Triple-play services (voice, video, and data) are emerging as the key driver for telecom investment, with several factors driving this convergence. The Internet is maturing, not only for the transport of web information, but for e-commerce as well. Increasingly sophisticated protocols are emerging to manage and secure the network for business and consumer alike. With this acceptance comes increased scale, ubiquity, and cost effectiveness, far beyond regional telephone and cable networks. Additionally, the technology to digitally represent, store, and transport all types of data continues to accelerate. Managing these services on a common Internet protocol (IP) network leads to a dramatic reduction in operational expenses. Lastly, the deregulation of the communications industry has opened a Pandora's box of bundled services from incumbent suppliers and startups alike. The increased competition from the cable industry into data and voice services, coupled with the decreased profitability of traditional long-distance telephone, has lit a fire under traditional data carriers to begin serious investigation and deployment of triple-play capabilities via the Internet.


The invention discloses a preparation method of pamoic acid based diheterocyclic carbene ligand. The chemical structural formula of the pamoic acid based diheterocyclic carbine ligand is shown in the specification, wherein R is CH3 or PhCH2. The preparation method comprises the following steps: synthesizing 4, 4'-methylene bis(3-methoxyl-2-methyl-naphthoate; synthesizing 2, 2'-methoxyl-3, 3'-dihydroxy methylene-1, 1'-dinaphthyl methane; synthesizing 2, 2'-methoxyl-3, 3'-bromomethylene-1, 1'-dinaphthyl methane; synthesizing a diheterocyclic carbene ligand with negative ions being bromine ions; and synthesizing a diheterocyclic carbene ligand with negative ions being hexafluorophosphate. The method disclosed by the invention is simple in synthesis step, mild in condition and relatively high in yield; the prepared target compound can be coordinated with metals to prepare large-loop compounds, so that the prepared target compound has a relatively good application prospect in molecular identification and probes.


Modulated in time orbital electron capture (EC) decays have been observed recently in stored H-like Pr and Pm ions. Although, the experimental results are extensively discussed in literature, a firm interpretation has still to be established. Periodic transitions between the hyperfine states could possible lead to the observed effect. Both selected nuclides decay to stable daughter nuclei via allowed Gamow-Teller transitions. Due to the conservation of total angular momentum, the allowed EC decay can only proceed from the hyperfine ground state of parent ions. In this work we argue that periodic transitions to the excited hyperfine state (sterile) in respect to the allowed EC decay ground state cannot explain the observed decay pattern.


Strictly speaking, PID includes a range of inflam1l\at~ryconditions that can be divided into salpingitis, sal~l~go-oophoritis and a number of other disease e~t~t~es. However, few authors recognize this fine dlVl~10n, and in published work the terms PID and :al~lngitis are often used interchangeably. In this eVlew the term PID will be generally used unless quoting authors who have used an alternative, When the author's preference will be followed.


Decision tree induction is certainly among the most applicable learning techniques due to its power and simplicity. However learning decision trees from large datasets, particularly in data mining, is quite different from learning from small or moderately sized datasets. When learning from large datasets, decision tree induction programs often produce very large trees. How to efficiently visualize trees in the learning process, particularly large trees, is still questionable and currently requires efficient tools. The paper presents a visualization tool for interactive learning of large decision trees, that includes a new visualization technique called T2.5D (Trees 2.5 Dimensions). After a brief discussion on requirements for tree visualizers and related work, the paper focuses on presenting developing techniques for two issues: (1) how to visualize efficiently large decision trees; and (2) how to visualize decision trees in the learning process.


We derive an extended UTD (uniform geometrical theory of diffraction) solution for the high-frequency scattered fields by a coated conducting cylinder covered by a thin lossy dielectric material. We show that the exended UTD solution derived by retaining the higher order term can be applied uniformly in the transition region near the shadow boundary and in the deep shadow region. The validity of the asymptotic solution derived here is confirmed by comparing with the exact solution obtained from the eigenfunction expansion.


'The dawn of ecology' introduces the Greek writer Theophrastus and his discovery that plants flourish in places suited to their intrinsic attributes. The word 'ecosystem' was coined by 20th-century botanist Andrew Tansley, who argued that organisms and their environment should be considered together. Charles Elton created the 'pyramid of numbers', with producers at the bottom and primary consumers at the top. Georgy Gause discovered competition among species—if two organisms in competition for the same resource were put together, one would wipe the other out. Mathematical and scientific predictive models would become useful in unstable climate conditions, allowing specialists to identify potential tipping points.


Further evidence is presented that the ∼490 nm transient spectrum found on flash photolysis or pulse radiolysis of duroquinone solutions is due to triplet-triplet absorption rather than an isomer. The extinction coefficient is estimated to be 9,800 M–1 cm–1 in benzene and 4,700 in cyclohexane.


Simple Summary Animals of countless species, wild as well as tame, can now entertain tourists on their holidays. The popularity, however, of animal-based tourism comes with significant risks for the welfare of these animals. Many animals are kept in small confinements, are broken down to interact obediently with tourists, or are made to perform, entertain, transport or even give their lives for human leisure. In this paper, the challenges of animal-based tourism are presented from the perspectives of interdisciplinary researchers. The challenges are discussed based on a two-day symposium with workshop sessions. We bring attention to the problem of cultural relativism and the difficulty of imposing universal standards of animal welfare. We conclude that reforms and individual travel decisions as a result of biosecurity concerns will impact animal welfare. In addition to this, we observe that technology has a dual role to play in enhancing edutainment but also potentially inviting new challenges. In the end, we declare some possibilities for compassionate animal based tourism. Abstract By animal-based tourism, a host of activities offering passive viewing or active interaction with wild, semi-wild or captive animals is included. The multibillion dollar industry is on the rise globally today, offering modes of engagement with animals that trade on increasingly embodied close encounters with non-human animals. As new modes of animal-based tourism proliferate, such as sloth selfies, visiting cat cafes, swimming with sharks and agri-tourism petting zoos, animal welfare standards risk deteriorating. In the following paper, we collate concerns over animal welfare into a discussion on the challenges facing animal-based tourism. Our synthesis is the first to consider the full spectrum of such animal-based tourism: across agri-, hunting, zoo and safari tourism, to name a few, and crossing consumptive and non-consumptive boundaries. A literature review is first provided. Findings are then presented thematically following workshops at an international interdisciplinary symposium of leading tourism, animal welfare, ethics and leisure sciences scholars together with practitioners of the industry. It discusses macrolevel drivers to animal-based tourism as an industry, the problem of cultural relativism and the role of technology in enhancing or promoting the experience. We indicate ways forward toward implementing a compassionate animal-based tourism.


Abstract : The rationale for this project is that nonlinear 4-wave interactions, represented by FBI (Full Boltzmann Integral) have been shown to be central to wave forecast models. However, these FBI formulations are too slow for operational wave forecasting. The discrete interaction approximation (DIA) is the basis for operational wave models WAM, and it has substantial deviations from FBI in selected parts of the spectrum. Two Scale Approximation (TSA) offers a new approach to replace DIA, outperforming DIA in accuracy, with potentially fast run times for DIA. Therefore TSA is a candidate for implementation in operational wave models. The meaningful technical results achieved in this fiscal year are: a) In Resio et al. (2011) we examine nonlinear fluxes of energy and momentum through wave spectra via an exact integration of the Full Boltzmann Integral. b) We implemented TSA into WW3 and completed a number of tests for fetch- and duration-limited wave growth. Results are acceptable and compare well with observed data, and runs, using the exact FBI code in WW3. The real challenge has been turing winds, such as generated by a moving cyclone or hurricane, and the generalization of WW3 to accommodate spectral evolution in turning wind cases. This challenge was met be generalizing the manner in which the broad scale of TSA was defined, so that in complicated rapidly changing wave spectra cases, a second broad scale could be defined, in order to handle double peaks, and to let TSA downshift appropriately.


Let Mnbe the lattice of length 2 withn ≥ 1 atoms. It is an open problem to decide whether or not every such lattice (or indeed whether or not every finite lattice) can be represented as an interval in the subgroup lattice of some finite group. We complete the work of the second author, Lucchini, by reducing this problem to a series of questions concerning the finite non-abelian simple groups.


The effects of coronavirus pandemics are omnipresent in the national economy of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Output and unemployment are probably the most important variables for measuring the negative effects of the pandemics from a macroeconomic perspective. Different organizations, both national and international, have announced their autumn and winter prognoses of these variables for 2020. None of them are optimistic. The Bosnian economy is in the worst situation in the last two decades. International Monetary Fund approved US$ 361 million in urgent support to B&H in 2020 to alleviate the COVID-19 negative economic consequences. This paper aims to investigate the potential economic impact of that financial support with the application of simple arithmetic. In the paper, Okun's law is used as a methodological framework to assessing the effects of the IMF's rapid financial instrument. The relationship between the real economic growth and change in the unemployment rate is estimated for the B&H economy. Findings of the paper show that the IMF financial support effect amounts to about 3.7% of GDP in B&H. Effects on the unemployment rate are estimated to 2.3 percentage points less than what it would otherwise have been. Since the early estimations of the GDP in B&H indicated a deep recession in 2020 this financial support proved to be an insufficient stimulus to the B&H economy. Decision-makers in the country should be aware of their responsibility for providing larger stimulus packages to avoid bad economic and social outcomes soon.


Group-based software engineering projects are an important part of computer science and information technology curricula. Fair assessment of individual contributions to group-based projects remains a challenging problem. Peer-based assessment, where students assess their fellow team members, is seen as one answer to this. In this paper we discuss the key aspects that need to be addressed in order to develop a successful peer assessment method. We propose a method for carrying out peer assessments for a large software engineering class. We briefly describe a Web-based tool that we have developed to support our method, and comment on our initial experiences in using the tool.


