Attenuated intracellular survival of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) secretory gene mutants exemplifies their role as virulence factors. Mtb peptidyl prolyl isomerase A (PPiA) assists in protein folding through cis/trans isomerization of prolyl bonds. Here, we show that PPiA abets Mtb survival and aids in the disease progression by exploiting host-associated factors. While the deletion of PPiA has no discernable effect on the bacillary survival in a murine infection model, it compromises the formation of granuloma-like lesions and promotes host cell death through ferroptosis. Overexpression of PPiA enhances the bacillary load and exacerbates pathology in mice lungs. Importantly, PPiA interacts with the integrin α5β1 receptor through a conserved surface-exposed RGD motif. The secretion of PPiA as well as interaction with integrin contributes to the disease progression by upregulating multiple host matrix metalloproteinases. Collectively, we identified a novel non-chaperone role of PPiA that is critical in facilitating host-pathogen interaction ensuing disease progression.


According to the received view of evolution, only genes are inherited. From this view it follows that only genetically-caused phenotypic variation is selectable and, thereby, that all selection is at bottom genetic selection. This paper argues that the received view is wrong. In many species, there are intergenerationally-stable phenotypic differences due to environmental differences. Natural selection can act on these nongenetically-caused phenotypic differences in the same way it acts on genetically-caused phenotypic differences. Some selection is at bottom nongenetic selection. The argument against the received view involves a reformulation of the concepts of inheritance and heritability. Inherited factors are all those developmental factors responsible for parent–offspring similarity; some inherited factors are genetic and some are not. Heritable variation is intergenerationally-stable phenotypic variation; some such variation is genetically-caused and some is not. 1. The received view and its critics2. The possibility of nongenetic selection (the lucky butterfly)3. The reality of nongenetic selection 3.1 Imprinting mechanisms 3.2 Other learning mechanisms 3.3 Other nongenetic mechanisms 4. Genetic and nongenetic inheritance mechanisms5. Genetic and nongenetic inherited factors6. Genetic and nongenetic heritability7. Conclusions The received view and its critics The possibility of nongenetic selection (the lucky butterfly) The reality of nongenetic selection 3.1 Imprinting mechanisms 3.2 Other learning mechanisms 3.3 Other nongenetic mechanisms 3.1 Imprinting mechanisms 3.2 Other learning mechanisms 3.3 Other nongenetic mechanisms Genetic and nongenetic inheritance mechanisms Genetic and nongenetic inherited factors Genetic and nongenetic heritability Conclusions


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Purpose: The purpose of this work was to assess results of total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) for rheumatoid arthritis and determine the technical difficulties. Material and methods: Between 1993 and 1999, 32 TAA were performed for rheumatoid arthritis: 26 women and 16 men, mean age at implantation 55 years, age range 32 – 81 years, disease duration 17 years (range 2 – 35 years), long-term corticosteroid treatment 18, metotrex-ate 17. Non-cemented prostheses with a mobile insert were implanted: Buechel-Pappas (n=7), STAR (n=5), Salto (n=20). For 21 patients, subtalar and mediotarsal arthrodesis was associated with the TAA because of associated subtalar deterioration or valgus tilt due to tendiopathy of the posterior tibial tendon. All patients were seen at three, six and twelve months then every year for physical examination and x-rays. None of the patients were lost to follow-up. Mean follow-up was 57 months (range 26 – 90 months). Clinical outcome was assessed with the AOFAS. Results: There were two failures requiring revision: one loose talar piece migrated four years after implantation requiring arthrodesis; one over-sized talar piece leading to pain had to be changed after one year with good results (AOFAS = 92). Among the other 30 patients, the mean overall score and the pain score were 82/100 (73–92) and 35/40 (20–40) respectively. Several complications were observed: wound necrosis (n=2), impaction of the talar piece (n=1), and impaction of the tibial piece (n=2) which developed at weight bearing then remained unchanged. One anterior translation of the tibial piece was asymptomatic at two years, fractures of the medial malleolus healed without difficulty. Discussion: TAA is the treatment of choice for rheumatoid tibiotarsal degeneration. Associated lesions of the hind foot influence prognosis and results. Preoperative analysis of the deformation and loss of bone stock must be achieved with careful physical examination and appropriate x-ray or computed tomography imaging. Subtalar valgus deformation or tendinopathy of the posterior tibial tendon require an associated subtalar and mediotarsal arthrodesis.


The Indonesian government needs to maintain around 231,000 school buildings in active use. Such a portfolio of buildings given the diversity of locations, limited maintenance budget, and deterioration rates varied by different building conditions presents many challenges to effective maintenance planning. Many of those schools had been reported to be aging and in a degenerated condition. However, contemporary practice for the planning method of Indonesia's building maintenance program applies reactive maintenance strategies with a single linear deterioration rate. Such methodology cannot properly guarantee the sustainability of those school buildings. Therefore, this study attempts to examine a different approach to Indonesia's building maintenance planning by adopting a preventive maintenance strategy using the deterioration rate model proved by historical data from a previous study. This study develops an optimization model with varied deterioration rates and considers the budget limitation, by utilizing a Constraint Programming (CP) approach. The proposed model achieves the minimum maintenance cost for a real case of 41 school buildings under different deterioration rates to ensure adequate building conditions and maintain expected levels of service. Finally, research analysis also proves that this new preventive maintenance model has potential to deliver superior capability for assisting building maintenance decisions in Indonesia's government.


Osteomyelitis was seen in 38 dogs and five cats over a 10 year period. Seventy per cent of cases occurred as a complication of orthopaedic surgery. The remainder were due to spread from infective foci elsewhere in the body. Staphylococcus aureus was the commonest organism isolated from long bones. Bone infection was responsible for delayed union in 13 fractures and non-union in four. Surgical treatment was necessary for the resolution of most cases.


Eka Maulani. Genetical Transformation of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Kennebec Cultivar with Hd3a Gene. Supervised by SUHARSONO and UTUT WIDYASTUTI. Potato is one of the most important horticultural crops. This commodity is cultivated in many area in the world. It contains high carbohydrate and essential amino acid which are important nutrition for human, so it can be used for food diversification. Flowering has an important role in the creation of new varieties through sexual crossing. Hd3a induces flowering in several species and tuber formation of potato cultivar Andigena. The objective of this research was to transform genetically the potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivar Kennebec with Hd3a gene under the control of rolC promoter. Transformation of potato was done by using Agrobacterium tumefaciens LBA4404 containing p2KI-Hd3a plasmid by co-cultivation method using internodes as explants. Putative transgenic calli and shoots were selected in the MS medium containing 20 mg/L of hygromycin. The efficiency of transformation was 20 % and the efficiency of regeneration of putative transgenic shoot was 100%. This research resulted two putative transgenic shoots.


Abstract The forms you have chosen for the dunes and the pond are reminiscent of Caspar David Friedrich's painting Large Enclosure (Gemallegalerie, Dresden, 1832), where the marble pink landscape is niflected in the sky at sunset in the form cif clouds, dividing of masses, projected shadows&. Pragmatically speaking, how did you conceive the organisation of the various parts cif the garden? Like an architecture of memory? What are the forms, the structures, the main sections, the dimensions&?


A differential signaling circuit with a passive common mode feedback circuit is provided to prevent the degradation of transmission performance by preventing the variation of a common mode voltage in transmitting a multi level signal in a differential signaling method. In a differential signaling circuit, a differential signal line(31,32) comprises a first line and a second line. A driving part(10) applies a differential signal to the differential signal line. A receiving resistor(20) is connected between the first line and the second line. A passive common mode feedback circuit(40) comprises a first resistor, a second resistor and a capacitor. The first resistor is connected between the first line and a first node. The second resistor is connected between the second line and the first node. A DC voltage is applied to one end of the capacitor, and another end of the capacitor is connected to the first node. The first resistor and the second resistor have equal resistance. The driving part comprises a polarity adjustment circuit adjusting a polarity of the differential signal, a current source applying a constant current to the polarity adjustment circuit, a multi level switch controlling the intensity of the constant current, and an active common mode feedback circuit forming a negative feedback by changing a level of a voltage applied to the polarity adjustment circuit.


A multilayer recording material having an overall opacity according ISO 2471 of at least 97% comprising at least two polyolefin layers (1), at least two paper layers (2), at least one opaque layer (3) and at least one printable outer surface, characterized in that - that between two of the polyolefin (1) are arranged at least two of the optionally several paper layers (2), - that between two of said paper sheets (2) in turn is disposed at least one of the optionally several opaque layers (3), and - that at least one of the optionally two printable outer surfaces of a printable coating (4).


Islamic Branding is an approach to branding with Sharia Principles. Over time, Islamic Branding has become one of the strategies used in product marketing. The aims of this research to analyze the related topic towards audience reception and identifying the position of meaning for the Islamic Branding Strategy in Advertising Sahaja Products. This research used a qualitative research approach with the reception analysis method. The method highlights Stuart Hall's two concepts of encoding and decoding. The subjects of this research were seven members of the Islamic organization Nasyiatul 'Aisyiyah. The data were analyzed using two orders of signification by Roland Barthes (encoding) and in-depth interviews (decoding). The results of this research indicated the reception caused by the audiences, in understanding the meaning of the message can vary depending on the intensity of product use. The experience that has been felt and knowledge possessed. Thus, not all audiences can receive the message in full.


