INTRODUCTION: CYR61/CCN1 belongs to the cysteine-rich61/connective tissue growth factor/nephroblastoma overexpressed = CCN family of genes presently consisting of six distinct members. CYR61 functions in processes such as proliferation, cell adhesion, migration, differentiation and survival. CYR61 is important in development and in adult cells. The protein primarily plays a role in the nervous system, vasculature, muscle and bone. CYR61 is characterized by a modular structure containing 38 conserved cysteine residues spread over the domains (IGFBP-domain, von Willebrand factor-domain, thrombospondin-domain, and a Cterminal cysteine knot). CYR61 is able to bind to at least five different integrin receptors, partly in a cell type specific manner. CYR61 is mainly regulated at the transcriptional level by a variety of stimuli. In osteoblasts a number of bone-relevant growth factors enhance mRNA levels in an immediate-early manner. Generally, CYR61 expression is enhanced in angiogenesis, wound healing and tissue repair. Specific signal transduction systems mediating CYR61 upregulation include cJun N-terminal kinase and serum response factor, RhoA GTPase and p38MAPK and the p42/44 MAPK pathway. Previously, we have shown that CYR61 expression in vivo is correlated with conditions of enhanced bone formation and repair. In addition, human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells highly express CYR61 mRNA and protein within the proliferative stage (Schütze et al., 2005). Aim of the present study was to elucidate CYR61 functions at the level of gene expression profiling in mesenchymal stem cells. METHODS: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from human bone marrow were isolated from the femoral head obtained from patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty. The procedure was approved by the local ethics committee and written consent was obtained from each patient. Trabecular bone pieces were harvested, mixed with DMEM/F12 medium and rigorously vortexed. Following centrifugation the pellet containing bone pieces and released cells was reconstituted in DMEM/F12 medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, antibiotics (50 I.U. penicillin/ml and 50 μg streptomycin/ml) and 50 μg/ml ascorbate (complete medium). After repeated washings, the released cells were pelleted, suspended in complete medium, plated at a density of 60 x 10 cells per 150 cm tissue culture flask and maintained at 37°C in 5% CO2. Non adherent cells were removed after 2 days and subsequently the medium was changed every 3 to 4 days until the cell cultures reached confluency. The open reading frame (ORF) of CYR61 was obtained by RT-PCR and subcloned into the pBakPak 8 baculovirus expression vector. An IgG-Fc tag was cloned in frame C-terminal to the CYR61 ORF. Recombinant CYR61-Fc fusion protein (rCYR61) was purified from supernatants of baculovirus infected SF21 insect cells by affinity chromatography using protein G sepharose. The chorionallantoic membrane (CAM) assay was performed to verify the activity of the rCYR61 protein. Briefly, fertilized chicken eggs were stored at 60% humidity at 37 °C. The eggs were opened on the apical pole of the egg shell on day 5 of hatching (circular window with 3 cm in diameter). On day 7 of hatching a silicone ring was placed on each membrane and subsequently rCYR61 solution (50 ng to 1 μg in a volume of 10 μl in buffer PBS) was applied. Vascular growth in the ring fields and viability of the embryo was documented daily till day 11 by video microscopy. Expanded MSCs were treated with rCYR61 for various time points and concentrations. The proliferation of MSCs, osteoblasts and EAhy 926 endothelial cells was determined photometrically using the WST-1 test. Total RNA was isolated and amplified according to standard procedures. The global gene expression pattern was performed with RNA from MSCs treated with rCYR61 for 4 and 24 hours using the Affymetrix Chip HG-U133. Array analysis data were reevaluated by RT-PCR. RESULTS SECTION: The recombinant CYR61 protein was expressed as an IgG-Fc-tagged protein (rCYR61) from baculovirus-infected SF-21 insect cells. Passage two supernatants were positive in western-blot analysis and were subsequently used to infect SF-21 cells. Four 150 cm flasks routinely yielded 200 to 350 μg protein. Silver gel analysis and western blotting revealed the purity of >95% of rCYR61. A single band of the expected size (73kDa) was visible in these analyses. Since the CYR61 protein promotes angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo the chorionallantoic membrane (CAM) assay was applied to prove the functionality of rCYR61. Purified rCYR61 was added to egg-membranes within a small silicone ring at 50 ng and 1μg amounts which resulted in a clear induction of blood vessel formation after 4 days. The WST-test was applied to primary human MSCs, EA hy 926 endothelial cells and hFOB osteoblasts to further proof the functionality of the protein, to analyze its potential proliferative activity and to identify additional rCYR61 target cells within the bone microencironment. After 24 hours of treatment with rCYR61 a marked induction of absorption (=induction of proliferation) of 30-100% was observed for all cell types. Subsequently, affymetrix array analysis was performed using RNA from MSCs treated with rCYR61 (500 ng/ml) or buffer and identified rhCYR61-dependent gene products which represented transcription factors, growth factors and signal molecules (25 candidates, 8 up, 17 down, cut off 2,5-fold regulation based on the signal log ratio algorithm). Array data for 14 gene products were reevaluated by RT-PCR and 13 of 14 were found to be regulated according to the array. The positively reevaluated rCYR61dependent upregulated genes were a chemokine C-X-C motif ligand gene cluster (CXCL 1, 2, 3 and 8), the tissue factor pathway inhibitor 2 (TFP2) and matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1). Among rCYR61dependent positively reevaluated upregulated genes were fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2), signal sequence receptor gamma (SSR3), integrin alpha 6 (ITGA6), clusterin (CLU), intestinal cell (MAK-like) kinase (ICK) and an unknown gene (DKFZP564D166). DISCUSSION: The results indicate that rCYR61 was purified as a functional protein from insect cells. The proliferation assays indicated that MSCs, osteoblasts and endothelial cells are target cells for CYR61 action. CYR61 is highly expressed in MSC, stimulates proliferation and, therefore, the protein could play a role in maintaining and/or expansion of the MSC pool in an autocrine manner. Array analysis identified several regulated gene products. Particularly, the upregulation of FGFR2 could be involved in a self sustaining circle to maintain CYR61 expression in MSCs, since earlier data of our group have shown that FGF2 markedly upregulated CYR61 at the mRNA and the protein level. The CYR61 protein represents an extracellular signaling molecule that binds to a number of cell surface proteins thereby modulating a variety of signaling pathways. Therefore, the protein can be viewed as an integrator of signal transduction pathways. In addition to it ́s angiogenic potential, the CYR61 protein represents a candidate to coordinate tissue regeneration and repair. REFERENCES: Schütze N, Nöth U, Schneidereit J, Hendrich C, Jakob F. (2005) Differential expression of CCN-family members in primary human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells during osteogenic, chondrogenic and adipogenic differentiation. Cell Commun Signal 17;3(1):5. AFFILIATED INSTITUTIONS FOR CO-AUTHORS: ** Institute for Laser Technologies and Metrology, University of Ulm, Germany Paper No: 0992 52nd Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Research Society


Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the global distribution of a non-indigenous and invasive fish species, the convict cichlid Amatitlania nigrofasciata, over time, with an emphasis on the inland waters of Iran. The results showed that the distribution range of the convict cichlid was initially based in Central America. Then, the distribution range of this species expanded to parts of North America. Finally, this fish species was introduced to other parts of the world such as Australia, Israel, Italy, Colombia, Germany, Peru, Slovakia, Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Iran due to its extensive ability to spread. So far the presence of A. nigrofasciata has been reported in two domestic basins in Iran, namely Hormuz and Namak Lake. This study indicated that the distribution range of this species is not currently wide, but it is likely to expand towards the central plateau and southern parts of Iran.


The logistic finance is the important component supporting factor of modern logistics, which represents one of the most important development direction of value -added in logistics industry. This paper firstly analyzes vital significance and theoretical foundation of the development of modern logistics financial services, then takes Ningbo City as an example and explains the comparative advantages of Ningbo City for the development of logistics financial services from the perspective of owning the Ningbo Port, favorable logistics industry, good financial environment. Next, some feasible d evelopment modes of logistics financial services in Ningbo City are put forward. At last, this paper points out some good countermeasures for the development of modern logistics financial services in Ningbo City.


ABSTRACT To assess the environmental fate and partitioning of 4-methyl cyclohexane methanol (MCHM), plant-wide water-sampling surveys were conducted at two Appalachian coal preparation plants. Samples were recovered from various streams within the coal preparation plants as well as environmental discharges, including impoundment drains and groundwater-monitoring wells. The results indicate measurable MCHM concentrations are only found immediately around the flotation circuit (feed, concentrate, and tailings). Samples from downstream units, including thickeners, impoundments, and discharge points show no measurable concentration of MCHM implying that volatilization and adsorption are strongly influencing the measurable concentration.


Engineering assets such as roads, rail, bridges and other forms of public works are vital to the effective functioning of societies {Herder, 2006 #128}. Proficient provision of this physical infrastructure is therefore one of the key activities of government {Laedre, 2006 #123}. In order to ensure engineering assets are procured and maintained on behalf of citizens, government needs to devise the appropriate policy and institutional architecture for this purpose. The changing institutional arrangements around the procurement of engineering assets are the focus of this paper.

The paper describes and analyses the transition to new, more collaborative forms of procurement arrangements which are becoming increasingly prevalent in Australia and other OECD countries. Such fundamental shifts from competitive to more collaborative approaches to project governance can be viewed as a major transition in procurement system arrangements. In many ways such changes mirror the shift from New Public Management, with its emphasis on the use of market mechanisms to achieve efficiencies {Hood, 1991 #166}, towards more collaborative approaches to service delivery, such as those under network governance arrangements {Keast, 2007 #925}. However, just as traditional forms of procurement in a market context resulted in unexpected outcomes for industry, such as a fragmented industry afflicted by chronic litigation {Dubois, 2002 #9}, the change to more collaborative forms of procurement is unlikely to be a panacea to the problems of procurement, and may well also have unintended consequences.

