Expanded graphite (EG) filled polyethylene terephthalate (PET)/polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) blend composites were prepared via melt blending by applying different mixing protocols: either premixing EG in the PET phase, premixing EG in the PVDF phase, or simultaneous mixing of the components. The blends were characterized for their thermal, rheological, mechanical, and electrical properties as well as microstructure analysis. The mixing protocol had a substantial effect on the electrical resistivity of the composites. When EG was premixed within PET phase, the blend exhibited a well-defined co-continuous structure which was characterized by a three orders of magnitude decreased electrical resistivity relative to the simultaneous mixing procedure. The improvement in the electrical properties of the blend can be attributed to the double percolation effect. Morphology analysis showed that EG was selectively confined and dispersed in the PET continuous phase of the blend. Melt rheological behavior of the composites made evidence of preferable interactions between EG and PET molecules as well as effective filler dispersion, whereas EG practically did not interact with PVDF molecules. Morphology analysis showed good correlation with the electrical and rheological properties of the blend and revealed that EG was selectively confined and dispersed in the PET continuous phase of the blend. It can be deduced that both thermodynamic and kinetic drives encourage the selective localization of EG filler in PET phase. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


This paper reports a study into the acoustic field of transport flow around noise protection screens located on both sides of the sound source. Most research on noise protection involving noise protection screens relates to the assessment of the effectiveness of screens located on one side of the noise source. The influence of the second screen on the effectiveness of the first one has been investigated only experimentally. Therefore, it is a relevant task to assess the mutual impact of the two screens between which the linear sound source is located. A problem was stated in such a way that has made it possible to derive an analytical solution and find a sound field around a linear sound source. In this case, the sound source was limited on both sides by acoustically rigid screens with finite thickness. The screens' cross-sections were shaped as part of a ring with arbitrary angles and the same radius. The problem was solved by the method of partial domains. This method has made it possible to obtain an infinite system of algebraic equations that were solved by the method of reduction. Such an approach to solving a problem allows a given solution to be applied for different cases of the mutual location of screens, source, and territory protected from noise. The study results help estimate a field between the screens, the dependence of increasing sound pressure on the road on the geometric size of the screen and the width of the road. In addition, the solution resulted in the ability to assess the impact of one screen on the efficiency of another in the frequency range of up to 1,000 Hz. It has been shown that the mutual impact of screens could reduce the screen efficiency by 2 times. The study reported here could make it possible to more accurately calculate the levels of the sound field from traffic flows when using noise protection screens, which is often performed in practice when designing new and reconstructing existing highways.


The current research problem is determined by answering the question related to the awareness of the Public Company for Agricultural Supplies in In dependence Proactive work behavior as an approved variable represented by its three dimensions (employee voice, personal initiative, Taking charge) and its impact on entrepreneurial performance as a dependent variable in its four dimensions (organizational innovation, strategic renewal Venturing), using of descriptive and analytical research. for The identification of the extent of the relationship of proactive work behavior in the entrepreneurial performance in correlation and influence, two main hypotheses were formulated, and the questionnaire was adopted as a tool in collecting data and information related to research, as it was prepared based on a number of approved measures and was subjected to measures of validity and reliability It was distributed to a sample of (122) employees of the Public Company for Agricultural Supplies, and to analyze the data, the ready-made statistical program (SPSS) was used, The statistical methods revealed the existence of a correlation and influence between the proactive work behavior and the entrepreneurial performance.


Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are cells that have detached from primary tumor and are present in blood circulation. Detection of CTCs has been reported in urogenital malignancies including prostate and bladder cancer. In patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer, presence of CTCs has been associated with poor prognosis. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, clinical relevance and characterize CTCs in testicular germ cell tumors and prostate cancer.
Germ cell tumors (GCTs) represent the most frequent malignancies among young men. Histologically, GCTs are divided into two classes: seminomatous and nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCTs). There is scant information about the presence of CTCs in blood of patients with GCTs. Considering heterogeneity of GCTs, CTCs were investigated using two independent assays targeting germ and epithelial cell-specific markers, and results were correlated with disease stage, histology, and serum tumor markers. CTCs were enriched from peripheral (n=143 patients) and testicular vein blood (n=19 patients) using Ficoll density gradient centrifugation. For CTC detection, a combination of germ (anti-SALL4, anti-OCT3/4) and epithelial cell-specific (anti-keratin, anti-EpCAM) antibodies was used. In parallel, 122 corresponding PB samples were analysed using the CellSearch® system. Additionally, in the cohort of 51 patients with NSGCTs, peripheral blood samples were examined for presence of potential therapeutical targets on level of CTCs: CD30 and Glypican-3. In total, CTCs were detected in 25/143 (17.5%) peripheral blood samples, whereas 11.5% of patients were CTC-positive when considering exclusively the CellSearch® assay. Twelve (23.5%) peripheral blood samples showed membranous expression of CD30, whereas Glypican-3 staining was found in CTCs from 6 (11.8%) patients. Five (9.8%) patients had CTCs positive for both CD30 and GPC3. The presence of CTCs in PB correlated to clinical stage (P<0.001) with 41% of CTC-positivity in patients with metastasized tumors, and 100% in patients with relapsed and chemotherapy-refractory disease. Histologically, CTC-positive patients suffered more frequently from nonseminomatous primary tumors (P<0.001) than from
seminomas, with higher percentage of yolk sac (P 2 ng/mL. CTCs were detected with the usage of two methods - the established CellSearch® system and the EPISPOT assay that detects living PSA-secreting tumor cells. Using the CellSearch® system, in 8 (12.1%) patients CTCs were detected before, and 20 (29.7%) samples collected after biopsy were CTC-positive (P=0.017). With the usage of the EPISPOT assay, PSA-secreting CTCs were found in peripheral blood of 20 (28.5%) patients before biopsy, whereas 31 (44.3%) cases collected after performing biopsy were positive (P=0.027). When combining the results of both assays (27/75, 37.0%) patients were positive for CTCs before, and significantly more (42/75, 56.0%) of cases were detected CTC-positive after performing biopsy (P=0.009). This is the first report suggesting that prostate biopsy may cause dissemination of not only apoptotic but also viable prostate cells.


This paper aims to explore the application of form in the exhibition space and focuses on the permanent exhibition hall of the National Science and Technology Museum. It analyzes and expounds the application of form in the integrated space, including the theme spirit, exhibition image, story (content) structure and performances, such as intensifying visit experience. From the viewpoint of the spatial "boundary line" it further researches in the form of defined exhibition area. It is primarily divided into applications of content form, common form, wall surface form, step form and symbol form. Though the integrated exhibition space formation expounds the theme, it is also the final explanation of exhibition. The expression presented by the exhibition area is the first stimulation when the audience experiences the space and the audience's impression of the exhibition is more or less affected by their experience in that area, so each kind of form must carry certain implications and information. The influence of exhibition space on the people varies with spatial designs. As long as the space is changed, it can also potentially change the people's feeling. No matter how the spatial form is changed, cultivating the atmosphere and feature of the theme, exhibiting the relationship and characteristic among exhibition contents, identifying spatial position and designing guide must take people's physiological and mental levels and esthetic connotation into consideration.


A.1.1 Description of the available models ....................................................... 17 A.1.2 Modelling of the sample structure .......................................................... 21 A.1.2.1 Distributed plasticity approach .................................................................... 22 A.1.2.2 Lumped plasticity approach within a partitioned column ............................ 26 A.1.3 Analysis of single-storey cantilever column ........................................... 28 A.1.3.1 Pushover analysis ......................................................................................... 30 A.1.3.2 Pushover analysis – without P delta .......................................................... 32 A.1.4 Analysis of multi-storey cantilever column............................................. 32 A.1.4.1 Pushover analysis ......................................................................................... 32 A.1.4.2 Dynamic analysis.......................................................................................... 34 A.18.104.22.168 P – delta influence .................................................................................. 35 A.18.104.22.168 Steel material influence .......................................................................... 38 A.220.127.116.11 Influence of the chosen accelerogram .................................................... 40 A.220.127.116.11 Alfa parameter in Takeda ....................................................................... 44 A.1.5 Conclusions............................................................................................. 48


The embodiments provided in the present invention are related to a method for modifying root nodes and an associated modifying apparatus. The apparatus comprises the reception of modifying requests on root nodes. The modifying requests comprise modifying information. Based on the modifying information, the root nodes in the data zone of a data base are modified. The database comprises a data zone and a common zone. The data zone comprises the root nodes. The common zone comprises a first reflection page, a first reflection page sign, a second reflection page and a second reflection page sign. Both the first reflection page and the second reflection page are reflection pages of root nodes. The modified root nodes are copied into the common zone of the database. In the common zone of the database, the first reflection checks the main reflection page sign to find out that the first reflection page is the main reflection page. According to the modified root nodes copied to the common zone, the second reflection page is then replaced by modified root nodes and modifies the main reflection page sign as the second reflection page sign. The invention can increase the simultaneous processing efficiency of retrievals.


Key Points Question To what extent is cannabis use associated with magnetic resonance imaging–measured cerebral cortical thickness development during adolescence? Findings In this cohort study, linear mixed-effects model analysis using 1598 magnetic resonance images from 799 participants revealed that cannabis use was associated with accelerated age-related cortical thinning from 14 to 19 years of age in predominantly prefrontal regions. The spatial pattern of cannabis-related cortical thinning was significantly associated with a positron emission tomography–assessed map of cannabinoid 1 receptor availability. Meaning Results suggest that cannabis use during middle to late adolescence may be associated with altered cerebral cortical development, particularly in regions rich in cannabinoid 1 receptors.


