the Jordanian banking industry. The study sample is based on a comprehensive list of listed banks in Amman Stock Exchange (ASE). Findings show that a bank's leverage is a significant determinant of its performance. FL has negative effects on banks' performance. Mainstream and pure Islamic banks were not immune to the crisis. Yet, Islamic banks seem to show positive signs of recovery from the crisis. Converted Islamic banks did not have better immunity to the global shocks than mainstream banks. Large banks had better financial performance than small banks, and new banks are better able to recover from the adverse effects of the crisis than old ones.


Abstract Ventenata [Ventenata dubia (Leers) Coss.] is one of several annual grass invaders of the western United States. Ventenata dubia is documented reducing the forage availability for livestock and wildlife as well as lowering biodiversity in the Great Basin. This species has recently spread to the Great Plains, where it could bring these impacts with it. We attempt to answer questions on whether or not conservation practices, in this case removal of V. dubia with herbicide, result in recovery of forage resources and biodiversity. We answer these questions by measuring biomass, cover, and nutrient content 1-yr posttreatment at 9 sites in Sheridan County, WY, conducted in two years. Perennial grasses have higher crude protein and total digestible nutrients than V. dubia, and removal of V. dubia resulted in a positive perennial grass response both years. Further, the differences in pattern of growth between perennial and annual species, with annual grasses quickly senescing early in the year, make perennial grasses a more dependable forage base with higher available nutrients. Interestingly, total biomass and nutrient mass did not change after V. dubia removal due to equal replacement with perennial grasses. Species richness and diversity were unaffected by removal of V. dubia. Our results suggest that managing invasive annual grasses, particularly V. dubia, in the Northern Great Plains can improve forage resources for livestock and wildlife while maintaining species diversity. Therefore, proactive monitoring and management efforts to prevent spread should be prioritized in this region.


A 200 μm and 600 μm diameter Ce doped silica fiber, part of the UniBEaM charged-particle beam profiler system from D-Pace, were tested with 0 400 MeV neutrons at the TNF facility at TRIUMF, Canada. The detector's response to neutrons as a function of fiber length exposure was found to be linear, and the fiber was used to measure this neutron beam along its horizontal axis. This demonstrates the potential of the UniBEaM to measure neutron beam profiles.


Based on Student Learning Outcomes of Class V SDN 02 Talawi Hilir in PKN Subjects it was found that Student Learning Outcomes in PKN Subjects was still very low. The purpose of this study was to describe and obtain information about Student Learning Outcomes Improvement in PKN Subjects through the cooperative learning model type Student Facilitator and Explaining in Class V SDN 02 Talawi Hilir. This research is a class action research. Research procedures in this study include planning, action, observation and reflection. This research consisted of two cycles with four meetings. The research subjects consisted of 29 students of Class V SDN 02 Talawi Hilir. Research data were collected using Observation sheets. Data were analyzed using percentages. Based on the results of the research and discussion that has been presented in the previous chapter, it can be concluded that it can be concluded that the model of demonstration learning can improve student learning outcomes in the subjects of the National Education School in Class V SDN 02 Talawi Hilir. Student Learning Outcomes from cycle I to cycle II. Student learning outcomes in the first cycle was 73.79 (enough) increased to 82.76 (good) with an increase of 8.97 (good).


Understanding the mechanisms that allow species coexistence across spatial scales is of great interest to ecologists. Many such proposed mechanisms involve tradeoffs between species in different life-history traits, with distinct tradeoffs being expected to be prevalent at varying temporal and spatial scales. The dominance-discovery tradeoff posits that species differ in their ability to find and use resources quickly, in contraposition to their ability to monopolize those resources, a mechanism analogous to the competition-colonization tradeoff. We investigated the occurrence of this structuring mechanism in Pheidole (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) assemblages in Atlantic Forest remnants. According to the dominance-discovery tradeoff, we should observe a consistent interspecific variation along the axis of discovery and dominance. We established 55 sampling units across two sites, with each unit consisting of a sardine bait monitored for three hours. There was no distinction among Pheidole species in their ability to find or dominate food sources, suggesting that the dominance-discovery tradeoff does not explain their coexistence. The low levels of aggression between Pheidole species could prevent the establishment of dominance hierarchies, whereas the species order of arrival at food sources could allow for resource partitioning through priority effects.