This paper argues that perspectives from complex adaptive systems (CAS) theory can contribute to the theory and practice of managing system transitions. In particular the concept of emergence provides a key theoretical construct to understand the aggregate effect that individual project governance arrangements can have upon the structure of specific industries, which in turn impact individual projects. Emergence is understood here as the macro structure that emerges out of the interaction of agents in the system {Holland, 1998 #100; Tang, 2006 #51}.


Teacher shortage in rural areas is a tricky problem globally, against which "out-of-field" teaching has perforce become a commonplace practice (Hobbs, 2013; Sharplin, 2014), which denotes assigning teachers to teach some extra subjects that they are not professionally qualified to do so (Ingersoll, 2001). In the light of various problems brought up by this issue, Chinese Ministry of Education launched "The Government-funded Directional Training Program for Rural Teachers", one of whose aims is to train groups of rural primary school teachers who are comprehensively qualified for multisubject teaching [Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China (MOE), 2017]. This means that there have emerged and will continue to generate a large number of primary school teachers who teach more than one subject but avoid being "out-of-field".


A full-wave methodology has been used to analyse the GALILEO system navigation antenna for the space segment of the global positioning system. It is a multilayer array structure composed by cavity-backed microstrip patches in stacked configuration, and coaxial probe feeding. It follows a hexagonal regular lattice that makes possible to perform a modular analysis in two steps. First, each isolated array element is modeled considering a finite hexagonal metallic flange. A generalized scattering matrix (GSM) of each element is obtained in terms of coax and spherical modal expansions from a hybrid 3-D finite elements-modal analysis method (SFELP). Next, the GSM's of the array elements are analytically connected by using properties of rotation and translation of spherical modes to obtain the overall GSM of the array. This matrix provides the impedance, coupling and radiating characteristics of the array on a finite ground plane. Radiation patterns of the isolated element and the array have been obtained and compared with measurements.


GPS Is increasingly being used for a wide range of applications. So we make an attempt to develop a Project that has the capability to store and review where a user and his Android device has been to. The application NAVIGATOR tracks the person's co-ordinate location and traces the path where his android device has been to. Basically the press record at the start of his trip and the phone stores the route he takes. This route is drawn real-time on the Maps functionality of Android or in the background with an idle device. The route is stored on the phone for review and further use. The applications tracks location by GPS, hence the name is NAVIGATOR.


In this study, the gas-assisted technique was used into the process of polymer melt extrusion to overcome the extrudate swell problem. The gas length is an important factors in the gas-assisted extrusion technique. To ascertain the mechanism of the gas-assisted extrusion technique, and to determine the optimal gas length, the effect of gas length on the extrudate swell ratio of melt was numerically investigated. In finite element numerical simulation, PTT constitutive model and full slip boundary condition were used to achieve the gas-assisted mode. Compared with the traditional no gas-assisted extrusion, numerical results showed that the extrudate swell problem was well eliminated by the gas-assisted method. Moreover, the extrudate swell of melt decreased with the increasing of the gas length because the pressure and shear stress of melt were greatly decreased. Moreover, the flow velocity of melt is uniform at the die outlet.


In this paper, we focus and solve the selfish allocation-problem that is different from the previously studied version in three ways that make it more accurately reflective of real world P2P allocation: (1) we treat the nodes as strategic agents and treat the replica allocation as a deliberate auction where node is incentivized to give his true quality of service for getting the replica; (2) our mechanism computes node utility for all possible replica destination and payments for those destination nodes, and the best appropriate node can be selected as the final placement destination (3) we show how to compute our mechanism with a distributed algorithm that is a straightforward extension to P2P allocation method and causes a overhead in convergence time. This approach of using an existing protocol as a substrate for distributed computation may prove useful in future development of P2P allocation algorithms. Our design and analysis of a strategy proof, feasible, VCG-based routing mechanism provides a new, promising direction in distributed algorithmic mechanism design, which has heretofore been focused mainly on P2P application.


Although unauthorized copying of software is regarded as illegal in more and more countries, ordinary computer users continue to intermittently engage in the practice. The issue of whether unauthorized copying of computer software is morally justified and additionally, whether developers and software companies can truly own software, has become increasingly relevant in the era of information society. These questions not only cover the ontological foundations of software as a form of intellectual property rights, but also the social and economic effects of free versus proprietary software. Such questions also lead to further debate about whether is it justifiable to copy a program that you yourself would never buy (Weckert, 1997), or whether it is justifiable to copy legally purchased software for relatives, family, or friends without compensating the software producer (Birsch, 2003).


Educational use of the Internet forms one of the cornerstones of Labour government policy, primarily via the construction of the 'National Grid for Learning' which aims to connect every school in the UK to the Internet by 2002. In this paper we report on the extent to which schools are already buying into information and communi- cations technology (ICT) and in particular the Internet, effectively examining the foundations upon which the Learning Grid is being constructed. Via an empirical study of 150 current school websites we will argue that schools adopt a variety of approaches to the Internet and Worldwide Web depending upon the technological and institutional capital of the school, and that far from being utilised solely for educational purposes, the Internet provides an additional tool through which schools seek to reaffirm or reconstruct their existing institutional identities with varying levels of success. The paper concludes by adopting a semiotic framework for analysing the differential use of the Internet by


In recent years, low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) has received widespread popularity with long-range and wide-area communication at low power for the Internet of Things (IoT) systems. Among many vendors of LPWAN, long-range low-power wireless communications, also called LoRa, is one of the competing standards and is well known in both academia and industrial communities as an emerging research area. Among the LoRa applications, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) systems are emerging with the benefits of extended battery life and a long communication range. In this paper, we investigate the network capacity with the mixture of concurrent and sequential transmission (MCST) scheme over LoRa networks. From the simulation results, it can be seen that MCST is suitable for implementation in the LoRa network. Specifically, MCST can achieve higher throughput with low transmission latency and energy consumption compared to the existing CSMA approach LoRa MAC. Besides, we also propose a modified MCST over the LoRa (mMCST/LoRa) scheme to mitigate the transmission latency further. The simulation results reveal a better performance in terms of throughput, latency and energy consumption, regardless of the frame payload size and the number of nodes in the network.


Load Monitoring (LM) is a fundamental step to implement effective energy management schemes. LM includes Intrusive LM (ILM) and Non-Intrusive LM (NILM). Compared with intrusive approaches, non-intrusive approaches enjoy low cost, easy installation, and promising scalable commercialization potentials. This paper provides a survey of effective NILM system framework and advanced load disaggregation algorithms, reviews load signature models, presents existing datasets and performance metrics, summarizes commercial applications such as demand response, highlights the challenges, and points out future research directions.


Strained In0.2Ga0.8As/GaAs multiple quantum well polyimide buried ridge waveguide lasers with 3 dB bandwidths of 20 GHz and K factors as low as 0.17 ns have been fabricated. This is the highest bandwidth and the lowest K factor reported to date for quantum well lasers in any material system or for lasers of the ridge waveguide geometry.


Marine exploration and production play a vital role in petroleum industries. It is difficult to acquire enough wells data in marine, so seismic data becomes the most important interpretation data in research. Generally, the seismic data in marine has a low quality because of the deep depth from the surface. To partly address this, the support vector regression (SVR) algorithm is proposed to fused multiple seismic attributes for sand thickness prediction. First, we used the forward modeling is used to establish virtual wells for improving training dataset. Second, we select the optimal attributes by correlation analysis. Third, we apply the SVR algorithm is applied to learn the relationship between seismic attributes and sand thickness. Fourth, we use the SVR model can be used to predict the sand thickness between wells by calculating a fused attribute. The results show that fusion attribute with SVR has higher correlation coefficient with sand thickness than original attributes by statistical method. The approach can be widely used for improving seismic interpretation quality of research area with few wells.


The genetic underpinnings of two major and quite different mental disorders—manic-depressive illness and Alzheimer's disease—have been established in recent weeks. In both cases, teams of researchers have used sophisticated techniques in molecular biology coupled with long-term inheritance studies to locate the exact genetic region—and in one case, perhaps the exact gene—that predisposes certain people to develop the disorder. Manic-depressive illness is a psychiatric illness that affects 1 million to 2 million Americans, or at least 1.2% of the adult population. People with the illness have extreme mood swings, in which feelings of deep, often incapacitating, depression alternate with periods of intense activity or irritability. The symptoms of the illness can lead to fatal consequences, including suicide. There is no cure, but it is among the most treatable of psychiatric disorders, often responding to drug therapy that utilizes lithium carbonate in combination with tricyclic antidepressants or monoamin...


T he nutritional practices of female athletes can have a tremendous effect on their health and performance. Coaches must try to gain understanding of how discussing weight, nutrition, and performance with female athletes can, at times, require careful regard for how the message may be perceived. After all, a coach often has the most influential position in reinforcing nutrition messages. The coach can lead by example, encourage healthful snacking before practices and events, and discourage dieting.


