Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of Glyceryl Trinitratepaste (GTN) versus Lateral Internal Sphincterotomy(LIS) in treatment of chronic anal fissure in terms of pain relief and cessation of bleeding per rectum.Material and Methods: This randomized control study was carried out in Surgical A Unit, Khyber Teaching Hospital,Peshawar, Pakistan from May 2013 to April 2015. On the basis of convenient purposive sampling consecutive 110patients with chronic anal fissure were selected from those came through outpatient department for anal pain andbleeding per rectum. The patients were divided into 2 groups A (LIS) and B (GTN), by simple random sampling towhich either topical GTN treatment or surgery i.e. LIS were offered respectively, and were advised to follow up at 2ndand 6th weeks. Patient's symptoms were noted in proforma at each follow up.Results: In group A in 98% patients the bleeding had stopped by 2 weeks and in 100% patients by 6 weeks postoperatively,whereas in group B, the bleeding had stopped in 78% and 90% at 2 and 6 weeks respectively. The difference inboth groups was statistically significant. The mean pain scores in group A was 1.51±0.29(95% CI) compared to groupB as 3.93±0.38(95% CI) at 2 weeks; and pain scores of group A was 0.35±0.16(95% CI) as compared to group B as2.11±0.37(95% CI). The difference in both groups was statistically significant.Conclusion: Lateral Internal Sphincterotomy is the quick and effective method of management for chronic anal fissureregarding improvement of symptoms as compared to medical treatment with Glyceryl Trinitrate treatment.


Implicit in most theories of social evolution, modernization, or development is the idea that systematic rank ordering of societies, on some dimension of problem-solving capacity, is feasible. This paper argues that, is our present of foreseeable state of knowledge, such rank orderings are not empirically meaningful. When the comparison is based on efficiency (the ability to solve current problems) the insuperable difficulty is similar to that encountered in what economists call "interpersonal comparison of utility." When the criterion is flexibility in dealing with possible future problems, uncertainty of prediction in system environments is a crucial obstacle which, even in principle, cannot be overcome. Evidence is cited from nonlinear models in mathematical ecology to support this argument. It is claimed that this critique is related to but independent of previous arguments against developmental theories.


Macroeconomics constitute a central part of fundamental analysis of stock markets and consequently the relationship between macroeconomic variables and stock markets is far from questioned. However ...


The mathematical model of one-dimensional detonation flow in pulse engine was established on the basis of fluid mechanics theory.The governing equations and conversation element,solution element were established.The numerical calculation of the formation and propagation process of oxy-hydrogen detonation wave was made,the result was compared with iterative calculation result and experiment result,proved the CE/SE method is applicable to simulate the refined structure of oxy-hydrogen detonation wave.


With the increasingly rapid growth of micro-blogging services, influence analysis is becoming a very important topic in this area. Sina Weibo, one of the largest mirco-blogging services in China, has provided a new operation comment-only, which allows users to give feedback on a post without forwarding. However, most of existing works focus on Twitter, which fail to consider this new operation. In paper, we propose a new influence measurement method called WeiboRank on Sina Weibo which applies comment-only operation to help researchers to find ignored influential users who have big influential in comment dimension. Furthermore we analyze why a particular user is influential based on tracing the source of influence to find out which aspects contribute to influence. Our experiments based on a subset of a whole Sina Weibo datatset, which includes three-month records of 22,514,394 users. We conduct extensive experiments and results show that we can accurately find the most influential individuals among entire social networks, while the running time of the algorithm increases linearly with any increase in data size, which is suitable for large scale networks.


In this study the price, return and volatility behaviour of base metals (aluminium, copper, nickel, lead and zinc) which are traded on Indian commodity exchange - Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) and International commodity exchange – London Metal Exchange (LME) are analysed. The time period chosen for the study is from November 1st, 2006 to January 30th, 2013. The paper attempts to demonstrate the linkages in price, return and volatility across the two markets for the five metals through three models - (a) Price – Co-integration methodology and Error Correction Mechanism Model (b) Return and Volatility – Modified GARCH model (c) Return and Volatility - ARMA-GARCH in mean model – Innovations Model. The findings of the paper suggest that there exists a strong linkage across the price, return and volatility of futures contracts traded on MCX and LME respectively. Given the level of linkages, the imposition of Commodity Transaction Taxes on sellers at the time of trading of these five base metals on Indian Commodity exchanges would lead to a fall in their trading volume as traders and speculators would escape the higher transaction cost of hedging by investing in International Exchanges instead of Indian Commodity exchanges. This movement from Indian to the International markets would defy the intention of imposition of the tax, as the government expects to earn revenue from the tax, and this would also defeat the very purpose of price discovery in the commodity exchanges in India.


The occurrence of the epiphyte alga Pseudendoclonium submarinum Wille (Ulvophyceae) on Rhodymenia pseudopalmata (Lamouroux) Silva (Rhodophyta) is reported. The present study describes a first line of evidence of an epidemiological study conducted with the purpose of comparing both the prevalence and effects of algal epiphytic organisms in R. pseudopalmata in the Patagonian coasts of Argentina. P. submarinum infected approximately 80% of R. pseudopalmata thalli and the frequency of infection was variable in connection with different areas of the host's thalli: 42% of R. pseudopalmata fronds presented P. submarinum thalli in the basal region, which presented a severity degree of infection from low to high. The median region presented an average frequency of infection of 30% and minor susceptibility to colonization. The covering varied from 1% to 70% representing a low to moderate degree of colonization. The apical region presented a cover frequency of 28% and the level of infection varied between low to moderate. The developmental morphology and the growth dynamics of the epiphyte were also investigated under unialgal as well as bialgal culture conditions. In nature, thalli of P. submarinum on R. pseudopalmata never invaded internal tissues of the host. Vegetative thalli of P. submarinum were inoculated on fronds R. pseudopalmata. Experimental infections confirmed that P. submarinum thalli did not penetrate the host's fronds. P. submarinum swarmers showed the capacity of settlement on a host's fronds and developed an epiphytic monostromatic thallus. The results allowed us to suggest that P. submarinum uses the R. pseudopalmata thalli as a proper substrate, since Pseudendoclonium thalli complete the entire life cycle. Culture experiments revealed that P. submarinum could develop without the presence of the host and evidenced the nutritional independence, being the relationship in nature, probably triggered by an ecological advantage since fronds of R. pseudopalmata offer a suitable substratum.


The European Space Agency (ESA) has committed to a multi-spacecraft Cornerstone mission to the planet Mercury. BepiColombo comprises two spacecraft, one of which (The Mercury Planetary Orbiter platform (MPO)) will contain remote sensing instruments for making measurements of the planet at wavelengths from the far infrared to γ-rays. The MERcury Thermal Infrared Spectrometer (MERTIS) measures spectral emittance from Mercury in the range from 7 to 14 μm to derive surface mineralogy. It will employ an uncooled IR focal plane array (IRFPA) at the heart of the spectrometer. Within this framework, the IRFPA has been developed from a 160 × 120 microbolometer array with a pixel pitch of 35 μm. This sensor is made from amorphous silicon, which yields a short thermal time constant as well as very low NETD. Specific attention has been paid to the fact that such detector has to operate in space environment. The paper will present the specific development under progress and the first results obtained to fulfil the MERTIS requirements in terms of performance, irradiative and mechanical environments.


Diarrhea is a well‐known side effect of mycophenolic acid (MPA) use in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). It is unknown whether self‐reported diarrhea using the Modified Transplant Symptom Occurrence and Symptom Distress Scale (MTSOSD‐59R) corresponds to stool water content and how both relate to MPA usage.


Objective To evaluate the relative quantities of flt-1, KDR, endostatin mRNA in tissue specimens of human hemangioma and great saphfenous vein with the modified reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Methods Total RNA from human specimens by Trizol was reverse-transcribed and amplified by PCR in 4 deffirent tubes containing one of the primer pairs such as flt-1, KDR, endostatin or β-actin. The target genes and beta-actin PCR products were about 200 bp in length. The ratio of the yield of the target gene PCR product to the beta-actin PCR product could be calculated after 35 cycles of amplification.Results These ratios were correlated positively ( P=0.014,P=0.019) in two groups, but no relationship in endostatine level was observed (P=0.436).Conclusions VEGFR may play a very important role in the pathogenesis of the congenital hemangioma in children. But the endostatin may take little effect on it.


Abstract Expediency is subtle, but it is detrimental to the organization. This study aims to discover what at the workplace prompts supervisor expediency. Based on the literature, it is predicted that supervisor expediency results from high-performance goals. Furthermore, supervisor bottom-line mentality acts as a moderator between high-performance goals and supervisor expediency such that a high bottom-line mentality strengthens this relationship. The present study's theoretical framework is grounded on a transactional model of stress and coping. Two source data (supervisor-subordinate) are collected from the private health sector of Pakistan, and the sample size is 591 supervisor-subordinate dyads. Findings support the hypotheses formulated in this study. Statistical results underline that high-performance goals lead to supervisor expediency. Moreover, results confirm the moderating effect of supervisor bottom line mentality. Implications and research directions for the future are also highlighted.


The article describes an example of a solution for system aided teaching of commutators. Possibilities and versatility of exercises of didactic program used for teaching of multiplexers and demultiplexers have been presented. Possibilities of didactic system for teaching of commutators in realizations of logical functions were presented too.


