The mobile applications environment has a multitude of particularities generated by the complex system of devices, hardware, and software proles and categories of users. The mobile industry has also evolved rapidly in the last 5 years from single-core mobile platforms to multiple-core mobile application platforms, able to compete in terms of user services with notebooks. New types of devices, like tablets, or shifts in human-computer interface paradigms from button click to screen touch, have opened new perspectives both for users and software developers. This requires an adaptable approach for performance analysis in terms of total quality management for software projects. In this context, quality is analyzed from the viewpoints of developers, of users and, respectively, of one who aims to recover an investment. This paper proposes a mobile application quality estimation model that requires the identication of features such as mode of interaction, command speeds, interaction time, drivability, volume of provided information, error management, self- healing, integrability, data security, transaction security, coecients determining importance and building an aggregate indicator, and which properties should be highlighted for ensuring usability in a practical environment. The indicator is integrated in a quality metric used to assess mobile applications' quality. Emphasizing the usefulness of the indicator is done on a representative set of mobile computing applications. The paper proposes a set of indicators normalized on the (0; 1) interval used to measure the application quality level.


Most recently, the technology of around view monitoring(AVM) system or the security systems could provide users with images by using a fisheye lens. The filmed images through fisheye lens have an advantage of providing a wider range of scenes. On the other hand, filming through fisheye lens also has disadvantages of distorting images. Especially, it causes the sharpness of images to degrade because the edge of images is out of focus. The influence of a blur still remains at the end of the range when the super-resolution techniques is applied in order to enhance the sharpness. It degrades the clarity of high resolution images and occurs artifacts, which leads to deterioration in the performance of super-resolution algorithm. Therefore, in this paper we propose self-similarity-based pre-processing method to improve the sharpness at the edge. Additionally, we implement the acceleration in the GPU environment of entire algorithm and verify the acceleration.


The paper seeks to explore some aspects of the current state of knowledge on progressive collapse in the technical literature covering blast loads and structural analysis procedure applicable to reinforced concrete (RC) buildings. The paper describes the progressive collapse analysis of a commercial RC building located in the city of Riyadh and subjected to different blast scenarios. A 3-D finite element model of the structure was created using LS-DYNA, which uses explicit time integration algorithms for solution. Blast loads were treated as dynamic pressure-time history curves applied to the exterior elements. The inherent shortcomings of notional member removal have been taken care of in the present paper by simulating the damage of structural elements through the use of solid elements with the provision of element erosion. Effects of erosion and cratering are studied for different scenarios of the blast.


Abstract Linear hydrocarbons (C14 to C17) were incorporated in the diet of young chicks in amounts as high as 12 percent. The diets were highly palatable and had no apparent adverse effects on growth, feed efficiencies and serum levels of free fatty acids, cholesterol and total carotenoids. Metabolizable energy values were 2.17 kcal./g. when the hydrocarbons were tested at levels above 7% of the diet. The M.E. value increased to 5.6 kcal./g. when the hydrocarbons were reduced to 3% of the ration. This reasonably high utilization of linear hydrocarbons, and the normal absorption of dietary carotenoids, indicate a distinct species difference. Further research is indicated to establish a possible commercial value for the hydrocarbons in poultry diets.


Chromosomal studies of gastropods have greatly increased since previous published reviews. This paper provides chromosomal information gathered since 1970 for the Caenogastropoda and Heterobranchia, since 1978 for the Heterobranchia:Pulmonata and since 1986 For taxa of the 'traditional' Archaeogastropoda. Out of 291 gastropod species reported here with known chromosome numbers, 243 species have been newly investigated since previous reviews. Karyotypes are reported for 207 species, with banding techniques performed on 27 species. This highlights the increased knowledge on gastropod chromosomal morphology during the last decades. The occurrence of sex chromosomes and of poly-ploidy is also reported in the studied species. Chromosomal data are discussed in the light of previous reviews and of recent molecular phylogenies.


The advent of Industrial revolution 4.0 has resulted in unprecedented use of financial technology (fintech) to facilitate, produce and/or deliver financial products. Fintech is used by technology start-ups and incumbent financial institutions in developing innovative financial products and services while leveraging on such technologies as artificial intelligence (AI) and smart contracts on blockchain etc. A blockchain is a decentralized, distributed and digital ledger that records transactions in form of blocks across many computers such that the record cannot be altered retroactively, without change to all subsequent blocks.
A smart contract is an automation protocol that encodes and apply business rules agreed by parties directly into the underlying transaction itself and the blockchain enforces the contract rules. The use of blockchain and smart contracts revolutionize the financial services industry and has made possible the transformation and emergence of sukuk (Islamic bond) in ICM. The ICM is a highly regulated market and the emergence of blockchain sukuk defies extant regulatory framework governing operations of classical sukuk. This brings to light the need for a suitable mechanism of regulation to address associated regulatory, legal and Shariah issues. Hence, the case for regtech and Shariah.
 While regtech is the use of technology to regulate and facilitate compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, Shariatech is a specially tailored regtech to ensure end-to-end Shariah compliance in sukuk operations.


To determine the effect of Anuloma-viloma pranayama and Kapalbhati on resting pulse rate and stress, one hundred fifty (N=150) randomly selected male student aged 15-17 years to participated in the study of JVP International School, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. They were randomly assigned into three groups: A- Pranayama, B- Kapalbhati and C- Control. The subjects were subjected to the twelve weeks Pranayama and Kapalbhati training program. The between group differences was assessed using the post-hoc test. The level of p ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. The pulse rate and stress significant decrease in group A and B compared with the control group-c.


Season-long interference of shattercane, giant foxtail, common cocklebur, and common lambsquarters in corn was evaluated in the field at weed densities from 0.4 to 13.1 plants or clumps/m of corn row during 1985, 1986, and 1987. Corn seed yields decreased linearly with increases in the density of clumps of 2 to 3 shattercane plants and 5 to 8 giant foxtail plants, reaching 22% yield loss at 6.6 shattercane clumps/m of row and 18% yield loss at 13.1 giant foxtail clumps/m of row. Increases in common cocklebur density caused corn yields to decrease curvilinearly in 1985 with a maximum predicted yield loss of 27% occurring at a density of 4.7 common cocklebur plants/m of row. In 1986 and 1987, yields decreased linearly as common cocklebur density increased to 6.6 plants/m of row, where a 10% yield loss was observed. Common lambsquarters reduced corn yields only in 1985. In this year, yields decreased curvilinearly with increasing weed density, resulting in a maximum yield loss of 12% at 4.9 common lambsquarters plants/m of row. Corn yields averaged 11600 kg/ha when grown without weed interference in these experiments.


Today, soft skills (transversal competencies) are increasingly appreciated by employers as essential skills for professional success. Likewise, these competencies are necessary to be able to operate as individuals in today's society. In view of this situation, in the future post-COVID-19 educational model it is necessary to design training programs that promote both hard skills (specific competencies) and soft skills. This fact brings to the table the need for university teachers to have an optimal level of soft skills so that their students can acquire them. Given this situation, this paper aims to analyze the degree of acquisition of this type of competencies in American university teachers from different regions: (i) North America; (ii) Central America, and (iii) Southern Cone. To achieve this objective, it has been necessary to develop a questionnaire on the self-concept of soft skills, based on several variables: (i) gender, (ii) age range, (iii) geographic area, (iv) area of knowledge, (v) years of teaching experience, and (vi) university tenure (public-private). The questionnaire developed was based on the soft skills included in the Bochum Inventory of Personality and Competences (BIP). Results, obtained by descriptive and inferential statistical analysis of the means and deviations of the data collected from a sample of 473 participants, reflect that, in general, the American university teachers have a high self-concept about their degree of soft skills development. Although results show significant differences depending on each variable considered in this study, it can be suggested that the American university teachers are prepared to face a mixed university educational model, which promotes equally both hard skills and soft skills.


Abstract Skin infiltration with B-lymphocyte chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) is rare. In contrast to Richters transformation of CLL or myeloid leukemias, skin involvement in CLL may be consistent with prolonged survival, as illustrated by the currently reported two cases. As in these patients, local therapy for skin disease may delay or obviate the need for systemic therapy in B-CLL.


Diarrhea is a major health concern in developing countries with enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) being a leading cause of infantile diarrhea. Much of the pathology of EPEC infection is due to the inflammatory responses of infected intestinal epithelium through secretion of pro-inflammatory cytoki - nes such as interleukin (IL)-8. With medicinal plants gaining popularity as prospective antidiarrheal agents, we aimed to evaluate the effect of anti-diarrheal medicinal plants on secretion of IL-8 by epithelial cells in response to EPEC infection. The effect of the decoctions of four anti-diarrheal medicinal plants viz. Aegle marmelos , Cyperus rotundus , Psidium guajava and Zingiber officinale was studied on secretion of IL-8 by a human colon adenocarcinoma cell line, HT-29 infected with E. coli E2348/69. Two protocols were used viz. pre-incubation and post-incubation. The data obtained demonstrated that out of the four plants used, only P. guajava decreased secretion of IL-8 in the post-incubation protocol although in the pre-incubation protocol an increase was observed. A similar increase was seen with C. rotundus in the preincubation protocol. No effect on IL-8 secretion was observed with A. marmelos and Z. officinale in both protocols and with C. rotundus in the post-incubation protocol. The post-incubation protocol, in terms of clinical relevance, indicates the effect of the plant decoctions when used as treatment. Hence P. guajava may be effective in controlling the acute inflammatory response of the intestinal epithelial cells in response to EPEC infection.