Despite enormous collective efforts in the fight against COVID-19, the pandemic emerges in a context of fragmentation of global governance and increasing inequalities worldwide. As a result of the current crisis, governance mechanisms at different scales show serious problems of coordination, cooperation, unequal capacities and demands for effective government. This article aims to address global governance from a critical perspective, as a process of confluence and cooperation between multiple public, private, third sector and civil society actors, but where fragmentation has been a quality of this process and inequality in terms of power has always been present. As well as, we expose the evolution of the governance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in Spain during the period 2015-2020. The methodology in this work has been twofold, on the one hand, a review of the scientific literature on governance, Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), SDG and COVID-19 has been carried out, and on the other hand, various sources have been consulted of official data from the United Nations, the World Bank, the European Union and the Government of Spain. This study deals with the factors that can reverse these trends are explored so that the post-pandemic economic and social recovery remains aligned with the SDGs, contributing to a global governance that is constantly adapting, readjusting strategies and approaches to effective solutions, as well as developing new tools and strategies to address the problems that affect us globally. Finally, the evolution of the governance of the SDGs in Spain is exposed, showing that, although in the last two years there has been a greater deployment of the 2030 Agenda, there is still much to do.


Oxy-fired coal combustion is a promising potential carbon capture technology. Predictive CFD simulations are valuable tools in evaluating and deploying oxy-fuel and other carbon capture technologies either as retrofit technologies or for new construction. However, accurate predictive simulations require physically realistic submodels with low computational requirements. In particular, comprehensive char oxidation and gasification models have been developed that describe multiple reaction and diffusion processes. This work focuses on the sensitivity of a recent comprehensive char conversion code named CCK, which treats surface oxidation and gasification reactions as well as the processes such as film diffusion, pore diffusion, ash encapsulation, and annealing. In this work the CCK code was adapted for the conditions of an oxy-coal system and subjected to global sensitivity analysis techniques in an effort to rank fundamental input parameters in order of importance. Comprehensive char conversion codes have ...


It was established the increase of movement angles with mining depth and the mechanism of forming the stable natural arching in underground mining of ore deposits. The conditions and parameters of forming the stable natural arching were determined, under which the zone of dangerous deformations localizes inside the ore mass and does not manifest itself on the earth surface. The nomogram for analytical determination of the rock movement angles was developed, and the table was drawn up of the natural arching conditions with due account of main mining-and-geological factors of ore deposit occurrence and its mining.


Design and plantwide control of an integrated plant for the hydrogenation of maleic anhydride and the dehydrogenation of 1,4-butanediol has been studied for the synthesis of γ-butyrolactone in an adiabatic reactor, under different conditions of reaction temperatures and hydrogen to feed ratio, realizing optimal hydrogen utilization and better energy efficiency. Compared to stand-alone processes, the integrated process has several advantages, e.g., easy temperature control, improved γ-butyrolactone yield, good energy efficiency and optimal hydrogen utilization. The stability and robustness of the process is checked by rigorous dynamic simulation in AspenDynamics.


The characteristics of the mixing zone at the outfall of the Three Gorges Reservoir were analyzed using results from an analysis of the pollutant mixing zone near the main city outfall. Three typical outfalls, including Taohuaxi on the Chongqing reach, Wahaha on the Fuling reach, and Zhuxihe on the Wanzhou reach were chosen as examples to illustrate how the reach characteristics affect the pollutant mixing zone. The study also analyzed the changes in the mixing zone after water storage and the impact of the Three Gorges Project on the pollutant mixing zone in the reservoir. The results show that the mixing zone will expand as the charge increases and that the mixing zone of the outfall on the outside bank of a bend or a gradually shrink reach is smaller than the outfall on a straight reach. These conclusions can be used to guide decision on where to locate new outfalls in the Three Gorges Reservoir.


Total factor productivity is decomposed into scale efficiency,pure technical efficiency and technical progress based on DEA method,and then the reasons of difference and degree on technical progress and scale efficiency affecting carbon dioxide emissions in the period from 1998 to 2008 are investigated in this paper.The results show that technical progress can restrain carbon dioxide emissions of unit GDP while scale efficiency can accelerate carbon dioxide emissions of unit GDP as a whole.However,there are differences in different areas.Technical progress can restrain carbon dioxide emissions in east area and middle area while the northeast and west areas are on the contrary to this.Scale efficiency of northeast and west areas shows stronger positive correlation to carbon dioxide emissions of unit GDP than that of east and middle areas.The reasons of the differences are that the kinds of China' regional technical progress and scale efficiency are different.The technical progress of east area can save energy while that of west area is opposite to this.Moreover,scale efficiency of northeast area and west area depends on energy,however,scale efficiency of middle area and east area less depends on energy.


The simple and compact Tm-doped fiber MOPA generates tunable between 2-2.2 µm Raman solitons with average power up to 3W. Pulses as short as 130 fs and energy up to 38 nJ were demonstrated.


PurposeSocial risk management is vital for growth and business continuity. This study investigates the social risk shift in supply chain management during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.Design/methodology/approachData were retrieved from Bloomberg between 2010 and 2021 regarding all supply chain enterprises from nine countries. The authors undertake a confirmatory examination of formulated hypotheses. Social supply chain risk (SSCR) refers to "firms that took the necessary steps to decrease social risks in their supply chain. Social risks involve the child or forced labor, poor working conditions, lack of a living and fair or minimum wage". The authors complement the analysis and address the endogeneity issue using the dynamic generalized moments method (GMM).FindingsA significant positive relationship between COVID-19 and SSCR was discovered in this study. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain firms faced supply chain social risk. Notably, SSCR policies differ from one country to another during this period.Research limitations/implicationsThe research has some limitations. The sample data are limited to 9 countries. Furthermore, it was somewhat difficult to determine the country-wise difference using COVID-19 as a dummy variable. Future research may adopt qualitative approaches, such as structural or semi-structural interviews.Practical implicationsThe results have important implications for supply chain practitioners to consider the critical role of social risk in their operations. COVID-19 has exposed the new political economy and re-centered governments as the key actors in tackling grand challenges to safeguard workers, produce socially useful products and protect their stakeholders. Also, the study highlights the importance of governments and policymakers having a well-structured regulatory framework and environment for firms to comply with the social norms in their supply chain management. Finally, the study's findings should encourage supply chain managers to adopt a proactive mechanism that reduces the social risk impacts of pandemics.Originality/valueConsidering the historical backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, this study is unique in measuring the SSCR of enterprises from a worldwide viewpoint.


INTRODUCTION: Liver transplantation is the standard treatment in decompensated cirrhosis; however, it has several limitations including high cost, and several complications. Recent animal works have shown that mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) infusion through the rat tail vein can lead to regression of liver fibrosis. But there has been no human trial of autologous MSC transplantation (Tx) in cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate safety and feasibility of MSC transplantation in decompensated cirrhosis. In a recent study, infusion of CD 34+ (e.g. hematopoietic stem cells) through the hepatic artery was used to treat cirrhosis. However, we infused MSCs (e.g. non-hematopoietic stem cells) through a peripheral vein. AIMS & METHODS: After protocol approval by the ethic committee, four patients with decompensated cirrhosis were included. 100 ml of their bone marrow was aspirated and MSCs were cultured. After two months culture, 10 to 70 million MSCs obtained which 95% of the cells were viable (as assessed by trypan blue method) and 95% of the cells were morphologically and immunophenotypically MSCs. The MSCs were infused through a peripheral vein. Outcomes were changes in liver function tests, MELD score, and liver volume (as measured by CT volumetry) 5 months after Tx. During follow up, patients' medications (e.g duretics, or propranolol) remained the same as before MSCs Tx. RESULTS: Four patients (1 male, 3 female) aged 30 to 56 were included. The etiology of cirrhosis was autoimmune hepatitis or cryptogenic. The follow up for the first patient has been completed, and other 3 patients have 2.5 to 4 months of follow up. In first patient, PT (18.5 to 13 seconds), and albumin (2.9 to 3.8 g/dL) normalized, and MELD score was decreased from 16 to 11. Her liver volume increased from 495 to 815 ml. In patient 2, PT decreased from 20.1 to 17.5. In patient 3, PT decreased from 19.1 to 15.7 seconds, and MELD score decreased from 17 to 14. Patient 4 has not yet been shown any significant improvement in liver function tests. The procedure was safe, and there was no any adverse effect. CONCLUSION: MSCs Tx is a novel approach to treat cirrhosis. For the first time, we showed that this procedure is safe and feasible, and signs of improvement found in some of our patients are promising.


This research is motivated by low student learning outcome and conventional teacher teaching styles. Teacher often do not use media and learning models in delivering learning.The ourpose of this study is to find out whether are differences in learning outcomes of student who get integrate learning models Sequenced by type of media puzzle. The research method used is the method true experimental with type posttest only control design. The subjects of this study were the fourth grade students of SD N Tlogosari Kulon 01 Semarang. Kata Kunci: Hasil belajar, Puzzle, Sequenced


Objective: Aim of conducting the study was to evaluate the incidence of post op discitis in lumbo-sacral disc surgeries.Materials and Methods: This observational prospective study was carried out in Neurosurgery unit Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar for 12 months (1st July 2017– 30thJune 2019).A total of 250 patients operated for lumbar disc surgeries were enrolled in the study, both genders and age range of 16-60 were in inclusion criteria.Patients with co-morbidities e.g., poorly controlled diabetics and immunosuppressed patients were excluded from the study. All patients were followed to calculate the frequency of discitis. Results: Among the 250 cases, 11 (4.4%) were diagnosed with discitis. 15% cases had slight sign and symptoms, pain and surgical scar tenderness not warranting the diagnosis of discitis. The mean age in this study was 37 years with Standard Deviation of 13.769. Male cases were 133 (53.2%) while females were 117 (46.8%). Discitis was more common at L4-5.Conclusion: From this data it was concluded that incidence of discitis is slightly higher in our setup than international discitis incidence/rates. The possible reason could be (to some extent) due to inefficient/poorly resourced infection prevention committee and partly due to less standardized OT system in comparison to international OT complex standards.