Background: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) have been associated with antioxidant property and have been shown to improve the circulating antioxidant status on daily dosing in different inflammatory conditions. The present study was conducted to investigate the antioxidant role of meloxicam in aluminum induced oxidative stress in rat brain. Methods: In the in vivo experiments, Sprague-Dawley rats where randomized into 4 groups receiving daily treatment for 4 weeks: 1) double distilled water i.p., 2) 4.2 mg/kg aluminum i.p. 3) meloxicam (5.0 mg/kg, i.m.) 4) 5.0 mg/kg, meloxicam i.m. + 4.2 mg/kg aluminum i.p. brain homogenates from the above animals were assayed for lipid peroxidation levels as well as superoxide dismutase activity. In the in vitro experiments, brain homogenates from Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with either, aluminum, meloxicam or their combinations and were then assayed as per the in vivo samples. Results: In vivo data showed elevated lipid peroxidation levels in brain homogenate in aluminium-treated group as compared to aluminium + meloxicam treatment which showed a significant decrease in the malonaldehyde levels. Similar results were observed in the in vitro experiments when brain homogenates were treated with either, aluminum, meloxicam or their combinations. Furthermore, no change was observed in superoxide dismutase activity in any treatment group as compared to the control in either experiment. Conclusion: These results indicate that NSAID can be used in Alzheimer management. Iran. Biomed. J. 10 (3): 151-155, 2006


Small and medium-sized towns have traditionally formed an integral part of the agricultural sector and wider rural economy, acting as a source of farm inputs, a first destination of farm outputs and as a source of consumer goods and services to farm households. In recent years, this relationship has been substantially eroded through processes socio-economic restructuring, including the transformation of agriculture and a decline in other primary industries. Further, a number of endogenous and exogenous drivers have resulted in the uneven development of rural economies throughout Europe, leading not only to disparities but also to decline of small and medium sized towns as thriving economic and service centres. As a result, these settlements have received increasing attention from policy makers aiming to both maintain the traditional socio-economic fabric of rural areas, and to stimulate rural development through territorial, as opposed to sectoral – and namely agricultural – approaches. This paper considers these two issues through an analysis of local economic linkages in and around small and medium-sized towns. Using primary data collected in a study of thirty towns across five European countries, the paper examines the degree to which local firms and farms are integrated into the local economies of such towns relative to other sectors, and identifies the organisational characteristics associated with strong and weak local integration. The implications of the findings are discussed in the context of evolving European rural development policy.


Three years after the start of Stage Three of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), at the beginning of 2002, euro banknotes and coins will be introduced. In the run-up to this event, known as the cash changeover, preparations by economic agents seem to have already been affecting currency in circulation in the euro area since the end of 2000. In seasonally adjusted terms, currency in circulation has decreased almost continuously month-on-month since November 2000. In July 2001, the annual rate of decline was 6.4%.


Conditional Invertible Neural Networks (cINNs) provide a new technique for the inference of free model parameters by enabling the creation of posterior distributions. With these distributions, the mean parameter values, their uncertainties and the correlations between the parameters can be estimated. In this contribution, we summarize the functionality of cINNs, which are based on normalizing flows, and present the application of this new method to a scenario from astroparticle physics. We show that it is possible to constrain properties of the currently unknown sources of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays and compare the posterior distributions obtained with the network to those acquired using the classic Markov Chain Monte Carlo method.


Through analyzing electric power supply and demand in Shanxi,It discusses 2003-2005 Shanxi electric power supply and demand problem,especially south-net supply and demand problem,puts forward the relevant countermeasure with suggest.


The present invention discloses an active pixel, which includes a photosensitive element formed in a semiconductor substrate. A transfer transistor is formed between the photosensitive element and a floating diffusion and selectively operative to transfer a signal from the photosensitive element to the floating diffusion. The floating diffusion is formed from an n-type implant with a dosage in the range of 5e13 to 5e14 ions/cm 2. Furthermore, the active pixel includes an amplification transistor controlled by the floating diffusion.


Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and its complications remain major causes of ocular disability. We have followed with interest the debate regarding whether IL-18 contributes to, or protects from, AMD and subsequent choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Two articles published in 2012 approached the role of this inflammasome-activated cytokine with conflicting conclusions. Tarallo et al. observed damage in the eyes of DICER1-deficient mice. Such mice are unable to degrade, and thereby accumulate, Alu-RNA retroelements. This caused ocular damage resembling geographical atrophy and was attributed to Nlrp3 inflammasome activation and IL-18 signaling in RPE cells. By contrast, Doyle et al. reported that drusen-derived inflammasome activators drove IL-18 that was protective against CNV in mice. The debate continued in 2014 with a focus on the effects IL-18 on laser-induced CNV in mice and again no agreement was reached. Meanwhile, Doyle and colleagues tested the effects of human IL-18 by intravitreal injection in primates and noted no detriment, and even a moderate improvement, in laser-induced CNV in these animals. Of relevance to this controversy are patients with certain autoinflammatory diseases, particularly systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis and adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD), who have extraordinary elevation of serum IL-18. Such patients suffer from fevers, skin rashes, arthritis, adenopathy, and organomegaly and can develop a life-threatening hyperinflammatory state called macrophage activation syndrome (MAS). To our knowledge, AMD is not a prominent feature of these diseases, and these patients do not routinely receive retinal screening. Notably, rates of AMD may be lower among patients with rheumatic diseases and, notably, patients with uveitis. As part of a study of the natural history of autoinflammatory diseases (all patients seen under an institutional review board– approved clinical research protocol [NCT00059748], and the research adhered to the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki), we have measured serum IL-18 levels longitudinally in our cohort and identified a small group of patients with chronic, massive elevation of serum IL-18. Nine such patients underwent dilated ophthalmic evaluation to screen for subclinical pathology, and none were found to have retinal abnormalities or drusen. This group includes patients with MAS (Fig., black, light blue, dark blue, purple, green), AOSD (orange), and gain-offunction mutations in NLRC4 (pink, red). All ophthalmic examinations, with one exception, were performed at the National Institutes of Health and documented to be normal. One patient (Fig., pink) was evaluated as an inpatient at an outside institution multiple times for self-resolving papilledema thought to be steroid-induced. Macular and vessel evaluations were normal, even after steroid weaning and resolution of papilledema. Three of the eight patients seen at the National Eye Institute had normal optical coherence tomography and fundoscopic pictures. Concurrent serum analysis demonstrated serum IL-18 levels several orders of magnitude above normal in all samples, demonstrating the likelihood of chronic exposure. The lack of correlation between chronic, systemic IL-18 exposure and development of AMD or drusen has some caveats: first, levels of IL-18 in the serum may not reflect the exposure of RPE cells or intraocular levels of IL-18; and second, most patients were children (except the patient in orange, who presented at 27 years) and may not have had a retinal insult whose resolution would be exacerbated by high IL-18 levels. Furthermore, all patients had received immunomodulating therapies, often including corticosteroids, IL-1 inhibitors, cyclosporine, and others. Nonetheless, we find it compelling that these patients appear to be systemically exposed to very high levels of IL-18 for multiple years and none have evidence of retinal pathology or toxicity. Although this observation is not instructive as to whether IL-18 is beneficial, it suggests that chronic IL-18 exposure in the context of systemic inflammation is not a potent inducer of RPE toxicity or aberrant choroidal vascular homeostasis. It further suggests that the use of exogenous IL-18 to treat ophthalmologic conditions may be well-tolerated. While we await results from ongoing prospective human studies, these patients' healthy-appearing retinas


Nitrogen fertilizers are commonly used to improve agricultural productivity. However, its excessive use may cause or lead to environmental problems. Therefore, technologies capable of monitoring and measure levels of nitrogen in agricultural soil in-situ and in real time are required in order to make efficient the use of fertilizers. Nitrogen levels are usually measured by direct and indirect methods. Direct methods can be conducted in-situ or in laboratory, but they are really expensive and/or little resistant to soil conditions. Otherwise, indirect methods can estimate nitrogen levels in-situ and in real time, based on the measure of other parameters, and at the expense of accuracy. This paper proposes an indirect method to estimate the nitrogen level in agricultural soil through the measurement of the levels of electrical conductivity, temperature and humidity. The proposed model uses a nonlinear estimator based on Gaussian kernels. The results after training the model with real data showed values very close to the actual measured values.


High-performance of CL-20/HMX nano co-crystals is readily synthesized by ultrasonic spray-assisted electrostatic adsorption method. This facile and continuous approach reduces handling time, minimizes the potential of aggregation via the electrostatic repulsive force among nano co-crystal particles and opens up new perspectives in fabricating various organic nano-sized co-crystals on a large-scale.


Chicago, Nov. 18, 1897. To the Editor: —The frequency with which carbolic acid poisoning is met with, either accidental or intentional, leads me to call the attention of the profession to the use of atropin, as suggested by Bartholow, in this condition. I have had four cases, one that of a boy two years and four months old drinking about one and one-half ounces of pure carbolic acid, who was brought to me in a state of coma, breathing four or five times a minute, with no pulse, the surface cold and clammy. I resorted at once to artificial respiration, and injected hypodermically one-fiftieth grain of atropin to increase the respiration and pulse rate, and introduced the stomach pump, using warm water and lime water in propor tion. By this time the child's breathing became more vigorous, and he was somewhat conscious, and I then gave a dose of magnesium


Based on the results of geomagnetic observatories located near the North magnetic pole and in the middle latitudes of the North American tectonic plate, the secular variations (SV) of the Earth's geomagnetic field have been studied. The influence of solar activity on SV on the North American plate has been shown.
The author has identified the SV source of non-dipole origin with a period of about 22 years. The source did not affect SV in the XX—XXI cycle of solar activity probably due to the influence of the SV jerk, but it showed itself well in the XXII—XXIV cycles of solar activity. It is demonstrated that the influence of the SV source increases with increasing latitude of the observatory and is almost imperceptible at low latitudes.
According to the Minuk observatory and others, a 100-year cycle of age-related variation has been identified — the early 20th century: a maximum took place in the 1960s and cycle termination was in 2013.
Following the observatories located on the eastern part of the plate, the SV acceleration triggered by the influence of the Atlantic focus has been calculated. The research identifies that the «activation» of the SV Atlantic focus occurs with an expansion in the number of recurrent geomagnetic storms, which is evidenced in odd cycles of solar activity (the VMS direction from the Sun).
According to observatories located near the Pacific Plate (west coast of North America), the impact of the Atlantic focus on SV is not as pronounced as in the eastern part. However, there is an influence of the non-dipole SV source depending on the observatory's latitude and solar activity.


