Homogeneous nucleation followed by diffusion controlled crystal growth was observed in highly supersaturated solutions of BaSO4, BaCrO4, BaMoO4, BaWO4, BaCO3, PbSO4, PbCrO4, PbCO3, SrSO4, and CaWO4. In the range of concentrations where the number of homogeneously nucleated particles is larger than the number of heteronuclei the induction period decreases from 1 to 10−4 sec, and the number of particles found per cm3 increases from 107 to 1012 with increasing concentration.

Theoretical maps showing the rate determining mechanisms of crystal growth are drawn for different values of the physical parameters, primarily crystal size, supersaturation ratio, and interfacial tension.

The techniques used for rapid mixing and for film recording are described.


At present, several strategies addressing the sphere of science and technology are being elaborated. If one looks away from strategies and att empts to examine more thoroughly the actual practice and those issues that are being actively discussed by the specialists involved in that sphere, the existence of a significant gap between the issues that are the focus of a en on of scientific research organizations, higher educational establishments, companies, and the scientific researcher community at large, as well as of the government departments responsible for the research and development sphere, on the one hand, and the priorities set by the strategies, on the other, will become obvious. Strategies appear to have little to do with the existing important problems. This does not mean, however, that no strategies are needed – on the contrary, in view of the absence of a systemic approach to provid ing solutions to these problems, it is especially important to introduce proper order into the existing situation and to select adequate instruments for and approaches to dealing with it. But it is the instruments to be applied that are the weakest point of the existing strategies. Besides, strategies must be geared to the real state of affairs, and not overlook the seemingly 'minor' issues capable of slowing down the development process..


Abstract We establish representation types (finite, tame or wild) of finite dimensional Munn algebras with semisimple bases. As an application, we establish representation types of finite Rees matrix semigroups, in particular, 0-simple semigroups, and their mutually annihilating unions.


The principle of spare part surgery is well established and is particularly relevant to highly specialized tissues, such as those in the sole of the foot. The fillet of sole was first used as a free flap by Jupiter et al. in 19821 and Colen et al.2 the following year to salvage the knee joint in traumatic lower limb amputation with insufficient soft-tissue cover for the proximal tibia. Katsaros and Proudman3 raised the flap pedicled on the posterior tibial neurovascular bundle.4 The specialist function of the sole depends on the unique tissues as well as on innervation. Reinnervation of a free flap occurs to some extent by ingrowth of cutaneous axons from the periphery, but mainly after end-to-end neurorrhaphy.5 With free fillet of sole flaps, previous authors have joined the donor posterior tibial nerve end to end onto recipient peroneal, sural, and posterior tibial nerves.6,7 Arnez et al.5 were able to maintain sensation in an ipsilateral free transfer, where the nerve remained intact. The technique of end-to-side neurorrhaphy provides a solution for the problem of distal reinnervation, in the absence of a proximal nerve stump, without causing injury to the donor nerve. We present a case of delayed reconstruction of a degloved foot using a free fillet of sole flap harvested from the contralateral limb with a nonreconstructible open tibial fracture. End-toside neurorrhaphy was used to restore sensation to the sole. Fibrosis around the posterior tibial vessels resulted in venous congestion of the flap, which was resolved by adventitiotomy.


Falls are caused by many factors. For an individual, the cause may be a complex interaction between these factors. For this case, fall assessment is mandatory because the patient has hypovitaminosis D, stroke, arthritis, urinary incontinence, cognitive impairment, "dementia," and osteoporosis. This patient in the past 12 months, he experienced tow falls. The fall assessment was done; it showed gait instability. As the patient complained of back pain, lumbar X-ray was positive for L4 compression fracture; however, his DEXA-scan showed osteoporosis. Osteoporosis magnetic resonance imaging was done to the patient: The result showed normal pressure hydrocephalus and vascular component. lumbar puncture (LP) was done, after the LP, his motor function improved, so the final diagnosis of normal-pressure hydrocephalus was reached. As a clinical guideline, when we face a case of fall, we should perform "a multifactorial falls risk assessment by taking the history, doing the physical examination, some test, and review the medications."


Raman lidar techniques have been used in remote sensing to measure the aerosol optical extinction in the lower atmosphere, as well as water vapor, temperature and ozone profiles. Knowledge of aerosol optical properties assumes special importance in the wake of studies strongly correlating airborne particulate matter with adverse health effects. Optical extinction depends upon the concentration, composition, and size distribution of the particulate matter. Optical extinction from lidar returns provide information on particle size and density. The influence of relative humidity upon the growth and size of aerosols, particularly the sulfate aerosols along the northeast US region, has been investigated using a Raman lidar during several field measurement campaigns. A particle size distribution model is being developed and verified based on the experimental results. Optical extinction measurements from lidar in the NARSTO-NE-OPS program in Philadelphia PA, during summer of 1999 and 2001, have been analyzed and compared with other measurements such as PM sampling and particle size measurements.


External Ophthalmomyiasis caused by Oestrus ovis is the most common cause of human myiasis worldwide. Distinguishing it from other causes is important to prevent sight-threatening complications. Two patients present with pain, redness, and foreign-body sensation in affected eye. Motile larvae were seen on slit-lamp examination later diagnosed as O. ovis infestation on microbiological examination. Larvae were removed and patients were started on topical antibiotics, lubricating eye drops, and systemic antihistaminics and followed up for 3 weeks. Improvement was observed within 1 week of treatment. Early diagnosis will help to know the possibility of internal ophthalmomyiasis.


Carbon dots have been widely noticed due to their excellent optical properties, such as good photostability and a wide excitation wavelength range. However, the emission peaks of most known carbon dots (CDs) are in the blue region, which hinders their extensive applications in long‐wavelength emission. In this study, red‐emitting carbon dots (RCDs) that are pH‐responsive are synthesized using citric acid and urea as precursors, and their fluorescence intensity increased gradually with increasing solution pH from 1 to 12. A new mechanism based on H aggregation and Fermi energy level transfer is proposed to explain the pH‐responsive emission of RCDs. In contrast to the narrow response range of most pH‐sensitive CDs reported so far, the pH‐responsive range of RCDs is large, especially in the alkaline range, and their pronounced red light emission is well visualized. The prepared carbon dots have the advantages of non‐toxicity, low cost, and a wide pH response range. In addition, "rose" test paper and carbon dot PVA composite film, RCDs‐PVA film, are made to demonstrate the visualization of carbon dots in pH detection. The "rose" test paper and carbon dot PVA still have good fluorescence intensity. The prepared carbon dots have good application prospects for pH detection.


Ultraviolet radiation (UV) is known to affect the biological processes and thereby production of metabolites and overall growth of organisms including phytoplankton. Algal responses to UV radiations are broadly species and dose specific. The impact of artificial UV-B light from the source to cultures has been studied in Chlorella vulgaris. The cultures of C. vulgaris were exposed at two distances (50 and 100 cm) from the radiation source for different periods and cultured under laboratory conditions. The effect on growth and pigment contents were studied after irradiation and compared with untreated control cultures. The exposure of UV-B at short distance (50 cm) with increasing the duration from 1 to 10 min showed decreasing trend of growth (optical density, cell count and dry weight) and photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll-a, b and carotenoids) as compared to the controls. Chlorophyll-b was found more sensitive to radiation. Growth and pigment contents were found increased up to 5 min exposure at long distance (100 cm) thereafter reduction was observed on subsequent exposures as compared to unexposed cultures. The UV-B exposure for 2 min had maximum growth and pigment content. These experiments revealed that the growth and pigment contents of C. vulgaris was inversely proportionate to the exposure time and directly proportionate to distance of source.


In accordance with the writer's investigations on the teaching and learning of ESL in Ontario,Canada,this paper is to expatiate on the existing problems in the teaching and learning of EFL in higher vocational colleges of Jiangsu Province in terms of English learners' motivation,attitude,teaching and learning objectives,and curriculum design,etc.;meanwhile,the writer's personal views are proposed on how to reform the provincial higher vocational English teaching in the aspects of positioning the teaching and learning objectives,designing the teaching curriculum,constructing the teaching staff and effectively assessing the learners' English proficiency.


With the rapid development of industrial batch processes, iterative learning control (ILC), which is a common and effective control strategy for batch processes, has received much attention. However, the performance assessment for ILC is still an open problem. A new method is proposed to assess the control performance of iterative learning control (ILC) using a two-dimensional (2-D) linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG) benchmark. First this study converts the batch process under ILC into a 2-D Roesser model. Then to assess the 2-D closed-loop system, the traditional LQG tradeoff curve is extended to the LQG tradeoff surface. The advantages of the proposed strategies are demonstrated by some simulation tests.


Well-behaved Thurstonian-type models are incompatible with psychometric functions that sat- isfy Regular Minimality and have nonconstant minima. We show, however, that even very simple Thurstonian-type models can provide tolerable approximation to empirical estimates of psycho- metric functions in which Regular Minimality holds within experimental error and the minima are nonconstant.


One of the borders of Indonesia is located in Belu Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province where the checkpoint crossing is located in which it borders the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste; i.e. the Motaain Checkpoint Crossing. Previously, the existence of its terminal did not have complete facilities that were fully adequate as a A-type terminal and did not have supporting facilities to become a commercial area. Currently, the terminal construction project is being carried out to provide convenience for its users and gain income. It is planned to have several places that will be leased. By having the terminal construction project in the checkpoint crossing, we can review the performance of Atype terminal, economic feasibility for the government, and benefits for the community. To analyze the financial feasibility of the checkpoint crossing's terminal construction project, the indicators used to calculate financial feasibility include Net Present Value (NPV), Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), and return on capital to break even using the Payback Period (PBP) method. Based on the calculation of economic analysis using several indicators, it was found that the Net Present Value (NPV) is IDR 44,503,687,056, Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) is 1,49, the value of BCR > 1, Internal of Return (IRR) > 12%; that is 19%, and Payback Period (PBP) in 2024 or the 8th year is IDR 5,871,957,983. Based on these findings, the construction project of the Motaain Checkpoint Crossing is feasible considered to be feasible. Keywords—Benefit Cost Ratio, Internal Rate of Return, Net Present Value, Payback Period, Sensitivity.


