This paper discusses the challenges encountered in a recent project to develop an expert system to assist water engineers in planning the rehabilitation of water mains. The paper describes the adoption of an emerging agent-based technology in designing the prototype, and highlights the many influential factors and constraints in building the prototype. Many of the challenges faced in developing the system may be typical of the hurdles faced in other commercial domains where intelligent (agent and expert) systems offer solutions to emerging Information Technology problems. These constraints may be particularly acute where the company has no prior experience in applying AI–based technology to its business, or where the domain is new to the AI community.


MRL/Mp-lprilpr (MRL-lpr) mice develop a generalized lymphadenopathy reflecting the expansion of a Lyt-2-T cell population. The present report describes the pattern of reactivity of a xenogeneic monoclonal antibody (mAb lOOC5) directed against this T cell population. By single-and two-color flow cytofluorometry analysis this mAb was found to stain brightly 80-90% of T cells in enlarged MRL-lpr


Field releases of Trichogramma pretiosum Riley from Brownsville, Texas, were ineffective against either natural, supplemental, or artificially applied egg populations of Trichoplusia ni (Hubner) and Pieris rapae (L.) on cabbage at Columbia, Missouri. Releases of Trichogramma evanescens Westwood on this crop at Columbia were highly effective against P. rapae , but only partially effective against T. ni . Artificially applicd eggs of T. ni and P. rapae were highly parasitized by Trichogramma spp., but many of these applied eggs collapsed prior to complete parasite development.


Our world is becoming increasingly complex, characterized by mobile, global networks, flows and fluids of culture producing new levels of inter-connectivity and interaction. Museum collections are inducted into this hyper-complex world and wider debates in public culture through Googleenabled initiatives and links to YouTube, Flickr and MySpace. As museum culture and public culture reconnect through these various modalities, this poses new sets of challenges for museums, demonstrated by the different and increasingly complex exchanges and interactions observed around objects. Collection documentation systems, however, still tend to produce a certain and stable material world with clearly defined cultural categorizations. This article explores theories of hyper-complexity and transdisciplinarity developed as part of the Australian Research Council Project's Reconceptualising Heritage Collections. It reframes ways of understanding the relations and organization surrounding museum objects in today's hyper-complex, nonlinear world. Moreover, it offers a conceptual framework for re-imagining collections' interpretative and management practices as they might operate as complex systems in these new political spaces.


Inherently, TRIZ is a systematic problem-solving technique that can integrate solution principles from archived patents. It requires representing the technical problem using a standard set of parameters, which are then used to associate design principles to the problem. In many cases, the technical problems are very complex in nature requiring many parameters to be considered. TRIZ methodology suggests sequential consideration of parameters, mostly as technical contradiction pairs, yielding a lengthy process. In this paper, we present an improvement to the typical TRIZ methodology, where an algorithm is presented to systematically reduce the considered parameters into a manageable set. We compare the typical TRIZ methodology to the proposed improved approach using a case study of a robotic hand exoskeleton design problem. Our results show the improved efficiency in the TRIZ implementation process.


In order to enlarge the applied range of solar absorption refrigeration system,the solar radiation must be compensated for its discontinuation and instability.A combined refrigeration system based on solar absorption refrigeration and vapor compression refrigeration is put forward from the point of view of work compensation.The feasibility of the circulating mode of the combined refrigeration system is analyzed in terms of the operating principle.The mode can be switched and combined between vapor compression refrigeration and absorption refrigeration according to the solar radiation strength,which greatly enhances the applicability of solar absorption refrigeration system.


The article is focused on the investigation of the pagan cult of horse in Mari culture in the later period of the cult's development. The author analyzes concrete manifestations of the cult, primarily, horse-slaying as an offering. The connection between the cult of horse and other pagan cults is considered, the stages of development of some related concepts are considered.


(57) [summary] phytase which are derived from the rumen microorganisms are provided. This phytase can catalyze the release of inorganic phosphate from phytic acid. Preferred sources of phytase Selenomonas, Prevotella, include Treponema and Megasphaera. Selenomonas ruminantium JY35 (ATCC 55785) purified and isolated DNA encoding the phytase is provided. Host cells transformed with DNA encoding a recombinant expression vector and phytase comprising a DNA encoding the phytase is also provided. This phytase, in particular including the use in animal feed supplement is effective for a wide range of applications requiring dephosphorylation of phytate.


Relevance to family physicians Given that falls are an important cause of morbidity and mortality for seniors, what can family doctors do to reduce this risk for elderly people in their practices? Risk factors for falls include many potentially modifiable variables, such as benzodiazepine use.2'3 Assuming a causal relationship between benzodiazepine use and falls among the elderly, some falls and fractures would be prevented if family physicians reduced their prescribing of benzodiazepines. If benzodiazepines do indeed "cause" elderly people to fall, the probability of falling should be greatest at the start of treatment before tolerance to sedative effects can develop. This article is appropriately subtitled "The time factor" because the authors present new evidence relating the time of starting benzodiazepine use to risk of injurious falls.


The invention provides stock guides and an automatic waste discharge system comprising same. Each of the stock guides comprises a guide plate mounting frame, a middle guide plate and an edge guide plate, wherein the guide plate mounting frames are used for respectively mounting the stock guides on a left support and a right support of the automatic waste discharge system; the middle guide plates are arranged on one sides of the guide plate mounting frames close to the center of a material guide belt of the automatic waste discharge system, and the middle guide plates are upwards and outwards inclined relative to the center of the material guide belt; the edge guide plates are connected to the other sides of the middle guide plates, and the edge guide plates are close to the sides of waste ports; the automatic waste discharge system comprises the left support, the right support, the material guide belt and two stock guides. The stock guides, provided by the invention, have the advantages of simple structure, convenience for manufacturing, low cost and capability of preventing the edges of the stock guides from leaking materials, sliding wastes on the material guide belt, and adjusting the widths of the stock guides through mounting holes of the guide plate mounting frames, and is suitable for the waste ports of different widths.


Climate change and severe emission regulations in many countries demand fuel and engine researchers to explore sustainable fuels for internal combustion engines. Natural gas could be a source of sustainable fuels, which can be produced from renewable sources. This article presents a complete overview of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a potential fuel for diesel engines. An interesting finding from this review is that engine modification and proper utilization of LNG significantly improve system efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which is extremely helpful to sustainable development. Moreover, some major recent researches are also analyzed to find out drawbacks, advancement and future research potential of the technology. One of the major challenges of LNG is its higher flammability that causes different fatal hazards and when using in dual-fuel engine causes knock. Though researchers have been successful to find out some ways to overcome some challenges, further research is necessary to reduce the hazards and make the fuel more effective and environment-friendly when using as a fuel for a diesel engine.


A permutomino of size n is a polyomino determined by particular pairs (π 1 , π 2 ) of permutations of length n , such that π 1 (i)≠π 2 (i) , for 1≤i≤n . In this paper we consider the class of convex permutominoes which are symmetric with respect to the diagonal x = y . We determine the number of these permutominoes according to the dimension and we characterize the class of permutations associated to these objects as particular involutions of length n . Resume. Les permutominos de taille n sont des polyominos determines par certaines paires de permutations (π 1 ,π 2 ) de taille n , telles que π 1 (i)≠π 2 (i) , pour tout 1≤i≤ n . Dans cet article nous considerons la classe des permutominos convexes qui sont symetriques par rapport a la diagonale x=y . Nous determinons le nombre de ces permutominos en fonction de leur taille et nous caracterisons la classe des permutations associees a ces objets comme un certain ensemble d'involutions de taille n .


The rapid development of maritime activities has led to the emergence of more and more computation-intensive applications. In order to meet the huge demand for wireless communications in maritime environment, mobile edge computing (MEC) is considered as an effective solution to provide powerful computing capabilities for maritime terminals of resource scarcity or latency sensitive. A basic technology to implement MEC is virtual machine (VM) multiplexing, through which multi-task parallel computing on a server is realized. In this paper, a two-layer unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) maritime communication network with a centralized top-UAV (T-UAV) and a group of distributed bottom-UAVs (B-UAVs) is established and MEC is used on T-UAV. We aim to solve the latency minimization problem for both communication and computation in this maritime UAV swarm mobile edge computing network. We reformulate this problem into a Markov decision process (MDP), since it is a non-convex and multiply constrained but has the characteristics of MDP. Based on this MDP model, we take deep reinforcement learning (DRL) as our tool to propose a deep Q-network (DQN) and a deep deterministic policy gradient (DDPG) algorithms to optimize the trajectory of T-UAV and configuration of virtual machines (VMs). Using these two proposed algorithms, we can minimize the system latency. Simulation results show that the given solutions are valid and effective.


correlations between some variables, and weak correlations between some others. Thus, all variables extracted from a given mechanical test did not deliver the same information. Care should be taken when comparing samples between studies using different variables, even if the method is the same. Moreover, a given variable (computed in the same way) extracted from two distinct methods can lead to different conclusions. This could be due to the way the machines are driven (gravity or force), which should also be taken into account when comparing results from various studies. Disclosure statement


Abstract Concentrations of P and of heavy metals (Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu) were determined in sediment cores from the Peel-Harvey Estuary in Western Australia. Two cores were extracted, each representing one of the two basins of the estuary. Sediments were dated by surplus 210 Pb, by 137 Cs and by changes in the Fe/S ratio. Increasing exports of P from the mainly agricultural catchments have resulted in more than a doubling of both total P and acid extractable inorganic P in sediments of the estuary. Accumulation of P in the estuary is less than expected for complete retention of inputs of P from the major tributaries. Historical data show that since 1950 average concentrations of dissolved inorganic P have approximately doubled in the Peel Inlet and increased by times seven in the Harvey Estuary. Increases in concentrations in surface sediments of acid extractable Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu are noticeable in the Peel Inlet, and of Zn and Cd in the Harvey Estuary. The greatest increase, relative to background, is shown by Zn. Concentrations of extractable Zn and Cd in surface sediments are similar to those estimated from average concentrations in the water column for equilibrium adsorption to organic matter in sediments. Extractable Pb is greater than estimated for equilibrium adsorption to sediments. Extractable Cu is of the order of what can be expected for equilibrium adsorption to sediments in the Peel Inlet, but is less than expected in the Harvey Estuary.