The plant world is the gold mine of contemporary medicine because of the abundance of bioactive compounds and secondary metabolites it contains. In fact, it is a therapeutic and preventative dietary supplement that helps the body resist disease and age more gracefully. The papaya (Carica papaya L.), featured above, is an associate of the Caricaceae family and is widely regarded for its useful nutritional and therapeutic benefits around the world. Papaya's nutritional and medicinal value comes from its many parts, including its leaves, roots, skin, fruit, and seeds. It thrives in warm, humid climates and is widely distributed throughout the tropics and subtropics. This review aims to synthesize, by the end of 2022, data on papaya's functional activity culled from electronic sources, including Dimensions, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science and Science Direct. Papaya is a good dietary supplement because of the wealth of research detailing the plant's utilization of many medicinal chemicals. Numerous vitamins, minerals, and enzymes, including papain, glycylendopeptidase, chymopapain, and caricain, can be found in plant extracts, notably those made from the fruits and leaves. These chemicals have anticancer actions; reduce inflammation, hyperglycemia, infertility, hypertension problems, and more thanks to their intriguing nutraceutical qualities. Papaya seeds peel, and leave have medical promise, but additional study is needed to determine dosage, mechanism of action, and safety profile. Therefore, this review urges the implementation of public health awareness initiatives to encourage the consumption of papaya so that the general public can reap the fruit's full potential in preventing and treating disease. Keywords : Nutraceuticals, Carica papaya, Anticancer, Antimicrobial, Phytochemicals, Traditional medical system, Bio-pharmacological potency


The notion of a "biological clock" in women arises from the fact that oocytes progressively decline in number to the point of exhaustion as females get older, along with a decades-old dogmatic view that oocytes cannot be renewed in mammals after birth [1]. This latter thinking was challenged in 2004 when Tilly and colleagues [2], then others [3], reported that the rate of oocyte loss through follicular atresia and ovulation was much higher than the net rate of oocyte decline. This ignited an ongoing debate about whether the ovaries of adult mammals can form new oocytes and follicles [4]–[6]. Recent work demonstrating that oocyte-producing (oogonial) stem cells (OSCs; also referred to as female germline stem cells or fGSCs) exist in and can be isolated from ovaries of adult fish [7], [8], mice [2], [9]–[11], and even humans [11], [12] has led to new ideas about reproductive biological clocks. Earlier this year, a paper published in PLoS Genetics offered some of the most direct evidence to date that oogenesis in mice continues into adulthood under normal physiological conditions [13].

Shapiro and colleagues use a "molecular clock"—based on microsatellite mutations and a genetic trick to increase the mutation rate to ∼0.03 per cell per generation—to track the lineage relationships of individual cells, and reconstruct lineage trees in which inferred "depth", or number of preceding mitotic cell divisions, is proportional to branch length [14]–[18]. Not surprisingly, the authors find that oocyte lineage trees are distinct from those of somatic cells; they then use the size and distribution of the lineage trees to estimate an initial oocyte progenitor pool of three to ten cells, similar to what has been estimated for the number of lineage-restricted primordial germ cell (PGC) precursor cells specified early in embryogenesis [19]. In addition, lineage trees from left and right ovaries are not distinct, which suggests there is substantial mixing of oocyte progenitors prior to the establishment of the two different ovary populations.

One of the most intriguing findings, though, is that oocytes exhibit a significant and progressive increase in depth as females age [13]. In other words, oocytes in older mice are derived from progenitor germ cells that have undergone more mitotic divisions than those that gave rise to oocytes in younger females. Two potential causal mechanisms are offered to explain this striking observation. The first, and the one that Reizel et al. dedicate the majority of their discussion to, is based on the "production-line hypothesis" first proposed by Henderson and Edwards in 1968 [20] as a potential explanation for the increase in oocyte chromosomal abnormalities and infertility observed with age. The production-line hypothesis states that oocytes in follicles are selected for maturation and ovulation throughout adult life in the same sequential order as their generation during fetal development. That is, oocytes matured and ovulated later in life theoretically committed to meiosis during embryonic development later than those germ cells that give rise to oocytes used earlier during adulthood.

Reizel et al. carry out simulations to depict how an embryonic meiotic production line could account for their observations, which they refer to as "depth-guided oocyte maturation". However, a major problem with this idea is that the production-line hypothesis is based on differences in the timing of meiotic entry during embryogenesis, whereas depth of a given oocyte reflects the number of mitoses that occurred in the premeiotic germ cell (progenitor) that gave rise to that oocyte before it was formed. Proliferation of embryonic female germ cells in the mouse ceases at embryonic day 13.5 (e13.5) just prior to the onset of meiotic entry, which spans five days [21]–[23]. It is therefore unclear how oocytes formed at e18.5, and presumably matured later in life (viz. twelve months of age), would have significantly more depth than those formed only five days earlier (e13.5), and presumably matured first (viz. one month of age), in lieu of any additional rounds of germ cell mitosis between e13.5 and e18.5 (Figure 1).

Figure 1

Postnatal oogenesis through ongoing oogonial stem cell (OSC) mitosis explains increasing oocyte depth with age.

We think a more logical explanation for the observations of Reizel et al. is that oocytes present in ovaries of older females arise from postnatal oogenesis, as successive mitotic divisions of OSCs with age give rise to new "deeper" oocytes. This suggestion, which Reizel et al. mention more in passing than as an explanation, is consistent with earlier work demonstrating the presence of rare proliferating germ cells in ovaries of mice during postnatal life [2]. These cells can be purified, continue to proliferate in vitro, and when transplanted into the ovaries of recipient mice generate fully functional eggs that fertilize to produce viable embryos and offspring [9], [11]. If oocytes in older female mice arise from actively dividing OSCs, those oocytes would have greater depth than oocytes from younger mice, since in younger females the oocyte pool would be derived either from embryonic PGCs or from postnatal OSCs that had undergone fewer mitotic divisions up to that point (Figure 1).

Interestingly, Reizel et al. also find that unilateral ovariectomy at one month of age results in an increase in oocyte depth in the remaining ovary when analyzed three months later compared with oocytes from age-matched control female mice possessing both ovaries [13]. Past studies with rodents have shown that following the removal of one ovary, compensatory ovulation occurs from the remaining ovary through increased follicle recruitment out of the immature follicle pool [24]–[29]. This leads to maintenance of a normal ovulatory quota in mice possessing only a single ovary, which persists for at least 75 weeks post-surgery [30]. Interestingly, despite the increased pull of follicles from the "single" ovarian reserve for long-term maintenance of normal ovulation rates, premature ovarian failure does not occur in unilaterally-ovariectomized mice [29]–[31], the follicle pool is not depleted at a greater rate [29]–[31], and there is no decline in the rate of follicle atresia which might provide a source of the additional immature follicles recruited for ovulatory growth [29]. Collectively, these historical data, coupled with the increase in depth of oocytes following unilateral ovariectomy reported by Reizel et al. [13], combine to make a compelling case for an increase in the rate of postnatal oogenesis in the remaining ovary as a very logical explanation for these findings.

In closing, the debate over whether mammals rely on OSCs and postnatal oocyte production for maintenance of ovarian function and fertility during adulthood is not yet settled. The recent purification of OSCs from ovaries of adult mice and women [9]–[11], and the fact that such cells, at least in mice, differentiate into fertilization-competent oocytes that produce viable embryos and offspring following intraovarian transplantation [9], [11], provide independent corroboration of their existence and functional potential. In addition, other work has reported the presence of dormant premeiotic germ cells in ovaries of aged female mice that resume the generation of new oocytes if moved into a young adult ovarian environment [32]. While these types of transplantation studies tell us what these newly discovered cells can do, it remains unclear what OSCs are doing in adult ovaries under normal physiological conditions. The recent work of Shapiro and colleagues is one of the first reports to offer experimental data consistent with a role for postnatal oocyte renewal in contributing to the reserve of ovarian follicles available for use in adult females as they age. Although unequivocal conclusions cannot be made at this point regarding the basis of the increase in oocyte depth described by Reizel et al. [13], their work is nonetheless an exciting and important addition to our understanding of reproductive biology and the origin of mammalian oocytes.


Subject area – Marketing, innovation, strategy. Study level/applicability – Undergraduate, post-graduate and executive education. Case overview – This case is set in January 2012, a few days before the launch of Mysore Sandal Millennium, a super-premium luxury soap offering from the Indian public sector enterprise, Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Ltd. ("KS&DL"). Three years of research had been put into this product, which contained some of the finest, high-quality ingredients. KS&DL had, over the past decade or so, observed a significant fall in brand image for its signature product, the Mysore Sandalwood soap. While this soap had for many years been considered the premium brand in India, it had lost its place when well-known foreign brands became available in India, and local manufacturers moved towards this segment, manufacturing a whole new range of competitive products such as liquid body washes and gels. It was with an aim to rebuild its image that the company decided to launch the Millennium soap. K...


With the coming worldwide commercialization of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), the challenges regarding its cost, performance and durability urgently need to be overcome. Developing ultralow platinum (Pt) loading...


DECEMBER 30, 1973 came and went without a whimper. It was supposed to be a date to watch, the day the Filipinos would rise in massive indignation against President Marcos' continued exercise of power in defiance of popular will and beyond the prescribed eight-year constitutional limit. The armed forces were placed on "red alert" and the presidential yacht had been put to sea surrounded by four naval patrol boats-just in case. But the day was totally uneventful. A crisis had passed and 1974 was ushered in on a positive note for the martial law regime of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos.


The transaction scale of cross-border import e-commerce has grown rapidly around the world. Platform-style cross-border e-commerce does not control the quality, source and transaction process of goods strictly and comprehensively. In terms of customer service quality, the seller's customer service often ignores the customer's problems, and some customer service solutions cannot solve the customer's problems. Serving customers through the network has changed the traditional offline service form without distance, and the service process has a time and space distance. This paper constructs an evaluation index system based on the development of cross-border e-commerce. Through questionnaires, relevant data were obtained and analyzed. Analyze the results based on the collected data on the factors that affect the quality of cross-border import e-commerce services. Responsiveness is the most important factor found by artificial neural networks. The descending order of importance of other factors is fulfillment, diversity, privacy, reliability, compensation, and ease of use.