This paper aims to assess the role of instabilities on Africa's low rates of growth during the seventies and eighties, using cross-section econometric estimates, on a sample of African and non-African countries and two pooled decades. Africa exhibits higher 'primary' instabilities (climatic, terms of trade and political instabilities), i.e., instabilities which are structural rather than the result of policy. These 'primary' instabilities influence African growth more through a lower growth residual than through a lower average rate of investment. They do so by their impact on economic policy, which is evidenced by their influence on two 'intermediate' instabilities, the instabilities of the rate of investment and of the real exchange rate, which significantly lower the rate of growth. Copyright 1999 by Oxford University Press.


To explore the role of technology in students modeling attempts we examined the efficacy of a Five-Steps-Program in a third-year statistics class for students preparing to be teachers: 1. Introduction of a "real-world" problem involving some aspects of data analysis; Activity or experiment to experience the dynamics of the phenomenon of interest; 2. Constructing a simulation model representing an aspect of the problem. Representing the simulation model in a technological environment (Lisp-Stat, Fathom); 3. Collecting and analyzing simulated data; Derivation of a simulation-based result; 4. Critically evaluating the simulation-based result and its conclusion; Validating the model by reflecting on the impact of the assumptions in the modeling step (sensitivity analysis, what-if scenarios) considering the role of stated assumptions, limitations of the model and possibly refining the model; how much do the conclusion depend on the assumptions? How do results change after slight deviations from these assumptions? 5. Mathematical analysis, arguments and proof involving concepts of probability and mathematical statistics. The topics included capture-recapture models, patterns in coin flipping sequences, tests based on runs, rencontre problem, coupon collector, randomized response techniques, regression and curve fitting. Each student prepared a topic and led a class session following above five- step plan. In the preceding semester all participants attended an introductory stochastics class.


each of the component hypergeometrics, and there the continuity correction is needed when the hypergeometric is approximated by a continuous distribution. For our part, we have long been conscious of the reasonably good probability evaluations one cain get through the use of corrected clhi square. This is not to say that pathologies may not occur with its use-but such pathologies occur in the unusual situa-tion, not in the general situation as Grizzle's results seem to imply. A likely situation for such pathologies is when the hypergeometric distribution (or binomial, when appropriate) involved is sufficiently asymmetric. But even then the continuity correction will work pretty well for both tails combined even though it may be none too good for the separate -tails. For the hypergeometric exact symmetry occurs when either pair of marginal totals shows equality; near symmetry oceurs either when there is near equality or when all marginal -totals ai(i consequently all cell expectations are reasonably large. For the binomial, symmetry occurs when P is 50%, near symmetry when P is near 50% or whenl bo-th -the expected number of successes and the expec-ted number of failures are reasonably large. It is to be hoped that future users will not niiscons true the continuity correction-it is simply a device for evaluating probabilities when a dliscrete distribu-tion is being approximated by a coIntiniUoUs one.


Many data clustering algorithms have been proposed among which the -means techniques are most wellknown and widely used. The -means algorithms in a broad sense are classified into four major categories of the crisp means, the fuzzy -means, and a family of competitive learning algorithms. Since basic algorithms produce piecewise linear boundary of a cluster, clusters with nonlinear boundaries cannot be handled by these algorithms. In this paper we overview two approaches of dealing with nonlinearities. One is to use additional variables whereby boundaries of quadratic curves are produced and classification errors can be reduced. Second method can handle stronger nonlinearities by employing a high-dimensional mapping. We show new algorithms and applied them to an illustrative example.


Dengue fever is the most common arboviral infection worldwide. Its epidemiology in Africa is not yet fully understood due to the lack of awareness, the presence of other dengue-like febrile diseases, and insufficient laboratory capabilities. This paper reports on the import of dengue virus serotype 2 case from Côte d'Ivoire to Senegal in West Africa. Phylogenetic analysis based on full-length genome sequence revealed that the isolate clustered with strains of cosmopolitan genotypes from the Burkina Faso outbreak in 2016 and those from the ongoing dengue fever outbreak in Côte d'Ivoire. This suggests a possible spread of strains from the Burkina Faso outbreak to other West African countries including Côte d'Ivoire and Senegal. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.


The article discussed that 15% triazophos can strength the effects on chylo suppeeglys indoors and in the fields,and its effects in the fields are very high.


Any health sciences library concerned with space reductions, wanting to change the value of physical spaces, or reviewing the literature on these topics can begin with Transforming Health Sciences Library Spaces.


In this experimental study, an exergetic analysis is presented for solar air heaters (SAHs) that have absorber plates equipped with different fin arrangements. The following two types of fins were used: solid fins (conventional) and metal foam fins. Longitudinal, staggered, and corrugated fin arrangements in SAHs were investigated under the weather conditions experienced in Baghdad, Iraq in February to April 2018. The exergy efficiency and exergy loss of the SAHs were evaluated for five air mass flow rates ranging from 0.011 to 0.059 kg/s. Based on the exergy analysis, SAHs with metal foam fins are more efficient than those with solid fins. In addition, corrugated metal foam fins introduce more turbulent flow than the other fin configurations. It was found that the exergy loss and the exergy efficiency were directly proportional to the values of solar irradiance and air mass flow rates. At solar noon, the maximum values for exergy change were 127 and 89 W/m2 for air mass flow rates of 0.011 and 0.059 kg/s, respectively.


The invention relates to composite particles available (by reacting a) one or more inorganic oxides, oxide particles) having an average diameter of <1000 nm, b) one or more organic polymers and c) one or more coupling reagents, wherein oxide particles a) and organopolymers b) are linked through units of coupling reagents c), characterized in that as organopolymers b) one or more polymers of α) one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers selected from the group comprising Vinylester of carboxylic acids having 1 to 15 carbon atoms, methacrylic esters or acrylate of carboxylic acids with unbranched or branched alcohols having 1 to 15 carbon atoms and olefins, vinylaromatics and vinyl halides, and β) one or more ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids having 3 to 11 carbon atoms, and optionally γ) containing one or more monomers at least two ethylenically unsaturated groups, and optionally δ) can be used one or more further ethylenically unsaturated monomers, with the provisos that the organopolymers b) contain at least 91 wt .-% of units of the monomers α) and β), and that the organopolymers contain b) units derived from one or more monomers γ) if the organopolymers b) over 4 , 9 wt .-% of units of the ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids, β) included, wherein the amounts in wt .-% in each case on the total weight of ...


The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus telarius (L.), is a well known pest of many plants in greenhouses. It is notoriously difficult to conarol, especially when resistant populations develop, and usually requires frequent acaricidal treatment during the growing season. Biological control has sometimes been suggested in view of the success that was achieved by this method against other greenhouse pests and because the environment is controllable to some extent, but only a few attempts have been made.


Because DTP, a reactogenic vaccine, is routinely given at two, four and six months of age, the period of highest incidence of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), this study was undertaken to determine if there is a temporal association between DTP immunization and SIDS. Parents of 145 SIDS victims who died in Los Angeles County between January 1, 1979 and August 23, 1980 were contacted and interviewed regarding their child's recent immunization and physician visit history.Fifty-three infants had received a DTP immunization; 27 had been immunized within 28 days of death. Six deaths occurred within 24 hours, 17 within 1 week and 23 within 2 weeks of immunization. Deaths were significantly more frequent than expected within 24 hours and 7 days of DTP immunization.Forty-six infants had a physician visit with no DTP immunization prior to death; 40 were seen within 28 days of death. Four deaths occurred within 24 hours, 22 within 1 week and 36 within 2 weeks of this visit. Deaths were significantly more frequent than expected during the first and second weeks post-physician visit when no DTP was given.These data suggest that there may be a temporal association between both DTP immunization, and physician visits without DTP immunization, and SIDS.


The Privateer software allows structural biologists to evaluate and improve the atomic structures of carbohydrates, including N-glycans. This software has recently been extended to check glycan composition through the use of glycomics data, and the broadening of its scope is presented in this article.


BACKGROUND
We evaluated Apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC) as a schwannoma tumor suppressor and explored its utilization in a schwannoma gene therapy strategy that may be translated to clinical use.

METHODS
ASC protein expression and mRNA level were assessed in human schwannoma by immunohistochemistry and quantitative PCR, respectively. Methylation specific PCR was used to asses ASC promoter methylation. The effect of ASC overexpression in schwannoma cells was evaluated through ATP-based viability, lactate-dehydrogenase release and apoptosis staining. Western blotting and colorimetric assay were used to test the effect of ASC overexpression on endogenous pro-apoptotic pathways. Bioluminescence imaging, behavioral testing and immunohistochemistry in human-xenograft and murine allograft schwannoma models were used to examine the efficacy and toxicity of intratumoral injection of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector encoding ASC.

RESULTS
ASC expression was suppressed via promoter methylation in over 80% of the human schwannomas tested. ASC overexpression in schwannoma cells results in cell death and is associated with activation of endogenous caspase-9, caspase-3 and upregulation of BH3 interacting-domain death agonist. In a human xenograft schwannoma model, AAV1-mediated ASC delivery reduced tumor growth and resolved tumor-associated pain without detectable toxicity, and tumor control was associated with reduced Ki67 mitotic index and increased tumor-cell apoptosis. Efficacy of this schwannoma gene therapy strategy was confirmed in a murine schwannoma model.

CONCLUSION
We have identified ASC as a putative schwannoma tumor suppressor with high potential clinical utility for schwannoma gene therapy and generated a vector that treats schwannomas via a novel mechanism that does not overlap with current treatments.


The possibility of initiation of electric discharges by a crossbow bolt (projectile) moving in the electric field of a cloud of negatively charged water droplets has been demonstrated for the first time [1]. Over one hundred of discharges have been produced. For each event, a high-speed video camera recorded the images of upward positive leaders developing from both the nearby grounded sphere and the projectile, followed by the return-stroke-like process. Corresponding currents were measured and integrated photos of the events were obtained. The results can help to improve our understanding of lightning initiation by airborne vehicles and by a vertical conductor rapidly extended below the thundercloud in order to trigger lightning with the rocket-and-wire technique.


