The level of readiness of an organisation to join a collaborative process depends on 'hard' factors such as competency fitness or technological compatibility, but also on several other factors of a 'soft' nature such as an organisation's character, willingness to collaborate, or affectivity/empathy relationships. Considering these aspects, a modelling approach to assess how prepared an enterprise is to join a collaborative network is proposed. The approach is based on the notion of 'character' of the organisation, addressing behavioural aspects regarding collaboration. The distinction between collaboration readiness and preparedness is established. In order to deal with the incompleteness of information and uncertainties associated to the readiness assessment process, it is proposed to use belief networks, which allow performing inference concerning behavioural characteristics of organisations. The approach is then extended in order to handle decision making under situations characterised by uncertainty. An example illustrates how the approach can be integrated in a partner's suggestion mechanism.


The problem of childhood obesity is becoming a worrying epidemiological volume and the age of onset seems to be constantly anticipated. Therefore, these pediatric patients are often faced with complications typical of the adult. In a recent article by Wang JW et al. (1), the authors conclude that body composition is related to serum osteocalcin levels in overweight and obese children. We really appreciated their attempt to deal with a controversial and not yet clarified issue in an original way. However, we believe that their findings can be discussed in the light of recent evidence. We emphasize that the correlation between BMI and risk of fracture appears to be extremely controversial. We first need to better define the real influence of nutritional status on bone metabolism and then defining the biochemical mechanisms of mutual influence. Certainly, the need for childhood obesity prevention campaigns is compelling.


People experiencing financial hardship often possess resilient and resourceful behaviors when handling their day-to-day activities. Understanding how these individuals manifest resilience during adversity could provide insights into how technologies can support their existing efforts. In a partnership with an Australian community care center, we identified resilient practices of people with low socioeconomic status. Following a strength-based approach, we collected data via home visits and semi-structured interviews involving 14 participants, and observed activities at the care center over 8 months. Our participants exhibited three key facets of resilience: (1) resilience as an integral part of their everyday lives, (2) a spirited phenomenon, and (3) a social and care-focused process. We contribute empirical insights into our participants' situated resilience and articulate ways through which design can support their existing social and collaborative practices. We compare and contrast our findings within and outside CSCW literature and advocate for a strength-based approach.


In this paper is described novel approach for prefetching of stack references. In proposed method the decision which blocks to be prefetched is based on the context of current procedure. The results clearly point that we can effectively prefetch the stack memory references, we have around 50.82% of miss rate reduction compared to the standard N block lookahead (OBL) methods as meanwhile the accuracy is on average 16.62%.


Objective To research the extraction process of Yinqiao Mixture.Methods Three factors,including the water volume,the time of distillation,the times of distillation were studied with orthogonal design L9(34).Each factor had three levels. Total extract and chlorogenic acid were markers.The extracting time for volatile oil from herba schizonepetae,herba menthae and fructus forsythiae was studlied.Results The optimal water extraction process was that herbs were distilled for three times by adding water,which was 6 times amount of the herbs, 40 minutes once a time. Conclusion This method can be used as the extraction process for Yinqiao Mixture.


Sewage sludge in doses of 200 and 400 Mg ha−1 (dry weight) were applied in an experimental rehabilitation of a limestone quarry to improve soil physical condition. The effect of this organic waste on soil aggregation and structural stability has been tested measuring aggregate size distribution by dry- and wet-sieving procedures over a period of 28 months. We discuss the influence of the organic components of aggregates on soil structure. The main effect of sewage sludge was to increase aggregate stability to raindrop impact (splash) just after application of the former but one year later this effect decreased notably. Organic matter is distributed in different ways between macro- and microaggregates, and this parameter seems to be responsible for the structure changes observed. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


A preliminary consultation about Scotland's first family-based, population DNA database (Generation Scotland) involved 10 focus groups with diverse publics and a series of 17 interviews with key stakeholders in various locations in Scotland throughout 2003/2004. Unlike similar consultations on genetic databases, this took place at the concept phase of the proposed genetic research. We report on the specific concerns that arose around participation, access, use, feedback and public consultation. Broadly, we find differences between specialists and focus groups are mostly of degree and not of kind, although the specialists were more confident in some areas (e.g. governance). Given the salient and recurring nature of these issues when compared with the UK Biobank consultations, for example, we suggest that the efforts to consult have not been matched with equal effort on policy or institutional response. So, following from this, we offer compelling reasons for introducing more robust legislation and regulation.


This paper describes the tests performed on the microwave absorbers placed in the Debuncher to replace the existing microwave cutoffs. The purpose of the microwave cutoffs is to reduce the transmission of microwave energy through the beam pipe. The old microwave cutoffs consisted of a stainless steel beam pipe of approximately 2.8 inches inside diameter into which a glass tube with an inside diameter of 1.835 inches was placed. The glass tube was coated with a thin coat of microwave absorbing material on its outside. Three of these cutoffs were installed in the Debuncher at locations D6Q5, D1Q7, and D4Q10 (see Figure 1). However, the glass tube was removed from the cutoff at D4Q10 leaving only the metal beam pipe. Please note that there was not an old style microwave cutoff installed at location D2Q09. It was felt that the glass tube cutoff was an aperture restriction in the Debuncher with its small (1.8 inch) inside diameter. It was decided that new cutoffs would be needed that would increase the aperture. The new microwave absorbers consist of a four inch stainless steel beam pipe into which eleven dielectric cores are inserted separated by aluminum spacers. The spacing allows adjustment ofmore » the frequency response of the absorber assembly. The inside diameter is 3 inches thus providing an increase of 1.2 inches over the old cutoffs. The new absorbers will be installed at four locations as shown in Figure 1.« less


American writer Robert James Waller has been popular among the world ever since its publication.It is a sad but bkeautiful love story and very moving.Its charm lies in the story itself and clear stylistic feature is also one of the ma- in factors of its success.Its special narrative method is also attractive.The paper tries to analyze its stylistic features from its inward and outward narrative tactics in order to understand its subject and art ualue more deeply.


A two‐dimensional (2D) chemical shift correlated MR spectroscopic (COSY) sequence integrated into a new volume localization technique (90°–180°–90°) is proposed for whole‐body MR spectroscopy (MRS). Using the product operator formalism, a theoretical calculation of the volume localization as well as the coherence transfer efficiencies in 2D MRS is presented. Phantom model solutions were used to test and optimize the efficiency of the proposed sequence. A combination of different MRI transmit/receive RF coils was used: a head MRI coil and a 3″ surface coil receive combined with a body coil transmit. The J cross‐peaks due to N‐acetyl aspartate (NAA), glutamate/glutamine (Glx), myo‐inositol (mI), creatine (Cr), choline (Ch), aspartate (Asp), γ‐aminobutyrate (GABA), taurine (Tau), glutathione (GSH), threonine (Thr), and macromolecules (MM) were identified. The cross‐peak intensities excited by the proposed 2D sequence were asymmetric with respect to the diagonal peaks. Localized COSY (L‐COSY) spectra of cerebral prefrontal and occipital gray/white matter regions in 15 healthy controls are presented. Magn Reson Med 46:58–67, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


An investigation of the negative effects in the health of workers of a metallic industry located in Mexicali city was made in which they suffered daily, of discomfort in the head, neck, back, and spine. This occurred when people of the manufacturing area of the industry that was evaluated developing operations that required great physical effort without adequate equipment and the industrial operations were repetitive. The analysis was made in 100 workers (30% women and 70% men) and were evaluated in the morning and evening shifts, which performed functions of lifting, loading, and gluing pieces of window frames for homes made of aluminum material. The aluminum frames had a weight of 20 kilograms with repetitive operations of until 50 lift for each eight-hour shift, generating the discomfort and pain. The study was from 2017 to 2019, and more than 50% of the workers in the manufacturing areas, in the two shifts of the company, suffered from discomfort and pain in the mentioned body areas, which caused the concern of management and supervision personnel.


Purpose. Investigate the success factors of entrepreneur women in Latin America and the Caribbean in order to improve the understanding of the impact and their contributions to the economy. Design / methodology / approach. The research examines the success factors in the genre in entrepreneurship, using the GEM Studies (2014) which examines the index of entrepreneurship in 43 countries for this was used parametric tests of correlation and regression (R2). Results. The information presented of the research carried out in the 43 countries shows that the index of enterprising men is greater than that of the women, in addition the percentage of entrepeneur women is greater in developing countries


This paper analyzes two public channel proxy signature schemes,we point out that both schemes are insecure;the scheme of 4 can't resist the change original signer attack.In the scheme of 5,original signer can successfully forge a valid proxy signature scheme.A new public channel signature scheme is proposed.Analysis shows that the proposed scheme satisfies all security properties of the strong proxy signature scheme.


Coconut lipids were fractionated by silicic acid column chromatography into neutral (about 94%) and polar (about 6%) lipid fractions. The fatty acid composition of total lipids and neutral lipid fractions was similar to that of coconut oil, and was not altered by desiccation. However the polar lipid fraction was rich in unsaturated fatty acids (35-45%) and these were decreased considerably by desiccation; arachidonic acid was reduced from 33% to 21%. This indicated of oxidation even under the mild conditions of desiccation would explain the rancidity problems encountered with desiccated coconut and foods incorporating it.