The use of electrical resistivity surveys to locate karst conduits has shown mixed success. However, time‐lapse electrical resistivity imaging combined with salt injection improves conduit detection and can yield valuable insight into solute transport behaviour. We present a proof of concept above a known karst conduit in the Kentucky Horse Park (Lexington, Kentucky). A salt tracer solution was injected into a karst window over a 45‐min interval, and repeat resistivity surveys were collected every 20 min along a 125‐m transect near a monitoring well approximately 750 m downgradient from the injection site. In situ fluid conductivity measurements in the well peaked at approximately 25% of the initial value about 3 h after salt injection. Time‐lapse electrical resistivity inversions show two broad zones at the approximate conduit depth where resistivity decreased and then recovered in general agreement with in situ measurements. Combined salt injection and electrical resistivity imaging are a promising tool for locating karst conduits. The method is also useful for gaining insight into conduit geometry and could be expanded to include multiple electrical resistivity transects. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


In the framework of SelfSys, we are studying the yield of surface-tension-driven self-assembly that can be obtained with SU8 filled cylinders having different aspect-ratio (height / diameter). We show here, the fabrication process of our parts and an experiment allowing to observe the surface tension driven self-assembly of SU8 micro cylinders in chains after agitation.


The present invention relates to the stabilization of (meth) acrylic monomer for a premature polymerization during the synthesis, storage and transportation. The term "(meth) acrylate monomers" means both acrylic acid derivatives and methacrylic acid derivatives.


T he Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA) recognizes that the home is a paramount productive asset, particularly for poor women. Secure tenure allows access to financial assistance, which is critical to supporting and expanding most kinds of economic activity, particularly self-employed work. SEWA's experience – in both regulated banking and slum upgradation – proves that responding to the demands of self-employed women for better housing through tailored credit programmes and integration of pro-poor institutions can be viable and sustainable, even in the absence of legal tenure and traditional mortgage guarantees. Most significantly, improving housing and security of tenure greatly enhances the economic and social status of these workers, their families and their communities. Where Governments and Regulators Have Failed: Addressing Social Security, Self-Employment and Urbanization


In no other branch of histopathology has the impact of immunocytochemistry been as great as it has in the lymphoreticular malignancies. One by one old established terms such as reticulum cell sarcoma and 'histiocytic' lymphoma have disappeared in the face of the immunocytochemical juggernaut. Consequently, cell phenotype rather than morphology is rapidly becoming the determining factor in the classification of lymphoreticular neoplasms. Curiously, however, histiocytic medullary reticulosis, surely the doyen of lymphoreticular terminology, still survives-albeit more often in its transatlantic guise as malignant histiocytosis. Strict morphological criteria necessary for a diagnosis of histiocytic medullary reticulosis were laid down by Scott & RobbSmith (1939) and later reinforced by Byrne & Rappaport (1973) who were responsible for renaming the disease malignant histiocytosis. The morphological characteristics of malignant histiocytosis were modified somewhat by the paper of Warnke, Kim & Dorfman (1975) who described solid tumours in this disease and their findings were followed by the re-acceptance of solid histiocytic tumours (histiocytic lymphoma) as an entity. Immunocytochemists at first steered clear of these disorders perhaps intimidated by the complex immunological phenotype of histiocytes and inhibited by the rarity of fresh material suitable for analysis. A rash of publications on histiocytic malignancies, including those by O'Brien et al. and Pileri et al. in this issue of Histopathology , attests that this is no longer the case. As with other lymphoreticular tumours determination of cell phenotype has been the predominant objective in studies of histiocytic tumours and the reports by O'Brien et al. and Pileri et al. are no exception; in both these papers the terms malignant histiocytosis and histiocytic lymphoma are used interchangeably for any tumour composed of cells exhibiting the phenotypic properties of histiocytes. This approach can be justified, at least in part, by the lack of specificity of the histological characteristics of malignant histiocytosis and the absence of reliable histological or ultrastructural criteria diagnostic of histiocytic lymphoma. Thus, intrasinusoidal spread of disaggregated tumour cells and erythrophagocytosis, linchpins in the morphological diagnosis of histiocytic tumours, have been noted in B and T cell lymphomas, particularly the latter (Osborne, Butler & Mackay 1980, Kadin, Kamoun & Lamberg 1981). Phagocytosis is particularly unreliable since it may be present in reactive macrophages which cannot always be distinguished from the tumour cell population (Jaffe, Costa & Fauci 1981) and is even seen in non-lymphoid tumours (Falini et al. 1980). In this regard it is noteworthy that phagocytosis was most


A Time AlignR loudspeaker system must produce an acoustical output at the listening position such that the fundamental and overtones of a complex, transient signal have the same relationships that they have at the electrical transient signal have the same relationships that they have at the electrical input to the system. natural time offset between the acoustical outputs of the l must be corrected. This time offset is caused by the natural low‐pass filter characteristics of the drivers and the electrical crossover filters. The time offsets between the acoustical output of each of the drivers must be corrected and the electrical crossover filters must be designed to produce an acoustical output from adjacent drivers that is 6 dB down from its passband level. When the coherent acoustical outputs of adjacent drivers are combined, the result is a uniform acoustical output. The polarity of the acoustical outputs is also a Time AlignR crossover. A Time AlignR loudspeaker system must be able to produce acoustic...


Based on comprehensive analysis of mass sports participation population characteristics in the western rural areas,it analyzes the existing problems,advantages and disadvantages of the mass sports' development and practice,and further puts forward to improving the effectiveness of mass sports,including the pertinency location equipment selection,sports human resources and project resources construction,playing a leading role of village sports and returning migrant workers,improving the social security system,etc.It starts from the reality of the western rural areas,and aims at promoting the development of western rural mass sports.


A single-ended traveling wave-based fault location method for parallel lines with same length is presented. This method takes advantage of the availability of the two current transformers located in one terminal of the fault paths composed by the parallel faulted and healthy lines. Basically, the first incident fault-induced wave is detected at the monitored terminal and then, the second traveling wave reflected from the fault point or refracted at the remote terminal that returns through the healthy line are detected. Taking into account these wavefronts, the proposed formulation is derived, which does not require the data to be synchronized. By doing so, the method accurately estimates the fault distance, being independent from communication channels and GPS apparatus.


The article is devoted to the consideration of fundamental philosophical and methodological approaches to the process of formation of cultural and aesthetic competence of students of the University Culture and Arts. A brief description of the concept of «cultural and aesthetic competence of a student of the University of Culture and Arts» has been given; on the basis of the study of philosophical, cultural, psycho-pedagogical literature, the significance and meanings of the realization in the educational practice of the University of Culture and Arts of unity of cultural, axiological (value), polyartistic, polyestetic (expressional) approaches have been analyzed. The general results of research work on the problem of formation of cultural and aesthetic competence of students of universities of culture and art, carried out on the basis of the budget educational institution of higher education of the Chuvash Republic «Chuvash State Institute of Culture and Arts» of the Ministry of Culture, Nationalities and Archival Affairs of the Chuvash Republic, are presented.


The DO/ collaboration is upgrading its existing detector to provide enhanced functionality for physics in the Fermilab Main Injector Era, when the luminosity of the Tevatron Collider will evolve to levels in excess of 1032 cm−2 sec−1 in combination with reduction of the beam crossing interval to 132 nsec. The DO/ upgrade retains the strengths of the existing detector which include hermetic coverage in fine‐grained liquid argon calorimetry and muon detection using magnetized iron toroids and combines these with a new magnetic central tracking system based upon scintillating fiber and silicon strip technologies in a 2 Tesla solenoidal field. This paper summaries briefly the elements of the upgrade and the physics potential of the upgraded detector.


The invention discloses the synthetic method and its intermediate of a kind of ticagrelor intermediate, it is characterised in that compound (2) first is obtained into RMgBr (3) through grignard reaction;The compound (3) obtains ticagrelor midbody compound (1) with compound (4) through asymmetric conjugated reaction cyclization, and its reaction equation is as follows:


After seven years, the care-and-maintenance network sustaining an estimated three million plus Afghan refugees in Pakistan functions with remarkable efficiency. There have been no epidemics, no starvation, little malnutrition because of insufficient intake of food, and no major outbreaks of violence.


The world fruit trade is expanding but mango sales are restricted by improper handling and inadequate transport facilities in the developing countries. One of the major problems currently restricting international trade in mangoes is the variation in physiological maturity that occurs in a single consignment. Under present conditions, this produces a lack of uniformity in ripening that result in fruit being offered for sale at different stages of ripeness at any particular time. Disease problems, sensitivity to low storage temperature and the general perishable nature of the fruit limit transport distance of fresh fruits from the site of harvest. The currently available technology (low temperature storage, CA storage, use of ionizing radiation and coatings) can keep the fruit for about to four weeks. The establishment of both sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement and Technical Barrier to Trade (TBT) under GATT was to facilitate trade and unjustified restrictions on trade. However, to date, the export of fresh mangoes from Asian and African countries still face problems in gaining market access, especially in the developing countries. More research has to be carried out to gather scientific information in order to comply with the phytosanitary measures of the importing countries.


I shall begin by recalling briefly some well known statements on problems arising in the theory of transonic flow. These, from the mathematical point of view, are related to a partial differential equation of the mixed type. But they are not the simplest basic problems of the theory of equations of this type. Although there are close similarities between the study of transonic flow and the mathematical study of mixed equations, one cannot say that the studies are strictly equivalent. The second part of this lecture is devoted to the formation and the study of elementary solutions of equations of this type; a few applications to certain boundary value problems are proposed.


