In spite of the interferon (INF) redundancy in treating HCV, ribavirin (RBV) is still included with the new direct antiviral therapies. Ribavirin-induced hematological alterations had been referred to ITPA gene polymorphisms.
Objective: Evaluate ITPA gene polymorphisms (rs1127354 and rs7270101) with development of anemia in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) Egyptian patients during treatment with pegylated-interferon (Peg-IFN) plus ribavirin (RBV).
Methods: 100 Egyptian CHC patients treated with PEG-IFN/RBV were recruited, 55 patients developed anemia (Hb decline>2 g/dl), and other 45 would not developed anemia (Hb decline ≤ 2 g/dl) at week 12 throughout the treatment course. Routine laboratory investigations were done for all participates (HCV-Abs, HBs Ag, HCV-RNA levels, complete blood picture, liver and kidney function tests. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was done by ABI TaqMan allelic discrimination kit for ITPA polymorphisms (rs1127354 and rs7270101).
Results: CC and AA were the most prevalent genotypes of SNPs rs1127354 and rs7270101 respectively among two studied groups. rs1127354 polymorphism was associated with Hb-decline at week 12 of treatment and with rs7270101 polymorphism for predicting platelet decline during treatment. Lower levels of platelet decline were detected with CC rs1127354 and AA rs7270101.
Conclusion: While ITPA polymorphisms rs1127354 CC genotype carried a predilection of anemia occurrence in PEG-IFN/RBV HCV treated subjects, the minor allele rs1127354 AA plays a crucial role in their protection. Platelet decline was reported in both ITPA rs1127354 and rs7270101 polymorphisms. Screening for ITPA polymorphisms in Egyptian HCV patients would be of value in avoiding hematological disturbances and dose modulations in RBVbased therapies.


In the present work we have studied natural inflation in the framework of the Randall-Sundrum II brane model (RS-II) in the light of the recent Planck results. Adopting the Randall-Sundrum fine-tuning, the model is characterized by 3 parameters in total, namely the 5-dimensional Planck mass and the mass scales of the inflaton potential. We show in the $n_s-r$ plane the theoretical predictions of the model together with the allowed contour plots, and we conclude that the model is viable. It is known that in the considered brane model electroweak baryogenesis can work for a suitable window of the five-dimensional Planck mass. By combining natural inflation with electroweak baryogenesis we determine the allowed range of all three parameters of the model for which a viable inflationary model can be obtained and at the same electroweak baryogenesis can work.


The paper addresses the recent and growing phenomenon of mixed sentimental unions. It centers on heterosexual couples integrated by a Spanish man and a foreign woman of Latin American or Slavic origin, wich are the predominant in Spain. The initial hypothesis relates this phenomenon to transformations in the gender system in Spain, and contextualizes it in the new global order, characterized by the increase and facility for communication and mobility. Attention is drawn to the motivations expressed by the social actors involved in these unions.


Describes a methodology, at present under development, by which different implementation strategies for a chosen signal processing algorithm can be investigated without recourse to the build of a hardware prototype for each implementation scheme. A particular laboratory aim is to use this environment for investigating the application of parallel processing techniques to future sonar processors. The environment utilises a CAD workstation and associated tools, around which an algorithm evaluation framework has been configured. Individual algorithmic processing elements are represented by user defined simulation models, with connections between elements implemented via the CAD workstation schematic circuit editor. The system design is then simulated by the workstation simulator tool which provides performance indicators in respect of the algorithm implementation scheme under test. A brief overview is provided of the necessary workstation tools which leads to a discussion of behavioural language modeling techniques and their relevance to soft prototyping. A description of the approach to soft prototyping is given and illustrated by a simple implementation scheme example. >


The effect of Brassinosteroid and Super Micro Plus Nanoparticles on growth and
yield components was evaluated in potatoes for the growing season 2020. In the
Karbala Governorate, a Randomized Complete Block Design RCBD factorial
field experiment of two factors (Brassinosteroid and super micro plus) was conducted with three replications. The Brassinosteroid was used at 0, 0.05, 0.10 and
0.15 mg.L-1
, where the super micro plus was also used with four levels of 0, 1, 3
and 5 gxL-1
. Interaction treatment of both factors at the highest concentrations
(B3F3) resulted in the highest mean values of all the measured parameters including plant height (64.39cm), number of stem/plant (2.593), shoot dry weight
(173.3 g.plant-1
), leave area (51.05dc2
.plant-1
), tuber weight (165.4g), plant yield
(1948.41)g, tuber dry matter (14.88 %) and tuber content of starch (9.18%).
Keywords: Brassinosteroid, super micro plus Nanoparticle, potato, Yield quality


We describe a case study of a civil suit involving an elevator incident causing serious injury to a 5-year-old male. We illustrate how scientific principles and measurements of conspicuity, cognitive development and parental supervision inform a human factors analysis of the contributing issues of an unusual incident sequence.


The devolution of powers to the Scottish Parliament does not seem to be accompanied by further decentralisation to the local councils. Local government remains but a footnote in the Scottish constitutional debate, and the inclusion of local government policy in the contributions to the Smith Commission made by Scotland's political parties seem to be an afterthought. It remains to be seen, in a time of constitutional flux, where Scotland's local communities will fit in.


ABSTRACT: This study evaluated the effect of maternal protein supplementation during mid or late gestation on energy metabolism of the skeletal muscle of beef calves. Sixteen pregnant cows were divided into 3 groups: CTRL (not supplemented); MID (supplemented from 30 to 180 days of gestation); and LATE (supplemented from 181 to 281 days of gestation). The supplement contained 30% crude protein. Thirty days after birth, blood and muscle samples of the calves were collected for analyses of gene expression, proteins, and metabolites. No differences (P ≥ 0.15) in birth weight, performance at weaning, or muscle expression of the genes evaluated (P ≥ 0.21) were observed. Calves born to CTRL cows had a lower ratio (P = 0.03) of p-AMPK/AMPK protein in the skeletal muscle. Calves born to MID cows had lower (P = 0.04) glucose concentration than those born to LATE cows. Changes in p-AMPK/AMPK protein, indicated a possible metabolic inflexibility in the skeletal muscle of calves born to CTRL cows. These results indicated that lack of protein supplementation in pregnant cows alter the energy metabolism of their calves and reflect in a metabolic inflexibility.


40 www.erpublication.org Abstract2 Special attention has been paid to artificial groundwater recharge in water resource management in arid and semi-arid regions. Parameters considered in the selection of groundwater artificial recharge locations are diverse and complex. In this study, factors such as: slope, infiltration rate, depth to groundwater and electric conductivity (EC) are considered, to determine the areas most suitable for groundwater artificial recharge in aquifer in the Herat city of Afghanistan. Thematic layers for the above parameters were prepared, classified, weighted based on centroid method of de-fuzzification and integrated in a GIS environment by algebraic product operator of Fuzzy logic. Land use map of research area used to filter the artificial recharge map. The results of the study indicate that about 17.74% of the study area is suitable and 82.26% is unsuitable for artificial groundwater recharge. To validate the model a comparison between mean of water level points which located in suitable zone of suitability map and water level classes done.


Consider the variety C, a smooth projective curve. The "valuation" on k(C) is the function ordP : k(V ) → Z where P ∈ C. If F ∈ k(C) then ordP (F ) takes the value of the order of the zero of F at P if f has a zero at P , the negative of the order of the pole of f at P if f has a pole at P and takes the value zero otherwise. We then define an absolute value on k(C) for each P ∈ K(V ) by setting |f |P = e−ordP (F ) This is a nonarchimedean absolute value because


In this paper, a nonlinear operator equation involving a strictly pseudocontractive mapping is investigated based on an explicit iterative method. Weak and strong convergence theorems of fixed points are established in real Hilbert spaces.


Electronic excitation of CH molecules by electrons is of fundamental importance in fusion plasmas. Furthermore, excited Rydberg states of CH play a vital role in the dissociative recombination process. The authors have performed ab initio calculations on the e{sup {minus}} - CH scattering complex, at low impact energies, using the R-matrix technique. The X {sup 2}{Pi}, ground state and the lowest four valence excited states (A {sup 2}{Delta}, B {sup 2}{Sigma}{sup {minus}}, C {sup 2}{Sigma}{sup +} and {sup 4}{Sigma}{sup {minus}}), of CH are included in the close coupling expansion with each state being represented by a multi-configuration interaction wave function. Cross section calculations for electron scattering from CH molecules in the {sup 1}{Delta} symmetry are in progress and a comprehensive set of results will be presented at the meeting.


In this paper, a thinned linear array with Cavity backed U-slot Patch has been investigated using the Genetic Algorithm to minimize peak sidelobe level and the number of antenna elements. One of the essential steps in the Genetic Algorithm method is a crossover, which uses the Paired Top Ten and Combined Top Five rules applied to the Cavity backed U-slot Patch antenna. The peak sidelobe level value is -18.63 dB with a array filling of 63.33% at the broadside angle using Combined Top Five rules. In Paired Top Ten, the peak sidelobe level value is -19.48 dB with a array filling of 70%. The two methods are still better as compared to a dense array. This study is essential in the development of radar technologies since it needs a low sidelobe level.


Recently, performance evaluation of ad hoc network protocols is done using realistic mobility and traffic models, thus improving the validity and credibility of wireless simulation studies.  In this paper we design and implement MixMobGen, a mobility generator for ad hoc vehicular applications, which takes into account mixed vehicular conditions.  This is the first mobility model that takes into account, both, slow and fast vehicles. While speed for highway traffic has been modeled following a normal distribution, two studies on the mixed traffic show that speed follows a multimodal or bimodal distribution, instead.  In this paper we a) design and implement MixMobGen, a realistic mobility generator that models mixed traffic conditions.  b) evaluate protocol performance in 802.11 network protocols using NS 2 simulator.


