Simple Summary In this work, we aimed to explore the effectiveness of adjuvant therapy after trimodal therapy (neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and esophagectomy) in patients with thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were both compared for adjuvant and non-adjuvant groups. Propensity score matching was used to eliminate the confounding factors between the two groups. Meanwhile, subgroup analysis based on a neoadjuvant-treated node stage (ypN) was performed to precisely stratify the patients and to guide the clinical decision-making at the point of care. As of now, there is no guideline or recommendation on the treatment of ESCC patients with adjuvant therapy after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery. The results of our study indicate that adjuvant therapy after trimodal therapy could shorten OS and DFS in patients with ESCC. Meanwhile, adjuvant therapy is an independently unfavorably prognostic factor for DFS. Therefore, adjuvant therapy is not recommended for ESCC patients after trimodal therapy, especially patients without nodal metastases after neoadjuvant therapy. To our knowledge, this is the first retrospective study using subgroup analysis to examine the effect of adjuvant therapy in ESCC patients after trimodal therapy by comparing overall survival and disease-free survival. The results of our study add useful evidence to recent guidelines. Abstract Background: The aim of this study was to determine the role of adjuvant therapy after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and esophagectomy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods: The study retrospectively reviewed 447 ESCC patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and esophagectomy. Patients were divided into an adjuvant therapy group and no adjuvant therapy group. Propensity score matching was used to adjust the confounding factors. Results: 447 patients with clinical positive lymph nodes and no distant metastasis treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and esophagectomy were eligible for analysis. After propensity score matching, there were 120 patients remaining in each group. Patients receiving adjuvant therapy had a significantly shorter post-resection overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) when compared to patients not receiving adjuvant therapy (log-rank, OS: p = 0.046, DFS: p < 0.001). Receiving adjuvant therapy is not an independently prognostic factor for OS (hazard ratio (HR): 1.270, HR: 0.846–1.906, p = 0.249) but a significantly unfavorable independent prognostic factor for DFS (HR: 2.061, HR: 1.436–2.958, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The results of our study indicate that adjuvant therapy after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and surgery could reduce the OS and DFS in patients with ESCC. Therefore, adjuvant therapy is not recommended for ESCC patients after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and esophagectomy, especially patients without nodal metastases after neoadjuvant therapy.


Along with other COVID‐19 clinical manifestations, management of both olfactory and gustatory dysfunction have drawn a considerable attention. Photobiomodulation (PBM) has emerged to be a possible effective therapy in restoring taste and smell functionality, but the evidence is scarce. Hence, the present pilot study is aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of intranasal and intraoral PBM administrations in management of anosmia and ageusia respectively. Twenty Caucasian subjects who diagnosed with anosmia and ageusia were recruited. Visual analogue scale was utilised to evaluate patients' self‐reported for both olfactory and gustatory functionality. The laser‐PBM parameters and treatment protocols for anosmia and ageusia were as follows respectively: 660 nm, 100 mW, two points intranasally, 60 J/session, 12 sessions; dual wavelengths (660 nm and 808 nm), 100 mW, three points intraorally, 216 J/session, 12 sessions. Our results showed a significant functionality improvement of both olfactory and gustatory functionality. Extensive studies with large data and long‐term follow‐up period are warranted.


Abstract Jonathan Tyers (1702–1767) is undoubtedly best remembered as the proprietor of Vauxhall Gardens which he transformed in the years after his acquisition of the lease in 1728 into one of the focal points of fashionable life in London.1 Vauxhall was, in almost every respect, the epitome of the continental Rococo style modified to suit English taste. The flimsy rococo-Gothic architecture, the leafy avenues embellished with triumphal arches, the open-air supper-boxes with their splendid painted decorations by Hayman and his studio were a testament to Tyers's patronage of that group of artists who gravitated around the coffee-houses in St. Martin's Lane, as well as to his entrepreneurial talents.2


I am honored and humbled that the AGU Atmospheric Sciences section decided to select me as one of the five recipients of the 2013 Ascent Award and would like to thank the selection committee for this recognition.


Applied research institutes in the poultry sector and university could have crossed benefits from establishing and developing links through shared research and pedagogical acts. On one side, applied research is defined as multidisciplinary with a mixing of several time scales and the need for additional human workload compared with basic research. On the other side, university teachers are involved in multiple activities which can be detrimental to their own research, since the priority is usually devoted to students. To cope with this major aim, academic staffs develop various pedagogical tools to enhance the learning process. Some of these approaches are described hereafter. Special emphasis was paid to "Problem based learning" and several of its constituents, as on-field inquiry, qualitative and quantitative literature review, systemic modelling and lab work. These different skills and methods applied within the poultry sector are shown as included in a triangle with the three following actors: private firms, applied research institutes and university. Moreover, these tools are articulated all along the curriculum both at the university and during practice training. From the authors experience, it seems that students strongly connected with the industry and/or the applied research sector have less difficulty to find a first consistent job within the private sector compared to more fundamental research oriented students. However, for historical reasons in France, few university curricula are strongly connected to the applied research sector. Several specificities of the poultry production chain are presented to persuade university staffs to improve their links with this sector. Efforts are proposed by the authors to reach a consistent employability level of the students through strengthened interactions between applied research institutes and university.


Thisarticle isa report summarizing recent progressin the geometry of negative Ricci and scalar curvature. It describes the range of general existence results of such metrics on manifoldsof dimens ion ≥ 3. Moreover it explainsflexibility and approximation theorems for these curvature conditions leading to unexpected effects. For instance, we find that "modulo homotopy" (in a specified sense) these curvatures do not have any of the typical geometric impacts.


The purpose of our study was the formulation and preparation of orally disintegrating tablets (ODT) containing an analgesic combination: a high dose of acetaminophen (500mg) and codeine phosphate (35 mg). The tablets were prepared by wet granulation using a combination of binders (Gelucire 44/14-Kollidon VA64). Formulation variables were: the proportion of binder Kollidon VA64 (0-3%) and the proportion of superdisintegrant Ac-Di-Sol (2-9%). All formulations contained a proportion of 2% Gelucire 44/14. The response variables to be analysed were hardness, friability and disintegration time of the tablets. Factorial analysis of data showed a high influence of Kollidon proportion on hardness and disintegrating time of the tablets and a minimum value of 1% Kollidon was set for satisfactory friability values. The proportion of Ac-Di-Sol alone had small influence on the response variables. The multiple regression equations revealed a very good prediction model for hardness (R 2 = 0.85) and disintegration time (R 2 = 0.94), and a good prediction for friability (R 2 = 0.75).


Let D be a derivation on a Banach algebra; by using the operator D2, we give necessary and sufficient conditions for the separating ideal of D to be nilpotent. We also introduce an ideal M(D) and apply it to find out more equivalent conditions for the continuity of D and for nilpotency of its separating ideal.


The invention discloses a self-adaptive optimistic concurrency control method, which is substantially applied to a multiple user concurrent environment based on a main memory. The method comprises two concurrency control methods that an optimistic concurrency control is converted into a pessimistic concurrency control and the pessimistic concurrency control is converted into the optimistic concurrency control; when the system is under the environment of high collision rate, a concurrency control policy is converted into the pessimistic concurrency control from the optimistic concurrency control; and when the system is under the environment of low collision rate, the concurrency control policy is converted into the optimistic concurrency control from the pessimistic concurrency control. According to the elf-adaptive optimistic concurrency control method, compared with the pure optimistic concurrency control method or the pessimistic concurrency control method, the defect that the concurrency capability is reduced under the environment of high collision rate or the unlocking of a lock is avoided, and the concurrency capability of the system can be greatly improved.


2-Halogeno- and 2-methyl-ethanols inhibit alpha-chymotrypsin in the order of their substituted groups: [1] tri- greater than di- greater than mono-, [2] Br- greater than Cl- greater than CH3- greater than F-. The inhibition by the halogeno-ethanols is mediated differently from that by the methyl-ethanols, ethanol, and urea.


One major problem with mobile computing devices is lack of screen space. One way to overcome this is to reduce the size of the graphical components on screen and present information in sound. This paper describes a small pilot study to investigate the usability of sonically-enhanced buttons of different sizes. Results showed that sounds improved usability for both standard and small button sizes and that the most sophisticated sounds were the most effective.


This paper analysed the character of the wetland Eco-tourism resource and its current utilization situation in Anhui Province. considering that Anhui has abundance natural and wetland resources,which is good for Eco-tourism activity,wetland is utilized as the basic recreation,science investigation and eco-tourism site in Anhui Province. The author sets up the exploitation model of Eco-wetland tourism resource in. Anhui Province,puts forward a way of harmonious development between the tourism exploitation of wetland and environment protection in Anhui Province.


Stress is disrupts the repetitive, physical or mental well-being of individuals. It arises when the body performs beyond his abilities or when a person faces uncommon demands. In the present era stress is an unavoidable component of life due to increasing complexities and competitiveness in living standards. It is not only working women but also housewives. Everyone experiences stress, whether it is within family or outside the family, workplace, study, business, organization. Most of the women experiences stress in family due to crowded and unhygienic living conditions, conflict, urbanization and lack of motivation from family members. Concerning the cause of stress, most studies have pointed to the fact that the incidence of stress is due to overwork [Laver, 1999]. In the United States, work place stress has doubled since 1985. Around one third of all Americans measured job related pressure as their greatest source of stress. Objective: study attempt to understand the stress level between working and non working women. Methods: present study utilized both primary and secondary data sources to meet the objectives of the study. Results: findings of study displays that working women mild stress level is more and nonworking women moderate level stress and sever level stress found same among both working and nonworking women. Statistical significance shows the relationship between working and nonworking women stress level with 0.05 level. They can manage the stress by adapting healthy practices and individual can learn to relax and enjoy life. They had feel the best way to manage stress is to prevent it. This may not be always possible. So, the subsequent best effects are to decrease strain and make life easier.


