Objective: To assess levels of anxiety and salivary alpha-amylase in children and its association with the use of informative or aversive behavioral management techniques during restorative dental procedures. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed with 69 children aged 4-12 years submitted to restorative dental treatment. The level of anxiety of patients was verified by means of the Modified Venham Picture Test and levels of salivary alpha-amylase were measured before and after the restorative procedure. The behavioral management techniques used during the dental procedure were registered. Associations between variables were analyzed using the chi-square test, considering statistically significant associations with p ≤ 0.05. Results: Salivary alpha-amylase showed high and moderate levels prior to dental procedure in 47 children (68.1%). Variables gender and behavioral management techniques were not associated with anxiety, as measured by VPT and salivary alpha-amylase activity. However, younger children showed higher levels of alpha-amylase (p = 0.001). Conclusion: The sample revealed that the visit to the dentist has generated anxiety, manifested by behavioral and physiological changes, especially in children under 72 months; thus, no association between anxiety and the different management techniques was observed.


This study applies bootstrap panel Granger causality test to examine the relationship between insurance development and economic growth in 7 Middle Eastern countries: Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, and Israel. According to our results, the relationship between life insurance development and economic growth can be significantly affected by country-specific factors; life insurance and macro economy generally have bi-directional Granger causal relationship in higher income level countries, such as United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Israel; non-life insurance can do better in promoting economic growth in low-income Middle Eastern countries, such as Oman, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia; both demand-following and supply-leading pattern widely exit in the nexus of economic growth and insurance development for life and non-life insurance sectors. These results have important economic and policy implications for the 7 Middle Eastern countries under study.


The background and overall thought of simulation system on NC milling are introduced in this paper. The simulation system on a NC milling machine of some model is designed based on Visual Basic programming languages in the windows environment. The system has a simple interface and convenient operating. The system can realize the simulation of NC milling .Thus it can export the tool path with a graphical method for testing the machining programming.


Four new antibiotics, TMC-171A (2), B (3), C (4) and TMC-154 (5) have been isolated from the fermentation of fungal strains Gliocladium sp. TC 1304 and TC 1282, respectively. Spectroscopic and degradation studies have shown that TMC-171s and TMC-154 were new members of the TMC-151 class of antibiotics, unique polyketides modified with a D-mannose and a D-mannitol or a D-arabitol. These compounds showed moderate cytotoxicity to various tumor cell lines.


This paper investigates the effect of the distribution system employed by direct writers on their cost effectiveness and market share in the property-liability insurance industry. A generalized translog multi-product cost function is estimated in order to test for economies of scale and economies of scope. The regression results indicate that direct writers experience increasing returns to scale as they expand their level of output at the mean. There is also evidence of diseconomies of scope in their auto and all other lines combined (excluding auto and homeowners insurance). A structural test indicated that the generalized translog cost function is a statistically significant improvement over the Cobb-Douglas functional form which has been commonly used by other researchers. Further research is needed to explore the welfare implications of the finding that the production of direct writers may be characterized by increasing returns to scale.


The article presents the materials about the history of the creation and publishing activities of the journal "Engines Construction", first in Leningrad (at the Central Research Diesel Institute — TSNIDI), then in St. Petersburg (at LLC «TSNIDI-Ecoservice»). Also, the article elaborates on the reasons for the transfer of the rights of the founder and publisher to the Bauman Moscow State Technical University. We show the main stages of the formation of the "Engines Construction", journal as the leading scientific and engineering publication in the field of development of Russian marine, diesel, automotive and industrial engines are. The article talks about prominent scientists who collaborated with the editorial board and published in the journal. We give the journal scope within the framework of which scientific and technical articles are published on various topics of developing and improving engines for various purposes. Lastly, we present new scientific specialties for which the journal is being re-registered in the list of the Higher Attestation Commission (VAK) of the Russian Federation.


To optimize the method for measuring urease activity,single factor experiment and orthogonal test was used based on soil enzymology,with waste sample in landfill. Results showed that the optimal conditions for urease in waste degradation process were as 30℃ of dried temperature,0.5mL toluene,1mL of 10% urea,3mL of 0.1M sodium citrate buffer at pH 5.5, 30℃ of culture temperature and 24h of culture period. Relatively standard deviation(RSD) was less than 0.82% in the verification test,and measured value was 30.48% to 147.28% higher than the traditional method,indicating high precision and feasibility of the method.


In the particular case we have insertions/deletions at the tail of a given set S of $n$ one-dimensional elements, we present a simpler and more concrete algorithm than that presented in [Anderson, 2007] achieving the same (but also amortized) upper bound of $O(\sqrt{logd/loglogd})$ for finger searching queries, where $d$ is the number of sorted keys between the finger element and the target element we are looking for. Furthermore, in general case we have insertions/deletions anywhere we present a new randomized algorithm achieving the same expected time bounds. Even the new solutions achieve the optimal bounds in amortized or expected case, the advantage of simplicity is of great importance due to practical merits we gain.


Aviation is forecasted to grow at around 5% every year for next few decades. The internal air traffic within Asia has increased substantially and is driving the growth in aviation. With the increasing urbanization, a substantial part of the air traffic within Asia and around the world is marked by travel between mega cities (with population of around 10 million or more). At present large passenger capacity aircraft (like Boeing 747 or Airbus A330 & A340) are being used to carry passengers between several of these cities which are separated by less than 2000 km. However these large aircraft are optimized for long range missions and are thus inefficient when used on these short range missions. Apart from being expensive in terms of operating costs, these aircraft also produce more emissions per passenger km. The present paper discusses the proposal for a short range aircraft capable of carrying around 500 passengers in the year 2030. The proposed aircraft called the "Jumbo City Flyer", has payload characteristics similar to Boeing 747-400 but the fuel efficiency of a turboprop. The proposed aircraft can help in cutting down the emissions from aviation to a significant extent. The proposed aircraft is a new concept in civil aviation that has the potential to meet the future energy demands in aviation as well as being sustainable.


Immediately following World War I the world and the nation were faced with a sugar shortage which drove the price of sugar up and focused attention upon the possibilities of sugar production in new undeveloped areas of the world. One such area was the Florida Everglades. A number of persons toured the Everglades in that period and gave glowing accounts of what they saw. For example, C. A. Burguieres, prominent Louisiana sugar cane planter and sugar distributor, made an extensive trip into the Everglades in 1920 and was enthusiastically optimistic about Florida's opportunities. According to a story in the Florida Times-Union, "[Burguieres] . . . stated that the sugar producing possibilities in Florida were truly wonderful and that he had seen cane there yielding over thirty tons to the acre and testing from sixteen to eighteen per cent sucrose as a usual thing. He had gone over that country a year or more ago and, where at that time one would find only a few acres, he would now see seven or eight thousand acres of the finest sugar cane to be seen anywhere on the American continent."


Despite several detailed theoretical analyses of the stress distribution expected for Czochralski grown GaAs crystals, experimental verification of these calculations has hitherto relied on dislocation density measurements. The present work shows that weak photoelastic patterns are resolvable in the near‐infrared transmittance (typically near 1.4 μm) of semi‐insulating GaAs wafers. Mapping of these patterns reveals the contours of constant shear stress, with results generally supporting the calculated models for the stress distribution.


Lumbee advocates believed that Lumbees should harness the full power of self-determination provided by the federal government. Federal recognition does not legitimize a tribe's identity, but it does give a tribe's inherent sovereignty a unique place within the American political system. This chapter outlines the Lumbee fight for federal recognition throughout the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. Opposition came from the federal government, Washington political infighting, and other Indian tribes. Despite disappointment at the federal level, Lumbee organizations worked together to create a tribal government and constitution for the Lumbee people, as well as debated with each other about how best to do that. The topic of gaming was particularly controversial. Eventually Lumbees decided on an electoral system of government with representation on a district basis. The Lumbee constitution defined two important aspects of Lumbee identity: kinship and place.Important players in the Lumbee fight for sovereignty included Arlinda Locklear, Julian Pierce, Helen Maynor Schierbeck, and Dalton Brooks.


Abstract Disclosure: P. Subarajan: None. A. Boutsicaris: None. C.A. Poku: None. N. Lopez: None. Distinguishing between parathyroid adenoma (PA) and parathyroid cancer (PC) in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) can be difficult to determine before pathology results. Estimates vary between studies, but roughly 85% of cases of PHPT are PAs. We present a case of a PC that presented clinically as a PA. A 59 year old female presented to Endocrinology for hypercalcemia that was incidentally noted to be 13.8 and 12.8 on initial recheck. Endocrinology completed a secondary workup of the hypercalcemia which noted a PTH of 147 in the setting of a calcium (Ca) of 12.6. Lab review showed that her corrected Ca had been elevated over the preceding 2 years. She had a replete 25-OH vitamin D of 43 and a GFR of 29. A neck ultrasound revealed a 2.1 cm mass suspicious for a parathyroid mass. A sestamibi scan was consistent with increased focal uptake at the inferior pole of the right thyroid lobe. She had renal dysfunction, hypercalcemia and newly diagnosed osteoporosis which prompted referral to endocrine surgery. Intraoperatively, an enlarged right inferior parathyroid gland and a large mass encompassing the inferior thyroid pole extending into the anterior mediastinum with lymphadenopathy were noted. En Bloc resection was completed and final pathology was consistent with high grade parathyroid carcinoma infiltrating the adjacent thyroid gland. Genetic testing for HPT-JT was negative and ultrasound monitoring has remained negative. PC is rare and typically has a clinical presentation and course that sets it apart from PA. The PTH is typically 3-10 times above the upper limit of normal in PC and only 1-2 times above the upper limit of normal in PA. As a result of the variation in PTH, serum Ca is more elevated in PC than PA. PC patients typically present with a parathyrotoxicosis that is profound. A palpable neck mass can be present in 40-70% of individuals with PC. Our patient had an equivocal presentation that appeared more consistent with PA, which can be problematic when deciding on the optimal surgical approach. Amino-PTH is hypersecreted in PC and reacts with 3rd generation PTH assays, but not second generation assays. Clinically, using a third/second generation PTH assay ratio >1 can support a possible clinical suspicion of PC over PA. En Bloc resection is the surgical approach of choice for suspected PC. En Bloc resection may not always be done for a patient with a presentation and evaluation consistent with PA: data shows that only 12.5% of PC patients underwent En Bloc resection, as opposed to 78.6% who underwent parathyroidectomy alone. This puts patients at risk of requiring repeat surgical intervention and poses a higher risk for recurrence. It brings to question whether every PA should be addressed with an En Bloc resection to avoid this inherent risk. This case adds to the literature of PC presenting as PA and supports the argument for standard En Bloc resection in all cases. Presentation: Saturday, June 17, 2023