A Clinical Study on Three Cases of Anemia in Postpartum Women Treated by Gamisaengwha-tang with Objectives: The purpose of this study is to report the effect of Gamsaengwha -tang with Deer antler on three postpartum women with anemia. Methods: The three postpartum women with severe anemia among postpartum women who admitted our hospital were treated by oriental treatments such as herbal medicine(Gamisaengwha-tang with Deer antler). Results: After treatment, the measurements of hemoglobin was increased and Anemia was improved. Conclusion: After delivery, many postpartum women have tendency to become anemic. Saengwha-tang and Deer antler became known to be good for anemia in oriental medicine. So the three postpartum women with severe anemia among postpartum women who admitted our hospital were treated by Gamisaengwha-tang with Deer antler. After treatment, the measurements of hemoglobin were increased comparative quickly, and anemia was improved. This case report shows that the Gamisaengwha-tang with Deer antler is effect for treatng anemia. Anemia will improve not only treating by Saengwha-tang except Deer antler but also treating by iron supplement, so we need more comparative study and observation and need more practical use of herbal medicine with Deer antler for anemia and disease of postpartum women.


Thank you very much for reading the economics of money banking and financial markets. Maybe you have knowledge that, people have search numerous times for their favorite readings like this the economics of money banking and financial markets, but end up in infectious downloads. Rather than enjoying a good book with a cup of tea in the afternoon, instead they cope with some harmful virus inside their laptop.


Based on the general theory of the electron-photon coincidence experiment, the S tokes parameters of an excited atomic state were calculated with the distorted w ave Born approximation. According to the correlation between experiment and theo ry, the distribution of electron clouds in an excited atomic state can be descri bed by their orientation and alignment parameters. The values obtained are in g reement with the results of the experiments.


This work collects the results obtained from the teaching innovation project called: 'Building History through educational competences in the Degree of Primary Education', carried out in the course 2017/2018. Different educational competences present in the curricular projects related to the area of Social Sciences were worked during its development. During the proposal, several practical activities will be carried out, such as small research works during the visit to the Archaeological Museum of Cordoba and the realisation of historical models related to the chosen theme in the didactic itinerary that will be included in a group classroom blog. The interaction of two different branches of knowledge (Social Sciences and Humanities) allowed us to work in an interdisciplinary way to concretise in practice the different activities. In fact, the purpose of this didactic experience is the application of these activities by the students to take them to a real classroom context.
Keywords: Primary education degree, educational competencies, methodology, historical heritage, cooperative work.


• For a consumer who takes a specialty drug on a chronic basis, the average annual cost of therapy for the specialty drug products used to treat chronic conditions rose by almost $35,000 between 2006 and 2015. • The average annual price of therapy for specialty prescription drugs was 9 times higher than the average annual price of therapy for brand name prescription drugs and 100 times higher than the average annual price of therapy for generic prescription drugs.


Aero-WAVE is a scientific payload that operates in W-band. It will be embarked onboard a stratospheric platform or high altitude platform (HAP) in order to perform a first test of the channel behavior at an altitude of about 20 km. The stratospheric platform is a high altitude aircraft known as the M-55 Geophysica, a Russian aircraft well known in the atmospheric research environment and the European scientific community since 1996. The M-55 Geophysica will be equipped with the payload instrumentation to carry out the measurements. These measurements and the resulting data provided throughout the Aero-WAVE mission will give good indications of the channel behavior at different weather conditions and at different locations within the GEO-WAVE coverage


Three new specie-saf Harkl1essia are described from leaves afwoody hosts in South Africa. H rknessia eucalyplorum and its teleomorph. Wueslneia E'llcalyptorum,are described fromEucal.-rp{usleaves. In this case, the teleomorph. anamorph connection was proven in culture. Harknessia fusiformis is des..:ribed from EucalYPl1ls !eafliHer. \vhile Ii. sy:ygii is described fromS,'=n:ium cordalum. Additional collections ofIf. uromycoides and ll. ha\\'aiiensis are also discussed, and a microconidial state described for the latter species. Key \Vords: Eucallpw5, foliicolous fungi, Hartel/essia, systematics, SY=.\'gium cordatum, Wuesl11eia


A total of78Streptococcus strains, 15Staphylococcus strains, and2Stomatococcus strains wereusedtotest thespecificity of18different antigen detection systems forgroupA streptococci andfiveproducts thatdetect aspecific enzyme associated with groupAstreptococci. Alistreptococcal strains possessing thegroupAantigen werecorrectly identified with31different lots ofreagents inthe18antigen detection systems. Thespecificities ofthe31different lots ofreagents ranged between 88.5and100%.A limited numberofnonspecific reactions were observed withEnterococcus gallinarium, groupC Streptococcus strain C23,andStaphylococcus aureus F49andCowan1.Theantigen detection kits thatusedenzymesastheextraction reagent gaveslightly more specific results thandidthekits thatusedchemical extraction reagents. Thereagents inthefive kitsdesigned todetect theenzyme pyroglutamic acidarylamidase inStreptococcus pyogenesreacted positively withS. pyogenes(group A streptococcus); however, thereagents alsoreacted positively withall groupD enterococcal streptococci andwithabouthalfofthestaphylococcal strains treated. Thenonspecificity oftests basedon pyroglutamic acidarylamidase detection wouldseem tolimit theusefulness ofthesekitswithmixedcultures. Thereare approximately 27million throat swabsprocessedannually intheUnited States. Tworecentstudies have reported that, despite broaduse ofthroat cultures forthe detection ofgroup A streptococci (GAS),throatswabs processed byconventional means haveverylittle impact on themanagementofpatients (5,12).Holmberg andFaich (12), intheir surveyofphysicians practicing inRhodeIsland, reported that87%ofprimary-care physicians prescribed antimicrobial therapy before culture results were knownand that 40%continued antimicrobial therapy for10daysregardless ofculture results. Theseauthors concluded that current throat-culturing practices probably haveverylittle influence on thetreatment ofstreptococcal pharyngitis inthestate. Cochietal.(5), ina nationwide surveyofpracticing physicians, reported that25%ofphysicians always takespecimens forculture, 52%selectively doso,and23%neverdoso forpatients withacutesorethroats. Pediatricians were more likely toalways takeculture specimens (54%) andless likely (5%)tonevertakeculture specimens. Whenprimary-care physicians were askedwhether theybegin treatment before culture results areknown,42%said yes,always; 55%said yes,selectively; and3%said no.Whenphysicians whotook throat cultures were askedwhether theydiscontinued antimicrobial therapy iftheculture was negative, 58%said yes and42%said no. Fromthese responses,we can conclude that throat cultures asthey are now usedintheUnitedStates haveverylittle impact on themanagement ofpatients. Forany microbiologic testtobeuseful, itshouldhave some influence on themanagement ofpatients. The most often stated reasonfornotusing theresults ofconventional throat cultures toinfluence thedecision toprescribe or notto prescribe antimicrobial therapy was thedelayingetting the culture results (5). Thedevelopment ofnew antigen detection systemswhich claim toidentify GAS directly fromthroat swabsseems to havethepotential forimproving themanagement ofpatients with acutesorethroats, because theidentification ofGAS is madewithin 10to70minoftaking theswabfromthepatient. Someofthese kits havebeenevaluated forspecificity and sensitivity invarious clinical settings (2-4, 8-11, 13,27,28). Thisstudy was undertaken toattempt tomeasurethe probable specificity ofas many kits ascouldbeobtained 1 fromcommercial suppliers. Mostofthekits studied havenot hadextensive specificity evaluations, andreports ofextensiveclinical evaluations havebeenlimited toonlytwoof theseproducts.


In the context of this chapter the virtual power plant (VPP) is considered as a high level design tool based upon load aggregation of near real-time metered energy demand and generation data at building/apartment levels. Target users, city planners and utility companies, will be able to use the VPP to gain an understanding of energy demand/generation at user defined and selected levels of interest ranging from high level city planning to the selection of individual buildings or user defined energy networks and so on. 'What if' scenarios aid in future development and planning of cities. This chapter outlines development and integration of the VPP within the iURBAN ICT architecture. Content is also provided on the VPP; graphical user interface, calculation engine and application via case studies taken from the iURBAN project.


Nowadays the Business Process Management and its tools are integral part of process controlling. Decision support systems (DSSs) are used in a wide field of application, from medicine to maintenance. In the scope of development and diagnostic of new materials, DSSs can be used for optimizing of diagnostic processes and reduction of development time following the anterior data, knowledge and experience. DSSs provide new possibilities in discovery of materials and combination of materials with exactly defined properties. In addition, they can reduce related costs. This paper deals with DDS types suitable for controlling and optimizing of diagnostic processes and describes methodology of DSS development — Prototyping. Prototyping is a kind of Rapid Application Development (RAD).


Objective: To explore the effects of tumor cells on the development and function of the mononuclear cell (MNC) -derived dendritic cells. Methods: The supernatants of cultured cell lines H7402 (human hepatocellular carcinoma) , HCT-8 (human colon carcinoma) and HFCL (human bone marrow stromal cell) were collected and used as the conditional culture medium (CCM) for MNC-derived DC culture. The dendritic cells were characterized by phenotypic a-nalysis. We evaluated the capacity of phagocytizing dextran, and the capacity to stimulate allogeneic T cells of MNC-derived DC. Results:Phenotypic analysis showed that dendritic cells cultured in the presence of supernatants of tumor cells expressed lower levels of GDI a, MHC Ⅱ molecules (HLA-DR) and costimulatory molecules (CD86) , all of which were significantly lower than those in control and HFCL groups (the negative control group). Also, they displayed a much lower capacity of phagocytizing dextran as shown by the FITC-dextran assay. Moreover, they were less efficient of inducing allogeneic T-cell proliferation in a mixed lymphocyte reaction. Conclusion: These data show that tumor cells negatively regulate the production and function of DC, which might be one of the underlying mechanisms that play a role in the immune escape of tumor cells.