Objective: The most preferred surgical method in the treatment of Hirschsprung's disease (HD) recently is the transanal endorectal pull through (TERP) operation. In our study, we aim to evaluate the postoperative long- term follow up results of the patients. Method: The files of patients who had TERP between 2009 and 2019 in our center and were >3 years old after surgery were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were evaluated for bowel functions, continence and quality of life in outpatient clinic postoperatively. The information of patients who could not come to control was obtained by contacting their relatives over the phone. Parents were asked to fill Rintala intestinal functions questionnaire. Results: Forty-six patients were boys and 8 were girls. The mean age at diagnosis and surgery were 26.4 and 35.5 months respectively. The mean operation time was 140 minutes, and the mean aganglionic segment length was 21.5 cm. In the early postoperative period, anastomotic stricture was observed in 3 (5.5%), and enterocolitis in 2 (3.7%) patients. Constipation occured in 13 (24%) and soiling in 7 (13%) patients. Partial fecal incontinence was observed in 2 (3.7%) patients. Statistically significant difference was found between the height and weight percentile values of patients before and after surgery. The mean score was 19.05 in bowel function questionnaire. Conclusion: Our study showed that TERP can be applied with low complication rates. Patients have bowel movements and sphincter functions near to normal in the long term. With these advantages, TERP is an effective and reliable method for all HD age groups.


Iron deficiency is the most common global cause of anaemia. Intravenous (IV) iron is used to correct iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) where oral iron cannot be used. Despite being effective, certain IV iron formulations cause significant hypophosphataemia. However, current knowledge on the clinical consequences of IV iron‐induced hypophosphataemia is broadly anecdotal or limited to isolated case reports.


The awkward thing about getting new tech toys is the fact that there's usually an old tech toy left over, suddenly unloved and unwanted. Over time drawers are filled with old cell phones and MP3 players, piles of old computers linger in our closets, or the obsolete electronics end up in the trash.


Simulation of wind-driven rain in the urban environment is complex. Current approaches often simplify the physics involved. A multiscale whole-physics framework is being developed to provide a complete WDR simulation tools and to assess which simplifications are acceptable. WDR deposition is modeled with CFD with Eulerian multiphase approach. Rain droplets impacting different surfaces is captured by analytical models. On-going work focuses on the required next steps that are droplet fate, film forming and run-off.


This work provides new experimental data of speed of sound and density for seven pure components of pyrolysis bio-oil at atmospheric pressure for several phenols (phenol, o-, m- ,a ndp-cresol), two phenolic ethers (2-methoxyphenol and eugenol) and one phenolic ester (methyl salicylate) at temperatures of (288.15 to 343.15) K. Densities and sound velocities are correlated with the PrigogineFlory� Patterson (PFP) model. The properties are well described with the PFP model showing a better performance for the denser substances. The relation between density and speed of sound evidence the complex thermophysical behavior of substituted phenols.


Disk mastering is the process of making the stamper for disk molding. It is the core technology in disk replications.Key technologies of disk mastering are introduced.Its research fields and their recent developments are surveyed.Practical application of current technologies in next generation mastering is anticipated.


The invention relates to a molecularly imprinted polymer, in particular to the molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) prepared by adopting bulk thermal polymerization by taking genistein as template, tetrahydrofuran as opening agent, 4-vinyl pyridine as functional monomer and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as crosslinker. The molecularly imprinted polymer takes on high compatibility and selectivity to genistein and daidzein in moving phase of acetonitrile-water mixture. The invention has the advantages that the prepared molecularly imprinted polymer takes on high compatibility and selectivity to genistein and daidzein in moving phase containing water, which ensures that as a selectivity parting material, the molecularly imprinted polymer has broad applying prospect in the aspect of separation and preparation of genistein and daidzein in herbal medicine.


Hubert Mordek, who lead the new edition project of Capitularia at the Monumenta Germaniae Historica, defined Frankish "capitularies" as "edicts, orders or announcements with legislative, administrative and religiously enlightening character which were issued from Frankish monarchs and which were mostly divided into clauses (capitula)".2 As one of fundamental sources for Carolingianists, capitularies have been studied continuously. But in this short paper I cannot handle all the debates about capitularies which have been discussed by historians.3 Instead, I will concentrate on reflecting upon characteristics of this source genre as texts. What kind of text were the documents which historians understand as "capitularies"? Probably we cannot give a single answer which would be valid for all "capitularies" because of their diversity in form and content. We must divide and subdivide them and must consider a possible change in their meanings as written texts as time goes—at the time of writing down, of dissemination by royal agents, of codification by locals or by posterity and so on.4 So rather than discussing the matter theoretically and systematically from the beginning, I would like to begin with the analysis of a concrete example.


It is argued that Schwinger's nonet mass formula is a more general mass relation than the ideal nonet mass formulas for any 16-plet bosons of the SU(4) group. The explicit limiting procedure by which the old SU(3) result is recovered from SU(4) is shown. The width of ${\ensuremath{\eta}}_{c}({0}^{\ensuremath{-}})$ could be large depending on the assignment of the ninth ${0}^{\ensuremath{-}+}$ meson.


If healthy marriage is the basis of a strong society, it is worth every effort to strengthen it. Marriage education should supplement other efforts to address social problems.


Background Physical and functional status affect the survival after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. There are several indices to measure risk of complication and non-relapse mortality after stem cell transplantation. Karnofsky score and ECOG score are the mostly used indices for measuring functional status. However they are measured subjectively by observer and can be changed in brief time. Recently a few reports documented relationship between the mortality and sarcopenia in various malignant or non-malignant diseases. Therefore we tried to measure the patient's functional status by measuring psoas area in abdominal CT scan which was taken before allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Patients and Methods The medical records of total 83 patients from August 2010 to April 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Every patients took abdominal CT scan 2 weeks to 1 month before transplantation according to the protocol for pre-transplant workup of Severance Hospital (Seoul, Korea). The area of bilateral psoas muscle at the level of upper margin of L4 vertebral body was manually measured by one trained observer using polygon tool of CENTRICITY Radiology RA1000 program (GE Healthcare Integrated IT Solutions, IL, USA). Results Male patients were 49 and female patients were 34. Median age was 37.0 years (range 15-60). Underlying diagnosis was AML (n=31), ALL (n=24), SAA (n=7), MDS (n=5), lymphoma (n=7), CML (n=6) and others (n=3). Myeloablative conditioning was applied in 54 patients. Stem cell source was mostly peripheral blood (n=68). 8 patients received HLA-mismatched transplantation. The total non-relapse mortality was 20.4%. 32.5% of patients had higher BMI than 25 kg/m2. In whole patients, psoas muscle area didn't affect non-relapse survival. However, when low psoas area/BMI ratio show significant correlation with non-relapse survival (median 733 days vs. 966 days, P=0.009). In univariate analysis for non-relapse survival, age, pre-transplant disease status, and psoas/BMI ratio showed statistical correlation. And in multivariate analysis psoas/BMI ratio was the sole prognostic index. Summary Low psoas/BMI ratio is related to increased treatment related mortality in obese patients. This index can be used in part to estimate risk of transplant in obese patients. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Abstract In recent years, numerical models have shown significant improvement in their ability to predict tropical cyclone motion. This has brought about a decline in the development, improvement, and use of models that treat environmental data in a statistical prediction framework. However, the very basic statistical climatology and persistence (CLIPER) models continue to be functional in both operational and research environments. In this paper, an attempt is made to improve the performance of these models by combining the CLIPER concept with the analog concept. The new model, referred to here as the Modele Climatologiques de Cyclones par Analogues (MOCCANA), is a statistical 72-h forecast model and uses two sets of regression equations (zonal and meridional displacement) to forecast tropical cyclone motion. The predictors entering the model are dependent on an analog selection function of current tropical cyclone motion, current time of year, and location. The coefficients of the regression equations a...


While computer science and engineering students are trained to recognise fa- miliar problems with known solutions, they may not be sucien tly prepared to address novel real-world problems. A successful computer science graduate does far more than just program and we must train our students to reach the required levels of analytical and computational thinking, rather than hoping that it will just 'develop'. As a step in this direction, we have created and experimented with a new rst-y ear level course, Puzzle-based Learning (PBL), that is aimed at getting students to think about how to frame and solve unstructured problems. The pedagogical goal is increase students' mathematical awareness and general problem solving skills by employing puzzles, which are educational, engaging, and thought provoking. We share our experiences in teaching such a course { apart from a brief discussion on our pedagogical objectives, we concen- trate on discussing the presented material which covers (in two lectures) just one selected topic (pattern recognition). In this paper we present the ideas behind foundations for PBL and the material of the rst of two lectures on pattern recognition, in which we address core concepts and provide students with sucien t exemplars to illustrate the main points.


The organizational and technical complexity of implementing the lean principles and practices can become an extensively time consuming journey with few benefits. We argue that risk assessment can aid on the understanding and management of the major difficulties on the Lean production implementation (LPI). Thus, this paper proposes a framework for risk assessment on the LPI process. The literature review permitted to adapt the risk assessment steps to the characteristics of the LPI and develop data collection and analysis procedures for each step. The Sociotechnical systems (STS) theory was brought in to improve the understanding of the context's characteristics on the proposed framework because it has a major influence on the LPI. The framework was has five steps: (a) defining the unit of analysis; (b) describing the context; (c) risk identification; (d) risk analysis; and (e) risk relationships modeling.