CWI's research has a theme-oriented structure and is grouped into four clusters. Listed below are the names of the clusters and in parentheses their acronyms. ABSTRACT As a case study that illustrates our view on coordination and component-based software engineering, we present the design and implementation of a parallel constraint solver. The parallel solver coordinates autonomous instances of a sequential constraint solver, which is used as a software component. The component solvers achieve load balancing of tree search through a time-out mechanism. Experiments show that the purely exogenous mode of coordination employed here yields a viable parallel solver that effectively reduces turnaround time for constraint solving on a broad range of hardware platforms. Abstract. As a case study that illustrates our view on coordination and component-based software engineering, we present the design and implementation of a parallel constraint solver. The parallel solver coordinates autonomous instances of a sequential constraint solver, which is used as a software component. The component solvers achieve load balancing of tree search through a time-out mechanism. Experiments show that the purely exogenous mode of coordination employed here yields a viable parallel solver that effectively reduces turnaround time for constraint solving on a broad range of hardware platforms.


This paper discusses the integrated topology and sizing optimization of frame structures where beam elements are used in the structural analysis model. Based on the ground structure approach, discr...


Abstract This study argues that moral theory is an important aspect of our use of self in adoption practice. Within this context, the authors examined the extent to which ethical theories were explicitly incorporated in the peer-reviewed adoption literature – published between 1996 and 2019 – that purported to focus on ethical issues. Findings from our review suggest that the inclusion of moral theories was largely implicit (e.g., informed by relevant codes of ethics, professional standards, and/or legislation) rather than explicit. Our literature review also revealed a wide range of ethical issues in adoption. Recommendations are made in the context of these findings.


In October of 2019, Typhoon Hagibis brought abundant rainfall to eastern Japan that 11 caused flooding of the Chikuma River in the northern region of Nagano prefecture. This 12 study simulated the effects of changes in the elevation of the model terrain every 100 or 13 300 m with a regional meteorological model to understand the cause of the heavy 14 precipitation that accompanied the typhoon in Nagano prefecture and the influence of the 15 heights of mountains on the amount of rainfall. The model reproduced the typhoon track 16 and spatiotemporal distribution of heavy precipitation. Mountains in the northern region 17 of Nagano Prefecture contributed to the heavy precipitation, which increased at an 18 approximately constant rate of 4.4 mm per 100 m increase of elevation. However, the rate 19 of increase was especially large at elevations of 900–1200 m. The correlation of 20 precipitation with topographic height was not as strong in the south as in the north, but 21 the rate of variation was also anomalously high at elevations of 900–1200 m. These


Foreign language education in Vietnam is currently receiving strong support from the authorities, the people and the learners. In recent years, with specific and practical policies, the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam has helped improve the foreign language proficiency of Vietnamese youth than before. However, during the implementation process, the results did not reach the set goals. Foreign language proficiency of newly graduated students is not enough to meet the job requirements. This article presents some limitations of the current foreign language teaching policy in Vietnam and give some recommendations to help build a highly effective foreign language policy.


The excessive exploitation of groundwater aquifers leads to water table drawdown, and subsequently to the contamination of these aquifers by the intrusion of sea water or other hazardous sources. This worldwide environmental problem is becoming increasingly critical in coastal agricultural areas, where the fine grained materials develop a thick fringe zone. By evapo-transpiration the moisture of this zone pumps up the salt in the dry season, which cannot be efficiently washed away in the wet season. The current study investigates the possibility of an early detection of salination, through systematic observation of electrical resistivity in selected positions with fixed electrode arrays. A direct current electrical profiling system of Wenner configuration was tested in the laboratory using a physical model. The model was constructed of wood and plastic tilled with saturated sand and having a constant water flow of 1.6 l/mn. The model size is 148 by 85 cm for lateral dimensions and 25 cm of sand thickness, with a total porosity of 360%. Upon salination the salt was increasingly added to the system to reach a concentration of 32 g/l. Upon desalination salt water was replaced by fresh water to dilute the water in the system to a concentration ofmore » 0.25 g/l. The results show that the relationship between salinity and electrical resistivity is inversely proportional and characterized by linear logarithmic function; the velocity of water flow calculated by abrupt resistivity changes is lower than the hydraulic velocity; the resistivity values for low salinity upon desalination are much different (smaller) than those upon salination of equivalent salt concentrations: the relative change of resistivity upon salination and desalination involves almost equally all features of the tank that have distinctive resistivity values.« less


In this paper a method is described of retrieving precipitable water from sun-photometermeasurements.The quantitative relationship between water vapor transmission and precipitablewater is established by means of LOWTRAN 7 model.Calibration of the water vapor absorptionchannel is made through a modified Langley method.The good agreement between the sun-photometer and radiosonde water vapor retrieval indicates that this method is feasible.The sun-photometer is operated at Hefei to monitor the precipitable water within one yearperiod.Characteristics of both diurnal evolution and within-one-year variation of the precipitablewater and their relation with synoptic system as well as surface dew-point temperature arepresented and analyzed.Errors in the retrieved precipitable water from the sun-photometermeasurements are also calculated and discussed.


The increasing capability of AI-powered systems, including self-aware and unmanned systems, at automating simple to sophisticated tasks and their wide areas of real-world interventions in boosting productivity and enhancing competitiveness has offered transformative potentials leading to better quality of life. These systems have lately become an inseparable part of human lives. However, incorrect use leading to unintended consequences, safety, fairness, trustworthiness are major concerns of these emerging ubiquitous systems. In this paper, an attempt was made to concisely present and discuss key human-centered functional requirement specifications of emerging Artificial intelligence-based systems especially interpretability, explainability, fairness, transparency and security. Some emerging toolkits and open libraries for developing and evaluating AI-based systems are also discussed. A number of open problems with respect to managing the tradeoff among these requirements and systems' performance are presented to guide future researches in this direction.


The invention relates to the technical field of can food processing, and discloses canned black-boned chicken with Chinese herbs. A technology for processing the canned black-boned chicken with Chinese herbs comprises the following steps of: slaughtering fresh and live black-boned chicken, defeathering, removing impurities in internal organs, separating the black-boned chicken into two parts from the back bone, chopping one part into chips, immersing the chicken chips and half of edible internal organs by using boiling water, and mixing 6 percent of ginseng, 5 percent of astragalus, 3 percent of tuber fleeceflower root, 3 percent of hickory kernel, 4 percent of Chinese wolfberry, 2 percent of hawthorn, 3 percent of dwarf lilyturf tuber, 4 percent of Chinese date, 2 percent of gyrophora, 3 percent of Chinese angelica and 5 percent of black bean; adding the formula medicinal materials into the black-boned chicken, adding water, and decocting over slow fire twice; and taking the black-boned chicken out, adding spices, decocting with old chicken soup for 1 hour, keeping temperature to soak for 1 hour, taking the black-boned chicken out, putting into an empty can, filling a proper amount of chicken soup, flavoring, canning, and vacuumizing. The invention has the characteristic that: the canned black-boned chicken with Chinese herbs supplements calcium and iron, nourishes and strengthens a body, has high nutritional value, is convenient to eat and protects health.


ObjectiveTo validate the UEBE Visomat Double Comfort, an upper arm blood pressure monitor designed for self-measurement of blood pressure and for clinical use in a general population according to the European Society of Hypertension International Protocol revision 2010. MethodsThe device is provided with two operational modalities, a microphonic mode and an oscillometric mode. In this study, the oscillometric modality was tested. Device evaluation was performed in 33 participants with a mean±standard deviation age of 56.3±20.0 years (range, 25–85 years). Their systolic blood pressure was 140.4±27.7 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure was 86.8±17.2 mmHg, and arm circumference was 29.3±3.9 cm. ResultsThe protocol requirements were followed precisely. The device passed all of the requirements fulfilling the standards of the protocol. Mean blood pressure differences between device and observer were −0.9±4.1 mmHg for systolic blood pressure and −0.1±3.3 mmHg for diastolic blood pressure. ConclusionAs the Visomat Double Comfort in the oscillometric modality has achieved the required standards, it is recommended for clinical use in an adult population.


The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between learning organization and quality of work life. The study was conducted using different samples from Iran and India with the objective of carrying out a comparative analysis. The respondents were full-time faculty members of Panjab University and Shiraz University. Descriptive and co-relational analyses were carried out. The results of the comparative analysis indicate that faculty members of Panjab University in India tend to perceive their place of work to be high on the components of learning organization and quality of work life as compared to their counterparts from Shiraz University in Iran. The study also brings to light that there is a significant relationship between application of learning organization components and quality of work life.


An introduction to an article in the issue focusing upon preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for those at risk for developing sexually transmitted inflections is offered.


Vehicular Communication Networks (VCNs) provide a promising communication platform for Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) services as well as for value added services in different road systems. Despite the high demand on test fields for VCN related technical solutions and services, there are currently very few test fields for the immense requirement on test and R&D activities. Moreover, the known VCN-related test fields such as simTD and VII-California mainly focus on Vehicle-to-X communication (V2X), while there is less consideration of the requirements of related roadside backbone networks. This paper presents the Open-Air-Lab for VCNs (OPAL-VCN) as novel test field, especially concentrating on roadside backbone networks specified for VCN requirements. The OPAL-VCN is based on a wireless multi-layer roadside backbone network that employs modular and scalable system architecture. In this paper, we furthermore deal with the design, development and installation of OPAL-VCN. After completion, OPAL-VCN will comprise a test field of a total length of at least 30 km on the German highways A19 / A20 near Rostock city (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania). Consequently, OPAL-VCN will provide an effective platform for R&D activities as well as for education and industry and can be used as basis for investigating and developing VCN related technologies and services.