The network paradigm refers to individuals as being continually involved in processes of sharing and being able to organize into creative communities of practice and knowledge. Some of these communities are developing and act creatively in the digital spaces of the net. They explore and push forward the ICT technology boundaries: everyday we observe on the Internet flourishing sources and authorities, new ways to organize information and public heritage worked out by different people and organizations that show much more richness everyday and become more and more interesting. Current researches on "creativity support tools" investigate the creative process as situated cognition activity in physical and technological spaces made up of tools such as creativity labs for innovation and frameworks for knowledge intensive activities. (E.g. L3D lab in Chicago, Fraunhofer Institutes in Germany). Research is revealing that creativity spaces should be differently designed for each creative action, which manages a particular kind of knowledge and needs to be supported by specific tools.


Objective To observe the short term effect and safety of nucleoside antiviral drugs for treating patients with hepatitis B liver cirrhosis.Methods One hundred and seventy two patients with hepatitisB liver cirrhosiswere divided into treatment group and control group based on cohort study method,86 cases in each group.The patients in the control group were given routine treatment,while those in the treatment group were added nucleoside antiviral drugs based on the treatment of the control group.The short term effect and occurrence of complications were compared in both groups.Results The levelsof aspartateaminotransferase(AST),alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and total bilirubin(TBiL)in patients of the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group,while levels of albumin(Alb)and cholinesterase(ChE)markedly higher than the control group,and the differences showed statistical significance.The negative conversion ratiosof hepatitis B virus(HBV)DNA and hepatitis B e antigen(HBeAg)as well as the decreased range of HBV DNA in patients of the treatment group were all notably higher than those in the control group,whereas the incidence of spontaneous peritonitis significantly lower than the control group,and all the differences showed statistical significance.Conclusion In the treatment of hepatitis B liver cirrhosis,nucleoside antiviral drugs can effectively ameliorate the liver function,inhibit HBV virus replication and promote HBeAg to convert into negative.


health-related quality of life and health care expenditures. Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2011;40:11-19. 6. Akehurst RL, Brazier JE, Mathers N, et al. Health-related quality of life and cost impact of irritable bowel syndrome in a UK primary care setting. Pharmacoeconomics. 2002;20:455-462. 7. Simr en M, T€ ornblom H, Palsson OS, Whitehead WE. Management of the multiple symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2017;2:112-122. 8. Nielsen J. Systems biology of metabolism: a driver for developing personalized and precision medicine. Cell Metab. 2017;25:572-579. 9. Benson M. Clinical implications of omics and systems medicine: focus on predictive and individualized treatment. J Intern Med. 2016;279:229-240. 10. Liu M, Liberzon A, Kong SW, et al. Network-based analysis of affected biological processes in type 2 diabetes models. PLoS Genet. 2007;3:e96. 11. Bartminski G, Crossley M, Turcanu V. Novel biomarkers for asthma stratification and personalized therapy. Expert Rev Mol Diagn. 2015;15:415-430. 12. Drossman DA. Rome IV Multidimensional Clinical Profile for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: MDCP, 1st edn. Rome Foundation, 2016.


This paper analyzes the optimal allocation of pure private, mixed and pure public goods in a framework which regards consumers both as producers of fundamental commodities which enter directly into their utility functions, and as utility maximizers. Externality and congestion phenomena are incorporated in the analysis. The formulation is consistent with the original formulation of public goods theory. Optimal user charges for mixed goods are derived and shown to be uniform for all individuals and computable independently of the forms of the individual utility functions. Under certain conditions optimal user charges cover the cost of providing mixed goods.