Abstract At present, the research on rapid tooling by the selective laser sintering (SLS) method is mainly focused on the production of parts with high accuracy and definition. Very little effort has been devoted to the microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of this material. This paper gives detailed information about microstructural development and mechanical behaviour of Rapidsteel material after subsequent heat treatment cycles for binder removal, partial sintering, and liquid phase infiltration. The microstructure of SLS samples heated to 1120°C for 3 h in 30H2-70N2 atmosphere at 2 K min-1 consisted of a mixture of austenite, M23C6, and Cr2N phases. Subsequent infiltration of the above sample with bronze at 1050°C for 2 h in 30H2-70N2 atmosphere at 2 K min-1 produced similar phases together with an additional α(Cu-Sn) phase. The mechanical tensile fracture strength of the partially sintered part increased ten times after infiltration with bronze. However, the fracture behaviour is found to be different between the samples subjected to various heat treatment cycles. The sample heated after the first cycle showed fracture along the necks between stainless steel particles, whereas the infiltrated sample showed fracture along the bronze infiltrant.


In aerospace applications, a ground power unit has to provide balanced and sinusoidal <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{400}\,\text{Hz}$</tex-math></inline-formula> phase-to-neutral voltages to unbalanced and nonlinear single-phase loads. Compensation of high-order harmonics is complex, as the ratio between the sampling frequency and compensated harmonics can be very small. Thus, multiple superimposed resonant controllers or proportional-integral (PI) nested controllers in multiple <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$dq$</tex-math></inline-formula> frames are not good alternatives. The first approach cannot ensure stability, while the second cannot track the sinusoidal zero-sequence components typically present in unbalanced systems, and unattainably high bandwidth at the inner current control loop is typically required. In this paper, a simple methodology for designing a single-loop, multiple resonant controller for simultaneous mitigation of several high-order harmonics, ensuring stability, is presented. Experimental results, based on a 6 kW four-leg neutral point clamped converter, validate the proposed controller design, showing excellent steady-state and transient performance.


Professional Engineers are generally accountable for the construction of a physical artifact. Therefore, an important outcome of an engineering education is to appreciate this accountability within the context of engineering design classes. To this end, the second year mechanical engineering design class at the University of Saskatchewan was modified to emphasize accountability through physical prototyping. Significant changes to the structure and facilities used in the course were required to implement this new teaching method. These included schedule changes, faculty advisor orientation, and the establishment of a five-workstation fabrication/prototyping lab. Anecdotal and survey evidence over the first three years suggests the change was a success.


Solar radio bursts have been associated with a number of disruptions in avionic systems. The
objective of this work is to develop solar radio burst interference thresholds which account for
the technical specifications of aviation related instrumentation, instrument operating frequencies
as well as industry stipulated error tolerances. Solar radio bursts are suggested to be potentially
hazardous when exceeding these calculated thresholds. Particular attention is paid to the radio
altimeter, an important component in aviation safety. The thresholds suggested in this work for
VHF communication, GPS navigation receivers and radio altimeter frequencies are; 102 , 103 and
104 sfu respectively. Solar radio burst interference (for solar radio bursts above 104 sfu) is shown to
result in large errors (64-251 m) in the altitude estimates for the Frequency Modulated Continuous
Waves (FMCW) radio altimeter simulated in this work.


In this paper two simple improvements over traditional mark-sweep collector are proposed. The core idea is placing small objects of the same type in buckets. The buckets are organised in such way to eliminate the internal fragmentation, sweeping, and freeing inside them. The measured improvement of garbage collection time over traditional mark-sweep is 19%. Another proposed improvement is more general and is applicable to other garbage collection algorithms as well. It uses heuristics to control the heap growth. The regularities in behaviour of objects of particular types are used to determine whether the collection should be performed or avoided in favour of immediate heap expansion. The heap expansion algorithm reduces garbage collection time over traditional mark-sweep for 49% while keeping the heap size approximately the same.


Introduction F LOW unsteadinessis a major factor in turbineperformanceand durability. This is especially true if the turbine is a high-work design, compact, transonic, supersonic, counter rotating, or uses a dense drive gas. The vast majority of modern rocket turbinedesigns fall into these categories. For example, the Space Transportation System main engine fuel turbine, a high-work, transonic design, was found to have an unsteady interrow shock that reduced efŽ ciency by 2 points and increaseddynamic loading by 24% (Ref. 1). The revolutionary reusable technology turbopump (RRTT), which uses full- ow oxygen for its drive gas, was found to shed vortices with such energy as to raise serious blade durability concerns.2 In both cases, the sources of the problemswere uncovered(before turbopump testing) with the application of validated, unsteady computational  uid dynamics (CFD) to the designs. In the case of the RRTT and the alternate turbopump development turbines, the unsteady CFD codes have been used not just to identify problems, but to guide designs that mitigate problems due to unsteadiness. As requirementsfor smaller and lighter weight components push turbines to more compact, closely coupled designs,  ow unsteadiness increases. Current designs such as the Fastrac and future designs like the reusable launchvehicle fuel turbine add the complexities of supersonic ow regimes.The ability to predictaccurately this  owunsteadinessin a timelymanner is crucialto producinga design that meets program objectives. In this study, three different methods of applying unsteady three-dimensionalNavier–Stokes analyses to the Fastrac nozzle/supersonic turbine geometry have been studied.


MTU diesel engine accepted by many user for its great power, light weight, small bulk, lower fuel consume, convenience servicing and high reliability, and it widely used in mechanical engineering field. The 2000, 4000and 8000 series diesel engine, researched and popularized lately, adopted a new type of electrical fuel ejection system. Hereinto used of electron fuel ejection system improved the economy and power, optimized the exhaust and boosted the integer performance. The article discussed and summarized the work principle and characteristic of electron fuel ejection system of three series diesel engine.


Abstract : Cyber situational awareness (SA) is the correlation of network status to operational impact. This capability is increasingly important for commanders and individual weapon system platforms as the DoD continues its exploitation of net-centric operations. To achieve higher maturity levels of cyber SA, the acquisition community needs to act as an enabler by making cyber issues an integral part of early system design and development. This paper identifies key cyber characteristics needing consideration and recommends improvement to acquisition policy and guidance, including the net-readiness key performance parameter (NR-KPP) and the DoD Architecture Framework (DoDAF).


The aim of this research is to Bioassay of lovastatin from Fusarium spp. obtained from NTCC, Forest Pathology Discipline, Forest Protection Division, Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, India. Lovstatin is an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme-Areducatase (HMG-CoA reducatse) enzyme and a competitive inhibitor of the biosynthesis of cholesterol. In the present study, six different fungal species viz., Fusarium oxysporum (NTCC 367), F. moniliforme (NTCC 390), F. avenaceum (NTCC 1056), Fusarium equiseti (NTCC 1142), Fusarium solani (NTCC 1145) and Fusarium semitectum (NTCC 1150) were screened for lovastatin production in liquid and solid growth media. The lovastatin extraction from the fungal colonies was done by centrifugation and filtration method. Different techniques viz., paper disc and well preparation were employed to compare their relative sensitivity and efficacy. All the Fusarium spp. Shows positive result for lovastatin bioassay. According to results it was concluded that in comparison to the liquid medium (Potato Dextrose Broth), the solid medium (Potato Dextrose Agar) was more able to produce lovastatin.


The paper aims to propose a comprehension of the current structure of the "Union Ferroviaria" from the analysis of an unconventional source: the judgment produced at trial for the murder of Mariano Ferreyra. It expects to contribute to the knowledge of the bases of trade unions power dynamics, in this particular case and in the actual trade unions model in Argentina.


Induced mutagenesis has been extensively used to improve main crop species, particularly cereals including barley ( Hordeum vulgare L ).The main strategy in mutationbased breeding is to upgrade the well adapted plant varieties by improving a few desirable major traits such as yield component, tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress for consumer preferences. The present experiment was set out to determine the effects of induced mutagenesis on agronomic traits in mutant barley. The experiment was carried out in University of Eldoret research field in May ‐August 2012. One hundred and eighty three mutant lines were selected and used in the experiment with the parent (Nguzo) as a check. They were laid in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. The following parameters were used for the study; Number of tillers, plant height, a thousand seeds weight, spike length and days to 50% heading. The data obtained were analysed by Genstat software and mean separated by Duncan Multiple Range test. It was found that muta had a significant effect on number of tillers, plant height, weight of 1000 seeds, spike length and days to 50% heading at P<.001. From the results it is evident that mutagenesis had effects on agronomic traits in mutant barley lines hence can be used in creation of the much needed variation in breeding strategies in barley. The barley mutant lines that had superior characteristics in terms of the agronomic traits could be advanced and used in breeding programme or released as varieties.


Do I Have a Personal Leadership Vision? Will My Values Enhance My Leadership? How Important Is Life Balance to My Leadership? What Do I Need to Know About Myself as a Leader? What Do I Need to Know About the Realities of Leadership? Steps to Knowing Yourself as a Leader. References. Appendices.


the aim of the article is to clarify the attribution of the portrait of Grand duchess elena Pavlovna in her childhood by an outstanding Ukrainian artist dmytro Levytsky. the issue of expert attribution of the work from the collection of the Kyiv Picture Gallery National Museum is specified. the creative manner of d. Levytsky has been analyzed, his technique of an artistic portraying of the person and his authorship has been proved. the emphasis was made on artist's approach to plastic modeling, processing light, shadowing, coloring, and glazing. the change in the name of the portrait is justified, given the well-known iconography of the daughters of Paul I—the Grand duchesses Alexandra, elena, Maria and catherine. Portrait images of the romanov gallery, presented in Ukrainian art collections, now require a thorough study and refinement of attribution, since during the last 100 years they were on the periphery of domestic art studies. In this connection, the inheritance of the national artist dmytro Levytsky, the son of the prominent Ukrainian engraver of the Baroque era, Grygory Levytsky-Nos, is especially important. A comprehensive analysis of the portrait of the Grand duchess elena Pavlovna from the Kyiv Picture Gallery National Museum confirms the affiliation of dmitry Levytsky's paintings.