The workaround is located at south Hunan-east Guangxi depression between the Yangzi and Huaxia plate.NE and NW deep structural magmatic belt is belonged to the important tin mine in the South Mountains.Sn-W deposits are concentrated at the three mineralization perspective areas: Huashan-Guposhan,Dupangling and Yuechengling.There are more than 100 Sn-W deposits in the region,including 21 primary deposits and 2 large scale and 6 middle scale deposits.The deposit types include magma type,skarn type,altered fragment type,altered granite type and quartz vein type.The deposit is controlled by mineralized granite and ore-bearing stratum.They are closely related with the early Yanshan granite.The ore material and fluid are from magmatic activity.It is simply determined that there are 12 exploration targets of the middle to large scale perspective in the northeast Guangxi.


The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for treatment of primary composition, which is made of the following weight proportions of materials: Sole leaf, pennycress, rhubarb, Folium, Polygonum cuspidatum, Medicago Peucedanum, Dent amaranth, berberine, the three Pennisetum, myrrh, amla, mint, PDB, Pterocephalus grass, Eupolyphaga, Drynaria, scorpion, violent Ma leather, small through the grass, cloves, Kapok, black snake, small barge bone, cork, root, black cohosh, sheep downtown flower, Angelica, Rhizoma, cotton castor seed, fresh white skin, forsythia, perfoliatum, fenugreek and litchi nucleus. Primary treatment of the present invention is a pharmaceutical composition trigeminal neuralgia low cost, easily prepared, toxic side effects, the efficacy of significant features.


The first generation of IGP Link Weight Optimizers (LWOs) was based on presumably invariant intra-domain traffic matrices only, ignoring the fact that updating link weights had a side effect on these traffic matrices due to hot-potato routing, thus result- ing in suboptimal link weight settings, and sometimes to very bad performance. The second generation of IGP LWOs, referred to as BGP-aware LWOs, has been able to optimize link weights while taking hot-potato effects into account. However, these tools relied on the complete visibility assumption fulfilled by e.g. a full-mesh iBGP configu- ration. This paper proposes a third generation LWO, still BGP-aware, but also able to work with iBGP con- figurations based on route reflectors, which usually hide some reachability information from routers. This partial visibility may cause various problems, including path deflections (i.e., the actual egress router is not the expected one), which may in turn create forwarding loops. Our LWO embeds a BGP routing solver which can always predict the actual egress router, even when route reflectors are used. It can also forbid solutions leading to path deflection. Its efficiency is evaluated on a real dataset, and compared to other LWOs. Index Terms—Traffic Engineering, Hot-potato Rout- ing, BGP, IGP, OSPF, Path Deflection


Renal excretory function begins at the glomerular capillaries with the formation of a nearly ideal ultrafiltrate of plasma. The volume and composition of the ultrafiltrate undergo sequential change along the nephron, ultimately regulated to preserve near-constancy of mineral, electrolyte, and fluid balance. Modest derangement of these processes often escapes clinical or laboratory detection, because the myriad of unimpaired nephrons compensate more or less completely. Beyond a certain level of injury, however, compensatory adaptations no longer keep pace with nephron loss. As a result, glomerular filtration rate declines and organic nitrogenous wastes (e.g., creatinine, urea) accumulate in plasma and other body fluids. In acute renal failure, injury is usually transient, so that deterioration of function is short-lived and reversible. Not so, however, with the many forms of irreversible nephron damage, which typically progress over time, often eventuating in complete loss of renal function, systemic toxicity (uremia), and death unless the lost function is replaced by chronic dialysis and/or successful renal transplantation. Much of the effort in nephrology since the 1970s has been concerned with improving the effectiveness of these renal-replacement therapies. In the late 1960s, we fortuitously gained access to a unique strain of rats with many glomeruli that are situated on the renal cortical surface. For the first time, mammalian glomeruli were therefore accessible to direct study by new microtechniques developed in our laboratory. We therefore addressed the following questions: (a) What are the precise hemodynamic forces and biophysical properties that govern glomerular capillary function in health? (b) How are these elements modified during renal injury? (c) Do these modifications contribute to the relentless progression of renal disease? (d) If so, can they be reversed, so as to retard further deterioration of renal function and prevent end-stage renal disease (ESRD)?


A lumped parameter model of the urethra was developed to assess urethral resistance and changes in urethral elasticity during voiding using pressure and flow measurements. The model includes a pressure drop due to rapid velocity change in the constricted flow-controlling zone and urethral elasticity relating cross-sectional area with pressure. Using real pressure-flow data sets, the model was used to estimate urethral resistance and changes in urethral elasticity during voiding. Results show that it is possible to obtain resistance and estimate changes in elasticity during voiding from the pressure and flow. Estimations of elasticity show that in the normal patient relaxation of the urethra is a process that continues until end of voiding. This has important implications regarding present methods that are used in the clinic to assess urethral obstruction or constriction.


Various subquark models so far proposed are briefly reviewed. Classifications of leptons and quarks in the models are discussed and compared. Our spinor-subquark model of leptons and quarks in which leptons and quarks are made of three subquarks of spin 1/2 is discussed in detail. The possibility that gauge bosons and Higgs scalars are also made of a subquark-antisubquark pair is discussed. Exotic states of subquarks such as leptons and quarks of spin 3/2, exotic fermions, and exotic bosons are predicted in our model. Subquark currents and their algebra are proposed. Two unified subquark models of strong and electroweak interactions are discussed. The one is a gauge model and the other is a model of the Nambu--Jona-Lasinio type. A subquark model of gravity and its supergrand unification is proposed. Finally, a speculation is made on ''color-space correspondence.''


The invention relates to a method for eliminating residual solution during etching for a capacitive touch screen, which is characterized by comprising the following steps of: firstly, putting the etched touch screen on a support, and putting the support in an immersing box filled with cleaning fluid with 90 seconds, wherein the liquid level of the cleaning fluid in the immersing box is higher than an effective work region of the touch screen; and secondly, immersing the touch screen in the immersing box for 25-35 minutes, and then taking the touch screen out for performing next process. The cleaning liquid is prepared by weight: 0.8-1% of HCL (hydrogen chloride), 0.05-0.07% of HNO3 and the balance of deionized water. According to the invention, the residual solution in the etching process can be eliminated to ensure the product quality and guarantee the normal operation of the follow-up process.


Improving the expansive soil roadbed by adding engineering spoil is an economical and environment-protecting method. In this paper, the test results of improving expansive soil by adding spoil and permeate soil to it are given. The optimum mix ratio for the improved soil, rational spreading thickness and times of compaction are also put forward at the end of this paper. The objective of improving the engineering geological properties of expansive soil has been well realized.


Analyzes the wife-trading institution among North Alaska Eskimos from data collected 1961, 1962, and 1967. The practice ended during the 1890s. Informants were consistent on two points, viz: since a stranger was an enemy to be killed on sight, a man protected himself by building a network of helpful relationships, thereby reducing the number of "strangers" in his environment. Also strong levirate and sororate taboos caused wife trading and marriage partners to be chosen from socially distant and potentially dangerous families. Wife trading was recognized as legitimate for settling marital disputes, reinforcing important people's status and producing kinsmen for one's children. The practice also served to reinforce tight standards of sexual morality. A parent had to inform his own children who their half siblings were, lest ingroup homicide or incest result. Premarital pregnancies were rare and young people who exchanged spouses within the community on their own initiative were condemned. In discussion of the kinship system, Eskimo terminology is given, as are examples related by living informants.


The genus Dermea was founded by Fries (Syst. Orbis Veg. 343. 1825) and later changed to Dermatea by the same author. Fries changed the spelling of the name apparently for etymological reasons, but the original spelling is here retained in accordance with the rules in spite of the fact that the latter is in common use. Although not the first species mentioned Peziza Cerasi of Persoon is usually regarded as the type of the genus and probably fittingly so since it is widely distributed, well known, and a species of economic importance. In 1865 Tulasne established the genus Pezicula based on Peziza carpinea Persoon, a species common on Carpinus. There seems to have been some difference of opinion as to the grounds for the separation of these two genera. Lindau (E. & P. Nat. Pfl. I1: 235. 1897) regards them as synonyms. Saccardo treats the genera as distinct but the characters on which they are separated by him are vague and the basis for separation not clearly defined. In working over the various species of the two genera the writer has been inclined to throw them together in one genus, since it seems to be impossible to separate them on ascospore characters. However, more detailed study has revealed an ap? parently definite morphological character on which the genera can be separated if we wish to resort to the conidial stages. To what extent the conidial stage should be used in segregating genera of the Ascomycetes is an open question since the latter are often obscure or entirely wanting. Fortunately, however, there are usually other characters which accompany the dirferences in conidial characters by which species can be distinguished even though the conidial stage is not actually seen. Such seems


Packaging material of a vacuum heat insulator of the present invention, the barrier comprising a plastic base film and the barrier aluminum deposited laminated on a film of ethylene-stacked on the polyvinyl alcohol copolymer film-vinyl alcohol copolymer film and the aluminum vapor deposition ethylene and a heat-sealable layer. At least one surface of the plastic base material of the insulation film, a metal or an inorganic oxide, or a metal, and a mixture and depositing the thin film layer formed by including an inorganic oxide, an aqueous polymer and the (a) at least one alkoxide and one or more alkoxide or at least one (b) of the hydrolyzate solution containing at least one of tin chloride, or water and a film layer comprising a coating agent to the subject a mixed solution of alcohol are stacked in order.