Phosphorescence energy transfer within ligand bridged diruthenium(II) compounds of the form [(bpy)2Ru(II)(B)Ru(II)(becbpy)2]4+, where bpy, becbpy, and B are 2,2′-bipyridine, 4,4′-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)-2,2′-bipyridine, and a bridging ligand, respectively, was investigated in butyronitrile solution in the temperature range 77—330 K. Excitation energy transfer occurs from the Ru(bpy)22+ moiety to the Ru(becbpy)22+ moiety. The energy transfer rate (kEN = (0.4—7.4) × 106 s−1) at 77 K is weakly dependent on the Ru2+–Ru2+ distance (r), which is estimated for the extended conformer of the bridging ligand. A linear plot of log kEN vs. log (1/r6) shows that energy transfer occurs via the dipole–dipole interaction. The weak temperature-dependence of the energy transfer rate in the temperature range 77—110 K is explained in terms of the absorption-emission coupling integral. The fast energy transfer (55 × 106 s−1) within [(bpy)2Ru(bpbimH2)Ru(becbpy)2]4+ (bpbimH2 = 2,2′-di-(2-pyridyl)-6,6′-bibenzimidazole) at 77 K is as...


To assist with these decisions, assessments of impairment, ability, and activity are routinely conducted by teams of occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech and language pathologists in the context of the diagnosis and the developmental domains of interest. Less frequently, however, do we explicitly consider and evaluate the role of inherent personality attributes that may be unrelated to the diagnosis in determining access to, and type and outcomes of rehabilitation services. The purpose of this brief communication is to provide an overview of what is known about the relationship between several inherent child attributes and developmental outcomes and to discuss how these attributes might influence decisions about intervention.


Field experiment was tested in Jinsha County,Guizhou Province.The results show that recommended amount of N,P2O5,K2O of ternary quadratic model is 0.51~1.53 kg/667 m2,0.01~1.21 kg/667 m2,0.86~4.42 kg/667 m2,respectly less than the quadratic and binary quadratic.According to fertilizer effect function,the recommended ratio of sorghum fertilization in Jinsha county is N 10.47 kg/667 m2,P2O5 3.79 kg/667 m2,K2O 10.58 kg/667 m2.The fertilizer ternary quadratic model is superior to the quadratic model and the binary quadratic.


Slovenia faces similar problems to other central European countries which have intro duced radical reforms of their economic and political systems. In addition, it has become an independent state. This demands efforts to establish new social, political and economic functions and causes problems such as the loss of markets in the former Yugoslavia and big resources needed to support refugees from the crisis areas. However, its export-oriented and relatively well developed economy seem to enable a soft approach to the reform of social policy. This means that there have not been drastic cuts in the welfare programmes or that the reduction of public services provision has been substituted by non-governmental, volun tary, commercial and other means.


The terminology "red zone," originally published in schoolwide behavioral support literature, is used to conceptualize a population of families that are traditionally labeled resistant in family counseling. A measure of the family counselor's and the family's engagement-disengagement into mainstream values and norms is an empowering reframe of traditional resistance. Examples of disengagement across three dimensions are offered, all of which support the notion that families can consciously choose to disengage from mainstream values without negative outcomes in counseling.


The causative genetic mutations of inherited giant platelet disorders (IGPD) encompass genes coding for the platelet glycoprotein Ib-IX complex (Bernard Soulier syndrome and its variants), myosin heavy chain 9 ( MYH9 gene mutated in May-Hegglin anomaly and other IGPDs), GATA-01 (GATA-related thrombocytopenia), TUBB-1, ITGA2, ITGAB3, FLNA and some others. IGPDs are frequently associated with other disorders including renal disease, sensorineural deafness, and leukocyte inclusion bodies. Most are accompanied with variable degrees of bleeding diathesis, while others, like TUBB1 IGPD, do not have any bleeding manifestations. Harris platelet syndrome (HPS), previously called asymptomatic constitutional macrothrombocytopenia, is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by low-normal to severe thrombocytopenia IGPD and absence of bleeding. HPS has also been observed in healthy blood donors from the northeastern part of India (Bengal) and some areas of Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal.

We describe a high prevalence of an autosomal dominantly inherited form of IGPD with mild to severe thrombocytopenia in the Muslim population in Kashmir Valley in the northern Indian subcontinent. 830 voluntary, healthy, male blood donors from Kashmir Valley were included in the study. They were aged 15-55 years (median 31 years) and underwent ancillary screening as follows; CBC, peripheral smear, HBV, HCV, HIV, ANA and Anti-H pylori antibodies. 15% of the donors had thrombocytopenia (mean platelet count 109.6 compared to 189.9 in controls; p=<0.0001). No differences were noted in age between the 2 groups. The mean platelet volume (MPV) in thrombocytopenic subjects was higher (12.53 + 0.78 vs 9.52 + 1.03 fl). The red cell distribution width (RDW) in thrombocytopenic subjects was higher than in those with normal counts (15.6 + 1.61 Vs 13. 22 + 1.36, p=<0.001). Hematocrit and other red cell indices were not different in the 2 groups. None of the participants had a history of bleeding, renal disease, sensorineural deafness, or leukocyte inclusion bodies. Peripheral blood platelet morphology revealed large platelets in all subjects. In a pilot study of 7 families, Kashmiri thrombocytopenia was compatible with autosomal dominant inheritance affecting both genders. The congenital nature of Kashmiri thrombocytopenia was demonstrated by analyses of 34 consecutive neonates born in Sher-i-Kashmir Institute Hospital; among 20 girls and 19 boys, we found 18% (2 male and 5 female) to have low platelet count, the mean platelet count of the affected group when compared to unaffected group were 102.6 vs 234 (p=<0.001) respectively.

We then searched for a causative mutation using the following approaches. We sequenced the MYH9 gene and no mutation was found. We then employed SNP array analyses using Shared Genome Segment (SGS) and Whole Genome Association Study (WGAS). We were able to exclude all previously reported IGPD-causing genes. SGS that overlapped with WGAS narrowed the target into 3 chromosome regions in Chr. 5 (rs6872531-rs100072476), Chr. 9 (rs11999541-rs12682912) and Chr. 10 (rs11013452-rs7083349). The performed SNP analyses included large genomic segments as candidates for a Kashmiri thrombocytopenia-causative gene. To further narrow down the cause of this disorder, we recruited 3 TRIO families (an affected parent and a child) for stronger linkage analysis and next-generation sequencing to continue the search for the cause of the Kashmiri thrombocytopenia.

Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


This paper presents a new method used in mid-long term load forecast combining each unique characteristic of power system and ME(matler element), in addition, a new thought for practical usage of ME in power system is explored. Firstly tec hniques of Stepwise Regression and Analytic Hierarchy Process are used to determ ine the weight of each factor affecting load demand. Secondly ME model are found ed with selected affecting factors,power demand and its grossing ratio by funda mental of ME. Then the features of selected affecting factors and ratio of load grossing in each classification are identified by analyzing history data with Sy stematic Cluster method. Owing to appropriate dependent functions of ME and Grey Model, the grossing pattern can be revealed by model recognition technique, thu s the load demand can be forecasted. The successful result of the application of this method in a certain area of China, proves the validity of the approach.


By the contraction mapping theorem and the harmonic Lyapunov equation theory, sufficient existence conditions of what we call the harmonic Riccati equations in finite-dimensional linear continuous-time periodic systems are explicated. Properties of the harmonic Riccati equations are also examined. Different from the Hamiltonian analysis, the approach reveals some analytic properties of periodic solutions of periodic matrix Riccati equations. An iterative algorithm is suggested for solving periodic matrix Riccati equations, which only involves algebraic Lyapunov equations and Fourier coefficients of periodically time-varying matrices.


I WOULD LIKE TO THANK PROFESSOR MEAD for his comments on my essay, and to reply to the major points that he has raised. In my essay, I set out to provide a critique of the prevailing varieties of value noncognitivism, and to develop an alternative account of a certain class of value judgments, those which express judgments regarding the human good. I argued that such value judgments rest upon a conception of what it is to be a person, or a model of man, and that models of man also underlie empirical theories of politics. This analysis explains not only how value judgments may be rationally grounded, but also why systematic disagreements may exist among the value judgments made by different political theorists. It was not my intention to review the whole range of metaethical positions one might adopt, nor even to discuss the various ways in which a term like "cognitive" or its contrary may be used. Professor's Mead's distinction between "ontological cognitivism" and epistemological cognitivism" may be useful for certain purposes, but it has no bearing upon my argument. Using Professor Mead's terminology, my purpose was to criticize what he calls ontological noncognitivists (who, it follows, must also be epistemological noncognitivists) and to defend a form of epistemological cognitivism (from which it follows that I was also defending ontological cognitivism). Introducing Professor Mead's distinction, then, neither adds to, nor detracts from, my argument. Throughout my essay I insisted on using the phrase "qualified cognitivism" to refer to my position. The reason for this is that,


A sealing assembly 7 comprises two rigid connectable screens 8,9 one of which is provided with an elastomeric sealing element 23 cooperating with the other screen 8, one of the screens being fixedly provided with a sensor 22 (magnetic, inductive, capacitive) whilst the other is provided fixedly with a ferromagnetic reference element 19 provided with a plurality of depressions 18 at regular intervals in a ring, for example a toothed element. The screen 8 provided with the toothed element is securely fitted onto a rotating member the speed of which it is desired to measure, for example on a flanged ring 2 of a rolling element bearing fixed securely to the wheel of a vehicle, whilst the other screen 9 is fitted onto the other member, for example the other ring 3 of the said bearing, in such a way as to define with the said members a chamber 24 housing the sensor 22 and the ferromagnetic element and closed in a fluid tight manner against the exterior by the elastomeric element 23.


The thesis deals with external quality control and surveillance of construction products and
materials, and their placement into highway structures. In particular, the thesis addresses the
control of concrete, an element of crucial importance if designed quality level of reinforced
concrete structures is to be achieved during construction.
First, the parts of the Slovenian legislature that are relevant to quality control in highway
construction are presented.
The main goal of the thesis is the preparation of draft check lists to be used by the
surveillance engineer who conducts the quality control of the execution works and placement
of construction products and materials. During his/her work, the engineer uses a large number
of documents related to various stages of the construction project. In addition, the engineer is
in charge of several construction sites simultaneously, which increases the chance of
forgetting, or dropping out certain parts of the required procedures. A check list can therefore
be a useful tool for the surveillance engineer.
Each material requires different conditions of placing and execution, therefore the check list
content differs with respect to the construction type and employed material/product. The case
study presented deals with the control of execution of concrete works during placement of
concrete into the permeable protective structure surrounding the bridge foundation.


