The conceptual design of a laser fusion power plant has been undertaken to exploit recent developments in target design. Advanced high-gain targets which have been developed make it possible to significantly relax the laser and optical system requirements. The power plant design features a reactor concept which utilizes a thick falling region of liquid lithium to protect the first-wall from the neutrons, x-rays, and charged particles that are produced in the thermonuclear microexplosion. The lithium waterfall has also been designed to be thick enough to significantly reduce the effects of 14 MeV neutrons and cyclical stresses on the blanket structure; thereby allowing us to consider smaller blanket structures which could last the lifetime of the plant. Fusion targets producing 700 MJ of thermonuclear energy are ignited by a 2 percent efficient, 1 MJ laser system at the rate of 1.4 Hz. Schemes for protecting the final focusing optics are described which are both compatible with this reactor system, and show promise of surviving a full year in order to minimize costly downtime.


This thesis aims to examine the lexical and typological change found in the Western European language families of Germanic, Romance and Celtic over the last two millennia. The method used was to create one lexical and one typological database and the data was analysed according to etic grids. Tree models were generated from the results of the databases and the groups found in the tree models were mapped out on a map over Western Europe. The lexical results were similar to traditional classifications. The lexical results also showed that the changes appeared according to a pattern that could be described by the wave theory where lexical changes spread from the centre to the periphery. The results of the typological data were different from traditional classifications as it did not follow the boundaries of the three language families. In general the wave theory was applicable to a lesser extent to the typological data but it was relevant for the verbal morphology. Contrary to the lexical results the typological results indicated the existence of conservative centres with the peripheral languages being more typologically innovative. The conclusions drawn were that lexical change and typological change are two diametrically different and independent processes.


It must be accepted that Poland has used 25 years of political and economic freedom to generate the development of country in many areas. Th e passage of years has confi rmed the stability of Polish and our credibility for investors, which is one of the most important determinants of development. Currently, aft er the election campaign for the European Parliament, it can be observed, that in Poland, despite the noticeable economic growth, rising the living standards and a numbers of similar circumstances, Polish society falls into irrational contestation, negation and they change the current achievements into the populist and dangerous socio-economic fi gures. Poland in its stability is a young country and it needs to maintain the exchange course toward stabilization. It is essential, urgent and economically safe for Poland to access to the euro zone. Th e political factor supporting this idea is exhausted and sometimes in crises. Th erefore, it is necessary to give the support to activities that promote the entry into the euro zone. Th at kind of support should be given by the institution of higher education – colleges and universities with of economic, fi nancial or political profi les, A good example of such activities in that fi eld are action undertaken by the Alcide De Gasperi University of Euroregional Economy in Józefów.


The article examines the organization features of music and art education in Smolensk province at the end of the 19th century based on Tatevskaya School by S. A. Rachinsky. The authors highlight the principles of musical and art education of peasant children; determine pedagogical conditions, contributing to the primary art education for talented peasant children at school of S. A. Rachinsky. The article concludes that the ideas of teaching at Tatevskaya School of S. A. Rachinsky contributed to the development of music and art education in Smolensk province of the 19th century, since it was at this school that such famous Russian artists as N. Bogdanov-Belsky, I. Peterson, T. Nikonov received an elementary art education and continued to study in professional educational institutions. The school combined the spiritual community of the Russian people and enlightenment, contributed to the spread of musical and art education among peasant children.


be taken for granted, is transformed by Gigon into the timeless answer to the timeless questions propounded by second and third-century pagan controversialists. In well-charted territory such as this, to which scholars from Edwin Hatch to Henry Chadwick —to name only the first and the last of a long series writing in English—have made important contributions, this book cannot be said to break new ground or to illumine with new light.


Peanut production is a very profitable activity. Despite its importance, there are few number of recommendations from peanut seeds and plant density, particularly when the cultures are carried out by irrigation, and in this condition the increased number of plants per meter can provide increased productivity. In this context the work was to study the effect of the number of seeds and planting density on yield of peanut irrigado.Apesquisa was conducted from May to August 2014 in the experimental area Arapiraca Campus of the Federal University of Alagoas. The experimental design was a randomized block factorial (2 x 4), evaluating two seed numbers (one and two seeds pit m) and four plant densities (5, 10, 15 and 20 seeds m) erect peanut, cultivar 'BR1'. The plants were cultivated under argisoil with drip irrigation system. Evaluations were made of plant height, number of stems, leaves and seeds per pod; weight of 100 seeds and pods; and grain yield and vagens.Cultivos performed with greater plant density result in higher plant height and grain yield and pods. Sowing seeds of one or two m does not interfere with the agronomic characteristics of peanut. The density of 20 seeds m may be indicated to the irrigated peanut production.


The strategic environment within which British diplomacy has to operate has changed significantly in the aftermath of the end of the Cold War. But although the 'big threat' is now gone, a host of second order challenges and problems now face those involved in diplomatic relations. Sir David Gillmore here outlines particular British interests arising in this post‐confrontational context—the role of Russia and the states of the former USSR, European concerns, the United States and the place of international organisations. In the light of these issues, he discusses the need for radical change in approaches to diplomacy, including greater support for British business efforts overseas, concluding that prioritisation and flexibility are vital for continuing active and serious representation of British interests overseas at a time of resource constraints and unusual challenges.


For many animals, touch is one of the most crucial senses, as it allows an animal to assess its surroundings, develop properly, and socialize. Remote touch is an essential part of avian survival, as it allows some families of birds to identify prey through changes in pressure. Some birds possess a sensitive bill tip organ filled with a large number of mechanoreceptors to perform remote touch sensation. This implies that they possess a complex trigeminal nerve system. The trigeminal nerve has three divisions (ophthalmic, V1; maxillary, V2; and mandibular, V3) that supply somatosensory information from the face and head. Birds from the families Apterygidae, Scolopacidae, Anatidae, Threskiornithidae, and Psittacidae are known to have a sensitive bill tip organ supplied by the trigeminal nerve, whereas other birds use vision, hearing, and other touch to identify prey, potentially resulting in less overall dependence on the trigeminal nerve. Here, we created nerve maps of birds from a range of orders including Anseriformes, Gruiformes, Pelecaniformes, Strigiformes, Accipitriformes, and Passeriformes. We find that species with a remote touch organ possess more observable nerve fiber bundles associated with the maxillary and mandibular trigeminal nerve divisions than species not possessing a remote touch organ. Our results indicate that birds with foraging or prey capture techniques not relying on mechanoreception through the bill possess maxillary and mandibular divisions of the trigeminal nerve that are less robust as they enter the beak.


Objective: To determine whether pre-operative transient otoacoustic emission (TEOAE) patterns are predictive of successful hearing preservation in acoustic neuroma surgery. Study Design: Retrospective observational study. Setting: Tertiary referral medical center. Patients: A convenience sample was identified in whom pre-operative TEOAE data were available in patients undergoing acoustic neuroma surgery from 1993-2004. Ninety-three patients were identified who met this inclusion criterion. Interventions: Subjects underwent attempted hearing preservation surgery via middle cranial fossa or retrosigmoid approaches. Routine audiometry, ABR, and TEOAE. Main Outcome Measures: Pre- and post-operative pure tone and speech results were categorized into hearing classes A, B, C, and D as described in the American Academy of Otolaryngology guidelines (1995). Hearing preservation was defined by maintenance of the pre-operative hearing class or downgrade to within one hearing class post-op. Pre-operative TEOAE results were divided into five frequency bands and described as positive in each band if there was a response above the noise floor with >50% reproducibility. Results: Hearing was preserved in 51 patients (55%). Of these, 11 (22%) had positive TEOAE response in all five frequency bands measured (1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4 kHz), whereas 40 (78%) had TEOAE responses ranging from 0 to 4 frequency bands. 42 patients failed to preserve their hearing. Of these, only three (7%) had positive TEOAE in all five frequency bands, and 39 (93%) had TEOAE responses ranging from 0 to 4 frequency bands (p < 0.05). Other variables of prognostic significance to hearing preservation in our series included smaller tumor size, tumor location within the IAC, better pre-operative hearing, and shorter latencies on ABR. Logistic regression was then used to compare the prognostic value of TEOAE against these variables. In our series, ABR latencies and 5 frequency band response on TEOAE showed the highest significant correlation to hearing preservation (p < 0.05). Conclusion: A robust pre-operative TEOAE frequency band pattern may be used as a favorable prognostic indicator for potential hearing preservation in acoustic neuroma surgery. The prognostic value may be enhanced when combined with other prognostic factors such as tumor size, tumor location, pre-operative ABR and audiometric results.


First part introduces typical tourist programs of health resorts in Slovenia, their competitive advantage and possible routes of development. In the second part certain elements of perceived quality of health resorts in Slovenia are presented, stemming from the national visitor survey. Third part is concerned with the empirical analysis of the profiles of tourists satisfaction with the elements of service quality in two health resorts in Slovenia, and of the correlation between the perceived service quality and tourists loyalty.


Abstract Though there are many albumin-based drug delivery systems (ABDDS) in the market, it is not known whether ABDDS can be applied across all chemical classes. In this study, we applied ABDDS to a poorly water-soluble drug betulinic acid (BA) to improve its aqueous solubility. Monomeric albumin-bound BA (ABBns) nanoparticles can be fabricated in the range of 10–20 nm. BA self-assembled with HSA at 0.1:1 to 2:1 molar ratio within 0.5 h in phosphate buffer pH 7.4 and 8.4. Approximately, 85–90% BA could be loaded onto HSA in the presence of Tween 20 (T20) and sodium cholate (NaC). The release of BA from ABBns was linear over 5 days. In conclusion, for poorly water-soluble acidic drugs, a suitable solubiliser can release the drug from HSA binding site, depending on the aggregation number and affinity of the solubiliser for the HSA binding site.