By exploring the intersections between fear and contemporary conceptions of chivalry, masculinity, deception, and power, this chapter demonstrates that the ways in which fear was represented in twelfth- and thirteenth-century crusade narratives were far more complex and multifaceted than has hitherto been appreciated. This, in turn, necessitates that we reject the scholarly approach of treating chroniclers' accounts of crusader trepidation as representative evidence of participants' actual feelings. Gender- and shame-centred appraisals of fear add further weight to the argument set forth in Chapter 1: that fear was an emotion which Latin combatants ought to relinquish. However, in alternative contexts, such as in the face of treachery, it was simultaneously considered an understandable—perhaps even praiseworthy—sentiment for crusaders to openly display; and fear terminology was integral to the texts' power dynamics.


This study is concerned with finding out the major national and international activities covered by the Nigerian media in 2015, as well as ascertains any link between the national and international activities thereof. The study adopts Secondary Analysis (SA) and the Content Analysis (CA) methods, while the agenda setting theory provides the framework. Findings show that security and terrorism tops the list of major activities covered by the Nigerian media in 2015, but politics and corruption are closed linked and covered as well. Indeed, the 2015 Nigerian general elections were hugely covered by the Nigerian media and tend to be connected to every aspect of Nigerian society. All activities covered by the Nigerian media had a links to international activities except infrastructure and transportation. The study recommends among others that policy makers and politicians may befit from taking cautious approach towards the security of lives and property as this aspects are a serious contemporary problem, not in Nigeria, but beyond. Also, the media in Nigerian must endeavour to set agenda that drives home the Nigerian project, even as a synergy between local and international activities remains important.


A standard Ethernet implements carrier senses multiple access with collision detection (CSMA/CD) as the media access control (MAC) protocol to govern and control the data transmission between stations in a shared medium. The MAC protocol also contains the backoff algorithm responsible for rescheduling a packet's transmission after a collision has happened. However, most existing models are based on non-real-time systems, which is not an accurate representation of real-time network conditions. This paper aims to investigate the effects of different backoff algorithms, including Binary Exponential Backoff (BEB), Pessimistic Fibonacci Backoff (PFB), and Optimistic Linear Exponential Backoff (OLEB), based on the different conditions. This study examined the effects of backoff time on CSMA/CD and collision rate performance in a simple MAC. Simulated test results vary for all backoff algorithms depending on different network sizes and model conditions. Overall, the OLEB algorithm performs better than the other algorithms with networks of 15 active nodes, depending on the lower delay and better network performance measurements.


Groundnut is an important crop in Bankura district of West Bengal growing in kharif season. Among the different varieties of ground nut (TAG 24, TG 37A and TG 51) TG 51 performing better over others, but still required some improvement in yield and quality. In this context, an On Farm Trial was designed to increase yield and quality of ground nut seed by application of recommended fertilizers along with some micro-nutrients for consecutive four years as the soil is deficient of micro-nutrients like Ca and S, which essential for ground nut production. It was found that Var. TG51 gave maximum yield, when the crop was supplied with NPK (20-60-40 kg/ha) in the form of Straight fertilizer Urea, SSP, MOP + 200 kg Gypsum during 30 DAS + 15 kg Sulphur during pegging and regarding quality improvement on oil content was improved by application of sulphur 25kg/ha. Seed germination was improved by application of recommended doses of NPK (20-60-40 kg/ha) in the form of composite fertilizer IFFCO-10:26:26 + 400 kg Gypsum/ha in two split doses @ 200 kg at 30 days after sowing and at the time of Flowering.


The sequence of processes involved in fabrication of mm-wave silicon Impatts, various issues involved in this effort and the experimental observations made in this regard are presented here. The importance of optimization of individual processes by integration of their critical parameter is shown to be essential to successful fabrication of the devices. Devices with pulse power output in the range of 8–10 Watts peak have been successfully fabricated in-house.


Orchidectomy increased the endogenous concentration of prostaglandin F (PGF) in the prostatic and vesicular glands of adult rats. A single intramuscular dose of free testosterone (5.0 mg/100 g) was able to reverse the effects of castration on PGF concentration of the accessory reproductive organs. In the case of seminal vesicles, administration of testosterone to castrate rats markedly reduced the PGF levels within 144 h of hormone treatment.


This paper critically discusses the worldview that technology can solve any problem regarding waste. A focus on technological fix may lead to an increase in problems in the future. The author argues that we might benefit from a cultural analysis of our notions of cleanliness and dirt, purity and contamination.


The goal of the radiation therapy is to give as mu ch dose as possible to the target volume of tissue and avoid giving any dose to a hea lt y tissue. Advances of the digital control allow performing accurate plans and treatments. Unf ortunately, motion compensation during the treatment remains a considerable problem. Currently , combination of the different techniques, such as gating (restricting movement of patient) an d periodic emission are used to avoid damaging healthy tissue We are interested in system s that completely compensate respiratory movement (up to certain limit) and start by investi ga ng adequacy of the existing hardware and software platform. We model a radiation therapy system consisting of a HexaPOD couch with 6-degrees movement, a tracking camera, a marker (markers) and a controller. Formal un-timed and timed models were defined, analyzed and found to be insuf ficient to completely determine adequacy of the system to compensate respiratory motion. We def ine one-dimensional hybrid model of the system using Open Modelica tool and investigate the model with simple tumor movement trajectories, and based on the results we sketch fu rt er development directions.


The present invention relates to a method of detection for anti -ECPKA detection in a biological sample, also relates to a cancer diagnostic method using mammalian -ECPKA detecting a cancer diagnosis using immune complexes and kits, and this term. Wherein -ECPKA IgG antibody -EIA method according to the invention, and enzyme ECPKA black than sensitivity, excellent specificity, show that autoantibodies black is much more useful for the diagnosis of cancer than the conventional antigen assay. Wherein -ECPKA autoantibodies, cancer diagnosis


Between the moment of Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (Rome, 1950) and The Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe (Lisbon, 2007), the human rights - which have been the subject of numerous approaches and evaluations along the centuries, most of them considering the philosophical, juridical, and socio-political aspects - were taken into account in the pages of the documents elaborated by The Council of Europe. The texts of such documents are legally binding for all European Union members. One of these texts is also that of the European Social Charter (revised) published in Strasbourg in 1996, which contains general principles and norms of the European Union legislation on the juridical protection of the human rights. The output of the hermeneutic analysis of this Social Charter reveals that the member states of The Council of Europe, which included the protection of the human rights amongst their major preoccupations, brought an important contribution to the creation of the juridical framework for the affirmation and protection of the human rights.


Objective To investigate the precise placement and rigid fixation of free iliac bone graft in reconstruction of mandibular defects.Methods The mandibular defects of 46 patients were devided into 4 types according to the extent.Referring to the templates,iliac bone grafts were cut into segments and shaped.Concerning the location and feature of every type of defects,the method of rigid inernal fixation and the number of screws were designed.Results All patients were satisfied with their final esthetic results.Infection rate was 21.7% in total.Recurrence rate of tumors was 2%.Callus formation was shown by X-ray films in 3~6 months after surgery.Conventional rehabiliation rate was 13%,implant-supported denture rate 8.7% .Conclusion Application of template and prepared-fixed reconstruction plate make the grafted bone placed precisely.The most stable internal fixation could be chosen based on the stress distribution of every type of defects.A satisfied final functional and esthetic result of free avascular iliac bone graft in mandibular reconstruction with a low infection rate could be obtained.


Aims Our objectives were to examine the response of biofuel plant hybrid Pennisetum (P. americanum × P. purpureum) to NaCl stress and determine its salt tolerance mechanism and salinity threshold. Methods We cultured plants of this hybrid in plastic pots filled with sand containing 0, 0.3%, 0.5%, 0.9%, and 1.2% NaCl. After four weeks, we measured the fresh weight, dry weight, water content, plant height, tillering number and ion contents of different parts of the plants. Important findings NaCl treatment significantly reduced shoot fresh weight and dry weight by 50% at 0.568% and 0.570% NaCl, respectively. With increasing NaCl concentration, Na+ content of functional leaves did not change significantly, whereas Na+ content of old leaves and roots increased significantly. Especially when the concentration of NaCl was 0.9%, Na+ content of old leaves and roots increased two and three fold more than that of the control, meaning that Na+ content in functional leaves, old leaves and roots increased gradually. With increasing NaCl concentration, K+ content in the shoots and roots was not affected, whereas Na+/K+ in the roots increased significantly, and Na+/K+ in the shoot increased significantly only at 0.9% NaCl. These results indicated that the salt-tolerant mechanism of hybrid Pennisetum is salt exclusion, and its salinity threshold is 0.57% (about 100 mmol·L–1).


The present article is devoted to a key problem of ontology of art to features of artwork life as sensual and material object. The author focuses attention on the requirement of necessary integrity of artwork as a sign of its belonging to the fine. Integrity, in turn, is caused by unity of the contents and a form. Features of functioning, interaction and a community of the contents and a form of artwork are in detail analyzed in this work.


Abstract In this study we develop some results concerning the optimal chemotherapy in case of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). Generally, in viral infection, the drug strategy affects either the virus infectivity or reduce the virion production. The mathematical model proposed here, deals with the first situation, and represents an optimal control problem, with the state equation given by an ODE and the objective function based on a combination of maximizing benefit relied on T cells count (the white cells that coordinate activities of the immune system) and minimizing the systemic cost of chemotherapy. We demonstrate the existence of an optimal control and introduce the first order necessary optimality conditions in order to derive an algorithm to approximate the optimal chemotherapy strategy. Conclusive numerical simulations are presented.