ABSTRACT We study the ratio of luminous-to-faint red sequence galaxies in both optically andX-ray selected galaxy clusters in the poorly studied redshift range 0.05 6z <0.19.The X-ray selected sample consists of 112 clusters based on the ROSAT All-SkySurvey, while the optical sample consists of 266 clusters from the Sloan Digital SkySurvey. Our results are consistent with the presence of a trend in luminous-to-faintratio with redshift, confirming that downsizing is continuous from high to low redshift.After correcting for the variations with redshift using a partial Spearman analysis, wefind no significant relationship between luminous-to-faint ratio and X-ray luminosityof the host cluster sample, in contrast to recent suggestions. Finally, we investigate thestacked colour-magnitude relations of these samples finding no significant differencesbetween the slopes for optically and X-ray selected clusters. The colour-magnitudeslopes are consistent with the values obtained in similar studies, but not withpredictions of theoretical models.Keywords: cosmology: Large scale structure – galaxies: clusters: general – galaxies:evolution – galaxies: photometry.


This paper reports the synthesis of copolymers of N-arylitaconimides (NAI) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) with random architecture via activator generated electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization (AGET-ATRP) method, resulting in N-arylimide as pendant group.The AGET-ATRP is a versatile and famous reversible deactivation radical polymerization technique used to synthesize the well defined polymers. The structural characterizations of obtained copolymers were done using FT-IR, 1H-NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The molecular weights of copolymers were in the range 8,000-20,000 g/ mol with a narrow polydispersity index i.e. 1.2-1.3. Thermal characterization of Poly(NAI-ran-MMA) copolymers were done using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG/ DTG). DSC scans show 60-117% enhancements in the glass transition temperature (Tg), as compared to Poly(methyl methacrylate). The rate of copolymerization, molecular weight and Tg were observed to increase with increase in electron releasing nature of the substituent on aromatic ring of the pendant group.


The present study attempts to scrutinize the ideas of the Cuban filmmaker and es- sayist Julio Garcia Espinosa. Thereby, we propose to read his theoretical work beyond his famous Porun cine imperfecto manifesto. We believe that an analysis of his little- -studied papers written immediately after the manifesto, helps us to a greater unders- tanding of his ideas, including his famous concept of "cine imperfecto". Thus, we propose to clarify this term, avoiding the traditional reading of the article Porun cine imperfecto, which isolates it from the author's later writings.


The consumption of Nigeria's locally brewed gin has long been part of the cultural fabric of its society. Howbeit, there has been no contemporary investigation on its content, production process and associated safety. The objective of this study is to investigate the production of locally brewed gin, identify and quantify its constituents. To accomplish this, a quantitative laboratory analysis of samples from 3 sources was undertaken. Analytical methods include use of spectrophotometry for nitrates, trimetric method for chloride, pyonometer for impurities water and alcohol. It was found that that local dry gin (Ogogoro) has a high alcoholic content as evidenced by values of up to 91%, varying amounts of additives nitrates copper, chloride and lead. It also found that the production process involves extraction of resource material call palm sap, fermentation and repeated distillation using an improvised distillery. It is recommended that Nigeria government and other regulatory agencies such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) should collaborate and build the capacity of local distillers to improve the production process, quality and


To define the mineral components and structure of the "White turquoise" products in Guangzhou jewelry market,the gemmological,mineralogical and spectral characteristics of the "White turquoise" samples are studied by using the polarizing microscope,XRD and FTIR.The results show that the "White turquoise" sample is porcelain white with dark vein,which resemble turquoise except the colour.Its Mohs hardness is about 5,the density is about 2.95 g/cm3,and RI is 1.68.The results of the comprehensive test indicate that the main mineral component of the sample is magnesite,and the auxiliary minerals are quartz and dolomite,etc.The magnesite is cryptocrystalline texture and massive structure,with quartz veins in it.Recently,the name of "White turquoise" quite easily misguides the customers,so the correct name should be magnesite.


We have proposed two different methods for training support vector machines (SVMs) on large-scale pattern classification problems, namely min-max-modular SVM (M3-SVM) and cascade SVM (C-SVM). For speeding up the training of SVMs with new computing infrastructure such as cluster and grid systems, both methods decompose a large-scale two-class problem to a number of relatively smaller two-class sub-problems which can be implemented in a parallel way, but they use different decomposition and combination strategies. In this paper, we conduct a comprehensive investigation in the two methods to compare their generalization performance and training time. Our experiments show that M3-SVM needs shorter training time, but has a little lower generalization performance than the standard SVM and cascade SVM. The experiments also indicate that cascade SVM has the least number of support vectors among these three SVMs.


The application of nonionic surfactant and nonionic surfactant formulation in the silicone oil emulsion was studied.Uniform design and optimization soft-ware were used in design of the emulsifier formula and optimization of the experiment results.The synergic effects between the surfactants were investigated.The optimum formula was got.The nonionic surfactant and nonionic surfactant in the formula have synergic effect.The optimum formula of the mass ratio are w(X1)30.14%,w(X2)23.69%,w(X3)22.45%,w(X4)13.05%,w(X5)10.67%.The silicone oil emulsion is prepared and not stratified at the 3 000 r/min by centrifugating 30 min.


Central tuberculomas, occurring because of the haematogenous spread of  M. tuberculosis, can present variably with the symptoms ranging from headache, decreased level of consciousness, neck stiffness to altered mental status, seizures and focal deficits. Diagnostic investigations include but are not limited to CSF analysis, MRI Brain, CT head, and AFB smear, mycobacterial cultures or CBNAAT of the CSF sample. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy can help distinguishing the tuberculoma from its differentials by showing a peculiar lipid peak. Treatment with the antituberculosis drugs over a prolonged period of time along with dexamethasone usually shows significant clinical improvement. Authors present to you the case report of an 8 year old boy who presented to the pediatric emergency with generalized tonic clonic seizures and was subsequently detected with the tuberculoma with the help of MRI Brain and CBNAAT (cartridge based nucleic acid amplification test) of CSF sample. The objective of this case report is to discuss the symptoms, pathogenesis, detection and management of tuberculomas, which are still quite common in the developing countries and if left untreated are associated with high morbidity and mortality.


For more than four decades, we have taught chemistry. As we struggled to become better teachers, we developed (and borrowed) a number of effective strategies. Learning and teaching are a double flame—each feeds the other. We begin with some suggestions for instructors.

Foster the mentor-


Fragments of medieval manuscripts in the Uppsala University Library fall into two categories: those found in books serving as lining and endpapers, and those used as book-binding covers or archival wrappers. The difference between the groups is mainly one of size. The small fragments are more interesting as objects of research, because they represent far more subject areas and give deeper insights into the spread of literature. They also demonstrate a medieval tradition of reuse of outdated manuscripts; the Reformation is not alone to be blamed for book slaughter


This guide will help students in HEA 460 with their research needs and assignments. Complete this after your Information Literacy session. Thank you.


Studying of various epizootologic states concerning necrobacteriosis and its conditioning factors contribute to control the situation and due to that fact it contributes to differentiated approach which helps to avoid great commercial losses.


The topics covered by the presentation are listed:<list><item>The AIPS system overview is informational and will be covered quickly
</item><item>AIPS hardware and software are also informational and will be covered quickly
</item><item>Experience include enhancements to the Ada run time system, and the problems and advantages of using Ada for real time, fault tolerant systems
</item><item>Benchmarks were done on several processors and several run time system overheads were measured
</item><item>Future Ada work
</item></list>


The United Nations and the World Tourism Organization state that tourism can promote world peace through empathy. However, to what extent do tourists really let go of their conceptions of the world and actively listen to the 'Other' while on holiday? Empathy refers to a process by which a person imagines the thoughts and feelings of another person through perspective taking. It is developed by sharing experiences with people from a variety of contexts, and thus is considered as an "emotional pre-requisite for cross-cultural understanding" (Tucker, 2016). This gains importance, given the current international context—where crisis, war, and terrorism have hindered social cohesion through fear, diminishing the possibilities of creating bonds across cultures and geographies. Following a critical approach, the present research assesses the conditions that ignite empathy in tourism encounters: its manifestations, evolution, and subsequent effects. To achieve this, the perspectives and sentiments of tourists were assessed through semi-structured, in-depth interviews that were held prior to, during, and after their trip (which enabled the researcher to review changes in the interviewees' perceptions throughout time). In addition, the researcher undertook a pro-social trip herself to engage in participant observation and gather further data on the social interactions that occur. She also used autoethnography to gauge her own process and cultural predispositions. Preliminary findings suggest that time constraints and language barriers posed relevant obstacles to the generation of empathy with locals. Actual pro-social behavioural changes were prompted by intellectual discussions with NGO stakeholders (which hold a heavily westernized perspective). This could imply that western cultures give more importance to intellectual content than to emotive content. Furthermore, it runs the risk of increasing the cultural gap between locals and visitors by maintaining current relations of power. On another hand, the use of storytelling (featured in audio-guides and conversations with locals) did seem to play an important role in generating identification, and thus should be the focus of further research. The present study is timely and relevant from a critical perspective because it fills the research gap between empathy, prosocial tourism, and social change. While current research focuses on the relationship between empathy and tourism, it fails to address its role in prosocial tourism specifically and whether it contributes to a positive social impact within this segment or not. It responds to emerging consumer behaviour trends that focus on social responsibility and addresses the risks that could prevent social change. Its findings could also inform policy-makers, local communities, and social organizations on the ethics of pro-social tourism, and thus help them tailor their products to increase their social impact. 1 Zamanillo and Cheer: Can Pro-Social Tourism Foster Empathy? Published by Digital Commons @ TRU Library, 2017


The research work analyzes the problem of forming software engineering technicians' soft skills, approaches to defining the list, detail and the maturity level of software engineering technicians' soft skills and basic ways of their formation, in particular: development of new academic programs or individual innovative courses, the problem-oriented approach, the AGILE approach, gamification of learning, development of interdisciplinary courses, etc. The obtained data enable developing methodological recommendations to form software engineering technicians' soft skills when studying the humanities and social sciences and experimentally investigating their efficiency.