The decomposition kinetics of FeO_4~(2-) in the aqueous NaOH solutions of 7.0 mol·L-1, 10.0 mol·L-1 and 14.0 mol·L-1 were determined by spectrophotometry with and without ultrasonic action at 500 W and 25 kHz.The results showed that the decomposition followed first-order kinetics and the rate was faster with ultrasonic action than without ultrasonic action.The decomposition activation energies were 52.4 kJ·mol-1, 70.5 kJ·mol-1 and 91.5 kJ·mol-1 without ultrasonic action, and 49.6 kJ·mol-1, 66.6 kJ·mol-1 and 85.9 kJ·mol-1 with ultrasonic action, in the aqueous NaOH solutions of 7.0 mol·L-1, 10.0 mol·L-1 and 14.0 mol·L-1 respectively.The fact that the activation energies increased with increasing concentrations of NaOH indicated that FeO_4~(2-) was much stable in a higher concentration NaOH solution.The effect of ultrasound on the decomposition kinetics of FeO_4~(2-) decreased with operating temperature.


I am an English speaker and live in Wrexham, Wales, where I am studying to be a nurse. I find it appalling that Dawn Whaley argues that handovers in Welsh-speaking areas should not be conducted in Welsh (news December 14). If she cannot communicate effectively with her colleagues then she cannot communicate effectively with her patients. By comparison, should first language Welsh speakers expect handovers in an English hospital to be conducted in Welsh just for them? In my short time living in Wales, I have learnt some of the language and I have found this useful.


All plant and animal kingdom organisms use highly connected biochemical networks to facilitate sustaining, proliferation and growth functions. While biochemical network details are well known, the understanding of intense regulation principles is still limited. We chose to investigate Hermetia illucens fly at the larval stage as it is crucial for successful resource accumulation and allocation for the consequential organism's developmental stages. We combined the iterative wet lab experiments and innovative metabolic modeling design approaches, to simulate and explain the H. illucens larval stage resource allocation processes and biotechnology potential. We performed time-based growth and high-value chemical compound accumulation wet lab chemical analysis experiments in larvae and Gainesville diet composition. To predict diet-based alterations on fatty acid allocation potential, we built and validated the first H. illucens medium-size stoichiometric metabolic model. Using optimization methods like Flux balance and Flux variability analysis on the novel insect metabolic model, it predicted that doubled essential amino acid consumption increased the growth rate by 32%, but pure glucose consumption had no positive impact on growth. In the case of doubled pure valine consumption, the model predicted a 2% higher growth rate. In this study, we describe a new framework to research the impact of dietary alterations on the metabolism of multi-cellular organisms at different developmental stages for improved, sustainable and directed high-value chemicals. Significance Statement Metabolic modeling serves as a platform for researchers to investigate and study in depth the possible states of the system based on the existing knowledgebase (e.g. metabolic reactions, substrates, products and their stoichiometry). These models can be applied for different industrial applications, to simulate resource allocation potential and growth conditions. Moreover, these models predict the required diet for living organisms and insects to improve survival and growth rates and accumulate higher-value products, like fatty acids.


Taking CRISPR technology further CRISPR techniques are allowing the development of technologies for nucleic acid detection (see the Perspective by Chertow). Taking advantages of the distinctive enzymatic properties of CRISPR enzymes, Gootenberg et al. developed an improved nucleic acid detection technology for multiplexed quantitative and highly sensitive detection, combined with lateral flow for visual readout. Myhrvold et al. added a sample preparation protocol to create a field-deployable viral diagnostic platform for rapid detection of specific strains of pathogens in clinical samples. Cas12a (also known as Cpf1), a type V CRISPR protein, cleaves double-stranded DNA and has been adapted for genome editing. Chen et al. discovered that Cas12a also processes single-stranded DNA threading activity. A technology platform based on this activity detected human papillomavirus in patient samples with high sensitivity. Science, this issue p. 439, p. 444, p. 436; see also p. 381 Single-stranded DNase activity upon guide RNA–dependent DNA binding can be harnessed for rapid and specific nucleic acid detection. CRISPR-Cas12a (Cpf1) proteins are RNA-guided enzymes that bind and cut DNA as components of bacterial adaptive immune systems. Like CRISPR-Cas9, Cas12a has been harnessed for genome editing on the basis of its ability to generate targeted, double-stranded DNA breaks. Here we show that RNA-guided DNA binding unleashes indiscriminate single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) cleavage activity by Cas12a that completely degrades ssDNA molecules. We find that target-activated, nonspecific single-stranded deoxyribonuclease (ssDNase) cleavage is also a property of other type V CRISPR-Cas12 enzymes. By combining Cas12a ssDNase activation with isothermal amplification, we create a method termed DNA endonuclease-targeted CRISPR trans reporter (DETECTR), which achieves attomolar sensitivity for DNA detection. DETECTR enables rapid and specific detection of human papillomavirus in patient samples, thereby providing a simple platform for molecular diagnostics.


ABSTRACT In this article, we investigate the roles of urban actors supporting migrants' struggles and confronting state control, focusing on the fields of family reunification and access to health care in the city of Frankfurt am Main. We bring together insights from border studies, street-level theory, and social policy and social work literature to elaborate on the notions of 'urban border space' and borderwork to offer a new theorisation on 'where the border is' and 'who makes the border'. Multiple transformations that have taken place in border control and the welfare state regime have led to diverse engagement on the part of civil society towards migrants, particularly in cities. City authorities, in turn, enforce the border, yet also respond to migrants' exclusion. Here, devolution and collaboration between city and civil society organisations have partly blurred the line between different types of urban actors. Our analysis identifies four roles within urban actors' borderwork – brokerage, advocacy, direct care and gatekeeping –, each of which is associated with a different relationship with state migration control. We thus argue that the supposed dichotomous relationship between state (re-)bordering and civil society de-bordering is too simplistic and that urban actors' roles in borderwork are instead multifaceted.


Objective:To observe the effects of Shengqing Jiangzhuo Fang(SQJZF) on skeletal muscle in monosodium L-glutamate(MSG) obese rats with insulin resistance.Method: The rat MSG-obese model was produced by giving neonatal rats subcutaneous injection of monosodium glutamate and induced with high-fat diet.Sixty MSG rats were divided into seven grous(4 male and 4 female per gtoup) randomly.the rosiglitazone group,the fenofibrate group,high dose,middle dose and low dose of SQJZF.After the administration for 50 days,levels of cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),low density lipoprotein cholesterin(LDL-C),high density lipoprotein cholesterin(HDL-C) and glucogn in muscle tissue were measured.Result:SQJZF showed good effects on the animal models.Compared with the model group,treatment with SQJZF at a dose of 6,3,1.5 g · kg-1 for 50 d decreased levels of TC,TG,LDL-C and glucogn in muscle tissue(P0.01);levels of HDL-C was significantly elvated by treatment with SQJZF at a dose of 3 g · kg-1(P0.01).Conclusion:SQJZF may contribute to ameliorate the glucolipid metablization in diabetic skeletal muscle.


The research was made about the correlativity of edaphic anticorrosion and permeability and their influencing factors under different sites at highland uprive Tuo River. The main influencing factors of edaphic anticorrosion and permeability were found in different sites by analysing separate and integrated influence of edaphic physical characters and grass coverage and forest kinds and shade density on edaphic anticorrosion and permeability, the cause was also discussed to provide the gist for the selecting measures on meliorating soil. The result was got that:1) In the whole, manmade interference was servere in this region, grittiness and too bad configuration of soil were disadvantageous to conserver water and fertilizer; 2) The main factors were forest kinds and coverage of vegetation under forests that were influencing edaphic anticorrosion and permeability, of which mixed forest have the best effectiveness enhancing edaphic anticorrosion and permeability and refining edaphic character.


Objective To investigate the function of cluster of differentiation antigen(CD)47 expressed on donor specific transfusion(DST)cells in immunotolerance induction of mouse heart transplantation.Methods Mouse abdominal heterotopic heart transplantation model was established by using BALB/c mice as recipients and C57BL/6 mice as donor,respectively.BALB/c recipients received DST from CD47+/+(CD47 wild type,CD47+/+ group)or CD47-/-(CD47 gene knock-out,CD47-/-group)donors on day 7 and anti-CD154 mAb on day 7,5 and 3 before transplantation.Heart grafts survival time was observed.Host dendritic cell(DC)activation was assessed by flow cytometry and anti-donor T cell responses were assessed by in vitro mixed lymphocyte reaction(MLR).Heart grafts hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was performed on reject reaction and day 150 after transplantation.Results The longest survival time of graft was observed in CD47+/+DST group(mean survival time 150 d),which was significantly longer than non-DST group(mean survival time =7 d)and CD47-/-DST group(mean survival time =42 d).The percentages of splenic CD11c+CD86+ and CD11c+I-Adhi were increased significantly in CD47-/-DST-treated mice with significantly stronger anti-donor MLR.Obvious monocytes infiltration was observed in cardiac muscle tissues in CD47-/-group while less monocytes infiltration was observed in CD47+/+ group.Conclusion CD47 expressed on DST cells plays an important role in DST-induced immunotolerance,presumably inhibiting recipient DC activation and inhibiting anti donor T cell response.


The paper introduced the composition and the structure on data transmission system of Shanghai Buich,elaborated breakdown code diagnosis method on the data transmission system,developed simultaneously the example to analyze the reason which caused the failure of the data transmission system on the Shanghai Buich.