Eggs and larval development of hates niloticus from Lake Chad are described. The pelagic eggs, averaging 0–83 mm in diameter, are characterized by a large single oil globule and a narrow perivitelline space. Hatching occurs at a remarkably premature ontogenetic stage, 1 -2 mm in length. Detailed descriptions are provided of subsequent larval development up to the earliest juvenile stages. The occurrence of buoyant eggs in freshwater and brackish-water species, particularly lower percoids, is reviewed and comparisons are made with marine forms. A marked tendency for the relative size of the oil globule to increase with decreasing salinity is related to hydrostatic function. Demersal eggs in freshwater lower percoids are also discussed. Larval development in L. niloticus is shown to be similar to related forms but differences are noted in the stage at which hatching occurs and the position of the oil globule.


In this study, molecular dynamics simulation of nano imprint lithography in which patterned stamp is pressed onto amorphous polyethylene(PE) surface are performed to study the behaviour of polymer. Force fields including bond, angle, torsion, and Lennard Jones potential are used to describe the inter-molecular and intra-molecular force of PE molecules and stamp, substrate. Periodic boundary condition is used in horizontal direction and canonical NVT ensemble is used to control the system temperature. As the simulation results, the behaviour of polymer is investigated during the imprinting process. The mechanism of polymer deformation is studied by means of inspecting the surface shape, volume, density, atom distribution. Deformation of the polymer resist was found for various of the stamp geometry and the alignment state of the polymer molecules.


Virtual synchronous generators (VSGs) can imitate the output characteristics of traditional synchronous generators, which means that when the frequency or voltage of the system fluctuates, the VSG can use the inertia and damping characteristics to smooth the fluctuations as much as possible. VSG also has transient stability problems under large disturbances, but its overcurrent capability is far less than that of traditional synchronous generators. Therefore, it is necessary to limit the overcurrent while maintaining the transient power angle stability of the system. Most of the existing studies analyze the overcurrent limit and transient power angle stability respectively, but the control strategies considered both are also worthy of attention and research. This paper firstly analyzes the current limiting control of VSG and its influence on the virtual power angle characteristic through the vector diagram. Then, the transient power angle stability of the system is studied under the condition of current saturation through the power angle characteristic curve. On this basis, a transient power angle stabilization method is proposed to keep the virtual power angle unchanged at the initial steady state value while limiting overcurrent. Finally, the rationality of the proposed strategy is verified by simulations on MATLAB/Simulink.


Given the plethora of research methodology texts available, any new additions need to have something distinctive to offer the reader. At one time, the emphasis on qualitative research would have been sufficient. Now it has to be something over and above this. What this edited collection offers is the possibility of thinking differently about qualitative research. And this difference has emerged from a group of people working together in the Center for Research in Education, Equity and Work in the School of Education, at the University of South Australia. Its Australian roots in themselves do not make the difference and distinctiveness. Nevertheless, this is an important situational element that frees up the book's perspective from the rather stodgy and scientized approaches found in "northern" research texts. In Maxine Greene's endorsement of the book in the foreword, she refers to this as being "restive in the shadows of empirical research," with a need to engage with positivism and technicism in taking an alternative stance. Such apologia are refreshingly absent from this text. Not that the scientific agenda is totally absent from the collection of more than 20 contributions. Robert Smith, for example, undertakes the task of shifting us away from conventional issues of objectivity and validity issues. An alternative vocabulary is proposed: not "truth" but "goodness," not "validity" but "trustworthiness," within discussions that recognize knowledge as "perspectival" (or socially constructed) and subjectivity as "virtuous." I have to say that after enjoying the discussion, I was rather taken aback by the chapter's summary in tabular and typological form with series of bullet points that seeks to update Maxwell's (1992) threats to validity. The technicism and instrumentalism of this summary strike me as contradictory. With an orientation that is explicitly derived from existentialism, phenomenology, and experientialism, there is here a refreshing lack of concern for measurement, assessment, standards, and accountability. The title of the book connotes the concern for process rather than outcome. Indeed, the substance of the book is organized around the three active verbs: being, seeking, and telling. The metaphor of pathway is used to suggest a journey rather than a destination. More significant, there is a distinctive shift not only away from causal explanatory frameworks but away from previously favored interpretive and critical inquiry approaches, toward one that the book's subtitle characterizes as "expressive." The affective domain has not featured significantly in research texts, and this contributes to the collection's distinctiveness. The phenomenological task of "telling it like it is" focuses on the question, "How was it for you?" One of the gaps in adult education research is those kinds of publications in which researchers tell the inside story of their research study, warts and all. These are to be found in social and educational research, usually in the form of collections such as those edited by


The analysis of use of a manpower of the enterprise of road construction of JSC Slavyanskoye DRSU is provided in article. Formation of a manpower at the enterprises of road branch has the specifics. On the basis of the analysis of statistical data in two years conclusions are drawn and recommendations about improvement of personnel policy of the enterprise are offered.


This study examines the effectiveness of combining video self-assessment, peer-assessment, instructor feedback, and the use of a Conductor Peer/Self Evaluation form, in the instruction of conducting gestural technique. Twenty-five P.G.C.E. music students from the University of London Institute of Education were videotaped while conducting. Concurrently, they were being assessed by a peer, and given feedback by the instructor. The peer and the conductor reviewed the videotape and determined three areas of strength and three areas that need improvement in the conductor gestural technique. The experimenter tabulated the results and surveyed the group as to the effectiveness of the teaching process. Results indicate that the instructional process was effective, and the inclusion of peer-assessment helped to present a more accurate view of each conductors skills.


The microwave assisted conversion of tertiary terpene alcohols – racemic linalool (9798%) and D-linalool (57.6%) contained in coriander seed oil was investigated on samples of microporous BEA-type zeolite (BEA-25 and BEA-150 with molar ratio SiO2/Al2O3 of 25 and 150, respectively) and on modified micro-mesoporous forms (RBEA-25 and RBEA-150 with SiO2/Al2O3 of 23.8 and 176.4). The experiments were carried out at 40-100  ̊C in the atmosphere of argon or air, in the solvent-free conditions either using alcoholic solvents methanol, ethanol, and n-propanol. It has been shown that racemic linalool, by microwave irradiation (100-650 W) in argon atmosphere in solvent-free condition or dissolved in methanol had a low degree of conversion, up to 2-3% at 40100°C. Reactions of dehydration and cyclization of racemic linalool with the formation of monoterpenic compounds C10H16 proceed more intensively on the micro-mesoporous RBEA zeolites under the microwave irradiation (200650 W). On the corresponding microporous samples (BEA150, BEA-25), the racemic linalool isomerization reaction is significantly inhibited under MW irradiation. In solutions of alcohols, irradiation of racemic linalool with microwaves in the presence of BEA-type zeolite catalysts initiates also methoxylation reactions forming the methyl ethers of linalool, nerol, geraniol and α-terpineol; selectivity for the products of linalool isomerization to geraniol and α-terpineol was only about 5%. D-Linalool of coriander oil dissolved in methanol in argon atmosphere or in solvent-free state in air is predominantly transformed regioselectively into geraniol on catalysts RBEA-25 and BEA-150 under MW-irradiation (200 W, run time 1 h); at 40 and 70 ̊C conversion of D-linalool is 29.7 and 27.7%, trans-geraniol yield and selectivity is 27.5/92.5 and 24.7/87.7, respectively. © 2019 Bull. Georg. Natl. Acad. Sci.


This paper provides an explanation for the previously mixed findings on the relationship between corporate sustainability performance (CSP) and corporate tax avoidance by disentangling sustainability performance into operational and management sustainability performance. The results from multivariate regression analyses for a sample of 4,449 U.S. firm-year observations reveal a positive relationship between management sustainability performance and tax avoidance and a negative relationship between operational sustainability performance and tax avoidance. The results are robust across the environmental and social dimensions of sustainability and various measures of tax avoidance. Overall, the study provides novel insights into the association between CSP and corporate tax avoidance.


Compared with past, the utility model aims to enhance the accuracy of distinguishing that the signal forming an input video signal is an RGB signal or a Y/ color difference signal. On the assumption that the signal forming the input video signal is the RGB signal, the RB maximum value which is served as the maximum value in an R signal and a B signal is obtained, and the RGB probability corresponding to the value degree of the RB maximum value is obtained. On the assumption that the signal forming the input video signal is a Y/ color difference signal, the color difference minimum value which is served as the minimum value of the color difference signal is obtained, and the color difference probability corresponding to the value degree of the color difference minimum value is obtained. Through comparing the obtained RGB probability and the color difference probability, whether the signal forming the input video signal is the RGB signal or the Y/ color difference signal can be distinguished.