In this study, carbonate formation characteristics during solid fuel pyrolysis in CO2 were experimentally studied. Chars derived from coal or rice straw in Ar or CO2 were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and water extraction and electrophoretic procedures. Inorganic element concentrations in chars were measured by inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectrometry (ICP–AES). When coal with a K/Si ratio of 0.04 was heated in CO2, carbonate was not formed. In contrast, when rice straw with a K/Si ratio of 2.97 was heated in CO2, carbonate was formed in chars at 973 K under a heating rate of 1 or 30 K/s. The main carbonates formed through the reaction with CO2 were assumed to be potassium carbonates (K2CO3). It was also shown that carbonate in the rice straw chars prepared in CO2 was almost twice of that in the chars prepared in Ar, whereas the total concentration of K in the rice straw chars prepared in CO2 was almost the same as that in the rice straw chars prepared in A...


By proper noun we mean the locality whose significance suggest represents a historically known space. This kind of nouns is very frequent in poetry. Though it gained much heed by critics. The constructivist role of the proper noun in its interaction with the poem parts is still luring for further scrutiny. Thus we dedicate this paper to explore its constructivist processing through samples of the Omayyad tripartite.


Objective To investigate the effects to control hypertension with carotid atheromatous plaque by lacidipine combined with atorvastatin.Methods To select 70 patients suffered by hypertension,combined with carotid atheromatous plaque,and divided into treatment group and control group randomly.The treatment group are therapyed by lacidipine with 4-8 mg qd and atorvastatin 20 mg qn;The control group were therapyed by lacidipine with 4-8 mg qd,carotid artery were assessed by high-resolution ultrasound technique before treatment in all patients.Monitored those after12 weeks,and analyse the result.Results The therapy by lacidipine combined with atorvastatin in treatment group decreases IMT、the number of atheromatous plaque and accumulate points of atheromatous plaque after 12 weeks significantly.Conclusion Therapy to reduce atheromatous plaque by lacidipine combined with atorvastatin in hypertension with carotid atheromatous plaque is more effective than that by lacidipine single.


Summary Microphones and seismographs were co-located in arrays on Skidaway Island, Georgia, for the launchings of Apollo 13 and 14, 374 km to the south. Simultaneous acoustic and seismic waves were recorded for both events at times appropriate to the arrival of the acoustic waves from the source. Significant comparisons of the true signals are (1) the acoustic signal is relatively broadband compared to the nearly monochromatic seismic signal; (2) the seismic signal is much more continuous than the more pulse-like acoustic signal; (3) ground loading from the pressure variations of the acoustic waves is shown to be too small to account for the seismic waves; (4) the measured phase velocities of both acoustic and seismic waves across the local instrument arrays differ by less than 6 per cent and possibly 3 per cent if experimental error is included. It is concluded that the seismic waves are generated by resonant coupling to the acoustic waves along some 10 km of path on Skidaway Island. The thickness of unconsolidated sediment on the island is appropriate to a resonant ground wave frequency of 3.5 to 4 Hz, as observed. Under appropriate conditions, ground wave observations may prove more effective means of detecting certain aspects of acoustic signals in view of the filtering of wind noise and amplification through resonance.


Background The Veterans Health Administration is undergoing a cultural transformation toward person-driven care referred to as the Whole Health System of Care. Objective This pilot study evaluated whether the Whole Health model resonates with patients of a large public university rehabilitation clinic. Methods Thirty participants completed the Veterans Health Administration's Personal Health Inventory (PHI), and six attended the course "Taking Charge of My Life and Health." Researchers analyzed PHI responses and post-course focus group transcripts. A short post-PHI survey and post-course evaluation were collected. Results Participants agreed the PHI is a simple, useful tool. The course, while well attended, did not meet participants' expectations. Participants wanted access to integrative therapies and opportunities to contribute to healthcare transformation. Conclusion Rehabilitation patients resonated with the Whole Health vision. They expressed enthusiasm for the cultural transformation represented by the model along with frustration that standard healthcare experiences fall short of this vision.


In order to study the effects of slate powder on mineral admixtures in suppressing ASR of slate aggregate, refer to the following methods: accelerated mortar bar test in "Standard for Constructional Quality Acceptance of Railway Concrete Engineering" TB10424-2010 and "Durability Design of Railway Concrete Structures" TB10005-2010, as well as an improved steam curing method. The text has studied the expansion of the specimens that are made from slate aggregate with different powder contents and specimens using slate powder as admixtures. The results show : When powder content in aggregate is less than 20%, it dose not have adverse effects; ASR of high-activity slate aggregate can be suppressed by using 30% fly ash and 5% silica fume as mineral admixtures; when the mineral admixtures are effective, a certain amount of powder mixed with admixtures can contribute to suppression; the main mechanism that slate powder can suppress ASR is that alkali in concrete can be consumed and physically diluted by slate powder.


We have several nowadays several procedures of bariatric surgeries aiming to treat severe obesity and its metabolic and cardiovascular complications. This followed observing substantial weight loss following gastric operations for ulcers nearly four decades ago. But, these patients suffer already comorbidities: type 2 diabetes mellitus, asthma, cardiac diseases and sleep apnea syndrome. Therefore post surgical infectious complications are not only intra-abdominal but extend to the skin, cardiovascular system, pulmonary system, neurological system causing readmissions with the risk of healthcare associated morbidity and mortality they depend on the type of the surgical procedure and on the peri operative preventive measures as skin preparation, nomothermia and tailored targeted antibiotic prophylaxis. The diagnosis is essentially clinical but, in this particular setting of insidious or delayed symptoms, ultrasound and CT scanning are of major help in establishing a rapid diagnosis and prompt treatment. Abdominal rigidity, SIRS manifestations and signs of hypoperfusion are indicative of severe sepsis and often warrant urgent reoperation. Intra abdominal infectious complications are frequently procedure- dependant; port infections and band erosions in Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding, internal hernias and laparoscopic surgery even though this last brought down the rate of all infectious complications. Fistulas, abdominal abscess, hepatic abscess and anastomotic strictures are also encountered and manageable. Anastomotic leaks are the most life threatening occurring in nearly 6% of bariatric surgeries and leading to severe sepsis, ICU admission and high mortality rate. Tailored preparation, judicious antibioprophylaxis, accurate diagnosis, adherence to basic surgical principles, and effective surgical reintervention when necessary with proper medical treatment are the keys in preventing and immediate management of post bariatric infectious patients and procedures, including age above 65 years, the presence of associated diseases (cardiovascular and pulmonary disease, chronic renal failure, liver cirrhosis, etc.), prior abdominal surgery, and the experience of the surgeon and the institution, especially concerning the ability to make an early diagnosis and address complications. Complications occurring up to the 30th postoperative day (POD) are considered to be early complications. The surgical complications are bleeding, intestinal obstruction, digestive fistulas and associated peritoneal complications, and deep infections of the abdominal wall that required hospitalization. Peritoneal infections occur in 3.2% of patients, and 2.2% patients develop abdominal wall infections that required hospitalization [2]. Fistulas and peritoneal infections are diagnosed based on clinical signs (tachycardia, tachypnea, fever, or abdominal pain) associated with changes in the appearance of the draining fluid (pus, bilious, enteric, or salivary), or radiological CT scanning signs and with biological assessment of peritoneal and systemic cytokines, inflammatory markers and cultures [5].


a. Social and Affective Neuroscience Group, IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca, Lucca, Italy. b. Molecular Mind Laboratory, IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca, Lucca, Italy. c. MANIBUS Lab, Psychology Department, University of Turin, Turin, Italy. d. Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy. e. Department of Translational Research and Advanced Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.


Ilex glabra (Inkberry) is a native evergreen shrub with dark green foliage and compact habit. This shrub has gained popularity in the northern landscapes of the United States and more nursery growers would like to produce it. To better understand genetic relationships among inkberry cultivars and selectively breed superior cultivars, a group of 48 Ilex glabra accessions and two other Ilex species (Ilex crenata and I. mutchagara) were studied using AFLP markers. A total of 229 markers between 50 and 500 base pairs (bps) were produced from eight AFLP primer combinations. Among them, 87% of markers produced were polymorphic. The markers for each primer-pair ranged from 22 to 45 and the genetic distance observed ranged from 0.001 to 0.349. Within the Ilex glabra clade, 48 accessions were classified into six groups including a wild species group, Ilex glabra and five cultivated groups, 'Densa', f. leucocarpa, 'Pretty Girl', 'Shamrock' and 'Viridis'. Within each group, the legitimacy of named cultivars and distinguished clones are discussed based on both morphological and molecular data. The AFLP data provided useful information to researchers and growers for inkberry cultivar identification, genetic improvement, and germplasm conservation.


In coastal area of Otsuchi, Iwate prefecture, spring water is abundant and thereby the rare freshwater three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus), which prefer cold water environment, inhabit here. This area was damaged by the tsunami caused by the 2011 off the Pacific coast of Tohoku Earthquake. During the reconstruction and recovery works, the understanding of the habitat range and the environmental conditions of the three-spined sticklebacks contributes to the appropriate ecosystem management. Strontium stable isotope ratio ( 87 Sr/ 86 Sr) has been used as a powerful indicator to trace the past movement patterns of fish because of the same 87 Sr/ 86 Sr value between fish and the water of its habitat. Therefore, we used 87 Sr/ 86 Sr indicator to elucidate the three-spined stickleback movement patterns. First, between Sr/ 86 Sr of three-spined stickleback whole otoliths (ear bone) and the water in isolated water bodies. We confirmed that both water and fish have almost same 87 Sr/ 86 Sr.