A classification of habitats is given for the area studied on the right bank of the Shapkina River, (East European tundra, southern subzone). The classification is based on the topographic position of biotopes and their plant communities. The mosaic of tundra vegetation makes it difficult for mapping. Usually in nature the combinations of plant communities are confined to specific types of habitats. To display the regularities of a fine-contour vegetation cover on maps, we used the habitat approach diagnosed by combinations of plant communities. The field survey was done in the summer of 2020; total area of about 150 km2 was surveyed. Ultra-high resolution (3–5 cm/px) aerial photography was carried out for key areas, using a DJI Mavic Pro Platinum quadrocopter (shooting height from 80 to 200 m). 25 geobotanical relevés were completed; in addition 180 short descriptions were made for map verification. All types of habitats in the proposed scheme are correlated with EUNIS units, lists of syntaxa are given. A large-scale map (1 : 50 000) of habitats was prepared. All tundra habitats are divided into two groups. First level of habitat classification confined to the main landscape types: watersheds and river valleys of watercourses with a floodplain regime. Watershed habitats are subdivided into 5 categories (second level of habitat classification), determined by their runoff-geochemical position on the generalized geomorphological profile (from the highest relief elements to the lowest ones), including underlying rocks, moisture regime and migration of elements, exposure features. Due to the small amount of data mapping of river valley habitats was performed only for units of the second level. At the third level watershed habitats are well diagnosed by vegetation at the level of associations, combinations of commuities, soil cover, and microrelief. As a result, most units of the second and third levels are clearly distinguished on aerial photography obtained using a quadrocopter, and also correlate with specific syntaxa. As a result of field data and aerial photographs analyses, 12 categories of habitats, represented by 17 syntaxa, were identified for watersheds at the 3rd level.


1
Various thiophosphate analogues of adenine nucleotides, such as adenosine 5′-O-(1-thiotriphosphate), adenosine 5′-O-(3-thiotriphosphate), adenosine 5′-O-(1-thiodiphosphate) and adenosine 5′-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) as well as the 1-N-oxides of adenosine 5′-O-tri(and-di)-phosphates show atractyloside-sensitive (i.e. adenine nucleotide-"carrier"-linked) and insensitive (non-"carrier"-linked) binding properties to rat liver mitochondria.

2
Modified nucleoside diphosphates, such as adenosine 5′-O-(1-thiodiphosphate) and adenosine 5′-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) do not react with adenosine 5′-O-triphosphate synthetase (ATP-synthetase) in oxidative phosphorylation. Both are potent inhibitors of mitochondrial state-3 respiration whereas the 1-N-oxide of adenosine 5′-O-diphosphate does not interfere.

3
Substitution of phosphate-moiety oxygen by sulfur affects enzymatic γ-phosphoryltransfer reactions. Adenosine 5′-O-(1-thiodiphosphate) is a substrate for nucleside diphosphate kinase whereas adenosine 5′-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) is not. Adenosine 5′-O-(1-thiotriphosphate) but not adenosine 5′-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) can replace adenosine 5′-O-triphosphate in hexokinase-catalyzed glucose-phosphorylation.


Bartkowiak Monika, Znaczenie wirtualnego doradztwa w obliczu komputeryzacji śro- dowiska edukacyjno-zawodowego czlowieka (The importance of virtual counselling in connection with the computerization of the educational and professional environment of a man). Studia Edukacyjne nr 27, 2013, Poznan 2013, pp. 309-324. Adam Mickiewicz University Press. ISBN 978-83-232-2691-8. ISSN 1233-6688 The main area of thought in this article is to describe and show the importance of virtual careers counselling in connection with the processes of computerization and informatization of man's educational and professional environment. The starting point for the discussion on the unique way the students and workers function in an information society is understanding the idea of con- tinuous education and its role in the process of shaping one's career path. A very important issue of present changes and demands on the job market is also taken up. The importance of modern information technologies in the educational and professional environments of people is the basis for the thought on the need for creating and improving the virtual counselling offer. Showing its importance in the context of a lifelong process, and not only in the key moments of one's educatio- nal and professional career, is the fi nal issue described in this article.


be most frequent in summer months. It was also determined that children took ether phosphate most frequently and that mothers of children purchased caustic substances in a closed container, but these substances were divided to another utensil at home. It was found that children ingested caustic substances found in their homes and families were brought their children to the hospital without doing anything. Conclusions: The increasing diversity of corrosive substances used in household cleaning, constitutes a great danger for children. In this respect, especially families at risk groups should be identified and these families need to be informed about the dangers of corrosive materials.


A thorough ab initio study of how the addition of successive water molecules shifts the gas phase zwitterion-neutral equilibrium of the amino acid glycine toward that of the solution phase is presented. Of particular interest is the number of water molecules necessary to stabilize the zwitterion, and how the solvent effects conformational preference. It is found that two water molecules can stabilize the glycine zwitterion, that is, give rise to a potential energy minimum with at least one vibrational level. The results are analyzed and explained using localized charge distributions. 35 refs., 11 figs., 4 tabs.


The most prevailing view on the pathogenesis of sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD) assumes that chronic imbalance between production and clearance of amyloid-β (Aβ) leads to accumulation of this hydrophobic and aggregation prone peptide in the brain and induces a neurodegenerative cascade [1]. Removal of Aβ through the blood-brain-barrier (BBB) to the bloodstream constitutes one of the critical pathways of Aβ clearance from the brain. Connected by tight junctions, endothelial cells line the cerebral vasculature and constitute the luminal layer of the BBB. Such endothelial cells are directly responsible for the active transport of numerous blood-borne elements to the brain and express the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP-1) which serves as a major Aβ clearance receptor. Numerous data indicate damage and dysfunction of the endothelial cell layer in AD patients and in AD transgenic animals, which undoubtedly contributes to the dysfunction of the BBB and impairment of its protective Aβ clearance capacity [2]. This dysfunction is exacerbated by Aβ itself, which shows pronounced vasculotropism and vasculotoxicity. Virtually all AD cases have some extent of cerebral amyloid angiopathy. Aβ peptide was shown to inhibit angiogenesis [3] and to be directly toxic to brain endothelial cells [4]. In this issue of the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, Dr. Soon-Tae Lee and colleagues described dysfunction of circulating angiogenic cells (CACs) in patients with sporadic AD [5]. Recently, the same group also reported a reduced number of CACs in AD patients [6], which inversely correlated with severity of the disease on cross-sectional study. These original observations contribute to our understanding of the etiopathogenesis of the vasculopathy and BBB dysfunction associated with AD.


Summary.

1. Sodium β-mercaptopyruvate (MPA) was found to have a low toxicity when injected in different animals.

2. The compound had no or only weak cholinergic effects.

3. The antidote effect against hydrogen cyanide was low in the rabbit, but in the rat MPA gave protection against about 4 lethal doses of hydrogen cyanide.

4. The difference in the antidote effect of MPA in the rabbit and the rat is briefly discussed.


Objective To report 89 cases of total knee arthroplasty,the curative effect of treating osteoarthrosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Methods 89 cases of patients with total knee arthroplasty were followed up,and the HSS score system was analyzed; they were followed up for 6- 36 months,an average of 21 months. Record a deep vein thrombosis early after surgery and complications of infection,the reasons of complications were analyzed. Results The follow up showed that excellent and good results were achieved in 87. 6 %. Patients in the postoperative pain,function had been improved significantly,especially in terms of pain relief effect is remarkable. But early postoperative deep vein thrombosis of the fatality rate was extremely high,infection leading to operation failure rate was higher. Conclusion Total knee replacement presented a satisfactory procedure to serious osteoarthritis of the knee,but with more perioperative complications,prevention of deep vein thrombosis and infection was an important means to improve the success rate of surgery.


Abstract The skull and mandible morphometrics of two insular and endemic taxa (C. sicula and C. canariensis) from the Sicilian and Canary archipelagos, both having exactly the same karyotype were analysed by principal component and canonical variate analyses and related multivariate techniques. Information available in the literature was also employed to obtain a better approach to the systematics relationships in this taxon. Specimens of C. suaveolens, C. leucodon, C. whitakeri and C. russula from the Mediterranean, and C. esuae from the Pleistocene of Spinagallo (Sicily) were used as references. The results of multivariate analyses of the metric and non‐metric characters of the skull and mandible, coupled with data from the biochemical and cytotaxonomic literature, have provided unanimous results pointing to the marked phenetic similarity of the C. sicula and C. canariensis taxa, that are ascribable to the same monophyletic group. On paleobiogeographic grounds, it is suggested that both taxa are two rel...


This study aims to provide a concept for the formation of civic Disposition through the Antar Pakatan culture that grows in the Sambas Malay community. Activities that have become a habit in this tradition are the basis for applying the values that shape character. In a qualitative approach to research, the method used is ethnography. Data collection through participatory observation and interviews with 11 community leaders, religious leaders, communities, and village heads. This data analysis technique consists of three paths: data reduction, data presentation, and concluding. Based on the findings of Antar Pakatan, some values shape citizenship attitudes, namely an increase in the sense of unity, social care, a system of cooperation values in the economic field that can become a harmonious character by strengthening the values of Pancasila. The attitude of citizenship through Antar Pakatan as an effort to implement meanings such as adaptation, prioritizing peace, namely the formation of democratic attitudes and social care and integration. It is to unify perceptions of the benefits of togetherness to form a sense of unity that creates social attitudes and harmonizes harmony between communities.


Present state and characteristic of Electric Power Communication Network in China are introduced in this paper.It is an advanced area which has been widely used in many fields of Power System. In order to enlarge the application field of Electric Power Communication Network, some expanding and applying modes are described. Moreover, based on its progress and the developmental trend of new-style technology, some new schemes are provided in detail in this work. In view of the development of China Power Industry, a solution of control and management is proposed according to the analysis under the inner and external environments. Some tentative Ideas, suggestions and new plans about the application of network technique are also presented and discussed on basis of the above-mentioned premises in this work. We believe that it must be a bright prospect of China Power Industry in the future.