The paper strives to trace a change in attitude during the German Early Enlightenment toward the consideration of Jewish religion in general and Kabbalah in particular, in the framework of the 'perennial philosophy' discourse. The three studies presented – Johann Benedikt Carpzov's introduction to Raymond Martini's Dagger of Faith, Johann Franz Buddeus' Introduction to the History of the Philosophy of the Hebrews, and Jacob Friedrich Reimmann's Introduction to Theology in General and to Jewish Theology in Particular – are examined in relation to their definition of theology, the depiction of Jewish religion in light of that definition, and the consideration of Hebrew as well as Christian Kabbalah in view of the two preceding aspects. Each work presents a different attempt to theologically reconcile the 'perennial philosophy' concept with Christianity through the discussion on Judaism, either by denouncing Kabbalah as a source deprived of authenticity, or by employing the concept in a wider view of universal history. After examining the essays, an attempt will be made to consider the mechanism behind the change in attitude in a broader perspective.


Steel shortages first hit the construction industry earlier this decade, causing the price of mesh and bar to escalate sharply, heralding an accelerated switch towards fibre-reinforced concrete.


Egypt has been suffering from a significant housing problem of unbalanced housing provision for all segments of society. During the past decades, the state addressed this problem through successive land allocation and housing policies. However, those efforts were insufficient to resolve the issue, and there is still a gap between the demand and supply of adequate housing types for low-income groups. This paper, aims to come up with proposals Mechanisms for housing and land allocation policies in Egypt. The methodology of this research is based on monitoring and analyzing the development of land allocation and housing policies and programs from 1952 to 2020 to identify deficiencies in the different implementation mechanisms and their effectiveness. Also, three successful international experiences (Singapore, Australia and Morocco) representing various of housing land allocation policies are examined to identify essential lessons applicable in the Egyptian context. From the results of this analysis, and the outcome of structured interviews with Egyptian stakeholders in Housing field comprising housing academia and housing experts and planners. The paper finally proposes several institutional, legislative, planning, financial administrative and informational mechanisms to fulfill the land allocation policies and link them to the policies and programs of the national housing plans in Egypt.


: During the operational period on the gas pipeline network there are many potential damage that can result in pipeline failure. The pipeline operators need to perform risk analysis by identifying the damage, determining probability parameters, the consequences of pipeline failures and performing risk calculations so as to know the pipeline network risk profile and the impact for the people, the environment, assets, and reputation of the company. More effective inspections can reduce the risk level by reducing the frequency of future failures, through corrective and preventive action. In general, the purpose of this method is to screen all equipment in an operating unit of a facility to identify areas of high risk, calculate the risk value of all equipment in the operating unit of the product calculation of probability of failure and consequence of failure, determine the priority of equipment requiring inspection based on the calculation of risk, develop an appropriate and effective inspection program and manage the risk due to failure of an equipment and determine the mitigation method to reduce the risk. This study aims to conduct risk assessment that can be used further to minimize the failure that occurs in gas pipeline. The method used is risk-based inspection (RBI) to plan risk-based inspections by comparing probabilities and consequences, arranged in a risk matrix to obtain the level of risk. And the root cause of failure is investigated by using fault tree analysis (FTA) method which to identify the causes of failure in depth, identify weaknesses in a system, assess and propose for reliability or security, to identify the impact of human error, prioritize failure contributors, to identify effective upgrades to the system, to gauge the probability of failure and to optimize the test and maintenance so that the prevention solution can be found. Potential risks that cause the failure are congenital defects, less routine maintenance, operating frequency, easy to dust, material age, difficult to reach the places and less reliable operators. So the cause of the damage is human, equipment maintenance and environment.


The present invention relates to reactive polyurethanes having a low content of monomeric diisocyanates and to their production and their use in reactive one and two component adhesives / sealants, assembly foams, casting compounds, as well as flexible, rigid and integral foams.


This practical encyclopedia takes a new approach to 13 major collecting areas, teaching readers how to look at antiques, what questions to ask, and why. A team of experts offer guidance on how to assess age, quality and authenticity.


The correct definition of business process is a key to achieve quality in workflow project. Accordingly, this paper proposes business (sub)process candidate patterns to be used in business process modelling. The candidate patterns differ from other proposals first because they focus on task flow descriptions and second because they are based on organizational structural aspects. Our proposal is to store the patterns in the catalogue of the Transactional Metamodel of Business Process introduced in this paper. The metamodel makes feasible the modelling of business process through the use of business subprocess patterns based on organizational structural aspects. An additionally feature of the metamodel supports the generation of business subprocess patterns through the Business Process Execution Language for Web Services (BPEL4WS).


Objective To study the clinical significance of changes of plasma GMP-140 and lipid levels in patients with acute pancreatitis.Methods GMP-140 was determined by ELISA and plasm a lipid levels were determined with an auto-biochemical analyzer in 58 patients with acute pancreatitis and in 33 healthy(individuals) as control group.Results The levels of plasma GMP-140, total cholesterol(TC),low-density lipoprotein(LDL-C) in acute pancreatitis were higher than in the that control group(P0.01);and the levels of plasma GMP-140,TC,LDL-C in severe acute pancreatitis(SAP) were significantly higher than that in mild acute pancreatitis(MAP) and control group(P0.01);There was a positive correlation(between) GMP-140 and TC,LDL-C(γ=0.7189 and 0.6121).Conclusions SAP patients had a high level of platelet activation.The levels of TC and LDL-C were elevated in all of the patients with SAP or MAP.Platelet activation is closely correlated with higher cholesterol level.


Results from a series of studies where the purpose was examine the relationship between cognitive skills, hearing loss and auditory and audio-visual speech understanding in noise will be reviewed a ...


A series of data of annual maximum water levels observed in the Wusong and Huangpu Park tidal gauge stations over the past 70 years have been analysed. The Weibull method of analysis is used to compute the return period of extreme levels.The result shows that there is a significant rise trend in the annual maxi- mum water levels,whereas the rise trend accelerates according to the same order as the mean sea level.The Weibull metbod is simply adjusted to cope with the annual maximum water levels having a linear trend component so that it can be used to compute the return period of extreme levels under the consideration of linear trend components.Suppose the sea level rise within the next century to be 0.5,1.0 and 2.0 meters,the extreme levels and their return periods are obviously higher and shorter,respectively,than those of under no considerations of linear trend components.


Data on time response in the nervous system are available for animals. Rate‐matching data for humam subjects with implanted electrodes are available. These data do not tell us with certainty up to what rate people with normal hearing utilize time information directly. In many experiments an attempt to measure time response is confused by the presence of spectral clues. Short‐term spectral clues exist in stochastic sequences of positive and negative pulses and in modulated white noise, both of which have a white long‐term spectrum. These clues are periodicity (with a period equal to the pulse or modulation rate) and symmetry (about frequencies equal to integer multiples of half this rate), differences at different frequencies in the peak‐ or rms‐voltage distribution function of the output of a narrow‐band filter and, in the case of stochastic pulse sequences, differences in extreme intensity at different frequencies. It may be that the ability to match at high rates and the perception of tonal quality that subjects with excellent and trained hearing, such as musicians, exhibit for white‐spectrum stochastic pulse sequences or gated noise is due to the residue phenomenon or to spectral clues discussed in this paper.


This paper presents a novel signal-dependent method to increase the robustness of acoustic multi-channel equalization techniques against room impulse response (RIR) estimation errors. Aiming at obtaining an output signal which better resembles a clean speech signal, we propose to extend the acoustic multi-channel equalization cost function with a penalty function which promotes sparsity of the output signal in the short-time Fourier transform domain. Two conventionally used sparsity-promoting penalty functions are investigated, i.e., the l0-norm and the l1-norm, and the sparsity-promoting filters are iteratively computed using the alternating direction method of multipliers. Simulation results for several RIR estimation errors show that incorporating a sparsity-promoting penalty function significantly increases the robustness, with the l1-norm penalty function outperforming the l0-norm penalty function.


Business License is a legality that must be met by MSME actors. The purpose of making this business license is so that MSME actors can get convenience and clear legal protection as mandated by the Job Creation Omnibus Law. However, the functionality of the Business License still cannot be captured by MSME actors in Wonosalam Village. This is evidenced by the number of MSME actors who still do not know about the importance of a Business License and how to take care of it. From the reality of the problem above, the author conducts interviews and field observations. The results obtained in this study show that many MSME actors do not have business legality. So that it requires supervision by the closest stakeholders or related governments in providing information, escorting the management of business legality, to the creation of a Business License.