This study is a means of validating the Harter's Social Support Scale for Children on a sample of Mexican and Mexican American ninth-grade students to assist researchers and practitioners to more accurately assess this variable on this specific Latino group. The psychometric information was obtained through intercorrelations and Cronbach's alpha. Results indicated that the scale was an adequate measure of perceived social support from parents, teachers, close friends, and classmates for the assessed sample.


Two self-assembly of ultrathin Co nanowires (NWs) embedded in a CeO2 matrix was grown on SrTiO3(001) and oxidized Si(001) substrates. A common feature of the two arrays of NWs is the small diameter of the wires, falling in the 4–5 nm range. Combined with their length, the aspect ratio is large enough to ensure large magnetostaticanisotropy with an easy axis along the axis of the nanowires as revealed by magnetometry measurements. The Brillouin light scattering technique has been used to investigate the behavior of the spin waves under a field perpendicular to the NWs axes. The transparency of the matrix ensures the penetration of the probing light inside the sample. Importantly, Brillouin light scattering from the magnetic modes obeys the volume Bragg condition, which is characteristic of the configuration in which the observed modes are propagating along the nanowires and due to their very small diameter are nearly constant across the section. Both series of experimental results are satisfactorily analyzed by means of a single analytical model, based on a mean-field approach, assuming the presence at remanence of two populations of NWs with up and down magnetizations and including the dipolar coupling between the cylinders.


The principles of GPS height drafting and precision calcultion are probed into,and combined with GPS plane control net of somewhat mining area of Huainan,and the calculation result of third level net draws up height by GPS level method,contrasts them with level height in order to inquire into the application of GPS height measure,provides some solusion and suggestion, which has a great significence for reasearching on GPS level measurement.


PURPOSE: To identify the alterations of the lacrimal system in patients with Down syndrome. METHODS: A descriptive and retrospective survey covering eleven eyes in eight patients, diagnosed as Down syndrome, attended in the period from 1995 to 2001. RESULTS: All patients had chronic dacryocystitis with obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct. One patient also presented canaliculitis by Streptococcus sp and congenital absence of the lower lacrimal punctum was observed in another patient. Five patients were submitted to dacryocystorhinostomy, probing and intubation was performed in three patients. The complaints of epiphora were solved in four eyes. CONCLUSIONS: There are few accounts about lacrimal system disorders in patients with Down syndrome. The identification and surgical resolution of lacrimal obstruction is important, since it interferes with the quality of life of these patients. In the present study, it was verified that the lacrimal obstruction occurred in the nasolacrimal duct, like that which occurs in adults. The surgical prognosis was bad in 83.4% of intubations and in 57.2% of dacryocystorhinostomies. The reasons for the unsuccessful surgery may be related to a greater postoperative fibrosis in these patients, and the difficulty of obtaining their collaboration after surgery. Further studies are necessary to support the present observation.


The impetus for this special issue came from my couple of years of research experience on multi-phase fluid/solid flow modeling and simulation and many discussions with my colleagues who are also the guest editors contributing to this special issue. Through an extensive review of the current literature, we realized that there were no recent and comprehensive works to summarize the new advances in multi-phase fluid and multi-scale particulate reactive flow modeling and simulation. Given the complex nature of multi-phase fluid–particulate flow, and its importance in the fields of chemical engineering, environmental engineering, and petroleum engineering, among others, the collection of most recent research advances in multi-phase fluid and multi-scale particulate reactive flow modeling and simulation and, in particular, their applications in petroleum engineering is more necessary than ever.


An alternative expression for photoionization cross-section of atoms or molecules and a dielectric influence function (DIF) in a high-density system proposed recently are used to study the photoionization cross-sections of solid silver. It is suggested that a density turning point (DTP) of a photoionized system may be viewed as the critical point where the photoionization properties of atoms in a real system may have a notable change. The results show that the present theoretical photoionization cross-sections are in good agreement with the experimental results of a silver crystal both in structure and in magnitude.


The contamination on cotton fibers is one of the most important problems that manifest themselves on the product. Contamination usually consists of plant parts, powder, etc. on the cotton during the collection and transportation of the cotton fiber. As well as contamination occurs from bale pieces such as telis, nylon and polypropylene residues. It is not possible to completely remove the foreign matter from the yarn although there are serious advances in the selection of foreign matter in the blend-room and package processes during the yarn production with the newly developing technologies. In general, the amount of foreign matter in the local cotton is more than that of the US cotton.
In this study, yarn production is made in the same specifications from the local and US cotton. Then at the winder machine yarn foreign matter cuttings are compared.


The increasing of sugarcane productivity  and yield is not only affected by factors  of production such as seeds, fertilizer,  labors, and herbicides. Other factors  such as economic orientation and  environmental awareness also show  their effects on sugarcane productivity  and yield. This research was conducted  to determine the effect of economic  orientation and environmental  awareness both on productivity and  yield of sugarcane community partners  in the Wonolangan Sugar Factory. The  study was conducted in Probolinggo  and Lumajang Regency with 102  samples of farmers selected using  simple random sampling. The  measurement of the level of economic  orientation and environmental  awareness was carried out using Likert  scale and was categorized as low,  medium and high. The influence of  economic orientation and  environmental awareness both on  productivity and yield of sugar cane  were analyzed using multiple regression  with the Cobb Douglas production  function. Based on the results, the  economic orientation and  environmental awareness of farmers  were relatively high and could increase  sugarcane productivity and yield.


The comparison of theory and experiment for baryon resonances includes quark models and the Melosh transformation, partial wave analysis, and transition form factors of the nucleon resonances. Also covered are the high energy processes of pseudoscalar meson photoproduction and electroproduction and vector meson dominance. (JFP)


Focus of the current study is to shed more light on thermal behaviour of composites made up of areca sheath fibres. The XRD analysis revealed that crystallinity index and crystallinity percentage increased with different treatments, as it leads to better interaction of fibre and resin. The crystallinity percentage of alkali treated fibre and benzoyl peroxide treated fibre increased by 5.87 and 8.44% respectively compared to untreated fibre. This was further evident in thermo studies which proved better thermal stability in benzoyl peroxide treated fibre composite.


Abstract.A study in South East Queensland has found that a large percentage of thin surfaced flexible pavements exhibiting moderate to highly nonlinear subgrade behavior. The nonlinearity effects are major problems encountered in back-analysis of this group of pavements and it can yield back-calculated results with superficially high subgrade stiffness modulus and extremely low stiffness modulus at the road base layer. In other cases, the back-calculation yields very high asphalt stiffness and very low subgrade stiffness modulus. Back-analysis of the falling weight deflectometer bowls can be used to estimate the stiffness modulus of the subgrade from software packages such as EFROMD2. Occasionally, EFROMD2 does not converge mainly because of the certain actual material behavior cannot be handled by the elastic layer model in CIRCLY that is used in EFROMD2. A research has been carried out to analyse the back-calculated results of EFROMD2 and CIRCLY5 for pavement structures that possess highly nonlinear subgrade behavior. The study shows that the EFROMD2 computer program over predicts the asphalt stiffness and under predicts the subgrade stiffness. On the contrary, CIRCLY5 program generates back-calculated results with very high subgrade stiffness and very low stiffness modulus in the road base layer. The issues pertaining to the back-calculation of flexible pavements that posess highly nonlinear subgrade behaviour is presented. A simple approach to compute the degree of subgrade nonlinearity will be introduced.


OBJECTIVE: To find the reasons of drug repercussion in out-patient pharmacy,and to promote rational use of drugs.METHODS: From Jan.to May in 2010,a total of 276 pieces of drug repercussion records were collected.According to Pharmaceutical Administration Regulation for Medical Institutions (trials),drug repercussion records were analyzed statistically in respect of the department of drug repercussion,reasons of drug repercussion,types of returned drugs,etc.RESULTS CONCLUSION: The departments of drug repercussion are mainly cardiology department (96 pieces,34.8%),followed by endocrinology department (40 pieces,14.5%).The main causes of out-patient drug repercussion are dispensing errors (110 pieces,39.86%) and usage and dosage errors (22 pieces,7.97%),etc.Types of returned drugs are mainly antimicrobial agents (69 pieces,25.0%) and circulatory system agents (55 pieces,19.9%).It is urgent to establish drug repercussion system and the system of reward and punishment,spread rules and regulations vocational education,enhance the communication between the doctors and patients,improve patient compliance,strengthen pharmacy management and communication between pharmacists and doctors and develop medication consultation and guidance of pharmacists.


Avatars in virtual worlds provide affordances for self expression and some degree of animated body language. But in most commercial virtual worlds, avatars are ill-suited for spontaneous movements intended to communicate subtle reactions and attitudes that are coverbal with text or voice chat. Compared to the variety and degree to which we can manipulate items on a standard desktop, or build expressive 3D structures in Second Life, the avatar trails behind. It should be the most manipulable and expressive object in a virtual world. This chapter argues in favor of interfaces that use physical simulation (a variant of ragdoll physics) as a substrate for a puppeteering system that permits the avatar to become highly reactive and manipulable, not only with a user's touch, but with other factors in the environment as well...including other avatars. A system developed by the author for the Second Life avatar, which almost became a permanent commercial feature, is described, with some technical details. It is contrasted with newer interfaces using the Kinect for full-body gestural inputs. Analyses of the advantages and disadvantages of these different modes of input are explored.