The magnetic susceptibilities {chi} versus temperature T of powders and single crystals of the ambient-pressure (AP) and high-pressure (HP) phases of (VO){sub 2}P{sub 2}O{sub 7} are analyzed using an accurate theoretical prediction of {chi}(T,J{sub 1},J{sub 2}) for the spin-1/2 antiferromagnetic alternating-exchange (J{sub 1}, J{sub 2}) Heisenberg chain. The results are consistent with recent models with two distinct types of alternating-exchange chains in the AP phase and a single type in the HP phase. The spin gap for each type of chain is derived from the respective set of two fitted alternating-exchange constants and the one-magnon dispersion relation for each of the two types of chains in the AP phase is predicted. The influences of interchain coupling on the derived intrachain exchange constants, spin gaps, and dispersion relations are estimated using a mean-field approximation for the interchain coupling. The accuracies of the spin gaps obtained using fits to the low-T {chi}(T) data by theoretical low-T approximations are determined. The results of these studies are compared with previously reported estimates of the exchange couplings and spin gaps in the AP and HP phases and with the magnon dispersion relations in the AP phase measured previously using inelastic neutron scattering.


Section I contains: Thermodynamics: A fundamental science for physics-of-failure. Although reliability mathematics is well established, having probability theory as its basic tool, the reliability science for physics-of-failure lacks a basic foundation. Thermodynamics is a natural candidate. Many engineers do not realize how closely thermodynamics is tied to reliability, because these subjects are treated separately. This section applies the laws of thermodynamics and reliability theory to illustrate the key aspects that link these sciences into "thermodynamic reliability engineering" which helps to understand the reliability physics-of-failure problems. Section II contains: Aging mechanisms and derivations of key physics-of-failure equations used in accelerated testing and reliability analysis. Irreversible mechanisms that cause aging are discussed (using a thermodynamic framework) along with key physics-of-failure reliability models related to aging. In so doing we derive key physics-of-failure time-compression equations used in reliability stemming from Minor's hypothesis, the Coffin–Manson power law, Peck's humidity model, and diffusion methods. Section III contains: Time-dependent parametric aging associated with activated processes. When thermal activation is the rate-controlling process, Arrhenius rate kinetics apply. The parametric time-dependence of an Arrhenius mechanism is addressed and leads to predictable time-dependent aging for certain measurable parameters. Our earlier work developed a thermally activated time-dependent model. This paper describes the shape of the free energy aging path in that model. The results are illustrated for some problems in microelectronics.


Patients with primary headache disorders who overuse analgesia are at risk for MOH, in which the analgesia leads to the paradoxical effect of increasing headache frequency ([Box 1][1]).[1][2] The prevalence of MOH in the general population is 1%–2% and as high as 20.6% in referrals to Canadian


A mutual CO2-H2O solubility model was previously reported for application to CO2-enhanced geothermal systems. The ability of this model to predict PVT and caloric properties of the compressed gas phase is investigated. Compressibility factors of pure CO2 and CO2-H2O mixtures can generally be predicted within a few percent of reference and experimental data. Caloric data are also reasonably well reproduced for CO2-H2O gas mixtures at moderate water content. At elevated water contents, more significant deviations are observed between model results and published experimental enthalpies of mixing. However, total enthalpies may still be predicted with reasonable accuracy for applications to CO2-enhanced geothermal systems. Experimental data in the temperature and pressure range of most interest to CO2-enhanced geothermal systems are scarce and would be needed for further model validation. BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Recent theoretical studies have stimulated interest in the potential of using CO2 instead of water as heat transfer fluid in enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) (Brown, 2000; Fouillac et al., 2004; Pruess, 2006, 2008). Evaluating the development and operation of an EGS with CO2 as a working fluid requires a capability to accurately represent the thermophysical properties of CO2-brine mixtures for the entire range of fluid compositions and thermodynamic conditions, from injection to production. Furthermore, in order to assess the behavior of CO2 in natural subsurface environments, and to evaluate potential leakage scenarios, thermophysical properties need to be represented all the way to the land surface. We have previously reported on the development of a phase partitioning model for CO2-brine mixtures that is based on thermodynamic equilibrium principles and a cubic equation of state (Spycher and Pruess, 2010). Our model represents the mutual solubilities of CO2 and NaCl brines largely within experimental uncertainties for temperatures of 12–300C, pressures of 1–600 bar and salinities from 0 to 6 molal NaCl. Here, we investigate the application of this model to the calculation of pressure-volume-temperature (PVT) data and caloric properties, with the objective of applying this model to CO2-EGS studies. MODELING APPROACH AND TESTING Original Solubility Model The solubility model was described in detail by Spycher and Pruess (2010) and references therein. Aspects of the model relevant to the present study are described here. Mutual solubilities are computed using a modified Redlich-Kwong (RK) equation of state (EOS) to compute the fugacity coefficients of CO2 and H2O in the compressed gas phase, coupled with equilibrium constants expressing the partitioning of CO2 in water. The effect of salts on CO2 solubility in saline solutions is also accounted for by a Pitzer activity coefficient model. The EOS parameters, equilibrium constants, and Pitzer interaction parameters were fitted to a large number of experimental mutual solubility data. Below 100°C, the amount of water partitioning into compressed CO2 is very small, which allows neglecting H2O when computing properties of the gas mixture. At temperatures above 100°C, however, a significant amount of water can vaporize in compressed CO2, such that this amount can no longer be ignored when computing thermophysical properties and phase equilibrium. In the present study, focus is given to temperatures above 100°C, as it is most relevant to EGS with CO2 as a working fluid. PVT and caloric properties predicted by the solubility model, without any modifications of its original EOS parameters, are presented below. PVT Properties Compressibility factors (Z=PV/RT) of pure CO2 and H2O were fitted to reference data as part of the original solubility model. For CO2, compressibility factors from Span and Wagner (1996) could be reproduced with a root mean square error (RMSE) about 0.5 % and no absolute deviations > ~2%. For H2O, compressibility factors from Wagner and Pruβ (2002) for the liquid phase could be reproduced with an RMSE < 0.5% and no absolute deviations > ~9%. However, as would be expected with any cubic EOS, the vapor phase data along the saturation curve and the saturation curve itself could not be accurately reproduced. Few PVT data have been reported for CO2-H2O mixtures in the P-T range of interest to CO2-EGS (100–300°C and 100–600 bar). This is in part because, at these temperatures and pressures, CO2H2O mixtures form two immiscible phases over most of the mixture compositional range. In addition, the water content at the dew-point of CO2-H2O mixtures below ~250°C and pressures above 100 bar is typically limited. As a result, experimental PVT properties are not only scarce, but also are mostly limited to pressures below 100 bar. We previously reported a relatively good agreement of model results with the compressed gas phase density data of Fenghour et al. (1996). Comparisons of model results with experimental density values were since extended to include data from Patel et al. (1987), Patel and Eubank (1988) and Zawisza and Maleslnska (1981). Computed compressibility factors show deviations mostly within a few percent from these experimental data sets (Figure 1).


and this would explain the importance of general coca use in relation to rituals. Additionally, it could be argued that since hypoglycemia is often accompanied by irritability and aggressiveness (Bolton 1972, 1973, 1976b) and since coca chewing helps to promote glucose homeostasis, this practice makes rituals proceed more smoothly. By making sure that everyone is chewing coca, villagers reduce the probability that hypoglycemia-induced aggressiveness will disturb the peace and interfere with the event. In responding to commentators who point out that symptoms of polycythemia normally become apparent only when hematocrit values exceed 60%, Fuchs (p. 288) refers to data showing that hematocrit values average 60% or more at altitudes over 4,500 m. It should be noted that the percentage of coca chewers who reside at such high altitudes is extremely small, at best 2-3% of the total. Moreover, at 4,500 m one will undoubtedly find cold stress and other problems in addition to higher hematocrit levels. Finally, I would like to mention a problem related to finding suitable physiological evidence with which to assess the polycythemia hypothesis. Fuchs cites studies showing that Indians living at high altitudes have higher red blood cell counts than do those living at lower altitudes. In responding to PiconReategui's report of unpublished data showing similar values for chewers and nonchewers, Fuchs states that this is what he would expect if their patterns of coca use had not been altered as part of the study. We have, then, the following situation: As one goes up in altitude, one finds an increase in coca use associated with an increase in red blood cell counts. If coca chewing depresses polycythemia, should we not also find that high-altitude and low-altitude residents have similar red blood cell counts? If coca reduces hematocrit levels, we should find no association between altitude and hematocrits, unless one assumes that the rise in red blood cell counts occurs in spite of coca use and that those counts would be even higher in the absence of coca. I see no reason to make such assumptions, and I find it hard to assess any of the physiological data used by Fuchs in the absence of controls for coca use. This points to the fact that evidence rigorous enough to permit a satisfactory evaluation of the polycythemia hypothesis will have to come from studies in which coca use is experimentally manipulated. Perhaps Fuchs or others will carry out such research. The hypothesis is intriguing. Investigations designed to test it will not be easy to conduct, but they should be given very high priority. If correct, the hypothesis adds an important dimension to our understanding of coca chewing. It has implications that may be critical for the health and well-being of millions of people in the Andes.


We present a Mathematica program which implements tensor calculus using index notation. Common operations, such as contractions, lowering and raising of indices, symmetrization and antisymmetrization, and covariant derivatives, are implemented in such a manner that the notation for the inputs is close to that found in textbooks. The optimization of the time to perform the calculations has been one of the main objectives when writing the code. This program has been merged with the package TTC, recently published in this journal, so the user can use both intrinsic notation and index expressions when performing tensor calculus. © 1995 American Institute of Physics.