Escherichia coli DNA polymerase III holoenzyme (HE) is the main replicase responsible for replication of the bacterial chromosome. E. coli contains four additional polymerases, and it is a relevant question whether these might also contribute to chromosomal replication and its fidelity. Here, we have investigated the role of DNA polymerase II (Pol II) (polB gene product). Mismatch repair‐defective strains containing the polBex1 allele – encoding a polymerase‐proficient but exonucleolytically defective Pol II – displayed a mutator activity for four different chromosomal lac mutational markers. The mutator effect was dependent on the chromosomal orientation of the lacZ gene. The results indicate that Pol II plays a role in chromosomal replication and that its role is not equal in leading‐ versus lagging‐strand replication. In particular, the role of Pol II appeared larger in the lagging strand. When combined with dnaQ or dnaE mutator alleles, polBex1 showed strong, near multiplicative effects. The results fit a model in which Pol II acts as proofreader for HE‐produced misinsertion errors. A second role of Pol II is to protect mismatched 3′ termini against the mutagenic action of polymerase IV (dinB product). Overall, Pol II may be considered a main player in the polymerase trafficking at the replication fork.


This work aims at the extensive registry of the contributors of the magazine Planodion from its first to its forty-ninth issue. Its classification follows a registry pattern using alphabetical order and distinction based on the type of publication each contributer follows on his pages. Simultaneously, it is accompanied by an analytical presentation of the contents of the magazine, therefore distinguishes the style, the character, the content and the structure, whilst concluding with his critical assessment.
 The Planodion is a particular literary magazine which has marked its own special stigma in the domain of literature (and will continue to do so) mainly on the consequences, the prestige and the love that distinguishes the editor and his colleagues in literature. It is by no means accidental that the Planodion maintains its distinct physiognomy which is due to the kind founder editor and writer Yianni Patili. He began initially with a few pages with particular interest in critical and literary essays, book reviews and commentaries, which also include contemporary greek and foreign poetry and proze.


The feature of coherent amplitude modulation across frequency, which gives rise to the phenomenon of comodulation masking release (CMR), is also considered to be a cue for auditory grouping. This commonality raises the question of whether it is a prerequisite for CMR that the correlated noise bands comprising the masker be grouped together. The present study measured signal threshold in the presence of correlated bands of noise under conditions designed to discourage the fusion of the noise bands. In the first set of conditions, the onset/offset synchrony between the noise band centered on the signal and the comodulating flanking bands was manipulated. The results indicated that the CMR measured when the on‐signal band and flanking bands were gated synchronously was largely eliminated with onset/offset asynchronies of 50–100 ms (on‐signal band beginning before and ending after the flanking bands). In the second set of conditions, signal threshold in the on‐signal band was measured in the presence of a sin...


According to the taijiquan's characteristic and value the parper facted the old people's physology and psychology interpreted that taijiquan how to build up body efficiency of keeping in good health,The activity has offered the basis to build up body for old people.


Introduction THE US HEALTHCARE system is in a state of crisis. Compared with other economically developed countries, the United States has been shown to be drastically overspending on healthcare while outcomes remain inferior. A 2013 report by the Institute of Medicine (IOM)—now The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine—described the US healthcare system as one that leads to "shorter lives, poorer outcomes."1 While the United States leads in innovation for cancer therapies, the IOM report pointed out that the nation's "increasingly chaotic and costly" cancer care system is in crisis and fails to deliver consistent care that is patient-centered, evidence-based, and coordinated. Cancer care is among the fastest-growing segments of the US healthcare system, outpacing many other subspecialties. In the United States, total spending on cancer care has increased from $27 billion in 1990 to $124 billion in 2010, with spending projected to reach about $157 billion by 2020.2,3 Total costs of cancer care for the US population are predicted to increase across all phases of care: Cost drivers include technological innovation, rising costs of hospitalization, and a population-level increasing susceptibility to malignancy due to an aging demographic and increasing life span.4 Global spending on oncology and supportive care drugs reached $100 billion in 2014, with targeted therapy expenditures accounting for almost 50% of this amount.5 In the United States, oncology drug expenditures, excluding supportive care agents, increased by 18.0% from 2014 to 2015.5 Along with payers, employers, and the government, patients, caregivers, and family members shoulder an increasing share of these rising costs due to changes in benefit design, which now combine higher out-of-pocket costs with rising premiums and deductibles.3 Cancer treatment can have a substantial financial impact on patients and their families; in fact, financial toxicity has been cited as a contributing factor to adverse outcomes in patients with cancer.6-9 One possible way to reduce overall cost, improve patient experience, and improve outcomes is to shift the focus of healthcare delivery away from volume and toward value. Patient-centered cancer care (PCCC) holds the promise of addressing these issues. The Oncology Care Model (OCM), developed by CMS' Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI), is a leading pilot that has been in place for over a year and seeks to test the efficacy of PCCC for Medicare beneficiaries over the next 5 years.10,11 PATIENT-CENTERED CARE Oncology Practice Transformation Helps Deliver Patient-Centered Cancer Care in a Community Oncology Practice


We propose a novel two dimensional least mean square (2D-LMS) algorithm for sparse image de-noising, which exploits the sparsity information of images by utilizing a priori. To efficiently accelerate convergence speed, the proposed algorithm utilizes the image sparsity level information to modify the cost function of traditional 2D-LMS via a penalty of tap-weight. Since the largest q norm is not differentiable and its sub-gradient is difficult to be calculated, a novel method which contains two stages is proposed to produce the update function of the proposed algorithm. The proposed algorithm is implemented in both horizontal and vertical directions. Simulation results indicate that the proposed algorithm for sparse image de-noising can achieve higher peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) than that of the two-dimensional zero-attracting least mean square (2D ZA-LMS) algorithm.


ABSTRACT With the backdrop of fastest emerging economy India and one of the top five retail markets in the world, this article has attempted to segment and profile young impulsive shoppers on the basis of behavioral, attitudinal, and situational factors that influence such buying behavior. A cross-sectional study was conducted using structured questionnaire among 448 young shoppers of age amid 18–35 years in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata, India. This study has ascertained that Indian youth market is not homogenous with respect to their impulse buying behavior. There exist five different shopper segments on the basis of the antecedent factors. This research also established a relationship between income levels and the motives behind impulsive shopping. Arguably, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first empirical study to examine and segment young Indian shoppers on the basis of their impulsiveness in buying. Mall managers and retail storeowners may use the outcome of this article as important cues for developing operational and tactical marketing plans.


Abstract Gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors (GI-NETs), previously classified as carcinoid tumors, are rare cancers that arise from cells of the diffuse endocrine system of the gastrointestinal tract. These tumors most commonly arise from the bronchus, jejunoileum, or colon/rectum. They produce peptide products that can lead to identifiable clinical syndromes such as carcinoid syndrome, which is classically associated with diarrhea, flushing, and heart disease. The latest classifications of GI-NETs include pancreatic NETs, which can produce a wide range of pancreatic hormones leading to syndromes such as Zollinger–Ellison's syndrome. The prognosis for patients with GI-NETs varies widely depending on the size, location, and presence of metastatic disease, with 5-year survival rates ranging from 0 to 15% for poorly differentiated NETs and 10-year survival rates of up to 100% for patients with insulinomas smaller than 2 cm. A wide range of treatment modalities is commonly used to treat GI-NETs, including surgical and endoscopic resection, locoregional therapies, cytotoxic chemotherapy, and somatostatin receptor targeted therapy. The goal of this review is to detail the classification, epidemiology, clinical syndromes, diagnosis, and staging of these tumors and to provide an overview of management strategies.


Letter from G. S. Hamilton to A. H. Pierce regarding a shipment of steers that was 21 short. Shows format 9 with closed side vignette and central enclosed straight lettering. Shows the transition from A. H. and J. E. Pierce's shared letterhead to their individual use of the same design. For other Pierce letterheads, see: e_ahpierce_002, e_ahpierce_011, e_ahpierce_021, e_ahpierce_046, e_ahpierce_094. Identical to e_ahpierce_021 and e_ahpierce_046, except for the name and address. [B. U. Ranch]


Methaemoglobin results from oxidation of the iron moieties in haemoglobin from the ferrous (Fe) to the ferric (Fe) state. Methaemoglobin levels in humans are maintained at 1-2% by the methaemoglobin reductase enzyme sysytem.This enzyme reduces haemoglobin iron by trnasfer of an electron from NADH to oxidize cytochrome b5;cytochrome b5 then converts ferric iron to ferrous iron by direct interaction with haemoglobin. Methaemoglobinaemia occurs when the reductase enzyme system is overwhelmed and there is sustained elevated methaemoglobin in the circulation. Methaemoglobin is not compatible with life and should be prevented. It can be hereditary or acquired methaemoglobinaemia.


Fatty infiltration (FI) of rotator cuff (RC) muscles is common in patients with RC tears. Studies have demonstrated that fibro‐adipogenic progenitors (FAPs), a population of resident muscle stem cells, are the main contributors of FI, which adversely affects muscle quality and RC repair success. Although FI is common in RC injuries, it is not frequently reported after other musculotendinous injuries. Additionally, studies have shown the development of different pathology patterns across muscle groups suggestive of intrinsic differences in cellular composition and behavior. This study evaluates FAP distribution and differentiation properties across anatomic locations in mice. Muscles from seven different anatomic locations were harvested from PDGFRα‐eGFP FAP reporter mice. FAPs were quantified using histology and FACS sorting with BD Aria II with CD31−/CD45−/Integrinα7−/Sca‐1+ and PDGFRα reporter signal (n = 3 per muscle). The cells were analyzed for adipogenesis using immunocytochemistry and for proliferation properties with Brdu‐Ki67 staining. In a separate group of mice, RC and tibialis anterior muscles received glycerol injection and were harvested after 2 weeks for FI quantification (n = 4). One‐way analysis of variance was used for statistical comparisons among groups, with significance at p < 0.05. FAPs from the RC, masseter, and paraspinal muscles were more numerous and demonstrated greater proliferative capacity and adipogenic potency than those from the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius. The RC demonstrated significantly greater levels of FI than the tibialis anterior after glycerol‐injection injury. Clinical Significance: This study suggests differences in FAP distribution and differentiation characteristics may account for the propensity to develop FI in RC tears as compared with other musculotendinous injuries. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 38:1113‐1121, 2020


The tourist market is highly dynamic, and the competitiveness of tourist destinations depends on many factors. Climate is a very important factor. Therefore the aim of this paper is to give estimations of the effects that climate change has on future tourism trends and the search for possible alternative ways of tourism development. That has the great importance for the economy of countries, including the Republic of Croatia.