Laticifers of Papaver bracteatum Lindl., population Arya II, seedlings were examined by electron microscopy. Laticifers were first differentiated in procambium of the radicle associated with phloem about 72 hr after seeds were sown. Proliferation of membrane-bound vesicles of apparent endoplasmic reticulum origin distinguished laticifers from adjacent cells. Vesicles developed electron-dense caps from the internal condensation of small particles. Laticifer initials possessed the usual complement of organelles that became obscured in mature cells by the large, closely packed vesicles. Plastids contained an electron-dense, membrane-bound inclusion, but never developed lamellae or starch grains. Articulation and anastomoses between laticifer elements resulted from gradual removal of wall materials by both cells on opposite sides of the common walls at a perforation site. Differentiation of the laticifer initials and the micromorphology of the protoplast of P. bracteatum is similar to that reported for P. somniferum. THE ARTICULATED character of laticifers in the Papaveraceae was recognized in the classical literature. Members of this family show a wide range in development of this cell which may be of importance for determining the pattern of alkaloid accumulation frequently associated with this cell and for interpreting the phylogenetic significance of laticifers in the family (Esau, 1965). The laticifer system of Papaver bracteatum Lindl. was recognized early as being of the articulated, anastomosing type (Trecul, 1865), whereas this system in Chelidonium is nonanastomosing in character (Schacht, 1851). Sanguinaria is reported to develop perforations between laticifer members in the stem, but not in the leaf (Holm, 1908). Glaucium and Eschscholzia possess articulated laticifers that lack perforations between laticifer members (Leger, 1894,


The definition of « personnel marketing » is explored; the differences and drawbacks of the existent definitions have been identified. Personnel marketing has been identified as an organization activity as to the coverage of its qualitative and quantitative needs in personnel by developing, maintaining or changing the attitude of the target audience (existent and potential personnel) towards the organization as to the employer. The main differences of the recommended definition are as follows: the activity is aimed at the coverage of the enterprise needs in personnel; the semantic part of the activity is based on the marketing concept.


Frequency regulation of low inertia symmetric micro grids with the incorporation of asymmetric renewable sources such as solar and wind is a challenging task. Virtual Inertia Control (VIC) is the idea of increasing micro grids' inertia by energy storage systems. In the current study, an adaptive fuzzy PID structure with a derivative filter (AFPIDF) controller is suggested for VIC of a micro grid with renewable sources. To optimize the proposed controllers, a modified Golden Jackal Optimization (mGJO) has been proposed, where variable Sine Cosine adopted Scaling Factor (SCaSF) is employed to adjust the Jackal's location in the course of search process to improve the exploration and exploitation capability of the original Golden Jackal Optimization (GJO) algorithm. The performance of the mGJO algorithm is verified by equating it with original GJO, as well as Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Gravitational Search Algorithm (GSA), Teaching Learning Based Optimization (TLBO) and Ant Lion Optimizer (ALO), considering various standard benchmark test functions. In the next stage, conventional PID and proposed FPIDF controller parameters are optimized using the proposed mGJO technique and the superiority of mGJO over other symmetric optimization algorithms is demonstrated. The robustness of the controller is also investigated under intermittent load disturbances, as well as different levels of asymmetric RESs integration.


Powdery mildew, caused by Podosphaera xanthii, is an important disease of melon in the Brazilian Northeast. The objective of this work was to evaluate the reaction of families, lines and cultivars of melon to P. xanthii. Two experiments in simple lattice were carried out under field conditions in the municipalities of Mossoro and Barauna to evaluate 144 families. In a greenhouse, an experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design to evaluate 19 lines and the cultivars Yellow Queen, Chilton and Hy Mark. Disease was assessed by a severity scale. There was genetic variability among families. The families 4, 5, 11, 14, 18, 23, 33, 42, 101, 112 and 140 were identified in both sites as resistant. The lines LOF-027, LOF105, LPS-124, MEL-008 and cultivar Chilton showed resistance to race 1 of the fungus.


ABSTRACT Large numbers of households experiencing the effects of food insecurity threaten a community's viability. Although hunger has been viewed as a social problem, research focused on household-level food security tends to primarily focus on the household economics. This thematic overview of academic and grey literature (a) describes community food security (CFS) research and indicators related to accessibility, affordability, community self-reliance, social justice, and sustainability; (b) provides examples of how community social workers can participate, lead or evaluate CFS strategies that can create sustainable food secure communities; and (c) invites social work researchers to develop holistic measures of CFS.


Through measurements of an Al gate p-channel Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect-Transistor (MOSFET) with a gap between the gate and drain, the behavior of the minority carrier in the depletion layer is clarified. The turn-on drain voltage depends upon the length and the density of impurity on the punch-through area. That is, Vd=-4 V for Lgap=0.5 µm in 3∼5 Ω·cm n-Si wafer and Vd=-3 V for Lgap=2.0 µm in 120∼200 Ω·cm n-Si wafer. The abrupt step functional I-V curve is revealed under the condition of low gate voltage. There are surface effects by which the higher the gate voltage, the lower the turn-on voltage of the drain becomes. The hole mobility in the depletion layer made from lightly doped <111> wafer abruptly decreases when the temperature is lowered to below 20 K and the turn-on voltage on the step function MOSFET increases remarkably at 4.2 K.


Korean hemorrhagic fever(KHF) was recognized for the first time in Korea in 1951 during Korean War among United Nations troops although similar diseases to KHF had been reported as hemorrhagic nephroso-nephritis in Russia, as epidemic hemorrhagic fever in China, as nephropathia epidemica in Scandinavia and as epidemic hemorrhagic fever in Eastern Europe and in Japan. Since that time it has been Known as Korean hemorrhagic fever(KHF) and has remained endemic near the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea. In recent years it appears to have spread slowly in a southwesterly direction and 100 to 800 hospitalized cases are clinically diagnosed each year. Very recently, Lee et al. Discovered the etiologic agent and animal reservoir host of Korean hemorrhagic fever and perfected serologic test for diagnosis of the disease. It has been known that KHF is an endemic disease which occuring in only certain endemic rural areas of Euro-Asia. This is the first report of occurrence of KHF patients who bad contact with house rats before illness in urban resident of Seoul and the patients were confirmed serologically. These findings cast a fresh epidemiological light on this disease, which hitherto has been regarded as rural and only rural,


The development of n-type single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) stable under an air atmosphere is a key issue to prepare an efficient and stable thermoelectric conversion device using SWCNTs. Dop...


The Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC) retourschip Batavia set sail from Amsterdam on 29 October 1628 and was wrecked on Morning Reef off the coast of Western Australia on 4 June 1629 (see Drake-Brockman, 1995 [1963]; Green, 1989; Godard, 1993). The survivors settled on Beacon Island, a tiny coral island in the Houtman Abrolhos which became the site of one of the most shocking mutinies of maritime history. The site of the wreck was not rediscovered until 1963, and the archaeological excavation which followed saw the discovery of small fragments of lace and wooden lace-making bobbins which were to become some of the most intriguing artefacts in the collection of the Western Australian Maritime Museum (see Green, 1989).


The landscapes of the Nizhnekamsk municipal district of the Republic of Tatarstan are experiencing a significant anthropogenic load due to the concentration of a large industrial hub in the area, primarily represented by one of the largest European companies producing synthetic rubbers and plastics, including a wide range of production facilities and a heating plant with a total area of 40 km2. Chemical production in such a large area can have a significant impact on most of the components of the surrounding landscape, and transform them in a negative way. This paper presents information on the chemical composition of the water of eight small rivers of the Nizhnekamsk municipal district of the Republic of Tatarstan, during the analysis of which the water pollution index was calculated. The value of the index made it possible to establish the water quality class of the surveyed rivers by the content of chemicals, which, along with the environmental characteristics of the classes, reflects the state of the environment. The map constructed according to index data clearly shows that the river water of the five surveyed rivers belongs to the III quality class ("moderately polluted" or water of satisfactory purity), which is considered the normal natural state of lowland rivers. The water quality of three more rivers belongs to the IV ("polluted") and V ("dirty") quality class. These are the Strelochny Log, Subai and u Kamskih Polyan rivers, the catchments of which are experiencing significant anthropogenic stress and the water resources of the rivers have restrictions on use.


This article explores the migrant labor situation in China by comparing it with two other polities--Japan and Germany--with which its migration regime shares two critical features. First in all three immigrants have played a comparable role in economic growth; and second in each of them the determination of citizenship has sharply separated newcomers at work from natives. Overall crucial distinctions in developmental and political trajectories among the three countries are uncovered: the place of labor in politics; the timing of immigration in relation to economic development in a country; and a nations integration into certain international networks. These dissimilarities contribute to an explanation of the differences in the respective migration regimes of the countries with potential implications for the rights that migrant laborers receive in each. Specifically in China implications may be that the Chinese floating population will likely to be treated more benignly than it has been; that if the regular permanent workforce could gain new rights it would have positive side-effects for the migrants as well; and the more that Western law-based states engage China in their economic activities the more the Chinese including the peasants in the cities are apt to gain good treatment in the long run.


Glutathione reductase is an important oxidoreductase that helps maintain redox homeostasis by catalyzing the conversion of glutathione disulfide to glutathione using NADPH as a cofactor. In this study, we cloned and characterized a glutathione reductase (referred hereafter to as SpGR) from Sphingomonas sp. PAMC 26621, an Arctic bacterium. SpGR comprises 449 amino acids, and functions as a dimer. Surprisingly, SpGR exhibits characteristics of thermophilic enzymes, showing optimum activity at 60°C and thermal stability up to 70 °C with approximately 50% residual activity at 70 °C for 2 h. The amino acid composition analysis of SpGR showed a 1.9-fold higher Arg content (6%) and a 2.7-fold lower Lys/Arg ratio (0.75) compared to the Arg content (3.15%) and the Lys/Arg ratio (2.01) of known psychrophilic glutathione reductases. SpGR also exhibits its activity at 4°C, and circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopy results indicate that SpGR maintains its secondary and tertiary structures within the temperature range 4-70°C. Taken together, the results of this study indicate that despite its origin from a psychrophilic bacterium, SpGR has high thermal stability. Our study provides an insight into the role of glutathione reductase in maintaining the reducing power of an Arctic bacterium in a broad range of temperatures.