This thesis is focused on the intensity of care for patients with schizophrenia. In the theoretical part the deseases from medical and also nursing point of view is described. The thesis deals with the basic issues in the providing hospital service as specifics of communication including the access to aggressive patient. It also pays attention to serious complications, particularly depression and risk of suicide. In the practical part the subjective perception of the burden of medical staff in providing care to the patients with schizophrenia is found, using a questionnaire surfy and their ability to cope with stress is assessed.


Abstract Advances in helioseismology provide new knowledge about the origin of solar magnetic activity. The key questions addressed by helioseismology are: what is the physical mechanism of the solar dynamo, how deep inside the Sun are the magnetic fields generated, how are they transported to the surface and form sunspots? Direct helioseismic signatures of the internal magnetic fields are weak and difficult to detect. Therefore, most of the information comes from observations of dynamical effects caused by the magnetic fields. I review results of recent helioseismic observations of the magnetohydrodynamics of the solar interior on various scales, including global dynamics associated with the dynamo processes, and formation of sunspots and active regions.


Adranced culture is characterized by the ideology of age,science and affinity with people.It is consistent with"new culture"in history and"ethical civilization"in the present stage as well.The history of struggle of Chinese Communist Party is the one of development of adranced culture.Veteran proleatrian revolutionaries shouldered the leading responsibility for its development.Stil,Party′s leadership must be adhered to in building advanced socialist culture with Chinese characteristics;meanwhile,the Party must faithfully represent its orientation by self construction.The key issue of advanced culture is to build advanced socialist culture with Chinese chareacteristics by taking Marxism as a guide,strengthening ethical civilization as a kernel,developing education and science as an essential project,upholding"serving the people and socialism"as an aim,and carrging out"facing the world,future and modernizations"as a trend.


Objective: To observe the clinical effects of nephritis rehabilitation tablet combined with valsartan in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy. Methods: One hundred and twenty patients with diabetic nephropathy were randomly divided into group A( nephritis rehabilitation tablet group,44 cases),group B( valerian group,41 cases) and group C( combination nephritis rehabilitation tablet with valerian group,35 cases). The three groups were treated with nephritis rehabilitation tablet,Valerian and nephritis rehabilitation tablet combined with valerian for 12 weeks after blood glucose and blood pressure were controlled more than 3 weeks, respectively. The urinary microalbumin,urinary transferring and adverse reactions in three groups were recorded. Results: The levels of urinary microalbumin and urinary transferring in group C were lower than those in group A and B( P 0. 01). The differences of adverse reactions in three groups were not statistical significance( P 0. 05). Conclusions: The effects of nephritis rehabilitation tablet combined with valsartan for treating diabetic nephropathy are better than single drug treatment,and safety in clinical application.


Pleurocidin, an antimicrobial peptide originally isolated from the winter flunder (Pleuronecetes americanus), was evaluated for potential use in food sapplication. Eighteen microbial species. including yeasts, molds, and foodborne bacterial pathogens, were evaluated. Liquid based minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) technique was used to test antincrobial activity of the synthetic peptide. Hemolytic and cytoroxic effects on human cells were investigated using colorimetric analysis. Pleurocislia was found to be effective against foodborne organisms including Vibrio parahemolyticus (MIC of 69 μM), Escherichia coli O157:H7 (5.3 μM), Listeria manocytogenes (23 μM), Saccharamyces cerevisiae (5.5 μm), and Penicillium expansum (20.5 μm). Antimicrobial activity occurred without significant hemolytic or cytotoxic effect on human intestinal cells.


A select group of delegates gathered in the sauna-like atmosphere of the silver Springs cellar to learn how, and indeed why, we should put ourselves forward for Library Association chartership.


Load forecasting is the premise and foundation of power system planning, and the forecasting accuracy has a great impact on the safety and stability of the power system. In this article, we summarize and classify some prediction methods, and analyze the changes in prediction methods, which may inspire more advanced solutions.


Structure of control system for AC-voltage controller STATCOM with fleecy basis controller is similar to a nonlinear PI controller. In this, we have used a feathery method of reasoning controller as opposed to normal PI controller. Standard managementler for STATCOM moreover two or three utilizations of PI controller get PI snatches by strategy for an experimentation approach gives control parameters to the best execution at a given administrators reason won't not be productive at a particular masters reason. This try proposes another out of the carton new association model kept up versatile PI association, which may self-switch the association, gets all through an unsettling sway. The parameters are changed in a way that mix-up sign is minimized. To get the fancied result, we ought to apply a standard based system. The standard base for FLC is made by the experience out of mulling over the execution of STATCOM. The normal structure is kept up in MATLAB/SIMULINK PC code environment.


Hypopharynx includes pyriform fossa, post cricoid region, posterior pharyngeal wall. A 55 years old female was diagnosed to have Ca pyriform fossa (squamous cell carcinoma) with involvement of neck nodes. Patient underwent ONGs procedure which involves. Total       laryngopharyngectomy, with gastric pull up. patient            postoperatively functioned well and able to tolerate liquid and semisolid feeds.


Aim: To assess the cost-effectiveness of peer-based sexual behaviour education interventions in prison settings to prevent primary and secondary HIV infections. Methods: Based on the results of a systematic review of peer-based interventions in prison settings, we developed a Bernoulli model to estimate the number of HIV infections averted, consequent loss of quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) avoided and associated savings in health care costs over a lifetime respectively for a peer-led and a professionally-led education intervention. Results: The economic model showed that peer-led and professionally-led educational interventions prevent future HIV infections among offenders in prison settings, thus saving a significant amount of health care costs compared to a 'do nothing' scenario. In addition the peer-led intervention is dominant when compared to the professionally-led intervention (it is more effective and less costly). Whilst the model is surrounded by considerable uncertainty, the dominance scenario is confirmed in the one-way and probabilistic sensitivity analysis conducted. Conclusions: This study adds to previous evidence on the effectiveness of peer based educational interventions in preventing HIV in prison by showing that these are not only more effective but also cost less than the professionally-led alternative.


Large area astronomical surveys will almost certainly contain new objects of a type that have never been seen before. The detection of 'unknown unknowns' by an algorithm is a difficult problem to solve, as unusual things are often easier for a human to spot than a machine. We use the concept of apparent complexity, previously applied to detect multi-component radio sources, to scan the radio continuum Evolutionary Map of the Universe (EMU) Pilot Survey data for complex and interesting objects in a fully automated and blind manner. Here we describe how the complexity is defined and measured, how we applied it to the Pilot Survey data, and how we calibrated the completeness and purity of these interesting objects using a crowd-sourced 'zoo'. The results are also compared to unexpected and unusual sources already detected in the EMU Pilot Survey, including Odd Radio Circles, that were found by human inspection.


A FTER my resignation from the service of the Czechoslovak Ministry for Foreign Affairs two questions were put to me everywhere: Are there really no Soviet troops in Czechoslovakia? How do Soviet diplomats transmit their demands? The first question is easy to answer. There are, to the best of my knowledge, apart from the enclave of J'achymov, no Soviet troops in Czechoslovakia. They are unnecessary, because Czechoslovakia, like all countries of the Eastern bloc, or all Satellite countries if that expression is preferred, is geographically and politically so placed that her occupation by Soviet forces would be only a question of a few hours or days. The second question needs a more detailed answer, for it goes right to the heart of the true nature of the relations between the Satellites and the Soviet Union. In all Eastern bloc countries after the war the position of the Communist Parties was such that it was impossible to take a decision, especially in foreign policy, in opposition to their policies. Communist Parties in these countries thus controlled the general trend of their foreign policy. It later became clear that the Soviet Union desired not only co-operation on general lines, but one identical policy for the Satellite countries down to the smallest detail, dictated by the interest of the Soviet Union alone. To achieve this purpose, however, the Soviet Union had first to await a certain point in the general evolution after the war. This point was the signing of peace treaties with Hungary, Bulgaria, and Roumania, and the subsequent attempt to bring these former enemy countries into the United Nations. In this waiting period, Czechoslovakia was able to try out certain independent moves. The best known move of this kind was the Czechoslovak attempt to participate in the Marshall Plan. Lesser known, but perhaps more significant, is the memorandum transmitted by Czechoslovakia to the Deputies of the Foreign Ministers in London on Czechoslovak policy towards Germany. The Czechoslovak memorandum made it absolutely clear that, in view of Czechoslovak interests in the vital question of Germany, the preservation of the unity of the great Powers was an essential preliminary condition. The Soviet Union offered no reaction to this memorandum; not the slightest hint was given that the Soviet Union was not utterly in agreement with it. But at the same time that Czechoslovakia transmitted the memorandum the Czechoslovak Minister of Information, Mr Kopecky, a leading Communist, attacked the Czechoslovak policy vis-a-vis Germany 32


In this paper, we propose a texture descriptor based on amplitude distribution and phase distribution of the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) of an image. One dimensional DFT is applied to all the rows and columns of an image. Histograms of the amplitudes and gradients of the phases between adjacent rows/columns are computed as the feature descriptor, which is called aggregated DFT (ADFT). ADFT can be easily combined with completed local binary pattern (CLBP). The combined feature captures both global and local information of the texture. ADFT is designed for isotropic textures and demonstrated to be effective for roughness classification of castings. Experimental results show that the amplitude part of ADFT is also discriminative in describing anisotropic textures and it can be used as a complementary descriptor of local texture descriptors such as CLBP. key words: aggregated DFT (ADFT), completed local binary pattern (CLBP), roughness texture classification


Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) has been used in a variety of fields such as computer vision, speech recognition, and natural language processing. Because the amount of computation has increased tremendously, CNN has lately been accelerated through accelerators such as Graphic Processing Unit (GPU). However, resource-constrained embedded platforms such as Internet of Things (IoT) devices cannot afford to have such accelerators. Therefore, it is important to accelerate CNN by only the CPU efficiently. In this paper, we propose a method to accelerate CNN by using the Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD) unit integrated in many CPUs. Modern CPU includes a SIMD unit which is commonly used for vector operations. The proposed method implemented on an ARM's NEON can maximize the utilization of vector registers in the SIMD unit. Our proposed implementation has achieved a speed-up of up to 2.66 in execution time and an energy reduction of up to 3.55 times than the conventional implementation.