ABSTRACT Photophobia can affect a person's quality of life. We present a case of idiopathic photophobia that was successfully managed with smart light bulbs that allowed the patient to participate in daily activities. Smart light can complement other treatment options including tinted lenses. In conclusion, smart light is a novel way of treating photophobia and should be considered by clinicians.


Drones have been used by criminals to smuggle cell phones and drugs into prisons. They also may cause accidents in airports and other heavy flight traffic zones, so it is clear that it is interesting to take control of drones in some specific situations. This work is part of a project intended to develop a system (hardware and software) to take control of the law-breaking drones. This system uses an embedded Linux board communicating via SPI with a radio IC to emulate controllers signal, admitting several flight control parameters: raw, pitch, yaw and roll. In addition, this design must follow technical requirements such as power and speed to overcome primary controllers signal. Therefore, we have shown that a system composed by a Beaglebone Black and a GFSK RF transceiver can be used to take control of radio controlled drones.


The laureates made seminal contributions to the evolution of nuclear magnetic resonance from a spectroscopists' tool to a powerful, noninvasive technique for medical imaging.


The reliable power supply is the precondition of the normal operation of communication equipment. Battery plays a very important as the back up power supply. The private communication networks is classified to be the second or third class power supplying. Usually, they use single loop power source and most of them are not backed up with the generators. So the maintenance of battery seems very importance. This paper discusses the selection, usage, maintenance experiments of VRLA battery in oil field private communication networks.


In this paper, a microstrip-fed U-shaped dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) is simulated, designed, and fabricated. This antenna, in its simple configuration, operates from 5.45 to 10.8 GHz. To enhance its impedance bandwidth, the ground plane is first modified, which leads to an extended bandwidth from 4 to 10.8 GHz. Then by inserting a rectangular metallic patch inside the U-shaped DRA, the bandwidth is increased more to achieve an operating band from 2.65 to 10.9 GHz. To validate these results, an experimental antenna prototype is fabricated and measured. The obtained measurement results show that the proposed antenna can provide an ultra-wide bandwidth and a symmetric bidirectional radiation patterns. With these features, the proposed antenna is suitable for ultra-wideband applications.


Objective To explore the relationship between infection and hyperglycemia of very low birth weight premature infants.Methods Retrospective analysis was applied in the blood glucose level and the infections of very low birth weight premature infants who survived during the period of 2002.1 to 2003.3 in Anyang Maternal and child Health Care Hospital.Results There was only one case of hyperglycemia in 25 non-infected infants with an incidence of 4%,but 13 cases of hyperglycemia in 15 infected infants with an incidence of 86.67%. Conclusions Infection may be exist in the very low birth weight infants with hyperglycemia.


In recent years, 'risk' debate has become a means for adjudicating the legitimacy of contentious technologies (U. Beck, 1992). Often such debate centres upon 'unacceptable risk', implying that the extent (and even type) of risk may not be scientifically known. As a response to the problems of reflexive modernization, discursive forms of technology assessment have been conceptualized for democratising the policy process (R. Von Schomberg, 1995). In the case of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), or 'the new biotechnology', a 'risk' debate erupted prior to the commercial stage. For their intentional release into the environment, debate has centered upon 'hazard identification', amidst scientific disagreements over how to identify cause-effect pathways of potential harm from GMOs. Meanwhile GMO releases have undergone safety precautions, albeit often voluntary controls, starting from the earliest R&D trials. Early US regulation deepened the original controversy, as regards whether all GMOs warrant 'additional [statutory] regulation', and with what expertise for risk assessment. This conflictual outcome illustrates how safety regulation implicitly becomes a social assessment of a new technology, involving diverse social actors (C. Limoges et al., 1990) Unlike the USA, the European Community enacted legislation specially for regulating all GMO releases in 1990. The paper analyses difficulties in implementing that Directive, especially in reconciling its various aims.


Ross procedure,1 aortic valve sparing operations, homograft placement, Bentall procedures and even standard aortic valve replacement can damage the atrioventricular bundle, the membranous septum or the blood supply of the atrioventricular node.2 For instance: the first "dogma" instructed to a resident in aortic valve replacement is: "Do not put any stitches under the annulus: if you do this, the patient can develop atrioventricular block". The fact of the matter is that there is no aortic annulus, and when a stentless valve has to be placed in the "annulus" the sutures HAVE to be placed in an annular fashion. So, what is the truth? Where are the atrioventricular node and the His Bundle?


Abstract Evolutionary theory is considered the integrating axis of Biology. Therefore, concepts related to Evolution are needed for an adequate understanding of other explanatory models. The present work aimed to analyze the conceptions about themes related to Biological Evolution (BE), through the application of questionnaires among pre-service teachers in a Biological Sciences undergraduate degree. After analyzing the data, we noticed that, besides misconceptions on the concepts, a significant portion of the respondents is not confident enough to discuss the topics about biological evolution. Defending the idea that the conceptions of future teachers are not an end in themselves, we articulate this with discussions about teacher education.


Teaching in the Entitlement Age: Faculty Perceptions Regarding Student Academic Entitlement Behavior by Nichole P. Gotschall MAT, The University of West Alabama, 2001 BS, Livingston University, 1998 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education Walden University February 2016


The intention of the present study was to evaluate the respiratory mechanics through the analysis of the muscular strength (Maximum Inpiratory Pressure-IPMax and Maximum Expiratory Pressure-EPMax), of pulmonary volumes (volume minute - VM and volume chain-VC) and of the slow vital capacity (SVC) in obese patients, before and after a cardio-pulmonary rehabilitation program. 33 obeses patients with ICM above of 30Kg/m ² have been evaluated, both sexes, with age ranging 18 to 65 years, with or without associated co-morbidities, however, 13 patients withdrew from the program. The study was carried through in the period between 04/24 to 09/04/06 in the Clinic of the Potiguar University. As instrument of collection of data a fiche of adapted evaluation record of Regenga (2000) and Coast (2003) were used, respiratory evaluation (IPMax, EPMax, VC, VM SVC). The study began after the signing of a free and conscious consent term. After that an adapted program of cardio-pulmonary rehabilitation of Regenga (2000) and the Pulmonary rehabilitation program of the UNIFESP were applied, during 03 months, 03 times per week. For statistical analysis the Wilcoxon Test was used, in order to verify if significant difference between the observations exists, before and after the cardio-pulmonary rehabilitation program. As a result we got improvement for IPMax -69.75 average pre-habilitation and post-rehabilitation -78.25 with p= 0.0437, pre-rehabilitation average EPMax of +73.5, post-habilitation +94.00 with p=0.0002, average VM pre-rehabilitation of 758.72, post-habilitation 992.86 with p=0.009, average VM pre-rehabilitation of 10612.3, post-habilitation 15068.75 with p=0.0064 and average SVC pre-rehabilitation of 2456.95, post-habilitation 3539.45 with p=0.0003. In the face of the analysis of the results, we conclude that the application of the Cardio-pulmonary rehabilitation program for three months in obese individuals promoted significant improvement in the values of the IPMax, EPMax, VC, VM and of the SVC. We suggest the continuity of the study to validate the benefits promoted by the cardio-pulmonary rehabilitation program.


Critical Care Medicine www.ccmjournal.org 1951 two heavy chains and two light chains. Structural variations in heavy chains give rise to the five major classes of Igs (IgG, IgM, IgD, IgA, and IgE). Any given Ig has either two light chains κ or two light chains λ, never one of each under normal conditions (10, 11). The heavy and light chains of Igs are produced and assembled in B cells and plasma cells. Under normal conditions, more light chains than heavy chains are produced within cells, and the excess in light chains is released and appears in blood. Sepsis-induced disturbances in Ig production and assembly are supported by observations indicating decreased Ig concentrations in septic patients. Unexpectedly, decreased blood Ig levels alone did not identify increased mortality risk in previous studies (12). It was also shown that circulating concentrations of free κ and λ light chains are elevated in sepsis or conditions predisposing to sepsis (13, 14). These observations, together with the sepsis-induced B-cell depletion, indicate major disturbances in antibody production and assembly and served as the basis for the authors' hypothesis that concomitantly reduced Ig and increased light chain blood levels could serve as markers of increased mortality risk and could also identify a subgroup of patients with candidacy to IV Ig therapy. The proposed approach is original and valuable. The article (1) demonstrates that when the mean value of free light chains or Igs concentration is compared between sepsis survivors and nonsurvivors, this comparison does not reveal increased mortality risk in accordance with previous observations. However, when patients are stratified by grouping according to normal or abnormal levels of light chain concentrations and the concomitant accompanying levels of normal or abnormal Ig concentrations, the mortality risk is readily manifested. Using this analytical approach, the authors demonstrate that abnormally high levels of light chain λ is accompanied by increased mortality risk independent of whether the accompanying IgG or IgM levels are in the normal or abnormal range. They also show that the association between abnormal free light chain λ concentration and increased risk of sepsis mortality is independent of illness severity. It is important to mention that the authors used normal reference ranges of adult general population to set the normal and abnormal levels of free light chain and Ig blood concentrations. This is important because the normal concentration range of these proteins is rather wide in healthy adults (2.6– 6.3-fold range) and likewise expected to be variable in septic patient. The great variability in Ig and free light chain blood content may blunt or mask potential individual differences within the cohort when mean blood concentrations between survivors and nonsurvivors are compared. However, stratifying by abnormal levels using normal reference ranges could identify specific subgroups within the cohort revealing differences in mortality risk or other clinical markers just like the authors Victims or Culprits, B Cells May Serve as Markers for Mortality Risk and Targeted Therapy in Sepsis*


China steps up efforts to combat wildlife smuggling fangchenggang in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region is a nexus for the illegal wildlife trade. An important gateway to Southeast Asia, the city borders Viet Nam and


The purpose of this study was to determine the increase in interest in learning by using PowerPoint media on natural appearance material in grade  IV  SD  Negeri  Pasi Pinang,  Meureubo District, West Aceh.  The research approach used is qualitative research with the type of research used is a classroom action research research subject totaling 12 grade IV students with 6 male students and 6 female students. Before the researcher took action, the observation results obtained in the pre-cycle got an average of 38.29%. After the researcher conducted the research and obtained the data, then the researcher processed the observation data on the interest in learning and the questionnaire on the student's interest in learning in the first cycle based on the results of the observation that the average percentage was 54.16% while the questionnaire results obtained a score of 2.06 and in the second cycle the observation results obtained an average of 88.75%, the results of the questionnaire obtained a score of 3.30. When the learning process takes place using PowerPoint media, students' attention is very big in learning when the  teacher explains  material  about  natural  appearances.  This shows that with the PowerPoint media the students' interest in learning has increased more than before in the material appearance of the fourth grade students of SD Negeri Pasi Pinang, Meureubo District, West Aceh.