The article presents the results of the study of the supporting characteristics of the human foot. The biomechanics of the foot is always considered in terms of its support and spring function. Overloading of the systems that support the arch - impaired foot function, distorts the overall motor stereotype, there are unwanted redistributions of forces and overload, which are transmitted to other parts of the musculoskeletal system, resulting in pathology. The leading place among diseases of the musculoskeletal system is occupied by various deformations of the feet. Diagnosis of human posture would not be complete without measuring and assessing the state of support and spring properties of the foot. Clinical analysis of movement and posturological examination are required to objectively assess the distribution of the load caused by human body weight and its effect on locomotion. When analyzing the loads on the foot, it is necessary to consider shocks as one of the types of dynamic loads. An analysis of the scientific literature has shown that the supporting properties of the foot have not been fully studied. However, most domestic and foreign researchers agree that to influence the proper formation of the arch of the foot is much more effective than preventive methods in childhood. Therefore, it is very important to identify existing deviations of foot deformities in children and to determine effective means of its correction.
The purpose of the study is to increase the accuracy of estimating the biomechanical parameters of the human foot by assessing the impact of reference loads on the relevant phases of the step cycle. The subject of research is biomechanical, namely the supporting characteristics of the foot. The problem is solved by developing a new comprehensive method of analysis of the reference load, which allows you to assess the static and dynamic component of the load on the foot and is to determine the support characteristics. Several groups of subjects were selected as the object of study: control (relatively healthy) and III experimental groups with impaired foot function of varying degrees. In the course of research conducted in this work, it was found that the maximum contact per unit time has the front part (repulsion phase), then - the rear part (landing phase) and the lowest - the middle part of the foot (rolling phase). The greater the speed and length of the step, the greater the coefficient of shock loads, and their peak falls on the front and rear sections. It was found that in subjects with a shortening of the length of one of the lower extremities, with increasing difference in length increases the total load on the supporting limb, and decreases the force of the frontal shock. It is proved that the support force factor (static and dynamic component) can be used as a diagnostic criterion that affects the determination of foot deformity. Based on the calculation of the coefficients of determination, it is assumed that the presence of a certain deformation of the foot depends in part on the factor of support force.
The practical significance of the obtained results is to improve the existing methods of studying biomechanical parameters by comprehensively assessing the peculiarities of standing and walking, step cycle and support-spring properties of the foot. Also, the results can be used in research and serve as an expert assessment of functional disorders in patients with lesions of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems, vestibular disorders.


The article presents beginning and development of the psychology in three successor states of Former Yugoslavia: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia. The common origins of the development of the discipline were stresses as well as similarities and differences in the development of the sub-disciplines and specific areas of psychology that have been advanced in each particular county. A comparison of educational systems was given and possibilities for regional collaboration discussed.


Coordinate transformation in robotic abrasive belt polishing system and the calculation method of robot working point by cutter-contact point data are analyzed in this paper. Calculation process of cutter-contact point data is given in this paper, the process mainly includes acquisition and discrete of polishing tool path and the associated vector calculation. Subsequently, detail of the process such as tool path pattern, row spacing, step distance and best contact conditions are analyzed and calculated. Finally, in visual studio environment, the cutter-contact point data of gun-receiver surface is generated by calling UG / Open API function.


Background : Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-l) belongs to C-C subfamily of chemokines, which stimulates the migration of monocytes. MCP-1 exerts various effects on the monocytes, including the induction of integrin and tissue factor, and synthesis of proinflamrnatory cytokines and arachidonic acid. In this study, we measured the MCP-1 levels in patients with Behcet's disease and evaluated the associations between the levels of MCP-1 and the level of other chemokines and various clinical features of Behcet's disease. Methods : Serum samples were obtained from 67 patients with Behcet's disease and 30 healthy controls. Simultaneously, whole blood was isolated from patients (n=25) with Behcet's disease and healthy controls (n=11 ) and cultured in 24 well plates for 48 hours in the absence or presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 5 g/, phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) 5 g/, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) 50 ng/ + ionomycin 5 g/. The MCP-1 concentrations were measured in the sera and culture supernatants by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results : The levels of serum MCP-1 were 2.5 times higher in patients with Behcet's disease than healthy controls. The patients with Behcet's disease had also higher levels of MCP-1 in the culture supernatants of whole blood cells, stimulated with LPS, but not with either PHA or PMA plus ionomycin, compared to healthy controls. Serum MCP-1 levels (n=67) were strongly correlated with serum RANTES, MlP-1 , IL-8 levels in Behcet's disease. In addition, the production of MCP-1 by whole blood culture from Behcet's disease patients (n=25) were also correlated well with those of RANTES, MlP-1 , and IL -8, when stimulated with LPS. However, MCP-1 levels in the sera and culture supernatants did not show any association with various clinical features of Behcet's disease including oral ulcer, genital ulcer, erythema nodosum, arthritis, uveitis, intestinal involvement, central nervous system involvement, and vascular thrombosis. Conclusion: In the sera and culture supernatants of whole blood stimulated with LPS, MCP-l levels were higher in patients with Behcet's disease than controls and correlated well with RANTES, MlP-1 , IL-8 levels. These results suggest that the activation and migration of monocytes triggered by the increased production of MCP-l may play a role in the pathogenesis of Behcet's disease.


In this note we exhibit points of weak$^\ast$-norm continuity in the dual unit ball of the injective tensor product of two Banach spaces when one of them is a $G$-space.


Pilot-PSI: experiment and modelling In order to better understand the physics of the plasma-surface interaction in conditions relevant to the ITER divertor [1], Pilot-PSI, a linear magnetized plasma generator has been developed in the last few years. It aims at producing a high hydrogen ion flux in excess of 10 particles ms to a surface. It currently can operate with either Ar or H2 working gas which flows into a cascaded arc plasma source at a pressure of 1-2 ·10 Pa. Within the arc, a current in the range 30-100 A applies and the gas is weakly ionised there. The plasma thus produced expands from a divergent nozzle source into a cylindrical vacuum vessel 1 m long and 40 cm in diameter, which is continuously evacuated by booster pumps to maintain a constant vessel pressure of 4-200 Pa. Five surrounding coils can create a homogeneous coaxial magnetic field of 0.4 T inside the vessel for 2 minutes or even allow field strenghts of 0.8 T, 1.2 T and 1.6 T during few seconds. The externally applied field guides the collimated plasma beam to a specific target plate situated at the opposite end of the vessel [2]. In this work a first attempt to study this system is made, analyzing the hydrodynamic [3] and magnetohydrodynamic regimes for the neutral particles and charged ones respectively. The jet flow is then investigated numerically, solving the compressible hydrodynamic and MHD equations. The Versatile Advection Code [4] is used to solve these PDE systems of hyperbolic equations; the conservation laws are evolved temporally until the steady state is reached by the conservative, second order accurate Total Variation Diminishing Lax-Friedrichs scheme.


Inaugural and paradigmatic work of the Bildungsroman , Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship personifies, with insuperable foresight, the existential dilemma of the individual autonomy towards the belief in a benevolent destiny acting in secret consonance with the innate inclinations of the individual. This article intends to shed light on Goethe's scientific and religious assumptions that were present in the fictional elaboration of this dilemma, evidencing the narrative and symbolic expedients with which the German poet equates, in the course of the formation of his 'hero', devices linked to trust and distrust to the realization of fundamental human aspirations.


The invention relates to the field of wireless communication and discloses a resource allocation method for a communication system and a wireless network system, which causes the utilization rate of wireless resources of a system to be promoted. In the invention, in a situation that a first wireless network system and a second wireless network system which control different physical resources have at least partial superposition in coverage range, the first wireless network system consults with the second wireless network system to allocate the controlled physical resources. Shared physical resources can be the physical resources which are allocated to one of the wireless network systems in advance but unused currently. After the allocated shared physical resources are released, the wireless network system of the other party is notified. The wireless network system can be a system comprising a wireless network controller and a base station node of a traditional network or the system comprising an evolution-base station node of an evolutional and high-speed data access network or the system comprising an evolution-base station node of a long-term evolution network.


Poly(amidoamine) modified graphene oxide was prepared via a grafting-from method and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Evaluation of its adsorption capacity for heavy metal ions demonstrated that the poly(amidoamine) modified graphene oxide had superior adsorption ability towards heavy metal ions such as Cu2+, Zn2+, Fe3+, Pb2+ and Cr3+.


Introduction Health reform in Federation of BiH (FBiH) is based on strengthening primary health care through development of family medicine. As the reform implementation is a long-lasting process, there are family and general medicine teams still operating simultaneously in Federation of BiH. Goal: Getting insight into the implementation of the Primary Health Care Strategy, with an emphasis on family medicine. Methodology: The data are obtained through research conducted in all health centers in Federation of BiH and are only related to the public health sector in 2006. The research tool was a specially created form for collection of quantitative data from family and general medicine departments. The data are related to the network, employed workers (number, age and sex structure of the employed, level of education, profile, specialties) and services. Results: Research data have shown that out of 79 health centers in FBiH, family medicine has been fully implemented in 11 (14%), and in varied scope in additional 47 health centers (59%), within which general medicine departments function in parallel. For every 10000 inhabitants, there are 1.9 doctors and 3.2 nurses working in family medicine, and 1.1 doctors and 2.2 health technicians in general medicine, which indicates strengthening of family medicine, with evident differences between cantons. Only 2% of family medicine specialists and 3% of general medicine specialists are less than 30 years old, while 4% of family medicine specialists and 29% of general medicine specialists older than 55 years. Over two thirds of all the employed are women. A varied workload of family doctors and general practitioners is evident among cantons. Conclusion: Recorded differences among cantons in family and general medicine indicators are caused by different rates of implementation of reform changes which is influenced by many factors.


Isoscalar monopole and quadrupole giant resonances in rotating triaxially deformed nuclei are studied by means of the RP A based on the rotating shell model. The deformation parameters are selfconsistently determined as functions of rotational frequency, and the doubly stretched monopole and quadrupole forces are used as residual interactions. It is found that the properties of these modes-the excitation energies, the splitting and the mixing of the strength-predicted by the harmonic-oscillator potential model are well realized in the realistic calculation. The result indicates that the high frequency rotations affect the properties of these giant resonances mainly throUgh the change of the deformation parameters.