The discrete Euler equation is established as a necessary condition for the solution of discrete variational problems for both infinite and finite time sequences. The variational criterion (infinite sum) is treated as a functional on l 1 n, the normed linear apace of infinite sequences. The discrete Euler equation is also found for the constrained discrete variational problem, i.e. for problems in which the extremal sequences must satisfy an additional subsidiary condition. Such a condition is assumed to be of a form that is readily applicable to discrete control problems, since it includes difference equations as a special case. The discrete variational problem with finite time (finite sum criterion) is treated as a special case of the infinite time.


Legislative emissions requirements, customer expectation and environmental concerns are driving the introduction of Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) technologies. In the European market, where diesel powertrain technology has high penetration, Micro Hybrid technology, featuring engine stop/start plus regenerative charging, is attractive due to system cost versus CO2 emission benefits. The availability of the engine stop/start feature in real world usage depends on the control logic taking account of, for example, safety, comfort or other factors. The research reported here involved developing tools to analyze the duration of automatic engine stop events in real world usage taking account of the situations where automatic engine stop would be unavailable. These tools help determine the durability requirements for key system components, in particular the battery, and estimation of the likely fuel savings as a function of the system calibration.


This study was conducted to investigate how to apply the theories of oriental medicine appropriately, which direction should be taken, and how it should be developed. The results are as follows. First, to develop medicinal cuisine, it is necessary to grasp the theoretical system, considering Ohaeng and Omi, the five viscera and the six entrails, organs and body, by raising the level of understanding comprehensively about the relationship between the characteristics of each groups of Sasang Constitutions and the theories of Eumyangohaeng, and the relationship between the theory of Kimi and food, and then to explain developed medicinal cuisine and apply those theories to inventing new ones. Secondly, to develop medicinal cuisine for health enhancement, it is also required not only to consider constitutions but also to suggest the need of knowledge for moderation in terms of regimen along with the theory of Kimi. Thirdly, to develop medicinal cuisine according to the perspective of Kimi Theory, what should be taken into account is not only the understanding of the characteristics of food materials, but also the properties of them that the theory of Kimi, Eumyangohaeng, and Sasang Constitutions share so that it is possible to invent medicinal cuisine which is good for anybody to protect disease specific to a certain group of constitutions with, and serves as the dietary regimen customed to each constitution group. Lastly, the scientific effect of the medicinal cuisine which is developed according to the theory of Kimi, Eumyangohaeng, and Sasang Constitutions should be verified by scientific researches and clinical experiments. And it is believed to be essential for the government to make efforts to set a standard and laws to validate the medicinal effects and the process of assessment so that the systematic development can be encouraged, and to prepare guidance to food development for national health improvement.


BACKGROUND
Failure of surgical repair of a rotator cuff tear continues to be a clinical problem. For other tendon repairs, increasing the number of sutures improves both biomechanical performance and clinical outcomes. Several investigators have shown biomechanical advantages of double-row techniques but have used many more sutures than were used with the single-row techniques with which the double-row techniques were compared. The purposes of our study were to establish whether using a greater number of sutures would improve the biomechanical properties of a rotator cuff repair model, and whether using equal numbers of sutures would lead to equivalent results between single and double-row configurations.

METHODS
Fresh-frozen sheep infraspinatus tendons underwent single-row repair with two, four, or six mattress sutures and double-row repair with use of four mattress sutures. Specimens were pretensioned at 10 N for one minute, then cycled from 10 to 180 N for 200 cycles at 0.2 Hz; this was followed by load to failure. Cyclic gap formation, failure load, and failure type were recorded.

RESULTS
The four-suture single-row and four-suture double-row repairs had similar gap formation during cyclic testing, with no significant differences between them. Cyclic gap formation in the two-suture single-row group was 6.7 and 7.1 mm (97% and 109%) greater than that in the four and six-suture single-row groups after 200 cycles (p < 0.001). The average loads to failure of the two, four, and six-suture single-row groups were 274, 362, and 572 N (p < 0.0001). The average load to failure of the four-suture double-row group was 386 N, which was similar to the value in the four-suture single-row group (p = 0.58).

CONCLUSIONS
In an ovine rotator cuff tendon repair model, increasing the number of sutures decreased cyclic gap formation and increased load to failure. Single and double-row repairs are biomechanically equivalent when the number of sutures is kept constant.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE
The results of this study support the use of greater numbers of sutures in rotator cuff repair and disagree with the assertion that double-row repairs are biomechanically superior to single-row repairs.