Medium plate steel types needing quenching-and-tempering include high tensile steel,pressure vessel steel,boiler steel,wear resistant steel and oil tank steel etc.The key factors which affect quenching and tempering quality of plates are heating temperature,holding time,cooling conditions,the head,tail and angle of plate,spray water and so on.Jinan steel should exert the function of quenching and tempering production line that was equipped,develop high tensile structural steel,pressure vessel steel,low-alloy structural steel and wear-resistant and atmosphere corrosion resisting steel for enhancing Jinan steel's international competitive power in high-end products.


Study-discussion-oriented classroom teaching is an important vehicle of school-based scientific research,which plays roles of deepening the ideas,constructing teaching strategy,and formulating the achievement of formative research.Proper organization and implementation of such kind of classroom teaching needs to decide the topic of research,design corresponding teaching assessment,and teachers also need to study the topic on their own before teaching,and form their individualized understanding of the topic to serve the teaching practice.


In the twentieth century, ancient theatres acquired symbolic values through their excavation, restoration, and cultural reuse. While elsewhere in the Mediterranean comparable cases show an early and powerful engagement of a populace with their antiquities, in Spain national ideals did not automatically engage with classical culture. In the case of the Roman theatre of Merida, cultural and historical realities dictated a series of cultural events that repeatedly concerned collective memory. In addition to the main sequence of the unique occasions surrounding the 1933 and 1934 performances at the theatre, various other agencies had systematically focused on its exploitation from the 1910s. These initiatives were endorsed by numerous formal visits and cultural events that took place in the theatre, from as early as 1914. Through successive spectacles staged at the theatre, a cultural tradition emerged, while political agendas occasionally exploited its increasing popularity, right up to the Spanish Civil War.


We study ${K}^{+}$N low-energy scattering using the effective Lagrangian approach. The scattering mechanism model consists of hyperon and meson exchanges (this model is borrowed from \ensuremath{\pi}-N scattering calculations). We limit ourselves to the tree level, motivated by nuclear physics applications. Canonical values of the required coupling constants give rise to scattering parameters which disagree strongly with experiment. Kaon photoproduction (\ensuremath{\gamma}+p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}${K}^{+}$+\ensuremath{\Lambda}) studies using a similar model also yield coupling constants which differ from standard compilations values. Using these values in the ${K}^{+}$N scattering calculations, we find a better agreement with experiment (the level of agreement is still only within a factor of 2--3, however). We discuss the role of \ensuremath{\omega} and \ensuremath{\rho} t-channel mesonic exchanges in the scattering process and elaborate on the implications to some recent work in the current literature. Possible reasons for the results and discrepancies found in the present work, as well as possible implications, are discussed.


This service record is an account of military actions during the American Civil War by veteran Joseph McClure 1844-1921 dated from 1900.


The Christian architecture in Xuanhua city from 1870's to 1940's witnessed the Christianity dissemination in the north of China since 1840's, and has great cultural and historic values.Combined with the historic background,this paper expounds the general situation of Christian architectures in the area,and then divides them into three periods,and at last it chooses three typical examples for anglicizing in order to find out the different artistic and scientific characters of different development period.It is a basic theory for further study of Christian architecture in China.


Abstract. The present study aimed at identify population characters pollution source which affect water fertily nitrate, phospate, abundance as well as community structure of planctonic diatomae were measured. Nine sampling station of three location were established a long the Selat Air Hitam water. Appearently domestic activity, marine traffic, sago processing plant and community economic had affected on water fertility due to effluent water that entered the water. Nitrate analysis showed a range of 187,5 to 262,5 μg/L mean while phospate consentration appear 28,8241,2 μg/L, silicate consentration appear 30,4-32,9 μg/L. Plactonic diatomae abundance came up 2400 to 3800 cell/L of nine genera. Biodiversity index of range (1≤H'≤3), while smiliarity index (0,5≤E≤1) and dominancy index (0,5≤E≤1). Those index indicate nthe Selat Air Hitam waters in a medium pressure, however ecosystem condition is stable. Nitrate, phospate and silicate positively and significantly correlated with diatomae abundance ( p<0,05). TSS level appeared 18,33 – 45,00 mg/l and BOD berkisar 3,73 – 5,07 mg/l. Regression analysis showed that nitrate and phospate had a mayor affect to diatomae abundance.


Very-high-speed optical-fiber transmission experiments have been extensively conducted, and speeds have reached 100 Gbit/s. Such extremely-high-speed transmission resulted from the advent of an Er-doped fiber amplifier and an all-optical multiplexer/demultiplexer (MUX/DEMUX). Nevertheless, electronic devices have some advantages over optical devices: high functionality, small size, low cost, and high reliability. Thus, our major concern is to investigate the use of electronic devices at the highest possible bit rates. This paper reviews the key technologies necessary to achieve 10-Gbit/s ICs and also discusses >20-Gbit/s ICs in terms of device, circuit, and package technologies based on recent research activities.


5nm 3a Photocorrosion of Ni/NiO core/shell structures on TiO2 for water splitting Liuxian Zhang, Qianlang Liu, Toshihiro Aoki and Peter Crozier* 1.Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281 (USA) *email@example.com Introduction Photocatalytic water splitting to produce H2 has been considered a promising technology for generation of sustainable clean energy. The rate of water splitting can be increased by adding co-catalysts such as noble metals or coupled semiconductors[1][2]. Among all the photocatalytical water splitting co-catalyst systems, Ni/NiO core-shell structures have apparently been shown to be one of the most active co-catalyst for water splitting. To date there have been few investigations of the atomic level structure of the Ni/NiO core/shell structure and its structural and compositional evolution during the water splitting processing. In this work, TiO2 is chosen as the model support to study the activation and deactivation of Ni/NiO core-shell co-catalyst. Photocatalytical/photochemical property testing was performed under exposure to light from a xenon lamp in pure water. High resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) images were employed to investigate the structural changes taking place in the material during de-activation. A core-shell to void-shell morphological transformation was observed to take place as hydrogen evolution declined.


Background: Applying large amounts of potash fertilizer in apple orchards for high apple quality and yield aggravates KCl stress. As a phytoalexin, resveratrol (Res) participates in plant resistance to biotic stress. However, its role in relation to KCl stress have never been reported. Results: Malus hupenensis is a widely used apple rootstock in China and is sensitive to KCl stress. In this study, 100 µmol Res was exogenously applied to alleviate KCl stress in M. hupenensis seedlings. The seedlings treated with Res had higher chlorophyll content and photosynthetic index than those without Res treatment. Moreover, the molecular and physiological mechanisms of Res in ion toxicity, osmotic stress, and oxidative damage induced by KCl stress were also investigated. First, exogenous Res affects K+/Na+ homeostasis in cytoplasm by enhancing K+ efflux outside the cells, inhibiting Na+ efflux and K+ absorption, and compartmentalizing K+ into vacuoles. Second, this compound could respond to osmotic stress by regulating the accumulation of proline. Lastly, this polyphenol functions as an antioxidant that strengthens the activities of POD and CAT thus eliminates the reactive oxygen species production induced by KCl stress.Conclusions: Taken together, these results reveal that resveratrol alleviates the KCl salinity stress of M. hupenensis seedlings by regulating K+/Na+ homeostasis, osmotic adjustment, and reactive oxygen species scavenging.


Although some guiding concepts do exist, others that could be of real assistance to staff developers in designing and delivering relevant activities need to be developed. Staff developers must be able to meet the individual needs of teachers who face a wide variety of issues and problems. Diagnosing teacher needs and providing relevant staff-development activities is a major goal of the research on the change process that is being conducted at the Research and Development Center for Teacher Education at the University of Texas at Austin. Change aspects are constantly confronted with the technical problems of innovation adoption and the needs of individuals involved in the process. Although staff-development activities may not be targeted toward the adoption of a particular innovation,1 both staff developers and change agents face the problem of matching interventions with client needs.


Lemongrass (Cymbogoncitratus (DC.) Stapf) leaves contain alkaloids, saponins, tannins, anthraquinones, steroids, phenols and flavonoids. Flavonoids act as antioxidants as they can reduce free radicals. This study aims to determine the total flavonoid content, antioxidant activity, and IC50 value of lemongrass leaf extract (Cymbogoncitratus (DC.) Stapf). Extracts were made by maceration using 96% ethanol as solvent. Testing of total flavonoid content with the AlCl3 method using UV-Vis spectrophotometry was carried out three times. The antioxidant activity test used the FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) method on extracts containing 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 ppm. The test results showed that the leaf extract of citronella (Cymbogoncitratus (DC.) Stapf) had a total flavonoid content of 22,60 mg QE/g extract. Furthermore, there was antioxidant activity in the leaf extract of lemongrass (Cymbogoncitratus (DC.) Stapf indicated by the formation of a blue color purplish when reacted with FRAP solution, and IC50 extract value was 71,59 ppm and included in the category of strong antioxidants.


Artificial tree stands are an important component of the landscape structure of the steppe zone, performing an important economic and ecological functions. In many ways, the effectiveness of the growth and development of these plantations depends on degree of formation of their decomposers system, particularly of wood-destroying fungi biota, providing a relatively rapid turnover of matter and energy in forest ecosystems. As a result of long-term research of wood-destroying basidiomycetes of artificial plantings of the steppe zone of the Southern Urals (Orenburg region) 138 species of fungi belonging to 70 genera, 29 orders and 18 families of the order of Basidiomycota were marked. The greatest species richness was observed in the artificial birch woods, minimal in larch plantations. Comparison of artificial and natural plantation mycobiotas showed a high similarity of mycobiota artificial and natural stands of birch and little resemblance of mycobiotas of pine stands of different genesis. In artificial plantings first for the region noted a number of species not previously found in natural stands, which allows to consider some artificial plantings as refugia for unusual species of fungi. As a consequence, the role of plantations in the landscape framework of the region is expanding; this should take into account not only economic functions of the plantings, but also their functions as biotopes inhabited by rare and unique species of fungi.