The Returning Farmland to Forest Program (RFFP) is widely known as one of China's largest and most successful payment schemes for ecosystem service projects for the achievement of both environmental and economic sustainability. By sponsoring afforestation activities and compensating farmers for converting cropland to forest, the project was designed to achieve multiple goals. Ecologically, the program aims to expand forest cover and to reduce flood and soil erosion. Economically, it aims to alleviate poverty and improve rural livelihoods. Although the official metrics indicate successful program outcomes in the short term, researchers have reported mixed and controversial results for long-term outcomes. We combined the difference-in-difference (DID) with instrumental variables (IVs) regression to examine the long-term effects of China's RFFP on local economic development. We found that (1) the RFFP has had a remarkably positive impact on local economic growth in the primary sector, but considerably limits the growth of enterprises above a designated size by 16.8%; (2) the RFFP is unable to promote the development of the secondary industry because it cannot effectively promote the transfer of rural laborers to the secondary industry sector; and (3) in addition to increasing the general budgetary expenditure of local finance by 7.50%, this program has significantly reduced local fiscal revenue by 35.50%. We suggest that eco-compensation should consider the performance of the RFFP in its evaluation criteria.


A distributed collaboration design environment is proposed in this paper, based on the analysis of current aerospace products' situation and problems. A sole defined and operated data source, Task Unified Model(TUM), is introduced in the coordinate design environment to commonly describe the knowledge, task, object, personnel and process. The definition of TUM, organization, views conversion and operation mechanism are detailed discussed. The distributed design environment, APEngine, is built on the basis of Eclipse RCP and Web Portal technology, which realized the TUM implementation, live example utilization and operation through the entire product design process. It has been proved in the design and utilization in an aerospace product that research work in this paper is highly useful in engineering application.


NURSE, ACADEMIC and writer Derek Sellman explores the notion that certain virtues are essential in a good nurse. The concepts of honesty, justice, courage, trustworthiness, open-mindedness and professional phronesis, or wisdom, are examined.


Objectives: In secretin-stimulated pancreatic function testing, the standard technique for bicarbonate measurement is back titration (BT). Chemistry autoanalyzers (AAs) automate bicarbonate measurement and are universally available; however, this method has not been validated in pancreatic fluid. The aims of the study were (1) to compare the AA and BT for measurement of bicarbonate in pancreatic fluid and (2) to determine the effects of variable conditions on bicarbonate concentration. Methods: Pancreatic fluid samples were analyzed for bicarbonate concentration using both BT and AA. Additional experiments were conducted to determine the effect of different sample conditions. Results: The results obtained by BT and AA were highly concordant (Lin concordance coefficient, 0.96). An AA cutpoint of 84 mM optimized sensitivity (91.1%) and specificity (94.1%) compared with the BT reference standard. Blood contamination spuriously increased the bicarbonate, an effect that was eliminated by centrifugation. The bicarbonate levels were not significantly affected by delayed analysis, storage condition, nitrogen gas treatment, or the addition of mineral oil or protease inhibitors. Conclusions: The bicarbonate concentrations obtained by AA are highly concordant with those obtained by BT. Secretin pancreatic function testing fluid analysis may now be performed in any hospital.Abbreviations: AA - autoanalyzer, BT - back-titration, CI - confidence interval, ePFT - endoscopic pancreatic function test, HCl - hydrochloric acid, PFT - pancreatic function testing, mM - millimolarity


Although nineteenth-century France is well known to be an age of science, materialism and reason, the same period experienced a powerful Marian revival. This article demonstrates how the following nineteenth-century narratives develop the representations of woman as virgin or beast: Honoré de Balzac's Le Lys dans la vallée (1836), Edmond and Jules de Goncourt's Sœur Philomène (1861) and Emile Zola's Lourdes (1898). These novels reflect a growing struggle to codify female roles in imitation of the Virgin Mary. The theme of the virgin progresses during the century from Balzac's use of metaphor and metonymy early in the century to Zola's eventual "morphing" of the literary virgin with the Virgin Mary. Bestial imagery in Balzac is directly associated with excessive sexual appetite and moral weakness, but by the end of the century, the beast is portrayed as characters who literally look like monsters and who appeal to the Virgin for the healing of their monstrous afflictions. (PAM)


After 3 years, European Society of Cardiology and the European Atherosclerosis Society published the new guideline for the management of dyslipidemias on August 2019. Comparing with the 2016 version, based on the latest prospective studies, randomized trials and Mendelian randomization studies, there are major changes in the recommendations; especially in the areas of total cardiovascular risk estimation, treatment targets and management of treatment, focusing on the combination therapy. Aforementioned studies indicated that it is possible to prevent atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases by reducing low density lipoprotein cholesterol as early as and as much as possible since there is a correlation between the concentration of low density lipoprotein cholesterol in the blood and the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. In the light of those information the recommendation for patients at very high risk was changed as a low density lipoprotein cholesterol goal of
Keywords: dyslipidemia, guidelines, risk assessment, LDL cholesterol


The air conditioned auditorium classroom was monitored for energy consumption by a monitoring platform. One year collected data from energy consumption and indoor climate monitoring systems and outdoor climate data in Phitsanulok province, Thailand, where its climate classified as the tropics, was employed to determine their relation by regression analysis. The analysis of climate data showed that the outdoor temperature above 26 oC was accounted for 70% of the year this emphasizes on cooling requirement. Furthermore, the hourly cooling energy consumption ranged from 8.1 to 10.3 kWh for indoor air temperature between 20 oC and 32 oC.  The higher outdoor temperature causes the greater cooling energy consumption. The correlation between outdoor temperature and cooling energy consumption with linear regression showed the correlation coefficient of 0.38 while the correlation between temperature difference and enthalpy difference of the outdoor and indoor found the correlation coefficient of 0.71. This pointed out that the outdoor tropical climate highly affected to the cooling energy demand.