A literature survey comprising 110 citations on the subject of fatigue and corrosion fatigue behaviour of high strength low alloy steels has shown that controversy exists regarding the mechanism(s) of corrosion fatigue. For medium and high strength steels in an aqueous solution, hydrogen embrittlement and anodic dissolution are the most likely mechanisms. Crack propagation studies have revealed that crack initiation is most likely to occur at a free surface and the rate of crack propagation in the haz is significantly lower than in the weld metal or parent plate. (Author/TRRL)


Will need much more than just imported measures from more developed countries

I n the past four decades Africa has witnessed increasing urbanisation and changing lifestyles, factors which have, in turn, raised the incidence of non-communicable chronic diseases, especially cardiovascular disease. At the same time social disintegration and inequality, compounded by the dwindling economy in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, have seriously hindered the response to these non-communicable diseases. Moreover, communicable diseases are still rife, using up health resources, and actions to deal with communicable diseases have often been based on data from smaller studies, usually hospital based. The situation is cause for concern.

Cardiovascular disease has reached near epidemic proportions in Africa. According to the World Health Report 2002 , cardiovascular disease accounted for 9.2% of total deaths in the African region in 2001, and hypertension, stroke, cardiomyopathies and …


Many policy and national security challenges require understanding the social, cultural, and economic characteristics of a country or region. Addressing failing states, insurgencies, terrorist threats, societal change, and support for military operations require a detailed understanding of the local population. Information about the state of the economy, levels of community support and involvement, and attitudes toward government authorities can guide decision makers in developing and implementing policies or operations. However, such information is difficult to gather in remote, inaccessible, or denied areas. Draper's previous work demonstrating the application of remote sensing to specific issues, such as population estimation, agricultural analysis, and environmental monitoring, has been very promising. In recent papers, we extended these concepts to imagery-based prediction models for governance, well-being, and social capital. Social science theory indicates the relationships among physical structures, institutional features, and social structures. Based on these relationships, we developed models for rural Afghanistan and validated the relationships using survey data. In this paper we explore the adaptation of those models to sub-Saharan Africa. Our analysis indicates that, as in Afghanistan, certain attributes of the society are predictable from imagery-derived features. The automated extraction of relevant indicators, however, depends on both spatial and spectral information. Deriving useful measures from only panchromatic imagery poses some methodological challenges and additional research is needed.


Introduction: Campbell's' Urology, 8th edition, indicates that office transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) and prostate biopsies require no anesthesia. This is however in contradistinction from the experience of patients who have had the procedure. A study was conducted to evaluate whether 60 mg of intravenous Ketorolac before the procedure makes it more tolerable. Material and Methods: A prospective study was performed involving 24 patients who were randomized into two groups. One group was given 60 mg of Ketorolac intravenously before the procedure and the control group received no analgesia. Results: The two groups were comparable in age and the indications for the TRUS and prostate biopsies. The number of biopsy cores tolerated and taken was significantly less in the control group than in the group that was given intravenous Ketorolac. The degree of pain in the group that had intravenous Ketorolac was significantly less than in the no analgesia group. Conclusion: TRUS with prostate biopsies is a painful procedure. Intravenous Ketorolac significantly reduces the pain involved in the procedure and allows patients to tolerate it better for a more complete procedure.


The different interpretations of quark mixing involved in weak interaction processes in the Standard Model and the Generation Model are discussed with a view to obtaining a physical understanding of the Cabibbo angle and related quantities. It is proposed that hadrons are composed of mixed-quark states, with the quark mixing parameters being determined by the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix elements. In this model, protons and neutrons contain a contribution of about 5% and 10%, respectively, of strange valency quarks.


Cushing disease (CD) is a rare entity caused by ACTH‐secreting pituitary tumours, leading to prolonged hypercortisolism. Most cases are sporadic but can rarely occur in the context of familial predisposition, due to germline mutations in genes such as MEN1, leading to multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1, MEN1. We have reported previously that CD can be the first and only presenting manifestation of MEN1. In this report, we describe a cohort of paediatric patients who presented with CD as the first manifestation of MEN1.


We determined the structures of silicon clusters in the 11–14-atom size range using the tight-binding molecular dynamics method. These calculations reveal that Si11 is an icosahedron with one missing cap, Si12 is a complete icosahedron, Si13 is a surface-capped icosahedron, and Si14 is a 4-4-4 layer structure with two caps. The characteristic feature of these clusters is that they are all surface.


Diagnosis is an essential step that forms an important link between clinical examination and medical or dental treatment. Based on the clinical examination, radiographic interpretation and laboratory results, diagnosis can be further modified. Many advances has been taken place in the field of dentistry since its development. Dental diagnostic records have advanced from study casts and periapical x-rays to cone beam computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound. Orthodontic diagnosis require a broad overview of the patient's situation & must take into consideration both objective & subjective findings. The essence of the problem oriented approach is the development of a comprehensive database of pertinent information. From this database, the problems list that is the diagnosis is abstracted. A review of the recent advances in diagnostic records in orthodontics is being discussed in this paper titled recent advances in orthodontic diagnostic records.


goals of chemotherapy in HDC patients are to obtain maximum control of symptoms, to prevent serious complications and to increase survival with an acceptable side-effect profile. The problem of toxicity has been particularly emphasised in HDCpretreated patients. However, from the reported review of clinical trials and from our own experience, it seems that previous HDC does not significantly modify tolerability of subsequent chemotherapy. Even if most transplanted patients have already received anthracycline–taxane-containing regimens, several drugs in combination or as single agents are currently available for this purpose, including docetaxel (in patients pretreated with paclitaxel), fluorouracil, gemcitabine, vinorelbine, mitomycin c and novel oral therapies (capecitabine, vinorelbine). Finally, patients who have failed a previous transplant would be ideal candidates for novel approaches, such as use of new agents, molecular targeted therapy, antiangiogenetic factors and gene therapy.


LA-ICP-MS U-Pb zircon age for clastoporphyritic lava of Xidong formation at Shuiwen volcanic basin, Guangxi, is (83.4±0.9) Ma, belonging to the products of volcanic and magmatic activities in Late Cretaceous. clastoporphyritic lava is rich in SiO2(73.57%~74.29%) and K2O (4.91%~5.61%), but low in P2O5(0.03%~0.04%), quasi-aluminous to weakly peraluminous (A/NKC0.99-1.03). They are also enriched in LREE Rb, Th, La, Ce, Nd, and depleted in Ba, Nb, Ta、Sr, P, Ti, having high Rb/Sr ratio(1.16~1.73), and the contents of Y and Th are positively correlated with Rb. Its excessive alkaline index(AI value), Zr+Nb+Ce+Y value, FeO*/MgO value and 10000×Ga/Al are all lower than typical A-type granite, and rather similar with highly fractionated I-type one. The highly fractionated I-type granites are most likely formed in active continental margin under the background of subduction of Pacific ocean plate.


Scholars argue that personal experience with climate change related impacts has the potential to increase public engagement. Yet, previous studies, which have almost exclusively focussed on experience with extreme weather events, provide mixed results. Based on experiential learning and attribution theory, this article argues that unless individuals' attribute an event as related to or caused by climate change, their responses may be misdirected. Results based on survey data from a nationally representative sample of the New Zealand public indicates that subjective attribution of infectious disease outbreaks to climate change and to the human impact on the environment is positively associated with mitigation behavioural intentions and policy support. In addition, political affiliation moderates the relationship between subjective attribution and mitigation policy support, indicating a higher potential for right-leaning compared to moderates or left-leaning respondents to learn about climate change through health-related climate change impacts. Helping people understand the role of human impact on the environment and climate change in infectious disease outbreaks is likely to increase public engagement.


Purpose – Building on the steps to war model, this paper seeks to examine the impact that territorial Militarized Interstate Disputes (MID) have on the time it takes a dyad to go to war after it experiences its first MID.Design/methodology/approach – A model common to epidemiological research, the hazard model, is employed to examine the dyadic relationship from the time of the first MID forward. This is an improvement to dyadic analysis, as most research examines the characteristics of individual MIDs in isolation.Findings – Dyads with a history of territorial MIDs go to war much more quickly than dyads without a history of territorial MIDs. Future research should explore the relationship between territory, war, and power status to test the assertion that minor power states engage in power politics behavior less frequently.Practical implications – Conflict resolution measures need to be employed more quickly when states have unresolved territorial issues. Mediation generally does not occur quickly, which...


To answer the question stated in the title, we present and compare two approaches: first, a standard approach for solving dual fuzzy nonlinear systems (DFN-systems) based on Newton's method, which uses 2D FN representation and second, the new approach, based on multidimensional fuzzy arithmetic (MF-arithmetic). We use a numerical example to explain how the proposed MF-arithmetic solves the DFN-system. To analyze results from the standard and the new approaches, we introduce an imprecision measure. We discuss the reasons why imprecision varies between both methods. The imprecision of the standard approach results (roots) is significant, which means that many possible values are excluded.


The presence of design defects in object oriented software can have a severe impact on the quality of software. The detection and correction of design defects is important for cost effective maintenance. In this work we propose an automatic detection technique which uses the design patterns as reference to detect the design defects in existing software design. We also propose a correction technique which can refactor the code to meet the design specifications using the concept of class slicing. We can use this technique for any code in which classes are excessively coupled together, thereby not meeting with the good design specifications, for an object oriented software.


The shape of conducting post in H-plane waveguide tee-junction is optimized to maximize the transmitting power. The method employs an edge finite element technique with magnetic fields as state variables. Sensitivity analysis and steepest descent algorithm are used for the optimization. >


his work describes measurements of the tritium suppression factor of a cryo-pump that uses argon condensate at 4.2 K as adsorbent. Such a pump will be used in the forthcoming tritium beta decay experiment KATRIN (Karlsruhe Tritium Neutrino Experiment) in order to keep its spectrometers essentially free from tritium. Only then will KATRIN be able to determine the electron neutrino mass with a sensitivity of 0.2 eV.