In this paper we propose a mechanism of prediction of domestic human activity in a smart home context. We use those predictions to adapt the behavior of home appliances whose impact on the environment is delayed (for example the heating). The behaviors of appliances are built by a reinforcement learning mechanism. We compare the behavior built by the learning approach with both a merely reactive behavior and a state-remanent behavior.


In this paper,the enzymatic phosphorylation of inosine in the 5′-position to produce inosine-5′-monophosphate(5′-IMP) with whole cells was studied,using the engineered E.coli BL21 with the expression of acid phosphotransferase(PHOC) phoc gene originated E.aerogenes IAM 1183.A maximum conversion rate of 63.36% was obtained after 6 h of enzymatic reaction at 30 oC in 100 mM inosine and 120 mM pyrophosphate(ppi) with PhOC activity of 45 U in a 150 mL reaction system.To further improve the conversion rate,the effects of three surfactants on the conversion rate were studied,and the conversion rate of inosine was increased to 74.59% at the addition of 0.3% Trion-x-100.This study provided basic data for the industrial application of the PHOC in production of 5′-IMP.


It is well known that throughout the 19th century the Brazilian territory was frequently visited by scientific expeditions conducted by naturalists interested in seeing, studying, and eventually exploring its natural resources. This paper aims at examining another kind of scientific expeditions also frequent from the middle of the century until the beginning of the 20th century but rather neglected in historiography: the solar eclipse expeditions. Through the analysis of the reports produced by the astronomers who traveled to Brazil with the purpose of observing total solar eclipses it is possible to apprehend some patterns in the organization and textual accounts of these expeditions, which may reveal from an unexpected point of view the close interconnections existent between astronomy and society.


Within the context of remote sensing, change detection refers to the characterization of changes in a scene or on the earth's surface with respect to a target or targets. Many fields, including agriculture, urban planning, and national security, use satellite imagery to detect changes. However, current approaches have two major limitations: 1) the methods are effective in identifying scene changes only if changes (i.e., angle, illumination, atmospheric conditions) due to viewing the scene are negligible or corrected for, and 2) the results are typically a binary response, i.e., change or no change. We introduce a method that applies linear statistical modeling locally to estimate scene changes while accounting for image viewing changes. In this method, we explicitly describe the quantitative variation at a pixel in terms of its pixel neighbors, spatial and temporal, with a linear probability model. We then estimate the model parameters with least squares, calculate modeling diagnostics for each neighborhood, and display these results as images in order to assess scene changes, viewing effects, and modeling effectiveness on a neighborhood scale. By focusing on image neighborhoods, this method can effectively separate scene changes from changes due to viewing the scene. Furthermore, the flexibility of the local linear model and the ease of calculation of parameter estimates and diagnostics allow the researcher to emphasize and efficiently quantify specific types of scene or viewing changes.


Understanding the evolution of passive margins requires knowledge of temporal and chemical constraints on magmatism following the transition from supercontinent to rifting, to post‐rifting evolution. The Eastern North American Margin (ENAM) is an ideal study location as several magmatic pulses occurred in the 200 My following rifting. In particular, the Virginia‐West Virginia region of the ENAM has experienced two postrift magmatic pulses at ∼152 Ma and 47 Ma, and thus provides a unique opportunity to study the long‐term magmatic evolution of passive margins. Here we present a comprehensive set of geochemical data that includes new 40Ar/39Ar ages, major and trace‐element compositions, and analysis of radiogenic isotopes to further constrain their magmatic history. The Late Jurassic volcanics are bimodal, from basanites to phonolites, while the Eocene volcanics range from picrobasalt to rhyolite. Modeling suggests that the felsic volcanics from both the Late Jurassic and Eocene events are consistent with fractional crystallization. Sr‐Nd‐Pb systematics for the Late Jurassic event suggests HIMU and EMII components in the magma source that we interpret as upper mantle components rather than crustal interaction. Lithospheric delamination is the best hypothesis for magmatism in Virginia/West Virginia, due to tectonic instabilities that are remnant from the long‐term evolution of this margin, resulting in a "passive‐aggressive" margin that records multiple magmatic events long after rifting ended.


The Community Swimming Pool. Voluntary Agency and School Pools. Residential Pools. Pools for Motels, Hotels, and Apartment / Condominium Complexes. Spas, Hot Tubs, Saunas, and Steam Rooms. Safety Guidelines for Pool Design and Operation. Pools Facilities for Impaired and Disabled Persons. Pool Equipment and Accessories. Pool Design. Water Circulation and Filteration. Swimming Pool Chemistry. Pool Design Features for Competitive Swimming. The Pool Design Features for Competitive Swimming. The Pool Bathhouse. Solar Energy. Pool Modernisation and Renovation. Pool Energy Management.


Cloud physics is inevitably affected by the smoke particle (CCN, cloud condensation nuclei) size distribution below the clouds. Therefore, the size distributions parameterized as spectral bin microphysics are needed to explicitly study the effects of atmospheric aerosol concentration on cloud development, rainfall production, and rainfall rates for convective clouds. Recently, a detailed spectral--bin microphysical scheme was implemented into the Goddard Cumulus Ensemble (GCE) model. The formulation for the explicit spectral-bin microphysical processes is based on solving stochastic kinetic equations for the size distribution functions of water droplets (i.e., cloud droplets and raindrops), and several types of ice particles [i.e., pristine ice crystals (columnar and plate-like), snow (dendrites and aggregates), graupel and frozen drops/hail]. Each type is described by a special size distribution function containing many categories (i.e., 33 bins). Atmospheric aerosols are also described using number density size-distribution functions.


kground & Aim: There are some ambiguities in assessment of associations between continuous risk factors and different health outcomes usually from different cut points. Data loss, near to the cut point values different categorization, and no real definition of risk are important limitations for usual odds ratios (ORs). Fuzzy method considers a specific membership function for all numbers in range of the variable and can provide a similar OR. In this study, we used a large data set for these different measures calculation and making a comparison between them according to their privileges. Methods & Materials: The study was conducted on noncommunicable diseases risk factors surveillance data set (National Surveillance of Risk Factors of Non-Communicable Diseases-2007) with regard to obesity and abdominal (central) obesity as risk factors for hypertension according to a "fuzzy risk factor" approach and usual approach based on regular cut points in different literature. OR of chances to have hypertension calculated by both methods and compared with each other. Results: ORs with usual and fuzzy methods of calculations had similarities and some differences in amount, confidence interval and confidence length. With different cut points (for waist circumference), variation between different calculations was high. Fuzzy OR was more sensitive and resistant to minor change in individual data than the others. Conclusion: OR{Fuzzy} measures the association of exposure to risk factors with different outcomes in a closer form of clinical reality with no dependency to any cut point selection, less variability and more resistance to data variation and can be suggested as a good estimator.


Green onions (Allium cepa L.) plants Photon cv. produced under usual cultivation practices in a private farm at Fayed District, Ismalia Governorate, Egypt. Plants were harvested when bulb diameter exceeded 1216 mm on February during 2015 and 2016 seasons. This investigation aims to study the effect of hot water dips (50°C for 2 min or 55°C for 1 min) and storing in active modified atmosphere packages (MAP) at 5% O2 + 5% CO2 or 7.5% O2 + 10% CO2) or in passive MAP beside unpacked plants (control) on leaf extension growth, root growth and leaf curvature and quality attributes of freshcut green onions during storage at 0°C and 95% relative humidity (RH) for 20 days plus 2 days at 10°C and 70% RH. Results indicated that green onion plants dipped in hot water at 50°C for 2 min. gave the lowest weight loss as compared with 55°C for 1 min, also hot water treatment at 55°C for 1 min. or storing in active MAP at 5% O2 + 5% CO2 were the most effective treatments in reducing decay percentage during storage + shelf life. Hot water treatment at 50°C for 2 min. or active MAP at 7.5% O2 + 10% CO2 were less effective in this concern. Moreover, no decay was observed in green onion plants dipped in hot water at 55°C for 1 min. followed by active MAP at 5% O2+ 5% CO2 during all storage period + shelf life. Furthermore, it is also controlled root growth and leaf curvature and reduced leaf extension growth (less than 5 mm), maintained chlorophyll readings and gave excellent appearance without any visible injuries after 20 days at 0°C + 2 days (at 10°C shelf life).


Abstract Medical tourism in the Czech Republic is a relatively new phenomenon, so far, no research has been conducted in this area to collect relevant data. This research aims to analyse and evaluate the experience of medical tourists and find out what is important and what influences them in choosing a destination where they will undergo the selected procedure. Based on qualitative research, which was conducted in the form of interviews with medical tourists who underwent medical intervention in the Czech Republic, the problems faced by medical tourists, and factors influencing their decision-making processes were identified. Finally, suggestions for improvement were found. The research focused on the areas of communication, behaviour, decision-making processes, and factors that lead to patient satisfaction. The results are important not only for the healthcare facilities themselves but also for the creation of an adequate marketing strategy, as it was found that the most important tool in the decision-making process is the word of mouth. It was found that medical tourists choose the country mostly based on the recommendation of family or friends, mostly those who have already undergone medical treatment in that country. Therefore, it is important that patients leave satisfied so that they can continue to recommend going for treatment abroad or particularly in the Czech Republic.