This paper investigates the radioactive pollution in three representative uranium mines that are respectively denoted as A,B,C in Hunan province. The contents of the investigation mainly include the air radon concentration,the γ radiation adsorption dose,the radionuclide( such as α and β) content of water and soil. The results show as follows: The individual dose value in C uranium mine is lower than the standard value,which represents the countermeasures make a good effect in C. Meanwhile,the individual dose values both in A and B are higher than the standard value,which indicates more effective measures are needed to be taken in A and B. Moreover,some concrete strategies for dealing with the radioactive pollution have been proposed in this paper. 2tabs.,8refs.


Summary Shock state is commonly characterized by an acute circulatory failure with tissuehypoperfusion which can potentially lead to multiple organ failure. The observed hypoten-sion may be the consequence of three main hemodynamic disorders: hypovolemia, vascularfailure and cardiac failure. Vascular dysfunction is characterized by a decrease in bothvasoconstrictor tone and sensitivity to vasopressor agents. The consequences are an inap-propriate vasodilatation and a refractory arterial hypotension which can lead to patientdeath.Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the pathophysiology of vascular fai-lure induced by shock states. Nitric oxide (NO), which is produced in excess by induciblenitric oxide synthase (iNOS), is one of the crucial components implicated in vasoplegia andvascular hyporeactivity. NO may cause vasodilatation, notably via the GMPc pathway, by inter-acting with superoxide to produce peroxynitrite (peroxynitrite interacts with lipids, DNA andproteins via direct or indirect radical-mediated mechanisms) and by activating ATP-sensitivepotassium (K


Field-grown European larch (Larixdecidua Mill.) and Japanese larch (Larixkaempferi (Lamb.) Carr.) grafts were treated with main-stem girdling applied with or without injection of gibberellin A4/7 (GA4/7). The level of female coning was low in the untreated trees and was significantly increased by girdling; the mean number of seed cones per tree, on trees receiving girdling alone, was 71 for the European larch and 50 for the Japanese larch. There was considerable male flowering on the untreated trees, (701 and 1208 cones per tree on the European and Japanese larch, respectively), and on trees receiving girdling alone there were 1356 pollen cones per tree on the European larch, and 2035 on the Japanese larch, representing increases of 94 and 68%, respectively, compared with the untreated trees. The overall girdling effect on male flowering, however, was not statistically significant for either species. GA4/7 application produced no significant increases in coning, and in fact fewer pollen cones were observe...


We report the effect of Broussonetia kazinoki as a feed additive on disease resistance in olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus, against Streptococcus parauberis. The cumulative mortalities were lower in fish fed with diets supplemented with 1.0% and 2.0% than in those fed with 0% and 0.1% diets. Phagocytic, complement and lysozyme activities were significantly enhanced by 0.1%, 1.0% and 2.0% B. kazinoki diets. Respiratory burst activity was significantly enhanced by 1.0% and 2.0% diets. This study suggests that diets supplemented with 1.0% and 2.0% B. kazinoki enhance the immune parameters concerning resistance against S. parauberis infection in P. olivaceus.


The reasons for the increased importance of safety while towing are reviewed together with some of the major towing jobs undertaken and the risks involved. Tug casualties are discussed with reference to a particular accident and the various forces generated.


Solar heat flux data is needed for thermal load prediction of launch vehicle. In order to predict the solar flux, several solar flux models have been compared and a new model is developed. Most of the models can predict well the direct solar flux, but show some errors in the scattered solar flux. The newly developed model considered isotropic and anisotropic scattered solar fluxes, and the predicted solar flux agreed well with the measured. Because the present model can be used at any longitude, latitude, day and altitude, the model would be an useful tool to predict the thermal load of the launch vehicle and the vehicles which have to consider the solar heat.


This paper explores some causes and the consequences of constituency service in a proportional representational system. Turkey provides an interesting case here. First, its province-size constituencies generate a significant size of personal votes for a candidate, though nominated in the party list. Second, as in other non-western democracies, it is the service and allocational aspects of responsiveness that compose the most frequent demands from constituents to parliamentarians in Turkey. There exists, however, conflicting evidence regarding what priority Turkish parliamentarians give to constituency service. The analysis of the data collected through a questionnaire survey highlights several features of constituency service in Turkey. First, in terms of daily activities, parliamentarians spend for constituency service the largest part of their time at their own disposal. Second, for reelection purposes, parliamentarians consider their individual activities to be almost as important as party popularity. Third, the demand for and supply of constituency service depend on different politico-economic structures of the constituency. The smaller the constituency size, the larger will be the demand for and the supply of constituency service. The economically less developed constituencies tend to generate more demand than the more developed constituencies but do not significantly motivate the parliamentarians to provide constituency service. In addition, the Turkish parliamentarian's turnover rate is much higher than in other democratic countries. Therefore even reelected parliamentarians have to take constituency service seriously. The statistical test shows no significant difference in the practices of constituency service between newly-elected and reelected parliamentarians.


Introduction: A comparison was made of the nutritional status, eating habits, physical activity and hours of sleep in students from 5th to 8th grade of primary education in a public school in the city of Punta Arenas, Chile, according to the winter and summer seasons, considering the variability weather and sunlight from extreme weather. Materials and methods: Analytical observational study with a quantitative, longitudinal cohort approach. 105 students of both sexes, whose average age was 11.5 years, were followed over a 7-month period. Two measurements of the four variables under study were made (nutritional status, eating habits, physical activity and hours of sleep). Weight and height measurements were made to obtain the Body Mass Index (BMI) to classify the nutritional status according to BMI / age with the growth patterns recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Eating and sleeping habits were evaluated with a self-administered questionnaire and sleeping hours were categorized for age according to the National Sleep Foundation. For the evaluation of physical activity in the students, the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children PAQ-C was used. Data analysis was performed with the SPSS Ⓡ Version 22 statistical software and the t-student statistical test for related samples. Results: There was no significant difference in the nutritional status by season (p.057). Healthy eating habits and physical activity diminished during summer (p> 0, 05). The hours of sleep did not have significant differences in both seasons with an average of 8.3 hours. Conclusions : Healthy dietary habits and physical activity are altered during the summer. This is possibly associated to school break and there's no evidence of a direct effect of seasonal nature.


The title compound, [Pd2(C8H18P)2(C6H15P)2], has been obtained by the reaction of di-tert-butylphosphine–phosphanylidene–σ4-di-tert-butyl(methyl)phosphorane and bis(triethylphosphine)palladium(II) chloride with sodium naphthalide. [{Pd(μ-PtBu2)(PEt3)}2](Pd—Pd) is not a primary product. It crystallizes in space group P\overline 1 with one molecule in the unit cell. The molecule has a centre of symmetry at the mid-point of the Pd—Pd bond.


Context: To speak of constructivism – and in particular of radical constructivism – in education is to place oneself on a field which, like any other academic field, is the scene of tensions, …


We present an analysis of the spatial orientations of 851 galaxies in 7 Abell clusters of BM type III (type III in the Bautz-Morgan system). Anisotropy is found in all 7 clusters. It is found that the spin vector orientations of the galaxies in the clusters of BM type III tend to be oriented both parallel (Abell 1412, Abell 2048 and Abell 4038) and perpendicular (Abell 2061, Abell 2065, Abell 2151 and Abell 2197) to the local supercluster plane. The spin vector projections of galaxies in 5 clusters (Abell 2061, Abell 2065, Abell 2151, Abell 2197 and Abell 4038) is found to be oriented perpendicular to the Virgo cluster center.


According to the analysis of telecom data, the implement solution of decision support system based on Web is presented. The common OLAP and decision analysis theme in telecommunication field are put forward. Relation and model are founded accord- ing to analysis of telecom data. The architecture and functions of the 4- tiers decision support system based on data warehouse is de- scribed, and achieves the query at all aspects and primary function of analysis of telecom data.


Objective
To investigate the effect of traditional Chinese medicine meridian manipulation combined with traditional Chinese medicine foot massage on sleep disturbance in patients with lung cancer after operation.

Methods
A total of 120 patients with sleep disorders after lung cancer surgery admitted to the hospital from February 2015 to August 2017 were selected.They were randomly divided into research group and control group, 60 cases of each group.The patients in the control group were treated with Chinese medicine foot massage.The patients in the research group were treated with Chinese medicine meridian exercise on the basis of the methods of the patients in the control group.The quality of life, Self-rating Depression Scale(SDS) score and Self-rating Anxiety Scale(SAS) score of the two groups were compared 24 hours after the operation and 7 days after the intervention.The sleep quality of the patients was compared 24 hours after the operation, on day 1, day 3 and day 7 after the intervention.

Results
The quality of life of the study group was significantly better than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in SDS and SAS scores between the two groups at 24 hours after operation.The scores of SDS and SAS of patients in the study group were significantly better than those in the control group on the 7th day of intervention, and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in sleep quality between the two groups on day 1 after 24 hours of intervention.The sleep quality level of the study group was significantly better than that of the control group on the 3rd and 7th day of intervention, and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).