This paper proposes a modified differential cascode amplifier topology for mm-wave applications requiring wideband amplification, flatness and compact integration area. The proposed topology was used to create a single stage power amplifier with +13 dB small-signal gain ±0.5 dB flatness over 18 - 24 GHz. The power amplifier load-pull and biasing were optimized to reach a maximum PAE around 3 dB compression to minimize AM-PM variation and maximize performance-to-reliability ratio in large phased array transmitters. At 3 dB compression, an output power of +19 dBm with a peak PAE of 19% was measured around 18 GHz. Respectively, at 8 dB compression a peak power of +20 dBm is achieved and is over +19 dBm up to 24 GHz. The circuit demonstrates one of the smallest core area (0.16 mm2) and excellent power density. The proposed topology presents currently a record small signal gain per stage at this technology node ($f_{T}/f_{max}$ of 59/65 GHz). The presented amplifier topology can be used repetitively and reliably to create wide-band amplifiers with state-of-the-art gain, flatness and return loss over small area. The circuit was realized using Tower's 180 nm CMOS.


1 Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacovigilance Research Group in the Technological University of Pereira-Audifarma S.A. in Pereira, Colombia 2 Faculty of Health Sciences at the Technological University of Pereira in Pereira, Colombia 3 PhD in Pharmacology, Tenured Professor of Pharmacology at the Technological University of Pereira. Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacovigilance Research Group at the Technological University of Pereira-Audifarma S.A. in Pereira, Colombia


Objective To explore the therapeutic methods of huge benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH).Methods 41cases with huge BPH received TURP were analyzed retrospectively.Resutls In the postoperation of TURP,the IPSS was decreased from 30±2.5 score to 8.1±2.3 score.The maximal uroflow rate was increased from 5.1±2.4 ml/s to 18.6±5.3 ml/s.The residual urine was decreased from 50~1100 ml to 0~40 ml.Operative complications was found in 5 cases(12.3%).Among them,3 cases were TURS,2 cases were secondary bleeding after operation.Conclusion TURP is a safe and effective method to treat the huge BPH with proficient skill.


Objective Discuss laparoscopic resection of rectal cancer in the surgical methods,advantages and indications.Method Since the 2004~2006 hospital had performed laparoscopic radical surgery for rectal cancer in 45 patients,in which Dixon operation 36 cases,surgery Miles9 cases,2 conversion.Result The operation was successfully completed,operation time 180~240 min,surgical bleeding 30~200 m1,no ureteral injury,two cases of anastomotic fistula cured by conservative treatment,the average length of stay is 10.0 days.Conclusion Laparoscopic resection of rectal cancer has the advantages of wide surgical field,less trauma,postoperative bowel function resume early,light immune interference,early postoperative activities,shorter hospitalization time and less postoperative complications.


In order to reveal the regularities of the "structure – biological activity" relationship by interaction of esters of 1-R-4-hydroxy-2,2-dioxo-1H-2λ6,1-benzothiazin-3-carboxylic acids and trifluoromethyl substituted anilines in boiling xylene with good yields and purity the corresponding N-aryl-4-hydroxy-2,2-dioxo-1H-2λ6,1-benzothiazin3-carboxamides have been synthesized. The structure of the compounds obtained has been confirmed by the data of elemental analysis and NMR 1Н spectroscopy. It has been shown that the presence of trifluoromethyl groups having the powerful electron-withdrawing properties affects the position of signals of the aniline moiety protons: comparing to the spectra of the model methyl derivatives they undergo a significant paramagnetic shift. According to the results of the pharmacological studies conducted it has been found that the replacement of methyl groups in the anilide moiety of 1-R-4-hydroxy-2,2-dioxo-1H-2λ6,1-benzothiazin-3-carboxamides to trifluoromethyl has a different effect on their analgesic activity, which can remain at the original level, be completely lost or significantly increase. However, N-aryl-4-hydroxy-2,2-dioxo-1H-2λ6,1-benzothiazin-3-carboxamides definitely lose the ability to influence in any way on the excretory renal function after this chemical modification.


Evaluation of the circulation during anesthesia typically includes monitoring of heart rate (HR) from the ECG and non-invasive determination of blood pressure. Also, there is an accurate recording of the balance between fluids lost (often urine and the blood loss) vs. the amount of I.V. fluid and eventual blood products administered. Yet this means to assess cardiovascular control during anesthesia has been criticized for two reasons. For normal people blood pressure decreases when the Central Blood Volume (CBV) is reduced by about 30% [1], but anesthetic agents and notably propofol reduce blood pressure making blood pressure an inaccurate indicator for the circulating blood volume. Furthermore, the reduction in HR, also associated with an about 30% blood loss is only seldom mentioned in the description of hypovolemic shock [2]. Supplementary monitoring of the circulation during anesthesia includes some measure of Cardiac Output (CO), e.g. determination of (mixed) venous oxygen saturation by a pulmonary artery catheter [3], determination of CO in itself or by recording of Stroke Volume (SV) that is a sensitive measure of CBV because even a small reduction in CBV is associated with an increase in HR [1].


A carcass of cross-bred jersey cow which had the history of anaemia, fever and voiding small quantity of dung was presented for necropsy. On necropsy, mild telescoping of mid portion of spiral colon was noticed. On incision, it contained a circular, firm, whitish grey coloured mass in the wall of colon. Histopathological examination of the mass revealed numerous spindle shaped fibrocytes arranged haphazardly with long collagen fibers which were disorganized and running in all directions. Based on histopathological findings, the case was diagnosed as hard fibroma.


Forensic investigation of fatal aircraft accidents usually includes the analysis of biological samples for ethanol to establish if alcohol intoxication is a factor in the accidents. The quantitative aspects of ethanol are often complicated by postmortem putrefactive changes, leading to microbial fermentation-mediated production of alcohol and its subsequent redistribution. Without establishing the ethanol origin (antemortem consumption or postmortem production), a precise interpretation of the alcohol analytical results remains a challenge. Therefore, a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-based assay was developed using the polymerase chain reaction and microbial DNA primers designed for identifying 3 commonly encountered ethanol-producing microorganisms--Candida albicans, Proteus vulgaris, and Escherichia coli. The present study focused on examining the applicability of the microbial DNA primers in establishing the existence of postmortem alcohol in samples. The results suggested that species-specific primers could be employed to identify ethanol-producing microorganisms in forensic samples without requiring bacterial cultivation. Continued studies are warranted to define additional primer sequences that are distinctive for ethanol-producing microorganisms.


Business communication arose from the practical nature of the ars dictaminis and the merging of process-oriented humanistic epistolography with the medieval formulaic dictamen in writers such as Erasmus. Like the Italian church leaders and businessmen, medieval English gentry soon grasped the value of correspondence. English letter-writing guides and model books, which began to appear in 1568, mirror both Erasmus and the rigid models of the ars dictaminis. The increasingly utilitarian English commercial society of the sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries ultimately led to the demise of the rhetorical tradition that originally surrounded English letter-writing guides. Today's tendency to use a product (formulaic), rather than process (rhetorical), approach in developing business letters obscures the rich tradition surrounding the rise of epistolary method and reduces the effectiveness of the final product.


The facts which influence the mixture ratio design of regenerated concrete are complex.Traditional design method is unfit for the regenerated concrete.The artificial neural network is applicable for problems that relate to a great lot of original data but cannot describe by rules and expressions.The major factors affecting the strength and the slump constant and the water retentiveness are found out according to the particularity of the regenerated concrete.The test data which are subjective are quantized,then the BP neural network that predict the strength and the working performance is created.Some test samples are input to train the network.In order to prove the quality of the network,the other column data are used to simulate.In operation,rough mixture ratios are chosen and input the trained ANN to examination till find the optimal one.


Numerical changes of peripheral leucocytes after a hot-air room treatment was observed in guinea pigs during the 22 days' successive treatment. The results were as follows. 1. Number of various leucocytes was generally decreased after the hot-air room treatment, followed by recovery to the value before treatments during 22 days' observations. 2. Numbers of total leucocytes, lymphocytes and eosinophils, which were decreased after the treatment, gradually recovered to the value before treatments during the daily hot-air room treatment. On the other hand, the recovery of neutrophils or monocytes to the count before treatment was more rapidly. The value in numerical changes of neutrophils became smaller as the hot-air room treatments were performed for many days. 3. Numerical changes of basophils and Kurloff cells did not show any definite tendency after the hot-air room treatment. 4. Numbers of total leucocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes and eosinophils were increased and monocyte count was slightly decreased after the 22days hot-air room treatment. No
change was observed in the counts of basophils and Kurloff cells.


The organisms that produce bacterial infections of the nervous system in tropical regions are similar to those existing in the rest of the world. However, because of poor socio‐economic conditions in the former areas, preventing the implementation of appropriate prophylactic and therapeutic measures, the incidence and course of these diseases may vary.


A fast solution to both the quadratic eigenvalue problem and the generalized eigenvalue problem is developed for the finite-element based analysis of general 3-D electromagnetic problems. Given an arbitrary frequency band of interest, denoting the number of physically important eigenvalues for this band by , the proposed eigenvalue solution is capable of solving a significantly reduced eigenvalue problem of O(k) to find a complete set of eigenvalues and eigenvectors that are physically important for the given frequency band. In addition to bypassing the need of solving a large-scale eigenvalue problem of O(N), with N being the system matrix size, the reduced eigenvalue problem is constructed from O(k) solutions to a deterministic problem. As a result, the methods that have been developed to solve deterministic problems and their fast solvers can all be readily leveraged to solve eigenvalue problems. Moreover, the proposed fast eigenvalue solution has guaranteed convergence and controlled accuracy, which is theoretically proved in this paper. The solution is applicable to general 3-D problems where the structures are arbitrary, materials are inhomogeneous, and both dielectrics and conductors can be lossy. Applications to microwave devices, package structures, and on-chip integrated circuits have demonstrated the accuracy, efficiency, and convergence of the proposed fast eigenvalue solution.