With its roots firmly in agriculture, AGCO is the parent company of such iconic brands as Massey Ferguson and Fendt, but its Power division branches out into other sectors. The OEM's senior vice president of engineering Kelvin Bennett talks about this cross-sector pollination, as well as predicting the future of farming… and revealing his love of building things in his garden


The epigenetic karst age in the central region of Sierra de los Órganos, is defined from the moment the carbonated sequences are uncovered and denudation processes begin at the end of the Oligocene and early Miocene (approximately 25 Ma). Although the karstic forms in this region originated at different times, they all coexist in today's landscape. While the area was rising up slowly and sea level changes were taking place, the regional erosion base level descended giving rise to leveling surfaces desiccated by numerous sinkholes. At this time, surface currents disappear to become underground streams, which have carved out an extensive network of galleries. Satellite images and aerial photos interpretation, geological survey, measurements of morphostructures and multivariate statistical analysis, were the methods used to establish the epigenetic karst evolution model for the region. The model includes nine surfaces of erosion base levels, in a range that goes from the 410 m a.s.l., coinciding with the older erosion base levels conserved in the area (23 Ma before the present), until the 50 m a.s.l., corresponding to the surface of current erosion.


Trials were initiated in 2007 to evaluate systems of weed management in peanut using herbicides.  Two trials were conducted at Sudan University of Science and Technology, College of Agricultural Studies and Research Farm of University of Khartoum, Faculty of Agriculture, Shambat, to evaluate the efficacy of imazethapyr and oxyfluorfen herbicides for weed control at different rates, tolerance, and yield of the crop.The imazethapyr was used at rates of 0.175, 0.25, and 0.5 L/fed, for and oxyfluorfen at rates of 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 L/fed. Moreover, the two products were also combined at low, medium and high rates. The results showed significant differences at medium and high rates of the two herbicides combination and at hand weeding as compared to the unweeded control in the variety Medani and Sodari for growth and yield components. The highest reduction in yield was found in unweeded control, it was 49.89% in season 2007/2008 and 45.31% in season 2008/2009. Significant differences were also observed in number of pods per plant, 100 pod weights, in comparison with the unweeded control


The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) quantitatively assessed the potential for undiscovered, technically recoverable conventional oil and gas resources in the Wyoming Thrust Belt Province, which is located west of the Southwestern Wyoming Province, east of the Eastern Great Basin Province, south of the Idaho-Snake River Downwarp Province, and north of the Uinta-Piceance Basin Province (fig. 1). The Wyoming Thrust Belt developed by east-directed compression associated with steeply dipping subduction during the Late Jurassic to Late Cretaceous Sevier Orogeny (Lamerson, 1982; Webel, 1987). Compression resulted in a series of stacked thrust sheets that are progressively younger in age to the east. The major thrusts in the Wyoming Thrust Belt Province are the Paris-Willard, Meade, Crawford, Absaroka, Hogsback-Darby, and Prospect (fig. 1). Exploration in the mid-1970s resulted in the discovery of more than 30 oil and gas fields, most of which are associated with the Absaroka thrust sheet. Compared to the Absaroka, exploration along the other thrust sheets has been largely unsuccessful. The temporal sequence of thrust loading and structural deformation has resulted in a complex evolution of petroleum systems in the Wyoming Thrust Belt Province (Warner, 1982; Edman and Surdam, 1984; Burtner and Nigrini, 1994).


A reactive ion etching process (RIE) of multi-layer graphene (MLG) has been developed to obtain tri-layer (TLG) or bi-layer graphene (BLG). A controllable graphene etch rate of 0.19 nm/sec has been achieved by using oxygen plasma. Graphene D, G and 2D band characteristics have been obtained by Raman spectroscopy and rapid thermal annealing (RTA) has shown to reduce defect band in etched graphene layer. A two terminals device with etched tri-layer graphene and back gate has been fabricated. Measurement shows drain current variation with gate voltage bias and mobility of 52 cm2/V-s has been achieved.


The internal states or local structures of bulk metallic glass (BMGs) can be well reflected from the changes of density, structural relaxation as well as the elastic constants. With the increasing free volume (FV) content, more local atomic clusters are capable of simultaneous plastic shear at different sites in the metallic glasses, inducing large plasticity. In this work, we report a close correlation between the internal states and strength in a BMG and discover that the yield strength can be changed by varying of the casting current, revealing that the yielding strength of BMGs is not only intrinsically associated with the glass transition, but also with the internal states, such as free volume and elastic properties. Such results may have some implications for understanding the correlations between the internal states and mechanical properties of BMGs.


Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle has worked in collaboration with health plans and employers to facilitate development of standardized approaches to care of patients with common conditions. These efforts have eliminated unnecessary treatment and decreased costs to employers, health plans, patients, and providers. We describe our collaborative approach and illustrate it with the example of improved treatment for patients with uncomplicated headache, for which we have achieved 91 percent patient satisfaction, decreased use of advanced imaging by 23 percent, and provided same-day appointments in 95 percent of cases. As a model for improving quality while reducing cost, the Virginia Mason experience demonstrates that a multispecialty group practice, hospital, employers, and health plans can define quality and align performance and payment along common goals. F or decades, health care in the United States has been characterized by insufficient quality and escalating costs. The consequences are felt by public andprivate payers andby individuals, all of whom devote a growing proportionof precious resources to health care that is of inconsistent benefit. Such waste means fewer resources for other needs, including the unmet, legitimatehealth careneedsof individuals,many with limited means. The problems of inferior quality and growing costs are related, and their intertwined causes lie deep within the US system of financing and choosing care. For example, the US fee-forservice system incentivizes providers to increase the amount of care they provide, but not necessarily with the aim of providing the right level of care that will produce the best outcomes most efficiently.When the amount of care provided in any clinical encounter exceeds the level of care needed toproduce thebest outcome,not only are resourceswasted, but patientsmaybe exposed to unnecessary risk. Moreover, other features of the market for medical care—such as lack of usable information or measures on provider performance and lack of consumer choice—can prevent that market from rewarding good performance and punishingbadperformance.Providers, payers, andpurchasers have all adapted to this dysfunctional system, and each rigorously defends short-term self-interest as the system falls short and costs continue to rise. Health reform, therefore, requires simultaneous efforts fromall three stakeholders. Providers must reliably produce high-value care: care that is of high quality and uses nomore than the necessary amountof resources. Payersmust align reimbursement practiceswithgoals for quality and value, so that providers will have the right incentives to produce high-value care. Purchasers of care, whether individuals, employers, or government entities, must preferentially purchase care of higher quality and value. Failure by any of these groups to realign incentives aroundquality and value will limit progress for all toward the objective of high-quality, affordable care. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2011.0291


Depressed product markets and severe financial constraints have recently prompted many firms to reappraise their production methods and industrial relations structures. This article examines a new Japanese style' module production system at Lucas Electrical which management introduced to boost labour productivity and improve product quality.


Drug resistance is a feature of different forms of epilepsy or epileptic syndromes. It is defined as the persistence of unacceptable seizures despite reasonable pharmacotherapy and drug use to the highest tolerable dosage. It affects between 20% and 30% of patients with epilepsy overall (1). In subgroups of epilepsy patients, a particularly high incidence of drug resistance is encountered (e.g., in patients with focal or partial epilepsies). Clinical predictive factors for later pharmacoresistance are febrile seizures lasting longer than 30 min and displaying focal signs, certain forms of status epilepticus, and developmental alterations such as microcephaly. Apart from infantile spasms and neonatal seizures, atonic seizures are frequently pharmacoresistant (2). Kanazawa (3) pointed out that certain seizure syndromes are frequently associated with pharmacoresistance. These include the Ohtahara syndrome, Dravets syndrome, West syndrome, Rasmussen encephalitis, Lennox Gastaut syndrome, and the migrating focal seizures during infancy. Hence, drug resistance may be already present when first treatment is initiated, or it may arise during the course of chronic epilepsy following an initially positive response. In


Initialising and managing security parameters for personal mobile devices within a Personal Area Network (PAN) presents a variety of security problems. In this paper we consider one possible paradigm for mobile device security management, namely the use of a 'personal CA' to provide certificates within a PAN. The security requirements for such a personal CA are analysed, and a novel protocol for secure public key registration and certification is described and discussed. The ongoing management issues for a personal CA are also considered.


Purpose of this paper is to enlighten the mechanisms of muscle wastage in experimental heart failure with particular attention to myosin ubiquitinisation, which is linked to proinflammatory cytokines that are also responsible for triggering apoptosis. In fact the mechanisms leading to muscle wastage in CHF include cytokine-triggered skeletal muscle apoptosis, but also ubiquitin-proteasome and non-ubiquitin-dependent pathways. The imbalance between protein synthesis and degradation is another important pathway as well. Protein degradation can also occur through ubiquitin dependent and non-ubiquitin dependent pathways. Very recently systems controlling the ubiquitin-proteasome activation have been described: the FOXO-ubiquitin ligase, the NFkB ubiquitin ligase. These are triggered by TNFα and GH-IGF1. However an important role is played by apoptosis. Both in man and in experimental models of heart failure programmed cell death has been found in skeletal muscle and interstitial cells. Apoptosis is triggered by TNFα and in vitro experiments have shown that it can be induced by its second messenger SPH. Apoptosis correlates with the severity of the heart failure syndrome. It involves caspases 3 and caspases 9 activation and mitochondrial citochrome C release. We have demonstrated in pereviuos papers that apoptosis is involved in muscle atrophy in heart failure, and in this series of experiments we tested the hypothesis that the increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNFα, can produce myosin ubiquitinisation and selective destruction of contractile proteins with further worsening of muscle atrophy and function.