Sterol glucosides and ceramide glucosides: cloning of enzymes contributing to their biosynthesis.- Silver ion liquid-chromatographic mobility of plant diacylglycerols as a function of their composition and spatial arrangement.- Betaine lipids in marine algae.- Studies on the lipid molecular species and minor components of some Philippine seed and nut oils.- Antioxidant activity of some natural extracts in corn oil.- Study of the asymmetric distribution of saturated fatty acids in sunflower oil. Triacylglycerols.- Okra (Hibiscus esculentus L.) seed oil: characterization and potential use for high value products.- Cellular and developmental implications for carbon supply to fatty acid synthesis in seeds.- What is new about glycerol metabolism in plants?.- Genes and pathways involved in biosynthesis of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids in bacteria.- Brassica KCS is capable of elongating polyunsaturated fatty acids.- Re-constitution of the glucose 6-phosphate translocator in liposomes: Inhibition of glucose 6-phosphate and inorganic phosphate exchange by oleoyl-coenzyme A.- Structural and functional analysis of the FAS1 gene encoding fatty acid synthase ?-subunit in methylotrophic yeast Hansenula polymorpha.- Characterizing KAS enzymes using the E. cou double mutant strain CY244.- Carbon metabolism in developing soybean embryos.- Expression of antisense acyl carrier protein-4 (LMI-ACP) reduces lipid content in Arabidopsis leaf tissue.- Biosynthesis of 9, 12, 15-octadecatrien-6-ynoic acid in the moss Dicranum scoparium.- The role of the plastidial glucose-6-phosphate transporter in the control of fatty acid biosynthesis of developing embryos of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.).- Comparative analysis of expressed sequence tags from developing seeds of Sesamum indicum and Arabidopsis thaliana.- Substitution of Phe282 with Ser in LEA B. napus c. v. westar restores FAE1 enzyme activity.- Presence of a palmitoyl-CoA delta 6-desaturase in the preputial gland of the mouse.- Linolenic acid accumulation in dragonhead.- Spirulina platensis mutants defective in ?-linolenic acid production: molecular characterization.- Oxygen availability regulates microsomal oleate desaturase (FAD2) in sunflower developing seeds by two different mechanisms.- Identification of a 05-fatty acid desaturase from Physcomitrella patens.- Low temperature and hypoxic signals regulating 03949 fatty acid desaturase gene transcription are converted into membrane fluidity signal in yeast.- Fatty acid desaturases from the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum: Reconstitution of polyunsaturated fatty acid biosynthetic pathways in transgenic yeast.- Characterization of transgenic maize engineered with antisense FAD2 cDNA by chemometrical analysis of glycerolipids.- Biochemical studies on the production of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in Euglena and Thraustochytrium.- Nonthermal factors affecting production and unsaturation of alkenones in Emiliania huxleyi and Gephyrocapsa oceanica.- Determination of the X-ray crystallographic structure of E.coli butyryl-ACP.- Diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 of Arabidopsis thaliana.- Oleosins and plastid-lipid-associated proteins in Arabidopsis.- Membrane-bound sn-2-monoacylglycerol acyltransferase (MGAT) is involved in Diacylglycerol synthesis.- Cloning and expression of Vernonia and Euphorbia diacylglycerol acyltransferase cDNAs.- Reutilization of arachidonyl moieties of triacylglycerols in the microalga Parietochloris incisa following recovery from nitrogen starvation.- Lipid composition in yeast mutant lacking storage lipids synthesis capacity.- Synthesis of chloroplast galactolipids in apicomplexan parasites (Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium falciparum).- Determination of the effects of temperatures on phosphatidylglycerol biosynthesis in thylakoid membranes by analysis of molecular species.- Modulation of lipid body size and protein profiles in the oleaginous fungus by changing nitrogen concentration in culture medium.- Cloning and characterisation of a phospholipid: diacylglycerol acyltransferase from Arabidopsis thaliana.- A multigene family of lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferases of Arabidopsis thaliana.- Kinetic analysis of microsomal sn-glycerol-3- phosphate acyltransferase from the developing seeds of sunflower and Mortierella alpin.- Isolation and characterization of disruptants for CTP: phosphorylcholine cytidylyltransferase isogenes in Arabidopsis.- The plastidial lyso-PC acyltransferase from Allium porrum leaves: Interaction with metal salts and partial purification.- Histochemical analysis of three MGD genes using promoter-GUS fusion system in Arabidopsis.- Oil biosynthesis in Mortierella alpina microsomal membranes.- Galactolipid synthesis coordinates with the expression of photosynthetic activity via redox cascade.- Changes in oil composition of two sunflower varieties induced by salt-stress.- Tapetosomes and elaioplasts in Brassica and Arabidopsis floral tapetum.- Cloning and gene expression of the 3-ketoacyl-CoA reductase in B. napus seeds.- Dissecting the maize epicuticular wax biosynthetic pathway via the characterization of an extensive collection of GLOSSY mutants.- Distribution of cerebroside in genus Saccharomyces and its closely related yeasts, and cloning of cerebroside metabolism-related genes.- Properties and physiological effects of plant cerebroside species as functional lipids.- Metabolic engineering of the mevalonate and non-mevalonate pathways in tomato.- Characterization of the molecular species of phytosterol fatty acyl esters in corn (maize).- Action of mevalonic acid-derived isoprenoids in Arabidopsis.- The study of the mechanism of cell elongation using an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3methylglutaryl-CoA reductase.- Characterisation of enzymes involved in tocopherol biosynthesis.- Two novel types of Arabidopsis phospholipase D.- Functional analysis of Arabidopsis lipase genes.- Transcriptional activation of jasmonate biosynthesis enzymes is not reflected at protein level.- Membrane localization of Arabidopsis acyl-CoA binding protein ACBP2.- Shift in fatty acid and oxylipin pattern of tomato leaves following overexpression of the allene oxide cyclase.- Reaction characterization of phospholipase A2 on hydrolysis of phospholipid in W/O microemulsion.- Molecular characterization of rice ?-oxygenase: ?-comparison with mammalian prostaglandin H synthases.- The lipoxygenase pathway in mycorrhizal roots of Medicago truncatula.- Purification and immunological properties of galactolipase from Phaseolus vulgaris leaves.- Hydrolysis behavior of triglycerides by Rhizopus delemar lipase in reverse micellar organic solvents.- Hydroperoxide lyase and leaf aldehyde formation can be greatly increased in leaves.- DAD1-like lipase (DLL) genes in Arabidopsis thaliana: Their expression profiles and physiological significances.- Peroxisomal acyl-CoA thioesterases from Arabidopsis.- Identification and characterization of a binding protein for N-acylethanolamines in membranes of tobacco cells.- Lipid transfer proteins: a genomic approach to establish their suggested roles in lipid trafficking and signaling.- Rapid and slow response reactions of plants on effect of antioxidant ambiol.- Localization of pollen tube NpCDPK7 protein in generative cell membrane mediated by amino terminal myristoylation.- Gene-engineered rigidification of membrane lipids enhances the cold inducibility of gene expression in Synechocystis.- Monitoring of 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid (OPDA)-induced expression changes in Arabidopsis by cDNA macroarray.- Characterization of light-responding activation of phospholipase D in suspension-cultured photoautotrophic soybean (SB-P) cells.- Salicylic acid and aromatic monoamines induce generation of active oxygen species leading to increase in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration in tobacco suspension culture.- A novel glycolipid in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 cells: structural characteristics.- The mechanism of biosynthesis and the physiological function of phosphatidylcholine in Arabidopsis during cold acclimation.- Involvement of membrane lipid fluidity in regulation of molecular mechanism of the xanthophyll cycle.- Sulphoquinovosyldiacylglycerol and adaptation syndrome.- Plastoquinol and other natural membrane prenyllipids may form pseudocyclic electron transport by scavenging superoxide generated in photosystem I.- Fluorescence anisotropy of plant membrane prenyllipids as a tool in studies of their localization and mobility in model membranes.- The role of betaine lipids in adaptation of lichen Peltigera aphthosa to long-term dehydration.- A study of the physiological function of phosphatidylethanolamine in Arabidopsis.- Glycolipid fatty acids while drought action.- Seasonal changes in thermotropic behavior of phospho- and glycolipids from Laminaria japonica.- Cyanobacterial lipid composition with regard to the regulatory role of glucose.- Are galactolipids engaged in the molecular mechanism of the xanthophyll cycle?.- Lipid synthesis catalyzed by lipase immobilized in biocompatible microemulsion-based organogel systems.- Production of nutraceutical fatty acids in oilseed crops.- Application of hpRNA-mediated gene silencing techniques to modification of fatty acid composition.- Targeting gene expression in mesocarp and kernel of the oil palm fruits.- Transgenic oil palm: where are we?.- Genetic manipulation of fatty acids in oil palm using biolistics: strategies to determine the most efficient target tissues.- Endogenic and exogenic interaction of microalgae lipids with surfactants in water environment.- Production of hydroxy fatty acids in Arabidopsis thaliana.- Author Index.


The purpose of this study is to understand the causes of formalism of cultural policy by using institutional change theory. By applying the concept of 'institutional decoupling', I analyzed the case of the legislation process of the 'Law for Promotion of Regional Culture'. The law was dramatically l...


New York State hopes to improve early childhood care and education through its Universal Prekindergarten program. Cornell childhood development experts are helping school districts implement the program and learn from the experiences of others. When the White House declared war on illiteracy and academic incompetence among America's youth through its Goals 2000 initiative, the national climate for educational reform was set. Last April's White House Conference on Early Childhood Development and Learning added the care and education of young children to the educational reform agenda. The move to improve early childhood care and education was fueled in part by sobering information from authoritative sources. For example, a report issued by the Carnegie Task Force on Meeting the Needs of Young Children claimed that one in three American kindergartners arrives in school unprepared to learn and later achieves far below his or her potential during the early grades. More startling statistics suggest that 42 percent of the nation's fourth graders are below the minimum achievement level in reading, and 82 percent are not proficient in math. Coupled with empirical evidence that educational experiences in the early years set the tone for an individual's later academic achievements, the nation's resolve to improve early childhood care and education was strengthened. New York State responded to the national challenge by committing significant resources to long-range initiatives aimed at bolstering elementary achievement. A plan to reduce the size of kindergarten through third grade classes was endorsed with a 1999-2000 school year appropriation of $75 million, increasing to $225 million the following school year. Additional funding was provided for expansion of full-day kindergarten throughout the state. The initiative with perhaps the most far-reaching and long-term consequences, however, is the Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) Program legislation passed in the 1997-98 state budget after several years of debate. New York is the second state to pass UPK legislation. The program, which began in certain school districts this school year, will be fully implemented by 2002. UPK offers New York State's bevy of 200,000 or so four-year-olds free access to high-quality early childhood education programs designed and administered under specific guidelines in the hopes of better preparing them for kindergarten and the future rigors of academia. The very design of the legislation also forces a collaboration between a district's various child care and education entities. The law states that during the planning school year each district must appoint through its superintendent of schools a Prekindergarten Policy Advisory Board composed of school board members, district teachers and parents, community leaders, and child care and early education providers. The advisory board first develops a prekindergarten program plan, and the district must then convene a public hearing on the completed plan. Those districts deciding to implement the prekindergarten program submit an application to the New York State Department of Education for review. Approved programs are awarded grants to cover approximately 90 percent of the program's costs, a minimum of 10 percent of which must be distributed to approved programs in community-based child care and education settings such as day care centers, Head Start programs, and nursery schools operating in the district but not in the district's schools. Although the districts are afforded the freedom to design their own programs, these programs must by law provide curricula and activities that promote the cognitive, linguistic, physical, cultural, emotional, and social development of children in ways appropriate to the age level and individual needs of eligible children. The law further states that activities shall be learner-centered and designed and provided in ways that promote the child's total growth and development in all areas, including emergent English literacy, and that they should encourage children to be self-assured and independent. …


The reaction of the complex [(dippe)NiH]2 (1) with a variety of alkyl cyanides afforded nickel(0) compounds of the type [(dippe)Ni(η2-RCN)], where R = Me, Et, Pr, iPr, tBu, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, adamantyl (2−9, respectively). When compounds 2−9 were warmed to yield oxidative addition products, the thermal reaction proceeded only in the case of 2 to produce [(dippe)Ni(Me)(CN)] (10). Photochemical activation did produce oxidative addition products from compounds 2−8, which rapidly evolved to the β-elimination products of the organic moiety in most cases and to the formation of [(dippe)Ni(CN)2] (11). Reaction of 1 with acetonitrile in the presence of BPh3 gives [(dippe)Ni(η2-MeCNBPh3)] (12), which does not undergo thermal C−CN cleavage upon heating. X-ray crystal structures are reported for 10−12.


A MnO4– anion surface-imprinted material was prepared with the new surface-imprinting technique of "pre-graft polymerizing and post-crosslinking/imprinting" for the selective removal of molybdate anions from a water medium. Monomer dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) was first graft-polymerized on micron-sized silica gel particles by using a surface-initiated graft-polymerization method, resulting in the grafted particles PDMAEMA/SiO2. Subsequently, the grafted macromolecule PDMAEMA was quaternized with epichlorohydrin as a reagent, and the quaternization transform of the grafted particles was realized, obtaining the functional grafted particles QPDMAEMA/SiO2, on which original tertiary amine groups had been transformed into quaternary ammonium groups. The adsorption property of the functional grafted particles for molybdate (MoO42– anion) was examined. On this basis, the MoO42– anion imprinting toward the functional macromolecules QPDMAEMA was conducted with 1,6-hexanediamine as a cross-linker, and ...


Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the practical feasibility of adopting a Quality Circle Financial Accounting System (QCFAS) for analyzing the performance of 5‐S teams.Design/methodology/approach – First the literature was surveyed to study the state of the art of 5‐S. This study revealed the importance of analyzing the financial performance of 5‐S. Since, 5‐S contains tangible and intangible activities, it was decided to adopt the QCFAS to financially account it. The practical validity of this preposition was tested by conducting an implementation study in a unit of a multinational abrasive manufacturing company operating in IndiaFindings – The literature review led to the finding that 5‐S could be used as an interweaving device for conglomerating world class paradigms such as total quality management (TQM) and quality circles (QCs). The practical implementation study revealed the compatibility of employing QCFAS for financially accounting 5‐S teams.Research limitations/implications – The...