At some point in my graduate-school years, I had a small moment of panic: how would I know what to do once the dissertation was done? How would I choose my next research project? As it turned out, finding topics was never a problem – one thing always led to another – but as I think back, what strikes me most is the question that I never asked myself: not once did I think about how I might write history. My musicological paradigm revolved around research topics: find one, collect the archival and scholarly data, look for patterns and present the results. Even when I was tracing the chronological development of German aesthetic criteria during the late eighteenth century, I was not consciously thinking about writing history, odd though that may seem. Not until I was well into co-editing The Eighteenth-Century Symphony (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 2012) – the first volume of The Symphonic Repertoire, a fivevolume series initiated by A. Peter Brown – did I realize that, at least on a small scale, that was precisely what I wanted, and needed, to do. Brown had never intended to write a history of the symphony as a genre (his original proposal to Indiana University Press makes that clear); his purpose was to analyse the symphonic repertoire in all its glory, and his one-page outline for this volume, which we mostly adopted, gave no indication he was planning a concluding chapter. In fact, two of the chapters that I contributed – 'Historiography of the Eighteenth-Century Symphony' and the concluding 'Sketch for a History of the Eighteenth-Century Symphonic Repertoire' – were not in his original outline. My ideas for those chapters grew out of my love of teaching and were influenced by several chance events that shaped my intellectual outlook and ultimately my interpretation of the historical data. To explain my interpretative choices, I would like to offer an auto-history of my professional development, highlighting the personal and contingent elements that guided my thinking and concluding with a few thoughts on the intersection of research and teaching. After completing my MM in music history, I drifted for a year, uncertain whether I should opt for law school or continue in musicology. An unexpected offer of a faculty position at a small college in Arkansas helped me make that decision: from the moment I first set foot in a classroom I knew that I wanted to teach, and specifically to teach music history. Thus I was not disappointed that – by chance – the music history teacher at Loyola University New Orleans moved into administration the year I finished my PhD, opening up a position in an institution that focused on teaching. But 'the music history teacher' is the operative phrase in that last sentence, for I was indeed the only musicologist in Loyola's relatively small, mainly undergraduate music school. That meant, of course, that I taught not only the complete survey course, but also more specialized classes in all areas of Western music history. One of my favourites turned out to be the class on contemporary music, a subject that can be a hard sell to traditionally minded, classically oriented undergraduates. In trying to find a way to coax my students into an appreciation of music many of them hated, I abandoned discussions of matrices and interval vectors and instead focused on listening. When we studied Schoenberg's Op. 25 Piano Suite, I had them listen for the insistent rhythmic motives in the Gavotte and the recurring G in the Musette; when it was time for Penderecki's Threnody, we listened for the ways in which the musical walls of sound shift and modulate. I tried to get them to see that if they approached Schoenberg and Penderecki with expectations shaped by Beethoven or Verdi, they were going to miss most of the interest and excitement of twentieth-century music, and found that if I showed them new ways to listen, their resistance to the music began to crumble just a bit. Although I am not sure how successful I was in increasing the fan base for modern music, that approach had by then lodged itself in the pedagogical part of my brain. Fairly quickly I began to realize that the same stumbling-block affected my students' appreciation of much eighteenth-century music, and that I needed to start teaching them how they might listen with something more like eighteenth-century ears.


The torsional stiffness of a thin-walled beam of open cross-sectional profile braced by evenly spaced transverse diaphragms is studied. Diaphragms rigidly fixed or attached by frictionless pins are treated and it is seen that, in either case, the only effect is to modify the St Venant torsional constant for the thin-walled beam.The theoretical work is supported by experimental evidence from two braced perspex channels which simulate the two assumed methods of attaching the diaphragms. Good agreement is demonstrated.


Modern seismic hazard analysis utilizes various ground motion prediction equations (GMPEs) to estimate intensity measures (IMs) such as spectral acceleration (Sa), Arias intensity (Ia), significant duration (D5‐95), and cumulative absolute velocity (CAV) as scalar parameters. The use of these GMPEs leads to independent estimations of IMs for the same earthquake scenario. Since the IMs belonging to the same earthquake scenario are naturally correlated, the GMPEs used for characterization of seismic hazard are expected to incorporate such correlation structure. Particularly, Sa corresponding to different periods of a single‐degree‐of‐freedom oscillator is estimated by GMPEs that do not explicitly account for internal correlations between the Sa at various periods for the same ground motion. The current approach to incorporate such a correlation for Sa spectrum is through a post‐processing technique developed by Baker and Jayaram; their method relates the spectral accelerations of different periods using functional forms describing linear correlations. However, the proposed correlation functions can be further improved and extended to more accurately estimate the spectrum of near‐fault high‐magnitude ground motions using high order dependencies among the spectral accelerations. This study proposes a generalized ground motion prediction model (GGMPM) using a hybrid recurrent neural network (RNN) framework that can be used to estimate a 29 × 1 correlated vector (denoted as IM) of RotD50 Sa at 26 periods and geometric means of Ia, D5‐95, and CAV using a set of seismic source and site parameters as inputs. This is an improvement to the current body of knowledge because the high order dependencies between the individual components of IM are incorporated. A RNN framework is developed that estimates the median vector of IM. The discrepancy between the IM estimated using the RNN framework and the IM computed from recorded motions is further minimized using the covariance matrix adaptation evolution strategy (CMA‐ES), which is a non‐convex optimization method. The residuals of the RNN framework are used to construct the inter‐event and the intra‐event covariance matrices to account for the inter‐event and intra‐event variabilities of the ground motions. Hence, given the source and site parameters, the RNN‐framework returns a median prediction of the IM, which is then combined with estimated inter‐event and intra‐event covariance matrices to obtain the probabilistic estimation of IM. Furthermore, this GGMPM framework is compared against various currently used GMPEs, and the results of these comparisons demonstrate that the proposed GGMPM leads to improved predictions while maintaining the internal dependencies of the IM components.


The relation between Mirnov coil signals and the current perturbation on a rational surface is examined analytically by using the approximate Green's function for the case of large-aspect-ratio circular tokamaks. Satellite island formation, phase modulation effects due to the poloidal variation of the field line pitch, and the effect of the shift of the plasma column with respect to the centre of the vacuum chamber are examined. The detectability of these effects by Mirnov coils is discussed for the TFTR experiment.


Subeconomic copper mineralization occurs in unmetamorphosed Permian sediments of southcentral Kansas, primarily in carbonates and grey-green shales which are interlayered with barren red beds. Principal sulfide minerals present are pyrite, chalcopyrite, bornite, chalcocite, and digenite. Petrographic evidence and a strong correlation between sulfide sulfur (S) and organic carbon (C) indicate that pyrite is of early diagenetic origin. Within most rocks examined, textural evidence is indicative of pyrite replacement by copper-bearing sulfides. However, Cu-rich sediments are also characterized by poor S/C correlation. The data suggest that precipitation of copper from an oxidized fluid was caused not only by reaction with pyrite, but was also strongly related to reduction to organic matter. Sulfur isotope values range from -30 to -40 per thousand for pyrite, and are distinctly different than those for Cu sulfides in carbonates and shales. The authors suggest that the copper-bearing fluid also contained SO/sub 4//sup 2 -/ which was isotopically similar to sulfate minerals found in the sedimentary sequence. Such fluid-derived sulfate has been partially reduced and utilized in the mineralization process. delta/sup 34/S values of copper sulfides in shale result from a smaller contribution of introduced sulfate, than those in carbonates. The greater quantity of isotopically heavy sulfatemore » utilized in the carbonate hosts is a function of higher flow rates in the carbonates, lower pyrite contents, and fixation of a similar amount of copper.« less


A number of field techniques were assessed on their reliability for estimating vegetation cover in Australian rangelands. The field sampling was undertaken using visual estimation, line intercepts, a crown cover model, and images acquired from a digital camera. The results from these methods were compared and analysed. The data obtained from these differing methods agree with each other in relative rather than absolute terms. This suggests that the methods can provide a reasonable basis for qualitative remote sensing studies, but are not suitable for quantitative investigations.


I. INTRODU CTION .............................................................................. 447 II. B ACKGROUND ................................................................................ 448 III. WORKFORCE DEMOGRAPHICS ....................................................... 449 IV. SIMULATING SERVICE CONTRACT WAGE LEVELS........................ 451 V. SAVINGS FROM REDUCED TURNOVER............................................451 VI. SAVINGS FROM REDUCED PARTICIPATION IN PUBLIC SUPPORT PROGRAMS .................................... ...... 454 VII. OTHER SOURCES OF COST SAVINGS ................. ...... 457 VIII. SUMMARY ..................................... ..... 457


Background: The illness process of appendicitis is defined as dynamic and lasts between 24 and 36 hours. Basically, a patient's medical history and clinical examination are a cornerstone for acute appendicitis diagnosis. Objectives: The present study aimed to compare the diagnostic utility of abdominal ultrasound and the Modified Alvarado scoring approach with a postoperative histological analysis in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Methods: In this study, 193 patients complaining of acute abdomen pain suspected of acute appendicitis were prospectively recruited. The study population was divided into two groups regarding the Modified Alvarado scoring ≥ 7 and > 7. Results: Our analysis indicated overall specificity, sensitivity and accuracy of diagnosis of the Modified Alvarado score were 81%, 67.7%, and 72% chronologically. While specificity and sensitivity of pelvic pelvi-abdominal ultrasonography were 71.4% and 86.2% respectively. Conclusion: When the Alvarado score is high (> 7), there are strong indicators that the patient is experiencing right lower quadrant abdomen discomfort. The Alvarado score approach is a low-cost, dependable, and reproducible diagnostic approach that may be utilised by both primary care physicians and emergency room doctors.