We describe the modeling and reasoning about operations constraints in an automated mission planning system for an earth observing satellite - EO-1. We first discuss the large number of elements that can be naturally represented in an expressive planning and scheduling framework. We then describe a number of constraints that challenge the current state of the art in automated planning systems and discuss how we modeled these constraints as well as discuss tradeoffs in representation versus efficiency. Finally we describe the challenges in efficiently generating operations plans for this mission. These discussions involve lessons learned from an operations model that has been in use since Fall 2004 (called R4) as well as a newer more accurate operations model operational since June 2009 (called R5). We present analysis of the R5 software documenting a significant (>50%) increase in the number of weekly observations scheduled by the EO-1 mission. We also show that the R5 mission planning system produces schedules within 15% of an upper bound on optimal schedules. This operational enhancement has created value of millions of dollars US over the projected remaining lifetime of the EO-1 mission.


In order to eliminate all the inconvenience of manual regulation, it is proposed that a computer or PLC should be installed which can carry out the checks, regulation and setting required. The main parameter to which unit regulation should be directed is the oxygen content of the product in outlet. The following programmes are inserted into the computer (PLC)


Many of us wonder why some people develop cancer while others do not and why a medication might work well for one person but be less effective or cause serious side effects in another. Although these differences are due to a number of important factors such as age, weight and lifestyle, our genetic make-up also plays a part. Using information about genetic predisposition to disease is a key part of personalized medicine.


Background: The vitamin D–endocrine system is thought to play a role in physiologic processes that range from mineral metabolism to immune function. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] is the accepted biomarker for vitamin D status. Skin color is a key determinant of circulating 25(OH)D concentrations, and genes responsible for melanin content have been shown to be under strong evolutionary selection in populations living in temperate zones. Little is known about the effect of latitude on mean concentrations of 25(OH)D in dark-skinned populations. Objective: The objective was to describe the distribution of 25(OH)D and its subcomponents in 5 population samples of African origin from the United States, Jamaica, Ghana, South Africa, and the


The paper will discuss two installed system designs and methods used to transmit a DTT signal over cellular systems. This new approach solves the communication reliability problems and addresses application security. This paper is a case study of 3 installed DTT systems that use cellular communication - one system at Central Virginia Electric Cooperative and two at Dominion Energy. In this paper the authors will report on the design, implementation, performance and issues encountered during and post project execution. These intelligent DTT systems have been designed to increase availability of the DG by preventing the indiscriminate disconnection of the sites. Traditionally Direct Transfer Trip Signals (DTT) has been sent between substations and remote Distributed Generation (DG) sites using leased telephone lines. If DTT communication is interrupted, the DTT system will disconnect the DG site. Leased copper lines are becoming less reliable, leading to unwanted disconnection of DG sites. Installation of fiber is not always feasible due to the cost. This paper will discuss an approach to provide DTT signals using wireless communications. The paper will address the security concerns that many Utilities might face. Two new innovations to increase the DG site's availability will be discussed. 1)Automatic Direct Transfer Close If system conditions return to normal after a DTT event, the system will automatically close the DG site back in onto the feeder. 2)Dynamic Feeder State change protection function. Using cellular or wireless communication systems it must be expected that there will be communication interruptions during normal maintenance actions. During these times the DG site device activates a new protection function that will detect any anomalies that could constitute a change in the connected feeder systems (e.g. caused by a fault or the opening of a breaker) and then only disconnect the DG site.


A general scheme for the VLSI implementation of wavelet transform using switched-current (SI) circuits is firstly presented in this paper. SI circuits are well suited for this application since the dilation constant across different scales of the transform can be precisely implemented and controlled by both the transconductance (W/L) ratios and the clock frequency. The circuits are composed of analog filter bank whose impulse responses are the first derivative of Gaussian and its dilations. The transfer functions of the basic wavelet filter can be given by Pade approximation, which is able to decompose the transfer function into rational form so as to be conveniently implemented by SI circuits. Therefore, it can easily be applied to other filters at different scales with a prescribed impulse response. Simulated results indicated a good performance of wavelet transform.


We consider the existence of a local Hopf bifurcation in a nonlinear mixed IS-LM business cycle model. We establish an explicit algorithm for determining the direction of the Hopf bifurcation and the stability or instability of the bifurcating branch of periodic solutions. In the end, we give some numerical simulations which show the existence and the nature of the periodic solutions.


Exposure to high altitude is commonly considered a predisposing factor for local cold injury. A number of field studies have indeed confirmed that local cold tolerance is impaired in low-oxygen env ...


Upper Cretaceous strata of Mississippi contain diverse nannofossil floras. Samples taken from the upper Bluffport Marl, Ripley Formation, and lower Prairie Bluff Chalk of Kemper and Oktibbeha Counties, Mississippi, were examined to determine nannoplankton abundances and occurrences. In the strata examined, 117 nannofossil species were recognized and 9 biostratigraphic zones were delimited of which 6 are new. The intervals of 3 previously described zones, the Tetralithus aculeus, Chiastozygous initialis, and Lithraphidites quadratus zones have been modified. In these sections, the Bluffport-Ripley contact could not be delineated using nannofossils but the unconformable nature of the Ripley-Prairie Bluff contact could be recognized by significant nannoplankton changes. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1836------------


This study discusses the influence of temperature and total moisture content on ice fraction in organic apples during atmospheric freeze-drying process. The ice formation of glass transition events were described by Clausius-Clapeyron and Gordon Taylor equations. The obtained data is essential for design the drying process and for understanding the limiting factors.Keywords: ice fraction, organic apples, atmospheric freeze/drying, glass transition


The Herschel/PACS photometer is the largest bolometer camera in operation for submillimeter astronomy in space. CEA Saclay and LETI have developed these bolometers using innovative techniques, such as silicon micro‐machining, resonant absorption or CMOS multiplexing. For the next generation space missions an improvement in sensitivity by 2 orders of magnitude is required. We are considering different options to reach sensitivities as low as 10 −20 W / Hz 1/2 . Based on our PACS experience, we are exploring the possibility to use semiconducting sensors at very low temperature (50 mK or below). The TES option is also considered as well as the possibility to couple antennas with very small thermal sensors. We present here preliminary results of simulations and analysis for these solutions.


The current era of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging has resulted in a resurgence of interest in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). We are now much more aware of the various phenotypic expressions of this disease, which can manifest with typical septal thickening or other variants of hypertrophy, such as apical, midwall or concentric. Additionally, CMR has enabled us to appreciate the wide variety of abnormalities in papillary muscle morphology, which in some cases can contribute to left ventricular outflow tract or mid-cavitary level obstruction (1). In some subjects, mitral valve elongation, myocardial crypts, prominent apical trabeculation, papillary muscle thickening (with or without apical displacement) and abnormal chordal attachments may be subtle phenotypic HCM variants, despite normal left ventricular wall thickness. These abnormalities may be symptomatic to varying degrees or remain subclinical and be noted incidentally or on HCM familial screening programs. Whether these subjects will go on to develop progressive left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) or whether they are manifesting incomplete phenotypic penetrance of the disease process remains unclear.


Solar Energy Research Center SERC started at Hogskolan Falun Borlange – now Dalarna University - in November 1984 as the first research center at any Swedish University College. Gradually it has gr ...


APA (American Psychological Association) is the most well known and used to cite sources within the behavioral and social sciences. Therefore, students often struggle to write in APA Style and they commonly made errors and mistakes. Besides that, both instructors and students having problems to teach and learn APA Style. Due to that, the objective of this study is to discovered the learning patterns in order to find approaches and strategies to learn APA Style, address the main areas of concern with problematic in student writing and present most common grammatical APA errors made by authors. The quantitative methods where multiple cases study approach is adopted; three articles were selected in order to support this study. One of the significant findings is the learning pattern from task performances analysis. The paper discusses the issues related to the problem in writing with APA Style. The paper's findings and discovery are significant in highlighting approaches and strategies, which needed to be addressed to emphasize student writing with APA style in order to avoid common APA Style mistakes made by students when write and publish manuscript.


The details of fluctuation free-energy conservation in gyrofluid models are examined. The polarization equation relates E×B flow and eddy energy to combinations of the potential and the density and perpendicular temperature. These determine the combinations which must appear under derivatives in the moment equations so that not only thermal free energy but also its combination with the E×B energy is properly conserved by the parallel and perpendicular compressional effects. The resulting system exhibits the same qualitative energy-transfer properties as corresponding Braginskii or Landau fluid models. One clear result is that the numerical model built on these equations is well behaved for arbitrarily large perpendicular wave number, allowing exploration of two scale phenomena linking dynamics at the ion and electron gyroradii. When the numerical formulation is done in the globally consistent flux tube model, the results with adiabatic electrons are consistent with the "Cyclone base case" results of gyrok...


Objective
To investigate the bacterial resistance in nationwide and understand the distribution of bacterial and resistance trend.

Methods
The 6507 clinical isolates were collected from 19 hospitals in 17 cities.The susceptibility tests were performed using agar dilution method recommended by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) in central laboratory.The values of MIC50,MIC90 and MICrange were calculated by SPSS 17.0 and the susceptibilities of isolates to antimicrobial agents were determined by using CLSI (2010) guideline.Of all 6507 isolates,4691 strains were collected from target wards and 1816 were isolated from others wards.