Subject. The article addresses the transformation of international economic relations.
Objectives. The aim is to analyze international trade indicators for the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (the CIS), identify priority areas of their long-term cooperation.
Methods. The study employs the historical-logical method and the method of scientific abstraction.
Results. The paper establishes that trade and economic relations within the framework of the Commonwealth of Independent States are unstable. The share of the Commonwealth of Independent States in world exports in 2021 did not exceed 3%.
Conclusions. The key areas of economic cooperation between the CIS countries include the creation of a common commodity exchange, liberalization of mutual access to the public procurement market, maximum strengthening of production and technological cooperation, development of digital trade.


This thesis begins with a brief history of video surveillance, the migration from analog to digital systems, and presents the components of a modern video surveillance system. Then the focus is on video surveillance systems, where it is motivated why their requirements and observers differ from consumer video distribution systems, and what design constraints a practical surveillance system has to satisfy. From this we derive requirements for the coding system, which allows us to construct a detailed problem statement for this thesis. The outline of the individual chapters is presented in a structured manner to guide the reader throughout this thesis, and for each chapter the contributions and their related publications are listed.


Biodiversity is distributed unevenly from the poles to the equator, and among branches of the tree of life, yet how those enigmatic patterns are related is unclear. We investigated global speciation-rate variation across crown Mammalia using a novel time-scaled phylogeny (N=5,911 species, ~70% with DNA), finding that trait- and latitude-associated speciation has caused uneven species richness among groups. We identify 24 branch-specific shifts in net diversification rates linked to ecological traits. Using time-slices to define clades, we show that speciation rates are a stronger predictor of clade richness than age. Speciation is slower in tropical than extra-tropical lineages, but only at the level of clades not species tips, consistent with fossil evidence that the latitudinal diversity gradient may be a relatively young phenomenon in mammals. In contrast, species tip rates are fastest in mammals that are low dispersal or diurnal, consistent with models of ephemeral speciation and ecological opportunity, respectively. These findings juxtapose nested levels of diversification, suggesting a central role of species turnover gradients in generating uneven patterns of modern biodiversity.


aBstract This case study provides a disquisition of quality assurance processes at BOCODOL and how the processes have impacted on individual employees, organs and overall performance of the college. To set the scene, it briefly highlights the history of distance education in Botswana. The demographic data give a further insight into the country's status as a developing economy. The educational policy developments of 1977 and 1993 are highlighted as the foundations on which the current education system is based. The latter policy development, which resulted in the publication of the Revised National Policy on Education (RNPE), has become the reference point for major educational advancements in Botswana. Issues of quality in education feature very prominently in the RNPE, whereas the 1977 policy had focused on quantity. As a result of the quest for quality education emphasised by the RNPE, BOCODOL was established with a mandate that mirrored this desire. The study thus traces the origins of quality assurance within the college. The process and route that the college took to make quality assurance an integral part of the college business are outlined as well as the challenges encountered in the process and how they were handled and also an enumeration of the positive impact that the college has had as a result of the implementation of the Quality Assurance Policy. Clearly, quality assurance is not and should not be perceived as an end in itself within the context of BOCODOL. It is a means, and the end should rather be seen as the improved quality of life experienced by those who have had a brush with the interventions of the college.


Temporal Dynamics of Categorization Recent research in categorization has seen a growing emphasis on the temporal dynamics of classification responses (e.g., Lamberts, 1998, 2000; Nosofsky & Palmeri, 1997). These dynamic models generally predict that the degree of fit between an exemplar and the possible categories to which it might belong is a gradually increasing function over hundreds of milliseconds for the correct category and a gradually decreasing function for the incorrect category (or categories). The development of experimental techniques that can provide evidence for these simultaneously partially-active category representations during the early moments of the categorization process has faced some methodological obstacles, such as imprecision in response deadlines, or limited reaction-time ranges, extensive repetition of stimuli, and potential strategies resulting from speeded classification instructions. The present work recorded eye movements as a semi-continuous, real-time measure of partially activated categories during a normal-speed categorization task (cf. McMurray, Tanenhaus, Aslin, & Spivey, 2003).


REVIEW QUESTION / OBJECTIVE Peer-based interventions have the potential to enhance quality of life and functioning; however their role specifically within the older population has not been fully investigated. The objective of this review therefore is to locate, appraise and synthesize evidence on the effectiveness of peer-based interventions on changes in health behaviors, specifically for the older population. The specific question to be answered is: "what is the effectiveness of peer-based interventions on health promoting behaviors in older adults, when compared to interventions that are not peer-based?"  INCLUSION CRITERIA Types of participants The World Health Organization suggests that while a generally accepted definition of "older" may refers to age 60 and above, using a specific chronological age to define older adults may be inappropriate as differing contexts will have different determinants of aging. Therefore this review will consider studies that include persons over age 60 as well as any participant within a population group defined in the study as "older adult". The setting will be community based interventions, primary care or residential aged care facilities. Interventions undertaken in acute care settings will be included if the population of the intervention is targeted at older persons. Types of intervention(s)/phenomena of interest This review will consider studies that evaluate interventions comprising any peer-based strategy that is delivered to effect a change in health promoting behaviors. The intervention may include peer mentors, peer educators or peer support. Peer strategies as part of chronic disease management are not the primary focus of this review. TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS


Significance Bacterial suspensions can flow without apparent viscosity. Such a superfluid-like behavior stems from the collective motions of swimming bacteria. Here, we explore the microscopic flow profile of bacterial "superfluids" under simple shear. We find that, instead of deforming uniformly, bacterial superfluids develop multiple shear bands, i.e., regions with different shear deformations. We construct a simple model that quantitatively describes the shape of the shear-banding structure and reveals important physical properties of collective bacterial motions. Our study sheds light on complex interactions between swimming microorganisms and ambient fluid flows, crucial for the survival of microorganisms in nature and the manipulation of bacterial suspensions in engineering settings. Bacterial suspensions—a premier example of active fluids—show an unusual response to shear stresses. Instead of increasing the viscosity of the suspending fluid, the emergent collective motions of swimming bacteria can turn a suspension into a superfluid with zero apparent viscosity. Although the existence of active superfluids has been demonstrated in bulk rheological measurements, the microscopic origin and dynamics of such an exotic phase have not been experimentally probed. Here, using high-speed confocal rheometry, we study the dynamics of concentrated bacterial suspensions under simple planar shear. We find that bacterial superfluids under shear exhibit unusual symmetric shear bands, defying the conventional wisdom on shear banding of complex fluids, where the formation of steady shear bands necessarily breaks the symmetry of unsheared samples. We propose a simple hydrodynamic model based on the local stress balance and the ergodic sampling of nonequilibrium shear configurations, which quantitatively describes the observed symmetric shear-banding structure. The model also successfully predicts various interesting features of swarming vortices in stationary bacterial suspensions. Our study provides insights into the physical properties of collective swarming in active fluids and illustrates their profound influences on transport processes.


We show that the $N=2$ and $N=4$ SUSY Yang-Mills action can be reformulated in the sense of non-commutative geometry on $M^4\times (Z_2\oplus Z_2)$ in a rather simple way. In this way the scalars or pseudoscalars are viewed as gauge fields along two directions in the space of one-forms on $Z_2\oplus Z_2$.


A short, single-stranded nucleic acid chain attached to the tip of an atomic force microscope can locate its complement with high resolution and specificity.


In this letter the optical behavior as well as the thermal properties of CdSe quantum dots (QDs) capped with mercapto succinic acid (MSA) are studied and analyzed. CdSe QDs with an average particle size of 7.0 nm are prepared by a microwave irradiation method. The unique structure of MSA plays an important role in determining the PL intensity and better stability by controlling the pH of the medium. A significant increase in thermal diffusivity with pH values is observed with a mode matched thermal lens method. At the optimum value of pH, the surface charge of nanoparticles increases, which increases the repulsive forces. The resulting reduced agglomeration of QDs enhances mobility and improves heat transport. There is a clear correlation between luminous intensity and thermal diffusivity in these nano fluids containing CdSe QDs.


The transparent conductive film made of Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) is widely used in many fields because of its excellent electrical conductivity and optical properties. At present, the information in biological detection field has not satisfied the people's needs, which are obtained based on some kind of sensors with traditional rigid substrate preparation. The contact surface for creatures perceive and stimulation are flexible surfaces. The kinds of electrode with ITO conductive film as the base for electrode preparation have a great application prospect in biological information collection.