Endocrine disruptors are known to have the potential to interfere with reproductive systems. It has been reported that early embryogenesis was affected by estrone in chicks. In the present experiment, the effects of estrone on early embryos during pre‐organogenesis were investigated to evaluate the effects and toxicities of endocrine disruptors. Mouse embryos at day 6.5 of gestation were recovered and cultured for 48 h in a medium at a concentration of 10 or 100 ng/mL estrone. After cultivation, the embryos were measured for the diameter of the total conceptus, including both embryo and yolk sac, and head–tail length. The diameters of conceptus in both treated and control groups were not significantly different, but the growth of the conceptus was slightly inhibited in the 10 ng estrone group. The lengths of embryos were significantly decreased in the 10 and 100 ng/mL estrone‐treated groups. Thus, estrone affected embryo growth at pre‐organogenesis, suggesting that the endocrine disruptor could also have some effects and toxicities on mouse embryogenesis.


One of the most difficult aspects of the study of chronic respiratory diseases is the concept of exacerbation. Defining the limits of each patient's normal daily variations in symptoms, and the minimum time beyond these limits that can be considered the start of an acute process of the disease, poses a challenge that is often insuperable. It is also just as difficult to establish the specific parameters that must be used to define an exacerbation; parameters that are usually grouped as symptoms and/or factors involving the use of health resources or a need for treatment. Nevertheless, in the case of bronchiectasis, and other respiratory diseases, exacerbations (particularly severe exacerbations) have a demonstrable negative impact on a patient's prognosis [1–4] and entail great expense [5, 6], and so their identification, and therefore their definition, is crucial to any early detection and treatment. Ideally, such a definition should present a perfect diagnostic value and, as regards bronchiectasis, be based on reproducible objective measurements linked to inflammation/bronchial infection (biomarkers) and their consequences (acute clinical symptoms). At the moment, however, this approach is not viable for various reasons: we do not have any available biomarkers with sufficient diagnostic value, although there have been some promising studies in this respect [7]; we do not have any sufficiently specific objective measurements for the key symptoms in exacerbations; and, finally, we need to know a patient's previous inflammatory/infectious state in order to quantify the change caused by the supposed exacerbation. Furthermore, there is a significant problem here as a review of the literature reveals a wide range of definitions of bronchiectasis, depending on the studies analysed and the mixture of objective and subjective criteria, making it impossible to compare their results. A worldwide consensus has been reached in the definition of exacerbation in bronchiectasis for research purposes http://ow.ly/SD2P30bFBjX


The standards of emitters are regarded as the most important ones among the series micro-irrigation products standards.At present,there are seven existing national and industry standards for emitter products.However,some of them have been out-of-date,and the others have much more repetition or deficiency.To better popularize micro-irrigation technologies,these out-of-date industry standards should be abolished,and old national standards should be revised or made up completely again.Therefore,a detailed analysis on the standards of emitters has been done in the paper.The comparison among the seven standards has been carried out according to their inspection items.Simultaneously,the merits and weakness of each item are analyzed in detail for each other.As a result,some actually constructed or modified suggestions on the seven existing standards are put forward in this paper.


Divine and the Everyday Devil contains a scholarly preface that discusses the experiences and literary works that influenced the author's writing with special attention in regards to spirituality and sexuality. The preface is followed by six original short stories. "Evil" is a work addressing a modern conception of evil. "Eschatology" concerns a man facing his own mortality. "The Gospel of Peter" tells the story of a husband grappling with his wife's religious beliefs. "The Mechanics of Projects" relates the experiences of a woman looking for love in Mexico. "The Rocky Normal Show" involves a husband growing apart from his wife and "Mutant: An Origin Story" is about a teenager trying to find his own unique identity.


Gold production and consumption in China is increasing recently.Gold industry is stepping into group's operation and sizable management.This paper,based on current status of Chinese gold producers,gold production,price and consumption,analyzes the gold industrial structure and presents a strategy for Chinese gold industry.


Last August, I brought my Benevolent Queen women's coaching group to Napa for a celebration of their amazing accomplishments over our 8-months together. One of the fun things we did was go on an all-day, private wine tasting tour throughout the...


EBV virus is a ubiquitous virus infecting up to 95% of the population. The consequences of this infection range from a benign course to very aggressive Lymphomas. EBV virus was recognized as the cause in the pathogenesis of endemic Burkitt lymphoma in the 1960s, a very aggressive disease but highly curable with chemotherapy; now EBV is considered the most oncogenic virus. Following infection, the virus will remain on the host, keeping in B cells. Transformation of B cells by virus is mainly driven by two genes: LMP1 and EBNA2. Different latency patterns will be responsible for the evolution of patients infected. Recently theWHO2016 lymphomaclassificationhas added several entities to these complexEBV lymphoproliferativedisorderswithup to20 subtypes included. In situ hybridization for EBERs is the most sensitive test for EBV infection in tissue. The diagnosis of different subtypes is crucial for the correct patient management. The importance of the immune system in the pathogenesis and the evolution is demonstrated by the role of intensity in the treatment of post-transplant EBV lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD); it is important to point it out that up to PTLD could not be associated to EBV. In this educational session, EBV associated lymphoproliferative disorders and PTLD will be reviewed in terms of diagnosis, pathogenesis, and management.


Studies have been conducted to create a specialized line of Large White breed for hybridization programs using the BLUP method and genomic analysis. Parental forms were formed, the first generation of pigs and boars was obtained and evaluated according to their own productivity and the BLUP method.


The invention relates to a compressed gas preparation system for compressed-gas operated coating installations, said system comprising a compressed-gas source, a supply station, at least one spray head and at least one high-voltage device. The high-voltage device comprises a discharge chamber, a high-voltage discharge device and a high-voltage generator. The system is characterised in that the high-voltage device is located outside the supply station and in that the high-voltage device is connected downstream of the supply station in the flow of the compressed gas.


Deepor Beel is a Ramsar Site and a wetland of great biodiversity, which is situated towards the South-western part of Guwahati. The Rani and Garbhanga Reserved Forests are adjacent to the wetland, which altogether stands as a complete ecosystem providing environmental solutions, food security and different types of biodiversity to the city. The forest serves as an abode to the Northeastern region's Asiatic elephant (Elephas maximus), which is an endangered species. But with various recent urban developments, the wetland and the whole ecosystem has been under threat of diminishing area of the wetland, extinction of biodiversity, as well as transformation of land use pattern of the entire area and its surroundings. The Indian Railways constructed the southern railway track in 2001, an action which gradually divided the Deepor Beel into segments and, thus, affected the wetland in particular and the ecosystem as a whole. Illegal settlements, setting up of factories, construction of highways, etc. have also hampered the wetland in many ways while also posing a threat to the urban areas. This paper shall analyse the various developments affecting the wetland and shall ind strategies to regulate further developments around the wetland.


Pultruded fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) channel section columns can develop flexural, torsional, and flexural—torsional buckling modes when subjected to a gradually increasing axial load. In this study, the results of a theoretical and experimental investigation on a FRP channel section column are first presented. Buckling and squash load formulas for the problem are summarized and used for plotting column maximum load envelope. It is also found that the load-carrying capacity of channel section columns can be dramatically increased by `equalizing' the cross-sectional depth and width. Finally, based on the column formulas, a load and resistance factor design (LRFD) approach is outlined and its use demonstrated through practical analysis and design examples.


Computational fluid dynamics was applied in the prediction of the effect of inlet temperature on the drying time of fish in a cabinet rotary dryer. On completion of the simulation, the temperature distribution of the air (fluid domain) within the drier at different inlet air temperatures and time intervals was obtained. Inlet air temperatures ranging from 35oC to 55oC was simulated for a time interval of 10 minutes to 120 minutes so as to examine the influence of inlet temperature on the drying process of fish. Based on this temperature range, it was observed that the ideal drying time for the fish which satisfies the condition for efficient fish drying for all five inlet air temperatures of the fish is 70 minutes. Furthermore, it can be observed that it takes about 120 minutes for the inlet air temperature of 50 degrees Celsius to attain a cabinet drying temperature of 316K (43°C) while it takes only 70 minutes for the inlet air temperature of 55 degrees Celsius to attain the same temperature under the same condition.


Channel models are routinely used for evaluating the performance of wireless technologies and cellular networks. An appropriate channel model is necessary for a credible system analysis, and the shortcomings in the channel model may lead to erroneous conclusions. In this paper we characterize the impact of Interference Suppression (IS), Interference Cancellation (IC) and interference management on the system performance when using a) the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) street canyon model (TR 38.901, Release 14), b) Shoot and Bouncing Ray (SBR) method based Ray Tracing (RT) model, and c) a proposed large scale path loss model in an urban, so-called Manhattan building grid environment. Simulations are performed using the 28 GHz carrier frequency that has been recently considered for the 5th Generation (5G) networks. Simulation results indicate that the 3GPP channel model provides slightly pessimistic path loss values than RT in Line of Sight (LOS) conditions, whereas in Non-LOS (NLOS) situation it gives a considerable pessimistic path loss estimation as compared with the deterministic RT approach. The difference between channel models is notable especially for the estimation of Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio (SINR). Since RT provides realistic results due to accurate radio environment and signal modeling and, on the other hand, the correct SINR estimation is crucial for the wireless system evaluation. Our proposed path loss model is based on RT simulations. The performance of the proposed model for different performance metrics matches well with the RT results.


We investigate the uniqueness of symmetric weak solutions to the stationary Navier-Stokes equation in a two-dimensional exterior domain $\Omega$. It is known that, under suitable symmetry condition on the domain and the data, the problem admits at least one symmetric weak solution tending to zero at infinity. Given two symmetric weak solutions $u$ and $v$, we show that if $u$ satisfies the energy inequality $\| \nabla u \|_{L^2 (\Omega)}^2 \le (f,u)$ and $\sup_{x \in \Omega} (|x|+1)|v(x)|$ is sufficiently small, then $u=v$. The proof relies upon a density property for the solenoidal vector field and the Hardy inequality for symmetric functions.