Excerpt For the last several years there has been a widespread tendency to liberalize bed-rest requirements in the treatment of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, increasing ambulation of patien...


Urbain Le Verrier became famous by discovering Neptune from its effect on the orbit of Uranus. He turned his attention to Mercury, publishing a preliminary paper in 1841 and a definitive paper in 1859 on the Theory of Mercury. He discovered a small unexplained shift in the perihelion of Mercury of 39" per century, which he attributed to the presence of a small unknown planet he called Vulcan, which was never found. The results were corrected in 1895 by Simon Newcomb, who increased the anomalous shift by about 10% but offered no new explanation for it. Albert Einstein, at the end of his 1916 paper on General Relativity, derived a specific solution for the perihelion shift which exactly matched the discrepancy. Dating from the 1947 Clemence review paper, that explanation and precise value have remained to the present time, being completely accepted by theoretical physicists as absolutely true. Modern numerical fittings of planetary orbits called Ephemerides contain linearized General Relativity corrections that cannot be turned off to see if discrepancies between observation and computation still exist of the magnitude necessary to support the General Relativity estimates of the differences. The highly technical 1859 Le Verrier paper was written in French, and astronomers and theorists have gone on from the study of the Solar System to the study of the Universe. The partial translation given here throws light on Le Verrier's analysis and thought processes, and points out that the masses he used for Earth and Mercury are quite different from present day values, possibly leading to a different fit to the old data. A 1924 paper by a professor of Celestial Mechanics critiques both the Einstein and the Le Verrier analyses, and a 1993 paper gives a different and better fit to some of Le Verrier's data. Nonetheless, the effect of errors in planet masses seems to give new condition equations that do not change the perihelion discrepancy by a large amount. The question now is whether or not the excess shift of the perihelion of Mercury is real and has been properly explained in terms of General Relativity, or if there are other reasons for the observations.


To improve the students attainment in Chinese comprehensively and evaluate the teaching quality of Chinese class objectively, the correct way is to reflect the education idea of comprehensive development, make clear what the connotation of a "good class" is, and grasp the criteria of class assessment properly.


Disclosed is a method for transmitting a message in a wireless terminal. The method includes the steps of checking a size of message contents to be transmitted when the message contents are input in a message writing mode, calculating an available data attachment capacity based on the size of the message contents, photographing an image to be attached to the message with a size (e.g., a number of pixels or bytes) within the available data attachment capacity and attaching the photographed image to the message, and transmitting the message with the attached image when a transmission key is operated.


In this paper we study the long-time behavior of the classical solutions to a hydrodynamical system modeling the flow of nematic liquid crystals with rod-like molecules. This system consists of a coupled system of Navier–Stokes equations and kinematic transport equations for the molecular orientations. By using a suitable Łojasiewicz–Simon type inequality, we prove the convergence of global solutions to single steady states as time tends to infinity. Moreover, we provide estimates for the convergence rate.


the influence of Peking in Hanoi, confirming the belief of those who argue that the United States wisely fights in Vietnam to contain the revolutionary expansionism of Communist China. In any event, this book has no value to the historian. Its version of Soviet military tactics used on the Karelian isthmus in 1939-40, for example, is flatly contradicted by the classic study of the British scholar John Erickson, The Soviet High Command. The author (s) further allege that "Stalin had never gone out of his way to take other people's advice into account, but this was especially true after the war" (p. 361). More trustworthy is the word of party literature that in 1948-53 there was a permanent commission of the Politburo for handling questions of foreign policy. Although the claim is made, "We have been sincere and unsparing in our efforts to assist Vietnam" (p. 485), the USSR in fact virtually cut off its aid to Hanoi during the 1962-64 period. Mr. Crankshaw, aside from trumpeting the dubious "insights" offered by this corrupted text, might at least have correctly dated the Third Partition of Poland—1795 not 1863.


The invention discloses a method for inlaying and detecting digital information in audio frequency. The method comprises the following steps: framing carrier audio frequency and watermark information to obtain framed carrier audio frequency and framed watermark information; computing a power coefficient of each frame, which can be inlayed in the watermark information; processing the framed watermark information to obtain framed watermark information on which magnitude processing is performed; overlying the framed watermark information on which the magnitude processing is performed to the framed carrier audio frequency to obtain the final output audio frequency. A frequency band of 18000-20000 Hz is directly used without analyzing the carrier audio frequency, the computing complexity is low, and the tone quality of a carrier is not influenced. Microphones of portable equipment with limited arithmetic capability and battery capacity, such as mobile phones, tablet computers and other wearable electronic equipment can be used for receiving voice, and application software which operates on the wearable electronic equipment can be used for restoring the watermark information, and the recognition capability can resist the influence of environmental noise in normal indoors, vehicle-carried equipment, and the like.


Intersubband transitions in quantum cascade heterostructures have been proposed for thermo-photovoltaic energy conversion for applications in solar cells so that when they are used cascaded with p-n junctions efficiency can be increased. Our designed structures produce wider absorption spectra and faster carrier transport than those have been reported before.


Gama(γ) radiolysis of N2O saturated baicalin aqueous solution was studied. Four major final products(P1,P2,P3,P4) were seperated, and their structures were determined by UV, MS and NMR. It was confirmed that P1 and P2 came from OH radical addition to ring C,but P3 and P4 originated from the disproportionation reaction of OH adduct radicals of ring B. The rateconstant, 2.6 ×109mol-1 ·dm3·s-1 of OH radical addition to aglycone was derived.


An experimental model for inducing peritoneal adhesions in mice is described. Measurable thermal trauma can be inflicted by the application of a heated metal object, for a given lapse of time, to the surface of a section of mouse intestine. Parameters of temperature, area and application time were so manipulated as to obtain adhesions in only 70-75% of treated mice. It is maintained that this model can enable better evaluation of various prophylactic means and also the detection of exacerbating agents.


A central issue in hadron spectroscopy is to deduce--and interpret--resonance parameters, namely, pole positions and residues, from experimental data, for those are the quantities to be compared to lattice QCD or model calculations. However, not every structure in the observables derives from a resonance pole: the origin might as well be branch points, either located on the real axis (when a new channel composed of stable particles opens) or in the complex plane (when at least one of the intermediate particles is unstable). In this paper we demonstrate first the existence of such branch points in the complex plane and then show on the example of the {pi}N P{sub 11} partial wave that it is not possible to distinguish the structures induced by the latter from a true pole signal based on elastic data alone.


In the title compound, C24H18Cl4N4, the pyrimidine ring makes dihedral angles of 19.1 (2), 4.1 (2) and 67.5 (2)°, respectively, with phenyl and two benzene rings, and the molecular conformation is stabilized by an intramolecular N—H⋯N hydrogen bond closing a six-membered ring with an S(6) motif. In the crystal, a pair of intermolecular N—H⋯N hydrogen bonds connect two molecules, forming inversion dimers with R 2 2(12) motifs. C—H⋯π interactions links the dimers into a chain running along the a-axis direction. There are also π–π stacking interactions [centroid–centroid distance = 3.666 (4) Å] between the benzene rings of adjacent chains.


Facial expression identifies the basic human emotions. It helps to tell the person by watching the image whether the person is actually telling the truth about what he is claiming or not. Human emotions detection is used in human computer interaction, military, law-enforcements, for autistic people and robotics etc. No one thought that detecting human emotions would be possible for a machine but computer science changed all that. Various techniques like Bezier curve, longest binary pattern and various classifiers have been implemented till now in this field. This paper will review the research work carried out in this field of human emotion detection from still images.


Using a comprehensive model to simulate interface state effects on metal–insulator–semiconductor (MIS) device in capacitance–voltage (C–V) behavior, interface properties of LaSixOy gate dielectric MIS structures were analyzed. Under low temperature (400 °C) processing conditions amenable to low (0.6 nm) equivalent oxide thickness (EOT), LaSiO-based MIS capacitors on n- and p-type substrates have a high density localized interface state. The peak densities of this localized state for MIS devices on n- and p-type substrates are (2.0–2.5)×1013 and 2.5×1012 cm-2 eV-1, respectively, lying deep in the Si bandgap (within 0.1 eV of midgap). Positive fixed charge density is derived as in the range of 1013 cm-2 and is found to be distributed close to the interface region. In the case of the p-type MIS capacitor, positive fixed charge and positively charged interface states shift the C–V curve in the negative direction. Interface states in the n-type MOS capacitor capture electrons, compensating for the positive fixed charge and positively charged interface states. Thus less shift of the C–V curve is observed, compared to the p-type case. Interface state and fixed charge densities drastically reduce by raising post annealing temperature, to <1012 cm-2 eV-1 on n-type Si, but with concurrent EOT increase. Forming gas annealing (FGA) is effective for reducing the localized interface state density, but only when the temperature is 600 °C or higher. Results point to a need to minimize defect densities during or immediately after dielectric deposition. The high levels of positive defect states warrant further detailed investigation of the charge trapping characteristics of these dielectrics, as La-containing dielectrics are important for threshold voltage control for metal–oxide–semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) devices.