T cell response precedes serological response, and is more feasible than pathogen detection by molecular tools. Thus, monitoring T cell response to class-A pathogens may allow for a timely treatment and a correct handling of patients containment issues, after exposure to potentially lethal agents, such as biological threat, or emerging pathogens. In this paper, we describe a procedure for the evaluation of T cell response to microbial pathogens, including class-A pathogens in BSL-3 and BSL-4 equipped laboratories.


Animal identification is a process to identify and track animals. It is done for a variety of reasons including verification of ownership, biosecurity control, record keeping, efficient farm management, registration, insurance and presentation of theft of animals. Identification of animal in livestock enterprise is of immense importance to draw attention regarding their status in production as well as performance. Thus, proper identification of animal is very important for understanding the need of record keeping and will provide a base to improve the management of herd. The use of RFID for automation will also aid to minimize labour input, thus allowing each farmer to cater for more cows, or enabling farmers to have more time to spend on other activities – either way, maximizing results from their input.


Environmental problems are very serious in South Africa. The government of South Africa pays close attention to environmental education and regards it as a key strategy to solve environmental problems after ending racial segregation institution. The article analyzes and comments on the development of environmental education policy,the goal of environmental education curriculum in schools,the basic strategy and ways of environmental education in South African schools.


This paper describes tools, concepts and workflow used to develop AtFAB, a digitally fabricated, customizable furniture system, and apprehensible model for employing simplicity, interconnectivity and adaptability in architecture. The investigation deploys parametric modelling, interaction design, and digital fabrication to develop a multi-agent system that recasts the roles of designers, users and fabricators and re-imagines the architect's role of balancing user needs alongside other generative agents. It proposes that innovative design thinking might replace our discipline's prevailing focus on the transactional and object-cantered capabilities of technology with an emphasis on its ability to facilitate the design of systemic and networked relationships. 1 Introduction Innovative digital tools and techniques have enabled architects to realize unprecedented form, have introduced novel workflows in construction and delivery , and have redefined collaboration with the client and the project team. Archi-tects' embrace of everything from building information modelling and computation , to digital fabrication and social networking among the delivery team, has given our profession the capacity to revolutionize our role on projects as well as those projects themselves. However, the true potentials of these fluid, networked tools are being limited by their almost exclusive deployment to define physical-ity 1 2 and/or to serve the transactional structure of architect-client-constructor relationships. 3 4 This paper proposes an epistemological shift of our focus from the reductive, object-oriented capabilities of these tools and put it on their ability to facilitate the design of (and for) systemic and networked relationships. Intercala-tion, as used in materials science, is the controlled insertion of a guest molecule between other molecules to produce a compound with transcendent properties like greater conductivity or structural strength. This investigation sought to redeploy digital tools to demonstrate how architecture could become an intercalate that inextricably links the interrelated systems occurring within it to the complex conditions that surround it. This paper documents the design of a furniture system, as an apprehensible model for architecture and as a model to demonstrate a shift in design thinking. It documents an investigation of how emergence, networked organization and open source design might drive an intercalated design methodology. The test subject in this investigation is the design of an ecologically sound, customizable, and digitally fabricated line of furniture pieces called AtFAB. AtFAB involves a fab


Objective To investigate the changes of cytokines of splenocytes in mice immunized with recombinant BCG-Em Ⅱ/3 vaccine of Echinococcus multilocularis(Em)and consequently challenged with Em protoscoleces.Methods Balb/c mice were subcutaneously or intranasally vaccinated and challenged with Em were separated and cultured with EmAg,ConA or PHA,respectively.The supematants were gathered to measure the levels of IL-2,IFN-γ,TNF-α.and IL-4 by ELISA Kits.Results The levels of IL-2,IFN-γ,TNF-α and IL-4 in the subcutaneous group were(34.6±2.7),(34.5±2.8),(265.0 ±0.0)and(9.8±2.6)ng/L respeetively:those in the intranasal group were(32.5±2.2),(33.6±2.7),(130.0±0.0)and(10.4±27)ng/L respectively;those in the control were(25.0±1.9),(30.0±0.0),(10.0±0.0)and(12.5±2.7)ng/L,respectively:there were statistical differences between the immunized groups and control group(P<0.01 or<0.05);The level of TNF-α in the subcutaneous group was higher than that in the intranasal group.Conclusion Th1 response has been induced in mice vaccinated with rBCG-Em Ⅱ/3 vaccine and challenged with Em protoscoleces.

Key words:
Echinococcosis,hepatic;  Recombinant BCG-Em Ⅱ/3 vaccine: Cytokines


The development of 590 MPa hot dip galvanizing dual phase steel plates for automobile in Benxi Steel group corporation was introduced.The chemical compositions and processes were designed based on phase transformation strengthening.The control of chemical compositions,rolling process parameters and continuous annealing process parameters,microstructures,mechanical properties were analyzed.The batch production practice show that the products have good mechanical property and shaping property.This product can be used to make high strength structural parts for automobile.


Introduction Technology use among the millennial population is increasing and related postural compromise may lead to cumulative trauma disorder symptomology. The aim of this study was to explore trends of hand-held mobile technology use and upper extremity cumulative trauma disorder symptomology among a sample of millennials. Methods A convenience sample of graduate students (n = 42) was used for the study. Demographic and technology use information was obtained through self-report using the smartphone screen time tracking feature. Cumulative trauma disorder symptomology was assessed through administration of various orthopedic special tests. Results On average, participants spent 2 h and 23 min per day using hand-held mobile devices. Out of 42 participants, 54.8% tested positive for at least one orthopedic special test. The symptomatic group spent 2 h and 29 min using hand-held mobile devices, while the asymptomatic group spent 2 h and 4 min. The most common positive orthopedic special tests were Finkelstein's test (n = 19; 36%), hyperabduction (Wright's) test (n = 13; 25%), and the elbow flexion test (n = 10; 18.9%), indicating symptoms associated with De Quervain's tenosynovitis, thoracic outlet syndrome, and cubital tunnel syndrome, respectively. Discussion Results were consistent with prior research on time spent using hand-held mobile technology and cumulative trauma disorder among millennials. Additionally, a difference in mean time spent using mobile technology between the asymptomatic and symptomatic groups was found, suggesting a relationship which warrants further research.


Using a new method we construct a class of orthogonal designs, o D( 4(1 + P )n; n, n, n, n, pn, pn, pn, pn) for p = 1, p a prime power == 3 (mod 4), and n = 3,5,7. This class includes new Plotkin arrays of order 24, and for the first time, of orders 40 and 56.


Observation of Quantum Spin Noise in a 1D Light-Atoms Quantum Interface Beguin, J. -B.; Müller, Jörg Helge; Appel, J.; Polzik, E. S. Published in: Physical Review X DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevX.8.031010 Publication date: 2018 Document Version Publisher's PDF, also known as Version of record Citation for published version (APA): Beguin, J. -B., Müller, J. H., Appel, J., & Polzik, E. S. (2018). Observation of Quantum Spin Noise in a 1D LightAtoms Quantum Interface. Physical Review X, 8(3), [031010]. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevX.8.031010


In conventional theoretical physics and its Standard Model the guiding principle is that the equations are symmetrical. This limitation leads to a number of difficulties, because it does not permit masses for leptons and quarks, the electron tends to "explode" under the action of its self-charge, a corresponding photon model has no spin, and such a model cannot account for the "needle radiation" proposed by Einstein and observed in the photoelectric effect and in two-slit experiments. This paper summarizes a revised Lorentz and gauge invariant quantum electrodynamic theory based on a nonzero electric field divergence in the vacuum and characterized by linear intrinsic broken symmetry. It thus provides an alternative to the Higgs concept of nonlinear spontaneous broken symmetry, for solving the difficulties of the Standard Model. New results are obtained, such as nonzero and finite lepton rest masses, a point-charge-like behavior of the electron due to a revised renormalization procedure, a magnetic volume force which counteracts the electrostatic eigen-force of the electron, a nonzero spin of the photon and of light beams, needle radiation, and an improved understanding of the photoelectric effect, two-slit experiments, electron-positron pair formation, and cork-screw-shaped light beams.


No ONE who has read the life of Strindberg can fail to be fascinated by the story of that unhappy man. To the student of the music of Delius, thirteen years his junior, the fascination is increased not only by the friendship between the two, but also by discovering the number of friends and places that were common to both. Strindberg left us an impression of these in words; Delius left us his impressions in music. Some aspects of their relationship have already been examined, Delius himself having written a memoir of his friend.1 Other connections, however, have not been fully investigated. In the first place it is not always realized that Strindberg also lived in Grez-sur-Loing, albeit a decade before Delius, leaving us a picture of a very different village from the one the composer knew. There is also the question of the influence his theatrical technique may have exerted on the operas of the younger man. There had been an artistic colony in the area of Fontainebleu for many years, beginning in the days of Corot, Millet, and the Barbizon school of painters. Then in the I870's Robert Louis Stevenson had been one of the outstanding minds of a breakaway group of eccentrics who moved from Barbizon to Grez mainly, it seems, to be able to indulge in their favourite pastime of splashing about on the river. They were succeeded in the next decade by a predominantly Scandinavian fraternity, and it was during this phase that Strindberg paid two prolonged visits. The first came in September I883 when he and his first wife, Siri von Essen, were both suffering from strain, and travel had been recommended as an antidote. Encouraged by the painter Carl Larsson,2 who hailed Strindberg as 'the Swedish Emile Zola', they took up their headquarters in the Hotel Beau S6jour at Grez. Siri was amused by the artistic colony and wrote a description which was published in a Swedish newspaper," but on this first visit her husband found himself unable to settle and after only a few weeks they moved on to Paris. At first he did not take to the capital either, criticising its inhabitants as 'money-grubbing', but once again he was flattered by the accord with which the Scandinavian colony greeted him. The leader of this group was Bj0rnstjerne Bj0rnson (1832-1910), the Norwegian poet whom Delius later set in several fine songs. He assumed the role of protector