The proposed publication represents the expert system envelope designed for treatment scheme production of patients with pulmonary diseases. The main idea of this system consists in that it shouldn't contain anything more complex than a set of text records which are presented on the screen depending on user's answers during a dialog. The texts are stored in an index file. The user's answers in each dialog step are recorded into symbol array by means of which as by key the needed record with text is read from file and presented on the screen for next dialog step. The description of developed knowledge base editor and interpreter is presented. As an example of system's possibilities the treatment of chronic obstructive bronchitis is demonstrated. The tentative analysis of system usage shows that developed envelope can be used for treatment expert system design in any diseases.


This research analyses the link between fundamental information, social media sentiment, and stock returns from 2010 to 2018. We are interested in whether social media sentiment provides additional information to already published fundamental information, such as financial information and analysts forecasts. Therefore, we explore the relationship between fundamental information and sentiment. We find that unexpected earnings, analyst forecast revisions, new dividends, and 8-K filings have a significant impact on sentiment. We introduce the adjusted social media sentiment, which corrects social media sentiment for the impact of this fundamental information. It turns out that adjusted social media sentiment is related to the subsequent stock returns. Moreover, most of social media sentiment's total effect emerges from adjusted sentiment. In particular, stocks with negative sentiment tend to have negative subsequent short-term returns. It is, thus, important to distinguish between positive and negative sentiment. Subsequent long-term returns are more mildly affected suggesting that the impact of negative sentiment seems to be permanent.


Background: The functional relevance of ST6Gal-I down-regulation during monocyte activation/macrophage differentiation is not well understood. Results: Cell and transgenic mouse models suggest that ST6Gal-I-mediated sialylation of TNFR1 blocks TNFα-induced apoptosis. Conclusion: ST6Gal-I down-regulation may limit monocyte/macrophage lifespan by sensitizing cells to apoptosis via TNFR1 hyposialylation. Significance: This is the first determination that TNFR1 function is regulated by its glycan structure. Macrophages play a central role in innate immunity, however mechanisms regulating macrophage survival are not fully understood. Herein we describe a novel apoptotic pathway involving α2-6 sialylation of the TNFR1 death receptor by the ST6Gal-I sialyltransferase. Variant glycosylation of TNFR1 has not previously been implicated in TNFR1 function, and little is known regarding the TNFR1 glycan composition. To study sialylation in macrophages, we treated U937 monocytic cells with PMA, which stimulates both macrophage differentiation and apoptosis. Interestingly, macrophage differentiation induces ST6Gal-I down-regulation, leading to reduced α2-6 sialylation of selected receptors. To prevent loss of α2-6 sialylation, we forced constitutive expression of ST6Gal-I, and found that this strongly inhibited PMA-induced apoptosis. Given that PMA-mediated apoptosis is thought to result from up-regulation of TNFα, which then activates TNFR1, we next evaluated the α2-6 sialylation of TNFR1. U937 cells with forced ST6Gal-I displayed TNFR1 with elevated α2-6 sialylation, and this was associated with diminished TNFα-stimulated apoptosis. Correspondingly, removal of α2-6 sialylation from TNFR1 through either neuraminidase treatment or expression of ST6Gal-I shRNA markedly enhanced TNFα-mediated apoptosis. To confirm the physiologic importance of TNFR1 sialylation, we generated overexpressing ST6Gal-I transgenic mice. Peritoneal macrophages from transgenic lines displayed TNFR1 with elevated α2-6 sialylation, and these cells were significantly protected against TNFα-stimulated apoptosis. Moreover, greater numbers of thioglycollate-induced peritoneal cells were observed in transgenic mice. These collective results highlight a new mechanism of TNFR1 regulation, and further intimate that loss of α2-6 sialylation during macrophage differentiation may limit macrophage lifespan by sensitizing cells to TNFα-stimulated apoptosis.