The present study was carried out to estimate the prostatic size in 38 intact, non-descript dogs using ultrasonography. The mean prostate length (L), prostate depth on longitudinal section(DL), prostate depth on transverse section (DT) and prostate width (W) was 3.2 ± 0.60 cm, 2.65 ± 0.60 cm, 2.67± 0.54 cm and 3.02 ± 0.54 cm respectively. The mean prostatic volume (PV) and prostatic weight (PW) was 20.19 ± 3.92 cm3 and 17.61 ± 7.42 g respectively. The study showed that there was statistically significant correlation between body weight or age and prostatic dimensions (L, DL, DT and W).


Recently, research into pathological cytology were intended to put in places of artificial intelligence systems based on the development of new diagnostic technologies and the cell image segmentation. These technologies are not intended to substitute the human expert but to facilitate his task. The objective of this work is to develop a method for diagnosing cancer cervical smears using cervical - vaginal segmented to build our database and a human supervisor and as an automatic tool manage and monitor the execution of the operation of diagnostic and proposing corrective actions if necessary. The Supervisor Smart is manufactured by the technique of neural networks with a success rate of 43.3% followed by the technique of fuzzy logic with a success rate equal to 56.7% and finally to improve this rate we used neuro-fuzzy approach which has a rate which reaches 94%.


Walking along the edge of the Irish Sea on Sandymount Strand, Stephen Dedalus reflects on the relation between the water's movement and language: "These heavy sands are language tide and wind have silted here" (U 3.288-89). In "Proteus," Stephen envisions language as a heavy sediment whose surface is disturbed by the implacable and constantly changing in fluences of water and wind. While in this episode of Ulysses Joyce suggests that language is a solid though alterable element, in Finnegans Wake language appears on the page in a constant, liquid state of flux. Joyce's last book records the tracings of water on land, the interaction of ALP and HCE, in a protean language aptly repre sented by the babbling flow of the river Liffey's fluidities as they wash against the weighty sediments of two changeable shores. While Stephen envisages writing as sand itself, Finnegans Wake is pre sented as the writing of water on sand. If this prose is not fluent, in the usual sense of the term, it is turbulently fluid with the currents of varied languages and idioms. The fluidity of language in Finnegans Wake demands of its readers (and at the same time demonstrates the methods of) a fluidity of per ception, interpretation, and understanding. Fluidity is also Joyce's sign for the negotiation of difference between nations in the colonial situation, between siblings in a family, and between genders in a marriage. The necessary adoption of fluid perception trains Joyce's readers in an alternative mode of understanding opposition. As a complement to the fluid mechanics provided by the text, I offer a vi rological approach, arguing that the exchange of genetic material in a viral invasion illuminates Joyce's exploration of oppositional inter action in colonial invasion.


Wondering about the latest version of BIND? Wonder no more. Mr. Harari is back this month to tell us all about it


In this paper, we consider a modification design of a class of Lyapunov-based robust controllers subject to bounded input. Our modification shows benefits in enhancing the input utilization and in retaining the stability and the robustness of the original control. An estimation of the stabilization region is proposed to explore region where the control is modified. It results in an estimate showing singularity. This estimate is utilized to determine the design parameter for the local, semiglobal and global stabilization.


Thank you very much for reading national differences global similarities world culture and the future of schooling. Maybe you have knowledge that, people have search numerous times for their favorite novels like this national differences global similarities world culture and the future of schooling, but end up in harmful downloads. Rather than reading a good book with a cup of coffee in the afternoon, instead they are facing with some infectious bugs inside their laptop.


A series of halogenated compounds, (E,E,E)-1,6-di(4-X-phenyl)hexa-1,3,5-trienes (1: X = F, 2: X = Cl, 3: X = Br, 4: X = I), were synthesized and their crystal structures and fluorescence emission properties were systematically investigated. Single-crystal X-ray analysis reveals that molecules are arranged via X/X halogen bonds and/or CH/X-type hydrogen bonds to form a herringbone structure in 1 and π-stacked structures in 2–4. In the structures of 2 and 3, which are almost isomorphous, the distance and displacement for the nearest stacking molecules are smaller than those in 4. Although the structures of 2–4 are basically not greatly different from each other, the nearest-neighbor arrangements are π-stacked in 2 and 3, but herringbone in 4. Steady-state and time-resolved measurements show that the solid-state fluorescence properties also strongly depend on the halogen size. The fluorescence spectra are red-shifted and the Stokes shifts are large in 2 and 3 relative to those in 1 and 4, resulting from the ...


The present paper reviews recent researches on influence cliagnostics in multivariate methods, which deal with t・he evaluation of t,he infiuence of observations on the results of analy, sis or t,he detection of singly aiidfor jointly influential observations, and discusses two topics in details. The first topic is Cook:s local influence in PCA and its relationship with our multiple-case based on the influence function approach of interest are contained equalit・y contraints where the parameters of interest are centained are eontained in equality contraints. equivalence infiuence approach and the results of multiple-case second topic


The United States ranks high among the Western industrialized countries with regard to pregnancy and childbearing in women under the age of 20. Low birth weight is a leading cause of infant mortality and child morbidity in the US and an increased risk of low birth weight is associated with adolescent pregnancy. Other risk factors include low socioeconomic status smoking drinking and drug use during pregnancy ethnic minority origin and poor nutritional status. At age 17 about 50% of white women from the Fels Longitudinal Study achieved mature stature while the rest continued to grow through age 20 or 21. Maternal growth has been suggested to be the cause of the increased rate of complications and poor pregnancy outcomes in adolescents. Adolescents with an early age at menarche have an increased risk of low birth weight and SGA births. Furthermore adolescents who conceive within 2 years of the onset of menarche have an increased risk of preterm birth. Maternal growth measured with the Knee Height Measuring Device occurs in about 50% of adolescent primigravidas and multigravidas with a 1st pregnancy at 12 to 15 years. Weight gain during pregnancy and pregnancy outcome was studied in a cohort of 1790 low-income teenage girls before 24 weeks of gestation. 17% of them had inadequate weight gain early in gestation which fact alone was associated with a two-fold increase in the risk of having a SGA infant. A random sample of 370 Camden New Jersey teenagers showed that adolescents with inadequate weight for gestation (less than 2.9 kg at 20 weeks gestation) consumed 300 calories less than those with adequate weight (p < .05) There was a weak association between maternal growth and infant birth weight in primigravidas aged 12-15 but a decrement in birth weight of nearly 300 g in multigravidas with increased risk of preterm delivery because of competition for nutrients between the growing mother and her fetus.


ABSTRACT Phormidesmis priestleyi ULC007 is an Antarctic freshwater cyanobacterium. Its draft genome is 5,684,389 bp long. It contains a total of 5,604 protein-encoding genes, of which 22.2% have no clear homologues in known genomes. To date, this draft genome is the first one ever determined for an axenic cyanobacterium from Antarctica.


The cyclic constrained total least squares (CCTLS) is developed as an alternative to W.A. Gardner's cyclic MUSIC (1988) and to the technique of G. Xu and T. Kailath (1989) for estimating the direction of arrival of cyclostationary signals impinging on the elements of an antenna array. CCTLS exploits the fact that a narrowband cyclostationary feature of a signal has the same delay at the various array elements as the signal itself. By extracting the narrowband feature at each antenna element, traditional CTLS can be applied. Whereas most direction finding techniques rely on the narrowband assumption, CCTLS is most appropriate for wideband signals in which estimates of the carrier frequency and symbol rate are available or can be derived. CCTLS is shown to be more interference-tolerant than cyclic MUSIC and to be able to separate signals from the same direction with the same symbol rates but with different carrier frequencies.<<ETX>>


Experimental test of possibilities used of mycorrhiza and synthetic hydro gel for increasing the resistance of seedlings bay planting an extreme site without water in summertime, was the aim of this work. Mycorrhizal fungi of Paxillus sp. strain were used for increasing active absorbing surface of the seedlings' root, and synthetic hydro gel "Stockosorb" was used for increasing the water-holding capacity of the ground in the plant root zone. Experimental researches include testing sprout (Picea abies L.) seedlings' resistance to physical drought-stress. The seedlings were planted in containers with volume 2000cm, with various treatments (control, stockosorb, mycorrhizae, stockosorb + mycorrhizae). The physiological condition of the seedlings was evaluated by measuring water-holding potential and appraising the vitality with 4-degree scale. Results have shown that seedlings with mycorrhizae and stockosorb, as well as those with mycorrhizae solely have shown the best physiological condition in the end of the test. The experiment was conducted in the Greenhouse of the Institute for silviculture of the University in Göttingen.


The element placement plays a crucial role in array performance. Especially, aperiodic placement technique is a very effective approach to remove grating lobes and minimize the sidelobe level (SLL) of an array. In this article, a wideband aperiodic array has been designed by a constrained differential evolution algorithm (DE). As a practical application, multiple optimization constraints, such as the given aperture length, the bandwidth, the number of elements and the minimum interelement spacing, are considered. Hence, minimizing SLL for the wideband aperiodic array can be formulated as a constrained optimization problem. Some synthesis examples are solved by the constrained DE. Numerical results demonstrate that the constrained DE is an effective approach for minimize SLL when all the constraint conditions are satisfied. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE, 2011.


The tiptake of radioactive phosphate in ovarian follicles has I)wn tlemonstratetl antl measured in previous papers (0 d e b 1 ad , I g j I , 1052; B l o c k , M a g n u s s o n , and O t l e b l a d , 1953). I t was pointed out briefly that smaller follicles (except primordial follicles) usually took up more radiophosphate than larger follicles. This prolkrn will be treated in some detail i n the present paper.


A cooperating-agents based algorithm is described to detect temporal consistency among sensory events and for constraint processing. We describe the algorithm using an example. Also we describe the cooperative aspects of the agent -based algorithm using an UML activity diagram.