The failure analysis composites remains a topic still open to discussion. Indeed, despite the of progress of the research, none of the available failure theories is still able to accurately predict the failure at all levels of analysis, for all the loading and boundary conditions, failure modes, lay-ups, relative thickness and constituent materials. The criteria suited for specific classes of applications and the range of variation of their predictions with the variation of the design parameters are still unknown. In this paper, a bibliographical review that collects the most recent failure theories of composites with continuous reinforcement fibers, the recent improvements to existing theories and their applications is presented, together with a numerical assessment of their accuracy. Various criteria are compared considering various lay-ups, constituent materials, loading configurations, relative thickness and boundary conditions for which experimental results are available for comparisons. The analysis is carried out by a recently developed mixed, solid element whose nodal d.o.f, are the three displacement and the three interlaminar stress components, because it provides more accurate predictions with respect to displacement-based elements with a reasonably fine in-plane and through-the-thickness discretization. In the regions where the failure analysis is carried out, the fiber and matrix phase-averaged stresses are is used. It appears that the criteria can be accurate in a particular and inaccurate in other cases. In certain cases, the generalized failure criteria can be as accurate like the physically based failure criteria; the opposite can occur in other cases. However a group of criteria was identified that could be used for reciprocal checks


This paper presents a Pareto-optimality based multi-objective optimisation approach to optimise optical network parameters considering multiple performance metrics simultaneously. Resultant Pareto-optimal solutions provide a set of options for practitioners to assist network (re-)design choices considering multiple (conflicting) performance goals.


A transducer is a system that couples two loads. For example, an electromechanical transducer couples a mechanical force and an electrical voltage. A two-load, nonlinear system can exhibit rich behavior of bifurcation, which can be displayed in a three-dimensional space, with the horizontal plane representing the two loads, and the vertical axis representing the state of the system. In this three-dimensional space, a state of equilibrium at fixed loads corresponds to a point on a surface. The surface is smooth, but its projection to the load plane results in singularities of two types: fold and cusp. Here we identify the fold and cusp for a dielectric elastomer transducer by a combination of experiment and calculation. We conduct two kinds of experiment: electrical actuation under a constant force and mechanical pulling under a constant voltage. The theory and the experiment agree well. The fold and cusp are essential in the design of loading paths to avoid or harness the bifurcation.


Objective To investigate the felationship of methylation of human runt-related transcription factor 3 (Runx3) gene on metastasis and oncogenesis of gastric arcinoma. Methods Using RT-PCR technique, specimens from 80 gastric cancer patients (tumor tissues,adjacent tissues) were detected for their expression of the Runx3 gene. Meanwhile, Methylation-specific PCR was used to detect methylation of Runx3 promoter region. Results The expression of Runx3 gene mRNA detected in gastric carcinoma (0.5971±0.1013)was lower than that in adjacent tissues samples(0.8297±0.2912)(t=6.7480, P0.05). No methylation of Runx3 promoter was found in adjacent tissues samples. But it was found in 43 cases in 80 gastric carcinoma specimens. The rate of methylation of Runx3 promoter in gastric carcinoma was higher than that in adjacent tissues(P0.05).The Runx3 mRNA were down-regulated in lymphnode metastasis or poorly differentiated groups, but the Runx3 promoter methylation were detected in those groups markedly. A significant difference was noted between two groups (P0.05). ConclusionHypermethylation was one of reasons which induced Runx3 gene inactivation in human gastric carcinoma. Methylation of Runx3 promoter maybe correlated to on cogenesis, metastasis of gastric carcinoma.


For an arbitrary number of species, we derive a Hamiltonian fluid model for strongly magnetized plasmas describing the evolution of the density, velocity, and electromagnetic fluctuations and also of the temperature and heat flux fluctuations associated with motions parallel and perpendicular to the direction of a background magnetic field. We derive the model as a reduction of the infinite hierarchy of equations obtained by taking moments of a Hamiltonian drift-kinetic system with respect to Hermite–Laguerre polynomials in velocity–magnetic-moment coordinates. We show that a closure relation directly coupling the heat flux fluctuations in the directions parallel and perpendicular to the background magnetic field provides a fluid reduction that preserves the Hamiltonian character of the parent drift-kinetic model. We find an alternative set of dynamical variables in terms of which the Poisson bracket of the fluid model takes a structure of a simple direct sum and permits an easy identification of the Casimir invariants. Such invariants in the limit of translational symmetry with respect to the direction of the background magnetic field turn out to be associated with Lagrangian invariants of the fluid model. We show that the coupling between the parallel and perpendicular heat flux evolutions introduced by the closure is necessary for ensuring the existence of a Hamiltonian structure with a Poisson bracket obtained as an extension of a Lie–Poisson bracket.


The voice quixotic evokes idealism, optimism, fulfillment of dreams... I mean them all in the title of this paper, in order to neutralize the skepticism of those who thought it was impossible to get to the state where the process of recodification of Puerto Rican private law is today. This is just another example of what a good dose of quixotism can attain. No doubt the voice quixotic in this context also epitomizes the Spanish heritage of the Puerto Rico Civil Code and allows me to join the recent celebration of the four hundredth anniversary of Cervantes' obra maestra. Puerto Rico's mixité is connected to the transfer of sovereignty to a common law country because it is an unincorporated territory of the United States since 1898. At the time of the invasion, Puerto Rico had a legal system inherited from Spain, the former sovereign, and, accordingly, founded on the civil law tradition of continental Europe. Political change meant an intense transformation of very important aspects of the legal system. Nevertheless, the Civil Code that Spain had extended to Puerto Rico only a few years earlier was not replaced, although it was questionably amended by a Commission appointed to "harmonize" Puerto Rican law with the new political regime.


In ancient Hebrew society,marriage must to have two necessary conditions,namely reaching marriage age and assent of the parent.Marriage also had some prohibitions from social customs.Marriage needed certain procedures including promise of marriage and wedding.The promise of marriage needed to be oral or written contract.In the early days of Hebrew,wedding was simple,but it became more jolly and luxurious subsequently.In Hebrew society,the state of marriage is polygyny which allows an adult man to own several wives and concubines in the meantime.Divorce would not need special causes.If a man doesn't please his wife,he can put a certificate of divorce in her hand and send her out of his house.Remarriage of woman would be allowed and not been discriminated.But if a woman whose husband died doesn't have one son of her husband,she would have right to remarry with her husband's kinsman in order to have one son for her former husband.


For a prime q ≡ 3 (mod 4) and the character , we consider the subspace of the space of holomorphic cusp forms of weight one, level q and character χ that is spanned by forms that correspond to Galois representations of octahedral type. We prove that this subspace has dimension bounded by upto multiplication by a constant that depends only on e.


In the paper the author shows that in the novel «Evgeniy Onegin» by Alexander Pushkin a country estate idyll as a commonplace and a cliche of literature of sentimentalism and romanticism is being destroyed at all text levels. The country estate myth is carried from the real present to the ideal past – «memory space» of the heroine. «Happy Arcadia» is considered as a house of Tatiana's Soul.


When conventional arc welding methods welded various kinds of duplex stainless steels, it is well known that the ferrite phase was enriched in welds. Notably, in the case of laser beam welding (LBW), due to high energy density and welding velocities, the phase balance might be remarkably changed from that in the base material. Also, it is concerned that such phase unbalances in welds because of the degradation of corrosion resistance, mechanical properties, and so on. Therefore, it is crucial to clarify the effect of alloy composition and welding heat cycle on microstructure change. Also, the morphology of phases formed in welds and mechanism of phase transformation during LBW thermal cycles should be clear, to predict the phases formed in LBW welds of duplex stainless steels and recovering method to maintain the phase balance. This experimental, detailed microstructure of austenite precipitated at ferrite grains in LB welds was investigated in this study. The morphology of widmanstätten austenite was observed by a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) after an immersion test using a sulfuric acid aqueous solution. The austenite was precipitated from grain boundaries growth with plate shape into the ferrite matrix. The elemental distributions in the welds were examined by an electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA). It was revealed that nitrogen was concentrated in austenite. Based on the result by electron backscattered diffraction pattern analysis (EBSD), it suggested that austenite precipitates at high-angle grain boundaries and widmanstätten austenite growth were maintaining some kinds of orientation relationship with ferrite matrix..


"This paper delves into the exploration of the birthplace of Sri Chaitanya, the Indian saint and founder of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. Sri Chaitanya's teachings and his message of love and hope have transcended boundaries and influenced people worldwide, particularly through the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Despite the global reach of Gaudiya Vaishnavism today, a longstanding debate has persisted since 1894 regarding the actual birthplace of Sri Chaitanya: Nabadwip or Mayapur. This study focuses on analyzing hagiographies and literature published up to the 17th century to shed light on this debate. Through a geographical lens, the research concludes that Nabadwip was indeed the birthplace of Sri Chaitanya, but the exact location within Nabadwip remains unknown. To address this challenge, the paper recommends future research directions that employ a multidisciplinary scientific approach, including archaeology, geology, geomorphology, and botany, supported by state-of-the-art dating techniques. By undertaking this comprehensive investigation into Sri Chaitanya's birthplace, this research aims to provide valuable insights into the historical and cultural significance of Nabadwip and contribute to understanding Sri Chaitanya's life and legacy. Moreover, the paper underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration to uncover the truth behind historical claims and emphasizes the need for scientific methodologies to complement traditional sources in resolving historical debates. Keywords: Nabadwip, Mayapur, ISKCON, Birthplace of Sri Chaitanya, Mahaprabhu. "


When the ACS[2][1] founded its intramural program of epidemiological research in 1946, lung cancer death rates in men had increased approximately 5-fold since 1930, the first year for which mortality statistics encompassed most of the United States ,[(1)][2] . Death rates from what had been the two


The electric field intensity change caused by lightning flashes at the atmospheric source was measured in summer, 1969. The procedure of statist ical measurement which has been used for a long time in the research field of atmospheric radio noise, has been introduced in studying statistically the electric field intensity change at the atmospheric source. The following four statistical parameters have been obtained from the synchronous analysis of e lectric field intensity change at the atmospheric source recorded on magnetic tape in observing the atmospherics: (l ) The A. P. D. curve follows a log-normal distribution in the probabilit y values ranging from 2 to 0.01 96 , and the corresponding dynamic range of voltage variation is about SO or 60 dB. (2) The C. R. D. curve can be approximated by three straight line sections connected on the log-log graph. Mathematically speaking, the above corresponds to the statement that the C. R. D. curve can be expressed reasonably by the use of three different power functions each with a respective power index. (3) 0. T. I. D. represents the time ch aracteristics on the time sequence of the e lectric fi e ld intensity when a con stant voltage value is given for the threshold. The time characteristics of the electric field intensity observed at the atmospheric source are derived from the known time characteristics of a number of e lementary electric processes, i. e., the stepped leader, return stroke, K change, and so on. An important relation has been found, that is, the shape of C. R. D. of the e lectric field intensity at t he atmospheric source is very simila r to that of C. R. D. of the atmospheric radio noise regarding both the curve shapes drawn on the log-log graph. Discussion has been made on the relationship between the statistics of the e lectric field intensity change at the atmospheric source and that of the atmospheric radio noise, based on the similarity of curve shape of C. R. D.. The above is described in detail this paper.