The purpose of this paper is to describe work based on new techniques for collaborative projects, which were created and are being used to carry out the architectural design of the structure that will host a gathering of students of architecture and urbanism that will take place in January, 2011, in the state of Ceara, Brazil.


Chrysanthemum boreale(CB) is an oriental medicinal herb which has been used traditionally for the treatment of various brain disease including headache, dizziness and sedation. In order to examine the mechanism of anti-parkinsonism effect, water extract of CB(100 mg and 200 mg/kg of b.w.) were administered orally during 28 days in MPTP-induced parkisonism mice model. Water extract of CB increased the motor activities. CB did not affect total MAO and MAO-B activity in the brain of MPTP-induced mice. CB significantly increased the concentration of lipid peroxidation in the mid brain. Also, CB significantly increased antioxidant enzyme including were SOD, catalase and glutathione peroxidase in the mid brain activity. CB significantly increased the concentration of dopamine and homovanillic acid in the brain. These results suggest that the anti-parkinsonism effect of CB is possibly due to the antioxidative effects at mid brain in MPTP-induced animal model.


This study aims at re-defining the corporate governance ratings of companies listed in Borsa Istanbul Corporate Governance Index (BIST XKURY). Corporate governance ratings are computed by taking the weighted average of four sub-categories, with the weights subjectively determined by the Capital Market Board. As each company in the index has the overall rating of more than eight, the ratings are only narrowly dispersed within a thin rating band of eight to ten, lacking ability in providing decision makers helpful information in terms of comparative strength of companies. This problem could be addressed by the use of TOPSIS based ranking.Using the ratings of 46 companies for 2013 in the index, TOPSIS method provides a new rank order that has a richer information content. By means of new scores, decision makers could evaluate how far companies closer to the ideal positive and negative solutions.


MRS. B. came under my observation in June, 1886, suffering from very severe nocturnal headaches, these subsiding to a great extent early in the morning, leaving her head very sensitive to the slightest jar or noise. There was also marked tenderness of the entire scalp. The temperature was slightly elevated, registering 101°. The tongue was coated and there was an irregular rash on the chest and forehead, also a characteristic flat, scaly, dull colored syphilitic eruption on the inner side of the palms and wrists. Urinary analysis revealed no abnormality of the kidneys, nor was there constipation or other irregularities. Mercurial inunction speedily controlled the headaches and other uncomfortable symptoms. A thorough course of medication, i. e., mercurials, iodide of potassium and tonics, was continued at regular


Product servitised strategy is the necessity development trend of manufacturing enterprises,which requires the effective management of supply chain.Firstly,the concept of product servitised supply chain is given based on servitization,product supply chain and service supply chain related theory;secondly,the operation model of product servitised supply chain is defined by comparing with product supply chain and service supply chain operation model,and the key processes of product servitised supply chain are given;in the end,the research issues of product servitised-the classification of product servitised supply chain are given.


Jones aims to show that neutrality and toleration are compatible: 'It is not neutrality that, per impossibile, spawns toleration. Rather it is a particular sort of commitment to toleration that yields a case for neutrality.' At the same time, Jones argues that toleration need not embody symmetry between the tolerators and the tolerated. The symmetry claim is that in the circumstances of toleration, where two civil society groups come into conflict, each side can level the charge of intolerance against the other. For example, in Northern Ireland, where the Orange lodges wish to march through Catholic neighbourhoods, while the latter's residents wish to stop them doing so, each side may well claim that the other's proposed course of action – staging the marches, or preventing them – is intolerant, whereas permitting its own preferred action is tolerant. Accordingly, there may be no uniquely 'tolerant' course of action for the state. It is not entirely clear how this aim, to refute symmetry, relates to the first one, of showing that neutrality and toleration are compatible. I conjecture that, in Jones's view, the case against symmetry needs to be made in order to show how the state can behave neutrally towards vying parties in the circumstances of toleration. Only if it is clear when someone is behaving tolerantly or intolerantly can we construct an adequate account of how neutrality can be respected. If symmetry applies across the board in the circumstances of toleration, then there will be no uniquely tolerant course of action which the state can undertake, and hence neutrality will be violated – at least in so far as the state aims to respect the value of toleration. In what follows, I focus on Jones's argument against the symmetry claim. His attempt to refute it ties toleration to agency, as follows: for Jones, a person counts as intolerant only if he or she seeks to 'curtail the agency' of someone else. Jones seemingly arrives at his analysis via counterexamples to the symmetry thesis such as abortion. Here, an asymmetry seems to hold between a pro-choice woman, C, who wishes to have an abortion, and a pro-life campaigner, L, who wishes to stop her from doing so: L is behaving intolerantly in trying to stop C from having an abortion, but not conversely. Jones locates this intuitive difference in the fact that L seeks to curtail the agency of C. In this connection, Jones distinguishes between agents, patients and observers. Agents are doers of actions, while observers watch agents, and patients occupy an intermediate category between


Several studies have shown reduction of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) using recombinant human growth hormone (r-hGH) in HIV-1+ patients, but whether these effects are maintained after the end of treatment is unknown. In a prospective, randomized study we previously studied the effects of r-hGH 4 mg daily vs 3 times/week over 12 weeks, followed by a 2 mg daily maintenance dose for an additional 12 weeks. T1 weighted MRI flash sequences were performed of the face, abdomen and at mid-thigh level (MTF) at baseline, week 12, week 24 and at follow-up.Of 20 subjects who completed the 24-week study, follow-up is available for 16 patients (15 male, mean age 44.8 y, mean duration of HIV infection 13.5 y). After a median time of follow-up of 9 months, VAT remained overall 18% below baseline level (p =0.005). MTF was significantly reduced by 12% compared to its baseline level (p =0.03). Fasting glucose levels significantly improved by 21% compared to baseline (p =0.006). These results suggest that the achieved reduction of VAT using r-hGH in lipodystrophic HIV+ patients is in part maintained after a median follow-up of 9 months.


Objective:To investive the relationship between the haze formation and the change of proteoglycan in the corneal tissue after photorefractive keratectomy(PRK).Methods:sixteen adult New Zealand White rabbits(thirty-two eyes) received PRK for –9.00D ablation. According to the time of rabbits sacrifice, they were divided into four groups, and eight eyes were in each group. They were 1 week, 3 week, 1 month and 3 month groups. After surgery, the corneas were examined periodically by slip-lamp microscopy for haze formation.the eyes were enucleated, and the corneas were studied with observation of ultrastructure histochemitry for proteoglycans. Results:The formation of haze had a tendency from mild to severe, and along with the time prolongation, it gradually decreased and disappeared. The newly synthesized abnormal proteoglycans were deposited in the anterior corneal stroma. Conclusion:The formation of haze is closely related to the deposition of proteoglycans in the anterior corneal stroma in the surgical area.


Abstract : For most of the materials commonly used in machinery, the static, fatigue and other design properties have been well-studied and documented. Yet, very common and simple oversights are made in choosing the right material and the correct design for an application, leading to premature failure of components in pieces of equipment. This paper will present two failures caused by inadequate design and improper material selection. (1) Failed pawls in hand operated winches for ladder hoist: A pawl finger is used in the winch which engages in-between the teeth of two gears to lock the winch in place when weight is on the ladder extension. Occasionally, the pawl sustains failure. Determination of the cause, as well as recommendations for improvements will be discussed. (2) Failed "Power Lock" Tapered Ring: This device was designed to fasten a sprocket to a shaft without the use of keyways. The power lock consisted to two tapered rings bolted together with six bolts, wedged against an outer and inner ring. One of the tapered rings fractured during a bench test. The root cause analysis and recommendations for prevention is provided.


Background: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in the complex and multifactorial pathophysiology of hereditary hemolytic anemia like sickle cell disease (SCD), β-thalassemia and hereditary xerocytosis (HX). Increased intracellular levels of oxidative stress disrupt normal cell functioning and may contribute to premature red blood cell (RBC) clearance from the circulation. Pyruvate kinase (PK) is a key regulatory enzyme of glycolysis, the cell's main source of energy. Because PK is very sensitive to redox balance we hypothesized that increased levels of oxidative stress in SCD, β-thalassemia and HX impairs proper enzyme function, thereby compromizing RBC energy metabolism. This may contribute to disease pathophysiology.
 Aims: To investigate if secondary deficiency of PK is common in SCD, thalassemia, and HX, and to investigate if PK in these disorders is able to respond to treatment with the allosteric PK activator AG-348 (mitapivat).
 Methods: Enzymatic activities of red cell PK and hexokinase (HK) were measured together with PK-thermostability in order to assess relative PK activity and enzyme stability. Purified RBCs were incubated with AG-348 (3.33μM) for 24 hours after which PK activity and ATP response was measured. RBCs of SCD patients were also analyzed with the oxygenscan, a newly developed method that characterizes individual sickling behavior by oxygen gradient ektacytometry (Rab et al, Am J Hematol, 2019). Individual tendency to sickle is reflected by Point-of-Sickling (PoS) that indicates the specific pO2 at which RBCs start to sickle during deoxygenation under shear stress.
 Results: Thirty-eight patients and 21 healthy controls (HC) were included. The patient cohort consisted of patients homozygous for HbS (HbSS, n=26), patients compound heterozygous for HbS and HbC (HbSC, n=4), β-thalassemia major (regularly transfused, n=3), and hereditary xerocytosis (n=5).
 Patients showed reticulocytosis and, in line with this, a concomitant increase in HK activity. In contrast however, relative PK activity was decreased significantly compared to HK in HbSS, β-thalassemia and HX patients, but not in HbSC patients (Figure 1A). PK thermostability was significantly decreased compared to healthy controls in HbSS patients and patients with HX (Figure 1B). In HbSC and β-thalassemia patients, PK-thermostability was comparable to HC. PK thermostability strongly correlated with absolute reticulocyte count (ARC), indicating that patients displaying the highest degree of PK instability had the highest reticulocyte count (Figure 1C). This suggests that in general, a higher degree of PK instability is associated with more severe anemia due to a high hemolytic rate. In SCD patients, PK-thermostability inversely correlated with PoS, indicating that decreased PK stability is associated with sickling at higher pO2 (r=-0.646, p<0.001, Figure 1F).
 When purified RBCs were incubated with 3.33μM of the allosteric PK-activator AG-348, an increase in PK activity was seen in all patients and HCs, with a mean increase of 122% in HbSS (range 111-139%, n=6), 137% in β-thalassemia (n=1), 163% in HX (range 152-174%, n=2) and 143% in HC (range 113-173%, n=9, Figure 1E). Accordingly, ATP-levels increased in all patients and HCs, with a mean increase of 133% in HbSS (range 125-141%, n=5), 144% patient with β-thalassemia (n=1), 121% in HX (range 112-129, n=3), and 132% in HCs (range 101-149%, n=9, Figure 1E).
 Conclusion: PK enzyme activity and stability is compromised in patients with various forms of hereditary hemolytic anemia. This implies that PK stability and, hence, compromised red cell metabolism could contribute to the complex pathophysiology of these diseases. In SCD patients, reduced PK-thermostability is associated with higher PoS, which we previously have shown to be associated with more severe disease (Rab et al, Am J Hematol, 2019, ASH 2019 abstract ID128870). This is confirmed by the correlation of decreased PK-thermostability with increased reticulocyte count as presented in this study.
 Current studies are in progress to further substantiate the underlying mechanism(s) involved, and to investigate whether AG-348 may ameliorate clinical features such as hemolysis, sickling tendency and iron overload.