Decollectivization of agriculture in the post-Mao period set off a chain of dizzying changes in the rural economy. Along with the transfer of agricultural production decisions to rural households, a host of restrictions were lifted on nonagricultural activities. With peasants freed to leave agriculture, many turned to handicrafts, peddling, transport, and other service trades. This outflow turned into a stampede when rural private enterprises were officially sanctioned in 1984. By the end of the year, some 100 million rural peasants were working in nonfarm activities, many in rural enterprises (Beijing Review, February 4, 1985: 4). These changes led to a phenomenal burst of activity in the rural enterprise sector. In 1984 alone, the number of enterprises more than quadrupled, jumping to 6.07 million, up from 1.35 million in 1983; in the following year, another 6.2 million enterprises were added. Employment in these enterprises rose from 32.4 million in 1983 to 52.1 million in 1984 and 69.8 million in 1985. Their gross value of output increased by 68% and 60% in the two years, respectively. In 1985, these enterprises produced goods and services worth 273 billion yuan, nearly three times their output value in 1983 (see Table 1). By 1986, the gross value of output


&dquo; The Animal Tuberculoses and their relation to Human Tuberculosis.&dquo; Bv ED. NOCARD, Professor of the Alfort Veterinar y College,. Translated by H. Scurfield, ~1.D., D.P.H. Bailliere, Tindall c~Cox. London, 1895. Price 4-/This volume, in 143 octavo pages, deals at fair length with the symptoms, diagnosis, pathology, and prophylaxis of tuberculosis in domestic animals. The opinions and experiments of many authorities


Diagraraatic representations of the four art disciplines (aesthetics, criticism, history, production) are set forth as a basis for devising discipline-based art curriculum. Labels for the content and processes of inquiry within each discipline are presented in parallels that allow for interactive instruction and curriculum variety. Suggestions for fleshing out the structure of the diagram in terms of art education classroom practice are described.


The interpretation of the physics of magnets with reduced dimensionality often requires information on the spin wave excitations at arbitrary wavelengths which is generally hard to obtain experimentally. Two powerful methods for the ab initio calculation of adiabatic spin-wave spectra are introduced, a frozen-magnon-torque method for systems with large exchange fields and a transverse-susceptibility method which may be used also for materials with smaller exchange fields. The efficiency of both methods results from the fact that the number of calculations required to obtain the spin-wave spectrum scales linearly with the number of basis atoms in the unit cell. Results are given for Fe, Co, Ni, permalloy Ni 3Fe, and CoFe, materials which are often used for thin-film technologies. DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.63.100401 PACS number~s!: 75.30.Ds, 71.15.Ap, 71.15.Mb In recent years magnetism in reduced dimensionality has become extremely important because of the very rapid development of thin-film technologies for basic research and for applications in magnetotransport. Thereby, spin excitations like single-particle Stoner excitations or collective spinwave excitations 1 play a central role for thermostatic phenomena, but also for the transport phenomena because the spin-dependence of the inelastic mean free path of an excited hot electron is determined by spin-flip exchange scattering at these excitations. 2,3 A quantitative analysis of the various phenomena requires information about the spin-wave spectra which is often difficult to obtain experimentally. One example is the spin-dependent transport of hot electrons in a spin-valve transistor where in the ''bulk'' of the metallic components spin-flip exchange scattering at spin waves of all wavelengths occurs. Because the energies of shortwavelength spin waves in 3d transition metals are very large, it is difficult and costly to investigate the bulk spin wave spectra of various 3d magnets used in the devices by neutron-scattering experiments. A second example is the generation of magnons by hot electrons at the interfaces between the insulating barrier and the magnetic electrodes of magnetic tunnel junctions which is responsible for the reduction of the magnetoresistance. 4 Because the magnon spectrum at such an interface is hardly accessible by experiments, the quantitative analysis of the data so far must manage with a simple modelling of the spin-wave spectra by a Debye model. 4 Finally, the short-wavelength spin waves at surfaces or in ultrathin magnetic filmsof few magnetic monolayers contribute to the spin polarized electron energy loss spectrum. 3 Whereas low-energy spin waves in ultrathin films can be studied by ferromagnetic resonance 5 or by Brillouin scattering experiments, 6 the direct experimental determination of the short-wavelength spectrum is again difficult. From the above discussion it becomes obvious that a theoretical determination of spin wave spectra would be extremely helpful for a quantitative analysis of experimental data, especially for complex situations like compounds, surfaces and interfaces. Thereby, the methods of the ab initio electron theory have to be used to cope with the interplay between structure and exchange interactions in a selfconsistent manner which is not possible within phenomenological models like the Heisenberg model or the Hubbard Hamiltonian. 1 For a full account of the excitations in principle the dynamic transverse susceptibility x 12(q,v) had to be calculated 1 which contains both the single-particle Stoner excitations and the spin-wave excitations as well as their interference which determines, e.g., the lifetime of the magnons. This has been achieved by Savrasov 7 within the framework


In this study, we investigated how effectively a Draw-a-Story drawing test can predict the perceived stress, military life adjustment, and resilience of soldiers. A total of 276 conscripted male soldiers participated in the study. The research tools included the Perceived Stress Scale, the Military Life Adjustment Scale, the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale (Korean version), and the Draw-a-Story drawing test. The results of the correlation and regression analyses were as follows. First, perceived stress, military life adjustment, resilience, and DAS emotional content were all mutually correlated. The DAS self-image was positively correlated only with resilience. Second, emotional content predicted soldiers' perceived stress, military life adjustment, and resilience at significant levels. Meanwhile, our regression analysis showed that self-image did not have significant predictive power. In this paper, we discuss the implications for predictive power of our findings regarding the two measures of DAS; we also propose that DAS could serve as a tool to predict the mental states of soldiers.


THE GOVERNMENT OF Uganda is committed to the improvement of the health and well being of the people and therefore accords high priority to the provision of clean, safe water and sanitation services. The Governments' development strategy, articulated in the Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP), aims at increasing access of the poor to basic social services. Lack of access to water and sanitation is not only an indicator of poverty but also causes poverty slowing down health and economic development. The Water Supply and Sanitation sector is one of the five (5) priority areas of Government along with Primary health, Primary education, Feeder Roads and Agricultural extensions. External Support Agencies have also shifted their focus towards the above priority sectors. Today access to safe water stands at approximately 43% in rural areas and 65% in urban areas. Sanitation is at 47% in rural areas and 60% in urban areas. The top-down and heavily centralised, sectoral approaches to the planning and management of water and sanitation facilities over the past years have been carried out with more emphasis on technical solutions and less to community demand, with no or minimal community involvement. The consequences have been less satisfactory with water supply coverage and operational efficiency low and the development of systems and services that have not been sustainable. Providing improved and adequate water and sanitation services for a population increasing at a high rate, like Uganda, is a big challenge requiring a lot of financial investments and most importantly adoption of policies and strategies that will guarantee the sustainability of facilities and services. The Government has therefore adopted new strategies including the following:


Aim: To investigate the problem of IT-users and IT-developers and their different abilities to use IT and communicate by means of IT, caused by differences in the background of the two categories, their knowledge and experience. Also to investigate what this problem may lead to when developing IT-related services and products.

Method/material: Ten semi-structured interviews of about ten hours all together. The interviews have been interpreted with a hermeneutic perspective.

Main-results: Four main hypotheses were found:
Hypothesis 1: The IT-developers use more clear communication strategies then the IT-users. The IT-users use less clear communication strategies then the IT-developers
Hypothesis 2: The IT-developers find faults in others use and in the technology, but not in their own use. The IT-users find faults in their own use, but not in others use or in the technology
Hypothesis 3: The IT-developers make unconventional choices in their use. The IT-users make conventional choices in their use
Hypothesis 4: The IT-developers make unconventional choices in their use. The IT-users make conventional choices in their use.

Examination of the interrelationship between the four hypotheses (for the IT-users and the ITdevelopers respectively), lead to two concluding hypotheses:
Hypothesis for the IT-developers: The IT-developers control the technology
Hypothesis for the IT-users: The IT-users are controlled by the technology

Possible cause for these two hypotheses is not only a deeper knowledge in IT-related matters, but deeper IT-knowledge capital which is a fundamentally something else. IT-knowledge capital, follows on deeper knowledge, more relevant education and experience. It manifests itself in a greater self-confidence when approaching IT-related matters and problems.

A possible consequence for the IT-users is that they become stressed and frustrated when they have to spend much time on dealing with trivial, everyday problems, the emergence of which they cannot influence. This will make the vision of the future in IT mainly a concern for the IT-developers.

An improved development could be accomplished by means of ubiquitous computing and information appliances. The idea is that users take advantage of computers without being concerned with the computer technology explicitly. This would allow the IT-users to focus on the goals instead of the means, and it would let the vision of the future of IT become an issue also for the IT-users. If this is going to be realized, the future IT development has to be done by users and developers in co-operation, and it has to be done cross-disciplinary.


10 Some organic pollutants including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated 11 diphenylethers (PBDEs) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) have been banned from production 12 and use in the UK for more than 30 years but due to their toxicity and persistence are still of 13 concern. However, due to their hydrophobicity they are present at very low concentrations 14 and are difficult to measure in water, and so other matrices need to be sampled in order to 15 best assess contamination. This study measured concentrations of ICES 7 PCBs (PCB 16 congeners 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153 and 180) and  6 PBDEs (PBDE congeners 28, 47, 99, 17 100, 153, 154) and HCB in both bed-sediments and wild roach (a common pelagic fish) in the 18 Thames Basin. The highest sediment concentrations were detected in an urbanised tributary 19 of the Thames, The Cut at Bracknell (HCB: 0.03-0.40 μg/kg dw; ICES 7 PCBs: 4.83-7.42 20 μg/kg dw; 6 BDEs: 5.82-23.10 μg/kg dw). When concentrations were expressed on a dry 21 weight basis, the fish were much more contaminated than the sediments, but when sediment 22 concentrations were normalised to organic carbon concentration they were comparable to the 23 fish lipid normalised concentrations. Thus, despite the variability in the system, both 24 sediments and wild fish can be considered suitable for representing the level of POPs 25 contamination of the river system given sufficient sample numbers. 26