(some as interesting as the main text) and about 25 pages of works cited. The research is extensive. As you know, however, extensive research can present a dilemma. How much should be included when trying to develop an argument? At times, the ''More is better'' viewpoint seemed to prevail, and I thought the resulting side trips were distractions from the main journey. (Did you remember that I am an editor?) I found it difficult to stay focused on the philosophical parts of the book, such as the chapter examining the meaning of abjection. However, I believe this observation is an indication of my interests rather than a failing of the book, and I suggest you ''have a read'' (as we say in New Zealand) for yourself.


Reseach on History of women was developed in Spain in the last years of the XX century. At the beginning, this research was linked to women studies and supported by universitary institutes and specialised associations. From early XXI century onwards, this research on History of women has been consolidated with good production, but has had little influence on universitary formal studies. On Middle Age research, there are two long-standing trends -equality feminism and differential feminism- and two emerging ones -marxism feminism and ecofeminism-. History of women in the Middle Age should be approached from these two emerging trends to add new knowledge.


A 51-year-old male presented at our department with a slightly painful soft tissue lump at the superior pole of the patella and limited range of joint motion. MRI of the left knee confirmed a soft tissue mass within the distal quadriceps extending into the superior aspect of the patella. The mass was hypointense on T1-weighted images (WI) (Fig. A, arrows) and slightly heterogeneous hyperintense on fat saturated intermediate-WI (Fig. B, arrows). A bone infarct was seen in the distal femur (Fig. A and B, arrowhead). After administration of gadolinium contrast heterogeneous enhancement was seen. Gradient-echo sequences did not reveal blooming artifact. Additionally Cone Beam CT showed the soft tissue mass as being slightly hyperdense to the surrounding soft tissue (Fig. C, arrow). Partially sclerotic delineated osteolysis was seen at the patella (Fig. C, arrowhead). Based on the clinical presentation and imaging findings, tophaceous gout was suspected. After repeated anamnesis, the patient admitted alcohol overconsumption for many years and having previous gout attacks at the feet. Because of the aggressive nature of the process, a biopsy was performed in order to exclude a malignant tumor. The biopsy specimen showed the presence of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals, in keeping with tophaceous gout. The patient was reassured, was provided with appropriate dietary advice and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.


In order to compare the induction effect, four maize inducers(Gaoyou1, Gaoyou5, MT1 and MT2) asthe male parents to pollinate different inbred lines. The results showed that the inducing ability of different inducershad significant difference. The average induction rate of Gaoyou5 was 9.76%, which significantly higher than Gaoy-ou1, MT2 and MT1. By the four inducers induced, Lancaster obtained the highest induction rate(7.04%), which hadnot significant difference between Reid and Luxi, but significantly higher than Tangsipingtou and Tropical germ-plasm.


Drs. Guinan, McGuckin, and Nowell have nicely reviewed the risk factors associated with increased susceptibility to hospital- acquired infection in oncology patients and also discussed preventive steps to attenuate those risks. We agree that patients with malignancies present a challenge to the health-care provider, as infection will develop at some point in almost all cancer patients[1] and may be associated with significant mortality.[2]


Numerical and experimental evaluation of a reflective microscopy technique based on sequential random pattern illumination and integrated detection is conducted to demonstrate imaging at the low-light levels of interest for live-cell imaging.


There are many different ways to show a tragedy. This article shows that Thomas Hardy's tragedy is like a folding painting, in which there are distant scenery, medium scenery and close scerery. Meanwhile, the focus of the three sceneries leads to the root of the tragedy. It also shows that how Hardy in his 《Tess of the D'Urbervilles》 creates a special tragedy through multi-demantions and multi-levels.


The current situation and development trends of urban Real Estate Management in our country, with Real Estate Information Management and office automation System are introduced. The solution to several key technological problems in the design of the system is also presented.


Using pumpkin seeds residue as nitrogen source,wheat bran as carbon source,koji was prepared by using six single or mixed Aspergillus oryzae strains.Based on activity of neutrase,acidic protease and diastase,content of amino state nitrogen of koji and sensory quality of fermented liquor,optimum strains for koji making were determined.The results showed that when the strains As 3.042 and Aspergillus usamii was mixed with the ratios of 3∶1,activity of neutrase,acidic protease and diastatase was 5859.78U/g,481.5U/g and 496U/g,respectively.Contents of amino state nitrogen was 0.685g/100g,and flavor of fermented liquor was the best.


To the Editor: Falls accounted for more than 1.3 million patient days in Australian hospitals in fiscal year 2009 to 2010 and caused more injury-related deaths than motor vehicle crashes in 2012. One in three people aged 65 and older living in the community fall each year, and if they are left lying on the floor for longer than 1 hour, half of those, even without injury, die within 6 months. Helping older adults off the floor in a timely manner is essential to their long-term health and longevity. In the United Kingdom, emergency (ambulance) services assisted more than 650,000 older people off the floor, costing the UK health system £75.5 million, this is estimated to grow to £118.9 million by 2030. In Australia, the proportion of older people using emergency services to help them up off the floor is currently unknown, as are the characteristics of these people. To begin to fill this gap in knowledge, a study was conducted to identify the proportion of older community care clients who had fallen over 12 months, the proportion of the fallers who called an ambulance to assist them up off the floor but needed no medical treatment, and the characteristics of this latter group.


It has been found that 2-O-(2-hydroxyethyl)-D-glucopyranose is partially converted to 1,2-O-ethylene-α-D-glucofuranose, 1,2-O-ethylene-α-D-glucopyranose, and 1,2-O-ethylene-β-D-glucopyranose when heated in dilute acid solution. The ratio of the furanose derivative to the pyranose derivatives is dependent upon the concentration of the acid (3, 5). The three inner glucosides of 2-O-(2-hydroxyethyl)-D-glucose have been characterized by gas-liquid chromatography. The interrelationship of 2-O-(2-hydroxyethyl)-D-glucose and its inner glucosides is also reported.


The kinematically complete reaction measurements at the upcoming RB set-up require the identification and separation of heavy, relativistic reaction fragments. This requires a precise measurement of the time-of-flight in order to calculate the momentum of the particles with the necessary resolution of δp/p = 10−3. Depending on the length of the flight path and the energy of the ions, this translates into a required time resolution of about 15 ps for ions with A 150 [1]. To reach this goal, two new detectors based on plastic scintillators have been developed for the time-of-flight measurement: An optimized start counter and a multi-layer time-of-flight wall [2] which will provide energy loss and position information as well. The signals of the photomultipliers will be readout by a new multichannel front-end electronic card (TAMEX). This card has been designed by the GSI CSEE group for high-resolution time and charge measurements and is a combination of the existing LAND TACQUILA FEE and a FPGA TDC from the VFTX module.


Administration of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) in patients with genital endometriosis (GE) is a controversial issue requiring a patient-personalized approach. Current principles for MHT selection and prescription in patients with anamnestic endometriosis are presented, which are based on the guidelines of the International Menopause Society (IMS), The European Menopause and Andropause Society, local and foreign publications retrieved from electronic data bases PubMed, Cyberleninka. The data of our study on observing 724 patients with GE treated with diverse MHT types were presented and analyzed (428 women in perimenopausal period, 296 in postmenopausal period). Patients with endometriosis in perimenopausal and postmenopausal periods showed more prominent manifestations of climacteric and post-ovariectomy syndromes, as well as high risk of reduced bone mineral density (BMD) due to repeated surgery on the ovaries and preceding long-term "antiestrogen therapy". Custom-compounded MHT based on components combinations, dosage and administration route provides a significantly improved quality of life for patients with endometriosis, prevents loss of BMD and reduces risk of cardiovascular diseases. Using low and ultra-low dose estrogen bioidentical to natural substances in this patient group minimizes a risk of disease recurrence.


formulation process class of the of Solid-state of CaCO and MgCO with selection of excipients suitable for development of solid-dosage formulation Chemical of compounds in


Submitted for the DPP06 Meeting of The American Physical Society Multiscale phenomena in the magnetosphere: Power-law and Weibull distributions VEERAMANI THANGAMANI, SURJA SHARMA, University of Maryland — The power law behaviour of the probability distribution of burst lifetime duration of magnetospheric substorms, studied earlier by Freeman et. al. Geophys. Res. Lett, 2000), was modelled as a combination of a power law with an exponential cutoff and a lognormal distribution. We study the interburst time or the waiting time between substorms above a threshold as quantified by the AL index. The AL index data set from January 1978 until June 1988 (1 min resolution, 5520960 data points) is analyzed and the waiting time distribution is found to exhibit a similar behaviour as that of the burst lifetime. Recent Bunde et. al( Phys. Rev. Lett., 2005) have shown the streched exponential (Weibull distribution) behavior in the recurrence time statistics of extreme events in long term climate records. Similar result has been shown for the earthquake statistics by Turcotte (2006). The existence of such statistiscal order in the magnetospheric multiscale phenomena will be presented. A. Surjalal Sharma University of Maryland Date submitted: 28 Aug 2006 Electronic form version 1.4


In this work, we put forward a system that automates the eligibility check and aptitude evaluation of prospective candidates in a recruitment process. Implemented as a web application, the system lets employers post new job openings. Interested candidates could apply by filling an online resume and inputting their twitter handle. The system estimates their emotional aptitude by analyzing the tweets while professional eligibility is verified through the entries given in the online resume. Big Five Personality Model (also known as Five Factor Model) is used to predict the personality traits of the users and assess their emotional quotient. Machine learning techniques such as supervised classification is used to model the personality predictor. Meta-attributes from the tweets are considered for the process, while the actual contents are ignored, thus protecting the privacy of the users. Regression techniques are then employed to assign a compatibility score to each applicant. The system outputs a list of candidates ranked in the order of the compatibility score to the employer who posted the job offer.