An experimental method is described to measure the time‐resolved fluorescence spectrum of a dye in a liquid subjected to shock wave, uniaxial strain compression. Data are reported for rhodamine‐6G in ethanol solution shocked to 19 kbar and compared to hydrostatic measurements [Appl. Opt. 24, 2779 (1985)]. Unlike the hydrostatic measurements, a continuous red shift of the fluorescence band with pressure was observed over the entire pressure range. In addition, the shock data show a larger shift rate than the hydrostatic data below 2.6 kbar and a comparable rate above this pressure, resulting in an overall larger shift with pressure. Implications of the present results for examining microscopic response of shocked liquids are discussed.


The role of information technologies with all its dimensions in creating an organizational change is an important contemporary topic. Human resources management in terms of recruitment, placement, training, performance evaluation and compensation has all been influenced by the organizational change being generated by the information technologies. The present paper discusses the mentioned effects. Afterwards, the effects were observed upon a case study provided by a technology-intense firm and cituation of this firm has been evaluated in this circumtances.


This study is aimed to acknowledge the study of the effect  of storage lenght  of palm leaf silage to Crude Protein and Crude Fiber was conducted at Pleihari, Tanah Laut District and Agriculture Laboratory of Agriculture Faculty of Lambung Mangkurat University. This Research showed that storage lenght of palm leaf silage could be affect significantly to crude fiber, but not significantly to crude protein. The storage lenght of palm leaf silage after 35 days could be   decreased   crude fiber content.


Purpose: This study was an analysis of the relationship between perception for appraisal of staff nurses in operating rooms and performance and organizational commitment. Method: The survey was conducted with 176 staff nurses in operating rooms in 2 hospitals in Seoul. Data were analyzed using frequency, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation analysis, and stepwise multiple regression. Result: 1. Perception for appraisal including accuracy and justice was significantly related to organizational commitment (r=.496, P=.000). Perception for appraisal including accuracy and justice was slightly related to performance (r=.220, P=.003). 2. In order to determine the percentage of the variance of performance and organizational commitment that could be predicted by perception for appraisal, perception for appraisal was entered in the regression equation. Accuracy accounted for 25% of the variance in the organizational commitment. To determine the percentage of the variance of performance that could be predicted by perception for appraisal and organizational commitment, the perception for appraisal and organizational commitment were entered in the regression equation. Organizational commitment accounted for 21% of the variance in the performance. Consequently accuracy predicted organizational commitment. Organizational commitment predicted performance. Conclusions: Findings indicate the need to increase accuracy of performance appraisal to promote organizational commitment and performance in perioperative nurses.


Autonomous ground vehicles (AGVs) are expected to be used extensively in unstructured, outdoor, undulating environments for tasks such as search and rescue, homeland security, fire fighting, reconnaissance, and surveillance. These tasks will greatly benefit from efficient motion planning for the AGVs, which can only be accomplished by using correct dynamic and power models of the vehicles. Skid-steered vehicles are often used as outdoor mobile robots due to their robust mechanical structure and high maneuverability. Sliding along with rolling is inherent to general curvilinear motion, which makes both dynamic modeling and power modeling difficult. This research focuses on developing and experimentally verifying dynamic models of a skid-steered wheeled vehicle for general planar (2D) motion and for linear 3D motion. These models are characterized by the coefficient of rolling resistance, the coefficient of friction, and the shear deformation modulus, which have terrain-dependent values. The dynamic models also include motor saturation and motor power limitations, which enable correct prediction of saturated velocities when the vehicle works at its maximum velocity or power. This research employs the dynamics models for hill climbing by using Sampling Based Model Predictive Control, a novel motion-planing algorithm designed to use dynamic models. In addition this research also uses the developed dynamic models to derive the power models for skid-steered vehicles. The power models are described from the motor's perspective and include both the mechanical power consumption and electrical power consumption. The power models reveal the interesting phenomenon that the inner motor consumes, generates and consumes power again while the vehicle turning radius decreases. Experiments were conducted to verify the validity of the dynamic models and power models for different scenarios with different trajectory, and also show the advantage of using dynamic models for motion planning that involves climbing hills.


Abstract Education, both core and continuing, remains a crucial factor in the emergence of the profession of art therapy. Changes to the nature of work and employment during the 1990s have intensified the requirement that education, continuing education and employment are viewed as a continuum, essential to good practice. This article examines the perceptions of art therapists living and working in Scotland, regarding their continuing educational experiences, based upon a survey of Scottish BAAT members conducted in 1997. The subject of art therapists continuing education is considered within the context of present and future prospects for members of the profession. The 1997 survey of Scottish art therapists found continuing education to be the subject of considerable feelings of dissatisfaction and uncertainty. It is not possible to draw definite conclusions regarding the causes of this dissatisfaction, but a number of factors emerge which are worthy of consideration.


Abstract In spatial data mining, we have to deal with uncertainties in data and mining process. The nature of the uncertainties can be, for example, fuzziness and randomness. This paper proposed a cloud model-based data mining method that may simultaneously deal with randomness and fuzziness. First, cloud model is presented, which is described by using three numerical characteristics. Ex, En and He. Furthermore, three visualization methods on cloud model are further proposed, which can be produced by the cloud generators. Second, cloud model-based knowledge discovery is further developed. In cloud model context, spatial data preprocessing pays more attention to data cleaning, transform between qualitative concepts and quantitative data, data reduction, and data discretization. Spatial uncertain reasoning is in the form of linguistic antecedents and linguistic consequences, both of which are implemented by X-conditional and Y-conditional cloud generators. Spatial knowledge is represented with qualitative concepts from large amounts of data, and also the cloud model. Finally, as an example, these methods are applied to mine Baota landslide monitoring database. The experimental results show that the cloud model can not only reduce the task complexity, and improve the operational efficiency, but also enhance the comprehension of the discovered knowledge.


Variations of surface temperature, albedo, emissivity and net radiation in different urban and rural classes in an arid area were investigated. Four ASTER satellite scenes with channels from the very near infrared to the thermal infrared were analyzed. For a better understanding of the spatial coherences a land use classification was built. The classes were then spatially and temporally compared. The investigations show a distinct daily cool island for Dubai and daily cooling areas of Abu Dhabi city and its surrounding mangrove areas. Net radiation is mainly controlled by the albedo. Therefore the net radiation is higher in the urban areas, where the albedo is lower than in the bright desert areas. The surface temperatures behave contrary to the net radiation and are mostly correlated with the availability of water. This work describes part of the urban-rural climatologically complex and contributes particularly to the different situations of coastal cities in an arid environment.


The biological actions of LIGHT, a member of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily, are mediated by the interaction with lymphotoxin‐β receptor (LTβR) and/or herpes virus entry mediator (HVEM). Previous study demonstrated high‐level expressions of LIGHT and HVEM receptors in atherosclerotic plaques. To investigate the role of LIGHT in the functioning of macrophages and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) in relation to atherogenesis, we determined the effects of LIGHT on macrophage migration and VSMC proliferation. We found LIGHT through HVEM activation can induce both events. LIGHT‐induced macrophage migration was associated with activation of signaling kinases, including MAPKs, PI3K/Akt, NF‐κB, Src members, and FAK. Proliferation of VSMC was also shown relating to the activation of MAPKs, PI3K/Akt, and NF‐κB, which consequently led to alter the expression of cell cycle regulatory molecules. Down‐regulation of p21, p27, and p53, and inversely up‐regulation of cyclin D and RB hyper‐phosphorylation were demonstrated. In conclusion, LIGHT acts as a novel mediator for macrophage migration and VSMC proliferation, suggesting its involvement in the atherogenesis. J. Cell. Physiol. 209: 735–743, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


An Al-Mg-Mn-Zr alloy micro-alloyed by rare earth Er belongs to the technical field of metal alloys. The alloy constituents and the weight percent thereof of the alloy provided by the invention are as follows: 4.6-8 percent of Mg, 0.7 percent of Mn, 0.05-1.0 percent of Er, 0.1 percent of Zr, and the rest of Al, wherein the weight percents of the rare earth Er and the Mg of the alloy are preferably 0.1-0.5 percent and 4.6-6.5 percent. Owing to the addition of the rare earth Er, the mechanical performance of an Al-Mg-Mn-Zr alloy cold-rolled sheet is enhanced, the normal temperature and high temperature (150 DEG C) tensile strength (sigma b) and yield strength (sigma 0.2) of the alloy are improved, and the extensibility (delta) is basically constant. Therefore, the Er is expected to be an effective alloy element to improve the comprehensive performance of the aluminum alloy.