Since the passage of the Civil Rights Act in 1964, U.S. antidiscrimination law and workplace practice have undergone major revolutions. At first both law and practice were oriented to preventing prima facie discrimination—to putting an end to Jim Crow in employment. Employment practice and case law changed dramatically in the 1970s, to recognize new structural theories of discrimination that placed the blame on employment practices that were not, prima facie, discriminatory, but that had the effect of disadvantaging women and minorities. In the 1990s, employment practice and case law changed again, building on the cognitive revolution in the social sciences to recognize cognitive categorizing, or stereotyping, and its effects on both worker aspirations and managerial promotion decisions. France also outlawed employment discrimination, in July of 1972, in legislation that took much the same form as the Civil Rights Act. But in France, employer practice and anti-discrimination law have changed little over time. France has not seen the incorporation of two waves of social scientific thinking in workplace practices. Until new legislation expanded the definition of workplace discrimination in 2001, France saw little change indeed. Why have the United States and France seen such different patterns of anti-discrimination practice and law? I argue that state structure has produced two very different outcomes in these two cases. In the American case, state


At the present stage in the global information society, a new economic structure is being actively formed - digital. There is a digitalization of economic processes and the penetration of information technologies into all spheres of activity. There are new requirements for the sources of competitive advantages of enterprises and effective concepts of their functioning and management.
This monograph is a collective work of teachers, students, graduate students, undergraduates of the Department of Economic Security, Accounting and Law, Don State Technical University, Rostov State Economic University RINH, Tula State University. It is devoted to the consideration of individual problems of management of enterprises and organizations.


Edible bird's nest (EBN) hydrolysate is widely used in EBN downstream products. This study aimed to optimize the process conditions (combination of heat treatment and enzymatic hydrolysis) to produce high-yield and high-quality EBN hydrolysate. The effects of four factors in the process were studied by response surface methodology. The experimental factors are EBN temperature during double boiling (DB), DB duration, enzymatic hydrolysis duration, and the ratio of EBN to water. The recovery (yield) and quality (sialic acid [SA], 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid [ABTS], and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl [DPPH]) of the final product were used as response variables. The Pearson correlation coefficient showed that: EBN temperature during DB affected product recovery (p < 0.01) and ABTS (p < 0.01), DB Duration affected DPPH (p < 0.01), and the ratio of EBN to water affected product recovery (p < 0.01). The duration of enzymatic hydrolysis was not significantly correlated with any of the responses and least significant factors in the model. Two optimal conditions for the processes obtained from this study were yield (product recovery) and quality. This study also showed that EBN hydrolysate produced from EBN by-products could be used as a nutraceutical because of the antioxidant activity and high SA content.

http://www.pertanika.upm.edu.my/resources/files/Pertanika PAPERS/JTAS Vol. 46 (3) Aug. 2023/12 JTAS-2666-2022.pdf


`Liquid lens' technologies promise significant advancements in machine vision and optical communications systems. Adaptations for machine vision, human vision correction, and optical communications are used to exemplify the versatile nature of this technology.


Mecanum wheels, referring to the name of the original Swedish manufacturer, have rollers as treads. The roller have axles skewed with respect to the wheel axle. These wheels provide a practical way of providing simultaneous vehicle motion in all the directions, longitudinal, lateral, and yaw, without singularities. (All vehicles using conventional wheels or tracks must make large propulsion system motions in order to execute most arbitrarily small moves, thus they are singular.) This paper explores three aspects of the Mecanum wheeled vehicles, the ability to maneuver in congested spaces, the kinematics of wheel design, and considerations for wheel loading and traction. It is shown how omni-directional capability greatly reduces the amount of area and time required for maneuvers, and how the Mecanum wheel in particular reduces time because of the absence of singularities. The algorithms to convert desired motions to required wheel motions do not require excessive computation even in the case where they include compensation for wheel slip detection and correction.


We analyze the effect of local availabilityof childcare on mother's labour market participation. We use a bivariate probit model to explain both labour market participation and child care use of mothers. The main results confirm that the local availability of child care has a positive effect on mother's labour market participation and child care use. Estimations from specific groups of mothers suggest that the size of this effect is not negligible. Classification JEL : J13, J22


The present invention relates to a photocurable and optically transparent adhesive bonding composition which contains aliphatic urethane acrylate, a polythiol-based chain transfer agent, a monofunctional ethylene-based monomer, a photopolymerization initiator, and a stabilizer. The composition according to the present invention contains the aliphatic urethane acrylate and the polythiol-based chain transfer agent so as to have excellent photocuring properties, high reliability in terms of resistance to high temperatures and humidity, ultraviolet rays, and the like, and excellent processability, whereby no stains are produced even in the case of interlayer curing, such as recoating and barrier formation, and thus is suitable for manufacturing adhesive bonding sheets for touch panels.


The aim of the present study is to investigate how men and women in three Iranian Balochi dialects, Coastal Balochi, Koroshi Balochi and Sistani Balochi, refer to 3rd person participants in oral na ...


Organic compounds in tap water trapped by microporous polyethylene hollow fiber (EHF) membrane were investigated. Samples of tap water (15 or 30 m3) obtained from Katsushika-ku (Tokyo), Shinjuku-ku (Tokyo), Osaka-shi and Shizuoka-shi were passed through EHF membrane cartridges. The cartridge was then washed with 3 l of methanol, each methanol extract was concentrated and a sticky dark brown material was obtained. Weight levels of the materials except that of Shizuoka-shi were similar (3000 mg) in spite of difference in the volume of water passed. Though the percentages of total organic carbons in the extracts except that of Shizuoka-shi ranged from 14 to 19% in 15 m3 of tap water and from 23 to 29% in 30 m3 of tap water. The mutagenic activity of the extracts to Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100 without S9 was highest in the Osaka-shi tap water. Fractions from this extract with a Sep-Pak Silica cartridge were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The eluates with CH2Cl2, which contained more than 100 organic compounds, were again fractionated with a Sep-Pak Florisil cartridge and by silica-gel thin layer chromatography. Three halogen compounds were identified as oxadiazon, butachlor and its chloro analogue. Oxadiazon and butachlor in the fractions were quantified by GC/MS in selected ion monitoring mode to be 2.18 and 1.58 ppt in the Osaka-shi tap water, respectively.


The article considers issues of datamining software development for city water supply enterprises. Main stages of OLAP and datamining systems development are proposed. The system will allow water supply companies analyse accumulated data. Accordingly, improving the quality of data analysis would improve the manageability of the company and help to make the right managerial decisions by executives of various levels.


The prediction of the driving cycle (vehicle speed profile versus time) and the road grade cycle (road grade profile versus time) can improve a variety of vehicle functions, especially the energy management of HEVs and PHEVs. The variability of the driving conditions (environment) together with the nonlinear and variable driver behaviour (driving style) makes the driving cycle `on-board & real-time' prediction a highly complex task. This paper proposes an intelligent technique for the real time prediction of the vehicle speed and road grade profiles for the (selected) time horizon whilst the vehicle is in route. The proposed method uses an Artificial Neural Network which processes both the vehicle speed measurement (current and previous data samples) and some information related to the driving conditions present in the route, which could be obtained in advance from the new generation of vehicle navigation systems. The driving cycle and road grade on-board predictions allow the energy management system of HEV/PHEVs to achieve further reductions of fuel consumptions.


This is to certify that I have examined this copy of a master's thesis by Salil G. Bapat and have found that it is complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the final examining committee have been made. Acknowledgements I would like to take this opportunity to thank several people who have contributed towards the successful completion of this thesis. I would like to thank Dr. Carolyn Crouch, for providing me an opportunity to work with her, her timely advice, and guidance throughout this thesis. I would like to thank Dr. Donald Crouch, for his suggestions and feedback during the important stages of my thesis work. I would also like to thank Darshan Paranjape and Sarika Mehta for being supportive co-workers as well as invaluable critics of my work. I would like to thank Aditya Mone, Nachiket Kamat and Vikram Malik for sharing their experience and helping me on various aspects of this thesis. Last but not the least, thanks to friends at UMD for the support and encouragement they provided during the two years of this degree. Thank you for all your blessing and wishes. ii Abstract Information retrieval focuses on organizing document-related data and retrieving useful information from it. Electronic documents on web can be structured, unstructured or semi-structured. Traditionally, information retrieval was concentrating on retrieving information from unstructured documents. But with the advent of the web and XML as a preferred standard for storing documents, the center of attention is now changing to retrieve information from structured and semi-structured documents. In such documents, the elements of the document at various levels of granularity can be retrieved instead of the document as a whole. This type of retrieval, for which elements of the document at various level of granularity are retrieved, is known as the flexible retrieval [1]. The main aim of this thesis is improved performance for the INEX 2007 Ad hoc Focused and Relevant-in-Context tasks. The Focused task requires systems to find the most specific (or focused) results that satisfy the information need. The Relevant-in-Context task requires systems to find the focused results that correspond to the relevant element in each relevant article. In this thesis, we discuss and evaluate various strategies to improve the performance of the Focused and Relevant-in-Context tasks while maintaining flexible retrieval as the backbone of the system.


The effects upon product distribution of varying the temperature, time of reaction, and reagent concentrations have been investigated in the oxidation of α-methylstyrene by palladium (II) acetate. Two reaction pathways have been identified. A π-allylic organopalladium compound decomposes slowly in a process catalysed by excess of the alkene to give 2-phenylprop-2-enyl acetate. The second reaction leads to competitive formation of enolic acetates and oxidative dimers but the organopalladium species involved has not been unambiguously identified. The addition of sodium acetate to the reaction, contrary to earlier reports, has only a marginal effect upon the distribution of products.