Abstract Organic matter (OM) is reported to affect some of the soil properties and hydration processes in case of cementbased treatment. This paper presents investigations on the influence of organic matter on the geotechnical properties of cement-based solidified sediment with naturally high OM content (7%). Moreover, this sediment was treated to provide two other OM content materials: 2 and 5%. Grain size distribution, Atterberg limits, one dimensional compression and microstructure analyses were performed on raw sediment and on sediments treated with 2, 5 and 10% cement. The geotechnical properties appear to be affected by both cement and OM contents. Investigations show an increase in grain size distribution with increasing cement contents. Furthermore, an increase in the OM content is believed to produce an increase in the Atterberg limits of the sediment before and after cement addition. With the same cement content, the developed preconsolidation pressure of treated sediments decreases when the OM content increases. After a 28 days curing period, the preconsolidation pressure σ′p of sediments with OM contents of 2, 5 or 7% reaches 160, 60 and 50kPa, respectively, for a 5% cement treatment and 400, 310 and 210kPa for a 10% cement treatment. Finally, for all OM contents, the compression index Cc increases with increasing cement content. It reaches its maximal value for 5% cement treatment and tends to decrease over. Compared with raw sediment, the compression of cement-treated sediments is characterized by faster primary consolidation.


In her introduction to this engaged and committed collection of essays, Laura Lunger Knoppers discusses recent developments in the way historians regard the English Revolution. She notes the displacement of ''Marxist and Whiggish teleologies'' by a '''revisionist' challenge emphasizing consensus and short-term triggers of occasion and personality'' (6). Knoppers skillfully positions this volume as a ''post-revisionist'' synthesis of these two approaches, and the essays collected here support this description. Although she cites Christopher Hill's recognition that ''there was a revolution in English literature'' (7) as well as in other aspects of society, this book contains no Marxist or indeed Whiggish essays. Nor does it contain revisionist refutations of such teleologies. Rather, the book cleverly sidesteps recent controversies regarding the politics of the civil war by concentrating on the ways in which, as Knoppers puts it, ''the idea of revolution has been recovered and redefined in cultural terms'' (7). The guiding assumption is that politics operates in the realm of aesthetics and that the boundaries between such ostensibly separate fields of human endeavor ought to be regarded as porous. The revolutionary politics of mid-seventeenth-century England are clearly legible in its literature, whether or not the texts explicitly address political concerns. The book's title is phrased to reflect its ideological orientation and polemical purport. Plenty of critics and historians have denied that England ever suffered a ''revolution,'' just as many remain ill at ease with the canonical implications of the term ''literature.'' However, the Handbook's deployment of the terms demarcates a position that conceives of revolution as profoundly traditional and views radical politics as entirely compatible with canonical aesthetics. As Ariel Hessayon remarks in his chapter on Abiezer


In eight clinically and biochemically euthyroid patients undergoing routine major non‐thyroidal surgery preoperative and daily postoperative serum concentrations of total and free thyroid hormones were measured. Thyrotro‐phin‐releasing hormone (TRH) tests were performed preoperatively and on the first 3 postoperative days. There was a significant fall in mean serum total and free triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations on the postoperative days and mean reverse T3 concentrations rose reciprocally. There was no significant change in mean basal thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) values, but there was a significant increase in the mean TSH response to TRH on the first postoperative day. The mean TSH response then declined sequentially until day 3 while mean free T3 concentrations remained significantly depressed. Mean serum free thyroxine (T4) concentrations remained normal during the study. Intrapituitary conversion of T4 to T3 or other down regulatory mechanisms could explain this rapid adaptation of the pituitary axis.


Sorghum can be included in crop rotations with wheat. However, there are no known reports on the effects of sorghum grown in rotation with wheat on the epidemiology of head scab caused by Fusarium graminearum. Conidia in air samples within two sorghum fields were collected by passive spore trapping for two years at four plant stages (vegetative, anthesis, grain development or maturity) during the sorghum growing season. Spores were collected and germinated on a general fungal medium (potato dextrose agar; PDA) and a medium semi-selective for Fusarium spp. (pentachloronitrobenzene-containing agar; PCNB). Colonies cm -2 hr -1 on PCNB ranged from 31.0 to 85.7 percent of colonies cm -2 hr -1 on PDA, depending on environment and growth stage. A subsample of Fusarium isolates from PCNB traps were identified molecularly by comparing sequences from a portion of the translation elongation factor (TEF) 1α gene with those in the FUSARIUM-ID database (http://isolate.fusariumdb.org/index. php). Surprisingly, 26.8% were F. graminearum, the most numerous Fusarium species or genotype. Phylogenetic analyses of these isolates, as well as F. graminearum from sorghum leaf tissue and grain, using TEF, the rRNA internal transcribed spacer region and a portion of the histone-3 gene (H3), revealed that these isolates were highly similar to one another and to previously characterized F. graminearum isolates. Further research to determine whether isolates associated with sorghum production produce tricothecenes or zearalenone and are pathogenic to wheat, will need to be conducted to determine whether F. graminearum associated with sorghum production can affect head scab levels in wheat.


Although knowledge management initiatives have become very popular as many organizations seek to improve their operations, there are several challenges which continue to impair their success. In many cases, coordination and collaboration issues impact communication and by extension result in poor outcomes often negatively impacting the overall success of the initiative. In order to address this, this paper discusses two comparative knowledge management initiatives and assesses the impact of using an adaptive workflow-management system to enhance communication and collaboration. The observations related to the impact of the system are discussed and conclusions drawn. The results indicate that the application of workflow management systems can significantly improve process management in knowledge management initiatives.


The article gives a general introduction about two ways exists in the research of farmer's issues. It points out that Deng Xiaoping re-understands Marx's small scale farming economy theory based on the background of Chinese actual conditions, so as to obtain the new recognition of contemporary Chinese farmers. Finally, Deng Xiaoping's theoretical method for the research of farmer's issues is explored.


The author,using quantitative statistics and qualitative analysis,studies the thing-quantity expression methods and measure words in the seven typical works written in WeiJinNanBei Dynasty,such as ShiShuoXinYu and SouShenJi,comparing them with the researce of other scholars,coming to a different conclusion.


Embryo transfer studies have demonstrated that high plane feeding in early pregnancy is detrimental to the successful establishment of pregnancy in adolescent but not mature ewes. To further examine this relationship with ewes that conceive naturally and to investigate its effects on foetal development, 102 Greyface and Texel×Greyface ewes (body condition score (BCS) 3·8) and 114 Texel×Greyface adolescent ewes (BCS 3·3) were allocated to one of three treatments following a synchronized mating. From day 1 to 31 of pregnancy, animals were offered grass nuts (10·2 MJ metabolizable energy (ME) per kg dry matter (DM); 163 g crude protein per kg DM) at one of three levels to supply approximately 2·0 (H); 1·0 (M) and 0·6 (L) of their predicted ME requirements for maintenance. Increasing the post-mating plane of nutrition resulted in significant increases in ewe live weight ( P P P P P P =0·09) although lamb output at weaning was not influenced by plane of nutrition. Lambs born from adolescent mothers had lower lamb birth weights ( P P P P


Photoinduced exciton spin states in diluted magnetic semiconductor CdTe/Cd0.88Mn0.12Te quantum wells (QWs) were investigated by the time-resolved Kerr rotation (TRKR) technique at various temperatures and applied magnetic fields. Two oscillation components were observed in the TRKR signals. One component is ascribed to the spin precession of a localized electron, which was not affected by the Mn ions in the CdMnTe barrier layers. Its frequency increased linearly with the applied magnetic field. The other component was strongly dependent on the temperature, and its frequency showed a minimum at around 20 K in the 8.4 nm QW. This result was well explained by the turnover of exciton spin states in the CdTe QW, which is determined by the competition between the exciton Zeeman effect and an exciton–Mn exchange interaction. The temperature dependence of the exciton spin relaxation is also discussed.


The accuracy of index numbers can be understood by evaluating the consistency of their formulas with the sources of change in total expenditure and by examining their ability to estimate actual price and output changes with precision. In terms of formulas, differences among index numbers can be seen in their treatment of the interaction term, which arises when changes in prices and quantities occur simultaneously over discrete time intervals. This paper evaluates these differences for a number of important indices, including the additive and multiplicative versions of the Fisher. Then, using the growth-rate counterparts of these measures, the accuracy of index numbers is examined in terms of their ability to estimate constant elasticity values for both demand and supply functions. For the indices considered, results show that the additive measures, especially the Additive Fisher, provide superior measurement of price and output growth effects.


The concept of microstructured and photonic band gap fibres opens a wide range of flexibility to introduce specific functionality in fibre light guiding properties and to adapt optical fibres to specific applications. In addition to flexible structural parameters, the use of specific material properties further increases the design freedom in optical fibres. In order to demonstrate the wide functional capabilities of such fibres, we have investigated different index guiding and photonic band gap fibres made from pure and modified silica and from non‐silica materials. The main interest in the use of different materials than the well‐known high‐purity silica is to utilize special optical properties such as high nonlinearity, specific dispersion or extended infrared transmission windows. A main challenge for such unconventional materials is to transfer the excellent properties of silica‐based photonic crystal fibres, like low spectral loss or good durability, to the modified or non‐silica materials. The preparation of modified silica‐based photonic crystal fibres was implemented by the MCVD doping process or by the use of high‐melting lanthanium or lead silicate special glasses. Highly germanium‐doped silica rods were used for the preparation of index guiding and for band gap guiding fibres. The prepared fibres were investigated in their mode propagation properties and compared to model calculations. Application examples are presented for spectral fibre sensing and for supercontinuum generation. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)


Abstract Stenogiffardia bifurca sp. nov. is described from a series of specimens collected in the former Antananarivo, Fianarantsoa, and Toliara Provinces of Madagascar. This is the first record of the genus Stenogiffardia Evans, 1977 (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae) from Madagascar, which is now the third genus of the tribe Chiasmini known from the island. The distribution of Stenogiffardia is analyzed and an identification key to species is given. Stenogiffardia elongata Evans, 1977 is removed from synonymy with S. parvula (Kirkaldy, 1906).