I have spent my career working to improve public health around the world with a variety of activities. I have edited the Journal of Health Communication for 15 years as I have spanned academic, not for profit, governmental, and private sector as my principal employment. By now, it is clear that giving people access to care and medicines are only part of improving overall health as social determinants and evidence builds for multiple indicators that contribute to health. One of the most important determinants of health is health literacy. Can an individual navigate the system? Do they understand the instructions that the doctor or nurse has explained about their care? Do they have the basic tools to maintain or modify their behavior? All of these aspects of how people interact with the health system can ultimately determine if they are able to improve their health. A significant factor impacting the ability of individuals to follow medical guidance or make the changes needed to improve their health is improving people's understanding of health information. Limited health literacy affects people of all ages, races, incomes, and education levels, but the impact of limited health literacy disproportionately affects lower socioeconomic and minority groups and underlies many of the disparities observed among these groups. It affects people's ability to search for and use health information, adopt healthy behaviors, and act on important public health alerts. Limited health literacy is also associated with worse health outcomes and higher costs. Two decades of research indicate that today's health information is presented in a way that is not usable by most Americans. Nearly 9 out of 10 adults have difficulty using the everyday health information that is routinely available in our health care facilities, retail outlets, media, and communities (Berkman et al., 2004; Institute of Medicine, 2004; National Library of Medicine, 2000). Without clear information and an understanding of prevention and self-management of conditions, people are more likely to skip necessary medical tests. They also end up in the emergency room more often, and they have a hard time managing chronic diseases, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. ''Health literacy'' is now the ''law of the land'' as the definition of ''the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic


In the present investigation, ceria co-doped with samarium and antimony has been prepared by the citrate reaction method. The FTIR pattern shows the extent of ceria content by Ce-O peaks with the effect of codoping. XRD pattern exhibits single phase structure with lattice parameter of 5.475A. SEM images show surface morphology improved by the process of codoping at reduced sintering temperature. Electrical measurement of the sample reveals ionic conduction mechanism with higher grain conductivity at 750°C. The results of the analysis show that the codoped samples have better structural and electrical properties for usage as a solid electrolyte for IT-SOFC.


Current day networks operate on multiple hardware devices assisted by numerous numbers of operating systems. Systems may have vulnerabilities. These are explored and then exploited. Among the overall malicious activity countries, India ranked third after US and China. This paper has made an attempt to explore possibility of quantifying various probabilities. Cyber system can be modeled in different ways. There are various attack vectors that make cyber network vulnerable. A compromised employee is an insider to any network and contributes significantly to the network vulnerability. Keeping in mind various random variables that affect the safety of Cyber Random Space, there may be a need to quantify the probability associated with different cyber exploitation related activities.


Although the notion of "traditional values" has recently become popular in Russia, it is actually a new phenomenon in both religious and political discourse. In the 1990s, the most common and established use of the word "values" was with adjectives such as "spiritual" and "moral," while the word "traditional" was mostly attributed to religions. In a certain sense, the very concept of "spiritual and moral values" was used as a transitory one. Having emerged between the 1980s and the 1990s as an antithesis to Communist values, this concept was nevertheless based on an understanding of spirituality that was exceptionally wide and could not be limited exclusively to the Orthodox framework. As a result, the new social and political situation required a clarification of notions and definitions. One can trace the use of the concept of "traditional values" in the Orthodox context with a high level of certainty. For several years (2000– 2012), it was used only by Metropolitan Kirill and a circle of publicists around the WRPC 1. Yet, even in this milieu, it took a while for the notion to take root. In an extended collection of articles and speeches published


A three-chip VHF-UHF TV tuner system has been implemented with a 0.7- mu m MESFET GaAs technology. The system, based on the double frequency conversion method, consists of an up-converter (IF/sub 1/=1.9 GHz), a smoothing filter, and an image rejection down-converter (IF/sub 2/=35 MHz). The system exhibits 30 dB of conversion gain and 70 dB of image-frequency rejection throughout the VHF-UHF band.<<ETX>>


The authors demonstrate the feasibility of using cellulose acetate (CA) and cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) for formulating sustained-release tablets via direct compression. Results show that tablets exhibited a slower release rate when CAB was used in the tablet matrix than when CA was used as the matrix material, which suggests that the release mechanisms from CA and CAB may be different.


Symmetry-specific densities of states, N{sub i}(E) = (i = symmetry species) for nonseparable vibrational and rovibrational coupled systems, are calculated from spectroscopic data by a relatively simple and efficient Monte Carlo technique, which employs Tisza's rules for the symmetry assignments of individual states. Results are presented for NO{sub 2} and CH{sub 2}O. The calculations show the effects of the intermode couplings on N{sub i}(E) and the rate of convergence of N{sub i}(E) toward the group theoretical regular representation at high energy.


The corrosion of Pb-Sn-Sm(x(Sn)=0.01,x(Sm)=0.01) and Pb-Sn(x(Sn)=0.01) in 4.5 mol·dm -3 H 2SO 4 solution at 1.28 V(vs.Hg/Hg 2SO 4) have been studied using linear sweep voltammetry and ac. voltammetry. The experimental results show that the samaium added to Pb-Sn alloy can inhibit the growth of the anodic film and reduce the resistance of the Pb(Ⅱ) oxides in the film.


Immature plums(Prunus salicina L.) were coated with edible coatings, calcium-added methyl cellulose(CaMC) and hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose-15(CaHPMC-15). Weight loss and respiration rate of immature plums coated with CaMC and CaHPMC-15 were lower only at the earlier storage period. The titratable acidity of plums was decreased and pH was increased during storage, Soluble pectin, pectinesterase, and polygalacturonase activity as the marker of softening were commonly increased with storage time, but those increases were lower in CaMC and CaHPMC-15-coated plums. Mechanical firmness became significantly soft during storage, while the coated plums were remained harder. As a result of sensory evaluation, softening of plum tissue was found during storage, but the coated plums had the harder texture. These data suggest that the application of CaMC or CaHPMC-15 coatings into immature plums can reduce the postharvest softening during storage.


Since the 1990s there has been a significant rise in the number of police officers in schools. There have been growing concerns regarding the effects of school resource officers (SRO) on students' long-term outcomes and whether or not they are an effective aspect of school safety. Public opinion, especially among key stakeholder groups, impacts policy and practice decisions, and, therefore, there is a need to examine and synthesize the current state of the literature on stakeholder perceptions of SROs. We conducted a systematic review of the literature regarding student, teacher, principal, parent, and SRO perceptions of the role and effectiveness of SROs. The findings across thirty-one publications suggest that key stakeholder groups largely report SROs as a positive presence within schools. Findings are mixed across studies, however, and key differences in perceptions of law enforcement among important school stakeholder populations are discussed.


New halogen-containing allyl-derivatives of uraciles by the reaction of 5-fluoruracile with dihaloidpropenes have been synthesized. By way of example of the reaction of 5-fluoruracile alkylation by 2,3-dichlorpropene, there have been selected catalysts of inter-phase catalysis.


As part of a cytological study on tissue culture strains designated as "altered monkey kidney" (AMK) by PA~KE~ et al. (1957), it was desirable to study the chromosome complement of normal Rhesus monkey. The chromosome number of this monkey has previously been reported as 42 by DAI~LINGTO~N and HAQUE (1955) and C~IU and GILES (1956). The former workers have also identified the Y chromosome I. The present paper describes studies on the chromosomes of monkey kidney cells cultivated in vitro, and extends the analysis of chromosome morphology to the point where most chromosomes of the complement can be i n d i v i d u a l l y iden t i f i ed .


ABSTRACT On 28 July 2014, a smartphone app warned Mexicans of an earthquake that never came. Engineers took this misfire seriously, concerned that it might have a 'cry wolf' effect. They were concerned that people could lose confidence in the early warning system and then, the next time that alerts sounded before one of Mexico's frequent and violent earthquakes, people might fail to take potentially life-saving action. In this article, I argue that these responses to the misfire reveal cries of 'crying wolf' as enactments and explorations of particular forms of responsibility integral to Mexican engineering subjectivities.


Administrative centralization has been a fact of life in France since Louis XIV. Political analysts have alternately praised the system as 'the envy of all Europe' and condemned it as 'a glittering example of "blockage" in our society'. Very few of them have, however, made any serious effort to study the impact of centralized structures on local governments. The literature is remarkable for the absence of empirical research on the exercise of power by elected local officials in France.


Based on the co-linearity analysis of runoff and precipitaion among different hydrological stations and various kinds of water and soil conservation measures, a statistical hydrological model of precipitation-soil and water conservation-runoff for the river basin is established by applying multiple regression method to analyze indicators and runoff data. The model can not only separate the effect of soil and water conservation measures on river runoff but also analyze the effect of precipitation and soil and water conservation measures on variation of river basin runoff amount. A case study is given in the present paper.


The overall performance of fixed-frequency air conditioner and convertible frequency air-conditioner is compared and analyzed from the aspects of energy efficiency rating,techniques,working principle,advantages and disadvantages,and their future development is predicted.


This paper aims at design and evaluation of advanced intelligent transportation system (ITS) with V2V network protocol. A proposed trace-driven simulator that integrates wireless network simulator with precise ITS standards and two large scale vehicle traces from Shanghai and San Francisco enables accurate evaluation of the impact of V2V protocol on ITS. This study shows that the performance gain of V2V protocol is up to 98% compared to current deployed system and there exists a dependency between copy algorithm and topology. Furthermore, we present a new cost-effective V2V routing metric denoted by remaining time metric. The result shows that remaining time metric reduces network hop count cost up to 50% and still achieves high performance of existing metrics.


1716 • cid 2021:72 (15 May) • EDITORIAL COMMENTARY Received 11 March 2020; editorial decision 16 March 2020; accepted 24 March 2020; published online April 8, 2020. Correspondence: J. Furin, Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, 641 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115 (email@example.com). Clinical Infectious Diseases 2021;72(10):1716–8 © The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press for the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com. DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa328 Treating Drug-resistant Tuberculosis Infection: No More Excuses


Objective To study the clinical efficacy of video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy in non-small cell lung cancer.Methods 150 patients with non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) were randomly divided into observation group(75 cases)and control group(75 cases),observation group was treated by video-assisted thoracopic surgery(VATS),the control group was treated by conventional thoracotomy,observed the clinical efficacy after the operation.Results The operative time,the blood loss,the length of operative incision,the length of hospital stay and the incidence of complications of the VATS group were less than the conventional thoracotomy group(P 0.05),but the number of lymph nodes of the two groups had no statistically significant(P0.05).The recurrence rate of the VATS group was lower than the the conventional thoracotomy group,the 3-year survival rate was higher(P 0.05).Conclusions Video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy is safe and feasible in the treatment in non-small cell lung cancer,it was worthy to be popularized.