Roundabouts have not yet gained acceptance as an option for reducing traffic fatalities at non-signalized intersections in Japan. The safety study of roundabouts is, therefore, most important for awaking road and traffic administrators from a state of ignorance in Japan. This report shows several recent Japanese activities for evaluating roundabout safety. One activity is comparison study between roundabout and non-signalized right-angled intersection. Japan does not have roundabouts until now. Therefore, user adaptations for roundabouts should be evaluated before their installation. There are many discussions in terms of roundabouts such as whether drivers could make a hook turn in the right turning case (left turn in the US), how to educate the rule to run through the roundabouts and so on. Not having a fully clear answer to this discussion is one reason why it is taking a long time to deploy roundabouts. Virtual Reality is a key issue to provide the driving situation for a new type of intersection, and could resolve these arguments. Two types of intersection (roundabout and non-signalized right-angled intersection) are created to observe driver behavior at the roundabout and compare the safety between the intersections from the viewpoint of deceleration. Thirty-three subjects, including elderly persons were subjected to a running test in this study. Results show many findings, namely, many elderly drivers could make a hook turn in the right-turning case without any introduction of the rule for running roundabouts, the speed at the edge of the roundabout is lower than that at the non-signalized right-angled intersection (approaching from priority road), and the roundabout is safer because of the need to gradually decelerate compared with that in the case of the non-signalized right-angled intersection. The benefit of this study is to show these facts of driving behaviors, which could contribute to the installation of roundabouts in Japan. The other activity is a comparison study between three types of T-intersection. Each approach of a roundabout looks like a T-intersection. In the left-hand-side traffic rule such as in Japan, the configuration of an approach of a roundabout could be classified into a type of 'T-intersection with a two-way feeder road connected to a one-way main road going to the left (two-way feeder one-way main left)'. There are three types of T-intersection configuration: 'two-way feeder two-way main (TFTM)', 'two-way feeder one-way main left (TFOML)', and 'two-way feeder one-way main right (TFOMR)'. The number of conflicting points of the three types of T-intersection are discussed and compared with the case of a normal four-leg intersection. The driver's behavior while approaching for the feeder road for these types of T-intersection is observed in the real world, and TFOML is revealed as the case with the lowest safety-check load for the drivers when the load is observed as the number of head turnings, time of head turning, and angle of head turning. The results show the considerable advantage of roundabout in terms of safety-check load.


[debut du texte]In August 2012, more than 60 invited scientists and representatives of space agencies from different continents, nationalities
and disciplines attended the international workshop on 'Plant Biology Research in Space', held at the University of Freiburg, Germany. This workshop – jointly organised by the French and German space agencies, CNES and DLR – was embedded as satellite symposium into the Plant Biology Congress 2012, held by FESPB and EPSO, the two leading European organisations involved in plant research. Using this setup, it was also hoped that scientists from the so-called nonspace community would be attracted to the specific topic of plant biology in space. This idea proved very successful: more than 600 participants attended – for instance – the plenary lecture from Stan Roux on 'New insights in plant biology gained from space research'.


Let R be a commutative ring and let ℒ(σ) be a Gabriel filter of R such that R is σ-noetherian. We discuss the decomposition of the σ 1-torsion submodule of a σ-torsionfree R-module and characterize the σ l-injectivity of σ-closed R-modules through the σ m-injectivity of modules over noetherian local rings (S, m). As an application, we obtain new criteria to determine injectivity of modules over noetherian rings, of finite Krull dimension, and Krull domains.


A method was developed for differentiating multicomponent systems with incongruent compounds. This method was employed to differentiate the Li,Na,Sr∥F,WO 4 quaternary reciprocal system. Unit phase assemblages were recognized, and the phase tree was constructed. Chemical reactions characteristic of conversion elements were derived and confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction. Differential thermal analysis combined with projective thermogravimetry was used to study the LiF-Li 2 WO 4 -Na 2 WO 4 -SrWO 4 four-component system, which is the stable tetrahedron of the Li,Na,Sr∥F,WO 4 system. Two invariant points were found: one peritectic point and one tapering-out point.


Objective To explore the therapeutic method for pandiaphyseal osteomyelitis and evaluate its treatment efficacy.Methods A total of 13 cases with pandiaphyseal osteomyelitis(eight femurs and five tibiae) were treated with one-stage bone grafting filling medullary cavity after over-reaming.Results Of all,12 cases(12%) had good results but one failed.Conclusion One-stage bone grafting filling medullary cavity after over-reaming is an appropriate method for pandiaphyseal osteomyelitis and can win high healing rate.


In this study, we utilize bimetal sulfide, copper bismuth sulfide nanocrystals (CBS NCs) as multifunctional theranostic module for noninvasive X-ray contrast imaging and photodynamic therapy. Recently, copper based NCs have garnered immense attention due to their intriguing optical properties, which show great promise in the biomedical arena. Firstly, CBS NCs present a solid absorption in the NIR region. Secondly, polymer hybrid conjugated CBS NCs can themselves serve as therapeutic agents due to the photo/light triggered hyperthermia and/or ROS generation ability. We show that upon NIR irradiation of intravenously CBS administered tumors, photodynamic therapy was instigated at irradiated site, selectively ablating the tumors by absorbing externally applied ultra-low power (10 mW/cm2) NIR light. With their X-ray contrast imaging potential and photodynamic therapeutic effects, we are confident that these CBS NCs will be helpful to image/monitor and simultaneously treat various ailments including from cancer.


The study examined the pattern and causes of non-conforming behaviours of students of secondary schools in Nigeria, as perceived by teachers. It also researched into the management of these behaviour by the teachers. Two hundred and forty secondary school teachers drawn from the four divisions of Ogun State, Nigeria took part in the study. The findings revealed that the prevalent non-conforming behaviour of the students are: lateness, disobeying rules, insulting fellow students, leaving school before time, using abusive language, absenteeism, stealing, quarrelling, disrupting classes, cheating in examinations and tests, leaving school without permission, aggressiveness, fighting and bullying. These behaviours are caused by the students intelligent, society, peer group, age of students, the home, curriculum and location of school. Among the techniques used by teachers to manage these behaviours are: warning, private talk, sending to principal, recording of behaviours, consulting parents, giving extra home-work, isolating the students and involving students in school administration.
 IFE PsychologIA Vol 9, No 2 September 2001, pp. 100-112


Control circuit enables a solar cell power supply to deliver maximum electrical power to a load. It senses the magnitude of the slope of the voltage-current characteristic curve and compares it to a reference voltage which represents the slope corresponding to the desired operating limits.


The aim of the study was to introduce the feasibility and utility of clinical trial simulation as applied to the clinical development of naratriptan. The probability of pain relief was estimated with the proportional odds model. The result was very close with the curve from the instruction. Clinical trial simulation resulted in a design with seven arms at 0, 1, 2.5, 5, 10, 15 and 20 mg. The curve of pain relief probability expressed pain relief trend directly with the change of dose, which gave a reference to the dose of naratriptan. Clinical trial simulation is a useful tool for the quantitative assessment of the influence of the controllable factors.


Among various affecting factors of gravity erosion,the topography and geomorphy,i.e.the gravity erosion provides the basic dynamic force(gravity force) and its behavior is the results of long-term action of gravity erosion.It shows through the calculation of topographic shaping of typical regions and channel shaping of the river system of the middle Yellow River and preliminary analysis on interrelationship with gravity erosion that it is feasible to reflect the integrated factor of topography and geomorphy of the river basin through shaping;the relation between topographic shaping and gravity erosion is closer,which can be used for macro prediction of gravity erosion and;the relation between river system shaping and gravity erosion is weaker.


Polariscopes are the basic instruments used for the analysis of the stress state of transparent materials. Polarized light passing through a 3D object carries the integrated effect of the stress field along the light path. Therefore, conventional polariscopes are not able to discern the stress state of objects involving multiple plates with mutual occlusions. In this paper we propose a novel experimental system for three-dimensional stress analysis based on the combination of a polariscope and Synthetic Aperture Integral Imaging technique. Experimental results show the system's ability to recover the information of the stress distribution of a set of plates located at different depths having mutual occlusions.


(57) Abstract: The present invention is of type II, it has aesthetic as a medicament provides a crystalline polymorph of stable olanzapine.


This invention provides a lighting lamp for a vehicle using a light emitting element as a light source in which utilization rate of flux of light is improved and irradiation control of light can be made accurately, while the lamp structure is simplified. A cylindrical lens 22 is arranged extending in the vehicle width direction and the light from three light emitting elements 24 arranged at the rear part than the rear side focal line FL is reflected by three reflectors 26 toward the front. The reflecting surface 26a of each reflector 26 is established in elliptical shape for the perpendicularcross-section shape crossing at right angles the rear side focal line FL, making the light emitting center of each light emitting element 24 as a first focus and the point near the rear side focal line FL as a second focus. Thereby, the utilization rate of the flux of light for the light from each light emitting element 24 is improved, and a light distribution pattern with comparatively narrow vertical width can be formed. Furthermore, even if the position of the cylindrical lens 22 and the position of each reflector 26 are shifted in the vehicle width direction, light distribution pattern ofalmost constant shape can be formed, while making the lamp structure simple.