Abstract : The Department of Defense (DoD) has placed a growing emphasis on the pursuit of agile capabilities via net-centric operations. The breadth of technological advancements in communication and sensing has generated exciting opportunities for battlefield systems to exploit collaboration to multiple effects. In this setting, systems able to interoperate along several dimensions increase the efficiency of the overall system-of-systems (SoS) manifold. However, the manner in which these SoS are acquired (designed, developed, tested, and fielded) hasn't completely kept pace with the shift in operational doctrine. In our current project, we have attempted to unravel the layers of complexities in an SoS acquisition program, outline an acquisition strategy better suited for such programs, and develop an exploratory analysis tool to provide insights into the acquisition process. The research efforts during the one year study period have focused on the development and consequent extension of prior frameworks of the Computational Exploratory Model (CEM) -- a discrete event simulation model -- and its associated analytical representation, the Markov approach, to investigate the impact of development dependencies on the successful acquisition of an SoS. These efforts also include a complementary decision analysis tool that is based on investment portfolio theory. The conceptual model for acquisition strategy proposed in our project is based on the 16 technical management and technical system-engineering processes outlined in the Defense Acquisition Guidebook (DAG), often referred to as the 5000-series guide. Our conceptual model for acquisition is centered on the revised processes of the 2007 System-of-Systems System Engineering (SoS-SE) manual. The Markov-based analytical approach seeks to augment the CEM approach by developing a method that enables the comparison of networks of systems that are interconnected and quantifying the cascading effects of development risk.


The invention discloses a magnet ring winding machine used for wire rod winding magnet rings with thick wire diameters. The magnet ring winding machine comprises a magnet ring conveying mechanism, a wire feeding mechanism, a winding mechanism and an operating table, wherein the magnet ring conveying mechanism is arranged in the middle of one side of the winding mechanism and comprises a vibration disk and a magnet ring conveying device, and the magnet ring conveying device is arranged between the vibration disk and the winding mechanism; the wire feeding mechanism is arranged behind a base of the winding mechanism and comprises a stepper motor, an upper wire feeding wheel arranged on a rotating shaft of the stepper motor, a lower wire feeding wheel arranged on an internally arranged bearing below the upper wire feeding wheel, a wire horn mouth arranged behind the upper wire feeding wheel and the lower wire feeding wheel, and a wire conduit communicated with a wire hole in the base of the winding mechanism; and the winding mechanism comprises a wire device guiding wire rods to operate, the base mounted on the wire device, a wire driving device mounted on a guide seat, a magnet ring control device fixing and driving a magnet ring to rotate, a wire lifting device arranged on the guide seat, and a wire groove soft belt pulling device arranged below the guide seat.


U'E ARE GREATLY INDEBTED to Professor Gastaut and the school of Marseille for their endeavors over the past several years which have so expanded our knowledge of the electrophysiology of cerebral anoxia. I should like to examine Professor Gastaut's paper today in respect to what he has left unsaid, as well as to what he has said, and to pose the question: "Can we now, by combining earlier observations with those just presented, evaluate the clinical role of electroencephalography in cerebrovascular diseases as a whole?" Professor Gastaut has not dealt in any detail with the electroencephalographic changes in structural alterations such as cerebral hemorrhage or infarction. It is pertinent to ask whether such an omission is justifiable-justifiable, that is, not because of the limited time available for these presentations but justifiable by its lack of clinical significance. For electroencephalography to be of value clinically in structural or functional cerebrovascular disease, it must fulfill 3 criteria: [I] the electroencephalogram must show alteration when functional or structural abnormality is demonstrated clinically; [ 21 the electroencephalogram must differentiate dysfunction secondary to vascular disease from dysfunction due to other causes such as tumor or epilepsy; [3] the electroencephalographic abnormality should not occur with any significant frequency in a patient free of clinical signs and symptoms of disease. Since the first systematic studies of the electroencephalogram in cerebrovascular disease published in 1948 by Strauss and Greenstein' and Cohn and associates,z it has been known that cerebrovascular lesions, whether hemorrhagic, embolic, or thrombotic, may be associated with changes in the electroencepha-


About Permanent Magnet Type Synchronous Machine, especially the generator is required to decrease THD of EMF wave form. In this paper is expressed about Fractional Slot Windings, to improve the THD performance without increasing the slot numbers at multi-poles design. The Prototype is for the middle speed drive train for Wind Turbine, then THD and Efficiency performance is inspected and reported.


With computer technology and the rapid development of multimedia technology,digital and network quickly applied to the police and fire services.Traditional analog closed circuit TV surveillance system has many limitations: transmission distance is limited,not networking,and analog video signal data storage will spend a lot of storage media(eg video),the query when the evidence is very cumbersome.The small size,low power consumption,digital,easy installation,low cost embedded linux devices used in all walks of life in the fast.


The Siberian State Academy for Mining and Metallurgy (SSAMM) has developed a cementless fine-grained ash-slag concrete consisting of high calcium fly ash and slag sand from thermal power plants and containing silica fume. The composition and technology of the concrete has been patented. The compressive strength of the concrete is 5 to 20 MPa. It does not contain any natural or artificial aggregates (gravel, sand, clay, polystyrene). High-calcium fly ash combined with silica fume is used as a binder. The influence of the ratio of the above mentioned three components on the compressive strength and density of the concrete developed was studied using a computer technique. As a result, a three-dimensional integral scheme was designed for proportioning the concrete of a required strength (5 to 20 MPa) and density (2000 to 2500 kg/m cubed). The optimal mixture proportions for concrete of 20 MPa strength were as follows: Fly Ash, 30-40%; Slag Sand, 30-40%; Silica Fume, 3-4%; Water (60-80 degrees C), the rest. Concrete with optimum mixture proportions was used to investigate optimization of schedules of concrete heat treatment carried out in an automatic steam-curing chamber. Here, the three-dimensional system was involved as well: previous curing before heat treatment of 3, 6 and 12 hours; three schedules of a heat treatment i.e., 3(6)3, 3(9)3 and 3(12)3 hours cycles where (6), (9) and (12) hours are holding periods; three isothermal temperatures of 60, 80 and 100 degrees C. A computerized analysis of the investigation showed that heating of concrete during 9 to 10 hours at 80 to 100 degrees C with 6 to 7 hours of curing provided the best strength characteristics of the concrete.


During one decade, an increasing percentage of world population has to be attributed to an array of environmental, health and lifestyle factors. The potential effect of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) emitted from electrical and various electrical devices in the occupational environment and light at night (LAN) to elicit biological response are a major concern for the public and scientists. Controversial genetic and oxidative stress effects have been reported by these polluted environments. Hence this study was undertaken with a purpose to evaluate melatonin hormone and oxidative stress markers in exposure workers along with cumulative effects of smoking and drinking. The study subjects (n=342) included night shift workers for more than 2 years with age, gender, socioeconomic status matched non-exposure controls (n=150). Self-reported symptoms were sought using questionnaire. Plasma Melatonin was evaluated using radioimmuno assay. Oxidative stress was estimated by measuring plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), serum nitric oxide (NO) and erythrocyte catalase levels. When the data of exposed subjects was analyzed, a significant decrease in melatonin levels was observed. Plasma MDA levels demonstrated a significant increase in one sub-group. The serum NO levels and erythrocyte catalase levels shows a significant increase. The cumulative effect of a chemical agent or environmental pollutant could be a possible contributor in enhancing the adverse effect of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields. Certain caution is necessary.


Laboratory bioassay was carried out during 2008 to evaluate some insecticides against larval instar of lac insect predator (Chrysopa lacciperda Kimmins) to develop suitable strategy for management of this serious neuropteran pest of Indian lac insect [Kerria lacca (Kerr)]. Seven safer insecticides, viz lambdacyhalothrin, carbosulfan, spinosad, indoxacarb, fipronil, alphamethrin and ethofenprox against lac insect, were evaluated for their bioefficacy against C. lacciperda Kimmins by topical application and exposing the insect on residual film of insecticides. Topical application of lambdacyhalothrin (0.005 and 0.008%), carbosulfan (0.02 and 0.03%), fipronil (0.005 and 0.01%), alphamethrin (0.005 and 0.01%), spinosad (0.02%), indoxacarb (0.02%), and ethofenprox (0.02%) exhibited 100% mortality of C. lacciperda within 24 hr of treatment. Fipronil (0.005 and 0.01%) and indoxacarb (0.02%) were found to be equally effective as cent per cent mortality was observed within 24 hr of treatment with both modes of treatment. In most of the treatments topical application of insecticides was found to be more effective as compared to exposure of insect on residual films. Hence, lambdacyhalothrin, carbosulfan, indoxacarb, spinosad, fipronil, alphamethrin and ethofenprox can be incorporated in IPM programmes while formulating strategy for effective management of this neuropteran predator of lac insect without having any adverse effect on lac insect. Fipronil is highly water soluble and hence may be cautiously used. Supervisory control of predators of lac is generally recommended.