Sphaeranthus amaranthoides (sivakaranthai) is a weed in paddy fields found in South Asia. The plant is widely exploited for its pharmacological activity. Previous research showed that the crude extract of this plant possess the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activity. The current study concentrates on the cytotoxic properties of the alkaloid fraction isolated from the S. amaranthoides. The cytotoxicity was checked using MTT assay method. The assessment of the morphology of the apoptotic cell was done using the fluorescent microscopy. The percentage of apoptosis was investigated dual staining (EB/AO). Nuclear morphology was assessed using propidium iodide. Finally the cell cycle progression was analyzed using flow cytometer. Alkaloids was found to have the highest toxicity towards A549 lung cancer cell lines (IC 50 = 29.57 µg). The morphology of the lung cancer cells after treatment showed evidence of apoptosis that included blebbing and chromatin condensation. Dual staining showed the evidence of the early apoptosis induced after treatment. The cell cycle analysis indicated that alkaloids were able to induce G2/M phase arrest in lung cancer cells. Keywords: Sphaeranthus amaranthoides , alkaloids, lung cancer cells African Journal of Biotechnology , Vol 13(38) 3919-3927


CARS spectra of water vapour at elevated pressures (1–16 bar) and temperatures (300–800 K) have been investigated experimentally and theoretically. A theoretical model of the CARS spectrum of water vapour based on Gordon's rotational diffusion model was tested. The model was adapted to include the effects of vibrational relaxation and dephasing processes. Good agreement was found between experiment and theory for all conditions investigated. Rotational inelastic collisions are dominant and contribute approximately 65% to the overall individual molecular linewidths. As part of the data analysis a new measurement of dσ/dω (H2O)=1.10 × 10−34 ± 20% m2 sr−1 has been made.


AbstractAcadian Redfish Sebastes fasciatus were captured by otter trawl from inshore and offshore sites in the Gulf of Maine. Fish weights and lengths were recorded, sagittal annuli were counted for age determination, and ovarian histology was conducted to develop ogives for length and age at maturity for females. Maximum observed ages of males and females were 25 and 37 years, respectively, but very few males greater than 21 years and females greater than 25 years of age were observed. Growth functions were significantly different between males and females, and similar growth rates (k) but higher maximum length (L∞) and lower t0 values were observed in females. Mature female Acadian Redfish ranged in length and age from 17 to 39 cm and from 4 to 37 years, respectively, attaining 100% maturity at ~26 cm and ~10 years. Median length at maturity (L50) was 21.7 cm and median age at maturity (A50) was 6.6 years. Smaller, immature fish were primarily sampled from inshore locations. The results of this study we...


The study presents the genetic structure of the 2 zebu breed populations, Ongle and Deoni, which were characterized using 11 microsatellite markers. All the markers were polymorphic in both the breeds. The mean number of allele per locus was 5.91. The PIC values ranged from 1.140 to 0.682 in Ongle and 0.222 to 0.792 in Deoni. The observed heterozygosity in Ollgole across the loci was 0.555 while it was 0.628 in DeonL The overall genetic divergence between 2 breeds, PST was 0.090, indicating moderate genetic relationship.


Starting from selfknowing and the law of correspondence (the behaviour from the outside of one person is the reflection of its inside feelings) the authors try to define the meaning of proactivity. It is underlined that as we have the quality to be human beings we are responsible for our lives. The proactive persons do not blame the environment or the circumstances to justify their behaviour. As it was implanted in the literature of management, the meaning of proactivity is based on initiative, on responsibilities and actions; this gives priority to values in front of any feelings.


Organizational learning process is part of the quest for competitiveness and it is also present on the project's results, summing up together with several organization projects in order to make up its result. The learned lessons support managers in their projects with the successful and unsuccessful experiences through the registry stored and provided in a centralized and organized way. The learned lessons registry in any project stage helps the project members to meditate about the process, achievements, stimulating the sharing of tacit and explicit knowledge created. On this process of storing and retrieving learned lessons, the web's 2.0 collaborative tools are present, and in this context the wiki platform is one of the most cited when storing and retrieving learned lessons. Add up the fact that there are no process on the most used references (PMBOK-PMI and ICB-IPMA) to these factors and it is identified a gap on the studies. This scenario motivates the quest for a model that helps the learned lessons management in Information Technology projects and Information Systems. This dissertation aims to evaluate a learned lesson management model on IT/IS project utilizing web 2.0 tools. This model supports the management of learned lessons: gathering, verification, dissemination and reusing. This study has an explanatory and prescriptive approach using an abductive, inductive and deductive method. The Design Science Research is the research's approach. This study looks for contributing towards the project's practice and its results and creating academic knowledge with the accuracy that the study requires in its method. The Target 2.0 was instantiated in the implementation phase of an IT project, demonstrating that the model achieved its expected results, solving while searching the company's problem with the GLA. The result emerged evidence of the sociomaterial relations, the quality of relations between people and the model, under present social theory. The research contributes to the GLA practice in projects, helps with project managers in GLA, besides contributing to the Administration allowing expand the use of the organization's knowledge management model. The research contributes to the theory and use of GLA model in the implementation phase of an IT project, in a small business, with improvements in GLA.


Addresses Head of State/Ministerial Immunity in the view of the International Court of Justice. Six pages, 33 notes (pending litigation).


The following paper introduces the elements to calculate the cost of highway bridge superstructure from prefabrication and installation of simply-supported beam,casting concrete continuous beam and cantilever grouting concrete continuous beam,and points out that estimate clerks should be familiar with the construction process of various bridges and the equipment used during the construction,in order to improve precision and compilation quality of project estimate.


Recent developments in technology and exigencies of the COVID-19 pandemic have spurred innovations for telehealth in patients with rare epilepsies. This review details the many ways telehealth may be used in the diagnosis and management of rare, pharmacoresistant epilepsy and documents our experience as measured by surveying caregivers of pediatric patients with epilepsy. Most components of the epilepsy evaluation, including history and examination, neuroimaging, and electroencephalogram (EEG) can be performed or reviewed remotely, assuming similar technique and quality of diagnostic studies. Seizure and epilepsy diagnosis is enhanced through the assistance of caregiver smart phone video recordings and 'ambulatory' EEG. Monitoring patient seizure frequency through paper seizure diaries is now increasingly being replaced by electronic diaries in both clinical and research settings. Electronic seizure diaries have numerous advantages such as data durability, increased accessibility, real-time availability, and easier analysis. Telehealth enhances access to specialized epilepsy care, which has been shown to reduce mortality and improve patient compliance and outcomes. Telehealth can also enable evaluation of patients with rare epilepsy in centers of excellence and enhance enrollment in clinical trials. Reducing mortality risk in patients with epilepsy can be accomplished through remote counseling and addressing psychiatric co-morbidities. Findings from surveying caregivers of children with epilepsy treated at Children's National Hospital showed that 54/56 (96.4%) found that not having to commute to the appointment positively contributed to their telemedicine experience. Overall, most respondents had a positive experience with their telemedicine visit. Almost all respondents (98%) were either 'very happy' or 'happy' with their telemedicine visit and their ability to communicate over telemedicine with the provider and either 'very likely' or 'likely' to want to use telemedicine for some future clinic visits. Telehealth in rare epilepsies is feasible and, in many ways, comparable with traditional evaluation and management. Plain Language Summary Telehealth for patients with rare epilepsies Recent technological advancements and constraints caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have spurred innovations for telehealth in patients with rare epilepsies. This review details the many ways telehealth may be used in the diagnosis and management of rare, drug-resistant epilepsy and documents our experience as measured by surveying caregivers of pediatric patients with epilepsy. Most components of the epilepsy evaluation can be performed or reviewed remotely, assuming similar technique and quality of diagnostic studies. Seizure and epilepsy diagnosis is enhanced through the assistance of caregiver smart phone video recordings and 'ambulatory' electroencephalogram (EEG). Monitoring patient seizure frequency through paper seizure diaries is now increasingly being replaced by electronic diaries in both clinical and research settings. Electronic seizure diaries have numerous advantages such as data durability, increased accessibility, real-time availability, and easier analysis. Telehealth enhances access to specialized epilepsy care, which has been shown to reduce mortality and improve patient compliance and outcomes. Telehealth can also enable evaluation of patients with rare epilepsy in centers of excellence and enhance enrollment in clinical trials. Reducing mortality risk in patients with epilepsy can be accomplished through remote counseling and addressing related mental health issues. Findings from surveying caregivers of children with epilepsy treated at Children's National Hospital showed that most respondents found not having to commute to the appointment positively contributed to their telemedicine experience. Almost all respondents were either 'very happy' or 'happy' with their telemedicine visit and their ability to communicate over telemedicine with the provider and either 'very likely' or 'likely' to want to use telemedicine for some future clinic visits. Telehealth in rare epilepsies is feasible and, in many ways, comparable with traditional evaluation and management.


Excerpt Exophthalmos and associated eye changes are classically linked with hyperthyroidism in the form of Graves' disease, and the ophthalmopathy may persist or progress in severity even though th...


Objective—Comparative studies are lacking that show the effects of different microenvironments on the activity of engrafted stem cells after myocardial infarction (MI). Here, we analyzed the temporal and spatial variations of angiogenesis, collateralization, and the expression of Akt-related signals after MI to test whether the effects of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) were different. Methods and Results—After the induction of MI, pigs were selected that did not develop a collateral coronary circulation (R0) or developed a significant collateral coronary circulation (R2). Both sets were allocated randomly to 4 groups: phosphate-buffered saline (intramyocardial injection of phosphate-buffered saline), EPC transplantation, LY294002 (intramyocardial injection of an Akt inhibitor), and EPCs plus LY294002. Infarcted porcine hearts at different time points and under different collateralized conditions exhibited a variety of vascular microenvironments. At 14 days post-MI, angiogenesis and the expression of ...