Results
Among 4691 strains, 1156 were Gram-positive (24.6%) and 3535 were Gram-negative (75.4%).Based on the minimum inhibitory concentration results, the prevalence of methicillin resistant Stapylococcus aureus and methicillin resistant Stapylococcus epidermidis are 51.6% (325/630) and 87.0% (228/262) respectively.Staphylococci showing intermediate or full resistance to vancomycin were not observed. Coagulase negative Staphylococci showed 2.5% (16/642) intermediate rate and 1.6% (10/642) full resistance rate to teicoplanin, and showed 0.5% (3/642) resistance rate to linezolid.Antibiotic resistance rate of Enterococcus faecalis to ampicillin was 17.1% (19/111), while the resistance rate of Enterococcus faecium to ampicillin reached up to 85.0% (164/193).Three Enterococcus faecium were resistant to glycopeptides.The prevalence of penicillin resistance Streptococcus pneumoniae and penicillin intermediate Streptococcus pneumoniae were 41.2% (145/352) and 37.2% (131/352) respectively based on oral penicillin criterion, while the prevalence were 0.0% (0/352) and 6.0% (21/352) based on vein to non-meningitis criterion.A vast majority of Enterobacteriaceae maintained high susceptibility to carbapenems, with resistance rate less than 2.0%. In addition, tigecycline, moxalactam, fosfomycin and amikacin displayed desirable antibacterial activity against Enterbacteriaceae, and resistance rates to these drugs were all less than 10.0%.For non-fermenting Gram-negative isolates, resistance rate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii to imipenem were 23.1% (139/601) and 53.5% (419/784) respectively.Resistance rate of Acinetobacter baumannii was much higher than that during the period 2007-2008.Colistin, tigecycline,minocycline and fosfomycin demonstrated good antibacterial activity against Acinetobacter baumanniiin vitro.

Conclusions
Compared with MOHNARIN 2007-2008 year surveillance results, significant increase in resistance rate of Acinetobacter baumannii was demonstrated.Resistant strains to linezolid and tigecycline were found.Bacterial resistance has been a widespread problem in our country, which requires much more attention.(Chin J Lab Med,2012,35:70-90)

Key words:
Drug resistance,bacterial; Microbial sensitivity tests; Enterobacteriaceae; Staphyloccocus aureus


Planetary Nebulae (PNe) are very important kinematical tracers of the outer regions of early-type galaxies, where the integrated light techniques fail. Under ad hoc assumptions, they allow measurements of rotation velocity and velocity dispersion profile from descrete radial velocity fields. We present the results on the precision allowed by different set of radial velocity samples, discuss the hypotheses in the analysis of descrete velocity fields and their impact on the inferred kinematics of the stellar population.


Abstract This paper describes the statistics of precipitation observed over the 42.5 × 104 km2 area covered by all four of the GATE digitized radars fair the period 2300 GMT 4 September 1974 to 2400 GMT 5 September 1974. The period coincided with the GATE double cloud cluster of 5 September, the latter stages in the life cycle of the squall line system of 4–5 September and the passage of the trough of an easterly wave in the midtropospheric flow. Hourly precipitation amounts over 4 km × 4 km data bins were stratified by time, data source, individual mesoscale precipitation feature (1 of 12), type of precipitation (convective or stratiform) and, if convective, cell top height. Each subtotal contained a total precipitation amount and the number of 4 km × 4 km bins which contributed to the total. From these subtotals a variety of precipitation statistics were compiled. The precipitation statistics of the 5 September double cloud cluster confirm the importance of deep convection in producing observed tropical...


Objective To increase the bioavailability and reduce theadverse reactionof fleroxacin. Methods Fleroxacin suppository was prepared with polyethylene glycol as materials.Its quality control was es- tablished and fleroxacin suppository was observed in clinic.Results The preparation of fleroxacin suppository was practicable,quality control is able to control the quality of this product.To clinical observation 184 case, The clinical effctive rates were:bacterial vaginitis 97.4%,gonorrhea 87.1%;The clinical therapy of fleroxacin suppository was reliable.Conclusion It may be used in clinic.


We present a prototype mode-converter from transverse electromagnetic (TEM) in the coaxial domain to TE01 in a smooth-walled circular waveguide. Two of these converters in a back-to-back configuration allow for TE01 transmission and reflection measurements through / from a single material sample or a stack of such samples, from which permittivity can then be estimated. The converters were found to be free from spurious modes between 8 and 12 GHz, which allowed for easy characterisation and subsequent de-embedding. Furthermore, the TE01 mode has no associated axial wall currents and therefore do not require flanges with galvanic contact during waveguide mating; and the electric field is zero at the waveguide wall and therefore do not require a precision fit between the material sample and its waveguide holder. Lastly, the TE01 mode maintains integrity for a few single millimeters in free space in the absence of a waveguide wall, which allows for the easy characterisation of thin samples with unconstrained transverse dimensions - as depicted in Fig. 2.


Background: Healthcare access in rural areas is limited
by resources and distance. The aim of this pilot study is
to compare the healthcare utilisation of subjects using
transdermal or oral controlled release (CR) opioids for
persistent (non cancer) pain.

Method: Subjects were recruited from medical practices
and hospital clinics in North West Tasmania. The
number, type, and purpose of all health care contacts,
together with the time and cost (including travel) associated,
were recorded in a monthly diary.

Results: The initial data (64 subjects–100 subject
months) shows little difference between the two opioid
groups, with a wide variation in time and cost components
due to distance travelled.

Conclusion: Persistent pain is a multifactorial chronic
disease state with many reasons for seeking healthcare.
Opioid medications are used for pain control when other
measures are insufficient to improve quality of life. This
initial data from North West Tasmania indicates that
subjects using transdermal or oral CR opioids are equivalent
in their healthcare utilisation. Current data will be
presented.


This study is numerical analysis on thermal and flow in the auxiliary power unit for tracked vehicle. At the tracked vehicle for army or the commercial vehicle etc., the auxiliary power unit supply the emergence power which is needed when its main engine is stopping or driving. The results of the simulation show that mean temperature was increased mass flow rate at engine outlet. In the case that the mass flow rate is 0.27kg/s, it was verified that, as the mass flow rate went down, the temperature distribution at the center cross section of the engine was increased a little. For the verification of numerical analysis, at the comparison results from the numerical analysis and the test on the engine cylinder head, outlet and motor, it was verified that the results are almost same as the gap of temperature within the range of 3K.


Angle-resolved ion yield spectroscopy revealed that ionic fragmentation of a Td symmetry molecule CF4 is anisotropic following F 1s photoabsorption. The nuclear motion in the Auger-final state resulting in this anisotropic fragmentation is a consequence of asymmetric nuclear motion or symmetry breaking in the core-excited state, caused by vibronic coupling.


Pileup artifacts appear in energy-dispersive X-ray spectra at high count rates when X-rays arrive at the detector with time separations less than the resolving time of the pulse processor. These artifacts often appear as extra peaks in the spectrum and can mask (or be mistaken for) weak peaks of trace elements. In X-ray fluorescence (XRF) the background is very small compared to charged-particle excitation techniques. This makes it ideal for trace element quantification but also makes it particularly susceptible to pileup artifacts. Recent improvements in high-speed digital discrimination have improved rejection of near-simultaneous events leading to pile-up at very high count rates. This new capability also improves the predictability of pileup rejection, which is essential for accurate modeling and reliable removal of the inevitable events that get past the pileup inspection. We have successfully reduced pileup artifacts by a combination of hardware changes and software correction. We will report the results for a variety of spectra to demonstrate their effectiveness. To evaluate the effect of pileup artifacts on trace element determination, we will show spectra and quantitative analysis for trace amounts of Zr in a Ni alloy and for trace levels of Cu in glasses, with and without the new pileup rejection methods.


Vaginal colonization by candida spp. was compared in 117 IUD users and 100 controls. None of the subjects had factors currently assumed to predispose to yeast colonization or infection. Yeasts were present significantly more often in the index cases (20%) than in the controls (6%). In 2 of 21 subjects with positive cultures the tail of the IUD yielded substantially more colonies than the vaginal specimen and in only 7 was the tail culture positive. These findings strongly suggest that the IUD is a promotive factor in vaginal colonization by Candida strains. These results also illustrate that the presence of yeasts in the vagina is very frequently unrelated to signs and symptoms and that the virulence of C. albicans is similar to that of other yeast strains. (authors)


Wound healing is a coordinated process of sequential events consisting of four phases: hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. Many factors can affect each phase of this process and have a harmful or beneficial effect on wound healing. Nutrition is closely associated with the wound healing process and is one of the major influencing factors on the outcomes of wound healing. Malnutrition and nutrient deficiencies could adversely affect wound healing and delay it. Many kinds of nutrients can enhance the healing process. Physicians should always assess every patient's nutritional status to determine nutritional deficiencies. This will enable supplementation, thereby enhancing wound healing. Herein, we review the relationship between nutrition and wound healing, and the effects and mechanisms of each nutrient that is closely related to the wound healing process.


The work presented in this paper deals with medical imaging analysis. We have proposed an autom atic and very fast algorithm to estimate HER2 Gene statu present in breast tumour tissues treated with in situ hybri dization techniques. The proposed algorithm is a very simple but fast one resulting in a good accuracy level whose result s are very close to those obtained by specialists in a manual way. This is part of a software tool for breast tumour detection , contributing to a higher level of assurance when es timating the seriousness of the tumour and its subsequent di agnosis.


FIELD: human vital needs satisfaction. SUBSTANCE: device in the form of clothespins with dispensers for dosing of medicines and food spices is offered. The device is made in the form of upper and lower buckets of different capacity connected by a spring arc. EFFECT: increasing convenience in handling. 2 dwg


OBJECTIVE
Research suggests individuals with schizophrenia and bipolar with psychotic features have difficulty accurately identifying emotions expressed by others. Such findings raise questions to whether impairments in emotion identification are better explained by the presence of psychosis, regardless of diagnosis.