Background Road traffic deaths are a substantial barrier to population health improvement in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). In South Africa, the road-traffic injury mortality (RTM) rate of 27 per 100 000 population is twice the global average, over 60% of which are alcohol-related. Recent US studies suggest the Uber ride-sharing service may reduce alcohol-related RTM, however RTM burden in the USA is relatively low and transport behaviours differ from LMICs. Methods Using certification data from all deaths occurring in South Africa in the years 2010–2014 (n=2 498 216), we investigated the relative change in weekly road traffic-related death counts between provinces which received Uber services (beginning in 2013) against those that did not using a difference-in-differences approach. Results Weekly road traffic-related deaths in provinces with Uber were lower following Uber introduction than in comparison provinces without Uber. The effect size was larger in the province which had Uber the longest (Gauteng) and among young adult males (aged 17–39 years). However, the absolute effects were very small (<2 deaths per year) and may coincide with seasonal variation. Conclusions Overall, findings did not support either an increase or large decrease in province-level road traffic-related deaths associated with Uber introduction to South Africa. More localised investigations in South Africa and other LMICs are needed.


The signal to noise ratio is a common concept in radio communications and electronic communication in general. For a radio, the static is the noise. Too much static and the storm report gets drowned out, or at least you must listen closely to understand the announcer. Unfortunately, information designers do not posses a clear cut set of techniques available to electrical engineers. For information systems, taking the raw data in a system and deciding what is signal and what is noise proves to be extremely difficult. This paper will examine how the concept of signal to noise ratio can be applied to documentation. It will consider how the need to address different tasks and audience forces compromises on the writer to meet those different needs, when each audience has different definitions of which information constitutes signal and which constitutes noise.


This research project centered on an investigation of the integration of modern visualization tools with the traditional text-based programming language environment. The purpose of the study was to explore a means to achieve dynamic, generic visualization of a program's execution. Both technical and theoretical aspects of program visualization were examined. A formal operational semantics was developed for an abstract visualization machine using a conceptual framework derived from the classic von Neumann architecture.
The model for constructing and executing programs using visual tools was achieved in the development of GROK, Graphic Representation of Operational Knowledge. This prototype system was tested with novice programmers during the development process. Over time, feedback from participants in the testing program was used to guide the evolution of the software system. The resulting system is generic in that the programmer can construct original programs and execute them with the visualization tool. The execution of the program is dynamic, allowing for experimentation as the programmer interacts with the interface. The visualization is automated, so the programmer does not have to learn special algorithms for visualization. The visualization takes place in a familiar windows-based setting.
Qualitative data was studied using QUALOG, a logic-based analysis tool. Initial feedback from instructors and students in beginning programming courses was positive. The instructors indicated that the visualization tools were useful in conveying to the students a visual model, relating the operations and underlying architecture of the physical machine to the execution of the program. Student responses indicated an awareness of the contribution of the software to their understanding of how the computer executes a program. In addition, a large percentage of the participants with little or no programming background stated that the understanding they gained from using GROK helped them in learning to write programs. More advanced students indicated an appreciation of the data visualizer component for debugging purposes.


Retinoic acid (RA) is able to induce the differentiation of embryonic stem cells into neuronal lineages. The mechanism of this effect is unknown but it has been evidenced to be dependent on the formation of floating spheroids called embryoid bodies. Results presented here show that the inhibition of phosphoinositide 3‐kinase signaling pre‐determines mouse embryonic stem cells to RA induced neurogenesis in monolayer culture with no need of embryoid bodies formation. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 563–570, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


Compounds of composition RMgN(CH 2 CH 2 OMe) 2 and RMg(N15C5) were prepared (HN15C5 = 1,4,7,-10-tetraoxa-13-azacyclopentadecane). Crystal structures of the compounds in which R is ethyl showed the solids to have dimeric structures with four-membered rings formed by two nitrogen and two magnesium atoms, and molecular weight measurements found RMgN(CH 2 CH 2 OMe) 2 (R = ethyl or neopentyl) to be dimeric in benzene solutions. A crystal structure was determined of a compound of composition (Et 2 -Mg) 2 EtOMg(N15C5) that was obtained as a minor and accidental component.


Understanding how our experiences are retrieved from long-term memory is fundamental in cognitive neuroscience. In this doctoral thesis I explore two essential questions regarding the temporal dynamics of episodic memory retrieval. First, I investigate how rapidly distinct components of a visual object representation (i.e., perceptual and conceptual aspects) are reactivated during retrieval, and how this temporal sequence evolves compared to visual encoding. Findings from a series of behavioural, scalp electroencephalography (EEG) and intracranial EEG experiments, using reaction times and time- resolved decoding analyses, suggest that retrieval is a hierarchical, multi- layered process that follows the reverse order compared to encoding, prioritizing semantic information over perceptual details. Second, I explore whether memories are reactivated following a specific oscillatory rhythm. Computational models, based on studies in rodents, suggest that encoding and retrieval processes occur at opposing phases of hippocampal theta oscillations. Evidence for such phase modulation in humans is still sparse. The present findings suggest that in humans, neural signatures of memory retrieval fluctuate with, and are time-locked to, the phase of theta oscillations. Altogether, this doctoral thesis supports the view that retrieval is an oscillatory process and the elements that form our memories are retrieved following a biased and sequential order.


A BSTRACT — Recent geologic mapping of eight 7.5-minute quadrangles in the northern Jemez Mountains has yielded numerous insights into the late Oligocene to Pleistocene sedimentary and volcanic history of the region. Important observations include: (1) identification of variations in the lateral and vertical distribution of the Pedernal Chert Member of the Abiquiu Formation across the region; (2) documentation of westward migration of volcanism between 9 and 8 Ma, followed by eastward migration between 7 and 5 Ma across the northern Jemez volcanic field; (3) mapping of several sedimentary deposits that preceded, interceded, and postdated the Toledo and Valles caldera eruptions; and (4) recognition of significant variations in thickness and degree of welding for the Otowi Member of the Bandelier Tuff. Several new Ar 40 /Ar 39 ages for northern Jemez volcanic units are presented, together with a compilation of previous dates collected over the past four decades. These ages suggest that Lobato volcanic activity in the northeastern Jemez occurred primarily between 10.5 to 9 Ma, and was particularly intense between 10 to 9.5 Ma. The next major phase of volcanic activity occurred between ~8.5 to 7 Ma along the La Grulla Plateau, where andesitic and dacitic lavas cap a more mafic sequence of basaltic andesites to andesites. A relatively small volume of rhyolite was emplaced just northeast of the Valles caldera rim at ~7.1 Ma that we correlate to the Bearhead Rhyolite of the southern Jemez Mountains. This was followed by major Tschicoma Formation volcanism in the northeastern Jemez Moun- tains that was mostly emplaced between ~5.3 to 3 Ma. Along the western margin of Mesa El Alto, the El Alto basalt eruption occurred at ~2.9 Ma, followed by three El Rechuelos Rhyolite domes emplaced west of Polvadera Peak at ~2.1 Ma. Lastly, the Toledo and Valles caldera eruptions at ~1.61 Ma and volcanic rocks of the La Grulla Plateau. Several types of Proterozoic granites ( Xg ) are overlain by Late Pennsylvanian Guadalupe Box Formation ( IPm ). Widespread Cutler Group deposits ( Pc ) are overlain by Permian Yeso Group eolian sandstones ( Py ). Upper Triassic Chinle Group ( TR ) disconformably overlies Permian rocks. Tertiary El Rito Formation ( Te ) caps Jurassic and Cretaceous sediments ( JK ) and are overlain by Abiquiu Formation ( Ta ). On the La Grulla Plateau an older sequence of basaltic andesite to andesite lavas ( Tllg , ~7.5 to 8.7 Ma) is capped to the south by more silicic (andesite to dacite) lavas ( Ttlg , ~7.0 to 7.8 Ma). Bandelier Tuff pyroclastic flows, including both the Otowi ( Qbo ) and Tshirege ( Qbt ) Members, ponded in the Calaveras Creek area to the west and found a northwestern corridor that skirted the eastern margin of La Grulla Plateau, forming Mesa Pinabetosa.


The CNC machine has been widely used in many manufacturers, many old CNC machines have an excellent mechanics, but the control system is not working. On other hand, selecting the control system design for retrofitting mini-CNC milling machine have many alternatives, in this study we proposed the Fuzzy-QFD integrated Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to analyze the decision-making problem. To determine the weighting customer requirement and correlative score using a triangular fuzzy number for calculated. The comparison of the criteria, we proposed the fuzzy set in AHP for weighting customer requirement and designed model for mini CNC machine retrofit have been following up with the technical requirement. The approach proposed in this study can also be applied for product development and decision-making problem.


The purpose of this paper is to identify factors that can explain differing responses of voluntary organizations to the pressure of homogenization that follows from interaction with public authorities. The paper is theoretically based on institutional organization theory and resource dependence theory, and empirically on research on voluntary organizations in the social sector. It is asserted that the following factors may explain voluntary organizations' ability to maintain autonomous in relation to public organizations: the characteristics of the organizational field, the focal organization's relations to the dominating organization in the field, organization characteristics and intra-organizational processes and strategies.


Summary This opinion describes the implementation of NVQ qualifications into the portfolio of courses in the Management and Accounting School at Nescot. It questions the philosophy of NVQs in management and accounting. The resource implications are analysed, based upon the author's experience. The opinion of the author is that little evidence exists after three years involvement that NVQs add more value relative to other competency courses in these two subject areas.