The changes of winter wheat planting area in Sanhe City and Hui Autonomous County of Dachang of Hebei Province were analyzed by using multitemporal remote sensing images.The results show that the winter wheat planting area is decreasing in the studied area as a whole,but it may be increase or decrease in different zones in a year.Reclaiming cropland at the bank of river makes its increase.The construction taking up the cropland and the adjustment of crop planting make its decrease.


In recent years the importance of sphingolipids (cerebrosides, sphingomyelin, ceramides, sphingosine‐1‐phospate, etc.) in skin biology is receiving an increasing interest. Not only are ceramides essential for the barrier function of the skin, especially through their phytosphingosine, sphingosine and 6‐hydroxysphingosine derivatives, they are now also known to be cell‐signalling mediators which can improve epidermal differentiation. However, their effects on dermal anti‐ageing markers and reduction of wrinkles have not been established. In this study, we were interested in the effects of a sphingolipid derivative, salicyloyl‐phytosphingosine (SP), because of the known independent beneficial effects of salicylic acid and phytosphingosine on skin. Both of these agents are known to reduce the activities of the activator protein‐1 transcription factor, in a manner similar to that observed with retinoic acid (RA) treatment. Through this mechanism, RA was shown to reduce the levels of matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) and the increase levels of extracellular matrix proteins. Therefore, we examined the effects of SP on procollagen‐I synthesis in fibroblasts in vitro, its effects in vivo on the expression of dermal markers such as fibrillin‐1, procollagen‐I and MMP‐1 immunochemically in biopsies taken from a short‐term occluded patch test protocol and, its effects on periorbital wrinkle reduction over 4 weeks using Fast Optical In Vivo Topometry of Human Skin. In vitro we observed a significant increase in the production of procollagen‐I by adult human fibroblasts (two fold increase, P < 0.01) which encouraged us to test the effects of SP in vivo. Initially, test products (SP at 0.05% and 0.2%, all‐trans RA (0.025%) and vehicle were applied under occlusion for 8 days prior to biopsy and histological assessment in photoaged volunteers (n = 5). Increased deposition of fibrillin‐1 and procollagen‐I, together with reductions in the levels of MMP‐1, were observed for the SP treatments (P < 0.05). Similar effects were observed for RA, except for the increases in procollagen‐I. With these beneficial effects on the basement membrane and papillary dermal markers, we evaluated the effects of SP in an oil‐in‐water (O/W) cream for its effects in reducing the appearance of periorbital wrinkles in a 4‐week, half‐face clinical study compared to placebo cream (moderately photoaged female subjects aged 41–69 years; n = 30). Clear reductions in wrinkle depth and Rz (skin smoothness) together with Ra (skin roughness) parameters were observed (P < 0.05), indicating an anti‐wrinkle benefit. In conclusion, this series of studies demonstrated for the first time that a ceramide derivative, such as that SP, was a novel agent for the repair of photoaged skin and highlight its effects at the cellular, tissue and organ levels.


Flooding is a natural environmental hazard which has on a global scale caused irreparable losses on lives and property as well as deformation of the environment resulting in soil-nutrient loss, pollution of rivers/waterways, sedimentation of reservoirs and other negative issues in southeastern Nigeria. This study therefore makes use of GIS techniques to map areas in Imo State that are most prone or exposed to flooding. Satellite imagery and SRTM data were analyzed using ESRI ArcGIS 10.2 and Global Mapper v15 to generate maps for digital elevation model (DEM), digitized contour, 3D relief and flood vulnerability assessment. On analyzing the maps generated Oguta and Ohajiegbema were mapped as the most prone areas while Okigwe, Ideato North, Ideato South and Nkwerre were mapped the least prone. Nonetheless over 60% of the study area is still open to flood events if requisite environmental protective actions are not considered and implemented. On observing that the chief cause of flooding in the study area is heavy/prolonged rainfall/downpour with poor drainage channels, flood monitoring and assessment with proper design/construction of drainage networks/channels were among recommendations made to manage flood incidents in the study area.