 Rab: RR Mechatronics: Research Funding. Bos:RR Mechatronics: Research Funding. Kosinski:Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc: Employment, Other: Stakeholder. Kung:Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc: Employment, Other: Stakeholder. van Beers:Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pfizer: Research Funding; RR Mechatronics: Research Funding. van Wijk:Agios Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Research Funding; RR Mechatronics: Research Funding.


One of the most notable changes in the Esophageal Cancer (EC) epidemiology is the rising incidence and prevalence of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) in developed countries, likely due to lifestyle and/or environmental factors that may play an important role in EAC onset. The aim of this systematic review was to collect and summarize all the available evidence regarding lifestyle, diet and EAC risk. We searched the PubMed and Scopus databases in January 2021 for studies providing information about lifestyle, diet, WCRF/AICR recommendations and EAC risk. A total of 106 publications met the inclusion criteria. Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) are associated with increased EAC risk. Physical activity does not appear to have a significant direct role in EAC risk. A diet rich in fruit, vegetables, and whole grains appeared to be more protective than a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, and processed meat. Alcohol does not seem to be related to EAC whereas smokers, particularly heavy smokers, have an increased risk of EAC. Primary prevention remains the best option to avert EAC. BMI and WC, along with low consumption of red and processed meat, high consumption of plant food, and the avoidance of smoking are pivotal for EAC prevention.


Difficulties in reasoning about others' mental states (i.e., mentalising / Theory of Mind) are highly prevalent among disorders featuring dopamine dysfunctions (e.g., Parkinson's disease) and significantly affect individuals' quality of life. However, due to multiple confounding factors inherent to existing patient studies, currently little is known about whether these socio-cognitive symptoms originate from aberrant dopamine signalling or from psychosocial changes unrelated to dopamine. The present study therefore investigated the role of dopamine in modulating mentalising in a sample of healthy volunteers. We used a double-blind, placebo-controlled procedure to test the effect of the D2 antagonist haloperidol on mental state attribution, using an adaptation of the Heider & Simmel (1944) animations task. On two separate days, once after receiving 2.5mg haloperidol and once after receiving placebo, 33 healthy adult participants viewed and labelled short videos of two triangles depicting mental state (e.g., surprising) and non-mental state (e.g., following) interactions. Using Bayesian mixed effects models we observed that haloperidol decreased accuracy in labelling both mental- and non-mental state animations. Our secondary analyses suggest that dopamine modulates inference from mental- and non-mental state animations via independent mechanisms, pointing towards two putative pathways underlying the dopaminergic modulation of mental state attribution: Action representation and a shared mechanism supporting mentalising and emotion recognition. We conclude that dopamine is causally implicated in Theory of Mind. Our results have implications for the neurochemical basis of socio-cognitive difficulties in patients with dopamine dysfunctions and generate new hypotheses about the specific dopamine-mediated mechanisms underlying social cognition.


Methods for improved energy trapping of the thickness shear mode (TSM) in quartz crystal microbalances (QCMs) under lateral field excitation (LFE) are presented. The dependencies of TSM resonant intensity and spurious mode presence on surface curvature and electrode geometry are analyzed for improved LFE QCM response. TSM resonance trend data are given for 6 MHz plano-convex uncoated wafers and electroded devices up to 6 diopters (D). The energy trapping concept is also extended to include electrical energy redistribution, which alters the active acoustic modes in LFE devices. Aspects of data on newly discovered metal-loaded LFE shear modes more intense than known LFE TSMs are presented. Variations of these metal-loaded device responses with surface curvature and metal layer thickness are reported. Butterworth-Van Dyke (BVD) equivalent circuit parameters are extracted for air- and metal-loaded response comparisons. The observed influences of acoustic and electrical energy trapping expand knowledge on the extent of LFE device capabilities and reveal implications for resonator applications.


While transport and mobility studies have focused on diverse challenges related to improving the quality of public transport (PT) for its passengers, they have hardly examined the well-being and livelihoods of PT workers. To address this gap, we explore the work spaces and times of bus drivers employed in PT in Gothenburg and Stockholm (Sweden), where PT operations are procured from private companies to ensure service quality and financial efficiency. Drawing upon studies on capital-ist temporalities of work, we observe that the bus drivers are obliged to perform fatiguing work tasks under constant time pressure, which generates daily conflicts between bodily, personal, and work rhythms. The drivers ' time wealth is severely constrained, as they have limited capacity to control their own time and experience a near-constant work-life imbalance. Our findings indicate that such hindrances are not simply a product of work rhythms marked by the rigidity of the PT timetable. Rather, they emerge from the operational and financial logic of procurement that contradicts the well-being and livelihoods of PT workers. We conclude with a plea to place workers as essential actors for future reflections on inequalities and injustices related to transport and mobility.


In many spatial problems, it can be difficult to create a state representation that is abstract enough so that irrelevant details are ignored, but also accurate enough so that important states of the problem can be differentiated. This is especially difficult for agents that address a variety of problems. A potential way to resolve this difficulty is by using two representations of the spatial state of the problem: one abstract and one concrete, along with internal (imagery) operations that modify the concrete representation based on the contents of the abstract representation. In this paper, we argue that such a system can allow plans and policies to be expressed that can better solve a wider class of problems than would otherwise be possible. An example of such a plan is described. The theoretical aspects of what imagery is, how it differs from other techniques, and why it provides a benefit are explored.


The changing prevailing values and ideas of an age have transformed the logic and concepts of architecture. Contemporary architecture in the 21st century aims to show its dismantling and departure from modern architecture based on rationality such as reductionism and functionalism. This implies a shift from a mechanical view of the world to an organic and ecological view of the world, and from deterministic to non-deterministic considerations to the causes of non-static possibilities. In particular, organic qualities and principles have been a rich source of inspiration for architects. The aim of this study is to assess the organic properties of Bruce Alonzo Goff's architecture and to evaluate aspects of unusual architecture as a 20th century American architect. The analytical review results will be used to propose strategies and guidelines for the organic construction of residential buildings into the future. It is important to continue similar research to show new possibilities for reinterpretation of organic structures at the same time and creating new ones.


Corrosion resistance of Ni-W and Ni-W-B amorphous alloy electrodeposited respectively from solutions of HNO 3 , HCl, H 2 SO 4 , and 5-percent NaCl have been studied. The difference among corrosion resistance of the Ni-W amorphous alloys deposited on substrates of A3 steel, copper, 18-8 stainless steel and nickel-based alloys has been investigated. Corrosion resistance of deposits on 18-8 stainless steel and nickel based alloys is better than that for A3 steel or copper. It has been found that the corrosion resistance of the deposits was further increased because of enrichment of W in Ni-W and Ni-W-B amorphous alloy deposition during the corrosion tests using the H 2 SO 4 solution.


Primary iris pigment epithelium cysts involve posterior surface of the iris and can occur at pupillary margin or anterior ciliary body. They may be stationary or progressive and sometimes regress spontaneously. These cyst can occasionally lead to angle-closure glaucoma, plateau iris syndrome and secondary pigment dispersion syndrome. A steadily growing cyst may disturb the vision by covering the visual axis and provoke an increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) or even inflammation if it touches the corneal endothelium. There are multiple management options in complicated situations. We report a case of a 17-year-old girl with unusual complaints of hemeralopia and dark-brown discolouration of pupils in both eyes. On examination, she had multiple pigment epithelial iris cysts at the pupillary margins, which were punctured with Nd:Yag laser, and the response was improvement in vision and hemeralopia without any pigment dispersion or IOP changes.


Xylanase used in paper industry can significantly improve pulp performance,reduce the usage of hazardous chemicals,environmental pollution and improve the quality of paper.Therefore xylanase has a broad application prospects in paper industry,This article reviews the present research situation of the alkaline xylanase which were used in paper industry,including the cloning of alkaline xylanase genes,molecular modification,high expression and applied research in the paper industry.It provides a guideline to develop xylanase used in paper industry.


SUBTITLE: THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON'S RESEARCH VESSEL, THE THOMAS G. THOMPSON, IS A VALUABLE RESEARCH VEHICLE FOR SCIENTISTS ALL OVER THE US.