The ability of the Fc fragment to trigger an immune injury to human platelets challenged with immune complexes or aggregated IgG was mainly observed in plasma-free medium. We now report immune injury to human platelets in autologous plasma when Protein A-bearing staphylococci were added to the system. Protein A, a cell wall constituent of pathogenic staphylococci interacts with the Fc fragment of IgG making it reactive with the membrane receptor. Aggregation amd release of [3H]serotonin from human platelets suspended in autologous plasma occured when at least two Protein A-bearing staphylococci were added per one platelet. Partial stripping of Protein A by trypsinization reduced the extent of platelet injury. When Protein A was solubilized and isolated by affinity chromatography, release of [3H]serotonin by soluble Protein A-IgG complexes occured only in plasma-free medium. Using radiolabelled Protein A, we demonstrated that release of [3H]serotonin was paralleled by the binding of [125I]Protein A-IgG complexes to platelet membrane. This binding was dependent on the Fc fragment and its receptor since the removal of the Fc fragment abolished the binding of Protein A to platelets.Thus, immune injury to human platelets has been demonstrated in two systems: (1) when Protein A was in solid phase, i.e., attached to staphylococci, platelet injury by Protein A-IgG occured in plasma, and (2) when Protein A was in fluid phase, i.e., isolated from staphylococci, injury occured only in plasma-free medium. Both mechanisms required the Fc fragment of IgG to interact with the membrane receptor on human platelets.


A series of nitrides of cobalt and molybdenum supported on carbon nanotubes were prepared by incipient wet impregnation and temperature programmed reduction methods,and the effects of the preparation conditions on their catalytic behaviors for ammonia decomposition were investigated.The catalysts were characterized by XRD,BET and EA.The results showed that the Co-Mo bimetallic nitride species in the materials appeared to be crystallized,which was proofed by the corresponding XRD peaks,and the element N was really introduced into the catalysts which was observed from the results of EA.The nitriding gas space velocity and the H2/N2 ratio of nitriding gas for preparation of catalysts had great effects on the performances of the catalysts,and the Co3Mo3N/CNTs catalyst prepared by using the nitriding gas space velocity of 10,000 h-1 and the H2/N2 volume ratio of nitriding gas of 5∶1 exhibited the best catalytic activity under the reaction temperature of 600℃ with a ammonia conversion up to 98.72%.


Ice surface temperature (IST) is a key parameter for the study of polar ice sheets and ice shelves. In this study, an improved single-channel (ISC) algorithm based on the radiative transfer equation is proposed for IST retrieval from Landsat-8 band 10 data. The main steps in the proposed ISC algorithm include: 1) simulation of atmospheric radiative parameters by regression against the atmospheric water vapor content and the effective mean atmospheric temperature; 2) calculation of IST using Planck's equation, instead of using Taylor's approximation; and 3) implementation of an iterative scheme for IST calculation. The errors from using Taylor's approximation and the atmospheric radiative parameter simulation were quantitatively estimated. A sensitivity analysis of ISC to possible errors in atmospheric water vapor content, brightness temperature, and satellite observations was also conducted. The results of the sensitivity analysis showed that the proposed algorithm is robust to the atmospheric water vapor content, but is sensitive to the calibration precision of the thermal infrared sensor. Verification using a simulated approach showed better IST variability from ISC than the original SC algorithm [the root-mean-square errors (RMSEs) were 0.3252 and 0.7176 K, respectively]. When compared with near-surface air temperatures from 68 automatic weather stations data in Greenland and 25 data in the Antarctic, the bias and RMSE from the ISC algorithm were again better than those from the SC algorithm. The IST from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) was found to be underestimated with respect to the results of both the SC and ISC algorithms. Maps of the spatial distributions of IST derived from samples of Landsat-8 images are presented. The rationale of each step in the proposed ISC algorithm is also presented so that this can provide further support to the authenticity of the results.


The metronidazole films were prepared by mixing chitosan and gum Bletilla at different ratios. The soft, transparent and intensive films were obtained with the controlled releasing property by adjusting the ratio of chitosan and gum Bletilla. Dissolution of metronidazole in different films was determined and showed significantly different in distilled water (P0.05). But the dissolution of the same film showed no significantly different in distilled water and in pH 6.5 and pH7.4 buffer solutions(P0.05).


Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a clinically adapted, high resolution, non-invasive, non-contact imaging modality that gives a cross-sectional depth-resolved image of the biological sample. Several modifications in OCT instrumentation and development of new reconstruction algorithms have made OCT a potential diagnostic tool. This thesis discusses a free space experimental set-up and development of effective image reconstruction algorithm for Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT). This algorithm is initially validated on the in-house developed phantoms and later applied on the various biological samples. The same algorithm is implemented for oral tissue and stomach tissue analysis. Further, the OCT imaging was explored to map the spectroscopic property of sample on the depth-resolved intensity image of OCT. The MATLAB code for spectroscopic OCT is developed and applied on the various in-house developed phantoms and further applied on biological samples. Two metrics, spectral centroid and autocorrelation function are implemented for the spectroscopic OCT, and the image is displayed by HSV mapping of spectroscopic metric and a grey-scale intensity image of OCT. Different types of tissue showing the different spectroscopic property are shown using the spectral centroid mapping. This method can be effectively implemented for diagnosis of cancerous and normal tissues.


The phenomenon of community life on the small island is influenced by the stimulating factor of harmonious social interaction system through cooperation, kinship, economic activity, children playing, transportation system, religion and other social activities. The social dynamics of small island communities appear in the layout and environment in which they live, how they manage and utilize space, both indoors and outdoors. The purpose of this paper is to describe the socio-spatial typology of settlements on Karanrang Island, including a description of the spatial pattern of communalenvironments. Research approaches through spatial similarities and differences in the classification of behavioral setting, including physical, non-physical, socio-spatial arrangements. Karanrang Island as a research focus which has an area of 7.8 Ha is one of small islands inhabited in cluster PangkajeneIslands (Pangkep) South Sulawesi, with characteristic of dense settlement, and diversity of tribe, also inhabited by 434 families. The method of this research is observation, data collection through field survey with descriptive analysis based on empirical data on meso / environment which is divided into:1) inter building space; 2) Space in the building; 3) Open space, and; 4) Environmental facilities. The results showed that classification of socio-spatial typology of communal environment is divided into four types of socio-spatial models based on the configuration of social interaction activities, namely:1) Type of Linear Centripetal, at the inter buildings space; 2) Type of Centripetal Cluster, space on the building; 3) Type of Centrifugal Cluster, at green open space/field; 4) Type of cluster Centripetal, at environmental facilities. The socio-spatial type based on actor's activities, occupancy, and territory, can be distinguished on: 1) Type of children's activity; 2) Type of mother'sactivity; 3) Type of father's activity, and 4) Type of combination activity.


BACKGROUND: Specific germline alterations within TERT, EGFR, CCDC26, CDKN2A/B, PHLDB1, TP53 and RTEL1 are associated with development of glioma. While germline variants in TERT are associated with all gliomas, others are associated with specific morphologic and/or molecular subtypes. For example, the RTEL1 region variants are associated with primary glioblastoma and rs55705857 in CCDC26 is associated with 1p/19q co-deleted oligodendrogliomas and with IDH mutant astrocytic gliomas. We hypothesize that germline variants will be associated with specific molecular glioma subtypes recently defined by the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and other groups. In this study we grouped Mayo Clinic and TCGA high- and low-grade glioma patients into somatic mutation-defined molecular subgroups, regardless of grade, based on three molecular alterations. We then determined if germline polymorphisms are associated with these mutation-based molecular subtypes. METHODS: Five molecular subtypes were defined based on combinations of the following molecular alterations: TERT promoter mutation (TERT mut vs. TERT wt), IDH1/2 mutation (IDH mut vs. IDH wt) and 1p/19q co-deletion (1p19q codel vs. 1p19q noncodel). Germline single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were evaluated by array analysis of blood-derived DNA (Mayo) and 1K genome imputation (TCGA). RESULTS: 207 Mayo Clinic and 402 TCGA gliomas had both germline SNP and mutation data available. The acquired mutation data defined five molecular subgroups (Table). The prevalence of each of these subtypes were very similar in the Mayo and TCGA cohorts, (Table). In both the Mayo Clinic and TCGA cohorts various SNPs were associated with the development of specific subtypes (Table). Further validation using a UCSF cohort, as well as analyses of grade, subtype and survival are underway.

Table

Prevalence of Mutation-based Acquired Molecular Glioma Subtypes and Their Germline SNP Associations


It is evident that although George Herbert's context was a different social and political world to today, some of his practise and theology still has meaning and can bring challenge to its reader, especially the practitioners of Anglican ministry. Herbert's comprehensive spirituality embracing all of life, his view of scripture married with his practise of prayer and liturgy, and his emphasis on discovering a vocation for all, speak to the priest today. It is this which makes it a text of enduring spiritual value. Perhaps Herbert's rhetorical skills to impinge on the reader and move them to a response is still as effective today as it was designed to be on his first audience. Yet the priest today will also want to recognise the limitations Herbert's personal aristocratic background, and his acceptance of the social status quo before embracing Herbert's spirituality in its entirety.


In this paper, a Haar wavelet discretization method (HWDM) for analyzing the free vibration of the multi-stepped functionally graded (FG) curved beam with general boundary conditions is presented. It is assumed that the material properties of the beam change continuously in the thickness direction according to the distribution characteristics of the material determined by four parameters. The individual steps of the multi-stepped functionally graded curved beam are combined by a continuous condition. For generalization of boundary conditions, the artificial elastic spring technique is introduced. The displacement fields are determined by the first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT) and the motion equation is obtained by using Hamilton's principle. All displacement functions including boundary and continuity conditions are expressed in the form of a Haar wavelet series and its integral, and a characteristic equation discretized based on the Haar wavelet is obtained. The reliability and accuracy of the proposed method are confirmed through convergence and validation studies. The results indicate that this method has high accuracy and reliability, also a higher convergence rate in attaining the frequencies of the multi-stepped FG curved beam. Then, the frequency parameters and mode types of the multi-stepped FG curved beam obtained by the proposed method are given with numerical examples. These new numerical results can be used as benchmark data for research in this field.