This article uses a sociology of knowledge approach to discuss the reproduction of inequality within the sociocultural world of clerical workers. A model of a semiotic square is used to analyze the experiences of bored and busy work. Through this analysis of bored and busy work, the author discovered clerical workers' perceptions and activities which were both subordinating and empowering. Clerical workers participate in the process of subordination through bored/busy work. However, they also participate in empowering strategies through not-bored/not-busy work. This sociology of knowledge approach shows that people are not automatons and strengthens our understanding of the social reproduction of inequality as a multi-faceted phenomenon.


We establish subdifferential calculus rules for the sum of convex functions defined on normed spaces. This is achieved by means of a condition relying on the continuity behaviour of the inf-convolution of their corresponding conjugates, with respect to any given topology intermediate between the norm and the weak* topologies on the dual space. Such a condition turns out to also be necessary in Banach spaces. These results extend both the classical formulas by Hiriart-Urruty and Phelps and by Thibault.


Business is characterized by an uncertain and fast-growing environment, so innovation is important in that sphere. The study aims to examine the influence of social support and grit on innovative work behaviour with creativity as a mediation role among entrepreneurs in micro and small enterprises. A survey questionnaire was used in this research to gather data from various region in Indonesia. There were 130 respondents which have been running their business for at least two years gathered by accidental sampling technique. Data analysis used two-model of multiple regression and path analysis was used for determine the mediation role. The results showed that there was an influence between social support, grit with mediation of creativity on innovative behavior. This means that social support and grit can affect an individual's level of creativity, and creativity can drive innovative behavior in the workplace. The result suggests that creativity can act as a mediation variable. Grit is known to be the dominant variable with a 47.1% contribution in influencing innovative behavior through creativity, and the rest is influenced by other factors outside the study, such as job characteristic.


Thermal images of cold dust in the Central Molecular Zone of the Milky Way, obtained with the far-infrared cameras on board the Herschel satellite, reveal a ∼3 × 107 M☉ ring of dense and cold clouds orbiting the Galactic center. Using a simple toy model, an elliptical shape having semi-major axes of 100 and 60 pc is deduced. The major axis of this 100 pc ring is inclined by about 40° with respect to the plane of the sky and is oriented perpendicular to the major axes of the Galactic Bar. The 100 pc ring appears to trace the system of stable x2 orbits predicted for the barred Galactic potential. Sgr A⋆ is displaced with respect to the geometrical center of symmetry of the ring. The ring is twisted and its morphology suggests a flattening ratio of 2 for the Galactic potential, which is in good agreement with the bulge flattening ratio derived from the 2MASS data.


The innovation policy of the German government and Lander provides small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with a wide range of programs to promote their research and development (RD they have increased their R&D expenditure and intensified their knowledge exchange with universities and research centers. Technology-neutral government funding is to remain at the current level-around ten percent of SMEs' R&D expenditure-thus providing more targeted support for knowledge transfer.


A 55 year old male presented with c/o pain abdomen for 10 days. Physical examination revealed a tender pulsatile mass of size 8x6cm in the epigastric region. Peripheral pulses were normal. CECT abdomen showed a 5.7 x 3.2 x 4.9cm fusiform aneurysm of SMA, 2cm from its origin from aorta with central contrast pooling and eccentric thrombus with wall calcification. Partial excision of the sac and interposition bypass with reversed saphenous vein was performed. No complications were observed post operatively.


To choose the appropriate render intent quickly and accurately for different image types with specific uses in the actual production process,the adaptation of four render intents was studied,that is,which kind of render intent can accuratly reproduce the special original image.In the experiment,the Representative images and TC9.18 color spar was chosen and output with the four render intents separately,the adaptation of four render intents was generalized using visual subjective evaluation and objective color evaluation with measurement spar datas.The exprement results showed that the original images that focus on the hue and tone level are suitable for perceptual intent,which focus on the color rendering are suitable for saturation intent,and which are for the accurate reproduction are suitable for absolute colorimetric intent,The research results has an important significance on the actual printing process.


Identification of acoustic signals in noisy environments remains one of the most difficult of signal processing problems, and is a major obstacle to the high degree of accuracy and speed needed to identify suspicious sounds in high-security, high-safety environments. Given that pattern recognition involves fast identification of a set of fundamental features, the essence of the sound recognition problem is the competing needs for both high-dimensionality representations (necessary for accurate discrimination) and a reasonably limited feature space (necessary for rapid identification). We have previously developed an acoustic recognition capability using a novel biologically based dynamic synapse neural network (DSNN) technology. The DSNN based technology has been demonstrated to classify target sounds with a high degree of accuracy, even in high noise conditions. We have also developed an efficient training algorithm for DSNNs. In this paper we focus on extending the acoustic recognition capability of DSNNs to a hardware implementation and applying the new hardware (acoustic SENTRI) to the problem of gunshot recognition. SENTRI is based on Texas instrument TMS320C6713 DSK and a custom designed data acquisition board. An array of four microphones is attached to the board for sound input. A time delay estimation algorithm (TDE) is employed for triangulation. In field-testing, the SENTRI classifies and localizes over 90% of the trained-for sounds. Performance for firecracker, starter pistol, 9 mm, and 44 caliber, explosion/firing sounds was also tested.


Chapter 1 On Becoming an Ethnographer in the Academy Chapter 2 Finding the Story in Ethnographic Words Chapter 3 Representing Ethnographic Experiences: From Fieldwork to Fieldnotes to Stories Chapter 4 Voice, Reflexivity, and Character: The Construction of Identities in Texts Chapter 5 The Ethics of Writing Ethnography Chapter 6 The Future of New Ethnographic Writing


A new method for analyzing the integer order vibration of rotor blade by using the non-contact measurement technology was presented. The simulation validation of the method was performed by using the single freedom vibration system and the results show that the method is satisfactory. The method can apply to the frequency measurement of rotor blade.


The chip-to-board model is important for predicting the electromagnetic emission (EME) of an electronic system and checking whether it fulfills the emission standards at early design cycle. This paper proposes to build the chip-to-board model through directly measuring the chip-to-board transmission ratio with embedded circuit. The embedded circuit does not cause the modification the on-chip power distribution network. Only one signal pin is added to the chip. It preserves the original physical structure of the chip and package in a maximal way. The measurement method is verified through transistor level simulations and is demonstrated with a test chip. Using the measured transmission ratio, one can build a chip-to-board model with improved accuracy, especially in the high frequency range, for the EME simulation of electronic system.


Manufacturing industries are undergoing a transition from manufacturing of products towards integration of services and providing Product-Service Systems. To support this transition, creative workshops are an example of a means to be used. A number of cre


Based on the study of printing process requirements and processing sequence,the computer aided process planning was adopted in printing production system,the polychromatic sets theory was applied to construct the mathematical model of printing process planning,and an algorithm to search the printing process path was designed based on this model.The model was comprised of a contour comprising matrix and a polychromatic graph.The contour comprising matrix was used to describe the capability of a printing production system.The polychromatic graph was used to describe the interaction among working procedures.The proposed algorithm can search the printing process path according to the machining requirements of printed matter,and was implemented by computer easily.Finally an example was analyzed to verify the proposed model and the algorithm.


Using a hydrothermal synthesis process, Fe-doped ZnO/SnS nanostructures were created and a variety of analytical methods were used to describe their characteristics. X-ray diffraction patterns were employed to confirm the hexagonal and orthorhombic crystal structures of ZnO and SnS, respectively. Nanorods and nanoparticle clouds were visible in TEM pictures, and XPS investigation verified that the dopant Fe ions were in the 3+ oxidation state. Additionally, absorption spectroscopy revealed a decrease in the energy bandgap with an increase in Fe content, and photoluminescence analysis demonstrated that the ZSF3 sample significantly reduced the rate of recombination of charge carriers. Impressively, the optimized sample (ZSF3) displayed 95.8% more photocatalytic activity during the 120 min degradation of MB dye. This study demonstrated that an easy hydrothermal procedure, carried out at 220°C for 12 hours, may be used to create iron-doped ZnO/SnS nanocomposites. The tunable energy bandgap characteristics of heterogeneous semiconducting materials and the effective charge carrier separation were thought to be the causes of the increased photocatalytic activity. Furthermore, the heterostructure of charge carriers was proposed to facilitate photocatalytic activity when exposed to light.


We present results demonstrating an InAsBi photodiode with a photo response beyond 3.6 μm. We observe photocurrent from the diode up to temperatures of 225 K with a dark current density of 2.6 Acm-2.


The paper intrduces the development of 3G business of Nokia and analyses fully to inquirement of Users of 3G End Products.


This article introduces a design scheme of warehouse environment monitoring system, the solution uses the tiny4412 development board and as the main control platform, using DHT11 and DS18B20 sensors to monitor the temperature and humidity of the warehouse environment in real time, display the measured temperature through LCD1602 analyze and judge data, sound and light alarm and SMTP mail alarm are performed when the measured data exceeds the set threshold. The actual effect of the system shows that the implementation of the system is feasible and can improve the efficiency of warehouse environmental monitoring.


This article describes the types of ancient anchors in connection with religious rituals and performances, shows the history of the most interesting and significant findings that reveal the symbolic role of anchor mostly in the mythology of ancient civilizations, in the era of the birth of Christianity and later eras.


2‐Component‐Metal Injection Moulding (2‐C‐MIM) is a technique derived from plastics industry which has been adapted to metal powders. In the present work, the production of titanium implants with a gradient in porosity was demonstrated by using this technology, starting from titanium feedstocks with and without space holder particles (NaCl, 350–500 µm). Binder systems specially tailored for the application were developed. Compared to established production routes, the net‐shape fabrication of titanium implants by 2‐C‐MIM promises a significant reduction of cost if aiming at large scale production. The feasibility study was accompanied by a detailed characterisation of each production step of 2‐C‐MIM process including influence of MIM processing on mechanical properties.