The purpose of this study was to develop a quantitative method to acquire and analyze the transverse relaxation time (T2 relaxation) of the magnetic resonance imaging of in-vivo knee joint articular cartilage. To reveal the practical significance of this research, participants who underwent weight-bearing cross-country running were assessed by MR T2 imaging and knee functional test. As a result, temporary changes in the cartilage relaxation time at regions of interest were observed shortly post the running (P < 0.05), accompanying with EMG signal monitored in muscles around knee. This study shows the potentials of utilizing quantitative MRI T2 imaging technique as a non-invasive approach to detect the knee articular cartilage loading and stress, which is important for earlier prevention and intervention of cartilage lesions.


An analytical model is described which simulates a reciprocating gas compressor, its valves, the working fluid and operating conditions together with the pressure pulsations inherent in the intermittent flow. The model couples the conservation equations for compressor cylinder and valves with the hyperbolic equation which describes one-dimensional non-homentropic unsteady flow in the pipework. Numerical solution is effected on a digital computer by the method of chara~teristics using a mesh technique. Results predicted by the model are compared with corresponding experimental records from a single st?ge air compressor system. The model is then used to predict the effect of induction ramming on the performance of this compressor and its valves.


The working relationship between capitalist principals and their operational agents is undergoing radical changes mainly as a result of the fragmentation of equity owners and their physical remoteness from the firm's nerve centres. Exacerbating this mutation is the liquefaction of the physical asset-based old economy into the knowledge-based new economy. This Paper is an attempt to explore the origins and contours of capitalism, in particular, the firm, the entrepreneur, agency theory, motivation and value creation. It attempts to discover the triggers that stimulate employee capitalism in this new business/economic paradigm. This serves as the setting for the Paper's central thrust, namely the factoring in of EVA (Economic Value Added) and Governance considerations as possible motivators and overseers, respectively, of this emerging reality. EVA's almost total obsession with the 'motivation-capital protection-value growth' equation may be acting as a distracting block in integrating other fundamental non-quantitative capitalism stimulating initiatives. The Paper suggests instances in furtherance of its claims and considers EVA as yet not having reached its academic and professional milieu and thus still faces a learning curve to attain maturity and full potentiality.


Modifications of our nursery protocol for oaks during 1997 and 1998 by instituting dormant season irrigation resulted in high white oak seedling quality. The improved growth was associated with the consistent presence of succulent fibrous roots on the upper 10 to 15 cm of taproots. Many of these fibrous roots on 1-1 stock were as sturdy as many of the permanent first-order lateral roots. White oak seedlings from the 1998 nursery crop grown under the modified irrigation schedule have developed well in the field. At age 4 many are 4.0 m tall with up to 50 mm stem diameters.


【Background】 Since dog bladder cancer is usually muscle-invasive and the malignant level is quite high, the proper treatment has not been established in a veterinary clinic. In the previous study, we generated a dog bladder cancer organoids, which could reproduce the cancer microenvironment in vivo and could be applied to the anti-cancer drug sensitivity test for each patient. However, it has not been revealed whether molecular targeting drugs are effective in the inhibition of the survival of the organoids. 【Object】 -The purpose of this study is to identify the effective molecular targeting drugs against dog bladder cancer by using dog bladder cancer organoids. 【Method】 -Dog bladder cancer organoids were treated with 14 molecular targeting drugs for 72hours. The survival rate of organoids was evaluated by an alamarblue cell viability reagent. The effects of drugs on the activation and expression of intracellular signal molecules were investigated by performing western blotting. 【Result】 -Among 14 drugs, treatment of gefitinib, erlotinib, trametinib, and afatinib inhibited the cell viability of organoids in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, EGFR, and ERK, and CD44 expression were suppressed by erlotinib treatment. 【Conclusion】 -These results suggest that EGFR inhibitors and a MEK inhibitor might suppress the growth of dog bladder cancer organoids through suppression of CD44 expression. This result is expected to be useful for the development of molecular targeting therapy for bladder cancer diseased dog. Poster Sessions


Waithe et al. use high-performance, low-cost automated microscopy using object detection algorithms to identify and image cells in real time.


Exploration success in large parts of the Quesnel and Stikine terranes in south-central British Columbia (BC) has been limited due to extensive coverage by glacial sediments (Ward et al., 2009), where traditional geophysical and geochemical exploration methods have proven to be limited or impractical (Gent et al., 2011). The occurrence of resistate minerals such as apatite, epidote, garnet, magnetite, rutile and titanite as alteration products in porphyry deposits suggests that they could be utilized as porphyry indicator minerals (PIMs) to provide a new tool to increase exploration success in covered terrains (Bouzari et al., 2011).

Titanite (CaTiSiO5) is a common accessory mineral in alkalic Cu-Au porphyry deposits that is known to record various magmatic and hydrothermal processes in its texture and chemical composition (). In this research, titanite hosted in bedrock from the Mount Polley, Mount Milligan and Copper Mountain alkalic porphyry Cu-Au deposits of south-central BC, as well as in surrounding till sediments, was characterized based on petrography, heavy mineral separation, and Electronic Microprobe (EMP) and Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled-Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) chemical analyses. The main objective is to determine key diagnostic features of titanite that are related to alkalic porphyry alteration and mineralization.

Titanite typically forms as replacement of mafic minerals, such as augite, biotite and magnetite during K-silicate and Na-Ca alterations. Thus, four types of titanite were defined based on key petrographic and chemical features: primary magmatic (MAG), metasomatic (MET), secondary (SEC) and altered (ALT) titanites. Titanite recovered from till sediments near studied alkalic deposits preserve the texture and chemical signatures obtained in the rock, despite surficial weathering. Therefore, the above classification of titanite constitutes a useful mineralogical tool for exploration for alkalic Cu-Au porphyry deposits in covered terrains


Butt welding by TIG method using a low alloyed steel wire with solid state transformation point, G3Si1, having 1 mm diameter is a feasible solution for both unique and small series production and for saw blades reshuffling made of dissimilar steels (rapid steel HS 2-10-1-8 for the active part and X32CrMoV4-1 steel for the tool holder).This paper analyses the structural and chemical composition modifications occurred in the heterogeneous welded joints areas by endless saw blades. The phenomena which manage the continuous evolution of the weld chemical composition are highlighted by Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDX) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).


The usage of informatics in this case was e-governement in the government which was included in presidential instructions No.3 2003 was already implemi through regional e-governement that was adjusted based off of local resources and regional needs. The importance of e-governement was affected by at least 3 factor: electronic communication between public sector and society offering both of them a new way to participate and interact. The cyber room in public service makes the deletion of bureaucracy structure and the classic process in E-governement community can improve the service and also offers information on a local level.
Even though the dermaji village government has implemented the e-governement but there's more to delete the old bureaucracy system that was old and complicated. Executive informatics is one of the type of informatics for executive that was used to facilitate informatics need in order to reach the goal of an organization. In the implementation this technology was often time utilized by the Village government for main source of information in supporting decision making, particularly when arranging a weak budget in terms of mechanism and supporting data source. With this system we hope that the decision making in budget arrangement became more objective. The development method in this system was scrum.


We designed experiments to test the ability of RS-61443 to inhibit two types of human T cell-dependent responses: the mixed lymphocyte culture response of human peripheral blood leukocytes and the anti-tetanus toxoid IgG response of human splenocytes


Ferromagnetic interactions in non-Kekule polymers were analyzed under the periodic boundary condition. We transformed Bloch functions of non-bonding crystal orbitals (NBCOs) into Wannier functions....


Objective. Recombinant human (rHu) interleukin (IL)-12 has been shown to reduce levels of blood and sputum eosinophils in patients with mild allergic asthma in a randomized controlled study. The aim of the study was to investigate whether four escalating weekly subcutaneous injections of rHuIL-12 in allergic asthmatic patients could induce changes in the intracellular cytokine profile of the circulating blood CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Material and methods. Purified CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 11 patients (six received rHuIL-12 and five received placebo) were collected before and after 4 weeks of treatment, and cultured in the presence of phorbol myristate acetate for 4 days, with or without the addition of IL-12 in vitro. Expression of various intracellular cytokines was determined using flow cytometry following treatment with brefeldin-A and saponin. Results. Compared to placebo, the proportions of peripheral blood interferon-γ-, IL-4-, IL-2- or IL-10-producing CD4+ or C...


In this paper a novel configuration of energy conversion system suitable for supplying the electricity power system of commercial transport aircraft is presented. Proposed power conversion unit configuration is aimed to improve the power quality and reliability reducing, at the same time, its volume and weight. In particular, a cascade and asymmetric multilevel configuration, characterised by the generation of 400 Hz voltage supply with twenty one different levels and an rated amplitude of 115 V, is reported. The implementation of a pulse amplitude modulation technique allows the generation of an output voltage shape with a high frequency total harmonic distortion under 5%. In the present paper the asymmetric multilevel configuration and its modulation technique is reported with the proposal of integration of this structure in the actual electricity power system of commercial transport aircraft.


The aims of this research was to analyze morpo_physiology changing of soybean under oilpam area; determine effect of shading and N fertilizer dosage on the growth and yield of soybean under oilpam area; and determine suitable soybean varieties that enable grow and produce under oilpalm.The experiment located in Ujung Labuan Village, Deli Serdang District. The experiment was arranged in Split-split Plot Design 3 x 4 x 3 with 3 replication, with three factors observed: 1) shade level, consist of: under 4 years old oilpam, under 6 years old oilpam, open area, 2) N dosage,: 200 kg urea/ha, 150 kg/ha, 100 kg urea/ha, 0 kg urea/ha, 3) soybean variety: Anjasmoro, Burangrang, and Grobogan. Plant height, leaf area, plant dry weight, and soybean production were determined. Result showed there were some significant effects of interaction factors between oilpalm canopy shading, N dosage and soybean variety on growth and yield of soybean. The highest growth and production of soybean found at open area. Between 4 years old oilpam and 6-7 years old oilpam, soybean growth and production are unsignificant different, and lower than those on opening area. N dosage make some significat effects on growth and yield of soybean, which is usually nonsignificant between 150 kg Urea/ha or 200 kg Urea/ha. Meanwhile soybean variety make some significat effects. At open area, burangrang make the highest growth and production by application of 200 kg urea/ha, but under oilpalm the highest production found at Burangrang under 4 years old oilpalm and application of 200 kg urea/ha, followed by several treatments which are unsignifican different.