A survey of housing in Kumasi, the second city of Ghana, has revealed a severe shortage of accommodation. The traditional religion of Asante was found to be a major determinant of attitudes toward land and housing. Policies for the rapid increase in housing stock, based on Turner's concepts of self-help, are found to be incongruent with the religious and economic realities of housing supply, but other resources are present that can form the basis of a workable strategy.


Abstract Application of electrostatically charged sprays of Bacillus thuringiensis using MicronR Micro‐ulva chargeable spinning disc sprayer was investigated and its efficiency in improving underleaf surface coverage with charged droplets was determined by comparing the total viable spores counts (VSC) from spores washed off the upper and lower leaf surfaces of sprayed Brussels sprouts. Bioassay experiments were also carried out by comparing mortality of third instar larvae of P. xylostella confined to upper and lower leaf surfaces of plants sprayed with charged and uncharged droplets. Higher total viable spore counts (P < 0.001) and a higher mortality of P. xylostella (P = 0.029) indicated improved coverage of the lower surfaces of electrostatically sprayed Brussels sprouts plants.


Epileptic mutant animals are normally kept in frozen embryo to spare the costs and human powers. However, the seizure thresholds of epileptic mutants are very delicate and the reproducibility of seizure threshold through frozen embryo procedures is unstable.


of Abstract: Since the year 2016, the results of Kenya Certificate of Primary Education have shown that learners with hearing impairment in Western Kenya perform poorly in English Language. The results for 2016 showed that these learners scored a mean of 26.78 in 2016 and a mean of 25.98 in 2017. Scholars correlate under performance in languages with unavailability of early reading literacy resources. Children with hearing impairment need linguistically rich environments in order to acquire sign language. Acquisition of their first and second language affects their literacy development. This study was guided by the Krashen's theory of second language acquisition developed. He postulates that the acquisition of a given language has to occur within some environment setting and in consonant with the social aspects of the human existence. The study sought to determine the effect of available professionally trained personnel on acquisition of English language skills among learners with hearing impairment in Western Kenya. The researcher used a mixed methods approach and Stratification to randomly sample 63 teachers of English language, 100 learners with HI, 9 head teachers, 4 county education officials and 24 non-teaching staff. Split-half split testing was used to test reliability while face and content validity of the research instruments was ensured by the supervisors. Data was collected using questionnaires, observation and interview schedules. It was analyzed both descriptively and inferentially and reports presented in narrative form. Results showed that over 53.3% (32 out of 60)respondents contended that teachers have not been effectively helping grade one to three learners with hearing impairment to develop English language skills reading using available literacy resources in western Kenya. The teaching staff had significant positive linear relationship of 18.9% (r = 0.189**, P<0.01) with acquisition of English language skills therefore significant low influence led to a conclusion that most teachers were not fully utilizing their acquired skills in instructing learners in schools for hearing impaired in special schools in Western Kenya. The researcher recommended that teachers in special schools in western Kenya should be encouraged to fully utilize their acquired skills to improve the learners' literacy skills.


The influence of water extract of Uncaria tomentosa (Willd.) DC. bark on Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection was studied. The preparation was obtained by extraction of bark Uncaria tomentosa with water (37°C, 24 h) and further fractionation. Inbred C57BL/6 mice 7-9 weeks old, ca 20 g of body mass, females, were fed water extract for 7 days (10, 20 or 100 mg/kg), or water (controls). On the 8 th day some mice were infected i.p. with P. aeruginosa strain ATCC. Livers were excised after four hours, homogenized and the numbers of viable bacteria were estimated by plating. After administration of Uncaria water extract a significantly decreased number of bacteria in P. aeruginosa infected mice livers, as compared with the control group, was demonstrated. The inhibitory effect of dose 10 and 20 mg/kg was highly statistically significant but highest dose of extract (100 mg/kg) has not evoked important changes in the number of bacteria.


Information available from the U.S.A. on the irradiation of UO/sub 2/ to burn-ups above about 15000 MW d/t is surveyed. Experiments on pellet rods, capsule irradiations, and examination of a fuel rod from the PWR first core at the end of the second seed life are reviewed. (R.E.U.)


Marginal lands are recommended as a viable land resource for biofeedstocks production, but their suitability for biofeedstock crops growth are poorly understood. This study assessed the suitability...


Agriculture is the main economic entity in Minqin Oasis.The partial eco-environment in Minqin Oasis has improved,but the overall is deteriorating.The situation of sustainable development is grim.Developing the modern agriculture in the oasis is very important and key.This paper analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of Minqin oasis'agriculture and raises the specific countermeasures.


����������������������� Tertiary education policy is increasingly important on national agendas. The widespread recognition that tertiary education is a major driver of economic competitiveness in an increasingly knowledge-driven global economy has made high-quality tertiary education more important than ever. The imperative for countries is to raise higher-level employment skills, to sustain a globally competitive research base and to improve knowledge dissemination to the benefit of society. Tertiary Education for the Knowledge Society provides a thorough international investigation of tertiary education policy across its many facets – governance, funding, quality assurance, equity, research and innovation, academic career, links to the labour market and internationalisation. The report presents: • an analysis of the trends and developments in tertiary education; • a synthesis of research-based evidence on the impact of tertiary education policies; • innovative and successful policies and practices that countries have implemented; and • tertiary education policy options.


The paper presents methodological approach for asset management of electric distribution company through a policy, built upon the Risk based asset management. Here are shown the indicators by which the reliability of a distribution network is estimated and consequent cost of failure of equipment and missed benefits are determined. Using the described methodology the distribution companies could perform: qualitative and quantitative assessment of the risk, determination of measures to reduce the risk, and asset management based on the wise policy of the maximum acceptable risk.


We report the first positive experimental observation of the optical activity effect on normal reflection. The experiment was performed along the optic axis in a gyrotropic semiconductor crystal of alpha-HgS, cinnabar, in a spectral region of strong absorption. Reflected light polarization azimuth rotation resulting from the reflection is in the order of 10^-4 rad and has pronounced dependence on h-omega-Eg.


This paper, which summarizes the author's master thesis in organization studies, presents results from a study of strategic management practices as they relate to organizational stakeholders. The underlying conceptual framework comes from stakeholder theory, transaction costs economics and the new economic sociology, which emphasize minimization of the costs of preventing opportunistic behaviour, and paradoxically, the development of social networks based on trust, which seek to maximize collective gain. This is a qualitative case study involving interviews with diverse stakeholders—community representatives, clients, and suppliers from an appliance manufacturer in Santa Catarina, Brazil. The results suggest the existence of a variety of different practices. Despite the presence of opportunistic pressures, cooperation and mutual trust are seen as important factors serving the interests of those involved.


A scalable, asymmetric route for the synthesis of the influenza virus replication inhibitor 2 is presented. The key steps include an enzymatic desymmetrization of cis-1,3-cyclohexanediester in 99% yield and 96% ee, SNAr displacement of a methanesulfinylpyrimidine, and a Curtius rearrangement to form a morpholinyl urea. This high-yielding route allowed us to rapidly synthesize hundreds of grams of 2 in 99% purity to support in vivo studies.


With ever increasing demand for highly correlated video services in wireless networks, network information sources often carry vast redundancy in information contents, as exemplified by popular multimedia contents requested online by a large number of mobile users. The consequence is the waste of two precious resources - spectrum and energy. A good strategy is network convergence whereby commonly requested contents are transmitted via broadcast channels while personal contents are unicast by cellular networks. This article studies crucial issues arising from network convergence including its information-theoretic foundation, architectures, and feasible schemes for various application scenarios.


The question has been raised as to whether the designation "brain-damaged" any longer has any clinical or educational worth, since it has come to be applied to so many groups of aberrantly functioning children. The study reported here finds that children labeled "brain-damaged" do in fact have clear evidence of central nervous system abnormality, though of great neurologic heterogeneity. The usefulness of the label, therefore, may be to prevent us from attributing undue weight to the etiologic role of social environment or parental care.


Given the unbalanced development of sci-tech journals in China,it is necessary for the national management agency to establish a more macro-level evaluation system,adopt the mechanism of rating assessment and management,formulate various development strategies according to the journals' performance and offer policy and financial support at different levels to tackle the unbalanced development of the journals.A rating system is recommended as follows.Grade I(top quality journals): Key support should be offered by the General Administration of Press and Publication,and papers published in these journals should be treated equally as those journals cited by SCI,and these journals are mainly of pro bono cultural undertakings.Grade II(excellent journals): Key support should be offered by local governments and industry associations,and these journals are mainly of business culture industry.Grade III(qualified journals): A market operation mode should be applied completely and these journals are all included in business culture industry without any financial support from the central and local governments,and a commercial publishing mode is framed by means of survival-of-the-fittest gradually.Grade IV(unqualified journals): Punishment of making corrections within a specified period of time or publication banning should be applied to these journals which violate national laws or industry regulations and fail to meet the quality requirement.The rating determination of sci-tech journals should be based on peer review,expert review and dynamic adjustment,and the reader evaluation index should be introduced at proper time.


This work presents an approach for virtualization-driven mapping and switching of software tasks for embedded multi-processor System-on-Chips (MPSoCs). We exploit a dedicated Virtualization Middleware between an array of processors and independent software tasks. Thus, the usually strict and static processor-to-task binding is resolved. By introducing a dynamically reconfigurable interconnection network based on permutation networks inside this Virtualization Middleware, an easy mapping and scheduling of software task groups may be achieved. Emphasis is put on the scalability as well as on the generic structure of the proposed solution. Sharing processor resources among software tasks and the ability to realize load distribution between processors are built-in features. Neither the software tasks nor the processors employed have to be modified in order to be used with the proposed procedure.
 The approach is demonstrated by a state-of-the-art cryptographic computation example, where the process of eight parallel AES-128 encryptions and decryptions is dynamically mapped and (re-)scheduled on a parallel array of embedded soft-core processors.