METHOD
The Emotion Evaluation Test (EET) of The Awareness of Social Inference Test (TASIT) was administered to individuals with schizophrenia (SZ; N = 22), bipolar disorder with psychotic features (BP+; N = 20), bipolar disorder without psychotic features (BP-; N = 21), and healthy controls (HC; N = 22). The EET comprises 24 video vignettes portraying happiness, surprise, sadness, anger, fear, disgust, and neutral emotions. Participants were prompted to identify the emotion in each vignette. Emotion identification of positive, negative, and neutral emotions was compared between groups.

RESULTS
Group comparisons showed that the SZ group performed significantly worse than the other groups when identifying positive and negative emotions. The BP+ group performed significantly worse than BP- and HC when identifying negative emotions. No significant differences were found in neutral emotion identification between groups.

CONCLUSIONS
The BP+ group was less accurate in identifying negative emotions but not positive emotions compared to the BP- and HC groups. Further investigation is required to determine factors that contribute to this differential performance.


The 9th Annual Congress of the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) unfolded in the city of Budapest, Hungary, spanning 4 insightful days between 1st–4th July 2023. Paul Boon, Ghent University, Belgium, commenced the opening ceremony by extending a heartfelt welcome to all participants. Drawing attention to Budapest's historical significance as one of the capitals of the Austro-Hungarian dual monarchy, Boon underscored the city's allure as an additional attraction, complementing the exceptional science and education to be offered during the congress. Boon expressed gratitude to colleagues from the Hungarian Neurological Society (HNS), and all those involved in the organisation of the congress.


Quality of chicken patties cooked using different method viz. steaming water bath (SWB), microwave oven (MW), hat-air oven (HO),pressure cooking (PC), and deep fat frying (DF) were evaluated, the yield of patties cooked by SWB were significantly (P<0.05) higher (95.73±0.12%) than others and the least being with deep fat frying (79.70±0.22%). The moisture content significantly (P<0.05) decreased in the order of SWB, PC, MW, HO and DF and the protein percentage significantly (P<0.05) increased. Deep Fat-fried patties had significantly (P<0.05) higher fat content (l9.27±0.15%) than others. Patties gained least height in SWB and PC, followed by MW and HO and highest in DF (34.21±0.26%) and reduction in diameter was highest in deep-fat fried and microwave oven cooked patties. Sensary scores were significantly (P<0.05) higher for appearance (7.53±0.06) and flavor (7.50±0.06) and lower for juiciness, texture and mouth coating far deep-fat fried patties. The overall palatability of HO and DF patties were significantly (P<0.05) higher. On visual analysis, SWB and PC cooked patties had significantly (P<0.05) lower expressible surface fat, minimum change of shape and least air packets within, whereas, deep fat fried patties secured significantly (P<0.05) higher scores far surface colour and appealing internal colour. Chicken patties cooked by PC and DF had significantly (P<0.05) lower SPC compared to others, however, no coliforms, psychrophiles and yeast and molds were detected in all. It was concluded that SWB cooking is ideal for cooking with beneficial effect.


A pre-molding body of a magnetic core inductor is connected with a pedestal of a magnetic substrate, and the pedestal comprises a contour surface comprising reversely arranged first and second side edges. The pre-molding body of the magnetic core inductor comprises a main body part and at least one connection part, the main body part is equipped with the contour surface comprising reversely arranged first and second side edges, the main body part and the connection part are made of the materials same as the material of the magnetic substrate and are integrated. The pre-molding body of the magnetic core inductor is pre-molded on the magnetic substrate without mechanical operation, and is connected with the substrate via the connection part, so that the main body is convenient to break, and the mass production and the simple process are conducive. The present invention also provides a mass production method of the pre-molding body of the magnetic core inductor.


In this paper, an optimal radar waveform-design scheme is proposed, using frequency snapshots (i.e., frequency-domain processing), based on an objective function derived directly from a binary classification/identification criterion constrained by waveform-energy. We consider an extended-target model where the targets frequency response is assumed to be complex Gaussian. High- and low-energy solutions for the optimal waveform are explored and closed-form expressions in both the scenarios are derived.


The presentation reports the results of the 2010 empirical research examining the role of family background and stereotypes about mathematics as male domain in boys' and girls' mathematics achievement in Croatian compulsory education (N=677, 52.4% female). Individual roles in determining mathematics achievement of both of these variables were widely confirmed (Bourdieu, 1996 ; Sirin, 2005 ; Eccles, 1987). This presentation focuses on exploring their possible interaction effects on boys' and girls' math achievement. Family background was operationalized as a composite of indicators of socioeconomic (parental work status) and sociocultural capital (parental education, possession of relevant goods), modelled after Bourdieu (1977). The scale assessing stereotypes was constructed for the study purpose and validated in pilot study. Mathematics achievement was operationalized as a composite of mathematics school grades. Two-way ANOVAs revealed some gender specificities in the effects of the IVs on DV. Results obtained for girls indicated both main effects and interaction significant. Girls who belonged to higher status families and those who reported lower support for stereotypes achieved better in mathematics. Significant interaction effect disclosed that being from lower status families and supporting stereotypes was connected with girls' worst mathematics achievement. Conversely, being from the higher family background was associated with higher math achievement, regardless of the level of stereotypes endorsement. Thus, originating from higher status families functioned as a barrier for the stereotype effect. As for the boys' math achievement, only family background appeared to be relevant. As expected, boys from advantaged family backgrounds attained better math grades. Although below the significance level, the data trend shows that boys' poor success in mathematics coexisted with the combination of lower family status and stereotypes rejection, while good math grades related to higher family status and stereotypes endorsement. This analysis uncovers girls from non-advantaged families as most-in-need group for stereotype reduction programs.


Background
 Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are the foundation of spermatogenesis. Sound wave especially low intensity ultrasound (LIUS) can be effective on increasing the number of cells.
In this study we investigated the effect of LIUS stimulation on mouse SSCs proliferation and colonization.
Methods:
Isolated SSCs from neonate mice cultured in DMEM culture medium with 10% Fetal Bovine Serum. In the first phase of study, temperature controlled and in the second phase, SSCs stimulated by LIUS with 3 different Intensity dose (100, 200 and 300 mW/cm2) for 5 day and SSCs proliferation and colonization assessed at 7th day.
Results:
 The LIUS treatment of mouse SSCs increased the proliferation rate and colonization of SSCs in experimental groups compared to the control group. Average of proliferation rate in 100, 200, 300 mW/cm2 and control group were 1.96 ± 0.03, 2.26 ± 0.03, 1.73 ± 0.03 and 1.66 ± 0.03, respectively. Average number of colonies in 100, 200,300 mW/cm2 and control group were 45 ± 1.2, 53 ± 2.4, 28 ± 1.2 and 20 ± 0.8, respectively. Average diameters of colonies in 100, 200, 300 mW/cm2 and control group were 235.3 ± 6.8 µm, 204.6 ± 12.3 µm, 203.6 ± 5.6  and 214.3 ± 9.1 µm, respectively. Our results showed that there was significant increase in proliferation rate and number of colonies in experimental groups compared to control group (P<0.05), whereas there were not significant differences between groups regarding to diameter of colonies.
Conclusion:
 These results suggested that LIUS treatment can be an efficient and cost-effective method to improve proliferation and colonization of SSCs during in vitro culture.

Key words: colonization, proliferation, mouse, Stem Cell, Ultrasound.


Review(s) of: Australia's Amazing Kangaroos: Their conservation, unique biology and coexistence with humans, by Ken Richardson, Publisher CSIRO publishing, Collingwood, 2012, 240 pages, paperback, ISBN: 9780643097391, RRP $ 49.95.


Caveolae represent membrane microdomains acting as integrators of cellular signaling and functional processes. Caveolins are involved in the biogenesis of caveolae and regulate the activity of caveolae‐associated proteins. Although caveolin proteins are found in the CNS, the regulation of caveolins in neural cells is poorly described. In the present study, we investigated different modes and mechanisms of caveolin gene regulation in primary rat astrocytes. We demonstrated that activation of cAMP‐dependent signaling pathways led to a marked reduction in protein levels of caveolin‐1/‐2 in cortical astrocytes. Application of transforming growth factor‐α (TGF‐α) also resulted in a decrease of caveolin‐1/‐2 expression. Decreased caveolin protein levels were mirrored by diminished caveolin gene transcription. The repressive effect of TGF‐α on caveolin‐1 expression was MAP kinase‐independent and partly mediated through the PI3‐kinase pathway. Further downstream, inhibition of histone deacetylases abrogated TGF‐α effects, suggesting that chromatin remodeling processes could contribute to caveolin‐1 repression. Intriguingly, alterations of caveolin gene expression in response to cAMP or TGF‐α coincided with reciprocal and brain‐region specific changes in glial glutamate transporter GLT‐1 expression. The reciprocal regulation of caveolin‐1 and GLT‐1 expression might be gated through a common PI3‐kinase dependent pathway triggered by TGF‐α. Finally, we showed that GLT‐1 is located in non‐caveolar lipid rafts of cortical astrocytes. In conclusion, this study highlights the occurrence of the reciprocal regulation of caveolin and GLT‐1 expression during processes such as astrocyte differentiation via common signaling pathways. We also provide strong evidence that GLT‐1 itself is concentrated in lipid rafts, inferring an important role for glial glutamate transporter function. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


K. Donev, B. W. Scheithauer, F. J. Rodriguez and S. Jenkins (2010) Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology36, 411–421
Expression of diagnostic neuronal markers and outcome in glioblastoma


Failures caused by improper collaboration between piston ring and cylinder liner still happen on engines of high output, marine ones in particular. Among causes of this phenomenon one can mention higher mechanical and thermal loads of crank mechanism as well as difficulties in supply and distribution of lubricating oil over the entire surface of cylinder liner. It would be extremely difficult and because of regulations in most cases impossible to perform tests on correct collaboration between rings and liner of real running engine and on the other hand such tests on a test stand would be quite expensive. Use of mathematical models and tests on simulation model stands offers a way to reduce these costs. Basic dependences connecting piston ring geometry with oil film parameters and introductory results of computations performed with the use of analytical model of test stand will be presented in this paper. The tests are to be carried out for ring geometry corresponding to that of marine engine rings. Due to that, using presented earlier formulas and computer program constructed by the authors the phenomena accompanying operation of different versions of rings were analyzed from the point of oil film thickness and generated friction losses. These ring versions which revealed the most advantageous properties will be made and tested on a test stand.