Approximately one-sixth of all brain tumors occur in children under fifteen years of age. French (8), reporting from the University of Minnesota Hospitals, stated that 1 per cent of all patients admitted to the pediatric service had a brain tumor. There seemed to be a peak incidence at two years and again at six years. Stern (16) states that over onehalf of the brain tumors in children occur during the first five years of life, and in Pilcher's (15) series 40 per cent of the children were seven years of age or younger. Of 427 tumors in patients under fifteen years of age, 6 were seen in infants less than a year old. Gross (9) studied 9 cases of primary brain neoplasm occurring in the first two years of life. Of our group of 34 brain tumors in patients whose ages ranged from eleven months to fifteen years, 19 were in children six years of age or younger. Most authors agree that two-thirds of the brain tumors in children occur beneath the tentorium. The majority of these are highly malignant. In a study of ...


The synthesis of Ti 3 SiC 2 by pressureless reactive sintering of Ti/SiC/C mixtures under an Ar atmosphere has been studied using in situ neutron diffraction. The intermediate phases TiC x and Ti 5 Si 3 C x (x≤1) form first at ∼800-1400°C. These phases are consumed in the formation of Ti 3 SiC 2 , at ∼1500°C. After sintering, Ti 5 Si 3 C x disappears but an amount of TiC x remains in the sample primarily as a surface layer. The studies appear to support a suggestion that the intermediate phases react to form Ti 3 SiC 2 through a diffusion-controlled process. Prolonged stepwise heating under argon in some experiments resulted in decomposition of Ti 3 SiC 2 above ∼1400°C and significant disproportionation of the sample.


Autosomal dominant inherited spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA) are a heterogeneous group of disorders that are clinically characterized by a slowly progressive syndrome of ataxia and depending on the genotype a variable number of extracerebellar symptoms. Biomarkers to monitor neurological dysfunction are lacking and scales for the clinical assessment of symptoms have only recently been validated. To quantify localized brain atrophy in 82 patients suffering from SCA1, SCA3, or SCA6 compared with 31 controls we performed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) followed by quantitative three dimensional (3D) volumetry. In SCA1 and SCA3 these analyses revealed severe atrophy in the pons, medulla, cerebellar hemispheres and cerebellar vermis, the putamen and the caudate nucleus. Atrophy in SCA6 was restricted to the cerebellum and the pons. Overall, we did not observe substantial atrophy in the cerebral cortex. Although it was not possible to separate SCA1, SCA3, SCA6 and healthy controls by the volumetric analysis of a single anatomical region, a discriminant analysis taking into account the data from pons, vermis, cerebellar hemispheres, medulla, midbrain and putamen achieved a reclassification probability of 82.3%. The repeat length of the expanded allele showed negative correlation with the volume of the midbrain, pons, caudate nucleus and putamen in SCA3, only a weak correlation with the pons in SCA1, whereas no such correlation was found SCA6. Clinical dysfunction as measured by the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) correlated with the atrophy of brainstem structures, particularly the pons, but not of cerebellar structures in SCA1 and SCA3, whereas in SCA6 a correlation with the cerebellar volume but not other brainstem structures was found. Our data provide strong evidence that MRI is an attractive surrogate marker for clinical studies of SCA but that in each SCA genotype clinical dysfunction may be caused by different patho-anatomical processes.


The paper introduces a new feature compensation method which will induct the relativity of the prediction of spectrum based probability model in detail. The method evaluates the parameters of the joint distribution using the expectation maximization (EM) algorithm. The minimum mean squared error (MMSE) estimator for the speech feature parameters in spectrum-domain based the prior probability distribution is to enhance the correctness of speech recognition. The algorithm is tested in different noise and signal noise ratio (SNR). Subjective measure testifies that this method can increase the correctness of continuous speech recognition.


The importance of chemical language and specifically of molecular models and their representations in the development of chemistry is discussed. Structural formulas are projections of molecular models used as a specific language by chemists. The meaningful learning of chemistry requires knowledge of this language. The use of these analogical symbols without the necessary understanding engenders difficulties for the learning of chemistry.


This study conducted on the constructed and performance a new sugar beet cultivator is an important production operation that assists in soil loosening weeding between rows and ridge forming. However, the operation is problematic because of risks of damaging the plants during critical growth phases. The article examines a new construction for precision cultivator guidance for inter-row tillage and presents the results of field trials of the new construction. This cultivator allowed for an increase in operating speed, which would increase the efficiency of the operation. This study concentrated on comparing between exported cultivator (model Gaspardo), Italian construction and the developed cultivator, to evaluate the new cultivator, three measurements achieved,weed erasing efficiency (E1 %) - weed control efficiency (E2 %) - percentage of damaged plants (Dp %).The equipment was tested under different operating conditions, at depth of cultivating (3, 5 and 7 cm), tractor forward speed (3.2, 4.4, and 5.5 km/h) and three types of shares (duck leg, shovel and modified share with protection armors). The results showed that the forward speed is 3.2 km/h; depth of cultivating was 7 cm and the modified type of share, respectively due to its ability to level soil loosening, weeding, and ridge forming between rows and reconsolidate the soil. The aim of this work is to study and performance a local inter row cultivator that working twice, the first at 8 -12 leaves and the other after ten days from the first one to be maximizing exploitation by Egyptian investments in new reclaimed land.


Input-parallel output-series (IPOS) power system is widely used in high output voltage and high-power applications. To improve the reliability and redundancy of the IPOS system, it is necessary to adopt a distributed and autonomous control strategy without a centralized controller. This article investigates an autonomous voltage control strategy for IPOS dc power system. The principle and characteristics of the control strategy are studied in detail. In particular, the limitations of the control strategy in power balance performance and output voltage accuracy are analyzed. To overcome the limitations, an autonomous voltage control strategy with power-ripple-based low bandwidth communication (LBC) is proposed. The power ripple on the output power line is used to share voltage compensation information among modules, which realizes voltage regulation accuracy control of the IPOS dc power system. The power-ripple-based communication is analyzed in detail. The stability of the proposed control strategy is also explored. The system has high redundancy and reliability in both control strategy and communication. The experimental prototype based on a three-module IPOS system is built to validate the proposed control and communication strategies.


In recent times, most of the industries provide transportation facility for their employees from scheduled pick-up and drop points. In order to reduce longer waiting time, it is important to accurately predict the vehicle arrival in real time. This paper proposes a simple, lightweight yet powerful historical data based vehicle arrival time prediction model. Unlike previous work, the proposed model uses very limited input features namely vehicle trajectory and timestamp considering the scarcity and unavailability of data in the developing countries regarding traffic congestion, weather, scheduled arrival time, leg time, dwell time etc. Our proposed model is evaluated against standard Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) regression models using real bus data of an industry campus at Siruseri, Chennai collected over four months of time period. The result shows that proposed historical data based model can predict two and half (approx.) times faster than ANN model and two (approx.) times faster than SVM model while it also achieves a comparable accuracy (75.56%) with respect to ANN model (76%) and SVM model (71.3%). Hence, the proposed historical data based model is capable of providing a real time system by balancing the trade-off between prediction time and prediction accuracy.


One of the newcomers in the field of brain mapping is transcranial magnetic Stimulation (TMS) [1-3]. In TMS, the cortex is stimulated non-invasively by strong magnetic field pulses that induce a flow of current in the tissue leading to the excitation of neurons. TMS can be used in three quite different ways: 1) by studying the electrophysiological response either locally or äs mediated by neuronal pathways from the stimulated spot (electrophysiology), 2) by disturbing ongoing neuronal signal processing in the brain in order to study cortical areas that are important for specific tasks (temporary lesions), or 3) by treating patients with targeted repetitive Stimulation (therapy). Many variations and combinations of these paradigms exist. In this tutorial, after a brief history of the field and some fundamentals of the technique, two points will be emphasized. First, frameless stereotaxy, Computerassisted Operation, and the Integration of TMS with MRI and other brain-imaging modalities will transform TMS into a true brain-mapping tool. Second, the Integration of TMS with EEG, PET and other functional imaging methods will open an exciting new area of research äs the reactivity and Connectivity of the cortex can be studied noninvasively for the first time.


Young people (10 – 25 years) continue to be overrepresented in alcohol use figures globally, despite extensive evidence for associated harms. This PhD research program found that the interaction between personality traits and social factors differentially influenced susceptibility to the onset and trajectories of drinking in young people. This thesis also started to disentangle the complex relationship between neurotic traits and alcohol use and pointed toward the potential utility of combined social norms and personality-targeted interventions for alcohol use in young people.


Koskei C. Ednah 1, Jackson J. Kitetu1, Recha C. Wambongo2

1Department of Environmental & Life Sciences, Kabarak University, P.O Box 20157, Kabarak, Kenya
 2Department of Geography, Egerton University, P.O Box 536, Egerton, Kenya

*Corresponding Author:
 Koskei C. Ednah
Email: email@example.com

Abstract: This study assessed perceived and actual rainfall trends and variability in Baringo County. Meteorological rainfall data for the period 1981 to 2010 and primary data on communities' perceptions of changes in rainfall were used. The study was conducted in three distinct agro-ecological zones covering highland (LH 2), lowland (IL 6) and midland (LM 5). The choice of rainfall stations was informed by agro-ecological zones and percentage of missing data. Data were analyzed on an annual and a monthly basis. Purposeful sampling and stratified proportionate random sampling procedures were used to obtain the sample for interview and household survey. Questionnaire, key informant interview schedule and observations were the main instruments of data collection. Trend analysis and coefficient of variation were used to analyze actual rainfall variability while household survey and interview data were used to evaluate perceptions on rainfall variability. Trend analysis showed year to year variability in rainfall. The data also revealed variation in rainfall trends by agro-ecological zones. Annual rainfall in LM5 and IL6 showed decreasing trends while in LH2, it showed increasing trend. IL6 and LH2 exhibits a very high coefficient of variation for annual rainfall (CV > 30%), indicating high rainfall variability. Households and key informants also perceived rainfall patterns to have changed as indicated by erratic rainfall patterns and decreased rainfall leading to water shortages. There is a need for increase in awareness of climate variability and development of appropriate mitigation measures. Local and national governments need to be proactively involved in local, national and global efforts to adapt to and mitigate climate variability impacts.
Key words: Rainfall trends, Rainfall variability, Trend analysis, Baringo County


Magnetite is a representative ore mineral found in various deposits. The trace element composition of ore deposits is controlled by several physiochemical factors such as temperature, pressure, and oxygen or sulfur fugacity. The chemical behavior of Germanium (Ge) is distinct in different environments. Consequently, the composition patterns of Ge in magnetite can be used to infer the provenance conditions. This study focuses on the Ge composition in magnetite from the Wugang banded iron formation (BIF) to understand the compositional characteristics of BIF sources and reconstruct of origin of Wugang BIF. The magnetite of the Wugang BIF has a porous texture, indicating high dissolution-reprecipitation processes and easy fluid infiltration, owing to its increased effective permeability. The Ge in the magnetite of the Wugang BIF was incorporated into iron hydroxide from the hydrothermal fluid and seawater during precipitation. The formation period of the Wugang BIF was consistent with significant oxidation events that led to the oxidation of ferrous ions in the Precambrian Ocean. Certain processes promote the chemisorption and coprecipitation of Ge into iron hydroxides or oxides.