The foliar endogenous hormones including GA,IAA,ZR and ABA from 11 Aleurites montana provenances are determined.The results showed that among various provenances there was extremely significant difference in GA,IAA,ZR and ABA and GAZRIAAABA in terms of discrete values of variation coefficients.There was significant correlation between IAA and ABA(P0.05) and correlation between GA and IAA(P0.1).The difference in the ratio of various endogenous hormones revealed the differentiation in adaptability among provenances.In the relationship with foliar C and N contents,GA/ABA and GA had negative correlation with foliar N content and extremely significant positive correlation with C/N.


The invention discloses a protocol converter which is used for connecting home gateways and infrared household appliances and comprises a home network communication unit, a processor, an infrared transmitting unit and a storage unit; wherein, the home network communication unit is used for receiving device control information which is transmitted by the home gateway and comprises device control codes, and transmitting the device control information to the processor; the processor is used for analyzing the device control information, extracting the device control codes, converting the device control codes into impulse coding signals which comply with the infrared communication standard, and transmitting the impulse coding signals to the infrared household appliances by the infrared transmitting unit. The invention also discloses a home network system. The protocol converter and the home network system provided by the invention are used for realizing the accurate control of the home network system to the infrared household appliances.


SUMMARY A joint research project between Brazilian and U.S. scientists was initiated in 2004 to investigate the interaction of istiophorid billfishes with pelagic longline fisheries in the western equatorial South Atlantic Ocean. This project incorporates two general themes (1) an investigation into several aspects of pelagic longline operations by comparing catch results between circle and "J" style hooks, time-of-capture with hook time recorders, and by direct monitoring of pelagic longline gear behavior, and (2) an additional evaluation of billfish trophic ecology using a combination of satellite tag technology and traditional analyses (e.g., gut contents and ageing). Data obtained from this research will provide additional data for the evaluation of habitat-based stock assessment modeling efforts for billfish and other pelagic fish species. RESUME


In order to assist in alleviating the teaching shortage in poor, rural school districts, also known as Local Education Agencies (LEA's), faculty in the College of Education at Mississippi State University sought funding that would provide financial support for a new alternate route teaching program. This program, known as Learning and Educating through Alternative Programs (LEAP), would address preparation and retention issues in teacher preparation. This article will tell the story of how this transition to teaching program used effective support, resources, and strategic recruiting in order to yield high retention rates in partner school district, often at nearly 90 percent during the first three years of teaching.


We report on the intrinsically limited low-field mobility of the two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) in gated AlGaN/GaN and AlGaN/AlN/GaN heterostructures. Monte Carlo transport simulations are carried out to calculate the room-temperature 2DEG mobilities in dependence on the electron sheet density. The simulated 2DEG mobilities are compared to the phonon-limited mobility of bulk GaN. We estimate a maximum 2DEG mobility of about 2700 cm2 V−1 s−1 for an electron sheet density of ∼5×1012 cm−2, which remarkably exceeds the phonon-limited bulk mobility of 1520 cm2 V−1 s−1. By reducing the electron sheet density below 5×1012 cm−2, i.e., in a weak electron quantum confinement regime, the room-temperature 2DEG mobility gradually decreases and approaches the phonon-limited bulk value for vanishing quantum confinement. The insertion of a thin AlN barrier interlayer improves transport properties of the 2DEG and the mobility substantially increases due to a suppression of the alloy scattering.


A series of benzoxazine dimer based difunctional 30-membered macrocyclic and linear oligomer esters are selectively obtained in simple and mild condition. The unique intramolecular hydrogen bond of the dimer is a key factor to proceed the "self-selective reaction" in esterification between terephthaloyl chloride and benzoxazine dimers. This is a so-called "simple, effective, and selective synthesis route" since we can obtain a well-defined structure product in a high yield without using expensive catalysts for multistep reactions in specific conditions.


American philosophy of the past century seems to have availed itself of the advances in science primarily under the rubric of philosophy of science, especially using physics as the exemplar of scientific inquiry and almost en tirely in service of developing an adequate epistemology (and related logic). Though there has been some philosophical work using biological sciences as areas of inquiry, this is most often a matter of investigating either the logic or content of the life sciences as it relates to that of physics or chemistry; for example, trying to determine the proper method and scope of reduction. Cognitive science has been a fruitful avenue for philosophy of mind, but in most cases the dominant model sees mind as "software" able to be understood


In the nurseries and natural regeneration of oak trees, on the background of intense accumulation on the level of the crowns of the seeding plants, strong attacks of phyto-pathogens are registered that cause the so called mildews and the most important of them is. The effects of mildews are manifested by diminutions of growing and biomass accumulations, with direct repercussions on the further quality of the attacked exemplars. As the age of the attacked exemplars is younger, as the intensity and degrees of attack are stronger. In this phase, the only measure of quick intervention, with direct effects is the chemo therapy. It is important to use only biodegradable substances, with no permanence on soil level. There are a lot of substances that may be used in fighting against mildew. This work proposes to verify the efficiency of some new fungicides (Allegro, Cabrio, Tilt, Duett ultra and Kumulus), compared with samples, untreated. The concentrations and doses for applying were differently fixed for each substance depending on the technical instruction for the use of products.


Based on the analysis and comparative study of surface outcrop profiles and well drilling profiles in combination with analysis of seism and attribute,it was presented that in Late Permian,Kaijiang-Liangping shelf was extended to southeast and linked up with West Hubei-Chengkou trough;the sedimentary framework of Western Hubei-Eastern Chongqing Area of Changxing Formation at Late Stage Permian was controlled by Kaijiang-Liangping shelf and West Hubei-Chengkou trough,and was divided into 4facies zones,such as the open platform,the platform margin,the shallow water shelf,and the basin,where reefs and banks of the platform margin are an important area of marine oil/gas exploration in this area.


Physics of non‐inertial reference frames is a generalizing of Newton's laws to any reference frames. It is the system of general axioms for classical and quantum mechanics. The first, Kinematics Principle reads: the kinematic state of a body free of forces conserves and equal in absolute value to an invariant of the observer's reference frame. The second, Dynamics Principle extended Newton's second law to non‐inertial reference frames and also contains additional variables there are higher derivatives of coordinates. Dynamics Principle reads: a force induces a change in the kinematic state of the body and is proportional to the rate of its change. It is mean that if the kinematic invariant of the reference frame is n‐th derivative with respect the time, then the dynamics of a body being affected by the force F is described by the 2n‐th differential equation. The third, Statics Principle reads: the sum of all forces acting a body at rest is equal to zero.


A streamflow regime can be broadly categorised as perennial, intermittent, or ephemeral, with ephemeral streams having relatively short-duration flow after rainfall and no baseflow, and intermittent streams having a more sustained flow during the wet season, but no baseflow during extended dry periods. Most existing rainfall-runoff models have been developed for humid catchments, in which streamflow is perennial. Thus the assumptions on which they are premised are often inappropriate for capturing the dynamic interactions between stream and groundwater in the more variably-connected systems in semi-arid and arid catchments. This paper presents IHACRES-3S, a new formulation of the IHACRES rainfall-runoff model, which has been developed for modelling streamflow in variably-connected groundwater-surface water catchments or catchments at risk of a change in flow regime due to groundwater extractions or climate change, such as the Messara catchment in Crete. The linear routing module has been reformulated as a 3-store model, with the new store behaving as a seasonal perched water table. Variations in the recharge between the two subsurface stores and the introduction of a streamflow evaporation term are shown to improve model performance, with the latest formulation able to capture the timing of the switch from a perennial stream to an ephemeral stream, as well as the low flow behaviour between wet seasons (Figure 1). Including a streamflow evaporation term is also shown to contribute to improved performance in modeled baseflows in the Messara catchment. Model complexity has increased due to the addition of new parameters and assumptions and more sensitivity testing is required to determine the final formulation, and level of complexity, as well as its wider applicability.


Authors: Yingying Lu, Shichen Dong, Bai-Xia Hao, Chang Li, Kai-Yuan Zhu, Wen-Jing Guo, Qian Wang, King-Ho Cheung, Connie WMWong, Wu-Tian Wu, Huss Markus & Jianbo Yue Journal: Autophagy Bibliometrics: Volume 10, Issue 11, pages 1895-1905 DOI: 10.4161/auto.32200 After reviewing the original data, the authors found that the background of several confocal images in Fig. 3E, 4C, S1, S2, S5, S12, and S14 was modified by the first author. The modifications include covering the incomplete cells at the edge of images or cells without expression of RFP or GFP. These modifications did not change the results or interpretation. In addition, the experiments of the modified images were repeated by another research staff member in the corresponding author's lab, and similar results have been obtained. The correct versions of these figures are provided below:


Although illicit financial outflows have been a permanent and growing phenomenon in Africa since the 1970s, the global development and research community turned its attention to the problem only recently (Ajayi and Khan 2001). However, over the last decade, and thanks in a large measure to the work by Global Financial Integrity (Kar and Cartwright-Smith 2010) and by Boyce and Ndikumana (2001, 2003, 2008, 2011), more empirical evidence has emerged to shed light on the


To research the clinical significanece of plasma endothelin (ET) and calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP) in children with rheumatic fever carditis.Method Plasma ET and CGRP were determined by radioimmunoassy in 19 cases of rheumatic fever carditis and 21 healthy children.Results Plasma ET was increased and CGRP decreased before treatment and those were decreased and increased respectively after improvement of heart function. ET was getting lower and lower (heart function normalheart functionⅢ, Ⅳ class I, Ⅱclass,P0. 05 and 0. 01) and CGRP higher and higher (the two groups of later had no obvious difference) along with the improvement of heart function. The levels of ET and CGRP showed linear negative correlation(γ=-0. 68,P0. 01 ).Contlusiou The levels of plasma ET and CGRP may be regarded as a monitoring index of judging the condition of heart function in the children with rheumatic fever carditis.