The classical Poulos's elastic theory method based on the Mindlin solution in elastic half-space is only suitable for the analysis of pile groups in elastic half-space.It cannot take the layered soil into account.By using stress and displacement solutions of axisymmetric problem in layered elastic half-space,the interaction factor method is extended to the analysis of pile groups in layered elastic half-space.Solutions of a single pile and interaction of two piles in layered elastic half-space are performed by finite difference method firstly.Then the vertical settlement analysis of pile groups in layered elastic half-space is made by considering pile to pile interaction by the Poulos's interaction factor method.Example analysis shows that the present method agrees with the Poulos's interaction factor method and the Butterfield and Banerjee's BEM method in elastic half-space.Calculation of two-layered elastic half-space indicates that the present method is more rigorous than the Poulos's interaction factor method,and agrees with the Chin and Chow's BEM method,which is based on the accurate solution of two-layered elastic half-space.Besides,the proposed method can be used extensively in the analysis of pile groups with dissimilar piles.


National taxation and national finances in England, 1558-1714 spending and borrowing the customs Demesne revenues - prerogative income and concealed taxes parliamentary taxes the politics of taxation - the economic effects of taxation the politics of taxation - legality, legitimacy and liberty tax collection and the taxpayer taxing the people - the limits of the possible in England, 1558-1714 documents.


In this paper, a non-variational version of a max-min principle is extended, and some unique existence results are obtained for the periodic boundary value problem of the higher order ordinary differential equations under a resonant condition.


This paper employs real option analysis to evaluate the investment project to adopt energy saving and carbon emission reduction technology. Sensitivity analysis and simulation outcomes highlight the respective roles of carbon price level and government support in the investment decision. That is, government support lies in two major directions to encourage the adoption of carbon emission reduction technology: to increase the subsidy to lower the cost for the firm and encourage adoption of the green technology, and to increase the risk-free return rate. The candidate measures to lower the investment threshold lie three major directions: stabilizing energy price, lowering operation cost, and increasing risk-free return rate. In addition, market expectation and its interactions among the key variables play their significant roles in the optimization process.


The Korean Trust Code art.33 declares trustee's duty of loyalty. The trustee's duty to act with loyalty means that the trustee must act solely in the interests of beneficiaries. The trustee must not place himself in a position where his own interests might conflict with those of beneficiaries. The no conflict rule is the basic rule governing fiduciaries. The art.34 comprehensively prohibits trustee's acts which may cause conflict of interests with beneficiaries, unless the acts were authorized by the terms of the trust, approved by the court, or consented by the beneficiaries. But the art.34 itself doesn't provide the validity of the trustee's acts in conflict of interests. This article attempts to provide a reasonable way of construction based on a brief comparative overview and analysis of cases and opinions on the art.34 formed before the amendment : the validity of trustee's acts in conflict of interests should be determined in accordance with the types which cause conflict of interests. Trustee's acts including self dealing and transaction between trust funds which come under the art.34 (1) 1 to 4 are void, but those including indirect self dealing which the art.34 (1) 5 is applicable to are valid. In the latter case beneficiaries can make the trustee's acts void subject to the art.75. This type based construction corresponds to the legislative purpose of the provision and can protect the trust funds as well as the transactions.