Conclusion
Traditional Chinese medicine meridian manipulation combined with traditional Chinese medicine foot message can effectively improve the sleep quality of patients after lung cancer surgery, reduce the depression of patients in the process of treatment, as well as improve the efficiency of treatment, reduce the patient's condition.

Key words:
Meridian operation; Traditional Chinese medicine foot bath; Lung cancer; Sleep disorder


Objective: To investigate the effect of drilling decompression of the proximal tibia and patella in the early osteoarthritis of the knee. Method: the drilling decompression of the proximal tibia and patella were preformed in 31 patient with the early stage of osteoarthritis from Dec.1994 to Oct. 1998. Result: The patients were followed up from 6 weeks to 3 years, the rate of excellent and good results was 80.6%~96%. Conclusion: Drilling decompression of the proximal tibia and patella is a simple, safe, less traumatic and effective method to relive the pain of knee, especially pain in the rest, for the early osteroarthritis of knee.


The construction of mobile libraries is of great importance to the solution of the insufficiency of library service,inadequacy of information resources,difficulties for the poor people to borrow books.It is necessary to propagate the importance of the construction of mobile libraries and to make the construction of the mobile libraries the indispensable part of the over-all program of the development of the Western Region of China.


The Geotech Ltd. VTEM heli-time domain EM system entered into commercial service in late 2002 after a de-velopment program that started in early 2001. Since then, the system has performed commercial surveys in North and South America, Australia, Africa, Europe and Asia. The VTEM system has been used to explore for a wide variety of deposit styles in a diverse range of settings. The results of four surveys are presented that demon-strate the performance of the VTEM compared with other airborne and ground EM geophysical outcomes.


Spiro-linked pyrrolidine-2,5-diones and salts of formula (I), are prepared. In (I), X1 and X2 are each H, halo, C1-3-alkyl oralkoxy; Y is methylene, O or S; R1-R4 are each H, C1-3-alkyl or with adjacent atoms form benzene ring. (I) are useful for treatment of diabetic complications as they are effective aldose reductase inhibitors.


The paper analyzes the production processes of time postponement structure and form postponement structure.Secondly,it builds the queuing models of the two structures and employs total cost and expected customer waiting time as performance measures.Finally,it derives that as N increases the total cost and the expected waiting time of the TP structure stay constant,however,these two measures of FP structure are monotonically increasing.When N exceeds a threshold value,these two measures of TP structure are always less than those of FP structure.


A damage index of concrete based on the decline of stiffness is established ,which can be directly expressed with strain. The general relations between the bending moment and deformation of the beam cross-section, and those between the damage and deformation of the beam cross-section are set up. This method is found feasible and close to reality by analyzing the whole damage process of simply supported reinforced concrete beams, which have different reinforcement ratios and loads.


The existence of limit cycles in an economic model with inflationary rates is guaranteed. Expression, period and stability conditions for the cycles are explicitly determined.


We are grateful to Auffhammer and Vincent (1) for having pointed out that Eqs. 1 and 2 in Feng et al. (2) do not represent the model actually used to produce the estimates presented in Tables 1 and 2 of the latter paper (2). What we actually estimated was a model without time dummies. Thus, gt and ht should have been omitted from Eqs. 1 and 2. We regret this mistake.


"We have made enormous progress in teaching everyone that racism is bad. Where we seem to have dropped the ball ... is in teaching people what racism actually IS"--Jon Stewart (American political satirist, writer, producer, director, television host, actor, media critic, and stand-up comedian). "Things like racism are institutionalized. You might not know any bigots. You feel like "well I don't hate black people so I'm not a racist," but you benefit from racism. Just by the merit, the color of your skin. The opportunities that you have, you're privileged in ways that you might not even realize because you haven't been deprived of certain things. We need to talk about these things in order for them to change"--Dave Chappelle (African American comedian, screenwriter, television and film producer, and actor). On August 9, 2014, Michael Brown, an 18-year old Black (the terms "Black" and "African American" will be used interchangeably in this manuscript) man, was fatally shot by Darren Wilson, a white policeman with the Ferguson Police Department. The incident sparked protests and acts of vandalism in Ferguson as well as widespread calls for an investigation into the incident (Brown, 2014; Workneh, 2015). On September 3, 2014, The Justice Department announced that it would open a broad civil rights investigation that would examine whether the Ferguson police had a history of discrimination or misuse of force beyond the Michael Brown case. On March 4, 2015, Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. publicly criticized the Ferguson Police Department for "implicit and explicit racial bias" and "routinely violating the constitutional rights of its black residents." [Several key events related to Ferguson occurred between September 3, 2014 and March 4, 2015 and these are listed in Appendix A]. Examples of routine violations by police to Black residents of Ferguson included excessive use of force ("Nearly 90% of documented force used by FPD officers was used against African Americans"), canine bites ("In every canine bite incident for which racial information is available, the person bitten was African American"), and municipal court practices that harmed Blacks ("African Americans are 68% less likely than others to have their cases dismissed by the court, and are more likely to have their cases last longer and result in more required court encounters. African Americans are at least 50% more likely to have their cases lead to an arrest warrant, and accounted for 92% of cases in which an arrest warrant was issued by the Ferguson Municipal Court in 2013") as well as racial bias among police and court staff ("Emails circulated by police supervisors and court staff that stereotype racial minorities as criminals, including one email that joked about an abortion by an African-American woman being a means of crime control") (Berman & Lowery, 2015). According to the 2010 Census, the Black population in Ferguson was 67% while the White population was 29%. According to the 2009-2013 American Community Survey, 25% of Ferguson's population lives below the federal poverty level (U.S. Census Bureau, 2013). All in all, these specific occurrences clearly demonstrate the institutional racism that was commonplace in Ferguson, a community that is poor and mostly Black. In light of the Department of Justice's report on the Ferguson Police Department, this manuscript will examine the comments provided by bloggers on The Huffington Post. This topic is significant for four reasons. First, given the increasing negative media attention on the excessive force used by members of law enforcement (Callanan & Rosenberger, 2011; Chaney & Robertson, 2014; Chaney & Robertson, 2013; Elicker, 2008; Hassell & Archbold, 2010; Jefferis, Butcher, & Hanely, 2011; Kane & White, 2009; King, 2011; Rafail, Soule, & McCarthy, 2012; Skolnick & Fyfe, 1994), this study examines how individuals generally feel about police, within and outside of Ferguson. …


Abstract Green, sensitive and selective spectrophotometric methods were developed for the determination of nitrite in water samples. The methods (A, B and C) are based on the reduction of 5-nitroimidazoles; metronidazole (MTL), secnidazole (SCL) and tinidazole (TNL), respectively, followed by diazotization using nitrite in acidic medium, then coupling with pyrogallol (PG). The amount of nitrite was determined by measuring the absorbance of the colored product at 385 nm. The new methods were linear in the ranges of 2.5–30 μgml−1, with detection limits of 1.4 μgml−1.


Histoenzymological study of red and white fibers of limb skeletal muscles was performed in dogs with experimental acute occlusion of aorta trifurcation during ischemic and postischemic periods. A dramatic fall in the activity of aerobic enzymes was recorded in all observation periods (3, 6, 9 and 12 h). LDH activity rose considerably during short-term and descended slowly in prolonged ischemia. Red muscle fibers showed more substantial disorders in metabolism than white fibers. Recirculation after 6, 9 and 12 h of ischemia led to an appreciable decrease in the metabolic rate in muscle tissue. Irreversibility of metabolic alterations in acute ischemia lasting over 6 h may attest to the failure of the compensatory-adaptive mechanisms.


Abstract This paper discusses the evidence for pig husbandry in the Faroes during the Norse and early Medieval periods. The evidence from zooarchaeology, biomolecular archaeology, and place-name evidence is reviewed, proposing that the keeping of pigs was an important part of the early paleoeconomy of the islands.


Aluminoborane compounds AlB_4H_(11), AlB_5H_(12), and AlB_6H_(13) were reported by Himpsl and Bond in 1981, but they have eluded the attention of the worldwide hydrogen storage research community for more than a quarter of a century. These aluminoborane compounds have very attractive properties for hydrogen storage: high hydrogen capacity (i.e., 13.5, 12.9, and 12.4 wt % H, respectively) and attractive hydrogen desorption temperature (i.e., AlB_4H_(11) decomposes at ~125 °C). We have synthesized AlB_4H_(11) and studied its thermal desorption behavior using temperature-programmed desorption with mass spectrometry, gas volumetric (Sieverts) measurement, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, and solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Rehydrogenation of hydrogen-desorbed products was performed and encouraging evidence of at least partial reversibility for hydrogenation at relatively mild conditions is observed. Our chemical analysis indicates that the formula for the compound is closer to AlB_4H_(12) than AlB_4H_(11).


Material method: 41patients of tetanus up to 14 yr including 9 newborn, admitted between January 2012 to Dec 2014 were studied retrospectively. Data regarding the age, sex, and immunization, source of infection, clinical presentation and outcome were collected from the case sheets of the patients. Diagnosis of case was made based on clinical features. Management of cases was done as per the standard guidelines and outcome was summarized and interpreted.


Ginkgo peptides(GP) were prepared by Alcalase hydrolysis and ultrafiltration, the MW of GP was definited by Mass spectrum. When GP was 20 mg/L , the antioxidant of GP was studied in Fenton system and pyrogallic acid system and linoleic acid system. The inhibition ratio to pyrogallic acid autoxidation reached to 80 %, having a strong ability to scavage superoxide anion; when GP was 2 mg/L,the clearance rate to hydroxyl radical was 48.63 %;the GP also can inhibit the degree of lipid peroxidation when concentration was 10 mg/L;it was regarded as one kind of extensive antioxidant.