Litigotiation, in Marc Galanter's word, is the dominant feature of American adjudication.1 The filing of a lawsuit usually commences a negotiation between the parties that culminates in settlement. Formal adjudication in filed disputes is the exception, not the rule. Although settlements occur in the shadow of the law, the settlement process is itself important.2 Two books by Herbert Kritzer and several other recent works shed important light on the process of negotiated settlements and lawyers' influence on that


Objective To evaluate the value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG)SPECT-CT in detecting recurrence and(or) metastasis of cervical cancer. Methods Retrospective analysis of 62 patients who underwent 18F-FDG SPECT-CT to evaluate recurrence and/or metastasis of cervical cancer at Fujian Tumor Hospital. The diagnostic results were confirmed by second surgery, biopsy or clinical follow-up, and also compared with the coincidence images obtained by CT scan and the serum squamous cell carcinoma related antigen (SCCA) levels. Results It is confirmed that 36 of 62 patients had recurrence and (or) metastasis of cervical cancer by biopsy or clinical follow-up. The sensitivity, specificity, positivity predicitive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy of 18F-FDG SPECT-CT were 94.4%, 92.3, 94.4%,92.3% and 93.5%. Those of CT scan were 69.4%, 80.8%, 83.3%, 65.6% and 74.2%. Those of SCCA measurement were 66.7%, 46.2%, 63.2%, 50.0% and 58.1%. Conclusions 18F-FDG SPECT-CT has greater clinical value to monitor recurrence and(or) metastasis of cervical cancer.

Key words:
Uterine cervical cancer ;  Neoplasm recurrence,local ;  Neoplasm metastasis ;  Tomography,emission-computed,single-photon ;  Tomography,X-ray computed ;  Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ;


In order to secure a long-term competitive advantage in an increasingly complex world, information gathering, evaluation and exploitation is vital for uncovering future developments and dynamics in the corporate environment. The Strategic Foresight methods systematize the process of information processing, allowing a targeted look into the future. The benefits of such methods depend largely on the individuals who perform them. They may be subject to dysfunctional ways of thinking and behaving that evolves from mental models and the restricted ability of human information processing for coping with complexity and reflecting reality. On the one hand, the methods of Strategic Foresight contribute to the reduction of human dysfunctions, so called cognitive biases, by the approach design. On the other hand, the group composition of the employees involved and their degree of heterogeneity also have the potential to minimize biases. Applying approaches from cognitive science for human thinking in the field of Strategic Foresight outlines the contribution of foresight methods for reducing individual dysfunctions.


The paper substantiates the possibility and scope of the simulation method for the purpose of assessing the probability of the effectiveness of the implementation of a strategic project for the development of deposits and the production of titanium dioxide in Russia. The results of the work are based on the methods of complex economic analysis and economic and mathematical modeling. The main and additional effects of the implementation of a strategic investment project of combining several titanomagnetite ore deposits in the mining complex are identified, an economic-mathematical model for estimating the probability of the effectiveness of the project for the production of titanium dioxide is proposed, taking into account changes in environmental factors. According to the results, the investment project for the construction of an industrial complex for the titanium dioxide production from a set oftitanomagnetite ore deposits - Kolvitsky, Afrikandsky and Pudozhgorsky will be successfully implemented. The results of the study can be used for a preliminary feasibility study assessment of titanomagnetite oresmining and further stages of project planning and implementation.


Hospital workers are known to work long hours in a highly stressful environment. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased this burden multi-fold. Pre-COVID statistics already showed that one in every three nurses reported burnout, thus affecting patient satisfaction and the quality of their provided service. Real-time monitoring of burnout, and other underlying factors, such as stress, could provide feedback not only to the clinical staff, but also to hospital administrators, thus allowing for supportive measures to be taken early. In this paper, we present a context-aware speech-based system for stress detection. We consider data from 144 hospital workers who were monitored during their daily shifts over a 10-week period; subjective stress readings were collected daily. Wearable devices measured speech features and physiological readings, such as heart rate. Environment sensors, in turn, were used to track staff movement within the hospital. Here, we show the importance of context-awareness for stress level detection based on a bidirectional LSTM deep neural network. In particular, we show the importance of hospital location and circadian rhythm based contextual cues for stress prediction. Overall, we show improvements as high as 14% in F1 scores once context is incorporated, relative to using the speech features alone.


Abstract Objectives This study evaluated the effects of tibial plateau levelling osteotomy on cranial tibial subluxation and tibial rotation angle in a model of feline cranial cruciate ligament deficient stifle joint. Methods Quadriceps and gastrocnemius muscles were simulated with cables, turnbuckles and a spring in an ex vivo limb model. Cranial tibial subluxation and tibial rotation angle were measured radiographically before and after cranial cruciate ligament section, and after tibial plateau levelling osteotomy, at postoperative tibial plateau angles of +5°, 0° and –5°. Results Cranial tibial subluxation and tibial rotation angle were not significantly altered after tibial plateau levelling osteotomy with a tibial plateau angle of +5°. Additional rotation of the tibial plateau to a tibial plateau angle of 0° and –5° had no significant effect on cranial tibial subluxation and tibial rotation angle, although 2 out of 10 specimens were stabilized by a postoperative tibial plateau angle of –5°. No stabilization of the cranial cruciate ligament deficient stifle was observed in this model of the feline stifle, after tibial plateau levelling osteotomy. Clinical Significance Given that stabilization of the cranial cruciate ligament deficient stifle was not obtained in this model, simple transposition of the tibial plateau levelling osteotomy technique from the dog to the cat may not be appropriate.


Slum settlements in urban areas arise because of the inequality between supply and demand especially in the provision of housing. Rejomulyo Village is one of the areas that has  8.42 Ha of slum areas. Currently, there are 33% of the population has not graduated from school, 41% of the population is still working as an industrial worker and do odd jobs that relies on daily basic income. The characteristics of residents and slum areas in the Rejomulyo Village become a conducive tool in increasing social vulnerability. Therefore, this study aims to measure the level of social vulnerability of the slum residents in the Rejomulyo village. The research uses several variables namely economics, environmental health and shelter, gender, demographics and also access. The methods used in this research are descriptive analysis and scoring. The results of the study showed that the level of social vulnerability in Rejomulyo Village is in medium with residential health and environment as the most influential variable.


Simple Summary Down Syndrome, which is due to the presence of three copies of chromosome 21, always presents with mental retardation, possibly caused by defects in the development of neurons. In recent years, it has been shown that cells and tissues in Down syndrome manifest alterations in the function of mitochondria, the organelles that provide energy to cells. We hypothesized that mitochondrial dysfunction might contribute to the defect in neuronal cell development. To test this hypothesis, we generated a model of stem cells that, upon specific treatments, are capable of giving rise to neuronal cells, as evidenced by the synthesis of specific proteins. We observed that stem cells derived from Down syndrome individuals, after 21 days of growth in an artificial system, had an abnormal tendency to develop as glial cells, compared with control cells. As early as day 7 of culture, the trisomic cells also exhibited defects in mitochondrial function, such as anomalies in their calcium level, oxygen free radicals, oxygen consumption, and synthesis of ATP, a molecule that is critical in energy conversions. These results indicate that alterations in neuronal development and mitochondrial function occur early in this model, which we think is suitable for answering further questions. Abstract Background: The presence of mitochondrial alterations in Down syndrome suggests that it might affect neuronal differentiation. We established a model of trisomic iPSCs, differentiating into neural precursor cells (NPCs) to monitor the occurrence of differentiation defects and mitochondrial dysfunction. Methods: Isogenic trisomic and euploid iPSCs were differentiated into NPCs in monolayer cultures using the dual-SMAD inhibition protocol. Expression of pluripotency and neural differentiation genes was assessed by qRT-PCR and immunofluorescence. Meta-analysis of expression data was performed on iPSCs. Mitochondrial Ca2+, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ATP production were investigated using fluorescent probes. Oxygen consumption rate (OCR) was determined by Seahorse Analyzer. Results: NPCs at day 7 of induction uniformly expressed the differentiation markers PAX6, SOX2 and NESTIN but not the stemness marker OCT4. At day 21, trisomic NPCs expressed higher levels of typical glial differentiation genes. Expression profiles indicated that mitochondrial genes were dysregulated in trisomic iPSCs. Trisomic NPCs showed altered mitochondrial Ca2+, reduced OCR and ATP synthesis, and elevated ROS production. Conclusions: Human trisomic iPSCs can be rapidly and efficiently differentiated into NPC monolayers. The trisomic NPCs obtained exhibit greater glial-like differentiation potential than their euploid counterparts and manifest mitochondrial dysfunction as early as day 7 of neuronal differentiation.


The invention discloses a traditional Chinese composition for treating enteritis, which comprises the following components according to the parts by weight: 10-30 parts of evodia rutaecarpa, 6-12 parts of cimicifugae foetidae, 6-12 parts of monkshood, 10-20 parts of the root of three-nerved spicebush, 10-30 parts of common fennel, 5-15 parts of tuckahoe, 10-20 parts of the root of kudzu vine, 20-40 parts of white paeony root, 20-40 parts of scurfpea fruit, 20-40 parts of milk veteh, 20-40 parts of root of hairy asiabell, 20-40 parts of dried orange peel, 20-40 parts of white atractylodes rhizome, 10-20 parts of artemisia leaf, and 6-12 parts of shizandra berry. The traditional Chinese composition has the efficacy of clearing away heat and toxic material, relieving bruises and pains, strengthening the spleen and replenishing qi, tonifying spleen and kidney, dissolving stasis and relaxing vein, and stopping blood. The composition is used for treating chronic enteritis, has high safety by taking orally, good healing treatment, low recurernce rate, simple method, low cost, and is easy to be widely used. Patients can take medicine without pain.