Transfer of human faeces among people was observed by following the normal regular movement of hands of the mother, particularly after defaecation or after cleaning of the bottom of a child. Only those aspects of hand movement were observed which were likely to play an important role in transmitting faeces among human beings. The movement of the hands of 21 mothers with children aged under five years was observed. These mothers were from 21 different households in several villages located within the Teknaf thona. The main objective of this study was to gather first-hand information in order to develop health messages for community members to promote use of water following the cleaning of bottoms after defaecation. The study explored the possibility of contamination of food and water from human faeces through the use of naked hands in cleaning faeces after defaecation.


In developing countries, funeral costs due to HIV/AIDS are considered as a major impact of the epidemic on households'poverty. Nevertheless, few studies assess the mechanisms responsible for this burden on households. Moreover, an extensive literature exists on the bequest motive for saving or life insurance but no theoretical framework models explicitly the impact of funeral costs on the saving behaviour. Empirical tests on the role of funeral costs in determining private consumption and wealth, in particular in developing countries, are seldom available as well. Thus, the objective of the paper is to model and test the impact of HIV/AIDS on the saving behaviour through funeral costs. Analysing the relationship between HIV/AIDS, funeral costs and saving behaviour is not trivial. Everyone has to die one day. Consequently the impact of HIV/AIDS is more complex then for medical costs. The data used is a study of the socio economic impact of HIV/AIDS in the Free


Ingestion of strong acids or strong alkalies may produces severe inflammation on the mucosa of the esophagus and this may also causes esophageal stricture. Several forms of non-operative dilatations have been utilized for the treatment of esophageal stricture and they have shown good results. Yet some patients do not achieve acceptable symptom relief despite of intensive dilatation. Temporary placement of esophageal stent has recently been used in some of these patients. Furthermore, mitomycin C has been used as a conservative treatment for refractive esophageal stricture in children, yet its efficacy has not been well established. We experienced a case of a 64-year old man with severe, recurrent esophageal stricture, and this was successfully managed by temporary placement of an esophageal stent, together with a spray of mitomycin C. We report on this case along with the review of the literature. (Korean J Gastrointest Endosc 2007;35:170-174)


Court tales provide narrative depictions of the imagined interface between the rulers of a society and their subjects and can often provide fuel for readings of self and society. Many of the canonical court tales display patterns of social interaction in new contexts (Egypt and Babylon) and assist in novel corporate contextualization. This article seeks to read the court tales of Bel and the Dragon (Daniel 14) in relationship to both the court tales of Aramaic Daniel (2–7) and the earlier tales of Joseph in Egypt (Genesis 41). It will then anchor these readings within the context of Alexandrian Egypt—one suggested location for composition—and see how they may suggest patterns of identity and social engagement for a plausible audience.


Studies of silicon on gallium arsenide and gallium arsenide on silicon interface formation will be described and used as examples of how synchrotron radiation excited photoemission is a powerful probe of surface and interface phenomena. The samples and interfaces studied in this work were prepared in-situ using thermal Ga and As MBE sources and a resistive Si evaporation source. The MBE capability has allowed the authors to explore atomic and electronic structural issues of interface formation during hetero-epitaxy. The authors have combined these techniques to explore Si and GaAs surfaces, the adsorbate interactions of Ga and As on Si, and interface formation of Si on GaAs and the inverse system, GaAs on Si. Several of these surfaces and interfaces yield model system which can provide general insights. As an example, studies of arsenic terminated silicon (100) and (111) surfaces is described. A specific focus of the paper is the interfacial development of Si on GaAs (100). Si deposited at various coverages below 10 ml onto a room temperature substrate yields a disordered surface. For coverages below two monolayers, subsequent annealing at 450-600{sup 0}C leads to a single domain 1 x 2 surface from either the As rich c(2 x 8)more » or Ga rich 4 x 6 reconstructions. While the periodicity is the same for the different starting surfaces, evidence is presented that the atomic arrangement in the unit cell is different.« less


Various assessment scales are used to measure the severity and rate of progression of Parkinson's disease (PD)—for example, the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) and its Activities of Daily Living (ADL) subscale. The relative merits of these scales for accurately determining the degree of disease progression have recently come under scrutiny. Analyses of data from the recent Attenuation of disease progression with Azilect given once daily (ADAGIO) trial demonstrated that patients receiving early-start rasagiline (Azilect®, Teva Neuroscience, North Wales, PA) 1 mg/day experienced slower disease progression, as assessed by their mean total UPDRS score, than patients receiving placebo followed by delayed-start rasagiline treatment. Subsequent secondary analyses showed that 1 and 2 mg/day doses of early-start rasagiline delayed the need for antiparkinsonian drugs and improved other parameters, including ADL scores and fatigue, when compared with placebo followed by delayed-start rasagiline. Furthermore, the analyses highlighted that, over time, the motor and mentation sections of the UPDRS-ADL subscale increasingly reflect the response to treatment of the earlyand delayed-start rasagiline 1 mg/day patient groups. The results from the ADAGIO trial suggest that rasagiline has potential disease-modifying effects, but more clinical data are required to confirm their effect on PD progression.


Systems, methods, devices, and computer program products are described for refinement of femtocell coverage area infor mation in a wireless communication system, particularly in context of a femto-proxy architecture. Zones may be defined within a femtocell coverage area using beacon Sources, and a Zone map of Zone signatures may be defined for each Zone of the femtocell coverage area, according to macro signatures detected in those Zones. The Zone map can be used, by access terminals, the femto-proxy system, and/or the macro net work, to provide functionality, including reduced power level femtocell discovery and association, enhanced network plan ning, improved femtocell troubleshooting, etc.


Populations of Escherichia coli K12 containing the plasmid TP120 which coded for resistance to ampicillin, streotomycin, sulphonamide and tetracycline were grown in continuous culture under carbon-limited and phosphor us-limited conditions. The maintenance of the plasmid TP120 was studied and it was discovered that with time, resistance to one or more of the drugs was lost, resulting in the production of mutant populations which were more competitive than the parent population. The tetracycline resistance marker was always lost under carbon and phosphor us-limitations, but resistance to the other three drugs was lost only under phosphate- limited growth. A plasmid-minus strain was isolated on only one occasion. Strains of E. coli which had lost resistance to one or more drugs were shown to be smaller in size than the parent strain and were capable of higher maximum specific growth rates than the parent strain. Mixed culture competition experiments also demonstrated that evolved strains had lower Kq values than the original, parent strain. However the rate of carbon and phosphor U3 uptake measured in radiochemical experiments was unchanged for parent and evolved strains. The significance of plasmid stability within populations of bacteria in relation to the natural situation was also discussed.


ABSTRACT Gymnogeophagus is a genus of fish from the family Cichlidae present in freshwaters from Southern South America, and the knowledge on its parasite communities is rather scarce. Therefore, the present study evaluated, for the first time, the parasite community of G. balzanii. Fish were collected in the Pantanal wetlands, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil and analysed for metazoan parasites. Ten taxa (larvae and adult) were found including Nematoda (3), Digenea (5), Copepoda (1) and Monogenea (1). All taxa were aggregated within the host population, few showed high prevalence and all had low abundance. The parasite community was composed by few specialists and several generalist and characterised by low richness, diversity and, consequently high dominance of few species and low evenness. These characteristics are typical of isolationist parasite communities. The predominance of larval forms indicates that G. balzanii occupies a lower position within the food chain, acting as an important link for trophic relations. Host length and weight were strong determinants in the parasite community, making fish sex also important since males were significantly longer and heavier than females. Generally, the parasite fauna did not influence host body condition, indicating no apparent debility. Presence of Clinostomum metacercariae is important for human health issues.


Otolaryngology. By John F. Simpson, FRCS; Ian G. Robin, FRCS; John C. Ballantyne, FRCS; and John Groves, FRCS. Price $10. Pp 533; 94 illustrations. The Williams & Wilkins Co, 428 E Preston St, Baltimore 21202,1967. A synopsis is a summary which gives broad coverage of a topic in general terms permitting visualization of "the forest from the trees" and providing a framework upon which to build. It is of value to the student in two phases of learning. Least important is the scan of a subject to determine its dimensions before studying it in depth, and more important is by way of review following detailed study. Herein the synopsis permits assimilation of disconnected details into organized generalization. The main divisions covered include the ear, nose and paranasal sinuses, mouth and pharynx, esophagus, larynx, trachea and tracheobronchial tree, and neurology. Advantages of the book, and hence the incentive to buy it, are based upon the organization of its contents and concise and point form style. The scope is broad, illustrations are simple line drawings, and it is comparatively up to date. Of particular value are the sections on basic anatomy, embryology, and physiology. Finally, the price is right. The disadvantages include definite holes in the material which may be due in part to the process of generalizing or to textbook aging which begins with the drying of the authors' ink or to factors relating to foreign authorship. A bibliographic reference list is missing and, while possibly outside the scope of a synopsis, it would be most helpful to assist the student in verifying facts he may have missed in earlier study. This book should become the well-used property of every resident preparing for his boards, a guide for the medical student, and


This paper propose a dynamic mathematical model of love with the Fourier series function as an external force. We also investigate the periodic doubling including 1, 2, 4 periodic motion, chaotic attractor and limit cycle in the love models based on Romeo and Juliet with the Fourier series function as an external force, using time series and phase portraits. To show the nonlinear phenomena using time series and phase portraits, we vary the parameter value with the Fourier series function as an external force.