Objective. Previous studies in head and neck cancer patients have shown a need to improve transmural oncological care. 1 The aim of the Transmural Oncological Support (TOS) project is to investigate whether this can be achieved using information and communication technology (ICT).

Materials and methods. Baseline measurements were followed by an intervention study in three categories of head and neck cancer patients. An information system was developed and implemented and then evaluated.

Results. Based on previous research the functionality of the information system was determined. The four main functions were: communication, information, contact with fellow sufferers and the monitoring of patients. After discharge, patients will have a lap top at their disposal for several weeks in their home environment. Both patients and care providers can communicate electronically directly with a hospital-based support team and can consult information. Likewise, patients can communicate with fellow sufferers, and they will be monitored from hospital, thus enabling the early detection of possible problems and complications in the home environment. Assessing the influence on patients' physical and psychosocial functioning is part of the evaluation.

Conclusion. An information system was developed which took into account previously observed bottlenecks. Consequently, it was possible to measure the effect of transmural oncological care on head and neck cancer patients.


Applications of independent component analysis (ICA) to feature extraction have been a topic of research interest. However, the effectiveness of pattern features extracted by conventional ICA algorithms greatly depends on datasets in general. As one of the reasons, we have pointed out that conventional ICA features are obtained by increasing only their independence even if class information is available. In this paper, we propose a supervised learning approach to ICA to extract useful and robust features. The proposed method consists of several modules, each of which is responsible for extracting features for each class and identifying the class labels using the k nearest neighbor classifier. All the module outputs are combined to identify final results based on a majority rule. We evaluate the performance of the proposed method in several recognition tasks. From these results, we confirm the effectiveness of the recognition method using independent components for each class.


An inland mountainous location in eastern Spain was selected for reforestation studies based on the fog water collection potential prevailing in the area and the high level of land degradation resulting from recurrent forest fires in the past. Bulk fog-water catches were stored and used in a micro-irrigation network to provide summer emergency water pulses to a plot of reforestation seedlings. Results indicate that survival rates and seedling growth of the two species planted, Pinns pinaster and Quercus ilex, improved with the use of small timely waterings and additional treatments with composted biosolids. Fog collection measurements during the 3-year period of the experiment revealed an average water yield of 3.2 l/m2/day, which, although moderate, is a suitable value for afforestation activities. Fog formation is explained in terms of air mass origin and pathway, atmospheric conditions and orographic features. Statistical analysis of the winds bearing fog and the periodicity of fog collection provide the particular characteristics of the experimental site.


Using unobserved stochastic components and Kalman filter techniques, the paper assesses the relative importance of transitory and permanent shifts in Italian real GDP within a production function framework. Evidence suggests that the increase in hours worked that has accompanied pension and labor market reforms accounts for the bulk of low-frequency variation in growth, but points to factor utilization as the main driver of business cycle fluctuations. In contrast with the predictions of standard Real Business Cycle models, a positive shock to the underlying rate of total factor productivity growth generates a slight decline in hours, whereas the response of output to the same shock is found to be positive.


This paper explores Gulzar's mystic poetry. Gulzar, who is known as a writer of songs by common masses as well as by literary circles, has also written outstanding poetry covering almost all areas including mysticism. Like other mystic poets, he is also of the opinion, that to get united with God, it is necessary to spend life which will be filled with pain. So, that one may remain apart from worldly desires. Mystics do not treat death as an end of life, but union of soul with original soul (God).


In Shenzhen the urban village has be-come the main supplier in the urban housing system,but the problem is that the supply is usually illegal or low effective which is resulted from the complicated property ownership.This paper,from the economic and lawful aspects of the property right,argues that the reform of the property right is the key to the problem and provides suggestions on the reconstruc-tion of the urban villages.


This study provides new perspectives of the unique aspects of platelet-derived growth factor β-receptor (PDGFR-β) signaling and biological responses through the establishment of a mutant mouse strain in which two loxP sequences were inserted into the introns of PDGFR-β genome sequences. Isolation of skin fibroblasts from the mutant mice and Cre recombinase transfection in vitro induced PDGFR-β gene deletion (PDGFR-β Δ/Δ). The resultant depletion of the PDGFR-β protein significantly attenuated platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-induced cell migration, proliferation, and protection from H2O2-induced apoptosis of the cultured PDGFR-β Δ/Δ dermal fibroblasts. PDGF-AA and fetal bovine serum were mitogenic and anti-apoptotic but were unable to induce the migration in PDGFR-β Δ/Δ fibroblasts. Concerning the PDGF signaling, PDGF-BB-induced phosphorylation of Akt, ERK1/2, and JNK, but not p38, decreased in PDGFR-β Δ/Δ fibroblasts, but PDGF-AA-induced signaling was not altered. Overexpression of the phospholipid phosphatases, SHIP2 and/or PTEN, inhibited PDGF-BB-induced phosphorylation of Akt and ERK1/2 in PDGFR-β Δ/Δ fibroblasts but did not affect that of JNK and p38. These results indicate that disruption of distinct PDGFR-β signaling pathways in PDGFR-β Δ/Δ dermal fibroblasts impaired their proliferation and survival, but completely inhibits migratory response, and that PDGF-BB-induced phosphorylation of Akt and ERK1/2 possibly mediated by PDGFR-α is regulated, at least in part, by the lipid phosphatases SHIP2 and/or PTEN. Thus, the PDGFR-β function on dermal fibroblasts appears to be critical in PDGF-BB action for skin wound healing and is clearly distinctive from that of PDGFR-α in the ligand-induced biological responses and the underlying properties of cellular signaling.


Provides that nonprofit condominium owners' or homeowners' associations will not be taxed under the Internal Revenue Code on receipt of membership income which does not insure to the benefit of any individual member or non-member.


"This issue of the journal considers radio and television public service broadcasting (PSB) in France and abroad at the start of the 21st century, on the international stage, in a context marked by perceptible politico


PurposeThe digital revolution and the use of big data (BD) in particular has important applications in the construction industry. In construction, massive amounts of heterogeneous data need to be analyzed to improve onsite efficiency. This article presents a systematic review and identifies future research directions, presenting valuable conclusions derived from rigorous bibliometric tools. The results of this study may provide guidelines for construction engineering and global policymaking to change the current low-efficiency of construction sites.Design/methodology/approachThis study identifies research trends from 1,253 peer-reviewed papers, using general statistics, keyword co-occurrence analysis, critical review, and qualitative-bibliometric techniques in two rounds of search.FindingsThe number of studies in this area rapidly increased from 2012 to 2020. A significant number of publications originated in the UK, China, the US, and Australia, and the smallest number from one of these countries is more than twice the largest number in the remaining countries. Keyword co-occurrence is divided into three clusters: BD application scenarios, emerging technology in BD, and BD management. Currently developing approaches in BD analytics include machine learning, data mining, and heuristic-optimization algorithms such as graph convolutional, recurrent neural networks and natural language processes (NLP). Studies have focused on safety management, energy reduction, and cost prediction. Blockchain integrated with BD is a promising means of managing construction contracts.Research limitations/implicationsThe study of BD is in a stage of rapid development, and this bibliometric analysis is only a part of the necessary practical analysis.Practical implicationsNational policies, temporal and spatial distribution, BD flow are interpreted, and the results of this may provide guidelines for policymakers. Overall, this work may develop the body of knowledge, producing a reference point and identifying future development.Originality/valueTo our knowledge, this is the first bibliometric review of BD in the construction industry. This study can also benefit construction practitioners by providing them a focused perspective of BD for emerging practices in the construction industry.


This article is focused upon the problem how we can teach Luxun to students in the classroom. We select Luxun's 〈Mad man's Diary〉(狂人日記), from which the pen name Luxun is derived. And the birth of writer Luxun is at this work, which is called the first work in modern chinese literary history. We regard this work as the incarnation of 'Luxunness'. In reading 〈Mad Man's Diary〉, we select detail reading as is done by prof. Wang Fu Ren, who approach 〈KongYiJi〉(孔乙己) by semiotic way. And this way is connected with trditional chinese "xiaoxue"(小學). Prof. Leo - Ou Fan who represents American studies of Luxun described "xiaoxue" as the significant source of Luxun's literary works. Futhermore, this article is depend on the comparative way between Korean Language, English & Chinese language. By comparison with these interpretation between the three languages, we can paradoxically rejoice in the Luxun's originality or the idiosyncracy on the chinese character. Of course, these interpretaton means not only "fanyi"(飜驛) between the three languages but also reading in semiotic way, i.e. semiotic code in 〈Mad man's Diary〉.


This article describes a sketch-based framework for semi-automatic annotation of historical document collections. It is motivated by the fact that fully automatic methods, while helpful for extracting metadata from large collections, have two main drawbacks in a real-world application: (i) they are error-prone and (ii) they only capture a subset of all the knowledge in the document base, both meaning that manual intervention is always required. Therefore, we have developed a practical framework for allowing experts to extract knowledge from document collections in a sketch-based scenario. The main possibilities of the proposed framework are: (a) browsing the collection efficiently, (b) providing gestures for metadata input, (c) supporting handwritten notes and (d) providing gestures for launching automatic extraction processes such as OCR or word spotting.


The paper deals with the dynamics of the lifting of deck segments for constructing a bridge over water, with segments being brought by barge and lifted by an erection traveler while the barge and the bridge are undergoing the motions induced by the sea state and the wind. To investigate the process, a model was generated that included the barge and the mooring system, the supporting plinths, the bridge segment, the lateral restraints, the lifting strands, the erection traveler, and the bridge deck with its associated stiffnesses. Nearly 400 simulations were conducted, covering combinations of wave, wind, and current forces, as well as other aspects like the deck length and the cracked or uncracked state of the section. The analyses allowed establishing whether the success criteria were being satisfied, the influence of the various parameters, and the potentially more hazardous phases of the lifting process.