Objective: To improve the stability of volatile oils from Folium artemisiae by preparing an inclusion complex with β-cyclodextrin. Methods:The preparation of the inclusion complex of volatile oils-β-cyclodextrin was optimized using an orthogonal test in respect of utilization rate of oils, oil concentration and inclusion yields. The characteristics of the inclusion complex were determined by microscopy and UV spectroscopy. Results:The optimal conditions to prepare the inclusion complex included the ratio of β-cvclodextrin to oils 8: 1 , the proportion of oil to alcohol 1:1.5, the inclusion temperature 60℃and the inclusion period for 2 hours. Under these conditions, the mean utilization rate of oil was 77.46% ; the oil concentration in the inclusion complex reached 9. 06% ; the inclusion yields had 84. 95% . The inclusion complex showed better stability. Conclusion:The optimal inclusion complex offered an ideal stability, which might improve the effectiveness of the volatile oils.


This study explores the way and the extent to which listed companies in Sri Lanka manage environmental costs through their management accounting (MA) systems. Applying Mixed Method Research approach; data were collected from 42 listed companies representing five industry sectors in Sri Lanka, through a survey followed by discussions with financial executives and environmental officers of companies. Further, it reviewed National Environmental Act of Sri Lanka for legislation enacted for sampled companies. The main tools of analysis were frequency tables for quantitative data, and qualitative data were analyzed linking them with quantitative analysis and, thus providing expressive detailed interpretations for the phenomena under investigations. Findings indicate that even though all companies are bounded by legislation to take environmental management (EM) initiatives to prevent and control pollution, the MA systems of most companies have not been improved accordingly to incorporate environmental costs and related performance measures. All companies used to take EM measures by making adjustments to existing financial accounting/MA systems which were initiated mainly to facilitate regular business activities. These practices thus, demonstrate lower potential for companies in managing EM costs. Competencies of MA techniques considered differ one to another in managing EM costs, showing greater importance for traditional MA techniques like budgeting, products costing than modern MA techniques like kaizen costing, balanced scorecards. Conversely, the Plantation sector shows greater ability in managing environmental costs through their activity based costing systems implemented by all in the sector. It suggests companies to establish appropriate accounting systems and performance measures which are capable of identifying and managing environmental costs precisely. It also suggests improving awareness among all personnel including accounting staff on how to manage environmental costs through such systems ensuring legal compliances, profitability and survival of the business.


2D van der Waals heterojunctions (vdWhs) are a novel type of metamaterial that are flexible, adjustable, and easy to assemble. Using weak van der Waals forces (vdWfs), layered 2D materials can stack freely to form vdWhs with atomic level flat interfaces. By using different 2D materials and specific stacking methods, their unique properties can be organically combined, to exhibit more abundant optical properties. In fact, nanophotonic devices based on 2D vdWhs have developed rapidly and made significant progress. Therefore, the main progress of 2D vdWhs nanophotonic devices in recent years, including the preparation methods of 2D vdWhs and the performance improvements of various nanophotonic devices, is reviewed. Lastly, the prospects of 2D vdWhs nanophotonic devices are discussed.


This study was conducted to know the functions of LMS (Learning Management System) and the analyses on how these functions influence both the learning satisfaction and six self-regulated abilities, namely: (1) learning-motivation, (2) goal-setting, (3) time management, (4) learning duration, (5) effort-attribution evaluation, and (6) self-reflection. For this purpose, 340 students were asked to participate in an online survey using the same LMS in two universities. Questionnaires on Self-Regulated Learning Ability Diagnosis developed by KEDI, MS office Excel 2013 and IBM SPSS 22.0, were utilized. Results showed that the frequently used functions of LMS are: submission of assignment, digital contents, and announcements. This is followed by: syllabus, debate, question and answer, online test, quiz, blog, group activity and journal. The highest percentage of LMS functions of the participants' self-regulated learning were: submission of assignments, digital contents, and announcements, and followed by syllabus. It was found that the usage of LMS positively influences each factor of self-regulated learning ability and learning satisfaction. Additionally, high self-regulated learning ability is in accordance with high self-satisfaction. Comparison between the two universities showed that the period of LMS usage influences learning sustainability and achievement-motivation of attribution evaluation. Furthermore, hypotheses were confirmed for H university which used LMS for a longer period than S university. Based on the result, it is predicted that the continuous usage of LMS can enhance one's self-regulated learning ability. This study suggests that instructors should design courses that utilize functions of LMS for self-regulated learning ability. Moreover, workshop or opportunities for training are needed by the Center for Teaching and Learning. Lastly, system maintenance and developments should also be enhanced.


Background The prevalence of asthma in children has increased in many countries. Environmental factors are believed to play an important role and an inverse relationship between number of siblings and atopic disorders has been observed. Objective To assess for an association between bronchial asthma in atopic children and their number of siblings. Methods A cross-secrional study was conducted from June to November 2010 in three elementary schools in Medan, North Sumatera. Trace cards from the Allergy-Immunology Indonesian Pediatric Association (IDAI) Working Group and questionnaires on the clinical history of atopy were used to screen children with the risk of atopy. The International Study of .Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire to screen for bronchial asthma was distributed to children aged 7-10 years with a history of asthma, allergic rhinitis or atopic dermatitis. Subjects were divided into two groups, those with <3 siblings and those with 2:3 siblings. Chi-square test was used to analyze differences in bronchial asthma prevalence between the two groups. Results Ninety-six subjects enrolled in the study, with 48 subjects per group. The prevalence of bronchial asthma was significantly higher in atopic children who had <3 siblings than in children with 2:3 siblings (73.5% and 26.5%, respectively; P=0.04). Conclusion Bronchial asthma was significantly more frequent in children with less than 3 siblings compared to those with 3 or more siblings.


The number of wireless devices has increased exponentially over the past decade. Wireless networks today exist in a variety form factors, from Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN) like 802.16 (WiMAX) to Personal Area Networks (PANS) like 802.15 (ZigBee) and are used in a wide range of applications like cellular networks and RFIDs. In addition to these next generation networks, attempts are also being made to integrate the legacy networks like Land Mobile Radio (LMR), which are used in public safety and law enforcement applications, into the internet backbone. Traditionally, the use of LMR networks has been restricted to that of transmitting voice signals. However over the past few decades, digital radio based LMR networks like TETRA and APCOs P-25 have incorporated data transmission along with voice over LMR channels. The Digital Distributed Radios (DDR) provide low-cost IP-based connectivity using convention analog LMRs. The next generation LMR networks based on DDR technologies allow radios with different standards to interoperate and co-exist in the same network. The main objective of this dissertation is to develop the next generation of DDR technology. The DDR II modem developed provides an integrated voice/data service platform, higher data rates and better throughput performance as compared to DDR I modems. In order to improve the physical layer performance of DDR modems an analytical framework is first developed to model the Bit Error Rate (BER) performance of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing over Frequency Modulation (OFDM/FM) systems. The use of OFDM provides a spectrally efficient method of transmitting data over LMR channels. However, the high Peak-to-Average (PAR) of OFDM signals results in either a low Signal-to-Noise (SNR) at FM receiver or a high non-linear distortion in FM transmitter. This dissertation presents an analytical framework to highlight the impact of high PAR of OFDM on OFDM/FM systems. A novel technique for reduction of PAR of OFDM called Linear Scaling Technique (LST) is developed. The use of LST mitigates the signal distortion occurring in OFDM/FM systems. Another important factor which affects the performance of LMR networks is Push-to-Talk (PTT) delays. A PTT delay refers to the delay between the instant when a PTT switch on a conventional ii LMR radio is keyed/unkeyed and a response is observed at the radio output. This dissertation presents typical PTT values, their distributions and their impact on throughput performance of LMR networks. An analytical model is developed to highlight the asymmetric throughput problem occurring in heterogeneous …


In order to improve coexistence and citizen security, the dissemination of the National Police Code becomes a challenge that the police institution must develop with the various populations of the country, however, and despite the efforts made, it is not yet achieves an effective generality of communication throughout the national territory, in this sense there are other populations that are outside the contents of the National Police Code, in this case those with functional hearing diversity regardless of the medical origin of his condition.
In view in understanding, making visibility and proposing in the learning context of this population, a data survey or mapping was carried out that allowed to establish learning opportunities in terms of language unification and use of technology in people with this condition. Therefore, scientific and technological support was sought in the consolidation of a didactic and innovative instrument to communicate issues of the National Police Code for appropriate use in all types of people with or without knowledge in sign language and fingerprint in particular aimed at children and adolescents.


Glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficient individuals are at increased risk of developing haemolysis following treatment with various antimalarial drugs. Reliable field tests for G6PD deficiency are thus needed in chemotherapy studies and their validity has to be assessed. In two phase II clinical trials on methylene blue (MB) antimalarial therapy in rural Burkina Faso, paediatric and adult participants were tested for G6PD deficiency. The results of a haemoglobin‐adjusted nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) fluorescence test on paper (NFP test) were compared with polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based G6PD genotyping also using blood samples on filter papers. This is the first study comparing sensitivity and specificity of the two methods. There was good agreement between the NFP test results and the PCR findings. The estimate of the sensitivity of the NFP test was 98·2% (95·8–99·6%) and the specificity was 97·1% (94·2–99·2%). In conclusion, the NFP assay is a reliable and inexpensive method for large‐scale G6PD deficiency screening in rural West Africa.