[Objective]To study the situation of production and sale of iodized salt and household consumption of iodized-salt in Yingtan city,discover problems in time and take relevant intervention measures to ensure the edible quality of iodized salt.[Methods]According to implementing regulations on monitoring of iodized salt of Jiangxi province,the samples selected from production and wholesale level of 3 county (city and district) were detected,Quantification of samples was determined by direct titration (GB/T 13025.7-1999).[Results]36 lots samples were tested,and all of them were qualified with qualified rate of 100%. Among 864 household salt samples,there were 841 qualified samples,17 unqualified samples and 6 non-iodized salt samples. The rate of iodized salt,the consumption rate of qualified iodized salt,the iodine salt coverage rate and the non-iodized salt coverage rate were 98.02%,7.34%,99.31% and 0.69% respectively.[Conclusion]The quality of iodine salt remained at a high level in Yingtan city. The iodine salt coverage rate and consumption rate of qualified iodized salt all reached the national standards. However,there were some smuggle salts,so the monitoring and management should be strengthened.


Instructional generative system,an information processing system,runs in the field of generation interacted within information domain and thinking system.It involves three organically-linked and interactive subsystems of power,conditions and strategy respectively related to emotion,capability and tactics for the teaching generation system.


cit has brought about closer scrutiny of a number of federally subsidized programs. Among them are subsidies for natural resource extraction-particularly hard-rock mining, logging, and livestock grazing-on federal lands and for federal water development projects. The US government's own figures reveal the magnitude of the subsidies. For example, according to the US Department of Agriculture's Forest Service (USFS), timber sale programs in most national forests lose money every year; in 1992 alone, 95 of the 120 national forests operated at a loss-totaling $174.9 million-because the agency spent more money preparing and administering timber sales than it received in revenue from those sales (USFS 1993). The losses are even higher when transfer payments to


The sound levels and concurrent occupancy at a number of restaurants located in Omaha, Nebraska, have been logged during occupied hours. Information on each restaurant's room shape, materials, seating layout, and ambient noise sources have also been gathered. The time-logged data are analyzed to understand the acoustic environment better, particularly by looking at statistical levels (for example, L10 and L90) and the percent of time that sound levels exceed certain values. Comparisons of the logged sound level data against Rindel's predictive equation for restaurant noise levels which includes occupancy and group size (2019) show good correlation. How different sources of ambient noise and their levels in the restaurant may impact the resulting soundscape is additionally highlighted.The sound levels and concurrent occupancy at a number of restaurants located in Omaha, Nebraska, have been logged during occupied hours. Information on each restaurant's room shape, materials, seating layout, and ambient noise sources have also been gathered. The time-logged data are analyzed to understand the acoustic environment better, particularly by looking at statistical levels (for example, L10 and L90) and the percent of time that sound levels exceed certain values. Comparisons of the logged sound level data against Rindel's predictive equation for restaurant noise levels which includes occupancy and group size (2019) show good correlation. How different sources of ambient noise and their levels in the restaurant may impact the resulting soundscape is additionally highlighted.


Botanical gardens are a global phenomenon. Historically developed with the intention of maintaining a living collection of plants (under scientific management) for the purpose of research and education, botanical gardens have evolved to provide an accessible urban alternative for ecotourism experiences. Given that many botanical gardens are publically funded, income secured from tourist visitation can help supplement (limited) government funds. The purpose of this study was determining the motives of visitors to a botanical garden in South Africa. Employing a quantitative methodology, an onsite intercept survey by means of convenience sampling yielded 304 usable responses. An exploratory factor analysis revealed six distinct visitor motivations. The results inform the marketing of botanical gardens with a view to promoting their financial sustainability as visitor attractions, and ultimately their continued role as centres of scientific research, conservation and education.


ABSTRACT The impact of transformational leaders on employee health and well-being has received much attention. Less research has focused on the relationships between transformational leaders and followers' sickness absenteeism. Transformational leaders promote a group climate that may lead to absenteeism, especially among vulnerable employees (those with high levels of presenteeism). In the present study we examined the relationships between presenteeism, group-level transformational leadership and sickness absence rates in a three-year longitudinal study of postal workers and their leaders in Denmark (N = 155). Group-level transformational leadership in year 1 predicted sickness absenteeism in year 2, but not in year 3. In examining conditions under which transformational leadership may be linked to higher levels of sickness absenteeism, we found that presenteeism in year 1 moderated the link between transformational leadership in year 1 and sickness absenteeism in year 3, such that followers working in groups with a transformational leader and who were high in presenteeism reported higher levels of sickness absenteeism. Our results suggest a complex picture of the relationship between transformational leadership and sickness absenteeism; transformational leaders may promote self-sacrifice of vulnerable followers by leading them to go to work while ill, leading to increased risks of sickness absence in the long term.


Abstract The utilization of a single-phase Quasi-Z-source AC/AC converter for voltage sag mitigation is introduced in this paper. The suggested topology can compensate voltage sag up to 50%, which is an advantage in comparison with traditional structure, as most voltage sags are not more than 50%. The suggested topology has superior characteristics compared to the conventional topologies and has the following specifications: using the same ground for sharing output and input voltages; functioning in the continuous current mode; employing direct AC/AC converter; applying safe-commutation scheme; the ability to expand of the output voltage range increasing reliability and reducing the harmonics in the output voltage. Because of using safe commutation strategy, as shown in results, no ripple and spike exist in the output voltage. The hardware prototype of the offered structure has magnificently been developed to obtain the experimental results. The experimental results were obtained based on the resistive and inductive loads for a few different sags in the input voltage. The results presented showed good performance despite the simplicity in the control scheme. Moreover, they confirm the good performance of the proposed topology.


Integral representations for a generalized Mathieu series and its companions are used to undertake analysis leading to novel insights for Zeta and Dirichlet Beta function families. The bounds are procured using sharp bounds of Zeta and Dirichlet family bounds to procure approximating and bounds utilising integral representation of generalized Mathieu series results using in particular Hardy-type upper bounds.


A formula to calculate the horizontal radial velocity at different heights via the several elevation angles from a Doppler radar was derived with the falling speed of cloud/rain particle covered but the vertical velocity neglected.Then the two dimensional horizontal wind field on the isohypsic surface was retrieved by the VAP technology.This method is called the Extended VAP(EVAP).Two different snowstorm samples occurred in the Shandong peninsula in December 2005 were retrieved to verify the EVAP method,the radial velocity and reflectivity interpolated and compared with the retrieved wind on the every isohypsic surface.In addition,the retrieved wind fields were compared with the observational data from the automatic meteorological stations and synoptic charts as well.The comparative results show that the retrieved wind fields at different heights accord with the observational data.Mesoscale wind structure of ocean-effect snowstorms is further analyzed in this paper with the result that the shears between the retrieved southwestern and northeastern wind as well as between the retrieved northwestern and northeastern wind are corresponding with the strong reflectivity zones suggesting that the EVAP method is able to correctly retrieve wind of the different weather systems.As a result,the retrieved wind fields of high spatial and temporal resolution remedy the defect that only the wind of larger scale can be analysed conventionally.Calculation of the retrieving wind for one volume scan needs just less than one minute.So the EVAP technology can be applied to the operational nowcasting of ocean-effect snowstorm.


The manipulation of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) using an external magnetic field, has been successfully demonstrated in various biomedical applications. Some have utilised this non-invasive external stimulus and there is an potential to build on this platform. The focus of this study is to understand the manipulation of MNPs by a time-varying static magnetic field and how, at different frequencies and displacement, this can alter cellular function. Here we explore, using numerical modeling, the physical mechanism which underlies this process, and we discuss potential improvements for its use in biomedical applications. From our data and other related studies, we infer that such phenomenon largely depends on the magnetic field gradient, magnetic susceptibility and size of the MNPs, magnet array oscillating frequency, viscosity of the medium surrounding MNPs, and distance between the magnetic field source and MNPs. Additionally, we demonstrate cytotoxicity in neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells in vitro induced by MNPs exposed to a magnetic field gradient and oscillating at various frequencies and displacement amplitudes. Even though this technique reliably produces MNP endocytosis and/or cytotoxicity, a better understanding is required to develop this system for precision manipulation of MNPs, ex vivo.


Since Alvarez et al., discovered a worldwide approx. cm-thick layer of fine sediments laden with platinum group elements in approximately chondritic proportions exactly at the Cretaceous-Tertiary (C-T) boundary, and proposed bolide-impact as triggering mass extinctions, many have studied this hypothesis and the layer itself with its associated spherules and shocked quartz. At issue is whether the mass extinctions, and this horizon has an impact versus volcanic origin. A critical feature of the Alvarez hypothesis is the suggestion that the bolide or possibly a shower of objects delivered to the earth approx. 0.6 x 10 to the 18th power g of material which resulted in aerosol-sized ejecta such that global insolation was drastically reduced for significant periods. Such an event would lower temperatures on continents and halt photosynthesis in the upper 200 m of th eocean. The latter would strangle the marine food chain and thus produce the major marine faunal extinctions which mark the C-T boundary. Crucial issues examined include: What are the dynamics of atmospheric flow occurring upon impact of a large bolide with the earth; What is the size distributions of the very fine impact ejecta and how do these compare to the models of ejecta which are used to model the earth's radiative thermal balance. The flow field due to passage of a 10 km diameter bolide through an exponential atmosphere and the interaction of the gas flow and bolide with the solid ear was calculated. The CO2 released upon impact onto shallow marine carbonate sections was modeled and found that the mass of CO2 released exceeds the present 10 to the 18th power g CO2 budget of the earth's atmosphere by several times. Using the calculations of Kasting and Toon it was found that to compute the temperature rise of the earth's surface as a function of CO2 content, it was found that sudden and prolonged global increases are induced from impact of 20 to 50 km radius projectiles and propose that sudden terrestrial greenhouse-induced heating, not cooling, produced the highly variable extinctions seen at the C-T boundary.