Abstract. Dengue virus infection not always cause dengue hemorrhagic fever in humans because it depends on other factors, one of which is the immune system that affected by nutritional status and age. This study aims to determine the relationship of nutritional status and age on the dengue virus infection status. The study was conducted in Cirebon regency with cross sectional design. The height and weight was measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated to determine the nutritional status. The results are grouped into two categories, abnormal and normal. Age groups are determined based on the interview, then grouped in the 5 years age groups. Examination of blood samples using a rapid diagnostic test to find out the status of dengue virus infection. The resulting data, then analyzed to determine the relationship between nutritional status and age group with the status of dengue virus infection. The respondents was 200 persons consisting of 86 men and 114 women. Respondents with abnormal nutritional status is 68 respondents (34%) and 132 (66%) was normal; in 5 tahun. Selanjutnya pemeriksaan sampel darah menggunakan rapid diagnostic test untuk mengetahui status infeksi. Hasilnya, dianalisis untuk mengetahui hubungan status gizi dan kelompok umur dengan status infeksi virus dengue. Dari 200 responden (86 laki-laki, 114 perempuan) didapatkan status gizi 68 orang (34%) tidak normal dan 132 orang (66%) kategori normal; kelompok umur < 5 tahun 193 orang (96,50%) dan < 5 tahun 7 orang (3,5%). Pemeriksaan sampel darah menunjukan 39 orang (19,50%) responden positif antibodi virus dengue dan 161 orang (80,50%) negatif. Analisis bivariat menunjukkan status gizi dan kelompok umur memiliki hubungan dengan status infeksi virus dengue serta kelompok umur memiliki pengaruh terbesar. Disimpulkan, status gizi dan kelompok umur terbukti berhubungan dengan status infeksi virus dengue. Status gizi tidak normal dan kelompok umur < 5 tahun, menjadi faktor risiko untuk terjadinya penularan virus dengue. Kata Kunci : demam berdarah dengue, status gizi, kelompok umur, status infeksi virus dengue


We apply some generalized maximum principles for establishing uniqueness and nonexistence results concerning maximal spacelike hypersurfaces immersed in a generalized Robertson-Walker (GRW) spacetime, which is supposed to obey the so-called timelike convergence condition (TCC). As application, we study the uniqueness and nonexistence of entire solutions of a suitable maximal spacelike hypersurface equation in GRW spacetimes obeying the TCC.


Phage ImmunoPrecipitation Sequencing (PhIP-Seq) is a massively multiplexed, phage-display based methodology for analyzing antibody binding specificities, with several advantages over existing techniques, including the uniformity and completeness of proteomic libraries, as well as high sample throughput and low cost. Data generated by the PhIP-Seq assay are unique in many ways. The only published analytical approach for these data suffers from important limitations. Here, we propose a new statistical framework with several improvements. Using a set of replicate mock immunoprecipitations (negative controls lacking antibody input) to generate background binding distributions, we establish a statistical model to quantify antibody-dependent changes in phage clone abundance. Our approach incorporates robust regression of experimental samples against the mock IPs as a means to calculate the expected phage clone abundance, and provides a generalized model for calculating each clone's expected abundance-associated standard deviation. In terms of bias removal and detection sensitivity, we demonstrate that this z-score algorithm outperforms the previous approach. Further, in a large cohort of autoantibody-defined Sjögren's Syndrome (SS) patient sera, PhIP-Seq robustly identified Ro52, Ro60, and SSB/La as known autoantigens associated with SS. In an effort to identify novel SS-specific binding specificities, SS z-scores were compared with z-scores obtained by screening Ropositive sera from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This analysis did not yield any commonly targeted SS-specific autoantigens, suggesting that if they exist at all, their epitopes are likely to be discontinuous or post-translationally modified. In summary, we have developed an improved algorithm for PhIP-Seq data analysis, which was validated using a large set of sera with clinically characterized autoantibodies. This z-score approach will substantially improve the ability of PhIP-Seq to detect and interpret antibody binding specificities. The associated Python code is freely available for download here: https://github.com/LarmanLab/PhIP-Seq-Analyzer.


This study aims to know the fishermen's perception and participation and the government's role in fisheries resources conservation of Batungap swamp, Tapin Regency. Field study was done in November 2015 to January 2016 using survey method. Data collected from questioneers were ordinal data measuring response levels, from very positive to very negative using Likert scale. Results showed that the fishermen around Batungap swamp area had sufficiently high perception (80.9%) on the benefit of the aquatic environmental management since it was aware that fish catches be highly dependent upon good aquatic ecosystem conditions, and they had moderate level of participation (65.62%) because they were still using traditional and environmentally friendly fishing gears. Nevertheless, control on the fishermen's participation was low since they thought that there were Controlling Community Groups (CCG). The government's role in the management of Batungap swamp area was also moderate (62.5%) because the respondents thought that it was good enough, but the socialization on regulations and boundary mark setting of the protected area was still low so that the fishermen around and out of the area had low knowledge on the boundaries of the protected area.


This work approaches the theme of the double in Dead of Night, as well as the double finds its resonance in other areas, such as literature. The study seeks to verify and identify how the theme of the double appears in the film. Besides the analysis of the film, will be addressed trajectory the director Alberto Cavalcanti, who started his career in French cinema, extending across England and Brazil. The film is the period in which the director worked in England and it was produced in 1945. The work begins with a brief history of the life of Alberto Cavalcanti and his career in the cinema. Then we did a search on the topic double, emphasizing three major authors: Clement Rosset, Otto Rank and Nicole Bravo. The analysis is based on an overview of the film followed by the analysis of five episodes that compose: The Hearse Driver, The Christmas Party, The Haunted Mirror, The Golfing Story and The Ventriloquist's Dummy. The conclusion points to possible readings of this film, that these possibilities are related to the double.


Chronic tonsillitis (CT) with or without adenoid hypertrophy (AH) is a very frequently encountered disease in children. Despite the frequency of this disease and the significant morbidity it causes, its pathogenesis is not exactly known. The oxidation products are produced during inflammation and are involved in the tissue injury due to this inflammation. The antioxidants play role in neutralizing the destruction by these oxidation products. Low antioxidant levels in blood may predispose children to frequent upper respiratory infections by negatively influencing their immune system. Objective: To investigate the potential role of oxidants and antioxidants in the pathogenesis of CT in children. Patients and Methods: This case-control study was carried out on 15 children with CT who were planned to undergo tonsillectomy. The control group was made up of 15 ageand sex-matched healthy children with normal ENT examination. The blood levels of antioxidants (ascorbic acid) and peroxidation products {malondialdehyde (MDA)} were determined before and 1 month after the operation in the patients group and once only in the control group. Results: The preoperative serum level of MDA in patients was significantly higher than in controls (P-value < 0.05). While there was no statistically significant difference between its level in the patients after the operation and its level in the controls (P-value = 0.126). The serum levels of ascorbic acid in the patients pre and post tonsillectomy were significantly different when compared to controls (P-value < 0.05). In the patients group, the blood antioxidant level increased and oxidant level decreased significantly after the operation (P< 0.05). These levels after the operation never reached those of the control group. Conclusions: Oxidants and antioxidants played a significant role in the pathogenesis of chronic tonsillitis in children. These children are under significant oxidative stress. Tonsillectomy significantly decreased the oxidative stress in these patients, but could not normalize it completely. [Amel Gaber Mohamed; Reham Sabry; Hoda Al and Awatef Al-Refaey. Assessment of Malondialdehyde and Ascorbic Acid Serum Levels in Group of Egyptian Children with Chronic Tonsillitis Before and After Tonsillectomy. J Am Sci 2012;8(12):1321-1325]. (ISSN: 1545-1003). http://www.jofamericanscience.org. 178


In particular, I am very interested in the problem of prose, prose as space. Andrei Siniavskii In 1974, soon after his expulsion from the Soviet Union, the literary scholar Andrei Siniavskii once again deferred to his created alter ego, the writer Abram Terts, to pass provocative judgment on the Soviet literary scene. The essay ascribed to Terts, "Literaturnyi protsess v Rossii," reviews unofficial Soviet literature to highlight its artistic (rather than moral) appeal. As Terts reads it, the punitive context of this literature—established by Stalin and enforced to a less rigorous extent through the Leonid Brezhnev era—inadvertently guaranteed art and the fate of the artist richness and power: At this moment the fate of the Russian writer has become the most intriguing, the most fruitful literary topic in the whole world; he is either being imprisoned, pilloried, internally exiled, or simply kicked out. The writer nowadays is walking a knife-edge; but unlike the old days, when writers were simply eliminated one after another, he now derives pleasure and moral satisfaction from this curious pastime. The writer is now someone to be reckoned with. And all the attempts to make him see reason, to terrorize or crush him, to corrupt or liquidate him, only raise his literary achievement to higher and higher levels.


Objective: Identification of lethal coagulopathies in a patient with carcinoma of the prostate by transportation out platelet calculates PT and APTT. Methodology: We completed our research at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore from May to December 2017. Cases are patient with prostatic carcinoma who was analyzed on biopsy inspection. Control was ordinary fit arbitrarily elected age coordinated mature gents lacking prostatic carcinoma. An entirety of 100 issues was included in the learning. They were separated in 2 set as follow; set - 1: Patient - identify a case of carcinoma of the prostate. Set - 2: organize - the usual subject of the similar age set. Result: A whole figure of fifty cases with the record of prostatic carcinoma were incorporated according to the condition reveal in the substance or technique sector. The frequencies of dissimilar changes were taken for platelet calculation, pro-thrombin immediate or stimulate half-done thrombus plastid instant. Inset – 1 (Case), the denote platelet calculation was 197.53 x 103 in a patient through progress era or in the set – 2 (organized), the signify platelet calculation was 286.05 x 103. The signify platelet calculate of the case or organize is exposed in Table – I. In the set - 1 (Case) the signify PT rate was 16.96 sec or in the set - 2 (organized) the signify PT significance was 11.93 sec. The signify PT of the case or organize is exposed in Table – II. In the set – 1 (Case) the signify APTT assessment was 36.87 sec or in the set - 2 (organize) the signify APTT rate was 30.95 sec. The signify APTT of the case or organize is exposed in the Table – III. Conclusion: Initial examination and identification of coagulopathies in a patient with carcinoma of the prostate by transport out platelet calculation, PT or APTT must be variety out to assist the patient in conditions of dealing or analysis and deterrence of lethal difficulty. Dispersed intravascular coagulation is the main often details disease but, in the nastiness of its long-time identification, its management vestiges contentious. Our consequences propose that platelet calculation; PT or APTT are distorted in a patient with prostate malignant cells. Extra learning is desirable to clarify the fundamental instrument or medical significances of such an occurrence between a patient with prostate malignancy.