THREE BASIC STRATEGIES SHAPE SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS TO COUNTERACT THE HUMAN AND ECONOMIC LOSS THAT OCCURS WHEN PEOPLE AND THEIR PROPERTY COME INTO PHYSICAL CONFLICT WITH NATURAL OR MANMADE HAZARDS IN THE ENVIRONMENT. THE FIRST STRATEGY IS TO LOWER THE FREQUENCY WITH WHICH PEOPLE OR THEIR PROPERTY CONNECT WITH MANMADE HAZARDS. MANY TACTICS LONG IN USE ATTEMPT THIS. THE SECOND STRATEGY IS TO SOFTEN THE INTERACTION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD AND PEOPLE OR STRUCTURES ONCE THEY COME IN CONTACT, WHETHER OR NOT OF HUMAN ERROR. THE THIRD STRATEGY IS TO DETECT, SIGNAL, AND SALVAGE THREATENED PEOPLE AND PROPERTY IN THE FACE OF DAMAGE ALREADY DONE. A WAY OF LOOKING AT HIGHWAY CRASHES THAT DOES GENERATE THE RIGHT QUESTIONS IS TO DIVIDE THE SO- CALLED HIGHWAY ACCIDENT-ACTUALLY, A SERIES OF EVENTS IN WHICH A NUMBER OF FACTORS MAY OPERATE-INTO THE THREE PHASES EMPLOYED TO DEVELOP HIGHWAY LOSS COUNTERMEASURES: VEHICLE, HUMAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL (INCLUDING ROAD) FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE CRASH - THE PRECRASH PHASE; FACTORS THAT INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF DEATH, SEVERE INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE ONCE THE CRASH HAS STARTED TO OCCUR-THE CRASH PHASE; FACTORS THAT AGGRAVATE LOSSES FOLLOWING THE CRASH-THE SPEED REGULATORS, 'SUPERCARS' AND CRASH LOSSES; DETECTING DRUNKEN DRIVERS; YOUNG BUYERS; VIOLENCE; CAR THEFTS; AND ATTITUDES OF SMALL CHILDREN. /AUTHOR/


Microwave-assisted polymerization was used as a promising technique to synthesize superabsorbent polymers. A small amount of thermal initiator was used to initiate the reaction, and the polymer's properties were evaluated at acid levels of 31–50% and degrees of neutralization of 68–75 mol %. The polymers were characterized with scanning electron microscopy, and properties such as the capacity and absorbency under a load were measured in a 0.9% sodium chloride solution. In addition, the extractable and residual acrylic acid contents were measured to determine the reaction's efficiency. In conclusion, the synthesis of the superabsorbent polymer via microwave heating reduced the time and cost of production and improved the physical properties of the polymer. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43325.


As international institutions of promoting their native languages and cultures,The British Council,Alliance Fran?aise,Goethe-Institute and Institute Cervantes have their different experiences which can shed light on the development of Confucius Institute.This paper aims at comparing Confucius Institute with other international institutes of language and culture promotion to clarify its growth mode and mission and uncover its development trends.


Marine plastic litter has been recognized as a growing problem and a threat to the marine environment and ecosystems, although its impacts on the marine life are still largely unknown. Marine protection and conservation actions require a detailed knowledge of the marine pathways, sources, and sinks of land-emitted plastic pollution. Model-based assessments provide a systematic way to map the occurrence of microplastics in the marine environment and to link the coastal sources to the accumulation zones in the sea. New modeling capacities have been developed, which include relevant key processes, i.e., current- and wave-induced horizontal and vertical transport, biofilm growth on the particle surface, sinking, and sedimentation. The core engine is the HIROMB-BOOS ocean circulation model, which has been set up for the Baltic Sea in a high, eddy-permitting resolution of approximately 900 m. We introduce the three-dimensional modeling tool for microplastics and demonstrate its ability to reproduce the drift pattern of microplastics in the Baltic Sea. The results of a multiyear run 2014–2019 provide the basis for an extensive validation study, which allows the evaluation of the model quality. The assessments focus on three types of microplastics, from car tires and household products, with different densities and particle sizes, which cover a broad range of land-emitted microplastic pollution. We show that the model is applicable to the task of identifying high concentration zones in the Baltic Sea and that it can be a useful tool to support the study of the environmental impacts of microplastics in the Baltic Sea. Our results suggest that microplastic concentrations in coastal regions close to major sources reach values above 0.0001 g/m3 near the surface, dependent on the buoyancy of the plastic material and the amount of discharge. The comparison with observations shows that the model is able to reproduce the average concentrations of measured microplastics in the size class of 300 μm with statistical significance, but it underestimates the very high concentrations associated either with flooding or high river-runoff events or generated by sub-mesoscale transport. The model is able to reproduce the seasonal dynamic in Latvian and Estonian waters, except for October, when the increase of modelled microplastics in the ocean is too slow. But the general spatial patterns are sufficiently well reproduced, which makes the developed model a tool sufficient for the assessment of microplastic transport and accumulation pattern.