Not every child has the opportunity to grow up as part of a family, which is regarded as the optimum form of child care. Adoption, however, provides a child with the opportunity to have a family. When adoption does occur, the most important aspect is that it should be in the best interests of the child. In this article I examine statutory adoption in Botswana and whether it serves the best interests of the child. I then offer possible solutions to problems that I believe need attention.


The unsteady cavitating flow in a turbopump inducer has been calculated using an accurate three-dimensional detached eddy simulation (DES) code, which took into account the cavitating phenomena. The three-dimensional code is based on the numerical method for compressible flow using low Mach number flow approximation. The cavitation is modeled by the source/sink of vapor phase in the liquid flow. The computational results were compared with experimental measurements: circumferentially averaged flow distributions at the inducer exit and visualizations. Qualitative good agreements with experiments were obtained. The unsteady motions of cavities have been simulated in the inducer. The magnitude of the fluctuation in cavity volume increased as the cavities extend and close to the throat of the blade passage. The effect of the tip-gap on the cavity volume was shown; the time-averaged volume of cavities for the inducer with the tip-gap is about five times larger than that for the inducer without the tip-gap at an operating condition. Vorticity generation in cavities due to baroclinic torque was found. This is a feature of cavitating flow. Multiple blade passages calculations are under way to find unsteady phenomena such as rotating cavitation and cavitation surge in the inducer.


Objective:To explore the relationship between polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) combined with infertility and endometrial lesions,analyze the clinical significance of endocervical curettage for patients with PCOS combined with infertility. Methods:A total of 68 patients with PCOS combined with infertility were selected as observation group,and 43 patients with tubal infertility were selected as control group;the pathological results after endocervical curettage and the differences of endocrine metabolism in the two groups were analyzed. Results:In observation group,55 patients with endometrial organic diseases were diagnosed by pathological examination,including one patient with endometrial cancer,three patients with atypical hyperplasia of endometrium,five patients with endometrial complex hyperplasia,38 patients with simple endometrial hyperplasia,15 patients with endometrium during proliferative phase(8 patients were combined with endometrial polyp),and 6 patients with endometrium during secretory phase.In control group,36 patient were found with endometrium during proliferative phase(5 patients were combined with endometrial polyp),7 patient were found with endometrium during secretory phase.BMI,waist hip rate(WHR),fasting blood glucose,blood lipid,fasting insulin,area under the curve of insulin,and the levels of estrogen and testosterone in observation group were significantly higher than those in control group(P0.05). Conclusion:The patients with PCOS combined with infertility had high incidences of endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer,obesity,insulin resistance,high androgen level,and high estrogen level are important factors of endometrial lesions,more attention should be paid to the application of endocervical curettage in these patients.


A framework of ferro-magnetization on apparent weightiness, through electro-magnetic induction, is proposed in this study. Here the integral solution of ferro-magnetization, based on Boltzmann probabilistic theory in modified Bessel function, avoids unstable result accessed from traditional Langevin's analysis. Also, a self-designed electromagnetism mechanism measuring gravitational counteraction of testing sample is set up and used to evaluate its magnetic behavior on apparent weight. That not only features as a simple device with economical cost and easy operation, but also could be further extended to the application of ferro-magnetization sensor. While compared to the results measured from Vibration Sample Magnetometer (VSM) for ferro-product provided by Matsumoto co., magnetization curve of self-prepared ferro-sample, base on present measuring method, shows an excellent agreement within the working region of 0~36 mT , in which the maximum relative error 100 %, evaluated from traditional classic Langevin theorem, could be remarkably reduced to 20 %. Copyright © 2013 IFSA.


Objectives Although global epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection is well characterized, country specific figure is more accurate for context specific tailored interventions. The aim was to determine the prevalence, factors associated with infection, antibiotic resistance profile, and genotypes of HP in Cameroon. Design A systematic review with meta analysis. Participants People living in Cameroon regardless of their clinical profile. Data sources and synthesis Observational studies published in PubMed, EMBASE, African Index Medicus, African Journals Online, and Health Sciences and Diseases up to October 12th, 2020. Study selection, data extraction, and methodological quality assessment were done by two independent authors. Random effect meta analysis served to pool prevalence data. Results Fifteen studies were included. None investigated the genotypes of HP. Among symptomatic patients, the most common used test, urea breath test on gastric biopsy, yielded a prevalence 57.8% (95% confidence interval (CI): 34.3; 79.5) of HP infection. This prevalence significantly varied between 47.0% (95%CI: 43.0; 51.0) for antigen test in stool samples and 71.2% (95%CI: 59.1; 81.9) for Giemsa on gastric biopsy; p = 0.0006. One study in asymptomatic children reported the prevalence of 52.3% (95%CI: 44.9; 59.6) using antigen test for stool samples. Among the six studies investigating factors associated with HP infection, one performed a multivariable model and identified being student as protective factor compared to being employed (Odds ratio: 0.09; 95%CI: 0.02; 0.49). For antibiotics used for first line treatment, HP was resistant to amoxicillin (85.6; 97.1%), metronidazole (93.2; 97.9%), and clarithromycin (13.6; 44.7%) as reported in two studies. Limitation Data were from six of the ten regions of Cameroon, hindering the generalizability of the findings to the country. Conclusion This study depicted a high prevalence of HP infection and a worrying resistance profile to first-line antibiotics. When waiting for well conducted studies, updated guidelines are needed for clinical practice for first line antibiotic treatment. Registration PROSPERO, CRD42020220084.


Preface. Two Meanings of Unhappiness. The Canon: Groundwork. The Canon: Development. The First Argument on Unhappiness. The Right to Unhappiness. Unhappiness, Law and Morality. Friendship: Reconstruction (I). Friendship: Reconstruction (II). The Second Argument on Unhappiness. Conclusions. References. Index.


The human identification as a forensic activity can be done by different techniques. Many times the lack of documentation in life (ante-mortem) make the use of safer techniques not viable. This work describes a case where the image superimposition technique was the only resource left to identify a person. It was used pictures from the skull of a skeleton that had an anthropological forensic examination, and pictures of the missing person. The superimposition of the images done with the Adobe® Photoshop® cs 6.0 version for Windows software, for its easiness of execution and low cost, reveal itself being fundamental, added to other evidence, in the identification of the case.


This study aims to resolve the performance issues of Li–S batteries using KimWipes in three cell configurations cathode-side, anode-side, and both-sides. A no-KimWipe cell configuration is considered as a control. Substantial suppression of lithium polysulfide shuttling in the cathode-side configuration is observed owing to polar–polar interaction between higher-order dissolved polysulfides (Li 2 S 8 to Li 2 S 4 ) and abundant polar functional groups in the fibrous cellulose network of the KimWipes. On the anode side, KimWipes serve the dual roles of facilitating the homogeneous redistribution of Li ions during plating and stripping while minimizing the anchoring of polysulfide species migrating from the cathode. An electrochemical performance test is performed out at a C-rate of 0.1C, and the discharge-specific capacities at the first cycle for the cathode-side, anode-side, both-sides, and no-KimWipe cell configurations were 1,464.36, 1,286.95, 1,033.96, and 927.22 mAh g −1 S, respectively. Experimental testing is performed for upto 250 cycles for type II and III cells, which show good specific discharge, capacities as well as stable reversibility and coulombic efficiency. The cathode-side KimWipe cell configuration maintained stable reversibility with a higher coulombic efficiency. Results of this study will contribute towards realizing high-performance Li–S batteries for commercial applications.


Green technology plays a pivotal role in establishing a sustainable and secure environment for citizens by introducing smart solarpowered streetlights. Numerous cities have embraced this eco-friendly approach by incorporating solar-powered street lighting systems (SP-SLS) into their infrastructure. Despite its popularity, rural communities, especially in Indonesia, have yet to fully experience the advantages of this green technology. Nonetheless, the effectiveness of SP-SLS installation in relation to geographic conditions and shadowing levels remains unidentified. Addressing this knowledge gap, our study proposes a comprehensive design and feasibility analysis of solar-powered street lighting systems tailored for rural Indonesian communities, with the primary aim of curtailing power consumption and minimizing environmental impact. Our proposed green technology entails the deployment of ten streetlamps, each equipped with an integrated solar generator and an adaptive night-time lighting system employing standard LEDs. Furthermore, our design accounts for varying shadow levels during installation to ensure optimal lighting outcomes. The results of this implementation showcase a remarkable decrease in electricity usage attributed to the adoption of green technology. Additionally, the application of this lighting system demonstrates a reduction in the emission of 4417 kg/year of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.


A new genus of fossil bivalve from the Lower Cretaceous of the Cameros Basin is described and designated Protopleurobema. As well as the type material of Unio numantinus (Palacios and Sanchez, 1885), we examined 805 specimens discovered in deposits comprising unit D of the lithological Urbion Group of Upper Barremian-Lower Aptian age. This new taxon is compared here to all the available closely related Mesozoic genera described in the literature. A large number of juvenile and adult specimens of Protopleurobema numantina (Palacios and Sanchez, 1885) were found in what was interpreted as a palaeoecological association. The presence of bivalves (Unionoida) and gastropods of the genus Viviparus indicate the freshwater nature of the environment.