Polyamines(putrescine,spermidine and spermine) which are ubiquitous polycations in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells play fundamental roles in cell growth and cell differentiation.The kinds and biosynthesis of polyamines in insects were introduced,the research advances in mutual relationships between polyamines and the vitellogenesis,embryonic development,metamorphosis,behavior,and hormones of insects were generdized.The expectation was described.


Abstract : This document contains the software requirements analysis for a prototype of Contract Request Version 1.0 (Contract Req). As a component of the Corporate Business Application Software System (C-BASS), this application automates the preparation of the requester's Procurement Data Package (PDP). The document follows the process of structured analysis, or step-wise refinement of requirements, as applied to the development of Contract Req. The "environmental model" includes a high-level system description, followed by a context diagram and a list of events to which the system must respond. The "behavioral model" includes a data flow diagram (DFD) for each of the five Contract Req subsystems. From this representation, the basic functional specifications are derived and represented in structured English (or program design language). The final segment of the document includes a data dictionary.


Urben wage workers' education expenditure among different social classes from 1979 to 1993 has been compared. Eduction expenditure has increased much more than that of income resulting from income increase and government policy. Education expenditure gaps among social classes have showed to be an increasing trend although the ratio of education expense to the income has increased among low class families. Average income elasticity was 1.1 and this result showed that education expense was luxury good. Income elasticity of education expense among low class families have fluctuated more than any other classes resulting from construction business cycle and housing rent increase. Average Gini coefficient was 0.38 and turned out to be highest among 9 household expenditures, however it was in the trend of improvement from 81. But from 91 Gini Coefficient went up high again. Main reason for this increase was due to high social class families' eucation expenditure increase. Government's strong policies to enhance equality level of education opportunity and to support low class families are urged.


Recently, many online games have been developed by improvement of network technology in consumer game machines and portable game machines. Typical network game architecture is based on client- server model and Hybrid-P2P model. Because of heavy resource needs in servers, it is not easy to develop network games in game providers. We propose a platform based on overlay network which does not need the server for the online game, and develop a common platform in online game. This platform s name is SNEO (non server network game environment by using overlay network) . Game provides can share the common platform in various games. Game providers become possible to produce games without considering about the load of networks and servers. In this paper, it proposes the outline of our platform, and the opponent matching protocol which becomes essence in online games.


More than 400 Iowa organic farmers were asked how the implementation of the USDA-National Organic Program (NOP) rules in 2002 has affected their farming operations.


In the presence of an electric field the energy spectrum of a quantum well becomes continuous, with bound states transforming into resonances, but also with strong modifications in the above-barrier region. Analyzing the density of states (DOS) of the system, we find modulated oscillations of this quantity due to interference of the waves reflected from the well boundaries and from the slope of the electric-field potential. We show that these oscillations in DOS are related to the Fowler-Nordheim resonances in transmission through a double-barrier tunneling structure. We also calculate the absorption \ensuremath{\alpha}(\ensuremath{\Elzxh}\ensuremath{\omega}) from the ground state in the well to the energy continuum above the barriers. We find a pronounced electric-field effect on \ensuremath{\alpha}(\ensuremath{\Elzxh}\ensuremath{\omega}); the slowly varying curve for zero field transforms into a series of sharp peaks. The observation of these peaks requires narrow wells, wide barriers, and moderate electric fields. It would allow for the determination of important parameters like band offset or the value of the internal electric field.


In the Human eye there are two types of image receptor cells cones and rods. Rods are helpful for seeing the image in low light or in the dark whereas the cones work for seeing the image in different colours. Both the receptors cells are found in retina of human eye. They contain three colour pigments Red (Large Bandwidth), Green (Medium Bandwidth) and Blue (Small Bandwidth) by which we are trichromats (tri =3 chromats =colour) and able to see any object in the world because of all objects are viewable by these colour hues. Mostly the colour blindness is the genetic mutation and not to be cured. It can also get place when there is a problem related to pigments in certain nerve cells (cone) of the eye or when there would be a trauma in mind or the chemical accident by which those receptor cells got affect. In the Human vision there are different stages which describe what type of colour vision deficiency the people have. Monochromacy (1%): Total colour blinded Dichromacy (10%): Partial colour blinded (i) red-green colour blindness (ii) blue-yellow colour blindness. Trichromacy: Normal colour vision. The Dichromacy, this type of colour blindness mostly people have. So correcting it, a new filter is developed in the image processing on the basis of Ishihara colour test. It works successfully as per tested it many time. In this filter adjusting, contrast stretching and inverting function are used for providing better result and it does. By applying this new filter the normal and as well colour vision deficient people easily recognise the objects whether they are of any of shape, number or alphabets.


The invention relates to a plantation method for improving sugar content of shine-muscat, and belongs to the field of plant cultivation. The method comprises pruning, performing deep fertilizing, spraying a nutrient solution on leaf surfaces, and performing time sharing accurate irrigation. The sugar content of fruits grown by the method averagely increases by 6%-8% when compared with the sugar content of a comparison case, so sugar content is obviously improved, and requirement of consumers is satisfied, and a mature period is greatly brought forward, average panicle weight is increased, and with improvement of fruit price, economic benefits of an orchard obviously increase.


We estimate a model of high school students' college choices, allowing for rich heterogeneity in students' preferences for college attributes. We use data on students' enrollment decisions and application decisions—i.e., the sets of colleges to which they applied—to identify the distribution of students' preferences. We use our estimates to quantify differences in a student's expected value upon college application that result from the uneven spatial distribution of colleges. As with other aspects of economic opportunity, we find that place matters: students with otherwise identical characteristics can have very different expected values depending on where they live. The importance of location reflects differences across states as well as differences across counties within a state. For students with low parental incomes and low SAT scores, over 70% of the variation is within-state across counties, while for students with high parental incomes and high SAT scores, 66% of the variation is across states.


It is common in engineering practice to first design a mathematical model of a physical object using geometric constructs such as splines, surface patches and subdivision schemes, and then to render the model on a computer display device. Typically the rendering process involves projecting the object's model onto a plane that has been overlaid with an array of cells (pixels), then algorithmically determining which cell to turn on. Thus the displayed image aids in perception but is not essential for analysis. Supporting the image there is a mathematical model that may be used for analysis.


The Reed-Muller (RM) code encoding $n$-variate degree-$d$ polynomials over $\mathbb{F}_q$ for $d < q$ has relative distance $1-d/q$ and can be list decoded from a $1-O(\sqrt{d/q})$ fraction of errors. In this work, for $d \ll q$, we give a length-efficient puncturing of such codes which (almost) retains the distance and list decodability properties of the Reed-Muller code, but has much better rate. Specificially, when $q \gtrsim d^2/\epsilon^2$, we given an explicit rate $\Omega_d(\epsilon)$ puncturing of Reed-Muller codes which have relative distance at least $(1-\epsilon)$ and efficient list decoding up to $(1-\sqrt{\epsilon})$ error fraction. This almost matches the performance of random puncturings which work with the weaker field size requirement $q \gtrsim d/\epsilon^2$. We can also improve the field size requirement to the optimal (up to constant factors) $q \gtrsim d/\epsilon$, at the expense of a worse list decoding radius of $1-\epsilon^{1/3}$ and rate $\Omega_d(\epsilon^2)$. The first of the above trade-offs is obtained by substituting for the variables functions with carefully chosen pole orders from an algebraic function field; this leads to a puncturing for which the RM code is a subcode of a certain algebraic-geometric code (which is known to be efficiently list decodable). The second trade-off is obtained by concatenating this construction with a Reed-Solomon based multiplication friendly pair, and using the list recovery property of algebraic-geometric codes.


adsorption of phenol from aqueous solution onto natural zeolite was studied using a fixed bed column. Experiments were carried out to study the effect of influent concentration, flow rate, bed depth and temperature on the performance of the fixed bed. The equilibrium data fitted with theoretical models. A batch adsorber model has been used to determine the external mass transfer coefficient and diffusion coefficient for the phenol system. A mathematical model was formulated to describe the mass transfer kinetics in the fixed bed adsorption column. T he results show that the mathematical model which includes external mass transfer and surface diffusion using nonlinear isotherm, provides a good description of the adsorption process for phenol onto fixed bedof natural zeolite. Key words Adsorption, fixed bed, natural zeolite, phenol, mathematical model, mass transfer coefficient.


Some discussions in contemporary aesthetics, as, for instance, the one by Arthur  Danto, focusing the thematic of realism in the visual arts brought to light the  question of a possible relevance of this topic not only for other artistic metiers but  also for the philosophy of art in general. Taking this debate into account, it seems  interesting to highlight the theme of realism in Theodor Adorno's Aesthetic theory,  which in its more than five hundred pages in the German original, approaches the  notion of realism under several viewpoints. This article focuses on realism under  the following viewpoints: the loss of import of art, the relationship between art and  society, the relationship between expression and construction and the character of  appearance and enigma of artworks.


A novel approach to modify the SBU of the well-known bio-MOF-1 by reducing the nuclearity of the metal cluster while retaining the topology of the anionic 3D framework is reported. The resulting BioMOF is prone to accept H ions from the organic counterions providing a route to obtain neutral frameworks.


This study compares four structures from the framework FUSE in 1100 UK catchments. This is, in itself, a significant achievement. The authors highlight which structures perform best in different regions (Results Section) and then discuss more generally why models fail and which improvements would be necessary to improve performance (Discussions Section). I think that, ultimately, the goal of such model intercomparison is to provide guidance on i) model selection (i.e., can specific models/modules be recommended based on basin attributes?) and ii) model development (i.e., are there specific process parameterisations that are currently missing, but are needed to improve the