Background: Pregnant women are considered immuno-compromised because of the physiologic changes associated with pregnancy. Consequently, they often host urinary tract infections which have been implicated as a risk factor for numerous complications. Objective: To investigate the antepartum urinary tract infection profile among pregnant women in Kenya and their association with perinatal outcomes. Methodology: A retrospective cohort of expectant women admitted at Kisii Level 5 hospital in 2012 were studied to determine the prevalence of urinary tract infections in pregnancy. The antenatal records were also correlated with adverse perinatal outcomes. Results: Out of the 2014 pregnant women attending clinic in this study, 14.4% were diagnosed with urinary tract infections in the third trimester. The prevalence rate of the infections was affected by the age, with pregnant women below 25 years showing higher susceptibility (P= 0.018) compared to pregnant women above 35 years age group. There was a significant association between preterm delivery, low birth weights and urinary tract infections in pregnant women (P<0.01). However, there was no significant correlation between maternal urinary tract infections and the incidence of neonatal sepsis at P=0.05. Discussion: Pregnant women under the age of 25 are vulnerable to urinary tract infections resulting in adverse perinatal outcomes in the study population. This reinforces the need for screening of pregnant women and treatment of urinary tract infections to reduce perinatal complications. Further research is required to elucidate the underlying risk factors for neonatal sepsis. Key Words: pregnancy, urinary tract infections, perinatal outcomes, preterm delivery, low birth weight


A wide-band dual-polarized reconfigurable slot-ring antenna/array using a compact CPW feeding structure is presented. By using a CPW feeding mechanism, the mutual coupling between the two orthogonal feeding lines is reduced significantly compared to the traditional microstrip feeding method while maintaining the antenna bandwidth. Furthermore, the CPW feeding network is more compact than the microstrip feeding network which is an important factor in large antenna arrays.


Background & Objectives: Cleft lip and palate are common congenital anomalies that require precise management with main component of repairing lip is the aesthetic outcome. Using botulinum toxin is new method to optimize the resultant scar. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of botulinum toxin type A following cleft lip repair on resultant quality of scar. Methods: This is a comparative study conducted in Rizgary teaching hospital and private hospitals in Erbil – Kurdistan region/Iraq between July 2018 and April 2021. A total of 38 patients with cleft lip were included; bilateral and unilateral, complete and incomplete, isolated cleft lip and cleft lip and palate, 20 of them received botulinum toxin injection. Preoperative and postoperative photos were documented. Scars were analysed one year following repair. Results: Among 38 patients, in comparison of outcome of using botulinum toxin (31.6%) following cleft lip repair to patients did not receive the injection (68.4%), the scar quality was better; linear scar in botox group 100%, non-botox group 80.8%, complications were less; early complications in botox group 8.3%, non-botox group 11.5% and late complications in botox group 0% non-botox 7.7% and satisfaction was better; parents of botox group were 100% highly satisfied while for those of non-botox group 84.6% highly satisfied, 7.7% satisfied and 7.7% unsatisfied. There was significant difference between the two groups but statistically not significant. Conclusion: Botulinum toxin injections into the subjacent orbicularis oris muscle following cleft lip repair produced better appearing and narrower cheiloplasty scars.


CONTEXT: We report the results of implementing a diabetes mellitus guideline in a group practice in which uniform technology-generated care processes were produced for patients, clinical staff, and providers. OBJECTIVE: To increase the annual rate of recommended tests and examinations for patients with diabetes and to reduce levels of HgA1c, blood pressure, and LDL cholesterol. INTERVENTION: A process change for type 2 diabetes mellitus was implemented. This included changes in office visit structure; protocol-driven electronic prompts for nursing and physician staffs; clinical decision support built into a new EMR form; and audit with feedback. PARTICIPANTS: 12 primary care physicians treating a total of 1592 patients with diabetes by January, 2008. RESULTS: Prompt and statistically significant improvements in five process measures and 2 outcome measures; 8% overall improvement in a quality summary measure. CONCLUSIONS: Statistically significant improvements with moderate effect size were observed after multi-tiered intervention.


We use micropalaeontological and stable isotope results for a series of cores from north to south through the Red Sea, to assess temporal and spatial patterns of change in planktonic foraminiferal faunas leading up to the remarkable full-glacial Red Sea aplanktonic zones. Aplanktonic zones re ̄ect salinities in the Red Sea in excess of the lethal 49 p.s.u. limit, caused by reduced exchange transport through the Strait of Bab el Mandab due to glacial sea-level lowering. Concerning the last glacial cycle, aplanktonic conditions began at 39 ka BP in the north, where salinities eventually reached 55±57 p.s.u. Paradoxically, planktonic faunas are reported to have survived the last glacial maximum in the northern Gulf of Aqaba, suggesting a poorly understood freshwater dilution at that time. Aplanktonic conditions …S $ 49 p:s:u:† reached the south-central Red Sea by 22 ka BP, while planktonic foraminiferal faunas continued, albeit in very low abundances and limited diversity …S # 45 p:s:u:†; in the southernmost Red Sea. During marine isotope stage (MIS) 6, the 49 p.s.u. isohaline appears to have resided in the central Red Sea, between cores KL11 and MD921017. We observe a systematic sequence of species disappearances before all glacial maxima of the last 500 kyr. Absence of a logical relationship with sea levels suggests that the disappearance sequences are not related to a general salinity increase. Instead, we argue that the sequences were driven by complex reorganisations in hydrography (strati®cation), productivity (food availability) and subsurface oxygenation (reproduction-habitats). The onset is marked by dramatic basin-wide expansion of conditions that today are restricted to only the southern Red Sea, suggesting an expansion of the dominance of NE monsoonal circulation over the entire Red Sea. This expansion occurred 15 or more kyr before the aplanktonic zones of MIS-12, 6 and 2, and also before MIS-10 and 8, which never reach the aplanktonic stage. Regarding the last glacial cycle, this event occurred as early as 75 ka BP (MIS-4/5 boundary). After this major climatic reorganisation, we reconstruct progressive intensi®cation of the new conditions, especially marked by northward expansion and intensi®cation of the subsurface oxygen minimum zone (OMZ). During the last glacial cycle, a shallow and very distinct OMZ affected the central Red Sea as early as 68 ka BP, and the north as late as 55 ka BP. The OMZ expansion/intensi®cation appears to have been interrupted by episodes of increased ventilation. q 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.


The computer program called Energy Stability in a Recirculating Accelerator (ESRA) Free Electron Laser (FEL) has been written to model bunches of particles in longitudinal phase space transversing a recirculating accelerator and the associated rf changes and aperture current losses. This energy-current loss instability was first seen by Los Alamos's FEL group in their energy recovery experiments. This code addresses these stability issues and determines the transport, noise, feedback and other parameters for which these FEL systems are stable or unstable. Two representative systems are modeled, one for the Novosibirisk high power FEL racetrack microtron for photochemical research, the other is the CEBAF proposed UV FEL system. Both of these systems are stable with prudent choices of parameters.


We have developed a new "dry paper recycling technology" and commercialized a "dry office papermaking system" that creates new paper from used paper at offices under the users' care. Although direct dissolv-ing processing has become widespread as a means of recycling confidential documents generated from offices, confidential leakage due to accidents during transportation is a risk as cardboard boxes containing confidential documents are transported to a paper company during the processing. As a solution, the office papermaking machine made it possible to realize both confidential deletion and recycling at users' site without bringing confidential documents to the outside. The developed technologies consist three technologies;"defibration technology" for decomposing used paper into each one pulp fiber, "sheet forming technology" for forming fibers again into a uniform sheet, "pressing and binding technology" for increasing fiber density and bonding pulp fibers each other to create new papers. By doing these in dry processes, we realized a small sized and low power consumption papermaking machine to be able to create on-demand paper recycling system. This recycled paper can be used to print as a PPC(plain paper copier)paper. In addition, to further increase the utility value as a papermaking system, we incorporate technology to create thick paper various thickness and colored paper according to the user's setting freely.


The incidence and aetiology of hypertension following cadaveric-donor renal transplantation have been investigated in twenty-four patients. Initially, the diastolic blood pressure was persistently above 100 mmHg in 52% of the patients. By 1 month after renal transplantation the incidence had fallen to 17% but it then increased rapidly, so that by 5 months 83% had hypertension. Changes in blood pressure correlated poorly with changes in the dose of prednisone, extracellular fluid volume, exchangeable sodium, creatinine clearance and haemoglobin. The recipient's original diseased kidneys were removed after transplantation in seven patients. The blood pressure fell to normal levels in three, remained unchanged in two and became easier to control with antihypertensive drugs in the other two patients. Measurements of plasma renin concentration were of no value in predicting the response to recipient nephrectomy.


Abstract Sport in the modern age is both politics and business. In a combined world of politics, business, hatred, jealousy and boastfulness, in which each person aims to achieve his objective while "disregarding all the rules," as Orwell describes, public relations are a valuable strategic and tactical weapon. Success is not measured on the sports field alone, but in the newspaper headlines, on the television and the computer screens and in the bank account. The motto once proposed by Baron Pierre de Coubertin-"Citius, Altius, Fortius" (faster, higher, stronger)-is slowly clearing the way for a new, more updated motto: "Faster, higher, stronger, bigger (business) and especially-more PR."