Oral anticoagulation (OAC) with vitamin K antagonists (VKA), such as warfarin, has demonstrated overwhelming evidence for the reduction of stroke and thromboembolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) [1, 2]. Despite an impressive evidence-base from numerous clinical trials in recognizing stroke risk factors [1, 2] as well as the publication of various thromboprophylaxis guidelines for atrial fibrillation (AF) [3–5], the rate of utilization of VKAs for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF) is still inadequate [1].


For high efficiency compact heat exchangers one needs to gain detailed knowledge of the distribution of the local heat transfer. For a profound assessment of heat enhancing mechanisms like secondary flow structures which are often found at rather small scales it is necessary to perform heat transfer measurements with high spatial resolution. A technique that satisfies this need is the ammonia absorption method (AAM). It is based on the analogy between heat and mass transfer. The here presented paper describes a new calibration approach for the AAM. It is done through the use of a well established heat transfer correlation for the hydrodynamic and thermal entry in parallel plate channels. This calibration approach is applied to heat transfer measurements in compact heat exchangers with inclined flat tubes and plane fins at Redh = 3000 . The heat transfer performance is compared to fin-and-tube heat exchangers with round tubes. It is found that the novel devices show consistently higher global Nusselt numbers than comparable round tube heat exchangers.Copyright © 2010 by ASME


We show that attractive two-dimensional (2D) spinor Bose–Einstein condensates with helicoidal spatially periodic spin–orbit coupling (SOC) support a rich variety of stable fundamental solitons and bound soliton complexes. Such states exist with chemical potentials belonging to the semi-infinite gap in the band spectrum created by the periodically modulated SOC. All these states exist above a certain threshold value of the norm. The chemical potential of fundamental solitons attains the bottom of the lowest band, whose locus is a ring in the space of Bloch momenta, and the radius of the non-monotonous function of the SOC strength. The chemical potential of soliton complexes does not attain the band edge. The complexes are bound states of several out-of-phase fundamental solitons whose centers are placed at local maxima of the SOC-modulation phase. In this sense, the impact of the helicoidal SOC landscape on the solitons is similar to that of a periodic 2D potential. In particular, it can compensate repulsive forces between out-of-phase solitons, making their bound states stable. Extended stability domains are found for complexes built of two and four solitons (dipoles and quadrupoles, respectively). They are typically stable below a critical value of the chemical potential.


HDL in the coronary survivors suggests an impairment in the process of reverse cholesterol transport in which this fraction has been demonstrated to be implicated in animal studies [8]. The results of this study therefore suggest that measurements of these HDL subfractions may provide better indicators of coronary risk than that of total plasma cholesterol which is frequently employed for this purpose but was indistinguishable between the two groups in the present study.


of a dissertation at the University of Miami. Dissertation supervised by Assistant Professor Na Li. No. of pages in text. (108) Optical biosensors that utilize unmodified Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) and nucleic acid probes are one of the most popular biosensors, thanks to the unique colorimetric and fluorescent properties of GNPs. These biosensors are based on the interactions between GNPs, DNA probes, and target molecules. As a result, their performance is dependent on the relative binding strength between DNA probes, GNPs, and target molecules. However, there is no systematic study on the thermodynamics and kinetics of interactions between DNA and GNPs. Moreover, there is no accessible tool for biomedical researchers to quantitatively study the interactions between DNA probes and target molecules, which could be DNA or other molecules. The current work consists of experimental study of the interactions between DNA and GNPs, as well as computational study of the interactions between DNA and target molecules. Systematic investigations on both thermodynamics and kinetics of interactions between DNA molecules and GNPs have been conducted. In the thermodynamics study, we developed titration experiments based on critical coagulation concentration (c.c.c.). To study the sequence dependency of DNA molecules, we used nucleobases, ribonucleosides, deoxynucleosides, deoxynucleoside monophosphate, deoxynucleoside triphosphates, and homo-oligonucleotides with 15 nucleotides (nt). We found that DNA molecules with bases thymine (T) have the weakest binding strength to GNPs, which is due to the lack of amine groups in T as indicated by previous studies. To study the length dependency of DNA molecules, we used homo-oligonucleotides of different lengths, ranging from 5 nt to 100 nt. It was found that shorter DNAs generally bind to GNPs stronger compared to longer DNAs. To study the difference of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), we used dsDNA in different conformations. It was discovered that single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) binds to GNPs much stronger than double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). In addition, dsDNA with overhangs or mismatches bind to GNPs differently than completely complementary dsDNA. In kinetics study, we developed fluorescent experiments based on fluorescent quenching effect of gold surfaces on fluorophores. To study the kinetics and effect of salt on the interactions between DNA and GNPs, we used 15mer homo-oligonucleotides and two sets of completely complementary dsDNA. It was observed that the longer the incubation time and/or the higher the NaCl concentration, the more DNAs bind to GNPs. We also found that the binding kinetics and the effect of salt is sequence dependent. To provide a user-friendly tool to quantitatively study interactions between DNA and target molecules, a thermodynamics based computational model was implemented with two Microsoft® Excel spreadsheets that utilized macros and visual basic applications (VBA). One spreadsheet is for up to three DNA molecules and the other spreadsheet is for up to two DNA molecules and one non-nucleic acid molecule. We have extensively tested and verified the two spreadsheets under various situations. The results of this work could be used to optimize the design of biosensors based on GNPs and nucleic acid probes, thus improving on selectivity and sensitivity of these biosensors.


Feathers are epidermal growths that form the distinctive outer covering, commonly called plumage, on birds. They are considered the most complex integumentary structures found in vertebrates and a primary example of a complex evolutionary novelty. There are two basic types of feather: vaned feathers which cover the exterior of the body, and down feathers which are underneath the vaned feathers. Flight feathers are the long, stiff, asymmetrically shaped, but symmetrically paired feathers on the wings and tail of a birds. Those on the wings are called remiges, while those on the tail are called rectrices. The primary function of the flight feathers is to aid in the generation of both thrust and lift, thereby enabling flight.


The coordination behaviour of chiral 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridines with silver(I) is solvent dependent; in acetonitrile, mononuclear [Ag(L)(MeCN)]+ complexes are formed, whereas in less coordinating solvents such as methanol or nitromethane, solid state tetranuclear bis(double helices) [{Ag2L2}2]4+ are obtained.


ABSTRACT Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on metal surfaces have inspired many interesting applications, such as chemical and biological sensors, molecular electronics, magnetism and protective coatings. In this respect, SAMs having different head and tail groups have been synthesised which allow the modification of the material properties by tuning intermolecular, monolayer–metal and/or monolayer–solvent interactions. In this respect, we investigate the adsorption of thiols having aromatic, p-mercaptobenzonitrile (pPhCN) or aliphatic, 2-azidoethanthiol (N3S), tail groups on Au(111) surface by means of Density Functional Theory (DFT). Monomer and dimer adsorption configurations of both pPhCN and N3S molecules as well as the modification of the electronic structures upon adsorption are studied. Our results show that different adsorption mechanisms are observed for the molecules under consideration. While monomer and dimer structures of the pPhCN prefer to adsorb laterally on the surface, for N3S vertical arrangement of the molecules enhances the molecular immobilisation. Although, dominant contributions to the adsorption energy of the laterally adsorbed pPhCN are through S–Au chemical bond, phenyl ring–surface and cyano N–surface interactions, π–π stacking of the rings contributes to the stabilisation of the complex in addition to the S–Au chemical bond in the case of vertical attachment. For N3S, on the other hand, only S–Au chemical bond determines the adsorption strength. S–Au interactions result in broad molecular orbital redistribution of the S atoms of both molecules, due to the rehybridisation of S and Au states. Density of cyano-N and cyano-C states present in the pPhCN is affected by the orientation of the rings with respect to each other. In the case of 2N3S, instead, the distribution of the tail group molecular orbitals is not modified by the adsorption.


There are two diametrically opposed views on the property of Hetuvidya.One holds that Hetuvidya is logic,the other denies it resolutely.In fact,the latter just put forward its opinion from the narrow pointview of formal logic.By studying carefully its patterns and structures of argumentation,we find out that Hetuvidya is a typical informal logic.


In the modern world, betting, gambling and bookmaking are intimately connected with professional sports. Amidst the technological boom, particularly the rise and prevalence of the internet, gambling has become a globalised phenomenon, which, now with an online aspect, has only recently come under the scrutiny of authorities and the legislature. Of particular importance is the notion that drafters of legislation may not have contemplated that such a communications medium as the World Wide Web could ever exist. As such, legislation has been written or amended over the past decade in order to accommodate the internet and other forms of online communication in relation to online betting.


The study aimed to determine the fatty acid profile, omegas and lipid quality indeces in commercial cuts of pirarucu (Arapaima gigas) of the slaughter class 11.1 to 14.0 kg. Sample collections were carried out in two fish processing industries located in Rondônia state, Brazil. The experimental design was completely randomized, with processing performed in triplicate. Data were submitted to ANOVA to assess differences between commercial cuts in chemical compositions. If ANOVA appeared statistically significant (α=0.05), the averages were compared by Tukey's test. In the composition of fatty acids, there was a difference (p <0.05) between cuts. Commercial cuts that expressed the highest percentages of SFAs tail fillet 51.2%, of MUFAs fillet mignon 39.8% and of PUFAs deboned cut 20.7%. The indeces prescribed for lipid quality, ∑PUFAs/∑SFAs, ∑PUFAs (n-6/∑n-3), AI, TI and HH, indicate that commercial cuts have lipid quality. Deboned is the cut with the highest PUFA fatty acid content, with the highest values of Omega 3, 6, 7 and n-9 being also expressed. Nutritional information is important for the processes of conservation and processing, development of new products on the market, as well as guiding the form of preparation, thus providing commercial security for different market niches.