Ash Content of wheat straw pulp during Soda-AQ cooking and effect of cooking conditions on ash Content are studied.Regular change of ash content during cooking is found out, in addition, ash content is still affected by cooking conditions.


During the course of construction, there is a high risk of events that cause delays for the contractor. These events can for example con¬sist of extreme weather conditions that are obstructing the construction works, or the work area being occupied by sub-contractors. This thesis aims to investigate un¬der what conditions the contractor can be given extension of time and/or compensation for prolongation costs, relating to events caused by the client which have delayed the construction project. The study is limited to commercial contracts and presupposes that the standard form AB 04 is the contract that regulates the construction project.

The focus of the thesis is AB 04, chapter 4, clause 3, which regulates the contractor's right to extension of time due to delays that depend on the client, or any conditions on the client's side. The thesis is also investigating AB 04, chapter 5, clause 4, which gives the contractor right to prolongation costs and is immediately brought into force when the former provision is applicable. Both provisions are of great importance for the contractor since he at their application will be relieved from a duty to pay liquidated damages during the time of extension, and instead gets a right to compensation of his own. However, there are several difficulties concerning the interpretation and application of the provisions. In this essay a thorough analysis is conducted of the provisions, with focus on the possibility to interpret AB 04, chapter 4, clause 3 with guidance from the regulation in article 27 in the Sale of Goods Act. The conceptions of loyalty and rational use of resources are also investigated. The starting point for the analysis is the character of AB 04 and the method the Supreme Court has established for interpreting disputes about construction contract law.

It is concluded in the thesis that contracts of construction have certain characteristics that need to be taken into account when interpreting the contract. Further, it is concluded that the regulation in article 27 in the Sale of Good Act does not constitute a general principle, but under certain conditions can result in an analogous application. However, this possibility is very limited due to the difficulties that arise from the concept. It is also concluded that a contractor has a liability to use his resources in a rational matter in order to minimize the range of the extension of time and/or costs. This does not mean that the contractor has any liability to take actions at his own cost. Neither is there support for a self-contained duty of loyalty that places other obligations at the parties than those obligations that follow from the contract.


Industry 4.0 proposes the use of 5G networks to support intra-factory communications in replacement of current communication practices. 5G networks offer high availability, ultra-low latency, and high bandwidth, and allow the allocation of computational resources closer to the factories for reducing latency and response time. In addition, artificial intelligence can help in making smart decisions to improve the industrial and logistic processes. This work presents an interesting use case that combines Industry 4.0, 5G networks, and deep learning techniques for predicting the malfunctioning of an automatic guided vehicle (AGV) by exclusively using network traffic information and without needing to deploy any meter in the end-us-er equipment AGV and programmable logic controller (PLC). The AGV is connected through a 5G access to its PLC, which is deployed and virtualized in a multi-access edge computing infrastructure. A complete set of intensive experiments with a real 5G network and an industrial AGV were carried out in the 5TONIC environment, validating the effectiveness of this solution.


The present investigation was to prepare and evaluate bioadhesive vaginal gel containing clotrimazole loaded microspheres a novel delivery system for vaginal use. Bioadhesive gel was prepared by incorporating drug loaded microspheres using bioadhesive polymer carbopol 934. Microspheres were prepared by spray drying technique using Eudragit RS-100 and RL-100 polymers with different drug/polymer ratios. Microspheres were characterized by SEM, DSC, FT-IR and particle size analysis and evaluated for morphology, drug loading and in vitro drug release in simulated vaginal fluid. The FT-IR and DSC spectra revealed that there was no chemical interaction between drug and polymers used. SEM revealed that microspheres were spherical with a smooth surface morphology indicating that CTZ was well dispersed inside the carrier with a mean particle size ranging from 17 -58 μm. The in vitro drug release from formulation M1 to M6 was found to be 83.10% to 98.88% at the end of 12 h. Among various formulations M4 was found to have good control release pattern as it has shown 99% drug release in 12 hours and hence to achieve bioadhesion to mucosal tissue formulation M4 was incorporated in the bioadhesive gel made of carbopol 934P. Clotrimazole microspheres gel (CTZ-MG) was characterized by in vitro drug release and antifungal activity. The drug release was controlled up to 24 h. Inhibition effect on the C. albicans j1012 growth, suggested their effectiveness in the treatment of vaginal candidiasis. Result of this study suggests that CTZ-MG can be used as a novel controlled delivery system for local therapy of vaginal candidiasis. INTRODUCTION: Microencapsulation is widely used in the pharmaceutical and other sciences to mask tastes or odors, prolong release, impart stability to drug molecules, improve bioavailability, and as multi-particulate dosage forms to produce controlled or targeted drug delivery. QUICK RESPONSE CODE DOI: 10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.5(1).220-27 Article can be accessed online on: www.ijpsr.com DOI link: http://dx.doi.org/10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.5(1).220-27 It is therefore a rapidly expanding technology for achieving sustained-release dosage forms. Up to now, only few studies reported the use of microspheres for the treatment of vaginal diseases. For instance bioadhesive microparticles, PLGA microspheres and polymer lipid based mucoadhesive microspheres were assessed as vaginal delivery systems. Moreover, chitosan based microspheres loaded with an antimicrobial drug were added to different mucoadhesive excipients (cellulose derivatives, sodium alginate or Carbopol® 974) to prepare mucoadhesive vaginal


ABSTRACT The Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) has governed the Antarctic for the last six decades ensuring it to be a place of peace and scientific cooperation. Like any institution, the ATS exists in order to solve collective action problems through coordination and the creation of norms. But how do we know if a particular institution is the right one to solve a specific problem or address issues regarding the governance of a region? And when is it time to replace or reform such an institution? To answer these questions, we need an account of institutional legitimacy. An assessment of the legitimacy of the ATS is necessary in order to determine whether it is worthy of being empowered through support, or if it is time to reform some aspects of it. Building on the account of legitimacy of global governance institutions proposed by Buchanan and Keohane, the paper assesses the legitimacy of the ATS and argues that it is time to reform some components of it. Specifically, the paper assesses the legitimacy of the ATS based on the following criteria: minimal moral acceptability; comparative benefit; institutional integrity; and accountability. The paper highlights the ATS' shortcomings based on these criteria and suggests reforms that will strengthen the legitimacy of the ATS


Under the Lithuanian legislation, current and future spouses are allowed to sign marital agreements by which their property rights and obligations are set. However, it underlines that in some cases the court may declare the whole agreement or some of its terms unenforceable. The legislator does not specify which particular terms may be declared unenforceable. Therefore, the implementation of the spouses' right to choose the terms they want is put under doubt. As a result, it is very important to find out the circumstances and the criteria that should be evaluated before a marital agreement or some of its terms are declared unenforceable. Under the Lithuanian legislation, the validity of a marital agreement is considered only at the moment it is signed. However, it is not the case in other countries. For instance, many courts of the United States in deciding on the validity of a marital agreement take into account all the circumstances and conditions both at the time a marital agreement is signed and at the time of divorce. Some courts analyse if an agreement was executed voluntarily, without any pressure or fraud, and if both parties provided fair and reasonable disclosure of the property or financial obligations as well as what were their bargaining powers and expectations. Other courts attempt to establish the effect an agreement will have on the parties after the termination of their marriage. Currently, Lithuanian courts have no practice in declaring a marital agreement unenforceable. However, due to the particularities of marital agreements and the state's aim to defend the public interest, the means to evaluate the validity of a marital agreement become unclear.


The invention provides a new method for automatically measuring the weight of propeller blades, which takes an image as a basis to carry out non-contact automatic measurement of the weight of the propeller blades. The method comprises the following steps: firstly collecting the image of the propeller blades by adopting equipment such as a computer, a projector, a camera and the like; acquiring the coordinate of a two-dimensional image coordinate system of all projective points of the blades by taking a digital image processing technology as a basis; calculating the coordinate of a three-dimensional real-world coordinate system of all the projective points of the blades by adopting a camera calibration model; and finally calculating the weight of the propeller blades by the computer.


We study here a mesoscopic metasurface made of a randomly distributed set of long vertical metallic rods attached to a thin elastic plate. The A0 Lamb wave mode is strongly affected by the low-quality factor forced resonance of the rods. At such resonance, the rods modify the apparent stiffness of the plate. At the corresponding anti-resonance, the rods clamp the plate in the metamaterial region, which induces eigenfrequency band gaps. Between these two resonant and anti-resonant frequencies, the continuum in the values of the effective rigidity change the reflectivity, and thus the corresponding complex impedance of the metasurface in terms of amplitude and phase. In the present study, experimental data are presented to estimate the effective impedance of such a locally resonant metasurface, in agreement with theory and numerical simulation.We study here a mesoscopic metasurface made of a randomly distributed set of long vertical metallic rods attached to a thin elastic plate. The A0 Lamb wave mode is strongly affected by the low-quality factor forced resonance of the rods. At such resonance, the rods modify the apparent stiffness of the plate. At the corresponding anti-resonance, the rods clamp the plate in the metamaterial region, which induces eigenfrequency band gaps. Between these two resonant and anti-resonant frequencies, the continuum in the values of the effective rigidity change the reflectivity, and thus the corresponding complex impedance of the metasurface in terms of amplitude and phase. In the present study, experimental data are presented to estimate the effective impedance of such a locally resonant metasurface, in agreement with theory and numerical simulation.