AN IMPORTANT aspect of an emergency mobilization program is the recruitment by the federal government of competent personnel. While much has been said recently of the difficulties the government has encountered in hiring personnel at all levels, the problem of finding suitable personnel for the more responsible positions obviously has ,special importance. Persons occupying these positions participate in the administration of the vast powers over the national economy which reside in the executive branch of the government. Incompetence and inefficiency in these positions can do harm to the economy and even jeopardize the public welfare, especially during periods of national emergency. Fortunately these facts are widely recognized. Responsible citizens have become highly conscious of the growth of the executive powers within the past two decades and are mindful of their continued growth and of the manner in which those powers are exercised. Congress, too, is mindful of these matters, as it has demonstrated on numerous occasions. Since the advice and consent of the Senate are necessary for appointments to the highest administrative positions, senators have been particularly concerned about the qualifications of persons selected for these posts. Although the President's choice is generally confirmed, the Senate does not fail to scrutinize closely any candidate it suspects of being incompetent or unfit or to withhold its consent where there appears reason to do so. During World War II, when employment in the war agencies was expanding rapidly, several senators became concerned about the experience and competence of the persons appointed not only to the highest administrative positions but to all responsible administrative positions. Accordingly, in I943, consideration was given to a bill requiring Senate confirmation of all appointments at salaries of $4,500 or more a year. Since the Senate is not a suitable body to screen the qualifications of candidates for many of these positions, it was fortunate that the bill failed to pass. Nevertheless, the fact that a bill of this sort was even seriously considered serves to indicate the length to which some senators have been willing to go to assure that administrative positions are filled by the best qualified persons.


Some novel inhibitors based on the (benzo[d]thiazol‐2‐yl)‐1‐phenylmethanimine derivatives were designed to reduce the aggregation process in Alzheimer's disease. These structures seem to mimic stilbene‐like scaffold, while the benzothiazole moiety "locks" the thioflavin T binding site. Other inhibitors were designed based on 2‐((benzo[d]thiazol‐2‐ylimino)methyl)‐5‐(benzyloxy)‐1‐methylpyridin‐4(H)‐one derivatives.


Background: Neurotrauma accounts for over 24 000 hospitalizations annually in Canada. Among those affected, Indigenous peoples are disproportionately impacted. The goal of this scoping review is to identify factors underlying these disparities. Methods: A scoping review was conducted to collect papers pertaining to neurotrauma in Indigenous populations of Canada. Using MEDLINE, 676 articles were screened with MeSH terms including 'Indigenous', 'spinal cord injuries', 'brain injuries, traumatic' and 'Canada' as of April 2021. Results: Studies report over twice the incidence of traumatic brain injury and traumatic spinal cord injury in Indigenous populations compared to non-Indigenous populations. The burden of neurotrauma is attributable to infrastructure disparities in rural communities and reserves, elevated rates of substance use and violence, and inequities in treatment and rehabilitation following injury. These issues are deeply rooted in the trauma endured by Indigenous peoples through the course of Canadian history, owing to government policies that severely impacted their socioeconomic conditions, culture, and access to healthcare services. Conclusions: Systems-level interventions guided by Indigenous community members will help to address the disparities that Indigenous peoples face in the care and rehabilitation of neurotrauma. This study will inform further research of culturally appropriate approaches to reduce neurotrauma burden among Indigenous peoples.


Thermal trans-cis isomerization of photochromic 4-[4-(6-hydroxy-hexyloxy)phenylazo] benzonitrile chromophore copolymerised with methylmethacrylate was investigated by isothermal kinetic measurements. A non-exponential relaxation in the solid phase was found, related to a distribution of the constants of the process, while the relaxation in solution followed an exponential decay. The activation energy E a = 89 kJ/mol and frequency factor v 0 = 1 x 10 1 1 Hz were determined from the experimental data.


is there a god? What do we, and what should we, mean by this question? How, if at all, might the question, given that its meaning(s) can be clarified, be settled or even rationally discussed? Is there any chance for a reasonable, scientifically minded person to believe in the reality of God, or is atheism the only intellectually responsible option for us today? Is theism inevitably committed to the pseudoscientific absurdities of creationism, the "intelligent design theory," and other unfortunately increasingly influential fundamentalisms? The purpose of this article is not to solve these issues in the philosophy of religion. Nor will I engage in the science vs. religion controversy in any detail. I do, however, hope to illuminate the traditional issue of theism1 from a specific philosophical perspective. The kind of questions listed above help to describe the problem framework we are entering, as well as the sidetracks to be avoided in serious philosophy of religion (e.g., the debate between creationism and Darwinism, which is hardly scientifically interesting).2 Furthermore, my remarks will not be restricted to the opposition between theism and atheism3 as such. The metalevel contrast between evidentialism and fideism opens up another basic dispute in the modern debate over theism, perhaps even more important philosophically than the theism vs. atheism dispute itself, as it concerns the criteria in terms of which the latter dispute is to be adjudicated, and the kind of reasons that may be invoked to support (or attack) theism.4 It seems to me, for reasons that will properly emerge in due course, that there is a desperate need for a middle ground or synthesis between these two extremes in contemporary philosophy of religion, and the


Sorbitol Dehydrogenase (SDH) is important enzymes responsible for the protection of eggs from harsh condition as it convert fructose to sorbitol which serves as polyol and stabilize the soluble proteins and lipid bilayer. The enzyme SDH (d-Idiol NAD oxidoreductase EC 126.96.36.199) is purified from the eggs of red cotton bug, Dysdercus cingulatus exposed to low temperature. The SDH from eggs were purified by using different protein purification technique viz, ion exchange chromatography, gel filtration and SDS–PAGE. The ion exchange chromatography showed 0.185U total activity, with a purification fold of 1.48 and yield 3.36%. Gel filtration chromatography showed an increase in purification of SDH activity by 2.73 with 0.095 U total activity and yield of 1.73%. SDS-PAGE revealed that SDH molecular weight of 38 KDa. The Km value of Fructose: NADH is 0.4:0.01 and the Vmax was 0.6 and 0.03. Thus low temperature increases the activity of SDH which convert fructose to sorbitol which protects the cell during diapause condition.


The inherent translational invariance of a VanderLugt optical correlator makes it attractive for use in target identification and tracking applications. The optical correlator is, however, hampered by its sensitivity to changes in target scale or aspect. Many methods for increasing the memory of the correlator have been proposed, such as large arrays of filters, multiplexing several filters, or a combination of the two solutions. If a large array is used, some method for quickly addressing that array must be employed. The ability of a 1-D acoustooptic beam deflector to address a linear array of six matched filters in real time has been demonstrated. The results of research into using a 2-D acoustooptic beam deflector to address a 2-D array of matched filters are presented. These results include a comparison of the experimental and theoretical values of the diffraction efficiency and deflection angle as functions of frequency. The maximum sweep rate obtained for a 5 × 5 array of filters, as well as an evaluation of the filter array performance, are also presented.


Based on the carrying capacity of the environment and resources,the spatial differentiation of Ganzhou city was studied.A division model of main functional regions was built based on relative carrying capacity of resources,which were divided into 3 different types of main functional regions including optimizing development regions,key development regions and restricted development regions.The advices were proposed specifically for the three main functional regions to further analyze the evolution of relative resources carrying capacity(2000-2011).Results showed that Ganzhou city was still the key development zone.The relative resources bearing capacity in the last 12 years was stable.The relative resources carrying capacity model applied to main function division had good effects.


Effects of habitat management on bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) were studied from June 1978 through May 1980 in mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and sand shinnery oak (Quercus havardii) communities. Management in the mesquite community included spring disking of strips, half-cutting mesquite, and construction of "teepee" style brush piles and livestock exclosures which contained a brush pile. Strips were disked in 2 4-ha exclosures in the sand shinnery oak community. Disking increased (P 0.05) were detected in weights of bobwhites between managed and control areas. No definite trends existed for month-to-month survivorship but data from the mesquite areas indicated better survivorship in the managed area during both trapping seasons. Survivorship in the sand shinnery oak areas was similar during both years. Habitat improvement in the mesquite area cost $6.20 and $11.64/bird during 1978 and 1979, respectively. Costs/ha were $7.22 and $10.86 during 1978 and 1979, respectively.


Most of the population lives in the northern mountainous plains and in the Jordan Valley while a small portion of the population lives in the desert areas and Arabah Valley. Ninety percent of the population is concentrated in the northern provinces which represents only 15% of the square area of the country. This is the region called "the Jordanian Populous." Furthermore the population distribution is tied to a large extended to the climate conditions especially to the distribution of rain. The more we move northwest the rainfall increases and vice versa (with the exception of some southern mountainous elevations). For this reason the population is concentrated in the northwest corner of the country where the general density amounts to 33 persons per one Km². However this number is considered misleading because it accounts for the population in relation to the entire square area of the country. If we take into consideration the density in relation to the populous area then it amounts to 145 Persons per one Km². In agricultural areas population density is 185 Persons per one Km² (Bahiri 1990:218). If we look carefully into the current population distribution and at the level of the various provinces we would find the picture very different. The elements of nature are not sufficient to explain clearly the current population distribution in Jordan. The region of Amman-Al-Zarqa enjoys a high population density where density exceeds 1000 persons per one Km² despite its location at the edge of the desert. (excerpt)


This article explores the strategies followed by the International Olympic Committee for the achievement of gender equality. It is argued that this international body can go beyond simply adopting ...


Abstract In this paper, the capability of Froude scaling modeling to replicate the fire dynamics in full-scale Murcia Atrium Fires tests equipped with natural and transient forced ventilation was investigated experimentally and numerically by using a 2:27 physical Scale Down Model (SDM) of the full-scale Atrium and CFX-Ansys16.2, respectively. Five SDM experiments were conducted using different heptane fire capacities located at the center of the floor. Two different turbulence models were used for simulation i.e. Shear Stress Transport and k − ε. Experimental results of the SDM and full-scale atrium fire tests were compared with those predicted for SDM through the preservation of the Froude number to cover the gap in experimental facts and scientific understanding. This study focused primarily on the transient temperatures at near and far fire fields and the descending smoke layer. The predicted velocity and visibility were assessed. This study demonstrated that Froude scaling modelling is acceptable from a threshold of greater than 50% of the full-scale.