To elucidate the role of ethylene receptors in avocado ripening and storage, we have isolated avocado (Persea americana Mill. 'Arad') homologues of the ethylene receptor genes, referred to as PaETR and PaERS1. The basal levels of PaETR and PaERS1 mRNA in avocado mesocarp were very low at harvest and were hyperinduced by exogenous ethylene treatment. The expression of both genes also increased in parallel to the onset of climacteric ethylene peak, suggesting that increase in endogenous ethylene leads to increase in these genes' expression. Application of the ethylene inhibitor, 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) at harvest delayed ethylene production and down-regulated expression of PaETR and PaERS1 genes. PaETR mRNA expression in tissues taken from various distances from the seed revealed that the expression was highest close to the base of the seed and was reduced gradually toward the blossom end. We suggest that ethylene receptors are involved in regulation of ethylene responsiveness during ripening and act to protect the tissue against ethylene injury.


Preeclampsia is a multisystemic disease that affects pregnant women; it is the second cause of maternal death in Peru and morbidity is high. The neurologic dysfunction in preeclampsia includes various symptoms, and eclampsia is the most known. Understanding reversible posterior encephalopathy as the explanation of all neurological manifestations in preeclampsia would evolve to endless therapeutic possibilities and interrogations on long term prognosis. Magnesium sulfate appears as the best therapeutic alternative in blocking pathophysiologic phenomena resulting in eclampsia, if it is considered as a reversible posterior encephalopathy.


Copper-nickel alloys have been used for ship and boat hulls for many years. There have been questions about their long-term performance in salt water. This article describes the design concept, construction, inspection, and evaluation of the copper-nickel hull of a large sailing yacht. After 37 years of sailing in salt water, the hull exhibited only minor corrosion and biofouling.


Abstract : Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) affects approximately 6% of women with breast cancer annually in the United States. However, this form of locally advanced breast cancer carries with it a grave prognosis with a disease-free survival rate of less than 45%. This poor prognosis is due to the ability of the tumor to invade and grow in the dermal lymphatics. Until recently, very little was known about the genetic mechanisms involved in conferring the invasive phenotype to IBC. Our laboratory has identified the oncogene RhoC GTPase as being overexpressed in IBC patient samples as compared with stage-matched non-IBC breast tumors. Overexpression of RhoC in normal human mammary epithelial cells nearly recapitulates the IBC phenotype, namely the cells become tumorigenic and invasive. To date few models exist to study the development of IBC. We have proposed to develop a RhoC transgenic mouse which will act as a realistic model of IBC formation and development. This mouse will help to identify other molecular events in the formation of IBC and act as a model for the development of new therapies.


Water quality aspects are getting more and more important due to the European water Framework directive (WFD). One problem related to this topic is the inflow of untreated wastewater due to combined sewer overflows into a river. The wastewater mixture contains even bacteria like E. coli and Enterococci which are markers for water quality. In our work we investigated the transport of these bacteria in river Isar by using a large-scale flume in the outside area of our lab (Oskar von Miller Institute). Therefor we could collect basic data and knowledge about the processes which occur during bacteria sedimentation and remobilisation. In our flume we could use the real grain with the exact size distribution curve as in the river Isar which we want to simulate and we had the chance to nurture a biofilm which is realistic for the analysed situation. This biofilm plays an important role in the remobilisation processes, because the bacteria are hindered to be washed out back into the bulk phase as fast and in such an amount as this would happen without biofilm. The results of our experiments are now used for a module in the 3D software Flow3D to simulate the effects of a point source inlet of raw wastewater on the water quality. Therefor we have to implement the bacteria not as a problem of concentration with advection and diffusion but as single particles which can be inactivated during the process of settling and need to be hindered from remobilisation by the biofilm. This biofilm has special characteristic, it is slippery and has a special thickness which influences the chance of bacteria being removed. To achieve realistic results we have to include the biofilm with more than a probabilistic-tool to make sure that our module is transferable. The module should be as flexible as possible to be improved step by step with increasing quality of dataset.


Numerous studies have focused on links between religiosity and marital outcomes. Results suggest that various aspects of religiosity predict outcomes such as marital satisfaction and commitment. However, less research has focused on identifying the processes by which these links occur. This study had two primary goals: (a) determine if perceptions of spousal values mediate associations between religiosity and marital satisfaction and (b) examine the degree to which predictors of marital satisfaction differ across different regions of the United States. Data were gathered from 1,513 married individuals living in Arkansas, Utah, and Vermont. Results indicated that religiosity and perceptions of several spousal values were significantly associated with increased marital satisfaction. Findings suggest little evidence of mediating effects of spousal values, but there was significant variation in findings across the three states.


Recently, there have been many deep learning based image generation method, none of them was designed for biological experiment related images. In this paper, we proposed a concept of efficient method for agarose gel electrophoresis image generation in order to skip time-wasting polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gel electrophoresis experiment. Based on deep convolutional generative adversarial networks (DCGAN)[1], successfully generated a "good" gel electrophoresis images and destroyed the evidence ability of those images in biological paper. Our results show that a vulnerability of the evidence ability of the traditional gel electrophoresis image. Introduction In biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics and clinical chemistry the agarose gel electrophoresis(Fig. 1a) is used to detect and/or to separate target macromolecules(Fig. 1b) such as DNA[2]. These days, the gel images from the PCR result of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) taken by CCD camera and record as a digital data(Fig. 1). When we couldn't detect target DNA band in the PCR image, honest person will check the protocol, DNA quality, contamination and so on to repeat experiment to get good result. In contrast to honest person, some person willing to get new "good" results without repeating time-wasting experiments by manipulation of existed PCR images. Traditionally, copy-paste based post-processing is used to add new "good" band on the PCR image[3] but it's very easy to detect by simple edge detection filter because copy-paste process will make a spatial discontinuity (e.g. edge-noise) on the boundary between original image and copy-pasted band image. For example, some article was retracted[3 Fig.1i] because image manipulation and other fabrication was detected. This kind of manipulation can be detected by simple linear/non-linear image filter that enhance its spatial discontinuity. Consequently, inappropriate post-processing that can avoid the forgery detection getting more concern in this "good" PCR image generation task. Recently, convolutional neural network based image generation, Deep Convolutional Generative Adversarial Network(DCGAN) was developed[1]. These methods can generate various fake images. We tried to use this method to generate "good" PCR image.


Many authors have argued that a cashflow statement prepared under the direct method is a superior decision-making tool because it avoids perceived measurement and classification pitfalls associated with conventional accrual-accounting procedures. This article investigates comparative decision-usefulness ratings of the cash flow statement, profit-and-loss statement and balance sheet by a sample of accounting managers and executives. The ratings were further compared against firms' management accounting systems. Results suggest that the cashflow statement may be a complementary source of financial information for managers and may enhance the usefulness of information in accrualbased financial reports and management accounting systems.


Objective
To formulate and standardized the procedure of bowl preparation before transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy.

Methods
The standardized transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy flowchart were formulated based on the best evidences and recommendations. One hundred and forty patients selected with suspected of prostate cancer and scheduled for transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy was equally assigned to two groups, the control group was given routine hospital practice before biopsy, and the observation group followed the formulated flowchart. Monitoring two groups for complications, time cost for bowl preparation, medical billing and the average day of hospitalization.

Results
The incidence of complications and the number of hospitalization days between two groups were comparable, the observation group in bowl preparation time was (3.75±0.78) min, the control group in bowl preparation time was (11.88±1.93) min, the difference of two groups showed statistical significance (t=15.643, P<0.01). The observation group in medical bill was ¥(81.62±15.62), the control group in medical bill was ¥(427.78±76.87), the difference of two groups showed statistical significance (t=-36.964, P<0.01).

Conclusions
Application of evidence-based practice to formalize bowl preparation and antibiotic use in transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy patient can facilitate the clinical nurses to provide homogenized care to prostate biopsy patients as well as improve the efficiency of nursing work.

Key words:
Transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy; Bowel preparation; Evidence-based practice


Antibody response to vaccination with hepatitis B vaccine was evaluated in 39 haemodialysis patients. Three injections of 20 μg of the vaccine were given at time 0, 1 and 6 months. The seroconversion rate for the antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti‐HBs) was 2.6% at 1 month, 15.4% at 2 months, 33.3% at 4 months, 41.0% at 6 months and 59.0% at 7 months (males 53.6%, females 72.7%). Thus, with three injections, the seroconversion rate was significantly smaller and antibody titres were lower compared with 348 healthy control subjects. No correlation was observed between the anti‐HBs seroconversion rate and lymphocyte subsets (OKT4/OKT8). When two additional injections were given at 9 and 10 months to 19 haemodialysis patients with an S/N ratio (the ratio of ct/min in the sample to mean ct/min in negative controls) smaller than 10 at 7 months, 16 patients (84.2%) developed anti‐HBs and elevated antibody titres. Accordingly, the response rate of all haemodialysis patients 12 months after the first injection was elevated to 92.3% and was as high as that in normal subjects. At 24 months, the response rate had gradually declined to 64.1% accompanied with lowered antibody titres. There were no serious side effects.


The paper discusses statistical methods for the detailed study of the frequency distribution of rainfall, with special reference to the work of Dr. A. T. Doodson, F.R.S., and Mr. H. J. Bigelstone on the rainfall at Liverpool Observatory.