Dexamethasone intravitreal implantation has been used in various retinal and uveal pathologies. Common complications include cataract formation and raised intraocular pressure. Although uncommon, migration of the implant has also been well reported. We describe a case with migration of the implant into the anterior chamber in a patient with a scleral-fixated intraocular lens, which was managed noninvasively by pupillary dilatation and positioning of the patient.


Endotoxin administration is commonly used to study the inflammatory response, and though traditionally given as a bolus injection, it can be administered as a continuous infusion over multiple hours. Several studies hypothesize that the latter better represents the prolonged and pronounced inflammation observed in conditions like sepsis. Yet, very few experimental studies have administered endotoxin using both strategies, leaving significant gaps in determining the underlying mechanisms responsible for their differing immune responses. We use mathematical modeling to analyze cytokine data from two studies administering a 2 ng/kg dose of endotoxin, one as a bolus and the other as a continuous infusion over four hours. Using our model, we simulate the dynamics of mean and subject-specific cytokine responses as well as the response to long-term endotoxin administration. Cytokine measurements reveal that the bolus injection leads to significantly higher peaks for IL-8, while IL-10 reaches significantly higher peaks during continuous administration. Moreover, the peak timing of all measured cytokines occurs later in the continuous infusion. We identify three model parameters that significantly differ between the two administration methods. Monocyte activation of IL-10 is greater during the continuous infusion, while recovery rates of IL-8 is faster for the bolus injection. This suggests that a continuous infusion elicits a stronger, longer-lasting systemic reaction through increased stimulation of monocyte anti-inflammatory mediator production and decreased recovery of pro-inflammatory catalysts. Furthermore, our continuous infusion model exhibits prolonged inflammation with recurrent peaks resolving within two days during long-term (20-32 hours) endotoxin administration.


The utility model discloses a control switching system for an RFID multi-protocols reader, which comprises a control system, an emitting passage circuit, a receiving passage circuit and a host computer serial port communication circuit. The emitting passage circuit and the receiving passage circuit are connected with the control system, the control system is connected with the host computer serial port communication circuit, the receiving passage circuit comprises an input matching circuit, a controllable band-pass filter, a signal amplification circuit and a controllable demodulation circuit, the input matching circuit is connected with the controllable band-pass filter, the controllable band-pass filter is connected with the signal amplification circuit, the signal amplification circuit is connected with a controllable demodulator, the controllable demodulator and the controllable band-pass filter are directly connected with the control system, emitting signals generated by the emitting passage circuit and the demodulation form of the emitting signals are controlled by the control system, wherein an input end of a modulator is connected with the control system, an output end of the modulator is connected with a power amplification circuit, and the power amplification circuit is connected with an output matching circuit, thereby being capable of realizing switching.


A diffusive color reflector using volume hologram was examined to implement a diffusive reflector to be employed in reflective color LCDs, with high brightness due to gain reflection and with high color purity and high light efficiency. In holographic exposure experiment a micro-lens- array was introduced to generate object lights and to define an abrupt gain profile and to control the magnitude of the angular profile. The DuPont materials were used to obtain high color purity of reflection lights. The high light efficiency was realized by broadening the reflection width to the value of about 100 nm under an optimized color tuning process.


This paper presents a design and simulation of UPQC system for limitations of nonlinear load factors. The Neural Network controller is designed for tuning the PI controller parameters for achieving the optimal voltage in the solar power connected to the UPQC system. Solar power used to improve the power for load side power system designed in network. The MATLAB simulation software is used for simulation of results. From the simulation results, the Total Harmonics Distortion value is reduced from 2.77% to 1.04% in the voltage side similarly 4.48% to 1.54% in the current side. Also the waveform of the supply system is improved.


INTRODUCTION: Emergency obstetric simulation and team training can improve patient outcomes. However, in limited-resource countries, cost limits access and few studies measure effect. METHODS: Cluster-randomized trial including 24 community hospitals matched in 12 pairs in three Mexican states. From August 2010 to January 2012, 436 health care providers at 12 intervention hospitals received PRONTO two-step training (Module I [16 hours], Module II [8 hours] 3 months later) (www.prontointernational.org). PRONTO puts interprofessional teams through skill stations, activities, and eight highly realistic simulations using the PartoPants birth simulator. Data collection for all 24 hospitals were: baseline vital statistics, birth observation, and chart review at baseline and 4, 8, and 12 months postintervention. RESULTS: A total of 58,337 deliveries occurred and 641 births were observed. Difference-in-differences effect estimations showed a 44% decrease in perinatal mortality rates at 8 months postintervention (95% confidence interval [CI] –87% to –36%: P=.010) in intervention hospitals and a decrease in eclampsia by 68% at 12 months (95% CI –91% to 9%; P=.069). There was a 23-percentage points increase in the first step of active management of the third stage of labor at 8 months (95% CI –2% to 48%; P=.08) and a 31% percentage points decrease in postpartum uterine sweeping at 8 months (95% CI –58% to –4%; P=.02). CONCLUSIONS: Highly realistic, low-tech simulation can improve outcomes but may require refresher training to maintain effect. PRONTO training in Mexico reduced perinatal mortality by almost seven deaths per 1,000 births after adjusting for baseline differences. Making simulation and team training accessible globally has the potential to save the lives of mothers and neonates.


Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) is a vibrant and extensive sector of the Indian economy. It makes a significant contribution to the annual GDP, exports, and employment. In an environment of sustainable growth, economic reforms and, opening of the Indian economy. The role and importance of the MSME sector has become more significant. This sector is characterized by low investment requirement, operational flexibility, region mobility, and import substitutions. MSME Sector has been playing acrucial role in the overall economic development of a country like India and has the advantage of providing gainful employment opportunities with low investment and reduce regional disparities through the dispersal of industries into rural, semi-urban, and backward areas. This study makes an attempts to study the growth and, performance of MSMEs in terms of an increase in the number of working units, employment and investment levels in the recent past. This paper also tries to identify the problems faced by these units and the policy initiatives taken by the government.


Parturition and mortality annual rates are basic data for quantifying productivity of livestock populations in tropical extensive farming systems. Herd monitoring with ear-tagged animals is a gold standard for estimating these parameters in the field. Alternatives are cross-sectional retrospective surveys, based on farmers' interviews and their short- or long-term recall of the herds' demography. The present study evaluated a retrospective method (12MO) for estimating parturition and mortality rates over the last twelve months before the survey. The bias of different approximation methods was calculated for different available databases on cattle and small ruminants monitored in Senegal. The main result was the potentially high bias variability (particularly for the mortality rate of small ruminants for which the relative bias ranged from -60 to 96% in age class "0 to 1 year"), although the median bias remained acceptable (the median relative bias was ≤ 6% in absolute value). Retrospective surveys such as 12MO should be used sparingly (for instance to approximate immediate impacts of large shocks or of innovations) and their results interpreted with caution. Whenever possible, herd monitoring surveys (with or without animals' identification) over a period of several years should be preferred.


The utility model provides an adjustable multifunctional lumbar vertebra and cervical vertebra arc traction rehabilitation apparatus comprising a fixing base plate, an airbag cushion, a massager, a heating piece and a magnet. Fixing holes are formed in the periphery of the fixing base plate, the airbag cushion is positioned on the fixing base plate and connected with an inflation ball through a guide tube, the massager is positioned on the upper portions of air bags and consists of an upper pillow body, a vibrating block and a lower pillow body, the middle of the upper pillow body concaves downwards, the vibrating block is positioned between the upper pillow body and the lower pillow body, the heating piece is positioned on the surface of the upper pillow body, the fixing base plate, the airbags, the massager and the heating piece form an internal component which is externally wrapped by a packaging layer, and the magnet is fixed on the packaging layer and corresponds to the surface of the upper pillow body. The adjustable multifunctional lumbar vertebra and cervical vertebra arc traction rehabilitation apparatus integrates traditional magnet therapy, thermal therapy, massage and the like reasonably, can play a role in performing targeted hot compress at an appropriate temperature on lumbar vertebra and cervical vertebra parts through the heating piece capable of regulating heat, and has massage and magnet therapy functions.


The hydrogels are tridimensional crosslinked polymeric network with the ability to hold large amount of water. The purpose of this study was to prepare xanthan gum-based polysaccharide hydrogels with polymeric networks and to evaluate their physical and chemical properties. Xathan gum, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, HPLC graded water and glycerine was used in the preparation of hydrogels. The physical and chemical properties of hydogels were determined to characterize moisture content, biodegradability, relative hydrogen bonding strength, viscosity and surface morphology of the hydrogel formulations. On the basis of this analysis, hydrogel 04 and 05 with relatively higher xanthan gum concentration were found to be more effective product in comparison with other variations of hydrogels. The reasons behind the effectiveness of these two hydrogels were biodegradability, lower moisture content, higher viscosity and better crosslinking polymeric network morphology.