Cut off the film Cut off the film Dried cellulose film Wet film of regenerated cellulose •Regenerated cellulose: nanocomposites matrix materials High mechanical properties Strong hydrogen bond Strong hydrophilic property Partially crystalline structure (~40%) Low processiblity •Montmorillonite (MMT): nanocomposites filler materials High Aspect ratio layered silicate Layer thickness: 1nm Lateral dimensions: 100~200nm Anionic and hydrophilic surface •N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO) Hard to dissolve A specific solvent like NMMO is needed Strong N-O dipoles can substitute the intermolecular hydrogen bonds of cellulose NANOCOMPOSITES FROM REGENERATED CELLULOSE AND NANOCLAY Jihoon Lee and Yulin Deng Institute of Paper Science and Technology at Georgia Tech Motivation


for an Invited Paper for the MAR06 Meeting of The American Physical Society Super Growth Carbon Nanotubes KENJI HATA, AIST Water assisted CVD (denoted as Super Growth) results in a significant enhanced catalyst activity and enlonged lifetime of the catalysts to synthesize carbon nanotubes. The high efficient growth results in massive growth of vertically-aligned single-walled nanotubes forests with heights up to 2.5 millimeters and carbon purity over 99.98%. Super Growth simultaneously addresses many critical problems such as scalability, purity, and cost, and opens up innumerable opportunities ranging from fundamental research to real applications. This presentation will provide an overview of our recent development of the "Super Growth" CVD. First, the synthesis of highly efficient impurity free SNWT forest will be described. Second, the growth dynamics will be explored with our recent advance in CNT synthesis, as well as characterizing the physical and chemical properties of SWNT forests. Third, various new forms of carbon nanotube material such as DWNT forests, SWNT solids made by utilizing the super-growth technique will be demonstrated with emphasis on their applications such as super-capacitors. Lastly, challenges and future projects that are planed will be summarized.


Legislation accommodation power in ethnic autonomous regions is the system arrangement for regional autonomy of ethnic groups on legislation divide power in our country,which causes the national basic laws union reality of ethnic autonomous regions national and effectively is carried out.After culture sight the author analyzes the system's frame that proves rationality of legislation accommodation pattern in ethnic autonomous regions.


Abstract The synthesis of optically pure 4,5-dihydro-3(2 H )-pyridazinones substituted at C-4, which can be considered conformationally restricted cyclic Glu derivatives, has been accomplished by the asymmetric γ-alkylation of α,β-unsaturated glutamyl sultams under PTC conditions followed by reaction with hydrazines.


Two perspectives on program longevity informwork on the life cycle and political control of federal programs. One set ofwork represents programs as immortal and implies that elected officials face severe problems controlling programs. Asecond set ofwork claims that programs face pressures that lead to termination. A single empirical feature—the hazard of program termination over time—distinguishes these mutually exclusive perspectives. A survival data analysis strategy is applied to a sample of federal credit programs to estimate this hazard. The data indicate high risks of termination early in the life of a program and lower risks as programs age. Further, the types of new programs that are terminated—programs that rely on direct loans or are housed in independent agencies—influence the long-term structure of federal intervention in capital markets.


AIM
To study the expression of trefoil factor 1 (TFF1) and TFF2 in precancerous condition and gastric cancer and to explore the relationship between TFFs and tumorigenesis, precancerous condition and gastric cancer.

METHODS
The expression of TFF1 and TFF2 was immunohistochemically analyzed in paraffin-embedded samples from 140 patients including 35 cases of chronic superficial gastritis (CSG), 35 cases of gastric ulcer (GU), 35 cases of chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) and 35 cases of gastric cancer (GC).

RESULTS
TFF1 and TFF2 were located in cytoplasm of gastric mucous cells. In CSG, GU, CAG and GC, the level of TFF1 expression had a decreased tendency (P < 0.05). The expression of TFF2 was higher in GU than in CSG, but the difference was not significant. The expression of TFF2 also had a decreased tendency in GU, CAG, and GC (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION
The reduced expression of TFF1 and TFF2 in precancerous conditions and gastric cancer may be associated with the proliferation and malignant transformation of gastric mucosa. More investigations are needed to explore the mechanism of TFFs and the relationship between TFFs and gastric cancer.


Sometime during the economic turmoil in the 1990s in an Editorial in this journal I coined the alternative meaning of R&D, viz., Restructure and Downsize. Since the time scale of most R&D is rather long, both public and private sectors find it relatively easy to slash budgets for R&D even when that makes only a miniscule dent on their bottom line. Also, the inherent element of risk, which should be central to any true research, makes it hard to justify long-term investment that may not pay off. The fact that a very small fraction of patents are actually licensed and applied in practice is adequate testimony to this uncertainty in returns on R&D investments. Yet, such risk must be taken to bring innovative products and processes to the marketplace. In recent years, particularly in comfortable economic times, which are typically brief, I have noticed that R&D often implies Rush & Drop. Short-term thinking leads to certain new buzzword research areas emerging and massive amounts of funding gets devoted to R&D in such areas. Since there is no direct correlation between the number of innovative ideas and new talents with relevant expertise, and the size of new funding, return on such investment is liable to be poorer than in areas that receive lower but sustained levels of resources. Thus, these buzzword areas set themselves up for being ''dropped'' in the following round without having had the necessary time to produce the ''deliverables,'' hence ''Rush & Drop.'' Drying R&D, fortunately, never became a buzzword anywhere in the world. With limited but sustained interest and industry needs, which continue today, there is sustainable effort in this area. Indeed, there has been a marked change in those countries that depended on hi-tech industries; they reduced their drying R&D effort, while emerging economies with strong manufacturing base accelerated their effort. The net effect is a small but definitive growth in global effort as evidenced from the rise in the number of papers and participants in various drying conferences around the globe. With increasing globalization and the widespread access to the Internet, knowledge about drying processes has grown exponentially although the funding and human resource levels allocated to drying research have probably grown only linearly over the past three decades. As I have repeatedly pointed out, one needs an ''optimal'' level of R&D resources for high productivity. A very high level of funding without new ideas and essential talent to support it is in fact detrimental to the health of any R&D activity. The outcome per unit of R&D resources expended can be vanishingly small at extreme levels of funding support. The same is true if the support level is extremely low. The optimal range of R&D funding obviously depends on the technology area. Another interesting point I wish to make about R&D is that a typical R&D team or group needs talented individuals who are both ''far-sighted'' visionaries and also ''short-sighted'' researchers. The latter is not a derogatory label; if all R&D is long term, it is unlikely to be sustainable since no returns will be visible in a reasonable period and hence the entire team may be disbanded by the stakeholders. Thus, the R&D portfolio should have short-, mediumand long-term projects, which, if successful, have increasing amounts of returns on investment consistent with the amount of resources they need. By resorting to ''open innovation,'' industrial R&D teams can benefit from ideas and technologies developed outside their groups or companies. This is becoming increasingly necessary as companies try to rein in their expenses and investment costs. Finally, I would like to refer interested readers to my mini-book entitled ''Perspectives on Innovation, Globalization and R&D'' for more ideas and discussion of several relevant topics. The mini-book is available from http://serve.me.nus.edu.sg/arun/file/Publications/books/ mujumdar_book%20review.pdf.


Today remains a topical issue of studying risk factors for stroke. One such factor is the level of pathological ankle-brachial index and gender sensitive. Purpose. The purpose of the study. To examine gender-specific factors associated with a pathologic ankle-brachial index (ABI) in patients with acute violation of cerebral circulation (cerebral vascular accident). Materials and methods. The patients were evaluated with the presence of cardiovascular disease, previous cardiovascular events, type, and subtype of stroke, neurological status. To assess the presence of atherosclerosis performed color duplex scanning of brachycephalic arteries and laboratory studies (lipid profile). Results. In the present study, no significant differences in the value of ABI in men and women with acute ischemic stroke (37.0 and 42.3 % respectively, p=0, 29). However, there are gender differences in factors associated with the presence of a pathological ABI. Independent factors associated with abnormal ABI in men, are the increased levels of LDL cholesterol (p=0.02), KIM thickening (p=0.04), presence of bilateral stenosis GCA (p=0.0002) and extent of stenosis of the carotid arteries (p=0.03); in women – only the presence of bilateral stenosis GCA (p=0.03). Conclusions. Evaluation of LPI is appropriate in patients with stroke, regardless of gender to identify the groups with increased risk of subsequent cardiovascular events and for targeted preventive actions.


The publisher of this work states that it is part of a comprehensive Thesaurus Litterarum in which the literatures of the world will all be presented according to a three-fold scheme: the first section will give the history of the literary tradition in question; the second will be an anthology of outstanding examples from this literature; and the third will be devoted to the drama. The editors are fortunate in having secured an able young specialist, Dr. Giuliano Bertuccioli, to handle all three sections for Chinese literature. The present volume constitutes the first of these three sections. It is clearly intended as an introduction to the subject for the non-specialist, and should be evaluated as such. However, it is not lacking in interest for the serious student.


Three-dimensional processing is applied to more than one images taken from different points of view to generate a stereoscopic image, and the stereoscopic image is stereoscopically displayed. An instruction to control a stereoscopic effect of the stereoscopically displayed stereoscopic image is received, and the three-dimensional processing is applied to the more than one images to achieve a stereoscopic effect according to the instruction. Then, control values of the stereoscopic effect according to the instruction are recorded in a recording unit with the control values being associated with the more than one images. At this time, if there are the control values of the stereoscopic effect recorded in the recording unit, difference values between the control values of the stereoscopic effect according to the instruction and the recorded control values of the stereoscopic effect are recorded in the recording unit.