Background Occult hepatitis B viral infection (OHBI) is defined as hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA detection in serum by sensitive diagnostic tests in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) negative patients with or without serological markers of previous viral infection. Aim This study aimed to evaluate hidden infection of hepatitis B among HBsAg negative chronic kidney disease patients on regular hemodialysis (HD) using hepatitis B core antibody as a marker in the sera of these patients, HBV DNA by PCR, and to evaluate the efficacy and efficiency of hepatitis B core antibodies in the diagnosis of occult hepatitis B in HD patients. Patients and methods Eighty chronic kidney disease patients on regular HD were included in this study; the mean age of studied patients was 41.8±12.72 years. They were recruited from HD Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Bab Alshearia University Hospital, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt, after exclusion of HBsAg positive, HBV antibody positive, intravenous drug users, and alcoholic patients. All patients were subjected to a full assessment of history, blood chemistry, HBsAg by ELISA, hepatitis B core immunoglobulin G (anti-HBcIgG), HB DNA by PCR, hepatitis C antibody (HCV Ab) by ELISA, and abdominal ultrasound. Results Our results showed that HCV Abs were positive in 50% of cases (40 cases); of these patients, 30% (12 cases) were positive for HBcIgG, whereas 50% of the cases (40 cases) were negative for HCV Ab. Of these, 20% (eight cases) were positive for HBcIgG, but the remaining 32 patients were negative for both HCV Abs and HBcIgG. All these results showed negative PCR in all cases (0% of cases). Conclusion OHBI among Egyptian HD patients is low, with a 0% prevalence by PCR; 6 months of repeated PCR is recommended as liver biopsy is difficult in HD patients and HBc Abs are not sufficient for the diagnosis of OHBI in HD patients.


The present study attempts to track the transmission of volatility across major international stock markets over a span of 20 years, which includes both crisis (contagion form) and non-crisis periods. It also investigates whether global transmission of volatility follows a pattern. The study uses bi-variate EGARCH model in order to capture spillover between a pair of stock markets and the estimation window is one year with a sliding frequency of one quarter. The results show that, there is a spillover of volatility between international stock markets at all times. Results also indicate that in almost all cases, the pattern of spillover is non-random. Finally, the study characterizes the spillover pattern between international stock markets using suitable theoretical distributions.


Ultrasonic micro-motor gathers a lot of advantages,such as high resolution,good dynamic performance,small volume,compact structure,low cost,high output force,quickly response,high precision and no electromagnetic interference etc.However,it has some shortcomings,such as vertical displacement,lag error,and small travel,especially those shortcomings have many seriously affection on the positioning accuracy and 3Dprocessing because of increasing compensation after electrode loss.Based on ultra-precision 3Dplatform of piezoelectric motor driver in the paper,its large travel and small step is combined by adopting macroscopic-microcosmic and double-direction drive control system.After testing of micro-precision worktable,the running curves are obtained.Results show it has good dynamic and steady performance,realizing ultra-low speed,fast response,high resolution and high precision of two-way stepping movement.Simultaneously,it has achieved the sub-micrometer to nanometer positioning accuracy and satisfied the positioning accuracy of micro-EDM.The research provides significant scientific reference for further development of piezoelectric motor application in ultra precision motion system position precision of the system.


Rabbinic LiTERATUREisa cultural production in which social identi? ties are negotiated and renegotiated. In part, this body of literature reflects the varying circumstances of its creation, spanning the period be? tween the third and the sixth centuries and including texts from both Palestine and Babylonia. Whether viewed as an "arena in which society struggles for its identity" or as an "ethnographic practice," the rabbinic corpus does not present completely formed and finalized cultural identi? ties.1 Quite the opposite: rabbinic texts offer us a glimpse into the process of identity construction, and, by the same token, they reveal the precarious grounds on which distinct identities are imagined.


After the protease hydrolysis,separation and purification,the soybean peptide was obtained from yuba wastewater.Through orthogonal test analysis,the optimum composite enzymatic hydrolysis conditions were determined as follows:the complex enzyme was made by alkaline protease,papaya protease and pineapple protease with a ratio of 1∶2∶4,the substrate content was 3%,pH value was 8.0 and hydrolysis time was 4 h.Above these conditions the peptide enzyme conversion could reach 94.56%.


Scanning magnets are applied to spot scanning procedures in proton therapy. Two separated dipole magnets are mostly used to deflect the beam in two orthogonal directions. Since the overall size of scanning magnets in beam axis is one main factor to determine gantry radius, it is desired to have a compact design. Recent years, a multipole scanning magnet has been proposed which can generate a circular magnet field with dynamic configuration of coil currents.In this paper, the number of poles of the multipole magnet was chosen to be eight after some comparisons. The distribution of the transverse field of the octupole magnet was calculated and the influence of different shapes of pole tips on the quality of the magnetic field is analyzed in Opera-2D. The rotation performance of its magnetic field was also studied by changing the phase of current in coils both in Opera 2D and 3D. The quality of the integrated field was performed and the distribution of its relative harmonic field errors were calculated.


The quality, structural defects, and transport properties of GO can be tailored by maintaining ultrasonic bath temperature. Herein, the effect of temperature-controlled exfoliation on the structural defects and transport properties of the resulting graphene oxide (GO) sheets are examined. The large crystallite size (12.23 nm) and low defect density (2.16 × 1011 cm−2) are found at 20 °C exfoliations. Highly oriented GO sheets were exfoliated at 20 °C which was confirmed through Bernal-stacking proportions (∼30%). Furthermore, electrical transport properties are high at 10 °C exfoliation temperature while optimum at other temperatures, calculated through impedance spectroscopy. Comparatively, smooth, wrinkle-free, and lesser bulges are found at 20 °C and 30 °C exfoliation temperatures.


During an investigation into the precision and accuracy of the Technicon N-3A methodology for serum calcium, it was realised that the pattern of magnesium interference obtained on two different AutoAnalyzer systems was very different. Various possible reasons for the discrepancies between the results were investigated. Finally it was found that the different results were due to the use by one laboratory of a 'sample' filter with a wavelength of maximum transmission at 589 nm., although marked as having a peak transmission at 580 nm. Figure 1 shows the magnesium interference obtained using a 'sample' filter with a wavelength of maximum transmission at 589 nm. (Am as defined , ••• /'II-L'.I.{LALCIUII ... ..


Background: Neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) affect the efficacy of interferon-beta (IFNβ) treatment in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, particularly if NAbs persist. Persistency depends on NAb titers, which differ between IFNβ preparations. Objective: This study evaluated IFNβ preparation-specific NAb cut-off titers during early treatment for prediction of NAb persistency. Methods: Patients who had at least one NAb test between 12 and 30 months (baseline) as well as after more than 48 months (follow-up) on IFNβ treatment were included in this longitudinal study. Results: At baseline 1064 patients had a NAb test. Of those, 203 had a follow-up test. In the follow-up group 23.2% of patients were NAb positive during baseline. NAb frequency significantly decreased by 40.7% in the IFNβ-1a and by 60% in the IFNβ-1b group at follow-up after a mean time of 75.4 months on treatment, and median NAb titers decreased significantly in both groups. During baseline, NAb titers of >258 neutralizing units (NU) had a sensitivity of 81.3% and a specificity of 90.9% in the IFNβ-1a group, whereas titers of >460 NU had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 91.7% in the IFNβ-1b group to predict persistency at follow-up. When these cut-off titers are applied, 10.2% of all treated patients developed persistent NAbs. Conclusion: IFNβ preparation-specific NAb cut-off titers for prediction of NAb persistency, which may be useful in individual treatment decision making, are provided.


Antibiotics,on the one hand,can be used to prevent and cure diseases,but on the other hand,it can also increase the antibiotic residues in animal feed and the environment we live.Eventually,it makes more and more pathogenic bacteria drugfast,with the result that some day there might be no effective antibiotics for use at all.For example,TB has made a comeback,with many patients now being unable to be cured with antibiotics.With the improvement of people′s living standard,such issues as safety and healthy are becoming more and more popular.In this paper,we mainly focus on the emergence and the transfer of antibiotic resistance genes in Food chain.


ABSTRACT This article presents a novel framework for modeling the troubleshooting process for automotive systems such as trucks and buses. We describe how a diagnostic model of the troubleshooting process can be created using event-driven, nonstationary, dynamic Bayesian networks. Exact inference in such a model is in general not practically possible. Therefore, we evaluate different approximate methods for inference based on the Boyen–Koller algorithm. We identify relevant model classes that have particular structure such that inference can be made with linear time complexity. We also show how models created using expert knowledge can be tuned using statistical data. The proposed learning mechanism can use data that is collected from a heterogeneous fleet of modular vehicles that can consist of different components. The proposed framework is evaluated both theoretically and experimentally on an application example of a fuel injection system.


Accurate and fast prediction of aerodynamic performance is necessary for the variation of geometric variables that define the shape of airplane wing. In this work, the aerodynamic analysis of curved wings were performed using advanced lifting-line method which extends the classic Prandtl's lifting-line theory. The analysis objects are straight elliptic wing and crescent wing. The lifting-line method showed good results of the variation of spanwise circulation and downwash angle distribution for the variation of wing shape.


The present study investigated the relationship of acculturation to the variables of attitudes toward women, sex-role attribution, sex-role behaviors, and demographics in Hispanic women. First, Mexican American women, and other Hispanic women, were investigated to determine if they could be placed on a continuum of acculturation. Second, the relationship between different levels of acculturation and the above variables was investigated. Last, the predictive power of these variables to acculturation level was determined through multiple regression techniques. The sample drawn did not significantly differ from the original population used in acculturation research by Olmedo, Martinez, and Martinez, indicating that the Mexican American woman can be placed on a continuum of acculturation regardless of age or geographical location. Greater acculturation was positively correlated with more liberal attitudes toward women, single status, more education, and younger age. Greater acculturation was negatively correlated with more feminine household behaviors. The best subset of predictors of acculturation was found to be education and self-attribution of feminine and masculine sex-role characteristics.