The invention provides an aqueous polyurethane heat-insulation reflective paint and a preparation method thereof. The paint comprises polyurethane performed polymer, N-methylolacrylamide, dibutyl phthalate, a titanate coupling agent, powdered steatile, mica powder, light calcium carbonate, tributyl phosphate, isopropanol and a mixed solvent. The preparation method comprises the following steps: dissolving each kg of N-methylolacrylamide with 2 kg of ethanol with a volume concentration of 50 to 70%, then mixing the dissolved N-methylolacrylamide with polyurethane performed polymer in a reaction vessel, carrying out a reaction at a temperature of 80 to 150 DEG C for 1 h, then adding a mixture of isopropanol and the titanate coupling agent in a weight ratio of 1: 1 and continuing the reaction for 2 to 5 h; and then adding dibutyl phthalate, mica powder, powdered steatile, light calcium carbonate, tributyl phosphate and the mixed solvent and carrying out uniform mixing so as to obtain the aqueous polyurethane heat-insulation reflective paint. The aqueous polyurethane heat-insulation reflective paint has the characteristics of strong resistance to chemicals, high temperature resistance, good stain resistance, long service life of a formed coating, heat insulation performance, reflective performance, etc.


By comparing data from NNS and NS,this paper attempts to investigate the use of aspect/tense-related negative expressions in Chinese written language.Meanwhile,the typical use of negation is categorized on the basis of their different functions.The results indicate that in general terms Chinese college students show similar trend with native speakers in the use of different negative expressions,but there are significant differences in the use of the single ones.And in terms of negation,Chinese learners display similar preferences with native speakers in the simple present and the simple past.When it comes to the functions of those expressions,however,Chinese learners tend to use simple and tedious sentence structure to show their subjective opinion,lacking sufficient and well-organized details and reasons.


Microstructure of HR3C steel before and after creeping at 650 ℃ was investigated by SEM and TEM,and the effect of the precipitates on hardness of the steel was discussed. The results show that the microstructure of HR3C steel is austenite,and there are some precipitates and a large number of twins in the austenite matrix. The main precipitation particles in the as-supplied HR3C steel are primary NbCrN and MX. A large amount of secondary whisker-like NbCrN and M23C6 precipitates during creeping. The precipitation of whisker-like NbCrN and M23C6 plays an important role in the significant increasing of the hardness at the beginning of creeping. After creeping for 1608 h,the increasing of fine whisker-like NbCrN ensures the continuous increase of hardness. When the creeping time prolongs to 4203 h,the hardness begins to decline due to the coarsening of M23C6.


These Federal regulations embody a philosophy of approach to the problem of drug addiction. First, it reflects the view that it is possible to stop the spread of drug addiction by prohibition of the drug. Deprivation of the drug is to be accomplished by stopping supply. Secondly, it reflects a punitive approach in that stiff penalties are to act as a deterrent. Thirdly, by virtue of possession or of selling the drugs, the drug addict is regarded as a criminal. Among violators of the narcotic laws no distinction is drawn between addicts and non-addicts. Fourthly, it exercises rigid control over the physician in the practice of medicine. It makes the physician responsible for administration of the drug; but it sets down medical opinions on prognosis and dictates the kind of treatment in statutes. The Harrison Act itself did not attempt to deal with the problems of the addict; it attempted only to regulate the flow of narcotic drugs. The interpretations of the act, however, have altered what appears to have been the original intent of the measure in such a way that it is now difficult for physicians to render medical care to narcotic addicts except under carefully prescribed circumstances.2


This study explored the state of Positive Psychology in six African countries. Thirty-seven participants from the six African countries responded to a survey on the status and prospects for positive psychology in the respective countries. Data was analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. The quantitative data was analyzed by utilizing simple counting methods. The qualitative data was analyzed by means of a content analysis in which dominant themes were highlighted. Findings indicate that manifestations of Positive Psychology are very limited in the contexts in which the participants in the study worked. It is also largely implicit in psychological practices. A coherent theoretical framework for Positive Psychology and a clear research agenda were not present in any of the countries surveyed. Positive Psychology is often linked to indigenous knowledge systems. Even though the current manifestations of Positive Psychology are perceived to be limited, most of the participants are of the opinion that the future for Positive Psychology is encouraging.


The aim of this article is to point out the function of a specific French anaphor at which linguists have not paid much attention : ledit N. We will first try to describe its properties and then, we will explain its characteristics based on its sense. By this way, the originality of the expression will appear not only in its properties but also in its functions.


The performance of three different rootstock (Adara (Prunus cerasifera L.), SL 64 (Prunus mahaleb), and Colt (Prunus avium x Prunus pseudocerasus)) as nutrient suppliers has been studied for sweet cherry cultivars (Prunus avium L.). The results obtained suggested that, depending on the rootstock, the trees are submitted to different degrees of stress. According to the data obtained, it could be expected a different photosynthetic pattern of these trees for the same sweet cherry cultivar. Fluorescence measurements as well as photosynthetic pigment composition has been assessed to know the photosynthetic capacity of the trees. The highest Fv/Fm ratio was found in leaves from trees grafted over the rootstock Adara. An increase of the zeaxanthin (Z) content could be observed in the less adequate rootstock variety. Key Index words : Fluorescence measurements, Prunus avium L., VAZ cycle,


A planar sleeve dipole array antenna is analyzed and successfully implemented. The proposed antenna is designed for operating at 1800/1900 MHz band of basic station applications. To achieve sufficient bandwidth for the requirement of the PCS 1800 MHz band (1710–1880MHz) and 1900 MHz band (1880–1930 MHz) for DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications), the proposed antenna comprises of a 1 × 5 coplanar back-to-back sleeve dipole elements, and the microstrip line to balanced transmission line feeding Received 21 March 2011, Accepted 26 April 2011, Scheduled 9 May 2011 Corresponding author: Yanfei Li (email@example.com).


Many valuable text databases on the web have noncrawlable contents that are "hidden" behind search interfaces. Metasearchers are helpful tools for searching over multiple such "hidden-web" text databases at once through a unified query interface. An important step in the metasearching process is database selection, or determining whch databases are the most relevant for a given user query. Our algorithm is the first to construct In this paper we present algorithms that return the top results for a query, ranked according to an IR-style ranking function, while operating on top of a source with a Boolean query interface with no ranking capabilities (or a ranking capability of no interest to the end user). The algorithms generate a series of conjunctive queries that return only documents that are candidates for being highly ranked according to a relevance metric. Our approach can also be applied to other settings where the ranking is monotonic on a set of factors (query keywords in IR) and the source query interface is a Boolean expression of these factors. Our comprehensive experimental evaluation on the PubMed database and a TREC dataset show that we achieve order of magnitude improvement compared to the current baseline approaches.


Study Design. Eight cadavers were included in this anatomical study. Objective. This study aimed to confirm the anatomical feasibility of extradural transfer of the contralateral T11 ventral root (VR) to the ipsilateral L2 level and the contralateral L1 VR to the ipsilateral L3 level to restore lower limb function in cases of paraplegia. Summary of Background Data. Motor dysfunction due to hemiplegia significantly affects the daily life of patients. To date, unlike in cases of upper limb dysfunction, there are few studies on the surgical management of lower limb movement dysfunction. Materials and Methods. Eight cadavers were included in this study to confirm the feasibility of the nerve transfer. After separating the VR and dorsal root at each level, the VRs at the T11 and L1 levels were anastomosed with the VRs of L2 and L3, respectively. The length of the VRs of donor roots and the distance between the donor and recipient nerves were measured. H&E staining was performed to verify the number of axons and the cross-sectional area of the VRs. Lumbar x-rays of 60 healthy adults were used to measure the distance between the donor and recipient nerves. Results. After exposing the bilateral extradural each root, the VRs could be easily isolated from the whole root. The distance between the VRs of T11 and L2, L1, and L3 was significantly longer than the length of the donor nerve. Therefore, the sural nerve was used for grafting. The measurements performed on the lumbar x-rays of the 60 healthy adults confirmed the results. The number of axons and cross-sectional area of the VRs were measured. Conclusion. Our study confirmed the anatomical feasibility of transferring the VRs of T11 to L2 and that of L1 to L3 to restore lower limb function in cases of hemiplegia. Level of Evidence. 5.


Effort is reported on measurement technique development to assess the utility of Deep-Level Transient Spectroscopy (DLTS) methods in characterizing polycrystalline silicon that was deliberately doped with Ti during growth. Difficulties encountered with lateral DLTS measurements are discussed. In this approach, modulation of the grain boundary, double-depletion region produces the entire DLTS signal. Major effort has been applied in grain boundary characterization and control. The most significant accomplishments to date have involved laser scanning of slices of Wacker SILSO polysilicon having nearly identical grain structure. By using various kinds of treatments and by comparing treated and untreated substrates having nearly identical grain structure, control of grain boundary photocurrent suppression (..delta..I/sub ph/) over the range 1% less than or equal to ..delta..I/sub ph/ less than or equal to 40% was demonstrated.


Asthma is a common immune‐mediated disorder characterized by reversible airway inflammation, mucus production, and variable airflow obstruction with airways hyperresponsiveness (AHR). In most cases the airway inflammation characteristic of asthma is thought to result from an allergic‐type reaction to an inhaled substance from the environment (so‐called allergic asthma). In allergic asthma, allergen exposure stimulates eosinophilic inflammation of the airways associated with infiltration of T cells. Although the recruitment of eosinophils into the airways is an important component in the pathogenesis of asthma, the trafficking of T lymphocytes into the airways is now believed to establish and orchestrate the asthmatic inflammatory response. This review explores the roles of various T cell subsets in the pathogenesis of allergic airway inflammation and highlights the contributions of these cells in regulating asthma.