Traps baited with virgin female Laspeyresia pomonella (L.) were distributed inside of each commercial orchard plus 47 noncommercial sites throughout 32 square miles of the Wenas Valley, WA, to monitor the inter- and intra-orchard dispersion of sterile marked males. The males dispersed to all points within the orchards; migrated from backyard and abandoned trees located throughout the area into the orchards, and from orchards into these locations, frequently 1.5 miles and occasionally as much as 5.4 miles; and entered the valley from an adjacent orchard to the south of the Wenas Valley, or entered this orchard from the valley. Trap placement and numbers, female density, and wind were important factors that influenced intra-orchard dispersal. In open terrain, behavioral changes were noted in flight and searching, and the host plant was more attractive than pheromone traps. From this study, we can conclude that long-distance dispersal is not unusual but involves a small percentage of the population, and that codling moth populations tend to remain localized.


Abstract The magnetic properties of cobalt complexes of BTCA (BTCA = 1,3,5 benzenetricarboxylic acid) have been investigated. The trianion of the BTCA ligand has the ability to create lattices with competing interactions leading to frustration. A dodecahydrate phase, Co3BTCA2(H2O)12, is obtained from room temperature aqueous solutions and consists of pendant chains with very small interactions. Varying the reaction conditions leads to an amorphous phase which displays many of the features of a spin glass: hysteresis, remanent magnetization, frequency dependent susceptibility, aging effects, and an inverse field dependence of the dc susceptibility. The dehydration state and corresponding magnetic properties are strongly dependent on the temperature of the original reaction. Reaction temperatures below 78 °C lead to the pendant chain while temperatures greater than 78 °C yield more interesting glassy phases. These phases exhibit many properties of reentrant spin glasses.


Time-of-flight measurement of photo-excited carriers has been carried out in hydrogenated a-Si deposited by rf sputtering method. Both electrons and holes show highly dispersive transport. The electron drift mobility near room temperature ranges from 5×10-3 to 4×10-5 cm2/V · s, much lower than that of GD samples, and the activation energy is about 0.3 eV. The value of the hole mobility is comparable with that in GD specimens, but its activation energy is about 0.2 eV which is about half of that observed in GD a-Si.


The invention relates to an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing passive optical network self-healing function realization system and a transmission method. According to the system, a central local end is adopted, two erbium-doped fiber amplifiers are connected with a far-end node through two optical fiber links; the far-end node is connected with N optical network unit groups consisting of two optical network units through N2 paths of distributed optical fibers; the central local end consists of two outer cavity semiconductor lasers, two comb spectrum generators, N2 Mach-Zahnder modulators, N2 orthogonal frequency division multiplexing signal generators, N2 uplink signal receivers, N2 energy detectors, N2 optical switches, N2 circulators and two N1 circulating array waveguide gratings; and the far-end node only comprises two N1 circulating array waveguide gratings. The central local end has the design of the comb spectrum generators, the energy detectors, the optical switches and the optical network unit groups, the protection of feeder lines and distributed optical fibers and centralized management of the light source are realized.


Epidermolysis bullosa associated with esophageal atresia cases are rarely seen. However epidermolysis bullosa associated with esophageal atresia and cleft lip and palate had not been reported previously in the English-language literature. In this paper the case, that was operated for esophageal atresia, who also has epidermolysis bullosa and cleft lip and palate. Difficulties in diagnosis in case with esophageal atresia, cleft lip and palate were evaluated.


We explore observed trends in the cores of a wide range of relaxed dark matter-dominated halos (about 7 orders of magnitude in mass) to constrain hypothetical dark matter candidates and scenarios of structure formation. First, we argue that neither generic warm dark matter (collisionless or collisional) nor self-interacting dark matter can be responsible for the observed cores on all scales. Both scenarios predict smaller cores for higher mass systems, in conflict with observations; some cores must instead have a dynamical origin. Second, we show that the mean core phase-space densities Q of dwarf spheroidal galaxies, rotating dwarf and low surface brightness galaxies, and clusters of galaxies decrease with increasing velocity dispersion like Q ∝ σ-3 ∝ M-1, as predicted by a simple scaling argument based on quietly merging equilibrium systems over a range of about 8 orders of magnitude in Q. We discuss the processes that set the overall normalization of the observed phase density hierarchy. We note the resemblance between the observed phase-space scaling behavior and density profiles of dark matter halos and stellar components in elliptical galaxies and conjecture that dark matter halos may suffer from the same systematic departures from homology as seen in elliptical galaxies, thus explaining the shallower density profiles observed in low-mass halos. Finally, we use the maximum observed phase-space density in dwarf spheroidal galaxies to fix a minimum mass for relativistically decoupled warm dark matter candidates of roughly 700 eV for thermal fermions and 300 eV for degenerate fermions.


Circular targets are often utilized in photogrammetry and a circle on a plane is projected as an ellipse onto an oblique image. This paper reports an experiment conducted to investigate whether the measurement accuracy of the center location of an ellipse on a digital image oscillates as its dimension increases. The experiment was executed by the Monte Carlo simulation using 1024 synthesized images of which the centers were randomly distributed in one pixel for each ellipse. We investigated four typical measurement methods: intensity-weighted centroid method, non-iterative ellipse fitting, iterative ellipse fitting with the star operator, and least-squares matching. Three flattenings 0.00, 0.25, 0.50, and three rotation angles 0.0°, 22.5°, 45.0° were investigated in the experiment. The experiment results clearly show that the measurement accuracy by all the investigated methods would oscillate as the dimension of an ellipse increases. The measurement accuracy by the intensity-weighted centroid method and the non-iterative ellipse fitting would oscillate smoothly, while that by the least-squares matching would oscillate considerably roughly. It would be impossible to determine the cycle of the oscillation except the measurement accuracy by the intensity-weighted centroid method and the non-iterative ellipse fitting when the rotation angle of an ellipse is 0.0° and 45.0°. The experiment results indicate that the flattening and the rotation angle of an ellipse would affect the cycle of the oscillation as well.


This article presents the results of studies on the features of practical training of nurses-bachelors care and provide appropriate palliative and hospice care hospice patients to facilities in Ukraine and Poland. The peculiarity of the formation and development of this type of care seriously and terminally ill patients in both countries.


This paper presents a compact structure composed of an upper high‐impedance transmission line, a middle extended parallel coupled line, and a pair of inter‐coupled symmetrical stepped impedance stubs. Detailed investigation into this structure based on an equivalent circuit analysis reveals that this proposed structure exhibits a quasi‐elliptic low‐pass filtering response with three transmission zeros. Moreover, the positions of the three transmission zeros can be tuned and reallocated flexibly by choosing the proper circuit parameters. Finally, the design concept is validated through the design, fabrication, and measurement of two exemplary low‐pass filters (LPFs) with one single unit and two cascaded asymmetric units. The measured results agree well with the simulated results. In addition, in the range of 1.42 fc to 7.03 fc, the fabricated quasi‐elliptic LPFs experimentally demonstrate a very wide upper‐stopband of 20 dB using a compact size of only 0.0089λg2 , where λg is the guided wavelength of a 50 Ω transmission line at the central frequency.


62 A Hydroxytyrosol-Based Pharmaceutical Formulation for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease: A Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial Trombetta Domenico,1° Di Renzo Laura,2°* Smeriglio Antonella,1 Cascapera Stefano,3,4 Carmela Colica5 1 University of Messina, Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, Messina, Italy 2 Division of Clinical Nutrition and Nutrigenomic, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy 3 PhD School of Applied Medical-Surgical Sciences, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy 4 Iona Preparatory School, New Rochelle, NY 5 CNR, IBFM UOS of Germaneto, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Campus "Salvatore Venuta", Italy ° Equal contribution.


According to the grain growth driving force theory of grain boundary,a grain growth simulation model for SiC in laser alloying process of magnesium alloys was established based on cellular automata.The grain growth process of two-phase particle SiC in laser alloying of magnesium alloy was simulated.The results show that the simulation process is stable,and the simualtion results are in good agreement with the microstucture of SiC materials.The cellular automata model is applicable to the grain growth simulation of magnesium alloy in laser alloying process.


This study aims to determine the effect of Sales Promotion and Personal Branding, partially or simultaneously on the decision to purchase a Venrose WO wedding package. This study uses quantitative methods using a sample of 100 respondents. Primary data and secondary data are used as data sources in this study. This study uses the SPSS tool for multiple linear regression analysis. The results showed that Sales Promotion partially had a significant effect on purchasing decisions, Personal Branding partially had a significant effect on purchasing decisions, and Sales Promotion and Personal Branding simultaneously had a very significant effect on purchasing decisions.


The work of Labourie [2] has emphasised the importance of understanding the so-called Hitchin component XHit(Σ, SL(n,R)) of representations of a closed hyperbolic surface group Σ into SL(n,R). The fact that all the representations on this component are discrete and faithful has proved to be a powerful tool for exhibiting thin groups (see, for example [8] and [5]) and in particular, it's of considerable interest to understand the Zariski closure of images of representations which are not in the Teichmüller locus. In this note we prove:


The article is devoted to the establishment of the Institute of tax consulting in Russia. Consider the stages of formation and development of tax consulting in the Russian Federation. The contribution of the professional associations of tax consultants in the development of the tax consulting market. Defined the modern advanced trends in the interaction of the Federal tax service and taxpayers. The author proposes the creation of regulated terms of the functioning of the Institute of tax consulting, contributing to the development of a civilized market of consulting services.


The development and reform of education in China aim to build learning-based society in next twenty years.Vocational education makes lifelong learning possible in practice.This paper describes the relationship between learning-based society and vocational education, inquires into how polytechnic education plays the roles.