We analyze the optimal policy of an antitrust authority towards horizontal mergers when merger proposals are endogenous and firms choose which of several mutually exclusive mergers to propose. The optimal policy of an antitrust authority that seeks to maximize expected consumer surplus involves discriminating between mergers based on a naive computation of the post-merger Herfindahl index (over and above the apparent effect of the proposed merger on consumer surplus). We show that the antitrust authority optimally imposes a tougher standard on those mergers that raise the index by more.


Among the 810,000 students studying abroad,there are nearly 200,000 returned to work in China.The furore of studying abroad and coming back has formed a special scene of the mobility of talents.All of the 11 chief scientists in Shanghai are returnees.In the scramble for talents,Chinese overseas and returnees have been hunted by many developed countries.A large number of top talents,outstanding talents and specialists are to be attracted,appointed and used rationally.


With a massive growth in net communications, there is always a chance of risk to keep the data secret, reliability of data, additionally accessibility of data. An outcome for this is gift cryptographic methodologies which includes the superior Encryption trendy (AES), which might be at gift shield such information, are necessitated to be quick and well protected. In this report, we talk two novel techniques for adapting the foresaid trouble and it is being made potentially through enhancing the design of mix column manipulation of Advance Encryption Standard (AES). An improvement of 1.27 occasions transformed into completed in evaluation to earlier calculations in expressions of pace proficiency [1][2]. As far as hardware structural layout, a space discount of almost thrice change is additionally achieved. AES has input data blocks of 128 bits, with keys length of 128,192 or 256 bits. In this manuscript, a hardware representation of AES algorithm is described using key of length 128 bits. The AES hardware set up is realized using xilinx nexys 4 artix 7 –FPGA board with the help of xilinx ISE design suite. Our work focuses on MAES, a low power AES encryption algorithm which run over the interest [5]. In MAES, a S-Box of one dimension is suggested using new mathematical expression for creating a (n×n) matrix in affine transformation. The percentage efficiency of 18.35% is obtained by MAES than AES, when encrypted packets are transmitted. Thus MAES expends low power compared to that of AES, which is suitable for resource constraint environments.


ABSTRACT More picloram (4-amino-3,5,6,-trichloropicolinic acid) was adsorbed by humin than by the organic low-moor peat soil humus from which the humin was prepared. However, less picloram was adsorbed by the humic acids extracted from the organic material. The pH-dependent adsorption found for all four preparations agreed with the concept that the adsorption of picloram is largely that of uncharged (or dipolar) molecules. The effects of salt concentration on adsorption are largely those due to exchange of hydrogen into solution, shifting the equilibrium toward the molecular form. Anion exchange apparently did not occur with the organic matter preparations. Salting out occurred with 0.1 molar salt solutions. A slight decrease in adsorption took place at pH values below 1 and this is explained by the fact that picloram becomes diprotonated in this pH region, forming cations, which cannot compete with H+ for adsorption sites.


A real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR assay was developed for detection the expression of mitochondrial cytochrome b(Ctyb) mRNA transcript level in Prorocentrum donghaiense.A 984 bp length amplicon of Ctyb gene from P.donghaiense was obtained using degenerate primers for dinoflagellates in RT-PCR and cloned into the plasmid for sequence analysis.The purified plasmid DNA was employed as the standard,and its concentration was estimated by measuring the optical density.The primers were designed using PRIMER EXPRESS 3.0 based on the 984 bp amplicon.The standard curve was prepared based on the linear relationship between the amount of input plasmid DNA(X) and cycle threshold(Ct) with gradient dilution of the plasmid standards using SYBR Green I real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR method.For Ctyb gene,the calibration curve was Ct=-3.50 lg X+39.35(r=0.999).The samples collected in different growth phases were subjected to real-time PCR for detection of Ctyb gene mRNA level.The results showed that its mRNA level was relatively constant over different growth phases,and the average amount of its mRNA in each sample was(45.4±4.7) copies per cell.It indicated that Cytb gene was a good reference gene for P.donghaiense.


In this article it is argued that the materiality of religious discourse necessitates a description of its strategies of power and control. Since Christian religious discourse reactivates the discourses of canonical writings, the description of the materiality of the discursive practices of the canonical writings themselves is imperative. Focusing on the strategics of exclusion, Foucault's archaeological model of the description of discourse is used as a framework for delineating some strategies of the Markan discourse. The analysis of the archive ... involves a privileged region: at once close to us, and different from our p resent existence, it is the border of time that surrounds our presence, which overhangs it, and which indicates it in its otherness; it is that which, outside ourselves, delimits us (Foucault, 1972:130).


Generation and transport of carriers in strained Si1-xGex/Si quantum well structures were investigated by photoluminescence measurement with varying temperature and excitation power. It was found that the majority of carriers giving luminescence were produced inside the substrate beyond 1 µm and subsequently transported to the quantum wells on the surface side when a visible wavelength excitation source was used. Consequently, the emission of the quantum well closest to the substrate dominated the spectrum under a low excitation condition. In contrast, the emissions of the quantum wells on the surface side were observed at higher temperatures or under intense photopump. The evolution of surface-side quantum well emission is interpreted in terms of carrier escape out of the substrate-side quantum well in the form of either thermal jump to the barrier band-edge or overflow due to population saturation.


This paper introduces the construction techniques of U shaped caisson of main pier of Huanghe bridge on Yingu expressway. The caisson positioning technique and deviation adjustment measures are explained in detail.


This paper describes our ongoing exploration toward facial expression analysis for intelligent HCI systems. Two approaches are proposed from two different points of views. The first approach captures dynamic movement accompanied with facial expressions as the clue for estimating emotion. In this approach, the movements are considered as the results of activities by virtual systems that are assumed to be embedded in the face. We call this approach as System Identification Approach. The second approach relies on the positions of the facial parts, such as eyes, eye brows, and mouth, to detect emotion. This approach, named Facial Expression Map Approach, relates the positions of the parts with the six basic emotions and the relations are represented as maps. The outlines of the methods based on the approaches are described with some experimental results.


The paper introduces the method of design a data acquisition system based on USB 2.0 interface,including hardware,firmware.And the paper also introduces the driver model based on the design of the device driver and application software.


Vibro-replacement stone column is the use inspires flushes has certain frequency and the oscillation amplitude level to inspires the strength,through increases the broken stone material to carry on continuously inspires flushes pushes is densely dense the sand body extrusion,achieves to the base of dam reinforcement goal.


We present the complex energy bands and electronic densities of states in paramagnetic CuNi alloys. The calculations are based on the use of muffin-tin potentials within the framework of the average-$t$-matrix approximation. The theory is shown to predict reasonably the electronic spectrum over a wide range of energies and alloy compositions. The experiments to be discussed include photoemission measurements of the density of states and Dingle-temperature measurements of the damping of both the neck and belly orbits. The half-width of the Ni virtual bound state in Cu-rich CuNi alloys is discussed in detail.


Grid-synchronizing Stability (GSS) is an emerging issue related to grid-feeding voltage-source converters (VSCs). Its occurrence is primarily related to the non-linear dynamics of a type of vastly applied synchronization unit – Phase-locked Loops (PLL). Dynamic characterization and modeling for the GSS analysis can be achieved using a simplified system model, which is a second-order and autonomous non-linear equation, but with the presence of an indefinite damping term. As revealed and demonstrated in this work, this indefinite damping effect can result in an inaccurate Region-of-Attraction (ROA) estimation of the traditional Equal Area Principle (EAP)-based method. To overcome this issue and achieve a valid ROA estimation, this paper adopts the sum-of-squares (SOS) programming technique, which is a numeric optimization method with SOS relaxations. The development and implementation of the SOS program for ROA estimation are presented. Numerical case studies and time-domain verifications demonstrate that this method is valid for GSS analysis, and an almost precise estimation is achieved in the first quadrant. This evidence makes the SOS method a promising tool for GSS analysis because the GSS problem is most concerned with the stability within the first swing cycle, i.e., in the first quadrant.


SUMMARY This paper is concerned with a number of upstream-weighted second- and third-order difference schemes. Also considered are the conventional upwind and central difference schemes for comparison. It commences with a general difference equation which unifies all the given first-, second- and third-order schemes. The various schemes are evaluated through the use of the general equation. The unboundedness and accuracy of the solutions by the difference schemes are assessed via various analyses: examination of the coefficients of the difference equation, Taylor series truncation error analysis, study of the upstream connection to numerical diffusion, single-cell analysis. Finally, the difference schemes are tested on one- and two-dimensional model problems. It is shown that the high-order schemes suffer less from the problem of numerical diffusion than the first-order upwind difference scheme. However, unboundedness cannot be avoided in the solutions by these schemes. Among them the linear upwind difference scheme presents the best compromise between numerical diffusion and solution unboundedness.


Amanah Saham Bumiputera (ASB) is a Malaysian initiative trust fund that was established in 1990 with the basic aim of enhancing the financial independence and improves the economic control of the Bumiputera Malaysians. This effort has provided investment opportunity for its target audience as an alternative savings scheme in order to generate long term consistent and competitive returns on investment.  Despite the achievement and successful result recorded by the establishment, there are continuous quest particularly among the Bumiputera on the extent of Shariah compliance of the investment channels of ASB trust fund. Although ASB was designed as a fixed price equity income fund at RM1.00 with no sale charges, the return on investment as declared dividend is questionable. More so, the means of investment and in which product or services to invest pool fund is a question for debate among the investors. Despite the latest Fatwa MKI pronouncement by Muzākarah Jawatankuasa on this issue in 2012, which declared that investments in ASB and other relative investments are "harus", that is investing in ASB is neither prohibited nor allowed from an Islamic perspective. It is rather Mubāḥah; based on free choice. Hence, there are still arguments as to whether ASB is prohibited in Islam. The researcher therefore aims to explore into the methodology of the Fatwa committee of the National Council for Islamic Affairs on how and why permissible position was taken in comparison with the position of PNB on its permissibility. The study also conducts textual analysis on Islamic principles, maxims and conditions on issuing fatwa on matters relating to Islamic financial transactions as reported in Islamic literatures. The study also employs the Maqāṣid shariah approach in arriving at suitable findings and recommended the stakeholder of ASB trust fund and other Islamic financial institutions in Malaysia need to come to a common ground on the use of maṣlaḥah as evidence for the permissibility of the ASB in Malaysia context.