The series of validation tests for radiation hardness qualification of lasers for use in 46000 optical links of the CMS Tracker detector at CERN, Geneva, Switzerland, are presented. These tests included accelerated radiation damage, annealing, and aging studies, simulating the effect of doses and fluences, up to 2/spl times/10/sup 14/ particles/cm/sup 2/ and 100 kGy, accumulated over a ten-year operating lifetime. The worst-case damage effect, in lasers operating closest to the beam-collision point, is expected to be a threshold current increase of under 6 mA. The lasers tested therefore qualify as being sufficiently radiation hard. The qualification tests also form the basis of future radiation hardness assurance of lasers during final production. An advance validation test of lasers from candidate wafers is defined that will confirm the radiation hardness of lasers before a large number of transmitters are assembled from these wafers.


For the current vocational education curriculum, teaching staff, teaching materials and assessment methods, etc. shortcomings, proposed to "employment-oriented" training model of reform ideas, with a view to promoting the reform of vocational training, have some reference on improving the quality of personnel training.


The output signal of the thermal converter should be insensitive to ambient temperature changes. In practice, however, a thermal converter always features a nonzero temperature coefficient of the output signal. This coefficient is determined mainly by the dependence of the heat transfer process on the ambient temperature. The main goal of this paper is to analyze the effect of different enclosures on particular and total temperature coefficients. Three types of enclosure are considered: high-volume enclosure filled with a ga sat pressure close to the atmospheric, low-volume enclosure filled with a gas at pressure close to the atmospheric and low-volume partially evacuated enclosure at internal pressure of some 1 X 10-4 Pa. The analytical expression for both the thermal conductances and their corresponding temperature coefficients are presented. Example numerical results for a prototype of the converter are also included.


In this paper, we establish max-flow min-cut theorems for several important classes of multicommodity flow problems. In particular, we show that for any n-node multicommodity flow problem with uniform demands, the max-flow for the problem is within an O(log n) factor of the upper bound implied by the min-cut. The result (which is existentially optimal) establishes an important analogue of the famous 1-commodity max-flow min-cut theorem for problems with multiple commodities. The result also has substantial applications to the field of approximation algorithms. For example, we use the flow result to design the first polynomial-time (polylog n-times-optimal) approximation algorithms for well-known NP-hard optimization problems such as graph partitioning, min-cut linear arrangement, crossing number, VLSI layout, and minimum feedback arc set. Applications of the flow results to path routing problems, network reconfiguration, communication in distributed networks, scientific computing and rapidly mixing Markov chains are also described in the paper. Categories and Subject Descriptors: F.2.2 (Analysis of Algorithms and Problem Complexity):


Aim To observe the effeets of atorvastatin on C-reactive protein in old patients with carotid atherosclerosis and hypertension.Methods 78 patients were divided randomly into two groups:atorvastatin intervention group(n=38) and normal intervention group(n=40).After treatment for 3 months carotid Doppler ultrasonography was carried out.Results After treatment for 3 months,the levels of blood lipid and CRP in intervention groups were lower than that in control group(P0.05).And the carotid atherosclerotic plaque size and vulnerable plaque rate reduced in atorvastatin intervention groups(P0.05).Conclusion Atorvastatin had preventive effect on stabilizing atherosclerotic plaques,and could reduce the CRP level and lipid in patients with carotid atherosclerosis.


This paper deals with the one-step synthesis of dimethyl ether (DME) from mixtures of H2 and CO in a fixed bed reactor over CuO-ZnO-Al2O3/γ-Al2O3 bifunctional catalysts. Deactivation by coke deposition, which is severe in this process, leads to a pronounced decrease in DME yield and selectivity with time on stream. Coke formation may be limited by using the strategy of co-feeding water with syngas. Nevertheless, water in the feed has an unfavourable effect in the initial yield of DME, due to the thermodynamics of the overall reaction and to the water adsorption capacity of the acidic function γ-Al2O3. Taking this effect into account, a serie of experiments with different water/syngas molar ratios in the feed has been carried out. It has been found that a water/syngas molar ratio of 0.20 effectively reduces deactivation by coke without a significant decrease in the initial activity of the catalyst.


Contents: Preface. Introduction. The Psychological Functions of Film Viewing. Film and Emotion: Theoretical Background. The Structure of Interest. Thematic Structures and Interest. Character Structure, Empathy, and Interest. The Psychological Affect Structure of the Feature Film. Conclusion: The Feature Film as an Emotion Machine.


This study was designed to investigate the levels of thought and behavior associated with the development of socialization in two groups of young children. The subjects' levels of social maturity were assessed from two points of view. First, the children were evaluated in terms of Piaget's categories of practice of rules and consciousness of rules (8, 9). Piaget observed boys in games of marbles, interrogated them on their conceptions relating to the games, and found a progression of recognizable patterns of social thinking and behavior at different age levels. In the present study this approach was used for purposes of assessment and comparison, i.e., to describe the stages of maturation of normal and mentally retarded subjects. Second, the corresponding phases of ego development in the same children were examined by analyzing their TAT protocols. In thus evaluating the children's stages of growth in social behavior and attitudes on the one hand and in ego development on the other hand, the writer attempted to interrelate two theories of human development on an empirical level. The theory of genetic mental development as set forth by Piaget and that of ego devel-


Artificial Intelligence has for long been an important aspect of computer science, but unfortunately artificial intelligence is usually computed from a single agent perspective or with multiple, but highly omniscient agents. I plan on creating an artificial intelligence engine, which works by having multiple agents, each with highly limited perspective. In order to solve tasks, they need to communicate their portions with each other through a network. Using that scheme, it will much more accurately simulate crowd dynamics, using particle swarm optimization to optimize the calculations.


Aim To assess the effects of a functional and individualised exercise programme on gait biomechanics during walking in people with knee OA. Methods Sixty participants were randomised to 12 weeks of facility-based functional and individualised neuromuscular exercise therapy (ET), 3 sessions per week supervised by trained physical therapists, or a no attention control group (CG). Three-dimensional gait analyses were used, from which a comprehensive list of conventional gait variables were extracted (totally 52 kinematic, kinetic and spatiotemporal variables). According to the protocol, the analyses were based on the 'Per-Protocol' population (defined as participants following the protocol with complete and valid gait analyses). Analysis of covariance adjusting for the level at baseline was used to determine differences between groups (95% CIs) in the changes from baseline at follow-up. Results The per-protocol population included 46 participants (24 ET/22 CG). There were no group differences in the analysed gait variables, except for a significant group difference in the second peak knee flexor moment and second peak vertical ground reaction force. Conclusion While plausible we have limited confidence in the findings due to multiple statistical tests and lack of biomechanical logics. Therefore we conclude that a 12-week supervised individualised neuromuscular exercise programme has no effects on gait biomechanics. Future studies should focus on exercise programmes specifically designed to alter gait patterns, or include other measures of mobility, such as walking on stairs or inclined surfaces. Trial registration number ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01545258.


British investment in Argentina in the period 1880–1914 amounted to some 8 percent of total British overseas investment; it exhibited long swings which were roughly similar to long swings in total British overseas investment but opposite to British domestic investment, although the bursts of lending to Argentina were particularly concentrated. These swings have attracted the attention of economists and some (notably Brinley Thomas) have pointed out that emigration from Europe to North America and American investment in construction and transportation and other series in the American economy exhibited 18–20 year swings similar to those in British overseas investment, and that these were all in opposite phase to swings in British home investment and the building cycle in Britain. They have then gone on to explain these inverse British patterns in terms of emigration and the growth rhythm of the Atlantic economy, with heavy stress being laid on North American effects. The analysis of movements of both labor and capital can then be conducted in terms of the varying intensities of the pull of opportunities at home and abroad, and the push of home conditions and prospects, and how these interacted with each other to produce these inverse patterns.


ABSTRACT In this work, the effect of hard tribological coatings was studied in terms of mitigating impact damage between tungsten carbide spherical elements and two different types of steel substrates. The coatings included a hard, highly elastic Tungsten-incorporated diamond-like carbon (W-DLC) coating at two different thicknesses and a harder, less elastic CrxN coating. Impacts were created using a drop-test rig described herein and characterized in three ways: a measure of the coefficient of restitution during impact, investigation of the impact site using an optical interferometer, and fixed ion beam cross sections of select impacts for observation of subsurface damage within the coating and substrate. It was found that hard coatings on softer substrates such as 440C steel were able to mitigate surface damage up to a certain impact speed, depending on the coating, but were unable to influence the coefficient of restitution. On harder substrates like 52100 alloy steel, the coatings were found to increase the coefficient of restitution, indicating a reduction in energy loss due to plastic deformation, and to reduce damage at each tested speed. These effects and their potential influence on bearing performance are discussed in regard to impact mechanics, surface metrology, and the material properties of the coating and substrate acquired by nanoindentation.


The hypothesis that in the long run only supply conditions can explain economic growth has been challenged by research that attaches a central role to demand conditions. In this case, there would be a feedback process in which productivity and labor supply would affect aggregate demand and this would impact the former. Several studies have addressed empirically the impact of growth on productivity and of productivity on growth, but the impact of labor supply on growth and vice versa have not been sufficiently analyzed. This paper aims to investigate whether such a relationship exists for the Brazilian economy, taking into account an important feature of its labor market, namely the high participation of workers in precarious situation in total employment. So the informal side of the labor market would act as a supplier of labor to the formal sector, what would contribute to growth, which in turn would cause formality (informality) to increase (decrease). We estimate a VAR model and find a negative relationship between demand conditions and the number of workers in precarious employment, as well as a positive relationship between the number of workers in the formal market and aggregate demand.


A novel method for maskless micro-patterning of polymeric substrates is presented. First, an azobenzene functionalized polymer film is spin-coated on a Poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) sheet. Then surface relief structures are optically inscribed on the polymer film by interference of laser beams. The patterned azobenzene functionalized film is then etched in the plasma chamber such that the gratings are transferred to the PET substrate. Finally, any remaining azobenzene functionalized polymer is dissolved away using an appropriate solvent. This method of patterning can be broadly applied to a variety of flexible/polymeric substrates and the resolution is not limited by the substrate thermo-mechanical properties.