Silicon nitride (SiNx), has been widely regarded as a CMOS photonics enabling material, facilitating the development of low-cost CMOS compatible waveguides and related photonic components. We have previously developed an NH3-free SiN PECVD platform in which its optical properties can be tailored. Here, we report on a new type of surface-emitting nitrogen-rich silicon nitride waveguide with antenna lengths of L < 5 mm. This is achieved by using a technique called small spot direct ultraviolet writing, capable of creating periodic refractive index changes ranging from -0.01 to -0.04. With this arrangement, a weak antenna radiation strength can be achieved, resulting in far-field beam widths < 0.0150, while maintaining a minimum feature size equal to 300 nm, which is compatible with DUV scanner lithography.


Background The goal of operative treatment of severe hallux valgus (HV) is to offer relief of pain, correction of forefoot deformity, and a biomechanically functional foot. However, the authors are constantly exploring ways of moving from open surgery to minimally invasive techniques, replacing large incisions with small 'ports' through which the surgeon works. Percutaneous less-invasive techniques have been successfully used for mild to moderate HV deformities; however, controversy exists for their use in cases with more severe involvement. Aim The aim of this prospective study was to assess the clinical and radiological outcomes of a percutaneous minimally invasive technique for the management of severe HV deformity. Patients and methods Between July 2013 and June 2015, 36 feet in 24 active patients, comprising 18 female and six male patients, where 12 patients had bilateral involvement, met the selection criteria for symptomatic severe HV deformity and treated by a minimally invasive double metatarsal osteotomy technique. The procedure implied simple transverse-osteotomy, with lateral translation, of the first metatarsus both proximally and distally combined with selective distal soft-tissue dissection. Average patients' age was 39.8 years. Clinically, the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society score and the subjective patient satisfaction were evaluated. Radiologically, HV angle, distal metatarsal articular angle, intermetatarsal angle, and joint congruity were measured preoperatively, postoperatively, and at the end of the follow-up period. All data were statistically analyzed. Results The mean follow-up period was 21.3 months (range: 18–24 months). Union was achieved in all osteotomies in a mean of 6.67±0.45 weeks. Each radiological and clinical parameter showed a statistically significant improvement (P<0.001), with a negligible first-ray shortening (P=0.547) and a few complications. At the end of follow-up period, no patient was dissatisfied. Conclusions Percutaneous double first metatarsal osteotomy technique with selective distal soft-tissue dissection provides a simple, adequate reproducible procedure, and effective alternative for treatment of severe HV deformity in a minimally invasive procedure.


. Let U be a Sylow p -subgroup of the finite Chevalley group of type D 4 over the field of q elements, where q is a power of a prime p . We describe a construction of the generic character table of U .


The international community in the post-Cold War period has suggested that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) utilize its expertise in support of the arms control and disarmament process in unprecedented ways. The pledges of the US and Russian presidents to place excess defense materials, some of which are classified, under some type of international inspections raises the prospect of using IAEA safeguards approaches for monitoring classified materials. A traditional safeguards approach, based on nuclear material accountancy, would seem unavoidably to reveal classified information. However, further analysis of the IAEA`s safeguards approaches is warranted in order to understand fully the scope and nature of any problems. The issues are complex and difficult, and it is expected that common technical understandings will be essential for their resolution. Accordingly, this paper examines and compares traditional safeguards item accounting of fuel at a nuclear power station (especially spent fuel) with the challenges presented by inspections of classified materials. This analysis is intended to delineate more clearly the problems as well as reveal possible approaches, techniques, and technologies that could allow the adaptation of safeguards to the unprecedented task of inspecting classified materials. It is also hoped that a discussion of these issues can advance ongoing political-technical debates on international inspections of excess classified materials.


Fossil pollen and spores in organic-rich sediments in a side gully in the Linda Valley, western Tasmania, preserve one of the most detailed records of a Late Pliocene flora and vegetation available to date in Australia. This includes Araucariaceae, Beauprea Brongn. & Gris. and a number of sub-canopy broadleaf trees now confined to warm temperate-tropical habitats. Changes in community dominance are interpreted in terms of alluvial events and point to the existence of altitudinally zoned plant communities in western Tasmania-Microstrobos J. Garden & L. Johnson heathland on the higher slopes and Nothofagus (Brassospora) Hill & Read-Lagarostrobos franklinii (J.D.Hook.) Quinn evergreen rainforest with or without Dacrydium Sol. ex Lamb. emmend. de Laub. at lower elevations. The evidence demonstrates the survival of Nothofagus (Brassospora) spp in western Tasmania at a time when other published data imply the taxon was virtually eliminated from the south-eastern mainland. It is proposed that increasingly seasonal climates drove an 'ecological wedge' into a former continuum of wet forest types along the east coast of Australia, with Plio-Pleistocene glaciation being ultimately responsible for the demise, of what had become relict populations, of Brassospora spp. in western Tasmania.


Upon rapid (4 o C/min) heating of human erythrocytes and of NaCl-loaded erythrocyte membranes (EMs), suspended in low-salt/sucrose isotonic media, an intense out leakage of cytosolic ions is detected conductometrically at a temperature (Tg) that tends to 60.7 o C at zero heating rate. The Tg is considered as inducing for the hyperthermic (38-60 o C) activation of passive ion permeability and thermal hemolysis of erythrocytes. In erythrocytes and isolated EMs, pretreated (20-100 µM, pH 8.2) with 4,4'-diisothiocyano-2,2'-stilbene disulphonic acid, DIDS, powerful and specific inhibitor and thermal stabilizer of the anion exchanger, the EM band 3 protein (AE1), the Tg was increased by 3.54.5 o C. This result suggests that the anion exchanger was involved in the Tg transition of EMs. The W/S spectral parameter of EPR spin probe 3-Maleimido-PROXYL, bound at pH 6.9 to isolated EMs, decreased over the denaturation intervals of spectrin (48-52 o C) and of anion exchanger (63-72 o C), but increased within the interval (58-63 o C) of Tg transition. In line with previous reports, the latter result is interpreted in terms of a predenaturation transition in the anion exchanger. As this protein is changed in some hereditary anemic conditions the obtained results could be used to discriminate between membranopathy and other types of anemia.


E. coli has clear genetic background and is easy to be cultured, so it has been widely used in a variety of biochemistry, biotechnology research as the mode microorganisms. In this work, a small E. coli metabolic system has been built in the cobra workspace. 25 enzymes in the metabolic system were separately knocked out and the metabolic system was investigated by FBA (flux balance analysis) and FVA (flux variability analysis). By combing the outcome of the analysis, we could infer the role played by the various enzymes in the E. coli metabolic system.


CONTEXT
Reduction of the subacromial space (SAS) during arm elevation may contribute to rotator cuff (RC) tendinopathy. The effects of scapular taping on the SAS in athletes with and without RC tendinopathy are unknown.

OBJECTIVE
To investigate the immediate effects of scapular taping on the SAS in athletes with and without RC tendinopathy.

DESIGN
Randomized controlled study with repeated measures.

SETTING
University laboratory.

PARTICIPANTS
A total of 43 male volleyball players (17 asymptomatic and 26 with RC tendinopathy, mean age = 22.9 [3.5] y) participated in the study.

INTERVENTION
Three scapular taping protocols-no taping (control), taping with tension (therapeutic taping), and taping without tension (sham taping).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Ultrasound measurements of the SAS with the arm at 0° and 60° of shoulder abduction, and the change in the SAS between 0° and 60° of shoulder abduction (SAS0°-60°) were calculated.

RESULTS
Athletes with RC tendinopathy demonstrated larger SAS with therapeutic taping at 60° of shoulder abduction (6.9 [1.9] mm vs 5.8 [1.7] mm, mean difference = 1.1 mm, 95% confidence interval, -1.80 to -0.39, P = .002) when compared with the no taping condition. The tendinopathy group also showed less reduction in the SAS with therapeutic taping during SAS0°-60° (2.0 [1.4] mm vs 2.8 [1.4] mm, P = .02) when compared with the no taping condition. When tape was applied to the scapula in asymptomatic athletes, our results showed a relatively small increase in the SAS with therapeutic taping during arm resting at 0° of abduction when compared with the no taping condition (8.7 [0.9] mm vs 8.3 [0.8] mm, mean difference = 0.4 mm, 95% confidence interval, -0.71 to -0.11, P = .01).

CONCLUSIONS
Athletes with RC tendinopathy demonstrated less reduction of the SAS with rigid scapular taping during early arm abduction. Such observation was not evidenced in asymptomatic athletes.


A smart phone application capable of recognizing numbers of oncoming buses would be of great assistance to blind individuals. To facilitate bus route number reading, obstacles along the road should first be identified. This paper is concerned with identification of static obstacles comprising two processes: the first process involves road area detection and is addressed by applying a rotational invariant of the uniform local binary pattern via k-means clustering. Furthermore, an artificial neural network is employed to select a group of k-means that contains the road area. Next, the straight lines on the road are detected via Hough line transformation. Finally, the line selection step is used to define the road area boundary. The second process involves static obstacle detection and is addressed through segmentation, vertical projection of the road area boundary, and consideration of the vertically projected signal. The experimental results demonstrate a high performance of the proposed method with an F-measure of 0.912.


Thermoplastics offer a number of important advantages over thermosetting composites. To produce thermoplastic composite parts, high temperature is needed, so new mould construction techniques need to be developed. In this experimental study a production process is presented using textile reinforced inorganic phosphate cement composite moulds. This technique will be used in a test case to produce moulds for thermoplastic composites.


The international petroleum price keeps on soaring,which has a great impact on the Chinese petroleum industry as well as the related professions,particularly the car industry.But in the long run the international and local petroleum industry can meet the needs of the development for the car industry of china.This essay is to study how the international and local petroleum industry influenced the car industry,and the measures to handle the influence from the international and local petroleum industry.


Medical image registration is a process to match and superimpose two or more images of the same scene taken from different times, different imaging devices, or different perspectives. The drawback of traditional image registration algorithm is a large number of operations and slow convergence speed. In this paper, in order to improve the convergence speed on medical image registration algorithms, the initialization groups was optimized with an improved artificial immune algorithm and in order to make the algorithm more stable, the similarity of the standard was tested with the normalized Those would improve the ability of global optimization solution. Furthermore the feasibility of the improved algorithm was verified by simulation experiments.