In this paper we propose to utilize the X2 g(ν,N,F,M) = (0,0,1/2, ±1/2) → (1,0,1/2, ±1/2) or (2,0,1/2, ±1/2) transition of N2+ (I = 0) to test variations of the proton-to-electron mass ratio. The X2 g ground state exhibits no quadrupole shift and the Zeeman shift of the N = 0 → N = 0 transition is exactly zero. Because N2+ is nonpolar, systematic level shifts such as Stark shifts induced by trap electric field or blackbody radiation are very small and the thermalization of the rotational states is inhibited. This eases the requirements on the experimental setup significantly. Employing Raman transitions at the "magic" wavelength the (0,0,1/2, ±1/2) → (1,0,1/2, ±1/2) or (2,0,1/2, ±1/2) transition frequency can be measured very precisely.


Published studies have stated that the mass of dark matter and the mass of dark energy are approximately five times and fourteen times greater in mass, respectively, than ordinary substances such as atoms. However, it has not been successfully realized until today to detect and thus to prove the existence of  dark matter and dark energy. There should be some fundamental problems to be addressed and the universal space-time itself must have its own hidden characteristics. I estimated here in this article the universal space-time by using the special theory of relativity i.e. the combined velocity and the increasing mass. The results suggest that "the ternary space-times" created in the inflationary epoch during the very early universe exist in the modern universe and that each of these space-times has its own specific light velocity.


An overview of the challenges facing the Spanish Special Education system at the turn of the century is presented. Significant changes have occurred in Spain over the last two decades that have affected the landscape of Spanish public schools in an unprecedented way. First, since the late 1980s, students with a variety of disabilities have been attending general education classrooms along with their peers. Additionally, for the last 20 years, Spain has experienced a dramatic increase in immigration patterns from Northern Africa, Eastern Europe and Latin America. Thus, Spanish educators are facing the challenge of educating an increasingly heterogeneous student body. Students' different educational needs are often handed down to the special educator teacher who is faced with the task of ensuring the student's academic and social participation. Reform efforts conducted by Spanish educators to ensure that all students, regardless of their gender, ability level, ethnic and social backgrounds, as well as language and religion of origin, have equal access to a full social and academic participation in their schools and communities are described.


Fluorescent proteins have revolutionized biology by enabling what was formerly invisible to be seen clearly, and potentially enable imaging of all cells in living animals. There are numerous applications for in vivo imaging with fluorescent proteins, including use in cancer, immunology, infection, and neurobiology studies. This unit describes how introducing the GFP and RFP gene into malignant tissue has enabled imaging of primary cancer and the metastatic process with subcellular resolution in vivo. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.


EACH time the foreign aid appropriation is presented to Congress, debate ensues over the returns being realized from various aspects of this investment. In the early days, the emphasis was placed on providing direct economic aid, such as food, clothing, and equipment for countries made destitute by the war. The communist threat led to spending money for military aid of various kinds. Along with these programs, the government developed Technical Aid, which was designed to provide the knowhow for other countries to use in becoming more productive and hence more independent. This last phase represents the smallest dollar investment of the three parts of the program. Nevertheless, the potential value of helping countries to develop by their own efforts has made technical aid a practical and an essential feature of the foreign assistance program. Essentially, providing technical knowhow is a matter of education. There has been little question that such education spreads new ideas which may be helpful in effecting a higher level of productivity. As experience accumulated over the years and as budget allocations were trimmed, it became essential to discover the relation between the technical aid which had been offered and results which occurred from it. The problem of developing techniques to obtain an answer to this question resulted in a study made by the Board of Research at Babson Institute for the Foreign Operations Administration. This project was organized to conduct a pilot effort in one phase of the technical aid program known as the Question and Answer Service. Now that this mission has been completed and the final report circulated to interested governments, it is possible to discuss this study with a broader public. The conclusions reached by this field study are based upon interviews with 145 business executives in the countries of Germany and Austria. These officials were from the top echelons of their organizations and represented 17 different kinds of businesses, ranging from clothing manufacture to steel production and banking. The planning of the tour, the conduct of the field investigations, and the interpretation of the collected data shed light upon the interesting question of evaluating technical aid as a whole, and more particularly upon the Question and Answer Service. Before summarizing these aspects, a description of this Service appears essential.


LoRaWAN (long-range wide-area network) is an emerging technology for the connection of internet of things (IoT) devices to the internet and can as such be an important part of decision support systems. In this technology, IoT devices are connected to the internet through gateways by using long-range radio signals. However, because LoRaWAN is an open network, anyone has the ability to connect an end device or set up a gateway. Thus, it is important that gateways are designed in such a way that their ability to be used maliciously is limited. This chapter covers relevant attacks against gateways and potential countermeasures against them. A number of different attacks were found in literature, including radio jamming, eavesdropping, replay attacks, and attacks against the implementation of what is called beacons in LoRaWAN. Countermeasures against these attacks are discussed, and a suggestion to improve the security of LoRaWAN is also included.


The project of "Child health (under 5 years old) information system development for holistic health care in health center" was operated by Dokkamtai District Health office Phayao Province. The objectives of this project were: 1. To develop information system that serves comprehensive and continuum public health service in 0 – 5 years old subject. 2. To obtain essential information of target group for a complete, timely, and precise reporting to superior 3. To reduce workload of information by applying minimal work load but high efficiency information technology.


Abstract The forced relocation—displacement—of social housing residents resulting from estate regeneration involving demolition has been the subject of considerable academic and policy debate. While some scholars and policy makers regard such displacement as having harmful outcomes in relation to loss of homes and community relations, others argue that residents benefit from relocation as they move to 'better places'. This paper contributes to this debate, and to the wider 'post-displacement' research agenda, by providing an experiential perspective on residential relocation with reference to in-depth interviews with social housing residents in London who returned to new-build flats at the redeveloped mixed-tenure estates. The paper employs a multi-scalar approach to place attachment which is illustrated and analysed at three spatial scales: domestic (home/dwelling), intermediate (block of flats) and neighbourhood (estate). The home scale is the most positive albeit not unequivocal aspect of residents' post-displacement experiences, whereas place attachments at the block and neighbourhood scales are characterized by extensive and intensive disruptions and losses.


Objective
To evaluate the clinical outcome of reconstruction of traumatic digital arthritis by transfer of free proximal interphalangeal joint of the second toe with toe reserving technique.

Methods
The study enrolled nineteen patients with traumatic digital arthritis treated from May 2013 to April 2016. The patients consisted of fifteen males and four females, and mean age was 27.3 years (range, 18-52 years). Finger involved included index fingers in 10 patients, middle fingers in seven and ring fingers in two. The joint of digit was reconstructed by transplanting the proximal interphalangeal joint of the second toe with a monitoring flap, and bone defect of the second toe was repaired with autogenous iliac bone graft. Wound was closed directly in six patients and covered by island flap from the foot dorsum in 13 patients. Evaluation indicators contained survival rate of the free joint and island flap, appearance and fracture healing of the finger and toe and motion of the proximal digital joint. Finger function was studied using the evaluation standard of upper limb function set up by hand surgery branch of Chinese Medical Association. Healing in the donor site, foot function and related complications were observed.

Results
All the free joint and island flap survived. Period of follow-up was 6-30 months (mean, 14 months). The fractured finger healed at 2.5 months on average, and appearance of the finger was good. Flexion range of the proximal digital joint was 63°-80°(mean, 74°) and extension range was -20°--10°(mean, -14°). Finger function was excellent in eleven patients and good in eight patients, with the excellent-good rate of 100%. Hematoma of the dorsal region of the foot occurred in one patient and the cut healed well after taking out some stitches and drainage. All fractured toe healed at 2.6 months. Except that one patient had fracture malunion with minor outward inclination, all presented good appearance of the toe without influencing walking and running. On the part of iliac, there was only one inconspicuous linear scar without any discomfort.

Conclusions
Transfer of free proximal interphalangeal joint of the second toe with toe preservation restores the anatomy structure and function of the digital joint. Meantime, autogenous iliac bone grafting combined with island flap from the foot dorsum for coverage of donor site defect retains the toe length and reduces injury of the donor site.

Key words:
Finger joint; Arthritis, traumatic; Toe phalanges; Bone transplantation


Patients with chronic hepatitis B treated with chemotherapy or immunotherapy are at risk of viral reactivation, which can have serious or even fatal consequences [1]. Patients treated with chemotherapy for haematological disease have a known risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation with an estimated incidence of 14-72% [2]. The majority of chemotherapy drugs can induce HBV reactivation in patients with HBs-positive antigen [3]. HBs testing should therefore be recommended prior to chemotherapy. Preventive antiviral treatment will reduce the risk of HBV reactivation.


By variation of the zinc bonded alkyl group significantly different post-oxygenation products, the novel zinc alkylperoxide and the tetranuclear zinc oxo-encapsulated cluster, were derived from the controlled oxygenation of the corresponding alkylzinc complexes with a pyrrolylketiminate ligand.


Addiction to morphine is a problem widely studied but not yet solved. One of the difficulties of this problem is that it involves physical and psychic factors and it is believed that these signs can be demonstrated only in vertabrates with highly developed cerebral hemispheres. Consequently, addiction experiments in animals have been carried out with higher animals, such as man, monkey, chimpanzee and dog. However, it has been recently reported that rats dosed morphine at 12 hours intervals for several weeks show signs of physical dependence to morphine (1-5). However, we have as yet very little information as to the possibility that similar signs can be also demonstrated in mice. A study of addiction or physical dependence in mice as compared with rats, namely the species difference between mice and rats in their response to morphine, is of great importance for the elucidation of the mechanism of the action of analgesics. The present paper deals with the development of tolerance to and the occurrence of physical dependence to morphine in mice.