Different reports about the pathological changes iii scorhutic guinea pigs hare appeared. These liare been mainly reviewed by Hess ( '20) and Bourne ( '53). The cliaiiges iiiclude lineinorrhage into the joints, scparatioii of epipliysis, brittleness of bones, disordered pattern of cartilage cells in the ribs, failure of normal *dentine and enamel formation of thc teeth, differentiation of osteoblasts into fibroblasts, widespread deficient:of collagen in the coiincctivc tissues throughout the body and clelaped healing of wounds. S o histological studies in tissues other than bones aiicl joints of a scorbntic animal liare appeared. As vitamin C is neccssaiy for the normrtl fmic*tion of endocrine glands (Kaiierjee and Ghosh, '46 m d '47 ; Bnncrjee and Deb, '51 aiid Wa) , which have profomid influence 011 other organs of the body, histologid structures of different tissue5 of scorbutic guinea pigs and monkeys were stucliccl. Thcsc are presented in the present communication.


Requirement of artificial bone materials is high, which demands us to consider many factors of human body. Evidence exists that estrogen influences neuronal physiology and cognitive function. Bone mineral density has been proposed as a marker for cumulative estrogen exposure. This study examined whether choice reaction time (CRT) would be related to calcaneus quantitative ultrasound (QUS). 222 ethnic Han Chinese men were recruited. Besides age and body mass index (BMI), cigarette smoking, as an important environment factor influencing cognition and bone health, was included in covariants. Results showed that CRT performance was statistically significantly positively correlated with bone quality index (p < 0.01) and speed of sound (SOS) (p < 0.001) before controlling covariants. After adjustment for age, BMI, and smoking, CRT remained significantly related to SOS (p < 0.05). Our findings indicate that CRT may be associated with bone status, which suggests an effect of artificial bone on nervous system should be considered when it is produced.


ABSTRACT This essay investigates the rise of authoritarianism in Morocco and its resurgence despite several reforms implemented by the Moroccan regime. The author provides a new perspective on democracy and democratic transformation whilst also considering the political regime's particularities, such as the constitutional imprints, the political configuration, and cultural history. The research questions are addressed with a focus on the 2011 constitutional reform. We will offer an original perspective on democracy and democratisation in Morocco, considering the fact that the latter is employed as a vast political framework for demonstrating international conformity and, legitimising authority and institutions. This essay investigates the resurgence of authoritarianism in Morocco despite the several reforms implemented by the Moroccan regime since the independence of the country in 1956.


Family businesses over recent years have invested heavily in digital transformation to strategize their platform for gaining a competitive advantage in the industry and setting up their business for success. In Pakistan, there are several family businesses that altogether run a major share of the country's economy, many of which have also embraced digital transformation in order to achieve financial gain. This paper will seek to analyze the impact of digital transformation in family businesses in Pakistan. It will make use of the various factors within the country such as economic, cultural, and demographic in order to synthesize a conceptual model that will shape the impact of digital transformation on Pakistani family businesses and how it may vary from the impact on family businesses among developed countries across the globe.


Message Sequence Graphs (MSGs) form a popular model often used for the documentation of telecommunication protocols. They consist of typical scenarios of message exchanges depicted as partial-orders of events that lead from one control state to another. On the other hand Petri nets are a well-known formalism for distributed or parallel systems based on the notion of token game. Both approaches profit by a visual presentation and are the subject of numerous formal verification techniques and tools. In this paper we investigate a formalism which provides MSGs with the notion of token game and extends Petri nets with both control states and partial orders. Providing Petri nets with control states corresponds precisely to the model of Vector Addition Systems with States (VASSs). Thus we need to define first a partial-order semantics for VASSs which adopts the basic features of communication scenarios. To do so we extend simply the process semantics of Petri nets. We obtain a formal model that enjoys several interesting properties in terms of expressiveness and concision. The addition of control states to Petri nets under the partial-order semantics leads to undecidable problems. Similarly to MSGs, one cannot decide in particular whether two given VASSs describe the same process language. However we show that basic problems about the set of markings reached along the processes of a VASS, such as boundedness, covering and reachability, can be reduced to the analogous problems for Petri nets. This relies on a new technique that simulates all prefixes of all processes. In this way Petri net tools can be used to verify the properties of a VASS under the process semantics. We present also a technique to check effectively any MSO property of these partial orders, provided that the given system is bounded. This enables us to tackle more verification problems and subsumes known results for the model checking of MSGs. All algorithms presented in this paper have been implemented in a prototype tool available online.


Commercial Sudan III was separated into various fractions by the usual column chromatographic technics using Celite-silicic acid as the adsorbent and commercial petroleum ether (B) as the solvent. By analysis, using both spectrophotometric and paper strip chromatographic methods, it was possible to identify fractions from the commercial sample, including several fractions which were indubitably very highly purified Sudan III. In addition several other fractions containing mixtures of colored components have been isolated.


The structural, compositional, and optical properties of ZnO/MgxZn1−xO m-plane heterostructures are investigated using scanning transmission electron microscopy, laser-assisted atom probe tomography, and micro-photoluminescence. Coupled with electron tomography, atom probe tomography is currently the only technique providing a 3D reconstruction of the position of the atoms of a nanoscale specimen with their chemical nature. The multi-quantum well system investigated exhibits a V-groove grating profile along the a-axis accompanied by the formation of Zn- and Mg-enriched regions corresponding to the edges pointing towards the substrate and towards the upper surface, respectively. The optical signature of these heterostructures has been investigated by performing micro-photoluminescence on atom probe tip specimens. Effective mass calculations based on the 3D microscopy data indicate that the quantum well geometry and barrier composition yield a localization of hole states at the bottom of the V-groove.


Tribopairs in Wellbore Drilling: A Study of PCD Tilting Pad Bearings In an Electric Submersible Pump Cameron B. Ellis School of Technology, BYU Master of Science A polycrystalline diamond was tested as a bearing material for a tilting pad thrust bearing to be used in an electric submersible pump, which elevates process fluids from the bottom of well bores. The goal of this study was to compare the PCD to a current best of technology, which is stainless steel with an engineering polymer. This study found that PCD can handle larger loads than current technology but is limited in size due to diamond sintering and manufacturing constraints; the maximum size is Ø75mm.


Estonians in America 1945–1995: Exiles in a Land of Promise is a remarkable book that has been more than 25 years in the making – a work with more than 100 authors – the story of Estonians in Ameri...


Human autoinflammatory diseases are a heterogeneous group of genetically determined diseases character- ized by seemingly unprovoked inflammation, in the absence of autoimmune or infective causes. These diseases are caused by proteins that involve in the innate immunity and interact with other proteins to form an inflammasome (1), which acts as an early sensor to detect danger signals and initiates the host defense reactions (2). Members of the ''NALP'' family of proteins (which includes cryopyrin) are components of the inflammasome. Two types of inflammasomes have now been described: the NALP1 inflammasome and the NALP3, or cryopyrin, inflammasome. The stimulation of cryopyrin triggers a series of reactions, which ultimately result in the activation of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 3 . The past decade has witnessed tremendous advances in the understanding of these disorders. These advances have allowed for therapeutic interventions, resulting in improvement in the short-term and long-term morbidity of all of these diseases. As these syndromes often have overlapping symptoms, diagnostic criteria are essential.


Dose is becoming increasingly important for computed tomography clinical practice. It is of general interest to understand the impact that system design can have on dose and image quality. This study addresses the effect of bowtie shape on the dose and contrast-to-noise across the field of view. Simulation of the CT acquisition is used to calculate the energy deposition throughout a numerical phantom for a set of relevant system operating parameters and bowtie shapes. Mean absorbed dose is calculated by summing over the phantom volume and is compared with other typical dose specifications. A more aggressive attenuation profile of the bowtie which offers higher attenuation in the periphery of the field of view can offer the benefit of lower dose but at the expense of reduced contrast-to-noise at the edge of the cross-sectional image.


Under the right conditions, SEM-EDS can be fast and accurate but how can we tell if results are unrealistic? Most software provides a display to show if fitted peaks and background concur with the measured spectrum but goodness of fit of fitted peaks is insensitive to a number of factors that have a serious effect on the analytical result, for example specimen charging, surface layers, variation in composition within the excited volume and incorrect or missing elements. The oft-used normalisation simply transfers any inaccuracy in results for one element to all others.


Purpose This study was designed to compare the effects of two different relaxation techniques, namely progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) and autogenic relaxation (AGR) on moods of young soccer players. Methods Sixteen adolescent athletes (mean age: 14.1 ± 1.3) received either PMR or AGR training. Using Profile of Mood States- Adolescents, their mood states were measured one week before relaxation training, before the first relaxation session, and after the twelfth relaxation session. Results Mixed ANOVA revealed no significant interaction effects and no significant main effects in any of the subscales. However, significant main effects for testing sessions were found for confusion, depression, fatigue, and tension subscales. Post hoc tests revealed post-intervention reductions in the confusion, depression, fatigue, and tension subscale scores. Conclusion These two relaxation techniques induce equivalent mood responses and may be used to regulate young soccer players' mood states.