The utility model discloses a consider bonding agent of shear -type load influence and peel off test device, the device includes the bonding substrate, its upper surface is used for covering the bonding agent, add the carrier band, load load mechanism is peeled off in its front end connection, end -to -end connection shear -type load load mechanism, peel off load load mechanism along it peels off load to exerting with the carrier band to add the carrier band normal direction, shear -type load load mechanism along add the vertical tensile carrier band that adds of carrier band to exert the shear -type load to adding the carrier band, and the bonding agent is pasted at the bonding substrate and is added between the carrier band, the scale, it is used for measure adding carrier band and bonding agent and peels off length, the scale with add carrier band parallel arrangement. The utility model discloses a peel off test device, can realize cutting and answer load to evaluate to the research of bonding agent failure mode and to the quantification of adhereing nature of bonding agent influence.


The authors propose a method for solving the problem of belonging group constructive solutions of a roadbed to areas with repetitive, along a route, engineering and geological conditions in design of roads on permafrost grounds. There is developed an algorithm of selecting effective options based on combinatorial method on criterion of minimizing total discounted costs for construction, major repair, repair and maintenance of a road construction during life cycle. The result of problem solution is structuring of an object, which serves as the basis for the organizational and technological design.


Process capability indices such as Cp, k, and Cpk, have been widely used in manufacturing industry to provide numerical measures on process potential and performance. While Cp measures overall process variation, k measures the degree of process departure. In this paper, we consider the index Cp and a transformation of k defined as Ca = 1 - k which measures the degree of process centering. We refer to Cp as the process precision index, and Ca as the process accuracy index. We consider the estimators of Cp and Ca, and investigate their statistical properties. For Cp we obtain the UMVUE and the MLE. We show that this UMVUE is consistent, and asymptotically efficient. For Ca, we investigate its natural estimator. We obtain the first two moments of this estimator, and show that the natural estimator is the MLE, which is asymptotically unbiased and asymptotically efficient. We also propose an efficient test based on the UMVUE of Cp We show that the proposed test is the UMP test.


The purpose of this study is to evaluate the guidance services for nursery classes in primary schools, which have a guidance teacher, according to the perceptions of preschool teachers. The study was carried out among 14 preschool teachers employed in the nursery classes of primary schools in Ankara, affiliated with the Ministry of National Education. For the purpose of this study, easily accessible sampling method is selected from among purposive sampling methods. The teachers in the sample were interviewed. During the interview they were asked questions about school guidance unit and its services. Their responses were recorded, and their expressions were summarized and interpreted using descriptive analysis technique. The findings of the analysis show that teachers primarily require guidance services to concentrate on children with special needs, children with behavior problems and children with disabilities in inclusive classes, in short children with problem behaviors and their families. Training programs for parents are deemed to be of secondary importance. Most of the teachers stated that they are satisfied with current guidance services and that they do not have any other expectations from the guidance unit. Keywords: school guidance services, preschool teachers, elementary school. SUMMARY Purpose and Significance: Guidance services provided at preschool period are of particular importance as this educational period is the first stage in the school life of children, contributes to the development of either positive or negative attitudes towards school and holds the risk that children can generalize these attitudes in their future school life. Given that, in the literature, the number of studies about guidance services in primary school, particularly in preschool period is quite limited, the present study can contribute to the literature to determine the current situation of guidance services and to develop these services. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the guidance services for nursery classes in primary schools, which have a guidance teacher, according to the perceptions of preschool teachers. Methods: This is a descriptive study carried out to identify the current situation and designed on the basis of qualitative research techniques. It was required to use qualitative method in this study, which intends to find out how preschool teachers perceive guidance services offered by the school guidance teacher in their classroom. The study was carried out among 14 preschool teachers working at nursery classes of primary schools in Ankara, affiliated with the Ministry of National Education. For the purpose of this study, easily accessible sample method is selected from among purposive sampling methods. The teachers in the sample were interviewed by using a semi"structured interview form. The questions were formulated to collect personal information and to learn teachers' perceptions about school guidance unit and its services. Results: The main findings obtained from interviews with teachers are as follows: Given the responses for what they understand from guidance services, it is noted that teachers ignore the developmental aspect of guidance and concentrate on problem situations. Secondly, teachers were asked how they collaborate with guidance teacher and which services they receive from the guidance unit. The priority concerns of teachers are children with special needs, with behavior problems, and with disabilities in inclusive classes, and their families (n=13). Training programmes for parents are of secondary importance (n=3). The teachers expect from the guidance unit to carry out guidance services within the curriculum (n=1) and to receive information about what they can do to deal with students with problem behaviors (n=3). Finally, the teachers mentioned that they were satisfied with current guidance services and had no other expectations from the guidance unit (n=10). Discussion and Conclusion: The findings from interviews show that priority guidance services for nursery classes are dealing with children with problem behaviors and their families, informing teachers about these children and organizing parent training programs. This study was carried out in the schools in Ankara, and as a limitation of qualitative studies, it cannot be generalized. That is why it is proposed that further studies are designed, based on the findings of this study, which involves guidance teachers, administrators and families as well and which covers a larger sample and combines qualitative and quantitative data. It is further suggested that guidance teachers who provide service for preschool classes receive in"service training on the distinc tive characteristics of preschool period and on the guidance services required at this period.


The power battery is a important part of the robot system .We will mostly research the monitoring system for lithium batteries , This system based on AVR single chip is exploited .It can detect the single voltage ,the current ,the temperature and the humidity in real time .In order to realize the centralize monitor of the parameters ,firstly ,we should design the collection circuit which can collect the voltage ,the current ,the temperature and the humidity .And then put the date into the single chip ,memorize and display them .The thesis analyzes the designs for hardware and software of the system detailedly.


Friction accounts for more than 60% of the motor torque, and hard nonlinearities due to Coulomb friction and stiction severely degrade control performances as they account for nearly 30% of the industrial robot motor torque. Although many friction compensation methods are available (Armstrong-Helouvry et al., 1994; Lischinsky et al., 1999; Bona & Indri, 2005;), here we only introduce relatively recent research works. Model-based friction compensation techniques (Mei et al., 2006; Bona et al., 2006; Liu et al., 2006) require prior experimental identification, and the drawback of these off-line friction estimation methods is that they can't adapt when the friction effects vary during the robot operations (Visioli et al., 2001). The adaptive compensation methods (Marton & Lantos, 2007; Xie, 2006) take the modelling error of Lugre friction model into account, but they still require the complex prior experimental identification. Consequently, implementation of these schemes is highly complicated and computationally demanding due to the identification of many parameters and the calculation of the nonlinear friction model. Joint-torque sensory feedback (JTF) (Aghili & Namvar, 2006) compensates friction without the dynamic models, but high price torque sensors are needed for the implementation of JTF. To give satisfactory solution to robot control, in general, we should continue our research in modelling the robot dynamics and nonlinear friction so that they become applicable to wider problem domain. In the mean time, when the parameters of robot dynamics are poorly understood, and for the ease of practical implementation, simple and efficient techniques may represent a viable alternative. Accordingly, the authors developed a non-model based control technique for robot manipulators with nonlinear friction (Jin et al., 2006; Jin et al., 2008). The nonlinear terms in robot dynamics are classified into two categories from the time-delay estimation (TDE) viewpoint: soft nonlinearities (gravity, viscous friction, and Coriolis and centrifugal torques, disturbances, and interaction torques) and hard nonlinearities (due to Coulomb friction, stiction, and inertia force uncertainties). TDE is used to cancel soft nonlinearities, and ideal velocity feedback (IVF) is used to suppress the effect of hard nonlinearities. We refer the control technique as time-delay control with ideal velocity feedback (TDCIVF). Calculation of complex robot model and nonlinear friction model is not required in the TDCIVF. The TDCIVF control structure is transparent to designers; it consists of three elements that have clear meaning: a soft nonlinearity cancelling element, a hard nonlinearity suppressing


We consider the problem of estimating the matching map between two sets of feature-vectors observed in a noisy environment and contaminated by outliers. It was already known in the literature that in the outlier-free setting, the least sum of squares (LSS) and the least sum of logarithms (LSL) are both minimax-rate-optimal. It has been recently proved that the optimality properties of the LSS continue to hold in the case the data sets contain outliers. In this work, we show that the same is true for the LSL as well. Therefore, LSL has the same desirable properties as the LSS, and, in addition, it is minimax-rate-optimal in the outlier-free setting with heteroscedastic noise.


We monitored the dynamics of Trichoderma spp. communities in a cucumber monocropping system. Trichoderma spp. community structure and abundance were analyzed with PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and quantitative PCR, respectively. Results showed that long-term monocropping did not affect the Trichoderma spp. community structure as indicated by the number of bands, Shannon-Wiener index and evenness index of the PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis profile. Trichoderma spp. community structure abundance was the highest in the first cropping of cucumber. Our results suggested that changes in Trichoderma spp. communities may not be the causal agent of soil sickness in cucumber monocropping.


A control apparatus for a hydraulic motor for use in a construction vehicle driven by hydraulic power has a hydraulic motor, a hydraulic pump serving as a pressur ized fluid supply source, a manually operable direc tional control valve connected across supply and dis charge conduits for the hydraulic motor, a brake valve section including a counterbalancing valve and a pair of relief valves all of which are connected across the con duits extending between the directional control valve and the hydraulic motor, and a selector valve for con trolling the supply of control pressurized fluid intro duced through a shuttle valve connected across the conduits into a displacement control cylinder contained in the hydraulic motor. The selector valve is of a pilot : 23; St. 08 so so.60 operated type remotely controlled by pilot pressurized 3736,753 6/1973 Roth. fluid supplied from an external pressurized fluid supply 3,788,075 l/1974 Holdeman et al. 60/489 X Source. 4,364,230 12/1982 Holmes ................................. 60/444 4,481,770 1 1/1984 Lohbauer et al. .................... 60/468 3 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures


Summary.  Cardiovascular ischaemic diseases are one of the main causes of death all over the world. In this class of pathologies, a quick diagnosis is essential for a good prognosis in reperfusive treatment. In particular, an automatic classification procedure based on statistical analysis of teletransmitted electrocardiograph ('ECG') traces would be very helpful for an early diagnosis. This work presents an analysis of ECG traces, either physiological or pathological, of patients whose 12‐lead prehospital ECG has been sent to the 118 Dispatch Center in Milan by life‐support personnel. The statistical analysis starts with a preprocessing step, where functional data are reconstructed from noisy observations and biological variability is removed by a non‐linear registration procedure. Then, a multivariate functional k‐means clustering procedure is carried out on reconstructed and registered ECGs and their first derivatives. Hence, a new semi‐automatic diagnostic procedure, based solely on the ECG morphology, is proposed to classify ECG traces; finally, the performance of this classification method is evaluated.


Wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) is a painless diagnostic tool used by the physicians for endoscopic examination of the gastrointestinal track. The performance of the existing WCE systems is limited by high power consumption and low data rate transmission. In this paper, a 144 MHz FinFET On-Off Keying (OOK) transmitter is designed and integrated with a class-E power amplifier. It is implemented and simulated using 16 nm FinFET Predictive Technology Models. The proposed transmitter can achieve the data rate of 33 Mbps with average power consumption of 1.04 mW from a 0.85 V power supply in the simulation. This design outperforms the current state-of-the-art designs.


The capacity to formulate, apply, and understand mathematics in a variety of problem contexts is known as mathematical literacy. This study is a qualitative descriptive study that collects data from subjects consisting of one student with high visual-spatial intelligence, one student with moderate visual-spatial intelligence, and one student with low visual-spatial intelligence. The goal is to describe students' mathematical literacy in terms of visual-spatial intelligence differences. Mathematical literacy tests, interviews, and visual-spatial intelligence tests were all used in the study. The information is then researched by utilizing the stages of formulation, application, and interpretation of the mathematical process as defined by mathematical literacy. The results showed that students who had high visual-spatial intelligence were able to formulate by identifying the mathematical aspects of the problems obtained, able to design or use mathematical concepts to make strategies to get solutions to problems, and able to apply facts, rules and algorithms in solving problems, able in the process of interpreting by interpreting the results of the solution to the given problem. the mathematical literacy ability of visual-spatial intelligence students is able to formulate by identifying the mathematical aspects of the problems obtained, able to design and or use mathematical concepts to make strategies to obtain solutions to problems and be able to apply facts, rules and algorithms in solving problems, able to the process of interpreting by interpreting the results of the solution to a given problem. The mathematical literacy ability of students with low visual-spatial intelligence is less able to formulate, namely identifying the mathematical aspects in the problem, students are also lacking in interpreting the answers found whether they make sense to the problems at hand.


The purpose of the investigation was to study the effect of surface tension and the concentration of an added surface active agent, sodium oleate, upon the over-all gas film coefficient for the absorption of ammonia from various air and ammonia mixtures passed through a modified spray column at atmospheric pressure and room temperature, using water as the absorbent. The previous investigations on this topic were reviewed and the structure of liquid surface films was discussed* The Gibbs absorption equation was discussed and the restrictions on its use were presented. The equipment consisted of a 7«£6 inch glass column four feet high, gas and liquid distributors, calibrated rotameters for the measurement of the gas and liquid flow rates, an ammonia cylinder, an air source, a liquid reservoir, and various valves and fittings for the regulation of flow rates and for sample removal. The over-all gas film coefficients for the absorption of ammonia from air and ammonia mixtures, varying from one to five per cent ammonia at a liquid rate of 0.£ pounds per minute and ammonia flow rates varying from 0.11*7 x 10"^ to 2,058 x 10"^ pound moles per minute, were calculated. The surface tension of the aqueous phase was varied from 72 »8 to 29,0 dynes per centimeter by the addition of sodium oleate. When the logarithm of the over-all gas film coefficient was plotted against the logarithm of the total gas rate in cubic feet per minute a straight line which could be expressed algebraically by the following equation was obtained:


The purpose of the present work was to study the structure and physicochemical properties of ruthenium catalysts made from Ru-Fe, Ru-Co, and Ru-Ni alloys containing 1 mass % Ru. Results indicated that the phase diagrams of Ru-Fe and Ru-Ni binary systems have wide regions of solid solutions, while that of the Ru-Co system shows a continuous series of solid solutions, without intermediate phases. Alloys containing 1 mass % Ru are solid solutions of ruthenium in the other metal.


Agricultural practices have altered watershed‐scale dissolved organic matter (DOM) dynamics, including in‐stream concentration, biodegradability, and total catchment export. However, mechanisms responsible for these changes are not clear, and field‐scale processes are rarely directly linked to the magnitude and quality of DOM that is transported to surface water. In a small (12 ha) agricultural catchment in eastern Washington State, we tested the hypothesis that hydrologic connectivity in a catchment is the dominant control over the concentration and quality of DOM exported to surface water via artificial subsurface drainage. Concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and humic‐like components of DOM decreased while the Fluorescence Index and Freshness Index increased with depth through the soil profile. In drain discharge, these characteristics were significantly correlated with drain flow across seasons and years, with drain DOM resembling deep sources during low‐flow and shallow sources during high flow, suggesting that DOM from shallow sources bypasses removal processes when hydrologic connectivity in the catchment is greatest. Assuming changes in streamflow projected for the Palouse River (which contains the study catchment) under the A1B climate scenario (rapid growth, dependence on fossil fuel, and renewable energy sources) apply to the study catchment, we project greater interannual variability in annual DOC export in the future, with significant increases in the driest years. This study highlights the variability in DOM inputs from agricultural soil to surface water on daily to interannual time scales, pointing to the need for a more nuanced understanding of agricultural impacts on DOM dynamics in surface water.


The article describe the bi-layer film on line coating technology by chemical vapor deposition(CVD) and powder spray(PS) pyrolysis. Analyzed result shows that the product has better physical and chemical properties, also is more effective for energy saving.


The U.S. may be paying greater attention to Southeast Asia now than at any time since the end of the Vietnam War. Indonesia has assumed some prominence in the war against terrorism — both as a "model of moderation" in the Muslim world, and as a source of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI)-linked terrorism with presumed connections to Al-Qaeda. While there are examples of substantive cooperation between Indonesia and the U.S. in the war on terrorism, differences remain. The Bush Administration's plan to restore military-to-military relations has floundered on objections from Congress. Indonesia has refused to support U.S. military action in Afghanistan and Iraq, while the general public in Indonesia remain distrustful of U.S. foreign policy. While Washington now sees Indonesia as critical to its goals, the relationship is heavily complicated and requires careful management.


The net water movements through the duodenum in laying hens are directly dependent on the applied osmotic gradient. The passive water permeability (Lp) of the mucosa is 6 times higher during absorption (mucosa to serosa: 70 microliter/h/mOsm) than in the opposite direction (secretion: 11.5 microliter/h/mOsm) and its semi permeability is 0.49 (reflexion coefficient sigma). Net sodium and potassium movements seem to be linked to net water flux. Duodenal water absorption should not be explained by a process of passive permeability.


The interpenetrating polymer network of fast temperature-responsive hydrogels based on soy protein and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) were success- fully prepared using sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) solutions as the reaction medium. The structure and properties of the hydrogels were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, diffe- rential scanning calorimetry and thermal gravimetric analysis. The swelling and deswelling kinetics were also investigated in detail. The results showed that the proposed hydrogels had a highly porous structure, good miscibility and thermal stability, and a fast temperature response. The presence of NaHCO3 had little effect on the volume phase transition temperature (VPTT) of the hydrogels, and the VPTTs were at about 32 °C. Compared with the traditional hydrogels, the proposed hydrogels had much faster swelling and deswelling rates. The swelling mechanism of the hydrogels was non-Fickian diffusion. These fast temperature-responsive hydrogels may have potential applications in the field of biomedical materials.


Some factors such as sex, age, and captivity conditions have a direct influence on the normal hematological and serum biochemical parameters of African green monkeys. On the other hand, reliability in reported values is in many cases limited by studied animal number (<200) and there is not report on the correlation of these parameters with the age in each sex animal group. Thus, this study sought determining normal hematological (11) and serum biochemical parameters (9) of 400 captive housed African green monkeys and also correlate them with the age of the animals.


The paper by Heemstra et al. (1) in this issue of JCEM provides some striking and unexpected results that have significant implications for our understanding of thyroid hormone physiology in humans. Their findings help to clarify how the regulation of type 2 iodothyronine deiodinase (D2) in skeletal muscle is affected by thyroid status, fasting, and insulin, and illustrate the importance of its functional activity in that tissue. They also contribute to our understanding of the effects of illness and hypothyroidism on thyroid hormone metabolism and help define the role of skeletal muscle D2 in the production of the active hormone T3.


This study focused on the symbolic violence discourse in Wandiudiu folklore from Lakudo Buton district of Southeast Celebes. The story was selected due to its familiar and grounded in local communities in the area. Research approach is based on text and context. In which the approach focused on literary work and based many aspects such as history, culture, and religion. The living values in the society would be attributed with social construction of the story.The study used descriptive qualitative method which uncovered facts, circumstances, and phenomenon. The study as well intepreted data related to given situation, the view points of society, conflicts, the difference between facts, and the influence of particular problem which was studied and investigated. The data was obtained from oral literature which was shared by the native speakers. In addition, the research also applied observation. Data source is either Wandiudiu folklore in Buton native language, or transliterated from a number of informants in the area. Based on the analysis, the study found some forms of symbolic power discourse included, complience, and dicipline.