Abstract In this paper we estimate the $\left( {{L}^{p}}-{{L}^{2}} \right)$ -norm of the complex harmonic projectors $\pi \ell {\ell }',\,1\le p\le 2$ , uniformly with respect to the indexes $\ell,{\ell}'$ . We provide sharp estimates both for the projectors ${{\pi }_{\ell{\ell}'}}$ , when $\ell,{\ell}'$ belong to a proper angular sector in $\mathbb{N}\,\times \,\mathbb{N}$ , and for the projectors ${{\pi }_{\ell0}}$ and ${{\pi }_{0\ell}}$ . The proof is based on an extension of a complex interpolation argument by C. Sogge. In the appendix, we prove in a direct way the uniform boundedness of a particular zonal kernel in the ${{L}^{1}}$ norm on the unit sphere of ${{\mathbb{R}}^{2n}}$ .


e18639 Background: With the ever-increasing complexity of protocols and their required approvals, there is a need to improve the time and reduce the effort required to create a Phase III protocol. The objective of this research was to reduce from months to weeks the time to create a Phase III protocol at a large global pharmaceutical organization, while maintaining or improving the quality and scientific merit of the protocol. Methods: The method required two phases: process redesign and process execution/performance. For the first phase, a continuous improvement methodology (Lean), was utilized. In a multi-team-based approach, the first stage (process-prep) focused on the development of the initial draft protocol. The second stage used the concept of a Sprint, a process to complete all protocol changes and approvals within a rapid time span, while simultaneously guaranteeing protocol quality. A set of policies, procedures, and information technology tools were developed to facilitate both efforts. The Process-prep stage was team-based, where a streamlined Clinical Study Team and a sub-group, the Protocol Working Group, identified all the key tasks, activities and their associated completion dates, and created an 80% complete draft protocol. The Sprint was a one-week, intensive effort by all those responsible for creation of the protocol, and for its final approval. Working virtually and internationally allowed for a continuous 24-hour effort during the Sprint. One key element of success was the use of a visualization tool for the creation, adaptation, and finalization of the protocol's schedule of assessments (SOA) which both assured that all assessments were required by the protocol and that there was concordance between the protocol and the SOA. Results: Quantitative results were significant: a completed protocol was created with a 50% reduction of time compared to the last protocol written by the molecule group, reduction of avoidable amendments, reducing missed errors and potentially decreasing the number of protocol amendments and the near elimination of process loops and email-chains. Qualitatively, team members were trained on useful process tools and methods, while also increasing their comfort level in active participation in remote meetings. This resulted in faster time to create any amendments that may be required in the future for the protocol. Conclusions: It is possible to employ efficiency and effectiveness methods, such as Lean and Sprint, that have been used successfully in other industries in the pharmaceutical research & development process. While using such concepts requires a great deal of initial planning, the rewards of using them are significant. Likewise, the extensive use of interdisciplinary remote teams will be of increasing importance in a post-COVID environment of clinical research.


Phenolic compounds pollutants in aqueous solution such as 2-Chlorophenol (2-CP) have been listed as priority organic pollutants by the United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) due to their toxic and carcinogenic (1-4). Phenolic compounds have been extensively used in industries for applications such as petrochemical, oil refineries, papers, plastics, steel, pharmaceuticals, textiles, coal conversion, and so on (5,6). Wastewater treatment plants in various industries are the best and most practical method and it is considered effective in this area. Degradation of the phenolic compounds is very essential since it is carcinogenic and has a hazardous effect on mankind and is a major concern of its impact on the environment (7). Among different techniques for the removal of organic compounds, the traditional ones, such as adsorption (8-10) coagulation–flocculation (11,12) ozonation (13) Fenton, photo-Fenton process (14) H2O2 oxidation, photo-oxidation and combination of several techniques have A-R-T-I-C-L-EI-N-F-O A-B-S-T-R-A-C-T Article Notes: Received: Dec 31, 2016 Received in revised form: Jun 17, 2017 Accepted: Jul. 20, 2017 Available Online: Jul 23, 2017 Background & Aims of the Study: Phenolic compounds have been extensively used in industries for applications such as petrochemical, oil refineries, papers, plastics, steel, pharmaceuticals, textiles, coal conversion, and so on. Specified amounts of Phenolic compounds are lost in the process of their manufacturing and utilization and often cause environmental pollution problems. So, removal these compounds of industrial wastewaters are necessary. The aim of this paper, is the photo-degradation environmental pollutant 2-Chlorophenol (2-CP) using photo-Fenton process which was used a photo reactor for photo-catalytic degradation of 2-CP in aqueous solution. Materials & Methods: This is an experimental study on a laboratory scale. Fe ions as a homogeneous catalyst applied for the degradation of 2-CP in aqueous solution. The study was performed on synthetic wastewaters that contain 2-CP pollutant. The effect of operational parameters such as: pH, initial concentration Fe, H2O2 concentration and temperature were studied. The effect of UV irradiation, UV/H2O2 and UV/Fe 2+/H2O2 on photo-catalytic degradation of 2-CP were studied. The reaction kinetic was studied. In this paper, optimum conditions were determined for the photo-catalytic degradation of 2-CP using a factor at the time method. Results: The optimal conditions for this reaction were obtained at pH of 6, initial concentration Fe at 20 ppm, H2O2 concentration at 14 ppm and temperature at 45 °C. A first order reaction with rate constant (k=0.0375 min−1) was observed for the photo-catalytic degradation reaction. These experiments demonstrated that UV radiation, Fe ions and H2O2 oxidation process were needed for the effective degradation of 2-CP. Conclusion: The results showed that the photo-Fenton process can be suitable alternative to removal phenolic compounds from wastewaters.


What is an effective approach to detecting and addressing the myriad causes of postural hypotension?

Humans need to maintain continuous intracranial perfusion despite the persistent effect of gravity. In a recent Canadian Family Physician blog ( [cfp.ca/blog][1] ), postural hypotension was


The purpose of this study was to analyze microwave recycled asphalt binders using Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC), Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA). Standard asphalt binder testing was also performed to evaluate the samples and compare the results to the analytical techniques. A large change in the molecular size distribution was observed when the recycling agent was incorporated into the binder. The complex shear modulus G* at high temperatures or low frequencies was found to increase during microwaving, contrary to previous results by other researchers. The increase in G* correlated with the measured decrease in penetrations and increase in viscosities. The FTIR spectra were found to be very similar for all samples tested.


An enzymatic method was used for obtaining protein extracts from wheat flour using an alkaline protease. Some parameters were evaluated aiming the optimization of this method: temperature (40-50 oC); time (2-5 h); physical treatment of the sample (no treatment, ultra-turrax/16,000 rpm/5 min and ultrasound/120 W/10 min); enzyme:substrate ratio (E:S) of 5:100 - 10:100 and concentration of wheat flour (1:3, 1:5 and 1:10 w/v). The results showed that the best condition for protein extraction was that using the sample concentration of 1:3 (w/v), ultra-turrax, E:S of 10:100, at 40 oC, 2 h, having reached an extraction yield of 88.53%.


Preliminary data of low‐frequency (⩽1 kHz) reflectivity from the ice‐water interface at shallow angles will be presented. Distinct frequency dependence is observed in the data and possible theoretical interpretations suggested. [Work supported by ONR.]


In this paper I analyse the material sent to me over a period of 5 years by an Indian woman, born to a Muslim family and educated by Catholic missionaries, in whose madness (probably schizophrenia, if diagnosed by psychiatrists) can be perceived the internalisation of a Western moral cosmos and racist beliefs about the superiority of white people. It is a rich and voluminous collection of outpourings on sexuality, religion, race, corporeality and the glorious self. In turn abject and exalted, paranoid and perceptive, the texts invoke a fantastic world of erratic dreams, stories from the Bible, Hindu mythology, American movies, popular technology, conspiracy beliefs and contemporary Indian social life. As psychic texts - and a diary of the body in deep alienation – the collection provides a rare opportunity to consider the experience of ordinary people caught up in the post-colonial dynamics of gender and culture, on a level of consciousness that is usually kept properly hidden or under control. A traditional association of the feminine with evil is both taken in and turned around in the processing work of a self-aggrandising rather than self-abnegating subject. The appeal of this 'writing from below' is to be recognised as 'writing from above' .  In responding to this appeal, it is necessary to recognise a form of social protest that draws on the secret of duality and reversibility that I call, with reference to Baudrillard, 'the intelligence of unreason.'


Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combination of cataract surgery and intravitreal bevacizumab injection in patients with cataract and diabetic macular edema. Methods: Patients received an intravitreal injection of bevacizumab(1.25 mg) combined with phacoemulsification and implantation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA, LogMAR) and, central macular thickness (CMT) were measured using OCT at baseline and at one week, one, three, and six months after surgery, and adverse events were recorded. Results: The mean baseline LogMAR BCVA was 0.840.50 and mean CMT was 337.157.50 . At one week, one, three, and six months after surgery, the mean BCVAs were 0.520.40, 0.510.42, 0.520.34, and 0.460.37, and the mean CMTs were 356.486.44 , 338.8138.4 , 349.0122.9 , and 334.2100.4 , respectively. No adverse events associated with cataract surgery or intravitreal bevacizumab injection were observed. Conclusions: The short-term results from the present study suggest the combination of cataract surgery and intravitreal bevacizumab injection are safe and effective for the prevention of macular edema aggravation for one month, but has little effect on prevention of macular edema aggravation three months after surgery for diabetic macular edema patients.


One of the most interesting and yet unexplained signs in clinical medicine is hypertrophic osteoarthropathy. Most commonly due to carcinoma of the bronchus (Hammarsten and O'Leary, 1957), this entity consists of periosteal new bone formation at the distal ends of the long bones, periarthritis, sometimes with effusions, and usually digital clubbing. Localized clubbing has been reported on many occasions, and the commonest cause of this has been aneurysmal dilatation of the aorta or great vessels (Mendlowitz, 1942). Localized hypertrophic osteoarthropathy, on the other hand, is extremely rare, and in the few cases where it has been described the changes have been confined to the lower limbs in patients with patent ductus arteriosus and reversed shunt (Williams et al., 1963; Dailey et al., 1962). The case is reported here of a woman who developed clubbing of the toes and hypertrophic osteoarthropathy of the lower limbs after infection in an abdominal aortic prothesis.