According to the important roles of supervision engineer acted in sub-contract management as well as construction characteristics of sub-contracted project present situations of supervision engineers in sub-contract management are analyzed in the round.In view of the questions existed corresponding countermeasures are proposed,in order to ensure smooth running of project.


In this paper, we present an automatic leakage power modeling method for standard cell library as well as SRAM compiler. For this problem, there are two major challenges — (1) the high sensitivity of leakage power to the temperature (e.g., the leakage power of an inverter can be different by 19.28X when temperature rises from 25°C to 100°C in 90nm technology), and (2) the large number of models to be built (e.g., there could be 80,835 SRAM macros supported by an SRAM compiler). Our method achieves high accuracy efficiently by two formula-based prediction techniques. First of all, we incorporate a quick segmented exponential interpolation scheme to take into account the effects of the temperature. Secondly, we use a MUX-oriented linear extrapolation scheme, which is so accurate that it allows us to build the leakage power models for all SRAM macros based on linear regression using only the simulation results of 9 small-sized SRAM macros. Experimental results show that this method is not only accurate but also highly efficient.


SOFM(self-organizing feature map) algorithm is a clustering method that can cluster on non-supervision condition.An improved algorithm based on SOFM neural network clustering was introduced in this paper.It proposed the basic data clustering theory on SOFM and found problems in applications.The selection method of initial weights and the scope of neighborhood parameters were improved to increase the correct rate,convergence speed and computational efficiency of data clustering.The improved clustering algorithm is verified by simulation results.


In an earlier article I reported the text Ajax offered by the so-called 'Roman' family of Sophocles, the manuscripts G, R, and Q. My present purpose is to give collations of G, R, and Q for Philoctetes, with some introductory comments confined to this play; I hope I may be allowed to refer the reader to my previous article for a discussion of the general problems arising from a study of these manuscripts.


1 Overview This document describes the data and behavioral model used to evaluate angler preferences and behavior. Results from this model will parameterize a fishery simulation algorithm that can predict the impacts of regulatory changes on angler participation, angler welfare, and recreational fishing mortality. The behavioral model and its results are discussed, followed by a description of the simulation algorithm. The intent is to integrate output from the simulation algorithm, i.e., fishing mortality-at-age, with a population dynamics model such that impacts of regulatory changes on future stock conditions can also be assessed. Note that discussion of the behavioral model and its results in Sections 6 and 7 apply to summer flounder and black sea bass, as well as other species included in a 2010 choice experiment survey. However, in section 8, I describe how the behavioral model results are incorporated into a fishery simulation algorithm that is tailored to the recreational summer flounder fishery.


The Yihe Rebellion took a great part in Chinese liberating history.Meanwhile,it was an immense impact on Chinese traditional culture.After the failure of the Yihe rebels,intellectuals have become thoroughly doubtful and critical about the traditional ideas as Confucianism,honoring kings following ancestors,valuing miberal arts devaluing martial arts,etc.Thus for the first time a counter reflection upon Chinese traditional culture came into being in the 20~(th) century.The campaign had a far-reaching impact on both merging and conflicting of Chinese culture and the Western's.


Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is an effective treatment for most patients with sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (SAHS), improving sleepiness, cognitive function and mood. A number of patients, however, complain about persistent sleepiness after CPAP. In these cases another clinical history should be carried out to confirm the diagnosis of OSAS, to check CPAP compliance and to exclude associated conditions such as poor sleep hygiene, depression, narcolepsy or idiopathic hypersomnia. If necessary, a full polysomnography (PSG) followed by a multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) or even a full PSG with CPAP titration should be performed. Experimental data in animals suggest that longterm intermittent hypoxia related to the apneic events could deteriorate the brain structures that regulate alertness. This impairment, if present in humans, could be another reason for residual sleepiness after CPAP. Modafinil has been shown to reduce subjective sleepiness after CPAP in OSAS patients.


The invention relates to the thinning and harvesting of fruit and flowers. The device is an apparatus that can thin flowers, since said device is able to reduce the number of flowers on a tree, or can harvest fruit from fruit trees or berries from bushes. To that end, the device includes an activation means (4,4), configured to spin a shaft (2) and preferably made of calibrated steel, along which a plurality of filaments (3) are attached, said filaments being braided cords (3) that are approximately 3 mm thick and approximately 8 cm long.


Data obtained from the real-world tends to be uncertain: Measurement inaccuracies, variability in opinions, and human errors are just some of the reasons that make the information collection process noisy. In recent years, fuzzy sets have been used to capture the uncertainty in data and then build automatic reasoning systems. In some contexts, data on a given subject is gathered from multiple sources and each instance modeled through a fuzzy set. A typical example of this scenario is represented by surveys, in which many participants express their opinions on the same topics. The fuzzy sets representing individual instances can be combined in a new (type-1 or type-2) fuzzy set in order to capture expert or measurement variation. In this article, we propose a novel approach which combines uncertain data modeled through parametric fuzzy sets in an intuitive manner, using the recently introduced constrained interval type-2 (IT2) fuzzy sets. By intuitive, we mean that each resultant constrained IT2 fuzzy set preserves the shape used to represent a single data instance, while making use of the footprint of uncertainty to represent uncertainty around its parameters. This novel constrained parametric approach is applied to interval-valued data gathered from real surveys and compared to the other algorithms in the literature, showing how it differs from them, with discussion of the contexts in which it represents a valuable alternative. Finally, it is shown how this novel approach can be used to model not just intervals but data in which individual instances can be modeled through any parametric fuzzy sets (e.g., triangular).


The present study gives evidence for the presence of cellulose in the heterocyst envelope of blue-green algae by means of electron microscopy, cellulase treatments and specific staining and demonstrates the role of this cellulose for the protection of the heterocyst nitrogenase during acetylene reduction. Experiments with lysozyme and cellulase suggest that nitrogen fixation in heterocystous blue-green algae under aerobic conditions is functionally effective only when an intimate relationship exists between vegetative cells and heterocysts and both cell types have intact wall structures.


This study explores the effect of a nickel (Ni) microalloy addition on the thermal fatigue performance and microstructure of two low Ag content, Pb-free solder alloys, Sn-1.0Ag-0.5Cu (SAC105) and Sn-2.0Ag-0.5Cu (SAC205). The alloy performance was evaluated using two different area array component test vehicles, an 84-pin chip scale package (CSP) and a 192-pin fine pitch ball grid array (BGA). The baseline alloy microstructures were characterized using polarized light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy with backscattered electron imaging for phase identification. Thermal fatigue performance was assessed with accelerated thermal cycling (ATC) using four temperature cycling profiles with distinct temperature ranges (ΔT) and temperature extremes. Additionally, each temperature profile used a standard 10 minute dwell time or an extended 60 minute dwell time. A microalloy addition of 0.05% Ni was found to alter the base microstructures of the SAC 105 and SAC205 alloys. Generally, the Ni addition improved the thermal fatigue life but the improvement was not consistent in both alloys, both components, and across all thermal cycling profiles. The most consistent response was with the 84CTBGA component, which showed improved reliability with the Ni addition in all of the thermal cycles.


We define a unique geometrical Poisson bracket for classical physics of point particles and generalize this to the commutator algebra of quantum theory.


Playing on the title of the Jesus Seminar's first major publication, The Complete Gospels, this study uses the database of the Jesus Seminar to stitch together the story of Jesus as it appears in the gospel narratives that include women as major characters.


Inclusion of indigenous workers in the public sector under neoliberal multiculturalism creates different locations within the state where indigenous workers enter: (1) governmental nonindigenous sector, (2) governmental indigenous sector, and (3) nongovernmental indigenous sector. The impact of including Mapuche workers in the Chilean health sector is explored via differing effects in diverse state locations. After detailed examination of Mapuche workers in various areas, I argue that the state in an era of neoliberalism evolves into a multilayered entity, whose impact on Mapuche workers varies depending on location.


used the singular lip, considering how very rarely the upper lip is primarily affected. Reference is made to the Special Report on Cancer in Ireland, in which the Registrar-Gene^ shows that the cancer mortality of 4 6 per 10,000 in 1891 has steadily increased to G'5 per 10,000 in 1901; and in 1901 there were 63 deaths from lip-cancer amongst 1,29G male deaths from cancer, and 11 deaths from lipcancer amongst 1,597 female deaths from cancer. Throughout his paper the term cancer is used for epithelioma of the lip. Sir Thornley Stoker