In this paper,the thesis is concertrated on the design procedure of which the entire gathering system is achieved,after analyzing the functions of entirely system, we regard the monitoring system of video as a model and divide it in to several submodules with diferent function using the method of modularization.we describe the function of each sub module, its relation and the cooperation procedure between them in detail s. What more, we also integrate the flow chart into each module to describe the method of realization. At last,we test and evaluate the functions and the performances of gathering system.


The international community is keen to engage all states in the global agenda to protect and preserve marine habitat and ocean eco-systems. Building on the strategic goals of the Convention on Biological Diversity, Aichi Target 11 is for 17% of terrestrial and inland water and 10 percent of coastal and marine areas to be protected by 2020. The UN Sustainable Development Goal 14 is to conserve oceans, seas and marine resources and in 2016 the International Union for the Conservation of Nature advocated for 30% of the world's oceans to be protected while the Nature Needs Half Movement is advocating 50%. At the same time, it is recognised that indigenous peoples have a right to development and a right to determine their own form and pace of development. For Pacific island people that increasingly means developing a blue-green economy in which terrestrial and marine resources are utilised to advance the wealth and health of island people.
Building on research looking at the declaration of Marine Protected Areas around non-sovereign island states and the impact of these on the rights and lives of indigenous people more broadly, this paper looks at the initiatives adopted by Pacific islands to create marine protected areas (MPAs) and locally managed marine areas (LMMAs). In particular, this paper considers the motivation behind the creation of MPAs and LMMAs, the stakeholders involved, the management structures adopted and the benefits and/or disadvantages - not only to the environment but also to the lives of Pacific islanders - flowing from categorising marine resources in this way.


Aleppo which, following the Muslim conquest, became a tgreat cityt once more, has to this day maintained an upward demographic curve, a few periods of crisis excepted. One of the objectives of this present work is, perhaps, a simple statement about the status of the metropolis of Aleppo, about what gave it this status, and about the distinguishing spatial marks of this status. Aleppo regained prosperity and a new function, that of regional capital, of centre for the re-organization of part of the Ottoman territory - a function that prepared it for withdrawal. It was the moment when the first sketches were made for a territorial organization that would eventually lead to the formation of Syria. Christians played their part in nationalist struggles and in the construction of a Syrian society in which non-Muslims were full citizens; it was in this way that the role of communities became an issue. Keywords: Aleppo; metropolis; Muslim; Ottoman; Syria


Using PIC-simulation, we show that a chain of several virtual cathodes (VC) appears in a conical drift tube. Diameter of the cone increases along the electron beam movement. Space-time dynamics of the VC is calculated.


Purpose To establish a method for assessing graft viability, in-vivo, following corneal transplantation. Methods Optimization of calcein AM fluorescence and toxicity assessment was performed in cultured human corneal endothelial cells and ex-vivo corneal tissue. Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty grafts were incubated with calcein AM and imaged pre and post preparation, and in-situ after insertion and unfolding in a pig eye model. Global, macroscopic images of the entire graft and individual cell resolution could be attained by altering the magnification of a clinical confocal scanning laser microscope. Patterns of cell loss observed in situ were compared to those seen using standard ex-vivo techniques. Results Calcein AM showed a positive dose-fluorescence relationship. A dose of 2.67μmol was sufficient to allow clear discrimination between viable and non-viable areas (sensitivity of 96.6% with a specificity of 96.1%) and was not toxic to cultured endothelial cells or ex-vivo corneal tissue. Patterns of cell loss seen in-situ closely matched those seen on ex-vivo assessment with fluorescence viability imaging, trypan blue/alizarin red staining or scanning electron microscopy. Iatrogenic graft damage from preparation and insertion varied between 7–35% and incarceration of the graft tissue within surgical wounds was identified as a significant cause of endothelial damage. Conclusions In-situ graft viability assessment using clinical imaging devices provides comparable information to ex-vivo methods. This method shows high sensitivity and specificity, is non-toxic and can be used to evaluate immediate cell viability in new grafting techniques in-vivo.


Based on the historical temperature data during April to June of 1959 to 1996, the eight characteristic values of the intermediate cold water (ICW) in the west of the southern Yellow Sea are estimated by 30′×30′ grid statistical method, and their horizontal distributions are drawn as well in this paper. The results show that ICW occurs and generally takes form in April, and it develops into its mature stage in May, then begins to decay in June in the west of the southern Yellow Sea. The features of its formation and decay have distinct seasonal variations. The ICW appears in the sea area west of 124°00′E and between 34°N and 37°30′N (i.e., the pathway of the Yellow Sea Warm Current stretching northwestward), and also has significant regional features. The spatial and temporal variations in intermediate cold water characteristics demonstrate that the ICW has full local features during its formation stage, meanwhile, the Yellow Sea Warm Current exerts an obvious influence on the formation process of the ICW. The analyses lay the experimental foundation for the study on the influence of dynamic and thermodynamic factors on the mechanism of the intermediate cold water.


Human rights have always been more than an idea or a legal system. Long before the formal United Nations system was created, movements around the world had embraced the inherent worth of every person as a central part of their vision. The abolitionist, women's, racial justice, and labor movements, just to name a few, have always fought for the rights to be treated with respect and live in dignity and equality. This history infused the post-World War II development of the human rights system with the values of people's movements. When governments woke up to the Nazi genocide and realized there was no law that protected the victims (since German law made the genocide legal under national law) the world saw an urgent need to create human rights law and standards that were not dependent on the government people lived under.


The thesis presents results from five related studies concerned with the development and application of analytical techniques for the measurement of inequality. Four of the research pieces are analytical works focusing on the methodology of inequality measurement, while the fifth is an empirical study of income mobility and inequality in Australia. The most significant work of the dissertation is concerned with the derivation of a new information-theoretic index for the measurement of inequality. The proposed index is based upon the same relationship between information theory and inequality measurement used for the construction of Generalized Entropy (GE) inequality measures and is equivalent to a technique established in the field of signal processing. The measure shares the axiomatic superiority of GE measures over other measurement techniques and exhibits an additional attractive decomposition property such that the contribution of any set of individuals towards inequality is directly observable. No existing axiomatically complete measure possesses this property and thus the new measure has a degree of dominance over other techniques such as the Gini coefficient and Theil's entropy measures. An empirical illustration of the new index using U.S. unit record income data is provided to demonstrate the alternative decomposition technique. It is shown that persons self-described as 'White' or 'Japanese' in the U.S. census drive a greater proportion of total inequality than persons from other racial groups relative to their respective population sizes. Other theoretical work in the thesis focuses on the construction and interpretation of Lorenz curves. A new parametric functional form for estimating the Lorenz curve is presented and closed form expressions for the implicit probability density function, cumulative distribution function and Gini coefficient are derived. Furthermore the proposed Lorenz curve is shown to provide a better fit to a range of real world data than other single parameter specifications such as the Pareto formulation. In a separate chapter the issue of Lorenz curve determination is addressed by determining a convex spline to interpolate Lorenz curves from grouped data. The spline is shown to provide better estimates of the Gini coefficient than other interpolation techniques and always satisfies the regularity conditions required for a Lorenz curve. Additional work on Lorenz curves examines the link between these functions and GE inequality metrics. In the thesis it is shown that these indices may be derived as direct functions of the Lorenz curve and analytical expressions for various GE measures are given in terms of Lorenz curve parameters. These results provide a basis for studying the effect of Lorenz curve construction upon the calculation of entropy based inequality measurements. The thesis concludes with an empirical study into income inequality and mobility in Australia using the HILDA unit record and household data panel. The research shows that Australian income mobility is slightly lower than in other developed countries and that much of the observed mobility occurs at the lower end of the income distribution.


There are numerous Structural identification (StrId) methods and techniques. The purpose of StrId in the civil infrastructure arena include: a) design validation of new structures, b) condition assessment of existing structures, c) analytical model updating of existing and new structures, and d) damage identification (DmId) of existing structures. Many StrId researchers utilized StrId methods for DmId. However, not all StrId methods are suited for DmId and not all damages are possible to be identified by popular StrId methods. This paper investigates the relationship between StrId methods and DmId. We investigate which StrId method is suited for DmId for the type of damages that may affect civil infrastructure. It will be shown that some damages can be identified by StrId methods, while some other damages need specific methods that are not within the conventional realm of StrId methods. Some guidelines for choosing StrId methods that are appropriate for DmId are given.


A catalyst regeneration process designed to provide environmental and cost advantages over conventional spent catalyst reclamation processes has been developed by researchers at Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories, Richland, Wash. The process, based on electrochemical dissolution, recovers metal from the spent catalysts. Hydrocarbon deposits on the catalysts are also removed and are converted to carbon dioxide and water at moderate temperatures and atmospheric pressure. Development of the process was spurred by stricter environmental regulations and the tighter economics of catalyst regeneration. The trend in oil refining toward ever heavier feedstocks puts a correspondingly greater demand on catalyst performance. Heavier feedstocks typically have higher concentrations of impurities, which promote catalyst deactivation and decrease on-stream cycle time. Simultaneously, the economic encourage lower energy consumption and an increase in reaction selectivities to minimize production of waste.